I'm honestly a little peeved and the situation has left a bit of a bitter taste in my mouth. I am approaching 2 years in. Level 1 trauma center with a nicu. It's been valuable experience, which, is all I was hoping to get out of my first job. This job is now my PRN job. And I now work a 2nd job at a much smaller hospital.
Basically, it stings a bit that these new grads out of school that I will be training, they started out paying more than what I'm at, and I'll be the one training them. It's good to know, if I ever go full time back at this place, they will have to do much better. (For example, 2 years ago they started me at 25 and change. This new kid just started a few weeks ago at 29)
This new job I'm at they tried starting me at 22. After negotiations (and my department manager negotiating on my behalf because she really wanted to get me hired on) they got me at 26.
For perspective, this is in Arizona. We are seeing California prices when it comes to housing, and this just isn't working with me. Unfortunately, I'm on a 2 year contract with this new place. But, it kind of stings reading on here about new grads in small towns in Oklahoma and Nebraska and shit making over 30.
I mean, I enjoy what I do, am grateful to have a good job and I live reasonably comfortably but it still feels a certain way I can't quite put into words. I can't feel like I've been stiffed because I agreed and accepted a job at a given rate, but.. I'm sure you can at least relate to how I'm feeling to an extent?
I may drop this PRN job. We run our asses off there, are constantly understaffed, meanwhile there are some long term facilities paying 35+ for PRN. But, I feel like I could do better than what I'm doing right now. I'm a good employee, never call out, accommodate the constant schedule swap requests, take whatever shit areas others don't want, keep on top of our "productivity" (management's favorite word) and am easy to work with/get along with and just know I could do better. Just a vent/rant I guess.

Get the course here: [Download Course] Dan Koe – Digital Economics Masters Degree (Genkicourses.site)
Our website: https://www.genkicourses.site/product/dan-koe-digital-economics-masters-degree/
​

Phase 0) Digital Economics 101

The Digital Economics 101 module will open 1 week prior to the cohort start date.This is an onboarding module that will get you up to speed so we can get straight into the material.This will be required to finish before the start date.

• Gain a deep understanding of all of the pieces in the digital economy.
• Learn about the future of media and code — the front-end and backend of the internet — so you can focus your efforts.
• Understand digital leverage, distribution, no-code tools, and digital assets so you can take part in the mental & financial wealth transfer.

Phase 1) Creating A Meaningful Niche

Every day I hear people going on and on about trying to find their niche.I also hear people talking about how they don’t know how to combine what they love talking about with what will sell.You already have the answer. You just don’t have the clarity.

• Develop a long-term strategy to create your own niche — meaning you don’t have to worry about your “competition” playing status games.
• Discover your life’s work, curiosities, and obsessions. I see too many people that are uncertain about this for years.
• Cultivate and turn your vision, goals, and values into a brand that attracts an audience you love interacting with (and that will buy from you, and only you).

Phase 2) Content Strategy

There is one thing that separates those who make it in the digital economy and those who don’t.It’s the quality, articulation, and perceived originality of their content.The content you post has to make sense to the people you attract.Everyone has a different voice and tone that they resonate with. That they are congruent with and trust.It has to change their thought patterns or behavior — that’s what makes you memorable.That’s what separates you from the sea of people posting surface-level copy-cat style posts.Example and putting my money where my mouth is:

• Become an expert-level speaker or writer on the topics you care about.
• Never run out of content ideas for your posts or promotions (without using content templates — that’s how you stay a commodity).
• Create posts, blogs, tweets, images, and videos that resonate with other’s on a deep level. People will actually ask you how you got so good at what you do.
• Separate yourself from the ocean of B-tier creators that struggle to sell their products, services, andhave their ideas stick in the head of their audience.
• Implement our Epistemic Research Method — which is just a fancy way of saying scientific research method… but it’s for researching your mind to craft brilliant content and product ideas.

Phase 3) Crafting Your Offer

Most people are sitting on a goldmine of skills, experience, and knowledge (that they can use to help people 1-2 steps behind them).That is what people pay for.Considering 95% of the market are beginners… if you are good at something, you can help them get to your level (no matter how “basic” you think the information is).Do you not watch basic content all day anyway? People don’t want new information, they want to be reminded of what works.

• Use our Minimum Viable Offer strategy to start monetizing immediately (and have something to improve over time, rather than procrastinating until it’s perfect).
• Have a strategy for reducing the time you spend working over time (as you build leverage and improve your offer).
• Know how to create your own customers from the audience you are building, instead of “finding” the right customer for your offer.
• Take the guesswork out of building coaching, consulting, or digital product offers.

Phase 4) Marketing Strategy

You aren’t making money because you aren’t promoting yourself or your offer.That is literally the only way to make money. Have something desirable and consistently put it in front of peoples’ faces.In Phase 4, I will show you how to systemize, automate, and be consistent with simple promotions.You will be able to make money without having the chance of forgetting to do it (or letting fear of failure get in the way).

• Learn to sell on social media, in your writing, and across different platforms.
• Have consistent sales coming in while focusing on your meaningful message (no need to sound salesy all the time).
• Learn advanced automation strategies that you can implement at your own pace, especially once you validate your offer.

Bonus) The Creator Command Center

The Creator Command Center is a Notion template that houses all of the systems.This is how you will manage your brand, content, offer creation, marketing strategy, and systemized promotions for consistent sales.

Bonus) Live Product Build & Launch

In the first Digital Economics Cohort, I built out my course The 2 Hour Writer.I have videos showing how I build it with the strategies in phase 3 and 4.There is a bonus module that shows how I had an $85,000 launch that resulted in my first $100K month.I did this to prove the strategies inside Digital Economics work if you stick to the plan.And, this past Black Friday, I blew my that monthly high out of the water in 4 days.That’s the power of these strategies if you stay consistent with your life’s work.
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​
If you're wondering why our courses are priced lower than the original prices and are feeling a bit suspicious (which is understandable), we can provide proof of the course's contents. We can provide a screenshot of the course's contents or send you a freebie, such as an introduction video or another video from the course, to prove that we do have the course. Should you wish to request proof, we kindly ask you to reach out to us.
Please be aware that our courses do not include community access. This is due to the fact that we do not have the authority to manage this feature. Despite our desire to incorporate this aspect, it is, unfortunately, unfeasible.
Explore affordable learning at Genkicourses.site 🎓! Dive into a world of quality courses handpicked just for you. Download, watch, and achieve more without breaking your budget.

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 38%. (I'm a bot)

Secret Service agents missed an intruder who got into a Biden official's home in April because they were distracted by their personal cellphones, CNN reported.
In the April incident, an apparently intoxicated man made it inside national security adviser Jake Sullivan's home in the early morning hours.
Sullivan confronted the man inside his house and told him to leave, the Washington Post first reported.
The Secret Service agents guarding Sullivan's house didn't even realize someone had gotten inside until Sullivan had the confused man leave and then went outside to tell the agents what happened, according to the Post.
Sources briefed on the incident told CNN that an internal investigation found the agents on his protective detail were on their cellphones at the time.
The Secret Service did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: agents^#1 Sullivan^#2 inside^#3 Secret^#4 man^#5
Post found in /politics.
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The camera can be discreetly hidden in a light bulb and attached to its fixture. From the outside, it looks like a regular light bulb, but it tracks everyone’s movements. These lightbulbs come with 360-degree fisheye lenses that can provide you with a panoramic view of the room.
https://zafyn.com/collections/new-products/products/360-degree-panoramic-camera-light-bulb
​
https://reddit.com/link/13zjayj/video/19ycpoavzl261/player
If you want to be able to monitor your own home and protect it from intruders, there’s a no better option than this 360 Degree Panoramic Fisheye IP Spycam Light Bulb. This makes it the perfect security gadget that can be used to protect your property.
Why Buy This 360 Degree Panoramic Camera Light Bulb? - Records 960p videos with a 360-degree complete view of the room. This light bulb camera provides a wide-angle 360-degree fisheye view of the entire room. As such, you can see what’s happening in the entire room all the time, no blind spots. - The inbuilt ultra-responsive 2-way microphone allows you to communicate with the people in the room with the camera. - The app gives you 7 different viewing modes such as Zooming, Playback, etc. When motion is detected, an alert is sent to your phone along with some snapshots. Loop Recording is available so if the SD card runs out of space, the latest footage is written over the oldest one. - Better yet, using fisheye home security cameras can also reduce your cost on security camera accessories such as protective skins, wirings, power cables, etc., and save you the installation time as well as follow-up maintenance. - Can accommodate up to a 128GB micro SD card. Loop Recording is available so new footage is written over old ones. - The infrared night vision lens allows you a 49 feet field of vision in the dark. - Can be used to detect activities in a large area, like a crossroad, a house front yard, a home back yard, a dining room, a living room, an office, a retail store, warehouses, parking lots, stadiums, museums, concert halls, and ports. - As a single outdoor panoramic surveillance camera can do effective monitoring of large areas, you don’t need to pay more money installing multiple IP cameras.
https://zafyn.com/collections/new-products/products/360-degree-panoramic-camera-light-bulb

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 57%. (I'm a bot)

Rep. Maxwell Frost slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on stage at a Paramore concert in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
Videos circulating on social media that Frost's Twitter account retweeted show the freshman congressman saying "f- Ron DeSantis" and "f- fascism."
Video also showed Frost singing and dancing on stage with the group, which is known for a wide range of hit songs like "Ain't It Fun" and "Still Into You.".
"Very grateful for this moment. I've been practicing in the shower for YEARS," Frost tweeted.
Williams praised Frost as he came on stage, asking the audience members, "Do you see this? Do you see the future right here?".
Frost has previously bashed DeSantis over those policies, accusing him in March of fascism in targeting members of the Black and LGBTQ communities.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: Frost^#1 DeSantis^#2 show^#3 Florida^#4 stage^#5
Post found in /politics.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 57%. (I'm a bot)

Rep. Maxwell Frost slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on stage at a Paramore concert in Washington, D.C., on Friday.
Videos circulating on social media that Frost's Twitter account retweeted show the freshman congressman saying "f- Ron DeSantis" and "f- fascism."
Video also showed Frost singing and dancing on stage with the group, which is known for a wide range of hit songs like "Ain't It Fun" and "Still Into You.".
"Very grateful for this moment. I've been practicing in the shower for YEARS," Frost tweeted.
Williams praised Frost as he came on stage, asking the audience members, "Do you see this? Do you see the future right here?".
Frost has previously bashed DeSantis over those policies, accusing him in March of fascism in targeting members of the Black and LGBTQ communities.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: Frost^#1 DeSantis^#2 show^#3 Florida^#4 stage^#5
Post found in /politics.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.

I'm assigned male at birth (AMAB) but non-binary (x) hence my reddit username. I recently lost my life-partner and I am attempting to fill an emotional and ...flirtatious void. I've been looking to chat with Straight men [only] who are open/experimental and lean dominant.
Ideally, I'd love to chat with attached/Married men (in open relationships) looking to add something extra to their lives. Men who are cocky, showoffs and routinely stirred by the idea of their next 'conquest' always manage to catch my interest. I also adore the Himbo types. I'm a huge comic book/anime nerd, so any guys into the same should get along with me great.
Interests: Comics (DC/MARVEL), animation, anime, manga, philosophy, theology, political science, gender studies, paranormal/occult.
Favorite movies: BLACK SWAN, THE LAST UNICORN, EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, HOME ALONE 2, US, HALLOWEEN (2019), anything MCU or DC ANIMATED
Currently on my Discovery+ watch list: THESE WOODS ARE HAUNTED, THE HAUNTED MUSEUM, TRUE TERROR, BELIVERS, MY HAUNTED HOUSE, WHERE MURDR LIES, DEADLY AFFAIRS, THE PERFECT MURDER, UNUSUAL SUSPECTS, FATAL VOWS, BLOOD RELATIVES, MARRIED WITH SECRETS, MANSION&MURDERS, FATAL VOWS, BEHIND MANSION WALLS, A CRIME TO REMEMBER, WHOO THE [BLEEP], DEADLY WOMEN, PROPERTY BROTHER, FLIP OR FLOP, MILLION DOLLAR ROOMS, LOVE IT OR LIST IT.
Currently on my Hulu watch list: MOM, AMERICAN DAD!, BOB'S BURGERS, FRAISER, FUTURAMA, LIVING SINGLE, ANIMANIACS, TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES, THE GREAT, BLEACH: THOUSAND-YEAR BLOOD WAR.
Currently on my Paramount+ watch list: STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, STAR TREK: PICARD, STAR TREK: LOWER DECKS, STAR TREK: PRODIGY, DARIA, I LOVE LUCY. Be sure to check through my posts for other interests/selfies.

WIBTA If I tell a friend I cannot be close to her if she continues to date/hang out with my ex-boyfriend of 9 years?
I broke off a 9-year relationship about 8 months ago. My ex did not respect my boundaries when we broke up, getting nasty via text and email. I blocked him on everything; about 6 weeks ago, he sent me a 12-page, single-spaced typed letter. I called him after that to talk. During that conversation, he told me he moved back to my town to be close to me (after moving 45 minutes away to a home he owned after we broke up). He asked me if I would ever go out with him again - I said no. I am resentful that he moved to my town - he complained about where I live the entirety of our relationship. The Ex is on dating apps, and he matched with a friend. I found out they went out and have been talking when she randomly started talking about a date she had. She has a picture of her and me on her dating profile, my face is partially blocked, but anyone who knows me could tell it is me. She and I became friends within the last 8 months. She is invited to a girls' trip I am having for my birthday and a party at my house.
I do not want my ex-boyfriend to know about my life. He said he still had feelings for me and moved to be closer to me. This may sound self-centered, but I think he is talking to her because she is friends with me. (another mutual friend agrees).
WIBTA, if I ask my friend if she is still talking to him, and if the answer is yes, tell her I cannot be close friends with her, i.e., have her at my house and on my girls' trip if she continues to talk to him?

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 66%. (I'm a bot)

Tensions between China and the United States over the fentanyl crisis continue to escalate.
On Thursday, Beijing expressed its "Dissatisfaction" and "Firm opposition" following the inclusion of 17 Chinese individuals and companies on the Treasury Department's so-called "Blacklist." The message of rejection came through the Chinese embassy in Mexico, just a day after President Andrés Manuel López Obrador called for "a truce" between the world powers and insisted that cooperation against drug trafficking should prevail over the exchange of reproaches and accusations.
"The U.S. has imposed new sanctions on Chinese companies and individuals and has attempted to blame China for its own problem with fentanyl, with the intention to mislead the public and deflect the blame for its inaction," the diplomatic representation said in a statement.
Washington unveiled a new wave of economic sanctions this week, arguing that China is the at the center of synthetic drug manufacturing and as part of a strategy to weaken the financial structures of Mexican cartel suppliers.
"There is a very positive attitude on the part of the Chinese government. We have been asking China for collaboration because the raw material for fentanyl comes from Asia - we are not going to say China- from Asia," the Mexican president emphasized.
China said it was open to laboratory tests being done to confirm whether the substance involved was fentanyl so as to follow up on that case.

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: Chinese^#1 fentanyl^#2 China^#3 drug^#4 Mexico^#5
Post found in /worldnews.
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Hiya! I'll be in Vancouver for approximately 11 days, whereas three or four of them will be to attend a friend's wedding. So I'll have a lot of time off! I'm a geographer at heart with a special interest in urban history and urban planning. I tried searching travel threads here and elsewhere, and all I found was Museum of Vancouver as the one institution teaching you about the city's history.
Is there anything else in the city I might check out? Not only museums, but particular city oddities, landmarks, pieces of architecture, some weird house that only locals know about and so forth? If it helps anything, I'm a human geographer with my particular field being phenomenological urbanism; how the city is experienced by an individual alone, to put it simply. So I really wanna hear about your recommendations and your tips for when I wander around Vancouver and try to get the 'feel' of the city.

What it says on the tin. We have to be out by August 10. My mom is disabled and despite her best efforts, can't hold down a job while she tries to apply for disability. The landlord decided to put the notice on our door Friday, so I get to experience the joys of panicking while being unable to do anything about my situation until Monday.
Needless to say I've never experienced this before. My school is effectively closed for the summer, but I am going to try to at least call them. My only other ideas were reaching out to my local mental health center (been working with them for about a year now) and Public Housing Authority. What else can I do? It's just me, my mom, and our cat. Not sure who else to call and my mom's last check is mostly going to June's rent. There definitely won't be enough left for the amount of money needed to pay security deposit, first month rent, etc. on a new place.
Edit: Forgot to add that I've been applying to as many places I can too, I haven't even gotten past the interview phase.

In my late 30s, I hosted an exchange student, "Elsa". Partly to be sure I didn't want a kid. Here's how it went:
I wanted to do the summer program, but they talked me into 11 months. I lived across the street from the high school, which was convenient. My husband was going to be abroad for work for most of it, and I'm a former teacher and principal. (DINKER- Retired at 38.)
It was exactly as I thought.
My husband was the Good Cop/Disneyland Dad who swooped in from work with dad jokes or to take us fun places or to cook dinner and do his usual chores, but he wasn't around to do much of the parenting, and he often was too lazy to enforce the rules (paying for her latte, when she was supposed to pay for it- the $ guidelines are very strict in the exchange program), not checking if her chores were done, etc.
So, I had to be "the bad cop" who followed through with daily drudgery of parenting- teaching her she has to carry her ID at all times, not bringing it to her at school when she called saying she forgot it again, taking her to doctor appointments, arranging carpooling and outings, learning who her friends were, hosting her birthday party, figuring out she was lying when she said her teacher lost her assignment, communicating with her parents and the exchange liason meetings, following the parenting expectations for the exchange program, help her figure out her US clothing sizes, register her for school, etc.
None of my friends cared to ask about me anymore, only they asked about her and my husband (who was abroad). I put a pink rinse in my hair at the time, and looking back, I think maybe it was to get some attention back on myself. Everyone mentioned my pink hair.
And she hated her mom and worshipped her Disneyland Dad who gave her free reign with his credit card- every 2 weeks she spent $500+ at the mall, with her US friend who had an actual job and had to pay her own stuff. (Also- her dad had cheated on her mom, causing their divorce, and lives with his mistress, but kept a flat so ). I had to cajole her into sending her mom a birthday card. Her poor regard for her mom really bothered me.
Elsa lied all the time, even about trivial things. In her country she has used public transportation solo since age 8, so if her mom tried to give her a consequence for misbehaving, she would get on the train and go to her dad's house.
Elsa's divorced parents didn't communicate with each other, so they believed her lies. We were watching Mrs.Doubtfire, and for the first time she wasn't on her phone- she was actually smiling and enjoying the movie- and I asked her if it was because she tricked her divorced parents like the kids do in the movie, and she just had a guilty smile.
Elsa told me I'm the first person who ever followed through and made sure she did everything she said she would do. She said it was an adjustment for her, but it seemed she kind of liked the structure and consistency I provided.
I took her to Hawaii to vacation with my mom and I, and my husband and I took her on a road trip up the CA coast, and we had a pool she loved, she loved my convertible, and I took her to amusement parks, to Hollywood/LA, sports games, hiking, whale/dolphin Watching (her favorite animal is dolphin), etc. The Exchange Liason said I was the best and shared that the other host families were struggling because their kids didn't like the exchange kids getting all the attention.
Since age 8, she's lived one week with her mom, and the next week with her dad and she hates that custody arrangement. It was clear that her mom did the Parenting and her dad spoiled her and took her on annual lavish vacation. But she hated the dad's mistress, and when Elsa left on exchange, the dad wasted no time getting rid of his flat and moving in with the Mistress. This upset Elsa, but she could never share her feelings with her dad.
She loved our house at the beach, our CA weather (and winter daylight), living in one home instead of switching every week, and my cooking.
Does Elsa want kids?
Elsa had requested a host family without kids. (That's us!) She spends a week at her Grandma's every summer with her cousins, and by the end she hates being around those little kids. But she advised that she does want to have one or two kids. I asked why, and she had a hard time explaining it (she was 17), and it sounded like she wants a Mini Me, a child of her own. When I asked her about taking care of the baby when it's sick and stating up all night, etc. And she just shrugged.
We were duped: We chose Elsa from the application pool, because she said she was Outdoorsy and loves the beach, wanted to go to museums, liked travel, and wanted to improve her English.
Besides swimming in the pool, Elsa is Far From Outdoorsy! She can't ride a bike, she won't step on sand, and she refused to go in any museums (she'd wait outside as we went in) or go hiking. Elsa is ftom a country where they say babies are "born with skis on", and Elsa doesn't ski.
Her mom had been on exchange in the 80s, and has a job with Microsoft where she speaks English all day, and I've video-chatted with the Mom and she speaks nearly perfect English (for example, far better than the Germans when I lived there, although Elsa and parents aren't German). (I have a teaching certification in language acquisition, so I have a better understanding than most people.) Elsa's family never hosted a student in "exchange".Americans were always troubled upon hearing that I didn't have a kid living on exchange with Elsa's family. Elsa's mom loved her exchange and her mom still has her cowboy boots, insists on an American clothes Dryer in her flat, and is in touch with her Texas "Mom and Dad".
We also learned that Elsa's family owns a home in Florida and she Vacatons there every year, which is likely why she didn't have to learn how our stores, sales tax, etc worked, like tge rest of the exchange kids did. (I also worked in law enforcement, so I noticed all the details that weren't adding up, and Elsa was frustrated tgat I caught her in lies all the time.)
Americans all assumed Elsa was American. They didn't hear any accent. We were never given photos of her before we chose her, but she has green eyes like my husband and I (only 2% of Americans have green eyes, lol), and the same hair color as me, so people were in shock when they were told she's not our kid. Elsa and us, we all found it amusing.
How it Ended: The exchange program rule was that the kids had to participate in a sport or activity outside of school, because American high school kids are very busy with jobs/sports and Exchange kids find it hard to make friends. Despite being very outgoing and social, This was true for Elsa.
My friend asked Elsa how her activities were going and I heard Elsa say that she quit them.
(Also, despite all the amazing trips, Elsa was mad that I didn't take her to San Francisco yet, and tgat I didn't let her skip school to go to Disneyland with an exchange student who was finishing her exchange early.)
There were some other things that I knew the other exchange kids were doing (things that the kids signed and pledged to do in the exchange contract), like cook a meal from their country, celebrate a holiday from your country with your host family, etc. And after 6 months and her national holiday passed, Elsa had never done any of it.
Elsa was annoyed at me for catching her in a lie about where she was, and advised that she just wants to be my "roommate". She wants me to cook, clean,provide room and board (her own bedroom with private bath in our million dollar beach house), but not be concerned with where she is or what she does.
I advised that what she is describing is the University international student program- but she would have roommates AND have to pay Tuition, room, board, and cook and clean for herself. Of course, she isn't interested in that.
So, I told Elsa to ask her one friend at school if she could live with them, because I'm going to rent out her room, since she gave me the idea about how much better roommate life is than the exchange.
When the time came to move out, after 6 months, Elsa didn't want to go. This new situation was atypical and she would share a room and a small house with 4 other kids and their parents, and they don't cook, lol.
It was a drama to get her to go.
My opinion: The way Elsa treated her own parents is the main reason that validated my choice to remain childfree by choice.
I don't believe in year-long exchangestudent to the US, for many reasons, unless it is someone from a disadvantaged country who speaks little English- of the 14 students in our group- there was only 1 kid tgat was like that and he really did benefit from the long exchange, and he really did suffer culture shock, and he really was very grateful for all he was provided for a year. Just do the summer one if you want, although some of my teacher friends have terrible stories about those, too.
Elsa's older half-brother (he's my age) was correct. He had found out that Elsa's host family was a military Colonel and a retired School Principal, and he told her that she'd never make it. He was correct!

SERVER IP: PLAY.SPONGECRAFT.NET
​
What is SpongeCraft?
* Towny & Resource World - One with Towny claims and another where you can destroy to your hearts desire with custom generated terrain and villages
* Toggleable keep inventory with a small death tax if on
* Slimefun plugin with many addons that adds machines and automation, magical items, spaceexploration, cooking, more provided by custom additions.
* Custom enchantments and relics to upgrade your items
* Shop at player shops, auction houses, or the server shop to acquire any goods you need
* Fun things to do when you're bored such as events, parkour, and other minigames
* EliteMobs dungeons, bosses, and custom items
* Unique ranking system with personalized perks
* Many fun cosmetics that can be acquired without purchasing
* Jobs with awesome, custom level-up perks
* Survival and vote crates (Every crate can be acquired without paying!)
* A friendly, inclusive community and staff team that will help you with any of your needs
​
ABOUT US:
With a community rooted from over 6 years back, SpongeCraft is a close knit and active group of people that offers an experience like no other! We welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests, so you're sure to meet many new friends. SpongeCraft is a friendly, mature SMP type server with many unique perks and plugins you'll love and enjoy with a large focus on the community!
Our server has a big focus on the building, community, and on working on projects together. Players can quickly teleport between builds, towns, shops, and worlds. This means, that we have an active discord with people always willing to chat and keep inventory that can be toggled on or off with a death tax if kept on. We always try to keep the community updated on any changes, and ask for the community's opinions on potential changes.
We host events fairly often, with everyone participating winning in-game prizes, and the winners even winning gift cards sometimes. Some of our players have hosted events themselves in-game such as a Secret Santa and an Easter egg hunt.
Rules
* No griefing, trolling or ruining gameplay for others.
* No hacking or abusing unfair advantages.
* We try to be a server that's for everyone, so please keep it PG-13!
Important Links
IP: PLAY.SPONGECRAFT.NET
DISCORD: https://discord.gg/wSKTsdwhsK
DYNMAP: map.spongecraft.net

WARNING: The ending has some parts you might find really disturbing and creapier than usual
Howard, Bernadette and I go downstairs, we go to the kitchen and we see Sheldon, Amy, their son Leonard and Raj
Me: Uncle Sheldon! Aunt Amy!
Sheldon: hello Matias!
Amy: come with your favorite uncle and aunt!
I hug Sheldon and Amy
Me: hello Leonard
Leonard (Sheldon and Amy's son): hello cousin
Me: hello Uncle Raj
Raj: nice to see you Matias
Leonard: it's good everybody is here. Let's make the food
Raj: I'm on it
Bernadette: actually Raj make food for 7 people because Howard, Amy, Matias and I are gonna spend the rest of the day outside
Amy: really?!
Howard: we thought it would a really good idea since Matias almost never visits us. Also I have a really great relationship with Amy and she and Bernadette almost never hang out together
Sheldon: wait wait wait. You're inviting Amy and not me?
Bernadette: sorry Sheldon. The thing is Howard gets along really well with your wife
Howard: maybe another time
Penny: wait. I'm coming. I won't send Matias alone
Howard: he's coming with us sister-in-law don't worry
Amy: if it makes you feel better I'll take Matias home since he visits me more often than
Me: yeah it's ok Aunt Amy
Leonard: let them go
Penny: alright have fun
Amy, Howard, Bernadette and I leave the house
Sheldon: I can't believe Howard and Bernadette kidnapped Matias and that Amy didn't do anything!
Leonard: let them be Sheldon. Amy and you're not Matias' only uncle and aunt
Amy, Howard, Bernadette and I are in the cheesecake factory drinking Coke (me), beer (Howard) and wine (Amy and Bernadette)
Amy, Howard, Bernadette and I: cheers!
Me: this is very nice!
Howard: How about some karaoke?!
Me: yeah!
Howard and I go to the stage and we sing "Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles
Howard:
In the town where I was born
Me:
Lived a man who sailed to sea
Howard:
And he told us of his life
Me:
In the land of submarines
Howard:
So we sailed up to the sun
Me:
Till we found the sea of green
Howard:
And we lived beneath the waves
Howard and me:
In our yellow submarine
We all live in a yellow submarine!
Yellow submarine!
Yellow submarine!
We all live in a yellow submarine!
Yellow submarine!
Yellow submarine!
Afterwards, Amy and Howard sing some Neil Diamond songs, Howard and I sing more Beatles songs, some hours later Amy, Howard, Bernadette and I go to a secret strip club (unknown to Amy, Bernadette and me) and Amy, Bernadette and I notice a tube, which makes us nervous
Me: I have a bad feeling about this Aunt Amy. I think we should go home
Amy: yeah me too
Howard: no one's going home until the show ends
Bernadette: but Howie...
A semi-naked woman gets out of some curtains and dances in the tube
Amy: oh my god that's disgusting!
Bernadette: yeah!
I mindedly put my right hand on Amy's left bare leg and my left hand on Bernadette's right bare leg and I get kind of petrified
Amy: Matias are you ok?
Bernadette: yeah we shouldn't have come here
The woman takes off her bra, exposing her full front body
Me: AHHHH!!!! THAT'S SO DISGUSTING!!!!
Bernadette: yeah!
Amy: gross!
I start crying and I hug Amy
Amy: it's ok Matias it's ok
Howard: I'm sorry Matias...
Me: STAY AWAY FROM ME UNCLE HOWARD!!!! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOU FOR A WHILE!!!!
Howard: but....
Amy: STAY AWAY FROM HIM HOWARD!!!! HE'S 13 YEARS OLD!!!! I'M TAKING HIM HOME!!!!
Bernadette: YOU REALLY WENT TOO FAR HOWARD!!!! LOOK HOW MATIAS IS!!!!
A few minutes later Amy and I are climbing the stairs of the Los Robles building
Me: I'm really sorry that I touched your legs and Aunt Bernadette's, Aunt Amy. I lost my conscience when I saw that woman. I'm totally aware I'm too old to touch your legs
Amy: don't worry Matias. What happened to you was completely normal no matter how old you are. It can be forgiven. But I'm proud of you that you payed more attention to your Uncle Howard than me
Amy and I arrive in apartment 4A
Me: thank you for taking me home Aunt Amy. You're like a 2nd mother to me
Amy: You're welcome
Penny opens the door
Penny: oh my god! What happened?!
Me: Uncle Howard took us to a strip club! I saw a woman's boobs! It was awful! Good night!
Penny: thank you for taking Matias home Amy. Even though I'm sometimes jealous of your relationship with him I really love how much you love him
Amy: he sometimes sees me as a 2nd mother. Good night Penny
Penny: good night Amy
Amy goes back to her house
To be continued...

House of Seraphs is a new clan, designed to create a friendly community and to welcome all types of players!
House of Seraphs is growing fast, community focused clan that engages with casual to End Game activities for both PVE and PVP. We have players that enjoy and participate in Raids, Dungeons, GMs, Triumphs, Trials, and more!
We Offer:
A well-designed Discord Server
Daily Clan Activities
Scheduled and instant LFG Posts
Players who will help with anything (Unofficial Sherpas)
A friendly community
Active chat and voice calls
Interactive channels to talk and share things outside of Destiny 2
And Much More!
We are still a small clan, but we are excited to make more friends and watch our little community grow. We use discord as our form of communication and chat, but it's not required. It just helps for LFG and to get to know our clan mates. All platforms are welcome as well! Message me for more info, or you can join the discord and/or clan! Hope to see you soon!
Clan Link: https://www.bungie.net/en/ClanV2?groupid=4991521
Discord Link: https://discord.gg/WKXbBasC

Good morning (or afternoon) BlueJackets! And welcome to the SCF Game thread! I wish to be a part of one for real one day, but until then, sit back, relax, and watch 6 (or 7) former Blue Jackets compete for the ultimate goal! Who's gonna hoist the Cup? Bob, Duke, and Dalpe? Or Karlsson, Marchessault, and CBJ Legend Jonathan Quick (and Kolesar)? Who ya got?!
Saturday, June 3, 2023:

GAME 1: (EWC2) Florida Panthers (42-32-8) @ (W1) Vegas Golden Knights (51-22-9)

Game Time: 8pm Eastern / 7pm Central / 6pm Mountain / 5pm Pacific / 3am Latvia and Finland
Location: Dallas, Texas - American Airlines Center
Former Blue Jackets
Panthers: Sergei Bobrovsky, Anthony Duclair, Zac Dalpe
Knights: William Karlsson, Jonathan Marchessault, CBJ legend Jonathan Quick
Game 1: FLA TBD - VGK TBD
FLORIDA PANTHERS
Carter Verhaeghe - Aleksander Barkov - Anthony Duclair
Nick Cousins - Sam Bennett - Matthew Tkachuk
Eetu Luostarinen - Anton Lundell - Sam Reinhart
Ryan Lomberg - Eric Staal - Colin White
Gustav Forsling - Aaron Ekblad
Marc Staal - Brandon Montour
Josh Mahura - Radko Gudas
Sergei Bobrovsky
Alex Lyon
VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS
Ivan Barbashev - Jack Eichel - Jonathan Marchessault
Brett Howden - Chandler Stephenson - Mark Stone
Reilly Smith - William Karlsson - Nicolas Roy
Will Carrier - Teddy Blueger - Keegan Kolesar
Alec Martinez - Alex Pietrangelo
Brayden McNabb - Shea Theodore
Nicolas Hague - Zach Whitecloud
Adin Hill
Jonathan Quick

As I've been lurking around this forum for quite a while before going, I thought I'd write a report of how our trip went to give back to this amazing community.
First of all, I'd like to say thanks to everyone here for all the extremely useful information!
Me (M30) and my wife (29F) had the chance to travel through Japan for about 18 days. We are both Muslim so we kept to a halal food regime (seafood and some halal places here and there).
General tips: - JR Pass: I'd say the JR pass is only worth it if you use the shinkansen (bullet train) for long distances a lot. That being said, it also provides a form of comfort and ease of mind. We had an unexpected change in our itinerary which made us stay an extra night in Tokyo, having the JR pass made this easy for us to just go on another train the next day. We also used it quite a lot in Tokyo and Osaka for smaller distance trips (protip: use the Navitime app to see if your itinerary is covered by JR pass). You could just take a 7 day pass and activate it during the period you would be doing all the long distance travel.

• Get an IC card (Suica/Pasmo). Easy to use and charge and can be used in convenience stores and in a lot of other places.
  
• don't overcharge your itinerary. Japan is beautiful and has a lot to offer, but try to keep it cool and enjoy the things you will visit. We did an average of 20-25k steps daily and we were not even rushing things.. (pack decent shoes)
  
• Navigating through train stations might be hard and overwhelming at first (especially the big ones like Shinjuku) but just find your base point and always follow the colors. Google maps is also very handy as it provides detailed information about platforms and what exits to use, etc..
  
• Google lens came in quite handy at times!
  
• luggage forwarding! Such a thing of beauty. Most hotels will help you with the procedure but if they don't, you can just go to a post office or most of the convenience stores help you out with it as well. The prices depend on the size of your luggage from what I've experienced, the distance doesn't seem to matter.
  
• Reservations: so basically, if you know you wanna go somewhere in Japan, try to book as soon as possible. Almost all of the activities we did (Usj, Disneysea, karting in Tokyo, Teamlab, Ghibli museum) needed reservations well in advance. In kyoto, we even had a hard time finding places to eat because all the good looking restaurants were constantly fully booked. Keep this in mind when going.
  

Halal food tips : - Honolu Ramen (Osaka) - we only tried the one in Osaka and the ramen with the chicken karaage was really good. Highly recommend. - Curry Coco (they have locations everywhere) (not halal but provides good curry and seafood/veggie options) - Osaka PANGA Yakiniku (Osaka) - halal, good food and they have halal Wagyu.
Alright so here we go :
15/05 - 20/05 Tokyo
We stayed at the APA Hotel Higashi-Shinjuku Kabukicho Tower. Rooms were pretty small compared to European standards (no closets) but overall the room was clean and all the amenities you'd need (wifi, hair dryer, tooth brush, shampoo, etc). As for the location, Shinjuku station was about a 10 minute walk from the hotel and Shinjuku is a cool place to be at generally speaking. It does get a bit hectic at night so depending on what you're into, you may or may not appreciate the vibes.
15/05 - arrival day:
We arrived at 6pm at Haneda Airport and immediately took a shuttle bus to Kabukicho Tower. Just ask the tourist information point at the airport and they'll guide you. It was 1300 yen per person and it led us almost straight to our hotel. After a long flight, this was a welcome comfort. We checked in and went for a walk in the neighbourhood but we were pretty tired so we went to sleep pretty early.
16/05 - Shinjuku neighborhood, Sumo fighting and karting through Tokyo
We started off our day having some Japanese brunch in Shinjuku, visited the Don Quijote and went to ryogoku to go see Sumo wrestling (really cool experience and if you stick around the arena you'll see the Sumo wrestlers walking to the arena, they are mostly very friendly and they will accept to take pictures with you). After that, we headed to the karting office and we went for a karting ride through Tokyo (shibuya, harakuju, etc) which was an amazing experience. It was already dark out so driving through these streets with all the flashy Tokyo lights is a must do in my opinion.
17/05 - TeamLab, Asakusa and akihabara
We headed to teamLab in the morning. It was a fun experience and I certainly don't regret doing it. Some of the exhibitions are really impressive. It was a bit crowded. We headed to Asakusa and wandered around the streets while heading for Senso-ji temple. Really cool temple. After that, we headed to Akihabara to stroll around and see some anime/manga/gaming related stores. We saw a few cool things and spent some time in the arcades but I was a bit disappointed by the lack of merch for the older manga and games. Everything seems to be about the new and popular anime which was a bit of a let down for me. Headed back to Shinjuku for dinner and called it a day.
18/05 - Disneysea Tokyo
My wife was super excited to go and see Disneysea so we did and boy we did not regret it! Sunny weather, not too many people and an overall fun experience. Contrary to what most people seem to be saying here, we actually arrived around 10.30 am and the gates were empty. We walked in, downloaded the app and just went to the attractions that had the less waiting time and we ended up doing almost all of them. Thrill wise I'd say we have way better attractions in Europe, but the scenery and details of the park are incredible. The rides are very immersive and beautifully done. I'm not a Disney fan at all but I really enjoyed my time there. A lot of the rides are meant for children as well so you can skip those. I really enjoyed the Indiana Jones, the horror tower and the volcano one.
19/05 Ginza & Shinjuku
Originally, we had planned quite a lot for this day, but my wife wasn't feeling great in the morning so we decided to sleep in and head out a bit later. We went to Ginza, visited the huge Uniqlo and did some shopping there. We then headed back for a calm night, had some fun in the arcades and finished up.
20/05 - Kawaguchiko
We took a bus in the morning at Shinjuku station to kawaguchiko and stayed in a Ryokan with a public onsen with a view on Fujisan. We really loved the atmosphere here as it was completely different from Tokyo. So calm and peaceful. We stayed at the hotel, we booked a private onsen and had a relax day/evening.
21/05 - kawaguchiko lake & arakura Sengen Shrine
We checked out of our hotel, headed to the station and took a train to the arakura Sengen Shrine stop. We went up the stairs (not too hard but it was hot so stay hydrated!) and enjoyed the magnificent view of Mt. Fuji with the shrine. It was a bit crowded and it was getting worse as time passed on. We decided to head down and go to Honcho Street. Nothing special about the street in itself, it just has a pretty cool view of fuji. Please be aware that fuji can get shy at times and is not always visible on a cloudy day. Don't lose hope, the clouds move around and you'll get to see fujisan. After that, we decided to head to the kawaguchiko station, rented some electric bikes (highly recommend) and we did the full tour of the kawaguchiko lake. It took us about 2.30 hours with stops and the electric bikes made it an easy and enjoyable experience. Cycling around the lake with the different parks and the mountains and mt fuji in the background is a magical experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone going to this region.
We headed back to the station, took a bus back to Tokyo and we were supposed to head to Kyoto but due to traffic delays, we missed the last shinkansen and booked an extra night in Tokyo.
This is the first part of our trip, I'll get back to the next part (Kyoto and Osaka) another time but please feel free to comment if you want more details on some aspects.

The skies above looked akin to a painting, with well-made clouds in all shapes and the mighty sun just barely visible as a patch of dark cloud slowly shifted over the vast openness above. It seemed as if it were hours from raining but that would not hamper the mood, no, the Tyrells would still press onward with their plan. Bert sat in his solar, etching out letters as dozens of servants, knights, and lordlings moved about outside his door. Guardsmen were preparing for the night to come, bolstering up positions to ensure there was but one way in and one way out. Servants had begun to rearrange the Long Hall of the Manse to seem like a smaller Great Hall.
At its center however was a wide open space, meant for entertainment, be it dancing, to the play, or fighting. Bert had wanted it all and he would have it.
They would all say the same thing.

To Lord/Lady Insert Here
I invite you to come to my home to enjoy an evening with the House of Roses.
Here we shall dance, drink, joust, and mingle!
Know that my son, Garlan, Heir to Highgarden is unwed. Bring forth your best brides and meet the boy. The bride price to wed the Defender of the Reach shall be roughly six thousand gold, to any who wed my other sons, I shall give them three.
We have gold, food, and fun aplenty.
The Tyrell
Bertrand

Tyrell Manse
The bards sang as Nobles were permitted into the Manse. Each would need to give their name and the few who Tyrell had flagged, would be checked for weapons. Bert was a wise man, he’d known better than to let his enemies into his home armed.
The party was meant to be vast, once the nobles passed the main gates, they’d enter a vast courtyard. There Westerosi nobles would be given a chance to joust one another for their amusement and some had taken that opportunity. The moon had lit the courtyard just enough for each man to see their rival but still, it was dark and accidents could happen….
From there they would pour into the manse proper, a vast hall with dancers and servants aplenty, drinks would be first offered here to those who’d come. It would be here that the singing of the Long Hall would be heard.
Beautiful tones by the most talented women in the Seven Kingdoms. It had cost Mace quite a pretty penny to get them here. They were a mix of Westeros women and other beauties from far-off lands, Dornish, Riverlanders, Summer Islanders, and a single woman from a place called Yi Ti, of which Mace nor any of his brothers knew just where that was but her voice was fine and her figure divine, and so they paid for her to be a dancer indeed.
Once they’d reached the Long Hall itself, They’d be met by ornately carved wooden doors, the warm glow of countless torches and chandeliers as they entered. Once they did, they’d see fine polished stone floors that resonate with every footfall.
In the center, a generous open area beckons with its smooth surface, ready to transform into a stage for the play and to quickly shift to a dance floor once it had come to its end. Framed by intricately adorned pillars, this central space was the heart of the hall, meant to, inviting guests to gather, revel, and lose themselves in the mirthful melodies. Rows of sturdy wooden tables flank the open area, arranged meticulously on both sides of the hall.
Above, the vaulted ceiling soars high, adorned with Intricate tapestries, depicting scenes of knights, castles, and ancient battles, line the stone walls, depicting heroic tales and mythological sagas of Reachmen long dead.
Once the manse grew full, the Lord Bert would speak.
“My Lords and Ladies, I thank you for coming.” He would start, standing at the center of his Hall. No longer using his cane and for the first time since he’d arrival in King’s Landing, standing tall and true.
“Tonight we celebrate, not a Black King, no. Tonight we celebrate our future. One that I pray shall be peaceful and filled with beauty.” Though he knew that would not be true, for the Fifth Dance would come sooner than they thought.
“As you know, my sons are unwed. I seek to correct this, my heir Garlan, his brothers, and daughter, Elinor shall all be wed.” The Lord Tyrell’s green eyes would shift over the gathered crowd.
“After this play, come seek me and let us wed our houses together. For we are stronger united than we are divided.”
And with that he’d fade back away as the music began once more.

This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 52%. (I'm a bot)

AN SNP MP has criticised the UK Government's decision to cut support for displaced Ukrainians.
Local authorities were previously receiving £10,500 per person from the UK Government to support displaced Ukrainians to access health services, employment and integrate into the community.
"Additionally, some Ukrainian guests are moving into their own accommodation and out of sponsorship during the first year, which should reduce the costs incurred by Local Authorities."
"He said:"The Tories' slashing of support for Ukrainian refugees in the midst of their self-made cost-of-living crisis is utterly deplorable, but is the kind of decision we have come to expect from this hostile government.
"This is primarily due to the astounding generosity of the people of Perthshire, but also as a result of Perth and Kinross Council's proficient housing and integration strategies for our Ukrainian arrivals, which is now being used as an exemplar model for local authorities across Scotland."
"I will now be urging the government to reverse this decision in order to ensure our Ukrainian arrivals, who have suffered unimaginable trauma since the war began, are properly looked after here."

Summary Source FAQ Feedback Top keywords: Ukrainian^#1 Government^#2 Local^#3 Authority^#4 decision^#5
Post found in /ukpolitics and /worldnews.
NOTICE: This thread is for discussing the submission topic. Please do not discuss the concept of the autotldr bot here.

[ [FIRST] [NEXT>]
Season 5 “Exotic Pets”
Episode 1 “The Night's Weave”
In any other professional setting, doing what he was currently doing would be considered highly unprofessional. In fact, even in any other precinct what he was doing right now would be very unprofessional. Usually, walking through the front door with your boss clinging to your arm like a swooning teenager would generally be interpreted only one way.
Thankfully, nobody specifically cared about this in this precinct, nor did they come to the obvious conclusion “Thank you, I’ll finish recovering in the break room” she says, with a trembling voice.
“You sure you don’t want me there?” admittedly, playing this role wasn’t really professional either for him but everyone understood the need of it.
“Yes” Keya lets go of Santos’ arm “I’ll just do the thing and drink something cold, then I can start this waking properly” she gently taps her tail on his shoulder “Now go get to work”
He sighs as he walks back to his desk. They had a wonderful two days with nothing happening after the short little session of everything happening, it was unsurprising that she’d start processing things through her nightmares now, leading those being screaming days. “‘least it isn’t the cold bastard yet” he mutters as he sits down.
And so here he planned to spend the rest of his work day getting mighty annoyed at their Regional Firebase. That damned place was in charge of both the fiscal, maitenance and archivistic functions for all the precincts in this area, not only they held the pursestrings of the operation they were also the ones in charge of maintaining equipment, assigning personnel and keeping all the information they needed to work up to date. And they seemed to hate him. Him, specifically, because the problems only started happening when he got here.
Of course he wasn’t just getting annoyed at the Regional for no reason, he was getting annoyed at them for their sheer incompetence, and he hoped it was incompetence, at keeping up data. He’d been hunting down any information about some old unsolved cases, and he’d been getting more luck with random phone calls to other precincts halfway across the planet than an official request to his own Regional.
Sadly, not every plan survives contact with the work day. After some time he feels a presence nearby and turns to look, there is Keya looking mostly like her normal self, except perhaps more tired than normal. She brings her holopad down to put it against his, transferring mission data “Nothing serious, or at least nothing dangerous. But we really should take this call”
He looks down at his device and calls up the mission data he’s just received. Predator sighting near… Orran’s house? Bit too close for comfort, real sightings are usually at the farms, but scarcely any information. Just something small and quadrupedal is the useful information, the rest is just usual ‘predator’ panic speech. “This looks like a ghost call, but sure I’ll go” he stands up and starts heading towards the garage, but stops and turns around “Stay here boss, no need to-”
“Yes there is, don’t worry about me” Keya takes a deep breath “I’m not at full capacity but i’m fine, let’s go” she walks past him.
With a shrug, he follows. As they settle in the car and Keya starts driving, he picks up his holopad to re-read the mission data. Nothing, obviously, has changed but he gives it more attention now. Small quadruped, fast, like a shadow… If there were any other humans here he’d believe it was someone’s pet cat, but without anyone dumb enough to bring an exotic animal to an alien planet in sight that’s unlikely. Sadly, none of the usual trash-diggers quite match either.
But there’s one final detail that’s weird. This… Isn’t the first call. There’s been a lot more calls related to this one, an entire fifty eight different calls all tied to this same incident report. He starts following links to the previous calls and checking them- All of them are the same incident, small quadruped, fast and like a shadow… And they were all marked as minimal priority, and left forgotten and unattended.
With a raised eyebrow he continues to check, seeing the dates of the reports. They were insistent, and have been going on for a while now. They’re not older than his presence here, but aside from them having stopped completely for the previous five days, those calls have been a daily occurrence. And each and every one of them was set to minimum priority by Keya herself, and promptly forgotten. Which indicated there had to be something going on here, because she’d never leave a call forgotten like this, at least not when she woke up screaming.
“Boss-” but before he can say anything, they’ve arrived. A considerably different house than the rest of the residences of the town, Orran had been living here long enough to have completely rebuilt his house in the style of his people, or at least the exterior and a few additions. It was weirdly tall for his size despite being only one floor, the exterior was coated with a material that looked like an earthen-brown daub but the evenness of the striations in the material showed an artistic care in its application beyond the means of manual work. The windows were higher in the walls than in a normal venlil residence and they seemed to have multiple layers, both glass and wood were used in their construction with the final layer being some form of metal.
“Huhn, I wonder if the weather on his homeworld is that wild?” he says, staring at the windows. He’s familiar with that kind of design, it could easily be used to control airflow to various degrees and help regulate temperature. But this entire getup seemed like overkill to him, unless wherever this was used had the breadth of half of Earth’s weather happening in the same area.
“Only about where I lived” Orran’s voice echoes from behind the door, which consists of a mesh door behind a wooden door. The yotul opens them and offers him an ear flick “Nightmare weather that place, used to have a flood gate in the house too. Only good thing the feds to that town was deepening the river to handle the summer floodwaters”
Santos blinks, looks at the agriculturalist, looks back at the car where Keya still is, then back at the yotul “Dang, have I been just staring here for long? I got kind of distracted, haven’t ever actually stopped by to watch your house before”
“Oh, feel free to take it in. Took some effort to get the wattle and daub look just right, not really helping the primitive stereotype much” he says with a joyful wave of his tail “But what can I say, I’m wild nations, feds ain’t the first to call me primitive and i’m still proud of it. Still, to what do I owe the honor?”
He tilts his head to the side slightly, taking in the man’s words for a moment. They made a distressing amount of sense, guess the Yotul would still remember those parts of their own history. But he was here for a job “Yeah, we got a sighting report around here” he picks up his holopad and brings it up “In fact a report in your residence. Do you mind if I look around real quick?”
He notices Orran’s tail stilling “Hrm? I can say I haven’t seen anything, and I live here”
Taking a deep breath Santos stares at the yotul, he knows the flinch isn’t an instinctive reaction “Orran. A few paws ago you didn’t notice the nixa’s claw marks in your kitchen. And this call came in today” then he turns his stare to the side with a sigh “I just want to make sure there’s nothing, alright?”
He can see in his periphery the man going through a wild set of conflicting emotions, only to settle into a defeated expression “Alright… Just, I was uhn… Canning some food. Can you at least spare my dignity somewhat and let me clean up?”
“Sure man, it’s not urgent” he shrugs. As Orran heads back inside he looks back at the car, where Keya is still sitting. Then he looks back at Orran’s door. Something isn’t adding up, and that something is his boss’ behavior.
There is some noise from inside for a while until Orran returns “Alright, got my machinery packed, c’mon in” he mentions before waving him in.
There’s a certain aesthetic clash heading inside, it’s visible that Orran had put in effort into adding in the colors and signs of his people into a venlil residence, but the apparent lack of capacity (or funds) to really change the foundations of it meant a lot of the structure was still that of a normal venlil home.
Still, the walls had been decorated to look like they’re made of wooden planks on the inside with the actual materials only visible near things such as power sockets. The living room itself was decorated in a lightly distressing manner with effectively a circle of couches on slightly raised platforms around a central table, the television has been set up on it with a pivoting base. It looked like someone had repurposed a firepit, or rather the entire setup was designed to evoke the look of a firepit.
There was what looked like, initially, a cloth hanger near the door, but on second look what it really held was a very long string of beads- The way they were strung around it made him imagine Orran wearing those very much like a scarf which also bound around his wrists.
On the wall in the far end was something that looked like a banner, though it was best described as an unframed painting with a tougher canvas. It depicted a distant view of a town in some sandy plateau, the center of the picture was bright and colorful and clearly in the morning but at the sides one could see two long-tailed animals making their way to the center where the town resides, behind them the image was dark and stars could be seen in the sky. The way the nighttime emanated from the creatures it seemed more like they were dragging the curtains of night with their tails. Shaking his head, Santos forces himself to stop ogling Orran’s things and starts looking around.
He wasn’t, sincerely, being serious about this. But not only was this whole song and dance a necessity, but his earlier words WERE true. Just had to check for obvious signs of dangerous things. So a quick cursory glance under the couches, a short moment in the kitchen whose fridge’s scratches still weren’t repaired- Santos stops for a second more staring at the scratch marks on the fridge. He looks at Orran who’s following him, who looks confused. No, this man was not that stupid, he trusted him enough.
Still, that meant he’d have to pay more attention now. Respectfully, without actually touching anything, he continues a visual inspection towards the other side of the house. A short corridor with the doors to the bedroom and bathroom. He passes by the bedroom and stops in front of the closed bathroom door. He sighs and kneels down in front of it.
“What is it?” Orran says behind him
What is it, is that he had heard something “Just… Let me check…” he gently taps the door. And he hears the noise again, light scratching. It stops for a moment, and then he taps the door again, causing them to start for a moment again. He looks back to the frozen yotul, who was apparently actually that stupid “Set ‘em loose if you would?”
Orran doesn’t respond, he just stays there “Look, man. At the very least trust in the fact I’m a human? Not a fan of using my species as a bargaining tool but I think it’s actually relevant here?” Santos stands up again and starts heading to the living room.
He waits patiently for a while, until Orran finally arrives. A small little beast threads through his feet as he walks, not unlike a cat that is doing their best to get kicked, it is indeed a small quadruped with great agility, not only that it has a distinctive striped dark blue coat that is so deep it could be mistaken for black as well as a tail about as long as it’s torso. It’s not a beast Santos recognizes, other than from the painting in the wall, so at least he can’t blame his own kind for this problem. He looks up and sees Orran has another one in his arms, this one looking much more calm and gentle.
Santos rubs his eyes “Really, Orran? You, of all people” he sighs “Come on, not to be racist here but I’d expect a yotul, no, a yotul ecologist to know better.” he waves at the man’s beasts “Did you really bring exotic pets to another planet?! No, not another country, another planet?” he sighs “What even are those?”
“Nightweaver hensa” says a soft voice from behind him, he turns around to see that Keya had finally arrived “An endangered species native to Leirn, called like that after a legend that they were the ones who’d drag the veil of night over the scorching sun” she sounds mostly like herself, but he can feel a flatness creeping up in her delivery.
Santos stares at her for a moment, looks back at Orran with a piercing stare, then slowly lowers his eyes to the hensa he’s carrying “Endangered animals? Are you-” but a light sound draws his attention back to Keya. She simply taps a place in her chest, the motion confuses him for a moment until he looks down at himself. Where she tapped is exactly where the insignia of the exterminator’s guild is in his uniform. He starts exhaling air slowly as he sits down on a couch “Are. You. Fucking. Kidding. Me.”
He looks at Orran protectively holding his pet, looking terrified. The first time he’s seen the man look afraid. He looks down, and notices one of the two hensa had walked up to him. He notices in his periphery Orran flinches when he offers his hand for the feline-like to sniff “Plausible deniability” he says.
When nobody else says anything, he continues “I thought it was weird she made me get inside on my own before her. I am, of course, human. Some things are expected out of us, I’m sure a big fuss is expected out of me over a pet” when the alien feline seems confident enough, it gives his finger a gentle nip and puts its entire head on his hand “So just in case we don’t have any protocol about how to deal with this situation, she can pretend whatever happens is because of me”
He gently caresses the little beast “I thought it was weird you had personally deprioritized fifty eight calls” the tone is not quite accusatory
“He quite clearly had them under control, there was no need to do anything about it” Keya says as if it was the most normal thing
“Why now?”
Keya gently sways her tail “I got tired of it. After the last few paws I don’t think I have the energy to deal with this anymore” it made sense, he knew she had a limit to her emotional energy.
Orran slowly tilts his head to look at Keya “Wait… You’ve known about them?”
She gives him an affirmative ear flick “I even know they’re Nightweavers. They were already an endangered breed before your first contact, for all I know they’re the last two living Nightweavers”
At that, Santos focuses on the one that Orran is holding… Something about it… It’s a she “A breeding pair” this causes the yotul to snap his focus on him “You brought a breeding pair. It would be bad enough if they were just pets, maybe they’d be neutered and the worst damage they’d do would be for however long those fluffball live, but you’re looking at increasing the population”
He sighs “Orran… You know this will cause a disaster, don’t you? Do I need to tell you about the extinction level events that were every goddamn invasive species on Earth? Do I need to tell you the number of species gone extinct because of our cats?” he takes a deep breath “Actually, no, I don’t think I need to. You don’t actually care, do you?” he continues to gently caress the overly-affectionate little feline that at this point had jumped on his lap and burrowed itself under his shirt “Not only you don’t care… Any collateral you cause is probably just rightful vengeance for you is it?”
“It’s not like that!” the yotul shouts “I… I was breeder back home, okay? I wasn’t a farmer, I was a hensa breeder” he thumps his tail on the ground in anger “You weren’t there… You weren’t there to watch what they did to my… When I had a chance to run away and… And save some of them. I just grabbed who I could and just ran.” he holds the pregnant female a little bit tighter “I wasn’t planning on… Anything. I wasn’t planning, I wasn’t thinking… I… I wound up here, eventually…”
Santos brings down his other hand to scratch the little alien kitten. He takes a moment to just take in the little beast, whatever ecological niche it filled had to be infinitely similar to that of cats to be so similar yet so different. The tail movements were so different, a lot more energetic, a lot more in general, made sense since their owners had tails too, they probably could read each other much better. And it seemed to enjoy getting squished for some reason, he wondered why. He had all of those wonders and thoughts while he tried to not think about what he’d have to do.
Those hensa couldn’t stay here. Maybe, a very wild maybe, if they were neutered they could. But those were pretty much for breeding and of a particularly endangered kind as well, so that was out of the picture. Of course, those two space felines would also need to be cared for, they were an endangered species so that was non-negotiable. The UN had some measures for dealing with terran animals in this planet, from relocation to shelters to even a few approved areas they could live in, but they only dealt in terran animals not leirnian animals.
At this point his thoughts are interrupted by Keya’s voice “I don’t care who, anyone that can help is enough” he looks up at her, she has her holopad firmly clenched in her hands and her right eye focused directly on it.
She’s on a call.
---
And here we have it, we meet the two little disasters-to-be while the precinct chief throws their human into the fire as a possible scapegoat for any possible crazy plan they might have to resort to. And in fact, said crazy plan seems to involve a desperate plea over the phone.
Also, I had a bit of fun trying to thinking what Orran's house might be like, and somewhere along the line I got this weird thought: They're certainly not innocent of or about colonialism, so wouldn't the displaced natives of their own world at least feel a tiny bit of vindication watching their own conquerors get conquered in turn? Doesn't make things better but the irony of it all must be sweet.
Edit: FFS. Reddit, LET ME EDIT TITLES