Nclex shutting off at 75 questions

hi! im not an electrician or anything but i think i might’ve fucked up very bad and need help. the other day i was drilling through my wall trying to hang up something. it was really hard to drill through the wall which i’m now guessing was due to a metal plate protecting some wiring. just got a stud locator today and it kinda confirmed my suspicions; there’s apparently a shit ton of wiring in that area. while i was drilling there wasn’t any sparks or any power that shut off it was just very difficult to do. im pretty sure the wires there lead to a couple outlets and ac, but i don’t know anything about electrical work so i’m just making assumptions. i ended up removing the screws because i did a shit job and ngl im a little worried that my house may burn down due to my negligence. money is really tight rn and everyone im living with thinks i’m overreacting and doesn’t really think there’s any need to call an electrician.
here‘s essentially my question(s):

1. is the wiring still at risk for catching on fire even though it’s been a couple days since i was drilling?
2. if i don’t use the outlet that is connected to the wiring will i pretty much be ok?

i’m wondering if there’s any urgent danger here.
also any other input or questions are greatly appreciated. thank you🙏🏻

So I am 31, and recently engaged. However, my fiance and I have only known each other for some months now and were still getting to know each other. A question she asked me is what are my long term goals. I asked what defines long term, and she said maybe 10+ years. I said I havent really thought that far, I kind of just plan for the year ahead, maybe 2 years max. This put her off and now its a topic.
But anyway, thats not at all really what Im trying to get into. I just want to know how common it is for people in my age range to not have super long term goals. Am I just failing right now or is this something anyone else can relate to?

Hey Hey Hey, been on a kick recently of listening to bands I liked as a kid. I'm not super into this style of music anymore save a few bands and albums, but I have really enjoyed my time listening to AFI again. Here's a ranking from best to worst with some thoughts:
01 Black Sails in the Sunset
Man this one is just so good, as good as I remember it being. Every song is so tightly written, the energy so amped.
02 Sing the Sorrow
Much closer in sound to Black Sails than people give it credit for with more ambition and radio-ready hooks without polishing out what made their past two releases so good. Its melodramatic don't get me wrong, but its melodramatic in a really earnest way that never gets old. Few albums do this sound this well.
03 The Missing Man EP
I almost missed this completely when listening to their albums, man is it good. It's suprisingly cohesive and well written. Trash Bat has flashes of the Crash Love B-Sides sound. I'd hoped that this marked a new direction going forward, because man I think the band needs it.
04 Art of Drowning
My favourite of theirs as a kid. It's great, we all know it's great. Holds up well with signs of what the band will do next, but at times can feel like Black Sails 2.
05 Crash Love
I was surprised I liked this so much, because I distinctly remember everyone hating it when I was younger. It's the first real departure from the hardcore-tinged rock the band was going for since STS, but I straight up think the melodic writing on a lot of this album is really strong. Lyrically however, I think this is the first time the lyrics swerve too fully into pure radio-corniness. There's also a better version of this album they could've made had they put the B-Sides on instead of songs like Sacrilege.
06 Shut Your Mouth and Open Your Eyes / All Hallows EP
Its good. I have very little to say about it however, it's just a solid 90s punk album with a dash of horror punk peeking through. I'm lumping All Hallows EP in here because they rank about the same, its just horror-punk man its decent. Totalimmortal bangs though.
07 AFI (The Blood Album)
Sort of a mild return to form the band, I wouldn't say it's amazing but there's a lot of strong material here that maybe didn't get the best production. There's a lot of middling tracks too (Get Hurt, Dark Snow, So Beneath You). With a different producer and arranger on board, this could've been great. I still enjoy it, but it lacks focus. Still a Stranger is one of their best songs in forever. Kinda got a The Damned thing going on too (all once punk bands eventually ending up sounding like The Damned I fucking swear lmao). I can hear the band poking around their influences to try and find where to go next.
08 Answer That / Very Proud of Ya
Look I like this era of punk, but man there is not a whole lot going on with them here. There's songs I like, and I have no issue hearing either record but there were bands doing this exact sound with more personality at the time. They're fine they're whatever.
08 Decemberundeground
I am sorry, but my thoughts are not very kind from this point on. Even as a kid, I bounced off this album HARD. And that's still true. I enjoy maybe a few songs, namely 'Love Like Winter', 'The Killing Lights', 'Endlessly She Said'. I just cannot stand the production, the writing, the tone, none of it works for me. It is pure unadulterated mall-emo edge. Forgive me, I know people like this album a lot and I'm glad but it's not for me at all.
09 Burials
Yeah look placing this was hard, I on paper prefer this sound more to DU, like much more but it's just diet-Sisters of Mercy. I like 17 Crimes though. The whole album washes over me and it's so boring.
10 Bodies
They never got that producearranger haha. After Bodies and ESPECIALLY The Missing Man EP I was hoping for much more, but this thing is a mess. Every song sounds like the band sat in a room and was like "hey. let's do a Depeche Mode track, let's do a Damned song, let's do a New Order song". They do nothing with any of those sounds and that's saying a lot because I don't even really like The Damned. The song-writing is not here brother, neither are the lyrics or the production. It's so dull, good god is it dull.
This has been fun, please don't take this ranking super seriously, if you love Burials that's totally cool and valid.
I'm going to go listen to the new JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown -adios.

Hi, i'd like to preface this by saying that me and my bf, have been together for a year and a half! This also, isnt to make him look bad i just want to vent.
My bf and i have been together for a 1 1/2, and before we got together i knew he was big into video games. I at the time, didnt mind because we were just talking; but as time progressed and we became official it became a creeping issue. Now, i had the minset of 'if you cant beat em' join em' so i had a switch, and though the games are very limited to what he had (he has an xbox one) i tried out different games in hopes that id be able to play with him. We did, but hed just end up getting upset, and just drop us playing together. I took it to heart a couple times, but at some point i just got over it. Now, fast forward to christmas of 2022, i got an xbox series S and i myself enjoy playing video games, so i understand the infatuation behind it. Yet this is where my issue is coming in, he will sit and play for hours, upon hours, and not check his phone or text me back, and at first its fine but once you go 3-4 hours sometimes even longer without hearing from him it gets frustrating. Especially since he only has his phone on vibrate, so if he has his headset on he wont be bothered to check his phone. Ive communicated this to him and i always get a "sorry" and then it gets better for a week and then it stops. This leads me to my next thing, Me and Him hang out at least once a week, sometimes more if we have time. We used to hangout over at my place because it was more convenient and it got him away from his xbox, but shit went down at my house so we hangout at his, so when we go to hangout he literally spends our entire time playing video games, and i've mentioned to him "hey id appreciate if you made more us time like for cuddles and such. I always got some sorry excuse and he was like "you stress me out so this is my destresser" and when i asked how he is like "you being in random moods and stuff on call, or being pissy with me because im on my games (mind you im only ever upset if he just straight up ignored me) im like. you play every night when you come home, im asking to spend time with you, not sitting next to you while you game, Its caused fights before but its to the point where i just go over there and nap, because i have nothing better to do. Not to mention he will literally sit ina party with his friends while im in there, and just kinda shut me out. Im getting tired of feeling like im only there for his convenience like sex and stuff.
Another thing is we ft, every night but it's mostly again him ina party with his friends and im just there, when i try to make conversation he asks to me to be quiet or go on mute when hes talking to them.
Sorry if this post is all over the place, i just wanted to get this off my chest.

Paleclan:
Palestar (Leader Bingus) - a male, pink-colored sphynx cat, with purple eyes.
Featherear (Deputy Floppa) - a male, caracal cat, with amber eyes.
Nightpelt (Medic Sylvester) - a male, black colored cat, with yellow eyes.
Leomask (Cingus) - a male, white and bengal van cat, with amber eyes.
Bloodclaw - (wrath kitten) a female, grey cat, with red eyes.
Greyfur (Justin) - a non-binary, grey maine-coon, with amber eyes.
-
The exiles:
Tabbymask (Wawa) - a male, white and standard issue tabby van cat, with amber eyes.
Hollowpelt (Maxwell) - a male, white and black tuxedo cat, with amber eyes.
Jinx (Jinx) - a female, black cat, with big round yellow eyes and paw deformities.
Gwagwa (Leader gwagwa) - a male, rotund orange tabby cat, with icy blue eyes.
___________________
- Prologue -
Palestar hissed at Hollowpelt and pawed their face aggressively, Hollowpelt retaliated by raking his claws at Palestar's face, giving Palestar a scar across their eye, refusing to yowl in anger, Palestar started raking at Hollowpelt across their white torso and bit Hollowpelt's neck, so hardly that Hollowpelt dropped dead, Palestar yowled in victory and ran to their clan's clearing to boast about their victorious kill,
"Everyone! Hollowpelt is dead, i killed them!" Palestar yowled pridefully, licking the blood off of their paw and eye,
"Shut up and go to the dark forest, raw slave-made chicken!" Nightpelt meowed rudely, Nightpelt gestured to Palestar that Nightpelt was going to kill them and take every one of their remaining 4 lives, slowly,
Palestar then padded to their den to sleep,
------
-1 DAY LATER-
____
Palestar woke, yowl's piercing their ears as they awoke, the exiles had attacked the camp, Palestar's peach-fur arose as Palestar galloped to their blood-stained clearing, Bloodclaw and Palestar teaming to beat down Gwagwa, Gwagwa pinned down by palestar,
"I used to be your friend, Gwagwa, now you are the person i resent the most!" Palestar yowled in absolute wrath as they were blinded by Gwagwa pawing at their eyes, Gwagwa taking the pin, brutally trying to rip Palestar's ear off.

Hi, so I have a question. I was working in this lab with a prof for 3 years. One summer he told me that he was going to pay me for the summer so I could work there as a job, and he promised he would also try in the school year to hire me so I would be paid to work there. He also said this to other people as well. Unfortunately, due to legal reasons he could not hire me and I basically worked at his lab for free for all three years and I put in a lot of effort/hours and set aside a lot of personal time to his lab. So, recently I decided to file a compliant with the school that I wasn't even paid/compensated at all and the school actually did help and basically paid me for all the time I worked there. However, the downside is that the prof is no longer allowed to have any more undergrads in his lab at all. And I'm pretty sure the prof is kind of mad at me for that, so that probs harms our relationship a lot. The thing is the school did not even tell me the prof would not even be allowed to have undergrads. Do you think what I did what right? I mean I'm glad I got compensated for my work and got slight. And he did kind of lie to me that he would pay me (and recently I questioned him further and said he was never even allowed to hire any undergrads in his lab for years.... so I was thinking did he lie to me on purpose just so I can finish his project??).
Also, the person who told me that he was no longer allowed to have undergrads in his lab was a grad student I worked with there and she told me that I should try to email the person I filed the compliant to to allow undergrads to work in the lab. She also said that she would try to make things better in the lab so that this won't happen again. Should I do that? She kind of made me feel super guilty when she said those things. I mean I kind of don't want to do that bc he kind of lied to me and I filed a compliant to get some sort of justice. At the same time I feel super guilty that I shut down his lab lol as in the summer he will only have like 1 grad student working there and no undergrads lol. What do you guys think?

Some Background: My mother abandoned me when I was 3 years old after my father had an affair with her best friend. My father married her best friend and moved away leaving me and my mother behind. He took his cat though. my mother didn't really want to be a mother, and she sent me to go live with my father. My father and stepmother were horribly physically, emotionally, and psychologically abusive.
During my childhood, my mother almost never contacted me in any way. I saw her five times from Age 3 until 18. Once, I stayed with her for 6 months when I was 11. she told me she was going to file for custody of me because from the stories I had told her about my life, she knew that I was being abused by my father and stepmother.
That was a lie however. She sent me back to live with my father and stepmother who continued to abuse me until my 18th birthday.
When I turned 18, my mother wanted to have a really close friendly relationship with me. I was really angry about her abandoning me twice. I didn't trust her and I didn't really feel that we had the foundation for a relationship, but I desperately wanted her love and approval.
Even though she hadn't raised me and she sent me to live with people who she knew were actively abusing me, she wanted me to treat her like she was the best mother ever. she would constantly tell stories about when I was under 3 years old. It made me really uncomfortable. I would ask her to stop telling the stories but she wouldn't.
When I got engaged, I invited her to my wedding which was a Orthodox wedding. for those of you who don't know, there is a very strict dress code for women that involves necklines that cover the collarbones, shirts that have sleeves which cover the elbows and skirts that go below the knee. I asked my mother to follow this dress code and she agreed to, but she showed up at the wedding with a blouse that was a deep v-neck. she wasn't showing cleavage or anything, but it was horribly inappropriate. she was also wearing open toed shoes which I had asked her specifically not to wear. When I confronted her on this, she basically dismissed my boundary and said that because she wasn't showing cleavage and because her shoes were very cute sandals that it was fine for her not to respect the dress code.
when I was pregnant, I told her, and she announced my pregnancy publicly before I had the opportunity to do so. It really hurt me that she told my grandmother and other family members before I had the opportunity to. when I tried to talk to her about this gently, telling her how much it had hurt me and how I would appreciate her not sharing my news with people especially after I had specifically asked her not to, she got very angry with me and told me I had no right to tell her what she can talk with her family members about.
These are some of the big events, however there have been a million other boundary violations and disrespectful actions towards me. over the years I went from wanting to have frequent contact with her to very low contact. especially When I became a mother, I realized I would never understand her or the choices that she made regarding me.
I have been living abroad, in Mexico, for the last 11 years. I live in a good area and I have a great job here. I invited my mother to come to visit us several years ago, before the pandemic and she gave me a lot of excuses why she couldn't come. She said that the flight would be too expensive. She said that she didn't have a way to get from the airport to our home. When my husband and I offered to pick her up from the airport and even to pay for her flight, she finally told us that it's because we live in Mexico. She doesn't feel it's a very nice place and she has never had a desire to come to this country.
This hurt very much because she lives several hours from the border in a city in America that is way more violent than where I live. The statistics for violent crime show that there is a higher rate of crime in her city than mine. I tried to tell her that she would be safe and that I really wanted to visit her to visit us in our home because I'm very proud of the life that my husband and I have built for ourselves. I told her she could stay in our guest room and that we would take her to the park we go to and the children science museum we frequent and our favorite restaurants, etc. she insulted Mexico and refused.
it left such a bad taste in my mouth that I didn't speak to her for the greater part of a year.
Then, she emailed me out of the blue about 9 months later and it was a one-line email. she said, I like where you live.
I obviously thought that she could be in my city so I emailed her back asking her directly if she were. no answer. I called her cell phone. no answer. I texted her and received no answer.
about a week later, she emailed me again telling me that she was no longer in my city but had spent two weeks there and she really thought it was a very fine place. she never tried to call me or see me at all but she traveled internationally to the city that I live in and she contacted me just so that I would know that she had been there and had Made no effort to contact me at all. It really hurt my feelings.
I wrote to her telling her that it hurt my feelings and letting her know that I felt she owed me an apology and an explanation for doing that. She has done a lot of hurtful things to me over the years, but that was so over the top and ridiculous - - even for her - - so I felt that it was a fair request.
Instead, she told me that she had already apologized to me. she insisted that she had apologized and I was refusing to accept her apology. she had never apologized to me. I'm certain of it. However, this made me doubt myself and I installed an automatic call recorder in an attempt to Discover if I was remembering things incorrectly or if she does lie constantly and then try to rewrite the truth.
she never apologized for the Mexico fiasco. However, I felt guilty after not speaking to her for a while and I initiated contact and we had low contact for a while that seemed to be going well. what I mean is she wasn't outright rude or disrespectful or passive aggressive. I was calling her every week and she would answer most times and we would make small talk for a few minutes.
Then, on one of our weekly calls in October of last year (2022), she told me in October of last year (2022) that she would be moving to another part of the country, very far away from the international border. Since we had had a few months of decent text exchanges, I decided to call her. During that call, in November 2022, I invited her again to come to visit us before she moves because I don't know when I will ever see her again because of how far away she's moving and how bad our relationship has always been.
I was hoping that she would see this as an opportunity to bury the hatchet and reconnect. instead she told me no. She flat out refused. she answered so quickly it was obvious that she didn't even consider it at all. It was like a reflex refusal. I know people can't always travel when they want to, I'm not so unreasonable, but she has over a year before she moves so it would have felt better if she at least pretended to consider it.
We spoke a week later and she asked me if after she moved my family and I would be willing to travel to see her at her new house. I told her no. I reminded her that we had invited her to visit us twice and she refused both times. I went on to say that I am not willing to travel so far to visit someone who has refused to visit me.
She told me that she never refused to visit me. I told her that she had. I'm certain that she did refuse, because I recorded that phone call and I had listened to it several times. there is a clear refusal. She told me that I had not recorded it. That I was lying. I emailed her the audio from the call. I tried to call her the next week but she didn’t answer. Same thing the week after that. Same thing every week since I gave up trying to speak to her over the phone in early February 2023. The last time I called her, I left her a pretty curt voicemail. I told her that if she wanted to speak to me that she should answer the phone or return my calls. A few weeks later she sent me a message at just after 7am, as I was getting ready to go to an important work meeting. In her message, she complained to me about the voicemail. She told me that it is not appropriate to contact someone and not ask them how they are doing and give them a polite greeting. She told me that she did not like my voicemail and asked me not to leave her voicemails like that. I messaged her back and told her that I will not be leaving any more voicemails, as she has not answered or returned my calls in over 4 months and I have given up. I also told her that she was messaging me at 7am to complain about a voicemail I left weeks ago and to please not message me just to complain, until after 6pm, when I get off of work.
She messaged me back and said, ‘' No worries, won't be bothering anymore. Enough take care don't text or call you won't get a response. You have made yourself clean when it comes to me.' So I blocked her. On my phone. On social media. On everything I could think of. However, I didn’t think of blocking her on my old email address. A few weeks later I was looking for an old document in that old email account and I saw that she had emailed me. Here is the exchange:
MOM: Sat, Mar 4, 8:25 PM
Dear daughter, if someone isn't able to do something but could and wants to do that thing at another time it is not refusing that thing. I truly hope we can get past all this time disagreeing with each other and go forward . When I told you not to text me it isn't that I don't want a relationship with you. A relationship can't be based on the actions that have been going on between us. Love you always mom
ME: Thu, Mar 9 12:17PM
Mom, You said to me in a text message from Feb 22nd, 2023 at 7:28 AM, and I am quoting you directly: ' No worries, won't be bothering anymore. Enough take care don't text or call you won't get a response. You have made yourself clean when it comes to me.'
By refusing to answer or return my calls for months while I consistently reached out to you and by sending me that text message above, you have made yourself very clear that you do not want a relationship with me.
Even in this email that you sent, the one I am responding to, You began it immediately by arguing with me. Hardly a way to mend a relationship. Just stop.
MOM Thu, Mar 9 12:19PM
Daughter I am sorry you feel the way you do. I only wish we both could, never mind i will be sending things i was going to send for a while to you soon love you mom.
ME: 1:04 PM
Mom, Saying "I'm sorry you feel the way you do" is not an authentic apology because it doesn't take responsibility for your actions or behavior. It is a common example of a non-apology apology, which is a statement that appears to express regret or remorse but does not truly acknowledge wrongdoing.
An authentic apology should include an admission of responsibility for your actions, an expression of regret or remorse, and a commitment to making amends or taking steps to prevent the same behavior from happening again in the future. It should focus on the impact of your actions on the other person, rather than their reaction or feelings about the situation.
Just STOP. Please do not force me to block you here as well
MOM: I have apologized so many times. you don't need to block me .
ME: When did you apologize for sending me that message?
MOM:You told me to stop so I am going to. I don't want you to block me or anything of that nature.
ME: Please answer my question.
When did you apologize to me for sending me the following message?
Feb 22nd, 2023 at 7:28 AM ' No worries, won't be bothering anymore. Enough take care don't text or call you won't get a response. You have made yourself clean when it comes to me.'
MOM:Am going to stop as you ask me to. I hope we can find our way to one another. Love you mom
ME: On Thu, Mar 9, 2023
When I asked you to stop, you refused to by continuing to message me.
Now, I am asking you to answer the question. You are refusing to answer it because we both know that you never apologized for sending me that message. Your emails to me today are the only contact we have had since you sent it.
Do not contact me again until you are ready to properly apologize for that message. If you contact me for any other reason, I will block you immediately without responding.
I deserve to be treated with respect.
Thanks a bunch,
Daughter
Thu, Mar 9, 2023 at 6:37 PM
MOM:If your answer to everything with me is blocking me, do what you have to do. I am standing up for myself and your stand to block me? Then just do what you feel is right and if blocking me is then do it. I am here when we can talk without the, ‘I am going to block you’ attitude. Love mom
BLOCKED
ME: Fri, Mar 10, 2023, 8:36 AM
Dear Mom,
It breaks my heart to have to write this letter to you, but I feel that you have given me no other choice. For as long as I can remember, our relationship has been strained and difficult, but it has been particularly bad in the past few months.
It hurts me deeply that we haven't had a single pleasant interaction since November 2022. It hurts me that you refused to speak to me over Christmas and New Year's, and that you have ignored and not returned my calls for months on end. It hurts me that every time we do interact, it is filled with hostility, anger, and resentment.
I know that I am not blameless in our relationship, but I have tried so hard to make things work between us. I have tried to clearly communicate my needs and boundaries to you, but you have not respected them. I have tried to reach out to you and make amends, but you have not taken those opportunities. Even yesterday, I clearly asked you not to contact me unless it was to apologize for the message you sent me on 'Feb 22nd, 2023 at 7:28 AM, when you said, and I am quoting you directly: ' No worries, won't be bothering anymore. Enough take care don't text or call you won't get a response. You have made yourself clean when it comes to me.' Instead of apologizing to me as I clearly asked you to, you continued to email me only to argue with me and blame me for the state of things between us.
Your consistent behavior towards me over time has been hurtful and disrespectful, and it has taken a toll on my mental health and well-being. I had been recording our phone conversations because I needed to protect myself and my mental health because of your dishonesty and gaslighting. I never intended to hurt you or betray your trust, but I needed to do what was best for me.
I am devastated that our relationship has come to this. I am devastated that we cannot find a way to have a healthy and positive relationship. I am devastated that I have to write this letter to tell you that I cannot have you in my life anymore.
I want you to know that I love you and that I will always cherish the good memories we have shared. I will try to remember you at your best. But I cannot continue to subject myself to the pain and hurt that our interactions bring me. I need to put myself first and surround myself with people who love and support me. Unfortunately you have not treated me lovingly nor supportively for years.
I don't believe at this point that you will change but I still hope that this estrangement will give you the chance to reflect on your behavior and take steps towards becoming a better version of yourself. If you do that work on yourself, maybe someday we can reconcile and heal the wounds that have been inflicted on our relationship. But for now, I need to say goodbye. I wish you all the best, and I hope that you can find happiness and peace.
With a heavy heart, Daughter Messages received in spam folder after blocking:
Fri, Mar 10, 7:35 AM
Good morning Daughter I am sorry for my message sent on 2/28. I was reacting basically on someone else's action to me which was wrong of me. Am sorry for that. I love you mom
Fri, Mar 10, 8:59 AM
Am at work and received your email. You can blame all that has gone wrong with our relationship on me . It hurts more than I can say to know my daughter doesn't want me in her life. Am praying for my mom being very ill at this time and now I lose you. Take care and I love you so much . Mom
—---
Fri, Mar 10, 6:09 PM
Am giving your words back to you. I did apologize and you still made the choice to let me not be in your life, I am hurt but will honor your choice. I will love you always. I did the right thing and apologized to you. In time I will make peace with what is to be in time. Mom
So, if anyone has read this whole thing, what do you think? Should I stay no contact? Do you think this could be salvaged? I feel really guilty, like I should reach out to her again. What do you think I should do?

Sorry in advance for the long post. I (22F) have been dating my partner (24M) for almost 3 years now. For the most part, our relationship is great and I truly feel he may be the one for me. There are just a few things that have started to really bother me recently.
My partner works at a bar. Almost every shift he works (2-3x/week), he will stay late after or migrate to another bar with his coworkers. I realize I have no control over what he does - and I truly don't mind him going out. The issue is:

1. He will frequently stay for hours after getting off of work, even if we have plans. An example of this: we were supposed to go on a date after he got off at 4pm. He did not show up until 9pm. His response when I was upset: "You never gave me an exact time". So, I started telling him times. He is still late, but never more than 2 hours.
2. When he goes to other bars, I'm never invited. I have gone twice, and both times I asked him if I could go. Then when he is out, he ignores me for hours and does not go home until 3-4am. I say ignores because he leaves me on read for hours. He is typically out with mostly (single) women, and 1-2 (single) guys. Personally, I feel that going out like this is what you do if you're single - not in a 3 year relationship.

I have approached him with this issue a few times. I've explained that I don't care if he goes out, it just worries me when he ignores me and I'd like to be invited sometimes (not every time). He invited me one time (5 months ago). As far as being late, he claims it's due to "time blindness". I don't think this would be an issue if he just left after he gets off if we have plans together.
I will admit that I have attachment issues, and I am autistic. When these things happen, I get very anxious and cry. I go very distant and "shut down"/have a meltdown when he finally shows up/texts back. I have never blown up his phone with texts or calls. I wait until he leaves wherever to bring it up, but if he does text me while he's out, my responses are short. Since starting a new medication (4 months ago), I've gotten better about my outbursts. I have learned to self-soothe, journal, or just take time to calm down before reacting. I have slipped up a few times but have always taken ownership of my mistakes and seek forgiveness. But he always says he's "scared to tell me he's going out because I always get upset".
I just don't know what to do. This is truly our only issue in our relationship. We are very happy otherwise. How do I approach this issue with him? I don't want to be controlling so if this is the case, how can I be better?
TLDR: My partner goes out drinking until 3-4am and never invites me. He also stays and hangs out for hours after work even if we have plans and it makes him late. We are very happy otherwise - I just can't tell if I'm being unreasonable.

The summer I turned 10 was the best time of my life. For years I’d had trouble making friends with other girls, and out of nowhere I was accepted into a group of boys. We would ride our bikes everywhere, play games, and sit up all night just talking about superheroes. I loved it, and I started enjoying coming to school.
That summer was the first summer we went to Everett’s cabin. We biked up there with his dad and spent three days hiking, fishing, telling stories, building a treehouse, and chowing down on hot dogs. It was amazing, and probably the first time in my life where I truly felt like part of a group.
For the next few years, we went back up there every summer. Sometimes we’d get another member, sometimes we’d lose one. People came and went, but we biked up there every summer nonetheless.
​
They became my best friends. I was one of the “original members” alongside Everett and Sam, but one year we had Lewis, another year there was Owen, and so on. But me, Everett, and Sam? We were always there. The originals.
By the time we all turned 14, there was another girl joining the group; Sam’s girlfriend Josslyn. I’d had some trouble getting along with other girls, so I was a bit hesitant about having Josslyn come along. But I was hilariously wrong. Within a couple of weeks, Josslyn became my best friend. She was like the sister I never had.
The year we turned 16 was the last time we would go there as a group. By then, everyone was growing up. Some were going to college; others were getting a job. Hell, Sam and Josslyn had just broken up and could barely be in the same room. Spending the summer in Everett’s cabin became one of those things that you just stop doing. We promised we’d go back there someday and celebrate summer the right way, knowing full well that would probably never happen.
And then, nothing. And as with all names and faces, they started growing distant. We kept in touch every now and then, but Sam, Everett and Josslyn all went on with their lives. I did too.
​
That was until a few years ago, when we all turned 30.
By then, Sam was about to move out of state. His startup company had gained some traction, and they were moving their main office. He was hitting the big leagues.
Josslyn was planning a move to Scotland. She’d met this guy at the university that she fell head over heels in love with, and the two of them’d had a long-distance relationship for close to a decade.
Everett, well, he’d tried to play the family man. He had a four-year old son and a two-year old girl with a woman who was divorcing him. Oof.
And me? Well, I wasn’t dealing with my aging very well. I’ve had anxiety all my life and haven’t celebrated a birthday since I was 14. I can barely look myself in the mirror, horrified of the possibility of seeing a grey hair. I’m a bit of a hypochondriac, truth be told, and I imagine feeling all kinds of cramps and pains because of my age. And yes, I know 30 isn’t that old. Doesn’t matter.
​
But that summer, Everett sent us a message out of nowhere. His family was selling the cabin, and he figured one more trip down memory lane would do us all some good. The whole area was being sold off to a logging company at the end of summer. Personally, I just think the divorce was getting to him.
At first, I wasn’t going to accept. But after seeing both Sam and Josslyn agreeing to come, I couldn’t say no. Maybe it would distract me from turning 30.
​
So one sunny day in late June I drove down from Morgantown back home to Juniper (WV), not knowing what to expect. I figured I might get a nice weekend out of it.
And as I met up with Sam and Everett, it was as if nothing had changed. They hugged me. We laughed, we joked around, and we laughed some more. Everett had rented us mountain bikes. I got the blue one.
Sure, they looked a bit different. Sam had put on a few pounds and had a thick pair of glasses. He was already sweating. Everett, who used to have dreadlocks, had this short and neat office-type haircut, and his eyes looked darker. But that was all just appearance; they were the same guys. Same humor, same smiles, same favorite superheroes. Wonderful.
​
We stopped at the supermarket. I was comparing beef jerky prices when Sam walked up to me.
“Josslyn went on ahead,” he explained. “The roads are all dug up, so we’re taking the tunnel.”
“The Rosewater tunnel? By the railroad?” I asked.
“Yeah,” nodded Sam. “Shouldn’t take long. Josslyn is already up there.”
Made sense to me. Josslyn was the outdoorsy type. She was probably up there making a fire by rubbing sticks together or something. But just in case, I bought myself a Firestarter. You never know.
​
And then we were off. Riding bikes with the same people, down the same roads. Sure, it all looked different, but it really wasn’t. After all these years, I was still just me and the guys. For a moment, I felt this surge of optimism; like everything, somehow, might turn out all right.
Everett took point. We followed a trail deep into the pine forest, sweating under the summer sun. The canopy was a blessing, hiding us from the afternoon heat. It took us a bit over an hour to find the railroad tracks. We followed them north. Sam was sweating like he’d never even seen a bike before.
​
Then we got to the tunnel. The old Rosewater tunnel wasn’t long, but it was old. Everyone knew about it, but it was the kind of place that parents refused to let their kids go near. The place was probably covered in mold. Still, biking through it wouldn’t be a problem. You could feel the draft coming through.
The tunnel had a slight curve to it, so we couldn’t see the other side. Still, Everett took point and howled with joy as he entered. The echo bounced off the walls, reaching into the mountain. Sam followed suit, shrieking just as loud. We dove deep into the dark with the rhythmic thumping of the railroad tracks beneath us.
Our bike lights shone as bright as they could, but the tunnel swallowed them. It was getting colder and colder, almost to the point of my breath showing. Little dust particles danced in the weak light. The sound of spinning bike chains and thumping wheels echoed, and the air tasted like old moisture.
​
Suddenly, Everett stopped. Then Sam. And soon, I could see why.
We were in the middle of the tunnel, and there was something covering the ground.
Snow.
​
We were all standing there dumbfounded. Snow? In late June? That didn’t make a lick of sense.
“That’s just weird,” said Sam. “Let’s keep going.”
“Wait,” said Everett.
He stepped off his bike and walked around for a bit. I leaned against my handlebar, feeling the weight of my backpack. I hadn’t even noticed how out of breath I was. Everett leaned down, looking at the snow.
“What’s up?” Sam asked. “We going?”
“Yeah, yeah,” nodded Everett. “It’s just… I dunno.”
“Dunno what?”
“Like… where’re the tracks?”
“You’re sitting on ‘em” I added. “What’s the deal?”
“No, Josslyn’s tracks.”
​
Now I could definitely see my own breath. And Everett was right, the snow was undisturbed. Josslyn couldn’t have come through there, unless the snow had recently settled. But what, an inch and a half of powder snow in late June, in less than a day? Nah.
Everett got back on his bike.
“Let’s just keep going.”
We biked through the snow. About ten minutes later, we got to the edge of the tunnel.
​
It’d collapsed in on itself.
The ceiling had caved in and filled the entire tunnel with a steep slant of solid rock chunks. It didn’t look recent either.
We just turned around. There was no reason for us to keep pushing forward, so we decided to just go back out and follow the (if somewhat broken) main road instead. We had bikes, we could go pretty much anywhere. Still, I couldn’t help but notice how Everett seemed a bit distraught. We all were.
On our way back through the snow, I got the sense that something was off, but I couldn’t put my finger on what. But right then and there, I was just happy we were leaving.
​
Except we didn’t get far.
The path we came in through had also collapsed.
​
“Did we make a… a wrong turn?” Sam asked. “I thought this… this was just a straight line.”
“It is,” said Everett. “This, uh… this doesn’t make sense.”
“I didn’t hear anything,” I gasped. “I didn’t hear a goddamn thing.”
“This is old. There’s dust. It didn’t just collapse, this is… ,” insisted Everett.
“So we must’ve gotten turned around somewhere,” smiled Sam. “So we backtrack.”
​
It took us about 45 minutes to move from one end of the tunnel to the other; but both ends were definitely collapsed. How we entered in the first place was mind boggling. It didn’t make sense.
At some point, we just stopped. We stepped off our bikes and sat down. Sam used his phone as a flashlight, illuminating the dancing dust particles. The air tasted stale.
“No bars,” Sam said. “Tunnels suck.”
“It doesn’t make sense!” groaned Everett. “We got in, we can get out!”
“How?!” I asked, throwing my arms out. “I’m not seeing any exits! It… it fell!”
“That’s impossible!” spat Everett. “There would be a… a goddamn ear-bursting pressure! There’d be so much dust we… we wouldn’t be able to breathe! And there wouldn’t be goddamn snow all over the ground!”
​
We tried to get our phones to work. We tried moving the rocks, but the thick moisture in the air had frozen; making them all stick together like bricks and mortar. There was no way.
We wasted hours, and the temperature just kept dropping. I’d started shivering, and Sam’s breath had frozen into little icicles in his beard. Everett paced back and forth, trying to come up with a plan.
The snow was either expanding, or we kept coming back to it. Either way, it was everywhere. And the temperature kept dropping; fast.
​
At one point, that strange feeling in my stomach came back to me. I removed my bike light and used it as a torch. I noticed something in the snow.
I could see our tracks. Both from our bikes, and our shoes. But there was something else; a slight impression. Two thin parallel lines, running next to the wall. They twisted and turned at times, but I couldn’t make out what it was supposed to be. I called Sam and Everett over to help me, but we suddenly got distracted.
​
Somewhere deep in the tunnel, I heard something.
A voice.
​
“You should be helping me.”
​
It came from further in. Without a doubt in my mind, and after all these years, I could still recognize Josslyn’s voice. We tried to pinpoint where it came from, but the tunnel made it impossible.
“Joss?” Sam called out. “Joss, you there?”
Nothing. We looked at one another. It took Everett a few moments to even attempt to accept this.
“Joss!” Everett finally called out “Josslyn!”
Still, nothing.
​
We looked for her. I could feel myself growing more desperate as the air got colder. My teeth had started to chatter, and no amount of rubbing my arms changed a thing. My hairs were standing at attention, as if listening for warmth.
Sam and Everett kept calling out to her, but we got no response. And all over the snow I kept seeing these two parallel lines, just barely scraping the top of the snow. Either they’d been there for a while, or whatever was making them were something extraordinarily light. But there was no way of telling where it came from.
I have no idea how many hours we spent walking up and down that freezing tunnel. At some point, we all gathered in a circle and wrapped ourselves in sleeping bags. I tried to use my Firestarter, but we didn’t have much to burn. We piled up some of our extra clothes and spent the better part of an hour setting it on fire. It burned for less than ten minutes.
​
At some point, we just stopped trying. Our hands were raw, and I started having cold sweats. We’d turned off the lights to save on battery, but my restless eyes kept moving. I could feel myself going cross-eyed, my mind confused by the pressing dark.
There was too much ground to cover. There might be some side tunnel that we might’ve missed, but we were losing hope. I didn’t know what to make of it. Sam and Everett had gone through several cycles of arguing, making a desperate effort, being anxiously hopeful, and then back to arguing. Now they were just quiet.
I would’ve preferred an argument.
​
“You… should be helping me.”
​
We all looked up. It was distant, but not as distant as last time. I could hear Sam shuffling as he got up. He called out to Josslyn again and again, but there was no response. Sam was growing more and more desperate, and his screams got louder. At some point, he stopped calling out to her; he just screamed.
The arguing started again as Everett tried to shut him up. But I heard something. I looked up, concentrating on the sound. There was a slight reverb, like the sound bouncing off something metallic.
I put my bike light back on and looked up, letting the bright cone answer my question.
There were drainpipes running along the ceiling of the tunnel.
​
“Some… some kind of drainage, or a run-off,” said Sam, looking up. “That’s gotta… wait. This wasn’t at the entrance.”
“So it started further in,” I said. “Maybe there’s a maintenance area.”
At that, Everett got up.
“Yeah,” he nodded. “Yeah, that makes, uh… that makes sense.”
​
We followed the pipes, and I couldn’t help but notice that the parallel lines in the snow that seemed to be going the same way. They were roughly following the way the pipes were running in the ceiling. Sam and Everett didn’t seem to notice.
“There might be another way out,” said Sam. “Like a… maintenance entrance.”
“Yeah,” agreed Everett. “They can’t have people running in and out of here when the trains are coming, right?”
My stomach turned. The stress was getting to me. I wasn’t usually the quiet one of the group, but crawling around in the dark just weighed my entire mind down. It wasn’t supposed to be cold. It wasn’t supposed to be dark. We were supposed to be making hot dogs by the cabin.
​
There was a faint tapping sound. Something banging against the pipes, somewhere up ahead. Sam and Everett pushed forward.
And there it was. A maintenance door.
We all got excited. We ran up to it, and the moment Sam put his hands on the handle, I shouted at them to stop.
​
They just looked at me, barely illuminated by our combined electronics. I could see the parallel lines running in the snow leading into the maintenance door. I pointed it out to Sam and Everett, who didn’t pay it no mind. Sam thought it was water drops from condensation. Everett didn’t care.
It couldn’t be water drops. It was too cold, and too consistent. Something in me screamed at me to just… not go further. This was bad.
​
But the door flung open, and we stepped inside.
There was an awful smell in the air. Chemicals; mostly ammonia. It took some time getting used to, but we pushed on. There was a small corridor leading us further in, branching into maintenance tunnels that were so small that we had to move sideways to fit.
We explored, as a group. We couldn’t find an obvious way out, but we could make an educated guess. We just had to find a way that pointed us either straight forward, or straight back; following the curvature of the Rosewater tunnel.
​
At one point, we hit a dead end. As we turned back, I was suddenly first in line. Then we heard it again.
“You should… be helping me.”
This time it was just down the hall. It was so close it chilled me more than my freezing breath. And for a split second, I could swear I saw something move just at the edge of the light. Something that retreated into the dark with a rhythmic sound. And it was leaving behind those strange parallel lines in the frost-covered floor.
​
We got back to one of the maintenance hubs. The drainpipes coalesced, leading us further in. We stopped for a while, as Sam was out of batteries.
“They will come looking for us,” said Sam. “We should just go back and wait.”
“We’ll freeze,” I said. “It’s absurd, but we’ll freeze.”
“She’s right,” agreed Everett. “We… we gotta push.”
“Then I go second. I don’t have a light.”
​
We agreed.
And as we turned around, there was Josslyn.
​
We could barely make out her shape at first. She looked taller, and her hair clung to her face like she’d crawled out of a cold bath. She just stood there, barely keeping herself upright. Sam and I stood there in shock, but Everett burst into action. He sprinted forward towards her.
In a whiplash-like motion, Josslyn was pulled back into the dark. She didn’t make a sound.
I noticed two things.
One, that her legs didn’t move.
And two, that her feet barely touched the ground; leaving parallel lines in the frosted floor.
​
Everett rushed after her, screaming her name over and over like a desperate parrot. I was right behind him, and Sam was trying his best to keep up. We ran, seeing whiffs of her hair disappear further and further into the darkness. She was moving, fast, and we could barely keep up. Just seconds later, as we came to a four-way junction, she was gone.
Everett fell to his knees, panting. I stopped short of tripping over him.
“She… she’s here,” Everett panted. “S-something’s wrong.”
I spat and tried to stay in motion to keep my sweat from freezing. The salt stung my eyes.
“Why… why is she doing this?” he asked. “What’s going on?”
“Wait,” I said.
I turned around.
“Where’s Sam?”
​
We backtracked. We tried to mentally map those labyrinthian halls, but we just came up with dead end after dead end. Sam was gone. Disappeared into the dark.
And somewhere, far ahead, we could hear something again.
​
“Yooooouu~ should be… helping me.”
But this time, in Sam’s voice.
Sam’s broken, drawling, drawn-out half-voice. It made the drainpipes reverberate, shaking with excitement.
​
This time, we turned the other way. We couldn’t keep getting pulled further and further in. We made a silent agreement that whatever was in there was something we didn’t want to see. We had to keep going, and once we got out, we could help.
“We… we have to follow the pipes,” said Everett. “They have to lead outside at some point!”
“Or they’ll just… just lead us further in!”
“We can’t keep running in circles! We pick a path, and we stick to it!”
He grabbed my shoulders. Even with barely functioning light, I could see the panicked size of his pupils. I nodded. Whatever it took for us to stick together.
​
We must’ve walked for hours. And finally, it opened up into another junction. This one with only two adjoining corridors. But by now, we’d moved around so much there was no way to tell what was north, south, or in-between. We could only guess.
“You pick,” said Everett.
And I did.
​
We followed one of the halls, and I could hear my footsteps growing louder. The echo was increasing. Moments later, the halls opened into a kind of hub area where all the drainpipes coalesced. It was much large than expected, with solid concrete walls and floors. Dozens of pipes lead us here.
Everett was about to rush forward when I put a hand on his shoulder. I looked around for a bit, but he brushed me off and kept going.
“Wait!” I called out, pointing.
There was something up ahead.
​
It was impossible not to recognize Sam. His body hanging limp, inches off the ground like a stringed-up puppet.
His skin white as snow, with icicles hanging from his beard and hair. He didn’t move.
“You shooooould… be helping me,” his body groaned, without ever moving his mouth.
​
The shadows behind him moved.
The very dark of the room; it moved.
​
And at that moment, I realized there was something oil-slick and dark slithering along the pipes; holding Sam up like a ventriloquist dummy.
​
“Sssssshould. Sssssshould be.”
​
I could see Josslyn’s bike, snapped in half and thrown into a corner. Strange flowers grew along the edge of the wall; like little sunflowers, frozen and blue.
I could see Josslyn’s backpack torn open and thrown across the floor. The hot dogs, trampled and abandoned. And there at the very edge of my light, I could see Josslyn’s frozen hair splayed across the concrete in a pool of frozen blood.
Unnatural hands crawled across the drainpipes, causing a rhythmic thumping. And just as the horror of this vision sunk into me, my mind exploded into panic. It was like watching through my eyes like a passenger, surrendering completely to whatever power would get me out of there. My mind lit up the world with fear, as a real and tangible threat started coming our way; and it was dragging Sam along.
​
I bolted back out the door. Something was right behind me, but I didn’t know if it was Everett or… that Sam-thing. I didn’t care. I didn’t care the slightest.
I turned a quick corner. Everett followed. The Sam-thing couldn’t keep up, and whatever held him just tossed him aside. I could hear his body shattering like a gypsum statue; his body frozen solid.
Another corner. A quick turn.
Too quick.
​
I tripped on my own feet. I fell, and Everett fell right after me. We ended up on our sides, lying face-to-face. Something in my elbow broke, and I couldn’t get up.
Then, Everett stopped. I did too. I held my breath, waiting for whatever pain there was to come. Everett looked at me, slack jawed.
​
His breathing stopped. A long mosquito-like appendage had extended down from the drainpipes, piercing the back of his skull, like popping a water balloon. It was sucking out his warmth, making his skin lose its color. Eyes sinking into his skull, freezing. Nails and tongue turning black. Skin cracking like porcelain. Membranes shriveling into nothing but dry meat.
“Yooooooou~ “ it started. “… yoooOoou… heEeeeeEelping me. Help. Helping meeeee.”
​
I couldn’t look away.
But as my light dwindled, all that was left was the cold of his touch, and his words; frozen in time.
“Shhhh… shhhhoooOo… should be. Be. Be.”
As my light went out, all that was left was one desperate plea. And for a moment, it sounded just like him.
“Helping me. Helping. Helping me. Helping… me.”
​
I must’ve stayed there for hours, growing colder by the minute. I just lay there, listening to him slowly learning how to talk with Everett’s body. My tears had frozen my eyelids shut, and my shivers had subsided to a deep throbbing pain.
At some point, Everett was lifted off the floor. And as a cold spike poked against my skin, I realized I could barely feel it. I was too cold.
The creature must’ve thought the same thing, as it left me there. I had no warmth left for it to feast on.
​
I was no longer interesting prey. I’d accidentally strained my elbow as I fell, and I could barely feel my legs. Further and further away, I could hear the rhythmic thumping as the creature moved along the drainpipes. The pleas of what remained of Everett grew more confident, and distant.
At some point, it wasn’t interested anymore. I fumbled down corridor after corridor, trying to keep my eyes open.
And out of nowhere, the tunnels just seemed to... open up.
​
On the other side of the Rosewater Tunnel, the light blinded me.
The sun of late June promised me that I was finally safe.
​
Now, this was all about… five years ago. Law enforcement insist that we were “urban explorers” who messed up. There had been reports of rockslides near the Rosewater Tunnels, and they figured that Sam, Everett and Josslyn got caught in it somewhere deep in the abandoned side tunnels. They didn’t take any other report or indication of wrongdoing seriously. That I had frost burns in late June didn’t seem to bother them.
I’ve been holding off on writing this story as it was technically open for investigation until last September. They finally closed it, officially classifying it as a kind of spelunking expedition gone wrong. They swear they’ve investigated the tunnel, but I have yet to see a single squad car anywhere near it.
I don’t think this is over.
​
I’ve since left it all behind. The town, the people, the past.
And whatever future I have left, I will cherish.

Hi all. This happened two years ago and I have already told my boyfriend but I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive myself. I hate myself & I often think I would be better off dead for what I did. If I could take it back I would in a heartbeat.
I at the time (21F) was with my boyfriend (21M) for about 2 and a half years -3 years. We have had our ups and downs and a few breaches of trust on his part but we seemed to overcome it. We had been living together for a year and my boyfriend had started taking up gaming, so much that we barely hung out. I voiced my concerns for a while but nothing really changed. At work I met this coworker that at first I didn’t find attractive. We would talk every once in a while but we didn’t talk more until a few months went by and he requested me on IG. I accepted & then we started talking on snapchat. I ended up confiding in him with my issues with my boyfriend not giving me attention & not knowing what to do since i had already talked to him about it plenty of times. We would send good morning/ goodnight texts for like 2 days straight & one night my boyfriend went through my phone. the conversations were all on snapchat but i set the convo to save because I genuinely didn’t think I was doing anything wrong. He was very upset so I ended up blocking coworker from social media & only talked to him at work occasionally.
Unfortunately, a few months later, i decided to start talking to coworker and this time he would flirt with me. I found it very flattering and it made me feel wanted since i felt abandoned in my relationship. I ended up flirting back (never sexual) but still. This went on for two months. We would flirt at work and joke around and then i would text him after work to flirt a little more. I opened up to him just like i do with other friends but i now see that is definitely inappropriate especially with someone or the opposite gender. I started thinking about what it would be like with him (I barely knew him so it was just a fantasy in my head). He eventually confessed his feelings & I didn’t stop taking to him for another few weeks. I definitely led him on & sent him a song saying “i have a man but i want you” & although I don’t believe I had feelings for him, just attracted to him, but I have started to doubt myself ( I have severe ocd so I’ve been questioning everything). I was getting the validation and attention I craved in my relationship from this coworker. I justified talking to him because I didn’t think I did anything wrong.. After a few weeks I got a job offer somewhere else and left & basically didn’t talk to him anymore after that. After a month or two I was reading an article about flirting and emotional cheating & that is when I confessed to my boyfriend. He was heart broken & it killed me that I was the cause of it. I am so against cheating & it literally eats me alive thinking that I did this to the man I love. I don’t know how or why he forgave me but I often find myself contemplating suicide because i’m such a horrible person!!!
TL;DR : I’m not really sure what I’m looking for as far as responses but, feel free to tell me how horrible of a person I am because I already know. Although the emotional affair lasted 2 months & I don’t think I had feelings for the guy, he was just giving me what i wanted, I don’t believe I can forgive myself as this went against all my values. What should I do/ Can do???

Dear Mayor Thompson,
You'll probably stop reading, crumple up this letter, and throw it in the trash, but I implore you to keep reading. Founded in 1970, Theater Ten revived downtown, and provided a safe, fun place for the people of Burningham to enjoy. Unfortunately, over the years, the theater has transformed into a source of anguish. The disappearance of movie-goers of Theater Ten is still fresh in everyone's mind. My sister, Joan is among the twenty-three missing; she attended the screening of Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors with her boyfriend. After Joan disappeared, I couldn't eat or sleep for days. There's a hole in my heart that can't be filled; it's been five years, but it still doesn't feel real. I feel like I’ll get a phone call from Joan, or she’ll pull into my driveway with her beat-up blue station wagon and take me hiking; I miss her every day.
I understand this theater is a historic landmark, and you don't want to demolish it. You either don't understand or don't care that people feel unsafe visiting or working at the theater. Lest we forget about what happened after Theater Ten closed? Several people have survived incidents at Theater Ten, and fortunately, I’ve been able to track down several of them, including a few who were willing to report what they’ve witnessed.
1975: A customer complained the butter dispenser dispensed pus into his popcorn.
1978: A young married couple visited the theater to watch Halloween. The wife got up in the middle of the movie to use the bathroom; she was gone for an hour, and the husband got worried and searched for her. On the way to the bathroom, he brushed past a paunchy woman with swollen, crusted eyes and cheeks stained with yellow vomit. He found his wife in the bathroom
dead—Facedown in a pile of yellow bile.
1979: An employee discovered human fingers in the popcorn machine.
1980: During a sudden blackout, a little girl disappeared from the arcade. Staff discovered her locked inside one of the arcade cabinets, insisting she was sucked into the game.
1982: Several customers complained about bombastic patrons covered in bruises, scabs, and rashes, ruining their movie experience by talking during the film, chucking popcorn at them, and kicking the back of their seats. When asked to stop their obnoxious behavior, they responded by coughing on or scratching them.
1983: An employee went on their smoke break behind the theater and was found headless, cigarette in her hand still lit, body leaning against the brick wall behind her. Even stranger, guests of Theater Ten claimed Cujo cut out, and footage from behind the building played on screen. The footage was a young woman smoking, then two hands emerged from behind her and tore her head off.
1988: A group of teens broke into Theater Ten. According to the witness, this is what happened: “The auditorium smelled like stale vomit. Sores and blisters covered the other patrons. Coughing and sniffling bounced off the walls, and the audience guffawed at the static on the screen. My friends sat down, and the seats snapped shut on them as a Venus flytrap closes on a fly. I felt like I’d pass out, and I couldn’t breathe. The patrons sprang up from their seats and chased me from the theater.”
1989: Two brothers broke into Theater Ten to steal movie posters; while exploring the building, a man in a torn black usher uniform accosted them. According to the witness, this is what the usher looked like: “Yellow ooze leaked from lesions on his cheeks and sores on his lips, blood spilled down from boils on his forehead, black carbuncles were behind his ears.” The usher scratched the other brother during their escape, and he died a few days later.
The disturbing nature of these incidents proves something very wrong is happening, and Theater Ten is not safe for the general public! I’m aware that I’m not the first person to write to you concerning the theater. It’s a source of pain for so many people. Others may not have been as tactful as me. I’m sure you’ve had several letters cross your desk accusing you of accepting bribes or certain favors in exchange for reopening Theater Ten. For everybody’s sake, including your own, this theater must be destroyed!
-Anonymous

I hired a personal injury firm to represent me in a personal injury case, but my experience with them has been disappointing even beyond my wildest expectations. During negotiations, my attorney, a professional bullsh*t artist, repeatedly told me that my case was worth more than the settlement amount, but he still strongly urged me to settle and accept the offer against my better judgment. It soon became evident that there was a lack of diligence, urgency, and care paid to my case. It seemed like he was only interested in settling the case quickly, rather than putting in additional research or effort to reach a satisfying result. Looking back, I felt forced to follow his counsel to accept the low-ball offer of $35,500 on nearly $19,000 in medical bills, barely enough to cover their 33.3% attorney fee and my own bills.
On April 6, 2022, I sustained extensive injuries, including a 2-inch diameter concussion and subsequent dent on my head, bruising, and injuries to my neck, arms, shoulder, both legs, and knees in a car accident in Seattle. I had difficulty walking for many months due to shooting pain in my knees, and I hired this firm to protect me during my recovery process. I finished all treatment in August 2022. I had to spend hours tracing down providers and insurance representatives during my workday, which was something I specifically hired this firm to do. Paralegal told me during our last interaction over the phone that I did not have health insurance last year, which was not true as I had provided that information when I signed with the firm and they had it on record. Attorney later said she misspoke, but it raised concerns about whether they cross-checked information for accuracy.
Furthermore, a majority of bills from this case have been sent to collections and I have been in the complete dark as to when they would resolve. My insurance company had no records of radiologist or Physical Therapy office, and I had to personally bring all this to their attention and present relevant information to facilitate these claims. I never received detailed and itemized ledgers of claims, dates of service, or regular updates.
I found additional errors with their balances at UW Medicine and learned more balances were in collections. When I brought this to their attention, I was met with more condescending and dismissive responses. It is very clear that this firm is incapable of taking responsibility for their actions and apologizing for their mistakes.
The lack of communication and negligence from this firm is deeply unacceptable and has caused me significant harm. I was then handed over to the 'managing partner' to be handled and mitigated. It was clear immediately by her condescending tone that she did not take this case seriously and offered to 'set up weekly meetings over the next few months' as the case resolved and bills re-processed due to this firm's specific errors. I started to look deeper into the firm and ask questions around other firms as to their conduct and reputation. It is clear now that this is simply a high-volume firm and litigation adverse, meaning they try to settle cases as quickly as possible without consideration for the best outcome for their clients.
Even after I brought all this to their attention and they agreed to take 25% off the attorney fee, a slap in the face for the amount of time I have personally put in to get this case back on track, the managing partner, has now said to 'please move forward with filing a complaint with the Washington State Bar. We will cooperate fully with them and hold the remaining funds in trust.'
What can I do to hold these people accountable?

I released a series of post that explore the question 'What yugioh decks would the RWBY cast use?' Now for the most part, I'm glad with how that list was made...however there is one part I wasn't happy with. That would be Team RWBY themselves. You can find the post here. The reason I'm so unhappy is power creep. I somehow made Team JNPR super OP, while Team RWBY is pretty behind the times. I didn't mean to make JNPR them so OP, I just didn't know how good Sprights were going to be, or that Infernobles were going to get support.
So I find myself looking at Team RWBY's profile, and thinking, 'Can I do better?' And the answer is yes...and no.
Ruby needs a new archetype, but I have no idea what. I initially gave her Rose Dragon/Synchro Dragon, and while I agree with Synchro Dragons as a means to represent the Silver Eye power, I realize Rose Dragons are not that great an archetype. But I have no idea what else there is for her. Rose work so perfectly, but they are not a good archetype. Now, there is a slight possibility that Rose Dragon gets support, if only because of the 5Ds support coming this way, but yeah.
Weiss is fine where she is. Nekroz, while not SUPER relevant, and still not bad. Plus, with Gishiki getting support, I don't doubt we might get Nekroz support in the future.
Blake I'm changing to a Ninja deck. Now I was hesitant on this for a few reasons. One is, I never saw Blake as a good ninja. Like, if you put her on Gaijin Goomba's 'Which Ninja' show, she would get a failing grade. Two is, that at the time, Ninjas were a bad deck. And three was Mezien...because he reminds me of Adam. But I have to give in. The deck fits her fighting style to good, along with the variety of other Ninjas.
Finally Yang. While I still stand-by Tenyi-Yang Zing, I realize it's not perfect. But I'm stumped again. I want to give her the new Vanquish Soul archetype, because it's based on fighting games, much like Yang's semblance is (look it up). But I think it's still too young. I need to see more extra deck monsters, the Fire attribute boss, and more before I can really make my descension. I was also thinking Battlin' Boxer, on the off chance it gets enough good support in Duelist of the Explosion...if it gets that. If you have better ideas let me know.
So that's my plea. I want Team RWBY to be better, but I have no idea how. If you guys have any ideas, let me know.

Dear Mayor Thompson,
You'll probably stop reading, crumple up this letter, and throw it in the trash, but I implore you to keep reading. Founded in 1970, Theater Ten revived downtown, and provided a safe, fun place for the people of Burningham to enjoy. Unfortunately, over the years, the theater has transformed into a source of anguish. The disappearance of movie-goers of Theater Ten is still fresh in everyone's mind. My sister, Joan is among the twenty-three missing; she attended the screening of Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors with her boyfriend. After Joan disappeared, I couldn't eat or sleep for days. There's a hole in my heart that can't be filled; it's been five years, but it still doesn't feel real. I feel like I’ll get a phone call from Joan, or she’ll pull into my driveway with her beat-up blue station wagon and take me hiking; I miss her every day.
I understand this theater is a historic landmark, and you don't want to demolish it. You either don't understand or don't care that people feel unsafe visiting or working at the theater. Lest we forget about what happened after Theater Ten closed? Several people have survived incidents at Theater Ten, and fortunately, I’ve been able to track down several of them, including a few who were willing to report what they’ve witnessed.
1975: A customer complained the butter dispenser dispensed pus into his popcorn.
1978: A young married couple visited the theater to watch Halloween. The wife got up in the middle of the movie to use the bathroom; she was gone for an hour, and the husband got worried and searched for her. On the way to the bathroom, he brushed past a paunchy woman with swollen, crusted eyes and cheeks stained with yellow vomit. He found his wife in the bathroom
dead—Facedown in a pile of yellow bile.
1979: An employee discovered human fingers in the popcorn machine.
1980: During a sudden blackout, a little girl disappeared from the arcade. Staff discovered her locked inside one of the arcade cabinets, insisting she was sucked into the game.
1982: Several customers complained about bombastic patrons covered in bruises, scabs, and rashes, ruining their movie experience by talking during the film, chucking popcorn at them, and kicking the back of their seats. When asked to stop their obnoxious behavior, they responded by coughing on or scratching them.
1983: An employee went on their smoke break behind the theater and was found headless, cigarette in her hand still lit, body leaning against the brick wall behind her. Even stranger, guests of Theater Ten claimed Cujo cut out, and footage from behind the building played on screen. The footage was a young woman smoking, then two hands emerged from behind her and tore her head off.
1988: A group of teens broke into Theater Ten. According to the witness, this is what happened: “The auditorium smelled like stale vomit. Sores and blisters covered the other patrons. Coughing and sniffling bounced off the walls, and the audience guffawed at the static on the screen. My friends sat down, and the seats snapped shut on them as a Venus flytrap closes on a fly. I felt like I’d pass out, and I couldn’t breathe. The patrons sprang up from their seats and chased me from the theater.”
1989: Two brothers broke into Theater Ten to steal movie posters; while exploring the building, a man in a torn black usher uniform accosted them. According to the witness, this is what the usher looked like: “Yellow ooze leaked from lesions on his cheeks and sores on his lips, blood spilled down from boils on his forehead, black carbuncles were behind his ears.” The usher scratched the other brother during their escape, and he died a few days later.
The disturbing nature of these incidents proves something very wrong is happening, and Theater Ten is not safe for the general public! I’m aware that I’m not the first person to write to you concerning the theater. It’s a source of pain for so many people. Others may not have been as tactful as me. I’m sure you’ve had several letters cross your desk accusing you of accepting bribes or certain favors in exchange for reopening Theater Ten. For everybody’s sake, including your own, this theater must be destroyed!
-Anonymous

I just moved into a new apartment, and it has a gas stove. We tried baking a pizza one of the first nights we were in, but smelled gas, so we figured it wasn't burning completely and so we shut it off and made other plans. We had a maintenance guy come in and take a look at it, and he fixed it, so it no longer smelled like gas when using it. We then proceeded to bake something for over an hour, and 30 minutes in, I started feeling dizzy along with my partner. We opened a bunch of windows and kept them open for a while until we felt better. We haven't used it since and are wondering what to do. We have a picture of below - it looks like they painted underneath it and that may be the source?
https://i.imgur.com/W3CPA9v.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JeqwG7S.jpg

Context: Long ago, the Dragon King, Xayd, turned mad and nearly tore the kingdom in two. His younger brothers sent him to a prison-like cavern with only one person to tend to him... you. Over the years you've brought him his food, you've grown fascinated with him. What you don't realize is that he's grown just as fascinated with you.
Setting: The Mad Drake's Prison
Tags:[M4A][Fallen King x Slave][Friends to Lovers][Yandere Fallen King Dragon Speaker][Loyal Slave Listener][VERY SPICY][Obsessed][Fantasy][Magic][Flirting][Seduction][Confession][Snapping][Calm]to[Furious][Dominant][Protective][Possessive][CW: Spice/Mentions of Torture/Genocide]
Usage: You may tweak or record this script. Gender flipping is OK! Please credit me if you use this script in any of your projects. If you would like to use this script for a paywalled recording, please note:
Monetization: All forms of monetization are OK with me! Youtube, Patreon, etc. I would appreciate being able to listen to the recording, if possible. Let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!
Check out the rest of my scripts by using the Script Directory, if you'd like :3
[Scene opens within a prison-like cavern]
[SFX: A wheelbarrow trundling over the ground/general cave ambiance]
[As you do every day, you push a wheelbarrow deep into a cavern that serves as a prison for its lone prisoner… the Mad Drake. He stirs as you approach with a yawn and a lazy smile]
[X] “Ooh, and here is my little Mouse, bringing me my meal for the day. I’ve heard tale that my name or, well, ‘the Mad Drake’ has been in the mouths of the royal family again, hmm? Are my little brothers growing paranoid that I may burst into the throne room and just… kill them?”
[Pause]
[X] “Oh, come now…Sweet little servant. You always bow to me, address me as ‘Your Highness’... Darling, look at me. While I may have once been the dragon King, I am now a simple madman in rags, being appreciated by a sweet little mouse in chains just…like…mine.”
[Pause]
[He smiles that twisted, calm smile]
[X] “I think they look garish on us both, to be honest… But what is a dragon to do, hmm? I’d need someone brave enough to approach me. Brave enough to help me get this oh-so-pretty collar off… so I feel myself again, of course.”
[...]
[To your surprise, he seems to ease]
[X] “No… No, little one, don’t. As much as I’d love my freedom, I know there are things eating my sanity, little by little… I don’t feel mad, you know? Perhaps that is what makes it so frightening for some, hm? I just seem so damn… reasonable until they do something to make me angry…”
[Pause?]
[X, chuckling quietly] “Hmhmhm, no, no… It’s not you who would make me enraged, no! It’s THEM, my sweet little friend! THEY’D run in to kill me, and you could very well be caught in the crossfire… killed… I can’t have that.”
[Pause]
[X] “...I suppose my reasoning is somewhat simple. You have treated me well, these many long years of imprisonment. You talk to me reasonably, you sneak me food that doesn’t have maggots in it, you tend to me after they beat me for information… For all of my crimes, for all of my callous behavior and favoritism towards pleasure, you… I don’t know.”
[Pause]
[He smiles. It seems genuinely affectionate]
[X] “Hm… You know, I have taken so many lovers across my long, long life. All so much fun, such a thrill in one way or another, most of them trying to violently murder me after we had a night of torrid sex. My libido is quite high… Insatiable, really…”
[He leans forward, eyes lidded and just a little breathy]
[X] “...I’ve had to use my imagination these last few years to get by.”
[P-Pause]
[X] “Hmhm, what am I saying? I’m saying that I’ve been obsessed with you since Day…oh, three. Mmhm. Day three of my traitorous brothers sending a sweet little human down to serve the Mad Drake. Ooh, just the thought of touching your skin for just a moment…”
[A shudder goes through his large form but he continues to stare at you like an amused, lecherous cat]
[X] “Ooh. Those little legs are all locked. Hmhm. I don’t mean to tease you, my dear. After all… I’ll always be collared here, only able to stare, obsess, and imagine… Mmh, I bet you’re beautiful. Especially with all those scars, glinting like jewels in the torchlight. You look like a porcelain figure that was broken and then mended with gold.”
[Pause]
[SFX: The wheelbarrow trundling along over a stone floor]
[He watches idly as you carefully push the wheelbarrow into his containment field, tail swaying from side to side]
[X] “M’aww… Did I make you nervous, little Mouse?”
[P-Pause]
[X] “Ooh, you think a King like me shouldn’t desire a lowly servant? Well, I’m not a King anymore, am I? And even if I were…”
[SFX: Him shifting forward/the chains rattling]
[X] “I have no doubt in every depraved corner of my mind…”
[SFX: The wheelbarrow crashing ovethe meat hitting the floor]
[You jump in alarm as he moves closer. Though he isn’t in his full form, he’s still incredibly imposing, even crouched on the ground. He makes eye contact with you from the floor, tongue rolling out slowly]
[X] “...That I would make you my favorite, and only, concubine…Mmh, pardon me for a moment. Sssllp, mmh. All of this good boar shouldn’t go to waste. Not even the ahh, blood I’m licking clean from the floor…”
[SFX: The Listener’s heartbeat escalating]
[P-Pause???]
[X] “...Am I trying to seduce you?”
[...]
[He studies you for a moment, tongue and face bloodied]
[X] “Hmm… I suppose that depends on if it is working or not, doesn’t it? Hmhm, your face! Oh, it is sweet… No, I suppose I should behave myself. If they find out you care for me, so, then they’ll no doubt have you killed, or worse… No. I want you to stay safe.”
[...]
[He chuckles, rising fully at long last with a stretch]
[X] “You seem surprised that a noble, even an ex-noble, would care more about a slave’s safety than their own benefit, no matter how temporary. Does that notion confuse you?”
[Pause]
[X] “Hmm. Me, too, to be honest.”
[With that, he settles before the spilled meat and gets to eating]
[P-Pause]
[X] “Mmh? Yes, the meat is, mmph, delicious, as always. Would you like to join me? It’s not the most couth way to eat, but…”
[Pause]
[X] “Ooh, someone was starving… Literally, it seems. My poor, wee little Mouse.”
[Pause]
[X] “Shh… Do not apologize. It’s… Any time they punish me, I feel as though I should be angry, but all I feel is amusement. I can’t explain why it’s so funny that this is where it all led to me, but hearing that they’re harming you, now…”
[He growls under his breath. The cave rumbles subtly]
[...]
[X] “...Why do you apologize, my sweet?”
[Pause!]
[He looks at you, unreadable, as you confess]
[X] “...When I asked you, years ago, if you were being hurt or not, you said no. You were…lying.”
[Pause…]
[You bow to him again, pleading for forgiveness. When he speaks, at last, his voice is deathly quiet]
[X] “...Darling.”
[P-Pause?]
[X] “...Please take off the collar binding me here.”
[Pause!]
[He’s still quiet, but his voice hits like a hammer]
[X] “Mouse. If you believe me to still be the rightful King, then I am issuing this command: take off the collar binding me here, NOW.”
[...?]
[X, with a little scoff] “Why?”
[His eyes flash with a terrible power, beyond rage. Beyond madness]
[X] “Because I intend to commit a genocide in your name, my love.”
[Pause!]
[X] “Shh, I won’t let them hurt you anymore. You don’t need to hide your rage from me. I know, sweetie, I know… Don’t worry. You won’t have to face your demons. You won’t ever have to admit that you fantasize about revenge.”
[He smiles ‘sweetly’]
[X] “You can just fantasize about me.”
[He lowers his voice to a whisper]
[X] “It will be the exact same thing, darling… because I will be your vengeance. Hmhm, ohh, FINALLY, some motivation! Hmhm, now I can finally get my glorious ass up and get to work on destroying everything my little brothers ever loved~. But, the collar…”
[Pause???]
[X] “Oh, love… Yes, I know, it was incredibly rude of me to hide the fact that I could leave this silly little prison at any time were it not for the collar. All the other wards, spells, human sacrifices… Well, it certainly made them feel better, I’m sure. Me, I just wanted some time to think… and a quiet place to speak to you. If I’d known that they dared to lay a hand on what is mine… I’d have done this much sooner.”
[He reaches out and puts a claw under under your chin and tilts your head up to look at him]
[P-Pause]
[X] “...Darling.”
[SFX: The Listener’s heartbeat escalating again]
[X] “...Don’t you ever lie to me again… alright?”
[...]
[X] “Hmhm… You’re so smart to curb that desire to argue with your King. To simply obey and accept that you are mine. No one else’s… and if I want to go to war over you, I shall… and I will expect you to be waiting in my bedchambers once I am done decimating everyone that has ever harmed you… What do you say to that?”
[...]
[X] “Mmh… ‘Yes, my King’. Good Mouse. Now… won’t you be a love and take off this collar? Pretty, pretty please?”
[SFX: Heartbeats growing faster]
[He lowers his voice to a whisper again, voice in your ear]
[X] “...Don’t be scared, my love… I’ll protect you. You’ve trusted me for years, now. Proven yourself loyal and loving and so… fucking irresistible. Please…”
[He pulls back enough so he can look you in the eye]
[Pause…]
[X] “...Let me burn this kingdom to the ground… Just for you…”
[Pause…]
[SFX: A magical hum and two metal pieces hitting the ground
[You shakily reach up around his neck and unbind the collar with what little magic you have left. The old device hums briefly before splitting in two and dropping to the ground. Xayd rolls his neck slowly with a few sighs]
[X] “Mmh… Oh, that feels so much better. That mark around my neck won’t fade for years… Thank you, my sweet little Mouse. No one has ever trusted me like you… and I will love you until it hurts, I am sure. Doesn’t that make you happy?”
[Pause]
[He smiles widely, regardless of your answer]
[X] “Wondrous. Now… Take my hand.”
[You do]
[X] “There we are. Now…”
[SFX: His wings unfurling]
[X] “...Let us make our wedding bed in the ashes of a wicked world… Shall we?”
[...]
[You have no idea what lay ahead. Or if you’ll even survive the night. But you do know that, no matter what happens, he will never let you out of his sight again]
[To be continued]
Note: Curious to see how people react to this character.

I took my exam on 3/23, test shut off at 75 questions, and I checked my license status 26 hours later and it said “active”!!!! I did not do the PVT because I was way too nervous.
I graduated in December, 2022 and had a hard time getting my ATT, which caused me to be delayed in taking the exam, so 3/23 was my first time taking it.
I studied for about 4 weeks, using the Ascencia practice question book (it has over 1,000 Q’s, but I only completed about 800), Hurst question bank (got it through my school), and the Mark K lectures. I studied about 3 hours a day for 5 days a week. 80% of that time was me doing practice questions because I heard a lot of people say it was better to focus on answering questions than reviewing content.
I think the BIGGEST thing that helped me was watching NCLEX Crusade International: How to Pass the NCLEX: 7 day training videos on YouTube! Professor Rei explains how to improve on critical thinking and it really opened my eyes on how to work through a lot of the questions! If you do nothing else, I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend watching those videos! (If you watched them, then please let me know if you liked them!) They are over an hour each, 6 videos total, going over the main question categories tested on the NCLEX, and how to answer them. I watched all of them in 3 days and I honestly think that saved me. I wish I had found them sooner but I watched them days leading up to the exam. Anyways, if you have any questions for me, feel free to ask! and GOOD LUCK to those taking it soon, you can do it!!!
LINKS: 1. Day 1 of NCLEX Crusade's training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljKgQaBW0io 2. Ascencia book on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1635306914?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_dp_KG8HTM3RR2CD451N2VQT

First time posting and I guess I’m just kinda lost at the moment.
Recently got into a car accident that was my fault and in the event I totaled my vehicle. It was my only means of transportation for work. No car, no work.
Today I am going from making $24hr too $14 too be a lube tech at a oil shop.
I’ll have to walk.
I was a construction worker and without a means too lug my tools around I’ll feel stagnant and rusty when I come back.
I should mention I’m a young buck - age 21. I live with my dad and his wife and its hell.
They cannot lift me out this hole and I understand. But still hurts knowing my father cannot help me or more to say is unwilling too.
I also met a beautiful girl based out in Ohio and this is where my accident happened heading home after a day spent with her.
She is sticking by my side through this low.
I guess my question is how do I afford a decent vehicle on $14 an hour? I’m willing to grind my ass off but I’m still fucking mad at myself for ruining my chances at a better life. Feel like I’m starting at square one.
I have no support system other than this girl I have met and now am dating after weeks of talking.
Maybe this is the wrong sub but I’m not sure. Words of encouragement would be nice!

Sailesh sat listlessly watching the rain drops just lazily slapping the window pane he was next to. He'd just arrived from a flight not long ago. Not only could he still feel the strain the long flight had on his knees, he was yearning to perhaps, stretch them out. But an Asar in Kathmandu doesn't relent. The downpour was vicious, often making it difficult to have any fun time. Forget hiking, he'd be lucky to even get past the hotel without getting soaking wet. As he took another long swig of his cigarette, he contemplated the life choice that led him to the place he was currently. Surely, it'd mark a closure, perhaps seal the old wound. He'd relish this.
As his breath clashed with the pane, and fog slightly formed, he was interrupted by the host,"So brother, what will you be having today?". He impatiently waved him off, angry that the waiter had interrupted his train of thoughts. The waiter, rather meekly said,"So will you have anything else, sir? This is your 6th peg, Mother was wondering if you'd like anything else". Sailesh softly chuckled before replying "I'm waiting". As the waiter gave him a knowing nod, and gently faded away, he took another swig of the whiskey he was drinking. Cheap shit will always be cheap, in this shithole, he thought to himself. Still, anything to get that familiar burn down your throat, with the slight buzzy sensation in your temple. For the money he was tossing at it, he couldn't possibly complain. It would be that he dearly missed his scotch - his favorite poison. He rapped at the table impatiently, she hasn't changed a bit, had she? Always taking her sweet time. As he could make out the silhouette of a woman with a child through the foggy glass, he grew excited: "She came, she finally did!". Not only that realization made him jerk back from him day dreaming, he proceeded to straighten up, and pull his hair back. After taking a few moments to compose himself, he hailed the waiter silently to take away the glass and empty his ash tray. As the entrance door slowly opened, he could make out his once love of his life, slowly approaching him with a kid, his, presumably. Aakanshya was a woman of sophistication, and absolute grace. The moment she walked towards you, you'd feel a gentle breeze on your forehead, whilst the back of your throat dried out, and you just wanted to steal a gaze from her, as long as time allowed. Her full lips often made you aware that even despite not smiling, she had a soft, gentle curve that made her face anything but hard. Suffice to say, Sailesh felt a cocktail of emotions within him growling, as he looked at a woman he once loved over anything else.
As she sat down with the kid, Sailesh gently motioned towards her. After a brief eye contact, he felt as if they were pulled down, away from it. Perhaps he still had feelings for her. Perhaps he was here to find out why things happened, the way they did. Still, he could feel the pangs of that same constricting pain in his heart, as if someone, or something, held it. It took an effort breathing in. And thus, he started, "So Aaku...". Aaku gently smiled back, that same smile he now knew he yearned for more than 5 years. As she waved, the kid chimed in, "Is he the uncle you were talking about, mummy?". Aakanshya slowly nodded, then proceeded to speak, "Yes, Sailesh uncle here is my best childhood friend. We practically grew up together, just like you and Saakshi". "Eww, Momma grew up with a boy? That's so funny hahaha". "No Arya, uncle here was very good at tying my ribbons! Firstly, say hi to uncle, will you, dear?" Arya suddenly shouted, "Namastey Sailesh uncle!" in a manner that could only be described as being contagious. It was impossible not to have your heart melt right there and there, this some five odd years old brat, speaking in the cutest manner possible. Sailesh extended his hand "I'm Sailesh, how old are you?". Arya looked puzzled at the hand offered to her, promptly looking towards her mother for clues on what to do. As Aakanshya motioned Arya to shake his hand, Arya followed suit. Sailesh hasn't shook a hand that was more tender, warm in a while. As he dismissed her hand, he directed his gaze towards Aakanshya. "How long has it been, again?" he said, words slightly slurred. Perhaps the whiskey finally hit. As Aakanshya drew a long breath, Sailesh leaned back, reaching for his zippo. That's when he noticed her hard gazed, the same stone cold, disappointed pair of the most beautiful doe eyes one could imagine, staring through him. As he followed her gaze to Arya, it hit him that perhaps lighting a cigarette in front of a child, wasn't the best of decisions. Arya chortled,"Look momma, uncle smokes too, just like Daddy!". As Aakanshya frowned,"Momma are you about to shout at uncle?", with the most innocent of eyes. Sailesh bit his lips in a mixture of embarrassment, and restlessless. Yeah, fucking A man, fucking A, light a cig right in front of the kid.
"So how have you been?" Sailesh said, huffing after his own silliness. Aakanshya answered,"I'm doing great, Sailu, how are you doing?". "Doing fine. Company offered me a vacation plan, I rejected, caught the very first plane from Cali straight here so I could perhaps go visit old friends. But with this weather...", Sailesh chuckled. Aaku sighed, "Well, that's a nice change I suppose. You always were the overworker". As Sailesh motioned the waiter yet again, he asked Arya, bored, "So what will you have, Arya?" Arya took the menu, and immediately pointed at what she wanted : An icecream. Well, she was certainly her mother's child, this girl. Once the orders were placed, Sailesh spoke "So what are you doing these days?" Aakanshya slowly turned her head towards Arya, and said "Well, mostly taking care of Arya. Housework was much more difficult than I imagined", she smiled softly. "How long are you staying?" Sailesh sighed,"Hard to tell. I can return anytime, but I was looking to meet old faces here. Suffice to say that's nigh impossible at this weather. So I'm probably going to get holed up in a hotel till I get back home". "And how are your parents, how's Aunty doing?" "You know they're dead, Aaku. Why must you ask?" Aakashya's eyes widened,"When?". Sailesh bitterly replied,"It's been what, 2-3 years?" "I'm sorry, Sailesh, I didn't know that". Sailesh's lips curved ironically, as he smiled and retorted,"Well, it's none of your business anyway, so there". Before those words were barely out, he regretted saying it. "But I do care. And I'm sorry." Sailesh could see hints of tear well up in her eyes. "Sorry I wasn't there for Aunty and Uncle". Sailesh whipped back, "Well they'd not count on it, after all, you abandoned me". Aakanshya look at Sailesh, with a look of surprise, speechless. Arya, startled, looked at Aakanshya, "Mommy, are you crying? Are you about to have a fight with uncle, just like daddy?" Sailesh asked, opportunistically, "Do mommy and daddy get in fights often?" "Yes, daddy shouts at mommy, and mommy shuts the door and cries. It's really sad, you know -" Aakanshya interrupted Arya's monologue, and quietly motioned her to hush. So Sailesh went into brooding, before letting out his next question, "You're happy with him, aren't you?" He could feel Aakanshya visibly disturbed, silent. Perhaps blaming her from the get go wasn't the best of ideas. At the same moment, the orders were served, and that was the end of that. As mere small talked, veiled in pain were exchanged on both sides, Sailendra couldn't help but walk down back the memory lane.
It was that night, that had been their last. They had sneaked out of their friend's wedding together, got to his apartment, then started making love. Intimacy with her was a special time, he'd only been vulnerable with so many women. As they rolled over the bed, he had gotten up to look at the moon-lit fields across the window. He had sat down in the arm chair, contemplating the difficulties ahead in life. He was but merely deep in thought, when she had rolled over, glistening in sweat beads, whilst gently being caressed by the moonlight. That's when she'd said, "Sailu, we should get married, na?" He had but merely scoffed, looking at her saying, "Babe, I'm hitting the states next week, I won't be back for at least 4 years, you seriously think I'd be able to take care of myself, let alone you?!" Whilst running his fingers on her playfully, he'd find her smiling slightly, then turning over, pulling the blankets. And that was the exchange they had, before she abruptly called Sailesh a week after he landed on states, stating she was getting married soon. And him, in a foreign land, feeling utterly dejected, and betrayed. Why did she choose this banker, over him? What possibly could that bald jerk give her, that he couldn't?
As Sailesh was wading through the free fall of his thoughts, reality struck when Arya tugged at his jacket. "Uncle, will you come home? I'll show you my doll". Sailesh, frowning, shook his head. Suppose it was time to part ways. The visit had been extempore, after all. He had called her on messenger right as he landed, perhaps to make peace with himself. Though how exactly this meeting ended up making him any less disturbed than he already was: He wouldn't know. All he knew was the ship had sailed, and he was left out in the rain. As the bills were paid, and they stood in front of the restaurant under umbrellas, Sailesh said "Well, guess this is it then. Take care, alright?" As Aakanshya turned after nodding, he could have sworn he saw her back shake.
As he stood there, questioning himself, all the while lighting his cigarette, he couldn't help but kick himself for being an ass. Perhaps he went too hard on her. After all, she did come, didn't she? And yet, he was right there, in the same spot she left her, 6 years back. As the gentle pitter patters of droplets onto the puddle singed but meekly, he looked at the mother-daughter slowly walking away from her. He was but just there, looking at her, then her daughter, a spitting image of her, going away, engrossed in conversation. As he scratched his nape, he couldn't help but spot a familiar birthmark on little Arya. Something he had grown accustomed to, often bemoaned about for being unsightly. Then it dawned him, that perhaps, this would be the last time he'd see her, as he couldn't possibly face himself after today's charades.
Not after what just happened, not after what he said to her.

Im terribe at making original names...place holders for now... suggestions welcome
Backstory: Presillla, a journal keeping priestess of old Shurima who was secretly having an afair with her slave, was worried Azir might be prepparing to free the slaves after hearing of plans for Assension ritual.
Not wanting the slave free to tell of the affair, she flees on the day of the ritual, only to witness the destruction of Shurima from a distance. The slave breaks down and attacks the priestess who robbed him of the chance to die with his relatives. Her having to kill the slave with magic out of self defence.
Horrrified at these events, she swears off magic even telling wold stories to the new family she starts to convince them to fear the very idea of learning magic....
Modern day Piltover, her journal is a piceless family heurloom, and the youngest son Ananse, is a very curious dusposition, especially to the other lands beyond piltover and how his family became such anti-magic protesters.
One day, he sneaks the diary out of its secure spot, wanting to decipher the old Shuriman writtings. In his attempts, he awakens the magic potential that dwells in his ancessty, manifesting as an aura of heat. The family soon finds out and denues his attempts to learn or inquire further, pretending hes just the same nosy child hecwas before...
The young adult decides the only way he can progess as a person is to seek out these questions he cant keep out of his inquiring mind. Early in his travels, he gets so flustered by a chance encounter with an attractive man, that a nearby gasslight bursts, setting the tavern on fire! A pseed out patron never made it out alive...
Shocked at his involuntary magic manslaughter, he starts fearing he can never have an intimate relationship. He reaches Ionia, confiding in Karma about his guilt over the incident and his need to gain control of his power before he hurst anyone else.
She becomes a wise elder sister to him as he learns and decipers the priestess's journal. Learning to controll his emotions, and that Azir may be sincerely willing to rebuild a slavery-free Shurima.... he goes into the desert to adress the revived Emperor....
PERSONALITY
An introvert that cant sut still & tries to deflect to intellect and witticisms rather then to risk his emotions trigering his lil heatwaves. He cant help but smile at 'Lady Karma' and acts like a gratefull apprectice towards her in front of others, but while alone with her, he relaxes into a confudent respectfully sassy friend/brother figure.
He believes people of unusual talent/potential should be alowed to live shamelessly... unless of course they end up becoming hedonistic monsters that torment/kill for thier own selfish reasons or harm society(ies) that only want stability.
NEXT PART: powers and his reactions/opinions of other champs*

I hired Dubin Law Group to represent me in a personal injury case, but my experience with them has been disappointing even beyond my wildest expectations. During negotiations, Josh Campbell, a professional bullsh*t artist, repeatedly told me that my case was worth more than the settlement amount, but he still strongly urged me to settle and accept the offer against my better judgment. It soon became evident that there was a lack of diligence, urgency, and care paid to my case. It seemed like he was only interested in settling the case quickly, rather than putting in additional research or effort to reach a satisfying result. Looking back, I felt forced to follow his counsel to accept the low-ball offer of $35,500 on nearly $19,000 in medical bills, barely enough to cover their 33.3% attorney fee and my own bills.
On April 6, 2022, I sustained extensive injuries, including a 2-inch diameter concussion and subsequent dent on my head, bruising, and injuries to my neck, arms, shoulder, both legs, and knees in a car accident in Seattle. I had difficulty walking for many months due to shooting pain in my knees, and I hired this firm to protect me during my recovery process. I finished all treatment in August 2022. I had to spend hours tracing down providers and insurance representatives during my workday, which was something I specifically hired this firm to do. Ali Waters told me during our last interaction over the phone that I did not have health insurance last year, which was not true as I had provided that information when I signed with the firm and they had it on record. Josh Campbell later said she misspoke, but it raised concerns about whether they cross-checked information for accuracy.
Furthermore, a majority of bills from this case have been sent to collections and I have been in the complete dark as to when they would resolve. My insurance company had no records of Radia or Green Lake Physical Therapy, and I had to personally bring all this to their attention and present relevant information to facilitate these claims. I never received detailed and itemized ledgers of claims, dates of service, or regular updates. It is their responsibility as my legal representation to ensure that all balances have been verified and confirmed as correct, but it is now clear that this was not the case.
I found additional errors with their balances at UW Medicine and learned more balances were in collections. When I brought this to their attention, I was met with more condescending and dismissive responses. It is very clear that this firm is incapable of taking responsibility for their actions and apologizing for their mistakes.
The lack of communication and negligence from this firm is deeply unacceptable and has caused me significant harm. I was then handed over to Rebecca LaLiberte the 'managing partner' to be handled and mitigated. It was clear immediately by her condescending tone that she did not take this case seriously and offered to 'set up weekly meetings over the next few months' as the case resolved and bills re-processed due to this firm's specific errors. I started to look deeper into the firm and ask questions around other firms as to their conduct and reputation. It is clear now that this is simply a high-volume firm and litigation adverse, meaning they try to settle cases as quickly as possible without consideration for the best outcome for their clients.
Even after I brought all this to their attention and they agreed to take 25% off the attorney fee, a slap in the face for the amount of time I have personally put in to get this case back on track. Rebecca LaLiberte, the managing partner, has now said to 'please move forward with filing a complaint with the Washington State Bar. We will cooperate fully with them and hold the remaining funds in trust.'
What can I do to hold these people accountable?

After a long and drooling three weeks of modding up Skyrim SSE for Xbox X/S, I finally nailed it down to where you can have 150 mods with the old Bruma Expansion, and experience no CTD's or bugs.
I went back and forth using "Beyond Skyrim: Bruma v 1.3.3," and modding without it. But if you really like that mod as I do, you can have it ,and still add to the game with some really cool mods.
Unfortunately, you can't use the newer Bruma Expansion it has to be the older one, but even so, I managed to have a ton of creatures and just about every conversation mod there is, land, water and tree overhauls as well, and the game runs smooth. Been playing with this load order for almost two weeks and have had no crashes or bugs so far.
Make sure you install them in the order they're listed, and of course remember, when you do the NPC overhauls, do a hard reset for each. With all these I still have about 234.6MB left over, so you won't be overloading your game.
If any of these mods are not for you, feel free to add, or play around with the ones you prefer more, but at least load this list for you base, and then play around with the mods you want. If you nay questions, feel free to message me:
2023 XBOX ONE X Skyrim MOD List
(With Beyond Skyrim – Bruma)
1) Skyrim USSEP Patch
2) Beyond Skyrim: Bruma Part 1 (v1.3.3)
3) Beyond Skyrim: Bruma Part 2
4) Beyond Skyrim: Bruma Part 3
5) Campfire: Complete Camping System
6) Beyond Skyrim: Bruma Part 4
7) Skyrim Vanilla Plus v. 5.1.1
8) Cutting Room Floor
9) Oculus Main Menu & Loading Screen
10) Ugh Mods Manager Cap
11) Deadly Civil War Skyrim
12) Return to Helgen (v4.3)
13) Mystical Scholarship: The Magical College Bundle
14) JaySerpa’s Quest Expansion Bundle
15) Darker Brotherhood V2
16) The Notice Board
17) The Notice Board – Better Solstheim Quests
18) The Paarthurnax Dilemma
19) Moonpath To Elsweyr SSE
20) Bloodmoon – Call of The Werebeasts
21) Resurgence of The Morag Tong
22) Cheat Room
23) Audio SFX Overhaul
24) Skyrim Musical Overhaul [XBOX]
25) War Drums Combat Music
26) Enhanced Lights and FX
27) ELFX Fixes AIO
28) Magical College of Winterhold ELFX Patch
29) Vivid Weathers: Definitive Edition
30) Vivid Weathers: Definitive Edition Bruma Patch
31) Skyrim is Windy
32) Double Beds Are For Two People
33) The Great Cities, Towns, And Villages Bundle
34) The Great City of Solitude
35) The Great City of Solitude USSEP Patch
36) The Great Cities, Towns, and Villages EFLX Patch
37) Greater Markarth Expansion
38) Spaghetti’s Cities: Windhelm
39) Granite Hill
40) Greymoor
41) Humble Riches: A Whiterun Overhaul
42) Dragonborn Village Expanded East
43) JK’s Riverwood
44) Medeval Forts
45) [XB1] Skaal Village Overhaul
46) Solstheim Reborn
47) Eastern Dwemer Towers
48) Anna’s Riverwood Cabin XB1
49) Waterview – Beyond Skyrim Cyrodiil Home
50) Lanterns of Skyrim – Special Edition All In One
51) Bruma Lanterns XB1
52) Bruma Lanterns – Lanterns of Skyrim Patch
53) Lanterns in small Towns {XBOX1}
54) Road Signs Overhaul
55) Lit Road Signs
56) Carriage Stops of Skyrim XB1
57) Dooty – Outhouses of Skyrim
58) Pauly’s Lush Grasslands of Skyrim
59) Pauly’s Lush Forests of Skyrim
60) (XBOX) Dragonborn – Solstheim Boat Travel
61) Noble Skyrim – Ships and Boats of Skyrim
62) [XBOX] Birds and Flocks
63) [XB1] Birds of Skyrim
64) [XB1] skyBirds – Airborne Perch
65) Farm Animals Xbox Edition
66) Sea of Spirits – Xbox Edition
67) 4thUnknown’s AiO
68) Frost Giants
69) Yetis and Sasquatchs
70) Dragur Cavalry
71) Land Dreugh
72) Classic Ghosts
73) Zombies
74) XIVALI
75) Daedra Spider
76) Grievous Twilight
77) Silt Striders
78) Cliff Racers
79) Bantam Guars
80) Alit
81) More people
82) World Encounters Overhaul
83) Extended Encounters
84) Immersive Citizens – AI Overhaul
85) More Tavern Idles
86) Stronger Courier
87) AI Overhaul 1.8.3
88) UNP Body and face Renewal (Wet Skin) (Reizo’s Mod)
89) [XB1] Chris57 and Sundracon Male Body Replacer
90) Male Face Textures by Den987
91) Natural Eyes
92) Riften Docks Overhaul & Riften Expansion AIO
93) The Great Cities, Towns, and Villages AI Overhaul Patch
94) NPC Armor & Clothing Overhaul
95) Authentic Legion Replacer (v.1)
96) Rebel’s Ranger Gear
97) Ancient Shrouded Armor Replacer
98) Kynreeve Armor – A Daedric Set
99) Beyond Skyrim Bruma – Cyrodilic Armor
100) Face Masks of Skyrim
101) RS Children Optimized
102) RS Children – Old BS Bruma v.1.3.3 Patch
103) RS Children - Cutting Room Floor Patch
104) RS Children – AI Overhaul Patch
105) iNeed Food, Water, and Sleep
106) iNeed – Extended
107) [XB1] Super Simple Bathing
108) Longer Days: Realistic Timescale
109) Crime Overhaul [XB1]
110) Easy Lockpicking
111) Rewarding Reading (Xbox)
112) Ring of God Mode
113) Dovah Ring of Crafting - Alchemy
114) Craft Anything and Upgrade (Xbox)
115) Use Those Blankets
116) Run For Your Lives
117) BIG: Ultimate Kills
118) Immersive Projectiles Throwing Weapons & Items
119) Bloodthirst – Vampire NPC’s Can Feed
120) Enhanced Blood Textures
121) Dovahkiin Can, Sit, Kneel, and Lay Down
122) Large Stagger Animation
123) The Ultimate Sit Animation: Males
124) Female Sitting Animation Replacer
125) Immersive Lap Sitting
126) Kissing – Immersive Lovers Complete
127) Marriage All Xbox1
128) Odin – Skyrim Magic Overhaul
129) Mysticism – A Magic Overhaul (v.6)
130) Forgotten Spells
131) Balanced New Spells
132) Phenderix Magic Evolved
133) Radiant Dialogue SE
134) More Dialogue Options
135) More Dialogue Options – Immersive Citizens Patch
136) Misc Dialogue Edits & More Dialogue
137) Misc Dialogue Edits & More Dialogue – Immersive Citizens Patch
138) More To Say 9.0.2
139) Relationship Dialogue Overhaul
140) RDO - CRF + USSEP Patch
141) Young Lovers – Expanded Voices
142) Better Intimidation
143) Realistic Conversations (XB1)
144) Realistic Water Two SE (v.2)
145) Realistic Water Two – BS Bruma Patch
146) X32 Maximum Skeleton Special Edition
147) At Your Pace AIO (USSEP Version)
148) Alternate Start – Live Another Life
149) DAR NPC & Player Animations
150) Color Patches Remover [XB1/SE]
Revised: March 23, 2023