920 south ocean blvd palm beach

BillionCardProtest

2020.11.07 02:27 urbanoideisto BillionCardProtest

We’re showing the US Postal Service some love and protesting the 45th President of the United States of America and his anti-democratic, un-American attempts at staging a coup. Send your postcards go 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20006 and tell Donald Trump “You’re fired!” Don’t forget the Southern White House: 1100 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach, FL 33480
[link]


2023.06.05 01:36 ReplyInteresting1304 [FTF] Dark Secret - Western

Their exchange carried them through the week-night 'til the sun turned red. The big blaze was setting on Bull Creek, & they had gotten drunk enough to prove it. Turner hunched over his hickory countertop, ice rattling in his empty glass. His Stetson hung low, his gray fuzz suspended over the table's fine wooden ridges.
At his home that evening was kindred spirit, Digby Jones, running the opposite end of the counter. Another old man clinging to the dark hair of youth. He sat back on the creaky barstool, lifting up his pint to polish off a bit more whiskey. Alcohol was hard on the ol' liver for Jones, ever since he cleaned up his act. He was still soaking up his rye.
"Awful nosy people 'round here, then." Turner muttered. Jones fought to keep him grounded. "Ain't that the truth. Either that, or ya really do got some'n fancy in that ol' hatch."
The banter caught a coy wheeeeeeeeeeze from the man, pulled from his mix of pondering & drunken stupor. Jones beamed at his grin. "No, I ain't got nothin' in that cellar. Just more of this shit!" Turner raised his glass for emphasis. Jones laughed, his bud backtracking into offended confusion.
"Now-- who's even sayin' all that? Who's got business in my floorboards?" He waved a perplexed hand. Jones pressed his palms into the hickory, tapping the table as he leaned in. "Isaac reckons it's some'n to do with Dean Whitley's daughter!" He reeled his head with a cackle. Turner pounded the counter with a balled fist.
Gruff teeth-grinding spat out his mouth. "Damnit, I knew it. I done told that boy..."
"Oh Lawrence, say it ain't so! You, with the paper-man's daughter?"
Rolled eyes. "C'mon, Digs, it's not like that." Jones' laugh drug on & dried up. "I know, I know. It doesn't sound like you anyway, Lawrence. Not with your Catherine expecting, now." His burned-out chuckles left in a sigh. But Turner had said nothing. By then, he was clasping the countertop with both hands, pinning Jones' attention with dry eyes.
He had already given up his oath to secrecy.
"Do you really wanna know?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
The wooden cut-out raised, peeling back on its iron hinges. A lantern passed through, carried by two boot sets. The hatch closed.
They stepped past crisscross shelves with moonshine décor. In a corner, Jones outlined rods & a bucket hat sat on a barrel. Remnants of Turner's fishing days in the south-east. He trailed in pace with the brother, stepping 'round a wood beam here, over a canyon portrait there.
The journey stopped with the lantern sat atop a dresser. Jones stood over Turner's side. His wrinkly fingers slid the top nook back, unveiling a patterned chest in the dim gas-light. The top lifted off, & he gently plucked the contents of a red bandana, sitting it by the lantern.
There was silence. Still, Turner lifted a finger to his lips. Shh.
"What am I looking at?" Jones whispered.
His buddy unfolded the bandana wrapping, a six-piece tucked inside.
He buried his suspicions within. "...Hell of an iron."
"You act like you've never met her."
"...Met her?"
"Yeah, Digs." A piercing, oiled gaze. "It's Catherine."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
His Stetson hung from its hook, his gray fuzz rocking back 'n forth in the hickory chair. His constant movement, the homeostasis of drunken restlessness. A sandy breeze tumbled in their far-off gaze. And Jones was frozen, nails curled 'round the end of each armrest; an anxious slouch in his chair.
Their eyes were best left apart. Under the lantern glow and moonlight, they instead peered into the desert. It was like a pebbled ocean. A long beat sat in the air; the saddle of confession.
"...You told us she went to see her mother, up north."
The soft whale-sound of the bellowing night wind.
"I did."
Sweat drunk in his scalp, watching the old coot finger with the frame. Just as, wind chime kisses rang overhead.
"...Why her?"
It came out like a demand.
"She bit my shoulder."
An avian dot curved in the black sky.
"...I don't understand."
Turner rocked. And rocked. And stopped to think for a moment.
"Life's complicated, Digs."
And he rocked. Crickets sounded in the dunes. Jones tried to lighten the mood, in denying disbelief.
"...Shoot her any?"
"Fuck no."
Another injection of adrenaline to Jones' system. He clamped his eyes shut.
"...Why not?"
Another end to Turner's rocking. Even he pondered on his quick response. A perverse stare mapped out each ridge of the sidearm. Wherever he was looking, he arrived.
"Lord knows I hate to give her away."
Jones lifted a hand to sponge the liquid caking his cheek.
Turner lifted the muzzle, pointing its tip like a compass into the night.
"Y' see it?"
Eyes scanning the deep.
"No sir, I don't." Jones panted.
The wasteland's belly groaned, and the aching was the wind.
"It rides at bedtime. A posse like thunder. Horses without hooves..."
The man leaned forward in his chair with a squint.
"They're wranglin' somethin' out there."
Jones was out of questions. He didn't want to know anymore. He nestled his temple in his palm. By then, he had just been speaking on Turner's accord.
"Is that right, Lawrence?"
Turner's index coiled onto the trigger, his thumb fingering the hammer.
"Yeah."
The hand over his head had become a mask for his eyes. Jones offered a final inquisition.
"What are they wranglin' on, Lawrence?"
Catherine clicked. Her voice was a gargling of blood. Her intonation said she had accepted that bubbling red long ago. By now, she only tasted moonshine.
"The spirit of Dean Whitley. It's out there, in that desert. Maybe it's the hooves."
submitted by ReplyInteresting1304 to replyinteresting1304 [link] [comments]


2023.06.05 01:17 Psychicinusa Indian astrologer in queens New York

Indian astrologer in queens New York
CALIFORNIA - Los Angeles, Beach-Santa Ana, San Francisco, San Diego, Carlsbad, Sacramento, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Oakland, Stockton NEW YORK - Queens, Jackson Heights, Flushing, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Bronx, Staten Islands, Jamaica, South Richmond Hill NEW JERSEY - Newark, Atlantic City, Jersey City, Trenton, Princeton, Hoboken, Paterson FLORIDA - Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Clearwater, Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford TEXAS - Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown, San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos ILLINOIS - Chicago, Naperville, Virginia, Richmond, Virginia Beach MO–ILLINOIS- St. Louis, St. Charles, Farmington NORTH CAROLINA - Raleighh, Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Allendale, Charlotte, Greensboro, Durham OREGON - Portland, Salem, Gresham, Hillsboro, Cave Junction, Vancouver, Corvallis PENNSYLVANIA - Philadelphia, York, Allentown, Altoona, Carbondale, Camden, Pittsburgh, Wilmington PA-OH-WV - Pittsburgh, New Castle, Weirton MISSOURI-KS- Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield, Columbia, St. Joseph, Joplin, Jefferson City ARKANSAS- Springdale, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, Rogers, Jonesboro, Pine Bluff, Russellville WISCONSIN- Milwaukee, Abbotsford, Bayfield, Racine, Waukesha, West Allis GEORGIA - Atlanta, Savannah, Augusta MARYLAND - Baltimore, Annapolis, Ocean City, Town Son, Columbia WASHINGTON- Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue, Auburn, Aberdeen, Black Diamond, Colfax CONNECTICUT - Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Stamford, Waterbury, Middletown, Ansonia Philadelphia: Pennsylvania, Harrisburg PHILADELPHIA - Pennsylvania, Harrisburg MINNESOTA- Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Saint Paul, Bloomington, Duluth, Brooklyn Park VIRGINIA - Richmond, Alexandria, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Charlottesville, Winchester, Staunton, Radford MICHIGAN - Livonia, Detroit , Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, Ann Arbor, Ocean City COLORADO - Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Abbeyville, Abeyta, Bald Mountain, Beartown ,Cabin Creek ARIZONA- Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale MASSACHUSETTS- Boston, Cambridge, Abington, Agawam, Bernardston, Chesterfield, Danvers, Edgartown INDIANA- Fort Wayne, Maysville, Indianapolis, Carmel, Muncie, Anderson, Bloomington, Greenwood OHIO- Cleveland, Akron, Canton , Cincinnati, Lake Erie, Cincinnati, Sandusky, Athens, Dayton, Port Clinton
submitted by Psychicinusa to u/Psychicinusa [link] [comments]


2023.06.05 00:37 SamPaxton97 Call of Duty: Eternal [COD]

Hello
I'd like you to imagine that, in 2017, Activision did not publish Call of Duty: WWII but instead Call of Duty: Eternal. This is a story which is very much the same as what Call of Duty: WWII transpired as but with a couple of significant differences. For a start, it's not set during World War Two - it's set in a fantasy world with a 1940s/50s level of technology. A global war is raging between mankind and Orks, with the Orks having conquered great tracts of the world, and the story opening with the efforts by humanity to retake "Albion" from Ork occupation. I like to imagine the faces of Call of Duty fans when the first trailer came out and, seeing what looked like D-Day, got excited that at last the franchise was going back to its roots - only to see that the enemies are Orks and the main character is a Lenape woman.
To help with this imagining - below you'll find the full script for the first mission of Call of Duty: Eternal, based on the first mission of Call of Duty: WWII. The rest will gradually follow.
You might find it useful to follow along using this video - a walkthrough (no commentary, thank God) of the actual first mission in Call of Duty: WWII to help with visualising it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7y1bDQBEhA
Call of Duty: Eternal Mission 1 X-Day
Text slowly appears on-screen:
The world is bathed in flames.
The Ork clans, united for the first time in centuries, are on the march.
Man faces extermination.
A human skull is shown before an Ork boot comes down on it, shattering it.
Radio broadcast: With unmatched ferocity, the Ork war machine has launched its onslaught against the world… mankind faces the abyss.
The camera pans up on the Ork boot to show an Ork soldier as, behind him, Ork soldiers and tanks move through a devastated city.
Radio broadcast: As we brace for our darkest hour, we must summon our strength to be the bulwark against oppression.
Ork bombers are shown bombing London, recognisable for the Thames if not for the architecture. They are four-engine bombers, like B-17s, and the camera closes in on a propeller which shifts to a ceiling fan.
Radio broadcast: The Ork onslaught will be the greatest test we'll ever face.
The camera pans down from the ceiling fan Mona Kanti, a young Lenape woman and the protagonist, is shown joining the Imperial Armed Forces. She stands in a line in a recruitment office as a recruitment officer stamps her papers.
Radio broadcast: But face it and defeat it… we must.
To punctuate the “we must,” a sudden cut to black with the sound cut out. Then, we hear the voice of the Ork Primarch. A speech plays, meant to mirror FDR’s D-Day Prayer, with shots of the Ork war machine we’ve been hearing so much about.
Primarch: With this war we set upon a mighty endeavour.
Fade from black to show huge lines of Ork soldiers in formation, like big Nazi rallies, are shown.
Primarch: A struggle to restore our civilization…
Ork soldiers on one knee in this rally are shown, closer up, dressed in battle gear and their faces daubed in war paint.
Primarch: …and to set free a suffering people.
A view from the rear of the rally, with the vast architecture of the Primarch’s palace shown looming over it all, resembling the Palace of the Soviets.
Primarch: Our Sons. Pride of our Clans.
Another panning shot of the assembled Orks, this time from the side.
Primarch: May the Mother lead them straight and true.
An Ork mystic, on the balcony overlooking the assembly, blesses the troops with hands raised to the sky.
Primarch: The road will be glorious. Men's souls will be broken with the beauty of war.
A shot from behind the mystic, seeing the assembled troops stretching towards the horizon.
Primarch: In this time of fire and blood…
The face of one Ork soldier is shown up close.
Primarch: …we shall prevail.
With the slightest of grimaces, the Ork uses a knife – and, in the background, we see the others doing the same – to ritualistically slice his forehead and let blood trickle down.
The cutscene then shifts to the Imperial Navy ships, including battleships of a scale similar to the Super Yamato, that are heading for the beaches of Albion. Mona Kanti is writing a letter to her sister, Luna Kanti, and we hear her voice-over as we view shots of the fleet.
Kanti (narrating): Luna. Oh, I wish you could see this, sister. An armada from one horizon to the next. I turned sixteen too late to help free Ériu. But not Albion – and it’s gonna be tougher. Much tougher. You know, I think I could bear the blood, and the misery… and the Orks. But the waiting… well, that’s a whole other battle.
Inside the troopship living quarters. We are now in first-person as Kanti. Kanti is sat at a table, hanging out and talking with her squad-mates Kinsi Rei (female Somali; shaved head), Thea Adlai, (female Swedish; ginger, freckles, glasses) and Ren Tao (male Chinese). Ren Tao is eighteen – the others are all sixteen. Bunks are stretched out behind them and other soldiers, of all ethnicities and sexes, walk by throughout. Rei is holding court while playing with a knife, every now and then jabbing between her fingers.
Rei: So she asks me for my watch and I'm thinking, "what in the Nether do you want my watch for; your parents make like fifty times mine!" But I turn around, and I felt this punch. And it's cold like ice.
Some of the dialogue is drowned out by Kanti’s narration. Every now and then, Kanti glances down at her fingers as she snaps them, but whatever she’s trying to do with that isn’t happening.
Kanti (narrating): Believe it or not, I managed to make some half-decent friends in Basic. All scared as can be. But nobody’s letting on.
Rei keeps playing her knife game as she talks.
Kanti (narrating): I hated Rei when I met her – and now she's my best friend. Funny how that works. She's always looking for trouble. If there wasn't already a war on she'd be off trying to start one.
Rei offers her knife to Thea Adlai and, though we can’t hear her given the narration, seems to be asking her if she wants to try the knife game. Adlai refuses.
Adlai: Besides, I gotta keep all my fingers if I'm gonna take photo of the year.
Kanti (narrating): Adlai says she's gonna be a photographer for a fashion magazine. She’s got a good eye. Except when she takes off her glasses – then she can’t see shit.
Rei offers her knife to Kanti and Kanti turns to Ren Tao.
Kanti (narrating): Tao's the vet but, if I’m honest, he's what kokomi would call “a bit of a bumpkin.”
Ren Tao is tempted to play Rei’s knife game.
Tao: Okay, okay. Let's make this interesting.
Rei: It’s not interesting? Kanti – what’re you doing?
She says this in reference to Kanti’s finger-snapping.
Kanti (narrating): I swear I used to be able to do this…
Tao: So you keep saying.
Tao take off his talisman and dangles it in front of Rei.
Tao: Xu Yaling. Spirit of war.
Adlai: And sex, right?
Tao: Sssh. (Rei and Adlai laugh) He's had my back since Sabha. And, yeah, that’s real gold. (drops the talisman down on the table) Rei, three times in ten seconds, and he's all yours. (Sits back down)
Rei: I don't know.
Tao: Oh, you could always wimp out. That’s a choice, too.
Kanti: My money's on Rei.
Rei: Okay. Okay, I'm in.
Adlai: I can't watch.
Tao: I can.
Rei looks to Adlai.
Rei: Just time me when I tell you. Back to my story – me and my girls, we muscled our way into this chess game that the wrestling team had going. We had a bona-fide genius among us – but it was me playing. We worked out a system where she can signal to me what moves to make. You should have seen the Head Girl’s face when I took that pot. (To Adlai) You ready? That's what happens when you try to hustle a hustler. Now…
Rei plays the knife game while Adlai times her and wins the bet in a few impressive seconds.
Rei: Checkmate!
Tao: There ain’t no way!
Kanti (narrating): Tao had enough fight in him for two men.
Rei: Much obliged.
Rei offers to shake hands with Tao.
Tao: My mother told me never touch a Nube.
Rei doesn’t flinch but you can tell she’s ready to throw hands. Instead…
Rei: That's not what she said last night.
Rei winks and Tao shakes her hand.
Kanti (narrating): And enough bigotry for six.
Tao: Meh, who needs a stupid talisman anyway.
Rei: Apparently, you did. Here, have it back.
Tao: You won it.
Rei: It’s fake gold.
Tao: What? No, no, no, that’s as real as you or I.
Rei: A hustler always knows.
Tao: Ah, whatever, if it’s fake I don’t want it. I'm gonna get something better. A real trophy. You'll see.
Rei: Good luck with that.
Kanti snaps her fingers and finally produces what she wanted – a finger of flame, like a lighter, appears.
Kanti: I did it! Look, look, I did it!
Rei: Well, by Baphometh, isn’t that something?
Tao: That’s very pretty, Kanti. You’re ready to take on the Primarch, I should think.
Rei: She was always ready. Right Kanti?
Tao: You got any healing spells we could use or is it all evil magic with you?
Kanti: Well-
Rei: Oh, go on, tell him, Kanti! Tell him about that thing you can do!
Adlai: What thing?
Rei: And there’s no such thing as good and evil magic. Just good and evil people.
Kanti: It’s not that I can do it; it’s just that it happens sometimes. When someone’s dead I can kinda, you know, see into their past. But they have to of died recently. And I can’t do it with most people.
Tao: Well, we’re invading Fortress Albion, my friend. Good time to find yourself some corpses.
Rei: Maybe even your own.
Adlai: Hey, Kanti, do that spell again for the camera.
Adlai raises her camera then, seeing her watch, realizes that they are late for the mission briefing.
Adlai: Oh! Never mind, briefing’s at 18:00; we're gonna be late!
Adlai jumps up and runs from the room. The others also stand.
Tao: Run, little mouse.
Rei: I got us covered Kanti; don't worry about it (Showing the pendant to Kanti and winking). It is real gold.
As Kanti and Rei leave the living quarters, they encounter Khand, their turban-wearing sergeant, and in terms of personality very much a cranky sergeant stereotype.
Khand: Briefing's about to start; what in the Nether are you idiots doing?
Kanti (narrating): Then there's Sergeant Khand. He’s a sweetheart.
Khand: Oh, you think you're special, huh? The Orks are gonna eat you alive.
Rei: No, not me, sergeant. I’m high in salt.
Khand: Watch your lip, Rei. On me.
Khand leaves. The other two move to follow.
Rei: Since I'm obviously on a lucky streak, whatever happens, stay close. First Albion, then the Great Pale, then home in time for tea and medals. We got this, Kanti.
Scene fades out.
All of the 66th Infantry Division troops are on the deck of the ship as the rain pours down and Colonel Kitwana, a Swahili man, gives his pre-battle speech. As he does, we see the soldiers assembled watching him.
Kitwana: Today… we embark on an operation of unparalleled importance. To establish a beachhead in Albion… and roll back the Ork horde... that has terrorized the world since before many of you were born. We are all that separates the world from darkness. This is so much more than a chance to be heroes in our own lifetimes. If we prevail… our triumphs will be etched into the hearts and minds of a grateful world for untold generations. I'm talking about glory. True glory.
Kanti narrates her letter to Luna and soldiers begin to climb down the cargo net on the side of the ship into landing craft. These craft start making for the Albion coast.
Kanti (narrating): Colonel Kitwana can give a nice speech. His pep talk reminded me of the one Coach Pakwa gave us on our Mother’s Night game against Susquehanna. I'm sure you remember we lost by 67 points. (Focuses on Sokolov and Khand) Always looking over Khand’s shoulders is Lieutenant Sokolov. He's got him on a tight leash. But if Khand breaks free, we'll all get bit. Ever since I found my gift, I wanted to be like you, Luna. You've always been a tough act to follow. But I'll do my best.
Gameplay
We are now in first-person again as Kanti.
Kanti (narrating): It's now or never.
Kanti is writing in her notebook, the photo of Luna pinned to a page, as their landing craft drives for the Albion shore. Kanti is interrupted by Rei.
Rei: Hey! I wish I was coming home to her!
Kanti: That’s my sister! Just wait ‘til we hit Lutetia. Enough girls for the rest of your long life.
Rei: I’m starting to realise how far away it is.
Kanti take a quick glance at her notebook and closes it before tucking it into her pack.
Sokolov: Remember. No digging in at the shore. You advance. You need to stay low and do not bunch up. Stick to your training and you're gonna make it through.
Khand: Most of you, anyway.
Medium bombers pass by overhead, resembling the Junkers Ju 88 (in this universe known as Dragons) on a heading towards Albion.
Tao: Alright! Give em hell, boys.
Text appears across the screen.
X-DAY Lùnastal 17th, 397 NE Rheged, Northern Albion
Rei: The beaches are meant to be flattened, right?
Khand: You sound scared, Private.
Rei: No, sir.
Khand: You should be.
Driver: Hey, you! You!
Kanti turns to look at the landing craft’s driver behind her.
Driver: Got a light?
Kanti: Sure thing.
Kanti snaps her fingers a couple times and produces the flame again.
Driver: Oh – you’re one of them.
Soldier: Never trust a witch.
As the driver lights his cigarette on her finger, a bullet hits the boat’s machine gunner in the throat; he falls, flailing, with blood spurting out of his neck like in a Tarantino film. Shells start to fall.
Driver: Bastards!
Sokolov: Everyone down!
Rei: This is it!
Ork artillery lands in the grey ocean all around, spraying the craft with water. Kanti crouches with the rest of the troops.
Soldier: Watch out!
Bullets bounce off the landing craft’s armour.
Soldier: This isn’t fun!
Driver: Five hundred yards!
Another shell lands nearby and sprays the craft with water. Kanti trips but is held up by Khand grabbing her arm.
Driver: We’re gonna have to pull off!
Sokolov: No, we stay on mission! You're taking us in!
Driver: We must have drifted! I can't see the landmark!
Khand: You heard the lieutenant. Full speed!
Sokolov: Incoming!
An artillery shells blows up the neighbouring landing craft.
Soldier: By the Gods!
Sokolov: Hold tight!
An artillery shell, again, lands near the boat.
Kanti: Damn it!
Driver: Two hundred yards!
Looking up, a Dragon bomber is visible coming down with an engine on fire.
Driver: Twenty seconds!
Sokolov: Remember the plan! Get to the seawall!
Khand: Ceres! Aradove! Get the bangalore to the wire, fast! Everyone ready? Here we go!
Sokolov: Drop the ramp!
Driver: There's no cover!
Khand: That was an order, damn you! Drop it!
The ramp drops just as a landing craft consumed with flames comes crashing into theirs.
Rei: Oh, shit!
Kanti is knocked off her feet by the impact. Looking up, she watches as machine gun fire from the clifftops chops down a number of soldiers on the boat now that the ramp has been dropped. One has his head blown off and his neck is left spouting blood over Kanti as others are also cut down.
Sokolov: Over the sides! Now! Now!
Kanti follows as the survivors climb over the boat’s side. She stays underwater for a few seconds before being helped to her feet by Sokolov, spluttering.
Sokolov: I got you, child!
Just behind him, the beach is consumed by fighting and the noise of war is deafening.
Sokolov: Get your head down and keep moving!
Sokolov leads Kanti out of the surf, a burning soldier falls screaming from another landing craft and into the water, while carnage reigns all around. Bodies are floating all about and the water is red with blood.
Sokolov: Kanti; on me!
Running through the sand as explosions go off all around, artillery can be seen curling from the Ork lines towards the beach. Sokolov and Kanti hit the deck in front of some Ork tank traps.
Sokolov: Demolition team is dead! Take the bangalore and get to the seawall! We need to clear a path to the bunkers!
Kanti temporarily looks away, back to the water, and witnesses the bloodshed of soldiers dying, and a number running out of a landing craft on fire, while a warship close to shore opens fire on the coastal defences. Sokolov gets Kanti’s attention.
Sokolov: Kanti!
An explosion goes off nearby, half-soaking Sokolov’s face with gore. Someone just blew up.
Sokolov: This is your job! You got that?! Now pick up the banger!
Kanti moves the severed arm of a dead soldier to retrieve the bangalore. She looks upon the dead soldier’s corpse and, suddenly, her vision fades away and she sees his memories. This is the first of the Internal Vortex collectibles which can be found throughout the game, whereby additional lore is provided through Kanti’s ability to tap into the memories of certain corpses (human and Ork). In this case, the accessed memory tells a brief story of the soldier (Private Omid Afshani) and how he was part of a traditional military family and all his brothers have already fallen, told he would be a general someday, how he was born on a ship evacuating Persia (which goes some way to explaining why the Imperial military is so multiethnic – the whole world evacuated to the Americas) and how his last letter home from the ship told of how “I can’t wait to hear the birdsong again.”
Afterwards, she returns to lucidity.
Sokolov: Kanti! Kanti! You with me?!
Kanti: Yes!
Sokolov: You can do this!
Sokolov stands and starts running up the beach. Kanti watches after him.
Kanti: I hope so, sir!
Kanti looks at the dead soldier that was carrying the torpedo bangalore, and with one hand closes his eyes.
Kanti: Sorry.
Kanti takes the body’s R7 Remi rifle (comparable to the M1 Garand) and proceeds up the beachhead, trying not to get killed. The machine gun nests in the clifftop fortifications will open fire on the soldiers then wait for a few seconds to reload. This will be the player's chance to move up to avoid taking damage. The player moves from cover to cover – tank traps, the wreckage of vehicles such as half-tracks and light tanks, and shell craters, mostly.
Khand: Hurry before they reload! Move it!
Sokolov: Kanti! This way! Hurry! Stop and you’re dread!
Tao: Shit!
Sokolov: Those MGs are killing us! Get off the beach!
Khand: Private Kanti – get to the seawall!
Rei: Get to the seawall! I’ll meet you there!
A couple of armoured vehicles – light tanks resembling Soviet BT-7s, here called LT-5 Termites – are now also moving up the beach and providing fire support. One blows up.
Sokolov: Keep low. When there’s a break in the fire, run for it!
There’s a break in the fire – you run for it.
Sokolov: Kanti, get the bangalore!
When Kanti reaches the seawall, which is made up of a big mound of sand lined at its top by barbed fire and burning gasoline, she falls against it. Her fellow soldiers fall in alongside her or are already there. A lot of wounded are also there, being treated by medics as machine gun fire flies over their heads. Rei falls next to Kanti, her face covered in dirt and blood.
Rei: Kanti! Use the banger; I'll cover you! After we breach, keep pushing toward the bunker!
Kanti: You’re covered in blood.
Rei: It’s not mine. Focus!
Kanti sets up the torpedo bangalore, made up of two cylindrical rods, with the second able to fit inside the first. Her handling is shaky and she drops one rod. Rei picks it up for her and gives it back.
Rei: We're nearly there!
Kanti pushes the torpedo bangalore into the seawall.
Rei: Pull it! Pull it!
Kanti: Fire in the hole!
Kanti scrambles backwards and the bangalore explodes, tearing a hole in the seawall for the soldiers to pour through, dirt pouring down like rain.
Sokolov: Weapons ready! Fix bayonets!
Kanti fumbles for her bayonet and fixes it to her rifle. You can now use this as a melee weapon against enemy infantry.
Rei: Ready to see your first Ork?
Sokolov: Attack!
Sokolov leads the troops through the hole – and many, though not Sokolov, are cut down.
Rei: Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!
Sokolov: Push forward!
After passing through the hole, you are faced with a clearing sprinkled with tank traps and barbed wire. After that, trenches, and then the bluffs with fortifications spitting machine gun fire.
Rei: Into the trench! Hurry!
Soldier: Orks!
You now face your first Ork drones as you push towards the trenches. Once you get into the trench, you slowly clear it and a mortar position, presumably losing Health as you do. Once done, you turn a corner deeper into the trenches where Rei is located.
Rei: That wound looks bad! Here, take this!
Rei throws a health pack to Kanti. The player can now call on Rei, when the squad meter fills, to add a pack for a total of four.
Kanti: Many thanks!
The player moves through the trenches, clearing out Ork drones. Friendly troops leap across the trenches. The player then gets to the end of the trenches and reaches the bluffs covered by Ork fortifications. A slope goes uphill between the bluffs but machine gun fire pins the friendly troops down and makes it impassable.
Khand: We can't advance with those MGs firing on our position!
Sokolov: Hold tight. Fire support incoming!
Khand: Kanti, mark the target!
Khand throws a canister to Kanti. Kanti catches it and throws it uphill towards the Ork bunkers. Red smoke emanates. Sokolov is shouting into a radio.
Sokolov: Kestrel, target is lit up! Hit it now and hit it hard!
Radio: Roger, we have your smoke visual. Attack run inbound.
Explosions hit the MG bunker as rockets from a trio of dive-bombing jets which resemble de Havilland Vampires (in this universe called Banshees) come in and obliterate the fortifications. The jets pass by close overhead.
Tao: That's it! Let 'em have it!
Adlai: MGs are dead!
Kanti: (laughs) They tore them to shreds!
Sokolov: Get to the top!
You and your squad move up the hill – a wounded Ork, both arms missing, stumbles from the smoke and still tries to fight by biting at Sokolov. Sokolov shoots it down.
Sokolov: Crazy bastards.
More Ork infantry advance.
Ork: I shall wear your hide as a coat!
After defeating these Orks, the player advances to the top of the hill through which additional trenches burrow.
Sokolov: Kanti; I need you and Rei to take point and clear those bunkers! Go!
Rei: Had to be us!
You move in with your squad. There are five bunkers to clear. The first has a clearing full of mortar positions, where Ork infantry defend, and there’s more firing at you from inside the bunker itself.
Sokolov: Orks are dug in. Kanti, get a grenade in that bunker!
You break into the bunker and clear it out, including the machine gun post covering the beach.
Rei: First one’s down!
Sokolov: Bunker’s clear – everyone out.
You move on. Taking the adjoining trenches, you come across an Ork Officer – larger and more heavily armoured than the Drones you’ve been fighting so far – holding a human soldier by the neck. Assuming you shoot him in the head, the only non-armoured part, he’ll go down and the soldier is saved.
Soldier: Thanks! I owe you!
If not, and your bullets bounce off the Officer’s armour, he crushes the man’s neck in his hand and comes for you.
After that, you drive on through the trenches, killing a few more Orks, before turning and entering an underground bunker. Inside, the entry is covered by a machine gun post.
Khand: MG's pinning us! Someone toss a smoke!
You can do that, or you can perhaps kill the machine gunner. Up to you. Afterwards, you drive on through the underground bunker. It’s a bit of a catacomb full of dormitories and a radio room. Eventually, you clear it.
Khand: Bunker's clear. Let's go!
Sokolov: Everybody out, bunker's clear!
You head back outside, 2 of 5 bunkers complete. You continue through the trenches, meeting fresh Orks.
Rei: There’s artillery hitting the beach! The next assault wave won’t make it!
Khand: Keep pushing! That artillery is hammering our ships!
Kanti: On it, sir! Yeah, I can do this, I can do this…
You carry on through the trench. Some Banshee jet fighters screech overhead. Reaching the entrance to the next bunker, you see a friendly – Corporal Lieu – with an F3 Inferno – a backpack flamethrower. He fires it down the bunker at unseen enemy troops before being gunned down.
Kanti: I'm going in!
Rei: Careful!
You enter the bunker – you can pick up the F3 Inferno as you do, which doesn’t last long but which is fun to use.
Ork: Come, little men!
You clear the bunker. As you reach the machine gun post, you enter into a quicktime moment. Kanti gets ambushed around a corner by an Ork soldier, who grabs her by the throat and pins her to the wall, but she jams her combat knife into his neck. Falling from his grasp, she sees the machine gunner just as a shell from a ship offshore hits the bunker dead-on and blows it, and him, to smithereens. Rei appears from the dust and helps Kanti to her feet.
Rei: Shit! Fucking Navy. Don’t they believe in us?
Returning from the machine gun nest, some Orks have shown up to try and retake the bunker. Take them out and then the bunker’s cleared.
The next bunker is just a hop from this one – you enter, at first finding nobody, before discovering an Ork pinning an Imperial soldier to the wall.
Soldier: Somebody help!
You, I should hope, kill the Ork.
Soldier: Thanks! Oh, hey, a girl…
Kanti: You wish.
You drive into the bunker, in the heart of which is a mortar position, and take out the Ork defenders. With that, the bunker is cleared.
Khand: Move up, move up!
Everyone rallies at the big steel door at the end of the bunker.
Khand: Adlai. Tao. With me. Kanti, you and Rei clear the next bunker. Rally at the top of the bluff, and for fuck’s sake try not to get yourselves killed.
You interact with the big steel door and open it, before going with Rei down some more trenches.
Kanti: Alright, Rei. One more!
Rei: We got this!
You turn a corner into a clearing before the bunker. There’s Orks both defending it on the ground and a sniper on top of the bunker itself. After dealing with this, you head inside, Rei behind you.
As you enter the bunker, Kanti is ambushed by an Ork Major – she is thrown to the floor and the Ork stands over her, pulling out a knife.
Ork: Never did fear smell so sweet.
Rei jumps onto its back and holds onto him around the neck. The Ork manages to throw Rei onto the ground before stabbing her through the belly.
Kanti: Rei! Oh, shit, no!
The Ork soldier leaves the wounded Rei, knife still sticking from her stomach, and approaches Kanti.
Ork: Stand and face me, woman. Show some honour.
Kanti stands and fights the Ork, which through its superior strength easily ends up on top of her, taking away her knife and now pushing it down towards her with both hands. Then, Kanti’s hands light up and the flames return – her whole hands are on fire. The Ork roars in pain and surprise and backs away, looking at its burned hands, before Kanti runs at him as the flames go out and tackles him to the ground. The Ork is still stronger and goes back to throttling her – but they’ve fallen near Rei, who yanks the knife out of her belly and jams it into the Ork’s chest.
Ork: The glory…
The Ork dies. Kanti climbs off and approaches Rei, who suddenly brandishes a pistol.
Kanti: Whoa, Rei…
Rei: Duck!
Kanti does so and Rei shoots the unseen Ork which was behind her. Kanti looks back to Rei, who is dealing with quite a lot of pain.
Kanti: Come on, you’re okay, you’re okay.
Rei: I can't walk.
Kanti pulls up Rei’s uniform to see her stomach – the wound is gushing blood.
Kanti: Oh, shit…
Rei: That bad?
Kanti: It’s not great.
Rei: Would you mind getting me out of here?
An explosion, presumably artillery – Kanti looks down the bunker to see it shudder, rubble falling from the ceiling.
Kanti: Yeah, course, no problem Kinsi, just stay with me, okay? Can you do that?
Rei: I’m gonna have to try. Pulling that knife out was pretty fucking stupid, huh?
Kanti: No comment. Come on.
The player starts dragging Rei out of the bunker and outside. Across a pretty dangerous clearing are friendly lines.
Kanti: We've gotta get back to friendly lines!
Kanti starts dragging Rei across the grass
Rei: On your left!
Kanti shoots the Orks which appear from the left with her pistol and keeps going.
Rei: You’re gonna… have to tell me… how you did that fire thing.
Kanti: I will when I figure it out myself!
They keep going.
Kanti: Not much further. Just keep pressure on that wound.
Rei: I’m trying!
Kanti drags Rei to a wall of sandbags and clambers over them.
Kanti: We gotta take cover!
Rei, in what is pretty clearly a painful endeavour, follows suit and lays in the mud. With her pistol, Kanti faces the Orks now coming for them.
Ork: Tasty, salty man-flesh!
Rei: How many?
Kanti: Too many!
Once the Orks are dispatched, Kanti looks back down at Rei.
Kanti: We're clear! Come on!
Kanti starts dragging Rei through the mud.
Rei: You call that fuckin' clear?
They skirt the edge of the trenches – an Imperial soldier with a flamethrower is dousing a group of Orks in fire. They continue along the edge of the trench, which is lined with barbed wire and so inaccessible, at least for Rei.
Rei: I'm losing too much blood. I think. You need more than half, right?
Kanti: Just hang in there! I gotta find a clearing to get in the trench!
Kanti places Rei down as smoke canisters pop, obscuring the next Ork wave to come their way.
Ork (from somewhere in the smoke): The clan will feast on you!
Kanti: Keep your head down!
Rei: Did you get 'em?
Kanti: They keep coming! How many of these fuckers are there?!
After taking out four or five, Kanti turns back to Rei.
Rei: Watch out!
Rei, with her sidearm, shoots down an Ork drone running at them from behind.
Rei: Still got it.
Kanti: Now’s our chance!
Kanti keep dragging Rei along the edge of the trench, smoke from the Ork canisters obscuring everything. As she goes, an Ork grenade lands at her feet.
Kanti: Fuck!
Kanti throws grabs it and throws it away. She sees an open area in the trench.
Kanti: Bingo!
Kanti jumps down into the trench, up to her ankles in mud, then turns back to Rei.
Kanti: I got you!
Rei rolls off the edge of the trench and lands in the mud at Kanti’s feet. A few more Orks appear from the smoke and Kanti shoots them down. She then looks down at Rei, who’s on the edge of losing consciousness, and then looks down the trench where more Ork infantry are coming at them.
Kanti: Oh, give us a break!
Kanti takes them out. Then, she turns back to Rei and starts dragging her down the trench.
Rei: Oh, wow, I'm actually bleeding out.
Kanti: Just keep pressure on it!
Rei: I’m trying! I’m trying!
Kanti: Almost there!
They reach some concrete steps – a friendly soldier is at the top.
Soldier: Come on up here! Move, move!
Kanti starts dragging Rei up the stairs – the soldier runs down and helps.
Soldier: I got you!
Two Orks come around the corner – someone on the top of the stairs shoots them both down. They reach the top of the stairs and find themselves in the middle of a friendly improvised triage centre. Kanti lays Rei down, whose face is very dazed, as she flicks off her helmet, blood trickling from her mouth.
Kanti: Okay. Stay with me. Healer!
Nobody comes – everyone’s busy.
Rei: I need morphine. All the morphine.
Kanti takes out a syringe of morphine, pulls off the cap with her teeth, and injects Rei in the thigh. Rei’s breathing is strained and painful. Kanti puts a hand under her head as a pillow.
Kanti: You gotta hang on. Those girls in Lutetia are waiting for you.
Rei: Really?
Kanti: Of course.
Rei: I… uh… how about another look at your sister?
Rei manages a smile, sniggering through the pain, and Kanti laughs, too.
Kanti: You’re infuriating.
Rei: It's okay. I can't see shit. I'm just gonna rest right here.
Rei’s eyes close.
Kanti: No, no, no, you need to stay awake. Hey.
Kanti puts her hand against Rei’s face, slapping her awake, and Rei’s eyes open.
Rei: Mona…
Kanti: I'm here.
Rei makes eye contact.
Rei: Help me.
Kanti: I need a fucking Healer!
A Healer finishes treating a wounded soldier and rushes over, taking over from Kanti in trying to stop the bleeding.
Healer: I got this! Go!
Kanti looks back down at Rei.
Kanti: But… but I…
Sokolov appears, standing over them.
Sokolov: Kanti! He'll take care of her. I need you with me. (to others) Listen up! There's an Ork cannon just a little up the road. It's tearing up the beach – we’re gonna stop it. Let's roll!
Kanti looks back down at Rei, who’s reaching out to her. Kanti takes her hand for a moment.
Kanti: Just stay alive, okay?
For a moment, with Rei on the very edge of death, little flickers of her memories flash before Kanti’s eyes. We see her mother telling her she’s a disappointment, Rei sitting in a prison cell, and then being told by a recruiting officer that “the Army’s running out of men – we need some ladies ready to be heroes.” Then Kanti returns to lucidity and Rei’s face.
Rei: I promise.
Their hands part and Kanti stands, grabbing a rifle, and joins the rest of the squad.
Sokolov: Check your ammo and grenades!
Khand: You heard him! Up the road, now!
Kanti and the rest of the squad move out of the top of the bunker, along a field pock-marked with craters, then go onto a dirt road leading towards a farm.
Kanti: Moving up!
Khand: Let's move!
Sokolov: Be ready – these Orks don’t look like the surrendering type!
You keep moving up the road, finding some dead cows as you go.
Khand: Move fast! They're shelling the beach to shit!
You reach the target – a machine-gun nest is set up in a half-destroyed farmhouse and starts shooting at you as you appear.
Sokolov: MG in the hay loft! Take cover and take it out!
After taking out the machine gun, you keep moving up to fight Orks among the farmhouses and hay bales. A large artillery cannon is in the centre and you move to clear it and secure the area, moving in a couple of the farmhouses to do so.
Adlai: Where’s all the civilians?
Khand: In the Ork’s stomachs, probably!
Once you’ve cleared everything, silence seems to fall.
Soldier: Orks coming in from the south! A lot of them!
Sokolov: They’re gonna try to retake the cannon! We gotta hold this position!
Khand: Not a step backwards!
The squad defends the position as a couple waves of Orks swarm towards them. You can use the machine gun posts in the upper floors of the farmhouses to help fight them off.
Adlai: There’s too many of them!
Khand: Hold! Have courage!
Still the Orks swarm the field to the south – until explosions start to blow them away. Termite tanks appear from the left, their 45mm guns tearing through the Orks, which are either slaughtered or flee.
Tao: Our boys are coming in!
Adlai: Look at them scatter!
Sokolov: Alright, everyone. We mopped them up good. I don’t think they’ll be back.
Khand: Clear! Destroy that cannon!
Kanti goes to the cannon and crouches down behind it. An Imperial soldier appears next to her.
Soldier: Thermite!
The soldier carries a number of thermite charges inside his helmet like a bucket and empties them out in front of Kanti. Kanti lights one of them.
Kanti: Fire in the hole!
Everyone backs away – you probably should too – and the thermite explodes. The cannon is destroyed.
Sokolov: Excellent work, Kanti. Alright, everyone, rally on me to the assembly point. Khand, I'll need a casualty report. We lost so many.
Khand: But we took the beach.
Sokolov: What a price.
At the rally point, Rei is on a stretcher on the ground, a cigarette in her mouth as Tao is knelt next to her.
Rei: Kanti...
Rei tries to sit up and Tao puts out a hand to encourage her to lay back down. Given the pain on Rei’s face, that’s probably a good idea.
Tao: Man, I thought I'd seen everything…
Kanti: She gonna be okay?
Tao: Yeah. They taped her up pretty good.
Rei: I should’ve stayed on the boat.
Tao: Oh, now she tells us.
Kanti: Hey, what you did back there… I owe you. Big time.
Rei: I’d say we're even.
Kanti: We'll see this through.
Rei smiles.
Rei: To the end. I guess.
Kanti: Whenever that may be.
Sokolov and Khand walk by behind Rei; Sokolov addresses everyone. Kanti glances up at them, then back at Rei, who just gives her a knowing nod, then stands as she looks back at their superiors.
Sokolov: Beachhead's secured. We'll bivouac at the second hedgerow after the ridge. It’s not over, everyone.
Behind them, a couple of dead Orks are being examined. Adlai is taking photos of one while a soldier gently kicks the head of another.
Soldier: Stop kicking it.
Soldier #2: I don’t wanna.
Khand regards Kanti. There’s blood in his beard.
Khand: Welcome to the Smiling Sixty Sixth. You're a long way from home, farm girl.
Khand walks off. Sokolov watches Kanti, then approaches when Khand is out of earshot.
Sokolov: That’s his way of saying he’s grateful. You did well. Not bad for your first day.
Kanti: Thanks, sir. I, uh…
Sokolov puts a hand on Kanti’s shoulder.
Sokolov: You'll be alright, child.
Kanti: Yes, sir.
Sokolov pats her shoulder, nods, then walks off. Kanti looks down at her hands, covered in dirt and blood, which hold each other before slowly separating.
Kanti: Course I will.
The level ends.
submitted by SamPaxton97 to CallOfDuty [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 19:47 Kirbyiscool71 The full view of the metro train map I took at Long Beach blvd station

The full view of the metro train map I took at Long Beach blvd station submitted by Kirbyiscool71 to Metrotrainandbus [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 16:04 inlovewiththemed Morocco: An Exotic Journey Through the Sights, Sounds and Tastes


Nestled in the northwest corner of Africa, Morocco is a land of extraordinary beauty, rich history, and diverse culture.
From the lush green forests of the north to the arid plains of the south, Morocco is a land of stark contrasts that will leave you awe-inspired.
One of the most striking features of Morocco is its stunning coastline that stretches over 3500 kilometers along the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean.
The beaches are breathtakingly beautiful, with golden sands, turquoise waters, and dramatic cliffs.
The Mediterranean coastline offers a peaceful escape, while the Atlantic coastline offers some of the best surf breaks in the world.
Morocco is also a land of high mountains, with the Atlas Range dominating the landscape.
Full Article: https://www.inlovewiththemed.com/morocco-is-a-country-full-of-life-sounds-aromas-and-colours/
submitted by inlovewiththemed to MediterraneanVibes [link] [comments]


2023.06.04 07:46 lnedible A Strategical Blunder

The soldiers lined on Ardenholms beaches. Their bright, jewel encrusted armor flashed brightly in the glaring summers sun. The warriors were eager to get on with their game of conquering and subjugating. They were Ardenholmites, Humilauians, and Pommedorans, as well as Tuberite religious warriors hailing from Solanum. They were gathered in Ardenholm to prepare for an imminent invasion from Veritas and their leader, BB.
Ardenholm, Humilau and especially Pommedora were in open rebellion from BB. They thought of him as a tyrannical leader, levying heavy taxes and other unreasonable demands. They finally decided to declare themselves separate from BB, but the turmoil quickly devolved into a fight for control of the entire island chain.
Pommedora was a Tuberist nation, so they called upon their Solanarian brothers to help the fight. The Tuberists, thinking it would be an easy battle, happily joined in.
As the Tuberites made the short voyage to Pommedora, tensions arose. There was an attempt to reestablish diplomatic relations which quickly broke down, resulting in a raid from Veritas on Pommedora, their closest neighbor.
The Tuberites arrived far too late to join the fray, but fortunately the raid was mostly scared off before any real fighting could occur, and the casualties were 6 in Pommedora, after a single arrow barrage and 8 Veritasian raiders who brought their boat too close to the walls and were sunk by a well placed explosive firework.
Thus began an alarmingly fast arms race. Both sides were on islands, so a full force invasion was not viable…yet. Seemingly overnight the once windswept and backwater islands in rebellion turned to industry. The once salty and warm air choked with the smoke from the flames of fires roaring in their mighty hearths. Peaceful and sunny harbors because overrun with heavy bots of war.
Veritas kept pace with the industrial might and the islands were equal in strength. Both bought mercenaries to fight, but Veritas gained a significant upper hand by taking a hefty loan from bankers overseas and buying much better metals than could ever be reaped from the earth on the barren island chain.
Finally the mines were depleted of what little resources they could muster. Though bright earthen metals were occasionally still warm from being melted and pounded into their molds.
With no more brawn games to play, both sides made a quick shift to mind games. Spies. Spies everywhere. In the streets. In the factories. In the harbors. Everywhere. Private conversations became public knowledge overnight. The town square of Ardenholm ran red with the blood of those suspected of treason.
Next came the starvation. The already small fields had been neglected because the farmers had been made to become factory workers. This time, the rebellion got the upper hand, with the Tuberists providing food from their vast fields back in Solanaria. Veritas attempted a naval blockade to stop the shipment of food from arriving. The Tuberists didn’t slow down. The naval commander ordered them to hold. The Tuberists, already very near to the maximum pace, almost appeared to speed up. Finally they stopped just outside of cannon range. They waited in a locked stalemate for 3 days until the Veritasians ran out of water and were forced to return to port. Thus, they spent the winter on meager rations and had to sell some of their newly bought steel to pay for food.
Finally, after a long and cold winter of light eating and intense stare-offs, the spring blossomed in the remaining fields.
The Veritasians had survived the winter by the skin of their teeth and knew that they could not survive another winter. This years winter had been astoundingly warm (by West Phagosian standards). In fact, this was the warmest winter ever recorded.
Over on Pommedora, which at this point had been established as the capital, the situation was almost as grim. The Tuberists, who were creeping up on a years time spent on an island were becoming increasingly obstinate and downright treasonous. They longed to go back to their homeland, and run on green fields, with gently rolling hills bordered by lush, fertile marshes, encased by the great mountains far to the west, just where the eye could see them. They downright despised the cramped island.
Tensions were starting to boil over on all sides of the war, until finally the spy game did its job. The Pommedorans received definitive proof that the Veritasians would be sailing for a “surprise” attack on Ardenholm in one months time. This was the break they needed and with this knowledge they could easily win the war.
Under the cover of darkness they began to very slowly and methodically ship soldier to Ardenholm. They arrived on mail boats and pleasure crafts, in wine barrels and tiny crude rafts. Simultaneously, these same craft evacuated the women and children, bringing them safely to Pommedora.
Then, the day before the battle, an idea was had. It was decided that instead of defending the city they should go on the offensive while the opposing military was away. The idea was they would go quickly to Veritas and slay BB, and then swiftly bring his head back over to Ardenholm where his army, seeing that they had nothing to fight for, would surrender.
There were problems with this plan, though. The entire army was already on Ardenholm, and Pommedora was still the closest island to Veritas, so it would make no sense to keep an army anywhere but there. Also, the ships would probably sail right by each other on their way to conquer their respective islands.
“None the matter with these details” said the commanders, “This plan is too good to pass up.”
And thus we pick up where we started, with the solders, armed to the teeth, sitting in the early morning sun, waiting for their boats to take them to Veritas.
They boarded and set off. 1/10 of the army was left behind to There was nothing but excitement as they lost sight of the shore. The soldiers were tremendously confident in their plan.
The boats sailed for 38 minutes without interruption.
Suddenly, a lookout sounded their horn. The soldiers instantaneously switched from their excited and eager chatter to silence as they looked on the horizon, expecting to see a fleet of opposing ships.
Instead they saw a tiny island. Barely even an island. More like a sad sandbar. The entire island was completely covered in Veritasian troops. They were all standing on the island, their bodies facing the fleet. They were all watching the fleet sail by.
All wielded a dull blue trident, the color of cold and drear ocean
Then one, the commander most likely, stepped forth and walked slowly to the edge of the shore, about 10 feet. He stopped at the edge and dipped the pronged fork of his trident into the water
Not a single eye strayed from his trident as it leapt to life. It’s dull and sad color replaced by an electric blue. The blue started from where the water touched the prongs and snaked down the trident at a decently fast pace.
Then he did the most unexpected thing of all, and fell face first into the water. All eyes remained on where he fell. The seconds ticked by. 15. 30. 60. 90. Was he dead? 120. Then at 133 exactly he sprang from the water. His right hand clamped so tightly around his trident his knuckles were bleached like dead coral. He sailed 50 meters in the air, well above the masts of the boats, and about 150 meters towards the boats.
Then his army all seemingly sprang to life and walked swiftly to the waters edge. It was a trap! They didn’t pause for dramatic effect like he did, diving headfirst into the water and sailing through the air with almost no delay.
The archers attempted to ready their bows but the boats were already packed tight with men, horses, cannons, and all sorts of equipment of war.
The tridenteers sprang forth and plunged into the ocean like rain. A hundred a twenty, they numbered. They rapidly began closing the distance. The archers pulled back their bows and waited for them to get into firing range. They quickly closed in. Finally, they were in shooting distance and they fired. None of the shots struck. In fact, none even came close. The soldiers were simply too small to hit accurately, especially from a rocking boat.
The tridenteers then passed overhead, and did the most unexpected thing of all. A few reached into their pouches and pulled out a single gray stick about the size of a baton. They then dropped them.
All of the tridenteers possessed 8 of these sticks, so most waited until they had clear shots to drop. A few thought they did right then, and threw their sticks towards the ships.
All except one missed. It was tremendously hard to fire accurately while trying to dodge projectiles.
The one that didn’t miss sailed down, down, down until it landed barely on the port side of a medium sized Humilauian cruiser. The wood of the boat was no match for the explosion that rang out. The front port side was torn. The water spout produced from the explosion went 15 meters into the air.
The ship sank in 2 minutes.
Immediately it’s neighboring boats turned sharply to rescue the screaming survivors. The tridenteers passed about a kilometer away from the boats before veering to the left and turning to made another pass.
The ships were thoroughly spooked, and most moved to do evasive maneuvers.
Suddenly, three powerful horn blasts rang out. This was the sign to press forth. The ships readjusted course to fan out, but 9 blasts rang out, the sign to stick together.
A second pass was made with 2 ships sunk. Another pass was made, but no ships were sunk. Than another with no ships. Another with 1. Another with 1. Another with none. This continued until 87 passes were made. There were 137 boats in total at the beginning, 7 large, 38 medium and 94 small. 93 remained. There were 4 large boats remaining (the 3 that were sunk had been sunk at the very beginning), 15 medium boats, and 75 small boats. Almost all of the surviving medium and large boats had tied themselves together with rope and formed a sort of floating pontoon. This greatly increased the sailing time, and a journey of 3 hours took 6.
Not all of the ships that were lost had sunk. Of the 19 small boats that were not present in the final fleet, only 2 had actually been sunk.
There had been a sort of mutiny aboard some of the smaller boats after the 8th pass. 2 of the 7 large boats had been hit and were sinking and the situation was looking very dire. In the rear, 9 of the small boats and 8 of the medium boats (the medium boats were the very end of the fleet) all mutinied against their captains, with three being stabbed to death and one being cast into the sea and turned around back to Ardenholm. Watching them sail away nearly caused the entire fleet to break apart but they were guided by a common foe.
A few of the boats lagged behind. 4 medium boats couldn’t keep pace due to being non-fatally struck and turned around. The tridenteers were given orders to at least damage the ships heavily enough to force them to turn around, so they allowed those ships to flee.
3 small ships, in an interesting turn of fate, were nearest to the islands when the bombing started. They were the ones who had sounded the alarm. The tridenteers had passed over them entirely without dropping a single bomb. They were still horrified watching the preliminary carnage before the ships could form up, and decided to run themselves aground on the tiny island the Veritasians had started out in.
They hid under the 6 palm trees for 8 days, not knowing anything about the status of any of the nations. They survived by eating the horses they had brought and drinking the wine they had brought which they were going to celebrate with once the island of Veritas was conquered.
Finally, after 6 hours, the boats sighted Veritas. The midday sun was high in the air and the archers could not see the trident wielders through the sun, accelerating their losses.
Veritas looked abandoned. The alarm has been raised but very few troops were on the walls, looking very frightened.
The soldiers let out a halfhearted cheer upon laying eyes on the island. The Veritasian tridents veered right after the fleet made their way into the smooth natural harbor.
The tridenteers had only lost 11. 7 from lucky bow shots, 3 from the binding from their wrists to their tridents slipping off, and 1 stupid soldier who tried to land on a small boat and was instantly slain.
The boats neared the docks of Veritas. The harbor wasn’t much of a harbor at all, only having a narrow wave-breaking sandspit that only extended past a third of the docks.
The boats made passes towards the docks, with some soldiers being so desperate to get off of them they leaped from the boats and swam to shore.
The boats all started to unload as normal, with horses being placed on the shore and equipment to breach the great gate of Veritas being unloaded
Suddenly the great gate of Veritas, which was expected to be a large obstacle swung open and half of Veritas’s army (still a formidable number mind you) roared forth, banging their shields, and sprinted at the unprepared rebels.
This was not expected at all, and no precautions for this had been taken. The rebels on the beach all turned to run back to the boats when, alas! The tridenteers reappeared from out of nowhere behind the boats. They hurtled towards the crafts, flying much more recklessly now, and dropped their bombs. The boats were not moving or fighting back this time and 8 were struck.
In the same run, 47 of the tridenteers dropped their explosives on top of the docks, blowing all except two up. Those two would be decommissioned in the next run.
This mostly stranded the peoples on the shore, whose only option now was the rowboats from the large ships. Some ran towards those but right then the charging army from the gates slammed into those on the shore.
18 rowboats were cast off, from the beach and the rest were not able to and were scuttled. The battle for the beach was a terrible situation for the rebels with them being completely pinned against the sea.
The battle lasted 15 minutes. There was no command from any officers due to most still being present on the boats. No definitive line was formed up and many men swam out to sea to try to wait out the slaughter. Most men threw their weapons on the ground and begged for mercy.
1/6 of the seaborn army was slain and 1/6 of the army surrendered on the beach, totaling 1/3 of invasion, or exactly 642 men.
The boats tried to leave the harbor but all tried to leave at once and a few collisions occurred. The boats that made it out were harassed by the tridenteers the entire time. A few tridenteers were observed landing on the decks of boats and stabbing sailors as they tried to get the boats under control before running away
To top it off, the winds were blowing in an awful direction and most of the boats were blown far to the right. They nearly crashed into an unwalled peninsula. The horn of orders was silent because the ship they were on had taken a direct hit and was rapidly sinking. The commander of the entire operation, on that ship, had died instantly in the blast. The entire senior commanding force had migrated to that boat during the trident harassment because it was centrally located and the safest option. None of the senior officers survived, as the bomb quite literally split the ship in two, and as they were gathered midship below the upper decks they had either been torn up from wood splinters or went down with the ship and were drowned.
Due to the lack of orders, all ships had their own idea of what to do. Most of them thought that the wind was far too unfavorable to set into open water so decided to land on the peninsula. About 1/3 decided to try the winds and sailed in various directions to various islands. This time, the tridenteers could harass them all they wanted and most would not get far. One tridenteer was assigned per boat, which ended up being a large blunder on Veritas's part because most were out of ammunition and could not do any damage.
Those who landed on the peninsula were met with an immediate problem. Unloading. Most of the men jumped overboard to swim to shore and some ships went completely unmanned before being either sunk or captured by the opposing force. Some men who didn't take of their armor were weighed down by it and drowned. The same happened for the archers, who's quivers filled completely with water instead of arrows, and if they were unable to get the quiver off they drowned.
There was one final factor that was at play. The peninsula itself. It was very long and narrow. So narrow that a tridenteer could safely jump all the way over it without being dashed apart on the rocks.
A single tridenteer sprang fourth. Their bright blue trident electric against the sky, which was growing progressively cloudier. They reached into their pocket and pulled out one of the sticks. They lazily let it go before safely landing in the water on the other side.
They didn’t even have to aim. It exploded on the top right corner of the peninsula and some were caught in the blast.
The other tridenteers followed suit. There were only 26 archers still armed as almost all of them had either abandoned their gear or were weighed down by it trying to swim over.
The entire peninsula was scourged. The walls extended to the beach on either side, and the coast became far too treacherous and rocky to swim around.
40% of the entire army was slain on the peninsula. A further 20% (of the men on the peninsula) surrendered and only 19 men escaped. 9 on a rowboat that was let go because of its irrelevance and 10 somehow survived the swim around the walls and ran up the island before stealing a sailboat and escaping.
Those that turned around and fled immediately suffered casualties, but not to the scale of this. About 5% of the army died on the sail back from getting picked off. Most of the tridenteers ran out of ammunition.
A grand total of 67% of the army perished in this advancement. A further 14% surrendered and of those, 1% died in prison from disease or starvation. 1,531 men in total lost their lives.
As for the boats, of the ones that made it to Veritas, none of the large ships survived, 4 of the medium ships made it back (2 were captured, 9 sank) and 29 of the small ships made it back (38 sunk, 8 captured). Of the 18 rowboats that were on the beach during the initial beach attack, 15 landed on the peninsula, with the other three rowing all the way to Pommedora.
Those that escaped ended up on all manner of islands in the surrounding area. One boat drifted with only one man on board for 8 days. He too survived off of horseflesh but also was lucky enough to get rainwater.
The other half of Veritas’s army had taken a longer route to Ardenholm. Ardenholm somehow managed to pull off an astonishing victory, despite being outnumbered 5-1. They were helped by the crew that had mutinied initially. They made use of their thick walls and used a turtle strategy to wait for help, until after 24 hours when they realized that something had gone seriously wrong they then went on a sudden offensive catching the Veritasian army completely by surprise because they had grown used to not being shot at.
The Ardenholm fighters used bows and a ridiculously large pile of arrows to shoot at the invaders non-stop until they finally gave up and went home. They were significantly hampered by not having the other half of their army. Both sides suffered relatively minor casualties, with Ardenholm losing 19 men and Veritas losing exactly 100.
Veritas lost 58 of their 120 tridenters, with the vast majority being lost by flying too close to the boats and being shot with arrows. Interestingly, 82% of those that landed on boats to stab individual sailors would perish. Their army suffered a loss total of 329.
This defeat left the rebels in shock. Their entire standing army had been effectively wiped out. They would start having to recruit younger men and paying more for mercenaries.
The Tuberists had taken the highest casualty rate, with an unimaginable 80% casualty rate and 16% captured. Only 4%, or just 16 men on one small boat, which they never left, managed to make it back. When the elder potatoes learned about this, they were understandably shocked and devastated and justifiably withdrew all future support to the rebellion. They claimed that the Tuberites had been used as cannon fodder and that that was an stupidly high casualty rate for a defensive mission. They had lost every single one of their ranking officers they had sent on that mission and demanded insanely high rates of compensation. It wasn’t until the battle was thoroughly explained and they were promised that all the islands would convert to Tuberism that they agreed to help once more.
The defeat didn't spell doom for the rebels, but would certainly go on to hamper their future efforts.
And that is the story of one of the worst strategical blunders in Stoneworks history.
This story is based around the truth. Ardenholm was indeed attacked by Veritas and BB after rebelling with Pommedora and Humilau. The Tuberists did indeed help out for religious reasons. There was indeed a failed charge counterattack which was poorly planned and the casualty numbers are accurate if you combine the dead and captured and just consider them all dead. The Veritasians did indeed use tridents to pick most of us off, and I myself died. This would have easily cost us the battle as we lost 80% of our total gear and didn’t really have enough time to make a proper repot. We used the good old 0-armor-stone-axe-rush strategy and only won because they placed capture points underwater which is illegal. So yeah the next battle is in a week (I think) and we have a LOT of grinding to do haha.
Also Stoney hmu if you ever want any scriptwriting help. I love to do this.
If you read this far um gg I guess
- lnedible
submitted by lnedible to StoneworksMC [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 21:23 girl_from_the_crypt Stuck on earth and looking for a job: I'm being recruited by a cult

It’s nice not to be alone. I’ve been staying at Nettie Peterson’s house, tending to her garden in her stead while she's at work. I just sit there reading in the sun, to be honest. When she came back from the larvae today, she was in a surprisingly peaceful mood. Not exactly happy or content, but satisfied. I made us some tea and we settled in to soak up the flowery scents and sweet air. I took the time to tell her in detail about meeting Kit Sutton in the grotto, relaying the other woman’s message. It got a genuinely warm smile out of her; a sad one, but a smile nonetheless.
“Your server texted me earlier to apologize for… well, basically outing me and baring a private secret to my closest friend of five years,” she informed me. “Now that I think about it, I have no idea when or how that boy got my number… Oh, but he was sweet. I told him we were cool.” She took a long sip of her tea.
"Don't forgive him for my sake. If that's what's happening here."
"It's not."
"You really aren't mad anymore? I would be."
"I guess I'm just a very forgiving person." She gave me a sidelong grin and a shrug.
"Nettie, how'd your breeders die? I don't know if this is okay to ask. I hope it is."
"Uh." My savior human took a deep breath. "That, um… it's okay. Just unexpected. It was a car accident. That's all there is to it. I was at summer camp when it happened. Some college kid got drunk, sat down in his car and made me an orphan. I was thirteen… My auntie took care of me afterwards. You know, Elijah's mom. She tried, but it wasn't the same. She was too much for me sometimes, pretty often, if I'm being honest. My mother was so, so different. Both my parents were. My dad had made it into money, so they were never really worried about my future or what I wanted to do with my life. They said I'd always have their support. I guess that made me kinda sheltered but… I don't know. I had a nice childhood, sue me."
She sighed. "Anyways, my aunt was really demanding when it came to school and stuff. I was always a good student but my grades dropped after my parents' crash, and it never got better. So she was picking fights over that all the time. I did recover over my last year, but no thanks to her, I'll have you know."
"And do you miss them?"
"Of course I do. Who wouldn't?"
I shrugged.
Nettie leaned forward, catching my eyes. "Don't you miss your parents? Or was that different where you're from?"
"Breeders aren't like that at home." I paused. "Weren't. They protected their offspring for the first couple years of their life, but afterwards, everyone went their own way. And it was never more than that, just protection and a supply of nutrients. You wouldn't find any breeders kissing or cuddling their young like people do here."
"Oh. That's kinda sad."
"It's it? I never thought about it. Although sometimes I figure infancy in this dimension would have been a pleasant experience. It's nice being held. I wouldn't have minded it, had I known that feeling sooner." I raised my head to smile at her. "Then again, you've given me a lot in that regard."
Nettie reached out to squeeze my hand. "Baby girl." She said nothing else for a while. "So, what's this about Eli having to get his car fixed?"
"One of the windows got smashed in." I held her gently searching gaze. "Nothing was taken."
"Baby girl."
"Hm?"
"Baby. Girl."
I groaned. "A folder. With an interrogation transcript from one of the murder cultists. Mary Markov gave it to me."
"And you didn't want to tell me this why?"
I pursed my lips.
Nettie Peterson crossed her arms, raising a brow at me. "I came clean about dating the fishwoman, so you really owe it to me to keep me informed on any magical stalkers you got."
"I don't know that I'd call them a stalker."
"What would you call them?"
"Jewel." My hand absently began tracing lines on my stomach. "That's their name, apparently."
"The creep who hit on you and then disemboweled you?"
"I don't know that they disemboweled me."
"They had to stuff your guts back in at the clinic," my savior human reminded me.
"Stop bringing that up, please." I feel so weak whenever I think about them. Totally helpless. I took a deep, cleansing breath before settling against the backrest of my chair, grounding myself. Then I unpacked.
I'm turning into a regular unreliable narrator with my storytelling for this blog, aren't I. As you may or may not have guessed, there is another reason for me staying over at Nettie's the last couple days. Maybe she sensed it somehow—she claims to have mother's intuition, and even though she's not technically my parent, I believe her. Or perhaps Elijah Carter shared his suspicions with her. Either way, it's true. I seem to have acquired a stalker. I can't hold down a job but at least I've got that going for me. Let me stay over at the beginning.
The day after Eli and I had talked to Kit in the grotto—referring to her as Princess Chandra still doesn't feel right—I was driving out for gas. The whole time while I was filling up my car, I had this feeling that I was being watched. It was beyond uncomfortable, and I kept glancing into the rearview mirror during the drive back. I thought I could hear the roar of a motorcycle, but whenever I tried to focus on the sound or started looking for the source, it seemed to be escaping me. I double-checked whether I'd locked my door that night. In fact, I triple-checked. I was on edge. It was an eerie, uncanny sensation, like bugs crawling beneath my skin. I made dinner, then tried to sit still as I ate it in front of my television.
I ended up calling Elijah. We didn't talk about anything important, but he was glad to stay on the phone with me while I washed up and got ready for bed. It might have been his pleasing dark baritone or the weary relaxation that always swings along when he speaks, but something about his voice helped me unwind. I ended up falling asleep while still on the call. I was faintly aware of him saying my name and then chuckling and hanging up when he received a snore in response.
I have always enjoyed the transition into the sleeping state. My eyelids growing heavier, the world losing focus, my mind drifting off… It's such a soothing, peaceful process. I've found that I dislike dreaming, though. You never know what you get. I've had all sorts of rattling dreams, ranging anywhere from nightmarish and homesick to sexually confusing. But this one truly took the cake, as they say.
It started with me walking through an unfamiliar neighborhood that looked like an abstraction of my own. It was far too shiny and colorful, and not in an aesthetically pleasing way. I was not really walking either—my feet were heavy as lead, my bare skin unprotected from the harsh breeze assaulting my body. I kept staggering forward, aimless and confused, wishing for shelter but unsure of where to find it. My head was reeling from the hunger and desperation, and there was not a soul in sight to help. I started knocking on random doors, but nobody opened. House by house, I was getting increasingly frustrated. The knocks turned into incessant pounding, the sound mingling with my crying. The tears blurring my vision made it even harder to press on. Before long, I was weeping intensely, my steps becoming more frantic as I continued heading from door to door.
Why was nobody answering me? I could hear people talking in hushed voices behind the walls, I could see their silhouettes flitting to and fro in the windows. Anger began to bubble up inside me, heating up my chest and constricting my throat. My fist became more forceful as it clashed with the surface of each door, until I started to throw my whole body against them. My sobs turned into howls of fury, I was beginning to yell obscenities and outlandish threats before finally, my body started to turn. This wasn’t the silent transition I was used to, however.
I could feel my skin rip open as it gave way for my tentacles to spring free. Normally, it’s like these extra appendages simply melt out of my body. It’s not painful, and I don’t even really pay attention to the sensation most of the time. But this, this was pure agony. I broke down in the middle of the street, wailing like a creature of myth. How could a dream give me this kind of anguish? I suppose I knew deep down that I was dreaming, and I willed myself to wake up, to emerge from this state…
That’s when a thought crossed my mind. Was this really a dream?
It didn’t seem like one. It felt way too real and structured, almost coming off as scripted. Like an experience that someone had thought up and planned out for me, vaguely meaningful, maybe in an attempt to prove some kind of point, maybe just to terrorize me. The realization had my blood run cold, and that little part of my conscience that was aware of this not being real went wild. What in the world was happening to me? Who was doing this to me, and just how? And yet, a spark of fight lit up within me over it all. I had to tear myself out of this trance by any means necessary.
For a moment, I managed to push aside the pain and uncertainty, trying to focus. I pushed against the heaviness of sleep, through the fog of my clouded mind. Apparently, that was enough. The surreal, unnaturally bright world around me grew dark and I could once more make out the familiar shadowy outlines of my bedroom. I was in the present, back in the actual, physical realm of the waking.
The first thing I noticed was that my eyes were burning. There was a demanding pressure around my brows and lids, and my heart sank when I realized it was fingers peeling them open. My nightlight provided a soft blue sheen that came to rest on a chair that had been pushed up from my bedside, and furthermore, on the figure that occupied it. Their arms were extended, their hands resting on both sides of my face as they forced my eyes open. In the gentle cerulean glow, I recognized the shimmering vast irises of the cultist.
A deep, almost primal fear took hold of me. This was worse than the not-dream, a thousand times worse. The cold that seeped into my bones at the mere sight of them sent shivers running up and down my spine, trickling through my body like electric shocks.
I instantly started thrashing, or I would have liked to; except not a single muscle in my body would respond to the frantic outcries of my frenzied mind. My eyeballs had gone as dry as sandpaper, the painful sting penetrating my vision and setting my senses ablaze, paired with an accompanying feeling of nausea. And yet, I couldn’t help but remain transfixed on that horrid stare piercing into mine. My lips parted a mere fracture of an inch, just enough for me to take in a ragged, wheezing breath that I’d meant to give way to a shout. Not a single sound left my parched throat, though. Still, the cultist appeared to notice that I was awake.
With a sigh, they withdrew, releasing my eyes for me to blink furiously. The moment they averted their gaze, I covered my face with my hands, aggravated tears wetting my trembling palms. “You piece of shit,” I pressed out the second I regained my voice. “You fucking piece of shit…” I found myself unable to form any clear thoughts. My heart was thundering in my chest, my ears were ringing—I was a horrified, shaking mess.
“I didn’t think you’d wake up.” There was genuine astonishment in their tone. “Proper shame, too, I was just getting started.”
“What the fuck,” I breathed, still shielding my face. “How the hell did you get in here? Why… just… just why—what even was that?”
“What, you think doors keep me out? What a very human notion.”
I was slowly beginning to recover my wits, reason restoring to her throne. I squeezed my eyes shut, opening my mouth as my fangs came out. “You’re not getting out of here alive.”
“Calm down, okay? I was just having some fun. I was going to let you wake up, alright?” their disembodied voice came from my bedside. “I’m here to talk, is all.”
I vaguely turned my head in their direction. I knew I shouldn’t even bother, I should rip the bastard’s throat out now that I had the chance. There was something there, though; something in their words intrigued me. Besides, they could have easily killed me in my sleep, so why didn’t they? There was something they were after. I figured I would have to tell Mary Markov about this, and the more information I’d be able to give her, the better. “This feels like a fever dream,” I muttered.
“Doesn’t it?” Jewel asked giddily. “I get that a lot.”
“Speak then, leech. What is going on here?”
“I came to—Oh, will you open your eyes already? I’m not gonna try anything else, I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.”
“Don’t you dare mock me.” I tried to mask the tremor in my voice. “Either you talk now or I swear I’ll skin you.”
“Okay, well. I’m here on behalf of the Collective. You have one week to report to the warehouse. We’ll have someone waiting there to welcome you. Simply put, you’ll join our cause. But you know, you can sleep on it or whatever. Take your time. I’m sure you’ll make the right decision soon, especially since there’s only the one option, really.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Part of me considered the possibility of all of this merely being part of another, bigger dream, but sadly, everything seemed to point against it. “What if I don’t?”
“Then we will come after you and probably the rest of your little found family, too,” Jewel explained nonchalantly.
“You’re awfully sure I’d let you.”
“Yes, yes, you grow big, sharp teeth and tentacles, I get it. You’re a menace. To three to four people. But if you’re up against half a dozen, all armed and unintimidated by your admittedly glorious and utterly terrifying appearance, I imagine things would be different.”
I wanted to offer some sort of confident riposte, but I simply couldn’t. A tiny voice inside my head actually agreed. “So what is your cause? Or are you aiming to recruit me based on fear alone?”
“Oh, not at all—I was just getting there. We want to, in essence, end all things.”
A brief silence settled upon us. I dropped my hands to lock eyes with Jewel, this time without any hypnotic side effects. They were beaming at me, my nightlight adding an unearthly quality to their bright, dimpling smile.
“What?”
Jewel’s grin grew wider. “Oh, you heard me, baby. We want to… we will bring about the apocalypse. It’s not going to be easy, and it’s not going to be fast. It’d be a boon if we had another being such as yourself at our side for it.”
“Another?”
Impossibly, the corners of the cultist’s mouth curled even further, their eyes shining with mirth. They tossed their pale blond hair, responding only with a huff of laughter.
“You,” I whispered. “You too.” I swallowed, reaching up to massage my throbbing temples. “Why do you want this world to end? You aren’t native to it, right? But do you really hate it that much?”
“Oh, it’s not that I hate it. I just don’t care for it all that much. Okay, listen, it’s not gonna be a real apocalypse. It’s just gonna look like it for a moment. And sure, the humans may or may not survive—they probably won’t, not gonna lie—but it’ll be for the greater good, and the two of us are gonna make it for sure.”
I frowned. “What?”
“You keep saying that.”
“Yes, because you aren’t making any sense. I don’t get what you’re trying to tell me.”
Jewel sighed. “Well, I can’t give you everything. Just… just trust me. You’ll want to be on our side, you’re gonna want to help us. Again, you literally have no other choice, so… yeah.”
“You know, I’ve been asked to go on a murderous rampage by someone far more attractive before, and I still said no.”
“Oh, you won’t be doing any of the killing. Not much, at any rate.”
“That’s a great comfort to me,” I said, without much sarcasm at all.
Jewel tilted their head at me. “I gotta admit, I do not get you. I kinda wish I did, though. Anyways, I guess I’ll leave you to it, then. Goodnight.”
“So you’ll head right out now? Just like that?”
They twinkled at me. “Want me to stay?”
“Oh, Lord, no.”
“Yeah, well, if you wanna fight now, I gotta disappoint you. I’m not feeling up to it.”
I wanted to tell them that it was not their decision to make, that I wouldn’t let them leave, but somehow, I thought better of it. Quelling the anger raging inside of me, I strained to keep my tone calm. “What was your home like? What kind of a dimension are you from?”
The question seemed to catch them off guard. “Please don’t ask me things like that.”
“Why?”
“You… just stop.” Their voice had suddenly become brittle and quiet. I’d rattled them. A warm feeling of glorious triumph surged through me like a wave.
“Do you remember what they called you back there? I don’t. Maybe we didn’t even have names, I really don’t know anymore.” I shrugged.
Jewel rose to their feet a little too quickly. Their eyes were shining with moisture, and before they could wipe them dry, a single tear rolled down their cheek. To my complete astonishment, it hardened the second it dropped off their chin, forming a tiny, sparkling yellow stone. They caught it with practiced precision, hastily stuffing it into the pocket of their jeans. “‘Scuse me, I, uh… I gotta go. See you soon.” Without losing another word, they headed out into the living room, and after another moment, I heard the front door slam. The noise of a motorcycle engine revving was carried in on the breeze through my open window a minute later.
I stayed seated upright in my bed, staring blankly at the wall across from me.
Thus ended my retelling of events to Nettie Peterson, taking us back into the garden. She regarded me with wide eyes, her jaw slackened. She then shook her head, letting out a string of incoherent murmurs as she sank back into her seat. “I don’t believe this,” she breathed. “What… what are you gonna do about this? You’re not seriously gonna go along with what that psycho wants from you, right? Have you told the agency yet?”
“No,” I admitted. “And I haven’t been to the warehouse either. My week is not up yet, so that’s probably okay… I really don’t know what to do, though.”
“Well, that’s an easy one. You call this Markov-lady, have her raid the warehouse and arrest every last one of those freaks she can find!”
“But they won’t leave it at that. They’ll come after me. And you, too.”
“Don’t worry about me. I can hold my own.n” lg
“I’m not saying you can’t, but—”
“No buts. I’ll be fine. Both of us will be. And I hope you know I won’t have you going back to your apartment after this. You’re staying here with me, where it’s safe.” Her eyes looked almost golden in the light of the setting sun. “Let's go back inside. It’s time I showed you where I hide my guns.”
I pursed my lips. “Gun-s? As in plural?”
“Oh, absolutely.” She took me by the hand, pulling me to my feet with a melodic hum falling from her lips.
I know I have a lot going on in my life right now, but Lord, am I grateful that this woman’s in it.
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
20: olms and Jewels
21: long hair
submitted by girl_from_the_crypt to nosleep [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 21:10 tobyfromtheeast First time in the Balkans and I loved it! TRIP REPORT

Hi all, I am posting this as a trip report more than anything else so enjoy the read :)
I have recently returned from a 9 days long trip to the Balkans. I let my excitement calm down over the past week or so and I am now ready to share my experience! I will be discussing the budget at the end!

WHERE?
I visited 3 countries: Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia
WHEN?
8th until the 17th of May
ITINERARY
8th-11th in Pristina, Prizren and Peje in Kosovo
12-15th in Budva, Montenegro
16th-17th in Belgrade, Serbia
The plan was that there was no plan. I knew what is where and what cool things I can do but unfortunately I didn't enjoy good weather as it was raining for 7 out of 9 days. In Kosovo I travelled with two friends from Korea which I will mention later. We had a rental car from Pristina Airport which allowed us to go around the country easily and allowed us to avoid places with worse weather.
As I was not travelling alone for parts of the trip, I was flexible with activities which unfortunately were very limited due to the aforementioned weather conditions. Whenever we could we were out and about.

THE EXPERIENCE
The highlight of the trip for me was definitely Kosovo. Amazing place so different to any country I visited before! Beautiful villages, cities, nature and all of that within reach as the country is small. It makes for a good short trip especially if you have a car, which is very easy to get! Prizren was our favourite city. Good hikes, beautiful views and good food! We also stumbled upon a locally owned liquor store where we bought our first bottle of Rakia, lovely owner!
On the last day we returned our car in the morning and took a bus from the airport to the city centre from where we took a bus all the way to Budva, Montenegro passing through beautiful Albanian mountains on the way south.
I had high expectations for Budva and Montenegro in general. I knew the weather was not going to be great but I tried to make the most out of it. The bus from Kosovo arrived around 1am so I already knew my next day is going to be slow. On the first day I appreciated the beautiful surroundings. That is also the day when my experience started to go south. I got scammed out of 40euros by a taxi driver for a 15 minute ride, why does it always happen in beach destinations? I spent the day swimming in Sveti Stefan, drowning the sorrows of loosing 40 euros. The water wasn't warm but it was the only day of sunshine I had so I had to enjoy it, it was my first time at the Adriatic Sea after all!
I quickly realised that 3 days in Budva are too many especially considering the weather. After my nice swimming/sunbathing day I found myself mostly just strolling around the Old Town(which did surprise me in a good way!). I decided that going to Kotor or anywhere else in the area doesn't make much sense and I will leave it for another trip later this summer. I spent my evenings at the beach next to Old Town, drinking and listening to waves crashing against the walls until late hours of the night every night. That was probably the nicest thing about my stay in Budva, as for a person that doesn't do partying on trips like this, it was a pretty boring and empty tourist town.
Last day in Budva was the bus-catching day. I read a lot about bus services in the Balkans so I was prepared to just let things happen the way they should. And so my ticket was for a 12:30 bus from Budva to Bar. The bus didn't arrive until ~13:00 and I was told by the driver this is not the correct bus despite it being clearly stated on the ticket that it was. Happens, I thought. I asked the ''bus station person'' what to do and they just put me on the next but to Bar at around 13:30, which was completely fine by me.
Why would you go from a tourist town of Budva to a tourist town of Bar some may ask? Well, for the past two years I dreamed about experiencing the Belgrade-Bar railway journey, rumoured to be one of the Great Train Journeys. And so I was finally there, in a random restaurant/bacafe next to a very Soviet-looking Bar Train Station. I bought my ticket for a couchette in a 6-bed compartment for ~24 euros one-way all the way to Beograd Centar. It was 16:00 and my train, Lovcen, didn't leave until 19:00. I spent that time looking for an ATM, eating at a Burger King with a parking lot the size of a country and chilling next to the station, great atmosphere in that area! Very quiet and for someone who hasn't travelled to the east it was very surreal to see palm trees, soviet architecture and Cyrillic all around next to each other. I felt like it was a good time to say bye to Montenegro for now.
The ride was incredible. Yes, if you, like me, can't sleep anywhere outside of your own bed properly you're most likely not going to sleep on this train either. But the sleepless night was worth every minute of the breathtaking scenery of the Montenegrin Mountains as we climbed higher and higher. Having come in May, I only had about ~2 hours of daylight to look out the window and I made sure to not loose a single second of it. If you ever thought about taking the trip, I couldn't recommend it enough. Yes it's not the fastest, most comfortable way to get to Belgrade, but it was an experience I will not forget!
Takeaways from Montenegro:

Next stop was the great city of Beograd. After my ~13hour train journey I arrived at Beograd Centar Station (confusing af!) at around 7:00am. My check-in time was 13:00 so I had a lot of time to kill even though I was already dead. I tried looking for a way to get to city centre because don't be mistaken, Belgrade Central Station is NOT in the centre. During my walk I found an exchange office which didn't scam me so I was off to a good start. With my 6000 dinars I strolled the city looking for food.
Later I saw the pedestrian, ''tourist'' area, the Castle, the riverside and some random streets and local markets. Overall, though I may be biased because of lack of sleep, Belgrade felt a little bit boring. Yes, I saw many people out and about but it felt too quiet. Serbia on the other hand, I will have to visit again as the people and the culture intrigue me!

BUDGET
I got tickets from London Luton to Pristina, Kosovo for around £40 and back from Belgrade Airport to London Luton for £45. I didn't hold back on anything really. I was booking AirBnb's on the day of arrival usually especially in Kosovo.
Flights: £95
Car rental in Kosovo £135(fuel included, cost divided by 3 since I was with friends = £45)
AirBnb ~£90 in Kosovo
Budva accommodation ~£50
Belgrade accommodation ~£35
Train ticket from Bar to Belgrade in a sleeping car - £20
Scam ATM's - £40
Food is a tricky one since I didn't exactly track my expenses but I had a lot of seafood and kebabs on the trip. I would say ~£300 for the 9 days. Keep in minds I never cooked a single meal it's all for eating out.
All in all I spent about ~£600 for the 9 days of exploring which works out to between £65-70 per day. Not bad but I know next time what to do to lower the cost. I am fully aware this trip could have ended up £200 or more cheaper but I am satisfied with what I got.
Thoughts? Tips on next time in the area? I definitely need to go back, especially to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania. Hope you had an interesting read!
submitted by tobyfromtheeast to solotravel [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 19:17 TwentyOneDays [Zee Frags/Updated Daily] Excellently presented, promptly shipped, 100% authentic decants!!!

***EDITED 6/4/23*** It's been quite a while and I have received one too many messages asking if I am still active, so here is a new thread. Thanks for looking!
Yes, this page is active and updated daily. Absolutely everything listed here is still available. Please send a Reddit chat or PM to inquire - I do not respond to inquires made on this page!
  • Buy with confidence! I take FULL RESPONSIBILITY for the delivery of your package in the United States, until tracking number says delivered!
  • Prices already include USPS First Class shipping in the USA. Alternatively/optionally, USPS Priority/UPS Ground available for $5 or free over $129. UPS not available for HI, PR, PO boxes, INTL. $2 Will be deducted from the total for each additional item.
  • Ordering: Simply send me, twentyonedays your order via Reddit chat (preferred) or private message - I'll reply ASAP with a total and payment info. Venmo, Zelle, and CashApp are accepted for US transactions. PayPal is accepted for Canadian/INTL transactions.
  • Canadian/INTL: - CAN shipping is $10USD up to 30ml, $15 otherwise and usually takes 5-12 days. Other INTL is $15USD up to 30ml, $25 otherwise and may take 3-4 weeks, very possibly longer depending on the country. I take no responsibly whatsoever for non-US orders (duties, delays, loss, etc.). My INTL delivery success rate is 99%+, but again, its buyers risk. Some locations I don't ship to include UK (sorry, new VAT laws), South America, Africa, France, Italy, Israel, India, Russia, China, Middle East, and Mexico. Forwarding services are encouraged.
  • Frequently asked questions
  • (1) "Hi, i'm new here. I'm very interested in these fragrances but have no idea how this works. What is a decant? Are these fragrances authentic?" Yes, every drop of fragrance listed here is 100% authentic - no question or dispute. These are the same 100% authentic fragrances you buy from retailers, however they are no longer in their original bottles. Decants are 100% authentic fragrances taken from the largest manufacturer size available (Creed 500ml flacon is an excellent example), purchased in bulk, then hand-filled into smaller, more affordable sizes. This is the most efficient way to experiment with a large variety of high-end fragrances!
  • (2) "Do you have (insert fragrance) available?" If you see something listed here, it's available! If you don't see said item listed here, that indicates that I don't have it and there's no need to ask.
  • (3) "Are 5ml sizes available? Do these come with sprayers? Are they glass or plastic?" 10ml is the smallest. Yes, they have sprayers and the vials are glass.
  • (4) "Do I need to pick 1 of each brand for your qualifying 3/$62 10ml Creed, Tom Ford, and Parfums de Marly deal?" No, you can choose any combo you’d like of the 3 brands (1 of each, all Creeds, 2 TF and 1 PdM, etc.).

Creed - Aventus

  • I do not discuss Aventus batches
  • Batch F000463 (default option) or 22B11B available
  • 10ml $26 (applies to 3/$62 10ml Creed/Tom Ford/Parfums de Marly deal)
  • 25ml $59
  • 50ml $105
  • 60ml $125
  • 100ml $195
  • Retail products:
  • New in box 100ml 10th Anniversary retail bottle batch 20C01N $299 shipped

More Creed - Aventus new!

Please note items listed here in the "More - Creed Aventus" section do not qualify for the 3/$62 10ml Creed/Tom Ford/PdM deal. I do not discuss Aventus batches - thank you for understanding
  • Batch 19S01, 19P11, 19U01
  • 10ml $38
  • 25ml $89
  • 60ml $195
  • Batch 20L01, 20B01N, 20E01N, 21N01, 21W01
  • 10ml $28
  • 25ml $65
  • 60ml $145

Creed - Aventus for Her

  • 10ml $28 (or add $2 for 3/$62 10ml Creed/Tom Ford/PdM deal) back in stock!
  • 25ml $65

Creed - Viking

  • 10ml $26 (applies to 3/$62 10ml Creed/Tom Ford/Parfums de Marly deal)
  • 25ml $59

Creed Les Royales Exclusives

  • Spice and Wood
  • Sublime Vanille
  • White Flowers
  • 10ml $36 (does not apply to 3/$62 deal)
  • 25ml $85

Creed

  • Bois du Portugal
  • Cedre Blanc
  • Himalaya
  • Love in Black
  • Love in White
  • Millesime Imperial
  • Original Santal
  • Original Vetiver
  • Royal Water
  • Silver Mountain Water
  • Tabarome
  • Virgin Island Water
  • White Amber
  • 10ml $26 (3/$62, add more for $19 ea.)
  • 25ml $52 (2/$99)
  • Mixing Creed, Tom Ford, and Parfums de Marly 3/$62 10ml combo is fine!

Amouage

  • Fate Man
  • Figment Man
  • Imitation Man
  • Jubilation XXV
  • Meander
  • 10ml $26
  • 25ml $60

Byredo

  • Bal d"Afrique
  • Slow Dance
  • 10ml $26
  • 25ml $60

Christian Dior

  • Dior Privee - Feve Delicieuse
  • Dior Privee - Granville
  • 10ml $24
  • 25ml $55

Frederic Malle

  • Carnal Flower 10ml $38, 25ml $89
  • French Lover 10ml $32, 25ml $75
  • Iris Poudre 10ml $29, 25ml $68
  • Musc Ravageur 10ml $32, 25ml $75
  • Noir Epices 10ml $32, 25ml $75
  • Une Fleur de Cassie 10ml $32, 25ml $75

Guerlain

  • Cuir Beluga
  • Tonka Imperiale
  • 10ml $36
  • 25ml $85

Initio

  • Addictive Vibration
  • Rehab
  • Side Effect
  • 10ml $34
  • 25ml $80
  • Oud for Greatness
  • Oud for Happiness
  • 10ml $38
  • 25ml $89

Kilian

  • Vodka on the Rocks
  • 10ml $38
  • 25ml $89
  • Musk Oud
  • 10ml $28
  • 25ml $65

Le Labo

  • Another 13
  • Bergamot 22
  • Oud 27
  • Rose 31
  • Santal 33
  • Thè Matcha 26
  • Thè Noir 29
  • Vetiver 46
  • 10ml $36
  • 25ml $85

Liquides Imaginaires

  • Dom Rosa
  • Fortis
  • Ile Pourpre
  • Sancti
  • 10ml $24
  • 25ml $55

Maison Francis Kurkdjian

  • Baccarat Rouge 540
  • Gentle Fluidity Silver
  • Grand Soir
  • L’Homme a la Rose
  • Oud Satin Mood back in stock!
  • 10ml $29
  • 25ml $68
  • Amyris Homme EDT back in stock!
  • Aqua Celestia EDT
  • Aqua Universalis EDT
  • Aqua Vitae EDT
  • Masculin Pluriel back in stock!
  • 10ml $24
  • 25ml $55
  • 60ml $119
  • Baccarat Rouge 540 Extrait de Parfum
  • 10ml $38
  • 25ml $89

Memo

  • Irish Leather
  • 10ml $26
  • 25ml $60

Nishane

  • Ani back in stock!
  • Ege Extrait
  • Hacivat Extrait
  • 10ml $27
  • 25ml $62

Ormonde Jayne

  • Ormonde Woman
  • Ta'if
  • 10ml $24
  • 25ml $55

Parfums de Marly

  • Byerley
  • Darley
  • Galloway
  • Herod
  • Layton
  • Pegasus
  • Percival
  • 10ml $26 (3/$62, add more for $19 ea.)
  • 25ml $59
  • Mixing Creed, Tom Ford, and Parfums de Marly combos is fine!
  • Carlisle
  • Habdan
  • Haltane
  • Oajan
  • Layton Exclusif
  • Pegasus Exclusif
  • 10ml $29 (Or add $5 each for 3/$62 Creed/Tom Ford/PDM deal)
  • 25ml $68

Parfums MDCI

  • Invasion Barbare
  • Chypre Palatin
  • 10ml $38
  • 25ml $89

Roja Dove

  • Elysium Pour Homme Parfum Cologne
  • Scandal Pour Homme Parfum Cologne
  • 10ml $34
  • 25ml $79

Tom Ford

Check out the other Tom Ford offerings in the sections below!
  • Black Orchid EDP new!
  • Cafe Rose
  • Costa Azzurra EDP
  • Champaca Absolute
  • Fougere d’Argent new!
  • Grey Vetiver EDP new!
  • Jasmin Musk
  • Jasmin Rouge
  • Lavender Palm
  • Lys Fume
  • Noir Extreme new!
  • Oud Fleur
  • Shanghai Lily
  • Sole di Positano
  • Velvet Orchid
  • Vert Boheme
  • Vert des Bois
  • Vert de Fleur
  • White Suede
  • 10ml $26 (3/$62, add more for $19 ea.)
  • 25ml $52 (2/$99)
  • Mixing Creed, Tom Ford, and Parfums de Marly combos is fine!

Other Tom Fords

  • Beau de Jour (Private Blend)
  • Ombre Leather EDP
  • Oud Wood
  • Tobacco Vanille back in stock!
  • Tuscan Leather
  • 10ml $32 (Or add $5 each for 3/$62 Creed/Tom Ford/PDM deal)
  • 25ml $69
  • Tubereuse Nue
  • 10ml $34 (Or add $10 each for 3/$62 Creed/Tom Ford/PDM deal)
  • 25ml $79

Xerjoff

  • Casamorati 1888
  • Casamorati 1888 - Bouquet Ideale
  • Casamorati 1888 - Dolce Amalfi
  • Casamorati 1888 - Fiero
  • Casamorati 1888 - Mefisto back in stock!
  • Erba Pura
  • XJ 1861 - Decas
  • XJ 1861 - Naxos
  • XJ 1861 - Renaissance back in stock!
  • XJ 1861 - Zefiro
  • 10ml $29
  • 25ml $68
  • Accento Overdose
  • Join the Club - More than Words
  • Kemi - Hayat
  • 10ml $34
  • 25ml $80
  • XJ 17/17 Stone Label - Homme
  • XJ 17/17 Stone Label - Irisss
  • 10ml $45
  • 25ml $109
  • XJ 17/17 Stone Label - Symphonium
  • 10ml $55
  • 25ml $134

10ML Add-on Section

Items below can be purchased as add-ons for the listed prices, or may be purchased alone for $4 shipping and packaging (no need to add another $4 after the first item)
For 25ml prices, multiply the 10ml prices below by 2.4
  • Acqua di Parma - Blu Mediterraneo - Fico di Amalfi ($12) back in stock!
  • Armani - Acqua di Giò Absolu ($12)
  • Armani - Acqua di Giò Profondo ($15)
  • Armani - Acqua di Giò Profumo ($15)
  • Dior - Dior Homme ($16)
  • Dior - Dior Homme Intense ($16)
  • Chanel - Bleu de Chanel EDP ($19)
  • Dior - Sauvage EDP ($15)
  • Diptyque - Do Son EDT ($16)
  • Diptyque - Tam Dao EDT ($16)
  • Dolce and Gabbana - The One EDP ($10)
  • Dolce and Gabbana - The One Gold EDP ($10)
  • Frapin - Speakeasy ($15)
  • Hermes - Terre d’Hermes Eau Intense Vetiver ($14) back in stock!
  • Hermes - Terre d’Hermes Pure Parfum ($14)
  • Maison Margiela - Replica - Autumn Vibes ($16)
  • Maison Margiela - Replica - Beach Walk ($16)
  • Maison Margiela - Replica - By the Fireplace ($16) back in stock!
  • Maison Margiela - Replica - Coffee Break ($16)
  • Maison Margiela - Replica - Jazz Club ($16)
  • Maison Margiela - Replica - Matcha Meditation ($16)
  • Maison Margiela - Replica - Under the Lemon Trees ($16)
  • Mancera - Cedrat Boise ($15)
  • Mancera - Cedrat Boise Intense ($17)
  • Mancera - Instant Crush ($15)
  • MFK official 2ml carded sample - 754 ($6)
  • MFK official 2ml carded sample - Aqua Universalis ($6)
  • MFK official 2ml carded sample - A la Rose ($6)
  • Mont Blanc - Explorer EDP ($10)
  • Mont Blanc - Legend EDP ($10)
  • Prada - Luna Rosa Carbon ($14) new!
  • Versace - Eros EDT ($10)
  • Victor and Rolf - Flowerbomb EDP ($17)
  • Victor and Rolf - Spicebomb ($13)
  • Victor and Rolf - Spicebomb Extreme ($17)
  • YSL - L'Homme (2022/$13)
  • YSL - La Nuit de L'Homme (2022/$14)
  • YSL - Supreme Bouquet ($15)
  • YSL - Tuxedo ($24) back in stock!
  • YSL - Y EDP ($17)
  • YSL - Y Le Parfum ($20)
***EDITED 6/4/23*** This page is activate and updated daily. Please send a Reddit chat/PM to inquire - I do not respond to inquires made on this page! Thanks for looking!
submitted by TwentyOneDays to FragDecants [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 11:53 Priya_work DISCOVER THE FASCINATING WONDERS OF INCREDIBLE INDIA

India, the land of legends and mysteries, beckons travelers with its kaleidoscope of colors, flavors, and cultural diversity. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the tranquil beaches of Goa, this incredible country offers an immersive travel experience like no other. Discover ancient temples, vibrant festivals, and breathtaking landscapes that will leave you mesmerized.
Begin your journey in the capital city of Delhi, where the past and present coexist in perfect harmony. Explore the historic Red Fort, a magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site that narrates the tales of India's glorious past. Marvel at the architectural wonders of the Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb, which showcase the grandeur of the Mughal Empire. Dive into the vibrant markets of Old Delhi, where the aromas of spices and the vibrant colors of textiles fill the air.
As you travel south, immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Rajasthan. The magnificent palaces of Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur transport you to an era of royalty and opulence. Experience the bustling bazaars, adorned with intricate handicrafts, and witness the vibrant festivals that bring the streets to life. Don't miss the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as it stands as a testament to eternal love.
Venture further south to experience the serene backwaters of Kerala. Cruise through the tranquil waters on a traditional houseboat and witness the lush green landscapes and charming villages that line the shores. Indulge in the flavors of South Indian cuisine, known for its aromatic spices and delectable seafood. Unwind on the golden beaches of Goa, where palm trees sway and the rhythms of music fill the air.
In the north, embrace the spiritual aura of Varanasi, the oldest living city in the world. Witness the rituals and ceremonies on the banks of the holy Ganges River, where devotees seek solace and liberation. Explore the mystical city of Rishikesh, nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, and delve into yoga and meditation retreats that rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul.
India's natural wonders are as diverse as its cultural heritage. From the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas to the pristine beaches of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the country's landscapes offer a breathtaking escape. Embark on a wildlife safari in the national parks of Ranthambore or Bandhavgarh, where you can spot majestic tigers and other rare species in their natural habitat.
India's charm lies in its warm hospitality, where locals greet you with open hearts and friendly smiles. Engage in conversations with the locals, sample regional delicacies, and participate in traditional ceremonies to truly immerse yourself in the vibrant Indian culture.
As you bid farewell to incredible India, you carry with you memories of a land that embraces diversity, spirituality, and timeless beauty. This vast country has something for every traveler, from history enthusiasts to nature lovers and spiritual seekers. So, embark on this extraordinary journey and let India weave its magic around you, leaving an indelible mark on your heart and soul.
submitted by Priya_work to u/Priya_work [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 05:59 js360160 Florida - Anywhere

2 bedroom / 2 bath condo in Delray Beach, Florida with beautiful pool, fitness room, tennis court and racquetball court.
10 minutes to the beach and a fun downtown with lots of good restaurants and live music. 30 minutes to Fort Lauderdale to the south or West Palm Beach to the north.
We’re flexible about timing so just let us know what dates you have in mind.
Happy to share pics. Please DM me for that.
submitted by js360160 to homeswap [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 03:57 pooped_good After 42 years of Dolphins fandom, I get to go to a game in a Miami. Need help with recommendations.

Hey fellow Fins fans!!
I have been a Dolphins fan ever since I can remember. I remember the pain of watching the Dolphins lose to the Redskins & 49ers in the Superbowl. Unfortunately(or fortunately) I’m not old enough to remember the 72 Dolphins. I live in Idaho so I have never watched the Dolphins play in person. Anyway, I won a trip through my work. I won 2 round trip plane tickets anywhere in the lower 48, 5 day/4 night stay in any Marriott listed, free rental car, meals, and $500 Visa card. I figured this would be the perfect way to go watch my Dolphins play a home game. The game that I decided on going to (due to work schedule) is the Broncos/Dolphins on September 24th. There are a few hotels that seem close enough to the stadium, but I’m not sure which one would be the best to take. I’m hoping to stay at a hotel that is on/near the beach. I have NEVER been to the coast of been in the ocean, so I want to get the best experience possible. Below are the hotels I can pick from. Could anyone give me recommendations as to the most scenic locations and stadium section recommendations? I’m pretty sure I wanna be on the Dolphins sideline side, but are the 300+ sections so far away I won’t be able to enjoy the game? One more thing, I am copy/pasting ALL the Florida hotels listed. I understand that some are not in or near Miami. I just wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything on accident.
Hotels:
The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village Sheraton Sand Key Resort
Courtyard Miami Coral Gables
Delta Hotels Daytona Beach Oceanfront
Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort & Spa
SpringHill Suites Fort Lauderdale Miramar Renaissance Fort Lauderdale
West Residence Inn Fort Myers Sanibel Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel Miami Marriott Dadeland
Courtyard Miami Coconut Grove Courtyard Miami Beach South Beach Residence Inn Naples
Renaissance Orlando at Sea World Orlando World Center Marriott West Palm Beach Marriott
submitted by pooped_good to miamidolphins [link] [comments]


2023.06.03 00:09 MostlySoFlo Explain Like I'm 5: How does oolitic limestone sitting on top of an aquifer support the weight of not just one skyscraper, but hundreds of them?

Explain Like I'm 5: How does oolitic limestone sitting on top of an aquifer support the weight of not just one skyscraper, but hundreds of them?
The limestone may be very thick in some places, but it's very thin in others - just 12 to 50ft in Miami, according to USGS%20described,probably%2012%20to%2050%20ft).
submitted by MostlySoFlo to Miami [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 21:44 ChaseTheTides Know your regulations. All of them!

Know your regulations. All of them! submitted by ChaseTheTides to kayakfishing [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 21:21 SHALOMGNOME Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)

Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)
Embrace the warmth and hospitality of the Chabad house on Singer Island, FL as we come together for the Saturday Minyans now taking place at the exquisite beachfront Marriott.
The Singer Island Chabad house extends a warm welcome to all who seek to partake in these meaningful services.
Join us for Shabbat Morning Services at 10:00am, followed by a delectable Kiddush lunch and joyful L'chaim's.
Venue Details: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa 3800 N Ocean Dr, Singer Island, FL, 33404 Mizner Room
submitted by SHALOMGNOME to ChabadUSA [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 21:15 SHALOMGNOME Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)

Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)
Embrace the warmth and hospitality of the Chabad house on Singer Island, FL as we come together for the Saturday Minyans now taking place at the exquisite beachfront Marriott.
The Singer Island Chabad house extends a warm welcome to all who seek to partake in these meaningful services.
Join us for Shabbat Morning Services at 10:00am, followed by a delectable Kiddush lunch and joyful L'chaim's.
Venue Details: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa 3800 N Ocean Dr, Singer Island, FL, 33404 Mizner Room
submitted by SHALOMGNOME to JewishFL [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 21:01 SHALOMGNOME Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)

Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)
Embrace the warmth and hospitality of the Chabad house on Singer Island, FL as we come together for the Saturday Minyans now taking place at the exquisite beachfront Marriott.
The Singer Island Chabad house extends a warm welcome to all who seek to partake in these meaningful services.
Join us for Shabbat Morning Services at 10:00am, followed by a delectable Kiddush lunch and joyful L'chaim's.
Venue Details: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa 3800 N Ocean Dr, Singer Island, FL, 33404 Mizner Room
submitted by SHALOMGNOME to ChabadPalmBeach [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 20:59 SHALOMGNOME Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)

Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)
Embrace the warmth and hospitality of the Chabad house on Singer Island, FL as we come together for the Saturday Minyans now taking place at the exquisite beachfront Marriott.
The Singer Island Chabad house extends a warm welcome to all who seek to partake in these meaningful services.
Join us for Shabbat Morning Services at 10:00am, followed by a delectable Kiddush lunch and joyful L'chaim's.
Venue Details: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa 3800 N Ocean Dr, Singer Island, FL, 33404 Mizner Room
submitted by SHALOMGNOME to ChabadFL [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 20:57 SHALOMGNOME Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)

Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)
Embrace the warmth and hospitality of the Chabad house on Singer Island, FL as we come together for the Saturday Minyans now taking place at the exquisite beachfront Marriott.
The Singer Island Chabad house extends a warm welcome to all who seek to partake in these meaningful services.
Join us for Shabbat Morning Services at 10:00am, followed by a delectable Kiddush lunch and joyful L'chaim's.
Venue Details: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa 3800 N Ocean Dr, Singer Island, FL, 33404 Mizner Room
submitted by SHALOMGNOME to ChabadFlorida [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 20:54 SHALOMGNOME Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)

Experience Saturday Minyans at the Luxurious Marriott on Singer Island, FL (WPB Area)
Embrace the warmth and hospitality of the Chabad house on Singer Island, FL as we come together for the Saturday Minyans now taking place at the exquisite beachfront Marriott.
The Singer Island Chabad house extends a warm welcome to all who seek to partake in these meaningful services.
Join us for Shabbat Morning Services at 10:00am, followed by a delectable Kiddush lunch and joyful L'chaim's.
Venue Details: Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa 3800 N Ocean Dr, Singer Island, FL, 33404 Mizner Room
submitted by SHALOMGNOME to ChabadSingerIsland [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 19:10 TacoDuLing This is what reserving your ride with Lyft, get ya! Part Deux

This is what reserving your ride with Lyft, get ya! Part Deux
Imagen being in one of the BUSIEST TOURISTY areas in California, going to one of the BUSIEST airport in the world; and NOT ONE driver wanting your reservation.
I know lyft is charging extra for that “peace of mind”, now ask yourself, is it really the drivers?
For peace of mind and savings, skip the middle man and book directly with your driver.
Honestly lyft, quick question, when you KNOW you’re dealing with independent contractors, do you blame us for under cutting you?
Such disrespect to both the customers and the drivers.
Makes for great marketing tho 👍
submitted by TacoDuLing to Lyft [link] [comments]


2023.06.02 18:58 Inevitable-Pin-3453 Man looking for sugar baby

My name is Marvin, a 45-year-old Black man with a zest for life and a passion for connections. I hail from the vibrant city of Seattle, but my journey began in the vibrant streets of South Chicago. As a lawyer by profession, I have dedicated my career to upholding justice and advocating for those in need.
https://preview.redd.it/6e3e92d2ym3b1.jpg?width=540&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bc8ce244f82fbb8c4c5142c84fafe40411e5b114
In matters of the heart, I embrace the beauty of non-traditional relationships. I am proudly bisexual and actively involved in a polyamorous and open relationship with my 28-year-old wife, who brings boundless love and understanding to our union. Having been married twice before, I understand the intricacies of navigating the complexities of love and relationships.
Family is at the core of my being. With six wonderful children, the oldest being 28 years old, my heart is filled with pride and joy. Each of my children is a unique blessing, and I revel in the joys of fatherhood and the lessons it has bestowed upon me.
When I'm not passionately defending my clients' rights in the courtroom, I find solace in the exhilaration of combat sports. The thrill of watching intense UFC fights or the drama of WWE events fuels my spirit and provides an avenue for both entertainment and relaxation.
Nature's beauty beckons me, and I find tranquility and inspiration in the warmth of sandy beaches and the serenity of the great outdoors. Whether it's feeling the sand between my toes or basking in the refreshing ocean breeze, the beach is my sanctuary, a place where I can unwind and reflect.
As a sugar daddy, I bring financial stability, emotional support, and a wealth of life experiences to our connection. I understand the importance of nurturing your dreams and aspirations. Together, we can create a safe and empowering space where you can flourish and grow. It is my genuine desire to foster a relationship rooted in trust, respect, and mutual growth.
If you are a compassionate, open-minded individual who embraces the intricacies of unconventional relationships, I would be honored to embark on this journey with you. Let's explore the depths of our connection, celebrating the beauty of our diverse experiences, and create a bond that uplifts us both.
submitted by Inevitable-Pin-3453 to u/Inevitable-Pin-3453 [link] [comments]