#About Davaa

[nosarmalucis]

For the Get To Know The OCs asks!

#4 for Nate

#10 for Davaa

#8 for Azalee

4. Does your OC have a failed friendship or relationship they still think about? What happened? Is it an unresolved regret or is there a chance for reconciliation?

Aside from a few kids he grew up with that he didn't really vibe with (biting when you have fangs tends to put people off), there's not one he can think of.

8. What was your OC's most embarrassing moment? Does it still bother them or are they able to shrug it off?

It would probably have to be a time a much younger Magnai did his usual spiel about asking her if she was his Namaa. While such a thing was a rather common occurrence, it was still mortifying. More so when he pouted about it after she rejected him. (She thinks it's funny now, but at the time it was the worst thing ever)

10. Is your OC sentimental or pragmatic? Do they keep mementos or only what they need to survive? Have they always been this way or did something happen to make them change?

Davaa tends to be a minimalist, carrying only what he needs, save a few small sentimental items that he can keep on his person (his necklace from Alexion is one). He's always been that way to an extent, but his families move to Ishgard and his subsequent stint as a slave in Ul'dah taught him that less was best. (Now that he has a house with Alexion however, he wants to fill it with all kinds of things that remind him of their life and travels)

[nosarmalucis]

For Nate, it was pretty easy. He's been attracted to both men and women since basically forever, so he didn't think much of it.

Davaa....was a little different. His sexual tastes tended to lean towards women, and while he found men to be aesthetically pleasing, he didn't have any real desire to sleep with a man or enter into a romantic relationship. Then Alexion happened. And it very much was just that moment of "....oh"

8/28/23

What was your wol(oc)'s journey to find their gender/sexuality like?

[nexusofdomains]

To whom it may concern:

Effective September third, two thousand twenty-four at four fifteen (4:15) am mountain time, I will begin participation in a personal Tumblr hiatus to focus on academic, literary, and artistic pursuits. I intend that I will not make original posts, reblog others' posts, lurk, or interact with polls, until June ninth, two thousand twenty-five at ten thirty-five (10:35) am mountain time. Mutuals and followers, If you see me posting, etc. after 3/09/2024, 4:15 am,* I would appreciate it if y'all'd send me an ask reminding me of my hiatus. It might not happen, but I can be forgetful at times, and ten months is a long time. I want to ace this semester. Spending over an hour or more a day scrolling through Tumblr is not very conducive to that endeavor in my case.

*The sole exception to my silence is that I might periodically reblog this post with updates at the beginning of breaks, to detail brief returnings. During those times, I may cross off things I've completed from the lists in this post. Other than that, I plan to stay away.

By the time I return from this self-imposed exile, I plan to have:

Completed my courses with at least an average score of 80%

Written two or more short stories

Drafted a few WiP introduction posts

Rewritten CWiP 026: "Epilog for a Nomad" so that I can use it as part of the conclusion to WiP 031: [Doppelganger's Refrain]

Drafted review/opinion posts for at least 5 chapters of "The Forgotten Legends of Chima"

Drafted an updated/revised version of my writeblr introduction post, and a few possible addenda thereof

Further developed a few stories, including my Blood Gulch Chronicles AU Chima fic, and my fantasy novel, WiP 019: [The Sentinel]

Drafted a few posts about the Worldbuilding for the sci-fantasy setting I'm developing, which is called Nexus

Carved a wooden sheath for my bunka-style kitchen knife

Whittled, sanded, and finished six (6) little wooden birds for my side hustle

I might try to sketch one or more of the following characters:

Aira, fierce and calculating Nexan arctic wolf phoenix

Leviathan, cautious and formidable Nexan crocodile (who I plan to draw in full halo-esque magitech armor)

Miles Laukkanen, stoic and cheerful werewolf

Dima, honest and reserved shapeshifting dragon (many options here. Dima has three main forms she shifts between: four-winged dragon, tall, white-haired androgynous human, and four-winged leucistic Nexan harpy eagle)

Edwin, shapeshifting jovial Nexan grackle/dragon hybrid

Davaa, cheerful and steadfast Nexan tiger phoenix

Until next time/Auf widerzehn,

Lucian (nexusofdomains)

[skysteppe]

STATUS: EXTREMELY FUCKED UP STAIRCASE IT'S NOT LIKE A NORMAL STAIRCASE IT'S CURLY >>> new team assemble! @howlighte , @galacticemperorsolaris , @cardhearted

“Yikes.”

Yikes is right. He wasn’t even prepared to fight ghosts with his own team, now he’s gotta battle the ghoul realm with this guy, that kid, and Jack. Davaa’s deadpan exclamation of dread and frustration did little to portray he was actually perturbed. He was at least 2% perturbed.

The following deep sigh did more to get across the exhaustion. He scratched the back of his head, then craning his neck to survey his immediate surroundings. More tacky architecture. Super! 

Davaa cups his hands around his mouth as if about to shout. “YOOOOOO!” then he shouts. Just the three of them, and himself. “Huh. This sucks. Bet we're not even getting financial compensation, what if I develop a disease in 20 years?”

[cemyafilmarsiv]

Road Movies

180 South [Chris Malloy]

Walk About [Nicolas Roeg]

Holy Motors [Leos Carax]

Into The Wild [Sean Peann]

Sideways [Alexander Payne]

Nebraska [Alexander Payne]

Midnight Run [Martin Brest]

Eat Pray Love [Ryan Murphy]

Death Proof [Quentin tarantino]

How it ends [David M. Rosenthal]

The Straight Story [David Lynch]

Arizona Dream [Emir Kusturica]

The World's Ender [Edgar Wright]

The Motorcyle [Diares,Walter Sallas]

Moonrise Kingdom [Wes Anderson]

The Darjeeling Limited [Wes Anderson]

Every thing is İlluminated [Liev Schreiber]

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty [Ben Stiller]

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas [Terry Gilliam]

The Cave Of The Yellow Dog [Byambasuren Davaa]

Little Miss Sunshine [Jonathan Dayton-Valerie Faris]

Encounters at the End of the World [Werner Herzog]

Hector and The Search For Happiness [Peter Chelsom]

[nosarmalucis]

Nate isn't really afraid of dying anymore. He used to be, when he was first starting out and had a couple of close calls...and then Lahabrea killed him at the Praetorium. Hydelaen may have brought him back, but it left its mark. At this point, he's more afraid of dying in a moment when his survival means the difference between his friends surviving or not.

Davaa on the other hand, has never been afraid of it. Not of his own anyway. He has always feared/dreaded the deaths of his loved ones. The events of endwalker only succeeded in making that fear worse.

FFXIV Daily Question n°109 : Is your character afraid of dying ? Has they been confronted to death and does it changed their pov on the matter ?

[ravencollege]

It felt sweet. The way someone’s name can feel on your tongue. Like honey and figs. Even if it’s bittersweet it’s still inviting. Sonically pleasing, warming the body, gentle on the soul. Melancholic. There are names you may not say aloud for a long time so the feeling of saying it doesn’t seem immediately apparent. Thinking it isn’t the same as hearing yourself say it. Forming the syllables with your lips and making it real. It’s different. You don’t realize the weight of a name until it’s spoken into existence. That’s how he felt in that moment, saying a name so fond in his memory but unsaid in recent years.

“Jamil?”

It was wishful thinking maybe. Davaa thought he’d meet Jamil one day, someday, but it wasn’t something he was actively searching for. Be it his own stops and starts, desire or fears, he kept the sentiment to the side, right in his periphery but never in front of him. It wasn’t so much avoidance as it was having other things to worry about. Both their lives seemed to be going perfectly sound (as far as Davaa knew on Jamil’s part, he would only ever see updates through magicam or what have you) but it was enough to satiate whatever anxieties he has for the former classmate’s well being as well as giving him an excuse to put it off. It’s not avoidance per se, he doesn’t want to fall back into that pattern, but butterflies in the pit of his stomach. Fluttering worries that are more stereotypically crush-shaped that makes him even more embarrassed. If he said ‘I miss you’ that would be painful. Painful in the cringe way right? Silly, ridiculous, delusional. Right? But he did. He does. And he wants to see this guy again even apart from past feelings because they were friends, even if neither of them admitted it outright back then. Stubborn teenage pride, the hubris of them both, is what was cringe. 

Things are different now. Years have passed. He’s standing in a gallery of his own blood, sweat and tears and some rich admirers are going to buy them for money he couldn’t exactly fathom. He was standing there only half paying attention to what his patrons were saying but he at least had his curator with him who was doing most of the heavy lifting on the negotiations, financial and logistics. There was a smudge on his glasses. He didn’t particularly like wearing them but he needed them to read now or for anything that requires finer detail work. It also totally makes him look smarter than he is, more refined or whatever. Along with slim-fit black slacks and dress shoes and black dress shirt practically half unbuttoned but tucked in because getting him into anything aside from joggers is a negotiation in itself. ‘You have to look presentable’ and all that. Even if anyone was allowed to wander in for the viewing, he still had to seem at least semi-serious as an artist. Although Davaa would argue having an eccentric gimmick would garner more attention, so he should have worn something totally obscene instead. Davaa is currently glad his manager had shot down that idea. 

His line of sight wanders to the smudge on the class directly in front of them, moving to remove them but hesitates when a distraction behind the buyer's head. It’s been awhile. Not too long, it could have been longer, but maybe just long enough. The man’s shoulders tense, his posture straightening and adding a good few inches back to his height from slouching. For how alert he seems now it’s possible his eyes even dilated after spotting them from across the room. But he’s still embroiled in this conversation. Brown eyes flicker from person to person, thinking frantically about what he should do right now at this very moment. Mouth gapes a little, preparing to excuse himself somehow but nothing came. He awkwardly shifts, shuffling away from the other three mumbling something something toilet something something emergency something you can have it for free hold on- and making a goofy little b-line to the familiar face.

@auratvm 💛

[chasindtrevelyan]

Faded Memory

Of the Ascians they had dealt with thus far, Elidibus was proving himself to be the one Davaa disliked the most. Where Lahabrea had been a power hungry maniac, and Emet-Selch had been driven by grief, Elidibus was ruled by his idea of balance. Oh, there had never been any doubt that the Emissary was their enemy, it was only a matter of how that animosity would reveal itself. In this case, it seemed Elidibus was insistent on using Davaa’s bonds with others against him. 

Taking Ardbert’s body as his own had been a genius plot on Elidibus’s part. It lent credence to his words about the Warrior’s of Light, and inspired people to do his bidding by their own choice. After all, what harm was there in wanting to help people, in wanting to protect the world around them? An honest, and heartfelt desire, twisted for the purpose of another. It had another, likely unexpected result as well. Davaa, despite knowing that Ardbert was dead and that the Warrior’s soul now resided within his own, was hesitant to raise his hand against him. He disliked the idea of defiling Arbert in such a manner, even knowing that allowing Elidibus’s continued possession was no better.

Perhaps that was why, beyond his need to protect Y’shtola, he did as the ascian bid and followed him down to the Tempest. The constructed city of Amaurot loomed above them, the field before them filled with oddly docile monsters. A test, Elidibus decreed, was now laid out before him, and when the first batch of creatures was transformed into people he knew…

Davaa’s hand tightened on the hilt of his blade, understanding now that what he would face beyond would be more of a test of will, than one of strength.

Y’shtola, Thancred, Yda, Papalymo…they all fell with barely any effort, an insult to the true versions he knew. Ilberd and his ilk proved even less of a challenge, and the only thing he felt then was disappointment that it hadn’t taken longer. Other simulacra appeared but remained docile.

Haurchefant, Edmont, Ysayle…oh how his heart bled at the sight of them. Two dead, the other forever mourning his son

He thought, after the first two bouts, that he would be able to handle everything the Emissary threw at him. He knew the shades to be fake, to merely be replicas of people he knew or had fought before, and felt he could handle them without issue. However, he’d been a fool. The first group consisted of people he’d known early on, people an adventurer would meet at the start of their journey. He’d thought the scions to be the only ones, but there had been a fifth tether, another simulacra that had never come into being, or so he’d thought. 

He didn’t know what had alerted him, didn’t know what gave it away, but something screamed a warning just in time. He turned, blade raising to deflect a strike from wicked blades. Sparks flared where the weapons collided, reflection flaring in bright orange eyes. He knew that face, knew those knives…and he froze. His adversary did not, and it was only luck that enabled him to avoid getting his belly sliced wide open. After that, it was all about retreat, giving ground and deflecting attacks to the best of his ability. 

Alexion had always been faster than him however, and it was only a matter of time before he mistimed a block. The duskwight was under his guard in an instant, one of his knives carving a painful slice into Davaa’s thigh to bring him down, and the other aiming for his throat. There was no time, he would never be able to get his gunblade positioned with so little space. The edge of the knife found delicate skin-

-a roar, a rush of energy he hadn’t felt since that fateful day in Ala Mhigo and Alexion was thrown back, a bloody hole in his chest. The wound, the body, was visible for only an instant before it dissipated like all the others but Davaa remained frozen where he’d fallen, his leg having buckled thanks to the injury he’d received. He couldn’t stop staring at the place where Alexion had been, at where his body had fallen. Tears streaked his cheeks, though he was unaware of them until a hand rose to wipe them away.

He jerked back, staring upward, unable to comprehend what he was seeing at first and then-

“Listen to my voice.”

Looking at Fray was like looking into a shadowed mirror, an image of himself staring back, gold eyes filled with love and sorrow. 

“Listen to our heartbeat. Listen.”

He’d kept the jobstone on his person even after the confrontation with Myste, even if he hadn’t used it. He’d thought the abyss out of reach unless he consciously tried to grab it, but of course it was never far. How could it be, with the promise spoken between them?

In your darkest hour, in the blackest night…think of me, and I will be with you. For where else would I go? Who else could I love but you?

The tumult of emotion inside him slowed as he did what he was told. He listened, focused on the beat of his own heart until his breath came easier, until he could stand once more, until Fray faded away into nothing. Except it was still there, that power, that abyss he’d harnessed so long ago. He could feel it, his strength bolstered by another, keeping him on his feet even as his leg threatened to buckle under him once more. 

It was time to end this farce.

[enbysorcerer]

Day 29: Moral Dilemmas and Holidays

Would they be more likely to act for the good of the one or the good of the many? Depends on the situation, but in general, he’s probably more likely to focus on the good of himself above all else until/unless he manages to make close friends with his future traveling companions.

Are they manipulative? Not intentionally. He’s very good at “woe is me” type manipulation, but he doesn’t necessarily do it intentionally. It’s more of a habit from when he was young.

Choose a holiday and come up with a potential scenario involving your character and that holiday. Let’s go with… Christmas.

Christmas has always been a big affair in the Hoshi household, and they go all out on decorating. Several trees line the various rooms, garland streaks through the hallways, and a mountain of presents surround the main tree in the family room.

Zolzaya loves and hates it. He loves the general festivity of it all, but… well, his family is a little difficult and it spoils the overall joy of the season for him.

Every year for as long as Zolzaya can remember, the holiday has ended with Davaa drunkenly proclaiming what a great boon the war is and how it’s helped them all.

(Zolzaya disagrees)

The Christmas after Zolzaya’s 15th birthday is an especially rough one. Zolzaya’s been learning about the war, and even with the Fire Nation’s propaganda, he isn’t sure it’s such a good thing, especially since he learned about the Air Nomad Genocide. From his grandpa’s stories, the Nomads seemed like peaceful people whose only crime was producing the next Avatar.

When the drunken proclamations start, this year, Zolzaya can’t keep his mouth shut and he points out the inhumanity in killing off an entire race(?) of people.

This does not go well.

(I did not intend for this to be about the fight with his grandfather, but oh well.)

[dweemeister]

“Women Make Film” marathon reviews (4/6)

NOTE: The spelling and order of the names of the Mongolian cast and crew has varied wildly across the Internet. I list the Mongolian cast and crew with their given name before their surname (as they appear in the film’s end credits).

The Cave of the Yellow Dog (2005, Mongolia)

Some of the most illuminating movies take you to places far-flung, introduce you to people who live so differently compared to you, and invite you to know their successes and struggles. Byambasuren Davaa’s The Cave of the Yellow Dog, set in the Mongolian steppes, is such a film. Throughout, it blurs the boundaries of documentary and fiction. The Batchuluun family featured in this film are nomads, and they essentially play themselves. Twice a year, they pack their belongings and gather their livestock to find a location suitable to settle for the summer or winter. Without ever feeling like an ethnic studies lecture, Davaa depicts Mongolian nomadic life with remarkable vision and artistry. If only during the movie’s ninety-three minutes, the viewer will experience the simplicity of life in the steppes. And because the film focuses on eldest child Nansal (she appears to be about six years old), The Cave of the Yellow Dog – one of the gentlest films I have had the pleasure to watch in the longest time (if you have children and they have the patience, this could be a very rewarding movie to watch together) – it teems with the disappointments and joys that childhood innocence inevitably meets.

Summer’s end is fast approaching when we make our acquaintance with the Batchuluun family. Nansal (Nansal Batchuluun) has returned from boarding school, and her days are filled not only with play, but the tasks necessary to live in these remote grasslands. She helps collect dung for fuel, in addition to – while on horseback, without supervision – leading the livestock out to graze nearby. One day while collecting dung, she hears barking from a rocky hillside cave. Nansal finds a dog inside, whom she will name Zochor (“Spot” in English). When returning with Zochor that afternoon, her father (Urjindorj Batchuluun) worries, upon hearing that Nansal found him in a cave, that the dog might attract wolves. There has been a spate of wolf attacks that has been thinning their livestock’s numbers; if Zochor has been living with wolves, his scent may attract them. Before a trip to the city to sell their hides, the father – believing that Zochor portends trouble – urges his wife (Buyandulam Batchuluun) to get rid of the dog while he is away in the city. Later that evening while taking out the livestock to graze while on horseback, Nansal finds herself lost as a storm approaches. She takes shelter with an elderly woman (Tserenpuntsag Ish), who imparts to her the fable of “The Cave of the Yellow Dog”.

“The Cave of the Yellow Dog” is framed as a Buddhist parable. Mongolia is a majority Buddhist nation. Coming into this film with an understanding of Vietnamese Buddhism – Buddhism tends to be a disorganized religion containing beliefs, metaphysics, and practices that vary by country (and within those countries, there can be numerous sects) – it was interesting to learn how Mongolian Buddhism (itself heavily influenced by Tibetan Buddhism) differs from the metaphysics I am more familiar with. In both cases, animals are considered lower on the hierarchy of rebirth than humans. In Mongolian Buddhism, dogs are considered the highest class of animal. They are one reincarnation cycle away from being reborn as human. Meanwhile, humans, by the very nature of human existence and its personal and spiritual impurities, almost never reincarnate as humans or more enlightened beings. Davaa does not explain Mongolian Buddhist metaphysics by exposition, as I have done above. She instead uses a visual metaphor – a needle and grains of rice – to illustrate how precious one’s humanity is through the lens of a specific Buddhist tradition. One does not require a doctorate degree in theology to intuit the Buddhist beliefs that course through the film’s characters.

The Cave of the Yellow Dog’s Buddhist themes extend to how the family conducts themselves. Though they live at least a full day’s drive from the city and are aware of the luxuries that urban life has to offer, the family seems not to desire more than what they have. A simple mechanical toy delights the children, but never are they seen begging their parents for more. The unassuming pleasures of family and canine companionship are enough. Modern life nevertheless makes cameo appearances in the Mongolian steppes. Nansal’s father rides a motorcycle into the city, and the occasional motor vehicle bumps along the unpaved roads and bridges. Politics, whether set provincially or in Ulaanbaatar, is also discussed. But it seems the parents do not have access to reliable information nor possess knowledge about governmental processes. Their concern is for their family, their herd, and virtuousness – there is little time for anything else. The final frame of The Cave of the Yellow Dog posits whether or not the family – and the numerous nomadic families living across Mongolia – can long hold onto their centuries-long traditions.

Davaa’s interweaving of Mongolian nomadic culture and religiosity is seamless. A critic can extol cinematographer Daniel Schoenauer’s landscapes – spectacular emptiness – only so much. Less eye-catching is the eye for detail Davaa and Schoenauer have while capturing domestic life. Take the scene where the family is packing away their yurt for their end-of-summer sojourn to their brumal location. From multiple angles (including from straight above), the camera provides to the viewer intricate details of this laborious, multi-step process. Even Nansal and her younger sister lend a hand – everybody, except Nansal’s toddler brother, has a role to play in these necessary tasks. Perhaps Nansal’s father is the strongest of all and can lift the heaviest materials as well as possessing the largest reach, but he is no more important in this moving process than anyone else. While the yurt is being disassembled, almost no words are spoken – this family is accustomed to setting up and tearing down their residence. It is a fact of life, not a signal of turbulence. In this already quiet film, even the scenes that contain the most movement unfold in their placid poetry. Life is slow, beholden to a routine practiced mostly unchanged over centuries. The delicate, minimal editing eases the viewer into the film’s deliberately languid pace.

The connection between Nansal and Zochor feels raw and immediate – mostly thanks to Davaa’s approach to filming The Cave of the Yellow Dog. On a trip Mongolia in April 2004, Davaa dedicated two weeks to search for a nomadic family that she could film. She chose the Batchuluun family and, when she returned that summer, filmed their lives largely as it was. Despite having a screenplay in hand, about half of this film was shot without production input and none of the dialogue was rehearsed or suggested to the Batchuluun family. The scene where Nansal encounters Zochor for the first time is priceless cinema – and also the first time in which the two met. Nansal’s ebullient face and near-immediate instinct to play with Zochor is innocence incarnate. It is almost impossible to tell in long stretches of The Cave of the Yellow Dog which scenes were staged and which ones were influenced by the filmmakers. As such, all of the film’s performances always feel genuine. That most obviously applies to Nansal, but also her parents – from her mother’s measured warmth to her father’s stiffness (when the latter expresses some built-up emotions late in the film, it is a beautifully acted moment despite the lack of dialogue and movement).

For Nansal, she enjoys the disruption that Zochor brings to her family’s life. But it is not indicative of a mischievous streak on her part, but a bond forged due to her boundless curiosity and that unconditional affection between dogs and their human caretakers. In her father’s rejection of Zochor, Nansal may be experiencing one of the first familial disappointments in her short life. One can imagine a Western child throwing a tantrum, refusing to comply with their parents, and making exclamations they would not otherwise say (and probably do not truly mean in earnest). Not Nansal. And here again is Buddhism’s influence on The Cave of the Yellow Dog – Buddhist beliefs in non-attachment and extricating oneself from inessential cravings. Nansal does not appreciate her father’s judgment, but she nevertheless respects it.

A spoiler of sorts: the Batchuluun family kept Zochor after filming wrapped up and trained him to watch the sheep.

Mongolia, one of the most sparsely-populated nations on the planet, still has over one million nomads roaming its countryside but, increasingly, they are moving to the cities due to overgrazing, climate change, and other factors that can better be explained by a more authoritative source than a film review. For any non-Mongolian who might view The Cave of the Yellow Dog, here is an ideal way to introduce yourself to an endangered lifestyle, a place so unlike anywhere else. The Cave of the Yellow Dog was Byambasuran Davaa’s second consecutive feature film to explore the tension between Mongolian modernity and the traditional life of the nation’s nomads. Her next two films have also followed in those narrative footsteps: The Two Horses of Genghis Khan (2009) and Veins of the World (2020). And just like The Cave of the Yellow Dog, her films have mostly employed non-professional actors and employ techniques that make indistinguishable drama and documentary. Her cinematic voice is singular, a valuable cultural force for this young artform.

My rating: 8.5/10

^ Based on my personal imdb rating. Half-points are always rounded down. My interpretation of that ratings system can be found in the “Ratings system” page on my blog (as of July 1, 2020, tumblr is not permitting certain posts with links to appear on tag pages, so I cannot provide the URL).

For more of my reviews tagged “My Movie Odyssey”, check out the tag of the same name on my blog.

This is the fourth of six film reviews on this blog relating to films that I saw as part of Turner Classic Movies’ (TCM) Women Make Film marathon.

[jokercreatingsmiles]

In 2018 do notice these simple smiling moments of daily life Day 215

Cheers to the miraculous human machine.

As we age in life, I am surrounded with stories about people with different kinds of health issues… I then tell all of them to focus on only one point… That the human body is a miraculous machine.

It is not medicines (davaa) alone that cure a person, it is also good wishes (duvaa) that play a greater role for recovery.. And when you are a good person like…

[interkomitet]

Vladimir Putin received letters of credence from 23 newly-appointed foreign ambassadors

Meehan (Australia), Lotfi Bouchaara (Kingdom of Morocco), Zhang Hanhui (People’s Republic of China), Malena Mard (Kingdom of Sweden), Geza Andreas von Geyr (Germany), Brian McElduff (Ireland), Miroslav Lazanski (Republic of Serbia), Sadasivan Premjith (Republic of Singapore), Eat Seyla (Kingdom of Cambodia), Ekaterini Nassika (Hellenic Republic),Abdulrahman Hamid Mohammed Al-Hussaini (Republic of Iraq), Mohamed Sherif Kourta (People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria), Dulamsuren Davaa (Mongolia), Tarak ben Salem (Republic of Tunisia), Kazem Jalali (Islamic Republic of Iran), Kamrul Ahsan (People’s Republic of Bangladesh), Deborah Jane Bronnert (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland), Si’alei van Toor (New Zealand), Alison LeClaire (Canada), Pierre Levy (French Republic), John J. Sullivan (United States), Efrain Villarreal Arenales (Republic of Panama) and Yermek Kosherbayev (Republic of Kazakhstan).

* * *

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Colleagues, ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to welcome you in the Kremlin at this ceremony to present your credentials and to congratulate you on officially commencing your diplomatic activities here in Russia.

You have an important and serious mission: to promote the development of comprehensive relations between the countries you represent and Russia. We proceed from the fact that you will be responsible for expanding our political dialogue and trade and economic ties as well as deepening cultural exchanges and promoting people-to-people contacts. And we are sincerely interested in making your embassies’ work in these key spheres successful. You can always count on the help of the Russian official agencies as well as businesses and civil circles. All your useful endeavours will definitely be supported.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. In May we invite foreign leaders and delegations to attend celebrations marking the great Victory in Moscow to commemorate the memory of millions of victims, pay tribute to the veterans and show our committal to the ideals of peace, freedom and justice. The victor countries, members of the anti-Hitler coalition, made these ideals the foundation of the post-war world order embodied in the United Nations Charter 75 years ago.

Unfortunately, nowadays humankind is coming ever closer to a dangerous line. Regional conflicts are multiplying, the threats of terrorism and extremism are growing and the arms control system is being uprooted. The global economy is also unstable.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today’s ceremony is attended by the heads of diplomatic missions of 23 countries of Europe, Asia, Africa, America and Australia. By tradition, I would like to say a few words about our bilateral relations.

Russia favours pragmatic and business-like cooperation with Australia. We are giving support to the business circles of both countries in their effort to implement mutually beneficial joint projects and are facilitating the expansion of humanitarian contacts.

We are satisfied with the present state of collaboration with Morocco. Our states have achieved decent results in mutual trade, agriculture, and deep-sea fisheries. There are opportunities for advanced Russian technologies and R&D results to reach the Moroccan market.

Our relations with the People’s Republic of China are at an unprecedentedly high level. In fact, this is a comprehensive strategic partnership. Bilateral trade is consistently being built up. The Power of Siberia gas pipeline has been put into operation. Ties in the field of defence and military-technical cooperation are developing successfully. In April, we are planning to launch the Russian-Chinese cross Year of Scientific, Technological and Innovation Cooperation. Our two countries coordinate their positions on key global and regional problems and work in unison at international organisations and associations, including the UN, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. China and all of us have come face to face with the threat of the coronavirus. Leaders of the PRC have been taking resolute and energetic measures to halt the epidemic. We are ready to render help and every kind of assistance to the friendly Chinese people.

We are keen to promote cooperation with Sweden in the spirit of good-neighbourliness and mutual respect. Held in St Petersburg last year, our talks with Prime Minister Stefan Löfven have confirmed that our two countries have the capacity for invigorating our economic, cultural and humanitarian contacts and for joint work on matters related to the Baltic Sea and other regional affairs.

Russia attaches much importance to promoting constructive collaboration with the Federal Republic of Germany. We regularly discuss with Ms Chancellor Angela Merkel current international and bilateral issues. We have supported the idea to hold a conference on a Libyan settlement in Berlin and participated in it in the most pro-active manner. Russia and the FRG are intensifying their mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, and energy, and we intend to continue this joint positive work.

Russia and Ireland are striving for closer trade and economic cooperation, including in high technology, innovation and agriculture. There are opportunities for bilateral cooperation in education, culture and similar areas.

Russia and Serbia are linked by a strategic partnership that relies on traditions of friendship and the cultural, spiritual and historical affinity of our fraternal peoples. Last December, meaningful talks were held with President Aleksandar Vucic in Sochi. Important agreements were reached on bilateral cooperation in an entire range of areas: the economy, trade, the power industry, culture and coordination on regional matters. Russia is doing much to help maintain the situation in the Balkans stable and safe. We want Belgrade and Pristina to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the Kosovo problem on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 1244.

Singapore is Russia’s highly promising partner in the Asia-Pacific Region. We appreciate our political dialogue that is actively promoting practical cooperation. The implementation of the free trade agreement signed by the Eurasian Economic Union and Singapore at the end of last year is designed to give an impetus to mutual trade and investment growth. We hope to conclude a Russia-Singapore bilateral agreement on services and investment.

We are friends and partners with the Kingdom of Cambodia. We are interested in further developing our relations in diverse areas, including politics and security, trade and investment, as well as educational and other people-to-people exchanges.

I am convinced that the further development of relations between Russia and the Hellenic Republic meets the interests of our states and certainly aligns with the centuries-old traditions of friendship and mutual affinity between our nations. In addition to our cooperation in politics, the economy and the power industry, there are good opportunities for expanding our contacts in tourism and culture. In this context, I would like to mention the current Cross Year of Language and Literature.

Russia and Iraq have accumulated a wealth of experience of mutually beneficial cooperation in many spheres, including the fuel and energy sector. Russia firmly stands for the preservation of Iraq’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and has helped to ensure Iraqi security. We believe that efforts towards internal political stability in Iraq should be taken within the framework of a broad national dialogue based on respect for the interests of all citizens, regardless of their ideological beliefs and ethnic and religious backgrounds.

Russia has strong and friendly ties with Algeria. The presidential election held there late last year was a big step towards political and social reform in your country. We support Algeria’s balanced policy in international and regional affairs. We see good possibilities for building up our economic and military technical cooperation and for coordinating our efforts in the interests of stronger stability and security in North Africa and the Sahel-Saharan zone. I recently had a short conversation with your President in Berlin. I hope to see him in Russia soon.

Mongolia is a good neighbour and a tried and tested friend. Last year Russia and Mongolia celebrated the 80th anniversary of victory in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol and signed a termless Treaty on Friendly Relations and Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. We consider it reasonable to complement our close political interaction with practical projects in trade, investment and humanitarian spheres. We are satisfied with the development of the trilateral Russia-Mongolia-China dialogue. We would like to see Mongolia more actively involved in operations of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation as well.

We are resolved to further strengthen bilateral cooperation with Tunis, which is among Russia’s traditional partners in the Middle East and North Africa. We are ready to work together on current regional matters, including a settlement in Libya.

Russia enjoys friendly and mutually respectful relations with Iran. Major bilateral projects in the energy sector, including nuclear energy, in railway transport and other sectors of the economy are steadily expanding. An interim agreement to create a free trade area between Iran and the EAEU came into force in 2019 and gave an additional boost to Russian-Iranian trade and investment relations. We plan to promote cooperation with Iran in fighting international terrorism, coordinate our actions as part of the Astana process and facilitate a settlement in Syria. Russia will continue to make efforts to preserve the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action for the Iranian nuclear programme. We believe this international agreement is critically important for global and regional stability.

Russian-Bangladeshi ties are quite dynamic. Trade is up, and a major project to build Bangladesh’s first nuclear power station, Rooppur, is in progress. Given the proximity of our respective states’ approaches to most pressing regional problems, we look forward to continuing close cooperation at the UN and other multilateral organisations.

The current state of relations between Russia and Great Britain can hardly be considered satisfactory by either side. We are convinced that restoring a mutually respectful political dialogue, strengthening trade and economic exchanges, and building up cultural and people-to-people contacts is in our common interest. We are ready for this.

We stand for promoting Russia-New Zealand ties in trade, investment and culture. We find it useful to interact on international issues, including counterterrorism, climate change and research in the Antarctic.

We are open to cooperation with Canada based on mutual respect for and consideration of each other’s interests. Canada and Russia are neighbours in the Arctic and share common responsibility for ensuring the sustainable development of this vast region, preserving the traditional way of life of the indigenous peoples and taking good care of its fragile ecosystem.

France is one of Russia’s key international partners. We maintain contacts with President Macron, hold regular meetings, discuss issues such as a settlement in Libya, Syria and the Middle East in general, and interact on the Ukraine crisis within the Normandy format. At a bilateral summit held in Fort de Bregancon last August, we agreed to work jointly on ensuring stability and security in Europe. Economic ties between Russia and France, including in industry and energy, continue to expand. On January 16, the Russian Seasons festival opened in France. It is designed to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of our countries.

Global peace and security largely depend on the state of relations between Russia and the United States, as well as on their stability and predictability. We are convinced that these relations should hinge on the principles of equality, respect for sovereignty and non-interference in each other’s domestic affairs. We are ready for detailed dialogue with the American side, including on arms control and strategic stability, the fight against terrorism and the peaceful resolution of regional crises. For us, it is absolutely obvious that resuming constructive bilateral collaboration meets the interests of Russia, the United States and the entire world.

We advocate the further development of ties with the Republic of Panama, efforts to streamline the legal framework, cooperation and expanded contacts on the economic agenda. We will continue to encourage educational exchanges and help train specialists for Panama.

Relations between Russia and Kazakhstan are an example of reliable strategic partnership and allied cooperation. Bilateral collaboration is based on solid historical, cultural and spiritual bonds between our nations. We appreciate the current level of trust and collaboration with the leaders of Kazakhstan. Last year, we held nine meetings with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. And, of course, we maintain close contacts with our good friend Nursultan Nazarbayev. Sustainable integration within the Eurasian Economic Union continues to develop largely through joint efforts of Russia and Kazakhstan. Trade and economic relations between our countries are expanding in all areas, including in industry, energy and investment. Russia and Kazakhstan closely coordinate their approaches to matters on the international agenda. It is common knowledge that our Kazakhstani partners provided a venue for launching the Astana negotiating process to achieve a Syrian peace settlement.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Intensive but highly interesting work awaits all of you. I hope that you will be able to get to know Russia better, feel its pulse and watch our country accomplish important and ambitious tasks of political, economic and social development. I also hope that you will provide real assistance in expanding bilateral ties between Russia and the states you represent and will facilitate stronger friendship and mutual understanding between our nations. I wish you every success and all the best.

http://interkomitet.com/news-of-the-day/vladimir-putin-received-letters-of-credence-from-23-newly-appointed-foreign-ambassadors/

[nosarmalucis]

I don't know if it makes him recognizable to other people necessarily, but Davaa always wears a red/orange sweet pea necklace. It was a gift from Alexion when they were still just friends, and it meant a lot to him to receive a gift like that without any strings attached or expectations of something in return. That the necklace was in Alexion's colors was left unspoken.

FFXIV Daily Question n°113 : Has your character a signature trinket on their attire, or something they always wear that makes people around them say/acknowledge instantly "Hey, that's [your character] ?". Can be a jewelry, a symbol, a color palette ... somehting else.

Does this signature thing, if any, has any roots or special meaning you'd like to tell us about ?

[skysteppe]

SHADOW THEE HEDGEHOG today at xx:xx pm class is basically over so im back SHADOW THEE HEDGEHOG today at xx:xx pm 🤧 i may have been gone for 15 mins but... i did my best... anyways here SHADOW THEE HEDGEHOG today at xx:xx pm verycoolhorsepics.png

A piece of digital art clearly done on a default app of some kind. Regardless, it was unnecessarily nice. A landscape, a bit impressionistic but most likely hindered by the medium. It's best to be impressionistic, just cohesive enough to be a detailed landscape but abstract enough for mistakes to hardly be mistakes. Although, it appeared he had given up halfway through and the right side of the piece was unfinished with just a few lines and instead was a poorly drawn horse to fill the void.

Davaa was well slumped in his seat, the lecture having gone on long; or at least felt that way. You know, the type of professor who gets derailed all too easily and starts a never ending anecdote about their life. Unrelated to the actual lesson of course! Class is basically over so time to shoot the shit with his brother in clout. / @s-essha

[orgblgn-blog]

Traditional music of the Morin Khuur

The morin khuur`s significance extends beyond its function as a musical instrument, for it is traditionally an integral part of rituals and everyday activities of the Mongolian nomads. Playing the morin khuur is accompanied with dances, throat singing (khuumii), long songs (urtiin duu), mythical tales, ceremonies and everyday tasks related to horses.

On the national festival "Naadam" praise songs are played for the most magnificent horse and for the highest ranked wrestler and archer. The songs are called "Magtaal" and accompanied by a unique style of praise and morin khuur.

To this day, the morin khuur is used to tame animals. Herders in Mongolian Gobi region who face a problem when the female camel unexpectedly rejects her newborn colt after a particularly difficult birth. There is a tradition to coaxing ritual to encourage a female camel to accept a newborn or to adopt an orphan. The mother is tied close to the calf and a singer with morin khuur begins a monotone song accompanied by gestures and chanting. The use of morin khuur for coaxing ritual for baby camels came to the attention of the public in the West with the introduction of the "Weeping Camel" movie by Byambasuren Davaa and Luigi Falorn.  

Moreover, many festivals are held for celebrating the importance of this instrument on the Mongolian culture, like the biannual "International Festival-Competition of Morin Huur", which is organized by the "World Morin Khuur Association", which was first held in 2008 with 8 participating countries (Mongolia, Korea, China, Russia, USA, Germany, France, Japan).

Also many Mongolians have morin khuur in their home, because it is believed as a symbol for peace and happiness. In regards, the second President of Mongolia N.Bagabandi ordered every families to have morin khuur at their homes.

Article about morin khuur

[skysteppe]

Why is everyone so mean to him? He did nothing wrong! It was obvious there was no one else around living or otherwise. And he was just about to make a very astute comment about why there's stained glass in an entirely monochrome world. But now everyone has been miraculously transported elsewhere. Again. Davaa didn't let the jeers of his peers get to him though, nonchalantly turning his chin upwards to scan the landscape before them.

"Lame." a mumble. He moves to right, latching onto Solaris' arm in a teasing display of helplessness, "See? We get a do over! You don't haveta' be so grumpy, Jackie's got that covered." - before detaching himself and giving the other a firm slap on the back. "Speaking of, I think Jack should lead the way here. If anyone is gonna see or hear odd shit it's him."

@howlighte

galacticemperorsolaris​:

The monochromatic scene before Solaris was something highly intriguing, something he wished to study most eagerly. But alas, that would have to be put on the side for now as he had 2 tasks for this mission. Get the magestone, and make the ghosts regret messing with him. He could study later if the time permitted.

Solaris hadn’t even noticed that his team was different, at least not until a certain someone shouted.

Glancing back at Davaa, he was glad at least Jack seemed to be of the same mindset as he. “My thoughts exactly. Now we do not have a strategic advantage.” He would have to reassess his plans, both for the change in team and now this disturbance. Pulling out his notes, he began studying them, occasionally taking in his surroundings.

     The lack of Azul and Malleus by his side was the first red flag — the scream coming from Davaa’s lips, the rustling of Solaris’ notes and Jack were the next three. At this point in time, he wasn’t sure whether he should be happy with the new team arrangement, or if he should be worried. Taking a quick glance at Jack, he concluded it might be the latter. 

     “I don’t know about you guys, but I think we should find a way out of here.” he suggests, taking in the monochromatic surroundings of the Ghost Realm. “Or try to find others…” he takes a few steps on the bizarre staircase attempting to make progress in their search. Except this task got this much more complicated as their surroundings changed unexpectedly. The staircase was no more and instead they stood at the entrance of a haunting castle. 

     “You’ve gotta be kidding…”

// @skysteppe​