#7 leaders 7 prompts challenge

[jamneuromain]

A Whiff of Blood

Lloyd Hansen x You

Warning: Mob AU, Mob!Lloyd, Secretary!Reader, Graphic Depiction of Violence (I guess Lloyd is a warning of his own?), Reader has light hemophobia (fear of blood), and ofc, the direction mention and description of blood, sexual harassment

Summary: It is a dumb idea to be working for Lloyd when you have hemophobia.

A/N: Based on the prompt from the bingo challenge. The inspiration came from @rogerswifesblog / @rogerswifesblog-updates when we were talking about business dinners and such.

The whiff of blood drifts out of Lloyd's office. You scrunch your nose and pull out a piece of tissue with a floral scent to cover half your face.

It is a dumb idea to be working for Lloyd when you have hemophobia.

The smell grows stronger, so you uncap your perfume and spritz it all over you.

As long as you turn your head the other way, or mask the scent with something stronger, your phobia will not act up. And considering Lloyd is paying you a hefty salary and bonus, you don't complain.

After all, when choosing jobs, at best, you can only pick two features out of "well-paid", "light work", or "close to home".

You are lucky that you can drive for an hour on weekends to visit your mom who lives in the suburb.

The door to his office swings open with a loud "bang", as if - no, probably, Lloyd kicks it open, and out comes two bodyguards dragging a heavy black garbage bag.

Quite heavy. Like 70 kilograms heavy.

You wouldn't want to speculate what is inside.

You turn your head the other way, facing a rather pleased Lloyd Hansen, the mob boss who pays you to be his secretary.

"Mr. Hansen, I've secured the dinner tonight at 7 pm with Mr. Suza Brewer. He owns the biker gang Hellbend ever since you helped him take out the previous leader Fitzroy. You will be having dinner at the restaurant named Bird. It's adjacent to the Ritz-Carlton, so you can take your pick whether to stay in your suite or go back home. Either way, I'll go tell your driver Denny to get ready." You don't even bother getting up, spinning your chair in his direction, you hand him the files, with a polite smile on your face, "These, I need you to sign so your clubs will be running as usual. Your head accountant Marilyn has an appointment with you in fifteen minutes, and I've called the cleaning crew. They are ready to clean up your office right now."

Lloyd snatches a tissue paper from your desk, wiping his silver blood-stained ring on his middle finger clean, before tossing the reddened, soaked, and irritating odor tissue onto the ground and out of your sight. A small smirk on his lips, Lloyd purses his lips to stroke his mustache with his finger, "Send them in."

You nod, picking up your phone from your desk, when he holds up his hand to stop you for a moment.

"Good job, Y/N." He says curtly.

Lloyd's icy blue eyes zero on you. After a few seconds, he speaks up again, "You're coming to the dinner with me."

You nearly jump from your chair. Shocked, but most importantly, confused, because he has never asked you to present during business dinners.

After all, those who were qualified for "business" are either ruthless or sociopathic. While your boss Lloyd is both, you are neither.

"Mr. Hansen, I-"

"You're off for the rest of the day. Call Denny, he knows where to buy a decent dress." He pulls out his wallet from his inside pocket, and hands his black card to you, "Consider this a bonus." His tone unrelenting, pushing the card on the desk further towards you, he issues his final command, "And tell Denny to find you a stylist."

You swallow your refusal and take his black card.

You know he doesn't take "no" for an answer.

"Thank you, Mr. Hansen."

He hums impatiently, waving his hand to gesture that the conversation is over for him.

For the first hour of the said "business dinner", you try your best to focus on the food in front of you, instead of the Brewer man. He is a few inches shorter than Lloyd, but the look he delivers when he stares at you is simply...

Fearful. Even more than Lloyd.

Having worked for Lloyd for nearly three years, you witnessed he yelled, shouted, pulled out his gun to shoot someone's brain out (you vomited on to his shoes, very unfortunately, for which he yelled at you for approximately half an hour), and of course, being mad at some business partners and the determination in his eyes to eliminate his rivals. But none of his looks scared you like the creepy feeling Suza Brewer brings you.

Lloyd gives off the vibe that he will shoot you alive, while Suza Brewer could skin someone alive. And Suza has not stopped stealing glances in your direction ever since you and Lloyd presented in this dinner.

You look at your plate, cutting a small chunk of carrot in half. Trying your best to ignore the four bodyguards, two from Lloyd and two from Brewer, standing in the back.

Convincing yourself. Maybe this Brewer guy likes to look, similar to many men who passed by your desk to reach Lloyd's office.

You raise your eyes carefully, taking a long exhale as you continue to persuade yourself that Suza Brewer brought a lady to the dinner, probably also why Lloyd has asked you to come along.

After a few glasses of wine, the girl Suza brought sat on his lap boldly, feeding him bites of cherry tomatoes.

"I'll say yes to your proposal. You and me, 50-50." Suza suddenly lets out a laugh, "I just want one tiny thing to sweeten the deal." He squints his eyes, and points his finger towards you, "I want - her."

The small chunk of carrot lingers on your lips as you are about to eat.

The young girl's jealousy could tear you in half, Suza's greasy lips smack together, as if tasting your flesh, and Lloyd simply looks at you, with minimum expression you have ever seen on his face.

"Excuse me?" Lloyd clenches his teeth.

"C'mon, buddy." Brewer smacks Lloyd a bit too hard on his shoulder, barking laughter with his yellow crooked teeth exposed into the air, "You can't keep such a sexy thing all to yourself, eh?" He wiggles his eyes suggestively, "Don't tell me you haven't fucked her yet?"

Now you HAVE to say something.

"Mr. Brewer, I assure you that my work with Mr. Hansen is strictly professional." You smile politely, raising your glass for a toast, "In fact, I think that's what we all want, Mr. Brewer, to have a long-term stable business relationship with Mr. Hansen. Here's to our thriving partnership-"

Brewer gets up from his chair and sways towards you. He could barely walk straight but he still manages to stand behind your chair, lowering his head right where your ear is.

As he speaks, he reeks of wine and meat.

"I'm talking to your boss, bitch. " Brewer snarls, slapping your hand so hard that your wine glass falls to the table. Startling you when you are trying to stay calm. "You are but a plaything to Lloyd Fucking Hansen and I'll have you whether you like it or not."

Now here's the difference between Brewer and the rest of the men who pass you to get to Lloyd's office. For those men, they work for Lloyd, and hence, they wouldn't dare to touch "Lloyd's belonging", which is you. Brewer, on the other hand, is a total wild card, which you understand perfectly as Lloyd worked with him to kill Brewer's adoptive father Fitzroy.

He is as unpredictable and unstable as Lloyd, maybe even more so, because Lloyd certainly hasn't laid a finger on you ever since you worked for him, neither sexually nor violently.

You even your breath as Brewer leans closer He grabs your boobs with his hand, having you freeze on your seat.

"In fact, I'll invite him to watch how I fuck his pretty little whore."

The chill seeps deep into your bones. You urge your body to fight back, but sanity tells you that you would probably end up in a dumpster with a bullet hole on your forehead if you ruin this big deal for Lloyd. For a brief second, you think about begging Lloyd. But in reality, your mind is point blank as the mindset in between "fight or flight" kicks in, and it instructs your body to play dead.

It might be a few seconds. Or a few minutes, before your savior swoops in, saying something that sounds like mumbling to your brain.

"We're done here." Lloyd growls, snatching your wrist with a grip hard enough to bruise, tugging you harshly to leave. Your knee and thigh bump into the wooden arm of the chair, to which you bite your lip in pain, and still too shocked to get your language system back online.

"But our contract-" Brewer shouts to Lloyd.

"I'll get back to you." Lloyd snaps back, pushing and shoving your back to move before him.

Your mind is a blur and cannot recall how Lloyd stuffs you into his limo when he steps outside to smoke. He did, however, throw his coat onto you and shut the car door with a loud "thud", having front-row driver Denny lowering the panel between you, whispering with much concern, "What's wrong?"

You curl your fingers into the black woolen coat. Folding it neatly as you have done hundreds of times when he throws his coat over you or over your desk. Placing it on your legs.

"Here. I'll tune the AC up." Denny showers you with his sympathetic look, as he has never seen you so out of yourself, so soulless, and shivering.

Your mind has been replaying how Brewer grabbed your boobs, and the filth he talked about. You also know that you have nowhere to hide, if Lloyd is determined to get something done, if he wants to deliver you to Brewer.

Though the tinted car window muffled some of Lloyd's angry shouting, you are still able to comprehend that Lloyd just got mad again.

"... CALL ME WHEN IT'S DONE!" Lloyd yells at his phone, opening the car door, and sliding in, taking a big inhale of the warm air inside. Glancing at you, he seems not having returned from his angry state, "AND THIS COAT IS NOT -" He lets out a grumpy huff, "never mind."

After a moment of silence, you feel like you should make your statement, no matter if Lloyd being unreasonable. You simply have to.

It's your life at stake here.

"Mr. Hansen, I just wanted to tell you that it has been a pleasure working with you these past three years. i have gained much experience and knowledge working as your personal secretary and assistant. I want to express my thanks for you cultivating me into a qualifying secretary and no matter what happens, I would want you to know that I cherish our business relationship and accept the consequence."

Lloyd listens through your statement surprisingly patiently, and pinpoints the most crucial idea (he thought that it was) throughout your entire speech, "You want a raise?"

You stutter, "No-No! Mr. Hansen! I wouldn't - What you have given me is well beyond market average and I appreciate your confidence in me."

"Ah. So you want to quit?"

His cold blue eyes stare into you. You gulp in fear.

"Yes, I mean - No, I don't want to quit. But circumstances have ... arisen, which makes me wonder ... uh, if I was able to -"

"I've had enough of it." He grumbles, twisting the ring on his finger, "Your next sentence starts with 'I want' and stop using these big words, sunshine. One sentence. Not another word."

"I - I want you to not deliver me to Suza Brewer." You quickly say, "Mr. Hansen." You did your best to be respectful.

His grumpy expression lingers on his face for a second, before turning into disbelief, "That's all you're asking for?"

"Yes...? I really liked working with you, Mr. Hansen, and I don't want to be put into a position that you are choosing between me and your ... business." Seeing that his mustache is twitching, inching close to a sneer, you add, "If you could just let me go, and claimed that I slipped through your custody or got away as soon as I could, I think that Mr. Suza would not mind that much -"

His index finger points up to shush you.

Lloyd snorts, fishing out a box of tictac and popping two colored-candy into his mouth.

Crushing the sugary treat with his jaw, he closes his eyes and roots his upper body firmly onto the back seat, "Denny, take us to the warehouse by the Westside Pier."

The Westside Pier.

The one place Lloyd would go to if he captures a traitor or fulfills a hitman contract.

The one place he could make a body completely go away.

He's about to end ... you?

The cold October wind does nothing to help you fight against the icy feeling in your bones.

The stylist Denny founded accompanied you during shopping and chose a most-fitting black dress for you, which goes a little over the knees. Along with the warm AC everywhere, the length didn't bother you -

-until now.

You hold Lloyd's folded coat in your hand, following Lloyd out of the car with teeth clattering, more out of cold than of the horrible thoughts of what he would do to you.

Lloyd turns around, grunting in a sarcastic way, "Can't believe your clever brain didn't work out why the coat-" before he stops whatever that's about to go through his lips, roughly taking the coat from your hands and putting it around your shoulders, "Try not to freeze to death."

Your hesitant expression must have been obvious, because he looks at you and purses his lips in slight irritation, "Don't do anything stupid. And follow me."

What does this even mean? That he doesn't want to kill you after all? Or that he has changed his mind and thought you know too many secrets to be alive?

Your mind buzzing with thoughts as you follow Lloyd through the gate of the notorious warehouse.

The swinging lightbulb over your head and the faint smell of blood make you nauseous. You have not stepped foot into this warehouse because you have heard of the cruel things Lloyd has done to his opponents, all of which happened here.

"I don't care how much your boss pays you, I-I'll pay you double!" A man screeches pathetically, taking hit after hit on his stomach from Lloyd's muscle man as two other hold him upright.

Looking at Lloyd's direction, the man's swollen and bruised face lights up in an instant.

"Lloyd! Buddy!" He gobbles in a mouthful of blood, "So glad, ehhehe, you came!"

Lloyd grabs his hair, and punches him in the stomach.

"Fuck you, buddy," Lloyd swings another punch at Brewer's stomach, a cold smile on his lips, "fuck you, alright?"

A sharp scream of pain. "Lloyd, I don't understand-"

Lloyd drags his head in front of you, bending his neck to face you, to which you cover your nose because of the strong smell of blood bombarding your nerves. "There. She's my people. You disrespect her, you disrespect me. Got it, you dumb fuck?"

"Sorry!" The man shrieks his apology, "I'm sorry!"

Oh. So that's what he meant.

You bury your nose under his soft woolen coat. Burying the lower half of your face. Your cheeks getting warm, and a small grin creeps up.

Feels kind of nice. To have someone watching over you.

"Our business," Brewer pants, coughing out blood, losing a few of his teeth, "you need me to do our business, Lloyd."

Lloyd smirks, waving to gesture the removal of Brewer.

The man is still screaming he's sorry, but the two muscles hold him by his arms, forcing him to stand on the edge of the pier and tying a large rock around his waist.

"But Mr. Hansen," You stop him in his tracks, "your business, your deal with-"

You point towards Suza Brewer, now with a gag so all he could manage is some muffled voices.

"Don't worry your head around it, sunshine." Lloyd places his hand on the coat collar and tugging it tighter. The look on his face blank, but somehow more sincere than his cold grins, "I'm working with his stepbrother now. Pal is so grateful that I help him take care of Suza; he decided to offer me 70% of the cut."

You let out a whispered "Oh". Glad that Lloyd's "business" is thriving but also ... not that glad.

He's doing this for his business after all ... while he'd get to ... make it up for you?

A strange feeling tugging your heart. Some sort of relief, but not entirely. You are disappointed, somehow, as if you believed there should have been more to this gesture.

The muffled screaming stops after a loud splash comes from the edge of the pier.

The three muscle men return. One of them announces: "He's been taken care of, boss."

Smelling the whiff of blood on them, you can't help but crouch onto the ground and hurl your guts out.

Lloyd gestures those men to "beat it". And as the air clears from the smell of rusted iron and salt, a white handkerchief dangles in front of your eyes.

"Don't puke over my shoes again." Lloyd stands still, pinching his handkerchief between his index and middle finger, handing it to you.

You gag a few times, covering your mouth with the smooth white handkerchief, turning into another direction other than his shoes.

"Mr. Hansen, I don't know you -" You fight the instinct to be sick in front of him, standing up from your crouching position with wobbly legs, "carry a handkerchief." You take a deep breath to calm your nerves, wiping the corner of your mouth using the white fabric, now stained with the red smudge of your lipstick, "I'll dry clean it along with your coat, and send it-"

He seizes the handkerchief and stuffs it in his front pocket, "Don't bother."

He pats on your shoulder. The same way he would pat his men. A silent encouragement and praise of "Good work".

"Mr. Hansen, I-"

You want to say something. The precise moment when your heart skipped a beat and you've captured something vague in your mind, some terrifying yet imminent. Your bones rattle in the possibility of the blurry idea. But when his blue eyes turn to you, the idea takes its chance and slips from your mind.

"-thank you." Is all you could say.

"Wait for me in the car." He searches his pocket for his box of matches and cigarette, waving his hand, shushing you away, with the cig between his lips. He sounds stern as ever, but deep down, you feel like something has changed.

Lloyd watches you as you head back to the car. You, his tiny, fragile, delicate, poor little secretary who gets sick at the sight or the smell of blood.

He watches you still wrapped in his coat. When the cold October wind sweeps by your feet, you shiver under the warm expensive wool.

He stares for a long time when the match used to light his cigarette burns the tip of his fingers.

"Shit." He grumbles.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Dexter Van Zile

I recently witnessed something I haven't seen in a long time. On Friday, August 16, 2024, a group of pro-Hamas activists packed up their signs and went home in the face of spirited and non-violent opposition from a coalition of pro-American Iranians and American Jews.

The last time I saw anything like that happen was in 2006 or 2007, when I led a crowd of Israel supporters in chants in order to silence a heckler standing on the sidewalk near the town common in Amherst, Massachusetts. The ridicule was enough to prompt him and his fellow anti-Israel activists to walk away, as we cheered their departure. It was glorious.

On August 16, 2024, the pro-Hamas activists conducted their retreat from Lexington in two stages.

First, they walked away from the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Pleasant Street, where they have been protesting on an intermittent basis since October 7. Then, after they retreated a couple of hundred feet down Mass. Ave. (while tenacious, but peaceful, pro-Israel protesters followed them), the Hamas supporters packed up their signs and withdrew altogether, leaving an Iranian-born American citizen to conduct a solitary rear-guard action. Once the pro-Israel protesters took pity on the police officers charged with keeping the peace and got ready to leave, the pro-Hamas supporter also left — clearly a little bit worse for wear.

The pro-Hamas folks did not abandon the site of their weekly standout because they were outnumbered. The two groups were evenly matched. In fact, the pro-Hamasniks may have even enjoyed a slight numerical advantage over the pro-Israel folks who challenged them. Nevertheless, it was the anti-Israel folks who retreated.

The pro-Israel activists, who had coalesced around a core of Iranian human rights activists associated with From Boston to Iran, used a very simple message to break the resolve of the pro-Hamas activists: "You are on the side of rapists and murderers."

The pro-Hamas protesters tried countering with the lie that Israel is committing a "genocide" in Gaza, but it didn't work on the pro-Israel folks who just kept repeating their message: If you're pro-Hamas, you're siding with rapists and murderers. They offered this message in chants and individual conversations.

The pro-Israel folks didn't bother reminding their opponents that Hamas attacks civilians while hiding behind civilians, thereby making civilian casualties inevitable. They didn't waste their breath reminding the pro-Hamas folks that Arab and Muslim leaders have killed millions of Arab and Muslim civilians without much comment from the progressive left in the United States. The pro-Israel folks knew these facts — but didn't waste their time repeating them on the streets of Lexington. They just kept repeating the central truth of the conflict in Gaza: Hamas is a bunch of rapists and murderers, and many leftists and anti-democratic radicals in the US have taken their side.

Most importantly, our strategy worked.

By repeating the simple truth of what's happening in the Middle East, a gathering of pro-Israel Jews and Iranians stripped a gathering of pro-Hamas protesters of the moral superiority in which they have wrapped themselves since October 7. By sticking to the "Hamas is a bunch of rapists and murderers" message, pro-Israel activists reminded any self-proclaimed progressives who joined the Hamas supporters, that the October 7 massacre was not performed to "liberate" the Palestinians — but to build a social order in the Middle East in which terror and violence is the dominant culture, as opposed to peace, tolerance, and full rights for all religions, genders, and minorities.

It is no accident that Iranians who oppose the theocratic leadership in Tehran have become a powerful force of anti-Hamas activism in the United States. Having to deal with the rapists and murderers who oppress their friends and relatives, Iranian human rights activists understand that the violence against moderate Muslims, non-Muslims, and women in Iran has a common root with the violence of the October 7 massacre. They know that the violence perpetrated against Iranian and Israeli women is justified by radical Islamism, a supremacist ideology that privileges the rights of Muslim men over non-Muslims and women.

Although leftists should know this as well — many don't, and they need to be reminded repeatedly, and publicly, of the true nature of the radical Islamist movement they help support. One day, they will be the target of the Islamist oppression endured by Iranians and Israelis and when it happens, they won't be allowed to say no one told them.

[rayroseu]

Rambles about Book 7 lol

AAAAAAAÀAAA 😭😭😭 THIS IS SO AUGHHH THE MEANING BEHIND THIS INFO !!!!!! knowing that the first thought of Lilia in encountering Silver was that he should kill him to avenge Meleanor and Levan and that his purpose of adopting him is that he wants to believe he can love a human as well AND LILIA TEACHING THIS HUMAN BABY HOW TO LIVE DESPITE THE MANY CHANCES HE GOT TO GET RID OF HIM AUGJAURIWUTJW AND MAY I SAY LILIA WENT FROM DISTANTLY BEING ATTACHED TO THIS BABY AND THEN TRANSITIONING UNTO WANTING FOR HIM TO LIVE AND WITNESS HIM GROW UP AAAAAAA😭😭✨✨✨

IF I CRYYYY MELEANOR HAUNTS THE NARRATIVE 😭💞💕💞✨

LMAO not the faes snitching this info to malleus ofmg 😭✨

lowkey this is me as well i think babies are kinda ugly too KDHJAEJ especially when they cry 💀🔥🔥

YOU CALL THIS ADORABLE HELPPPP 🤣🤣🤣okay but in all seriousness, we rarely get this easy sarcastic Malleus, he's always too formal around NRC and often his humor lands amiss to other charas which doesnt prompt him to present this trait, but its so sweet that he seemed to be "truly himself" in the cottage scenes where its just him Lilia and Silver🥺✨ his voice doesnt feel "authoritative" too like a dorm leader, its just malleus and his difficulty in getting along with the random baby lilia caught lol

I remember this line was translated as a flower nectar?? but they kinda saying the same and i like this paraphrase that Lilia thinks of Milk as nectar for baby humans, like how Malleus often relates tech to some magical ritual lol

crying at this line, knowing that Malleus says this because he has broken several many things bcs he couldnt control his strength and perhaps there were things that Lilia owns that he accidentally destroyed as well so he tries to mend this uncontrollable strength of his in order to not be an inconvenience😭✨

NURSEMAID???? YEAH NURSEMAID CALLED LILIA VANROUGE 😭😭💔💔💔 and AAAAA not once did Malleus search for this tune??? not even sing it to Maleficia and Lilia so as to inquire about it 😭✨💔💔 this is when you know this lullaby IS truly MELEANOR'S LULLABY because everyone of the characters only heard it from her !!!😭😭😭💔💔

I love this response from Malleus lol, also i feel like some situation will challenge Lilia's love for humans again, like can you still love humans if they commit the same crime again to Malleus as they did with Meleanor?? Twisting their personality and actions so as to validate their fear?? Can you still say that faes should make an effort to make peace with them when repeatedly it was the humans who wasnt willing to udnerstand faes to begin with ? 😭✨ its a realistic worry fitting for a king that'll rule for centuries, maybe bcs he has this instinct that humans are epehemeral and so are their promises.

Thinking about it a bit more, its true that what Levan does is futile effort because the issue between humans and faes, Briarland and Silver Owls is too much that it cant be resolved by just understanding each other.

Levan wants the war to stop but obviously that can't happen because the bigger factions of each natioj are resolute at their stance that Briarland is owned by faes or humans, no in between. He can't immediately fix the mentality of higher faes and Meleanor with their hatred of humans and vice versa with the human officials like Henric,

but what he can do to decrease the casualties of this conflict is to pave way for the COMMON folk to understand each other, if he can make way for the common fae and the common human to talk to each other, then it might decrease the misunderstanding between the common fae and common human (assuming that both parties arw willing to be understanding)

its really a long shot and a gamble to aspire for considering his country's situation, and its effects would take a while to impact and honestly it took so much important people and years just to have his dream of peace, i wish we could get an input about what he feels about this

considering his kindness he might be happy, but im kinda sad its really tragic the implication of how the faes had to earn their peace and atone for a conflict that they didnt even start with,

based on Lilia, it took 400 YEARS just for the humans to sign a peace treaty, maybe in the eyes of the faes, thats just a piece of paper, so they waited and grieved the lost of their Princess Meleanor and many of their fae soldiers and Prince Levan and ALMOST the entirety of their continent, just for these humans to sign an 400 year long overdued peace treaty?? so the faes that died couldve been saved if these humans could spare some compassion and ink to sign a treaty-- It kinda feels like they're insulting their grief (in the faes point of view atleast), whats the purpose of having this paper peace treaty when they have lost so much already?? I WISHHH the story could delve more into the grief of faes,

kinda lowkey mad they just swept Lilia's grief by the humans just cuz he encountered a few good ones, i wouldve love to see him being vengeful then learning how to convert that grief to love again just like Maleficent in the live action, bcs it would be very meaningful on this way, Lilia can truly say he has learned how to love because he experienced real deep hatred---but AAA its whatever this storyline is good as well, just kinda feels general lilia's belief converted to present!lilia a bit too fast to my liking lol

its really intriguing how before book 7 the faes dislike of humans seems so dramatic but now after book 7 it all makes too much sense 😭✨

(can you guys tell i play too much reverse 1999 bcs i ramble too much about morals and politics between different races now JHDJWHRJW)

[luna-azzurra]

Writing prompts about vampires

1. In a modern-day city, vampires live among humans, hidden in plain sight. Write a story about a vampire who struggles to resist their primal instincts while maintaining a normal life, until they meet someone who changes everything.

2. In a post-apocalyptic world overrun by vampires, a group of survivors discovers a hidden sanctuary where humans and vampires coexist peacefully. Explore the challenges and conflicts that arise as they attempt to bridge the gap between the two species.

3. A vampire hunter dedicated to eradicating vampires realizes that they have been turned into a vampire themselves. Describe their internal struggle as they come to terms with their new existence and decide whether to embrace it or fight against it.

4. A vampire with a conscience decides to only feed on criminals and wrongdoers, seeing it as a way to serve justice. Write about their encounters with both human and supernatural adversaries who question their moral code.

5. Two vampires from rival clans fall in love with each other, sparking a forbidden romance. Explore the challenges they face, including their families' disapproval and the consequences of breaking the ancient vampire laws.

6. A vampire wakes up one night with no memory of their past and embarks on a journey to uncover their true identity. Along the way, they discover dark secrets about their vampire lineage and their own role in a centuries-old prophecy.

7. In a society where vampires are enslaved and used as a source of nourishment, a young vampire rises as a leader, rallying others to fight for their freedom. Write about their struggle for equality and the sacrifices they make along the way.

8. A vampire who has lived for centuries develops a deep fascination with human art and culture. Describe their attempts to blend into human society, learning and adapting to the ever-changing world while keeping their true nature hidden.

9. A vampire coven finds themselves targeted by a powerful vampire hunter who possesses unique abilities and knowledge. Explore the intense cat-and-mouse game as the coven members fight for their survival and uncover the hunter's true motivations.

10. In a world where vampires are a dominant species and humans are on the brink of extinction, a human survivor discovers a way to turn the tide and bring balance back to the world. Tell the story of their journey to rally other humans and challenge the vampire regime.

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[thequietkid-moonie]

Your favorite Toilet Bound characters as Yanderes with their Darling being a fairly powerful exorcist who can manipulate gravity

(If that is possible I can’t remember it’s been awhile sense I’ve read and watched the series)

Darling is a powerful exorsist

[ YANDERE HEADCANONS ] [ Hanako, Tsukasa, Teru, Sumire ]

[ Toilet Bound Hanako-kun / Jibaku Shounen Hanako-kun ]

⚠️ Yandere, I don't support nor try to romanticize this toxic behaivor, is just for entretaiment

× Sumire is a character that had only been show in the manga so it could be taken as spoiler

My dear!! I love youuuuuu!! Thank u so much for requesting for JSHK!!! requesting yandere and a really interesting prompt! Love it! ❤️

Sorry, I didn't manage to put the part of controlling gravity 😔 still I hope you like it as much as I did

Hanako-kun

Since the moment you got into the school Hanako noticed your presence, specially since you are just not anyone, you are an exorsist, and a really powerful one

Knowing that Hanako spend some time following you close (with you knowing it or not), watching over you from afar trying to know more about you to make sure you won't represent a problem for his plans (specially because he already has to deal with the Minamoto brothers), however, ass the time pass he can't help but get more and more interested on you, maybe it was that he finds you a funny person to be around, maybe you are, in reality, really caring, maybe even you had showed kindness to the weakest supernaturals (like the Mokkes), or maybe it was just everything about you that mesmerize him

Hanako can't help himself but want to be more and more close to you, reaching the point where he can't even hide well because he just wants to approach to you, that is why the moment you confront him (either by attacking him by surprise or just kindly asking him what the hell he wants) is like a reality check for him, he is startled by it for a moment but quickly tries to recover his charming and misterios facade, introducing himself as the honorable no. 7, leader of the seven mysteries (even if you already know who he is)

He doesn't want to let his guard down around you yet and still he can't help but wanting to spend all the time he can with you, it doesn't matter if you find him annoying or even if you want to exorcised him, Hanako just brush it off and even playfuly challenge you to do it (however provoke you isn't his smartest move since that one time you attacked him he barely made it alive)

Hanako wants to be careful, wants to focus on his work and help Yashiro with her wish, but he can't stop thinking about you, wanting to be around you, even if you don't really like him he wants to mess with you, and he can't stop himself from following his heart and just follow you around the school, clinging onto you and teasing you here and there. Somehow you two quickly become friends but Hanako wants more, he craves for more, for him it doesn't matter if you see him as annoying he can't just go away, it hurts his heart when he isn't with you even if you just send him angry glares (however if you are kind and even playful with him that just feed his obsession for you)

Hanako doesn't show it off much his obsession and dependence for you and just cover it up with his charming and clingy personality, when he is with you he can't just think straight, he just want to have fun with you! he want to see you smile! he wants for you to be happy with him! But when you aren't around he tend to overthink a lot, he is nothing but a mere ghost, and even worst, an assassin, how he dares to think that he deserve to be happy by your side? And you are an exorsist! You should hate him! you probably hate him (if you actually express that you want to exorcise him he laugh at it in front of you, but is something that hurt him a lot, in the moments when he feels specially down or anxious/insecure he actually thinks on letting you just exorcise him)

Hanako is really demanding, he is taking your attention from anyone and anything else all the time, specially when he is jealous (what happen constantly), clinging to you protectively and possessively even if you are the only one who can see him (he actually takes advantage of this), sometimes he lets you alone but not complety, if he actually manage to make you mad at him for how clingy he is he will let you and just watch you from afar (after scolding himself pretty harsh, the more angry you are the more harsh he is with himself)

Hanako finds both scary and incredibly attractive how stronge you are, he is completely mesmerize whenever he sees you use your powers, even if is against him (he barely make it of because he is too distracted being in lovestruck) and even when you are clearly more powerful than him that doesn't stop him for trying to help you and protect you from any danger (for what he sees as a danger), he wants to show you that he is more than a simple assassin, that what he had done in the past doesn't define him (he is actually scare that you don't see him as more, the thought of you seeing him just as a mere assassin or supernatural make him incredibly anxious, he fears it even if you don't see him that way)

Tsukasa Yugi

Tsukasa doesn't have a great title like his brother, he is just in the school because he has a goal to achieve and because he wants to have fun, so for him you could easily go unnoticed for a while, it could be that Sakura notice that you are a powerful exorsist or that he sees you using your powers to exorcise a supernatural one day

Tsukasa doesn't really fear you so the moment you catch his attention he waste no time and just approach to you, he wants to tell you that what you did was amazing!! He wants to aks you how did you do that and where you learned to do that!!

Is probably that he scare or trigger you and you attack him out of instinct for how he appeared out of nowhere, he will try to avoid the hit at the best of his habilities and still is probably that you manage to hurt him, however he won't really take it bad, maybe just tells you that attacking him by surprise it wasn't fair or even asking you if that means that you want to play with him and attack you too, turning it into a fight. However, if you don't react bad or against him Tsukasa will be just making you a lot of questions (even some that doesn't have nothing to do with your powers and he almost doesn't gives you time to answer) and with every question he does he get closer to you, until the point where he is just inches away from your face

Once Tsukasa is interested in you his interest grows more and more with time, quickly becoming an obsesion! He can compare the feelings he has for you with the feelings he hold for Amane! The inmense loves he feels for you is your sentence, no matter how stronge you are Tsukasa isn't going to give up with you, the only way to get away from him is exorcising him, vanishing him from this world, and even if that happen he won't be sad for it, in his mind is an act out of love

Tsukasa isn't exactly delusional, but he firmly believes that you love him as much as he loves you even if you try to deny it he won't accept it

No matter how it happens your first met once you catch Tsukasa's attention there is no way that you will be able to get away from him, since that day Tsukasa follows you around whenever he has the time or just want to do it, either by following you from afar or directly by your side, if you ask him to go away he will ask you why innocently, if you ask kindly he may leave you alone for now but if not he probably just cling onto you to mess with you (he finds funny your annoyed expression)

Tsukasa knows you are stronge but he doesn't fear you, he has no problem with going full strength against you if you two end up fighting (as much as he doesn't has problems with killing other supernaturals he doesn't want to kill you, not when you are so funny to be around). Tsukasa finds really interesting and funny to see you doing your work as an exorsist so he sometimes ask Sakura to change the rumors to something really big and dangerous just for you to having to fight against them, and when it isn't that he himself mess with the most weak supernatural to try to create one big supernatural just for you to having to fight it (he is even proud about his creating and ask you how it was, if it was good and if you liked it)

Tsukasa quickly becomes demanding and pretty possessive, he doesn't understand and doesn't care that you go to that school to take classes and more than once he will make you skip classes just so you two could hang out or because he wants to show you something, even if you don't want he will drag you with him because Tsukasa isn't going to accept a no as response

Little by little Tsukasa start to completely monopolize you, for him it doesn't matter if he brings you problems in your personal life, he just want you to himself, also he has no problem with resorting to dirty tricks, like forcing you or scaring you to be with him, even if he has to attack you by surprise just to have all your attention for himself

Tsukasa doesn't see anything bad in his actions, not even when he is practically kidnapping you by locking you with him in the radio club or at the boundary of a mistery just so you two can spend time together, even when you can easily find you way out of there that doesn't stop him from doing it again and again

Tsukasa always act childish and playful with you, but he is totally willing to throw off whatever threat stand between the two of you, it doesn't matter if is a human or a supernatural, it doesn't even matter if that threat is you, if he has to make you change you mind and make you give up to him he is totally willing to do it, it doesn't matter if in the process hurts your body or your mind in his eyes is just part of the fun! he is just getting you ready for all the fun you two are going to have together!

Teru Minamoto

The Minamoto Family has been engaged in exorcism for a long time and Teru, for being the firstborn of the next generation, he has been trained to be an exorsist since he was really young. Since you are an exorsist too that is the main reason why the two of you met in the first place, and probably you two know since a young age too

For being so stronge the two of you are the main people in charge of exorcising the supernaturals around the city and you two have been working together for a long time, and for that Teru is grateful, being an exorsist is a really rough job but having someone by his side it makes it more bearable

Since the start Teru felt atracted to you, maybe is that you are really stronge or maybe that you can understand how he feels for having to spend all his time in this job, even if you are more introvert or even shy he has no problem with being the one who start being the talktive one at first

The relasionship you two have together quickly grows for how much time you two spend together, even you two had spend some time training together too at some point. As well, his feelings slowly grows stronger and stronger with the time and still because of your job it could go unnoticed for a long time how clingy and possessive he grows with you, hidding it by his excitment to see you again and to work together (what he always express, specially if you get flustered, making you flustered just increase his ego)

Teru doesn't like much his job, having to spend all his live fighting with supernaturals isn't his ideal and you sharing the same fate with him is something that troubled him but at the same time make things a little better, he loves that thanks to being exorsist he can spend almost all your time together and monopolize you but in the other hand he hates that you give your life to fight supernaturals without other option

Sometimes, while things are a little more peaceful or you two are taking a break Teru likes to talk about what you two could do if you weren't busy all the time, jokinly telling you about dates he will like to take you in or even a future together without having to be exorcist with his usual charming smile, even if you take it as a joke or ask him to stop for being flustered he just softly laugh at your reaction but he actually mean what he said, and he isn't planing to let you go anytime soon (it irritated him a little if you take it as a joke but he is confident that with time you will see how serious he is being with this)

Your relasionship could be seem very calm since Teru is really good at hidding his possessiveness, however there is something that dangerously triggers him, he had been feeling like you two have an unbreakable bond, that you two are mean to be together and that nothing can separate you two, he feels like everything goes perfect between you two until he sees you outside your job, seeing you one day hanging out with others (or if you two go to the same school it trigger him seeing others being too close and touchy with you, however for being the school prince he has an advantage), even if they are just your friends is pretty shocking for him

Teru is really possessive, he does not own his own life and it isn't like has other option so you and your relationship is something that he feels that he can fully possessive and have control over it so seeing you be happy with others make him anxious, he may be too shocked and angry the moment he sees you so he will just confront you about it later (but still trying to seem calm). Also, thanks to this Teru grows a little more controlling, trying to lead you to go to the same school with him (even using the mysteries as an excuse) just for you two to spend more and more time together, and he being able do watch your interaction with other and rip off any possible threat

Most of the time Teru tries to keep his charming facade while talking to you but it could be that, since you know him for a long time you can tell that he isn't bring sincere, something is bothering him, still he will just cover it with saying that he is worried about you, but after this he is more and more possessive and a little more manipulative, trying to lull you to do what he wants, he doesn't trust in the people around you and he will try to make you distrust them too

Teru can go as far as training until he feels his body shatter and feeling short of breath every day to be able to become more and more strong until he finally surpass yourself in power so you could depend on him, as well to have an advantage over you

Akane Sumire

Since a young age Sumire knew that her fate was to be sacrificed to the god to bring peace to the village, she hates it but she just accept it because in reallity she doesn't really have another option, however she never lost her smile

After the village lost the last exorsist of the Minamoto Clan Sumire started to train to be able to protect the village as the Kannagi, although it could be that you are part of Minamoto Clan as the next exorcist in training or that you came to the village one day and were welcome to take the place as the exorcist, in any case Sumire is really willing to meet you and excited to learn from you

Sumire isn't the type to fall in love immediatly, specialy with her position, so you two start as friends, quickly becoming close and despite all the hate and warnings of the villagers it become pretty common to see you, Sumire and Hakubo together around

Sumire always plays innocent with that smiles of her, but the moment she warms up with you she start to be more clingy and truly smiles at you. It doesn't take her long to notice that she feels a true happines with you, one that she only feels when she is with Hakubo or when she is healing wounded animals she have found, you don't treat her as the Kannagi but as a friend and that makes her extremely happy, being with you makes Sumire feel like everything is fine, heck it even make her forget what her fate is at times, she loves the feeling she has when she is with you and she isn't going to lose you

Sumire isn't always honest with her feelings with you, she tend to complain a lot about how bad temporary husband Hakubo and still, deep down in her heart, the only person she wants to be with is you, Sumire lies during training with you saying that she can't do it just for you to focus your completely attention in her a little longer to explain her how to do it again, even more just so you will touch her to explain her how to hold the weapons, Sumire lies and smiles like if she doesn't hate that place, like if she doesn't think that you and Hakubo are the only worthy people of protect in there, and Sumire isn't complety sincere when he tells you that she likes your company because in reality she wants you all for herself, she wants to trap you in her arms, she want for you to depend on her and NEED her as much as she does with you

Also, Sumire loves to play innocent with you, just like when she gets into more troubles just for you to came and stand up for her, defending her from the other villagers, just as she gets really aggresive towards who dare to say something bad about you or start questioning your relasionship

Little by little Sumire start to monopolize all your time with every excuse she can, acting like a perfect wife to you too, healing your injuries carefuly and with love, making you flowers crowns, physicaly clinging to you, acting all cute and innocent, anything she can do to make you fall in her trap to make you hers forever, Hakubo knows exactly what she is doing but he isn't going to say anything about it, he haven't been asked to do it after all

Sumire admire your strength, she truly find it amazing but it isn't really a threaten for her or her plans to be with you forever, it would be even an advantage since she is really smart and can easily lull you to do what she wants, and even if the manipulation doesn't work it doesn't matter, she has learned a lot from you and she can always ask Hakubo to force you or restrain you until you finally accept to be with her

Sumire can't forget about her position as the Kannagi, even if she tries Sumire is still fully aware of her fate, she had given up some time ago choosing to just enjoy the time she had and hoping for all the village to fall into hell after her dead, however now that you are in her live she wants to stay alive a little longer just to be with you, to have you, so some days before the ritual cames she talks to Hakubo about it, saying that it would be amazing for the three of you to just go away and start a new life, go somewhere where all of you can be together, finishing her speach by asking Hakubo to end with the village, make them live a hell in the earth just like she always wanted so the three of you could just leave and Hakubo can't say no when he is asked to do something, however this time he isn't doing it just because he had been ordered to do so

[dickgraysonweek]

🕵️‍♂️ 🤸‍♂️ONE MONTH TO GO 🔥🔥

From April 6th to 12th, we are celebrating 84 Years of Dick Grayson 🐦 with the following amazing prompts you voted for:

DICK GRAYSON ANNIVERSARY WEEK 2024 PROMPTS

Day 1: Leader of the Titans | Dick’s Undervalued Competency | Spyral Crew Day 2: Captivity | The Meaning of Robin | Rescue from Juvie Day 3: DILF Dick Grayson | Apologizing To Dick | Time Loop Day 4: Batman’s Most Trusted | Trauma Reveal | Reverse Robins Day 5: Dick (Helen) of Troy | Batfam Meets Agent 37 | Polyamory Day 6: Supernatural Creature AU | Dick Pushed to the Limit | Identity Porn Day 7: A Celebration of 84 Years

‘A Celebration of 84 Years’ is the free prompt.

For the Muse:

If you’d like to challenge yourself, how about… - using all three prompts of one day for one fanwork. - writing a multi-chapter fic that uses one prompt of each day. - drawing sequential art that uses one prompt of each day

Join us on the Dick Grayson Discord server ‘Green Booty Shorts’ (18+, ship friendly) to keep your muse going or to talk all things Dick Grayson!

Any questions left? If you can’t find an answer in About or Rules, be sure to send an ask.

May the creative energies flow! 💙

[andromaqves]

Celebrating October with prompts for 31 days of The Quarry!

Low energy, purely for fun... pick your fave word for the day or work them all into a new or existing work, whatever appeals to you. Just have fun and hopefully get inspired to create more for this world!

Thanks @ghostradiodylan for being my sounding board after I got possessed by this idea tonight <3

1. claw / cabin / cards 2. stab / shoot / safe 3. hag / hunger / Hackett 4. lake / lodge / leader 5. gun / gift / ghost 6. bruise / bear / bargain 7. rot / rabid / regret 8. puncture / promise / protect 9. choke / chainsaw / cage 10. radio / rage / red 11. motel / memory / morgue 12. haunt / heart / haven 13. casualty / choice / chase 14. fury / fall / flames 15. teeth / taken / torn 16. shock / selfish / scar 17. bandage / bury / bullet 18. monster / mistake / murder 19. curse / challenge / campfire 20. bitter / balance / bone 21. heavy / hostile / hurt 22. punch / prey / pursue 23. infect / interfere / instinct 24. animal / admire / attack 25. spirit / survive / saint 26. flight / fool / favor 27. predator / plead / party 28. witness / witch / wager 29. hunt / hand / harm 30. worry / wolf / wind 31. bite / bleed / break

Tag with #31 days of the quarry if you feel like sharing!

[mariacallous]

(JTA) — The Jewish French-Moroccan journalist Ruth Elkrief — who has delivered TV news in France for over 30 years — found herself at the center of the story when she was placed under police protection in December.

Elkrief received the security detail after an online attack from the far-left politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon. In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mélenchon charged her with hatred against Muslims after she challenged one of his colleagues during an on-air interview about the Israel-Hamas war.

“Ruth Elkrief. Manipulator. If we don’t insult Muslims, this fanatic is outraged,” Mélenchon said of the journalist, adding that she “reduces all political life to her contempt for Muslims.”

Mélenchon, leader of the far-left party La France Insoumise, known as LFI or, in English, France Unbowed, posted his comments moments after Elkrief conducted a heated interview with LFI lawmaker Manuel Bompard on her TV channel, La Chaîne Info, on Dec. 3. Elkrief asked Bompard about his party’s refusal to condemn Hamas and its characterization of the militants as “resistance fighters” after their Oct. 7 attacks on Israel. She also asked about the party leaders’ decision to describe Israel’s war in Gaza as a “genocide,” and whether this language might provoke civil unrest in France.

In response, Bompard referenced warnings from the United Nations that the Palestinian people were at risk of genocide without a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Elkrief in turn quoted the French historian Vincent Duclert, who has said of Gaza’s high death toll, “Even a frightening humanitarian situation is not enough to qualify as genocide.”

Elkrief, who says she “came out” as Jewish to her viewers after Oct. 7, told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency that she merely did her job of debating an interviewee and dismissed Mélenchon’s accusation of Islamophobia. According to Elkrief, she was challenging the positions of France’s far-left political class — not French Muslims, whom she does not believe to be well represented by LFI even though nearly 70% of them voted for the party in the 2022 national elections.

“Most French Muslims don’t support Hamas and they don’t support all these catastrophes,” she said. “They can of course fight for a Palestinian state — and I agree with that — but they are not agreeing with Hamas and terrorism.”

Nonetheless, Mélenchon’s charge prompted a wave of threats against the Jewish journalist and raised an alarm for French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin. Darminin said he decided to provide police protection because Mélenchon “put a target on the back of Ruth Elkrief, who already faced many threats as a journalist [and] was just doing her job.”

The government was on high alert for domestic attacks responding to the Israel-Hamas war. Mélenchon’s statement came the day after a knife-wielding man killed a German tourist and injured two others near the Eiffel Tower, telling police he was angry about the fate of Gaza and “so many Muslims dying in Afghanistan and in Palestine.”

While it’s typical for domestic attacks to increase in France during conflicts in Israel and the Palestinian territories, a recent surge in antisemitism has been especially pronounced. Darmanin reported over 1,500 antisemitic incidents in the six weeks after Oct. 7 — a three-fold increase from the total documented in all of 2022 — including desecrated Jewish graves and the stabbing of a Jewish woman in Lyon whose door was marked with a swastika.

Whether or not Mélenchon planned for an antisemitic backlash against Elkrief, his choice of language on X was loaded, according to Dorian Bell, a professor researching France’s history of race and antisemitism at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

“To accuse a Jewish member of the media of ‘manipulation’ arguably draws on long-standing antisemitic tropes about Jewish control of the media,” Bell told JTA.

Mélenchon’s words landed in the middle of a polarizing fallout from the Israel-Hamas War in France, home to one of the largest Muslim populations in Europe (about 5 million) and the world’s third-largest Jewish community after Israel and the United States (about 500,000).

French authorities met the wave of antisemitic incidents with a crackdown on pro-Palestinian rallies. Darminin attempted to impose a blanket ban on demonstrations denouncing Israel’s military campaign, which he declared “likely to generate disturbances to public order.” Although the ban was overturned, local authorities can still block protests on a case-by-case basis, prompting an outcry from some French citizens who accuse the government of suppressing free expression in support of Palestinians.

France’s Jews and Muslims have both experienced a painful recent history, including institutionalized discrimination against Muslim immigrants and Islamic terrorist attacks that targeted a Jewish school in 2012 and a Jewish supermarket in 2015. The reverberations of the Israel-Hamas war in France have further shaped a perception, solidifying for decades, that the country’s antisemitism and Islamophobia can be collapsed into a Jewish-Muslim conflict.

Michel Wieviorka, a Jewish French sociologist who studies violence and terrorism, told JTA there is no evidence that antisemitic incidents are predominantly driven by French Muslims. In fact, most of the perpetrators behind the recent spike in incidents — particularly non-violent ones, such as property damage and graffiti — are unknown. Between Oct. 7 and Nov. 15, 1,518 reports of antisemitic acts resulted in 571 arrests, Darmanin announced in November.

“Nobody knows exactly who is acting,” said Wieviorka. “Many people believe that most of these acts come from people with immigrant origins, but they can also come from the extreme right. For instance, I know some cases of destroyed graves in Jewish cemeteries — these attacks usually come from the extreme right, not from Muslims or Arabs.”

For Elkrief, Oct. 7 marked a turning point both personally and professionally. The 63-year-old journalist was born in Meknes, Morocco, and moved to France with her family when she was a teenager. (A remaining synagogue in Meknes bears her family name.) She started her long career at the French desk of the Associated Press in 1984. She spent 14 years at TF1, the oldest TV channel in France, helped found two news channels — LCI in 1993 and BFM TV in 2005 — and has hosted an LCI show about French politics since 2021.

She is also the great-niece of Chalom Messas, who was Morocco’s chief rabbi in the 1960s and 1970s until immigrating to Israel in 1978, when he became the chief Sephardic rabbi of Jerusalem. Elkrief is part of France’s small Liberal Jewish community and maintains Jewish traditions, keeping kosher at home and gathering the family for Shabbat evenings — including her two daughters and a newborn granddaughter. (Liberal Judaism in France is most similar to Reform Judaism in the United States.)

In all her years on air, Elkrief never spoke about her Jewish identity on TV before Oct. 7. She felt obliged to keep a “poker face” about her private life until the Hamas attacks, when she was moved to share more — fueled by her fear of rising antisemitism and enabled by her recent position as a commentator.

“I could explain where I was coming from and how much I was anxious about antisemitism in France after the 7th of October,” said Elkrief. “I called it my ‘coming out.’ I’ve since had some opportunities to speak about the conflict as a French editorialist, but also as a French Jew, for the first time in my life.”

On Oct. 9, Elkrief told her viewers that she was born in Morocco and lived there until early 1974, when she was 13. Her parents, both descended from generations of Moroccan Jews, feared regional tensions in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War, when Israel fended off attacks from Arab countries. They went to France because they believed their children would have a safer life there.

“When I came at that time, I couldn’t imagine that there would be antisemitism in France,” Elkrief told JTA.

Worried about antisemitism gaining currency in French politics, Elkrief has criticized far-left factions heavily on her show. In addition to her dispute with Bompard, she blasted LFI for boycotting a march against antisemitism in November.

France’s traditional left, which encompasses socialist and communist parties, has nearly collapsed and left the more radical, controversy-dogged LFI in power, said Wieviorka. Meanwhile, the far-right National Rally — including anti-immigration leader Marine Le Pen, whose father and predecessor is a convicted Holocaust revisionist — has escaped the same censure for antisemitism during Israel’s war on Gaza, largely by proclaiming support for Israel.

“My idea is that they hate Arabs, Islam and migrants so much that they consider they have to be fighting on the other side,” said Wieviorka.

Bell cautioned against focusing exclusively on what is often described as the “new antisemitism” on the far left. The “old antisemitism” on the far-right never went away, he argued, but has only been masked by pro-Israel sentiment. Indeed, Bell said that historically antisemitic tropes — particularly those depicting an invasion of Jews too different or unassimilable to become truly French — have merely been recycled by the far-right to stigmatize Muslim immigrants.

And even if this narrative now primarily targets Muslims, Jews are not free from the conspiratorial discourse, said Bell. He pointed out that while members of the National Rally may not explicitly attack Jews, they sometimes use euphemisms for Jewish “elites” whom they blame for engineering mass migration, in a French version of the “great replacement” theory that has fueled violence around the world.

“When Marine Le Pen talks about ‘cosmopolitan nomads’ who are encouraging migration and destroying European nations, she has a tendency to mention Jewish French political figures — Jacques Attali, Daniel Cohn-Bendit,” said Bell. “I don’t think that’s an accident.”

Elkrief and Mélenchon have one thing in common: They are both among the estimated 836,000 Moroccan immigrants in France. (Mélenchon, 72, was born in Tangier and lived there until he was 12.) Elkrief said she is a strong believer in the “Republic,” which in France denotes an idea that there are only equal individuals in the public sphere, no minorities or ethnic groups. The country’s principle of “laïcité,” loosely and imprecisely translated as “secularism,” enshrines in French law the state’s neutrality between religions and confines religious symbols and practices to the private sphere — a pillar that Elkrief believes can protect France from discrimination against both Jews and Muslims.

“I don’t want to be defined by my religion, and I don’t want other French people to be defined by their religion,” said Elkrief. “I believe in the French Republic staying a space of debate, where religion is a private question.”

[links-crosses-multiverse]

Welcome to my Whumptober Prompt challenge! I know it's a day to late but I hope you still like it. I've put together a unique set of prompts for anyone who loves diving into the emotional intensity of angst, hurt/comfort, and character-driven storytelling. These prompts are designed to explore a variety of scenarios where characters are pushed to their limits—whether it's physical, emotional, or psychological.

1. A Chain of Sorrow – When one of the heroes falls in battle, the group struggles to carry on.

2. Silent Nights, Heavy Hearts – The heroes take shelter, but memories of their past haunt them.

3. Lost in Time – Wild accidentally triggers a time rift, sending the heroes into an alternate timeline.

4. A Hero’s Funeral – After one of the group sacrifices himself, the heroes give him a proper send-off.

5. Echoes of the Past – Each hero must confront the ghosts of their past lives.

6. Shelter from the Storm – Forced to take refuge, the heroes share stories of home and family.

7. The Last Breath of Twilight – Twilight faces a moment of reckoning with Midna.

8. Unspoken Words – Warriors and Time finally confront the tension between them.

9. A Cup of Peace – A rare peaceful morning as the heroes bond over breakfast.

10. Resting Place – Four leads the group to an ancient ruin that holds an unexpected surprise.

11. Not All Heroes Return – Legend goes missing after a battle, and the group fears the worst.

12. Home is a Battlefield – The heroes encounter familiar enemies, but this time, they're fighting to protect each other.

13. Stars Above, Darkness Below – Wind is haunted by memories of the Great Sea as the group travels through dark waters.

14. Scars We Don't Speak Of – Each hero reveals the price they paid to become a legend.

15. A Hero’s Resolve – Sky steps up to make a hard decision, one that could cost him everything.

16. When the Light Fades – Time faces a foe too powerful to defeat, and it’s up to the others to save him.

17. Midnight Shadows – Twilight is trapped in the Twilight Realm and must rely on the others to pull him out.

18. Bonds Forged in Flame – A dangerous fire forces the heroes to work together in new ways.

19. The Wolf's Lament – Twilight is injured in battle and the Chain must carry on without him.

20. In the Hands of Fate – The heroes are separated, each facing their own trials alone.

21. Lullaby of the Lost – Wind remembers Aryll and his childhood on Outset Island.

22. Broken, But Not Beaten – After a devastating defeat, the heroes regroup, determined to fight on.

23. A Hero’s Burden – Time carries the weight of being a leader, but it starts to crack him.

24. The Heart of Courage – Four must choose between his friends and his destiny as a hero.

25. Tears in the Rain – Hyrule is forced to face his past as a healer, where not everyone could be saved.

26. Shattered Shields – In a fierce battle, the group’s defenses break, and a beloved hero falls.

27. Rest for the Weary – The group finds an unexpected haven, giving them a moment of solace and vulnerability.

28. Falling Stars, Broken Hearts – Sky watches as Fi fades away once again.

29. Of Wolves and Heroes, the Blood Moon - Twilight’s dual identity as a wolf causes friction within the group, because of the blood moon.

30. Where the Wildflowers Bloom – Wild takes the group to a special place in Hyrule where he finds peace.

31. The Last Legend – When all hope seems lost, Legend, reminds them why they fight.

Feel free to join in and create alongside me! Whether you enjoy writing, drawing, or any other form of creative expression, these prompts are open for everyone to interpret and bring to life. Let’s share in the drama, pain, and healing together!

[threecheersforsuccess]

I've been yapping for too many years, so I need a living masterpost of the guides and blogs from my Tumblr and Instagram. I plan to create more long-form content in the upcoming months, and I will re-do some of the prompts listed. I feel some of my old work might be outdated, so please take my wording with a chunk of salt.

I'll update my with my content as I go.

Stuff from 2024

♡ What's in my bag? (2024)

My Motivation Education Video Series (2022-2023)

♡ Part 0: Something Much Needed Among Students: Motivation ♡ Part 1: Bare Bones Definition of Motivation ♡ Part 2: Self-efficacy, I think ♡ Part 3: Where is the control? ♡ Part 4: Reward or Autopilot ♡ Part 5: Determination to Continue ♡ Part 6: Personal Interest ♡ Part 7: Outside The Model ♡ Part 8: Where is the willpower? ♡ Part 9: Is stress even a bad thing? Note: I stopped because I did not like the short video format. I'm not sure if I may pick this up again, but I do think the lessons I learned from my readings are pretty neat :)

5am.Raining's Studying Challenge (2022)

Note: A challenge led by my cool mutual 5am.raining on Instagram. I slowly figure out how to make videos. It's a little wonky at the beginning, but I find my style! I made these posts in 2022 ♡ Poorly Filmed Day in My Life! ♡ My Studying Role Model... Haruhi from Ouran... ♡ Fave Leader in My Field: Carol Dweck ♡ What gets me in the mood to study? ♡ What I want to do with my degree... ♡ My Fave Reading Assignment ♡ Study Tunes ♡ How to get back into reading books ♡ Favorite study supplies ♡ Planning Routine (2022 version) ♡ Organizing My Desk ♡ What's in my backpack? ♡ Inspiring Film or Doc on My Field ♡ Imposter Syndrome ♡ "Study Buddy" ♡ Coping with Long Study Sessions

Flipd Productivity and Motivation Challenge Blogs

Note: I yapped so hard I won the productivity challenge. I wrote these around junior year of college (2021). ♡ Long-Term Destination, Short-Term Motivation: Living in The Moment ♡ Embedding Self-forgiveness in Your Self-Care ♡ Study Essentials ♡ The Importance of Play and Breaks ♡ Quote of Week Analysis: Self-Acceptance ♡ How I Plan My Everyday ♡ The Biggest Time Management Misconception I'm Trying to Get Over ♡ Recognizing Burnout (and Listening to Yourself) ♡ Building an Academic Support System ♡ Ways to Make Yourself Take Breaks ♡ The Challenges of a Positive Mindset ♡ How I Build Habits (based on James Clear's Atomic Habits)

Diana's Studying Challenge (2021)

Note: A challenge lead by my cool mutual dianas.desk on Instagram. I made these posts in 2021. Day 1: Challenge Introduction Day 2: What Gets Me Motivated Day 3: Cleaning My Desk Day 4: Study Tunes/Songs I Listen and Avoid Day 5: Current Books I'm Reading Day 6: Relaxation! Arknights Projekt Red Bullet Journal Spread Day 7: My Happy Place Day 8: Week Reflection Day 9: How I Plan Day 10: My Summer 2021 Work Routine Day 11: My Desk Essentials Day 12: Study Snack (Natto) Day 13: Digital or Paper Notes? Which is Better? Day 14: How I Self-Care Day 15: My School Bag Day 16: Proudest Achievement Day 17: Most Favorite Productivity App/Website Blocker Day 18: Work Buddies Day 19: Inspirational Quotes Day 20: My Favorite Place to Work Day 21: #MessyDesk Day 22: Guilty Pleasure Day 23: My Favorite Study Accounts Day 24: Study Methods I Do Not Like Day 25: Trying out a new place to work? Day 26: Part 2 of My Unconventional Study Tips (same as above) Day 27: My Outfit Day 28: Making a Gratitude List Day 29: My Aspirations Day 30: Today I learned… Day 31: September Goals

My Study Tips

Note: I wrote many of these either in 2020 or very early on (2017-2018). Super old stuff. ♡ Unconventional Study Tips Part 1 + Part 2 ♡ One Effective Memorization Tip ♡ Dealing with Bad Grades: What I Do ♡ How to get 800 on the SAT in Math and Full Points on Grammar ♡ Causes of Procrastination + Methods for Each ♡ How to Study When Unmotivated ♡ Making Your Discord Study Space ♡ Ways to Go to Bed Early ♡ My Super Ultimate Guide to AP Calc AB and BC ♡ Using Your Phone Productively (2018)

Journaling

♡ How I Journal (2017) ♡ How I Use My Notebooks (2018) ♡ How to Keep a Daily Journal (2020) ♡ How to Get into Creative Journaling (2022)

Dividers by @fairytopea

[damensource]

We are thrilled to announce we are hosting DAMEN LOVE FEST 2023, a week-long celebration dedicated to Damianos of Akielos, set to take place during the first week of DECEMBER 2023.

If you'd like to participate, please use the hashtag #damenlovefest2023 so we can find and share your work. From art to edits, gifs, moodboards, fic, web weavings, meta, and more, all forms of content are warmly welcomed and appreciated. Additionally, we kindly ask that you reblog this post to help signal boost the event!

Each day of the event will feature a unique prompt along with suggestions to inspire and motivate creators. Here's a preview of the daily themes:

Day 1: Family

Familial relationships

Favorite dynamics

Men and women in Damen’s life

Damen craving family

Damen and “his” son

Day 2: Akielos

Ancestral family tree / previous monarchs

His household: Lykaios, his childhood trainer Haemon, his unnamed guards, squires and slaves

What Akielos means to Damen

Boyhood and adolescence

Friends and allies

Longing for home

Clothes, outfits and costumes

Cultural customs and norms

Day 3: Politics

Damen as a leader

His idea of realm and rulership

Damen and his people

Justice and law

Decisions and actions

Intelligence and skills

Abolitionism

Social and political changes

Validation of marginalized people

Cultural and linguistic amalgamation

Wants and needs vs duty and sacrifices

Day 4: Personality

Damen as a lover

Sexuality

Underrated qualities and skills

Importance to the narrative

Intelligence

Humor

Compassion, kindness and tenderness

Bravest moments

Liberator, protector, hero, abolitionist, and savior

Versatility as a prince, military commander, captain, merchant's assistant, slave/servant/squire, commoner, and king

Humanity, unity and peace

Embodiment of hope

Legacy

Day 5: Relationships

Lovers

Love interests

Friendships

Rarepairs

Underrated relationships and dynamics

(To keep the focus centered on Damen during his week of celebration, we kindly ask that you prioritize 1:1 Damen pairings)

Day 6: Slavery, Trauma and Abuse

Damen as a slave

Damen as a survivor

Childhood trauma

Trauma in Ios

Trauma in Arles

How Laurent’s abuse affected him

Coping mechanisms

From prince to slave to king

Trials and challenges

Resilience and inner strength

Dealing with xenophobia

Adaptability

Overcoming cultural differences

Narrative of displacement

Day 7: Foils and Parallels

Antagonists

Parallels

Foils

Mythological or historical parallels

We can't wait to see your contributions and celebrate Damen's incredible character together! ♡

[shywhumpauthor]

Masterpost

<<Please read before requesting>>

I accept requests for drabbles, snippets, prompt lists, asks regarding my series, pretty much anything—given that the topic of the request is within my comfort zone

Art sideblog: @charcoalsketches

Spam sideblog: @coal-commits-arson

(I will try to keep this updated to current)

Writing Challenges

The Merry Whump of May 2022

Summer of Whump 2022

Whumptober 2022

Whumpuary 2023

The Merry Whump of May 2023

Two Weeks of Whump 2023

— — — — — — — — — — — — —

Prompts

Plushie Whump // Defiant Lab Whump // Desert Whump // Mute Whumpers~Caretakers // Shivering // Doctor Whumpers // Comfort Plushies // Healing Powers // Betrayed by Team // Humane Whumpers // Bath Time With Trauma // Short Betrayal Thing // Mean Caretaker // Lab Rat Whumpee = Lonely // Some Dialogue // Whumpers Who Get Carried Away // Rating Whump Locations // Experiment Prompt List // How Whumpee Meets Caretaker Prompt List // Mock Executions // Captured Prince Prompt List // Teammate Caretaker x Leader Whumpee // Belts as Restraints // Recovery Center List // Doghouse // Feral Whumpee Recovery // Torture Idea // Both Caretaker and Whumpee are Captives // Ribbons (Short Snippet) // Safety in Restraints // Two Beds // Caretaker is New Master // Brutal Whump Idea // Bleeding Ungrateful // Old Wounds // Tally // Injured Back // Tied to a Table // Driver // Redeemed Villain Captured With Team // Gentle Pet Whump // Ear Pains // Hero Being Manipulated Snippet // Signs of Whump // Morgue Prompt // Cold in Captivity // Sharp Teeth Supernatural Whumpee // Broken Whumpees and Regret // Possessive Whumpers // Tucked in // Auction Prep // Emergency Contact // Marbles // Familiar Whumpee and Whumper // Sunburn +Whipping // Overworked // Branded Handprints //

Other Prompts

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15 // 16 // 17 // 18 // 19 // 20 // 21 // 22 // 23 // 24 // 25 // 26 // 27 //

— — — — — — — — — — — — —

Drabble Masterpost

— — — — — — — — — — — — —

Series

The Prince of a Bloodstained Game (completed)

My first ever series, made a while ago. Royal Whumper Leonidas, spy Whumpee who was sent to kill him Harlow. My advice, just don't. Don't go there. I haven't looked back. Who knows what horrors await in my old writing

A Drop Of Honey

Probably my most consistent series tbh, ongoing for months. I only work on it when requested. Bitch Whumpee called Bee, no other characters are worthy of names. We've got Friend and Whumper, that's it

Red Stained Riches

(Whumptober 2022) Kaden shouldn't have gone to the party. Rich creepy whumper named Mathias. Ongoing.

Surveillence

Whumpuary 2022. Ignore how the first 12 parts are nameless, I’m slowly going back to fix it. Noah is a spy, and hell is he in over his head

Landline

Coriander took a turn a bit too fast during a storm, and they ended up on the wrong person’s doorstep.

To the Victor the Spoils

A choose-your-own-adventure, interactive whump series

— — — — — — — — — — — — —

My Old Writing Masterlist

In my most professional opinion, just stay away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[androidcharles]

More info under the read more, since it gets a bit long!

Unwatermarked so you can crosspost to any site you wish, however, please give proper credit if you do repost.

Since I haven't seen any Stickmintober prompts (or if there are any I'm stupid and haven't really looked for them), so I decided to create a prompt list for myself (mostly because a while back I told someone I'd consider hosting this).

Anyway, as a small bonus, since I know it's difficult writing a small story for 31 whole days in a row (writing like that should be saved for NaNoWriMo), I thought I'd throw in a bonus writing prompt list as well! Feel free to get creative with the prompts or if you want, use the prompts from the top list.

I will be tracking the tag #stickmintober2023 for those who participate but you can also @ me if you want to see your pieces as well. I understand this is a bit short notice, I am angry w/ myself as well for taking this long to announce something like this (HELL there's prob a better prompt list on Twitter that peeps are prob preparing for that I'm not aware of) but either way, I hope you guys enjoy this little prompt list nonetheless.

That being said, this isn't a competition! Don't burn yourself out trying to chug out equivalents of the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper everyday, just try to keep it simple, esp if it's your first time! And as always, have fun with it too!

Thanks in advance for participating!

Prompts for Screenreaders:

First Image: Stickmintober 2023 Prompt List! Day 1: Breaking the Bank Day 2: Henry Stickmin Day 3: Police Force Day 4: Escaping the Prison Day 5: Rupert Price Day 6: Dave Panpa Day 7: Stealing the Diamond Day 8: CCC Day 9: West Mesa Day 10: Charles Calvin Day 11: Infiltrating the Airship Day 12: Reginald Copperbottom/RHM Day 13: General Galeforce Day 14: Favorite Past Toppat Leader Day 15: Toppat or Government? Day 16: Ellie Rose Day 17: Fleeing the Complex Day 18: Dmitri Petrov/Grigori Olyat Day 19: Dance Day 20: Glitch Day 21: Sven Svennson Day 22: Completing the Mission Day 23: Favorite Ending Day 24: Underrated Ending Day 25: AU (favorite or your own) Day 26: OC (favorite or your own) Day 27: Silly Day 28: Angst Day 29: Favorite BG character Day 30: Costume Day 31: Halloween

2nd Image: Stickmintober 2023 Writing Edition!

Week 1 (Oct 1st-7th) Write about Henry Stickmin. Whether it's a headcanon interpretation of his past or about his life before or after certain events in canon.

Week 2 (Oct 8th-Oct 14th) Write about Toppat life. Either from the point of view of a character, minor or main or before or after certain events in canon.

Week 3 (Oct 15th-21st) Write about your interpretation of the events after an ending from Completing the Mission. Whether it's an ending you don't think about much or your favorite

Week 4 (Oct 22nd-28th) Write about the hypothetical past of a Toppat Leader of your choice. Special challenge: No Terrence or Reginald ;)

Week 5 (Oct 29th-Nov 4th) Two this time! Write a Halloween-y themed story or just a write something involving your favorite ship, rarepair or otherwise.

[bigmilk-13]

CSOC WEEK: DAY 3

Prompt: Relationships

@carmensandiego-ocweek

FAMILY:

Francessa Messina Denaro - daughter of an Italian mafia godfather (Sent to kill Orfeusz but killed his brother instead since he's an identical triplet). Was killed by her family after they found out she didn't finish the job, but that was ten years after Florence was born.

Orfeusz Meadowes - Died in a "terrorist attack" sent by Francessa's family. The youngest Admiral in Polish Marines history. Loved his daughter a lot even though he barely saw her because of work

Zeus Meadowes - Florence's uncle, Orfeusz's identical triplet. He was the one Francessa killed, since she fell in love with Orfeusz and she knew that her family would kill her if she didn't do her job. She ran away with Orfeusz to Poland afterwards.

Tadeusz Meadowes - Part-time member of the Polish Land Army since he has a muscle disease, only living relative of Florence (well, used to be), raised her till she was 16. Taught her everything she knew and died protecting her from a machine gun

WORK:

"We women have got to have each others back, Phantom."

Julia Rothman - Leader of Florence's former organisation, SCORPIA. Was quite attached to Florence when she first came, since she saw "The Incident™" happen first hand. Was the one that ordered to take Florence and invited her to join the international criminal organisation. Florence was by far the most skilled and the youngest, so she became her favourite.

She gave Florence the nickname Phantom, which then evolved into the codename "The Phantom Sniper" after she did nearly all her sniping missions successfully without getting caught.

Professor Yermalov - her mentor at SCORPIA, was in charge of the martial arts unit, helped her become even better at stealth than she already was. She was quite attached to him and he was like a father to her even though most people at SCORPIA considered him rude and frightening.

Countess Cleo- Basilisk's mentor. Forced them to do everything and also was the one that made her anorexia get worse. Basilisk looked up to her but Cleo just saw her as just some other extra

Tigress - Mortal enemies, always competing but Tigress knows that Basilisk is better than her. She liked the challenge though

Carmen Sandiego - all will be revealed in cs-oc week prompt 7

Alex Rider - To be honest, they were best friends at SCORPIA. When she came, she became the youngest but earlier he was- so they bonded over being the youngest at the criminal organisation. Alex always respected Phantom and vice versa. When SCORPIA fell after Basilisk's experiment, and she saw Alex's face in the news after some kind of escape- even though she was brainwashed she knew she remembered him. She just didn't know who he was.

[late-nite-scholar]

Aug 18 (Day 7)- Companion/Fallen

Braith was a bully, until Besharat took her under her wing and gave her a better purpose. She taught her to be a true Yokudan warrior in the ancient ways only newly rediscovered. Story based on a surprising letter Besharat received in-game, but reimagined as happening a number of years post-game. Prompts by @tes-summer-fest

Warnings- violence, blood 

Wordcount- ~1700

***

Braith came into the training yard for our lesson, her face red and puffy. Her knuckles were white around the scabbard of her father's sword and her expression was like stone. I was going to ask her what had happened but she spoke before I could.

"Ansei Besharat, my father has journeyed to the Far Shores." Her voice held no emotion, though her hands tightened even more on the scabbard. 

"May he be welcomed by the Ancestors," I said automatically, before adding, "Do you know what happened?" 

"He went out on a job. An upstart, would-be warlord, his brothers-in-arms told me. Of the ten that went out, only four returned. They did not bring my father's body back. They only brought his sword. Ansei, may I ask something?" 

"Of course." 

"I am honor bound to recover my father's body and armor. I formally request to undertake my Warrior's Trial and begin my Walkabout. Let me prove myself and take my place among you." 

"Braith…" I began. 

But she cut me off. "I must do this, Ansei! If I don't, then everything I've learned from you is for nothing! I must see my father laid properly to rest, and my honor demands justice for his death. You have shown me what it means to be Yokudan, and I will do no less than our ancestors!" 

"Of course. Then I will accompany you. By the traditions of the Companions, an observer from the Circle joins those on their Trial. And, as Ansei, I am honor bound to accompany you as my student, even if not for much longer." 

"Thank you, Ansei." Her voice wavered. 

“Allow me to inform everyone else that we will be leaving, and then we will gather our supplies and go. Do you know where this warlord is?” 

“He is at Fort Fellhammer. I was told he has a number of men at his disposal. I do not care for them. I only want him, and my father.” 

We went into the Hall. Thankfully, Vilkas was sitting in his spot by the fire with Orielle, chatting. But they both stopped when they saw us approach. 

“I'm glad you're both here. I'm leaving for a little while. Braith is going on her Trial and I will be going with her.” I said bluntly. "Can you tell Farkas when he gets back? We're leaving right away." 

“Oh?” Vilkas studied us before asking, “Something has happened, hasn't it?” 

Braith replied before I could. “My father has fallen. I must avenge him, and recover his body.” 

“Mara’s mercy! I'm so sorry, my dear!” Orielle cried, jumping to her feet. They hugged for a long moment before Orielle put her hand on Braith’s shoulder. “That is a heavy burden for anyone of fifteen. But you are a trained Yokudan warrior and I know you will prove that when the time comes.” 

“Thank you.” 

***

“How do you wish to approach this?” I asked as we surveyed the fort. We'd spoken of different scenarios on our way up north, but hadn't made any firm decisions. 

“My quarrel is with the leader, and Nords respect courage. I will challenge him in front of his men so he can't refuse.”

I held my tongue, my instincts as a parent and teacher ready to object. But I couldn’t. This was Braith’s Trial, not only as part of the Companions but also her Walkabout as a Sword-Singer. And especially for the latter it was important for her to take the lead. So I nodded, only saying, “They may underestimate you. Do not let them make you angry.”

Her smile was all teeth. “I hope they do. It will be all the sweeter when my sword takes them, then.”

We marched up to the gate. The two guards on duty looked askance at us. “What’s a couple of Redguards want here? You girls lost?”

Braith replied, all full of sweetness. “I have an important message for Galar War-Axe. I need to speak with him.”

“And why would anyone send you with a message?”

“To not raise suspicion?” she replied smoothly. “Who’s going to suspect little old me?”

The one guard sighed. “Fine. But no funny stuff. Just get going.” 

No one gave us a second look as we made our way through the halls, only pointing us in the right direction when Braith asked. It wasn’t long before we reached the central room. It was a receiving room, for whatever lord or general had overseen this place. Now, it was decorated with animals pelts and weapons and armor, no doubt taken from people killed by this rabble. I picked out Amren’s armor among those displayed, and by how she gripped the hilt of her sword, I knew Braith saw it, too. 

Galar sat on a chair in the center of the room like a throne, watching us enter. He was big and blond and boisterous, but something about him was like a coiled serpent. His men watched, too. But we were also assessing the situation, and the tension turned very thick very quickly. 

“Who’re you two?” Galar demanded. 

“My name is Braith at-Amren. I have come to challenge you for the body and armor of my father, who you slew.” She took a step forward, her face again that blank, stone stare. 

Galar laughed. “Are you for real, little girl? How about you and your mum here get out of here and quit wasting my time. I don’t like having my time wasted.”

“I assure you, I am not here to waste your time. I challenge you, by the old laws, for my honor and as wergild for the death of my father. Refuse me and been seen as a coward in the eyes of your men.”

That got their attention. Galar stood, he was shorter than I expected but nearly as broad as Farkas. He sighed through his nose, annoyance plain on his face. “Fine then, little girl. Then let us have a proper duel if you insist.”

His men stepped back, forming a circle to either side of me. Only Braith and Galar stood in the center. My heart pounded, but I maintained a calm exterior. I didn’t like this at all. Better that we’d simply stormed the place and fought together. But it was too late for that. 

They circled each other warily. I appraised Galar. He moved with experienced ease, his big axe easy in his hands. He would have reach with it, but Braith had done a lot of training against axes with Farkas, and this one was not as fast or fine as Wuuthrad. Still, Galar would be no easy opponent. 

He attacked first, but Braith was ready. They danced for a long time, or at least, what felt like a long time. I could see Galar begin to get annoyed. Braith was quicker than he’d anticipated.

But he was experienced. He swung, and I saw his plan as he moved. The axe sank into Braith’s shield, then with a snarl he twisted it, ripping the shield from her arm. A small gasp passed my lips, but I allowed no other reaction. I couldn’t. Not even when the axe swung again and Braith rolled, the blade missing her by only a hair. The rest of the men were absolutely silent, fixated on the fight. 

Galar shoved Braith with the handle of his axe, sending her rolling again. But when she regained her feet she lifted her left hand, and a quick, powerful melody rushed from her lips. 

“Singing won’t help ya, girlie,” Galar scoffed. But that scoffed soon turned to surprise as a blade of white light appeared in her hand. She rushed forward, ducking under his swing. He grabbed the sword in her right hand with his bare fingers, unbalancing her. But in response, I saw something impossible; she swung her shehai and I followed it, but it struck at an impossible angle. Like it had suddenly changed course on its own to bypass even the Best Known Cuts, as if the blade itself could see the opening to strike. And strike it did, right through his throat. Galar gargled, dropping his axe as the shehai ripped back out. He fell to the ground, and very soon it was over. 

The men around me stared, and began to whisper. Braith turned in a slow circle, meeting the eyes of each one. “I am Braith at-Amren. I am a Sword Singer, an Ansei. I have won the right to claim my payment. I will take the armor and body of my father, and I have taken wergild for his death. I have no quarrel with any of you, and if you allow me to take what is mine, then I will leave with no further bloodshed. If you wish to fight, then my teacher and I will destroy you all. For we are both Ansei, and she is the Dragonborn. I leave the choice up to you.”

They all looked at her, and then they looked at me, and as one they backed up. One spoke for them. “We wish no further fight. Take your father’s armor and whatever else you require, young warrior, and then we will show you where the bodies of the dead are thrown.”

***

About an hour later, we were back on the road to Whiterun. Amren’s armor and that of his companions were loaded onto my horse, while his wrapped body, frozen by a quick frost spell and covered with a lesser ward to keep it safe, rode on the back of Braith’s. 

She rode straight, shoulders squared. But she smiled at me. “I did it, Ansei.”

“You did, and we will formally welcome you into the Companions when we return to Whiterun.”

“Is there anything more I must do to be declared Ansei?”

“No. You have declared it yourself. You have defeated your enemy with both your shehai and the Ephemeral Feint. We will give offerings to the gods and you may declare it again if you wish, but that title is already yours.”

“Thank you, Ansei.”

I laughed. “Just Besharat now! You’re Ansei, too! And I am beyond proud of you, Braith at-Amren.”

“Of course, Besharat. And thank you.”

[dickgraysonweek]

🤸‍♂️TWO MONTHS TO GO 🕵️

From April 6th to 12th, we’ll be celebrating 84 Years of Dick Grayson 🐦 with the following amazing prompts you voted for:

DICK GRAYSON ANNIVERSARY WEEK 2024 PROMPTS

Day 1: Leader of the Titans | Dick’s Undervalued Competency | Spyral Crew Day 2: Captivity | The Meaning of Robin | Rescue from Juvie Day 3: DILF Dick Grayson | Apologizing To Dick | Time Loop Day 4: Batman’s Most Trusted | Trauma Reveal | Reverse Robins Day 5: Dick (Helen) of Troy | Batfam Meets Agent 37 | Polyamory Day 6: Supernatural Creature AU | Dick Pushed to the Limit | Identity Porn Day 7: A Celebration of 84 Years

‘A Celebration of 84 Years’ is the free prompt.

For the Muse:

If you’d like to challenge yourself, how about… - using all three prompts of one day for one fanwork. - writing a multi-chapter fic that uses one prompt of each day. - drawing sequential art that uses one prompt of each day

Join us on the Dick Grayson Discord server ‘Green Booty Shorts’ (18+, ship friendly) to keep your muse going or to talk all things Dick Grayson!

Any questions left? If you can’t find an answer in About or Rules, be sure to send an ask.

How is it going everyone? Have you started? Are you in the idea finding phase? 👀 💙