Dream line shower door

To give a little context my mom spent tens of thousands of dollars renewing the basement and fixing it.
Well I was taking a shower earlier and threw a small towel in there to clean the towel off while i was showering.
Little did I know the towel clogged the shower and I notice a flood of water pouring out of my shower door. That was holy shi* moment.
So I quickly grab tons of towels and sweep things up and notice downstairs (before the basement) some water dripping.
The good news is I think I caught it fast enough that beyond small leakage to the downstairs floor I seemed to stop it before it go too bad and luckily I haven't seen a lick of water hit the basement.
That was a close call though and could have gone worse 😬
TL;DR I almost flooded my house accidently with a tiny towel acting as clog in my shower after my mom spent tens of thousands of dollars renovating the basement in our house

THE SECRETS OF A GOOD LIFE!!!
In my 60 years of a blessed life , I would like to share the few things I know that sure have worked for me, and helped me help myself when I didn't think it was possible. I hope you find a crumb in here somewhere that nourishes your soul. Now
I didn't write all this, a lot but mostly I just compiled and saved all the best advice I have heard from some of the wisest people I know, simplified it into understandable English and I think it can apply to just about everyone. This message does not care what color you are, where you come from, or who's your God, or political party affiliation. It all just makes good sense to me.
So let's get Started...
Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.
Start facing your problems head on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.
Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.
Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn’t happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing and improving. Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.
Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.
Start enjoying the things you already have. – The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes awhile before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.
Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.
Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.
Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.
Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.
Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness beget love and kindness. And so on and so forth.
Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know in your heart is right.
Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks. – Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
Start noticing the beauty of small moments. – Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage, kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness in the small things that happen every day. Little things like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference in the quality of your life.
Start accepting things when they are less than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect is the enemy of ‘good.’ One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal. No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to love and value things when they are less than perfect.
Start working toward your goals every single day. – Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO something! The harder you work the luckier you will become. While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean consistently devoting oneself to the end result.
Start being more open about how you feel. – If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen. The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the open is your first step toward feeling good again.
Start taking full accountability for your own life. – Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.
Start actively nurturing your most important relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty. Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.
Start concentrating on the things you can control. – You can’t change everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control, and act on them now.
Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes. – The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which aspects you focus on.
Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. – Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read. Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.
I found a lot of things I need to get started on, and I hope you maybe found something too. Spread these words as you see fit, you never know who might really need to hear them, as did I, and Thanks for your time!iu8888888o

 Hello, im an undergraduate student in illinois. my condo is going through repairs as my upstairs neighbors pipe burst because they left their balcony door open when it was freezing. The leaking caused significant damage. Now the place is practically being turned upside down, floors and drywalls removed, no shower curtains, dust everywhere with everything (including bed) covered in tarps. Additionally, the repair people just show up at random days of the week early in the morning to start repairs which is somewhat disruptuve to my studies. Its practically unlivable currently so my father (owner) asked the person who caused the damage if insurance would pay for it. They apparently are charging our condo association ‘as a business’ so they refused. 

This is so stupid? Why should my family have to pay for relocation when this isn’t our fault?

 Im just wondering, is there anything that can be done to get them to pay for it? My dad says we could get OUR insurance to do it but it might raise insurance rates, so im not sure thats a good idea. 

Reading through various white papers on data science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the like reveals the strange and terrifying totalitarian system that's rapidly evolving towards human imperceptibility.
THE EVOLVING ROLE OF OPEN-SOURCE INTELLIGENCE

The intelligence environment has been significantly changed over recent years by many factors, including tech-savvy threat actors, the rapid spread of online communications, increased societal unrest and changing geopolitical dynamics. Government and corporate sectors alike are facing an increasing volume and diversity of threats to their communities and businesses.
These threats, combined with masses of data from exploding numbers of online platforms, create a perfect storm of challenges for intelligence teams. As the threat landscape evolves, the technology used to uncover these threats must also evolve - that is where advanced open-source intelligence (OSINT) solutions play an increasingly critical role. Open-source intelligence, often referred to as a subset of digital intelligence, is the process of collecting, analyzing, and extracting meaningful insights from publicly available data sources, including social media, news feeds, blog sites, discussion forums, and more. Terrorist groups, human trafficking networks, politically motivated extremist groups, and other criminals and threat actors are radicalizing, advertising, recruiting, and planning across a constantly evolving range of websites and social media platforms across the Surface, Deep and Dark Web, often communicating in ways that make it difficult for intelligence and law enforcement organizations to monitor their activities and understand the nature of these threats at any given moment.
The sheer volume and complexity of data presents significant challenges - monitoring online platforms and uncovering critical insights is beyond human scale and any attempt to simplify masses of data looking for anything interesting will inevitably lead to false positives and (worse still) operator burnout. This is driving a need for the advanced, AI-enabled insights into masses of online data that open-source intelligence technology delivers.
OSINT is emerging as an invaluable primary intelligence source across law enforcement, intelligence, defense, security vetting, and corporate agencies worldwide. To showcase best practices for applying OSINT to some of the world’s biggest challenges, this section explores several key use cases: — violent extremist threat monitoring, — security vetting/insider threat, — assistance to law enforcement and — corporate supply chain protection
…meme culture is where AI-enabled risk analytics prove to be invaluable in interpreting threats that appear in the form of images, videos, written text, or digital network connections. For example, Fivecast OSINT solutions have been proven to save analyst teams hours and days of manual data manipulation with ongoing, repeatable, and automated collection and assessment of these diverse data mediums, presented in a way that makes assessment efficient. The customizable risk detection framework rapidly surfaces content of interest, including user-defined keywords, phrases, and quotes in posts, while automatically assessing images and videos for objects, memes, concepts, logos, and text (extracted through optical character recognition) of interest.
…as specialist OSINT companies move into this space, with tailored products to keep pace with the vetting, revalidation, and now continuous vetting requirements of governments and corporates, the interest in online data for vetting and insider threat use cases is steadily growing.
Continuous vetting is the ongoing, “light-touch” monitoring of security clearance holders, a considered move away from the flawed paradigm of assessing a security clearance at intervals of five and ten years. Although still in its conceptual phase in Australia, the United States is moving ahead at pace.
In October 2021, William Lietzau, the Director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, said approximately 4 million defense personnel, including military, civilians and contractors, are subject to their continuous vetting program, which is part of the agency’s Trusted Workforce 2.0 initiative and security clearance process.
…If Alshamrani’s (a person accused of terrorism) account had been continuously monitored, it is likely his online activity would have alerted defense vetting agencies well before the attack took place.
OSINT is well established as a source of intelligence in law enforcement, both within Australian and partner agencies overseas. In part, this early formalization of OSINT as a primary intelligence source was necessary due to the “Going Dark” phenomenon. Going Dark was a term first coined in 2015 by then Federal Bureau of Investigation Director James Comey to describe the effect of major telecommunications providers – device manufacturers and app developers alike – enabling end-toend encryption by default across their product ranges. The effect was to freeze out (almost totally) telecommunications intercept, the ‘wiretap’ capability, and digital forensics, the capability to ‘crack’ devices in use by criminals.
Without this baseload data collection, law enforcement rapidly pivoted to alternatives, implementing strong collection and assessment of publicly available online data to provide that broad awareness of the criminal milieu so critical to effective investigations …: OSINT directly assists surveillance by building out a target’s pattern of life prior to a team deploying in the field offering critical insights such as networks of likely social interactions, frequented locations, propensity for violence, or access to weapons. The same can be said in support of human source recruitment and management, where OSINT can be used to passively observe any changes in the interactions, motivations, and activities of an individual that may be of concern to their case officehandler.
…The ANOM app: instead of providing secure communication, it was actually a trojan horse covertly distributed by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Australian Federal Police (AFP), enabling them to monitor all communications.

CORPORATE & SUPPLY CHAIN

Fivecast was tasked to seek out supply chain risk for a global corporate in vehicle manufacturing.
By examining the company’s various subsidiaries’ official presence across three key social media platforms, analysts were able to quickly establish that protest activity was occurring against one of their manufacturing plants in Germany. Although, at the surface level, this protest activity appeared to be organized by a local trade union, Fivecast was able to establish a deeper underlying motivation by exploring the online activity of the key news agency promoting this protest activity – Rote Fahne News, the news arm of the Marxist-Leninist party of Germany. From a broad brief to discover supply chain risk across a broad portfolio, OSINT was able to establish the threat, its location, and its underlying motivation
Previously the domain of well-managed telecommunications intercept, which has all but “gone dark”, enterprise-level OSINT systems are the obvious replacement to fill that data collection gap. OSINT will become the backbone for data collection on which investigations are built. Rapidly scalable, automated, high reliability, cloud-hosted OSINT systems able to reach online data anywhere (from anywhere) will capture the digital patterns of life of an individual out to 1000s of persons of interest at once.
Machine Learning is a current application of AI-based around the idea that we should really just be able to give machines access to data and let them learn for themselves. A simple way that Fivecast defines AI/ML in OSINT is any capability informed by a model that is “trained”. In this regard, there are a range of capabilities available in advanced OSINT tools now:
— Image detection and classification (including facial recognition) – searches of complete and partial images against mass datasets to return high accuracy matches. — Automated person of interest resolution – taking basic biodata of an entity/entities, finding new data and resolving it to those entities with high accuracy. — Logo detection – recognizing simple and complex (e.g. on clothing) logos in images. — Sentiment and emotion – detection and assessment of sentiment (positive/negative) and key emotions (anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness) in text. — Text similarity – understanding the content and context of passages of text and finding similar meanings in other text (e.g. identifying threats of violence).
These capabilities are all loosely clustered around sifting and sorting functions – how to make the data haystack as manageable as possible for analysts and investigators. In the coming five years, we will very likely see a transition in the focus of the AI/ML from assistance to decision-making. The size of the data haystack is already well beyond human scale, regardless of your intelligence mission. Perhaps discomforting for some, but that point is approaching where the volume (and complexity) of final decision making will be too much - OSINT tools become so good at finding what the intelligence user demands that the tool must also make increasingly complex decisions on what to do with that data output.

Game-Changing, Actionable Intelligence with AI-Driven Computer Vision

Computer vision is a field of artificial intelligence that trains computers to interpret and understand the visual world. Using digital images from cameras and videos and deep learning models, machines can accurately identify and classify objects — and then react to what they “see.”
Data-driven organizations across all industries are unlocking actionable intelligence from real-time video data coupled with other edge sensor data like audio and biometrics, artificial intelligence (AI), and high-performance edge computing. Adding stored historical data enables a powerful method of using deep learning techniques on videos and digital images known as computer vision, and it’s not only transforming organizations, but more importantly, it’s changing how they build or deliver a product or service. According to IDC, forward-looking organizations that maximize their data to generate insights are two times more profitable and see eight times more growth than their peers.
Computer vision capabilities are fast becoming a significant contributor to that end. Analysts at Omdia expect the global computer vision software market to reach $33.5 billion by 2025 (growing at 42.1 percent year over year). Connecting computer vision to the edge directly impacts what customers do to drive revenue in their organizations. Whether it’s gaining a greater knowledge of customer behavior within a retail space, predicting failures in oil and gas pipelines, controlling autonomous vehicles in a smart city, or managing traveler flow in an airport, private and public organizations of all sizes are capitalizing on the petabytes of audio-visual data captured daily
Historical data can be used as a training archive to develop increasingly accurate models for compelling insights.
government agencies need real-time monitoring at public events or for agriculture, construction, or mining organizations requiring immediate response to system failures in the field
An agile edge-to-core computer vision platform and framework allow cognitive insights to be generated close to the data sources and saved for later use The addition of new systems designed to enhance protection can actually add security gaps and holes if they are not well integrated.
…an environment susceptible to ‘monitoring fatigue’.

Monitoring behaviors - from vehicles to people

Information technology and telecom, energy, banking and finance, transportation and border security, water, and emergency services. These critical infrastructures share a common threat of vandalism, theft and attack coupled with concerns for regulatory compliance and the liability associated with trespassing. By adding advanced perimeter security solutions, these sites can detect intruders before they breach the perimeter.
Radar detection solutions that warn of fast-approaching vehicles coupled with license plate recognition solutions can provide both advanced warning of an imminent threat and the analytics to quickly react to and mitigate potentially dangerous situations. AI-powered heat mapping and behavior analysis tools can also amplify a security team’s ability to proactively assess threats through crowd-gather alerts, wrong-way travel, and other data-driven information.
Milestone revolutionized the industry by leading the transformation from analog to IP cameras. The transformation set the stage for modern video surveillance technology. In 2014, Canon acquired Milestone…By 2019, our net revenue reached just over 143 million USD…by 2022, 215 million USD. …Today, we are present in 25 countries and with partners and customers in nearly every corner of the world.
Data-driven video technology increases the value of video streams—traditionally utilized for safety and security purposes—by combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) with video technology. For example, by adding Artificial Intelligence to the mix, we are getting things like Adaptive Video Analytics, which allow users to calibrate the AI model deployed at various sites. In practice, this means that the industry will continue to move towards embedding self-learning, self-calibrating video analytic technology into cameras and other devices, allowing them to self-adjust to changing scene conditions. All that data will be captured by the Video Management Software (VMS). In the future, this data will improve the accuracy of Video Analytics and make the value of the video streams captured, organized, and archived by the VMS incredibly important. Data-driven video technology will truly “make the world see.”
Threats, unlike any previously imagined have become real and commonplace
Preventing access to physical machines and networking using biometric credentials is in keeping with a broader industry trend to phase out easily compromised techniques such as passwords and pins.
Security no longer involves simply physical access; it now must embrace digital access and the authorization to execute transactions and services using personal devices. Examples include leveraging biometrics built into mobile devices such as mobile phones and electronic wearables to provide real-time requests for authorization to complete transactions, access systems, or to move data. Electronic objects and networks which may be connected and accessed using personal electronics include:

-The onboard computer system in vehicles, such as automobiles and scooters
-Medical devices, both external and inside the body
-Financial accounts, payment systems, and healthcare systems
-Entertainment platforms, such as video games and television
-Exercise equipment
-Luggage tracking
-Home appliances and HVAC Systems
-Access control door readers with Bluetooth technology

In the world of digital security these are all considered “connected objects.” Biometric solutions play a mission critical role in the new world of “connected objects” to provide verification and trust (certainty) of an individual’s identity for frictionless, secure physical and digital access. Biometrics provides assurance that only an authorized individual can access their “connected objects.”

Security trends to watch for in 2023

2023 will see significant adoption of AI-based analytics in cameras and video management systems (VMS) as more manufacturers provide this feature within their standard camera lines. There are simply too many camera streams for humans to monitor effectively, so AI-based analytics will be a catalyst that enables security departments to do more with less.
Video surveillance for education must integrate easily with other security applications to extend the power of the system.
...ditching manual methods once and for all.
Successful businesses are preparing their operations for the future and want a video surveillance system that is AI capable and has the flexibility to run advanced analytics. Dynamic shifts over the past few years in the way the world does business forced companies to use technology in new ways. Video surveillance systems, once only used for security, are now a tool to help optimize business operations. Businesses want an AI-ready video surveillance system that will generate useful insights from gathered data.
Over 50% of businesses are using AI in some way, with more than 25% reporting widespread AI adoption within their company, according to a 2022 AI business survey by PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The survey shows that businesses that are not already using AI know that new, modern technologies will automate their systems and processes in the future and are budgeting for the infrastructure now.
Video surveillance systems capable of running AI help businesses scale their ability to analyze and act on data. Advanced uses include systems that can automatically detect and send real-time alerts of security threats and gather data to provide useful information like peak foot traffic or customer wait times.
In 2022 inflation broke a 40-year high. There are few indications that consumers or businesses can expect inflation relief in the cost of goods and services in the near future. Security companies must find ways to increase revenue to compensate for the higher prices in materials, overhead increases, wage inflation, and the possible attrition of customers who need to “tighten the belt.”
According to the National Apartment Association (NAA), demand for apartments is at an all-time high. The demand is driven by a number of young adults aged 18 to 24 who are delaying home ownership and an aging population sometimes choosing to live in apartments.
Parks Associates research finds that 80% of property managers plan to implement smart home devices within the next 12 months, demonstrating a strong demand for automation and operational efficiency in the MDU space (living in an apartment with a roommate, basically).
Whether for a video doorbell or freestanding camera, manufacturers are improving pixel quality, night vision, thermal vision, camera view, camera durability, battery life, and A.I. detecting capabilities.
adoption of vehicle monitoring services is on the rise
almost 50% of apartment or townhome residents report having a package theft, while over 60% of condominium residents report having a package stolen.
Overall, Swiftlane estimates $6 billion worth of packages were stolen in 2020.
Frictionless Technology Keeps Gaining Momentum
Before the pandemic, the market was moving toward frictionless options, but COVID accelerated the need for touch-free technology. Today, the frictionless user experience is here to stay, the company says, because it delivers highly secure access using biometric identifiers that are unique to each individual, have greater ease of use, and can reduce the spread of germs.
The three primary technologies used to create a frictionless experience are iris scans, facial recognition and facial authentication. Iris scans have proven to help boost security, but adoption has lagged, given the disruption it creates for movement into secure areas. Facial recognition, primarily used in mass surveillance, has shown promise, but privacy concerns have slowed adoption.
And, with the introduction of facial authentication in everyday consumer products such as the iPhone, it is becoming the go-to technology to create a frictionless environment
When facial authentication is coupled with intelligent systems, not only can someone receive real-time security alerts when unauthorized access to restricted entrances occurs, but they also get actionable data to modify user behavior.
The security industry is innovating rapidly to provide new solutions that drive revenue and customer loyalty. Product features that are cutting edge today will be expected features in base model products. Dealers need to keep abreast of the latest innovations to source products that customers will start to demand
The impact on security dealers looks to be a net positive, as the major players in the home security space are currently seeing record highs in revenue despite slowed growth and times of economic uncertainty.

THE SECRETS OF A GOOD LIFE!!!
In my 60 years of a blessed life , I would like to share the few things I know that sure have worked for me, and helped me help myself when I didn't think it was possible. I hope you find a crumb in here somewhere that nourishes your soul. Now
I didn't write all this, a lot but mostly I just compiled and saved all the best advice I have heard from some of the wisest people I know, simplified it into understandable English and I think it can apply to just about everyone. This message does not care what color you are, where you come from, or who's your God, or political party affiliation. It all just makes good sense to me.
So let's get Started...
Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now, but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.
Start facing your problems head on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.
Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.
Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart in it, take yourself out of it.
Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn’t happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing and improving. Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.
Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.
Start enjoying the things you already have. – The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes awhile before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.
Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.
Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.
Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.
Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.
Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness beget love and kindness. And so on and so forth.
Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know in your heart is right.
Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks. – Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
Start noticing the beauty of small moments. – Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage, kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness in the small things that happen every day. Little things like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, or the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference in the quality of your life.
Start accepting things when they are less than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect is the enemy of ‘good.’ One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to trying to make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal. No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity, but learn to love and value things when they are less than perfect.
Start working toward your goals every single day. – Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO something! The harder you work the luckier you will become. While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean consistently devoting oneself to the end result.
Start being more open about how you feel. – If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen. The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the open is your first step toward feeling good again.
Start taking full accountability for your own life. – Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.
Start actively nurturing your most important relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty. Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.
Start concentrating on the things you can control. – You can’t change everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control, and act on them now.
Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes. – The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which aspects you focus on.
Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. – Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read. Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.
I found a lot of things I need to get started on, and I hope you maybe found something too. Spread these words as you see fit, you never know who might really need to hear them, as did I, and Thanks for your time!iu8888888o

f(27) moved to NZ from India to live with my husband M(28) in December 2022. My husband rented an apartment before I reached NZ. The day we moved in, our upstairs neighbor started yelling and calling names for parking the car close to the clothing line. We got into the house and had no clue about anything . We called him up and he said figure it out yourself. The next week I was alone cooking and he was banging on my door. I opened the door and this guy started calling me names for cooking. We called the landlord and he asked us to call cops. I let it go. The week after that My husband was cooking and this guy came in banging on the door. My husband opened the door and the other guy started yelling. My husband asked him to go back but he wouldn't stop. So my husband yelled back that he'll call the cops and shut the door. We reported the incident. Cops came the next day and we explained everything. They told me we need to talk to the landlord. Landlord then visited us for the first time. He wasn't very convincing. he was blaming us. He then mailed us saying both tenants should keep away from each other and if something happens again either one of us will be evicted. I called up the landlord and asked him if we can move out since it has been a nightmare for us. But he said he can't let us out of the contract. The shouting stopped for a while. But everytime the upstairs guy hear us talk, he started stomping on our ceiling. Especially when we go to bed. On one particular night we were watching a movie on the laptop. The next morning we had cops come in to ask if we're okay and if we had an argument. I told them we were only watching a movie. And it was in a regional language we spoke at home. So probably someone thought we were arguing. I explained the whole situation to the cops and they felt it's a racist issue. They asked me to mail the landlord about everything that happens. I mailed the Landlord saying all that happened and how this guy keeps stomping on the ceiling. When we called the Landlord he told me he has better things to do than talk to me. Landlord visited the next day. however his explanation was "your people are quite loud" "try speaking English at home" "don't take shower at 10 pm" etc. I was shocked to hear this. I felt like he's held us prisoners as he said he won't let us out. Yesterday at 6.30 pm, we turned on the blender and the guy stared stomping so loudly and shouting as*****s. We took the video and immediately sent a mail to the Landlord. We sent it before 7.30 pm. We also let him know to reply by mail because our landlord has a way of putting the blame back on us. And the Landlord called my husband back at 9.30pm asking why he sent a mail late at night instead of calling him up. My husband answered that last time we were told that he's got better things to do so we didn't want to disturb him. Hence, the mail. He got quite angry and told my husband "don't you talk to me like that".

THE SECRETS OF A GOOD LIFE!!!
In my 60 years of a blessed life, I would like to share the few things I know that sure have worked for me, and helped me help myself when I didn't think it was possible. I hope you find a crumb in here somewhere that nourishes your soul. Now
I didn't write all this, a lot but mostly I just compiled and saved all the best advice I have heard from some of the wisest people I know, simplified it into understandable English and I think it can apply to just about everyone. This message does not care what color you are, where you come from, or who's your God, or your political party affiliation. It all just makes good sense to me.
So let's get Started...
Start spending time with the right people. – These are the people you enjoy, who love and appreciate you, and who encourage you to improve in healthy and exciting ways. They are the ones who make you feel more alive, and not only embrace who you are now but also embrace and embody who you want to be, unconditionally.
Start facing your problems head-on. – It isn’t your problems that define you, but how you react to them and recover from them. Problems will not disappear unless you take action. Do what you can, when you can, and acknowledge what you’ve done. It’s all about taking baby steps in the right direction, inch by inch. These inches count, they add up to yards and miles in the long run.
Start being honest with yourself about everything. – Be honest about what’s right, as well as what needs to be changed. Be honest about what you want to achieve and who you want to become. Be honest with every aspect of your life, always. Because you are the one person you can forever count on. Search your soul, for the truth, so that you truly know who you are. Once you do, you’ll have a better understanding of where you are now and how you got here, and you’ll be better equipped to identify where you want to go and how to get there.
Start making your own happiness a priority. – Your needs matter. If you don’t value yourself, look out for yourself, and stick up for yourself, you’re sabotaging yourself. Remember, it IS possible to take care of your own needs while simultaneously caring for those around you. And once your needs are met, you will likely be far more capable of helping those who need you most.
Start being yourself, genuinely and proudly. – Trying to be anyone else is a waste of the person you are. Be yourself. Embrace that individual inside you that has ideas, strengths, and beauty like no one else. Be the person you know yourself to be – the best version of you – on your terms. Above all, be true to YOU, and if you cannot put your heart into it, take yourself out of it.
Start noticing and living in the present. – Right now is a miracle. Right now is the only moment guaranteed to you. Right now is life. So stop thinking about how great things will be in the future. Stop dwelling on what did or didn’t happen in the past. Learn to be in the ‘here and now’ and experience life as it’s happening. Appreciate the world for the beauty that it holds, right now.
Start valuing the lessons your mistakes teach you. – Mistakes are okay; they’re the stepping stones of progress. If you’re not failing from time to time, you’re not trying hard enough and you’re not learning. Take risks, stumble, fall, and then get up and try again. Appreciate that you are pushing yourself, learning, growing, and improving. Significant achievements are almost invariably realized at the end of a long road of failures. One of the ‘mistakes’ you fear might just be the link to your greatest achievement yet.
Start being more polite to yourself. – If you had a friend who spoke to you in the same way that you sometimes speak to yourself, how long would you allow that person to be your friend? The way you treat yourself sets the standard for others. You must love who you are or no one else will.
Start enjoying the things you already have. – The problem with many of us is that we think we’ll be happy when we reach a certain level in life – a level we see others operating at – your boss with her corner office, that friend of a friend who owns a mansion on the beach, etc. Unfortunately, it takes a while before you get there, and when you get there you’ll likely have a new destination in mind. You’ll end up spending your whole life working toward something new without ever stopping to enjoy the things you have now. So take a quiet moment every morning when you first awake to appreciate where you are and what you already have.
Start creating your own happiness. – If you are waiting for someone else to make you happy, you’re missing out. Smile because you can. Choose happiness. Be the change you want to see in the world. Be happy with who you are now, and let your positivity inspire your journey into tomorrow. Happiness is often found when and where you decide to seek it. If you look for happiness within the opportunities you have, you will eventually find it. But if you constantly look for something else, unfortunately, you’ll find that too.
Start giving your ideas and dreams a chance. – In life, it’s rarely about getting a chance; it’s about taking a chance. You’ll never be 100% sure it will work, but you can always be 100% sure doing nothing won’t work. Most of the time you just have to go for it! And no matter how it turns out, it always ends up just the way it should be. Either you succeed or you learn something. Win-Win.
Start believing that you’re ready for the next step. – You are ready! Think about it. You have everything you need right now to take the next small, realistic step forward. So embrace the opportunities that come your way, and accept the challenges – they’re gifts that will help you to grow.
Start entering new relationships for the right reasons. – Enter new relationships with dependable, honest people who reflect the person you are and the person you want to be. Choose friends you are proud to know, people you admire, who show you love and respect – people who reciprocate your kindness and commitment. And pay attention to what people do, because a person’s actions are much more important than their words or how others represent them.
Start giving new people you meet a chance. – It sounds harsh, but you cannot keep every friend you’ve ever made. People and priorities change. As some relationships fade others will grow. Appreciate the possibility of new relationships as you naturally let go of old ones that no longer work. Trust your judgment. Embrace new relationships, knowing that you are entering into unfamiliar territory. Be ready to learn, be ready for a challenge, and be ready to meet someone that might just change your life forever.
Start competing against an earlier version of yourself. – Be inspired by others, appreciate others, and learn from others, but know that competing against them is a waste of time. You are in competition with one person and one person only – yourself. You are competing to be the best you can be. Aim to break your own personal records.
Start cheering for other people’s victories. – Start noticing what you like about others and tell them. Having an appreciation for how amazing the people around you are leads to good places – productive, fulfilling, peaceful places. So be happy for those who are making progress. Cheer for their victories. Be thankful for their blessings, openly. What goes around comes around, and sooner or later the people you’re cheering for will start cheering for you.
Start looking for the silver lining in tough situations. – When things are hard, and you feel down, take a few deep breaths and look for the silver lining – the small glimmers of hope. Remind yourself that you can and will grow stronger from these hard times. And remain conscious of your blessings and victories – all the things in your life that are right. Focus on what you have, not on what you haven’t.
Start forgiving yourself and others. – We’ve all been hurt by our own decisions and by others. And while the pain of these experiences is normal, sometimes it lingers for too long. We relive the pain over and over and have a hard time letting go. Forgiveness is the remedy. It doesn’t mean you’re erasing the past or forgetting what happened. It means you’re letting go of the resentment and pain, and instead choosing to learn from the incident and move on with your life.
Start helping those around you. – Care about people. Guide them if you know a better way. The more you help others, the more they will want to help you. Love and kindness beget love and kindness. And so on and so forth.
Start listening to your own inner voice. – If it helps, discuss your ideas with those closest to you, but give yourself enough room to follow your own intuition. Be true to yourself. Say what you need to say. Do what you know in your heart is right.
Start being attentive to your stress level and take short breaks. – Slow down. Breathe. Give yourself permission to pause, regroup and move forward with clarity and purpose. When you’re at your busiest, a brief recess can rejuvenate your mind and increase your productivity. These short breaks will help you regain your sanity and reflect on your recent actions so you can be sure they’re in line with your goals.
Start noticing the beauty of small moments. – Instead of waiting for the big things to happen – marriage, kids, big promotion, winning the lottery – find happiness in the small things that happen every day. Little things like having a quiet cup of coffee in the early morning, the delicious taste and smell of a homemade meal, or the pleasure of sharing something you enjoy with someone else, or holding hands with your partner. Noticing these small pleasures on a daily basis makes a big difference in the quality of your life.
Start accepting things when they are less than perfect. – Remember, ‘perfect is the enemy of ‘good.’ One of the biggest challenges for people who want to improve themselves and improve the world is learning to accept things as they are. Sometimes it’s better to accept and appreciate the world as it is, and people as they are, rather than to try to make everything and everyone conform to an impossible ideal. No, you shouldn’t accept a life of mediocrity but learn to love and value things when they are less than perfect.
Start working toward your goals every single day. – Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Whatever it is you dream about, start taking small, logical steps every day to make it happen. Get out there and DO something! The harder you work the luckier you will become. While many of us decide at some point during the course of our lives that we want to answer our calling, only an astute few of us actually work on it. By ‘working on it,’ I mean consistently devoting oneself to the end result.
Start being more open about how you feel. – If you’re hurting, give yourself the necessary space and time to hurt, but be open about it. Talk to those closest to you. Tell them the truth about how you feel. Let them listen. The simple act of getting things off your chest and into the open is your first step toward feeling good again.
Start taking full accountability for your own life. – Own your choices and mistakes, and be willing to take the necessary steps to improve upon them. Either you take accountability for your life or someone else will. And when they do, you’ll become a slave to their ideas and dreams instead of a pioneer of your own. You are the only one who can directly control the outcome of your life. And no, it won’t always be easy. Every person has a stack of obstacles in front of them. But you must take accountability for your situation and overcome these obstacles. Choosing not to is choosing a lifetime of mere existence.
Start actively nurturing your most important relationships. – Bring real, honest joy into your life and the lives of those you love by simply telling them how much they mean to you on a regular basis. You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to a few people. Decide who these people are in your life and treat them like royalty. Remember, you don’t need a certain number of friends, just a number of friends you can be certain of.
Start concentrating on the things you can control. – You can’t change everything, but you can always change something. Wasting your time, talent and emotional energy on things that are beyond your control is a recipe for frustration, misery and stagnation. Invest your energy in the things you can control, and act on them now.
Start focusing on the possibility of positive outcomes. – The mind must believe it CAN do something before it is capable of actually doing it. The way to overcome negative thoughts and destructive emotions is to develop opposing, positive emotions that are stronger and more powerful. Listen to your self-talk and replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Regardless of how a situation seems, focus on what you DO WANT to happen, and then take the next positive step forward. No, you can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control how you react to things. Everyone’s life has positive and negative aspects – whether or not you’re happy and successful in the long run depends greatly on which aspects you focus on.
Start noticing how wealthy you are right now. – Henry David Thoreau once said, “Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” Even when times are tough, it’s always important to keep things in perspective. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night. You didn’t go to sleep outside. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning. You hardly broke a sweat today. You didn’t spend a minute in fear. You have access to clean drinking water. You have access to medical care. You have access to the Internet. You can read. Some might say you are incredibly wealthy, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.
I found a lot of things I need to get started on, and I hope you maybe found something too. Spread these words as you see fit, you never know who might really need to hear them, as did I, and Thanks for your time!iu8888888o

Hey guys, click the link below to access other chapters and an introduction to what this is :
CrimsonCloverwriter (u/CrimsonCloverwriter) - Reddit
Past the rolling hills of Ibrahim, and the tents of the merchants, through the thickets of trees and the impoverished derelicts lies a place unlike any other in Alizia. A field of flowers stretching as far as the eye can see, roses and daisies, pansies and lavender all sprouting together in this one place. Osmu still loses his breath whenever he sees it, even dream recollections understate the pureness of such a place, the true divinity that hides beneath the soil.
It was through this field Osmu always entered Ibrahim, preferring the scenery to the slightly quicker road by horse. Osmu enjoyed these times, these brief moments of respite from his military duty, it had been gnawing away at him lately, the constant piles of work that always seemed to appear as another end. But now was a time for relaxation, a brief vacation before his assured promotion at the end of the year. Capturing the Shonaka thieves was a long and applauded task, and now thankfully Osmu could spend some time with himself, Aliza and Christoff.
Leaving behind the field of flowers Osmu continued into the derelicts, buildings that were long since abandoned after years of neglect. They were entombed to the past, however Osmu knew that the population problems may sprout some renovation work here eventually. Well over two hundred people currently lived in Ibrahim, with that number seeking to grow by the time of the next harvest, and there just wasn’t enough room in such a small place.
The broken derelicts were quickly replaced with the thickets, which still had Osmu’s old path cut into it. He and Christoff had cut through the thicket years ago, and it only requires infrequent pruning to remain a viable- Smoke. There’s the thick stench of smoke in the air, forcing its way down Osmund’s throat. The source of the smoke was evident as Osmund exited the thicket, the house at the top of the hill was burning.
Standing tall the house was alight in a violent flame, which was thankfully being contained by the lack of grass around the home. People ran out of the house into the arms of others, who in term began to scream. Osmund sprinted up the hill, desperate to help, when he saw more people approach, dark figures against the flames of the house. Moving closer Osmund could see their red armour, and the Vaunghe troops grinned from ear to ear.
Osmund awakes, slowly opening and closing his eyes. There’s something wrong, but it takes Osmund a moment to realise what it is. As Osmund opens and closes his eyes he can’t see anything, there’s nothing but an inky blackness. He can feel things around him, and the sensation that he’s standing on something but there’s nothing in sight. Osmund is terrified for a moment, still groggily attempting to remember who and where he is. When everything clicks Osmund feels his eyes widen.
The dark is everywhere, all around him, inside of him and there is no light because everything’s been swallowed up. Osmund scrambles, shaking when he attempts to move around. He doesn’t get very far, as his hands touch some kind of wall in front and behind him. Moving to the sides of this abnormal space, Osmund finds further walls on either side of him, knocking his fist on one and causing a loud metal clang.
Osmund spins, trying again to find an exit, running his hands upon each and every part of the wall. Looking for any kind of hole or crevice Osmund scours the wall to no avail. The smooth, unbroken walls are impeccable, with no room for a foot hold let alone an exit. Osmund bangs on the wall, feeling the pain echo in his knuckles. The darkness continues its slow creeping.
As Osmund continues to panic he begins to hear something, some sound from above. Ceasing for a moment, the sounds return in focus now, as the echoed sounds of Osmund’s hyperventilation. There’s a ceiling somewhere above, judging by the sound of the echo it was roughly twenty-five feet above, and likely lacked any reachable means of escape.
The rising storm of the dark filled Osmund, engaging him, penetrating him, starving him. Minutes pass, or maybe hours, it certainly wasn’t days but it sure felt like it. Time was losing all meaning, with no reference of location or passage Osmund was reeling, heart pumping until everything proved too much and Osmund fell back to the floor in defeat.
Osmund woke up an unknown time later, once again unsure of what time may have passed. This time however he’s slightly more rational, his mind pushing itself into overdrive struggling to comprehend what his actions should be. The first thing Osmund confidently verified were his surroundings. Once again touching the wall Osmund slowly and confidently verified the lack of any discernible gap or hole inside of the prison. From this act he confirmed two things. The first was that there were indeed no seams in the wall, and the second being the shape of the prison. It was in the general shape of a square, although one side had been replaced with a semicircle, creating a singular rounded edge.
How someone made such an object was beyond Osmund’s understanding, at least unless there was some form of escape above, an opening hatch used to dump the captives down from above. This smooth metallic prison asked a much more worrying question, and that was even supposing someone could construct such an inescapable prison, who and why would they do it. It stood to reason that this was the action of whoever tore away the sky, but Osmund doubted even the gods could perform such an act. There was nothing Osmund knew of that could perform such a feat, and thus Osmund forced himself to focus on the facts.
The prison was roughly twice Osmund’s arm span on all sides, reducing the chances of forcing himself up the wall. He didn’t recognise the clothing he woke up in, suggesting that it was the work of the entity that took him. The clothes themselves were well fitting and crafted from fine material, although his shirt leaked sleeves and his shoes appeared to be made of a material Osmund had never seen or felt before, feeling weaker than his normal steel capped shoes. Continuing to analyse his surroundings, Osmund is shocked by the sudden movement.
It began all at once, his prison began to move, it was shaking. Osmund struggled to keep himself upright, as the vigorous shaking forced him from side to side. As Osmund is thrown from one side to the other, he still continues his investigation, and that’s when he feels it. A rope. A thin rope with something sharp pointing out of it, but a rope nonetheless, just a little above his grounded reach. And yet this was almost perfect as he swung between the two points.
Reaching his hand out the shaking suddenly intensifies, throwing Osmund violently back to the floor, a breath short of his goal. The second attempt however is far more successful, as Osmund manages to grip the rope with both hands, now swaying from the moving force. The swaying and shaking continues to throw Osmund, however he fights back waves of nausea and dizziness as he plants his feet against the wall. It takes some time, but Osmund finally begins making progress, until he finds the point where the rope ends. It just melds with the wall, sliding inside through a thin hole that Osmund’s finger couldn’t touch.
Besides the rope however is a protrusion. A small one, reminiscent of a saddle on a horse protrudes from the wall, covered in a seemingly leather material. Osmund slowly places himself onto the object, and has a moment of rest, grasping the point to keep balance.
The swaying began to slow, no longer threatening Osmund; it subsided into nothingness, gone as quickly as it had come, and Osmund wondered what to do now. That was of course until he heard the clicks, the stretching of metal, and the fast pop of the protrusion. It fell, taking Osmund with it, back to the floor, before Osmund could even understand what was happening. Osmund lost consciousness soon after, not sobbing but almost in complete submission to the ones behind this cruel prison.
* * * *
Osmu runs down the hill, hands stained with the Vaunghe blood, and steel in his hand. Faster he runs, towards burning and flaming merchant tents and the burning buildings beyond them. The Vaunghe soldiers stood, slaughtering all in their path. And through the flames wanders the plumed knight, taller than Osmu at 8’9 ft and wielding a long axe coated in the reds of the Vaunghe and the people of the town.
Osmu forces his blade into a Vaunghe’s back, quickly removing it in time to parry another's swipe. These marauders were poorly trained, however even Osmu couldn’t face them all at once. He tried, slicing apart Vaunghe soldiers for as long as he could, but eventually it overcame him.
A slight cut here and a splash of blood there left Osmu blinded and reeling back, as four of the Vaunghe advanced to him. It was at this moment Osmu was sure his fate was certain, at least until she was there. Aliza stood, Osmu could sense her next to him, grasping his hand and filling him with something… energy.
Osmu shot back up, throwing the tip of his blade into a soldier's neck. It didn’t pierce but sent him back in time for Osmund to finish the job. Forcing the blade deeper Osmund guided the corpse into those of his comrades and sent them all sprawling, just waiting for the flurry of kicks that Osmund gave them. He squashed their brains into putty, hearing the sound of something behind him.
Osmu rolled, narrowly avoiding the point of the plume knight’s axe, and turned to face her. She stood tall, red armour shining off of the blazing houses, and she gazed down at Osmu from behind her helm. He raised his hands, the sword still lodged into the Vaunghe’s body, when he heard a laugh. From beneath the helmet this figure was laughing.
“My friend, why oppose us? We have the gods themselves on our side.” And with that she turned, observing one of the many burning houses, and began to wander closer to it. She wandered into the house, shutting the door behind her. Osmund could still hear her laughing, even as the building burnt down she still laughed and laughed until there was nothing left. Osmu was the only one to see the plume knight that day, and the only one who knew her armour was never found.
* * * *
More swaying awakens Osmund, after an untold amount of time. He swerved from side to side, although this time the swaying was far less pronounced, less noticeable. The swaying wasn’t pushing him into anything, only sliding him from side to side, back and forth. And then all at once it stopped again, leaving Osmund alone for another span of time. Osmund had given up, there was nothing he could do in this darkness, all he could do was wait for her. It was in these times of the dark that she came, since Osmund’s earliest thoughts, she would come.
Osmund called out her name, and it echoed through the room. It bounced back into him from above, echoing to him, becoming one with him. Osmund shrugged, knowing it wasn’t to be, nothing could save him now, this was a nightmare he would never escape, an eternal stumbling in the dark with no respite, and he sank to the ground.
And then there was light. It was as if it was always there, piercing the dark, flashing playfully on Osmund’s feet. It shone through, so bright despite being so small that Osmund could barely see anything, shielding his eyes. He moved his hands after a moment and moved closer, gazing down at the small, few millimetre tall hole that had opened to him. Divinity rested in this insignificant hole, this unknown space, it was the woman come to save him. There was a real force in this world, one for good, one that could help Osmund, and he began to laugh in joy. Then he noticed it. The light was growing, and not just a little either, it had begun as only one or two millimetres but now it was almost ten, and it was quickly increasing.
Adjusting to the light Osmund could now see his shoes in more detail. Bright reds and whites greeted him, alongside small white laces of an uncertain material, in fact everything here was of foreign material, the shoes bearing a symbol unknown to Osmund likely a symbol for the excellent cobbler who could make such an exquisite shoe. Besides the shoe, Osmund could now see the colour of the floor, bright silver’s the light bounced off of. Osmund could also see drops of blood on the floor, an unintended consequence of his climbing attempt, although where the injury came from was unknown.
The hole widened even further now, reaching about a tenth of Osmund’s total height. He tentatively pushed his foot through the gap when it hit something. There was something solid stopping him from advancing his foot. As the light grew Osmund realised what was happening. His old wall had been replaced with a new one, this time with a view. It was glass, and from the feeling of Osmund’s foot slamming into it, the glass was resistant.
Slowly and surely the light rose, revealing more of Osmund to himself. While waiting for enough light to rise he glanced down at his new clothing, which were both a startling white. White pants were crafted from another foreign material, although the shirt appeared to be an exquisite tunic made of common cotton. Small drops of dried blood stemming from an arm injury, which was by no means as bad as it should be.
As the light approached Osmund’s eyesight he prepared himself for the unknown he might find. The eldritch creators of such abnormalities would likely live in a world foreign to Osmund’s own understanding, and thus to survive he must be prepared for anything. The true oddities hide themselves, waiting in the dark gasping for air in the light, and now Osmund was going to fight it, fight the unknown, the separate, the alternate for they are not him. This was not to be a fear of the other for their abnormalities but a war of circumstance between Osmund and whatever could stand in his way.

Sometimes I’ll be in a certain situation and place and have a de ja vu experience. I’ll be like “I’ve dreamt this exact moment” It makes me physically sick, nauseous, want to throw up and pass out. Also I have these dreams from time to time (haven’t had them in a long time) where I feel like I’m in a video game and the graphics are like 1995-2005 type game graphics e.g. Spyro or Zelda. I’m usually not doing anything exciting in these dreams just mundane stuff like taking a shower. Randomly I’ll feel like I’m in that world in waking hours, often happened a lot while having a shower, everything feels “gammy” and I will have the nausea, pass out type feeling. Maybe I’m breaking through the simulation we call reality =p

?????, ???????, Griffion territory
March 23rd, 2291
The Slepnir trotted down the destroyed snow-covered highway slowly.
"So a guy throws a ball at a guy holding a bat and the guy with the bat's job is to hit the ball out of the stadium?"
"Yes, that's called a home run."
"And that lets everyone standing on the bases run to home for free?"
"Yep, how did you never hear about baseball?
"Locked in a test chamber remember."
"Well yeah but still, I figured the scientists would mention it."
"It sounds fun, you should take me to a game when we get back."
"That's a promise, as long as you root for the Boneyard bashers."
"Who?"
"Nevermind. Listen I say we rest here for the night pick up in the morning."
Frank nudged the horse slightly and soon began to slowly lead it off the highway to a broken-down home.
"Which room do you want?"
"I'll take a top-floor one. Hopefully, there's a bed, unlike the last one."
Wendy hopped off the horse as Frank lifted open a garage door.
"Got any potatoes left?"
"Yeah let me grab it."
Wendy took her backpack off and reached inside. As she did Frank took the horse inside and left it unhitched.
"Last one."
"Well...it's fine give it to Unica...I hate that name still."
"Well, it's what I picked."
Wendy took the potato from the pouch and fed the mutant horse. Frank looked at Wendy and smiled from the inside of his helmet. As the horse gobbled down the last of the potato Wendy turned to face Frank who was taking out the pot and stove to cook.
"So where are we?"
"Should be near Denver"
"Then why does that sign say Wyoming?"
Frank looked up and followed Wendy's hand out to a sign by the start of the street. A small makeshift sign said Wyoming followed by gibberish. Frank took out the map he had stored with him and looked around.
....it's winter we're good.
"Alright, fuck me.....I took us the wrong way."
"What now?"
"Nothing. We just rest and go back to where. I'll stay guard when you go to sleep."
"Why?"
"I can find out where exactly we are...."
"Alright."
"Okay get inside quickly."
5 minutes later
Frank grumbled and groaned as he set up the cooking set and began cooking. Wendy held the 5.56 revolver as she stood guard, Frank seemed extra nervous he had locked the doors and even had his new colt revolver next to him hammer cocked.
"So what exactly is out here?"
"Nothing nice, we shouldn't have to worry but still."
"Okay..don't you think I ought to know-
"-Done."
Frank clattered the spoon on the pot as he called to her. She holstered the revolver and walked over.
"So what's on the menu today?"
"Chef Kingly proudly presents 200-year-old instant mash."
"Again?!"
She turned and sat down as he got her plate ready.
"Not my fault you wanted to take the shot on the radstag instead of letting me."
"I know but you couldn't have just made the mac and cheese?"
"I'm kidding it's Salisbury steak. Come on dig in."
Frank handed her a fork and the plate as she sighed.
"I believed you for a second."
"I know you did."
Frank cut a piece of meat off and shoved it into his mouth as he chuckled.
"Mmm (swallow) I remembered a joke..."
Frank cleared his throat as Wendy looked at him confused.
"Why was the mutant worried his friend was sick?"
"I......don't know why?"
"He was a little green."
Wendy groaned as she took a sip of water.
"That was awful."
"Oh please, you loved it."
Wendy smiled as she continued to eat.
"Get better material."
The two ate in silence before Wendy asked again.
"Do you know what FEV is?"
"Forced evolutionary virus, it's the thing that made all super mutants and gave you your abilities according to what I know about psykers...why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
"Yeah, we learned about the stuff in training, found out about it after Navarro...my mom was a trooper then."
"What was at Navarro?"
"Old Enclave research base forced people to evolve using the goop."
Wendy looked at her plate and then at Frank
"Frank, what's out there?" She said sternly
"Out where?"
Wendy pointed to the door behind her.
"You seemed nervous lately and even more now."
"Raptors...they're hybrid cat-bird things, according to our biologists back in California they're the same story as deathclaws. Some pre-war army bastards wanted expendable killing machines so turned to nature, mixed wild cats with old birds of prey, then they got a dose of FEV."
"Wait deathclaws were made with FEV?"
"Yeah...why do you think they're bullet resistant."
"I just thought they were tough-skinned....but you killed deathclaws with ease. Raptors can't be that big of an issue right?"
Frank ate a forkful before setting down the fork and plate.
"There were once a bunch of settlers and tribals up here in Wyoming. (Explains the wooden shacks we passed now.) Then someone had the bright idea of helping more of their kids survive."
"Why would they do that if they're so dangerous?"
"The eggs, raptor eggs usually don't all survive, those that do were the lucky ones. Arms dealers sell the young to the highest bidders. Raptors are vicious but can be tamed from birth if done right and used as living weapons, NCR polices them and makes sure no unauthorized folks get them."
Wendy looked at the window nervously.
"Our saving grace is its winter. It's too cold for most to leave their burrows so they hibernate, usually when the poachers go to find them. Most don't succeed."
"But they're animals...how are they so dangerous?"
"They're smart. Lead victims into ambushes. Their ears hear things better than ours. Even a low whisper can get you torn to shreds."
"What kind of ambushes?"
Frank chuckled as he took the pot off the stove and readied a new pot for coffee
"OK, try to imagine yourself as a person in power armor. You get your first look at this thing as you cross an abandoned street with say two other people. It looks like a small cat with wings and a bird face, feathers all up front then halfway looks like a small panther. It also moves like a cat, lightly moving back and forth its yellow soulless eyes on you. You stare at it, and it just stares right back as you level your weapon. And that's when the attack comes. Not from the front, but from the sides..."
Frank stirred the coffee powder into the water as he continued
"..from the other six you didn't even know were there. Because they're pack hunters. They use coordinated attack patterns and they are bloodthirsty. And they slash at you with this."
Frank drew his knife and spun it around
"...3 six-inch claws, like knives on each foot. They don't bother to slice your armor like other animals, they slash at you here, or here..."
Frank pointed to spots across his body with the knife, spots undefended by the armor, before continuing.
"They know exactly where to hit, they learned it. Then once you're immobilized they take their time. Peeling off the armor plating one piece at a time as you hear your friends blood gurgling screams. The point is, you are alive when they start to eat you. Nasty fuckers, always kill them on sight."
"Why are they only in Wyoming then?"
"They aren't, they're Colorado natives but they migrate, they prefer Idaho actually, and other mountain states. Last time I was through Albuquerque a whole flock tore the place up for a few days."
"Really? So that's why you asked me to be quieter near Saratoga?"
"Yep, another job for us rangers back west is pest control anything too big to deal with by locals is assigned to us. I killed 35 alone in California last year, they're just more aggressive the more east you go for some reason."
Wendy finished her food and then set the plate down, as she looked around her nervously
"Shouldn't we leave now instead of waiting then?"
"No, the big and dangerous are out at night. Those are the ones I've been looking out for."
"There's bigger?"
"Small ones are taken down easily. They vary between 2 feet tall and 6 feet tall. The rare ones are ten-foot beasts. We call them griffons. They're usually by the mountains or the ruins of big cities. They can't be bred or nurtured, we don't even know why they're huge. They usually hunt alone, use their strength to brute force any enemy they have, strong enough to take out super mutant behemoths if lucky."
"How?"
"They swoop down from above claw their skull in half in one swoop then fly away, and return for the corpse later. Saw it myself in a place in Dakota. They're different everywhere. Some in the Dakota rule as kinda chieftains perched up on those mountains with faces. The ones in Missouri kill everything that moves, even each other."
"They're slow at least right?"
"If you ever run into one alone you're gone, only a slepnier at full sprint can outrun it. They can take on everything directly except a deathclaw. If we ever wipe out the scaly bastards they're the next apex predator."
"How many have you killed."
Frank held up a single finger as he turned the pot. Wendy stared at the window, she heard a faint whooshing sound.
"Like I said we're fine. I've cut through here several times. They tend to stick to the same areas. Now get some rest I'll take watch."
1 hour later
Frank turned the pot of brew around as he looked at the map. He probably shared a little too much with Wendy but she needed the truth, it was his fault after all. How did he go the wrong way without knowing? He shouldn't have gotten them to the remnants of Laramie, it was a clear-cut road to Den-
Woosh
Frank's ears twitched as he looked up from the map he turned the stove off and covered the pot. Something was out there, he slowly approached the window with his helmet light off careful not to attract attention. A large silhouette stood bathed in the moonlight street investigating the hoove prints made by Unica.
Crap
Frank watched as the beast slowly followed the prints to the garage door. He grabbed Wendy's rifle and slowly cocked the bolt back as he gently lifted it to fire at the creature in front of him. The beast scratched its claw along the garage door leaving a sharp metal sound in the air.
Just as the rifle was set to fire into the creature's eye Frank heard something else, a small whine coming from the garage. Almost instantaneous the beast tore through the flimsy garage door and rushed the defenseless horse inside with a loud screech only capable of an apex predator.
Oh shit!
Frank held the rifle in his hand as he stared at the door to the garage. The blood-curdling scream of the horse went silent and all that remained was the ragged tearing of flesh and the snapping of bones. Frank kept his eye on the door as he slowly made his way up the staircase, he tried his best to stay quiet, taking a few steps every minute, and after 4 minutes he was finally at the top.
"Fra-"
Frank held his hand out shushing the frightened girl. He moved over to the room she was in and slowly entered with her behind him as he closed the door.
creak
Frank stopped in his tracks as the sounds of eating stopped. A low bird cry broke the silence and then tapping, it heard them and was now investigating further. Frank signaled Wendy to grab the revolver in her holster and ready it as the beast sniffed around. Frank pushed the door open slightly more and in seconds the beast tore through the wooden door that led to the garage.
Wendy let out a small gasp muffled by her hand as the beast paraded around the downstairs portion of the house. We dy mouthed towards Frank.
Is that a
He nodded
White feathers covered the head and half of the torso of the beast, think black fur covered the rest. A sharp yellow beak prodded at the pots and pans. The 6 claws of the front legs tapped away at the floor. Frank took a small step out of the room and readied the rifle. He aimed for the eye as the beast examined the stove. The griffon opened the small pot full of hot coffee brew and stuck its beak in, it pulled back rapidly knocking the tin over and letting out a scream of pain. Frank took a deep breath and squeezed the trigger, the bullet soared out of the barrel and hit the creature...in the neck.
SCREECH!
The creature ran up the stairs towards the two as fast as possible. Frank cycled another round and fired it into the creature to little effect. Wendy and Frank fired again and again till it was right on him. He dodged to the left as it pounced towards him, its hind legs knocking him to the side and down the stairs as it turned to face Wendy.
Wendy screamed as the beast stood in front of her. She threw the now empty revolver and stuck her hand out as she fired a large burst of electricity at the beast who quickly ducked into a side room. The griffon then stuck its head back out as Wendy panted. She watched it slowly come out of the room and just stare at her almost frightened.
tiink
A bolt slammed into the wall as Frank extended his robotic arm toward the griffon. He fired another shot hitting the animal in the neck again, the griffon flew down the stairs and pinned Frank to the ground by the neck as it screeched into his face. Its talons digging in but merely holding him. It turned back around and screeched up towards Wendy who looked down at the creature.
"No!"
The creature loosened its grip on Frank and screeched back up at her. As she made her way down the stairs. Rifle in hand.
"Let go of him!"
The creature stepped off of Frank who took a deep breath of air.
"Stay right there!"
The griffon sat on its hind legs as Wendy helped Frank up.
"Are you talking to that thing?!"
"Kinda...."
The griffon snarled as Frank stood up.
"She's still pissed at you."
"I can tell."
Frank massaged his neck as he looked at the beast.
"How are you doing that?"
"I don't know we just....understand."
"Huh.....you're still full of surprises kid...Well, tell her to get lost..."
"I don't think she'd listen."
The griffon screeched at Frank, who in response took a step back.
"Well she can't stay here....and I don't want her to either, besides she killed Unica..."
"And you shot her like 8 times."
"Are you defending this thing?!"
"Look, I think if we help her out she'll help us out..."
"How do you suppose we help her out?!"
Wendy slung the rifle over her shoulder and slowly approached the creature.
"Wendy!"
"It's fine...I think the FEV is acting as a kinda bond thing...I think."
"That is the stupidest thing I've heard....it's going to kill you now back up now!"
Frank drew the revolver from his holster and aimed at the griffon, the beast stood and roared at him.
"Frank!"
"I'm not letting this stupid thing be the death of us...now get back next to me before this thing gets hungry again."
"Frank! Put the gun down!"
Wendy moved closer to the griffon that simply stared at her, she reached towards its neck and grabbed the bolt lodged in it.
"This will hurt...Frank stimpak..."
"What?"
"Stimpak...toss me one."
"I.."
"Do you trust me?"
"Fine.."
Frank holstered the revolver and reached into his satchel and pulled out a stim throwing it to Wendy. Wendy caught it and then turned to the beast.
"This will only hurt just a little."
She yanked the bolt out and the griffon screeched into the air, Wendy quickly injected the stim before backing up. The griffon flapped its wings knocking Frank over. It rose a few feet in the air before slamming back down onto the ground. It turned to Wendy and bowed toward her.
"You're welcome..."
Frank stood back up. And turned to Wendy taking his helmet off.
"So what did that do... besides waste a stim."
"She trusts us...well me more than you.."
"And how does that help us?"
Wendy turned to Frank and then back to the winged beast.
"Oooh no, oooh no I'm not getting on that thing! Are you crazy?!"
"Frank this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience...you said it yourself Griffons usually attack anything well this one is helping us."
"Only help this one is doing is helping itself to a free lunch when it drops us from 100 feet up."
"She wouldn't do that...right girl."
Wendy stroked the griffon's feathers.
"Okay don't do that, that thing just killed Unica....and probably has kill a lot of other people."
"You said it yourself she's an apex predator she hunts...Unica was prey...it's faster than walking...and safer."
"You're a cold child and I'll take my chances on the ground."
"Oh come on."

"No, end of the story."

The next morning
"How the hell did you talk me into this."
Frank muttered as he climbed aboard the feathery giant as it knelt.
"Relax she can tell you're scared."
"Of course I'm scared, I've seen what these things can do."
"Ya hear that girl, big bad ranger is scared of you."
Wendy rubbed the beak of the griffon as she talked cutesy to it.
"Stop doing that?!"
"Frank if she was gonna eat us she had all night."
"I was up all night keeping watch. And she spilled my coffee."
"Relax already. Diana won't kill you, she trusts us, now grab the reigns and try and ride her steady."
Frank grumbled as he grab the reigns and tapped Diana with the heel of his shoe. Instantly the beast turned its head around and stared at Frank.
"Sorry!"
Frank turned to the young girl at his side.
"Wendy how the hell am I supposed to do this?!"
"If you can't do it how can I?"
Frank sighed as he gently took the reigns once more.
"How did you even get this on her?"
"She let me."
"Oh she let you....that is such crap."
He looked down at the bird and sighed as he shook the reigns gently and leaned down to the beast's cat-like eye.
"Alright....we probably got off on the wrong foot let's just call it even and..."
Frank tapped the griffon gently on the side and it began to walk forward, he pulled the reigns slightly right and it turned accordingly.
"Holy shit!"
Frank smiled brightly as he looked at his accomplishment. He was on a fucking griffon and it wasn't trying to kill him.
"I'm doing it!"
"You look like a kid learning how to ride a bike."
"Shut it. Do you even know how to ride a bike?"
"Yeah, Sarah taught me."
Frank looked down at the beast and chuckled.
"Alright let's see about going a bit faster."
He whipped the reign gently.
SCREECH!
Diana threw Frank off and extended her wings as she took off into the air and then down into the tree line.
"What the hell did you do?!"
"I just whipped the reign gently."
Frank got up and wiped the dirt off his duster as shots rang out in the air.
"RUN GRIFFO-!"
More gunshots rang out from the tree lime, Frank drew his revolver and ran towards the trees followed by Wendy. The two ran through bushes as they came across a small clearing where Diana stood ripping apart a small squad of men, some already dead one man about to die as she flung him into the air. Frank watched as the griffon tore through the remainder of them with ease. The last person wore a suit of power armor and was now pinned to the ground as the beast squeezed
"Stop!"
Diana looked up to where the shout came from and saw Wendy. Walking towards her Frank followed close behind.
"She heard them."
"Yeah, no shit, who are they though?"
Wendy looked down at the last person and looked into their visor.
"Hey who are you?"
The person's eyes were still focused on the griffon.
"Hello!?"
"Please just let me...it's you, Dorkins is right....you're perfect."
"What?"
Wendy looked up at Frank who looked at the person through his visor.
"Wendy let me talk to her. Go...go loot the dead."
"Alright...?"
Wendy stood up and walked away as Frank and Diana remained. Frank knelt and tore the helmet off the frightened attacker with his metal arm. A woman with tribal-like markings on her face lay there still frightened.
"I take it you're a part of the Putrescent Mother thing.....why are you guys after her?"
"She's the one.....she's the perfect form....."
"What?"
"She has granted you immunity to our charms...she has tamed this beast....she's perfect..."
"English please?"
"You're not protecting her....you're holding her back...she's perfect...."
Frank stood up and turned to Diana.
"Drop her!"
"What?!"
Diana unfurled her wings and clenched the woman by her power armor tearing it apart and then taking off into the sky the cultist screaming as they ascended.
"What was that about?"
"She was....they were raiders. Followed us from Utah. They weren't expecting the ambush from-"
"AAAHHHH!"
THUD
"-From her."
"Oh...well....now what?"
"I sat we let her snack a bit, she earned it...and then we practice a bit more..."
"Sounds good."

I know you have messages saved on your phone You could have deleted but you can't let go Because I was the person who ruined you life But that was just high school I hope you're alive
And I won't forget your birthday date And I will remember as you graduate Because you were a pattern that I had to break But I swear I'm done
Falling into a dopamine chaos Trying to regain all that we'd lost Making believe that I can be better For someone who's just not a forgetter
I hope you burned every picture together I pray you don't keep my letters I won't pretend that we can be friends But please don't put that shit on the internet
Time heals wounds but it can't build back trust I'd never use your name unless I must It's not a secret that I'm still a loser I hope that you're moving on with your future
It's easy to lie and easy to cheat When you can't understand a heart that beats And I can say sorry a hundred more times Cause I'm really sorry I crossed those lines
I don't need forgiveness I'll accept the blame And carry it loudly again everyday You don't have to tell people I am the worst I already warned them I'll say it first
I'm trying to take it one day at a time And learn the lessons I struggled to find I doubt it can last as all good things end But maybe I can just try and make pretend
I'm still trying to hear your voice And cherish your words in all the noise But I want to let go of you Even if you let me cling to
Seeing you in things I love to do And feeling your presence in I love you's Sometimes I can't say the words I mean But I know that you aren't a faded dream
It's been years since I left you Barely hanging on I hope you're happy I just hope you're happy now

I arrived at the gate a few minutes late and was relieved to see that it was still open. The gate agent ushered me through, and I hurried onto the plane.
I quickly made my way to my booked seat. I knew it was going to be a long flight, so I had booked an aisle seat with plenty of leg room.
There was a woman sitting in the window seat who barely even registered my presence as I sat down and stretched out my aching body.
I placed my earphones in and ignored the stewardesses give their emergency instructions as I had seen it numerous times in the past.
The plane had barely been in the air five minutes when I felt someone top me on the shoulder. I turned to face the woman sitting beside me, who was glaring at me.
She demanded that I switch seats with her husband so they could sit together. She pointed at a man who was sitting in a middle seat surrounded by two obese men.
I politely declined as I liked my seat and didn't want to be stuck between two people for the next seven hours. She began yelling at me that she was pregnant and needed her husband beside her to help keep her calm.
It was pretty obvious that she was lying as her stomach was flat as a pancake. I told her that I booked my seat, and her lack of forward planning wasn't my responsibility.
I placed my earphones in to drown out her complaining and actually managed to doze off.
I was awoken a short time later by an elbow to the side. I turned to confront her, and my mouth widened in shock.
Her belly had swelled up, and I could see something moving around inside. She gave me a pleading look before collapsing onto the floor.
One of the stewardesses rushed forward to help her as I sat there in disbelief. I heard a scream behind me, and I looked back to see her husband had ripped out his own throat. He sat bolt upright in his chair with a huge smile on his face. His two seat mates were trying to open their seat belts to get away from him.
My attention was drawn back to the pregnant woman who began yelling that her babies were coming. She opened her mouth, and a deluge of black water began spraying out and instantly drenched the stewardess who was trying to help her. The water petered out, leaving the plane utterly silent as everyone was too shocked to react.
I jumped from my seat as hundreds of white worms about the size of your finger began crawling out of the woman's mouth and onto the floor.
The stewardess was sitting on the floor, and the worms converged on her. She barely had time to react before they began climbing into all of her orifices.
She began writhing on the floor for a few seconds before standing up and smiling at all of us. I began backing away from her as something about her smile gave me the creeps.
Her smile widened, and I watched transfixed as she approached a nearby man and planted a kiss on his mouth. I initially thought she was slipping him the tongue before realising to my revulsion that the worms were slithering from one person to the next.
The man shook for a few moments before starting to smile. Chaos ensued as the other passengers tried to flee. I saw a number of people unintentionally get too close and be given the kiss of death.
I moved to the far end of the plane and watched from behind a curtain as the infected began hunting down the others.
I had to turn away in disgust as one of the infected located a baby that had been forgotten about by its parents.
I began hammering away at the cockpit door and begging them to let me in. The door was flung open, and I backed away as a gun was shoved into my face.
One of the crew started lecturing me about having me arrested when we arrived. His words slowly ebbed as he looked past me at what was unfolding with the other passengers.
I pushed past him into the safety of the cockpit. He was about to follow when he was dragged away screaming.
I slammed the door shut with my heart pounding in my chest. I almost peed myself when a hand wrenched me around, and I stared into the eyes of the terrified captain.
I carefully explained what was going on as the other passengers tried to force their way inside. We both sat there silently afterwards, trying to come to terms with what was happening.
I took the co-pilot's seat as we continued our flight. Exhaustion overcame me, and I once again drifted off to sleep.
I awoke with a shriek as a nightmare that I could no longer remember jolted me awake. I turned to the pilot to ask him how much longer until we landed.
I shrunk away from him as he turned to me with a wide smile, as I could see the worms moving between his teeth.
I hopped up and saw a small hole at the bottom of the door with worms still swarming inside. They began moving towards me, and I smashed my foot down, crushing them beneath my weight.
The pilot began letting out a wail that forced me to cover my ears. He raised his arm and pointed at me as I backed away until my shoulders hit the door.
I wrenched it open and slammed it in his face as he advanced towards me. His wailing was partly muffled by the door as I stood there trying not to panic.
I heard footsteps behind me, and I turned to face the person with a giant smile on my face. A girl no older than ten walked by me with worms moving around inside her eyeballs.
She barely registered my presence as she swayed from side to side.
I once peeked out around the curtains to see most of the other passengers had retaken their seats.
A sea of smiling faces were looking towards me, and it took every fibre of my being to keep smiling back at them.
I took a couple of deep breaths before walking down the aisle. Every head followed my movements as I tried to decide what to do.
I spotted the bathroom ahead and began pacing towards it. I felt something squishy beneath my feet and looked down to see the body of the baby from earlier.
His stomach looked like something had crawled out of it as his ribs were pushed upwards. I let out an involuntary sob and heard the unmistakable sounds of every head spinning in my direction.
I lunged towards the bathroom as hands shot out to grab onto me. I managed to shake them off before rushing inside and sealing the door behind me.
I started wetting the toilet paper and lining the sides of the door to keep out the worms. I know it might not be enough to keep them out, but it is all I can think of.
I hear a noise above me and almost start laughing as the pilot has hit the fasten seat belt sign. I now sit here trapped in the toilet and wondering what will happen if and when we land.

What's your best birthday memory? Do you have any dream birthday ideas?
My daughter is turning 21 in June, and I'm fresh out of ideas. She doesn't have anything that she fixates on (like a band or a tv show). She generally likes everything and is always looking to try new experiences. I've put down what we've done in the past as reference.
2022: Arabian night party in a decked out venue with belly dancers.
2021: Backyard camping, dinner party and outdoor movie theater.
2020: Petting zoo and zip-lining + road trip to Yellowstone
Thank you so much in advance, any help is greatly appreciated!

It’s funny how deeply you can miss what you no longer have—how Elysian fields become the more years you leave them fallow. I find myself propping up pictures of social events upon the easel of my mind—pictures I painted years ago—nightclubs like those I would burrow my way into underground, even the one I would mix in during my decade of abandonment to movement and sound. But mostly I would cast my mind back to Prague bars or cafes, where there would be people around to talk to, or strangers just milling, yes, milling around. I never appreciated how nice it is for people to mill in your vicinity. Nice. It’s just nice to be milled around. Perhaps that is why I find peace in supermarkets now—it is less that their aisles and orderliness feel a thousand miles from the war, but that the people are suspended in perfectly spherical bubbles of ‘I have no pressing need to be here but alas here I am’, and that to be around the drifting of those bubbles is almost as wonderful as companionship for someone as incompanionable as I currently am. Thank God for dreams, because I have whole cities full of companionship there—from new friends, to girlfriends, to complicated enemies and entertainingly questionable foes, and even occasionally a few days of hanging out with her, all in some neatly designed urban location or another where the truth is something everyone unquestionably knows.
I should say a little of the people whom I have met along the way.
First, there was Dasha, originally from Kharkiv but now a long time resident of Gwent, who had also been on aid shuttles to Izium after it was freed. Her manner was attentive and friendly—she would follow up with regular calls the messages she regularly sent, which was good because talking is what I need. She stood out for her ability to persuade a Chaplain to accept my help, even when my wartime skillset made me about as useful right now as Lent.
The chap-lain and his assistant Pavel kept me waiting in Lozova after my own efforts to get to Donbas began to wane. I had already struck off my month in Kharkiv as a humanitarian fail—I escorted boxes of dried food from Kyiv which would have managed well enough without me on a completely empty train, and did four hours of sandbag stacking around a monument to freedom which I was able to organise by not organising it at all, just seeing people working and offering to do the same—but mostly I felt useless or worse, and was eager to get away. Lozova was much the same, though there was a beautiful lake at the back of an unremarkable park which I walked around every day, and then forty hours after I left, the cultural centre I walked past was obliterated by a cruise missile a hundred metres from where I had stayed. I chose to reserve a small safe corner of suspicion about the news of the missile strike—trauma is easier to cope with if you just choose to believe it’s a lie. Just look at the death of Elvis, or the alive-and-kicking climate crisis, and all that other stuff we compulsively deny.
After I got tired of waiting in my pre-cruise missile apartment that was so cheap it was ‘aid for me’, I packed up and paid extra for the broken shower cable when I handed over the keys. I took a taxi to Barvinkove which was almost a day or so’s walk short of Sloviansk, and I hoped to bag a lift for the last leg of the journey in some or other military jeep. The driver was a former farmer from these parts who pointed at the sections of field he used to work. There was a lot of field in that forty-five minutes, field and military trucks. Not a single civilian do I remember seeing on that mostly arrow straight road, just a painfully potholed surface, checkpoints and greetings in Polish for some reason I don’t understand to this day, and a shrug of I have no idea who you are or what you are doing here but here’s your passport back, on your way.
Bear in mind this was south of occupied Izium last year in mid May, and just a few kilometres stood between these parts and the Russian lines. The taxi driver wouldn’t take me any further than Barvinkove, and it was pretty easy to see why. I thought I had seen destruction in Kharkiv, but the shattering that this all-but-entirely-abandoned town had taken was, in all the war so far, by far the most harrowing sight. You see destroyed cities on screens, and something of the destruction comes across, but when you stand alone on broken glass on what was once a busy junction with insides of buildings spilled out on every side, it isn’t so much a chill that visits you with the ghosts of what happened here but more an enormous swallowing by all the unfathomable loss.
And yet still some civilians clang proudly to their homes. A group gathered of four, stood in front of their town hall, with glass all around there too; curtains wafted behind them from the upper floors—of all the things we could have called them, it’s clearer when they are missing why we went with wind-ow.
“Do you need anything?” A smile. And curiosity. And consternation. But most of all a smile. From a lady almost half my height but every bit as stout. I was traipsing through their town alone with a giant pack upon my back, doing my best not to make it too obvious that I had never seen anything so terrible as her town in my entire life. How do you behave toward people you meet when on every side the guts of their homes are hanging out? I wish I could have just stopped and looked silently down into her eyes and offered her a hug.
“I turn left for Sloviansk, yes?” I said instead.
“Yes. Take a left down there.”
“Thanks,” and with the glance my gratitude warranted as I parted I offered a tiny portion of my sympathy, but I swear this lady neither needed nor wanted a single thing—this was her town, her home, and smashed to shit or not, she would hold her head up high, be the honourable host and offer directions to passers by, because she and her town still lived, and if anyone needed a hug, am I sure it wasn’t me?
If someone had told me she was the mayor of the town, I wouldn’t have been surprised.
They were the last people I saw for the next kilometre leading out, as I passed broken home after shop after kindergarten after abandoned business of now an entirely indiscernible kind. Pieces everywhere. Of glass and rocks and wires and concrete. One shop was missing its long shop window and two stray dogs watched me as I passed, the boss of the two was lying down on the inside upon a three-thick bed of shattered glass, as if filling in for the shop sign. I wanted to coax him off, but realised the worst thing I could do was spook him and just hoped his fur was thick enough for my conscience to leave him behind.
On the long road leading out east, the houses of Barvinkove turned to village types, with overgrowing flower gardens all flourishingly unkempt – all purples and pinks and yellows and whites with yellow centres and deep and velvet reds. The distant sounds of artillery feel more distant when coming through village air. One home stood out for grass having been mown, and the gardener at large, a lady in waiting to grow old, was out tending to her five metre wide share—alone in a kilometre row of single storey village houses with boarded up eyes and fast-growing gardens for beards, in her typical village floral dress and headscarf, she stood out for the peace with which she tended to tidiness, a sight to make a soldier stop, kneel and bow his head before the life still living there.
“Zdrasti.”
“Zdrasti.”
It was about three months ago that people stopped saying “Good Day”. But to this day, Barvinkove never fell.

I don't remember the first part very well, but what I do vaguely remember about it is getting some sort of weird plastic surgery to make my face smaller. I was walking to a dock and there was a line of individual boats set up down a narrow river, and everyone got on one boat and rowed to school. While I was getting on the boat, I remember noticing some sort of complication with the face surgery? Specifically, the designated helmet didn't fit me while I was getting on the boat, it was too small for me, so my face had presumably swelled up and become bigger after the surgery, so the person minding the boats told me I wasn't allowed to go with everyone else. The next scene was at the doctor's. (Btw, this entire part is 100% influenced by a manga I read about a plastic surgery gone wrong day before yesterday).
I don't remember what the doctor said, only that it was very serious and life threatening.
The next scene I remember, is riding on bikes with a friend. The friend isn't anyone I know in real life, I don't think they're even really based on anyone irl, just an original character. Suddenly, while we're riding our bikes to god knows where, a huge, fleshy monster appears. And by huge I mean huge, it towers over us by several meters and completely blocks the road with its sheer size. Strangely enough, there's no one else on the road except us. But this is where the really fucked up part starts.
The monster reaches out long arms shaped like pincers and opens my stomach, promptly starts taking out my internal organs one by one. Just when you think it's done, it reaches in to pull out something else, like a gallbladder or an intestine. All while my friend watches in abject horror. Eventually, the monster is done, zips my stomach back up (with no wound left behind) and leaves.
My friend and I get into fight right after, because he's mad I hid something from him (?). Considering it happened right after the monster attack, it had to be something related to that, the only other significant point I remember is the plastic surgery, so maybe the monster attack had something to do with the surgery? And he's upset I hid the surgery from him? I have no idea.
Anyways, after this I remember going home, and my home in the dream looks nothing like my actual home. It's a lot bigger, shinier, and I specifically wandered around the huge garden with a lot of flowers. I remember a few scenes where I talk to my mother, but I don't remember it well enough to describe anything about it.
The last thing I remember before I woke up is that I was trying to recover and find treatments that would save me from an inevitable death from losing my organs, but also slowly realizing that any treatments would most likely fail and I would almost certainly die.
The last thing I felt was a mixture of fear and hesitating hope for recovery, sadness that my life ended just as I was 18-19 and I didn't even get to go to University, and a struggle to accept my own death and come to terms with it even though I was so sad about it.
I think this counts as a nightmare, but I didn't feel truly scared in the dream, just a mix of anxiety, worry, and sadness.

If this goes against the guidelines, please be welcome to remove it I apologize.
So it’s October and my best friends dad passes away. I fly home for the funeral, and this guy watched me grow up I have so many memories when I was little being at her house and him making us dinner, driving us around, taking us shopping etc. So when he passed it had a really big impact on me, because he sort of was like a second father. Plus she lived right next door so we’d walk to each others houses CONSTANTLY.
Now it’s the day of the wake and it’s open casket, I just couldn’t stop staring at the body and my body froze. The whole recession burial, wake, funeral. That’s all over.
Now, I start to have weird dreams but it’s CONSTANT. I keep having the same dream over and over again it was exactly. My dad dies and he’s in the casket I’m the one being consoled but at the back it’s like no one can see him just me, he’s there standing up same funeral outfit and holding his rosary beads. I had this dream 3 nights in a row. Then my friend M has a dream too except her and her dad are at a stop light and her window is rolled down and the person in the car next to here is my best friends deceased father. He says to her “Everything is going to be okay. See ya kid.” fist bumps her and drives off. She goes to her dad “Did you see that Mr. LN was just right there in the car next to us.” and her dad says “Uh no we’re the only ones on the road.” and she woke up. I had that dream constantly then she had that. It was beautiful and I can’t tell if it’s paranormal.

The TLDR is that I really appreciate this community; it enabled me to come very far in a short period of time turning my office into a proper work station when before all I had was 7-14mbps internet on a good day, With your collective help, I've run cat wires, spaced things out, installed Dream Machine SE, 24 PoE Pro Switch, and a handful of U6 E's and U6 Mesh! Thank you so much!
​
​
I just wanted to thank everybody in this community. From watching from the sidelines and occasionally daring to post, I've reall¥ learned a lot. I'm not ready to do an install for someone, maybe even myself ¥et, but I've learned a lot about networking and the hardware just by reading through the posts, questions, and debates. I started off with no network knowledge. I had one Asus router for a 5000sqf house with stone walls and no wired ethernet anywhere in the house; it was just... bad. Fast forward to the second half of 2023-early 2023, and I can proudly say I have vastly exceeded my wildest expectations. I have a Dream SE, a 24 POE switch, and two Synology NAS units (one is for home and famil¥ use, and the other is focused on my primary business - doing start-up super bootleg, working on the early stuff on a NAS before upgrading to something more serious.
Of course, if I shared it, there would be many criticisms of my build and decisions I made - some of which were forced on me and I'm working to correct - the electricians, when they ran lines, just left them all hanging in the same area of the Rack, with RJ caps on them, rather than female, so working on converting them to female jacks to use patch cable on the POE to the lines up into the house. It was a little irritating, but whatever they knew, they had a somewhat easy mark. The next hurdle is to figure out what CAT wiring they did the house in, I really worry they cheaped out, but unfortunately, when they were in the house to wire, I was on the other side of the country. So I will be inspecting, and I anticipate calling them back to re-run higher tier cable (this is largely due to the imminent fiber connection getting lit up to my house with 10Gbs Up/Down. It might be different from the prettiest, but it's coming along.
The large increase in bandwidth coming aside (and yes, I am aware few, if any, of my devices will be able to even support that speed - except the key one, my mac studio, which I use in Parallels to run Windows due to most financial market software runs on windows. With all the tools that should be running, I am hogging up a lot of data (and CPU power...). I need to run about five trade systems - pre-trade/ post-trade, communications suites, market pricing, DOM, very low latency charting, compliance filings, etc. But that’s all besides the point. What I really want to do is thank you all very much. Not long ago, I was getting 14mbps in my office ( i recently lost access to a commercial office), which was a disaster, but now, having read this and exploring ubiquitin thoroughly, I have a serious network running in the house, all wired, using Dream SE, 24 PoE Pro Switch, some smaller switches at the ends of the lines for rooms that have more than one ethernet plugin option. I have 5 U6 Enterprises and 1 U6 Mesh (Pepsi can). Spread throughout the house, and I have to say, WHEREVER I am in the house, and this is a large stone house, basement, first, second, and third ( attic) floor, and I never drop below 660-700, wherever I am, which is true, not even sure how to put it into words, a miracle. Especially given the price points. Yes, expensive, but you really get what you pay for, and the learning curve isn’t impossible. I'm a very happy user, and I hope that maybe someday soon I can help answer questions all you great people have!
​
PS. I mentioned 10Gbs coming to where I am, just a few blocks away now. I will need to return to the drawing board on some hardware. The U6 Enterprises support 2.5, so on the APs, I'm content with that. I want to ensure a 10GBbs connection is going to my workstation (mac studio) and that my NAS units play nice with it. I have to figure out how to upgrade a NAS to reall¥ take advantage of a full ten connection, right now m¥ NAS units are quite simplistic, they are just entry-level NAS units with standard NAS HDDs, but I'm ready to make an investment into a beefier system and integrate 10Gbs ports for the highest speed traders possible. Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again, everyone, so much. I owe this group a huge debt.

The anger has always been armor to hide the fact that I feel hurt by how little you seem to care when you hurt me, and instead you just get angry that I’m calling you out. It’s like I wasn’t allowed to feel hurt and that’s not fair. Your feelings matter to me, why didn’t mine matter to you? You know I’ve dealt with men like that before. And you know how much damage is done. So the fact that you would even act that way knowing how much it has hurt me, let alone your refusal to own up to it, apologize, and be gentle with me when I ask for it, of course I wouldn’t believe that you care when you say you do. You know that actions speak louder than words. You know, I know you do, that your actions have disproved any claim you’ve made about caring about me.
• • I always understood your situation. I was always understanding when you were honest. I kept flowing with you and rolling with your punches and jumping through your hoops only to still have you label me as aggressive just because I could no longer tolerate your neglect and abandonment.
• • I wish so very much that things had gone differently. I wanted so badly to believe that the man I knew those first few months were the man you truly are deep down. But you have switched up so many times, I couldn’t tell reality from dream from nightmare. Not being able to trust what is real is the biggest red flag, you know that. I couldn’t stay. I shouldn’t have to stay when I’m treated with such callousness.
• • You knew how deeply wounded I already was, and chose the exact things that would hurt the most.
• • I don’t know if it was self sabotage or just pure unbridled disdain for me for whatever reason but I needed to prioritize myself. I couldn’t tolerate it.
• • If you want to apologize, if you want to own up to your actions and make it up to me and be honest, communicative, warm, kind, and feeling again, you know how to get in touch. The lines are open. You aren’t blocked.
• • But I will not contact you first. I will not go there with you. I will not start the conversation. It is your turn to step up. To pick up the slack. I’ve done it long enough.
• • And if not, no worries, I will continue moving on without you. I will be okay. I always end up well. I wish you well too. Always.

Mercenary Midoriya By:
Tags: Midoriya Izuku, Midoriya Izuku & Class 1-A, Midoriya Izuku & Eraserhead, Sassy Midoriya Izuku, Midoriya Izuku Writes Fanfiction, Humor, Crack, Crack Treated Seriously, Class 1-A as Family Genius Midoriya Izuku, Hacker Midoriya Izuku, First Fan Fiction, I can’t tag
Topic: Deku is a commissioned fanfic writer, one day however he is caught red-handed writing an Eraserhead x Present Mic x Ms Joke smut in class.
Fan Fiction
To most, it is just an enjoyment, however to Izuku it is a getaway. An opportunity to express what you wanted without the fear of being chastised and judged.
He was only eleven when he stumbled upon his first fanfic on a Pre-Quirk website that was still being used called Archive Our Own. Present Mic x reader is what sent Midoriya down the wormhole. Izuku then found out that there were books about anything he could dream of: Limelight Heros, Rescue Heroes, and if he was lucky the odd Underground hero here or there.
As a kid with unrestricted internet access and not many friends, Midoriya often found himself conversing with strangers on the internet, sure he knew the dangers of the web. He knew that there were people that liked to take advantage of kids his age, ‘Predators’ as his mother called it. But that didn’t stop him from joining group chats and making new friends.
‘EndeavorsLittleFlame’ was the name of his first commissioner Izuku was twelve at the time. He had just got home from a long day at school. He quickly made his way to the bathroom to patch up the cuts and bruises he received throughout the day, it had become second nature at this point. Come home, take a shower, bandage cuts, apply aloe vera on his burns, ice his bruises, do homework, and then hop onto his computer to read and write fanfics. He never strayed from these steps until today. He opened up Discord and saw that he had one message from a user called EndeavorsLittleFlame.
EndeavorsLittleFlame 02/12/2235 2:02 PM Hello, I see that you are an Ao3 writer. I would like to know if you do commissions. If you do, how much would it cost for a Female All Might x Endeavor smut?
ColorlessEmerald 02/12/2235 4:17 PM I have not ever done commissions however, I can't decide on a price until I have an idea of what you want. Are there any specific tags that you would like me to include or exclude, how many chapters, etc?
EndeavorsLittleFlame 02/12/2235 4:25 PM I would prefer if it were a two-shot. Some tags I would want are Hate Sex, Enemies with Benefits, Hair Pulling, Choking, Semi-Public, Car Sex, Degrading, Overstimulation, Aftercare, Top Endeavour, and Bottom All Might. For the storyline the two pros are doing an interview together. After some one sided bickering Endeavour ends up taking All Might to his car and they fuck.
ColorlessEmerald 02/12/2235 4:27 PM I can charge you 10 dollars, and have it ready in 3 days. Are you ok with that price?
EndeavorsLittleFlame 02/12/2235 4:28 PM I’m okay with that price. Do you take Venmo?
ColorlessEmerald 02/12/2235 4:29 PM I do
EndeavorsLittleFlame 02/12/2235 4:30 PM Great so I’ll send you the money
EndeavorsLittleFlame 02/12/2235 4:35 PM I just sent it
ColorlessEmerald 02/12/2235 4:36 PM I received it, I’ll get started on the fic. Nice doing business with you.
EndeavorsLittleFlame 02/12/2235 4:36 PM Same to you!
Once word spread business was booming, Midoriya averaged about 3 stories a week. All writers new the name of Colorless Emerald
Two Years Later…

You can skip this paragraph and read the poem if you wish. There was "the one that got away" and they came back and that made me think they actually wanted something. Time made them forget and not care and It did not heal me in the same way. I still thought they changed their mind and knew what was meant to be. But of course this is earth and we planned a date I find out my other friend has a date planned the same week with her so no she is not the one who got away she was a free sex pass that I did not take because I had fantasized the moment they came back to not be the way it was and I wrote this will not send because why kill my pride but this concludes my era of thinking of this person some people just turn out the exact opposite of how you idealized them so this is my final thought, although it is long, I have faith in myself to no longer care. Oh and I said some mean shit to her I didn't ever want to say I was just in that revenge mood and it doesn't mean shit either way so idgaf.
I would have never chosen this one when given between timelines to choose.
My past self would want to fight me, although I’m now rusty he would lose.
I’m smarter stronger kinder although I sounded rude.
I had little of this left to gain and a whole lot more to lose.
I finally found the strength to stab you back I didn’t know how strong you had become.
I see the scars upon my back thought I was invincible and strong.
Do you ever reconcile with your past self to see where it went wrong.
Or was the feeling an idea idealized in every song.
I thought your soul was so dense to access it I needed a token.
Now that you were free I saw your soul had been bruised and broken
You now don’t want the part of you back that I had stolen
Its safe in my mind untouched and unbroken
But I don’t want it anymore to me it is worth nothing
I thought back then I could’ve used it for something.
Now its only purpose is to distract me from my main mission.
To keep my self intact because lately I feel like I have been winning.
You said you moved far away to keep me off your mind.
I convinced myself that you wanted to get rid of me for it cost you pain and time.
Before I thought of myself as confident and quite unique
It really killed my pride that I had built up in just one week.
Those are scars now and I have you to blame
If it would be up to me it wouldn’t have been the same
And I am still just an option just a player in a game
That you created Ill hurt you again telling you your fucking insane
We hurt each other when close you knew that and you should have known better
After all that hurt you were going to have a quick use of me during your hoe era
I am really nothing couldn’t shelter shit from no weather.
We hurt each other when close you knew that and you should have known better
But you don’t think and you don’t blink
You work and work and work and work then gossip then drink
I do not know you and I am not what you think
But after all you’ve been through I thought you would have at least thought of me
If you’ve gotten this far good for you
You’ve honestly made up your mind that time no longer means shit to you
Why would I care I mean it happened fucking years ago
Why’d you fucking dare go to me through a fucking phone
How could you fucking made me feel that way then leave me all alone
To come back and play me like a game on your fucking phone
Always on our phones Im always getting stoned
I stopped using my phone a lot and I stopped feeling alone (you should too)
I get it its your time your done with everyone elses shit
Ive been on my own and I should have been able to have dealt with it
But if you are willing to hurt me and others just to have fun with it
That’s not looking out for yourself that’s being fucking selfish
You know we hurt each other you should’ve fucking known better
Now you have to stress or not about this dumb fucking love letter
I think your sick and I’m cheering you on to get better
You know we hurt each other you should’ve fucking known better
And I fucking did it I never thought I would hurt you
I brought up all the shit that I knew would fucking hurt you
But it happened you ditched me twice and both times you got cheated on
So please give me a little pride your strong enough let that hurt you
I keep getting lost in this to find a way out I had to hurt you
But the message you sent was loud and clear I really fucking heard you
You do not GIVE A FUCK and nobody deserves you
Its crazy how I was stupid enough to tell myself when you told me that you were nothing that I would never desert you
But now I got some go to girls I get why people fucking
But I’d honestly rather just get high and watch tv if it doesn’t mean something
I think our generation just got fucked up with the news and pandemic
Changed every god we had faith in a way that was damn epic
Or maybe I just need to grow the fuck up
I still idealize things and get hurt because in reality they’re fucked up
But I fucking hate growing old and thinking there is still stuff
That I had thought I would have figured out before 21 but it was too tough
I know I’m fucking stupid and this all is really dumb
But at least Im not a quitter like you so there must be some contest I have won
You quit school quit your dreams quit giving a fuck now your quitting love
I thought you were perfect once, but you turned into a bum
You work at hooters I wonder how it feels to be at rock bottom
I bet you had 6 dates lined up and I was at the very bottom
Could’ve had the respect to either wait after this phase or never at all
Maybe I never deserved to be on the list at all
Maybe if I was worthless you could at least be fucking happy
But I don’t know right now I don’t think that will ever happen
You been reading up on how the celebrities and idealized did it
You have to sell your soul and constantly drown in stimulus just to live with it
But even if you really do want that piece of your self back I closed the door and fucking locked it
Cause I don’t trust your soulless quitter brain that your piloting in the cockpit
But I guess if you break through the window took my face and fucking knocked it
Its sitting in the wide open in the corner of my port charlotte closet
I know its worth nothing to you now
You let other people take more pieces you got few even left to count
You got tangled up in things I had no hope to fucking control
Sincerely, the man who miserably failed in trying to protect your soul
P.S. And If some slim fucking weird unruly chance that this letter is not a fucking mistake
And you decide you want to change and feel some other type of way.
Just know its going to cost the same amount of time you decided to throw away.
And that is a price we both know you will never find the value in to want to pay.
​
​
​
The poem has concluded. I am not to become jaded, or enthusiastic with the idealized version of love I choose to keep those ideas. I have decided that from today this person is not the person I will vision as the person I idealize that person will come into my life unexpected and they will heal what she has broken.