#( i. malachi thorn )

[phantomoftheorpheum]

y'all, I wrote this ridiculously long analysis of the first 2 eps of PLL: OS (Summer School), but it was too long so this is what you get instead.

*Spoilers for 1x01, 1x02, and the "Weeks Ahead" trailer

I see a lot of people suspicious that Christian may be related to (or good friends) with Chip, and I do understand where those theories are coming from. I personally think it's more likely that Christian will be an early suspect of the season. I think the girls will discover that Christian made the "Bloody Rose" mask/costume, and believe he is involved, but that we will find out that it was a commissioned work and he doesn't know the identity of the person who bought it (they might even use this to have him describe a character who came to pick up the mask/outfit, but intentionally make us think of someone else- like describing an older white lady and the show points us at Chip's mom, or Kelly's mom, or Dr. Sullivan, etc. depending on who they don't want us to suspect). Obviously this is conjecture and I could be totally off base, but that's my read on Christian. This is also not to suggest that I think he's 100% above board (I have some other theories about him), but this is where I am with him at this moment.

Female rage has always been a major theme of this reboot, and it feels particularly relevant, considering "Rose" is our scary person in a mask, so personally I really do hope the main person responsible (even if there are multiple people involved) this season is a woman. I think it just fits the theme of the show really well. That being said, I could be talked around to alternatives.

I can't stop considering how the Our Mother of Holy Grace church comes into play here. So, here's where that takes my brain. This church is led by Pastor Malachi. Interesting choice of names- Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament. It focuses on criticizing those who are not committed/faithful enough, and also criticizes those who question God's justice. We know that Rose Waters (the real Rose Waters) was incredibly religious, and that she wielded religion as a tool in her abuse of Angela and Archie. "Bloody Rose" wears a crown of thorns, an incredibly famous bit of religious imagery. The actual Rose Waters walked the path of "religious woman who failed her children (was abusive towards them & did not protect Angela from her "friends") and lost one to violence, then became violent with those she blamed for this." We have another character who could easily walk that same path- Mrs. Beasley is a religious woman who failed her children (Karen, dead. Kelly isolated & traumatized, neither protected from this sequence of events) and lost one to violence, then became violent with those she blamed for this (stabbed her husband). But there could be a lot more people than Tom Beasley on her "blame" list. Particularly if her feelings/grief around Karen have become tangled up in her religious devotion. That is to say that, so far, everyone who has died in this season (though the first few kills were Archie's) could easily be considered a "sinner" ("the guilty" from season 1, the teens in the cabin, Sandy "tempting" Greg), and "Bloody Rose" may see herself as meting out God's justice. But then... why the girls? Well, it sounds like they are getting "tests" this year, which, similar to last season, makes me think they are not kill targets (yet), that "Rose" is still deciding about them. Anyway, again, all conjecture/interpretation and I could be completely off base.

I think people are gonna hate to hear it, but- I think we might be getting a lot of Faran & Greg this season (I don't mean this romantically, though I don't think that's 100% out of the question, either). Greg's actor got his billing upgraded between seasons, which implies he'll have more screen time. I don't think the Henry/Faran relationship is long for this world (she's lying to him, he seems resentful that he chose to stay behind with her, she told Kelly she doesn't know what they have in common outside of dance, he ignored her when she asked him to let her handle things, they just aren't clicking), and I think Faran & Greg may end up (unwillingly) teamed up trying to figure out what's going on with Kelly & the church.

Random, but I think we might get a "secluded cabin in the woods" episode this season, since that's a big summer slasher trope and they reminded us right away that Imogen's dad has one of those.

I have 3 categories for characters (not including the main 5 girls), "actual suspects," "suspicious by default, but could go either way," and "keeping my eye on you." Here they are-

Actual Suspects - Mrs. Beasley, Mrs Beasley + Kelly, Mrs. Beasley + Pastor Malachi, Any combination of people from the church, Chip's Mom, Dr. Sullivan.

Suspicious By Default, But Could Go Either Way - Jen, Christian, Johnny, Coach Rhodes, Imogen's dad.

Keeping My Eye On You - Wes, Shawn, Ash, Henry

I think that's it for now. I'm sure I'm wrong about a lot of stuff, but it's the guessing that makes it fun imo.

[baby-fae-thorn]

Danger

Thorn had been wandering around the woods, a little aimlessly. He couldn't stop thinking about his encounters. The people he'd met. And that he still couldn't find Kye. He wasn't going to just go home without him. But the idea of the family leaving without them was so much to bear.

There was a faint, tugging sensation that stopped him in his tracks. The glimmer of a portal started to open in the clearing. Spitting out two fae. A tall dark haired one and a small fair haired one. The dark haired one was jerking the smaller by the arm. He caught sight of Thorn and stopped. For a moment, their eyes locked. Thorn shyed back a step. Not liking what he saw there. He jerked the smaller fae towards him.

"Tell him." He growled. "Tell him that his pain is on you. For refusing me."

Skylar stumbled forward a step. Meeting the shocked eyes of the young fae. "What?" He turned back towards Malachi. "No. No. You can't."

Thorn had a brief moment to wonder what he meant by that before the dark haired fae appeared before him. Close enough he could see the whites of his eyes. He gasped, staggering back, but the fae caught him by the arm. His grip hurt, and Thorn made a pained sound.

"You will bear me children!" He snarled at him.

"Malachi!" Skylar cried, throwing himself at him, grabbing him around the middle, in an attempt to pull him off the boy, but it was no use. Malachi flung his arm sending Skylar spiraling away and onto ground where his head collided with a large rock. And everything went black.

Fear gripped Thorn, the need to be away from here. He cried out again, when Malachi it seemed, jerked him against him. His fingers gripping him by the hair and wrenching his head back so he could crash their lips together. Thorn let out a pained gasp. And his kiss, his first kiss was viciously stolen from him by the crazed fae he'd never even seen before. He screamed out in his mind, the outrage of it.

Kye had felt it. His head snapping up in the direction of a scream. Though it wasn't a coherent one. One that could be heard by human ears. But he knew who it was. He knew in his soul who it was. And he took off at speed towards his baby brother.

As he stepped into the clearing, his glamor fell. His hair elongated into long golden tendrils. His brown eyes lightening to an icy blue. A cascade of sparkly freckles dotting accross his skin. His ears ending in a point. His magic licked up his arms as he came to a stop.

He took in the scene before him. Finding the crumpled form of the fae who had fallen. And the faerie knight, pinning his brother against a tree. Devouring him, hands groping at him. And Thorn, strugging feebly against him, tears wet on his cheeks. The anger in him raged like an inferno. Because how dare he. How dare he take what his brother had not given to him. "MALACHI!" His voice rang out accross the clearing. Because he knew that was exactly who this monster was. All of faerie knew.

Malachi ripped away from the young fae, letting him fall from his hands. He wiped at his mouth before turning his steely blue eyes on the one who had evoked the power of his name. He sized him up. A smirk tugging on his mouth.

Thorn fell onto the ground, chest heaving as helpless tears rolled down his cheeks. He couldn't catch his breath. But he saw Kye there. And it eased something inside of him. Because if Kye was there he was safe. His brother wouldn't allow anything else to happen to him.

"Problem...sprite?" Malachi asked Kye. An amused expression on his face.

Kye jerked his chin forward. "You will step away from my brother, sir." He said calmly.

His laugh echoed throughout the clearing. Malachi dropped his eyes towards the small fae he'd been molesting. Then turned his attention back to the other one. Who seemed far studier. He was considerably taller than Skylar was. Thin, delicately bones. Malachi would take great pleasure in breaking him, he thought. More so than the younger one. "Oh I see. Your brother." He took a menacing step forward. Noting with amusement that Skylar was beginning to rouse. This would be important for him to see, after all. To see what his refusal would cost others. "You see..." He purred. "Your brother..." He gestured towards the sniveling teen. "Is now mine. By the rules of faerie. He received my kiss. And did not refuse me. Therefore..." He shrugged nonchalantly. "He is mine."

"He is not yours, sir." Kye replied, not missing a beat. "He is pure, sir. Never been touched. And now, you have soiled him, sir. I shan't forgive you for that."

Thorn's trembling fingers came up to his lips. His glamor fell because he couldn't hold it up any longer. The true horror of what had happened washed over him. He had accepted a gift. Not willingly, but he'd accepted it. It didn't matter that it hadn't been fair. It didn't matter that he couldn't push him away. The law was clear. At least the law as far as he understood it was.

Malachi narrowed his eyes. "Shan't you? And what exactly do you intend on doing about it?"

Kye knew he was no match for Malachi. But right now the only thing standing between Malachi and Thorn was him. So, he had to make it right somehow. He extended a hand towards the ex-knight. "I offer you...a bargain." He said. An orb of light coalescing in his open palm. "A life for a life, sir. Or. Better yet, sir. Two lives for one, sir. Because I, sir. Have what you seek."

"Do you?" Malachi was interested now. His eyes raking over the form of the delicate fae. The light in his hand shimmering with an enticing glow.

The orb continued to shimmer. "I do, sir. I can give you a baby, sir. Thorn can not, sir. He is too young yet. And Skylar..." He cast an eye over at the fae in question, who had blood dripping down his face from a head wound. "Is no longer yours, sir. So. It would never work."

Malachi considered Skylar. A mixture of anger and something else in his eyes. He then returned his gaze to Kye. "You are offering yourself to me?"

Thorn gasped. "No! No! You can't!" He shifted over onto his knees. Desperation in his voice. Because no, That was not a suitable trade. It would never be suitable trade.

Kye smiled, though it was meant more for his baby brother than anyone else. "I am, sir. But first....first, they go free, sir. That is the trade, sir. Thorn and Skylar. For me, and your child, sir."

Skylar made a sound. It was a pained but enraged sound. "Malachi!" He snarled. His vision was blurry and he could barely focus on him. But he would not allow this. Would not allow for someone else to victim to Malachi. Never again. He could feel his bonds, one with Eric, one with Joel. And he wrapped a hand around them, tugging on them. Willing his mates to appear somehow. And knowing, above anything else. That they would come. "You are dead." Skylar said with absolute certainty.

Kye was startled by Skylar's rage and barely had time to prepare himself for Malachi's lunge. The both went crashing to the forest floor. Malachi rolling on top and pinning Kye beneath him. He gasped in pain at the assault. The crushing weight on him.

Malachi clawed at him, ripping his shirt open with clawed fingers. "MINE!" He hissed. "Give it to me!"

Thorn let out a cry, lurching forward to help his brother. Skylar sat, frozen where he was. The glowing orb now held triumphantly in Malachi's hands.

[mountainashfae]

Tagged by @outeremissary for the Getting to Know You meme, thanks for the tag <3 I am so sleepy filling this out.

Three Ships. Well obviously Vio with Tristian and Balthazar is up there. We are 🤝 about those three. Constantly. It's great. Winter would get me if I wasn't honest with Reid and Mariette/Malachi up here. What a trio. And uhhhh Thalia and Thorne of course. Awkwardly digging through my brain to see if there are any other ships that I really like. I realize I don't ship that much. Regongar and Octavia of course. uhhhhhh ShyMurr. And sure, why not, my rarepair Fate ship: ProtoCu and Perseus.

Last Song. You and I by PVRIS. I'm back to playing my full Liked Songs library on Spotify to see if I can find new songs to add to playlists.

Last Movie. ugh god okay so. Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters. Basil and I needed to show Winter just how bad the movies were as adaptations of the book series so we suffered over the weekend doing that.

Currently Reading. I've got a long list of manhwa that I read as they update but "I'm a Spider, so what?" has been the longer manga I'm getting through. It's been a long time since I had the time and focus to crack open a normal book, but Howl's Moving Castle and Wuthering Heights were the last two that I tried to start on and just never got far. I should really try to get back to those.

Currently Craving. Ah, hm, well it's first thing in the morning so my appetite doesn't exist yet. But I guess if it were anything it'd be soup….. something gentle on my stomach but warm. It's so cold out here.

[theprayerfulword]

September 02

Malachi 3:16 Those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored His name.

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Proverbs 1:5 let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance –

Revelation 7:15 Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them.

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

Romans 16:20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

May your eye never have enough of seeing the majesty of the Lord in His creation, nor your ear its fill of hearing the Word of God. Ecclesiastes 1

May your heart take delight in your work, for this is the true reward for your labor. Ecclesiastes 2

May you know that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness. Ecclesiastes 2

May you receive your daily bread from the Lord, and find satisfaction from God in your work, for without Him, who can eat or find enjoyment? Ecclesiastes 2

May you please God, Who gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness. Ecclesiastes 2

May you understand that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live, for to eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all your toil is the gift of God, Whose work endures so that men will revere Him. Ecclesiastes 3

My child, be not conformed to the world's styles or manners, norms or graces, fashions or mercies, for they will shift even as you achieve them, being fickle in nature and ever-changing in focus. Rather, be renewed in your mind through the truth of My Word and the indwelling of My Spirit, letting Me mold you and shape you into the vessel I desire. I am endlessly creative, My precious one, and I have no limits or boundaries. What man does, has been done before; what I do, My love, is a new thing. Do not look for differences among those who name My name, for each of My children is a unique expression of My love; instead, look for the similarities that you have been taught from My word – meekness, gentleness, kindness, steadfastness, goodness, peace, joy, love, for these are My fingerprints embedded in the clay of your nature. They are inescapable indicators of submission to My will and acceptance of My salvation. You are My workmanship, peculiarly fashioned for good works, individually formed for the purpose I have chosen for you from before the earth's foundation. You do not fit with the flow of the world, and you do not blend with the crowd. You are a light on a hill, and cannot be hid. I have made you a spectacle for the world to look upon, a gazing-stock for the world to see, that My grace and mercy, My truth and power, My redemption and sanctification may be seen by all, though many will reject the first sight and initial exposure to My gospel. You will plant the seed of the good news of My salvation by your life, your speech, your choices, your actions and reactions; prayers will water My Word in their hearts, events will till the ground, removing thorns and weeds, breaking up the hard clods and removing the rocks, and My Spirit will watch over My Word to ensure it performs that which I have sent it to do. Do not resent your special characteristics or the constraints they place upon you, My dear one, for they are to the glory of God, and will be for the praise from many unto the Lord.

May you not receive God's grace in vain for now is the time of God's favor and the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6

May you give no offense or cause anyone to stumble by the way you live so that your work for God will be blameless and no fault will be found with your service to the Most High. 2 Corinthians 6

As a servant of the Most High God, may your life demonstrate your ministry and exhibit your obedience in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet living on; beaten and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 2 Corinthians 6

May you have no fear as you make God your refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, its waters roaring and foaming and the mountains quaking with their surgings. Psalm 46

May you find that city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells, and the river whose streams make the city glad, though other nations are in uproar and kingdoms without God fall, for the Lord Almighty is with you and the God of Jacob is your fortress. Psalm 46

May you come and see the works of the Lord, the astonishing things brought on the earth as He makes wars cease across the earth, breaking the weapons and burning the shields, that all would be still and know that He is God, exalted among the nations, honored in the earth, mighty among us and ever our fortress. Psalm 46

Though senselessness disturbs our heart and foolishness fills us when we are young, may we embrace the loving discipline of our heavenly Father Who is able to remove it far from us. Proverbs 22:15

[anarchswild]

Current Chronicle Masterpost

Portland by Night - Reid Thomel (Brujah)

Toronto by Night - Apollo (Malkavian)

Upcoming: Dark Secrets in Indianapolis - Amber Brunswick (Tremere antitribu)

[ Chronicle List ]              [ Character List ] All Chronicles are played in V20 unless otherwise noted.

Ships:

Re(i)d Flags - Reid x Mariette

Starcharts - Reid x Malachi

Blood Bondage - Mariette x Malachi

Ventrue's Gambit - Tammy x Zacharias

Abyssal Rose - Thalia/Tulio x Thorne

[emotionalcadaver]

Part 10: Red Right Hand

Fandom: Peaky Blinders

Pairing: Tommy Shelby x Grace Burgess x OC

Summary: A situation with the IRA pushes Tommy and Lucy to seek out Grace for help.

Word Count: 3,220

Notes: Warnings for depictions of violence and blood.

Previous Chapter • Series • Fic • Next Chapter

Chapter 13: The Sixth Chime

The red lighting around them caught against Lucy’s skin, turning it a red that was a shade or two lighter than that of her hair. Tommy looked back and forth at the crowds moving about in the marketplace as Campbell unfolded the Most Wanted paper for him to take a look at the photos. He scanned the faces staring back at him, then tapped the one in the top left.

“Malachi Byrne,” Campbell sounded almost impressed. “Brigade Commander of the South Armagh IRA. You hooked yourself a big fish there.”

“With these guns as bait, who knows what we’ll catch?” Tommy said. Lucy shifted from foot to foot beside him. 

“We?” Campbell looked incensed. “Are you suggesting that you and I could work together as a team?”

“Isn’t that what we’re already doing?” Lucy asked around her cigarette. He had asked her to come along, both for the simple reminder that not everyone in the world despised him, and because he needed someone around to make sure that he didn’t pull out his revolver and shoot Campbell at the first opportunity.  

Despite his protests at them working as a team, Campbell seemed amiable to the plan and requests Tommy laid out for him. But as a sweetener, he made a point of reminding him of that medal he seemed so eager to earn. 

Campbell chuckled. “If I get a medal, I will have your initials engraved on the backside.”

He really couldn’t help himself, there. “My initials on your backside. That’s quite an image.”

Lucy choked and clapped a hand over her laugh in a helpless attempt to cover her cackle at the joke. Tommy elbowed her good naturedly, which only prolonged her stifled giggles. It might have caused a bit of a blow to his relationship with Campbell, but it was worth it to get to hear Lucy laugh like that.

Though even Campbell didn’t seem particularly angered at the comment, just turning away. That was something.

“Inspector,” Tommy called out before he could leave. “Since we’re getting on so well, can you answer me a question? Who gave you Freddie Thorne?” perhaps, if he could bring the name of whoever had actually turned Freddie in to the rest of the family, they wouldn’t be so angry with him anymore.

“As everyone in the city knows, it was you, Mr. Shelby,” Campbell flashed him a cruel, half smirk, and began to walk away. Tommy watched him for a moment, trying to discern if that was just an attempt to get under his skin, or if it was an actual, legitimate answer. To his frustration, he wasn’t sure. 

“The fuck did he mean by that?” Lucy asked as they began to move through the market in the opposite direction that Campbell had gone. 

“I want you to start keeping a closer eye on our men. Especially any of the new ones.”

Lucy’s steps stuttered. “You think we have a mole?”

He grunted.

“Campbell is probably just fucking with you.”

“Maybe. Just keep your eyes open for anything that seems off.”

“Yeah. Okay,” she tossed her cigarette away and slipped her arm into his. “He makes my skin crawl.”

“Who? Campbell?”

“Yeah,” she shook her head, pressing her side closer to his instinctively. “I don’t even know what it is. There’s just something…” she trailed off, biting her lip.

“What?”

“He’s cruel,” she said finally, shaking her head.  

∗ ∗ ∗ 

“Shit,” she heard Tommy mumble the moment he’d set the phone receiver down in its cradle. Looking up from the last bit of paperwork she was finishing up before they stopped for the day and went to bed, she found him fumbling in a drawer, pulling out a map and making a few hasty markings on it with a pen. 

“What’s wrong?”

“That was Byrne,” he nodded to the phone. “He’s coming now with two IRA men to collect the location of the guns,” he folded the map and tucked it into his pocket. 

“At this hour?”

“Yes. And they want you and me to come alone.”

“Because they mean to kill us once you give them what they want,” she finished for him. “Fuck.”

“Call Campbell,” he pointed at the phone, standing. “Tell him we’re doing it tonight at the Garrison. I’ll be right back,” he didn’t give her an opportunity to ask anymore questions, already dashing out the door. She grabbed the phone, dialing the number for the police station. Campbell answered on the first ring, listened quietly to what she had to say, and informed her that he would send Sergeant Moss and some officers down to arrest the IRA men. 

“Alright,” she looked up as Tommy reentered the room. “Thank you. I have to go,” she hung up before he could respond.

“He’s sending Moss and some men. They’ll come in on the sixth chime of the clock,” taking the coat he handed her, she pulled it on while following him to the door.

“Grace will still be at the Garrison, won’t she?” Tommy asked, checking his watch. 

“Probably just closing up, but yeah.”

“Good. We’re going to need her help.”

“What–?”

“She won’t have to do anything but stand there and point a gun, don’t worry.”

There was no time to ask any follow-up questions. Not that she really needed to. She trusted him. Tommy banged his fist hard against the Garrison’s door once they arrived, the other hand clutching her fingers tightly.        

“I still don’t like getting her involved,” Lucy said softly.

“I know,” Tommy sighed, banging on the door again. A moment later the locks clicked, and Grace opened the door. Tommy went barreling in, half dragging Lucy behind him.

“Leave that open,” he called over his shoulder to Grace when she moved to lock the door again. He let go of Lucy’s hand to check the door in the back, and she set to work arranging the tables and chairs. A moment later Tommy rushed over to help her. Moving to the bar, they removed their caps, Lucy running her fingers through her curls in an attempt to somewhat tame them. Grace moved to begin pouring them each a glass of whiskey, but Tommy held up a hand. “No.”

“Are you expecting trouble?”

“Yeah,” he pulled a revolver from his pocket. Grace eyed it when he set it down on the bar while beginning to explain the situation to her, and what he was going to need her to do.  

“Now, you’re gonna be in that back room,” he pointed. “I’m going to be sitting there. Lucy’s sitting with me. They insisted that she be in on the meeting.”

“Because they know she’s your assassin,” Grace said simply. “And they want her somewhere they can see her.”

“Yes,” he affirmed before continuing to explain the rest of the plan. It really was just as simple as he had said; all she had to do was come out of the back on her cue, and point the gun at the right people. Easy enough.  

Tommy grabbed at her arms, holding them up with the gun aimed, his chest to her back. “Just point. Right?”

Grace nodded. Outside, the clock chimed. 

“All right, go. Go on. Go!” Tommy pushed at Grace gently, and she rushed towards the back.

“It’s going to be alright,” Lucy told her. After she’d disappeared to the back, Lucy went about helping Tommy grab glasses and bottles of booze, preparing the table, arranging everything to look normal. They sat down, side by side, Tommy’s fingers slipping into his pocket to check his watch. Lucy’s heart was hammering away in her chest. Glancing over her shoulder once, she squinted at the back of the pub. She couldn’t see Grace. Please, don’t let us get shot.

Tommy’s hand smoothed over her thigh, squeezing once before drawing back. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she forced her muscles to relax. The shadows of three men appeared in the window, the doors creaking as Byrne and his two comrades stepped in.

“Have your girl remove her gun and the bullets inside it,” Byrne ordered, hands clasped in front of him. Lucy glanced at Tommy. That was to be expected, but still the idea unnerved her. Tommy nodded, and she sighed, reaching into her jacket and pulling out her revolver, emptying the bullets out onto the table with little metallic clinks, placing the gun down onto the wood. She felt naked without it in her hand or snug against her ribs. Satisfied, the men sat down. Tommy poured them each drinks, though none of the men moved to touch them. At Byrne’s impatient demand for the location of the guns, he reached into his pocket, and pulled out the folded map. He held it up in one hand.

“Give me the cash.”

Byrne nodded, and the other man pulled a package from his coat and slid it across the table towards them. Tommy tossed the map down in front of Byrne.

“You’re going to need a shovel.”

Byrne took the map, glancing down at it, and then nodded to the man to his right. He began smiling, chuckling softly, taunting them as he lifted a gun to Tommy’s head. 

“Make your peace, Mr. Shelby,” Byrne said. “You too, Ms. Winters.”

“I will make peace my own way,” Tommy picked up the glass Byrne’s man had pushed away, raising it into the air. Here we go. “To barmaids who don’t count,” he took a sip from the glass. Lucy heard the door behind them open, the sound of Grace’s footsteps approaching.

And then two shots rang out from the gun clutched in her hands. Tommy jerked forward, hands flung half up to cover his head. The man who’d been holding a gun to Tommy went limp as a bullet caught him in the chest. Byrne lunged across the table towards Tommy and the pair began wrestling, sending the glasses on the table flying before slamming into the bar. Lucy flung herself across the table at the other man, grabbing her empty revolver from the table and aiming a strike at his head with it, but he caught her arms, attempting to wrench the gun from her hands. Sweeping her leg out, she knocked his feet out from under him, but his grasp he had on her meant that she went tumbling down with him.

Struggling to wrench herself from her assailant’s grasp, the gun was knocked from her hands to skid across the floor, and an elbow to the stomach pushed all the air from her lungs, leaving her to gasp and cough while he climbed on top of her, large hands locking around her neck. Lucy’s fingers dug into his wrists, trying to pry them away as he started to squeeze. Black dots appeared in her vision, and before he could react she thrust a hand up, grabbing the side of his face, and plunged her thumb into his eye. It popped beneath her nail like a grape, blood spurting out to cover her hand. He let out a wailing scream, grip loosening on her enough that she was able to curl her legs up and kick him away. Coughing rapidly as air whooshed back into her chest, she scrambled up, climbing on top of him and reaching into her shoe for the blade she kept concealed there. He had one hand pressed to his eye, the other held up as he watched her draw the knife. Had she allowed him enough time to speak, she wondered if he would have begged for his life.

She cut his throat, slicing straight through the vocal cords, before he ever got the chance.

The blood poured out wetly all over her hands and onto the floor, his body making little gurgling, choking sounds before finally going still.

Head turning, knife still ready to cut anyone who came near her, she spotted Tommy on top of Byrne, slamming one of the spittoons over and over against his head. Grace was huddled against the bar, looking at Lucy and Tommy with enormous eyes. Tommy was still bringing the spittoon down. Over and over again.

“Tommy,” she croaked out, trying to stand, feet slipping in the blood pooling around her. “Tommy!”

He finally tossed the spittoon, dented and stained with blood, to the ground, doubling over, breathing hard. Scrambling to her feet, Lucy staggered towards Grace, kneeling next to her, hand seizing tightly at her shoulder. Tommy had pulled himself to his feet, glass crunching under his shoes as he moved towards them. Using two fingers, Lucy gently turned Grace’s face so she could examine the gash that had opened up across her forehead. She must have hit her head sometime in the struggle. Grace’s fingers traced lightly across Lucy’s neck, where she was sure that bruises in the shape of hands were already beginning to appear. Tommy made a sound that was close to a sob, reaching down to help pull both of them to their feet. One of his hands brushed carefully against Grace’s face, checking her head. The other grasped tightly onto Lucy’s shoulder to keep her steady. He grabbed Grace by the face, pulling her close.

“Why did you shoot?” he whispered. Grace whimpered. “Why did you shoot, Grace?”

Grace’s face crumpled, and she began to cry. Lucy wrapped one arm around each of them, clinging tightly. 

“I didn’t know I had it in me like that,” Grace sobbed. Tommy’s lower lip trembled. He pulled them both closer.

“Now you’ve seen me. You’ve seen both of us.”

“And you’ve seen me,” Grace’s eyes moved between them, the hand around Lucy’s waist tightened, the other grasping Tommy’s arm. “I’m sorry.”

Tommy just pulled them both closer, the three of them squeezed into a fierce hug, heads resting against shoulders, arms wrapped around one another. The door creaked, and Tommy’s brows pinched. Lucy was the first to notice, giving Tommy and Grace one last firm squeeze before pulling away just before the police officers strode in. Moss’s eyebrows rose at the sight of Tommy and Grace still embracing, Lucy hovering nearby. When Tommy let Grace go and pulled away to face the officers, Grace grabbed tightly onto Lucy’s arm.

“You were supposed to come on the sixth chime!” Tommy bellowed. “You were supposed to come on the fucking sixth chime!”

Sergeant Moss didn’t say anything, just stared at the bodies before him. Tommy leaned back against the bar, eyes focused up. The white collar of his shirt was splattered with spots of blood.

Not caring what the officers might think, Lucy looped her arm around Grace while Tommy spoke with Moss. 

“Are you alright?” Grace whispered, staring in quiet horror at Lucy’s throat. Reaching up with her free hand, Lucy winced when her fingertips made contact with the tender skin. 

“I’ll be fine,” it didn’t feel like anything was severely damaged. She would just be bruised and probably hoarse for a day or two. Shaking her head, she pushed back Grace’s blonde hair to again check the cut on her head. “Come with me,” taking Grace’s hand, she started to lead the way towards the washrooms. “Gonna go wash off the blood,” she explained to Tommy, trying to keep her voice soft to not further strain it. Already she was starting to feel a burn in her vocal cords. 

Grace showed her where they stored the rags, and she wetted one in the sink, the water hissing as it flowed from the tap. With ginger movements, she wiped at the cut on Grace’s forehead, cleaning away the blood and examining the wound.  

“I don’t think you’ll need stitches. Just keep and eye on it and try to keep it clean.”

Without a word, Grace nodded. There was a knock on the washroom door, and when Lucy pulled it open, Tommy was standing there, shoulders half hunched in and expression miserable.

“Moss says we can leave whenever,” he mumbled. Not speaking, Lucy pulled him into the room, using the rag to wipe off the worst of the blood splattered on his face. When she was done, Grace timidly shuffled closer, taking the cloth and brushing it across Lucy’s cheeks. For a moment, she was transported back in time, to the first moment she saw Grace, when the new pretty barmaid had reached across with a handkerchief to wipe a stray streak of blood off of her face. 

It felt like a thousand lifetimes ago. 

Once they were about as clean as they could all hope to be with only a single measly washbasin between the three of them, they filed out of the washroom. The officers were still in the pub, though a significant amount of the bloodied mess they’d made had already been cleaned away. 

“Go get your things. We’ll walk you home,” Lucy whispered to Grace. She nodded, going into the back for her bag and coat. “Tommy,” she approached him carefully. Speaking was definitely beginning to hurt a little, her throat aching. She took his hand firmly. “Come on,” as soon as Grace was ready, she led them both outside into the cold fresh air. Tommy lit a cigarette, the three of them passing it between them as they started to walk down the road. None of them said a word. Grace kept her hands clutched in tightly to her chest, coming to a stop at a simple little building. She took one last drag of the cigarette before handing it back to Tommy.

“Thank you,” Grace’s eyes darted between them. Lucy reached out to hug her tightly. Tommy just looked down.

“I’m sorry,” was all he said, before taking Lucy’s hand and pulling her along after him, and down the road.

They went to her apartment, the locks clicking firmly into place, and then Tommy’s hands were reaching to skim along the bruises on her throat.

“You’re not going to be able to talk tomorrow.”

“Probably not,” she agreed in a rasp. “But it’s not that bad.”

Hands dropping to wrap around her waist, Tommy pulled her closer until she was practically crushed against his chest. Lucy closed her eyes, winding her arms around him and snuggling closer. Tommy’s lips pressed into her hair, kissing gently, spreading the pecks along the entire crown of her head. Cradling the back of his skull, Lucy fisted her other hand in the front of his shirt, pulling him in even tighter, tugging his head back so she could kiss him.

“I’m okay,” she whispered, once they’d broken away. “Grace is okay. You’re okay,” she stroked his face. “It’s all going to be okay.”

Tommy closed his eyes, throat working, and then he nodded.

“I’m tired,” she said softly, taking his hand. His mouth began to pepper kisses along her jaw, hands grabbing at her as if trying to convince himself that she was still there. Still whole. “Bed.”

He insisted on helping her undress, even giving her one of his undershirts to wear without his usual halfhearted complaints. In just her knickers and his shirt, she pulled his clothes off of him until he was only in his boxers, and together they climbed into her bed, snuggling together in the middle of the mattress, holding onto each other tight, as if afraid that the other would disappear.  

Previous Chapter • Series • Fic • Next Chapter

Thank you for reading! Please consider leaving a comment, reblog, or like. I always appreciate feedback and love getting the opportunity to interact with you and hear your thoughts!

[little-sw33tie]

For Malachi!

What’s the maximum amount of time your character can sit still with nothing to do?

How easy is it for your character to laugh?

Does your oc have any motifs?

Describe your character's voice. do they have a voice claim (did I already ask this before...? Whatever shsjhs)?

A memory that still makes your OC sad?

Are they combative? What is their fighting style?

1. Malachi is a very patient being, both through necessity and nature so if it’s for a reason as long as it takes. If it’s just. Sitting around, maybe an hour tops, though they get fidgety at maybe the 20 minute mark! They have a habit of pacing mhm mhm mhm

2. It’s easy to make Malachi laugh, but it takes a lot to make it laugh enough to *hear* it! I think if it existed in their world, or an equivalent did, it would fucking die laughing watching the shadow the hedgehog dub

3. Eyes are definitely a motif, but that's generally more of a story-wide one,,,, Plants I think are a big one, especially flowers. Malachi has the ability to grow flowers and plants, both already existing and those of its own creation! I think that there would be a specific flower it could grow for each stage of its character development and stuff, both with its own personality and developing relationships with other characters in the story,,,,,, So yeah plant motif 100%

4. You have not asked that but after thinking i went. KATYA!!! And so the product of that is here too jhgjkhgkhg (The other character is my oc Bowie!!! I need to develop her more I am in love with her JHGKJHGK)

(Audio is from UNHhhh Episode 119 )

[Video Transcript:

Malachi: What’s your uh what’s the straightest thing you’ve ever done?

Bowie: *There’s an inhale and exhale of thought*

Bowie: I killed a guy

Both: *Laughter*

End of video transcript]

(If anyone has tips for doing transcripts/video descriptions they’d wanna share with me I would love you forever(platonic))

5. The saddest memory Malachi has is of betrayal. When it and it’s friends were planning their plans for the rebellion, at the last minute they tipped off the leader they had agreed to rebel against to gain status. They’re the reason Malachi was forced to fall

6. Malachi can be combative, though it’s not amazing at fighting. Their main strategy is to dodge and wear out the enemy and confuse them as much as possible before fighting back. It can slow enemies down through thick vines, but that works best with surprise attacks and when the enemy/enemies are holding relatively still

They’re also better with distance combat, creating and launching thorns, and fuck it I think Malachi could make a crude but very efficient bow and arrow using plants! Poison bonus!!!! Plants can be poisonous!!!!!jhgkhjgjhgjkhg

Malachi can do close and medium range combat if needed (Picturing weird thorn knuckles for punching and like. Spear looking shit with sticks and more thorns??)

[deathgelic]

PINNED ABOUT POST

BEFORE YOU FOLLOW

Do not interact if you are a TERF/Racist/Zoophile/Zionist/Bigoted in any way, obviously

I have it pasted in multiple places but DNI if you are under 18.

Also DNI if you are or support endogenic systems. We will never go out of our way to harass any, but we do not want that community interacting with us.

We do our best to tag what we feel needs to be tagged, like flashing lights and potentially triggering content. If we improperly tag something or you need something tagged, shoot an ask or message and we’ll start tagging it.

ADMINS BELOW THE CUT

ADMINS

Astrifer/Astra

He/She/They/Bone

Vampire IW, identifies as a black cat kemonomimi

Malachi

He/They/Rose/Thorn/Angel/Rot

Angel IW, identifies as a snow leopard therian

Skully

He/They/It/Bone/Glitch

Eldritch Corpse IW, opossum therian

ABOUT THE BLOG

This blog is for us three to just reblog our own shit separately from our main blog. We have a wide range of interests, but the primary ones you will likely find here are horror, slashers, cyberpunk 2077, and monsters/paranormal/ghosts. We will also reblog the funny shit we find too. Just to give kind of a general idea about the content you'll see on this page.

[patsypat]

“Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9 Not one of us has a perfect family. Just the fact that we belong to it makes it imperfect already!! Although we love each other, try to be kind and generous, something will happen to bring out some thorns. Usually it's not even intentional. In the story of Cain and Abel, the conflict starts with both of them offering God the fruits of their labor. While God favors the offering of Abel which consists of several choice lambs from the best of his flock, God is not so pleased with what Cain gives him. Reading from the original Hebrew shows that Cain offered the last remnants of his harvest. Leftovers. In Malachi 1:6-14, God is not pleased when we do not offer to Him our best. It is the same as when we give a worthless gift to the President or to an important guest. It is as if we give them an insult instead of a compliment! But even after Cain insults God, God still teaches Him by saying that Cain should learn to respond in a right way to His teachings because "...if you don't, watch out! Sin is waiting to attack and destroy you!" Sin has a way of escalating. From envy, anger, then hatred, then before Cain knows it, he is the first murderer!!! After Cain murders Abel in his rage, God asks him where Abel is. "Am I my brother's keeper?" Cain answers defiantly. In Ezekiel 33:7-9, God makes it clear that we are responsible for our brothers and sisters. We are stewards of our relationships. And that is why God constantly reaches out to us. He takes it upon Himself to reconcile us to Himself. Thank you Lord for Your loving kindness to us! Thank you for Your perseverance and faithfulness to us! Thank you for Your forgiveness! https://www.instagram.com/p/ColF26SBwJx/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[pcndemoniums]

He rustled around for a moment before rousing, looking directly into the angry, unforgiving yellow eyes of the vampire. Before he had a chance to scream aloud, Malachi clamped a chilling hand hard over his jaw. A flash of fear shown in the man's eyes and he wiggled about, trying uselessly to escape. There was a chuckle before he ripped his lower jaw away with a sickening crack. The flesh separated and tore, filling the man's exposed esophagus with thick maroon blood. He gurgled, tried to scream, but Malachi quickly silenced him by sinking his fangs into his throat and latching on like a fighting dog. Greedily sucked the fluid from his body until the man was dead. “Please just let us go.” Came the voice of a young woman. She looked in her mid 30’s. Pretty. Her begs were nothing but white noise in the state he was in.

With a roar he launched himself forward, grabbing onto someone’s bicep and ripping the arm clean out of the socket. He tugged once more and the tendons snapped away, leaving him with a heavy, convulsing arm in his grip. Whoever he had brutalized screamed loud, and Malachi went back to finish the job. Blood sprayed from the new hole in his body, and his face lost all color soon enough. Malachi poised his fingers against his chest and pushed forward painfully slow, sinking into it, just over his heart. With a choked yell, the man fell to the ground, leaving his weakly beating heart separate from his body, in his hand. Fuck the heart. It’s such a useless organ, isn’t it?

The other mortified humans watched on as the frenzied vampire brought the heart into his mouth and proceeded to devour it. Somewhere in the distance his phone still rang but he wouldn’t be able to pick up even if he had wanted to. Malachi was not Malachi anymore. Just a wild animal with one track mind. To slaughter everything in its path.

[shadestepping]

Shade's Masterlist

Tags

#shade asks #shade replies #shadow art #runa art #my art #my writing #my ocs #my characters #personal #tbb:t #the bad batch trespass #fireteam daybreak #dbh:i #tcw:tnw #clone wars night watch #night watch #clone smooches

Art

#shadow art #runa art #my art #my edits

Clone Smooches [ Crosshair ] • [ Gregor ] • [ Cody ] • [ Echo ] • [ Fives ] [ Howzer ] • [ Rex ] • [ Wolffe

Original Characters

Clone Wars/Bad Batch Troopers: CT-2468 "Deca" (Captain) • CT-3894 "Cobra" (Pilot) • CT-5739 "Jinks" (Pilot) • CT-5757 "Hornet" (Pilot) • CT-2362 "Flyboy" (Pilot) • CT-6645 "Roam" • CT-7890 "Cinder" • CT-7870 "Nox" • CT-4922 "Crank" (Pilot) • RC-43-23 "Raze" (Commando) • RC-6220-87 "Hush" (Commando) • RC-3075-05 "Bogle" (Commando) • RC-4569-22 "Backdraft" (Commando Captain) Jedi: Master Cas Ro'rak • Fae-Rao Vizsla • Prymah Karn Mandalorians: Trinn Kryze • Mal Kryze • Hale Saxon Rebels: Reina Darr • Noei Darr • Karst Lemaire Misc: Velos Na'Yaan • Dorne Vizsla Detroit: Become Human Androids: Kate, Axl, Sarah, Reese, Damien, Dahlia Fleur, Nicodemus, Gabriel, Hannah, "The Inquisitor", Waylon, Malachi, Pestilence, Cain, Cassandra, April, Brandon, Humans: Vivienne Lenore, Dr. Rhea Fleur, Carter, Isaac, Director Falken, Cameron James, Director Roland Mcallan, Dylan Fleur, Ethan Fleur, Isaiah Fleur, Nathan Fleur, Richard Fleur, Ophelia Fleur Destiny Guardians: Addy, Dee, Rue, Merric, Wylie, Nikel, Laila, Hayden, Barom, Bennett, Juliet, Chronos, Titus, Jynn, Osrain, Hallena, Viper, Tate, Bjorn Civilians: Thrace

Fanfiction

Star Wars

The Bad Batch

Plan 99

The Bad Batch: Trespass

Crossroads: [ pt. 1 ] [ pt. 2 ]

A Statistical Loss: [ pt. 1 ], [ pt. 2 ], [ pt. 3 ], [ pt. 4 ], [ pt. 5 ], [ pt. 6 ], [ pt. 7 ]

The Clone Wars: The Night Watch

Release TBD

(Destiny and DBH fics below the cut, as I do not plan on continuing them anytime soon)

Destiny

(links take you to AO3 because I have not updated these on tumblr in a very long time!)

Fireteam Daybreak (Fic List)

**Pre-Gap**

Discharge

**About 6-8 years, Post-Gap**

Into the Next Life

**7-8 years before Canon start of Destiny**

Roses and Thorns

**3 years before Canon start of Destiny**

Guilt

Watcher

False Hope

Resurrection

**After Canon start of Destiny**

Closure

With Love

**During and After SIVA**

Shattered Perception

Thanatonaut: The Deep Stone Crypt

Lasting Impressions

**After Ghaul**

Lore Book: Synchrony

Memories and Observations

Misc.

Ghost Fragment: The Ascendant Plane

Detroit: Become Human

DBH: Illuminate

In Chronological order

July 25th, 2037 – Voice of the Voiceless

November 8th, 2038 – Hacked

November 9th, 2038 (part 1) – Candlelight

November 9th, 2038 (part 2) – New Jericho

November 10th, 2038 – Magnetism

November 11th, 2038 (part 1)– Hunch

November 11th, 2038 (part 2) – AV log 4.5

November 11th, 2038 (part 3) – Reassigned

November 12th, 2038 (part 1) – Momentum

November 12th, 2038 (part 2) – Hit and Run (part 1)

November 12th, 2038 (part 3) – Hit and Run (part 2)

November 12th, 2038 (part 4) – Hit and Run (part 3)

November 12th, 2038 (part 5) – Friction (revision TBD)

November 12th, 2038 (part 6) – Gamble (part 1)

November 12th, 2038 (part 7) – AV log 4.7

November 12th, 2038 (part 9) / November 13th, 2038 (part 1) – Gamble (part 2)

Coffee Break – Broken Nose

DBHI: Redemption

In chronological order

July 4th, 2041 – The Open Door (part 1)

July 4th, 2041 – The Open Door (part 2)

July 4th, 2041 – The Open Door (part 3)

July 4th, 2041 – The Open Door (part 4)

DBHI: Equilibrium

In chronological order

December 16th, 2040 – Resistance

December 23rd, 2041 – Periapsis (pt. 1)

December 23rd, 2041 – Periapsis (pt. 2)

December 23rd, 2041 – Periapsis (pt. 3)

December 23rd, 2041 – Periapsis (pt. 5)

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

When a flood came, the floodwaters pushed against that house but couldn’t shake it...

A Tree is Known by Its Fruit

43 “A good tree doesn’t produce rotten fruit, and a rotten tree doesn’t produce good fruit, 44 because every tree is known by its own fruit. People don’t gather figs from thorny plants or pick grapes from a thorn bush. 45 A good person produces good from the good treasure of his heart, and an evil person produces evil from an evil treasure, because the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.”

The Two Foundations

46 “Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but don’t do what I tell you? 47 I will show you what everyone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. 48 They are like a person building a house, who dug a deep hole to lay the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the floodwaters pushed against that house but couldn’t shake it, because it had been founded on the rock. 49 But the person who hears what I say but doesn’t act on it is like someone who built a house on the ground without any foundation. When the floodwaters pushed against it, that house quickly collapsed, and the resulting destruction of that house was extensive.” — Luke 6:43-49 | International Standard Version (ISV) The International Standard Version of the Holy Bible Copyright © 1995-2014 by ISV Foundation. All Rights Reserved internationally. Cross References: Proverbs 4:23; Malachi 1:6; Matthew 7:16; Matthew 7:18; Matthew 7:20; Matthew 7:24; Matthew 12:33-34 and 35; Luke 7:1; James 1:22

[veraelwyns]

( malachi thorn. )​

The painting dominates the first all you see as soon as you step into the gala. Every colour that is used is bold; orange, yellow, purple bounce off the canvas, and each stroke is painted with such precise lines that it almost looks like a mosaic. A few are curved yet sharply defined; some are stable but jagged and sharp at the same time. I can relate to that. Vera thinks to herself before giving a small scoff as she sips the fruity wine from the glass. Stable, but one were to look hard enough they would see a free-fall. Soft, but has no problem turning cold against others who spark her anxieties... Even without meaning to.  “Fuck me, I hope there’s more meaning in my bones than a chaotic mess of shallow --- colours.” She groans, finishing off her drink, glaring at the painting that’s making her think too much.

[adolin-is-best-boy]

(replying to the original story post)

i’d love to hear it!! what’s the story about?

(and i don’t really have any new ideas for the fantasy au rn srry, but hope you’re doing well tho)

hey anon! im doing well, i hope you are too! :D dont worry i dont have any ideas either lol

okay here we go:

The main character is Malachi (Malaki? Mailk?) and his best friend is a loveable goofball named Atlas. They are very close and they’ve known each other for a long time and their relationship is gonna be very important to the story, but i don’t know if it’s gonna be romantic or not yet.

Anyways, it’s set in a modern world, but there’s magic! However, only people born with magic or those exposed to it as an infant can percieve/experience it and use it. Malachi is neither of those things! Atlas is one of the chosen ones, fated to fulfill a prophecy that will change the world, for better or for worse, most likely the latter.

One day, Atlas is freaking the fuck out, and he tells Malachi that his little sister has been kidnapped by some magical means and he doesn’t know what to do. Malachi can hear what he’s saying and knows Atlas wouldn’t lie/joke about this kind of thing, but some force is keeping him from comprehending and processing it so he’s just kinda standing there. Atlas is crying and begging Malachi to help him, and a small part of Malachi’s mind is reaching out and trying to help his best friend, but it is literally impossible for him to do anything but forget every word that’s coming out from Atlas’s mouth.

Until he can, that is. With a searing migraine, he’s suddenly to able to experience the magical world. He has Atlas go over everything again and they come up with a plan to save his sister.

Though Malachi can now actually comprehend everything now, he is not able to use any kind of magic, nor can he sense it in the way magic users can. This is completely unheard of, anyone who can see the magic world has magic. He can’t really protect himself, so Atlas and the other members of their group take it upon themselves to keep him safe (though Malachi actually learns to fight and hold his own. He gets knifes and sometimes a gun too). 

There might also be a magical otherworld that is relatively easy to travel too and from, but I’m not sure yet lol. 

Some other characters(’names) I’ve thought up: Tarot, Thorne, Umber, Fantasia, Celestin

I’ve put a few of them into incorrect quote generators if anyone is at all interested.

Is this premise extremely similar to Defy Destiny? Yes. Do I care? No, not really. 

[shcdow]

WHEN  — ｡ ‘✧ 1845. 2nd august. WHERE  —  ｡ ‘✧ the ship’s brig. OPEN TO —  ｡ ‘✧ everyone aboard.

The edge of the musket digs into his ribs. That’s really the only thing wrong with recent events. By the fourth hour of guard duty, again since they’re all undermanned, it’s unpleasant enough to considering ditching his post. Ditch his rifle, too, why not? One might upstage a whole mutiny just to catch a break. What with the wailing, the whimpering, and now the intimate hard-on of a musket in his thigh, sleep doesn’t stand a chance. The deckhand twists again inside his blanket. Why insist upon the gun at all? It’s not as if he couldn’t tear out someone’s ear, needs must. Or, even better, say boo and watch them scatter off. Everyone aboard is hanging by a thread. Lonan doesn’t really take any pleasure in shaking it up, tugging until it breaks      but if it earns him some rest, then so be it.

Honest to hell, this entire thing makes him think back on the neverending night. Good times, all told. At least in unholy darkness you can count on one thing, just the one, but it’s damn near foolproof: sleep. Now the world had woken up again, with all its rable-rousing, childish painting of devils. These people and their revolutions, Gods, how ready they always go at it.

The shadow shifts, torso rising from the floorboards. His feet are pushed into other wall of the corridor, hands pillowed under his head. When he changes position, they arch like rope hinges ready to recoil and tap into the teak. Self-piteous, his gaze cuts to the person he is supposed to:

                                     A. — ⁕ guard ⁕ — your muse supports Dowling.

❝ If I were a betting man, I’d say this brings me less pleasure than it does you. At least your lot only got the one job, huh? Keep mum about Malachy. Now, me? I get all my old duties, and new ones on top of it. ❞ Might be wiser to keep this bite sheathed, lips pulled over the bite. That’s what Iles would advise him. Don’t make a stand until you see where the coup is headed. But that’s bollocks. Where are coups usually headed? It’s never about sides, about thorns. Only about saying the wrong thing in the dark. He tilts his head. Supplicant, supine. ❝ Look, ‘m sorry. The past days were ten lives too many for everyone. But we gotta be civil about it, right? ❞

                            B. — ⁕ move away for ⁕ — your muse supports Estrada.

❝ Five guineas Dowling won’t last a day alive. ❞

[creativewaygrace]

Bible Verses on Anxiety and Stress

1. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful, he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it. 

2. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. 

3. 1 John 4:4 You are from God, little children, the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

4. 1 Peter 4:12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. 

5. 1 Peter 5:10 The God of all grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore establish, strengthen, and support you after you have suffered a little while.

6. 1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you. 

7. 2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” 

8. 2 Timothy 1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on.

9. Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 

10. Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid of them. For the Lord your God is the one who will go with you, he will not leave you or abandon you”. 

11. Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness. 

12. Isaiah 26:3 You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you. 

13. Isaiah 40:31 But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength, they will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not become weary, they will walk and not faint. 

14. Isaiah 41:10 Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand. 

15. Job 30:27 I am churning within and cannot rest, days of suffering confront me. 

16. John 14:1 Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 

17. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful. 

18. John 16:33 I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.

19. Joshua 1:9 Haven’t I commanded you: Be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. 

20. Luke 6:48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against the house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. 

21. Malachi 4:2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in it’s wings, and you will go out and playfully jump like calves from the stall. 

22. Mark 4:19 But the worries of this age, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 

23. Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 

24. Matthew 12:20 He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not put out a smoldering wick, until he has led justice to victory. 

25. Matthew 13:22 Now the one sown among the thorns, this is one who hears the word, but the worries of this age and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 

26. Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. 

27. Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? 

28. Matthew 6:27 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 

29. Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 

30. Matthew 6:34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. 

31. Matthew 6:8 Don’t be like them, because your Father knows the things you need before you ask him. 

32. Philippians 4:13 I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. 

33. Philippians 4:6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, present your requests to God.

34. Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up. 

35. Psalm 118:5 I called to the Lord in distress, the Lord answered me and put me in a spacious place. 

36. Proverbs 3:25 Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes. 

37. Psalm 119:50 This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life. 

38. Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and rescued me from all my fears. 

39. Psalm 4:8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety. 

40. Psalm 46:10 Stop your fighting, and know that I am God, exalted among the nations, exalted on the earth. 

41. Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you, he will never allow the righteous to be shaken. 

42. Psalm 56:3 When I am afraid, I will trust in you. 

43. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. 

44. Romans 8:18 For I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 

45. Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 

46. Romans 8:31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 

47. Romans 8:35 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 

48. Romans 8:6 Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the spirit is life and peace. 

49. Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord  your God is among you, is a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over with gladness. He will be quite in his love. He will delight in you with singing.