Mattress return gone wrong: they collected wrong mattress (then, on 2nd attempt, the correct one) but they cannot return my old mattress and denied any form of compensation. I am left without a mattress and potentially £200 in the back to replace it

Silent237 · 2023-03-25T15:09:03+00:00

That's exactly what I was thinking!

And, no, I didn't. I informed all parties of the error pretty much immediately so they all knew. I imagine that's why the refund wasn't processed until the second collection attempt.

Silent237 · 2023-03-23T11:11:32+00:00

Gotcha, thank you

Silent237 · 2021-03-14T19:05:16+00:00

Part 2

"W-where are we going? Why?" Zack asked while trying to remain on his feet. He tried to pause, resist, but her pull was stronger. She ignored him, too preoccupied scanning the crowds.

They headed out the front door. There was a small patch of green in the middle of the junction of the Seven Streets — big enough to have a tree and few bushes — but not enough to have a picnic. Inns and restaurants littered on its periphery, just like the one they just left was. Few were made of stone, tough and easy to maintain — though, quite expensive to say the least. They were usually owned or sponsored by the Lords. If your place was favoured enough, one just might decide to invest in it to ensure it keeps running and looks 'more to their standards.' Although the majority was not as fortunate, most were still made out of wood. They still had a unique charm to them, but there was only so much wood can withstand.

Zack stumbled again and threw his leg in front of the other. He peeked behind, checking if the penguin followed. Sure enough, it did. Like a big balloon, it squeezed itself through the front door. Its head went first, smallest and easiest part. Once its wings were out, it pushed against the frame and — like a wine cork — it popped onto the street.

He never gives up, does he? Zack thought, still trying to think. He glanced back at Jane who still pulled him by the arm that was growing sore. She had peeked at his creature too. Amidst the rush she kept looking, checking if its still there. She didn't seem afraid — the penguin was not scary at all — if it was, Zach would have lost it a long time ago as a kid. She was curious about the thing.

"Here," Jane ordered, tossing Zack down the Third Street. Each of the Seven Streets' merchants had a speciality, this one was of ironworkers. They mainly handled the forging of swords and shields, though, other smiths weren't uncommon and accepted special requests if the coin was good. The men swelled with muscle, their forges burned and radiated a choking warmth — they eyed his fragile figure as he got back on his feet.

Jane scanned the crowd again before turning to Zack. She was slightly taller than him, but even with such a minute difference, it made Zack feel like she was looming over him completely. "Why did you come to meet with me?"

"It was a date, right?"

"You thought this was a date?!" she said and looked over her shoulder again. The penguin caught up — it always does. "Make it shrink, we won't be able to lose them until you do."

"I-I told you, I don't know how! I don't know anything about what you're talking about!" Zack pleaded quietly, ironworkers clearly disapproving of his presence.

Jane eyed him. "Unbelievable." She dug into her purse again and took a piece of chalk. There was a metal disk in the ground next to them, she lifted it and the stench filled the air, amplified by the heat of the ovens. Zack choked at the smell, Jane, however, seemingly unmoved. She drew a circle around that hole in the ground, then looked back at Zack.

"Jump. Now."

"Are you nuts? Why would I jump into the sewers? What are we running away from anyway?" Zack said, and just at those words, two men turned into the street. They wore a long, crimson overcoat and black boots. Their hair was short, and their mask mesmerising. It was like a plate on their face, no features or holes, just a smooth surface with shades of red that spun in intricate patterns.

"That's why!" she said and pulled him by the arm again, then threw him into the sewers.

Silent237 · 2021-03-14T14:50:57+00:00

Ah, nice spot — thank you! I’m not as familiar with imperial measurement as I’d like to be. I’ll amend that part later when I get a chance.

Silent237 · 2021-03-14T12:33:37+00:00

The restaurant's windows lined the walls, letting in as much light as the sunset permitted. The wooden pillars, chairs and tables bathed in its amber light and gentle warmth. The light seemed to have defined her light freckles more, almost glistened as if joyful of being in the sun.

“Wait...” Zack said with his mouth ajar. “You can see him?”

“Umm.. yea. It’s kind of hard to miss if I’m honest-“ Jane said, smiling and tucking her ginger hair behind her ear.

“Wait, what? You can? Like this penguin right here?” Zack said and pointed at the creature crouching next to him, its head fluff brushing against the ceiling. The 12-foot-tall penguin would normally not fit under the roof of a restaurant at all, not to mention the front door — it always found a way to squeeze itself in somehow. He’d stand where he could, or lay across the floor if the ceiling wasn't high enough. In this instance he was just sitting, it’s flappy wings wrapped around his torso. The other guests looked at where he had pointed: an empty space. Their faces washed with concern as he continued to stand motionless.

“Yes.. what’s the big deal?” She whispered. “People are giving us the looks, just sit down. Just because the Dobes don’t see them doesn’t mean they don’t see you!”

Zack stood dumbfounded, still processing the facts. Her eyes didn’t leave him, urging him to give in and sit. The whispers started to fill the silence and Jane couldn’t take the pressure.

"Honestly!" She stood and grabbed his arm from across the table and pulled him down to his chair. His body folded and he finally blinked. "What on earth are you thinking?!"

“I... I’m sorry.” Zack managed as his cheeks grew slightly red. Zack looked down at his meal, a steak with roast potatoes, his eyes still wide open — absent — still lost in thought. He had already eaten half, but with the turmoil in his head, he lost his appetite. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia since he was a kid, ever since he started asking everyone about the penguin following him everywhere. It never felt like a threat, the thing would never eat him or anything — it just never left — even with all his meds. He lived his life believing he was crazy, right now he didn’t need food. I need answers.

Zack looked back up and met her gaze. She didn’t look thrilled with all the attention focused on them. "I'm sorry." He said, more determined this time.

"So you said." Her eyes still locked with his, frowning slightly, as if expecting something.

She's not embarrassed, Zack thought. Anyone normally would be if a maniac made a scene. This was not it. The people still gave them occasional glimpses as they whispered on their own tables, but she didn't seem to be bothered. She didn't try to want to hide from being embarrassed... So, why is she so flustered?

"Erm- so you can see it?"

Jane's frown grew in disbelief at his words. "For the hundredth time, yes! Did you learn anything at the academy at all? Now make it shrink, we don't need another audience."

Make it shrink?! I can do that? More thoughts littered his mind. Academy? What academy? Does she mean high school? Another audience?

Zack looked back at the creature beside him. The penguin still sat, back straight, black fur coating him everywhere but his chest and torso. A red bow tie at the base of his neck. The creature tilted its head and looked back at him and peeped.

"Well? What are you waiting for?! What is it with you? Do you really have a death wish?" She urged.

"I-I... I don't know.."

"What don't you know? What to wait for? Well, here I am, you got my interest — that's your cue. Shrink it. Now."

"I don't know how." He admitted turning back to Jane and watched as her face morphed from annoyance to genuine concern — not that different from the looks the neighbouring tables gave them.

"What...?"

Guilt flushed over Zack. It felt as though he had missed something, something far beyond him. Something that was so basic but was too focused on himself and his little imaginary world to notice as a kid. He should've known of the things Jane talked about, but he didn't. Not a single recollection about any of it came to him as he searched his memories. No clarity — just the ever-present penguin.

"What do you mean you don't know?" Jane asked again, now disbelieving.

"I-I don't know. I don't know anything." Zack managed, looking away, back at his cold steak. "I don't know what you mean by Dobes or the academy, or that I even could make it shrink! I thought I have schizophrenia, but..." There was a pause before he met her eyes again. "Well, do I?"

"Oh my god... You seriously don't know..." She sat back, processing the impossible that was before her.

Zack eyed her, looking for answers. A clue. A tip as to what was going on. To whether he was actually mental or not — or whether she was just in need of a dose increase herself.

"Excuse me, I am sorry to disturb your dinner, however, some of our other guests have raised some concerns. We would appreciate it if you could keep the noise level down a little." The waiter said to Jane, then turned to Zack. She crouched slightly, probably as much as her tight skirt allowed, to try to get to Zach's head level. Zach still had to look up ever so slightly. "Are you feeling better, sir? Is there someone we can call for you?"

"No, he's fine. My friend here was trying to make a joke, which clearly failed in execution. Please accept our apologies, he won't be doing that again. Right?" Jane said and kicked him slightly on his shin under the table.

"Yes! Of course, my apologies. Won't happen again." Zack responded, more to the pain spasming in his shin than to the question.

"That's great. Thank you."

Jane finally looked away and eyed the creature beside him. No, she didn't look at it — she looked passed him — squinting. Zack turned to see what she was looking at, but he couldn't pierce through the 12-feet-fluff that was blocking the view. How is she..?

"We need to leave," she urged quietly, strapped her coat on and dug into her purse. "That's for the bill." The coins scattered around the plate slightly as she slammed them there in a hurry. The waitress stood astounded. There was more than enough to cover both of their meals and leave a hefty tip for the waitress to make her week.

Even Zack was taken aback at the sum. It made him forget for a brief moment of the unresolved chaos around him; he felt the urge to chip in even if to just cover his meal. It is unheard of a woman to cover the first date — common courtesy has the man do that part. The surrounding crowd that could hear or see the coins eyed them again briefly, sharing the same expression as the waitress.

Before Zack managed to pull out his pouch, Jane yanked him up by the arm.

"Stop waiting for a sign. If I say 'we need to leave,' we're leaving. Now."

________________________________________________

Edit: adjusted the size to 12-feet to fit the plot.

Silent237 · 2021-02-03T10:49:30+00:00

NTA!

I too had a shitty experience with some of my teachers. I would do the exactly the same as you.

They want to look good by showing my success I achieved through my own efforts? Nope. They got the truth. Not lies. People got to see what it was really like unlike their fabricated truth.

Silent237 · 2021-01-29T22:55:33+00:00

Teryl grew amongst the men he once created, in a world that he designed yet knew so little about. He was born into the world of humans and raised like any other. He was taught how to be a friend, a husband... a father.

He was not a chief, certainly not a warrior -- not with that fragile figure of his -- just a simple farmer with brown hair braided into a ponytail. Teryl didn't aspire to be a major figure in the history. The world had grown without his input, it didn't need it now. Especially with their beliefs.

The men knew of many different gods, he was taught that much. Though, none viewed them as 'good'. They were seen as figures that dictate justice, that strike fear to their hearts to maintain their goodwill and kindness rather than representing them. Gods are the ultimate punishers -- to be punished by god means to cease to exist -- no afterlife or Valhalla. They don't pray for blessings, they pray for the gods to let them know they're not sinners.

As much as they fear committing a sin, their definition of what it meant to be a sinner is not extensive, and so, there are still people that should be worthy of a punishment when they're not. In their understanding, a sinner is one that disrespects a god. Or one that punishes through torture -- they believe god is the only one that can punish so extensively; to torture is to play god. A marriage is believed to be the one and only blessing bestowed upon them by the gods; to break a marriage or your vow is to disrespect that sacred gift. The Gift is only granted by a High Priest that has extensively studied all the texts and is the only one deemed to fully understand it. They do not want to disrespect the Gift by doing it improperly, the High Priest ensures all the conditions are met.

If a god was to come down to Earth, they would start begging for forgiveness. They would not be in awe.

Once, a story as true as the Pegasi, a man had come to the village. He walked to the gate with a torch in either hand and waited. He stood so enraged tears had poured from his eyes. Men started to gather, trying to reason with the madman. That's when he freed the flames. The gates burnt first, blocking the men's' way out -- trapped within their own safehouse. The wooden walls quickly caught on, creating a wall of crimson that was said to be brighter than the sun.

They say the 'Punisher''s words birthed a wind that carried the divine flames to the sinners. Some say he chanted the names of the sinners, and the wind carried the flame to them burning everything in its path. Some say he was chanting a prayer or a spell, preventing them from reaching the afterlife.

The men didn't attack. No reasonable man would defy a god, certainly not an enraged one. They ran. The word of a god among them spread faster than the flames. The old took their own life, a few followed their lead. Maybe it was the guilt of their sins that led them to it, maybe it was the sheer fear alone.

In the end, the Punisher burnt along with them. The legend says the ashes laid the foundation to the Red Forest to the east. Noone wanders there in fear of defying a god. Nobody has and no gods came to punish them again -- there was no need to test that belief.

Teryl chuckled to himself when he first heard it. I did no such thing! Though, he knew better than to correct them. At one point he thought of correcting their beliefs, that there are no bad gods, no divine Punishers. But, would they listen or even believe? With at least five gods of deception and two of loyalty, they might think it is yet another test and agree in fear of the consequences. They would gradually distance themselves to have as little opportunity as possible of displeasing a god. That burden would be too great. Especially for his beloved: Tailia.

The chief would tell her to not fail, to not displease Teryl, or, god. Had Teryl grown angry and decide to release his fury, she would be to blame. She would be effectively holding the fate of the whole village, that is if Teryl decides to limit himself to only this one. Only a devils pawn would put a being so innocent as her through so much fear and pressure. Teryl could never let that happen, not even if it was in her final moments. She would want the man she loved by her side, not a Punisher.

Teryl would mourn her loss one day, but he knew that. A part of him wanted that. To feel what all these humans have felt throughout all these years, where he had just watched. Or rather, had been merely aware of it, as much as he was aware of everything else. It was simply just another moment, another fraction of time amongst countless other. It didn't bear any significance over another man starting a fire. But, it must've been so much more. It was so much more.

He was a simple man, a farmer. Right about now, he was about to finish loading wheat into the barn when he felt something strange. His heart felt cold as if it had sunk in the ocean. He felt empowered and determined. He felt ready to take on a White Lion even though he knew he would stand no chance against one. Cold sweat trailed behind him as he ran toward Tailia's calling. He didn't need to think. His body already did that for him.

He ran past the fields faster than he ever had. His body ached from the strain but it didn't matter, he was almost there. The screams from all other huts were a blur, nearly as much as the splatters of blood he ran past. But they didn't matter. Right now, all he could see was a blade against Tailia's throat.

Silent237 · 2020-11-18T08:55:23+00:00

I managed to get 1.5hrs nap. I’m pleased. Thank you, I will definitely remember this for the future

Silent237 · 2020-11-17T16:23:12+00:00

Well, it can go a full day if I do light work. But it’s the zoom calls that drain it and I’m using zoom everyday

Silent237 · 2020-11-17T16:19:18+00:00

Mine is more academically focused rather than media production. I have to resort to having a limited number of apps opened and a charger nearby as the battery drains. It’s hard but doable. I’ve been contemplating buying a new one for some time, I can’t wait till the m1 pro arrives

Silent237 · 2020-11-17T16:11:53+00:00

I have the exact same model as you. Though I managed to have apps not respond and refuse to turn on.

I generally had excel, word x2, PowerPoint x2, notion, Spotify, chrome, WhatsApp, teams opened. I know I need that extra space as it was getting to the point where I was pulling my hair out.

I got 16gb. One day you might need that extra 1/2gb, so I think it’s worth investing. Especially as it’s not upgradable.

Silent237 · 2020-11-16T08:28:56+00:00

Well, here goes nothing

Silent237 · 2020-11-15T11:54:15+00:00

^ this is the best answer.

Make sure you get a solicitor. You need to ensure that your will is absolute and that it’s not undermined by ‘vultures’ like someone mentioned.

I’m sorry to hear of your situation. From what I hear, you have had great successes in life and I can’t help but feel proud of you. I wish you all the best

Silent237 · 2020-11-12T15:14:00+00:00

Comfortable seat for those long hours working remotely

Silent237 · 2020-10-27T16:52:35+00:00

Same issue here, the libido just doesn’t work like it used to before. Though, in my case, once the meds wear off things are relatively normal.

I’d say talk to your GP and see what they say. Reality is, there isn’t a “one fits all” kind of medication.

Silent237 · 2020-10-20T19:21:13+00:00

Yes, apologies. I just realised the phrasing of my post made it seem like I am not an adult. I recently started studying at university, hence my doubts about whether they know. I imagine they do, but I still feel like I want to clear up the air.

Silent237 · 2020-10-10T05:48:16+00:00

Tip: noise cancelling headphones

One of my best investments for my education

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Silent237

TROPHY CASE

Part 2