Landmark at wynton pointe apartment homes

hey all! just need some advice/help with this one
so i’ve been been at my newest job for the last few months and have developed a crush on the guy i work with and some things he does insinuates he’s interested but then it switches, so this’ll be a long one.
it started mainly after a work party thing we all went to and we were slightly tipsy and he was laying on the ground whilst i sat next to him and was drawing on his arm (i know how childish of us) and he was teaching out to touch my hair to which I moved it because i thought that’s what that meant and he reached out again to just twirl it and play with it whilst looking at me and smiling, that’s what kicked it all off tbh.
after that i noticed some things he did like asking if i need help on counting the bar which is a one person job or pointing out that he liked my earrings, complimented me on how nice i looked, helped me with fractions and sat down to teach me them or asking how i am whilst touching my shoulder or putting his head on top of mine whilst i sat down. it was small things that added up and made me wonder if he did see me in a different light.
but, he has said before to me that he’s not up to dating at the moment in general and is just weird with his signals.
he gave me a back massage for 15 minutes and rubbed my shoulder another time as if to soothe me when he was the one who was upset.
he’s given me multiple lifts home which is not out of the ordinary cus he does that with other people but we always sit in the car for at least 2 hours just talking and at one point he started to cry talking about how his brain works (we believe he’s autistic) and how i’m the one person who knows him most, and we held hands whilst he spoke about this.
he came over one time for a movie night and we just rested our heads ontop of eachother and held each others arms in a weird form of cuddling ig.
he always gives me a hug and it’s small things like that back and fourth that he does.
he recently went abroad for a few weeks to which we texted quite a bit and i asked him to bring back an ankle bracelet to which he expressed how he went through every market to find one and picked up bangles because he thought I’d also like them, we spoke on the phone for 2 hours (which he also did with another colleague) and wants to take me to a Shakespearean play.
i’ve recently learnt that he slept with someone whilst he was away and i’m aware you can like someone and still sleep around but maybe he just doesn’t like me and realistically I’d ask but I’d like to hang out a bit more to know if it goes somewhere (because we’ve made like 4 different plans to hang out). i feel like i’ve seemed quite on and off and wondering if my feelings aren’t clear and if it’d be different if they were. because he gave me a hug and was smiling but i just acted as though it was another day
he could just possibly be a flirty person (with his 25 body count) and knows exactly what’s he’s doing, or whether he does like me. i’m unsure and need advice on whether to just go for it or just hang up the towel.
if anyone could help that’d be great, thank you :))

hey all! just need some advice/help with this one
so i’ve been been at my newest job for the last few months and have developed a crush on the guy i work with and some things he does insinuates he’s interested but then it switches, so this’ll be a long one.
it started mainly after a work party thing we all went to and we were slightly tipsy and he was laying on the ground whilst i sat next to him and was drawing on his arm (i know how childish of us) and he was teaching out to touch my hair to which I moved it because i thought that’s what that meant and he reached out again to just twirl it and play with it whilst looking at me and smiling, that’s what kicked it all off tbh.
after that i noticed some things he did like asking if i need help on counting the bar which is a one person job or pointing out that he liked my earrings, complimented me on how nice i looked, helped me with fractions and sat down to teach me them or asking how i am whilst touching my shoulder or putting his head on top of mine whilst i sat down. it was small things that added up and made me wonder if he did see me in a different light.
but, he has said before to me that he’s not up to dating at the moment in general and is just weird with his signals.
he gave me a back massage for 15 minutes and rubbed my shoulder another time as if to soothe me when he was the one who was upset.
he’s given me multiple lifts home which is not out of the ordinary cus he does that with other people but we always sit in the car for at least 2 hours just talking and at one point he started to cry talking about how his brain works (we believe he’s autistic) and how i’m the one person who knows him most, and we held hands whilst he spoke about this.
he came over one time for a movie night and we just rested our heads ontop of eachother and held each others arms in a weird form of cuddling ig.
he always gives me a hug and it’s small things like that back and fourth that he does.
he recently went abroad for a few weeks to which we texted quite a bit and i asked him to bring back an ankle bracelet to which he expressed how he went through every market to find one and picked up bangles because he thought I’d also like them, we spoke on the phone for 2 hours (which he also did with another colleague) and wants to take me to a Shakespearean play.
i’ve recently learnt that he slept with someone whilst he was away and i’m aware you can like someone and still sleep around but maybe he just doesn’t like me and realistically I’d ask but I’d like to hang out a bit more to know if it goes somewhere (because we’ve made like 4 different plans to hang out). i feel like i’ve seemed quite on and off and wondering if my feelings aren’t clear and if it’d be different if they were. because he gave me a hug and was smiling but i just acted as though it was another day
he could just possibly be a flirty person (with his 25 body count) and knows exactly what’s he’s doing, or whether he does like me. i’m unsure and need advice on whether to just go for it or just hang up the towel.
if anyone could help that’d be great, thank you :))

Welcome new readers. Please start with chapter one https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/11ai7iv/last_of_the_defenders_ch_01/
Previously https://www.reddit.com/HFY/comments/11x94mq/last_of_the_defenders_ch_26/
It took hours. Allah realized the sun was walking away when they finally stepped out of the great quorum hall. Ada’key’hamda and Allah’hem’nrah walked to either side of Li, a group of elders and tradesmen flocking behind. They carried charcoal and papers, hastily drawn maps and long scrolls of lists--names of the future displaced, materials to be salvaged, and more workers than she could count--as they jostled to be heard over each other.
Allah glanced over her shoulder as the wide double doors began to close, ears twitching frustratingly at Marn’charlie’weh who stood on the dais still, amber eyes glowing with barely contained fury. She had been the most vocal of the group surrounding her now, the Detractors Allah called them in her mind. Most of their arguments had been weighed and addressed--even bringing forth solutions to unforeseen problems as the idea of extending the roads had progressed from Li’s ultimatum into cooperative planning.
Both sides had compromised. The southern Smithhall and much more of the buildings between the outpost and the outer wall would be torn down. The proposed road to the north would be almost doubled in width too, to accommodate the increase in traffic. More importantly, to Allah’s way of thinking, were the inclusion of U’knock work crews into Li’s plan. Her people would oversee the construction of the roads and tearing down the city’s outer wall to make rapidly usable materials.
It had been that last point that nearly set Allah’hem’nrah and Marn’charlie’weh to blows. This had only been the second quorum she had been honored to sit in, neither of them as a member, but the vociferousness and vitriol that passed from mouth to ear had startled her.
“You claim a need to protect our people!” Allah could still remember Marn’charlie’weh shout. It had woken her from her dozing. “And with the other paw you rip down the very walls that shelter us! Holes in the inner ring? Dismantling the outer? Will you take all of our warrior caste with you to fight the bullies too? If they are bullies!”
Li had risen from the floor to confront the black elder, Marn’charlie’weh almost twice the height of the human even then, but a spotted paw thrust between them and Allah’hem’nrah walked to block her.
“I will not be shamed,” she roared, the only time the stalwart pride mother raised her voice, “by this council as to cower and hide while a cub fights for our lives!”
She had pointed to Allah who, at the time, was shamelessly curled up on a cushion. The cub, roused from her dozing, sat up, licked a forepaw and made a show of grooming her fur. It was not Allah’s fault she had fallen asleep; they would not stop talking! On and on they went, arguing over the most minute details only to circle back on a once settled matter and point out how doing one thing would somehow upset two others. Even when it did not. Especially when it did not!
“The warriors will fight in this war!” and the proclamation from Allah’hem’nrah had elicited a scattered cheer from half the quorum.
Li had spent much of the quorum kneeling on a Nameday cushion--anything larger than the small pad used to carry kits to the quorum when they opened their eyes would have swallowed her--sipping water from a clay cup and only put in suggestions when directly asked. Which became less and less frequent as the day dragged on toward night. Allah only realized how long they had been there when Jung reminded her to take her pill!
“I think,” Li had said, rising from her cushion and stretching, “we’ve settled what we can in one day.” Allah rose to follow, eager to be away from these screaming, argumentative adults. “If you have something of substance to add, I’ll be outside the south gate at sunrise,” and the last of her words had a hint of warning, “about an hour before the first tank is scheduled to roll out.”
With that, Li rose, bowed to the throne dais, and strode purposely from the great hall.
And now they walked, not as unwelcomed outlanders who should be chased off, but as people of importance whose presence was harkened by quorum members begging attention.
Or, at the least, Li did. Allah found herself carefully shuffled further and further away from her friend, carefully avoiding elders who jostled past her and ever more dangerously close to the taser belt’s kiss. They did not seem to care, even knowing what the belt could do after Li explained its workings and Guard Captain Fen’ja--belatedly arrived, washed and no longer twitching--had confirmed.
Perhaps, Allah considered, another demonstration was in order. Let one brush up against her? And through a wall? She set such petty thoughts aside. These people were preparing as if for a great storm coming to the land. Shoring up the city for a blizzard named Li.
And the bully horde that followed.
Allah contented herself with being persistently pushed back. If she could contribute, she would try. What she was asked, she would answer. And she would not fault Li. Her friend had been as good as her word and as they stepped outside the cub saw a scribe carrying a stack of posters in her paws, could hear a crier chant “Fey’arna of Hada’neha is requested and required to make his presence known to the nearest city guard. A reward is offered for his safe return.” Surely her father would be found soon, news of him at the least and Allah would go to him.
But for now, Allah had made a promise to Li. She would stand beside her friend…if these quorum members ever got out of the way…
Allah busied her eyes and ears in learning this new place. The smell was only U’knock, a packed down scent of many bodies forced together. It reminded her of the mob. Even as the sun was setting behind the tall buildings the street was alive. Tradeswomen and males carried their goods, families shopped at stalls and cubs ran in play or just from the joy of slipping a father’s leash for a time. The buildings were all taller than any hut, packed into squares and high roofed rectangles. Only the doors and the largest structures were domed. Even the glass in the new windows had straight, with sharp unnatural edges.
That was the word Umati’clam conjured to her: unnatural. Even with so many--because there were so many--of her people packed within, Allah felt more and more like a stranger in these confines. How long had she dreamed of walking the fabled city streets? Now she would give up her tail to curl up on her cushion in front of the fireplace, claw the rough burlap and kneed the straw inside to lay her head down and rest. To be home and safe again.
With her fa.
She was not expecting guards when they reached the wall. Four of the metal humans stepped outside the bubble as it popped, speaking in Demeter’s voice.
“Stand away from the entrance,” they said as one, raising black bowless Com’cha with those deadly tubes in their place. “This is your only warning.”
“I’ll do what I can,” Li said by way of apology as the throng of quorum members receded slowly from the opening wall, “but our timetable is going to be tight. Remember Allah’hem’nrah,” she continued, motioning Allah to step forward, “I want at least two level headed warriors per village. These people are not beggars or simply displaced. And they may be vital to rebuilding your home.”
“I do not see how,” the spotted warrior stepped back as Allah stepped closer, “but we will do as you command, Defender.”
“Uh uh,” Li admonished, wagging a finger at the massive U’knock.
“Li,” Allah’hem’nrah corrected, her lips tightening.
Li gestured to Allah again and the two stepped through.
“Could not your ambassador,” Ada’key’hamda called but did not step past the robot guards, gray fur bristling as the first night wind chilled her, “stay with us longer, Friend Li? We still have questions she might be uniquely capable of answering.”
Li and Allah both turned back, the human grinning with a light bow. “That holds true for me too,” the human said softly. “Unfortunately, Allah’s duties at the moment will be keeping her close to me. Any questions can be relayed through these droids,” she gestured to the armed machines. “They can relay any pertinent queries to Jung or myself through Demeter.”
The wall began to seal itself and Allah’hem’nrah raised one paw in the air, waving it back and forth. “Gud B’eye!” the spotted warrior called.
“Bài bài,” Li wiggled her fingers and the massive U’knock chuffed. As the hole in the wall sealed, the sounds of the city silenced. Allah looked up to see the bubble shimmer in place.
Li slumped her shoulders, stretched and yawned. “Now that’s over with,” she said tiredly, “you want something to eat?”
“I am honored to share your table again,” Allah nodded a bow of thanks as Li turned toward the spire, “but what ‘other’ duties do I have?”
“Mostly?” Li winked as she glanced over her shoulder, “Staying clear of Ada’key’hamda. And Marn’charlie’weh, for that matter.” The human frowned at the blank expression on Allah’s face. “Don’t get me wrong, I like that old gray ‘māo’,” Jung translated the word as a subspecies of Earth native animals with an image that explained much of Li’s previous jibes, “but I don’t trust her any further than I can throw her. Or Allah’hem’nrah if it comes to it. Not fully.”
“Why not?” Allah turned back to the closed wall gate. The pair had quickly become the most vocal supporters of Li’s side during the quorum. “They seemed to trust you.”
“Allah’hem’nrah does,” Li confessed, “or at least she believes me a ‘defender’ and understands the threat the swarmers pose. Sounds like she was breastfed war stories as a kit,” Li scratched her head, combing her hair with her fingers, “but she’s gonna do what she thinks is best for her people. And that might not be what's best for the U’knock. Or winning this war.”
Allah considered this. She wanted to say an honored elder would not be so dishonest but…Ana’nut’hana’s betrayal of her father…their exile reminded the cub that no matter how unified the U’knock love of Defenders and hate for bullies was supposed to be, a shallow cup could not hold deep water. If her own mayor could do such to her and Fey’arna then what were strangers capable of?
“And Ada’key’hamda?” she asked with interest. They had passed the landing pad and rapidly closed on the doors to the spire.
“That woman?” Li grinned lopsidedly as the double doors whooshed open, “is what my people call a ‘kingmaker’,” she waved away Allah’s questions, “it means she is a pure blood politician; shrewd and devious. She only sided with us because she knew where the winds were blowing.”
“I hope,” Allah confided, stepping into the noisy chaos of the garage, “that you are wrong.” Her voice rose to a shout above the hissing, clanging commotion.
“I hope I’m not!” Li answered as they hurried past the noisy room and into the hallway. Once the noise of work had died to a dull den she explained. “We’re going to need somebody that conniving on our side to keep Marn’charlie’weh in check. Um…at bay.”
“Jung explained chess,” Allah answered the unspoken question. “And go.”
“Gooood!” Li’s smile must have been more predatory than intended, Allah assumed, as the human showed her teeth. “I’ve got a board in my quarters aboard the Stardancer. Fancy a game when he gets back?”
“I would rather know,” Allah nodded at the offer, “why you need two warriors to travel to the villages.”
“Ah,” Li turned at a crossroads in the hallway, then looked up “Demeter, where’s the nearest mess hall?”
The pleasant voice had returned as a blue beam illuminated. “Please follow the indicated footpath!” Li quickly strode onward.
“Is there any food available for carbon based consumption?”
There was no response as Li and Allah followed the glowing blue line. “Demeter, is there any food available for carbon based consumption?”
“Stores are restocked from the garden every fifty years, cooked and freeze dried for long term access! We have a selection of prepackaged meals ready to eat! Just add hot water and--”
“Demeter,” Allah interrupted as they entered a large room filled with long beaches and tables, “Please be quiet.” Then, to Li she said “You are avoiding my question.”
“I wasn’t avoiding,” Li said in a scolding tone, “I was stalling. There’s a difference. Demeter? Where’s the food!?!”
“Li,” Allah’s tone was stern and pleading at the same time, “Why?”
The human stopped in the center of the room, shoulders slumping. “I kinda wished you’d’ve been awake for that part. It didn’t go over too well with the quorum either.”
“Stop stalling,” Allah admonished, “What is wrong?”
“Allah,” Li stood in the center of the room, raised and then lowered her hands. “Allah,“ she said, “I need you to prepare yourself. What happened last night was only the opening salvo. Things are going to get worse. A lot worse before we’re done here.”
“The U’knock are accustomed to hardship,” Allah straightened. “We will persevere.“
Li shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. I know your people are strong. I know they’re proud, and I believe they will fight for their home. But are they willing to leave their lives behind to do it?”
“Leave?” Allah pursed her lips and thought. “Why would we need to leave their lives?“
“We don’t have a full planetary shield around this rock,” Li answered. “The safest place for them is going to be in Umati’clam. They’ll have to relocate. All of the villages will have to relocate.
“And,” from the expression on the human’s face, the news she gave was worse than it sounded when she said “Some of them might not make it.”

I'll share mine along with my reasoning
3rd Place: Ludwig Göransson🥉
His music is a breath of fresh air in the MCU with it's use of varied instruments unique to particular cultures. You can also tell he has a good working relationship with the director because on every single other project he scores for Coogler the music just catapults the storytelling to new heights.
My only complaint is that for his Marvel stuff especially it's a bit too "busy" and while it's great that a lot of important characters get their own signature motifs ... the music could benefit by zeroing in on some of the more central ones.
Best work in my opinion: Black Panther (2018)
2nd Place: Michael Giacchino 🥈
You know a composer did his job right when you notice immediately that the sequel is scored by someone else. Giacchino's work lets you soar in the theatre or even just with headphones in at home and even in the softer moments it stands out as especially haunting.
One complaint that keeps it from being higher on my list is something Doc Ock said in Spider-Man 2: "Brilliant but lazy" Dr. Strange's theme from 2016 is wonderful, I only wish it didn't sound so incredibly similar to that of Star Trek: Into Darkness.... which Giacchino also composed. His score from Love&Thunder was also not very inspired in my opinion.
Best work: Dr. Strange (2016) tied with Spider-Man No Way Home.
1st Place: Henry Jackman 🥇
Possibly the least famous name on this list but also the man who just understands the assignment. He's got a way of making the score heighten the adrenalin of action sequences which in this genre of movies is sorely needed. Beyond that some of his motifs genuinely move me to tears (just like 'Ancestral Plane' by Ludwig) and he has a great ear for the overrall consistent tone a film should maintain even if the music has high and low points.
No complaints. I commend him for keeping Sam Wilson's Falcon theme consistent from his first film appearance in Winter Soldier to even updating it to sound more heroic when he debuts in his Captain America garb. The only complaint I have is nothing to do with him.. I just wish his theme for Black Panther used in Civil War was brought back in some way by the later movies. It was really cool.
Best work: Captain America: The Winter Soldier
What are your picks?

• Author's Note: Do not ask where this came from... it just did. My writing goblin had been nagging me to put this in writing since last night, so honestly it might have mistakes in it, the pacing and premise might be weird... but it helped my brain settle. Anyways, enjoy!

William Falis, born somewhere around the late 1300s or early 1400s by Earth's time, somewhere in Europe, first born son of a low ranking noble, one of many to come and go along human history. His story lost to time and unknown by his own people.
His life has been most usual from birth up until his mid twenties. The boy, like many others, had grown with knights being a main leading force in his country's lands and many around it. Looking up to the profession with a romanticized view, the young man grew upholding the views of knights of story, even being closer to something akin to a paladin in virtues. Like any person he had his moments of weakness and his vices, but his love for the meaning of the word 'knight' and the power behind what it meant to be one, always held him closer to a righteous path, more than many others.
His unique story begins when William was about the late age of 25, already having lived half of his life. While on his way back home after participating in a siege while on the attacking side, his attention was drawn to some bright blue lights off into the distant horizon, shining from the thick depths of a near by forest.
As he was on horse back, William stopped his mount's speedy galop as he gazed confused upon the bizzare lights. "Oh, what a light of azure shines through to mine eyes from the depths of the forest. Godly and angelic, tis a sign from God Himself, surely. He must be calling for me to meet him, why else would I be graced by this miracle?"
He took a moment to find a place to loosely tie his horse to and give its head a few gentle pets. "Do not worry, Stevellion. I shall cometh back to you, but should danger cometh for you, hear my plea and run akin to the wind. The wood is too thick with brush and root for you to safely traverse it. I shall return, post haste, mine steed."
Dressed in a light cloth garb with some padded leather armor on top, the knight grabbed his satchel, spear, sword at the hip and shield, from the horse and he set course into the wood. With decided steps he advanced, ready to meet his God and hear Him and His orders to him.
Meanwhile, at the source of the light deep into the woods laid a metal vessel of decent size, half buried into the earth. Tossed about and broken trees confirm a crash landing. Inside the space craft of a spherical shape, Azail and Gab'el, were just coming back to conciousness. They were nearly 7 feet tall and with a light blue complexion upon their wirey frames, the impact had shook them to their cores, bruises formed on their gentle features.
Azail, pushed back silvery white strands of hair as her golden eyes blinked slowly while she got her bearings. "Oh fuck... everything hurts. Agh-... Gab'el? You alive?" She groaned as she lifted her head up from their ship's console, looking to her co-pilot who was splaied on the floor.
"Y-yeah... agh... although I wish I wasn't..." Gab'el said as he shakily pushed up on his elbows, his four digits on each of his hands, feeling his face for damage.
"W-what happened? My head-... oof..." Azail said as she put a palm to her left temple, pulling away, dark blue blood was staining it.
"We got intercepted b-by a Daemar fighting vessel while getting out of Planet-347H's atmosphere. Evasive manuevers failed and we had to make a crash landing." Gab'el continued as he struggled to his feet making his way back to the console.
"Fucking hell... ugh... check with the xenobiologists over comms and see if they are alive in the back. I will send off an Emergency Signal and a message to the outpost we have on Planet-M4/R5. W-we... we gotta be quick and pray the signal reaches them or anyone really that can come quick."
Gab'el nodded as he got to it, trying the communicator he had a shared frequency eith everyone on board. "Luken, Ashi'in. Report on your state if you can hear this message. This is Gab'el. Over."
Azail got to work as well, setting their emergency beacon online and starting to record a message. "This is pilot Azail from the Anghelon Empire, pilot for the scientific vessel, designation 'Enlightenment', the xenobiology branch. We have crash landed on Planet-347H, situated within the 7th space sector. Crash landing was caused by a surprise attack made by a Daemar combat vessel. Send reinforcements and a medical unit asap. We are not clear of danger."
As Azail finished the message she could hear Gab'el swear angrily as he went to the locker storing their only Redemption Fighting Suit, which was only for emergency cases, which it seems, this was one of those.
"Gab, t-talk to me. What happened?" Azail mumbled loudly to her co-pilot as she inched her way towards him holding onto the wall of their decently sized cockpit.
"I got a hold of Lukin! Shit! It's stuck, fuck! He said, Daemars got their hands on Ashi'in, the back left side is busted open and they grabbed her as she was near the opening. I'm trying to get the suit out, but the damn door is busted." He growled man.
"We are wasting time. I'll grab the first aid kit, check your kinetic energy handarm for damage and we've got to mobilize." Azail said as she unholstered from her hip her weapon, gave it a quick look over and then went to grab the medical kit they had in storage under the console.
"Sigh, wish they let us issue our standard Rail Rifle for this mission, SPECIFICALLY because of shit like this. These dinky things won't do shit against Daemar armor." Gab'el said as he checked his gun while opening the doors leading from the cockpit to the small hallway with doors leading to their storage closet, small accomodations and the lab at the back.
The duo advanced carefully towards the lab doors that were already partially slid open, seemingly busted from the reck. Passing through them they had found Lukin hiding behind one of their research tables, which were standard issued as bolted to the floor. The scientist's left golden eye was busted swirling with his own blue blood .
"Hah! Azail, G-Gab'el. There's four of them, h-heard them talking about coming in for a sweep." The scientist, Luken, whispered with groans of pain. "They beat up my assistant, p-please do something!" He said desperate.
"Did you see what weapons they are using? Anything higher cal-" Gab'el began questioning, but a shot from a Rail Rifle ripping a hole in a different table answered his unfinished inquiry. "Ffffuck! If we live, I will kill our whole logistic department, the greedy fucks. They give us an old first gen RF Suit and they think its enough. Pieces of shit." He swore with fury, whispering exasperated as he went into proper cover besides the scientist.
Azail crouched near them as she peeked over cover and out the hole in the side of their ship. Four Daemar, indeed, all equipped with impact body suits that harden when struck by high velocity projectiles. "Ghah... at best our pistols are distractions."
Daemars were shorter in stature than Anghelons, mainly due to their long legs being double jointed with a joint bending back while the second one bent forward, their legs had thicker toes near akin to hooves and their backs were hunched heavily. When fully sprawled out they might actually beat Anghelons in length, which wasn't encouraging as they also seemed brawnier physically than them.
"Come on fellas, you have until the count of three or we blast this bluey's brains onto this forsaken shit planet's mud." One of the Daemars yelled out.
"Agh- fuck you, you red piece of crap!" Ashi'in yelled out which got her a kick in the jaw in return.
"Feisty fucking thing." Chuckled another who administired the blow.
At about this time, William had gotten closer and closer to the flashing blue light, hearing sounds of voices he couldn't understand he became wary of danger. Sneaking up through the brush he found his eyes gazing upon a scene he had a hard time understanding.
After his mind took a moment to process what his eyes saw, he arrived to one certain conclusion. "God hath called upon me to assist one of his angels upon which demons had been set. Oh what woe for such a divine being to have been befallen by!" he whispered angrily to himself.
'How dare they!' He thought with a wordless gasp as he witnessed one of the demons kick the angel in the head.
Insulted by the uncalled for strike upon the already subjugated angel, William stood, an iron grip on his spear. Holding his spear for a throw, Michael rushed out of the brush in a charge. "HOW DARE YE, VILE FIENDS! GET OFF THAT ANGEL! RHA!" He roared tossing the spear at the closest demon his eyes landed on.
Daemar's hearing the shouting turned confused seeing a human charge at them. "IS THAT A FUCKING NATIV- AGH!" The Daemar closest to William said exploding into a shriek of pain as the spear he tossed impaled his torso. "AGH! HAAAH! HA! HOW?! W-WHAT?!" It shrieked out as he grasped the spear's shaft that was stuck in him.
The reds in shell shock reacted really slowly, since the knight had enough time to continue his charge. He shield bashed with the edge of his shield the one who already got struck by the spear, retrieved his weapon and then shoved his spear once more into the unlucky one's throat.
"Shoot it!" Said a higher ranking Daemar as his two goons began pointing a rail rifle and a kinetic pistol at the leather armored knight.
Before they could fill the primitive native of the muddy planet with holes, the trio of Daemars got covered in a small volley of pistol fire from inside the ship.
William peered from where the flashes of light came and he could see more angels. He tossed his shield aside and using his free arm he lifted up Ashi'in onto his shoulder, which he seemed to do so with ease. "Pray forgive me your Divinity, but I must assist hastly!" He yelled as he bolted inside, slipped on the slanted metal floor and slid on his ass all the way to the back.
Gab'el, Luken and Azail looked wide eyed at William who's eyes sparkled with awe.
"Doc, can it understand us?" Gab'el asked as he took cover back behind the desk.
"W-we've been studying them for quite a bit and no, they shouldn't... I don't understand why it came to our assistance, its kind hates one anothers i-if they wear slightly different clothes! This is insane!"
Azail groaned impatient as she kept overwatch towards the opening into the ship. "Less talking, untie Ashi'in, you morons! You can gawk at the dirt mammal after we're done with this. Gab'el shoot it if it tries to do anything stupid."
"Uhh... Az, I think it's getting to go out there." The co-pilot said uncertain as he undid the zip tie like bindings from Ashi'in's wrists behind her back.
William had indeed set Ashi'in down, who looked in a confused awe at him as he brushed some of her longer silvery locks from her face. "By God. You are a true beauty, truly God's children." William said gazing towards the others as he grasped his spear tighter.
He stood up confidently and began scaling the slanted floor towards the opening.
"Fucking hell, its going to kill itself." Gab'el said as he face palmed.
"M-maybe not. Despite his primite weapons he seemed like he could fight them. His species is rather sturdy and surprising. He might be able t-" before Lukin could finish his words, the group witnessed the primitive mammal go up to the opening, chuck his spear which got a yelp from one of the Daemars and then promptly get shot, based on the less scary sound, by the kinetic pistol.
William groaned, fell on his back, and like a pendulum, slid downwards once more at the back of the laboratory next to his 'angels'.
"Oh God! M-my heart! Ghah!" He said holding onto his chest.
"Oh, for the love of... these species on this planet are complete idiots." Gab'el said as as he went besides Azail, at this point not caring about the fate of their unlikely helper.
"God, could you be more heartless." Ashi'in said annoyed as she grabbed one of the arms of William. "Doc, help me pull him towards the back, quick, he's losing blood. Lets give the soldiers space and go to safety."
"R-right." Lukin said as he got a grip on William, and the two dragged him towards the cockpit with the first aid kit.
"Why do you think his attack worked?" Gab'el asked his colleague clearly confused by how a primitive's weapon could hurt a Daemar.
"I don't know... the suit is supposed to harden upon high velocity... impact..." that is when Azail's golden eyes glimmered with realization. "His spear is as slow as hell by comparison to our weapons... the armor doesn't register them."
The Anghelan woman then reached and took in her hands William's spear looking at it. "Gab' take this and sneak closer to the opening. If they approach I will shoot to distract, you stab."
"Eh, good of a plan as any other." The co-pilot sighed resignated at the situation before him. He took the primitive weapon and began his sudden suicide mission.
Back inside the cockpit, Lukin and Ashi'in, had dragged their unlikely native ally inside. The lead xeno biologist began looking over the heavily bleeding William, who seemed to be slowly dying. "Damn it, i think the bullet might have ruined the heart." He said as he began grabbing a few tools and bio sealant gel packets, and basically tried to patch the hole in his chest with fast acting cell regeneration medicine. "This should works, the native cells seemed similar in make to our own and in testing it seemed effective.
Ashi'in frowned. 'It'll be too slow.' She thought as her eyes looked quickly about. As her golden gaze laid upon the locker of the RF Suit, eureka struck her. "The suit. It has cell replication properties and an in built life support, it could help." She said as she took William's sword from him and began using it to pry open the busted looking door, struggling to do so.
"The suit?! Are you crazy?! That is the equivalent of giving a nonsentient primate a Rail Rifle after putting its digits on the trigger." Lukin said while keeping on with the first aid.
"Well, that thing saved my life and I don't know about you, but I am not about to let it die. I owe it at least that!" Ashi'in said grunting as she pried open the locker doors just enough for an arm to fit in.
She stretched as best she could and pulled from inside the locker a silvery metal disc about the same size as her palm.
"Ashi'in as the lead researcher I forbid it!" Lukin said standing up with a clear furious expression on his face, which receeded quickly once he saw Ashi'in lift up the sword she wielded in one of her hands.
"You can shove your position up your ass, and if you do, please make sure you can taste it in the back of your throat." She growled as she gave Lukin a shoulder shove.
She kneeled besides William and she looked down upon the pale pink primitive who's brown eyes stared half open at her, his long brown hair spread about the floor, soaked lightly with his own blood. "O-oh... mine beautiful angel... see that mine soul reacheth the gates of Heaven... and please... go release Stevellion of his duties as mine stead... he doesn't deserve to suffer the wait of my never coming... return." He said coughing up a few globs of blood.
Ashi'in listened, but... she couldn't understand a single grunt the damn thing was making. She just nodded her head and took his hand into hers. "Don't worry, it'll be fine... hopefully." She said nervous as she placed the metal disk at the center of his chest and gave it two finger taps.
The silvery metal disk chimed with a gentle sound after a few moments and it began saying. "The suit's pilot is in critical condition, for quicker life support assistance would you like to initiate full suit integration instead of the standard operating system?" The device declared, its monotonous voice echoing in the cockpit.
"Yes! Initatite full integration, focus on life support before booting any other systems." Ashi'in yelped impatient.
The metal disk chimed in an affirmative sound as it then shifted across the knight's chest, right over the wound. It sealed the hole with its own surface and then it started buzzing.
As William felt himself fade a spike of pain shot from his chest, more specifically his heart. It was as if something was shredding his heart apart and then it came in stabbing his inner flesh with many hot needles, it burned and stung like nothing else he ever felt. He yelled as his body convulsed and after about two minutes of this constant torture, the pain dulled and subsided.
"Biological analysis complete. Repaclement of damaged vital organs complete. Suit systems connected neurologically to host. All basic boot up functions complete." The suit stated once more monotonously.
Ashi'in sighed with relief as she sat down onto the floor. "Phew... I am so glad that worked." She said with a shakey voice and a small smile on her lips.
Lukin groaned annoyed as he looked at the suit's core now physically implanted into the native's left side of his chest. The damned thing tore through his bio clothing and just dug itself into him. Looking more closely now, the bit of it that was still exposed... it morphed... into a shape akin to the metal shield that the primitive was carrying.
William feeling himself breath fully and feeling life course through his veins proper, he looked at his chest and noticed the hole in his leather armor and the shirt below it. His eyes sparkled with a hope renewed as she looked at Ash'in. The young man scrambled onto his knees and palms and bowed his head with the forehead against the floor. "Oh! Most gentle and generous angel, thank you for your blessing, thank you for gracing me with the Lord's love and keeping me in your favor. I shall devote myself to assisting you and the Father in purging those demons."
"Oh, what the hell is it doin' now?" Ashi'in asked as she chuckled nervously, doubting her choice at this point. Her eyes wandered towards Lukin for an answer.
The lead xeno scientist stared into empty air after seeing William's display and he seemed to search for an answer in his mind's library. "I... don't... I know this has something to do with religious behaviors and rituals, but... why would it..." Lukin stuttered flustered.
William stood to his feet with a determined look upon his fair features. "God! I carry thine will as you command me, grant me thine protection and strength to end the plague that are those demons!"
"A.I. Assistant designation, God. Activating defensive protocols, enabling full access to in built nano machine weaponry." The suit's voice declared in a lpw tone monotonous voice.
"Did he just... name the suit's A.I. ... as God?! I understood what the suit said, but really, God?" Ashi'in asked confused as she stood up.
Lukin face palmed himself as he finally realized. "The unevolved idiot is mistaking us for divine creatures, oh hell... there's like fuck knows how many religions that I documented here, which one is he even part of?!" The lead scientist said stepping back.
The silver disk on William's chest began spreading over his body like mercury, enveloping him entirely. As it began taking shape, initially in the standard form of the suit, it then began changing. It morphed into a full suit of armor that looked like the full plated armor the xeno biologists have seen the natives of this planet make and wear in one region of the planet.
Despite the look akin to various metal plates strapped together, it was simply just the design choice of the user for the suit's exterior. The living metal even moved to make filigree patterns across various "edges" of the armor and in the middle of William's chest the designs merged to form a cross. His head piece took the shape of a Great Helm style helmet with a cross pattern in the middle, the eye holes being actual visors that shined a blue hue.
"Damn, these people are really into religion h-huh..." Ashi'in said as her eyes widened at how much the suit had changed from the standard look. This feature was usually used for one to lightly personalize their suit's design, but it was now unrecognisable.
"God, hear my plea! Grant me a blade to cut through mine enemies with thunderous force! Let me smite them, lightning quick!" William shouted as he reached a hand forward and from his palm, bits of his suit formed into a hilt, which grew a pummel and hand guard eventually shooting a straight edge blade that pulsed with electricity.
As Lukin observed he began tapping away at a little data pad. "I don't think the suit understand his vocal commands, but... full integration merges the suit with one's nervous system... it might actually be able to reproduce these details and follow his commands based on his brain's electric patterns which form his thoughts. Oh ho ho... this might be quite interesting. Such a basic intelligent life form operating intricate technological machinery. This'll-... agh!"
Lukin groaned as Ashi'in elbowed him in the side. "I understand this is our work, but can you not?" the assistant groaned annoyed shaking her head as she then gazed back at William. "Lets hope it'll put it to good use."
The knight stared at his new blade and down at himself as he tightened his free hand and began making his way out of the cockpit and back towards the laboratory he gor dragged from. "By the grace of God..." He untered zelously under his breath as he pressed onwards, his voice ringing out with a metalic tone to it and echoing.

I read this book between 1998 and 2005 (possibly in 2003?), at my school’s library when I was around 5-7 years old (it seemed age appropriate, and was definitely a chapter book). I can’t remember any names or the title, but here’s all I remember of the plot:
It’s a middle eastern fantasy setting in a village. The cobbler and his daughter receive an order for extravagant shoes from the prince, who shows up and is instantly attracted to the daughter. He leaves and then an evil wizard shows up and wants to marry the daughter. She adamantly refuses, at which point he backs her into a pig pen and curses her to be a hideous old woman, and she runs to the mountains to live as a hermit. The wizard goes towards the palace and basically takes over everything. After several years of living as a hermit (and making friends with a crow/bird), she decides she wants to go home and break her curse, so she sets off to find the wizard. She tracks him to the palace and steals his magic book, somewhere along the way she finds a lizard/salamander that later turns out to be the prince (who was transformed by the wizard). There’s a happy ending where they defeat the wizard and break their curses, and then they get married and live happily ever after.
Thank you!

I never thought I would actually have something happen to me that I could post in here, but something weird happened to me about a week ago in my own house. So to start I need to describe some of the layout of my house a bit (I dont know if I'm allowed to post pictures directly to the subreddit, but I have some pictures of the house I wouldn't mind sharing either here or directly with the guys on the podcast - there's nothing personally identifying in them). My bedroom is at the end of a hallway in a cluster with 2 other bedrooms, mine is in the middle with the other 2 doors on either side of me, a bathroom I share with one of my housemates is a little further down, and then there's a small set of stairs (about 5 steps) so you can step down into the living room. And at the far end of this hall - so, in our living room - is a window. Two windows, actually. A shorter one right above a taller one, and it takes up most of the height of this wall, and we have a tall vaulted ceiling in the living room. I can't say exactly how tall but it's maybe about 12 feet at the highest point. These windows sit right under the A-frame of the house, and you can literally see the shape of it from where the wall and ceiling meet, and this upper window is pointed at the top and fits right into that crevice. It seems like a first-story floor from inside the house, but outside the house there is actually a basement underneath, so while you could safely climb out the window on the adjacent wall in our living room and touch the ground, the other windows face out onto an elevated deck on the side of our house. This deck is about 5 or 6 feet off the ground, and these windows directly face the side of our neighbor's house. The adjacent window previously mentioned faces out at the street that runs in front of our house. So whenever I walk out of my room, I am directly facing these windows. The whole length of this part of the house from my bedroom door to the windows is maybe about 25 or 30 feet. And there's this weird kind of semi-transparent sheeting over some of the larger windows in our house - I share this house in Colorado with 3 other people, and I always just assumed this film was a type of insulation to keep heat from escaping in the winters, and we've just left it on there. It's not over the pane directly, it just covers the whole window cutout, and you can just vaguely see indistinct shapes/objects through it. For these 2 windows I am focusing on, the bottom window has this covering, but the top one does not.
Now I've had a bit of an irrational fear about these specific windows and just have had this nagging feeling the entire 3 years I've lived here. I don't know why this window makes me feel this way - but it kind of makes me feel a lot like these paintings of windows and doors by an artist called Dragan Bibin. Especially the painting he has of the dog standing in front of the door that's ajar (I think it's called 'Deimos'). If you search his name, you'll see the paintings. But I've just had this nagging feeling the entire 3 years I've lived here, like "some night I am going to open my door to walk out into the hallway, and I am going to see something weird in that window." And then the other night, I did.
It was about 9:30 pm. My housemate that I share this bathroom with was in the bathroom. (I haven't asked him yet if he saw anything that night). I left my room to get a drink from the kitchen, which is right around the corner from those windows. There was a light shining through the bottom window. It looked a lot like headlights from a car, so I assumed that it was and thought nothing of it. It wasn't moving so I also assumed it was a car that was stopped out on our street for some reason or another and that the headlight just happened to be coming through the window. Thought nothing of it. I got to the stairs before the living room, and then when I stepped down into the living room and got lower to the ground, I realized it wasn't headlights, or a car, because I came face to face with what I can only describe as 2 vividly orange circles - that were just far apart enough and small enough to look like eyes, but just a bit larger than you would expect; I estimate they were about 2 to 2.5 inches across in diameter - suspended in a yellow light like a headlight beam was shining somewhere behind them, except I couldn't see anything other than these 2 orange circles. But at the same time it was like they weren't producing the light themselves. They looked like they were illuminated, almost glowing around the edges, but it didn't seem like I was staring into a light when I looked at them. It was like they had absolutely no depth. It didn't hurt my eyes to look at them either, even though they seemed to be producing enough light to make me think it was a headlight from a car at first. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared at this for a good few moments. It was dead silent, it wasn't making any sound. It wasn't moving, not even a little bit. It was like it was just fixed in the air, so then I assumed it had to be a light on my neighbor's house, though I had never ever seen it before, and though it seemed extremely odd that these "lights" appeared to be pointing DIRECTLY INTO OUR HOUSE. It was dark in my house, and I hadn't turned on the light to the kitchen yet. I walked a couple steps out of line of sight and I leaned back over just to confirm it was still there and not moving and that I wasn't just seeing things. It was still there, and it was still not moving. I turned the light on and started pouring the drink I came in there to get. I was thinking about it the whole time I did this, and though I assumed it had to have been my neighbor's exterior light on their house or something, it just felt really strange. So I had already determined that after I poured my drink I was going to look through the sliding glass door that is right next to these windows and I would get a better look, and then I could just laugh at myself over being unsettled by what was probably a new outdoor light attached to my neighbor's house or whatever. I finished what I was doing and it couldn't have taken me more than 30 seconds. As I was finishing up I thought "when I walk back over there, it better not just be gone." But you can guess what happened - when I walked back over there and looked through the window again, there was of course nothing there. I looked through the door. I couldn't see anything. I couldn't see a light on my neighbor's house, even in the dark of the night. There were no cars, there were no sounds, there was no movement. I didn't see any signs of people being outside in the nearby vicinity. I thought, "OK that was pretty weird, but it still must just be a light on my neighbor's house and I'll get a better look in the morning when it's daylight". So later I went outside and looked. And there are not only no lights on my neighbor's house like that, there are no lights on that side of their house at all. There's no windows or doors on that side of their house either. I have photos of what the side of my neighbor's house looks like, and our deck and the line of sight from my window to their house so you can see exactly what that looks like. I also took photos of what it looks like to look through that window. I am kicking myself over the fact I didn't take my phone with me when I left my room that time. I usually do have it with me even if I leave for a few moments to get something from our kitchen, partly because I tend to miss phone calls even if I'm just in another room, but mostly because my phone is practically glued to my hip like most people these days. I didn't take it with me that time, and I really wish I had, but I got no photo of what I saw. I instead took a photo (at around 6 am the next morning) and drew in the little orange lights just to give a visual representation. Again, will share pictures if I'm allowed to. Online, people always say when you conveniently don't have a photo "even though everyone has a phone with a decent camera these days" it makes it sound more made-up. But I genuinely just didn't have my phone, and it disappeared very quickly. I've racked my brain in the days since for what it could have been, but haven't thought of a satisfactory explanation. Even if it was something as mundane as maybe a drone (even though it wasn't moving and it was dead silent) or a light, even that seems to suggest someone was using it to LOOK IN MY HOUSE. I had the most unsettling feeling that lingered with me afterwards like I was being LOOKED AT. I don't have any idea how long it had been there before I left my room. If anything, let this be a lesson to anyone else out there - ALWAYS have your phone or a camera. Have it charged and ready. Because chances are that weird thing is going to present itself in that very brief window where you don't.
(In case you guys want to use this on the podcast, I consent, and I will share photos if I'm allowed!)

My and my bf are working professionals. We've moved (rented) to a nice semi in January and what's extra nice is that his parents live across the road. It's a quiet close which is perfect as I WFH and it's nice and quiet at weekends too. Before we moved in we agreed with the landlord that we will put a fence out of our own pockets as the one between us and the neighbour was a wonky chicken wire fence - we have dogs and I do like my privacy. Landlord had no issues with it.
When we moved, neighbours chatted to us and told us that the woman next door to us had to move out for a while as her boyfriend set fire to her house just before Christmas and there was a lot of damage (quite a story on it's own). I thought: "oh that's a shame, poor woman must've been really scary" and didn't think much more of it.
Mid Feb she moves back in. It's OK as I don't notice her much which is fine and it's all quiet.
We finally scraped some money to put the fence in and we've booked a date - both myself and bf tried knocking on her door to let her know two and one week in advance and to make sure it's OK with her - no joy. Finally, day before I was going out for work purpose and she was dragging her bin back so I decided to speak to her, introduce myself, get to know her and let her know about the fence. She seemed pleasant and friendly (although I did sense, she has some 'issues' - which is fine btw - so do I). We laughed at the prospect of my dog chasing a cat through the wired fence into her garden and she said that the fence is a good idea, etc. I'm introverted and don't like talking to people much so this was me going out of my comfort zone and above and beyond to make a good friendly first impression as we're planning to stay here for a long time so might as well get to know the woman next door.
Anyway, I digress...the next day the fence people come and start working, I'm upstairs working. They are half way done and I hear chatter from the garden then I see her trotting to my door and shouting for me. I asked if there was a problem- she says "give me the number to your landlord, the fence is ugly and they are rude to me, we always have problems with renters here and they don't stay longer than a year because they can't afford it" - I literally stood there frozen as it was so unexpected. I gave her letting agents number as I didn't feel why I shouldn't as they knew about the fence anyway. She trotted back to her hole.
I went to my garden and asked the contractors what happened and they said that suddenly she came out and started shouting at them that the fence is ugly and they didn't know what they were doing - it's a normal fence - 4 panels with decorative trellis and 5th plain one that's joined to the plain panel that divides our paved areas. Like literally wtf.
I told them that she said they were rude to her and they've said that because theyve seen she's a 'bit off' they were trying to ignore her and not egg her on and then she started calling them 'dickheads'. They then said that they understand why I needed the fence done so quickly. Me being autistic started explaining that that wasn't the case and then the penny dropped 🙄.
I called my letting agents, explained what happened and sent them pictures. They confirmed that we haven't done anything wrong, we didn't trespass on her side (left the chicken wire fence where it was so our fence is in front of it, on our side of the garden), and we have informed her in advance and she didn't raise any objections. They confirmed with the landlord and he is also satisfied with the fence - we will still clean and paint it when the weather improves and so our pockets.
The agents apologised for the neighbour's behaviour (despite this having nothing to do with them) and agreed her comments were uncalled for. - for the record - an elderly lady rented here for 4 years before us, so the (I'm getting angry so will start calling the neighbour 'twat' from now on because otherwise I'll explode) that's comments did not make sense. I'm also starting to think that perhaps this was a threat or a type of hate harassment/passive aggressive attempt at her saying "I'm better then you because I own my house and you rent so I've got the right to tell you what to do even though it's not my house".
I would like to add the fact here that this woman does not work and she's probably in her 40s - not judging as such as sometimes it's justified but something tells me in this case it's probably not that. I could be nasty about it if I wanted to, but no time for that now.
I know for some readers this will seem trivial but it took me over a week to get over all this as I don't cope well in these types of situations. I also can't cope being told information I know it's not true or being accused of something I have hard proof that it's not the case - my sense of justice is very strong so at the same time, when I'm in the wrong or someone explains to me and then I see that it was my bad, I'm the first to admit and take accountability.
Fast forward 2-3 weeks. I'm starting to get back to baseline but still avoid her which is easy anything. Yesterday, I had letting agent contractors come to fix my window handles, so I'm sitting in the lounge and I get the doorbell. It's an agent from my letting place. He apologised for intruding but he wanted to let me know that he had a meeting with the twat next door - I asked if it was about the fence again and he confirmed but he said that we have nothing to worry about. Then he said that there are couple of 'other things' but if I don't have time now we can speak later. Of fucking course I told him to tell me now. He said that the twat complained that we've installed 'cameras' and then he looked at my Ring doorbell and before I said anything he went 'but I can see it's just this so it's ok' ...ladies and gentlemen - at this point I went livid. I told him that I think something is seriously wrong with her and I think she's got some issues - I think I said 'fucking' at some point and looking back I'm not proud of it but I went into defense and fight or flight explaining that what she says it's totally unjustified.
He told me that she complained that we have people parking on her driveway - we had no visitors since we moved here. I park on my driveway and bf at the back in front our garage. I told him that's total bull shit and if she means contractors from the agency going slightly over on her empty driveway for a bit then she can raise that with them as I really don't have time to stand in the window and watch for every contractor, delivery guy, post man to make sure they god forbid don't have 2cm of their wheels on her driveway whilst they are doing their job.
The one that took the biscuit tho - she complained that we've...wait for it...'changed or taken the numbers on the bins'. Don't ask me what bins she's referring to because I honestly have no idea. The guy could see that the number on our bin corresponds to our house number and I added that going round the close taking people's bins/numbers or changing them is not something we've taken up as a hobby.
At this point I thought I'm gonna go over to her and raise hell but I thought better of it. The guy said he agrees and sees my point and he then told me 'just lay low for a bit, it will die down' ...I'm sorry, I fucking lost the plot - lay low??? As in wtf, we can't lay any lower than than because we don't party, we don't have people round, we avoid the fucker as it is - what exactly we are supposed to do???
Anyway, I wrote a long email to the agents addressing all of it and saying that basically this is starting to look like borderline bullying and harassment. And asked them to next time let me know when she 'reports' something else so i can address it there and then with them. I'm sure that's not the end of it and she will continue to try get us in trouble because she is not getting the reaction or response she wants from anyone and she now has the agents number.
Later on that same day, I noticed she has wheeled her bin out and left it on OUR driveway, right next to my car! Like wtf! Normally I wouldn't give a shit as I'm not petty and have a life but because of the newest revelations, I took the picture of this and sent to the agency saying that this just happened and I'll be moving her bin over to her driveway but wanted to give them evidence before in case she tells them we are 'doing something' again.
I don't know what the point of this post is tbh, I just needed to vent and perhaps someone can give me some advice as I'm in bits, I'm starting to hate living here and I don't feel comfortable in a home I'm working so hard for.
I can be really spiteful, hold my own and I don't take shit like that from the likes of her but I'm honestly a bit at a loss here as on one hand I want to go there and explain to her what a cowardly twat she is and how dare she make up lies and just make her realise how stupid she makes herself look. But at the same time I know that there's no point conversing with crazy.
This whole situation is so senslessly toxic and I think that just bothers me the most, plus I really don't want to have to move, because I do like the place and because I know this will make her win and feel she can do shit like that to anybody else.
If you're still here, reading this - much appreciated.

My situation is a bit complex so I’ll boil it down as much as I can. I was hoping there’d be an obvious answer to this dilemma but every other person I talk to has a differing opinion, so I’m trying to gather a consensus.
I’m 22 and have been living in London for nearly five years with my partner. When I left home I immediately started living with him and things were going great up until recently. Nothing ugly, but we just decided we wanted different things.
I started looking for a full-time job so I could move out (previously I was just doing part-time because it fit our lifestyle), and I’ve received a job offer. It’s enough to scrape by, not necessarily great for my wallet but it’s enough for what I need.
Meanwhile, my parents who live in a whole other part of the country in the countryside keep telling me I should just move back in with them. I don’t drive, so both my social and job prospects are basically ruined unless I got a remote position or learnt to drive, but my parents actively want me to come back and don’t understand why I haven’t just said yes immediately without hesitation.
So, there’s a few things going on in my head. Why should I suffer a 40-hour-a-week wage slave job to move into a box-sized apartment when I have no friends in the city and the only thing I really enjoy about it is the night life? If I can choose not to do that and potentially save up for a house at some point, why not just do that?
On the other hand, I really like my freedom, the idea of independence, and a fresh start. But pursuing that has more risk involved in terms of job security, rent security, etc., and I’m not sure if I’m mentally in the right headspace to do this and be alone.
So, I need some advice on which is the best option for me, because I can see the pros and cons to both and I’m running out of time to make a decision. Much love.
EDIT: Also I’d just like to say that I don’t take it for granted at all that this is a privileged position to be in and I have the luxury of this choice, though I’ve only recently rebuilt bridges with my parents after years of no-contact due to (now resolved) trauma.

Master Nanquan said to an assembly,
The Burning Lamp Buddha said it - if what is thought up by mental descriptions produces things, they are empty, artificial, all unreal. Why?
Even mind has no existence - how can it produce things? They are like shadows of forms dividing up empty space, like someone putting sound in a box, and like blowing into a net trying to inflate it. Therefore an old adept said, "It is not mind, not Buddha, not a thing," teaching you how to practice. It is said that tenth stage bodhisattvas abide in the concentration of heroic progress, gain the secret treasury of teachings of all Buddhas, spontaneously attain all meditations, concentrations, liberations, spiritual powers, and wondrous functions, go to all worlds and manifest physical bodies everywhere, sometimes present the appearance of attaining enlightenment, turning the wheel of the great teaching, and entering complete extinction, causing infinity to enter into a pore, expound a one-line scripture for countless eons without exhausting the meaning, teach countless billions of beings to attain acceptance of the truth of no origin; yet this is still called the folly of knowledge, the folly of extremely subtle knowledge, completely contrary to the Way. It's very difficult, very hard; take care.

- Cleary's Treasury of the Eye of True Teaching #260
I flipped to this one and thought it fitting since Nanquan seems to be in the headlines a lot lately. And he's one of my favourites.
I agree with him that it is hard. Another one of my favourite quotes is from Dahui: "It is easier to turn stones into gold and jewels than to get people to set aside affirmation and negation." There's no take-away, no dogma, in what the Zen masters say - at best only 'medicine' appropriate for the moment, often to contrast something else, like Huineng's poem to contrast Shenxiu's.
It strikes me as bizarre that folks often seem to want to box this up, saying 'oh but there is this world of facts apart from what the Zen masters say'... I don't quite understand. Hundreds of years of science has given us a few pretty amazing but unproven theories, some irreconcilable, and philosophy and mathematics tell us that there are always an uncountable number of interpretations to fit any data. This is not to say reality isn't 'anchored', but Zen masters are quite adamant it isn't anchored in any thing. And it's certainly not the case that they peddle one truth for the enlightened and another for the ignorant.
When we say we can't see it's often because it's dark or our eyes are closed - and so that blackness gets associated with 'nothing' or 'void'... But 'nothing' isn't black.

If you go on to talk of mind, it too is neither something nor nothing; ultimately it is not you. The idea of something originally there now being absent, and the idea of something originally not there now being present, are views of nihilism and eternalism.

- Foyan
Xuansha (TotEoTT 516):

The ancient sages did not make arrangements; even now they have no fixed place. If you arrive here, you ascend into the mystery with every step, not in the province of wrong or right. Perception cannot discern it, intellect cannot know it. Stir, and you lose the source; consciously notice, and you miss the essence. Those on the two vehicles tremble, those in the ten stages are shocked. The road of speech is cut off, the sphere of mental activity disappears. Hence we have Shakyamuni shutting off his room in Magadha, Vimalakirti keeping his mouth closed in Vaisali, Subhuti preaching no explanation to reveal the Way, Indra and Brahma raining flowers without hearing. If it is evident in this way, what would you still doubt? Where there is no abiding is beyond past, future, and present. It cannot be limited; the road of thought is cut off. It does not depend on arrangement or embellishment; it is originally real and pure. Activity, speech, and laughter are everywhere perfectly clear; there is no lack anymore.
People of the present do not understand the principle herein, and mistakenly get themselves involved in things and sense objects, getting influenced everywhere, getting bound up everywhere. Even if you awaken, sense data and objects are still profuse; names and descriptions are not real. Then you try to freeze your mind, rein in thoughts, reduce phenomena to emptiness, shut your eyes, break off thoughts as they arise again and again, and suppress subtle thinking as soon as it arises. Views like this are characteristic of outside ways that fall into nihilism, dead people whose ghosts have not yet departed, dark and vague, unaware, unknowing, covering your ears to steal a bell, uselessly fooling yourself. If you discriminate here, it is not so.
This is not standing by the door, at the corner of the gate. Each expression is evident, not open to debate, not literal. To be fundamentally beyond sense data and objects, fundamentally without ranks, is provisionally called a leaver of home, ultimately without tracks or traces. Reality as such, ordinary and holy, hell and heaven, are just prescriptions of obvious lunatics. Even space has no change - how can the Way have rising and sinking? When you are enlightened, you are free in all ways without leaving the fundamental. If you arrive here, ordinary and holy have no place to stand. If you fabricate ideas in expression, this drowns students. If you run seeking outside, you fall into the realm of demons. Real transcendence has nothing to arrange. It is like a blazing furnace does not hide a mosquito. This principle is originally even; what's the need for leveling off? Activity, even raising the brows, is the real path of liberation; it is not forced or calculated. Setups are contrary to reality. If you arrive here, nothing at all is taken on; set your mind and you miss. This is the coming forth of a thousand sages; you cannot label it at all.

Man, he's got a way with words! I do like my sleep and I don't enjoy gardening very often...but there does come a time when it's harder to stay in bed than to mow the lawn.
Xuansha mentions "Indra and Brahma raining flowers without hearing" - I believe this is a reference to the following, the last of my favourite quotes for this post:

One day, in a mood of sublime emptiness, Subhuti was resting underneath a tree when flowers began to fall about him. "We are praising you for your discourse on emptiness," the gods whispered to Subhuti. "But I have not spoken of emptiness," replied Subhuti. "You have not spoken of emptiness, we have not heard emptiness," responded the gods. "This is the true emptiness." The blossoms showered upon Subhuti as rain.

I had to leave the country for a long business trip next week when the package is supposed to arrive at the pick up point. So this means that I won’t be able to leave my ID here. Is it possible for my friend to pick it up for me with just a picture of my ID? (ik my local pick up point usually asks for IDs but idk if they’ll allow that).
Alternatively, does anyone know how to change the shipping method after purchasing? rn its set to delivery to pickup point but I want to do a home delivery instead.

I am 21F and living with my verbally abusive narcissistic alcoholic father for the last 2 years. My mom divorced him after 15 years of trying everything under the Sun (AA, doctors, begging, crying, you name it) and finally made the decision once I turned 18. She moved to another city shortly after and I chose to stay back with my dad since I was still in college and I have 2 dogs who are my entire world and wouldn't be able to take them along if I moved into my own apartment (We live in a spacious independent house with ample space for them, hence the decision) Shitty decision, I know. I graduated and I am working right now. I will be leaving the country for my postgrad degree in around 5 months but living with him is getting increasingly difficult day by day. For context, I live with my dad and grandma (his mom) and she has Alzheimers so she has no idea what's going on half the time and she coddles him too much. We have a live-in house help as well. Stepping into the problem, here are some of the few issues I am facing :
- He goes on alcohol binges for days at a time where he locks himself in his room and drinks days away. Although, this doesn't necessarily directly affect me - it isn't a pretty sight to see when I go back home.
- He is an emotional wreck since my mom found a partner after they divorced. He is highly narcissistic and refuses to acknowledge that my mom left him because he was abusive and plays victim at all times.
- I have a boyfriend and my dad knows about him too. Me and my boyfriend are serious about each other and plan on getting married after I complete my degree abroad. My dad is overly jealous about my boyfriend and badmouths me every chance he gets.
- He gets drunk and messages my mom abusive things such as "your daughter has gone down a wrong path" etc etc (with curse words) and other very demeaning things about me and blames her for it.
- He also gets drunk and verbally abuses me i.e putting me down, demeaning me etc .
- He also calls up random people and once he called up my mom's partner and abused him as well over the phone.
- He verbally abuses me the previous night and the next morning he talks as though nothing happened and it makes me so fucking sick and angry.
My father has never been able to actively take part in my life and always been a terrible, narcissistic person. Now, he is unable to digest the fact that both me and my mom have found someone for ourselves and he is jealous about it. He is going insane and losing control over himself. He randomly picks fights, screams, cries and bothers me whenever i am outside. He calls me up and says very disgusting things asking me where I am and it shoots up my anxiety SO much. I am seeking therapy and I will be getting the fuck out of his house in 6 months but I am not able to cope. I am so tired. I am doing my best trying to take care of my dogs, my grandma and the house at 21 but I am so tired of being put down by my sad excuse for a father. I go to my bf's place whenever I can but I can never be at peace knowing my father will call me up anytime and say horrible things to me, spiking my anxiety and ruining my day. I don't know how he has so much power over me but I fucking hate him. Although it's for a short while, I can't live this way anymore. I can't move out immediately and I want to enjoy the last few months I have here with my boyfriend until I am gone for 2 years.
My mom is being as supportive as she can be but she has her own life now. She always says "you chose to stay back" as though i am destined to pay for the decision I took. I know that's the truth but I just feel so alone. I took the decision to stay for my dogs and my college. He is in a downward spiral and getting worse day by day. I feel so stuck. Please do help me out and give me ways to cope / deal with this. I am so tired.

I've been fighting with my landlord about all the illegal practices that they are aware of. it has made me realize the bigger picture of the socioeconomic crisis happening around me. My rights are being violated and I am not getting very much help from the agencies that are dedicated to this type of thing. Legally speaking, the whole situation is a mess and the property should not be suitable for anyone to be living in. My problem is that I am one small person who doesn't get taken seriously, and I need help behind me. I have more than enough records to make a well enough point of investigation.
​
Does anyone have any ideas or info that would help me along the process of actually doing something about these illegal practices. I'm paying double real estate taxes too, just to top everything else off too.
​
I've already contacted the attorney generals office, HUD, community legal services and even bothered people that have nothing to do with this topic. Nobody has reached out and nobody will help in the slightest.
​
The main violation I am trying to get movement on is in direct reference to fire safety code. There are no outdoor exhaust vents for ALL of the apartments on this property. I have actually mentioned this specifically to the "property manager" and they 1. addressed the fact that everyone has the same set up 2. told me there is nothing they are willing to do 3. advised the only "solution" they have is to remove my washedryer unit all together from my apartment.
​
I have been doing my due diligence and trying to gather any/all information and educate myself on landlord and tenant act, fire safety and building codes, real estate laws, everything in between. I've been looking over my lease and THANKFULLY the person that was supposed to be in charge of that did not do it correctly or sign in all the necessary places. As far as im concerned, I can defend (at least) the legalities of the lease, but I'm not planning on saying anything that would lead them to believe what's actually going on. I have been talking with my neighbor and I think we want to try and get the community involved, this is all still getting moving so it's hard to really tell how far and which direction it's going. in Dec 22 I provided them in person with my formal complaint of everything going on (kept a copy for myself as well, per usual). There is pretty significant water damage and most of the other things are a lot bigger than I can and am willing to take on, unfortunately. Our lease is up in oct and considering the severity of the issues here, it's just simply not for anyone to be living in. I am looking for other options but it's hard times no matter where you go. I'm just trying to do the right thing in the end, it bs that they are charging people upwards of 1600 a month for living in, by legal definition "a slum".

UNITED STATES, ARIZONA, PHX
​
I've been fighting with my landlord about all the illegal practices that they are aware of. it has made me realize the bigger picture of the socioeconomic crisis happening around me. My rights are being violated and I am not getting very much help from the agencies that are dedicated to this type of thing. Legally speaking, the whole situation is a mess and the property should not be suitable for anyone to be living in. My problem is that I am one small person who doesn't get taken seriously, and I need help behind me. I have more than enough records to make a well enough point of investigation.
​
Does anyone have any ideas or info that would help me along the process of actually doing something about these illegal practices. I'm paying double real estate taxes too, just to top everything else off too.
​
I've already contacted the attorney generals office, HUD, community legal services and even bothered people that have nothing to do with this topic. Nobody has reached out and nobody will help in the slightest.
​
The main violation I am trying to get movement on is in direct reference to fire safety code. There are no outdoor exhaust vents for ALL of the apartments on this property. I have actually mentioned this specifically to the "property manager" and they 1. addressed the fact that everyone has the same set up 2. told me there is nothing they are willing to do 3. advised the only "solution" they have is to remove my washedryer unit all together from my apartment.
​
I have been doing my due diligence and trying to gather any/all information and educate myself on landlord and tenant act, fire safety and building codes, real estate laws, everything in between. I've been looking over my lease and THANKFULLY the person that was supposed to be in charge of that did not do it correctly or sign in all the necessary places. As far as im concerned, I can defend (at least) the legalities of the lease, but I'm not planning on saying anything that would lead them to believe what's actually going on. I have been talking with my neighbor and I think we want to try and get the community involved, this is all still getting moving so it's hard to really tell how far and which direction it's going. in Dec 22 I provided them in person with my formal complaint of everything going on (kept a copy for myself as well, per usual). There is pretty significant water damage and most of the other things are a lot bigger than I can and am willing to take on, unfortunately. Our lease is up in oct and considering the severity of the issues here, it's just simply not for anyone to be living in. I am looking for other options but it's hard times no matter where you go. I'm just trying to do the right thing in the end, it bs that they are charging people upwards of 1600 a month for living in, by legal definition "a slum".

My and my bf are working professionals. We've moved (rented) to a nice semi in January and what's extra nice is that his parents live across the road. It's a quiet close which is perfect as I WFH and it's nice and quiet at weekends too. Before we moved in we agreed with the landlord that we will put a fence out of our own pockets as the one between us and the neighbour was a wonky chicken wire fence - we have dogs and I do like my privacy. Landlord had no issues with it.
When we moved, neighbours chatted to us and told us that the woman next door to us had to move out for a while as her boyfriend set fire to her house just before Christmas and there was a lot of damage (quite a story on it's own). I thought: "oh that's a shame, poor woman must've been really scary" and didn't think much more of it.
Mid Feb she moves back in. It's OK as I don't notice her much which is fine and it's all quiet.
We finally scraped some money to put the fence in and we've booked a date - both myself and bf tried knocking on her door to let her know two and one week in advance and to make sure it's OK with her - no joy. Finally, day before I was going out for work purpose and she was dragging her bin back so I decided to speak to her, introduce myself, get to know her and let her know about the fence. She seemed pleasant and friendly (although I did sense, she has some 'issues' - which is fine btw - so do I). We laughed at the prospect of my dog chasing a cat through the wired fence into her garden and she said that the fence is a good idea, etc. I'm introverted and don't like talking to people much so this was me going out of my comfort zone and above and beyond to make a good friendly first impression as we're planning to stay here for a long time so might as well get to know the woman next door.
Anyway, I digress...the next day the fence people come and start working, I'm upstairs working. They are half way done and I hear chatter from the garden then I see her trotting to my door and shouting for me. I asked if there was a problem- she says "give me the number to your landlord, the fence is ugly and they are rude to me, we always have problems with renters here and they don't stay longer than a year because they can't afford it" - I literally stood there frozen as it was so unexpected. I gave her letting agents number as I didn't feel why I shouldn't as they knew about the fence anyway. She trotted back to her hole.
I went to my garden and asked the contractors what happened and they said that suddenly she came out and started shouting at them that the fence is ugly and they didn't know what they were doing - it's a normal fence - 4 panels with decorative trellis and 5th plain one that's joined to the plain panel that divides our paved areas. Like literally wtf.
I told them that she said they were rude to her and they've said that because theyve seen she's a 'bit off' they were trying to ignore her and not egg her on and then she started calling them 'dickheads'. They then said that they understand why I needed the fence done so quickly. Me being autistic started explaining that that wasn't the case and then the penny dropped 🙄.
I called my letting agents, explained what happened and sent them pictures. They confirmed that we haven't done anything wrong, we didn't trespass on her side (left the chicken wire fence where it was so our fence is in front of it, on our side of the garden), and we have informed her in advance and she didn't raise any objections. They confirmed with the landlord and he is also satisfied with the fence - we will still clean and paint it when the weather improves and so our pockets.
The agents apologised for the neighbour's behaviour (despite this having nothing to do with them) and agreed her comments were uncalled for. - for the record - an elderly lady rented here for 4 years before us, so the (I'm getting angry so will start calling the neighbour 'twat' from now on because otherwise I'll explode) that's comments did not make sense. I'm also starting to think that perhaps this was a threat or a type of hate harassment/passive aggressive attempt at her saying "I'm better then you because I own my house and you rent so I've got the right to tell you what to do even though it's not my house".
I would like to add the fact here that this woman does not work and she's probably in her 40s - not judging as such as sometimes it's justified but something tells me in this case it's probably not that. I could be nasty about it if I wanted to, but no time for that now.
I know for some readers this will seem trivial but it took me over a week to get over all this as I don't cope well in these types of situations. I also can't cope being told information I know it's not true or being accused of something I have hard proof that it's not the case - my sense of justice is very strong so at the same time, when I'm in the wrong or someone explains to me and then I see that it was my bad, I'm the first to admit and take accountability.
Fast forward 2-3 weeks. I'm starting to get back to baseline but still avoid her which is easy anything. Yesterday, I had letting agent contractors come to fix my window handles, so I'm sitting in the lounge and I get the doorbell. It's an agent from my letting place. He apologised for intruding but he wanted to let me know that he had a meeting with the twat next door - I asked if it was about the fence again and he confirmed but he said that we have nothing to worry about. Then he said that there are couple of 'other things' but if I don't have time now we can speak later. Of fucking course I told him to tell me now. He said that the twat complained that we've installed 'cameras' and then he looked at my Ring doorbell and before I said anything he went 'but I can see it's just this so it's ok' ...ladies and gentlemen - at this point I went livid. I told him that I think something is seriously wrong with her and I think she's got some issues - I think I said 'fucking' at some point and looking back I'm not proud of it but I went into defense and fight or flight explaining that what she says it's totally unjustified.
He told me that she complained that we have people parking on her driveway - we had no visitors since we moved here. I park on my driveway and bf at the back in front our garage. I told him that's total bull shit and if she means contractors from the agency going slightly over on her empty driveway for a bit then she can raise that with them as I really don't have time to stand in the window and watch for every contractor, delivery guy, post man to make sure they god forbid don't have 2cm of their wheels on her driveway whilst they are doing their job.
The one that took the biscuit tho - she complained that we've...wait for it...'changed or taken the numbers on the bins'. Don't ask me what bins she's referring to because I honestly have no idea. The guy could see that the number on our bin corresponds to our house number and I added that going round the close taking people's bins/numbers or changing them is not something we've taken up as a hobby.
At this point I thought I'm gonna go over to her and raise hell but I thought better of it. The guy said he agrees and sees my point and he then told me 'just lay low for a bit, it will die down' ...I'm sorry, I fucking lost the plot - lay low??? As in wtf, we can't lay any lower than than because we don't party, we don't have people round, we avoid the fucker as it is - what exactly we are supposed to do???
Anyway, I wrote a long email to the agents addressing all of it and saying that basically this is starting to look like borderline bullying and harassment. And asked them to next time let me know when she 'reports' something else so i can address it there and then with them. I'm sure that's not the end of it and she will continue to try get us in trouble because she is not getting the reaction or response she wants from anyone and she now has the agents number.
Later on that same day, I noticed she has wheeled her bin out and left it on OUR driveway, right next to my car! Like wtf! Normally I wouldn't give a shit as I'm not petty and have a life but because of the newest revelations, I took the picture of this and sent to the agency saying that this just happened and I'll be moving her bin over to her driveway but wanted to give them evidence before in case she tells them we are 'doing something' again.
I don't know what the point of this post is tbh, I just needed to vent and perhaps someone can give me some advice as I'm in bits, I'm starting to hate living here and I don't feel comfortable in a home I'm working so hard for.
I can be really spiteful, hold my own and I don't take shit like that from the likes of her but I'm honestly a bit at a loss here as on one hand I want to go there and explain to her what a cowardly twat she is and how dare she make up lies and just make her realise how stupid she makes herself look. But at the same time I know that there's no point conversing with crazy.
This whole situation is so senslessly toxic and I think that just bothers me the most, plus I really don't want to have to move, because I do like the place and because I know this will make her win and feel she can do shit like that to anybody else.
If you're still here, reading this - much appreciated. Sorry for the typos but I haven't proof-read.

I've been fighting with my landlord about all the illegal practices that they are aware of. it has made me realize the bigger picture of the socioeconomic crisis happening around me. My rights are being violated and I am not getting very much help from the agencies that are dedicated to this type of thing. Legally speaking, the whole situation is a mess and the property should not be suitable for anyone to be living in. My problem is that I am one small person who doesn't get taken seriously, and I need help behind me. I have more than enough records to make a well enough point of investigation.
​
Does anyone have any ideas or info that would help me along the process of actually doing something about these illegal practices. I'm paying double real estate taxes too, just to top everything else off too.
​
I've already contacted the attorney generals office, HUD, community legal services and even bothered people that have nothing to do with this topic. Nobody has reached out and nobody will help in the slightest.
​
The main violation I am trying to get movement on is in direct reference to fire safety code. There are no outdoor exhaust vents for ALL of the apartments on this property. I have actually mentioned this specifically to the "property manager" and they 1. addressed the fact that everyone has the same set up 2. told me there is nothing they are willing to do 3. advised the only "solution" they have is to remove my washedryer unit all together from my apartment.
​
I have been doing my due diligence and trying to gather any/all information and educate myself on landlord and tenant act, fire safety and building codes, real estate laws, everything in between. I've been looking over my lease and THANKFULLY the person that was supposed to be in charge of that did not do it correctly or sign in all the necessary places. As far as im concerned, I can defend (at least) the legalities of the lease, but I'm not planning on saying anything that would lead them to believe what's actually going on. I have been talking with my neighbor and I think we want to try and get the community involved, this is all still getting moving so it's hard to really tell how far and which direction it's going. in Dec 22 I provided them in person with my formal complaint of everything going on (kept a copy for myself as well, per usual). There is pretty significant water damage and most of the other things are a lot bigger than I can and am willing to take on, unfortunately. Our lease is up in oct and considering the severity of the issues here, it's just simply not for anyone to be living in. I am looking for other options but it's hard times no matter where you go. I'm just trying to do the right thing in the end, it bs that they are charging people upwards of 1600 a month for living in, by legal definition "a slum".

[NAME]
I am writing this email because the way you sent me away is simply unacceptable and I want to make a few things clear.
On Monday when we had a discussion you stated that you were happy with me and I was extremely happy as well. Even though I had only known you for 2 weeks I was praising you to all of my friends and family for being so kind. Then not even a week later, suddenly out of nowhere you have several issues with me and instead of having an adult discussion and trying to find solutions you immediately throw me out of your home. Because let's be real, you threw me out. I barely had time to pack my things and before I could even realize what happened I was already out of the house. You couldn't even do the decent thing of giving me a 2 weeks notice to potentially find a new host family. Without asking for what I think you already bought my flight home when I was still in shock and unable to advocate for myself.
I find this horribly unfair. Since you never communicated that you have a problem with me, I didn't even get a chance to fix whatever you were unsatisfied with. I thought you said communication is important to you? With this said I can confidently say that I was doing my job to the best of my knowledge and abilities. If you were unhappy with something you should have said so. The way you acted was frankly unprofessional and childish. If you decided that the au pair program was not for you, you should have said that instead of blaming me even though you never communicated any problems.
You say you are sorry this didn't work out. Well, imagine how sorry I am.
You do realize that I paused my college studies to join your family, right? You needed someone to start ASAP and I dropped everything to fly to you. I put my whole life on hold. Left my job, took 4 and a half-hour plane ride all for what? Now I'm back in [HOME COUNTRY] with no job and I cannot continue my studies until September. I'm wasting almost the whole year because of you. Not only that, warm clothes, and the gas needed for my dad to drive to and from the airport all put a financial strain on my family. Not everyone is as wealthy as you. I thought it was going to be fine since I will just make the money back, but now I’m left broke and guilty for making my family take care of me again.
Speaking about them. As a mother, can you imagine how my mom felt when she heard that you left me all alone in a city I never visited alone before? She was so scared, it broke my heart. Not like I wasn't heartbroken before. I was in such shock I couldn't sleep all night and haven’t slept well since.
You said something about our personalities not matching, but with all due respect, I don't believe you can judge a person in less than a month. 3 weeks is nothing, I was supposed to stay with you for half a year. I was just starting to adjust to your family and routine! Did you expect us to be besties the second I got there? You didn't even give me a chance to start to open up.
You did this to me knowing that it was my birthday as well. I "celebrated" it all alone in a studio apartment, with no cake, no gifts, no "happy birthday", bawling my eyes out all day. You seriously couldn’t stand me so much that you couldn’t wait one more day so I can celebrate at least? Who does that? How inconsiderate do you need to be to do such a thing? How can you do this to someone? I think it's clear that you saw me as someone who is "below" you, someone you can use and throw away. Which saddens me since I looked up to you greatly. I thought we were part of a team in making sure your household ran well. I have never met someone more cruel than you.
Your actions were immature, unfair, unprofessional and simply cruel. I don't think I'll forgive the way you treated me until the day I die. I only ask you to try to imagine how would you feel if you were in my situation. You ruined my whole year and if I want to au pair again in the future I’ll have to explain to potential host families this whole mess of a situation, which will reflect on me poorly as well without a doubt. You made sure that my chances of au pairing again are lower. Who will hire me when I tell them „Oh yeah, my previous host family sent me away without a 2 weeks notice after I was only with them for 3 weeks”? Not like I feel like au pairing again after this, which is a shame. [HOST COUNTRY] was my dream country for many years, but you soured it for me for the rest of my life.
I'm not writing this email to gain answers by the way. In fact, all of your numbers and emails will be blocked. Do not try to contact me. I only hope that you don't treat your next au pair like this. If I were to tell you the truth I don’t think you should participate in the au pair program at all with this kind of attitude.
Do better.

TLDR: I (f/25) am tied between my ex (m/35) and true love (m/56)
This isn’t an easy one. Both of the men I’ll talk about are very committed and devoted to me.
The first guy let’s call him Kevin - Kevin (m/35) and I were together for 10 months before I broke up with him, we’ve left the no contact period and talking again.
The pros:
He is devoted hardworking and had all the values I wanted in a man I’d start a family with: Family-orientated, hardworking, good career (earns 5k per month) he made me feel feminine and was the typical problem-solver kind of man always ready to fix anything that felt wrong. To start a family with him makes sense - we have an age gap as well so if I went with him we’d be ready to buy a house next year and start a family which for my age in our economy (England) is quite amazing! My mum also lovers him.
The cons:
He was very controlling, neurotic, and jealous if I ever went out without texting him (which I usually did) he would overreact and make me feel guilty for something I’d never done aka feel like a cheating whore. He always had something bad to say about my friends and my clothes even though when confronted he said he didn’t mean these things badly he just saw ways of how things could be ‘better’. I eventually understood that his behaviour simply came from the fact that he has a tendency to be very negative and insecure which he projects to those he loves. I broke up with him a few months ago and after our no contact period we met every week or so and I notice he’s changed. He’s not so much on his judgemental and critical high-horse anymore and I feel a lot more respected. We are thinking of going away for a week to test if we can work.
Guy 2 is also older, many of you would’ve assumed HE would’ve been the controlling jealous possessive one but he never was. I met…let’s call him Jay. I met Jay online when I was 22, I had always had a teacher student fantasy and his wisdom and age really drew me in. We started a casual thing and met up sporadically a few times per month but messaged each other every single day. What started off as just a fling started to become quite special. I realised I’d never connected to anyone like I did to him in my life and the love we shared was nothing I’d ever experience and still to this day have ever experienced. He was very romantic and wrote me poems and songs and was extremely devoted to me to the point of crying whenever I cried and wanted my happiness to be the focal point of all of our meet ups.
The pros:
We have the same values: honesty, spirituality, empathy, self-exploration, open-mindedness and he is the most gentle kind person I’ve ever met. I’m quite empathetic and compassionate and he’s really only person who I’ve met to radiate on the same level with me. We are both creative musical and open people so our interests have always alligned. Once I realised we were getting closer and I said we should stop talking but since 22 until I met my ex, we were on and off for 2 years because it was just really hard not to talk again, we were never officially though I gave my heart more to him than Kevin. There’s no one I’d want to start a family more with than him, our children would be raised on love and tender devotion.
The cons:
With the age gap all the issues would come when he retired. If we started a family say when I was 30 he’d be 61 and once he retired the family would have to depend on my sole salary, to add onto that I’d have to be a carer not only for my kids but him too and have to live with the reality of most likely losing him when I would be 50 and him 80. Not only that but my kid(s) would be out the house by then so I’d be left alone caring for him and also my parents (who are actually younger than him) my mum has a life long disease so I’ve been raised to be more responsible than others Im also the oldest of my siblings they’re 10 and 15 years younger than me so my tween and teen years were spent basically being a love in babysitter and housekeeper. A lifetime of taking on a caring role for both my partner, my mum, my dad when he’s old too my children AND having had to also deal with being the oldest and looking after my siblings growing up just feels quite entrapping to be honest.
To add I’m aware I have a thing for older men and I love the protection I feel from them but would you think it’s best to leave these two men completely and try and find someone closer to my age? My biological dad left when I was young but my new ‘dad’ married my mum before I was 5 and actually adopted me so I’ve always had a father figure BUT perhaps there’s some strange fixation to older guys going on and that’s why I’m so tied between these two?
Lastly to add with Kevin I’d have a very functional relationship, be in a nice house and he always talked about me being a stay at home mum which he though was a dutiful role (many young girls dream of this but I actually find that the money I make per month now is enough for a good life and I doubt he’d be able to give me the same amount if I stayed at home (maybe though as he does earn 5k per month)…I also hate the idea of being dependent on him for money knowing how much he likes control) he can be very respectful in every sense other than when he’s feeling negative and seems to pick apart everything wrong about life, himself, the day and worst ‘me’ he’s the typical ‘Virgo’ and ‘Scorpio’ kind of man and very dominant assertive and not necessarily the most agreeable person but I’m the only person that truly softens him down. He also gets anxious quite easily and has insomnia but when I’m in his life that’s the happiest he is.
With Jay, I’d live quite a romantic life full of softness and airy fairy love and fluffy relationship vibes. But he’s also quite forgetful, disorganised and a bit of a last minute person that’s late to everything (so me but to the next level) he has in the past had trouble remembering to pay bills which also makes me worry that family life together won’t just have issues at the end when he’s aging but from the beginning plus he doesn’t own a house or car and seems to always prefers living in council flats despite now earning over 60k now (also to mention when we were talking he moved into a nicer neighbourhood to try and win me over but after we stopped talking he moved back into a council flat). Jay wants to start taking again but said he doesn’t want what happened last year to happen where I say I’ve found someone closer to my age and disappear.
Perhaps I should do the week together test with Kevin and make a decision then do a week together with Jay? Let me know what you think? Choose the guy I get on we’ll with looks good on paper (and very handsome) could start a successful functional family with but also know that he has controlling tendencies or choose the guy that’s 30 years my senior basically my soulmate but practically a future and family together may be extremely overwhelming both financially and emotionally.
I guess it’s also good to mention what I myself want and value, I want a family before 30 but also want to travel and start a side huddle before I have them. I value empathy and kindness a lot but I’m also the type of girl that needs security in my man, I need him to be my rock, and not just provide security emotionally but financially too, I need to feel like he can be someone I can depend on and know will fix things when the chips are down, masculinity is a big one for me.

I've been fighting with my landlord about all the illegal practices that they are aware of. it has made me realize the bigger picture of the socioeconomic crisis happening around me. My rights are being violated and I am not getting very much help from the agencies that are dedicated to this type of thing. Legally speaking, the whole situation is a mess and the property should not be suitable for anyone to be living in. My problem is that I am one small person who doesn't get taken seriously, and I need help behind me. I have more than enough records to make a well enough point of investigation.
-IN ARIZONA-
Does anyone have any ideas or info that would help me along the process of actually doing something about these illegal practices. I'm paying double real estate taxes too, just to top everything else off too.
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I've already contacted the attorney generals office, HUD, community legal services and even bothered people that have nothing to do with this topic. Nobody has reached out and nobody will help in the slightest.
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The main violation I am trying to get movement on is in direct reference to fire safety code. There are no outdoor exhaust vents for ALL of the apartments on this property. I have actually mentioned this specifically to the "property manager" and they 1. addressed the fact that everyone has the same set up 2. told me there is nothing they are willing to do 3. advised the only "solution" they have is to remove my washedryer unit all together from my apartment.
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I have been doing my due diligence and trying to gather any/all information and educate myself on landlord and tenant act, fire safety and building codes, real estate laws, everything in between. I've been looking over my lease and THANKFULLY the person that was supposed to be in charge of that did not do it correctly or sign in all the necessary places. As far as im concerned, I can defend (at least) the legalities of the lease, but I'm not planning on saying anything that would lead them to believe what's actually going on. I have been talking with my neighbor and I think we want to try and get the community involved, this is all still getting moving so it's hard to really tell how far and which direction it's going. in Dec 22 I provided them in person with my formal complaint of everything going on (kept a copy for myself as well, per usual). There is pretty significant water damage and most of the other things are a lot bigger than I can and am willing to take on, unfortunately. Our lease is up in oct and considering the severity of the issues here, it's just simply not for anyone to be living in. I am looking for other options but it's hard times no matter where you go. I'm just trying to do the right thing in the end, it bs that they are charging people upwards of 1600 a month for living in, by legal definition "a slum".

Hi all, I've had a NobleChair for some time now, however the arms are starting to tear and more importantly, the metal wiring has poked through the chair and will scratch me or ruin my clothes if I sit on it without a towel/blanket for protection. It ruined my favourite lounging-around-the-house pants with a snag and a tear 😔
I'm not a particularly tall man at 5'11 but I'm oddly proportioned so I have the upper body of somebody who's 6'6 and the legs of a child. I was taller than my old manager when sat down and he was 6'4. I spend a lot of time in a chair either at home gaming/messing around on my PC and occasionally for work if I need to work from home for some reason.
Obviously this is quite a lot to invest in a chair (~£1400 in the UK) so I wanted to be sure I was making the right choice. I live on an island so there aren't any shops here when I can go and try one out. My main concern was the lack of a headrest. Being so tall in the body, I would have thought this would be uncomfortable when relaxing in the chair. My other issue is not really knowing the difference between the fabrics. I tend to like smooth, soft materials so the sync was appealing to me from a visual point of view but I'm open to suggestions on the other fabrics.
If anybody could share their experiences or make suggestions if they have similar preferences or had similar concerns it would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

Hello everyone, I would like to tell you an incident that I had a few years ago. Whoever I tell about this event, they do not believe me, I am confused or they say dream organs, but I do not know what information, knowledge and evaluation. I live in Turkey and my mother and I were living together when corona first came out in the dormitories, my mother was located in a normal office but now she is at home due to the corona virus. We live in a multi-storey apartment building and between our neighbors and our downstairs neighbors were old people, husband and wife lived together and were good people. but when the corona virus first came out, our neighbor, who was a woman, died and went to my mother's funeral, there is the virus, but the mother took the risk of going to the funeral, I was more of a thief than the virus at that time, I was really obsessed with protection from the virus, thank God I went to my mother's funeral and I was alone at home (others) I didn't always have the features when I was a single layer at home, I was eating at home, I was eating chips, I was drinking Coke and I was watching a movie, I paused the movie and it gave a very interesting sound, this is a snoring that they saw actually went to the sound people make while sleeping rather than snoring, a noise coming out of the nose. I was in the living room and the living room and the bedroom were next to each other, the sound was not really gone and you were passing by while I was going for a walk around the bedroom with the corner of your eye, I wonder if I'm going crazy the bedroom i follow Observes the ends and their great life i wasn't so scared the sound really comes from the bed and someone got in the blanket to leave my heart beats so fast and it must not have come out of a house that she ran to the kitchen and surrounded the bedroom door where she got a knife and the sound is still in her left hand While holding the knife, I pulled the blanket with my right hand and the sound stopped suddenly. I prayed to God until it came to my mother that day. As I said, I didn't believe anyone I told about this incident, I said that I was under the influence of the movie I watched, but I was watching a damn comedy movie.