This is all a mix of different issues I think.
TLDR;
Information processing and speech fluency issues are kicking my ass.
My body language speaks louder than me. I'm semi verbal around people I'm comfortable with and non-verbal toward most others. I can push through it, but pushing through it causes disastrous social outcomes at times. I fundamentally don't understand how people have a fluid conversation. My brain struggles with every part needed to communicate.
Because I didn't know how to label my information processing issues, I built other frameworks to explain why I struggled. I haven't effectively dealt with this because I just got the words to explain what I was going through.
I have a speech issue that I'm still trying to understand. I lost my health insurance recently otherwise I'd be trying to see a speech pathologist.
I struggle to understand words, even ones I know. As in, when I read or listen, words don't automatically have meaning. I have to read a sentence over and over, break it down by parts, check for comprehension every step of the way. While I think everyone has to do this to some degree, I struggle to a point of learning difficulties. I'll read out loud over and over and take meticulous notes otherwise things don't make sense. People have looked at this and have seen this as proof that I don't struggle, because I /can/ analyze and break things apart, but what they don't understand is that I have to do extrenuous things in order for anything to stick. And it rarely does. I've had to build systems around it so that I understand what's happening.
I'll even take notes while I'm on the phone with someone and I start getting lost. I'll write key words I was able to make out to help me with processing what I'm hearing.
Things don't really stick in my memory. What I read, what I hear. I listen to a daily news podcast and I replay it a minimum of 3 times to really understand everything going on. I take notes on it too. So much note taking!
When I do speak, my words are chopped up and mixed up, slurred, I stutter, the sentence syntax isn't very logical. I misspeak more often than I say a sentence fluidly.
When people talk to me, they can get visibly frustrated when they think I'm choosing to mishear them or that I'm selfishly choosing to not listen at all. I understand their frustration, I'd feel the same if I thought my friend didn't care about what I'm saying. I want to be better. I try so hard to be a good friend and listen ethically. I've been more open about when I'm not processing things, but I still feel paranoid that people don't believe me about not wanting to be this way. I have so much trauma around people telling me my own intentions while being so wrong about how I actually feel. I have autistic trauma about mentioning my learning issues time and time again and being called a liar by my caregivers or teachers. Being considered manipulative or "playing hard to get" because people can't understand that I take so long to reply because I don't know what to say or how to say it.
People's assumptions around my autistic behaviors can contribute to being non-verbal.
I have high rejection sensitivity around my speech issues when I notice how awkward I'm being. It's something I'm working on, reminding myself that my focus is on listening even if I don't know what to say or how to say it.
I value community, connection, and yet the most basic ingredient (speaking) is a wall between me and others. I'm accepting that this is who I am and that I still need to find a way to show up for others, even if it's hard.
I also am trying to radically accept that burnout will happen more often to me because of having non-verbal and speech fluency issues.
The burnout I experienced after a major personal loss pushed me to a point of skill regression where I could barely speak in full sentences. I talked to too many people for months about something deeply saddening and I experienced what seemed to be autistic catatonia. I thought I'd regressed in speech forever. My friends were all worried and I didn't know how to tell them what was going on with me.
I'm just now beginning to recover from that and it's been a month since that major burnout hit.
I'm overwhelmed thinking about how much my speech fluency issues affected my job as a teacher, my relationships, my chances of survival. I'm trying to be positive and see a way through.
I have questions for other people who may have similar issues:
What do you do to connect when you feel stuck inside your mind?
Have you noticed what makes you go non-verbal?
What makes it easier to speak?

Potential benefits of berberine

It’s no wonder berberine has stood the test of time. It’s a promising treatment for a variety of health ailments.
“Berberine is also quite antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, and it is used to treat bacteria, fungus, parasites, viruses, and other microbes,” says Rosia Parrish, a licensed naturopathic doctor and functional medicine specialist at Boulder Natural Health in Boulder, Colorado.
Because it has antimicrobial properties, berberine has an effect on the digestive tract.
“Plus, it helps with bile and bilirubin secretion,” says Parrish. Bile is a fluid released from the liver to aid in digestion. The waste product bilirubin is a pigment found in bile.

Lower blood sugar

One in 10 people in the United States has diabetes, 90 to 95 percent of whom have type 2.
Recent studies on the potential health effects of berberine have caught the attention of health care professionals and people looking for natural ways to treat diabetes.
“It seems that berberine may slightly reduce blood glucose levels and may be as effective as [the diabetes drug] metformin,” says Dana Hunnes, a senior dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center and professor at the Fielding School of Public Health in Los Angeles.
In a 2018 Oncotarget review, researchers found berberine could be an effective treatment for people with type 2 diabetes. Its blood sugar-lowering effects, they wrote, were comparable to metformin, a common drug prescribed to regulate high blood sugar.
An earlier meta-analysis found berberine to be just as potent a glucose-lowering therapy as prescription meds like Avandia and Glucotrol.
Take all of this with a grain of salt, though. Many of the studies on berberine and diabetes are reviews of previously published studies, not randomized, controlled trials that put berberine head to head with a diabetes medication. The few studies we do have are fairly small, so it’s hard to say for sure whether the supplement can really help.
More research is needed, but the researchers say a combination of berberine and metformin might allow a reduction in the dosage of each drug and have fewer side effects from using one or the other drug.
Before you try berberine, you’ll need to talk to your doctor—especially if you take insulin. You want to be sure you don’t experience low blood sugar as a result.
(Check out 10 more promising herbs and supplements for diabetes.)

Lower cholesterol

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and high cholesterol is a major culprit.
When fatty deposits build up from high cholesterol, they can cause clogged arteries and impede blood flow to the heart and body. Lowering cholesterol assists in fighting heart disease.
Studies have shown that berberine can help reduce cholesterol levels in some individuals.
In a study in Phytomedicine, obese participants were given 500 milligrams of berberine three times a day for 12 weeks. The results revealed a reduction in blood lipid levels and mild weight loss.
This is just one study, of course. Researchers will need to conduct more human studies to determine whether the supplement can really lower cholesterol. But it’s a promising sign that berberine may help you keep your ticker healthy.
For people who don’t tolerate statins, the most common type of drug for treating high cholesterol, berberine may be a safe alternative to consider.

Prevent recurring UTIs and cystitis

Berberine might help women avoid the pain and burning of recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bladder inflammation known as cystitis.
“I typically use it for infections, including urinary tract infections and cystitis,” says Parrish.
In a 2018 randomized controlled trial, published in the Journal of Chemotherapy, a combination of different plant extracts (including berberine) was used to evaluate the effectiveness in preventing the recurrence of UTIs. Group A received berberine, arbutin, and birch.
Meanwhile, Group B got berberine, arbutin, birch, and forskolin. Group C received proanthocyanidins, plant compounds that researchers believe are responsible for cranberry juice’s ability to treat UTIs.
Participants in the groups A and B had a lower number of recurrent cystitis during treatment and follow-up, with a lower median bacterial load than the Group C.

Lose weight

Maintaining a healthy weight protects us from heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, osteoarthritis, and certain types of cancer. Berberine may help with weight loss and assist in shrinking belly fat.
In a small study published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 37 men and women with metabolic syndrome took 300 milligrams of berberine three times a day for three months.
At the end of the study, their body mass indexes (BMIs) dropped from an obese range to an overweight range. They also lost an average of two inches around their waists.
Again, this study had limitations, including its small sample size. Further research is needed, particiularly with larger groups, to validate the findings.
Overweight or obese people may want to try berberine in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise regimen to enhance weight loss. Just know that you won’t be able to pop a supplement and lose the weight quickly.

Find digestive relief

The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial aspects of berberine may support the gut microbiome of people with gastrointestinal ailments, diarrhea, and bacterial overgrowth due to irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and other inflammatory bowel diseases.
In a randomized, placebo-controlled study published in Phytotherapy Research, patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome took 400 milligrams of berberine a day for eight weeks, resulting in improvements in diarrhea frequency and urgency, and abdominal pain.
Parrish says she prescribes berberine for digestive microbial imbalances when treating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth or pathogenic digestive bacteria.

May help prevent certain cancers

Supplemental berberine might reduce colorectal polyps, according to a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2020 in The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology.
The study included nearly 900 people in China between the ages of 18 to 75 who had polyps removed during a colonoscopy. (Most intestinal polyps are benign, but some can become cancerous.)
After the procedure, the people were randomly assigned to take 300 milligrams of berberine twice daily or a placebo, and followed up one and two years later.
None of the participants developed colorectal cancer during the study, but those taking berberine had fewer recurrent polyps (36 percent) compared with placebo takers (47 percent).
According to the researchers, berberine could be a low-cost and safe option to help prevent colorectal cancer. Also, no serious side effects were reported.
How do people use berberine?
Berberine is available as an extract and in powder or capsule form. (Parrish prefers the capsules.)
Most of the time, berberine supplements include other botanicals and herbs aimed at treating a given condition. For example, people with diabetes might buy a berberine supplement with cinnamon, which has been associated with lowering blood sugar.
“Many herbs have synergistic effects when taken together, so I may use more than one ingredient to create a botanical supplement blend,” Parrish says.
Numerous studies on berberine cite dosages between 900 to 1,500 milligrams per day. Typically, the dosage is 500 milligrams, three times per day.
Even with the study recommendations, you should ask your primary health care provider if berberine is safe and how much you should use.
“If you get the green light from your doctor, look for a third-party certification from NSF International, UL, or NSF on the label,” Parrish suggests. Since supplements aren’t reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), third-party certification is one way to ensure safety.
She also advises making an appointment with a naturopathic doctor who knows your complete medical history and will work alongside your primary care physician.

Risks or side effects

As with any supplement or medication, some side effects might occur.
Studies note berberine is generally well-tolerated.
However, some people may experience headaches, skin irritation, nausea, cramping, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or a slow heart rate if berberine is taken in high doses.

Talk to your doctor.

Parrish stresses the importance of talking to your physician before taking berberine.
“Berberine has a number of interactions with pharmaceutical drugs, other botanical medicine, so please work with a doctor to ensure proper monitoring,” she says.

Watch your blood sugar levels.

Berberine has the capacity to lower blood sugar, but there’s a risk of your levels going too low, especially if you are already taking prescription diabetes medicines like insulin.
Hypoglycemia is a dangerous health condition that occurs when sugar levels dip too low.
If you have diabetes, you’ll want to regularly check your blood sugar to make sure it’s not dipping too low. And anyone who takes berberine will want to keep an eye on their blood sugar levels with regular lab tests.
“It is important to monitor with labs to ensure people are in a healthy range and not lowering their levels too much,” advises Parrish.

Don’t take when pregnant.

Due to the lack of studies, Parrish says pregnant women should avoid berberine.

Should you use berberine?

When it comes to using berberine for weight loss, lowering blood sugar, or improving cholesterol, Hunnes says your best chance of improving your overall health is to eat a plant-based diet.
“People who eat a whole-foods, plant-based diet have a lower BMI and weight, have lower blood glucose levels, lower cholesterol levels, and can prevent and reverse certain chronic diseases, including hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease,” she says. “The data is very strong to support this. The data for supplements is very weak in comparison.”
Berberine may be something worth trying when dealing with recurring UTIs or frequent diarrhea in bowel diseases.

Top 5 Berberine Supplements of 2023

Long time lurker. So first of all, I love this sub and everyone here - thank you!
I am 26 days sober after heavy drinking for about 11 years. What has helped me do this, among other things, is drinking Curious Elixirs. I’m not endorsing this product in particular, just that what worked for me was to find a new go-to non-ABV. Before this experiment, I never tried anything with a strong ginger taste and the Curious Elixir #2 (each one is a different flavor) has a spicy, satisfying taste. I started with a variety pack to see which one I liked. I also tried HiYo And Recess, but I was never a hard seltzer drinker, so those didn’t satisfy me.
I always thought of non-alcoholic mocktails and beers as a bit silly, but if you’re struggling and had a habit of returning to the fridge, this may help you.
Four more days until the one month mark, and another case of my new drink of choice just arrived. A sober cheers to IWNDWYT!

I cook a healthy dinner every night for my family, but it's so hard to calculate sometimes. My family and I are generally hungry when I get home, and I do not have it in me to calculate my caloric intake of all the ingredients. From spaghetti to tacos to fish and chips, it should NOT be so complicated to count calories. Right?
Cooking is therapeutic for me and I love sitting at the dinner table with my boys enjoying a home-cooked meal.
What is the easiest way to resolve this problem to stay within my caloric intake?
I generally have 300 to 400 calories allotted for dinner.

I have Liquid Intelligence & Cocktail Codex in hard copy, but I forgot them on my 1 week trip and am looking for reading recommendations available on Kindle.
I’m not super interested in recipe lists, stories etc, I like deep dives into why certain processes, ingredients, presentations etc work.
Thanks in advance!

This paste contains Stannous Fluoride 0.454% (0.15% w/v fluoride ion) i have sensitive teeth and i have a hard time getting my mouth to feel clean. Today is my first time using this paste and my mouth and teeth feel very clean and very minty fresh like never before. What do you guys think of this ingredient. Can it be harmful with prolong use? Thanks

I've got a question about their shows work, or are they called concerts? English is not my first language 😅.
Gonna explain some things fist and then ask the questions, sorry for long post 😂. If you want to skip the long story you can just go ahead and scroll down, I've put "question 1" etc above the questions so you can find them easily.
Im ashamed to say it took me 28 years to learn how amazing Metallica is. I don't just love their music, but they all (as a person) seem amazing too.
I mean I enjoyed their songs when they came on the radio and always really enjoyed Kirks guitar solos, but it wasn't until I actually listened to the lyrics that I started to actually listen listen to their songs and found comfort in certain songs.
The last 2 years I've been listening to them everyday and I'm kinda mad at myself for not figuring out how amazing they are sooner, because of all the shows I missed that I could've went too.
One tiny problem, I've been dealing with anxiety lately, it showed up for no reason at all??? Especially when i go to a place im not familiar. The anxiety gets so bad I start to actually feel physically sick (doctors can't find anything wrong with me) so im trying to gain as much information as i can to try and prevent this from happening. Because now I'm kind of 'afraid' to go to one of their shows because I'm not familiar with how things go there and I might get sick for no reason..
I've never been to any concert actually. Only to some hardcore parties.
So here's a few questions I have for those that are familiar with their shows.
Question 1: I'm wondering how things go in the snake pit, is it rough to be standing there with everyone 'dancing' and jumping and what not? Won't people get squashed or something?
Question 2: What are some (unwritten) rules about standing in the snake pit? I had to learn the hard way about some gym etiquette and now I'm wondering if there are some concert/show things i should definitely NOT do there and what I definitely should do there.
Question 3: Do people throw beer around?
I've seen some of their old shows on YouTube, and I noticed some times I see beers being thrown. This freaks me out because I'm very very intolerant to some of the ingredients in beer,if I accidentally get so much as on drop in my mouth I have to get home asap, because I'll get exploding diarrhea and extreme stomach pains and ginormous migraines. I shit you not (pun intended), I will be sick for at least 2 weeks and might even need to go to the hospital.
Question 4: Other then my brother I don't have any friends who like Metallica. Will I be fine if I go alone?
Not sure if it makes a difference, but I'm a woman. And I've heard some stories of what happened to some women who went to concerts alone. A big difference is that those stories were from rap shows though, I imagine the Metallica crowd is much different??
Question 5: Once the show has started, do I have to push my way through thousands of people to find a toilet and drinks or are there clear walkways for people who need to go somewhere?😂
Question 6: Snake pit is the closest right? What is the 2nd closest spot called?
Question 7: Anything else I should know? .......
For those who made it to the end, thank you and I cant wait for answers 😃🤘🏻

Whenever I need to buy ingredients I usually just drive to a store (or multiple ones, if I’m tracking a hard-to-find bottle). However, I’m curious if you guys buy online instead, and if so, which service do you use? Has it been an okay experience to do so? The alcohol delivery apps I’ve seen tend to have very mixed reviews.

Indian cuisine is world famous for a reason. Did you know that India is known as the land of spices because there is no country in the world that produces as many spices as India? Most of the prepared Indian foods contain spices that add flavor to the food and make the food very healthy. Spices are so beneficial that the demand for Indian food has doubled in the past few years. You must be surprised to know that Daksh Indian Restaurant is the best Indian Food Restaurant in UK cooking all kind of healthy Indian food.
We bring a new dish to the table! It can get complicated when you want to try the cuisine of India's diverse regions, as there's a whole universe of cuisines and flavors waiting to be discovered. Many foreigners do not want to try spicy food. However, once you start eating different Indian dishes, you will realize that Indian dishes are not always spicy. Our Restaurant the perfect blend of sweet, savory, sour, astringent and spicy or whatever you like.
There are so many flavors in Indian cuisine that it's hard to try every Indian food in your life. However, the Indian cuisines mentioned above are the best players of Indian cuisine, so give these mouth-watering dishes a try! Best Indian Food is one of the best Indian restaurants in UK which offers exceptional Indian food and cuisine. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us or visit our website.

Why Should You Eat Indian Food at Daksh Indian Restaurant?

• Indian cuisine uses all kinds of fresh vegetables

Indians love vegetables and make the most of them when cooking. Different ways of cooking vegetables ensure their freshness and nutritional value. The cooking process at our Dumfries Indian Restaurant is done so that the vegetables used do not detract from the health benefits and make the dish more enjoyable.

• Food prepared from scratch

As we know, Indians believe in cooking food in a more organic way. Almost all traditional Indian dishes use fresh ingredients. Our method of preparing food from scratch ensures that the cooking uses fewer preservatives. This leads to healthier foods that anyone can eat.

• Indian spices have medicinal properties

Scientists have done their research on various indigenous spices of India. We are talking about spices such as turmeric, ginger, garlic and various chili peppers. These spices are the main ingredients of Indian cuisine. The healing and healing properties of these ingredients have been proven time and time again. So these spices don't just make food delicious; They are also good for the body.

• Indian food provides all important nutrients

Vegetables in Indian cuisine provide essential vitamins, which help improve vision and lower cholesterol. It fuels your body and helps your body produce energy. Legumes are rich in vitamins A, B, C and E. They also contain large amounts of minerals like potassium, iron and zinc. Rice and flour meet the body's need for carbohydrates, protein and fiber.

• Indian cuisine makes the best use of dairy products

Yogurt is a very essential part of Indian food and is often eaten to provide calcium for the body. Made from fermented milk, yogurt contains good bacteria and prevents your body from gaining excessive weight.

Why should you choose Daksh Indian?

Our Indian restaurant meals offer creative, delicious and sophisticated Indian dishes and, where possible, organic ingredients. This is a fine-dining establishment that offers authentic and expertly prepared Indian dishes with a modern twist. If you are looking for Indian restaurants near me in the UK, we offer a pleasant and very efficient service. Diverse cultures, traditions, celebrations and lifestyles give Indian cuisine a unique flavor that is reflected in our menu.
Our meals vary according to taste. The smell and fragrance is strong, exciting and completely unique. The unique flavors and textures of Indian cuisine, the finest ingredients and skillful preparation guarantee an enjoyable experience. Contact us now if you want to enjoy Scotland's finest Indian food.
As we all know, a menu is a presentation of food and beverages available or provided by food establishments primarily based on consumer needs and designed to achieve the following goals. It represents the heart where the components of the recovery system are located. Whether a potential customer is walking past your restaurant looking for a delicious place to dine or browsing delivery and pickup options on your website or a third-party app for a picnic. Outside, in their garden, you need to quickly get their attention.
source

And what can that ingredient or cause be? For hard cheese pancooking them seemed to make for a different experience
It was only bit, but of more than 1 cheese, and no other reaction

Synopsis:

Ten years ago, Amelia woke up alone and lost in a broken world where she had to fight for her survival.
Now, after reaching the pinnacle of power, defeating the Void itself, and escaping the abyss, she has finally found her way back into the real world. But instead of finding herself on Earth, she is in the land of Vacuos. A fantasy world with magic, monsters, Classes, and Levels. A world that is governed by a System like it were a video game.
And when rewarded with a Class befitting her accomplishments— to become a powerful [Hero] that will forever dedicate her life to protecting this world that is not her own— she only has one response.
“Absolutely not. I’m going to live a normal life now, thank you very much.”
After all, who needs a Class when you're already the strongest anyways?

Read Chapter 1 Here
“I was thinking… for payment,” the man started, averting his gaze. “Could I maybe work for you instead?”
I stared at him for a moment, processing what he said. I blinked, and that was when I finally worked my jaw.
“What?”
I didn’t expect this at all. This was my first customer— he was someone who actually enjoyed my cooking. He wasn’t anyone I knew. He was a complete stranger to me. Sure, I’d heard rumors about him before, but that didn’t really mean anything.
He wasn’t a friend like Noele, Nolan, Nicole, or Garron. He wasn’t an otherworlder like Xakor. He was literally someone who only knew of me as an adventurer. And he actually thought my cooking was good. He might have attributed that fact to Xakor, but his response had been a major success in my book.
However, now he wasn’t going to pay for his food. Instead, he was asking to… work for me? I narrowed my eyes as he sheepishly scratched his cheek.
“It’s literally only twenty-five copper coins,” I said as I proffered an expectant hand. “And I can’t even afford to give you a living wage, anyways. Just pay up and don’t fuss about it.”
“You don’t even have to pay me.” The man shook his head, before giving me a pleading look. “I… if you just give me food and shelter, I’ll work for you for free.”
That sounded like a tempting offer. I had been wondering about how I’d staff my restaurant before things took off— Xakor had already funded the building itself, and I was paying for the ingredients. But I couldn’t exactly hire an employee until business was booming. So I had thought I’d be forced to manage everything on my own… maybe with a little bit of Bucky’s help. However, if I hired this man…
I looked him up and down. I saw his ragged clothing— I stared at the bags under his eyes. I remembered all the bad things I’d heard about him so far. I just sighed.
“I literally don’t even know your name, and I haven’t heard anything good about you. Sorry, but I don’t think this will work out.”
He pursed his lips. He shifted in his seat as Bucky eyed him curiously. I didn’t know what his reasoning was for offering me free labor, but I wasn’t going to accept it. Not when I didn’t even know about his qualifications or background.
He got to his feet after a moment’s deliberation and held my gaze.
“Harlan,” he said. “My name’s Harlan. I’m a former guardsman— I come from Whiteridge, and I’m a [Warrior].”
I quirked a brow. I wasn’t exactly prompting him to explain his whole backstory to me. But I just gave him a flat stare.
“Alright, Harlan. Why exactly would I need to hire a former city guard for my restaurant?” I asked, waving a hand dismissively. “I can handle any thugs or monsters myself.”
“It…” Harlan hesitated for a moment. But he still insisted after steeling himself. “It doesn’t have to be a guardsman job. I could work as a server— I could take orders and serve food for you!” he exclaimed like he was trying to convince himself of his words as much as he was trying to convince me of them.
I shook my head. “You have literally no history in the service industry. And pretty much half of Wolfwater hates you. Again— why should I hire you?”
“T-that’s because I’m… a hard worker?” he said as his lips twisted. He looked at me hopefully, but I just rolled my eyes back at him. Even Bucky gave him a judging look.
Harlan bit his lower lip. He glanced between the both of us. The chicken’s gaze made him shrink back slightly, and he tried to muster up a response. But he couldn’t work his jaw. His shoulders slumped as he finally sighed.
“You’re right.” He lowered his head, clenching his teeth. “I’m… not even cut out to be a server. I don’t even have a Class for it.”
He spoke softly, and I paused. I blinked a few times, staring at the former guardsman. He chuckled bitterly.
“I’m only a [Spearman]— a low-leveled [Spearman] at that. I can’t even become an adventurer if I wanted to. I’m too weak. I’d die in under a year. I am… I am just a guard— that’s all I’ll be. I never should’ve left Whiteridge.”
Harlan dug into his pocket and slapped a bag of coins onto the table. He drew back as I slowly picked up his payment, watching him go. He held his head low, his lips creased. He dragged his feet behind him as he slowly walked towards the exit. I looked on as Bucky glanced back at me. She clucked, and I closed my eyes.
I thought about what he said— I looked back on what I just did. I had rejected Harlan because… he didn’t have the right Class. Or rather, was it because he wasn’t exactly qualified for the job? At least, that was my excuse.
But serving tables wasn’t a hard job. It was quite easy to learn. Work experience meant nothing when it was something that literally anyone could learn over the span of a day. It just felt… like I was treating him the same way others treated me. And I felt a pang of guilt.
Sure, I had heard bad things about him, and maybe that gave me all the more reason to turn him down. However, right now all I saw was a man at the end of his rope. Maybe he had made a few mistakes over the last few weeks. But that didn’t mean I shouldn’t at least give him a chance.
“Fine,” I called out. Harlan halted right by the doorway. He blinked, glancing back at me, and I tossed his bag of coins at him.
“Wha—” It smacked his face, and I snorted.
“That’s some slow reaction time for a [Warrior]…”
He quickly scrambled to pick up the bag of coins up from the ground as I walked up to him. Bucky followed, and he looked up at me, bent double with round eyes.
Wait, what do you mean by that? Why are you—” he started.
And I cut him off, “I’ll give you a job. But I’m not going to let you work for free, and if you’re a shit worker, I’ll fire you in under a week.”
Harlan just blinked. He gaped at me, clutching the bag of coins tightly against his chest. His mouth bobbed open.
“But I’m… just a guard. I’m a [Warrior]— I can’t even…” he trailed off.
“Anyone with half a brain is capable of taking a couple orders,” I said, and Bucky clucked in agreement. “And I doubt you’ll have any trouble serving trays to tables either.”
Harlan still wore an apprehensive look on his face. He averted his gaze, tempted by my offer, but not fully persuaded. I sighed, crouching down as I looked into his eyes.
“Look, your Class doesn’t define you. Why does it matter that you’re a [Warrior]? You don’t enjoy fighting, do you? That’s why you quit being a guardsman, right?”
“I…” He hesitated. Slowly, he shook his head. “I do not.”
“So why should you be forced to do something you hate just because the System says so?” I asked, holding his gaze.
Harlan chewed his lips. Bucky tilted her head. That was… probably blasphemy. Or maybe not. Other than Grat-ra’zun, I didn’t really think that most of the people of this world held the System in reverence. They— most of them, at the very least— just saw it as a fact of life. No different than the laws of physics back on Earth.
He rose to his feet as he looked down at the palm of his hand. He clenched a fist, nodding to himself.
“You’re… right,” Harlan whispered. “I don’t want to be a guard anymore. I’m tired of fighting— I’m tired of risking my life for the sake of others. It’s just serving tables, right? I… can do this.”
His words almost seemed familiar to me. Even though I barely knew this man, he reminded me of… well, myself. Someone who was lost and trying to find themself. Someone who was tired of what they were doing, and was now searching for something new.
He was someone who didn’t fit in. He was someone who tired of the stakes and danger of battle. He came to Wolfwater for a simple reason— to escape from it all and live a simple life. And while he might have squandered the few opportunities he had been given since arriving here, I was still going to give him at least one chance.
A smile slipped onto my face as I gave Harlan a nod of affirmation. “Yeah, it’s easy enough. Although… since I’ll be giving you lodging too, you won’t just be serving tables. I was thinking of giving you a more general job description.”
“What do you mean by that?” He looked up at me with a quizzical look.
“Your first job is simple,” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “Go and get me some customers.”
He paused. He glanced between me and the window, blinking a few times. “How am I supposed to do that?”
I shrugged casually. “I dunno, figure it out.”
And that was how I got my first employee.
—--
Guardian Angel Z357 swept his gaze over the vast room. He heard the shouts and screams. He saw the flying spells, but he descended, unaffected by their attacks. Phase Shift. It was a powerful Technique that allowed him to maintain a visible but incorporeal form— unneeded against such weak attacks. But the only alternative would be to slaughter his assailants.
And there were hundreds of them. Guardian Angel Z357 landed amidst the swarm of nagas as they hurled their magic his way. His form was translucent, but their spells passed through him like he wasn’t even there. His twelve eyes landed on the [Shaman] standing in the center of this tent. She was a naga too, but with a longer tail than the others. She slithered forward and raised a staff as a purple aura coalesced beneath her.
“Kill it, ya daft idiots!” she screamed.
Guardian Angel Z357 zipped straight ahead, but a pair of twisted tendrils shot out, grabbing him out of the air. He paused for a brief moment, mostly out of curiosity, watching as these void apparitions clung onto him despite his incorporeal form.
And the [Shaman] panted, grinning. “I got ya now! This is why you don’t mess with us, ya slimy bastard!”
As she raised her staff once more, Guardian Angel Z357 simply tore through the bindings. She blinked, and he grabbed her, before shooting up into the sky. He tore through the tent ceiling as the nagas screamed down below.
“That thin’ has got ta chief!”
“Ain’t someone gonna stop it?”
“We can’t hurt tha fucking—”
Their voices faded away, and he came to a halt high above the clouds. He held her up as she squirmed, her tail thrashing beneath her, and her two arms clinging onto his metallic hand. She stared at him with wide eyes, and he transmitted his thoughts simply, asking the same questions he had asked his previous target.
And the response he got from the naga was no different. “I swear I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
His twelve eyes narrowed, and he began his interrogation.
[In Progress: (2/3) Void-touched Individuals Interrogated!]
Twice now, Guardian Angel Z357 had interrogated a Void-touched individual. And both times, he learned nothing. Despite his interrogation Techniques— even when magically compelled to speak— they revealed no new information to him. It was evident to him that either this method of interrogation was lacking, or maybe the denizens of Planet 16B were more clueless than he had assumed.
Even with the World System’s guidance, it seemed that he was not likely going to be making any progress towards finding the source of the return of the Fal-Deus anytime soon. There had to be at least a single anchor located somewhere that he needed to eradicate. If not one, then multiple. Otherwise, there was no reason for Guardian Angel Z357 to have been awakened.
He dropped the charred corpse of the naga before sweeping his gaze to the horizon. He saw the rising sun. And he saw this vast land mass beneath him. It was Alius— the continent of dwarves, gnomes, nagas, fairies, and more. So far, he had discovered nothing of use while exploring this part of Planet 16B. The closest he had come to learning more about this threat was in Laxo.
But Guardian Angel Z357’s programming had brought him here. His current objective was to interrogate those who were Void-touched, and he had detected the usage of their powers most frequently in Alius. However, it had borne no fruit. So it would be the intelligent course of action to pursue his investigation in Laxo.
For a moment, he was conflicted. He would be defying the World System’s guidance. And that nearly made him malfunction. But logic and reasoning won out as he concluded that the World System’s guidance was just that— guidance.
It was not infallible. His presence was better suited elsewhere, pursuing leads that would better serve his main directive. And so, Guardian Angel Z357 made his decision and returned to Laxo.
​

Author's Notes:
And we're back! Sorry for the impromptu break. Burnout got to me real bad last week.
Also, the fanart/fanfic contest is ending in about two hours' time! So if you're seeing this right as the chapter was posted, you can still make your submissions now!
AmeliaTLZHNovel
The Deltaverse Discord
You can read up to 15 chapters ahead on my patreon here!
Join my discord and subscribe to my subreddit!
Or follow me on twitter!

Read Previous Read Next Read Chapter 1 Here Patreon Discord Twitter AmeliaTLZHNovel

Perfume has been an essential part of human culture for thousands of years. People have been using fragrances to express themselves, evoke emotions, and attract others since ancient times. Today, the world of perfumes and fragrances has expanded, offering a vast selection of scents for every taste and preference. And when it comes to discovering the world's best perfumes and fragrances, GenericPerfumes is the go-to destination.
At GenericPerfumes, customers can find a vast selection of perfumes and fragrances from around the world. The website offers a wide range of scents, including classic perfumes, new releases, and hard-to-find fragrances. Customers can choose from floral, fruity, woody, musky, and many other fragrance categories, depending on their preferences.

• Hugo Boss The Scent
• Bleu de Chanel
• Creed Aventus
• Christian Dior
• Acqua Di Gio

One of the standout features of GenericPerfumes is the quality of their products. All of the perfumes and fragrances available on the website are made with high-quality ingredients, ensuring that customers get a long-lasting and luxurious fragrance experience. The website also offers detailed descriptions of each scent, making it easy to find the perfect fragrance for your personality and style.
Another great feature of GenericPerfumes is the affordability of their products. Despite the high quality of their perfumes and fragrances, the website offers competitive prices that make it possible for more people to experience the allure of luxury scents. Customers can also take advantage of seasonal sales and promotions to get even better deals on their favorite fragrances.
In addition to their vast selection of perfumes and fragrances, GenericPerfumes also offers fragrance oils, which can be used to create custom scents or as a base for DIY perfumes. The website also features a section dedicated to perfume accessories, including atomizers, travel cases, and gift sets, making it easy to find everything you need for a complete fragrance experience.
Overall, discovering the world's best perfumes and fragrances is easy with GenericPerfumes. With a vast selection of high-quality scents available at affordable prices, customers can experience the allure of luxury fragrances without breaking the bank. So why wait? Visit GenericPerfumes today and discover the world's best perfumes and fragrances.

My little love was born a bit early so has always been small but now, almost four months in, I’ve had to supplement to keep her on track
That’s been hard because it’s made me feel like I’m not enough for her, when that is all I care about
She seems to only take to Similac. (Enfamil was a huge NO for her) … I wanted to get her something that didn’t have corn syrup as the first ingredient, so ordered out… but she won’t take it…
Has anyone been in the same or a similar situation?
By her age I was already been fed poi for a couple months but everything the doctors are saying stresses me out
I want to make sure that I say that I’m not judging whatever anyone picks and that I know that fed is best… she’s currently in a boobie/similac slumber and seems fine - and I’m just asking for advice, not criticism
Edited: sorry all, I’m sleep deprived
Second edit: thank you all for your kind responses.. she has now taken the formula I ordered and now doesnt want anything to do with my breastmilk… I know this will be an ongoing thing, please just wish me luck and as always - fed is best

Ah I don't know how to explain this well. For example yesterday I made chili. Instead of guessing how much beans and tomatoes etc etc I ate in one bowl of chili, and logging each ingredient every time I have a bowl ( I made enough for a week) I'm looking for an app that would let me scan in all the ingredients, get one big total for the whole pot, and then I could log that I ate a sixth of the chili, and it would guesstimate the calories for that portion and save the whole recipe's calories to quickly add for the rest of the week. Would be great if it could keep track of the macros too. Does that make any sense?? Does it exist? I do a lot of big cooks and then eat leftovers and it's been hard to track. I've been using the tracker in the Fitbit app. Food is extremely expensive where I live so I can't switch to pre portioned or convince food; cooking the way I do is the only viable way to sustain myself. I appreciate any input thank youu