Expurgation
I rolled to my right, conserving my momentum and using it to stand back up quickly. I pulled a string with my teeth and a chorus of bangs sounded out, quickly killing the bloody-four-blade-legged beast.
I let the string fall from my mouth, where it then sat rather uncomfortably on my cheek, being held on only by a flimsy piece of duct tape.
It sucked, but it worked.
I pressed the magazine release and grabbed hold of the falling object, where I then checked the metal pieces in the plastic case. I popped it back into the weapon when I saw I had a couple left.
After all of that, I continued on. I need to find Princess Celestia and Luna. They can help me. They can get another message out. A warning. Something to warn the citizens of Equestria about these.. things. Creatures. Creatures far worse than what we’re already seeing.
Forget small crabs and electric brown stallions, these things have blade hooves!
But back on track. Celestia and Luna.
I just have to find a way to where they are, and hopefully not run out of ammunition doing it. Shouldn’t be too hard.
Oh.. look at me. I feel like one of those action heroes from Spike’s comic books.
“Yippee-Kai-Hay, motherbucker.” I said in a deep voice, giggling to myself afterwards.
The giggling stopped when I had to roll backwards to avoid being shot and killed by one of those camouflage monsters. I pulled the string, let loose a few shots to the head, and took all of its spare ammunition.
I closed my eyes upon hearing a click, and opened them when the bang went off. My ears rang but I was able to pull the string and fire at the monster I had named (cleverly, might I add) ‘Flashbang’.
The bastards were fast, quick, and the only way you could avoid them was by listening for a click.
But that’s not important.
Gotta keep moving.
“Rainbow, get yer flank back in that bed.” Applejack said, her voice slightly muffled by the pan handle in her mouth.
“No! I can fight!” I said, holding my baton in my own mouth, my voice also rather muffled.
All the while trying desperately to ignore the searing pain in my side. As one does.
“No, ya can’t. You’re inj-“
Clank
Clankclankclank
Applejack immediately went into a more defensive position upon hearing the noise. We both recognized that sound. It was the sound of one of those.. things, walking down the hall. Usually it would walk right past the room.
But this time the sound was close.
Too close.
...
Suddenly, a loud screech rang out as a pair of blades went right through the doors we had closed and locked. The door was ripped off its hinges and thrown to the floor as a bladed monster crawled into the room, with all the grace of a dying monkey.
The foals behind us screamed in fright, and I could tell that Applejack was terrified too. This isn’t your average evil monster. This thing has one goal, and one goal only. A goal that it seems to be great at.
Kill.
Kill everything that moves.
It began to walk closer, and Applejack backed up a step. “Stay back.” She muttered, seemingly talking to it.
It moved closer once more. This thing didn’t understand speech.
“Stay back!” Applejack yelled, charging it and attempting to hit it with her pan.
It jumped out of the way, and landed behind her. I already knew what was going to happen.
But.. Rainbow Dash.. isn’t fast enough. Nopony is.
I shut my eyes, preparing for the sound of a slice and a dead friend. You may think I’m a coward..
but what can I do in this situation?
..
The sound never came.
Two more clangs, and I opened my eyes.
The thing was leaving through a vent on the ceiling.
“What the..?” I muttered.
“What on Equus was that?” I asked out loud, dropping my baton on the floor and rapidly looking around. Where did it go, exactly? Will more come? Will spiders bleed from the walls?!
“Uhh..” Applejack muttered, and then passed out on the floor.
Oh.
I continued to look around aimlessly, for any form of an answer. Did it not see us? No, that’s not possible. It dodged Applejack. Was it intimidated? Also not possible. These things have probably killed an entire castle full of ponies by now.
Jeez. Look at me. I just said a bunch of monsters killed hundreds like it was nothing.
These past few days have messed me up. No joke.
But getting back on track..
“Maybe it.. maybe it didn’t want to hurt us? At all? Maybe it knew that these kids were.. well, kids?” I theorized out loud.
I scratched my muzzle. “It’s a possibility, but it doesn’t make much sense. Why spare US? Why not everypony else?”
I shook my head. Applejack is passed out on the floor. I should probably pay attention to that instead of.. whatever the tartarus just happened. Hindsight can wait, foresight is what’s important.
As I was picking up Applejack and setting her on a bed, I began to think once more. But not about the monster.
‘I wonder what Gordon and Spike are up to.’
The smell of sulfur and cat piss molested our nostrils as we sat on the giant rising elevator. We were out of ammunition, Spike’s bat broke in half, my crowbar had a tiny crack, and neither of us had any armor or were above 10 percent health.
This, I can say, is one of the worst, if not THE worst thing I’ve ever gone through.
And I went through high-school chemistry! Yeah, I know!
Why do you think I went with theoretical physics?
Shaking my head, I cringed at the amount of dried blood that flaked off. That’s so gross. I need around.. 8 showers. 9 tops. Just to clean off my torso.
Motherfuckin-
“Hey, Freeman?” Spike grumbled, interrupting my thoughts. His voice was hoarse from the amount of yelling and screaming done in the past few days.
“Yeah?” I responded, voice equally as tired and gravelly.
“Do you think there’s an afterlife?”
Well, that came out of left-field.
But do I? Do I believe in an afterlife?
“..yeah. I do.” I started, “I’m not Christian, or, religious or anything.. but I believe cough I believe something is there.” I replied, wiping some blood from my lips. Eugh.
I’m dying, aren’t I?
“Good.”
Well, of course. We’re always dying, every day of our lives. The subtle march of time forward. Death is inevitable.
But early death? It’s.. it’s possible.
Do I WANT it to be possible, though? That’s really the question here.
At this point? I’m.. I’m not even sure. I want to save Equestria, that’s probably the only reason I’m still here; pure anger, hatred, contempt and determination.. but it’s tiring. It’s all tiring. My mood and opinions on the topic of saving the world have changed so many times I’m just.. I’m just over it. Honestly. Being the hero has done nothing except fuck up my mental state and make me question ending it all. Never in my life have I been at this point. Even when I was a teenager, the time where hormones are raging and depression is common.. I was still a rather optimistic guy.
But my normal life just seems like a thing of the past, doesn’t it? I’m in way too deep here. Man.. What was I thinking?
I didn’t even have a choice, did I? No, but technically I did, yes.
Damn it.. Why did I push that sample into the machine? I knew it was unstable. The machine itself was unstable, but the unknown material was making it even more so. We were putting everyone in Black Mesa in danger. Women, ch-
Children..
Did Eli and his family make it out okay?
Kleiner. Barney. Did they all make it out okay?
I.. I hope so.
But I need to stop this. Stop this right now. I do this way too often. Reminiscing. I need to man the fuck up, grow a pair, and continue on. I.. am a man. A man. With a dick. A man with a dick. Not a bitch with a tiny dick.
Do I have a masculinity complex? MAYBE! Do I care? NO! Let’s move!
I began to move my arms to stand, only to realize that one of them was completely paralyzed.
Uh oh.
Awkwardly shuffling around, I used my other arm to push myself into a standing position. I had been laying down on the ground for.. who knows how long.
The elevator stopped moving with a clunk as it reached the top.
That was odd.. had it taken a while to move up, or had we gone through multiple cycles?
I hoped, practically prayed that it was the former. We would have been in so much danger if it was the latter.
But ignoring that for now, I looked over to Spike, and noticed he had his eyes closed. His chest moved up and down, so he wasn’t dead. Just exhausted.
I feel ya, buddy.
“But we gotta keep moving.” I muttered and shuffled over to him, tapping him on the snout when I got close enough. His face scrunched up and his eyes slowly opened.
Light sleeper, it seems.
“Hm..?” He asked, before widening his eyes in what seemed to be a panic. “Shit! Did we fall asleep??” He yelled, standing up quickly and drawing his pistol.
I shook my head. “No, just you. We’re fine.”
At least, I think it was just him. Can’t really have cognitive thought in a dream, though, so I doubt I actually fell under.
“Oh thank Celestia.” He whispered, putting a claw to his heart. After a deep breath to gain his bearings, he turned to look at me fully. “So, where to now?” He asked, looking around the environment.
“We might wanna get off this elevator, first things first.” I said, and jogged to remove myself from the contraption- arm flailing weightlessly at my side.
The area we were in now was very red. It was seemingly a bridge between two rooms, the first room being, well, the elevator, and the second room being this new one coming up. It looked like some kind of cave opening, but more.. professional? Like someone tried to make it look nice.
As soon as we walked into the cave-like structure, I took notice of the technology sprouting from the walls. More Xen technology that shouldn’t be physically possible.. standard affair.
When we reached a window, though, was when things got.. weird. Good? Happy? Weird.
We were able to see inside of another room, one that contained strange tubes with things inside of them. Some were things from my world (I’m eyeing that SPAS-12, fuck yes) and some objects were things from Spike’s world. Like a quill and parchment, or a rainbow apple.
Both of us wanting to get the stuff inside, we quickly turned and rushed to the opening in the wall that lead to it.
...But not before crying tears of joy at the holy grail.
A healing pod.
Spike allowed me to go first, and when I stepped inside.. fuck.
It’s better than a hot shower after a cold day. It’s better than peeling the plastic off a new piece of technology. It’s..
It’s better than discovering a formula that works for the elements and energies used in a theory!
My arm regained motion, my bruises and cuts healed, my gunshot wound from accidental friendly fire healed, the burns disappeared. My psyche already felt better, my mood brighter.
I don’t know what I would do without this thing.
Health and Armor now at 100 and 100 respectively, I stepped out and let Spike hop in.
While waiting, I attempted to rub my goosebump-riddled arms only to remember that I was wearing the suit. Damn. This thing that has saved my life on many occasions gets in the way of something I want to do once?! Bullshit! I hate this thing!
I shook my head, chuckling at my own joke. It wasn’t funny.. but sometimes you just need to let out a giggle or two. It’s good for the soul, as they say.
As I finished my thought, Spike stepped out of the chamber.
“Buck..” he muttered. “Augh, man! That feels so good!” He said, showing a rather chipper attitude. “I’m at 110% right now. You have no idea.”
“I think I have an idea.” I said, shaking my head and grinning.
“Anyhow, you want to go kick more flank?” Spike said, pulling out his Glock.
“That gun is empty.” I pointed out. “Ass-kicking might not be too easy.”
“Why you always gotta be such a pessimist Gordon?” Spike said, ‘tsk’ing. “I’m sure it’ll be okay. I saw a new gun in that blue tube room, anyway! Looked like a big black rectangle.” He mentioned, seeming to be thinking back on it. The SPAS..
“Oh, shit! The SPAS! I forgot!” I said, and quickly ran towards the weird technological opening in the wall. I ducked under the passage as I entered the room of tubes.
Searching for a specific object, I damn-near squealed when I saw it.
I reached my hand into the field to grab it, but instantly pulled back upon contact with the field.
That..
Was weird.
The sensation of reaching my hand into the suspension of gravity tube. It didn’t hurt or anything, it just felt so.. different. Like weightlessness and heaviness combined.
Shaking my hand off, I reached back in and grabbed the gun, pulling it out.
I inspected it throughly. A Franchi SPAS-12, pump action. Semi-auto function seems to have been removed, having been replaced by a two-barrel system. Standard Black Mesa security guard weaponry. Folding stocks seemingly missing.. or were never there in the first place. Seeing as how it’s a pump action, though, the stock isn’t really needed anyway. 8 round magazine.
ChkCHK
6 rounds left in magazine, two rounds in the chambers.
I put my finger over the trigger, rubbing it softly. I then put my finger over the other trigger. The one for two rounds.
“Hey!” Spike yelled, scaring the absolute shit out of me.
So much so that I pulled the trigger out of impulse.
...
The safety was on. No rounds wasted.
“You kind of left me back there,” Spike continued.
Realizing I couldn’t be mad at him because what he said was completely true, I instead removed my finger from the trigger of the gun. Trigger discipline. Always treat a gun as if it is loaded. Never point the gun at someone else. Remember the rules, Freeman.
I turned to Spike, and held out the gun.
“Hey- oh, wait, is this the new gun?” He asked, cutting his own thought off. “What is it?”
“This is a shotgun.” I said, beginning to enter nerd mode. “It’s capable of firing one or two rounds at a time, powered by a pump. Instead of using magazines, it uses individual shells. Like the revolver, but without a speed-loader. Allow me to demonstrate,” I said, and grabbed a box of shells from a nearby tube.
I aimed down the shitty iron-sights, and pulled the single-fire trigger.
Nothing happened.
-oh, wait.
I flicked off the safety.
I re-aimed down the sights, and pulled the trigger once more. A loud BOOM resonated throughout the small room as a scatter of buckshot went straight into a cracked rock, cracking it more in the process.
“It fires a spread of shots instead of just one bullet. Now, look.” I said, and pulled the trigger again.
I showed him that I was pulling it, and he gained a look of intrigue. “Why isn’t it firing?”
“This is why, my boy.” I said, and pulled the pump. I then pulled the trigger.. and it went off. As expected.
“Wait, so, you have to pull that thing after every shot?” He asked, seeming to easily catch on.
I pulled the pump, and nodded. “Yep. This gun is usually used either semi-automatic or pump, but Black Mesa seems to have a custom version of it to make it only work as pump action. The reason? Well; I’m not entirely sure. But it works.” I said, shrugging.
“I see. You mind if I give it a try?”
I nodded, handing it off to him and walking behind his back.
He fired, pulled the pump, and fired again.
“What’s this other trigger do?” He asked, putting a claw over it.
“Fires two rounds at once.” I replied.
He pulled it, and could barely hold on when it went off. “Woah!” He yelled, and laughed. “That was awesome!” He pulled the pump, using more strength than the normal pump to do so. Two rounds, two chambers, more effort. Makes sense, right?
He fired it one more time, and chuckled again. He pulled the pump.
He attempted to fire the single shot, but was confused when it didn’t go off.
“Did it jam?” He asked, beginning to inspect the gun. “Or does it just not work like that..”
He continued to inspect, and I let him do so. He wound eventually figure it out.
Though, when he began to look down the barrel, I moved it away from his face and back into my hands. “It’s magazine is empty, guy.” I explained, grabbing the box of shells.
“Oh.” He muttered.
“Now, look, I’ll show you how to reload it.” I said, and pulled out a shell. I popped it in, and continued to do so until the magazine was full.
Going for badass points, I put it vertically off to the side and pulled the gun downwards to pull the pump and chamber the shell.
“Why did you pull the pump after reloading?” He asked.
“That’s how the gun works.” I began to explain. “The pump both ejects spent shells, and chambers a round. It’s like pulling the slider on the Glock.”
He nodded. “I see.”
“Yep.”
...
“So.. who gets the gun?”
We were both waiting for the other to say that. I’m glad he said it.
“There’s only one of them and two of us.” He continued.
I put a hand to my chin.
“You.” I said, and handed it to him.
“What? Why??” He asked, barely holding onto the gun. He didn’t expect me to do that, I would have to guess.
“Because.” I said, and pulled out my crowbar. “Your bat broke.”
..
“Right. It did, didn’t it?” He said, scratching his neck.
“How does that even happen, by the way?” I asked.
Spike was too embarrassed to admit that he had dropped it, and it had fallen hundreds of feet down the elevator shaft.
Freeman would have laughed.
Stats
Page generated in 0.023 seconds
Total duration
1,039 users online
2,000,513 hits today, 2,004,447 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
You DO know that Spas-12 shotguns can be switched from Semi to Pump for specific reasons, such as using Pump Action for Low Power Ammunition like low power Birdshot or Less Lethal rounds, due to them lacking enough energy to cause the action to cycle in semi. But usually Buckshot and Slugs use semi auto as they usually have enough energy to cycle the action. Look stuff up before writing like that. 'Else you'll look like a bit of an idiot. Considering how the info is readily available on wikipedia.
10681796
I know they can be switched. I specifically wrote that the feature was removed by Black Mesa staff to try and explain why Gordon never used the semi-auto feature in the games. It was just something I tried to do to tie up a loose end. I know how the damn gun works, VALVE doesn’t. They’ve never gotten a single gun accurate in a video game. Sue me for trying to make it a little bit more realistic.
Edit: can see what you meant. Thing Freeman says doesn’t really line up much with how the gun works. I fixed it, and I apologize for being so defensive. but don’t think I’ll forget about you accusing me of looking like an idiot. That shit aint cool
Nice job!
THat kinda reminded me of a conversation you can hear on the police scanner in GTA SA
10681802
You get that easily upset from being called an idiot? No offence but wow. Sure I'm a bitch, but if I'm called an idiot regarding some things, I'd get a bit annoyed sure, but I'd explain why I did what I did, wrote what I wrote, or thought what I thought, ect. If they STILL consider me an idiot, AFTER I explain, and stick with a stupid ( In my own perspective ) line of reasoning as to why 'I'm an idiot' THEN I'd get mad. Seriously though, If someone calls ya an idiot for something, don't act defensively like that. It REALLY makes you look stupid. Explain your reasoning if you actually know, rather than talking out of your ass. Bit of advice.
10681831
Well you sure seem like a class act person. I’m in the wrong for getting miffed when called an idiot? What the hell do you expect me to do, guy? I fixed the issue. I apologized for being defensive. You started it by calling me an idiot. You can, I don’t know, say ANYTHING else? You didn’t have to insult me because I mis-wrote a part of the story.
Oh and also, basing off of everything else gun-related in this story and how specific I try to be on the details, you think I wouldn’t even know the basic functions of a SPAS-12? That I wouldn’t even, I don’t know, research it? Seems a little counterintuitive to the overarching theme. But I don’t know.
Just enjoy the story if you still want to. I’m not gonna block you or some shit, I don’t even know if that’s possible.
And one last thing: if you’re not gonna get defensive when someone calls you an idiot then you’re HELLA beta. Defend your honor, don’t let mfs walk over you as you try desperately to explain yourself.
But I’m out. I’ve got weights to lift, fish to catch, beer to drink.
10681823
Thanks! And man, I need to play that game. It’s in my library but I haven’t touched it at all
10682390
I just play it on PS4 right now, good times
10682387
Firstly: I'm a woman, so...'What the hell do you expect me to do, guy?' it'd be 'Girl' ( Or 'Gurl' if you're going to be using that improper spelling for it ) in this case ( Sorry if it seems as though I'm being one of THOSE women, but I just have a pet peeve regarding some things. Proper Pro-nouns are one of said pet peeves). Secondly: Honor? What's that? ( Note, sarcasm. I keep my word regarding deals, and such. But Regarding Fighting? I fight dirty. I don't play by the rules. I do what I must to win, and / or survive, provided, it isn't outside of my morals. But if I have to, I take the lesser of the two evils. ) Thirdly: I don't 'let people walk over me' when I try to explain myself. Trust me, when someone tries, I get mad. Reminds me of a time when some jerk tried to bloody force me to accept their opinion as 'The Right opinion to have' when I thought otherwise. Suffice to say, when I got done pointing out every one of their flaws, regarding not only their views, but also their personality, their mistakes, and idiotic moves that I knew of, well? They were a crying mess from that. Fourthly: I'm called an idiot / idiotic bitch on a daily basis by my friend. We know we're just joking when we insult each other a times, as we can usually tell if we MEAN it or if we're just joking. Tone of voice, and such. But anyways, I suppose I this conversation / essential fight won't go anywhere, so I'll just put this simply:
Thanks for actually fixing the mistake, don't act defensive like that whenever someone says something that upsets you, and don't get so easily upset by someone calling you an idiot. I get it that having your intellect insulted is REALLY annoying, hate it myself, however, well? Even my friends say I can have a really short fuse at times, and even I don't get like that when I'm called an idiot. That's all I've got to say.
10682445
1. I apologize for misgendering you. That was my mistake.
2. I don’t like to fight dirty. I’ve got, well, honor, but I mean; fighting dirty is a strategy that works. I can see why one would use it.
3. Damn, uh, okay. I can see what you meant by fighting dirty.
4. I can understand if it’s between friends. I call my friends idiots all the time. Between us, though? I don’t know you. A stranger on the internet calling me an idiot isn’t something I really appreciate, y’know?
5. Thank you for acknowledging that, and I’ll try not to get as angry as quickly. I’m very passionate about firearms, they’re like the one thing I can confidently say I have knowledge about, so getting that knowledge insulted IS super annoying.
But I get it, I was wrong to get that defensive. I apologize. Thank you for ending it here. I appreciate that.
10683142
Thank you for apologizing for using the wrong pro-noun. And it's great to see someone ELSE who loves guns. THAT I can HEAVILY Appreciate. Oh, and the only real reason why I pointed out all that persons mistakes in the way I did when they tried that is because they lacked so bloody much common sense and their views were so FUBAR that they needed to be taught a lesson. A strong one. I won't go into the specifics regarding it, but suffice to say: they were NOT a good person. I did it to teach them to be a better person. I'm rude, and crude at times, but I'm not cruel. They had it coming. But anyways, again, it is nice to see that someone can actually appreciate firearms and guns. I mean seriously though... I mean, quite a few people tend to whine and cry that 'guns kill people!' What is a gun? A gun, isn't a living thing, it's an object, a TOOL. A TOOL, meant to be USED. Every TOOL, has a purpose. Every TOOL, has a RIGHT and WRONG use. Do you use an wood cutting axe to split wood? Yes, that's what it was MADE FOR. But can you use it to, say, drive in a nail if you don't want to grab a hammer? Yes, that isn't it's main use, but yes, it can be used for that. Can you use it to stop an animal from biting you? Yes, you can. But again, isn't what it's made for. Guns, are meant for many purposes. Defending the innocent. Defending your country. Defending yourself, your family, your freedom, ect. But there are those who would miss use them. But does that mean you should take away the freedom's of others, just because of the few who use them for bad purposes? No. Does that mean that those who WOULD use them for said bad purposes, not get them through other means, IE: Black Market? No. They would get them. But the Innocent. The Law Abiding Citizens, wouldn't have them. Because they do not want to break the law. The criminals / people who WOULD use them for the bad reasons? They'd get them, illegal, or not. But the Law Abiding Citizens? They would be utterly defenseless. Average response time for a 911 call is between 2-20 minutes, depending on what kind of area you live in. For a smaller town, it's around 2 minutes ( Least for my area ) but larger cities can take up to 20. What's a faster way to deal with the threat is the question. A bullet going at 950FPS from 10 feet away? Or a police car having to drive for a whole two minutes? Bullet wins out, by an astronomical amount. Sorry for rattling on, but I just find it SO BLOODY STUPID that so many people anymore LACK COMMON SENSE! The criminals WILL ALWAYS HAVE GUNS! But the Law Abiding Citizens? If they're banned, they won't. Plus: You can just make a bloody musket / muzzle loader with some pipe and a bit of knowledge of simple mechanics. And now thanks to Joerg Sprave, fully automatic crossbows, bows with magazines, and such are a thing, and you only need wood and rubber and a few other things to make those. So... yeah. Pretty damn pointless to try restricting guns / banning them out-right.
Anyways, had to say that. Glad we managed to sort out the issue from before and I am glad I may've helped you become a better person, and as aforementioned, I can ENTIRELY understand having your intellect insulted, more so about a topic you enjoy. But I always try to, even if irritated, explain that, if I DO know a fair bit about a topic, what I know, and such, and if they still refuse to believe me, or they still call me a fool without proof to back it up, then I'd draw on my sources for it, show them where I learned what I did, and show correlations to it and proof and such, and if they STILL call me a fool, without proving that they truly know more than I do, THEN I'd get truly mad. But of which, as aforementioned, I'm glad I may've helped you become a better person, and I hope you have a nice day.
10683194
Yeah, and that makes sense. Sometimes people just need to get some shit into their head.
And I completely agree! On all of it! I swear to god, these same people crying to ban guns are all about “The police are good enough!” But then turn around and ask to defund the police! What the fuck do they want?? It’s like the think the world’s violence is caused by access to weapons. That people are inherently good. Yeah, fucking totally. People are awful. Humans are greedy, malicious creatures.
And yeah. I hope you have a nice day too.
10683236
Some humans ARE good. Some, CAN be kind. Some, ARE good people. But those are VERY few and far between, more so anymore. I mean VERY FEW! I'm a woman who doesn't care WHAT someone is. I care about WHO they are. Muslim? Don't give a shit. Arabian? Don't give a shit. African? Don't give a shit. Trans? I don't give a shit. Hell, if you were a bloody alien from outer space I wouldn't give a shit. Hell, if you were a literal DEITY, I wouldn't give a shit. I couldn't give a single fuck about WHAT someone is. Only WHO they are. If they're, by my own perspective, a GOOD PERSON, then, I'll be friends with you, or even further if I find someone attractive ( I'm Pansexual, so... yeah. ). But if you're a bad person by my own perspective? Oh you better believe I'm gonna give ya hell. There aren't too many things I actually DESPISE / HATE. Idiots / People who lack common sense are one of them. A VERY Big one. But ya know what? Even though I'm a woman, who, mind you, is a Japanese, German, and French / British Mix ( Mostly Japanese and German with a bit of French / brit in there. ), is pansexual, doesn't give a shit about what someone is, only who they are, is 100% alright with transgender people, and such, JUST because I LOVE guns, and such, and hate idiots, I'm considered evil?! I mean hell! You know what's funny though?! Ya know how quite a few people say video games make people violent? I've played EXTREMELY violent video games since before I can even REMEMBER! IE: Younger than 5 years old, I mean WW2 games like Medal of Honor Spear Head, Break Through, and 2 other titles, along with the First 3 Call of Duty Games! But guess what? I'M MOSTLY A PACIFIST! I avoid fights like the epidemic currently plaguing the world and always try to talk out issues! But unlike idiots who say 'Just wait for the police!' or some such, when push comes to shove, and when I HAVE to FIGHT, I FIGHT HARD! I FIGHT WITH EVERY BLOODY THING I'VE GOT! Brutal? Sorry, I think you mean EFFECTIVE!
I'm not some prey animal that's going to sit there and wait to be fucking slaughtered. I am a Predator, and I WILL FIGHT BACK IF I MUST! Someone want to threaten those I care about or an innocent person while I'm nearby? I'll show them why you shouldn't mess with good people. Though of which, I know when to fight, and when not to, even if push comes to shove. As I have had it where I had to stop someone from attacking me without harming them due to a misunderstanding. I'd feel bad if I did hurt them then, honestly.
But really though, I'm A Woman who's an Atheist, Japanese + German mix with a bit of French and Brit in there, who doesn't care about what someone is, only who they are, believes Respect is EARNED, not GIVEN, Loves Freedom, Guns, ect. Hates idiots and people who lack common sense, along with Racial Bigotry and Sexist people. ( Both genders are equal in my eyes. And that's just that. Sure, physically there are differences, obviously, and sure, mentally there are some as well, but BOTH have the capability to be good or bad people. BOTH have the capability to do the same things the other can in almost all regards. Sans for reproduction of course. They just have to be determined enough to do so. ) and is willing to use dirty / cheap tricks to ensure the right thing, by my own perspective, is done. Yet I'd be considered evil by the democrats and liberals of america, just because I won't sit there and cower like a piece of fucking live stock when push comes to shove, and I love guns and such. Talk about fucked up, eh?
Oh, here's a nice little phrase for ya. 'Determination, Determines, your Destination' No clue who said it, or I might've thought of it, not sure really. It means that anyone, can do ANYTHING, if they set their mind to it, and have enough will, to continue no matter the odds against them.
10683264
Exactly. What was that one phrase “Judge someone by the content of their character, not the color of their skin”? I think MLK JR. said that. But he’s right. You, a pansexual mixed-ethnicity woman? To me you’re just a person. People are people. Fuck division and shit, I’m getting super tired of it.
And I’m in the same boat regarding violence. Don’t wanna sound lame here, but I’ll act if I need to act and won’t if I don’t.
10684668
Holy mother of merciful BUCK I'm glad to hear someone agree to that. I mean seriously, great to know someone else shares my views on that. And I concur, all this division is bull. I mean, really. Everyone just hating each other because of their skin color / race / gender? I Mean COME ON! One thing I do have to say though, while I'm all for equality, some races, such as native american's, have WAY too many privilege's. I know, the american's took your damn land. But that was hundreds of years ago. Yet, they're still abusing the hell out of it today. I happen to have a few neighbors who are of native american descent, and guess what? They abuse the hell out of it. They have their own special police force and only said police force can even deal with them regarding crime. Regular cops? Can't. And they basically can't be punished, want an example? Once, they tried to break into my house when I was younger ( Like 7-8 ) and when they did, they got off practically scot free. The person who tried just got jail for a few weeks at worst. They planned to break into my house. They literally attempted breaking and entering, and they got off 100% scot free. Plus, they're racist as hell towards 'whites', calling them 'White Honkey Trash' and such. Pfft. And on top of all that, they don't have to pay taxes, and any sort of crime directed towards them AT ALL is considered a hate crime instantly. Even if someone where to see them punch someone and rush to the innocent person's defense. It's an instant hate crime. That isn't equality. Oh, and also, did you know that quite a few places have to hire based on race? Yeah, even if someone of a darker skin tone / native american / what have you, were A SIGNIFICANTLY worse worker, IE: Had less skills, less training, less experience, ect. They'd get hired over a White. More so a White Male. ( I know one (( I don't have friends much, even acquaintances are rare for me, due to trust issues thanks to all the division and bullshit. Just has gotten worse with Covid. )). He has tried to apply for a job at over 7 places that had job listings before covid hit, and they all rejected him, even with his pretty damn good resume, but the next day, had a brand new either native american or darker skinned person working there ( 4 out of 7 of them, the rest I didn't know for sure ), that, and yes, I met a few of them directly because I frequented those places until I learned of that, that didn't know WTF they were doing and basically had the intellect and mentality of a 5 year old, while lacking the proper skills for said job, when the person I know actually had significantly better skills ( I've seen them ), more experience, and such. That is an example of bullshit. They think the 'white' people are privileged? Sure, in SOME, rather FEW regards that I know of, they are ( From my own observations and asking a few people ). But in others? They're discriminated against, extremely. Hell, my own FATHER tends to discriminated against. Called a Nazi on a few occasions, and other things.
Want racial equality? Remove any and all Priviledges. For ALL races / skin tones / nationalities / genders / ect. No special cops. All must pay taxes, ect.
Seriously, it's just bullshit.
Edit: I haven't really been discriminated against much, due to being a hikkikomori, IE: Modern Hermit. Mostly due to not being able to go out in public and actually speak my damn mind without a target being painted on my back. But nearly forgot, my mother is also discriminated against as well. Though, she doesn't head out very much.
10684703
The roles have reversed for a lot of people but many don’t want to see it.
10684728
I honestly wouldn't know from experience, because again, I'm pretty much a Hikkikomori / Modern Hermit. More so since Covid hit. And while I do, sometimes - rarely, pay attention to the news, I don't know for sure. Though of which, as aforementioned, I'm fairly glad someone shares the views I do to at least some extent.
10684732
I get that
10685034
Anyways, honestly, it's been nice to talk with you. Inspite the rather... 'rocky' start. It is nice to know that someone else shares my views to at least some extent. Though, I just now realize we might've wanted to talk in the DM's so then we didn't fill your story's comment section with us talking.
10685042
Yeah. Nice talking to you too, and I’m glad to see another here as well. I’ve seen a lot of people in this fandom with quite opposing views so this is a nice change. I apologize once again for the rocky beginning, and don’t worry about the comments. I don’t really mind
10685430
Have to say, opposing views, is one thing, if they're of a personal opinion regarding certain things. Such as, for example, how a character developed. Some would think they developed well, others, not. Some would think that some situations in stories should've gone differently, ect. Those types of opposing views, I entirely understand, as in that regard, everyone has a preference. However, there is a difference, A SEVERE ONE, between OPPOSING, and STUPID. Quite a few get those mixed up. When your opinion, for example, is about, say, firearms, you can only make a truly educated opinion, if you've OWNED, WORKED WITH, USED, and have gathered the opinions of MANY firearm owners. Not just ones you hand pick, but many. Not just, ones that own 1 or two, but from ALL kinds. Those that own them specifically for self defense, so they only own one or two. Those that collect, ect. Learn, teach yourself, look at statistics regarding violent crimes, and such. And only after a few years of research, and of experience, can you even attempt to make a truly educated opinion about it. Even then, never enforce your views apon others regarding freedom of choice. If someone wants to be able to own a drum mag for an AR platform rifle, even though someone doesn't think they should because of what they COULD do with it? A: That doesn't mean They're going to be shooting innocent people with it. And B: That shows those people who think they shouldn't are INCAPABLE of reason. Because they ONLY go off of what someone COULD do, not what they're GOING to do. Sure, having to require a stamp, permit, or what have you, for a fully automatic? THAT makes sense. But for example, Short Barreled Rifles? Seriously? That was a law passed in 1920 I think, now? It's 100% obsolete. And it just keeps people from enjoying guns they should be able to, just because they don't want to have to go through all that legal bullshit to have an AR-15 with a 12.5 inch barrel. I mean seriously. It's utterly stupid. Oh, and the law that prevents you from owning any kind of fully automatic firearm that wasn't made before.... I think it was 1989? Or was it 1979? Can't remember exactly, but that is also stupid and pointless. Because if SOMEONE is gonna go through that bullshit, they should be able to own a newer gun. Oh, and the fact that Open Bolt guns, even if they have a disconnector so they CANNOT fire in fully automatic, are ALWAYS considered fully automatic guns except under specific circumstances. Oh, and lets not forget, how BURST FIRE WEAPONS, are considered fully automatic, and thus, require the same bullshit to own. I'd understand it if, say, you could fire a whole burst of 7-10 rounds per pull of the trigger for it to require that, but any less? That's just stupid. More so for old M16 variants and such. Oh, and also, any gun that fires more than 1 round per pull of the trigger, even if they're a LEVER ACTION rifle, would be considered a fully automatic. Now how stupid is that? ( Mind you, this is just by my knowledge, I might be wrong / my info outdated ).
I mean, another example. Would you want someone, who knows JACK SHIT, about mechanics, electronics, ect. To give designs for a brand new vehicle, when they barely even know the simple machines? To give input on how a device in a machine should function, at the technical level? That is just asking for disaster.
I'm sorry if I keep... ah... what's the old phrase? Oh yeah, 'Rattling on like the clapper on a gooses ass' ( I found that kinda funny when I read a small document on old time phrases and insults ) but I just have been needing to vent a bit. Yes, a bit. My current situation is rather stressful, and certain factors don't help. So I've got a lot of pent up stress I need to let out. Be it by ripping and tearing demons in Doom 2016 / Doom Eternal. Shooting morons in games such as Phantom Forces on Roblox. Recording Videos and such in Modded Minecraft. Or through other methods. ( Kinda wish my damn punching bag I have in my house was still safe to smack. That tends to really help. Buuut considering how my father hung the damn thing, if I smack it too much more, the ceiling will give way and leave a huge hole. ) With which, there aren't many I can actually do anymore due to Covid. I used to love taking walks from my home to a nearby fast food place. ( About 1.4 miles away, so not that far ) then walk back taking a long route after eating there. Overall length was about 4.4 miles. I liked it. Damn covid. I hate it and that's an immense understatement.
Anyways, again, sorry for rattling on.
10685722
Gun laws shouldn’t exist in the fuckin first place. Any and all gun laws are an infringement on the second amendment. It’s fucking stupid.
And don’t worry about rattling on, I’m kind of a fast reader so it doesn’t take too much time.
And yeah. Covid really fucked up shit. I can’t get my damn haircut without my parents flipping.
10686104
I'm afraid that I disagree on that they shouldn't exist in the first place. They need to be there for a few reasons. Background checks, the fact that criminals ( Felons ) shouldn't be able to get them ( Because who knows if they've truly changed from how they were when they committed the crime. That'd need to be done on a case by case basis, which is impossible by a governmental standpoint, they have to do a 'Full Cover' / something that works for 'everyone' IE: The Majority. Because by a governmental standpoint, case by case is impossible due to the sheer amount of resources required for such a thing.
Seriously, you'd need a lot, and even then, some people are really good at faking. They'd need a lot of Psyche Evaluations and such to be able to be given the 'All clear' Which is even more resources. ) But quite a few of them really should be heavily reworked or removed entirely. Because, if someone, who was a felon, proven to be violent and WANTING to harm innocent people, and such, could get their hands on a gun legally? That's just inviting disaster. Most of the laws need to be either removed, or heavily changed, I agree, but all of them? That's asking for a lot of trouble. The long and short of it is: Keep a few so that certain people cannot get them, IE: Felons. People shown to have violent mental disorders, ect. But allow everyone ELSE to get pretty much whatever they want at any time, sans for fully automatics, which will require a fair bit of legal paperwork, a very extensive background check, and a few other things, but it SHOULD BE FREE! There is a reason why. Though, EXPLOSIVES should stay behind a stamp / a lot of legal work and a similar background check. Because if any random person can get them just outta the blue, think about how easily it would be for someone to steal them and use them for evil purposes? Or some such. Though, the stuff that is considered a Felony anymore is really stupid. Simply put?
Gun laws should be as simple as this:
1a. You require a background check before purchasing any firearm.
1b. You must own a suitable area to safely store said firearms. Such as a Safe that is Bolted to the Floor or one Embedded in the Wall. Or one that is in a hidden location. This is to help prevent people from stealing them, or children from getting hurt with them before their parents / caretakers can teach them about guns.
1.c Felon's cannot own firearms. ( Things that make you a felon need to be changed )
1c.a Felon's, with enough psyche evaluations / checks, and after at a minimum of 10 years, can possibly own firearms again.
Notable exceptions regarding crime include: Rape ( Because people who do THAT should be fucking KILLED. Doesn't matter why, or when. They should be. ) Child Molestation / Child Rape ( Even the thought of this makes my blood boil. This is another one where DEATH should be the ONLY SENTENCE if someone does something THIS fucked up. Also, if someone is using one of the special laws that allow people who are UNDER 18, but no younger than 16, to be with someone ABOVE 18 years old, they shouldn't be able to just look at a relationship, if it's heading in a way they do not like, but the couple are completely 100% fine with and there is no abuse going on, and say 'Nope, that fucker is taking advantage of my kid. They're raping them. Time for prison for them' without a full on court hearing, and a few other things. )
1.d Requires you to have a background check to own any sort of fully automatic firearms.
1.d.a Fully Automatic firearms should be defined as: Any weapon that has singular, or multiple barrels, that has the capability to fire more than 6 shots from each barrel per pull of the trigger / index of the firing mechanism.
1.d.a.1 Weapons that fire more than a single shot per index of the firing mechanism that do not fall under the category defined as 'Fully Automatic' cannot reduce the amount of ammo they have to under 80% of their capacity per index of the mechanism. With exceptions made on a case by case basis. IE: Gun holds 40 shots total and has two barrels? Cannot fire more than 8 rounds per index of the trigger.
1.d.b Modifying your firearm into a fully automatic one is illegal unless you have the proper paperwork / legality for said fully automatic firearm.
1.e You can own any caliber of weapon you wish, but if you move into the category of weaponary that primarily uses Explosive ammunition ( 20MM / 25MM for one example ), then you must have the paperwork / legal approval for you to own them.
1.f Owning any sort of Modern, Fully Automatic, weapon that is meant to be Emplaced ( M2 Browning Machine gun for one example. A Minigun for another ) Requires a special permit, along with the permit for a fully automatic firearm, which you can obtain similarly to the one for Explosives. Modifying a Fully Automatic weapon, or a Modern one with a hand crank or similar firing mechanism to require emplacement to use makes it fall under this category. ( How easy is it to control a gun that fires 5.56x45 when it's held by a tripod? Now think about how accurate you could be with that thing as a fully automatic spray and pray, oh wait, it would not be spraying and praying. ) Example: Removing the Pistol Grip and the Stock from an M249 SAW and replacing it with a mechanism similar to that of the M134 Minigun would cause it to fall under this. Or replacing it with a handcrank mechanism would also cause it to fall under this. List of exceptions: ( There is literally an SMG from I think WW2 that requires a bipod because it has no stock or grip, so it would be one example of an exception. )
List of weapons allowed to be owned without the permit that fall into the category: Gatling Guns ( Because they require manual indexing of the mechanism via the crank, and are usually very large, and even the smaller ones are ), as long as they're either of sufficient size, or are not meant to be emplaced. ect.
1.g Bump stocks are classified as a method of making a weapon fully automatic, thus requiring the same permit and background checks to own as fully automatic weapons.
1.h Someone cannot buy a gun and then give it to a Felon. That will be classified as a Felony.
1.i People must undergo a psyche evaluation before purchasing a firearm for the first time. Note: Person doing the Evaluation must not be an idiot who believes that weapons are the cause of violence...must not believe that owning firearms is stupid, ect. ( It would take a while to actually put down everything that would basically cause them to give an instant fail due to their own feelings on the matter, but... yeah. )
Probably only around 40 laws total, with only 10-12 right here, that, with sufficient background checks, would allow anyone who isn't fucked in the head, to own practically any kind of gun. With a few notable exceptions, due to them falling into the category of Explosives and this requiring a permit for that. Because think on it. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING, would be able to be obtained LEGALLY, you'd just have to do some paperwork, have some additional background checks, and a/some Psyche Evaluation(s). Which would more than likely be paid for VIA taxes. This way, people who ARE fucked in the head, have a significantly lesser chance of actually getting them legally, but people who AREN'T, can get everything they want with just a bit of waiting and a few other things. Works out almost perfectly for just about everyone. Except for those who are completely fucked in the head. Though, there would need to be a lot of governmental restructuring to allow for this to actually happen, and quite a few other things.
Of course, I know I missed A LOT, regarding it, primarily making the connections between each law, the formatting, closing every potential loophole, ect, and I'd have to take a long time to actually go over it all, however, I think you potentially get the gist of it. I'd have to do a lot of work on it to make it work, due to of course a few other things, but of which, the main thing about it is: It wouldn't truly restrict people's freedom. The laws would only keep the idiots, and the people who are most likely to do harm to innocents, from having firearms legally. Though, I admit, idiots + firearms tends to be a self correcting issue. Which can be extremely entertaining.
10686382
I get what you’re saying, and I agree. I mostly used “gun laws” as a blanket term to describe any that are, well, dumb. I fully accept background checks and the like.
10687262
Ah, you should've specified about that. Well, anyways. I've enjoyed talking with ya and and knowing that someone shares views, at least in these regards, similar to if not the same as my own. While I KNOW we have our differences ( I won't drink alcohol, and I hate drunkards / people who get drunk, smoke and I dislike people who do, use narcotics / illegal drugs (( And I even refuse to use medicine / things like basic headache medicine unless I have no other choice )), or even drink coffee or soda / pop / whatever you want to call it. ) it is nice to actually see someone with at least a decent head on their shoulders regarding common sense. That isn't very common anymore. Kinda sad that it isn't, because seriously. It's gotten so bad, well? I heard in this one video I watched ( And yeah, I believe they'd actually put this on a warning label, considering how stupid stuff is getting )
to quote: 'I KNOW, THAT DRINKING LAUNDRY DETERGENT, WON'T MAKE MY URINE SMELL LIKE IT JUST CAME OUT OF THE DRYER!'... When I heard that, I was like.. "Alright, what bloody idiot actually thought that and decided to do that for THAT reason? And more so even SAID THAT WAS THE REASON WHY THEY DID IT?! As even as a 5 year old I had more bloody common sense. Hell, I had more common sense before I can REMEMBER than most 10-12 year olds now a day's do from what my parents told me! Just... ugh... frustrating as hell how stupid most people are anymore. 'y u no do dis?' and such. For one: Use. Proper. English. For two: You have a brain, or at least should. If you do, USE IT! If you have a Cavern where your brain should be? You should go have yourself sterilized. So then your gene's can't further contaminate the rest of the world. Because if it happened before, it's gonna happen again. Idiots, Almost ALWAYS, breed more idiots. Sure, sometimes they'll get the lucky 1/100000 Chance of a genius, but the other 99999/100000? Only idiots. I mean, really. To quote the same person who said the laundry detergent bit above: 'If I could, I would take ALLLL of the stupid in the world, roll 'em up into a giant katamari ball, and Toss it off a cliff.'. I agree on that statement, but I have a better preposition. Simple put? If they want to go to a 'Gun Free' zone? THEN GTFO OF AMERICA! GO TO FRANCE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT IF THEY WANT THAT KIND OF A LIFE! I'D SAY CREATE A DAMN DONATION PAGE TO BUY 1 WAY TICKETS AND 1 YEAR OF HOUSING FOR ANY AND ALL INTERESTED IN GOING! That'd be one way to get at least SOME bloody idiots OUT OF AMERICA, and do it LEGALLY. Sure it'd cost a whole fucking lot, but hell, it'd be a start to getting idiots out of here, and it's one way to do it. Another would be to make them NOT stupid, but considering how simply and stupidly someone has to explain something for them to be able to understand, and the fact that they won't listen anyways unless they're under threat or their world view is completely and utterly shattered and their mind near if not broken? It'd be pointless. Basically, there aren't many options. One of 'em being getting them to leave permanently. Another being trying to Educate them ( I'd honestly want to, I mean, if I can just get them to learn, then we'd be able to fight against the corruption. ), and the final one? Worst case scenario for the US currently. War. I think you can guess what'll happen there. A lot of death, that could be avoided, if they would only just learn. Buuut considering how shit is going, looks as though they won't.
America, specifically: The smart, and patient people. Are akin to a sleeping beast. And they're getting very, VERY, close, to 'waking up' from all the poking the idiots are doing. If they ARE 'woken up', then the idiots will see why smart and patient people, such as myself, avoid fights and talk things out if we can, but do not hesitate if we must fight. They will see just how dangerous people who actually have intellect can be. They will see just what happens when they finally put too many good, smart, and patient people, to their limit. They will realize that we've LET THEM do all this, because we don't want to strike, and have tried to change their ways through words, statistics, facts, and knowledge. But they have refused so far. If they don't start accepting the truths that are presented to them by people such as us, then they will, more than likely, not live to regret it if a War breaks out.
If a Civil war DOES break out, it will be fast, bloody, and with many deaths. All because of the idiots of America.
Oi Oi Oi Oi Oi!
Guess who's back at it again with a new comment-
Don't think I forgot about you you beautiful bastard. I see you've gotten some more writing done- and I'm intrigued on what it entails. I hope that you find writing still fun throughout these times. I understand that sometimes writers block just messes up everything- but if you can push past it you'll find something amazing. Writing is meant to not only tell a story for others, but to explore how you're able to get that information across to others in the way you want it to be.
In early Victorian Era writing, that was the goal for the most part.
Except Shakespeare. I'll understand that he's a good technical writer, but his tragedies and other stories were not on the basis of logic, but on the basis of emotion. It appealed to the audience that cared more for the ending than the journey!
Anyways- I'm rambling. To the depths I go, to the sunlight I stare, I bid you farewell.
10688143
Hey, sorry for such a late reply on this! You’ve probably totally moved on by now. I haven’t been online in a while, sorry.
I’ve enjoyed talking too, always good to see others with my opinions as well, and Yep. You got that right. There are a lot of idiots now, common sense is definitely lacking.
And the civil war breaking out is definitely not an impossibility at this point.
10703798
Sup man! Always good to see you again. Sorry for the late reply on this, I WAS actually going through another bad spout of writers block. Thank you for the kind words on that, by the way. My plot outline got all fucked up so I really had nowhere to go with it, but I think I’ve got the rest of my plan sorted out. Updates should be a little more frequent, and I do want to get back into writing. Will I be Shakespeare level?
Well, maybe.
I bid you farewell too, and Praise the Sun!
10718697
Eh, actually, I haven't, 'moved on', I pop onto this site 3 times a day every day to see if one of the few hundred stories I have book marked update. As I have quite a few chosen. However, it still is sad and rather stupid how a civil war could come of all of this stupidity, however, that is just how it is, as people like us won't tolerate it for much longer. And even though if it does break out, many good people WILL die, however, a hell of a lot more IDIOTS will end up dying as well. 'Least then we'll be evening the ratio's of Stupid - Smart people. Though, I suspect that quite a few of their deaths will be from betraying their own allies. As under immense stress, life and death situations, ect. Their true selves will come out. And when everyone sees that? Oh then they'll realize just how people like US are the good people, and THEY are the evil. There will be so much betrayal, leeching, ect, that knowing how people like THAT think, we could probably just preform a war of attrition, and we'd win easily if we just stayed on the defensive. However, I'd still say dealing with as many idiots as possible would be a better course of action if a civil war does break out to even the ratio's a fair bit more. Shatter those fuckwit's world and make the others so terrified that when we spare their lives and decide to teach them why we did what we did, they'll have to see reason, and if they still don't? Then there will be no hope for teaching them bloody common sense.
Anyways, if this seems a bit more aggressive than before, I've just had a fairly bad day yesterday and I just woke up ( Kinda yesterday, as it's 12:32 AM for me and I woke up 15 minutes ago, I'm a night owl ) and still have a fair bit of stress stock piled from yesterday. I'm so damn stressed about so much I'm depressed AF, but I will NEVER, and I mean NEVER take the damn cowards way out. That is literally a show that your mentally weak and cannot continue. Plus, I know better. I'd hurt innocent and somewhat good ( Mostly because of how fucking irritating they are and because they can't seem to learn WTF they're doing is idiotic ), people a LOT from doing so.
Anyways, again, thanks for the nice conversation.