#🎥 || j.s.

[grapesodadarkchocolate]

Overwhelmed

On my mind: Maybe there gets to be a first time. A first time for everything. Feeling so wrapped up tight within confusion. It seemed like an ordinary moment. It seemed like an ordinary conversation. Everything seemed simple and straight forward. And yet it wasn’t. Things began to rapidly unravel for me after a recent phone call. I could not think straight. So much got triggered during the call that I couldn’t shape what day it was or what had transpired recently or in what order. Clarity shot out the window and as I attempted to keep it all above water that is when I began to drown. Though brief, I lost the ability to make sense of so many automatic choices I had made that day. “I went to the library this afternoon, right?” “Is this the day I typically pick up my books that are on hold?” “Wait. What day of the week is it?" I knew it was the 11th but what day is it —Tuesday? Does that even make any sense? 

It is as if I was attempting to recalibrate the moment I was in over and over and over again. Much like audible driving directions when on a roundabout that Siri can’t identify. Where am I and what direction am I going? 

That must be what overwhelmed feels like. 

Scary and confusing but very telling. The more I pull out and away from the norm I have subsisted within, the more conflict seems to arise in readjusting to a healthier way of living. 

Telling my story and all I need is the other person to listen and yet what is offered is often suggestions, blame, or maybe disregard for the fact that I am speaking at all. How hard is it simply to be present with someone as they are struggling to realign themselves? Hence, the color wheel escapes in such moments, trying to make sense of what doesn’t. 

Taking note of what my plan of action would be when feeling overwhelmed. Just getting in to the quiet. Just allowing nothing to be my next course of action. Overwhelmed—golly sakes, it is tricky business. It truly felt like I was losing my mind. No matter how brief it may have been. 

Accountability is also essential here. Holding ourselves responsible for actions rendered and redressing a situation when we fall short. Expecting the same of others as well. Using the following tools to help navigate healthier engagements: 

Empathy Practice: Blog Entry: Third Anniversary (Empathy Practice): Read , March 2023 🍇🥤🍫

Active Listening: Blog Entry: Would I treat you the way that you treat me? (Active Listening): Read, March 2023 🍇🥤🍫

Trust (BRAVING): Blog Entry: What happens to trust?: Read , September 2, 2021 🍇🥤🍫

Revisiting these tools until they are more the norm of how we transport ourselves through the day. Keeping learning constantly on the move. +++

Resource: Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (An essential resource for anyone’s bookshelf.) 

In Memory this Week: 

“Last surviving prosecutor at Nuremberg war trials” Benjamin Ferencz 1920-2023 by Robert McFadden, New York Times, Read, April 9, 2023 📰

“Nuremberg prosecutor rested case in 2 days: 'I had the proof they murdered a million people’”: Watch 🎥

Margot Stern Strom (1941-2023) Facing History and Ourselves Cofounder “She Worked to Break Silence Around Holocaust, injustice” by Richard Sandomir, New York Times: Read 📰

On Being podcast “The Long View, II: On who we can become” with Kathy Murphy, Facing History and Ourselves: Listen, November 5, 2020 🎙

Squirrel moment: Hilary Hahn: J.S. Bach: Concerto for 2 Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043 - I. Vivace: Listen  🎶🎻🎻

[selfshipstorm]

Soulmate AU

John Seed had always seen the soulmate system as a farce. Why would there be someone special meant for someone else, destined to be their perfect other half? He especially grew to despise the words printed on his arm he grew and they became one more thing the couple who'd adopted him used against him. After all, who's first words to their soulmate would be go to hell?

Minerva Black got her soulmate mark when she was thirteen. Four words across her ribcage, just under her left breast. This one's not clean. Her mother just laughed. Well of course that's what it'd say. Elizabeth Black just grinned at her daughter. My little woodsman, you're not at home unless you're covered head to toe in mud. 

Minerva didn't even recognize her mark when it was said, but in her defense, her soulmate didn't realize when she spat his right back. 

It was only after her clothes had dried from her dip in the Henbane, after getting kidnapped and near drowned had finally caught up to her, after the rage at John Seed's audacity had boiled over and she'd gone on a rampage, that she realized what he'd actually said. 

This one's not clean. He'd muttered, handing off his copy of his brother's backwards bible before his grip tightened around her shoulders.  Go to hell. She'd spat back as indignantly as she could muster while exhausted and half drowned, and the look on his face told her she was in for it.  She took a breath as he pushed her under the surface of the Henbane once more. 

Her soulmate had tried to kill her. After everything she'd spent her life imagining, all the scenarios of meeting her soulmate she'd dreamt up. He had tried to kill her. 

[selfshipstorm]

might I humbly request -

I could not choose a single photo so have my 2 favorite ones --

Reblog with your f/o and I'll give them a Hawaiian shirt based off of ~vibes~

(my Pinterest board has 126 pins in it and I will be adding more-)

[selfshipstorm]

what if we didn't have to fight anymore | when is a monster not a monster

The fact that she hadn't been to Fall's End in about a week was moderately worrying. Minerva tried to make it her mission to stop by at least every other day just to make sure everything was okay in town, and the fact that she had not been back in nearly a week, distracted with other things, and had not heard from her friends worried her. "Mary May? Jerome? You there?" "That bastard ran us all outta town." "What?" "John moved into Fall's End and ran us all off. Apparently he wants the town all to himself." "I'll get over there and see."

The drive to Fall's End was less than eventful. It was shockingly quiet. As her truck rumbled to a stop, Minerva glanced around. Seeing Fall's End this vacant was odd. The fact that she didn't see a single person as she drove up to the church. However, she knew John had been here because the decorations were far from Jerome's standard.

The church was decked out to look like a wedding was underway. As Minerva pushed the door to the church open, the man she was waiting for surged forward, but managed to hold himself back from simply jumping into her arms.

"Minerva." "John."

Minerva smiled as the cougar at her side snarled. "Easy, Peaches. You don't need to worry about him." "Nobody's behind me, it's fine." At her confirmation, John closed the distance and pulled her into his chest. "We need to stop this." "What?" "Stop the fighting, stop the war. I don't wanna sneak around any longer." "So what was all this then?" "A final push to the end. Keep up the charade until the very end." "Are you serious about this? You do this, your contact with your brothers has to end. Entirely." "I know." "Are you gonna fight with us?" "If that's what I have to do." "There's one thing you can do that will make everyone trust you a little more." "Which is?" "Your bunker key. I'm letting all your captives go and bringing Joey home." John reached for the key around his neck. A sharp tug and he offered the key and the chain to her. "I'll be waiting." "I'll find you here."

Sure enough, Minerva set everyone free in John's bunker. She brought Joey home. And as everyone celebrated at the Spread Eagle, Minerva made her move. She walked inside, John pressing himself to her side as he joined her.

As the pair sat at the bar, two people noticed. Mary May and Pastor Jerome. "What is he doing here." "He's on our side now. Two beers, Miss Mary." Minerva stated simply, ordering for the both of them as if the man they'd known as their enemy wasn't sitting at the bar next to the leader of the resistance. "Are you not gonna mention him?" "I trust him. He says he's fighting for our side, and I believe him. You said there would be other defectors, Jerome. And here's one that's willing to fight for us. If we'll have him." "Is this true." Mary May turned to John. "I'm done fighting Joseph's fight. I want to end this. I've realized he was just using me for what I had and what I could offer him. Minerva helped me realize that. So, if you'll have me, I'd like to stay." Mary May and Minerva locked eyes. "If you're vouchin' for him he can stay. Only 'cause it's you." "Appreciate that, Mary May. Thank you." "Yes, thank you Miss Fairgrave." John echoed Minerva's sentiments, and Mary May turned, retrieving two beer bottles and settling them in front of Minerva and John. "If you're gonna stay, at least drink with us. Celebrate a small victory."

Minerva smiled, looking out over the crowded bar celebrating Joey Hudson making it home alright. Minerva's partner was home, her boyfriend had his foot in the door with the resistance, and everything was looking up, at least for the night. "Here's to a new tomorrow" "A new tomorrow."

[selfshipstorm]

This One's Not Clean

summary : Minerva Black is the rookie deputy on the Hope County Sheriff's Department, only on the force a little over two months when she's asked to join the arrest of a local radical preacher, Joseph Seed, who's cult, The Project at Eden's Gate, had gotten extremely out of hand. However, nothing involving the Project ever goes to plan, and The Arrest is most definitely one of them.  When is a monster not a monster : Soulmate AU! Minerva x John.  chapter list : ( tbd )  cws : canon typical violence, religion mention, I don't know what I should tag and what I shouldn't so please lmk. 

        The arrest was supposed to be easy. A federal marshal had come to hope county with a federal arrest warrant for Joseph Seed. The county had fallen into turmoil ever since Joseph and his brothers moved into town. Minerva had already seen the cult's effects first hand when they came for her parents' house. They had come, given Elizabeth and Alexander Black one week to take their things and leave. Considering they were already on their way out after seeing what the cult had done, it wasn't a hard choice. The Project At Eden's Gate had staked their claim in the Black family home, leaving Minerva living in a tiny apartment above the Spread Eagle at her close friend Mary May's behest. 

        The arrest was supposed to be easy. Minerva had gotten the call that morning to meet at the Sheriff's Station. The introductions to U.S. Marshal Cameron Burke were fast, as they wanted to get going more than anything. The faster this got done, the faster the Marshal got to lead Joseph away and the faster that celebrations could be had.          As the helicopter flew toward Joseph's island, Minerva had to break the silence somehow. A YouTube video had been posted by a group who'd gotten into the cult to expose them from within. And it shared the truth to the Project at Eden's Gate, exposing them as the cult they really were. However, service died as the helicopter approached the Henbane River.          "Hey Rookie! Rookie! You're wasting your time. There's no signal out here." The sheriff chuckled as Minerva looked up.          "Crossing over the Henbane now." Burke offered, stating the obvious, considering Minerva could have looked out to her left and told him the same thing.  ​​​​​​         "Oh fuck. There he is."          "Crazy motherfucker."          The reactions upon seeing Joseph's massive statue come into view were pretty par for the course. The Project had erected that massive waste of concrete scarily fast, and Minerva made herself a promise. Once the fucker was arrested and out of Hope County, she was gonna blow it to pieces. 

        "We're officially in Peggie Country." Hudson offered, and the question of how much longer the flight was came up.          "Just long enough for you to change your mind so we can turn this bird around." Sheriff Whitehorse replied far too quickly. And Minerva knew why. He was a smart man, and more than likely had the same gut feeling she did that there was no way this was going to go smoothly.          "You want me to ignore a federal warrant, Sheriff?"         "No sir. I want you to understand the reality of this situation. Joseph Seed, he's not a man to be fucked with. We've had run-ins with him before and they haven't always gone our way. Just sometimes... Sometimes it's best to leave well enough alone."         "Yeah, well... we have laws for a reason, Sheriff. And Joseph Seed is gonna learn that."

        Nancy at dispatch was as annoyingly chipper as ever, Whitehorse explained the logic behind calling the cult's followers Peggies - "Project at Eden's Gate. P - E - G." He offered, like it was obvious - and the marshal gave the final order. "We're going in."

        The final words from Nancy did nothing to ease Minerva's anxiety about this. I'll be praying for you.          "Alright! Three rules-" Whitehorse started, calling over the engine of the helicopter. "Stick close, keep your guns in your holsters, and let me do the talking. Got it?"          Everybody climbed out, and the Peggies appeared as soon as the badges started walking toward the church where they knew they'd find the man they were looking for. 

        At the door of the church, Whitehorse had to reign in the marshal yet again. He was ready to blow the compound to the ground if it meant he left with Joseph Seed in cuffs, but Earl Whitehorse knew better.          Hudson on the door, Minerva with Whitehorse and the marshal. The walk into the church was overlaid with the voice of the radical preacher.  Something is coming. You can feel it, can't you? That we are creeping toward the edge... and there will be a reckoning. That's why we started the Project. Because we know what happens next. They will come. They will try to take from us. Take our guns, take our freedom, take our faith. But we will not let them. "Sheriff, c'mon--"         "Just hold on, Marshal." We will not let their greed, or their immorality, or their depravity hurt us anymore!          "Sheriff..."         "Do not pull that trigger. Remain calm."  There will be no more suffering!         "No, fuck this. Joseph Seed! I have a warrant issued for your arrest, on the suspicion of kidnapping with the intent to harm. Now I want you to step forward, and keep your hands where I can see 'em."

        As Joseph looked at the marshal, and slowly raised his hands, the anxiety in Minerva's chest built.         "Here they are. The locusts in our garden. You see they've come for me." The anxiety only grew stronger as a wall of his followers moved to stand between Joseph and the group. "They've come to take me away from you. They've come to destroy all that we built."         His followers began to move forward, and Whitehorse was adamant that no weapons be drawn, at least on their part. But as soon as the peggies got riled up, Joseph reigned them in again.          "We knew this moment would come. We have prepared for it. Go. Go. God will not let them take me." Minerva was hyper aware of her surroundings as the church began to empty. She could have told you the eye color of every Peggie that filed past her, repeated every snide look and comment of sinner.          The church was empty, save Joseph and his family behind him, Whitehorse, Burke, and Minerva. She got a better look at his siblings as he spouted more nonsense.  And I saw when he lamb opened the first seal and I heard as it were the noise of thunder one of the four beasts say "Come and see."         To his right, a rather gruff looking man, clad in camo. His stare felt like it was going straight through Minerva's forehead and straight to the doors at the back of the church. To his left, a blonde woman, barefoot in a white dress.          "Step. Forward." The marshal growled, a little more purposeful this time.          Behind Joseph stood another man, neatly dressed, looking over his brother's shoulder at the raiding party.  And I saw. And behold. It was a white horse. And hell followed with him.          Joseph stopped in front of Minerva, holding his hands in front of him. "Rookie. Cuff this son of a bitch."          "God will not let you take me." Minerva took a breath, pulled the cuffs from her belt, and stepped forward. As she closed the cuffs around his wrists, he said something, only loud enough for Minerva to hear.          "Sometimes the best thing to do... is to walk away."

        The walk back to the helicopter was tense, and trying to take off was worse. The peggies were swarming them, Minerva and Whitehorse were trying their best to knock them off as the bird slowly rose. But one they couldn't stop threw themself into the rotors of the helicopter. The incessant beeping shortly after told Minerva all she needed to know.          One of those psycho peggie fucks had jumped into the blades, and now they were going to crash. Minerva cursed under her breath as the helicopter fell toward the woods, and could only brace herself as their bird fell from the sky. 

        The arrest was supposed to be easy. Key word : supposed to.

[selfshipstorm]

my birthday in hope county

Welcome to Hope County where everyone knows the Junior Deputy and her friends will stop at nothing to celebrate her. The day starts with her friends rousing her out of bed with breakfast. Mary May has made breakfast and Jerome, Sharky, Pratt, and Hudson are all there. She spends her day running around with her friends, having fun. They cause a bunch of chaos and have a lot of laughs. Then, Minerva gets back. Wherever she'd been staying lately, she finds a present. A nice dress, accessories, laid out, and a note. Text me when you're ready.  He didn't have to remember her favorite nice restaurant, he didn't have to drive her all the way to another city to go, but he did. Fine dining, a movie, and a fancy gift that only John Seed would give. Minerva winds up getting back home rather late, but she doesn't mind.

[selfshipstorm]

Howdy Storm! I wanted to ask these for the Pokémon ask games:

Meganium - Flower power! Do you two have a garden (or plan to grow one)? For Astoria

Cherrim (Sunny Form) - If it’s a sunny day outside, do you go outside to spend time together or no? For Dustin

Jigglypuff - On a scale of one to ten (or tenouttaten), how much of a softie is your F/O towards you? (alt. how much of a softie are you towards them?) For John

Comfey - The best way to relax with each other? for Klaus

I hope this finds you in good spirits and in good cheer ✨💙

Sunny @tex-treasures

Meganium - Flower power! Do you two have a garden (or plan to grow one)? For Astoria Please, if Astoria had her way, she would have planted a garden everywhere we've been. However, considering we've finally settled down somewhat I've got it in my head to surprise her with an area where we can start something. I'm sure that Klaus wouldn't mind helping me find a place we can set aside so Astoria and I can start gardening.

Cherrim (Sunny Form) - If it’s a sunny day outside, do you go outside to spend time together or no? For Dustin As long as the sunny day isn't coupled with extremely hot temperatures, definitely! ( Even if it is, the pool is open most days. ). I try to pull him outside a decent bit just to get him out of his own head. Maybe I'll pack some junk food and we'll head up to Weathertop to spend a day in the sun.

Jigglypuff - On a scale of one to ten (or tenouttaten), how much of a softie is your F/O towards you? (alt. how much of a softie are you towards them?) For John So, John is a complicated one. Around people, he is not as soft as he is when we're alone, but he definitely shocks some people who experience his kinder side for the first time through his interactions with me. Around other people, he'd fall around a 5-6. He will play the stereotypical gentleman, and no one try to tell him otherwise. However, when it's just us, or a smaller group of folks he's come to trust, he hits at least 8.5. Absolute lovey-dovey dork. ( The other way around, I'd say 99% of the time I'd score a 7.5-8. I love my boy + I love to show it. )

Comfey - The best way to relax with each other? for Klaus When it comes to Klaus, a nice way to relax together and just unwind is just to enjoy each other's company. It can be as simple as sitting in the same room, reading completely different books or as complex as going out for the evening. Togetherness is a big thing for me, and I feel like Klaus would feel the same.

Thanks for the ask!!! @tex-treasures

[selfshipstorm]

Howdy Bear! I wanted to ask these for the OTP prompt ask game thingy!

Who's more likely to fire up the stove at 2am because the other woke up in the middle of the night hungry? For Steve?

Describe their weekend getaway? For Eddie?

Do they like watching clouds or star gazing? For John?

Tex @tex-treasures

Who's more likely to fire up the stove at 2am because the other woke up in the middle of the night hungry? -okay, so, I can see this happening. rebecca's spending the night at Steve's and she winds up waking up with a hankering for some food. Stealthing her way out of bed, she heads for the kitchen. Clumsy half asleep hunting for food wakes Steve up, who decides that y'know what, he wouldn't mind food either, so there they are, in the kitchen, trying to successfully make whatever came to mind.

Describe their weekend getaway? -it doesn't have to be fancy. an ideal weekend for the two of them would be a spontaneous pick up and go. Eddie calls, twenty minutes later he's in the driveway and Dottie and a duffle bag climb in before they race off into the afternoon. it's just them, whatever junk food Eddie brought, and two or three days together, probably camping out in the back of his van.

Do they like watching clouds or star gazing? -John grows to like star gazing because Minerva likes to. It's one of my interests I push on all my s/is. I like the stars, I know a lot of the stories behind the constellations. I could see them late at night after all the planes are in, going out to the airstrip on John's ranch to watch the stars. Initially John acts like it annoys him, but he grows more and more fond of the activity as time goes on and he learns more about the stars, and spends some good quality time with Minerva.

Thanks for the ask!!

@tex-treasures

[selfshipstorm]

Howdy Storm! I wanted to ask as a follow up to your drabble with John; what's one way John proves himself to Minerva's people that he's trustworthy and has truly changed? Does John ever express frustration over how slowly people are approaching him or does he, for the most part, accept it? How does Minerva help?

Tex @tex-treasures

hihihi okay i'm gonna answer this one first because Brain has Thoughts

in the game, one of the main aspects of gameplay is your Scripted Abductions. They're story points where whatever Seed sibling you've pissed off enough takes your character and you have a little conversation, and go through a specific sequence before escaping.

The way John really cements his role in the resistance is he saves Minerva.

I feel like it would be one of Faith's Scripted Abductions, and when John realizes Minerva's MIA he goes to anyone he can think of to help, specifically the folks in Fall's End who are slowly warming up to him. He raises the red flag that last he knew she was going to take out a target in Faith's region, and she is now not answering calls and he can't get ahold of her.

He ends up finding her after she makes it out of Faith's trial, dazed and confused, and brings her home. After John manages to get her back to safety, the resistance realizes he means business, and word starts to spread that John Seed is on their side now.

As far as his reactions, yes, John tends to express a little hesitation in regards to how slow people are coming around, but mainly to Minerva. "They hate me, don't they." "Johnny, you gotta understand, a week ago they were fighting you." However he tries to be as amicable as possible around everyone, because he does understand that yes, he was the enemy not that long ago.

Minerva tries to help by being the middleman. She's assuring John that they'll come around, she's assuring the others that John is, in fact, 100% on their side now and they have nothing to worry about.

Thanks for the ask!!

@tex-treasures

[selfshipstorm]

howdy Bear!!!! Thank you so much for your sweet words on my anniversary moodboard with Maxwell, I appreciate you 😭✨💙!!!!!

While I'm here, I'd love to know if you ever celebrate anniversaries with your f/os? Admittedly, this is the first time I've really done it and wanted to know if you do it :o? Also, how do you and your f/os feel about the concept of anniversaries 🥺?

I hope you're doing well and enjoying good weather!!! May this find you in good cheer and good health ✨💙!!

Moxie @tex-treasures

howdy howdy!!! I've said it once but I'll say it again, the moodboard looked so good. and i know i'm late as all get out answering this, forgive me 🥺 as far as anniversaries, I have a few things planned for when anniversaries arise. I thought it would be a fun thing to do, celebrating the time me and my f/os have had together. Plus, it gives me an excuse to create more and have a set theme to create within. As far as my f/os and my moods on the concept of anniversaries, it all depends on who. Some of my f/os are more fans of it than others. Steve is the cheesy romantic type who probably nearly forgets until Robin mentions it to him, John is the type who has it written in the calendar, programmed in his phone, and will throw some extravagant celebration for the two of us. Conversely, I feel like Jonron wouldn't be too extreme about it, like she'd realize the date and mention "hey!! one year!! look at us." and that would be basically it. Everyone else kind of falls between there, acknowledging it, maybe with gifts, or food, but it's not a major event.

Thanks for the ask!!

@tex-treasures

[selfshipstorm]

Howdy Bear! Thank you for your support and sweet words on my Ozymandias art, I really appreciate you taking the time to say so in the tags ✨💙🥺

I wanted to ask, what are some things you're looking forward too as it slowly turns colder? Any fun plans lined up with any of your f/os 👀?

Tex @tex-treasures

Your art style is lovely and I like supporting my moots, plus your relationship seems wonderful from what i've osmosis-ed reading your blog. ✨✨

Is this gonna be majorly Halloween themed because Halloween is my favorite? Yes.

Wrench and Zigzag are both nerds, so they annoy the rest of the team by decorating the hideout at holidays. Halloween always has a theme, and this year it's Friday the 13th / Camp Crystal Lake

Bri and Jonron are taking part in the pineapple jack-o'-lantern trend and they carve some themselves to decorate, because that was the one thing Bri and her family did in the fall was carve pumpkins, so she wanted to bring that with her.

I feel like Hawkins celebrates the fall more than anything, with hayrides and corn mazes and haunted houses. Dorothy knows she's gonna get roped into taking the party to a corn maze with her co-babysitter Steve, and has a date planned with Eddie for a night of Haunted houses. Rebecca has a date night planned with Steve involving a corn maze, because she's not brave enough for a haunted house.

In Hope County, the Resistance throws a hell of a Halloween party, and it is one of a few moments in the year that Eden's Gate and the Resistance have a truce. Any children who remain in the county are welcome to trick-or-treat at the veteran's center, Seed Ranch, and Joseph's compound. As far as Minerva and John, there's plenty of hot apple cider, sunset by a bonfire 'dates' in their future.

Margaret, as a witch, loves Halloween, and as a nerd, loves franchises like Hocus Pocus and Nightmare Before Christmas. This is the season where she breaks out her merch stash. She'd be the type to drag her man on cutesy outings, and Klaus enjoys the times where they just go for coffee and a walk, Margaret pointing out changing colors in the leaves. Margaret is planning a trip to a hayride and a corn maze, but she knows if word gets out she'll have not just one Mikaelson, but at least a few, so she's trying to keep it quiet.

Did this turn into more of Halloween headcanons? Yes. Maybe I'll expand on them in the future 🤔

As far as me myself, I'm impatiently awaiting the return of apple cider on store shelves, aisles of Halloween decorations, the leaves changing colors, and the seasonal mountain dew mystery flavor I just recently found in stores.

Thanks for the ask Tex!!

@tex-treasures

[selfshipstorm]

My Atonement

Because the Atonement mission in f.ar c.ry 5 is not my most favorite thing, with Minerva in the picture, the events change.

By the point in the story that we reach the events of the Atonement, John and Minerva have been sneaking around under the noses of both sides. She's gotten through to him that his brother is no good for him, and if he knows what's good for him, he'll leave Joseph, and the Project, behind.

Minerva's out raising hell for the peggies in the Holland Valley, probably involving Sharky driving her around on a mounted gun truck. Her radio crackles to life after she wipes out the seventh or eighth pickup that had the unfortunate honor of crossing her path.

Your actions have consequences, Deputy. John's voice came from her radio, and she smiled at the charade he still had to keep up. It is time for you to Atone. I expect to see you soon, if you wish to save your friends. This is your last chance to say yes, Deputy. Don't be late.

She grinned, climbing down from the gun in the back of the truck. She walks past the driver's side of the truck and tells Sharky he can just go home. She has things to do.

He takes off in the truck, and Minerva can't help but smile as she walks toward a nearby cleared outpost. They didn't have much against letting her take a truck, considering they'd acquired quite a few.

When she gets to Fall's End, Minerva's shocked to see that the town is vacant. There's not a sound but the wind through the trees, there's not a soul in sight.

The church is decorated like there's going to be a wedding. Peeking through the windows, she saw that John was alone inside. She started humming as she pushed the door open. "Y'know, you could have told me that I was late to my own wedding, Johnny."

"Appearances to keep, you understand." He's leaning against the back of the front row of pews, and at Minerva's comment, he smiles.

"So, you remember the plan?" Minerva started, but paused to gesture around her. "Although, i didn't think we'd be starting here."

"I assume your vehicle is waiting. There's a few Chosen hiding around town, that will give chase when we leave."

"Nothing I can't handle." She grinned, and pulled her handcuffs from her belt. "One comment out of you, Seed, and I will end you."

He simply grinned and let their plan take action.

What the Chosen in town would see, and what the pair in the truck that peeled off after watching her run the rest off the road would relay to the others was that the Deputy had John, and three days later they'd return from wherever they'd ran off to and, much to the shock of the resistance, John Seed was ready to fight alongside the resistance and to fight against the Project.

[selfshipstorm]

going back through fc.5 deep cuts and... Minerva really took Sharky and Adelaide's 'advice' to heart, and as much as Minerva doesn't really like Adelaide, she'd have to admit 'a good long something or other' really did save their necks.

[selfshipstorm]

A SELFSHIP ROCK FEST Because I'm a rock nut, all my s/is are too, by default. This past weekend I had the chance to go to a two day long rock festival and I have been consumed with the thoughts of how my f/os would react to coming with me. Figured I'd give a little bit on who all would have come and what would have gone on. Am I making up whole scenarios??? Yes. Is this an excuse for me to promote good smaller / local ( to me anyway ) bands? Also yes.

WRENCH : Zigzag got the tickets online from a friend she knew, and when she was offered a ticket she asked for a second one to take Wrench with her. She got the second ticket and the pair were off. It's a chance for them to get out of the city for a few days and indulge in good music and junk food. As far as local / smaller acts go, I feel like he'd go for Layne's Calling or maybe We, The Infamous. I do think Wrench would be one of the people screaming the words to Addicted when Saving Abel started it and let the crowd take off.

JONRON : Rather than a venue like the one it's at, I feel like their show would have been on the beach. Massive beach concert. Someone in Libertad probably got the tickets and passed them out. The local / smaller acts I can see Jonron getting hyped for are the woman led ones like The Almas or Hearts and Hand Grenades. She would have been in the front row screaming along to You Make Me Sick when Saving Abel performed.

STEVE : Upon Steve and Rebecca going to this rock festival, they would have made it a weekend long date thing. There's a chance they'd have gotten the tickets from a friend of Rebecca's parents, because her parents wouldn't have been interested in going, and would have passed their tickets off to the kids. As far as the smaller / local acts, I feel like Steve would have liked Casting Shadowz, Autumn Academy, or even The Almas. When Saving Abel came on, he would have been screaming along to Hell of A Ride, because my boy still has some emotions regarding Nancy. Other than that song, I think he'd have liked My Catastrophe.

EDDIE : This boy. The second Dorothy said concert he was already prepared to do anything he had to in order to go. When he found out she already had tickets he was over the moon. Eddie would say he couldn't pick a favorite from the smaller acts, but I can see him liking Mud Creek or Casting Shadowz. As far as Saving Abel, Eddie would ignore the rest of the song and simply latch onto one line from New Tattoo. "I've got a new tattoo and the colors in it remind me of you." Why? Because I've had it in my mind that Eddie's got a few tattoos already, and eventually him and Dottie would get matching ones. And the lead singer of one of the bands is doing tattoos at his merch booth.

JOHN : So, this is where I get into the real meat of what this concert really was and also into a bit of Minerva's backstory. This is the Rock For Vets festival. Minerva was army buddies with Jacob. Another friend of Minerva's who got out around the time she did hits her up about the festival, and she gets tickets for her and John, of course, but she surprises Jacob with one too. John would be one for Autumn Academy, I can feel, and as far as Saving Abel, he'd really like one of the new songs they played, Fire. I feel like he'd vibe with the meaning behind it.

KLAUS : One of Margaret's many acquaintances from her travels is among the group that puts the festival on, and she gets tickets from them. Of course she gets two for her and Astoria, but her friend is shocked when she asked for a third : Klaus. I feel like when it comes to the smaller bands, he'd have liked Black Out or Mud Creek. When Saving Abel came on, he'd have liked two of the covers they did, Machinehead by Bush and Bent by Matchbox Twenty, although I do think he would have liked the second new song they played, Baptize Me.

[selfshipstorm]

Howdy Storm!! Thank you so much for your kind words on my flower language art for Moriarty, I appreciate you!

I wanted to come ask, do you associate any flowers based on their meanings with any of your f/os :o???

Tex @tex-treasures

I can't draw all that well myself so I try to be an uplifting force to others with the skill and the talent. And your art is really good. 😊

As for the question, I had a period where I got super into learning flower meanings, so here goes. based on meanings, the list looks something like this :  KLAUS : amaryllis (pride), gladiolus (strength), petunia (anger), rosemary (remembrance).   JOHN : yellow rose (jealousy), bittersweet (truth), rose daphne (a desire to please), JONRON : gloxinia (a proud spirit), st. jo​hn's wort (strength against fear), penciled geranium (ingenuity), monks cress (victory) STEVE : lamb's ear (support), goldenrod (protection), euphorbia (persistence), allium (strength) EDDIE : swamp magnolia (perseverance), orange lily (confidence), elderberry (kindness), dogwood (charm)

WRENCH : freesia (trust), pink stargazer lily (ambition), purple columbine (resolve to win), african violet (faithfulness)

most of these are personality / backstory / canon events related. 

Thanks for the ask Tex!!

@tex-treasures

[selfshipstorm]

Flowerpower and The Twist for John Seed :D

eeeeeeee- he's been one of my hyperfixation buttons lately

FLOWER POWER- What acts of kindness have you and your F/O done for each other?

i suppose not offing me could count here? John and i started out on opposite sides of a war and it was not pretty in the beginning. Same thing, inversely. I had a few good chances. But then we realized that each other was actually pretty cool and relationship things happened.

As far as simpler things, I did happen to "steal" him his plane back when he joined the resistance.

THE TWIST- Who’s the better dancer? Who leads, and who follows?

John is a big city lawyer type and I'm a small town kid. He's the one who knows how to dance, in the traditional sense, and has been trying to teach me, to no real luck. When he does make progress, he definitely leads and I clumsily follow.