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healthy_walrus

Shizuki Okabe

32 year old Male
Single, Straight
about 1 hour ago
OH
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora left a comment for Shizuki Okabe
Jul 01, 26 at 12:46am
Ahoy sir, so how was your day? Are you feeling okay lately? Is your work/life balance outta whack?
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Ahoy Yuu. My day’s been alright, just a little tired. Work has been keeping me pretty busy lately, so yeah, my work/life balance might be slightly outta whack. But I’m hanging in there. I appreciate you asking though, that was kind of you. How’s your day been?
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Ah, I understand that. Do you get regular days off? I work like something to the tune of 60-80hrs a week across three very poorly paying jobs. So my work/life balance is like Nightmare mode. I might even have to get a fourth job just to make things happen. X'D Today was the same sort of chaos as usual. We recently adopted two kittens, so taking care of them on top of everything else has been a lot. At least they're adorable and sweet. Do you live by yourself or with roommates? Feel free to decline to answer anything or ask me to dm. I understand not wanting too much of one's business to be front and center.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus 60–80 hours across three jobs sounds absolutely brutal, Yuu. Nightmare mode might even be underselling it. I hope you’re getting at least a little time to breathe somewhere in there. I can imagine those kittens add a whole extra layer of chaos. Tiny gremlins tend to do that XD. As for me, I do get days off, though work still has a way of making the rest of the week feel heavy sometimes. And I don’t mind answering, but we can move to DMs if that feels more comfortable. I don’t live with roommates, it’s mostly just me.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora It's not as bad as when I was working in construction, as a mason both plaster, brick, tile, and historic specialty. I would take 60 hours of that over this work, though. Since I have to deal with being a caregiver for an abusive parent(ye ol mother, the cuntisaurus lol). Today was puppy sitting and kitten sitten, but at least they're cute and seem to appreciate the efforts. Glad you've got days off. What do you do for work these days? Also, I saw your picture, are you also a ginger, like me? I don't many guys to dye their hair, but there's a first for everything.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus I can kind of see why you’d prefer it over caregiver stress. Physical exhaustion is one thing, but dealing with an abusive parent on top of everything else sounds like a whole different kind of draining. At least the puppy and kittens seem to appreciate you. Animals have a way of making chaos slightly more tolerable. As for work, I’m a welder/fabricator these days. A lot of heavy steel, and pretending my back isn’t filing complaints against me. It keeps me busy, but I don’t hate it. And nah, I’m not really a dyed-hair guy. I guess my hair can look a little ginger depending on the lighting, but I’d probably call it more dirty blond/light brown with a reddish ambush XD. So maybe ginger-adjacent at best. But my facial hair is ginger XD
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Oh nice. I was gonna go in to be a deep sea welder, but I never had time for the classes with my rigid pre-apprentice Job Corps schedule. I was hard set on being a good stone and plaster mason, and that's what I did for six years. How long have you been a welder? Honestly sounds like you could use some PT to help your back. Is it all lower back pain or everywhere? Ah, so you're a strawberry blonde like me. I have a pretty equal distribution of red and blonde hair except my brows, which are dark for some reason. Must be the 1/4 Japanese or something. Do you know much about your family heritage? Americans tend to have a very interesting cultural background, so I love to hear it.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Deep-sea welding? I heard it pays pretty well. And six years as a stonemason and plasterer, that is pretty good. I’ve done fabrication and welding for about five years. Yeah, PT is not a bad idea. Mainly it’s lower back, but after some shifts the entire skeleton seems to be filling out forms. As far as heritage goes, I am of Irish and Italian descent, but I have a little bit of French too. It’s pretty cool that you are 1/4 Japanese.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Yeah, PT should help you. So would a nice hot bath, though I understand that 99% of Americans don't have access to a proper bath. Sadly I'm one of them, too. :( Nice. Do you know where in those countries your ancestors came from? Usually the clues are in the meaning of the last name. With such a smattering of family line, it's likely that you're Celtic. Especially considering the Italian and French. I may venture to guess your family could have been Gauls. I'm only a 1/4 Japanese. My nan was born in Miyazu(In Kyoto prefecture) in the late 1920s, so yes, she's about 100 years old now. The rest of my family is Irish. My family name Connolly is a descendant of James Connolly, one of the leaders of the Irish resistance. So I know a lot about my family line from oral traditions of my grandfather. According to him, our Irish family line goes back as far as the Ao Sidhe who are the mythical first peoples of Ireland, long before the Celts were even building sea fairing boats. If you haven't guessed yet, I really love learning random stuff about history. I don't think much of the Roman empire, but the Egyptian empire and the history of the Tuatha De Danann. How about you?
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Yes, PT could be a good choice for me. On the other hand, the hot bath sounds like a great idea. XD Concerning the specific origins of my ancestors, I do not have that much information. All I know is the general parts: Irish, Italian, from the side of my mom, and French, from the side of my dad. But I would need to inquire in my family or even research to be sure about that. You are probably better at guessing than I am. It is really interesting to learn about your nan and the place she was born. To be about 100 years old and to have so many generations behind you is a wonderful thing indeed. The James Connolly connection is quite surprising as well. I'm a fan of history as well. Old cultures, mythology, folklore, ruins, ancient cities, the ways people used to see the world. All of these are the things that fascinate me. The Tuatha Dé Danann especially sound like the kind of thing that would pull me into a late-night YouTube spiral. lol
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Hnhn. I love a nation with rich mythology mixed in. Right now my focus has been on Shinto mythos. I've been relearning the language(not that I knew much to begin with) so I can delve deeper. It can be really hard to find how deep the roots go. I find connecting with the land itself is sometimes the first step. Basically starting from the indigenous roots of where you were born. Because basically all indigenous people shared that in common, that they believed in the natural environment as a relative rather than a commodity. So reaching into that spiritual connection provides a lot of help when trying to as they say 'decolonize the mind'. Do you have any particular hyperfixations lately?
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus I do not know much about Shinto so far, but it certainly seems fascinating, and the degree to which it is associated with nature and ritual is very impressive. And your perspective is quite fascinating as well. is not a topic that gets much discussion here in the West. As for my recent hyperfixations, I am very late to the Warhammer 40k and Elden Ring party. XD I have been reading up on the lore of both recently. Aside from that, I have also just started growing a flower garden.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Hnhn. Shintoist Honshu(mainland), Ainu(Hokkaido), and Ryukyu(Okinawa) actually share the belief that all aspects of nature host a god or spirit. So they too share the likening of the natural world to a relative to both care for and be cared for by. It really is one of our most primal beliefs. The day that humans started to look at the earth as commodity to be used is the day things went down hill for us. At least in my opinion. Oh nice. I've tried getting into 40k, I just haven't had much time to delve into the lore. Are you into the figure painting as well? I've seen some beautiful paint jobs for it. Nice. what kinds of flowers are you growing? I have a red rose bush and dandelions for tea, lavender for laundry and cleaning, and lilac for cooling the skin. Though I gotta be extra careful where I put the starters for the lilac, since my sister's cat tried to munch on it! x.x
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus That really does interest me a lot. There definitely seems to be more wisdom in viewing nature as a relational process rather than just a resource. Regarding 40k, I am mainly in a lore-fascinated state of mind as of now. I have not ventured into painting figurines yet, but there sure are some really beautiful examples of such work out there. Some people can make those tiny models look incredibly good. So, I am just at the "reading up on space horror and ancient wars at 2 a.m." stage lol. Now, my flower garden is still quite novice. It is still new to me. Just some lupine, African Daisy, Scarlet Flax, and White Yarrow. For now, I am mainly concerned with which flowers will survive me. XD But your garden sure does sound amazing with its practical plants to drink tea from, clean with and to cool the skin with. The cat eating away at your lilacs is painfully realistic though. Cats are always trying to think whether something is for them.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora I have heard the lore is decades deep, which is true dedication. I think that's what makes it so neat. Not many people take that much time developing the worlds they write about. So when one is aged so finely, it's like a really good wine. By space horror do you also mean Lovecraftian horror? Hm I'll have to look up what all those flowers do. Practicality is greatly important to me. If I had the space for chickens and cherry trees, I would go for it. Since eggs and cherries are high in nutrients and easy to keep. Though keeping a sacrifice tree just for the squirrels and crows would be extra... lol. That being said I'm still the lacey, pinky, floral crown wearing fancy lady, but I ain't no where near a 'trad wife'. I'm a mouthy, heathen Irish girl, just like my nan envisioned. XD How about you?
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Of course, the fact that 40k has been around for decades contributes to its intimidation and appeal at the same time. It is fascinating to know that there is an imaginary universe that has been developing for years, instead of creating a shallow background and stopping there. And by space horror, partly yes, I do mean Lovecraftian horror. That cosmic dread feeling. Ancient things, human insignificance, corrupted knowledge, civilizations stumbling into forces they barely understand. That kind of stuff scratches the horror part of my brain pretty well. As for the flowers, to be honest, I did not plant them with any particular plan or ideas for the future in mind. They were just visually appealing to me, and it was a place to begin. I have no doubt that yarrow has more practical purposes than the other plants, but until I get more info on them, I cannot call myself a wise gardener XD. Chickens and cherry trees would be a fantastic idea indeed. A sacrifice tree for squirrels and crows is hilarious. On second thought, though, it is actually quite a reasonable way of handling them. Offer the little scoundrels their own sacrifice to appease them lol. I am quite a grounded person in general. I am always attracted to reality in various forms: to hard work, to animals, to tales and legends, to silence and everything else that has depth and mystery in it. I do not go after some shiny, polished life. I simply move forward, learning whatever appeals to me and taking care of what I consider to be important.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Ah interesting. As for the horror genre I much prefer things like Lovecraftian horror, because most modern horror has some non-con elements that I prefer avoiding. Related ptsd. Otherwise my favorite genre is fantasy, whether that's space or earth-like places. I love it all. Most definitely a big kaiju fan. I worked on farms most of my life, I saw so many times the lengths that farmers go to just trying to keep squirrels and crows off their crops. It just makes sense to make them an offering that's better than the guarded cherry trees. Animals often prefer path of least resistance, so if there's an easier, less energy route to free food, they're gonna take that route. Bleh, sorry it took so long to respond. I have been having random bouts of super low energy, even though I actually slept for once. So much so, I'm not likely to get any work done today either. x.x I have deadlines looming. Have you been getting decent amounts of sleep?
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Don't worry about the response time. I understand how busy you must be, and even if you're getting plenty of sleep, there are just some days when you might feel drained. Hope you're taking care of yourself as best you can with all those deadlines looming ahead. Regarding your stance on horror, I completely understand. Lovecraftian horror evokes dread and mystery without resorting to the kind of personal and invasive horrors characteristic of modern horror. Fantasy is wonderful as well. There is something magical about having a whole world that is filled with history, no matter if it is a space, dark, or mythical one. Also, kaiju are always interesting. As soon as a monster shows up, humanity panics, and all those buildings are just suggestions anymore XD. As for sleep, I do sleep sometimes, but it wouldn’t be called decent sleep. Sometimes my job gets in the way of sleep, and I have issues with sleeping when I’m both sleepy and mentally sharp at the wrong time lol. I survive, but the sleep schedule is not exactly the best example of discipline.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora So far I'm still behind on my deadlines. I have nothing to post for Friday. So I'm gonna try finishing some chibi drawings to sate my followers. Sorry to hear your sleep habits are not where they're supposed to be. Do you play around on your phone before you go to bed? Or do you try to give yourself at least a few minutes without a blue screen to allow your brain to at least attempt shutting off?
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Yeah, I do have trouble with procrastinating on my phone just before sleeping, and that might not be the best for helping me wind down. My body will already be ready for sleeping, but my head will insist on watching YouTube videos. XD
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Ah, I understand. I was like that before too. My former job broke me of the procrastination habit, but the desire to just shut your brain off while you watch YT or play a time waster game can be pretty strong some nights. Do you think you would be able to meditate for under five minutes to help yourself sleep? I've been using a little app that plays various background noises, including the sound of a clock. I managed to train my brain to shut off with about three minutes of those noises and some meditation. Usually I visualize the details of a house or hut in the woods. I hope that could help you, too. I'm not 100% at it though, depending what my pain levels are at. If my neck is hurting, I can't get my brain to shut the fuck up about random anxious thoughts, though I'm not an anxious person... When that happens I try to take max dose but it's still hard to get my brain to shut up after that. So I'm remaining persistent until I get more used to it. So don't discourage if it's something that doesn't come automatic. It took me about a week to get where I'm at with it right now.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus That sounds really helpful. I think that I can start meditating. Your suggestion of background noise also seems interesting. For example, maybe some ticking of the clock would help me concentrate on something easy to do instead of watching YouTube videos. It seems so soothing to visualize a small house or cabin in the woods. I will also try to be patient in case it does not work the first time. A week seems to be enough time to practice. I appreciate your suggestion, Yuu.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Hmhm. I'm hoping it will help you. If you're a fan of chamomile tea, you can drink a cup or two sometime before bed, too. Chamomile stimulates the production of melatonin in some people. So that's the next thing to try if the meditation by itself isn't helping. From there, there's taking melatonin itself about 20-30mins before bed. If that doesn't work(max dose is 15mg) then it's time to see a dr and check stuff out.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Haha, well, yes, tea is good too. Chamomile honey is one of the teas I enjoy drinking, and so is valerian root tea. This can prove to be one of the easiest things I can do before sleeping, considering that usually, I end up “accidentally” watching YouTube till my brain shuts down. XD So I would first try the meditation/relaxing background sounds idea, followed by chamomile tea if I really feel like I need it. I would prefer to take it slow than dump everything at once.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Exactly. You have a good game plan now. I hope it brings you better rest. Honestly one of the best things you can do for yourself is get better sleep. I'm on that journey, too. So you've got a friend along the way. :)
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora left a comment for Shizuki Okabe
Jun 29, 26 at 10:22pm
Ahoy, I'm Yuuzora, my friends call me Yuu. Do you mind I send you friend request?
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Ahoy Yuu, nice to meet you. I don’t mind at all. Feel free to send it.
yuuzora
yuuzora @yuuzora Yay. Thanks, mate.
healthy_walrus
Right? It reads less like a person and more like a LinkedIn post trying to make friends XD.
wei_ying
Why do bots type stuff out like cheesey Wattpad writers? It’s genuinely irritating XD.
wei_ying
Floral Mommy ® @wei_ying Seeing them type causes my brain to itch, and not in the good way XD.
healthy_walrus
My cat Ramone slipped out of this world yesterday, and the house hasn’t quite come to terms with it yet. Neither have I. The rooms feel stretched thinner somehow. Like the air shifted and left a space shaped exactly like him. I keep glancing toward his usual spots, half-expecting to see that quiet black shape curled into itself, eyes half-open, pretending not to watch everything. His meows used to break the silence in the gentlest way. Regina moves through the house differently tonight. Slower. Pausing in doorways. Looking toward corners where he used to sit. Animals know. Maybe not in the way we do, but in the way silence changes when someone is missing. She still jumps onto the couch, still walks across the floor, but there’s a rhythm missing beside her, like a duet reduced to a single note. They were two shadows in the same light. Two small heartbeats threading themselves through ordinary days. Mornings before work. Late nights when sleep wouldn’t come. The soft weight of company without conversation. Now there’s one shadow where there used to be two. And somehow that makes the dark feel bigger. I didn’t realize how much of my life was measured in quiet moments with them. The slow blinks, the silent understanding, the way they chose to sit near me when the world felt loud. Ramone carried a calm presence, like dusk settling into a room. Regina still does, but tonight she carries it alone. I hope wherever Ramone is, it’s warm. I hope there’s endless sunlight and something soft beneath him. And I hope Regina, in her own quiet way, feels the love he left behind. The house isn’t empty. But it’s changed. Two black cats became the shape of my everyday life. Now one remains, and the silence where the other should be feels impossibly wide.
healthy_walrus
Gurgaon is clearly an ancient beast spoken of only in half-remembered prophecies. A many-headed creature of glass and concrete that sheds its skin every fiscal quarter. Those who enter seeking shelter are tested by traffic, construction dust, and trials known only as ‘rent negotiations.’ XD
wei_ying
What in the fantasy world? What even is a Gurgaon, sounds like some mythical beast.
wei_ying
Floral Mommy ® @wei_ying Ahhh, that makes plenty of sense, thank you wise one.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Gladly, Madame. I lost three hours, two brain cells, and one shoe to learn this truth. Such knowledge is never free.
wei_ying
Floral Mommy ® @wei_ying Not your beautiful shoe! But, you effort to seek truth is greatly appreciated by me, and to show my appreciation, I shall gift thee a brand new pair of shoes.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus A new pair?! Your kindness heals both sole and soul, Madame. Your generosity shall be sung of. May these new shoes carry me safely through the beast’s domain and away from peak-hour traffic.
wei_ying
Floral Mommy ® @wei_ying Fear not, my lord! For these shoes are infused with ad-blockers, so you shant run into any of those pesky merchants as you travel.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Ah, blessed be these enchanted soles. I shall stride forth unbothered, untouched by pop-ups or shouting vendors. No banners shall assail me. No hawker shall cry “limited offer” in my ear. Only smooth passage and merciful silence. Your foresight is legendary, Madame. I walk protected. Should I ever find a way to return the favor, I’ll consider it an honor.
wei_ying
Floral Mommy ® @wei_ying You already return the favor by wearing my gift to you. Rest assured in knowing that, most importantly, you are protected from the mighty Gurgaon and it's evil business schemes, you shall meet people who mean you well on this journey and not those who seek you for your coins, my lord.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Then I shall wear them as one wears a vow, Madame, with care and gratitude. To walk such a realm and meet goodwill instead of schemes is a rare blessing. And upon my return, I shall shower thee, Madame of fair faith, with gifts worthy of such foresight. Your protection goes with me, step by step, and I will not forget the gentle hand that placed it there.
wei_ying
Floral Mommy ® @wei_ying You flatter me so, my lord. I shall gladly and patiently await your return and the gifts you shall bring, while resting easy with the knowledge you are protected from the harshness of strangers.
healthy_walrus
This is strong. Kathos feels heavy and real right away. You’re good at atmosphere and scale. The opening cell scene works, and the caravan section does a lot of world-building without dumping lore. A few things to think about as you keep going: – Watch sentence length. Some run long and could hit harder if split. – There are a few spelling and grammar slips that pull me out. Easy fixes, but worth a pass. – You sometimes repeat the same idea twice in different words. Pick the strongest version and trust it. Overall, the character comes through clearly. He feels dangerous, tired, and controlled by others, which makes the arena scene land. I’d keep going. I’m interested to see where you take him.
dregon45
Jan 31, 26 at 1:48am
1 Kathos Champion In a lonely cell, deep underground, sat an old man, grizzled and scarred. A giant compared to everyone else. Past the sounds of rattling chains and the stillness of the dark, the murmur of a busy crowd could be heard above him through the skylight in his cell. His cell was roomier than others, but not by much considering his size. His bedding had hay and thin blanket, a luxury the other slaves, the other gladiators weren’t given. As was his right; In this ring, this small colosseum, he was the uncontested warrior, a champion. A walking mystery he is. He speaks the common tongue, but it’s confirmed he understands a multitude of languages. Where he originally hails from is unknown. {Rumors say he was found by a passing caravan in the deserts of Caldea. Wearing only a leather kilt, boots, and leather bracers, all worn with time. It was assumed that he was a run-away slave considering his scars, yet there was no mark of ownership, a brand to indicate who he belonged to. To a traveling merchant like the man who spotted this half-dead giant in the desert, a rain-fell of gold from the gods. The brawn on this slave was almost three times larger than anyone he’d ever seen. The caluss on his hands suggested he knew how to weild a weapon. When he finally awoke, it was nightfall, and he had been caged like a feral animal. Just outside his cage was a man charged with guarding him, and not far off were a few more people all around a campfire laughing and drinking, speaking in merchant gibberish. “How much do you think we’ll get for that big oaf?” Asked a small man with a mouthful of food. “Such a stupid question! Do you not see the muscle on that giant? With my connections in Carthans, no less that 400 gold. If you hold your tongue and let me do the talking Debju, we may secure a full Bullion[1000 gold].” The Caravan leader spoke, verbally jabbing at Debju, the young man with bad manners. Ab-dallah, the caravan leader, was an older man that looked like tanned leather from the desert sun. His beard only had a few strands of grey hair left, the rest were whitere thatn the bleached sand of Caldea. “Gentlemen.” Ab-dallah rose a glass of wine, “The Goddess of Fortune smiles upon us. May she continue to bless us on our travels. Ah-salla.” “Ah-salla,” all the men near the campfire responded in unison. Before Ab-dallah could sip his toast, a scream shot out from the direction of the cage, the guard assigned to watch the new merchandise was dangling in the air, being help by the back of his neck by the caged brute. The brute had ripped the water-skin that was hanging on the guards waist, then threw him several feet effortlessly. The rest of the caravan sighed in relief then laughed, “A thirsty on he is.” Ab-dallah chuckled, walking up to the cage. “That shouldn’t be such an easy feat. That man weighs as much as a pregnant camel. Yet you threw him like a pebble.” He didn’t get a response, the brute was chugging the water-skin dry, some water spilled on his body. “What do they call you? Hm? What is your name?” Ab-dallah had asked slowly in the common tongue, assuming the man was deaf or a mute. There was a pause, before Ab-dallah could turn away, “Kathos.” Responed the giant with a deep bellowed voice. “I am Kathos.” Ab-dallah smirked, thankful that his new find could in fact talk. “That is an..odd name. Where are you from?” AB-dallah had asked still speaking slowly. “I don’t remember,” Kathos had responded in their language, but is was broken. The men were shocked, Ab-dallah laughed and passed his gratitude towards the heavens. Debju ran up to the cage, face still covered in grease, “You speak Deser-tik?” He asked Kathos with a nervous smile. “A little.” Another broken response from Kathos. The conversation continued in merchant gibberish. Debju offered the giant a leg of meat cautiously. Kathos reached through the cage, his hand could easily engulf a mans head, and yanked the food from the miniscule man, and tore into it like a ravenous beast. Kathos ate while the caravan sat there watching, not knowing what to anticipate. Ab-dallah broke the nervous silence that filled the camp, “Kathos.” The giant just looked toward the man but did not respond. “where are your scars from?” kathos looked across his body, and a mixture of emotions swam over his face, “Battle.” Was his only response. There were a few audible gulps in the crowd surrounding him. The men began to murmur to each other in a coded talk, “My lord. This could be very bad for us!” Ab-dallah only smiled more, “Or the most fruitful venture we’ve ever had.” He stated stroking his big beard. Debju interrupted in Deser-tik, which got an angry response from Ab-dallah, “What if this monster tries to escape?” The dooor flew off the cage and toppled a tent that was over a dozen feet away. Kathos stood there with his fist extended. All he did was lay down in the cage, then closed his eyes. Ab-dalla slapped Debju to the ground. “He is no monster you buffoon! He is a Titan with his spirit broken. My sons, this will be the easiest bullion we’ve ever made!” He sang out in coded talk. “Ah-salla.” He heartidly finished his toast and spat the last few drops into the camp fire.} A guard clanged a spear against his cell, “Champion! You’re fight is coming up, ready yourself.” Kathos didn’t respond. He slowly rose from his bed, then cracked his neck. The guard just walked away trying not to let is show that he was intimidated. A few moments passed, then the same guard returned with five others in his company. One man opened his cell while the other gripped their spears tightly. Kathos trudged forward, each step a deep echo through the underground. The closer, he got to the entrance of his prison, the cheers of the crowd could be heard “Mighty! Kathos! Mighty! Kathos!” Kathos stood there, still in the dark as the guards handed him two blades unique to him, one a straight sword, the other curved like a serpent. An announcer could be heard over the crowd, amplifying everyone’s excitement for the up coming fight. Two corpses lay, one missing his head, the other an Orc, miss both arms. A large cat off to the side gnawing on one of the Orc’s arm and opposite to the entrance where Kathos stood was a man wearing black scrap armor and wielding a long-arm Khopesh. “’Lo, we have a worth contender my dear fans! So far 10 notable fighters have been slain by our honored guest, Deser-Kest ‘The Executioner!’” The crowed roared in response. “Surely, it is only fitting to have our champion, the ‘Mighty Kathos’, be the true test of this warriors measure.” The crowd stamped and went crazy, the whole arena shook. Red tapestries unfurled on the walls with Black portraits of Kathos. “Our champion, undefeated, for nearly five years running! Our champion who has ripped apart contenders with his bear hands! Who’s wrestled grizzlies! Who-,” each feat that was shouted got a louder response from the crowd. The Kathos stomped out, and the people lost their mind. “Here! Is! Might! Kathos!” the announcer shouted. Kathos raised his crooked blade, some men with red paint over their faces roared, a few women exposed themselves. --- this is what I have so far but i'm still working on it. open to criticism but please soften your blows a little lol.
dregon45
dregon45 @dregon45 "You sometimes repeat the same idea twice in different words. Pick the strongest version and trust it." anything in particular that you could name? i know i have a habit of doing that from what I've been told but I never recognize it until someone points it out me.
dregon45
dregon45 @dregon45 "You’re good at atmosphere and scale. The opening cell scene works, and the caravan section does a lot of world-building without dumping lore." thanks for that btw im a firm believer in that regard that you dont need 50 pages of mythos for a good story leave the environment/atmospher detailed just right and people will understand things just fine.
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Yeah, I can give a couple concrete spots so it’s easier to see what I mean. Early on, you describe Kathos as a giant compared to everyone else, then reinforce it again with his cell size and later with how easily he throws the guard. All of that works, but you don’t need every layer every time. One strong image usually does the job. Another place is the caravan scene. You show he’s treated like an animal, then restate it with how they talk about him as merchandise. Both are good ideas, but you could trim one line and let the action carry it. Same with his mystery. You say he’s unknown, then list rumors, then restate that no one really knows him. Picking the cleanest version will make the mystery sharper. None of this is bad writing. It’s just a confidence thing. You already land the point, then circle it once more. Trust the first hit.
healthy_walrus
You post stock lines and drop a link, They look like poems, or so you think. They copy form but miss the part Where words take risk and come from heart. Real poems don’t announce or sell, They sit. They fail. They don’t fit well. They’re written by a breathing mind, Not sorted, tagged, and reassigned. This space is for real voices here, Not prompts that echo, cold and clear. If that’s all you came to do, This isn’t your room. Please move through.
attitudeshayari9
Heartfelt words, a poem for every mood! Explore AttitudeShayari.net.in the ultimate place for Love Shayari, Sad Shayari, Attitude Quotes, Motivational Lines Let your words speak louder than emotions! https://attitudeshayari.net.in/
wei_ying
Floral Mommy ® @wei_ying *applauds* Beautiful!
wei_ying
Jan 01, 26 at 9:26pm
Happy New Year, Shizu! May 2026 be ever so kind to you, cause you deserve it. Thank you for being such a genuinely great friend and conversation partner. ❤️
healthy_walrus
Shizuki Okabe @healthy_walrus Happy New Year to you too ❤️ Thank you, that really means a lot to me. I’ve genuinely enjoyed our conversations, and I’m grateful for the care, thought, and honesty you bring into them. I hope 2026 treats you kindly as well, with moments of peace, creativity, and the kind of warmth you so freely give to others.
healthy_walrus
Time feels different when you’re exhausted. Not slower exactly, just thinner, like the hours might crack if you lean on them too hard. Sleep stops being something you fall into and turns into something you bargain with. You adjust the blankets. Check the clock. Tell yourself just a few minutes more, even though it never works that way. Lying there, it almost feels like time is moving through me instead of past me, counting itself out one minute at a time. Eventually, you stop pushing against it. You let the tired settle in, heavy and familiar, and hope that when sleep finally shows up, it’s gentle enough to carry you somewhere that doesn’t ask anything of you.
healthy_walrus
Not everything needs fixing. Some things just need patience. A little time to loosen the knots, a little warmth to thaw the stiffness, and just enough faith to believe that what’s bent doesn’t have to stay broken. Some parts of us only straighten out when they’re ready.
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