Armenian store near me

"I watch as my wife sends me an air kiss, and I hear two more "arrivals": a servicewoman with the call sign "Murka" died in front of her husband in the trenches near Bakhmut
A servicewoman with the call sign "Murka" — Tetyana Fesenko, who defended Ukraine side by side with her husband Volodymyr, died on the front lines. The defender, originally from Gostomel, was 30 years old. On February 24 last year, the family sent their daughter and grandmother abroad. They drew up a notarial power of attorney for her, so that in the event of the death of her parents, the grandmother could adopt the girl. Tatiana was killed by a shell in her lover's arms. Volodymyr carried his wife more than two kilometers to the evacuation point, but they could not save the woman. 8-year-old daughter Elizaveta already knows that mom is now forever her guardian angel... "On the last anniversary of the wedding, the wife wrote: "I wish that our family hearth never goes out"
— Tanya did not know her biological father, his stepfather Ivan replaced him, — the husband of the deceased, Volodymyr Fesenko, told "FACTS" . - My wife was a "toddler" from an early age - she loved to run with the boys to football, climb on the roofs, a smile never left her face. She was beautiful not only on the outside, but also on the inside. She drew beautifully, embroidered, wove carpets... Beloved adored the life that this cursed war took from her so quickly. Could I have ever thought that instead of giving my wife her favorite white chrysanthemums, I would buy them for the cemetery.
For some time, Tetyana studied in Vasylkiv, later she received an agricultural education. But the passion of her life was the furniture business, in which my comrade from the war, Andrii, involved my wife. He had his own business at that time. Tanya started with grinding, then I encouraged her to work with carving, restoration. I mainly worked on patina, which is a rather painstaking job that requires constant improvement. Tanya planned to expand the business with Andrii, but it did not work out. Neither Andrii nor my wife is anymore...

• How did you meet Tatyana?
  
• This is a fabulous story. It was 2013. I accidentally ended up at the wrong college reunion. And when Tanya began to ask who I was, I began to think that we knew each other well and studied together. You know, even then she seemed to me the most beautiful girl in the world! We walked until five in the morning, agreed to meet the next day. Tanya did not come. But a month later, I accidentally met her in a cafe at a friend's birthday party. He came up and said that she owed me a date and would definitely be mine. Tanya answered that no. But we parted ways. Everyone had their own life.
  

During the anti-terrorist operation, I served in the Chimera volunteer battalion. Somehow he found out from acquaintances that Tatyana was pregnant from someone else. It was painful, out of stupidity I married another woman, but we didn't have a family. Tanya also did not live with her father after the birth of her daughter. And in 2017, we met again. And then both realized that this was definitely fate. When we were standing in the RATS, I joked that my wife used to pray that she wouldn't be mine. But you cannot escape from fate. I was not at all scared that Tana had a child, I love Lizochka like my own. In our free time, we rested in nature, took our daughter to the sea, to the Carpathians, and we developed a wonderful relationship between our parents.
On our last wedding anniversary, my wife once again dedicated a touching post to me, which makes my heart sink: "My beloved man, my dear soul, Happy Anniversary! I wish that our family hearth burns more and more from the wood that we throw to it, and that we never let it go out! May our mutual love protect and protect us from evil spirits. You are forever the man of my dreams! Congratulations, my happiness!"
"Our daughter came up with Tanya's call sign - "Murka"
— How did you and your wife end up at war in 2022?
— I'll start with the fact that working in the furniture industry undermined my wife's health. It got to the point that at the end of 2021, she was appointed and underwent an operation: part of the uterus was removed and an expensive implant was installed, because we so dreamed of another child... On January 5, Tanya's stitches were removed.
On February 11, I was called to the military unit. When he came home, he told his wife that there would be a war. Tatyana immediately believed, we prepared a power of attorney in advance in case the relatives had to take Elizaveta away. My beloved told me even then that if I go to serve, then she will too...
*On February 24, the great war began, and the wife, still in a bandage, made the decision to fight without hesitation*. This is how our difficult journey began. Because we traveled as part of the 129th battalion of the Territorial Defense of Kyiv to Gostomel, Bucha, Moschun, Stari Petrivtsi, to the airfield in Zhulyany. Then we met my brothers, godfathers and called our unit "Black Swans", and there were very professional fighters. I was scouting. But there was a problem with "Murka" - such a call sign Tanya came up with, our daughter - because a man and a woman cannot serve together. However, the commander of the 244th battalion of the Territorial Defense of Kyiv, in which we were stationed recently, made concessions and gave us such an opportunity. "Murka" served as a gunner. After training, she was given a separate test: the entire unit was askedto lie on the ground, and Tanya had to release the entire tape of cartridges above our heads, at a distance of 50 centimeters above the ground.

• And how did you manage?
  
• Of course! Tanya did it. Moreover, her hand did not tremble even for a second. After that she said: "Can I have more?" I was proud of her. Tanya mastered PKM, I taught her to shoot with SGD, AK-74, PM, AGS. Later, they bought her an AR-15 rifle, which was her favorite weapon. In addition, I taught my wife about demining, she was good at mining. Recently, Tanya and other fighters formed a new group - "Pamoroks". Behind our backs, we were considered a suicide squad, because we performed extremely difficult tasks, starting from Kharkiv Oblast. Soon we were thrown into Donetsk region, near Bakhmut, where, in fact, my wife died.
  

I know it hurts a lot, but remember the events of that tragic March 5.

• *Tatyana was in the most protected trench, in front of him were three stumps and logs that covered him well. At first, two shells flew into the trench, one fell and did not explode, I was 5 meters from Tatyana, but I was very stunned. I raise my head, and my wife blows me an air kiss. And at this moment I hear two more "arrivals". I shout to my wife, I crawl... She didn't answer anymore. The trench where Tanya and her brother were was completely covered. His wife's eyes were still open, she was holding her helmet with her hands, a smile on her lips. I didn't see any blood, so I thought she was still alive. Mersch to the rescue! I took her in my arms and carried her two and a half kilometers to the evacuation site with the hope that my Tanyusha would be saved. But they didn't have time. Doctors declared death. Shrapnel entered the collarbone and completely pierced his wife. Her brother didn't survive either*...
  We buried Tatyana with honors on the Alley of Fame in Gostomel... After the funeral, I am engaged in Elizaveta's adoption. I want the child not to feel alone and abandoned after losing his mother. At first, the daughter cried a lot because of the death of her mother, now she knows that she is an angel. I promised myself that we will definitely win and I will always be there. But until I have all the documents, I must return to the front and take revenge for Tanya and other heroes.
  

https://fakty-ua.translate.goog/417089-smotryu-kak-zhena-posylaet-mne-vozdushnyj-poceluj-i-slyshu-ecshe-dva-prileta-pod-bahmutom-na-glazah-u-muzha-pogibla-voennaya-strelok?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-GB

So basically I had started dating this cool girl back around the beginning of the pandemic and it was going really well at first, I had never been in a relationship before, and tbh I didn't ever feel alone when I went on trips or did social gatherings, but when I met her, I understood how nice it can be to be in sync with someone, to have so much in common and to be with what feels like a best friend, someone thats on the same wavelength. I was super nervous always but always tried to be polite and as courteous, to the point of overthinking even the most basic messages.
The thing was that she was a cool person but over the course of the relationship, there were things that would happen that would make me sad or depressed, no matter what it seemed like she only ever wanted to see each other every 2 weeks on average(I honestly wanted to see her at least once a week or if possible like twice a week despite that she lived an hour away, i'd put the effort back then), and even tho I put in so much effort, I never felt like I got that back, I always tried to check up on her with how was work or life, and I almost always get the same 1-3 word response. I don't think I ever really got checked up on.... I honestly never felt like a priority... even when it came to games(and boy do I love games myself), it felt I always came last, never 2nd,3rd, or 4th. She's a cool person but.... she wasn't a good partner, I would get forgotten about for holidays we had planned for like 4th of July or new years. It honestly still hurts alot, and I wish I could let that stuff go, but when you feel more alone than ever when you're in a relationship is a type of pain I never knew you could experience. It leaves you empty, hollow, like a piece of driftwood. but I always thought in my heart, with communication and effort I could make it work.... I did talk about it, much more lightly than how I actually felt so she wouldn't feel bad or I'd feel like I was trying to be emotionally manipulative.... I had hope that she'd change(I know change is a big thing, and not always right to ask of but I was wanting to improve the relationship sorry) and put more effort..... hope just gets you hurt sadly. The relationship lasted about 1.5 years, until one day we split because of a specific circumstance, its not related to anything prior, its just a crappy circumstance that happened to pop up I guess.
I was really really sad and depressed to say the least, I was sad that it felt like I lost someone that finally understood me, I thought it was the end and that i'd never see them again and that in a sense they'd be dead to me perceptually cause the odds of running into them ever again if we cut ties is next to 0. So I decided to ask if she wanted to stay friends and she said yes, idk if it was the right choice then but I was scared of losing someone I felt so close with, and that was on the same wavelength in terms of how to view life and others, how they were kind to people and never judged. I tried getting some space and it kind of didn't work out since we ran into each other at an event a few weeks after.
I then got asked if I wanted to go to a trip to a con a month later with her and her friends and I being of the mindset " Sure why not, lets see what happens if I say yes and go against every logical thought", The day of the trip arrives and I of course still feel weird being around her, I just get a feeling of un-ease considering we had been dating up until a few months prior but I just shove it deep down my gut and put on a face of everything is fine cause I don't want to make things awkward. It honestly wasn't too hard putting on a face considering I did that constantly during the relationship for the same reason, I am a dumb people pleaser and hate myself for it.
I honestly felt nervous around everyone cause they weren't my friends, they were hers, I didn't know them, I knew of them... I honestly felt alone even with my ex there, I was worried... and it then got Worse. To say the least most people on the trip were wanting to do some gummies for fun, and I personally had never done anything like gummies or smoking before and didn't really care for it and just wanted to live in the moment, but I then got offered/given by my ex one, and I just wasn't sure, but I was put on the spot everyone waiting on me, I kept thinking "yes or no, yes or no" over and over. I looked at her and thought, I mean I dated her for 1.5 years and we knew each other for almost 2, she knows me, she's looking out for me right??? I can trust her right?!?!... I eat the gummy, not knowing what the recommended dosage for a newby is. it was over 12 times the max amount recommended...... I. I was high for 2 full days, and it was fine at first for a few hours I thought, maybe, but when you wake up and the feeling just wouldn't shut off, and it would still linger no matter what I did or ate, I felt so scared, and even more alone, I wanted to cry so badly, but how do you cry when you're surrounded by strangers and worse, her friends, how do you not make things weird...... I bottled up everything until I went outside and just cried alone while calling a friend, I was just tired of the feeling of not feeling myself, of everything feeling delayed, and not to mention that I was honestly thinking of seeking out a prescribed set of gummies in the future to mellow out my anxiety in the future, to calm me down, but I felt that was robbed from me cause I feel like this terrible first experience gave me some type of ptsd, I get nervous whenever anyone talks about weed, and my heart races nowadays when I smell it. The trip was ruined from nearly the beginning and it just sucked having that happened. We came back from the trip, I didn't really contact her unless she contacted me for quite a few months, I felt my trust betrayed, I felt more anxious than ever, I felt like my feelings didn't matter. I know she's not a bad person but she did some stupid decisions, and one being overdosing me for some reason.
​
I had decided to give myself some space, and it worked for a bit but knowing I still had contact with her still made me think of the lonely relationship, and the betrayal from the trip. about 7 months had passed and while we saw each other a few times, it was very sparse, up until one day we happened to go to a concert with some friends. Inside of venue before the opener even began the topic of the trip got brought up, she reminisced on how the trip was fun for her, and then and there she decided to casually say she was sorry to me about overdosing me, in front of our friends, in a very crowded public place.... I honestly had no words, and didn't give a reply, just stood there, hurt from the fact that it took 7+ months for an apology and it was done then and there.
From then on we hung out on occasion doing a events with friends and it was fun I won't deny but always at the back of my brain, I know I have feelings still, both from how happy I felt in the relationship and also the hurt and loneliness I felt from it, and then the trip incident.
It was then a few months after the "apology" she would then hype me up in front of friends about how much I took.... I had no response again, just staying quiet and keeping my thoughts to myself, feeling like I just got backhanded and made to feel like the apology meant even less. I swear she's a good kind person but. these actions, they just keep hurting me, and I keep wanting to bring this stuff up and talk about it, but there is never a good time, its been bottling up for so long now, its been over a year and I still have ptsd from the incident, I feel uneasy around her, and I just wish I could move one wihtout losing a friend, I just feel like no matter what I do I'm gonna end up sad and even more depressed. I have some amazing online friends who are a good support system, but in my town, I have only 1 good friend for support but we don't seem to always see eye to eye on quite a few things, and I did with my ex, and I just wish I had a better support system, had been in a healthy relationship, could be treated right, and not feel so scared and alone even after all this time. Idk if I should talk somehow or if I should just cut ties bluntly. It doesn't help that I already made plans with her for the next few months and its stuff thats already been paid for. I'm really sorry that this is so long, and am grateful if anyone bothered reading all this. I have these same thoughts going over and over in my head on an almost daily basis and I just can't stop them

I have been thinking about this deeply recently and have been wondering if it simply comes down to a matter of natural affinity, money, or perhaps, accessibility to a native environment, whether that be in Japan itself or a Japanese community in your home country. It is starting to become clear to me that in order to improve oral proficiency, you need to be in an environment surrounded by native speakers. (I was fed this idea that if you immersed a ton, you would just become fluent naturally like a baby, which in hindsight, was obviously a silly notion and I was an idiot to believe it, but I was non the wiser at the time)
Just to clarify, I am not talking about the obvious things such as 'consistency' and 'desire to learn', and I am aware that simply 'living in Japan' won't make you 'fluent' either (we are all intimately familiar with the stories about expats who relocate to Japan and fail to reach even a basic conversational level, let alone fluency). I am specifically referring to the serious learners in the community who have the passion, dedication, motivation, and who actively devote a considerable amount of time to studying Japanese and don't make it far, or don't make it at all, while others do despite both parties pouring in comparable amounts of time. Is this where 'living in Japan' gives people that edge and creates an advantage for some and a disadvantage for others?"
I also think the same about English learners who are native to Japan. I follow a number of Japanese youtubers and have listened to stories about how they reached fluency (Atsu, Saki, Haruki, Uzi are just four that immediately spring to mind) , and the stories typically follow a the following pattern "Studied English grammar in middle school high school but couldn't speak well > Went abroad and studied at a a foreign University ( or a working holiday visa) and became fluent. However, there numerous Japanese people who do the same and don't make it anywhere near as far as people like that.
If we were to assume that "immersion time" and "dedication' between parties is equal, is this where factors such as "natural talent" , "money" and "environment" take over? This is something I am really curious about and I really like to know what the people in the community think. This not just a question to Japanese learners, but also to the Japanese people on this subreddit?Through your interactions with foreigners, what is the one thing that those who you thought were really good at Japanese shared?
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(Apologies if this was a little long_

So i have been getting very interested in thrifting lately and i seriously want to visit a store and see what type of stuff i will find. Of course, clothes are not the only thing we find in thrift stores. We can get books, home decor etc.
So i casually talked about this to my grandma yesterday and she said "why would you think of buying something which is already used? What if that person has a disease or smth, how will we know? You should never use secondhand things." etc etc. And i get her mindset. My family is more than capable of providing me with brand new things. We're not in a condition where i will need to wear someone else's clothes.
But I'm just curious. I just want to see what i can find if i go to a thrift store. And tbh, I don't see this as "cheap". For me, it's a sustainable practice. It's easier to get secondhand things which are in good condition for a lower price than buy new ones which will use more resources to produce. Now I'm scared to bring this topic up with my family or even my friends because idk how they will react.
It's a shame that they're so against it because we can genuinely find very good deals in thrift stores and rare items which no one else might have. It's a fun little experiment to try every now and then. AND environmentally friendly.
What do y'all think about thrifting and secondhand goods in general? And what about your parents? What might they think of this? I'm genuinely confused now. It's harmless IMO but the more i think of it, the more likely it is that people will actually disapprove of this.

Hi all, I searched online and this forum too but i have a question for which i don’t have a clear answer
I have lived in Australia and now currently in Switzerland. I have a friend in Germany who’s buying a steam deck for me. But my steam account Is Australia, i just created it long back but haven’t bought games and it says i can’t change till i buy something. I don’t have a payment method from Australia now.
I am currently in Swiss so how do i change the country and account. Also i will be here only for a few months maybe, and i want to change to India as that’s my permanent location. So can i directly now add a indian payment method and buy games in Indian store. Will that work when i am in Switzerland? Help is highly appreciated!

I am 21 and I am currently doing a Google digital marketing and e commerce certification on coursera that my friend got me into . I am nearly done and I have a connection that might get me some experience or job . But as a college major especially CUNY associates/ bachelor is it recommended or viable, and how much job demand and safety there is?

Longtime fan here, she was my Covid comfort tiktoker as she’s my age and her videos were so relatable while also comic relief, especially during that time. In her most recent video on her spam, she already has over 50 comments, nearly -all- being kind words and support. The literal only comment she has responded to is the only one that even resembles a hate comment, and it’s just some girl saying male validation isn’t it. And of course she’s responding aggressively. Paired with the whole giveaway issue lately, I don’t understand how anyone still supports her. Like I feel genuinely saddened by how she treats her fans/followers lmao. She can’t even acknowledge they exist/can’t do a giveaway, but she can interact day and night with anyone she wants to argue with. The negativity is so draining. The root of it is self-centeredness, which we all have seen ample amount of w her lol, and we all can be self centered so it’s not like I expect influencers to be any different. I guess it’s just crazy seeing it so blatantly when most influencers at least -try- to be grateful for their followers who are literally the entire reason they are where they are. The video where everyone thought she was announcing a giveaway and then she just flaunted her own purchases then laughed about how everyone thought it was a giveaway genuinely made me sad. A lot of the people supporting her career probably budget out their groceries for the week, and she thanks them by flaunting her umpteenth designer bag. It feels so dystopian sometimes lol.

So basically I had started dating this cool girl back around the beginning of the pandemic and it was going really well at first, I had never been in a relationship before, and tbh I didn't ever feel alone when I went on trips or did social gatherings, but when I met her, I understood how nice it can be to be in sync with someone, to have so much in common and to be with what feels like a best friend, someone thats on the same wavelength. I was super nervous always but always tried to be polite and as courteous, to the point of overthinking even the most basic messages.
The thing was that she was a cool person but over the course of the relationship, there were things that would happen that would make me sad or depressed, no matter what it seemed like she only ever wanted to see each other every 2 weeks on average(I honestly wanted to see her at least once a week or if possible like twice a week despite that she lived an hour away, i'd put the effort back then), and even tho I put in so much effort, I never felt like I got that back, I always tried to check up on her with how was work or life, and I almost always get the same 1-3 word response. I don't think I ever really got checked up on.... I honestly never felt like a priority... even when it came to games(and boy do I love games myself), it felt I always came last, never 2nd,3rd, or 4th. She's a cool person but.... she wasn't a good partner, I would get forgotten about for holidays we had planned for like 4th of July or new years. It honestly still hurts alot, and I wish I could let that stuff go, but when you feel more alone than ever when you're in a relationship is a type of pain I never knew you could experience. It leaves you empty, hollow, like a piece of driftwood. but I always thought in my heart, with communication and effort I could make it work.... I did talk about it, much more lightly than how I actually felt so she wouldn't feel bad or I'd feel like I was trying to be emotionally manipulative.... I had hope that she'd change(I know change is a big thing, and not always right to ask of but I was wanting to improve the relationship sorry) and put more effort..... hope just gets you hurt sadly. The relationship lasted about 1.5 years, until one day we split because of a specific circumstance, its not related to anything prior, its just a crappy circumstance that happened to pop up I guess.
I was really really sad and depressed to say the least, I was sad that it felt like I lost someone that finally understood me, I thought it was the end and that i'd never see them again and that in a sense they'd be dead to me perceptually cause the odds of running into them ever again if we cut ties is next to 0. So I decided to ask if she wanted to stay friends and she said yes, idk if it was the right choice then but I was scared of losing someone I felt so close with, and that was on the same wavelength in terms of how to view life and others, how they were kind to people and never judged. I tried getting some space and it kind of didn't work out since we ran into each other at an event a few weeks after.
I then got asked if I wanted to go to a trip to a con a month later with her and her friends and I being of the mindset " Sure why not, lets see what happens if I say yes and go against every logical thought", The day of the trip arrives and I of course still feel weird being around her, I just get a feeling of un-ease considering we had been dating up until a few months prior but I just shove it deep down my gut and put on a face of everything is fine cause I don't want to make things awkward. It honestly wasn't too hard putting on a face considering I did that constantly during the relationship for the same reason, I am a dumb people pleaser and hate myself for it.
I honestly felt nervous around everyone cause they weren't my friends, they were hers, I didn't know them, I knew of them... I honestly felt alone even with my ex there, I was worried... and it then got Worse. To say the least most people on the trip were wanting to do some gummies for fun, and I personally had never done anything like gummies or smoking before and didn't really care for it and just wanted to live in the moment, but I then got offered/given by my ex one, and I just wasn't sure, but I was put on the spot everyone waiting on me, I kept thinking "yes or no, yes or no" over and over. I looked at her and thought, I mean I dated her for 1.5 years and we knew each other for almost 2, she knows me, she's looking out for me right??? I can trust her right?!?!... I eat the gummy, not knowing what the recommended dosage for a newby is. it was over 12 times the max amount recommended...... I. I was high for 2 full days, and it was fine at first for a few hours I thought, maybe, but when you wake up and the feeling just wouldn't shut off, and it would still linger no matter what I did or ate, I felt so scared, and even more alone, I wanted to cry so badly, but how do you cry when you're surrounded by strangers and worse, her friends, how do you not make things weird...... I bottled up everything until I went outside and just cried alone while calling a friend, I was just tired of the feeling of not feeling myself, of everything feeling delayed, and not to mention that I was honestly thinking of seeking out a prescribed set of gummies in the future to mellow out my anxiety in the future, to calm me down, but I felt that was robbed from me cause I feel like this terrible first experience gave me some type of ptsd, I get nervous whenever anyone talks about weed, and my heart races nowadays when I smell it. The trip was ruined from nearly the beginning and it just sucked having that happened. We came back from the trip, I didn't really contact her unless she contacted me for quite a few months, I felt my trust betrayed, I felt more anxious than ever, I felt like my feelings didn't matter. I know she's not a bad person but she did some stupid decisions, and one being overdosing me for some reason.
​
I had decided to give myself some space, and it worked for a bit but knowing I still had contact with her still made me think of the lonely relationship, and the betrayal from the trip. about 7 months had passed and while we saw each other a few times, it was very sparse, up until one day we happened to go to a concert with some friends. Inside of venue before the opener even began the topic of the trip got brought up, she reminisced on how the trip was fun for her, and then and there she decided to casually say she was sorry to me about overdosing me, in front of our friends, in a very crowded public place.... I honestly had no words, and didn't give a reply, just stood there, hurt from the fact that it took 7+ months for an apology and it was done then and there.
From then on we hung out on occasion doing a events with friends and it was fun I won't deny but always at the back of my brain, I know I have feelings still, both from how happy I felt in the relationship and also the hurt and loneliness I felt from it, and then the trip incident.
It was then a few months after the "apology" she would then hype me up in front of friends about how much I took.... I had no response again, just staying quiet and keeping my thoughts to myself, feeling like I just got backhanded and made to feel like the apology meant even less. I swear she's a good kind person but. these actions, they just keep hurting me, and I keep wanting to bring this stuff up and talk about it, but there is never a good time, its been bottling up for so long now, its been over a year and I still have ptsd from the incident, I feel uneasy around her, and I just wish I could move one wihtout losing a friend, I just feel like no matter what I do I'm gonna end up sad and even more depressed. I have some amazing online friends who are a good support system, but in my town, I have only 1 good friend for support but we don't seem to always see eye to eye on quite a few things, and I did with my ex, and I just wish I had a better support system, had been in a healthy relationship, could be treated right, and not feel so scared and alone even after all this time. Idk if I should talk somehow or if I should just cut ties bluntly. It doesn't help that I already made plans with her for the next few months and its stuff thats already been paid for. I'm really sorry that this is so long, and am grateful if anyone bothered reading all this. I have these same thoughts going over and over in my head on an almost daily basis and I just can't stop them

So I am interested in this and I am trying to decide between on road and off road we have a lot of fields near us. One has Cows on while Reading Festival is going on but the there is and old wheat field that I can drive a RC car on so an off road car would be fun for that .Amazon has some good ones ( they look good at least) or should I go for an on track car.
I got a some garages and stuff that I can use it on I am interested in racing but there is no track near me ( although someone on here said he will be making one) but the question is should I get an On Road or an Off Road car. Also is Amazon a good place to get an Entry Level car?
there are a couple of Shop nearby(ish) in Woodley and one in The Orical in Reading But I don’t know if they are any good ?
really I am new an don’t know where to start?

Hello all,
I've got a few questions.
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I'm wondering - as a cis (and possibly bisexual??) woman who doesn't currently have any lgbt friends and only a few lgbt family members - how I can be the most supportive and understanding. I'm highly invested in the community but have little experience with actual members of it because I'm very much a hermit - sociable and kind as I can be but highly introverted. I often overthink how I act and what to say when I'm around people of cultures and backgrounds different from mine.
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Especially now with pride month coming up very soon, I really would like tips, opinions, or other ideas on how to best approach and talk to lgbt people. That being said, it goes without saying that I simply treat them like I would any other stranger. Many stores I frequent have lgbt employees and they've started to become familiar faces out during mall trips or the likes. Herein lies the issue: the other day, I was checking out with a cashier who was trans; I wanted to complement her on her hair but I stopped myself, wondering, "Would that come off as fake? Would she think I'm only trying to be nice because I realize she is transgender?" Furthermore, is it generally accepted as okay to ask a person their pronouns? I have once before and the question was very well received but I'm always too shy to do it.
​
With mental health issues being highly common in the lgbt community, I've considered doing little gestures to offer support. When I went to Pride a couple of years ago, someone just randomly handed me a little laminated card telling me how beautiful and amazing and important I am, and that I deserve to exist in this world. It then said to pass it on to someone else who might need to see this message. This gesture was very important to me and I'll never forget it. I carried it for some time until I left it on a seat in the place of much of my healing, The OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center in Utah.I've considered creating and giving cards to people that say things like "you're loved" or "you're beautiful", but again, the question arises: "Would they think I'm forcing this?" I understand that this could be seen as an odd practice and I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. It's one thing to hand people cards of support out in the Pride crowd, but maybe it's another to give someone a card at Wal-Mart.
​
Also, a side question completely unrelated: what animals or symbols are most associated with the community? I've got unicorns and rainbows but that's it, and a project of mine needs more variety.
​
Thanks all. :)

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Am I the Asshole? Had two women come in and try to convince me to run this chase cash card as cash? I mean I never saw anything like that..? but I had someone at my last store get fired over getting talked into running $10 as cash without having the cash in hand first so I wasn't risking it.. especially when they tried to buy a 200$ gift card ? Not to mention the security thing went off at the door and I didn't ring them up for anything after they threw their items at me 🙃I mean it said visa on the card lol does anyone know about these ?

I had a dog, her name was Pearl and we were inseparable, I will never get tired telling our story. I used to be a very lonely kid, not even my parents have me that much attention and I was pretty much obnoxious to everything due to how lonely I felt. One thing I’ve always loved: animals. They are wonderful, specially dogs. One day at my grandparents farm one of their dogs had puppies. I was overjoyed and went running to see the mama with her pups (obviously from a distance). Then I saw her: the most beautiful and amazing and perfect doggo. She was a beautiful cream-colored puppy with the prettiest black nose. I swear that the moment we saw each other it was then that I knew she and I were meant to be together. I was the happiest 6 year old when my grandpa said I could take her. It was something out of this world, I can’t explain how our bond was. From moment one she was extremely loyal to me and so I was immensely loving towards her. I spent days and nights playing with her and my world became the brightest since then. Even at my lowest she was the only constant I had. I suffered through many things: bullying from family and classmates, constant rejection from others, being alone, not having any friends, being diagnosed with depression as a kid… She was always there for me. I would come home after school and she always greeted me like this. Looking at her smile always made me feel way better about my life. I bought her the best things and gave her the best opportunities I could bringing her to the best vets in our city. Not once I left her alone, every time I could I would bring her along with me and we traveled our country together. Beaches, forests, cities, and countryside: you name it we went together. I always felt as if she was a part of me. I couldn’t explain it but it was as if she and I were a single soul. We were the best friends ever. Then one Thursday as I was getting ready she seemed off so my mom and I went to the emergency pet hospital nearby. When we arrived the vets saw her and ran to attend her. She had entered a shock and there was bloody liquid bubbling out her nose. I was panicking and crying like I’ve never before. I’m not one to cry easily but at that moment I was very vulnerable. My mom had to hold me back to me not to run behind the vets. We spent there more than two hours. After this, I couldn’t go to school and I was so extremely tired from crying that I fell asleep the moment I got home. Pearl had been hospitalized, and was intubated with oxygen. We didn’t care we paid proximately $370 just for her to be ok, she was our Pearl. Then later at 11 o’clock they called us to tell us she had passed away. They had tried everything they could but her body gave up. At first I couldn’t process the shock it was to me. Even saying that days after I kept relieving the memory in flashes and am still emotionally traumatized by watching her die in front of me. I acted extremely cold towards everyone and everything. I just locked myself in my room and didn’t speak to anybody. I kept telling myself I was OK, but I know I was not. At night, when I finally could process what had happened I cried, Innoway I cannot explain. I felt like a part of me had been ripped off and I couldn’t breathe. My mom tried calming me down, but I just simply was having a mental breakdown. Now it’s been less than a year and I know I was just 16 years old and I should be getting over it, but I can’t. Pearl was my whole world, and I miss her with my whole heart every day. I have other tree dogs, but things are just not the same with them. I keep giving them love and playing with them and bringing them places like I would normally do with Pearl. However, I cannot get over that feeling that she’s just not here. I love my other doggos with all my heart and I wish I didn’t feel this way, but sometimes I cannot see myself loving them in a way that’s nearly as much as I loved Pearl. She was something like my pet soulmate, and nothing will ever change that. My family knows that for me talking about Pearl is an extremely touchy subject because I can’t even think about her when I’m already crying. I’ve been writing this and I’ve been crying nonstop. That’s a lot for me because I am a person that even when she’s depressed or extremely overwhelmed, doesn’t cry just keeps to herself. Right now this is something way bigger than me. How do you even deal with the situation? How do you get over a 10 year friendship that was so special? You just simply can’t. I believe I will always have her in my heart. Even after she died not much then a couple of days later I had a dream about her. I was in the backyard of our old house, and suddenly she came to me. After I saw her, I immediately started crying, part of me just knew that was her. Even if I was just dreaming, I knew that was her soul in that very moment. Even when I knew I was dreaming (sort of) I knew she couldn’t be there because she was gone and she had to go. I didn’t want to wake up. I wanted to hold her forever. Part of me even wished I was dead to be with her, but I kept telling her that she needed to go, because even if I love her she had to rest. Part of me regrets it every day because after she went away, she has not come back in any dream. However, I know that it was the right thing, she had to rest. I know I am selfish for not wanting her to go, yet I know it was her time. I just can’t see myself without her in my life, I promised myself I would keep on going every day for her because that’s what she would’ve wanted. I know I’m talking as if she was a person here but that’s just how important she was to me. I hope that as I keep on living, she wil accompany me with her soul, and that the day I die, she will meet me in heaven. She has been the purest soul. I know God will take care of her for me and I am sure she’s happy by his side while I’m gone. It sometimes feel as if no one understands the emotional and even physical pain I’m undergoing because of this. I swear the day I got her ashes, I felt as if I was stabbed 1 million times in the chest. I felt great pain every time I cried, holding her urn. And I may never get over this, but I know things will be better end that I have three more beautiful dogs that love me and that can be awesome fur friends. Sorry, I just had to get this off my chest. I hope that anyone in any type of similar situation to mine gets better to, us humans really don’t deserve their beautiful perfect souls. I am sure that they watch us from heaven and that neither they or us will forget about each other. Please don’t DM me. I am OK. This is just something I needed to get off my chest as I said and I can assure you I’m better now. Now I am 17 years old and she’s still 10, she will keep on her age, and I will go on growing mine with our beautiful memories we had.

My 4 year relationship that ended nearly 3 weeks ago now was in perspective incredibly abusive and manipulative. I would be threatened in so many ways (physical etc.), cheated on multiple times, gaslit + manipulated when I'd try break it off and so much more. It was to the point I was also isolated from most of my friends and so when he spoke badly of them, I felt I didn't have a chance to even tell them without some consequences onto me. I feel guilt knowing I was a bad friend in this way, but I try reason with myself that I was quite literally threatened if I went against him. There was no winning.
Still, I don't know how I'll come to terms with myself and be able to trust my own choices. While logically I know I was vulnerable and had little say, I still feel awful. I was practically blinded or just too scared to say anything to anybody. I have recently told a friend of the horrible things my ex said regarding her and her partner (she did ask first) and she has expressed she's upset I didn't tell her sooner and knows I'm not fully to blame. How do I cope? I feel like the worst person ever for cutting ties with friends when he made me, I genuinely thought I had no say in anything. I'm horrified.

One of my close friends recently told me he applied for a store manager role of a medical retail store (think: audiology). I was excited for him when he said he got it! He has a background in retail management. However, the set up sounds super dodgy…. Apparently he does a ‘12 month traineeship’ and at the end of it, will be allocated a store to manage… great, except… at that point he has to invest $10,000 (!!!!) and GET A LOAN FOR $200,000 (🤯🤯🤯) and he will apparently be a third shareholder in the store (1/3: him as retail owner, 1/3: audiologist, 1/3: the corporation). I was like WHAT THIS IS A SCAM. I asked if he could get a store manager job with a salary WITHOUT investing after a year and he legit gave me MLM-type spin and he’s like I’ve done research it’s profitable and I’m like says who??? The company??? I said he hadn’t answered my question, yes or no, can you just work and get a salary without investing. Answer was… unclear. We’re in Australia, this is a household name company, and is in most shopping centers (malls). I am flabbergasted!! And very worried for him. It’s scammy, yes?

Northeast park
Two hours since the invasion began
The invasion is a success. Thousands of savages have been purged and dozens captured. Not as frightening as the vision said, but the description holds true. These are the pale skin. Strangely, some of them have very dark skin and some even have skin as brown as a dwarf's. Strange indeed. Most men were taller than elves and Rosians but not as tall as an orc.
"Excellent.", Ylindar said as he observed the captives being sent through the rift, "They will be fine specimens for studying. We must find their weakness."
The 'humans', as they called themselves, resisted but fell in line eventually. The smaller ones cried and called out to their parents. It made the Rosians present sick. One of the women broke the line and ran to Ylindar. "Please! Stop this! Why are you doing this? Who are you?", she said through tears and shaking breaths.
Ylindar slapped her, causing her to fall to the ground. "Silence you wench! You are not worthy of being in my presence, let alone speak to me. Take her!". Soldiers hoisted her up and dragged her towards the others.
"You monsters!", yelled a man, "You will pay for this! You will all die her-". Before he could say more, Ylindar pierced his chest with his sword. Then he turned to the rest of the captives, "Any more of you savages willing to test me?"
"Stop!", yelled the Rosian captain present, "I demand you give us our share now."
Ylindar raised an eyebrow to that, "Your share?"
"Yes. We fought, pillaged, and brought captives. We did what you asked and now it is your turn to keep your end of the deal."
This made Ylindar chuckle, but he would humor the young Rosian, "Very well. We are an honorable empire after all. You may choose ten captives and split them amongst yourselves."
"Ten?"
"Yes. Take them now before I change my mind."
The captain faced the captains. In truth, he wanted to save the weak and innocent ones from suffering, but he couldn't save them all. He pointed to them one by one, picking out the children and elderly first as well as a woman with a child and a strong tall man who fought against the ferals and dwarves. Perhaps he could give them some insight.
"You over exceed Rosian. I said ten.", said Ylindar.
"This is ten people."
"She counts as two.", he said as he pointed to the pregnant woman.
"She is with child. That is unfair."
"And what will you do about it?"
The captain stuttered. He wanted to save her but it would mean dooming another life. What was he to do? He cursed Ylindar internally. Honorable? Horse shit.
"Leave me.", said the tall human, "Leave me behind and take her. Please." The captain was stunned, to say the least.
"Excellent", said Ylindar, "It appears you can bring them all. Enjoy your spoils.". With that, he left.
The woman thanked the tall man who then grabbed the captain by the arm and looked him in the eyes. "If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible.", he said.
The captain nodded, "You have my word, warrior.". The man was dragged to the elven slave lines and pushed through the rift.
Ylindar was sitting at his desk writing a letter to the troops on the other side, saying the invasion was a success and a foothold was established. Handing the letter to a messenger he got up and walked to observe his army. Ten thousand elves, all gathered in a barbaric land to bring civilization. He looked up in the sky and saw the wyverns flying through the air. As he looked at them he didn't feel proud, he felt confused. There were too few of them. He brought fifty wyverns, which is half of an army's corps. Now there were less than two dozen. How?
His question would be answered as several strange contraptions flew in the air at the wyverns. They didn't have wings but still flew in a straight line. The wyverns outnumbered them and Ylindar assumed this was a victory, but his hopes were crushed as the contraptions fired what looked like cannons and tore through the wyverns like a sword through parchment.
He stepped back in shock and watched as the cannon-wielding machines finished the wyverns and turned towards them.
"General!", called a soldier, "Enemy carriages approach! It appears to be their army!"
Ylindar grinned, "At last. Soldiers of the light! Prepare yourselves! The savages have finally sent their warriors! We will crush them and clear a path for our reinforcements! Formations!"
The infantry prepared their shields and spears, archers and mages took their positions, it was time to face this world's true force. The metal carriages halted and out of them came out dozens of soldiers. Then dozens more came from flying contraptions.
Raising his sword, Ylindar yelled out the order, "Attack!".
---
"Here they come!", yelled Paterson.
"Open fire!", ordered Jefferson. The rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers wreaked havoc upon the enemy. Bullets tore through shields, machine guns ripped people apart, and explosions turned any poor fool near it into minced meat. Their tight formations only added to their demise.
The attack helicopters arrived when they finished the dragon things and opened fire with their chain guns and anti-infantry rockets. The enemies fell by the thousands and some even started to retreat while most fell to their knees and begged for mercy.
When the firing stopped all that was left of the ten thousand enemy soldiers were scorched bodies riddled with holes. There was almost nothing left of their camp. The screaming soldiers were taken into custody. All but one guy with a cape.
"You-You dare!", yelled the blue-skinned man, "Do you have any idea who I am!? Who I represent!? You shall suffer for your barbarism!". He drew his sword and ran to the nearest soldier, who promptly raised his rifle and shot him in the chest twice.
"Round them all up.", ordered Jefferson, "Send word to HQ that it's over."
The enemy captives were loaded up into trucks and sent to Fort Curz for questioning. As they were being loaded up, one of the blue soldiers started smiling and chuckling. "What's so funny?", asked Paterson.
"This is only the beginning.", he replied. Paterson widened his eyes and ran to Jefferson.
"Sir!"
"What is it?"
"I just information on the attack. This was the first wave. More are coming."
Jefferson wasted no time in reacting and grabbed his radio, "All units, prepare for a second attack! Air squadrons, hold your positions until enough of them group up and shot down those dragons! Don't waste ammo!"
"Rodger that.", said a pilot. The guard and police force pulled back and created a semi-circle out of armored vehicles facing the portal. Hundreds of rifles and machine guns were pointed toward the shining rectangle.
---
Captain Zorgin led the second wave through the rift. The remaining forty thousand elves and ten thousand dwarves marched to the other side. But something wasn't right. When the messenger arrived he reported that the invasion was a success, but later dozens of soldiers came back saying that they should not go through. They came saying how the savages have great machines of death capable of destroying armies. Be that as it may, general Ylindar was out there and Zorgin swore he would bring him back.
"General Bardek!", he called, "You will lead the charge with your troops. After you get through, our cavalry and wyverns will enter and attack."
"Right.", said Bardek, "I can't let Dalmin have all the fun after all.". He rushed forward on his war hog, leading his troops. "Warriors of Nundolar! The enemy we face is formidable! But we will show them the might of dwarven steel!". The dwarven warrior roared and charged through the rift. As soon as they passed through they were met with a horrid sight.
Thousands dead and burned, the camp nor the general could be seen, only the line of carriages and hundreds of enemy soldiers. Bardek didn't stop to think. The adrenalin carried him forward. He charged with his troops, screaming and firing, hoping he could break the enemy's defenses. But hopes were not enough. The enemy opened fire and Bardek experienced true fear. His hog was shot and he fell to the ground. The enemy's boomsticks fired without stopping, their cannons killed dozens of soldiers with each blast, and they couldn't even get close. His pride, his dwarven pride, was broken. He could only lie down and pray he would survive.
Zorgin led his cavalry through. He looked for his general but found nothing but dead bodies and ash. He snapped back as he heard cannon fire and redirected his troops. "Over there! Their flank is less defended! We will break it, come on!". Leading the cavalry charge he kept observing the enemy. They had strange-looking black shields and only a single line between two carriages. They opened fire with their boomsticks and Zorgin's cavalry started taking casualties but still held on. Zorgin was closing in, but then the enemy soldiers fired some sort of metal boxes that spewed smoke. 'What trickery is this?', Zorgin thought, but when the smoke spread and got into their eyes, they understood its purpose. It made their eyes burn and they could hardly breathe. The horses were affected the same way as they stopped in their tracks. They couldn't see anything but they felt as if they were knocked out.
More and more soldiers exited the rift and with their sheer numbers, they were starting to get close. But as they did, the flying monsters of metal rained fire upon them and their numbers kept dropping. The wyverns were blown to pieces by either them or the cannons. It wasn't a battle, it was more of a one-sided slaughter. Only a few dozen were able to run back to the rift. Most were either wounded, screaming from the killer smoke or just lying down and surrendered. Surprisingly, the enemy took them captive instead of killing them. Zorgin tried to resist but to no avail.
"Where is general Ylindar?!", he yelled as he was dragged, "I demand you answer me immediately!"
One of the soldiers in light brown armor came up to him and grabbed him by the arm and dragged him in another direction. After stopping he pushed him to his knees. "Here.", he spoke, "Is this him?"
Zorgin could barely see, his vision was foggy, but there was no mistaking it. The armor, the cape, the helmet, it was him. Zorgin shed tears of regret, regret that he failed in his duty.
"I'll take that as a yes.", said the soldier before lifting Zorgin back on his feet.
"You haven't won!", Zorgin yelled, "Our fleet has taken your shores by now! Soon enough, more ships will follow and you will perish!"
"I wouldn't worry about that.", said the soldier in a calm tone, leaving Zorgin puzzled.
---
Three hours earlier
South coast of California, Del Mar, near San Diego
Admiral Lothar Tanros has passed through the rift. Large enough for more than a dozen ships to pass through it advanced his progress. Each fleet was well-equipped for an invasion. It consisted of twenty troop carriers with held ten thousand troops in total, thirty attack ships with eight cannons, five wyvern carriers with five to six wyverns each, and forty-five supply ships with materials necessary to build and sustain the fleet and build a coastal fortification. All are led by the admiral's personal grand ship. A huge naval vessel with several sails and cannons on both sides. Truly a powerful presentation.
"Admiral!", shouted the first mate, "Land is within sight!"
"Excellent!", said Lothar, "Let the wyvern carriers pass through first. I want air superiority as soon as possible. Along with them, I want half of our troop carriers. We need to take the shore immediately."
"Yes, admiral!".
---
Lieutenant Mitch Floyd was just doing his routine patrols. It was his turn to take the patrol boat for a spin. All he had to do was go to Dana point and back, simple, he's done it dozens of times before. All the while the crew was gathered around a TV and watching the live recordings of the attack in North Carolina. What they felt was beyond words.
"Sir, how can you not watch this?", asked a crew member.
"It's cause I trust our boys to kill those freaks.", Mitch replied, "Don't you?"
"W-Well of course but, damn. This shit is insane. Gotta say I'm jealous, I kinda want to shoot some dragons."
"Careful watch you wish for, kid.". As Mitch sailed on he began to notice something strange in front. A large number of wooden ships heading towards Del mar. In the sky were large dragon-like reptiles. 'Just my luck.", Mitch thought.
"Battle stations!", ordered Mitchel, "Looks like your wish came true Fred!"
Fred looked out and saw three dragons flying toward them, "Holy shit! I didn't mean now!". He ran towards the .50 caliber machine gun and readied himself. The cyclone class patrol boat wasn't something to be messed with. As the dragons got closer, the 25mm machine gun raised itself, aimed, and let loose. The lizards couldn't even react before they got turned into Swiss cheese.
"Woohoo!", cheered Fred, "We got 'em!"
"Don't open the champagne just yet!", Mitch shouted, "We still have those ships to deal with. I count roughly a hundred, various sizes. Richerdson, get in contact with HQ! Tell them what's going on, we need air support. Alert the National guard as well."
"Yes, sir!", said Richerdson.
'God help us.', Mitch thought as he sailed into the fray.
---
"Admiral!", yelled the first mate, "Some of our wyverns have been killed."
"Where?", Lothar asked.
"They spotted a ship coming from the south and decided to deal with it, but now they're dead."
"A single ship?"
"That is what the captain said."
"Tell them to send what attack ships are near to destroy it. Nothing must disrupt this invasion."
"Yes, Admiral."
On the shore, the savages run. They run from the water and into their city. The wyverns already started swooping down and devouring them. Their soldiers in blue clothing fired at them with their boomsticks but did next to nothing. A few managed to shoot down the riders, but that didn't stop the wyverns themselves. Now that the shore was empty, the troops could move in. Dozens of landing boats rowed to the shore and dropped off hundreds of soldiers who rallied and attacked the savages, but their weapons halted the assault.
"Push through!", yelled a lieutenant, "They are few in numbers! We must clear a path!". At that moment, two wyverns descended unto their carriages and destroyed the soldiers in blue. With that, the cohort marched on and reached the wide road. However, in the distance, they saw more metal carriages, but these were bigger and in a different color, with large boomsticks on top. The wyverns flew at them, but they soon got shot down and the carriages halted. Out of them came dozens of enemy soldiers, all dressed in vastly different armor than their blue counterparts.
The cohort got into a shield formation and the mages prepared to block the enemy's weapons, but they couldn't. Their magic wasn't working. "Do not falter!", the lieutenant shouted, "We must-". His mouth stopped moving as soon as it got blown to pieces by the enemy. The shields and armor provided them with no protection. They were all cut down and the enemy advanced. More and more of their carriages arrived and they quickly retook the shore.
"Admiral, we have a problem on the shore.", said the first mate.
"I can see that!", yelled Lothar, "Tell the attack ships to form a firing line and destroy the enemy! We cannot let them... are you listening?". The first mate pointed out towards the approaching ships in the distance. Five of them, two large and the rest smaller, all made of metal, and above them over a dozen flying arrowheads, dropping what looked like eggs. Each 'egg' landed on a ship and blew it to pieces. Dozens of ships were destroyed just like that. Lothar didn't have the words to express himself. He kept looking toward the enemy ships as they aimed their cannons and fired from impossible distances. The crew panicked and begged for help, but Lothar couldn't say anything. In his final moments, he watched as a giant metal rod flew into the sky from one of the ships and blew him to pieces along with his crew and ship.
---
"Boom!", cheered Fred, "They got the big one!"
"Shut up!", shouted Mitch, "Let's do what we came here to do.". He guided his cyclone patrol boat along with another one towards the enemy 'landing crafts'. The two opened fire with their 25mm chainguns they tore through the boats and ripped the soldiers inside apart, scattering their remains across the water. Along the way, they picked up the handful of survivors and tied them up.
In the main battle, two destroyers, USS Dewey-2, and Cutter opened fire on the enemy fleet. They targeted the largest ones first, and when they were done they moved on to the armed ships. The enemy was in complete chaos. Destroying the lead ship with the cruiser missile was a good idea, now they were leaderless and easy to take out.
The jets destroyed the ships on the outer formations and later moved inwards. Eventually, there were only thirteen ships left. Four had cannons and nine looked like they just carried supplies. They surrendered and raised white flags, a smart move. The coast guard boarded and cleared all of them before arresting the crew and towing the ships back.
"This is quite a mess lieutenant.", Fred said.
"It is. You just had to wish for a dragon, huh?"
Now that the attacks were stopped, the hard part began. Counting the losses and making a plan for what to do next.
End of chapter 3
---
Sorry for the short chapter, in hindsight I should have just written one very long one. Won't happen again, pinky promise.
Thank you very much for watching. If you'd like to support me (for some freakin' reason) and get access to future chapters early feel free to upvote, follow, and support me on Patreon (DM me for the link please)

I order my groceries, i somethings get what i dont want and i look back at the order it it says what i received is what i ordered.
I want to try UB tek so i ordered the proper brown rice, 2 bags. I check and recheck. I got told 1 was for brown rice which is out of stock (hmm wonder why) and one bag of quinoa, brown (doesnt say rice) and garlic. Now, finally sure I am getting replacements and taking pictures of what I ordered.

Northeast park
Two hours since the invasion began
The invasion is a success. Thousands of savages have been purged and dozens captured. Not as frightening as the vision said, but the description holds true. These are the pale skin. Strangely, some of them have very dark skin and some even have skin as brown as a dwarf's. Strange indeed. Most men were taller than elves and Rosians but not as tall as an orc.
"Excellent.", Ylindar said as he observed the captives being sent through the rift, "They will be fine specimens for studying. We must find their weakness."
The 'humans', as they called themselves, resisted but fell in line eventually. The smaller ones cried and called out to their parents. It made the Rosians present sick. One of the women broke the line and ran to Ylindar. "Please! Stop this! Why are you doing this? Who are you?", she said through tears and shaking breaths.
Ylindar slapped her, causing her to fall to the ground. "Silence you wench! You are not worthy of being in my presence, let alone speak to me. Take her!". Soldiers hoisted her up and dragged her towards the others.
"You monsters!", yelled a man, "You will pay for this! You will all die her-". Before he could say more, Ylindar pierced his chest with his sword. Then he turned to the rest of the captives, "Any more of you savages willing to test me?"
"Stop!", yelled the Rosian captain present, "I demand you give us our share now."
Ylindar raised an eyebrow to that, "Your share?"
"Yes. We fought, pillaged, and brought captives. We did what you asked and now it is your turn to keep your end of the deal."
This made Ylindar chuckle, but he would humor the young Rosian, "Very well. We are an honorable empire after all. You may choose ten captives and split them amongst yourselves."
"Ten?"
"Yes. Take them now before I change my mind."
The captain faced the captains. In truth, he wanted to save the weak and innocent ones from suffering, but he couldn't save them all. He pointed to them one by one, picking out the children and elderly first as well as a woman with a child and a strong tall man who fought against the ferals and dwarves. Perhaps he could give them some insight.
"You over exceed Rosian. I said ten.", said Ylindar.
"This is ten people."
"She counts as two.", he said as he pointed to the pregnant woman.
"She is with child. That is unfair."
"And what will you do about it?"
The captain stuttered. He wanted to save her but it would mean dooming another life. What was he to do? He cursed Ylindar internally. Honorable? Horse shit.
"Leave me.", said the tall human, "Leave me behind and take her. Please." The captain was stunned, to say the least.
"Excellent", said Ylindar, "It appears you can bring them all. Enjoy your spoils.". With that, he left.
The woman thanked the tall man who then grabbed the captain by the arm and looked him in the eyes. "If anything happens to her, I will hold you responsible.", he said.
The captain nodded, "You have my word, warrior.". The man was dragged to the elven slave lines and pushed through the rift.
Ylindar was sitting at his desk writing a letter to the troops on the other side, saying the invasion was a success and a foothold was established. Handing the letter to a messenger he got up and walked to observe his army. Ten thousand elves, all gathered in a barbaric land to bring civilization. He looked up in the sky and saw the wyverns flying through the air. As he looked at them he didn't feel proud, he felt confused. There were too few of them. He brought fifty wyverns, which is half of an army's corps. Now there were less than two dozen. How?
His question would be answered as several strange contraptions flew in the air at the wyverns. They didn't have wings but still flew in a straight line. The wyverns outnumbered them and Ylindar assumed this was a victory, but his hopes were crushed as the contraptions fired what looked like cannons and tore through the wyverns like a sword through parchment.
He stepped back in shock and watched as the cannon-wielding machines finished the wyverns and turned towards them.
"General!", called a soldier, "Enemy carriages approach! It appears to be their army!"
Ylindar grinned, "At last. Soldiers of the light! Prepare yourselves! The savages have finally sent their warriors! We will crush them and clear a path for our reinforcements! Formations!"
The infantry prepared their shields and spears, archers and mages took their positions, it was time to face this world's true force. The metal carriages halted and out of them came out dozens of soldiers. Then dozens more came from flying contraptions.
Raising his sword, Ylindar yelled out the order, "Attack!".
---
"Here they come!", yelled Paterson.
"Open fire!", ordered Jefferson. The rifles, machine guns, and grenade launchers wreaked havoc upon the enemy. Bullets tore through shields, machine guns ripped people apart, and explosions turned any poor fool near it into minced meat. Their tight formations only added to their demise.
The attack helicopters arrived when they finished the dragon things and opened fire with their chain guns and anti-infantry rockets. The enemies fell by the thousands and some even started to retreat while most fell to their knees and begged for mercy.
When the firing stopped all that was left of the ten thousand enemy soldiers were scorched bodies riddled with holes. There was almost nothing left of their camp. The screaming soldiers were taken into custody. All but one guy with a cape.
"You-You dare!", yelled the blue-skinned man, "Do you have any idea who I am!? Who I represent!? You shall suffer for your barbarism!". He drew his sword and ran to the nearest soldier, who promptly raised his rifle and shot him in the chest twice.
"Round them all up.", ordered Jefferson, "Send word to HQ that it's over."
The enemy captives were loaded up into trucks and sent to Fort Curz for questioning. As they were being loaded up, one of the blue soldiers started smiling and chuckling. "What's so funny?", asked Paterson.
"This is only the beginning.", he replied. Paterson widened his eyes and ran to Jefferson.
"Sir!"
"What is it?"
"I just information on the attack. This was the first wave. More are coming."
Jefferson wasted no time in reacting and grabbed his radio, "All units, prepare for a second attack! Air squadrons, hold your positions until enough of them group up and shot down those dragons! Don't waste ammo!"
"Rodger that.", said a pilot. The guard and police force pulled back and created a semi-circle out of armored vehicles facing the portal. Hundreds of rifles and machine guns were pointed toward the shining rectangle.
---
Captain Zorgin led the second wave through the rift. The remaining forty thousand elves and ten thousand dwarves marched to the other side. But something wasn't right. When the messenger arrived he reported that the invasion was a success, but later dozens of soldiers came back saying that they should not go through. They came saying how the savages have great machines of death capable of destroying armies. Be that as it may, general Ylindar was out there and Zorgin swore he would bring him back.
"General Bardek!", he called, "You will lead the charge with your troops. After you get through, our cavalry and wyverns will enter and attack."
"Right.", said Bardek, "I can't let Dalmin have all the fun after all.". He rushed forward on his war hog, leading his troops. "Warriors of Nundolar! The enemy we face is formidable! But we will show them the might of dwarven steel!". The dwarven warrior roared and charged through the rift. As soon as they passed through they were met with a horrid sight.
Thousands dead and burned, the camp nor the general could be seen, only the line of carriages and hundreds of enemy soldiers. Bardek didn't stop to think. The adrenalin carried him forward. He charged with his troops, screaming and firing, hoping he could break the enemy's defenses. But hopes were not enough. The enemy opened fire and Bardek experienced true fear. His hog was shot and he fell to the ground. The enemy's boomsticks fired without stopping, their cannons killed dozens of soldiers with each blast, and they couldn't even get close. His pride, his dwarven pride, was broken. He could only lie down and pray he would survive.
Zorgin led his cavalry through. He looked for his general but found nothing but dead bodies and ash. He snapped back as he heard cannon fire and redirected his troops. "Over there! Their flank is less defended! We will break it, come on!". Leading the cavalry charge he kept observing the enemy. They had strange-looking black shields and only a single line between two carriages. They opened fire with their boomsticks and Zorgin's cavalry started taking casualties but still held on. Zorgin was closing in, but then the enemy soldiers fired some sort of metal boxes that spewed smoke. 'What trickery is this?', Zorgin thought, but when the smoke spread and got into their eyes, they understood its purpose. It made their eyes burn and they could hardly breathe. The horses were affected the same way as they stopped in their tracks. They couldn't see anything but they felt as if they were knocked out.
More and more soldiers exited the rift and with their sheer numbers, they were starting to get close. But as they did, the flying monsters of metal rained fire upon them and their numbers kept dropping. The wyverns were blown to pieces by either them or the cannons. It wasn't a battle, it was more of a one-sided slaughter. Only a few dozen were able to run back to the rift. Most were either wounded, screaming from the killer smoke or just lying down and surrendered. Surprisingly, the enemy took them captive instead of killing them. Zorgin tried to resist but to no avail.
"Where is general Ylindar?!", he yelled as he was dragged, "I demand you answer me immediately!"
One of the soldiers in light brown armor came up to him and grabbed him by the arm and dragged him in another direction. After stopping he pushed him to his knees. "Here.", he spoke, "Is this him?"
Zorgin could barely see, his vision was foggy, but there was no mistaking it. The armor, the cape, the helmet, it was him. Zorgin shed tears of regret, regret that he failed in his duty.
"I'll take that as a yes.", said the soldier before lifting Zorgin back on his feet.
"You haven't won!", Zorgin yelled, "Our fleet has taken your shores by now! Soon enough, more ships will follow and you will perish!"
"I wouldn't worry about that.", said the soldier in a calm tone, leaving Zorgin puzzled.
---
Three hours earlier
South coast of California, Del Mar, near San Diego
Admiral Lothar Tanros has passed through the rift. Large enough for more than a dozen ships to pass through it advanced his progress. Each fleet was well-equipped for an invasion. It consisted of twenty troop carriers with held ten thousand troops in total, thirty attack ships with eight cannons, five wyvern carriers with five to six wyverns each, and forty-five supply ships with materials necessary to build and sustain the fleet and build a coastal fortification. All are led by the admiral's personal grand ship. A huge naval vessel with several sails and cannons on both sides. Truly a powerful presentation.
"Admiral!", shouted the first mate, "Land is within sight!"
"Excellent!", said Lothar, "Let the wyvern carriers pass through first. I want air superiority as soon as possible. Along with them, I want half of our troop carriers. We need to take the shore immediately."
"Yes, admiral!".
---
Lieutenant Mitch Floyd was just doing his routine patrols. It was his turn to take the patrol boat for a spin. All he had to do was go to Dana point and back, simple, he's done it dozens of times before. All the while the crew was gathered around a TV and watching the live recordings of the attack in North Carolina. What they felt was beyond words.
"Sir, how can you not watch this?", asked a crew member.
"It's cause I trust our boys to kill those freaks.", Mitch replied, "Don't you?"
"W-Well of course but, damn. This shit is insane. Gotta say I'm jealous, I kinda want to shoot some dragons."
"Careful watch you wish for, kid.". As Mitch sailed on he began to notice something strange in front. A large number of wooden ships heading towards Del mar. In the sky were large dragon-like reptiles. 'Just my luck.", Mitch thought.
"Battle stations!", ordered Mitchel, "Looks like your wish came true Fred!"
Fred looked out and saw three dragons flying toward them, "Holy shit! I didn't mean now!". He ran towards the .50 caliber machine gun and readied himself. The cyclone class patrol boat wasn't something to be messed with. As the dragons got closer, the 25mm machine gun raised itself, aimed, and let loose. The lizards couldn't even react before they got turned into Swiss cheese.
"Woohoo!", cheered Fred, "We got 'em!"
"Don't open the champagne just yet!", Mitch shouted, "We still have those ships to deal with. I count roughly a hundred, various sizes. Richerdson, get in contact with HQ! Tell them what's going on, we need air support. Alert the National guard as well."
"Yes, sir!", said Richerdson.
'God help us.', Mitch thought as he sailed into the fray.
---
"Admiral!", yelled the first mate, "Some of our wyverns have been killed."
"Where?", Lothar asked.
"They spotted a ship coming from the south and decided to deal with it, but now they're dead."
"A single ship?"
"That is what the captain said."
"Tell them to send what attack ships are near to destroy it. Nothing must disrupt this invasion."
"Yes, Admiral."
On the shore, the savages run. They run from the water and into their city. The wyverns already started swooping down and devouring them. Their soldiers in blue clothing fired at them with their boomsticks but did next to nothing. A few managed to shoot down the riders, but that didn't stop the wyverns themselves. Now that the shore was empty, the troops could move in. Dozens of landing boats rowed to the shore and dropped off hundreds of soldiers who rallied and attacked the savages, but their weapons halted the assault.
"Push through!", yelled a lieutenant, "They are few in numbers! We must clear a path!". At that moment, two wyverns descended unto their carriages and destroyed the soldiers in blue. With that, the cohort marched on and reached the wide road. However, in the distance, they saw more metal carriages, but these were bigger and in a different color, with large boomsticks on top. The wyverns flew at them, but they soon got shot down and the carriages halted. Out of them came dozens of enemy soldiers, all dressed in vastly different armor than their blue counterparts.
The cohort got into a shield formation and the mages prepared to block the enemy's weapons, but they couldn't. Their magic wasn't working. "Do not falter!", the lieutenant shouted, "We must-". His mouth stopped moving as soon as it got blown to pieces by the enemy. The shields and armor provided them with no protection. They were all cut down and the enemy advanced. More and more of their carriages arrived and they quickly retook the shore.
"Admiral, we have a problem on the shore.", said the first mate.
"I can see that!", yelled Lothar, "Tell the attack ships to form a firing line and destroy the enemy! We cannot let them... are you listening?". The first mate pointed out towards the approaching ships in the distance. Five of them, two large and the rest smaller, all made of metal, and above them over a dozen flying arrowheads, dropping what looked like eggs. Each 'egg' landed on a ship and blew it to pieces. Dozens of ships were destroyed just like that. Lothar didn't have the words to express himself. He kept looking toward the enemy ships as they aimed their cannons and fired from impossible distances. The crew panicked and begged for help, but Lothar couldn't say anything. In his final moments, he watched as a giant metal rod flew into the sky from one of the ships and blew him to pieces along with his crew and ship.
---
"Boom!", cheered Fred, "They got the big one!"
"Shut up!", shouted Mitch, "Let's do what we came here to do.". He guided his cyclone patrol boat along with another one towards the enemy 'landing crafts'. The two opened fire with their 25mm chainguns they tore through the boats and ripped the soldiers inside apart, scattering their remains across the water. Along the way, they picked up the handful of survivors and tied them up.
In the main battle, two destroyers, USS Dewey-2, and Cutter opened fire on the enemy fleet. They targeted the largest ones first, and when they were done they moved on to the armed ships. The enemy was in complete chaos. Destroying the lead ship with the cruiser missile was a good idea, now they were leaderless and easy to take out.
The jets destroyed the ships on the outer formations and later moved inwards. Eventually, there were only thirteen ships left. Four had cannons and nine looked like they just carried supplies. They surrendered and raised white flags, a smart move. The coast guard boarded and cleared all of them before arresting the crew and towing the ships back.
"This is quite a mess lieutenant.", Fred said.
"It is. You just had to wish for a dragon, huh?"
Now that the attacks were stopped, the hard part began. Counting the losses and making a plan for what to do next.
End of chapter 3
---
Sorry for the short chapter, in hindsight I should have just written one very long one. Won't happen again, pinky promise.
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