I’m worried, if I bring my hand up to the side of my face, will I feel a seam? Will it tell me exactly how much I really love her?
Before I go on I want to say I’m still absolutely in love with Hailey. It’s just that I’m not entirely comfortable with this last TikTok challenge. I want to give all of myself to her, I really do, but I’m just worried that it’s too much too fast. I guess I’ve never felt this kind of love before so I don’t know how to handle it.
“Can I bite your arm? I want to see if I can make you bleed.”
That was the first challenge that started down the slippery slope. She’d been on TikTok for a while already and had tons of followers, but she’d gotten into a community that was all about challenges recently. Before that she was mostly into making dance videos. She’s one of those people who moves hypnotically. It’s like she’s not even trying. I still sometimes scroll back to those videos.
But she’s also a person who can’t be contained. She has to push the boundaries of society, of what art can accomplish. She’s a wild fire.
Of course I let her sink her teeth into me. It took me a minute to steel myself for it, but we did it. And since it was on camera I even let the screams out. I have a high pain tolerance, but that nearly did me in.
Half an hour later though, she was already dejected. “I hate her,” she said.
“Who?” I asked.
“********1987, she completed the challenge before we did. It was all for nothing!”
My arm was still throbbing, but I could understand her disappointment. She puts so much of herself out there for her fans, only to see someone else beat her out by a few minutes and to steal the glory. Imagine how many followers she would have gotten if she was the first to do it.
“I’m sorry I hesitated,” I said.
“Do you really love me at all?” she asked.
When I went to the minor emergency after my arm swelled up the doctor looked at me like I was a lunatic. He unwrappend the yellow towel I’d wrapped my arm with, carefully unsticking the mess from my skin. “You did this for a TikTok challenge?”
I nodded my head.
“You need to get off that app before it kills you.”
I came in for medical treatment, not life advice, I wanted to tell him. But whatever. Most people can’t understand how meaningful it is to create this kind of content — Hailey is really pushing things to their limits. I mean, I’m not the one creating the content, but being part of it — being a part of her journey — is literally the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done with my life.
Anyways, the swelling went down with the antibiotics, so I was fine.
Still, I sometimes missed the innocent pranks we’d pull, like when we ran through the big box store in green track suits and masks knocking down all the displays and merchandise we could before bolting out the back door. The security guard was so pissed he couldn’t catch us. You might have seen the clip of his face — it went viral. Yeah, that was us. I mean, that was Hailey, but I helped.
Or there was the prank where we broke into a person’s house at night and waited in their closet until they got up to go to the bathroom, then we stole all their pillows and blankets and escaped out the window. That was a masterpiece. I still wonder what they did after that happened. Like, what would you think if you got back to bed and all the bedding disappeared like that? I’d be so freaked out.
I wish we could go back to things like that.
“I want you ring finger,” she told me.
“Like, you want to get married?” I asked.
“No, not yet. It’s for a video. Like, it’s a way you can show that you truly love me. We cut your finger off, and I’ll get it preserved, and if we decide to get married some day we’ll get it reattached.”
I would have said yes. A million times I would have said yes, even though we’d only been together less than a year.
“But, I need my finger for other things. It’ll be hard to type.”
“Do you really love typing that much? Come on, you love me enough, don’t you? I need this for my channel. Think of how many subscribers I’ll get! There’s no way any of the other girls will be able to win this challenge. They don’t have anyone who loves them like you love me.”
I got used to typing with nine digits. It’s ridiculous I was worried to begin with. It’s not like I spend all day in front of a laptop. And this time I told the doctor it was a freak accident with a lawn mower. He looked skeptical, but didn’t give me any grief about social media.
When I got home though Hailey wasn’t happy to see me. Her eyes had lost their bubbly joy and had turned venomous. “She beat us again.”
“********1987?”
“Yeah, her boyfriend let her chop off his ring finger AND his index finger. He loves her more than you could ever love me.”
She was distant for the next few weeks. Some days I’d wake up and she’d be gone making videos and I wouldn’t see her until I awakened in the middle of the night to her slithering into bed. I saw her post some dancing videos and wondered if she was getting out of the challenge video scene. In one video she was doing one of those K-Pop dances on a crowded sidewalk and a guy made an obscene gesture in front of the camera.
What a main character. I couldn’t believe someone would have that gall. Can’t he see she’s making art? Bystanders had to pry her off of him, but I could tell before the video cut out that he’d regretted his choice from the bleeding scratch marks clawed into his face.
I understood the importance of the challenge videos. It was so deeply meaningful to accomplish something first before anyone else could complete it. But she looked so happy when she danced.
“Do you even love me at all?” she asked me.
I brought her hands over my still unhealed finger gap. “I would give you all my fingers if it would prove my love.”
The next morning I woke up to a new sign on our door. It was the “ducks crossing” sign from our favorite park. A momma duck crossed the road and four ducklings followed her in down coats. We had one of our first dates at that park and kissed under that sign.
I cried a little. Maybe we weren’t doomed.
I called around and found a couples therapist with openings. I’m not the sort of person who likes to talk about my problems, but I thought if Hailey wanted to I’d be willing to work out any issues with someone to help.
“I don’t need to talk about my feelings,” she said when I brought up the idea.
“Then what do you need?”
“You know, when we got together and I was totally obsessed with you, I thought ‘This is it. This is the happiness I’ve been waiting for.’ I’d see you smiling lips and I’d fill up with this big feeling until I thought I was about to burst, and I thought I wanted that to be a part of me. But it wasn’t enough. Then my channel exploded and I thought ‘This is it. This is the feeling I’ve been waiting for.’ But that wasn’t enough either. I still have this void inside me. I need more.”
She went to the kitchen and grabbed to glasses. “These are us.” She pushed them together. “If I could just push them together so hard they became one glass, if I could just push us together like that, then I would know you really love me.” As she pushed the glasses together harder one of them shattered and sliced her hand open.
A week later she came home with the scalpel.
“There’s a new challenge I want to try. If you do it then I’ll know you truly love me.”
“But what if one of the other creators does it first?”
“They won’t. Remember, their boyfriends don’t love them like you love me.”
She explained how it worked. She’d give me a sleeping drug before bed, and if I chose to complete the challenge all I had to do is leave the scalpel by the bedstand and she’d do the rest while I slept. She’d take the knife and carefully cut the skin from my face and make a mask out of it. That way she could wear me any time she wanted. I’d truly be a part of her. If I didn’t want to complete the challenge I’d set the scalpel on the floor and I’d never see her again.
My grogginess is all encompassing. I can't remember what I chose.
“But will you think I’m ugly without my face?” I remember asking.
“Whenever I look at you I’ll only be able to see love.”
“Will it hurt?”
She brushed my stubble with the blunt end of the scalpel and left the room.
I’m so afraid to touch my face, to feel for the point when it either goes on, or doesn’t. What if I chose wrong? What if I didn’t love her enough?

Discord Username: justinkayce#3226
Character Name and House: Ser Roland Stone (Arryn), in service to House Coldwater
Age: 28
Appearance: There is a noble air to Roland Stone. Of average height, perhaps a little shorter, he nonetheless has a presence that is surprising in a bastard knight of of of the Vale's smallest and most isolated holdings. He is a handsome man, square-jawed, quick to smile with the crinkles around the eye to match it, but with the ruddier and slightly pox-scarred complexion one expects to see in the smallfolk and the lower knight. He wears his light brown hair long and his beard cropped short; both well-maintained and neat, for Roland is a fastidious man as expected from a pious and consecrated Knight. The beard serves double duty to hide the embarrassing scars, a source of deep humiliation for him now he moves amidst the nobility. He wears the Coldwater colours proudly; Lord Coldwater has done well by him, and he repays the service eagerly in kind.
Gift: Duelist
Skills: Swords (M), Knightly, Riding
Talent(s): Singing, Hawking, Scouting
Starting Title(s): A Knight of Coldwater Burn
Starting Location: King's Landing
Family Tree: https://www.familyecho.com/?p=P7TW6&c=khpky5jdfl&f=319319579603091879
Alternate Characters: -

Timeline

• 179 AC: Roland Stone is born to Jessamyn Coldwater, sire unknown. Jessamyn is sent to the Gulltown Motherhouse, and Roland given to the Coldwater Burn Sept.
• 180-188 AC: A foundling of the Faith in one of the Vale's smallest and isolated towns, Roland is effectively raised as a son by Septon Caradoc, a largely ineffective and untrained Septon, but kind hearted and good, traits he impresses upon Roland from an early age. While no raging zealot, raised in the shadow of the Faith, Roland cannot help but be a pious, proper, child.
• 189 AC: While helping Septon Caradoc attend to some of the townsfolk when a slight epidemic cuts through Coldwater Burn, Roland catches a pox. He survives, but the pox-scars along his jaw are a source of embarrassment, even as an adult.
• 190-191 AC: As Roland enters his preteen years he began to grow into his strength, marked by the physical labour required to maintain a Sept. Unsurprisingly, the 'Septon's Son' is picked on by other urchins and orphans in the town for his holier-than-thou attitude. His strength helps him in the brawls that break out; being outnumbered doesn't. Between the fights, Roland's struggle to accept the life of a boy in the Faith, and more… secretive factors, Septon Caradoc arranges for Roland to be squire under a household knight under Lord Coldwater, Ser Reginalt Bran. Roland is both thrilled and heartbroken; he never truly stops dreaming of his potential life as a Septon, helping the people directly.
• 192-197 AC: Ser Reginalt is a skilled knight and teacher, but a harsh taskmaster, and is determined to best out Roland's 'common speak'. Roland is forced to learn the brusque airs and graces of a Knight in service to Lords. Reginalt is no layabout household guard; he actively guards the borders of the isolated Coldwater Burn against bandit, pirate, and clansfolk, and Roland feels as if he spends more time ahorse than not. These constant patrols also reveal a nuance to the clansfolk that Roland did not expect; that Reginalt spends as much time talking and bartering with clansfolk as slaying them gives him a healthy cynicism of the sort of tales told to drive one people against another. He also is occasionally taken to tourneys in the Vale where he meets other squires; and is once again unsurprisingly sneered at, this time for being a gutter rat with airs. Roland especially develops a healthy mutually distaste for the heir to Runestone, Robin Royce, due to their clashing personalities; something Reginalt soundly beats him for.
• 198 AC: Roland is knighted at the age of ten and nine for defending a travelling merchant, after racing ahead of the patrol to engage the clansfolk before they can slay the merchant. He kills three and is almost killed himself, and is only knighted after a half hour dressing down by Reginalt. On his return to Coldwater Burn, Roland is anointed by Caradoc personally.
• 199-201 AC: Roland earns name as one of the truest knights in the Northern Vale, let alone Coldwater Burn. In 201, Coldwater Burn receives a surprise visit from Ser Albar Arryn, heir to the Vale, Knight of a Generation. The two men share a discussion on a moonlit battlement and Ser Albar leaves the Coldwater bastard with a mark of his respect; a silver ring in the shape of a falcon’s talon. The news of Albar's sudden death, ambushed by clansfolk, soon after affects Roland deeply.
• 202-204 AC: The Remonstrance, the defiant death of Albar’s daughter Jeyne Arryn at the hands of the clansfolk, shocks all of the Vale to its core. Coldwater rallies to Runestone, with Ser Roland helping lead their forces. The ‘war’ is a disaster; Ser Reginalt is killed in an ambush after bad orders from Gilwood Royce. When Robin Royce is taken captive and Gilwood left dying, Roland is one of the only ones to voice his desire to help rescue the Runestone heir, even with their personal grudge. With his dying breaths, Gilwood Royce entrusts Lamentation upon the Coldwater Knight and entreats him to save his son. Roland does so, in turn being saved by Robin upon their joint escape back to their forces. The two grow close, and Roland helps Robin finally win the war.
• 205-207 AC: Roland’s name is known across the Vale for his actions; he is even received at the Eyrie and commended for his efforts, but offers to join the Eyrie’s household knights are rejected, as Roland owes his home. He returns to Coldwater Burn to take up the responsibilities that Ser Reginalt had held before; but this time with respect, name, and friends.

AC

Character Name and House: Alfred Arryn
Age: 46
Appearance: The High Steward is all harsh lines and nasty angles. Witheringly tall, and fair enough to have been leeched of colour with his ash-blonde hair and grey-blue eyes, Alfred Arryn perfectly looks the part of the supercilious aristocrat he has built himself to be. His nose arches fiercely, his cheekbones cut out proudly, and line mark his drooping eyes and quirked mouth. Whether his constant expression of bemused half-smile is a smirk or a sneer is hard to say.
Gift: Thrifty
Skills: Architect, Espionage, Covert
Talent(s): Calligraphy, Dancing, Witty Bonne-Mottes
Starting Title(s): High Steward of the Vale and Keeper of the Gates of the Moon
Starting Location: King's Landing

Timeline

• 161 AC: Alfred Arryn is born, grandson of Isembard the Gilded Falcon. Isembard's coup of the Vale ultimately failed due to the unification of the nobility against him, and the sympathetic Greens in King's Landing eventually giving up when they concluded an upjumped merchant wasn't worth the effort. The Gulltown Arryns at least maintain a large measure of wealth, and Alfred Arryn is raised in luxury with the poison of his grandfather's ambitions constantly dripped in his ear.
  
• 179 AC: After two years spent at the Citadel studying money, accounts, and arithmetic, with two links forged, Alfred returns to Gulltown. He strikes up a relationship of mutual respect with Lord Albard Arryn, who gives him responsibility over customs and the harbours in Gulltown. He proves competent, practical, and open to just the right amount of bribery.
  
• 187 AC: Through their joint machinations, Albard helps Alfred get named High Steward of the Vale and Keeper of the Gates. Alfred uses this new-found authority and name to win a marriage with Shaera Velaryon, daughter of the Lord of the Tides, partly in exchange for favourable trade rights.
  
• 195 AC: Jason Arryn begins to falter in his age. A war of influence begins in the Eyrie between Alfred and Albar. Unfortunately, Albar Arryn is a paramount knight, not a politician, and he doesn't even really realise he's fighting it. Continued deaths in the Arryn family and Jason's inability act stir Alfred's ambitions. He begins constructing a web of conspiracy at a level that puts even his grandfather to shame.
  
• 201 AC: Plans come to fruitions. Clansfolk armed and armoured. Bribes to bandits made. The right people silenced. First falls Albar Arryn in a mysterious and sudden bandit ambush while on patrol. Then, the Remonstrance, the clansfolk falling on Jeyne Arryn as she makes her way through the Mountains of the Moon. The 'war' that follows is lengthened and made bloody by both Gilwood Royce's incompetence... and Alfred manipulating matters from the inside.
  
• 205 AC: The dust of war clears, and the House of Arryn lies almost dead; its survivors are, seemingly, only the decrepit Lord Jason and the young traumatised Roslyn. Alfred is closer than ever to the High Seat, and now practically rules the Vale in all but name.
  

NPCs:
Lord Jason Arryn (82) - Courtly

• The ancient Lord of the Vale, Lord Jason Arryn was once considered one of the greatest statesman in the realm. The man who bound the Vale back to the Crown, who fixed the wounds of the Dance, turned his back on the Blacks to serve as Hand to Maelor I and Aemond I both. Few men have commanded the respect of the Lord of the Vale; but now age has its claws around him. Now memories are fog, faces are strangers, and the world is a cold and frightening place.

Maester Adelard (31) - Scholar

• Through and through is the new Maester of the Eyrie the tool of Alfred Arryn. It is amazing how well one can corrupt the incorruptible with a judicious amount of well-placed funds.

So... I've been writing a personal story, and it surrounds Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino. A few friends I showed them to said I should share them in the community - I don't know if this is the place to share them, but I thought... May as well. They include my interpretations of the songs as well.
A hotel owner who takes her place as the receptionist... And is also looking for stories to write about, inspiration for her science fiction novels. A lover who decides to not give into is darker, more lustful desires, instead waiting for his lover's calls. A friend who's concerned about what's going on through experience, a friend who's concerned through context. A distant acquaintance that shares the feeling with the lounge singer about still fantasizing about each other from time to time, and that feeling is mutual with other young men. A young lady who is happy to find comfort in the hotel owner's world. Friends that are happy about the new world they can experience. The tales of Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino. (A description for a story inside of a story.)
Star Treatment: This number is the first we hear at the location. It sets the scene as the hotel and casino is a lovely, calm place that the owner has created and started for her friends. We find out the owner has also become the lounge singer, starting a 'cover' band called 'The Martini Police'. This song also makes some references to Science Fiction properties, which the lounge singer loves... We find out the hotel has been opened for everyone... And anyone. The lounge singer puts on a show for her friends, weaving metaphors together, a signature of her work. She even says she just wanted to be like the members of a band, maybe foreshadowing... Her friends look on, happy she's singing. She also makes reference to the fact that she wants to haunt the one she loves and hopes it's okay, but they're in a tough spot... For now. In fact, that may change, everyone's enjoying the residency, which the Lounge Singer even refers to the place as her 'Make-Belive Residency'. And she, along with everyone love it.
One Point Perspective - The Lounge Singer now sings to a much smaller crowd. Her friends that are much closer to her... She lists her intentions, past and present... Everything from starting the 'Cover Band', talkinh about a stunning documentary only she saw, and asking everyone to bear with her, she's losing her train of thought... She says that she's played to quiet rooms like this before, and while there's an element of sadness, she's really just glad and grateful she has friends to talk and sing to about her thought, no matter how random or existential they are. She likes reflection, no matter how small her perspective is... For now.
American Sports - This song is from the perspective of The Concerned Friend From Experience. He's friends with The Hotel Owner, but he's experienced strange visions and dreams that he suspects are tied to the hotel. He reflects on thoughts he keeps to himself, and perhaps he's not the only one having these visions... There may be some overlap with others. He never tells anyone these thoughts, for that's not what his peers are there for. He then makes a snide comment about explosive visions, similar to the American Sports he loves, plays, and sees others just outside playing.
Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino - This song is once again sung by the Lounge Singer. The Hotel Owner has now decided to take her rightful place as the receptionist - Little does she know the consequences... She reflects on everything the place means to her, guiding her friends along this place, to custom rooms and architecture she can't help but adore. She invites the young man she loves to kiss him, and asks her friends what she can do for them. She asks them to let loose, maybe even let their darksides out to play... Something the hotel and casino is trying to bring out. There's also an ominous buzzing and red light, something The Receptionist is trying to figure out why... Something's being hidden, but why? This is her hotel and casino...
Anyways: This track shows exactly why The Hotel Owner takes so much comfort and pride in the hotel and casino, despite the looming visions and possible dangers her friends are sharing - she needs a break from her real life. She reflects on her popular status, and how that has affected what she overshares and overthinks while vacuuming. She comes to sit down in an empty room, and this is the only song not performed in front of anyone else. She just wants to show who she really is, and thanks everyone who's stuck around with her. Being her isn't easy, she has so much to deal with, which others barely take time to think of, just trying to change the conversation to 'Anyways'. The number ends with one of her friends entering to check on her, ending the self-reflection.
Golden Trunks: Something dark is definitely happening at this place... Some people allowing their dark desires to overtake them. But why? This song is from the perspective of The Vindicated Friend. Yet as the number progresses, more voices join in, reflecting that... Everyone knows that The Lounge Singer has her eyes on someone else, he's even The Vindicated Friend's best friend. Yet... The Lounge Singer relented that it's always hard to live on, especially that now she's forgiven him. She admits that sometimes, her fantasies about the past get the better of her. Some over-sharing characteristic of her, he thinks, but he hates the fact he also does... And he's not the only one. Now... They're invited for it to become reality. But by who? The forces of the hotel and casino... Why?
Four Out Of Five: The ominous buzzing and red light has only intensified. And not just for The Receptionist. The Concerned Friend From Context has now found out the 'past' of the establishment, and now she, The Concerned Friend From Experience have gotten more rapid visions... As well as many other patrons. The Lounge Singer puts on a show for the grand opening of The Information Action Ratio, a taqueria she put on the roof of the casino. Yet, beneath her cheery vineer, she knows something is going on in the world she created, at the hotel and casino of her own making. She hates that, and wants to make everything better. She reflects on the state of the world that she doesn't want to return to, and tries to be cheeky and fun, happy to share some lovely Mexican food with her friends. Until she notices some are absent... How? Why? Why have her friends disappeared? Where have they gone?
The World's First Monster Truck Front Flip: A song that is a reflection of The Friend Who's Just Happy To Be Here. It's not that she took her friendship with The Hotel Owner for granted, but she never knew she was capable of... This! She has never had the easiest life, so being offered a getaway where all she has to do is press a button, is a happy comfort she doesn't mind to take part in. She has a lot more trust in The Hotel Owner than The Hotel Owner has in her, but the gap is being closed. There's so much for her, shows for her to see, time she can spend with her friends and her boyfriend. It doesn't matter that the hotel and casino wants her to be a little darker... After all, she's a bad girl trying to be good, happy to have a friend who supports her.
Science Fiction: The Lounge Singer indulges in her cheeky writing, and we find out she's The Aspiring Science Fiction Writer. Dark events are occuring around her, and it's not that she's oblivious, she just doesn't know the depth. She's fine to sing a complicated, multi-layer love song to The Young Man Who's Unsure If He's Even In Love. She even references the fact that him, and his other friends, probably have no idea what she's talking about. She's singing songs about hidden messages, and they're certainly staying that way.
She Looks Like Fun: As The Young Man Who's Unsure If He's Even In Love watches The Lounge Singer, he can't help but sink deeper into his lustful fantasies. He's trying his best to focus on what she's singing about, and even if she does a damn good job singing a line as ridiculous as 'Cheeseburger', he can't help but comb through memories of their past... Maybe if he was to return her feelings, things wouldn't be so bad. She's a damn good dancer, and he's not the only one who thinks so... Everyone watching her would be inclined to agree. Perhaps she would be a fun girlfriend...
Batphone: The Young Man Who's Unsure If He's Even In Love knows there's a batphone that will give him immediate, private access to The Receptionist, but is keen to wait for her to call. Batman imagery means a lot to them, and he reflects in her cheekiness. He's an introspective young man, so he reflects on everything he's never told his friends... The hotel and casino seems to have that effect on people. Another effect occurring is... Dark forces and energy around him. Something strange is going on, but he's oblivious. He's too busy making his observations that he can can only share with The Receptionist. He's chosen to not given into the lustful tendencies that the hotel and casino have called him to. He's still not committing to her, or even giving her a straight answer, but maybe she'll know he's waiting... As he thinks about what's going on in the hotel and casino, because... Come to think of it, where have some of his friends gone?
The Ultracheese: The conflict is over. All that's left is The Hotel Owner and her friends. Tranquility Base Hotel And Casino is going to close its doors temporarily, as it'll have to be re-done soon, and The Hotel Owner will have to return to reality. She thinks about the ironic death she could die, despite the fact she's immortal... Writing songs about everything she's lost, like the friends that she still thinks of, has pictures of on the wall. Those people were far from her friends, so now she's just happy that she has the friends that surround her now that lover her no matter what. She knows she's done things in the past she shouldn't have, and even apologizes for the damage that may have been caused from the hotel and casino. Her friends embrace her in a hug, and she looks out, not just to The Young Man Who's Unsure If He's Even In Love, but to all of her friends, that despite everything, especially in the past year, she's never stopped loving them. Their presence has made this sad song at least into a bittersweet one. It's the perfect way to end their summer, and the perfect bookend of their friendships.
However, even the songs that aren't primarily sung by The Lounge Singer, she still sings these songs in her dreams... These songs are their stories, but the whole thing is her story as well.

Third times a charm... right?
I've made a couple past post of going for a movie with someone.
Nothing has really come to fruition just yet, so I'm putting this out there.
🎬 Lights, camera, action! 🍿 Seeking a partner-in-crime for a low-key afternoon at the cinema.
🎬 🎬 🎬 This time: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse 🎬 🎬 🎬
(Recently discovered Landmark Cinemas has very comfortable sharable couches to cuddle up and enjoy a movie.)
About me: 37, level headed, and always up for good convos and laughs. (we'll probably need to keep it hush-hush mostly in the theatre though).
Ok so here's what I'm going to promise again and intend on keeping:
✅ No creepy vibes ✅ You're guaranteed at least one smile, although I can't guarantee if it'll be a genuine one or one of those adorable awkward smiles born out of guilt. ✅ Times are tough, so we'll have to share the drink
If you think you're a good date shoot me a msg (ps not set on the movie, open to others that are playing currently). But here's what I ask from you
🙏 Let's be grown-ups and avoid ghosting after a few introductory sentences, even if you're unsure or I suddenly turn into a conversation creeper. A simple "Sorry, I'm not feeling this" will earn you major brownie points in my book.
🚺 Please be of the female kind ✅ Hopefully you come judgement free ✅ From Vancouver, BC
That's all, beautiful Vancouver lurkers of R4R30Plus !
I'll be eagerly checking my inbox EVERY 20 minutes, hoping to find your message.
But in all seriousness, if this post is up, I'm still looking 🤷

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This is the first chapter of a short story I'm working on. Surely there will be two, or maybe three chapters, no more than that. I hope you like it, and thanks in advance for reading.
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The strong wind of the night was freezing, the trees moved abruptly creaking under their own weight, Jonha watched Kelly sleep while wondering if moving to his grandfather's farm had been a good idea, he knew nothing about crops or animals, hadn't even managed to get the heating to work, computers were his thing, not manual labor. What did he know about running a farm? What did he know about animals? What did he know about the harvest and planting seasons?
While he was immersed in his thoughts, he did not realize that the room had begun to light up slowly, but when the light became more intense, he thought that some vehicle was coming to the house. Without waking his wife, he got out of bed and went down to the front door. Looking out, he saw nothing, just the moonlit field. He decided to take a jacket and go out to make sure everything was okay, he walked around the outside of the house enduring the cold wind that hit his face and pierced the thin fabric of his pajama pants. Before going up the stairs to the porch he had fainted.
When he woke up found himself sitting alone in a metallic chair, a dim opaque light wrapped him like a cloak but he could not see its origin. The wind that had made him tremble with cold was not found, but the temperature was low. Beyond the barrier that was generated between darkness and light, nothing could be seen, although he felt that someone was watching him, no, not a someone, several someones were looking at him from the blackness, they were everywhere studying him as if they were predators, predators playing with the dinner, he couldn't make a sound, in his mind the seconds became an eternity, the muffled sounds around, the whispers, their breath occupying every inch of the shadows, terror beginning to take over his body, the tingling at the tips of his fingers, the electric shock on his back, the spasmodic contraction of his muscles, his rapid and short breathing, his dilated pupils trying to spot some figure in the blackness that surrounded him like an impenetrable nocturnal jungle, he was spinning in his place preparing for the attack from all directions, an attack he could not defend, he was dead he knew, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, he repeated in his mind, Kelly, Kelly, Kelly, turning once more he saw it, standing in front of him. It watched him with its eyes black as the moonless night, without expression, without soul, he could not contain the cry of terror that seized his throat.
Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!
The face distorted in a primitive, animalistic way as he screamed in horror, the blood froze in his veins, his heart beating so fast it seemed to have stopped, his shocked nervous system unable to do anything but keep it frozen in place. Then he fell unconscious for the second time.
When Jonha woke up, found himself in the same situation, sitting in the metal chair surrounded by impenetrable darkness and illuminated by dim light. He understood right away that wasn't a dream, hadn't imagined it. His breathing began to quicken, his pulse to rush, it was all happening again.
Relax Jonha - said a soft and calm voice - I just need to talk to you.
What the fuck are you guys! – Jonha shouted, more as a way to get rid of some of the fear that was eating him inside than to find out what was happening.
I am going to answer all your questions, we are not here to hurt you, I need you to calm down, if you wish, I can offer you drugs so that you can achieve it.
That? What are you talking about?
I was asking if you want drugs to appease your state.
I don't want anything, I just want to leave!!
At the moment it will not be possible, since I need your assistance.
I want you to let me go, now!!!
A kind of gaseous cloud moved through the place as if it had a mind of its own, focusing on being absorbed by the panicked human. Jonha began to feel more serene and focused, his fear dissipating like mist on a warm morning, he saw everything clearer. If he answered the questions of these beings he could buy time to escape or they could even let him go.
How do you feel now Jonha? - asked the voice from the dark
Better thanks. Why am I here?
I need to ask you some questions, after you answer them, you will return with your partner Jonha.
Questions?
Yes Jonha, it's an interview that won't take more than a couple of hours. At the end you will be left in the same place where we found you.
How can I be sure you are telling the truth?
I have no reason to hurt you Jonha, and if I did, I would have already done it. Also, you don't have any type of ties, I want you to be as comfortable as possible. I apologize for introducing myself to you Jonha, I understand that my appearance upset you, and upset is the least I want you to be. That's why I'll stay here, out of your sight.
So just a few questions and then you gonna let me go?
That's right Jonah.
So let's get started, the faster we do it the faster I'm going to go. it isn't ?
Very good. I need you to say your name and date of birth Jonha.
My name is Jonha Taylor, I was born on June 3, 1989.
What is your occupation Jonha?
I am a software engineer.
What is your partner's name and date of birth, Jonha?
What does she have to do with all this?
I need you to answer, please Jonha.
No. She has nothing to do with all this.
I need you to answer Jonha.
Why is it so important that I talk about her?
It's part of the interview.
I'm not going to talk about her, and why do you repeat my name so much?
We have found that repeating the interviewee's name reduces disagreement and aggression, while helping the interviewees to cooperate and relax Jonha.
Let me tell you, your findings are shit. I don't know anyone who is reassured by hearing his name repeated 100 times in 5 minutes. Do you want me to calm down and help you?!!!
It is the reason why we are here Jonha.
OK. First, you have to stop saying my name every other word. And second, let's make a deal, I answer your questions and you answer my questions.
After a silence that seemed like a century, the voice answered - Okay Jonha.
Where I am? Why am I here?
You are in an interrogation room, you are here because we need to ask you some questions. Now I need your partner's name and date of birth.
Her name is Jenny Smith, she was born on October 4, 1992.
That's not true. If you want to return you need to be honest.
I'm being honest.
We can take all the time you want until you tell the truth.
Why do you need to know about her?
Like I said it's part of the interview. Please answer the question honestly.
Okay, her name is Ceallaigh Taylor, she was born on May 18, 1990.
How long have they been a couple?
About 7 years I think. Where exactly are we?
As I already mentioned, in an interrogation room that has been specifically designed for that purpose. What is your favorite food?
The question completely interrupted Jonha's train of thought, his mind went blank and he could only stare into the darkness, forming a surprised expression and being completely honest, looking pretty stupid.
What do you mean, what is my favorite food?!!
I mean what is the food that you most enjoy consuming.
Jonha needed a moment to think about the answer, there were several culinary options that he enjoyed, pizza, no, no, pizza was something that he enjoyed when he was young. Fried chicken? no, lately it had generated several episodes that ended in long hours sitting on the porcelain throne. Lasagna, of course lasagna, Kelly made a wonderful lasagna and accompanied it with an exquisite bolognese.
Lasagna with bolognese sauce that my wife makes, I don't understand what significance this has. And I know I'm in an interrogation room, what I mean is where is this interrogation room?
In my ship - answered the voice calmly.
In your ship? what ship? Where are we?
We are in what you would call a spaceship, orbiting the planet.
Orbiting the planet? what planet? – Jonha asked, afraid of the answer.
We are orbiting the planet.
Does that mean you are an alien? Was I abducted by an alien? No, that is impossible.
Denial in a situation like this is completely normal, if you wish you can run and try find a way out, or we can provide a droid for you to violently attack. The choice is yours.
How can I know that this is true? Maybe, you are a bunch of crazy looneys who enjoy kidnapping people and asking them food questions!!!
If you wish I can prove to you that I am telling the truth.
How?
Slowly to Jonha's left the darkness gave way to a blurry light at first, but then more defined. A kind of observatory appeared next to him, revealing the outside. There it was, the planet in all its magnificence, the atmosphere gave it a halo of timelessness. He could see the Amazon, then Patagonia, Antarctica, the vast oceans, Australia. Without a doubt, that was earth.
​
......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

“Come on it’ll be fun.” Jamie says and runs ahead, his bobbing flashlight the only thing Nova can see in the unlit cave. Nova really dosen’t want to be here but decides to suck it up for Jamie. He has run so far that his flashlight is now out of sight. Suddenly very afraid of the dark space shes in, Nova flicks on her flashlight and runs after Jamie, imagining all the unseen things that could be hidden in the darkness. “Hey,” shouts Nova, “slow down Jamie” She slams into something and for a second thinks her heart is going to rip through her chest. “Hey, watch it.” Jamie– whos flashlight is, for some reason, off –says in an eerie voice “You never know what could be lurking around in here.” “Why the hell would you say that.” Nova’s done trying to please him, she just wants to leave and says so to Jamie. He just laughs and replies, “Don’t be chicken. Whens the next time we’ll be able to do something like this.” “I don’t ever want to do something like this again. I didn’t even want to do this.” “But you told me you were excited for today. Why’d you lie?” He sounds hurt and Nova curses herself for saying anything. However, before she gets the chance to respond Jamie tells her to turn off her flashlight. “No way in hell.” is Nova's responce to this insane idea. “Only for a minute, I want to experience pitch black.” “Why should I?” “Because you owe it to me for only pretending to be excited.” Jamie says. His feelings are obviously hurt and Nova feels bad but not enough to turnoff her flashlight. Plus, she only lied to make him happy. She couldn’t bare to shut down his excitement when he eagerly told her about this long tunnel like cave in the mountains. Frankly, he should be the one apologizing, he knows she has a fear of the dark and nevertheless suggested this five day backpacking trip. They had hiked here in two days, setting up camp when the sun fell. Earlier today, Jamie woke her up and paced impatiently while she got ready for the day. Getting ready consisted of changing in a freezing tent, brushing her teeth and eating a protein bar for breakfast. They then hiked 10 miles to the cave and left their bulky backpacks at the mouth of the cave. When Nova still dosen’t turn off her flashlight Jamie deseraptly says, “Please, Nova” in such a despairing voice that Nova has no choice but to listen. She turns her flashlight off with a click and suddenly they are surrounded by the murky darkness that was pierced by the light before. A few minutes later Nova is actually starting to feel somewhat peaceful when a voice echos down the cave from the way they came, “Nova, where did you go?” the voice is Jamie’s. Ice cold terror runs through Nova because that can’t be Jamie, he’s standing beside her. Right? “You heard that too, right Jamie?” She asks quietly and when he doesn't answer she breaks into a cold sweat. She still hears her naming echoing down the cave and knows it’s not her imagination. “Who’s that, Jamie?” she shakily asks. She knows he’s still there because she can feel his cold breath running down her neck. Yet, he still dosen’t answer her, only breaths heavily from behind. She’s struck with the horrifying idea that maybe the person behind her isn’t actually Jamie. More streaks of fear run through her bones and she knows what she has to do to put her mind at ease. Trembling, she turns around and raises the flashlight towards the Jamie with her. Summoning all her might she flips the on switch. It takes a few seconds to adjust to the sudden brightness, but when her squinting eyes finally do, she wishes she had never turned it on. Standing in front of her is a jet black scaley creature. Its the same size as a human, maybe a little taller, but that’s where the similarities stop. Dark, red eyes with slits for pupils leer into her soul and it’s mouth spreads out in a smile that stretches from one ear to the other, revealing vicious sharp teeth that reflect against the light. “You never know what could be lurking around in here.” the creature snarls in a strident gravelly voice. Nova can’t move. Can’t think. Can’t run. Can’t escape. Her eyes are glued on the creature as it moves even closer towards her, it’s bone crack with every step. Nova finally gains some movement and closes her eyes just as the creature extends it’s creaking neck and opens its huge smiling mouth around Nova’s head before abruptly snapping its jaw closed. --- *Where the hell is she?* Jamie thinks, calling Nova’s name over and over while walking deeper and deeper into the stuffy cave. Earlier he stopped to tie his shoes and the next thing he knew she was running down the cave. He assumes she’s playing a prank on him, as unlikely as that seems, that’s the best explanation Jamie can come up with. Maybe his plan to cure her fear of the dark actually worked. Its a futile thought but what else is he supposed to think when his cautious fiancée goes sprinting down a dark cave he knew she didn’t even want to be in. Yes, he knew she was only pretending to be excited about this trip for him, but he hoped it would be able to break her out of her “I have to be 100% safe” attitude. A more logical idea comes to him– she’s hiding to prove that things can go wrong. Prior to entering the cave he told her they had to stick together in case one of them got hurt. *Oh my god, what if she’s hurt.* He’s increasingly cursing himself for bringing her here. Along with the rising worry comes anger. He knows secretly planning to cure her fears was a mean thing to do but why does she have to choose now to get back at him. A loud snapping sound breaks him out of his thoughts and he shudders as the displaced sound echos off the cave walls toward him. “Okay, Nova, you proved your point.” Jamie shouts angrily “We can go back now. I won’t make you do anything like this again. After this you can stay inside all day, worrying about irrational notions and never doing anything fun!” A slurping sound and thump answer his voice. Okay, this really isn’t like Nova. He at least expected her to yell back and call him an asshole. Unease replaces his anger and Jamie wearily calls out Nova’s name one more time, he hates the way his voice wavers like a scrawny kid trying to stand up to a bully. “Jamie, finally your here.” Her voice is muffled and he can tell she’s eating something even though he strictly told her not to bring food into the cave because it could attract wild animals. Although, he also told her to always stay with him which she violated so I guess he shouldn’t be surprised. Jamie’s heart fills with relief and he hurries toward Novas voice. “You scared me…” his voice trails off when he notice’s a red liquid running along the limestone floor. “Are you hurt? I told you to stay with me…. Hey, Nova, why aren’t you answering.” And exactly like Nova before, Jamie makes the mistake of shining his flashlight on the creature. Any remaining courage abandons his body when his eyes take in the nauseating scene ahead. It’s kneeling over Nova’s lifeless body, its clawed hands are wrapped around her torso, digging into her back. The beasts head is down, ripping through the beautiful skin covering her stomach. The wet slurping sound is repulsing. Jamie feels like he’s going to throw up or faint, probably both. Blood trails out of the many gashes scattered along Nova’s body. The worst part of this scene though, is her head; or lack of it. Where her once beautiful face was is now gone, all gone. He will never again look into her soft hazel eyes. He will never again see her shining smile or hear her heavenly laugh. He will never again caress her soft skin or run his hands through her silky hair. There’s so many never again’s. No, this can’t be true, she can’t be gone, not the love of his life, his soulmate, his everything. Jamie’s legs give out beneath him but he can barely feel his knees split open against the grinding rock floor. The words repeat in his head: *Never again. My everything. Never again. My everything.* They are still looping in his head when the scaly creature finally lifts it’s head. It’s mouth spreads wide, showing off it’s spiky, now bloodstained, teeth. “It’s all your fault,” Nova’s silvery voice flow’s out of the creature’s ugly mouth, “you killed me.” It’s sinful crimson eyes roll bad into it’s head with a squelching sound. What appears is a black glob of something that starts to ooze a tar like substance out of it’s eye sockets. Behind the big blob of inky black something starts to appear. What Jamie sees when the last of the black liquid is gone make’s rage erupt in his head and with a boost of adrenaline, he lunge’s at the scaled creature, screaming. A sharp pain explodes in his chest and he looks down at the clawed hand buried in him. “You never know what could be lurking around in here.” the creature say’s in Nova’s silvery voice and opens it’s huge mouth, showing endless rows of sharp teeth. The last thing Jamie see’s is Nova’s beautiful eyes staring out of the beasts hideous face. ---
*“It has been eight days since 19 year old Nora Patterman and 22 year old Jamie Goldloc left for a backpacking trip somewhere in the rockies and never returned. Family and friends of this couple are asking anyone with information to reach out. Nora was last seen wearing a dark blue raincoat, black cargo pants and brown hiking boots. She is 5’8”, 120 pounds, has dark, long hair and hazel eyes. Jamie was wearing a black raincoat, gray sweatpants and brown hiking boots. He’s 6’1”, muscular with a weight of 180 pounds, has blond, short hair and green eyes. They were each carrying a large blue hiking backpack and drove to the start point of their hike in a black Ford Ranger. If see- * *“Oh, wait. Yes, Jackie? Okay….Okay. Thanks. A new development in this case was just released. Police Officials are saying they found the two lovers backpacks outside a cave. No other information regarding the location of the cave has been released at this time, but Officer John Cloose, of the RCMP, says they will be going into the cave. It is said they heard the voices of both Nora and Jamie asking for help deep within.”*

I gave my oc a dual semblance but im trying to make it plausible.
Gol clipse was born to a tribe of people residing in the southern part of Sanus(or vytal or the island south of mistral. i havent decided yet).
Within the tribe people are always born with a semblance of either light or darkness. The people of th tribe are also experts in grimm by trade. Gol was born with his twin brother silva and was incredibly sickly and weak from birth. The tribe has an odd superstition(which is actually backed by a history of occurrences) where if twins are ever born: should both live beyond the age of 10 a great calamity shall befall the tribe(which has happend in the past). The last time it happened they got swept up in the great war and were nearly wiped out by grimm.
Not knowing this upon their ninth birthday they were terrified to hear that only one of them could live and were forced to fight each other for their lives. Everyone expected silva to survive. Gol not willing to grab his blade watched as silva held his breath. As he passed out he slit his own throat to prevent his semblance from activating (light regeneration).
With only a brief pause the adults cut open silva's chest, pulled out his heart, and force fed it to Gol. This was to have the twins return to being one. In this act gol awakened his semblance: Shadow but he also obtained his brother's semblance: shine, merging the two into one Shine and shadow. His brother's semblance allowed him to heal himself making him no longer sickly and frail.

(Garch walks through the portal and finds herself in a forest, she walks around the forest, the sounds of songbirds and skittering of the animals surrounding her, all seems peaceful as Garch just keeps walking around, until she sees some purple dust flying through the breeze, Garch following it to find a purple owl flying through the air, Garch dashing to grab it as she absorbs its energy)
Kyubi: You know, I was worried you forgot why you were here!
Garch: Calm down, I’ll do this quick, we just need to find the champion now
(Garch keeps walking through the forest, eventually hearing humming, sneaking around and hiding behind a tree, sneaking a man in purple watering some flowers, before going down to feed a nearby squirrel, eventually turning to the tree Garch is hiding behind)
Mage: Come now spirit, I don’t bite, is something troubling you?
(Garch goes to walk forward towards Mage, the owl on her shoulder, Mage looking surprised at this)
Mage: … sigh very well…
(Mage pulls out his magicians rod and raises vines from under Garch, wrapping around Garch and dragging her underground)
Mage: I wish it didn’t need to be this way
(The earth starts to shake under Mage as Garch flies out of the ground, going to rain down rocks onto Mage, who then uses electricity to fire at Garch and paralyze her, bringing her to the ground, Mage then pulling metal deep from the ground and creating a cage around Garch)
Mage: There, now then, are you ready to talk?
(Garch tries to move, but finds herself still paralyzed)
Mage: I suppose not then, Mrs. Lord, we don’t need to fight, let us talk
Garch: You may not need to fight
(Garch uses her water magic to manipulate her blood, getting herself up as she punches the cage open, jumping out and readying herself)
Garch: But I do!
(Garch manifests the owl as she holds her hand forward, plants rising from the ground and ingraining themselves into Mage, Mage then using a tree by manipulating its wood and knocking Garch away, going to slam the tree on her, Garch then uses her own control over wood to hold back the tree, they struggle over control, suddenly though, Garch controls the light around Mage and condenses it, turning it to a flashbang that stuns Mage, Garch then controls the tree and slams it into Mage, aiming for the head as Mage dissipates, Garch getting back up)
Garch: Alright then, let’s get going
Kyubi: You got it red!
(Another portal is opened as Garch walks through it, as it closes, a few minutes pass, and a new portal opens that a the hunter girl and her bear walks through the portal)
???: Damnit! We weren’t even close!
(The bear whimpers at this, the hunter going down to pet the bear, comforting him)
???: Hey now, it’s not your fault, I’ve got a better idea
(The hunter goes to open another portal)
???: They want me to try and catch the girl as she goes along, but I’ve got a better idea
(The girl and bear go to walk through the portal)

Coming face to face with people in suits always makes me hyper-aware of how badly I dress. Since I knew I was going to meet up with Mary Markov today, I intentionally put some more effort into my appearance. I picked out a pressed shirt to wear over my leggings. Since it was far too big for me, I threw my wide yellow belt into the mix. Thus satisfied, I called up Elijah Carter and asked whether he wanted to come along. He agreed readily enough so I had him pick me up and drive us over to Mary's office. It was nowhere near the hospital and not in the vicinity of her news channel headquarters either. It was located in a slate gray concrete building that was quite confusing to look at.
No outside observer could have mistaken it for a residential house, for there was hardly a less homely or comfortable place imaginable. It was utterly repellent in its rough, dreary nature. It couldn't have belonged to some kind of business either, though. There were no marked parking spaces for employees, no signs or advertisements. Altogether, it reminded me of something out of a cheap or unfinished video game.
"Sketchy," Eli remarked, eyeing the slab of concrete with a similar lack of enthusiasm. "Looks almost abandoned. How weirdly fitting for a semi-secret government operation."
I nodded. The warm air had taken me by surprise and I found the weight of my jacket suffocating, so I took it off to leave in the car. "What is it?" I asked, noticing the way Elijah squinted at my outfit.
"What are you wearing?"
"Clothes."
"You don't say." He snorted. "Looking kinda funny there, Shirley."
"I look professional," I corrected him.
"I suppose." He grinned to himself. "Depends on the profession, though."
We rang the bell and a highly official-looking security guard let us in through the heavy double doors after confirming that Mary Markov was expecting us. He gave the necessary directions, sending us down several flights of stairs. The better part of the building was in fact underground, like with an iceberg. Eli made a remark about how it'd be safer if outsiders weren’t allowed to roam the place by themselves. It seems to be a habit of his to vaguely analyze and point out flaws in the structures of government institutions. Then again, maybe it's just flaws in general he's fascinated with.
Upon arriving outside Mary's office, we were called inside to find her sitting behind her desk. She lifted her head, giving us a polite, if cold, smile. "Good morning. You're on time. Wonderful."
"Would you please give me an honest appraisal of my outfit?" I asked.
The newsreader frowned in confusion, her eyes briefly roaming my form. "You put effort into your appearance today," she concluded. "It's appreciated."
"Wait, what do you mean today?" I inquired.
"Note also how she did not actually answer your question," Elijah added.
I huffed, flinging myself into one of the chairs in front of Mary's desk. Eli sat down beside me, folding his hands in his lap and leaning back. "Thanks for letting me come with Shirley," he told her.
"Naturally. I assume you're her emotional support human." Mary Markov's lips curled slightly. "At any rate, you had contact with the Collective yourself, so this does concern you. As far as I'm concerned, it can't hurt having an ex-cop in the mix, anyways. Despite the regrettable reasons you had for leaving the force."
Elijah's brows lowered, the muscle in his pronounced jaw twitching. "How do you know about that?"
Mary looked innocent. "It's very important that I'm fully informed, of course. Don't worry. We don't need to go into it, and I don't judge you, either. The effect the incident at that highschool had on you is completely understandable."
"I didn't ask for your assessment." My friend's voice had sharpened. "Can we move on from this?"
"Of course." If the sudden shift in tone had rattled the agent, she wasn't letting it on. Sifting through the neat stack of papers on her desk, she pulled out a thin brown file which she slid over to me. "Miss Shirley, you remember the female member of the Collective we took into custody? She has already been questioned by the local police. Unfortunately, I don't have the authority to lead such an interrogation, but I was present for it and I want you to have this transcript."
I perked up and began leafing through the folder.
"You may take that with you to read in peace," Mary told me. "But don't expect too much, lest you'll be sorely disappointed. The girl hardly said anything at all. The most helpful information she gave us was a name she kept referencing. Jewel. At first, we thought it was a sort of code word, but it seems to be what the other person she was with calls themself."
“Jewel,” I echoed.
“Sadly enough, that’s all we have. We’ve never provided our services to anyone of their physical description. There are a couple clues, but they don’t amount to anything helpful. There’s the fact that you met them at a convenience store with relatively high prices. Maybe I’m just grasping at straws, but that could indicate a cushy financial situation. On top of that, the store is rather far away from here, so they might be an out-of-towner. They also might be able to influence the way others perceive them, considering the way they seemed to hypnotize you in the woods merely by holding eye contact.”
“How come they couldn’t do anything to Frank Preston?”
Mary Markov twinkled at me. “They couldn’t? Huh. That rather intrigues the philosopher in me. Jewel works through eye contact and it is said that the eyes are the window to the soul.” She cocked her head at me.
“Are you saying Blondie doesn’t have a soul?” Eli asked, raising a skeptical brow. “Is this one of those Plato-Schopenhauer-whatevers?”
The newsreader shrugged artfully, watching my reaction. “We could discuss this for hours on end. I only meant to draw attention to the implied distinction between an organically born entity and a being who was originally an inanimate object.”
“I beg your pardon?” I said slowly.
“Oh, nevermind; that’s neither here nor there.” Her tone told me that she did, in fact, consider it to be both here and there. Not wanting to go further into this with her, I made a mental note to ask Frankie later.
“There’s more,” I added, trying to gently prepare her for what I was about to say. “I want to get Kit Sutton back.”
Mary’s lips thinned. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t mean for the town to get flooded in the process. I think we can find a solution to help her, if we work together. I’m convinced we can figure something out, but I don’t believe in abandoning her anymore. Which is essentially what we’re doing if we leave her to her fate.”
“You do realize what you’re asking of me? Your former roommate isn’t some kind of minor water spirit. Her father appears to hold tremendous power over the seas, or at the very least our part of it. He has countless similarly dangerous individuals at his service so he might be considered a ruler of sorts, if not a deity.”
“So Kit’s the little mermaid, basically?” Elijah asked, equal parts joking and genuinely intrigued.
Mary grinned an actual, amused grin. “I must ask you to take this seriously, Mr Carter.”
“I am!” he chuckled, raising his hands. “I swear.”
“Anyways, Miss Shirley, the point you make is an individualistic one, but I see why you’re invested in the girl’s fate. I want to help, I do… But we need to proceed with caution. If you can suggest to me some kind of sensible approach, then I’ll do what I can. That’s all the promises I can make at the moment.”
I thanked her and got up, Eli following me as I headed for the door. “Miss Shirley,” Mary called out and I stopped, turning back around to face her. “If you like my style, we could perhaps meet up to go shopping sometime? I could show you some quality stores. It wouldn’t be anytime soon since I’m currently swamped, but I figure—well, just in case you might like to.”
I nodded. “That sounds pleasant enough.”
She smiled brightly and waved us out the door. “Excellent. I’ll be in touch.”
Back inside the car, I tossed the file onto the backseat to read later. “Would you like to go to the beach?” I suggested.
“Why not. Wait, is this for a stroll and ice cream or do you want to kickstart the mermaid-rescue-operation?”
“I can’t see why it shouldn’t be both,” I replied comfortably. “We’ll need to take your flashlight, though.”
"You know I don't like getting myself into trouble unless it's paid."
"Yes, but you also find me endearing and want to protect me from danger, which you can only do by accompanying me."
"You're a terrifying tentacle beast from another dimension. I don't know that I'm all that scared for your safety," he grunted.
I gave him an affronted look. "You have now hurt my feelings."
"Have I?"
"Plenty, but I'll forgive you if you come with me."
Elijah Carter sighed deeply but started driving anyway. I let my arm dangle out of the open window, allowing the warming spring air to wash over my skin. The closer we got to the shore, the stronger the scent of salt mixed into the breeze. The cries of seagulls became audible over the sounds of the road and the streaming wind and was finally joined by the crashing of waves when we pulled into a parking spot and got out of the car. Taking along the heavy duty flashlight he always kept in the passenger seat footwell, I led Eli to the mouth of the cave, explaining what Nettie and I had seen along the way. He looked commendably calm, simply turning on the torch and entering alongside me.
The tunnels were just as damp, dim and quiet as the last time. Before long, we had reached the spacious canyon room with the lake at the bottom. "I want to go across and see if there's anything important in the rest of the grotto back there," I reminded him. "Please hold on to your bearings."
"I'm not repeating your mistakes," he replied gamely. "What do you think? This oughta be connected to the ocean somehow." He let the beam of the torch roam the mirror-like surface of the lake. It seemed almost deceptively quiet. My eyes followed the lengthy stone ledge. Eli stepped close, and after receiving a nod of approval, he grabbed me around the waist and hoisted me onto the rocky protrusion. I straightened up, instantly pressing my back against the wall. A wave of nausea hit me as I glanced at the water below. "Chill," Elijah muttered, climbing after me with ease. "Nothing will happen. You're not gonna fall."
I merely shook my head. "You didn't see what's down there."
"And I won't, because we'll be careful," he answered steadfastly.
I started walking, the warm light of the torch upon my back, illuminating the path ahead. The shelf narrowed as we reached the end. I swiftly clambered down, relieved to place my feet on wider, solid ground once more. Now looking over the lake from the other side, it had an entirely different feel to it. It seemed darker somehow, but also less big—I attributed it to the change in perspective. We were standing in a cramped little nook with two passageways leading off into separate directions behind us. Elijah Carter eyed them pensively. “Which do you reckon?”
I pursed my lips. “The right one. Because it’s right.”
“Makes sense.”
We proceeded into the passage, the tight space pushing us closer together. He had to duck his head, uncomfortably hunching his shoulders, and for once, I was grateful for my own short stature. The corridor seemed to go on forever. The darkness and silence created a feel of unnatural solitude, and for more than once, I got the distinct impression that I must have jumped dimensions again. It was as though Elijah and I were enclosed in some kind of bubble, cut off from everything outside; a place where time was a foreign concept and the only sun was our flashlight. Needless to say, I was distinctly uneasy. I allowed myself to lean back, brushing against Eli’s chest whenever I could. Eventually, I cleared my throat.
“Could you touch me?”
“What?”
“Just so I still know you’re there.”
His palm came to rest on my shoulder, his thumb digging into one of the tense, painfully rigid muscles of my upper back, forcing it to soften. “Good?”
“Yes, thank you.”
He hummed. “You’re scared.”
“Yes.”
“Me, too.”
This caused my resolve to falter. “Maybe we should turn around after all,” I said quietly. “Who knows how much longer—”
“Look.”
I perked up. Before us, the tunnel grew wider, opening into a large, spacious room. We picked up our pace, tackling the remaining distance in a light jog, and finally found ourselves standing in another hall. The beam of light traveled the floor and high walls, revealing a sight that took our breath away. We were standing in front of another lake, only slightly smaller than the last. The water glittered in violet hues and strange, pale plants climbed up the walls, some of them looking rather like starfish. Multiple rocky protrusions formed an almost complete bridge across its middle. With a bit of light climbing, we'd undoubtedly be able to get to the other side. Wordlessly, Elijah Carter swung himself up onto the platform closest to the edge of the water, pulling me up after him. The flashlight switched hands a couple times as we maneuvered ourselves along.
Soon, we reached the middle of the lake. I risked a glance at the water below. All was still and perfectly quiet. Eli was about to take on the next rock when suddenly, I felt something heavy and gooey drip onto my head from above. I flinched, then slowly pointed the torch up to the ceiling. My stomach dropped. My throat had turned paper-dry, and I frantically tugged on Eli’s arm. He tipped his head back, following my pointing finger. His eyes blew wide and his face fell.
There was a creature clinging to the high walls, its pale, enormous body describing a streamline curve as it pressed itself against the hollowed stone. The closest thing I can compare it to would be a sort of olm, except probably a hundred times larger. Its snout looked large enough to swallow either of us whole. It hung open, secreting a thick fluid that slowly dripped down to hit the rocks or create ripples upon the water. Its blind eyes seemed to be trained on us, and I could spot tiny, sharp teeth lining its maw. It wasn’t moving, not even an inch, but somehow, I knew it was aware of us.
I looked up at Elijah, the panic in his eyes mirroring mine. Both of us had freezed up mid-motion, not daring to take another step. My mind was running wild; I was thinking feverishly. We’d have to turn around for sure, but how? The olm was already highly alert, if we were to start scrambling back to solid ground, it would undoubtedly hear us straight away. Eli looked equal parts terrified and furious, and I could tell he was scolding himself for not thinking to check the entirety of the room before proceeding across the lake. I could understand the sentiment, we’d definitely made a grave mistake. I figured it had been the misleading beauty of the cave hall that had taken our edge off. Glancing over into the direction we’d come from, I found myself wishing to be back in the endless dark corridor. The entrance to the passage seemed miles away.
The olm lifted a three-toed foot, shifting its massive form to a lower spot on the wall. It was taking a tentative step towards us, extending its snout as its body bent into our direction. Elijah had grabbed onto my arm, his fingers clamping around it like a vice. He stayed silent and unmoving, but he held my gaze with clear, sharp eyes.
“Don’t move,” I mouthed, and he gave me a curt nod.
Slowly, I reached around to push my shirt out of the way of my unfurling tentacles. Elijah took a quiet step back to make room for my changing form, something of a resolute expression settling on his face. I opened my mouth, relieved when my teeth acted according to my will and elongated. I didn’t know to what extent I would be able to defend against this absolute giant of an amphibian, but at least it would give us a chance. I took a deep breath, trading glances with Eli once more before darting off to the side, bounding onto the platform next to our current one. Elijah followed suit, grabbing onto one of the limbs I extended to him for support. Despite the swiftness of our movements, we were anything but quiet, and the olm reacted in an instant. It slithered down from the wall, sinking into the lake below to make its way to the rocks we were standing on. As we headed for the next stone, it darted out of the water, splashing wildly as its snout breached the surface. Its jaws snapped at us, missing me by a mere foot as I jumped across the gap between the protrusions. Droplets flew as the creature dropped once more, but instead of retreating, it swam around the platform. Its massive, snake-like body was bobbing up and down as it circled us.
“Oh fuck,” Elijah breathed, his chest heaving. “Keep going! Move, move!”
I took a short running start, then flung myself onto the next rock, using my extra limbs to land safely. I then helped him cross again. The olm rose from the depths of the lake once again, and I lashed at it with one of my tentacles, hitting it on the snout and forcing it to dive underwater again. We kept working our way back towards the other side of the lake, slipping and sliding as we went. The water surrounding us seemed to hum with unrestrained energy, the white salamander’s tail whipping up waves and splashing around. We were finally getting close to solid ground again, or at least it looked like we were for a moment. That’s when the creature took a massive leap, draping itself over the final stepping stone, effectively blocking our path.
“Shit,” Eli hissed beside me as we came to a skittering halt.
I’d have to try and fight this thing. There was no way around it now. I clenched my sweat-laced palms into fist, trying to slow my rapid, shallow breaths. I can do this, I said to myself. All I’d have to do is send it back into the lake for long enough so we could run back into the tunnel. There was no way the olm would fit through the passage—once we were in there, we’d be relatively safe. I stared at the dripping, writhing animal; stared at its bared needle teeth, and the less hopeful, more realistic part of my brain told me that I would, indeed, probably not be able to do this. Just as I was contemplating the degree of our screwed-ness, an unseen someone called out from behind us. I didn’t understand a word they were saying, but I recognized the language, and more importantly, the voice.
It was bright as a bell, girlish but with a rough, warm edge. Even before I could turn to face her, I knew who it was.
The gigantic amphibian perked up at the sound, lowering its head and withdrawing into the murky depths with a splash. Elijah Carter let go of a long-held breath, dropping his shoulders before tensing up again, realization setting in. He shot me a look of utter disbelief.
“Wow,” the newcomer spoke up again, this time not in the tongue of the deep ones. “You two have to be actually crazy or something to show up here.”
X
1
2: deadbeat roommate
3: creepy crush
4: relocation
5: beach concert
6: First date
7: Temp work
8: roommate talk
9: a dismal worldview
10: warehouse
11: staircase
12: explanation
13: hurt
14: hospital
15: ocean
16: diner
17: government work
18: something in the caves
19: shopping cart

One rainy evening Leon was sitting in his living room watching T.V. and finished eating dinner when all of a sudden three light taps can be heard from the front door surprisingly enough was loud to be heard over the show he was watching. Leon went to check the door and answered,
"Hello? Anyone one there?"
seeing no one was there Leon suspected that it the wind from the rain blew something against his door. Leon was about to close the door but a soft voice could be heard and caught his attention, Leon looks down on his porch and there was a female fluffy.
"P...pwease..nice cough mistuh.."
then the mare lost consciousness and collapsed where she stood, Leon looked down at the light brown fluffy mare pegasus with a dark brown mane and tail with green eyes. This fluffy mare look battered and broken with a blackened eye, bloody nose, few missing teeth noticably in the top front, half of it's left ear was torn off, almost skin and bones as if it hasn't eaten in days with a light stench of feces.
Leon look upon the beaten up mare as he noticed a tiny purple fluffy foal asleep on the mare's back, Leon was surprised how everything this mare has been through the foal was still asleep. Leon thought about what he should do because he didn't care much for Fluffies in general but he did grow to like them at least a little bit anyway, as Leon thought it over he decided to let the mare and her foal stay overnight out the rain until morning once then he can give them to a shelter at least there the fluffies can have a place to call home.
Leon knelt down over the mare and foal to gently pick them up until a chubby green fur unicorn stallion fluffy with a red mane and tail appeared out of the dark. As the stallion approached them he spoke,
"Dummeh Hooman go 'way, nu sab dummeh poopie mawe! Dat dummeh poopie onwy nee foweba sweepies."
Leon has now turned his attention to the stallion which most likely is a smarty given how arrogant it is and called everyone a dummy. Looking at the smarty and noticed a bit of blood and bits of brown fur most likely matching the beaten mare between them. Standing up Leon stepped forward and has put himself between the smarty and the mare.
"I suppose it was you who did this to her?"
Leon said as he stood towering over the smarty with his fist clinched. The smarty who is now trying to put up a brave facade by standing his ground, sticking out his chest and puffing up his cheeks but truly scared by the giant before him.
"Hmph, s..smawty nu cawe, dummeh poopie mawe bewong in smawty hewd an' aww da dummeh poopie fwuffy in smawty's hewd onwy num poopies an' gib wickie cweanies to poopie pwace fo' da oda pretty fwuffies in hewd bu',"
The smarty raises his hoof and points it at the mare behind Leon.
"Dis dummeh hab babbehs an poopie fwuffy nu nee babbeh."
Leon took a deep breath in and slowly exhale to calm himself then he asked.
"Well if she isn't suppose to have babies then why not kick her out the herd instead of beating her to death and pursuing her to finish the job?"
The smarty was quiet for a few seconds as if he was thinking of an answer.
"Fine, smawty teww da truth. Ou' see smawty hab speciaw fwed back wif hewd name Pwum an' Pwum awweady hab tummeh babbeh by smawty bu' smawty wan' enfie so smawty gib enfie an' hab good feews wif poopie mawe bu' Pwum nu can find out."
Leon then realizes what this is all about then slightly chuckles at the fact that a male fluffy don't want to be caught cheating with another female especially a brown one. The smarty spoke as if he was irritated.
"Nu waff, wet smawty gib poopie mawe foweba sweepies NAO!"
Leon took a step forward with a firm stomp toward the smarty and the smarty tumbling backwards onto it's side.
"You do NOT raise your voice at me, who do you think you are? In fact get off of my porch, get out of my yard and get out of my sight!"
The smarty picked himself up and snorted as he lowered his head.
"Dats it, smawty nao gib ou' worstest huwties wif bestest hown an' den gib ou' foweba sweepies!"
The smarty charged toward the human only to ram his horn into Leon's left shin which barely broke skin followed by repeated strikes with his front hooves and after 10 to 15 hits the fat smarty seems to be out of breath then the smarty looks up at Leon with a smug look on his face and with a smirk for a smile but that expression on the smarty's face quickly changed to disappointed confusion as he realizes that the human isn't phased at all, not even a little bit.
"Ha! Tickles and now I'm gonna take this left foot here and break your face with it"
Leon said with a devilish smile then he pats his left thigh twice indicating he was about to kick the smarty. With a quick jump to the right the smarty out of the way before Leon could make a move.
"Dummeh hooman is dummeh f...SCREEEEEEEE"
the smarty felt a heavy force under of his chin and was sent flying nearly half way across the yard with a trail of shit following after. Leon placing his right leg down started to walk over to the smarty and surprisingly the smarty picked himself up after a kick like that but then again Leon was holding back..way back.
"Huhuhu..Ou' saf ou' kif fwuwwy wif weft fuuf."
The smarty could barely speak now because of a swollen and bloody mouth and nose, a chipped tooth and the tip of it's tongue is gone most likely biting down on it when the kick was delivered.
" You calling me a liar?"
With his left leg Leon kicked the smarty again but this time at slightly more force directly into the middle of the smarty's face causing it to completely fly out the yard and into the middle of the street.
The smarty laid there in a small pool of blood for a minute until it struggled to stand up back on it's hooves then the smarty started to staggering away down the street crying
"Huhuhuhu.."
and possibly back to it's herd but once it stepped into a nearby street light along with a well timed flash of lighting the illuminated smarty turned it's head to Leon showing it's face that's so mutilated that it's damn near impossible to know if there's a face there anymore. Leon keep watching the smarty stagger away further and further down the street until there was no sight of him.
Walking back to his porch Leon went to check on the mare and her foal, Leon picked up the mare who was cool to the touch ever so gently as the foal still asleep in it's mother's back and brought them inside. Leon placed the mare and foal on a empty counter space in the kitchen but just then Leon noticed how the mare's vibrant green eyes are now a faded milky white as both pupils are nearly rolled in the back of it head in different directions and upon further inspection he ran his hand against the mare's fur noticed the mare's fluff is really thin that multiple deep purple and black bruises can be easily seen all over it's body.She was dead for a little time now but how could she, she was just unconscious..or was she? then at that moment Leon realized that the mare must have died when she collapsed earlier.
Just then the young foal began to wake up as it began to make chirps and peeps calling out for it's mother it'll never get to know and love. Leon gently picked up the foal into his rough but gentle hands and noticed it was female. The foal start to quiet down as it held onto Leon's thumb trying to suckle for some milk. The foal's eyes were still closed but began to slightly open more and more with each passing second
"Sigh Since I went through all of this trouble to just save your life then I guess I'll take care of you then."
Leon spoked to the young foal as it's eyes fully open for the first time and gazing at the human before her.
"D..daddeh."
The foal spoke it's first words with a smile on her face as it's tail wags rapidly.
"Yeah..I'm ahem your dad now but you'll need a name too,"
Leon looks over at his vase of flowers his cousin sent to him from Japan.
"Your name will be Wisteria."

Help it has been like this of a couple months

What would be the downside? What stops them from allowing mortgages based on looking at your past 5 years of rent payments, seeing you've never missed a payment and using that as a green light for a mortgage? Instead of having to provide 10-20% upfront as a deposit that most people are not in a position to save up.
They could even put into it that if you miss a certain amount of payments in a row they seize your property and black list you.

​
The faucet runs at full blast, the sound of water whooshing over the background noise of bickering kids. My hands begin to burn, the sensation barely registering as I'm lost in my own thoughts. I always start with the steaming water, letting it scald my skin before remembering to grab the soap. It's as if the longer I stand here, the longer I can steal a moment for myself. This routine has become a ritual. I turn on the water until my hands can no longer tolerate the stinging pain, then I hurriedly grab the soap and pour it onto the bottle scrubber. I vigorously wash the baby bottles, but it's too late. The sour smell of breastmilk permeates the air, teasing my senses. I hold my breath, trying to avoid the repugnant odor. Something about that smell triggers a rage within me, and unsaid arguments begin to form in my head. "I did the dishes again after realizing we didn't have any bottles for the baby," I say to the imaginary James in my mind. "I wish you had reminded me. You only punish yourself when you take on my tasks. You know I don't care about the dishes and only do them because I love you," imaginary James responds, his thin lips forming words that mock and blame me. His mustache seems to curl with a smirk, adding to my frustration. If only I had reminded him for the thousandth time, or lowered my cleaning expectations, maybe I could find some ease. If only I could accept that the dishes don't need to be done every day, maybe I'd realize my expectations are too high. If only I understood that the kids don't always need my constant engagement, maybe I wouldn't feel so stretched thin. My hands are now red from the furious scrubbing, the anger blending with the routine. The phrase "if only" swirls through my mind: If only I cared less, I wouldn't feel so stressed. If only I managed my work life better, I could be there for the kids. If only I reminded him. If only I mothered him. If only I accepted that the dishes can wait, I would see my expectations were too high. If only I understood that the kids don't need me every second, I wouldn't feel so overwhelmed. Lost in my thoughts, I no longer notice the water spiraling down the drain or the cluttered counters. I can only see his face, his eyes glued to the screen, seemingly more interested in the game than in listening to his wife air her grievances. I see the side profile of his blue eyes, the subtle roll as he sighs, as if saying, "Not this again." The rage turns into hate, hot embers stabbing at my heart. I feel guilty for harboring this hatred, for seeing my husband as my enemy. Suddenly, a loud crash jolts me back to reality. The hurried footsteps of the toddlers approach, and the baby starts to cry. I close my eyes and count to ten, silently pleading for James to step in and handle the situation. "1, 2, 3, 4," I whisper. But before I can continue, Lia tugs at my shirt, her voice trembling with tears. "Mommy, Beo took my doll and threw her! She'll never work EVER AGAIN!" she cries, her curls becoming damp from the tears streaming down her green eyes. Gasping for breath between sobs, she tries to explain what happened. "I was playing," she repeats over and over. "Lia, let's calm our bodies down and take some deep breaths," I say, embracing her. I guide her through a calming exercise, lifting her into my arms. "I'll fix this, I promise. But first, let's help ourselves feel better." I navigate through the toys scattered into the living room, where the bright Texas sun pours in through picture windows covered in fingerprints. I notice crayon marks on the windowsills, evidence of a child's creative exploration. James sits at his computer desk, which he strategically placed in a corner so he could keep an eye on the kids while playing games. He had thought it would reduce his stress and prevent him from yelling at us so frequently. But as I enter the room, he doesn't even look up. With Lia's cries subdued, the baby's red face cradled in my arms, and Beo simmering with frustration, I gently put Lia down and lift the baby, rocking him back and forth to soothe him. I turn to Beo, hoping for an explanation. "I NO SHARE!" Beo screams. His anger often leaves him speechless. "Well, Lia says you threw her doll. Can you tell me what happened?" I scan the room until I spot the doll lying next to James's feet. Beo remains silent, busy picking up his blocks to rebuild something. "Beo, please tell me what you're feeling so we can talk about it," I say, continuing to rock the baby. Beo gets like this when he's angry. "Lia makes me so angry!" Beo yells, placing his tiny fists on his hips. He begins to explain what happened—Lia took his blocks and built a dollhouse, destroying his rocket ship in the process. I collect his blocks and the doll, preparing to return them to their rightful owner. "Lia, please apologize for taking Beo's toys, and Beo, please apologize for throwing her doll. We should talk about how that made us feel so we can learn from this," I say, having some version of this conversation with them every day. Sometimes, being a mother to three kids under the age of five feels like an endless cycle of fights, chores, and cleaning crayon off the walls. "James, can you please take the baby while I help the other two with this?" I start moving toward him, being careful not to trip over any toys. "No, you're spoiling him by holding him every time he cries. You're not teaching the other two about conflict resolution when you come to their rescue," James responds without looking up, his fingers smashing on the keyboard as blue lights flash rapidly. "Please, James. I'm just trying to finish the dishes and make dinner," I say, desperately trying to hide my anxiety. I feel myself retracting because now he will know that I did the dishes, and I fear the backlash that awaits. "God damn it!" he exclaims, throwing his mouse across the room. "I told you I would get to it eventually. Why the hell do you have to make me feel bad by doing the stuff I'm supposed to do? Does it give you some sense of power, knowing that you couldn't wait five freaking minutes for me to finish my match? I told you!" He stands now, fists clenched, his rage unleashed. The kids fall silent, and the baby squirms in my arms. I feel myself shrinking, pulling my chest in, hunching my back, as if protecting myself. "Oh, now you're going to act all innocent, as if you weren't being passive-aggressive by cleaning the dishes to punish me for taking some time to myself and playing a game!" he continues yelling. "I... I'm sorry. I didn't have anywhere to put the pumped milk, and I needed to do some dishes," I whisper. I want to tell him that I had asked him to do the dishes two days ago, and he hadn't done them for a whole week. I want to tell him to stop screaming and accusing me of being passive-aggressive when taking a chore off his plate is considered a kind gesture. But I know that it would only escalate his anger. Instead, I remain silent, waiting for his rage to exhaust itself. I don't want the kids to witness this, so I apologize again, my words so soft that only I can hear them.

I will put you in context. I'm writing a Space Opera, mostly inspired by Dune, Warhammer 40K, to some extent Star Wars (because of some superhuman samurai/janjars/space templar type warriors, the Kerm), Asimov's Foundation, a very good game I had in Stellaris, some random Galimulator gameplays I saw on youtube and Amlet. Also Jojos for some reason, but in the way you think. We are in the far future, in the 13th Galactic Age, where the Galaxy is ruled by a sort of Federation of Empires.
The Creators of the Federation divided the galaxy into several sectors (I don't know how many, just that many), and each one is ruled by a sort of genetically engineered immortal emperor, who is the literal progenitor of all the "Houses" that rule each sector, following a sort of noble hierarchy that is familiar to everyone. In the case of us humans, it conveniently resembles the European nobility. The reason why this was created was because of the fall of a previous empire that left the Milky Way in ruins, submerged in a terrible barbarism that spread during the 12th Galactic Age. The creation of the Federation was a way to impose a new order and put an end to barbarism, which obviously took time.
The space that corresponds to humanity is more or less the Orion Arm, respecting the territory that had dominated emblematically before the times of the Federation (There is more human presence in the galaxy but that is another topic). I am aware of the grotesque amount of stars in the Orion Arm, I think there are about 800 million, and although I do not think that all of them have planets, even if 1/3 of them have them, it is still a lot.
Now, the point. I don't know how to distribute the scales of power in the Orion Arm (and by extension in the rest of the sectors). I am clear that an Immortal Empress rules the Orion Arm. But what comes next? Assuming we use the convenient European nobility nomenclature. I had thought of putting species of fiefdoms/kingdoms, in which each king rules a quadrant between 100 to 800 light years in diameter. Maybe that's a lot of rulers, but since they are begotten by a quasi immortal transhuman goddess by methods we haven't conceived yet, it doesn't seem to be a problem. How would the rest of the scale be? Whatever the case, my goal is to provoke a certain megalophobia sensation by showing the implications and magnitude of a quasi-galactic civilization, and create a kind of uncany valley, especially in the forms of government, that is as familiar as it is strange to us, so we can imagine what kind of power the royalty (and by extension, nobility) of an interstellar civilization would have.
Anyway, I appreciate your time, answers and feedback. Regards!
PS: I know that a Type III civilization would look nothing like this. It's mostly a way to get out of my comfort zone, which is rather hard science fiction and horror.

I am a cyclist in the NW Suburbs of Chicago and was out for a ride this morning on a road with very little traffic. A guy on a motorcycle passed me very close and rev'd his engine when he was next to me. At the next light, which was red, I passed the line of cars on the right and stopped at the white line. The motorcycle rider was at the front of the line and yelled something at me that I couldn't understand. The green turn arrow turned on and cars from both directions proceeded to turn from the turn lanes. When the last car coming towards me finished their turn, I started to pedal forward even thought the green turn arrow was still on and the light was red. Before I entered the intersection the light turned green. The motorcycle rider yelled at me again saying I ran a red light. He proceeded to pass me and when I saw him looking back at me in his mirror, I have him a peace sign and he flipped me off in return. At the next light I stopped next to him and ask him what I did that made him angry. He said I had no right to go to the front of the line and that I ran a red light. I apologized and said I did not intend to make him mad. The light turned green and he took off in a huff.

Leia Organa was a great many things, depending on the setting.
To the rebellion, she was a General. A leader who'd run countless operations for Intelligence and other divisions. She was someone who'd served The Alliance diligently since her days as a spy in the Imperial senate. And to the nascent New Republic, she was a politician. Someone who would lead in a different way, and begin the long overdue process of rebuilding. Someone who would champion the rights and lives of people, and work to make those lives better.
But to those who remained of her people, Leia Organa was a princess.
As the last survivor of Alderaan's royalty, Leia was the keeper of her world's culture, history and traditions. To the remaining Alderaanians, she was not merely a leader, but also a symbol and a beacon that'd rallied them from across the stars towards a new home in the colony of New Alderaan on Dantooine. And Leia didn't miss the symbolism of the choice.
A world primarily covered in grasslands, lakes and rivers; what Dantooine lacked in Alderaan's once-famous mountain ranges, it made up for with its pleasant nature and fertile soil. How the planet avoided being turned into an agriworld for so long, Leia didn't know. But she certainly wasn't complaining.
The population of Dantooine had always been small, consisting mainly of single-family settlements and small communities. Hence why the colony of New Alderaan, built at the site of the rebellion's long-gone temporary base, had quickly become the largest settlement on the planet by far. The colony consisted of a beautiful city that incorporated every aspect of Alderaanian architecture, with several farms surrounding its outskirts. Said farms focused especially on the now-rare Alderaanian cattle and crops, to say nothing of the preservation centers dedicated to restoring Alderaanian flora and fauna in every way available.
Her people had wanted to crown her as Queen in place of her late mother, but Leia had declined. For as Queen, she would have to dedicate herself fully to New Alderaan, and Leia knew that she wouldn't be able to do that for a very long time. Although she didn't miss the irony of both her mothers holding the title of Queen at some point.
Nevertheless, today was an important day for the survivors or Alderaan.
Leia sat in the chamber she'd been assigned as a dressing room in New Alderaan's great hall, the white dress she wore practically gleaming. She'd chosen the same one she'd worn for the celebration on Yavin IV all those years ago, on the day where she'd presented those medals to the two men who would go on to become the most important people in her life. It was a day both deeply painful and hopeful. A day on which she lost and gained almost everything in her life.
"If you're nervous, remember that Han is probably producing enough sweat to fill Mon Cala's oceans." Her maid-of-honor quipped, almost finished with her hair. Leia chuckled and did her best to keep her head still. She and her oldest friend had settled on her wearing her hair down, with some Alderaanian flowers embedded into its curls and small braids.
"I'm not nervous, Winter." The Princess said. "Although I'm certain Chewie is barely keeping him from freaking out."
"Can't say I blame him." Her old friend said with a grin. "The Princess and The Scoundrel. Almost feels out of a bedtime story."
Leia's smile turned bittersweet. Her life was certainly no fairytale, nor had she ever been a storybook Princess. Back when they were kids, people would often mistake Winter for the princess because of her natural grace and poise, which contrasted Leia's somewhat cantankerous personality. Her antics had given everyone hell for a long time back then, creating numerous amusing memories that she currently cherished.
The door to the room opened, admitting Evaan Verlaine. A tall, blonde Alderaanian pilot, Verlaine was both a decorated hero of Yavin and a close friend. "Everything is set, your highness. And I'm telling you this now before anything starts: If Solo ever does something you don't like, come to me."
Leia turned to face Verlaine just as Winter finished. "I think Chewbacca already has that covered, but I appreciate the offer..." The Princess said, noting the highly unusual sight that was Evaan in a dress. Although she wore the bright yellow garment well, Leia suspected that her friend didn't entirely enjoy her current attire.
Everything felt suffocating to Han, from the decently-sized dressing room, to the fancy suit he didn't feel comfortable in. Even Chewie's reassuring hands on his shoulders weren't much of a help.
It was happening. It was really, truly happening. The most amazing woman in the Galaxy was about to become his wife, and he couldn't be more scared. He'd faced Darth Vader, torture and the full might of the Empire, but today was somehow the most scared he'd ever been.
"I haven't seen you like that since the job on Denon." Lando said with his trademark suaveness, seeing through Han's evidently unconvincing calm. "Don't worry. I'm sure Leia's more reasonable than Sana."
Normally, Han would've had a scathing reply to his old friend's joke, but his mind was simply not functioning normally at the moment. He was terrified and knew why. He was afraid of not being good enough a husband or a father. Of messing things up. But he was also done letting those fears stop him.
He loved Leia. More than he loved anyone or nothing in his entire life. And he would do his damndest to be the man she deserved.
The door opened to admit the young man who would soon be his brother-in-law. "Looking great, Luke." Lando said. And coming from the most fashionable man in the rebellion, that meant a lot. By that point, Han had given up on counting how many capes Lando had.
"Thanks, Lando." Luke said cheerily "How's the groom doing?"
Lando chuckled, "Exactly as expected."
"That bad, huh?"
"Are you two going to do something useful, or should I have Chewie show you the door?"
Lando showed his palms. "Easy, old pal. We're just trying to cheer you up. You know it's normal to be stressed on your big day."
Han snorted. "As if you would ever know."
Lando chuckled again. "You got me. It'll be a dark day before anyone tied this old scoundrel down. I'd never have it in me to leave behind so many broken hearts."
Han finally smiled. "Always loved your modesty, old pal."
Not that the Corellian didn't know his share of women in the days since leaving Corellia. But aside from Leia, he had only over loved one woman, and that bond hadn't ended the way he hoped at all. Thankfully, Leia and Q'ira couldn't be more different.
"There's nothing to fear, Han." Luke said, seeing through his facade as usual. "No one and nothing makes Leia happy more than you do. And you're both no longer the people I met all those years ago. You're made for each other now."
Somehow, Luke's words seemed to get to him, pacifying his raging mind. "You're not using the force to calm me down, are you?" the former smuggler asked jokingly.
Luke smirked. "I would only do that as a last resort. And only because Leia would kill us all if the wedding doesn't go as planned."
The ballroom of the Great Hall had a beige-and-sky-blue color scheme that worked well with the natural light passing through the skylight. The chamber had been hastily modified by adding a central podium and wide seats arranged in concentric circles to accommodate the guests. A part of the Alderaanian traditions, this arrangement was done to evoke the oneness of the union.
Luke stood behind the groom, alongside Chewbacca and Lando. The Wookiee's fur was surprisingly well-groomed, and Lando looked as dashing as ever in his dark blue suit and cape. Luke had opted for a simple black suit with a white tunic underneath, not unlike the one he wore at Ktath'atn. Although that wasn't a memory he wanted to relive at the moment.
The ceremonies, both Alderaanian and Corellian, were nearly finished by now. The Wedding was being officiated by a pontifex of the Brotherhood of Cognizance, a monastic order of the Naboo faith system. The elderly man had been sent by the Queen of Naboo herself at Leia's request, and she'd told Luke that it was her way of honoring their mother on their special day.
Behind Leia, stood three of her closest friends: her childhood friend Winter Retrac, pilot Evaan Verlaine and smuggler Sana Starros. Luke didn't miss the irony of Sana's presence, given the fact that she had once been briefly involved with Han herself. All three women looked beautiful, but none more so than his sister. And Luke suspected that the sheer joy he sensed from her contributed to her breathtaking beauty today.
And as he looked at his sister and the man who was like a brother to him, Luke saw their future. Not through The Force, but through the love they all shared.
Their path wouldn't be easy, because nothing worth it was ever easy. They were both beings of fire, with heads that could be as hard as solid rock. But they loved each other deeply. And no matter the spats and arguments, they will always find their way back to each other at the end of the day.
It was a rather simple wedding, considering it was for a Princess. But it had nearly everyone from their remaining loved ones, and that was what truly mattered. Nevertheless, there were many people they wished could be there. People who had become one with The Force a long time ago.
Luke frowned as a strange expression crossed Leia's face for a moment, but it softened again as a bittersweet smile crossed it. Following her line of sight, Luke found himself adapting a similar smile.
For in one corner of the room, handsome and bright, stood their father with a grin on his face.