#after dinner mints: lifespans

[britcision]

I LIVE

Which. Is ironic. Considering our topic today 😅

I did say I was gonna do more with our actual main characters in the show eventually, so here’s a little bit of that 😁

I’m just saying, with Marcille’s track record it’s fucking bold of her to assume she’ll make it to 1000

——————

After Dinner Mints - Lifespans

Marcille thought she was handling everything pretty well, considering. She’d been within spitting distance of achieving her life’s dream. She’d finally learned the truth about ancient magic.

She’d nearly killed everyone in the world, or trapped them in an endless prison where they could never move or feel again.

In the end, she’d made the choice to abandon her dream and stop the demon. If she was honest with herself, it had less to do with the way the demon had been manipulating her or honestly anything it had done at all; it was a lot more to do with the journey she’d been on with her friends. With Senshi.

Because at the beginning, sure, she’d been worried about fighting the dragon, but she’d never doubted they’d get Falin back. Her death was just a temporary measure, no matter what, because she wouldn’t let Falin be gone forever.

But… that was literally just what Thistle had wanted. And looking at everything he’d done, and what they now knew about the demon… Marcille knew she would have been just as bad, or worse. Knew how narrowly she’d escaped exactly the same fate; and she couldn’t help but be reminded every time she saw Yaad.

It wasn’t like she wanted to be thanked for deciding not to end the world. It’d just be nice if people could occasionally appreciate what she’d given up for it.

It had been hard, and she’d had to acknowledge she was wrong, which she was damn sure most of the Canary wardens weren’t physically able to do. Nor much of anyone else that she’d met.

She was keeping those thoughts to herself, along with the knowledge of what accepting that she couldn’t fix the world was going to cost her. After all, she’d have decades, centuries yet to think all about that and wonder if she’d made the right decision, if she couldn’t have controlled the demon after all.

She couldn’t have. She’d have had no chance. But it was already eating at her in the dead of night, and it hadn’t even been a week.

She wasn’t going to waste time on it though. Not when the time she still had with some of her friends was so limited.

It’d just be nice if they were even slightly sensitive about that, too.

“C’mon, Chilchuck, you don’t need to go back to Kahka Brud,” she “teased” again, slumping into her folded arms on the table in front of her, “you can just live in the golden city with us! The king’s own locksmith!”

At the end of the table Laios perked up, despite his exhaustion from another long day of hauling meat and cooking.

Chilchuck folded his arms stubbornly and ignored the pair of them.

“All three of my girls are in Kahka Brud, and all my stuff! I was never planning on staying on the Island anyway, and you wanted to meet them all so bad, it’s not like it’s that far to visit,” he added slyly, a smirk tugging at his lips as he shot her a sidelong look.

Which. Was not fair.

Marcille absolutely did want to meet all three of his daughters, and his wife! The sooner the better! It just… could be here.

“They can move here too! We could help them all pick out houses, or where to build more half-foot sized ones, right Laios? It’s gotta be better to live where you’re personal friends with the ruler, right?” She wheedled, giving her best puppy eyes back.

Laios nodded eagerly, fingers playing nervously along the edge of the table.

“Yeah! You said Meijack’s a locksmith too, you could set up shop together! And I’m sure Fleurtom could find a nice dwarf-”

All levity suddenly leaving his face, Chilchuck slammed both hands on the table.

“And that’s exactly why they’re not coming! I’m not having two of my girls chasing around after Senshi giving him googoo eyes!” He snapped loudly, startling the man himself from where he’d been writing in his journal.

“What’s that?” He asked almost absent mindedly.

Chilchuck and Marcille both ignored him, Marcille tossing her hands into the air.

“Kahka Brud’s a dwarf city anyway! There’s got to be way more dwarves there, at least here it’s dwarves you’ve had a chance to get to know!”

“I got to know some of the ones in Kahka Brud anyway! I live there, all the time except when I was working the dungeon, which is gone now! I can’t ask them all to uproot their lives at the drop of a hat!”

“There’s literally never going to be a better time!” It was Marcille’s turn to slam her hands onto the table, surging to her feet too. “We need locksmiths! Half the houses in the risen city are still locked up!”

Chilchuck narrowed his eyes.

“Not all half-foots are locksmiths!”

“MEIJACK is, you told us to hire her if you died!”

“And I’m not fucking dead, am I!”

Senshi and Laios backed slowly away from the table. And went ignored.

Marcille sucked in a sharp breath, the words slamming into the well of fear in her chest. Chilchuck either didn’t notice or didn’t care, pointing an accusatory finger at her.

“And nothing’s stopping you from hiring me! Or hell, coming to visit! You wanted to meet them so bad, Kahka Brud’s not that far away, so why should we be the ones to move!”

Clearly against his better judgement, Laios re approached the table with both hands raised as if to ward off an attack.

“Chilchuck… I dunno how safe it’ll be for Marcille to… y’know, leave…” he said hesitantly, eyes darting between them in case either went for his throat.

To her abject fury, Marcille felt tears welling in her eyes. She didn’t want to cry, she wanted to be angry! He was just being a stubborn asshole for no reason!

But.

Yet.

He wasn’t dead yet.

Scrubbing at her eyes angrily, she did her best to glower at him.

“I can’t leave! You were so scared of the western elves, the only reason they’re not taking me with them when they leave is for Laios! That won’t matter in another few decades maybe, but I can’t wait that long! Because even when you’re a dick, I still want to spend time with you!”

Before you do die.

She couldn’t face the words, but they hung in the air in the silence anyway.

Laios quietly retreated. Senshi disappeared, probably in the direction of a kitchen. Chilchuck’s eyes widened briefly, and he sank back in his chair.

Marcille tried to catch her breath, pushing her hair back off her face. He hadn’t braided it for her today, and she hadn’t been able to work up the will to do it herself. Why couldn’t he just see he was needed here…

Pulling his mug back across the table towards him, Chilchuck took a large gulp and snorted.

“Bold of you to assume you’ll live another decade.”

Marcille. Blinked. Utterly dumbfounded. Had he forgotten somehow?

“Wh…. Chilchuck I’m going to live another nine hundred years?” She even sounded hollow and uncertain.

Chilchuck raised an eyebrow at her, gesturing with his mug.

“No, half-elves can live more than nine hundred years. You are a fucking disaster who got killed by a slime the second you left magic school, and now the immortality spell is gone. The next time any of us fuck up is for keeps, so I’m pretty sure I’ll outlive you,” he said smugly, finishing his beer.

Indignation rose to fill the space shock had emptied.

“What! Hey, you died in the dungeon as much as I did!”

Not that they’d ever actually compared death counts (who kept track of things like that?) but she was pretty damn sure he had. Dying hadn’t exactly been a regular occurence with the Toudens, but it wasn’t unheard of either. They’d both been under Falin’s resurrection more than once.

And he’d been working dungeons for years before she ever showed up! So really, he’d probably died more.

“Not ten minutes into my first day I didn’t,” Chilchuck snickered, pointing at her with the hand holding his tankard, “and I only ever died of things that only happen in dungeons, like mimics and traps. That’s not gonna be hard to avoid on the surface. You’re gonna have a much harder time avoiding your own clumsy ass.”

Especially not if he stayed in Melini, where the monsters wouldn’t go, but Marcille was much too indignant to think of that now.

Mouth opening and closing a few times, Marcille huffed and drew herself up, folding her arms. She couldn’t actually refute the whole “dying on the first day” thing, so there wasn’t much point trying.

(It wasn’t like it was her fault the Toudens had been too busy whispering to notice the slime.)

“It’s not like there’s an overabundance of slimes up here either!” She snapped, both hands on the table. “You’re more likely to be lock picking some trap for some obnoxious lord than I am to find another slime!”

“You’re more likely to do some dumbass magic and blow yourself up in a closed room than I am to find a trap I can’t handle,” Chilchuck shot back, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

Heat building in the tips of her ears, Marcille did her best to ignore it and glared at him.

“I’m not going to need any explosive spells! There’s no monsters to fight!”

“I said blow yourself up, not use explosive spells,” Chilchuck said dismissively, waving a hand, “you’re way too into all that weird magical experimenting, and it’s not like you’ll remember to take care of yourself anyway. Senshi and I will get back to our lives and in a week you’ll have forgotten you need food and be wasting away in a tower.”

“Hey! I can take care of myself!”

“You probably couldn’t make a sandwich.”

“I can cook for myself just fine!”

“You’re gonna confuse one of your weird dark magic potions for a sauce and be dead in a week.”

“That was SENSHI! And it wasn’t a dark magic potion, it was a changeling ointment!”

“Yeah, and when you do it it’ll be a weird dark magic potion. And you’ll turn yourself into a mushroom or something.”

“I’m not even doing the ancient magic anymore! And I’m not gonna turn into a mushroom! No one turns themselves into a mushroom!”

“And how many people accidentally turn dragons into chimeras?”

Breathing heavily, Marcille clenched her fists and forced herself not to cry. Or scream. They were finally, finally so close to fixing that stupid mistake, and it hadn’t even been her who’d made it.

If Thistle hadn’t revived the dragon… but no, that didn’t matter.

She’d known Chilchuck wasn’t comfortable with what she’d done. He’d never been shy about it. Although apparently he’d also been holding more back than she’d thought. And none of that mattered, because she didn’t want to waste what little time they might have left on pointless fighting.

“If I’m that much of a disaster, that’s only more of a reason for you to move closer! Any of us could die tomorrow!” She huffed, dropping gracelessly back into her seat.

Somehow, the words didn’t hurt as much when she was annoyed. Didn’t feel as imminent, as real.

Chilchuck snickered and poured himself another beer.

“You could. I actually know how to take care of myself. And you guys don’t pay me enough to babysit.”

Marcille spluttered indignantly, unable to even find the words. Laios cautiously approached the table again, but didn’t retake his seat. He still looked skittish and uncertain, lost as ever when the subject wasn’t monsters.

“Still, Chilchuck… there’ll always be a place for you here. For you, and your daughters, and your wife if you ever want it? Wasn’t Marcille going to help you try and work things out with your wife anyway?” He asked hopefully, giving Marcille the puppy eyes that looked way too much like Falin’s.

She had no chance against those eyes, but luckily in this case he was on her side. Chilchuck faltered, and she shot him a triumphant grin.

“Yeah! It’s gonna take forever if we have to write letters back and forth,” she agreed smugly… although the idea of the story playing out over a long series of letters was appealing too.

It’d be like having her own private romantic serial.

Unless Chilchuck and his wife both moved to Melini, and then she could watch it in real time, and that’d be even better! Or if Chilchuck moved in, and they both wrote to his wife together…

Senshi reappeared, carrying a tray of steaming mugs that smelled of cinnamon, pausing for just a moment in the door before approaching the table. All three men gradually relaxed as Marcille visibly brightened up, as she always did with the prospect of family drama or a slow romance.

Or not rehashing the death of everyone she’d ever met. Or would meet, for another five hundred years.

Senshi distributed the mugs, gently taking Chilchuck’s beer and only getting a mildly disgruntled look as he switched it out for hot milk. The half-foot took a sip of the new drink anyway, humming happily as he tasted the whiskey.

Marcille played with hers, turning the mug slowly in her hands as she mused over all the possibilities. Then she snapped back, shooting Chilchuck a hopeful smile.

“You know… being the royal locksmith would be the kind of position that might really impress her,” she suggested, heart in her throat.

A reluctant pink tinged Chilchuck’s cheeks.

“She doesn’t care about things like that,” he grumbled, looking into the foam on the milk. Just a little too sullen when combined with that blush.

Marcille squirmed in delight. “Just coworkers” or not, she knew him far too well to miss excuses.

“Oh, but we’ll have to get you fitting clothes! Something very well tailored, with fine fabrics, since you’re on the king’s payroll. What’s her favourite colour?” She asked eagerly, clasping both hands over her heart.

Clearly about to protest again, the last question wrong-footed Chilchuck completely.

“What? Why?” He asked cautiously.

Marcille rolled her eyes.

“Because you need to wrap her present in something, and oh! You’ll have to tell me her favourite flowers, and jewellery, and…”

The possibilities spilled out in front of her, far more infinite than the unknown spans of time that might be left to any of them.

True, to an elf (or a half-elf), they’d see so many years that they almost lost meaning. But she had the same twenty-four hours in a day, every day, and if the dungeon had taught her anything it was that those hours could be as long or short as she made them.

Really, even a thousand years probably wouldn’t be long enough for her to run out of romantic strategies to help Chilchuck win his wife back. They’d have to get down to some serious planning really soon, maybe even before the feast…

Actually, there was one obvious place to start.

Beginning to relax into his drink, Chilchuck twitched when her attention snapped back to him.

“Hey Chilchuck… what’s your wife’s name?”

————————

Finally we’re back to short and sweet 😁 and this one has been living rent free in my head for a while

Aaaaaand spawned another terrible little snippet with my most beloved Mithrun that I hope to be sharing with you soon because the only thing making the Marcille-disaster worst is hanging out with Mithrun 😇

Dungeon Lord Besties

And link to my AO3:

[greyetienne]

Colour Legacy Challenge

This sims generation challenge is inspired by the ‘Not So Berry’ challenge. However, for this challenge I have created fifteen generations, one for each career type in my game.  I currently have the Seasons, Get together and City living expansion packs. I plan to expand this challenge in the future as I get more expansion packs which will come with more job options for the game.

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Basic Rules:

-Each heir must represent the color of the generation (i.e. hair, makeup, clothing), but brightly colored skin is not necessary (these aren’t actually berry Sims, that’s the joke). Of course, this is optional but a big portion of the fun.

-The colors of the spouses don’t matter as they aren’t part of the challenge. Unless otherwise stated you can do whatever you please with them.

-Money cheats can be used, but not excessively. Suggestion: use freerealestate for your first home, but no cheats afterward.

-You may live wherever you please unless something is specified in the rules of a generation.

-Every generation is supposed to complete both the career and aspiration of the heir unless explicitly stated otherwise.

-Photograph each legacy carrier and their partner as adults to be displayed as photographs on the walls of each new generations house.

-Keep the lifespan on normal.

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Generation One: Mint

You’re a mischievous astronaut that really loves the color mint. Your career is driven by your desire to meet exeter terrestrial aliens in order to harness their technology inorder to pull off crazy pranks on strangers. You love luxury and want the best for yourself and your family.

Trait: Vegetarian - Goofball - Childish

Aspiration: Chief of Mischief

Career: Astronaut

Rules:

-Master Scientist career and complete Chief of Mischief aspiration

-Master Rocket Science and Handiness skills

-Enter secret lot in Oasis Springs

-Must build a rocket and go to space

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Generation two: Green

You grew up in a chaotic and busy home with two working parents who were rerely home to take care of you. You turned to gardening and the outdoors as your solution where learnt the importance of caring for the earth and the nature around you. You even find a life long companion who shares the same love for gardening as you which inspires you to buy a farm.

Trait: Loves Outdoors - Romantic - Good

Aspiration: Freelance Botanist

Career: Gardener

Rules:

-Master Gardener career and complete Freelance Botanist aspiration

-Master Gardening and Logic skills

-Marry someone with a gardening skill

-Buy or create a farm

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Generation Three: Lemon

Growing up on a farm taught you how to be independent early in life. With your parents busy harvesting in the fields it was up to you to create the meals for when they returned home which led to your experimentation and experience in the kitchen. Although your final result dishes are extraordinary your cooking process always leaves you kitchen in a disaster.

Trait: Foodie - Glutton - Slob

Aspiration: Master Chef

Career: Culinary

Rules:

-Master Culinary Career and complete Master Chef aspiration

-Master Cooking and Gourmet Cooking skills

-Host a dinner party once a week

-Don’t have close relationships with family

-Have only one child

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Generation Four: Yellow

Growing up in a messy and chaotic house, you learnt to keep to yourself and stay out of your parents way. You found comfort being alone in your bedroom. For as long as you can remember you have always adored creating art. Even as a kid you used to paint pictures with the food left over on the plates from your parents extravagant dinner parties.

Trait: Creative - Clumsy - Loner

Aspiration: Painter Extraordinaire

Career: Artist

Rules:

-Master Artist career and complete Painter Extraordinaire aspiration

-Master Painting and Charisma skills

-Live alone and never got married

-Move house three times

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Generation Five: Orange

You are a freelancer who enjoys collecting and upscaling lost or discarded items. Your mother taught you to be creative and to make the most out of whatever you had. You love to dye your hair orange and wear fun and colorful clothes. You also dream of having a child that you can provide for and spoil in admiration.

Trait: Outgoing - Goofball - Family-Oriented

Aspiration: Curator

Career: None

Rules:

-Master the Curator aspiration

-Master Handiness and Fishing skills

-Enter Sylvan Glade in Willow Creek

-Get married to a sim with the ‘Good’ trait

-Have a close relationship with your child or children

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Generation Six: Peach

With help from your loving and supportive parents you were given the breavey to delve into the world of fashion. You love to express yourself with clothes and outfits as your parents taught you how to create anything you wanted from recycled materials. You stove to be a positive light in the world of fashion and leave your mark on history.

Trait: Self Assured - Cheerful - Ambitious

Aspiration: Leader of The Pack

Career: Style Influencer

Rules:

-Master Style influencer career and complete Leader of The Pack aspiration

-Master Painting, Charisma and Photography skills

-Get married to your highschool sweetheart 

-Move to the city as a young adult

-Have only one child

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Generation Seven: Red

You are a money obsessed politician who looks down on those less fortunate than yourself. Growing up with a world famous fashion designer parent you developed a superiority complex and vowed to stay wealthy no matter the cost. All you want in life is money and you refuse to spend a single simoleon on anyone other than yourself. You marry a younger pretty woman who clearly is only into you for the money but you dont care as she is the perfect trophy wife for your money empire.

Trait: Snob - Hot Headed - Materialistic

Aspiration: Fabulously Wealthy

Career: Politician

Rules:

-Master Politician career and complete Fabulously Wealthy aspiration

-Master Charisma and Piano skills

-Gat married to a pretty young adult as an adult

-Have multiple affairs with your wife

-Have three legitimate children

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Generation Eight: Pink

Growing up into a wealthy and snobbish family you learnt how to use power to your advantage by creating a huge social media following. Although you aren't a fan of the limelight you still make sure to stay in the public eye inorder to make your father proud. You love to party but find it hard to trust others as they may only be after you for your wealth and fame. 

Trait: Dance Machine - Noncommittal - Insider

Aspiration: Party Animal

Career: Social Media

Rules:

-Master Social Media career and complete Party Animal Aspiration

-Master Charisma, Gaming, Comedy and Dancing skills

-Gain 25 million followers on social media

-Skip highschool twice a week and go to a dancing bar

-Date multiple people but never get married

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Generation Nine: Plumb

You are a fun and outgoing goofball who loves to make people laugh. You were raised by an incredibly famous parent who helped boost your name in the entertainment world. However, you try not to associate with their fame as you want to grow your success on your own which leads you to move out early to explore the big city.

Trait: Childish - Goofball - Outgoing

Aspiration: Joke Star

Career: Entertainer

Rules:

-Master Entertainer career and complete Joke Star aspiration

-Master Comedy and Charisma skills

-Move to the city on your own as a teen

-Meet three people your age in the city and become best friends

-Start dating and move in with one of your friends as a young adult

-Go to karaoke with your friends once a week

-Have only one child

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Generation Ten: Purple

You're a quiet and calculated sim who always had an eye for perfection. You grew up with over loving parents who spoil you with gifts from all around the city. They often take you out to the best restaurants and hotels where you have acquired your passion and skills for critiquing. Although your parents spoiled you, their overprotective attitude drove you away where you found solitude in your vast collection of books.

Trait: Bookworm - Gloomy - Perfectionist

Aspiration: Renaissance sim

Career: Critic

Rules:

-Master Critic career and complete Renaissance Sim aspiration

-Master Painting, Writing and Music skills

-Get married to a sim with a ‘Geek’ personality trait

-Fill your house with books and bookshelves

-Avoid social interactions by staying at home

-Have five children

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Generation Eleven: Black

You’re the black sheep of your family and you were raised in a calm and quiet household. However, you’ve always wanted to cause mayhem, but you’re just really bad at being evil. You enjoy breaking into your neighbors’ houses and eating their food. You really love baking and spend the majority of your spare time eating sweets.

Trait: Kleptomaniac - Evil - Erratic

Aspiration: Public Enemy

Career: Criminal

Rules:

-Master Criminal career and complete Public Enemy Aspiration

-Master Mischief  Handiness and cooking skills

-Create a secret room in you house

-Get married to a work colleague 

-Steal peoples belongs at any opportunity

-Create and sell cupcakes during the weekends

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Generation Twelve: Navy

Your family's notorious name and power gave you a helping hand in your career andevers. Your family taught you that you must always be the best of the best and win at any cost which fueled your dream of owning the most extravagant house in town. You hate mostly everyone less fortunate than yourself but you fall in love with a street singer who strives to teach you how to be a better person.

Trait: Mean - Snob - Neat

Aspiration: Mansion Baron

Career: Business

Rules:

-Master Business career and complete Mansion Baron aspiration

-Master Charisma and Logic skills

-Must purchase the most expensive lot in a world

-Have no positive relationships with anyone except for spouse

-Get married to a street musician or singer

-Have only one child

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Generation Thirteen: Blue

You grew up in a large and luxurious mansion but you preferred to keep out your father's way as he was always too busy for you. However, you found joy in your mother who would slip DvDs or games under your door in hopes of getting through to you. Although you adored your mother for making the effort you preferred to be alone working on your computer and learning everything you can about technology.

Trait: Geek - Loner - Genius

Aspiration: Computer Wiz

Career: Tech Guru

Rules:

-Master Tech Guru career and complete Computer Wiz aspiration

-Master Programing, Video Gaming and Charisma skills

-Have no social interactions outside of online chat rooms

-Start dating penpal and eventually move in together

-Convert basement into a study where you spend all your time

-Have only one child

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Generation Fourteen: Grey

You are a confident and extroverted athlete who wants nothing more than to make it pro in the big leagues. Your parents were always on their computers when you were a kid which made you want nothing more than to go outside and do some sports. You found solace in a group of basketball friends who you spend every opportunity with. What you lack in brains you make up for in brawn however brawn does pass math exams so you find a tutor who can help. However, it seems like you may be developing feelings for them.

Trait: Active - Slob - Bro

Aspiration: Bodybuilder

Career: Athlete

Rules:

-Master Athlete career and complete Bodybuilder aspiration

-Master Fitness and Charisma Skills

-Have bad grades in school

-Spend most of your time away from home and hanging out with friends

-Date and get married to a sim with a ‘Bookworm’ aspiration

-Have a secret affair and eventually decide to become polygramous

-Go to the gym with friends once a week

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Generation Fifteen: White

You grew up in a comfortable and caring family. However, you moved out as a teen and found yourself living paycheck to paycheck as a barista. You long to write romance novels but are too afraid to quit your steady job to follow your dreams. You’re very practical and you know the chances of making it as a writer are slim, so you stay working at your nine to five. As an adult you finally decide to pursue your dreams. You’re a hopeless romantic, but your unflirty nature makes it nearly impossible to find love.

Trait: Perfectionist - Bookworm - Unflirty 

Aspiration: Best selling Author

Career: Barista - Writer

Rules:

-Master Writer career and complete Best Selling Author aspiration

-Master Writing and Logic and mixology skills

-Work as a barista during teens

-Pursue dreams of becoming a writer as a adult

-Go on at least 5 dates but never get married

-Invite all living family over for a diner party once a week

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[mpkcom]

Winter rabbit

2800 words short story inspired by nature and it's cruel side. Mild horror and fantasy.

Let me tell you a story. A story not told over seven hills and seven seas but right here. In my backyard. You could say it is over seven grasslands for there is no mountain or lake in sight. Flat. Everything is flat, except for an occasional Oak or Cherry.

The story begins in winter. A normal, even a mild winter, but with a thick layer of snow. Houses here are low with roofs touching the white blanket, creating mounds with sparkling chimneys. The roads? You mean trenches dug from one farm to another.

In one such burrowed path my friend drove in his car. An old Eastern European vehicle designed to be stubborn on these occasions. Steering wheel vibrated. He opened his mouth. Motor let out a ticking sound. Snowflakes on his windshield slowed down. Clash. Glass broke.

He stopped yawning. With a fluent swoop, he looked around his cabin. Foggy windows were whole. His heart pounded.  The only sound he heard. He looked at the radio. Smudged yellow light illuminated an FM scale. Only a moment ago it signaled a radio station playing songs with lots of trumpets and bass. He turned the knob. Only static on every frequency.

Outside the snowflakes fell in a straight line. Right light shone. Left flickered. He placed his hand on the door handle. As the lock clicked so did his mind. All the stories about wolves and night predators came to his mind. He gulped and cracked the door open. The wind pushed the moist chill air onto his face. Warm tears rolled down his cheeks. Snow crumbled as he sank ankle deep.

Cracks formed an intricate mosaic in the glass originating from a frozen ball of ice. Only forty centimeters tall, it bent in the front bumper and a small part of a square hood.

The right light flickered and all of them shut down in unison. The wind howled carrying a copper, bitter smell. Hair all over his body straightened, hands trembled and a warm, electrical, current ran down his spine separating his will from his legs. He only felt numbness from the waist down.

Howls cascaded in the distance. Wolf howls. He turned, stiffed and reluctant. Red orbs, not even bloodshot eyes but pure red orbs, stared back at him. Close. Yet not close enough. Only a fifty meters away. He could run. He could come to my house. It`s only a hundred meters ahead. Not that he didn`t want to.

He could hear the blood rushing through his veins. He still felt the warmth in his chest despite inhaling deep icy air. His fingers turned pale from quenching his fists, but legs… Why they didn`t want to move?

Matted glow ran down from the center of the two orbs, resembling a shooting star with a very short lifespan. My friend gulped. His legs moved. One, only one, throbbing, unsure step that made him jerk to the left.

The glow dashed at him. Snow squeaked. He ran, waving his hands around as he battled the primal element of wind. Warmth crept behind him. It took a form of a breath filled with the stench of rot and decay. He stepped on my porch. His hands squeezed the door handle. Locked. With his free, right, hand he assaulted the door. Wooden frame shook on loose hinges.

Lock clicked. He stumbled forward. If it weren`t for me and my wooden buttons on a thick woolen vest, his fingers wouldn`t find a place to grab. He would lie belly flat on the floor.

I stepped back. Lifted my fist. His eyes, wide open, glossed. I lowered my hand. Behind him, I saw darkness. Cold prevailing darkness. Nothing else. He gasped for air and lifted himself up. Slamming the door shut, he turned to find something to reinforce it. His eyes focused on a simple chair with chipped white paint. He pushed me aside. Grabbed it. Once snugged under the door handle he breathed out. He swayed side on side and lowered his shoulders.

He sniffed and turned around. My lips stretched. I knew what he smelled. The Oyster Mushroom creaked over the open Oak fire. I bid him sit next to the fireplace. Cattle whistled and I served us mint tea. He told me everything. Every little detail. We decided that something needed to be done with those wolves the first thing in the morning.

And the morning came. Rather late, however, normal in winter days. My friend smiled at the sight of bacon and eggs. His smile grew wider after I took my carbine off from its resting place above the fireplace. The lock clicked and I stepped into stumped snow. Reflection of daylight bounced from the white layer. Like needles puncturing my eyes, it burned. I lifted my right hand to shield me. With every step, it became more bearable.

Thirty steps away from my porch I noticed it. Puffiness scattered in a circle. Next to it, boot tracks of a grown man. I crouched. Snow froze over the night. At the edge of the circle pointed out a wide and buried stone. Further ahead were two sets of tracks. One leading toward the snow crater and one leading back. The print itself stayed sharply etched into the snow. A print that I recognized. Rabbit. Large one. Insanely huge. I rubbed my eyes. By the tracks, this monster should be big as a bear cub.

My friend shifted from one foot to another. His gaze burned the back of my neck. I stretched my legs and dusted my green coat. I placed a round in my carbine. He gulped behind me.

His car stood in front of us. A whistle came from behind the car. My friend stepped beside me. Our elbows touched. If I knew, he would obstruct my aiming hand so much I would forbid him to come. It whistled again. I unlocked my weapon and stepped forward. Stepping as quietly as possible. The sound resembled a sad muffle cry.

I came four meters in front of the car. I stopped. Circled it around the back end. My barrel at point ready. Nothing. In front of me was nothing. I glanced at the car itself. Its windows fogged. I couldn`t perceive what was inside. I touched the handle. Cold. Pulled it. It didn`t move. I jerked my arm back. Handle cracked. The door didn`t move. Locked.

I stopped to listen. The cry stopped. I moved toward the passenger door. Pointing at the murky window. Handle clicked, the door opened. I jammed it wide open, ready to shoot. Nothing. The car was empty. Only a bit of snow piled on the seat. I glanced at the door. The glass didn`t touch the upper part of the frame.

The cry sounded again. Coming from the very place, I looked. Air brushed my cheek. I grinned and shut the window properly.

“Blood,” Shouted my friend.

He stood ten meters in front of the car. Looking at the ground. I lowered my weapon. Looked left and right. Couldn`t shake that terrible feeling of being watched but I couldn`t see any other living being besides us.

My friend pointed at the red smear in the snow next to the rabbit track. Small in size it reminded me of a

 wound drop. I crushed and rolled the end of my mustache. The tracks lead on further away into the field. The red droplets looked bigger as we went.

First, we found them every ten meters, then six meters. Soon they followed to four, three, and two. Not that we needed the tracks anymore. Red ground stretched in front of us. Clothed blood. At the center laid scattered carcasses. Grey fur, long snouts, and canine teeth. Wolves. Something razor like slashed at them. Hot flash ran down my spine and my shoulders trembled.  I never saw something like this.

My friend turned his back to the sight. Inhaling deep breaths. Bowing and resting his hands on his knees. I head slow moans coming from him. He pressed his belly.

I crouched to better inspect the bodies. I never saw something like this but I remembered what my grandfather used to say. He told me his hunting stories. One still stayed with me. He hunted a fox in the middle of winter when he found it butchered. Next to it were paw prints of a creature he never before saw. The creature attacked all the livestock in the area but somehow no one could catch it, let alone see it. He said that occasionally the nature itself in its chaotic whip creates a monstrosity unlike any other. He told me stories of goats with golden horns, unicorns, and more sinister natured beasts. A price trophy of any hunter.

The rabbit tracks stopped. We decided to get back to my home and try to repair my friend’s car. When we came back, I spotted new prints. Fresh. Running around my house. I unlocked the safety mechanism on my weapon and readied myself. My friend stayed next to his car. I circled around the house. The trail ended behind my wood log storage. I looked left and right. Nothing. I looked up. The thick layer of snow resting upon my roof seemed as usual as ever. I climbed upon the storage roof. I opened my eyes wide. My jaws quenched and I took in fast shallow breaths. Footprints doted my whole roof. However, I still couldn`t see the rabbit anywhere.

I came down and went to my door. Locked just as I left it. The rest of the day went peacefully. We found out that his car battery died and it took a large chunk of the day to refill it. I offered him to stay the night. After a strong dinner, we were readying ourselves to go to sleep when the electricity went out.

My friend panicked. He told me to fetch some light. I grabbed a box of matches and walked toward a wood drawer where I kept a few candles. I stroke a match. The fierce yellow spark illuminated the window above the dresser. Two red eyes stared at me. I let off the match. It extinguished on the ground.

Immediately I stroke another one. No trace of the eyes. Must have been my imagination. I lighted up the candle and went to see my fuse box. Everything seemed all right. Must have been an outside issue. My friend begged me not to go out during the night. Could be because of his tone of voice or the apparition of the eyes but I listened to his pleading.

Muffle sound came from the roof. Fireplace extinguished. An avalanche of snow fell in it. My friend passed me the carbine. I felt the trembles of his hand when I touched the cold slippery barrel. He dropped the munition. I bend down to pick it up. I straightened myself. Two red orbs shone on the same window. My friend shrieked. I loaded a round. Loud bang. A sweet scent filled the room. Yellow flame escaped the barrel. Glass crashed. The eyes disappeared.

I turned to see my friend holding a kitchen knife in his right hand and the candle in his left. I knew that the monster couldn`t get in. Windows were barred, but it would be inconvenient if the candle died out on us. Being blind in a fight is never a good thing. I commanded him to fetch an old oil lamp and turn it on. Meanwhile, I closed all the window shutters and bolted the door.

Oil lamp only began to wake up its murky light when squeaks came from the attic. I stood frozen in place. Looking at the wooden trap door leading to it. The hair on the back of my neck straightened. My legs throbbed with electricity. My grip on the weapon slipped. I whipped my palms on my pants.

My friend didn`t wait. He lighted the remaining two candles I had. He placed them in three different corners so the whole room lighted ablaze.

The squeaks came toward the trapdoor. A little cloud of dust fell down the wooden stairs. I pointed my carbine at it. The squeaks turned to stomps and it moved away onto the other end. I took the oil lamp and climbed on top the stairs. With the end of the barrel, I pushed open the trap door. Ready to squeeze the trigger any moment. Dark void reigned in the attic. Coldness seeped from it. A freezing sensation that grabbed my heard, pressing it.

Seconds turned to eternity. No sound came to me. No creature, no eyes not even a shadow moving. I brought the oil lamp close to the edge of the door. Darkness withdrew. Dusty chests dominated the room. Behind one old bed frame, I swore I saw something move. The oil lamp tapped on the doorframe. I lifted it and placed it on the attic floor. Rolling it further inside the room with the point of my carbine.

It moved again. Brown Fur. It twitched. Straightened. Two long ears darted out. Loud cry raptured the room. In a flash, a gargantuan brawn ball lashed at the door.

I twitched. Moved backward. My foot slipped and I fell on my back. Carbine flew out of my hand. Above me, I saw two long razor sharp teeth. The lamp oil dripped down on me from wet sagged fur. The creature’s nose had a large wound. There were bite marks on its head. It hissed at me and jumped fort with its saber tooth’s

Instantly, I covered my head. Teeth sank in my flash. Piercing my right underarm and back of my palm. Gunfire echoed. The weight lifted from my chest. The beast rolled and pounced on my friend. He ducked. The creature slammed on the wall. Breaking the small nightstand. Yellow candle on top of it

Fell on its front right paw. Flames rose up to its leg. The creature screamed and ran towards the door. Flames spread to its shoulder. Splinters flew. Doorframe cracked and hinges broke. The monster ran outside. Rolling on the snow along the way. My friend shot another round at it. It disappeared from our sight.

Blood dripped down my hand. I held it. Squeezing it. Quenching my teeth. I stumbled toward the first aid locker. I rampaged it through. Inhaled one deep breath and poured alcohol over the wound. Then applied the bandage.

We managed to barricade the door and close the chimney. During the rest of the evening, the beast didn`t return. We took turns at keeping guard.

The morning shone and I created a plan. It was apparent that the creature feared fire. We will lure the creature in and trap it. I couldn’t move my right hand there for I agreed to act as live bait. The monster had already a bite at me. I hoped it developed a taste.

The whole morning we dug up a hole near my house. We took gasoline from his car and the car itself acted as a hunting hideout. At around four in the afternoon, the sun started to set. I sat at the bottom of the hole. Two hours passed and I almost fell asleep in the cold.

Tapping sounded in the distance. I dared a peek outside. Something pushed me from behind. Razor sharp pain pierced my right ear. My back bent by the sheer weight. Claws sank into my skin and ran down my back. Tears came to my eyes. I lifted myself up from the pit but it pulled me down. Shoot fired. Yelp. The weight fell from my shoulders. I looked up. My friend lends me a hand. My foot slipped on the edge of the hole. I almost pulled him to the pit. He stood strong and lifted me. Claws reached for my foot. He fired again. I clicked the lighter wheel. The blue flame burned at the top of the nozzle.

I smirked. Threw the lighter in the pit. Fire blazed like an inferno. Creature squeaked. The ball of fur jumped out of the pit. It`s back still burning. It ran toward the forest. My friend grabbed my carbine and chased after it. I fell to my knees. Rubbing my ear, shoulders and back with cool snow. It helped. I heard several shots and after ten minutes, my friend returned. He cursed. The beast got away. He carried me inside and tended to my wounds.

The night came. We waited for the revenge. The morning lighted up. No trace of footprints around the house. I got a fever. My friend helped me change the bandages, and we cleaned the wounds with moonshine. A week passed and still no sight of the monster. We went hunting it but even the tracks disappeared. Years passed and I almost forgot about the story. Until today my grandson. The picture you took looks very similar to the winter rabbit.

[lizardfina-blog]

V Bad Story End 3

Days 1-5: https://lizardfina.tumblr.com/post/175732161387/badendcommon

Day 5 last chatroom

23:48 Finishing up on a Stormy… I happen to be going through one in my heart so v was not uninterested in Rika you’re caring for me, aren’t you? Thank you same here… I think this situation is really complicated I can’t give you details since the hacker might see this. It bothers me the hacker hates v friend shield on! for example? aw, come on … but if she’s alive, why won’t she come back? so jumin, you also with rika were alive do you think that was who she truly was? didn’t you say rika was adopted? I’d like to see him in brown hair I think you’re not getting enough sleep jumin a model? …jumin that’s enough please I feel sorry for jaehee, but I’d like to invite him I like jumin’s personality. Especially regarding care for his friend I’m sure we have to wait and see if that’ll make everyone happy I’m a bit ignored right now, so I’ll be fine Day 6 – 100% 01:17 707 Cyber News hello yes you’re getting your meals on time, aren’t you? I know you’ll win seven you need a right too wow no kidding! You made them for fun but they’re impressive daffodils should I start greeting you with binary numbers? why don’t we ask her about the coordinates password? the sun don’t you think it’s be related to rika? mint color? v has mint colored eyes hmm… that sounds worth a try so how long does it take what will happen if you get the coordinates faster than expected? I’ll see you again who is it? ok… could you ask him to send an e-mail? you two are in a carefully contracted relationship….. it will! Cheer up, jaehee 02:43 V’s Concern I can’t sleep. I feel uneasy I think he’s trying to decrypt as fast as he can do the mint colored eyes mean something? what is it? Can’t you tell me? so there’s something in this place luciel must not find out hmm? I’m a little bored since they’re ignoring me you turned a little brighter thanks to me, didn’t you? do you think I’m attractive, v? yes, I should 07:55 Changes Jumin Sees it’s an energetic and strong morning so simply put, your cat stretched? v is still looking for rika’s traces. It breaks my heart when do you go to bed, jaehee? she’s right. You should go to work and don’t forget v! you can also protect him in a good way? I think v is slowly approaching me because my heart is wide open I hope v will take courage and break his wall himself what? Why? jaehee, please make sure v doesn’t see those pictures aren’t you going to work…? you should copy yourself and let the clone do the job let’s take care of them one by one why don’t you have a cup of coffee? long is the way of the head of the intelligence unit 10:24 Don’t Want to be Hated ray are you still attacking the RFA? why do you keep doing this? it looks like nothing but a malicious delivery right now I am a hostage they’ll come to save me if I lose contact by force I’ll trust v don’t touch the RFA anymore. And please let me go please don’t torment seven too much are you going to send something worse than images? I like someone else are you going to make me take that drug? I don’t believe you who is this savior? what does she have to do with v? when will you let me out of here? 12:33 Need Some Fresh Air about time to gave at the sun, worrying about v your body rhythms turn irregular, which could cause….. is something wrong? I wanna get some air on your car, seven you should. Be brave yoosung, why would you go there? …good for you, jaehee stop suspecting v, yoosung what about zen? whoa….nostalgia he should keep it well until he donates to a museum I wish I could help zen somehow I’d like to protect zen’s vintage and original aspects we are going to have the party! RFA party will be held as planned walkingman was made in the same era as zen’s computer zen must be so patient I think this is a good time for a donation what kind of nagging does he give? I wish LOLOL would work on phones please be careful of kidnappers 14:42 Passion Red jaehee, is the intelligence unit all set? but I think v will be distressed when he sees those pictures hmm…he seems to be up to something what is his car like? I wonder what kind of car v owns I’d like to go on a drive with v here comes devastatingly handsome man zen do you know how to drive? I thought of v it’s the graceful stability that dances between speeding and slowing I wanna try seven’s car—it’s packed with speed no no you should first get a new computer I think you should throw it into a junk shop what can you possibly do with that computer? oh no… not the blue screen! sniffle… I should’ve given you my old laptop do you have a walkingman? zen you didn’t get one, did you? I wonder what v’s home is like I’m sure he does more than jumin rough is the life of an agent don’t be stressed out! Have fun do you think v is good with computers? have a safe trip! Please watch seven so he doesn’t break into v’s house Ray VN: who is it? …what brings you here? I don’t want to see her ray? ***there’s a walking section, and I don’t remember if you actually have to give responses, but it all says “…” until you meet the savior**** a mask…? you won’t stop me from using the messenger, will you? … who are you? 16:19 Yoosung’s Heaven yoosung did you have dinner yet? not yet! cup noodle is bad for your health you’ve found peace jumin have you ever had a cup noodle? is it because jaehee isn’t with you now? you talked about work even in chat rooms? jaehee… I wonder when she can return home yoosung, you suspicion is just endless. Can’t you trust v? I don’t think there’s anything I’ve done here yes… v will come to save me I hope you’d take action instead of blaming v good idea! That’s something only you can do good luck! I think this all sounds very strange to you, jumin a vending machine robot for cup noodle? let’s invite him! And place computers at the party good luck! how’s the intelligence unit going? what’s the menu? 18:23 Heading Towards 2020 zen how was your exercise? yes there’s nothing like a shower after exercise if I see your silhouette in the mirror in the middle of our exercise session… we’ll get to hear lots of helpful tips on a diet! yeah yeah! she said that in the previous chat room so you get to go outside more often than stay at your desk? no! you’re going to take that computer away from zen looks awesome… the latest model runs hindows 7? don’t you think we should get him the latest model? you’re not giving him a laptop you’ve been using, are you? …..Its lifespan is almost over sniff sniff… I smell trouble may god7 watch over you nothing is for free in this world by the way seven, how did your trip to v’s house go? he said he needs your computer to work on something back up! Back them up! oh, two in a row? Who is it now? same here! I hate relationships with secrets though I’d like to know the acquaintance of your acquaintance… let’s invite him so long… 386 20:00 Doubtful Family I moved to somewhere else, but I’m fine I wouldn’t mind was there something in v’s mailbox? did you call your aunt? why would the sender send such things to v? do you think he missed rika? did you talk to your aunt? why would she tell you to take rika’s stuff? and why would your aunt say that? it's so sad, but looks like something is definitely wrong do you think what we know about rika is what she really is? but I think it’s strange rika never talked about her parents but they’re still her parents. Maybe it’s true this isn’t your fault perhaps that’s why she made such a dire choice you shouldn’t look for someone to blame. Start offering condolence to rika from now on, let’s trust v together if you’re stressed out, take a break. Don’t think about anything else I met someone new so I have to stay alert for a while I hope you take a break! Everything will be ok yes if there’s anyone who needs my help, I’m willing to offer it I think things would’ve been different if rika was willing to show what she felt alright. I was actually thinking about having some time to myself Savior VN: I’ve come to test a game, but now it feel like I’m caught in something big you look like a scary person why do you keep asking me questions? what do you mean? v will come save me I’d like to, but not with you 22:02 His Idea Of Family welcome, jumin that’s the proof jaehee’s doing a good job rika might have hidden their relationship you can’t change your familial environment what’s the matter? Are you anxious? umm, let’s not talk too much in this chat room since when did you live with your cat, jumin? did rika avoid talking about her parents? but marriage happens between two people, not two families what matters in looking at a person’s true essence is to figure out…… perhaps you two got engaged too fast maybe it would’ve been better for v to see them soon? have a good time with Elizabeth the 3rd so seven knows where I am, right? yes, I will. don’t worry VN: how old is this building? does ray have lots of wounds too? do you also alternate between fear and happiness within? what’s your relation to the RFA? you’re not using me as bait, are you? … v this place isn’t safe. Run! I knew it. You are rika v! 23:11 What Happened to V? v! are you alright? **there is only one selection for this chat** Savior VN: this place is weird. Everything seems against the laws what will happen to v now? a little couldn’t you be the light? what are you going to do with v? what is it? Day 7 – 100% 01:20  Shocking Truth V has been kidnapped! What should I do? seven, please explain to him a few hours ago I’m alright but v is in danger. We must save him rika and v are apparently not friends let’s just calm down. We need to discuss how to save v it's no wonder v kept it secret. She’s no longer the rika you used to know yes… rika isn’t a hostage. She tricked and trapped v I’m alright! Please take care of v I think he’s imprisoned yes…perhaps he’s watching us no, she’s not yoosung, just wait. You’ll find out everything after some time you mean what v said? To not listen to rika? maybe v was protecting the RFA. He destroyed all data from 6 months ago this is much more serious than a simple fight I think we need to save the hacker…I think he’s being manipulated let’s not hide anything until we save v I’m fine so please save v. good luck, seven zen, I think yoosung needs you I think everyone’s having a hard time that’s alright. Please take care of the other members 02:32 Jumin Helplessness and…. jumin, you’re logged in at this hour rika now hates v I think she’s doing something illegal it seemed to me that rika finds her current location more precious than the RFA I felt v always did his best to protect RFA. He always meant the things he did v was just trying not to harm anyone what is it? rika did it!? then why won’t he get his eyes treated? you’ll help us save v, won’t you? I don’t think I can sleep. I’m so worried about v 06:55 C&R Intelligence Unit I’m fine…though I can’t say v is safe v could be in greater danger than he was back there I hope their friendship won’t break apart they are working together…I can guarantee both of them suffered deep wounds in their hearts I don’t think comparison matters now ^^; I hope so too ok…see you soon 08:46 Staying Calm I’m well. What are you doing zen? I’m fine, though I just can’t sit still because I’m worried about v welcome, yoosung maybe zen did some cleaning before he left whoa, morning packed with vitamins and fibre I think I’ve seen a walkie-talkie… she’s not well in heart we should be worrying about v! he’s in danger right now I think as of now rika wouldn’t hesitate that was before I actually met her zen, how’s your practice going? please, just be safe ……… that’s because of the router yes, let’s do that you can recommend guests too, yoosung good luck with that but it’s good at least zen is on the bright side ummm…i’m not sure rika would want to hear that, but ok cheer up! Savior VN: is he safe right now? why did you leave v? are you afraid of stepping outside the darkness? did you show your tears to v? rika… 11:51 Provoke you didn’t know? when will we go save v? what is it? a cult? Yes, it feels like a cult here if this place is involved in illegal activities, shouldn’t we rescue the victims? do we really have to fight each other? I want to get out of here before things get worse does something change when I log in? what is it? you mean…v’s in danger? can’t we find a peaceful solution to this? let’s do as he says jumin yes, please hurry I’ll be waiting I hope everything works out well…though I can’t help worrying okay! I’ll be right here waiting yes, I’ll be waiting 13:16 One’s Own Reasons I’m so worried about v. it’s hard to keep waiting how are preparations for the party going? okay…though I’m not sure if the party’s happenings, let’s invite him of what? do you think it’s okay to send him alone? I see you’re having a difficult time, yoosung it's dangerous here yoosung, I think you shouldn’t disregard other scenarios I think I know what you feel like looks like yoosung is having a hard time whatever rika would say, what matter is for yoosung to realize what kind of people rika and v…… don’t worry. Right now what we need to do is work together to defeat this crisis 15:38 Miss You, I Feel Lonely ray! It’s been so long since I last saw you I’m worried she’ll hurt v ray… you should stop being obsessed with me yes he’ll be here to rescue me what are you trying to do with the RFA? is v safe? he’s safe right? welcome yoosung did you try calling him? why not leave a message on the chat room ok…though I’m not sure if that’ll happen 17:45  His Heart yes, I’m waiting for you! Did you get a call from yoosung? how much time do you think will take? you’re not driving the one that fits 2 people are you? how’s yoosung doing? are you a playboy? now I’m surprised that you even have a smartphone be careful on the road I really wish he would it does look simple and honest lol I hope you’d always stay bright too a lotus flower? I’ll try talking to him. For a curry party! massage? I wanna give it a try, too got it! ^^ I hope you stay safe as well, zen. Until I see you ^^ 19:24 How to Cope with Risks I think he’s coming from somewhere really far away I think it’d take more time to make a landing spot umm…I think a car and helicopter are on complete different levels give me a tip on what to do when I feel uneasy! jumin, do you have any memory you want to run away from? you’ve been friends with v for so long…so I understand welcome yoosung yoosung are you in the middle of an escape? zen mind if I replace yoosung? have a good time, yoosung but zen was trying to look out for you ^^; hahahahahahaha wow…let’s try inviting if we’re actually having one you’re actually counting seconds? Savior VN: I’m thinking about v I’m worried about v 21:39  Coming This Way! what’s racing? so ray, are you going to see seven? treatment? Are you ill? what is rika going to do to v? mine? i…will make a choice on my own bye… 23:11 Before Charging In! how far did seven go? I’m sure that was ray…and yes, he’s that hacker there’s a signal interruption for you? the hacker hacked the messenger to talk to me oh…you’re professional what does blue mean? I’ll look forward to it I’m nervous too… you are already more than helpful. I wish luck for C&R’s intelligence unit oh, it’s alright! Please go ahead I’ll see you VN: no, nothing lasts forever choice? … v! are you alright? is this what you did to ray, too? v! it’s me! ----- rika please! Stop torturing v I understand your pain, but you must control your devil rika… Day 8 – 100% 00:44 Seven’s Status Report But no one’s here I feel so bad for v yoosung, v is sick I think v was forced to take a dangerous drug I don’t think she’s the same rika you used to know yoosung… rika was the one who put v in danger yes, seven saved v. good work, seven seven, are you going to investigate mint eye soon? you can talk to me, yoosung no more repetitions you can count on me perhaps v made secrets because he didn’t want us to see what rika became I don’t think she’ll come with us even if we all go there together good luck on that, yoosung VN: oh, thank god… seven, he’s starting to awake you should worry about yourself seven I know you’re confused but v is not well right now I’m fine. Please take care of yourself 01:59 Emergency in RFA he's  resting… but he’s sweating a lot… he seems to be in pain no there was a situation, so now we’re going to seven’s hideout I don’t think we can afford to invite him over here, but please tell him to contact me you’re so busy late through the night, zen what? No! I don’t think v has any intention of making rika have her punishment v is trying to solve this…but he’s too self-sacrificing she is the rika you know. I can guarantee I think you make an interesting team with yoosung you’re working so hard, jaehee it's ray I think we’d better tell seven I don’t want to see anymore of this heartbreaking war I think they need you jumin I’ll do my best in whatever I can good luck, jaehee could you distract our enemies with your beauty? seven we have a situation when will we get the messenger back? how long will this war last? ok. I hope I can see you again here, though I’m not sure when VN: v, I’m here v, your hands are shaking okay please don’t push yourself. Just rest, v I’ll hold your hand. No need to shiver 07:13 Suspicious Chat Room tell me about it… I thought the RFA messenger is closed now no, let me do that. You should rest ray! This is your work, isn’t it? ray…? what’s wrong with the messenger? so can we get back to our original messenger? I’m looking after v aggressive you? isn’t there a way all of us can get along? I don’t think this is the right time is that why you wanted a party to happen? So this was all.. for now, could you tell him to send an email? no, I like ice cream too ok… could you please ask rika to settle this peacefully? 09:27  Conciliation Towards Seven pardon? wow! It’s back it’s… back, right? seven…it’s dizzy umm…I think ray blocked it no, it’s fine. It almost worked did ray stop seven? rika please stop hurting us anymore rika, ive seen them too… I think you need treatment but seven rescued v seven, is it okay to keep talking to rika? who’s saeran? seven, I don’t know what you two are talking about. But don’t let yourself falter saeran must be important to you, seven don’t you want to make up with us? rika… are you alright? I think we can make up if we treat your trauma VN: this time I’ll protect v 11:00 How Did We End Up Like v what are you doing? You should be resting what are you trying to tell rika? what was your first encounter like? yes why is that? so you wanted to be a painter so it was rika who helped you wake up? so you wanted to prove yourself so denying love was the same as denying yourself I understand how rika would’ve felt it was a process of discovering who you really are. You got to know love better but you didn’t know that until now. Ignorance is no sin I understand how you feel v, but I wish you wouldn’t lose hope in love I will be with you in your path to the conclusion. I’ll hold you tight I think you can find an answer more mature than that why is that? that is not going to happen… I want to protect you 13:07 The Demon You Created v is looking back at himself… he must be in lots of pain I don’t think talking about your past will be of any use what did it feel like to you back then? perhaps he realized it’s selfish to blindly pour his feelings no matter how good it is I think v was just being honest with his feelings rika are you having difficulty accepting the truth? rika if you still love v please let him go. Just like v is trying to rika v wants to become different now. And I want to help him right now all v wants to do is protect me please stop trying to put us against each other, rika v doesn’t mask himself that is not going to happen rika you sound very far from normal trying to control us with fear won’t work now rika 15:21 I’m Worried of You ray what brings you here? it's not v’s fault. But I’m not sure if you’d understand you shouldn’t have drugged him. It’s wrong I hope your trauma can be cured. Mint eye will not provide treatment for your wound ray. I’m not going back now you asked me not to abandon you I think you must find your own happiness instead of relying on someone else I don’t think that’s the right way. All the things that are forced in that place are wrong I trust in v. and that won’t change no matter what you say you did too? What do you mean? I wish there were somebody who could sincerely care for your wounds my heart can’t be divided into a devil and angel. My heart is what it is why is that? I’m sorry but I don’t think that will happen leave the RFA alone and leave the party alone stop it ray. We’re not getting anywhere huh? seven! could it be what?? 17:32 It’s All My Fault where are you right now? it's alright. There’s really nothing we can do about this. Rika’s side….. that’s not true. I believe you can love no, you can do it v. you can be stronger. I’ll help you I understand you’re afraid. Think about all the things you’ve gone through seven are you looking for v? don’t you think you’re being over protective? what’s wrong? Is it bad for v? so when v suddenly cries it’s because of the drug? he seemed to know you well seven why did you think you might know him? is this person you’re thinking of the person you asked rika if he’s doing fine? seven you know we can’t trust rika now, right? cheer up! I’m wit you! I wish you’d get better soon I don’t think it’s bad to put down your burden and take refuge thanks for the info seven you didn’t lie to luciel, did you? I think there was nothing you could do about it. You were met with agony… yes, I’m sure your depression will soon go away. Have faith and wait a bit more how are you going to do that? instead of reunion, why not a new start? it's okay! Of course you’d be scared I’m sure you can find love again. From now on try to accept your fear as well I’m heading over 19:02 Failure rika are you painful to see v changing? I know how difficult your environment was, but you chose to make things like this please take a look around. There are people having a hard time because of you that’s not happiness. That’s nothing but pleasure don’t you think you’re taking away their ability to stand alone? he’s accepted loss of love. So of course he’d feel afraid he's not running away. He’ll learn to acknowledge his fear and love in reality perhaps v is afraid because no one ever held his hand by his side v has had more than enough violent /self-destructive love. That’s enough rika 20:21 Don’t Want to be no well, because of mint eye you mean why she founded mint eye? v is deeply related to the source of trouble rika caused you are very talented ray. I’m sure you could do something else ray I hope you’d use your talent for yourself I don’t think any single party is at fault you’ve done nothing wrong. I thought it was dangerous to be with rika…. ray, don’t you want to join RFA? ray isn’t there any way I can save you? v's effect was huge in the process rika founded mint eye you mean the elixir of salvation. Won’t ray grow dependant? ray is sick. Why do you force him to take the drug? ray… I feel bad for ray. Please don’t make nay more victims 22:00  Opposition and Debacle that’s why I came after you I think rika tried to achieve her goal by hook or by crook can we just get through with this? This is so frustrating you’re the one who feels pleasure from fear. V is nothing like you there you have it. Now stay away from v I can handle v’s love like the sun. I don’t think that’s strange v don’t let her words get you we don’t see someone like you every day rika. V stumbled upon a wrong person ok there goes acknowledgement. Happy now? he said not anymore if that is true love then why did you leave v? v are you trying to leave me? I think you’re better off without her you’re not trying to take v away are you? You can’t do that v i won’t be like rika let’s stop talking I really hope you’ll get over rika soon please don’t tell me that you’ll leave me I’m here for you. Let’s run away from rika then what are you waiting for? Hurry up 23:16 Pass the Baton ray what’s wrong? I’m looking for a way to destroy your friends you’re the one torturing us yes I’ll interfere. I’ll destroy it nice and neat you’re being punished because you hung out with bad people are you alright? huh? What is going on right now? is there something I can do for you? this is the username I saw back then seven hurry! You should track him down what do you mean maybe not? We need to stop that no matter what maybe this person is easier to deal with seven what am I supposed to do? are you..? what are you going to do now? you can’t take me. The RFA will protect me Day 9 – 100% 00:56 Seduction of the Moon I don’t want to think about that something disastrous will happen if you can’t control the darkness of course. V will be with me from now on whichever it is…I don’t care as long as v comes to me I am a little afraid, but it’s something I want I want to grow by agonizing and feeling those kinds of things idyllic… I understand what you mean mint eye may be right for me rika you should let the sun be 02:43 I Can Make You Have More you’re new aren’t you? sleeping? What do you mean? why did you wake up now? get rid of him!? you seem dangerous give me back ray I’m curious about you will we be together if we start from the beginning? …… 06:21 Stop It why did you come in here? I know, right? You don’t think you can do anything without me the harder it is the better outcomes it should come to it must have been tough for you too v. you can rely on me I think you’re the only one getting hurt because of rika are you planning to leave me? Don’t say such a thing don’t betray me why don’t you just say it straight that you like rika more than me? v if you go I’ll be disappointed v is there no way for you and me to be happy? aren’t you sick and tired of living your life for someone else? The two of us can be happy VN: v? what were you doing? once this passes, only happiness will await you. Happiness with me I’m so jealous of rika. You love her this much it's not your fault v. who would have thought rika was such an evil person? I don’t care if you hurt me. I want to be yours if it’s complicated, embrace the way it is. I’m here for you I’ll come with you. I don’t want to let you go alone 09:04 Third Person Perspective a hacker! There’s a hacker here! are you fiddling with seven’s phone? what’s wrong with the design of our app? it is a test lol let’s talk nonsense say something! Anything! in truth…I think you’re good looking why isn’t he answering them? he probably thinks of his life dearly now I have no idea where this part is heading he was always like that he codes with his toes? why? You like it? you’re very good at cleaning I thought you were avoiding us yes we will soon start our relationship is there something wrong with seven? how is that job from seven going? I think it’ll be a good idea to give up for the sake of your eyes what other jobs do you do other than keep watch on him? he wouldn’t be angry would he? 12:07 Rika’s Feelings he's trying to do everything he can to stop you rika that’s not completely wrong the idea that someone will save me is just fantasy rika you have a lot of people around you. Why do you feel lonely? you two are people with completely different ideas then take your hands off the RFA and v that’s even scarier rika how much do you know about RFA? rika that’s really dangerous. I can see why v is trying to stop you by himself are you saying you’re different? rika you’re also using others to prove yourself VN: you’re not even doing well. Stop being so stubborn v you’re so stubborn are you sure you’re okay with that v? so what is your real answer? enough with your obsession with rika! Treasure yourself some more you don’t have to sacrifice yourself for rika. You’re already priceless to me choose what you think is right 14:11 Reason Trying to Stop Her he just fell asleep. Rika and v’s relationship is complicated yes. Rika is now like a bomb who in the world would believe rika’s words? I think lying that she committed suicide was too much the reason rika could act so violently was because v’s love was too ideal I think he’ll eventually follow rika v seems to want to go to rika you weren’t interested, were you? you can see that seven? is there no way to change her mind back? alright… 16:39 You Change Me I’ll hate you for the rest of your life if you disappear. I’ll hate you more than rika we should be happy soon. Throw away your lingering feelings for rika she might stop if you leave rika dead on stop saying that…how about trying to forget rika? then there’s one more reason you shouldn’t go I’m different from rika. You don’t have to be scared what are you going to do after meeting her? if you go to rika, I won’t be able to see you again v in whatever shape it is, we will be happy soon as long as rika is taken care of so now I’m more influential to you than rika, right? 18:35 Seven’s Persuasion return jumin cat did you come to interfere us? seven, is ray baffled because we’ve won? he's right ray. You should rather go with seven why are you so afraid of losing? you have a brother? did you eat something wrong? seven you seem to be very interested in that hacker good luck till the end 20:12 Winner Seven!! can we not get rid of mint eye? wow!!! why aren’t the others coming in? would v want to go to the hospital? will ray not attack again? wouldn’t it be more transparent by receiving the law’s orders? I want to share this emotional moment with v can the RFA members come into the messenger now? what is it? then make them exit the room and add the RFA members if the members login, can the read the messages rika and the hacker wrote? this will be the last, won’t it? 21:49 I Missed You All the messenger’s security system has been recovered rika mistake? what do you want? we did but seven would have blocked it quit it if you’re trying to seduce them to join mint eye that’s a lie. What trip? for making v like that? you don’t even plan to do that are you planning to say hello to every member like this? rika your attitude is very double sided yes the three of us should get together. I’ll reveal what kind of person you are rika keep away from v and the RFA. It’s really sick and tiring it's now getting pitiful one last thing? VN: okay. Here, lean on me what is it? no, thank you for finding me in my life regardless, thank you for wading through such a trail of thorns I hope you’d get your chance soon are you sure you’ll be fine? then please excuse me 22:34 V Has Been Stabbed! I have nothing to say to you now, ray ………… wouldn’t rika and the hacker participate in our chats? can the others come in now? yes i’m innocent! zen, call the others! should I try pinching him? I’m okay. So is seven. V’s the only one hurt badly it’s a long story. You should go read it yourself did you read the messages rika left? it was between the two of them. Some of it might be true everything’s been done but he couldn’t kick out rika and the hacker do you want me to find proof or something? it's frustrating that you’re in denial when the situation says it all yoosung you’re trying to look after RFA in your own way don’t worry. V will be okay. He’s strong I’m relieved as well to see the members doing fine Day 10 – 91% 00:46 I Want to Talk to You seems like you couldn’t sleep I’m not sure I think it’s rika why don’t you think about how you’ll take revenge on mint eye I hope jumin thinks of a way to destroy mint eye then you must know how bad mint eye is yoosung, you think differently? v was stabbed and you’re talking nonsense no never! You shouldn’t trust her even the slightest bit still I think it’s ironic since I was able to join the RFA with her help rika keeps hurting everyone. Yoosung you should let go of her you should stop thinking of rika! You will try to stop won’t you? VN: seven it’s not your fault what do you plan to do to mint eye? 02:32 See You Soon jumin when are you going to take care of mint eye? this is all because of rika and mint eye yes that’s why I’m going to take revenge on mint eye rika couldn’t accept v’s change. Maybe that’s why she despised him? about this hospital you led us to. We can trust it? if something happens to v I won’t let them get away with this what are you planning to do with rika? She must be judged soon when are you coming? I’m so worried really? Are you sure? there’d be no problem as long as mint eye is destroyed see you! VN: Hello Jumin it must be difficult for you because of rika and mint eye must I go to the party? he did? that doesn’t sound like v you know v very well I’d say their relationship as lovers is now over 06:21 Triangle? he's having surgery. I’m waiting for him in the waiting room but we don’t have to worry about him yet, do we? yoosung you’re coming to the party, aren’t you? feels like it’s been so long since you two chatted together it's all because of v –whining on and on and on-- yes in truth, we were kind of in a love triangle we were getting along fine, but rika kept interfering. Rika seems to be meddling……. I feel like I’ve been pushed away because of Rika. It’s a bit sad wouldn’t she have gone to v’s house? this association has so many secrets it's dangerous to go there. There’s a bomb yoosung, rika is the villain. Snap out of it! but the party’s tomorrow if mint eye is take care of today…we can still have the party, right? this is unacceptable. They intend to interrupt until last moment? seven, you have to get back to work, don’t you? it wasn’t that bad at the hideout…but I prefer being next to v here I’d like to go too. I want to speak to rika yoosung do what you want to do. I don’t want to care about her anymore 08:38 Her Thoughts you’re not welcome here. Leave! of course. Judgment is the only thing left for you what are you hiding in there? no of course not. I’m not going to invite you, rika. Never, ever it feels like you keep trying to seduce yoosung don’t try to prey on jumin. He’s already having a hard time….. jaehee, can’t you make her leave? shouldn’t we send someone to the apartment? you make your words sound so smooth…as always don’t try to weave your way out! Whatever it was,ou were doing something illegal don’t try to smooth your way out of this! You criminal rika…you should stop now I think talking to her anymore will only hurt us more jaehee, let’s leave the room if you have nothing more to say to rika not anymore rika. You should try to grasp what’s going on rika it was you, wasn’t it?! VN: What are you going to do with mint eye? 11:51 Zen Worrying Over Yoosung zen how are you managing? why did you come into the messenger? did he disappear without a word? yoosung! Where are you? yoosung, why did you go out? you should head to zen’s place right now zen can’t you tie down yoosung to your place? everything’s going to be okay I the end, yoosung yes I think you need to take good care of yoosung look what kind of mess we’re having because of rika he went to university because of rika. I see why he wouldn’t want to go to school got it. Take good care of yoosung 14:05 Yoosung’s True Feelings yoosung, stop obsessing over rika there’s nothing you can gain by talking to her she doesn’t have the guts to face you. Since she’s sinned so much weren’t you going to tell her to come back? rika if you’re here to hurt yoosung, you should leave this is all your fault. What are you going to do about yoosung’s wounds? don’t trust a word she says don’t trust her. Never trust her rika your dual side is really sickening someone like her will eventually betray you again. It’s better not to expect anything I don’t think I can believe you even if rika changes, she has no right to stay in RFA rika’s right yoosung…rika has already left v was also hurt because rika acted however she wants rika won’t be able to come tomorrow. You should stop hoping for it that’s enough! if you keep acting like that in the messenger, I will call zen 16:12 Tattered I feel sorry for Rika you should tell rika what you think of her, zen you made me feel so much better. I never want to see her on the messenger again how’s it going with mint eye? I’m also about to blow up…gahhh do you know when rika and the hacker will be taken care of? seven! You are working, aren’t you? isn’t there another way to solve the problem? then let’s get on with it seven…it is because you don’t have the guts to win later? how long do you think we’ll have to wait until v wakes up? I’m angry that it’s v who gets hurt every time I hate mint eye for making v like this can you use it as an ID? they just won’t surrender to the end I agree! It’ll be a disaster if he meets rika try to cheer up with yoosung we’re going to win this, right? good luck, seven! 18:00 I Want You to be Happy why do you keep coming to this chatroom? you don’t even think about the scars you’ve given? it’s evident the RFA has grown out of your grasp, isn’t it? I’m sick of you justifying yourself it's time for the bad rika to disappear your past is not important. You’ve changed so much so you admit yourself you need to be isolated stop meddling with v anymore I don’t want to hear what you think of our relationship 19:49 Save Me you did a good job at the hospital today thank you for worrying about me. I’ll take care of myself how’s mint eye? rika did you hear? Mint eye is over why say that at this point? Rika you’re really strange you know there is no one out there who will understand you, rika now that’s enough rika you’re just being arrogant rika did you want to play messiah or something? that’s not an endless chain of happiness! It’s an endless chain of pain but you wounded v! you demon! how could you do that to v? rika, your words are nothing but a criminal’s excuses …bye rika what should we do with you? aren’t you ashamed of using ray even now? 21:53 My Defeat status please, o head of the unit are you still trying to catch the hacker alive? it looks like they’re willing to die, as this is their last battle then will all of this be taken care of within today? luciel the judicator seven, but you have been fighting off the hacker. Aren’t you tired? is ray reading the chat logs? so ray is really good as his game so it’s all going to end soon so you have been watching us ray, it’s all over now

[djhinnwe]

Stranger Things: If Billy Ever Needs a Redemption Arc, This Is My Headcanon (WIP)

The void, the in between of worlds, is a place few know and even fewer visit. Darker than midnight beneath cloud cover, as dank as a swamp in spring, with static akin to changing stations on a radio. A shadowed figure strolls through the dank dark between rows of doors, the station changing between each one. One in particular catches the figure’s attention and they open it to the sounds of music from outside the year they know. With a slick smile, the figure opens the door and steps through to the sound of Pink’s “Secrets”.

    ---

    Pa’s Garage and Diner sits on the edge of Hawkins, Indiana, standing proud along the highway to serve its purpose as a refuel for truckers. Whether the trucker needs to eat, sleep, or simply pick up some gas, Paul Blacks built the Diner to serve the profession the accident of ‘69 had forced him out of. Up until her death Saundra, Paul’s wife, had run the diner end while Paul dealt with the mechanics and gas end of things. She is the one who insisted on taking in foster children, and for that Paul still finds himself grateful. From the system they had given a home to Saskia Dawn, a native teen they had managed to get their hands on after she was kicked out of her final residential school. Once Saundra passed, the torch passed from wife to husband, and father to daughter.

    Saskia Dawn sits in the open garage, her foot tapping to a beat only she can hear while she works on a 1949 Harley-Davidson WLA. She hums as she works, hopping off her stool and triple-stepped to change out her tools. When she finds what she is looking for, she twirls and taps back to her station.

    A bang of metal hitting concrete breaks her attention. “Fer the love o’ Gods,” she mutters as she grabs a pipe wrench and marches toward a shelf full of spare parts. “Can’t get one night o’ peace, can I?” Saskia Dawn demands of the invisible entity. She squats down to pick up the offending rim.

    A black and brown ophidian lunges toward her off the shelf. It opens its maw to reveal several rows of teeth. Saskia snatches the ophidian out of the air and slams it onto the ground. Her heavy boot stomps on its head. The satisfying crack of bone echos in the otherwise empty garage. She swings the pipe wrench down over and over until she severs the ophidian’s head from its body. She picks it up by the tail and scoffs. “Geese woulda been hard.”

    ---

    Fear breeds anger. Fear breeds resentment. Fear breeds hatred.

    Neil Hargrove slams his son into the bookcase his wife, Susan Hargrove, had just purchased a few days before. “I bring you here to start a new life, and this is how you repay me?” he yells, the quiet scream that sends shivers down Susan’s spine and makes Max Mayfield cover her ears even though she is in her bedroom. “By getting in trouble with the police?”

    Billy looks away from his father. For all his bravado, he can’t find the strength to stand up to his father. Nor can he find the words to speak. Fighting Steve Harrington is easy. Steve doesn’t know how to hold his ground.

    “Is jail what you want? Look at me.”

    He’s frozen.

    “I said, look at me.”

    Billy closes his eyes to steel himself. If Max hadn’t opened her damn mouth to her father, they would still be in California. If Susan hadn’t said yes to Neil, Billy would have left and not looked back. He would have been free. Neil grabs his face and forces Billy to look at him.

    “You will not make another mistake. Do you understand?”

    “Yes sir.”

    “Useless felon,” Neil snarls and gives in to the temptation of slapping his son again. “Pull this shit again, and you’ll be without a roof over your head.” He shoves Billy into the shelving unit one more time before taking a step back and turning his attention to Susan. “Go make dinner.”

    Billy takes just enough time to compose himself before he storms outside and throws himself into his car. He takes off, ignoring the sight of Max climbing onto Lucas Sinclair’s bike. He still remembers the thunk of the spiked bat landing between his legs like a guillotine. Fighting with her is not worth it, not that she deserves to suffer for her mother’s stupidity either. She could have chosen different losers to hang out with, though.

    The next time he slows down is in front of the Wheeler house. Karen Wheeler is home, but so is her ingrate of a husband, Ted. Billy hesitates and takes a drag of his cigarette. The thought of storming in and stealing Karen away on one of their rendezvous, Ted be damned. Bastard wouldn’t notice, but Holly needs her mother and as much as Billy doesn’t care, Karen does and he doesn’t want to lose such a nice piece of tail quite yet. She is fun, and free.

    And the knowledge. Oh man, the knowledge.

    The corner of his mouth twitches and he drives. Scenes fly by his window and he loses himself into the blaring radio and the empty asphalt. He could just keep going, not look back. Just like he’d intended in California before everything went to shit.

    Except he hasn’t topped up the gas, or grabbed the money from under his mattress, and the car is rolling to a stop. He hisses through his teeth as he stares at the gas gauge with its arrow pointing to the E. His fists smash against the steering wheel over and over, not quite enough to break the wheel the same way he had broken Steve Harrison’s face, but close. “SHIT!”

    Billy flings himself from the car and kicks the useless piece of junk, still swearing. The approaching truck, an ancient thing that look as though its lifespan should have ended more than a decade ago, does little to dissuade Billy’s abuse on his car.

    “You alright, boy-o?” the driver asks. Billy swings around, caught off guard by the good-natured voice. The stranger, a balding man whose hair must have migrated from his head to his arms, smiles with the patience of a saint. “What’s got your goat, aye?”

    Billy shoves his hands into his back pockets and holds his chin high to curb his embarrassment. “Ran out of gas.”

    “Aye. Cars’ll do that. Normally I got a jerry, but a sweet li’l lady needed a bit of a rescue out the way. Hop in, and I’ll get you taken care of.”

    Billy shifts his weight with indecision. The adults ignore him unless he does something worthy of their attention, and they’re all too happy to chastise him for it. The man seems harmless, but harmless is not always so.

    “Could walk, too,” the man says and gestures down the highway toward Hawkins. “Gas station’s ‘bout a mile back. You look fit, shouldn’t be an issue.”

    With one more curse, Billy storms around to the truck’s passenger side door and yanks it open. “I’ll take the ride, thank you,” he grumbles and pulls himself inside.

    The man’s smile turns into a grin and he holds out a wide, worn hand. “Name’s Paul. Nice to meet-ya.”

    Billy takes the hand, noting the calluses and burn marks between the mottling. “Billy,” he introduces himself. The man, Paul, radiates a steady warmth as he drives. He talks without expecting Billy to answer, and Billy is torn between annoyance and muddled gratitude.

    How he missed the turn-off to the garage was beyond him. The sign may as well be neon, with the chipping mint green paint with red lettering not needing help in standing out, and the structure is...obvious. Two pumps sit in front of a diner, with an extra door presumably leading into the attached garage. A woman around his age sits in front of the second door, one leg swung lazily over the other as she smokes a cigarette. Her dark eyes watch him beneath fringe bangs in a way that make his stomach flip. Instinctively he checks his hair. She ashes the cigarette against the side of her armrest.

    “Saskia Dawn’ll take care of ya, boy-o. Looks like the kitchens need me,” Paul says and hands Billy the large jerry can. Billy follows Paul’s gaze into the windows of the diner where something has caught fire.

    He huffs. “Okay.”

    “Come in when you get your car back. I got some pie for you.” The warmth surprises him. He nods to Paul’s back and straightens his jacket. He approaches the woman, Saskia Dawn by his guess, and gives her one of his most charming smiles. The same one that had Karen falling over herself when she had opened the door that fateful day.

    “What’s a pretty thing like you, doing in a place like this?” he asks with as much sincerity as he can muster as he props his foot onto a log being used as a side table and leans over her.

    Saskia Dawn blows smoke in his face with the most disinterested expression he has ever witnessed. She sees through me. A ripple of power emanates from her and he can’t hide the shiver. His smile only wavers when she asks, “Depends. What’s a donkey’s behind like you need?”

    He forces a laugh and she cocks a brow. Lifting the jerry can, he waves it in front of her. “What do you think?”

    “Haircut,” she quips dryly. She stabs the cigarette out in a crystal ashtray and pushes herself out of the chair. Billy frowns as he steps away to let her by. She snatches the jerry can out of his hand and walks to the pumps. “Pa say you were payin?”

    “He has pie,” Billy said, cursing himself as he follows her to the pump. She grunts and starts filling the jerry can. He pulls his cigarettes, placing one between his lips as he goes for his lighter.

    “No smokin around the pumps,” Saskia Dawn interjects. He flicks the lighter, it doesn’t light. “Don’t care if you want to blow yourself up, but I’m interested in dyin today.”

Billy purses his lips, but the quiet power reminds him of his father and he has quite enough confrontation for one night. He shoves the cigarette back into his jeans. “Happy now?” he snaps at her. This earns him a shrewd smile.

“It’ll do,” she says. It feels like praise.

“My money’s in my car,” he starts, leaning against the pump and shoving his hands in his pockets where he fiddled with the lighter. “I’ll-”

“Don’t worry about it. Pa’s got pie,” Saskia Dawn says, as though he is supposed to understand the damn pie reference. He balls his fists. “Means he don’t expect to be paid. Where you parked?”

    ---

    The drive with Saskia Dawn back to his car is different from the ride to the gas station with Paul. She is quiet, smoking a fresh cigarette and tapping the ash out the window, looking straight ahead. Billy wonders if her silence stems from her father’s ramblings. He watches her and realizes the quiet is just as peaceful and warm as Paul’s stories.

“If you don’t return the jerry can yourself, keep in mind that I’ll find ya.”

    Billy blinks and sits up as the truck coasts to a stop. “I’ll return it,” he says, hand on the door handle. Saskia Dawn starts to give him a nod, but something outside catches her attention. She grabs his arm. The grip is strong, but it doesn’t hurt. Billy can’t see what she’s looking at.

“Wait here,” she orders, her expression serious as she barrels out of the truck and grabs a pitchfork from the truck bed. Billy hops out and she twirls to face him as the night air fills with a rattling sound. “Back. Inside. Now.” The urgency in the order means squat.

“No one tells me what to do,” Billy growls, stepping toward her in a way that causes most people to change their pants. She stares at him as the rattling gets louder. It’s too dark to tell if she’s blinking, but she isn’t rising to the occasion. If he throws a punch, she won’t bother meeting it with anything except the pitchfork.

“Suit yourself.”   

A hiss catches Billy’s attention, just over the rattle. He can’t pinpoint the sound at first, not until the pitchfork lands next to his foot and he hops back to see her fighting a diamondback rattlesnake. At least that’s all he can assume it is in the dark, though it’s large and fat for a snake and unearthly wails fill the air, mixing together with Saskia Dawn’s angry breaths. “Stupid. Don’t learn. Motherf-...GAH!” The pounding of her pitchfork gets heavier as the creature writhes and stills. She brandishes the pitchfork at Billy. “Please, get the sack from the back of the truck. When we-”

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

“Boy, do I sound like I’m tellin right now? Get the damn sack and enjoy the damn pie. I don’t have time for your shit right now.” The quiet power she wields roars over Billy like a tidal wave. His anger builds and he loses focus, the world fading to haze. When he comes to Saskia Dawn has him pinned to the side of her truck with more force than his father had mustered when throwing him into the bookcase. He struggles, but the grip is there and he feels her power and he wants it as much as he wants to hide from it. His breathing slows and he closes his eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he mutters, because that is what is expected of him.

“I don’t want your apologies. I want the rucksack.”

He staggers when she releases him, knees quacky from the rush of adrenaline. Blood ran down his temple and he saw the broken bits of glass that should have been from her head going through the window, but somehow she had put his through instead. “I’m sorry,” he breathes again.

She grabs the rucksack from the back of the truck, along with a sharp metal stick and scoops the unidentifiable corpse into the sack. “I told you. I don’t want no apology. Should only say ‘em when you mean ‘em, and right now you’re in shock, not remorseful.” She ties the sack off and tosses into the bed in what can only be described as a single motion. “If you want some good pie, go back to the diner. And watch out for snakes.” --- TBC

[spicynbachili1]

Looking back on a year of Super Mario Odyssey updates

Mario retains on frolicking by way of Odyssey, regardless of Sakurai killing him

Rising up with a passionate interest is bizarre. In my childhood, I had on a regular basis on the earth to replay Tremendous Mario Sunshine time and again. As an grownup, I squeezed in sufficient time and power to 100% full Tremendous Mario Odyssey as soon as, and whereas I caught round for some time after, I since moved on to the handfuls of different video games in my still-growing backlog. Earlier than I even began a second playthrough, I spotted that Odyssey is already a 12 months previous! And but even Nintendo’s not executed with Odyssey in any case this time, having drip-fed it free updates virtually that complete 12 months.

It struck me as a shock that it acquired this a lot free DLC, albeit a pleasing one, as a result of Odyssey is a recreation that by no means wanted DLC of any type. Properly, there was one nitpick I might argue its first patch severely helped, however Odyssey was nonetheless an entire and fulfilling package deal even earlier than then. I feel it’s that in any case of those years of accelerating skepticism in direction of DLC practices, seeing a recreation as enormous as Odyssey obtain a lot extra content material with out having to pay a dime is… refreshing? A minimum of, “refreshing” is the vibe I’ve gotten from Nintendo’s DLC practices in 90% of their video games that use it, together with those with paid DLC. The remaining 10% is Hearth Emblem usually and Smash permitting season move preorders earlier than a lot of the move’s fighters are introduced (although a minimum of we now have Sakurai’s disclaimer to not preorder the move until you REALLY assume it is value it, which is a step most season passes by no means take), however that’s not what I’m right here to speak about at this time.

A great recreation changing into higher at all times felt like the perfect for DLC implementation, and Odyssey’s post-launch help embodies that very best. It’s an instance I hope each different single participant recreation with heavy post-launch help takes one thing away from, even when not carried out precisely like this. That is what I am right here to speak about at this time.

Its first replace in February was simply its greatest, introducing Luigi’s Balloon World as an asynchronous aggressive mode. I already wrote about how this mode enhances Odyssey’s present content material, so to keep away from redundancy, I received’t retread a lot floor right here. The CliffsNotes model is that this mode supplied a rewarding incentive to additional grasp its mechanics, giving its most devoted gamers a way more pleasant time in unlocking extra costumes than earlier than.

How becoming that this replace additionally added a number of extra costumes! One in all Odyssey’s most fun options is the chance to decorate up Mario in dozens of outfits we now have or haven’t seen him in earlier than, and constructing upon that with a fair greater wardrobe is straight away welcome. Since then, we’ve since seen roughly one new outfit each month.

A couple of of those ensembles are based mostly on Odyssey’s new antagonists, the Broodals. These guys is perhaps its most divisive addition to Mario’s world (personally, I dig these guys), however so far as their get-ups go, I feel they’re a pleasant mixture of snazziness and bizarreness. Each different DLC costume runs the gamut of kinds, from a Sunshine throwback to a humble racer go well with to an precise zombie. Every of those stands out even within the sea of outfits already accessible, broadening Mario’s visible choices in a recreation already gushing with visible type.

The February replace and this month’s additionally added yet another further, a few new snapshot mode filters. Most gamers take into account these the smallest addition — I by no means used snapshot mode myself — however I’ve to confess these are nice instruments for screenshot fans to play with! These new filters put spins on the fundamentals of pictures, framing it in fully new visible results (reminiscent of Coin, Tile, and Kaleidoscope) or new aesthetics that drastically change how a photographer perceives the linework surrounding their image (like Manga and Neon). The preliminary snapshot filters are helpful, however their results aren’t fairly this drastic, making the brand new ones a helpful addition for postcardsmiths in every single place.

There’s one different factor Nintendo has recurrently executed, which is so minor that almost all gamers don’t even take into account it an addition, however it’s a related piece of Odyssey’s post-launch help. Now and again, Nintendo will submit a chunk of Trace Artwork to their social media, and for those who go to the situation of that Trace Artwork, you’ll seize a bunch of cash. A pleasant bonus to have, however the reward itself is out of date given how rapidly Balloon World rakes in rather more money.

Trace Artwork is a straightforward solution to introduce new challenges into present ranges by asking gamers to revisit earlier worlds and take a look at them by way of one other lens. I take into account these a pleasant factor to have, as somebody who loved fixing trace artwork by way of my playthrough, however I usually see extra exasperation than applaud the few instances they’re introduced up in dialog. And I would not say they’re something greater than a “good factor to have”. They’re simply… there, and that’s okay! However I am not shocked that these Trace Artwork updates depart many gamers wanting one thing extra formidable as in the event that they have been appetizers for a second meal, although they’re framed extra like an after-dinner mint.

Many individuals really feel related in direction of considered one of Nintendo’s different platformers, Kirby Star Allies, and its personal post-launch help. That recreation’s DLC focuses purely on including extra playable characters, paying service to Kirby’s historical past by bringing again a plethora of characters, every with a totally fledged transfer set. This gives better incentive to replay Star Allies from the start, particularly with the little variations every character has in Visitor Star mode. All of this additionally free of charge, and it’s arguably extra thrilling than Odyssey’s DLC since these characters’ skills can significantly change the way you method a complete playthrough. But each remark part relating to those updates at all times speculates about paid DLC for ranges and new modes, eager for extra to do with the prevailing characters.

I’d positive get excited for degree DLC in Odyssey, however it would not make sense for Nintendo to disclose any such plans after a complete 12 months of post-launch help. Different big-hitters from Nintendo, like Mario Kart eight and Splatoon 2, confirmed their palms no later than 10 months after their premieres. The optimist in me needs to maintain speculating, however the realist in me wants to try the chilly, exhausting information and consider this DLC at face worth. And I consider it as being a reasonably darn good solution to lengthen the lifespan of a recreation that’s already fairly vigorous!

Why wouldn’t Nintendo need to preserve Odyssey within the highlight? It’s the unanimously acclaimed pinnacle of Mario’s historical past and a leap in direction of his future. It’s the Change’s finest promoting recreation. It’s the largest system vendor for Nintendo’s already explosively profitable console, and retaining it topical is a strong technique to encourage late adopters to hop aboard the hype prepare. Drip-feeding little additions and tidbits like these is their approach of guaranteeing it should keep on the forefront of social media timelines and retailer cabinets.

At any time when I see information touting new DLC out of, say, Digital Arts’s Mass Impact Andromeda, I’m extra prone to simply roll my eyes and ignore it. I do know that’s beating a lifeless horse to make that distinction, however that horse is lifeless for a purpose. Persons are exhausted from doubtful DLC practices to that time that the acronym has a stigma that does not match its technical definition. I can speak about Tremendous Mario Odyssey’s DLC with a lot enthusiasm as a result of it feels prefer it’s earned that enthusiasm. This can be a recreation I’m glad to get much more of. This can be a recreation I need to have a good time. This can be a recreation whose DLC practices I need to placed on a pedestal. And given how correct the information mined leaks have been up to now, it appears fairly seemingly we’ll nonetheless get a minimum of just a little bit extra within the close to future. If that’s the tip of Odyssey’s post-launch help, I feel it’s already greater than sufficient.

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from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicymoviechili.spicynbachili.com/looking-back-on-a-year-of-super-mario-odyssey-updates/

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10 Things Nobody Tells You About Replacing Your Kitchen Appliances

New Post has been published on https://headacheshelp.com/awesome/10-things-nobody-tells-you-about-replacing-your-kitchen-appliances/

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Replacing Your Kitchen Appliances

Embarking on a full kitchen remodel, or merely want to swap out your fridge, dishwasher, or range for a newer( better-looking, more eco-friendly, quieter) version? Here are a few things to know about making the switch :P TAGEND Above: Photograph from Kitchen of the Week: At Home with the Ultimate Minimalists, the Creators of Cereal Magazine. 1. Know your appliances’ birthdays.

Appliances , now matter how high-tech, have finite lifespans: Fridges have a life expectancy of about 13 years, and gas scopes about 15 years, according to a study from the National Association of Home Builder via This Old House. Dishwashers? They only last about 9 years, but a dishwasher that’s leaking or not cleaning your dishes means it’s ready to be replaced. Keep track of how old your appliances are; when they get old, it’s time to shop for a new one.

2. Not sure whether to repair or replace? Remember the 50/50 regulation.

Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow when something goes wrong with your appliance: If it’s more than halfway through its lifespan and will cost half as much to repair as to replace, just replace it. You may save headaches( and more mends) in the long run, and upgrading your gadget to a newer model may be greener and save you some money, too.( Simply remember to recycle the old model: insure phase no. 10 ).

Above: Photograph by Haris Kenjar from Before& After: A Modern Makeover for a Circa-1 850 s Row House in Jersey City. 3. You should take a personality test.

Or instead, a kitchen personality test. Especially if you’re doing a full kitchen remodel, you have the chance to consider how you really use your kitchen and choice appliances accordingly. Do you host every holiday for your large extended family and host dinner parties every weekend? You might want to consider get two ovens. Do you cook in large batches every weekend and freeze family meals for the week ahead? You’ll want to be sure you get a fridge with a spacious freezer section. Mostly order takeout? Maybe you can get away with a dishwasher drawer instead of a full-sized dishwasher. Nowadays there are appliance options for every sort of cook; don’t just go with the status quo.

4. Make sure the new model will fit through the door.

The old carpentry adage “Measure twice, cut once” applies here. Measure the area where your new gadget “il be gone” not once , not twice, but three times before you commit. For fridges, you’ll need to leave an inch of space on every side to prevent overheating( read more in Remodeling 101: How to Choose Your Refrigerator ). And don’t forget to account for the swinging of your refrigerator’s door( s) and allow ample space for the oven door to open.( Whoever installed the oven in my tiny apartment kitchen in Manhattan clearly didn’t do this–the door only opens halfway .) And, make sure the new gadget will fit through the door.

Above: Photograph by Heju( @hejustudio) from Kitchen of the Week: Two Young Paris Architects Completely Redo Their Kitchen for Under $4,300. 5. Got a small kitchen? There are appliances for that.

It’s time rethink the 1950 s bigger-is-better attitude towards kitchen appliances. If you have a small space( or don’t want to allot precious kitchen real estate to an SUV-sized fridge ), there are plenty of good-looking, hard-working compact versions on the market. For merely a few, ensure our posts on Skinny Refrigerators, 36-Inch Counter-Depth Refrigerators, Appliances for Small Kitchens, Skinny Kitchen Ranges( Freestanding 24 -Inches ), and even tiny Under-Counter Refrigerator Drawers.

6. Your new gadget( s) could be a focal point.

Nowadays, kitchen appliances are not just workhorse necessities, but can be a design element all on their own. Whether you’re scrapping your kitchen and starting fresh or just swapping out the gadgets, consider investing in a high-style range to be the center of your kitchen( like one of our favorite retro kitchen ranges ), or construct the refrigerator an opportunity for display( might we suggest glass door refrigerators ?).

Above: Photograph by Anna Pirkola from Kitchen of the Week: A Stylist’s $ 3,400 Kitchen Makeover, DIY Scandi Edition. 7. Time your shopping right to get a discount.

NerdWallet indicates buying a previous appliance model after the latest model is released( it’ll likely be discounted ), or shopping around on a few major holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Or, buy gently used appliances: insure Remodeling 101: 8 Sources for Used Gadget.

Above: Photograph by Richard Round-Turner from A Star Is Born: A Rehabbed London Maisonette from a Newly Minted Designer, High/ Low Secret Included. 8. It might be a simple swap.

If you’re simply swapping out your fridge, range, or dishwasher for a new model in the same place, you might not need to re-wire or re-plumb. Read up on What to Know When Replacing Your Fridge and What to Know When Replacing Your Dishwasher and consult an electrician or plumber to be sure.

9. You could save money( and energy ).

When shopping for new fridges and dishwashers, look for the Energy Star tag. “You’ll find the Energy Star rating–as well as the estimated energy use and cost per year–on the yellow tag displayed on the front of the machine, ” says Boston-based designer Andrea Zaff. Newer models use less energy( and, therefore, save you money ). Plus, newer dishwashers will run much more softly than old models.

The EPA doesn’t yet offer an official Energy Star rating for ranges, but there are a few ways to tell whether it’ll cut back on energy; head to What to Know When Replacing Your Range for six things to look for.

Also, check with your local electricity or gas provider to see if upgrading your old appliances could got to get a rebate.

Above: Photograph courtesy of The Modern House, from Upstairs, Downstairs: A London Home Designed for Two Households. 10. Don’t forget to make a plan for your old gadget.

If you’ve bought your new appliance from a retailer, they should be able to take your old model away. But be sure to ask whether they are “a certified recycler of old appliances and will provide green services, ” advises contributor Barbara Peck in What to Know When Replacing Your Range. Alternatively, you could take care of the disposal yourself, recycling it, donating it, or selling it on Craigslist or elsewhere, if it’s still got life left in it.

Considering a new scope? Check out Remodeling 101: Beyond Gas vs. Electric: A Quick Guide to Kitchen Stoves and Cooktops.

And, peruse the rest of our 10 Things Nobody Tells You series :P TAGEND

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Plywood 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Basement Well-Being 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Kitchen 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Floors 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Subway Tile 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Furniture 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Washing Your Bedding 10 Things Nobody Tells You About the Trendiest Tile of 2019 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Bathroom 10 Things Nobody Tells You About the Benefits of Wool 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Clawfoot Bathtubs 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Kitchen Cabinets 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Shiplap 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Marble Countertops 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting a Room White

Read more: remodelista.com

[myfinancialguideme-blog]

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Replacing Your Kitchen Appliances

New Post has been published on https://financeguideto.com/awesome/10-things-nobody-tells-you-about-replacing-your-kitchen-appliances/

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Replacing Your Kitchen Appliances

Embarking on a full kitchen remodel, or only want to swap out your fridge, dishwasher, or scope for a newer( better-looking, more eco-friendly, quieter) version? Here are a few things to know about stimulating the switch :P TAGEND Above: Photograph from Kitchen of the Week: At Home with the Ultimate Minimalists, the Creators of Cereal Magazine. 1. Know your appliances’ birthdays.

Appliances , now matter how high-tech, have finite lifespans: Fridges have a life expectancy of about 13 years, and gas scopes about 15 years, according to a study from the National Association of Home Builder via This Old House. Dishwashers? They only last about 9 years, but a dishwasher that’s leaking or not cleaning your dishes entails it’s ready to be replaced. Keep track of how old your gadgets are; when they get old, it’s time to shop for a new one.

2. Not sure whether to repair or replace? Remember the 50/50 regulation.

Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow when something goes wrong with your appliance: If it’s more than halfway through its lifespan and will cost half as much to repair as to replace, merely replace it. You may save headaches( and more repairs) in the long run, and upgrading your gadget to a newer model may be greener and save you some fund, too.( Simply remember to recycle the old model: watch phase no. 10 ).

Above: Photograph by Haris Kenjar from Before& After: A Modern Makeover for a Circa-1 850 s Row House in Jersey City. 3. You should take a personality test.

Or rather, a kitchen personality exam. Particularly if you’re doing a full kitchen remodel, you have the chance to consider how you really use your kitchen and select appliances accordingly. Do you host every vacation for your big extended family and host dinner parties every weekend? You might want to consider getting two ovens. Do you cook in large batches every weekend and freeze family snacks for the week ahead? You’ll want to be sure you get a fridge with a spacious freezer section. Largely order takeout? Maybe you can get away with a dishwasher drawer instead of a full-sized dishwasher. Nowadays there are appliance options for every sort of cook; don’t just go with the status quo.

4. Make sure the new model will fit through the door.

The old carpentry adage “Measure twice, cut once” applies here. Measure the area where your new appliance “il be gone” not once , not twice, but three times before you perpetrate. For fridges, you’ll need to leave an inch of space on every side to prevent overheating( read more in Remodeling 101: How to Choose Your Refrigerator ). And don’t forget to account for the sway of your refrigerator’s door( s) and allow ample space for the oven door to open.( Whoever installed the oven in my tiny apartment kitchen in Manhattan clearly didn’t do this–the door only opens halfway .) And, make sure the new appliance will accommodate through the door.

Above: Photograph by Heju( @hejustudio) from Kitchen of the Week: Two Young Paris Architects Completely Redo Their Kitchen for Under $4,300. 5. Got a small kitchen? There are appliances for that.

It’s time rethink the 1950 s bigger-is-better attitude towards kitchen gadgets. If you have a small space( or don’t want to allot precious kitchen real estate to an SUV-sized fridge ), there are plenty of good-looking, hard-working compact versions on the market. For simply a few, assure our posts on Skinny Refrigerators, 36-Inch Counter-Depth Refrigerators, Appliances for Small Kitchens, Skinny Kitchen Ranges( Freestanding 24 -Inches ), and even tiny Under-Counter Refrigerator Drawers.

6. Your new appliance( s) could be a focal point.

Nowadays, kitchen appliances are not just workhorse necessities, but can be a design element all on their own. Whether you’re scrapping your kitchen and starting fresh or only swapping out the gadgets, consider investing in a high-style range to be the center of your kitchen( like one of our favorite retro kitchen ranges ), or build the refrigerator an opportunity for display( might we suggest glass door refrigerators ?).

Above: Photograph by Anna Pirkola from Kitchen of the Week: A Stylist’s $ 3,400 Kitchen Makeover, DIY Scandi Edition. 7. Time your shopping right to get a discount.

NerdWallet indicates buying a previous gadget model after the latest model is released( it’ll likely be discounted ), or shopping around on a few major vacations like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Or, buy gently used gadgets: insure Remodeling 101: 8 Sources for Used Appliance.

Above: Photograph by Richard Round-Turner from A Star Is Born: A Rehabbed London Maisonette from a Newly Minted Designer, High/ Low Secret Included. 8. It might be a simple swap.

If you’re simply swapping out your fridge, scope, or dishwasher for a new model in the same place, you might not need to re-wire or re-plumb. Read up on What to Know When Replacing Your Fridge and What to Know When Replacing Your Dishwasher and consult an electrician or plumber to be sure.

9. You could save money( and energy ).

When shopping for new fridges and dishwashers, look for the Energy Star tag. “You’ll find the Energy Star rating–as well as the estimated energy use and cost per year–on the yellow tag displayed on the front of the machine, ” says Boston-based designer Andrea Zaff. Newer models use less energy( and, hence, save you money ). Plus, newer dishwashers will operate much more softly than old models.

The EPA doesn’t yet provide an official Energy Star rating for ranges, but there are a few ways to tell whether it’ll cut back on energy; head to What to Know When Replacing Your Range for six things to look for.

Also, check with your local electricity or gas provider to see if upgrading your old gadgets could get you a rebate.

Above: Photograph courtesy of The Modern House, from Upstairs, Downstairs: A London Home Designed for Two Households. 10. Don’t forget to make a plan for your old appliance.

If you’ve bought your new gadget from a retailer, they should be able to take your old model away. But be sure to ask whether they are “a certified recycler of old gadgets and will provide green services, ” advises contributor Barbara Peck in What to Know When Replacing Your Range. Alternatively, you could take care of the disposal yourself, recycling it, donating it, or selling it on Craigslist or elsewhere, if it’s still got life left in it.

Considering a new range? Check out Remodeling 101: Beyond Gas vs. Electric: A Quick Guide to Kitchen Stoves and Cooktops.

And, peruse the rest of our 10 Things Nobody Tells You series :P TAGEND

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Plywood 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Basement Well-Being 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Kitchen 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Floors 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Subway Tile 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Furniture 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Washing Your Bedding 10 Things Nobody Tells You About the Trendiest Tile of 2019 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Bathroom 10 Things Nobody Tells You About the Benefits of Wool 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Clawfoot Bathtubs 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Kitchen Cabinet 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Shiplap 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Marble Countertops 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting a Room White

Read more: remodelista.com

[financingideas-blog]

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Replacing Your Kitchen Appliances

New Post has been published on https://financeqia.com/awesome/10-things-nobody-tells-you-about-replacing-your-kitchen-appliances/

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Replacing Your Kitchen Appliances

Embarking on a full kitchen remodel, or merely want to swap out your fridge, dishwasher, or range for a newer( better-looking, more eco-friendly, quieter) version? Here are a few things to know about inducing the switching :P TAGEND Above: Photograph from Kitchen of the Week: At Home with the Ultimate Minimalists, the Creators of Cereal Magazine. 1. Know your appliances’ birthdays.

Appliances , now matter how high-tech, have finite lifespans: Fridges have a life expectancy of about 13 years, and gas ranges about 15 years, according to a study from the National Association of Home Builders via This Old House. Dishwashers? They only last about 9 years, but a dishwasher that’s leaking or not cleaning your dishes entails it’s ready to be replaced. Keep track of how old your gadgets are; when they get old, it’s time to shop for a new one.

2. Not sure whether to repair or replace? Remember the 50/50 rule.

Here’s a good rule of thumb to follow when something goes wrong with your appliance: If it’s more than halfway through its lifespan and will cost half as much to repair as to replace, only replace it. You may save headaches( and more mends) in the long run, and upgrading your gadget to a newer model may be greener and save you some fund, too.( Simply remember to recycle the old model: consider phase no. 10 ).

Above: Photograph by Haris Kenjar from Before& After: A Modern Makeover for a Circa-1 850 s Row House in Jersey City. 3. You should take a personality test.

Or instead, a kitchen personality exam. Particularly if you’re doing a full kitchen remodel, you have the chance to consider how you really use your kitchen and select gadgets accordingly. Do you host every holiday for your big extended family and host dinner parties every weekend? You might want to consider get two ovens. Do you cook in big batches every weekend and freeze household dinners for the week ahead? You’ll want to be sure you get a fridge with a spacious freezer segment. Largely order takeout? Maybe you can get away with a dishwasher drawer instead of a full-sized dishwasher. Nowadays there are appliance options for every sort of cook; don’t just go with the status quo.

4. Make sure the new model will fit through the door.

The old carpentry adage “Measure twice, cut once” applies here. Measure the area where your new appliance “il be gone” not once , not twice, but three times before you perpetrate. For fridges, you’ll need to leave an inch of space on every side to prevent overheating( read more in Remodeling 101: How to Choose Your Refrigerator ). And don’t forget to account for the swinging of your refrigerator’s door( s) and allow ample space for the oven door to open.( Whoever installed the oven in my tiny apartment kitchen in Manhattan clearly didn’t do this–the door only opens halfway .) And, make sure the new gadget will accommodate through the door.

Above: Photograph by Heju( @hejustudio) from Kitchen of the Week: Two Young Paris Architects Completely Redo Their Kitchen for Under $4,300. 5. Got a small kitchen? There are appliances for that.

It’s time rethink the 1950 s bigger-is-better attitude towards kitchen gadgets. If you have a small space( or don’t want to allot precious kitchen real estate to an SUV-sized fridge ), there are plenty of good-looking, hard-working compact versions on the market. For merely a few, see our posts on Skinny Refrigerators, 36-Inch Counter-Depth Refrigerators, Appliances for Small Kitchens, Skinny Kitchen Ranges( Freestanding 24 -Inches ), and even tiny Under-Counter Refrigerator Drawers.

6. Your new gadget( s) could be a focal point.

Nowadays, kitchen appliances are not just workhorse necessities, but can be a design element all on their own. Whether you’re scrapping your kitchen and starting fresh or only swapping out the appliances, consider investing in a high-style range to be the center of your kitchen( like one of our favorite retro kitchen ranges ), or construct the refrigerator an opportunity for display( might we suggest glass door refrigerators ?).

Above: Photograph by Anna Pirkola from Kitchen of the Week: A Stylist’s $ 3,400 Kitchen Makeover, DIY Scandi Edition. 7. Time your shopping right to get a discount.

NerdWallet suggests buying a previous appliance model after the latest model is released( it’ll likely be discounted ), or shopping around on a few major holidays like Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Or, buy gently used gadgets: consider Remodeling 101: 8 Sources for Used Appliance.

Above: Photograph by Richard Round-Turner from A Star Is Born: A Rehabbed London Maisonette from a Newly Minted Designer, High/ Low Secrets Included. 8. It might be a simple swap.

If you’re simply swapping out your fridge, range, or dishwasher for a new model in the same place, you might not need to re-wire or re-plumb. Read up on What to Know When Replacing Your Fridge and What to Know When Replacing Your Dishwasher and consult an electrician or plumber to be sure.

9. You could save money( and energy ).

When shopping for new fridges and dishwashers, look for the Energy Star tag. “You’ll find the Energy Star rating–as well as the estimated energy use and cost per year–on the yellow tag displayed on the front of the machine, ” says Boston-based architect Andrea Zaff. Newer models use less energy( and, hence, save you money ). Plus, newer dishwashers will run much more softly than old models.

The EPA doesn’t yet provide an official Energy Star rating for scopes, but there are a few ways to tell whether it’ll cut back on energy; head to What to Know When Replacing Your Range for six things to look for.

Also, check with your local electricity or gas provider to see if upgrading your old appliances could got to get a rebate.

Above: Photograph courtesy of The Modern House, from Upstairs, Downstairs: A London Home Designed for Two Households. 10. Don’t forget to make a plan for your old gadget.

If you’ve bought your new gadget from a retailer, they should be able to take your old model away. But be sure to ask whether they are “a certified recycler of old gadgets and will provide green services, ” advises contributor Barbara Peck in What to Know When Replacing Your Range. Alternatively, you could take care of the disposal yourself, recycling it, donating it, or selling it on Craigslist or elsewhere, if it’s still get life left in it.

Considering a new scope? Check out Remodeling 101: Beyond Gas vs. Electric: A Quick Guide to Kitchen Stoves and Cooktops.

And, peruse the rest of our 10 Things Nobody Tells You series :P TAGEND

10 Things Nobody Tells You About Plywood 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Basement Well-Being 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Kitchen 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Floors 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Subway Tile 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Furniture 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Washing Your Bedding 10 Things Nobody Tells You About the Trendiest Tile of 2019 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Renovating Your Bathroom 10 Things Nobody Tells You About the Benefits of Wool 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Clawfoot Bathtubs 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting Kitchen Cabinets 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Shiplap 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Marble Countertops 10 Things Nobody Tells You About Painting a Room White

Read more: remodelista.com

[ktkski2017-blog]

Life in Chogoria

February 6, 2017

Today was day 7 in a row of working at PCEA Chogoria Hospital. For the previous six days Dr. Clark and I have been rounding on the men’s ward (the males and females are split between two inpatient wards – the other wards include surgery, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and private). Over the weekend the coverage reduces and procedures, discharges are somewhat on hold – which makes inpatient medicine with sick people very challenging. We have had several deaths on the men’s side that have been challenging to bear – in Traverse City I have only had one patient pass away on my service and he was very ill in the ICU and opted for comfort measures. Since being in Chogoria there have been six within the last 7days. I take them very personally and a dark place in your mind wonders "is it because of me?” – but then I remind myself how much I advocate for these patients during the day and just how sick they are. We had one guy with a hemorrhagic stroke who had expansion of his bleed due to resistant hypertension – in a ward where the blood pressure cuff works 50% of the time and there is a delay of hours to days when a new medicine order is put in, and where we do not have access to percutaneous intervention. Another patient had severe nephrotic syndrome with recurrent ascites filling his abdomen that was resistant to treatment. He passed away from respiratory failure prior to being placed on dialysis because the machines had been broken for a while and the technician/specialist who could initiate dialysis wasn’t due to arrive for a few more days – he was in his twenties. However - undergoing dialysis is not comfortable. Patients often feel sick when they get dialysis and it usually lasts up 4hours every other day - for the rest of your life - which is ultimately shortened anyways due to the severity of disease required to consider even initiating dialysis. If he had survived long enough to get dialysis, it is quite possible that it would have been an unpleasant and still very much shortened life. Another twenty something year old was emaciated from HIV and the lab technician missed drawing his labs for three days despite reminders and pointing out the patient. I have noticed that patients with known HIV that has progressed to illness and malnutrition tend to get less attentive care from nursing and ancillary services like xray and laboratory. In a system where it is not common for very ill people to not get labs drawn for a few days, this can certainly accelerate patient mortality. However, if you calculate a patient’s prognosis (expected life outcome) due to the severity of their HIV illness, even with top notch medical care you may not extend their lifespan more than a few months or a year once they have become so ill. So perhaps it ends up being the kinder end to pass away with an acute illness rather than drag on living in a hospital for 12 more months with such poor quality of life. It certainly depends on your outlook on life because this can look suspiciously like neglect and bias against those with HIV. In Kenya the idea of Do Not Resuscitate does not work, because culturally this looks like neglect. Palliative care has similar negative connotations in the US and Kenya however is perhaps less welcome in Kenya – in the US I think if more people were educated in what it truly means there would be little resistance whereas here in Kenya, if people were more educated on it they would still resist it.  

While the patient deaths and hospital inefficiency challenges have been difficult (albeit not unexpected), I have had some really great experiences too. I really enjoyed working with Janet and Musa while on men’s inpatient ward. We created a nice team of collaboration and were all engaged with the patients and patient care. There was no oppressive hierarchy – we were all contributing to improve patent wellness. We went out to dinner at Lenana’s with the clinical officers and visiting medical students on Thursday night and had an interesting discussion regarding strikes and protests internationally, prompted by a new national nursing strike in Kenya on top of the already going physician and university strike. The food was lacking (and this was the second time we went to Lenana’s and they had run out of food) but this might be biased by the fact that we asked for pilau w vegetables and received chicken rice with cabbage. We returned for lunch the following day (we had heard their lunch menu typically was more robust) and I was not disappointed with a mashed root vegetable with spinach-like greens. They also have fresh squeezed tropical fruits (sooo good). On Saturday afternoon we hiked the ravine behind our apartment compound to look for a waterfall. Due to the drought we found some boulders and mosquito breeding cesspools, but the view at the top of the boulder pile/head of the ravine was beautiful as we got our first glimpse of Mount Kenya in the background. Chogoria rests in the foothills of the mountain so it is hard to see it with the intervening hills. We had to shower after the walk back on the dusty red dirt road. On Sunday evening we lounged for several hours in Dr. Clark’s backyard, picking vegetables and herbs, reading on her swing, basking in the sunlight (slathered in SPF 30), and she made us dinner that we ate on her front porch with a dessert of papaya, passionfruit, lime, and freshly picked mint. We then played cards until the sun went down while listening to the a capella singing of the several surrounding girls’ schools. We have also been eating significant amounts of tropical fruit (perhaps spurred on by reports of winter storms and below-freezing temperatures back home). Today I had half a mango for breakfast (with yogurt) and probably one third of a yellow pineapple for dessert. Not to mention my avocado grilled cheese I also had today and the taste/trial of horny melon that we had prior to dinner (I think it wasn’t ripe yet – unless it’s supposed to taste like a sour cucumber). Jen picked a papaya from the tree behind Dr. Clark’s backyard and we have our eyes on the avocado tree and neighboring mango trees.

Today we went to Chapel in the morning (every Monday this is a time for the hospital to make announcements and introduce new people). Although the prayer was appx 10minutes long I did stay focused long enough to hear the sermon – there was mention of Trump and his ridiculousness name calling this “so-called judge” and fear mongering in the context of Kenya’s election coming up later this year. The message was focused on putting God first during this challenging time however the guy lost me when he started mentioning the evils of homosexuality and taking religion out of schools. Instead of rotating on the men’s ward today I followed Jason for the morning in the NICU and on pediatrics.

In the NICU incubator is a 35day old infant who was born between 24-26week estimated gestational age by spontaneous vaginal delivery. Today is the day we are going to see how he does outside of the incubator as he is now 1.7kg.

On pediatrics we had to inform a mom that her 11month old had end-stage liver disease. The patient had evidently presented with hepatitis and diagnosis of biliary atresia approximately 6months ago and was referred to Nairobi for a stent placement (to drain the blocked duct) – however when the surgeon opened the abdomen it was obvious that the liver had suffered too much damage so they had to close the abdomen without placing the stent. Since that time the family has been home, however the mother re-presented to Chogoria due to worsening jaundice and poor feeding. The poor baby had ascites, venous congestion with veins criss-crossing the abdomen, jaundice, and was small for her age. The process of explaining the disease and need for palliative care to the mother was challenging to begin with but almost impossible when there was a language barrier. The clinical officer tried however I am unsure whether the empathy was well transmitted.

Another 6year old kiddo who has mysterious systemic lymph node swelling, low platelet counts, hemoglobin, and no obvious derangement on peripheral smear was scheduled for a bone marrow aspiration today. Provi – a US trained physician who was raised in Kenya as a young child – showed such care for him as she carried his small frame from the pediatric ward to the minor theatre (operating room) and held him tight while he had his IV placed. He did so well with the bone marrow aspiration; we did sedate him with ketamine but prior to that he lay calmly on the operating table next to his dad, gingerly holding his new IV site. He has the thickest eyelashes I have seen so far while in Kenya.

Afterwards I rounded with Provi, Lena, and Eric on female medical ward, so I spent the morning getting to know the new group of patients. I was again impressed with Provi’s compassion with patients – it really helps when you are able to speak the same language and you have such good bedside manner. I couldn’t help but duck over to the men’s ward a few times today to check on the status of our more ill patients and wave/smile hello, habari to a few others. This is when I heard of the passing of one of our mystery illness patient’s. He had been encephalopathic for several days after previously being able to chat with us and developing renal failure after we diuresed him from heart failure exacerbation. He likely had severe sepsis from an unknown source, likely meningitis, however the empiric antibiotics we started were not sufficient to overcome his illness. A point-of-care cardiac ultrasound performed earlier today showed a barely pumping heart. We actually received some lab results back on him after he had passed away – he had an INR of 50 suggesting systemic coagulopathy. We were unable to perform a CT scan of his brain to rule out stroke versus infection as he was not on the national insurance plan and his family had not come to visit him so we had no one to pay for it – in Kenya you pay for the procedure or imaging prior to it being performed. If you cannot pay, you cannot get the procedure.