#ALSO. ! discovery of where his term mark is.

[shadowwolfsage]

Since his teammates bit him when he was sleeping, time for Jaune to return the favor. Not as payback, but because there must be a reason they did that. How they react will be fun.

The Discovery

Jaune and Ruby were in the library doing research for a history project from Professor (DOCTOR!) Ooobleck.

Jaune: hmm *looks from his book to Ruby

Ruby: *not looking up from her book* you find something Jaune?

Jaune: *noms on Ruby's neck* Nah, just figured something out. *leaves a bluescreened Ruby behind*

In the Gym

Jaune: I figured you'd be here *walks up to Yang*

Yang: 'Sup Vomit Boy? You here to join me for a few reps? Maybe upgrade from "Noodle" to "Not quite as Noodley"?

Jaune: *waits for her to finish her set* Nope just came to check on you. Oh, and this *Chomps on shoulder* see ya later Yang *leaves before Yang can reboot*

In the Dorm

Nora: *Doomscrolling when she notices Jaune enter* Hey Fearless Leader, anything interesting happen today?

Jaune: *sits on the bed and pulls Nora into his lap for some totally platonic cuddles* Not really, did some research with Ruby, did you know you three are probably descended from Faunus in the last four generations?

Nora: No? How do you figure?

Jaune: *Om Nom Noms and leaves a hickey* just an educated guess.

Back in the library

Book: ...and while physical Faunus traits aren't always inherited, certain instinctual behaviors tend to last through a few generations before being weakened by the less "nature-tuned", but still present human instincts. For lack of better terms, Faunus tend to show habits found more common among the animal kingdom, an example being a tendency to "mark" anyone they wish to become their "mate". While this is often done by giving the other party something of their's to wear, biting is also rather common, and is believed to be where humans get the instinct to give hickeys.

Not sure I like the way the book part came out but basically, in this universe the human tendency to leave hickeys is a remnant of animal instinct, and since faunus are much more in-tune with their instincts, they bite and otherwise mark their significant other's more often. This instinct is more prominent in faunus descendants for only a few generations before the faunus genes are too weak to influence behavior.

[drnikolatesla]

X-Ray Image Taken By Nikola Tesla (1896)

Though not widely known, Nikola Tesla spent a great deal of time intensively researching X-rays, publishing his results during the period between March 11, 1896 to August 11, 1897. He also gave a lecture on April 6, 1897 presenting designs of several different devices that could generate these powerful rays. During this lecture, he shared similar data and conclusions from his earlier experiments with Crookes tubes in 1894. Crookes tubes were invented by British scientist William Crookes in order to study electrical discharges in vacuum tubes. During Tesla’s experiments in 1894, he observed that some of the tubes that produced only feeble visible light had more effect on photographic plates than tubes which were brighter. Since it was obvious that there must be some kind of energy coming from the tubes with feeble light, and their properties were still unknown, Tesla used the term “radiant matter" to describe these radiations. With these tubes, Tesla produced some of the first X-ray imaging, which he called “shadowgraphs,” due to their dark nature, but still did not realize the importance of these radiations. To him, the photographs taken seemed to be spoiled due to unaccountable marks and defects. In March of 1895, a fire broke out in his laboratory, destroying practically all of his equipment and experimental data to date. It took several months before he could resume his work, and in the meantime, a German scientist named Wilhelm Röntgen made his X-ray discovery in the same year (December, 1895). Roentgen first detected the radiation by accident in his experiments where he was testing whether cathode rays emitted from Crookes tubes could pass through glass, and or other solid objects, but was astonished to find that the rays emitted would pass through thinner objects and leave shadows of the more solid objects behind (such as with skin and bones). When Tesla heard this news, it was immediately obvious to him what had been problematic in his laboratory work. Realizing and regretting that he had missed out on making a major scientific discovery, Tesla would say, “I realized that my guiding spirit had again prompted me and that I had failed to comprehend his mysterious signs.” He repeated Röntgen's experiments, and came to much better results than Röntgen and others since he had his newly developed Tesla Coil. With this apparatus, he immediately realized the importance of high voltages for producing powerful rays and suggested using his newly developed single-terminal tubes and connecting them to the secondary coil of the transformer. In 1896, Röntgen acknowledged Tesla’s discoveries and in a lecture before the Physical Medical Society in Wurzburg, Germany, discussed the advantage of using Tesla’s high-frequency transformer in generating X-rays. Tesla would also become one of the first scientists to point out the harms of these rays and developed safer ways to utilize them for medical use. Methods we still use today. On the other side of town, others like Thomas Edison thought these newly discovered rays could cure the blind. Many patients who were experimented upon starting showing terrible illnesses, one being his assistant who later had to have both arms amputated. Edison was quoted in an interview saying, “Don’t talk to me about X-rays…I am afraid of them.”

Nikola Tesla would later give all credit to Röntgen for the discovery, and throughout the next few years, produced some of the best X-ray imaging that even Röntgen praised. In a letter to Tesla, Röntgen wrote, “Dear Sir! You have surprised me tremendously with the beautiful photographs of wonderful discharges, and I tell you thank you very much for that. If only I knew how you make such things!”

[manari-archives]

Fast Times | LN4

Couple days in, I call you "baby" Three stories up here contemplatin' But what the fuck is patience Give me a second to forget I ever really meant it

pairing: Lando Norris x Reader

warnings:

word count: 1.6 k

note: again this isn't based on the entire song, just a couple of lines mentioned. also english isn't my first language so any corrections feel free to let me know and any feedback is welcome :)

masterlist

Lando Norris found himself caught in a whirlwind of fast times and fast nights. Lando had always been an ambitious soul, determined to make his mark on the racing circuit. He had fought tooth and nail to reach Formula 1, facing countless challenges and overcoming numerous obstacles. Now, he was living his dream, racing against the best in the world.

Lando had met you a few months earlier at a charity event. Your infectious smile and captivating presence drew him in immediately. You spent the entire evening engrossed in deep conversations, bonding over your shared love for adventure and passion for life. Lando had never felt such an intense connection before, and he couldn't get you out of his mind.

As the days passed, Lando found himself daydreaming about you during training sessions and team meetings. The thought of you gave him an inexplicable sense of joy and comfort. But he also experienced a whirlwind of emotions—an amalgamation of excitement, fear, and uncertainty. He was ahead of himself, dreaming of a future that was yet to unfold.

One evening, unable to resist his longing any longer, Lando picked up his phone and dialled your number. The phone rang, and his heart raced. When you finally answered, your voice greeted him with a warmth that eased his nerves. He couldn't help but call you "baby," a term of endearment that slipped from his lips before he realized it.

You, on the other end of the line, smiled at Lando's sweet gesture. You too had been thinking about him constantly since your encounter. You admired his dedication to his sport and his undeniable talent. Your connection was undeniable, and you wanted to explore where it might lead.

"Hey baby," Lando said with a hint of nervousness, "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

You chuckled softly, "Not at all, Lando. I was hoping you'd call. How's everything in the racing world?"

Lando's voice grew more animated as he shared the latest updates on his training and upcoming races. You listened intently, genuinely interested in what he has to say.

"I wish you could see me race in person," Lando remarked wistfully. "Having you cheering for me from the stands would be a dream come true."

"Who knows, maybe one day I'll surprise you at a race," you replied playfully, feeling your heart race at the thought of sharing those adrenaline-filled moments with him.

As the conversation flowed, Lando and you talked about your dreams, your aspirations, and the shared excitement for life's adventures. The more you spoke, the more it became evident that your connection was something extraordinary.

"Hey, Lando," you said gently, sensing the underlying hesitation in his voice, "I want you to know that I'm not expecting you to choose between your career and me. I admire your passion for racing, and I believe in you. We can make it work, whatever comes our way."

Lando sighed with relief, feeling the weight of uncertainty lift from his shoulders. "Thank you for understanding, baby. I don't want to lose you, and I also can't imagine giving up on my dreams. With you by my side, I feel like anything is possible."

And so, days turned into weeks as Lando and you embarked on a journey of discovery, both individually and together. Lando's racing career took him to different parts of the world, and whenever possible, you would join him. You explored new cities, indulged in local cuisine, and revelled in each other's company. The exhilaration of Lando's victories on the track was magnified by your presence, his greatest supporter.

Amidst the chaos of Lando's demanding career, your love affair deepened. Lando found solace in your presence, a sanctuary in a world that moved at breakneck speed. But as the racing season neared its end, doubts began to creep into Lando's mind. The demands of his career were relentless, leaving him with little time for anything else. He struggled to balance his love for you with the pursuit of success.

You, too, grappled with your demons. You had always been a free spirit, tiptoeing past various stages in your life, refusing to be confined by society's expectations. You cherished your moments with Lando but couldn't ignore the nagging thought that your love might be overshadowed by the pressures of his racing career.

Amid your passionate affair, Lando and you faced the harsh realities of your chosen paths. The outlines on your bedsides told a tale of stolen moments and missed opportunities. Your love was like a flame flickering in the wind, uncertain and fragile. Lando was torn between his love for you and his relentless pursuit of success on the racetrack. The fear of losing you gnawed at him, as did the fear of sacrificing his dreams.

But as Lando's inner turmoil reached its peak, he had a moment of reckoning. He had to confront his demons and make a choice that would shape the course of his life. Would he choose the intoxicating rush of success or embrace the fragile love that you offered?

In a heart-wrenching twist of fate, Lando realized that his love for you could not be forgotten. It had seeped into the very fabric of his being, leaving an indelible mark. With a newfound sense of clarity, he mustered the courage to follow his heart, to take a leap of faith into the unknown. The racing circuit had given him everything, but without you, it would be empty.

On a starlit night, Lando found himself standing at the edge of the racetrack, searching for you amidst the sea of faces. As your eyes met once more, he knew that he had found his true home. The engines roared in the background, echoing the beat of their hearts as they embraced, leaving the world behind.

At that moment, Lando Norris and you embarked on a new journey, one where fast times and fast nights were replaced by the infinite expanse of love and vulnerability. You vowed to rewrite your story, to create a world where your love could thrive, even amidst the chaos of your chosen paths. Together, you would face whatever challenges came your way, united by your shared passion for life and a love that defied the limits of time and speed.

As Lando continued his racing career, you became an integral part of his journey. You provided him with the stability and support he needed, grounding him amidst the whirlwind of the racing world. Together, you navigated the highs and lows, celebrating victories and finding solace in each other during defeats.

In your quest for a harmonious balance, Lando and you experienced life's twists and turns. You faced challenges, made sacrifices, and celebrated milestones together. And through it all, your love only grew stronger. You knew that your journey would not always be easy, but your commitment to each other was unwavering.

As the years went by, Lando and you built a life filled with love, adventure, and shared experiences. You found joy in the simplest of moments and cherished the bond you had forged. Lando continued to race, his skills evolving with each passing season. You pursued your passions, carving a unique path for yourself while supporting Lando's career.

One evening, as the sun set over the racetrack, you and Lando found yourselves strolling hand in hand. The memories of your journey together flashed before your eyes.

"You know," Lando began, breaking the comfortable silence between you, "sometimes, I still can't believe how lucky I am to have you in my life."

You squeezed his hand, smiling affectionately. "And I feel the same way, Lando. Our love has been the guiding light through all the ups and downs."

"I remember those early days, filled with uncertainty and doubt," Lando admitted. "I was torn between my passion for racing and the fear of losing what we had. But you've always been there, supporting me and reminding me of what truly matters."

"It wasn't easy," you said, your voice tinged with honesty. "There were moments when I questioned if we could make it work, but it worked out, and it made us stronger."

"And you've taught me that taking risks, following my heart, is worth it," you replied, recalling the times you had embraced new challenges, encouraged by Lando's unwavering support.

As you continued your walk, the sounds of the racetrack faded into the background. It was just the two of you, wrapped in each other's embrace.

"You are my home, Lando," you said, your voice soft but resolute. "No matter where we go or what we face, as long as we have each other, we'll always find our way."

Lando pulled you close, his arms encircling you with a sense of security. "You're right. We've come so far, and our love has been the driving force behind it all. I promise to cherish every moment, to be present in this journey with you."

With tears glistening in your eyes, you pressed a kiss to his lips. "And I promise to be your biggest supporter, your pillar of strength, no matter where life takes us."

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

To be backstage during a play is to be in a twofold world of secrecy and revelation. It is to live in two periods at once: the time of your own life and the time of the character you are playing. There is a similar feeling in standing next to a river, a bonfire, on a platform when a fast train is approaching, or, I imagine, beside an open door on an aeroplane.

Backstage, I always have one ear to the house, judging the energy of the audience from their response to other scenes, enjoying the innovations and discoveries of my fellow actors, and privately harnessing the aspects of myself, the thoughts and actions, that are appropriate for my character. In Twelfth Night, I was playing the Countess Olivia, a grieving aristocrat who has inherited control of her house and its difficult occupants after the death of her beloved father and brother.

Just as there is a certain ritual to the action on stage, so there is backstage. The quiet preparation for an entrance, the quick costume change, the motivated exit that deflates rapidly in the dark, the jubilant energy you get with an expressive audience, the relaxed energy of actors who have finished their part and are waiting for the final call, the regular absence from the stage that allows for reading, correspondence or games of ping pong: all the backstage after-and-before shadows exactly what happens on stage; it is both a private and a social space.

The Belasco theatre, where these pictures were taken, is an old Broadway house with a large stage. We had room in the wings for two oak “standings”, an old Elizabethan term for raised platforms on which an audience could stand or sit. All our entrances were via two doors in a reconstructed oak screen, which also provided a high gallery for our musicians.

But we didn’t choose the Belasco for its size; we chose it for the great space underneath the stage, where those who wished could dress together, and where we could have a ping pong table and post-show social club (sometimes during the show as well). I had heard that Houdini had created this deep space under the Belasco, to enable an elephant to disappear by dropping through a trapdoor into a tank of water. My friends there denied this, but there was certainly room. It was so cold that winter, we spent many a memorable late evening in our Houdini cave, after the play had finished, playing ping pong and table football, entertaining guests. At our Christmas party, Stephen Fry donned his Santa Claus suit and passed out the gifts.

A good theatre feels like a great ship. Front of house, its stalls, circle and balcony, are like three great sails filled each day with the imaginative life of an audience. Backstage feels like life below decks. Enjoying a run of full houses – well, there’s nothing like it, in all the different jobs I have been lucky enough to experience, perhaps nothing like it in life. It is like sailing a fast ship on a sunny, windy day.-

-Mark Rylance, excerpts from a 2016 piece in The Guardian

All photographs by Mary McCartney.

[follies of god]

[sapphirerubydragon]

I stumbled across a song called "take me home" by Jess Glynne that is so Gwen centric that if there was a scenario where she was to sing something to anyone at her most valuable (specifically Miles and his family), it would be this song! It has so many references (the falling, the haunting, the freaking gun scene!) that I can't NOT think of Gwen the first chance I heard it

I love Jess Glynne! But never heard this song before. Another song for my play list! This idea of home and homelessness is such an anchoring motif in ATSV. Especially when we contrast Miles's own firm home foundation which then influences such a strong sense of self. Miles's background is enriched on so many levels, although he is Spiderman, he has two invested parents, a stable school and home life, a surplus of relatives in the form of an extended family, a wealth of cultural heritage both borinquen and African American, the early and resonant influences of his uncle and a loyal connection to the melting pot heart of Brooklyn. On the other hand, Gwen's idea of home is so volatile and chaotic such that she has to run away from it.

I feel like she ran away from home mentally before she actually left George when Miguel and Jess intervene. The spider society and Hobie's place become temporary homes but Miles is the only person who feels like home to her. I actually have an exposition on this in my fic in an earlier chapter. Thanks for asking this question I'm going to link it to some concepts in a later chapter. If things go well with my landslide of exam marking I should have another chapter up before the end of the year.

Anyways, yes to your observation on this song's Gwencentricity. Home isn't just a place like a house is. She seeks belonging and can't find it with the Mary Janes but she finds it with Miles and her own band. And I believe, eventually with her dad and Miles's parents.

Her rapid spiral and descent contrast so starkly with the put together façade she presents in ITSV. Her fractured, imperfect self is something that brings her shame but I think she's learning that with honesty and acceptance - they are features that will bring her strength.

Thing is, Miles needs to leave home to spread his wings and grow. And Gwen needs to come home to ground herself and grow. They're both the same in terms of their numerous parallels but they're also the same in terms of their symbiotic relationship, deliberately reflected in features like their symbolic colour coding - Gwen's white ghost like suit and Miles's black wraite like suit, emblematic of yin yang if you will. One brings to the other what is needed and receives from the other what is needed. Miles grows as an individual by learning when to separate from the group think and Gwen grows with the group by learning how to collaborate instead of operating as an isolated variable. Still, both know the merits of teamwork and family (Miles) and trusting yourself and your gut (Gwen). They both learn from each other and teach each other. My favourite aspect of the connection is that these overlapping connections aren't black and white and absolute but very fluid and layered. Their discovery and valuing of home won't just happen on an internal and interpersonal level between themselves but also what they'll give communally and I'm sure we'll see the fruit of all this in BTSV.

P. S. I saw your note about meaning vulnerable and not valuable! 💜

[jupiter--dream]

what discoveries have you made since the 2021 ghostkin / cloudkin post ? :p

Omg hi! Little warning for a ramble that might sound incoherent and "weird" to people who don't know how to have fun lol /lh (aka: I'm talking about my non-humanness, lol)

Warning! this gets VERY long, VERY specific and personal (not in a vent way, but in a "I'm rambling about myself" kind of way), and, somehow, incredibly scientific. Like, actually talking about a physics phenomenon and chemical reaction. I don't know, but yk how it is lol, I may be cringe but I am free

Well! I am indeed cloudkin and Ghostkin; rather, I've realized that I mostly feel like a cloud-looking spirit of sorts, inhabiting a human body if you will. I know some of my features (antlers, fangs, multiple eyes and dots and markings) but they're slightly shifting since my form isn't stable in itself!

Also, I know I'm fictionkin to some degree... Except I'm... not? See, I'm part of a system. I keep referring to myself as otherkin instead of just being a non-human sysmate because, despite this not being everyone's experience (completely valid), I technically "am" "the one that was here before the others""", rather, I was just here pre syscovery even if I know I've been plural for longer than that; but I felt so at home with kin terms that they felt right to use even when I don't see many systems referring to their individual members as X-kin. However, I did eventually realize that my connection to a certain character (I'd hide who it is... But I post about Dream sans on an almost daily basis and they've been the mental representation of myself for about five years now, like. They're me) but it didn't feel like being fictionkin to me; I AM some sort of introject, a semi-fictive I'd say. Plus Dream is a little ball of golden energy inhabiting a skeleton body... And so am I, a golden-looking spirit inside a body! So I'm ghost/cloudkin, galaxykin (simply because of the shifting nature and because my mind always feels so -vast-, like my body's too small to contain it, and it felt right to think of myself as a galaxy, and it was a good metaphor until it was just... intrinsically tied to who I am) and starkin for similar reasons (glowing mass of continuous chemical reactions... Me relating myself to chemistry doesn't end here, keep reading and you'll notice lol)

Stupidly enough, because this is so specific and no one ever seems to talk about stuff like this, one of the things I've realized about myself is what I'm made of; as in, which chemical-

It's something I've known for a while, before I went by Júpiter I went by Jay because I knew I wanted a name that started with J bc J and Q are the only letters not in the periodic table and I was like "oh, my name starts with J because I'm the missing element"; and then way before I had my gender figured out, the easiest way to explain my feelings was to talk about myself in pokemon types... I'd be a ghost/poison type, something about poison types always made me relate in a way? fitting lol

I think I had a huge species euphoria moment when we did the gold rain experiment (link leads to page explaining how to do the experiment) in my lab class. To put it simply, it is a mix of lead nitrate and potassium iodide that crystalizes, and then forms this snowball kind of effect, it looks like THIS:

I don't know, the mix of something looking so glittery, yet being so toxic (8g of lead nitrate are enough to kill you lol) made me go OMG ME

I want to also add that as a physics student + chemistry enthusiast, me feeling species euphoria from physics/chemistry concepts extends to more; for example I learnt about the De Broglie wave length and I haven't been normal ever since... idk how to properly explain it, so here's the wikipedia definition lol, shorter than what I was gonna write: "Matter waves are a central part of the theory of quantum mechanics, being half of wave–particle duality. At all scales where measurements have been practical, matter exhibits wave-like behavior. For example, a beam of electrons can be diffracted just like a beam of light or a water wave." And I don't know how to explain the inherent non-human euphoria I got being "related" to waves like light; like, yes!! I feel more incorporeal and more wave-like! I'm a ghost! Of course my specific properties aren't really "realistic" but come on, no one's trying to (dis)prove my existence.

I think I've just become very comfy in being non-human since 2021, maybe it's because my partner is also non-human and we've related a lot to each other in that regard; I just do the things that make me happy about it. I hide in bed with my prized possessions, makes me incredibly happy in an animalistic kind of way!

Other people find where they came from, who they were at some point. Personally, I do not have a spiritual past related to my non-humanity, I am a creature inhabiting a human body, so I don't have hearthomes or kin memories... I have weirdly specific attachments to physics concepts (part of the reason I must study physics, I need to understand the world on a deeper, non-human level) and feel euphoria over the weirdest shit lmfao

[impracticaluser]

Thinking critically about craft hobbies and the subjectivity of what is "best"

Recently, I have gotten into the hobby of assembling, detailing, and painting plastic model kits, specifically Gunpla (the term combining "Gundam" and "Plastic"). As my first craft hobby, I've done lots of research about what the community considers the "best" in terms of habits, techniques, and tool/paint brands.

The Reddit community r/Gunpla has been invaluable in assembling a compilation of collective knowledge for me to put to use. Eventually, I put together and detailed my first Gundam kit, the High-Grade RX-79 Ez8.

Hurray!!! Excellent!!! There's one problem, though. This hobby is expensive. While High-Grade kits usually cost $15-$25 (which is a pretty good price), the paints used to detail these kits are an expense in and of itself, costing around $10-$15 per spray can. Sure, you could go for an airbrush, costing you about $200~ and potentially saving you more money on buying paint in the future, but good airbrushing takes skill and time to achieve the finish you want. A far easier and more accessible alternative is through spray cans.

However, the downside is that hobby spray cans usually pile up fast; they only carry 100ml of paint, making 1 can last only 1 kit. This becomes an issue when painting multiple parts with different colors, not including the use of primer, topcoat, decals, and panel liner. On average, you're dropping $50~ just to customize one High-Grade kit.

Naturally, I went looking for cheaper alternatives for an already cheap alternative with the larger community. As it stands, r/Gunpla is avidly against using industrial spray paints (Krylon, Bonsy, Rust-Oleum) as a substitute for hobby spray paints (Tamiya, Mr. Hobby), even if the former is significantly cheaper. Common reasons include:

The paint used in industrial-grade paints damages plastic

Industrial spray cans cause paint pooling

There is little to no spray control in those types of spray cans

Here is one example of many Reddit posts where the question of using industrial spray paints is answered with these points.

As a beginner, hearing so many repeat the same issues made me completely averse to the idea of industrial paints. Alas, was my wallet fated to suffer the cost of only buying hobby-grade spray paints?! After even more research, I found one reliable Gunpla blogger who wrote an entire post on why and how these sentiments about industrial-grade paints are actually inaccurate.

According to blogger Matanglawin on his personal blog, X marks the Gundam Spot, the finish using these types of paints is comparable even to airbrushing quality if you know how to properly use them. As a critique of the larger collective opinion on industrial paints, Matanglawin provides instructions on how these paints should be used (from his direct experience), noting that most of the issues stated before are from using these types of paints as you would hobby paints.

Plain and simple, hobby paints and industrial paints have different properties that require different techniques to get good results. Matanglawin asserts the need to spray farther and lighter as making all the difference.

To my surprise, I had found a blogger who addressed the echo chamber and elitism regarding paint brands. Many hobbyists can often repeat an opinion without ever trying the types of paint themselves. It was an essential reminder that subjectivity plays a huge part in deciding what is considered "best" in a craft hobby. So yes, indeed, my wallet may live to see another paycheck.

The next time I need the larger community for information, I'll keep in mind that even the most popular information requires a level of critical thinking. Matanglawin's blog is also a treasure trove of Gunpla hobby tips for beginner hobbyists. I, for one, will be taking my time reading through his opinions to help expand my own knowledge.

In reflection, this discovery was a clear reminder of a common phrase that makes this hobby so appealing to me in the first place: "Gunpla is freedom."

[rabbitcruiser]

Hispanic Day

Hispanic Day is celebrated every October 12 to mark Christopher Columbus’ first landfall in the Americas. Did you know that Columbus was seeking a direct route to Asia when he discovered the Americas? Spain Hispanic Day, also known as Fiesta Nacional de España or Día de la Hispanidad, is an official holiday in most Hispanic America under different names. All government administrative buildings and offices, banks, and stores are closed for the day. The day shines a light on Spanish identity and heritage — the bond between the old European country and Spanish-speaking Latin America. Learn about the historical significance of this day in Spain.

History of Hispanic Day

Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas significantly changed the continent and Europe, making Spain the first modern superpower and shaping the Americas’ ethnic, cultural, and political landscapes. Columbus’ first voyage to the New World began on the evening of August 3, 1492. He left the harbor of Palos de la Frontera with three ships: Santa Maria, the Pinta, and the Niña, with Christopher Columbus traveling on the first ship.

On October 12, 1492, the crew on the Pinta sighted land and informed Columbus. Then, Columbus and his men landed on an island and were received by the indigenous Arawak people. He later named the island San Salvador, though it was called Guanahani by the locals. He also referred to the indigenous people as Los Indios, creating a generalized term that will be used to describe the indigenous people of North, Central, and South America.

Columbus later continued his voyage, exploring northeast of Cuba and the northern coast of Hispaniola. In December of that year, Columbus founded the settlement of La Navidad in present-day Haiti and left 39 men there, after the permission of the local chief. On March 15, 1493, Columbus arrived in Spain with native prisoners. His discoveries were received with great celebration and quickly spread across Europe.

On September 24, 1493, Columbus set sail for the New World with 17 ships and about 1,500 men. During this voyage, he encountered the islands of Dominica, Maria-Galante, Montserrat, Antigua, the Virgin Islands, and more. In November 1493, he returned to Hispaniola and established a temporary settlement in La Isabela, present-day Dominican Republic.

The Spanish settlers soon introduced the encomienda system, where indigenous people provided labor for the Spaniards in return for food, shelter, and protection. That, along with the introduction of European diseases and the exportation of enslaved locals, led to a drastic reduction in the indigenous population.

Columbus set sail again on May 30, 1498, locating the regions of modern-day Central and South America. In 1499, Columbus was accused of tyranny and corruption. He and his brother were arrested, shipped to Spain, and spent six weeks in jail. The Columbus brothers were later absolved of all charges by King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella and got sponsored for their fourth voyage to the New World.

On May 9, 1502, Columbus returned to the Americas with a fleet of 30 ships, but only one made it back to Spain. During this voyage, Columbus explored the coasts of Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. However, he was impeded by a storm and shipwrecked in Jamaica, where they remained stranded for six months. In a desperate attempt to induce the natives to keep providing for him and his men, Columbus used the lunar eclipse of February 29, 1504, to scare them. He accurately predicted the event using Abraham Zacuto’s astronomical charts. On June 28, 1504, he and his men were rescued, and they arrived in Spain on November 7, 1504.

Spain’s National Day today is a celebration of the country’s heritage. The day is an homage to over 400 million people across continents united by a common language, history, and culture. The quintessential Spanish lifestyle is fully displayed – concerts, street shows, dance, people in regional costumes, and excellent food and wine. The National Day of Spain has faced many changes throughout the 20th Century, but many still regard it as one of the most important days in Spanish history.

Hispanic Day timeline

1492 — 1493

The First Voyage

Columbus sets sail in search of Asia, exploring San Salvador in the Bahamas, the northeast coast of Cuba, Hispaniola, and Haiti.

1493 — 1496

The Second Voyage

Columbus returns to the New World, encountering the islands of Dominica, Antigua, Montserrat, and more.

1892

A National Celebration

Under queen regent Maria Christina, Spain officially commemorates the fourth centenary of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas.

1935

Hispanic Day Celebrations

Madrid celebrates the first ‘Día de la Hispanidad.’

Hispanic Day FAQs

Is Hispanic Day a national holiday in Spain?

Yes. It’s also an off day when government offices, banks, and stores are closed.

How does Spain celebrate Spain Hispanic Day?

Solemn acts of tribute to the Spanish National Flag take place in the capital, Madrid, under the king’s supervision. That is followed by the Armed Forces and State Security Forces parade.

What does Spain call Columbus Day?

Spain Hispanic Day, National Day of Spain, and Día de la Fiesta Nacional.

Hispanic Day Activities

Take a trip to Spain: The day’s celebrations usually extend up to a week, giving people an opportunity to travel to the countryside and explore historical places in Spain. Common destinations for this trip include Aragon and Zaragoza. Book your flight early so you don’t miss out on the celebration.

Soak in the art and architecture: Several Spanish historical sites and museums have an Open Doors Day today. From the Baroque and Renaissance to Gothic influences, Spain’s contribution to art and architecture is immense.

Try a Spanish dish: Dishes such as tortilla Española, gazpacho, paella Valenciana, and fideuá are some of the best the Spanish nation has to offer. Check for a nearby Spanish restaurant and indulge your taste buds with these delicious Spanish cuisines.

5 Interesting Facts About Spain

No lyrics: The ‘Marcha Real,’ Spain’s national anthem, is one of four national anthems in the world with no lyrics.

Border with an African country: Spain is the only country in Europe to have a border with Africa through Morocco.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Spain has the third-highest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites globally — 47.

Spanish speakers: There are about 440 million native Spanish speakers globally, making it second only to Mandarin Chinese.

The world’s oldest restaurant: El Restaurante Botín in Madrid, opened in 1725, is the oldest restaurant in the world.

Why We Love Hispanic Day

It sparks a revision of history: Spain’s impact on the New World was huge, and dates like this one both shine a light on it and inspire reflection on how the times have changed. It is an excellent opportunity to learn.

Spanish legacy: Aside from the Spanish discovery of the Americas, Spain Hispanic Day also celebrates its impact and influence over the Americas, especially Hispanic America. Learn all about Spain’s legacy today!

Unity: Spain Hispanic Day is also a celebration of Spanish culture and language. It commemorates the shared history between Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries, deepening social, political, and economic ties.

Source

[greyeyedmonster-18]

one brush with love

Sirius thought you only got one. One chance with happiness; one brother, one best friend, one shot at the life you really wanted; one brush with love. The war took half of his odds, and a failed relationship took the other, leaving Sirius lost and wondering if there was such a thing as second chances.

and if he would get it right this time around.

(a tumblr exclusive, starking romance)

Read Chapter 1: An Indecent Proposal here (about 3k)

Chapter 2: An Unlikely Encounter (about 5k)

Over ten years together could be reduced to a couple of boxes, that could be shuffled around Number 12 Grimmauld place. Sirius could have used magic to pack everything up, but following the failed proposal and the drunken aftermath of it all, he needed to feel something.

Other than resentment.

I wasted my fucking twenties.

Or guilt

No, Remus, don't go...we’ll figure out how to make this work. Together.

Or incurable sadness that came with losing your lover and best friend all because Sirius couldn’t say yes.

The spring and the summer all blurred together, Sirius oscillating between extremes.

Sirius moved to a large bedroom on the fourth floor of Number 12.

Remus stayed on the second.

Floors for each of them. Space for each of them. A place that could be theirs while still trying to piece together an ours.

Sirius packed Harry’s lunches for primary school, just as he had been doing ten years.

Remus packed to go teach at Hogwarts for the term, after receiving an opportunity he couldn't turn down.

They took Harry to Diagon Alley for his wand when the letter came.

Remus got on the train on September 1st with his godson when the time came.

And Sirius took refuge on the couch of the sitting room, in a quiet house that belonged to him but no longer felt like home—though Sirius was beginning to question if it ever really did or he just assumed once there was some semblance of a family there, that’s what it became. A home. Instead of just four walls. Or a place he slept.

Then again, Sirius also had recently made the discovery that Remus wasn’t the love of his life, his soulmate, despite how many boxes Remus checked indicating that he was. Remus had just become a bloke who lived with him in a house. A person who drank coffee across from him in the morning. A half-friend, half-stranger he wished he could never see again.

There was an ashtray on the floor, near the couch where Sirius had taken up permanent residence since September 1st, that went unused in favor of leaving burn marks on the arms of the sofa or empty beer bottles. Sirius loved to watch the smoke trail slowly out of the top of the bottle, creating patterns in the air around him, and Sirius would pretend he was watching the clouds outside.

Remus sent him post from Hogwarts.

Sirius left it unopened.

Harry was sorted in Gryffindor.

Sirius bought a blanket from a catalog and pretended he had knit it himself. It was like the end of the war all over again.

It felt the same, anyway. Sirius hadn’t planned his life outside of James, Lily and Harry then, and he hadn’t planned his life outside of Remus and Harry now. Everybody was gone, and Sirius was alone.

Lost.

-

“What are you doing?”

“Huh?”

“It fucking smells like an arsehole in here. What the hell are you doing?”

“Whatareyou--?” Sirius mumbled, half awake and squinting at the figure standing over him. Remus in his battered cardigan and baggy trousers with his arms folded over his chest, using the voice Sirius remembered hearing when they were at Hogwarts. Remus’s prefect voice they had made fun of. Perhaps now it was a professor voice.

“Its three in the afternoon, Sirius.”

“Why are you yelling?” Sirius asked, sitting up and running a hand over his hair. “Why are you here?”

“You haven’t answered my post in over a month.”

“I don’t need a babysitter…”

“At least Karina would remind you to shower, Merlin’s fucking Beard, Sirius, I know I'm not the cleanest but this looks like a damn trashbin,” Remus looked around the sitting room that was covered in ash and empty bottles. “So I ask you again, what the hell are you doing?”

"I don't know."

"What?"

“I don’t know, Remus! That’s the point!” Sirius threw his hands into the air, “I don’t know what I’m doing because everything I’ve ever done has been about someone else! There’s no one else fucking here—”

“So you do need a babysitter.”

“I need a fucking life, Remus. I’m almost thirty one and I haven’t been…I haven’t….I haven’t. It was Harry and then it was you and…now its not.”

Remus sighed, sinking down onto the couch next to Sirius, reaching down to pick a burning cigarette off the floor, and taking a drag before stamping it out in an ashtray. “You’re not going to get a life sitting in here smoking.”

“Piss off.”

“I think you’re stuck with me, unfortunately.”

“Hm.”

“It’s….hard to be the person who stays, isn’t it?” Remus asked, exhaling through his lips, “But…I didn’t…ask you to do that either.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? It's my fault?”

“Don’t get mad, I’m just…making a point here…Harry’s at school. I have a life, as you pointed out. I’m teaching and…trying to work through all this not-marriage stuff amicably. No one is…telling you that you have to stay here and stay inside and…Sirius you're so smart, and you have potential to do—”

“I’m not one of your students, Remus. Don’t talk to me about my potential.”

“Fine.” Remus smacked his hands on his thighs and stood up again, “Then I’ll tell you in a month and a half, Harry and I will be living here again, and you cannot be doing this.”

“I don’t even know what this is.”

“Figure it out then. Go take a fucking walk, Sirius. You like those still, don’t you?” Remus asked, expecting an answer.

Sirius wasn’t sure if he was being clever, poking at his animaigus form, or if he was being genuine. Because Remus has asked to go for a walk the night he proposed.

Remus had asked to go for a walk the night they first held hands.

Remus had asked to go for a walk long before romance was there and they just needed something to do after dinner at Hogwarts.

"Don't you?"

“I…don’t…actually know.”

“Well the…nice thing is, you have some time to figure that out now. You always did need space,” Remus extended a hand and brushed stray curl out of Sirius’s face, following it down the tangled strands of his hair. When his hand pulled away, Remus had a cigarette butt between his fingers, “I love you. Take your space, and answer my post so I’m not worried about you.”

“Never need to worry about me, Moons.”

“You’re existential over here, I think a bit of worry is warranted.”

-

This time around, Remus wrote post.

Sirius answered.

Harry sent an essay he did well on via post.

Sirius put it on the fridge and sent a sweets basket to the Hogwarts Great Hall.

Sirius smoked—but outside, when he went on walks that he was now definitely certain he liked.

If nothing else.

He knew he liked walks.

Which was why a trip to the Ministry felt like a reasonable outing when Harry returned home from Hogwarts for the holidays with Remus, and immediately, accidentally caused trouble, and post from the Ministry landed in Number 12.

That Sirius, for once, opened, instead of adding it to the Museum of Ministry Mail he had started after the war ended.

Sirius held the post in his hand as he walked through the halls of the ministry, ignoring the stares and the double-takes from Ministry Officials passing by him. Until that moment, Sirius hadn’t realized how much of a recluse he had been the past 10 years. The only thing Sirius ever wanted to do, even when James and Lily were alive, even when he was 18 and thinking about a bright new future, was stick around and raise the inevitable hoard of Potter children.

A hoard didn’t happen, so Sirius had to make damn sure he stuck around for the one.

Ten years and Sirius had only been concerned with pick-ups and drop-offs and packing lunches for primary school. Only left Number 12 Grimmauld Place for mandatory Healer appointments or brief trips into Diagon Alley for new clothes or toys, but even that was being generous. Sirius could order via owl post, and he preferred to do it that way. Sure, he occupied his spare time while Remus was off private-tutoring magic and muggle children, and Harry was at school by keeping up the home; he also managed the Black Estate and upheld his end of the wizarding economy. But Sirius knew he had distanced himself from politics.

From the Ministry.

From his seat on the Wizengamot, and all other responsibilities that came with being a Black.

From the Wizarding World, having a bitter taste in his mouth after the War ended and everyone was content to just move on. Apologize. Never learn.

And then Remus happened and Sirius distanced himself from a whole lot more, realizing he had confused intimacy and safety and comfort with the real thing and convinced himself he was okay with that.

Even though he didn’t have nearly the same level of parental responsibility as he had when Harry was at home and going to school and the endless stream of lunches and pick ups and drop offs, Sirius still found himself in a familiar rut when Harry was home from Hogwarts.

Perhaps it was easier to resume the role than admit he had no fucking clue where to go or what to do with himself now and a month ago he had been swimming in his own smoke fumes and alcohol backwash.

But the underage magic notice in his hand had provided an excuse—one that Sirius knew he could handle by dropping his last name and waving his wand, the same way he had handled any mishaps and requests over the past ten years. Harry wouldn’t have a record of underage magic by the end of the day if Sirius had anything to say about it.

He opened the heavy glass door with the gold handle that lead to the Department of Underage Magic and made to walk towards the front desk only to slow his steps immediately. There sat the most gorgeous man Sirius had laid eyes on outside the realm of magazines that he absolutely hadn’t been wasting his time with the past three months when not staring catatonic at the ceiling and drowning in his own crises. The man was bent over the desk, writing something down, and Sirius took his time examining every inch of him. Deep, dark brown skin, and black hair in braids, tied back into a ponytail; long arms with muscled forearms that weren’t covered by robes, but instead a violet sweater rolled up to his elbows on both sides, and tucked into black trousers Sirius knew were expensive, even from a distance. He wore rings on his fingers—yellow gold—and two gold hoop earrings in both ears. Sirius was taken aback by the colors, the curves, and the valleys, the height of this man as he stopped writing and straightened to look at Sirius.

It wasn’t often Sirius felt uncertainty creep up his spine and blow a cool breeze on the back of his neck. Sirius knew he was good looking but also know that he hadn’t even bothered to put on a clean pair of jeans that morning. He ran a hand over his hair, absently checking his wrists to see if he had a hairband, only to find them both empty, and a haphazard finger comb would have to do.

At least his breath didn’t smell bad.

The man behind the desk smiled—a politician's smile from what Sirius remembered—and one hand went to his chest.

“Sirius Black as I live and breathe,” he said dramatically, with a slight teasing tone, and Sirius was taken aback. By dark eyes and thick eyelashes, by full lips, and a tattoo on the mans right hand; by how deep his voice was and how the violet sweater pulled against his chest. But also, by the way this man, this sinfully attractive, going straight to Sirius’s groin man knew who he was. It was one thing when it was the elderly Ministry Officials he passed earlier. This was a completely different thing. “We thought you were dead.”

“Pardon?” Sirius asked, shaking his head and hoping his face didn’t look as stupid as he felt.

“That was a joke. No one has seen you for a....few... years. People like to talk.”

“Politicians like to talk…”

“You know them then?”

“Years ago, but doesn’t sound like they’ve changed much,” Sirius said, shrugging and trying to prevent his eyes from wandering further from the man’s face. Again. They were nearly the same height, Sirius’s shoulders a touch broader, this man’s arms maybe a bit longer.

“Well, they have to keep themselves entertained somehow,” he said and smiled again, “Kingsley Shacklebolt, I don’t think we’ve met.” The man extended a hand across the desk, and Sirius took it, hoping Kingsley couldn’t feel his pulse.

“We definitely haven’t.” I would remember you.

“What brings you here today?”

Sirius held up the underage magic notice in his hand, presenting it to Kingsley, “My godson was…served, after an incident at the zoo. I was hoping to speak with someone about this today.”

“At the zoo?”

“There was a snake and…a brat and…” Sirius trailed off, and Kingsley laughed softly, “As you can imagine, brats and snakes and passionate 11-year-olds don’t exactly go together.”

“I don’t think brats go together with anything,” Kingsley agreed, smiling and looking at the notice, “Happy to help you out. Do you have an appointment?”

“No.”

“Well, you have to make an appointment.”

“Alright, give me an appointment.”

Kingsley paused, looking between the calendar on the desk and Sirius, “Today’s a little busy…at the bottom of the post it requests to make an appointment for an appeal.”

“Yes, and I’m here making one. For today, about now,” Sirius countered.

“Do you know how appointments work?”

“I do. But, see, I have endless amounts of time on my hands, and a stubborn belief that I am always right and that eleven year old’s shouldn’t be at risk of losing their education for not being able to control their magic yet. The very thing they’re in school for. Imagine that…so I can wait for an appointment today. I don’t mind. Take your time.” Sirius leaned one hip against the desk, cocking his head to his side. He didn’t add that he also didn’t mind spending the day waiting if this was the view.

Kingsley shook his head slightly and looked down, “Did you come down here and think you’d just be able to take care of everything for…” Kingsley skimmed the post again, “Mr. Potter?”

Sirius appreciated that Kingsley didn’t slow down while reading the last name, though he undoubtedly put the pieces together about who Sirius’s godson was. Sirius appreciated that there wasn’t a follow-up question about his well-being or a look of pity that followed.

So tragic.

It wouldn’t have been the first time Sirius had told a near perfect stranger it was a lot more fucking tragic living with it and not just witnessing from a newspaper or word of mouth.

“Yes,” Sirius said bluntly, and Kingsley snorted.

“Well, you’re probably right. In most circumstances anyway….” He glanced back at the calendar, “But unfortunately, we are busy today and even if you camped out in our lobby, we wouldn’t be able to see you. However…”

“Hm?”

“I happen to agree with you, Mr. Black—”

“Just Sirius,”

“Sirius,” Kingsley stalled for a moment, the tip of his tongue wetting his lower lip, brown eyes once again darting between the post, the calendar and Sirius’s face. Unsure where to look, unsure how long he could look, “and I’m trying to make some headway with underage magic policy reform, so…I’ll go ahead and make a case note myself. About brats, and an eleven-year-old, and—”

“He just started Hogwarts this past term, the standard of accountability shouldn’t be—”

“I will make a note of that as well, and say he was vouched for by a very upstanding, elder member of the wizarding council. I will not mention that person happens to be his Godfather.”

“Will you also forget to mention this particular person has been…absent from their duties as well?”

“That can be arranged.”

“Thank you, and this will be…?”

“It will remain in his file but won’t be used against him should any further incidents of accidental magic occur.”

“That should be standard practice…” Sirius mumbled, “Thank you. Do I need to sign anything?”

“I’ll send you a follow-up from my office within the week,” Kingsley said and took the letter off the desk, before flicking his wrist and magically filing it away. “Questions, comments, concerns…?”

Sirius laughed a little, “No…just…thank you,” he nodded and ran a hand over his hair, “Sorry. I came on a bit…strong.”

“Nothing to worry about, I’m more used to it than you would think.”

“Oh, right, I’m sure you see a lot of passionate parents working here.”

A slow smile spread onto Kingsley’s face; lopsided, the right side rising higher, causing creases in his cheek. “Something like that.”

“Well, anyway, thanks again, Mr. Shacklebolt—”

“Kingsley, please.”

“Kingsley,” Sirius said slowly, and quietly, testing out the way this new name sounded coming out of his mouth. Effortless. “Thank you. I’ll…wait for your post, I suppose.”

“I’ll look forward to sending it.”

“You can also tell everyone that I am not…dead or make up some sort of other rumor about me for your entertainment. For helping...this go smoothly today and if you—”

“Sirius?”

“Yes?” Sirius asked, surprised at the eagerness of in his voice. This interaction with Kingsley had been the most pleasant interaction he had in weeks. Months, maybe. Definitely within the past year where it seemed that the rain kept coming and Sirius’s mood only became more and more sour as he sat in his empty childhood home alone.  

“There’s someone…” Kingsley started, inclining his head and Sirius turned over his shoulder to see a woman with a leather bag over her shoulder, twisting her hands together and waiting to approach the desk.

“Right! Right, uh, she probably has an appointment,” Sirius said, and stepped aside, “Thank you, again, for the third time.”

Kingsley gave Sirius another smile before turning his attention to the witch and Sirius turned on his heel to walk out of the department, back through the heavy glass doors.

--

Remus walked into Number 12 that day after picking Harry up from the Burrow, Harry in a much better mood than when he had been brought over that morning. Remus needing to go to Hogwarts to organize his office and Sirius needing to go to the Ministry to smooth things over, was apparently not a good enough excuse and Harry was adamant about not needing a babysitter. An argument that he had undoubtedly lost and had left home late afternoon with his arms folded and scowling before Sirius had flooed over with him. Since returning home from the Ministry, Sirius had felt lighter, heading to the muggle supermarket after his meeting and picking up ingredients for dinner. The kitchen smelled like garlic and fresh lemon, pasta boiling on the stove, and Sirius had lit candles in the hallway, when the tell tale sound of boots on the wood flooring and Harry rushed in.

Harrys dark hair was tucked under a beanie, talking around his glove that he was pulling off with his teeth, “Sirius! Sirius!” Sirius flicked his wand to keep the spoon stirring the sauce as he turned around to face Harry, grinning as he leaned against the counter. Remus was following behind Harry, the tip of his nose flushed pink, and his hands underneath his armpits to get them warm.

“Harry!”

“Ron and the twins and Percy and even Ginny had a massive snowball fight today!”

“Were you there as well or did they tell you to go play by yourself?” Sirius asked and Harry made a face, “Did you win?”

“The twins will say no, but I think we did because our snow fort didn’t get ruined. Ron and I came in and just—” Harry sliced his hand through the air, adding a whooshing noise for the effect to explain the apparent destruction of the twins's snow fort, “It was brilliant!”

“Sounds like you had a great day. Why don’t you take off your coat and boots and tell me more. I’d love to hear what battle strategies you used. And Fred and George.”

“They didn’t have any! At all! Oh, and then,” Harry said, talking as he walked out of the kitchen, his voice rising the more distance was put between them, “Mrs. Weasley got so mad because they spelled out ARSE with snowballs on her window…!”

Sirius flicked his wrist to quickly clean up the wet boot marks on the kitchen floor, looking at Remus, “Organized?”

“By whose standards?”

“Mine, as always.”

“No.”

“Yours?”

“No again,” Remus teased, taking his hands out of his armpits and sitting down at the kitchen table, an odd look on his face as he scanned the kitchen, “I did catch up on reading a book by that bloke who interviewed Prisoners in Azkaban though.”

“Was my cousin mentioned?”

“No. How’s it feel to be related to someone not famous enough to be interviewed?”

“Embarrassing, truly," Sirius said, “Hungry?”

“Starved. It smells great.”

“Garlic loaf.”

“I can get it, if you want—”

“No. No oven,” Sirius responded thinking of all the trips to St. Mungo’s they had taken due to cooking mishaps over the years.

“How was the ministry?

“Better than I expected.”

“Yeah, you don’t have smoke coming out of your ears like you did yesterday…” Remus said, "What’d they say? Did they tell you to come back and make an appointment? Like I said?”

Remus had said. Insisting Sirius play by the rules for once. Sirius hadn’t listened, though, and he was glad for it, mind wandering back to a violet sweater and gold earrings. Tattooed hand and a confidence that was intriguing. A receptionist who had the nerve to spar with Sirius was a receptionist he needed to interact with more, almost wishing things hadn’t gone quite so smoothly so he would have an excuse to revisit.

“No, actually, I’m that good.”

“Arrogant arsehole—"

“Who’s an arsehole?” Harry asked, returning to the kitchen at precisely the wrong moment, Remus wincing as he looked up to the ceiling.

“Don’t say arsehole, Harry,” Sirius chided lightly

“Your godfather,” Remus said at the same time, giving Harry a wink and Sirius shook his head. “I hope you didn’t torment the receptionist too badly. Mary? I think her name is, I’m sure she’s very nice and—”

“Mary?”

“Did you exchange names or were you busy trying to get your way?”

“No, I…met with Kingsley Shacklebolt,” Sirius started, and Remus’s eyes widened, Sirius’s speech slowing down at the reaction, “He…was at the front desk…why do you look like that?”

“That’s just his face, Sirius,” Harry responded, looking at Remus who had his head resting against his hand, raking through his hair. "Oh, no wait, that's his annoyed professor face."

“Kingsley Shacklebolt was an auror, and is now the Undersecretary for the Minister of Magic. Not a receptionist.”

Sirius turned around back towards to stove to disguise his own shock at the new information, focusing very intently on the sauce on the stove instead. He knew Kingsley had known too much to be a receptionist but had played along anyway.

“How do you—”

“He’s in the daily prophet about once a week—”

“Yeah, don’t you read, Sirius?” Harry asked and Sirius snorted, distracting himself yet again with getting plates down from the cupboard and taking the loaf out of the oven. Because Sirius Black didn’t get flustered.

And he didn’t get tongue-tied.

And he didn’t care for authority figures. And he didn't care about impressing anyone.

And knowing he was speaking to Kingsley Shacklebolt, whose name held a weight to rival Sirius’s, wouldn’t have changed the outcome any.

Except Sirius might have worn nicer jeans. Except Sirius would have been more nonchalant; aloof; uncaring; the way he wanted all politicians to view him. Sirius had played too many cards that afternoon, and Kingsley still had a few up his sleeve.

It was unsettling.

Sirius had disappeared from public eye—from political eye—for ten years only to have the mystery solved in an afternoon.

“Please tell me you behaved yourself and didn’t give Harry a further criminal record—”

“Hey! I don’t have a record, Moony. It’s was one snake! We're not even banned from the zoo!”

Sirius inhaled deeply to gather his bearings.

This encounter didn't have to change anything.

He grabbed a bowl of shredded parmesan from the counter and crossed the kitchen to sit at the table where Remus and Harry were now making up scenarios for Harry’s potential rap sheet.

“I think I could steal, maybe,” Harry said, “Oh! Or we could join in crime together and pee on the ministry steps for—”

“No one is peeing on anything,” Sirius interjected, palming the back of Harry’s head tenderly as he sat, “No one has a record here, and…everything’s taken care of.”

Remus paused and titled his head, scanning Sirius thoughtfully, “I’m…sure it is. Don’t remember him from Hogwarts, do you?”

Sirius cleared his throat and ignored Remus who had the beginning of a grin on his face. The kind of grin that came when you knew someone for better or for worse for too many years, who could call your bluff.

Who also knew too much.

“So the snowball fight, babe? How’d it go?”

It wasn’t until after dinner that the subject of Kingsley Shacklebolt was brought up again. Harry in his room, asleep, after falling asleep on the couch three times in a row, insisting every time he wasn’t tired.

Remus had a glass of wine in hand, a book in the other; fireplace between them as Sirius put on a record to carry them through the night. It was the middle-of-the-week days that Sirius seemed to reflect on the times where he and Remus couldn’t sit in the same room as one another without an argument.

Or without Remus excusing himself with silent tears.

Or Sirius reaching for a bottle of firewhiskey as if it would help.

Only to brush it all away, out of sight, under the rug, behind the curtains, in the closet, when Harry appeared the next morning.

“You were whistling…” Remus commented.

“Hm?”

“When we got home today. You were whistling.”

“That’s not exactly ground breaking news, Remus."

Remus took a sip of his wine, smacking his lips together for a moment to delay the conversation, the stupid knowing grin growing on his face again, “Except you…don’t really whistle any more…I know because it used to drive me crazy in the mornings. I’d be trying to sleep, and you’d be whistling away…you stopped.”

“Because it annoyed you, so—”

“You were whistling today,” Remus repeated and Sirius pinned him with a look, “Must’ve been a good meeting, is all.”

“It was…a meeting that happened.”

“He’s handsome, isn’t he?”

“Drink your wine Remus.”

--

Sirius woke up the next morning to the sound of an owl tapping on his bedroom window.

Even if Remus was still in the house with him, a new bedroom, a fresh coat of paint, a duvet cover…made it feel like a new start.

Which…wasn’t as easy as Sirius thought it would be.

He rolled over to his side, magically opening the window for the owl, the cool winter breeze infilitrating his bedroom, and he quickly shut the window again after taking the letter.

“Fuck..,” he muttered to himself, sitting up in bed and taking the blankets with him, as his shoulders shivered briefly. He scanned the envelope, even in the dim light of the morning recognizing the ministry wax seal, and sat up further in bed.

Sirius carefully slid a finger under the point of the envelope before reading:

Sirius,

As I promised, the memo has been added to Harry’s file.

As promised, I also started a rumor you had been on holiday in Belize for the past couple of years or so. The Minister is very interested in hearing about any fine dining you engaged in and if perhaps you could feel restored enough to reclaim your seat on the Wizengamot and Council.

He is asking if I can arrange a meeting between the three of us. I made no promises, though, as I recall you did state you had…endless free time.

Please let me know if you have any follow-up concerns regarding Mr. Potter’s file.

All the best,

Kingsley Shacklebolt, Esquire

Senior Undersecretary to the Minister of Magic

Department of Magical Law Enforcement Communications Liason

Sirius’s mouth twisted into a half smile, humming at the paragraph of titles below the mans name. He quickly conjured a self-inking quill, taking a moment before writing a response.

Kingsley,

Lucky for you, I have been to Belize and won’t have to do much research to corroborate your rumor.

However, I think you misheard regarding my free time, and I am unfathomably busy. Perhaps you can try your hand at scheduling an appointment.

Regards,

Sirius Black, Godfather

The Most Noble and Ancient House of Black

Elder Member of Wizengamot

[nicklloydnow]

“Against the World, Against Life

More so today than ever before, Lovecraft would have been a misfit and a recluse. Born in 1890, he already appeared to his contemporaries, in the years of his youth, to be an obsolete reactionary. It's not hard to imagine what he would have thought of our society today. Since his death, it has not ceased evolving in a direction which could only have led him to hate it more. Mechanization and modernization have ineluctably destroyed the lifestyle he was attached to with his every fiber (it is not as if he harbored any delusions about humanity's ability to influence events; as he wrote in a letter, "Everything in modern existence is a direct & absolute corollary of the discoveries of applied steam power & of large-scale applications of electrical energy"). The ideals of liberty and of democracy that he so abhorred have spread all over the planet. The man who declared: "What we detest is simply change itself" could only have bristled at the degree to which the idea of progress has come to be an indisputable and almost unconscious credo. The reach of liberal capitalism has extended over minds; in step and hand in hand with it are mercantilism, publicity, the absurd and sneering cult of economic efficiency, the exclusive and immoderate appetite for material riches. Worse still, liberalism has spread from the domain of economics to the domain of sexuality. Every sentimental fiction has been eradicated. Purity, chastity, fidelity, and decency are ridiculous stigmas. The value of a human being today is measured in terms of his economic efficiency and his erotic potential — that is to say, in terms of the two things that Lovecraft most despised.

Horror writers are reactionaries in general simply because they are particularly, one might even say professionally, aware of the existence of Evil. It is somewhat curious that among Lovecraft's numerous disciples, none has been struck by this simple fact: the evolution of the modern world has made Lovecraftian phobias ever more present, ever more alive.

(…)

True, this is a treacherous path that only leads to narrow straits. Not because of censorship or litigation. Horror writers probably feel that marked hostility toward any form of freedom in the end breeds hostility to life itself. Lovecraft felt the same way, but he did not stop halfway; he was an extremist. That the world was evil, intrinsically evil, evil by its very essence, was a conclusion he had no trouble reaching, and this was also the most profound meaning of his admiration for Puritans. What amazed him about them was that they "hated life and scorned the platitude that it is worth living." We shall traverse this vale of tears that separates birth from death, but we must remain pure. HPL in no way shared the hopes of Puritans; but he shared their refusal. He explained his point of view in a letter to Belknap Long (written, moreover, only a few days before his marriage):

"And as for Puritan inhibitions—I admire them more every day. They are attempts to make of life a work of art—to fashion a pattern of beauty in the hog-wallow that is animal existence— and they spring out of that divine hatred of life which marks the deepest and most sensitive soul."

Toward the end of his days, he did come to, at times, express poignant regrets in the face of the solitude and perceived failure of his existence. But his regrets remained, if one might express them thus, theoretical. He remembered the periods in his life (the end of adolescence, the brief and decisive interval of marriage) where his path might clearly have bifurcated toward what is called happiness. But he understood that he was probably incapable of behaving any other way. And in the end, like Schopenhauer, he concluded that he hadn't fared too badly.

He faced death with courage. Struck by intestinal cancer that spread to his entire upper body, he was transported on March 10, 1937, to the Jane Brown Memorial Hospital. He was an exemplary patient, polite, affable, whose stoicism and courtesy impressed all the nurses, in spite of his very intense physical suffering (thankfully attenuated by morphine). He underwent the pangs of death with resignation and perhaps with a certain secret satisfaction. This life that was leaving behind its carnal envelope was his old enemy; he had denigrated it, fought it, he would not utter a single word of regret. And he passed away, without further incident, on March 15, 1937.

As biographers have said, "Lovecraft died, his work was born." And indeed, we have just begun to put him in his true place, equal or superior to that of Edgar Poe—in any event, resolutely unique. In the face of the repeated failure of his literary creations, he at times felt the sacrifice of his life had actually been in vain. Today we can pronounce a different judgment; we can, for he has been our essential guide, taking us on initiatory journeys to different universes that lie somewhere well beyond the limits of human experience, but that provoke in us a precise and terrible emotional impact.

This man, who did not succeed at life, did indeed succeed at writing. It was hard for him. It took him years. New York helped him. He who was so gentle, so courteous, discovered hatred there. Returning to Providence, he composed the magnificent tales that vibrate like incantations, that are as precise as a dissection. The dramatic structure of the "great texts" is impressively complex; the narrative procedures are precise, new and bold. Perhaps all this would not suffice were it not that at the center of the ensemble, one feels the power of a consuming interior force.

Every great passion, be it love or hate, will in the end generate an authentic work. One may deplore it, but one must recognize it: Lovecraft was more on the side of hate; of hate and fear. The universe, which intellectually he perceived as being indifferent, became hostile aesthetically. His own existence, which might have been nothing but the sum of banal disappointments, turned into a surgical operation, and an inverted celebration.

The work of his mature years remains faithful to the physical prostration of his youth, transfiguring it. This is the profound secret of Lovecraft's genius, and the pure source of his poetry: he succeeded in transforming his aversion for life into an effective hostility.

To offer an alternative to life in all its forms constitutes a permanent opposition, a permanent recourse to life—this is the poet's highest mission on this earth. Howard Phillips Lovecraft fulfilled this mission.” - Michel Houellebecq, ‘H. P. Lovecraft: Against the World, Against Life’ (1991) [p. 135 - 140]

[darkhalo4321]

Imma talk shop a bit. By shop I mean, webcomics. and by webcomics, I'm gonna highlight one I HAD to read recently because of what the author/artist said about a specific character in said comic. So let's dive in and talk about EQUALIZE ( a crime/mystery drama! but it has romance elements that I focus on entirely too much >:3c ) (All pictures of the comic link to tapas, and the twitter quote links to the actual thread, so you can read it for yourself) (I read it on Tapas, but it's also on webtoons) Here we have Crow- he is my favorite. For obvious reasons. Look at his fashion!

a Bi in deNIal. (I know I really forced that rhyme)

He is an informant working for the police to find a kidnapper and he also knows something that no one else knows but everyone WANTS to know which, naturally, paints a target on his back.

He also doesn't know how to knock on doors. He just picks the lock. ( now I know you're probably thinking, INvaSIoN of PrIVacY, but it's a funny gag, and it's fiction so calm down and don't get worked up over it. Nic yells at him for it anyway)

We also have Nic, he's just... SUCH a great foil for Crow. He's way more relaxed and chill, and takes things as they come. Wants to do more than stand on the sidelines. The "tired of running from problems, tired of not being strong enough to protect the ones I love" person and we get to see that growth as he works with Crow through various near death situations. Now see, Nic is important because while saving Crow from being kidnapped, he manifests a strange power

The mark appears on his hand and what it does is equalizes... the strength of him and his opponent... I think- Uh don't quote me on that, my attention isn't really on HOW the powers work It's literally on the characters and their struggles. Terrible I know. How dare I only focus on the story beats I LIKE and not know every single thing about this comic inside and out, THE NERVE- Btw there are other uses with other symbols and they have different powers so like, if you wanna read it to see how that pans out, do it! It's all plot relevant! :D I do kind of pay attention. But back on task, Nic has this power that gives him an edge in helping Crow out, so he gets cleared to help! Which is great because it's the buddy cop duo we all love and adore-

complete with the "when you try to follow a lead and it ALL GOES HORRIBLY WRONG" and it brings the two buddies closer

now I won't spoil too much for you, Just tease you enough to make you read it, of course, but I will say, that all these juicy details weren't what drew me into reading this comic. Nope. It was literally just interacting with the creator, and what they said about Crow from one of the episodes of Crow's slow self discovery. I'll post the exact exchange that was said by the artist themself below. vvvv

The part that REALLY resonated with me was

Because a freaking week before this episode went live, I had just come to terms with the very same thing about myself. XD I was like "I'm pan, but don't talk about it, I can't ever really come out because of where I live and how most of my immediate family would not approve" yadda yadda. Most of you know about that if you read the read more- don't read those. I'm just screaming into the wind. Now I'm more relaxed about it, but like, I read that and KNEW and UNDERSTOOD that struggle. The rejecting the way you feel about something. The other reason I wanted to read it was also because I have a character named Crow, and they look similar! I think Celly's Crow is smarter than mine though, but I think my Crow is stronger than Celly's Crow XD

All in all, this series is SO fun, it's got the buddy cop vibe down, with your good strong story beats, interconnecting web of events, and balances the comedy with the main plot seamlessly. The comedy is top notch and it had me laughing OUT LOUD and rooting for characters- The personalities, the struggles, the past conflicts and where characters are at headspace wise and growth wise feels very realistic and it draws you in.

And I love the art so much. It's unique and stands out and the colors are so fitting for the characters, and I've drawn fanart for this series already don't @ me, I already ship crowxnic and they are the cutest. when canon? when kiss for real? That ends my lil essay about this series. Celly is super nice! So, go find them on Instagram or the site formerly know as Twitter. -> Sunnycelly. (this links to instagram) And go read this comic! NOW go FORTH and read some buddy cop BL for goodness sake. (it's not LISTED as a romance, but I see the BROMANCE) (I was so sold on the comedy of the series though too, I cannot express enough how engaging this series is. I love it an unhealthy amount)

[sam-glade]

Hi, Sam! Happy STS! :D So how much do you think about worldbuilding when writing? How do you fit worldbuilding into your work?

Hi Jax, thank you for the question💜 Oooh, worldbuilding, my favourite.

The answer is: I think about it way too much. This may get long, but I'm too excited about the topic.

I'm an incorrigible perfectionist, and I like my setting to make sense (to me - which is a tall order). I like delving into various rabbit holes, understanding why certain phenomena occurred in history, and figuring out whether they can be reflected in my setting. So e.g. legendary figures live forever? That means that the Sun King doesn't need an heir. It's definitely not going to have consequences in Prodigal Children. The Sunblessed Realm's politics are reclusive and non-expansive? Great, they have a reason not to have tomatoes and potatoes.

I've spent about 2 hours researching street lighting, to write this sentence:

It was a warm summer night, fairly light, with a waxing moon shining orange-yellow, and spirit of coal burning in the street lamps to match.

SImilarly, for the avian planet in The Fulcrum, I have borrowed a stack of books on evolution from the Biology Department where a relative of mine works, and I keep pestering them with questions about the hypothetical paths evolution could have taken.

And to be absolutely clear: I LOVE IT. I enjoy worldbuilding so much that I consider it as a tangentially related hobby to writing, and sometimes my stories end up being what they are just to showcase the world. And I use it to explore the real world, and then organise the information I've learnt in my mind.

How do I fit it in - now that's also interesting. The Stormlight Archive is a major inspiration here, with a lot of terms being thrown at the reader, without much description around the time they're first used (thinking of spren and crem, and rockbuds). I love piecing together bits of information, and the satisfaction that comes from finally getting the full picture.

And I'm very happy to leave it up to the readers to fill in the details. In fact, I'd be very curious about how they do it and what they come up with. If it's not on page, they won't be wrong.

So e.g. all I've described about first shearings is:

Marta's hair was falling out of an attempt at a single braid — her first shearing took place not even two years ago, marking her coming of age at thirty-five, and her hair barely reached past her shoulders now.

And later there's a mention that half of the village is preparing the village green to celebrate someone's first shearing. I don't actually describe the ceremony anywhere😅

Or, your only hint that sugar is still considered a luxury, is:

The cakes were delicious, so much finer than the ones offered at the winter fairs back in Aritia, and much, much sweeter, but not as aromatic. Ianim noticed Lissan’s confusion, and quickly explained that they were sweetened with beet sugar, not honey. Lissan gulped at how offhandedly he’d said it.

Note that this is about sugar from beet rather than cane.

But, being the pantser that I am, I discovery-write the plots and consider it a wander through the fictional world. I'll pause and research bits that come up as I develop the story, rather than doing a lot of research (that I might not use) up front.

[gogonano]

The Revolutionary History of Nanotechnology

Nanotechnology, a groundbreaking field that has revolutionized numerous industries, continues to shape the world as we know it. In this article, we delve into the rich history of nanotechnology, exploring its origins, major milestones, and transformative applications. Join us on this captivating journey through the nano realm and discover how this remarkable technology has reshaped various sectors, from healthcare and electronics to energy and materials science.

Origins of Nanotechnology

Unveiling the Nanoscale

Nanotechnology finds its roots in the exploration of the minuscule world at the nanoscale. The concept of nanoscale was first introduced by physicist Richard Feynman in his visionary lecture in 1959, where he discussed the potential for manipulating matter at the atomic and molecular levels. This groundbreaking concept laid the foundation for the birth of nanotechnology.

The Birth of Nanotechnology

In 1981, the term "nanotechnology" was officially coined by engineer K. Eric Drexler in his influential book, "Engines of Creation." Drexler envisioned a future where nanomachines could manipulate matter at the atomic scale, leading to remarkable advancements in various fields. His work served as a catalyst for the rapid development of nanotechnology research and applications.

Major Milestones in Nanotechnology

Scanning Probe Microscopy

In the early 1980s, the invention of scanning probe microscopy revolutionized nanotechnology research. The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) allowed scientists to visualize and manipulate individual atoms and molecules with unprecedented precision. These breakthroughs opened up new possibilities for studying nanoscale phenomena and laid the groundwork for further advancements in the field.

Fullerenes and Nanotubes

In 1985, a significant discovery shook the scientific community—the identification of fullerenes. Researchers Robert Curl, Harold Kroto, and Richard Smalley stumbled upon these unique carbon molecules, marking the birth of a new class of nanomaterials. Fullerenes paved the way for the development of carbon nanotubes, cylindrical structures with remarkable strength and conductivity. These nanotubes would go on to become key building blocks in various nanotechnology applications.

Nanotechnology in Medicine

Nanotechnology's potential to revolutionize healthcare became evident with the advent of targeted drug delivery systems. Nanoparticles, such as liposomes and polymeric nanoparticles, can be designed to encapsulate drugs and deliver them precisely to targeted cells or tissues. This approach minimizes side effects and maximizes therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, nanotechnology plays a vital role in imaging techniques, enabling highly sensitive and precise detection of diseases at the molecular level.

Nanoelectronics and Quantum Computing

The relentless pursuit of smaller, faster, and more energy-efficient electronics led to the emergence of nanoelectronics. By utilizing nanoscale materials and devices, researchers have pushed the boundaries of traditional silicon-based technology. Nanoscale transistors, quantum dots, and nanowires have paved the way for advancements in computing power, memory storage, and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the field of quantum computing, which harnesses quantum phenomena at the nanoscale, holds the promise of solving complex problems that are currently beyond the capabilities of classical computers.

Nanomaterials and Energy

Nanotechnology has also played a significant role in addressing global energy challenges. By developing advanced nanomaterials, scientists have made strides in enhancing solar cell efficiency, enabling the production of clean and renewable energy. Nanomaterials have also been employed in energy storage devices, such as batteries and supercapacitors, to improve their performance and longevity. Additionally, nanotechnology has opened up avenues for energy harvesting and energy conversion, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Transformative Applications of Nanotechnology

Nanomedicine and Disease Treatment

Nanotechnology has revolutionized medicine, offering innovative solutions for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Targeted drug delivery systems, nanoscale imaging techniques, and nanobiosensors have transformed the landscape of healthcare, enabling personalized and precise interventions. From cancer therapy to regenerative medicine, nanotechnology has the potential to revolutionize patient care and improve outcomes.

Nanoelectronics and Wearable Technology

The marriage of nanotechnology and electronics has given rise to the era of wearable technology. Nanoscale sensors, flexible displays, and energy-efficient components have paved the way for smartwatches, fitness trackers, and augmented reality devices. These advancements in nanoelectronics have made it possible to integrate technology seamlessly into our everyday lives, enhancing convenience and connectivity.

Nanomaterials and Advanced Manufacturing

Nanotechnology has propelled advancements in materials science and manufacturing. Nanomaterials with tailored properties and enhanced performance characteristics have found applications in aerospace, automotive, and construction industries. From lightweight and high-strength composites to self-cleaning surfaces and energy-efficient coatings, nanomaterials have revolutionized product design, durability, and sustainability.

In Conclusion

Nanotechnology's journey from its conceptualization to its present-day applications has been nothing short of extraordinary. The field's remarkable achievements in diverse domains, including medicine, electronics, and energy, continue to drive innovation and shape the future. As we delve deeper into the nanoscale world, the possibilities seem boundless. With ongoing research and collaboration, nanotechnology will undoubtedly unlock new frontiers, leading to breakthroughs that will reshape industries and improve lives across the globe.

[auspex]

(g-c) ttrpg asks: 6, 14, 22, 24 for mark

6. what quality do they like the most about themselves?

Mark would consider it his ability to learn - in game terms this is a mix of resolve in intelligence - able to buckle down, focus on something, and apply it. When young, thats how he was able to get out of his small town on scholarships, then how he got his PhD, and now that he's dead? How he learned blood sorcery so fast :)

He's proud of those accomplishments!

14. do you have a favourite conversation that they’ve had with another character? briefly describe it!

im gonna ignore that the question says briefly

Oh wow there's been some really good ones with Sampson but actually! My favorite is a positive one :) its between him and a character named Lucius. Lucius takes a lot of explaining but in short at this point in the story he was a ghoul who was showing Mark around the chantry... Mark found out he was adopted by Gaius ... Gaius is the Regeant and Tremere primogen and as of now seemed like a hardass (also eternal enemy of Mark's sire) but Lucius is super super pure and happy and uhg. we love him.

Anyway point is he was showing Mark the chantry. There is a long secret subway ride to get to the chantry cause its far underground. So early on Lucius and Mark had a long time to talk because he'd take him down each ride.

One ride Mark ended up telling him about history, Lucius said he liked that cause normally he couldn't focus on it and learn and he said Mark was a good teacher.

Later, on one ride, he asked Mark to explain FATHERS DAY TO HIM. God. So adorable. Also in that conversation Mark commented on how he was a 'private person' and Lucius was like "I dunno, you don't seem that way to me!" because honestly yeah Mark did tell him a lot, like even that he didn't see his parents often. Anyway Mark had opened up a bit cause Lucius was a rare person he could have a nonstressful nice conversation with. He got to go 'teacher mode' too and he loves teaching. Ugh. So fucking nice.

This was in the first 2 weeks of Mark being both dead and conscious (he was keep staked for awhile) so like. Nice ray of sunshine. And really nice Rp moments of being in the subway and having tht conversation. God. Was so good. I MISS LUCIUS SO MUCH. And Mark misses him a bit too.

22. if they were to have a social media profile, what would it look like? the username, bio, type of thing they’d post about, etc.

Oh if Mark was more in modern times he'd definitely have like a professor twitter where he retweets cool historical discoveries and tweets links to papers his colleagues have published that he likes. The username would definitely be something like DrMark or something LOL. The bio would be very short and would just be like. Roman History Lover; UC Alumni; Ask me about my latest research. Very little personal stuff on it at all. His profile pic would be himself but he really wouldn't post pictures otherwise unless its of some university event.

He'd have a private twitter with a username like Markisveryfunny that has like. 12 followers. He never uses it but it exists. He mostly uses it to follow accounts he doesn't want to on his main.

24. are they good at keeping secrets? does it depend on how big the secret is?

Yes. Especially his own - he's been doing it for awhile, just being closeted for example. For other's secrets - He's ok at it, because of just like. How things are. The stakes are pretty high and such. Mark's not stupid. Secrets are only worth telling if he gets something out of it now.

And there are some people he'd never betray - Julius and Sampson - and some that would take a LOT to do so - Rose and Oswald (sorry if u dont know them but its too much to explain). And he has his own secrets that would be REALLY RELALY BAD if they got out.

He used to be even more naturally secretive but Julius has been manipulating him to be less so for his own purposes.

[pusha-t2024]

What is the typical storyline of a song about cheating?

Songs About Cheating have been a staple in music for decades. Whether it's a soulful ballad, a rock anthem, or a catchy pop track, these songs tell the stories of love, betrayal, heartbreak, and redemption. While the lyrics and delivery may differ across genres and artists, there are common narrative structures and themes that run through some of the Best Songs About Cheating. In this blog post, we’ll explore the typical storyline of these songs and why they resonate so deeply with audiences.

1. The Discovery of Betrayal

One of the most common elements in Songs About Cheating is the moment of discovery. This is where the protagonist learns that their partner has been unfaithful. The discovery can be portrayed through various scenarios, such as finding incriminating evidence, hearing rumors, catching the partner in the act, or receiving a confession. This part of the storyline often sets the tone for the rest of the song, evoking emotions of shock, pain, and disbelief.

For instance, in Beyoncé’s Irreplaceable, the storyline begins with the protagonist confronting her partner after discovering his infidelity. The song’s opening lines, “To the left, to the left,” signify the protagonist’s realization and immediate response to the betrayal. This moment of discovery is crucial as it establishes the foundation for the rest of the narrative and the emotions that will be explored.

2. The Confrontation

After discovering the betrayal, many Songs About Cheating move into a phase of confrontation. In this part of the storyline, the protagonist often confronts their unfaithful partner, expressing their anger, disappointment, or heartbreak. This confrontation can take the form of a heated argument, a tearful plea, or even a moment of silent resignation.

A classic example of this is Alanis Morissette’s You Oughta Know. In this song, the protagonist confronts her ex with a series of raw, emotionally charged questions and accusations. The song captures the bitterness and unresolved emotions of a confrontation, allowing listeners to connect with the intensity of the moment.

The confrontation phase can also serve as a turning point in the storyline, where the protagonist decides whether to seek revenge, forgive, or move on from the relationship.

3. Reflection and Introspection

In many Songs About Cheating, the storyline shifts to a period of reflection and introspection. During this phase, the protagonist grapples with their feelings and tries to make sense of what happened. This can involve questioning their partner’s actions, blaming themselves, or coming to terms with the reality of the situation.

Taylor Swift’s All Too Well is a great example of a song that explores reflection and introspection. While the song isn’t explicitly about cheating, it delves into the feelings of loss, regret, and nostalgia that often accompany the end of a relationship marked by betrayal. The reflective nature of the lyrics allows the protagonist to process the pain and begin to heal.

This phase of the storyline is essential for conveying the emotional complexity of infidelity. It helps listeners understand the inner turmoil of the protagonist and creates a space for empathy and connection.

4. Revenge and Retaliation

Some of the Best Songs About Cheating take the storyline in the direction of revenge and retaliation. When betrayal occurs, the protagonist may feel compelled to seek retribution for the pain they’ve experienced. This theme is often explored in songs where the protagonist takes decisive action to get back at their cheating partner.

Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats is a quintessential example of a cheating song that focuses on revenge. In the song, the protagonist takes matters into her own hands by vandalizing her partner’s car as payback for his infidelity. The narrative reflects a sense of empowerment and justice, giving listeners a vicarious thrill as they imagine reclaiming their power in the face of betrayal.

This phase of the storyline appeals to listeners who want to see the unfaithful partner face consequences for their actions. It provides a sense of closure and satisfaction, even if only in the realm of fantasy.

5. Acceptance and Letting Go

While some Songs About Cheating focus on anger and revenge, others emphasize acceptance and letting go. In these storylines, the protagonist comes to terms with the betrayal and makes the decision to move on from the relationship. This phase often highlights themes of resilience, self-respect, and personal growth.

Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way captures the theme of acceptance and letting go. The song’s lyrics reflect the pain of a relationship breaking down due to betrayal, but they also convey a sense of moving forward despite the hurt. The storyline acknowledges the difficulty of letting go while emphasizing the importance of self-preservation and healing.

This phase of the storyline resonates with listeners who are seeking closure and hope after experiencing betrayal. It offers a sense of peace and encourages personal growth in the aftermath of heartbreak.

6. Regret and Redemption

Not all Songs About Cheating are told from the perspective of the person who was betrayed. Some songs explore the storyline from the perspective of the person who cheated, focusing on themes of regret and redemption. In these narratives, the protagonist acknowledges their wrongdoing and expresses remorse for the pain they’ve caused.

Rihanna’s Unfaithful is a song that takes this approach. The protagonist recognizes the harm she’s inflicted on her partner and grapples with feelings of guilt and sorrow. The storyline focuses on the internal conflict of someone who regrets their actions but feels trapped by their own behavior.

Songs that explore regret and redemption provide a more nuanced perspective on infidelity, allowing listeners to empathize with the complexity of human emotions and the potential for forgiveness.

7. Hope and Reconciliation

While many Songs About Cheating focus on betrayal and its aftermath, some storylines offer a message of hope and reconciliation. In these songs, the protagonist and their partner confront the betrayal, work through their emotions, and attempt to rebuild trust. This phase of the storyline emphasizes themes of forgiveness, communication, and the possibility of moving forward together.

John Legend’s All of Me touches on themes of unconditional love and forgiveness, even in the face of challenges. While not explicitly about cheating, the song’s lyrics suggest a willingness to accept one’s partner, flaws and all, and work through difficulties together.

This storyline appeals to listeners who believe in second chances and the power of love to overcome adversity. It offers a sense of optimism and reminds people that reconciliation is possible, even after betrayal.

Conclusion

The typical storyline of a Song About Cheating often follows a progression of discovery, confrontation, reflection, and resolution. While the specifics may vary, these narratives consistently explore themes of betrayal, heartbreak, anger, regret, and resilience. The variety of emotions and perspectives captured in these songs allows listeners to connect with the stories on a deeply personal level, finding validation, empathy, and hope.

Whether it’s through the candid storytelling of country music, the emotional intensity of R&B, or the empowerment of pop anthems, Songs About Cheating continue to resonate because they reflect real-life experiences and the complexities of human relationships. By exploring the pain and growth that can come from betrayal, these songs offer a powerful reminder that healing and self-discovery are possible, even in the face of heartbreak.