Depends on the method of 'braiding' you use, but basically just take your two different-colored strands, overlap one end of each maybe a quarter inch of one another, and hold a bic to it for a few seconds. You just fuse it together. The nylon(?) melts, and you just mold it with your fingers to...
Get a quick access pistol safe, stored just under the bed, or in a nightstand drawer. Familiarize yourself with the opening procedure thoroughly, so that you can do so by muscle memory, even in complete darkness. I have a numbered keypad one, 4 digit code, and can have gun in hand within two...