Not seeking advice here. Just need to get it off my chest. Also, English is not my first language and I don't live in the US.
My mother is a toxic person and might even be an entitled Karen. I don't know. What I do know is that my mother has some serious psychological issues. Especially with infants and small baby's. She calls herself "crazy for babys" and proved time and time again, that she only cares for a human as long as it's tiny and cuddly. She has a massive reborn collection, which are baby dolls that look like newborns. They are very expensive but she has to have them around. I am pregnant right now (37 weeks) and constantly on edge, terrified because she will take my baby away. I can't sleep and can't concentrate on anything. It causes me stress to know they will do anything in their power to come visit. The story is long and difficult to explain. In order to make this logical, I need to go back in time.
The past: I am one of 6 children and a twin. I have two older brothers, my twin sister and two (much) younger sisters. My parents were never the emotional type of people. We never heard any words of endearment, a simple "I am proud of you" or even an "I love you". Physically we were not abused but I'd say we were starved of any emotional connection we needed. We never heard a bed time story, never talked about our day at dinner table and even had to be quiet at dinner because my parents wanted to watch TV. To this day, the TV runs all day long. Both of them stopped working in the mid 90s and are living off of benefits from the government. So there wasn't a lot of money growing up. We didn't have fun outings or something like that. Little to no attention was paid to us and if we were annoying while spending time in the living room, they would send us to our rooms. My younger sisters were born when I was 13 and 14 and I remember that as they were babies, they would get all the cuddles, hugs and words of love especially from my mother. I love my little sister's to death but I can't deny that I was a little jealous. I never acted on it tho. In one particular incident I was cleaning the living room since my sister spread her baby toys around the whole area (we did a lot of chores back then). Meanwhile, my mother was cuddling my sister on the couch, telling her how much she loves her. I went to my room crying because I never heard her saying it to me. This stopped after a few years tho, as it is always the case with my parents. Once children reach a certain age, they will receive little to no attention, no love, no hugs etc. She admitted to me today that she is the most interested in babys - as they are her favorite stage of kids - while others may prefer school kids, teens or even adults. I'd like to imagine parents always having the same amount of interest in their children no matter the age. But let's move on... Other examples that started to spark my anxiety were when she told my twin sister and me point black, that if we end up pregnant in university, they will gladly take in our babys so we could continue studying and we could "visit" our babys on the weekends. Mind you, we attended university in a different state, a few hours by public transport. She added that we could have them back once they would need to go to school. Also, since our major contained a year abroad as an exchange student, she told us she would be so sad if we end up falling in love with someone over there, at the end of the world and end up having their grandchildren on the other side of the globe. Because they would never be able to meet them (reminder: to this day they have no job). And even tho my brothers could provide them with grandchildren, my mother was not satisfied as it was not the same with daughters. In her explanation, her own daughters would keep the baby's in case the parents would split up so she could still see her grandkids. Whereas if my brothers would split up with their partners, the daughter in law keeps the grand babies. A rather selfish thought if you ask me. All these instances made me wary of having children of my own.
Present: I moved to a different country 3 years ago since my husband lives here. We are married for one year, together for 5. My parents only attended the wedding because we paid for all of it: travel costed accommodation etc. They never shown any interest in my husband tho and I apologized for their cold behavior toward him multiple times. When we visit them, not a single soul asks how we are or what's new in our lives. They don't even congratulate my husband on his birthday, not even sending a simple text. No interest at all. Her reasons behind that is that they "are not social people and just can't come and ask Somebody how he's doing in life". My own husband. Their son in law. After 5 while years.
I am 37 weeks pregnant with my husband's and my first child. A baby girl. It is not the first grandkid as I have a nephew (5) and a niece (4) already. Children by my oldest brother. I told my parents that we were pregnant on a messager app but the conversation went cold soon. During the whole pregnancy, there were only one sided conversations with me sending ultrasound pictures or news about the baby and only an emoji as a response. As time went on, I send less and less info's as it is really exhausting begging for attention. Today she told me that she is often too busy to answer straight away. And apparently also too busy to write to me - anytime, anything. As mentioned above, they never asked us children how we were and so I never even got a "How are you" during my pregnancy. Never. I admit that I was hoping for a bit of attention in the beginning of pregnancy but as I am used to the coldness, it didn't bother me really. I had some really relaxing first few months of pregnancy. It did however bother me that from the beginning she had demands - not questions! - but demands regarding my baby. Some of them were: - since they cannot afford coming over anytime, they want to schedule a visit at our city on their terms: their time schedule (we are expecting end of June, they want to visit mid July), they want to come over during the week, not on weekends as it is more expensive, so they say (it's holidays anyway in July/August so it's expensive whenever they come). Both my parents said they don't wanna come later than a few weeks after birth, like August or October because then the baby would already be "too old". She said today that "babys grow up so fast and if we don't come right away we will never be able to see her that small again" - my mother wants to put lipstick on her lips, kiss my baby all over her face and make cute pictures. She never wears make up, ever. She would buy any cheap lipstick as she has no money or knowledge of makeup. - she is all into photography which is not bad per se but she already bought special photo books for all her grandkids, that she wants to fill. Last time we talked (my dad's birthday so I called) she demanded "And I want lots of pictures" when the baby is here. As if she is entitled to them. She bought six books in total, one for each grandkid (she already has two and mine coming soon) and proudly told me I could make three more kids as she is already set and prepared book wise. This was the first direct message at me after months of not asking how my pregnancy is doing. The first information she seemed to find necessary enough to share was that I could give her three more baby's. - my mother also asked me if I wanted some foot-and handprints of my baby since she is doing some when she comes over (as if I couldn't make them myself). You know, she still got some colour's left from my niece and nephew and would bring them with her. "nice as she is" I could then also have some prints. Of my own babys hands and feet! Again, not asking but rather demanding as if she is entitled to just do it. And again explaining that the hands and feet only stay tiny for a bit since babys grow so fast. - she told me time and time again that she only wants to visit for 2-3 days if she can come and hold/cuddle my baby. Since that is what she comes for in the first place. If she can't hold the baby, she won't come. She will not spend the time and money just to watch the baby sleeping in her crib. She told me today that she is baby crazy but of course she also comes to see my husband and me but said "I already know you two. Now I want to get to know the baby".
There are other examples but that sums it up quite nicely. All of my siblings know that the attention they now put on my baby will soon fade away. They might send a birthday card till she goes to school but then it will slowly fade away.
So why don't I just forbid her from coming you might ask? Well, she is a master manipulator and really toxic. My dad stands behind her every word. Whenever she won't get it her way, she starts crying and we are to blame. It was always that way and we were always forced to apologize even if it wasn't our fault. I feel guilty. Constantly. She says that if they can't come visit, I will always hold it against them that they didn't pay attention to my baby. When I reality I would gladly just love my life without them but I can't tell her that since it makes me the AH. It breaks me and I know I have to work on myself. My husband and twin sister are my biggest supporter. It all escalated today when I told her exactly what my problems are and she send a 50mins (!) voice recording via messenger arguing with me. It was full of excuses, denial, lies and most of all accusations. She constantly puts the blame on us, saying things like "Well, if you don't want us there" making me the villain. I talked to my in laws about this (who are amazing people Btw) and they suggested we talk it out. But one cannot talk it out with her. Once she feels like she is in the wrong, she will cry, shut down and run away - literally. She is constantly in denial about the emotion abuse she put us through while we were children. And as adults. She is in denial about the lack of interest she puts in contacting me and asking her own children how they are. She constantly puts herself in the role of the victim, crying how many issues she has - issues like my younger sister (18) now moving out and the extreme burden they have helping her finding an apartment and stuff. As if she is not their child and as if it's not their responsibility to help their children!
The last message I send her today was a confirmation that she can come visit but only under following rules (condensed): Rule #1: no holding the baby unless you ask us or we give her to you. Rule #2: no pictures taken or distributed unless you ask us. Rule #3: no hand- or footprints, no lipstick kisses on babys skin. Rule #4: if you want information about the baby you have to come to us, not the other way around (I was sick of always hearing that I am the one who has to inform her of every step since that's "how it was in my youth when I was pregnant with y'all").
So far she hasn't answered but I expect one of the two outcomes: either she agrees to the terms and I feel a bit lighter or she says she can't agree to the terms and thus, can not come, which also takes the pressure off of me. I won't beg for them to come. If they can't follow our rules and rather stay home, so be it. I try hard to focus on my baby right now and I don't want the stress they are causing me.
It is really hard to sever the bond that ties children to their parents and as hard as I try, I am still not able to cut them off completely. Not untill my little sisters moved out. I don't want to let them down and first want to help them escape the toxic hell. But I want to put my foot down and will not let her have it her way. It's time someone shows my mother she can't demand anything she wants.

Pine needles brushed across Paul's arms as he charged through the trees with his bugout bag slung over his shoulders. Weighing in at forty pounds, it hardly slowed him down as he’d practiced this hike many times. He flicked his wrist and checked his Garmin Solar 2 Tactical Watch. The timer read: 2:23.
“You can do this, Paul.” He increased the pace and gritted his teeth, the weight finally having an effect. Paul bounded over a small creek, up a rolling hill, and pushed through a row of baby birches into a clearing. He doubled over to catch his breath and looked at his watch one more time. Two hours and twenty-eight minutes. Paul pumped his fist in victory.
After a short break, he approached a thorny bush in the center of the clearing. Paul brushed aside sand at the bush’s trunk, revealing a yellow rope. He pulled it, which lifted a hidden door in the ground covered with dirt, shrubbery, and other camouflage on the top side, and drab gray iron on the other. Underneath, wooden stairs descended into darkness. Paul retrieved a flashlight from his pack, clicked on the beam, and disappeared into the earth.
At the bottom of the steps, Paul faced a steel door and a combination lock. With several quick swipes of the dial, he opened the lock and tugged the metal door, which creaked as it cracked open. Paul flashed the beam on the offending hinges and shook his head. Something to fix later. He stepped into the secret chamber and pulled a hanging aluminum chain that turned on a large halogen light, illuminating a twenty-foot by eight-foot metal rectangle. The exposed corrugated walls revealed the bunker was nothing more than a shipping container. Paul buried it two years ago and had divided the interior into three spaces. The entry had a shelf with four dozen gallon jugs of sealed water along with a portable toilet, stacks of toilet paper, and a wastebasket. The middle section was the main living area and contained a futon, a TV with a DVD player, and a neat collection of movies underneath. A nightstand housed a small library of books, including the Bible, The Art of Meditation, Buddhism for Dummies, and other spiritual tomes. The back area of the unit had two shelves filled with canned food—black beans, green beans, peaches, peas, carrots, beef, and chicken. There was also a stationary bike, which was Paul’s proudest accomplishment because he had rigged it to a giant battery that provided power to all the electronics.
Paul was a prepper, and this would be his home when the end of the world came, an event he believed was imminent. The global economy was a house of cards built on greed, corruption, and inflated asset prices, but worst of all, it was based on a faith in paper and digital money.
His fear was triggered four years ago when he attended a lecture by a professor who explained the fragility of the world’s financial system. If a few banks failed, it would rattle people’s confidence, causing a herd-like response. Thousands of people would rush to withdraw their cash, which the banks no longer had because they’d invested it. The banks would either fail, and everyday folks would lose their life savings, or the government would print new money to replace the missing money, making all money worth a lot less. Anyone holding dollars would attempt to convert them to other assets.
Just like dominoes, the banks would topple over one by one, and as they crashed, people’s faith in money would crater. After all, what was money? It was just paper with printed images and numbers that we’d all accepted as having value. More recently, money had become numbers displayed on a computer screen, something Paul knew firsthand as he spent the first seven years of his career working at a regional bank in Asheville, North Carolina. Paul could literally change someone’s net worth with a few keystrokes. He could turn a pauper into a millionaire, or he could bankrupt the richest account holder. Sure, there were safeguards, but all were built on faith, which Paul believed was misplaced. Most people didn’t realize that the Federal Reserve only required each bank to hold at least ten percent of its deposits as a reserve. Ten percent. That’s it. The rest of the money was invested in loans or other financial instruments. As the rich bank owners and executives pushed for bigger and bigger returns, they invested in riskier and riskier assets. The lessons from the financial crisis of 2008 had been forgotten.
Once the monetary system collapsed, the entire economy would become paralyzed. Without a means of exchange, transactions would halt. Think about it. If someone tried to give you a slip of paper that you thought was worthless, would you give them anything of value in return?
The doomsday scenario would escalate. Food and water prices would skyrocket, but with no way to purchase them, many would starve. But people don’t just roll over and die, they would riot and take what they need to survive. Marshall Law would be implemented, but citizens would revolt against the government they felt had cheated them.
As Paul listened to the lecturer that fateful day, a depressing epiphany struck. Everything he’d learned and everything he’d spent his life acquiring was worthless.
Growing up, Paul had been taught the value of money, saving, and planning for retirement. He internalized these lessons as a teen after his father got sick and lost his job. His mother had died when he was very young, but his father still managed to provide him with a stable childhood, even though they were barely middle class. When his father fell ill, Paul witnessed firsthand how fast a family could sink into financial trouble, which couldn’t have come at a worse time. He was applying to colleges, and instead of choosing the one he liked best, he chose the one that gave him the most financial aid, which turned out to be a small school half-way across the country. He also didn’t choose a major he was excited about; he chose the one that would offer the safest financial prospects—economics with an emphasis on banking.
The distance from home meant that Paul didn’t see the rapid deterioration of his father. It wasn’t until he returned for the funeral that family friends told him how the disease had spread. His father had refused to let anyone tell Paul because he didn’t want that to distract Paul from his studies.
After graduating, Paul accepted a job at a bank, and immediately signed up for the company’s 401K match. Most college graduates can't grasp retirement when they enter the workforce, but a 401K match was free money. Over the next several years, Paul worked diligently to advance his career while saving most of his salary. He’d mapped out his life on an excel spreadsheet and calculated that he’d be financially secure at 53.
Everything went according to plan until that damn lecturer came along and blew it up. Sifting through the rubble of his grand scheme, Paul realized that in the new world order, he possessed no skills to survive. The savings he’d so meticulously built up would have little to no value. When the economy collapsed, he'd be like a baby, unable to do anything for himself.
After a week of wallowing in despair, Paul rallied himself. “I can still fix this” became a daily mantra. To start, he threw himself into survival classes. The first was a basic camping course where he learned how to create shelters and start a fire. The next class was more advanced and focused on water purification and building snares for small game.
Paul continued working at the bank, because he needed to pay for the classes and survival equipment he began hoarding, but on his next vacation, he put his training to the test. He planned to camp for a week in the Appalachian Mountains, but the temperature swings, especially at night, were too much. Paul lasted three nights in the wild. The humbling experience forced him to admit that he wasn’t a bushman. His depression returned until he stumbled upon an article about “preppers”—individuals who prepare for end of world disasters. Suddenly, things made sense. He didn’t need to abandon all the comforts of modern society. He needed to prepare for the end of the world the way he had planned for retirement.
As Paul traveled down the rabbit hole of prepping, he uncovered an underground society of people like him who knew the truth about the world’s demise. Of course, not everyone believed it would end because of an economic collapse. Some thought a nuclear war would destroy civilization. Others feared electromagnetic pulses from the sun would wipe out all modern electricity. And still others worried a massive volcanic eruption would spew enough ash and soot into the air to blot out the sun. There was no shortage of theories about the world ending, but one thing was clear. The world would end. Did it matter how it happened?
Paul began his prepping quest by purchasing ten acres an hour and a half outside of Asheville. It had plenty of small animals and a creek running through the middle. He then transported an unused cargo container to the land and buried it. This was the toughest part of the plan because it required heavy equipment. Next, he dug out a staircase and installed a steel door at the entrance. Finally, he furnished it with a mix of modern comforts and survival essentials.
Almost every weekend, Paul trekked to his underground sanctuary and made improvements. He also planned his bugout strategy. When the end of the world hit, he figured he needed to be safely hidden in his home within two and a half hours, a time he had achieved with this latest trip. Everything was set, and Paul could finally relax. He was prepared.
Paul slumped down on his futon and considered playing a movie or cracking the bottle of Jim Beam whiskey he stored in a special cabinet, but he shook off the urge. Those things were the rewards and comforts he’d enjoy after the world ended. His fingers rubbed the top of the Bible, something he planned to read cover to cover once the global economy cratered. He’d have plenty of time then to discover his spiritual side, but not now. Something else needed to be done. Something he’d missed.
The biggest mistake a prepper can make is assuming he had everything covered. This was the lesson taught by Yannis, the guru of the prepping world. He was so well-known within the doomsday community; he only went by one name. The guy was sharp as a whip and could live off the land, if necessary, but he preferred a more sophisticated lifestyle, so he created a luxurious cave that contained backup systems for all his backups. Food, water, shelter, and electricity were all taken care of, and it was projected that Yannis could survive ten years comfortably after the apocalypse. His famous blog titled “ABP” stood for Always Be Preparing. It was a motto Yannis lived by and something Paul aspired to, but as he sat in his bunker after the relentless hike, fatigue set in. He didn’t want to think about prepping or his bugout strategy. He wanted to just be.
Paul tilted his head back onto the futon’s cushion, and a loneliness crept into his mind. All his prepping left little time for relationships. He dated off and on in college, but it was never anything serious. It wasn’t like his high school sweetheart, Kristin Summer. They dated junior and senior year, but then Paul broke it off when his father got sick. Paul couldn’t focus on romance, and he knew the relationship wouldn’t have worked when he left for school 1,500 miles away. It still hurt when he learned from a friend that Kristin started dating Derek Gorman, an old classmate Paul hated. It hurt even more when he found out they had gotten married.
After college, Paul joined a couple of dating sites, but he hadn’t used them in over two years. Most women wouldn’t understand his prepping lifestyle, at least that’s what he feared, so he rejected dating before anyone could reject him. But most wasn't all, and with eight billion people on the planet, there had to be someone for him. Almost without thinking, Paul pulled out his phone and opened “My Match,” the site where he’d had the most luck. His profile still had a photo from his early banking days. He was clean shaven with a naïve smile. The face staring back in the picture differed greatly from the bearded survivalist he’d become. Would anyone consider a relationship with the new Paul? Only one way to find out. He snapped a selfie, uploaded it, and then updated his hobbies with the first being “prepping” followed by “survival skills training.” He finished by pressing the button that showed he was actively looking for someone. All he had to do now was wait.
After spending the night in his bunker, Paul checked the dating site in the morning. No response. “It was a stupid idea,” he told himself, and stuffed his phone back into his pocket. He locked his container and returned home.
Over the next two weeks, Paul received zero requests for a date. He didn’t even receive a message from anyone to start a conversation and test the waters. “Shake it off, dumbass,” he said alone in the confines of his cottage-style home. “The world is going to end, anyway.” He clenched his jaw and did what he always did. He researched more ways to survive. Paul poured over blog posts and imagined worst-case scenarios. How could his water be contaminated? Maybe he should bury some caches of water. What if someone finds his shelter? Maybe security cameras were needed. What if he gets lonely in his shelter? No ideas came to mind.
After his eyes got tired from reading, Paul clicked out of his browser, and the list of all his apps stared at him. For reasons unknown to him, he opened Facebook, something he hadn’t done for months. There were a handful of notifications and a couple of friend requests sent weeks ago. His heart raced when he saw the name of one—Kristin Summer. When he accepted, he saw she was on-line right then.
Should he message her? Would that be weird right after accepting her request? But wasn’t it weird that he hadn’t responded for several weeks? He pulled up the messenger and typed. “Hey. Sorry for the delay in accepting your request. Hadn’t been on Facebook in a while. Been busy. Hope you and Derek are well.”
He curled his lip in disgust as he typed Derek’s name and considered deleting it, but he took the moral high ground and hit “send” with his message unaltered.
Kristin Summer. Just the thought of her name brought a smile to Paul’s face.
Bing.
The sound alerted Paul to a response, which he read out loud. “Hey Paul. Good to hear from you. Derek and I divorced a little over a year ago. It was rough at first, but it was for the best. How are you?”
Paul’s eyes widened with shock and excitement. He couldn’t believe Derek was so stupid to let Kristin go. Paul could at least blame their breakup on his father’s illness. His fingers prattled away on the keyboard. “Things are amazing.” He stopped typing. That was a lie. Should he pretend like things were great or should he be honest and tell her about his prepping and the end of the world? Neither option sounded appealing. He tapped the keys without writing until he settled on something uncontroversial.
“Working at Trinity Bank in Asheville. It pays the bills. Where are you?”
Within a minute, the sweet sound of the notification binged. “I’m not too far away in Durham. If you’re ever in town, let me know.”
If you’re ever in town, let me know.
Paul couldn’t believe his eyes. Was Kristin asking him out? He shook his head. Nah, she’s probably just being polite. But maybe. If there was any chance, he had to find out. He chewed his lip and deliberated his next response. Fortune favors the bold, he told himself. Then he remembered Matt Damon telling people that in the now infamous commercial for FTX months before its collapse. When that occurred, Paul thought it was the beginning of the end, and he lived in his bunker for two days before emerging and finding the world still intact.
Paul clenched his fist. It was still good advice, and he had to try. Almost involuntarily, he typed, “I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon. If you want to get together, let me know.” His finger hit send before he could talk himself out of it. There was no qualification in the message. No waffling or hedging. It was clear Paul wanted to see Kristin. The only question now was whether she wanted to see him.
The next ten minutes felt like ten days. Paul paced back and forth with his hands over his head, and he glanced at the monitor every few seconds, just in case his ears had missed the notification alert.
There was nothing.
A dark depression filled the room. Why had he gotten his hopes up? What was the point, anyway? The world was going to end.
Bing.
Paul leapt to the computer and his eyes widened with each word he read. “How about a lunch at The Fig Tree Restaurant on 7th?”
People overuse the word literally, but Paul at least felt like his jaw was literally on the floor. He had a date with Kristin Summer, the one woman he had loved. His hands rattled away at the keyboard. “See you at 1 tomorrow.”
“Holy crap,” he muttered to himself.
Panic replaced his excitement when he imagined sitting down and talking to Kristin. What would he say? “Hey Kristin, what have you been up to? Oh me? I’ve been working at a job I hate and planning for the end of the world.”
He drifted into the bathroom and stared at the scruffy character in the mirror. Paul could only cringe at the thought of Kristin’s reaction upon seeing him. She might not recognize the bearded loner who resembled Ted Kaczynski more than the short-haired, clean-shaven teen she last saw.
Only one thing to do.
Paul had to prepare. He opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of clippers. He began trimming his beard and mustache as short as the clippers would allow. Next, he applied a generous amount of cream and shaved all of it off. Paul smirked at the young man hiding under the shabby beard, but it still wasn’t enough. He set the guard on the clippers to a four and began shaving his head. In college, Paul cut his own hair to save money, and the skill came back to him quickly. He dropped to a three and worked in a fade on the sides and then finished with a two. Paul turned to the left, then to the right, and assessed his work. Not bad.
Next thing to prepare was his outfit. Paul slid the door of his closet open and evaluated his choices. A banker’s suit was too stuffy, and his mountain man denim was too hermit inspired. He yanked the clothes aside and climbed deeper into the recesses of his wardrobe until he found a nice buttoned-down shirt and a dark pair of slacks. It gave just the right vibe of successful and stable, while not trying too hard to impress, even though that was his precisely his goal. Paul laid the selection on the chair by his bed. Durham was a three-and-a-half-hour drive away, and he wanted to make sure he got there with time to find parking, and maybe use the restroom. He set the alarm on his iPhone for 6 a.m. That would give him plenty of time to take a shower, have breakfast, and get dressed.
There was no chance of falling asleep easily. His mind raced with thoughts, questions, and various scenarios about what the day would bring. To relax, he poured himself a double whiskey, which he downed with a single slurp. He poured another and sipped.
Kristin Summer. He shook his head, still in disbelief.
As the effect of alcohol set in, Paul laid down on his bed and shut his eyes. Tomorrow would be a good day.
Paul slipped into a deep, satisfying sleep until his mind jolted him awake. It was past 6 a.m. He didn’t know how he knew. He just knew. Paul had slept through his alarm. He snatched his phone off the nightstand, but it was out of battery. He checked his watch and saw it was 7 a.m. There was still time to get to Durham.
Paul jumped out of bed and into the bathroom. He flicked on the light switch, but nothing came on. Paul toggled it on and off, but the outlet was dead.
Police sirens wailed in the distance. Paul meandered out of his house and onto the front lawn. Aside from the sirens, there was an uneasy stillness. Paul’s neighbor Kurt ran out from his home with two suitcases that he flung into the trunk of his car.
“Kurt. What’s going on?” Paul asked.
“Fort Knox was bombed. All the gold was obliterated. And something happened to the electricity and the internet. They shut it down.”
“Who?”
“I don’t know, man, but it’s not good. No one has access to news, no money, nothing.”
“Where are you going?” Paul asked.
“I don’t know. Somewhere isolated. I’m just hoping there are no more bombings or other attacks.” Kurt jumped into his car and sped away.
This was it. The world was ending. All of his preps were about to pay off. But what about Kristin? Paul didn’t want the world to end. If he tried to get Kristin, there was no chance he could reach his shelter before things get hairy. Plus, there was no way he could find her. He didn’t have her address, and she might have already left Durham for somewhere safe.
Paul forced himself to focus on his plan. This was what he had prepared for. He dashed back inside and changed into his camouflage gear, grabbed his bugout bag, and then sprinted to his truck. He drove through his neighborhood and reached the main road. His shelter and plans were to the left. Kristin and the unknown were to the right. The whites of Paul’s knuckles flared as he gripped the steering wheel. Now was not the time to waffle. He turned left and hit the accelerator.
Paul gritted his teeth and raced down the street. Keep going. Keep going. He urged himself on. Almost involuntarily, his foot slammed on the brakes. Paul couldn’t do it. He’d planned for the worst all his life, and while he sat alone with the engine idling, he had to admit the truth. He’d lived all his life in fear.
Paul yanked the wheel and turned around toward Durham.

La nueva generación en el nuevo mundo Across the sea, life goes on

XIV FEBRERO MDXVI
Giovanni wept to himself, quietly at first, and then with wrenching, heart-shaking shudders of a man who was barely contained. Pedrarias would have admonished him. His wife, Maria, would have berated him. His brother, William, would have told him that prayers were worth more than tears. And Cesare Borgia would have stabbed him and said, "Now you have something to cry about." His first-born daughter, Maria-Theresa, was stillborn, and his line remained stillborn with her. There would be no Palaiologos to carry on their claim to the Queen of Cities. He wept for himself, he wept for his wife, he wept for his family, and he wept for the New World and the life he thought he was building here. What had survival on Bermuda been for if not to bring new life into this world?
The year of 1516 had been set for the most brilliant and jubilant arrival of new life and peace for the city of Panama. Instead, the death of Maria de Paleólogo y Téllez-Girón had brought only sadness. The indigenous people listened to Giovanni's story and understood his belief that his family was cursed. They understood where his self-belief came from and the role his family played across the waves of the Atlantic. They called him 'El emperador perdido' or 'el hombre sin familia,' and they knew why he worked as hard as he did. He tried his best to treat them well, but 1516 was a cursed year, and even the estate of Elysia was renowned for being a bleak place. There was little to inspire joy or happiness that year.
By the turn of the year, Maria was herself again, a woman of fierce temperament and fiercer demands. She was driving her land hard, and Giovanni harder. There was little that stood between the young woman and her future. She was determined to see her estate rival any on Cuba and aspire to match the great landowners of Spain proper. Her bargain was known to all; working for the Lady of Elysia, the so-called 'Persephone,' was a fast route to favours and wealth beyond imagination. Spanish and indigenous alike knew of her reputation and her favour.
Ninguané spent the year planning the grandest expedition that Pedrarias would ever undertake. It would not be this year, nor 1517, or even 1518, it was to take place in 1520. A full four years of planning time in preparation. Pedrarias himself would lead it, Juan to be his second, and Ninguané their chief guide. They were going to utilise a ludicrous amount of men and arms, and provisions sufficient to establish two colonies in their own right. Any native tribe who stood against the Old Man would find itself crushed. To aid him, Ninguané used the maps and information provided by the foreign traders. He also used lessons learned from fighting the Cuevá to have Juan write some simple guides for the condottiero who would come with them. This was all just the first step though, and as planning commenced Juan got to work on ensuring Panamá was the ideal place to launch this expedition from.
----
XXII JULIO MDXVII
1517 was destined to be one of the greatest years in the entire lifetime of the House of Paleólogo, who now officially adopted the Spanish translation of their name. On a warm day, near midday, Lady Maria Luisa Enríquez y Téllez-Girón, after carrying a heavy belly for nine months, finally gave birth. On that sweltering summer day, baby Guillermo de Paleólogo y Téllez-Girón was born healthy and crying. He already had a thick head of hair, and his lungs heralded the arrival of a new generation of Paleólogo, who would carry the family name and the title of Imperator Constantinopolitanus. Word had finally reached them from across the sea that Guglielmo, in his solitude, was unlikely to provide an heir to the family.
Juan, known as Giovanni in his Italian name and Ioannes in Latin, was rightfully his brother's heir, and the baby boy Guillermo was his own heir. As his wife's laboured breathing turned to laughter and joy after hours of agonising screams, Juan's love for her overflowed. In four different languages, he praised her. First in Italian, then in Latin, then Greek, and finally Spanish. He spoke of love and vitality, of eternal marriage. He whispered sweet nothings that made the midwives blush and turn away in embarrassment. Together, Juan and Maria held their new son and thanked the Lord Almighty for their happiness. On that July day, nothing could have shattered their joy, not even the fall of Rome itself, for their whole world was cradled in their arms.
The year went by, and Guillermo proved to be strong-willed for a baby, expressing himself in every possible way. Part of Maria knew that her husband would desire another son sooner rather than later. Juan, having tasted fatherhood, yearned for more. He told them that family, like faith, was strongest when held with love in their hearts. Together, they prayed for another child, and their zealousness was soon rewarded.
Meanwhile, Ninguané took charge of managing affairs between Elysia, Panamá, and the Coclé tribe. Being fluent in Spanish, his native language, and Latin, thanks to the church, made him indispensable to the Spanish around him, especially Pedrarias and Juan. Part of him regretted not being able to be there for his family more, and he knew that sooner or later, he would need to take a wife of his own. Yet, a small part of him harboured a fascination with the women who came from across the sea and wanted Pedrarias and Juan to arrange a Spanish wife for him. He wasn't entirely sure why, but there was an intrigue surrounding these women. He also knew that his family expected him to marry someone from his tribe since he was the chieftain's son. While Elysia had expanded Panamá to the size of Medina del Oro and Nombre de Dios combined, Juan and Ninguané aimed even higher. Together, they began constructing a fortress in Panamá.
It wouldn't be a grand castle, but it would be sufficient to hold the region of Castilla del Oro against aggression and exert influence over the surrounding areas. It was also intended to serve as a residence for the future Duc. With this in mind, Ninguané sought his father's input, and Juan commissioned Spanish engineers. The Fuerte de San Constantino would serve as the base of Spanish power in the Atlantic, initially for Pedrarias and later for the planned grand expedition to the north. From this stronghold of Spanish might, the region would be secured eternally for the Spanish Monarchs. However, something about this plan unsettled Ninguané, yet the undeniable prosperity of his tribe kept those concerns at bay most of the time.
----
VII AGOSTO MDXVIII
Pedrarias surveyed the room and expressed his gratitude to God, the Queen, and the Kingdom. Juan cradled the boys in his arms, his wife gazing at him with love while the proud midwives beamed at the woman who had just given birth. The priest blessed the family in Latin. They named the twin boys Bonifacio de Paleólogo y Téllez-Girón and Constantino de Paleólogo y Téllez-Girón. It was a double blessing from God that even Pedrarias had made the journey from Nombre de Dios to witness. They called him the Old Man, and though he was indeed old, he was not too old to visit one of his key administrators on such a significant day. His own children were now grown, with wives and soon-to-be children. Pedro and Francisco, his sons, were grown men, while Arias, 18 years old, had thoughts of sending him to court. His daughters included María de Peñalosa, who would turn 16 this year and soon be married, Isabela de Bobadilla, 13 years old, and Elvira, his youngest at just 9. Pedrarias knew the joys of having children and understood the significance of this moment for Juan.
However, the joy and celebrations of the 'double-headed eagle' in Elysia were short-lived. Constantino caught a cradle cough and passed away barely two months after his birth. Juan and María were devastated once again, especially Juan. Ninguané, who had witnessed life come to Panamá, now watched it fade from his friend's face once more. While the previous year had been filled with good news and abundant energy, the administrator retreated into himself. Missives and directions came through assistants and helpers, and Pedrarias rarely called upon his senior advisor, knowing that the man was barely eating, let alone fit for conversation. Fortunately, preparations for the grand expedition and the construction of the Fuerte de San Constantino continued, with Ninguané and Pedrarias taking charge while Juan managed the finances and other foremen oversaw the actual construction.
Towards the end of the year, Ninguané and Pedrarias grew particularly close in the absence of Juan managing their affairs. The native prince of Panama, now 22 years old, had matured since joining the colony at the age of 18. Pedrarias saw before him a handsome man, dark-skinned but lacking the refinement of civilization, yet intelligent, creative, and cunning—traits that Pedrarias appreciated. What became apparent to him, beyond his own admiration and dependence, was the affection that Maria held for Ninguané as well. The young girl became a frequent "guest" whenever Ninguané stayed late at Pedrarias' residence. She would bombard him with questions about his family and his thoughts on the Spanish. She would quiz him on the various Kings and Queens of Spain. Before the year ended, Maria started asking her father about whom he thought Ninguané would marry and the laws regarding such matters.
Juan Paleólogo and his wife, along with the rest of Elysia, returned to active service for the colony in the final quarter of the year. With renewed vigour, which he found by turning to his two living sons, Juan fully immersed himself in his duties. This involved weekly trips from his estate to Panamá proper or Nombre de Dios to visit the governor. He resumed the process of formalising the plans for what was now referred to as 'La gran expedición' and personally wrote letters to investors, the Casa, and Corte Real de Madrid. His mastery with the quill was unrivalled, having spent time in Rome, and Pedrarias was immensely grateful to have him back. The loss of Bobadilla some years ago had hindered progress in Medina, but with his competent Greek administrator, the colony rediscovered its purpose and attracted new investments.
Together, the three men rallied once again and devoted themselves to ensuring that Castilla del Oro became the crown jewel of the New World. They formed perhaps the finest trio of officials on this side of the Atlantic.
----
Summary
Juan de Paleólogo and his wife have had a number of children over the years. He has been up and down emotionally but on the whole Panamá has now become as large as Medina del Oro and Nombre de Dios combined.
Ninguané has grown much closer to Pedrarias with Juan focussed on family following the death of his son. Ninguane and Maria, the eldest daughter of Pedrarias, are growing closer.
Pedrarias has begun preparations for probably his final expedition; it is to be particularly large.
A new fort is being built in Panama for ƒ100,000 (mil), costs split ƒ75k (Casa) and 25k (del Oro).

Monday
Dimmy: Hello, we’ve all been sick since yesterday! But we also develop a severe allergic reaction if we stay home! So Superspreader Kate ran outside in her pajamas to have a tea party with the ducks at the park then we plopped her back in bed for a nap in her dirty pajamas, but she woke up soon after because she’s sick and pooped her pajamas. Why get a clean outfit out now, when I can just take her pajama pants off and continue about our day! Beady Kate was upset so I gave her a pack of 36 cheap bracelets from Amazon to distract her. I’ll link ‘em up for you even though they’re labeled as a choking hazard for kids under three! I dunno know what happened to the last pack of 36 I gave her. I guess she swallowed all of the beads from those! Sniffles Kate went back outside in her diaper and pajama top. I hate wearing pants too so I wore my hot dog jeans which is the next best thing to no pants! I showed Pantsless Kate how to paint with water since we banned sidewalk chalk after she colored our walls blue. Let’s paint our ABCs!
A a a airplane in the sky B b b bee spray that doesn’t work C c c code for the fat poors
What a full day of shilling (products), Schylling (tea cups) and spilling (tea)!
Tuesday
Dimmy: Guys my period is five days late but I’m not pregnant! Has this ever happened to you? Yes or not yet!
Dimmy: Hellloooo I’m back. Like, a lot of people are saying just wait a few more days and take another pregnancy test then.
NO SHIT KIMMY.
Dimmy: So anyway even though I’m super sick I went to Mindy McKnight’s bath and body launch to spread my germs because it was at a hamam and you all know from my time in Morocco, I love a good hamam! Mindy and I took a photo with our mouths hanging open and faces pressed together so….. hope one of your new bath products is an immune booster, Mindy! Good luck not getting sick!
Meanwhile Scooter Kate had fun skiing for donuts in her clogs, riding her scooter and learning to catch a football.
Wednesday
Kimmy took the day off stories without explanation and was nowhere to be found. Could she be feeling poorly? “Working?” Taking multiple pregnancy tests? Shopping for more ripped-knee jeans?
The disheveled moppet and her tax-challenged handler surfaced on stories at Turtle Creek Lane. Smartie Kate had gone over there to teach McKenna Kate how to spell, and correct the errors on her summer bucket list. As a reward for tutoring MK, the fridge troll gave Stevie Clog an ice cream cone, but the sugar police caught her red-handed. Not to be bullied for her sweet treat, Stevie Kate tightened her grip on the cone and licked away defiantly as Minnie scolded her. As punishment, Jen made her cut up a huge plate full of raw veggies and eat them. Then Stevie Swan visited Swannie Kate and taught Jen how to read, and finished her afternoon at TCL by taking a nap with one of her favorites, Uncle Sam.
Thursday
Dimmy: CAN YOU SAY GOOD MORNING?
Chef Kate: Good morning mommy here’s your breakfast: two pieces of bacon and a pancake served with a side of my snot syrup. Zero calorie play food, since we all know you never eat any real breakfast! You intermittent fast for 1100 hours and then break your fast with HLTH code powder and whipped cream!
Dummy is crowdsourcing Twitter and Instagram for suggestions on how to get SK to stop whining as the Contentot was put in timeout twice today.
Dimmy told everyone that taking your toddler to Costco is a fun idea because they can destroy everything in the store instead of your house. She and Jen piled Shopping Cart Kate high with Memorial Day weekend groceries for their upcoming trip to the lake house. Costco Kate was not amused by the Tide on her toes and snot on her nose.
Dimmy shilled CVS ExtraBucks and then it was time for Cartwheel Kate to hit the gym and In-N-Out. Stevie Kate and Dummy enjoyed burgers with buns and Dimmy got to lick the wrappers. Unclear if she has anything else, as she placed a movie recommendation box strategically over the spot where her dinner should be.
Friday
Dummy said he’s already listened to two parenting books at 4X speed and has detailed the perfect six step plan on how to get Stevie Kate to stop whining, which involves gossiping in front of her and some other weird shit. Now if only he could find the perfect six step plan on how to stop being an asshole.
Shoeless Kate managed not to lose any toes racing around in her little car, feet flying across the pavement. She pretended her baby doll was Shilly Lilly and followed Tiffany’s safety guidelines for how to treat a newborn, although everyone agreed she was gentler with her doll than Tiffany is with Chilly, as the doll was properly dressed and only flew out of the car and hit the pavement once.
Then it was time to hit the road for Memorial Day weekend at Possum Kingdom. The Dummies packed up their car by grabbing armfuls of all the junk in their house and shoving it into their car, filling up every square inch to the top. Despite not being able to see out the car windows, Dummy drove the overstuffed hail-dented junk mobile to the lake house without getting in an accident. On the way Dimmy gave us an update on Period Watch 2023 as if any of us care. She’s now eight days late and still churning out negative pregnancy tests.
The Dummies were the first of the Turtles to arrive at the lake house. The fridge troll collapsed on the new Love Sac sofa with his shoes on for a nap while Feral Kate was ready to go out on the boat but alas the Senior Turtles weren’t due to arrive until the next day.
Saturday
Goooood moooorning… Hiiiiiii trilled the shrill one, in her screechiest greeting of the week as she located her troll of a husband and diaper-clad tot in The Ranch at Possum Kingdom’s neighborhood pool. She changed the Contentot into a swim diaper but didn’t bother dressing her in a swimsuit. After SK’s Elsa and Anna dolls lemming-jumped to their deaths off the waterfall feature with an assist from Dummy, it was time to tour the $5 million lake house the Senior Turtles just purchased to add to their growing portfolio of properties, which will soon fill up an entire Monopoly board. Entitled Kate, finally clothed in a swim cover-up, was bored with the new home tour (another day, another mansion, am I right?) so the troll played hide and seek with her throughout the cavernous rooms. Then Dimmy bribed Stevie Carb with white bread if she’d pretend to love her new cousin and gaze at her sweetly, which worked like a charm. The Contentot gleefully held slices of white bread in each grubby paw on the expensive brand new white Lovesac sofa and crouched next to Shilly. Then Stevie Kate went out on the boat and had a grand time since she got fed more bread there and didn’t even have to waterski for content and donuts. Channeling her inner Geico commercial piggy, she gleefully cried weeeeeeeeee the whole way home.

Hi guys! I am selling Diretide cache I & II as well as some Aghanim Cache. I am selling those sets because i have many extras and i don't play those heroes that much. Some of the sets are unbundled but still can be gifted, you can check my inventory to be sure. Buyer goes first no exceptions. If you don't trust me i am okay with using a middleman. I have sold to many people before and i have many proof screenshots and recordings i can show. I can do discounts for bulk sales.
​

• In order to gift/trade the items we need to be friends at least 30 days.
• I will trade dota2/csgo/tf2 items and tf2 keys worth the listed item's price.
• Because i don't want to waste anyone's time i require %25 (Min.1$) of the price for reservation.
• Reservation fee will be subtracted from the items total price.
• If you want to reserve/buy an item comment on my steam profile and add me on steam.
• If you have any questions feel free to add/message me.
• Reservation fee will not be refunded if you cancel the order.

Here is my steam profile: https://steamcommunity.com/profiles/76561198113120433
My steamrep: https://steamrep.com/search?q=76561198113120433
​
DIRETIDE COLLECTOR'S CACHE I

Set name	Hero	Quantity	Price USD
Dark Behemoth (VERY RARE)	Primal Beast	0 LEFT (1 SOLD)	25$ ITEMS
Angel of Vex (RARE) (Comes with persona)	Invoker + Persona	2 LEFT (1 SOLD)	12$ ITEMS
Blue Horizons (RARE)	Marci	2 LEFT (1 SOLD,1 RESERVED)	10$ ITEMS
Dirge Amplifier	Undying	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Forgotten Station	Terrorblade	2 LEFT (1 SOLD)	3$ ITEMS
Crimson Dawn	Phoenix	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Trophies of the Hallowed Hunt	Ursa	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Chines of the Inquisitor	Faceless Void	0 LEFT (1 RESERVED)	3$ ITEMS
Spoils of the Shadowveil	Spectre	1 LEFT (1 SOLD)	3$ ITEMS
Starlorn Adjudicator	Dawnbreaker	0 LEFT (1 RESERVED)	3$ ITEMS
Seadog's Stash	Clockwerk	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Hounds of Obsession	Chen	2 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Whippersnapper	Snapfire	0 LEFT (1 RESERVED)	3$ ITEMS
Scarlet Subversion	Riki	0 LEFT (2 RESERVED)	3$ ITEMS
Shadowleaf Insurgent	Hoodwink	0 LEFT (2 RESERVED)	3$ ITEMS

​
DIRETIDE COLLECTOR'S CACHE II

Set name	Hero	Quantity	Price USD
Brands of the Reaper (RARE)	Anti Mage	0 LEFT (SOLD)	20$ (SOLD)
Grudges of the Gallows (RARE)	Treant Protector	1 LEFT	8$ ITEMS
Bird of Prey	Legion Commander	0 LEFT (1 SOLD)	3$ ITEMS
Darkbrew's Transgression	Alchemist	2 LEFT (1 RESERVED)	3$ ITEMS
Transcendent Path	Oracle	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
The Wilding Tiger	Brewmaster	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Dawn of a Darkness Foretold	Doom	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Grand Suppressor	Silencer	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Withering Pain	Clinkz	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
Sacred Chamber Guardian	Huskar	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS
War Rig Eradicators	Techies	1 LEFT	3$ ITEMS

​
AGHANIMS COLLECTOR'S CACHE

Set name	Hero	Quantity	Price USD
Pyrexae Polymorph Perfected	Ogre Magi	(SOLD)	9$ (SOLD)
Days of the Demon	Axe	(SOLD)	10$ (SOLD)
March of the Crackerjack Mage	Rubick	1 LEFT	4$ ITEMS
Scales of the Shadow Walker	Phantom Lancer	1 LEFT	4$ ITEMS
Secrets of the Frost Singularity	Ancient Apparation	0 LEFT (1 SOLD)	3$ ITEMS
The Chained Scribe	Grimstroke	0 LEFT (1 RESERVED)	3$ ITEMS
Forgotten Fate	Mars	1 LEFT	4$ ITEMS

Hi all, I have a bunch of games I'm looking to sell. Only accepting Paypal F&F at this time. Free shipping on orders of $50+, otherwise please add $5 for shipping costs. Photos available upon request!

System	Item	Condition	Price
32X	Primal Rage	Loose	$60.00
3DS	2DS XL turquoise / black modded	Loose	$200.00
3DS	3DS XL NES Edition box	Box only	$80.00
3DS	Amazing Spiderman	Loose	$12.00
3DS	Amazing Spiderman 2	Loose	$12.00
3DS	Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer	Loose	$13.00
3DS	Bravely Default	CIB	$36.00
3DS	Dragon Quest VII: Fragments of the Forgotten Past	Loose	$60.00
3DS	Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth	Loose	$48.00
3DS	Final Fantasy Explorers	CIB	$30.00
3DS	Fossil Fighters: Frontier	Loose	$32.00
3DS	Kid Icarus: Uprising	CIB	$80.00
3DS	Kid Icarus: Uprising	Loose	$60.00
3DS	Kirby: Planet Robobot	Loose	$39.00
3DS	Madagascar 3	CIB	$9.00
3DS	Mario Golf: World Tour	CIB	$64.00
3DS	Mario Golf: World Tour	Loose	$58.00
3DS	Nintendogs + Cats Golden Retriever and New Friends	Loose	$22.00
3DS	Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity	Loose	$26.00
3DS	Senran Kagura: Deep Crimson 2	Loose	$56.00
3DS	Sims 3 (Heavily damaged / punctured case)	Game + case	$14.00
3DS	Ultimate NES Remix	Loose	$15.00
amiibo	Ness amiibo	Loose	$25.00
amiibo	Splatoon amiibo 3-pack (crease along top of cardboard)	NIB	$50.00
Books	Horizon: Zero Dawn Collector's Edition guide	Loose	$120.00
Dreamcast	Maken X	CIB	$50.00
DS	Barbie Fashion Show: An Eye for Style	Loose	$8.00
DS	Bomberman	Loose	$13.00
DS	Elite Beat Agents	Loose	$15.00
DS	Final Fantasy IV	Loose	$18.00
DS	Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift	Loose	$33.00
DS	Fossil Fighters	Loose	$27.00
DS	Geometry Wars Galaxies	CIB	$9.00
DS	Legendary Starfy	Loose	$15.00
DS	Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga	CIB	$9.00
DS	My Hero Firefighter	CIB	$11.00
DS	Need for Speed: Pro Street	Loose	$9.00
DS	Pac-Man World 3	Loose	$11.00
DS	Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End	CIB	$7.00
DS	Plants vs Zombies	CIB	$13.00
DS	Plants vs Zombies	CIB	$15.00
DS	Plants vs Zombies	Loose	$11.00
DS	Pokemon Black	Loose	$70.00
DS	Pokemon Black 2	CIB	$165.00
DS	Pokemon Diamond case only	Case only	$20.00
DS	Pokemon White	CIB	$85.00
DS	Power Rangers Super Legends	CIB	$12.00
DS	Rhythm Heaven	Loose	$43.00
DS	Rockman ZX (JP)	Loose	$26.00
DS	Spongebob's Atlantis Squarepantis	CIB	$7.00
DS	Yoshi Touch & Go	Loose	$12.00
DS / 3DS	Lego bundle Battles, Indiana Jones, City Undercover, Friends	Loose	$12.00
GB	Pokemon Red (JP)	Loose	$15.00
GBA	Metroid Fusion (label fading, wear on box)	CIB	$100.00
GBA	Pokemon Ruby (heavy wear on box	CIB	$240.00
GBA	Super Mario Advance 4: Super Mario Bros 3 box only	Box only	$35.00
GBA	Wolfenstein 3D	Loose	$25.00
GCN	Animal Crossing Memory Card (Some fading)	Loose	$18.00
GCN	Conflict: Desert Storm	Game + case	$11.00
GCN	Dance Dance Revolution: Mario Mix	Game + case	$23.00
GCN	Finding Nemo	Game + case	$5.00
GCN	Harry Potter: Quidditch World Cup (Blockbuster case)	Game + case	$9.00
GCN	Metroid Prime 2: Echoes case w/ Nintendo Power insert	Case only	$20.00
GCN	Nascar: Dirt to Daytona	CIB	$14.00
GCN	NCAA Football 2005	CIB	$14.00
GCN	Resident Evil 0	CIB	$17.00
GCN	Resident Evil 4	CIB	$30.00
GCN	Resident Evil Zero	CIB	$19.00
GCN	Resident Evil Zero	Game + manual	$14.00
GCN	Super Smash Bros Melee (cracked inner ring)	Loose	$45.00
Genesis	6-Pak (label wear)	Loose	$10.00
Genesis	Madden NFL 98	Loose	$9.00
Genesis	RBI Baseball 4 (Damaged art / case)	Game + case	$6.00
Genesis	Road Rash 3 (tear in label)	Loose
Genesis	Turrican (label tears)	Loose	$15.00
Genesis	World of Illusion	CIB	$35.00
Genesis	World Series Baseball	Game + case	$6.00
Genesis	WWF Raw	Game + case	$22.00
Genesis	X-Men (faded label)	Loose	$9.00
N64	Banjo Tooie (Not For Resale)	Loose	$150.00
N64	Donkey Kong 64 (JP)	Loose	$12.00
N64	ED64 Plus	NIB	$100.00
N64	Hey You, Pikachu! (JP)	Loose	$7.00
N64	Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask manual (N64)	Manual	$30.00
N64	Mario Kart 64 (Player's Choice)	CIB	$100.00
N64	Mario Party 2 (JP)	Loose	$8.00
N64	Mario Tennis (JP)	Loose	$9.00
NES	Gauntlet	Game + manual	$25.00
NES	T&C Surf Designs	Loose	$8.00
PS1	Bass Landing	CIB	$18.00
PS1	Brave Fencer Musashi	Loose	$55.00
PS1	Coolboarders 3	CIB	$6.00
PS1	Crash Bandicoot Warped	Loose	$6.00
PS1	Destruction Derby Raw	Loose	$11.00
PS1	Final Fantasy IX	Game + case	$16.00
PS1	Final Fantasy Tactics (Greatest Hits)	CIB	$50.00
PS1	Incredible Hulk (No cover art / manual)	Game + case	$11.00
PS1	Loaded	Loose	$10.00
PS1	Mega Man X6	Game + manual	$35.00
PS1	NHL Rock the Rink	CIB	$9.00
PS1	Parasite Eve (no demo disc)	CIB	$75.00
PS1	Resident Evil (longbox)(Cracked case and some art damage)	Game + case	$100.00
PS1	Revolution X (longbox)	CIB	$29.00
PS1	Rugrats: Search for Reptar	CIB	$18.00
PS1	Streak: Hoverboard Racing	CIB	$8.00
PS1	Tony Hawk's Pro Skater	Game + manual	$10.00
PS1	Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2	Game + case	$10.00
PS1	Urban Chaos	Loose	$8.00
PS1	WWE Smackdown 2 (No cover art / manual)	Game + case	$10.00
PS1	WWF Attitude	CIB	$10.00
PS1	WWF WrestleMania The Arcade Game	Loose	$13.00
PS2	Another Century's Episode (JP)	CIB	$12.00
PS2	Art of Fighting Anthology (Water damaged art)	CIB	$12.00
PS2	Dance Dance Revolution Extreme 2	CIB	$7.00
PS2	Dragon Quest VIII	Game + case	$20.00
PS2	Fight Club	CIB	$10.00
PS2	Fight Night Round 2	CIB	$10.00
PS2	Fight Night Round 3	CIB	$9.00
PS2	Frogger: The Great Quest	CIB	$7.00
PS2	Guitar Hero III	CIB	$13.00
PS2	Guitar Hero: Aerosmith	CIB	$9.00
PS2	King Arthur	CIB	$10.00
PS2	King of Fighters: Maximum Impact	Loose	$10.00
PS2	Medal of Honor European Assault	CIB	$8.00
PS2	Midnight Club (Sharpie on disc)	Game + case	$6.00
PS2	Mortal Kombat: Deception Premium Pack	Game + case	$25.00
PS2	Namco Museum	CIB	$7.00
PS2	NFL Street 2	CIB	$20.00
PS2	Onimusha 3: Demon Siege	Loose	$10.00
PS2	Ready 2 Rumble Boxing Round 2	CIB	$11.00
PS2	Resident Evil 4	CIB	$15.00
PS2	Resident Evil Outbreak	Game + case	$18.00
PS2	Resident Evil Outbreak: File #2	Loose	$40.00
PS2	Sega Classics Collection	Game + case	$11.00
PS2	Silent Hill 2 (no music CD)	CIB	$120.00
PS2	Silent Hill 2 manual (Crease on top right corner)	Manual	$30.00
PS2	Silent Hill 3	CIB	$150.00
PS2	SSX	CIB	$8.00
PS2	Star Wars Racer: Revenge	CIB	$10.00
PS2	Tekken 4 GH	CIB	$11.00
PS2	Tekken Tag Tournament	Loose	$6.00
PS2	The Great Escape	CIB	$10.00
PS2	The Thing	Loose	$22.00
PS2	Thrillville	CIB	$6.00
PS2	Thrillville	CIB	$6.00
PS2	Thunderstrike: Operation Phoenix	CIB	$6.00
PS2	Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4	Game + case	$7.00
PS2	Tony Hawk's Underground 2	CIB	$17.00
PS2	WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2006	CIB	$12.00
PS3	Amazing Spiderman 2	Loose	$18.00
PS3	Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel Overkill Edition	CIB	$11.00
PS3	Batman Arkham Origins	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Binary Domain	CIB	$20.00
PS3	Borderlands 2	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel	CIB	$6.00
PS3	Burnout Paradise	CIB	$8.00
PS3	Call of Duty Ghosts	CIB	$5.00
PS3	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2	Game + case	$5.00
PS3	Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3	CIB	$7.00
PS3	Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood	CIB	$7.00
PS3	Dark Sector	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Darkness	CIB	$16.00
PS3	Dirt 3	CIB	$11.00
PS3	Disney Sing It Family Hits	CIB	$9.00
PS3	Dragon Age: Origins Ultimate Edition	Game + case	$14.00
PS3	Earth Defense Force 2025	Loose	$14.00
PS3	Fallout 3 GOTY	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Final Fantasy X / X-2 Collector's Edition (coffee stains on book)	CIB	$20.00
PS3	Grand Slam Tennis 2	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Hitman Absolution	CIB	$6.00
PS3	Kane & Lynch 2: Dog Days	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Lair	CIB	$7.00
PS3	Madden NFL 17	CIB	$20.00
PS3	Metal Gear Solid V The Phantom Pain Day One Edition	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes	CIB	$11.00
PS3	Minecraft	Game + case	$11.00
PS3	MLB 13: The Show	CIB	$5.00
PS3	Mortal Kombat	Game + case	$9.00
PS3	Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja: Storm 2	CIB	$7.00
PS3	NBA 2K16	CIB	$9.00
PS3	NCAA Football 12	CIB	$8.00
PS3	NCAA Football 12	CIB	$8.00
PS3	NCAA Football 13 (Water damaged art and manual)	CIB	$22.00
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PS3	Persona 4 Arena (Wavy cover art)	CIB	$16.00
PS3	Persona 5	Game + case	$14.00
PS3	PS Move navigation controller	NIB	$35.00
PS3	Remember Me	CIB	$12.00
PS3	Resident Evil 5	Game + case	$5.00
PS3	Rocksmith 2014	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Sega Rally Revo	CIB	$14.00
PS3	Sengoku Basara: Samurai Heroes	CIB	$20.00
PS3	Skate 2	CIB	$12.00
PS3	Skate 3	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Skyrim: Legendary Edition	CIB	$9.00
PS3	Soulcalibur IV	CIB	$10.00
PS3	Street Fighter IV (water damaged art)	CIB	$9.00
PS3	Tekken 6	CIB	$11.00
PS3	Tekken Hybrid	CIB	$32.00
PS3	Tekken Tag Tournament 2	CIB	$17.00
PS3	Top Spin 4	CIB	$14.00
PS3	Two Worlds II (Water damaged art)	CIB	$8.00
PS3	UFC 2009 Undisputed	Loose	$5.00
PS3	UFC 2010 Undisputed	CIB	$8.00
PS3	Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3	CIB	$19.00
PS3	Ultra Street Fighter IV	Game + case	$25.00
PS3	Ultra Street Fighter IV	CIB	$27.00
PS3	Uncharted 3	CIB	$6.00
PS3	Vampire Resurrection (JP)	CIB	$58.00
PS3	Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine	CIB	$19.00
PS3	Watchmen: The End is Night The Complete Experience	CIB	$36.00
PS3	Wolfenstein	Game + case	$12.00
PS3	WWE 2K16	CIB	$13.00
PS4	Abzu	Game + case	$13.00
PS4	Borderlands: The Handsome Collection	Game + case	$6.00
PS4	Dragon Ball Xenoverse	CIB	$10.00
PS4	God of War	CIB	$13.00
PS4	Horizon Forbidden West Launch Edition	CIB	$28.00
PS4	Lego Dimensions	CIB	$29.00
PS4	Minecraft	Game + case	$16.00
PS4	Paper Beast Collector's Edition	NIB	$62.00
PS4	Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville	CIB	$9.00
PS4	Plants vs Zombies: Battle for Neighborville	CIB	$9.00
PS4	Ratchet and Clank	Game + case	$9.00
PS4	Risk of Rain 2	CIB	$12.00
PS4	Rocket League: Collector's Edition	CIB	$13.00
PS4	West of Dead: Path of the Crow	NIB	$28.00
PS5	Life is Strange: True Colors	CIB	$15.00
PSP	ATV Offroad Fury Pro	CIB	$7.00
PSP	Bad Boys	Game + case	$8.00
PSP	Burnout Legends	Loose	$7.00
PSP	God of War: Ghost of Sparta	Loose	$41.00
PSP	Midnight Club 3 Dub Edition	Loose	$20.00
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PSP	Need for Speed Rivals	Loose	$11.00
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PSP	Pimp My Ride	Loose	$8.00
PSP	Sonic Rivals	Loose	$12.00
PSP	Star Wars Battlefront II	Loose	$10.00
PSP	Street Fighter Alpha 3 Max (Clear shell)	Loose	$15.00
SNES	Brain Lord	Loose	$50.00
SNES	Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers	Loose	$14.00
SNES	Power Rangers Zeo: Battle Racers	Loose	$14.00
SNES	Robocop vs The Terminator	Loose	$23.00
SNES	TMNT IV: Turtles in Time	Loose	$45.00
SNES	Top Gear	Loose	$11.00
Switch	Fitness Boxing 2	NIB	$30.00
Switch	Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild	CIB	$40.00
Switch	Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order	CIB	$34.00
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Vita	Call of Duty Black Ops Declassified	Loose	$17.00
Vita	Call of Duty Black Ops Declassified	Loose	$17.00
Vita	Lego Batman 2	Loose	$9.00
Vita	Litte Big Planet	Loose	$20.00
Vita	Need for Speed Most Wanted	Loose	$16.00
Vita	Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale	Loose	$17.00
Vita	Soul Sacrifice	Loose	$15.00
Wii	007 Quantum of Solace	CIB	$5.00
Wii	Alice in Wonderland	CIB	$8.00
Wii	Dance Dance Revolution Hottest Party	CIB	$8.00
Wii	Disney Princess: My Fairytale Adventure	CIB	$14.00
Wii	Disney Sing It Family Hits	CIB	$12.00
Wii	Dokapon Kingdom	Loose	$60.00
Wii	Family Game Night 4	CIB	$12.00
Wii	Freddi Fish: Kelp Seed Mystery	CIB	$11.00
Wii	Gold classic controller	Loose	$40.00
Wii	Guitar Hero 5	Game + case	$16.00
Wii	Guitar Hero Aerosmith	CIB	$9.00
Wii	Hot Wheels: Track Attack	CIB	$7.00
Wii	Just Dance Kids	CIB	$6.00
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Wii	Karaoke Revolution	CIB	$8.00
Wii	My Ballet Studio	Game + case	$8.00
Wii	My Sims Racing	CIB	$8.00
Wii	Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution	CIB	$8.00
Wii	NBA Jam	CIB	$12.00
Wii	Nights Journey of Dreams (back art punctured)	Game + case	$8.00
Wii	No More Heroes 2	CIB	$23.00
Wii	Resident Evil : The Umbrella Chronicles	CIB	$14.00
Wii	Tony Hawk Ride	Game + case	$10.00
Wii	Tony Hawk: Shred	CIB	$8.00
Wii	Wii Play Motion	Game + case	$19.00
Wii	You Don't Know Jack	CIB	$9.00
Wii	Zelda Wii Remote (no battery cover)	Loose	$40.00
Wii U	Tekken Tag Tournament 2	Loose	$38.00
Xbox	Battlestar Galactica	CIB	$10.00
Xbox	Buffy The Vampire Slayer	Game + case	$17.00
Xbox	Burnout 2: Point of Impact	CIB	$11.00
Xbox	Crime Life	Game + case	$11.00
Xbox	Destroy All Humans!	CIB	$10.00
Xbox	Enclave	CIB	$9.00
Xbox	Gun	CIB	$8.00
Xbox	Half-Life 2	Game + case	$10.00
Xbox	House of the Dead III	Loose	$13.00
Xbox	Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb	CIB	$15.00
Xbox	Midway Arcade Treasures	CIB	$10.00
Xbox	Minority Report	CIB	$7.00
Xbox	Mortal Kombat: Deception Kollector's Edition: Baraka Version	CIB	$48.00
Xbox	Mortal Kombat: Shaolin Monks	CIB	$28.00
Xbox	Namco Museum	CIB	$7.00
Xbox	Prince of Persia: The Two Thrones	CIB	$6.00
Xbox	Sphinx and the Cursed Mummy	CIB	$11.00
Xbox	Spiderman	CIB	$10.00
Xbox	Spiderman 2	CIB	$12.00
Xbox	Star Trek: Shattered Universe	CIB	$9.00
Xbox	Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith	CIB	$9.00
Xbox	Star Wars Jedi Starfighter	CIB	$10.00
Xbox	Star Wars Jedi Starfighter	CIB	$10.00
Xbox	Star Wars Starfighter Special Edition	CIB	$9.00
Xbox	Star Wars: The Clone Wars	CIB	$7.00
Xbox	Terminator 3: Redemption	CIB	$19.00
Xbox	Terminator: Dawn of Fate	CIB	$8.00
Xbox	Time Splitters 2	CIB	$15.00
Xbox	Time Splitters: Future Perfect	Loose	$20.00
Xbox	Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2x	Game + case	$10.00
Xbox	Tony Hawk's Project 8	CIB	$12.00
Xbox	Tron 2.0 Killer App	CIB	$13.00
Xbox	Turok Evolution	CIB	$9.00
Xbox	Ultimate Spiderman	CIB	$27.00
Xbox	Unreal Championship	Loose	$3.00
Xbox	Urbz: Sims in the City Special Edition	CIB	$9.00
Xbox	WWF Raw	Game + case	$8.00
Xbox	X-Men Legends	CIB	$8.00
Xbox 360	Alan Wake	CIB	$8.00
Xbox 360	Avatar: The Game	CIB	$42.00
Xbox 360	Batman: Arkham City GOTY	CIB	$8.00
Xbox 360	Blue Dragon	Loose	$13.00
Xbox 360	Borderlands 2 Add-On Content Pack	CIB	$8.00
Xbox 360	CSI: Hard Evidence	CIB	$9.00
Xbox 360	Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two	CIB	$7.00
Xbox 360	Fable III: Limited Collector's Edition	CIB	$12.00
Xbox 360	Final Fantasy XIII	CIB	$14.00
Xbox 360	Gears of War: Limited Collector's Edition	CIB	$28.00
Xbox 360	Gears of War: Limited Collector's Edition (no plastic sleeve or art book)	CIB	$24.00
Xbox 360	Halo 3 Collector's Edition (one disc holder fell off)	CIB	$12.00
Xbox 360	Infinite Undiscovery	Game + case	$10.00
Xbox 360	Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights	Game + case	$10.00
Xbox 360	Kinect Sports Ultimate Collection	CIB	$13.00
Xbox 360	Kinect Sports: Ultimate Collection	CIB	$14.00
Xbox 360	Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom	CIB	$9.00
Xbox 360	Lego The Hobbit	CIB	$8.00
Xbox 360	Midnight Club: Los Angeles (Blockbuster case)	CIB	$9.00
Xbox 360	Monster Jam: Path of Destruction	Game + case	$22.00
Xbox 360	NCAA Football 08	CIB	$6.00
Xbox 360	Ninety-Nine Nights (sharpie on disc)	CIB	$9.00
Xbox 360	Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures	Game + case	$10.00
Xbox 360	Rocksmith	CIB	$10.00
Xbox 360	Skylanders: Giants	CIB	$8.00
Xbox 360	Snoopy's Grand Adventure	Game + case	$8.00
Xbox 360	Spiderman 3	Loose	$14.00
Xbox 360	Star Wars: The Force Unleashed	CIB	$6.00
Xbox 360	Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (PAL)	CIB	$5.00
Xbox 360	Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan	Loose	$19.00
Xbox 360	Walking Dead GOTY	CIB	$8.00
Xbox 360	Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine	Loose	$10.00
Xbox 360	Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Enhanced Edition	Game + case	$15.00
Xbox One	Grand Theft Auto V	CIB	$10.00
Xbox One	Guitar Hero Live	Game + case	$35.00
Xbox One	Guitar Hero Live (punctured back art)	Game + case	$30.00
Xbox One	Just Dance 2020	Game + case	$6.00
Xbox One	Kinect Sports Rivals	Game + case	$12.00
Xbox One	Marvel Avengers	CIB	$8.00
Xbox One	Red Dead Redemption Game of the Year Edition	CIB	$14.00
Xbox One	Resident Evil 2 Deluxe Edition	CIB	$26.00
Xbox One	Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order Deluxe Edition	CIB	$15.00

Authors note:

This one is probably a little less polished, but I think it properly ends this section of earth story from the perspective of both sides leaders.

Previous Chapter

The Grand Commander of Earth’s Forces, Joshua Henrik, was sat at the table. He was between the head researcher Emma Jackso. Finally, was the President of Earth’s combined nations, Jennifer Conroy. They sat on one side of a bare steel table, three human body guards, behind them, unarmed and unarmored.
Before him sat an avian being, a sight that still unnerved him despite the past 20 years of war. This one was unique, pure white wings, in what he presumed was their kinds suit. The wings wrapped up over his shoulders. It was as though he was protecting his chest; it obfuscated most of his attire though. He, too, had guards. Five unarmed and unarmored soldiers stared at their group defiantly.
Henrik, out of habit, raised a hand over the table. “It’s our first-time meeting, correct? You are?” Doing his best to retain the discipline that he had left.
“I am Prince Artak of the Allitra. I am your new leader. You dare to look at me as an equal.” He said, glaring, not reacting to the raised hand.
Jennifer laughed. “You think you’re our new king? Not even close. If you truly thought that, you wouldn’t be here to negotiate. Now tell me, bird, why did you bring us here? I think I speak for us all when I say we would all like this to be over as soon as possible. Not only do you request an audience with us all, in neutral ground, but you then insult my army’s commander by refusing his greeting... How about we just call it refusal and leave now?” meeting my eyes for the last few words.
“Now now Jen... President, there is no need to go so far. You will apologise for the disrespect you showed me, won’t you, Artak.” Henrik began, pointedly tapping the table for the final few words.
“Apologise me? I won’t” He glared, yellow eyes narrowing on him, slits narrowing too.
“Then I hereby request a formal audience with your king. I do believe you have one, don’t you?” Jennifer, having had a few deep breaths, had collected herself.
“You have no right...” Artek began
“Either we are your subjects. In which case, per our prisoners, who, as far as I know, have no reason to lie. We have the right to petition your father due to unjust treatment and torture. Alternatively, we are still at war, which as much as you have declared victory, battles rage on, and we are still fighting you, so its what we consider ourselves, then we have the right to speak to your leader, not an upst... Not just a prince. To negotiate.” Emma recited, without looking away from her notes. “Finally, this is informal, in which case, you will treat us as equals. If that’s the case, stop. Looking. Down. On. Us.”
“I... It’s informal. Let’s not involve my father.” Artek began, beak going golden with blood. “I came to ask for your help. I suspect there is a lot you don’t know, so... let me start at the beginning. You are right; however, I might not like it but I am here to ask for your help. I should stop looking down on you.” He unfurled his wings and put them behind his back. Imitating the grand commander’s prior action, he raised a hand toward him. The commander returned the gesture, gripping his wrist, not hand. The avian did the same to him.
The commander locked eyes with the avian, “for today and today alone, I will not murder you. Tomorrow onward depends on what we learn today. If it is not good, lord help you. I will personally murder your billion or so soldiers if I have to, to kill you.”
“It won’t be good, but I am hoping to settle our differences, at least for now. You might not realise, but there is more at risk than your world. I was unaware when I attacked. Let me begin with what has happened until now,” Artek began calmly. “Your world is a prison world. Well before my great grandfather, it was just a quarantined world. How much about your folklore do you think is real? Vampire, werewolves, so on?”
Emma looked up pointedly at this. “They don’t... never existed. Why?”
“Oh, they existed, they exist. See, about a fifty thousand standards ago, my family accidentally infected your world. It was a spore. That spore turns living beings insane, feasting on their sanity. Honestly, we don’t know how it works. What we do know is that you are immune. Pardon my apologies, but the theory is that you began crazy, so can’t go crazy, so they have nothing to feast on. Regardless, you also seem to weaken them. Your world has lasted the 50 thousand standards since...” He continued until Emma interrupted.
“Wait, you mean to say that there is extra-terrestrial life in this world and it turns things evil... wait no, first what’s a standard?”
“A standard is the galactic standard for a year. It’s the average time it takes for the council’s station in its core system to round its sun. About 2.031 earth years. Yes, there is extra-terrestrial life here...” Artek answered “Anyway, where was I? Right, your world has survived. This is because you humans seem to weaken the spawn and its effects, especially when you are in groups. Those stories of vampires, werewolves and the like, happened. As your population grew, so too did tthe strength of the suppressing ability. Hence the lack of sightings these days. Now heres the part why you should help me fend this thing off... If it continues infecting animals, plants... My soldiers even. When enough become infected, it will infect your world. It will use the mantle and core to feast and gorge. It fills the earths mantle with gasses, until your world will shatter due to pressure. It will then drift into neighbouring worlds. Systems and onto any nearby ship. These will go to populated worlds, infecting them in a matter of years, not millennia it has for you. Trillions will die.”
“And?” the grand commander stated flatly. “With respect, if we ask our people if they would rather die and take trillions of you with them... I think they are going to say yes over survival on a world that is as damaged as this one is now.”
“Commander” Artek began…
“It’s Grand commander of Earth’s Forces to you,” Henrik spat back.
“Grand Commander of Earth’s Forces, let’s not be rash. I came to ask for help, but not empty-handed. What do you want, in exchange for your assisting us?” Artek asked plainly, tired of the arguing.
The three of them looked at each other, knowing this was coming. “First, you will answer our questions” Jennifer leaned forward, looking in his eyes. “Prison world? Why the change in designation?..”
“After we infected your world, it was quarantined. Only one way vehicles were allowed. You came here, you stayed here. It just made sense to drop our biggest toughest criminals here, they had no way out and we assumed infected beasts might kill them occasionally... speaking of which, I was meaning to ask you about this... Where’s the giant three headed fire breathing beast we left here?”
“What three headed... You mean Cerberus, the guardian of the underworld?” Emma spluttered. “If you really dropped that here as well, it’s not been seen in like thousands of years. Presumably we killed it.”
“You killed that thing with these guns... laughable,” Artek stated
“No, not guns, spears, swords, the like. We have had guns for about 400 years.”
The grand commander couldn’t take it anymore. “You dropped fucking monsters on our world. Criminals as well presumably, what in the ever-lasting fuck did we do to you to deserve this? Were we just a convenient place to drop your scum?” feeling the prince’s feathered neck between his fingers. The prince let his wings flap for a second.
“G.. Grand commander of earth’s forces, p.. please, I was not alive the last time something or someone was dumped here...” Jennifer gently placed her hand onto her commander’s outstretched arm.
“Please Joshua, you know more than anyone knows that our people are tired. If we kill him, this war will never end.” Henrik released his grip, retaining his glare.
“Okay, you want to know what I want to help you? After we solve this crisis, after we cure this spore, after your people leave our world. I want the following: You in chains, in our prison. I want your weapons, armor and ship designs, including how you navigate the universe. I want to keep a few spores... I intend to make a weapon that will stop you ever thinking of us attacking us again.”
Artek thought this was surprisingly reasonable, except that weapon... When the commander continued. “Oh and I before we help, I want each and every soldier in these photos, bound and dragged to a prison of our choosing. There they will await trial. I am aware we are too personally involved in this for a jury to make a fair decision, so we will use 11 fresh AI for each case. If they are guilty, then closest remaining family member of the victim will decide their fate. They will decide if the punishment is death, life in prison or a lesser sentence of their choice. Each one either tortured someone or used a chemical weapon on them. Those are war crimes. We will not work with you until we redress this. One stabbed a 5-year-old girl in a nerve cluster, twisting the knife for minutes before killing her. Her cries are blood curdling. Want to hear?”
“N.. No. Torture's forbidden among our troops. I’m sure it didn’t happ” when Artek watched a video appear in front of him as the soldier took joy in the child’s suffering.
“Didn’t happen? Fuck off. Give us the soldiers and get our help, or don’t and you get nothing. That said, we don’t torture our prisoners. Their imprisonment and deaths will be merciful. More than you can say about your prisoners.”
Then Emma chipped in. “Oh, and I want complete research documents on what makes your weapons, armors and ship’s work. If we are missing science to understand it, you will provide the missing research. Plus scientists to teach us. Can’t get rid of the spore if that leaves us wildly undefended, so the bomb short term... a fleet the long term”
Then Jennifer grinned. “I want a few things. I want the materials, tools, resources and facilities to rebuild. Rebuild our world, our populations and to build a fleet. Free. I want the technology to rebuild our world as fast as possible. The best you have. I want doctors, medicine.. I want whatever the intergalactic currency is, a fifth of whatever your people have. If you don’t meet any of our demands, then we would rather watch our world destroyed. Oh and for reference, this doesn’t resolve the matter of dropping your criminals and monsters here... We will return to that after we resolve this crisis. Now begone. Consult your king on our terms, as I am sure this is not something you alone can agree to. Oh, and add on a defensive treaty. You fleet will defend us if we are attacked by anyone else for 1000 standards.”
At that, the human leaders got up and left. Leaving Artek sat there, stunned. These people were not the broken people, he thought, they were expecting this. Did they know? By the gods 4 sacks, how would he explain the terms to his father... They couldn’t refuse but they would be arming a future adversary... They had done so much with primitive equipment as well... gods damnit. He disabled the translator and looked at one of the soldiers. “Adviser, arrange a meeting with my father. He isn’t going to like this.” One of his guards slipped out.
It had taken about 2 standards, but humans had moved groups of people over the planet. Artek provided the defenses, and slowly they burned the abominations into nothingness again. The humans had already started researching it in secret and they thought they had a way to kill it. Unwilling to share, however, we had to trust them. It was nothing definite, of course.
Another 10 standards passed. They finally demonstrated a way to kill the queen spores, a feat we had yet to achieve. They had mutated an earth fungal spore. It basically bred with it, rendering it infertile. By this point, however, they had created their bomb... It moved matter at 95% the speed of light, including the spores. It was sat in space in case someone attacked. If it went off, a kit if worlds would get spores... After the spores on earth were cleansed, my brethren left, leaving in other fleets. The prior terms are clear. You leave your weapons, armor and fleet of ships behind.
The humans had demanded the technology first. The scientists were permitted to work remotely to protect them. As I was cuffed and lead to a prison, I looked at Jennifer and the Grand Commanders’ faces; I saw the eyes of a predator who just found a new field to hunt in... It might have been better to let the spores loose.

TLDR; we have dodgy leaky plumbing & a blocked toilet pipe caused water to leak resulting in substantial water damage to our floors. Also into the cafe below us. Idk what to expect from the realestate & what we should do.

Recent issue occurred when my partner had a shower while the laundry was on, the downstairs neighbour came knocking on our door to alarm us of a leak that was dripping on his customers. (Cafe directly below us, we have the same landlord but separate realestate.)
Then my partner noticed our laundry floor drain had overflowed, our toilet was bubbling & then he walked into the kitchen which is on the other side of the wall of the laundry & water has leaked up through the floowall & damaged all of the floating floor. It’s warped rippling & it had water sealing out of gaps. It’s also on the carpet in the bedroom.
When we moved in we noticed minor water damage to some of the kitchen floor & skirting I’m certain it was acknowledged with photos in the real-estates condition report before we moved in.
I sent videos of all the current water damage to the realestate emergency contact the day it happened & explained the situation. We didn’t know if the leak was on going or where it was coming from. We also can’t turn off our water bc were in a unit.
They didn’t answer my calls & replied 4 hours later only saying ‘did your washing machine cause the leak?’ … nothing said about the water damage or when a plumber would come ect.
My partners best mate is a certified plumber & he had come over to take a look since the realestate took so long to respond. The washing machine is fully functional without leaks.
It turns out the pipes under our laundry & in the shops ceiling are not up to code, according to the plumber friend. We’ve seen photos it’s very dodgy looking. There’s an open waste pipe that hovers into another pipe, it’s not sealed so if there’s a block it just overflows.
Which the shop owner had asked to be repaired previously when we had a leak. It’s a health hazard especially above a cafe.
The realestate sent the plumber today, he filled up the bath & flooded the floor again, causing more damage. It leaked into the shop again..we got another knock on our door. He told the cafe owner ‘this stuff just happens.’ Gave him no heads up that he was testing the pipes.
Our bedroom carpet has now been wet for 2 days we’re trying to dry it but the weathers cold.
He says there’s a waste blockage, toilet paper n shit. he used a camera. He’s coming back tomorrow to screw the toilet back in..
I will need to contact our agent about the floor damage through out the apartment.
Do I request a detailed report from the plumber?
Do i get a second report done from our friend?
What happens in this situation regarding the floor?? It looks like the floor needs to be replaced.. which sounds like a huge expensive job. This whole thing is stressful already. I don’t wanna deal with potential mold, I have enough health issues.
What do I do, please help! 🫠

Hey hardwareswap! Doing a little cleaning and trying to sell some PC/Audio/Misc parts! The prices are listed as local/shipped (DC/NOVA area) with shipping prices listed if you're only buying one item. If you want multiple items the shipping price will be significantly reduced! Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions! I'll be prioritizing people buying items in bundles for sales since the prices for many of the items are extremely low!

Product	Condition	Price (Local/Shipped)
PC Parts
EVGA 3080 10G FTW3 Ultra w/ Barrow waterblock and terminal	Like New! This was an EVGA RMA unit as my original one was having DisplayPort issues. I ended up upgrading so I don't need this GPU anymore! This GPU is fitted with a water block from Barrow and a special L terminal (in the photos) that will allow it to fit in ITX cases such as the FormD T1 (the second photo shows it in my case). This will come with the GPU, original box, original GPU cooler (with original thermal pads), Barrow waterblock, waterblock box, original terminal for the waterblock, and if you want and are running a FormD T1 I can include custom-made cables for a SF750 PSU! I disassembled and scrubbed the block by hand with soapy water to clean it out and repasted it with Kryonaut! It has 589 days left in the fully transferrable warranty. Benchmarks below!	540/570 525/550
"Broken" Asus B450i Motherboard	Used. This motherboard works great when it's on, but for some reason it won't allow the computer to shut down and immediately reboots the system no matter what. I have no idea what's wrong with it but I figured if anyone wants to try their hand at fixing it it's yours! I had it running with a 5800X3D no problem while under full load!	10/20 SOLD for asking to u/FireWoIf
Stock FormD Gen3 Riser Cable	Used. Upgraded to a Gen4 riser cable so no longer needed!	5/10
Watercooling
Barrow Quick Disconnect Fittings x 3	These quick disconnects were used to fill up my FormD T1 loop but I have an air-cooled GPU so it's no longer needed! In perfect working condition	40/50 (for all 3)
FreezeMod DDC Pump	This was the pump used to fill up my FormD T1 loop but I no longer need it!	15/20 SOLD for asking to u/Latter-Awareness-789
Audio
Hifiman Sundara + Custom Cable	Like New! I had bought these headphones to replace my 58X's but I found myself always going back to those headphones so these never got enough love. These will also come with a custom cable from OpenHeart that are 2M in length. The original cable has no sound or QC issues that I could detect!	200/220
Schiit Magni 3	Used. No problems with it, I just got a black one to suit my DAC!	45/55 SOLD for asking to u/FireWoIf
Blue Snowball Microphone	Used. Absolutely no issues, I just don’t need a dedicated microphone. This will not come with a USB-B cable.	10/15
Jamo S 808 Subwoofer (White)	Like New. I had bought this to compliment my Audioengine A2+ speakers but realized it was bit too much for me and my apartment. This will come with an upgraded 90 degree subwoofer cable since the OEM one was super thin and had audio issues!	80/100
Miscellaneous
Apple 96W USB-C Charger	New! Will come with a USB-C cable, brick, and also the extension cable	50/55
Apple 61W USB-C Charger	Used. Will come with a (non-OEM) USB-C cable, brick, and the extension cable	25/30
NZXT Grid	Used. This was used for a while but is in perfect working condition!	10/20
Keychron K12 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard	Like New. I used this a grand total of once for work before realizing I didn't actually need it. It comes with MX Brown switches!	55/65

EDIT: Ran benchmarks and stress tests for the 3080!

• TimeSpy Run (5/28/2023): https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/94879134
  
• TimeSpy Extreme Stress Test (5/28/2023): https://www.3dmark.com/3dm/94879733
  

Images! https://imgur.com/a/8bxBZMG

I’m planning a very small non-traditional wedding with 15 guests for a month from now! No parents or family, wedding party, grand entrance, etc. All we want to do is take care of our chosen family who have taken care of us over the years.
Everything has fallen into place beautifully with our dream venue and photographer available with a months notice. My partner and I are planning on doing everything ourselves with the help of our friends.
What we really want to do is centre our celebration around our friends without the fuss of vendors around except venue and photographer. We’re amazing at hosting friends for dinner so we want to keep it a cozy dinner party vibe, so we’re doing all the drinks and food ourselves (we work in fine dining so we’re good in that area).
The only thing I’m worried is pacing, timing and people getting bored and how to move smoothly between cocktails, ceremony and dinner so we’re looking for tips!
This is our tentative itinerary: 11am - We arrive and set up 2:30pm - We get ourselves ready 3:30pm - Wedding photos 4:30/5pm - Guests arrive and we personally greet them with drinks, hang out for an hour or so 6pm - Ceremony 6:30pm - 5 course dinner 8pm - Hang out and watch the sunset with our friends