Epic show, beautiful crowd. Pit was awesome, no one got hurt that I saw. The merch is sick! And not crazy expensive. I’m kicking myself for getting the hat and not a shirt. Should of got both! Did any of you happen to jot down the set list? I would love to make a playlist.

Here is what I have:
2* & 3* Weapons - All Max Unless Noted (mobile swipe left/right for all perks)

Weapon Type	Prefix	Major	Minor
10mm Pistol	Junkies	Explosive	90% RW
10mm Pistol (lvl 5)	Mutant's	Explosive	+250 DR Reload
10mm SMG	Junkies	25% FFR	15% Reload
50 Cal	Anti Armor	Explosive	--
50 Cal	Furious	25% FFR	90% RW
50 Cal	Furious	Explosive	+1 PER
50 Cal	Junkies	25% FFR	90% RW
50 Cal	Junkies	Explosive	--
50 Cal	Troubleshooter's	Explosive	25% Less VATS
Baseball Bat - Yellow	Juggernaut	Replenish AP	90% RW
Baseball Bat - Yellow	Bloodied	40% Faster SS	15% Less DMG BLK
Fixer	Anti Armor	Explosive	+1 AGI
Fixer	Anti Armor	Explosive	+250 DR Reload
Fixer	Anti Armor	Replenish AP	15% Reload
Fixer	Aristrocrat's	25% FFR	25% Less VATS
Fixer	Bloodied	25% FFR	+250 DR Reload
Fixer	Bloodied	25% FFR	Stealth
Fixer	Furious	25% FFR	15% Reload
Fixer	Nocturnal	25% FFR	90% RW
Fixer	Quad	25% FFR	+250 DR Reload
Fixer	Quad	+50% Crit DMG	+15% VATS crits
Fixer	Quad	Explosive	+1 AGI
Fixer	Quad	Explosive	Faster Movement
Fixer	Vampire's	Explosive	Faster Movement
Fixer	Vampire's	Explosive	15% Reload
Gatling Gun	Junkie's	Explosive	Faster Movement
Gatling Gun	Quad	Explosive	Faster Movement
Handmade	Furious	Explosive	+50 DR Aiming
Handmade	Juggernaut's	25% FFR	Faster Movement
Handmade	Junkies	25% FFR	--
Handmade	Junkies	Explosive	+1 PER
Handmade	Quad	Explosive	90% RW
Handmade	Two Shot	Explosive	Faster Movement
Lever	Junkies	Explosive	+15% VATS Crits
Lever	Two Shot	Explosive	Faster Movement
Lever	Vampire's	Explosive	--
LMG	Furious	Explosive	+1 PER
LMG	Furious	Explosive	+1 PER
Meat Hook	Anti Armor	40% FSS	+1 STR
Minigun	Anti Armor	25% FFR	+50 DR Aiming
Minigun	Assassin's	Explosive	90% RW
Minigun	Juggernaut's	Explosive	Stealth Field
Minigun	Nocturnal	Explosive	25% Less VATS
Minigun	Two Shot	Explosive	--
Radium Rifle	Bloodied	25% FFR	+50 DR Aiming
Shotgun (Combat)	Quad	Explosive	90% RW
Shotgun (DB)	Anti Armor	Explosive	+250 DR Reload
Shotgun (DB)	Bloodied	Explosive	+50 DR Aiming
Shotgun (Pump)	Furious	25% FFR	15% Reload
SMG	Anti Armor	Explosive	+50 DR Aiming
Tesla Rifle	Quad	25% FFR	--

​
3* Armor - All Max Unless Noted (mobile swipe left/right for all perks)

Armor Type	Body Part	Prefix	Major	Minor
Combat - Light	Chest	Chameleon	Powered	Sneak
Combat - Sturdy	Right Leg	Vanguard	Powered	Sentinel's
Combat - Heavy	Left Leg	Auto Stim	Powered	Sneak
Combat - Heavy	Left Leg	Regenerating	Powered	Cavalier's
Forest Scout	Left Leg	Vanguard	+1 STR	Sentinel's
Forest Scout	Left Leg	Vanguard	Powered	Sentinel's
Forest Scout	Right Arm	Overeaters	H&T Grow Slower	Sneak
Forest Scout	Right Leg	Mutant's	Powered	Sentinel's
Forest Scout	Right Leg	Unyielding	+25 RR	Cavalier's
Forest Scout	Right Leg	Vanguard	Powered	Sentinel's
Leather - Sturdy	Chest	Unyielding	+1 STR	Sneak
Leather - Sturdy	Left Leg	Unyielding	+1 AGI	Sentinel's
Leather - Sturdy	Right Arm	Assassin's	Powered	Cavalier's
Marine	Chest	Chameleon	Powered	Sneak
Marine	Chest	Unyielding	+25 PR	Sentinel's
Marine	Left Arm	Chameleon	Powered	Cavalier's
Marine	Left Leg	Bolstering	+1 STR	Sentinel's
Marine	Right Leg	Vanguard	+25% DR	Sentinel's
Metal - Sturdy	Left Arm	Vanguard's	Powered	Sneak
Metal - Sturdy	Right Arm	Unyielding	+1 STR	Sneak
Raider - Sturdy	Left Arm	Unyielding	+1 STR	Sentinel's
Robot - Heavy	Chest	Weightless	Powered	Sentinel's
Robot - Heavy	Left Leg	Chameleon	Powered	Sentinel's
Trapper	Chest	Assassin's	Powered	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Chest	Bolstering	+1 STR	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Chest	Chameleon	Powered	Sneak
Urban Scout	Chest	Vanguard	Powered	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Left Arm	Assassin's	Powered	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Left Arm	Bolstering	Powered	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Left Arm	Mutant's	Powered	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Left Arm	Vanguard	Powered	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Left Arm	Weightless	Powered	Cavalier's
Urban Scout	Right Arm	Unyielding	+1 STR	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Right Arm	Vanguard	Powered	Sentinel's
Urban Scout	Right Leg	Unyielding	Powered	Sentinel's
Wood (lvl 5)	Chest	Vanguard	Powered	Sentinel's
Wood	Left Arm	Mutant's	Powered	Sentinel's
Wood	Left Leg	Bolstering	Powered	Sentinel's
Wood	Right Arm	Auto Stim	Powered	Sentinel's

​

• 5/5 Vanguard / Powered / Sentinel Scout set: Arms & Chest Urban, Legs Forest (included in list above)
• 5/5 Assassins / mixed / Cavaliers Ultracite PA set with jetpack arms
• Explosive Railway Set (21 total, all Explosive):
  • Anti-Armor / E / +50 DR Aiming, Assassins / E / 25% VATS, B / E / +15% vc, Berk / E / 25% VATS, Ext / E / AGI, F / E / +250 DR, Hunt / E / PER, Inst / E, Jug / E / +15% vc, J / E / FMSWA, Medics / E / FMSWA, Mutant Slayers / E / VATS Crits, Mutants / E / Break, Noc / E, Quad / E , Stalkers / E / FMSWA, Suppressors / E, Troubleshooters / E, TS / E / +250 DR, Vamp / E / PER, and Zealot's / E / PER
• Misc decent PA pieces:
  • Prototype X-01 Torso Cham / 7% Less Exp / Sent
  • Ultracite Helmet with Jetpack
  • Ultracite Left Arm: Vanguard / Powered / Cavalier's with Jetpack

​
Misc stuff to Trade/Sell:

• Outfits / Clothing: Forest Scout & Urban Scout Masks, Responders Fireman Outfit & Hat, Hunters Long Coat, Winter Man mask, Brotherhood Special Ops Suit & Mask, Chally Outfit & Mask, Blue Ridge Caravan Outfit & Gas Mask, Mr. Fuzzy Mascot Suit & Head, Swamp Camo Hazmat Suit, Deathclaw Hunter Outfit & Hat, Jaguar & Tulip Suits, Longshoreman Outfit, Radicals Face Mask, Grafton Monster Mask, Strongman Outfit, & Complete Asylum Uniform set.
• Rare Plans: All Daily Ops, All Meat Week, All Mole Miner, All Fasnatch, All "Grahm" (Mirror Ball, Rad Emitter, etc), All Spooky Scorched, Stimpak Diffuser, Bear Arm, Radiation Barrel, The Fixer, Backpack Mods (High Capacity, Armor Plated, & Insulated), Hachet Electro Fusion, Machete Sacrificial Blade, Ultracite Emergency Protocols, Kinetic Dynamo, Overdrive Servos, Welded Rebar, a full serum recipe set and others misc plans.

​
Here is what I'm looking for:

• Armor: A nice set of OE / Powered / Sent urban scout limbs
• Aid: Radshield & Berry Mentats
• Apparel: Leather Coat, Forest Camo Jumpsuit, Tattered Field Jacket, & BOS Jumpsuit, & Fatsnatch masks
• Junk (in order of need): Steel (100k), Ultracite (23k), Springs (9k), Silver (7k), Fiber Optics (4k), Coal (3k), Cork (6k), Screws (16k), Cobalt (6k), Oil (9k), Violet (6k), Crimson (3k), Florescent (2k), Asbestos (6k), Yellowcake (2k), Gold (4k) - But will entertain any bulk junk offers

Will entertain other trade offers also.

Timestamp
Hey mm!
I'm doing a spring/summer cleaning in order to make space for more stuff. All prices are shipped within CONUS with all prices OBO.
Feel free to reach out if you want additional pictures! Please leave a comment before pm. Located in OC 92843. Willing to meet local for a cheaper price. Also cheaper in bundles.

Keyboards/Numpad	Description	Price
Ginkgo65	Black/copper bottom. Stabs installed and tubed. PC plate w HS PCB	$180 shipped OBO
Idobao Montex	Black. Alu top/bottom + extra acrylic bottom + stabs installed and tubed. HS PCB	$50 shipped OBO
Mode Sonnet Top	Silver	Trade for Crema Top

​

Keycaps	Description	Price
IFK Monochrome	Used for less than 2 weeks. No shine. Excellent condition	$60 shipped OBO
Drop Skylight Series (Valiant)	BNIB	$30 shipped w tray or $20 shipped in bags OBO
Novelkeys K-2SO (Star Wars)	Used for less than a month. No shine. Excellent condition	$75 shipped w tray or $65 in bags OBO

​

Switches	Description	Price
JWK T1 (110x)	L+F, Broken-In. 150k actuations	$110 shipped OBO
Black Inks V2 (107x)	L+F, Broken-In. 1.2m actuations	$125 shipped OBO
Kailh Pro Purple (66x)	Lubed	$20 shipped OBO
Kailh Box Red (91x)	Stock	$20 shipped OBO
Gateron Green (90x)	Stock	$20 shipped OBO
Ink Dream Creams (90x)	Oiled and lubed. NK dream cream housing, 70g springs, V2 gat baltic ink stems	$45 shipped OBO
Gateron Milky Yellow Pro (87x)	Stock	$20 shipped OBO
Gateron CAP Golden Yellow (70x)	L+F	$40 shipped OBO

New update, new content, and some thoughts about the state of the game. I haven't seen posts like this so I thought I'd share my experiences. I played the game for a bit up to Fall Y1 at launch so I have some prior experience with the game. I've also played.... a lot of other farm rpgs. So I have experience with the genre in general.
New game, old struggles
Money, money, money... Money! Most of spring & summer were spent chasing the all important gold. The eternal grind to make money to buy stuff to make more money. Early on I slummed away as a humble potato farmer (literally -- I may have dabbled briefly in cauliflower, I planted 95% potatos) while spending time mining or diving. I spent more time mining at first because I heard good things about selling osium ore which turned out to be true. That was the point where I could actually afford things although getting to that point took quite a while. Energy at that point was a premium. But once I could finance the house upgrade, things changed and bug jerky was on the menu. By early summer, I had also done enough diving to craft 32 sprinkler 1s and got the farm into proper working order. By the end of summer, I was making a tidy stable amount of gold from pineapple juice and my 14 or so kegs that I didn't feel like I had to live in the fire mine. By early fall, I even plunked down the cash for the master fishing rod and got my giant sea bass taken care off. Overall off to a solid start.
More specific thoughts:
Farming: generally good. Early game is a bit rough because you're manually watering crops. That's to be expected. Sprinklers take the right amount of effort to get started. Main criticism is that the devs have created a whole bunch of interesting crops and there's zero point to planting 95% of them right now. There needs to be a tangible benefit to planting crops that don't give the player the best most money. Maybe work the farmer's association into a set of 'bounties' for in demand crops or something that reward the player with crafting materials, makers, or extra money. There needs to be something to create demand for crops to support diversity.
Mining/combat: progression generally felt right. Energy, as always, felt tight until cooking became a thing. I generally felt unthreatened except when a fire bat was in the way. Monsters in general feel very passive. Combat skill xp gain is ridiculously low. I have finished the fire cave and I'm at level 2 combat.... It'd be nice if monster loot in general sold for more or was used for something. There is a part of me that would okay with a nerf to the amount of osium ore that we can get from the fire cave, but only if money from other sources was buffed. It takes a while to get a steady supply of gold from farming. That money from what osium ore farming paid for quite a few upgrades. I also think there needs to be more things that use gold bars -- demand for bronze & silver bars felt high.
Diving: taking out the roadblocks was a godsend. Keep them out. They did nothing but anger new players whose progress has been cockblocked with a large milk or cucumber. Really looking forward to being able to gather gold & osium kelp. I think balancing mining & diving is going to be hard because diving flatout has so many benefits over mining.
Fishing: I like fishing, but being a full time fisherman has to be rough. I definitely think fish need a big gold buff -- 50% more if not x2. I like that the fishing poles actually matter, but they're really expensive. I'd personally prefer an upgrade path for the fishing rods so I'm not stuck with them forever. Also fishing skill rate is super slow. It's not as bad as combat, but it still felt really slow even when I was fishing 80% of the day.
Catching: I was not initially impressed with bug catching. I come from the farm rpg side of the genre so this was not a big deal for me..... Until I could cook bugs. Suddenly I cared about catching bugs. Other people have actual food in their fridge. Mine is full of bugs. Catching skill also could use a buff to xp rate. It felt really slow to me.
Cooking: manual cooking is not fun. I'd like a setup where after we do manual cooking of a combination enough times it becomes a recipe. For recipes that require a certain level of friendship with a townie, make those 'signature dishes'. Cooking also has the same problem that farming does -- lot of recipes and there's a handful that are worth using. There needs to be something aside from friendship levels to create a demand to cook anything that's not grilled fish or bug jerky. Maybe something like a request system where the local shops need x amount of dishes.
Long-term thoughts
I'm liking how the game is shaping up. The museum alone will take forever to finish..... Having 100% access to diving will be nice. Just being able to farm high tier kelp will make expanding the farm easier. That said, I do hope the devs are thinking long-term. The game is going to need some gold sink beyond what's in the game so far.

media.tenor.com/ydMWvQCt6MIAAAAC/horny-shrek.gif
Video: Mirror - Shrek
This is part of a series exploring the hidden motives and actions of the main players during Robert's Rebellion, named LBJ in reference to the influence of Lyndon B. Johnson and the Vietnam War on GRRM's views and writings on war. LBJ also indicates considerations over whether Lyanna + Bobby B = Jon Snow. Previous installments include:

• Rhaegar Had To Be A Warrior
• Why Did Rhaegar Crown Lyanna?
  • Ice, Ice Baby?
  • Political Suicide?
  • Was She 'A Very Kinky Girl'?
• The Forging of Lightbringer: Blue Flowers & Narrow Visors
• Rhaegar Mistakenly Crowned Lyanna
• I am not fond of fish, but when fish is served, I eat it.
• All is fair in love and war...
• Kingsguard Loyalty
• Southron Ambitions & Lies
• The Return of the Prince: Éowyn at the Trident

In the last part, we combed through evidence that Lyanna fought disguised as Rhaegar at the Trident. We'll now examine why Cersei's torture of the Blue Bard indicates that Rhaegar was tortured by Robert, for the crime of crowning his beloved Lyanna with winter roses in front of half the realm.

"It saddens me to see Your Grace so careworn. I say, run off and play and leave the King's Hand to hear these tiresome petitions. We could dress as serving girls and spend the day amongst the smallfolk, to hear what they are saying of the fall of Dragonstone. I know the inn where the Blue Bard plays when he is not singing attendance on the little queen, and a certain cellar where a conjurer turns lead into gold, water into wine, and girls into boys. Perhaps he would work his spells on the two of us. Would it amuse Your Grace to be a man one night?"

- A Feast for Crows Cersei VIII

Mirror on the Wall: King Robert vs. Queen Cersei

Robert is practiced at shutting his eyes to things he’d rather not see, like when he can’t admit he’s too fat for his armor (like Cersei assumes washerwomen shrunk her gowns) or when he pretends wine made him hurt his queen (which Cersei reenacts on Taena, but is frustrated when that Myrish slut enjoys it). Robert fills his court with corrupt lickspittles and admits on his deathbed that he was a bad king when previously he expected Ned to say otherwise. Likewise, Cersei assumes she’s a political mastermind, basically Tywin with teats. In answer to Robert grooming Barra's barely pubescent mother, Cersei grooms and psychologically scars young Lancel (and Tyrek too for all we know). Robert incestuously cheats with his Estermont cousin early in his reign, so Cersei rekindles incest with her brother Jaime. Cersei has bastards killed who could threaten her own children's claims, and Robert tries to have Dany and her unborn child killed to protect the throne from dragonspawn. Robert pretends to care about his baseborn children, and people doubt Cersei loves anyone as more than an extension of herself (although Varys disagrees). Robert does seem to realize he doesn’t love his heirs, which raises the question of whether or not he knew they were bastards.

To her credit, Cersei did not look away. “He saw us. You love your children, do you not?”
Robert had asked him the very same question, the morning of the melee. He gave her the same answer. “With all my heart.”
“No less do I love mine.”

- A Game of Thrones Eddard XII
King Robert and Queen Cersei are an exercise in avoiding hypocritical analysis; any fault decried in one is reflected in the other in a role-appropriate way. Both lie to themselves and others, drink in excess, have cruel tempers, are physically and sexually abusive, and are terrible parents and rulers. Martin has clearly written Robert and Cersei to mirror one another, and if we saw Robert’s inner monologue, surely it would reveal that he’s just as arrogant and delusional as his wife.
It’s often claimed Robert was unaware of the illegitimacy of his heirs, as he would have gone berserk had he known. If one believes Robert would have executed Cersei for cuckolding him, then it must also be true that Rhaegar incurred Robert’s hatred when he crowned Lyanna with sexually suggestive winter roses in front of half the realm. In fact, we know he did:

As for Robert Baratheon himself, some say he laughed at the prince’s gesture, claiming that Rhaegar had done no more than pay Lyanna her due…but those who knew him better say the young lord brooded on the insult, and that his heart hardened toward the Prince of Dragonstone from that day forth.

- The Fall of the Dragons: The Year of the False Spring The World of Ice and Fire
Given his family history of Targaryen betrayal, when the Laughing Storm rebelled against the Iron Throne over a broken betrothal, as well as his possessiveness of Lyanna, Robert would seek vengeance over Rhaegar's actions at Harrenhal. So when Robert talks about Rhaegar raping Lyanna, it’s easy to imagine that he’s reinforcing a lie to himself. Similar to how he projects Lyanna onto Cersei on their wedding night, Robert is capable of projecting his own actions onto Rhaegar. Robert is the person who actually had sex with Lyanna… but only once.

The king touched her cheek, his fingers brushing across the rough stone as gently as if it were living flesh. “I vowed to kill Rhaegar for what he did to her.”
“You did,” Ned reminded him.
“Only once,” Robert said bitterly.

- A Game of Thrones Eddard I
This subtext is mirrored by Jon Connington's implied love for Rhaegar. Connington laments that Rhaegar ass-ended his tower only once, then indicates that all the girls cried when Rhaegar played his harp, implying that Lyanna crying over Rhaegar's music was nothing special.

Yet when they parted, Jon Connington did not go to the sept. Instead his steps led him up to the roof of the east tower, the tallest at Griffin's Roost. As he climbed he remembered past ascents—a hundred with his lord father, who liked to stand and look out over woods and crags and sea and know that all he saw belonged to House Connington, and one (only one!) with Rhaegar Targaryen. Prince Rhaegar was returning from Dorne, and he and his escort had lingered here a fortnight. He was so young then, and I was younger. Boys, the both of us. At the welcoming feast, the prince had taken up his silver-stringed harp and played for them. A song of love and doom, Jon Connington recalled, and every woman in the hall was weeping when he put down the harp. Not the men, of course. Particularly not his own father, whose only love was land. Lord Armond Connington spent the entire evening trying to win the prince to his side in his dispute with Lord Morrigen.

- A Dance with Dragons The Griffon Reborn
Robert's false accusation of rape mirrors Lord Mathis Rowan's daughter's lie which landed Dareon, a singer and harpist, on the Wall; if Arya had this information, maybe she wouldn't have murdered him for desertion.

It made her angry to see Dareon sitting there so brazen, making eyes at Lanna as his fingers danced across the harp strings.

_

He is a man of the Night's Watch, she thought, as he sang about some stupid lady throwing herself off some stupid tower because her stupid prince was dead. The lady should go kill the ones who killed her prince. And the singer should be on the Wall.

- A Feast for Crows Cat of the Canals
So when one considers that our favorite evil queen had an innocent singer imprisoned and tortured on trumped up charges, it then should not come as a shock that the fan-favorite warrior king would do something similar.

The Blue Bard Mirror

Cersei has the Blue Bard arrested and tortured in the dungeons, framing him for seducing Margaery. Afraid of Maggy the Frog's prophecies and thus jealous of Margaery, Cersei imprisons the young queen's favorite musician, accusing him of bedding her. She enlists Qyburn to torture a false confession from the Blue Bard and lies to herself about its veracity. The main beats of Cersei's motives and actions here 'rhyme' with what actually happened to Rhaegar: jealous over the prophecy-minded, musical prince's use of pale blue roses at Harrenhal, which according to Bael the Bard's song indicates a desire to bed and father a child on a Stark maiden, Robert imprisoned and tortured Rhaegar, also having Lyanna imprisoned in the tower of joy with Dorne's help, raped her, and lied about Rhaegar's guilt.
What follows is an examination of the Blue Bard torture scene from A Feast for Crows, Cersei IX.
Like Bael the Bard, the Blue Bard is linked to pale blue roses, signaling that his story is relevant to mysteries surrounding Lyanna.

“Not kind,” said Cersei, “merely truthful. Taena tells me that you are called the Blue Bard.”
“I am, Your Grace.” The singer’s boots were supple blue calfskin, his breeches fine blue wool. The tunic he wore was pale blue silk slashed with shiny blue satin. He had even gone so far as to dye his hair blue, in the Tyroshi fashion. Long and curly, it fell to his shoulders and smelled as if it had been washed in rosewater. From blue roses, no doubt. At least his teeth are white. They were good teeth, not the least bit crooked.
“You have no other name?”

His eyes are like Robert's eyes, beckoning readers to 'see':

A hint of pink suffused his cheeks. “As a boy, I was called Wat. A fine name for a plowboy, less fitting for a singer.”
The Blue Bard’s eyes were the same color as Robert’s. For that alone, she hated him. “It is easy to see why you are Lady Margaery’s favorite.”
“Her Grace is kind. She says I give her pleasure.”
“Oh, I’m certain of it. Might I see your lute?”
“If it please Your Grace.” Beneath the courtesy, there was a faint hint of unease, but he handed her the lute all the same. One does not refuse the queen’s request.
Cersei plucked a string and smiled at the sound. “Sweet and sad as love. Tell me, Wat . . . the first time you took Margaery to bed, was that before she wed my son, or after?”
For a moment he did not seem to understand. When he did, his eyes grew large. “Your Grace has been misinformed. I swear to you, I never—”

vs.

For a moment Robert did not seem to understand what Ned was saying. Defiance was not a dish he tasted often. Slowly his face changed as comprehension came. His eyes narrowed and a flush crept up his neck past the velvet collar. He pointed an angry finger at Ned. "You are the King's Hand, Lord Stark. You will do as I command you, or I'll find me a Hand who will."

- A Game of Thrones Eddard VIII
Not only do these passages share certain words and syntax, but they also reinforce both Cersei and Robert's rash, retaliatory natures. Both expect to be obeyed.
Cersei's violence towards the singer even evokes Robert smashing the rubies off Rhaegar's armor at the Trident.

“Liar!” Cersei smashed the lute across the singer’s face so hard the painted wood exploded into shards and splinters. “Lord Orton, summon my guards and take this creature to the dungeons.”
Orton Merryweather’s face was damp with fear. “This . . . oh, infamy . . . he dared seduce the queen?”
“I fear it was the other way around, but he is a traitor all the same. Let him sing for Lord Qyburn.”
The Blue Bard went white. “No.” Blood dripped from his lip where the lute had torn it. “I never . . .” When Merryweather seized him by the arm, he screamed, “Mother have mercy, no.”
“I am not your mother,” Cersei told him.

Cersei retorts that she's not the Blue Bard's mother, before having Wat tortured out of jealousy of her step-daughter Margaery, who she thinks is the younger queen from Maggy's prophecy. This is clearly meant to reflect the story of Snow White, in which her vain and wicked step-mother is told by a magic mirror that the princess is more beautiful, leading her to send a huntsman to kill her. He takes Snow White into the deep of the wood but lets her flee, presenting a boar's heart to the evil queen instead. Similarly, Robert is a huntsman who is killed by a boar, with the aid of strongwine supplied by Cersei.

Dorcas put a silver looking glass into her hand. Very good, the queen thought, smiling at her reflection.

- A Feast for Crows Cersei V
I've previously argued that the queen of love and beauty's laurel at Harrenhal was actually formed from white roses and mistaken as pale blue like frost in shadow. "The Blue Bard went white" is just one of many pieces of text that foreshadows this reveal. Azor Ahai forges Lightbringer, so it makes sense that solutions to major mysteries would involve light phenomena.

Even in the black cells, all they got from him were denials, prayers, and pleas for mercy. Before long, blood was streaming down his chin from all his broken teeth, and he wet his dark blue breeches three times over, yet still the man persisted in his lies. “Is it possible we have the wrong singer?” Cersei asked.
“All things are possible, Your Grace. Have no fear. The man will confess before the night is done.” Down here in the dungeons, Qyburn wore roughspun wool and a blacksmith’s leather apron. To the Blue Bard he said, “I am sorry if the guards were rough with you. Their courtesies are sadly lacking.” His voice was kind, solicitous. “All we want from you is the truth.”
“I’ve told you the truth,” the singer sobbed. Iron shackles held him hard against the cold stone wall.
“We know better.” Qyburn had a razor in his hand, its edge gleaming faintly in the torchlight. He cut away the Blue Bard’s clothing, until the man was naked but for his high blue boots. The hair between his legs was brown, Cersei was amused to see. “Tell us how you pleasured the little queen,” she commanded.

vs.

There was a faint blue shimmer to the thing, a ghost-light that played around its edges, and somehow Will knew it was sharper than any razor.

- A Game of Thrones Prologue
Qyburn slices off the Blue Bard's nipple and the wet red eye weeps blood... Margaery may favor his music, but it's obvious they did not have a sexual relationship. Lyanna also was moved to tears by Rhaegar's music, but that doesn't mean she desired him. This series is called A Song of Ice & Fire, so it's appropriate to hide major clues to its most important mysteries in a singer's tale.

“I never . . . I sang, was all, I sang and played. Her ladies will tell you. They were always with us. Her cousins.”
“How many of them did you have carnal knowledge of?”
“None of them. I’m just a singer. Please.”
Qyburn said, “Your Grace, mayhaps this poor man only played for Margaery whilst she entertained other lovers.”
Lord Qyburn ran a hand up the Blue Bard’s chest. “Does she take your nipples in her mouth during your love play?” He took one between his thumb and forefinger, and twisted. “Some men enjoy that. Their nipples are as sensitive as a woman’s.” The razor flashed, the singer shrieked. On his chest a wet red eye wept blood. Cersei felt ill. Part of her wanted to close her eyes, to turn away, to make it stop. But she was the queen and this was treason. Lord Tywin would not have turned away.

vs.

The dragon prince sang a song so sad it made the wolf maid sniffle, but when her pup brother teased her for crying she poured wine over his head.

- A Storm of Swords Bran II
Like Cersei mentally distorts reality to believe Margaery seduced the Blue Bard, it's easy to imagine Robert convincing himself that Lyanna tempted Rhaegar, to try to make sense of the insult at Harrenhal:

In the end the Blue Bard told them his whole life, back to his first name day. His father had been a chandler and Wat was raised to that trade, but as a boy he found he had more skill at making lutes than barrels. When he was twelve he ran off to join a troupe of musicians he had heard performing at a fair. He had wandered half the Reach before coming to King’s Landing in hopes of finding favor at court.
“Favor?” Qyburn chuckled. “Is that what women call it now? I fear you found too much of it, my friend . . . and from the wrong queen. The true one stands before you.”
Yes. Cersei Robert blamed Margaery Tyrell Lyanna for this. If not for her, Wat Rhaegar might have lived a long and fruitful life, singing his little songs and bedding pig girls princesses and crofter’s lord’s daughters. Her scheming forced this on me. She has soiled me with her treachery.

Cersei urges the Blue Bard to recant certain accusations, reinforcing the fact that people of means have privileges, a theme of King Robert's reign:

"Not true, Your Grace," protested a wispy young man who must have been Caswell. "What is mine is yours."
"Whenever someone said that to my brother Robert, he took them at their word," Renly said.
"Do you have daughters?"
"Yes, Your Grace. Two."
"Then thank the gods that I am not Robert. My sweet queen is all the woman I desire." Renly held out his hand to help Margaery to her feet. "We'll talk again when you've had a chance to refresh yourself, Lady Catelyn."

- A Clash of Kings Catelyn II
vs.

By dawn the singer’s high blue boots were full of blood, and he had told them how Margaery would fondle herself as she watched her cousins pleasuring him with their mouths. At other times he would sing for her whilst she sated her lusts with other lovers. “Who were they?” the queen demanded, and the wretched Wat named Ser Tallad the Tall, Lambert Turnberry, Jalabhar Xho, the Redwyne twins, Osney Kettleblack, Hugh Clifton, and the Knight of Flowers.
That displeased her. She dare not besmirch the name of the hero of Dragonstone. Besides, no one who knew Ser Loras would ever believe it. The Redwynes could not be a part of it either. Without the Arbor and its fleet, the realm could never hope to rid itself of this Euron Crow’s Eye and his accursed ironmen. “All you are doing is spitting up the names of men you saw about her chambers. We want the truth!”
“The truth.” Wat looked at her with the one blue eye that Qyburn had left him. Blood bubbled through the holes where his front teeth had been. “I might have . . . misremembered.”
“Horas and Hobber had no part of this, did they?”
“No,” he admitted. “Not them.”
“As for Ser Loras, I am certain Margaery took pains to hide what she was doing from her brother.”
“She did. I remember now. Once I had to hide under the bed when Ser Loras came to see her. He must never know, she said.”

The previous line draws attention to a gaping hole in the Rhaegar red herring: Rhaegar believed his children by Elia were heads of the dragon, his son Aegon the prince that was promised, and yet he allegedly left three Kingsguard with Lyanna while leaving none to protect his other children. He also failed to explain their disappearance, when doing so would have gone a long way towards keeping his and Lyanna's families alive.

“I am not lying. Ser Amory dragged Princess Rhaenys out from under her father’s bed and stabbed her to death. He had some men-at-arms with him, but I do not know their names.” He leaned forward. “It was Ser Gregor Clegane who smashed Prince Aegon’s head against a wall and raped your sister Elia with his blood and brains still on his hands.”

- A Storm of Swords Tyrion IX
Wat is kept in the black cells and given milk of the poppy for his pain. He is told by Cersei that he can take the black if he lies sufficiently, so he continues to lie when the Faith gets ahold of and also tortures him. Ned was likewise kept in the black cells, feverish from his broken leg but denied milk of the poppy, then was given a similar deal, the black in exchange for lying and dishonoring himself, before being beheaded on the steps of the Sept of Baelor.

“I prefer this song to the other.” Leave the great lords out of it, that was for the best. The others, though . . . Ser Tallad had been a hedge knight, Jalabhar Xho was an exile and a beggar, Clifton was the only one of the little queen’s guardsman. And Osney is the plum that makes the pudding. “I know you feel better for having told the truth. You will want to remember that when Margaery comes to trial. If you were to start lying again . . .”
“I won’t. I’ll tell it true. And after . . .”
“. . . you will be allowed to take the black. You have my word on that.” Cersei turned to Qyburn. “See that his wounds are cleaned and dressed, and give him milk of the poppy for the pain.”
“Your Grace is good.” Qyburn dropped the bloody razor into a pail of vinegar. “Margaery may wonder where her bard has gone.”
“Singers come and go, they are infamous for it.”
The climb up the dark stone steps from the black cells left Cersei feeling breathless. I must rest. Getting to the truth was wearisome work, and she dreaded what must follow. I must be strong. What I must do I do for Tommen and the realm. It was a pity that Maggy the Frog was dead. Piss on your prophecy, old woman. The little queen may be younger than I, but she has never been more beautiful, and soon she will be dead.

Ahem...

It rained all through that night, and come morning Ned, Lem, and Watty the Miller awoke with chills. Watty could not keep his breakfast down, and young Ned was feverish and shivering by turns, with skin clammy to the touch.

- A Storm of Swords Arya VIII
Of interest, the only time our author's name appears in the canon is applied to Lord Confessor George Graceford, a notorious torturer during the reign of Aegon III who had a knack for extracting false confessions. Because of this, and in light of mirrored text during Qyburn's torture of the Blue Bard, surely this scene is of utmost importance in unravelling hidden truths.
Like Cersei with the Blue Bard, Robert may have wanted to witness the torture of Rhaegar. Previously, we saw indications that Rhaegar and/or his companions were held in Ghaston Grey, the Alcatraz-style island prison in the Sea of Dorne. Yet it's also possible Rhaegar was held for a time on the mainland, perhaps at Summerhall or even Storm's End, where Robert lingered while trying to consolidate his military power:

The king's voice was thick with anger. "My brother had a gift for inspiring loyalty. Even in his foes. At Summerhall he won three battles in a single day, and brought Lords Grandison and Cafferen back to Storm's End as prisoners. He hung their banners in the hall as trophies. Cafferen's white fawns were spotted with blood and Grandison's sleeping lion was torn near in two. Yet they would sit beneath those banners of a night, drinking and feasting with Robert. He even took them hunting. 'These men meant to deliver you to Aerys to be burned,' I told him after I saw them throwing axes in the yard. 'You should not be putting axes in their hands.' Robert only laughed. I would have thrown Grandison and Cafferen into a dungeon, but he turned them into friends. Lord Cafferen died at Ashford Castle, cut down by Randyll Tarly whilst fighting for Robert. Lord Grandison was wounded on the Trident and died of it a year after. My brother made them love him, but it would seem that I inspire only betrayal. Even in mine own blood and kin. Brother, grandfather, cousins, good uncle . . ."

- A Storm of Swords Davos IV
In testament to how easy it is to be duped into supporting conflicts based on lies, just as Robert and his allies garnered support for the rebellion based on malicious propaganda, consider this fact about the film The Rock, set at Alcatraz:

A scene from the film was the basis for incorrect and false descriptions of the Iraqi chemical weapons program. Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service was led to believe Saddam Hussein was continuing to produce weapons of mass destruction by a false agent who based his reports on the movie the false claims of weapons of mass destruction were the justification for UK’s entering the war.)

Video: The Rock - Ranger Bob
Going forward, we'll continue the examination of evidence that Robert Baratheon truly earned his moniker the Demon of the Trident, showing that he went along with a deceptive plot to overthrow the Targaryen dynasty, and even raped Lyanna after his loss at Ashford. We will then conclude by examining Ned's inner turmoil, indicting his best friend and king. To preview where this series is headed, in its full audio/visual glory with greater detail, look here.

📷
Artist: VA Title: Beatport Top 100 Downloads June 2023 Genre: House, Deep House, Tech House, Techno (Peak Time / Driving), Melodic House & Techno, Minimal / Deep Tech, Nu Disco / Disco, Funky / Groove / Jackin’ House, Dance / Electro Pop, Bass House, Progressive House, Drum & Bass Release Date: 2023-06-01 Quality: 320 kbps
Tracklist: 1. Crazibiza – Fresh (House of Prayers Poolside Edit) (4:44) 2. Murphy’s Law (UK) – Ain’t No Other Man (Rework – Extended Mix) (5:26) 3. Mau P – Your Mind Is Dirty (Extended Mix) (5:17) 4. ESSEL – Sweat (Extended Mix) (5:04) 5. Samantha Loveridge, Treetalk – Losing My Religion (Extended Mix) (7:21) 6. Dimension – DJ Turn It Up (Original Mix) (2:57) 7. Vintage Culture – Rock The Casbah (Extended Mix) (4:04) 8. Chris Stussy – All Night Long (Original Mix) (7:06) 9. Aluna, Chris Lake – Beggin’ (Extended Mix) (5:28) 10. Heerhorst, Teenage Mutants, PETER PAHN – Dark Clouds (feat. Heerhorst, Peter Pahn) (Original Mix) (5:55) 11. Fred again.., Skrillex, Four Tet – Baby again.. (Original Mix) (5:19) 12. James Hype – Lose Control (Original Mix) (5:09) 13. Sllash & Doppe – Bamboleo (Original Mix) (6:30) 14. Larse – A Part Of (Riva Starr Extended Saturn Mix) (5:47) 15. Meduza – Friends (Extended Mix) (6:24) 16. JD Davis, DJs From Mars, Oliver Heldens – Blue Monday (feat. JD Davis) (Extended Mix) (5:36) 17. Kevin McKay – Tom’s Diner (Extended Mix) (4:46) 18. Kyle Watson, Sage The Gemini, Iamsu! – Gas Pedal (Kyle Watson Extended Remix) (4:20) 19. Biscits – Don’t Stop (Original Mix) (5:04) 20. Eli Brown – Be The One (Extended Mix) (5:19) 21. Butch, Nic Fanciulli – I Want You (Extended Mix) (8:30) 22. The Shapeshifters – Lola’s Theme (VIP) (7:18) 23. MK, Dom Dolla – Rhyme Dust (Dimension Extended Remix) (3:46) 24. MK, Dom Dolla – Rhyme Dust (Extended) (5:30) 25. Westend, Noizu, No/Me – Push To Start (feat. No/Me) (Original Mix) (5:31) 26. MD X-Spress – God Made Me Phunky (Jess Bays Extended Remix) (7:23) 27. Hypaton, David Guetta, La Bouche – Be My Lover (feat. La Bouche) (2023 Mix – Extended Mix) (3:58) 28. Jamie Jones – Lose My Mind (Extended Mix) (7:00) 29. Joshwa – Magalenha (Extended Mix) (6:30) 30. Calvin Harris, Ellie Goulding – Miracle (Mau P Remix) (6:01) 31. Kevin McKay – Get Busy (Extended Mix) (5:12) 32. John Summit, Hayla – Where You Are (Extended Mix) (5:10) 33. ANOTR, Abel Balder – Relax My Eyes (Original Mix) (6:36) 34. Ben Sterling, Superchumbo – All Over My Body (Original Mix) (6:36) 35. GENESI (ITA) – Everything You Have Done (Meduza Edit Extended) (5:39) 36. Delerium, Sarah McLachlan – Silence feat. Sarah McLachlan (Stereo Express Remix) (7:16) 37. Kolter – Bust a Beat (Original Mix) (6:46) 38. Jansons – Messan (Original Mix) (6:00) 39. Anyma (ofc) – Explore Your Future (Extended Version) (5:09) 40. Dominator, Logan D – Cowboy (Primate Remix) (4:34) 41. Babes on the Run – Your Body (Original Mix) (4:41) 42. Matroda – Throw Your Hands (Original Mix) (4:34) 43. Reinier Zonneveld, Carl Cox, Christopher Coe – Inferno (Space 92 Remix) (5:58) 44. Sub Focus, MC ID – Alarm (Original Mix) (3:07) 45. Paluma – Rapture (Kevin McKay Extended ViP) (6:07) 46. Claptone – Euphoria (Extended Mix) (5:24) 47. Bart Skils, Weska – Something More (Original Mix) (6:36) 48. Cassian, ICEHOUSE – Great Southern Land (Original Mix) (6:07) 49. Maz (BR), Antdot, Sued Nunes – Povoada (Remix) (5:48) 50. Bart Skils – Roll the Dice (Original Mix) (6:08) 51. Audio Bullys, Michael Bibi, KinAhau – Different Side (Original Mix) (5:32) 52. Jansons – Nite Life(Original Mix) (5:00) 53. Angelo Ferreri – Ask Yourself (Can You Dance) (Extended Mix) (5:57) 54. CID, Sage Armstrong – The Function (Extended Mix) (5:32) 55. Future, Swedish House Mafia, Fred again.. – Turn On The Lights again.. (feat. Future) [Anyma Remix] (Extended) (5:01) 56. Meduza, Poppy Baskcomb – Upside Down (feat. Poppy Baskcomb) (Extended Mix) (6:24) 57. Jimi Jules – My City’s On Fire (Anyma & Cassian Extended Remix) (Original Mix) (5:12) 58. Victor Ruiz – Touch The Darkness (Original Mix) (7:33) 59. Chris Avantgarde, Anyma (ofc) – Eternity (Extended Mix) (5:20) 60. Bob Sinclar – Vision Of Paradise (Riva Starr Extended Remix) (6:11) 61. Bob Sinclar – World Hold On feat. Steve Edwards (Fisher Rework, Extended Mix) (5:33) 62. Delerium, Sarah McLachlan – Silence (Kryder Extended Remix) (6:31) 63. Break – Headshot (Original Mix) (4:16) 64. Depeche Mode – Ghosts Again (Massano Remix) (6:42) 65. Eelke Kleijn, Lee Cabrera – Self Control (Extended Mix) (4:01) 66. Sub Focus, Metrik – Trip (Original Mix) (4:31) 67. Creeds – Push Up (Original Mix) (4:00) 68. Yotto, Something Good, Sansa – Before Dawn feat. Sansa (Extended Mix) (6:42) 69. Nico de Andrea, Vanetty – Ethnica (Extended Mix) (7:02) 70. Hamdi, Princess Superstar – Counting (Original Mix) (3:52) 71. Westend – Maracuya (Extended Mix) (5:37) 72. Jay de Lys – Tired Of Loving (Extended) (6:33) 73. Charlotte De Witte – Overdrive (Original Mix) (6:48) 74. Mau P – Gimme That Bounce (Original Mix) (5:21) 75. Vintage Culture, Meca, Bhaskar, The Vic – Tina (Extended) (5:34) 76. Monolink, Stephan Jolk – The Silence (Extended) (6:57) 77. Eelke Kleijn, Lee Cabrera – Self Control (Eelke Kleijn 12AU Cosmic Aeroplane Mix) (9:48) 78. Junior Jack, Juliet Sikora, Flo Mrzdk – Thrill Me (Extended Mix) (6:02) 79. Nari, Steve Tosi, Tom Silver, Dead As Disko – About You Now (Original Mix) (4:51) 80. Fred again.., The Blessed Madonna – Marea (we’ve lost dancing) (4:45) 81. Nari, Steve Tosi – Stayin’ da Club (Original Mix) (4:39) 82. Tiesto, Mathame – Feel Your Ghost (Extended Mix) (3:53) 83. Max Dean – Can’t Slow Down (Original Mix) (6:31) 84. Underworld – Two Months Off (Tim Green Remix) (11:07) 85. Block & Crown, Lissat – Gimme A Bloody Mary (Original Mix) (5:24) 86. Enrico Sangiuliano – Physical Change (Original Mix) (9:58) 87. Bootie Brown, Tame Impala, Gorillaz – New Gold (feat. Tame Impala and Bootie Brown) (Dom Dolla Remix Extended) (6:03) 88. Adriatique, Eynka – Beyond Us (Hatshepsut Extended Version) (5:23) 89. Chris Stussy – Rose Bay (Original Mix) (7:27) 90. VLTRA (IT), Loco Dice, Francis De Simone – Flowcito (Original Mix) (6:30) 91. Gaskin – A Fresh Energy (Original Mix) (8:00) 92. Andrew Meller – Born Slippy (Luca Morris Extended Remix) (6:40) 93. Dualities, Solar State, Gia Koka – Crazy In Love – Extended Mix (3:31) 94. Burt Cope – Higher Level (Original Mix) (3:57) 95. Luciana, Hardwell, Maddix – ACID feat. Luciana (Extended Mix) (4:26) 96. Manda Moor – Picante (Original Mix) (5:44) 97. Raxon – The Cage Of Love (Extended Mix) (6:18) 98. Mochakk, Fernanda Ouro – NO8DO (Plaza Edit) (5:54) 99. Block & Crown, Daisy – Mr Vain (Original Mix) (5:19) 100. Camille Doe – Alright (Extended Mix) (6:33)
​
https://specialfordjs.org/house/70224-beatport-top-100-downloads-june-2023.html

Hi all, I just moved to Silver Spring and am looking for recommendations on the best internet providers. I am specifically deciding between Xfinity and RCN Astound. Do you have any thoughts? Which provider do you all have and does it work well?

About Me

Gender: F // Age: 32 // Country: UK (London) // Height: 5’9”/175cm // Weight: 65kg // Build: Slim-ish
Clothing: Men’s Small - Women’s UK 8-10/Small // Shoes: EU40 - UK 7 - US Men’s 8 - US Women’s 9.5
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General Comments

I ordered some ‘hype’ items and some boring items in this haul because they were cheaper than buying retail and I just wanted to try some things out. I’m not overly worried about being called out because I’m 32 and I don’t care, but have checked other reviews/images of the items to make my comments about accuracy.
List of items in haul: FK Reverse Mochas, Panda Dunks, Syracuse Dunks, Dior B23s, Gucci x Adidas Gazelles, Sambas, Converse, Hermes Oran Sandals, Essentials tracksuit, shorts & quarter zip, Goyard cardholder & AirPod case, Supreme Pill case, Tiffany money clip
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Agent: Pandabuy

Comments: This is my first haul and Pandabuy was super easy and clear to use, I wasn’t confused by the process at any stage. The communication was great, including asking if I wanted refunds when sellers took ages to send. Shipping was easy and quick, imo.
Sidenote: I used After Ship to track as it had more detail for my country than 17track. It was very accurate with delivery times etc. Parcels were delivered on my end by ParcelForce.

Shipping

Divided this into 2 parcels. Full details of shipping timeline here.
Carrier: GD-E-EMS // Total weight: ~13kg
Total time from warehouse: 6 days (Parcel 1) // 8 days (Parcel 2)
Haul Total: ¥3021.63 // Shipping Total: ¥1441.56 // Total Cost: ¥4463.19 // £504 // $628
​

Timeline	Parcel 1	Parcel 2
Order Submitted	May 24th	May 24th
Order Received	May 30th	June 1st
Total Shipping Time	6 days	8 days

​

Details	Parcel 1	Parcel 2
Actual Weight	6.3kg	6.4kg
Estimated Weight	6.6kg	6.5kg
Actual Shipping Cost	¥719.72	¥710
Estimated Shipping Cost	¥746.79	¥721.84
Insurance	¥59.59	¥72.33
Extras	¥25 - vacuum packaging, shrink wrap	¥5 - moisture bag
Declare amount	$50	$50

Parcel 1: Gucci x Adidas Gazelles, Adidas Sambas (no box), Converse (no box), Essentials Quarter Zip, Essentials shorts, Essentials tracksuit, AirPod holder, pill case, metal money clip.
Parcel 2: TS Reverse Mocha AJ1, Dior B23, Dunks x2 (no box), card holder, Hermes Oran sandals.
Notes: The vacuum bag was pointless, it wasn't actually vacuum packed, just in an unsealed vacuum bag in the parcel. Added the moisture bag as it was only CNY 5 and thought it might discourage too much rooting around in the parcel lol. Also asked them to add in foam packing material and a note saying “from grandma” or something. Trying some different things.
Border Force checked only the Hermes and TS boxes, they were opened and resealed with Border Force tape.
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Shoes

Comments: I'm not an expert on any of these shoes so take what I say with a pinch of salt and look at the in hand pics and make your own decision.

Travis Scott Reverse Mocha Air Jordan 1 - FK Batch (EU40)

Seller: CSJ
Price: ¥360 (+ ¥10) // £41 // $51
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 9/10 // Comfort: 8/10 // Quality: 8/10 // Fit:
Notes: 4 days to warehouse. Shipped with box because I like the box.
The box was a little damaged, but not wearing the box etc etc. They're comfortable enough, my first AJ1 lows, not as comfortable as the highs I have (retail) and maybe don't feel quite as good quality, but quality is off with a lot of retail Nikes in general so that could just be the TS's anyway. The laces feel kind of plasticky, but idk if that's normal for this model. Suede seems ok to me, but I'm no expert. In terms of flaws, The "Cactus Jack" under the white swoosh is slightly misaligned compared to retail. The AIR is slightly different to retail on the tongue. But they look pretty good to me, not complaining. Obviously I could be completely wrong. I'm happy.

Panda Dunks and Syracuse Dunk Low - VT Batch (EU40)

Seller: Passerby
Price: ¥199 each (+ ¥20) // £23 each // $28 each
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 9/10 // Comfort: 8/10 // Quality: 9/10 // Fit: TTS
Notes: 2 days to warehouse. Shipped without box.
Shipped these without the box so they were a little beat up when they arrived, but were fine as soon as they were on feet. The Syracuse were sent with spare laces in an SB bag but not SB laces, a bit strange. In terms of accuracy, the Nike logo isn't as puffy as on retail. On the Syracuse, the orange on the liner top bit of the shoe doesn't really match well, but not super noticeable. Tags on the tongue don't seem quite right and maybe the NIKE on the back is a bit small. No major flaws and these are so common I don't think anyone will call them out as such. In terms of fit, they are close to TTS I'd say, but the Pandas are a little tighter than the Syracuse.

Dior B23 (EU40)

Seller: WWTOP
Price: ¥400 (+ ¥10) // £45.50 // $56.50
Colour: Black and White High Top
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 9.5/10 // Comfort: 9/10 // Quality: 10/10 // Fit: TTS
Notes: 10 days to warehouse.
Box was damaged. These are a lot more comfortable than usual 'Converse' style shoes, actually feel really good on foot. Fit a little large for me, but not much, so I'd say close to TTS. I don't think the tongue or the material have the kind of leathery quality that the retails have but you'd have to touch it or look inside it to see that. I think the translucent layer is meant to touch on the front half of the shoe, but not too noticeable. Overall pretty good reps.

Adidas Sambas (Size EU40)

Seller: 7up
Price: ¥134.83 (+ ¥10) // £15 // $19
Colour: White and Black
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 7/10 // Comfort: 9/10 // Quality: 8/10 // Fit: TTS
Notes: 5 days to warehouse. Shipped without the box and tags and they were fine when they arrived, not mashed up at all.
There are some issues with this pair: you can see in the pictures that the suede on one shoe is slightly darker than the other (this is more noticeable in pictures than IRL), the “SAMBA” is way too close to the stripes, the corner of the lacing unit should be aligned with the edge of the first stripe, the tongue seems a little short but that’s not noticeable on-foot.
Overall, it’s a pair of Sambas, nobody’s going to LC them and they’re comfy, so I’m really not bothered by the flaws. Feels like leather but smells like plastic. I’m happy with this pair for £15. Let’s see how they hold up.

Black and Cream Converse Chuck 70 Hi (Size EU40)

Seller: ezreps
Price: ¥150 (+ ¥10) // £17 // $21
Colour: Black & White/Cream
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 8/10 // Comfort: 7/10 (but I feel this way about all Converse Chucks) // Quality: 7/10 (but not far from retail) // Fit: TTS (which in my experience is slightly large)
Notes: 5 days to warehouse. Also shipped without the box and tags and they were fine when they arrived, no damage.
Again, some small flaws with these: star on the back tag thing on the heel is too large, sole’s maybe a little thick (idk). But again, Converse Hi Tops, nobody cares or will LC. They feel like normal Converse, where quality is not amazing. But honestly, I’d never spend £85 on a retail pair of these when you can get these for under £20 and they’re fine. Meant to actually buy regular Converse Hi Tops in B&W but bought these by accident, they’re fine though, happy enough with these.

Brown Adidas x Gucci Gazelles (Size EU41)

Seller: Xiaorao Men's Clothing Discount Store
Price: ¥388 // £44 // $54
Colour: Brown Gucci Print
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 8/10 // Comfort: 8/10 // Quality: 7/10 // Fit: 1/2 size small
Notes: 6 days to warehouse. Shipped with the box and stuff because I bought these for my mum. Came with the box, tags and some weird plain dustbags and one Adidas x Gucci dustbag (like for one shoe) and a carrier bag. Box was mashed up in a few places, but not wearing the box so that’s fine (pictures of the packaging here).
I love these shoes, they’re fun. As I said, bought them for mumsy but they’re a bit too small for her but fit me, so another one in the haul for me now! These look great, but do have flaws. The “G” of Gazelle on the left shoe is shoddy AF (shown in in-hand pics). Print of the “Gucci” logo on the back is printed pretty badly. They don’t feel as comfortable or good quality as the plain Sambas that I bought for myself, but this could be because they’re canvas. Print looks alright to me. Tongue doesn’t feel great, and might be a bit short, but doesn’t seem too noticeable on foot. Going to buy another pair, a size bigger for mum. For £45 vs. £700+ mum’s happy, and now I have a pair so I’m happy too.

Brown Hermes Oran Sandals (EU 42)

Seller: Fisherman
Price: ¥480 // £55 //$68
W2C: WhatsApp (+86) 16602067117 (I bought via this link)
QC //In Hand // Retail (for reference)
Accuracy: 9/10 // Comfort: 7/10 (but they're leather sandals with wooden bottoms, not exactly comfortable shoes in any case) // Quality: 10/10 // Fit: TTS but narrow
Notes: 11 days to warehouse, sent QC directly (before sending to warehouse) after 7 days. Communication 10/10.
Another pair for mum. She really wanted this pair so I looked around and Fisherman seemed to have decent ones. He had good communication, I recommend him as a seller after this interaction. He told me they were TTS and length-wise they're good but you'd need to have quite narrow feet. I have narrow feet but mumsy doesn't - so she's going to have to stretch them out a bit.
They're leather. The stitching is maybe a bit bright-white compared to retail and the foot-pad thing is a bit square - this is common on all reps of these sandals and you can't see it on foot. They look like really good reps overall, mum's definitely not going to get called out on these and she's happy.
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Clothing

Comments: Ordered different Essentials bits from different sellers, wanted to see the difference and I’m mostly concerned about comfort. Added images and QC and everything so everyone can check out the stuff from these sellers for their own information. I’m not adept at legit checking Essentials so you’ll be able to see the flaws in the pictures, but I won’t necessarily. For me, I’ll wear most of it regardless because I can wear it at home and it’s comfy AF.
Also, I’ve put them through the wash and reported how they’ve held up after a wash. At present, I can’t vouch for any more quality/longevity than that.

Essentials Tracksuit (Small) - 1688

Seller: 1688 - Ningbo Yinzhou
Price: Hoody ¥130 (£15/$18) + Trackpants ¥110 (£12.50/$16) (+ ¥12)
Colour: Moss
QC // In Hand
Hoody: W2C // PandaBuy Link
Pants: W2C // PandaBuy Link
Accuracy: 6.5/10 // Comfort: 10/10 // Quality: 9/10 // Fit: Hoody oversized, pants a bit small.
Notes: 4 days to warehouse. I was aware the seller didn’t take refunds before they sent (Pandabuy agent told me ahead of time) but thought I’d go ahead and get it anyway because I know I’ll wear it either at home or on school trips (I’m a teacher) that I have to go on and not worry about clothes getting messed up.
First the good, super warm, really nice weight to them and super comfortable. One of the most comfortable hoodies I own. The hoody is oversized and quite large on me but the pants are really tight but still comfy. I think together they look a bit odd because of the size difference (see fit pics). Pant legs and sleeves are quite long, so if you’re tall these will still work.
Flaws: The main problem is the wonky and thin font on the front of the hoody. This is a bit annoying Also, inside tags aren’t great. Probably way more because these just seem fairly inaccurate all round.
All in all, it’s a comfortable tracksuit for less than £30 all in. I’m going to try another 1688 seller next time, as I’ve seen some decent ones in the subreddits from there.
Held up good after a wash and still super warm, soft and fluffy. None of the print peeled or anything.

Essentials Shorts (Small) - 1688

Seller: 1688 - Lu'an Jiangzuo Electronic Commerce Co., Ltd.
Price: ¥50 (+ ¥6) // £6 // $7
Colour: Matcha Green (plus velvet)
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: /10 // Comfort: 10/10 // Quality: /10 // Fit: TTS
Notes: 4 days to warehouse.
So. Comfortable. Don’t know if they’re the most accurate, don’t care that much since they were £6 and I haven’t taken them off since getting them. I’m not sure anyone would legit check shorts that closely, but they’re certainly not doing it to me. Will buy more, love these. Worst bag of the selection, but we don’t wear the bag.
Held up good after a wash and still super warm, soft and fluffy. None of the print peeled or anything.

Essentials Quarter Zip (Medium) - Gman

Seller: Gman
Price: ¥235 (+ ¥12) // £27 // $33
Colour: Avocado (same colour as the Matcha Green shorts - think it's actually 'Sage Green' in Essentials)
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: /10 // Comfort: 9/10 // Quality: /10 // Fit:
Notes: 5 days to warehouse. Ordered a size M as this was the smallest size available from Man.
From Gman, seems good quality. It doesn’t feel as soft or comfy as the tracksuit or shorts tbh. This was the one Essentials item that I really wanted to get, so a bit disappointed that it’s too big for me. Ultimately, this is comedy large on me, so I will most likely give it away or sell it and have to get this from a different seller (recommendations welcome).
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Accessories/Random

Goyard Cardholder

Seller: u[30467653
Price: ¥35 // £4 // $5
Colour: Orange
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 6/10 // Quality: 7/10
Notes: 16 days to warehouse.
Had to get the FashionReps classic ¥35 cardholder. Not overly bothered by accuracy tbh but seems ok. Feels nice, looks nice. The Ys don’t touch, so maybe I’ll get called out. I like it though and that’s all that matters.

‘Goyard’ AirPod Case

Seller: Chinese cabbage mobile phone case
Price: ¥14.80 // £1.60 // $2
Colour: "Orange Stripes"
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: No idea (pretty sure this is fantasy) // Quality: 8/10
Notes: 2 days to warehouse.
I ordered orange (I wanted something that would match the cardholder, and this is more muted and not orange like a lot of the Goyard stuff). But I needed an AirPod case, it fits my AirPods and it’s sturdy, so it does the job and looks pretty nice. It was under £2. Not much more to say, might try and find one more like what I wanted but it’s no biggie.

Supreme Pill Case

Seller: Plaything Research Institute
Price: ¥20 //£2 // $3
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 9/10 // Quality: 9/10
Notes: 4 days to warehouse.
Just needed something to keep my meds in. It’s pretty accurate from what I can tell, but again not super bothered about accuracy - I put 9/10 because I’m sure there are some flaws but what they are idk. I will say this is very small, there’s no way I can keep all of my meds in there given that some of them are larger tablets. Also, now I’m wondering if it’s safe, I’ve disinfected it so I’m sure it’s fine?

Tiffany & Co Money Clip

Seller: Baojibao Zhongbao Shangpin Collection
Price: ¥16 (+ ¥10) // £3 // $4
Colour: 'YQJ101-silver wide and long 6 bottles'
W2C // PandaBuy Link // QC // In Hand
Accuracy: 6/10 // Quality: 6/10
Notes: 4 days to warehouse.
Needed a money clip - don’t like trying to stuff cash into my card holders. Did cut through one of my notes when I pulled it out, so I needed to pull it apart a bit and loosen it up. When I did that there was a big flaw which is that there’s a bit where the silver coating has come off, presumably from rubbing against each other (hard to describe, you can see it in the pics) and it had created a sharp bit. Filed it down with some sandpaper and it’s fine now, no more cutting the notes.
It’s not the most accurate, the engraving isn’t deep enough, it’s a bit too shiny and the 1897 is too wide. But idc, it does the job and it was £3.
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The End

That’s a wrap. Thanks for reading (sorry it was so long). I’ll be doing another summer haul soon - lots of shorts and t shirts and probably more trainers, so looking forward to that.
If this review was crap, sorry. Let me know what I can do better next time!

First of all, I am a long time fan of Bones, Xavier and Eddy but last night was not it. Especially as my first concert of theirs and the crowd pissed me off so bad. People were hella rude and constantly pushing and shoving and I got into a few arguments with people because they were literally trying to force their way to the front without any common decency. And it deadass felt like there were nothing but new age TikTokers with no fucking concert etiquette.
Because the shit that happened/I experienced last night has never even fucking happened to me before and I go to rock concerts on a regular. Don't get me wrong, the crowd was absolutely amazing and so were the boys but the other shit that was going on in the crowd was not cool. And I had guys literally going out of their way to shove me and stand in front of me as a short woman. And I'm not saying that to be naggy, it's the fucking principle. There was this kid who shoved their way to the front and then later were pushed too close to the barricade that started projectile vomiting on people in the crowd and Mfs on the balcony were ashing into the crowd. Also, the fight was fucking stupid and it ended the show early. And the guys fighting looked like teenagers.
And Bones probably will never go into the crowd like he did last night, because I was right there when he made his way into the crowd and the way that security had to fling mfs around like rag dolls because they literally would not move was ridiculous. And it gave me so much anxiety for him 😭. And don't even get me started on the loser who decided to start twerking on the caskets for Calcium when she got called up on stage, he's probably never going to do that shit again either. But all in all it was a fun concert and I thoroughly enjoyed myself I just had a few grievances with the shit that I experienced otherwise. And I hope this is not a common occurrence for all of their shows.

That show was off the rails. Been wanting to see Bones and the boys since like 2014 and it was all I could’ve hoped for. Easily the hardest I’ve ever moshed.
What threw me for a loop was that I was wearing an old piece of merch (Sorry, We’re Cashed t-shirt) and one of the guys at the merch stand said he was probably the one who sent me that very same shirt all those years ago.
Cool feeling.
SESH

Bonus chapter to celebrate 100 followers on Royal Road. Hopefully we're just getting started.
Previous Chapter - Read 10 weeks ahead on Patreon - Read the story so far on Royal Road
*
Chapter Twelve - The Blacksmith's Boy (Part One)
‘Lokk?’
Lokk glanced over his shoulder at the sound, frowning, and thought better of responding. Carel could manage without him a few moments longer.
‘Is someone calling you?’ The girl beside him asked, looking up at him with large eyes. Wanda, her name was, with a set of generous, pleasing dimples either side of a smiling mouth, freckled skin framed with a shock of crimson hair. His age. Maybe a year or so older. Who could tell? Who would care? Fifty men and women called Rindon home. Ten were close to his age. Four of them were women. Three of those weren’t his kin, and only one of those wasn’t already sick of the sight of him. Not yet, anyway.
‘Lokk?’ She asked him again, and he met her eye, brushing a strand of fair hair back from his brow.
‘They’ll wait.’ He told her, favouring her with a careless smile. ‘What were you saying? About your mother?’
‘Lokk!’ The call came again, louder this time, and accompanied by a loud clatter of pots through the kitchen door. He flinched, glancing up irritably. When he looked down again, Wanda was frowning, dimples dimpling into a polite, if apologetic, smile.
‘I… had best be going.’
‘Wait, Wanda, I...’ But she was already gone, hurrying off through the little maze of tables and chairs towards the Nest’s door. Lokk watched her go, not a little wistfully, ignoring a quiet smirk from one of the early arrivals. Then he sighed and went out through the door behind the bar, scowling.
The heat in the kitchen was thick with vapour. Steam poured out of a large pot hung swinging over the fire, steam that smelled of scavenged herbs and stale meat. Carel was standing beside it, stirring the contents with a ladle longer than her arm, pale hair tied back in a tight knot behind her head. On the counter beside her, the desiccated remains of a half-dozen different vegetables. The meat had left nothing behind.
‘What?’ He asked irritably, closing the door behind him.
‘What do you think?’ His sister replied, shooting him an irritable glance over her shoulder. ‘I don’t think me doing all the work whilst you drink our casks dry is what Da had in mind.’
‘I wasn’t just drinking.’ He told her. An apron was hanging up by the door, and he hung it sullenly over his shoulders, frowning. ‘Besides, you look like you were managing just fine without me.’
Carel snorted. ‘Someone had to.’
‘You’re much better at it than me, anyways.’ He added offhandedly, taking the ladle from her hands and sipping appreciatively from the little bowl of brownish broth. ‘Leave me to the casks. I’ll keep them company instead.’
‘I’m only better at it because Da taught me.’ Carel told him, scowling. ‘And he only taught me because he knew you’d be off trying to bed every girl in the village whenever his back’s turned. How is Maddy, by the way?’
‘Wanda.’ He corrected.
Carel snorted. ‘Anything that breathes, I suppose.’
Lokk gave her a hurt look. ‘Now, I’d hardly say anyth-‘
‘That’s actually my point.’ She interrupted him, snatching back the ladle. ‘You would say anything, if it got you what you wanted. Now make yourself useful and cut some bread.’
‘No need to be hurtful.’ He told her with a frown, going over to the counter and snatching up a knife. ‘Would be much simpler if I only had eyes for one someone. Not all of us have it so easy.’
He ducked just in time as part of a turnip crunched into the wall beside his head.
‘You’re right, I’m better off without your help!’ Carel told him, turning back to the pot. ‘Go back to your barrels.’
‘Thought you’d never ask.’ He shrugged the apron off his shoulders, and ducked through the door, just as another dismembered vegetable whistled past his ear.
Back in the common room, a few more of the villagers had assembled around one of the tables near the fire, making the early overtures of evening conversation around the edges of their ale mugs. Da had emerged from the Nest’s bowels, and was now skirting the table skilfully, fresh cask under arm. Lokk took his place behind the bar, doing his best to look busy. It was only then he noticed the other table. Further from the fire, this one. Quieter, too. Dark cloaks, dark faces. Lokk didn’t recognise them, and there wasn’t anyone in Rindon he didn’t know. As he watched, one of them looked up towards him with dark eyes, and he looked away, busying himself polishing a particularly stubborn mug.
‘You look busy.’
Da had appeared at his side, setting the cask down on the bar with a little sigh of effort. His rosy cheeks were rosier than ever, and his clothes smelt of pipe-smoke.
‘I am busy.’
‘I suppose your sister didn’t need your help?’ The innkeep smiled knowingly, taking his old pipe from a pocket in his shirt and rubbing it clean on his sleeve.
‘Said so herself.’
‘Course she did.’
‘I-’
‘Well, it was a fucking storm wasn’t it. Not every little shower gets farted out a wizard’s arse.’ Albin, the butcher, exclaimed from near the fire. Overtures done then. Time for an argument. Lokk might have smiled, had he not been so terribly bored by it all.
‘This is a long one. They’ll be here a while yet.’ Da told him thoughtfully, chewing idly at the nib of his pipe. He frowned. His Ma had hated that thing. But Ma was gone, and it wouldn’t do any good, thinking about her. ‘We’ll need another cask.’
‘Older the better?’
‘Oldest the best.’ The innkeep agreed, grinning at him.
Lokk nodded and turned towards the door, then hesitated.
‘I don’t know them folk.’ He said quietly, nodding towards the little group of dark figures sitting away from the fire. The innkeep caught his look and frowned.
‘Solen’s new hands. Lowlanders.’ He replied, tamping some weed into the end of his pipe with the end of his thumb. ‘Nosey bunch. He’s got a few more besides, I hears. Must be a busy season up at the mine.’
Lokk frowned. ‘Do mines have busy seasons?’
‘Damned if I know. Keep to ‘emselves, mostly, anyways. Been here best part of a month, I reckon. Had one of ‘em in here asking questions, few days back, nothing since.’ The innkeep stopped fiddling with his pipe for a moment, giving his son a sideways look. ‘Still, they pay their way. Up front. Which is more than I can say for most of this lot.’
Lokk stole one last look at the quiet table of strangers, then turned and went out through a side door and into the night beyond, leaving Da at the bar alone.
The cold air bit at his skin as he emerged into the dark, and he shivered, shrugging himself a little deeper into his shirt. Winter came quickly, this close to the Teeth, filling the rocks with the kind of deep, dark cold that lasted well into spring. Presently, a rumbling cloud of purpling rain was drawing in over the mountains, and the wind was picking up. Lokk shivered again, scowling. Just his luck to catch the rain.
He made his way around the side of the sloping roof of the inn, head low against the gathering whine of the wind. Another night, another cask. Another squabble over nothing by the fire. Another restless sleep, wrapped in cold blankets. Alone. Summer was bad enough, but winter in the foothills was slower than a monk in a brothel. The women, such as they were, stayed home, for the most part. Those that did make it to the Nest didn’t wait out the first mugs. Even Cal had stopped calling, this past month.
Overheard, a pale flash of light, followed by a distant rumble. Rain had started, somewhere off up the slopes. Lokk aimed another choice curse at no one in particular. No women, no friends. No money. It was a sorry state of affairs, if ever he’d seen one.
He reached the store and began fiddling with the lock with numb fingers, frowning. It was hardly Cal’s fault, he knew. That blacksmith was quite mad. Everyone knew it. Locked up in that old forge, hammering away, night and day. Lokk had seen him a few times. Fonder of glaring than talking. Wasn’t exactly afraid of him, but he certainly didn’t like him. Big tree of a man, arms thick as thighs, had to stoop to get through most doorways. And his eyes! Lokk shivered again. Felt like ice on your skin when he looked at you. Strays like Cal couldn’t be choosers, Lokk knew that well enough. But if he was him, he’d have run off years ago.
The latch finally gave, and he swung the door open with a triumphant snort. He felt his way along the row of casks closest to the door, where the older ones were, fumbling in the dark. Behind him, the thunder crashed against the side of the hills, vibrating through his boots, and he flinched in spite of himself. If that mad blacksmith was going to keep Cal locked up like some trained animal, he’d have to get by without him. Not like Cal was the best company, anyway, these days. Always had been a strange one, but pale eyes had started getting far too clever for his own good, recently. More full of secrets than a Westri merchant. Sometimes he wondered if Cal saw the world the rest of them did, or one entirely his own. And then there was the Carel problem.
His hand settled on the cask closest to the far wall, and he dragged it grumbling from its place, wedging it under one arm. No, he could hardly blame Cal for any of it. He was just bored. Still, better bored at the inn than locked up in that damn forge with the cracked old blacksmith and his scarred face. He snorted under his breath, shivering at the thought. They’d been talking about leaving for years now. Going west. Arinath, maybe, Uldoroth, even. Men could make a good living in the white stones, so they’d heard. Makers knew they couldn’t stay here forever. Run the inn? Take up mining? No, they wouldn’t be here, forever. Maybe this year. Maybe next. But they’d get there. Tough place, the Lowlands, but they’d look out for each other. Always had. Besides, couldn’t be any tougher than these fucking hills. He wondered if Carel would follow them there, too. Who’d do the Nest's cooking, then?
He was halfway to the door when he heard it. The slow whisper of a thousand thousand breaths, brushes on the stones, rippling closer. He hesitated for a moment, then cursed, staggering for the door, cask slipping against his arm. The rain caught him on the doorstep, turning him silver with a layer of frigid water, and he spilled clumsily into the firelight beyond, nearly dropping the cask.
‘Easy!’
‘I’ve got it!’ He snapped back, straightening and setting it down on the bar beside the other. Da had got his pipe lit in the time Lokk had been outside, and the little twisting strings of smoke were curling upwards from his whiskered mouth. Carel was beside him, spooning her steaming brown broth into three small bowls on the bar.
‘Just in time for dinner.’ Da told him, sucking on his pipe.
‘As always.’ Carel murmured.
‘I-’
‘You look wet.’
‘I swear to-’
‘Get the door, will you. You trying to let the storm in?’
Lokk scowled, latching the door, and snatched up his bowl silently. He looked out at the rest of the common room, savouring the heat of the fire for a moment. Just as he left it. Of course it was. What would have changed?
‘What about Isandur, then?’ One of the villagers beside the fire was asking. Lokk snorted.
‘This one, again?’
‘It’s a good story.’ Da said quietly, blowing a little stream of smoke through his pursed lips.
‘Heard it a half-dozen times already, this month.’
‘Don’t let Godry hear you talking rot.’ Carel told him, taking up her own bowl and stirring it gently. ‘Wouldn’t want him giving it up. Albin would have to take over.’
Lokk’s eyes caught the little group of strangers again, sitting in the shadows away from the fire. Talking quietly amongst themselves. Dark cloaks and dour faces. At least that was new. They even looked like they might be more bored than he was.
Outside, the rain drummed down over the thatching, and the wind whined over the hills. He sighed, and took a mouthful of the steaming, tasteless stew, frowning to himself. Another night. Another boring fucking night.

Bonus chapter to celebrate 100 followers on Royal Road. Hopefully we're just getting started.
Series Page - Read 10 weeks ahead on Patreon - Read the story so far on Royal Road
*
Chapter Twelve - The Blacksmith's Boy (Part One)
‘Lokk?’ Lokk glanced over his shoulder at the sound, frowning, and thought better of responding. Carel could manage without him a few moments longer. ‘Is someone calling you?’ The girl beside him asked, looking up at him with large eyes. Wanda, her name was, with a set of generous, pleasing dimples either side of a smiling mouth, freckled skin framed with a shock of crimson hair. His age. Maybe a year or so older. Who could tell? Who would care? Fifty men and women called Rindon home. Ten were close to his age. Four of them were women. Three of those weren’t his kin, and only one of those wasn’t already sick of the sight of him. Not yet, anyway. ‘Lokk?’ She asked him again, and he met her eye, brushing a strand of fair hair back from his brow. ‘They’ll wait.’ He told her, favouring her with a careless smile. ‘What were you saying? About your mother?’ ‘Lokk!’ The call came again, louder this time, and accompanied by a loud clatter of pots through the kitchen door. He flinched, glancing up irritably. When he looked down again, Wanda was frowning, dimples dimpling into a polite, if apologetic, smile. ‘I… had best be going.’ ‘Wait, Wanda, I...’ But she was already gone, hurrying off through the little maze of tables and chairs towards the Nest’s door. Lokk watched her go, not a little wistfully, ignoring a quiet smirk from one of the early arrivals. Then he sighed and went out through the door behind the bar, scowling. The heat in the kitchen was thick with vapour. Steam poured out of a large pot hung swinging over the fire, steam that smelled of scavenged herbs and stale meat. Carel was standing beside it, stirring the contents with a ladle longer than her arm, pale hair tied back in a tight knot behind her head. On the counter beside her, the desiccated remains of a half-dozen different vegetables. The meat had left nothing behind. ‘What?’ He asked irritably, closing the door behind him. ‘What do you think?’ His sister replied, shooting him an irritable glance over her shoulder. ‘I don’t think me doing all the work whilst you drink our casks dry is what Da had in mind.’ ‘I wasn’t just drinking.’ He told her. An apron was hanging up by the door, and he hung it sullenly over his shoulders, frowning. ‘Besides, you look like you were managing just fine without me.’ Carel snorted. ‘Someone had to.’ ‘You’re much better at it than me, anyways.’ He added offhandedly, taking the ladle from her hands and sipping appreciatively from the little bowl of brownish broth. ‘Leave me to the casks. I’ll keep them company instead.’ ‘I’m only better at it because Da taught me.’ Carel told him, scowling. ‘And he only taught me because he knew you’d be off trying to bed every girl in the village whenever his back’s turned. How is Maddy, by the way?’ ‘Wanda.’ He corrected. Carel snorted. ‘Anything that breathes, I suppose.’ Lokk gave her a hurt look. ‘Now, I’d hardly say anyth-‘ ‘That’s actually my point.’ She interrupted him, snatching back the ladle. ‘You would say anything, if it got you what you wanted. Now make yourself useful and cut some bread.’ ‘No need to be hurtful.’ He told her with a frown, going over to the counter and snatching up a knife. ‘Would be much simpler if I only had eyes for one someone. Not all of us have it so easy.’ He ducked just in time as part of a turnip crunched into the wall beside his head. ‘You’re right, I’m better off without your help!’ Carel told him, turning back to the pot. ‘Go back to your barrels.’ ‘Thought you’d never ask.’ He shrugged the apron off his shoulders, and ducked through the door, just as another dismembered vegetable whistled past his ear. Back in the common room, a few more of the villagers had assembled around one of the tables near the fire, making the early overtures of evening conversation around the edges of their ale mugs. Da had emerged from the Nest’s bowels, and was now skirting the table skilfully, fresh cask under arm. Lokk took his place behind the bar, doing his best to look busy. It was only then he noticed the other table. Further from the fire, this one. Quieter, too. Dark cloaks, dark faces. Lokk didn’t recognise them, and there wasn’t anyone in Rindon he didn’t know. As he watched, one of them looked up towards him with dark eyes, and he looked away, busying himself polishing a particularly stubborn mug. ‘You look busy.’ Da had appeared at his side, setting the cask down on the bar with a little sigh of effort. His rosy cheeks were rosier than ever, and his clothes smelt of pipe-smoke. ‘I am busy.’ ‘I suppose your sister didn’t need your help?’ The innkeep smiled knowingly, taking his old pipe from a pocket in his shirt and rubbing it clean on his sleeve. ‘Said so herself.’ ‘Course she did.’ ‘I-’ ‘Well, it was a fucking storm wasn’t it. Not every little shower gets farted out a wizard’s arse.’ Albin, the butcher, exclaimed from near the fire. Overtures done then. Time for an argument. Lokk might have smiled, had he not been so terribly bored by it all. ‘This is a long one. They’ll be here a while yet.’ Da told him thoughtfully, chewing idly at the nib of his pipe. He frowned. His Ma had hated that thing. But Ma was gone, and it wouldn’t do any good, thinking about her. ‘We’ll need another cask.’ ‘Older the better?’ ‘Oldest the best.’ The innkeep agreed, grinning at him. Lokk nodded and turned towards the door, then hesitated. ‘I don’t know them folk.’ He said quietly, nodding towards the little group of dark figures sitting away from the fire. The innkeep caught his look and frowned. ‘Solen’s new hands. Lowlanders.’ He replied, tamping some weed into the end of his pipe with the end of his thumb. ‘Nosey bunch. He’s got a few more besides, I hears. Must be a busy season up at the mine.’ Lokk frowned. ‘Do mines have busy seasons?’ ‘Damned if I know. Keep to ‘emselves, mostly, anyways. Been here best part of a month, I reckon. Had one of ‘em in here asking questions, few days back, nothing since.’ The innkeep stopped fiddling with his pipe for a moment, giving his son a sideways look. ‘Still, they pay their way. Up front. Which is more than I can say for most of this lot.’ Lokk stole one last look at the quiet table of strangers, then turned and went out through a side door and into the night beyond, leaving Da at the bar alone. The cold air bit at his skin as he emerged into the dark, and he shivered, shrugging himself a little deeper into his shirt. Winter came quickly, this close to the Teeth, filling the rocks with the kind of deep, dark cold that lasted well into spring. Presently, a rumbling cloud of purpling rain was drawing in over the mountains, and the wind was picking up. Lokk shivered again, scowling. Just his luck to catch the rain. He made his way around the side of the sloping roof of the inn, head low against the gathering whine of the wind. Another night, another cask. Another squabble over nothing by the fire. Another restless sleep, wrapped in cold blankets. Alone. Summer was bad enough, but winter in the foothills was slower than a monk in a brothel. The women, such as they were, stayed home, for the most part. Those that did make it to the Nest didn’t wait out the first mugs. Even Cal had stopped calling, this past month. Overheard, a pale flash of light, followed by a distant rumble. Rain had started, somewhere off up the slopes. Lokk aimed another choice curse at no one in particular. No women, no friends. No money. It was a sorry state of affairs, if ever he’d seen one. He reached the store and began fiddling with the lock with numb fingers, frowning. It was hardly Cal’s fault, he knew. That blacksmith was quite mad. Everyone knew it. Locked up in that old forge, hammering away, night and day. Lokk had seen him a few times. Fonder of glaring than talking. Wasn’t exactly afraid of him, but he certainly didn’t like him. Big tree of a man, arms thick as thighs, had to stoop to get through most doorways. And his eyes! Lokk shivered again. Felt like ice on your skin when he looked at you. Strays like Cal couldn’t be choosers, Lokk knew that well enough. But if he was him, he’d have run off years ago. The latch finally gave, and he swung the door open with a triumphant snort. He felt his way along the row of casks closest to the door, where the older ones were, fumbling in the dark. Behind him, the thunder crashed against the side of the hills, vibrating through his boots, and he flinched in spite of himself. If that mad blacksmith was going to keep Cal locked up like some trained animal, he’d have to get by without him. Not like Cal was the best company, anyway, these days. Always had been a strange one, but pale eyes had started getting far too clever for his own good, recently. More full of secrets than a Westri merchant. Sometimes he wondered if Cal saw the world the rest of them did, or one entirely his own. And then there was the Carel problem. His hand settled on the cask closest to the far wall, and he dragged it grumbling from its place, wedging it under one arm. No, he could hardly blame Cal for any of it. He was just bored. Still, better bored at the inn than locked up in that damn forge with the cracked old blacksmith and his scarred face. He snorted under his breath, shivering at the thought. They’d been talking about leaving for years now. Going west. Arinath, maybe, Uldoroth, even. Men could make a good living in the white stones, so they’d heard. Makers knew they couldn’t stay here forever. Run the inn? Take up mining? No, they wouldn’t be here, forever. Maybe this year. Maybe next. But they’d get there. Tough place, the Lowlands, but they’d look out for each other. Always had. Besides, couldn’t be any tougher than these fucking hills. He wondered if Carel would follow them there, too. Who’d do the Nest's cooking, then? He was halfway to the door when he heard it. The slow whisper of a thousand thousand breaths, brushes on the stones, rippling closer. He hesitated for a moment, then cursed, staggering for the door, cask slipping against his arm. The rain caught him on the doorstep, turning him silver with a layer of frigid water, and he spilled clumsily into the firelight beyond, nearly dropping the cask. ‘Easy!’ ‘I’ve got it!’ He snapped back, straightening and setting it down on the bar beside the other. Da had got his pipe lit in the time Lokk had been outside, and the little twisting strings of smoke were curling upwards from his whiskered mouth. Carel was beside him, spooning her steaming brown broth into three small bowls on the bar. ‘Just in time for dinner.’ Da told him, sucking on his pipe. ‘As always.’ Carel murmured. ‘I-’ ‘You look wet.’ ‘I swear to-’ ‘Get the door, will you. You trying to let the storm in?’ Lokk scowled, latching the door, and snatched up his bowl silently. He looked out at the rest of the common room, savouring the heat of the fire for a moment. Just as he left it. Of course it was. What would have changed? ‘What about Isandur, then?’ One of the villagers beside the fire was asking. Lokk snorted. ‘This one, again?’ ‘It’s a good story.’ Da said quietly, blowing a little stream of smoke through his pursed lips. ‘Heard it a half-dozen times already, this month.’ ‘Don’t let Godry hear you talking rot.’ Carel told him, taking up her own bowl and stirring it gently. ‘Wouldn’t want him giving it up. Albin would have to take over.’ Lokk’s eyes caught the little group of strangers again, sitting in the shadows away from the fire. Talking quietly amongst themselves. Dark cloaks and dour faces. At least that was new. They even looked like they might be more bored than he was. Outside, the rain drummed down over the thatching, and the wind whined over the hills. He sighed, and took a mouthful of the steaming, tasteless stew, frowning to himself. Another night. Another boring fucking night.

I promised some people on this sub I would share my experience getting typed in-person and so here I am.
Caygill typing is a bit different and a bit more flexible. There aren't true, bright, or soft distinctions as clear cut as the other typing systems, but rather a lot of nuanced variations of each season - just to demonstrate I'll list some different summer season names; english rose summer, smooth summer, iridescent summer, rose tone summer, rose brown summer, dusk summer. I was typed as a dusty rose summer. It seems to be bordering on soft autumn (or is it just me?) I didn't get any typical summer greys, but instead I got some neutral browns, beiges, olives and khaki.
Caygill typing does not use draping, but categorizes into two groups: hemoglobin and non-hemoglobin types - basically how much the color of your blood shows through your skin. After determining this, an approximation of your undertones is mixed with aquarelle paint and the person will type from that, in combination of the color of your features. Fabric pieces are held up to your face but it does not have the same effect as draping.
I wish I was explained more in depth underway, as to why she included/excluded colors. I mean I'm paying a premium so I want to learn in depth about the concept! But alas. Also it might be a caygill-thing but she basically said bright colors (my favorite...) are exclusively for people with darker skin tones (non-hemoglobin types). I did feel a bit robbed at that moment though, not gonna lie. If you looked at my wardrobe, you'd think I was typed a bright spring. I'm obviously not gonna get rid of my favorite clothes that are bright, but I do have them in a kind of purgatory situation in a box in my closet, just because I wanted to see if getting dressed got easier. (It did.)
I do think that the color palette looks good against my skin: here is a picture https://imgur.com/zqGrPkM (excuse my face I'm just not very photogenic at all)I'd say a lot of them look harmonious with my features, and she clearly has an eye for it. There are a lot of colors I have always gravitated towards, and some completely new. (Interesting reds!) I can wear both gold and silver.
She told me I am cool leaning, but I can do a bit of warmth because of my hair and eyes. That is where I get a bit confused. I feel I'm truly neutral and maybe even neutral-warm leaning in summer.
It felt a bit like my 15 years of learning my own undertone was dismissed. I have so much experience with complexion products by now, to know that only olive friendly/muted yellow products work for me. Cool complexion products have never worked for me thus far and almost all neutral ones require me to use a green mixer to get a match. I tried to explain that I only use foundations and concealers that are a spot-on match that I can use on face without any demarcation to the neck, or that I can spot conceal with, without them being detectable. I showed her pictures of what I look like at other times of the year, but she said she can only work with what my skin looks like now. I guess valid point, but a bit frustrating. I know that a lot of other fair olives skin tones have the capacity to change a fair bit throughout the seasons and I really did not feel like she took my experiences of complexion matching into consideration at all. I have to give her props where due however. She offered me to come in again in august-september, free of charge, to see if my dusty rose summer typing still stands.
A lot of food for thought was gained through this experience, in some ways I feel enriched and in some ways I feel a bit confused and as if I'm just going deeper into a rabbit hole of color theory. I guess more ''living into'' my season is required before I know for sure.
Was it worth the money? I was gifted this session by my boyfriend, but at that price point (approx 260 USD) I would feel on the fence about it if it was out of pocket. Mainly for the lack of explanation during the typing. If you want to get typed and you're like me, hungry for knowledge, I would suggest making it clear from the get-go that you'd appreciate being told the why's and how's of it during the typing.
Would love to hear any thoughts about my palette!

Alumunium : 3
Ballistic fiber scrap : 10
Black titanium scrap : 5
Bone Shard : 1
Ceramic Shard : 4
Circuits : 4
Coal : 4
Concrete Scrap : 5
Copper Scrap : 3
Cork Scrap : 3
Crystal Shards : 3
Excess Adhesive : 5
Fiber Optic Bundle : 9
Fiberglass Spool : 4
Glass Shard : 2
Gold Scrap : 4
Lead Scrap : 5
Loose Gears : 5
Loose Screws : 3
Loose Spring : 5
Molded Plastic : 2-3
Nuclear Waste : 5
Raw Asbestos : 5
Raw Cloth : 2
Raw Fertilizer : 3
Raw Leather : 3
Raw Rubber : 3
Silver Scrap : 3
Steel Scrap : 0.5-1
Ultracite Scrap : 5
Unrefined Gunpowder : 1
Waste Acid : 4
Waste Antiseptics : 4
Waste Oil : 4
Wood Scraps : 1

2023 Specialized Turbo Vado SL 5.0. Their size M is fit for a rider around 5'4" to 5'10". Standard brushed silver color. Asking $4000.
This bike is effectively new. I purchased it new in November, and very shortly thereafter I suffered a neck and back injury that kept me from being able to cycle until just recently. Once I was able to, I took this bike out for a few short rides, and realized that I just do not find the upright position comfortable. It felt just fine to me when I test-rode one at the dealer prior to my injury, but for longer actual rides, I just feel far more comfortable on a road/gravel style bike. Big whoops.
While not truly "new" in the strictest sense, it has only 29.97 miles on it. Battery health is 100%, and I deliberately have NOT left it plugged in to the charger, in order to keep from running unnecessary current through the battery. It's been ridden a grand total of twice, on side streets.
The bike will include the installed Salsa side-entry bottle cages and, if you want it, an Oveja Negra half frame bag that fits perfectly. Also included are all original retail accessories: the charger, manual and other documentation (in their pouch thing), and the extra Future Shock 1.5 springs, to adjust damping to your preferences.
$4000 gets you a bike that is -- for all intents and purposes -- new, beyond what amounts to my long test ride. That gets you a discount of about $850 off retail, accounting for their typical sale price ($4500) and California retail sales tax (about $350). Seems like a pretty good deal to me! Naturally, I'm well outside of my retailer's return/exchange window, so I'm looking to sell private-party so that I can turn this around for a Turbo Creo or something similar.
I have buy/sell/trade reputation on /photomarket, /homelabsales, /hardwareswap, and others, so you can check those for trustworthiness. Thanks!

How do you feel about the e-scooters and their use in Silver Spring, especially DTSS?
Should they be allowed on sidewalks, bike lanes and streets with no restrictions?
Should they be allowed with some restrictions?
Should they be completely banned?

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https://preview.redd.it/aksrnv0agf3b1.png?width=461&format=png&auto=webp&s=8d6b4f64fa44d8df722fef2a8c9a0276e3604323
Element 79 Gold Corp. (CSE:ELEM) (OTC:ELMGF) (FSE: 7YS) ("Element 79 Gold", the "Company") announces that, further to its November 17, 2022 release, the Company has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") for the sale of two properties from its Battle Mountain Portfolio located in the gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, US to a subsidiary of Centra Mining Ltd. ("Centra").
Under the terms of the Agreement, Centra has agreed to purchase all of Element79 Gold's interests and obligations in relation to the Long Peak Project ("Long Peak") and the Stargo Project ("Stargo") in exchange for a total consideration of CAD 1,000,000 payable by the issuance of an aggregate of 2,500,000 common shares of Centra at a deemed price of CAD 0.40 per share (the “Payment Shares”). The transaction is expected to close on or before June 30, 2023, and is subject to regulatory approval.
"The sale of Long Peak and Stargo to Centra marks another milestone in Element79's journey for the strategic development of its high-grade gold assets," commented James Tworek, CEO of Element79. "Centra realizes that these projects have great exploration potential along with the rest of their portfolio and it will be exciting to see what their near-term development plans are. We are excited to maintain our exposure to the very promising development potential of these properties through our equity participation in Centra."
Tworek added, “We have been working at the sale of the non-core assets in the Battle Mountain for over a year now, and it feels great to confirm that we have one package of properties now signed up and pending their closing date. This achievement further helps to highlight the currently-unrealized value of the individual properties in the Battle Mountain portfolio, helping to re-envision a benchmark for corporate valuation and enabling us to unlock additional value from our extensive portfolio of prospective properties while increasing Element79 Gold’s focus, energy and capital flows on developing its flagship Maverick Springs and both defining a resource at and bringing production online at Lucero in 2024.”
Element79 Gold’s Battle Mountain Portfolio
The Battle Mountain Portfolio was originally comprised of 15 separate projects totaling over 44,478 acres across 2,203 unpatented claims in five counties: Elko County, Eureka County, Humboldt County, Lander County, and Nye County. Most of the Battle Mountain Portfolio is located within the Battle Mountain Trend, with several projects close to globally reputable gold deposits including Nevada Gold's Cortez Mine.
The Battle Mountain Portfolio is comprised primarily of early-stage projects. While drilling has been completed at some projects, such as Elder Creek (155 holes) and Clover (104 holes), many have only surface sampling and geophysical surveys completed. Of particular note are the Long Peak, Elephant, Elder Creek, North Mill Creek, Clipper, Pipeline South, West Cortez, and Walti Projects, which are interpreted to lie along the northwest trending fault that hosts the high-grade Pipeline deposit, which is included in Nevada Gold's Cortez Mine.
​
https://preview.redd.it/8gwmgsvcgf3b1.png?width=392&format=png&auto=webp&s=086c5b2c33a1c0f9247af42daeb47874538bd6d3
The Long Peak Project
Long Peak is comprised of 34 unpatented claims located near Copper Basin and the Copper Canyon Mine in Lander County, Nevada. Long Peak hosts significant historic prospects, warranting further exploration at Long Peak.
The Stargo Project
Stargo is comprised of 337 unpatented claims located south of the Battle Mountain Trend in Nye County, Nevada. The large claim block contains attractive host rocks, tertiary age intrusives, and appropriate aged structural preparation to represent an attractive area for exploration target development.
About Element79 Gold
Element79 Gold is a mining company focused on gold, silver and associated metals and committed to maximizing shareholder value through responsible mining practices and sustainable development of its projects. Element79 Gold's main focus is on two core properties: developing its previously-producing, high-grade gold and silver mine, the Lucero project located in Arequipa, Peru, with the intent to bring it back into production in the near term; and its flagship Maverick Springs Project located in the famous gold mining district of northeastern Nevada, USA, between the Elko and White Pine Counties. Maverick Springs hosts a 43-101-compliant, pit-constrained mineral resource estimate reflecting an inferred resource of 3.71 million ounces of gold equivalent "AuEq" at a grade of 0.92 g/t AuEq (0.34 g/t Au and 43.4 g/t Ag) with an effective date of October 19, 2022. The acquisition of the Maverick Springs Project also included a portfolio of 15 properties along the Battle Mountain trend in Nevada, which are non-core to its primary business focus. In British Columbia, Element79 Gold has executed a Letter of Intent and funded a drilling program to acquire a private company that holds the option to 100% interest of the Snowbird High-Grade Gold Project, which consists of 10 mineral claims located in Central British Columbia, approximately 20km west of Fort St. James. The Company also has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Dale Property, 90 unpatented mining claims located approximately 100 km southwest of Timmins, Ontario, Canada in the Timmins Mining Division, Dale Township. The Company is analyzing the non-core Nevada projects, The Dale Property and Snowbird Property for further merit of exploration, sale or spin-out.
For more information about the Company, please visit www.element79.gold
Contact Information
For corporate matters, please contact:
James C. Tworek, Chief Executive Officer E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
For investor relations inquiries, please contact:
Investor Relations Department
Phone: +1 (613) 879-9387
E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

This post is going to sound like the ramblings of a crazed conspiracy theorist - the kind that everyone rolls their eyes at and pays no mind to. I’m going to ask you all for a difficult favor. Please hear me out first before writing me off as paranoid and insane.
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You might be familiar with the airline SkyFly. For those that aren’t - SkyFly is an airline originating from Austin, Texas. It started out as a lesser known company, but within five years, it became one of the top dogs in the airline business. They’re also the worst.
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If you thought United Airlines was bad for breaking guitars, or Delta Airlines for kicking passengers off of overbooked flights, you haven’t seen anything yet. SkyFly takes the cake. The CEO, Felix Thompson is a literal evil genius. He got away with first degree murder by masking it as negligent homicide.
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Felix made it look like the oh so tragic death of Captain Gary Hurst was a result of cutting corners, instead of him being a specific target. I have proof of this. All you need to do is read the black box transcript from SkyFly Flight 49, which slammed into a field on May 29, 2013 due to a sudden mechanical failure. Captain Gary Hurst, Co-Captain Drew Baltimore, the four flight attendants, and all 250 passengers were killed on impact. There were no survivors.
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SkyFly paid a good deal of money to keep that transcript discreet. You won’t find it on a Google search. You won’t find any news articles on it, either. This travesty was swept beneath the rug, and thoroughly stomped on to keep it there. What Felix did not anticipate, was for his own daughter to have enough of a conscience to betray him.
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I’m leaking this transcript, because both customers and employees of SkyFly Airlines deserve to know the serious risk to their lives.
 

Start of Transcript

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1549:49.3 [start of recording]
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1549:50 Captain: Good morning everyone! Thank you for flying SkyFly Airlines! We expect to arrive in Boston, Massachusetts in six hours.
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1549:54.8 [sound of click]
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1549:57.7 Co-Pilot: I love the feeling of lifting off from the ground. It’s like in John Gillepsie’s poem: “Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings…”
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1550:14 Captain: Let’s hope this one stays in the air.
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1550:22 Co-Pilot: What do you mean?
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1550:25 Captain: You don’t feel that rattling?
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1550:25 Co-Pilot: Shit. We need to return to the airport to get it looked at.
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1550:27 Captain: SkyFly Airlines Flight 49 calling into air traffic.
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1550:31 Air Traffic: Flight 49? What’s the situation?
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1550:32 [Sound of click]
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1550:34 Captain: We just took off and the plane is starting to rattle. The yoke feels stiff as well. Permission to return to the airport for an urgent landing?
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1550:35 Air Traffic: [Captain], you have been flying for over fifteen years. You don’t need to make such a dramatic move over a little bit of turbulence.
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1550:37 Captain: And as someone who has been flying for over fifteen years, I’m telling you that there’s something seriously wrong with this plane!
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1550: 38 [sound of clicking]
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1150:40 Air Traffic: You don’t need to return to port! Just keep flying! If it gets worse in the next hour, then we can discuss an emergency landing!
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1550:43 Captain: Roger that!
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1550:44 [sound of click]
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1550:44.1 Captain: What a dick…
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1550:45 Co-Pilot: Are we going to be okay?
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1551:01 Captain: We can only pray.
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1551:09.3 Captain: To be fair, things have smoothened out. Maybe I was getting paranoid.
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1551:09.9 Co-Pilot: Why did you have such an extreme reaction?
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1551:18.1 Captain: I keep getting put in broken planes. The first time, a failure in the elevators had this plane tossing and turning. The second time, there was a sudden explosion in BOTH engines. The third time, the plane literally stalled for a second. Thankfully I was able to land before anyone got seriously hurt, but this is not a lucky streak that I want to press.
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1551:20.6 Co-Pilot: Let’s try not to let the worst case scenario impede on our current flight. A little bit of turbulence isn’t going to hurt us.
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1551:36 Captain: What happened to agreeing with me to land the plane immediately and get it looked at?
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1551:38 Co-Pilot: Air traffic made a good point.
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1551:40 [the captain heaves a heavy sigh]
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1551:42 [sound of rattling]
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1551:50 Captain: Shit!
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1551:58 Co-Pilot: What was that??
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1552:01 Captain: I don’t know, but nothing good.
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1552:02 [sound of an electronic hissing]
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1552:31 Plane Warning System: Autopilot disabled. Autopilot disabled. Autopilot disabled.
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1552:41 Captain: What did I fucking tell you?
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1552:51 [Sound of click]
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1552:53 Captain: Hold onto that controller like your life depends on it - because it does!
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1552:59 Captain: SkyFly Airlines Flight 49 calling into air traffic. We have an emergency.
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1553:03 Air Traffic: Flight 49? What’s the problem?
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1553:08 Captain: The plane is shaking like an earthquake, and autopilot has suddenly disabled itself. Permission to make an emergency landing?
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1553:09 Air Traffic: Just fly it manually! You know how to do that!
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1553:10 Captain: Air traffic, I am telling you that this plane is going to fall apart before we get there!
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1553:11 Air Traffic: Get a grip! Just keep flying manually!
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1553:15 Captain: Roger that, asshole.
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1553:17 Captain: Well, I suppose it’s good practice for flying manually.
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1553:19 Co-Pilot: Is this safe?
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1553:21 Captain: Not at all. But what choice do we have?
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1553:28 Co-Pilot: If something else happens and air traffic denies the request to land, maybe we should just do it anyway. There are 250 lives at stake.
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1553:35 Captain: That’s the plan. I’d land it now, but I’d catch too much shit for it.
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1553:37 [sound of violent shaking]
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1553:40 Captain: WOAH!!
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1553:46 Plane Warning System: TERRAIN TERRAIN! PULL UP! TERRAIN TERRAIN! PULL UP!
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1553:47 [sound of frantic clicking]
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1553:48 Captain: Oh, thank god. I’m not ready to meet my maker yet.
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1553:53 Captain: SkyFly Airlines Flight 49 calling into air traffic. We have a serious emergency.
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1554:24 Air Traffic: Flight 49? What’s the problem?
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1554:26 Captain: We temporarily lost control of the aircraft. We NEED to land before it happens again!
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1554:32 Air Traffic: [murmuring] I guess we don’t have a choice but to let you land…
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1554:33 Captain: Don’t have a choice?? What the hell is that supposed to mean??
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1554:35 [sound of click]
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1554:37 Captain: Oh shit! That was a scary pitch! I swear, it’s like these gears are covered in rust!
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1554:50 Captain: Drew, why are you looking at me like that?
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1554:51 Co-Pilot: Because I just realized that you’ve been put in broken planes for a reason…
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1554:53 Captain: Air traffic control might be a dick, but they wouldn’t commit such an insane conspiracy with 250 other lives!
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1555:00 Co-Pilot: I don’t think it’s a conspiracy. They just “don’t want to fix what isn’t broken.”
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1555:00 Captain: What…
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1555:01 Co-Pilot: I doubt these planes have had proper maintenance in a long time. Cutting corners is cheaper. If we make an emergency landing, SkyFly is going to have to pay to get the plane fixed.
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1555:06 Captain: Why the hell would air traffic be involved in that?
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1555:16 Co-Pilot: CEO’s know how to make friends.
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1555:18 Plane Warning System: TERRAIN TERRAIN! PULL UP! TERRAIN TERRAIN! PULL UP!
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1555:19 Captain: MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!
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1555:20 Co-Pilot: [talking into black box] Melissa, baby, I love you so much. You’re the love of my life, okay? And it’s also okay if you move on and marry another man after me. I want you to be happy, okay? Don’t let this tragedy kill you too!
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1555:24 Captain: IDIOT!! DON’T GIVE UP YET!! Yank on that yoke as hard as you can!!
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1555:25 Co-Pilot: Roger that!
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1555:30 Plane Warning System: TERRAIN TERRAIN! PULL UP! TERRAIN TERRAIN! PULL UP!
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1555:31 Captain: MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY!
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1555:32 Air Traffic: Okay, Flight 49, you have permission to make an emergency landing.
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1555:38 Captain: Let’s hope it’s not too late for that!
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1555: 39 [sound of explosion]
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1555:40 Captain: Air traffic, we just lost control of the vertical stabilizer!
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1555:41 Air Traffic: Okay, what do you want to do?
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1555:43 Captain: There’s nothing to be done at this point. We’re in an uncontrollable dive.
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1555:45 Co-Pilot God have mercy on all of our souls…
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1555:47 [sound of impact]

End of transcript

 
 
SkyFly Flight 49 slammed full speed into an empty field in Dripping Springs, Texas. There were no survivors. Just as co-pilot Drew Baltimore said, CEO’s know how to make friends. A further investigation would reveal that the air traffic control workers heard in this black box recording were being paid $5k check bonuses to keep these broken planes in the air.
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Maintenance crews gave the clearance for the planes’ safety checks, but never did any real examination into their condition. It was a conspiracy, to be sure. But like I said in the beginning of this post, it was never about saving money. If it were a matter of frugality, EVERY SkyFly pilot would have been in a broken plane.
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It was only Captain Gary Hurst that was assigned to these planes that were not suited for flight.
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Captain Gary was such a good pilot that he could land a broken plane without casualties. When one busted plane was forced to go out of commission due to a successful landing, they’d put him in another one. I know you’re thinking that I’m making reaches. After all, why would such a conspiracy involve 250 other innocent passengers, 4 flight attendants, and another co-pilot?
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Simple: When a CEO commits negligent homicide, they get a $2 million slap on the wrist, and can carry on with their lives. If a CEO commits 1st Degree murder, they risk life without parole.
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CEO’s kill people everyday though human trafficking, exploitation of labor, negligent maintenance practices, and denying medical insurance to their employees. What’s 255 more in a simple plane crash? Captain Gary Hurst was always the target. The other innocent lives lost that day were simply a necessary collateral damage to get away with murder. I don’t know why my father wanted that man dead. I admit that I don’t have an explanation for a motive.
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But only one pilot assigned to four consecutive broken planes? That’s not a coincidence. ESPECIALLY when air traffic control was trying to keep him in the air every single time.
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If you’re a pilot still working for SkyFly, RESIGN ASAP before you become next. If you have a flight booked with SkyFly, cancel it immediately. You could be the next target, or the next collateral damage to kill their target.
​

My father does not care if you die, as long as he gets to live well.