text:
"A toast to leaving the hospital," said Yama as he raised his wineglass.
Rin gently clinked her glass to his and took a sip of Pinot Grigio.
"On second thought, should you really be drinking?"
"You were the one who ordered the wine."
"I kinda just went with the flow. Sorry about that."
Rin smiled at him. "No worries. A bit of wine shouldn't be a problem. I'm sorry too, for making you push me around the whole night." She tapped the armrest of her wheelchair.
The chair's mechanical design clashed with the ambience of the fancy restaurant. Though she worked at a rather classy restaurant herself, she rarely had the chance to dine in one. Unsure how to behave, she stuck out like a sore thumb.
"It's no problem at all!" said Yama. "I'll escort you everyday if you want!"
The same could be said for her date.
Yama looked uncomfortable in his stiff tuxedo. The restaurant was upscale, but none of the other diners had such formal attire. He was way too overdressed.
It was charming.
Yama was a decade older than her, but the way he tried too hard was endearing and cute.
He was nothing like Ageha. And that was a good thing.
Rin covered her mouth with a hand and giggled. "No need for that. Rehab is going well. I should be up and about in a month or so."
"That's great! The head chef will be happy. The new camerieras need someone to show them how the job is done. We've been cycling through newbies ever since you got hospitalized."
"I'm surprised I still have a job, to be honest."
"What are you on about? Everyone at Sapore loves you."
"Even you?"
"…More than anyone else, yeah." Yama managed to say his line straight, but his cheeks glowed red from embarrassment.
Rin laughed out loud. A few of the neighboring diners sent them irritated glances for the ruckus, but she could not care less. It had been a while since she enjoyed a meal so much.
She reigned in her laughter. "Don't say it if you're gonna regret it."
"I don't regret it." Still red-faced, he gazed at her with a solemn expression. "I'm serious, Rin."
She knew he was. His feelings were plain as day.
But what about me?
A buzzing sound came from her purse.
"Sorry." She took out her mobile and checked the display.
Rin gave Yama an apologetic smile. "I gotta take this."
"Who is it?"
"It's Ageha."
Yama's expression withered as he mumbled, "What's with that timing..?"
"I'd take it outside if I could, but it's a bit inconvenient with wheels. Do you mind?"
"No, no. Go ahead."
"Thanks." She pressed a button and put the phone to her ear. "What's up?"
"I have to ask you something," said Ageha.
"I thought it was an emergency." Rin sighed.
"It's not an emergency, but it's urgent."
Then he dropped a completely unexpected question on her.
However, she did not even take a second to reply. "You don't have to do that."
"…Understood." Ageha ended the call.
"What did he say?" asked Yama with a worried look.
"He just asked for my opinion about something."
"But you seem really happy…"
"Really?" She touched her cheek. "It's just your imagination. Anyway, back to what you were saying."
"W-We can talk about that later."
"Why wait? Please, tell me."
Yama took the table napkin and used it to wipe his sweating forehead. Rin unconsciously grinned at how panicked he was. He took a deep breath to collect himself.
"I like you, Rin-chan. Would you please go out with me?"
"Sorry, that was too sudden right? Please forget what I said. Can we at least go back to being frie-"
"I agreed, Yama-san." Rin took his floundering hand in hers and set it on the table.
"…You're not joking?"
"Who'd joke about this?"
"I'm not dreaming?"
Rin pinched the back of his hand.
"IT HURTS!!! HELL YEAH!!!" shouted Yama as he shot up from his seat.
Everyone in the dining room glared at him. He sat back down while repeatedly bowing his head to the other patrons.
So cute.
"You've gone up in the world since we last saw each other," said Ageha.
"It'd be more accurate to say I've gone down, considering I'm in the underworld now." Mei Xing gestured to the chair beside him. "Take a seat."
Ageha sat down and looked around. The club was empty, apparently reserved for just the two of them. The guards had let Ageha inside surprisingly easily. He had expected at least a pat down before meeting the new dragon head of the resurrected Soaring Serpent Society, not that it really would have mattered given his body.
The bartender took their orders and prepared their drinks.
"I didn't think you were interested in joining the triad," said Ageha. "What made you change your mind?"
"I picked up a cat."
"You mean that woman called Mao?"
"How did you know?"
"A little devil whispered to me."
"Nikaido-sama is scary."
"I know right. You better be careful when dealing with her."
"I'll do my best not to get in her way."
The bartender placed two glasses filled with brandy in front of them. They drank down the pungent liquid in one stroke.
"Looks like you can handle your drink better," said Mei Xing.
"A little bit. Can't have you drinking me under the table every time."
"Too bad. I was looking forward to that."
"I'll turn the tables on you someday."
"Maybe Li Xue will be drinking with us by then."
The bartender refilled their glasses.
Ageha raised his cup an inch from the counter and stared at its contents. "Are you sure about this?"
"I would've stayed at the inn if I wasn't. The triad isn't a place you can visit, much less lead, on a whim."
"What did Setsu say?"
"She supported me all the way. She even helps me with the administrative work. Crunching numbers and personnel management is second nature to her. Her experience managing the inn for all those years seems to be paying off. I'm just a little worried she may be pushing herself too much."
"It's your job to make sure that doesn't happen. A partner who'll forgive you for anything is not a reason to indulge but an incentive to improve."
"Speaking from experience?"
Mei Xing chuckled. "I'll keep that in mind."
"What about Li Xue?"
"…Her safety is my biggest worry, actually. But I've thought about that ever since we were attacked. I'm already in danger just by being related to my father. Even if I didn't involve myself in the triad, I think people would still try to use my lineage for their own purposes."
"Is triad leadership decided by blood?"
"It usually isn't, but Father was a special case. Even before he took the top seat, he was loved by those under him and feared by those against him. For decades, he was instrumental in expanding and strengthening the triad's power in China. Most importantly, the infighting between the triads disappeared during his reign, as short as it was. His name alone carries a lot of influence, and I inherited that. That's why I got to the dragon head seat in such a short time. I'm sure the bosses who agreed to put me on the pedestal are just trying to use my name, but that's fine for now."
"You dove into the underworld to protect Li Xue? If it's just that, I'm sure I can manage something. It's not too late to change your mind."
"Don't misunderstand. It's not enough for us to be safe. I can't forget the powerlessness I felt when Zhi Zhu ordered his men to kill my daughter. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't do anything to save her. I could only cry and beg, but that didn't change a thing. I'd rather die than experience that again. That's why I need real power to protect my family with my own hands."
Ageha glanced at the ring on his hand, the first and only present he received from Kureha. "I can understand that."
"I also have other reasons for doing this."
Mei Xing told Ageha about Mao's testimony regarding his father in detail. Ageha finally understood why Mei Xing, who used to hate his father, chose to follow in his footsteps.
"Father was protecting me and my family from the shadows, but I abandoned him without knowing anything. I want to clear that debt."
"I guess even families are not immune to misunderstandings."
"Of course not. But I believe it's possible to overcome such mistakes precisely because we are family. It's a little too late for me and my father though."
Ageha recalled the faces of those close to him. A lot of things had happened between them, but despite all that, Saya, Kaika, and Arashi had become unquestionably irreplaceable to him.
Family, huh?
Ageha took a swig of his liquor. "So, what am I doing here? You didn't ask me to fly all the way to China to chat, right?"
"I looked forward to drinking with you again the most, but you're right. I called you as a representative of Nikaido-sama. I want to give her a gift for saving my family." Mei Xing emptied his glass and got up from the stool.
Ageha followed suit. Mei Xing led him across the lounge area and inside an employee-only labeled corridor. After turning a corner in the hallway, they reached a closed wooden door. Mei Xing knocked twice and opened it. A familiar stench of rust wafted through the air.
Inside was a woman in a miniskirt qipao. She was surprisingly well-endowed despite her slender physique. Beside her was someone Ageha recognized.
Akane Kogami.
But she looked different than he remembered.
She did not look like this when he had threatened her in her bathroom.
Back then, she was still complete.
Akane was on a chair, completely naked. Rather than sitting, it was more accurate to say she was placed on it. She had no arms or legs.
"I'm sure you already know Kogami, so I'll skip her introduction." Mei Xing walked past Akane. "This is my bodyguard, Mao. Mao, this is Ageha Shikimi, the friend I owe my life to."
Ageha pointed at Mao with his eyes. "Did she do this?"
"No, no. Mao caught her for me, but she is too kind for torture. I had a specialist take care of Kogami."
The carefree smile on Mei Xing's face did not falter. His thin eyes made it hard to ascertain what exactly he was feeling as he gazed at the mutilated woman.
Blood seeped out of the sutured wounds on Akane's shoulders and hips. Her eyes were half-open, but Ageha could not tell if consciousness still existed beyond them.
"This woman owes you too, right?" asked Mei Xing.
"Where did you hear that?"
"From Kogami herself. She told us everything after we took off her fingernails. Our specialist got too excited and kept going, so she ended up like this. I didn't stop him so I'm equally at fault, I guess."
"You were watching?"
"Yes, I wanted to hear the information myself."
But she already told you everything while her limbs were still attached.
Ageha did not voice his thoughts. Judging from Mei Xing's expression, it was neither information nor vengeance that motivated Akane's torture. She was an example.
Akane Kogami had been chosen as the sacrifice to etch Mei Xing's name into the annals of the underworld.
"Why are you showing this to me?" asked Ageha.
"She is the gift. We're done with her, so you can take her if you want."
"…Give me a minute. I need to ask my employer."
"Hurry up. The boss is a busy man," said Mao as she sent an irritated glare towards Ageha.
"You can joke with me all you want," said Mei Xing, "but there are limits. Ageha is my guest."
Regret flitted across Mao's face. "Sorry, Boss." She then bowed to the visitor. "Sorry too, Shikimi-san."
"I don't mind. I'm used to unreasonable demands from women."
Ageha called Kaika on his mobile. After a few rings, she answered.
"I have Akane in front of me right now. Mei Xing is giving her to you as a gift. She lost her arms and legs during the triad's interrogation. What should I do with her?"
"I see. Just kill her. I have no taste for cruelty. Get whatever info you can from Mei Xing. I'm sure she spilled everything already."
"Understood." Ageha cut the call.
"Did you reach a decision?" asked Mei Xing.
"I need to call one more person." Ageha searched for another name in his contact list.
The call connected.
"I have to ask you something," he said.
"I thought it was an emergency," said Rin.
"It's not an emergency, but it's urgent. I have Akane in front of me right now. She lost her arms and legs due to torture and is practically a living corpse. Kai told me to put her out of her misery. What do you think?"
"You don't have to do that."
"…Understood." Ageha pressed the red button and pocketed his mobile. He turned to Mei Xing. "Can I ask you a favor?"
Mei Xing made a gentle smile. "What are friends for?"
"I was told to keep her alive in that state. Can you do that for me?"
"Natsume-san's request, I take it? Consider it done." Mei Xing opened the door leading back to the hallway. "That concludes official business. Let's go back to the bar and have a few more rounds."
Ageha noticed Mao's affectionate gaze on Mei Xing's back as the two men left the room.
"Isn't Mao going to join us?" asked Ageha.
"I figured we'd drink with just us guys, but I can ask her if you want."
"No, I've had enough of that condescending stare for one night."
"That's just an act. She's really a kind girl."
"If you peel away enough layers, every person in this world is kind."
"Even Kogami?"
"It's unfortunate that people can only see and touch the layers, not the core."
"Something unreachable is meaningless."
"I disagree on one point. A person's core isn't unreachable. It's just a matter of time and effort."
"Like how you reached Mao's core? It's obvious she likes you."
Mei Xing laughed. "I've yet to even scratch her surface."
They arrived at the bar and returned to their seats. Refreshed drinks were waiting for them on the counter.
Ageha took a sip, pacing himself. "Are you sleeping with her?"
"Not yet."
"The hell kinda answer is that?"
"She just sees my father's shadow when she looks at me. I won't take advantage of that. Things might be different if she comes to see me as myself."
"That's not what I meant. You're married."
"Setsu's fine with it. We have an open relationship. We've never had other partners though."
Ageha shook his head. "I don't understand."
"That's unexpected from a guy who drags around a bunch of beauties everywhere."
"I only have eyes for Saya. I just tease her because I love the face she makes when she gets jealous."
"But you were looking at Mao's breasts earlier."
"Can you blame me? They're amazing."
"You just said you only have eyes for-"
"A figure of speech."
"I'll drink to that."
They laughed.
A knock came from the door.
"It's open," said Kaika.
Saya entered the bedroom and shut the door. "You called, Ojousama?"
Kaika rotated her swivel chair to face her butler. "I have something to ask you."
"I am all ears," said Saya.
For weeks, Kaika had debated with herself whether to confirm her suspicions or not. In the end, she had decided to ask the dangerous question.
"Who do you think tricked Zhang into thinking that his son died?"
Saya thought for a moment. "It is impossible to say for certain, but it is likely that Zhi Zhu did it to make Zhang come after you. If you and Zhang fell together, he would have had control of the triads. With his level of skill, he was probably confident he'd succeed in killing Mei Xing anyway and sent the information in advance so Zhang could catch us before we left the States."
"But Mei Xing's story doesn't match that. He said Zhi Zhu accused him of being a traitor and was loyal to Zhang to the end."
"Even if we take Mei Xing's story at face value, Zhi Zhu's words are completely untrustworthy."
"True. Zhang received the false information too quickly, even before Ageha and Arashi landed in China. Not only that, Zhang didn't verify the info before launching his attack. His source was trustworthy, at least in his eyes. That deception requires extensive manipulation of information within the triad, and Zhi Zhu was in the perfect position to do just that."
"I believe that is correct."
Kaika closed her eyes, brows furrowed.
I knew it.
She closely observed her butler. "How did you know that?"
"Know what?"
"Zhang indeed got word of Mei Xing's death quickly. But how did you know that was before Ageha arrived in China? Zhang explained that detail only to me."
Saya's expression did not change one bit. "I just assumed it was correct because you mentioned it."
"That isn't like you, Saya. If I mention something you don't know or expect, you always ask about it. You've always been like that. But just now, you agreed with information only I should know."
"I just considered the timing. If Zhang got the fake news after Ageha's arrival, it would be near impossible for Mao's group to catch us at the hotel. They would not have had enough time to prepare the attack."
"…You're right. Perfectly right." Kaika shook her head. "But you also made a mistake."
Saya did not break eye contact with Kaika, as if confident in her innocence.
Kaika stood up from her chair and approached her butler. "Why are you so calm? I'm interrogating you right now, you know?"
Saya's eyebrows flinched.
"There," said Kaika as she pointed at Saya's face. "That was the reaction I was looking for. But it happened too late. You're too prepared for this line of questioning. Even an innocent person can appear guilty depending on the situation. Considering our relationship, you should've been more aggravated and defensive the moment I doubted you. But you stayed unnaturally calm."
Saya looked down and closed her eyes without replying.
"Deception isn't about logic. It's about emotion. And faking that becomes harder the more a person knows you. And I know you."
"…My apologies, Ojousama." Saya bowed deeply. "It is as you surmised."
Of course it is.
But I didn't want to be right.
Not this time.
Saya raised her head, not an ounce of guilt in her expression. "I leaked the fake information about Mei Xing's death to Zhang."
"I see. I already know, but I'll ask why anyway."
"I did it because it was the best course of action. It was something you would have done, Ojousama."
"But I didn't do it."
"That is because you are bound by your oath to Ageha, and Ageha is Mei Xing's friend."
"And you're his lover."
"But I can lie to him if I need to. Zhang's death is for everyone's sake. You will have more control over Guangxi, and Ageha and Arashi will face less danger with one less formidable enemy. It turned out even better than I expected when Mei Xing became the dragon head of the Soaring Serpent Society. Having a true ally in China puts us all in a better position."
"…Ageha cannot know about this."
Kaika did not miss the flash of irritation on her butler's face.
"But what about your oath?"
Kaika knew there would come a time when she would break her promise with Ageha, and that was now.
"I'll break it. He has to be able to trust you, Saya."
Even if that means losing his trust in me one day.
"…What is with that? Why are you breaking it so easily? He trusts you."
"Because I don't want this to get between the two of you."
"…He forgave you for faking my death. I am certain he will forgive me for this."
"He probably will, but it isn't worth risking."
My word isn't that valuable anyway.
"Why are you doing this, Ojousama? This is not like you at all. The plot to kill Zhang using the Americans should have been the first thing you came up with. …You have changed."
Saya was correct. Kaika had considered the exact same plan but dismissed it. She had grown too afraid of losing Ageha. The extra benefits from killing Zhang were not worth the risk.
"Who hasn't?"
"…Is it pity?" Saya gave Kaika an accusatory look.
"…Excuse me?"
"Do you think you can afford to break your promises to him, while I can't lie to him even once? Do you think… he cares about you more than he does for me?" Saya bit her lips as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
This is…
I'm a failure as a mistress.
Why did I let it get to this point?
Kaika and Ageha thought Saya looked adorable when she acted jealous.
But this was different.
There was nothing cute to see here.
Helen of Troy was famous as the face that launched a thousand ships, but that was inaccurate. What caused the Trojan war was her husband's jealousy. No other emotion ignited illogical anger to such an extent.
"That's not it at all, Saya! I've never thought of Ageha that way!"
"You expect me to believe that after your breakdown at the hotel?"
"That's different! That's…"
Is he family?
But I don't care about family.
And I don't have friends.
I just have tools.
Then how is he different?
"See!? You cannot even answer!" Saya wiped her tears on her forearms, soiling her pristine white sleeves.
No, it really is different.
That's right.
He is myself.
A broken human.
A former human.
Losing him means losing a part of myself.
Kaika could not say that in fear of worsening the situation.
"I care about him as a tool, nothing more. Trust me, Saya."
"I wish I could." Saya's words were broken up by sobs. "But how can I do that after you killed Kureha-Ojousama!?"
Kaika's mind ground to a halt, but her deeply ingrained training in deception caused her body to move anyway.
"Do you even hear yourself right now? How can you even think that!?"
Righteous rage seethed from Kaika's gaze. Her breathing got rough from indignation.
Her acting was flawless. She was the picture of innocence.
"It is useless. I knew I could never see through your lies, so I got evidence. I tracked down the sister of the maid you used to leak my absence that night. You invited Kousuke's attack so Kureha would get killed… All so you could control Ageha!"
It's no use.
I can't lie my way through this.
That's not it.
I don't want to.
She decided to trust in Saya.
To entrust her beloved sister with the truth.
And so Kaika confessed.
"That's not it… I didn't want that to happen. I knew it was possible, but so were many other outcomes. It was just a gamble, like any other… That's the truth, Saya. Please believe me."
"I want to believe you, Ojousama. I really do. But please, tell me how?"
"I…" Kaika's face slackened and lost all expression. "I don't know."
The lone devil trusted too little, and thus got none in return.
Changing her ways at this point was too little and too late.
She offered her heart, a thing she did not have a year before, and it got smashed to pieces.
Tears streamed down her face, but she did not cry out. Kaika just stood there, unsure what to think or what to do.
Seeing her state, Saya calmed down. She walked closer to Kaika and bent her knees to match her height.
"I am sorry, Ojousama. I got too emotional… and said too much. I am very sorry."
Saya believes me.
She believes me!
Kaika extended her right hand. She reached out for her loyal butler, her loving sister, her perfect tool.
But she grasped only air.
Saya had stepped back.
"I love you, Kaika. But that doesn't mean I can forgive anything."
Saya's casual speech and cold tone terrorized her. Kaika trembled.
"If this is about Kureha, I told you, I didn't want that to happen!"
"It's not that. We've all done things we aren't proud of. But I won't give up Ageha to anyone. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being this weak. I'm sorry for loving the same man."
"I don't feel that way about him! Why can't you understand that!?"
"I won't tell him about Kureha-Ojousama. And you won't tell him about my involvement in Zhang's death. That's a fair trade, right?" Saya headed for the door.
It was not fair at all.
Ageha would easily forgive Saya's plot to kill Zhang, but he would never forgive Kaika for killing Kureha, even if it was half by accident.
Even now, Saya cared for and prioritized her.
"Wait!" Kaika grabbed her vest from behind.
The butler halted. She stifled her sobs with all her might, but she could not stop her shoulders from jerking. Saya seemed like a newborn fawn trying to stand on its own legs for the first time.
She is hurting much more than I am.
Saya did not care for anyone or anything more than she did for Kaika and Ageha. Now she was being pulled apart from both ends by her two-pronged jealousy. The late-blooming queen-of-all-trades had no resistance against it. The green-eyed monster was devouring her from within.
Kaika let go. Saya hurriedly left the room.
Left alone, Kaika sank to the floor. She sat there motionless, a lifeless doll staring blankly at the door.
About ten minutes passed.
Kaika pulsed back to life.
Something like this…
Getting in between me and Saya…
Her fledgling attempts at trusting others had taught Kaika despair.
But they had also taught her hope.
And unlike Ageha or Saya, she was tough as nails.
I'll crush that jealousy to dust.
She picked herself up and headed for the study.
From underneath the bed, Arashi watched her mistress leave the room.
Half an hour ago, she had come into Kaika's bedroom while the owner was away to grab some dolphin cookies. Ever since Kaika had used those treats to teach her the legendary skill "Banzai," she had gotten addicted to them. Whenever she got a craving for some, she secretly took a few pieces from Kaika's bedside drawer.
Just the other day, Arashi had accompanied her mistress outside to restock the dwindling cookie supply. She knew she could sneak some out without getting noticed.
But Kaika had suddenly entered the room while Arashi was ransacking the stash. With no other escape route, Arashi had rolled underneath the bed before being seen, accidentally bringing the whole tub of cookies with her. Soon after, Saya had entered the bedroom to speak with Kaika. Then a fight had broken out between them.
I ate half of them…
She had gotten so engrossed with the rare spectacle that she munched on the dolphin cookies without noticing.
Arashi crawled out of the narrow space and listened through the door for any possible witnesses. Hearing nothing, she grabbed a few more cookies and stealthily left the room.
"Hello?" Mitsuki wiped the sweat off her face with a towel while speaking to her mobile. "Why'd you call so early in the morning? Don't tell me you wanna eat out again?"
She had just finished the first part of her daily kendo training when she received a call from Arashi. The shouts of men practicing sword swings made it hard to talk, so she jogged to the dressing room.
"I need… some advice," said Arashi.
"What about?"
"Uhm… Can you keep this a secret? You can't tell… anyone."
"I swear on my father's grave."
"I have this friend… and another friend. They are really close, like sisters, but they got into a fight. They haven't been getting along well since then. What can I do… to help them make up?"
Mitsuki breathed a sigh of relief.
I was worried it was about Ageha for a second.
I'm glad it's nothing big.
"That depends. What were they fighting about?"
"The older one, let's call her S, planned something… behind her friend's back. Her friend, let's call her K, killed someone named Kureha-"
"Wait, did you just say killed?"
So much for nothing big.
Why does everything about Arashi end up with someone dying?
"Okay, I've switched gears. Go on."
Arashi did her best to explain, but Mitsuki could barely grasp the situation. It seemed the circumstances were fairly complex. Moreover, Arashi's lacking vocabulary made it even harder to understand.
Mitsuki rubbed her chin. "I think it's just a misunderstanding. Try talking to each of them separately and ask them to talk it over."
She just made up some random advice to get through the call. Mitsuki did not want Arashi to think she could not be depended on. It had been difficult to convince the sleepy-eyed teen that she was the big sister in their relationship. The process had taken a lot of restaurant bills and antacids. Mitsuki did not want to waste that.
"Thanks… for the advice. K is calling. I have to go. Later."
"Sure, anytime."
Mitsuki felt satisfied having helped out a friend in need.
Sakuya opened her eyes. She was in the bath, neck-deep in steaming water. The switching had gotten more frequent and random. Strangely, Mitsuki never seized control while Sakuya was awake. It was always the other way around.
S and K.
Saya Saionji and Kaika Nikaido.
K killed Kureha.
Kureha Nikaido.
Kaika's sister.
This is going to be fun!
Sakuya dipped her head into the water and blew bubbles with her laughter.
Valeriya briskly typed on her keyboard and hit enter.
"Yahallo~ Nicky!"
Her chat avatar was the orgasmic, goo-speckled face of a heterochromatic goth loli with blond twintails.
A reply appeared on her screen in less than a second.
"My name is Nick, not Nicky. And please stop using that greeting. It doesn't work when you're five foot ten."
"You type ridiculously fast, as usual."
"I'm not typing. I'm texting on my mobile. It's an innate skill of my people. BTW, your avatar is NSFW."
"That's just cream on her face."
"Do you expect me to explain that every time someone looks over my shoulder?"
"Is there anyone who would actually do that?"
"Well, no, not anymore."
"I take it that means you've gotten rid of the geezers? /人◕ ‿‿ ◕人\"
"Yeah, I control the people's army now. I planned to inform you after doing the clean up, but your ears are sharper than I thought. As promised, you can have the mines in Palawan."
"d(*・ω・*)b♪ Glad to see the people and money I gave you were put to good use."
"Next is the Muslim Congregation. I look forward to having your continued support."
"You'll have it as long as you stick to the deal. Kaika is getting bigger by the moment (lol I wasn't trying to be funny). She has solid ties in China now."
"I underestimated her. Maybe I should've sided with her when I had the chance."
"And miss out on all this fun?"
"You're the only one having fun."
"Then join in! 〜( ̄▽ ̄〜)(〜 ̄▽ ̄)〜"
"Pass. I think I'll stick to the sidelines for this one."
A knock came from Valeriya's door.
"I have a visitor. Chat with ya later. Bye-ni~" Valeriya switched her active screen to the anime series she was watching earlier. "It's open."
Viktor entered the study. "I heard Zhang was killed by the Americans."
"Where's Mitsuki?"
"In the bath. Don't tell me you want me to guard her there too?"
"Try it and I'll rip out your spine. I'll even shout 'Fatality' as I do it."
"Wouldn't dream of it. The less work, the better. I'm already exhausted from chasing after her when she runs around with that tomboy."
"Be careful with Arashi Tanizaki."
"Don't worry. I've seen her in action. Anyway, about Zhang."
"Yeah, you heard right."
"Zhi Zhu screwed up?"
"Zhi Zhu is dead."
"…That monster died? That's unexpected."
"No, that part went according to plan."
"I've been out of the loop."
"Sorry, that wasn't my intention. I just wanted you to focus on protecting Mitsuki."
Viktor shrugged. "That's okay. But can you at least explain this plan of yours?"
"I just pitted a monster against a monster. If Kaika went against Zhang, it was inevitable that Ageha would fight Zhi Zhu. Once Zhi Zhu is gone, Zhang would be defenseless."
"That kid killed Zhi Zhu?"
"Of course he did. I wouldn't have chosen him for the part if he wasn't capable of it. Zhang dying in the States was a stroke of good luck. When I heard about that, I got ready to stick my fork into the triads. The problem is what happened after that. Zhang's son Mei Xing became the new dragon head."
"…That's a problem. If he finds out that we killed his mother-"
"I killed his mother. You went on my orders and bear no responsibility. It was an immature decision on my part."
"You were young. That's normal."
"Doesn't make it any less stupid. I thought losing his wife would make Zhang more vulnerable, but it backfired and made him more dangerous. If the son is anything like his father…"
Viktor's stern face grew grim.
Valeriya leaned back in her chair. "What's worse, Mei Xing is in cahoots with Kaika. Trying to kill him might trigger a domino effect I can't control."
"You better give up on China for now."
"Right. That's a dead end. Talk about digging my own grave." She rubbed her temples.
"Flustered because you didn't get what you wanted? I thought you'd matured, but it seems you're still the girl who tried to pick a fight with me decades ago."
"Don't you mean 'the girl who kicked your ass?'"
"I remember it the other way around."
"That's called Alzheimer's." Valeriya unwrapped a lollipop and gave it a lick. "Mitsuki should be getting out of the bath soon."
"I'll get back to work then." He opened the door and stepped outside.
"Thank you for coming back, Viktor."
Keeping his back to her, he waved a hand before disappearing from view.
"Sign the contract with NGC, General," said a plump woman with curly brown hair. "Make sure to reverse engineer their technology once we get it."
Walker stifled a sigh. "Yes, Senator Garvey."
"That's all. You may go."
After a perfect salute, Walker left the senator's office. He felt the urge to smoke because the conversation, if one-sided prattle could be called that, had left a bad taste in his mouth.
How the mighty have fallen.
Senator Garvey was a retired military officer. She had never fought in any wars, but the stories of her valor in peacekeeping missions were abundant. Now she was just a fat pig with a fat brain.
Does she really think Nikaido will provide us with their best technology?
The US is too powerful.
If my read on that girl is right, she'll favor the other countries to even the field.
But that's alright.
America did not have advanced cybernetics technology because the government did not invest in its development. The torturous pain involved in nerve alignment and the requirement of body modification did not fit well with their democratic ideals and adherence to human rights. Instead, they had devoted their infantry research on armored suits, which had progressed quite nicely in recent years.
We don't need help.
But buying some of their supplies at least guarantees it doesn't go anywhere else.
And the technology we do get will give us a rough idea of what we're up against.
The politicians, rotting on their thrones of comfort and abundance, had no idea what was coming.
Peace dulled not only the body but also the mind.
Walker, along with many high-ranking US military officers, shared that belief.
The only thing left to do was to make sure the rest of the world agreed with them.
Ageha and Saya arrived at the Nikaido estate courtyard. Arashi was already there, curled up on a hammock. Kaika, the one who called them, got up from her chair and walked over.
The lovers traded glances, hoping one of them had a clue as to what was going on.
"You're finally here." Kaika placed her knuckles on her hips. "I was getting sick of waiting."
"We rushed over because you said you it was important," said Ageha.
"It is."
"Then why are we in the courtyard?" asked Saya. "If we are to discuss vital information, the drawing room is more secure."
"No, this place is perfect for what I'm about to say."
Ageha crossed his arms. "Then hurry up and say it."
"Listen! I have an announcement to make!"
Everyone in the garden focused on her. Kaika proudly thrust out her left hand. The platinum band on her ring finger glittered in the sunlight.
"Congratulate me! I got engaged!"


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Mount Rainier: When Will This Active Volcano Erupt Again?
Mount Rainier
Ring of Fire
Mount Rainier, in the Cascade Mountain Range, is part of the Ring of Fire of volcanic ranges that almost circle the Pacific. It includes the Aleutians, the western coast of North and South America, Antarctica, eastern Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan. The most recent eruptions in this ring were Mount St. Helens in 1980 and Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines in 1991.
Highest Volcanic Peak in the Cascades
Mount Rainier is the highest volcanic peak in the Cascades. It started forming about 500,000 years ago through intermittent lava flows and explosive eruptions of ash and rock. It grew to an estimated 16,000 feet. About 5,700 years ago it erupted and the mountainside collapsed. Tons of rock, mud and debris streamed down the mountain's northeast side. A 100 foot high wall of mud raced along like a river across 125 square miles ending in the Puget Sound. This mudslide was named the Osceola Mudflow. The towns of Kent, Sumner, Auburn and Puyallup are built on top of this flow. Mount Rainier was no longer 16,000 foot tall. Small eruptions have occurred every few hundred years in the past 10,000 years. The most recent large eruption was about 1,000 years ago. The last small eruption was 150 years ago. Many volcanologists thought Mount Rainier would have a major eruption before Mount St. Helens.
Majestic Beauty
Mount Rainier now has a 14,410 foot summit. It towers 7,000 to 9,000 feet above all of its neighbors. It sports 26 major glaciers, the largest single peak glacial system in the contiguous United States. Some of its climbs are so treacherous, rarely does anyone attempt them. Even the so called easy routes are so challenging they are used as training grounds to prepare for the world's highest peaks. The glaciers form when there is more snowfall than snowmelt. True glaciers consist of three layers: snow, mixed snow and ice, and pure ice. They are called rivers of ice because they move down the mountain. The steeper the slope, the faster it travels downward. Mount Rainier's glaciers move from a few inches up to two feet per day.
Mount Rainier's Weather
Mount Rainier's peak is usually above the clouds. There were a few clouds below the peak when I first saw the mountain. You are lucky if you see Mount Rainier on a sunny day because most of the time it is cloudy. I was lucky the day I went to Paradise as it was sunny and clear of cloud cover. Even in the summer when the lowlands are sunny, the mountain slopes are frequently covered in fog, mist, rain or even snow showers. Weather systems full of moisture come off the Pacific Ocean and pound the sides of Mount Rainier, dropping record-breaking amounts of snow at the higher elevations. Paradise Valley at a mile above sea level averages 680 inches (56.7 feet) of snow. In the winter of 1971-1972 a record 1,122 inches (93.5 feet) of snow fell!
Mount Rainier's History
In 1792 British Explorer Captain George Vancouver named the mountain after his friend Admiral Peter Rainier. In 1870 General Hazard Stevens and Philemon Van Trump made the first documented climb. James Longmire discovered some mineral springs in 1883 and later in 1890, he and his wife built and managed the first hotel at the site. Mount Rainier was established as the nation's fifth national park in 1899. Automobiles were first permitted on the road from Longmire to Paradise in 1915.
Paradise is famous for its views and its wildflower meadows. Every year, usually in July, as the snow is melting in this subalpine meadow (5,000 – 8,000 feet high), the white avalanche lilies, yellow glacier lilies and white western anemones begin to appear. As the summer progresses, an abundance of flowers appear. The list includes deep blue lupines, wild asters, daisies, orchids, cinquefoil, purple gentians, white and pink heather, marsh marigolds, Indian paint brush, purple shooting stars, pasqueflowers and beargrass. Beargrass is an interesting flower. It is a misnomer as it is not a grass nor do bears like them! Being an avid lover of wildflowers, I was looking forward to seeing the meadow in full bloom. But it was not to be. In 2008 in mid-July the meadow was still buried under snow.
Outer Beauty: Inner Chaos
Mount Rainier is the gem of the Cascades. How can such beauty be hiding such turmoil? Volcanologists will be given plenty of warning before an eruption, but not the exact time. Mudslides are more of a concern as they come crashing down with no warning. I was pondering these possibilities as I stood gazing at its beauty, hoping I was safely back home in the Midwest before she threw any tantrums.
Mount St. Helens
- Mount St. Helens: A Mountains Devastation And Rebirth
Mount St. Helens and Spirit Lake-before May 18,1980. Image courtesy of USDA Forest Service, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument-Jim Nieland Mount St. Helens-July 2008 Mount St. Helens in the state...
Beautiful Glacier National Park
- Exploring Glacier National Park by Boat and Your Own Two Feet
An excellent adventure at Glacier National Park is to take the boat cruises/hikes. I managed to work in two of them. The first one was on St. Mary Lake. This lake is on the eastern edge of the park and is the...
- Going-to-the-Sun Road: A Drive You Will Never Forget
An excellent adventure at Glacier National Park is a journey by car across the Going-to-the-Sun Road. First, a little bit of background about the road. It was first considered in 1910 but construction was not...
- The First Must-Do Adventure in Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in northern Montana is one of the gems of the national park system. But if you want to see the glaciers, you need to go soon. There used to be around 150 glaciers in the park but it is...
This is a great article with brilliant images and your writing enhances them, and vice versa. Some interesting facts and figures plus your own insights and descriptions - just what's needed for the adventurer and armchair tourist alike!
'I was lucky the day I went to Paradise'.... that's a nice line.
As a mountain lover and occasional climber (only the easy ones mind!) reading your hub is a delight. What an unusual wonder Rainier is. And the snowfall figures are outrageous. We think we're snowed under here in the UK when 3 inches falls.
Many thanks.
I have lived in the Puget Sound all of my life and the frequency of lahar that goes on is the first of every month. I absolutley love Mt Rainer and have never been afraid of the chances of eruption, I guess it's something you grow up with. Great article by the way!
Nice hub! I lived in Seattle for a while and feel in love with Mt. Rainier. Its presence is quite powerful.
Great hub, with good links to Glacier. Rainier's one of our favorite places for wildflowers andd x-country skiing
Great hub and an excellent photo gallery!

subset: commoncrawl


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Last week, I paid a visit at Bangs Prime Salon by Tony and Jackey in Tomas Morato to get my hair recoloured and treated. In case you're not familiar, Bangs Prime Salon is the upscale brand of the Korean local salon that started in 2001, Tony and Jackey. They offer top quality service by Korean hairstylists for you to achieve that Korean hairstyle.
As you know, I've had red hair for over a year now and to keep it really red, I have to go to the salon regularly to get it retouched. And usually if I want a change in hairstyle, I get it done at Bangs Prime Salon. I also did my last two hair color retouches at their branch in SM Fairview. What keeps me coming back is the quality of their service and naturally, as a K-everything fan, I just have to get my hair done at a Korean salon. Kkkk!~
I have a friend who's been a frequent customer at their Tomas Morato branch for a very long time now so for a change, I decided to visit this branch for my salon day and I'm super glad I did!!
They offer a wide range of services for you to achieve that K-pop hairstyle: 1) cutting, 2) styling, 3) hair coloring, 4) perming, 5) rebonding and 6) treatment. They have 4 in-house Korean hairstylist and fortunately, their senior hairstylist, Mr. Dean, was there when I visited!
Here is my hair before everything. As you can see, it's brassy, quite dry and my natural hair color is already showing up in the roots.
Here is my choice of color. Actually, I just told Mr. Dean that I want a nice red color then he suggested that he will mix a bit of the one on the right photo with the one on the left. I really appreciate that he suggested what he thought was gonna look good and he was confident about it so I trusted him. I think it's a really good thing if you're someone who wants a change but don't really have anything specific in mind.
And so the hair coloring begins!~
First, they proceeded and colored my whole hair except for my roots. And to all those asking on IG, no bleaching occurred in the process! But I guess, since my hair was already colored in red for several times, it was easier for me to achieve my new color which you will see at the end of this post! *u*
After about 20-30minutes, they went for my roots. They left it on for around the same amount of time before rinsing!~
The staff were all so nice and friendly, btw!~ They all made sure that my whole hair was colored evenly.
And here's what my hair looked like after rinsing! The redness is sooo beautiful I was so happy as this is, by far, my best red yet! <3
After rinsing, I decided to try their Mucota Scena Clinic Hair Treatment for the first time. The treatment consists of 6 steps which brought back the moisture of my hair and made it a lot shinier! <3 I highly recommend it if you have really damaged hair!
My hair after the treatment! <3 Looks so healthy, fresh and shiny! I was so surprised how much change it made on my hair. I washed it 2 days later. My hair felt so soft while I was massaging shampoo on it! It used to feel coarse.
I also got a trim since Mr. Dean suggested it. He actually mentioned it first before everything else. He said that my hair was a bit heavy on the back and the left and right sides are uneven. I didn't even notice it! He's super skilled. I highly recommend that you book him as your stylist. Like I swear, I never had a stylist as good as him! Just look at my hair! Never been this happy going out of a salon, lol!
Done after about 3 hours and it was worth it. I'm so happy with my hair! Thanks so much for the wonderful experience, Bangs Tomas Morato! Definitely, my new go-to branch! <3
You can visit Bangs Prime Salon by Tony and Jackey Tomas Morato at CTTM Square, 68 Tomas Morato Cor Timog Ave, Diliman, Quezon City, 1103 Metro Manila. They're open Mon-Sun, 10am-9pm.
For more info, visit http://bangsprimesalon.com.ph.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.


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Stonehenge. The very name evokes mystery and myth. Although archaeology has revealed more about the monument than any mere visual survey, we are still very much in the dark about its origin and purpose. With one exception: we know it was something religious. When we discover artifacts that required a tremendous outlay of human effort in pre-industrial periods, the motivation, according to our current understanding, is almost always religious. Modernity has come to us with a cost. In any case, a recent story in The Guardian highlights the view of Julian Spalding, erstwhile museum director, that Stonehenge might have housed a platform on top of which the real action took place. As might be expected, experts disagree. With its precise solar alignment, one wonders if a roof might have been superfluous, but then again, there is the sky.
When I begin to feel depressed working in the belly of a concrete bunker with no windows, indeed, no view of the sky at all, I find my way to a room with a view of the outside. I've always had a celestial orientation, and looking at the sky—especially on a day with some blue showing—can cure my sadness in a way almost supernatural. I suppose that was part of the reason I wrote Weathering the Psalms; there is just something about the sky. In that book I couldn't really verify what it was. I still can't. I know it when I feel it, however, and this perhaps the feeling the Julian Spalding is asking us to explore at Stonehenge. Ancient people directed their worship upward, not toward the ground.
Like all universal statements, however, there are exceptions. Some ancient religions recognized our place as children of the earth. The celestial sphere, however, is part of the package. Our atmosphere makes our world habitable. While the moon is beautiful and Mars inspires wonder, their lack of air spells their hostility toward those who need to breathe deeply and look up into the blue once in a while. Almost Frazerian in its archetypal view, Spalding's idea has a beauty of its own, whether or not the evidence bears it out. People of ancient times had a talent we lose in our cubicle-infested, results-obsessed world. We all exist because of the atmosphere above us. And when modern views become too much for me, I head outdoors where, sun or not, I find my solace in the sky.


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Handwritten Notes for Economy by Dhyeya IAS for UPSC Exam.
Economy by Dhyeya IAS : Economics is the subject which is important in both Prelims and Mains in UPSC Civil Service Exam. About 10-20 questions are from Economics in Prelims Every Year. So, That is why Economics is considered to be one of the Important Subject in UPSC Exam. It also plays a very important role to score a good ranking in the Exam. As General Studies Paper II demands the knowledge of this Subject. So, Below are the important handwritten notes for Economy by Dhyeya IAS.
Click Here to Download Notes for Economics by Dhyeya IAS.
Note : You can also get Important Study Material from our Telegram Channel @nailedupscexam.
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Cisco - FEATURED ARTICLES
May 30, 2013
Cisco News - Cisco Completes Acquisition of Ubiquisys
By Ed Silverstein, TMCnet Contributor
Cisco has completed the acquisition of Ubiquisys – a U.K.-based provider of 3G and long term evolution (LTE (News - Alert)) small cell technology. Cisco will pay about $310 million in cash and retention-based incentives to acquire the privately-held business and Ubiquisys employees will become part of the Cisco (News - Alert) Mobility Business Group.
The deal makes sense, industry analysts have said. Ubiquisys has a specialization in indoor small cell and intelligent software for 3G and LTE spectrum, while Cisco has a mobility portfolio and Wi-Fi specialization. Together, the pairing provides a "comprehensive small cell solution for service providers that supports the transition to next-generation radio access networks," according to a recent statement from Cisco.
"After the acquisition, Cisco will benefit from Ubiquisys (News - Alert) software, expertise and knowledge that should boost Cisco's mobile-carrier business in the future," added Zacks Investment Research.
Moreover, Seeking Alpha reports that the deal "demonstrates the networking giant's growing focus on wireless carriers and software-based networking technologies."
"At the heart of this acquisition is Cisco's bid to add more software-oriented service capabilities to its portfolio of networking products and thwart the risk of SDNs (Software-Defined Networks) commoditizing hardware completely," Seeking Alpha went on to say. "Increasing focus on software and services will also help diversify Cisco's revenue streams towards sources of a more recurring nature and mitigate the risks associated with macroeconomic uncertainty on hardware sales. In addition, we see Cisco attempting to win back share in the service provider market where its lead over competitors such as Juniper Networks (News - Alert) (JNPR) isn't as commanding as in the enterprise market."
Last year, Cisco acquired 11 companies. In January, it acquired Intucell for $475 million and has also acquired a cloud services management business SolveDirect.
"We believe that these acquisitions will broaden Cisco's customer base and network offerings, providing the company with a significant competitive edge," Zacks concluded in a statement.
Edited by Jamie Epstein


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When it comes to condiments, you have a lot of choices -- but many of them are high in fat and calories and low in nutritional value or flavor. One option, Dijon mustard, which originally hails from Dijon, France, might not have a lot of nutrients, but it does pack a wallop of sharp flavor for very few calories.
Condiment Numbers
For every tablespoon of mustard you drizzle on your hot dog or spread on your sandwich, you'll add just 15 calories to your meal. Compare this to ketchup, which offers just over 19 calories per tablespoon, or mayo with 94 calories per tablespoon. Dijon mustard doesn't contain a significant amount of fat, carbohydrates or protein, nor does it offer any fiber or sugar. The only other nutrient in Dijon is sodium; each teaspoon contains approximately 120 milligrams. Limit your sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams a day, in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines.
- Livestrong.com The Daily Plate: Dijon Mustard
- Food Network: Dijon Mustard
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Catsup
- USDA National Nutrient Database: Salad Dressing, Mayonnaise, Regular
- U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010


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(Born 8 April 1981). Kitsch was born in Kelowna, British Columbia. He has two older brothers and two younger half sisters. Originally set to become a professional hockey player, he played for the Langley Hornets in the Canadian BCHL before a bad knee injury ended his career. He moved to New York in 2002 after receiving an opportunity to pursue modeling with IMG and studied acting there as well. After two years, he signed with production company, Untitled Entertainment. While staying in New York, Kitsch also became certified as a nutritionist and personal trainer. Kitsch has modeled for Diesel and Abercrombie & Fitch.
Kitsch currently stars in the NBC series Friday Night Lights as football player Tim Riggins. He played Pogue Parry in The Covenant alongside Steven Strait, Sebastian Stan, Laura Ramsey, Toby Hemingway, Jessica Lucas and Chace Crawford.
In February 2008, he signed on to play Gambit in the X-Men franchise spinoff X-Men Origins: Wolverine," released May 2009. It received a May 2009 release. Of the fan-favorite character of Gambit, Kitsch states, "I knew of him, but I didn't know the following he had. I'm sure I'm still going to be exposed to that. I love the character, I love the powers, and I love what they did with him. I didn't know that much, but in my experience, it was a blessing to go in and create my take on him. I'm excited for it, to say the least."
In 2009, Kitsch signed up for Steven Silver's The Bang Bang Club alongside Ryan Phillipe and Malin Akerman, set in South Africa and documenting the final bloody days of the apartheid. As of June 2009, Kitsch was to play the title role in the film John Carter of Mars, alongside his [X-Men Origins: Wolverine] co-star Lynn Collins. The film was released in 2012.
When Kitsch first moved to New York to become an actor he was a homeless illegal alien with no prospects. During a particularly dark period, he wound up sleeping on the subway. Along with the rest of the down-on-their-luck street dwellers he'd get on the E train at night and curl up in one of the bucket seats while it made its endless loop around the city. Kitsch is going to need that gritty determination and self-reliance in the coming years, too, but he doesn't seem phased. In fact, he's about to get his first tattoo, a reminder of the mantra that got him here. "Riggs says 'no regrets' and that's from me, that's improv," the actor explains. "It's my motto, too. Tomorrow I'm getting a tattoo in Swahili that means to live life with no regret. - Nylon Magazine


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Auto Warranty Merchant Accounts driving you to the edge?
PayKings will put you in the driver's seat with the ideal auto warranty merchant account. Let the high risk payment processing experts get your business approved today!
Get A Free QuikQuote™
Auto Warranty Merchant Account
An auto warranty merchant account is classified as high risk. This makes it difficult to find a reliable payment processing partner. Luckily PayKings specializes in working with high risk merchants. We have multiple acquiring banking partners that offer auto warranty merchant accounts, making us the leading experts in getting your auto warranties merchant account up and running and set your business up to accept payments sooner.
Finding a merchant account for a business in the extended warranty industry isn't as easy as talking to the local bank and their credit card processor. The reason, is that extended or auto warranty merchant accounts are considered high risk, meaning that these risk merchant service providers (like that offered by your regional lender) cannot underwrite your enterprise.
Therefore, if you would like to accept credit card payments within an extended auto warranty provider, you ought to apply for a merchant account that is underwritten by a sponsor bank, or pre underwritten in house (like PayKings does) to help encourage high risk businesses that payment processing is possible – that is, with a high risk merchant account provider like PayKings.
Here's a Common Scenario
Let's say that when you start out setting up your eCommerce platform, you choose a company like PayPal for your credit card processing – but this option doesn't quite work out for you.
Why is that? The simple answer is that PayPal, Square, and Stripe (also called payment aggregators) as well as institutions like Wells Fargo or even TransFirst (who are examples of low or no risk credit card processors) simply do not want your business.
They are developed to serve very specific kinds of retailers, which, unfortunately do not consist of high risk merchants. In large part that is because they do not have the underwriting or risk management processes in place that high risk credit card processors like PayKings do, as to mitigate the probability of loss.
The annoying thing, however, is that the sales folks at low risk credit card processors and the auto-approvals at payment aggregators do not inform you they can not approve your business. And in some instances, they approve your small business and then drop you in just a few weeks – right when you really start processing.
That's because those very low risk processors and aggregators perform their underwriting once you have started accepting payments, not on the front end like with high risk credit card payment processors. And while the procedure is easier and usually cheaper going through an aggregator or very low risk processor, plenty of extended auto warranty businesses originally fall into the trap of applying using a low risk provider.
How Does Being High Risk Affect Your Chances of Getting an Auto Warranty Merchant Account?
I know what you are thinking… I conduct a legit organization, frankly a pretty good one, and that I pay my bills when they're due, so why am I considered high risk.
The answer is that"you" aren't considered high risk, the auto warranty industry is. The reason for this is that historically, the extended auto warranty business has a higher risk of loss exposure for your sponsor bank and credit card processor. Let me clarify…
If you sell an auto warranty by means of a credit card, the client has 6 weeks to dispute the charge. As you know, your extended warranty does not cover literally everything, so when a client has purchased a warranty simply to learn it does not cover his particular problem, he's likely going to get annoyed and resorts to filing a chargeback.
As the extended warranty company owner, it's your job to respond to that chargeback and acquire it. If you do not, and you do not have sufficient money in your bank account to pay to avoid the funds being pulled out, then it comes to your credit card processor and their sponsor bank having to cover the refund.
When there's a good deal of those kinds of chargebacks that can mean a great deal of financial risk for the auto warranty company's credit card processor. And that, is why auto warranty businesses are considered to be high risk.
To learn more about chargebacks, click here.
Why Does this Matter and How Can PayKings Help with my Auto Warranty Merchant Account?
The difference between an auto warranty company that can accept credit cards regularly for years, and one that loses their auto warranty merchant account after 6 weeks, depends heavily on how seriously they operate to minimize and manage chargebacks.
Because the auto warranty industry is dominated by relatively small companies, many don't acknowledge this fact until it's too late, and thus their merchant accounts cannot be saved, leaving them unable to accept credit card payments in the future.
Auto warranty companies, sadly enough, are one of the biggest high risk businesses in terms of chargebacks, because they get attacked by and are susceptible to what's called a 'friendly chargeback'.
What is a friendly chargeback? Well, it pertains to situations in which the consumer has officially used their particular credit card to make a purchase, but then decided for whatever reason to dispute the charge. Normally, in the context of auto warranties, this is because the client was dissatisfied with the service provided or considers that a claim should have been covered, but was not.
The auto warranty merchant account has a danger of cascading friendly chargebacks, which is an especially big threat because of the character of the business.
By way of instance, an extended warranty business might provide annual plans in a particular geographic area. A natural disaster in that region might cause hundreds of the clients to submit legitimate claims at precisely the exact same moment. That might bankrupt the auto warranty provider, and they might be unable to support everyone the claims.
This might lead to a cascading effect where dozens or hundreds of other clients begin to initiate chargebacks, ultimately bankrupting the company and leaving the credit card processor liable for your losses.
In any case, if you want to save yourself the time and hassle of applying and then promptly getting dropped, or being set up to accept credit card payments and then shut down due to excessive chargebacks – you need to first apply with a high risk merchant account supplier that accepts auto warranty merchant accounts, a reputable and reliable company, like PayKings.
Why PayKings?
PayKings understands the unique needs of the different auto warranty related businesses and has established 24+ acquiring banking relationships to become experts in getting auto warranty merchant accounts set up quickly and on to accepting online payments.
Our Services
Auto Warranties Merchant Account Experts
- 20+ Proven Bank Relationships
- Medium/High Risk Accounts
- Fast Auto Warranty Account Approval
- Large Merchant Case Studies
- E-Commerce and Retail Options
- B2B Vendors Supported
Multiple Payment Solutions
- Multiple E-Commerce Gateway
- Chargeback Prevention
- E-Check
- Credit Cards
- B2B-Level II/III Data Discounts
- 3D Secure Frictionless Checkout
- Mobile Payment
- EMV Readers
Intuitive Compatibility & Support
- Gateway Recurring Billing
- Vault
- E-Commerce Cart Plugins
- Developer API / Docs
- POS/Terminals
- International Merchant Accounts
- Dedicated Account Managers


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Osmo Genius Kits for Science, Math and Art Granted to Ms. Harris
"Thank you so much for the exciting news that my grant request has been accepted. I am so excited to provide these innovative, brain growing activities to the kids in my class. Having only one Osmo Genius Kit right now is frustrating for the kids and me. Thanks so much for all the time you donate to this wonderful foundation. I can't imagine the amount of work it takes to administrate it all. Know that you're making a huge difference in the lives of Curie children. From beautiful Mozart costumes that I've used so many times over the years when I put on my class musicals, to the iPads that have inspired so many students to learn creatively. Again 1 million thanks for supporting the UC community. We probably don't say it enough but everyone feels truly grateful." – Jill Harris, Curie Elementary
Classroom Rug Granted to Ms. Wagner
"A big THANK YOU for donating our beautiful new rug to room 515 4th and 5th grade students at Doyle Elementary. Before the rug, students wanted to sit at their desks and the front of our room looked like a boring waste of space. Now, the kids enjoy coming up to the rug, working with partners and collaborating together. It's even helping the 5th graders learn the 50 state names and locations! Thank you again for this wonderful treat. We will take good care of our new carpet so it can last for years and years!" – Doreen Wagner, Doyle Teacher
Reading Books Granted to Ms. McCabe
"I received $1000 to purchase guided reading books from the Rigby PM collection. The books are being used by all my students throughout literacy time and then are being used during ELD which includes students from the other first grade classrooms. I am so excited to see how much the children are enjoying the new books and how much it is improving their progress towards reaching their end of the year reading goals. Educate inspires us to continuously look for new ways to help children and makes wishes and dreams come true for the teachers of the UC community. Thank you for EVERYTHING you do for all of us!" – Renee McCabe, Spreckels Teacher
Portable Sign for Standley ASB
"Thank you, Educate! The new portable sign your grant allowed us to purchase has been getting lots of attention. Students who never seem to look at the marquee or chalkboards can't help but see our great new sign – especially since we can move the sign to places they can't miss. Thanks for helping us get the word out." – Monte Carroll, Standley Teacher & ASB Advisor
Channel One News Resources Granted to Ms. Thurston
"My colleagues and I would like to thank you for funding Channel One News for our 3rd grade students at Doyle. This daily news show has supported critical thinking and strengthened listening and speaking skills. Our students look forward to this portion of their day as they learn about what is happening in our world. The collaborative conversations we have in the classroom, as well as those that they have at home, are meaningful and relevant. Thank you for supporting us with a tool aimed at fostering digital-savvy global citizens. In this exercise (shown) we ask students how Misty Copeland's story inspirational to anyone pursuing an improbable goal" – Amiee Thurston, Doyle Teacher
New Rug for Ms. Sharman's Class
"The new classroom rug that I received made such a big impact in our classroom! The other rug I had in there for about 12 years. For being 12 years old it was in pretty good shape but it looked very worn. The children's eyes lit up when they saw the new rug the EdUCate! Grant bought us! That rug is our home for most of the day and now it feels clean and beautiful!" – Kimberly Sharman, Spreckels Teachers
2015-2016 Fall Teacher Grants Awarded
Congratulations to our fall teacher grant recipients! Teachers from all five University City schools applied for and benefited from EdUCate's Teacher Grant program this school year! More than $28,000 was granted in December directly to teachers' classrooms for the Fall 2015 cycle. For a list of recipients see Grant Recipients.
Spreckels 5th Graders Attend BizTown
Spreckels 5th grade class attended BizTown in November 2015. Through donations we are able to make this an annual program for all 5th grade students in the U.C. cluster.
"I wanted to extend my deepest thanks for your support and funding for BizTown for our 5th graders at Spreckels. Our students had the great fortune of attending today. Not only is BizTown a child's dream come true of getting to live like an adult for a day, but it is a highly valued educational experience that teaches our students about the joy and promise of the future. I cannot thank you enough for this opportunity. Please know that the impact today on all our 5th graders was lifelong. I feel fortunate to be a part of such an amazing community and to be supported by such a generous organization." – Michel Cazary, Principal – Spreckels Elementary Read More
36 Compound Microscopes for Middle School Students
The microscopes at Standley being used by science department were more than 20 years old, most of them having been broken and repaired from use over time. They were not reliable, and not enough of them worked to be helpful. So the science department asked EdUCate for 36 new microscopes, a full class set, to be shared by all grades. Through a Teacher Grant, EdUCate was able to fully fund all 36 microscopes! Now, all students at Standley will have access to a new high quality device for experimental and investigative learning! "We can always count on EdUCate! to support our science program! The classroom sets of microscopes allow us to provide our students with authentic and rigorous scientific experiences. There's nothing better than seeing students' faces light up as they explore the world of microorganisms, sometimes for the first time." – Lori Pina, Standley Middle School
Classroom Rug for Doyle 3rd Graders, Ms. Thurston
Ms. Thurston applied for an EdUCate grant to purchase a large classroom rug for her 3rd grade class. "We want to thank you for your generous donation of a classroom rug to our classroom at Doyle Elementary. The rug is a welcomed addition to our learning environment. Students enjoy coming together to engage in the sharing of ideas. The rug brings the learning front and center and has made a positive impact on our community of learners!" – Aimee Thurston, Doyle Elementary.
Jr. Achievement BizTown for 5th Graders
In Spring of 2014, Kelly Dudley, 5th grade teacher at Doyle Elementary, requested a Teacher Grant for purchase of a JA BizTown curriculum and hands-on field trip. Due to the success of this program we worked with JA BizTown to include a second UC elementary school in their program for the 2014-2015 school year. This academic year, all 5th graders at Doyle and Spreckels will be attending JA BizTown! We hope to have all three elementary schools participating next school year as the program has a wait-list.
"The students walked away learning some amazing and important life-skills. I'm sure that they will always regard their experience at JA BizTown as their first introduction to the 'real' working world! Thank you VERY much EdUCate! for funding this awesome educational program and trip for our 5th graders again this year!" – Kelly Dudley, Doyle Elementary. Read more.
Spreckels Receives Common Core Non-Fiction Books, Ms. McKay
Ms. McKay applied for an EdUCate grant to purchase more Common Core books needed to support the implementation of Common Core at their school. "Thanks to EdUCate! Spreckels has their hands on more Common Core books to enhance learning in all grade levels. We appreciate all your support EdUCate! We love you EdUCate!" – Claudia McKay, Spreckels Elementary.
Hands on Learning Tools for Math and Literacy
Teacher Suwanna Siegler desired hands-on learning tools to enrich her first-grade students' learning in math and literacy. The grant from EdUCate! paid for different materials for the math center, listening center, computer center, and independent work. "The EdUCate! Grant enhances learning in my classroom so that students in my classroom can now work with hands-on materials in math and literacy. In addition, the privacy partition and multipurpose headphones help students stay focus on their own work. Thank you EdUCate! for making a difference!!!" – Suwanna Siegler, Doyle elementary.
Super Large Carpet for 30 Students
Kindergartners do the majority of their learning as a whole group on the carpet. Due to the increase in class size, teacher Tara Astacio had 26 students and a carpet that fit only 20 students. EdUCate! granted money for a larger carpet to support up to 30 students which facilitates learning in the classroom. "I am beyond thankful to have this new carpet for my students. Everyone has a spot now which helps with classroom management and adds to our classroom environment. My kindergartners love it and I think they were even more excited than I was! Thank you EdUCate!" – Tara Astacio, Doyle elementary.
Portable CD Player for Individual and Group Work
Teacher Sonia Gomez-Neri wanted to enhance her 2nd grade classroom with a portable CD player. Throughout the day the CD player would assist a variety of subject areas and in different group settings. In a group setting, she felt the class could follow along with a book using a document camera or Promethean board. In small groups, a student can use the CD player as a listening center to develop vocabulary, language and literacy. "Thank you EdUCate! we believe the CD player is well worth its value and will not need to be replaced any time soon! Thank you for granting my request" – Sonia Gomez-Neri, Spreckels elementary.
Science Equipment
The 5th grade science curriculum at Doyle elementary is educational, fun, and has been designed to be very hands-on. However, since the science kits don't come with a class-set of safety goggles, Doyle elementary school teacher Kelly Dudley had to limit the amount of interactive experiments performed in the classroom. Now students are benefiting from new science goggles! "Thank you EdUCate! for granting me the money to purchase proper eye-wear for each student in my class. My 5th graders are delighted to know that we will not have to skip any more exciting experiments!" – Kelly Dudley, Doyle 5th Grade Teacher
Baseball and Softball P.E. Equipment
The physical education department at Standley Middle School was in serious need of upgrading their baseball and softball equipment. Now students at Standley are benefiting from brand new equipment which will improve the program's baseball and softball activities. "Forty new gloves are a welcome addition as the P.E. Department was previously using gloves which have been in use since the school's inception" said Craig Sacchetti, Standley Middle School PE coach. "Batting tees were also a part of the grant and they are really helping beginners get up to speed with their hitting skills. Thank you EdUCate!"
English Department Software Tool
The UCHS English department was in danger of having their site license expire for turnitin.com, a web-based tool that allows students to submit papers and get feedback from teachers online. Besides providing a valuable communication avenue for teachers and students, it's also one of the most effective deterrents English teachers have to combat plagiarism, since all submissions are checked against other submitted papers and web resources.
"EdUCate's generous donation allowed us to maintain the program and increase the quality of writing instruction available to students. On behalf of the entire department, we want to thank you for your ongoing support."
– Sue Bristol and Brian Compagnone of UCHS
Area Rug Improving Personal Space, Ms. Siegler
The mission for first graders in Ms. Siegler's class is to learn and have fun while learning. As a way to achieve this goal, she applied for an EdUCate grant to purchase a uniquely-designed area rug to allow students to work independently.
"The area rug we received through EdUCate helps me better manage the classroom because each child has his/her personal space while sitting on the floor. It also creates a cheerful environment for learning. Thank you for your support!" – Suwanna Siegler, Doyle Elementary
Independent Reading Books, Ms. McKenna
After having taught kindergarten for fourteen years then "double promoted" to a second grade teacher, Dana McKenna was thrilled for a new opportunity but was challenged with a lack of grade level appropriate books. Additionally, she needed a more efficient way to utilize co-created charts for in class discussions with students.
"The bulk of my independent reading books were leveled for kindergarten, even some for first grade, but I knew I was lacking in appropriate books for my second grade readers. Receiving the EdUCate grant allowed me to purchase two overflowing bags of chapter series books for my classroom and a double-sided white board easel! My students were THRILLED to have new and more books to read!" said Ms. McKenna. "Having a double-sided easel allows me to utilize multiple charts at the same time during classroom discussions, as well as leaving them accessible to my students…thank you once again to EdUcate for supporting the needs of our students and teachers in the UC area!" – Dana McKenna, Doyle Elementary
Technology Support, Ms. Pope
Alison Pope's class at Doyle is in the process of receiving a new Promethean board and tablet computer from the district and needed an additional computer in order to support her capabilities as a job share teacher. "Since there are two teachers, it is critical that we each have our own computer so that we can use it both in the classroom and create lessons at home to use with our students," stated Ms. Pope. EdUCate funded this grant request so that technology could be integrated efficiently and effectively to enhance instruction.
"I want to thank EdUCate so much for funding a computer. I do a lot of work from home to prepare and plan lessons and would not have been able to do it without this computer. Thanks to you, I can be a more effective teacher and make learning more interactive and fun!" – Alison Pope, Doyle Elementary
New Math Materials
Supplementary math materials were needed for several of Judy Walker's classes at Doyle elementary school, so she applied for an EdUCate grant to purchase the FIRSTINMATH program. Ms. Walker planned to use this online program for enrichment math as well as test prep and reinforcement. Students could use the program at home and in the classroom.
"Students who are finished with their assigned math tasks are able to get enrichment using the FIRSTINMATH website. The program takes little effort on the teacher's part, and the students are motivated to earn points for activities completed using the program. Students who need reinforcement can get it in a 'fun' way which is motivating for them. This program is also easy to use for our second language students." – Judy Walker, Doyle Elementary.
UCHS Band and Orchestra
Cameron Brown joined UCHS in 2011 with lots of enthusiasm for growth. An orchestra was added, enrollment was up and they needed new equipment. "We are aggressively fundraising to support a budget of $28,000 for recurring expenses such as competitions, buses, uniforms, supplies and coaches…these grants will benefit the program for many years to come and allow more students to participate in music who might otherwise not have such opportunity," stated Mr. Brown in his grant application for drum stands. We were able to fully fund his application through our teacher grant program.
"Thank you so much for this wonderful news! I will pass this information along to the UCHS Music Boosters who will decide which purchase option will work best. I will also pass along the good news to the hard-working students in our drumline who are about to get some very useful equipment that will help them at athletic events and similar gigs for years to come! Teachers in the UC cluster are so lucky to have groups like EdUCate and the Centurion Foundation supporting our efforts and providing opportunities for us to enhance our teaching." – Cameron Brown, UCHS
UCHS Science Department
Because of recent budget cuts, the UCHS science faculty had not been able to replace some older and broken equipment, keep experiments properly refrigerated, nor do common blood typing with students which had been done in past classes. Through a number of our Teacher Grant applications, the department received almost $2,800 to fulfill many of their immediate needs!
"Thank you so much to EdUCate! The Science Department truly appreciates the opportunity to make large requests that benefit the UCHS students. We have been so fortunate to have UC community members dedicated to education and especially to Science needs, understanding how much is required to run effective science classrooms. I know the Wash Bottles and Density Flow Table that were granted through this process are of great value to our labs." – Tara Howell, AP Environmental Science/Earth Science Teacher and Science Department Chair
Spreckels Second Grade Teacher, Erin Nordlow
Second grade teachers have so far not been included in the district roll out of Promethean technology. In order to tap into the enhanced instruction capabilities of today's technology, Ms. Nordlow requested an iPad through our Teacher Grant Program. Ms. Nordlow's request listed very specific ways she planned on using the iPad to enhance instruction in reading with an application that provides "tracking and phonetic awareness and fluency;" in math using "Mad Math," "Math Bingo" and "Math Board;" in writing using "My Story Kit;" in science using interactive apps and with English learner applications that "increase participation, understanding and motivation through visual support for language learners." She had so many incredible ideas for an iPad's enhancement of the classroom!
"THANK YOU! I am so grateful to EdUCate to have the opportunity to begin using the ipad technology in my classroom! The kids will benefit greatly. I appreciate all of your time and efforts to support our students! I'm buying apps and doing additional research in preparation!" – Erin Nordlow, Spreckels 2nd Grade Teacher
Curie All Grade Science, Mary Ricci
"Science education sometimes takes a back seat with the push of reading and math being so strong," states Mrs. Ricci in her elementary science Teacher Grant application. Mrs. Ricci had a long list of hands-on science equipment and materials that Curie had not had the funds to purchase over the last few years. She is passionate about science education and recently conducted Curie's Science Night for grades 3-5th. According to Ricci, "science night sparks imagination and discovery, exposing children to science concepts as they experiment at various science tables set up in the cafeteria. My favorite expression is to hear a child say 'wow' when doing a science activity. Thanks to EdUCate and its commitment to help our Curie Scientist we were able to feature the Chinese Spouting Bowl where students were able to make water dance."
We were so happy to be able to help Mrs. Ricci with $950 worth of materials like: Viscosity Oil Tubes, Mysterious Magnet Tubes, Waterless Crystals, a Dinosaur Museum in a Box, a Tabletop Light Panel and other educational materials to enhance the science education of Curie students.
Doyle Elementary, First Grade Safety, Janet Engebretsen
Sometimes the most elementary idea has just never been implemented. Mrs. Engebretsen is a first grade teacher at Doyle who is regularly tasked with, "…the responsibility of keeping 168 first graders safe at recess." A megaphone was what she and her other grade level counterparts needed! So, through our Teacher Grant Program, we were able to buy her that megaphone and batteries to support it. She and the other first grade teachers plan to take it with them on field trips and any outdoor instructional lessons.


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Finance minister receives high marks from business leaders
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Several business leaders are of the view that Finance and the Public Service Minister, Dr Nigel Clarke, acquitted himself well in his maiden presentations in the just concluded 2019/20 budget debate.
The minister delivered the opening and closing presentations in the two-week long debate in the House of Representatives, from March 7 to 20, during which he outlined details of the Government's $835.2 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on April 1.
Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) president, Metry Seaga, is among those from whom Dr Clarke has received high marks.
"He came across as sincere and as someone knowing his portfolio. His delivery was not in any way, shape or form disrespectful. It was just an honest, clear indication of where we are going and how we are going to get there… and I was very impressed. His delivery, his sincerity, his knowledge of the subject, could not have been better," the JMEA president noted.
Seaga said that in cricketing parlance, "Dr Clarke scored a flawless, chanceless century with the greatest of ease, stroking the ball to all parts of the ground and beyond."
Jamaica Employers Federation (JEF) President, David Wan, said he was equally impressed with Dr Clarke noting that the Budget was "well presented".
"He was able, I believe, to connect with all citizens, thereby enabling everyone at all levels to understand what is being embarked on by the Government. So top marks to him on that. For his first presentation, he did a very good job," Wan told JIS News.
Small Business Association of Jamaica (SBAJ) President, Hugh Johnson, concurs with his private sector counterparts, noting that he was particularly pleased with the provisions outlined for the Micro, Small and Medium-size Enterprises (MSMEs).
Approximately $1.8 billion will be made available for loans to the sector, while another $200 million in equity financing is being provided to very early stage, scalable and investment-ready start-ups under a Side Car Funding Facility, with support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), among other deliverables.
"We are very thankful for this move, which we believe is one in the right direction. We commend the Minister, because we have been calling for these actions for many years, and we are happy that there was someone who was listening," Johnson added.
Other notable budgetary provisions announced include: a proposed increase in the General Consumption Tax (GCT) threshold from $3 million to $10 million; abolition of the Minimum Business Tax, and Asset Tax for non-financial businesses; revisions to the Student Loan Bureau's client borrowing regime; and the transfer tax of real estate sales from five to two per cent.
In addition, ad valorem Stamp Duty payable on any instrument pursuant to the Stamp Duty Act will be replaced with a flat stamp duty of $100 per document/parcel related to transactions valued below $500,000, and $5,000 per document related to transactions valued at $500,000 and more.
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text:
The Trail is the Teacher is Clay Bonnyman Evans' episodic account of his 2016 Appalachian Trail thru hike.
(*See T.H. Eliot, "The Hollow Men")
September 2016
I was no longer in doubt that I had a fever when I woke the next morning in the Smarts Mountain Cabin, though it was lukewarm compared to the burning ignited by Lyme disease in Pennsylvania. With my digestive system still badly askew, I decided not to provoke it with food.
The first pitch of the descent of Smarts was indeed steep, as one hair-on-fire NOBO had informed me back at Chet's hostel. But it wasn't terribly rocky and there were some cool ledges with great views. It would have been a bear to ascend, but compared to the rest of New Hampshire and Maine, a pretty brief bear, which confirmed my theory—and trail angel extraordinaire Miss Janet's experience—that NOBOs entering New Hampshire really aren't to be trusted when it comes to evaluating the difficulty of the last 500 miles of the AT. But they learn soon enough.
It was another beautiful day for walking, clear and not just warm, but hot, with high temperatures in the 80s and a relative humidity of 85 percent in nearby Hanover. By the time I passed by the Dartmouth Skiway (NOBO mile 1764.5; SOBO 424.6), I had dropped to a mere 1,200 feet, and without consulting my Awol guide, I assumed the rest of my day into town would be a cakewalk.
I was saddened to come upon a sign noting that long-time trail angel Bill Ackerley, aka the Ice Cream Man, had died in May. AT hikers were always welcome to stop by his home just one-tenth of a mile from the intersection of Dorchester Road and the Grafton Parkway, eat some ice cream, use a portable privy, fill up on water, play croquet, or just rest for a bit.
Had I not been ailing, the brief, steep climb to Holts Ledge wouldn't have fazed me, especially given the spectacular views up top. But I was in no mood for even this 1,100-foot ascent, and I grumbled all the way up.
After I descended to Goose Pond Road, the trail began to climb again, and to my dismay, rather steeply. I pulled out Awol and saw that I was in for an even longer slog on the north peak of 2,300-foot Moose Mountain, followed by a short, steep grind to the south peak, before things leveled out and I was truly home free for the day.
Though too tired to swim, I was grateful to come upon a small pond several miles later, where I soaked two bandanas in the water and swabbed my forehead and face. When I'd left Smarts I'd planned to hike 21.9 miles and call it a day at Velvet Rocks Shelter (SOBO mile 440.7). Although feeling weak and overheated, the possibility of a bed and, if my stomach would allow it, actual food, was enough to inspire me to bash out another two miles and collapse in Hanover.
A million years earlier, my mother and I had visited Dartmouth College on a grand tour of New England schools on my wish list. We'd come in October, and the trees all over town were exploding with autumn color, from deep magenta to fluorescent pinks and oranges. Truly charming and idyllic, Hanover from afar looks like a staged calendar photograph.
In flip-flopping, I thought I'd be drunk on fall beauty by now, but it was not to be. To my disappointment, even the leaves above 3,000 feet had only just begun to turn, and down in town, it still looked, and felt, very much like summer.
Hanover was the first truly bustling burgh I'd seen since flying to Bangor, Maine on Aug. 24. Students walked briskly along the concrete walks that crisscrossed sprawling, five-acre Dartmouth Green, while others lounged in the hot sun, tossed footballs, or flung Frisbees. I plopped down and reclined on my pack to see what Awol had to say about accommodations.
Just across the street was the impressively large building housing the Dartmouth Outdoor Club, which offered a brochure listing hiker services and angels in town. I would have liked to loll around, or even take a nap on the Green. But it was already 4:15, so I groaned back to my feet and walked across the street to the DOC. The woman at the help window handed me the magic brochure and said I could leave my gear downstairs while I went next door to the student union.
Gatorade went down well, as always. As the grumbling and shooting pains in my belly had stopped, I decided to risk eating a small container of pasta salad with olives and pesto and drinking some orange juice. All of it was far too expensive.
To my surprise, there were no "hiker cheap" accommodations in this fancy college town. I'd heard some fraternities offer floors and couches for a nominal fee, but only before classes start, so I was out of luck. I started systematically sending texts to trail angels on the list to inquire about lodging. My first five attempts went either unanswered or drew swift, "not tonight, sorry" responses. Hot and exhausted, I started to think I'd blown it by hiking past the shelter.
But then I tried a boisterously friendly woman named Jennie, who replied immediately that I was welcome to stay at the rectory of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Norwich, Vermont, where she served as priest. The church wasn't far away, and she said she could pick me up in 15 minutes, but I told her I wanted to walk across the Connecticut River into Vermont.
As it turned out, Rev. Jennie saw me trudging along after the bridge and I clambered into the back seat—her big, boisterous Weimaraner, Freecee, occupied the front passenger seat—for a ride of less than a quarter of a mile, right past the church to Dan and Whit's Country Store.
"You have to go in here," Jennie insisted. "It's a local legend."
The place was cool, to be sure. Rev. Jennie excitedly gave me the grand tour, even the hardware department. At the end, I bought three more bottles of Gatorade and scored a "hiker's special"—a free day-old sandwich. As we walked back to the car, she pointed out the "ice cream window" at the side of the building, and I couldn't resist buying a scoop of strawberry on a sugar cone.
Jennie provided an equally detailed tour of the rectory, which was roomy, bright and clean. She suggested I take a single room with a queen bed upstairs, as three young NOBOS taking a zero (silly me; I thought I'd see the "last one") had occupied three of four bunks in the adjacent room.
I peeled off my sweat-encrusted clothes and took a long, hot shower. I tossed my filthy hump of clothes into the washer downstairs, pleased that there was no line, then slumped into a comfy couch on the porch and watched a fat, white feral cat poking around the garden.
Consulting Awol, I saw that I had just over 40 miles to go. I was not inspired. Two days across Vermont landscapes with plenty of PUD (pointless ups and downs) and a couple of 1,000-plus climbs, and then … what? There would be nobody there to meet me at VT road 100 when I drifted out of the woods, nobody to high-five with, no breathtaking views, nothing at all….
A wave of melancholy washed over me and I blinked back tears. I knew from previous experience that I would likely experience weeks, if not months, of post-trail blues, and that my body would take time to recover. Psychologically, I was going to miss the pure and simple purpose of trail life. On a typical day, all you have to do is walk, find water, eat, make camp, break camp, and obey nature's calls, nothing more. There is plenty of suffering, but there are also so many transcendent moments, so much awe-inspiring communion with nature, and the easy, unparalleled camaraderie between you and all those people from every imaginable background, sharing your odyssey for a minute, a night, or a month at a time.
I loved flipping and finishing southbound, but grieved the loss of that glorious peak moment—physically, emotionally, perhaps spiritually—atop Katahdin. I missed the friends I'd met and wondered if I'd ever see them again.
That night, Yahtzee, a 2015 thru hiker who was dealing with his own persistent post-trail letdown by helping Rev. Jennie, cooked up a large vat of soup, using vegetables from the community-supported agriculture collective where he worked during the day. There was also fresh French bread, a sumptuous selection of cheese, and beer.
The young NOBOs arrived at the rectory after a day of bumming around Hanover, we all ate together with our hosts. Afterward, I hauled a bucket of slop out to the compost and washed dishes.
"I've got 40 miles left," I told Yahtzee as I listlessly scrubbed a soup bowl, "but I'm thinking of wrapping it up right here."
"Oh, man, why would you want to do that?" he said, sounding like a man trying to
talk a friend out of putting a gun in his mouth.
I tried to describe what I was feeling. My stomach had settled down for the most part, so that wasn't it. But I was tired and sad and I hated the thought of 40 miles of melancholy followed by a lonely anticlimax, then hitchhiking into grungy, uninspiring Rutland, one of the less pleasant towns in Vermont.
"Tonight I had good company, good food, a beer, and I get to sleep in a bed," I said. "I just feel like I'm done."
"Listen, man, I think you'll regret it if you skip the last two days of your hike, or shit, take three if you have to. But that's just my opinion," he said. "Why don't you sleep on it, maybe take a zero? If you're still feeling the same way tomorrow, then OK, call it a day."
He was right, of course. My fragile emotional state had no doubt been amplified by fever and exhaustion.
Never make a decision at the end of a hard day, I reminded myself before falling asleep.
But when I woke the next morning, I felt the same way. Four weeks after climbing Katahdin, I knew in my heart that my journey was over. Subtracting the 41 miles I was skipping in Vermont and the 24 miles I "sick blazed" in Pennsylvania, I had walked 2,124 miles since starting my hike on March 13 at Winding Stair Gap in North Carolina, then "started" again at Springer Mountain in Georgia on April 9. Start to finish, my "patchwork" journey had taken just over six months; minus my three extended breaks, I'd spent 115 days on the trail; had I hiked those skipped miles, I would have finished the trail in just a hair under four months.
Somewhere in the night, my subconscious had provided me a literary, if somewhat frivolous, reason to put a pin in my hike in Norwich, Vermont: September 22 is the birthday of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins, each of whom took a very long, extremely challenging walk in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, respectively.
Of course, I hadn't had to deal with orcs or dragons or Balrogs.… Not that I actually believe in such things.
I spent almost the entire, hour-long flight in a Cape Air six-seater from Lebanon, N.H. to Boston craning my neck to stare back at the receding blue ridge of the White Mountains. The summits of Washington and Lafayette remained clearly visible almost until the plane soared out over the Atlantic and banked back to the west to land at Logan International Airport.
I'd heard more than one AT finisher say she couldn't bear to fly back home, to unravel all those months of struggle and joy and suffering and sacrifice in the span of a few hours. Had I gone back to Rutland I might have taken Amtrak, but now I just felt drained and I couldn't bear a long goodbye. I felt a twinge of guilt about bailing on those last miles of Vermont, promising myself that some day I'd come back to walk those miles (and that stretch of Pennsylvania), but now I needed to go into mourning.
My 2016 thru hike of the Appalachian Trail was a patchwork quilt: 140 miles through the Smokys in March; 720 more to the bottom of the Shenandoahs in April and May; 800 more from Virginia to Vermont in June and July; and the last 500 through Maine and New Hampshire in August and September.
It was a clumsy, fractured itinerary, compared to the steady, elegant progress of so many friends I'd met between Georgia and Maine. But it was my hike, and I love it as ferociously as a mama bear protecting her cubs. I am haunted by it, every day, and I expect I will be, until the day I die.
(Note: Look for one more chapter of The Trail Is the Teacher on "lessons learned.")