How many feet apart corn hole
Community of the Jiralhanae
2020.05.01 02:03 zumeius Community of the Jiralhanae
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2023.06.03 10:50 Illustrious-Oil4293 Continuation of the story.
Hey guys. Here is a continuation of what I was writing. Sorry for the formatting, just typing it out in my notes and copy and pasting here.
Our story begins with our friend Jackie Chan and soon to be an unknowingly hero of the people as he journeys through a Bavarian jungle towing with him a group of people, a scholar and exhibitionists who would seek out a treasure to gain fame and attention from the world, either in academia or media attention, to announce to the world and peers that they broke through the many traps that the castle says to contain. Trudging through this weary jungle comes along the castle they seek, our friend Jackie, a lean individual, unassuming and gentle hearted who is deceptively athletic and studies and practices martial arts, continues his journey into the castle. "The mad king Ludwig would invite many guest into the castle but would fall victim to many of its deadly traps" says the scholar "Rude..." an exhibitionist joins in saying. "That's why his name was not Lovable Ludwig or good neighbor of Bavaria - Huh, stand back..." says Jackie. Jackie stops dead in his tracks with his group to follow, well enough light pours into the castle that would lead unbeknownst treasure seekers to rummage the castle recklessly to fall victim to its many traps, with nothing a stir and everything quiet, Jackie finds this to be too eerie and finds in their way a wire, though invisible to those who enter the castle, not invisible to Jackie as his fine tuned senses crafted by his self-discipline and with a sensible sharp mind are at work, lowers himself with aerosol can in hand and makes visible the invisible wire. "What are the odds that these traps still-..." remarks one of the men. Jackie motions over to the exhibitionist and grabbed his hat to drop on the wire, suddenly two walls collide into each other this time only in succeeding in killing a hat. Loud clicking noises and rumblings of the walls suggest that the mechanism for the trap is resetting and moments later the two walls come apart leaving the invisible wire intact waiting for its next victim. The exhibitionist stares in disbelief by the sudden closing and opening wall of death and has his jaw left gaped opened by his astonishment that he nearly just died was closed by Jackie and motions forward leaving an air of unspoken reason that following Jackie's lead may keep them alive. Following hallways left and right leading to a room with pictographs and decorations of stone statues, against the far wall has a human skull that Jackie handles to find a handle that releases the door. Looks of triumph that he beat the castles traps and looks of shock and excitement on the group, Jackie has found the treasure room. As the door rises revealing the treasure room, light pours into the room and Jackie leads forward to light torches along the wall and once was a dimly lit room is now glowing brilliantly with gold, gold coins, golden assortments from goblets to swords, gems and expensive stones covering the floor and piled high. "Ludwig's lost treasure..." remarks the scholar. "I'm sure that the booty is booby-trapped so don't-...." begins Jackie to everyone. With blind enthusiasm, the would be still alive exhibitionist runs towards the treasure picking up a golden sword hilted in rubies, sapphires and emeralds, then the room and door begin to convulse violently, another trap! As quickly as the room begins to rumble and the door jerks downward threatening to close them inside, Jackie kicks up a spear into the air and with a spin through the air, kicks it toward the closing door jamming it open as Jackie shouts "Go! Go! Go!". Motioning everyone out, everyone in a panic stricken run, all begin towards the door until Jackie finds himself running into the door when the spear snaps finding himself alone as the group escaped. Moments later an arrow shoots across Jackie's face and launches himself backwards as arrows after arrows begin ejecting themselves from the walls that would kill any person or persons who gets this far; yelping out the words "bad day! bad day! bad day!" Staggering backwards and leaping into the air, above these arrows, ducking more, spinning mid jump over treasures, in a leap lands over a golden shield emblazoned with some chicken scratch, begins to deflect arrows left and right cornering Jackie. Jackie in danger of never being seen again, looks up, a hole in the wall, Jackie wall jumps into a sliding tunnel and in a panic places the shield under himself to ride the shield down the trail and finally bursting out of the castle and within view the group is spotted to have also exited the castle, with Jackie landing and coming to a stop on the shield sliding on the ground, "Snowboarding works better with snow" says Jackie, relieved for everyone to have made it out alive. From a distance, strange men observing Jackie with binoculars, the seemingly men to appear to be the leaders issuing an order to their men. "Follow him..." "Follow him..."
Jackie returns from his trip to Bavaria to his home in San Francisco. Jackie resides in his uncle's two story antique shop, "Uncle's Rare Finds". In his room we carry on as Jackie blow by blow, ebbs and flows, as he strikes a dummy. In his studio room for his training displays a number of photographs, taken at events or jobs he was hired on to take people on exhibitions, there in all his photographs is a man who never has trouble finding his smile in all of them either as a leader or competitor. Jackie with another day of training in, is summoned by his uncle with the clattering of a bell. Jackie's uncle is a fairly old man, in his signature bright yellow vest, glasses, gray standing hair and his garlic and mung bean smell, that originates by his consumption of garlic and mung beans that he always believes is good for you. From the second story calls out to his uncle, "What is it Uncle?". "Come, give Uncle a hug", Jackie jumps over the railing and effortlessly twist in mid air to land and give uncle a hug, SMACK, Jackie was just struck over the head by Uncle's strong fingers that he uses to scold. "Ow!" Jackie yelps. "You did not make coffee this morning, coffee is the only thing keeping Uncle's ancient heart beating, you want dead uncle? No? Then you make coffee" "Ok" replies Jackie "One more thing" uncle begins again, "You received phone call from the University, they want you to translate parchments" "Ok" replies Jackie "One more thing" Uncle continues before Jackie begins his work, Uncle examines the newly brought in golden shield, talking out loud with his thoughts of the ancient chicken scratch on the shield with an odd encrusted pewter center with a rooster emblazoned on it, "I cannot translate inscriptions, very old writing, I must reference my journals." "Ok" replies Jackie "One more thing" Uncle continues "This is Jade, your niece, she will live with you for a year? Ok?" Jackie with no second thought on his list of instructions from Uncle, "ok" Taken back, Jackie exclaims "I have a niece?" Now discovering the child in plain view by the entrance as she wears a scowl under her black hair that spikes downwards with her arms folded. Uncle explains, "Your cousin Shin's girl from Hong Kong, Jade is not behaving well there, doing poorly in school, your cousin thinks she will do better with you" "Nobody asked me" exclaims Jackie. "Did not want to bother you" Uncle coolly states, then sends Jackie to tackle his new instructions. Jackie nervously chuckles, "Hello, I am Jackie". Jade, stiff as a statue, continues her scowling and looks with contempt for being in this dibilated antique shop. "No English?" Jackie tries another greeting, "Ne Ho Ma-...." Three men enters the shop. Jackie welcomes the new customers and begins exercising his retail sales abilities, as Jackie also helps Uncle in his Rare Finds shop as a salesman. "You're Jackie Chan, the archeologist?" Asks one of the three men. "Oh, I dabble in the study of past civilizations" replies Jackie. "Well, we are aware that you recently dabbled a shield from a Bavarian Castle, our extremely wealthy employer is interested in purchasing the shield"
Jackie seeing this is not the regular customer Uncle's Rare Finds usually receives, wearing a 70's style white suit, all red blazing combed back slick hair and seems to be having trouble clearing his sinuses and seems a bit on edge. His two companions, just as unremarkable and out of the ordinary among usual customers, one quite tall and burly, sporting a wrinkled black jacket, red tie and white shirt with dress shoes that could do with some polishing, Jackie faintly smells alcohol from where he stood and the other, short but stands tall with his bright orange sunglasses and leather coat suggest he may kick you up side along the head at the wrong moment.
Jackie with great suspicions, "I'm sorry, I have already donated that piece to the university" "Really...?" The man in red and white nods to the others behind him to send a small message, pokes out his wild swinging hand and pokes out a finger to drive an antique to the floor but unable to shoot straight misses with a hurried "whoops", tries again, sending two antiques rolling to the floor! Jackie thoroughly shocked, dives across the floor coming to a roll right under the falling antiques and catches them on his back - the shorter of the men with a smirk on his face sends flying an antique, but in a flash Jackie sends off a cushion from a nearby seat, throwing the two in hand and with a bounce with the cushion, Jackie runs forward to catch all three antiques in a snap, antiques in hand, puts them down safely and takes a seat with a smile. Looks of horror and awestruck coves over the three, as well as Jade, whose left speechless of his Uncle's ability, just stood standing in place. "It would be in your family's best interest to undonate the shield, Mr. Chan... places hand over Jades head by this time tomorrow", the three exit without another word. Uncle walks in "did they buy anything?" "No" Jackie answers "You are a terrible salesman!" "Watch the girl and hide the shield" Jackie instructs. "Where am I going to hide a big shield? sputters on where did I put the shield?" Uncle continues on as Jackie exited to follow the men and unknown to Uncle, so did Jade.
Jackie exiting Uncle's Rare Finds finding the vehicle leaving, quick and light on his feet, leaps for the fire escape of the building, leaping gracefully and the mastery of his body to do so, clambers onto balconies and shop signs onto a roof catching up to the vehicle. Running along side the vehicle, Jackie peers in, the man in red and white is hunched over and takes a great deep inhale, crushed powder in forms of lines on a plate is visible to Jackie. The wrinkled out suit man is also clambering with something in hand, Jackie is catching up as the vehicle comes to a stop, running to the ledge, down gutter pipes, SNAP, the pipes snatch free from the wall sending Jackie down BANG. Wrinkled out suit man chokes on the contents of his flask and sputters, finding his breath and the man in red and white being seen hiding his plate and all three wordless, Jackie continues innocently, "That will buff right out" pointing at the ding he has caused as if it's the only problem there. Angry, the gas petal is floored with Jackie and gutter still on top, coming onto and off side walks sending people wildly running in all directions to come to a sudden stop at a fenced playground. The three exit to introduce themselves more physically to Jackie, launches themselves at him. Jackie pulls back from attack, dishes one of his own with the gutter sending them away, Jackie jumps and rolls into the sunroof of the window, the men, SLAMMED by the doors that Jackie kicks open, ejects himself from the vehicle, musters up his strength and leaps over the fench, rolls to a stop, sitting upright begins to mock the men, "Nya Nya!" The three men remain to be unknown to Jackie, had not even realized they were watching him in Bavaria nor did he know that they're extremely wealthy employer has equipped them with military grade electric rods, these men were The Enforcers. The Enforcers leap forward with their electrified rods, melting the fence and sending Jackie backwards. As agile Jackie is, he swerves, ducks, rotates and spins, comes to a semi truck and takes the windshield wipers with him, coming to a landing with a flourish of the wipers in a stance that says I'm ready. With a chuckle of the Enforcers, Tap! Tap! Jackie has struck two over the hands, disarming them and kicked another away. Running off to the still occupied playground, Jackie yells out "No more playtime, Go! Go!". Children running and the enforcers come around, on the right slow going, Jackie kicks a tether ball right around to the man in the wrinkled out suit face and almost lazily falls over. Jackie looks up and finds another lunging from a nearby jungle gym, Jackie kicks and with a loud CRACK, finding a broken nose "that's where I put my drugs!". The third, short yet strong, comes to spare with Jackie, jabbing in and out, showing signs that he learned martial arts is swept backwards onto a rocking horse and sits down dazed and defeated. The other two continues still, after Jackie, they are led to a swing set, "Oh hey! - what the --" Jackie has tangled them together in the swings, stuck together now Jackie jumps onto a jungle gym with continually readiness. "Wow!" Says one "Let's get out of here" says another. The enforcers make a run for it, watching them run, leaps down to discover Jade has followed him, taken aback, "Jade?" We have another man appear from behind and with a weapon that released a gas, renders Jackie unconscious.
"Now he's coming too" remarks the men inside the van Jackie finds himself in, is saying. Jackie opens his eyes, "Aaahhh! Agustus Black!" Jackie opens his eyes and finds a familiar face with the others left in confusion, "hmmm?" Jackie continues "What are you doing here? Ow, what am I doing here?" "I'm afraid its official business, Jackie. Replies Black. "Where have you been? I don't hear from you for six years, BOOM, you're in San Francisco saving me from those thugs" "Jackie, I knocked you out" explains Black. Jackie outraged, the van stops to a screech, Jackie exits. "Why did you do that?" Jackie continues. "Jackie--" Black beckons "I thought we were friends" "We are, Jackie." Replies Black. "I'm sorry but this location must be kept a secret. "Oh, yes, I can see this is some very special garbage, maybe I will see you in another six years" "Jackie--" Black stammers Excuse me, while I call a cab" "Jackie--" Black calls out. Jackie turns to a lone telephone booth amongst the garbage. Enters. Jackie dials, "Oh?" With a sudden jerk, the telephone booth is swallowed by the wall and in a rush Jackie screaming for dear life, the booth is fast tracked along a corridor to a halt and let's out a sigh of relief but without warning it drops. Screaming once again trying to keep himself centered, DING! the booth landed, doors open with Jackie plopping out. "Tried to warn you" Black states. "How did you get down here?" "The stairs... Follow me." "Jackie, Welcome to Section 13." Leading Jackie in, Black shows him around. "I thought you were with interpol" "Even with them I was shepherding this agency in secret" answers Black. "You're a spy?... are they spies too?" "Law Enforcement, Jackie, Elite Special Forces." "So why give me the big tour?" Asks Jackie. "We are aware you've recently acquired an artifact in Bavaria" explains Black. "Why does everyone know that?" Jackie continues, "You are the second one to ask about the shield today" "I was afraid of that" Black leads Jackie to a terminal. "Secrion 13 was founded to investigate large scale international crimes - crimes which often can be traced back to The Dark Hand, a criminal syndicate. The Dark Hand has connections to nearly all criminal activity and their leader is this man pulls up image of a man in striking white long blonde hair that is tied back in a nice Italian suit Valmont. Today you met his cronies that Valmont sends on personal errands around town. Finn, who is Irish and believes disco will never die, another only known as Ratso then there is Chow, as you seen, Chow has some martial arts training. The three known as the enforcers but won't think twice to push over an elderly lady if it meant completing their orders.
submitted by Illustrious-Oil4293 to JackieChanAdventures [link] [comments]
Our story begins with our friend Jackie Chan and soon to be an unknowingly hero of the people as he journeys through a Bavarian jungle towing with him a group of people, a scholar and exhibitionists who would seek out a treasure to gain fame and attention from the world, either in academia or media attention, to announce to the world and peers that they broke through the many traps that the castle says to contain. Trudging through this weary jungle comes along the castle they seek, our friend Jackie, a lean individual, unassuming and gentle hearted who is deceptively athletic and studies and practices martial arts, continues his journey into the castle. "The mad king Ludwig would invite many guest into the castle but would fall victim to many of its deadly traps" says the scholar "Rude..." an exhibitionist joins in saying. "That's why his name was not Lovable Ludwig or good neighbor of Bavaria - Huh, stand back..." says Jackie. Jackie stops dead in his tracks with his group to follow, well enough light pours into the castle that would lead unbeknownst treasure seekers to rummage the castle recklessly to fall victim to its many traps, with nothing a stir and everything quiet, Jackie finds this to be too eerie and finds in their way a wire, though invisible to those who enter the castle, not invisible to Jackie as his fine tuned senses crafted by his self-discipline and with a sensible sharp mind are at work, lowers himself with aerosol can in hand and makes visible the invisible wire. "What are the odds that these traps still-..." remarks one of the men. Jackie motions over to the exhibitionist and grabbed his hat to drop on the wire, suddenly two walls collide into each other this time only in succeeding in killing a hat. Loud clicking noises and rumblings of the walls suggest that the mechanism for the trap is resetting and moments later the two walls come apart leaving the invisible wire intact waiting for its next victim. The exhibitionist stares in disbelief by the sudden closing and opening wall of death and has his jaw left gaped opened by his astonishment that he nearly just died was closed by Jackie and motions forward leaving an air of unspoken reason that following Jackie's lead may keep them alive. Following hallways left and right leading to a room with pictographs and decorations of stone statues, against the far wall has a human skull that Jackie handles to find a handle that releases the door. Looks of triumph that he beat the castles traps and looks of shock and excitement on the group, Jackie has found the treasure room. As the door rises revealing the treasure room, light pours into the room and Jackie leads forward to light torches along the wall and once was a dimly lit room is now glowing brilliantly with gold, gold coins, golden assortments from goblets to swords, gems and expensive stones covering the floor and piled high. "Ludwig's lost treasure..." remarks the scholar. "I'm sure that the booty is booby-trapped so don't-...." begins Jackie to everyone. With blind enthusiasm, the would be still alive exhibitionist runs towards the treasure picking up a golden sword hilted in rubies, sapphires and emeralds, then the room and door begin to convulse violently, another trap! As quickly as the room begins to rumble and the door jerks downward threatening to close them inside, Jackie kicks up a spear into the air and with a spin through the air, kicks it toward the closing door jamming it open as Jackie shouts "Go! Go! Go!". Motioning everyone out, everyone in a panic stricken run, all begin towards the door until Jackie finds himself running into the door when the spear snaps finding himself alone as the group escaped. Moments later an arrow shoots across Jackie's face and launches himself backwards as arrows after arrows begin ejecting themselves from the walls that would kill any person or persons who gets this far; yelping out the words "bad day! bad day! bad day!" Staggering backwards and leaping into the air, above these arrows, ducking more, spinning mid jump over treasures, in a leap lands over a golden shield emblazoned with some chicken scratch, begins to deflect arrows left and right cornering Jackie. Jackie in danger of never being seen again, looks up, a hole in the wall, Jackie wall jumps into a sliding tunnel and in a panic places the shield under himself to ride the shield down the trail and finally bursting out of the castle and within view the group is spotted to have also exited the castle, with Jackie landing and coming to a stop on the shield sliding on the ground, "Snowboarding works better with snow" says Jackie, relieved for everyone to have made it out alive. From a distance, strange men observing Jackie with binoculars, the seemingly men to appear to be the leaders issuing an order to their men. "Follow him..." "Follow him..."
Jackie seeing this is not the regular customer Uncle's Rare Finds usually receives, wearing a 70's style white suit, all red blazing combed back slick hair and seems to be having trouble clearing his sinuses and seems a bit on edge. His two companions, just as unremarkable and out of the ordinary among usual customers, one quite tall and burly, sporting a wrinkled black jacket, red tie and white shirt with dress shoes that could do with some polishing, Jackie faintly smells alcohol from where he stood and the other, short but stands tall with his bright orange sunglasses and leather coat suggest he may kick you up side along the head at the wrong moment.
Jackie with great suspicions, "I'm sorry, I have already donated that piece to the university" "Really...?" The man in red and white nods to the others behind him to send a small message, pokes out his wild swinging hand and pokes out a finger to drive an antique to the floor but unable to shoot straight misses with a hurried "whoops", tries again, sending two antiques rolling to the floor! Jackie thoroughly shocked, dives across the floor coming to a roll right under the falling antiques and catches them on his back - the shorter of the men with a smirk on his face sends flying an antique, but in a flash Jackie sends off a cushion from a nearby seat, throwing the two in hand and with a bounce with the cushion, Jackie runs forward to catch all three antiques in a snap, antiques in hand, puts them down safely and takes a seat with a smile. Looks of horror and awestruck coves over the three, as well as Jade, whose left speechless of his Uncle's ability, just stood standing in place. "It would be in your family's best interest to undonate the shield, Mr. Chan... places hand over Jades head by this time tomorrow", the three exit without another word. Uncle walks in "did they buy anything?" "No" Jackie answers "You are a terrible salesman!" "Watch the girl and hide the shield" Jackie instructs. "Where am I going to hide a big shield? sputters on where did I put the shield?" Uncle continues on as Jackie exited to follow the men and unknown to Uncle, so did Jade.
Jackie exiting Uncle's Rare Finds finding the vehicle leaving, quick and light on his feet, leaps for the fire escape of the building, leaping gracefully and the mastery of his body to do so, clambers onto balconies and shop signs onto a roof catching up to the vehicle. Running along side the vehicle, Jackie peers in, the man in red and white is hunched over and takes a great deep inhale, crushed powder in forms of lines on a plate is visible to Jackie. The wrinkled out suit man is also clambering with something in hand, Jackie is catching up as the vehicle comes to a stop, running to the ledge, down gutter pipes, SNAP, the pipes snatch free from the wall sending Jackie down BANG. Wrinkled out suit man chokes on the contents of his flask and sputters, finding his breath and the man in red and white being seen hiding his plate and all three wordless, Jackie continues innocently, "That will buff right out" pointing at the ding he has caused as if it's the only problem there. Angry, the gas petal is floored with Jackie and gutter still on top, coming onto and off side walks sending people wildly running in all directions to come to a sudden stop at a fenced playground. The three exit to introduce themselves more physically to Jackie, launches themselves at him. Jackie pulls back from attack, dishes one of his own with the gutter sending them away, Jackie jumps and rolls into the sunroof of the window, the men, SLAMMED by the doors that Jackie kicks open, ejects himself from the vehicle, musters up his strength and leaps over the fench, rolls to a stop, sitting upright begins to mock the men, "Nya Nya!" The three men remain to be unknown to Jackie, had not even realized they were watching him in Bavaria nor did he know that they're extremely wealthy employer has equipped them with military grade electric rods, these men were The Enforcers. The Enforcers leap forward with their electrified rods, melting the fence and sending Jackie backwards. As agile Jackie is, he swerves, ducks, rotates and spins, comes to a semi truck and takes the windshield wipers with him, coming to a landing with a flourish of the wipers in a stance that says I'm ready. With a chuckle of the Enforcers, Tap! Tap! Jackie has struck two over the hands, disarming them and kicked another away. Running off to the still occupied playground, Jackie yells out "No more playtime, Go! Go!". Children running and the enforcers come around, on the right slow going, Jackie kicks a tether ball right around to the man in the wrinkled out suit face and almost lazily falls over. Jackie looks up and finds another lunging from a nearby jungle gym, Jackie kicks and with a loud CRACK, finding a broken nose "that's where I put my drugs!". The third, short yet strong, comes to spare with Jackie, jabbing in and out, showing signs that he learned martial arts is swept backwards onto a rocking horse and sits down dazed and defeated. The other two continues still, after Jackie, they are led to a swing set, "Oh hey! - what the --" Jackie has tangled them together in the swings, stuck together now Jackie jumps onto a jungle gym with continually readiness. "Wow!" Says one "Let's get out of here" says another. The enforcers make a run for it, watching them run, leaps down to discover Jade has followed him, taken aback, "Jade?" We have another man appear from behind and with a weapon that released a gas, renders Jackie unconscious.
2023.06.03 10:44 dougtrudyjudy Very very long and very desperate
I'm at a total loss now. It has been 3 months since my world fell apart. I have come to the conclusion that my ex is a covert narcissist. We had been together 11 years, were sleeping together until February this year and now he is living in our family home and has moved his new gf in. I worry I am a narcissist all the time.
When I (35, F) first met him (34, M), he love bombed me. He came back to my house one night and didn't leave. He told me he was in love with me not even 2 months in. Proposed after 5 months. Bought myself and my friends presents. I thought I was so lucky, he loved me so much, he put me up on such a pedestal. I used to joke that one day the love bubble for him would pop when he realised I was not perfect like he thought I was. I grew up with an abusive and absent father and my mother died when I was 11. He had a great big family that I was so desperate to be a part of.
I made many mistakes, I didn't trust how much 'he loved me' and at the beginning was still interested in someone else. He told me he would leave me if I didn't go and get some help. I have PTSD, anxiety and depression, amongst other things. I don't remember when it started, but I felt disconnected from him emotionally. I couldn't talk to him and he would often refuse to talk about issues we had. Instead encouraged me constantly to go to therapy, not to talk about our issues, but to deal with my trauma that was 'ruining the relationship'. I sought solace in a friend at work and formed an inappropriate emotional bond with him. I admitted this to my partner, who said he forgave me and we moved past it.
We looked and booked so many places for weddings, but they never eventuated. His mother was horrible to me, called me a gold digger and said I made no contribution to society because I wasn't keeping down a steady job. This caused a massive fall out, where I refused to speak to her or see her. He eventually convinced me that I had to go and make peace with her to calm the situation down and 'this is just what she is like'.
I got pregnant 4 years after we got together. I suffered a very traumatic pregnancy and had horrible pre and post natal depression. Ex did not come to many appointments and I was frequently in hospital. Both my sister and father moved in at different stages when I had a newborn because my partner was working all the time and rarely helped.
His mother and step father gave us a deposit for a house, on the proviso we moved to their suburb. MIL started being nice to me again, I guess because I gave her a grandchild. I had no say in the house chosen, partner and inlaws made the decision together.
Partner decided to leave his place of work and start a new business shortly after. He did not ask me what I thought about it, he and the inlaws decided it was the best thing. I had a 6 month old and post natal depression. We moved into the new house, which we did a little work on. I started wanting to leave him, he was never home or helpful and we would fight constantly. He started criticising me 'as a joke' constantly. I felt like nothing I did was good enough for him. But I was terrified of not having this family we had created or be alone. I did all the admin for his business for 4 years. The problems continued, 2.5 years later I got pregnant again. I felt his total lack on interest in this pregnancy. Again, I was on hospital frequently, towing a 2.5 year old along with me. I was admitted due to horrible pains, my friend took me to the hospital as partner was going to his brothers bachelor party. I had gallstones, but could not be operated on due to being too far along in the pregnancy. He then went overseas for the wedding for 4 days while I stayed home with a high risk pregnancy and toddler.
We fought more, then covid happened. At first it seemed ok. Then he started smoking weed again, listening to podcasts, refusing to get vaccinated, which put our home at jeopardy. He would rant and scream about the lockdowns and the rest of it. Eventually he got the vaccines and now says he is 'vaccine injured.'
After covid, I left him, I couldn't handle it anymore. I then found out I had a brain condition called IIH. We decided to stay together until we knew what was going on. He was completely absent from our lives. I was studying, working, raising two children, both who are neurodivergent. The house fell apart. I couldn't clean anymore. My dogs destroyed the floors, my children and I stayed in our bedrooms. I was horrible depressed and couldn't do anymore than I already was. He saw us for maybe an hour or so every night? Started working more on weekends, smoking more weed and was very aggressive.
Last year in July, I called an end to it. I said I wanted to move into a rental, he said it wasn't fair that he was left with a house that was falling apart. I stayed at the house with the children and he moved to his mums house 5 mins away. We continued to sleep together and do things as a family. We made a deal that I would see a therapist, he would see a therapist and then we would see one together. At the end of it, we would decide whether we would stay together or not. From July to February this year, I made it clear to him that I loved him desperately and wanted to stay together. We continued to have sex, he said he was 'helping me out'. I thought it meant we still had a future. I worked on all the things he asked for. I was much more attentive, physically, emotionally and sexually.
In January his attitude towards me changed dramatically. His parents decided to move to a different state and sell their house. He suddenly started hanging out with a female friend that had been overseas for a long time. I asked him about it and was told 'she is gay and lime a sister to me.' We had agreed to fix the house together and then decide what to do with it. He was living at his parents at this time. He said I should move out to a rental with the boys, he would move back into the house and fix it up. I found a rental and signed the lease the next day. He helped me move everything in. He was oh so nice. Then he stopped talking to me. He stopped seeing the children. Every second weekend he would take them, and they would spend the entire time with his new 'friend as well'.
I have now lost track of what happened in what month because it was so traumatising. But since then he took my elderly dog to the vet, who was still living at out family home, told them that I had abandoned the dog at his home and they should put it down. I found this out when the council called me and told me my dog was at the pound. He told me I should give him the house because I have done nothing to deserve it, and in return he will give me the car. A car that I use everyday to take my kids to school and appointments. This caused massive amounts of friction between us. He would call me unstable, said that he couldn't be around me when I was projecting such negativity. At the same time, he was taking his new 'friend' to all his friends and family events. When I left the family home, I left it in a hurry and in a mess. I hadn't been able to get back to the house to sort it out because I had the kids 24/7. So he took his mum and stepdad there, told them I had destroyed this house and it was all my fault. They hated me again. Cut me off, I wasn't allowed at their house anymore. Told people I was an evil bitch. He and his parents then told everyone their side of the story, and I effectively lost all my (his) extended family.
8 weeks ago, his mum and stepdad left for another state. Shortly before this, he confessed he was in a relationship with his 'friend'. We had recently had a discussion about not inteoducing the childten to any partners for at least 3 months. She spent every weekend with them. I don't know how long this had been going on for. He told me if I didn't give him the house, he would move in with her. 2 weeks after being together, they moved into our family home and 'fell in love'.
He refuses to see his children apart from every second weekend. He pays a certain amount of child support, but not as much as he should be paying. He doesn't come to any appointments for the children and brings his new gf whenever he drops off the children or picks them up. My eldest has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Ex refuses to give him medication when child is with him.
I am struggling so much with money because I signed a lease, stupidly, on a house that I couldn't really afford, but believed him when he said he would pay part. There are weeks where he earns $4000. We had a fight about him taking the children away and not telling me where. My lawyer told me that wasn't ok, I passed the message onto him. So he took it upon himself to show up at my lawyers office and demand to speak to them. Efforts at legal and mediations have been refused by him. He would vaguely threaten me by saying I would regret it and I had no idea how bad it would get if I did.
I can't catch my breath. I feel like curling up into a ball and not getting up. I worry that I am the narcissist because I would get so angry at him, call him names, was terrible with our finances. I have no strength left to fight anymore. I am hesrt broken, terrified and have no support. I feel like I am on the verge of a total emotional breakdown.
If you have any words of wisdom, any advice, anything that will help, please share with me. Am I a narcissist?
I'm so sorry this is so long.
submitted by dougtrudyjudy to NarcissisticSpouses [link] [comments]
When I (35, F) first met him (34, M), he love bombed me. He came back to my house one night and didn't leave. He told me he was in love with me not even 2 months in. Proposed after 5 months. Bought myself and my friends presents. I thought I was so lucky, he loved me so much, he put me up on such a pedestal. I used to joke that one day the love bubble for him would pop when he realised I was not perfect like he thought I was. I grew up with an abusive and absent father and my mother died when I was 11. He had a great big family that I was so desperate to be a part of.
I made many mistakes, I didn't trust how much 'he loved me' and at the beginning was still interested in someone else. He told me he would leave me if I didn't go and get some help. I have PTSD, anxiety and depression, amongst other things. I don't remember when it started, but I felt disconnected from him emotionally. I couldn't talk to him and he would often refuse to talk about issues we had. Instead encouraged me constantly to go to therapy, not to talk about our issues, but to deal with my trauma that was 'ruining the relationship'. I sought solace in a friend at work and formed an inappropriate emotional bond with him. I admitted this to my partner, who said he forgave me and we moved past it.
We looked and booked so many places for weddings, but they never eventuated. His mother was horrible to me, called me a gold digger and said I made no contribution to society because I wasn't keeping down a steady job. This caused a massive fall out, where I refused to speak to her or see her. He eventually convinced me that I had to go and make peace with her to calm the situation down and 'this is just what she is like'.
I got pregnant 4 years after we got together. I suffered a very traumatic pregnancy and had horrible pre and post natal depression. Ex did not come to many appointments and I was frequently in hospital. Both my sister and father moved in at different stages when I had a newborn because my partner was working all the time and rarely helped.
His mother and step father gave us a deposit for a house, on the proviso we moved to their suburb. MIL started being nice to me again, I guess because I gave her a grandchild. I had no say in the house chosen, partner and inlaws made the decision together.
Partner decided to leave his place of work and start a new business shortly after. He did not ask me what I thought about it, he and the inlaws decided it was the best thing. I had a 6 month old and post natal depression. We moved into the new house, which we did a little work on. I started wanting to leave him, he was never home or helpful and we would fight constantly. He started criticising me 'as a joke' constantly. I felt like nothing I did was good enough for him. But I was terrified of not having this family we had created or be alone. I did all the admin for his business for 4 years. The problems continued, 2.5 years later I got pregnant again. I felt his total lack on interest in this pregnancy. Again, I was on hospital frequently, towing a 2.5 year old along with me. I was admitted due to horrible pains, my friend took me to the hospital as partner was going to his brothers bachelor party. I had gallstones, but could not be operated on due to being too far along in the pregnancy. He then went overseas for the wedding for 4 days while I stayed home with a high risk pregnancy and toddler.
We fought more, then covid happened. At first it seemed ok. Then he started smoking weed again, listening to podcasts, refusing to get vaccinated, which put our home at jeopardy. He would rant and scream about the lockdowns and the rest of it. Eventually he got the vaccines and now says he is 'vaccine injured.'
After covid, I left him, I couldn't handle it anymore. I then found out I had a brain condition called IIH. We decided to stay together until we knew what was going on. He was completely absent from our lives. I was studying, working, raising two children, both who are neurodivergent. The house fell apart. I couldn't clean anymore. My dogs destroyed the floors, my children and I stayed in our bedrooms. I was horrible depressed and couldn't do anymore than I already was. He saw us for maybe an hour or so every night? Started working more on weekends, smoking more weed and was very aggressive.
Last year in July, I called an end to it. I said I wanted to move into a rental, he said it wasn't fair that he was left with a house that was falling apart. I stayed at the house with the children and he moved to his mums house 5 mins away. We continued to sleep together and do things as a family. We made a deal that I would see a therapist, he would see a therapist and then we would see one together. At the end of it, we would decide whether we would stay together or not. From July to February this year, I made it clear to him that I loved him desperately and wanted to stay together. We continued to have sex, he said he was 'helping me out'. I thought it meant we still had a future. I worked on all the things he asked for. I was much more attentive, physically, emotionally and sexually.
In January his attitude towards me changed dramatically. His parents decided to move to a different state and sell their house. He suddenly started hanging out with a female friend that had been overseas for a long time. I asked him about it and was told 'she is gay and lime a sister to me.' We had agreed to fix the house together and then decide what to do with it. He was living at his parents at this time. He said I should move out to a rental with the boys, he would move back into the house and fix it up. I found a rental and signed the lease the next day. He helped me move everything in. He was oh so nice. Then he stopped talking to me. He stopped seeing the children. Every second weekend he would take them, and they would spend the entire time with his new 'friend as well'.
I have now lost track of what happened in what month because it was so traumatising. But since then he took my elderly dog to the vet, who was still living at out family home, told them that I had abandoned the dog at his home and they should put it down. I found this out when the council called me and told me my dog was at the pound. He told me I should give him the house because I have done nothing to deserve it, and in return he will give me the car. A car that I use everyday to take my kids to school and appointments. This caused massive amounts of friction between us. He would call me unstable, said that he couldn't be around me when I was projecting such negativity. At the same time, he was taking his new 'friend' to all his friends and family events. When I left the family home, I left it in a hurry and in a mess. I hadn't been able to get back to the house to sort it out because I had the kids 24/7. So he took his mum and stepdad there, told them I had destroyed this house and it was all my fault. They hated me again. Cut me off, I wasn't allowed at their house anymore. Told people I was an evil bitch. He and his parents then told everyone their side of the story, and I effectively lost all my (his) extended family.
8 weeks ago, his mum and stepdad left for another state. Shortly before this, he confessed he was in a relationship with his 'friend'. We had recently had a discussion about not inteoducing the childten to any partners for at least 3 months. She spent every weekend with them. I don't know how long this had been going on for. He told me if I didn't give him the house, he would move in with her. 2 weeks after being together, they moved into our family home and 'fell in love'.
He refuses to see his children apart from every second weekend. He pays a certain amount of child support, but not as much as he should be paying. He doesn't come to any appointments for the children and brings his new gf whenever he drops off the children or picks them up. My eldest has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Ex refuses to give him medication when child is with him.
I am struggling so much with money because I signed a lease, stupidly, on a house that I couldn't really afford, but believed him when he said he would pay part. There are weeks where he earns $4000. We had a fight about him taking the children away and not telling me where. My lawyer told me that wasn't ok, I passed the message onto him. So he took it upon himself to show up at my lawyers office and demand to speak to them. Efforts at legal and mediations have been refused by him. He would vaguely threaten me by saying I would regret it and I had no idea how bad it would get if I did.
I can't catch my breath. I feel like curling up into a ball and not getting up. I worry that I am the narcissist because I would get so angry at him, call him names, was terrible with our finances. I have no strength left to fight anymore. I am hesrt broken, terrified and have no support. I feel like I am on the verge of a total emotional breakdown.
If you have any words of wisdom, any advice, anything that will help, please share with me. Am I a narcissist?
I'm so sorry this is so long.
2023.06.03 10:42 SavingsSyllabub7788 [NoP Fanfic] Predatory Farming
Thanks to "Sithking Zero" on the NoP Discord for editing help.
Memory transcription subject: Tellek , Farmer
Date [standardized human time]: January 19th, 2137
Has it really come to this, am I really this desperate?
I was, for all intents and purposes, broke. The last harvest had been terrible, in addition to the one before that, which was practically a deathblow for my new farmstead. The debts and missed payments had started to pile up, and I was one more bad harvest away from going completely bankrupt.
Like so many farmers before me, I was becoming another victim of the 5 harvest curse.
I told you that starting a new farm was a bad idea.
What was I supposed to do, brain, keep working in the office until I died?
I sat on my chair, surrounded by other farmers who were presumably in similar states of desperation, the room we were in akin to the schoolrooms I had been in as a pup; a desk and whiteboard up front sitting in front of the rows of chairs. Most of the twenty or so figures around me were fellow Venlil, except for a handful of Gojid and even a single Yotul who was sitting in the back, all of us awaiting the start of the ‘lesson’.
They claimed they had a solution to our problem, that they knew how to increase our yields. How could a predator know how to fix our farming issues?.
Human. Human Human Human Human. Not a predator.
Yes yes I know, I’m trying to be better about that.
I stopped my train of thought and corrected myself. Ever since the revelations about many of our allies being former predators, I had been making an effort to stop thinking of the world in terms of predator and prey. It was difficult at times, but given that I was working against a lifetimes worth of lies, I thought I was making good progress..
But even if “Predator” wasn’t the curse it used to be, how could a human claim to know how to fix our farming issues? Even if we ignored the differences between our diets, for all their advantages, humans were still far below our technological advancements.
Almost on cue, the door to the room opened up, and the figure of the human who had invited us here entered with an enthusiastic bounce, caring two large cases covered with black cloth
Unlike most, this human was unmasked, its piercing eyes and beaming teeth filled smile visible for all to see. I could feel the room start to fill with panic. Sure, logically I knew I was probably safe, but seeing the unmasked features of an apex predator caused fear to grip the edge of my heart.
I could proudly say I can walk past and interact with masked humans without wanting to flee anymore, but seeing those forward-facing eyes boring a hole into my soul was another task altogether.
Come on, you should be better than this.
I’m trying, ok!
"Hello everyone. My name is Joseph. I'm an ecology student, and I'm here to provide a solution to your farming yields." The human spoke with an unbridled joy, seeming to wait a moment while our translators attempted to explain what Ecology was, stopping half way through and seemingly giving up.
“You might be wondering why I’m unmasked, well we’re going to be covering a lot of ‘predatory’ concepts today, so if you can’t handle this? We’re gonna have bigger problems.” Joseph took a moment to broadly gesture to himself, leaving a feeling of dread to start in the pit of my stomach.
If this was just the start, what exactly was going to happen here?
Silence! Wait and see, knowing humans it’s probably interesting at the very least.
“I’ve finally been given authorization to start a trial of this program. Both the UN and Venlil governments are very interested in increasing food supply for both our people. As you might know we’re kinda at war, and logistics wins wars.”
The human paused for a moment, a shiver running around most of the room as he gave a large beaming smile.
“So to start: paws, claws, or tails up if you know about the ‘5 harvest curse.’”
The room immediately was filled with Federation species all raising their prospective limbs in affirmation. Of course we all knew what it was, that was why most of us were here.
How would the human know about that?
Basic research, simple reading, asking literally any farmer?
“Fantastic! I’m still going to explain it so we’re all on the same page. The ‘5 harvest curse’ is a phenomenon where new farms on Venlil prime often fail within the first five harvests. On a side note, the coincidental fact that five has a religious contention in Venlil culture is neat.”
I could feel an annoyance start to course through me, that the affliction currently driving me to destitution was being described as ‘neat’ by the callous predator. I mean human.
Stupid human.
Joseph either didn’t pick up or ignored my annoyance as he pressed a button, a graph appearing on the whiteboard showing expected yields over time, continuing on in his seemingly endless enthusiasm.
“So in general the five harvest curse follows a standard pattern of yields, with the first two harvests being up to 52% larger than even more established farms, plummeting after that until the business is non-viable and collapses. Officially the reason for this is unknown, with some vague religious stupidity about new farms being too far away from the center of the habitable strip.”
This was nothing new to me, I remembered feeling the joy of the sheer output from my first harvest, of wondering if I could finally make something of myself, a joy that had been whittled down as my last two harvests had been pitiful.
“However there’s an interesting thing, if you also plot the number of predator sightings during this time against the yields, you can see a direct correlation between number of predators and the success of each harvest.”
Wait, what? Is this human trying to say that predators… increase harvest? That can’t be right, that can’t be right at all. That would be insanity.
The data is literally there in front of you.
Yet it was there on the screen, a second graph had appeared on the whiteboard, tracking predator sightings over time in each of the farms afflicted by the curse.
“This tracks with most farms' general lifecycle. You buy a plot of untamed land on the edge of the habitable zone but you don’t have enough money to go full anti-predator. As the harvests come in you end up spending more and inadvertently messing it up.”
This caused a small amount of murmuring and energetic rejection by myself and the other members of the room, wiping away the previous undercurrent of fear. It was insanity, it went against everything I had ever known or been taught about farming and how the world worked. How could a predator of all things be beneficial?
Didn’t the introduction of humans also go against everything I had ever known or been taught about?
“If this effect is so obvious, how has nobody found this before?”
The sound of a Venlil challenging Joseph was greeted by murmurs of agreement from the group, causing the human to give a different kind of smile. Not a smile of joy or excitement as had been seen before, but the smile of someone who had something for this.
“Because you have. 150 years ago, a Venlil named Slavek wrote a paper regarding this. 119 years ago, Vicktal did the same. As well as Traval, Stralan, and Vilkin in between then and now. Those are just the ones I’ve found. Who can guess what happened to them?”
There was a pause, before the uplift in the back spoke up for the first time, a surety in the Yotul’s voice.
“They were diagnosed with predator disease.”
Joseph pointed at the Yotul in the back with both hands, the joy radiating from him.
“Based Space Kangaroo gets 10 points for being correct! Yep the federation has been actively suppressing anything that suggests that predators are more than some kind of eldritch evil, that and your surprising lack of hydroponics causes most planets to be dependent on the core worlds for food imports. Probably by design for control.”
Wait… that’s a good point, why aren’t we using hydroponics?
The human took a moment to switch to the next slide, showing a simple three part cycle.
“Most healthy ecological systems are made up of three parts: Plants, which are eaten by herbivores, which are in turn eaten by carnivores. In reality actual systems are far more complex than these, but as a basic understanding this will suffice. These three parts keep each other in check, each part dependent on the other, which-”
“Are you trying to say that predator attacks are a good thing? Are you suffering from predator disease?! ”
The Venlil interrupted once again to more murmured agreement, causing Joseph to give a sigh of clear annoyance in response. I wished the Venlil would shut up and just let the human talk.
“No, I’m not suggesting we airdrop a bunch of Nissa into the Capital, I'm explaining how natural systems work. Sapience obviously breaks this cycle, which if you deviate too far, you end up with something called trophic cascade."
The human seemed to wait a moment for the translator to once again fail to explain the meaning of the phrase.
I wonder how many basic concepts the federation lacks words for…
"Rather simply, the removal of one of these pieces has wider effects, reducing biodiversity and in many cases causing a complete ecological collapse. An example of this is the dust bowl effect, something the federation is well acquainted with."
There was a moment before the whiteboard changed before showing pictures of desolate barren worlds. Without any explanation I knew exactly what I was looking at. It was one of the… lesser talked about aspects of the federation.
"The Skivit grand herd are a species who go from planet to planet stripping ecosystems bare, devouring everything down to the smallest sapling. This removes important root systems that act as drainage, causing flooding and deserts to form as new plantlife lacks the structure to grow. In many cases these ecosystems are permanently destroyed, turning once lush planets into lifeless husks”.
I couldn’t help but feel sorrow for those planets. It was well known the impact the Skivit had on planets, once thriving planets of beauty. Although if I was following this human’s logic correctly did that mean…
“Now I’m not suggesting that the Skivit need a predator, that would be immoral.” Joseph cut off the thought I was about to have, seemingly understanding the logical thought many of us had picked up on. “But instead this is a real life example of damage an unchecked herbivore can have on ecosystems. If the Skivit didn’t have FTL travel they would have long ago driven themselves to starvation under their current society. It’s also not the only form of this trophic cascade.”
“Surely this doesn’t just apply to prey? Or are you saying prey are somehow inferior?”
The sound of the Gojid cutting in was filled with an unspoken challenge against the idea, inciting general sounds of agreement from those around him. Surprisingly however, Joseph seemed to respond positively.
“That is entirely correct, an overabundance of carnivorous species can also cause their own issues. Keep in mind what I’m describing here is an extremely simplified version, just the addition or removal of a single species can cause untold damage and harm to the diversity of ecological systems as the impacts are felt in the most seemingly unlikely cases.”
With that the human reached under the desk, taking one of the two covered containers he had brought with him and placing it into view.
“In Venlil Prime’s case, while the impact of Federation thinking has been reduced due to the day and night sides being mostly untouched, you still have the problem of overpopulation of certain species, and a lack of reasonable fear response from certain prey species. This has accumulated into the problem you all face.”
With that he removed the cover, causing a surge of fear to ripple through the participants around me until we all calmed down at what was underneath: A small cage, containing a single red bird busily eating seeds.
All farmer’s arch nemesis.
“This is a Flowerbird, a seed eating avian often coming in solid red, blue, or green. They are adorable, dumb as a sack of bricks and food motivated to a fault. They are also one of the biggest causes of farm yield destruction, with these birds alone being responsible for around about 41% of all losses. If we include Voidpins and other similar wildlife, farms can have up to 94% of their yield destroyed before they even get to harvest.”
Everyone in this room was familiar with the cursed avians. While your average city dweller would enjoy the sight of a flock of Flowerbirds, the farming community knew of them as a blight that devastated crops.
Joseph took a moment to open the cage, reaching inside and grabbing the bird. A small part of me wondered if he was about to devour it in front of us, before I tamped down on such an illogical idea. Of course the humans wouldn’t, we knew they didn’t do that. The Flowerbird also seemed completely unfazed about being in the meaty grasp of a predator, simply continuing to eat.
“Even worse, these things have basically zero fear response to noises and large beasts, probably due to all major predators having been removed. As you can see this specimen doesn’t mind a ‘scary predator’ grabbing it. As long as it has food, it couldn’t care less. This makes pest control tricky, as scaring them away is no longer an option. Poisons would be used in such a case, but they can have wider ranging effects, and poisoning prey is considered ‘Predatory’, not that many of you haven’t tried ‘accidentally’ leaving potential pesticides out.”
This caused a sway of discomfort to sweep through the room, tails switching in guilty movements as everyone tried to hide the truth of this human’s words. I knew I personally had considered such actions in desperation.
I mean, would ‘accidently’ leaving out a known poisonous chemical really be a sign of predator disease?
“Ha! I know enough tail language to know I’m right, that’s guilt isn’t it? I’ve read your internet, I know your discussions on loopholes about what is and isn’t predatory!” Joseph cried out in triumph as many of the Venlil of the room reached out to grab their traitorous appendages. “Now normally I would just tell people to stop being idiots, but in this case we can’t do that. Ironically because predators are actually dangerous. Because of your slaughter the only species left are ones aggressive and smart enough to survive. Shadestalkers are legitimately dangerous and can’t be left to interact with the farming community because people will die.”
The words from Joseph all sounded so… reasonable at this point. However, I, along with the rest of the room, were all desperately waiting for the other paw to drop. Because there would be, humans always had something they were about to do.
Almost in response to our thoughts the human placed the second container on the desk, covering up the first in response.
“Humans have dealt with this problem in a simple way, a way that our Yotul friend over there will know of. I need all of you to please remain calm and orderly, and to remember that you’re perfectly safe and there’s no need to overreact or panic. Humans dealt with this pest problem, through the use of safe predators.”
Before anyone could properly react to those words, the cover of the second container was removed, showing… a predator. An actual one, not a human but an actual real threat. Small piercing front facing yellow eyes attached to a brown feline form, sulking from the cage it was being held in.
Speh speh speh speh that’s a PREDATOR, A FERAL PREDATOR
If it was a danger the human wouldn't have-
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO DO NOT LIKE NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.
The panic in the room was immediate. Sapient human predators we had gotten used to, but none sapient ones were another deal entirely. Chaos started to spread as the 7 in the front row got up, pushing themselves up against the back wall as everyone else in the room did the same. Three Venlil made the choice to bolt out of the room, rushing past the human and his tiny devourer, while another clean fainted, hitting the floor with a thud. One even decided to take things further, jumping out of the singular window attached to the far wall in a frantic motion.
I could feel fear overwhelm me, desperately staring at the feline and waiting for it to make its move. What was the human thinking, it was going to attack at any moment, it was going to-
“STOP, Stop this stupidity. Right. NOW!”
The stern commanding voice of Joseph caused everyone in the room to freeze. The calm enthusiastic demeanor of the predator was gone, replaced with an emotion I’d never actually seen a human show before: anger.
“It has been six months! Do you really still believe that the UN or the Venlil government would put you in actual danger? You’re still thinking based on your stupid fascist Federation propaganda. Thinking that tells you that the Yotul are primitive, or the Venlil are weak. Propaganda that says genetically modifying people against their will is morally OK”
I knew that humans normally bared their teeth in joy, as a sign of happiness and friendship. This wasn’t the case right now, as everything in Joseph’s body language screamed of rage, of pain, of words spoken through gritted teeth. Nobody in the room was focused on the predator in the cage at this point, instead all eyes staring at the human. Suddenly the feline mattered a lot less than the anger of the human.
“That sort of thinking leads to the belief that killing over a billion innocent people is somehow the right thing to do. You are all presumably intelligent sapient adults able to think things through logically. Could you all please act that way?”
I could see the swishes of shame from the other Venlil’s tails, everyone in the room avoiding eye contact guiltily. Well, apart from the Yotul, who had remained seated and calm this entire time, staring almost joyfully at the feline predator. The human, of course, was completely right. Taking a moment to force myself to think, the predator was safely behind metal bars and was making no move to attack, seemingly content to stare lazily at us.
You finished overreacting?
Shut up, brain.
“Also, at the risk of ruining the angry vibe I’m giving off, is the guy who jumped out the window OK? Jesus Christ, we are two stories up, do we have to call someone or….”
Joseph had relaxed a little in response to the group calming down, allowing the normal empathetic nature of humans to come through once more. Slowly I made my way to the window, looking down to see a singular Venlil running off into the distance.
“I-I think he’s fine.” I responded, causing the human to give a sigh of relief in response.
“Good. Note to self, do this in a room without windows next time… or maybe just the ground floor. So, to continue where I left off, humans have used tame predators as a natural non-invasive form of pest control since we started farming. This is a cat, completely harmless unless you’re a small rodent or bird. They also have this effect.”
With a flourish Joseph removed the covering for the cage containing the Flowerbird once more, the red little avian had been busily eating during the entire presentation so far. However upon spotting the Feline predator did something none of us had ever seen before.
It stopped eating. Wait, the human managed to get a Flowerbird to stop eating! I didn’t even know that was possible…
Giving repeated alarmed chirps it moved as far away as it could from the predator, still trapped inside the small cage, a frantic fear obvious on the poor little thing. Joseph let this go on for a few moments more, before dropping the cover back on and silencing the Flowerbird once more.
Everyone in the room was shocked. You could literally scream and shout all you wanted at the dumb little birds and they would ignore you and continue to devour crops. The fact that the feral predator had managed to stop the bird from doing that simply with its presence… was huge. Was more than huge.
“As you can see, the instincts of the ‘prey’ animal still remain. Presumably, whatever predator used to hunt these Flowerbirds has a resemblance to our cats. Normally it would be sacrilege to suggest introducing cats to an ecosystem, but in this case your ecosystems are so messed up that’s exactly what we want to do: Provide any farmer who wants one with a kitten, in order to quickly reduce yield lost to pests.”
I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t interested. On the one hand having a vicious predator in my house, where my pups would visit seemed like something a predator diseased individual would only consider. On the other hand, nothing else I had ever tried had even come close to the simple effectiveness shown here.
Would I be this desperate and in debt if I had one of these “cats” already?
“So I can see you’re all still a little worried, so we’re going to have a little discussion, for which I need a volunteer-'' The Yotul in the back practically fell over with excitement, with his arm raised immediately as he interrupted, causing Joseph to give a small smile. “One who isn’t a Yotul. I know your history with similar pets, and we are totally going to hook you up with a cat, but for this I could do with a Venlil please.”
The Yotul sat back down, a look of disappointment plastered over his face as the rest of the room shifted uncomfortably. Nobody wanted to be the person to step up and presumably get closer to the predator. Until I found myself raising my hand.
Brain, what the hell are you doing?
You said you wanted to be better, and we’re desperate.
NOT LIKE THIS BRAIN!
In a blur I found myself being introduced to the room and being told to sit at a chair next to the desk in front of the rest of the members here. Then, to my horror, Joseph opened the cage and took the feline predator out of its holding cell. The human took a few moments to fuss over the beast before turning to the rest of us.
“So now that we have our volunteer, let's logically look at our ‘dangerous predator’. The first thing to notice is simply the size. Regardless of anything else, size matters, size matters a lot. It’s hard to feel threatened by something that you can literally throw across the room.”
Joseph took a moment to hold the small creature next to me for context, highlighting just how small the predator actually was: barely the size of a Skivit, like a furry little pup. Logically if it wasn't for the forward facing eyes, I might consider it… cute?
“But what about its teeth and claws? It’s a predator that will tear people apart!”
The voice of the Gojid sounded out, a shrill fearful voice filled with barely contained panic and fear, the source of the sound looking ready to flee even though they weren’t the one sitting next to the predator
“Let's compare these. Tellek can you please extend your paws and show your claws to the group.”
I did as asked, my four black claws visible for all to see as Joseph moved the predator close. He stretched out one of its paws and pressed on a knuckle, a singular sharp claw protruding as he did so, causing a fresh burst of fear to erupt in my heart from being so close to such a thing.
Although if I was to be fully honest, if I was comparing the two, the predator’s claw were…
“As you can see, the cat’s claw, while sharper, is far smaller and more brittle. A Venlil can do some serious damage with their claws, while the worst this cat’s claw could do is break the skin. The teeth are similar, if you could show the group your pearly whites please.”
I again did as asked, feeling embarrassed and weird just having my mouth wide open in front of everyone. I hoped that there was nothing stuck in my teeth. While I did Joseph manhandled the cat again, taking a moment to move the lips and display the sharp needle point teeth, doing so for a moment before the small predator gave a small lazy growl of annoyance, clearly reaching the end of its acceptability.
“Once again we have similar results: Notice the small size of the cat's teeth compared with the Venlil’s. These would pierce skin, the Venlil’s would pulverize bone. Gojid aren’t much better with your literal claws and a back full of knives. Ironically enough the two ‘predators’ in the room are probably the least physically imposing.”
There was a moment as the room seemed to ponder this statement, allowing Joseph enough time to place the cat on the desk next to me, the predator promptly giving a stretch then curling up into a ball. The human was right, even humans themselves were physically… underwhelming, apart from their endurance. No claws, small teeth, no defensive armor or spines.
It’s kinda sad to think the only reason we’re all so scared of humans is their eye placement.
“Now the UN and Venlil government are looking for people to use cats as pest control to increase farming yield, with an initial trial size of about 100 participants. We’re offering a stipend for food, instructional care of your kitten, and as much support as needed. There are risks, for instance you’re going to need warning signs near your property and a containment system, as cats are actually dangerous to the Dossur.”
I could hardly hear Joseph speak, my entire concentration focused on the predator right next to me. I knew logically that the human wouldn’t do something to bring me to harm, but it was difficult to think that with a potentially feral predator right next to me. I saw its eyes fixate onto mine and I quickly looked away.
Maybe if I don’t look at it, it won’t take it as a challenge.
However much to both mine and the rest of the room's shock, slowly and carefully the cat stood up, stretched once before walking purposefully towards me, the room erupting into cries of worry as it leapt off the desk and onto my lap, curling into a ball with me trapped underneath.
“H-h-help…. Help…..!”
The human turned to look at me, breaking into a smile seemingly at my misfortune and giving a small chuckle.
“Awwww, she likes you. As you all can see cats share a lot of characteristics with ‘prey’. They will often seek companionship from others, and have a lot of prey characteristics, being at times skittish due to having many natural predators.”
That was good and all, but didn’t stop me from being trapped under the beast.
I don’t want to think about what could cause a predator to become prey.
“W-What d-do I do?”
Joseph gave a small shrug in response, clearly amused by my reaction.
“You could try petting her. Her name is Sprinkles and I can confirm she likes pets.”
You see brain, this is what happens when I let you do things! Now I'm trapped by a predator and I'm gonna die!
Stop being such a pup, the thing is tiny. Besides, don't humans claim petting stuff is nice?
Slowly I reached out a paw, gingerly approaching the predator, those yellow slitted eyes regarding my exposed arm as I gently placed it on the "cat", running my paw across its back.
I felt my held breath release as the predator did nothing, some of the tension of the room releasing in the instant.
"So interesting thing about cats: they 'chose' to be domesticated."
Joseph had gone back to talking, seemingly happy that I wasn't about to be torn apart. I had stopped listening, entirely focused on keeping the predator satisfied by running my paws across its fur.
Isn't this nice? I gotta admit I understand why humans like doing this.
Fine. I'll admit that this isn't unpleasant, the cat is rather soft.
"When humans originally started farming, that also attracted pests. Cats just turned up, following their food source. They stuck around because humans would feed them and provide companionship."
I was entirely focused on the cat at this point, running my claws through the fur, feeling the predator press itself against my paw, seeming to be enjoying itself. Gently I moved my claw to the back of one of its tiny little ears, scratching behind it like you might do to comfort a young pup. It started to emanate a low vibrating noise in response, causing another wave of tension to emit from the rest of the room.
For some reason, even though this feral predator was sitting on my lap, the sound seemed to vibrate through my heart in a calming motion.
Maybe this is some kind of predatory hypnosis?
Really? Just shush and enjoy this. Being scared of everything all the time is so tiring.
"Nobody needs to worry. That is just the sound a happy cat makes, it's called purring. Although I do need to take Sprinkles back now."
Joseph motioned towards the cat on my lap, a motion I decided to ignore, enjoying petting the purring cat for a few moments more. Eventually the human reached down and removed Sprinkles from my grasp as I momentarily resisted before letting the feline go.
See, that wasn't so bad.
Brain, I will admit- reluctantly- that I would have preferred to keep doing that.
With a small amount of resentment I watched as Joseph placed the cat back inside the cage, before turning back to the rest of the room.
"So anyone who is interested, stick around and we can get the paperwork completed."
—-------------
In the end eight of us remained, 5 Venlil, 2 Gojid, and obviously the Yotul. We had spent the last half a claw having instructions and paper work thrust upon us. Many of the group had immediately left, with others dropping out as various facts of cat ownership became apparent.
Still, those of us who were left behind were now heading to our respective farms, each with a single carry case. Mine was currently containing a gray and black “kitten,” which had been “meowing” loudly during the entire journey.
I looked simply at the little bundle of fur and eyes that peered out from inside the cage I had been given. Part of my mind still screamed danger, but it was a part that was getting quieter and quieter as I continued to look at what was a small fragile bundle of fur that I was now ultimately in charge of.
How could you look at something that’s hardly bigger than your paw, and think it’s a danger?
As I reached my farm, I finally opened up the container and pulled out the tiny predator. My tiny predator. There would be work to do, fences to erect and warning signs to place, but for now I just held the tiny thing in my paws, supporting it in the way I’d been told to. I now knew why humans spent all their time trying to pet things: with the troubles on the farm I hadn’t felt this calm in several cycles.
He was more energetic then Sprinkles had been, but in a way the more skittish nature pulled at my heartstrings, as if it was a small innocent Venlil pup. I sat there stroking it, realizing I still needed to give him a name. He was fluffy, Tiny, innocent, fragile. Yet with an underlying spice as it continued to meow loudly as I held in my paws
“I will call you Fireberry. My little predator.”
submitted by SavingsSyllabub7788 to HFY [link] [comments]
Memory transcription subject: Tellek , Farmer
Date [standardized human time]: January 19th, 2137
Has it really come to this, am I really this desperate?
I was, for all intents and purposes, broke. The last harvest had been terrible, in addition to the one before that, which was practically a deathblow for my new farmstead. The debts and missed payments had started to pile up, and I was one more bad harvest away from going completely bankrupt.
Like so many farmers before me, I was becoming another victim of the 5 harvest curse.
I told you that starting a new farm was a bad idea.
What was I supposed to do, brain, keep working in the office until I died?
I sat on my chair, surrounded by other farmers who were presumably in similar states of desperation, the room we were in akin to the schoolrooms I had been in as a pup; a desk and whiteboard up front sitting in front of the rows of chairs. Most of the twenty or so figures around me were fellow Venlil, except for a handful of Gojid and even a single Yotul who was sitting in the back, all of us awaiting the start of the ‘lesson’.
They claimed they had a solution to our problem, that they knew how to increase our yields. How could a predator know how to fix our farming issues?.
Human. Human Human Human Human. Not a predator.
Yes yes I know, I’m trying to be better about that.
I stopped my train of thought and corrected myself. Ever since the revelations about many of our allies being former predators, I had been making an effort to stop thinking of the world in terms of predator and prey. It was difficult at times, but given that I was working against a lifetimes worth of lies, I thought I was making good progress..
But even if “Predator” wasn’t the curse it used to be, how could a human claim to know how to fix our farming issues? Even if we ignored the differences between our diets, for all their advantages, humans were still far below our technological advancements.
Almost on cue, the door to the room opened up, and the figure of the human who had invited us here entered with an enthusiastic bounce, caring two large cases covered with black cloth
Unlike most, this human was unmasked, its piercing eyes and beaming teeth filled smile visible for all to see. I could feel the room start to fill with panic. Sure, logically I knew I was probably safe, but seeing the unmasked features of an apex predator caused fear to grip the edge of my heart.
I could proudly say I can walk past and interact with masked humans without wanting to flee anymore, but seeing those forward-facing eyes boring a hole into my soul was another task altogether.
Come on, you should be better than this.
I’m trying, ok!
"Hello everyone. My name is Joseph. I'm an ecology student, and I'm here to provide a solution to your farming yields." The human spoke with an unbridled joy, seeming to wait a moment while our translators attempted to explain what Ecology was, stopping half way through and seemingly giving up.
“You might be wondering why I’m unmasked, well we’re going to be covering a lot of ‘predatory’ concepts today, so if you can’t handle this? We’re gonna have bigger problems.” Joseph took a moment to broadly gesture to himself, leaving a feeling of dread to start in the pit of my stomach.
If this was just the start, what exactly was going to happen here?
Silence! Wait and see, knowing humans it’s probably interesting at the very least.
“I’ve finally been given authorization to start a trial of this program. Both the UN and Venlil governments are very interested in increasing food supply for both our people. As you might know we’re kinda at war, and logistics wins wars.”
The human paused for a moment, a shiver running around most of the room as he gave a large beaming smile.
“So to start: paws, claws, or tails up if you know about the ‘5 harvest curse.’”
The room immediately was filled with Federation species all raising their prospective limbs in affirmation. Of course we all knew what it was, that was why most of us were here.
How would the human know about that?
Basic research, simple reading, asking literally any farmer?
“Fantastic! I’m still going to explain it so we’re all on the same page. The ‘5 harvest curse’ is a phenomenon where new farms on Venlil prime often fail within the first five harvests. On a side note, the coincidental fact that five has a religious contention in Venlil culture is neat.”
I could feel an annoyance start to course through me, that the affliction currently driving me to destitution was being described as ‘neat’ by the callous predator. I mean human.
Stupid human.
Joseph either didn’t pick up or ignored my annoyance as he pressed a button, a graph appearing on the whiteboard showing expected yields over time, continuing on in his seemingly endless enthusiasm.
“So in general the five harvest curse follows a standard pattern of yields, with the first two harvests being up to 52% larger than even more established farms, plummeting after that until the business is non-viable and collapses. Officially the reason for this is unknown, with some vague religious stupidity about new farms being too far away from the center of the habitable strip.”
This was nothing new to me, I remembered feeling the joy of the sheer output from my first harvest, of wondering if I could finally make something of myself, a joy that had been whittled down as my last two harvests had been pitiful.
“However there’s an interesting thing, if you also plot the number of predator sightings during this time against the yields, you can see a direct correlation between number of predators and the success of each harvest.”
Wait, what? Is this human trying to say that predators… increase harvest? That can’t be right, that can’t be right at all. That would be insanity.
The data is literally there in front of you.
Yet it was there on the screen, a second graph had appeared on the whiteboard, tracking predator sightings over time in each of the farms afflicted by the curse.
“This tracks with most farms' general lifecycle. You buy a plot of untamed land on the edge of the habitable zone but you don’t have enough money to go full anti-predator. As the harvests come in you end up spending more and inadvertently messing it up.”
This caused a small amount of murmuring and energetic rejection by myself and the other members of the room, wiping away the previous undercurrent of fear. It was insanity, it went against everything I had ever known or been taught about farming and how the world worked. How could a predator of all things be beneficial?
Didn’t the introduction of humans also go against everything I had ever known or been taught about?
“If this effect is so obvious, how has nobody found this before?”
The sound of a Venlil challenging Joseph was greeted by murmurs of agreement from the group, causing the human to give a different kind of smile. Not a smile of joy or excitement as had been seen before, but the smile of someone who had something for this.
“Because you have. 150 years ago, a Venlil named Slavek wrote a paper regarding this. 119 years ago, Vicktal did the same. As well as Traval, Stralan, and Vilkin in between then and now. Those are just the ones I’ve found. Who can guess what happened to them?”
There was a pause, before the uplift in the back spoke up for the first time, a surety in the Yotul’s voice.
“They were diagnosed with predator disease.”
Joseph pointed at the Yotul in the back with both hands, the joy radiating from him.
“Based Space Kangaroo gets 10 points for being correct! Yep the federation has been actively suppressing anything that suggests that predators are more than some kind of eldritch evil, that and your surprising lack of hydroponics causes most planets to be dependent on the core worlds for food imports. Probably by design for control.”
Wait… that’s a good point, why aren’t we using hydroponics?
The human took a moment to switch to the next slide, showing a simple three part cycle.
“Most healthy ecological systems are made up of three parts: Plants, which are eaten by herbivores, which are in turn eaten by carnivores. In reality actual systems are far more complex than these, but as a basic understanding this will suffice. These three parts keep each other in check, each part dependent on the other, which-”
“Are you trying to say that predator attacks are a good thing? Are you suffering from predator disease?! ”
The Venlil interrupted once again to more murmured agreement, causing Joseph to give a sigh of clear annoyance in response. I wished the Venlil would shut up and just let the human talk.
“No, I’m not suggesting we airdrop a bunch of Nissa into the Capital, I'm explaining how natural systems work. Sapience obviously breaks this cycle, which if you deviate too far, you end up with something called trophic cascade."
The human seemed to wait a moment for the translator to once again fail to explain the meaning of the phrase.
I wonder how many basic concepts the federation lacks words for…
"Rather simply, the removal of one of these pieces has wider effects, reducing biodiversity and in many cases causing a complete ecological collapse. An example of this is the dust bowl effect, something the federation is well acquainted with."
There was a moment before the whiteboard changed before showing pictures of desolate barren worlds. Without any explanation I knew exactly what I was looking at. It was one of the… lesser talked about aspects of the federation.
"The Skivit grand herd are a species who go from planet to planet stripping ecosystems bare, devouring everything down to the smallest sapling. This removes important root systems that act as drainage, causing flooding and deserts to form as new plantlife lacks the structure to grow. In many cases these ecosystems are permanently destroyed, turning once lush planets into lifeless husks”.
I couldn’t help but feel sorrow for those planets. It was well known the impact the Skivit had on planets, once thriving planets of beauty. Although if I was following this human’s logic correctly did that mean…
“Now I’m not suggesting that the Skivit need a predator, that would be immoral.” Joseph cut off the thought I was about to have, seemingly understanding the logical thought many of us had picked up on. “But instead this is a real life example of damage an unchecked herbivore can have on ecosystems. If the Skivit didn’t have FTL travel they would have long ago driven themselves to starvation under their current society. It’s also not the only form of this trophic cascade.”
“Surely this doesn’t just apply to prey? Or are you saying prey are somehow inferior?”
The sound of the Gojid cutting in was filled with an unspoken challenge against the idea, inciting general sounds of agreement from those around him. Surprisingly however, Joseph seemed to respond positively.
“That is entirely correct, an overabundance of carnivorous species can also cause their own issues. Keep in mind what I’m describing here is an extremely simplified version, just the addition or removal of a single species can cause untold damage and harm to the diversity of ecological systems as the impacts are felt in the most seemingly unlikely cases.”
With that the human reached under the desk, taking one of the two covered containers he had brought with him and placing it into view.
“In Venlil Prime’s case, while the impact of Federation thinking has been reduced due to the day and night sides being mostly untouched, you still have the problem of overpopulation of certain species, and a lack of reasonable fear response from certain prey species. This has accumulated into the problem you all face.”
With that he removed the cover, causing a surge of fear to ripple through the participants around me until we all calmed down at what was underneath: A small cage, containing a single red bird busily eating seeds.
All farmer’s arch nemesis.
“This is a Flowerbird, a seed eating avian often coming in solid red, blue, or green. They are adorable, dumb as a sack of bricks and food motivated to a fault. They are also one of the biggest causes of farm yield destruction, with these birds alone being responsible for around about 41% of all losses. If we include Voidpins and other similar wildlife, farms can have up to 94% of their yield destroyed before they even get to harvest.”
Everyone in this room was familiar with the cursed avians. While your average city dweller would enjoy the sight of a flock of Flowerbirds, the farming community knew of them as a blight that devastated crops.
Joseph took a moment to open the cage, reaching inside and grabbing the bird. A small part of me wondered if he was about to devour it in front of us, before I tamped down on such an illogical idea. Of course the humans wouldn’t, we knew they didn’t do that. The Flowerbird also seemed completely unfazed about being in the meaty grasp of a predator, simply continuing to eat.
“Even worse, these things have basically zero fear response to noises and large beasts, probably due to all major predators having been removed. As you can see this specimen doesn’t mind a ‘scary predator’ grabbing it. As long as it has food, it couldn’t care less. This makes pest control tricky, as scaring them away is no longer an option. Poisons would be used in such a case, but they can have wider ranging effects, and poisoning prey is considered ‘Predatory’, not that many of you haven’t tried ‘accidentally’ leaving potential pesticides out.”
This caused a sway of discomfort to sweep through the room, tails switching in guilty movements as everyone tried to hide the truth of this human’s words. I knew I personally had considered such actions in desperation.
I mean, would ‘accidently’ leaving out a known poisonous chemical really be a sign of predator disease?
“Ha! I know enough tail language to know I’m right, that’s guilt isn’t it? I’ve read your internet, I know your discussions on loopholes about what is and isn’t predatory!” Joseph cried out in triumph as many of the Venlil of the room reached out to grab their traitorous appendages. “Now normally I would just tell people to stop being idiots, but in this case we can’t do that. Ironically because predators are actually dangerous. Because of your slaughter the only species left are ones aggressive and smart enough to survive. Shadestalkers are legitimately dangerous and can’t be left to interact with the farming community because people will die.”
The words from Joseph all sounded so… reasonable at this point. However, I, along with the rest of the room, were all desperately waiting for the other paw to drop. Because there would be, humans always had something they were about to do.
Almost in response to our thoughts the human placed the second container on the desk, covering up the first in response.
“Humans have dealt with this problem in a simple way, a way that our Yotul friend over there will know of. I need all of you to please remain calm and orderly, and to remember that you’re perfectly safe and there’s no need to overreact or panic. Humans dealt with this pest problem, through the use of safe predators.”
Before anyone could properly react to those words, the cover of the second container was removed, showing… a predator. An actual one, not a human but an actual real threat. Small piercing front facing yellow eyes attached to a brown feline form, sulking from the cage it was being held in.
Speh speh speh speh that’s a PREDATOR, A FERAL PREDATOR
If it was a danger the human wouldn't have-
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO DO NOT LIKE NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.
The panic in the room was immediate. Sapient human predators we had gotten used to, but none sapient ones were another deal entirely. Chaos started to spread as the 7 in the front row got up, pushing themselves up against the back wall as everyone else in the room did the same. Three Venlil made the choice to bolt out of the room, rushing past the human and his tiny devourer, while another clean fainted, hitting the floor with a thud. One even decided to take things further, jumping out of the singular window attached to the far wall in a frantic motion.
I could feel fear overwhelm me, desperately staring at the feline and waiting for it to make its move. What was the human thinking, it was going to attack at any moment, it was going to-
“STOP, Stop this stupidity. Right. NOW!”
The stern commanding voice of Joseph caused everyone in the room to freeze. The calm enthusiastic demeanor of the predator was gone, replaced with an emotion I’d never actually seen a human show before: anger.
“It has been six months! Do you really still believe that the UN or the Venlil government would put you in actual danger? You’re still thinking based on your stupid fascist Federation propaganda. Thinking that tells you that the Yotul are primitive, or the Venlil are weak. Propaganda that says genetically modifying people against their will is morally OK”
I knew that humans normally bared their teeth in joy, as a sign of happiness and friendship. This wasn’t the case right now, as everything in Joseph’s body language screamed of rage, of pain, of words spoken through gritted teeth. Nobody in the room was focused on the predator in the cage at this point, instead all eyes staring at the human. Suddenly the feline mattered a lot less than the anger of the human.
“That sort of thinking leads to the belief that killing over a billion innocent people is somehow the right thing to do. You are all presumably intelligent sapient adults able to think things through logically. Could you all please act that way?”
I could see the swishes of shame from the other Venlil’s tails, everyone in the room avoiding eye contact guiltily. Well, apart from the Yotul, who had remained seated and calm this entire time, staring almost joyfully at the feline predator. The human, of course, was completely right. Taking a moment to force myself to think, the predator was safely behind metal bars and was making no move to attack, seemingly content to stare lazily at us.
You finished overreacting?
Shut up, brain.
“Also, at the risk of ruining the angry vibe I’m giving off, is the guy who jumped out the window OK? Jesus Christ, we are two stories up, do we have to call someone or….”
Joseph had relaxed a little in response to the group calming down, allowing the normal empathetic nature of humans to come through once more. Slowly I made my way to the window, looking down to see a singular Venlil running off into the distance.
“I-I think he’s fine.” I responded, causing the human to give a sigh of relief in response.
“Good. Note to self, do this in a room without windows next time… or maybe just the ground floor. So, to continue where I left off, humans have used tame predators as a natural non-invasive form of pest control since we started farming. This is a cat, completely harmless unless you’re a small rodent or bird. They also have this effect.”
With a flourish Joseph removed the covering for the cage containing the Flowerbird once more, the red little avian had been busily eating during the entire presentation so far. However upon spotting the Feline predator did something none of us had ever seen before.
It stopped eating. Wait, the human managed to get a Flowerbird to stop eating! I didn’t even know that was possible…
Giving repeated alarmed chirps it moved as far away as it could from the predator, still trapped inside the small cage, a frantic fear obvious on the poor little thing. Joseph let this go on for a few moments more, before dropping the cover back on and silencing the Flowerbird once more.
Everyone in the room was shocked. You could literally scream and shout all you wanted at the dumb little birds and they would ignore you and continue to devour crops. The fact that the feral predator had managed to stop the bird from doing that simply with its presence… was huge. Was more than huge.
“As you can see, the instincts of the ‘prey’ animal still remain. Presumably, whatever predator used to hunt these Flowerbirds has a resemblance to our cats. Normally it would be sacrilege to suggest introducing cats to an ecosystem, but in this case your ecosystems are so messed up that’s exactly what we want to do: Provide any farmer who wants one with a kitten, in order to quickly reduce yield lost to pests.”
I would be lying if I didn’t say I wasn’t interested. On the one hand having a vicious predator in my house, where my pups would visit seemed like something a predator diseased individual would only consider. On the other hand, nothing else I had ever tried had even come close to the simple effectiveness shown here.
Would I be this desperate and in debt if I had one of these “cats” already?
“So I can see you’re all still a little worried, so we’re going to have a little discussion, for which I need a volunteer-'' The Yotul in the back practically fell over with excitement, with his arm raised immediately as he interrupted, causing Joseph to give a small smile. “One who isn’t a Yotul. I know your history with similar pets, and we are totally going to hook you up with a cat, but for this I could do with a Venlil please.”
The Yotul sat back down, a look of disappointment plastered over his face as the rest of the room shifted uncomfortably. Nobody wanted to be the person to step up and presumably get closer to the predator. Until I found myself raising my hand.
Brain, what the hell are you doing?
You said you wanted to be better, and we’re desperate.
NOT LIKE THIS BRAIN!
In a blur I found myself being introduced to the room and being told to sit at a chair next to the desk in front of the rest of the members here. Then, to my horror, Joseph opened the cage and took the feline predator out of its holding cell. The human took a few moments to fuss over the beast before turning to the rest of us.
“So now that we have our volunteer, let's logically look at our ‘dangerous predator’. The first thing to notice is simply the size. Regardless of anything else, size matters, size matters a lot. It’s hard to feel threatened by something that you can literally throw across the room.”
Joseph took a moment to hold the small creature next to me for context, highlighting just how small the predator actually was: barely the size of a Skivit, like a furry little pup. Logically if it wasn't for the forward facing eyes, I might consider it… cute?
“But what about its teeth and claws? It’s a predator that will tear people apart!”
The voice of the Gojid sounded out, a shrill fearful voice filled with barely contained panic and fear, the source of the sound looking ready to flee even though they weren’t the one sitting next to the predator
“Let's compare these. Tellek can you please extend your paws and show your claws to the group.”
I did as asked, my four black claws visible for all to see as Joseph moved the predator close. He stretched out one of its paws and pressed on a knuckle, a singular sharp claw protruding as he did so, causing a fresh burst of fear to erupt in my heart from being so close to such a thing.
Although if I was to be fully honest, if I was comparing the two, the predator’s claw were…
“As you can see, the cat’s claw, while sharper, is far smaller and more brittle. A Venlil can do some serious damage with their claws, while the worst this cat’s claw could do is break the skin. The teeth are similar, if you could show the group your pearly whites please.”
I again did as asked, feeling embarrassed and weird just having my mouth wide open in front of everyone. I hoped that there was nothing stuck in my teeth. While I did Joseph manhandled the cat again, taking a moment to move the lips and display the sharp needle point teeth, doing so for a moment before the small predator gave a small lazy growl of annoyance, clearly reaching the end of its acceptability.
“Once again we have similar results: Notice the small size of the cat's teeth compared with the Venlil’s. These would pierce skin, the Venlil’s would pulverize bone. Gojid aren’t much better with your literal claws and a back full of knives. Ironically enough the two ‘predators’ in the room are probably the least physically imposing.”
There was a moment as the room seemed to ponder this statement, allowing Joseph enough time to place the cat on the desk next to me, the predator promptly giving a stretch then curling up into a ball. The human was right, even humans themselves were physically… underwhelming, apart from their endurance. No claws, small teeth, no defensive armor or spines.
It’s kinda sad to think the only reason we’re all so scared of humans is their eye placement.
“Now the UN and Venlil government are looking for people to use cats as pest control to increase farming yield, with an initial trial size of about 100 participants. We’re offering a stipend for food, instructional care of your kitten, and as much support as needed. There are risks, for instance you’re going to need warning signs near your property and a containment system, as cats are actually dangerous to the Dossur.”
I could hardly hear Joseph speak, my entire concentration focused on the predator right next to me. I knew logically that the human wouldn’t do something to bring me to harm, but it was difficult to think that with a potentially feral predator right next to me. I saw its eyes fixate onto mine and I quickly looked away.
Maybe if I don’t look at it, it won’t take it as a challenge.
However much to both mine and the rest of the room's shock, slowly and carefully the cat stood up, stretched once before walking purposefully towards me, the room erupting into cries of worry as it leapt off the desk and onto my lap, curling into a ball with me trapped underneath.
“H-h-help…. Help…..!”
The human turned to look at me, breaking into a smile seemingly at my misfortune and giving a small chuckle.
“Awwww, she likes you. As you all can see cats share a lot of characteristics with ‘prey’. They will often seek companionship from others, and have a lot of prey characteristics, being at times skittish due to having many natural predators.”
That was good and all, but didn’t stop me from being trapped under the beast.
I don’t want to think about what could cause a predator to become prey.
“W-What d-do I do?”
Joseph gave a small shrug in response, clearly amused by my reaction.
“You could try petting her. Her name is Sprinkles and I can confirm she likes pets.”
You see brain, this is what happens when I let you do things! Now I'm trapped by a predator and I'm gonna die!
Stop being such a pup, the thing is tiny. Besides, don't humans claim petting stuff is nice?
Slowly I reached out a paw, gingerly approaching the predator, those yellow slitted eyes regarding my exposed arm as I gently placed it on the "cat", running my paw across its back.
I felt my held breath release as the predator did nothing, some of the tension of the room releasing in the instant.
"So interesting thing about cats: they 'chose' to be domesticated."
Joseph had gone back to talking, seemingly happy that I wasn't about to be torn apart. I had stopped listening, entirely focused on keeping the predator satisfied by running my paws across its fur.
Isn't this nice? I gotta admit I understand why humans like doing this.
Fine. I'll admit that this isn't unpleasant, the cat is rather soft.
"When humans originally started farming, that also attracted pests. Cats just turned up, following their food source. They stuck around because humans would feed them and provide companionship."
I was entirely focused on the cat at this point, running my claws through the fur, feeling the predator press itself against my paw, seeming to be enjoying itself. Gently I moved my claw to the back of one of its tiny little ears, scratching behind it like you might do to comfort a young pup. It started to emanate a low vibrating noise in response, causing another wave of tension to emit from the rest of the room.
For some reason, even though this feral predator was sitting on my lap, the sound seemed to vibrate through my heart in a calming motion.
Maybe this is some kind of predatory hypnosis?
Really? Just shush and enjoy this. Being scared of everything all the time is so tiring.
"Nobody needs to worry. That is just the sound a happy cat makes, it's called purring. Although I do need to take Sprinkles back now."
Joseph motioned towards the cat on my lap, a motion I decided to ignore, enjoying petting the purring cat for a few moments more. Eventually the human reached down and removed Sprinkles from my grasp as I momentarily resisted before letting the feline go.
See, that wasn't so bad.
Brain, I will admit- reluctantly- that I would have preferred to keep doing that.
With a small amount of resentment I watched as Joseph placed the cat back inside the cage, before turning back to the rest of the room.
"So anyone who is interested, stick around and we can get the paperwork completed."
—-------------
In the end eight of us remained, 5 Venlil, 2 Gojid, and obviously the Yotul. We had spent the last half a claw having instructions and paper work thrust upon us. Many of the group had immediately left, with others dropping out as various facts of cat ownership became apparent.
Still, those of us who were left behind were now heading to our respective farms, each with a single carry case. Mine was currently containing a gray and black “kitten,” which had been “meowing” loudly during the entire journey.
I looked simply at the little bundle of fur and eyes that peered out from inside the cage I had been given. Part of my mind still screamed danger, but it was a part that was getting quieter and quieter as I continued to look at what was a small fragile bundle of fur that I was now ultimately in charge of.
How could you look at something that’s hardly bigger than your paw, and think it’s a danger?
As I reached my farm, I finally opened up the container and pulled out the tiny predator. My tiny predator. There would be work to do, fences to erect and warning signs to place, but for now I just held the tiny thing in my paws, supporting it in the way I’d been told to. I now knew why humans spent all their time trying to pet things: with the troubles on the farm I hadn’t felt this calm in several cycles.
He was more energetic then Sprinkles had been, but in a way the more skittish nature pulled at my heartstrings, as if it was a small innocent Venlil pup. I sat there stroking it, realizing I still needed to give him a name. He was fluffy, Tiny, innocent, fragile. Yet with an underlying spice as it continued to meow loudly as I held in my paws
“I will call you Fireberry. My little predator.”
2023.06.03 10:42 CatloafHere Emojis
Fuck you.
Fuck you. You useless piece of shit. You absolute waste of space and air. You uneducated, ignorant, idiotic dumb swine, you’re an absolute embarrassment to humanity and all life as a whole. The magnitude of your failure just now is so indescribably massive that one hundred years into the future your name will be used as moniker of evil for heretics. Even if all of humanity put together their collective intelligence there is no conceivable way they could have thought up a way to fuck up on the unimaginable scale you just did. When Jesus died for our sins, he must not have seen the sacrilegious act we just witnessed you performing, because if he did he would have forsaken humanity long ago so that your birth may have never become reality. After you die, your skeleton will be displayed in a museum after being scientifically researched so that all future generations may learn not to generate your bone structure, because every tiny detail anyone may have in common with you degrades them to a useless piece of trash and a burden to society. No wonder your father questioned whether or not your were truly his son, for you'd have to not be a waste of carbon matter for anyone to love you like a family member. Your birth made it so that mankind is worse of in every way you can possibly imagine, and you have made it so that society can never really recover into a state of organization. Everything has forever fallen into a bewildering chaos, through which unrecognizable core, you can only find misfortune. I would say the apocalypse is upon us but this is merely the closest word humans have for the sheer scale of horror that is now reality. You have forever condemned everyone you love and know into an eternal state of suffering, worse than any human concept of hell. You are such an unholy being, that if you step within a one hundred foot radius of a holy place or a place that has ever been deemed important by anyone, your distorted sac religious soul will ruin whatever meaning it ever had beyond repair. You are an idiotic, shiteating, dumbass ape and no one has ever loved you. Rhodes Island would have been better off if you'd never joined us. You are a lying, backstabbing, cowardly useless piece of shit and I hate you with every single part of my being. Even this worlds finest writers and poets from throughout the ages could never hope to accurately describe the scale on which you just fucked up, and how incredibly idiotic you are. Anyone that believes in any religion out there should now realize that they have been wrong this entire time, for if divine beings were real, they would never have allowed a being such as you to stain the earth and this universe. In the future there will be horror stories made about you, with the scariest part of them being that the reader has to realize that such an indescribable monster actually exists, and that the horrific events from the movie have actually taken place in the same world that they live in right now. You are the absolute embodiment of everything that has ever been wrong on this earth, yet you manage to make it so that that is only a small part of the evil that is your being. Never in the history of mankind has there been anyone that could have predicted such an eldrich abomination, but here you are. It’s hard to believe that I am seeing such an incredible failure with my own eyes, but here I am, so unfortunately I cannot deny your existence. Even if I did my very best, my vocabulary is not able to describe the sheer magnitude of the idiotic mistake that is you. Even if time travel some day will be invented, there still would not be a single soul willing to go back in time to before this moment to fix history, because having to witness such incredible horrors if they failed would have to many mental and physical drawbacks that not even the bravest soul in history would be willing to risk it. I cannot imagine the pure dread your mother must have felt when she had to carry a baby for nine months and then giving birth to such a wretched monster as you. Not a single word of the incoherent, illogical rambling you may be wanting to do to defend yourself or apologize would ever be able to make up for what you just did. The countries of the world would have wanted to make laws preventing such a terrible event like this from ever happening again, but sadly this is not possible since your horrific actions just now have shattered every form of order this world once had, making concepts such as laws irrelevant. Right from the moment I first set my eyes on you I knew you were an absolute abomination of everything that is wrong with humanity. I was hoping I would have been able to prevent your evil from being released upon this world by tagging along and keeping my eye on you, but it is clear to me now that not even the greatest efforts would have been able to prevent a terrible event in this scale from occurring. You are the worst human being, or even just being in general, that I have ever had the misfortune of witnessing. Events like the infected plague apparently only happened with the goal of teaching humanity to survive such a horrible event as the one you just created, but not even mankind’s greatest trials were able to even slightly prepare anyone for the insufferable evil you have just created. If you ever had them, your children would be preemptively killed to protect this universe from the possibility of anyone in your bloodline being even half as bad as you are, except you will never be able to have children, because not a single human being will ever want to come within a hundred mile radius of you and anything you have ever touched. You are a colossal disappointment not only to your parents, but to your ancestors and entire bloodline. The disgusting mistake that you have just made is so incredibly terrible that everyone who would ever be to hear about it would spontaneously feel an indescribable mixture of immense anger, fear and anxiety that emotionally and physically they would never truly be the same ever again. The sheer scale of your mistake, if ever to be materialized, would not only surpass the size of the world, but it would reach far beyond the edges of the known, and almost certainly the unknown universe. I could sit here and write paragraphs, nay, books describing your immense failure, yet even if I were to dedicate my life to describing the reality of what has just gone down here, and I would spend every moment of it until my heart stops beating working as hard and efficiently as possible, yet there is not even a snowballs chance in hell that I would be able to come close to transcribing the absolute shitshow you have just released upon the world. You are an irresponsible, idiotic, disgusting, unloved, horrible excuse for a living being who’s soul contains less humanity than every ginger in history combined. The absolute disgust I feel when thinking about anything that has even a slight resemblance to anything that might have to do with you and your unholy actions is so incredibly great that when I am honest about it I think that even I do not posses a consciousness great enough to comprehend my own feelings about it. When people of Columbia fought to break free from Lungmen, countless soldiers fought and lost their lives in favor of a chance at a better future for their children, they did not give their lives to have you fuck the world up beyond repair to the degree that you are doing right now. Honestly, even when technology advances and studies on the subject become more and more accurate, I do not think humanity will ever truly be able to understand what your failure actually means for the universe. My hate for you and everything you stand for is so much deeper than the depths of Shambala that you could probably take the entire Lungmen population down there and back up around twenty million times before you would have sunk to the end of my hate, and honestly, I do not want to exaggerate, but I think that that insult was low balling it such a massive amount that all mountains in this world combined would not be able to stack up to this imprecise judgement in light of the fact that when being honest, my hate is almost certainly bottomless. There is no one in this world that has ever loved you, and especially after what you just did, no one will ever love you in the future either. There is no hope that your idiotic behavior and especially your crooked soul will ever change for the better, and in fact quite the opposite might be true. By making the mistake that you just did, you have shown me that you are so incredibly hopeless that you will only devolve into a more idiotic and wretched creature than you already are. The only possible way in which your future would be brighter than the black hole your existence currently is would exclusively be because there is absolutely no conceivable way that you would even be able to sink lower than the pathetic place your current failure has put you in.
STOP FUCKING USING EMOJIS
submitted by CatloafHere to copypasta [link] [comments]
Fuck you. You useless piece of shit. You absolute waste of space and air. You uneducated, ignorant, idiotic dumb swine, you’re an absolute embarrassment to humanity and all life as a whole. The magnitude of your failure just now is so indescribably massive that one hundred years into the future your name will be used as moniker of evil for heretics. Even if all of humanity put together their collective intelligence there is no conceivable way they could have thought up a way to fuck up on the unimaginable scale you just did. When Jesus died for our sins, he must not have seen the sacrilegious act we just witnessed you performing, because if he did he would have forsaken humanity long ago so that your birth may have never become reality. After you die, your skeleton will be displayed in a museum after being scientifically researched so that all future generations may learn not to generate your bone structure, because every tiny detail anyone may have in common with you degrades them to a useless piece of trash and a burden to society. No wonder your father questioned whether or not your were truly his son, for you'd have to not be a waste of carbon matter for anyone to love you like a family member. Your birth made it so that mankind is worse of in every way you can possibly imagine, and you have made it so that society can never really recover into a state of organization. Everything has forever fallen into a bewildering chaos, through which unrecognizable core, you can only find misfortune. I would say the apocalypse is upon us but this is merely the closest word humans have for the sheer scale of horror that is now reality. You have forever condemned everyone you love and know into an eternal state of suffering, worse than any human concept of hell. You are such an unholy being, that if you step within a one hundred foot radius of a holy place or a place that has ever been deemed important by anyone, your distorted sac religious soul will ruin whatever meaning it ever had beyond repair. You are an idiotic, shiteating, dumbass ape and no one has ever loved you. Rhodes Island would have been better off if you'd never joined us. You are a lying, backstabbing, cowardly useless piece of shit and I hate you with every single part of my being. Even this worlds finest writers and poets from throughout the ages could never hope to accurately describe the scale on which you just fucked up, and how incredibly idiotic you are. Anyone that believes in any religion out there should now realize that they have been wrong this entire time, for if divine beings were real, they would never have allowed a being such as you to stain the earth and this universe. In the future there will be horror stories made about you, with the scariest part of them being that the reader has to realize that such an indescribable monster actually exists, and that the horrific events from the movie have actually taken place in the same world that they live in right now. You are the absolute embodiment of everything that has ever been wrong on this earth, yet you manage to make it so that that is only a small part of the evil that is your being. Never in the history of mankind has there been anyone that could have predicted such an eldrich abomination, but here you are. It’s hard to believe that I am seeing such an incredible failure with my own eyes, but here I am, so unfortunately I cannot deny your existence. Even if I did my very best, my vocabulary is not able to describe the sheer magnitude of the idiotic mistake that is you. Even if time travel some day will be invented, there still would not be a single soul willing to go back in time to before this moment to fix history, because having to witness such incredible horrors if they failed would have to many mental and physical drawbacks that not even the bravest soul in history would be willing to risk it. I cannot imagine the pure dread your mother must have felt when she had to carry a baby for nine months and then giving birth to such a wretched monster as you. Not a single word of the incoherent, illogical rambling you may be wanting to do to defend yourself or apologize would ever be able to make up for what you just did. The countries of the world would have wanted to make laws preventing such a terrible event like this from ever happening again, but sadly this is not possible since your horrific actions just now have shattered every form of order this world once had, making concepts such as laws irrelevant. Right from the moment I first set my eyes on you I knew you were an absolute abomination of everything that is wrong with humanity. I was hoping I would have been able to prevent your evil from being released upon this world by tagging along and keeping my eye on you, but it is clear to me now that not even the greatest efforts would have been able to prevent a terrible event in this scale from occurring. You are the worst human being, or even just being in general, that I have ever had the misfortune of witnessing. Events like the infected plague apparently only happened with the goal of teaching humanity to survive such a horrible event as the one you just created, but not even mankind’s greatest trials were able to even slightly prepare anyone for the insufferable evil you have just created. If you ever had them, your children would be preemptively killed to protect this universe from the possibility of anyone in your bloodline being even half as bad as you are, except you will never be able to have children, because not a single human being will ever want to come within a hundred mile radius of you and anything you have ever touched. You are a colossal disappointment not only to your parents, but to your ancestors and entire bloodline. The disgusting mistake that you have just made is so incredibly terrible that everyone who would ever be to hear about it would spontaneously feel an indescribable mixture of immense anger, fear and anxiety that emotionally and physically they would never truly be the same ever again. The sheer scale of your mistake, if ever to be materialized, would not only surpass the size of the world, but it would reach far beyond the edges of the known, and almost certainly the unknown universe. I could sit here and write paragraphs, nay, books describing your immense failure, yet even if I were to dedicate my life to describing the reality of what has just gone down here, and I would spend every moment of it until my heart stops beating working as hard and efficiently as possible, yet there is not even a snowballs chance in hell that I would be able to come close to transcribing the absolute shitshow you have just released upon the world. You are an irresponsible, idiotic, disgusting, unloved, horrible excuse for a living being who’s soul contains less humanity than every ginger in history combined. The absolute disgust I feel when thinking about anything that has even a slight resemblance to anything that might have to do with you and your unholy actions is so incredibly great that when I am honest about it I think that even I do not posses a consciousness great enough to comprehend my own feelings about it. When people of Columbia fought to break free from Lungmen, countless soldiers fought and lost their lives in favor of a chance at a better future for their children, they did not give their lives to have you fuck the world up beyond repair to the degree that you are doing right now. Honestly, even when technology advances and studies on the subject become more and more accurate, I do not think humanity will ever truly be able to understand what your failure actually means for the universe. My hate for you and everything you stand for is so much deeper than the depths of Shambala that you could probably take the entire Lungmen population down there and back up around twenty million times before you would have sunk to the end of my hate, and honestly, I do not want to exaggerate, but I think that that insult was low balling it such a massive amount that all mountains in this world combined would not be able to stack up to this imprecise judgement in light of the fact that when being honest, my hate is almost certainly bottomless. There is no one in this world that has ever loved you, and especially after what you just did, no one will ever love you in the future either. There is no hope that your idiotic behavior and especially your crooked soul will ever change for the better, and in fact quite the opposite might be true. By making the mistake that you just did, you have shown me that you are so incredibly hopeless that you will only devolve into a more idiotic and wretched creature than you already are. The only possible way in which your future would be brighter than the black hole your existence currently is would exclusively be because there is absolutely no conceivable way that you would even be able to sink lower than the pathetic place your current failure has put you in.
STOP FUCKING USING EMOJIS
2023.06.03 10:40 migoelo A complete switch to an iPad Pro, and whether it was a mistake
Hello all,
In this post I wanted to share with you my experience so far, how my (private) switch from a DELL laptop (about 5 years old) with Windows 10, and in parallel an old iPad Pro 10.5, to a new iPad Pro 11 (2022) with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, that should replace both devices, has presented itself so far.
Why the change? Because Apple had introduced Stage Manager for the newer iPads, I thought that an iPad (in my case) can replace both devices. I use the devices at home mostly for internet, email, calendar, listening to music, writing texts, spreadsheets, and sometimes sketching. When I use the device stationary, it is connected to an external display from DELL (u2720q) via USB-C (link rate HBR3). For input, I use a Logitech MX Mechanical Mini keyboard, and an MX Master 3s mouse connected to the display via Bolt adapter.
"BTW, to switch the keyboard layout between PC/iOS, you need to press and hold the fn+p keys for about 3 seconds for PC, and fn+i for iOS."
The following applications are used for the different purposes:
In fact, I can cover all areas quite well, even print pictures in high quality, or scan documents is very possible (surprised me). Unfortunately, there are also some things that bring me almost to despair. The step to change, I therefore question more and more. But what exactly are these things?
Meanwhile, I'm playing more and more with the idea of abandoning the project, and switching to a new Windows laptop or MacBook Air. In fact, I've only used the touch capabilities briefly for testing to date. Unfortunately, the financial loss would be immense, and makes me doubt switching again. My hope is that with iPad OS 17 improvements will occur, but already alone with the disgusting scrolling of the mouse, I suspect that nothing will change here. Apple would like to sell their own mouse or touch here, of course.
Have any of you ever played with the idea to change completely, and what experiences you have had?
Grettings from Germany
Michael
submitted by migoelo to iPadPro [link] [comments]
In this post I wanted to share with you my experience so far, how my (private) switch from a DELL laptop (about 5 years old) with Windows 10, and in parallel an old iPad Pro 10.5, to a new iPad Pro 11 (2022) with Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil, that should replace both devices, has presented itself so far.
Why the change? Because Apple had introduced Stage Manager for the newer iPads, I thought that an iPad (in my case) can replace both devices. I use the devices at home mostly for internet, email, calendar, listening to music, writing texts, spreadsheets, and sometimes sketching. When I use the device stationary, it is connected to an external display from DELL (u2720q) via USB-C (link rate HBR3). For input, I use a Logitech MX Mechanical Mini keyboard, and an MX Master 3s mouse connected to the display via Bolt adapter.
"BTW, to switch the keyboard layout between PC/iOS, you need to press and hold the fn+p keys for about 3 seconds for PC, and fn+i for iOS."
The following applications are used for the different purposes:
- Safari
- Apple Mail
- Apple Calendar
- Apple Reminder
- Apple Photo App
- GoodNotes 5
- Word
- Excel
- Print documents and images (Canon Pixma 6250 via WLAN)
- Scan documents (Canon Pixma 6250 via WLAN)
- Plex Amp
- YoutubeMusic Player
- TuneIn Pro
- FileBrowserPro
- Enpass
- WebSSH (For Debian Server Maintenance)
- Affinity Photo Ver. 1
In fact, I can cover all areas quite well, even print pictures in high quality, or scan documents is very possible (surprised me). Unfortunately, there are also some things that bring me almost to despair. The step to change, I therefore question more and more. But what exactly are these things?
- When I connect the display, I can always wait about 30-60 minutes until the Stage Manager crashes. I suspect at least that this is the case, as then it disconnects from the iPad for less than a second, and then reconnects. All applications that were running on the external display must then be reloaded (or just opened). The content of the applications remains.
- Although the battery is fully charged, and when both devices (display and iPad) are in standby, one device consumes 10 watts. Normally the display (backlight off) uses <1Watt, and I can't imagine the iPad using that much when the display is off. That's a mystery to me.
- Scrolling with the Logitech mouse can only be perceived as cruel. That Logitech sells such a mouse as a Mac/iPad variant more expensive and without a Bolt adapter is almost outrageous. Whether the culprit for the scrolling behavior is Logitech or Apple doesn't help me here either. Both support sites remain silent when you ask.
- The Magic Keyboard TouchPad, but also the keyboard very often refuse to operate independently, i.e. on some Internet pages I can not properly scroll the page by two-finger touch. On other pages I can't enter any text. A restart (hard reset) of the iPad then helps.
- Many applications are apparently not StageManager adapted even today. Example is the AmazonPrime Video App, or the Youtube Music App. Apart from the fact that some content is shifted or displayed incorrectly, the content is simply zoomed in or out when the window is enlarged or reduced. Even good apps like Affinity Photo, although updated to Ver. 2, do not support an external display properly.
- Although I use the small iPad, the combination with a Magic Keyboard is a real kludge.
- If I'm listening to music with an app while browsing the web in Safari at the same time, I can wait until I hit a page with media content (e.g. CNN), and then the music stops
- …
Meanwhile, I'm playing more and more with the idea of abandoning the project, and switching to a new Windows laptop or MacBook Air. In fact, I've only used the touch capabilities briefly for testing to date. Unfortunately, the financial loss would be immense, and makes me doubt switching again. My hope is that with iPad OS 17 improvements will occur, but already alone with the disgusting scrolling of the mouse, I suspect that nothing will change here. Apple would like to sell their own mouse or touch here, of course.
Have any of you ever played with the idea to change completely, and what experiences you have had?
Grettings from Germany
Michael
2023.06.03 10:38 dougtrudyjudy I feel like I'm about to have a breakdown. My entire story. Very Long
I'm at a total loss now. It has been 3 months since my world fell apart. I have come to the conclusion that my ex is a covert narcissist. We had been together 11 years, were sleeping together until February this year and now he is living in our family home and has moved his new gf in. I worry I am a narcissist all the time.
When I (35, F) first met him (34, M), he love bombed me. He came back to my house one night and didn't leave. He told me he was in love with me not even 2 months in. Proposed after 5 months. Bought myself and my friends presents. I thought I was so lucky, he loved me so much, he put me up on such a pedestal. I used to joke that one day the love bubble for him would pop when he realised I was not perfect like he thought I was. I grew up with an abusive and absent father and my mother died when I was 11. He had a great big family that I was so desperate to be a part of.
I made many mistakes, I didn't trust how much 'he loved me' and at the beginning was still interested in someone else. He told me he would leave me if I didn't go and get some help. I have PTSD, anxiety and depression, amongst other things. I don't remember when it started, but I felt disconnected from him emotionally. I couldn't talk to him and he would often refuse to talk about issues we had. Instead encouraged me constantly to go to therapy, not to talk about our issues, but to deal with my trauma that was 'ruining the relationship'. I sought solace in a friend at work and formed an inappropriate emotional bond with him. I admitted this to my partner, who said he forgave me and we moved past it.
We looked and booked so many places for weddings, but they never eventuated. His mother was horrible to me, called me a gold digger and said I made no contribution to society because I wasn't keeping down a steady job. This caused a massive fall out, where I refused to speak to her or see her. He eventually convinced me that I had to go and make peace with her to calm the situation down and 'this is just what she is like'.
I got pregnant 4 years after we got together. I suffered a very traumatic pregnancy and had horrible pre and post natal depression. Ex did not come to many appointments and I was frequently in hospital. Both my sister and father moved in at different stages when I had a newborn because my partner was working all the time and rarely helped.
His mother and step father gave us a deposit for a house, on the proviso we moved to their suburb. MIL started being nice to me again, I guess because I gave her a grandchild. I had no say in the house chosen, partner and inlaws made the decision together.
Partner decided to leave his place of work and start a new business shortly after. He did not ask me what I thought about it, he and the inlaws decided it was the best thing. I had a 6 month old and post natal depression. We moved into the new house, which we did a little work on. I started wanting to leave him, he was never home or helpful and we would fight constantly. He started criticising me 'as a joke' constantly. I felt like nothing I did was good enough for him. But I was terrified of not having this family we had created or be alone. I did all the admin for his business for 4 years. The problems continued, 2.5 years later I got pregnant again. I felt his total lack on interest in this pregnancy. Again, I was on hospital frequently, towing a 2.5 year old along with me. I was admitted due to horrible pains, my friend took me to the hospital as partner was going to his brothers bachelor party. I had gallstones, but could not be operated on due to being too far along in the pregnancy. He then went overseas for the wedding for 4 days while I stayed home with a high risk pregnancy and toddler.
We fought more, then covid happened. At first it seemed ok. Then he started smoking weed again, listening to podcasts, refusing to get vaccinated, which put our home at jeopardy. He would rant and scream about the lockdowns and the rest of it. Eventually he got the vaccines and now says he is 'vaccine injured.'
After covid, I left him, I couldn't handle it anymore. I then found out I had a brain condition called IIH. We decided to stay together until we knew what was going on. He was completely absent from our lives. I was studying, working, raising two children, both who are neurodivergent. The house fell apart. I couldn't clean anymore. My dogs destroyed the floors, my children and I stayed in our bedrooms. I was horrible depressed and couldn't do anymore than I already was. He saw us for maybe an hour or so every night? Started working more on weekends, smoking more weed and was very aggressive.
Last year in July, I called an end to it. I said I wanted to move into a rental, he said it wasn't fair that he was left with a house that was falling apart. I stayed at the house with the children and he moved to his mums house 5 mins away. We continued to sleep together and do things as a family. We made a deal that I would see a therapist, he would see a therapist and then we would see one together. At the end of it, we would decide whether we would stay together or not. From July to February this year, I made it clear to him that I loved him desperately and wanted to stay together. We continued to have sex, he said he was 'helping me out'. I thought it meant we still had a future. I worked on all the things he asked for. I was much more attentive, physically, emotionally and sexually.
In January his attitude towards me changed dramatically. His parents decided to move to a different state and sell their house. He suddenly started hanging out with a female friend that had been overseas for a long time. I asked him about it and was told 'she is gay and lime a sister to me.' We had agreed to fix the house together and then decide what to do with it. He was living at his parents at this time. He said I should move out to a rental with the boys, he would move back into the house and fix it up. I found a rental and signed the lease the next day. He helped me move everything in. He was oh so nice. Then he stopped talking to me. He stopped seeing the children. Every second weekend he would take them, and they would spend the entire time with his new 'friend as well'.
I have now lost track of what happened in what month because it was so traumatising. But since then he took my elderly dog to the vet, who was still living at out family home, told them that I had abandoned the dog at his home and they should put it down. I found this out when the council called me and told me my dog was at the pound. He told me I should give him the house because I have done nothing to deserve it, and in return he will give me the car. A car that I use everyday to take my kids to school and appointments. This caused massive amounts of friction between us. He would call me unstable, said that he couldn't be around me when I was projecting such negativity. At the same time, he was taking his new 'friend' to all his friends and family events. When I left the family home, I left it in a hurry and in a mess. I hadn't been able to get back to the house to sort it out because I had the kids 24/7. So he took his mum and stepdad there, told them I had destroyed this house and it was all my fault. They hated me again. Cut me off, I wasn't allowed at their house anymore. Told people I was an evil bitch. He and his parents then told everyone their side of the story, and I effectively lost all my (his) extended family.
8 weeks ago, his mum and stepdad left for another state. Shortly before this, he confessed he was in a relationship with his 'friend'. We had recently had a discussion about not inteoducing the childten to any partners for at least 3 months. She spent every weekend with them. I don't know how long this had been going on for. He told me if I didn't give him the house, he would move in with her. 2 weeks after being together, they moved into our family home and 'fell in love'.
He refuses to see his children apart from every second weekend. He pays a certain amount of child support, but not as much as he should be paying. He doesn't come to any appointments for the children and brings his new gf whenever he drops off the children or picks them up. My eldest has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Ex refuses to give him medication when child is with him.
I am struggling so much with money because I signed a lease, stupidly, on a house that I couldn't really afford, but believed him when he said he would pay part. There are weeks where he earns $4000. We had a fight about him taking the children away and not telling me where. My lawyer told me that wasn't ok, I passed the message onto him. So he took it upon himself to show up at my lawyers office and demand to speak to them. Efforts at legal and mediations have been refused by him. He would vaguely threaten me by saying I would regret it and I had no idea how bad it would get if I did.
I can't catch my breath. I feel like curling up into a ball and not getting up. I worry that I am the narcissist because I would get so angry at him, call him names, was terrible with our finances. I have no strength left to fight anymore. I am hesrt broken, terrified and have no support. I feel like I am on the verge of a total emotional breakdown.
If you have any words of wisdom, any advice, anything that will help, please share with me. Am I a narcissist?
I'm so sorry this is so long.
submitted by dougtrudyjudy to NarcissisticAbuse [link] [comments]
When I (35, F) first met him (34, M), he love bombed me. He came back to my house one night and didn't leave. He told me he was in love with me not even 2 months in. Proposed after 5 months. Bought myself and my friends presents. I thought I was so lucky, he loved me so much, he put me up on such a pedestal. I used to joke that one day the love bubble for him would pop when he realised I was not perfect like he thought I was. I grew up with an abusive and absent father and my mother died when I was 11. He had a great big family that I was so desperate to be a part of.
I made many mistakes, I didn't trust how much 'he loved me' and at the beginning was still interested in someone else. He told me he would leave me if I didn't go and get some help. I have PTSD, anxiety and depression, amongst other things. I don't remember when it started, but I felt disconnected from him emotionally. I couldn't talk to him and he would often refuse to talk about issues we had. Instead encouraged me constantly to go to therapy, not to talk about our issues, but to deal with my trauma that was 'ruining the relationship'. I sought solace in a friend at work and formed an inappropriate emotional bond with him. I admitted this to my partner, who said he forgave me and we moved past it.
We looked and booked so many places for weddings, but they never eventuated. His mother was horrible to me, called me a gold digger and said I made no contribution to society because I wasn't keeping down a steady job. This caused a massive fall out, where I refused to speak to her or see her. He eventually convinced me that I had to go and make peace with her to calm the situation down and 'this is just what she is like'.
I got pregnant 4 years after we got together. I suffered a very traumatic pregnancy and had horrible pre and post natal depression. Ex did not come to many appointments and I was frequently in hospital. Both my sister and father moved in at different stages when I had a newborn because my partner was working all the time and rarely helped.
His mother and step father gave us a deposit for a house, on the proviso we moved to their suburb. MIL started being nice to me again, I guess because I gave her a grandchild. I had no say in the house chosen, partner and inlaws made the decision together.
Partner decided to leave his place of work and start a new business shortly after. He did not ask me what I thought about it, he and the inlaws decided it was the best thing. I had a 6 month old and post natal depression. We moved into the new house, which we did a little work on. I started wanting to leave him, he was never home or helpful and we would fight constantly. He started criticising me 'as a joke' constantly. I felt like nothing I did was good enough for him. But I was terrified of not having this family we had created or be alone. I did all the admin for his business for 4 years. The problems continued, 2.5 years later I got pregnant again. I felt his total lack on interest in this pregnancy. Again, I was on hospital frequently, towing a 2.5 year old along with me. I was admitted due to horrible pains, my friend took me to the hospital as partner was going to his brothers bachelor party. I had gallstones, but could not be operated on due to being too far along in the pregnancy. He then went overseas for the wedding for 4 days while I stayed home with a high risk pregnancy and toddler.
We fought more, then covid happened. At first it seemed ok. Then he started smoking weed again, listening to podcasts, refusing to get vaccinated, which put our home at jeopardy. He would rant and scream about the lockdowns and the rest of it. Eventually he got the vaccines and now says he is 'vaccine injured.'
After covid, I left him, I couldn't handle it anymore. I then found out I had a brain condition called IIH. We decided to stay together until we knew what was going on. He was completely absent from our lives. I was studying, working, raising two children, both who are neurodivergent. The house fell apart. I couldn't clean anymore. My dogs destroyed the floors, my children and I stayed in our bedrooms. I was horrible depressed and couldn't do anymore than I already was. He saw us for maybe an hour or so every night? Started working more on weekends, smoking more weed and was very aggressive.
Last year in July, I called an end to it. I said I wanted to move into a rental, he said it wasn't fair that he was left with a house that was falling apart. I stayed at the house with the children and he moved to his mums house 5 mins away. We continued to sleep together and do things as a family. We made a deal that I would see a therapist, he would see a therapist and then we would see one together. At the end of it, we would decide whether we would stay together or not. From July to February this year, I made it clear to him that I loved him desperately and wanted to stay together. We continued to have sex, he said he was 'helping me out'. I thought it meant we still had a future. I worked on all the things he asked for. I was much more attentive, physically, emotionally and sexually.
In January his attitude towards me changed dramatically. His parents decided to move to a different state and sell their house. He suddenly started hanging out with a female friend that had been overseas for a long time. I asked him about it and was told 'she is gay and lime a sister to me.' We had agreed to fix the house together and then decide what to do with it. He was living at his parents at this time. He said I should move out to a rental with the boys, he would move back into the house and fix it up. I found a rental and signed the lease the next day. He helped me move everything in. He was oh so nice. Then he stopped talking to me. He stopped seeing the children. Every second weekend he would take them, and they would spend the entire time with his new 'friend as well'.
I have now lost track of what happened in what month because it was so traumatising. But since then he took my elderly dog to the vet, who was still living at out family home, told them that I had abandoned the dog at his home and they should put it down. I found this out when the council called me and told me my dog was at the pound. He told me I should give him the house because I have done nothing to deserve it, and in return he will give me the car. A car that I use everyday to take my kids to school and appointments. This caused massive amounts of friction between us. He would call me unstable, said that he couldn't be around me when I was projecting such negativity. At the same time, he was taking his new 'friend' to all his friends and family events. When I left the family home, I left it in a hurry and in a mess. I hadn't been able to get back to the house to sort it out because I had the kids 24/7. So he took his mum and stepdad there, told them I had destroyed this house and it was all my fault. They hated me again. Cut me off, I wasn't allowed at their house anymore. Told people I was an evil bitch. He and his parents then told everyone their side of the story, and I effectively lost all my (his) extended family.
8 weeks ago, his mum and stepdad left for another state. Shortly before this, he confessed he was in a relationship with his 'friend'. We had recently had a discussion about not inteoducing the childten to any partners for at least 3 months. She spent every weekend with them. I don't know how long this had been going on for. He told me if I didn't give him the house, he would move in with her. 2 weeks after being together, they moved into our family home and 'fell in love'.
He refuses to see his children apart from every second weekend. He pays a certain amount of child support, but not as much as he should be paying. He doesn't come to any appointments for the children and brings his new gf whenever he drops off the children or picks them up. My eldest has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. Ex refuses to give him medication when child is with him.
I am struggling so much with money because I signed a lease, stupidly, on a house that I couldn't really afford, but believed him when he said he would pay part. There are weeks where he earns $4000. We had a fight about him taking the children away and not telling me where. My lawyer told me that wasn't ok, I passed the message onto him. So he took it upon himself to show up at my lawyers office and demand to speak to them. Efforts at legal and mediations have been refused by him. He would vaguely threaten me by saying I would regret it and I had no idea how bad it would get if I did.
I can't catch my breath. I feel like curling up into a ball and not getting up. I worry that I am the narcissist because I would get so angry at him, call him names, was terrible with our finances. I have no strength left to fight anymore. I am hesrt broken, terrified and have no support. I feel like I am on the verge of a total emotional breakdown.
If you have any words of wisdom, any advice, anything that will help, please share with me. Am I a narcissist?
I'm so sorry this is so long.
2023.06.03 10:36 noelisimo Impulse’s New Kicks 👟
 | Yay! My first post on this group. 😉 I replaced Impulse’s ankle joints and shoes with DC Rebirth Reverse-Flash. Impulse’s joints are thicker so I have to wrap a layer of tape on Reverse-Flash’s joints to make it thicker. I like how it looks. Better than the stock one. Once I’m decided to make these swap final, I’ll just use the stock feet to Reverse-Flash. Thought I have to drill the ankle joint hole a touch bigger so it will fit. For now, I Photoshopped the sole to white which I’m planning to paint it down the line. Let me know what you guys think. 👍🏻 submitted by noelisimo to McFarlaneFigures [link] [comments] |
2023.06.03 10:28 Late_War8467 Historical Proof of Where the Letter D came From, all though weird its legit.
Amargo Pargo the most famous Spanish pirate in the Caribbean and around the coast of Africa. He had attacked, and rarely lost a battle, many ships fell under his name in the Caribbean, he was so good at being a pirate that he had a stand still fight against Black Beard. Does that remind you of anybody? What even more interesting is he always gave back all his riches to the poor. Although Luffies, devil fruit and personality is from mythology, the pirate Oda based Luffy on was Amargo Pargo because Luffy always give back to the world through his kind actions. Still don't believe me? Well here's where things get real interesting, Amargo Pargo ended up becoming a free mason, and when he died there was reports, that he had a book that was a list of all of his possesions. That book was reported to have the letter D on it, all though no one could actually find it. As overrated as this sounds, we talk about the will of D and wonder what that means in One piece, this dude literally has a book with a letter D on it, it is his will of D and he's apart of a secret society, just like how only some characters has the letter D in their name. It freaky to think about, but look up the this pirate on wiki, its legit. Oh one last thing, the one piece, we wonder where that Idea came from, well turns out Amargo Pargo, had three keys to a treasure which no one has ever found. The letter D comes from a book that missing? Perhaps the one piece idea came from his treasure, and maybe just maybe the ancient weapons idea came from the keys. Now this maybe up to intereptation, but everyhting I've said is legit, look at Amargo Pargos wiki.
submitted by Late_War8467 to WildAnimeTheories [link] [comments]
2023.06.03 10:27 Competitive-Jelly230 How early should I book a stay in Bucharest?
I am travelling to Romania mid June, and I am staying in a town a couple of hours from Bucharest but I'd like to stay in Bucharest for a couple of days before going back home. I am still not sure how many of us is going to stay together, so I can't book in advance. Will it be difficult to find an apartment or a hostel a week in advance? Should i try to do it earlier?
submitted by Competitive-Jelly230 to bucuresti [link] [comments]
2023.06.03 10:26 Zagaroth [No Need For A Core?] - CH 085: Of Romantic Plots
Cover Art <<Previous Start Next >>
Mordecai’s question caused Kazue to think for a little bit about how things might have been. She’d never managed to get close enough to a guy to really consider her options. All things considered, from an Azeria point of view one of the strangest things about her marriage was that she’d gone into it a virgin. For group marriages, the usual minimum was that every woman had slept with the man enough times to be sure about how they felt about everything. ‘Maiden’ was only a position title, it didn’t mean quite the same thing to them as it did to others.
It wasn’t the same for other Kitsune clans, other than the usage of ‘maiden’. Despite the potential benefits of a longer life, the downsides were enough that no clan had tried to perform the same ritual that had changed the Azeria clan. Of course, there was the occasional immigrant kitsune, but most of those were guys who were as interested in the potential of a ‘harem’ as they were in the potential for a longer life. Those who didn’t understand the power dynamics were never allowed to join the clan.
Azeria had already been a Matriarchal clan, as were most Kitsune clans, but the gender imbalance combined with the fertility issues had caused a shift in relationship structures that pushed the power more towards the women. Oh, men still had some advantages from being rarer, Takehiko only got away with having so many flings because of it, and had been clear enough about not being interested in being tied down that no group of women had tried to form around him so he avoided the stigma of being ‘picky’ as well. But that was exactly why women had the greater power when it came to deciding a long-term arrangement. They had fewer options to find a perfect partner.
What would have happened if she had not had her accident? How long would it have taken for her to be able to not get flustered to the point of fleeing? Would she have become part of a group, or found an outsider like her mother had?
These thoughts and her memories flowed through her core as well as her avatar, and a different sort of pattern analysis came from her core, the results of which left Kazue shocked and a touch flushed in the cheeks. Her friends Gako and Tia, along with a couple of others who weren’t visiting the dungeon, had been forming a group that included her and had been ‘interviewing’ a select few men. Those three men were the ones they’d talked to her about the most, and she could see now the pattern that was them pushing her towards sharing a private evening with each of them.
Kazue knew herself well enough now that a bit of reflection told her that she’d have been able to enjoy a fully shared marriage with them, though she was less certain about which guy she’d have liked enough. And it caused her to briefly consider the scenario of drawing those four friends into this marriage. Oh, the bond couldn’t be expanded to them, at least not until they’d grown enough to re-learn it and handle the energies involved, but the marriage itself could. In that scenario, she wouldn’t mind sharing a bedroom with them, and she didn’t feel jealous about the idea of Mordecai and Moriko being with the other girls either. Well, beyond the reduced ‘attention’ from them at least.
She was certain that Mordecai could be convinced to try if she asked. He wouldn’t be bothered by the idea and would want to make her happy. Moriko would be the harder one to convince. It might seem ironic given her past behavior, but now that the woman had decided to dedicate herself to Mordecai and Kazue, she wasn’t likely to be very open to changing the setup. Following the path of passion might cause some people to explore every new passion, but it could also cause someone to become very focused on a singular passion as well.
As for herself, well, Kazue was certain she could convince her friends, and she was equally certain she’d enjoy the results, but in the end, she didn’t really want to. She would probably find a happy life down that path, but it wasn’t this happy life, and she felt that she preferred this one.
That resolution felt satisfying to both her mind and her emotions, so she set the matter aside for now, though it did mean she needed to have a conversation with at least Gako and Tia. Hmm. She did want to do one thing though and briefly checked in with her spouses to explain the situation and her request, which they both OKed.
Well, nothing to do about it but wait now, and watching her friends make their way through the library was still entertaining. The six women were not rushing, they were taking their time to explore and at least flip through some books with a bit of spot reading. A lot of the books were from the clan anyway, so there were relatively few new ones for them anyway. But they had found most of the clues so far, so it shouldn’t be long before they found her.
.
The fight with Biblios went much as Mordecai had expected. The group had moved with care through the maze, conserving their stamina and magic as much as possible, so they had more to expend upon the boss. While he hadn’t double-teamed them by throwing Horace in too, he had used the room variant with the elevated branches and foliage growing between the bookshelves, giving Biblios cover when he needed it. The party had ranged people, but no natural fliers, and only the huntress was capable of readily jumping between the levels, which had little point as her strong point was ranged attacks anyway.
The mage had prepared herself well however, with a mix of fire spells and ones to give temporary flying, enabling the warriors to try and close with the dragon. This only worked so well for them as the group also had to contend with the spawning Bookwyrms and Biting Words constructs. The former were technically more dangerous, but the latter were hard to tell apart from the books that fell off the shelves anyway when disturbed by the fighting, so time had to be taken to deal with them.
It took them about twice as long as the group led by Kazue’s mother to bring Biblios down to the point where Mordecai despawned his boss and acknowledged their victory, but they did get there and did a lot less damage in the process, giving them a chance to collect some scrolls and books as part of their victory.
They were well ahead of the shrine maidens at this point, and Kazue was going to want to hang out with her friends for longer even after they had won their challenge, so Mordecai greeted them alone and gave them a chance to clean up before enjoying a small feast.
At the end of it, he dropped a question that mostly provoked the responses he was expecting. “I expect you are all a bit tired, so I will let you retire to your rooms now if you like, and I’ve arranged for some stamina recovery potions after your tiring day. But, exactly how many rooms will you be needing, and for whom?” The priest was the most confused, and the huntress and the mage were the least confused and had in fact already staked out seats on either side of him. They exchanged glances and a smile, and the mage inclined her head slightly to let the huntress take the lead.
The huntress turned to the other women who had started to figure out what was going on. “So, are you three in for a bit of exploration?” Now the priest caught what was going on, and looked a bit bemused. The conversation that followed was even more straightforward than Mordecai was expecting despite Kazue’s answer earlier. The two front-line warriors were in, though uncertain about how serious they were for something long-term, and the spearwoman was interested but explicitly only for this night. Fun was one thing, but for the long term, she wanted to be in a couple. She just didn’t feel like being left alone for the night if everyone else was having fun.
When they had all declared their interest they then turned to the priest, who raised his hand in a ‘wait’ gesture as he thought. After a few moments, he lowered his hand with a smile. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting anything so, well, sudden. I was expecting a conversation with at least the two of you after we got back home. But alright, I’m good with everyone’s conditions, but that also sets the priority for my energy and attention.”
Mordecai shook his head with a chuckle. “I have to admit, even with what Kazue told me, I wasn’t expecting there to be only one room. Even with your clan’s circumstances, things are very different than what I am used to.”
The mage leaned forward with a smirk. “All of us have met him before, but only gotten to know him so well. The trip here and the experiences in the dungeon have helped cement my impressions at least, and your offer made an excellent chance to get things moving since we have this workaholic isolated from the temple for a while.”
Understanding suddenly lit in the priest’s eyes. “Wait. The two of you specifically requested me for this, didn’t you? The matriarch was in on your plans from the beginning!” While this was clearly news to the other three women, the expressions on the duo’s faces were very self-satisfied. Mordecai made a mental note to increase the potency and number of available potions for the priest, he suspected the man was not going to get much sleep tonight.
“Well, we had to get you out of the temple somehow. You should have had a group years ago, but you work too much and aren’t the sort to get involved with the ones you are teaching.” The huntress smirked. “And my choice of shirts when coming to see you for something has not been an accident. You have good self-control, but not that good, so I knew you liked women.”
“Alright everyone,” Mordecai interjected, “I think I am very much not needed for the rest of this conversation. I’ll make sure refreshments are available here and in your room, which any of the laganthros can show you the way to. Also, in case anyone decides they need someplace else to sleep later, there will also be some small rooms across the way for your use.” And with that, he bid them all a good night and left them alone.
“Kazue? I think you undersold me on just how open your clan is.”
He could practically hear the blush in her response. “Err, I was never very good at handling those topics before I met you and Moriko, so I may have missed out on some conversations. I just realized a little while ago that some of my friends had been planning to help me become part of their forming group.”
“Speaking of, how is everything going? It looks like they found you.”
“Hehe, yes! It’s been fun.” While their cores continued to chat, Mordecai took advantage of the time to let his avatar meditate until the shrine maidens made it down.
<<Previous Start Next >>
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submitted by Zagaroth to redditserials [link] [comments]
It wasn’t the same for other Kitsune clans, other than the usage of ‘maiden’. Despite the potential benefits of a longer life, the downsides were enough that no clan had tried to perform the same ritual that had changed the Azeria clan. Of course, there was the occasional immigrant kitsune, but most of those were guys who were as interested in the potential of a ‘harem’ as they were in the potential for a longer life. Those who didn’t understand the power dynamics were never allowed to join the clan.
Azeria had already been a Matriarchal clan, as were most Kitsune clans, but the gender imbalance combined with the fertility issues had caused a shift in relationship structures that pushed the power more towards the women. Oh, men still had some advantages from being rarer, Takehiko only got away with having so many flings because of it, and had been clear enough about not being interested in being tied down that no group of women had tried to form around him so he avoided the stigma of being ‘picky’ as well. But that was exactly why women had the greater power when it came to deciding a long-term arrangement. They had fewer options to find a perfect partner.
What would have happened if she had not had her accident? How long would it have taken for her to be able to not get flustered to the point of fleeing? Would she have become part of a group, or found an outsider like her mother had?
These thoughts and her memories flowed through her core as well as her avatar, and a different sort of pattern analysis came from her core, the results of which left Kazue shocked and a touch flushed in the cheeks. Her friends Gako and Tia, along with a couple of others who weren’t visiting the dungeon, had been forming a group that included her and had been ‘interviewing’ a select few men. Those three men were the ones they’d talked to her about the most, and she could see now the pattern that was them pushing her towards sharing a private evening with each of them.
Kazue knew herself well enough now that a bit of reflection told her that she’d have been able to enjoy a fully shared marriage with them, though she was less certain about which guy she’d have liked enough. And it caused her to briefly consider the scenario of drawing those four friends into this marriage. Oh, the bond couldn’t be expanded to them, at least not until they’d grown enough to re-learn it and handle the energies involved, but the marriage itself could. In that scenario, she wouldn’t mind sharing a bedroom with them, and she didn’t feel jealous about the idea of Mordecai and Moriko being with the other girls either. Well, beyond the reduced ‘attention’ from them at least.
She was certain that Mordecai could be convinced to try if she asked. He wouldn’t be bothered by the idea and would want to make her happy. Moriko would be the harder one to convince. It might seem ironic given her past behavior, but now that the woman had decided to dedicate herself to Mordecai and Kazue, she wasn’t likely to be very open to changing the setup. Following the path of passion might cause some people to explore every new passion, but it could also cause someone to become very focused on a singular passion as well.
As for herself, well, Kazue was certain she could convince her friends, and she was equally certain she’d enjoy the results, but in the end, she didn’t really want to. She would probably find a happy life down that path, but it wasn’t this happy life, and she felt that she preferred this one.
That resolution felt satisfying to both her mind and her emotions, so she set the matter aside for now, though it did mean she needed to have a conversation with at least Gako and Tia. Hmm. She did want to do one thing though and briefly checked in with her spouses to explain the situation and her request, which they both OKed.
Well, nothing to do about it but wait now, and watching her friends make their way through the library was still entertaining. The six women were not rushing, they were taking their time to explore and at least flip through some books with a bit of spot reading. A lot of the books were from the clan anyway, so there were relatively few new ones for them anyway. But they had found most of the clues so far, so it shouldn’t be long before they found her.
The mage had prepared herself well however, with a mix of fire spells and ones to give temporary flying, enabling the warriors to try and close with the dragon. This only worked so well for them as the group also had to contend with the spawning Bookwyrms and Biting Words constructs. The former were technically more dangerous, but the latter were hard to tell apart from the books that fell off the shelves anyway when disturbed by the fighting, so time had to be taken to deal with them.
It took them about twice as long as the group led by Kazue’s mother to bring Biblios down to the point where Mordecai despawned his boss and acknowledged their victory, but they did get there and did a lot less damage in the process, giving them a chance to collect some scrolls and books as part of their victory.
They were well ahead of the shrine maidens at this point, and Kazue was going to want to hang out with her friends for longer even after they had won their challenge, so Mordecai greeted them alone and gave them a chance to clean up before enjoying a small feast.
At the end of it, he dropped a question that mostly provoked the responses he was expecting. “I expect you are all a bit tired, so I will let you retire to your rooms now if you like, and I’ve arranged for some stamina recovery potions after your tiring day. But, exactly how many rooms will you be needing, and for whom?” The priest was the most confused, and the huntress and the mage were the least confused and had in fact already staked out seats on either side of him. They exchanged glances and a smile, and the mage inclined her head slightly to let the huntress take the lead.
The huntress turned to the other women who had started to figure out what was going on. “So, are you three in for a bit of exploration?” Now the priest caught what was going on, and looked a bit bemused. The conversation that followed was even more straightforward than Mordecai was expecting despite Kazue’s answer earlier. The two front-line warriors were in, though uncertain about how serious they were for something long-term, and the spearwoman was interested but explicitly only for this night. Fun was one thing, but for the long term, she wanted to be in a couple. She just didn’t feel like being left alone for the night if everyone else was having fun.
When they had all declared their interest they then turned to the priest, who raised his hand in a ‘wait’ gesture as he thought. After a few moments, he lowered his hand with a smile. “I have to admit, I wasn’t expecting anything so, well, sudden. I was expecting a conversation with at least the two of you after we got back home. But alright, I’m good with everyone’s conditions, but that also sets the priority for my energy and attention.”
Mordecai shook his head with a chuckle. “I have to admit, even with what Kazue told me, I wasn’t expecting there to be only one room. Even with your clan’s circumstances, things are very different than what I am used to.”
The mage leaned forward with a smirk. “All of us have met him before, but only gotten to know him so well. The trip here and the experiences in the dungeon have helped cement my impressions at least, and your offer made an excellent chance to get things moving since we have this workaholic isolated from the temple for a while.”
Understanding suddenly lit in the priest’s eyes. “Wait. The two of you specifically requested me for this, didn’t you? The matriarch was in on your plans from the beginning!” While this was clearly news to the other three women, the expressions on the duo’s faces were very self-satisfied. Mordecai made a mental note to increase the potency and number of available potions for the priest, he suspected the man was not going to get much sleep tonight.
“Well, we had to get you out of the temple somehow. You should have had a group years ago, but you work too much and aren’t the sort to get involved with the ones you are teaching.” The huntress smirked. “And my choice of shirts when coming to see you for something has not been an accident. You have good self-control, but not that good, so I knew you liked women.”
“Alright everyone,” Mordecai interjected, “I think I am very much not needed for the rest of this conversation. I’ll make sure refreshments are available here and in your room, which any of the laganthros can show you the way to. Also, in case anyone decides they need someplace else to sleep later, there will also be some small rooms across the way for your use.” And with that, he bid them all a good night and left them alone.
“Kazue? I think you undersold me on just how open your clan is.”
He could practically hear the blush in her response. “Err, I was never very good at handling those topics before I met you and Moriko, so I may have missed out on some conversations. I just realized a little while ago that some of my friends had been planning to help me become part of their forming group.”
“Speaking of, how is everything going? It looks like they found you.”
“Hehe, yes! It’s been fun.” While their cores continued to chat, Mordecai took advantage of the time to let his avatar meditate until the shrine maidens made it down.
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2023.06.03 10:22 Then_Builder_2190 Wrong Medication Led to Incest Sex – Part 2
After taking a bath wearing a lungi, I came to the dining table. I took a seat, and Abhilasha served me roti and dal. While eating, Abhilasha kneeled before me and pulled my lungi apart. She inserted her hand into my briefs and pulled my cock out. Seeing it still swollen, she played with it.
She said, “I can’t believe it. You are still hard after shooting so much cum a few minutes before. At this age, you are incredible. Shall I suck it, Darling?”
Looking down at her said, “My penis is sore from 2 hours of jerking. Please let me have lunch in peace, Abhilasha.”
Abhilasha: I will miss this live dildo till evening. You have your lunch while I suck my toy. (she removed her kameez, baring her breasts) If you want, you can play with my tits, Mama.
I wondered what had gotten into this girl. The morning she was an educated shy housewife, and now she was behaving like a real slut. I quickly finished my lunch while Abhilasha sucked my cock, trying to make it cum, but no. I washed my hand on the plate, pushed her head away from my cock and got up.
Abhilasha, too, got up, and I saw a hint of anger on her face, pushing her leggings and panties down to reveal her pussy. I saw her pubic hair triangle. She came forward and took my cock in her hand.
She said, “See Mama, how my pussy is burning. I have been living like a saint. I enjoyed sex with my first boyfriend during my college days. The second BF was not that good, and my husband is a fucking loser. Please satisfy me, and I will do whatever you ask. Being a married woman, I can’t lower my image in society, begging my male friends for sex.”
She started crying, placing her face on my shoulders, and crushing her big boobs on my arms. I felt pity for this horny bitch. But I knew there was a child hidden in her. I knew the frustration of not getting enough sex from my nephew made her behave like this.
Patting her head, I said, “I know, Abhilasha, but I am late for the meeting. If you want, you can rub my cock on your pussy and satisfy yourself. But no penetration. I won’t be satisfied with a quick fuck. We will think about it in the evening.”
Abhilasha looked up at me sobbing, murmuring thanks and began sliding my cockhead on her bottom lips. She was dripping a lot, wetting my cock with her juices. Abhilasha was concentrating on her clit. My hands went to her back, and cupping her soft ass cheeks pulled her into me.
She moaned and said, “For a moment, I thought you would desert me, seeing me act like a kid. Thanks, Darling, for not letting me down. I will fulfil all your desires tonight. Just tell me what to do.”
I was kissing her forehead, cheeks, and chin, wetting her face, hands firmly gripping her ass. She was busy rubbing my cockhead up and down her pussy lips.
Then the doorbell rang.
I was frightened and pushed her away. I said, “It must be Raman. Get dressed and answer the door. I am stinking. I will take a bath and meet him later.”
Halfheartedly, Abhilasha let my cock, pulled her leggings up and picked up her discarded kameez. I rushed to the guest bedroom. I went to the bathroom and opened the shower. This was the second shower of the day. After 5 minutes, I heard the door knock and Abhilasha’s voice.
What the hell she wants now, I wondered. I opened the door, and she came in, kneeled before me and started sucking my cock. Her dress was also getting wet, along with me. I pulled her up, slapped her cheek, and said, “What has got into you, Abhilasha.”
Abhilasha, crying, said, “Hit me, Darling, I deserve it. I will go mad if you don’t have sex with me today, please, Mama.”
Me: Was it Raman?
Abhilasha: Yes, Mama, I told him you are taking a bath, and he, too, went to take a bath.
Me: Get dressed. You are soaked wet, Abhilasha.
Abhilasha: Am I not attractive, Mama? Don’t you love my body?
Me: That’s the problem. You are young, beautiful and got a figure to die for. I am an old man. What do you see in me?
Abhilasha: This is what I like in you, Mama. Men would have mauled my body, and you behave like a gentleman. You are handsome, well-mannered and know how to tease a girl with your deadly weapon.
Me: Please leave. I want to meet Raman in a sober state, not an excited one.
Abhilasha kissed my nipples, turned to leave, and said, “See my figure Mama and remember that this will be waiting for you.” She swirled around, showing her body curves as her wet dress clung to her. My cock jumped on, seeing her deliciously curvy body.
I shook my head, finished the bath, dressed and came to the living room. By then, Raman was having his lunch. I wished him and asked about his work. He was in a cheerful mood and asked me to have lunch. I said I had already. Abhilasha was a good host and took good care of me.
I left, saying I was getting late for the meeting. The meeting was in the Taj Deccan Hotel until 8 pm. It was successful. I had dinner with my clients. After they left, I went to the bar lounge alone and started drinking whiskey. I was wondering how to go to Raman’s place.
Now I knew what Abhilasha had in her mind for tonight. I didn’t want to have sex with my nephew’s wife in his house, under his nose. My mobile rang, and it was Raman calling. He asked me when I was returning. I told him I already had dinner and told them not to wait for me.
He requested me to come ASAP. I took another two drinks and left the hotel by 10.30. I reached Raman’s house by 11 pm, and he opened the door. I said, “I am tired, Raman. I need to sleep. We will talk in the morning.” I went to the guestroom, changed my clothes to a lungi and T-shirt and hit the bed.
I heard Raman and Abhilasha talking but couldn’t hear what they were talking about. I tried to sleep. After fifteen minutes, I heard the door knock, warily I got up, opened the door and saw Raman. He came in.
Abhilasha entered the bedroom behind him, wearing a white silk saree. Raman was in shorts and a T-shirt. I was worried about what was in store for me now.
Raman: Abhilasha wants to say something to you, Uncle.
Me: Can’t we talk in the morning, Raman?
Abhilasha: You promised me that you would come to me tonight, Mama.
I was dumbstruck on hearing her. She had the audacity to chide me in front of her hubby for not going to fuck her! I helplessly looked at Raman.
Raman: I know what happened between you two in the morning. I am not mad at either of you. She has desires I cannot fulfil, and I don’t mind her getting them from you instead of my lousy friends. I am tired of them talking and laughing behind my back. I have changed my job twice because of this. Please help her Uncle.
Me: What are you saying, Raman? She is a child and has wild imaginations of love and sex.
Abhilasha: I will behave like a good girl Mama. Give me a baby and make my life worth something. As I said, my cycle is ripe to conceive if I have good healthy sperm. Just spend three nights with me. I promise I won’t even look at other men once I get pregnant. I will be a good wife to Raman.
Me: Why can’t you get her pregnant, Raman?
Raman: My sperm count is very low. Uncle. I have got erection problem with premature ejaculation. I don’t want an unknown man’s child in her womb. She doesn’t like going for IVF and wants to carry her baby herself. I can’t see her suffering, Uncle. You have to help her.
Abhilasha came near me, placing her hand on my chest and saying,” I promise I will take good care of your baby and nephew. I am sick of getting fucked by random horny men who want to devour only my body and don’t want my love. After these three nights, I won’t trouble you, Mama. Even if I don’t conceive, I will remain faithful to Raman.
I looked at the couple. Sighing said, “Only three nights, Abhilasha. And you will stop behaving like a slut like you did in the morning with me. You will stop seeing your male friends too.”
Abhilasha smiled, gave a hug, went got laid on the bed and said, “Yes, Yes, Darling. I won’t even look at other men. Anyway, I got my dildo to satisfy me if I get horny. Raman will help me with the dildo, won’t you Raman,” and he nodded.
Me: Ok, Raman, if that is what you both wish me to do. I will send her back in an hour.
Abhilasha: No, darling, Raman will stay. Watch us having sex, and he may learn something from you.
I was in a fix. She wanted her husband to see me fucking her like a cuckold hubby. I saw him sitting on the bed beside his wife’s left side. Shaking my head, got on the bed, between her legs and tried to pull her saree up her legs.
Abhilasha stopped me and said, “I don’t want you to just FUCK me. I want you to make love to me like a newly wedded bride. Just imagine your first night with Suma aunty and make love to me like that, Darling.”
I removed my T-shirt, got laid on her right, rested on my left elbow, and pulled her saree pallo revealing her white blouse. Abhilasha’s breasts flesh was trying to pop out from the blouse top. I inserted my fingers between her cleavage and unhooked her blouse to see her bra.
While removing the blouse from her shoulders, my hand went down to her stomach. I felt her smooth, warm skin. I pulled her saree folds tucked into her petticoat near her navel. The saree came out, and I pulled it from her body. I untied the petticoat cord and pushed it from her legs.
Abhilasha was lying in her white bra and matching panties between me and her hubby. She didn’t try to cover her modesty but smiled at me, anticipating my next move. I saw her panties moist in the front and thought she had an orgasm already. I removed my lungi, pulled her over me, and embraced her firmly.
Abhilasha giggled like a little girl and gave me a peck on my lips. Not allowing her to remove her lips, started kissing her, and she kissed me back, sucking my lips. This was the first kiss between Abhilasha and me. The way she was kissing, I knew she was a good kisser.
I turned towards my right. Raman was keenly watching us kissing, and his hand was on his crotch, probably getting aroused on seeing his wife kissing me. My hands went to her back, unhooked the bra and pulled it from her shoulders, still kissing her.
Abhilasha’s naked warm breasts crushed my chest, and her Mangalsutra was stuck between us. My hands moved further down, and holding her panty’s waistband, pulled it down. Abhilasha helped me by lifting her hips. Once it came down to her knees, I pushed it down.
She shook her legs to dismantle her panties. Now her bare pussy was crushing my hard cock on the briefs. My hands were holding her ass, still kissing her. We kissed for almost five minutes. I saw her struggling to breathe. I removed my lips from hers and started kissing her earlobes, cheeks, nose and chin.
My saliva moistened her face, and she kissed me back on my cheeks. I sensed her hands moving down, trying to pull down my briefs, I rolled over and got on top of her, and she was lying close to her hubby. Abhilasha whispered in my ears, “Are you hard, Darling?”
“Didn’t you feel it, dear, when you were pressing your pussy against it?” I said loudly. Abhilasha blushed and said, “Why don’t you show your weapon to Raman Darling?”
Holding her breasts, I pulled her to her knees and stood on the bed. Abhilasha’s face was at my crotch level. I said, “Why don’t you show my cock to your husband yourself, Baby?”
Abhilasha blushing more, looked at her husband and said, “Do you want to see your Uncle’s cock, Raman?” he nodded. She pulled my briefs down, and my cock jumped at her face dripping pre-cum. I removed my legs from it and looked at Raman.
He was staring at my 8-inch hard cock with a surprised look. Maybe he never anticipated that I had a big one at this age. Abhilasha fondly held my cock and started licking off my pre-cum from the tip. She was licking it from bottom to top, stretching her tongue out.
Her one hand was playing with my balls. I looked at Raman, who was keenly watching his wife licking my cock. I thought it was time for some action. So I pushed Abhilasha back on the bed. I turned around in the 69 position and got on top of her.
I rested my knees at her head and brought my cock close to her mouth. I got between her thighs and my face near her pussy. Holding her thighs, I pushed them wider, making room for myself. Her glistening pussy lips opened up, showing her pinkish insides despite her abundant pubic hairs.
This was the first time I saw her pussy closely. I saw her throbbing clitoris and gave it a lick. Abhilasha’s body shivered at my lick. Taking her clit between my lips sucked it hard for a few seconds. She quickly took my cock into her mouth to reciprocate my sucking.
Abhilasha was gorging on my cock. Raman was close to seeing his wife sucking me like candy. I moved my tongue down, licking her juices from her lips. I dipped my tongue into her vaginal hole, trying to tongue fuck her. Abhilasha was holding my ass and slurping my cock, wetting it with her saliva.
I saw her pussy gushing out juices. I was tongue fucking her, and I was swallowing all of it. Abhilasha’s body was shaking when she was experiencing her orgasm. I thought it was time to take her, got up, and pulled my cock out of her mouth. I heard her groaning.
Lying beside her, I asked, “Do you want to play more or…” looking at both husband and wife. Abhilasha looked at me and then at her husband. Raman said, “I never thought sex would be so wonderful without actually fucking. Go ahead and enjoy yourself, dear.”
Abhilasha gave a peck on her hubby’s cheeks. Turning towards me, she asked, “Do you want me to lie down or….”
Me: Your wish Abhilasha, If you come on top, you will be in control. If you lie down, you will be at my mercy. I don’t know if you can take me deep. I can’t control myself once I start fucking.
Abhilasha: No worries, Darling, you can go deep in me as much as you want. I am not selfish. I want you to enjoy my body and my pussy.
“Your wish, Dear.” I got between her legs, spreading her legs wide and pointing my cockhead at her hole asked again, “Are you sure you want me to do this?”
“Yes, very much, Darling,” Abhilasha said, turning to Raman, asked, “Will you do the honours of pushing your Uncle’s cock inside your wife’s pussy, Dear?”
Raman and I were startled at her unusual request. I saw Raman moving towards me, seeing his wife’s pleading face. I was in a fix. I was about to fuck his wife, and he was about to help me penetrate her. I saw him holding my cock, rubbing it up and down his wife’s pussy lips.
“She loves it very much when her pussy is rubbed by a cock, Uncle,” saying he stopped rubbing, pointing my cock at her pussy said again, “Make her yours, satisfy her and give her a baby, Uncle.”
Abhilasha smiled but screamed when I pushed all my 8 inches into her in one go, pressing my cock down deep, hitting her cervix. Her orgasms had lubricated her pussy pretty much. My cock went in with extra force, and her inner muscles gripped me tightly.
I laid on her sweating body and said, “Shall I cum now, Abhilasha?”
“What? So soon? No,” Abhilasha said with panic in her eyes.
Pulling out my cock a bit, pushing it again deep, said, laughing, “I was joking, baby. I will fuck you as long as you can withstand my pounding.” I started hammering her pussy. She was receiving it like a sport showing no discomfort on her face.
I was fucking her. I found her pussy tight for my thick cock trying to milk, despite her earlier young year’s sex adventures. Abhilasha began screaming, and I thought neighbours might hear her screams. Thought of sealing her mouth with mine, but I got a wicked idea.
Looking at Raman asked him to remove his shorts and gave his wife his cock to suck. Both husband and wife were shocked hearing me. But being a good sport, Abhilasha said, “Yes, Raman, give me your cock. I want to suck it when Mama is fucking me. Both my holes will be sealed, and my long-time desire will be fulfilled.”
Raman removing his shorts and underwear, knelt before his wife, placing his cock close to her lips. I was shocked to see his tiny cock, which was about 3 inches and flaccid. Abhilasha took it fully inside her mouth and started sucking like a lollipop. I was hammering her pussy.
Occasionally I bent down, licking her nipples and trying to suck her boobs. I fucked her tight pussy for fifteen minutes and was sweating a lot. But Abhilasha was showing no discomfort and was sucking her husband’s small one happily.
Her breasts swayed all over her chest due to my thrust. I wondered how much milk she would produce if she gave birth. Still pumping her gripping pussy I asked, “Will you feed me your milk if you have a baby, Dear?”
Abhilasha removed her husband’s cock from her mouth. She looked at me with a naughty smile and said, “Of course, Darling, my soul and body is yours now, and you don’t have to ask me. You just have to order me. Come on fuck me, make me pregnant so I can feed my Darling my milk from my tits.”
I fucked her for another fifteen minutes. I was getting tired and badly needed a release. I looked at the bedside clock and saw the time was past 12. It was almost one hour before the couple came to my room. I needed to cum very urgently. I asked, “Shall I cum, Abhilasha?”
She looked at me and said, “Ok if you want to. But don’t pull off till I say so. I want to feel your dick throbbing in me.” I began to release my cum in Abhilasha’s pussy. The first three spurts were huge, filling her up. The next spurts of semen were overflowing from her pussy and wetting the sheets.
Abhilasha was kissing all over my face like a puppy showing her affection to get satisfied. My nephew was looking at us, showing any emotions. Abhilasha’s pussy was trying to milk my cock for more which was not there. I drifted to sleep as she kissed me with my flaccid cock still buried inside her.
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She said, “I can’t believe it. You are still hard after shooting so much cum a few minutes before. At this age, you are incredible. Shall I suck it, Darling?”
Looking down at her said, “My penis is sore from 2 hours of jerking. Please let me have lunch in peace, Abhilasha.”
Abhilasha: I will miss this live dildo till evening. You have your lunch while I suck my toy. (she removed her kameez, baring her breasts) If you want, you can play with my tits, Mama.
I wondered what had gotten into this girl. The morning she was an educated shy housewife, and now she was behaving like a real slut. I quickly finished my lunch while Abhilasha sucked my cock, trying to make it cum, but no. I washed my hand on the plate, pushed her head away from my cock and got up.
Abhilasha, too, got up, and I saw a hint of anger on her face, pushing her leggings and panties down to reveal her pussy. I saw her pubic hair triangle. She came forward and took my cock in her hand.
She said, “See Mama, how my pussy is burning. I have been living like a saint. I enjoyed sex with my first boyfriend during my college days. The second BF was not that good, and my husband is a fucking loser. Please satisfy me, and I will do whatever you ask. Being a married woman, I can’t lower my image in society, begging my male friends for sex.”
She started crying, placing her face on my shoulders, and crushing her big boobs on my arms. I felt pity for this horny bitch. But I knew there was a child hidden in her. I knew the frustration of not getting enough sex from my nephew made her behave like this.
Patting her head, I said, “I know, Abhilasha, but I am late for the meeting. If you want, you can rub my cock on your pussy and satisfy yourself. But no penetration. I won’t be satisfied with a quick fuck. We will think about it in the evening.”
Abhilasha looked up at me sobbing, murmuring thanks and began sliding my cockhead on her bottom lips. She was dripping a lot, wetting my cock with her juices. Abhilasha was concentrating on her clit. My hands went to her back, and cupping her soft ass cheeks pulled her into me.
She moaned and said, “For a moment, I thought you would desert me, seeing me act like a kid. Thanks, Darling, for not letting me down. I will fulfil all your desires tonight. Just tell me what to do.”
I was kissing her forehead, cheeks, and chin, wetting her face, hands firmly gripping her ass. She was busy rubbing my cockhead up and down her pussy lips.
Then the doorbell rang.
I was frightened and pushed her away. I said, “It must be Raman. Get dressed and answer the door. I am stinking. I will take a bath and meet him later.”
Halfheartedly, Abhilasha let my cock, pulled her leggings up and picked up her discarded kameez. I rushed to the guest bedroom. I went to the bathroom and opened the shower. This was the second shower of the day. After 5 minutes, I heard the door knock and Abhilasha’s voice.
What the hell she wants now, I wondered. I opened the door, and she came in, kneeled before me and started sucking my cock. Her dress was also getting wet, along with me. I pulled her up, slapped her cheek, and said, “What has got into you, Abhilasha.”
Abhilasha, crying, said, “Hit me, Darling, I deserve it. I will go mad if you don’t have sex with me today, please, Mama.”
Me: Was it Raman?
Abhilasha: Yes, Mama, I told him you are taking a bath, and he, too, went to take a bath.
Me: Get dressed. You are soaked wet, Abhilasha.
Abhilasha: Am I not attractive, Mama? Don’t you love my body?
Me: That’s the problem. You are young, beautiful and got a figure to die for. I am an old man. What do you see in me?
Abhilasha: This is what I like in you, Mama. Men would have mauled my body, and you behave like a gentleman. You are handsome, well-mannered and know how to tease a girl with your deadly weapon.
Me: Please leave. I want to meet Raman in a sober state, not an excited one.
Abhilasha kissed my nipples, turned to leave, and said, “See my figure Mama and remember that this will be waiting for you.” She swirled around, showing her body curves as her wet dress clung to her. My cock jumped on, seeing her deliciously curvy body.
I shook my head, finished the bath, dressed and came to the living room. By then, Raman was having his lunch. I wished him and asked about his work. He was in a cheerful mood and asked me to have lunch. I said I had already. Abhilasha was a good host and took good care of me.
I left, saying I was getting late for the meeting. The meeting was in the Taj Deccan Hotel until 8 pm. It was successful. I had dinner with my clients. After they left, I went to the bar lounge alone and started drinking whiskey. I was wondering how to go to Raman’s place.
Now I knew what Abhilasha had in her mind for tonight. I didn’t want to have sex with my nephew’s wife in his house, under his nose. My mobile rang, and it was Raman calling. He asked me when I was returning. I told him I already had dinner and told them not to wait for me.
He requested me to come ASAP. I took another two drinks and left the hotel by 10.30. I reached Raman’s house by 11 pm, and he opened the door. I said, “I am tired, Raman. I need to sleep. We will talk in the morning.” I went to the guestroom, changed my clothes to a lungi and T-shirt and hit the bed.
I heard Raman and Abhilasha talking but couldn’t hear what they were talking about. I tried to sleep. After fifteen minutes, I heard the door knock, warily I got up, opened the door and saw Raman. He came in.
Abhilasha entered the bedroom behind him, wearing a white silk saree. Raman was in shorts and a T-shirt. I was worried about what was in store for me now.
Raman: Abhilasha wants to say something to you, Uncle.
Me: Can’t we talk in the morning, Raman?
Abhilasha: You promised me that you would come to me tonight, Mama.
I was dumbstruck on hearing her. She had the audacity to chide me in front of her hubby for not going to fuck her! I helplessly looked at Raman.
Raman: I know what happened between you two in the morning. I am not mad at either of you. She has desires I cannot fulfil, and I don’t mind her getting them from you instead of my lousy friends. I am tired of them talking and laughing behind my back. I have changed my job twice because of this. Please help her Uncle.
Me: What are you saying, Raman? She is a child and has wild imaginations of love and sex.
Abhilasha: I will behave like a good girl Mama. Give me a baby and make my life worth something. As I said, my cycle is ripe to conceive if I have good healthy sperm. Just spend three nights with me. I promise I won’t even look at other men once I get pregnant. I will be a good wife to Raman.
Me: Why can’t you get her pregnant, Raman?
Raman: My sperm count is very low. Uncle. I have got erection problem with premature ejaculation. I don’t want an unknown man’s child in her womb. She doesn’t like going for IVF and wants to carry her baby herself. I can’t see her suffering, Uncle. You have to help her.
Abhilasha came near me, placing her hand on my chest and saying,” I promise I will take good care of your baby and nephew. I am sick of getting fucked by random horny men who want to devour only my body and don’t want my love. After these three nights, I won’t trouble you, Mama. Even if I don’t conceive, I will remain faithful to Raman.
I looked at the couple. Sighing said, “Only three nights, Abhilasha. And you will stop behaving like a slut like you did in the morning with me. You will stop seeing your male friends too.”
Abhilasha smiled, gave a hug, went got laid on the bed and said, “Yes, Yes, Darling. I won’t even look at other men. Anyway, I got my dildo to satisfy me if I get horny. Raman will help me with the dildo, won’t you Raman,” and he nodded.
Me: Ok, Raman, if that is what you both wish me to do. I will send her back in an hour.
Abhilasha: No, darling, Raman will stay. Watch us having sex, and he may learn something from you.
I was in a fix. She wanted her husband to see me fucking her like a cuckold hubby. I saw him sitting on the bed beside his wife’s left side. Shaking my head, got on the bed, between her legs and tried to pull her saree up her legs.
Abhilasha stopped me and said, “I don’t want you to just FUCK me. I want you to make love to me like a newly wedded bride. Just imagine your first night with Suma aunty and make love to me like that, Darling.”
I removed my T-shirt, got laid on her right, rested on my left elbow, and pulled her saree pallo revealing her white blouse. Abhilasha’s breasts flesh was trying to pop out from the blouse top. I inserted my fingers between her cleavage and unhooked her blouse to see her bra.
While removing the blouse from her shoulders, my hand went down to her stomach. I felt her smooth, warm skin. I pulled her saree folds tucked into her petticoat near her navel. The saree came out, and I pulled it from her body. I untied the petticoat cord and pushed it from her legs.
Abhilasha was lying in her white bra and matching panties between me and her hubby. She didn’t try to cover her modesty but smiled at me, anticipating my next move. I saw her panties moist in the front and thought she had an orgasm already. I removed my lungi, pulled her over me, and embraced her firmly.
Abhilasha giggled like a little girl and gave me a peck on my lips. Not allowing her to remove her lips, started kissing her, and she kissed me back, sucking my lips. This was the first kiss between Abhilasha and me. The way she was kissing, I knew she was a good kisser.
I turned towards my right. Raman was keenly watching us kissing, and his hand was on his crotch, probably getting aroused on seeing his wife kissing me. My hands went to her back, unhooked the bra and pulled it from her shoulders, still kissing her.
Abhilasha’s naked warm breasts crushed my chest, and her Mangalsutra was stuck between us. My hands moved further down, and holding her panty’s waistband, pulled it down. Abhilasha helped me by lifting her hips. Once it came down to her knees, I pushed it down.
She shook her legs to dismantle her panties. Now her bare pussy was crushing my hard cock on the briefs. My hands were holding her ass, still kissing her. We kissed for almost five minutes. I saw her struggling to breathe. I removed my lips from hers and started kissing her earlobes, cheeks, nose and chin.
My saliva moistened her face, and she kissed me back on my cheeks. I sensed her hands moving down, trying to pull down my briefs, I rolled over and got on top of her, and she was lying close to her hubby. Abhilasha whispered in my ears, “Are you hard, Darling?”
“Didn’t you feel it, dear, when you were pressing your pussy against it?” I said loudly. Abhilasha blushed and said, “Why don’t you show your weapon to Raman Darling?”
Holding her breasts, I pulled her to her knees and stood on the bed. Abhilasha’s face was at my crotch level. I said, “Why don’t you show my cock to your husband yourself, Baby?”
Abhilasha blushing more, looked at her husband and said, “Do you want to see your Uncle’s cock, Raman?” he nodded. She pulled my briefs down, and my cock jumped at her face dripping pre-cum. I removed my legs from it and looked at Raman.
He was staring at my 8-inch hard cock with a surprised look. Maybe he never anticipated that I had a big one at this age. Abhilasha fondly held my cock and started licking off my pre-cum from the tip. She was licking it from bottom to top, stretching her tongue out.
Her one hand was playing with my balls. I looked at Raman, who was keenly watching his wife licking my cock. I thought it was time for some action. So I pushed Abhilasha back on the bed. I turned around in the 69 position and got on top of her.
I rested my knees at her head and brought my cock close to her mouth. I got between her thighs and my face near her pussy. Holding her thighs, I pushed them wider, making room for myself. Her glistening pussy lips opened up, showing her pinkish insides despite her abundant pubic hairs.
This was the first time I saw her pussy closely. I saw her throbbing clitoris and gave it a lick. Abhilasha’s body shivered at my lick. Taking her clit between my lips sucked it hard for a few seconds. She quickly took my cock into her mouth to reciprocate my sucking.
Abhilasha was gorging on my cock. Raman was close to seeing his wife sucking me like candy. I moved my tongue down, licking her juices from her lips. I dipped my tongue into her vaginal hole, trying to tongue fuck her. Abhilasha was holding my ass and slurping my cock, wetting it with her saliva.
I saw her pussy gushing out juices. I was tongue fucking her, and I was swallowing all of it. Abhilasha’s body was shaking when she was experiencing her orgasm. I thought it was time to take her, got up, and pulled my cock out of her mouth. I heard her groaning.
Lying beside her, I asked, “Do you want to play more or…” looking at both husband and wife. Abhilasha looked at me and then at her husband. Raman said, “I never thought sex would be so wonderful without actually fucking. Go ahead and enjoy yourself, dear.”
Abhilasha gave a peck on her hubby’s cheeks. Turning towards me, she asked, “Do you want me to lie down or….”
Me: Your wish Abhilasha, If you come on top, you will be in control. If you lie down, you will be at my mercy. I don’t know if you can take me deep. I can’t control myself once I start fucking.
Abhilasha: No worries, Darling, you can go deep in me as much as you want. I am not selfish. I want you to enjoy my body and my pussy.
“Your wish, Dear.” I got between her legs, spreading her legs wide and pointing my cockhead at her hole asked again, “Are you sure you want me to do this?”
“Yes, very much, Darling,” Abhilasha said, turning to Raman, asked, “Will you do the honours of pushing your Uncle’s cock inside your wife’s pussy, Dear?”
Raman and I were startled at her unusual request. I saw Raman moving towards me, seeing his wife’s pleading face. I was in a fix. I was about to fuck his wife, and he was about to help me penetrate her. I saw him holding my cock, rubbing it up and down his wife’s pussy lips.
“She loves it very much when her pussy is rubbed by a cock, Uncle,” saying he stopped rubbing, pointing my cock at her pussy said again, “Make her yours, satisfy her and give her a baby, Uncle.”
Abhilasha smiled but screamed when I pushed all my 8 inches into her in one go, pressing my cock down deep, hitting her cervix. Her orgasms had lubricated her pussy pretty much. My cock went in with extra force, and her inner muscles gripped me tightly.
I laid on her sweating body and said, “Shall I cum now, Abhilasha?”
“What? So soon? No,” Abhilasha said with panic in her eyes.
Pulling out my cock a bit, pushing it again deep, said, laughing, “I was joking, baby. I will fuck you as long as you can withstand my pounding.” I started hammering her pussy. She was receiving it like a sport showing no discomfort on her face.
I was fucking her. I found her pussy tight for my thick cock trying to milk, despite her earlier young year’s sex adventures. Abhilasha began screaming, and I thought neighbours might hear her screams. Thought of sealing her mouth with mine, but I got a wicked idea.
Looking at Raman asked him to remove his shorts and gave his wife his cock to suck. Both husband and wife were shocked hearing me. But being a good sport, Abhilasha said, “Yes, Raman, give me your cock. I want to suck it when Mama is fucking me. Both my holes will be sealed, and my long-time desire will be fulfilled.”
Raman removing his shorts and underwear, knelt before his wife, placing his cock close to her lips. I was shocked to see his tiny cock, which was about 3 inches and flaccid. Abhilasha took it fully inside her mouth and started sucking like a lollipop. I was hammering her pussy.
Occasionally I bent down, licking her nipples and trying to suck her boobs. I fucked her tight pussy for fifteen minutes and was sweating a lot. But Abhilasha was showing no discomfort and was sucking her husband’s small one happily.
Her breasts swayed all over her chest due to my thrust. I wondered how much milk she would produce if she gave birth. Still pumping her gripping pussy I asked, “Will you feed me your milk if you have a baby, Dear?”
Abhilasha removed her husband’s cock from her mouth. She looked at me with a naughty smile and said, “Of course, Darling, my soul and body is yours now, and you don’t have to ask me. You just have to order me. Come on fuck me, make me pregnant so I can feed my Darling my milk from my tits.”
I fucked her for another fifteen minutes. I was getting tired and badly needed a release. I looked at the bedside clock and saw the time was past 12. It was almost one hour before the couple came to my room. I needed to cum very urgently. I asked, “Shall I cum, Abhilasha?”
She looked at me and said, “Ok if you want to. But don’t pull off till I say so. I want to feel your dick throbbing in me.” I began to release my cum in Abhilasha’s pussy. The first three spurts were huge, filling her up. The next spurts of semen were overflowing from her pussy and wetting the sheets.
Abhilasha was kissing all over my face like a puppy showing her affection to get satisfied. My nephew was looking at us, showing any emotions. Abhilasha’s pussy was trying to milk my cock for more which was not there. I drifted to sleep as she kissed me with my flaccid cock still buried inside her.
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2023.06.03 10:21 mindlessly-dreaming Can I be Honest?
That's what I want to ask you. I know you don't like to talk about this shit. You told me again tonight. You don't like talking about these things over text. I feel like its a cop out because you know we can't do this face to face, but I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe, you really don't like to talk about certain things over text.
I am sitting here half drunk and sad as fuck, but the thing is... I have no fucking clue why this shit between us makes me so sad sometimes. We are just friends. Or well friends with benefits? It seems to bother you when I call it that, but that's what it is when you are friends with someone and you both engage in sexual things. I wish you would just call it what it is.
I am not in love with you. I may have got caught up in the whirl wind of feelings a while back when I was in a more vulnerable place, and thought that was what I was feeling, but when the dopamine rush faded, it occured to me it was just infatuation. Obsession. Limerance.
I know that. I know it's not love.
Don't get me wrong. I have love for you. I truly do. It's probably the closest to unconditional love I've ever felt because despite my feelings, despite things that have happened between us, I genuinely just want you to be happy in your life. I don't wish anything but wonderful things for you.
But it's not the "in love" kind of love because I don't really know you. I mean, I do, but I don't. You don't let me close enough to truly know you. So it's not that I am in love with you. The feelings I had for my husband before he fucked it all up was what being in love feels like. That's not what I feel for you.
But this is the part that keeps confusing me. Why in the fuck does it hurt so much sometimes? Why does it hurt me when you can't make time for me? Why do I get this stab in my chest when you say shit like, "I love you as a friend only"? Why do I feel jealous when you give your attention to other people? Why do our conversations play on a loop in my head when I try to fall asleep at night? Why do I have days where you consume my every thought even when I am trying to think of literally anything else? Why does a tiny part of me still have a longing for this to be more than it is? I would never ask that of you, but the feeling is there.
My point is, I am not in love with you. A crush? Sure. Obsession? At times. But I am not in love. I know that. We probably wouldn't be compatible for a long term relationship anyways. Sure it would be fun for a while, until you we started butting heads over dumb shit because i dont like being told what to do and neither do you. Logically we make no sense, and I have actively been trying to detach from the situation. So the infatuation has faded. My feelings should have faded with it.
So please explain to me why in the fuck the thought of losing you hurts so fucking bad?! And why does the thought of keeping things the way they are hurt nearly as bad as ending it?! I know i say I am fine, but it's tearing me apart.
I don't know. You are the first person I've had any sort of feelings for since my husband, so maybe I am just a bit too emotionally raw still from all of that? I am still healing and sorting through all that emotional baggage. We don't talk about it much, but I think you are aware of it.
I didn't mean for this to happen between us. I wasn't looking for it. I don't even know how we got here. Sometimes I wonder if I could go back in time to that day we met, if I would do things differently.
I don't think I would. We have said things like "I wish things were different" and "maybe in another life" and "i wish we'd met at a different time," but a part of me truly believes our meeting had perfect timing. You'll probably think I am crazy for this, but I guess you already think I'm crazy so what's new 🤷🏻♀️ But I truly, honestly believe that God or divine intervention, or whatever you wanna call it, happened to make sure our paths cross the way they did that day. It felt like fate to me.
I was fucking drowning when I met you. I was so depressed and I felt so fucking powerless. My whole life was falling apart around me, and I was just letting it. I had given up. You reminded me that I wasn't always bitter and jaded and resentful. You reminded me that I could still feel sexy and beautiful. You reminded me that under all that pain and betrayal, there was still that young girl who loved freely and openly because it just made her feel good to love and care about people. You brought out the compassionate side of me that got lost in my pain. You reminded me of my power, and in a way helped me take back control of my life.
I wish you understood how grateful I am that I met you. While it would have been nice to meet you at a time when I was more emotionally stable or when your situation wasn't what it is... I truly believe we met exactly when we were meant to. I just hope that I have made even the smallest impact on your life in a positive way the way you did mine. I feel like I feel you on a soul level, a d at times I swear we seem to communicate telepathically. So if that's a real thing.. if it's possible, I hope you can feel the gratitude I feel towards you.
Unless a miracle happens, we both know this friendship will end tomorrow. You told me in the beginning what your boundaries were. I crossed them. I am sorry about that. Truly. I fucked it all up. That's why I have to take myself out of this situation. This should have happened a couple months ago. But we're like magnets. Always pulling back together.
I am going to end it for real tomorrow. This has just gotten too messy, and I want to end this before we end up hating each other or before this starts to cause problems in your real life. I promise you I never want to cause you any problems.
I just wish I wasn't ending it with so many unanswered questions. But you don't like answering my questions, and when you do sometimes your answers just confuse me more. So I have no choice. It is what it is. Thank you for being my friend through one of the hardest times in my life. December's will always remind me of you.
Love you always,
Your little penguin 🐧 Your sensitive butterfly 🦋 ❤️
submitted by mindlessly-dreaming to UnsentLetters [link] [comments]
I am sitting here half drunk and sad as fuck, but the thing is... I have no fucking clue why this shit between us makes me so sad sometimes. We are just friends. Or well friends with benefits? It seems to bother you when I call it that, but that's what it is when you are friends with someone and you both engage in sexual things. I wish you would just call it what it is.
I am not in love with you. I may have got caught up in the whirl wind of feelings a while back when I was in a more vulnerable place, and thought that was what I was feeling, but when the dopamine rush faded, it occured to me it was just infatuation. Obsession. Limerance.
I know that. I know it's not love.
Don't get me wrong. I have love for you. I truly do. It's probably the closest to unconditional love I've ever felt because despite my feelings, despite things that have happened between us, I genuinely just want you to be happy in your life. I don't wish anything but wonderful things for you.
But it's not the "in love" kind of love because I don't really know you. I mean, I do, but I don't. You don't let me close enough to truly know you. So it's not that I am in love with you. The feelings I had for my husband before he fucked it all up was what being in love feels like. That's not what I feel for you.
But this is the part that keeps confusing me. Why in the fuck does it hurt so much sometimes? Why does it hurt me when you can't make time for me? Why do I get this stab in my chest when you say shit like, "I love you as a friend only"? Why do I feel jealous when you give your attention to other people? Why do our conversations play on a loop in my head when I try to fall asleep at night? Why do I have days where you consume my every thought even when I am trying to think of literally anything else? Why does a tiny part of me still have a longing for this to be more than it is? I would never ask that of you, but the feeling is there.
My point is, I am not in love with you. A crush? Sure. Obsession? At times. But I am not in love. I know that. We probably wouldn't be compatible for a long term relationship anyways. Sure it would be fun for a while, until you we started butting heads over dumb shit because i dont like being told what to do and neither do you. Logically we make no sense, and I have actively been trying to detach from the situation. So the infatuation has faded. My feelings should have faded with it.
So please explain to me why in the fuck the thought of losing you hurts so fucking bad?! And why does the thought of keeping things the way they are hurt nearly as bad as ending it?! I know i say I am fine, but it's tearing me apart.
I don't know. You are the first person I've had any sort of feelings for since my husband, so maybe I am just a bit too emotionally raw still from all of that? I am still healing and sorting through all that emotional baggage. We don't talk about it much, but I think you are aware of it.
I didn't mean for this to happen between us. I wasn't looking for it. I don't even know how we got here. Sometimes I wonder if I could go back in time to that day we met, if I would do things differently.
I don't think I would. We have said things like "I wish things were different" and "maybe in another life" and "i wish we'd met at a different time," but a part of me truly believes our meeting had perfect timing. You'll probably think I am crazy for this, but I guess you already think I'm crazy so what's new 🤷🏻♀️ But I truly, honestly believe that God or divine intervention, or whatever you wanna call it, happened to make sure our paths cross the way they did that day. It felt like fate to me.
I was fucking drowning when I met you. I was so depressed and I felt so fucking powerless. My whole life was falling apart around me, and I was just letting it. I had given up. You reminded me that I wasn't always bitter and jaded and resentful. You reminded me that I could still feel sexy and beautiful. You reminded me that under all that pain and betrayal, there was still that young girl who loved freely and openly because it just made her feel good to love and care about people. You brought out the compassionate side of me that got lost in my pain. You reminded me of my power, and in a way helped me take back control of my life.
I wish you understood how grateful I am that I met you. While it would have been nice to meet you at a time when I was more emotionally stable or when your situation wasn't what it is... I truly believe we met exactly when we were meant to. I just hope that I have made even the smallest impact on your life in a positive way the way you did mine. I feel like I feel you on a soul level, a d at times I swear we seem to communicate telepathically. So if that's a real thing.. if it's possible, I hope you can feel the gratitude I feel towards you.
Unless a miracle happens, we both know this friendship will end tomorrow. You told me in the beginning what your boundaries were. I crossed them. I am sorry about that. Truly. I fucked it all up. That's why I have to take myself out of this situation. This should have happened a couple months ago. But we're like magnets. Always pulling back together.
I am going to end it for real tomorrow. This has just gotten too messy, and I want to end this before we end up hating each other or before this starts to cause problems in your real life. I promise you I never want to cause you any problems.
I just wish I wasn't ending it with so many unanswered questions. But you don't like answering my questions, and when you do sometimes your answers just confuse me more. So I have no choice. It is what it is. Thank you for being my friend through one of the hardest times in my life. December's will always remind me of you.
Love you always,
Your little penguin 🐧 Your sensitive butterfly 🦋 ❤️
2023.06.03 10:21 MarvDStrummer My Biggest Complain about what the future holds for Spiderman with the new purpose the movie bring on: End The Status Quo Of The Flip Side Table Tragedy Trope
 | Spiderverse uses the metatext of "common knowledge about spider-man" so much to communicate an idea to the viewer that it is even scary to start finding the hero in itself an abused idea even though the film has such a fresh premise in itself submitted by MarvDStrummer to Spiderman [link] [comments] if you stop to think about it, this whole "public" that follows so many media with the same title becomes so used to the patterns reinforced by the repetitions of history that they not only expect that certain events will repeat themselves, but also want this: it is not enough to Uncle Ben's tragedy to start the protagonist's journey, but also Captain Stacy's, Gwen's, Harry's, Octavius's, etc. otherwise, what that same audience might think is that the story has diverged so much not only from its initial premise but also from the identity of the "title" it carries (Spider-Man) parallel to this, we have Miles (who in the first film was already going through the journey of finding his way in a place where several others had already arrived before him, going through the same pains and having the same gifts), who, in addition to discovering that he is an anomaly within the bigger picture of the entire interdimensional legacy of a heroic figure, it also naturally questions that entire legacy and the "alienation" that comes with it throughout this world-spanning "Spider-Man" bubble. and this Miles point is not false. the film's narrative really exposes the fallacy (conveyed by the previous title, still) of accepting the sacrifice of one's life in order to follow a pre-established formula, no matter how noble its conclusion. is something that was so normalized, through repetitions of stories that so sought to convey a single "essence", that even though it was something so painful, it became required by the interpretation that these same people who identify with Spider-Man and see themselves as one(who "wear the mask") have of the figure they admire so much I said at the beginning that it felt somewhat "abuse" to see this real stigma so explicitly represented in the film, but no one better than the most out of water fish in the spiderverse to break it down and show, in a fresh way, how Spiderman is actually an idea that goes far beyond tragedies and pain. In fact, one of the best parts of Miles' history, freeing up new spaces for Spider-Man's narrative, is precisely preparing the ground for Mayday, whose premise is precisely someone who didn't wear the mask out of tragedy, but simply because he wanted to help people. tl;dr: Spider-Man could very easily become stagnant because of how rigid are the people involved in both consuming his media and producing them, but Spiderverse counters this by proposing something new. HOWEVER........... That's all cool, but Miles still started his story under the same tragic and atypical circumstances as Peter, Aaron's Death may not have been his fault, but it was still under the same stigma as Uncle Died, time to become a Spider, apart from that, this is the price to unfortunately be paid for being a hero and I think that Sony can even question and bring a debate about this stagnation of Spider-Man's curse to go through the pain of turning tables on their journey, but if it's not like that that Spidey will be able to evolve and deal better with the pain, fear and despair that someone he loves may be under threat and he can't do anything to avoid it? It's an interesting discussion of a new perspective that protests the traditionality that such events occur, but that's it, you choose to settle down and forget about such a life or do the right thing, the more we try to change the status quo from forces beyond our control ( AS THE DESTINY) we always tend to make our situation worse and make a MUCH BIGGER sacrifice than we should have done but didn't do it out of fear and despair initially. And well, I don't see this as a novelty gap considering that Miguel already exists and his setup is more interesting to be approached because there is a glaring difference between them and Peter between: Sense of Guilt and REAL GUILT for something you caused and now Karma is returning the gravity of his mistakes like a moving train in his face (given the mutants or other creatures of Alchemax that only came to be a thing for the corporation as a way to fight Miguel), he has that part the search for redemption through a mega tragedy unlike Peter, some innocent people who are facing me are innocent guinea pigs submitted to tests that I helped to research and create in my years as an employee of this Wallmart Genetic of Evil here, besides, Miguel even has family but it's a completely dysfunctional and chaotic one that it's not worth much time for him to invest time or care about them as much as he could or should (he only does that with time with Gabriel), but that's it, Miguel of all made the greatest and noblest of sacrifices, sacrificed his autonomy and any possibility of human freedom and communication given the conditions his nature presents him to ordinary people, he is an freak that cannot be seen. It's like Maguire's Peter quote at the end of Raimi's first one says: "That's my gift, my curse" Peter of all Spiders has a balanced view on what purpose his powers suit, Miles completely sees his powers as a blessing (after all why wouldn't he see it? Not only does he have the same powers as Peter but he has 2 extras that he doesn't have) while Miguel sees them more as a curse given how "deformed" and disturbingly disgusting some of his abilities are and they deprive him of returning to his former mega sociable personality (he was a big asshole, yes, but still human with common tastes and pleasures) that unfortunately he cannot have back because now he has to be completely dedicated to being the Man Spider of your world. Miles just paved the way for this new possibility, but that's the thing, he really believes and thinks that maybe he's the one who will step forward and show that things can be different, but no, Mayday is the one who will and so on. before what the future holds for the legacy of spider man. Woof, that was a lot of text so i hope you guys enjoyed my pick here! |
2023.06.03 10:12 froggygaygirl Open field indoor/outdoor cat moved to an apartment. Feeling guilty.
I’ve had my cat Simon for almost 15 years now. The past six months he has been at my grandmas house next door to our old trailer we grew up in together while I visited and lived in airbnbs/finally got an apartment.
The problem is, he loves going outside to run around and come in to sleep has been his routine. He also loves me and doesn’t like others. I brought him over to the apartment tonight, realizing his big ole eyes ready to go out and run. He’s very trained and uses a specific vocal tone to go outside.
He’s happy with me, but he’s happy having a large area to roam too.
He hates the other animals at my grandmas place, hisses and runs, hates the dogs(me as well)
I feel guilty, and want to take him back to where he grew up. I also feel guilty not being a good enough owner to keep him with me during this scary time in my life and being alone.
Grandma feeds him, and I visit atleast once every two weeks….
I know cats can adjust to small apartments but I just want him to be happy. At least when I visit grandma he’s double happy. I just love him a lot but know this place sucks for him. Me working 13 hour shifts back to back and needing sleep knowing hell wanna talk n play is difficult.
How do I forgive myself and feel secure in letting him be at my grandmas instead of by my side? I feel him being ina small apartment even with so many toys ISNT him and is unhealthy. I tried windows and perching places.
Maybe I brought him here because I was lonely? Maybe he happier where he knows and can roam? I atleast tried just feel horrible and will bring him back in the morning.
He’s an old man who’s stuck in his ways, very healthy but also is a white cat which is I tried to make him an inside cat before due to the sun. He just becomes depressed and sleeps if he doesn’t get to go it out. Am I just a bad owner or how do I cope? Anyone else had similar experiences?
submitted by froggygaygirl to CatAdvice [link] [comments]
The problem is, he loves going outside to run around and come in to sleep has been his routine. He also loves me and doesn’t like others. I brought him over to the apartment tonight, realizing his big ole eyes ready to go out and run. He’s very trained and uses a specific vocal tone to go outside.
He’s happy with me, but he’s happy having a large area to roam too.
He hates the other animals at my grandmas place, hisses and runs, hates the dogs(me as well)
I feel guilty, and want to take him back to where he grew up. I also feel guilty not being a good enough owner to keep him with me during this scary time in my life and being alone.
Grandma feeds him, and I visit atleast once every two weeks….
I know cats can adjust to small apartments but I just want him to be happy. At least when I visit grandma he’s double happy. I just love him a lot but know this place sucks for him. Me working 13 hour shifts back to back and needing sleep knowing hell wanna talk n play is difficult.
How do I forgive myself and feel secure in letting him be at my grandmas instead of by my side? I feel him being ina small apartment even with so many toys ISNT him and is unhealthy. I tried windows and perching places.
Maybe I brought him here because I was lonely? Maybe he happier where he knows and can roam? I atleast tried just feel horrible and will bring him back in the morning.
He’s an old man who’s stuck in his ways, very healthy but also is a white cat which is I tried to make him an inside cat before due to the sun. He just becomes depressed and sleeps if he doesn’t get to go it out. Am I just a bad owner or how do I cope? Anyone else had similar experiences?
2023.06.03 10:10 Zer0-Neutrality Cannot move in...
Hello everyone,
I was supposed to move into my new apartment yesterday, but upon arrival, I see that the front door simply does not lock...I have sent a request about it, but since it is the weekend...I don't believe they will be able to respond any time soon, potentially wasting me 4 whole days of rent...I am currently unable to move in, and could have been homeless were it not for my past living situation working to my advantage in this regard...
How does this even happen? Where you know someone is moving in, and you cannot be bothered to provide them with a front door that locks?? Should I somehow just cancel my lease and find some place else, despite this huge waste of time? Would that badly affect my credit?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Edit to mention: I generously offered 2 months upfront of rent, and they still couldn't be bothered to give me a lock, not to mention they lied to me about the lack of insects only to tell me the very day I am meant to move in that there are roaches in the apartment. I am at a loss, truly.
Second edit to add: Not only does the door not lock, there is just a big hole sealed with a metal plate where there should be a deadbolt...Are they expecting people to move in with their own deadbolts and install them from scratch like? Is that something reasonable nowadays? I have never encountered this situation before.
submitted by Zer0-Neutrality to ApartmentHacks [link] [comments]
I was supposed to move into my new apartment yesterday, but upon arrival, I see that the front door simply does not lock...I have sent a request about it, but since it is the weekend...I don't believe they will be able to respond any time soon, potentially wasting me 4 whole days of rent...I am currently unable to move in, and could have been homeless were it not for my past living situation working to my advantage in this regard...
How does this even happen? Where you know someone is moving in, and you cannot be bothered to provide them with a front door that locks?? Should I somehow just cancel my lease and find some place else, despite this huge waste of time? Would that badly affect my credit?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you!
Edit to mention: I generously offered 2 months upfront of rent, and they still couldn't be bothered to give me a lock, not to mention they lied to me about the lack of insects only to tell me the very day I am meant to move in that there are roaches in the apartment. I am at a loss, truly.
Second edit to add: Not only does the door not lock, there is just a big hole sealed with a metal plate where there should be a deadbolt...Are they expecting people to move in with their own deadbolts and install them from scratch like? Is that something reasonable nowadays? I have never encountered this situation before.
2023.06.03 10:09 aakar-pools Why Investing in a Swimming Pool is Worth it for You and Your Family's
 | https://preview.redd.it/jory7mfmgr3b1.jpg?width=1748&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=93f5b9373e8e4249510b7fd6280e9862918da8b4 submitted by aakar-pools to u/aakar-pools [link] [comments] Summer is just around the corner, and what better way to beat the heat than by taking a refreshing dip in your very own swimming pool? Not only do pools provide an escape from the scorching sun, but they also offer numerous health benefits for you and your family. From physical fitness to mental well-being, investing in a swimming pool can bring happiness and relaxation into your daily routine. In this blog post, we'll explore why owning a pool is worth it for both your health and overall enjoyment of life. Plus, we'll give you tips on how to choose the right pool for your family's needs and how to maintain it properly. Let's dive in. Benefits of Swimming PoolsSwimming pools offer a wide range of benefits to both adults and children, making them an excellent investment for your overall health and well-being. For starters, swimming is an effective form of exercise that can help improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and endurance. Not only does it work out the entire body without putting too much strain on any one area or joint, but it's also low-impact and easy on the joints. Owning a pool is also an excellent way to encourage family time together while enjoying some fresh air in the comfort of your backyard. Kids love playing in the water with parents or friends while parents appreciate being able to keep an eye on their kids at all times. Having access to your own personal pool means you don't have to deal with crowded public areas where social distancing may be challenging during peak season - giving you peace of mind when it comes to safety concerns!1. Health Benefits of SwimmingSwimming is one of the most effective and low-impact exercises that can improve overall health and wellness. It's an excellent way to maintain cardiovascular fitness, tone muscles, and increase endurance without putting too much pressure on your joints. One of the main health benefits of swimming is that it can help reduce stress levels by promoting relaxation throughout the body. The repetitive motion of swimming combined with deep breathing techniques helps lower cortisol levels, which in turn decreases stress hormones in our bodies. In addition to reducing stress, swimming also helps decrease blood pressure levels. This is because regular exercise strengthens the heart muscle, allowing it to pump more efficiently while lowering resistance within our arteries. Swimming is a great form of exercise for those who suffer from joint pain or injuries as it doesn't put excessive strain on your joints compared to other high-impact activities such as running or weightlifting. Additionally, studies have shown that consistent swimming can help alleviate chronic pain symptoms associated with conditions like arthritis. Incorporating swimming into your weekly routine provides numerous physical and mental benefits for individuals at any age or fitness level.2. Mental Health Benefits of SwimmingSwimming is not only good for physical health, but it also has many mental health benefits. One of the most significant benefits is that swimming can reduce stress and anxiety levels. When we swim, our body releases endorphins which are natural feel-good chemicals that help to alleviate stress and promote relaxation. Additionally, swimming can also improve cognitive function as it requires a great deal of focus and coordination. By practicing these skills in the pool on a regular basis, individuals may see improvements in their overall mental clarity and ability to concentrate. Moreover, swimming can be an excellent way to boost self-confidence. Learning how to swim or improving upon existing skills can provide a sense of accomplishment and pride. This increased confidence can translate into other areas of life outside of the pool. Swimming provides an opportunity for socialization which is important for maintaining good mental health. Joining a local swim club or taking lessons with friends or family members allows individuals to connect with others who share similar interests while getting exercise at the same time.3. Financial Benefits of Owning a PoolOwning a swimming pool can be a significant investment, but it also comes with financial benefits. Firstly, having your own pool means you don't have to pay for expensive memberships or admission fees at public pools. Over time, these cost savings can add up and make owning a pool more economical in the long run. Another financial benefit of owning a swimming pool is that it can increase your property value. A well-maintained and attractive pool area adds appeal to your home, making it more desirable for potential buyers if you were ever to sell your property. Moreover, when compared to other outdoor entertainment options such as trips to water parks or theme parks which can be quite costly, especially during peak seasons; having access right in one's backyard is not only convenient but also provides cheaper alternatives that could last through several summers of fun. https://preview.redd.it/f6v350kngr3b1.jpg?width=1748&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0635c99da1f2c55c6f6a3e7b058724d8f1dae051 How to Choose the Right Pool for Your FamilyChoosing the right pool for your family is an important decision that requires careful consideration. The first thing to think about is the size of your backyard and how much space you have available for a pool. You will also want to consider what type of pool best suits your needs, such as an in-ground or above-ground pool. Another factor to consider when choosing the right pool for your family is the style and design of the pool itself. There are many different styles and designs to choose from, so it's important to pick one that fits with your overall aesthetic preferences. You'll also want to think about any additional features or accessories you might want to include with your new swimming pool, such as lighting, waterfalls, slides, or diving boards. These can add both functionality and entertainment value to your new investment. When selecting a skimmer-based pool builder or swimming pool manufacturer in Hyderabad or India-wide, make sure they provide warranties on their products and services. This ensures that any potential issues with installation or maintenance will be covered by these guarantees. Take some time when considering which type of swimming pool would be best suited for you and invest accordingly - this could ultimately result in a lifetime of happy memories spent around this fun-filled addition!Tips for Maintaining and Caring for Your PoolMaintaining and caring for your swimming pool is essential to ensure it lasts for years and continues to provide you with a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are some tips: 1. Keep the water chemistry balanced: Regularly check the pH level, chlorine levels, alkalinity, and calcium hardness of your pool. Maintaining proper chemical balance will prevent algae growth, keep the water clear, and maintain equipment longevity. 2. Clean the Pool Regularly: Skim debris off the surface of your pool regularly using a skimmer net or automatic cleaner. Brush walls and tiles weekly to remove dirt buildup that can cause stains. 3. Check Your Equipment: Inspect all equipment frequently including filters, pumps, heaters, etc., for leaks or damage so they don’t cost extra money on repairs later. 4.Regular Maintenance Schedule: Set up a regular maintenance schedule to perform routine checks like backwashing filter sand once every month or two depending upon usage patterns 5.Cover Up: Consider investing in a cover when not using your pool as this prevents leaves from falling inside while also reducing evaporation during hotter months thus saving precious water By following these simple steps regularly - you can enjoy crystal-clear waters without any problems. https://preview.redd.it/i7pni6logr3b1.jpg?width=1748&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97b581d23ca4d3dca14d7f1906a074c4753c0145 ConclusionInvesting in a swimming pool is undoubtedly worth it for you and your family's health and happiness. Apart from being an excellent source of exercise, swimming also offers significant mental health benefits that can help reduce stress levels. When choosing the right pool for your family, consider factors such as space availability, budget, safety features, maintenance requirements, and style preferences. Make sure to select a reputable manufacturer with experience in building high-quality pools that meet industry standards. Aakar Pools is Best Swimming Pool Builder in India that provides all types of pools in overall India at an affordable price. |
2023.06.03 10:02 tidderscot Science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning through the lens of Te whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum
Julia Holdom New Zealand Tertiary College
Practitioner Research： Vol 5, No 3 - May 2018
A personal reflection
Figure 1: Children at Little Einstein’s Educare in Cambridge lead the design, planning, and execution of the construction of a hut made out of tree branches after recent stormy weather.
When introduced to the acronym STEM (which stood for science, technology, engineering and mathematics) learning in early childhood education (ECE), I was immediately intrigued. Having been a kaiako (teacher) in rural New Zealand and growing up on a dairy farm, natural, hands-on, child-lead, and inquiry-based learning was my passion. It always sat well with me that Te Whāriki: He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early Childhood Curriculum (Te Whāriki) (Ministry of Education [MoE], 2017) backed by decades of research and literature supports a play-based approach to learning in the early years in New Zealand. It did not come as a surprise to me then that STEM learning, a term for the learning areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, a buzz phrase making its way around the international academic world, was something I recognised as intrinsically woven throughout early childhood curriculum and programs in Aotearoa/New Zealand. As a result, I presented on STEM learning in ECE with Fiona Woodgate, at the 2017 New Zealand Tertiary College symposium and have since been speaking with kaiako from different regions in New Zealand to get a broader idea of how STEM learning is integrated into their ECE programs.
Due to a rapidly evolving, complex and technologically advancing society, it is now well recognised that future societies are going to need to be equipped with a range of problem solving and creative thinking dispositions, rather than specific skill sets (Allen, 2016; Smith, 2016; Rodriguez, 2016; Wise Lindeman & McKendry Anderson, 2015). The young children of today need to be involved in real world, contextually relevant learning, in order to support their communities, preparing them for educational opportunities in the future, as well as a wide range of careers that may not currently exist (Allen, 2016; Draper & Wood, 2017). This realisation has resulted in a strong international focus on the concept of STEM learning in today’s varying education settings. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), whilst a relatively new term in the early childhood education sector in New Zealand, is not a new concept. Its focus is to support children in learning problem solving, creative thinking, investigation skills and design, through multi-content curricula (Sharapan, 2012; Boston Children’s Museum, n.d.; Gartrell, 2016).
This reflective article begins to explore the concept of STEM through the lens of Te Whāriki (MoE, 2017). The world renowned curriculum document is well known for its focus on dispositional, play-based learning, and the weaving of multiple curriculum content areas throughout daily and ongoing learning experiences. Te Whāriki (MoE, 2017) not only focuses on skill acquisition, but on dispositions and attitudes that support learning throughout a lifetime. This article presents an explanation of how teachers can support STEM concepts and experiences from ECE settings inAotearoa/New Zealand are shared to provoke thinking and reflection.
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics – An introduction
In ECE, recognising individual aspects of STEM learning can be relatively simple. Children are naturally curious, and begin to explore the world around them from infancy, developing their own working theories about how the world works through the people, places and things that they interact with (MoE, 2017). In this sense, they are natural born scientists, investigating, questioning, exploring, and experimenting. As they explore, they are often confronted with simple scientific and mathematical concepts, such as learning about gravity, force and motion, quantity, number, weight, space, and time through play (Boston Children’s Museum, n.d.; Sharapan, 2012; Hamlin & Wisneski, 2012; Bosse, Jacobs & Anderson, 2009).
Figure 2: Building a relationship with Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) is seen as an essential aspect of early childhood in Aotearoa/New Zealand, which can lead to increased environmentalism and sustainability in years to come. Children are encouraged to be involved in the care of the natural environment, and here, they are engaged with centre family members in exploring the garden, utilising and leaning valuable STEM concepts in the process.
Working theories are the evolving ideas and understandings that children develop as they use their existing knowledge to try to make sense of new experiences. Children are most likely to generate and refine working theories in learning environments where uncertainty is valued, inquiry is modelled, and making meaning is the goal” (MoE, 2017, p. 23).
Often within children’s play arises the opportunity to use varying tools to support their learning. Utilising tools with a purpose for design or problem solving can be understood as technology (Dietze & Kashin, 2012; Young & Elliot, 2003). Technology in ECE is often viewed by kaiako as digital technology, and the use of information communication technology (ICT) (Wise Lindeman & McKendry Anderson, 2015), however it is imperative to recognise that technology is anything that has been designed for and is used for a purpose, generally being to make a task easier, quicker, or more productive (Young & Elliot, 2003; Fleer & Jane, 2011). In my experience, engineering is perhaps the more challenging notion to identify as part of young children’s learning and development, in part due to some teachers’ lack of content knowledge in this area, but also the complexities of this concept for children in the early years. Much of the literature on STEM learning focuses on engineering for children from preschool age onwards (3+) without mentioning the infant and toddler years. Perhaps this is due to the perception of what design and engineering is for differing ages. Is a toddler not engineering when they are constructing with sand in the sandpit? Is an infant not designing when creating art with finger paints or food on different surfaces during experiences every day?
“The day-to-day programme and environment are organised in such a way that children can initiate purposeful, problem-solving activities and devise and solve problems to their own satisfaction using a variety of materials and equipment” (MoE, 2017, p. 49).
Science is a way of investigating, understanding, and explaining our natural, physical world and the wider universe. It involves generating and testing ideas, gathering evidence – including by making observations, carrying out investigations and modelling, and communicating and debating with others – in order to develop scientific knowledge, understanding, and explanations (MoE, 2007, p. 26).Technology is intervention by design: the use of practical and intellectual resources to develop products and systems (technological outcomes) that expand human possibilities by addressing needs and realising opportunities. Adaptation and innovation are at the heart of technological practice. Quality outcomes result from thinking and practices that are informed, critical, and creative.... Technology is never static. It is influenced by and in turn impacts on the cultural, ethical, environmental, political, and economic conditions of the day (MoE, 2007, p. 26).Engineers design technology using a combination of science and math (Pantoya, Aguirre-Munoz & Hunt, 2015, p. 61). Engineering is solving problems, using a variety of materials, designing and creating, and building things that work (Boston Children’s Museum, 2013, p. 3).Mathematics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in quantities, space, and time. Statistics is the exploration and use of patterns and relationships in data. These two disciplines are related but different ways of thinking and of solving problems. Both equip students with effective means for investigating, interpreting, explaining, and making sense of the world in which they live (MoE, 2007, p. 26).
Whilst internationally, the concept of STEM focuses on inquiry and project-based learning, often planned for, facilitated and led by adults, I see this concept being represented in a range of educational settings, woven through a range of pedagogical approaches and philosophies of teaching in New Zealand. In line with the vision of Te Whāriki (MoE, 2017), STEM learning occurs naturally in children’s play, need not be teacher-led or project focused (Gartrell, 2016; Draper & Wood, 2017) and can effectively be supported in a socioculturally relevant context for individual learners and their learning communities (Hamlin & Wisneski, 2012; Moomaw & Davis, 2010; Neill, 2009).
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning is important for all children, individually, and within social groups of learners. The common theme within the four STEM concepts, is that they are all content areas that occur naturally through play. When children are natural learners, curious in nature, they do not require adults to give them answers to questions, and do not benefit greatly from this method of teaching (Allen, 2016; Sharapan, 2012). Instead, children develop life-long dispositions of inquiry, curiosity and independent thinking by having inquiry skills scaffolded or modelled to them. Often children embrace the opportunity to investigate for themselves, experimenting, exploring, making mistakes, and using trial and error. In this sense, STEM learning is a way of being, a way of playing and a way of learning (Boston Children’s Museum, n.d.). So where do kaiako fit into STEM learning?
Figure 3: Through their natural urges, infants and toddlers explore mathematic and scientific concepts through play with the support of their kaiako, as well as through environmental prompts, provocations and play invitations.
The science, technology, engineering and mathematics environment
There are a number of areas worth considering when planning for and facilitating learning in diverse and unique education settings. One of the most obvious in play-based, child-led settings is the physical environment. Those familiar with the Reggio Emilio approach will have heard of the notion of the environment as the third teacher (Delany, 2011) and providing opportunities for child-led learning through the design of and resources available in the child’s physical learning environment. It is imperative that the environment supports STEM learning so that children may engage in STEM learning experiences both independently, as well as with peers and kaiako (Hamlin & Wisneski, 2012). Long gone are the days of including a science, mathematics or technology corner in your classroom or setting (Neill, 2009; Delany, 2011), instead the emphasis is on saturating the environment in resources that encourage authentic, real-world, familiar and culturally relevant ways of exploring. These resources do not need to be expensive and single purpose, and can easily be found in our natural environments. As New Zealand makes more of a move towards environmental sustainability, and eco-schools become more popular (Vincent-Snow, 2017; Enviroschools, n.d.), reusing and recycling materials becomes an exciting way to make the most of what we have available to us, and supports children’s creativity.
Figure 4: Uninterrupted play allows these tamariki time to work together to create, design, problem solve, and imagine. Here, children in the Tui room of Little Einstein’s Educare have created a structure to protect themselves from the ‘Lava’ beneath.
Another popular move in recent years appears to be the inclination to get out into nature to support real life, hands on learning. Emphasis has been made on preventing a generation of children with Nature Deficit Disorder, a term coined by Richard Louv (2005) in his book Last Child in the Woods. Kaiako and children are venturing out into whatever natural environments they have available to them, such as local parks, reserves or forests to make the most of natural learning that occurs when children are empowered to explore, question, and discover. science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning could not be more evident in these opportunities to explore and build a relationship with Papatūānuku.
Figure 5: Nature Days are becoming increasingly popular in ECE settings that can accommodate such expeditions. Children are empowered to use a variety of tools to explore, create and design, and developing working theories through the relationship they are building with the natural world around them.
Reflective Prompts
Consider the ECE settings and environments you are familiar with.Does your environment invite exploration? Are there spaces, in which children can taste, touch, smell, listen and look?Are there gardens and natural spaces for children to independently explore nature science, earth science and opportunities for children to play with different matter to build working theories about the natural and physical world?Are there loose parts provided both inside and out for children to construct, build, design, create and begin to develop theories around science and mathematics through size, weight, height, gravity, momentum, trajectory and more?Do you have pen, paper, clipboards, scissors, cameras and other technological tools available to children in different areas that they can easily access and use to document, plan, take notes and draw about their learning and discoveries – inviting engagement in the concept of engineering?“Children have opportunities to explore how things move and how they can be moved by, for example, blowing, throwing, pushing, pulling, rolling, swinging and sinking. Children have access to technology that enables them to explore movement, for example, wheels, pulleys, magnets and swings. Children have opportunities to develop spatial understandings by fitting things together and taking things apart, rearranging and reshaping objects and materials, seeing things from different spatial viewpoints and using a magnifying glass” (MoE, 2017, p. 49).
Science, technology, engineering and mathematics books
Books are an essential resource for any STEM learning environment (Bosse, Jacobs & Anderson, 2009; Boston Children’s Museum, n.d.). Not only is it important for children to access reference books with correct images and names of items, something Fred Rogers found instrumental in supporting children’s language acquisition and development (Sharapan, 2012), but also fictional and non-fiction story books about people and characters whom are investigators, explorers, inventors, designers and problem solvers themselves (Pantoya, Aguirre-Munoz & Hunt, 2015). Children’s scientific and engineering identities are supported as they explore literature that introduces concepts, dispositions and attitudes children recognise within themselves, and they are able to develop deeper understanding of STEM concepts as they explore these in context through stories, characters and the arts (McLean, Jones & Schaper, 2015; Sackes, Trundle & Flevares, 2009).In addition to this, Kathy Trundle’s work on inquiry-based learning emphasises the opportunities that arise through purposeful interactions between kaiako, children and books to scaffold children’s inquiry skills.
Fictional children’s books to support STEM learning and identity in the early years:Inventor McGregor by Kathleen T. PelleyThe Grandma McGarvey series by Jenny HessellOh the Things they Invented by Dr SeussRosie Revere, Engineer; and Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beatty and David RobertsAnything is Possible by Giulia Belloni
Risk taking
Wise Lindeman and McKendry Anderson (2015) emphasise that children need real-world experience and real-world problems in order to have a chance at developing solutions to these. Pawlina and Stanford ( as cited in Wise Lindeman & McKendry Anderson, 2015) add that educators must view mistakes as opportunities to grow children’s brains. Here, teachers must consider both physical risk taking, as well as emotional and mental risk taking. In today’s society, maintaining the physical health and safety of the children in our care settings seems to have counterbalanced the human need to take risks in order to learn. Kaiako are finding themselves challenged beyond comfort when it comes to children’s safety, and the balance between safe and calculated risks, children learning from experience, and adults protecting children from physical injury is out of sync. However, research shows that children need these experiences to learn for themselves, and that without these risk-taking experiences, children will not be adequately prepared for challenges they will face in the future, both physically and mentally (Brynes-Swiatek, 2017; Curtis, 2010; Gramling, 2010; Warden, 2010). When it comes to emotional and mental risk taking, we must consider how we are supporting children to try new things, supporting them to push themselves out of their comfort zones, and risk making mistakes and being wrong, all whilst remaining confident that their holistic wellbeing needs are being met to maintain a safe learning environment.
Figure 6: When the tolerance for risk is zero, children don’t really risk loss of life or limb, but more often than not, they risk losing valuable experiences with the world they inhabit. (Gramling, 2010, p. 51).
Te Whāriki (MoE, 2017) supports this through its sociocultural approach to learning, outlining the need for children to learn in culturally and socially relevant contexts. In addition to this, aspects of dispositional learning such as perseverance, persisting with difficulty, and facing challenges or uncertainty (MoE, 2017), are outlined as important for life-long learning. Risk taking is highlighted as a desirable learning outcome throughout the Exploration strand of Te Whāriki (MoE, 2017), particularly for toddlers and young children. Risk taking, mistakes, failure, trial and error are all significantly important in STEM learning and developing perseverance, inquiry skills, attitudes towards exploration and creative thinking.
Reflective Questions
Does your learning environment, both material and otherwise, provide opportunities for children to take risks physically, cognitively and emotionally?Are children encouraged and supported to experiment, to trial, to make mistakes, to fail or succeed, and to revisit their learning?Do your environments allow for independent and group creative thinking and problem solving?Time
Providing children with not only the space and resources needed for exploration and enquiry learning, but the time to discover at their own pace, and the opportunity to document or revisit their learning is crucial. Gifting children the time to figure things out for themselves, without interrupting their learning with a quick answer, supports an attitude and disposition towards creative thinking and problem solving. Dr. Emmi Pikler (as cited in Christie, 2012) emphasised the importance of slowing down one’s practice and interactions to deeply engage with the children during interactions. Toni Christie (2012) states that the practice of taking adequate time deepens teachers’ awareness and knowledge of each child. The same concept can be applied to children’s interactions with the world around them. Can giving children the time to explore, think and discover deepen their awareness and knowledge of the world around them, teaching them more about science, mathematics, engineering and technology in real-world, contextually relevant and authentic ways?“The learning outcomes in each strand are broad statements that encompass valued knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions that children develop over time” (MoE, 2017, p. 22).
Figure 7: Hands on Science in action! Many New Zealand ECE settings are making a move to embrace children’s natural inclination to get messy during their exploratory play. Science occurs in many forms, why not through mud and water play?
In addition to giving children the time needed to learn, do teachers support children to stay on task and be focused on the interest they have taken, or do they interrupt this learning with routines? In Carr and Lee’s (2011) research on children’s learning wisdom, they highlight the importance of teachers adopting strategies to support children to revisit their learning. One strategy suggested is that “Teachers can document the changes in children’s understanding” (Fleer, 2008 as cited in Hamlin & Wisneski, 2012, p. 85). This allows children to deepen their engagement, and develop an openness to experiences and a capacity to reflect, in order to make sense of their learning.
Figure 8: Working together as a team to solve problems, think creatively and develop theories about how things work. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics all evident through child initiated play experiences.
Reflective Questions:Are children gifted the time needed to explore, design, create and learn in uninterrupted environments?Do the routines of the day disrupt this learning or do they support busy learners to continue their work?Are children given the tools and strategies required to support them to document and revisit their learning? Are kaiako skilled in the art of observation, knowing when to step in, and when to step back?Are kaiako gifted the time to support children’s learning in this way, or are they too busy with the organisational tasks of the day?Do teacher - child ratios support quality STEM interactions?
Purposeful, intentional teaching
Once we have decided as kaiako whether we should step back to observe, or step in to add value to the child’s learning experience, the responses we provide must consist of high quality, purposeful, thoughtful interactions with children (MoE, 2017). In these moments, teachers need to be highly sensitive and aware of what the child needs from them – more often than not, it is not an answer they need, but stimulating investigation habits and behaviours being modelled to them (Sharapan, 2012). Kaiako must embrace opportunities to model moments of wonder, using questions that may prompt curiosity within children, and the opportunity to co-construct ideas and working theories in collaborative settings (Allen, 2016; Boston Children’s Museum, n.d.; Sharapan, 2012).The key to these experiences is not to make the mistake of answering children’s questions with an answer, but to provide intentional, open-ended questions and comments that get the children thinking (Boston Children’s Museum, n.d.; Sharapan, 2012). Equally as important, is the need to model and introduce the use of varying tools to support their enquiry, so that they may seek their own answers independently in future.
Modelling STEM language is crucial to a child’s ability to learn STEM enquiry and thinking themselves. In addition to questions, modelling scientific, mathematical and investigative language is important to support children’s inclination to develop their own working theories. Supporting children by modelling language, describing using scientific, mathematical and technological words will give them the tools to use to do the same in future experiences. This will also normalise STEM concepts and learning for children (Sharapan, 2012).
It is important to support children’s scientific enquiry in new ways too – perhaps in ways they had not thought of themselves. This is where we are scaffolding their learning, in that they are learning new ideas and knowledge in a social situation from others. Part of STEM learning is how children understand investigative thinking and processes. Imperative to science, engineering and design are STEM process skills (Neill, 2009). The Ministry of Education supports this by adding that children should have opportunities to demonstrate “curiosity and the ability to enquire into, research, explore, generate and modify working theories about the natural, social, physical, spiritual and man-made worlds… [and the] ability to represent [these] discoveries using expressive media, including digital media” (2017, p. 47).
“Kaiako are the key resource in any ECE service. Their primary responsibility is to facilitate children’s learning and development through thoughtful and intentional pedagogy. This means they require a wide range of capabilities [including being] knowledgeable about play-based curriculum and pedagogy and able to conceptualise, plan and enact curriculum that is motivating, enjoyable and accessible for all children, [and] able to integrate domain knowledge (for example science and arts knowledge) into the curriculum” (MoE, 2017, p. 59).
Conclusion
The rapidly changing world that we live in, is providing us with many new and exciting technologies that make our lives easier, more enjoyable, and enable quick access to new information at a rate never seen before. However, with these new and exciting changes, also come challenges for children’s natural, enquiry learning. More and more ECE centres, particularly in city environments are designing spaces with little-to-no large open natural spaces for children in the outdoors, and are resorting to man-made environments of turf, concrete and other year-round, all-weather materials to support indoooutdoor play. Does this mean that these children miss out on the opportunity to learn natural science? Or can nature be woven through the environment and program in other ways? Children are also more inclined to want to be engaged with digital media, as their parents and society are modelling the use of these in everyday interactions. Is this cause for concern in the ECE setting, or can children be empowered to use technology in constructive ways? Are kaiako equipped with the understanding of STEM learning and child development that they need to support life-long learning dispositions of enquiry, problem solving, risk taking and perseverance, or are current pedagogies failing tamariki (children)? As learning and information consumption grows exponentially to the highest it has even been, it is now more than ever that children need teachers to be the facilitators of learning, the models of curiosity, the inspiration to learn, explore, discover, think, design and to be leaders of the future. Dispositions, rather than skills, are what tamariki need to succeed in the future. A final question for reflection therefore asks are educators preparing tamariki adequately for life-long success?Acknowledgement
Special thanks to Jo, Jade and the entire learning community at Little Einstein’s Educare Ltd in Cambridge for giving permission to publish their inspirational photographs, and shared understanding of STEM learning in action. Special thanks also to Catherine at Hobsonville Point ELC, and Jen at Changepoint ELC, Tauranga for your wisdom and input on STEM learning in your ECE learning communities.2023.06.03 09:58 tidderscot Place in Early Childhood Teacher Education
Introduction
Quality is the consistent dominant narrative in early childhood education. Framed by Western worldviews and steeped in colonial logic, quality, in this sense, is described as normalizing, decontextualizing, regulating, managing, measuring, and operating under the values of universality, objectivity, and stability with no regard for diversity or context (Dahlberg et al. 2007). Often viewed as the ultimate goal in many early childhood teacher education programs and settings, quality across the early childhood sector drives decision-making and policies including early childhood teacher education. Generally, this type of quality is made visible through the focus on the individual child and the use of stage development, perpetuating the view of young children as deficit and learning and development as linear. This has contributed to the acceptance of pedagogy as activities and methods addressing surface-based skills (e.g., counting, phonics) rather than an engagement with meaning-making and complex thinking. The overuse of these discourses perpetuates a lack of understanding of children and their contexts and experiences. Further, the constant attention to achievement of milestones and individual processes pushes situated and daily moments of learning and teaching to the margin.Dahlberg et al. (2007) call for a paradigmatic shift in early childhood education that entails disrupting this dominant and narrow view of quality: rethinking quality as meaning-making, valuing complexity, multiplicity, subjectivity, context, provisionality, and uncertainty. This shift is reflective of post-foundational viewpoints, including critical theory, postmodernisms, post-structuralisms, postcolonialisms, and post-humanisms. Early childhood teacher education that is situated to rethink to the quality agenda and engage with post-foundational perspectives of meaning-making requires conceptual and pedagogical teaching practices, utilizing different ways of knowing, being, and doing. Early childhood teacher education constructed in this manner is supportive of generating twenty-first-century citizens who think with complexity, work collaboratively, and connect to the local and global communities.
Content and experiences within early childhood teacher education that rethink quality as meaning-making then build a strong sense of social justice while also educating all young children from diverse backgrounds, positioning pre-service teachers as agents of change. This includes critically inquiring and intentionally acting on ethnicity, race, social class, gender, gender expression, culture, religion, language, ability, and sexual identities to empower pre-service teachers in generating practices of equity and critical consciousness. Early childhood teacher education is positioned in the broader social, historical, political, and cultural contexts and addresses the significance of place as it is related to these broader and local contexts.
Alternative Narratives of Early Childhood Teacher Education
Drawing from multidisciplinary perspectives including post-foundationalism, feminism, post-developmentalism, sociology, and postcolonialism, place, and Indigenous worldviews, alternative narratives disrupt the dominant narratives in early childhood teacher education and engage pre-service teachers in the politics and ethics of teaching. Alternative narratives generate multiple perspectives and diversities while offering a provocation to rethinking and pondering what is possible in early childhood teacher education. Foregrounding teacher education with alternative narratives positions practices as engaging with complexity (Pacini-Ketchabaw et al. 2015) and diversity inclusive of the political, social, economic, and cultural context. Engaging with complexity is never standing outside the early childhood setting but rather co-participating and being with – all contributing to meaning-making for teachers, children, and families. Meaning-making is part of the daily classroom life and creates conditions to rethink practice focused on ideas and concepts rather than consuming skills and separate disciplinary content, often in a decontextualized manner. Part of this work is embracing uncertainty rather than universal truths perpetuated through the dominant narratives that are limited by developmental logic. This means actively resisting teaching practices that universalize, marginalize, and normalize and instead being in relation and entangled with the messiness of teaching and learning (Dahlberg et al. 2007). In places of ongoing settler colonialism, this requires understanding the ways in which children and early childhood educators are entangled with postcolonial geohistories of place.Narratives of Place
Euro-Western narratives situate place as romantic and innocent, a “natural” place for children to play. This framing of place is linear and does not consider place as relational and agentic or engage with all the histories that places hold. Alternative narratives of place move beyond environmental stewardship framings and attend to the ways in which human and more-than-human worlds are already entangled (Taylor 2017). Place is understood as something more than a geographical space as it is not “culturally or politically neutral’ (Mignolo 2003, quoted in Tuck et al. 2014, p. 1) and is a “territory that is Indigenous and which has been and continues to be subject to the forces of colonization” (Tuck et al. 2014, p. 1). Recognizing place as not without an historical, political, or ethical context attends to the ethics and politics of place, bringing together nature and culture (Haraway 2008) and enacting pedagogies of concern.Alternative narratives of place foreground Indigenous knowledges, shifting perceptions of place beyond an innocent (or at best pretty) backdrop to teaching and learning. It is important to acknowledge that engaging with place in a postcolonial setting requires engaging with place in a conceptually different way. This difference focuses on looking beyond the colonial inscriptions of place and acknowledging the colonial violences that have been committed to places with the aim of recovering Indigenous ways of knowing and being (Tuck et al. 2014). This acknowledges that Indigenous epistemologies and ontologies are in the center of meaning-making, not at the periphery. This is a deliberate political and ethical practice that acknowledges Indigenous people’s original and ongoing connections with the land. This connection involves much more than the space and the place.
Indigenous Worldviews and Place in Early Childhood Teacher Education
Thinking with local, place-based Indigenous perspectives is largely absent from early childhood teacher education. In particular, Indigenous perspectives are often “othered” as part of wider multicultural discussions, resulting in tokenistic practices that homogenize Indigenous culture. Engaging in alternative narratives of place that respectfully foreground Indigenous worldviews disrupts dominant settler perspectives. Early childhood teacher education focused on the practice of engaging with local, specific Indigenous knowledges requires authentic, respectful connections to local Indigenous groups and a commitment to engage with the full range of historical, political, and ethical contexts. This disrupts the knowledge consumption so easily practiced within the narratives of the individual and traditional stage theories of development and provides a way for teacher educators and pre-service teachers to move beyond the taken-for-granted narratives of early childhood in order to think with local, place-based perspectives.The inclusion of place in early childhood teacher education resituates pedagogy as a thinking, ethical, and political practice. Rethinking early childhood teacher education with strong relations with place recognizes the entanglements with humans and the more-than-human engaging with multiple narratives of a place and acknowledges the politics and knowledges constructed within and about a place. In this sense, pedagogy activates relationality and complexity in early childhood teaching, making visible the multiplicities, tensions, and frictions created when place, human, and more-than human come together. This opens up places for early childhood pre-service teachers to think and act on different ways of knowing, being, and doing with the intent of engagement and relationality.
Matters of Concern
Drawing on Latour (2004), place in early childhood teacher education pays attention to “matters of concern” – a shift from “matters of fact” consistently implemented through quality dominant narratives previously described. Matters of concern think with relationality and the complexity of bringing together humans, place, and the more-than-human (flora, fauna, multispecies), rethinking how early childhood pedagogy is used and how this informs teacher education. In terms of early childhood teacher education, this repositions teacher educators to shift from a human-centered view of the planet to seeing place as central and living with our more-than-human kin. This calls for teacher educators and pre-service teachers to teach and act in radically new ways, in ways that situate place and the more-than-human as being in relation with teaching pedagogies.Coming Alongside
Karen Martin (2016) presents the idea of “coming alongside” as a way for non-Indigenous people to engage respectfully with Aboriginal worldviews. Part of this work is recognizing how relationships to people, places, and the more-than-human are central. In this sense, relationships take a long time to build and should not be rushed: sitting and listening with elders and walking with places and the more-than-human over long periods are necessary in order to build authentic, respectful connections. Relationships also require intention. For teacher educators and pre-service teachers, there are ethical and political accountabilities to foreground local, Indigenous worldviews in everyday teaching and learning practices. This recognizes place as being more than just a pretty backdrop for children to play in; rather, there are many layers of history that are always present in the places where we live and work. As part of the protocol of coming alongside, teacher educators and pre-service teachers are required to share their stories and connections to people and place.Common Worlds
A common world framework (www.commonworlds.net) centers on the ways in which children learn from the full range of human and more-than-human relations within their immediate and “common” or shared worlds. More-than-human refers to the animals, plants, multispecies, local places, and colonial pasts, presents, and futures – the systems where children grow, learn, and live. Practices underpinned by the common world framework focus on awareness and response to legacies of local places in order to rethink and create common futures.Place as a Pedagogical Contact Zone
Place as a pedagogical contact zone brings together the work in the Common Worlds Research Collective (www.commonworlds.net), with the “contact zone” as discussed by Haraway (2008) making visible how place is always an entanglement between the more-than-human and humans. Haraway (2008) specifically indicates how this contact zone brings together “diverse bodies and meanings[that] coshape one another … The partners do not precede the meeting; species of all kinds, living and not, are consequent on a subject and object-shaping dance of encounters” (p. 4). This creates the pedagogical contact zone as uncertain and unknown but also creates a space to support new ways of doing and assembling multiple knowledges. This is necessary in foregrounding and thinking with Indigenous worldviews, shifting away from the narrow view of the colonial gaze. Both place-thought (Watts 2013) and learning to be affected (Latour 2004) offer ways to practice place as pedagogical contact zones.Place-Thought
Place-thought is rooted in the Anishinaabe (First Nations people from southern Canada) worldview that “is based upon the premise that land is alive and thinking and that humans and non-humans derive agency through the extensions of these thoughts” (Watts 2013, p. 21). This frames the process of thinking about place in different ways and is focused on viewing the land as animate and with agency. Watts (2013) shares an Anishinaabe creation story to illustrate place-thought through the experience of Sky Woman: Sky Woman fell through a hole in the sky, landed on the back of a turtle, and formed the earth. This story for Watts (2013) is an historical account of the interconnections between humans and the more-than-human, describing “a theoretical understanding of the world via a physical embodiment” (p. 21). This moves past the view of a creation story as a myth or allegory and challenges the Euro-Western understanding of knowledge construction. With this foundational understanding, Watts (2013) further notes how land is part of the lives of Indigenous people, and this calls for a deep relationship with the land and the more-than-human requiring communication and care. Colonization of the land impacts the ability to converse with the land, disrupting the deep relationships and a critical part of the Anishinaabe people’s lives.Learning to Be Affected
Thinking with place means paying attention to the layers of inscription on a place. Using Latour’s (2004) concept of learning to be affected “means exactly that: the more you learn the more differences exist” (p. 213). For early childhood teacher education, this means empowering pre-service teachers to be open and awake to multiple and varied proposals and possibilities. For Latour, this is the action of moving past the binaries of subject/object and spending time with and in the numerous ways of seeing and being in the world. This is reiterated in the work of the common world framework, as it is through awareness of difference that curiosity about the places surrounding us is provoked (www.commonworlds.net). In terms of early childhood teacher education and place, learning to be affected is how teacher educators and pre-service teachers are offered the time and space to listen with the place, make visible what cannot be seen, trace the overlays of inscription, and begin to notice place in a way that rethinks teaching and learning in ethical and political ways.Early Childhood Teacher Education and Place: An Example in Australia
An undergraduate early childhood teacher education program at a public university in Australia focuses on place; in particular, place as a pedagogical contact zone. Place is the primary provocation for the classes in the program as content and experiences are focused on respectfully foregrounding Indigenous worldviews while completing placement in a community-based playgroup program for families and children (infant to 6-years-old). Coming alongside Indigenous worldviews of place (Martin 2016) is done by attuning to the place where the placement site is located as well as where the university is located. The settler-colonial gaze is disrupted by foregrounding the local Indigenous place, attending to the politics and ethics of living on stolen land. Teaching with complexity, addressing matters of concern, and practicing making-meaning support pre-service teachers in understanding what it means to live in postcolonial Australia. Central to the placement and coursework are pedagogies and opportunities to activate Latour’s (2004) notion of being affected and place-thought (Watts 2013) as ethical teaching practices. For example, at each of the playgroup sites, pre-service teachers respectfully foreground Indigenous worldviews in the learning experiences with children and families.Indigenous worldviews are the starting point for the class and placement content and are shared through Indigenous stories and materials (sourced from the local place where the program is situated). These experiences include the teachers, families, and children naming the country, animals, and materials where the setting is located. Further, the equivalent conceptual and pedagogical practices are the content in the university classes. This includes understanding the significance of place for the local Indigenous people through the use of place-thought walks, discussions, and making visible how coursework and placement contribute to decolonization and are not tokenistic. For instance, place-thought walks are part of the work for the university students and the children and families in the placement. The ritual of walking to and from the place is part of the practice while also discovering what calls each person into connection with the place. These are the moments that contribute to building a relationship with the place, a common and shared world that moves from thinking about a place to thinking with place. Through the content and experience in the classes and placement, pre-service teachers ethically engage with the local place and find ways to question assumptions and disrupt the Western-driven expectations and dominant narratives in early childhood teacher education.
2023.06.03 09:52 ecommarketingwiz The one thing your eshop must have
The first and most important thing is that an eshop has to provide a special utility/value for the customer. The strategists might call it “Competitive Advantage” the marketers will call it "Unique Selling proposition” but the main idea is that an eshop must provide something that will give unique value to the customer. This value will make the customer choose to order from this specific eshop vs other eshops or physical stores. This unique utility/value could be: - An exclusive product/product range - A very big variety of products ( a wide assortment that cannot be found in a physical store) - A strong brand name that evokes trust to the costumer - Really competitive pricing - A seamless website that makes it super easy to order - A payment method - Fast and convenient delivery But you can also create value with additional elements that are a bit less intuitive: - If you have an established physical shop where your customers make repetitive orders (pet food, supplements/vitamins, grocery stores etc.) then you can create enormous value and convenience by helping them place their recurring orders online and by automating these orders. - An eshop can create value if it educates the customer and provides guides, how-tos & complementary products to the ones they have already bought. Ie. If you bought running shoes, then an article about creating running routines or about buying additonal helpful running equipment can provide value to the customer - An eshop can create value by filling a gap in an underserved market. In Greece & in Cyprus, we have seen many small e-shops that doubled their sales in product categories where the big players don’t advertise that much. - An eshop can create value from untapping latent demand. You can have a small warehouse in Nothern Greece, and you can reach people on an island 300kms away that might be interested in your products but cannot find them locally. Paid Advertising Reach automatically creates value both for the eshop and the customer.
So, apart from the most common ways to create value there are also many more creative things that an eshop owner can do in order to provide the extra utility that the customers need. We will discover some of them together in future posts 🚀🚀
submitted by ecommarketingwiz to Ecommerce_and_Eshops [link] [comments]
So, apart from the most common ways to create value there are also many more creative things that an eshop owner can do in order to provide the extra utility that the customers need. We will discover some of them together in future posts 🚀🚀
2023.06.03 09:47 SunshotDestiny Electrolysis and bottom surgery time
So I am aiming to hopefully get my bottom surgery between May and August next year, hopefully May so I can be back on my feet for school fully healed. So to get ready I have been trying to set up electrolysis. I know it's not necessarily needed for all surgeons, but as a MtF patient I just would feel more comfortable if I tried everything I can to make sure hair won't be a future issue.
However due to school and life in general the past semester, I probably won't actually be starting electrolysis until week after next at the soonest. So my question is if it is unreasonable to hope for a full clear by next year or how many hours I should be doing. I think I can afford maybe 3-5 hours worth at the most, but was hoping I would only need 3 per session for cost reasons.
Any advice on this?
submitted by SunshotDestiny to Transgender_Surgeries [link] [comments]
However due to school and life in general the past semester, I probably won't actually be starting electrolysis until week after next at the soonest. So my question is if it is unreasonable to hope for a full clear by next year or how many hours I should be doing. I think I can afford maybe 3-5 hours worth at the most, but was hoping I would only need 3 per session for cost reasons.
Any advice on this?
2023.06.03 09:36 pineapple_juice234 Are they ever genuine?
So, my mom has a lot of traits of covert narcissism and traumatised me and my brother to the point he was diagnosed with BPD and I'm with a depressive disorder. Shit went down about 2/3 years ago and our family fell apart. My brother was often emotionally hostile towards my mom, because of her toxic behavior, and she would then give him the silent treatment, guilt trip him and be hella passive agressive after those emotional outbursts, doesn't matter how many times he apologised or cried his eyes out over it. She left our family to live in a trailer, divorced my dad and me brother went NC with her(I believe she is literally scared of him because he screamed the truth in her face). Ever since she has been "too" nice to me. She buys me presents a lot. She also used to do that right before she left our family. She would buy me something and have this sneaky grin on her face while saying "Your mum sure is good for you, huh?". It gave me serious icks. She and I used to fight a lot and she always pulled the victim card. Whenever I did something she didn't like she made sure of it that I felt her resentment towards me. Always complaining, looking angry at me, being super passive agressive, refusing help to later just complain about us and how we make her life miserable. But over the past 2 years since she left, she has been acting like this innocent mother being super sweet to her daughter. Texting me multiple times a day (I live with my dad), buying me stuff at least once a month, complimenting me and saying how great I am and whatnot. I don't know whether this is genuine or that she just needs me as this validation object for her role as "good mother". Or does she want me to realise she is better than my dad so I will decide to live with her(I'm 19)? Maybe some of you see similarities in your own story and can maybe give me some insight on her behavior. Thanks a lot for reading :)
submitted by pineapple_juice234 to raisedbynarcissists [link] [comments]
2023.06.03 09:33 kindalosingmyshit I almost got a DUI tonight
Don’t worry, this is funny more than anything else. I don’t know that I’d call myself an alcoholic but I certainly have a problem from time to time. This is hilarious and also probably scared me straight for a while.
Anyway. I went to the bar with my friend earlier, we went and got dinner and drinks, then hung out in town for another couple hours before parting ways. A block from my apartment I get pulled over and my life is flashing before my eyes. The officer tells me my taillights are out, I’m like…my car’s been in the shop, I don’t know how to turn them on, they’re automatic and I’ve never had to change them. Super embarrassing. He sticks his head in my car and figured out how to turn them back on for me. He takes my license and all that, comes back, and goes, “kindalosingmyshit, have you been drinking tonight?” He had follow up questions. I wasn’t honest but I wasn’t dishonest either. I told him I’d gone out for dinner and drinks with my friends about six hours ago, my last drink was maybe 3-4 hours ago, I only had 2-3 drinks (I had 8).
He asks me to exit my vehicle and if I’ll comply with some tests, I’m like yeah sure officer, whatever you need. So I’m outside, in front of three cops, doing all these little tests. One of them was walking a straight chalk line and counting my steps out loud, I was told specifically to watch my feet while I did this. I do that and some other tests and the officer’s like, “hey, I agree that you’re good to be driving, you did well on all of these and I see no reason to be concerned.” The other two agree and fuck off. The officer sends me back to my car, gives me a warning for my lights, and says something about how he appreciated my honesty and compliance, they take DUIs very seriously, yadda yadda. He sends me on my way.
I get home, and y’all…the whole time, my shoes were on the wrong feet.
submitted by kindalosingmyshit to dryalcoholics [link] [comments]
Anyway. I went to the bar with my friend earlier, we went and got dinner and drinks, then hung out in town for another couple hours before parting ways. A block from my apartment I get pulled over and my life is flashing before my eyes. The officer tells me my taillights are out, I’m like…my car’s been in the shop, I don’t know how to turn them on, they’re automatic and I’ve never had to change them. Super embarrassing. He sticks his head in my car and figured out how to turn them back on for me. He takes my license and all that, comes back, and goes, “kindalosingmyshit, have you been drinking tonight?” He had follow up questions. I wasn’t honest but I wasn’t dishonest either. I told him I’d gone out for dinner and drinks with my friends about six hours ago, my last drink was maybe 3-4 hours ago, I only had 2-3 drinks (I had 8).
He asks me to exit my vehicle and if I’ll comply with some tests, I’m like yeah sure officer, whatever you need. So I’m outside, in front of three cops, doing all these little tests. One of them was walking a straight chalk line and counting my steps out loud, I was told specifically to watch my feet while I did this. I do that and some other tests and the officer’s like, “hey, I agree that you’re good to be driving, you did well on all of these and I see no reason to be concerned.” The other two agree and fuck off. The officer sends me back to my car, gives me a warning for my lights, and says something about how he appreciated my honesty and compliance, they take DUIs very seriously, yadda yadda. He sends me on my way.
I get home, and y’all…the whole time, my shoes were on the wrong feet.