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Unveiling the Magic of Book Printing: Empowering Authors and Readers
2023.06.01 18:26 orosknetwork Unveiling the Magic of Book Printing: Empowering Authors and Readers
In an era where digital content dominates our screens, the allure of a well-crafted book remains unrivaled. The art of book printing is a timeless tradition that brings stories to life, bridging the gap between authors and readers. In this article, we explore the world of book printing services and how they empower both aspiring and established authors while captivating the hearts of readers worldwide.
Breathing Life Into Words:
Book printing services are the catalysts that transform a manuscript into a tangible masterpiece. They possess the technical expertise and artistic sensibilities to enhance the written word. From selecting the perfect paper stock to curating elegant typography and layout design, these services breathe life into words, creating an immersive reading experience.
Empowering Authors:
For authors, book printing services are gateways to turning dreams into reality. Self-publishing has become increasingly popular, and these services offer invaluable support throughout the process. From formatting manuscripts to providing cover design options and offering guidance on distribution, they empower authors to share their stories with the world, regardless of traditional publishing avenues.
Customization to Reflect Vision:
Book printing services understand that each book has a unique story to tell, and customization is key to reflecting the author's vision. They offer a wide range of options, including cover finishes, paper types, and binding styles. This level of customization ensures that every book is a reflection of the author's creative intent, making it a truly personal and captivating piece of art.
Ensuring Exceptional Quality:
Professional book printers take great pride in delivering exceptional quality. They employ state-of-the-art printing technologies, color management techniques, and stringent quality control measures to ensure that every book meets the highest standards. From crisp text and vibrant illustrations to durable bindings, these services leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of excellence.
Meeting Diverse Publishing Needs:
Book printing services cater to a diverse range of publishing needs. Whether it's a small print run for a local author or a large-scale production for a renowned publishing house, they have the infrastructure and capabilities to meet varying demands. Their versatility enables authors and publishers to bring their stories to life in the format that best suits their audience.
Nurturing the Joy of Reading:
At the heart of book printing services lies a deep appreciation for the joy of reading. They understand that a well-crafted book not only engages readers visually but also enhances the overall reading experience. By investing in high-quality materials, superior printing techniques, and meticulous attention to detail, these services play a crucial role in nurturing the enduring love for books and the joy of reading.
Conclusion:
Book printing services are the custodians of literary dreams, transforming words into captivating books that inspire, educate, and entertain readers. By empowering authors, ensuring exceptional quality, and embracing customization, these services contribute to the richness and diversity of the publishing industry. As we continue to navigate the digital landscape, the magic of book printing remains an essential element in preserving the art of storytelling and fostering a deep connection between authors and readers around the globe.
submitted by orosknetwork to ThingsAfter2022 [link] [comments]
Breathing Life Into Words:
Book printing services are the catalysts that transform a manuscript into a tangible masterpiece. They possess the technical expertise and artistic sensibilities to enhance the written word. From selecting the perfect paper stock to curating elegant typography and layout design, these services breathe life into words, creating an immersive reading experience.
Empowering Authors:
For authors, book printing services are gateways to turning dreams into reality. Self-publishing has become increasingly popular, and these services offer invaluable support throughout the process. From formatting manuscripts to providing cover design options and offering guidance on distribution, they empower authors to share their stories with the world, regardless of traditional publishing avenues.
Customization to Reflect Vision:
Book printing services understand that each book has a unique story to tell, and customization is key to reflecting the author's vision. They offer a wide range of options, including cover finishes, paper types, and binding styles. This level of customization ensures that every book is a reflection of the author's creative intent, making it a truly personal and captivating piece of art.
Ensuring Exceptional Quality:
Professional book printers take great pride in delivering exceptional quality. They employ state-of-the-art printing technologies, color management techniques, and stringent quality control measures to ensure that every book meets the highest standards. From crisp text and vibrant illustrations to durable bindings, these services leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of excellence.
Meeting Diverse Publishing Needs:
Book printing services cater to a diverse range of publishing needs. Whether it's a small print run for a local author or a large-scale production for a renowned publishing house, they have the infrastructure and capabilities to meet varying demands. Their versatility enables authors and publishers to bring their stories to life in the format that best suits their audience.
Nurturing the Joy of Reading:
At the heart of book printing services lies a deep appreciation for the joy of reading. They understand that a well-crafted book not only engages readers visually but also enhances the overall reading experience. By investing in high-quality materials, superior printing techniques, and meticulous attention to detail, these services play a crucial role in nurturing the enduring love for books and the joy of reading.
Conclusion:
Book printing services are the custodians of literary dreams, transforming words into captivating books that inspire, educate, and entertain readers. By empowering authors, ensuring exceptional quality, and embracing customization, these services contribute to the richness and diversity of the publishing industry. As we continue to navigate the digital landscape, the magic of book printing remains an essential element in preserving the art of storytelling and fostering a deep connection between authors and readers around the globe.
2023.06.01 18:26 KnickMiller I (33,M), feel incredible guilt about initiating divorce against my diagnosed bipolar wife (27, F) who refuses treatment.
Like the title says, I am a 33-year-old man, and I'm married to a 27-year-old woman who is diagnosed with bipolar, severe, anxiety, and generalized depression.
My wife and I have had a tumultuous relationship since we met, early on, I had assumed a lot of her behavior was just due to her being young. But as time progressed, I began to notice a pattern, and that she would have manic episodes once a month around her menstrual cycle. These manic episodes were quite extreme as she often became violent, going as far as to break a vase over my head, stab me in my hand with scissors, which required surgery, and push me down the stairs.
I urged her to go seek psychiatric help, which she finally did after much resistance, and the psychiatrist diagnosed her with the above mentioned conditions.
I should mention now that we are from an ethnic group that does not believe in mental health or that it's really an actual thing.
Once her parents got wind of the diagnosis, and that the psychiatrist wanted to put her on medication, they began to heavily interfere and twist around things, in a very childish way. By this, I mean blaming things on me, even though she was the one who was violent, such as when she hit me over the head with the vase, her parents justified the actions by saying you called her a bitch what else could she have done? Ignoring the fact that several slaps and punches from her, proceeded me calling her a bitch.
Whenever these type of incident occurred in which she became violent, her parents would attempt to redirect the blame towards me, and say I had verbally said something to antagonize her or provoke her. And she would feel shielded by this and not seek any further help the manic episode. We would kind of get buried, and we move on with life and our day to day. This went on fairly consistently from 2020 to 2021.
In 2022, my wife became pregnant with our daughter, and this is where her manic episodes became even more scary because she would often threaten harm to our unborn daughter. During a recent episode, after the birth of my daughter, my wife became upset about my travels to Europe in 2014 as a young man, arbitrarily. This episode resulted in her, threatening to burn our house down, dumping cooking oil on the floor, and trying to light it on fire and threatening to kill our daughter. Scared by her threats, and the seemingly legitimate nature of them this time for the first time I decided to call the police and get the authorities inolved, after years of no help from her parents, in dealing with the issue. When the police showed up on that day, my face was bloody and bruised, and I had bruises all over my arms and back, and she did not have a scratch on her. Which resulted in my wife, being arrested, and me being given full custody of our daughter.
We are currently in court for divorce, and for custody, I still retain full custody, and it seems like I will get a full restraining order against her and retain permanent full custody.
Even though in a strange way, things ended up in my favor, as I am getting out of the relationship while preserving my own life and my daughters. I just can't shake this incredible guilt I feel towards my wife, it's been gnawing at me. Maybe I'm delusional or maybe this is a result of the years of abuse, but I feel bad for her, and the woman I fell in love with, I saw flashes of her occasionally, and I know that woman is in there, and I miss her, and I still love her. A part of me feels that if she was somehow separated from her parents influence, and actually saw full treatment that we could make it work. But at the same time, I do not want to put myself or my daughter in a position where we're in danger. Overall, even though my wife is an adult and responsible for her own actions, I blame her parents very heavily because they prevent her from getting mental help.
I don't know, I'm rambling, if anyone has any words of advice, or any thoughts, please feel free to share, thank you for reading, I'm seeing a therapist, and I have a good support system with my immediate family and friends. But after a month of talking to my circle and my therapist I thought maybe getting third-party perspective from people removed from the situation would be interesting. Thank you again.
submitted by KnickMiller to abusiverelationships [link] [comments]
My wife and I have had a tumultuous relationship since we met, early on, I had assumed a lot of her behavior was just due to her being young. But as time progressed, I began to notice a pattern, and that she would have manic episodes once a month around her menstrual cycle. These manic episodes were quite extreme as she often became violent, going as far as to break a vase over my head, stab me in my hand with scissors, which required surgery, and push me down the stairs.
I urged her to go seek psychiatric help, which she finally did after much resistance, and the psychiatrist diagnosed her with the above mentioned conditions.
I should mention now that we are from an ethnic group that does not believe in mental health or that it's really an actual thing.
Once her parents got wind of the diagnosis, and that the psychiatrist wanted to put her on medication, they began to heavily interfere and twist around things, in a very childish way. By this, I mean blaming things on me, even though she was the one who was violent, such as when she hit me over the head with the vase, her parents justified the actions by saying you called her a bitch what else could she have done? Ignoring the fact that several slaps and punches from her, proceeded me calling her a bitch.
Whenever these type of incident occurred in which she became violent, her parents would attempt to redirect the blame towards me, and say I had verbally said something to antagonize her or provoke her. And she would feel shielded by this and not seek any further help the manic episode. We would kind of get buried, and we move on with life and our day to day. This went on fairly consistently from 2020 to 2021.
In 2022, my wife became pregnant with our daughter, and this is where her manic episodes became even more scary because she would often threaten harm to our unborn daughter. During a recent episode, after the birth of my daughter, my wife became upset about my travels to Europe in 2014 as a young man, arbitrarily. This episode resulted in her, threatening to burn our house down, dumping cooking oil on the floor, and trying to light it on fire and threatening to kill our daughter. Scared by her threats, and the seemingly legitimate nature of them this time for the first time I decided to call the police and get the authorities inolved, after years of no help from her parents, in dealing with the issue. When the police showed up on that day, my face was bloody and bruised, and I had bruises all over my arms and back, and she did not have a scratch on her. Which resulted in my wife, being arrested, and me being given full custody of our daughter.
We are currently in court for divorce, and for custody, I still retain full custody, and it seems like I will get a full restraining order against her and retain permanent full custody.
Even though in a strange way, things ended up in my favor, as I am getting out of the relationship while preserving my own life and my daughters. I just can't shake this incredible guilt I feel towards my wife, it's been gnawing at me. Maybe I'm delusional or maybe this is a result of the years of abuse, but I feel bad for her, and the woman I fell in love with, I saw flashes of her occasionally, and I know that woman is in there, and I miss her, and I still love her. A part of me feels that if she was somehow separated from her parents influence, and actually saw full treatment that we could make it work. But at the same time, I do not want to put myself or my daughter in a position where we're in danger. Overall, even though my wife is an adult and responsible for her own actions, I blame her parents very heavily because they prevent her from getting mental help.
I don't know, I'm rambling, if anyone has any words of advice, or any thoughts, please feel free to share, thank you for reading, I'm seeing a therapist, and I have a good support system with my immediate family and friends. But after a month of talking to my circle and my therapist I thought maybe getting third-party perspective from people removed from the situation would be interesting. Thank you again.
2023.06.01 18:22 AutoModerator WatchđŽâĄSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Free
3 đđŸđđđđđ đ¶đđ - !Streaming Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 2023 Movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 2023 Movie Warner Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Pictures! Are you looking to download or watch the new Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online? Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is available for Free Streaming 123movies & Reddit, including where to watch the Action movie at home.
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
Now Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse available to stream? Is watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Disney Plus, HBO Max, Netflix or Amazon Prime? Yes we have found an authentic streaming option / service. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a dark drama film written by Katie Silberman. A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.
Showcase Cinema Warwick youâll want to make sure youâre one of the first people to see it! So mark your calendars and get ready for a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie experience like never before. We canât wait to see it too! In the meantime, check out some of our other Marvel movies available to watch online. Weâre sure youâll find something to your liking. Thanks for reading, and weâll see you soon! Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is available on our website for free streaming. Just click the link below to watch the full movie in its entirety. Details on how you can watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for free throughout the year are described below.
If youâre a fan of the comics, you wonât want to miss this one! The storyline follows Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as he tries to find his way home after being stranded on an alien planet. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is definitely a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie you donât want to miss with stunning visuals and an action-packed plot! Plus, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online streaming is available on our website. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online free, which includes streaming options such as 123movies, Reddit, or TV shows from HBO Max or Netflix!
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Release in U.S
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hits theaters on September 23, 2023. Tickets to see the film at your local movie theater are available online here. The film is being released in a wide release so you can watch it in person.
How to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for Free?
As mentioned above, the dark fantasy is only released theatrically as of now. So, people who wish to watch the movie free of cost will have to wait for its release on a platform that offers a free trial. However, we encourage our readers to always pay for the content they wish to consume online and refrain from using illegal means.
Where to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
There are currently no platforms that have the rights to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie Online. MAPPA has decided to air the movie only in theaters because it has been a huge success. The studio, on the other hand, does not wish to divert revenue. Streaming the movie would only slash the profits, not increase them.
As a result, no streaming services are authorized to offer Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie for free. The film would, however, very definitely be acquired by services like Funimation, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. As a last consideration, which of these outlets will likely distribute the film worldwide?
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix?
The streaming giant has a massive catalog of television shows and movies, but it does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â We recommend our readers watch other dark fantasy films like âThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll, along with Funimation, has acquired the rights to the film and will be responsible for its distribution in North America. Therefore, we recommend our readers to look for the movie on the streamer in the coming months. In the meantime, subscribers can also watch dark fantasy shows like âJujutsu Kaisen.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Hulu?
No, âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseâ is unavailable on Hulu. People who have a subscription to the platform can enjoy âAfro Samurai Resurrectionâ or âNinja Scroll.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Amazon Prime?
Amazon Primeâs current catalog does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â However, the film may eventually release on the platform as video-on-demand in the coming months. Therefore, people must regularly look for the dark fantasy movie on Amazon Primeâs official website. Viewers who are looking for something similar can watch the original show âDororo.â
When Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be on Disney+?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , the latest installment in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse franchise, is coming to Disney+ on July 8th! This new movie promises to be just as exciting as the previous ones, with plenty of action and adventure to keep viewers entertained. If youâre looking forward to watching it, you may be wondering when it will be available for your Disney+ subscription. Hereâs an answer to that question!
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Funimation?
Since Funimation has rights to the film like Crunchyroll, its official website may include the movie in its catalog in the near future. Meanwhile, people who wish to watch something similar can stream âDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba â The Movie: Mugen Train.â
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online In The U.S?
Most Viewed, Most Favorite, Top Rating, Top IMDb movies online. Here we can download and watch 123movies movies offline. 123Movies website is the best alternative to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2021) free online. We will recommend 123Movies is the best Solarmovie alternatives.
There are a few ways to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online in the U.S. You can use a streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy the movie on iTunes or Google Play. You can also watch it on-demand or on a streaming app available on your TV or streaming device if you have cable.
What is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse About?
It features an ensemble cast that includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, and Chris Pine. In the film, a young wife living in a 1950s company town begins to believe there is a sinister secret being kept from her by the man who runs it.
What is the story of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
In the 1950s, Alice and Jack live in the idealized community of Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top-secret project. While the husbands toil away, the wives get to enjoy the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their seemingly perfect paradise. However, when cracks in her idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something sinister lurking below the surface, Alice can't help but question exactly what she's doing in Victory.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movies Details
After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Miles Morales â Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man â is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.
Released: 2023-05-31
Runtime: 136 minutes
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya
Director: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Avi Arad, Mary Hidalgo, Christina Steinberg
submitted by AutoModerator to SpiderManAcrossSpi [link] [comments]
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
Now Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse available to stream? Is watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Disney Plus, HBO Max, Netflix or Amazon Prime? Yes we have found an authentic streaming option / service. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a dark drama film written by Katie Silberman. A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.
Showcase Cinema Warwick youâll want to make sure youâre one of the first people to see it! So mark your calendars and get ready for a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie experience like never before. We canât wait to see it too! In the meantime, check out some of our other Marvel movies available to watch online. Weâre sure youâll find something to your liking. Thanks for reading, and weâll see you soon! Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is available on our website for free streaming. Just click the link below to watch the full movie in its entirety. Details on how you can watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for free throughout the year are described below.
If youâre a fan of the comics, you wonât want to miss this one! The storyline follows Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as he tries to find his way home after being stranded on an alien planet. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is definitely a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie you donât want to miss with stunning visuals and an action-packed plot! Plus, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online streaming is available on our website. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online free, which includes streaming options such as 123movies, Reddit, or TV shows from HBO Max or Netflix!
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Release in U.S
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hits theaters on September 23, 2023. Tickets to see the film at your local movie theater are available online here. The film is being released in a wide release so you can watch it in person.
How to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for Free?
As mentioned above, the dark fantasy is only released theatrically as of now. So, people who wish to watch the movie free of cost will have to wait for its release on a platform that offers a free trial. However, we encourage our readers to always pay for the content they wish to consume online and refrain from using illegal means.
Where to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
There are currently no platforms that have the rights to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie Online. MAPPA has decided to air the movie only in theaters because it has been a huge success. The studio, on the other hand, does not wish to divert revenue. Streaming the movie would only slash the profits, not increase them.
As a result, no streaming services are authorized to offer Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie for free. The film would, however, very definitely be acquired by services like Funimation, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. As a last consideration, which of these outlets will likely distribute the film worldwide?
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix?
The streaming giant has a massive catalog of television shows and movies, but it does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â We recommend our readers watch other dark fantasy films like âThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll, along with Funimation, has acquired the rights to the film and will be responsible for its distribution in North America. Therefore, we recommend our readers to look for the movie on the streamer in the coming months. In the meantime, subscribers can also watch dark fantasy shows like âJujutsu Kaisen.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Hulu?
No, âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseâ is unavailable on Hulu. People who have a subscription to the platform can enjoy âAfro Samurai Resurrectionâ or âNinja Scroll.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Amazon Prime?
Amazon Primeâs current catalog does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â However, the film may eventually release on the platform as video-on-demand in the coming months. Therefore, people must regularly look for the dark fantasy movie on Amazon Primeâs official website. Viewers who are looking for something similar can watch the original show âDororo.â
When Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be on Disney+?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , the latest installment in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse franchise, is coming to Disney+ on July 8th! This new movie promises to be just as exciting as the previous ones, with plenty of action and adventure to keep viewers entertained. If youâre looking forward to watching it, you may be wondering when it will be available for your Disney+ subscription. Hereâs an answer to that question!
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Funimation?
Since Funimation has rights to the film like Crunchyroll, its official website may include the movie in its catalog in the near future. Meanwhile, people who wish to watch something similar can stream âDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba â The Movie: Mugen Train.â
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online In The U.S?
Most Viewed, Most Favorite, Top Rating, Top IMDb movies online. Here we can download and watch 123movies movies offline. 123Movies website is the best alternative to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2021) free online. We will recommend 123Movies is the best Solarmovie alternatives.
There are a few ways to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online in the U.S. You can use a streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy the movie on iTunes or Google Play. You can also watch it on-demand or on a streaming app available on your TV or streaming device if you have cable.
What is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse About?
It features an ensemble cast that includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, and Chris Pine. In the film, a young wife living in a 1950s company town begins to believe there is a sinister secret being kept from her by the man who runs it.
What is the story of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
In the 1950s, Alice and Jack live in the idealized community of Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top-secret project. While the husbands toil away, the wives get to enjoy the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their seemingly perfect paradise. However, when cracks in her idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something sinister lurking below the surface, Alice can't help but question exactly what she's doing in Victory.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movies Details
After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Miles Morales â Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man â is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.
Released: 2023-05-31
Runtime: 136 minutes
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya
Director: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Avi Arad, Mary Hidalgo, Christina Steinberg
2023.06.01 18:17 AutoModerator Hereâs Where To WATCH Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online Free at Reddit
3 đđŸđđđđđ đ¶đđ - !Streaming Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 2023 Movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 2023 Movie Warner Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Pictures! Are you looking to download or watch the new Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online? Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is available for Free Streaming 123movies & Reddit, including where to watch the Action movie at home.
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
Now Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse available to stream? Is watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Disney Plus, HBO Max, Netflix or Amazon Prime? Yes we have found an authentic streaming option / service. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a dark drama film written by Katie Silberman. A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.
Showcase Cinema Warwick youâll want to make sure youâre one of the first people to see it! So mark your calendars and get ready for a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie experience like never before. We canât wait to see it too! In the meantime, check out some of our other Marvel movies available to watch online. Weâre sure youâll find something to your liking. Thanks for reading, and weâll see you soon! Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is available on our website for free streaming. Just click the link below to watch the full movie in its entirety. Details on how you can watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for free throughout the year are described below.
If youâre a fan of the comics, you wonât want to miss this one! The storyline follows Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as he tries to find his way home after being stranded on an alien planet. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is definitely a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie you donât want to miss with stunning visuals and an action-packed plot! Plus, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online streaming is available on our website. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online free, which includes streaming options such as 123movies, Reddit, or TV shows from HBO Max or Netflix!
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Release in U.S
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hits theaters on September 23, 2023. Tickets to see the film at your local movie theater are available online here. The film is being released in a wide release so you can watch it in person.
How to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for Free?
As mentioned above, the dark fantasy is only released theatrically as of now. So, people who wish to watch the movie free of cost will have to wait for its release on a platform that offers a free trial. However, we encourage our readers to always pay for the content they wish to consume online and refrain from using illegal means.
Where to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
There are currently no platforms that have the rights to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie Online. MAPPA has decided to air the movie only in theaters because it has been a huge success. The studio, on the other hand, does not wish to divert revenue. Streaming the movie would only slash the profits, not increase them.
As a result, no streaming services are authorized to offer Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie for free. The film would, however, very definitely be acquired by services like Funimation, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. As a last consideration, which of these outlets will likely distribute the film worldwide?
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix?
The streaming giant has a massive catalog of television shows and movies, but it does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â We recommend our readers watch other dark fantasy films like âThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll, along with Funimation, has acquired the rights to the film and will be responsible for its distribution in North America. Therefore, we recommend our readers to look for the movie on the streamer in the coming months. In the meantime, subscribers can also watch dark fantasy shows like âJujutsu Kaisen.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Hulu?
No, âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseâ is unavailable on Hulu. People who have a subscription to the platform can enjoy âAfro Samurai Resurrectionâ or âNinja Scroll.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Amazon Prime?
Amazon Primeâs current catalog does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â However, the film may eventually release on the platform as video-on-demand in the coming months. Therefore, people must regularly look for the dark fantasy movie on Amazon Primeâs official website. Viewers who are looking for something similar can watch the original show âDororo.â
When Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be on Disney+?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , the latest installment in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse franchise, is coming to Disney+ on July 8th! This new movie promises to be just as exciting as the previous ones, with plenty of action and adventure to keep viewers entertained. If youâre looking forward to watching it, you may be wondering when it will be available for your Disney+ subscription. Hereâs an answer to that question!
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Funimation?
Since Funimation has rights to the film like Crunchyroll, its official website may include the movie in its catalog in the near future. Meanwhile, people who wish to watch something similar can stream âDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba â The Movie: Mugen Train.â
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online In The U.S?
Most Viewed, Most Favorite, Top Rating, Top IMDb movies online. Here we can download and watch 123movies movies offline. 123Movies website is the best alternative to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2021) free online. We will recommend 123Movies is the best Solarmovie alternatives.
There are a few ways to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online in the U.S. You can use a streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy the movie on iTunes or Google Play. You can also watch it on-demand or on a streaming app available on your TV or streaming device if you have cable.
What is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse About?
It features an ensemble cast that includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, and Chris Pine. In the film, a young wife living in a 1950s company town begins to believe there is a sinister secret being kept from her by the man who runs it.
What is the story of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
In the 1950s, Alice and Jack live in the idealized community of Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top-secret project. While the husbands toil away, the wives get to enjoy the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their seemingly perfect paradise. However, when cracks in her idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something sinister lurking below the surface, Alice can't help but question exactly what she's doing in Victory.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movies Details
After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Miles Morales â Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man â is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.
Released: 2023-05-31
Runtime: 136 minutes
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya
Director: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Avi Arad, Mary Hidalgo, Christina Steinberg
submitted by AutoModerator to SpiderManAcrossSpi [link] [comments]
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
†WATCH FULL Movie HERE!
Now Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse available to stream? Is watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Disney Plus, HBO Max, Netflix or Amazon Prime? Yes we have found an authentic streaming option / service. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a dark drama film written by Katie Silberman. A 1950s housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company could be hiding disturbing secrets.
Showcase Cinema Warwick youâll want to make sure youâre one of the first people to see it! So mark your calendars and get ready for a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie experience like never before. We canât wait to see it too! In the meantime, check out some of our other Marvel movies available to watch online. Weâre sure youâll find something to your liking. Thanks for reading, and weâll see you soon! Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is available on our website for free streaming. Just click the link below to watch the full movie in its entirety. Details on how you can watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for free throughout the year are described below.
If youâre a fan of the comics, you wonât want to miss this one! The storyline follows Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse as he tries to find his way home after being stranded on an alien planet. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is definitely a Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse movie you donât want to miss with stunning visuals and an action-packed plot! Plus, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online streaming is available on our website. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online free, which includes streaming options such as 123movies, Reddit, or TV shows from HBO Max or Netflix!
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Release in U.S
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse hits theaters on September 23, 2023. Tickets to see the film at your local movie theater are available online here. The film is being released in a wide release so you can watch it in person.
How to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse for Free?
As mentioned above, the dark fantasy is only released theatrically as of now. So, people who wish to watch the movie free of cost will have to wait for its release on a platform that offers a free trial. However, we encourage our readers to always pay for the content they wish to consume online and refrain from using illegal means.
Where to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
There are currently no platforms that have the rights to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie Online. MAPPA has decided to air the movie only in theaters because it has been a huge success. The studio, on the other hand, does not wish to divert revenue. Streaming the movie would only slash the profits, not increase them.
As a result, no streaming services are authorized to offer Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movie for free. The film would, however, very definitely be acquired by services like Funimation, Netflix, and Crunchyroll. As a last consideration, which of these outlets will likely distribute the film worldwide?
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix?
The streaming giant has a massive catalog of television shows and movies, but it does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â We recommend our readers watch other dark fantasy films like âThe Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll, along with Funimation, has acquired the rights to the film and will be responsible for its distribution in North America. Therefore, we recommend our readers to look for the movie on the streamer in the coming months. In the meantime, subscribers can also watch dark fantasy shows like âJujutsu Kaisen.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Hulu?
No, âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseâ is unavailable on Hulu. People who have a subscription to the platform can enjoy âAfro Samurai Resurrectionâ or âNinja Scroll.â
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Amazon Prime?
Amazon Primeâs current catalog does not include âSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.â However, the film may eventually release on the platform as video-on-demand in the coming months. Therefore, people must regularly look for the dark fantasy movie on Amazon Primeâs official website. Viewers who are looking for something similar can watch the original show âDororo.â
When Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be on Disney+?
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse , the latest installment in the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse franchise, is coming to Disney+ on July 8th! This new movie promises to be just as exciting as the previous ones, with plenty of action and adventure to keep viewers entertained. If youâre looking forward to watching it, you may be wondering when it will be available for your Disney+ subscription. Hereâs an answer to that question!
Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Funimation?
Since Funimation has rights to the film like Crunchyroll, its official website may include the movie in its catalog in the near future. Meanwhile, people who wish to watch something similar can stream âDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba â The Movie: Mugen Train.â
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online In The U.S?
Most Viewed, Most Favorite, Top Rating, Top IMDb movies online. Here we can download and watch 123movies movies offline. 123Movies website is the best alternative to Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2021) free online. We will recommend 123Movies is the best Solarmovie alternatives.
There are a few ways to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online in the U.S. You can use a streaming service such as Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent or buy the movie on iTunes or Google Play. You can also watch it on-demand or on a streaming app available on your TV or streaming device if you have cable.
What is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse About?
It features an ensemble cast that includes Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Wilde, Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll, and Chris Pine. In the film, a young wife living in a 1950s company town begins to believe there is a sinister secret being kept from her by the man who runs it.
What is the story of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
In the 1950s, Alice and Jack live in the idealized community of Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top-secret project. While the husbands toil away, the wives get to enjoy the beauty, luxury and debauchery of their seemingly perfect paradise. However, when cracks in her idyllic life begin to appear, exposing flashes of something sinister lurking below the surface, Alice can't help but question exactly what she's doing in Victory.
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Movies Details
After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Miles Morales â Brooklyn's full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man â is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.
Released: 2023-05-31
Runtime: 136 minutes
Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Science Fiction
Stars: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Jake Johnson, Issa Rae, Daniel Kaluuya
Director: Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Avi Arad, Mary Hidalgo, Christina Steinberg
2023.06.01 18:10 AfricanStream Fatal Racism In Tunisia
 | Inciting racial hatred has deadly consequences. Attacks on Black African migrants in Tunisia have spiked since the countryâs president spread the conspiracy that they seek to transform its demographics and are to blame for crime. And now a Beninese man has been stabbed to death in a vicious gang attack on a migrant house in Tunisiaâs second city. How many more people need to be hurt or killed before the authorities get their act together and rein in the monster President Saied has unleashed? submitted by AfricanStream to Tunisia [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 17:52 TrainingTeaching [M4F] Lifelong childhood rivals brought together, forced to rely on each other to survive in the middle of a Mafia conspiracy
Nickâs earliest memories were of an unhappy home. His father, an alcoholic gambling addict, would regularly disappear for days, returning in the same clothes and not having shaved for days, and having blown all their savings on his binge. Eventually, in his mothers attempts to stand her ground, she tried to make him choose his family or the gambling. It drove him into a rage where he ended up beating her severely and running before the police came, and that was the last time he saw his father.
At 12 years old, his mother died of cancer that quickly spread through her body after first being discovered. Refusing to live with the parents of his father, he ran away and lived on the streets. For such a young boy, he was quite shrewd, shoplifting food from various grocery stores. Within just a couple months, he was devising schemes with teenagers to shoplift from department stores to mom and pop stores, and everything in between, selling the goods to local pawn shops. He learned how to learn the dead-zones of cameras, how to pry the security tags off of items, and how to distract security.
Then his friend gave him the idea of breaking into closed stores or vacation homes to rob them. He was careful, wearing a hoodie, tied to leave no stray hairs as evidence, a mask, gloves, different shoes, and a reversible jacket on the outside that he could flip around to quickly match a different description.
It was successful for the first few attempts, but then he decided to do a job on his own, and attempted to rob the wrong store.
He was casing the place, knocking on the door at the same time every day to ensure nobody was answering the door. Breaking a small window atop the lower floor and climbing a garbage pail to hop through. He went to the cash register, feeling like he hit the jackpot when he discovered more than a thousand in cash, totaling to a few thousand. But he wasnât aware that the building wasnât at all abandoned and was attached to a second building, and was a front for Patrick OâSullivan, a member of the Irish Mob, and they just so happened to be doing a deal at the time.
He tried to run away, heading towards the door, but eventually ran into a boy not much older than he was. He always carried a switchblade with him as a last resort, pulling it on the boy. But he didnât have it in him to stab the boy. He hesitated. And he got caught.
They forced him to take a seat at the table, and Patrick paced back and forth, Nickâs switchblade in hand. âSo you want to steal from *me*?â He scoffs as he flicks open the switchblade. âUsually I would just cut off your fingers so you learn your lesson.â He turns to look at Nick was rage in his eyes. âBut you *threatened my son*!?â he shouts into the boy's face, holding the knife just inches from his neck.
âWait.â Nick hears a voice from behind him protest. Walking around him, narrowing his eyes as he gets a better look at his face, then nodding to himself. He has a different complexion than the others. âI recognize this kid. Heâs the son of one of ours. Let him go, Iâll handle this.â he says as he turns to one of his associates, handling a much larger sum of money than NIck had just stolen, tossing it on the table in front of Nick. âThis should cover the inconvenience.â He turns back to Nick and gives Nick a stern look. âIâll make sure no threats to your family ever happen again. And this boy will make it up to you tenfold, *right*?â He gives Nick a small, almost imperceivable nod. Nick quickly agrees.
That was the day Nick met Lorenzo Columbo of the Italian Mafia. Nick never understood why he stepped in and saved him, Lorenzo only claimed that he saw âpotentialâ in him, but it earned Nickâs undying loyalty. He became like a father figure in Nickâs life, something he had never had prior. He gave him a place to stay with one of the maids, whose English wasnât the best, but as she couldnât have children of her own she took him as one of her own. Lorenzo taught him how to get by with less risk, *without* getting caught, while also teaching him the value of a hard work ethic.
But it wasnât all smooth sailing, particularly when it came to family issues. Lorenzoâs daughter, Luna, never understood why her father brought Nick into their life. She was very attached, an only child, and being a few years younger than Nick, Lorenzo never explained what happened to her as she would have been too young to understand, and she tried to keep his direct family from getting involved in any âbusinessâ issues. But he was trying to teach Nick how to be a man who could take care of himself, as he has already experienced so many things that no boy his age should have been exposed to.
Lorenzo was gone most of the time, handling business, unintentionally neglecting Luna. Like Nick, she was mostly raised by the maids, spending far more time with them than she spent with her own family. The maids and her dog were her primary companions. She never understood why Nick was allowed to join Lorenzo at work, but she couldnât. She became increasingly jealous of the time spent with Nick, eventually despising him. She would be the first to remind Nick that he wasnât really one of their family, and that he never would be. She would lash out, disobeying her fathers rules, but Lorenzo had a soft spot for children and she would be allowed to get away with it. The only rule he was extremely strict on is that she wasnât allowed to leave the house without supervision, in that way he was overprotective of her, fearing that someone might take her away to get back at him.
Nick never understood why she hated him so much. He never did anything wrong to her, and she constantly targeted him. He didnât ask for any of this, he just did as told, and tried to be obedient - something that Luna certainly was not. Due to how she treated him, he developed a distaste for her. Considering he spent a lot of efforts trying to stay in line and follow the rules, he never understood why she *never* followed the rules, and why he was judged so harshly for breaking the rules, while she could get away with anything. It didnât seem fair. From that point, though he wasnât one of their family members, it was almost like they had a never-ending sibling rivalry.
-----
6 years laterâŠ
Lorenzo asked Nick to speak to him privately. He confided that they had a major problem. One of the OâSullivan brothers was dead. Lorenzo expressed that it breaks his heart to have to ask for this, but they need somebody to take the fall, and asked Nick if he could do it, promising that he would make it up to him and be there for him once heâs out.
To Lorenzoâs surprise, Nick gladly accepted. Nick felt that he owed his *life* to Lorenzo and would do *anything* for him, because he wouldnât even be alive if it wasnât for Lorenzo.
It wasnât until the day of the trial that he was informed that *Luna* was the person he was taking a fall for. As much as that explained why Lorenzo needed somebody to take the fall - he couldnât let his daughter go down, and it would be extremely poor optics if his daughter murdered one of them - he wondered to himself why it had to be her of all people. âItâs just like her to *literally* get away with murder!â, he thought to himself. But he was loyal, and still decided to do what he agreed to without dispute.
The part that really upset him was when she took the stand as a witness. She burst out crying, accusing Nick of being âcrazedâ, how all they were doing was hanging out peacefully and over a joke he snapped and couldnât control himself, giving explicit detail about how brutal he was, how he grabbed the murder weapon - a relatively small but heavy ornamental statue - and just wouldnât stop hitting him. She almost got it escalated from homicide to murder, and would have if Lorenzo didnât pay for the best lawyer in the state. Nick tried his best to keep his cool, and had to accept that Luna finally got what she wanted⊠For Nick to be gone.
-----
10 years laterâŠ
Nick is finally released, and Lorenzo has provided him with a home. But they had to be discreet, as it would seem quite obvious if he fell right back in line after serving time for killing one of the Irish without permission.
One day, Lorenzo calls and says itâs an emergency, he needs Nick to meet him at the house urgently.
Nick arrives at the house, standing in the next room awaiting a moment to speak with Lorenzo.
âWhat do you mean youâre leaving!?â he hears the unmistakable bitterness of Lunaâs voice speaking to her father. âYouâre leaving me!?â Her voice is becoming increasingly distraught. âI guess I should be used to you leaving by now!â it sounds as if sheâs on the verge of tears.
âSweetie, this is urgent.â Lorenzo says calmly. âTell me something new, dad!â she says with a scoff. After a brief pause. â... How bad is it?â she asks her father. He remains quiet. âWhy arenât you saying anything!?â Lorenzo breaths in deeply and sighs. âItâs nothing for you to worry ab-â Luna interrupts him. âIâm not a child!â she spats back at him. âLuna, watch your tone!â he says commandingly, leaving no room for dispute.
âIâm putting someone else in charge. Youâre going to listen to everything he tells you to do in my absence. Do not give him a hard time, do you hear me? There will be no negotiation. Just because Iâm not here, does not mean you can do whatever it is you want to, is that clear?â he demands.
âYeah, whatever. Have a safe trip dad.â She stomps out of the room, Nick only seeing the back of her head as she speeds by, hiding her face, presumably to hide tears. She didnât even notice him.
Nick enters the room, Lorenzo seeming relieved at his presence. Nick presumes that Lorenzo wasnât sure if he would show up. He stands tall, hands clasped behind his back as Lorenzo takes a seat.
âNick, I have to leave, and Iâm leaving you in charge. I donât have time to explain.â
Without hesitation, Nick responds. âHow long can I expect you to be gone?â
âThat is left to be determinedâŠâ Lorenzo says, sounding almost sad.
Nick gives a small nod. âI assume there will be an announcement of my authority to minimize insubordination? And Iâll need a briefing on your dealings, as well as a place to stay while you are gone.â
Lorenzo lets out a small chuckle. âNicolaus, you already know all of my dealings. I have never kept any secrets from you. And you could choose any of the guest rooms here to stay in.â Ever since he was a child, Lorenzo was the only person to call Nick by his full name. To others, he was just Nick, or to the maid staff, he was Nicky as a term of endearment.
âYou can trust that your business will be safe under my care, sir.â Nick says confidently.
âAnd my daughter?â Lorenzo tilts his head down, eyes looking up at Nickâs with a piercing gaze.
Up until this point, Nick has done a good job of keeping stone-faced. But heâs sure that at hearing about her, that Lorenzo could see a slight wince on his face.
âYes sir, of course.â
-----
A little while later, Nick had taken some time to process the situation. He realized he needs to read between the lines of this situation and figure out why *he* was chosen for the job. It makes little sense. Optics are extremely bad, leaving a person with his history not only being accepted back, but now in charge?
Nick dared not question Lorenzo any further, not only because of his integrity and respect for authority, but because he knew if Lorenzo did not give any further information, itâs because he does not feel comfortable speaking around the others.
Then thereâs the way he mentioned his daughter. Nick could sense that this means Luna is in danger. There must be some legitimate threat out there, one that his regular people couldnât handle, or could not be trusted for. And thatâs likely related to the reason heâs leaving too. The bad blood between us implies how serious the threat must be.
Nick has to come to terms with the fact that heâd had to dedicate nearly half of his life to her protection. Whether he likes it or not, fate keeps leading him right back to her. Not that she ever has shown any appreciation for it. But he wouldnât have any life to live if it wasnât for Lorenzo, so itâs decided. If he must stake his life for her protection again, then so be it.
He just hopes she will cooperate this time⊠Last he heard, Luna was always notorious for her rebelliousness and knack of getting in trouble. Seemingly even killing people on a whim, despite never being trained in combat.
He suspects keeping Luna in line might be an even more difficult job than the last one he had to do for herâŠ
Once settled in a guest room and Lorenzo preparing to leave, he acts distant from most of the others, with a cold, calm demeanor, always seeming in control, much like Lorenzo. Aside from the maid staff, whom he is quite pleasant with. After all, some of them were the ones who raised him.
He decides itâs time to focus on his duties, approaching Lunaâs bedroom door, actually feeling a bit nervous. Not about what she might do, as much as trying to keep himself in check, as heâs well aware of how much unresolved anger there is which has been ignored rather than dealt with. But knowing Lunaâs rebellious nature, he knows he needs to establish authority while her father is gone.
He chuckles to himself at the irony of how facing Luna feels like a fate worse than prison.
He steels himself, face becoming stone, jaw slightly clenched, as he knocks on the door.
No longer is he the scrawny boy that she last saw, now a hardened man, looking far different from before. More imposing. Standing 6â1 with a scruffy face and long wavy hair, making his complexion seem darker than it is. In his mind, he expects to see a young, rebellious teenager answering the door, music playing in the background as she rolls her eyes at him in disdain for being interrupted.
-----
While Luna used to be adventurous and outgoing, she was never the same after that day she encountered Liam OâSullivan.
Nobody but her father knew the truth. The reality that on that fateful day, Liam had tried to rape her. Well, more than tried, he *did* rape her. But she didnât go easily. Maybe she would have been able to fight him off if her father taught her to defend herself how she always wanted to, but she fought back with all her might. And once he fell off balance, she grabbed the closest thing she could find, the statue, and lost control. Unable to stop swinging until he stopped moving. She never thought she would be capable of something so horrible.
Thatâs the real reason for her outburst at the trial. She was being forced to relive the most traumatic moment of her life. And it emphatically proved how horrible of a person she was. Sending another person to prison for what *she* did. No matter how much she hated Nick when they were young, that was a fate he didnât deserve. Sheâs lived to regret the fact that she not only took one man's life, but ruined another man's life. Itâs what sheâs best at.
She became much more reserved, even more attached to her father and her dog, Shadow. No longer outgoing, she became very reserved around others, fearful. Especially men.
Her ârebelliousnessâ and anger she shows others is just a front, not allowing them to see the darkness she harbors inside. Hiding her loneliness by being cold towards others, acting tough when she is extremely sensitive. She only has a few friends who could tolerate her and how much she pushes them away, a habit she formed because she doesnât feel she can trust anyone. She never smiles, except when with her father or her dog.
Her looks and cold personality have always gotten her the most attention from strangers, yet she yearns for simple attention from one person in her life and thatâs her fatherâs.
Deep down she has a sweet, caring heart, but itâs hidden and covered by layers of fear and trauma. Her guard is always up, especially in a house full of men that she hates. She hides her wounds from everyone. She spends her time mostly exercising, reading, or occasionally sneaking out of the house with Grayson, one of her fathers men that she had taken a liking to, as he helps her out whenever she does decide to sneak away. Eventually it led to a secret relationship between them.
Despite her attachment to Grayson, and their meaningless sex, she had never been able to fully let her guard down. Especially because Grayson has a bit of an abusive nature, to say it mildly. He *has* abused her before, hitting her, but it hadnât left any major marks. Out of fear of losing the one man in her life that paid attention to her, she has allowed it. Hiding it from her father, because she knows what would happen if he found out. He is slowly destroying the little bit of her self worth that is left.
-----
The silence in Lunaâs room is deafening, so she fills it with a mild audible sound of Spotify in the background. That still wasnât enough to get her mind off of the conversation with her father. While it was the same conversation sheâs had with him time and time again throughout her life, this time felt⊠Different. Very different.
She leans her head back on the headboard and checks to see if she has any text back from Grayson, whom she left a message asking âWhat the hell is going on?â, and as expected, there was none. Sheâs sure he knows her father is leaving, but isnât sure if he knows why, or who will be put in charge. Just the idea makes her scoff, the last thing she needs is a babysitter.
Her dog joins her on the bed, nuzzling his head on to her lap, tail wagging, demanding pats, and coaxing a smile out of her. Shadow is the only thing keeping her from going insane in this house, knowing exactly when she needs comfort and never hesitating to provide it. He remains on the bed with her, resting his head on her thigh, never leaving her side. For a moment, she forgets whatâs going on.
She hears a knock on the door, staring at the hard wood for a moment. She hopes itâs Grayson, checking on her to make sure sheâs okay, and maybe if sheâs lucky, even comfort her. She gets up and heads to the door with that thought on her mind. She wasnât prepared for what she discovered.
Her heart drops. Familiar dark eyes that are engraved in her mind staring down at her with nothing but coldness in them. She blinks once, twice, wondering if her eyes are deceiving her. The lean boy she knew was standing there, but he was no longer small and lean, his features far more chiseled and distinguished. The suit he wore was striking, unable to hide the muscular frame beneath. She found herself speechless for a moment. It felt unreal for her to see him after he was unrightfully taken away.
He recognized her eyes at first glance, his eyes quickly breaking, darting to the abrupt movement at the side of the room, realizing itâs a dog, the dog's eyes darting between them, measuring our reactions. Even it seems frozen, confused by their reaction.
He notices how much sheâs grown. Her face thinner, freckles and imperfections faded. While obviously older and taller, she seems⊠Smaller? Despite her never being as large as Nick, she had an aura about her that was almost intimidating. But now the air around her is⊠Different.
But itâs her hair that caught his eye most. Much longer than it used to be. Although he supposes itâs the same for him, itâs an integral part of her presence now. If he were to take a moment to consider it, heâd think sheâs grown to look far more feminine and be quite beautiful. But he immediately speeds past those thoughts before they complete, focusing on his job he has to do.
Neither of them said a word, but their eyes spoke a million.
âNick?â Her voice came out in barely more than a whisper, trying to comprehend if this is real. If so, she had no idea he was even out of prison, as nobody had informed her. A thousand questions ran through her mind. âHow long has he been out? Why are you at my door? Are you even real? *How much do you hate me*?â But she canât bring herself to utter another word.
Having been anticipating conflict, the way she spoke his name almost threw him off, he expected that her father would have informed her that I was in charge, which is why he expected her to rebel, but that seems not to be the case. She seems to be genuinely surprised.
He narrows his eyes, a little, trying to read hers. Heâs always prided himself on his ability to read people. But hers are hard to read, as sheâs seemingly experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, and he doesnât understand why she would feel anything more than disdain based on his expectations. And honestly, itâs unsettling for someone like him to be around such raw emotion without being prepared for it.
As much as he wants to comment on their past, to call out what she did, or at least ask why⊠He decides against it. âNeither of us want to be in this situation. Itâs just a jobâ.
He slowly takes in a deep breath, calculating his words. Standing tall and tilting his head back authoritatively as he begins to speak.
âYour father has put me in charge in his absence. Not just to oversee business matters, but I am personally responsible for your safety.â He leans in, maintaining eye contact, trying to convey the seriousness. âI will not be allowing any harm to come to you while you are my responsibility. If I give any orders, I will need you to obey immediately without question. If you have any questions, ask them later. I will need to know where you are and to give approval of where you are going at all times. I will need your phone number, you will have tracking turned on your phone at all times so I could monitor, and you will always answer when I call no matter what the circumstances. I donât care where you are going, I only care about your safety. I will not tolerate any disobedience. I will not tolerate being ignored.â He pauses for a moment, to see how she is taking his words.
âI need you to tell me that you understand.â He maintains a serious look on his stone face as he awaits an answer.
Her brow furrows as he utters sentence after sentence, focused on how much his voice has changed and is no longer as soft as it used to be. She feels like sheâs staring at a stranger, but then she begins to realize what heâs saying.
She shakes her head, feeling like he hadnât even given her a chance to speak as he lays a newspaper's worth of rules in front of her. All she can do is let out a perplexed âHuh?â Heâs the one her father left in charge of her? The one who never tolerated her? The one who spent half his life in prison because of her? There is no way⊠She scoffs, trying her best not to lose it on him, but itâs hard.
âIâm sorry, what? Do you really think Iâm going to agree to this!?â she asks, with pure anger in her tone. She knows for a fact he doesnât want to do this either, so why didnât he say no to her father? How could he agree to look after the person that ruined his life? It only drives her crazier that the look on his face isnât changing or reacting to her. She used to always know how to push his buttons and get a reaction. She looks over at Shadow, almost for assistance, but he is looking at Nick with a calm curiosity, even wagging his tail slightly. *It figures*, she thinks, *He usually hates men, but of course when she wants him toâŠ*
âThere will be no tracking my phone, no obeying you, no approval from you. Iâm not doing this.â She pushes past him, out the door, her blood boiling, heart racing, palms sweaty and hands shaking. âHow does he think heâd ever get away with this? When the hell did he get back anyway!?â
To her surprise, Lorenzo is with his men, including Grayson, putting on his coat in the living room. âLuna. I take it you spoke with Nicolaus?â He speaks confidently. *This is realâŠ*
âWill you be okay?â Lorenzo asks, placing his hands on her shoulders. All she can think is *how could I possibly be okay?* as she fights back tears in her eyes.
âIâll see you soon.â he says, stroking her cheek. She fears this might be the last time she ever sees him⊠And she doesnât want to part like this. She wraps her arms around him, hugging him tight, enjoying his presence for as long as she has it. He soon breaks the embrace, seeming reluctant as he nods his head, departing through the door. She rushes back to her room before she allows her tears to escape.
-----
-----
I appreciate it if youâve made it this far! Iâm looking for a long-term partner to play out this scenario where Iâll be playing Nick.
Despite our rivalry, we end up being stuck together. In the middle of a life of crime and a criminal conspiracy, thrown into a situation where we must rely on each other. With myself as the protector, and you, who is thrown in to a world you've always been hidden from.
The mystery of whatâs going on will only deepen. Whatâs *really* going on? Why is there danger? Weâll have to question trusting anyone.
This setting should leave it pretty open in the directions we could go, and while I have a few ideas of ways we can take it, I welcome your ideas as well!
As we get to know each other, while thereâs so much that led to our rivalry, thereâs much more that was secret and that weâre unaware of about each other. While we may handle things differently, with Nick relying on staying calm, and Luna relying on overreacting, we both have lived a life where we felt abandoned, and have our own ways of hiding what we think or feel, both of us having trouble getting closer.
Heâs forced into a role of her protector, and sheâs never been able to feel safe around people. And he never knew all that she went through, falling for the illusion she gives that she doesnât care about anything, never knowing how badly she needs that protection. By giving her somebody she could actually feel safe around, and him coming to terms with the fact that he may voluntarily want to protect her if given a choice, there's many threads that could eventually evolve into them developing feelings for each other, as much as they may want to resist that happening.
Along the path, there may be a lot of drama and disputes, pushing each other away, but due to the situation, weâll be forced back together.
Despite being a very lengthy introduction, Iâm open to any length of responses, thereâs no requirements in length! Whatever feels right! Itâs all in good fun!
Feel free to let me know any adaptations or ideas you may want to include, or requests!
If interested, I hope to hear back from you!
submitted by TrainingTeaching to RoleplayPartnerSearch [link] [comments]
At 12 years old, his mother died of cancer that quickly spread through her body after first being discovered. Refusing to live with the parents of his father, he ran away and lived on the streets. For such a young boy, he was quite shrewd, shoplifting food from various grocery stores. Within just a couple months, he was devising schemes with teenagers to shoplift from department stores to mom and pop stores, and everything in between, selling the goods to local pawn shops. He learned how to learn the dead-zones of cameras, how to pry the security tags off of items, and how to distract security.
Then his friend gave him the idea of breaking into closed stores or vacation homes to rob them. He was careful, wearing a hoodie, tied to leave no stray hairs as evidence, a mask, gloves, different shoes, and a reversible jacket on the outside that he could flip around to quickly match a different description.
It was successful for the first few attempts, but then he decided to do a job on his own, and attempted to rob the wrong store.
He was casing the place, knocking on the door at the same time every day to ensure nobody was answering the door. Breaking a small window atop the lower floor and climbing a garbage pail to hop through. He went to the cash register, feeling like he hit the jackpot when he discovered more than a thousand in cash, totaling to a few thousand. But he wasnât aware that the building wasnât at all abandoned and was attached to a second building, and was a front for Patrick OâSullivan, a member of the Irish Mob, and they just so happened to be doing a deal at the time.
He tried to run away, heading towards the door, but eventually ran into a boy not much older than he was. He always carried a switchblade with him as a last resort, pulling it on the boy. But he didnât have it in him to stab the boy. He hesitated. And he got caught.
They forced him to take a seat at the table, and Patrick paced back and forth, Nickâs switchblade in hand. âSo you want to steal from *me*?â He scoffs as he flicks open the switchblade. âUsually I would just cut off your fingers so you learn your lesson.â He turns to look at Nick was rage in his eyes. âBut you *threatened my son*!?â he shouts into the boy's face, holding the knife just inches from his neck.
âWait.â Nick hears a voice from behind him protest. Walking around him, narrowing his eyes as he gets a better look at his face, then nodding to himself. He has a different complexion than the others. âI recognize this kid. Heâs the son of one of ours. Let him go, Iâll handle this.â he says as he turns to one of his associates, handling a much larger sum of money than NIck had just stolen, tossing it on the table in front of Nick. âThis should cover the inconvenience.â He turns back to Nick and gives Nick a stern look. âIâll make sure no threats to your family ever happen again. And this boy will make it up to you tenfold, *right*?â He gives Nick a small, almost imperceivable nod. Nick quickly agrees.
That was the day Nick met Lorenzo Columbo of the Italian Mafia. Nick never understood why he stepped in and saved him, Lorenzo only claimed that he saw âpotentialâ in him, but it earned Nickâs undying loyalty. He became like a father figure in Nickâs life, something he had never had prior. He gave him a place to stay with one of the maids, whose English wasnât the best, but as she couldnât have children of her own she took him as one of her own. Lorenzo taught him how to get by with less risk, *without* getting caught, while also teaching him the value of a hard work ethic.
But it wasnât all smooth sailing, particularly when it came to family issues. Lorenzoâs daughter, Luna, never understood why her father brought Nick into their life. She was very attached, an only child, and being a few years younger than Nick, Lorenzo never explained what happened to her as she would have been too young to understand, and she tried to keep his direct family from getting involved in any âbusinessâ issues. But he was trying to teach Nick how to be a man who could take care of himself, as he has already experienced so many things that no boy his age should have been exposed to.
Lorenzo was gone most of the time, handling business, unintentionally neglecting Luna. Like Nick, she was mostly raised by the maids, spending far more time with them than she spent with her own family. The maids and her dog were her primary companions. She never understood why Nick was allowed to join Lorenzo at work, but she couldnât. She became increasingly jealous of the time spent with Nick, eventually despising him. She would be the first to remind Nick that he wasnât really one of their family, and that he never would be. She would lash out, disobeying her fathers rules, but Lorenzo had a soft spot for children and she would be allowed to get away with it. The only rule he was extremely strict on is that she wasnât allowed to leave the house without supervision, in that way he was overprotective of her, fearing that someone might take her away to get back at him.
Nick never understood why she hated him so much. He never did anything wrong to her, and she constantly targeted him. He didnât ask for any of this, he just did as told, and tried to be obedient - something that Luna certainly was not. Due to how she treated him, he developed a distaste for her. Considering he spent a lot of efforts trying to stay in line and follow the rules, he never understood why she *never* followed the rules, and why he was judged so harshly for breaking the rules, while she could get away with anything. It didnât seem fair. From that point, though he wasnât one of their family members, it was almost like they had a never-ending sibling rivalry.
-----
6 years laterâŠ
Lorenzo asked Nick to speak to him privately. He confided that they had a major problem. One of the OâSullivan brothers was dead. Lorenzo expressed that it breaks his heart to have to ask for this, but they need somebody to take the fall, and asked Nick if he could do it, promising that he would make it up to him and be there for him once heâs out.
To Lorenzoâs surprise, Nick gladly accepted. Nick felt that he owed his *life* to Lorenzo and would do *anything* for him, because he wouldnât even be alive if it wasnât for Lorenzo.
It wasnât until the day of the trial that he was informed that *Luna* was the person he was taking a fall for. As much as that explained why Lorenzo needed somebody to take the fall - he couldnât let his daughter go down, and it would be extremely poor optics if his daughter murdered one of them - he wondered to himself why it had to be her of all people. âItâs just like her to *literally* get away with murder!â, he thought to himself. But he was loyal, and still decided to do what he agreed to without dispute.
The part that really upset him was when she took the stand as a witness. She burst out crying, accusing Nick of being âcrazedâ, how all they were doing was hanging out peacefully and over a joke he snapped and couldnât control himself, giving explicit detail about how brutal he was, how he grabbed the murder weapon - a relatively small but heavy ornamental statue - and just wouldnât stop hitting him. She almost got it escalated from homicide to murder, and would have if Lorenzo didnât pay for the best lawyer in the state. Nick tried his best to keep his cool, and had to accept that Luna finally got what she wanted⊠For Nick to be gone.
-----
10 years laterâŠ
Nick is finally released, and Lorenzo has provided him with a home. But they had to be discreet, as it would seem quite obvious if he fell right back in line after serving time for killing one of the Irish without permission.
One day, Lorenzo calls and says itâs an emergency, he needs Nick to meet him at the house urgently.
Nick arrives at the house, standing in the next room awaiting a moment to speak with Lorenzo.
âWhat do you mean youâre leaving!?â he hears the unmistakable bitterness of Lunaâs voice speaking to her father. âYouâre leaving me!?â Her voice is becoming increasingly distraught. âI guess I should be used to you leaving by now!â it sounds as if sheâs on the verge of tears.
âSweetie, this is urgent.â Lorenzo says calmly. âTell me something new, dad!â she says with a scoff. After a brief pause. â... How bad is it?â she asks her father. He remains quiet. âWhy arenât you saying anything!?â Lorenzo breaths in deeply and sighs. âItâs nothing for you to worry ab-â Luna interrupts him. âIâm not a child!â she spats back at him. âLuna, watch your tone!â he says commandingly, leaving no room for dispute.
âIâm putting someone else in charge. Youâre going to listen to everything he tells you to do in my absence. Do not give him a hard time, do you hear me? There will be no negotiation. Just because Iâm not here, does not mean you can do whatever it is you want to, is that clear?â he demands.
âYeah, whatever. Have a safe trip dad.â She stomps out of the room, Nick only seeing the back of her head as she speeds by, hiding her face, presumably to hide tears. She didnât even notice him.
Nick enters the room, Lorenzo seeming relieved at his presence. Nick presumes that Lorenzo wasnât sure if he would show up. He stands tall, hands clasped behind his back as Lorenzo takes a seat.
âNick, I have to leave, and Iâm leaving you in charge. I donât have time to explain.â
Without hesitation, Nick responds. âHow long can I expect you to be gone?â
âThat is left to be determinedâŠâ Lorenzo says, sounding almost sad.
Nick gives a small nod. âI assume there will be an announcement of my authority to minimize insubordination? And Iâll need a briefing on your dealings, as well as a place to stay while you are gone.â
Lorenzo lets out a small chuckle. âNicolaus, you already know all of my dealings. I have never kept any secrets from you. And you could choose any of the guest rooms here to stay in.â Ever since he was a child, Lorenzo was the only person to call Nick by his full name. To others, he was just Nick, or to the maid staff, he was Nicky as a term of endearment.
âYou can trust that your business will be safe under my care, sir.â Nick says confidently.
âAnd my daughter?â Lorenzo tilts his head down, eyes looking up at Nickâs with a piercing gaze.
Up until this point, Nick has done a good job of keeping stone-faced. But heâs sure that at hearing about her, that Lorenzo could see a slight wince on his face.
âYes sir, of course.â
-----
A little while later, Nick had taken some time to process the situation. He realized he needs to read between the lines of this situation and figure out why *he* was chosen for the job. It makes little sense. Optics are extremely bad, leaving a person with his history not only being accepted back, but now in charge?
Nick dared not question Lorenzo any further, not only because of his integrity and respect for authority, but because he knew if Lorenzo did not give any further information, itâs because he does not feel comfortable speaking around the others.
Then thereâs the way he mentioned his daughter. Nick could sense that this means Luna is in danger. There must be some legitimate threat out there, one that his regular people couldnât handle, or could not be trusted for. And thatâs likely related to the reason heâs leaving too. The bad blood between us implies how serious the threat must be.
Nick has to come to terms with the fact that heâd had to dedicate nearly half of his life to her protection. Whether he likes it or not, fate keeps leading him right back to her. Not that she ever has shown any appreciation for it. But he wouldnât have any life to live if it wasnât for Lorenzo, so itâs decided. If he must stake his life for her protection again, then so be it.
He just hopes she will cooperate this time⊠Last he heard, Luna was always notorious for her rebelliousness and knack of getting in trouble. Seemingly even killing people on a whim, despite never being trained in combat.
He suspects keeping Luna in line might be an even more difficult job than the last one he had to do for herâŠ
Once settled in a guest room and Lorenzo preparing to leave, he acts distant from most of the others, with a cold, calm demeanor, always seeming in control, much like Lorenzo. Aside from the maid staff, whom he is quite pleasant with. After all, some of them were the ones who raised him.
He decides itâs time to focus on his duties, approaching Lunaâs bedroom door, actually feeling a bit nervous. Not about what she might do, as much as trying to keep himself in check, as heâs well aware of how much unresolved anger there is which has been ignored rather than dealt with. But knowing Lunaâs rebellious nature, he knows he needs to establish authority while her father is gone.
He chuckles to himself at the irony of how facing Luna feels like a fate worse than prison.
He steels himself, face becoming stone, jaw slightly clenched, as he knocks on the door.
No longer is he the scrawny boy that she last saw, now a hardened man, looking far different from before. More imposing. Standing 6â1 with a scruffy face and long wavy hair, making his complexion seem darker than it is. In his mind, he expects to see a young, rebellious teenager answering the door, music playing in the background as she rolls her eyes at him in disdain for being interrupted.
-----
While Luna used to be adventurous and outgoing, she was never the same after that day she encountered Liam OâSullivan.
Nobody but her father knew the truth. The reality that on that fateful day, Liam had tried to rape her. Well, more than tried, he *did* rape her. But she didnât go easily. Maybe she would have been able to fight him off if her father taught her to defend herself how she always wanted to, but she fought back with all her might. And once he fell off balance, she grabbed the closest thing she could find, the statue, and lost control. Unable to stop swinging until he stopped moving. She never thought she would be capable of something so horrible.
Thatâs the real reason for her outburst at the trial. She was being forced to relive the most traumatic moment of her life. And it emphatically proved how horrible of a person she was. Sending another person to prison for what *she* did. No matter how much she hated Nick when they were young, that was a fate he didnât deserve. Sheâs lived to regret the fact that she not only took one man's life, but ruined another man's life. Itâs what sheâs best at.
She became much more reserved, even more attached to her father and her dog, Shadow. No longer outgoing, she became very reserved around others, fearful. Especially men.
Her ârebelliousnessâ and anger she shows others is just a front, not allowing them to see the darkness she harbors inside. Hiding her loneliness by being cold towards others, acting tough when she is extremely sensitive. She only has a few friends who could tolerate her and how much she pushes them away, a habit she formed because she doesnât feel she can trust anyone. She never smiles, except when with her father or her dog.
Her looks and cold personality have always gotten her the most attention from strangers, yet she yearns for simple attention from one person in her life and thatâs her fatherâs.
Deep down she has a sweet, caring heart, but itâs hidden and covered by layers of fear and trauma. Her guard is always up, especially in a house full of men that she hates. She hides her wounds from everyone. She spends her time mostly exercising, reading, or occasionally sneaking out of the house with Grayson, one of her fathers men that she had taken a liking to, as he helps her out whenever she does decide to sneak away. Eventually it led to a secret relationship between them.
Despite her attachment to Grayson, and their meaningless sex, she had never been able to fully let her guard down. Especially because Grayson has a bit of an abusive nature, to say it mildly. He *has* abused her before, hitting her, but it hadnât left any major marks. Out of fear of losing the one man in her life that paid attention to her, she has allowed it. Hiding it from her father, because she knows what would happen if he found out. He is slowly destroying the little bit of her self worth that is left.
-----
The silence in Lunaâs room is deafening, so she fills it with a mild audible sound of Spotify in the background. That still wasnât enough to get her mind off of the conversation with her father. While it was the same conversation sheâs had with him time and time again throughout her life, this time felt⊠Different. Very different.
She leans her head back on the headboard and checks to see if she has any text back from Grayson, whom she left a message asking âWhat the hell is going on?â, and as expected, there was none. Sheâs sure he knows her father is leaving, but isnât sure if he knows why, or who will be put in charge. Just the idea makes her scoff, the last thing she needs is a babysitter.
Her dog joins her on the bed, nuzzling his head on to her lap, tail wagging, demanding pats, and coaxing a smile out of her. Shadow is the only thing keeping her from going insane in this house, knowing exactly when she needs comfort and never hesitating to provide it. He remains on the bed with her, resting his head on her thigh, never leaving her side. For a moment, she forgets whatâs going on.
She hears a knock on the door, staring at the hard wood for a moment. She hopes itâs Grayson, checking on her to make sure sheâs okay, and maybe if sheâs lucky, even comfort her. She gets up and heads to the door with that thought on her mind. She wasnât prepared for what she discovered.
Her heart drops. Familiar dark eyes that are engraved in her mind staring down at her with nothing but coldness in them. She blinks once, twice, wondering if her eyes are deceiving her. The lean boy she knew was standing there, but he was no longer small and lean, his features far more chiseled and distinguished. The suit he wore was striking, unable to hide the muscular frame beneath. She found herself speechless for a moment. It felt unreal for her to see him after he was unrightfully taken away.
He recognized her eyes at first glance, his eyes quickly breaking, darting to the abrupt movement at the side of the room, realizing itâs a dog, the dog's eyes darting between them, measuring our reactions. Even it seems frozen, confused by their reaction.
He notices how much sheâs grown. Her face thinner, freckles and imperfections faded. While obviously older and taller, she seems⊠Smaller? Despite her never being as large as Nick, she had an aura about her that was almost intimidating. But now the air around her is⊠Different.
But itâs her hair that caught his eye most. Much longer than it used to be. Although he supposes itâs the same for him, itâs an integral part of her presence now. If he were to take a moment to consider it, heâd think sheâs grown to look far more feminine and be quite beautiful. But he immediately speeds past those thoughts before they complete, focusing on his job he has to do.
Neither of them said a word, but their eyes spoke a million.
âNick?â Her voice came out in barely more than a whisper, trying to comprehend if this is real. If so, she had no idea he was even out of prison, as nobody had informed her. A thousand questions ran through her mind. âHow long has he been out? Why are you at my door? Are you even real? *How much do you hate me*?â But she canât bring herself to utter another word.
Having been anticipating conflict, the way she spoke his name almost threw him off, he expected that her father would have informed her that I was in charge, which is why he expected her to rebel, but that seems not to be the case. She seems to be genuinely surprised.
He narrows his eyes, a little, trying to read hers. Heâs always prided himself on his ability to read people. But hers are hard to read, as sheâs seemingly experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions, and he doesnât understand why she would feel anything more than disdain based on his expectations. And honestly, itâs unsettling for someone like him to be around such raw emotion without being prepared for it.
As much as he wants to comment on their past, to call out what she did, or at least ask why⊠He decides against it. âNeither of us want to be in this situation. Itâs just a jobâ.
He slowly takes in a deep breath, calculating his words. Standing tall and tilting his head back authoritatively as he begins to speak.
âYour father has put me in charge in his absence. Not just to oversee business matters, but I am personally responsible for your safety.â He leans in, maintaining eye contact, trying to convey the seriousness. âI will not be allowing any harm to come to you while you are my responsibility. If I give any orders, I will need you to obey immediately without question. If you have any questions, ask them later. I will need to know where you are and to give approval of where you are going at all times. I will need your phone number, you will have tracking turned on your phone at all times so I could monitor, and you will always answer when I call no matter what the circumstances. I donât care where you are going, I only care about your safety. I will not tolerate any disobedience. I will not tolerate being ignored.â He pauses for a moment, to see how she is taking his words.
âI need you to tell me that you understand.â He maintains a serious look on his stone face as he awaits an answer.
Her brow furrows as he utters sentence after sentence, focused on how much his voice has changed and is no longer as soft as it used to be. She feels like sheâs staring at a stranger, but then she begins to realize what heâs saying.
She shakes her head, feeling like he hadnât even given her a chance to speak as he lays a newspaper's worth of rules in front of her. All she can do is let out a perplexed âHuh?â Heâs the one her father left in charge of her? The one who never tolerated her? The one who spent half his life in prison because of her? There is no way⊠She scoffs, trying her best not to lose it on him, but itâs hard.
âIâm sorry, what? Do you really think Iâm going to agree to this!?â she asks, with pure anger in her tone. She knows for a fact he doesnât want to do this either, so why didnât he say no to her father? How could he agree to look after the person that ruined his life? It only drives her crazier that the look on his face isnât changing or reacting to her. She used to always know how to push his buttons and get a reaction. She looks over at Shadow, almost for assistance, but he is looking at Nick with a calm curiosity, even wagging his tail slightly. *It figures*, she thinks, *He usually hates men, but of course when she wants him toâŠ*
âThere will be no tracking my phone, no obeying you, no approval from you. Iâm not doing this.â She pushes past him, out the door, her blood boiling, heart racing, palms sweaty and hands shaking. âHow does he think heâd ever get away with this? When the hell did he get back anyway!?â
To her surprise, Lorenzo is with his men, including Grayson, putting on his coat in the living room. âLuna. I take it you spoke with Nicolaus?â He speaks confidently. *This is realâŠ*
âWill you be okay?â Lorenzo asks, placing his hands on her shoulders. All she can think is *how could I possibly be okay?* as she fights back tears in her eyes.
âIâll see you soon.â he says, stroking her cheek. She fears this might be the last time she ever sees him⊠And she doesnât want to part like this. She wraps her arms around him, hugging him tight, enjoying his presence for as long as she has it. He soon breaks the embrace, seeming reluctant as he nods his head, departing through the door. She rushes back to her room before she allows her tears to escape.
-----
-----
I appreciate it if youâve made it this far! Iâm looking for a long-term partner to play out this scenario where Iâll be playing Nick.
Despite our rivalry, we end up being stuck together. In the middle of a life of crime and a criminal conspiracy, thrown into a situation where we must rely on each other. With myself as the protector, and you, who is thrown in to a world you've always been hidden from.
The mystery of whatâs going on will only deepen. Whatâs *really* going on? Why is there danger? Weâll have to question trusting anyone.
This setting should leave it pretty open in the directions we could go, and while I have a few ideas of ways we can take it, I welcome your ideas as well!
As we get to know each other, while thereâs so much that led to our rivalry, thereâs much more that was secret and that weâre unaware of about each other. While we may handle things differently, with Nick relying on staying calm, and Luna relying on overreacting, we both have lived a life where we felt abandoned, and have our own ways of hiding what we think or feel, both of us having trouble getting closer.
Heâs forced into a role of her protector, and sheâs never been able to feel safe around people. And he never knew all that she went through, falling for the illusion she gives that she doesnât care about anything, never knowing how badly she needs that protection. By giving her somebody she could actually feel safe around, and him coming to terms with the fact that he may voluntarily want to protect her if given a choice, there's many threads that could eventually evolve into them developing feelings for each other, as much as they may want to resist that happening.
Along the path, there may be a lot of drama and disputes, pushing each other away, but due to the situation, weâll be forced back together.
Despite being a very lengthy introduction, Iâm open to any length of responses, thereâs no requirements in length! Whatever feels right! Itâs all in good fun!
Feel free to let me know any adaptations or ideas you may want to include, or requests!
If interested, I hope to hear back from you!
2023.06.01 17:42 lemkowidmak Albuquerque Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist Now Open Until June 30th
https://nmalbuquerque.tenmast.com/applyhcv/
The waitlist has the following preferences:
submitted by lemkowidmak to section8listshoppers [link] [comments]
The waitlist has the following preferences:
- First Preference (pool): The AHA will offer first preference to any family that has been terminated from AHAâs HCV program due to insufficient program funding.
- Second Preference (pool): AHA will strive to offer 125 vouchers per calendar year to participants in transitional, rapid rehousing or permanent supportive housing programs that meet the following criteria will be eligible for this preference:
- The supportive housing program serves people experiencing homelessness
- The supportive housing program is located in the Albuquerque Housing Authorityâs (AHA) service area
- The supportive housing program is willing to provide a letter to AHA verifying the resident is a participant and is willing to assist the applicant with the Housing Choice Voucher Program application process
- If possible, the supportive housing program will make a good faith effort to provide or provide linkages to case management or comprehensive community support services to the participant for at least 3 months after the participant enters the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
- At least 20% of the supportive housing program budget comes from local, state or federal government funding.
2023.06.01 17:34 welp007 Jamie Dimon CEO of JPMorgan Chase was deposed last Friday in the Jeffrey Epstein case. This deposition revealed an email stating that Mr. Dimon was to be treated to âheavy snacksâ at Epsteinâs home in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
 | By Pam Martens and Russ Martens: June 1, 2023 ~ submitted by welp007 to Superstonk [link] [comments] After much delay and legal protests by JPMorgan Chase, its Chairman and CEO, Jamie Dimon, was forced by a Manhattan federal court to testify under oath in a deposition about what he personally knew about the bankâs long-term customer relationship with child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. (Epstein died in a Manhattan jail on August 10, 2019. His death was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner.) The deposition was held last Friday, May 26, at the offices of JPMorgan Chase in Manhattan. In a surprise move, opposing counsels agreed yesterday to release the transcript of the deposition, with some segments marked as sensitive and redacted. The deposition arose as a result of two lawsuits being heard by Judge Jed Rakoff in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. One lawsuit is on behalf of an alleged sexual assault victim of Epstein, Jane Doe 1. The other lawsuit was brought by the Attorney Generalâs office for the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) where Epstein maintained a secluded compound on a private island he owned. According to Dimonâs version of events, he lived a cloistered existence in a corner office on the 48th floor of 270 Park Avenue where even the executives who directly reported to him and worked only âa couple hundred feetâ away from his office, never shared with Dimon the bankâs many years of internal investigations about Epsteinâs massive cash withdrawals from his accounts at the bank, that sometimes averaged more than $20,000 to $40,000 a month, or its investigations of Epsteinâs sex trafficking of underage girls. According to the lawsuits, Epstein had accounts at the bank from 1998 to 2013, at times amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. According to Dimon, even the former Director of the Division of Enforcement at the Securities and Exchange Commission, Stephen Cutler, who became General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase in February of 2007, worked in the office next door to Dimon and reported to Dimon, didnât share his numerous objections with Dimon to keeping the Epstein accounts at the bank. An email was introduced by opposing counsel during the deposition, showing that as far back as 2011, Cutler had written in an email referring to Epstein that âThis is not an honorable person in any way. He should not be a client.â According to the deposition transcript, it was two executives who worked on the 48th floor with Dimon, Jes Staley and Mary Erdoes, who decided to retain Epstein as a client after his Florida indictment, arrest, jail term and after multiple internal investigations of his large cash withdrawals from his JPMorgan Chase accounts. Despite dozens of news articles about Epstein being indicted in Florida for soliciting sex with a minor in 2006; despite bestselling author, James Pattersonâs 2016 book, âFilthy Rich,â covering Epsteinâs sexual assaults on young girls; notwithstanding Julie Brownâs blockbuster series on Epsteinâs crimes against young women in the Miami Herald in 2018, which caused a viral media storm, Dimonâs under-oath position in the deposition was this: âI donât recall knowing anything about Jeffrey Epstein until the stories broke sometime in 2019. And I was surprised that I didnât even â had never even heard of the guy, pretty much, and how involved he was with so many people.â That testimony came despite Dimon stating during the deposition that he read the following newspapers: the New York Times, the Financial Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal. Another serious challenge to Dimonâs efforts to distance himself from any knowledge of Epstein or involvement with him came toward the end of the deposition when well-known lawyer, David Boies, of law firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP, introduced an email directly referring to an Epstein meeting with Dimon. (Boies is one of the lawyers representing the Jane Doe 1 victim of Epstein in her lawsuit against the bank.) The exchange went as follows: Boies: âOn February 26, 2010, Lesley Groff writes Mr. Epstein on the subject of, Jes [Staley] and Jamie. âShall I have Lynn prepare heavy snacks for your evening appointments with [redacted], Jes Staley and Jamie Dimon? Or is this to be a nice, sit-down dinner at 9 p.m.?â And Mr. Epstein replies, âSnacks.â â Dimon responds: âI have never had an appointment with Jeff Epstein. Iâve never met Jeff Epstein. I never knew Jeff Epstein. I never went to Jeff Epsteinâs house. I never had a meal with Jeff Epstein. I have no idea what theyâre referring to here.â The overall thrust of the U.S. Virgin Islands case against the bank is presented in its second amended complaint as follows: ââŠbased on documents reviewed and interviews conducted by the Government, JP Morgan knowingly facilitated, sustained, and concealed the human trafficking network operated by Jeffrey Epstein from his home and base in the Virgin Islands, and financially benefitted from this participation, directly or indirectly, by failing to comply with federal banking regulations, [redacted]. JP Morgan facilitated and concealed wire and cash transactions that raised suspicion ofâand were in fact part ofâa criminal enterprise whose currency was the sexual servitude of dozens of women and girls in and beyond the Virgin Islands. Human trafficking was the principal business of the accounts Epstein maintained at JP Morgan. âUpon information and belief, JP Morgan turned a blind eye to evidence of human trafficking over more than a decade because of Epsteinâs own financial footprint, and because of the deals and clients that Epstein brought and promised to bring to the bank. These decisions were advocated and approved at the senior levels of JP Morgan, including by the former chief executive of its asset management division and investment bank, whose inappropriate relationship with Epstein should have been evident to the bank.â The second amended complaint by the U.S. Virgin Islands also adds a Fifth Count, charging JPMorgan Chase with obstruction. It reads in part: âBy providing financing for Epsteinâs sex trafficking organization from at least 2000 through about August 2013, and concealing its actions thereafter, JP Morgan obstructed, interfered with, and prevented the federal governmentâs enforcement of the TVPA [Trafficking Victims Protection Act] against Epstein. To the extent that the federal government was able to ultimately charge Epstein with TVPA violations, the filing of these charges was delayed by JP Morganâs actions. Because of that delay, women and girls in the Virgin Islands were coercively caused to engage in commercial sex acts.â The second amended complaint also incorporates information obtained from a deposition of Mary Erdoes, one of the highest female executives at JPMorgan Chase. Much of the new information is stunning in terms of just how much it alleges that the bank knew about Epsteinâs sex trafficking while it displayed a callous disregard for the underage girls being impacted by its failing to take action. It reads in part: âIn 2006, a JP Morgan Rapid Response Team noted that Epstein âroutinelyâ made cash withdrawals in amounts from $40,000 to $80,000 several times per month, totaling over $750,000 per year. In addition, Mary Erdoes admitted in her deposition that JP Morgan was aware by 2006 that Epstein was accused of paying cash to have underage girls and young women brought to his home. In the years that followed, JP Morgan employees, including senior executives, emailed internally that Epstein was under investigation or had been sued for trafficking or sexual abuse. This includes an email in 2010 between Mary Erdoes and Jes Staley regarding a federal investigation of Epstein for child trafficking; a 2011 email summarizing a few 2010 news stories connecting Epstein to human trafficking and promising to âmonitor the accounts and cash usage closely going forward;â and a 2011 compliance memo noting that â[n]umerous articles detail various law enforcement agencies investigating Jeffrey Epstein for allegedly participating in child trafficking and molesting underage girlsâ and that âEpstein had settled a dozen civil lawsuits out of court from his victims regarding solicitation for an undisclosed amount.â Internal emails also questioned who Epsteinâs clients were, circulating an article regarding whether Epstein was running a Ponzi scheme. âIndeed, Epsteinâs behavior was so widely known at JPMorgan that senior executives joked about Epsteinâs interest in young girls. In 2008, for example, Mary Erdoes received an email asking her whether Epstein was at an event âwith miley cyrus.â In her deposition, Mary Erdoes testified that JP Morgan terminated Epstein as a customer in 2013 after she became aware that the withdrawals were âactual cash.â However, Epstein had made substantial cash withdrawals every year he banked with JP Morgan, including more than $800,000 per year in 2004 and 2005.â There is also this devastating claim in the U.S. Virgin Islandsâ complaint: âOne internal document [obtained from JPMorgan Chase] describes the account of Epsteinâs âassistant or young lady he brought over from Prague (or some place like that),â clearly referring to Jane Doe 1. The document describes charges in New York, Palm Beach, and St. Thomas for lingerie and other sexually explicit material. Elsewhere, JP Morgan describes media reports referring to the fact that Epstein purchased her at age 14. She remained a customer of JP Morgan, and Epstein paid her more than $600,000, from his accounts at JP Morgan, including more than $165,000 after Epsteinâs plea.â One of the more curious parts of the deposition on Friday came when Boies asked Dimon the following: âIn the entire time that you have been the chief executive officer of the bank, who are the three bank customers whose business with the bank has been most reputationally damaging to the bank?â It should have taken Dimon about 1 second to blurt out the name Bernie Madoff as his biggest regret. JPMorgan Chase and its predecessor bank held the business account for Madoff for decades as he conducted the biggest Ponzi scheme in history. On January 7, 2014, the U.S. Department of Justice charged JPMorgan Chase with two criminal felony charges over the way it handled the Madoff account. The bank admitted to the charges and entered a deferred prosecution agreement. (This would be the first two felony charges, with three more felony charges for rigging foreign exchange, precious metals and Treasury markets to follow over the next six years.) (See our 2014 report: JPMorgan and Madoff Were Facilitating Nesting Dolls-Style Frauds Within Frauds.) But instead of giving Boies the name of Madoff, or any other human customer, Dimon instead named Bear Stearns, an investment bank purchased by JPMorgan Chase in the early days of the financial crisis in 2008. For a stunning look at the totality of the major crimes and charges that have occurred on Dimonâs watch, see JPMorgan Chaseâs rap sheet here. |
2023.06.01 17:34 cruisingNW Foundations of Humanity 27 (New Horizons) - an NoP fanfic
Foundations of Humanity 27 (New Horizons) - an NoP fanfic
Thank you u/SpacePaladin15 for establishing the Nature of Predators Universe, and for allowing Fanfics to flourish!Thank you again, u/Braquen, u/Acceptable_Egg5560, u/BiasMushroom721, and last but not least u/Liberty-Prime76 for proofreading! Also, thank you u/Frostborne for your blessing on my Gojid City name! This is my side of the Nature of a Giant crossover)!
Also Star Tours is a Disney copyright which I use in good faith and humor under fair use please donât hurt me capitalist mouse daddy.
First -- Previous -- Next
Memory transcription subject: Valek, Venlil tourist
Date [standardized human time]: Sept 11th, 2136. Middle of 3rd Claw
I watched Maeve find an open station and investigate the helmet while I asked, âDo Humans have Visor arcades?â
âOh, absolutely! Thereâs an entire League for VR!â Maeve awkwardly slipped into the seat and found the controls; after a moment the seat started to adjust itself to size, the sudden movement causing Maeve to jump.
Alvi spoke up beside me, âMaeve has a book that talks about it. It talked about headsets and digital worlds like what we have, over a hundred years ago!â
âA hundred years ago?â I couldnât help but be skeptical. âAre you really saying that our tech is a hundred years behind yours with VR?â
âEh, not exactly,â Maeve tilted her head as she thought, âwith things like visors, there was an upper limit to how to design them. Most of the innovations were on how realistic the visors could make the media. We got video down pretty quickly, and surround-sound was pretty much figured out by then. We experimented with scent and that did not go well. Really most of the progress has been in processing, and you guys still have us beat on that!â
She picked up the viewing device. There were three kinds of stations with different sized helmets for each. The first she investigated were Dossur to Zurulian sized, but it only took a moment to find a Sivkit to Gojid size. âLooks like these could fit me. Can you two wait long enough to see if this works with humans?â
I flicked my ears in amusement and posed myself overdramatically. âIâm sure that I, your poor starving mate, can continue starving while you enjoy yourself.â I giggled while Alvi slapped me with her tail. âGo on, have fun! Iâm also curious to see if the program would work with your eyes.â
With a look around to ensure no one was watching, Maeve switched her veil for the helmet, after only a few moments of effort. The collar thickness was adjustable to help the foam complete a clean seal against the jaw. I touched my pre-paid band to the tap pad, and the machine shifted colors to show it was occupied. The helmet was designed for snouted species, and so hung somewhat past Maeveâs chin, allowing us to see light reflected off her skin.
A screen beside her lit up with the mask, and we could see what she saw while she played. Alvi and I walked her through the tutorial and calibrator, and Maeve chose Jewels of the Federation at my suggestion; a simple walking simulator showcasing highlights of Federation homeworlds.
The simulator starts us in the same arcade, in the same booth! A well-groomed Venlil stands beside her and reminds Maeve of her private tour. Maeve âwalksâ while still seated and lifts her virtual self from the digital booth, following the guide to a launch pad that didnât previously exist. Alvi and I stopped in shock for a moment when a noticeably younger Captain Sovlin walked down the gangway of our destination shuttle; though judging by Maeveâs lack of reaction, she seemed not to recognize him; Alvi met my eye and pointedly flicked her ears. The simulated Gojid pilot wags their ears genially as they throw their arms wide in welcome.
âGood waking, citizen of the Federation! Star Tours has invited me to escort you on an introduction to the astounding marvels of our great peoples! Every species has made wondrous contributions to the enlightenment of the Federation, but the strayu is in the oven, so weâll only get the time to visit your own Venlil Prime, The Cradle, and Nishtal today. Follow me and we can begin!â
Maeve followed Sovlin into the cockpit of the stylized shuttle and took the copilot seat; Maeveâs head was on a swivel and she took in everything around her. âWow, this is so cool! Your whole helmet is a screen! Our VR is only in front of our eyes, tricking our brains into seeing three dimensionally.â Her voice echoed around the helmet, muffling her words before they could reach us..
The shuttle lifted gently and Maeveâs chair tilted back with it. Coming up, we could see that this arcade was in the Capitol, and they did a flying pass to show its glass spires and bustling spaceport. Sovlin spoke up beside Maeve, âThe Venlil Homeworld is in a strategic position within the Federation, and you make your people proud by fulfilling your duty to the Herd; in spite of your weakness and timidity!!â
The shuttle started to pitch to the open center of the city, and a large park came into view. âBut, as I-â Sovlinâs voice caught in his throat, before he cleared it and spoke with firm authority, âAs we all know: Duty sometimes comes with Sacrifice. And we honor and remember that⊠sacrifice with the beautiful Cattle Memorial!â
The vines of Morning Light catch the sun, and I feel my ears fall as I remember my own familyâs sacrifices. Alvi caught my distress, and curled her tail around me as the simulation continued, âHere we remember the lives lost from the ruthless barbarity of the Greys. We hope that this Shining Beacon may guide their bodies and souls back to the Herd.â The shuttle kept flying straight toward the ground, but the shuttle surroundings started to disappear as Sovlin and Maeve joined the mourners and wellwishers. The breeze played gently with unopened letters and fresh bouquets. Sovlin spoke softly, in respect for visitors, âIt is open all claws, and many leave their remembrances. Make sure to show your support, next time youâre in the Capitol.â
After several moments of contemplative silence, the shuttle pulled up into the upper atmosphere, and Maeveâs seat began to shudder. I spoke up a little louder so she could hear me through the helmet, âSet your head back. The next part might make you a little queasy.â
Maeve did as bidden just before Sovlin hit the warp jump, and the screen was awash with a rainbow of colors streaking to the outer border.
We fall out of Warp just above The Cradle, its capital continent in view surrounded by great oceans, while other landmasses curve around the planet and out of sight. The camera quickly descends through the atmosphere and we pull into the great city of Valaâs Embrace, with its shining spires and sprawling seaports. We fly down through the airspace busy with cargo freighters and I see Maeve involuntary flinch after a close miss. âThe Gojid are a proud and fierce people, but also industrious! Our Cradle and Colonies are a major food source for the rest of the Federation, in addition to the significant extractions performed by our colonies and outposts.â
The camera flies into the center of the city where stands a grand Cathedral to the Protector, Her robed form guiding believers to the grand entryway. âBut my People are renowned for our stalwart loyalty to our faith and to the Federation. Our great houses of worship are monuments of our devotion to protecting the Herd from the Predator Menace!â
After a pass around the building highlighting its traditional stonework and heraldry, the camera joins the throng of worshippers, coming in low like a child beside their parent, and we see the full glory of The Church.
Our view pans up from the crowd to a ceiling decorated with murals of inlaid wood and metals. Vibrant colors, textures, and shining light tell the story of Vala driving out the Predators and forming the first Herd. Stained glass windows cover the congregation in pools of color almost as varied as the congregants themselves. A silver Gojid passes from behind us, towering tall with the kind eyes of one who knows their faith, and is safe in its love. They lay a paw on Maeveâs shoulder and guide her to a bench only a few rows from the front, with a seat on the aisle. The Priest stands before their podium and begins a sermon of service to the Herd, and oneâs role within it.
The priestâs voice fades into the background as we fly backward out of an open window like a bird; words of Predators at our doorstep fading on the wind. We rise to re-exit the atmosphere, Maeveâs chair buzzing as the hyperdrive spins up.
We warp into a field of defensive space stations, glittering proudly in the Nishtalian Sun. Below, we see a planet with a great many islands, webbed with weaving waterways and small seas. Maeve pressed herself further into the seat as we entered their thicker atmosphere, the seat vibrations causing the helmet to rattle against it.
âAnd here we have the vibrant marshes of Nishtal!â We broke through the clouds to see massive arbors climbing back into them. We approached the Nishtal Capital sprawled across dozens of kilometers of archipelago, held above the water by meta-material supports.
âNishtal is well known for its punishing environments, which helped to mold the Krakotl into Pan-Galactic Heroes! From Captain Kalsim, to Merchant Captain Malins, to Chief Exterminator Estela. Each renowned for holding the line against the predator taint, through fire or rail! And this is where their mettle was tested!â
The shuttle flies around a flat paved area, surrounded by landing pads as warships lift and land. In the center was a platoon of Krakotl performing training exercises. The shuttle again falls away as we start walking behind a Commander, Sovlin walking beside him as he speaks over his shoulder, âThe Krakotl have been an instrumental force in maintaining our peaceful way of life. If you think you have what it takes, be sure to register for the JEOTC so you can help make the galaxy a better place!â
Sovlin met the eye of the Krakotl commander beside him, âThank you for your service, Sir.â
We split off from the commander, and our walking transitioned back to our shuttle before firing off back into the sky.Through the vibrating chair, Maeve stuttered out, âM-M-Man Y-You-u-u Guys-z-z-zâre R-R-Real-l-ly into this-s-s W-W-War, huh??â
Suddenly the chair threw Maeve forward, almost unseating her as she suddenly fell out of warp, âWe have Grey contacts! Time to turn tail and get out of here! Iâll stay on the guns and when I say Go, you push that throttle as hard as you can! OKâŠ!â A Metallic handle started to glow in front of her, and Maeve reached out with her controller to grab it. It took her a moment, but Sovlin never gave the signal⊠Until she grabbed on. âGO!â Maeve rocked her body forward and slammed the throttle to its limiter, the seat beneath her rumbling with renewed vigor.
After only a moment, a Kolshian Capital Ship dropped from subspace in front of us and fired a volley of Everything in the direction behind us. Our ship slowed and Sovlin cheered from the pilotâs chair, âHaHa! The Vanguard has arrived! Thank you for your help gentlemen!â
A portrait feed popped up on and above the control panel, showing General Kalsimâs distinct banding on his beak. âThis is General Kalsim, Commander of the Federation Vessel Inatalaâs Will. Star tours, have you suffered any damage?â The portrait squawked as the Generalâs feathers puffed with pride.
âNegative General, thank you for the save!â
âUnderstood, letâs get you home, Star Tours.â
âWe would be very grateful, General! Protector guides you.â
The chair beneath Maeve vibrates and tilts back as the hyper-drive charges up again, the screen flashing to show the sprawling oceans of Aafa, glittering brilliantly in the shining sun, dotted by its giant floating cities and lush tropical islands. A flock of broad chirping seabirds adorned with vibrant colors gliding on the calm ocean breeze flanking the shuttle. The capital of Aafa grew on the viewscreen, the sprawling Governance Center of the Federation dominating the city, swooping lines and a singular towering dome marked the chambers of the Federation senate.
âIsnât that a beautiful view? This is what we fight for, this is the Cradle of the Federation, the very heart of our enlightened civilization. This is what we protect.â
The camera pans low, the shuttle falling away, sweeping along the streets of the capital.
The dome grew ever larger in the background until the camera began to soar over busy diplomats entering the senate floor, the camera like a very lost Flowerbird. Chief Nikonus was delivering an impassioned speech to the gathered representatives, declaring the grand aims and lofty goals of the Federation to spread peace and safety to all Prey peoples. The camera panned around the room, showing representatives listening to the speech with focused ears and attentive eyes, pausing on the Venlil Representative, swaying their tail in pride and determination. As the camera finished its rotation it exited through the rooms wide glass panes, rising up and over the city as the shuttle reformed once again, breaching through the atmosphere and up into the stars.
Maeveâs seat rumbled as the hyperdrive spooled again, the screen clearing to show the Capital of Venlil Prime once more, soaring down to the arcade the adventure had started in. Captain Sovlinâs voice echoed from the speakers.
âThank you for joining me today on Star Tours! Be sure to visit your nearest Federation recruitment center today and do your part!â
With fading fanfare, the seat returned to a neutral position and Maeve took off her helmet to meet our eyes. âThat⊠was definitely a thing. It had a lot of⊠uh⊠ho boy.â
âYeah, uh.â I shifted my weight awkwardly, âWatching that as an adult is⊠Stars, I remember wanting so badly to sign up. But my mom stopped me.â
âIâll have to thank her when we get home.â Alvi sighed with exaggerated relief.
âYou and me, both.â Maeve said through a relieved chuckle, âYou guys want a turn? Iâd like to do something more chill; cleanse the palate.â
Alvi and I politely declined, before I offered, âActually I wanted to show you something. I donât know how you guys have fun, but Shipper is really good.â
I guided Maeve to the catalog and pointed out the correct one. As the game started up and Maeve got the ship moving, she snorted and muttered to herself, âOf course you have Trucking Simulator In Space. Why am I even surprised.â
---
Maeve was making great progress, and had made two deliveries before the low fuel warning began trilling at her.
âNah, see, you gotta watch your fuel too! The more you haul the more fuel you use, and you still gotta make it to your drop-off.â
âWow, you guys do not mess around with these work simulators. We actually had a whole era of these a wh- Hey!âThe screen locked up, telling us our 30 minutes were up.
âW-What does it say?â
âIt says it's time to stop and get some food!â
âAhh, man I was just getting the hang of it.â
âAnd I would like to get a hang of some Mel Root wedges. Come on!â Alvi chimed with a playful whine.Maeve rolled out of the station, and after a moment for her legs to remember what walking was, donned her veil and we continued to the food court. Pushing the doors open we saw a veritable swarm of Venlil of all ages, though many of the younger were already sitting while their parents fetched their meal. A child near the door caught sight of us and squeaked in surprise, alerting their parents to our presence.
Conversation died like a wave across the open expanse. Maeve stood stock still, and so did we, trying very very hard to avoid a panic and stampede.
I spoke in barely a whisper, âMaeve?â
She returned my quietness, âYes, Valek?â
âI donât want to do this to you, but I think it is best if we find a seat first⊠Then Alvi or I can get the food.â My tail began to sway in slow caution while my ears kept on a swivel.
âYeah. Yeah, I think youâre right. Can you see any open tables?âAlvi flicked her tail at the balcony, âI see stairs there, and the balcony looks pretty clear.â
Maeve started to nod reflexively before catching herself, then back to keeping her head low and unfocused.
Alvi and I guided her gently around the outer perimeter of the court, slowly working our way to the stairwell while all eyes and ears were locked on us the whole journey. We stepped up the stairs and conversation slowly built up again, though not to the same exuberancy as before. We found our seat just outside the stairwell on the 2nd floor. We tried to avoid scaring what few families remained on the balcony, but despite our efforts, those few almost immediately grabbed their belongings and moved. It was almost comical how little they tried to hide it. Yet also surprising in that there hadnât been any screams or stampeding. It left a strange feeling in the air. One that felt somehow both better and worse than if they had screamed.
This tension was not lost on Maeve, as she muttered to herself, âPlague bearer, or horrific monster. Decisions, decisions.â
I took her hand in my paw in a feeble attempt to offer what comfort I could. Alvi was the first to speak, âWell, Valek you got the Gravity room and Visor game, so Iâll handle food. Anything the two of you desperately want?â
We gave her our orders and she stepped down the stairs, leaving Maeve and I alone on the balcony.
I hoped to loosen the tangle of this horrid tension. âSoooâŠ. Biblical?â
As I had hoped, the sudden change snapped Maeve out of her stormcloud and laughter bubbled from her like the Sun! âUUh⊠Thatâs uh. Complicated. Thereâs a good thousand years of linguistic context that makes that word mean what it meant the way I used it. The Bible is a book of faith for a significant portion of people on earth. Not all, and not even a majority; hell, even that is fragmented because no one can agree on what it really means. This Bible teaches a great many things, some good some bad, but one of its teachings is how to⊠legitimize relationships. Get married, basically.â
Maeve leaned closer to me on the off chance the balcony was less empty than we believed, âAnd one of the more serious ways to officiate these pairings was with sex; or âmatingâ. As this faith quickly became one of the more influential faiths on our planet, most of humanity learned and still has complicated feelings about sex and intimacy. So, we talk around it. âSleeping togetherâ âDo the nastyâ âThe beast with two backsâ and more to the point: âTo know someone biblicallyâ.â
âSo when you saidâŠââI was saying I had sex with one of you, yes.â
I focused my ears in feigned shock, while my tail swished with mischief, âI was that one, right?â
Maeve lightly shoved my shoulder while she straightened to her normal posture, but I stayed low. âHey,â I whispered, nodding my head for Maeve to come closer, and she did so. I reached my paws up to her white veil, and brought it up and over her face, revealing her brightly blooming face which my lips eagerly met. Pulling away, I asked, âPerhaps once we get back to the hotel, we could⊠know each other biblically?â
She pulled my face back to hers, returning my affections with equal vigor, âOnly if we can get Alvi out of the room. I want you all to myself.â
Alvi. Right. Sheâs⊠sheâs here. Staying with us. And we would be⊠kicking her out. The one she admitted feeling for would be kicking her out to mate with someone else. But she understands! Right?
âOh, looks like Alvi got us some food!â
My ears snapped behind me as Maeve looked over my shoulder.
---
Memory transcription subject: Alvi, Venlil tourist
Date [standardized human time]: Sept 11th, 2136. Middle of 3rd Claw
I stepped lightly up the stairs while balancing the trays within my arms. There were so many options! Cresting the top of the stairs, Valek stood to assist. While I covered the menu.âOk we got all of our favorite fruit, I know how much you love starberries, Maeve.â Who smiled broadly under her now-open veil. âI was able to get us some Sunbreeze, but most of the food stands had long waits and I was hungry, so I just got a plate of fried veg and called it good. This one is the fried Deeproot, and powdered lakeseed dough balls, and some mel root wedges. The arcadeâs mel root is a little heavy on the firefruit.â
âThank you, Alvi!â Maeve picked up one of the larger wedges and broke it in half with me. We lifted our pieces in celebration and bit down at the same time. Immediately my mouth was alight with bright heat and my lips stung blissfully, but after only a moment the sweet and full flavor of the mel root complimented perfectly with the cleansing fire.
Maeve beside me scrunched her face and gasped, âWhoo!â She hooted, âThat is spicy! Mm! That potato is really good though. What do you call this?â
I wagged my tail, happy to see that she appreciated the- wait. âPotato? Thatâs Mel Root. Whatâs a Potato?â
Maeve licked her fingers before taking another wedge, âItâs a root tuber; a staple food from earth. Mel root, or, well, cooked mel root, has a really similar consistency to potato! Makes sense since theyâre both roots.â She took a bite of her wedge and immediately made that same face, âOoo that was a mistake, I should have finished talking.â a few quick breaths through her mouth before she continued, âYour mel root is denser, closer to a carrot, but still really starchy. The fry really brings out a lot of sweetness; Iâll admit, it goes really well with the firefruit. Good choice Alvi!â
The praise set my tail to wagging as I bit into my food. So spicy! So good! I am so glad we came to this food court!
Speaking of, âI havenât seen Tarlim or his human. I hope they havenât changed their minds on meeting here.â I spoke through a masticated root.
âWouldnât blame them if they did,â Valek grumbled, tail curling between his legs, âI was just like everyone whoâs been running from usâŠâ He trailed off sinking into his chair.
âYou could have handled it better, but so could he.â I sighed, remembering that chair. âFrom what Iâve heard of those places though, I canât say I blame him.â
Maeve set down a piece of deeproot and looked at Valek. âWhat are those places? You guys got really scared when he said he got out of one.â
Valek was the first to speak, âThey are places where we put people who are a danger to themselves or the Herd; people with Predator Disease.â
My fur flared at the mention of my almost-diagnosis. Maeve noticed and flattened the fur along my spine, âYouâre not a predator Alvi. There is nothing wrong with you.â
She says while you continue stuffing your face like a hun--SHUT UP!! I AM NOT!! I AM LOVED!! I AM IN A HERD! THAT KNOWS AND STAYS! SHUT UP!
Maeve watched Valek while she continued to comfort me âAnd⊠how does one get predator disease?â
Valek continued his lesson, while I tried desperately to slow my spinning mind.
âWell⊠the federation tells us it can be spread by âpredator taintâ, or spending too much time around or with predators. Iâm⊠Iâm not sure I believe that. But we know it can be inherent. Sometimes symptoms begin as early as an infant. As well, it can appear randomly or be carried within family lines.ââAnd how does one get diagnosed?â
I thought about when my teacher first called the Exterminators. I remembered the Exterminators coming to my foster family. They talked them down, but it wasnât long after that that they âcouldn't take care of meâ.
My voice left my mouth unbidden, âWell those born with it⊠they tend to get diagnosed early, but sometimes Predator Disease can come out later in life. If someone is reported for Predator Behavior, they have a chance to argue their case to the exterminator on duty. If the exterminator confirms the case, they are taken in to be diagnosed. And if itâs a yes, they are taken to a Correctional Facility to be taught how to be in a herd.â
Valek tapped his claws against the table as his tail shook with desperate hope. âSee? Thereâs several checks on the way to a diagnosis. The system is designed to avoid false positives. If Tarlim was diagnosed, I am sure it was with good cause.â
Maeve shook her head, âIâm not so sure. By my count, there were only two people in that chain, three if you count the person reporting it, and at best only one of them was a medical professional, unless Iâm misunderstanding the concept of exterminators. Setting that aside, I think Iâm missing something. What is Predator Disease?â
âItâs when someone is a Predator in the body of a Prey. We can see them when they donât work within a herd, or they don't understand our tail signals. These people are a danger to the herd, both passively and, if left unchecked, directly, so we try to teach them how to be Prey.â Valek looked desperately at Maeve after spouting the information, almost as if by rote. Like he was quoting an exterminator textbook.
âWait, wait⊠so itâs a behavioral disease? They canât grasp body language, or other peopleâs feelings?â Maeve was appearing more confused, more⊠afraid. Was predator disease so terrible among humans? Then why would she want me around?
Because she doesnât know, stupid! But she's about to! They never stick around once they find out!
Valek was adamant. Maeve needed to know this, I know she did. âItâs not just that, they canât even get themselves to be part of a herd! They always sit or move with nobody around them!â but once she didâŠ
âWell then. What would that make me?â
My eyes froze in their sockets and my legs refused to flee.
The Night called us.
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submitted by cruisingNW to HFY [link] [comments]
Thank you u/SpacePaladin15 for establishing the Nature of Predators Universe, and for allowing Fanfics to flourish!Thank you again, u/Braquen, u/Acceptable_Egg5560, u/BiasMushroom721, and last but not least u/Liberty-Prime76 for proofreading! Also, thank you u/Frostborne for your blessing on my Gojid City name! This is my side of the Nature of a Giant crossover)!
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Memory transcription subject: Valek, Venlil tourist
Date [standardized human time]: Sept 11th, 2136. Middle of 3rd Claw
I watched Maeve find an open station and investigate the helmet while I asked, âDo Humans have Visor arcades?â
âOh, absolutely! Thereâs an entire League for VR!â Maeve awkwardly slipped into the seat and found the controls; after a moment the seat started to adjust itself to size, the sudden movement causing Maeve to jump.
Alvi spoke up beside me, âMaeve has a book that talks about it. It talked about headsets and digital worlds like what we have, over a hundred years ago!â
âA hundred years ago?â I couldnât help but be skeptical. âAre you really saying that our tech is a hundred years behind yours with VR?â
âEh, not exactly,â Maeve tilted her head as she thought, âwith things like visors, there was an upper limit to how to design them. Most of the innovations were on how realistic the visors could make the media. We got video down pretty quickly, and surround-sound was pretty much figured out by then. We experimented with scent and that did not go well. Really most of the progress has been in processing, and you guys still have us beat on that!â
She picked up the viewing device. There were three kinds of stations with different sized helmets for each. The first she investigated were Dossur to Zurulian sized, but it only took a moment to find a Sivkit to Gojid size. âLooks like these could fit me. Can you two wait long enough to see if this works with humans?â
I flicked my ears in amusement and posed myself overdramatically. âIâm sure that I, your poor starving mate, can continue starving while you enjoy yourself.â I giggled while Alvi slapped me with her tail. âGo on, have fun! Iâm also curious to see if the program would work with your eyes.â
With a look around to ensure no one was watching, Maeve switched her veil for the helmet, after only a few moments of effort. The collar thickness was adjustable to help the foam complete a clean seal against the jaw. I touched my pre-paid band to the tap pad, and the machine shifted colors to show it was occupied. The helmet was designed for snouted species, and so hung somewhat past Maeveâs chin, allowing us to see light reflected off her skin.
A screen beside her lit up with the mask, and we could see what she saw while she played. Alvi and I walked her through the tutorial and calibrator, and Maeve chose Jewels of the Federation at my suggestion; a simple walking simulator showcasing highlights of Federation homeworlds.
The simulator starts us in the same arcade, in the same booth! A well-groomed Venlil stands beside her and reminds Maeve of her private tour. Maeve âwalksâ while still seated and lifts her virtual self from the digital booth, following the guide to a launch pad that didnât previously exist. Alvi and I stopped in shock for a moment when a noticeably younger Captain Sovlin walked down the gangway of our destination shuttle; though judging by Maeveâs lack of reaction, she seemed not to recognize him; Alvi met my eye and pointedly flicked her ears. The simulated Gojid pilot wags their ears genially as they throw their arms wide in welcome.
âGood waking, citizen of the Federation! Star Tours has invited me to escort you on an introduction to the astounding marvels of our great peoples! Every species has made wondrous contributions to the enlightenment of the Federation, but the strayu is in the oven, so weâll only get the time to visit your own Venlil Prime, The Cradle, and Nishtal today. Follow me and we can begin!â
Maeve followed Sovlin into the cockpit of the stylized shuttle and took the copilot seat; Maeveâs head was on a swivel and she took in everything around her. âWow, this is so cool! Your whole helmet is a screen! Our VR is only in front of our eyes, tricking our brains into seeing three dimensionally.â Her voice echoed around the helmet, muffling her words before they could reach us..
The shuttle lifted gently and Maeveâs chair tilted back with it. Coming up, we could see that this arcade was in the Capitol, and they did a flying pass to show its glass spires and bustling spaceport. Sovlin spoke up beside Maeve, âThe Venlil Homeworld is in a strategic position within the Federation, and you make your people proud by fulfilling your duty to the Herd; in spite of your weakness and timidity!!â
The shuttle started to pitch to the open center of the city, and a large park came into view. âBut, as I-â Sovlinâs voice caught in his throat, before he cleared it and spoke with firm authority, âAs we all know: Duty sometimes comes with Sacrifice. And we honor and remember that⊠sacrifice with the beautiful Cattle Memorial!â
The vines of Morning Light catch the sun, and I feel my ears fall as I remember my own familyâs sacrifices. Alvi caught my distress, and curled her tail around me as the simulation continued, âHere we remember the lives lost from the ruthless barbarity of the Greys. We hope that this Shining Beacon may guide their bodies and souls back to the Herd.â The shuttle kept flying straight toward the ground, but the shuttle surroundings started to disappear as Sovlin and Maeve joined the mourners and wellwishers. The breeze played gently with unopened letters and fresh bouquets. Sovlin spoke softly, in respect for visitors, âIt is open all claws, and many leave their remembrances. Make sure to show your support, next time youâre in the Capitol.â
After several moments of contemplative silence, the shuttle pulled up into the upper atmosphere, and Maeveâs seat began to shudder. I spoke up a little louder so she could hear me through the helmet, âSet your head back. The next part might make you a little queasy.â
Maeve did as bidden just before Sovlin hit the warp jump, and the screen was awash with a rainbow of colors streaking to the outer border.
We fall out of Warp just above The Cradle, its capital continent in view surrounded by great oceans, while other landmasses curve around the planet and out of sight. The camera quickly descends through the atmosphere and we pull into the great city of Valaâs Embrace, with its shining spires and sprawling seaports. We fly down through the airspace busy with cargo freighters and I see Maeve involuntary flinch after a close miss. âThe Gojid are a proud and fierce people, but also industrious! Our Cradle and Colonies are a major food source for the rest of the Federation, in addition to the significant extractions performed by our colonies and outposts.â
The camera flies into the center of the city where stands a grand Cathedral to the Protector, Her robed form guiding believers to the grand entryway. âBut my People are renowned for our stalwart loyalty to our faith and to the Federation. Our great houses of worship are monuments of our devotion to protecting the Herd from the Predator Menace!â
After a pass around the building highlighting its traditional stonework and heraldry, the camera joins the throng of worshippers, coming in low like a child beside their parent, and we see the full glory of The Church.
Our view pans up from the crowd to a ceiling decorated with murals of inlaid wood and metals. Vibrant colors, textures, and shining light tell the story of Vala driving out the Predators and forming the first Herd. Stained glass windows cover the congregation in pools of color almost as varied as the congregants themselves. A silver Gojid passes from behind us, towering tall with the kind eyes of one who knows their faith, and is safe in its love. They lay a paw on Maeveâs shoulder and guide her to a bench only a few rows from the front, with a seat on the aisle. The Priest stands before their podium and begins a sermon of service to the Herd, and oneâs role within it.
The priestâs voice fades into the background as we fly backward out of an open window like a bird; words of Predators at our doorstep fading on the wind. We rise to re-exit the atmosphere, Maeveâs chair buzzing as the hyperdrive spins up.
We warp into a field of defensive space stations, glittering proudly in the Nishtalian Sun. Below, we see a planet with a great many islands, webbed with weaving waterways and small seas. Maeve pressed herself further into the seat as we entered their thicker atmosphere, the seat vibrations causing the helmet to rattle against it.
âAnd here we have the vibrant marshes of Nishtal!â We broke through the clouds to see massive arbors climbing back into them. We approached the Nishtal Capital sprawled across dozens of kilometers of archipelago, held above the water by meta-material supports.
âNishtal is well known for its punishing environments, which helped to mold the Krakotl into Pan-Galactic Heroes! From Captain Kalsim, to Merchant Captain Malins, to Chief Exterminator Estela. Each renowned for holding the line against the predator taint, through fire or rail! And this is where their mettle was tested!â
The shuttle flies around a flat paved area, surrounded by landing pads as warships lift and land. In the center was a platoon of Krakotl performing training exercises. The shuttle again falls away as we start walking behind a Commander, Sovlin walking beside him as he speaks over his shoulder, âThe Krakotl have been an instrumental force in maintaining our peaceful way of life. If you think you have what it takes, be sure to register for the JEOTC so you can help make the galaxy a better place!â
Sovlin met the eye of the Krakotl commander beside him, âThank you for your service, Sir.â
We split off from the commander, and our walking transitioned back to our shuttle before firing off back into the sky.Through the vibrating chair, Maeve stuttered out, âM-M-Man Y-You-u-u Guys-z-z-zâre R-R-Real-l-ly into this-s-s W-W-War, huh??â
Suddenly the chair threw Maeve forward, almost unseating her as she suddenly fell out of warp, âWe have Grey contacts! Time to turn tail and get out of here! Iâll stay on the guns and when I say Go, you push that throttle as hard as you can! OKâŠ!â A Metallic handle started to glow in front of her, and Maeve reached out with her controller to grab it. It took her a moment, but Sovlin never gave the signal⊠Until she grabbed on. âGO!â Maeve rocked her body forward and slammed the throttle to its limiter, the seat beneath her rumbling with renewed vigor.
After only a moment, a Kolshian Capital Ship dropped from subspace in front of us and fired a volley of Everything in the direction behind us. Our ship slowed and Sovlin cheered from the pilotâs chair, âHaHa! The Vanguard has arrived! Thank you for your help gentlemen!â
A portrait feed popped up on and above the control panel, showing General Kalsimâs distinct banding on his beak. âThis is General Kalsim, Commander of the Federation Vessel Inatalaâs Will. Star tours, have you suffered any damage?â The portrait squawked as the Generalâs feathers puffed with pride.
âNegative General, thank you for the save!â
âUnderstood, letâs get you home, Star Tours.â
âWe would be very grateful, General! Protector guides you.â
The chair beneath Maeve vibrates and tilts back as the hyper-drive charges up again, the screen flashing to show the sprawling oceans of Aafa, glittering brilliantly in the shining sun, dotted by its giant floating cities and lush tropical islands. A flock of broad chirping seabirds adorned with vibrant colors gliding on the calm ocean breeze flanking the shuttle. The capital of Aafa grew on the viewscreen, the sprawling Governance Center of the Federation dominating the city, swooping lines and a singular towering dome marked the chambers of the Federation senate.
âIsnât that a beautiful view? This is what we fight for, this is the Cradle of the Federation, the very heart of our enlightened civilization. This is what we protect.â
The camera pans low, the shuttle falling away, sweeping along the streets of the capital.
The dome grew ever larger in the background until the camera began to soar over busy diplomats entering the senate floor, the camera like a very lost Flowerbird. Chief Nikonus was delivering an impassioned speech to the gathered representatives, declaring the grand aims and lofty goals of the Federation to spread peace and safety to all Prey peoples. The camera panned around the room, showing representatives listening to the speech with focused ears and attentive eyes, pausing on the Venlil Representative, swaying their tail in pride and determination. As the camera finished its rotation it exited through the rooms wide glass panes, rising up and over the city as the shuttle reformed once again, breaching through the atmosphere and up into the stars.
Maeveâs seat rumbled as the hyperdrive spooled again, the screen clearing to show the Capital of Venlil Prime once more, soaring down to the arcade the adventure had started in. Captain Sovlinâs voice echoed from the speakers.
âThank you for joining me today on Star Tours! Be sure to visit your nearest Federation recruitment center today and do your part!â
With fading fanfare, the seat returned to a neutral position and Maeve took off her helmet to meet our eyes. âThat⊠was definitely a thing. It had a lot of⊠uh⊠ho boy.â
âYeah, uh.â I shifted my weight awkwardly, âWatching that as an adult is⊠Stars, I remember wanting so badly to sign up. But my mom stopped me.â
âIâll have to thank her when we get home.â Alvi sighed with exaggerated relief.
âYou and me, both.â Maeve said through a relieved chuckle, âYou guys want a turn? Iâd like to do something more chill; cleanse the palate.â
Alvi and I politely declined, before I offered, âActually I wanted to show you something. I donât know how you guys have fun, but Shipper is really good.â
I guided Maeve to the catalog and pointed out the correct one. As the game started up and Maeve got the ship moving, she snorted and muttered to herself, âOf course you have Trucking Simulator In Space. Why am I even surprised.â
---
Maeve was making great progress, and had made two deliveries before the low fuel warning began trilling at her.
âNah, see, you gotta watch your fuel too! The more you haul the more fuel you use, and you still gotta make it to your drop-off.â
âWow, you guys do not mess around with these work simulators. We actually had a whole era of these a wh- Hey!âThe screen locked up, telling us our 30 minutes were up.
âW-What does it say?â
âIt says it's time to stop and get some food!â
âAhh, man I was just getting the hang of it.â
âAnd I would like to get a hang of some Mel Root wedges. Come on!â Alvi chimed with a playful whine.Maeve rolled out of the station, and after a moment for her legs to remember what walking was, donned her veil and we continued to the food court. Pushing the doors open we saw a veritable swarm of Venlil of all ages, though many of the younger were already sitting while their parents fetched their meal. A child near the door caught sight of us and squeaked in surprise, alerting their parents to our presence.
Conversation died like a wave across the open expanse. Maeve stood stock still, and so did we, trying very very hard to avoid a panic and stampede.
I spoke in barely a whisper, âMaeve?â
She returned my quietness, âYes, Valek?â
âI donât want to do this to you, but I think it is best if we find a seat first⊠Then Alvi or I can get the food.â My tail began to sway in slow caution while my ears kept on a swivel.
âYeah. Yeah, I think youâre right. Can you see any open tables?âAlvi flicked her tail at the balcony, âI see stairs there, and the balcony looks pretty clear.â
Maeve started to nod reflexively before catching herself, then back to keeping her head low and unfocused.
Alvi and I guided her gently around the outer perimeter of the court, slowly working our way to the stairwell while all eyes and ears were locked on us the whole journey. We stepped up the stairs and conversation slowly built up again, though not to the same exuberancy as before. We found our seat just outside the stairwell on the 2nd floor. We tried to avoid scaring what few families remained on the balcony, but despite our efforts, those few almost immediately grabbed their belongings and moved. It was almost comical how little they tried to hide it. Yet also surprising in that there hadnât been any screams or stampeding. It left a strange feeling in the air. One that felt somehow both better and worse than if they had screamed.
This tension was not lost on Maeve, as she muttered to herself, âPlague bearer, or horrific monster. Decisions, decisions.â
I took her hand in my paw in a feeble attempt to offer what comfort I could. Alvi was the first to speak, âWell, Valek you got the Gravity room and Visor game, so Iâll handle food. Anything the two of you desperately want?â
We gave her our orders and she stepped down the stairs, leaving Maeve and I alone on the balcony.
I hoped to loosen the tangle of this horrid tension. âSoooâŠ. Biblical?â
As I had hoped, the sudden change snapped Maeve out of her stormcloud and laughter bubbled from her like the Sun! âUUh⊠Thatâs uh. Complicated. Thereâs a good thousand years of linguistic context that makes that word mean what it meant the way I used it. The Bible is a book of faith for a significant portion of people on earth. Not all, and not even a majority; hell, even that is fragmented because no one can agree on what it really means. This Bible teaches a great many things, some good some bad, but one of its teachings is how to⊠legitimize relationships. Get married, basically.â
Maeve leaned closer to me on the off chance the balcony was less empty than we believed, âAnd one of the more serious ways to officiate these pairings was with sex; or âmatingâ. As this faith quickly became one of the more influential faiths on our planet, most of humanity learned and still has complicated feelings about sex and intimacy. So, we talk around it. âSleeping togetherâ âDo the nastyâ âThe beast with two backsâ and more to the point: âTo know someone biblicallyâ.â
âSo when you saidâŠââI was saying I had sex with one of you, yes.â
I focused my ears in feigned shock, while my tail swished with mischief, âI was that one, right?â
Maeve lightly shoved my shoulder while she straightened to her normal posture, but I stayed low. âHey,â I whispered, nodding my head for Maeve to come closer, and she did so. I reached my paws up to her white veil, and brought it up and over her face, revealing her brightly blooming face which my lips eagerly met. Pulling away, I asked, âPerhaps once we get back to the hotel, we could⊠know each other biblically?â
She pulled my face back to hers, returning my affections with equal vigor, âOnly if we can get Alvi out of the room. I want you all to myself.â
Alvi. Right. Sheâs⊠sheâs here. Staying with us. And we would be⊠kicking her out. The one she admitted feeling for would be kicking her out to mate with someone else. But she understands! Right?
âOh, looks like Alvi got us some food!â
My ears snapped behind me as Maeve looked over my shoulder.
---
Memory transcription subject: Alvi, Venlil tourist
Date [standardized human time]: Sept 11th, 2136. Middle of 3rd Claw
I stepped lightly up the stairs while balancing the trays within my arms. There were so many options! Cresting the top of the stairs, Valek stood to assist. While I covered the menu.âOk we got all of our favorite fruit, I know how much you love starberries, Maeve.â Who smiled broadly under her now-open veil. âI was able to get us some Sunbreeze, but most of the food stands had long waits and I was hungry, so I just got a plate of fried veg and called it good. This one is the fried Deeproot, and powdered lakeseed dough balls, and some mel root wedges. The arcadeâs mel root is a little heavy on the firefruit.â
âThank you, Alvi!â Maeve picked up one of the larger wedges and broke it in half with me. We lifted our pieces in celebration and bit down at the same time. Immediately my mouth was alight with bright heat and my lips stung blissfully, but after only a moment the sweet and full flavor of the mel root complimented perfectly with the cleansing fire.
Maeve beside me scrunched her face and gasped, âWhoo!â She hooted, âThat is spicy! Mm! That potato is really good though. What do you call this?â
I wagged my tail, happy to see that she appreciated the- wait. âPotato? Thatâs Mel Root. Whatâs a Potato?â
Maeve licked her fingers before taking another wedge, âItâs a root tuber; a staple food from earth. Mel root, or, well, cooked mel root, has a really similar consistency to potato! Makes sense since theyâre both roots.â She took a bite of her wedge and immediately made that same face, âOoo that was a mistake, I should have finished talking.â a few quick breaths through her mouth before she continued, âYour mel root is denser, closer to a carrot, but still really starchy. The fry really brings out a lot of sweetness; Iâll admit, it goes really well with the firefruit. Good choice Alvi!â
The praise set my tail to wagging as I bit into my food. So spicy! So good! I am so glad we came to this food court!
Speaking of, âI havenât seen Tarlim or his human. I hope they havenât changed their minds on meeting here.â I spoke through a masticated root.
âWouldnât blame them if they did,â Valek grumbled, tail curling between his legs, âI was just like everyone whoâs been running from usâŠâ He trailed off sinking into his chair.
âYou could have handled it better, but so could he.â I sighed, remembering that chair. âFrom what Iâve heard of those places though, I canât say I blame him.â
Maeve set down a piece of deeproot and looked at Valek. âWhat are those places? You guys got really scared when he said he got out of one.â
Valek was the first to speak, âThey are places where we put people who are a danger to themselves or the Herd; people with Predator Disease.â
My fur flared at the mention of my almost-diagnosis. Maeve noticed and flattened the fur along my spine, âYouâre not a predator Alvi. There is nothing wrong with you.â
She says while you continue stuffing your face like a hun--SHUT UP!! I AM NOT!! I AM LOVED!! I AM IN A HERD! THAT KNOWS AND STAYS! SHUT UP!
Maeve watched Valek while she continued to comfort me âAnd⊠how does one get predator disease?â
Valek continued his lesson, while I tried desperately to slow my spinning mind.
âWell⊠the federation tells us it can be spread by âpredator taintâ, or spending too much time around or with predators. Iâm⊠Iâm not sure I believe that. But we know it can be inherent. Sometimes symptoms begin as early as an infant. As well, it can appear randomly or be carried within family lines.ââAnd how does one get diagnosed?â
I thought about when my teacher first called the Exterminators. I remembered the Exterminators coming to my foster family. They talked them down, but it wasnât long after that that they âcouldn't take care of meâ.
My voice left my mouth unbidden, âWell those born with it⊠they tend to get diagnosed early, but sometimes Predator Disease can come out later in life. If someone is reported for Predator Behavior, they have a chance to argue their case to the exterminator on duty. If the exterminator confirms the case, they are taken in to be diagnosed. And if itâs a yes, they are taken to a Correctional Facility to be taught how to be in a herd.â
Valek tapped his claws against the table as his tail shook with desperate hope. âSee? Thereâs several checks on the way to a diagnosis. The system is designed to avoid false positives. If Tarlim was diagnosed, I am sure it was with good cause.â
Maeve shook her head, âIâm not so sure. By my count, there were only two people in that chain, three if you count the person reporting it, and at best only one of them was a medical professional, unless Iâm misunderstanding the concept of exterminators. Setting that aside, I think Iâm missing something. What is Predator Disease?â
âItâs when someone is a Predator in the body of a Prey. We can see them when they donât work within a herd, or they don't understand our tail signals. These people are a danger to the herd, both passively and, if left unchecked, directly, so we try to teach them how to be Prey.â Valek looked desperately at Maeve after spouting the information, almost as if by rote. Like he was quoting an exterminator textbook.
âWait, wait⊠so itâs a behavioral disease? They canât grasp body language, or other peopleâs feelings?â Maeve was appearing more confused, more⊠afraid. Was predator disease so terrible among humans? Then why would she want me around?
Because she doesnât know, stupid! But she's about to! They never stick around once they find out!
Valek was adamant. Maeve needed to know this, I know she did. âItâs not just that, they canât even get themselves to be part of a herd! They always sit or move with nobody around them!â but once she didâŠ
âWell then. What would that make me?â
My eyes froze in their sockets and my legs refused to flee.
The Night called us.
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2023.06.01 17:16 NoEsMuertoEscuela Directv Stream or Directv via internet?
Making the switch from U-Verse to DirecTV and I'm confronted with this seemingly silly distinction between Directv Stream and DirecTV via internet. They'd both enter my house via the interwebs, but there appear to be a few subtle differences and I'm curious which service you all think is better:
- The Choice package for DirecTV stream is $99/month vs $114/month for DirecTV via internet (difference due to the seemingly unavoidable $15 ARS fee and $14 regional sports fee).
- Generally, I'd look to save $15/month, but DirecTV via internet comes with one Gemini device, which would be useful for one of my TVs.
- Also, the $114/month for DirecTV via internet is locked in for 2 years, whereas there doesn't seem to be any guarantee that DirecTV stream's $99/month price won't increase in the next 2 years (and I see where the price did just recently increase).
- I think DirecTV via internet has more channels than DirecTV stream, but not certain of that. I'm assuming all the channels I actually watch are available on DirecTV stream and this won't actually make a difference.
Anyway, curious if anyone else has recently made this decision and may be able to offer some wisdom. Thanks!
submitted by NoEsMuertoEscuela to DirectvStream [link] [comments]
- The Choice package for DirecTV stream is $99/month vs $114/month for DirecTV via internet (difference due to the seemingly unavoidable $15 ARS fee and $14 regional sports fee).
- Generally, I'd look to save $15/month, but DirecTV via internet comes with one Gemini device, which would be useful for one of my TVs.
- Also, the $114/month for DirecTV via internet is locked in for 2 years, whereas there doesn't seem to be any guarantee that DirecTV stream's $99/month price won't increase in the next 2 years (and I see where the price did just recently increase).
- I think DirecTV via internet has more channels than DirecTV stream, but not certain of that. I'm assuming all the channels I actually watch are available on DirecTV stream and this won't actually make a difference.
Anyway, curious if anyone else has recently made this decision and may be able to offer some wisdom. Thanks!
2023.06.01 17:04 kylesisles1 Mk7 Repair/Diagnostic Advice
I need any help or advice you can offer. My 2016 GTI went into the shop last week with code P0341. Local independent shops didn't want to touch it because they reasoned it was a timing chain issue that they didn't have the specific parts for. I brought it to VW because I didn't want to mess around with timing problems. They ended up changing the magnetic valves (or something like that). That made the code go away and fixed my rough idle, but they advised that my car was still making a noise. I authorized them to do additional diagnostic work (another $600). They looked at the timing chain, tensioner, and "peaked" at the camshaft. There are no problems from what they could see. To further tear down the engine just for diagnostics would be an additional $1200. The car isn't throwing a code any more.
Does anyone know what this likely is? I don't even know what kind of noise they're talking about. My wife and I just bought a house, so we're not exactly flush with cash. What would you do? I don't want to grenade my engine by any means. By the same token, I can't drop thousands on diagnostics for something that isn't a real problem.
Thank you for any help you can offer.
submitted by kylesisles1 to GolfGTI [link] [comments]
Does anyone know what this likely is? I don't even know what kind of noise they're talking about. My wife and I just bought a house, so we're not exactly flush with cash. What would you do? I don't want to grenade my engine by any means. By the same token, I can't drop thousands on diagnostics for something that isn't a real problem.
Thank you for any help you can offer.
2023.06.01 16:52 beaten_not_defeated But churches have THE MOST demon possessed dresses!!!
 | submitted by beaten_not_defeated to exjw [link] [comments] https://preview.redd.it/u6w4bvwn6f3b1.png?width=900&format=png&auto=webp&s=37f49802155dfcb4bf73097361927d21976cbb0c If only the author knew da troof of how dangerous second hand sales are, and especially at the house of Babylon The Grape! |
2023.06.01 16:50 damnableDinkleberg Behold: my fic rec list!
Strider's Edge, the straight-up best fanfiction I've ever read. You don't even need to know Homestuck to read and love it, but you will need tissues.
áŒÎ»Î·Îžáż ÎŽÎčÎ·ÎłÎźÎŒÎ±Ïα: a satire upon Strider's Edge, for when you're done with that and need something light.
The Vienna Game, by the Author of Strider's Edge. A cyberpunk AU; IMO doesn't live up to SE, but still worth a read.
Double-Death Of The Author, which is basically: What if the stuff following John and Roxy leaving LOWAS... was GOOD? Seriously this fic fixes the goddamn ending of Homestuck. The Pesterlogs are loooong, but again, if you can stomach that, they plotted out the perfect ending to Homestuck. The second-best fic here IMO.
Promstuck, an illustrated JohnKat fic/AU and a Fandom classic.
John Egbert and the Goblet of Sick Fires, an illustrated Harry Potter AU, unfinished.
Midnight Flush, a roughly illustrated largely fluffy JadeKat comic.
Altstuck, by the same Author as the above, and their attempt at what DDOTA did. IMO not as well, but the effort must be respected.
SBURB Done Quick, a brilliant little Fanventure showing how a SBURB speedrun would work.
the fizzcourse, a hilarious little fic in which an implication of the Kids' geography is explored.
Detective Pony, a defictionalization of an in-universe work that accidentally ends up foreshadowing the events of Post-Canon. Fascinating, especially as an insight into Dirk.
Theatre Of Coolty and its video adaptation, because hey speaking of fascinating insights into Dirk that only got more relevant post-Canon.
Cultstuck!, an AU delving into some unexplored aspects of Canon. Karkat-centric. Part of a series with the last entry unlikely to be finished.
House Of Dirk, a picture-laden comedy fic centered around a borderline crackship. Very funny. Unfinished, though light on plot.
But I'm A Friendleader!, a cute little JohnKat fic.
poor, sweet, dear, precious fefeta, a short exploration of the horror inherent to the fused Sprites.
Love Letters In Digital Ink, a perfectly decent fluffy RoseMary AU longfic.
Three Exiles, Slightly Broken, a short fic exploring, well, the Exiles.
Underworld, a series of shipfics in an original-mythology AU. The Rose one is excellent, the Jade one is quite good, the John and final ones are okay, the Dave one is... not good IMO.
Asteroid Docking Procedures, fluffy semi-long JohnKat with some xenoporn.
Brainbent, a loose collection of pieces of a very interesting and amusing AU, albeit one that distorts some character dynamics due to the premise.
The Gods Have Horns, a view into a world where the Trolls rule over our universe. Fascinating work with some (IMO justified) OOC.
Twelve Gods, a short, beautiful, poetic work with a similar premise to the above. Probably third-best on this list.
John Egbert's Uncooperative Junk, short, smutty, hilarious JohnDave.
Why, a short, heartbreaking character exploration for John and his father touching on a forgotten aspect of Canon.
English is a Beetch, a short DaveKat fluff fic exploring the idea of Troll language.
Crow Strider AU, a fanventure that delves into Davesprite's character quite well, but IMO falls off after part 1/the first 523 Pages.
Alchemical Components Of The Divine (Or: How To Safely Murder Your Friends For Fun And Profit), a Meteorstuck longfic, probably the funniest of them all, easily number four.
Space Bro, a semi-longfic from the subgenre of Homestuck fics that sprung up in between learning what the Scratch was and seeing it actually happen. This is THE SolKat fic, and rounds out my top five on this list.
submitted by damnableDinkleberg to homestuck [link] [comments]
áŒÎ»Î·Îžáż ÎŽÎčÎ·ÎłÎźÎŒÎ±Ïα: a satire upon Strider's Edge, for when you're done with that and need something light.
The Vienna Game, by the Author of Strider's Edge. A cyberpunk AU; IMO doesn't live up to SE, but still worth a read.
Double-Death Of The Author, which is basically: What if the stuff following John and Roxy leaving LOWAS... was GOOD? Seriously this fic fixes the goddamn ending of Homestuck. The Pesterlogs are loooong, but again, if you can stomach that, they plotted out the perfect ending to Homestuck. The second-best fic here IMO.
Promstuck, an illustrated JohnKat fic/AU and a Fandom classic.
John Egbert and the Goblet of Sick Fires, an illustrated Harry Potter AU, unfinished.
Midnight Flush, a roughly illustrated largely fluffy JadeKat comic.
Altstuck, by the same Author as the above, and their attempt at what DDOTA did. IMO not as well, but the effort must be respected.
SBURB Done Quick, a brilliant little Fanventure showing how a SBURB speedrun would work.
the fizzcourse, a hilarious little fic in which an implication of the Kids' geography is explored.
Detective Pony, a defictionalization of an in-universe work that accidentally ends up foreshadowing the events of Post-Canon. Fascinating, especially as an insight into Dirk.
Theatre Of Coolty and its video adaptation, because hey speaking of fascinating insights into Dirk that only got more relevant post-Canon.
Cultstuck!, an AU delving into some unexplored aspects of Canon. Karkat-centric. Part of a series with the last entry unlikely to be finished.
House Of Dirk, a picture-laden comedy fic centered around a borderline crackship. Very funny. Unfinished, though light on plot.
But I'm A Friendleader!, a cute little JohnKat fic.
poor, sweet, dear, precious fefeta, a short exploration of the horror inherent to the fused Sprites.
Love Letters In Digital Ink, a perfectly decent fluffy RoseMary AU longfic.
Three Exiles, Slightly Broken, a short fic exploring, well, the Exiles.
Underworld, a series of shipfics in an original-mythology AU. The Rose one is excellent, the Jade one is quite good, the John and final ones are okay, the Dave one is... not good IMO.
Asteroid Docking Procedures, fluffy semi-long JohnKat with some xenoporn.
Brainbent, a loose collection of pieces of a very interesting and amusing AU, albeit one that distorts some character dynamics due to the premise.
The Gods Have Horns, a view into a world where the Trolls rule over our universe. Fascinating work with some (IMO justified) OOC.
Twelve Gods, a short, beautiful, poetic work with a similar premise to the above. Probably third-best on this list.
John Egbert's Uncooperative Junk, short, smutty, hilarious JohnDave.
Why, a short, heartbreaking character exploration for John and his father touching on a forgotten aspect of Canon.
English is a Beetch, a short DaveKat fluff fic exploring the idea of Troll language.
Crow Strider AU, a fanventure that delves into Davesprite's character quite well, but IMO falls off after part 1/the first 523 Pages.
Alchemical Components Of The Divine (Or: How To Safely Murder Your Friends For Fun And Profit), a Meteorstuck longfic, probably the funniest of them all, easily number four.
Space Bro, a semi-longfic from the subgenre of Homestuck fics that sprung up in between learning what the Scratch was and seeing it actually happen. This is THE SolKat fic, and rounds out my top five on this list.
2023.06.01 16:48 Arcansawman Fayetteville input meeting tackles housing crisis
 | submitted by Arcansawman to Arkansas [link] [comments] |
2023.06.01 16:47 ProblematicPunk "Fall Advance!"
 | I used to moonlight at a secondhand bookstore before it went bust. This was in a smallish Midwestern town without much going for it after dark, or before frankly. I hosted the Open Mic Night and we attracted a few loyal regulars. After hours I'd close out the register and lock the doors and a few of us would stay there in the bookstore, smoking weed and playing records until the wee hours. It was nice. submitted by ProblematicPunk to thefall [link] [comments] Daylight hours, I talked books with customers and I used index cards and markers to make colorful little notes for this book or that author. One author, Thomas Pynchon, seemed to intimidate readers so I pinned up a helpful quotation from director Paul Thomas Anderson: "I think part of the fun of Inherent Vice is to get just completely tangled up in the many loose ends and overwhelming information, which is meant to be part of the joke in the book. You're either going to think, My head's going to explode and I give up, or, My head's going to explode and it feels kind of fuzzy." That quote, those notes, those stoned late-night record parties are what come to mind whenever people talk about how some artists are "underrated" or "inaccessible" or just "not meant for everybody." If The Fall were a movie we'd call them a "cult classic." Some things are not easy to appreciate and are perhaps all the better for it. Mark E Smith was intensely literate. He was a writer who chose music. Better wits than I have praised MES's lyrics while twice as many Rock critics have complained you can't make out half the words. Neither side is wrong (may I recommend the Fall Online Forum or The Annotated Fall for listeners eager to discuss lyrics?) but this band is different for more than just lyrics. There are Fall songs with barely more than four intelligible words and they still feel as intricate as poetry: every instrument has room to breathe, the better to appreciate all the odd touches that really distinguish The Fall in whatever lineup you care to discuss. Listen to the recently released O-Mit 10" and then listen to the later, completed versions of those same tracks on The Fall's 2013 album Re-Mit. MES added more lyrics, of course, but you'll also notice how much more complex the instrumentation and song structures became from O-Mit to Re-Mit. It's the same leap in complexity that separates the earliest Fall records from their Punk contemporaries. Every version of The Fall was dedicated to being an alternative to Alternative, three steps beyond whatever the hip kids were doing in their capitals. William Burroughs once wrote that artists often make a career by "standardizing their product," like a Metal band playing their hits and perfecting their gimmicks year after year, but Mark E Smith and his collaborators were too restless for that, hence the "always different" half of that famous Peel quote. Johnny always wanted the Ramones to sound as much like their debut album as possible, but The Fall were determined never to make the same record twice, expectations (and nostalgic fans) be damned. That constant progression ceased when Mark E Smith passed in 2018. His death hit harder than most because MES never outlived his best work--he was still surprising us!--but I would argue The Fall are surprising us still. Just as MES was always eager to carry on with a new lineup of The Fall, we now have three lineups of Fall musicians carrying on without MES: Brix & The Extricated, Imperial Wax, and House Of All. Mark is dead but your granny is still playing her bongos, and The Fall are still advancing. |
2023.06.01 16:32 CallMeLucid Help picking a rifle for contracting
Hello gentleman, long time lurker first time poster. I recently got out of the navy and started my new journey as a contractor, while I mostly focus on maritime Iâve been doing some other things intermixed aswell but while doing oil platform security Iâve noticed the great majority of the guys are using shorter barrel ar 10s like 14.5 kacs, I need to upgrade into that realm but I am not ready to buy a kac or larue yet since I havenât even finished buying my house yet. What recomendations do you have for mid range ar10s with a importance on reliability over accuracy any help Is appreciated. Other 308 platforms are acceptable aswell as long as I can use p mags.
submitted by CallMeLucid to AR10 [link] [comments]
2023.06.01 16:26 No_Competition4897 [HIRING] 25 Jobs in RI Hiring Now!
2023.06.01 16:24 snappytech Trump Trilogy Books Review 2023: An In-Depth Exploration of America's Iconic Figure
 | Trump Trilogy Books Review 2023The Trump Trilogy has garnered significant attention as a series of books that offers readers a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of one of the most influential and controversial figures in American history. In this review, we will delve into the three books comprising the trilogy and assess whether they are worth buying. By examining the unique perspectives offered within each installment and evaluating the overall value they provide, we aim to help readers make an informed decision about investing in The Trump Trilogy. So let's learn more about the Trump Trilogy Books review 2023. Trump Trilogy Books Review 2023 I. Book #1: Trump: The Untold Story"Trump: The Untold Story" sets the stage for the trilogy, presenting an inside look at the extraordinary life and career of Donald Trump. The narrative takes readers on a captivating journey, starting from his early days as a real estate mogul to his eventual rise as the President of the United States. This book provides a deep understanding of Trump's successes, challenges, and unwavering vision that propelled him forward. For those seeking an in-depth exploration of Trump's journey, "Trump: The Untold Story" offers valuable insights and is worth considering.II. Book #2: Trump: The People's PresidentAs per this Trump Trilogy Books review 2023 article "Trump: The People's President" is hailed as the definitive account of Trump's presidency. With never-before-seen insights, this installment unveils the truth behind Trump's tenure in the White House. It offers a clear-eyed view of the challenges faced by the nation during his leadership. By delving into his policies, decision-making processes, and the impact of his leadership, this book provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of how one man's vision and determination made America great again. If you are interested in gaining a deeper insight into Trump's presidency and the factors that shaped it, "Trump: The People's President" is a valuable addition to your collection.III. Book #3: Trump: The Hidden DealsIn "Trump: The Hidden Deals," readers are taken behind the scenes of Trump's business empire to uncover the secrets and scandals that remained concealed from the public eye. This installment challenges assumptions and offers a balanced perspective on Trump's controversial figure. Regardless of whether you are a lifelong supporter or a fierce critic, "Trump: The Hidden Deals" prompts readers to reevaluate their preconceptions and gain a deeper understanding of the man who left an indelible mark on American history. If you are interested in a nuanced exploration of Trump's persona and his impact beyond politics, "Trump: The Hidden Deals" is a valuable addition to your reading list.IV. The Significance of the Trump TrilogySo, according to this Trump Trilogy Books review 2023 article, the relevance of the Trump Trilogy in today's political landscape cannot be underestimated. It provides crucial insights into Trump's presidency, policies, and his vision for the future. Trump's message of making America great again resonated with millions of Americans and reshaped American politics. By examining the psychological factors that influenced his behavior and leadership style, readers gain a nuanced perspective on his presidency. The Trump Trilogy offers a comprehensive understanding of the man who reshaped American politics, making it a worthwhile investment for those seeking a deeper appreciation of the challenges facing our country and the impact of one man's vision on the nation and generations to come.Final Thoughts On Trump Trilogy Books review 2023The Trump Trilogy, comprising "Trump: The Untold Story," "Trump: The People's President," and "Trump: The Hidden Deals," provides a comprehensive and in-depth exploration of Donald Trump's life, career, and presidency. Whether you are a Trump supporter or a critic, these books offer valuable insights into one of the most consequential presidents in American history. By examining Trump's journey, his policies, and the challenges he faced, readers gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of American politics. The Trump Trilogy is indeed worth buying for those seeking a comprehensive and informed perspective on the man who left an indelible mark on the United States.FAQs About Trump Trilogy Books Review 20231-Is The Trump Trilogy a biased portrayal of Donald Trump?The Trump Trilogy aims to present a balanced perspective on Donald Trump's life, career, and presidency. While it offers insights into his successes and challenges, it also explores controversies and hidden aspects. The books encourage readers to evaluate their own preconceptions and form an informed opinion. 2-Can I read the books individually, or is it necessary to read them in order? Each book in The Trump Trilogy can be read independently, as they cover different aspects of Trump's life and presidency. However, reading them in order provides a more comprehensive understanding of his journey, from his early days to his time in the White House. 3-Are the books heavily focused on politics, or do they cover other aspects of Trump's life? While politics is a central theme, The Trump Trilogy goes beyond politics to explore Trump's business career, personal life, and the impact he had on American society. The books offer a multi-dimensional perspective of his life and the factors that shaped him. 4-Are the books well-researched and based on factual information? The Trump Trilogy is based on extensive research, including interviews, documents, and public records. The authors have strived to provide accurate information and offer credible insights into Trump's life and presidency. 5-Are the books suitable for readers who have different political affiliations? Yes, The Trump Trilogy caters to readers across the political spectrum. Regardless of your political affiliation or opinions on Trump, these books provide valuable insights and encourage critical thinking about his impact on American politics and society. 6-Can I expect new revelations or information not covered in other books about Trump? The Trump Trilogy offers unique perspectives and delves into aspects of Trump's life and presidency that may not have been extensively covered in other books. While it may not reveal entirely new information, it provides a comprehensive analysis and sheds light on lesser-known aspects of Trump's journey. 7-Are the books engaging and accessible for readers with different levels of familiarity with politics? Yes, the books are written in a compelling and accessible style, making them suitable for readers with varying levels of familiarity with politics. The authors aim to engage readers and present complex ideas in a digestible manner. 8-Can I expect a fair assessment of both Trump's achievements and controversies in the trilogy? The Trump Trilogy strives to present a fair and balanced assessment of Trump's achievements, controversies, and the challenges he faced. It encourages readers to critically evaluate his presidency and form their own judgments based on the information provided. So, this concludes our article on the Trump Trilogy Books review 2023. Hope you like it. |
2023.06.01 16:21 EfficientTransition OOP asks if they should translate PF1 adventures from a french magazine and wonders about the copyright
I am NOT OP. Original post by u/Void_Warden in Pathfinder_RPG
Pathfinder 1st Edition is a Pen and Paper game published by Paizo. The adventures of this post are not by Paizo. Reposted with permission from OOP.
trigger warnings: none
mood spoilers: positive
How about I translate some Pathfinder 1e adventures for those of us still playing them? - 6th May 2023
So I haven't seen anything pop up online so here goes nothing...
I was recently going through my dusty collection of French RPG magazines (which usually provide custom scenarios for various rule systems).
And lo and behold, at least 8 of them have pathfinder 1e scenarios.
Would you guys and gals appreciate it if I translated them into english (for free of course) and made them available here?
EDIT/UPDATE: I see a lot of you would be interested. But I also noticed that there might be some copyright issues (after consulting with some more knowledgeable friends). So, I've contacted the publishing house directly to ask for their authorization (or what they're willing to compromise on). Fingers crossed for a positive answer. I'll keep everyone updated.
Update from me, the "let's translate french 1e scenarios" dude - 9th May 2023
Original Post: https://www.reddit.com/Pathfinder_RPG/comments/13a0z5j/how_about_i_translate_some_pathfinder_1e/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
So I actually got an answer from the magazine publisher to my surprise. And a positive one at that (somewhat)!
Here's the gist of it:
Any magazine that was published more than two years before the current date is considered fair game because they relinquish their rights to the scenarios published within. Of course, that means the actual author and illustrator behind the scenario gets the full rights back.
So, the next step of my quest is to publish said authors and illustrators to ask for permission. The kind soul who mailed me told me that in most cases, the authors / illustrators shouldn't have an issue with this since I don't intend to make any money off of it.
I'll keep y'all updated.
The quest continues!
First two scenarios by the "Let's Translate Some French Stuff Dude" for Pathfinder first edition - 17th May 2023
Hey all!
Here's the link to google drive file where I'll upload the scenarios as I get to them: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1T38p1zxuES6AJxFWpMKitRstkvqEgz1r?usp=sharing
These two first adventures were the very first ones published for pathfinder by the magazine. They are thus intended for beginner game masters and players. The first one is a bit original in that it uses children adventurers (while the second sees them as 15-18-year-old teenagers).
I took the liberty of adding the stat blocks of the involved creatures and characters instead of having y'all go leaf through your books and computers for the correct reference.
When the magazine "homebrewed" some rules (either because the pathfinder ruling system wasn't finished or because they said "screw it"), I added what I call translator notes to warn the reader.
When it comes to translating names. If they're french names of people and places which (to my knowledge) never appeared in pathfinder lore, I used my own translation. If they're places that have already been referenced by official lore, I (of course) use the official lore.
I tried to make the document look as "pathfinderish" as possible.
A couple things on how I'll keep on going for this little project:
Reminder - I am not the original poster.
submitted by EfficientTransition to BestofRedditorUpdates [link] [comments]
Pathfinder 1st Edition is a Pen and Paper game published by Paizo. The adventures of this post are not by Paizo. Reposted with permission from OOP.
trigger warnings: none
mood spoilers: positive
How about I translate some Pathfinder 1e adventures for those of us still playing them? - 6th May 2023
So I haven't seen anything pop up online so here goes nothing...
I was recently going through my dusty collection of French RPG magazines (which usually provide custom scenarios for various rule systems).
And lo and behold, at least 8 of them have pathfinder 1e scenarios.
Would you guys and gals appreciate it if I translated them into english (for free of course) and made them available here?
EDIT/UPDATE: I see a lot of you would be interested. But I also noticed that there might be some copyright issues (after consulting with some more knowledgeable friends). So, I've contacted the publishing house directly to ask for their authorization (or what they're willing to compromise on). Fingers crossed for a positive answer. I'll keep everyone updated.
Update from me, the "let's translate french 1e scenarios" dude - 9th May 2023
Original Post: https://www.reddit.com/Pathfinder_RPG/comments/13a0z5j/how_about_i_translate_some_pathfinder_1e/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3
So I actually got an answer from the magazine publisher to my surprise. And a positive one at that (somewhat)!
Here's the gist of it:
Any magazine that was published more than two years before the current date is considered fair game because they relinquish their rights to the scenarios published within. Of course, that means the actual author and illustrator behind the scenario gets the full rights back.
So, the next step of my quest is to publish said authors and illustrators to ask for permission. The kind soul who mailed me told me that in most cases, the authors / illustrators shouldn't have an issue with this since I don't intend to make any money off of it.
I'll keep y'all updated.
The quest continues!
First two scenarios by the "Let's Translate Some French Stuff Dude" for Pathfinder first edition - 17th May 2023
Hey all!
Here's the link to google drive file where I'll upload the scenarios as I get to them: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1T38p1zxuES6AJxFWpMKitRstkvqEgz1r?usp=sharing
These two first adventures were the very first ones published for pathfinder by the magazine. They are thus intended for beginner game masters and players. The first one is a bit original in that it uses children adventurers (while the second sees them as 15-18-year-old teenagers).
I took the liberty of adding the stat blocks of the involved creatures and characters instead of having y'all go leaf through your books and computers for the correct reference.
When the magazine "homebrewed" some rules (either because the pathfinder ruling system wasn't finished or because they said "screw it"), I added what I call translator notes to warn the reader.
When it comes to translating names. If they're french names of people and places which (to my knowledge) never appeared in pathfinder lore, I used my own translation. If they're places that have already been referenced by official lore, I (of course) use the official lore.
I tried to make the document look as "pathfinderish" as possible.
A couple things on how I'll keep on going for this little project:
- I'll only upload those for which I got a clear authorization from the original writer.
- When some scenarios (such as these two) are part of the same narrative, I'll put them in a single document
- You may notice there are no illustrations whatsoever. That is simply because tracking down the contacts of the authors was already difficult, so I won't contact the illustrators who made some nice art and just not put their art in the document. I did put the source of the documents (you can find the original pdfs of the magazines on black bood editions website)
- The only "art" I kept was the maps... because I redrew them myself on my tablet.
Reminder - I am not the original poster.
2023.06.01 16:13 learning_agent Preserve at Hardin Valley excessive move out charges
We have lived at the Preserve at Hardin Valley for 3 years from 2020. While our lease only ended on May 15th, we moved out on Apr 8th since we had closed on a house a month prior and didn't really want to break our lease. We got our final account bill yesterday.
We were really surprised to find an excessive final bill. The bill included charges that I find questionable and I'm seeking your advice and shared experiences on this matter.
Two weeks after my lease ended, I received a final account bill that amounted to nearly $685. The charges included:
Their representative didn't provide clear explanations for the charges but stated the ozone machine was run due to a lingering cooking smell. I'm perplexed as to what kind of cooked dish leaves a smell for over a month and a half! I also had on good authority that one of my friends was charged $200 for deodorizing "excessive Indian cooking" which sounds pretty discriminatory.
I informed the representative that I was willing to pay my part but found the charges extensive. I also indicated that I'm considering seeking legal counsel if we can't resolve this amicably. She said she would talk to the property manager and get back to me.
I was polite throughout our discussion, but I feel these charges are unjust and that they're trying to squeeze out every penny they can. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation further. Has anyone else had similar experiences with Knoxville property management companies in general or with the Preserve in particular? Any advice or resources on tenant rights in Knoxville would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help!
submitted by learning_agent to Knoxville [link] [comments]
We were really surprised to find an excessive final bill. The bill included charges that I find questionable and I'm seeking your advice and shared experiences on this matter.
Two weeks after my lease ended, I received a final account bill that amounted to nearly $685. The charges included:
- Door replacement: $150 (The "damage" was a drawing on the door by my kids)
- Extra paint for wall damage: $350 (Again, wall drawings by our kids, which we did our due diligence to erase)
- Blind replacement: $100 (The blinds were slightly damaged when we moved in and were damaged more due to wear and tear, I think we didn't document this when we moved in. So I can give them that but still $100 for a single blind replacement?)
- Ozone Machine for 2 - 3 days: $85 (I believe this is for deodorizing. We don't have a pet, and according to the contract, the tenant is only responsible for deodorizing if they have a pet)
Their representative didn't provide clear explanations for the charges but stated the ozone machine was run due to a lingering cooking smell. I'm perplexed as to what kind of cooked dish leaves a smell for over a month and a half! I also had on good authority that one of my friends was charged $200 for deodorizing "excessive Indian cooking" which sounds pretty discriminatory.
I informed the representative that I was willing to pay my part but found the charges extensive. I also indicated that I'm considering seeking legal counsel if we can't resolve this amicably. She said she would talk to the property manager and get back to me.
I was polite throughout our discussion, but I feel these charges are unjust and that they're trying to squeeze out every penny they can. I'm seeking advice on how to navigate this situation further. Has anyone else had similar experiences with Knoxville property management companies in general or with the Preserve in particular? Any advice or resources on tenant rights in Knoxville would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your help!
2023.06.01 16:00 FedBillBot H.R.3018 - To authorize the issuance o...
 | H.R.3018 - To authorize the issuance o...To authorize the issuance of extreme risk protection orders.
STATUSIntroducedLATEST ACTIONHouse - 04/28/2023 Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.SOURCEhttps://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/3018 |
2023.06.01 15:47 gf120581 For those "Goosebumps" fans looking for something similar or to feed your nostalgia, I thought I'd make a little reference list regarding the numerous 90s kid horror series that tried to piggyback off of "Goosebumps'" success. There were a lot of series to choose from.
I've mentioned this before, but a great contradiction of the 90s is that while it was considered a decade where the horror genre, at least on film, was in a low ebb, it was a fabulous time if you were a kid, because youth horror was in a boom period. In particular, the runaway success of "Goosebumps" caused a truckload of other kiddie horror book series to be released to capitalize on that success. This gave you a lot of options to choose from in you were a 90s kids. For those with 90s nostalgia or just "Goosebumps" fans interested in similar fare, here's a sample of the similar series:
"Bone Chillers" - Perhaps the most blatant "Goosebumps" imitator series, especially since Tim Jacobus, the man responsible for "Goosebumps'" striking covers (his role in the success of the series cannot be understated), also did the covers for this series. Created by Betsy Haynes, although she only wrote the first 10 books and then got a "created by " credit for the remaining entries in the series while others wrote it. Like "Goosebumps", it also got a TV series, although it only lasted a year (and is now best known as an early credit for Linda Cardellini). 23 total books, the most famous probably being "Back to School" (about a lunch lady with a deadly secret) and the two "Frankenturkey" entries (yes, about a resurrected Thanksgiving dinner entree with an attitude).
"Shivers" - Dubbed the "Dollar Tree Goosebumps", this series from M.D. Spenser is one of the longest running series, lasting all the way to 36 books. Mostly notable for how dark and extreme they could get; one I possess, "The Curse of the New Kid", about a picked on kid who gains a deadly power to wreak retribution on his tormentors, has such things as bloody gore, violent death, an attempted sexual assault and the implication his parents have sex with the help of pornos. Yes, this was aimed for kids. Got to love 80s/90s youth fiction.
"Deadtime Stores" - 17 book series from the sister writing duo of Annette and Gina Cascone under the "A.G. Cascone" name. Also had Tim Jacobus doing some of the covers (including the first book, "The Terry of Tiny Town", where he clearly had Chucky in mind). Also had a TV series adaptation on Nickelodeon in the early 10s which only lasted a season. Some of the series was reprinted around the release of the TV series with new covers and the Cascone sisters credited under their own separate names (you're starting to see a pattern where publishers wanted an "R.L. Stine" style author name on their books).
"Shadow Zone" - My own personal favorite of the "Goosebumps" imitators, basically a "Twilight Zone" for kids where each book's protagonist slips in the titular shadowy realm where monsters and weird things are possible. 13 total books in the series and credited to "J.R. Black" (see, there that pattern again), but actually written by several different authors under that pseudonym. Had 2 film adaptations of books, "My Teacher Ate My Homework" (featuring Shelly Duvall) and "The Undead Express" (featuring a Wes Craven appearance).
"Spine Tinglers" - Another of the longer running series, going for 30 books. Also featured Tim Jacobus doing some of the covers (he was a busy, busy boy in the 90s). Most notable for one of the corniest author credits, the pseudonym "M.T. Coffin" (get it, get it?). Actually written by numerous authors, including Mike Ford, who recently did the throwback "Goosebumps"-style series "Frightville" and back in the 90s also did the spinoff book series for "Eerie, Indiana."
"Graveyard School" - A little different from the others, this 28-book series had a continuous setting with the titular school, in actuality Grove Hill Elementary School, but given its nickname due to its proximity to an abandoned graveyard (well that and all of the weird shit that keeps happening at it). Written by Nola Thacker under the pseudonym of "Tom B. Stone." Seriously, these puns are so bad.
"Spooksville" - Perhaps the best written of all of these series, not surprising since it comes from the pen of Christopher Pike. And unlike the others, this 24-book series has a continuous set of protagonists, as Adam Freeman moves to the titular town, befriends Sally, Watch, Cindy and Bryce and the gang of friends have to deal with all sorts of supernatural mayhem as the town more than lives up to its nickname. Adapted for television in 2013 that unfortunately died with "The Haunting Hour" once the Hub became Discovery Kids.
"Phantom Valley" - Only 9 books in this series which actually started the year before "Goosebumps', this is set at the Chilleen Academy in the titular valley and the stranger supernatural occurrences that the books' protagonists end up encountering. Notable for the unusual setting of rural Arizona (where author Lynn Beach grew up), so you get a fair amount of horseback riding and Wild West-style supernatural hijinks (like an abandoned Old West town haunted by the specters of vengeful gunslingers).
"Are You Afraid of the Dark?" - With "Goosebumps" making the jump from books to the TV screen in 1995, it only made sense that "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" would do the reverse and start up their own spinoff book series the same year. Running for 23 books (predominantly during the show's 3 year hiatus between the original run and the 2 revival series and ironically ending the month before the show returned in early 1999), this was written by numerous credited authors (most notably the uber-prolific John Peel, who wrote several books in the series). Only 2 were adaptations of episodes, 1 being "Cutter's Treasure", the other being "Nightly Neighbors" (the latter written by series creator D.J. McHale and his sister and with the entire second half basically being a sequel to the episode).
"Foul Play" - Only 4 books long, but all written by John Peel (very busy boy in the 90s, he was also writing the spin-off book series for the "Outer Limits" revival) and all revolving around children's games gone bad. "Hangman" involves a real lunatic out to hang you; "Tag You're Dead" takes the game to extreme levels; "Hide and Seek" places the game in a deadly haunted house and "Simon Says" makes it clear you REALLY shouldn't refuse Simon.
And I'm probably missing some, so if you want to add your own, be my guest. Needless to say, if you have 90s nostalgia or wish to expose your "Goosebumps"-loving kid to more like it, you have a lot to choose from.
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"Bone Chillers" - Perhaps the most blatant "Goosebumps" imitator series, especially since Tim Jacobus, the man responsible for "Goosebumps'" striking covers (his role in the success of the series cannot be understated), also did the covers for this series. Created by Betsy Haynes, although she only wrote the first 10 books and then got a "created by " credit for the remaining entries in the series while others wrote it. Like "Goosebumps", it also got a TV series, although it only lasted a year (and is now best known as an early credit for Linda Cardellini). 23 total books, the most famous probably being "Back to School" (about a lunch lady with a deadly secret) and the two "Frankenturkey" entries (yes, about a resurrected Thanksgiving dinner entree with an attitude).
"Shivers" - Dubbed the "Dollar Tree Goosebumps", this series from M.D. Spenser is one of the longest running series, lasting all the way to 36 books. Mostly notable for how dark and extreme they could get; one I possess, "The Curse of the New Kid", about a picked on kid who gains a deadly power to wreak retribution on his tormentors, has such things as bloody gore, violent death, an attempted sexual assault and the implication his parents have sex with the help of pornos. Yes, this was aimed for kids. Got to love 80s/90s youth fiction.
"Deadtime Stores" - 17 book series from the sister writing duo of Annette and Gina Cascone under the "A.G. Cascone" name. Also had Tim Jacobus doing some of the covers (including the first book, "The Terry of Tiny Town", where he clearly had Chucky in mind). Also had a TV series adaptation on Nickelodeon in the early 10s which only lasted a season. Some of the series was reprinted around the release of the TV series with new covers and the Cascone sisters credited under their own separate names (you're starting to see a pattern where publishers wanted an "R.L. Stine" style author name on their books).
"Shadow Zone" - My own personal favorite of the "Goosebumps" imitators, basically a "Twilight Zone" for kids where each book's protagonist slips in the titular shadowy realm where monsters and weird things are possible. 13 total books in the series and credited to "J.R. Black" (see, there that pattern again), but actually written by several different authors under that pseudonym. Had 2 film adaptations of books, "My Teacher Ate My Homework" (featuring Shelly Duvall) and "The Undead Express" (featuring a Wes Craven appearance).
"Spine Tinglers" - Another of the longer running series, going for 30 books. Also featured Tim Jacobus doing some of the covers (he was a busy, busy boy in the 90s). Most notable for one of the corniest author credits, the pseudonym "M.T. Coffin" (get it, get it?). Actually written by numerous authors, including Mike Ford, who recently did the throwback "Goosebumps"-style series "Frightville" and back in the 90s also did the spinoff book series for "Eerie, Indiana."
"Graveyard School" - A little different from the others, this 28-book series had a continuous setting with the titular school, in actuality Grove Hill Elementary School, but given its nickname due to its proximity to an abandoned graveyard (well that and all of the weird shit that keeps happening at it). Written by Nola Thacker under the pseudonym of "Tom B. Stone." Seriously, these puns are so bad.
"Spooksville" - Perhaps the best written of all of these series, not surprising since it comes from the pen of Christopher Pike. And unlike the others, this 24-book series has a continuous set of protagonists, as Adam Freeman moves to the titular town, befriends Sally, Watch, Cindy and Bryce and the gang of friends have to deal with all sorts of supernatural mayhem as the town more than lives up to its nickname. Adapted for television in 2013 that unfortunately died with "The Haunting Hour" once the Hub became Discovery Kids.
"Phantom Valley" - Only 9 books in this series which actually started the year before "Goosebumps', this is set at the Chilleen Academy in the titular valley and the stranger supernatural occurrences that the books' protagonists end up encountering. Notable for the unusual setting of rural Arizona (where author Lynn Beach grew up), so you get a fair amount of horseback riding and Wild West-style supernatural hijinks (like an abandoned Old West town haunted by the specters of vengeful gunslingers).
"Are You Afraid of the Dark?" - With "Goosebumps" making the jump from books to the TV screen in 1995, it only made sense that "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" would do the reverse and start up their own spinoff book series the same year. Running for 23 books (predominantly during the show's 3 year hiatus between the original run and the 2 revival series and ironically ending the month before the show returned in early 1999), this was written by numerous credited authors (most notably the uber-prolific John Peel, who wrote several books in the series). Only 2 were adaptations of episodes, 1 being "Cutter's Treasure", the other being "Nightly Neighbors" (the latter written by series creator D.J. McHale and his sister and with the entire second half basically being a sequel to the episode).
"Foul Play" - Only 4 books long, but all written by John Peel (very busy boy in the 90s, he was also writing the spin-off book series for the "Outer Limits" revival) and all revolving around children's games gone bad. "Hangman" involves a real lunatic out to hang you; "Tag You're Dead" takes the game to extreme levels; "Hide and Seek" places the game in a deadly haunted house and "Simon Says" makes it clear you REALLY shouldn't refuse Simon.
And I'm probably missing some, so if you want to add your own, be my guest. Needless to say, if you have 90s nostalgia or wish to expose your "Goosebumps"-loving kid to more like it, you have a lot to choose from.