Here is the video and full write up: https://italyinbocca.com/in-bocca-film-blog/2021/3/24/the-best-ragu-recipe-ever-evan-funkes-bone-marrow-bolognese
By far the most delicious and amazing Ragu I've had, Evan's Ragu Bolognese from HBO's Selena + Chef absolutely nocked our socks off. Didn't hurt that we had fresh pasta from Osteria La Buca, bread from Tartine, beautiful cast iron from Butter Pat industries, and a lovely selection of drinks from The Bruery and Hanson's of Sonoma to wash it all down. Recipe below. 2 ½ Pounds Beef Chuck 2 ½ Pounds of Beef Bone Marrow (About 5 Bones Cut Into 2-Inch Pieces) 1 Large Yellow Onion, Peeled And Diced Large 3 Stalks of Celery, Diced Large 1 Large Carrot, Peeled And Diced Large 3 Ounces Rendered Pork Fat 2½ Ounces Pancetta 4 Ounces Prosciutto Di Parma Kosher Salt, To Taste 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper 1½ Cups Of Sangiovese (Or Another Dry, Fruity Red Wine) 2 Cups Tomato Passata* 2 Cups Chicken Stock *Passata is an uncooked tomato puree that has been strained of skins and seeds. You can purchase from a grocery store as “strained tomatoes” Set up a meat grinder attachment for a Kitchen Aid Mixer, if you don’t have one you can ask your local butcher to grind your meats for you. Begin ragu by grinding chuck into a bowl, set aside. Grind remaining meats: pancetta and prosciutto into another bowl, set aside. Grind all the vegetables in the meat grinder into a bowl. Alternatively, if you don’t have a grinder, pass them through a food processor, pulsing until fine. Heat a la Heat a large, heavy-bottom saucepot (about 5-quart Dutch oven) over medium-high heat. Melt pork fat, adding prosciutto and pancetta, cooking until rendered, about 4 minutes. Add ground veggies and stir. Cook the vegetables, stirring frequently until a sweet aroma forms, around 15 minutes. Add the ground beef, season generously with sea salt and black pepper. Mix the meat with the vegetables with a wooden spoon. Cook for 4-6 minutes stirring occasionally, once you see the juices start to run, add red wine and stir to incorporate. Once you see a whisper of steam, add the tomato passata and stir to incorporate. Reduce heat to low and gently. Add the stock and reduce heat to low. Gently simmer sauce, a gentle bubble every minute. Taste. At this point it should taste slightly under seasoned. As it reduces the flavors will intensify. Cook for 3-5 hours stirring occasionally every 15 minutes or so, until the beef and pork are tender and flavors are concentrated. Taste sauce again, re-season and remove from heat. Sauce will keep in fridge for up to 7 days and in a freezer for up to 6 months in an airtight container.

I used Alvin Zhou's brown butter toffee chocolate chip cookie recipe and baked them as stated- 325F for 18-20 minutes. His cookies and other cookies in the reviews came out more flat, but for some reason mine were on the thicker side and didn't spread as much.
I cooked another 2 cookies and used the "pan-banging" method twice: right when they came out of the oven and another time halfway through baking and then again out of the oven and they didn't really flatten, only a little bit and they just got a bit crinklier.
When I baked them both times it was straight out of the fridge into the oven. Should I let them sit at room temperature then bake them? I have about 12 more cookies to experiment with so I'm thinking playing around with the temperature and cooking time could help too.
His personal youtube video actually cooks the cookies at 300F which I tried but that didn't really change anything.
Any suggestions?

I've made the vanilla bean blog cinnamon roll recipe a couple of times and it's definitely been my favorite. However, I've been wanting to try the newer recipe from bon appetit/Zaynab Issa because I like the idea of using a tangzhong to up the hydration.
I decided to try this recipe test to see if either one yielded softetastier rolls and to see how long they can maintain their softness. For science, of course.
I made a half recipe for each, staying true to the recipe for dough, but I used the same filling for both (browned butter, however much brown sugar and cinnamon the universe calls me to, pinch of salt) and the same cream cheese icing I usually use (2:1 cream cheese: butter, whatever amount of powdered sugar my heart decides is enough that day, pinch of salt, bit of lemon juice if I have it on hand, vanilla)
The biggest differences in the recipes are that the VBB recipe uses a higher ratio of eggs, honey instead of sugar, an unusual (for cinnamon rolls) mixing method (series of stretch-and-folds rather than kneading a bunch), and an overnight initial rise in the fridge. BA uses a higher-hydration tangzhong dough and a very long time kneading. A lot of reviews on the website mention that their stand mixers couldn't handle it. No overnight rest, so if done by the recipe, it's a 4-5 hour process.
Enough chatter, on to the results!
The process: VBB is easier to put together simply due to not needing to make a tangzhong, but neither is difficult. I only made a half recipe, but my mixer handled the BA dough just fine and it did not take the 18-24 minutes quoted in the recipe to reach windowpane stage, maybe closer to 10-12. I like that VBB had an overnight rest and even an option to shape beforehand and proof overnight in the fridge so you can bake in the morning. I'm sure this can be done with BA's, but it's not mentioned in the recipe. The BA dough was MUCH easier to work with, and also makes a greater amount of dough. This yielded taller rolls, since I made the same quantity with each. I'm not super experienced in shaping cinnamon rolls, but you can see in the photo the difference it makes (BA is more aesthetically pleasing).
Immediate results: Close call! Very similar in softness. VBB puffed up more in the oven like a brioche dough and I found it to be softer and lighter. I also preferred the flavor. The filling was spread over a smaller area, meaning a thicker layer, some of which leaked out. The BA rolls are taller in the photo because they were bigger to begin with (had more dough to work with). They were also very soft and had a better filling distribution since I was able to roll them tighter. My husband preferred BA but was unable to say just why.
Day 2: Both remained surprisingly soft. I'd call it a tie on softness, but VBB wins for me because I like the flavor better.
Day 3: VBB is softer. Still the winner. BA is still quite soft though (only if warmed, pretty stiff when tasted at room temp).
Final thoughts: Both really good recipes that maintain softness longer than most. BA is more beginner-friendly as the dough is so much easier to work with. If you're looking to win a cook-off or something, VBB is the way to go. I still might do more experimenting, I'd like to try the tangzhong method with the more brioche-like dough to see if I can get the best of both worlds.
This turned out much longer than I expected, thanks for reading (or skimming, or whatever)

Which Vertuo pod would most closely resemble the Green Mountain Dark Magic Keurig pod?
Mom is coming to visit for a week and I would like her to feel comfortable because I know what it’s like to visit her and not get the coffee I am used to! She drinks it black.
I was leaning towards Stormio but wondered if that may be too intense.
Green Mountain Description:
“As deep and intense as the night itself. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Dark Magic is an extra bold blend with dried fruit and chocolate notes, leading to a subtly sweet finish. Made with 100 percent Arabica coffee.”
Independent review of Dark Magic:
“Simple, roasty aroma, with smoke, toast, butter, cedar, a hint of bananaish fruit. In the cup heavily astringent but rich and sweet-toned with gently scorched cedar and dark chocolate notes and a surprising hint of night flowers. The rich sweetness dominates the astringency in the finish.”

Location: Chamberlain's Rest, HIP 97950 Date: 27 May 3309
I still remember the lighting and the gas clouds. A spectacular view from the chair… But then it’s as cloudy as the clouds we were entering. Was it we or I? The chair felt like the captain's place, but they say I was alone when they found me. No crew, no ship to command, so that’s probably just my dreams. Captain?.. More like a broke guy who can’t even afford a drink at the bar, huh?
It was only a day or two at the infantry, a few tests there, a few papers to fill out and sign here, then just this carefree tone from the worker there, "No health issues now or in the near past, you're fine, carry on with your life." I didn’t tell them I don’t remember why I was in the rescue capsule out there, but either that happens pretty often or they just don’t care. If someone says that I’m fine, while their test can for sure detect memory loss, there’s not much point in spending more time with them.
Aimless walking through corridors only led me to question myself again about how I'd ended up here. What was my goal? What’s it now? Am I capable of anything, in the end? What’s it, if so? That’s no philosophy, as my stomach starts to hurt already. It comes with no surprise - the last meal was yesterday at the hospital in the evening. So it was already like 18 hours or so ago. I can think for days about different ‘whats’, but now it comes to plain survival.
“... Hey”. Bland, blank, nothing. How long was I standing at the same place doing nothing and thinking nothing? “... Hey”. It felt like I was going to do so until passing out from the pain down there in my starving stomach. “... Hey”. And it seems I’m close enough with those phantom “heys” I heard for like the tenth time.
“ HELLO THERE?!” That one made my left ear ring like a bell, almost popping the eardrum, considering the pain that still lingers there. Wasn’t it phantom in the end?
“A… Are you talking to me?” It was so hard to use my voice to say it loud enough so at least someone can hear.
“At last! I was doing it quite a few times already! Are you high, drunk, or what!?” The last part was said, most likely, after seeing my slow turn and unfocused eyes.
They said I have no health issues, but I sure feel like my sight needs another check. Was I just lost in thoughts, or it’s time for sight correction or the new accessory, be it glasses or lenses? Not that it matters if I can’t afford it.
“MAN! Are you passing out there or what? You’re ignoring me again!”
“…”
The next thing that brought me almost from sleep was the feeling of someone’s hands on my shoulders. Mustering all the strength left, I focused my vision, only to see the worried face of a man. He has almost no hair, but it’s not due to age. Either he likes to be almost bald, and I can’t say he looks bad this way - quite the opposite - or it’s to make wearing some combat suits more comfy.
“Are you okay there? Should I take you to the hospital?”
“No, no, I’ve just left it in the morning…”
“Did you escape or what? You look pretty sick!”
“They said I’m fine, really. I think I’m just lost, and hungry.”
“Well, while I can help you with the latter, the first is out of my power. Come one, a drink and a meal, which seems to be more important for you. I’ll pay if you agree to consider my proposal.”
“Lead the way!”, suddenly, I had the strength to almost shout this out loud enough for everyone inside the bar to hear. Conveniently, my lack of strength prevented the embarrassing moment, but… “Lead the way”, man, are you serious? You’re lost, not awakened inside some alternative game universe with magic and cat girls. I guess it’s just hunger.
“Finally, some response from you. Come, I saw that my order was already at the table while helping you out here, but you’ll eat it. See that table with the plate in the corner? Go and start eating it. Can you walk yourself?”
“I think I can, let me try?” I started to move my gaze to his hands still on me, and before I open my mouth to continue, he takes them off. Considering that I still stand and even manage to do a few steps, the man looks relieved and reassured he can leave me for a minute.
“Well then, go and fill yourself, as I’ve said. I’ll stop by the barmen to order another meal, now for myself for sure, and two drinks for us. Go.”
It felt like I’m passing out again - not from the pain this time, but the sensation of relief in my stomach. It was a simple salad and oven-baked fish, nothing spectacular from what I can recollect from my lost memories. I don’t remember the fact, but it feels like it’s not the cheapest meal, but neither is the chef’s special.
“And, how is it? I was going to say that fish is pretty rare in this region, but I guess everything will be a heaven send for you now.”
“I just thought that fish was not the cheapest, but nothing special here, am I wrong?”
“Partly. It’s just as you have said in the Bubble itself, but not in this region in particular. Well, for now at least - there was some piracy involved with food delivery, so traders avoid this region now. While local stocks of food are enough for years, fish was that one product no one thought they’ll run out of. Now it’s doing exactly that, and barmen over there said they are going to raise prices for it two times in a day or two. Consider yourself lucky today.”
“Why then such a luxury for me? Are you going to propose some shady thing to do?” I gave him a questionable look, halting my right hand in midair just before taking another bite from the fork.
“Fast to gain your footing back, aren’t you? Partially it’s true, but it’s more due to your look back a few minutes ago. You did look like you’ll collapse any moment.”
“I can assure you it was true, the hunger was too much. I still feel pain, even if it’s a few pitches down already, it still hurts, but I can speak and think, at least. Thank you, really. Give me five or ten minutes, and I’m ready to listen to your proposals.”
“We’ll come to that, eventually. I’d like to start with simple stuff like names and skills. I think I can ask you as much as to introduce yourself first, so?” He said that in a calm voice, but I felt his efforts to avoid staring at my left hand. Oh, I should stop holding the knife like I’m ready to jump with it at him. I slowly moved my gaze from him to the knife and made sure he catches the glimpse that it was not intended. Instincts, maybe?
“I really want to give you names and all that stuff, but it was not only hunger I was spacing out there. I don’t remember my name, I don’t remember what I can do. It almost feels like your bet was off while inviting me for the free meal. Is it still free, though? Not that I can pay, well, maybe if you place a bounty on my head…”
“Wow, ow, man, stop right there! No hard feelings and no offense there! The meal is free and relax, at least a bit, please. One thing at a time. No name? But how did you get out of the hospital, don't they require filling papers with your name there? Even signature?”
“They do, but the name was prefilled, and the signature was done by scanning fingerprints plus face shots. I didn’t even read papers - it felt like a chore, both for me and them. Just signed it and went away. Well, as far away as the bar entrance.”
“They won’t ever disappoint, ignoring all kinds of issues and booting out patients just to boost their stats, ha? You said about shady stuff, but I’ll not propose anything illegal. Some combat missions and that’s all. Dealing with it is why I know your story with the hospital is true, in the end.”
He said all that stuff, but it didn’t matter to me at the moment. The most important stuff was a ‘free meal’, so I was just consuming it with a careless look. He said nothing about my lack of response and just continued:
“Well… Saying that, I did one shady thing - scanned yourself without asking permission to do so. I think you didn’t even notice that, but I have your name, profile, and all that stuff. That stuff is why I’m giving you the meal, after all.“
“So, just business, I can understand that. Anyway, now I can feel the meal isn’t that free, and we might be even, in the end.”
“Memory loss or not, your manners match the profile I’ve got after the scan. It looks I can be straight with you now. So– ”
I can’t say he or I opposed that interruption - it was officiant with our drinks. Highball, crystal clear ice, and the same drink. Looks familiar, feels familiar.
“Your profile had public photos with Gin Tonic at some bars, so I’ve guessed you’d like it.”
“We’ll find out soon enough, but feels familiar, yeah.”
“I think I see my meal ready over there, and I don’t want to wait until they bring it to me, honestly. Sip your drink and start thinking about combat missions, and I’ll be back with you in a moment.”
Combat missions? It’s been ten minutes or so since he found me out in the corridor, almost dropping to the floor, and he already thinks about giving me some combat offer. What did he see in my profile, really? I guess I’ll find out soon enough. Maybe I can get ways to feed myself or to end that need, at least. Ah, here he comes.
“Now we can speak, I was hungry too, you know? Continuing with our topic, the name is Dylan Sylke. My name, that’s it. Want me to continue with yours?”
“Sure, go ahead. Only if I had somewhere to note it.”
“Don’t you have your personal pad? Suit assistant, the ship? Like the record…” He did look surprised, but still sure he was talking to the right person. If I were in his place, well, I’d just consider all of this a mistake, and write off the check to operational expenses.
“Your records can say whatever you read there, but all that I have are those clothes I got after hospital. Like no place to go, no personal pad, or even ships. If you thought I can go for a combat mission for you, I think you just have a free meal for someone without benefit to you.”
“We’ll see that. Um, I have an idea, I think. What would you say, Rhoun Kuroni?”
“I guess that’s my name, sounds like it, at least.”
“Do you see anyone else here?”
“Nope, but you’ve said you’re hungry too, so you know, maybe you had the same delusions as me not so long ago.” I’ve placed my now empty plate with utensils on the table’s side to make room for the glass, so I can better see its contents. It’s just clear ice and the same liquid, but that’s what I like it seems. Clear ice slowly melting in the colors of all the lights here.
“You’re really back on footing, I see. More reasons to think you’re the right person to invite for a meal, and a bit more than that.”
“I ate, I sipped the cocktail, and I feel ready to listen. Say it already.”
“There’s nothing special - just download some data from the console at the specific outpost. It’s in this system, so not far away to fly. It’s not heavily guarded, and given some time and stealth, one can do it even without shooting.”
“Man, I’ve just said I have no ship, no combat suit, not even a personal pad.”
“Oh, well, right. Sure, then. I can say you have no plans for tomorrow or any other day, aren’t you? I only want to say you should have time for taking one or two runs inside combat simulation?”
“Do I really look to you like a soldier?”
“Well, you do. And your neck…”, his regret about saying this is immediately clear. He waited a few seconds to see if I could let this go, and seeing that I don’t care, continued with relief. “Forget that. You had quite a history on the scan I got from you. Both on foot and in the ship. Let’s see, come tomorrow morning to this place, we’ll eat then deal with simulation assessment. You agree to this, and you have another meal and place to sleep tonight, what do you say?”
“You look a bit like a soldier to me too, but it looks like your battle is now not so dangerous - finding lost souls and sending them to potential death, huh?”
“Both are true, at least in some bits. Although most end up grateful and friends with me, some die, that I can’t hide. That’s why I take you to the simulation first, see? I won’t send you on a real mission without being sure you have at least some chance to survive. As you’ve said, whatever the scan shows, better see it in person. Both for me and you, so?”
“I thought you caught the glimpse I have no other choice, but fine with me if you want to hear it directly. I’ll be here tomorrow, sure. As for my night stay…”
“Ah, that. Here, take my old pad. Well, not exactly my, but I was going to throw it away, anyway. No strings attached, it’s not stolen or anything, and it was officially unlinked & reset from the previous owner, after…”, he made a sip from his glass, ”I said, some don’t return.” Does he really care, or just tries to impress me, so I lower my guard before some shitshow tomorrow?
“Somehow, I start to trust the idea I have a record of a soldier - I don’t want to go to the restroom and say bye to all the tasty food I just ate. Even after imagining all the horrible stuff you’re leaving unsaid. Anyway, thanks for the pad. Any hints on what to do with it? Really, I don’t know how it’ll give me a night stay, sorry.”
“Just boot it up, scan your face, and it’ll link to your official data. Oh, and you’ll see your name there at any time you’d like if you forget again. The lady at room service will help you to get to your dorm. I’ve already booked it in your name. Again, just by scanning your face, nothing more from you is required.”
“Whatever I might look right now, I’m really grateful. See you tomorrow then, and I really liked the cocktail, so the profile on the scan should be at least true about my tastes.” It was so much effort to sip the drink without giving myself that I doubt it was all going in the right direction.
“I think we’ll see more than just cocktails tomorrow, see ya. Sleep well and be ready for a hell of a ride tomorrow, you’ll like it - their simulation is top-notch.”
Sipped the last bits of the Gin Tonic, more like water from ice with some last aroma of it, and the next thing I remember is lying in this somewhat comfy bed. Is it really comfy considering how rough it is? Should be the lack of medical scent and dark blue sheets in place of snow-white ones, that’s the trick here. Or maybe it was a bit heavy on the gin part cocktail? None of this matters, really. Sleep starts taking its place now, and I feel like I can sleep peacefully this night, whatever awaits me tomorrow.
Record 1 end.

Cake Brownies
​
**BROWNIE**
1 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup butter
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate -- melted and cooled
1 cup milk
1 cup chopped walnuts
**CHOCOLATE FROSTING**
3 tablespoons butter
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate
1/4 cup milk
3 cups powdered sugar
Thin with milk -- if needed
Procedure
** Brownie**
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 15 x 10 x 1-inch baking pan. Combine flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Beat butter for 30 seconds;add sugar and beat till fluffy. Add eggs, melted chocolate and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients and milk alternately to beaten mixture, beating after each addition. Stir in walnuts. Turn batter into pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack. Frost with Chocolate Frosting.
**Chocolate Frosting**
Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 2 ounces chocolate and 1/4 cup milk. Heat till chocolate melts. Stir in 3 cups powdered sugar. Thin with milk, if needed, to spread.
​
Makes 36 brownies.
Servings: 36 Reviews 5 stars - 2/16/2018 Source: Better Homes and Gardens

My wife an I have been on 5 cruises int he past, all pre pandemic, and all with Norwegian. We recently moved to NC and live within a 2 hour drive to the Norfolk VA port. When I saw Carnival does cruises from that port, I booked one figuring we would give them a shot since being close to home it's just so much more convenient than flying to Florida. I had high hopes for it being a good cruise, hoping it could turn into our new home port. We booked a 5 night itinerary on the Carnival Magic, with stops in Bimini and Freeport. I paid $2200 for a balcony room. For anyone interested here are my impressions:
Embarkation:
We opted not to park in Norfolk. I had read reviews about cars getting broken into in the Carnival parking lot (it's supposedly since had improved security) and decided to get dropped off at the port. Once we arrived it was pretty apparent this was going to be a different experience than the big ports that run 7 days a week. It just seemed under staffed and disorganized. I was used to Miami and Tampa where everything just felt much more streamlined. Security seemed nearly non existent, none of the added things I had read about like dogs or more staff, just the standard metal detector.
The ship:
The difference is in the details. Lots of rust streaking on the outside of the ship, overall it just looked dingey. In our room there was dust on the ceiling vents, cabinets were chipped, some drawers had broken tracks. The bathroom door had a broken piston on the door so it would swing around (this did get fixed mid trip). The chairs on the balcony were bubbling and rusting. Lights took a long time to come on and some switches just didn't do anything.Though the ship was built in 2011 it looked like it was themed in the mid 90's. Gold and chrome everywhere, mirrors and the ugliest green dome lights lined the atrium. Whoever picked those out loved them because they put them absolutely everywhere. It was comically ugly.On the decks the chairs were in varying condition, some were new, but some were worn and and in need of replacement. One thing I did appreciate though was just the overall amount of seating. All throughout the interior of the ship and around the outside decks there was never any shortage of places to sit and relax.
Tv/Music:
This needed it's own category just because of how bad it was. I don't know if Carnival just has a nonexistent budget for licensing, but the music playing around the ship was bizarre for a Caribbean vacation. They mostly played 70's/80's rock music/pop. I was expecting more stuff that would just sort of set the theme of the vacation, like maybe island music in the lido buffet instead of Quiet Riot lol.The tv in the room had like 8 channels, 2 of which were movie channels. Most of the movies being played were not recent and many I had never heard of. They played some new movies on the screen by the pool, but even those they repeated. Other than that they had HGTV, Discovery and Food network, and a music video channel playing 80's music videos. It seemed to be the same 10 videos on loop.
The food:
The buffet food ranged from okay to gross. Usually we stuck with the salad bar because it's hard to mess that up. They had a "Deli" with "hand carved" sandwiches. I tried the Ruben only to find out it was a pre-made sandwich taken out of a drawer and put into a convection oven. It came out as a soggy melted mess with no thousand island dressing or sour kraut and ended up going uneaten. The Guy's Burger Bar and Guy's Pig and Anchor didn't really look like anything great. The burgers just looked like a backyard bbq burger. The free pizza option on board was surprisingly good and we had that a couple of times for lunch. Eating in the MDR was okay, the food was fine, but nothing great. The real disappointment was that the menu hardly changed, it seemed to only mix up one or two entrees.
We ate at both paid dining options. The Prime Steakhouse ($42 pp) and Cucina Del Capitano ($18 pp). Both of those were actually really good. I understand why people may not like the up charge options, but I enjoy them as an option to get a better meal. I actually wished they had more than the two options on board.
Disembarking at the islands:
This was a real mess. I was used to how Norwegian would handle this with assigned groups depending on what excursions you had booked. It would control the flow of people trying to leave the ship. Carnival pretty much just pulled up, opened the door and said "have fun" which resulted in standing in lines in hot stairwells for over an hour. We even waited quite a while before attempting to leave in Bimini since we had no excursions planned and still got caught in it. People were getting hot and grumpy and staff just seemed confused.
The Passengers:
Now I've heard Carnival get called "The Walmart of the seas" and I now know why. People were just rude and not well behaved overall. You could be waiting for an elevator and as soon as one opens someone will run right in front of you to get on. People would leave trash/drinks everywhere, like in elevators. I witnessed multiple couples fighting in public areas, you could hear people fighting in their cabins. No general respect for other passengers, adults running up hallways yelling at night/early morning (kids I could understand), slamming cabin/balcony doors constantly. I saw multiple people banging on doors to venues that were closed. People had their shoes off with bare feet up on furniture in the indoor seating areas. Guys with no shirts in dining areas, and all I could think about was the amount of body hair that may be dropping off them lol. People were being rude to staff and just giving them an attitude all the time.It just seemed like people didn't know how to behave in a public setting. I saw one guy wearing as shirt that said something about making women cum, another person had one on advertising a bail bonds company, it represented my local Walmart pretty accurately.
The staff:
The staff was excellent. Everyone was so nice and gracious. Never had an issue once with a staff member all week. The cruise director was fun and entertaining. They did seem a bit short staffed if anything, which sucks for the staff that is there. Cost cutting by the company will get taken out on them, but I think that is a trend industry wide at the moment unfortunately.
Overall the vacation was not a complete bust. If anything some of the downfalls made it kind of funny, so we just laughed about it. Like I said we enjoyed our specialty meals, so that worked out. The lobby entertainment like the violinist and solo guitar player were really good, so we enjoyed evenings in that area just getting drinks and listening to the music. It was worth it to experience another cruise line, but we won't be going back. There are too many other options to waste another trip on Carnival. We have a 5 day trip booked on the Disney Dream in January. We will see how that goes, otherwise it will be back to Norwegian since we've yet to have a bad experience there. I may get called snobby, but I think I wouldn't go on Carnival for the same reasons I wouldn't stay in an Econolodge or Super 8.
TLDR: Tried Carnival for the first time since it has a port close to home. It really is like the Walmart of the seas and you get what you pay for I guess. It was our first and last time sailing with Carnival.

Chapter 86 - Eden, Still Part 2
​
Afternoon, the third day after Shel
Ce’lani ignored a few glances from curious onlookers as she perused the files. The library had expanded the Human database to be searchable from the desk-omnis, so after the encounter with Friar Barcio she slipped from the exhibit into a study hall to search through the endless records in relative privacy.
It was shocking that one planet could produce such a profusion of media, but practical search criteria helped to narrow things down. First, she’d set the parameter to his native English, then limited the search to the past twenty years. Something current seemed best, and the translator on her omni-pad was already getting a workout.
She’d given long and careful thought about how to express her feelings, and while personal and embarrassing, the key words she’d chosen reduced the returns from tens of thousands to thousands, then from thousands to hundreds. When she finally hit a return with just over four hundred, she bit her lip in thought.
Would Tom respond better to a song done by a man or a woman? If he were a Shil’vati male, she’d have picked a song sung by another woman… probably. It was more intimate, so something sung by a woman made sense when courting a man. It was coming from her, after all...
On the tip of the other tusk, Tom was a Human, and she’d seen him behave like a woman when the mood took him. Not merely like one of the gals. Mature, but still… Yet more important, this was something that would reach Miv’eire and Sholea, and while this wouldn't make her first impression with them, it still needed dignity. They’d been kind, understanding and welcoming – everything she’d ever wanted from kho-wives. Miv’eire was a noble, a Lady in every sense of the word, and Lea was the salt of the ocean; coming on too strong would look bad, or desperate, or both.
Something he could sing would be nice… so maybe something sung by a man was alright.
Keying her search in both ways didn’t help. There were still hundreds of entries.
Did it matter? This was coming from her. It had to be something that spoke to her feelings… It had to be real. Sincere. Unafraid to say what she yearned to say, even if she didn't know exactly how to say it. She looked at the search words one more time and made an addition.
Forty-one results.
That was better, and on a whim she sorted the list by title. Checking the time, Ce’lani bit her lower lip, set up the translator, and listened as the first melody began to play…
She’d been at it for over an hour when the clock marked noon, and she arched her back, wishing she’d picked out a more comfortable chair. Still, she’d gone through nearly half the files and marked down a few as promising. Leaning back in the chair, she rubbed her neck and started the next.
After a minute she started the file over, paying more attention to the lyrics…
Hello, my old heart. How have you been? Are you still there, inside my chest? I've been so worried, you've been so still. Barely beating at all…
_ _ _
“Good afternoon! This is Secretary Del Tir’rint, calling from Princess Ry’lee Tonhair kho Tasoo’s office. Might Gedris Ve’lin be available…? Yes, I’ll hold.” Del settled back in his chair, pondering the morning. The long conversation with Sholea Lanar kho Pel’avon had been delightful. The woman was clearly out to sea on what to do with her husband. Once he’d gotten her talking, it turned out she had a wonderfully straightforward manner; in the Imperial Palace, that was as refreshing as a breath of cool air on a hot summer day.
“Gedris?” Del smiled as the familiar voice came on the line. Gedris Ve’lin was a lovely woman, though unmarried, and she had been quite gracious to his wife at his sister’s fortieth birthday celebration. His wife found her quite charming, and after all, it was never too late to consider a fourth at their stage of- “Yes, it’s Del… Why, thank you, that’s very flattering. I agree, it’s been far too long. Kedri’s party was a lovely evening.”
Leaning back, he closed his eyes and nodded at the inevitable stream of pleasantries. While par for the course with many single women, at his age it was flattering to receive them at all. He’d raised his children and had his career, of course, but retirement was looming on the horizon, and his wives had some concerns. Penra retired last year, and while his work for the Imperial House was prestigious, two pensions and Riete’s income would only go so far. While they were reasonably fixed for now, Reite only had a few years to go, herself. Adding another to the family could have merit, and Gedris was the best of friends with his sister, after all… and she was certainly keen. Polite, but keen.
“You’re still in charge of the Roll of Wardens, I believe? Ah, that’s wonderful… As it happens, I’m calling on behalf of Lady Sholea, who’s a particular favorite of Princess Ry’lee… Yes, they’re all quite happy… Ah? Well, yes, you have guessed my intentions precisely!” Del said, warming to the conversation and gushing slightly. Gedris was a charming woman and it cost nothing to return the favor. “You know how these things are, but Ry’lee is never in the habit of trading on her station, so of course we’d like to look after the Lady’s needs… No, it's her husband, actually… Mmhmm… No, I’m given to understand he is a veteran, but I don’t have his records. Still, if you could look into it I’d be ever so grateful…?”
Del examined his nails idly as he listened to Gedris go through the motions. Certainly she had the prestige of her office to consider, but with thousands of positions to fill. Still, she’d gone on about the trial of finding a few hundred candidates every year at Kedri’s party.
“Yes? Oh, I’m sure the turnover in winter makes things difficult… Really? That’s wonderful… Hmm? Oh, it’s To’mas Wa’rick. Yes… Yes, I’ll send you the file from our office along with a recommendation - pending your review and approval, naturally.”
“Yes, that’s precisely what I thought too, but I couldn’t place the name! Did he now!? So that’s the fellow. How very extraordinary… No, I agree, it’s wonderful to see a fellow from the rim colonies making good. I very much appreciate you sparing some time on this and… Why yes, I think dinner does sound lovely. Just the four of us? I’ll talk to Penra and Reite and we’ll set something up for next Shel? Yes? Yes, I’m looking forward to it as well… Until then!”
Del hung up the connection with a smile on his face. It was a good day's work, and Ry’lee was a dear. Her requests were so few and far between that no one ever wanted to refuse her.
To’mas Wa’rrick… He’d heard the name, of course. Saving all those school children. Quite marvelous to see a man making a mark in a woman’s galaxy.
Damned odd name for a Shil’vati, but that was the rim worlds for you.
_ _ _
Qadira stared at the menu for the banquet. She’d skimmed through the file several times now without really seeing it, and she pushed the pad away in irritation. She had what she needed. Everything was in place, yet she’d spent the morning out of sorts, fumbling through the documents that crossed her attention. Her triumph was only three days away, yet it felt as though the anticipation was squeezing her chest, a weight on her mind as she worked, making her critical of even the most minor of choices.
At such times she would normally retreat to her apartment and work out of the office there, secure in the outward privacy of her rooms… or the greater privacy of her hidden chamber. It was a sanctuary, but there was too much to attend to. She needed to be out and doing, to be available to the countless scurrying minions that made the Northern Palace function. While she normally detested the woman who oversaw such administrative trifles, just now it would have been damned convenient if she hadn’t left Shil with Kamaud’re.
Even retreating to her palace of memory had become difficult. Normally its rooms and galleries were silent, her trophies on display as she called to mind facts and pondered plans, a shelter within her shelter - but sleep last night had eluded her, and her visit to that place in her mind produced… echoes.
Voices lingered there, a chorus in the background of her thoughts. She had always prided herself in its creation - it was a skill, and it could be learned - and until now it had always been an invaluable asset. Last night was the first time it had become a liability.
She tried to focus on the task at hand, the looming deadline of the banquet made that necessary, but the words on her omni-pad continued to elude her. Her mind raced over the expanse of details, merging into an incomprehensible mess of guests, security menus and minutia. It was an avalanche of expectations and pestering, distracting her from her work.
Her calling.
Voices echoed in her thoughts. Pestering questions, emails and memories merging into one another, as the pressure of the day mounted. The moment of her greatest act was at hand, and Khelira’s death would be…
The menu refused to go away, staring up at her like an accusation, as she squeezed her eyes shut, trying to block out the chaos, but the darkness only intensified the echoes in her mind.
She needed sleep so very badly.
_ _ _
Agent Lamana Duvari considered her quarry as the interview drew to a close. Marakhett, Kzintshki’s mother, was the closest thing to impenetrable she’d ever encountered. Usually subjects gave away something, but Pesrin body language wasn’t merely different. If the woman represented her species at all, it was entirely absent! Her tail twitched occasionally, but otherwise she could have been interviewing a stone.
It was vexing in its fashion, not because she was used to subjects being afraid of her. There was always some fool who thought she was tough enough to hammer rocks with her tits. No, Marakhett was just closed - a void you poured words into and nothing came out of. While her questions were answered satisfactorily, the Pesrin woman embellished nothing. She might as well have been talking to an omni-pad for all the response, and while she’d get back to the Academy with time to spare, the interview didn’t satisfy.
Still, that wasn’t for want of trying.
“I’d like to thank you for your time. This has all been very… straightforward.” She picked up her omni-pad, tucking it away. “Oh… There's just one other thing. I don’t suppose you can provide references for the boy your daughter is seeing?”
“Boy?”
An ear twitched.
“Yes, she’s seeing a boy! Parst of the Rithagian. Isn't that just so exciting for your family?” Duvari shrugged, not locking eyes with Marakhett, while her words took on the charade of banal pleasantries at home in the mouth of ‘Professor’ Duvari. “They had a contract with Duchess Elieana a few years before your arrival, though we have no records of their current whereabouts. Didn’t you know?”
The ear definitely twitched.
“My daughter is in the company of a boy? A Pesrin boy?”
…Goddess be praised. A complete sentence…
“Why, yes! He seems to be established at a business known as the Tide Pool. You must be thrilled for her!” Lamana slipped back into her chair. “Your daughter seems above reproach, but I was hoping you might know some details. It's always helpful to establish someone’s intimate circles…”
_ _ _
Oh, don't leave me here alone, Don't tell me that we've grown, For having loved, a little while, Oh, I don't want to be alone. I want to find a home, And I want to share it with you. _ _ _
The IOTC hall had been swept three times by Lt. Tala, who’d sworn there was no way to listen in. Ce’lani relaxed, taking an active interest throughout the meeting. As a professional, she found the planning elements on point, though they struck her as… unusual. It was a jumbled mess, but it was supposed to be… Ordinarily, she liked her missions clearly defined, but if the objective was supposed to be chaos, this was certainly going to cast a wide net. The interesting thing was that while each element was pure chaos, they were redundant. Paths crossing and recrossing, but if one of them failed, two or three others were there to take its place.
She still adored Tom, but as the plan unfurled, it became difficult not to see him in a new light. She’d known that he had a sharp mind, but this was… cunning. Shrewd, calculated and even twisted, but definitely cunning. Miv’eire was there at Tom’s side, and had cast glances her way more often than expected. That was something to think about… She’d sent the note with the music right before the meeting, so they couldn’t have seen it yet, but the way Miv kept looking her way made her nervous. Screwing up the courage to hit send before the meeting had definitely been the right choice.
The Painters were there, in the company of a woman named Marin. The twins… well, they were gifted, and intelligent, but as escorts? The girls were besotted with the Painters and the feeling was clearly mutual, so it was good to see someone sensible taking charge. Still, the malware program they’d created? That was something to worry about, but fortunately it could be someone else’s security nightmare…
Princess Yn’dara and her entire family conferenced in. That explained the program. An agent in the Northern Palace - another Tom, of all things - confirmed the malware was installed in the system. Yn’dara and Adam would be attending the banquet, of course… though the rest of Yn’dara’s kho-wives? THAT was a surprise…
Agent Duvari was there, and actually seemed in good spirits. Often as not, that could be dangerous, but whatever the grinshaw had her claws on, she’d been focused on hammering out all the final details, and minding the IOTC girls. Warrick might be taking over their training, but they were in active service for this event…
Princess Khelira went over the report from Vedeem. He and the IOTC girl confirmed the cadets were trained, and went over the menu. That was… odd… but Tom seemed happy with it all. Still, she added things to the table of equipment along with Setar, while Be’ona sent word to the ground pods. Tala and her pod of EW geeks would be staying in the bunker to handle comms and her element...
Then there were the girls, and the waiters from The Tide Pool…
…If I hadn't seen the wedding I wouldn't have believed it. At least those were school girls! They’re going to give some elderly matriarch a heart attack…
All things considered, would anyone notice?
As the meeting came to a close and Princess Yn’dara logged out, she caught Miv’eire looking her way again. Tom had been talking with Princess Khelira, but just now he was staring at his omni-pad. Ce’lani felt her stomach give a slow roll as his brow drew into a frown…
“What the hell!?”
_ _ _
Melondi discreetly tucked away her omni-pad as Desi nodded encouragement. “Lady Wicama will help Monsignor Barcio find some good locations. She’ll put him in contact with someone reputable near Prelitauri, so if they get homesick for Human food they’ll have somewhere to eat!”
“I know you haven’t seen much of it, father, but Prelitauri has some really nice areas. Not too expensive yet, but Mister D’saari made a great choice for where to put his restaurant,” Desi chimed in encouragingly, though she glanced back at Melondi with moment’s apprehension before continuing, “If they can afford to buy property, they’ll do even better. Um… Can Monsignor Barcio afford it?”
Tom snorted. “The Vatican? They’re comfortably well off.”
Desi grinned abruptly, catching on. “Like, ‘socially secure’?”
“Very.” Tom chuckled, gazing at Desi jovially. It was clearly a shared joke, and Melondi felt a mixture of happiness for Desi and a hint of jealousy at their private moment. It made her wonder what it would have been like to know her own father.
There wasn't any easy way to say this, but if she couldn't say it now, in front of Desi and Professor Pel’avon, when could she? It felt wrong to interrupt their friendly banter, but she felt the ghost of Lady Wicama’s elocution lessons taking over. She stood her ground and spoke formally, aware she was trying to lend weight to her words. Formalities mattered. That’s why they were formalities to begin with.
“Professor, I haven’t thanked you enough for being willing to do this for me,” she began, her words still feeling awkward given the envy she’d felt only moments before. If this all went wrong, feelings could be hurt, or worse, but she needed to know. “Sir, I don't want this to sound wrong, but… why are you doing this? I’m grateful, but… After the lesson on the war? Please? I need to know why.”
Miv’eire looked as apprehensive as she felt inside, but Tom didn't notice. He paused in fumbling with his omni-pad and shrugged. “The lesson that follows that war? It’s about what happens when there’s no forgiveness.” Tom gazed at her intently. “As you grow older you have to make a choice. One day, you find you have to decide if you’re going to be your best self, or your real self. Choose if you'll be loyal to who you ought to be and live a lie, or who you really are and make the best you that you can. Do you understand?”
“I understand about being Khelira,” she said earnestly, glancing over at Desi. “Learning to be Melondi has taught me a lot about being Khelira.”
“Sort of the same thing. So am I just ‘the professor who teaches you about Humans’, or the guy who sees a problem and says ‘what can I do about it’? I made my choice, and no regrets,” he replied, and his eyes felt tender as he looked at her and Desi. She felt another fleeting moment's jealousy, but the moment gave way to the gratitude welling up inside her. It was a moment in time, and one she could cherish as her own.
Tom returned to prodding at his omni-pad. “Anyway, time to crash and burn, or fly. Let me just check on one thing with Bherdin and we can get out of… What the hell!?”
His abrupt exclamation echoed through the room, and silence fell immediately. One of the Captains stumbled, nearly dropping her omni-pad.
“Tom? What’s wrong?” Miv stepped in, looking over his shoulder. “What is it?”
“This! This email!” Tom jabbed at the omni-pad in frustration. “It says I’ve been drafted into something called the Wardens?” He waved the omni-pad absently, before Miv took it from him. “What the hell is that? Drafted!? I’m too old to be drafted!”
“This is obviously a mistake, and I’m sure we can clear this up.” Miv looked at the omni-pad, biting her lip. “The important thing to remember is that this is nobody’s fault… at all.”
“It wasn't me either, but sir, that's wonderful!” Melondi beamed, unable to restrain her excitement. “It's really just an honorary sinecure for veterans! There’s the Main Palace, and North, South, East and West Palaces! Anyway, three shifts a day, two of the Wardens come out to perform the Rite of the Gate. It’s for show these days, but you’ll get to wear the uniform and it provides a honorarium to about… umm 18,000 veterans. It’s nice!”
“Oh!” Desi exclaimed, catching on to her excitement. “You mean the ones in the blue and silver uniform with the hat?!”
“That’s them.” she tried to explain, grinning despite his concerns. “It’s just a one hour ceremony, and there should be a nice stipend.”
“One hour a year?” His look was… dubious, but he was absorbing her words. “That’s all?”
“Just one hour, honestly!” she nodded enthusiastically.
“Father, you shouldn't mind.” Desi took Miv’eire’s hand supportively. “It's a huge honor.”
Professor Pel’avon was nodding, trying to offer a united front. “Besides, you look great in a skirt.”
“Kilt! It’s a kilt!”
_ _ _
Let’zi sat on her bed, gazing out of the window at the gloomy day outside. It was just past noon, but fog billowed across the commons, and the sun was hidden away beyond the black storm clouds rolling past. Not a sound of the chaos outside penetrated her window, shrouding her in the darkness of the storm and silence. The storm would have suited her mood perfectly, if she’d been able to feel anything at all.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the chime at her doorcom. “Let’zi? It's Dihsala. Can I come in?”
It was best to get this over with, and she drew a deep breath in anticipation. “Open…”
She didn’t look back as Dihsala slipped inside, closing the door behind her. “Hi… How are you doing?”
Let’zi closed her eyes in silent supplication to Drepna. This was precisely why she’d never spoken of this to anyone. Her friends had all tried to be supportive that morning, which was wonderful for a time… but it had been easy to see they didn’t fully understand. Why would they? She didn’t want to embarrass and humiliate herself further by trying to explain, and now this. “Fine. I’m fine.”
“Oh… That’s good, then.” There was a sound as Dihsala slid into the chair. She braced herself for the usual platitudes to begin, but to her surprise as the minutes passed, Dihsala sat there without uttering a word, sharing the dim twilight.
Let’zi watched droplets of water run down the window as the silence stretched on. “I embarrassed myself this morning. Sorry.” Dihsala had a tendency to be self-centered, and the very last thing she wanted to hear right now was the world from that perspective. “I’m kind of a mess as a friend right now, but thanks for coming by.”
“Look, Let’zi… I get it. Goddess, it wasn’t that long ago I had to admit my family was cooking our books… I still don’t know what I’m going to do about it over summer, but I get it. Honestly!” Dihsala huffed expansively. “Parents suck. I mean, we’re all here trying to change our worlds, and they’ve forgotten what that’s like. Sure, they want us to be like them… but life isn’t all pretty pictures. They don’t teach us about the things they did wrong. We have to figure it out all on our own.”
“You really think so?” She mumbled, staring sullenly into the gray horizon.
“I know it. I’ll be spending the rest of my life guarding against their mistakes… Sins of the mothers…” Dihsala said quietly before her voice grew firm. “I do get it. And if any of the other girls don’t? Fuck em!”
Silent lightning flashed across the sky, arcing through the growing storm. Outside, the peal of thunder would surely sound like Hele’s own forge, but inside her room, all was lingering silence. She heard Dihsala shift about once, as more minutes passed.
“Did they ever hit you?” She whispered.
“Let’zi? Um…” There was the sound of movement in the chair behind her, and Let’zi closed her eyes, unwilling to even watch the storm. “No, never… Yours did?”
“Yes.” She tucked her legs up against her chest, wishing it was night. It felt like night all the time whenever she remembered. “The first time was on my fourth birthday… My father and mother were there, and my kho-mother, Olana, showed up as a surprise. She’d been deployed, and no one expected her back, you know, and my father made this big dinner. It was nice, until they started drinking. Both her and my mother... And I didn’t finish dinner. It was a big meal… but I didn’t finish my olat beans, and my mothers got into a fight. My father did his best, but they were both standing there over me, and… That was the first time anyone hit me.”
Let’zi still refused to curl into a ball and show her pain. Dihsala had her faults, but she wouldn’t talk.
“She slammed her fist into my shoulder, hard. It hurt and I can still remember being so… scared, maybe, but confused, too. I didn’t know why she was so upset. It didn’t make any sense.” Her mouth felt suddenly dry and she swallowed, wishing Krek would use the rain to sweep her into the sea, but it didn’t happen. “They all just stood there screaming while I cried and tried to finish the olat… Even when they left the room, they kept yelling, so I ran into my bedroom and hid in the closet… I don’t know how long it was until my sister found me.”
She heard Dihsala slip on the bed next to her and felt an arm slip around her shoulder. “No one should go through that alone. Just remember your sister was there.”
“Everything changed after that night. I was just too young to understand.” She shook her head, opening her eyes again but seeing nothing. “I had sisters, but not after that. Not really. After a while my family got my kho-mother’s drinking under control, but there was just nothing after that. Things didn’t get better. Just… nothing.”
“Okay… so no sisters… but I’m your friend.” Let’zi shrugged. “Maybe hard to deal with now and then, but I am your friend.”
In the dark of the storm, it was hard to see Let’zi’s face, even sitting right beside her. “What if someone has no family or friends? What if there's something wrong with me - if I’m a monster and don't know it?”
“If a woman has no family or friends then she might as well jump into the Deeps, but Let’zi, you aren't a monster. Monsters wouldn't ask - and you have friends.” Dihsala said firmly, hugging her quickly before settling back, a black silhouette regarding her in the darkness. “Maybe growing up like that makes it harder to feel like people care, but we do.”
“I was FOUR!!!”
She hadn’t meant to shout, but the words came out like a wail. It filled her with frustration and she pounded the mattress with her fist... and remembered the punch. She stared at her hand woodenly, forcing it to unclench and when she found her voice, her words were low and even… controlled.
“Dihsala? What if we can’t escape how we’re made? What if that’s all growing up is? The older you get, the more pain you have inside, and it just goes on and on?”
“We can’t change growing up.” The words came out carefully, as Dihsala sorted through her own memories. “We depend on our parents to be who we need them to be, and when they fail… it tears you up inside. But growing up means defining yourself. You have to ask if you’re going to be the girl you were then, or if you’re going to become the kind of woman you want to be.”
Let’zi watched as the rain spattered against her window, running down in dark rivulets against the gray sky. “Just like that?”
“I never said it was simple, just that it’s our choice. I’m pretty sure that’s why we pick our husbands and kho-wives the way we do.” Dihsala suddenly leaned back and crooned, “We get by with a little help from our friends!”
The room was still black as pitch in between the lightning, but she blinked in surprise all the same. “I didn’t know you liked Human music?”
“Oh, come on. Seriously, who wouldn’t do Paul?” Let’zi reached over, and turned on the desk light. “And when they’re right, they’re right. You’ll get through this with friends, so you’re covered. Even if you have to bask in my glory – so stop being so gloomy. That’s Kzintshki’s job, and she’s better at it.”
It was a terrible attempt to cheer her up, but somehow she felt less alone all the same. “Bite me.”
“I’m pretty sure that’s her job, too.” Dihsala snorted.
“So you’d ‘do’ Paul?” Let’zi pursed her lips. “Goddess, that sounds so-”
“Honest?” Dishsala tossed her hair back, cocking her head to look at her sharply. “Tell me you wouldn’t bang Paul silly?”
“Fine. I’d bang Paul silly.” she admitted guiltily. Goddess, she could just feel herself turning blue. “Who wouldn’t?”
“Well, Jax’mi and Lark like John, and Nestha likes George.” Dihsala shrugged in answer to her look of disbelief. “Hey, I’m still not comfortable talking around most of them, but I listen… Anyway, that's not as bad as listening to the twins in the bathroom every morning. They like Ringo.”
The snort came unbidden. It wasn’t something a lady should do, but she couldn’t help laughing anyway. “Ringo!? You are kidding!”
“Am not. Get up with me tomorrow! I swear to Niosa they sing ‘Stop and Smell the Roses’ in the shower.” Dihsala shuddered and gave an exaggerated roll of her eyes. “One of them belts out ‘Stop!’, and off they go! Every… single… morning!’
_ _ _
Hello, my old heart, It's been so long, Since I've given you away. And every day, I add another stone To the walls I built around you, To keep you safe.
_ _ _
Marakhett strode through the bustling lobby of the Tide Pool gripped in horrified fascination. A male Pesrin… here? Dispensing with Agent Duvari’s interview had been her plan from the start, keeping her answers terse yet honest, but the woman’s news made this trip necessary.
The establishment was alive with… activity. Although mostly that seemed to be catering to the mid day meal, and the aroma of countless scents assaulted her while the evidence of other trades was raucously clear. Dispensing with the little Shil’vati who had shown her to a table, she drew out her omni-pad and checked the latest text from Sunchaser, their Pathfinder.
S: Are you sure this is a good idea?
Sunchaser would have accompanied her, but there was no element of danger, and so Marakhett set out minutes after the Interior woman departure, securing her station and texting the Pathfinder on the go.
Sunchaser must have been busy investigating her request, but the response arrived swiftly.
M: Stop bothering me about that. Have you found information on the Rithagian?
S: Sort of. I reached out to the Curmoica. They’re working a contract in the South Reaches and-
M: The Curmoica are mangy aurex thieves. Why are you talking to THEM?
S: We’re all aurex thieves - they’re just sloppy. Anyway, mind the Fifteenth Kahachakt. If a warband has gone missing, it's vital everyone knows. The Curmoica has been in this system longest, and while we dont talk to each other, I am talking to Moonwhisper, the pathfinder for the Marrachton - they’ve got the contract out in the asteroid belt. Stargazer of the Chut’kahat vouches for her. Moonwhisper’s the one talking to the Curmoica, until their Pathfinder is ready to talk to me. Their Pathfinder is young for the job and probably doesn't want to consult her bands mothers before talking to me, but at least she’s willing to share information with Moonwhisper for now, so I’m-
Marakhett felt her fangs bare in frustration. Sunchaser could ramble on forever, turning minutes into hours, but at least they weren't in a Band meeting, now… She hunched over her table, typing furiously.
M: Is there news or isn’t there!?
S: Yes and no. I’d never heard of the Rithagian, but they're in the records. They come from the leeward side of Pesh, so they’re niblifos. So far I’ve confirmed they were working here - for Duchess Elieana, too - but that’s all. I think they’ve gone dark.
Niblifos… so not allies, but not enemies, either. One of the Warbands who’d been too distant to matter. Still, if a warband had gone dark, that was cause for concern - even enemies kept track of one another. The wisdom of Fifteenth Kahachakt meant there were friends, enemies… and everyone else. This far from home, an awareness of everyone else came first.
At least meeting this boy wouldn’t necessarily entail the fight she’d prepared for. It was troubling Kzintshki had not mentioned this Parst yet, but perhaps it was much about nothing. The Agent had been trying to goad her throughout their interview, but if the Rithagian went dark, what would possess them to leave a child… a male… here?
Just as she was about to pester Sunchaser for more information, her nose picked up the scent she’d been seeking. There were countless species thronging this place, the scent of a Pesrin male which had been lingering in the background, grew suddenly stronger. Marrakhett cast about the room…
There.
So that was Parst of the Rithagian. At least now she could understand what the fuss was about. Her daughter’s silence meant Kzintshki was probably stalking with care. That was sensible, given the competition a male would create with her bandsisters.
Parst emerged from a service corridor, assisting two Shil’vati males guiding a dolly laden with food to a table. His fur was as black as her own, though the blaze at his throat ran tantalizingly down his chest. He wore a silly black bow at his neck, though that seemed de rigueur for the staff in this… establishment. She observed him with interest as he finished helping them serve, noting the way he deftly avoided a woman’s attempt to grab his asiak.
In a place where privacy was a commodity, now seemed as good a time to reveal herself. While Parst had his back to her, he stiffened, undoubtedly catching her presence as she lingered in the shadows. She approached silently, and waited as he dismissed the others.
Commendable.
“Hey sexy. I wondered when you’d commmm… Um.” His words froze as he turned to face her. “Hi. Welcome to the Tide Pool.”
_ _ _
Parst’s senses perked up as he detected the familiar scent, though it barely cut through the array of smells from the platters of Helkam fusion cuisine he’d just served at table 61. Despite the lingering aroma, he was sure he’d know that scent anywhere.
Kzintshki. It had to be.
Drawing in another breath, he waved at Abler and Lyrad as they retreated to the kitchen. The lunchtime crowd was in full swing, but he could spare a few minutes. Straightening his bow tie, he drew himself into a formal pose, and suppressed a purr of satisfaction. Kzintshki was dark, spikey, and had a moody temper… Who knew a woman like that could be so damned appealing?
“Hey sexy. I wondered when you’d commmm… Um.” Parst’s words froze as faced the woman before him. Not Kzintshki. Very definitely not Kzintshki, but she smelled just like her.
…Oh…Well, fuck, great job there…
He had the presence of mind to remain still, and focused on holding his asiak steady. It had been years since he’d scented a Pesrin besides Kzintshki, but he still remembered the way family scents intertwined. The woman before him had to be related.
“Hi. Welcome to the Tide Pool.”
The woman standing appeared unarmed… at least visibly. The combat vest she wore looked comfortably broken in, and he managed not to swallow at the sight of the kill-rings prominently displayed on her ear. He cautiously took another sniff. Her sable pelt matched his own, though the white blaze at her throat was far smaller…
…Goddess, do I remind Kzintshki of her…
“I am Marakhett,” she said flatly. “You wish to be courted by my daughter.”
… of her mother…
Parst’s mind raced as he considered his options. It was certainly true that he was single, and Kzintshki appeared to have a good situation, and in her own unique way she’d made it clear she was interested. Homicidal, but interested. Of course, he’d played it cool - you learned that working at the Tide Pool, if you didn’t want to be pawed by the crowd into fur, and…
…and she hadn’t made it a question. Sweet goddess, what do I say?…
That left fight or flight, while Marakhett stood there scrutinizing him.
“Yes, I do,” he blurted.
…What the fuck? Why did I say that!?!…
“Good. I know my daughter, so kindly do so without pretending you aren’t interested in each other - it’s tiresome.” Marakhett flicked her asiak in a complicated flip that he tried to call to memory as she turned away. “Be true, or else.”
“Or else?” Parst bridled, despite himself. He’d worked hard to put his life together, and while Kzintshki courting him was one thing, being coerced into it was something else! This was his home, Deeps take it! His pelt bristled as he stood his ground. “Or else what? You’ll cut me into wafer-thin pieces?”
Marakhett paused, a hint of fang showing as she regarded him archly. “Or else I tell my band's other daughters all about you… and this place… and possibly even other warbands. I’m sure you’d become very popular.”
Oh.
…Oh, shit…
_ _ _
Hello, my old heart, How have you been? How is it, being locked away? Don't you worry, in there you're safe And it's true, you'll never beat - But you'll never break…
_ _ _
“Captain?” Ce’lani glanced over at Kalani as she entered Ops. Her sergeant had an apprehensive look on her face. Normally Sgt Diani would linger and be in the middle of some story, while Kalani and Vaeko would be occupied with their Rubik’s block. Pod Six had slipping out of Ops without a word, and the apprehension in Kala’s voice immediately set her on edge.
“What is it?” she asked as she slid into the left seat. “Any updates on station?”
“Perimeter’s secure,” Vae said quietly. “Pod three is on station and reports twelve by twelve.”
“The objective’s secure,” Kala added.
It was the absence of anything else that made her stomach flip. Usually Kala and Vae were plotting over a game or the latest goings on, talking about the coming movie night or arguing over last week’s. This was…
The silence was unsettling, and Ce’lani’s stomach churned into the Deeps. The incident at the meeting had nearly killed her. Thank the goddess that was only her misunderstanding… but now?
Tom always read his mail when he got home.
The Objective was there on screen one, and she ran a check on her board, fighting off the impending dread that tore at her. She feld weighed down as she mechanically reached over and pulled up the camera on his home. He wasn't there, and she switched to the camera in Miv’eire’s apartment.
Tom sat on the couch, clutching his omni-pad. Tears rolled down his face as he sobbed silently.
…Oh... Goddess forgive me, what have I done…
She turned off the camera as her world died inside.

[US to Anywhere][Sell/Swap][Perfume] Mostly FS and 2mL decants.
BASIC INFO

• Please comment to claim, I can not see chats on my mobile app. I prefer to complete the transaction using the PM system as opposed to chats, but if you're offering me money I won't be too picky.
• Shipping to the US is $5 or free if you buy $50+
• International shipping would probably ~$18 to most places, $16 to Canada (but please ask for a quote if outside the US), and $10 anywhere for $50+ purchases (up to 8oz/225g). I can ship to Ajevie.
• I always try to ship next business day after payment.
• Payment or some kind of communication should be sent within 24 hours of claiming. If not, I will relist your item. No sob stories, either pay on time or don't claim it until you can. Ghosting on a sale (no communication for 48 hours after a reminder) will get you blocked.
• All packages include candy, stickers, and teabags, if you do NOT want these items please let me know (candy may contain allergens such as dairy or nuts, I can not customize candy for special dietary needs but I can leave it out and put in extra tea and stickers).
• LINK TO DECANT SPREADHSEET Decants only, most of these bottles are not for sale (though there are a few I might swap for an ISO).
• ALL decants are 2mL "mini rollerballs", not slinks. Please review the spreadsheet and prices before requesting anything.

FREE PACKING MATERIAL
At my job, I throw out thousands of little bubble wrap bags (~3"x4", no sticky strip) and sheets of ultra-thin packing foam (this is what I usually use, if you've ever received one of my destash packages) every week. This stuff is used to ship stainless steel components and is all perfectly clean. If anyone here would like some, I would be more than happy to send you as much as I can shove into a 9x12 envelope for $5 (to cover shipping and PayPal fees) or for no additional cost if you purchase something off my destash.
ISO
Mostly for swaps at this point. There's a small chance I'd buy DCed, partial, or just reaaaal cheap items. I will be very picky and stingy when it comes to $ purchases. However, I am happy to swap generously in your favor.
If something is marked "FS", I'd probably accept partials/decants with 2mL+. If something is marked "sample", I'd probably take a FS as part of a swap.
Purchase/swap minimum is ~3mLs, either in a bottle or several samples. Shipping any less is not worth the postage. I am happy to sell smaller amounts, just not buy/swap them.

• Debaucherous Bath & Body: Coyote Red (any amt), The Bee Queen (any amt), Red Queen's Rage (FS) - I am willing to purchase these or trade heavily in your favor.
• Deep Midnight: (All FS/partial) Black Arrow, Aurora Borealis, Skeleton Crew, A Study in Brown, Halfling's Party, Seven Veils
• Fantome: (Prefer 4mL, would consider cheap/partial 9mL) Coyoacán, Kupala, Finist the Falcon, Olwyn, Lorelei
• Haus of Gloi: Molokai FS (100% willing to buy)
• Kyse: Zucchero Filato (6mL preferred, but would consider any 3ml+)
• Olympic Orchids: Woodcut (5mL)
• Pineward: Cotswold (dram), Delfino (sample/dram), Noki (sample/dram)
• Possets: The Grace of the Posset (FS), Perkin (FS or sample), Pertelote (FS or sample), Romanee-Conti (FS or sample)
• Sorcellerie Apothecary: (Mostly ISO 3+ samples/seller, but would be happy to swap for FS bottles) Fuckery, Moon Magic, Snow Moon Magic, Her Kind, Clairsentient, Something Wicked, A Witch's Valentine, Mermaids Sing of Lost Lovers, Strings of Light in the Forest, We Are All Stardust
• Try me: I may be picky for non-ISO swaps, but here are the broad categories I'm most likely to swap for right now (ISOs aside): Florimands, fruity/gourmand aquatics (sweet), beachy/sunscreen/tropical scents, mainstreamy sweet/summery smells, evergreen-gourmand blends. 'Try me' only applies to 2mL+, I am not interested in any tiny samples/slinks unless noted above.

FOR SALE Most FS, a few samples/decants.
I'm trying to sell these but if they don't sell I might be wiling to decant some (2mL only), so if you're interested, please ask.
MAKE AN OFFER: Has something been here for a while? PLEASE feel free to make an offer for anything that's been sitting in my destash for a while. I want to get this stuff out of my house and into the hands of someone who will use it. (does NOT apply to made-to-order decants, ready-to-ship destash items only).

• NEW Alchemic Muse - Zanzibar (agave nectar, coconut, and mandarin leaf in a decadent base of Mysore sandalwood, tonka bean, and black vanilla bourbon) $12
• Alchemic Muse - Bali Ha'i (A tempting blend of effervescent, tropical fruits and exotic flowers… juicy acai berry, mango zest, tart passion fruit, yuzu zest, and sweet pineapple.) $10
• Alchemic Muse - Thaiphoon (A lush and tropical deluge of fresh lemongrass and coconut milk with sweet orchids, smoky vetiver, and ocean drenched driftwood creates an exotic scent.) $10
• Alchemic Muse - Beguile (A tantalizing blend of strawberry, white peach, bergamot, and African tamarind at play with apple blossom and whispers of damask rose leading to a seductive base of tonka bean, coconut milk and white musk.) $10
• Alkemia - Baiser du Soleil (Black coconut musk, White musk, Vanilla orchid, Star jasmine, White hyacinth) $18 rollerball, used once.
• Alkemia - Love Among the Ruins (An ancient ruin of fallen stonework covered with lichen and tangles of flowering vines slowly disintegrating/returning to nature.) $18 rollerball, used once.
• Alkemia - Surcie (heavenly rosewater chiffon, soft jasmine musk, flirty mandarin orange, creamy vanilla, and alluring Egyptian amber) $16 rollerball
• Arcana Craves - Salt (single note) 5mL $12
• Arcana Craves - Strawberries Crave Waterfalls (rain, woodland strawberries, fresh water, petitgrain, osmanthus, clover, and smooth amber) 1.5mL rollerball decant $5.
• Arcana Craves - Peaches Crave Rainbow Starfish (Fluffy candyfloss, soft pink amber, Madagascan vanilla bean, sugared ylang ylang petals, fuzzy peach skin, Autumnal blonde woods, and a cerulean ocean wave.) 1mL decant, not made by me, $3
• Arcana Craves - Honey Craves Paradise (An opening of richly sugared mango expands into a blend of heady tiare blossoms, delicate honey, golden sand, and warm coconut-scented body oil) ~70% w/ rollerball $11
• Arcana Wildcraft - Gráinne Mhaol (An opening of cold apples and wild harvested seaweed gives way to a heart of deep Irish cedarwood, damp incense, a coniferous forest of wild yew and pine, billowing salt-encrusted sails, sheer Ambroxan, white clover blossoms, and a bit of brown musk.) 5mL $22
• Arcana Wildcraft - Phoebus (Smoked vanilla, sweet resins, red musk, marshmallow, and fiery woodsmoke) 5mL $19
• Arcana Wildcraft - Haint (white musk, vanilla musk, Madagascar vanilla, sugarcane, and a faint trail of white pepper) 2mL (decant ready to ship) $11
• Cocoa Pink - Ratwater 1881 (frontier bourbon, temptingly sweet spiced vanilla, and the warm smoky wood of charred oak barrels) 10mL oil, full to just above label, $16
• NEW Cocoa Pink - Pineapple Basmati Rice (Tart fragrant pineapple, creamy basmati rice, silky white coconut flesh and golden toasted coconut Co2s; adorned with caramel-roasted pecans) 2.5mL oil sample $5
• Firebird - Black Moon (smoked lavender, licorice candy, burnt sugar, charred wood, glowing embers) 9mL TOL $8
• Firebird - Pinecone (cedar, clove, black cardamom, caramelized coffee bean, dark woods) 9mL TOL $8
• Luvmilk - Rabbit Cafe (Sugary fried dough, strawberry jam, and a hint of florals such as gardenia and jasmine meet vanilla, coconut musk, and white amber) 9mL rollerball at ~40% $7
• Pineward - Gelatto (makrut lime, jasmine sambac, mandarin orange, gardenia, massoia bark, sandalwood, ambergris) $12, dram sprayer
• Possets - Hembra (Fennel, brown sugar, crystal musk, and a slight amount of a silk-like fragrance) $14
• Possets - The Golden Diadem (all golden things: sweet hawthorne, darkest gold honey and molasses, syrup of tamarind, and candied ginger) $15
• NEW Possets - Alisoun (White vanilla, Australian apricot and a layer of honey musk.) $15
• Solstice Scents - Edge of Night (Black Vanilla, Soft Spices, Red Musk, Chypre Base) $14
• NEW Solstice Scents - Rose Custard Kulfi (rosewater, saffron, cardamom, coconut vanilla custard, caramelized sugar, dates, pistachios, lime zest) $9 ~2mLs in original bottle
• The Strange South - Before The Drop (Peppermint, green tea, marshmallow, heather, violet, and evening rain) ~4mLs in 9mL bottle (depleted from decanting, not use) $8
• Valerie's Uncommon Scents - Blue Raspberry Slushie (Ripened raspberries, sugary cotton candy, and the effervescence of crushed ice) 9mL rollerball $2.50. This is a pre-blended fragrance oil.
• Valerie's Uncommon Scents - Pink Sugars (top notes of sweetness, sugary lemon drops and pink cotton candy. A fruity light floral middle of red fruit, fig leaves, caramel and raspberry rounds out with soft and sweet vanilla-musk base notes) 9mL rollerball $2.50. This one smells like the cotton candy note in Alkemia's Calliope. This is a pre-blended fragrance oil.
• Valerie's Uncommon Scents - Salt Shaker (fresh, salty, lime along with hints of flowery pineapple aromas and a base of warm vanilla) 9mL rollerball $2.50. This is a pre-blended fragrance oil.

2mL DECANTS FROM MY COLLECTION
I have more perfume than I will use up in a lifetime, so I'm opening up my FS collection to decants, at least the things I have enough of or use infrequently enough. Due to the time-consuming, tedious nature of decanting, I will be offering 1x 2mL decant per (available) scent. These are intended to function more like a mini FS in a collection rather than a sample/tester.
This is not a business, all bottles here were purchased for personal use. I do not, and never will, have "leftovers", nor do keep a stash of unlisted inventory.
I put everything available in BOLD. Things I will not decant are either in heavy rotation, from dead houses, DCed, already low, or already had a decant removed. I am 100% open to making decants as part of a swap.
Here's a quick list, see spreadsheet for notes and prices:

• Alkemia: Bohemiens en Voyage, Silken Tent, Fume, Ecstasies of Light, Foxfire
• Alchemia Muse: Beguile, Pumpkin Chai
• Arcana Craves: Strawberries Crave Black Sand, Strawberries Crave Nyx, Strawberries Crave Sea Turtles, Vanilla Craves the Honor of Aphrodite, Pumpkins Crave Quietude, Vanilla Craves Aurora (open to swapping FS or selling for $18), Peaches Crave Rainbow Starfish, Cardamom, Strawberry #1, Yellow Cake, Pineapple, Moss, Brown Bread, Fresh Ginger, Fir Balsam, Pink Moonbeams, Strawberries Crave Lucy, Blueberries Crave Garden Parties, Vanilla Craves Sparkly Dresses, Vanilla Craves Grind Shows
• Arcana Wildcraft: White Fire, Bonfires at Dusk, Devilish, Black Sand, Phoebus, Witches Watch Sci-Fi Movies, Nectar, Bellatrix, Lady Lamb
• Cocoa Pink: Genevieve, Witches Butter
• Deep Midnight: Boudica, Bumble
• Fantome: Vasilisa
• Firebird: Nectar, Saltwater, Amanita
• Fyrinnae: Aerobaking, Serval
• Kyse: Oui Plus!, Douceur Brulee, Terrano Dolce
• NAVA: Joan d'Arc
• Nui Cobalt: Balefire
• Pineward: Treacle
• Poesie: Goldfish Princess
• Possets: The Golden Diadem, Dance With Me
• Smelly Yeti: Princess Jellyfish
• Solstice Scents: Camp Willow, Foxcroft Fairgrounds, Gunnerson's Pumpkin Patch, Flowers Nocturnal, Runestone, Farmhouse In Winter
• Wylde Ivy: Wylde Summer, She Sells Seashells, One Thousand Lights, Fireborn, Wild Strawberry Rose Water, Surf Girl, Twilight Paradise, Black Blossom Honey, In The Glow

LINK TO SPREADHSEET