diff --git a/app/handle-event.go b/app/handle-event.go
index 4b09079..d2fdc4a 100644
--- a/app/handle-event.go
+++ b/app/handle-event.go
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ package app
 import (
 	"context"
 	"fmt"
+	"strings"
 
 	"encoders.orly/envelopes/eventenvelope"
 	"lol.mleku.dev/chk"
@@ -53,8 +54,22 @@ func (l *Listener) HandleEvent(c context.Context, msg []byte) (
 		}
 		return
 	}
+	// check if the event was deleted
+	//
+	// todo: the list of admin pubkeys should go in the second parameter when it
+	//  is implemented to enable admins to delete events of other users.
+	if err = l.CheckForDeleted(env.E, nil); err != nil {
+		if strings.HasPrefix(err.Error(), "blocked:") {
+			errStr := err.Error()[len("blocked: "):len(err.Error())]
+			if err = Ok.Error(
+				l, env, errStr,
+			); chk.E(err) {
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
 	// store the event
-	if _, _, err = l.SaveEvent(c, env.E, false, nil); chk.E(err) {
+	if _, _, err = l.SaveEvent(c, env.E); chk.E(err) {
 		return
 	}
 	l.publishers.Deliver(env.E)
diff --git a/go.mod b/go.mod
index 3a03628..6a93528 100644
--- a/go.mod
+++ b/go.mod
@@ -7,8 +7,10 @@ require (
 	encoders.orly v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	github.com/adrg/xdg v0.5.3
 	github.com/coder/websocket v1.8.13
+	github.com/dgraph-io/badger/v4 v4.8.0
 	github.com/pkg/profile v1.7.0
 	go-simpler.org/env v0.12.0
+	interfaces.orly v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	lol.mleku.dev v1.0.2
 	protocol.orly v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
 	utils.orly v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000
@@ -18,7 +20,6 @@ require (
 	crypto.orly v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000 // indirect
 	github.com/cespare/xxhash/v2 v2.3.0 // indirect
 	github.com/davecgh/go-spew v1.1.1 // indirect
-	github.com/dgraph-io/badger/v4 v4.8.0 // indirect
 	github.com/dgraph-io/ristretto/v2 v2.2.0 // indirect
 	github.com/dustin/go-humanize v1.0.1 // indirect
 	github.com/fatih/color v1.18.0 // indirect
@@ -43,7 +44,7 @@ require (
 	golang.org/x/net v0.41.0 // indirect
 	golang.org/x/sys v0.35.0 // indirect
 	google.golang.org/protobuf v1.36.6 // indirect
-	interfaces.orly v0.0.0-00010101000000-000000000000 // indirect
+	lukechampine.com/frand v1.5.1 // indirect
 )
 
 replace (
diff --git a/main.go b/main.go
index 421a498..fc6bef8 100644
--- a/main.go
+++ b/main.go
@@ -36,8 +36,11 @@ func main() {
 		case <-sigs:
 			fmt.Printf("\r")
 			cancel()
+			chk.E(db.Close())
+			return
 		case <-quit:
 			cancel()
+			chk.E(db.Close())
 			return
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/database/database.go b/pkg/database/database.go
index 22ee3a5..75da2ee 100644
--- a/pkg/database/database.go
+++ b/pkg/database/database.go
@@ -79,8 +79,8 @@ func New(
 		case <-d.ctx.Done():
 		}
 		d.cancel()
-		d.seq.Release()
-		d.DB.Close()
+		// d.seq.Release()
+		// d.DB.Close()
 	}()
 	return
 }
@@ -131,5 +131,6 @@ func (d *D) Close() (err error) {
 			return
 		}
 	}
+	log.I.F("%s: database closed", d.dataDir)
 	return
 }
diff --git a/pkg/database/export_test.go b/pkg/database/export_test.go
index 5e279a3..364924c 100644
--- a/pkg/database/export_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/export_test.go
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ func TestExport(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event: %v", err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/fetch-event-by-serial_test.go b/pkg/database/fetch-event-by-serial_test.go
index fa4a265..aa17326 100644
--- a/pkg/database/fetch-event-by-serial_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/fetch-event-by-serial_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestFetchEventBySerial(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/get-serial-by-id_test.go b/pkg/database/get-serial-by-id_test.go
index cc764b4..7822f19 100644
--- a/pkg/database/get-serial-by-id_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/get-serial-by-id_test.go
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ func TestGetSerialById(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/get-serials-by-range_test.go b/pkg/database/get-serials-by-range_test.go
index 92049f0..9664377 100644
--- a/pkg/database/get-serials-by-range_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/get-serials-by-range_test.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func TestGetSerialsByRange(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/import.go b/pkg/database/import.go
index 0220706..3008733 100644
--- a/pkg/database/import.go
+++ b/pkg/database/import.go
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ func (d *D) Import(rr io.Reader) {
 				continue
 			}
 
-			if _, _, err = d.SaveEvent(d.ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+			if _, _, err = d.SaveEvent(d.ctx, ev); err != nil {
 				continue
 			}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/migrations.go b/pkg/database/migrations.go
index 837b220..e94888c 100644
--- a/pkg/database/migrations.go
+++ b/pkg/database/migrations.go
@@ -14,11 +14,10 @@ import (
 )
 
 const (
-	currentVersion uint32 = 0
+	currentVersion uint32 = 1
 )
 
 func (d *D) RunMigrations() {
-	log.I.F("running migrations...")
 	var err error
 	var dbVersion uint32
 	// first find the current version tag if any
@@ -48,6 +47,7 @@ func (d *D) RunMigrations() {
 				); chk.E(err) {
 					return
 				}
+				log.I.F("found version tag: %d", ver.Get())
 				dbVersion = ver.Get()
 			}
 			return
@@ -62,9 +62,13 @@ func (d *D) RunMigrations() {
 				buf := new(bytes.Buffer)
 				vv := new(types.Uint32)
 				vv.Set(currentVersion)
+				log.I.S(vv)
 				if err = indexes.VersionEnc(vv).MarshalWrite(buf); chk.E(err) {
 					return
 				}
+				if err = txn.Set(buf.Bytes(), nil); chk.E(err) {
+					return
+				}
 				return
 			},
 		); chk.E(err) {
@@ -72,10 +76,10 @@ func (d *D) RunMigrations() {
 		}
 	}
 	if dbVersion < 1 {
+		log.I.F("migrating to version 1...")
 		// the first migration is expiration tags
 		d.UpdateExpirationTags()
 	}
-	log.I.F("migrations complete")
 }
 
 func (d *D) UpdateExpirationTags() {
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-events-multiple-param-replaceable_test.go b/pkg/database/query-events-multiple-param-replaceable_test.go
index e41efac..4dd98c1 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-events-multiple-param-replaceable_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-events-multiple-param-replaceable_test.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ func TestMultipleParameterizedReplaceableEvents(t *testing.T) {
 	baseEvent.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the base parameterized replaceable event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, baseEvent, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, baseEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save base parameterized replaceable event: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func TestMultipleParameterizedReplaceableEvents(t *testing.T) {
 	newerEvent.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the newer parameterized replaceable event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, newerEvent, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, newerEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf(
 			"Failed to save newer parameterized replaceable event: %v", err,
 		)
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ func TestMultipleParameterizedReplaceableEvents(t *testing.T) {
 	newestEvent.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the newest parameterized replaceable event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, newestEvent, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, newestEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf(
 			"Failed to save newest parameterized replaceable event: %v", err,
 		)
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-events_test.go b/pkg/database/query-events_test.go
index 116b53d..8b5707b 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-events_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-events_test.go
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func setupTestDB(t *testing.T) (
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
@@ -202,9 +202,7 @@ func TestReplaceableEventsAndDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 	replaceableEvent.Tags = tag.NewS()
 	replaceableEvent.Sign(sign)
 	// Save the replaceable event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(
-		ctx, replaceableEvent, false, nil,
-	); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, replaceableEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save replaceable event: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -217,7 +215,7 @@ func TestReplaceableEventsAndDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 	newerEvent.Tags = tag.NewS()
 	newerEvent.Sign(sign)
 	// Save the newer event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, newerEvent, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, newerEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save newer event: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -294,7 +292,7 @@ func TestReplaceableEventsAndDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 	)
 
 	// Save the deletion event
-	if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, deletionEvent, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, deletionEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save deletion event: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -379,7 +377,7 @@ func TestParameterizedReplaceableEventsAndDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 	paramEvent.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the parameterized replaceable event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, paramEvent, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, paramEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save parameterized replaceable event: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -405,9 +403,7 @@ func TestParameterizedReplaceableEventsAndDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 	paramDeletionEvent.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the parameterized deletion event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(
-		ctx, paramDeletionEvent, false, nil,
-	); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, paramDeletionEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save parameterized deletion event: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -440,9 +436,7 @@ func TestParameterizedReplaceableEventsAndDeletion(t *testing.T) {
 	paramDeletionEvent2.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the parameterized deletion event with e-tag
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(
-		ctx, paramDeletionEvent2, false, nil,
-	); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, paramDeletionEvent2); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf(
 			"Failed to save parameterized deletion event with e-tag: %v", err,
 		)
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go
index 780286f..419570b 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-created-at_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestQueryForCreatedAt(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-deleted.go b/pkg/database/query-for-deleted.go
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..dfadd95
--- /dev/null
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-deleted.go
@@ -0,0 +1,225 @@
+package database
+
+import (
+	"fmt"
+	"sort"
+
+	"database.orly/indexes/types"
+	"encoders.orly/event"
+	"encoders.orly/filter"
+	"encoders.orly/hex"
+	"encoders.orly/kind"
+	"encoders.orly/tag"
+	"encoders.orly/tag/atag"
+	"interfaces.orly/store"
+	"lol.mleku.dev/chk"
+	"lol.mleku.dev/errorf"
+)
+
+// CheckForDeleted checks if the event is deleted, and returns an error with
+// prefix "blocked:" if it is. This function also allows designating admin
+// pubkeys that also may delete the event, normally only the author is allowed
+// to delete an event.
+func (d *D) CheckForDeleted(ev *event.E, admins [][]byte) (err error) {
+	keys := append([][]byte{ev.Pubkey}, admins...)
+	authors := tag.NewFromBytesSlice(keys...)
+	// if the event is addressable, check for a deletion event with the same
+	// kind/pubkey/dtag
+	if kind.IsParameterizedReplaceable(ev.Kind) {
+		var idxs []Range
+		// construct a tag
+		t := ev.Tags.GetFirst([]byte("d"))
+		a := atag.T{
+			Kind:   kind.New(ev.Kind),
+			PubKey: ev.Pubkey,
+			DTag:   t.Value(),
+		}
+		at := a.Marshal(nil)
+		if idxs, err = GetIndexesFromFilter(
+			&filter.F{
+				Authors: authors,
+				Kinds:   kind.NewS(kind.Deletion),
+				Tags:    tag.NewS(tag.NewFromAny("#a", at)),
+			},
+		); chk.E(err) {
+			return
+		}
+		var sers types.Uint40s
+		for _, idx := range idxs {
+			var s types.Uint40s
+			if s, err = d.GetSerialsByRange(idx); chk.E(err) {
+				return
+			}
+			sers = append(sers, s...)
+		}
+		if len(sers) > 0 {
+			// there can be multiple of these because the author/kind/tag is a
+			// stable value but refers to any event from the author, of the
+			// kind, with the identifier. so we need to fetch the full ID index
+			// to get the timestamp and ensure that the event post-dates it.
+			// otherwise, it should be rejected.
+			var idPkTss []*store.IdPkTs
+			var tmp []*store.IdPkTs
+			if tmp, err = d.GetFullIdPubkeyBySerials(sers); chk.E(err) {
+				return
+			}
+			idPkTss = append(idPkTss, tmp...)
+			// sort by timestamp, so the first is the newest, which the event
+			// must be newer to not be deleted.
+			sort.Slice(
+				idPkTss, func(i, j int) bool {
+					return idPkTss[i].Ts > idPkTss[j].Ts
+				},
+			)
+			if ev.CreatedAt < idPkTss[0].Ts {
+				err = errorf.E(
+					"blocked: %0x was deleted by address %s because it is older than the delete: event: %d delete: %d",
+					ev.ID, at, ev.CreatedAt, idPkTss[0].Ts,
+				)
+				return
+			}
+			return
+		}
+		return
+	}
+	// if the event is replaceable, check if there is a deletion event newer
+	// than the event, it must specify the same kind/pubkey. this type of delete
+	// only has the k tag to specify the kind, it can be what an author would
+	// use, as the author is part of the replaceable event specification.
+	if kind.IsReplaceable(ev.Kind) {
+		var idxs []Range
+		if idxs, err = GetIndexesFromFilter(
+			&filter.F{
+				Authors: tag.NewFromBytesSlice(ev.Pubkey),
+				Kinds:   kind.NewS(kind.Deletion),
+				Tags: tag.NewS(
+					tag.NewFromAny("#k", fmt.Sprint(ev.Kind)),
+				),
+			},
+		); chk.E(err) {
+			return
+		}
+		var sers types.Uint40s
+		for _, idx := range idxs {
+			var s types.Uint40s
+			if s, err = d.GetSerialsByRange(idx); chk.E(err) {
+				return
+			}
+			sers = append(sers, s...)
+		}
+		if len(sers) > 0 {
+			var idPkTss []*store.IdPkTs
+			var tmp []*store.IdPkTs
+			if tmp, err = d.GetFullIdPubkeyBySerials(sers); chk.E(err) {
+				return
+			}
+			idPkTss = append(idPkTss, tmp...)
+			// sort by timestamp, so the first is the newest, which the event
+			// must be newer to not be deleted.
+			sort.Slice(
+				idPkTss, func(i, j int) bool {
+					return idPkTss[i].Ts > idPkTss[j].Ts
+				},
+			)
+			if ev.CreatedAt < idPkTss[0].Ts {
+				err = errorf.E(
+					"blocked: %0x was deleted: the event is older than the delete event %0x: event: %d delete: %d",
+					ev.ID, idPkTss[0].Id, ev.CreatedAt, idPkTss[0].Ts,
+				)
+				return
+			}
+		}
+		// this type of delete can also use an a tag to specify kind and
+		// author, which would be required for admin deletes
+		idxs = nil
+		// construct a tag
+		a := atag.T{
+			Kind:   kind.New(ev.Kind),
+			PubKey: ev.Pubkey,
+		}
+		at := a.Marshal(nil)
+		if idxs, err = GetIndexesFromFilter(
+			&filter.F{
+				Authors: authors,
+				Kinds:   kind.NewS(kind.Deletion),
+				Tags:    tag.NewS(tag.NewFromAny("#a", at)),
+			},
+		); chk.E(err) {
+			return
+		}
+		sers = nil
+		for _, idx := range idxs {
+			var s types.Uint40s
+			if s, err = d.GetSerialsByRange(idx); chk.E(err) {
+				return
+			}
+			sers = append(sers, s...)
+		}
+		if len(sers) > 0 {
+			var idPkTss []*store.IdPkTs
+			var tmp []*store.IdPkTs
+			if tmp, err = d.GetFullIdPubkeyBySerials(sers); chk.E(err) {
+				return
+			}
+			idPkTss = append(idPkTss, tmp...)
+			// sort by timestamp, so the first is the newest
+			sort.Slice(
+				idPkTss, func(i, j int) bool {
+					return idPkTss[i].Ts > idPkTss[j].Ts
+				},
+			)
+			if ev.CreatedAt < idPkTss[0].Ts {
+				err = errorf.E(
+					"blocked: %0x was deleted by address %s: event is older than the delete: event: %d delete: %d",
+					ev.ID, at, idPkTss[0].Id, ev.CreatedAt, idPkTss[0].Ts,
+				)
+				return
+			}
+		}
+	}
+	// otherwise we check for a delete by event id
+	var idxs []Range
+	if idxs, err = GetIndexesFromFilter(
+		&filter.F{
+			Authors: authors,
+			Kinds:   kind.NewS(kind.Deletion),
+			Tags: tag.NewS(
+				tag.NewFromAny("#e", hex.Enc(ev.ID)),
+			),
+		},
+	); chk.E(err) {
+		return
+	}
+	var sers types.Uint40s
+	for _, idx := range idxs {
+		var s types.Uint40s
+		if s, err = d.GetSerialsByRange(idx); chk.E(err) {
+			return
+		}
+		sers = append(sers, s...)
+	}
+	if len(sers) > 0 {
+		var idPkTss []*store.IdPkTs
+		var tmp []*store.IdPkTs
+		if tmp, err = d.GetFullIdPubkeyBySerials(sers); chk.E(err) {
+			return
+		}
+		idPkTss = append(idPkTss, tmp...)
+		// sort by timestamp, so the first is the newest
+		sort.Slice(
+			idPkTss, func(i, j int) bool {
+				return idPkTss[i].Ts > idPkTss[j].Ts
+			},
+		)
+		if ev.CreatedAt < idPkTss[0].Ts {
+			err = errorf.E(
+				"blocked: %0x was deleted because it is older than the delete: event: %d delete: %d",
+				ev.ID, ev.CreatedAt, idPkTss[0].Ts,
+			)
+			return
+		}
+		return
+	}
+
+	return
+}
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go
index d6242f3..c4b25d3 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-ids_test.go
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ func TestQueryForIds(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go
index e6a799e..8e9e86c 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors-tags_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsAuthorsTags(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go
index c2de4f3..9a2f1b1 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-authors_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsAuthors(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go
index f28189b..966ab61 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds-tags_test.go
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ func TestQueryForKindsTags(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go
index 27696e1..26ebe5e 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-kinds_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestQueryForKinds(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-serials_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-serials_test.go
index c4b27b0..e8c474f 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-serials_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-serials_test.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func TestQueryForSerials(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go b/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go
index c34c305..5b4bd6a 100644
--- a/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/query-for-tags_test.go
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ func TestQueryForTags(t *testing.T) {
 		events = append(events, ev)
 
 		// Save the event to the database
-		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if _, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 
diff --git a/pkg/database/save-event.go b/pkg/database/save-event.go
index 68b7d83..1e033cd 100644
--- a/pkg/database/save-event.go
+++ b/pkg/database/save-event.go
@@ -3,120 +3,23 @@ package database
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"context"
-	"sort"
 
 	"database.orly/indexes"
 	"database.orly/indexes/types"
 	"encoders.orly/event"
-	"encoders.orly/filter"
-	"encoders.orly/kind"
-	"encoders.orly/tag"
-	"encoders.orly/tag/atag"
 	"github.com/dgraph-io/badger/v4"
-	"interfaces.orly/store"
 	"lol.mleku.dev/chk"
 	"lol.mleku.dev/errorf"
 	"lol.mleku.dev/log"
 )
 
 // SaveEvent saves an event to the database, generating all the necessary indexes.
-func (d *D) SaveEvent(
-	c context.Context, ev *event.E, noVerify bool, owners [][]byte,
-) (kc, vc int, err error) {
-	if !noVerify {
-		// check if the event already exists
-		var ser *types.Uint40
-		if ser, err = d.GetSerialById(ev.ID); err == nil && ser != nil {
-			err = errorf.E("event already exists: %0x", ev.ID)
-			return
-		}
-	}
-
-	// check if an existing delete event references this event submission
-	if kind.IsParameterizedReplaceable(ev.Kind) {
-		var idxs []Range
-		// construct a tag
-		t := ev.Tags.GetFirst([]byte("d"))
-		a := atag.T{
-			Kind:   kind.New(ev.Kind),
-			PubKey: ev.Pubkey,
-			DTag:   t.Value(),
-		}
-		at := a.Marshal(nil)
-		if idxs, err = GetIndexesFromFilter(
-			&filter.F{
-				Authors: tag.NewFromBytesSlice(ev.Pubkey),
-				Kinds:   kind.NewS(kind.Deletion),
-				Tags:    tag.NewS(tag.NewFromAny("#a", at)),
-			},
-		); chk.E(err) {
-			return
-		}
-		var sers types.Uint40s
-		for _, idx := range idxs {
-			var s types.Uint40s
-			if s, err = d.GetSerialsByRange(idx); chk.E(err) {
-				return
-			}
-			sers = append(sers, s...)
-		}
-		if len(sers) > 0 {
-			// there can be multiple of these because the author/kind/tag is a
-			// stable value but refers to any event from the author, of the
-			// kind, with the identifier. so we need to fetch the full ID index
-			// to get the timestamp and ensure that the event post-dates it.
-			// otherwise, it should be rejected.
-			var idPkTss []*store.IdPkTs
-			var tmp []*store.IdPkTs
-			if tmp, err = d.GetFullIdPubkeyBySerials(sers); chk.E(err) {
-				return
-			}
-			idPkTss = append(idPkTss, tmp...)
-			// sort by timestamp, so the first is the newest
-			sort.Slice(
-				idPkTss, func(i, j int) bool {
-					return idPkTss[i].Ts > idPkTss[j].Ts
-				},
-			)
-			if ev.CreatedAt < idPkTss[0].Ts {
-				err = errorf.E(
-					"blocked: %0x was deleted by address %s because it is older than the delete: event: %d delete: %d",
-					ev.ID, at, ev.CreatedAt, idPkTss[0].Ts,
-				)
-				return
-			}
-			return
-		}
-	} else {
-		var idxs []Range
-		keys := [][]byte{ev.Pubkey}
-		for _, owner := range owners {
-			keys = append(keys, owner)
-		}
-		if idxs, err = GetIndexesFromFilter(
-			&filter.F{
-				Authors: tag.NewFromBytesSlice(keys...),
-				Kinds:   kind.NewS(kind.Deletion),
-				Tags:    tag.NewS(tag.NewFromAny("#e", ev.ID)),
-			},
-		); chk.E(err) {
-			return
-		}
-		var sers types.Uint40s
-		for _, idx := range idxs {
-			var s types.Uint40s
-			if s, err = d.GetSerialsByRange(idx); chk.E(err) {
-				return
-			}
-			sers = append(sers, s...)
-		}
-		if len(sers) > 0 {
-			// really there can only be one of these; the chances of an idhash
-			// collision are basically zero in practice, at least, one in a
-			// billion or more anyway, more than a human is going to create.
-			err = errorf.E("blocked: event %0x deleted by event ID", ev.ID)
-			return
-		}
+func (d *D) SaveEvent(c context.Context, ev *event.E) (kc, vc int, err error) {
+	// check if the event already exists
+	var ser *types.Uint40
+	if ser, err = d.GetSerialById(ev.ID); err == nil && ser != nil {
+		err = errorf.E("event already exists: %0x", ev.ID)
+		return
 	}
 	// Get the next sequence number for the event
 	var serial uint64
diff --git a/pkg/database/save-event_test.go b/pkg/database/save-event_test.go
index a84013b..8873e18 100644
--- a/pkg/database/save-event_test.go
+++ b/pkg/database/save-event_test.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func TestSaveEvents(t *testing.T) {
 
 		// Save the event to the database
 		var k, v int
-		if k, v, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+		if k, v, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 			t.Fatalf("Failed to save event #%d: %v", eventCount+1, err)
 		}
 		kc += k
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ func TestDeletionEventWithETagRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	regularEvent.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the regular event
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, regularEvent, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, regularEvent); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save regular event: %v", err)
 	}
 
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ func TestDeletionEventWithETagRejection(t *testing.T) {
 		err = errorf.E("deletion events referencing other events with 'e' tag are not allowed")
 	} else {
 		// Try to save the deletion event
-		_, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, deletionEvent, false, nil)
+		_, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, deletionEvent)
 	}
 
 	if err == nil {
@@ -204,12 +204,12 @@ func TestSaveExistingEvent(t *testing.T) {
 	ev.Sign(sign)
 
 	// Save the event for the first time
-	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil); err != nil {
+	if _, _, err := db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev); err != nil {
 		t.Fatalf("Failed to save event: %v", err)
 	}
 
 	// Try to save the same event again, it should be rejected
-	_, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev, false, nil)
+	_, _, err = db.SaveEvent(ctx, ev)
 	if err == nil {
 		t.Fatal("Expected error when saving an existing event, but got nil")
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/encoders/go.mod b/pkg/encoders/go.mod
index d0990d5..d9a5a25 100644
--- a/pkg/encoders/go.mod
+++ b/pkg/encoders/go.mod
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ require (
 replace (
 	acl.orly => ../acl
 	crypto.orly => ../crypto
+	database.orly => ../database
 	encoders.orly => ../encoders
 	interfaces.orly => ../interfaces
 	next.orly.dev => ../../
diff --git a/pkg/encoders/reason/reason.go b/pkg/encoders/reason/reason.go
index efe6e52..ef253bb 100644
--- a/pkg/encoders/reason/reason.go
+++ b/pkg/encoders/reason/reason.go
@@ -3,8 +3,6 @@ package reason
 import (
 	"bytes"
 	"fmt"
-
-	"lol.mleku.dev/log"
 )
 
 // R is the machine-readable prefix before the colon in an OK or CLOSED envelope message.
@@ -38,7 +36,6 @@ func (r R) IsPrefix(reason []byte) bool {
 
 // F allows creation of a full R text with a printf style format.
 func (r R) F(format string, params ...any) (o []byte) {
-	log.D.F(format, params...)
 	return Msg(r, format, params...)
 }
 
diff --git a/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go b/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go
index afcf988..30406d5 100644
--- a/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go
+++ b/pkg/interfaces/store/store_interface.go
@@ -84,9 +84,7 @@ type Saver interface {
 	// SaveEvent is called once relay.AcceptEvent reports true. The owners
 	// parameter is for designating admins whose delete by e tag events apply
 	// the same as author's own.
-	SaveEvent(
-		c context.Context, ev *event.E, noVerify bool, owners [][]byte,
-	) (kc, vc int, err error)
+	SaveEvent(c context.Context, ev *event.E) (kc, vc int, err error)
 }
 
 type Importer interface {