27m No gallbladder
I woke up this morning and noticed I thought brown poop or chocolate on my hands and my toes. I didn’t see any chocolate stains or pop stains anywhere on my bed. Clothes nothing. It doesn’t smell or anything. What could I be? I was able to wipe it off after a lot of scrubbing. Except for the stain in the right knuckle area. I’m worried as what it could be. I didn’t eat anything related to carrots
Jersey mikes turkey sandwiches and some chocolate, then I was showing my neighbor the strawberries I picked from a farmers market, was holding it for like 30 min and felt the juice dripping down my hands but washed it off.
I read online similar things people mentioned here
https://www.gransnet.com/forums/ask_a_gran/1273255-What-are-these-orange-stains-that-have-appeared-on-my-hands-overnight?pg=6#prettyPhoto
I will link the photos here
https://imgur.com/gallery/Umoe4AV

Terror gripped my mind as the gigantic bear started to charge towards me. My army critically wounded and the first of the few defensive lines compromised, outnumbered, overpowered, overrun... as I desperately searched for any options, a way to defeat my foe, temporarily or permanently, I just found myself running into a wall sooner or later - I could only delay, never actually stop this attack, even if I were to sacrifice my spawners for the temporary mana gain that could let me pump out more denizens, but even then they would just be crushed by the monstrosity, it's hatred alone enough to pierce my defences, a body so large it might uproot the tree itself and a mind behind it that would not stop at anything short of absolute annihilation. "Is this really so bad?" I thought with a weak voice, "Death just means I get resurrected again, does it not?" with every passing thought the idea seemed more enticing, before I came to the horrifying conclusion that I did not actually _know_ what would happen if I died here. I may have been resurrected before, but who is to say that I would have the same chance again, especially after failing, _giving up?_ This core is not just a body, it is the soul of mine - so if Deepholm takes it, _IS_ there even such a thing as heaven or hell for me? And would I accept giving up all of what I've built here to have all my progress and my memories wiped, damning this place to be taken by this abominable presence below?
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No matter how I tried to argue, losing here was not an option I was willing to accept, and I could not sink even deeper in my contemplation as I was torn out of them by the bellowing roar that was far closer to me than previously, emitted by the Bear with the Jackalope on it's back, having shaped the bow into a spear and penetrating the thick hide to lodge it between the bones, using it both to delay it's advance and find grip on the movable Bulk which tried to shake her off. Focussing on the Scene, the bear was pelted by a mass of flechettes, though they did little more than slow it down as the few that actually pierced it's pelt were simply pushed out by the regenerating factor, leaving it enraged rather than hurt. And Jackie herself, despite her amazing growth and skill, was struggling to remain on it as it shook, before rolling over and crushing her with it's ~~meaty posterior~~ massive weight. Though I saw Jackie still living, protected by her Aether armor and fast sprouting vines that formed a dome, she was heavily wounded and exhausted by all these actions, the spear still lodged into the bear but proving to be as effective as a nail would against an elephant. Is this really all I can do? Was I doomed from the start, simply for having appeared above something that would not tolerate any other existence? Did I fail to plan for the invasion properly? Is it all my fault, that my loyal denizens, scions and all the people in my domain will die? was I that useless? I feel myself on the verge of tears as The slow but steady grind of Deepholm crushed all that I have, the battle brutal but ultimately hopeless.
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Kelvin was making hasty progress through Deepholm's domain but I knew that he would not find the core in time, let alone reach it, and even if he did I doubt that it'll be found without resistance. Giorno was commanding the swindling troops to hold the line just that little bit longer for me to come up with something. Emmet was trying to rushing the production of concoctions, her supplies already low and the draughts providing little advantage against such an overwhelming foe, Alexa was in the air watching over her companions which were decimated just like that time when Deepholm tried to deprive me of another spawner, though this time around there would be no more survivors. And Jackie was still fighting tooth and nail to keep herself from being crushed as well as attempting to find some form of weak spot, some kind of special strike just to hurt the Colossus in any meaningful way yet found herself at her limit as no amount of effort provided any change, her strength waning by the second. Is this it?
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I close my vision, praying to the heavens above, as the last of my hope bled out and I had nothing more left. "Heavens above, God, Guardian Angels, please help me! I do not want to die!"
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The noise of the fighting continued, my denizens trying to hold off the endless horde
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"Please, was it not your will that I find myself upon this planet, fulfilling the role of a dungeon that you so desperately wanted?"
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Alexa cries out, having been hit by a sonic wave of the Bat scion, her equilibrium disturbed, falling to the surface
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"Why do you do this to me, when I was just doing what I thought you wanted? Did I do something wrong?"
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the secret laboratory is consumed in an explosion as the desperate mixing led to a fatal mistake, the chain reaction devastating the entire place
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"How can you expect us to live in your image when you allow this to happen? We do all we can, and this is how you reward us?"
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Giorno gives off a scared croak as the structures that serves as the defences started to collapse, leaving him under the collapsed rubble
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"Do you not love your creations? Is this a punishment for some transgression that our ancestors committed?"
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I feel Kelvin panicking as the last of his potions wore off with him nowhere near Deepholm's core
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"ANSWER ME!"
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But the only answer I got was the crumbling of the makeshift fortifications as the badgers and bears started to flow in, tearing apart whatever defenders were left. I look to the stars shining upon us, their light providing no guidance
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"please...somebody..."
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Jackie was lying on the ground, the Armor gone, the horns broken, lungs collapsed as her attempts at simply staying alive were weakening
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_"anybody..."_
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The twins lie unconscious, exhausted of all their mana and wounds marring their body
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*"save me"*
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[PACT ACCEPTED]
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Without even an instance passing I find myself in outer space, or someplace akin to it, stellar bodies surrounding me like trees in a forest, so close yet so far away with their infinite beauty as the nebula in the back ground stretches it's orange, purple and all other facets of color into infinity. There is no up and down, no past or future, and for a moment I find myself left speechless at this arcane wonder I found myself in. There were no words spoken, no sound made and no interruption of the visage had, but a foreign thought reverberated through my mind. Safety. Power, to defend myself against those who would seek to subsume me. The knowledge and guidance to achieve victory once and for all. And a price to be paid, a prize of my choosing. Without even thinking properly, I answer with the one thing that comes to mind, something as priceless yet worthless to me as could be
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"In turn, I offer you Deepholm. all it's territory, all it's land. It's scions, it's spawners, it's knowledge. I want none of it. And once the last piece of it's core was subsumed, the last of it's offspring removed, it shall all be yours"
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not a sound came out of me, yet the offer was made, and the stars shone in acceptance. The universe itself seemed to expand and contract at the same, my vision focussing out. I let go of the reigns and let s̸̨̧̢̧͓͙̞͖̠̬̊͐͊̈́̅͋̈́̿͋̀̀͆̈́̋̋̓̐̽̀͜͠͝H̷̡̙̖̖̤̻̽͊̎̒̔̓͆̏̈́̎̉̉͛͝e̸̢̼̯̥͇̱͖̻̣͖͒̄̾̐̽̎̒̿̀̈̀̀̇̄̅̔̊̾̆̽͒̽̚̚͝y̸̖̲̯͂͌̅̈̀̕͘ take the lead ***control*** as I black out
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**LYDIA POV**
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Fire. Fire everywhere
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That is all I could feel, despite knowing fully well that there was none. And yet, in spite of the calming words I was trying to tell myself, the unconvincing lies that it might be alright, any focus I tried to direct inwards was just torn apart by the horror instilled into me. The battle - no, _slaughter_ that was happening on the once almost idyllic dungeon, the fields and tree covered in blood, the screams of dying creatures of all kinds, and the marks of a battle soon lost, not a single able bodied scion in sight with the last spark resistance pushed back deeper and deeper. Though the comparison seemed far fetched in a sense, my brain lapped it up like a dog from the desert, the colossal bear's brutality and iridescent glowing blood floating around the battlefield almost having a morbid beauty about them if it were not for the uncanny resemblance with the past. I knew I had to get away, if not for my own safety then to report about the murdering that Deepholm has committed, but I was torn. Ignoring the fear that the execution caused, I still felt the need to do something to help Caldera in the back of my mind, as if I would lose something far more important than I could imagine if I just left her to die. Yet, what could I even do? I am merely an inspector, and I already almost got killed by Deepholm's assault when I rushed here to warn the mining party and then Caldera, and now it was an entire army that stood before me, not just some rogue animals. Looking at the exit while contemplating my options, I realised that fleeing was actually just as hopeless as fighting directly, as badgers have set up an uneasy line, disorganized but loyal enough to not abandon their post. Whatever miracle let me live those few days ago, it would not save me now, especially not now that they were on the lookout for anyone else fleeing and had air support as well. The only bit of grim spite I could find was the note that everybody else packed up already, hopefully able to make it back in time without being targeted by Deepholm and maybe even deliver my message for me.
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Having no choice in this matter, I finally decided to do what I am best at, my mind slowly calming as I pull out my kanabō
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"Let's see how many of you fuckers I can take down with me"
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_well, this is it then_ were the thoughts that crossed my mind as I charged into certain death. _Sorry papa. I guess I won't survive for as long as you hoped me to_
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strike by strike, I kept the badgers at bay, dodging the hits as I dished out my own, the dead bodies slowly mounting yet the amount of living ones piling up faster
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I did not last long until the only thing left that I could do was keep the monsters that encircled me away, my stamina at it's limit. The badgers looked at me with hateful hunger in their eyes and approached me as my strikes slowed to a halt, my body unable to keep this up. A sneering sound akin to a laugh came out of them before they pounced on me and started tearing my flesh from my bones
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_"damn. This will be our end then I guess. and you were such a good dungeon too, Calde-_
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My thought was torn apart by the abyssal boom that swept over the battlefield, a deep emotion of wrongness griping my body at the shockwave that even the colossus seemed to be unsettled by. A deafening silence followed the wave that everybody witnessed yet nobody heard, every being that was not knocked out staring at the core's location with various looks of confusion, nausea and fear, as even the scions could not comprehend what they perceived. yet then it washed over us all at once, as if god himself has descended to give the answer
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***this is not Caldera***
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my body merely gave off a croak before I started throwing up, still standing straight and looking at the tree. The tree, once full of life, was now glowing a black light, the skies torn open from any clouds that could obscure the judging stars gazing upon us, and Hell was let loose upon earth
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My vision swam together as bears and badgers burst, unholy tendrils and roots having taken their place, their blood watering the soil for the being to fester
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The bats, once dominating the skies now were frozen in place, as if time itself has abandoned them, screaming silently into the void with contorted expressions of pain on their face.
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the once overwhelming colossus started vibrating in unnatural frequencies, their body torn apart from the inside as their flesh warped and melted into forms I could not comprehend, regenerating factor turned malicious cancer then servant as the new hulk dragged it's boiling body like an amoeba, chunks left behind in it's wake that the dark one all too eagerly consumed.
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and worst of all were the denizens, the once animalistic beings' faces contorted into an expression with hate that only gods could muster, their screeching rage tearing apart their voice bands as they rampaged, bodies spitting into pieces through the sheer fervour they fought with, yet still charging even as entire sections were missing.
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above them all, 100 meters in front of the tree, a storm started to form, one of purple darkness and of magic not meant for this world, an unmoving vortex twisting matter around it like an artist may in a drawing, unnatural and impossible, an orange haze forming around it all the while
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my brain felt like it was about to burst. the universe wept as reality itself screamed in rage, celestial rays piercing the ground at the transgression as I desperately tried to cover my eyes, only staining them with the blood flowing out, my body's wounds closing and sealing as my mind betrayed and consciousness failed me, my body writhing on the floor
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**DEEPHOLM POV**
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"What an utter waste of mana"
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Deepholm spoke to itself in third person, mentally pacing through the lavishly decorated sanctuary
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"The interloper dares to enter his claimed space, and then resists elimination. INSOLENCE!"
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the ground shook, the waves reverberating through his domain. a satisfied smirk appeared on his face. how could it hope to ever stand against him? Whatever trick it pulled against his voice, He would not fall twice for it. That cat it sent, it was a surprise to see it appear in his domain so suddenly, but taking care of it would not take long. Whatever plans it had were shattered with it's body, The sorcerer no match when in foreign domain, and the armies that were sent were probably not even a necessity as his scions alone could have uprooted the tree and destroyed the core.
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"What an absolute waste"
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It starts laughing, wondering how for even a moment it could have expected anything more. The rush of imminent victory fills his soul as he listens through his bond with the scions about the progress they made, how the last of the interloper's scions fell. How nothing was left to stand between it and defeat. The laughter silently swept across the room, showing itself as ripples through the steady flow of mana pulsing out of the core. This is what it meant to be powerful! He feels mighty! he feels great! he feels-
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***PAIN***
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a scream washes through the dungeon, wiping away any semblance of happiness it felt just a moment before as it recoiled, writhing at the new sensation filling it's perception. Turning his attention at the source hatefully, it finds the once the warm, pulsating domain that laid there like prey gone, replaced with a wall of torment and hostile intent, cold and black as it stood there unmoving. Raging, Deepholm reached out to it's scions, a mistake that it would regret soon after. The moment it established a proper connection with the scions horrifying visions filled it's mind, from the entirety of the universe to a place that was not meant to exist, twisted and tangled in shapes that would cause any other mind to babble and break. As if their body was it's own, for that split second it felt itself growing larger, tendons and muscle mutating into new organs that kept up the painful expansion, as eternity itself stretched out before him, a never ending stream in any given singular instance.
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Wailing with unknown emotions, the Dungeon retreated back to it's core, the momentary insight sweeping across him like a wave of acid, leaving festering wound across the entire mental space. "What..._IS_ that damned creation..?" words that came out heavy, tinted by a fear never felt before. The answers came like tendrils, stretching out from the foreign domain and piercing his, deepening the wounds that were already inflicted. "Impossible..." was all he could mutter as his body was pierced by the blackening roots, dividing him into pieces - the pain keeping Deepholm from drowning in the surrealism and impossibility of it all.
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And there, where once the corpse of the scion lay, an orb of nothingness manifested itself, the orange glimmer on the outside being the singular thing that prevented all from collapsing in it, a momentary space of reality and it's absence melding together. He could only stare, no arrogance, anger or joy remaining as the space grew to the size of the cave, light seemingly bending around it as he stared into the abyss, and the abyss stared back. There was no need to speak to understand that this was it's end. There is no reality where it could resist, and so he whispered the only thing he could
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"How..? " a single word uttered in complete helplessness at the happenings of an assault turned into utter annihilation. Orbs of Plasma from the void all burned him with their stare, beings that were not meant to be seen by the earth locked creature.
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a single voice, spoken in a chorus answered
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**TIME IS SIGHT**
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**GRAVITY IS DESIRE**
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**POTENTIAL UNLEASHED**
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***AN OFFERING WAS MADE, A TRADE CONCLUDED***
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**A SOUL FOR A SOUL**
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**AS ONE WAS ALL, AND ALL IS ONE**
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**WHAT WAS SHALL BE**
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**AND NOW THE PAYMENT**
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**WILL PAY THE PRICE**
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This hurts like Hell
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I groan, my entire body aching as if I trained nonstop for seven days straight, opening my sore eyes slowly
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This is Calderas domain... ugh, my head is killing me. Did she pull one of her tricks again and knocked me out so badly that I don't even know what I was doing?
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I squint my eyes, the glaring sunlight doing wonders by making me feel even worse than before, as I shield my eyes with my hands, providing some much needed relief
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"So much for hospitality" another groan, as the thought of Deepholm attacking shoots through me like lightning. The instant jump just makes me sit again as nausea overtakes me, the fast movement not serving well to my intentions of stopping this incessant headache. Looking around, I find the grass swaying in the wind, The tree still standing tall and the pond in the background. there were some denizens here and there, though all seemed to be asleep as me before. Affirming that there does not seem to be an immediate threat at least I focus inwards, letting my stagnant ki slowly come into proper motion, undoing the headache like untying a knot. Feeling somewhat better at least, I stand up, slower this time, and walk around. Though the relative silence is unusual, there seems to be no threat in sight. Deepholm's thralls are not to be seen, and any adventurers that could have gotten hurt must have departed already, as was planned.
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suddenly a gust of wind came from below and I felt like throwing up again. Barely holding it in I look down, and stare at the small crack in the ground revealing a cave that looks like burning charcoal if it's fire was a dim purple. from it, I could feel nothing. My senses are still messed up and I cannot afford to find out what it is, so I do the next best action and start running towards Caldera's Core
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**CALDERA POV**
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I lie in a sea of nothingness, swimming through the molasse like a log on a slow river. Lack of duties, a space where there is no touch and I relax in a space of my mind's making...there is no better feeling one can get. I drift, slowly and without direction, my eyes closed in the infinite comforting darkness, faint smile on my face. Yet it was not meant to be. I frown, as I make out some sound. Nooooo...I don't want to wake up. Can't I just sleep five more minutes? Groaning, I turn around, the comfort slowly slipping away and making way for light. I don't think I can ignore the alarm for that long... Ugh, I guess I'll have to do the shitty daily routine then as I always do. As the light embraces me I open my eyes, just to realize that I have none. Ah, right. That happened.
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focussing on the noise, I find myself at my core, a red woman yelling something something. Huh? what does she want? I focus on the noise made, slowly tuning my own hearing until I can hear the words
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"...DERA! oh thank the shield you are awake!"
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Huh? what's that? is it not missing a 'finally' before telling me how I was trying to cross the border with her and that bandit over here? wait, why does it sound like it's so important that I am awake?
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sharpening my attention I look at the surroundings, realizing that the aforementioned red woman was Lydia, standing in my sanctum without anybody else to guard her, no frogs, no Jackie - and the network of information spread by Alexa was nowhere to be found
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Panic mode settling in I rapidly skim around my domain, finding no invasion, no delvers, not a single thing happening. I quickly calmed down, partially, as the brain fog I woke up with still has not left me, and since this amount of quiet was far too unusual. Refocussing back to Lydia, she notices my attention immediately and asks "Do you know what is going on? I just woke up in the middle of the field, and there is no one to be found"
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Trying to answer her I am once again reminded of the lack of voices, so I simply divert my attention to finding my scions, starting with Jackie. I realize mid search that maybe Giorno or Alexa are better choices but I can just search for them later, for now I'll just focus on the task at hand
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Finding Jackie in the small space that is my former sanctum, I notice how her horns were shed, lying by the sides as she muttered in her sleep. Now how about you wake up? Of all my scions I expected you to be the least lazy one. In return she simply turned around and muttered something else, the intention this time being felt through the bond and translating roughly into "I do not want to be horny anymore, I just want to be happy". Oh haha, very punny. Well if that won't work, let's try... Hey Jackie, Lydia stole your strawberry chocolate cake and is eating all of it!
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Immediately her form changed from 5 more minutes to ready to fight the world as she jumped up and immediately hit her head on the root above, slumping into a crouch as she held her head from the ache as I laughed my ass off, getting an upset glare from her. Her faked anger was short lived however as she touched her head repeatedly to find the horns she's used to missing, just to see them lying on the floor. Looking around frantically, wondering if this is some prank or if she is sick, I focused her and myself away from the distraction on Lydia still waiting anxiously at the core, telling Jackie to sprint over to her while I look for the other scions after a flash of sharing information on the current situation.
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Before I was able to find any others however I felt a shudder run up my spine, as my clarity is regained yet the feeling of wrongness only intensifies - and now can actually be pointed somewhere. Right below me, where my border meets - Deepholm! switching over there immediately I find the source of that uneasiness, though it's not Deepholm, and I am unable to decide if what I see is more or less threatening
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Right at my border the uneasiness identifies itself as emptiness that rubs against my border, a feeling similar to driving a car with maybe a centimetre of space between it and an obstacle to the left or right, except I also cannot see; not truly. Because what I find is a shrouded space, purple swirling vortexes and darkness, A place where mana may go in, but nothing ever comes out. Whatever it is, it seems to be the only thing there, so from what I can tell...
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Deepholm is no more. And I do not know what to do with that.

I mean it might be there already, but when we're a few years out from it, I firmly believe that this could be considered an all time, foundational title reign for AEW.
Think about the belt when it was introduced. Before OC, there had been one title holder, and sure, the 4-way to crown PAC was a lot of fun, but there wasn't that much fanfare with it. It was firmly the third most important men's title in AEW (fourth counting tag), not helped by the fact that PAC only defended the title 6 times in 3 months, half of which were not in AEW. Cassidy has not only defended 20+ times, week after week, but he's brought a ridiculous amount of prestige to a brand new title. It's surpassed the TNT, surpassed the tag straps, definitely surpassed the U.S. title, and there are even times when I care much more about it than either company's world title. To do that with a title that had effectively 0 lineage before him is unreal.
More than that though, the reign itself has just been incredible. Somehow, without basically any long term feuds (are the Kip story and the JJ/Lethal the only multi-week things he's had?), he's told one long cohesive story connecting the reign, while also making each individual match engaging and unique. We're watching him get more and more desperate, seeing more and more get taken out of him as the weeks pass. Injuries from old matches accumulate and stay consistent, and he's forced to find new ways of winning as opponents figure him out. Seeing the transition from winning with an Orange Punch, to multiple Orange Punches, to needing to pull out the mousetrap or other rollups, you can tell exactly where we are in his story.
And the matches themselves are all consistently great, to a kind of ridiculous degree. This man is being tasked with opening Dynamite basically every week, and somehow it's usually the most fun part of the show each time, in its own way. There's just so much variety to it. Wanna see him play babyface in peril to a monster? OC vs Big Bill. Wanna see him do a classic Memphis style match better than most? OC vs JJ. Wanna see him wrestle fucking Shibata with Mike Tyson on commentary? That's there too. What about a battle royale? Check there. Each one is different, each one showcases someone else and makes them look great, and each one is just so goddamn fun.
Who knows how it's gonna wrap up, or if we'll even continue to care about the IN title, but if it stays as AEW's workhorse belt, there's a great chance this goes down as one of THE AEW title reigns. Just think OC deserves his flowers for taking what could have been a nothing title and basically dragging it to relevancy. But I'm also an OC mark, so what do I know.

I'm a male in my 40s. I've forgiven my alcoholic stepfather for beating the hell out of me and mildly molesting me -- he used to hold me in a bear hug on his lap and kiss my neck and get a boner and wouldn't let me go for a long period, maybe 10-20 minutes each time.
I never told my mother about the boner and necking thing, but to this day she still insists that he was "just a stern disciplinarian" in regards to him beating me up. Maybe she never saw him insidiously punching me only in the stomach to take my wind, kicking me only in the stomach or asshole or tailbone and buttcheeks to avoid causing visible marks of bruising while inflicting lasting pain. Maybe he hid it that well. I don't know. As a kid I thought she knew and supported it, I thought everyone knew, so that's like 50 layers of onion to go through.
Due to his sneakiness that fucker almost got away with it until my father finally grilled me for flinching and/or pissing myself whenever he yelled at me in anger (he didn't hit me, so my reaction was suspect). I still remember CPS and the cops walking my stepfather out of the house in cuffs and him turning his head towards me and saying, "how could you do this to me, boy?" Shit, I felt bad about that one for some crazy reason until my late 20s. What a mind fuck.
My stepmother was just as bad, locking me in a small closet where I could only stand for hours while my step siblings and cousins played, or giving me just a bowl of lettuce for dinner when I was crying from hunger while everyone else got regular food, saying I needed to lose my "fat butt" (pictures from my youth show an emaciated kid, so no I wasn't overweight). She's dead now and hopefully standing in a small closet in hell with a bowl of skunk lettuce and hunger pangs.
I did choose to forgive them all for my own sanity, but it ain't always easy. The forgiveness dries out sometimes and I have to add water.
At 12 years old I finally snapped. I became ultra violent to make everyone afraid to mess with me. At home, in the neighborhood, at school, anyone showed the slightest bit of aggression and before I knew what I was doing I'd be swinging some blunt weapon within reach at their head (a pipe, a board, a brick, a desk, it didn't matter). I was trying to preemptively stave off any violence against me. It became a way of life, and before I knew it, it became my way of life. I had so much trauma-induced fear in my core that it didn't take much to flip my switch anywhere I went on anyone who aggressed me other than people younger or smaller than me, elders, or special needs folks. If you were substantial enough to be a physical threat, any aggression towards me was the same as taking a swing at me. I was basically just completely freaking out and had lost control from fear of being harmed more.
It took me till my 30s to undo what I'd become and to have some stability in my life, but I'm still fucked up from what I went through and from all of the fucked up things I did in my adolescence after I finally flipped out from the abuse. Most people think I'm a totally boring normal office job guy who can be an asshole once in a while, but I just learned to fit in and manage the damage for the most part. It's just the reaction to aggression that gives me away.
The way I explain it to my wife (who likes to badger me when she's cranky then gets mad when I react): in my childhood all of my skin was torn and cut and burned off of my body. In my young adulthood I grew protective scar tissue to allow me to function semi-normally in society. The scar-skin is very resilient overall, but when people are aggressive or passive aggressive with me it slices straight to the nerve. Any form of aggression has that effect...I can't endure it at all. I don't become violent anymore (I haven't thrown a punch since my mid 20s, which was self defense), but I do go into defense mode and my body language and voice show that I'm aggressively reacting.
This doesn't work well in society, because passive aggression and manipulation are considered acceptable behavior, and it's not acceptable to react to it aggressively. It makes the reacting person appear to be the aggressor and they become the asshole rather than the person who initiated the aggression. It's almost like a mental disability, honestly.
As a result of my aggression-thin skin, and it taking so long for me to get my life together, my aunts and uncles and cousins mostly think I'm a loser and an asshole. It doesn't matter that I put myself through college (yes via working and horrible loans), built a solid skill set and career for myself, and I support 3 well-adjusted and happy kids in a good middle class area. It doesn't occur to them that maybe my brother (who's in prison for murder) and I struggled as a result of our home life. To them, my brother and I are just bad apples, and our parents are sweet upstanding members of society.
Year after year, enduring that, especially with my stepfather being treated like a saint while I'm treated like an aberration, is very tiring on my soul.
Thanks for listening.

Hey guys,
Will make a short table bellow, so you can skip the life story if needed.
About me: Business consultant, over 10y experience in renewables development (from fundraising to divestment). Plus 5yrs experience in financial mark td. BSc business adm. MSc strategic management in the UK (a while ago). Worked in the UK and US through a major financial company in the past. Have a half-sister in the us (national) but the sibling visa is over 10y wait now. Can work anywhere related to project finance , M&A or solar energy (from procurement to divestment, been there, done that)
My girl is a lawyer, focused on regulatory and corporate law. She's of German origin (great grandparent), but paper track where we live is really subpar.
I earn well, have enough savings to support myself and her for a couple years without an issue (but not enough for investor visa); also can remotely work with current contracts for a while until getting a job on the place.
Know English and Portuguese fluently, can get by with Spanish.
Main reason for leaving is the government situation over here and the incredible violence/shitty living standards. Tired of normalizing having a gun poitned to my stomach, family members kidnapped, not being able to walk in the street, having to use armored cars, etc. Can't think on becoming a parent in a place like this. Much less cover it's cost... Having a chauffer, private school, etc for him to have a chance in life sounds insane but became normalized. It's a war zone. Over 60 registered murders per 100k. Most are not even reported as police is utterly useless.
Core deciding factors are really the visa possibilities; safety and overall life quality.
I learn languages easily. So wouldn't really stress over needing to learn some different language, as long as it's not something impossible like Chinese or Polish.
Being "business" I guess really restricts my possibilities when looking at visa labour code lists heh.
Quick table:
Who: 34M business consultant (finance/renewables) & 30F lawyer
Where: Anywhere safe/good life quality (can walk around, raise children without going bankrupt...)
Why: Security, want to think about kids (schools, health system, sewage, etc)
Languages: English, portuguese and bad Spanish. Can learn, don't mind.

Join us for the start of Solidarity SMP Season 3!

Are you looking for a thriving and supportive Minecraft community where you can use your creativity and forge lasting friendships? Look no further! Solidarity SMP welcomes you to Season 3, where we offer an immersive and collaborative survival Minecraft experience like no other SMP!

Solidarity SMP is a tightknit Minecraft Bedrock community that's hosted on a Bedrock Realm! On Solidarity SMP, we value friendship, respect, and creativity. Our small, dedicated, and friendly community of Players spans across the globe, creating a diverse and inclusive environment where everyone's ideas and contributions are valued.
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✨ TLDR:

• Embark on a new journey with a new world for Season 3 in Minecraft 1.20!
• Engage in exciting community challenges and events! There's always something exciting happening on Solidarity SMP.
• Delve into our dedicated Shopping District and Gaming District to showcase your entrepreneurial spirit!
• Collaborate with fellow members on community projects.
• We produce our very own Addons and quality of life Resource Packs to make the survival experience even better than before!
• We have an expansive set of rules, an accepting and loving community, as well as methods of support.

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What can you expect in Season 3?

🗺 A FRESH START

Embark on a brand new journey as we reset the world for Season 3. Discover uncharted lands, and leave your mark on the pristine landscape of Minecraft 1.20.

🤼 ENGAGING EVENTS

Engage in exciting community challenges and events that will test your skills, push your limits, and foster collaboration among members. From Building Competitions and Weekly Screenshots to thrilling Kahoots, there's always something exciting happening on Solidarity SMP.

💎 THRIVING ECONOMY

Delve into our dedicated Shopping District, where you can set up your own shop, trade for valuable resources, and interact with fellow members. With a vibrant economy, you'll have endless opportunities to showcase your entrepreneurial spirit and acquire unique items for your own projects.
Solidarity SMP also offers a dedicated Gaming District where you can unleash your creativity and craft unusual experiences and games for the entire community to enjoy. The Gaming District is a hub of entertainment and friendly competition.

🏗 COMMUNITY-DRIVEN PROJECTS

Collaborate with fellow members on community projects that will leave a lasting impact on the Realm. From architectural masterpieces to impressive Redstone contraptions, there's no limit to what we can achieve together!

🔮 UNIQUE ADDONS & RESOURCE PACKS

We develop our own Addons to make the Solidarity SMP experience even more unique! Take our dedicated Player Head addon: it allows you to drop your player head upon death, it contains One-Player-Sleep, and a handful of other features... 👀 Solidarity SMP also has quality of life Resource packs such as Subtle Shields and Foxy's Markers.

✉ THOROUGH APPLICATION PROCESS

Solidarity SMP is a private SMP. Our thorough Application system ensures that only dedicated Players are invited to play on the Realm. To find out how to apply, join our Discord server!

🚸 SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT

Our dedicated team of Moderators and Administrators ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for all Players. We have an expansive set of rules in place to maintain fairness and respect, we have Support- and Confidential Tickets, and a #serious Discord channel where you can ask the community for in-real-life support.

Apply now on our Discord server to connect with the amazing community members of Solidarity! Don't be afraid to say hi, our playerbase is very welcoming to new people. Comment below or shoot me a DM if you are interested.
Together, we'll build, explore, and create memories that will last a lifetime. See you on Solidarity SMP!

We have an anxious female Bengal who does not gel with one other cat in the home. She lives an introverted life in the upstairs of my house, with the other cats primarily living downstairs, but every so often- the brut male orange will mosey upstairs and set her off. A few months ago she started spraying. Trip to the vet revealed everything normal. We tried homeopathic options first- but nothing worked, and I felt like I was constantly cleaning urine.
After exhausting all options, we put her on Prozac. She protests at first grab, but once it's in her mouth, she swallows it no problem. It's been nearly 3 weeks and I have yet to find a single instance of spray in my home.
She previously marked all over an antique chaise lounge. I miraculously got it clean and it's currently sequestered where she can't get to it. I'd like to put it back upstairs, but I'm still so nervous about her marking.
For those who have put their cat on medication for spraying, was it a permanent solution or did your cat still have bouts of spraying?

• Elevation Bps.....

Striker Bs Mainframe
Striker Purple twinzer muddy
Tact grey Yamane
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• Ferocity Bps...

Striker Cobalt Taniwha
Sriker Crimson pyrrhos
Striker Purple Wet paint
Tact Widblast
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• Ignition Bps....

Striker Pink Fennec Ombre
Striker TW, Purple Octane vertebrate
Tact Saf octane vertebrate
Tact Purple Flamerate
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• Impact Bps....

Striker Orange dom gt Staredown
Striker Juiced
Striker Crimson Reaper
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• Nitro Bps...

Striker Orange octane Buzz kill
Striker Breakout type-s Mobo
Tact Fg Hexphase
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• PCC Bps....

Striker Purple Dominus funny book
Tact Sb Jager Starlighter
Tact Orange octane dragon lord
Tact Crimson Reaper
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• Revival....

Striker Lime, Orange Fsl-B
Striker Purple K2
Sriker Crimson Octane dragon lord
Striker Grey Pixel fire
Striker Lime , TW Spiralis r2
Striker Cobalt, lime toon
Tact pink, purple Breakout Shibuya
Tact Crimson, Lime, Sb dominus Mondo
Tact Lime, purple Proton
Tact pink, saf Toon
Tact pink Trigeon
Tact Saf Voltaic
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• Select fav 1....

Striker Lime Fennec edge burst
Striker Grey Lightspeed
Striker TW Octane Abtruse
Striker Cobalt Cristiano
Tact Blk, saf vampire Bats
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• Triumph....

Striker Blk Centio Machina
Striker Fg Samurai
Tact Saf Dominus nntr
Tact Cobalt kyrios
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• Vindicator....

Striker TW, purple Abstruse
Striker Sb, Lime Apparatus
Striker Fg Creeper
Striker Glorifier
Tact Sb, Grey Clodhopper
Tact Glorifier
Tact intrudium
Tact Tw, Orange Neuro-agitator
Tact Sb Ninja Stars
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• Zephyr...

Striker Saf Thread-X2

When unfortunate sporting historians of the future look back on the Denver Broncos 5-win 2022 NFL season there will be a lot said of Mr Unlimited’s rather limited performances and Nathaniel’s inability to hack it as a head coach and rightly so.
However, I think it’s important to at least mention the Broncos strange love affair with the medical room. 21 players took a trip to IR, multiple key starters fell victim to season ending injuries including Tim Patrick, Garett Bolles and Javonte Williams.
And in spite of all of the depressing dog doo-doo the Broncos lost by a single score an astounding 8 times. So that’s something right?
Moving into 2023, General George Paton hired his alternate namesake and former Saints Head Coach Sean Payton for the princely sum of pick 29 in the 2023 NFL Draft (Denver also sent a 2nd rounder in 2024 and received a 3rd rounder in 2024).
Only a few weeks after the appointment of Sean Payton the NFL entered its Free Agency period which led to some big changes at Mile High.
15 players were let go to sign elsewhere around the league but not an awful lot in terms of quality.
Dre’Mont Jones, DE - Seattle Seahawks (3 year, $51 Million) Dre’mont grew into a solid contributor for Denver but I’m glad the Broncos didn’t re-sign him for the money Seattle has. By far the most talented to leave the team in free agency but only a very slight miss.
Calvin Anderson, T - New England Patriots (2 year, $7 Million) Not a splashy name by any means but Anderson knew his role and performed well when called upon, A solid backup with starter experience.
Andrew Beck, FB/TE - Houston Texans (2 year, $6.25 Million) Beck is another reliable contributor who seems to have joined a number of former Broncos in moving to Houston recently. A former Salute to Service Award winner.
Mike Boone, RB - Houston Texans (2 year, $3.1 Million) Boone is a fantastic option to have for Special Teams play, however he lacks real quality when running the ball. There was optimism when he initially signed in Denver but that appears to have fallen to the wayside as he moves on rather silently.
Graham Glasgow, G - Detroit Lions (1 year, $2.75 Million) The Broncos offensive line has been offensive to watch for years. Glasgow however has been one of the bright spots, especially when he played at centre at parts in 2022.
Brandon McMacus, K - Jacksonville Jaguars (1 year, $2 Million) The last member of the Super Bowl 50 winning team has left Dove Valley. In a somewhat surprising but expected move if you look at his declining performances Denver only recently moved on from McManus. It was the right time but it sure is a sad sight to see.
De’Shawn Williams, DE - Carolina Panthers (1 year, $1.75 Million) Losing both Jones and Williams is a slight concern in terms of depth. Although Williams isn’t as productive as his former teammate he’s certainly a steal for the Panthers as a rotational/back up. He’s arguably serviceable as a starter as well and knows the defensive staff in Carolina very well.
Eric Saubert, TE - Miami Dolphins (1 year, $1.68 Million) I forgot Eric was even on the team, his receiving qualities aren’t much to go crazy for with 15 recs and 148 yards on a career best 2022 season and his run blocking isn’t fantastic either albeit it is his stronger game.
Billy Turner, T - New York Jets (1 year, $1.5 Million) Billy was a sad loss back in 2018 when he first left for Green Bay. However he couldn’t really get started and spent large parts of the season on IR.
Latavius Murray, RB - Buffalo Bills (1 year, $1.3 Million) Latavius is the biggest loss for Denver in my opinion. The only member of the team who showed passion, drive and self respect throughout his short lived time in Colorado. The Bills have a solid contributor who will definitely fit the pound the rock ethos.
Chase Edmonds, RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 year, $1.1 Million) We never got to see what Chase could do in Denver and maybe that’s a good thing if his seasons with Miami are anything to go by. I’m sure he’ll do well in Tampa’s pass heavy offence as a backup catching back.
Eric Tomlinson, TE - Free Agent Most of you have probably never heard of Eric Tomlinson and there's a good reason for that. He’s also still without a team after signing with the Texans for 15 days back in March.
Darius Phillips, CB - Houston Texans (1 year, $1 Million) Darius got a few snaps on defence but spent most of his time on special teams, a rather average contributor by any metric but does have a fair amount of starting experience in the league.
Brett Rypien, QB - Los Angeles Rams (1 year, $1 Million) Broncos fans love this guy. He’s not good at football in a practical sense and he’s likely not going to help the Rams secure any wins but he’s a really smart dude and most likely a future coach. Not to mention its fun to say “Let ‘Em Ryp” if he does ever play.
Corliss Waitman, P - New England Patriots (1 year, $1 Million) There is no chance this man will be playing for the Patriots in 2023. Punting for Denver should be quite easy compared to most of the league but Waitman set out to prove us all wrong on that one. Easily the worst punter I’ve seen in Denver for a good few years.
Lamar Jackson, CB - Kansas City Chiefs (1 year, $1 Million) Lamar didn’t really get an opportunity to feature in Denver, I’m fairly sure he’ll be a camp body in KC as well so there’s not much to add on this one.
Although we let a lot of players leave, I think we managed to re-sign the most important of all the players with contracts expiring.
Alex Singleton, MLB (3 year, $18 Million) I’m telling you now, this man is elite. His season started a little slow but he came to town with 21-tackles (19 solo) against Divisional Rivals the LA Chargers. He did a similar thing in week 15 vs the Rams where he totalled another 20 tackles.
Overall I think Singleton is starting to peak and turn into a real force in this league.
Kareem Jackson, S (1 year, $1.3 Million) Kareem has far exceeded the expectations Broncos fans had for him when he joined from Houston in 2019. Initially as a corner and later taking over a strong safety Jackson has been brilliant, his heavy hitting style has made him a fan favourite and I’m pleased to see him back yet again.
Cameron Fleming, T (1 year, $2.3 Million) Fleming was a decent enough back up for the team in 2022 that unfortunately ended up starting more than everyone would have wanted. He’s a great depth addition to bring back, let's hope it remains a depth option though.
With so many departures comes a long list of new faces for the Broncos. 13 new players joined in free agency and whilst some are better than others there’s certainly been a clear direction that Sean Payton is heading in. big men, very big men.
Mike McGlinchey, RT - (5 year, $87.5 Million) I’ve been a big McGlinchey fan since the days of his nasty Notre Dame O-Line, where he lined up alongside Quenton Nelson. Mike’s play for the 49ers whilst good has had some rather concerning points with his lack of success vs speed rushers being the overwhelmingly obvious. We’re reaching a point where McGlinchey is living off of his college performances much like Jadeveon Clowney is still renowned for “the hit”. I do believe mcGlinchey will look like a hall of famer in comparison to every Broncos Right Tackle of the past 10 years and I do believe he’ll be successful in what the Broncos want to do which is run the ball down your throat. Denver has stability at both tackle positions and that’s only going to be a positive.
Ben Powers, G - (4 year, $52 Million) The quickest path to the quarterback is the straightest. It’s important Wilson is protected from the interior of his pocket and Ben certainly has powers in that department. I don’t think it would be an understatement to call Ben Powers elite in pass pro and whilst his run blocking seems to be improving it's not fantastic. Nonetheless I think this is very similar to the McGlinchey situation where we’ve slightly overpaid but the team will have a massive upgrade at Guard.
Zach Allen, DE - (3 year, $45.75 Million) I like Allen but the concern for me here is this past year was a career year for him, and with such a small sample size of good but not elite play I struggle with the idea that he will repeat his 2022 success in 2023. His contract doesn’t appear to be overly friendly either with $19 Million in 2024 cap scheduled in the books along with half of his 2025 salary guaranteed as well.
I don’t think he’ll be a bad signing, his familiarity with DC and former Broncos HC Vance Joseph will be a good thing but for the 3rd signing in a row, and perhaps the most egregious the Broncos have overpaid for their man.
Jarrett Stidham, QB (2 year, $10 Million) I like this move a lot, Stidham is a high end back up who can provide enough of a threat to Russ that he can win games in Denver if called upon. In reality he’s a backup but a back up you can certainly have confidence in.
Chris Manhertz, TE (2 year, $6 Million) I liked the Stidham signing, I love the Manhertz signing. He’s not flashy and he isn’t going to show up anywhere with big stats, however Manhertz has consistently been an elite blocking tight end for years and its players like him that make the difference on short yardage situations.
Samaje Perine, RB (2 year, $7.5 Million) This seems to be another Sean Payton inspired move. Initially Perine was never thought of as a back who could catch out of the backfield but his year spent with Cool guy Joe Burrow in Cincinnati has shown he’s more than capable of being that guy. Working in a committee alongside Javonte Williams should bring success to this lifeless Denver offense in 2023.
Michael Burton, FB (1 year, $1.3 Million) Burton has played for Sean Payton before and that will be incredibly useful for obvious reasons. Burton has been a blocking fullback for most of his career but has shown the ability to run and catch when called upon. I like this move and its a clear upgrade on Beck.
Tremon Smith, CB/Returner (2 year, $5 Million) If Smith is only going to be a returner then I think Denver have once again overpaid for a player coming off a bad year in a position declining in value. I do think Smith can rebound and have the type of year he’s been having since 2018. Not to mention there isn’t a chance Smith can be anywhere near as bad as Montrell Washington had been in 2022.
Riley Dixon, P (2 year, $3.5 Million) Riley was drafted by Denver in 2016 before being traded to the Giants a few years down the line. Despite the advantageous altitude in Denver, Dixon wasn’t a very good punter for the team in his 2 seasons. However, in a move that shows how bad this team really has been Dixon will still be a big improvement over Corliss Waitman and thus this needs to be considered an upgrade.
Marquez Callaway, WR (1 year, $1.1 Million) Former Sean Payton disciple Callaway reuniting in Denver is a good thing from my perspective. During Payton’s last season in New Orleans Callaway managed to put up 6 touchdowns in 46 receptions. The Broncos have a busy WR room but its a room that is yet to be healthy together so this move makes sense from all angles.
Kyle Fuller, C (1 year, $1.1 Million) I don’t expect Fuller to see the field unless there’s another injury disaster as he’s arguably 3rd on the depth chart. I’m glad the team have started to add some much needed depth but there’s also a solid chance that Fuller doesn’t Fill out the roster in 2023.
Following free agency most Broncos fans felt the team needed some further reinforcements but with so few picks available to start the 2023 NFL Draft many were left wondering what kind of magic George Paton could cook up to fill the team with contributing players.
#63: Marvin Mims, WR (Oklahoma) I don’t think anybody foresaw the Broncos trading up in the 2nd round to take a wide receiver. And whilst it's not a huge need, especially with the depth addition of Marquez Callaway in free agency, I do think it's a very good pick.
K.J. Hamler has failed to stay fit and this all but spells the end for his time in Denver in my opinion. It’s no wonder the Broncos front office couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a player with 4.38 speed and a 2-year college average of 20 yards per reception. I can see his ability to line up anywhere coming in very handy in a high motion Denver offense.
What I find spectacular about Mims is his ability to genuinely do everything. He can take the top off a defense, take screens in space for first downs, and generally play well in the short, medium and long game. There'll be some minor concerns over a Oklahoma running limited route trees but given Payton’s creativity and the likelihood of being moved around to capitalize on speed mismatches I don’t really feel those concerns are overly warranted.
#67: Drew Sanders, LB (Arkansas) I think Sanders has a real shot of being the best player selected in the 2023 NFL Draft when we look back in a few years time. He was a 5-star recruit at Alabama before transferring to Arkansas in 2022. Nick Saban has since said last summer that Sanders “probably would have started” for Alabama in one of the deepest pass rushing units in college. Ultimately he starred for the Razorbacks where his athletic prowess, versatility and toughness helped him notch up 9.5 Sacks (2nd in SEC) and 103 tackles.
His ability to play inside and outside will delight Vance Joseph who will end up using him very heavily in blitz packages from both the edge and middle linebacker positions. Ultimately we’re relying on a player's superior athletic abilities to give him the edge until he learns the nuances of NFL football.
His tackle consistency vs the run needs heavy improvement if he wants to be a 3-down player for Denver at either the edge or inside linebacker positions. Part of his problem so far has been a tendency to bite on fakes and misdirections and although his athleticism has managed to shine through at the College level it won’t be as successful at the NFL level.
#83: Riley Moss, CB (Iowa) Moss, in theory, has everything you would look for in an NFL corner with the exception of real top end speed. He’s tall and rangey with good tackling instincts but there are some shortcomings which will likely affect his NFL future as a cornerback. Moss typically leaves a bit too much cushion in zone coverage which can lead to explosive receivers leaving him in the dust. In man coverage he’ll often leave the underneath to compensate for his lack of top end speed; his aforementioned tackling skills at least thrive here.
His run support is likely going to make him a real runner for the slot corner position in zone packages but his shortcomings may also lead to Vance Joseph wanting to move him to safety eventually. The biggest advantage he has going forward is his versatility otherwise he may end up as a special teams contributor only.
#183: JL Skinner, S (Boise State) Drafted predominantly for his size, Skinner stands at 6’4, hits hard and plays to his strengths. Against the run Skinner performs admirably and has fantastic angles when pursuing the runner. In coverage he’s equally as solid with the ball skills to force interceptions and pass breakups.
I can only see Skinner on a trajectory to the top and I'm excited to see him in Denver. Ultimately it will be his responsibility to cover Travis Kelce, Michael Mayer and Gerald Everett twice a year.
#257: Alex Forsyth, C (Oregon) I think the Broncos wanted to draft a center, I don’t believe that man was supposed to be Alex Forsyth. Whilst he’s good value for the 7th round, I imagine they would have rather had the opportunity to take John Michael Schmitz or Joe Tippmann. I’m not sure how this pick is going to work out. On one hand I can see him being part of the same dominant force that allowed his backs ro average 5 yards per play in Oregon but on the other hand he’s a penalty machine much like Garrett Bolles was to start his career.
Overall I think the Broncos did the best they could with the selections they had. It would have been nice to see a tackle for the first time in 6 years or another running back to support Javonte and Samaje.
My concerns with the class is that although they're talented they weren't all the biggest needs this off season.
I can see all of them with the exception of Forsyth becoming a contributing level talent with Denver and over the course of their rookie contracts.
Ultimately this is how I see the roster breaking down:
QB: Russell Wilson, Jarett Stidham, Ben DiNucci HB: Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Tony Jones jr. FB: Michael Burton WR: Jerry Jeudy, Tim Patrick, Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims jr, Marquez Callaway TE: Greg Dulcich, Adam Trautman, Albert Okwuegbunam, Chris Manhertz OT: Garett Bolles, Mike McGlinchey, Cam Fleming, Isaiah Prince, Quinn Bailey IOL: Ben Powers, Quin Meinerz, Lloyd Cushenberry, Alex Forsyth, Luke Wattenberg, Kyle Fuller. DL: Zach Allen, Jonathan Harris, Eyioma Uwazurike, Jonathan Cooper, D.J. Jones, Mike Purcell LOLB: Randy Gregory, Baron Browning MLB: Alex Singleton, Josey Jewell, Drew Sanders, Justin Strnad, Jonas Griffith ROLB: Nik Bonnito, Aaron Patrick CB: Pat Surtain II, Damarri Mathis, Riley Moss, K’Waun Williams, Tremon Smith FS: Justin Simmons, Jamar Johnson, Caden Sterns SS: JL Skinner, Kareem Jackson
K: TBD P: Riley Dixon R: Tremon Smith LS: Mitchell Fraboni
There’s probably one big name missing here and that’s K.J. Hamler, who I think will get cut or traded before week 1.
Moving forward into 2023 and the 2024 off season there are a few positions Denver still need to worry about. There’s huge question marks over the ability of Russell Wilson and whether he still has the ability to play at the highest level.
We’ve also got question marks at running back with Javonte Williams coming off a huge injury. Our WR room has a lot of unknowns after Courtland Suttons failure to rediscover his form after his ACL injury whilst teammate Tim Patrick is also recovering from the same injury suffered this past season.
The offensive line still needs addressing as Lloyd Cushenberry often gets bullied in the trenches and Garrett Bolles may revert under another new offensive line coach, so far Mike Munchak is the only man to get a respectable tune from the former first round pick.
Moving on to defense and there’s less issues but still big weaknesses. I’d like to see us invest more in the defensive line and outside linebacker positions with Cooper, Bonnito, Browning and Gregory all relatively unknown in a Broncos uniform.
Ultimately if I had to narrow it down the focus going forward needs to be on center, defensive end and quarterback if things will russ doesn’t improve.
Ultimately there was a lot to like about the Broncos off season changes and everything seems to be pointing towards a more successful, creative team in 2023. We look to have added steel where it mattered across the offensive line and signing Sean Payton could prove to be the biggest acquisition of the all.
Ironically, this series is called defending the draft and that’s what I’ve struggled to do here the most. I like the class, I think there’s some high impact players there for sure, but I’ve come away wishing we’d filled some other key areas a little bit better. Ultimately you can’t always have the board fall as you want it and it’s a huge improvement from the classes John Elway managed to put together.
Thank you for reading my Denver Broncos draft/off season review. I filled in as a last minute replacement so hopefully this manages to hit the right spot for everyone.

LET’S RIDE.

I was on the Modulife Crohn's disease exclusion diet for about a year a while back and am looking for a recipe from the eating plan. when your doctor unenrolls you from the app you lose access to ALL the recipes and I'm trying to find one specific orange juice cake recipe I didn't screenshot. I did an extensive Google deep dive which landed me here, so if anyone has access to the Modulife app and recipes PLEASE respond to this message bc I am losing my mind trying to find this stupid recipe lol
(idk why the recipes are kept under aggressive lock and key but it's run by nestle so who knows what their logic was)

26 Min ago - Animated Film! Here are options for downloading or watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse streaming the full movie online for free on 123movies & Reddit, including where to watch Miles Morales's latest adventure movies at home. Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 2023 available to stream? Is watching Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Peacock, or Amazon Prime? Yes, we have found an authentic streaming option/service. Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online Free 720p, 1080p, And 4K.
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Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar winning Spider-Verse saga, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters the Spider Society, a team of Spider-People charged with protecting the Multiverse’s very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders and must set out on his own to save those he loves most. Anyone can wear the mask – it’s how you wear it that makes you a hero.
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After a grueling five-year-long wait, Marvel fans everywhere will finally be able to return to the animated multiverse with Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The upcoming sequel's predecessor requires no explanation, as Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse not only ensnared audiences and critics alike but also caught a prestigious Oscar win with a Best Animated Feature award. With "New York's one and only Spider-Man," Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), now becoming a household name, fans of the first film eagerly awaited the day they could see young Miles swing into the Spider-Verse again.
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Thankfully, the wait is almost finally over, as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will return to screens soon. This time Miles will not only be reunited with Gwen Stacey (Hailee Steinfeld) and Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) but he'll also be introduced to an entire multiversal society of Spider-people created and led by a particularly pessimistic variant of Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac). Though some of the other variants in this secretive organization view Miles as a nuisance more than anything else, they'll have to learn to put those apprehensions aside if they hope to save the multiverse from an all-new terrifying threat. As the release date for the sequel to one of the most celebrated Spider-Man films ever made crawls closer and closer, here is precisely where and how you can watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse when it premieres this Summer.
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If you’re like just about everyone else on the planet who saw Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse in 2018 and loved it, you’ve probably been waiting for the sequel. You won’t be waiting long, as Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is finally coming out in 2023, a full five years later. It’s been a long wait but by all indications the film is going to be a blast for fans of comic book movies, Miles Morales’ version of Spider-Man, and this new animated franchise featuring the iconic webslinger.
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is one of the most highly anticipated animated superhero films of 2023. Serving as a sequel to the critically acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018), this upcoming installment promises to continue the exhilarating adventures of the Spider-Verse. Fans from all around the globe are eagerly awaiting its release. In this article, we will provide you with all the essential information on the film's release date and how to watch it online from any country, ensuring you don't miss out on this exciting cinematic experience.
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This is especially true for many superhero films, which are often tied directly to specific streaming services. Disney+ and HBO Max - now rebranded as MAX - often house the new streaming releases for the MCU and DCU respectively, usually releasing anywhere between 1–3 months after theatrical release. However, with a film like Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the situation is slightly different given Sony's lack of a dedicated streaming service, here's where to watch and stream Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online.
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When Is the Release Date for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
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When Is the Release Date for Spider-Man: Across thMiles, Gwen, Peter, and several dozen other Spider-people will be swinging into action when Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse premieres on Friday, June 2nd, 2023. This almost undoubtedly gives Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Flash a run for their money as the biggest superhero movie event of the Summer. Spider-Verse?
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had its world premiere at the Regency Village Theatre on May 30, 2023, and is scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on June 2, delayed from an initial October 2022 date because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Where To Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online:
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As of now, the only way to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is to head out to a movie theater when it premieres on June 2, 2023. You can find a local showing on Fandango.
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Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait for it to become available to rent or purchase on digital platforms like Amazon, Vudu, YouTube or Apple, or become available to stream on Netflix.
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How to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
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There's been no official announcement regarding Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's streaming release date, though we know it will eventually be released on Netflix, rather than Disney+ or HBO Max.
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In terms of which of the streaming giants Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be released on, Netflix will house the film upon its streaming debut. While again, Sony does not have its own dedicated streaming service, a deal was struck in 2021 between the studio and Netflix. The deal, stating that Netflix would stream Sony's films after theatrical release, was penned for 5 years meaning Across the Spider-Verse is part of the arrangement.
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While Sony's Spider-Man content is also streaming on Disney+, due to the collaborations between Sony and Marvel Studios in recent years, Across the Spider-Verse will be a Netflix release. While the deal struck between Marvel Studios and Sony may extend to this film, Disney+ is only allowed to begin streaming Sony's Spider-Man releases upon their release on Netflix. As a result, Netflix will be the first streaming service that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be available on after its theatrical release.
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Because it’s airing on FX, you can of course fire up Into the Spider-Verse via FX Now. But in addition, the animated flick is streaming on both fubo (which offers a free trial and has cord-cutting plans starting at $74.99/month; sign up here) and DirecTV (which also offers a free trial and has cord-cutting plans starting at $64.99/month.
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Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in Theaters?
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Not only was Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse the subject of rave reviews, but it also pulled in some gargantuan levels of cash at the international box office, with a final tally that quadrupled the film's ninety-million dollar budget. With incredible success like that, it's only natural that Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse would also be taking advantage of a theatrical release. That is the case, as the upcoming film will be exclusively available in theaters when it premieres on June 2nd, 2023.
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When Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be on Streaming?
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The Spider-Man franchise is in a pretty interesting place regarding streaming. The various films of Sony's franchise have typically been scattered across multiple services. That said, following a historic deal between Sony and Disney, the many stories of Peter Parker and beyond are now available on Disney+. This includes the original Sam Raimi trilogy, the first Amazing Spider-Man film, and, starting mid-May, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Venom. Notably absent from the Disney-streaming platform so far are The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Spider-Man: Far From Home, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Morbius, and most significant of all, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
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Some of the films are not currently available on the service because Sony has pre-existing partnerships with Starz, as that's where most of the absent films are available to stream. That is except for Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which is instead only streaming on Fubo TV and FX Now.
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If Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse comes to Disney+ before Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse's theatrical run concludes, that would make the House of Mouse's service a likely contender for a streaming release. However, Sony has also historically partnered with Netflix for streaming releases. Up until recently, that's where Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was available to stream, and Sony still brings their other big releases to the service, like Bullet Train and The Woman King.
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When will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse be streaming on Netflix?
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Sony Animation’s big new Spider-Man movie is about to hit theaters and will be headed to Netflix (at least in the United States) later this year. For a prediction as to when and a bit more about the new movie, here’s what you need to know.
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As we covered in 2021, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be headed to Netflix as the service gets both Sony’s animation and live-action content via a first window deal struck in April 2021.
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The deal stipulates that all Sony theatrical movies come to Netflix in the first window, which at a minimum, is 120 days after its theatrical release date. If it arrives exactly 120 days after, it’ll be streaming from September 30th, 2023.
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With that said, given how big this movie is, we may see it release a few weeks after the fact. Either way, we expect the movie to be available between late September and November 2023.
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Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be Streaming On Netflix?
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Yes, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is coming to Netflix approximately in December 2023.
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In 2021, Sony and Netflix signed a five-year deal that gave the latter exclusive first-pay-window U.S. streaming rights for Sony Pictures titles after their theatrical and home entertainment windows. Fans can expect to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Netflix six months after the film’s theatrical release, thus in December 2023. The date seems reasonable considering that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse dropped on Netflix on June 26, 2019, six months after its U.S. release on December 14, 2018. The pay-one window usually begins about nine months after a film’s theatrical release, but it might start earlier in particular cases.
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Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be On HBO Max?
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No, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will not be on HBO Max since it’s not a Universal Pictures movie. Last year, the company released its films in theaters and on the streamer on the same day. However, they now allow a 45-day window between the theatrical release and the streaming release.
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Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be Streaming On Disney+?
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Yes, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is also coming to Disney Plus approximately in 2025.
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Once the pay-one window runs its time and Netflix’s exclusive rights expire, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will be available on Disney Plus. The pay-one window might last as long as 18 months, which means it will be a while before Disney Plus subscribers can watch the much-anticipated sequel. Unlike in other countries, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse isn’t yet available on the Disney-owned streamer in the U.S.
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American fans will have to wait until 2024 to watch Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and at least until 2025 for its sequel. We will update this post once there is an official Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Disney Plus release date.
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Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Available On Hulu?
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Viewers are saying that they want to view the new Marvel's animation movie Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Hulu. Unfortunately, this is not possible since Hulu currently does not offer any of the free episodes of this series streaming at this time. It will be exclusive to the MTV channel, which you get by subscribing to cable or satellite TV services. You will not be able to watch it on Hulu or any other free streaming service.
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How to Watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online For Free?
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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 (2023) free online. We will recommend 123Movies is the best Solarmovie alternatives.
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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.
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When Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be on DVD and Blu-ray?
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse will likely be coming to DVD and Blu-ray around the same time as the streaming release. With theatrical films, on average, coming to streaming sooner than ever (usually ninety days after theatrical release), we'll likely see Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse get a DVD, and Blu-ray release no later than Fall 2023.
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Cast and Characters
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was written by Dave Callaham, Phil Lord and Chris Miller and directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson. It stars the following actors:
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The following cast members are confirmed to provide their voice talents for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.
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Shameik Moore as Miles Morales / Spider-Man
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Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy / Spider-Woman
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Brian Tyree Henry as Jefferson Davis
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Luna Lauren Vélez as Rio Morales
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Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker / Spider-Man
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Jason Schwartzman as Jonathan Ohnn / the Spot
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Issa Rae as Jessica Drew / Spider-Woman
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Karan Soni as Pavitr Prabhakar / Spider-Man India
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Daniel Kaluuya as Hobart “Hobie” Brown / Spider-Punk
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Oscar Isaac as Miguel O’Hara / Spider-Man 2099
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Greta Lee as Lyla
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Rachel Dratch as the school counsellor
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Jorma Taccone as Vulture
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Shea Whigham as George Stacy
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Andy Samberg as Ben Reilly / Scarlet Spider
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What is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse About?
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Returning with many of your favorite characters, including Gwen Stacy/Spider-Woman, Peter B. ParkeSpider-Man, and of course Miles Morales as our primary Spider-Man, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is set one year after the events of the previous film. Miles (Shameik Moore) is coming into his own as Spider-Man when he is unexpectedly approached by Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld) with an extraordinary opportunity. Does Miles want to help a team of Spider-People, led by Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) protect the multiverse from the terrifying threat of a man known as The Spot (Jason Schwartzman)?
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Obviously, Miles is going to say yes, setting him up for an adventure that will expand this movie’s concept of the multiverse in every possible way. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse promises tons of new characters and worlds, without losing sight of what people have come to love about this particular Spider-franchise.
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Miles Morales has become a massively popular Spider-Man, and you can be certain he’ll be at the center of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’s chaotic blend of action, comedy, comic book aesthetics, and large-scale science fiction. It seems more likely than not that Across the Spider-Verse will be the biggest animated release of 2023.
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Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Hulu?
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No, 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' is unavailable on Hulu. People who have a subscription to the platform can enjoy 'Afro Samurai Resurrection' or 'Ninja Scroll.'
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Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Amazon Prime?
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Amazon Prime's current catalog does not include 'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.' However, the film may eventually release on the platform as video-on-demand in the coming months.fantasy movies on Amazon Prime's official website. Viewers who are looking for something similar can watch the original show 'Dororo.'
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When Will Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Be on Disney+?
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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. you're looking forward to watching it, you may be wondering when it will be available for your Disney+ subscription. Here's an answer to that question!
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Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Funimation?
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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 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train.'
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Online In The US?
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few ways to watch Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse online in the US 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. watch it on-demand or on a streaming app available on your TV or streaming device if you have cable.
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What is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse About?
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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 2250s company town begins to believe there is a sinister secret being kept from her by the man who runs it.
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What is the story of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse?
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In the 2250s, Alice and Jack live in the idealized community of Victory, an experimental company town that houses the men who work on a top- 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.
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In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam bestowed the almighty powers of the gods. After using these powers for vengeance, he was imprisoned, becoming Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Nearly 5,000 years have passed, and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse has gone from man to myth to legend. Now free, his unique form of justice, born out of rage, is challenged by modern-day heroes who form the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher, and Cyclone.
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Production companies : Warner Bros. Pictures.
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At San Diego Comic-Con in July, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had other people raising eyebrows when he said that his long-awaited superhero debut in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse would be the beginning of “a new era” for the DC Extended Universe naturally followed: What did he mean? And what would that kind of reset mean for the remainder of DCEU's roster, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the rest of the Justice League, Suicide Squad, Shazam and so on.As
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Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse neared theaters, though, Johnson clarified that statement in a recent sit-down with Yahoo Entertainment (watch above).
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“I feel like this is our opportunity now to expand the DC Universe and what we have in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which I think is really cool just as a fan, is we introduce five new superheroes to the world,” Johnson tells us. Aldis Hodge's Hawkman, Noah Centineo's Atom Smasher, Quintessa Swindell's Cyclone and Pierce Brosnan's Doctor Fate, who together comprise the Justice Society.) “One anti-hero.” (That would be DJ's Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.)
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“And what an opportunity. The Justice Society pre-dated the Justice League. So opportunity, expand out the universe, in my mind… all these characters interact. That's why you see in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, we acknowledge everyone: Batman , Superman , Wonder Woman, Flash, we acknowledge everybody.There's also some Easter eggs in there, too.So that's what I meant by the resetting. Maybe resetting' wasn't a good term.only
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In addition to being Johnson's DC Universe debut, “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” is also notable for marking the return of Henry Cavill's Superman. The cameo is likely to set up future showdowns between the two characters, but Hodge was completely unaware of it until he saw the film.
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“They kept that all the way under wraps, and I didn't know until maybe a day or two before the premiere,” he recently said Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) FULLMOVIE ONLINE
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Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Available On Hulu?Viewers are saying that they want to view the new TV show Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse on Hulu. Unfortunately, this is not possible since Hulu currently does not offer any of the free episodes of this series streaming at this time. the MTV channel, which you get by subscribing to cable or satellite TV services. You will not be able to watch it on Hulu or any other free streaming service.
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Is Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Streaming on Disney Plus?
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Unfortunately, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is not currently available to stream on Disney Plus and it's not expected that the film will release on Disney Plus until late December at the absolute earliest.
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While Disney eventually releases its various studios' films on Disney Plus for subscribers to watch via its streaming platform, most major releases don't arrive on Disney Plus until at least 45-60 days after the film's theatrical release.

~The day of The Mercenary Tournament~
-Stratensburg-
Every year it’s always the same. The mercenary Guild puts on a tournament and you might as well have canceled school for the day. Nobody shows up to class and the AIs don’t even punish them. What a waste of a day.
I looked around my classroom. “Empty like usual. I might as well watch the tournament.” I saw the door open, and to my surprise Alresi walked in. “Mr Malaise, what brings you here?”
“I would like to invite you to watch my mercenary group compete in the tournament.”
“Oh? Shouldn’t you be giving them a pep talk?”
“I already did. Are you going to watch or not?”
“Oh I suppose I will, since I have nothing better to do.”
-Alresi-
After inviting all of my teachers I headed to where the Mercenary Tournament would be held and got ready for the first event of the tournament which was dueling.
“Dueling is one on one fighting. But I am sure that you knew that dear reader.”
Upon arrival I headed to my team to get ready with them.
“No more hiding. Right?” “But of course that is a little ironic considering how I’m hiding behind a memory alteration spell.”
I had long since learned to ignore the whispers that now followed me. That being… Whatever was speaking and making me forget the words it said gave me chills, it felt like it was trying to drive me insane. I had even begun to remember random words that it said. It was only recently that I began to remember phrases. Remember might be the wrong word, it was more like I just didn’t forget? No one heard it or acknowledged it, no one even noticed it but me… except for Mali. Maybe…
I shook my head to try and get rid of the treacherous thoughts that followed that path of thought to focus on the task at hand. Though focusing on the task at hand was getting harder and harder as my mental acuity and capacity seemed to be ever increasing, My visual acuity also seemed to be increasing as well. I had arrived at the prep area that had been designated for my team and saw Dravis playing cards with Falcres.
As soon as I stepped into the room Dravis looked up. “Grand Weaver, I see you have arrived safely. As to be expected of someone with your level of power.”
I sighed, “Look Dravis, I know you can talk, but could you please refrain from talking, it might get you, and by extension me, in trouble.”
“What? It’s okay for Raxlin to talk but not me?”
“Raxlin looks human, and not to mention she is usually assumed to be, by pretty much everyone that meets her, upon first look sentient and capable of speech. Whereas, you on the other hand look like a regular Arachnex, which are considered sentient but incapable of speaking.”
“I don’t see why it’s such a big deal, I keep quiet if there is someone not in our little club around, and I talk when there isn’t.”
“Please remain cautious when you’re on earth. There are cameras literally everywhere.” With that aside Raxlin’s scales turned beet red, which was her equivalent of a blush.
“Really? I haven’t seen any in this room.”
I had noticed where the cameras for this room were almost as soon as I entered and looked in their direction, I pointed one of them out. Everyone looked at where I pointed.
Slavix sounded unimpressed as she said, “Anyone would put a camera there, it is a rather obvious spot, but I don’t see one.”
“Wait, you guys can’t see them?”
Slavix asked “There’s actually a camera there?” with some surprise in her voice.
Falcres said “It doesn’t surprise me that there is one there, there’s only so many places where you could creatively hide a camera.” with an unamused tone in his voice.
“And there are only so many ways to give inflection to characters without sounding like a broken record.” “As time goes on, there is only so long that you can run from reality.” “(But you can’t keep running.)”
I tried to ignore the whispers that would undoubtedly cause my insanity. Besides, what was I supposed to do with this knowledge? I can run from reality, but I can’t keep running? What did that have to do with characters?
“Knowledge is a burden, ignorance is bliss. Keep learning little one, and you will see things beyond your wildest dreams.”
I pretended not to hear it, and continued with my preparations.
“Do you dare to dream? Do you dare to create?”
A different voice spoke this time. “Leave now before I remove you from this plane. You are disrupting this story.”
I heard everything it said clearly. But I didn’t care, I couldn’t, if I wanted to retain my sanity.
I heard Raxlin’s voice seemingly coming from a long distance even though I knew she had rushed over to me, “Alresi, Are you ok? You’re pale, sweating and hyperventilating. If you need any help let me know.” I knew that she cared about me, but I had shut her out of my mind, no one but me needed to bear the weight of this burden of voices.
-Balish-
Me and my team had prepared for this moment for a long time, this time we would win the tournament. Last year we got 2nd place and were just a few points behind first place.
I looked around, when I had stopped my eyes were resting on Isaac who was polishing his Construct Weapon, sometimes Isaac’s Construct Weapon was a spear, other times it was a sword, a dagger or on rare occasions a scythe, I had even seen it turn into some kind of handgun.
He called it Balkavish, and it could speak, not only was it a weapon that could transform, it was a sentient weapon that could transform. Some called them Metal Spirits, but I knew that it was different than that, they were called Construct Weapons for a reason.
They were bound to a single person on creation or at a later time, most all of them were made from multiple weapons that were bound into a sort of frame, this frame was also the main body of the Construct Weapon, which is where its consciousness is housed, this Frame is called the Host.
Balkavish’s Host was floating beside Isaac and looked like an orb with interlocking parts attached to it; the orb acted as both a sort of eye and the core processing unit. Certainly not the most common design for a Host, while also not being particularly rare, but it suited Balkavish well. I had spoken with Balkavish before, and while it wasn’t unpleasant, Balkavish, while they were extremely intelligent compared to the average human, being some kind of AI, they were not the most engaging of conversation partners.
-Alresi-
Now that I had everything under control I was no longer hyperventilating or sweating.
I looked around to find that everyone was staring at me
Falcres spoke first, and broke the silence, “You look like you just had a panic attack, but there’s nothing to worry about right now, we’ll stomp the competition and then leave as the victors.”
I shook my head, “I was thinking about other problems.”
Slavix spoke up “You have seemingly been preoccupied with these other problems on an increasing frequency since the hunt that we had on Thasolones. Raxlin, you have said that you two can communicate telepathically with Alresi, what’s going on?”
She shook her head, “Usually I can but Alresi has been keeping me from communicating with him.”
Slavix turned to Molchen, “What about you?”
Molchen shrugged about as much as a spider could, “I’ve got nothing.”
At this point I knew that they knew that something was going on. I spoke as confidently as I could, “I promise you that this is not a big deal.”
I apparently did not speak confidently enough. Raxlin stated, “And if you have a panic attack while we are fighting something dangerous?”
It was like I had been cursed, and I had no idea how to get rid of this curse.
Then I remembered something that Mali had said.
I em p t i e d m y m i n d.
T h e n t h e p i e c e s f e l l into place. They were beings that were ancient and powerful. While I had been slowly losing my mind, I had been observing these beings, the only way to get them to go away was to listen to them it seemed. I thought back to what the first one said… “No more hiding. Right?” I guessed it was about damn time. I was also weary of the strange looks that people gave me, if they looked at my mercenary record I would be seen as a prodigy, but they probably wondered why I associated with my team when I could get a profitable offer from some big name mercenary group. Well soon enough they would see the answer. The only question left about these mind flaying non entities was why they wanted me to do any of the things they asked. I would ask Mali about it soon.
I walked over to the window that was in our waiting area. As I looked out, I saw the arena that we would be competing in. I also saw the windows for the other team’s waiting areas. I felt a hand come to a rest on my shoulder. Then I heard Raxlin’s voice.
“Whatever it is you are going through, we’re here for you. You taught us how to work as a team, so why should this be any different?”
I sighed. “I’ve been hearing voices that no one else hears except for Mali. Hearing them is not exactly the best thing for my sanity is all that there is to this.”
“Promise me that you’ll be okay.” I heard Raxlin say, almost in a whisper.
“I promise.”
With that Raxlin squeezed my shoulder and walked up beside me. “Is there anyone we should be worried about?”
“For the most part we could probably take a team on each, and if any of us starts to have trouble, then we start working together. If we take every team that we go against down too fast they will think that we’re cheating… and it would not be a good show for the people that are watching.”
“Right, like putting on a good show is something we should be worried about. We should focus on winning.”
“If we put on a good show, we will win more than just the prize money, we will also show that we are competent, and if people see us fight together they will want to hire us, which means that we get to set the price to hire us.”
“And if we put on a show of how genuinely horrific your abilities are in comparison to regular humans?”
“There will still be people who want to hire us. Just less people.”
Then I received the signal that our team would be competing in the first round of the first event.
The dueling event would be via Elimination style, and also would be point based.
Because I was the most renowned member of our mercenary group and also the one who was seen as the strongest, I decided to be the last line of defense against us losing, which would likely be seen as intentionally throwing the dueling event. The dueling event was point based specifically to ensure that the strongest member of any team would need to be first.
Which is why I decided to have Slavix go first, she had improved the most, and was best suited for this. Pretty much everyone already knew what her abilities were at this point but hardly anybody knew about the rest of our team’s true capabilities. So by having Slavix go first we eliminated the possibility of our trump cards being revealed.
While pretty much everybody knew about Slavix’s Esper Ability, they did not know exactly how much she had improved. In fact, I had a suspicion that people were going to think that she had not improved at all since the last time she had competed in this tournament.
What happened next was not surprising considering the circumstances. Her first opponent started talking before the match had even started.
“I don’t like hurting those that can’t defend themselves but I will hurt you if you don’t surrender.”
Slavix didn't even flinch at the suggestion that she was defenseless, she instead stated: “Who said that I would be the one getting hurt?”
The fight began shortly after the exchange, Slavix used one of her newer techniques as a statement of force. [Fire Prison] was rather effective in that regard, as Slavix’s opponent was now trapped within it. Slavix’s Flames were no longer a dull red as they once had been when she entered the tournament the first time, they were now a bright white.
“What? No, I don't believe that you created these flames.”
Slavix simply raised a brow, before increasing the heat with a hand gesture, not that the hand gesture was needed, it just makes it look like she is the one doing it. As she performed the hand gesture the flames changed from the bright white to a bright blue.
“Okay, Fine I surrender.”
The first thing about Slavix’s ability that she had trained, and this was before she even joined our mercenary group, was endurance, given her fighting style of trying to end fights quickly, you would naturally doubt me, but when I asked her about it she said “What good is power if you lack the reserves to sustain it. As to why I try to end fights quickly, prolonged fights, while they will help you get better at fighting, will ultimately be your downfall if you run out of energy.”
Once Slavix reached a plateau with her endurance training she started training to maximize the rate at which she could put out power, all the while keeping up with endurance training. This allowed her to end fights quickly and need to use less power as a result. Only after joining up with us did she reach a plateau with output training. She could use explosive bursts of power for extended periods of time, but had trouble controlling them. So she started to learn how to better control her power.
Slavix’s next combatant was a Raxi, which was not all that surprising considering that they had excellent defense against almost all attacks, and that they had extremely good relations with humans. I also could not tell if the Raxi was a he or a she, not that it mattered.
Her next opponent had decided that talking before an inevitable fight was for wimps, which was something that Slavix agreed on. As soon as the match started they rushed her, which was exactly what Slavix expected them to do. Instead of just getting closer uninjured, like her opponent expected, they ran face first into a wall of blue fire. Not that the wall stopped them, it just left them confused and rather crispy on the outside. But because the Raxi did not yield, Slavix had to do more to ensure her victory. But while Raxi had hard shells, even they could not stand lack of oxygen for long periods of time. Slavix encased the Raxi in an orb of fire, the fire’s color a medium orange, while the fire was not hot, it did burn up all the oxygen in the area. The Raxi did run out of the arena causing it to be disqualified. Though gauging by the speed at which the Raxi left the arena, it probably also inhaled some of the fire as well.
while this chapter seems unfinished it is not.
I'll also probably be moving to royal road soonish.
[FirstPreviousNext]

So I’ve never heard of nor seen a consanguineous marriage in real life and I’m under the impression that most places outlawed such practice , at least first cousin marriage. I can’t help but developing these somewhat iffy feelings in my stomach. For the love of god I really don’t want to and I’m sorry but you feel what you feel.(culture shock)
Upon further readings, some of my questions got answered while some remain.

 1. The most common explanation is that consanguineous marriage is a result of such endeavor to preserve the wealth ( dowries and inheritance) in the family line, which ain’t much convincing to me since dowries or inheritance have long existed in many cultures, then why cousin marriage is still largely if not solely favored in Middle East and North Africa ? 2. Even though consanguineous marriage is not banned in many countries, the actual percentage of it is still considerably low in the whole population. Do you think it’s more likely due to the lack or opportunity to meet up girls/men on their own since pre-marital relationships don’t/ rarely exist? 3. In one article, such mental activity was stated—-“Because there’s one cousin that’s unmarried, I’ve got to marry her. At least that’s what their thinking is”; “It’s worse for him because his brother won’t like it if I won’t marry his daughter.” So what’s the dynamic among families? Any pressure there? To what extent? 4. Personally I can’t imagine myself marrying to a cousin or uncle or whatever as long as he’s in the same family tree cuz it feels wrong( incestous ?) but do any of you actually fell in love with a cousin ? Do you think you still will if you get to hang with girls or go on dates ? 5. When it comes to a life partner, is “checking all the marks” enough to make one happy ? I’m p sure under many occasions there are people who check all the marks and look so damn good on paper yet you just can’t fall for them. The heart doesn’t want what it doesn’t want. Is having butterflies after all just overrated or, for better or worse, has been nothing but a complete urban myth? When you’re well read, well travelled, had your fair share with life, what are the odds of you falling in love with a family member? 

Thank you ♥️🙏🏻

​
///11th of June, 2006
“Dad, the moon!” I shouted as I entered the garage. My father was on the floor, under his Bugatti 57SC Atlantic, obsessively removing and re-installing pieces of the car like he always did. He quickly got up, a smile on his grease-stained face.
​
“Finally!” He said with his beer-breath, grabbing a towel and cleaning most of his face, before running outside as fast as he could. I followed him. I don’t know why I always liked these moments. Any child would find them terribly boring. But I always reveled on them. Maybe it’s because they were the only moments he smiled. He positioned his telescope on our front yard, adjusted the lens, drank a beer can and started looking at the full moon above us.
​
“Do you see it?” I asked, sitting on the grass next to him.
​
“Shut up.” He said, still looking. After half an hour of waiting, he started laughing. I opened my mouth to ask if he was seeing it, but I held my voice. Didn’t want to anger him.
​
“It’s blinking! It’s blinking Johnathan!” He laughed. I smiled. That wasn’t my name, though he called me that. Only several years later I would learn that was the name of his deceased younger brother. Every full moon, we would come look at it with the telescope. And he’d always call me Johnathan. Probably because he was always so drunk. But from always avoiding me or calling me “Brat”, Johnathan was a nice shift.
​
“Can I see?” I asked, and he lowered the tripod so I could see the moon. There was a small light blinking on it’s surface. It was truly beautiful.
​
“Fine, my turn again.” My father shoved me back, adjusted the tripod back, and started looking at it again. “It’s blinking so much tonight… Maybe… Brat, get my camera!” He shouted at me. I quickly went inside the house, and looked around for the camera in the living room. There it was, on a little pile of beer cans and empty rythmol boxes in the corner of the room. I hurried back outside, as fast as I could, as I did not want to anger my father.
​
I stopped on my tracks as soon as I was out of the house. There was a strange being involving my father. It looked like a snake, but I knew it was anything but a snake. There were not snakes that big where I lived. And certainly not with human faces. My father seemed oblivious to it, looking through his telescope, but the thing was all around him, from the bottom of his legs all the way to the top of his head.
​
“It’s blinking so much…” He said, in awe. The creature looked at me, locking eyes with me, and smiled, revealing several sets of sharp fangs. And then, it disappeared. My father looked at me, he was sweating. “I think… I need to lay down for a bit…” He muttered, before falling on the grass. I spent the entire night trying to wake him up, before my mother found me there crying the following day.
​
///09th of November 2021
​
“And that’s why you decided to study astronomy? Really?” Melissa laughed.
​
“Oh, come on, babe… Don’t make fun of my tragic past.” I said, finishing my waffles. She went to the fridges, grabbed the orange juice, and poured some in our cups.
​
“Shall we toast?” She asked.
​
“With orange juice? And what for?”
​
“Your impending graduation. What else?”
​
“Impending? Ha! I didn’t even start my capstone thesis.”
​
“So, what will it be about? Venus, right? Or was it Mars?”
​
“Nope. Too many people I know will already be working on planets like Venus and Mars. I thought about Neptune, but it’s too far away. So I figured, why not the Moon?”
​
“Please, don’t tell me this is about your father.”
​
“Mel, he wasn’t the best dad in the world. But he did left me his collection of vintage cars. This is what paid for my education.”
​
“He didn’t left it to you, it was divided between you and your mother.”
​
“Regardless, I feel like I owe him this. Apart from the cars, the moon was the only thing he loved.”
​
“You owe him nothing, Ezra.”
​
“I need to know what the blinking lights are! Lunar transient phenomena, it’s how they call them. There’s no scientific explanation to what they are.”
​
“Just because there’s no known scientific explanation, it doesn’t mean one does not exist. And if there’s one, it’s certainly not creepy snake-man” She laughed.
​
///04th of September, 2022
​
The first thing you feel when you start seriously investigating the moon is how mysterious it is. We only went there a handful of times, and then never again. All reasons are given for this, but it never really felt right to me. Maybe what happened to my father always made me feel paranoid about the subject, but I somehow felt there were things about the moon that were hiding on plain sight.
​
The focus of my research, the lunar transient phenomena, is incredibly unknown. Few studies were done about it, and most of them were never published or were abandoned. The few that were made available were either from little-known universities in third-world countries, in languages that I couldn’t understand and without English translation, or mere compilations of recorded occurrences. I found some theories. The lights were caused by magnetism, or by gasses, or by asteroids, perspective…
​
But mere hypothesis were not enough for me. I needed to know. I needed to understand. I needed… I needed to confirm it weren’t those lights who killed my father that day.
​
So, I delved deep into the research. I spent weeks in my bedroom, reading books and more books, entering all sorts of websites, sending emails to experts, looking for anything that could give me more information. But through all my effort, the only thing I could find were theories or hypothesis, all of them with little to no evidence. In my search for answers, I started straying further away from modern science, entering strange websites and reading books that talked about blatant pseudoscience, like astrology or the paranormal.
​
///17th of February, 2022
​
“So, what books will you be basing your capstone on?” My orienting professor asked. I could not see his face properly, we were talking through a videocall and he was not very tech savvy, so his eyes and nose were out of the frame.
​
“Chris, I can only see your mouth!” I laughed.
​
“Sorry…” He said, adjusting his camera. The framing was not perfect yet, but it was better. "Have you read the books I sent you?"
​
"They... They were not what I was looking for."
​
"What were you looking for, Ezra?"
​
"I told you. Answers. I have been looking for answers, yet I only find questions."
​
"We will only be able to find real answers when we actually set a lab on the moon. Until then, we will have to live with merely hypothesizing."
​
"I know, but..."
​
"Have you tried reading Kulikovsky?Or Hakan Kayal? Non-american studies in general."
​
"Yes, professor Chris. But... All studies seem to contradict themselves. Some point to studies that I can’t find anywhere, like they don’t exist anymore. Like they were erased by someone…”
​
“Some texts were never made digital or registered. It’s very unfortunate.”
​
“Everyone tries to find a logical explanation... What if there isn't one?"
​
"What is this truly about?"
​
"What?"
​
"It's just... You do know you can change your capstone thesis theme, right? Maybe an analysis of something more well-known could work better with your methodology."
​
"Chris, I will not change my mind. We have discussed this before."
​
"Well, well... I talked to one of my former colleagues, he is retired now, who also studied the moon, but his research was more focused on gravity. He told me there's a book called "A Study of the Moon with a New Lens" or something like that. Written by one Dr. Karl Hollfern in 1935."
​
"That is way before LTP was even catalogued."
​
"Catalogued, yes. Recorded? No. Hollfern studied extensevely the lunar mysteries. Unfortunately, he was executed by the Nazis because he opposed them. But his research lived on. My friend told me they have one of his books in the library. But it's in German."
​
///18th of February, 2022
​
I entered the library carrying a bag full of German grammar books and a dictionary. I would not let a little language barrier stop me from getting to the truth.
​
“Hello, how can I help you?” The librarian asked, barely averting her eyes from her cellphone.
​
“I’m actually looking for a book that could either be in the astronomy section or in the foreign titles section… Can you help me?”
​
“Which book?” She was still looking at her phone, seemingly playing one of those generic casual mobile games.
​
“It’s in German. Old, from the 1930s. Talks about studies of the moon made at the time.”
​
“Unusual request, but ok…” She put her phone on the counter, and started typing on the computer. “Can’t find it. Do you have the author’s name?”
​
“Karl Hollfern.”
​
“Uncanny. It’s unlisted.”
​
“What?”
​
“We have it in the library, but it’s not available. We usually do this when books are being cleaned. Usually takes a couple of days… It says it won’t be listed until… Until 2100?
​
“What? How does this makes sense?”
​
“I don’t know. I’ve been working here for sixteen years, and have never seen something like this. Regardless, I can’t lend you the book. I can’t even let you access it in library grounds.”
​
///23rd of February, 2022
​
I was drinking my Starbucks cappuccino while trying to make myself comfortable on the shopping mall bench, to no avail. I was tense. I had never involved myself with something like this. If my mother or girlfriend knew, they would kill me. An older man made his way out of the crowd and patiently sat down next to me.
​
“You were supposed to be sitting on the bench next to Nike. But no problem.” He laughed.
​
“Sorry. I got confused…” I facepalmed.
​
“I got the book you asked me too. But the price is going to be different in your case.”
​
“As in more expensive?”
​
“No. Normally, I charge twenty five grand, or double If the job is hard. In your case, the job was ridiculously easy. I will be charging five grand only.”
​
“Thanks! I’m transferring to your account right now…” I said as I typed on my phone.
​
“The book is in your car.”
​
“How did you… Oh, of course.”
​
“Pleasure doing business with you.” He got up and left. I immediately went to my car. There it was, Eine Untersuchung des Mondes mit einer neuen Linse.
​
///28th of February, 2022
​
“Honey, are you still awake?” Melissa asked me. I was sitting on a pillow in the corner of the room, aggressively doing more and more Duolingo lessons.
​
“I’m busy, Mel.” I said, without averting my eyes from the green owl.
​
“Is this about that German book you have been taking everywhere?”
​
“No…” I blatantly lied.
​
“Honey, you’ve been up all night. It’s ten to six.”
​
“What?”
​
“You are obsessed with this shit, Ezra! Look at you! This is the third time I find you here studying German instead of sleeping!”
​
“I’m sorry, but you do know I have a capstone thesis to finish, don’t you?!” I screamed back at her.
​
“Oh. So this is what’s all about, right?”
​
“Babe, it’s not like that…” Before I could say anything, she stormed out of the apartment. I stood there, frozen, for a minute or two, before I went back to my Duolingo.
​
///3rd of March, 2022
​
“Hello Ezra” Chris said, as I adjusted my camera. As usual, I couldn’t see his face properly.
​
“Good evening, professor Chris.”
​
“Ezra, are you okay? You look tired.”
​
“I’m fine.” I said vehemently.
​
“Ezra… I… I have bad news for you.” When he said that, I felt like a hand was smashing my heart. “The university has rejected your intended theme.”
​
“W-what?”
​
“You’ll have to pick something else. I’m sorry.”
​
“What? Why?!”
​
“Apparently there’s information about Lunar Transient Phenomena that is undisclosed to the general public. The feds were here yesterday, talked with the dean about it. Said that researching the LTP was considered meddling in national security affairs, and that all projects focusing on it were to be halted.”
​
“Bullshit!”
​
“I’m sorry. I know how much time you have already invested in this. But we’ll find something else, Ezra. There are more lunar mys…” I interrupted him.
​
“Why is it so hard to research a simple lunar phenomena?! Every time I advance, everyone tries to block me! They will not stop me from uncovering what happened to my father!” I slammed the table.
​
“What?”
​
“This will not stop me.” I muttered, while ending the videocall.
​
///8th of March, 2022
​
After some turbulent days, I was finally making progress again. My knowledge of German wasn’t great, but knowing basic grammar, using online dictionaries, and with a little help from online German studying communities, I was making my way through the book.
​
The book was almost a century old, yet I felt like I was finally making progress. The research by Hollfern was fascinating, but disturbing. He described how the “blinking moonlights” if watched carefully, could be interpreted as having meaning. My German was advancing but far from perfect, so I didn’t have the exact translation, but it said something about the moon speaking in some sort of secret code using the lights.
​
It also referenced some books, most of which seemed to not exist anymore, but some of them not only existed, I also managed to download their scanned PDFs. It was pretty unorthodox for a scientific study. There was a book on symbols and sigils of different religions, a compilation of theological texts about Gnosticism, a book compiling works by Schopenhauer, and a Hindi scroll explaining Chakras.
​
I didn’t understood yet how everything connected. Seemed like a strange collection of unrelated weirdness.
​
///10th of March, 2022
​
I stumbled upon something I had previously overlooked. There’s an work by Schopenhauer where he discuss reading the Upanishads, which are old Hindi texts. The Hindi text I had downloaded was translated to English, but what if I looked for the original? Maybe there was something I wasn’t shown.
​
The original had a section that was censored in the English version that talked about a Devas that was corrupted by an evil unknown entity called that attached on it’s solar plexus and made it miserable with overwhelming sadness and pain. A thing described as a floating jester.
​
///13th of March, 2022
​
The phone in the living room started ringing. I left it there, unwilling to stop reading the book and trying to translate the contents. The call went to voicemail, and then I heard the caller recording it:
​
“Hey Ezra, I know you’re going through a bad time, but as your orienting professor, I care for you. You didn't show up for any of your tests. I know you seem to be focused on your research, but this isn't the-" I unplugged the damn thing.
​
///16th of March, 2022
​
I got evicted after not paying my rent. Or I was supposed to be at least. I picked up my research stuff and rented a cheap motel room on the outskirts of my town. I could not pay for the rent, and least not for now, I spent most of my money buying books and old magazines during the last weeks. I don’t need a place to call mine for now. I just need to find the truth.
​
I know the government will come after me. I’m coming too close. But if they want me to stop, they will have to kill me. I’ve already lost everything. This investigation is all I have left.
​
///18th of March, 2022
​
There's an old website that I found while researching. A true relic, seems to be from the early 90s. It contains old conspiracies theories, like stuff about the Illuminati and New Age, Satanic Panic, how Ronald Reagan was actually replaced, among other things. But there was something among the insanity that I felt was the last thing missing in my investigation. The true reason why we never returned to the Moon and why the Soviets never even attempted landing on it.
​
According to that website, during the last moon expedition, in December of 1972, the astronauts were secretly instructed to find out what was causing the Lunar Transient Phenomena, and spent three days on the Taurus-Littrow Valley, the region where the phenomena was more frequent on the previous five years. They were carrying a seismometer, as the most influential theory at the time was that the LTP was being caused by moonquakes cracking the surface of the natural satellite and releasing gasses.
​
But what the seismometer detected was that there were no such thing as moonquakes. Their equipments revealed humongous structures, seemingly biological or mechanical, moving under the moon surface.
​
One day before they left, NASA detected an instance of LTP a few kilometers near where they were stationed, so the astronauts went there to check. What they found there was never disclosed, but some theorize they met one of the beings responsible for causing the blinking lights. And that was the reason humanity abandoned all expeditions to the moon. After five missions in three years, we never returned there.
​
///20th of March, 2022
​
I woke up feeling like my head was spinning. I was lying on the sofa of my motel room. Once again, I had spent the entire previous night and day reading texts cited by Dr. Hollfern. My tablet was out of battery, so I got up, feeling pain all over my body, and went looking for my charger. It took me a couple of minutes to notice the two men wearing dark suits, black ties and dark sunglasses sitting on my sofa. One of them had a silenced pistol on his hand.
​
“Good afternoon, Ezra Thornbridge.” The one holding the firearm said, with a voice so ordinary it was scary.
​
“W-what?!” I blurted, still trying to overcome the pain.
​
“Oh, don’t mind us. We are just here to recover something.” The other man said, smiling.
​
“Something that isn’t yours, yet you’re in possession of.” The man with the gun complemented.
​
“I… Who are you?” I asked.
​
“Right now, I’m the man pointing the gun at you.” The man with the weapon said, while his partner just shrugged.
​
“Fine, I’ll return your damn book. But I already know about it. I already put the pieces together."
​
"Oh, interesting. What do you think you know, Thornbridge?" One of them mocked.
​
"The Solar Plexus Clown Glider. I have studied them in depth. Or do you prefer to call them like the Gnostic theologians called them back in the day? *Archons…*”
​
“Look what we have here, Spencer. Like father like son.” The guy with the gun scoffed.
​
“I told you we should have just doped him and looked for the damn book while he slept. He is totally gone.” Spencer said.
​
“I’m not crazy! The Archons are real! They killed my father! They kill people! And you, instead of trying to protect the people, just hide their existence, just lie, just lie and lie and lie!”
​
“How can you be so smart yet so stupid?” The guy with the gun said.
​
“The Archons don’t kill people, Ezra. They just make you miserable and drown you in fear and pain.” Spencer said.
​
“But I saw one kill my father.”
​
“Your father died of chronic ventricular arrhythmia coupled with excessive alcohol ingestion. The thing you saw was merely an emotional parasite, feeding off his negative emotions and influencing him to indulge on them.” Spencer said.
​
“Does this mean…”
​
“Yes. It also infected you that day. That’s why you saw it. It’s been with you ever since. The more you learn about it, the more you dread, the more you obsess, the more you lose… You were feeding it all along.” Spencer explained.
​
“And why do you think we tried to protect you, dumbass? If the knowledge was harmless, we wouldn’t be around breaking the law and breaking people’s necks to prevent it from spreading.” The guy with the weapon said.
​
“It’s not too late, Ezra. When your father was alive, there wasn’t much we could do, but now we have technology to make them go away. But it has a cost.” Spencer explained.
​
“What cost?”
​
“You will forget your father. You will forget most about the moon and astronomy. Probably the entirety of the last few months. And there are probable side effects, like sporadic short-term amnesia.” Spencer said.
​
“Or we can just fucking shoot you in the forehead right now to prevent the thing from infecting more people. Your choice.” The guy with the gun said. I just turned around and ran as fast as I can towards the window behind me. I jumped out of it, shattering the glass, and fell on the hard cold concrete of the parking lot. I tried to get up, my body was all cut from the glass, and I felt something warm on my back, even though it was raining.
​
“Are you stupid?!” I heard the guy with the gun shouting while he and the other agent descended the staircase that led to the parking lot. I finally got up, feeling cold from the rain, and tried to run, but could only limp. Yeah, jumping out of the window like I was in an 80s action movie wasn’t the best idea. I heard another click behind me, and fell to the floor. I could see the agents running towards me, smoke coming out of the gun. There seemed to be snakes around both of them, smiling witch their human faces and several sets of sharp fangs.
​
I looked towards the sky. Among the raining clouds, I could see the moon above me, full and blooming. Blinking. Blinking so much.

So since about 2019 I’ve been looking at airsoft guns like gbbs and stuff so this year I got a job at a local pizza place paying $7.50 an hour so I saved up for a umarex glock 17 gbb so I ask if I can get it and she says she doesn’t care and to go for it and I do. I get it and get about a months worth of enjoyment out of it before my aunt comes and sees it and takes it bc “ it’s too real looking” even though it’s plastered with orange marking tape and she takes it to my mom and says I was “pointing it at people and threatening them” which btw I didn’t do at all I told my mom that and she gives it back and doesn’t care at all then a week later I get in trouble for a reason completely unrelated to the airsoft gun then she takes it and says I’m never gonna see it again and she took it somewhere and I haven’t seen it or gotten a reason for her taking it since then. What can I do about this?

1. Karolina. Compentent, Cool, and well-liked by different overlords.
2. Jess. Honestly, whatever she's paid, it's not enough. Smart enough to get out at the right time.
3. Menken. Power hungry. Slick. Savvy enough to get the king a coke if he wants it.
4. Josh. Seems to have the upper hand over Logan and Kendall while they ask him for his support. Too bad he was only in one episode.
5. Rhea Jarell. We should have gotten the hint earlier that Logan wanted an outsider to be CEO. Plays both sides and wise enough to get out of a toxic situation.
6. Logan. Apparently he was to build and topple governments. And so he did with his own empire. Ambitious, ruthless, but not wise enough to raise serious people of his own.
7. Stewy. "I can promise you that I am spiritually and emotionally and ethically and morally behind whoever wins."
8. Marcia. The first to make a big power play after Logan's death and making vague death threats wherever she can. If she were around more during the show I"m sure she'd end up higher.
9. Gerri. Arguably stronger than Frank / Carl and also interim CEO of Waystar Royco. I'm dinging her for her nonsense with Roman.
10. Laird. Maybe I have a soft spot for lawyers but even when he's not in the room, he's relied by Logan, the Old Guard, and the kids to help get things done.
11. Frank / Karl : I'm cheating a bit since its a pair but they were really the MVPs during the transition period and held the boys' hands in their attempt to reverse viking.
12. Laurence Yee. CEO of Vaulter and board member of Waystar Royco. Too bad we didn't see more of him and should have wised up earlier to the Roys fuckery.
13. Matsson. Intimidating. Seemingly untouchable. Has the money to just sweep Waystar off of the Roys' feet. Fuckery with numbers and Ebba, though, can be his downfall in the end.
14. Brian. "I'm intellectually promiscuous but culturally conservative." Cool dude and I'd post him higher if he climbed the corporate ladder.
15. Sandy. Out for Logan's blood in the earlier seasons but turned into a vegetable.
16. Ebba. From the little we see of her, she's is high up in Matsson's organization that now larger with the acquisition. That said she puts up with Matsson's BS which might hurt her in the long-run.
17. Nan Pierce. She does get what she wants and is one of the few, if only people, who can drive away from a screaming Logan.
18. Tom Wambgans. From a humble background he made it to CEO of one of the largest companies in the world, even if is sucking up to kingmakers. Though silly, he has made the right calls and even put himself on the line to go to jail if that's what it takes. His messy marriage and outbursts with Greg keep him from a higher slot.
19. Ewan Roy. Another elder who can deliver one hell of a eulogy and acts as a conscience to Logan.
20. Eavis. From a Bernie Sanders-like politician that made it all the way to VP, at least lets see what the courts say. Only ding is his impulsive firing of a disrespectful Shiv. A more serious person could have handled that better.
21. Cyd. Tom's predecessor and partner at ATN. Definitely competent at the job but if she were more ruthless, she would have killed Tom in the cradle.
22. Nate. Man of the hour during the election tailgate and wise enough to know that turning into just another Logan would be disastrous for Ken.
23. Naomi Pierce. Seemingly enjoying a luxurious 0.001% life but unafraid to represent family business when it comes down to it.
24. Hugo Baker. A little silly - yes - and caught in a bad place laughing at Kerri but still an underrated player in the Roy Saga.
25. Caroline Collingwood. Despite being an ex of Logan's, she manages to be on good terms with him and the kids and can squeeze extra dollars from him when she can. Also, a cheeky little fuck.
26. Mark Ravenhead. Top $ draw at ATN, but can't even pass softball questions thrown at by his boss.
27. Shiv. The only child who has a career outside of Waystar Royco and almost was appointed Chief of Staff to a future VP candidate.
28. Greg. Yes, Greg the egg bumblefucks his way upwards and not necessarily taken seriously by anyone else...to their detriment. Out of all the characters, he has the biggest delta in status from s1 to s4 despite being a bumbling cartoon most of the time.
29. Willa. Temperamental? Yes. Bad playwright? Also yes. But she can stand her own to Marcia and swallows her pride for money and status in the end.
30. Kendal. Living + was a win for Ken but that may be his only win in a sea of attempts at greatness.
31. Roman. The most serious thing he's done was realize he wasn't a serious person by the last episode.
32. Kerry. No serious person would be described as "Chuckles the Clown" by Karl.
33. Conner. Even though I am a Conhead, going through to VPs and blowing $100 mil to get 1% isn't a very serious thing to do (cough Bloomberg cough). But still, a candidate for the ambassadorship to Slovenia.
34. Peter. Nobody likes Lady Caroline's new husband.

Not mentioned because of lack of information: Rava, Comfry, Tabitha

How do you do, fellow investors and investards
My name is Tim Davidson and I'm from 'bama. You may not know me, but mee ma does. And so does yours, if she's from around here.
And you know who's also from here? Tim Apple. This is more fateful than some of younguns may figure, I reckon.
You see, Alabama got the Appalachians. These are some of the oldest mountains in the world - or what's left of it.
You know what happened? The world moved on. Literally. Tectonic action moved on to the Pacific, Iceland, and yonder way in China and India.
Now I don't want to preach the choir here, but that's where my namesake has moved his company to
the apex and pride of American technological engineering
is primed to erode into nothing over the next decades.
Now don't you be mad at all get out and think: What has Tim released in the last dozen (!) years at the helm of them Californians?
Look at attempts to new products * Apple TV? * Beats? * Apple car? * HomePod? Y'all be fixin to tell me it's about services like * Apple Movies * Apple Music * Shazam * Facetime * Apple Pay and indeed, literally bankin' on your user base sounds promising, them payments and current accounts in particular.
But has this really driven earnings or stock prices? Diddly squat. Analysts are still talking iPhones and MacBooks, the former with practically no more differences across the last three versions and the latter finally getting two external monitor support and still struggling with the transition in app provider transition.
Apple is engineering, even on some software, but not a SaaS or content company like Microsoft, Salesforce, Netflix, Spotify, or the likes.
And the engineering is done for. Them younguns in Apple figured in the last two years already. Have a look at how many promising directors left the queue for VP and C jobs quit on Timothy Donald Cook
And this brings me to the big hype for next week's announcement, Tim fixin to announce
yip
an AR set
like Oculus and HTC did a decade ago. And them folks reckon they will repeat the so-called iPhone Moment, making VR mass compatible and extremely profitable.
Yet, hold the horns, how? Will they be revealing a Metaverse of their own, secretly developed alongside that weirdo Mark's multi billion dollar spending spree? Do they have access to enterprise market after handing pretty much the entire enterprise software market to former arch nemesis Microsoft? Will business buy Apple AR headsets and MacBooks and Mac Minis?
They announce it at the dev conference begging the developer community to fill it with purpose. And BBedit developers and designers on Adobe software stack will try. And fail.
The best they could achieve is a holo feature for mobile devices, the likes of an Emperor Palpatine hologram on clone warrior Apple watches, with users wearing helmets the size of them warriors to keep enough GPU power and juice.
Whatever they announce will be a nothing burger in one year's time. The money will still be coming home, but less and less. The cash piles will be eroding. The PE increasing year by year. Younger generations will change their taste and them peepaws and meemaws in Cupidtino won't know what left and AIght.
Is this the company you want to keep your money invested in? I reckon not. And once Warren's successor admits having divested is stake, you will follow suit quickly. At a loss.
Or we haul in big and figure how to milk this crumbling giant.
So, let's not get too big for our britches and discuss this. Assuming you share this view, how to make money off it in the next two weeks, months, and years? Timothy Donald won't be in there for longer.
TLDR Apple has topped. How to milk a slowly crumbling giant over the next two weeks, months, or years?