Hotels near arnold palmer airport

Can anyone confirm if grab or gojek are available for early morning hotel pickups at 4am to the airport? Just wondering if I need to arrange another option or if it’s ok to order grab at that time. Many Thanks 🙏🏼

Heading to Japan on the 20th of June with a mate and wanted to send this to get any advice on what to add or stay away from. I’ve added rough commute times for each day as you’ll see but I’m more than aware this is subject to change when we actually get there however I just wanted a rough outline of how much traveling is required each day. I’m know it’s going into summer but being from Australia I’m hoping we’ll be fine. We are very go with the flow types of people so not looking to fully pack out days but just wanna make sure we aren’t missing out on any core experiences. Cheers for the help.
20/6 - Day 1
Arrive at Airport 9:00am Board Flight 12:00pm Land in japan 11:00pm Check into hotel 1:00am
21/6 - Day 2 - Okubo/Shinjuku
Walk to Asakusa station (2mins) then Train to Okubo (48mins) → Walk around and visit all the various stores and cafes → Train to Ginza Station (26mins) → Walk to Godzilla Statue (3mins) → Walk to Uniqlo (8mins) (the biggest one in the world) → Walk around the area until we are bored → Take a train from Ginza Station to Shinjuku Station (28mins) → Walk around shinjuku Yodobashi Camera → Kabukicho Tower → Walk to Kabukicho (7mins)
22/6 - Day 3 - Shibuya
Walk to Asakusa station (2mins) then train Yoyogi station (32mins) → Walk to Meji Shrine (13mins) → Walk to Harajuku station (1min) → Walk to Takeshita St (3mins) → Shop in Harajuku → Make our way through to Cat Street → Shibuya Shibuya Crossing Shibuya Sky MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya109 2nd Street Tower Records Shibuya Parco
23/6 Day 4 - Roppongi/Tokyo Tower
Walk to Asakusa station (2mins) then Train to Shin-Toyosu Station (44mins) → Grab a snack (convenience store) → Walk to teamLabs → teamLab planets exhibition (2hrs) → Train to Daiba Station (16mins) → Walk to DiverCity tokyo plaza (5mins) → Walk to the Gundam Base → Walk to Tokyo Bay → Head back to Daiba station → Tokyo tower → Donguri Republic
24/6 Day 5 - Koenji/Ghibli Museum
Walk to Asakusa station (2mins) then Train to Kanda Station (10mins) → Train to Kōenji Station (18mins) → Walk to Koenjikita (6mins) → Walk around the shops and food joints → Train to Kichijōji station (9mins) → Ghibli Museum → Inokashira Park → Head back to Koenjikita
25/6 - Day 6 - Akihabara
→ Walk to Sensoji Temple (3mins) → Grab some lunch in this area → Walk to Sumida river (6mins) → Akihabara Station → Akihabara → Dinner in Ginza
26/6 - Day 7
Free day
27/6 - Day 8 - Osaka
Walk to Asakusa station (2mins) then Train to Shinagawa station (30mins) → Bullet train to Osaka (2hrs) → Check into Willows Hotel → Train to Dotonbori (15mins)
28/6 - Day 9 - Universal Studios
Walk to Shin-Imamiya Station (8mins) then Train to Nishikujō Station (11mins) → Take another train to Universal-City Station (5mins) → Spend the day in Universal Studios Japan!
29/6 - Day 10 - Osaka
Walk to Shin-Imamiya Station (8mins) then Train to Ōsakajōkōen Station (15mins) → Walk to Osaka Castle (20mins) → Head back to hotel → Rest up! → Tenshi Bashi Suji (if we haven't been already)
30/6 - Day 11 - Nara
Walk to Dobutsuen-Mae Station (6mins) then train to Namba Station (4mins) → Walk to Osaka-Namba Station (3mins) → Train to Kintetsu-Nara Station (37mins) → Walk to Nara Park (8mins) → Nakatanidou (mochi in nara)
1/7 - Day 12 - Kyoto
Bullet train to Kyoto station (15mins) → Bus to Kiyomizu-dera (30mins) → Walk to Kiyomizu-Gojō Station (17mins) → Train to Ryukokudai-mae-fukakusa Station (9mins) → Walk to Fushimi Inari Taisha (7mins) → Walk to Ryukokudai-mae-fukakusa Station (7mins) → Train to Kiyomizu-Gojō Station (8mins) → Walk to Higashiyama (13mins)
2/7 - Day 13 - Kyoto
Walk to Shin-Imamiya Station (8mins) then Train to Osaka Station (13mins) → Train to Kyoto Station (29mins) → Train to Saga-Arashiyama Station (16mins) → Walk to Arashiyama Monkey Park (14mins) → Walk to Bamboo Grove (18mins) → Nishiki Market
3/7 - Day 14 - Osaka
Will be in the hotel in Osaka for this day, nothing planned need recommendations!!
4/7 - Day 15 - Tokyo
Head back to Tokyo and board flight for Sydney.

Anyone know what venue this event will be at? Or has it not been announced yet? I’m thinking about getting a hotel early and will probably look to get one near the venue.
On the other hand, this will be my first time in Dallas so I’m thinking about getting a hotel in Arlington so I can be inbetween Fort Worth and Dallas and get to explore all 3 areas easier.

Delhi, the vibrant capital city of India, welcomes visitors with its rich history, diverse culture, and bustling streets. Whether you're a business traveler or a tourist exploring the city's attractions, finding the right place to stay is essential for a comfortable and memorable experience. In this blog, we will explore some of the best places to stay in Delhi, ranging from luxurious hotels to budget-friendly options, ensuring that you find the perfect accommodation to suit your preferences and needs.

1. Connaught Place: Located in the heart of Delhi, Connaught Place is a popular choice for travelers seeking convenience and easy access to the city's major attractions. It offers a range of accommodation options, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses. Connaught Place is known for its colonial architecture, bustling markets, and vibrant nightlife, making it an ideal choice for those who want to be at the center of the action.
2. Paharganj: Paharganj is a bustling neighborhood near New Delhi Railway Station and is famous for its budget accommodations and backpacker-friendly atmosphere. Here, you'll find a wide range of guesthouses, hostels, and budget hotels that cater to travelers on a tight budget. Paharganj is also well-connected to other parts of the city, making it a convenient base for exploring Delhi's attractions.
3. South Delhi: South Delhi is a popular choice for travelers looking for a more upscale and residential neighborhood to stay in. Areas like Hauz Khas, Greater Kailash, and South Extension offer a mix of luxury hotels, boutique accommodations, and serviced apartments. South Delhi is known for its upscale shopping malls, trendy cafes, and beautiful parks, providing a tranquil and stylish retreat after a day of exploring the city.
4. Aerocity: If you're looking for accommodation near the airport, Aerocity is an excellent option. Situated just a short distance from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Aerocity offers a range of luxury hotels and business-friendly accommodations. It is a convenient choice for business travelers and those with early morning or late-night flights.
5. Gurgaon: While technically not part of Delhi, Gurgaon, also known as Gurugram, is a rapidly developing city located in the National Capital Region (NCR). It is home to numerous multinational corporations and is a popular choice for business travelers. Gurgaon offers a wide range of hotels, including luxury properties and business hotels. The city also boasts modern shopping malls, restaurants, and entertainment options.

Conclusion: When visiting Delhi, choosing the right place to stay can greatly enhance your overall experience. Whether you prefer the bustling energy of Connaught Place, the budget-friendly options in Paharganj, the upscale neighborhoods of South Delhi, the convenience of Aerocity, or the business-oriented atmosphere of Gurgaon, Delhi has accommodation options to suit every traveler. Consider your preferences, budget, and proximity to attractions when selecting your accommodation, and get ready to explore the vibrant and diverse city of Delhi.

Hello! Booked a quick trip to Japan from July 20th to July 27th. Mainly staying in Toyko with a bullet train ride to Kyoto for 1 night. Here is the rough itinerary. Please let us know if there is any recommendations since it's all of our first time!
July 21st: Arrive at Narita Airport at 15:30 JST Go through immigration and customs Take a train to Hotel Gracery Shinjuku in Tokyo. Check in and then rest/Explore the neighborhood around/visit nearby attractions.
July 22nd: Start with a visit to the Asakusa district including Senso-ji Temple and Nakamise Shopping Street Head to Akihabara after! In the evening, visit TeamLab Borderless. Get dinner around area
July 23rd: Begin with a visit to Tsukiji Fish Market and eat sushi for breakfast Explore district of Ginza for shopping. Head to Harajuku and Takeshita Street right after. Explore Meiji Shrine and Meiji Jingu Gyoen Park In the late evening, take a train to Kyoto and check into hotel.
July 24th: Visit Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine early, probably 6 or 7am Afterward, head to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and then explore Togetsukyo Bridge and Tenryu-ji Temple In the afternoon/evening , take a train back to Tokyo. Visit Omoide Yokochō for drinks and dinner
July 25th: Shibuya Parco in the AM Shibuya Crossing afternoon or evening Starbucks Reserve Roastery Tokyo In the evening: Shibuya Sky
July 26th: Tokyo Tower Shiba Park Zojoji Temple Gundam Base Tokyo
July 27th: Last minute shopping and open until Depart from Narita Airport at 16:25 JST
What does everyone think? Any help or suggestion is welcome!

Hello, visiting Tokyo for 5 nights in July with my wife and two kids(12 and 14), on our way back to the US from South Korea, figured we would pop in to Tokyo for a few days and extend the trip while we are out that way. We have rented a place near Shibuya Station. Itinerary is below, would be great to get some opinions. Thursday’s plan seems a little packed but the stop durations and time to travel seem doable (could cut out Tokyo sky tree and move to another day if needed). Also, with local travel mostly from Shibuya, any rail passes make sense? I’ll admit I’m a little unstudied about the various rail cards and will be reading up but would appreciate a point in the right direction. Appreciate the read and feedback!
Monday: Arrival Day (around 2 pm) - Haneda
Tuesday: Shibuya/Harajuku/Yoyogi Park/Meiji Shrine
Wednesday:Odewara Castle Tour 11 am (travel by Shinkansen) - day trip
Thursday: Tsukiji Fish Market TouTeamLab Planets Tokyo/Tokyo Sky Tree
Friday: Akihabara - anime, electronics and gachapon etc - free style mostly / Imperial Place and Hie Shrine fly by on the way back
Saturday: Hang in shibuya/Harajuku until need to leave for Haneda airport ~8pm

My (38F) friends Tim (35M) and Paul (37M) and I decided to meet up for a trip in Europe.
Paul lived a few hours outside of a major city and said he could drive in to meet us. Tim and I would fly in. We agreed on dates and to book a place to share instead of 3 hotel rooms. Later, Paul sent a message to the group that he was sorry, but he probably couldn't stay the 3 nights, only 2. Tim and I said that was fine.
A couple weeks before our trip, I sent options of places to stay. Paul confirmed one of those as the best. I said I could book it but wanted to make sure everyone was in. I got a "Yup".
On the trip itself, Tim covered most of the incidental costs saying I paid for the accommodations, so it’d be easier to figure out later. I paid for a couple smaller meals. Paul paid for the first dinner - his treat - and his parking. Parking was expensive, so I offered to chip in. He declined.
The place we rented slept 3 in 2 rooms. There was also a living room with a big fluffy sectional. Paul said he’d be good sleeping in any arrangement. Tim said it made sense that they share. So I took the single room and they'd share the queen. Paul agreed but soon declined saying he can have disruptive sleep and so preferred to sleep on the sectional in the living room.
After the trip, Tim and I talked about settling up. He asked if Paul was covering his part. I wasn’t sure. (I recognize it was a mistake not to discuss costs in advance - but hindsight is 20-20).
I posted a message to the group asking if we were splitting the AirBnB cost. Paul reacted strongly and stated he'd already spent a few hundred for dinner the first night & parking. If the flat cost more than that, then we could talk.
I sent the AirBnB receipt for the $1500USD I’d paid so he could calculate his 2 nights for himself. No response. Tim came back with his incidentals and how much each person owed.
Paul said he shouldn't be asked to pay for our flights or hotels. (No one had mentioned flights.) He'd only stayed 1 night and had always said he wouldn’t be able to stay over or 1 night max. (Not what he said and also worth noting he opted to return home the 2nd night at nearly 1AM.) And if we were splitting then why didn’t we flip a coin for the beds. Why’d he sleep on a couch? He thought he’d been nice, spending as much as he did. And we should split those with him.
This is where I may have been the AH. After more back and forth, I finally said I didn't like how he was talking to us. We’d clearly hit a nerve, but my question itself was pretty straightforward. That the way he was behaving just isn’t what friends do.
There was swearing throughout his response back while insulting me a few times. He insisted he wasn’t being aggressive, merely direct in his questions. But if a friendship can break over something like this then it wasn't much of a friendship anyway.
There’s no coming back from that. But… I have been turning it over in my head. AITA for calling him out for how I felt he was treating us?

Welp .. another crack in the commercial real estate industry that's only going to get worse in the near future.

Park Hotels & Resorts Inc. (“Park” or the “Company”) (NYSE:PK) today announced that, starting in June, it ceased making payments toward the $725 million non-recourse CMBS loan which is scheduled to mature in November 2023, and is secured by two of its San Francisco hotels—the 1,921-room Hilton San Francisco Union Square and the 1,024-room Parc 55 San Francisco.

Link:
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2023/06/05/2681764/0/en/Park-Hotels-Resorts-Inc-Announces-Cessation-of-Payment-on-725-Million-Non-Recourse-CMBS-Loan-Secured-By-Two-of-Its-San-Francisco-Hotels.html

So, I was diagnosed back in 1994, my parents did everything they could to keep me healthy, but I was in and out of hospitals growing up, at one point had a reaction to what is believed to be anesthesia and developed Stephen Johnson Syndrome and almost died when I was 8 years old. I have never been very compliant with my medications, I have always been under weight and small, but for some reason my lung function was above 100% until I was 18 years old, I’m now 28 after years of drinking and smoking pot, I’m the healthiest I have ever been in my entire life, this was verified at my last doctors visit, want to stress that I hardly smoke anymore, just doesn’t do it for me. I hardly take anything besides Trikafta, which I credit with making me able to pretty much live my life without being affected by this disease, but even then I’m not the most compliant. I’ve always told myself I would never be one of the…I don’t mean to be mean but overdramatic CF kids that I knew, the ones who thought the hospital was a hotel and cried and moaned up until they were damn near 23 on the pediatric floor still. I know I am lucky, but recently I have just found myself worrying that I am carrying on as if I don’t have this illness and I’m gonna be struck down randomly. I grew up, as many of you probably did, being told by doctors “You better do your treatments and take your meds or you will die young, you’ll be in the ground” and being told to avoid smoke, obviously, and drinking and to live life in a bubble almost doing medication regimens that run your life, and now those doctors all seem to be shaking their heads in disbelief that people like me are fine, Trikafta really is incredible, if I don’t live to see a cure I’ll take this as the closest we can get.
I have a bachelors in education, former teacher, I’ve been on my own since I’ve been 18 and currently I have two dogs and a fiancé, I am a funeral director apprentice about to graduate mortuary school to start an embalming apprenticeship as well, I’m often putting in at least 60 hours a week at work, many times through the night. For the first time in my life I’ve thought about starting a family, something I had never considered, if my kid had CF I would not care. I’m so glad to hear that Make A Wish does not consider this illness terminal anymore, I never have. Perhaps it’s dealing what I deal with everyday, but recently I’ve just been feeling guilty about all of this. I wasn’t aware of any mental health side effects from Trikafta and now that I am, I’m sure I’ve experienced this. Perhaps this is just me venting, I’ve always thought I’d live to 80 years old doing no treatments, eating and doing what I want, and barely paying attention to my health and just knowing this is a reality that could be the case, I’m getting rid of my med port soon as time will allow, I am not sure how to feel. Does anyone get what I am talking about or expressing?

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Looking for 3-4 people interested in a regular ongoing TTRPG game, system to be decided later.
I'll be hosting near the intersection of Bell Rd and Murfreesboro Pike.
In the interest of not having this post be crazy long and having ease of hunting up interest in multiple forums, I have thrown together a quick website with some information.
https://magetha.weebly.com

Hi,
I have a 9 hour layover in Ho Chi Minh. I'm catching a local flight from Danang, and then after the layover I'll have to go to another terminal to get an international flight back home.
Naturally because it's overnight we don't plan on going out and exploring the city. We're conflicted between booking a lounge or going to a hotel nearby the airport, and we don't know what would be bettemore worth it. I think we'll be able to get 5 hours of sleep tops if we go to a hotel.
Any suggestions or advice?

28 male Hosting at a hotel by Kansas City International Airport for a female or a mf couple

Read Chapter 1 Here
Previous Chapter Here
My other SSB story, Writing on the Wall, Here
I was sitting here in the dark, pantsless and writing (as you do), and I decided to check how far my progress was going on a few things. Turns out I was way past my "release a new chapter" threshold!
Enjoy the continued adventures of our favorite fuckups.
*****
“...about those sculptures. I know we told the Aboriginal Art Institute of Karnif that they could hold onto them for another two months, but apparently they are part of some shrine and the Governess of the South Pacific is getting on my case about returning them before a holy day.” Jem’si looked to his right, where his wife Torel was walking alongside him. She was his partner in more than just his marriage, and he was a little surprised to see that she didn’t have a pad out to take notes. “Are you paying attention?”
“Not really,” Torel replied. She had been strangely subdued, quiet all morning. On his left, his wife Keller tried to match pace. She was so much bigger than both of them that it was difficult, but she had a lot of practice and the halls of House Chel’xa’s ancestral home were a familiar place.
“Now.” Keller’s word was punctuated by her left arm shooting across her body to grab Jem’si by the upper arm. It was a firmer grip than Jem’si had ever felt from his wives, and for it to come from gentle Keller was doubly surprising. Before he could comment, Torel grabbed his other arm. The pair lifted and Jem’si found himself being dragged along, feet barely touching the floor.
“Put me down!” He tried to wiggle out of their grip, but neither woman seemed to be in the mood to play nice. “If you wanted to have some fun this morning you could have just asked!” Neither Torel or Keller said anything in reply, just continued to drag him along as his commands to be let go turned into pleading whines. They wouldn’t even look at him.
Jem’si wasn’t scared, not really. Just confused. He trusted his family utterly, and even as they maneuvered him out of the corridor, down a hall, and into an empty dining room he felt confusion more than fear. The room was dark, curtains drawn, and Jem’si let out a small “oof” as he found himself practically flung into a chair. The door clacked shut and he was plunged into nearly complete blackness.
After a few moments of sitting in the dark, trying to figure whatever sort of madness seemed to be running in his wives, Jem’si had enough. He raised his voice, put in every bit of commanding tone he had learned through years of Noble intrigue and business with Humans, and called out to the darkness.
“Well?!”
Light flared suddenly from the chandelier, dazzling his eyes. Fear froze his heart as he realized he and his wives weren’t actually alone. It began to thaw right back up as he saw who sat across from him.
“Why were you all sitting in the dark?” Jem’si tried to keep his voice casual.
“For the emotional impact,” Samuel Forsythe-Painter replied.
“Obviously,” Sammi Painter-Forsythe added.
Flanking the pair of tiny humans sat Elera Heleum and Marin Elbruk. Elera reached into her lap and leaned forward, placing something down on the table. It settled on the ancient wood with a dull thunk.
“The same reason I brought this,” she added helpfully.
Jem’si vaguely recognized the pistol. It was a massive hunk of silver steel with a barrel so wide he could stick a finger into it. The same gun that played so prominently in the story of that whole adventure in the frozen north. He hadn’t realized it had survived the rocket attack at the hotel, or that it had been brought to Shil.
Now thoroughly spooked, Jem’si glanced up at Keller where she stood next to him. She had brought him here, but surely she would protect him from these lunatics.
Keller looked down at him sadly, dark eyes showing little more than disappointment. “Sorry, Jem, you’re on your own.”
Torel was no better. She wouldn’t even look at him. When he glanced to the other side of the table, Marin nodded at Elera. The spikey haired Marine leaned her bulk forward and steepled her fingers together, the spindly shadows from her hands falling across the gun on the table.
“Lieutenant Colonel Marin and I had an interesting visitor yesterday. We’ve both been promoted, retired from active service, and given an Imperial Writ to deal with. It’s a great deal, really; we have been ordered by the Empress Herself to protect our little Human friends here.” With that, Elera reached out and gave Sammi what was likely intended to be a friendly pat on the back but nearly knocked the much smaller Human clear of their chair. “And, if things don’t go well, we’ve been ordered to kill them both.”
“I don’t really care much for that part,” Samuel said quietly.
“Samesies,” added Sammi.
“We’ve also been ordered to ensure that nobody learns about the OTHER project. You know the one.” Marin punctuated her statement by placing her own pistol on the table. This one was much smaller, more modern, but at least as deadly. She looked down at it, then glanced at Elera’s. “These are a really poor representation of our orders. Orbital strikes were mentioned.”
Jem’si grasped in his mind for the swordfighter’s calm he had cultivated the last few years, but it wouldn’t come. He had his ass planted in an oversized chair, was surrounded by people who meant him harm, and even his wives had abandoned him. The best control he could manage was to pull in a deep breath, swallow, and try to hold down the sour, sick feeling twisting through his guts.
“I really didn’t know what to do.” Elera put her hands flat on the table, and Jem’si, hyper-focused now on potential dangers, watched as the fingers on her right hand twitched. “So I figured I’d call the only person I knew who might have experience dealing with this sort of thing. Someone who might know why we were suddenly getting orders from the Empress after working so hard to keep this whole thing quiet.”
Keller’s huge hand landed on Jem’si’s shoulder, causing him to jerk. She didn’t say anything, but she didn’t have to.
“The orders make sense, but they leave something very important out. So I’m going to ask you, Jem’si. I’m going to ask you as a holder of an Imperial Writ, ordered by the Empress Herself to ensure the security of the Painter Research Institute and the Lone Caribou Survival Company.” Elera’s hands were fists now and the light from the chandelier reflected in the tears forming in her eyes.
“What did you tell them? What happened to Stace? Is he even alive out there?” The questions seemed to hang in the air, and Jem’si wondered if the wrong answer would kill him. He had never doubted Keller’s loyalty before, but if the Empress said he had to die, would she stop it? He hoped so, but she had been a Deathshead Commando long before she became his wife.
In the end, he only had one response he could give. He swallowed again, cleared his throat, and hoped that the truth would keep him alive.
“I don’t know what’s happening on Nix. I reached out through Iria Stolsk, who often acts as a scientific policy advisor to the Empress, and I gave her everything I had. Much of it was technical documents from the PRI’s research, but not much more than what was used for the investor’s meeting.”
Jem’si cleared his throat again, then jerked in panic as a loud thunk sounded next to him. If Keller’s hand wasn’t keeping him in place, he might have bolted. Instead, he nodded his thanks to Torel and picked up the glass of water she had found for him. A couple of sips did little to steady his nerves; he would have killed for some of that flavored bourbon Stace made.
“As for the… other project. When Stace started making preparations, I gave him access to a highly encrypted data archive. It contains all of the notes Demir Chel’xa made during her time on Nix, all her observations of the people there. Every bit of video we had, audio clips of their language, topographical and seismic scans of the planet… House Chel’xa kept everything, and I gave all of it to him.
“When he started working on his own plans to save Nix, he was linked to that server. I don’t know if it was intentional or just Stace not knowing how he set up his accounts, but all of his notes were backed up to the same archive. I gave the Empress all of it.”
“But you don’t know what She decided. If Stace is being left alone or if he’s in a blacksite prison.” Elera closed her eyes and a single tear slipped free. “If he’s even alive.”
“No. I don’t know, but if the Empress meant to silence this whole enterprise, you wouldn’t have a Writ. You’d have a smoking hole in your skull.”
Elera nodded. “And so would you. We all would.”
“Why don’t we?” Sammi’s voice was so innocent, so free of the pain and fear everyone else seemed to be wrapped up in, that it seemed to shatter the tension in the room. Shoulders slumped, hands unclenched, and Jem’si had the sudden hope that, just maybe, he’d finish this meeting without throwing up in his lap.
Samuel spoke next. “It’s obvious that the Empress, if she hasn’t exactly given us permission for the Nix project, is at least willing to look the other way. I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I think we can count on Stace doing his thing.” He tapped his fingers on the table in a quick rat-tat-tat, blue-painted nails clicking on the wood. “The real question is why she would let us do it at all. Tons of risk with no real reward for the Empire, which is why we agreed to keep all this quiet in the first place.”
“My husband is a businessman.” Torel’s voice was surprisingly affectionate given the circumstances, and when her hand came up to ruffle Jem’si’s hair he relished the contact. It didn’t matter if his coiffure was ruined. “Even if he’s not the brains of the operation, he occasionally makes a deal.”
“The research you two have been doing; is it real?” Jem’si nodded at the two Humans at the table. “Can you really do that incredible line of turox shit you sold to the investors?”
Sammi let out a very undignified snort. “You have no idea. What the investors are getting is real, but it’s babytown frolics compared to what we could really do with it. We’re keeping the good stuff; I wanna see if I can turn a star inside out.”
“That’s… horrifying.” Jem’si felt on firmer ground now; the crisis had passed and he was going to live through this. “Well, I may have passed the word that the technological superiority you’re providing would put us decades, perhaps centuries ahead of the Consortium and the Alliance.”
He let the moment settle with a performer’s ease before dropping the punchline.
“And if we aren’t allowed to fix Nix it would turn out that you two didn’t actually know what you were doing. It would have destroyed House Chel’xa along with the two of you, but it would turn out we were huxsters all along.”
Samuel laughed bitterly. “And to think, if you actually told us your plan we probably would have agreed to it. Instead, we now have to deal with having two members of our family who have signed and sealed orders from the Empress of the Shil’vati to kill the rest of us. Not exactly something that makes it easy to maintain a relationship.”
Elera pulled herself to her feet before picking up the heavy Human handgun. She carefully checked it, then put it in her pocket. Marin followed her example and did the same with her own pistol, and the two Humans hopped down off their chairs.
“I am sorry.” Jem’si firmed up his voice, felt the old confidence start to pool in his chest. “For not telling you, I mean. I don’t regret what I did.”
“Of course you don’t,” Samuel said sadly as the group headed towards the door. “You’re Shil’vati. We’re leaving, by the way. Going home. It doesn’t feel right to be living off your charity. I’d tell you not to follow us, but we can’t realistically stop you since you own a third of the company.”
“Just know that you won’t be welcome,” Sammi added before slamming the door behind them.
Jem’si let out a sigh as he sank into his chair, feeling suddenly boneless. Keller and Torel moved around him, pulling up chairs of their own.
“That went better than it could have,” Keller said casually. She barely seemed bothered by the whole thing.
“Oh, really?” Jem’si really couldn’t see the bright side.
“We could all be dead,” Torel clarified. “According to the scope of their Writ, either one of those two would have been perfectly within their rights to have the entire Chel’xa compound incinerated.”
“....what.”
“Knowledge of Nix is to be limited to the PRI and Lone Caribou. House Chel’xa clearly knows about it, or this whole thing wouldn’t have gotten started.” Keller sounded too matter of fact, too calm. “You may be the one who got this whole thing going, but the Humans wouldn’t have even known about it if you hadn’t told them. You’re clearly a security risk.”
“You could make the argument that Jem’si is in the clear, as part owner of PRI. I do a lot of the clerical work, so I’m safe too.” Torel smirked over at Keller. “Sounds like you’re the odd one out.”
“Yep. It would have been perfectly reasonable, from a legal standpoint at least, if Elera had shot me in the face as soon as we sat down.” Keller smirked. “Not that she would. I think she kinda has a thing for me.”
“And what, you’d have let her do it?” The panic was back, bile sour and acidic in Jem’si’s throat.
“I’m not bulletproof, Jem. Couldn’t have done a whole lot about it.”
Jem’si pressed his hands to the table, slowly pulling himself to his feet. “I think…” He swallowed. It didn’t help. “I think I’m going to throw up. Then I’m going to talk to Iria and see if I can talk to the Empress in person. I need to get a handle on this before someone ends up dead.”
“Someone else, you mean.” Torel gave Jem’si a very unflattering glare. “On top of all the other deaths we’ve had so far.”
Jem’si bit down a retort as he turned away, walking towards the door. Oh yes. Couldn’t forget those.
–
When it came down to it, Lewis could admit that this was at least partially his fault.
He had left the grocery store with plastic bags in his hands and a spring in his step. The rusty minivan parked next to Lewis's SUV completely failed to get his attention, which was likely the whole reason it was chosen for the job. He had just finished putting the bags in the backseat when the van’s side door opened behind him, a bag slipped over his head, and Lewis was bodily pulled into the vehicle. He barely even had time to squeak out a panicked yelp.
Even with his head covered, Lewis knew at once who his captors were. The large hands, the ease with which they were manhandling him, and the sheer brazenness of the kidnapping left no doubt in his mind that he was in the hands of the Shil'vati. They pulled his hands behind his back and cuffed them together before he was plopped down in the middle seat. Meaty fingers stayed firmly grasped around his biceps as the van rumbled to life. They were on the move.
"So..." Lewis tried to keep his voice even. He wasn't a fighter, and if he started throwing elbows he would still end up at his destination. Just with a broken jaw. "If you're sex traffickers, you probably could do better than me."
There was no reply but silence.
As they bounced along, Lewis was surprised to find that he wasn't as frightened as he expected. After nearly a decade fighting the invaders in his own way, the idea of eventually being captured or killed had percolated through his mind for long enough that it was comfortable. In a way, it was a relief; wherever he was going, whatever was going to happen to him, Lewis was done with the fight. He could hang up his spurs, at least until the gallows called.
Instead of dwelling on the situation, he tried to follow where the van was going. It only took a few turns for Lewis to become hopelessly lost. His lack of a sense of direction was legendary among his friends, and thanks to the ubiquitous ease of GPS and smartphones he never really had to pick up the skill. He regretted his reliance on technology now, not that it would really change anything. The van rumbled on, its old and tired suspension creaking with every bump, and Lewis waited to die.
The van pulled to a stop with a lurch and Lewis jerked awake. He had been half-dozing, a fact that he took in with a bit of surprise. After the first hour or so, the anxiety of being captured had faded into a dull shock, which had turned into a stupor. Now he had completely lost track of time. The door to his right slid open and Lewis was pulled out with a sudden jerk. He tried to catch himself on half-numb legs, stumbled, was caught, and found himself being half carried and half marched on the rough gravel underfoot.
Even with the hood obscuring his vision, Lewis could still hear perfectly fine. He could still smell, too, and the rumble of a large diesel engine was accompanied by the smell of rancid exhaust. The gravel under his feet became a metal ramp and he stumbled again, letting his Shil'vati captors drag him up by his biceps. There would be some nasty bruises later, but for now the pain helped him regain focus.
The ramp leveled out and the metal clang was replaced by the dull thud of thin wood under his feet. Lewis was only dragged a few more steps before a quick shove threw him into a chair. It didn't move at all, evidently attached to the floor, and before he could really process the situation further a loud clatter behind him made evident that Lewis was now trapped. The smell of exhaust was even worse here, sour on his throat. Fear was finally beginning to settle in his guts as he tried to prepare himself for the inevitable torture.
"Ashley Lewis. Age twenty-six standard, degrees in psychology and philosophy, currently employed in an administrative capacity for a phone and 'net based therapy service. Being able to telework has made it easy for you to travel for your other job, working as a data courier and soft asset for the terrorist organization colloquially known as The Numbers.
"A few months ago, you were involved in an attack on a man named Eustace Grant that left him nearly dead and eventually led to a region-wide shakeup of law enforcement and the public execution of the Regional Governess." Lewis's head jerked forward as the hood was pulled off in a single sharp tug.
Black eyes with irises like gold rings floating in pools of ink stared at him from a face of purple skin. In the moment, the Shil'vati looked exactly as alien as she was, and the familiarization he had spent years building flashed away as if they were never there. The alien smiled, drawing attention to her tusks, then nodded once. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you."
Lewis took in his captor. She was average height for a female Shil, though not as massively built as the majority of marines he had seen. Her hair was stark white and pulled back into a ponytail, and she wore a long coat of heavy black. Around him, all he could see was dirty wood and aluminum paneling. The rumbling of an engine continued, as did the stink of fumes. He was in the back of a small box truck.
And in front of him stood Investigator Jel’si Chel'xa.
*****
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This is a fanfic that takes place in the “Between Worlds” universe (aka Sexy Space Babes), created and owned by u/BlueFishcake. No ownership of the settings or core concepts is expressed or implied by myself.
This is for fun. Can’t you just have fun?

Hi everyone! I did read the rules to this page so I’m doing my absolute best to follow them.
I was wondering if anyone here could give me any sort of ideas of fun activities to do in or near the Glendive, Montana area? My grandma asked me unexpectedly to be her travel companion so I’m traveling there next week from Iowa with my grandma and my 10 year old son, but I’m leaving her with family while my son and I have 3 days to do whatever we please.
And yes I did consult Google and we saw a museum to go too and of course places to eat and things like that, but I just didn’t know if anyone could offer suggestions within a couple hours of that?
I’ll be honest and say I’ve never traveled alone as an adult or with just my son with me, so while we are completely open to hiking or going to a river etc I’d prefer to have the ability to stay in a hotel at night rather than alone camping we’d like to be able to go back to Glendive at night or be in a big enough area to have lodging options!
Thanks so much for any help given!

It asked me where I wanted to go. I put in "Mons, Belgium", because, why not?
It asked for travel dates. I said July 12 to July 27 of this year. Nice 2-week vacation.
It said "Choose your budget." Options were: low, medium, high, and luxury. I chose "low". Though I'll bet Mons, Belgium is a place where you could do "luxury".
It said "Choose your vacation type." Options were "Relaxed" and "Packed". I picked "Packed". (Can you actually picture me relaxing?)
It said "Choose your category." Options were "Romantic", "Adventure", "Touristic", "Party", "Family", "Cultural", "Mixed". I picked "Adventure", though I was tempted by "Party".
It said, "Choose your dietary preference." Options were "Vegan", "Vegetarian", "Pescatarian", "Halal", and "No preference". I picked "No preference". Vacation isn't the time to be picky, right?
Never heard of the word "pescatarian" before but the "fish" icon makes me think it means fish.
Anyway, I clicked "Submit".
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Recommended accommodation: Hotel Lido Mons Centre
​
Day 1:
Recommended transport mode: Taxi
Arrive at Brussels Airport and take a taxi to your hotel in Mons. Spend the day exploring the city on foot, visiting the Grand Place, the Belfry, and the SainteWaudru Collegiate Church. For dinner, head to Le Pain Quotidien for some delicious vegetarian options.
​
Day 2:
Recommended transport mode: Walking
Start your day with a visit to the Mons Memorial Museum to learn about the city's history. Then, take a walk to the Van Gogh House, where the famous artist lived for a short time. For lunch, try some traditional Belgian cuisine at Le Pain Quotidien. In the afternoon, take a stroll through the Parc du WauxHall and enjoy the beautiful scenery. For dinner, head to Le Pain Quotidien for some more vegetarian options.
​
Day 3:
Recommended transport mode: Train
Take a train to the nearby city of Tournai and spend the day exploring its beautiful architecture, including the NotreDame Cathedral and the Belfry. For lunch, try some local specialties at Le Pain Quotidien. In the evening, take the train back to Mons and enjoy dinner at Le Pain Quotidien.
​
Day 4:
Recommended transport mode: Walking
Explore the city's art scene by visiting the BAM Beaux-Arts Mons museum and the Mundaneum, a museum dedicated to the history of information and communication. For lunch, try some delicious vegetarian options at Le Pain Quotidien. In the evening, head to the Theatre Royal de Mons for a show.
​
Day 5:
Recommended transport mode: Bicycle
Rent a bicycle and take a ride through the beautiful countryside surrounding Mons. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant and try some traditional Belgian cuisine. In the evening, head back to the city and enjoy dinner at Le Pain Quotidien.
​
Day 6:
Recommended transport mode: Walking
Take a walking tour of the city's many parks and gardens, including the Jardin du Mayeur and the Parc du Beffroi. For lunch, try some vegetarian options at Le Pain Quotidien. In the evening, head to the Grand Place and enjoy a drink at one of the many bars.
​
Day 7:
Recommended transport mode: Train
Take a train to the nearby city of Charleroi and spend the day exploring its many museums and galleries. For lunch, try some local specialties at a restaurant in the city. In the evening, take the train back to Mons and enjoy dinner at Le Pain Quotidien.
​
Day 8:
Recommended transport mode: Walking
Explore the city's many churches and cathedrals, including the SainteElisabeth Church and the Saint-Nicolas Church. For lunch, try some vegetarian options at Le Pain Quotidien. In the evening, head to the Theatre Royal de Mons for a show.
​
Day 9:
Recommended transport mode: Bicycle
Rent a bicycle and take a ride through the beautiful countryside surrounding Mons. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant and try some traditional Belgian cuisine. In the evening, head back to the city and enjoy dinner at Le Pain Quotidien.
​
Day 10:
Recommended transport mode: Walking
Take a walking tour of the city's many museums and galleries, including the Musée François Duesberg and the Musée du Doudou. For lunch, try some vegetarian options at Le Pain Quotidien. In the evening, head to the Grand Place and enjoy a drink at one of the many bars.
​
Day 11:
Recommended transport mode: Train
Take a train to the nearby city of Namur and spend the day exploring its many castles and fortresses. For lunch, try some local specialties at a restaurant in the city. In the evening, take the train back to Mons and enjoy dinner at Le Pain Quotidien.
​
Day 12:
Recommended transport mode: Walking
Explore the city's many parks and gardens, including the Jardin du Mayeur and the Parc du Beffroi. For lunch, try some vegetarian options at Le Pain Quotidien. In the evening, head to the Theatre Royal de Mons for a show.
​
Day 13:
Recommended transport mode: Bicycle
Rent a bicycle and take a ride through the beautiful countryside surrounding Mons. Stop for lunch at a local restaurant and try some traditional Belgian cuisine. In the evening, head back to the city and enjoy dinner at Le Pain Quotidien.
​
Day 14:
Recommended transport mode: Walking
Take a walking tour of the city's many churches and cathedrals, including the SainteElisabeth Church and the Saint-Nicolas Church. For lunch, try some vegetarian options at Le Pain Quotidien. In the evening, head to the Grand Place and enjoy a drink at one of the many bars.
​
Day 15:
Recommended transport mode: Taxi
Take a taxi to
​
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​
Weirdly, it cut off that last entry. I assume back to the airport for the flight back.
Also weirdly, it thinks I want to eat at Le Pain Quotidien every day. Which actually means "The Daily Bread" in French. The bread must be just ridiculously awesome?
It does look like the trip ought to be rather low cost, with lots of walking and biking and the occasional train. Some of the attractions look like they're low-cost, like biking in nature, visiting churches and parks and gardens. Some might be expensive like art galleries. Most of the cost, though, probably just goes to getting a hotel that is so close to the center of the city. I suppose it's worth it to get so much within walking distance.
No idea how this system works. I'm guessing it's using a generative AI model, but what it generates is based on a database of destinations and attractions and is shoe-horned into the format of a trip plan. Wonder if they trained a model from scratch or fine-tuned a model from somewhere else.
https://geniustrip.ai/

Forgive me if there’s already a guide out there, I did a search and didn’t see any. I know most people don’t actually have a business but when applying Chase asks an awful lot of questions regarding your business. Just wondering what I should put for all of the info they ask for. For the record, I could claim maybe I sell occasional stuff on eBay, but I rarely do. I legit am trying to fix up em homes to sell/rent, and my angle was I wanted a hotel card for checking out homes, but haven’t gotten anywhere with that goal yet so I can’t really put business income. Any pointers?
EDIT: also, is this route much less impactful to future loans since it won’t go on personal credit score (minus the HI)? Curious if this is my best choice in case I need any loans in the near future (home/auto refi etc), avoid homeowners increase due to new accounts, stay below 5/24, etc.

I will be traveling to Chicago via the Midway airport. I'll get in before 8 AM but no hotel room until the afternoon. I can't find anything on the airport website saying whether or not they rent luggage lockers. If not, does anyone know a place in that area I might be able to securely store a duffel bag for 4-6 hours? I'll be walking around so I don't want to have it on me for both comfortability and liability.