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I took a deep breath and let it out. Looking up at Elizabet, I said, “Kilik-ma was curious as to the entertainment on my world. Liss-ran was apparently telling him about the breakfast we shared before we left on the hunt. The music we played through my phone. He wanted to hear some, but I’d left it here with you.
“Well, I was feeling better than I had any right to, and well, I decided to…sing a song,”
“You’ve never sang for me before. What gives?” Elizabet asked, sounding hurt.
“You never asked, and I’ve always been rather self-conscious about my voice. I don’t think it’s very good, and I don’t like to advertise that I actually can sing. Maybe four people back on Earth knew that I could sing and actually carry a tune. Now? Now, all of Haruma will know.
“Getting back to the matter at hand, I decided to sing a song about the winter and its beauty. I slipped into something of a trance, lost in the music apparently. Just singing and well, watching the song come alive in a field. I didn’t even realize that I was singing in the Ancient Tongue until the song was over, and I nearly passed out and fell off of Lola.” I took her hands in mine, and looked her in the eye, worry plastered across my face. “Elizabet, I made it snow. And not just a little bit, either. If you travel two or three hours back in the direction we came, the snow is up to my knees,” I said.
“You made it snow?” Blainaut asked, bewildered.
“Yeah. And… and that’s not all,” I said.
“What else did you do, Ivor?” Elizabet asked in exasperation.
“I might have let loose a new species of bird. A line in the song speaks of a bluebird, a specific, small bird from my planet, and a whole flock of them burst from a tree where there were no birds before. They flew off to the south,” I said, my head hung low.
Elizabet and Blainaut just stared at me. As Blainaut opened his mouth to say something, a voice piped up from the entrance to the city.
“Hey! We have visitors! Four of them. They’re small,” he said.
A crow swooped in from….somewhere and landed on my shoulder. This was going to be interesting.
I whipped around to face the possible threat. What I saw instead, were four canine pups. Realization washed over me as I realized what these were.
“The Dire Wolf,” I said softly.
“What? Dire Wolf? What do you mean, Dire Wolf?” Blainaut asked.
“I killed a female at the beginning of the hunt. She’d been in my Pack the entire time. Until this morning, anyway. I laid her in the cart to make more room for other prey we had taken. She was nursing pups at the time. I was worried they’d die, but it seems they didn’t and have followed her scent,” I explained quietly. “Back away from the cart! Don’t run. Move deliberately, and you should be okay,” I called out.
The Haarthuu slowly backed away from the cart, and the four pups approached in his stead. They pawed at the corpse of their mother, whining. Though large, they couldn’t have been more than two or three months of age. An idea struck me.
I shrugged off my Pack, and reached in for a parcel of meat from the sentry. I quickly cut some chunks from it, and slowly approached the pups, sliding the Pack back onto my shoulders. They began to growl at me, but I tossed some meat their way, and they snatched it up, obviously starving. One was especially quick about it, snapping up two to the others’ one. I continued, Duplicating and tossing meat at them until they seemed full. They began to walk off, so I halted their movement with a Wall of Stone, causing a large semicircle to appear around them. I walked in behind them and closed it off, trapping us all together.
“Ivor, no!” Elizabet yelled after me.
They immediately turned on me, growling and snarling. I tossed more meat at them, causing them to back away and spread out. One took a piece of meat and trotted off, away from the rest. The other three stood away, their hackles raised.
I took a chance and sat on the ground. As a precaution, I raised a Dome of Force over me, to ward off any attack that may come. The crow fluttered off before I finished, perching on the stone wall. One of the pups took hesitant steps towards me, sniffing the air.
“That’s right,” I said in a soft, low tone. “Come on. I’m safe. I may have killed your mother, and I’m sorry for that, but it was either her or my friends. I’ll help take care of your four, if you’ll let me,” I continued.
I could see the fear in their movements, in the way they paced and whined looking up at the wall. I racked my brain, trying desperately to recall some spell I could use to help these four pups calm down.
The one that had taken the meat and left raised its head and howled a low, keening wail. It was joined in by the others, and tears flowed down my cheeks. I knew they were mourning their mother.
As I sat there, the necessary spell flowed into my mind like water. “Call of the Wild, words of the woods, let them Hear me, let me Hear them.” I murmured, willing the five of us to understand the other.
“I’m sorry, kids. I didn’t know she was your mother,” I said softly.
The four of them snapped to attention and regarded me with suspicion.
“The two-legged pink ones lie. Always,” came a voice from my left.
“The green ones are little better,” this time, from my right.
“Strides-in-shadows is gone, and we are Nameless. Your fault!” directly in front of me, this time. The pup there was growling fiercely, slowly advancing.
“I will keep you fed. I will help you form a new pack. I will keep you safe. I will atone for the death of Strides-in-shadows,” I said solemnly.
“Fed? A new pack? Safe?” the pup that began the howl snorted and rose. It slowly padded over to me, its head cocked to the side. “How can a pink two-leg care for Wolf-kind? We hunt. We kill. We are strong,” it said.
“You will likely die without a new pack. I can offer definite survival,” I said softly.
The pup was standing at the very edge of the Dome. “Can you truly? We have our doubts,” it said softly.
I took a deep breath, my heart hammering in my ears. Slowly, I began to stand. Reaching the limit of my Dome, I dispelled it, and stood there in front of four pups. I held my hands out to my sides, open wide.
“I stand here before you. Believe me, or don’t. The Haarthuu will treat you as their own people, and I can promise you will have the attention of my three sons, should you wish it. You” - I knelt in front of the one I took to be the leader- “will never want for companionship and family for as long as you live, if you take my offer,” I said, slowly extending my hand out to him.
“Brothers? Sister? Do we take the pink one at his word? Do we kill him and feast? Do we leave?” he asked.
Three growls were heard as they advanced on me. I lowered my head, expecting the worst. I knew I would likely survive an attack, but I wanted to show trust. I head a snuffling to my right, feeling a cold nose press against my hand. I opened my eyes and slowly raised my head, only to find a yellow eye glaring into my face.
“We will trust for now. The moment we are harmed, we will tear through your people, rending life from flesh,” the leader said.
“Very well. I shall name you four,” I said. The pups sat before me in a line. “You, I shall call Speaks-with-honor. You can expect to be called ‘Speaker’ more often than not,” I said to the apparent leader, the one who had taken the meat and wandered away from his siblings, and he perked up. Turning to the fast one, I said, “You are Stings-with-wind. ‘Stinger’ will be your short name.” She, too, perked up, sitting a bit taller. I faced the calmer, quieter of the three and said, “You are Autumn Breeze. Autumn will be your short name.” He perked up, leaving the angriest of the bunch, who was pacing back and forth, a low growl coming from him. I faced him and intoned, “You are Heart-of-fire. Fireheart will be your short name.” I took in the entirety of the pups, and spread my arms wide. “It is time to meet your new pack! Come,” I said.
I turned to where I was pretty sure the crowd was, and slowly lowered the walls. The crow flapped back to my shoulder and rubbed her beak against my beard. Elizabet, Thaddeus and Blainaut were the first faces I saw. I smiled.
“People of Haruma! There are four Dire Wolf pups behind me. Please don’t be afraid, as I think I’ve made a deal with them,” I said loudly. “Speaks-with-honor is the eldest of the four. After him is his sister, Stings-with-wind. Their brother Autumn Breeze is next, followed by the fierce Heart-of-fire.” Each pup stepped forward with the announcement of their name. “They will hopefully stay with us for the rest of their lives, and we will cherish and love them as family. As long as they are not harmed, we will all prosper,” I said, the walls finally receding into the ground.
The pups sat behind me, watching impassively as the Haarthuu looked worriedly between each other. My boys slowly walked up to me.
“Mr. Ivor? What are we going to do with them?” asked Ahte-tan.
The crow, that I was now certain had to be The Great Mother, hopped off my shoulder and revealed Herself to the crowd of Haarthuu, who all knelt in reverence. Even the Dire Wolf pups showed their belly and neck to her. It seemed all life on Chaia knew her as their Mother.
She knelt in front of the boy. “You are going to love them, cherish them, and treat them like family, My Child. That’s what you’re going to do with them. I hope you will bond with them. They aren’t pets. They are family members. Remember that,” She said, seeing his serious face nod.
“Heart-of-fire? This is Ivor’s oldest, Ahte-tan. I hope the two of you will get along. He will take care of you, Fireheart. Treat each other well,” She said to the wolf pup.
Fireheart walked over to Ahte-tan, and sat before him, staring him in the eye. “Now, remember, Child. Fireheart is proud, strong, and lives up to his name. Help him focus that flame, and I am certain he will be a stalwart companion,” She said.
“Ahte-naah? This is Stings-with-wind. She is fast; faster than you, even. Help each other direct yourselves in your journeys, and I’m certain you will find no better friend than Stinger,” The Great Mother said gently.
Stinger padded over and sniffed and snuffled Ahte-naah’s face, then pounced on him, licking him all over. Ahte-naah giggled and laughed, burying his face in the wolf’s soft fur.
Speaks-with-honor padded over to my youngest, and cocked his head. “Speaker, this is Ivor’s youngest, Ahte-ukum. He is kind, soft-spoken, and rather timid. Help him find his inner warrior; his inner dragon, and you will have a partner to rely on for the rest of your life,” The Great Mother told the eldest pup.
Speaker walked over and lay down at my youngest’s feet, and Ahte-ukum sat, gently petting the gray fur.
Autumn Breeze trotted up to the goddess, butting her gently with his head. “Liss-ran?” The young woman gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. “This is Autumn. He is quiet, calm and attentive. Of all the Haarthuu, only you are able to properly understand him, I think. As you spend time with him, I think you may come to know yourself even better. Care for him as you would your own flesh and blood, and he will never leave you,” The Mother of All commanded. Once she had finished she turned to me.
“I certainly didn’t expect this, Ivor. You may have just begun to turn the tide for this city of My Children. As long as they survive, those pups will be a fierce deterrent to any seeking to gain entry. I am glad to see that you continue to exceed my expectations, dearest. However, I must take my leave. Stay safe, Ivor,” She said, then planted a soft kiss on my cheek before fading.
The pups, now sitting beside their respective Person, began a new howl. This was not one of sorrow, but of the joy of finding a pack.
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I took a deep breath and let it out. Looking up at Elizabet, I said, “Kilik-ma was curious as to the entertainment on my world. Liss-ran was apparently telling him about the breakfast we shared before we left on the hunt. The music we played through my phone. He wanted to hear some, but I’d left it here with you.
“Well, I was feeling better than I had any right to, and well, I decided to…sing a song,”
“You’ve never sang for me before. What gives?” Elizabet asked, sounding hurt.
“You never asked, and I’ve always been rather self-conscious about my voice. I don’t think it’s very good, and I don’t like to advertise that I actually can sing. Maybe four people back on Earth knew that I could sing and actually carry a tune. Now? Now, all of Haruma will know.
“Getting back to the matter at hand, I decided to sing a song about the winter and its beauty. I slipped into something of a trance, lost in the music apparently. Just singing and well, watching the song come alive in a field. I didn’t even realize that I was singing in the Ancient Tongue until the song was over, and I nearly passed out and fell off of Lola.” I took her hands in mine, and looked her in the eye, worry plastered across my face. “Elizabet, I made it snow. And not just a little bit, either. If you travel two or three hours back in the direction we came, the snow is up to my knees,” I said.
“You made it snow?” Blainaut asked, bewildered.
“Yeah. And… and that’s not all,” I said.
“What else did you do, Ivor?” Elizabet asked in exasperation.
“I might have let loose a new species of bird. A line in the song speaks of a bluebird, a specific, small bird from my planet, and a whole flock of them burst from a tree where there were no birds before. They flew off to the south,” I said, my head hung low.
Elizabet and Blainaut just stared at me. As Blainaut opened his mouth to say something, a voice piped up from the entrance to the city.
“Hey! We have visitors! Four of them. They’re small,” he said.
A crow swooped in from….somewhere and landed on my shoulder. This was going to be interesting.
I whipped around to face the possible threat. What I saw instead, were four canine pups. Realization washed over me as I realized what these were.
“The Dire Wolf,” I said softly.
“What? Dire Wolf? What do you mean, Dire Wolf?” Blainaut asked.
“I killed a female at the beginning of the hunt. She’d been in my Pack the entire time. Until this morning, anyway. I laid her in the cart to make more room for other prey we had taken. She was nursing pups at the time. I was worried they’d die, but it seems they didn’t and have followed her scent,” I explained quietly. “Back away from the cart! Don’t run. Move deliberately, and you should be okay,” I called out.
The Haarthuu slowly backed away from the cart, and the four pups approached in his stead. They pawed at the corpse of their mother, whining. Though large, they couldn’t have been more than two or three months of age. An idea struck me.
I shrugged off my Pack, and reached in for a parcel of meat from the sentry. I quickly cut some chunks from it, and slowly approached the pups, sliding the Pack back onto my shoulders. They began to growl at me, but I tossed some meat their way, and they snatched it up, obviously starving. One was especially quick about it, snapping up two to the others’ one. I continued, Duplicating and tossing meat at them until they seemed full. They began to walk off, so I halted their movement with a Wall of Stone, causing a large semicircle to appear around them. I walked in behind them and closed it off, trapping us all together.
“Ivor, no!” Elizabet yelled after me.
They immediately turned on me, growling and snarling. I tossed more meat at them, causing them to back away and spread out. One took a piece of meat and trotted off, away from the rest. The other three stood away, their hackles raised.
I took a chance and sat on the ground. As a precaution, I raised a Dome of Force over me, to ward off any attack that may come. The crow fluttered off before I finished, perching on the stone wall. One of the pups took hesitant steps towards me, sniffing the air.
“That’s right,” I said in a soft, low tone. “Come on. I’m safe. I may have killed your mother, and I’m sorry for that, but it was either her or my friends. I’ll help take care of your four, if you’ll let me,” I continued.
I could see the fear in their movements, in the way they paced and whined looking up at the wall. I racked my brain, trying desperately to recall some spell I could use to help these four pups calm down.
The one that had taken the meat and left raised its head and howled a low, keening wail. It was joined in by the others, and tears flowed down my cheeks. I knew they were mourning their mother.
As I sat there, the necessary spell flowed into my mind like water. “Call of the Wild, words of the woods, let them Hear me, let me Hear them.” I murmured, willing the five of us to understand the other.
“I’m sorry, kids. I didn’t know she was your mother,” I said softly.
The four of them snapped to attention and regarded me with suspicion.
“The two-legged pink ones lie. Always,” came a voice from my left.
“The green ones are little better,” this time, from my right.
“Strides-in-shadows is gone, and we are Nameless. Your fault!” directly in front of me, this time. The pup there was growling fiercely, slowly advancing.
“I will keep you fed. I will help you form a new pack. I will keep you safe. I will atone for the death of Strides-in-shadows,” I said solemnly.
“Fed? A new pack? Safe?” the pup that began the howl snorted and rose. It slowly padded over to me, its head cocked to the side. “How can a pink two-leg care for Wolf-kind? We hunt. We kill. We are strong,” it said.
“You will likely die without a new pack. I can offer definite survival,” I said softly.
The pup was standing at the very edge of the Dome. “Can you truly? We have our doubts,” it said softly.
I took a deep breath, my heart hammering in my ears. Slowly, I began to stand. Reaching the limit of my Dome, I dispelled it, and stood there in front of four pups. I held my hands out to my sides, open wide.
“I stand here before you. Believe me, or don’t. The Haarthuu will treat you as their own people, and I can promise you will have the attention of my three sons, should you wish it. You” - I knelt in front of the one I took to be the leader- “will never want for companionship and family for as long as you live, if you take my offer,” I said, slowly extending my hand out to him.
“Brothers? Sister? Do we take the pink one at his word? Do we kill him and feast? Do we leave?” he asked.
Three growls were heard as they advanced on me. I lowered my head, expecting the worst. I knew I would likely survive an attack, but I wanted to show trust. I head a snuffling to my right, feeling a cold nose press against my hand. I opened my eyes and slowly raised my head, only to find a yellow eye glaring into my face.
“We will trust for now. The moment we are harmed, we will tear through your people, rending life from flesh,” the leader said.
“Very well. I shall name you four,” I said. The pups sat before me in a line. “You, I shall call Speaks-with-honor. You can expect to be called ‘Speaker’ more often than not,” I said to the apparent leader, the one who had taken the meat and wandered away from his siblings, and he perked up. Turning to the fast one, I said, “You are Stings-with-wind. ‘Stinger’ will be your short name.” She, too, perked up, sitting a bit taller. I faced the calmer, quieter of the three and said, “You are Autumn Breeze. Autumn will be your short name.” He perked up, leaving the angriest of the bunch, who was pacing back and forth, a low growl coming from him. I faced him and intoned, “You are Heart-of-fire. Fireheart will be your short name.” I took in the entirety of the pups, and spread my arms wide. “It is time to meet your new pack! Come,” I said.
I turned to where I was pretty sure the crowd was, and slowly lowered the walls. The crow flapped back to my shoulder and rubbed her beak against my beard. Elizabet, Thaddeus and Blainaut were the first faces I saw. I smiled.
“People of Haruma! There are four Dire Wolf pups behind me. Please don’t be afraid, as I think I’ve made a deal with them,” I said loudly. “Speaks-with-honor is the eldest of the four. After him is his sister, Stings-with-wind. Their brother Autumn Breeze is next, followed by the fierce Heart-of-fire.” Each pup stepped forward with the announcement of their name. “They will hopefully stay with us for the rest of their lives, and we will cherish and love them as family. As long as they are not harmed, we will all prosper,” I said, the walls finally receding into the ground.
The pups sat behind me, watching impassively as the Haarthuu looked worriedly between each other. My boys slowly walked up to me.
“Mr. Ivor? What are we going to do with them?” asked Ahte-tan.
The crow, that I was now certain had to be The Great Mother, hopped off my shoulder and revealed Herself to the crowd of Haarthuu, who all knelt in reverence. Even the Dire Wolf pups showed their belly and neck to her. It seemed all life on Chaia knew her as their Mother.
She knelt in front of the boy. “You are going to love them, cherish them, and treat them like family, My Child. That’s what you’re going to do with them. I hope you will bond with them. They aren’t pets. They are family members. Remember that,” She said, seeing his serious face nod.
“Heart-of-fire? This is Ivor’s oldest, Ahte-tan. I hope the two of you will get along. He will take care of you, Fireheart. Treat each other well,” She said to the wolf pup.
Fireheart walked over to Ahte-tan, and sat before him, staring him in the eye. “Now, remember, Child. Fireheart is proud, strong, and lives up to his name. Help him focus that flame, and I am certain he will be a stalwart companion,” She said.
“Ahte-naah? This is Stings-with-wind. She is fast; faster than you, even. Help each other direct yourselves in your journeys, and I’m certain you will find no better friend than Stinger,” The Great Mother said gently.
Stinger padded over and sniffed and snuffled Ahte-naah’s face, then pounced on him, licking him all over. Ahte-naah giggled and laughed, burying his face in the wolf’s soft fur.
Speaks-with-honor padded over to my youngest, and cocked his head. “Speaker, this is Ivor’s youngest, Ahte-ukum. He is kind, soft-spoken, and rather timid. Help him find his inner warrior; his inner dragon, and you will have a partner to rely on for the rest of your life,” The Great Mother told the eldest pup.
Speaker walked over and lay down at my youngest’s feet, and Ahte-ukum sat, gently petting the gray fur.
Autumn Breeze trotted up to the goddess, butting her gently with his head. “Liss-ran?” The young woman gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. “This is Autumn. He is quiet, calm and attentive. Of all the Haarthuu, only you are able to properly understand him, I think. As you spend time with him, I think you may come to know yourself even better. Care for him as you would your own flesh and blood, and he will never leave you,” The Mother of All commanded. Once she had finished she turned to me.
“I certainly didn’t expect this, Ivor. You may have just begun to turn the tide for this city of My Children. As long as they survive, those pups will be a fierce deterrent to any seeking to gain entry. I am glad to see that you continue to exceed my expectations, dearest. However, I must take my leave. Stay safe, Ivor,” She said, then planted a soft kiss on my cheek before fading.
The pups, now sitting beside their respective Person, began a new howl. This was not one of sorrow, but of the joy of finding a pack.

Hey I started work as a warehouse manager, the docking bay for my warehouse is in a bit of a precarious location, which makes it challenging for trucks to dock. Basically there is an easy way and a hard way (the easy way still sucks but is better than the hard way)
For instance, the trucks should drive down the road from the north to our warehouse, instead of south coming up (coming the south, they can still dock, but it's hard).
In front of our loading dock, right across the street is a firestation. Yesterday, while backing up one of the truckers drove right up to the firestation garage door, within 1ft of it before starting to back up to our loading dock (nearly giving me a heart attack).
There is also no ideal parking to wait for 10-15min if the loading dock is servicing another truck. However Walmart SuperCenter is 0.5mi away and has ample parking (they wouldn't be parked there more than 20min tops).
I don't have a CDL and have never driven a truck, so I don't know if when I make the instructions page, if you guys use a different jargon for it all and understand it. Also, do you guys receive a paper copy of the instructions from the freight company/carrier? I plan to put a map with arrows in it too.

Hey, folks! Chapter 6 is here! Sorry for such a long wait—I decided to go ahead and give myself some extra time to write and edit (and deal with irl shenanigans). This is my longest chapter yet—nearly 4.4k words! o_O
Anyway, thanks to u/CruisingNW for the title, and of course, thank you u/SpacePaladin15 for this wonderful universe! Well, without further adieu, let's get into it!
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Memory Transcription Subject: Meyra Yeirel, Spacecraft Engineer Apprentice
Location: Veyr, Veyrian Homeworld. Outer Orion Spur.
Date: September 11, 2182.
I pushed myself away from the table, staring at the unconscious Veyrian. In my hysteria, I hadn’t been able to process much aside from what she had said. But her golden eyes… there had been something wrong with them, but I hadn’t caught precisely what it was. I glanced around at the trio. I wasn’t an expert at reading predators’ expressions, but they were undeniably shocked. Galya as well. She sat frozen in her seat, her blue eyes staring into space. I couldn’t fathom why they were so shocked. Was it what I had told them? They should’ve known everything already. Did the Veyrian say something particularly important? If so, why was it so important?
The predators snapping into action derailed my train of thought, causing me to flinch. My heart seized up as I saw they were going for the Veyrian.
Oh, Myern, they’ve snapped, haven’t they? I thought frantically as they crouched next to the Veyrian. I closed my eyes and grimaced, preparing to hear the horrid sound of flesh ripping and the pain-filled screams of the Veyrian.
. . .
. . .
I opened my eyes. To my surprise, the predators had flipped over the Veyrian and were apparently checking if she was alive. I put my paw on my chest, trying to calm my breathing. At every turn, these predators subverted my expectations. Not killing me on sight—both last night and today, not killing me in my sleep, preventing the house from burning down, and remaining calm despite me apparently rocking their entire worldview. Next thing I knew the gray would tell me that it was a herbivore.
“Connor,” the gray growled, “help me out here.”
The ape moved to the other side of the Veyrian and helped the gray. They hauled the Veyrian to her feet and dragged her to the couch. I tried to catch a glimpse of her face, but I couldn’t see anything since her head hung low. They laid her on the couch. The gray tucked a pillow under her neck.
“Go get some water,” the gray commanded, swatting the primate’s arm. It obeyed, hurrying away to the kitchen. “Hey, Galya.” It snapped its claws. Galya flinched and looked at the gray. “Get some pillows.”
Galya put a paw to her head. “Y-yeah. Alright, then.” She stood and got the gray the pillows it wanted. She sat down as the gray tucked the pillows underneath the Veyrian’s legs.
“Thanks, by the way,” the gray added, glancing at Galya.
“You’re w-welcome.” The Venlil stared into space, obviously perturbed by something.
I couldn't believe the brainwashing on Venlil Prime was so overbearing that the Venlil were completely unaware of the galaxy around them. Same for the Terrans and the Arxur. I shuddered to imagine what sort of techniques their governments used to subjugate their populace.
The ape returned with a glass of water and handed it to the gray. The gray took it and stared down at the Veyrian, apparently watching for something. From my place at the table, I couldn’t the Veyrian’s face. The gray didn’t seem to be particularly disturbed by anything, so maybe I had just been imagining things. But… my mind still couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
I shook my head and gathered my nerves. “H-how did you learn to do all that?” I shuddered as the gray laid its eyes on me.
“My mom was a nurse,” it growled. “She taught me how to handle this sort of situation. In case of emergencies, you know?”
The ape made a strange, sharp chuffing as if something was caught in its throat. I stared at the ape, trying to guess what that sound meant. It was baring its teeth—was it angry? Did the gray say something wrong?
“Looks like it paid off, eh?” The primate swatted the gray’s shoulder. “You always complained about your mom lecturing you on how to perform CPR or how to do the Heimlich m—”
The Veyrian bolted upright, gasping for air. Everyone in the room flinched in unison. The gray acted immediately and handed the Veyrian the glass of water. She took it and began drinking with reckless abandon, spilling the majority of the water on herself. She breathed deeply and put her arm over her eyes. The ape sped away to the kitchen once more.
The thought of a gray possessing medical knowledge shocked me. They only knew how to maim, maul, and murder. They weeded out the weak, making no allowances for undesirables. No amount of UN and Dominion propaganda could change the fact that the gray were bloodthirsty monsters. And yet… here one was in my home. No one was dead. The walls weren’t painted red and orange with the blood of Veyrian and Venlil alike.
The primate returned once again and sat in front of the Veyrian. It gave the glass to her and leaned forward, steepling its long, gangly fingers in front of its face. It looked like it was struggling for words as the Veyrian drank—much slower this time. As the Veyrian finished, the ape lowered its paws.
“So, uh, how are you doing?”
Despite not understanding primate body language, I could tell it had just died inside.
“I mean uh… damnit.” The ape’s head hung low.
The Veyrian removed her arm from her face. “I have not… have not been d-doing well.” Her voice was raspy as if she hadn’t used it in a very long time.
“You uh, you don’t look the best either,” the ape commented. It gestured toward the Veyrian as a whole.
It was right. The Veyrian’s fur in the morning light looked even worse than it had the night before. The Veyrian coughed and turned her head to look around the room. That’s when I realized. I stared at her head, expecting to see her eye appear on the side of her head, yet it never came.
Not until she had turned to look
right
at
me.
I felt a bolt of terror through my chest. I staggered backward, knocking my chair down. A scream built in my throat as I stumbled and fell against the wall. They all stared at me, a mixture of shock and confusion scrawled across their faces.
But they were all a blur. Those two golden eyes stared right into my soul, delving into my psyche and shattering it.
I sunk to the floor, tucking my head between my legs. I hyperventilated, my heart racing. All outside sounds were faint. I barely registered them. Calm down, Meyra, it’s ok. You’re ok. I thought frantically. No, you’re not ok. You have several predators in your home, and she has something extremely wrong with her. They must’ve been torturing her. Changing her DNA. I should’ve snuck out in the middle of the night and run down to the exterminator’s office. Oh, Myern, I’m next aren’t I? I started rocking, unable to control myself. You’re fine, it’s fine, I’m fine. It’s all just a dream. It’s all just a dream. It’s all just a dream it’s all just a dream it’s all just a dreamit’salljustadre—
I flinched as a paw touched my shoulder. I looked up, shaking.
“H-hey, ma’am, are you alright?” Galya asked gently. “What’s wrong?”
I pointed at the twisted Veyrian and curled back into a ball. “Her—her eyes. Wh-what did you d-do to her?”
Galya’s ears drooped in confusion. “Her eyes? What’s wrong with—” she glanced at the Veyrian and back at me. She took a step backward, her eyes widening. “W-wait, what’s wrong with your eyes?”
“Galya, can’t you see that she’s pani—wait, what?” The primate growled inquisitively.
I took a glance around the room. Fear had dawned on their faces. They stood in a semi-circle, stuck in a state of tension. I couldn’t understand why.
But those eyes.
Those two golden eyes.
They stared at me, echoing the horrors of the cruelty of the UN and the Dominion. Myern knows how they had done it. And I was sure I was about to find out. To my horror, she stood slowly, baring her teeth as she went.
Oh, Myern, I thought helplessly. They’ve brainwashed her, too.
“I apologize for thy situation,” she rasped. The trio snapped to look at her, causing me to flinch. “I know… I know this must be quite a shock. To all of thee.”
I breathed shallowly, listening as she spoke. She had a strange accent, alongside her deeper, raspier voice. I had never heard her accent before. Despite my sheer terror, I was intrigued.
“I am Xertalis, goddess of time and space,” she proclaimed. “The former goddess, I should say.” Her head hung low as she stared at the ground.
The trio glanced at each other. The ape closed its eyes and waved its paws around. “Woah, woah woah—hold on. Let’s take this one step at a time. First off, what the ffffffuck? You’re saying all that back in the library really… really happened?”
Xertalis’ silence was enough of an answer for the primate.
“And so… and so all the stuff on TV is real?” It glanced at me. “And that I’m not imagining things?”
“You sure as hell aren’t imagining things,” the gray growled. “I’m seeing this shit.”
Their lack of disturbance surrounding Xertalis and her eye placement was almost more terrifying than the situation I was in. I mustered the courage to speak, despite the voices in my head screaming for me to shut up. “Wh-what the farrik is wrong with you?!” My voice faltered as three pairs of binocular eyes stared at me. “Why are you s-so concerned about my eyes? What about hers?” I waved an indignant paw at Xertalis.
“There’s nothing wrong with her eyes!” The gray roared, causing me to flinch. It put its claws on its head and paced back and forth. “This is fucking insane! What the fuck happened last night? Did our drinks get spiked? No, we didn’t bring drinks. Was it the snacks?” It sat down heavily on the couch, holding its head in its claws. Its knee bounced erratically as it sat.
Nothing the gray had said made sense to me. What drinks? What snacks? Did Galya feed them in the middle of the night?
Galya put her paws in front of her in a placating gesture. “Guys, let’s—let’s just eat some food, and then talk about this. I get that this is pretty insane, b-but yelling isn’t gonna get anything done.” Galya glanced at me. “Besides, I’m sure we’re all starving. Right?”
“Y-yeah,” the ape said. “Let’s do that. Maybe a hot bowl of oimal will help clear our minds.”
Galya put her paw on the gray’s shoulder. It looked up at her, its eyes glossy. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, Kiile. You’re the only one who knows how to cook, and well, you saw how well it went when Connor tried.” She bared her teeth. “How about it?”
The gray took a shuddering breath and bobbed its head. “A-alright. Okay.” It stood and closed its eyes for a moment, breathing deeply. “Let’s g-get this.” And with that, it headed towards the kitchen. As it left, it wiped its eyes.
I stared at Galya, completely floored. A gray. Crying. No, grays can’t cry. They don’t have emotions. They have two modes. Murder, and Stalking. They don’t feel panic or sadness or fear, I thought. But a small, creeping voice asked, Then what was that? I shook my head, trying to shake it off. That was fake. Manufactured. The apes must’ve been teaching the gray how to fake emotions. And yet, the voice persisted.
Galya didn’t notice me staring and instead walked up to Xertalis. Her snout scrunched up as she approached the filthy Veyrian, yet still attempted to speak to her.
“We uh, you should probably get showered,” Galya said. She stood as if she were uncomfortable.
Xertalis didn’t pick up on her discomfort. She flicked her ear inquisitively. “I know not what a… shower is. But I shall dine, for I am quite starved. My long slumber has taken all my energy.” As if to accentuate her plight, Xertalis swayed on her feet.
“Okay, then,” Galya muttered. “Um, well, let’s get you some clothes? Or a blanket at least?”
Xertalis tilted her head at Galya. “What are clothes?” She echoed my thoughts exactly.
“You know what? It’s fine. I’ll just go get a blanket.” Galya grabbed the primate’s paw. “Connor, c’mon.”
Xertalis sat down and watched as the two sped down the hallway. She looked around the room, her ear flicking as she laid her eyes on something new. She seemed particularly interested in the analog clock hanging on the wall. It wasn’t anything special. The numbers and the claws glowed faintly. The [seconds] claw ticked constantly. I swore I could almost hear it over the sound of the gray cooking in the kitchen.
The gray cooking in the kitchen, I thought, amused. I chuckled. The gray cooking in the kitchen. I let out a short laugh. The gray cooking in the kitchen! I started laughing uncontrollably. The absurdity of the whole situation finally got to me. I rocked back and forth, gesturing helplessly with my paws. At some point, my laughter turned to sobs. I put my head in my paws and cried, my tears running down my snout. The gray cooking in the kitchen. Oh, Myern, what am I going to do?
I looked up, and Xertalis was staring at me, perplexed. “What is thy sorrow? Why dost thou act in such a way?”
I gestured vaguely at everything in the room. “Wh-what can I say? I… I’m fucked! I have two p-predators—three predators—in m-my home, and I sure as Xyek c-can’t call the exterminators, otherwise I’ll b-be accused of harboring pr-predators!” I splayed my paws in front of me helplessly. “H-how in the ever living fuck did they g-get here?! The closest UN planet is-is-is—” I gesticulated wildly “—I d-don’t even know how far. Did they u-use FTL? But how did they g-get planetside?” I put my paws on my face and screamed. The sound came out muffled.
I looked up at Xertalis. I could barely hold her gaze, yet her eyes held undeniable sorrow and guilt… and an odd hint of fear. “I will explain,” she said quietly. “Everything. Just… wait.”
I put my paws on my chest and breathed deeply. I tried to calm my mind, yet it was near impossible. All these thoughts bouncing around in my brain like stray bullets. The voices telling me to run away screaming, and the voices telling me to stay and learn. Should I stay or should I go? Should I stay or should I go? Back and forth, back and forth! I wish I could make it stop. I wish I could just wake up, and wake up to a nice, hot bowl of oimal. I wish I wasn’t alone. I wish they were still here.
My thoughts were interrupted by Galya and the ape returning. The primate was carrying a blanket—one of the blankets from the guest room. It approached Xertalis and held it out.
“Sorry we took so long,” Galya apologized. “We sorta had to dig around for it, and we didn’t figure she’d like us going into her room.”
I cringed internally as Xertalis took the blanket and wrapped it around herself. That’s not going to wash out very well, is it?
“Thou are fine,” Xertalis said, taking the blanket. “I thank thou, for it is quite cold in here.”
The gray came around the countertop with a steaming pot in its claws. “You guys came back right in time,” it growled. It placed a pad on the table and set the pot on top of it. “I found some brown sugar, thankfully, so it’s not gonna be too bland.” It hurried into the kitchen and returned with a bowl. “There were also some apples, but there wasn’t any milk, so we’ll just have to do with water.”
The ape stopped Galya in her tracks. “You go and sit down, alright? I’ll help get the bowls and stuff.”
Galya stared at the primate for a moment. “Are you sure? This whole thing has been pretty stressful for you, I imagine.”
The ape made the same, strange chuffing noise. Except it somehow sounded… sadder? I tilted my head. “I’m fine. Just almost became a human flambe last night. At least the mattress downstairs was comfortable.” The primate glanced at me before moving into the kitchen.
Galya took a seat at the table. Xertalis sat across from her. “So you weren’t uncomfortable?” Galya asked.
I pushed myself up and leaned so I could see into the kitchen.
The primate shrugged and glanced at the gray. “Well, as comfortable as I could be while sharing a mattress with Godzilla over here.”
“Ha!” The gray barked, causing me to flinch. “That’s rich, coming from King Kong, Lord of Mattresses.”
My gaze bounced between the two nervously. Their words didn’t seem friendly. But… their tones. I didn’t know ape or gray social cues, but they almost sounded friendly. Yet another piece of a constantly shifting puzzle. Their moods seemed to have gotten better while I was having my breakdown, which struck me as oddly ironic. Slowly, I moved to the table and took a seat at the far end. The primate and the gray returned with bowls, spoons, and cups full of water, which were being transported on a tray.
I watched in surprise at how deftly the gray moved the cups to the table. I had only ever known gray to be clumsy and brutish. But there was almost an artistry to its movements.
“How did you do that?” I blurted. I cringed as everyone turned to look at me.
“Put the cups on the table?” It shrugged its shoulders. “I don’t know. Practice? I’m a waiter at the Toreros on main street.”
Toreros? That’s not a real restaurant, I thought, perplexed.
I watched as they passed the oimal around themselves. Galya, who was closest, pushed the pot and apples toward me. I sniffed it suspiciously. It didn’t smell any different, but I knew some drugs didn’t have a smell. But… I was hungry. Reluctantly, I served myself and pushed the pot away. Everyone began eating—aside from the gray. The fact that an ape was eating oats and fruit surprised me. I almost couldn’t believe it. And yet, there it was, right in front of me.
Xertalis scooped up some oimal daintily and blew steam off it. “I suppose I shall tell thou my story, and explain thy plight.”
The change of mood was palatable. The entire table stared at Xertalis, prepared for what she had to say.
“As I have said, I am Xertalis, the former goddess of time and space.” She raised her paw as the gray opened its mouth. “Many centuries ago, mortals believed in gods. They believed that they could bestow miracles, rend mountains and valleys to pieces, and offer enlightenment. Alas, those beliefs have faltered. That is why I am so weak.”
She took a slow sip of water.
“My powers have waned as mortals’ beliefs have waned.” She held an apple slice between her paws and turned it over. “I could not even age this fruit if I desired. If I tried to open a portal to your universe, it would kill me.”
The primate steepled its paws in front of it. “So how did we get here? Why did that book teleport us to… wherever the hell this is?”
Xertalis pondered the apple slice for a moment before popping it in her mouth. Once she had chewed, she spoke. “I would not rule out the fact there might be other forces at work. I might have been the goddess of time and space, but I am not the only deity with the ability to twist reality.”
The trio glanced at each other. “That’s not concerning at all,” The ape stated. “So… what do we do?”
“There is not much,” Xertalis said quietly.
“So we’re stuck here?” The primate cried. “Stuck in a universe where humans and gray are being genocided? Where the police shoot at innocent people? Where crazy bastards with flamethrowers run around?!”
“Wait,” Galya butted in, “what if we like, spread word of your existence?”
Xertalis stared at Galya. “And who would believe? Who would believe that a god walks amongst mortals?”
Galya tapped the table with her claw. “Uhhh… shit.”
“Well, there’s gotta be some sort of religious group somewhere, right?” The gray asked. “There’s the Church of Myern just down the street if I remember correctly.”
I flicked my ear affirmatively. “Yes, there’s a church. But… they might not be t-too fond of her eyes.” My voice faltered as they all looked at me. “Her eye placement? It’s abnormal.”
“So you’re telling me that normal Veyrians in this universe look like you?” The gray growled.
“Y-yes…?”
The gray rubbed its eyes. “Holy shit.” It held its claws up. “Look at this. I’m shaking.”
As the trio was processing what Xertalis had told them, she ate her oimal. Despite the fact she must’ve been starving, she ate slow and daintily, as if she had practiced eating in such a way for years and years. The fact she was eating calmed my nerves a little. But she’s a goddess—apparently—she might be immune to drugs. Or was she a goddess? Xertalis’ monologue confused me.
Nevertheless, I was hungry, and I didn’t function properly when I was hungry. I lifted a spoonful of oimal and ate it. The flavor caught me off guard. It was sweet and perfectly cooked; masterfully put together. I hadn’t ever expected oimal to taste as good as this. I found myself taking bite after bite.
The table was silent as everyone mulled over the information that Xertalis had disclosed. I glanced around the table. I felt a pang of bittersweet nostalgia as I watched the four of them eat. I physically recoiled in surprise. Galya glanced at me, perplexed, but I ignored her.
I turned over the feeling of nostalgia in my mind. It was strange. I shouldn’t be feeling this way about my literal enemies. And yet…
I looked at the wall opposite me. Among the paintings was a frame. And inside that frame, a family portrait. I stared at it for a long moment, emotions boiling in my chest.
You shouldn’t be feeling like this, Meyra, I thought half-heartedly. These are your enemies. They’d gladly rip you to shreds or stab you in the back if given a chance.
I glanced between the portrait and the small group at my table. It’s been so long… surely I could…? No. I took another bite of oimal, burning my mouth. I sipped my water quickly. No. That would be a death sentence. But the way Galya elbowed the gray and the primate playfully, and how they talked as if they were good friends…
Lost in my train of thought, I hadn’t noticed Xertalis had finished her food until she had stood up. “That was a most delicious meal,” she said. “I thank thee for thy culinary skills.” Xertalis bowed her head to the gray, who bowed its head in return.
“You’re welcome,” it growled. “It’s the least I could do.”
“I must now bathe myself. Where might your bathing room be?”
I pointed down the hallway. “Last door on the right. You can’t miss it.”
“Most appreciated.” And with that, Xertalis left the table.
I noticed the trio watching her as she left. I felt another pang of nostalgia in my chest. I immediately quelled it. Now wasn’t the time to be feeling sentimental.
The primate turned around. “She’s got an interesting way of talking, huh?”
The gray bobbed its head. “Yeah. But she’s a goddess apparently.” I tilted my head as I recognized the sound of skepticism in its grating voice.
Galya furrowed her brow and flicked her tail. Before she had a chance to speak, she was interrupted by Xertalis.
“I require assistance,” she said. “This bathing room lacks water.” She tilted her head slightly. “I know not how to draw it. Perhaps the girl could help me?”
Galya choked as she was taking a sip of water. Water dribbled down her chin. She recovered and turned to Xertalis, her cheeks tinted orange. “Uh—I’m sorry, b-but that’s like, not um… that—I don’t…”
Xertalis looked at the predators. “Perhaps one of the boys, then?”
I gawked as the primate’s face turned a bright shade of red. The gray’s face had grown noticeably darker as well. They glanced at each other and exchanged a silent conversation.
“Um, couldn’t—couldn’t she d-do it instead?” The primate pointed a long, gangly claw at me.
I stiffened. Me? I thought. “I-I can’t,” I blurted. “There’s, uh—I hurt my leg when I fell.”
“Your leg’s fine,” Galya said. She squinted at me. “It’s not really appropriate for kids to help an adult, anyway.”
“She just wants someone to help her figure out how the bath works!” I said indignantly. “That’s hardly inappropriate.”
“You’ll know how your bath works better than we do,” the ape interjected. “Besides, it is a little, uh, odd to make us do it.”
“But—” I began.
“I do not care who assists me,” Xertalis said in a low, steely voice. “Stop thy bickering and make thy choice.”
The trio stared at me. I stared back in disbelief. Did they want my heart to fail? Galya flicked her tail, indicating for me to hurry up. It was obvious that they weren’t going to move.
So it was all up to me.
I took a deep breath and clenched my paws. With great effort, I pushed myself away from the table. I tried to keep my breathing stable as I walked over to Xertalis. I avoided her eyes and motioned down the hallway.
“J-just this way,” I muttered. I glanced at the trio. Galya swished her tail supportively. The primate displayed its thumbs and bared its teeth. The gray whipped its tail across the floor erratically and flashed its razor-sharp fangs.
Suddenly dealing with Xertalis’ eyes didn’t seem like such a bad deal. Without another word, I speed-walked down the hallway.
Meyra, how in Xyek did you get yourself into this situation? I thought helplessly.
[Next]

Buenas tardes gente que le encanta el chisme…
Aquí su amigo Geo trae una anécdota completa pues es una historia (de para ser exactamente unas 2,700 palabras) que abarcó mucho tiempo, fácil varios años y que después de tanto lo he contado en manera de anécdota burlona pero sin quitar el dedo del renglón recalcando que a pesar de eso hay que ser fuerte emocionalmente.
No sé a cuantos de ustedes son fanáticos de las historias de amor que terminan mal, esto es lo que les traigo. Es algo que considero bastante lectura con el máximo contexto posible para no revolverlos mientras leen.

Parte 1: La Propuesta

Comienzo:

Esta historia está ambientada allá por el lejano 2011, cuando tenía 14 años.
En ese entonces era un chico al que su único interés era el futbol soccer, la WWE y los videojuegos. Tenía amigos de mi generación de la escuela (en ese entonces estaba en 3ero de secundaria) pero nunca tuve un interés tipo amoroso con alguien porque simplemente no me llamaba la atención. Disfrutaba de mi adolescencia de una manera en la que a mí me importaba solo ser feliz y comer a gusto. Esas eran mis prioridades.
Tengo que decir que desde mis 10 años he estado involucrado con la religión del cristianismo protestante después de convertirnos del catolicismo, y así estoy hasta la fecha.
En la Iglesia en la que ese tiempo iba (ahora ya no voy, tal vez sea una historia para después porque es una buena historia) era algo así como una “Comunidad Eclesiástica Independiente” donde eran un total de 6 Iglesias agrupadas dirigidas por un Pastor principal (en este caso el Pastor “R” era el encargado de los otros 5 Pastores), la Iglesia sede o principal la conoceremos como “MS”, yo era parte de la Iglesia “MA”*. Estos datos solo son para poner en contexto la correlación de cómo comenzó esto y también de las cosas que irán leyendo.
En la Iglesia se hacían varios festejos, unas que tienen que ver con la iglesia, otras con la religión y otras en conjunto con las festividades mexicanas como lo es en este caso el día de la Independencia de México, precisamente un viernes 16 de septiembre del 2011 habíamos asistido a “MS” pues ahí se iba a llevar a cabo una kermes festejando la Independencia de México al igual que el cumpleaños del Pastor R pues cumplían el mismo día.
Todo iba bien, había buena comida, buena música, buena convivencia. No me podía quejar.
Todo estaba tranquilo, cada quien, en su asunto, todavía recuerdo que yo estaba disfrutando de unas enchiladas en un parque que estaba al frente de MS, sentado en una banca en modo solitario hasta que llegó conmigo la nieta del Pastor R con una prima suya. Ambas eran amigas mías de la Iglesia por lo que no me extrañó que llegasen conmigo.
Comenzamos, a ponernos al día porque en ese entonces yo no tenía mucho acceso a Internet y para mí era difícil hablar con cualquiera por Messenger, en ese entonces Facebook estaba creciendo por lo que era la sensación estar usándolo. La plática era muy buena e interesante hasta que llego un silencio algo incómodo, se notaba que ella estaba nerviosa hasta que lo dijo:

Sé que debería ser al revés, pero a la verdad es que me gustas mucho y quisiera tener una oportunidad contigo… ¿Quieres ser mi novio? (Obviamente no recuerdo lo exacto que me dijo, pero resumidamente y a lo que recuerdo fue algo así)

Recuerdo aún que estaba medio incrédulo ante la propuesta tan espontánea y rápida. Pero a pesar de eso le dije que sí. Así fue como comenzó mi primera relación, mi primer quebranto de corazón… Por cierto, hasta este punto no le he puesto un mote a ella, así que la llamaremos “LED”

Parte 2: Rotura

Aquí el final de nuestra relación.

En realidad durante todo la relación me fui enamorando más y más, vaya cosas del primer amor. Pensábamos ya en el futuro, vivir los dos juntos hasta donde se pueda, cosas así, incluso hasta en la boda… Salimos varias veces al cine, paseamos en centros comerciales, vaya, hicimos cosas de novios… Yo tenía una muy buena relación con los papás de ella y con su hermano tenía una buena amistad…
Pero todo eso termino un 23 de junio del 2012, en el XV años de ella. Primero que nada, desde que mi mamá supo que esa chica era mi novia comenzó a hacer más cosas para la iglesia (recordemos que esta chica era de familia pastoral). Algo que le pedían mucho hacer era decoración de Iglesia y de salón, eso mamá lo pagaba y realmente le ponía bastante empeño, al nivel que se lucía y decoraba los lugares. A mamá le comenzaron a poner de madrina de arreglos desde enero del 2012 porque ya andaban organizando la fiesta y ella gustosa.
Llegándose el día del XV años, justo después de que mamá había terminado de decorar la Iglesia ella me envía un mensaje por Messenger diciéndome que ya no quería saber nada de mí, y que quería terminar conmigo. Eso obviamente me pega y no me deja más que a mí en mi cuarto llorando, sin querer salir. Mamá no entendía hasta que lo supo, también se puso triste. Ninguno de mi familia fue a ese evento. Algo que supe en ese momento es que los del salón al parecer habían puesto dos eventos ese mismo día, y a quien le dieron prioridad fue al otro evento más que el XV años de “LED”, algo así como un karma instantáneo, pero esto no acaba aquí.
Posiblemente se pondrá más denso esta historia.

Parte 3: Razones

Cosas de las que me enteré

Ese 2012 cuando me terminaron entré a la preparatoria, yo solo estaba enfocado solo en los estudios.
Como “LED” me había bloqueado de Facebook, hice otra cuenta, la contacté después de varios meses y logré tener una respuesta. Ella me contestó diciendo que me extrañaba, que quería volver conmigo pero que no podía porque estaba en una relación con otro chico. Así es, está chica ya estaba saliendo con alguien más tan rápido. Mi yo joven se ilusionó al leer estas cosas por lo que me quedé con un pedazo de esperanza de volver con ella.
Obviamente investigué con quien estaba saliendo, era un sujeto de (en ese entonces) 22 años, recibiéndose de ser abogado. Hice una investigación con algunos amigos de la Iglesia de MS donde encontramos que quien estuvo detrás de la historia donde LED me pedía ser novia para aprovechar a mamá y ahora le había acercado al “Abogado” fue nada más y menos que la mamá de LED. Algo que me enojó muchísimo, pero la verdad no hice nada. Seguía mensajeando con ella, pero día con día iba disminuyendo mi interés hasta que en un mes deje de hablarle.
No podía superarla, al menos una vez por semana lloraba por ella aún. Por lo que me había hecho.
Todo eso tuvo su fin un año después cuando uno de mis mejores amigos me vio en el salón (pinche Tenorio, si en algún momento lees esto, eres un cabron y te amo por eso), solo, en el rincón, llorando. Me preguntó que sucedía y yo le había dicho que nada, el insistió hasta que me dijo que de seguro era por una chica, ahí ya no dije nada. El entendió por qué así que me pidió levantarme de mi silla, me llevo a la terraza del edificio donde estábamos y me dijo esto:

Mira, entiendo el por qué estas desanimado y triste, pero no tienes que dejarte dominar por esto, ahí afuera hay muchas chicas que podrían salir contigo

Debo admitir que este chico normalmente es muy imprudente por las tonterías que frecuenta decir, pero esta vez me hizo sentirme bien conmigo mismo con esas palabras. Después de esto comencé a mejorar mi autoestima y aprendí a soltarla.

Parte 4: Superación

Ayuno de la dopamina y un reencuentro

Ya cursando la mitad de la preparatoria comencé a alejarme de las redes sociales, costumbre que tengo hasta la fecha, literal, no usaba ni Facebook… Lo único que uso es Whastapp y Reddit, pero con moderación.
Al momento de yo tomar este estilo de vida me hace ser más ignorante de las cosas que le suceden a varios amigos y familiares, al igual de que mucha gente comienza a desconocer de mis actividades.
Pasaron varias cosas, desde que me gradué de la preparatoria, tuve mi primer trabajo saliendo de la prepa, viaje a Corea por parte del trabajo, comencé la Universidad, en si varios y grandes logros en 5 años después de la rotura, por lo mismo que hubo muchos logros tenía que estar trabajando y estudiando mucho, evitándome ir a varios eventos de la Iglesia, familia, amigos, etc.
Después de esos 5 años, hubo una coincidencia pues hubo un evento en MS a la que esta vez sí pude ir pues tenía un poco más de libertad. Mi sorpresa fue que ahí volví a ver a LED con un bebé entre sus brazos, yo pensaba que ese bebe era de otra persona pues para ese entonces ya teníamos como alrededor de 18 años.
Se me acerco y me comenzó a platicar, nos pusimos al día pues ella había investigado de mi pero yo no sabía nada, las cosas que yo había hecho lo sabía por qué su abuelo el Pastor R lo platicaba con su familia. Después de platicarle lo mío ella me dijo que se había casado y que él bebe que tenía entre sus brazos en realidad era su hijo. Yo me quedo sorprendido y la felicité por ello.
Comencé a notar que ella cada vez que coincidíamos en algún lugar se me estaba insinuando conmigo y a darme indirectas de que le hubiera estar conmigo, yo solo me tomaba la molestia de evadir esos comentarios. La verdad ya no sentía nada de nada por ella. Ya la había superado.

Parte 5: Hallazgo

Cosas salen a la luz

Después de mucho tiempo, ya en el 2020, mi actual esposa en ese entonces mi novia me pone en contexto cosas de las cosas que sucedieron en la vida de LED pues resulta que eran vecinas y amigas, eso yo lo sabía a medias:

• Me dijo que cuando LED salía conmigo decía comentarios malos de mí y mi familia, no solo ella si no su familia.
• Me confirmó el dato de que la mama de LED le arrimo a ese chico con fines de interés económico
• Me puso al tanto de su “matrimonio”. Resulta que LED tuvo un pleito con su mamá donde le reclamaba que siempre controlaba su vida y otros desacuerdos personales por lo que un día de la nada ella simplemente se fugó de la casa con algunas de sus cosas, no la encontraban, la familia de LED pensaba que estaba en la casa de mi esposa o que sabían dónde estaba, pero la verdad es que ella nunca les dijo nada a nadie de donde y con quien se iría. Mi esposa logró contactar con ella y LED le dijo que nunca la iban a encontrar. En si nunca la encontraron por un par de meses hasta que LED regresó a la casa de sus papás con una sorpresa en el vientre. Si, ella estaba embarazada. Sus papás no la pensaron dos veces y se fueron directo con el chico con el que se había ido para casarlos.\ Resulta que esa familia iba a la Iglesia MS y eran amigos de la familia pastoral, y en todo ese momento arroparon a LED pero nunca le dijeron a la familia de ella ni a los pastores que ella estaba viviendo en su casa. Razón que trajo conflictos con esa familia.\ Sobre el chico con el que se juntó, era un año menor que ella, no tenía ningún estudio y ni siquiera trabajaba. Según varias chicas ese chico era muy tóxico, demasiado prepotente y chiflado con su familia.
• Después de que él bebé naciera y LED se pudo recuperar del parto, tuvo que sacar adelante su “matrimonio” teniendo que trabajar en Walmart como cajera, mientras que su esposo estaba de mantenido.
• Como mi esposa le quedaba más cerca ir a MS era normal ver a LED.\ Al momento que LED se da cuenta que mi esposa y yo comenzamos a salir le comenzó a decir cosas malas de mí.\ También me comentó que decía comentarios de que se arrepentía de haberme cambiado y dejado.

Parte 6: Reencuentro

Un recuentro reciente, no más de un año

A finales del 2021 tuvimos problemas personales con los pastores por lo que optamos por retirarnos de esas iglesias e irnos a otra “organización” donde no tienen nada que ver con MS ni del Pastor R, por lo que si de plano no sabían mucho de mi LED pues ahora mucho menos… Esto es solo para poner un pone de contexto a lo siguiente.
El año pasado fuimos a festejar a un niño, hijo de unos amigos que seguían asistiendo a MS, en esa fiesta coincidió volver a ver a varios “amigos” si no que también a LED y toda su familia (no solo su esposo y sus 2 hijos [si, tuvo otro hijo con el mismo tipo y seguía con el] sino que también con los papás de ella y sus hermanos).
La intención no era tener que hablar con cualquiera de ellos, pero de la nada me traen a una bebé de unos 5 meses, comienzo a jugar con ella, después de un rato cargándola mi esposa me comentó que esa bebé era hija de LED por lo que me quedé sorprendido.
Como tenía cerca a la mamá de LED me vio cargando a la bebé, no dudo en soltar un comentario que decía:

Mira mi vida (refiriéndose a la bebé), ese chico hubiera sido tu papá

Algo que nos puso bastantes incomodos no solo por lo que dijo sino porque había bastante gente alrededor, incluso LED alcanzo a escuchar, por lo que solté el comentario de:

Pero gracias a Dios no lo soy, ¿Verdad que sí cosita? (le digo en un tono juguetón a la bebé quien comienza a reír)

Obviamente eso enoja a la mamá de LED y LED solo se agacha con un rostro algo triste, le entrego el bebé a la mamá y nos sentamos en un lugar retirado de esa familia.
Después de eso siguió la fiesta del niño y todo salió bien. Nosotros nos retiramos tranquilamente.

Parte Final

Conclusiones finales personales

Este post lo hice con varias intenciones - Para compartir mis anécdotas personales con todos - Para enviar un mensaje de reflexión de que el karma y el tiempo son benditos con nosotros mientras hagamos bien. Mis deseos en contra de LED y su familia por todas las cosas que me hicieron en su momento nunca fueron para desearles el mal, al contrario, les mandaba bendiciones y suertes. A todos [email protected] [email protected] que han pasado por relaciones amorosas con corazones rotos, déjenme decirles que esa relación no es definitiva. No es sinónimo de que te quedarás sol@ de por vida. De la manera más inesperada, en el momento y la persona inesperada será quien sane ese corazón y rellene el vacío que uno carga. Trabajen en el amor propio, inviertan el tiempo en ustedes aprendiendo cosas nuevas, trabajando o estudiando por un mejor estilo de vida, este tipo de cosas son las que realmente merecen el quebranto del corazón, no una pareja. Tampoco les digo que se hagan marginados, un consejo que les doy es que sean honestos al momento de buscar y establecer una relación, amen con la misma intensidad que lo hicieron como con su primera pareja porque ¿Qué culpa tiene una nueva pareja al recibir un mal trato a consecuencia de una rotura?.
Animo a [email protected], les mando un abrazo enorme.
"Cuando encuentras a tu alma gemela también encuentras tu libertad"

Buenas tardes gente que le encanta el chisme…
Aquí su amigo Geo trae una anécdota completa pues es una historia (de para ser exactamente unas 2,700 palabras) que abarcó mucho tiempo, fácil varios años y que después de tanto lo he contado en manera de anécdota burlona pero sin quitar el dedo del renglón recalcando que a pesar de eso hay que ser fuerte emocionalmente.
No sé a cuantos de ustedes son fanáticos de las historias de amor que terminan mal, esto es lo que les traigo. Es algo que considero bastante lectura con el máximo contexto posible para no revolverlos mientras leen.

Parte 1: La Propuesta

Comienzo:

Esta historia está ambientada allá por el lejano 2011, cuando tenía 14 años.
En ese entonces era un chico al que su único interés era el futbol soccer, la WWE y los videojuegos. Tenía amigos de mi generación de la escuela (en ese entonces estaba en 3ero de secundaria) pero nunca tuve un interés tipo amoroso con alguien porque simplemente no me llamaba la atención. Disfrutaba de mi adolescencia de una manera en la que a mí me importaba solo ser feliz y comer a gusto. Esas eran mis prioridades.
Tengo que decir que desde mis 10 años he estado involucrado con la religión del cristianismo protestante después de convertirnos del catolicismo, y así estoy hasta la fecha.
En la Iglesia en la que ese tiempo iba (ahora ya no voy, tal vez sea una historia para después porque es una buena historia) era algo así como una “Comunidad Eclesiástica Independiente” donde eran un total de 6 Iglesias agrupadas dirigidas por un Pastor principal (en este caso el Pastor “R” era el encargado de los otros 5 Pastores), la Iglesia sede o principal la conoceremos como “MS”, yo era parte de la Iglesia “MA”*. Estos datos solo son para poner en contexto la correlación de cómo comenzó esto y también de las cosas que irán leyendo.
En la Iglesia se hacían varios festejos, unas que tienen que ver con la iglesia, otras con la religión y otras en conjunto con las festividades mexicanas como lo es en este caso el día de la Independencia de México, precisamente un viernes 16 de septiembre del 2011 habíamos asistido a “MS” pues ahí se iba a llevar a cabo una kermes festejando la Independencia de México al igual que el cumpleaños del Pastor R pues cumplían el mismo día.
Todo iba bien, había buena comida, buena música, buena convivencia. No me podía quejar.
Todo estaba tranquilo, cada quien, en su asunto, todavía recuerdo que yo estaba disfrutando de unas enchiladas en un parque que estaba al frente de MS, sentado en una banca en modo solitario hasta que llegó conmigo la nieta del Pastor R con una prima suya. Ambas eran amigas mías de la Iglesia por lo que no me extrañó que llegasen conmigo.
Comenzamos, a ponernos al día porque en ese entonces yo no tenía mucho acceso a Internet y para mí era difícil hablar con cualquiera por Messenger, en ese entonces Facebook estaba creciendo por lo que era la sensación estar usándolo. La plática era muy buena e interesante hasta que llego un silencio algo incómodo, se notaba que ella estaba nerviosa hasta que lo dijo:

Sé que debería ser al revés, pero a la verdad es que me gustas mucho y quisiera tener una oportunidad contigo… ¿Quieres ser mi novio? (Obviamente no recuerdo lo exacto que me dijo, pero resumidamente y a lo que recuerdo fue algo así)

Recuerdo aún que estaba medio incrédulo ante la propuesta tan espontánea y rápida. Pero a pesar de eso le dije que sí. Así fue como comenzó mi primera relación, mi primer quebranto de corazón… Por cierto, hasta este punto no le he puesto un mote a ella, así que la llamaremos “LED”

Parte 2: Rotura

Aquí el final de nuestra relación.

En realidad durante todo la relación me fui enamorando más y más, vaya cosas del primer amor. Pensábamos ya en el futuro, vivir los dos juntos hasta donde se pueda, cosas así, incluso hasta en la boda… Salimos varias veces al cine, paseamos en centros comerciales, vaya, hicimos cosas de novios… Yo tenía una muy buena relación con los papás de ella y con su hermano tenía una buena amistad…
Pero todo eso termino un 23 de junio del 2012, en el XV años de ella. Primero que nada, desde que mi mamá supo que esa chica era mi novia comenzó a hacer más cosas para la iglesia (recordemos que esta chica era de familia pastoral). Algo que le pedían mucho hacer era decoración de Iglesia y de salón, eso mamá lo pagaba y realmente le ponía bastante empeño, al nivel que se lucía y decoraba los lugares. A mamá le comenzaron a poner de madrina de arreglos desde enero del 2012 porque ya andaban organizando la fiesta y ella gustosa.
Llegándose el día del XV años, justo después de que mamá había terminado de decorar la Iglesia ella me envía un mensaje por Messenger diciéndome que ya no quería saber nada de mí, y que quería terminar conmigo. Eso obviamente me pega y no me deja más que a mí en mi cuarto llorando, sin querer salir. Mamá no entendía hasta que lo supo, también se puso triste. Ninguno de mi familia fue a ese evento. Algo que supe en ese momento es que los del salón al parecer habían puesto dos eventos ese mismo día, y a quien le dieron prioridad fue al otro evento más que el XV años de “LED”, algo así como un karma instantáneo, pero esto no acaba aquí.
Posiblemente se pondrá más denso esta historia.

Parte 3: Razones

Cosas de las que me enteré

Ese 2012 cuando me terminaron entré a la preparatoria, yo solo estaba enfocado solo en los estudios.
Como “LED” me había bloqueado de Facebook, hice otra cuenta, la contacté después de varios meses y logré tener una respuesta. Ella me contestó diciendo que me extrañaba, que quería volver conmigo pero que no podía porque estaba en una relación con otro chico. Así es, está chica ya estaba saliendo con alguien más tan rápido. Mi yo joven se ilusionó al leer estas cosas por lo que me quedé con un pedazo de esperanza de volver con ella.
Obviamente investigué con quien estaba saliendo, era un sujeto de (en ese entonces) 22 años, recibiéndose de ser abogado. Hice una investigación con algunos amigos de la Iglesia de MS donde encontramos que quien estuvo detrás de la historia donde LED me pedía ser novia para aprovechar a mamá y ahora le había acercado al “Abogado” fue nada más y menos que la mamá de LED. Algo que me enojó muchísimo, pero la verdad no hice nada. Seguía mensajeando con ella, pero día con día iba disminuyendo mi interés hasta que en un mes deje de hablarle.
No podía superarla, al menos una vez por semana lloraba por ella aún. Por lo que me había hecho.
Todo eso tuvo su fin un año después cuando uno de mis mejores amigos me vio en el salón (pinche Tenorio, si en algún momento lees esto, eres un cabron y te amo por eso), solo, en el rincón, llorando. Me preguntó que sucedía y yo le había dicho que nada, el insistió hasta que me dijo que de seguro era por una chica, ahí ya no dije nada. El entendió por qué así que me pidió levantarme de mi silla, me llevo a la terraza del edificio donde estábamos y me dijo esto:

Mira, entiendo el por qué estas desanimado y triste, pero no tienes que dejarte dominar por esto, ahí afuera hay muchas chicas que podrían salir contigo

Debo admitir que este chico normalmente es muy imprudente por las tonterías que frecuenta decir, pero esta vez me hizo sentirme bien conmigo mismo con esas palabras. Después de esto comencé a mejorar mi autoestima y aprendí a soltarla.

Parte 4: Superación

Ayuno de la dopamina y un reencuentro

Ya cursando la mitad de la preparatoria comencé a alejarme de las redes sociales, costumbre que tengo hasta la fecha, literal, no usaba ni Facebook… Lo único que uso es Whastapp y Reddit, pero con moderación.
Al momento de yo tomar este estilo de vida me hace ser más ignorante de las cosas que le suceden a varios amigos y familiares, al igual de que mucha gente comienza a desconocer de mis actividades.
Pasaron varias cosas, desde que me gradué de la preparatoria, tuve mi primer trabajo saliendo de la prepa, viaje a Corea por parte del trabajo, comencé la Universidad, en si varios y grandes logros en 5 años después de la rotura, por lo mismo que hubo muchos logros tenía que estar trabajando y estudiando mucho, evitándome ir a varios eventos de la Iglesia, familia, amigos, etc.
Después de esos 5 años, hubo una coincidencia pues hubo un evento en MS a la que esta vez sí pude ir pues tenía un poco más de libertad. Mi sorpresa fue que ahí volví a ver a LED con un bebé entre sus brazos, yo pensaba que ese bebe era de otra persona pues para ese entonces ya teníamos como alrededor de 18 años.
Se me acerco y me comenzó a platicar, nos pusimos al día pues ella había investigado de mi pero yo no sabía nada, las cosas que yo había hecho lo sabía por qué su abuelo el Pastor R lo platicaba con su familia. Después de platicarle lo mío ella me dijo que se había casado y que él bebe que tenía entre sus brazos en realidad era su hijo. Yo me quedo sorprendido y la felicité por ello.
Comencé a notar que ella cada vez que coincidíamos en algún lugar se me estaba insinuando conmigo y a darme indirectas de que le hubiera estar conmigo, yo solo me tomaba la molestia de evadir esos comentarios. La verdad ya no sentía nada de nada por ella. Ya la había superado.

Parte 5: Hallazgo

Cosas salen a la luz

Después de mucho tiempo, ya en el 2020, mi actual esposa en ese entonces mi novia me pone en contexto cosas de las cosas que sucedieron en la vida de LED pues resulta que eran vecinas y amigas, eso yo lo sabía a medias:

• Me dijo que cuando LED salía conmigo decía comentarios malos de mí y mi familia, no solo ella si no su familia.
• Me confirmó el dato de que la mama de LED le arrimo a ese chico con fines de interés económico
• Me puso al tanto de su “matrimonio”. Resulta que LED tuvo un pleito con su mamá donde le reclamaba que siempre controlaba su vida y otros desacuerdos personales por lo que un día de la nada ella simplemente se fugó de la casa con algunas de sus cosas, no la encontraban, la familia de LED pensaba que estaba en la casa de mi esposa o que sabían dónde estaba, pero la verdad es que ella nunca les dijo nada a nadie de donde y con quien se iría. Mi esposa logró contactar con ella y LED le dijo que nunca la iban a encontrar. En si nunca la encontraron por un par de meses hasta que LED regresó a la casa de sus papás con una sorpresa en el vientre. Si, ella estaba embarazada. Sus papás no la pensaron dos veces y se fueron directo con el chico con el que se había ido para casarlos.\ Resulta que esa familia iba a la Iglesia MS y eran amigos de la familia pastoral, y en todo ese momento arroparon a LED pero nunca le dijeron a la familia de ella ni a los pastores que ella estaba viviendo en su casa. Razón que trajo conflictos con esa familia.\ Sobre el chico con el que se juntó, era un año menor que ella, no tenía ningún estudio y ni siquiera trabajaba. Según varias chicas ese chico era muy tóxico, demasiado prepotente y chiflado con su familia.
• Después de que él bebé naciera y LED se pudo recuperar del parto, tuvo que sacar adelante su “matrimonio” teniendo que trabajar en Walmart como cajera, mientras que su esposo estaba de mantenido.
• Como mi esposa le quedaba más cerca ir a MS era normal ver a LED.\ Al momento que LED se da cuenta que mi esposa y yo comenzamos a salir le comenzó a decir cosas malas de mí.\ También me comentó que decía comentarios de que se arrepentía de haberme cambiado y dejado.

Parte 6: Reencuentro

Un recuentro reciente, no más de un año

A finales del 2021 tuvimos problemas personales con los pastores por lo que optamos por retirarnos de esas iglesias e irnos a otra “organización” donde no tienen nada que ver con MS ni del Pastor R, por lo que si de plano no sabían mucho de mi LED pues ahora mucho menos… Esto es solo para poner un pone de contexto a lo siguiente.
El año pasado fuimos a festejar a un niño, hijo de unos amigos que seguían asistiendo a MS, en esa fiesta coincidió volver a ver a varios “amigos” si no que también a LED y toda su familia (no solo su esposo y sus 2 hijos [si, tuvo otro hijo con el mismo tipo y seguía con el] sino que también con los papás de ella y sus hermanos).
La intención no era tener que hablar con cualquiera de ellos, pero de la nada me traen a una bebé de unos 5 meses, comienzo a jugar con ella, después de un rato cargándola mi esposa me comentó que esa bebé era hija de LED por lo que me quedé sorprendido.
Como tenía cerca a la mamá de LED me vio cargando a la bebé, no dudo en soltar un comentario que decía:

Mira mi vida (refiriéndose a la bebé), ese chico hubiera sido tu papá

Algo que nos puso bastantes incomodos no solo por lo que dijo sino porque había bastante gente alrededor, incluso LED alcanzo a escuchar, por lo que solté el comentario de:

Pero gracias a Dios no lo soy, ¿Verdad que sí cosita? (le digo en un tono juguetón a la bebé quien comienza a reír)

Obviamente eso enoja a la mamá de LED y LED solo se agacha con un rostro algo triste, le entrego el bebé a la mamá y nos sentamos en un lugar retirado de esa familia.
Después de eso siguió la fiesta del niño y todo salió bien. Nosotros nos retiramos tranquilamente.

Parte Final

Conclusiones finales personales

Este post lo hice con varias intenciones - Para compartir mis anécdotas personales con todos - Para enviar un mensaje de reflexión de que el karma y el tiempo son benditos con nosotros mientras hagamos bien. Mis deseos en contra de LED y su familia por todas las cosas que me hicieron en su momento nunca fueron para desearles el mal, al contrario, les mandaba bendiciones y suertes. A todos [email protected] [email protected] que han pasado por relaciones amorosas con corazones rotos, déjenme decirles que esa relación no es definitiva. No es sinónimo de que te quedarás sol@ de por vida. De la manera más inesperada, en el momento y la persona inesperada será quien sane ese corazón y rellene el vacío que uno carga. Trabajen en el amor propio, inviertan el tiempo en ustedes aprendiendo cosas nuevas, trabajando o estudiando por un mejor estilo de vida, este tipo de cosas son las que realmente merecen el quebranto del corazón, no una pareja. Tampoco les digo que se hagan marginados, un consejo que les doy es que sean honestos al momento de buscar y establecer una relación, amen con la misma intensidad que lo hicieron como con su primera pareja porque ¿Qué culpa tiene una nueva pareja al recibir un mal trato a consecuencia de una rotura?.
Animo a [email protected], les mando un abrazo enorme.
"Cuando encuentras a tu alma gemela también encuentras tu libertad"

Buenas tardes gente que le encanta el chisme…
Aquí su amigo Geo trae una anécdota completa pues es una historia (de para ser exactamente unas 2,700 palabras) que abarcó mucho tiempo, fácil varios años y que después de tanto lo he contado en manera de anécdota burlona pero sin quitar el dedo del renglón recalcando que a pesar de eso hay que ser fuerte emocionalmente.
No sé a cuantos de ustedes son fanáticos de las historias de amor que terminan mal, esto es lo que les traigo. Es algo que considero bastante lectura con el máximo contexto posible para no revolverlos mientras leen.

Parte 1: La Propuesta

Comienzo:

Esta historia está ambientada allá por el lejano 2011, cuando tenía 14 años.
En ese entonces era un chico al que su único interés era el futbol soccer, la WWE y los videojuegos. Tenía amigos de mi generación de la escuela (en ese entonces estaba en 3ero de secundaria) pero nunca tuve un interés tipo amoroso con alguien porque simplemente no me llamaba la atención. Disfrutaba de mi adolescencia de una manera en la que a mí me importaba solo ser feliz y comer a gusto. Esas eran mis prioridades.
Tengo que decir que desde mis 10 años he estado involucrado con la religión del cristianismo protestante después de convertirnos del catolicismo, y así estoy hasta la fecha.
En la Iglesia en la que ese tiempo iba (ahora ya no voy, tal vez sea una historia para después porque es una buena historia) era algo así como una “Comunidad Eclesiástica Independiente” donde eran un total de 6 Iglesias agrupadas dirigidas por un Pastor principal (en este caso el Pastor “R” era el encargado de los otros 5 Pastores), la Iglesia sede o principal la conoceremos como “MS”, yo era parte de la Iglesia “MA”*. Estos datos solo son para poner en contexto la correlación de cómo comenzó esto y también de las cosas que irán leyendo.
En la Iglesia se hacían varios festejos, unas que tienen que ver con la iglesia, otras con la religión y otras en conjunto con las festividades mexicanas como lo es en este caso el día de la Independencia de México, precisamente un viernes 16 de septiembre del 2011 habíamos asistido a “MS” pues ahí se iba a llevar a cabo una kermes festejando la Independencia de México al igual que el cumpleaños del Pastor R pues cumplían el mismo día.
Todo iba bien, había buena comida, buena música, buena convivencia. No me podía quejar.
Todo estaba tranquilo, cada quien, en su asunto, todavía recuerdo que yo estaba disfrutando de unas enchiladas en un parque que estaba al frente de MS, sentado en una banca en modo solitario hasta que llegó conmigo la nieta del Pastor R con una prima suya. Ambas eran amigas mías de la Iglesia por lo que no me extrañó que llegasen conmigo.
Comenzamos, a ponernos al día porque en ese entonces yo no tenía mucho acceso a Internet y para mí era difícil hablar con cualquiera por Messenger, en ese entonces Facebook estaba creciendo por lo que era la sensación estar usándolo. La plática era muy buena e interesante hasta que llego un silencio algo incómodo, se notaba que ella estaba nerviosa hasta que lo dijo:

Sé que debería ser al revés, pero a la verdad es que me gustas mucho y quisiera tener una oportunidad contigo… ¿Quieres ser mi novio? (Obviamente no recuerdo lo exacto que me dijo, pero resumidamente y a lo que recuerdo fue algo así)

Recuerdo aún que estaba medio incrédulo ante la propuesta tan espontánea y rápida. Pero a pesar de eso le dije que sí. Así fue como comenzó mi primera relación, mi primer quebranto de corazón… Por cierto, hasta este punto no le he puesto un mote a ella, así que la llamaremos “LED”

Parte 2: Rotura

Aquí el final de nuestra relación.

En realidad durante todo la relación me fui enamorando más y más, vaya cosas del primer amor. Pensábamos ya en el futuro, vivir los dos juntos hasta donde se pueda, cosas así, incluso hasta en la boda… Salimos varias veces al cine, paseamos en centros comerciales, vaya, hicimos cosas de novios… Yo tenía una muy buena relación con los papás de ella y con su hermano tenía una buena amistad…
Pero todo eso termino un 23 de junio del 2012, en el XV años de ella. Primero que nada, desde que mi mamá supo que esa chica era mi novia comenzó a hacer más cosas para la iglesia (recordemos que esta chica era de familia pastoral). Algo que le pedían mucho hacer era decoración de Iglesia y de salón, eso mamá lo pagaba y realmente le ponía bastante empeño, al nivel que se lucía y decoraba los lugares. A mamá le comenzaron a poner de madrina de arreglos desde enero del 2012 porque ya andaban organizando la fiesta y ella gustosa.
Llegándose el día del XV años, justo después de que mamá había terminado de decorar la Iglesia ella me envía un mensaje por Messenger diciéndome que ya no quería saber nada de mí, y que quería terminar conmigo. Eso obviamente me pega y no me deja más que a mí en mi cuarto llorando, sin querer salir. Mamá no entendía hasta que lo supo, también se puso triste. Ninguno de mi familia fue a ese evento. Algo que supe en ese momento es que los del salón al parecer habían puesto dos eventos ese mismo día, y a quien le dieron prioridad fue al otro evento más que el XV años de “LED”, algo así como un karma instantáneo, pero esto no acaba aquí.
Posiblemente se pondrá más denso esta historia.

Parte 3: Razones

Cosas de las que me enteré

Ese 2012 cuando me terminaron entré a la preparatoria, yo solo estaba enfocado solo en los estudios.
Como “LED” me había bloqueado de Facebook, hice otra cuenta, la contacté después de varios meses y logré tener una respuesta. Ella me contestó diciendo que me extrañaba, que quería volver conmigo pero que no podía porque estaba en una relación con otro chico. Así es, está chica ya estaba saliendo con alguien más tan rápido. Mi yo joven se ilusionó al leer estas cosas por lo que me quedé con un pedazo de esperanza de volver con ella.
Obviamente investigué con quien estaba saliendo, era un sujeto de (en ese entonces) 22 años, recibiéndose de ser abogado. Hice una investigación con algunos amigos de la Iglesia de MS donde encontramos que quien estuvo detrás de la historia donde LED me pedía ser novia para aprovechar a mamá y ahora le había acercado al “Abogado” fue nada más y menos que la mamá de LED. Algo que me enojó muchísimo, pero la verdad no hice nada. Seguía mensajeando con ella, pero día con día iba disminuyendo mi interés hasta que en un mes deje de hablarle.
No podía superarla, al menos una vez por semana lloraba por ella aún. Por lo que me había hecho.
Todo eso tuvo su fin un año después cuando uno de mis mejores amigos me vio en el salón (pinche Tenorio, si en algún momento lees esto, eres un cabron y te amo por eso), solo, en el rincón, llorando. Me preguntó que sucedía y yo le había dicho que nada, el insistió hasta que me dijo que de seguro era por una chica, ahí ya no dije nada. El entendió por qué así que me pidió levantarme de mi silla, me llevo a la terraza del edificio donde estábamos y me dijo esto:

Mira, entiendo el por qué estas desanimado y triste, pero no tienes que dejarte dominar por esto, ahí afuera hay muchas chicas que podrían salir contigo

Debo admitir que este chico normalmente es muy imprudente por las tonterías que frecuenta decir, pero esta vez me hizo sentirme bien conmigo mismo con esas palabras. Después de esto comencé a mejorar mi autoestima y aprendí a soltarla.

Parte 4: Superación

Ayuno de la dopamina y un reencuentro

Ya cursando la mitad de la preparatoria comencé a alejarme de las redes sociales, costumbre que tengo hasta la fecha, literal, no usaba ni Facebook… Lo único que uso es Whastapp y Reddit, pero con moderación.
Al momento de yo tomar este estilo de vida me hace ser más ignorante de las cosas que le suceden a varios amigos y familiares, al igual de que mucha gente comienza a desconocer de mis actividades.
Pasaron varias cosas, desde que me gradué de la preparatoria, tuve mi primer trabajo saliendo de la prepa, viaje a Corea por parte del trabajo, comencé la Universidad, en si varios y grandes logros en 5 años después de la rotura, por lo mismo que hubo muchos logros tenía que estar trabajando y estudiando mucho, evitándome ir a varios eventos de la Iglesia, familia, amigos, etc.
Después de esos 5 años, hubo una coincidencia pues hubo un evento en MS a la que esta vez sí pude ir pues tenía un poco más de libertad. Mi sorpresa fue que ahí volví a ver a LED con un bebé entre sus brazos, yo pensaba que ese bebe era de otra persona pues para ese entonces ya teníamos como alrededor de 18 años.
Se me acerco y me comenzó a platicar, nos pusimos al día pues ella había investigado de mi pero yo no sabía nada, las cosas que yo había hecho lo sabía por qué su abuelo el Pastor R lo platicaba con su familia. Después de platicarle lo mío ella me dijo que se había casado y que él bebe que tenía entre sus brazos en realidad era su hijo. Yo me quedo sorprendido y la felicité por ello.
Comencé a notar que ella cada vez que coincidíamos en algún lugar se me estaba insinuando conmigo y a darme indirectas de que le hubiera estar conmigo, yo solo me tomaba la molestia de evadir esos comentarios. La verdad ya no sentía nada de nada por ella. Ya la había superado.

Parte 5: Hallazgo

Cosas salen a la luz

Después de mucho tiempo, ya en el 2020, mi actual esposa en ese entonces mi novia me pone en contexto cosas de las cosas que sucedieron en la vida de LED pues resulta que eran vecinas y amigas, eso yo lo sabía a medias:

• Me dijo que cuando LED salía conmigo decía comentarios malos de mí y mi familia, no solo ella si no su familia.
• Me confirmó el dato de que la mama de LED le arrimo a ese chico con fines de interés económico
• Me puso al tanto de su “matrimonio”. Resulta que LED tuvo un pleito con su mamá donde le reclamaba que siempre controlaba su vida y otros desacuerdos personales por lo que un día de la nada ella simplemente se fugó de la casa con algunas de sus cosas, no la encontraban, la familia de LED pensaba que estaba en la casa de mi esposa o que sabían dónde estaba, pero la verdad es que ella nunca les dijo nada a nadie de donde y con quien se iría. Mi esposa logró contactar con ella y LED le dijo que nunca la iban a encontrar. En si nunca la encontraron por un par de meses hasta que LED regresó a la casa de sus papás con una sorpresa en el vientre. Si, ella estaba embarazada. Sus papás no la pensaron dos veces y se fueron directo con el chico con el que se había ido para casarlos.\ Resulta que esa familia iba a la Iglesia MS y eran amigos de la familia pastoral, y en todo ese momento arroparon a LED pero nunca le dijeron a la familia de ella ni a los pastores que ella estaba viviendo en su casa. Razón que trajo conflictos con esa familia.\ Sobre el chico con el que se juntó, era un año menor que ella, no tenía ningún estudio y ni siquiera trabajaba. Según varias chicas ese chico era muy tóxico, demasiado prepotente y chiflado con su familia.
• Después de que él bebé naciera y LED se pudo recuperar del parto, tuvo que sacar adelante su “matrimonio” teniendo que trabajar en Walmart como cajera, mientras que su esposo estaba de mantenido.
• Como mi esposa le quedaba más cerca ir a MS era normal ver a LED.\ Al momento que LED se da cuenta que mi esposa y yo comenzamos a salir le comenzó a decir cosas malas de mí.\ También me comentó que decía comentarios de que se arrepentía de haberme cambiado y dejado.

Parte 6: Reencuentro

Un recuentro reciente, no más de un año

A finales del 2021 tuvimos problemas personales con los pastores por lo que optamos por retirarnos de esas iglesias e irnos a otra “organización” donde no tienen nada que ver con MS ni del Pastor R, por lo que si de plano no sabían mucho de mi LED pues ahora mucho menos… Esto es solo para poner un pone de contexto a lo siguiente.
El año pasado fuimos a festejar a un niño, hijo de unos amigos que seguían asistiendo a MS, en esa fiesta coincidió volver a ver a varios “amigos” si no que también a LED y toda su familia (no solo su esposo y sus 2 hijos [si, tuvo otro hijo con el mismo tipo y seguía con el] sino que también con los papás de ella y sus hermanos).
La intención no era tener que hablar con cualquiera de ellos, pero de la nada me traen a una bebé de unos 5 meses, comienzo a jugar con ella, después de un rato cargándola mi esposa me comentó que esa bebé era hija de LED por lo que me quedé sorprendido.
Como tenía cerca a la mamá de LED me vio cargando a la bebé, no dudo en soltar un comentario que decía:

Mira mi vida (refiriéndose a la bebé), ese chico hubiera sido tu papá

Algo que nos puso bastantes incomodos no solo por lo que dijo sino porque había bastante gente alrededor, incluso LED alcanzo a escuchar, por lo que solté el comentario de:

Pero gracias a Dios no lo soy, ¿Verdad que sí cosita? (le digo en un tono juguetón a la bebé quien comienza a reír)

Obviamente eso enoja a la mamá de LED y LED solo se agacha con un rostro algo triste, le entrego el bebé a la mamá y nos sentamos en un lugar retirado de esa familia.
Después de eso siguió la fiesta del niño y todo salió bien. Nosotros nos retiramos tranquilamente.

Parte Final

Conclusiones finales personales

Este post lo hice con varias intenciones - Para compartir mis anécdotas personales con todos - Para enviar un mensaje de reflexión de que el karma y el tiempo son benditos con nosotros mientras hagamos bien. Mis deseos en contra de LED y su familia por todas las cosas que me hicieron en su momento nunca fueron para desearles el mal, al contrario, les mandaba bendiciones y suertes. A todos [email protected] [email protected] que han pasado por relaciones amorosas con corazones rotos, déjenme decirles que esa relación no es definitiva. No es sinónimo de que te quedarás sol@ de por vida. De la manera más inesperada, en el momento y la persona inesperada será quien sane ese corazón y rellene el vacío que uno carga. Trabajen en el amor propio, inviertan el tiempo en ustedes aprendiendo cosas nuevas, trabajando o estudiando por un mejor estilo de vida, este tipo de cosas son las que realmente merecen el quebranto del corazón, no una pareja. Tampoco les digo que se hagan marginados, un consejo que les doy es que sean honestos al momento de buscar y establecer una relación, amen con la misma intensidad que lo hicieron como con su primera pareja porque ¿Qué culpa tiene una nueva pareja al recibir un mal trato a consecuencia de una rotura?.
Animo a [email protected], les mando un abrazo enorme.
"Cuando encuentras a tu alma gemela también encuentras tu libertad"

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***
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***
The Commonwealth diplomatic procession looked wholly out of place seated in the spartan crew compartment of the Fleet dropship. The interior held none of the grace of the cruise liner, nor the subtle warmth of the diplomatic ship. Status lights shone red, the thickly-padded harnesses pressed tight to each body. Empty hard points beckoned to hold equipment or weapons in their grasp. Medkits and backup breathing masks dotted the bulkheads behind the seats. Conduit, bundles of wiring, and junction boxes lay exposed between the struts overhead, evidence of the realities of military procurement: there is no room for luxury.
No, the procession wasn’t dropping into a combat zone, but they were still entering enemy territory.
Four dropships made for the Ascension, replacing the shuttles of the Good Omen with the improved defenses of the military transports. The Fleet was taking no chance after the suicidal freighter incident, adding eight of the carrier’s drones as additional escorts.
The sphere of warships surrounding the diplomatic vessels had spread into a shallow cone, the open end facing the planet. Their sensors and crisscrossing fields of fire would neutralize any threat to the dropships.
Still, everyone in the dropship appeared on edge.
Celescia held tight to the armrests. Yanna and Ruki sat on either side. Directly across from them, the mask-wearing Mystery Man’s blank slate faced in her direction. The sight of the formally-dressed procession crammed into the padded seats would’ve been laughable had the stakes not been so dire.
With each breath, each klick closer to the Ascension, Celescia waited for some malady to afflict her body. Logic told her no harm would come, yet she couldn’t shake her fear that she was beholden to the will of the Provenance and their Project Fidelity.
A hand touched Celescia’s forearm. She peeked around the thick shoulder padding at Ruki. She smiled back, mouth wide beneath the mask obstructing her upper face. Yanna grasped Celescia’s hand on the other side, returning her version of a smile.
Across the way, Dash’s head tilted. “We’ll be by your side the entire time. We’ll keep you safe. I promise,” he said over the troupe’s comm.
“I know,” Celescia answered.
Still, she was afraid.
***
​
The dropship docked on the executive level, settling into the berth like a pollinating insect landing on a blooming flower. The airlock opened and a pair of marines in dress uniform departed first. Councilor Traveska went next, other diplomats trailing. Regent Anncellis and the top leadership of Acculturation followed.
Then came the time for Sisters Celescia.
She cleared the hatch and formed a single line with Yanna and Ruki on one side, and the Mystery Man on the other. The airlock was wide, sleek but utilitarian, and most noticeably, pristine. Not a single scuff lined the deck, the integrated lockers, or the thresholds of the hatches.
Three station personnel in sharp dress uniforms greeted the procession as they stepped into the corridor. Their expressions were neutral, even bordering on pleasant, but there was an unmistakable contempt in their eyes.
Celescia recognized the one in the center as the station administrator, a member of a rival house of the Royalty lineage. The appointment had been used to garner favor for the Imperatrix’s agenda, a common tactic of the noble class.
Celescia didn’t necessarily hate the administrator for taking the position but loathed the side he had chosen. She imagined all the Provenance leadership passing through the same corridor, escorted by their staff and servants. The secrets that had been discussed, and schemes concocted to secure their power at the expense of the people. She shuddered at the thought and pressed on despite the repulsion she felt for boarding the station as if her very presence there ran a risk of catching a disease of elitism.
Dash must’ve picked up on her aversion, for he pulled his elbow close to his side, talking her hand with it. “It’s not the place, it’s the people.”
He was right, of course.
Ministry of Security officials lead the procession deeper into the station. She was filled with contempt at the sight of them, her spirit forever burdened with the painful memory of her murdered team.
The corridor connected to a gathering hall. Sculpted glass lighting hung from the ceiling, while wall displays cycled through scenic vids of Preemona. Exhibits ringed the space, holding cages with live creatures, interactive exhibits, and collections of ancient artifacts. A small but enthusiastic flock of reporters waited at the outlet. Security officers and bots formed a line in front of the group, preventing them from approaching the diplomats. That didn’t stop the reporters from lobbing questions at the delegation as they passed, receiving only polite waves or platitudes in response.
Celescia was at first shocked the Provenance let reporters aboard the station. But she reasoned it was a calculated move, the Provenance trying to paint themselves as gracious hosts of the oppressive regime who’d come to assert their dominance.
Halfway across the hall waited their hosts. Ambassador Pertrovich and her staff stood at the forefront. Dressed in elegant gowns and suits and standing with grace, Celescia could sense their dismay in their thin smiles. For cycles, they’d worked on the frontlines to convince the Provenance of the benefit of the charter, and now they had to face their failure in front of the leadership of the Commonwealth.
Behind them stood the Preservationist-aligned members of the Provenance, their attention now focused on the newcomers. Most wore neutral expressions, though a few glared death at the Acculturation party.
Celescia scanned their ranks. She recognized most of them; ministers, regents, business leaders, protopriests, and other members of the noble class. She met some of their stares, registering the disapproval and even outright disgust oozing out of them at the sight of the Mystery Man by her side. She spotted Minister Tryssnym, the longtime power player of the Provenance, holding a peculiar glint in his eyes. He seemed eager to observe an imminent spectacle.
“They don’t look happy to see you,” Dash said.
“Of course not. We called them spineless devotees of a corrupt despot,” Yanna said.
“Yeah, that will do it.”
Celescia stood tall, flooded with a cascade of revolving emotions. Pity at their ignorance, repugnance at their bigotry, anger at their ungratefulness to the Commonwealth and the advantages it gifted her people.
The escorts for the visitors stopped short of the Preservationist coalition. Golden spikes appeared above the heads of the crowd, shifting back and forth. The center of the body parted, revealing the ornate splendor of the Provenance Royal guards. Clad in gold-covered armor, and holding spears of the same, eight of their ilk marched with robotic precision. They stopped, forming two rows. A horned instrument blew a melody of the Royalty lineage.
The guards rotated to face each other and took a measured step back, forming a channel between them.
In it appeared none other than the Imperatrix himself.
The embodiment of regality and beauty, he held himself as if he’d been Imperatrix for millennia. The traditional Imperatrix circlet rested on his head, its ancient jewels twinkling with each minute turn of his head. His expression remained effortlessly dignified as he scanned the opposing delegation with a bemused grin.
Rragustus halted opposite Traveska. The pair faced off, drawing the attention of the entire hall. Neither leader flinched or offset any hint of uncertainty. With natural smoothness, the councilor bowed per the traditional greeting for the Imperatrix.
“Imperatrix Rrghustus, I know you know who I am, but formalities dictate a proper introduction. I am Councilor Traveska, elected leader of the Commonwealth. It is an honor to finally meet you in person. I thank you for receiving our Commonwealth delegation.”
Rrgaghtus returned the greeting and offered a warm smile. “Councilor Traveska, it is I, Imperatrix Rrgaghtus of the Pree Provenance, who am honored to be in your presence. On behalf of the Pree people, we extend our appreciation for your journey to our corner of the galaxy when you have so many other important matters requiring your attention.”
“I assure you, Imperatrix, that the Pree charter summit is of great importance to the Commonwealth,” Traveska replied. It was an understatement that Traveska managed to deliver without any hint of undertone.
The two leaders went on to make other important introductions. None of the other Pree leadership held the same amount of subdued charm that Rrgaghtus had, but there were no outright hostilities exchanged.
With the formal introduction complete, the station admin addressed the crowd. The opening procedures would begin soon. Until then, the delegation was free to view the exhibits in the hall and enjoy any refreshments. He stepped aside and a door along one of the side walls opened. Servant bots and staff exited bearing trays and dispenser carts.
The Councilor and his top delegation members stepped to the far side of the hall with the Imperatrix and his ministers. Celescia caught a fleeting view of Traveska’s face. His hard-set expression revealed the intense discussion that was about to be had.
Spotting the Preservationists descending upon the newcomers, she saw that the rest of the delegation was in for a rough time of their own.
One of the neutral regents made for the troupe. Celescia’s pulsed ticked up a notch. She’d met him many times before she’d joined Yanna and Ruki. He was reasonable from what she remembered. “Regent, it is good to see you again,” she said as he came before her.
He went to speak but confusion masked his face. “We’ve met before?”
Celescia scolded herself for the slip. Of course, the regent wouldn’t remember. “I thought we had, but I might be mistaken.”
“I would remember meeting a traitor like you,” he said, glaring at her with disdain. The open hostility took her aback. She hadn’t expected it from someone like him. “Your talents are undeniable, but you squander your gifts. It’s a shame given your popularity.” He gestured to the Mystery Man but refused to make eye contact. “Your stance on the charter is disappointing, your propaganda disingenuous, but your perverted showcases with this Human are outright disgusting.”
“And you’re a rude narcissist,” Yanna snapped.
“Shut your mouth, lowborn! I’m not done speaking.”
Yanna said nothing else, but Celescia could feel the anger in the tension of her partner’s arm. On the other side of Celescia, Dash shifted closer to her.
The regent wasn’t discouraged. He went on, emboldened by his vicious attack. “There are many who believe that you deserve punishment for speaking so negatively about the nobility. I happen to share their opinion.” He gestured at Celescia with two manicured fingers, stabbing the air with gusto. His head grew uncomfortably close to where she caught the scent of alterants upon his hot breaths. She fought the urge to lean back, to lash out in response, struggled to retain her composure—
A hand went to the regent’s chest, pushing him back. The Mystery Man now bladed himself between Celescia and the regent. He waved a finger at the belligerent bully.
Even if the regent didn’t understand the gesture, his PD would’ve translated it for him. “How dare you touch me, filth!” he said to Dash, finally making eye contact. He shot a fiery gaze at Celescia. “I demand your deviant man to apologize!”
Celescia had enough. “Your behavior is unbecoming of your stature, regent. I will not be spoken to in this manner.”
“I will not be lectured about manners and decorum by some treasonist harlot—”
The slap came out of nowhere. In one instant, the regent spewed his vile insults at her. The next, his head was spun 90 degrees to the side, mouth open, eyes wide in utter shock. The Mystery Man’s white-clad arm hovered in front of his chest, bent at the elbow in preparation for another strike.
The crowd around them took immediate notice, hushed whispers and gasps of disbelief. The regent found himself, focusing a hate-filled glare at the Mystery Man. His flat palm shifted higher as if to dare the regent to fling insults once again.
“Don’t do it,” Celescia said to Dash as security officers slipped through the surrounding crowd, appearing out of thin air. They formed a circle around the troupe, staring at the Mystery Man in bloodlust. One of them held a stunner, pointed down, but deployed and ready to use.
“Why did you strike the regent?” the supervisor demanded.
Celescia said, “The regent was verbally abusing us. The Mystery Man—”
“Quiet. I wasn’t talking to you.” The supervisor glared at the Mystery Man. “Answer my question.”
“That’s no way to talk to a lady,” came a deep voice. Hearty footsteps sounded against the floor as a big marine shouldered through the crowd. Gunnery Sergeant Alvarez approached the troupe only to be cut off by the stunner-wielding Pree.
“This is an internal security matter,” the supervisor said from inside the circle of his subordinates.
“Not when it involves any member of the Commonwealth delegation,” Alvarez replied. The officer blocking him didn’t move. “You’d better put that fucking thing away before I shove it up your ass,” he whispered before peering down at the Pree.
His threat needed no translation. The security officer holstered the stunner. Alvarez stepped around him and stood beside the Mystery Man.
“Everything okay over her, ma’am?” Alvarez asked Celescia.
“Yes. The regent here was being rude, and the Mystery Man corrected him on his behavior.”
Alvarez gave the regent an unimpressed once-over. “Hopefully he’s learned his lesson.”
The regent barred his teeth before slinking away beneath Alvarez’s intense stare. The security officers loitered a moment, then blended back into the crowd.
Alvarez peered around as the onlookers went back to their conversations. He directed the troupe to follow him toward the edge of the hall. When they emerged from the crowd, he leaned in close. “Please refrain from starting a diplomatic incident.”
“We will,” Celescia promised and thanked the man.
“Anytime,” he said. He sized up the Mystery Man and gave an approving nod before he left.
A few in the crowd began to shift toward the troupe, building courage after the incident. Celescia took the reprieve to whisper at Dash. “You must control yourself!”
“What you did was very inappropriate,” Yanna said.
“I am under control. That guy was being an asshole,” he answered.
“We don’t condone what he did,” Ruki said.
“But there are cultural differences you must consider,” Celescia added.
“Listen, I’m not standing here and listening to that vile crap. Especially when it’s directed at a lady.”
Within moments, a trio of regents had mustered the courage to approach. “Remind me to praise you for your chivalry should we get out of this alive,” Celescia said, and resumed her public facade, greeting them and entering an opposed but civilized conversation.
The tension from the confrontation had slipped from her mind when the message came through. She read it again and needed several minutes to excuse the troupe from the conversation.
“What is it?” Ruki asked as they stepped aside, keeping ahead of a trail of admirers.
Celescia breathed deeply, preparing herself. “There’s someone we need to meet with. I need you to come with me right now.”

Ma sanga 8GB RAM ko laptop xa 5 yr purano, aaj voli ekdam slow chaldai xa laptop. Power on ra restart huna ma ta nearly 5 min lagxa tyaspaxi ajha kehi xin kurnuparxa kunai app kholna. Aba SSD lagauna sochdai xu kun brand ko lagauda thik hunxa, ani ktm mai install gardine ramro shop refer gardinu paryo. Note: khasai dherai apps haru ni install xaina ra ma game pani kheldina.

I’ve seen bodies mashed, crushed, dismembered, stuffed into suitcases, blackened like meat on a grill, floating, bloating, with flies swarming their flesh and maggots wriggling out of their eyes. I have, in short, an intimacy with death.
But nothing prepared me for the horror in cabin 4044.
I stared at my own smoldering corpse, into the blackened sockets of my melted eyes, and ice raked my spine and splintered my bones, shivering all the way down to my frozen fingertips.
You knew this day would come, whispered a voice in my head. And then, as my nose wrinkled, Ugh, I smell like bacon.
Giggles. Oh dear. Not beneficial. Couldn’t I try to approach my death with some dignity? No? Well… fine. Ignoring my own bubbling hysteria, I held my napkin over my nostrils and leaned in. Cross-legged in a lotus position, hands cradled and thumbs touching, crispy me (hehe) held the pose of a meditating monk. From the liquor bottles scattered around the burnt wreckage as well as the pose, I’d started the fire myself. But what induced such madn—
Glowing white light suddenly emanated from the blackened sockets. I gasped, tumbling backwards over the coffee table.
When I sat up, the light was gone.
It did not reappear during the half hour I charged my phone, keeping one leery eye on my corpse while I used the ship’s spotty wifi for research.
A Mysterious Contagion
According to Google, the worst cruise disaster in modern times involved the partial capsizing of a vessel after a captain’s error led to a rock tearing open the hull. Of the four thousand passengers, 34 drowned.
Another ship infamously dubbed the “poop cruise” had its engines catch fire, and passengers were stranded for nearly a week on board without electricity or toilet facilities.
But the Seastar was not destined for any ocean or weather related incident, but rather, a contagion. And while coronavirus and norovirus have both afflicted cruise ships in recent years, no virus—not even rabies—could explain the self-mutilation. To say nothing of the virulence. A mortality rate of 100%? That was unheard of in nature. There should be some survivors, if only by happenstance.
Or is it because…
A terrible chill spread up the flesh of my arms, and a thought lodged like an ice pick in my skull: What if the doom of the Azure Seastar isn’t happenstance—but deliberate? Are there no survivors because someone doesn’t want there to be?
Numb at the implication, I set down my phone. But how? Why? A thousand passengers and crew… If there was someone planning such a disaster, how would I identify them? And why would anyone commit such an atrocity? My gut tightened, and I got up and ventured out to the upper decks.
Deck 9
Cold. Cold. Cold. The chill in my bones deepened with each hand I brushed. Passengers glared as I fumbled around, dismissing me as either blind or mentally feeble. The blindness was somewhat accurate—I couldn’t see under the electric lighting in the swanky interior, since my eyes were seeing six days in the future, when the Seastar would be plunged into blackout. I depended on my phone’s feeble flashlight as I navigated the sea of guests around the bar and lounge areas. But no matter how many arms and hands I bumbled into—COLD!
With no accidental survivors, I was becoming more and more convinced the Seastar’s doom must be deliberate, but I was still very much in the dark—literally and figuratively—about why.
The most useful discovery of the evening came after my collision with a heavyset older man whose drink I spilled. Noticing me sweeping around my phone’s pitiful beam and assuming I’d lost something, he offered to lend me a more powerful flashlight from his cabin.
“It’s one of those high powered ones if you want it.” He smiled, and I stared, every hair on my neck standing on end.
“Uh… Something on my face?” His smile turned into a confused frown under my phone’s light.
“N-no. Yes, a flashlight would be very helpful, thank you.”
“This way. Name’s John, by the way.” His grin returned.
Oh God—I’d recognized him. Glass chewing man. He had a name now.
I am ashamed to admit that I tried not to speak to him too much on the way to his cabin, despite his doing me a kindness. It’s so much harder to face death with names and histories attached. I remained standing outside his cabin door, looking incredibly guilty as he emerged and set into my hand the flashlight. When I turned it on, it sent a floodlight straight down the corridor one end to the other. In addition to this useful tool, the encounter brought a critical insight.
His clothes. Glass chewing involved a different outfit. So, the catastrophe would not strike tonight.
Pool deck
After brushing roughly a billion COLD hands, as the overnight crowd began thinning, I took myself out to a lounger (being unwilling to overnight in my cabin wreathed in the fumes of my own chargrilled corpse).
Voices woke me in the dead of night.
The moon and stars offered the only illumination over the pitch sea, and I shambled groggily to the rail. It struck me that the wind had died—the Seastar was stationary.
Out on the pale peaks of waves, a rescue craft bobbed up and down.
“Looks like some idiot went overboard,” complained a voice behind me.
A cluster of passengers had gathered. One—with the authority of an experienced cruiser—mentioned the possibility of a suicide jumper. “It shouldn’t affect our itinerary much,” declared the man. “These things happen at sea, you know. After the rescue, he or she—let’s call them Passenger X—will be taken to the infirmary and monitored by security…”
I didn’t hear the rest of his words, because I was too busy smacking my forehead as I burst, “The INFIRMARY!” Good fucking gracious, was my brain already barbecue? I suspected a contagion, yet hadn’t thought to search the infirmary? Snatching up my flashlight, I headed downstairs, but the lower decks were cordoned off.
A jovial crewman explained that passenger access was restricted during rescue operations.
“Also, it’s three in the morning,” he added, sipping coffee from a styrofoam cup. “The infirmary will open—I think around eight?”
“Which deck?”
“Deck two.” He gladly explained the layout when I asked. The lower decks also included crew quarters, a crew lounge, mess hall, the engine room, kitchens, food storage, the “highway” used for quickly trafficking trolleys from one end of the ship to the other, the infirmary, various machinery rooms, a brig, a morgue—“We mostly use it for like, chilling flowers and stuff like that though,” he added with a grin. There was also a third staircase near the stern of the ship—the aft stairwell—used regularly only by staff but opened to passengers in cases of emergency.
As he rattled off this list, I could feel myself plunging deeper into despair. This ship was so enormous, and so much of what lay below was off limits to passengers. Furthermore, there were no windows below! How was I going to make my way in the blackout? Even with John’s flashlight, the prospect was daunting.
But first things first, Cass, I told myself. The infirmary.
Infirmary
At 8am sharp I stepped into the infirmary. The waiting room was as ordinary as they come, complete with boring magazines and cheap office chairs and—because it was deep in the interior—pitch dark to my sleep-deprived eyes.
“Morning, Sweetie! How can I help you today?” The secretary at the front desk tipped her head toward me, revealing a glimpse of another face beneath my flashlight—mouth gaping and mangled, every tooth pulled out. Blissfully unaware that she was sharing her chair with her own corpse, the secretary smiled and gave me a clipboard of paperwork for check in.
While I filled out the forms by flashlight, footsteps shuffled near the desk, and the secretary struck up a conversation with someone I assumed was a nurse. My ears pricked when they gossiped about last night.
“… did you hear about the rescue? When they pulled him out of the water, he wasn’t breathing...”
I pretended to be engrossed in the forms.
“… As soon as they revived him, he started screaming and screaming.”
“Oh my god… seriously?”
“Yeah, and he was like, super aggressive. They had to sedate him.”
“Oh my god…”
“It’s really weird… they’re saying he might have come from another ship, and it might’ve been, like… days… that he was out on the water!”
So this Passenger X who was pulled in last night had just been drifting out on the ocean? He wasn’t a jumper? And he was “screaming and screaming”—like, perhaps, someone maddened? I was about to abandon my forms and search for this Passenger X when the secretary all but gave me a heart attack by materializing in front of me out of the dark. She took the paperwork and informed me the nurse was ready. I was directed to a small examination room—one of three, I noted as I swept my beam around the infirmary. Examining tables, chairs, computers. No sign of any screaming passenger. Where would they have brought him?
The nurse, a young woman in a hijab, asked me the typical questions, typing my responses into a computer with a cracked, dead screen.
“Is he all right? The man who was rescued?” I asked. “Was he drifting long?”
She responded pertly, “We’re still trying to ascertain. But don’t worry, he’s being helped—um….” Her brow scrunched as she shone a light into each of my eyes.
Of course. I forgot to warn her.
“That’s so strange…” she murmured. “Are you wearing contact lenses?”
“No. My eyes are very black. Even under a flashlight they don’t reflect any light. They’ve been that way since I was four years old. I was dead for nearly an hour from drowning, but revived, and everything came back normal except for my eyes.” I’d always believed my horrific visions were the result of my near-death experience, as if I wasn’t supposed to come back, and brought a little bit of death with me, just in my eyes.
“Wow! What a wild story!” The nurse exclaimed.
“You have no idea,” I replied, looking at her corpse peering out at me from under the examination table, all jammed around the base.
A knock on the door cut our exam short before I could warn her (not that it would make any difference). She asked me to wait for a few moments and stepped out.
When she did not immediately return, I slipped away in search of Passenger X.
Highway
The moment I stepped out of the infirmary and away from the nearby elevator lounge, it became evident I’d left the passenger areas. All veneer of luxury was stripped away, leaving bare walls interrupted only by occasional stacks of boxes. The flashlight’s wide beam swept along the massive corridor that I was guessing was the “highway.” My footsteps resounded on concrete. Nothing but sterile, windowless white—or at least it had been white, once.
I tried not to look too closely at the crimson streaking the walls or the corpses I stepped over. The origin of the contagion was definitely down here. Even through the napkin held over my nose, I could taste death here—
Hello? What was this?
In one section of the corridor, the walls and floor had rippled. Almost as if a shockwave had left indentations, bending and shattering the concrete. But what could have done that?
The lights flickered.
I froze.
It wasn’t my flashlight’s beam. That remained steady. The lights—the overhead lights—flickered, casting the hall in blinking flashes of crimson streaks and white walls.
Then the lights came on.
All the bodies vanished.
“Oh,” I said, blinking against the sudden brightness. “Oh.” The smell was gone, too. No scent of death. Though there was something else. A strangely metallic, tangy smell. Like lightning and copper.
I shut off my flashlight, turning a slow circle as I gawked at the stark white walls, the flat gray floor, the dazzling fluorescent lighting so bright it almost blinded me. It struck me that I was seeing the ship right now. Not six days in the future, but NOW, before the blackout, before the outbreak. The same whitewashed hallway as all the other passengers saw.
Why? What had happened to my vision? Had I lost my special sight? Or—
Someone was standing in the corridor.
I froze.
The hairs on my neck prickled, and a knot of dread twisted my gut.
The man stood halfway down the highway, slouched and bedraggled. His clothes were crushed and faded, hanging off him like from hangers of bone. His limp hair draped in messy curls around his unshaven face. And his eyes—those eyes! The same eyes I’d seen looking at me from the deep end of a public swimming pool when I was just a child. The same eyes I’d seen staring emptily from John’s glass-chewing corpse, and from the mangled nurse under the table. All the dead have the exact same look in their eyes. One glance at those pale blue orbs—
This man was dead. I was certain of it.
Yet he was standing.
“You,” I said. “You… are you the passenger who—”
The dead man’s lips spread, baring teeth in what might have been a sick imitation of a grin, or a grimace.
“HEY!!!”
I jumped as a voice called out behind me.
An officer in a security uniform strode out from an unmarked door, eyes on the dead man. The security officer said, “Ma’am, stay back.” His gaze never left the dead man. “Sir, if you could please come with me—”
“No!” I cried. “Don’t!”
But the security officer was already marching forward, and the dead man’s hands lifted in stiff parody of surrender. He turned and began shuffling away under the officer’s escort. And then—his teeth bared. Suddenly the dead man had his arm around the officer, mouth clamping on his ear as the officer howled. He was eating him—no, tongue wriggling—licking him?
—whispering?
The officer shoved the dead man aside and collapsed against the wall. I rushed forward, but skidded to a halt as the dead man’s grinning face turned toward me. Terror seized me at the sudden revelation that I was next. He took a wobbly step—
The lights shut off.
Swearing, I fumbled for my flashlight. Switched on the beam. Shrieked when it fell across a hand—but it was just the security officer reaching for me, asking, “Hey—hey, are you all right, Ma’am?” He winced, rubbing at his ear like a dog bothered by a whistle only it could hear. Then he said into his phone, “He assaulted me and got away. I’ve got another passenger here—”
The stench wafted back. Gore once again splattered the walls. I was once more seeing six days into the future, and clapped my napkin to my mouth to stop myself from retching at the return of the smell. But I wasn’t really thinking about all that.
No, because my heart slammed my ribs and my breath ripped ragged from my throat, and every hair stood on end as if I’d been struck by lightning. Whatever it was the crew of the Seastar had hauled from the ocean, it certainly hadn’t been living when they “rescued” it. And the proof was in those overhead lights. Merely being in proximity to Passenger X, my vision had been pulled into the present. Like he was a magnet drawing my sight into his field. But if death was the thing my black, lightless eyes usually glimpsed, then what exactly was Passenger X? And if he could affect my vision, not to mention animating a dead man’s corpse… how was I going to have any hope of stopping him?
[Part 1] [Part 2]

Hi! Im currently 18 and I just got into investing 3 months ago. I've made many mistakes such as buying DISH at 11.5 and watching it ride to 52wk lows and opening a position in BAC 2 days before the SVB crisis. However, I started doing my own research, focusing mainly on the fundamental analysis of a company and buying them when they were undervalued and selling them when they were at a profit. Currently, I'm up $100 in my overall position and 3k in assets.
Looking forward, I'm looking to build a portfolio which I dont have to babysit whereby I put $25 into each of the 30 stocks/ETFs in the portfolio below every month and just DCA. As a student waiting to enter into uni, I earn roughly 1k a month and I generally try to save as much as possible so as to put into stocks (that are in the portfolio) that I feel are significantly undervalued based on my intrinsic value calculated. Any thoughts or words of advice?

What are the biggest obstacles in LLMs?Which have solutions in the near future (research papers) and for which there are no solutions yet?
What I currently see:

• very slow when running on CPU
• huge (V)RAM requirements even after quantization
• ability to "remember" someone to catch up previous conversations
• context size (summarizing long texts)- hallucinations

For context-size there was a paper with landmark-attention (https://www.reddit.com/LocalLLaMA/comments/13wb59a/code_released_landmark_attention_randomaccess/)
But for the rest I haven't seen any research paper yet, or maybe I missed something

I have multi-industry skills and advanced degrees. I can leave off the advanced degree and keep one on the resume.
I need income now. I can't get hired into survival, barely get by, gas money jobs. Yet I need gas and food money now.
"But you won't stay, so why should we hire you when you'll look somewhere else?"
Is pan handling the alternative?
I have to eat, maintain a car, pay credit card balance, car insurance renewal, have a place to live. That isn't possible on a $20/hour job.
$20/hour equals $16/hour net minus dental care and benefits
"You should apply to the professional leadership jobs"
True, but I can't get those. We are dealing with anti credentialism now (Google it). That means those who spent years developing critical thinking skills are unemployable because if a manager interviews me and I have too much education and they don't have any, they'll hire their friend.
I can't do physical labor. Yet I applied for a passenger conductor job at Amtrak. Will they hire me? I dunno. I can walk and talk with people. I can't lift very heavy machine equipment. I have all the office, technology and professional business skills.
I need an income to cover an apt, utilities, a car, insurance, gas, food, clothes, dental and medical care. One root canal and crown is $3,800. My one car repair cost $1,800.
What is the "get a job to bring in money while you keep looking?"
Employers won't hire me if I work at McDonald's. McDonald's won't hire me period. I can't do fast food work because it requires janitorial work, doing the work of more than one person when people call out, high stress on low pay, and no way to pay for an apt to have a place to live.
Hotels won't hire me. I applied for general manager, but those jobs are filled by 20 and 30 year olds. Pay is $55-$60k minus taxes and benefits. Night auditor, and front desk are the equivalent to fastfood gas money, customer facing, demanding, "hurry up I need to go ma'am," demanding jobs.
The local Walmart has non English speaking people. They won't hire me. They are work opportunity tax credit hires (Google WOTC).
Starbucks is too fast paced and chaotic between mobile orders, drive thru window and having to wear a one sided ear piece headset at all times (i can't do that while walking and talking to customers face to face while the ear piece is on).
I need something with early morning hours, that is safe and will pay me more than $20/hour.
Please help me with ideas. I am aging out of the workforce and no one wants to hire me due to my age. There are a lot of scammer ads on Reddit and Indeed.
I'll be panhandling soon due to lack of pay. I can't wait tables or bartend. Thats too fast paced and chaotic like Starbucks.
Temp agencies can't market me because they are sales people who have no industry experience. I worked in HR and staffing companies aren't HR people. They market work opportunity tax credit hires to save the employers money and those employers general terminate the assignments on a whim. Staffing agencies are glorified pimps.
I don't need to prove my value. I have value. Employers want to pay cheap and force people to cohabitate. My resumes are well written, down to one page, and customized to the job. If people get jobs based on who they know, then my resume won't do anything.
What ideas do you have, and I'll respond intermittently.

I have multi-industry skills and advanced degrees. I can leave off the advanced degree and keep one on the resume.
I need income now. I can't get hired into survival, barely get by, gas money jobs. Yet I need gas and food money now.
"But you won't stay, so why should we hire you when you'll look somewhere else?"
Is pan handling the alternative?
I have to eat, maintain a car, pay credit card balance, car insurance renewal, have a place to live. That isn't possible on a $20/hour job.
$20/hour equals $16/hour net minus dental care and benefits
"You should apply to the professional leadership jobs"
True, but I can't get those. We are dealing with anti credentialism now (Google it). That means those who spent years developing critical thinking skills are unemployable because if a manager interviews me and I have too much education and they don't have any, they'll hire their friend.
I can't do physical labor. Yet I applied for a passenger conductor job at Amtrak. Will they hire me? I dunno. I can walk and talk with people. I can't lift very heavy machine equipment. I have all the office, technology and professional business skills.
I need an income to cover an apt, utilities, a car, insurance, gas, food, clothes, dental and medical care. One root canal and crown is $3,800. My one car repair cost $1,800.
What is the "get a job to bring in money while you keep looking?"
Employers won't hire me if I work at McDonald's. McDonald's won't hire me period. I can't do fast food work because it requires janitorial work, doing the work of more than one person when people call out, high stress on low pay, and no way to pay for an apt to have a place to live.
Hotels won't hire me. I applied for general manager, but those jobs are filled by 20 and 30 year olds. Pay is $55-$60k minus taxes and benefits. Night auditor, and front desk are the equivalent to fastfood gas money, customer facing, demanding, "hurry up I need to go ma'am," demanding jobs.
The local Walmart has non English speaking people. They won't hire me. They are work opportunity tax credit hires (Google WOTC).
Starbucks is too fast paced and chaotic between mobile orders, drive thru window and having to wear a one sided ear piece headset at all times (i can't do that while walking and talking to customers face to face while the ear piece is on).
I need something with early morning hours, that is safe and will pay me more than $20/hour.
Please help me with ideas. I am aging out of the workforce and no one wants to hire me due to my age. There are a lot of scammer ads on Reddit and Indeed.
I'll be panhandling soon due to lack of pay. I can't wait tables or bartend. Thats too fast paced and chaotic like Starbucks.
Temp agencies can't market me because they are sales people who have no industry experience. I worked in HR and staffing companies aren't HR people. They market work opportunity tax credit hires to save the employers money and those employers general terminate the assignments on a whim. Staffing agencies are glorified pimps.
I don't need to prove my value. I have value. Employers want to pay cheap and force people to cohabitate.
What ideas do you have, and I'll respond intermittently.