#But she was the one who won by peace by compassion

[duchess-of-oldtown]

Visenya and Ronnel Arryn is something so precious to me, but it often gets me thinking what she was thinking when she found Ronnel alone in the courtyard. Did she see just a little boy amazed by a stranger and her dragon? Did she see Aegon at that age? Did she imagine a son of hers in the future? Was it strategy or just maternal or big sister instincts kicking in? Because Visenya could have taken the Eyrie as a show of strength and reminded the world of fire and blood. Perhaps that was the plan. But she changed her mind. She chose kindness.

[charlesoberonn]

My take on the Avatar origin story:

About 50,000 years before the show, humanity learned how to bend the energy within themselves. This allowed them to perform feats of strength and ability beyond their physical limits. And using these abilities they started expanding across the globe.

Wherever they came to dwell, they dominated over the other lifeforms, eventually leading to the extinction of many species. This angered the spirits, especially the Spirit of the planet itself, whose long-standing balance was thrown off.

In retaliation to rid herself of this nuisance, the Spirit of the world caused great volcanic eruptions, storms, tidal waves, and earthquakes to kill the humans. Humanity was driven to near extinction, with only 10,000 humans remaining. These humans gathered in an isolated valley, the last safe place on the planet.

But rather than finishing them off there and then, the Spirit of the world grew curious and even empathetic towards the humans. The compassion they showed one another, the care in which they cultivated their new home. The Spirit didn't understand how humans could be so ignoble and violent and at the same time so virtuous and kind.

And so the Spirit chose to be reborn as a human, to try to understand how humans work. And thus the first Avatar was born.

Her name was Hizda, and she was born with a frail body to a family of little means. Despite this disadvantage, she was loved and cared for by her parents and her community.

As she grew, she struggled with leaning to bend the energy within her. She thought she'd be weak for the rest of her life. Until one day she extended her energy outward, and rather than bend the energy within, she bended the elements without. A feat only a few animals were thought capable of.

Word of the miraculous girl quickly spread across the valley, reaching the ear of the Great Chief. An old man who remembered the outside world, he was wary of the girl. He believed her to be an agent of the Spirit which killed their people not a generation prior. And so he sent out his son to kill her.

Not wanting her community attacked, Hizda fled the valley into the outside world, with her closest friends coming with her despite her protestations. The Great Chief's son pursued them with his own agents.

Across her journey she met many spirits and creatures who had reclaimed the abandoned lands the humans left behind. Naturally, they were apprehensive of humans, but Hizda convinced them she meant no harm. She learned of the damage her ancestors had caused and vowed to help repair it. And she met the creatures of the elements and learned from them to control her powers.

After a year on the run, she confronted the Chief's son who pursued her all the way to the North Pole. The two fought and Hizda won. But instead of delivering the killing blow, she spared him. And she convinced him to help her convince his father that a new way was possible.

Hizda and her friends returned to the valley and confronted the Great Chief. He rejected her and ordered her dead still, but she could defend herself. Half of all humanity sided with her, but half still sided with the Great Chief. It seemed like humanity's destructive nature could not be changed.

But then the Chief's son surprised everyone when he proposed to Hizda. Aghast at his son's behavior, the Great Chief had a change of heart. He abdicated his responsibility, making Hizda and her husband (the new Chief) and leaders of humanity.

Under their leadership, humanity made peace with the spirits and began the long process of rebuilding the scarred world.

Later in life, Hizda and the Chief had four sons. Each of them inherited one of their mother's elements. And in time, their children would inherit that element, and so on and so forth. And thus benders came into the world. Each son would become the forefather of one of the four nations.

In her old age, The widowed Hizda returned to the valley of her birth. She found a Banyan tree and meditated under its shade, trying in her dying days to understand the nature of humanity, the world, and herself. She realized in the end her nature as the reborn Spirit of the world. But she also knew that there was so much still left to do. More to build, more to resolve, more to heal.

And so, instead of returning to her spirit form, the Spirit of the world's Avatar chose to stay human. And as her life as Hizda ended, the Spirit was reborn in a new human body, and the Avatar cycle was born.

[elryuse]

Hi I love reading all the stories you put out especially the yandere ones. If it is possible, can you make a kazuha and han sohee x male reader story where both of them are famous idol/actress and fall very hard for y/n to the point where they can't see themselves living without him?

CAUGHT IN THE ACTION

YANDERE HAN SO HEE & KAZUHA X MALE READER

Kazuha, a fragile flower amidst the ruthless storm of the entertainment industry, found solace in a small, unassuming restaurant. The owner, Y/n, a beacon of warmth and kindness, offered her more than just sustenance. His gentle spirit and unwavering support nourished her soul, igniting a spark of hope within her.

One day, her stomach growled in protest, a desperate plea for sustenance. With her pockets empty, she wandered the streets, her gaze drawn to the small restaurant. The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, a tantalizing torture. She hesitated, her pride warring with her hunger. But the gnawing emptiness in her belly won. She stepped inside, her head bowed in shame.

Y/n, noticing her frail figure and the haunted look in her eyes, prepared a hearty bowl of ramen, insisting she eat. As she devoured the meal, tears welled up in her eyes. Not just from the delicious food, but from the overwhelming kindness. Y/n's compassion, a rare gem in the harsh world of entertainment, ignited a spark within her. She realized that she had found not just a source of nourishment, but a beacon of hope.

Meanwhile, Han So Hee, a dazzling star, was trapped in the suffocating darkness of depression. On the brink of despair, she stumbled upon the same restaurant, seeking refuge from the tempest raging within her. She stood on the edge of the rooftop, the wind whipping at her hair. The city lights stretched out before her, a breathtaking panorama, but it held no allure for her.

"I feel the wind in my back and my hair," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I've finally decided to end it. To end it here, now. I wish for someone... Someone to save... Me... I... I... (Cry) I want someone to save me."

As she took a step forward, Y/n emerged from the darkness. He rushed towards her, pulling her into a tight embrace. In that moment, So Hee felt a surge of emotion, a mix of relief, gratitude, and a strange sense of peace. She had been on the brink, ready to surrender to the darkness, but Y/n had reached out and pulled her back.

From that day forward, the little restaurant became her sanctuary. Y/n's unwavering support and understanding helped her navigate the treacherous waters of her mental health. She found solace in his presence, a comfort she had never known before.

As fate would have it, these two women, worlds apart, found themselves drawn to the same man. Their paths intertwined, a delicate dance of longing, obsession, and betrayal.

Kazuha, with her innocent heart, had fallen deeply in love with Y/n. She cherished every moment spent with him, her world revolving around his presence. However, her love was a fragile bloom, vulnerable to the harsh realities of the entertainment industry.

So Hee, on the other hand, was consumed by a possessive love. Her fragile mental state, coupled with her intense feelings for Y/n, made her a dangerous force. She saw Kazuha as a threat, a rival who dared to encroach upon her newfound happiness.

As their feelings intensified, a toxic triangle formed, fueled by jealousy, obsession, and a desperate desire for love. Kazuha, oblivious to the danger lurking in the shadows, continued to pour her heart out to Y/n. So Hee, meanwhile, watched their interactions with a growing sense of resentment and envy.

One fateful night, So Hee confronted Kazuha, her voice laced with venom. "Stay away from him," she hissed, her eyes burning with rage. "He's mine."

Kazuha, stunned by the accusation, could only stare at So Hee, her heart heavy with confusion and hurt. She had never imagined that her innocent love could provoke such intense hatred.

As the tension between the two women escalated, Y/n found himself caught in the crossfire. He loved both women, but he knew that he could only choose one. His heart ached as he realized that his decision would inevitably lead to heartbreak.

In a desperate attempt to protect Kazuha, Y/n tried to distance himself from So Hee. However, So Hee was not one to be deterred. She resorted to desperate measures, using her influence to sabotage Kazuha's career and manipulate Y/n's emotions.

Kazuha, weakened by the relentless attacks, found herself spiraling into despair. Her once bright future seemed to be fading away, a victim of So Hee's twisted obsession.

But no, As it turned out this event only worsened the fate of the three, as Kazuha and So Hee kept coming over and over. Their tounge spitting their deepest hatred and anger for each other. It only made Y/n more and more worrisome.

The tension between Kazuha and So Hee reached a boiling point. Their obsession with Y/n had spiraled out of control, transforming them into dangerous, possessive beings. Each saw the other as a threat, a rival who dared to claim Y/n's love.

Kazuha, once a fragile and innocent soul, had hardened into a fierce protector. She would do anything to keep Y/n safe, even if it meant resorting to extreme measures. She watched his every move, monitoring his interactions with others, and eliminating any potential threats.

So Hee, driven by her own twisted desires, became increasingly volatile. She would resort to drastic measures to keep Y/n's attention, from public displays of affection to private threats. She would stalk him, eavesdrop on his conversations, and even break into his home.

Y/n, caught in the crossfire, was terrified. He loved both women, but he knew that their love was destructive. He tried to reason with them, to calm their passions, but it was futile. They were beyond reason, consumed by a love that had turned toxic.

One night, a terrifying incident occurred. Kazuha and So Hee confronted each other, their eyes filled with hatred and jealousy. The once peaceful restaurant turned into a battleground, the air thick with tension. As the two women fought, Y/n was caught in the crossfire, sustaining serious injuries.

"Stop!" Y/n cried out, his voice filled with fear. "This has to end!"

But Kazuha and So Hee were blinded by their obsession. They continued to fight, their blows landing with increasing force. Y/n watched in horror as the two women he loved tore each other apart.

In the end, Y/n was forced to make a difficult decision. He chose to distance himself from both women, hoping to break free from their suffocating grip. He disappeared, leaving Kazuha and So Hee heartbroken and desperate.

Kazuha and So Hee, now united in their sorrow, vowed to find Y/n. They searched high and low, their obsession driving them to the edge of madness. They would stop at nothing to bring Y/n back, even if it meant destroying themselves in the process.

As the story unfolds, the lines between love and obsession blur, and the consequences of their actions become increasingly dire. Will Y/n ever find peace, or will he be forever haunted by the love and obsession of two women who have lost themselves in the darkness?

Y/n, though physically distant, remained a constant presence in Kazuha and So Hee's minds. They dreamed of him, longed for him, and plotted ways to bring him back into their lives. Their obsession had consumed them, turning their once vibrant personalities into shadows of their former selves.

Kazuha, fueled by a desperate love, delved deeper into the world of darkness. She learned to manipulate people, to bend them to her will. She became a master of disguise, a chameleon who could adapt to any situation. Her sole purpose was to find Y/n and bring him back to her.

So Hee, driven by a similar obsession, turned to dangerous methods. She sought help from a shadowy organization, a group of individuals who specialized in finding lost people. In exchange for their services, she offered her fame, her fortune, and even her soul.

As time passed, Kazuha and So Hee's paths crossed, their shared obsession bringing them together. They formed an uneasy alliance, their mutual hatred for Y/n's disappearance binding them together. Together, they embarked on a dangerous quest, a journey that would test the limits of their sanity.

Meanwhile, Y/n, hiding in plain sight, struggled to escape the past. He had changed his appearance, his identity, but he could not escape the haunting memories of Kazuha and So Hee. He lived in constant fear, always looking over his shoulder, dreading the day when they would find him.

As the two women closed in on Y/n's whereabouts, the tension reached a fever pitch. A final confrontation was inevitable, a clash of wills that would determine the fate of all three. The once peaceful world of Y/n was now a battlefield, a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

The final confrontation unfolded in a deserted warehouse, a fitting stage for the climax of this twisted tale. Kazuha and So Hee, their eyes burning with intensity, faced off against Y/n.

"You can't escape us, Y/n," Kazuha hissed, her voice laced with venom. "We'll always find you."

So Hee echoed her words, her voice filled with a chilling determination. "You belong to us, and only us."

Y/n, cornered and outnumbered, knew that he had to fight back. He fought with a desperation born of desperation, his every move a desperate attempt to survive. But Kazuha and So Hee were relentless, their attacks precise and deadly.

As the battle raged on, the warehouse became a scene of chaos and destruction. Broken glass, shattered furniture, and a trail of blood marked the intensity of the fight. Y/n, weakened and injured, was pushed to his limits.

In a final, desperate move, Y/n turned the tables on his attackers. He used their own obsession against them, manipulating their emotions and exploiting their weaknesses. He played on their fears, their hopes, and their desires, driving them to the brink of madness.

As the dust settled, Y/n stood victorious, his opponents defeated. But his victory was bittersweet. He had survived, but at a great cost. The love he once shared with Kazuha and So Hee had been tainted by obsession and violence.

The aftermath of the confrontation left Y/n scarred, both physically and emotionally. He was forced to live with the knowledge that he had destroyed the lives of the two women he once loved.

The aftermath of the confrontation left Y/n scarred, both physically and emotionally. He had escaped the clutches of Kazuha and So Hee, but the experience had left him traumatized. He retreated into solitude, seeking solace in isolation.

However, the two women were not ready to give up. They had become addicted to the thrill of the hunt, the obsession consuming their every thought. They continued to search for Y/n, their determination unwavering.

Years later, Y/n, now living a quiet life under a new identity, was finally caught. A trap had been set, a carefully crafted illusion that lured him in. As he stepped into the dimly lit room, he was greeted by the sight of Kazuha and So Hee, their eyes gleaming with a sinister light.

They had found him.

Y/n was overpowered and restrained, his body bound and his mouth gagged with their panties. He was imprisoned in a luxurious yet sinister chamber, a captive in their twisted game. Kazuha and So Hee, now partners in crime, reveled in their control over him.

As days turned into weeks, Y/n endured a living nightmare. He was subjected to their whims, forced to endure their twisted fantasies. Kazuha and So Hee, their obsession reaching its peak, took pleasure in his suffering.

One night, as Y/n lay helpless on the bed, Kazuha and So Hee emerged from the shadows, dressed in seductive lingerie. They approached him with a mixture of cruelty and desire, their eyes filled with a dark, twisted glee.

"Time to play, Baby" So Hee purred, her voice laced with malice.

Y/n's heart pounded with fear and dread as he watched the two women approach him. He knew that he was at their mercy, a helpless victim in their twisted game of love and obsession.

- To Be Continued -

[blue-lotus333]

💕Goddesses of love💕

Aphrodite: Greek Goddess of love, beauty, sex and lust.

Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, emerged from the sea in a scallop shell and sailed to Cyprus. She possessed a magical girdle and had many lovers, including Ares and Adonis. Ares killed Adonis out of jealousy, leading to the creation of anemones. Adonis became a god split between the Underworld and Earth due to Aphrodite's love. She travels with the Three Graces and bestows joy, brilliance, and abundance upon mortals. She aids in romantic love and is associated with myrtles, roses, and anemones.

Freya: Norse Goddess of love, war, fertility and magic.

Freya, the Norse goddess of love and ruler of war and death. She mediated conflict between warring groups of Norse gods and established peace in Asgard. She is known for her beauty, sorcery, and sexuality, as well as for riding a cat-drawn golden chariot. Freya wears a falcon-feathered cloak that allows her to move quickly between heaven and Earth and has an enormous palace in Asgard where she celebrates with the souls she chooses from the battlefield. In one myth, she obtains the famous amber necklace, Brisingamen, from four dwarves by sleeping with them, beauty for beauty.

Oshun: African Goddess of love, beauty, prosperity & femininity.

Oshun is a goddess of love in the Yoruba religion. She is one of the 7 orishas and the source of power for all the other orishas. Oshun has the ability to make all things flow in the universe through her love and strength. She played a significant role in encouraging Ogun, father of civilization, to continue creating. Oshun is the only goddess who can carry messages between the mortal world and the Supreme Creator in heaven. In Nigeria, there is an annual ceremony called Ibo-Osun where women dance for Oshun during a feast of yams, with the best dancer winning Oshun's favor and becoming the village adviser on healing and fertility.

Parvati: Hindu Goddess of love, fertility, harmony and motherhood.

Parvati is a golden Hindu goddess known for love and devotion, forming a holy trinity with Saraswati and Lakshmi. She was born in the Himalayan mountains and embodies nurturing feminine energy. Parvati won over her husband, Shiva, through patience and determination in asceticism. Parvati is the creator of her son Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of wisdom. She is also worshiped for her strength and ferocity. In one legend, she transformed into the fearsome goddess Kali-ma to overcome & destroy demons who threaten the earth, showing her protective nature.

Guan yin: Buddhist Goddess of compassion, love, peace and kindness.

Guan Yin, originally a mortal princess named Miao Shan, was known for her compassion and kindness. Despite her father's cruelty, she devoted herself to helping others and performing miracles. After her death, she chose to remain in human form as a bodhisattva to help suffering beings, eventually becoming a goddess. By simply invoking her name, people can receive protection from harm. Guan Yin is often depicted in a white gown on a lotus throne and is revered by her followers as a symbol of love, compassion & purity. Her devotees often follow her vegetarian diet on her sacred days. Guan yin is not only the goddess of compassion, but the literal personification of it.

Hathor: Egyptian Goddess of fertility, love, womanhood and the sky.

Hathor, ancient Egyptian goddess of love and joy, has been revered for over 3,000 years. Known as the Gentle Cow of Heaven, she provided milk to the Sun God Ra, making him and other pharaohs divine. Hathor created the Milky Way and is often depicted wearing a crown with cow horns. She is worshipped through joyful ceremonies of music and dance and is the most beloved goddess in ancient Egyptian belief. Hathor is also the goddess of the Underworld, protector of females, and champion of romantic bonds. She can appear in different forms and her symbols are the sistrum and hand mirror.

Laka: Hawaiian Goddess of love, wilderness, the hula & music.

Laka is a Polynesian goddess of love and wilderness who taught humans the art of the hula dance. She is married to the fertility god Lono, and rain is considered a sacred time for them. Dancers in training build altars to Laka with her favorite flowers and plants, and offerings are taken down to the ocean after performances to thank her for her blessing. She is a Goddess who rules over all vegetation. Plants sacred to her are: maile, Lama, hala pepe, `ie`ie, ki, `ôhia lehua, `ôhelo, and palai.

Aine: Irish Goddess of the summer, love, wealth and light.

Áine is a powerful and loving fairy queen in Irish legend, associated with agriculture, animals, and light. She is celebrated at the Midsummer Festival in Limerick, where people run up her hill to seek her blessing. She is also a survivor of sexual abuse in legends, where she shows strength and guides women to empowerment. Áine is depicted with red hair, a headband of stars, and surrounded by her animals. She can transform into a red mare who is unbeatable in speed.

Xochiquetzal: Aztec Goddess of fertility, beauty, flowers and love.

Xochiquetzal was a powerful and complex Aztec goddess known for her beauty and seductive nature. She was worshipped as a patroness of lovers and prostitutes, encouraging love-making for pleasure rather than reproduction. Despite her associations with sexual relationships, she also had the ability to absolve humans of sins unrelated to sex. She was married to the water god, Tlaloc, and was considered a consort to the creator deity, Tezcatlipoca. Xochiquetzal was widely worshipped and honored through great rituals that included acts of sacrifice and confessions.

Ishtar: Mesopotamian Goddess of love, war, fertility and power.

One of the oldest goddesses in the world, Ishtar, the goddess of war and sexual love, was the queen of heaven. Ishtar is considered a member of the special class of Mesopotamian gods called the Anunnaki. Ishtar is often called Inanna, she is also an astral deity, linked to the planet Venus, and was worshipped widely in the ancient Middle East. She was known as the Queen of the Universe and had powers attributed to various other gods. Ishtar was the very first goddess of love, Mesopotamians described her in her many legends and poems as young and strikingly beautiful, with piercing, penetrating eyes.

[kaylatoonz]

Context

I have always loved how Amy always has faith there’s good in everyone even if they don’t believe in it themselves. Most of her allies and sometimes enemies view this as a strength, but what about those that view it as a Weakness who would take advantage of it? Surprisingly I haven’t seen that much content that has someone take advantage of Amy’s kindness and compassion. So what if when Amy first arrived on earth in the SCU someone took advantage of Amy's trusting nature?

(Like her origin in the game) Amy does a tarot card reading that leads her to Earth in search of her hero

She arrived a couple of months before G.U.N. Locate and release project shadow

Unfortunately, G.U.N. are the first humans Amy encounters who gladly accept Amy’s offer to aid on their mission

They were even kind enough to gift her a new outfit and high-tech pack that would be more practical for the “adventure” they’re going on.

In reality, the “gift” was Eggman's old tech that they refurbished to keep new intergalactic arrivals in their control (they were originally going to use it on Shadow once they found him).

The pack on her back is meant to send a controlled shock to keep the chosen subject in line

Sadly By the time Amy discovers that these people are up to no good she is already in too deep, experiencing her first shock at her first act of defiance.

Since then, Amy unwillingly works for G.U.N alongside Shadow (and eventually Rouge too).

Despite the circumstances, Amy remains kind and compassionate toward the humans she works with.

She even won the hearts of some of the more compassionate agents who worked at G.U.N (unfortunately they couldn’t help as much as they wanted to).

She still retains hope that she find her hero, and they’ll put their heads together and get her out of this mess.

Until then, she begrudgingly obeys orders and tries her best to wait out the storm (and maybe try to find her way out).

Shadow is the opposite of Amy, he is a lot colder and sometimes even aggressive towards other humans (especially G.U.N. Operatives).

He just works with G.U.N. For his own means to an end ( like the game shadow has amnesia and his memories have been tampered went to exact his revenge on humanity for Maria’s sake).

Despite his cold nature toward those around him, he forms a genuine bond with Amy Rose (and eventually Rouge too).

Amy is one of the few people Shadow finds comfort and peace in despite her sometimes overwhelmingly bubbly and energetic personality.

He can’t help but be reminded of Maria whenever he catches Amy taking in every nook and cranny of what Earth has to offer whenever they’re on their missions.

G.U.N. Takes notice of this and eventually takes full advantage of this to keep Shadow in their control

Shortly after Shadow was released, Rouge arrived on Earth, her sights set on the legendary master emerald.

Fortunately, Rouge was able to keep her distance (and guard up) enough to not let G.U.N. pull something similar to Amy (much to Amy’s relief).

Rouge and G.U.N. Do strike a deal, if rouge works with them the emerald is her’s (at least it is what they lead her to believe)

The team officially form intending to apprehend Sonic and his friends

Throughout their missions and training sessions, Shadow and Amy's bond grows stronger along with their new teammate Rouge.

Shadow and Rouge form a friendship built on trust and respect.

While Amy and Rouge's friendship is rough around the edges (they bicker a lot), they do have some form of respect for each other (they kind of have a sister relationship going on that neither of them would admit).

Rouge eventually gets curious about what is in it for Amy working for G.U.N. Which gets Shadow curious. they both know Amy is not the type to work for these goons to get something out of it.

Amy hesitantly replies that she wanted to help them out, but things got… complicated, so now she’s here.

Amy doesn’t want to worry Shadow or appear weak to Rouge, nor does she want to get them too involved in her problems.

Shadow and Rouge are suspicious that there’s something more going on between Amy and G.U.N that she’s not telling them.

Sadly, their suspicions are confirmed when one of their missions goes wrong and Amy takes the brunt of the blame.

shadow and Rouge witness firsthand what the pack on Amy’s back is meant for, and they both don't like it one bit

Shadow steps in to stop them while Rouge comforts Amy the best she can

with the confirmation that not just Shadow but Rouge cares deeply for Amy, G.U.N. not so subtly threatens Shadow and Rouge that this could happen again if they aren't so compliant on their next mission.

As Shadow comforts Amy, his hatred for G.U.N and humanity has cemented if it wasn’t already. He promised himself that he would stop at nothing to get Amy out of this place and make every last one of these agents pay. Unbeknownst to him, Rouge had made a similar promise to herself (but not to the full extent of ending all of humanity).

Eventually, the team encounters their target Sonic heroes, which leads to a lot of conflict

Amy is certain that Sonic is the hero that she was destined to meet and that they should accept the help they are offering

Shadow disagrees, feeling that Sonic is nothing but an idiot who can’t save anyone (and besides he didn’t need saving).

Amy is willing to take that chance with Sonic and attempts to accept his help but Shadow quickly intervenes when he notices the two warning beeps and her pack starting to activate.

Before the final warning, shadow grabs Amy (unintentionally sending the message that Shadow is taking Amy hostage to the heroes and pissing Amy off).

Realizing that G.U.N would never let Amy go so easily (assuming that the pack would terminate her if she were to side with the enemy). Shadow decides to take a risk with the heroes.

Before Shadow Chaos controls away with his teammate/hostage, he gives the heroes a good look at Amy’s pack and glares down at the heroes stating “If you’re truly looking for someone to save then pay attention!”

Sonic and Knuckles are enraged by Shadow's cowardly and low action of taking the girl hostage to escape their fight.

That was until Tails showed his brother what unit managed to pick up on Amy.

The brothers are horrified by what could’ve happened if Shadow hadn’t intervened in time. They all agree to take things carefully when trying to help Amy.

Sonic wants to help Shadow reignite after learning what he is willing to do to save Amy (he was just gonna be a tough nut to crack).

Rouge later gives the heroes blueprints on the pack to aid them in safely getting Amy free

Eventually, thanks to the help of Rouge and Tails’ careful planning, they were able to free Amy from their control.

With Amy safe, Shadow finally initiates his revenge against G.U.N and humanity.

Amy isn’t having it, so she confronts Shadow who doesn’t understand why after everything the government/humans have put her through she would still defend them.

She calmly replies that yes, she has experienced the worst of humanity, but she also witnessed the good in humanity with her brief time on earth.

Amy’s heartfelt speech strikes a chord with Shadow, reminding him of his true promise to Maria.

Wanting to make things right Shadow makes a new promise to Amy before aiding Sonic in saving the world.

[leapingbadger]

Hide and Seek

word count: 1043

notes: ties in a little to my story "Sunset" but you don't need to read that to understand this.

Read on AO3

Hunter sat, face towards the sun on the stone patio, a smirk on his lips. Giggles and shrieks came from inside the house. Omega was playing hide and seek with her “baby brothers” Stak, Deke and Mox. Judging from the noise, Hunter didn’t imagine any of them were winning.

Omega fell through the front door and onto the patio, “Huntah, you have to hide me,” she whispered, a grin spreading from ear to ear.

“Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of the game?” he replied, amused.

She rolled her eyes and brushed her blonde hair out of her face, eyes darting for another place to disappear. “I’ve already been under all the beds, a kitchen cupboard and behind a lamp in the living room.

“How did you hide behind a lamp?” Hunter asked, impressed.

She waved off his question with her hand and ducked under the bench he was sitting on.

“Omega,”

Just then Stak skidded onto the patio. “Where is she?” he asked, wild eyes

“I really don’t think you understand how this game works” Hunter chuckled.

“She’s won twelve games in a row. But I’ve got her this time” He sank to his knees, looking under the bench, the long wooden table and over the brick wall to the path beyond. “Ah! I thought she’d be here,” he said angrily.   

“Any luck yet?” Mox and Deke stuck their heads out of the door too.

“Nothing. She’s a ghost,” They all piled back inside the house to start the search again.

Hunter looked under the bench and couldn’t help but be proud. Omega was clinging to the underside, her arms and legs spread in an X shape. “Need a hand” he said, offering to help her extricate her from her current predicament.

She smiled, taking his offered hand to clambered out. “I really thought they’d get me this time,” she said, collapsing on the bench next to Hunter. “I guess climbing through the walls in Tantis was more useful than I thought.” She said it lightly, in the same sunshiny way she talked about everything, but a cloud had formed behind her eyes.

The smile faded from Hunter’s face too and he felt a twinge in his back that seemed to appear whenever Tantis was mentioned. “But we’re safe now,” he said, gazing out at the turquoise sea and breathing in the sweet, salty air of Pabu.  

“Uhuh” she agreed, leaning into his outstretched arm.

Hunter closed his eyes, again enjoying the warm sun on his face. A fresh breeze ruffled his hair.

“Huntah?”

“uhum?” he grunted, not moving from his contented spot. Soaking all the peace and warmth into his bones.

“You said we could be whatever we wanted to be now…”

Hunter opened his eyes and looked at her, his Omega. She was playing with the silver, Ingot necklace that he had given her. A remnant from his footlocker on the marauder. He had no idea how it survived the explosion.

The occasional part of the ship still washed up on Pabu’s beach. The chair from the gunners mount, a storage locker and the necklace, wrapped around some string lights.

“…what is it that you want to be?” she asked sheepishly

“That’s a good question, Kid.” He said with a sigh, “I’m still trying to figure that out.”

“Crosshair’s got his painting, Wrecker is fishing. I’m in school. You’re the only one who…” she trailed off, but he knew what she was trying to say.

Hunter had been the one pushing for a civilian life, a quiet life away from war. The irony wasn’t lost on him that he was the one struggling to adapt to it the most. He loved the quiet, the warmth and the wonder of the little things in their lives now. But he missed having a sense of purpose, a direction.

Tech had always called him the squad’s compass. Always pointing at the right track, but suddenly they had no direction. Their time was idle and serene. The only real job he had left was keeping an eye on his squad, and even that was pretty superfluous these days.

He turned and noticed Omega looking at him intently, her brow furrowed slightly.

“Is there something bothering you?” he asked

She looked down at her hands still playing with the necklace but was struggling to find the words, “I just…was thinking…I mean. You’re going off with Rex in a few days. And I know it’s just one mission but…what if you…what if you get hurt and we aren’t there to help you? Or what if you decide to leave, like Echo did,” the last part of the sentence fell out of her mouth almost involuntarily.

Hunter gave her a soft smile and sat up straighter so he could look her directly in her amber eyes.  “I’m not going anywhere, Kid. My place is with you and Crosshair and Wrecker.” He paused, thinking about the upcoming mission. It would be dangerous, he knew that. “I won’t be gone for too long. It’s just a favor for an old friend. This is my home. This is where I’ll come back to.”

Omega seemed satisfied with his reply. Her smile returned and she once again leaned into his arm and they both gazed at the sea. One of the islands many moon-yos jumped onto the stone wall in front of the patio, gazed at them both quickly and dashed off the catch up with its friends.

“GOTCHA,” Stak screeched.

Omega and Hunter turned around to take in the triumphant look on his face. He was sweaty, his dark hair brushed away from his eyes but sticking to his forehead.

Omega smiled at him, “were we still playing?” she asked before going back and looking out at the beautiful ocean view. It never ceased to impress.   

Hunter stifled a smile as Stak looked crestfallen. “Why don’t you check on Wrecker, I think he’s got a new batch of cookies coming out of the over any minute,” the cadet’s eyes lit up and he dived back through the door. The sweet scent wafted out to the patio, but Hunter and Omega remained on their bench, watching the ocean waves lap against the hull of the old boats. Just letting time pass.

[galaxiadreams]

Say yes to Heaven.....(Zhongli x reader)

Warnings: None

Genre: Fluff, slight angst

Word Count: 923

Synopsis: In the age of Gods and Monsters, Rex Lapis and Y/n, Goddess of Spring are brought together by the strings of fate.

a/n: This is a little prequel to my other Zhongli imagine: The final Blessing. Please go read it if you would like to! I apologize in advance if there's any grammatical errors! This fic is inspired by "Say yes to Heaven" by the one and only Lana Del Rey! Enjoy!

The goddess of spring. One who brings life, peace, and abundance to all of Teyvat. Y/n was somewhat of a minor god, but no less important, and just as strong as the major archons. She’s strong willed, fierce, and determined to bring prosper to her people. Yet her voice was melodic, her heavenly laughter could melt the coldest of hearts. It was her compassion, love, bravery, and intelligence that captured the heart of the Geo Archon. 

“Morax, staring is rude you know. If you really like her that much, go and interact with her.” The cloud retainer teased, sipping her tea watching the man sitting beside her. Moarx quickly averted his gaze from your running figure in the meadow with Guizhong and stared disapprovingly at the adeptus, a faint red painted on his cheeks. 

Morax sighed, “I don’t think I’ll ever have the courage to tell her my true feelings…” 

“Oh Celestia! You’re the Lord of Geo, God of contracts, why could you possibly be afraid of? Plus, I’ve the way y/n looks at you, I’m sure that girl is smitten too,” Cloud retainer reassured him before giving his shoulders a squeeze, “Go on, talk to her.” 

Morax stood up from the stone bench and wandered towards the meadow in front of him. The two women gave him a beaming wave as they noticed his approaching figure, your starry eyes gleaming in the sunlight. 

“Morax! Me and y/n are heading towards the lake to have a nice swim! Would you like to join us?” Guizhong asked. It’s true Rex Lapis once harbored feelings for the Goddess of Dust, but ever since the day he met you, his feelings for Guizhong melted away, the Archon’s soul was completed. Despite not knowing each other that long, the string of fate already entangled the two souls together completely, an unbreakable bond. Walking towards the two, Morax’s breath hitched when he felt your soft hands grasping his. Beaming at him, you dragged him towards the lake, he couldn’t help but admire your face as she sprinted towards Guizhong in front of them. Relishing simple mortal activities like this were difficult in an archon’s life, especially with hundreds of thousands of people to care for and lead. So Morax pays special attention to moments of enjoyment, memorizing every detail to reminiscence later on, peace never lasts forever. 

“Weeeeeeeeeee!” You let out shouts of glee as you jumped into the lake beside the waterfall, laughing as you resurfaced again. Morax jumped in after you, just to be tackled by the Goddess of spring. The two of you started to get handsy as both tried to win against the other fighting underwater. Laughter of joy and surprise echoed throughout the countryside. After a while, Morax relented and you won the battle. The two swimmed up to the surface and took a deep breath of fresh air. Morax couldn’t help but admire your beauty as water cascades down her face, the wet dress clung to your skin, and your eyes, ohhhhh those eyes. He has never seen a pair of eyes so mesmerizing and ethereal as your’s. Y/n’s eyes were the color of the galaxies, the reflection of the universe. Deep blues and purples balanced each other perfectly, with bursts of lighter shades dotted across your iris exactly like the stars in the night sky. 

“'Cause I've got my mind on you

I've got my mind on you”

Time stops. Both of you were entrenched by each other at this moment, unable to break from each other’s gaze of desire. You’re the half of his soul, and he was yours. Eyes are the windows to the soul, the poets say. And you spot nothing but love and admiration in those eyes of gold belonging to Morax. 

“Would you like to join me for tea later this afternoon? It’ll be a pleasure.” You blushed at the deep, rich tone of his voice. 

“Of course! I would love to!” Oh heavens, you’re in love.  

.............................................................

The little moments over the years brought the two of you together. His acts of chivalry and respect everytime made your heart ablaze. 

“If you dance I’ll dance.”

Falling in love with each other’s charms and flaws, it was a perfect match made by fate. Standing beneath the yellow ginkgo trees, the two of you signed the contract of your love and future. Saying yes to him was saying yes to heaven. Officially sealing the bond between the Goddess of spring and the Geo Archon. Husband and Wife, the two of you will lead your people to glory and prosperity, and nothing will change that.  

“If you go, I'll stay

You come back, I'll be right here

Like a barge at sea

In the storm, I stay clear"

No matter what will come in the following centuries, your heart and soul belong to him, and his belongs to you. No war or famine can separate the two of you. No matter what trials and tribulations blocked your way, he was your pillar of stone. No matter how much pain or anger he’s in, your voice will heal his soul. Your love for each other ran deeper than contracts, deeper than lovers. No matter what happens, the two of you will find each other. Be it in the afterlife or in the next life, the unbreakable string of fate will always tug the two souls together. 

“I've got my eye on you

I've got my eye on you

Say yes to Heaven

Say yes to me”

[ficjoelispunk]

CH 03 - ARCHIVE ROOM

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Author's Note: Guys, let me know if you like gifs in the middle of the text to illustrate the narrative. 🥹 And, like always, I'm sorry for any grammatical errors, don't give up on me, translating is not easy, but I did my best. Correct me as much as you can. Thanks.

Pablo Escobar was a guy who would never be without allies. He was basically a Hydra, if you cut off one head, two more would be born in place.

And with the smaller cartels, which formed the Medellin cartel, there were no treaties of trust. The gangs did what it took to keep themselves standing and alive.

Peña and Murphy would spend time in Medellin, start the day in La Catedral harvesting evidence. Then they went to the Central Agency, a former police academy that was transformed into a base, which would be heavily used in the hunt by Pablo Escobar.

This would give you a little peace at the embassy, since that way you didn't have contact with them, so often. And you could swear that the two of them were already missing you, since now to go out in operations the requests were made directly to the Colonel.

The biggest enemy of the police in the capture by Pablo was the people themselves. He used the children and the people as a shield and protection, in exchange for money, and small services.

So the president of Colombia offered on the national network, a reward of 1.4 million to those who provided information, worldwide. Anyone would think he was fucked. But Pablo wasn't just anyone. And that only set precedents for him to start a show.

This particularly doubled everyone's work. Since many calls arrived, but without any foundation. And Pablo started working with the media, messing with the head of the Colombian population, putting himself in a place of victim.

The guy was a genius. It was so cunning that it made the population forget all the deaths and blood that was on their hands. And many people ended up feeling sorry and compassion for Pablo.

President George Bush offered appropriate support from the American army. When President Bush says "appropriate support" it is worth remembering that, we were talking about a man who had been head of the CIA.

To begin with, you got a new boss, Ambassador Arthur Crosby. A navy guy specializing in Latin American issues and counterterrorism. And to the joy of Murphy and Peña, they also won a Chief, Messina. What you still had no idea if she made your life even easier or made your life even more hell, due to the bad mood of the duo of agents.

And finally, you had to leave Bogotá and go to Medellin.

When you arrived in Medellin, you were faced with a much more terrifying scenario than you imagined. The more Escobar felt threatened, the worse things got.

As soon as they arrived in Medellin, your new boss called a meeting between all of you. You had the opportunity to meet the new members on the plane on the way to Medellin.

When Peña entered the room, you were already there, next to Crosby. And strangely, you were happy to see him. Known face maybe, the feeling is not known.

But where was Murphy?

Peña took his eyes on you, you felt his eyes on you. But you were focused on keeping your attention in the words of your new boss. It was a gift that you were not relocated along with Noonan, a sign that your work has been observed.

You would follow the DEA's operations, the intelligence team and also the Centra Spike eavesdropping, which should all be sent to your Boss, outside of course, everything else. It was a lot of work

The meeting is over, and you were careful to reorganize the room while everyone leaves. Less Peña.

While you were collecting the folders and papers, you looked at him.

"Miss me?"

He smiled, walking around the room slowly.

"I thought you'd come back with Noonan."

"Disappointed then?"

He smiled again.

"I think I must be doing a good job, after all," you completed.

"With so many new bureaucracies, you will be the highlight."

"Ha ha ha, funny" you made a face at him.

Javier kept looking at you through his eyelashes smiling maliciously.

"Where is Murphy?" You fixed all the folders in your arms, and walked towards the exit of the room. "Is he okay?"

Javier offered help with the folders, but you dodged him. He rolled his eyes.

"He's fine. He's having some problems at home..."

You walked to your new table, which eventually Javier would do this way a lot. You dumped the folders on the table, opening a file behind your table, to start storing them, between one movement and another you looked at Javier who was leaning his hands on the table.

"Is Connie okay?"

"Yes... she went back to Miami"

You took a break. Looking at Javier.

"That's bad." You furrowed the corner of your mouth.

"Agent Peña? Have you a minute?" Messina appeared in the hallway behind you calling Javier.

He turned around, and nodded to her. But before he went, he took another look at you, from top to bottom, so as not to lose the habit.

"Good to see you," he said with a crooked smile. The dimple in the smile was a little appealing in those moments.

You smiled and nodded to him, continuing the automatic movement of saving the files in the archive.

That was weird. There was no provocation. You don't hear a pin. Just a normal conversation. Were Medellin's airs different? What was going on? Maybe it was everyone's nerves the best of the skin.

***

You hated Escobar more every day. After an interview that a newspaper published. The movements began to drive the department crazy.

First of all, the police were everywhere. Blockings searching everything and everyone. On the streets. In the houses. Everywhere.

The whole department moved to the Central Agency, and you being the Ambassador's representative were also there. So basically all the sectors were together and reunited.

This meant that from where you were you could hear Javi's typewriter typing in your head. It meant that you bumped into him in every corridor. It meant that you saw him every day. It meant that you were sleeping in the same place. Because they gave up dorms for you.

It was a big nightmare.

You watched from the box Colonel Pizon put the two DEA agents to the corner, making them work as if they were telephone operators, answering the calls of the tracks behind the millionaire reward.

Javi and Murphy were completely out of their mind.

It was already late, when you went down to the file room, and you were smoking in hiding, so you didn't have to leave the complex just to smoke a cigarette.

You heard the door creaking when someone opened it. And he put out his cigarette as fast as he could.

"Are you smoking in the file room?"

Peña.

"You know it's a room full of papers, right?"

"I'm already leaving"

"Sorry" Peña passed through the corridors looking for you, and when he found you at the bottom near the window he walked more wandering following in his direction in the middle of the paper box corridor, "I didn't want to be a nuisance"

You closed your eyes ignorantly, and sighed.

"Yeah, your presence is very pleasant."

You walked towards the exit, but Javier came in front of you preventing you from passing.

"Excuse me?!" You looked at him with your eyes snapped, faking a surprise.

"What did I do for you?" He spoke in that tone that you hated, because it gave you goosebumps.

You sighed.

"What do you mean?"

Javier approached, shortening the distance from you, with his head tilted running his eyes for you, from head to toe, in a way that made you disconcerted.

"What did I do to make you hate me so much?"

You snorted while letting out a low laugh, and decided to ignore it, taking a step to the side, so that you could access the hallway and leave the room.

Javier mirrors your movement, hitting his hand on the bookshelf next to your head, preventing you from passing through it.

He leans over you, shortening the distance from your faces even more.

"I asked you a question"

His darkened eyes danced in your face.

Your mouth opened, looking for the words, trying to remember how to speak, as he entered the silent dance that Javier's eyes did under you.

It's been a while since you were like this, ready for provocation and exchange of free pins with each other.

"I don't hate you Javier, you don't deserve so much sentimental space inside me. I just can't stand the fact that you are egocentric enough not to respect my work and realize that what I do also saves lives. That without my work, without my arguments in your requirements for licenses and authorizations, you would not get a single unit of reinforcements."

Javier frowned, straightening his posture. You continued.

"You get all the merit, all the euphoria, but who is behind the table doing the operational service, it's me. The tactical only works because I use this little head of mine and deliver a perfect system for you. I think about everything. For you to execute. And I never received a thank you"

He looks to the side, and smiles. Putting the arm back under the shelf.

"So that's it?"

You frowned.

“What?”

"Do you want recognition?" He shrugs his shoulders.

You close your eyes and shake your head.

"Unbelievable" you pass by him, bumping into his shoulder.

But he holds your arm. The hands are so large that your fingers are easily circling the circumference of your arm.

You look at where his hands hold you.

"Let me go"

He pulls you close to him. You are frightened by the abrupt movement and let out an air through your mouth in surprise. You are so close to each other that you feel the heat of his body radiating over yours.

He almost touches his forehead on yours while talking.

"This beautiful little head should know that in this environment no one will congratulate you for doing your job. And that doesn't mean you don't do it very well."

You smile ironically. Maintaining eye contact, not knowing exactly what to say, because all this contact with him, the force with which he holds you pressing his body into yours, makes you feel your core throbbing.

"Funny, I see you being congratulated. For me, this is nothing more than a sexist excuse, so that a woman is not recognized in the proper way. Now excuse me, that I need to keep working so that imbecile men get their decorations"

He shakes his head without letting you go, while the eyes stuck in you are darkened.

"You always have to have the last word"

"Let me go Javier" you pull your arm to yourself "or me..."

Javier smiles when he hears your mouth pronounce his name. He pulls you back to him, holding your face, with your free hand, and pressing a kiss on your lips.

You stay still at first. Your eyes are shatangled, seeing Javier with his lips stuck to yours.

He releases your arm, and uses his hand to hold your back. Your heart is racing. Jumping from the chest.

His hands on your back press your body on him. And from then on, something took over your body.

Surrender.

He was right all along, if you couldn't escape, you would give in to your desires.

Your hands held the lapel of his jacket, gently. He breathed, with his head falling to the other side. And you tilted yours to the opposite side, so that your lips would fit. Your eyes close slowly.

Javi's index finger, gently brushing against your cheek, a soft moan coming out of his throat, with the feeling of your soft lips merging with him.

A kiss like that had nothing to do with the profile described by the other women you've heard of. It was a soft, soft kiss.

He pulled back gently, his mouths opening, his tongue running out to slide into your mouth. His nose brushed against yours as he continued to push a little forward, but then back again - your breaths mixing in the tight space between you.

You were totally delivered. Your arms went up to intertwine in Javi's neck. And his hands went down to his waist. His fingers pressing his flesh. He kissed you stronger, more intense, more in need, you heard his breathing getting heavy.

Your fingers melted over his hair. And he moaned on your lips. In response, your body pressed against his, and it was like waking up a hungry man.

Javier took a step forward, pushing you back, so that your back pressed on the shelf behind you.

His hands on your waist opened full of fingers, slide down the side of your breast. You let out a heavy air from inside you, moaning deep in your throat, while Javier's tongue fought a friendly battle inside your mouth with your tongue for the first time.

You pulled his hair, with the feeling of his fingers caressing the side of your breasts. You arched to him, and Javier lowered one hand to your ass, squeezing you flesh so hard that you could have the marks of his fingers the next day, you both moaned with the feeling.

He slid his hand to the back of your thigh, raising your leg on his side, so that he could position himself in the middle of your legs.

He held your thigh next to his hip. And he pressed his rigidity in your middle. You shuddered. Javier was so hard, it seemed like he could break the fabric of his pants. His greeting was so big and thick, you unconsciously grinded your sore clitoris against him.

Your lips parted, and the two moaned. Your two foreheads glued to each other.

"I think I found a way to make you quiet" his voice was a panting murmur, he kissed your jaw, tracing a path to his earlobe, biting it lightly. You get goosebumps, instinctively tilting your head back.

Your breathing is erratic.

You open your eyes. And it's like regaining consciousness.

"Stop!" You push Javier's shoulders.

You're panting. Taking steps backwards. Fixing your skirt.

He looks at you scared. Open your hands wrapped around your body in surrender. Confused.

You turn around, and walk away so fast, you believe you might be running.

In high heels. For The Academy. With a whole department housed there.

Shit!

[mariacallous]

Orthodox women activists are pledging to withhold sex from their husbands as they escalate a public campaign to help one of their own obtain a religious divorce from her husband after four years of trying.

Supporters of Malky Berkowitz, 29, are launching what they are calling a “mikvah strike” — a form of protest that leverages Jewish sexual purity rituals as a pressure tactic. It begins on Friday night and could be extended.

According to traditional Jewish law, following menstruation, married women must immerse in a mikvah, or ritual bath, before they can have sex with their husbands — which many do later that night. In fact, some authorities say that Jewish law, or halacha, attaches special significance to the intimacy that follows immersion, requiring that it take place without delay.

For Adina Sash, an advocate for Jewish women whose estranged husbands are refusing to divorce them ritually, that makes post-mikvah sex a natural site of protest.

For the last seven weeks, Sash — an Orthodox feminist activist in Brooklyn known by her Instagram handle, Flatbush Girl — has led a team of activists, lawyers, and community leaders pursuing a “get,” or Jewish divorce document, for Berkowitz. Berkowitz’s husband, Volvy, is refusing to issue the get that would complete their divorce, making her what is known as an “agunah,” or “chained woman” who cannot remarry under Jewish law.

Sash believes that Orthodox women need to negotiate and formalize Jewish legal terms around divorce before getting married — and that those who don’t run the risk of one day having a divorce withheld, widely understood to be a form of abuse.

“You need to stand with us on this mikvah strike and withhold sex on mikvah nights or on mitzvah night on every Friday night until Malky is free as a way of showing your compassion for Malky,” she said, addressing her fellow Orthodox women. (Jewish tradition encourages married couples to have sex on Shabbat, and some in the Orthodox world refer to that time as “mitzvah night” for that reason.)

She said the objective is to get men in the community to take action on Berkowitz’s behalf.

“When your husband says, ‘Why?’ say, ‘I could be the next agunah until Malky is free. I could be the next agunah. Please call your rabbi and figure out a way to help free Malky,’” she said.

The protest echoes the sex strike in Aristophanes’ “Lysistrata,” the Greek comedy where the women of Athens refrained from sleeping with their husbands in order to end the Peloponnesian War. Sex strikes have been used successfully to effect change in contemporary communities, for example ending Liberia’s civil war in 2003 when the country’s women participated. Leymah Gdowbee, the organizer of the Liberian sex strike, later won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts.

Orthodox women have reportedly embarked on similar protests at a small scale in the past, such as in Canada several decades ago. But protest on behalf of agunot has more recently centered on public demonstrations, rabbinic suasion and, increasingly, social media campaigns like those run by Sash. Sash’s contributions have been successful — earlier this week, she was in the room as Esther Eisenmann-Lauber, an agunah separated from her husband for six years, finally received her get.

Asked whether Malky Berkowitz has any thoughts on the strike, Sash said only, “Malky has no comment.”

ORA, the Organization for the Resolution of Agunot, was established in 2002 precisely to facilitate Jewish divorces, and the organization also provides halachic prenuptial agreements that place a penalty on get refusal and abide by Jewish law. A representative for ORA did not return JTA’s requests for comment on the sex strike.

After Sash formally announced the call for the strike on social media Thursday afternoon, many of her followers reacted approvingly.

“Malky is worth this,” one of her followers commented on the call for a strike. “Every agunah before her is worth this. Every prevented agunah is worth this.”

In response to a negative comment, another woman wrote, “It’s not punishing women. ” She added, “A properly executed sex strike would def get some of the men in power to think twice.”

But critics of the strike — including those who agree that the problem of get refusal needs to be addressed — say it could interfere with “shalom bayit,” or peace in the home, an oft-cited Jewish value, and could disrupt otherwise healthy relationships.

“The way to address broken relationships is *not* by creating more broken relationships,” Rabbi David Bashevkin, creator of popular Orthodox podcast 18Forty shared on X on Monday. “Using intimacy as a point of leverage for social protest is unwise and downright dangerous. More healthy families. More healthy relationships.”

He added, “This is a communal issue that needs communal coordination and buy-in.”

Even some Orthodox feminists who have lobbied on behalf of agunot say they are troubled by the strike. Daphne Lazar Price, executive director of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance, told JTA she often speaks out against the “weaponization of halacha” and sees the mikvah strike to be another example of it.

“Religion-based coercive control is morally wrong and should never be tolerated,” she wrote in an email to JTA. “It shouldn’t take the threat of women to withhold sex from their husbands in order to get men’s attention – nor to get men to behave as allies toward women, and toward the halachic system that they purport to hold so dear. Using sex as a form of coercion is also highly problematic.”

She suggested, though, that the strike could create an opportunity for Jewish legal authorities to remember the other tactics they have at their disposal to pressure men who refuse to divorce their wives — in particular, “banning entry of recalcitrant husbands into every Jewish religious and communal institution and business, as well as private homes, until he issues a get.”

Sash attributes negative reaction to the strike as part of a “misogynistic” double standard for withholding a get versus withholding sex.

“If they’re going to withhold the get, then we’re going to withhold sex,” Sash said.

“They say, ‘How could you withhold sex? You’re weaponizing your body! How can you withhold sex? You’re weaponizing intimacy,’” she added. “Then how could you withhold the get? You’re weaponizing the divorce process. You are holding a woman in limbo.”

Malky and Volvy Berkowitz married in 2016. At their wedding, Malky wore a dek tichel, or opaque bridal veil, which she described in a text shared with JTA as a “blindfold.”

“Besides Volvy giving me a kdishen [sic] ring and getting me pregnant twice we never connected,” she wrote. “Good bye Volvy I never knew you and I’ll never know you.”

[hollow-keys]

I saw Wonder Woman #2 today and I decided to read it out of morbid curiousity, so mamma mia, here we go again:

I read Tom King's Wonder Woman so you don't have to, round two (link to round one here).

First off, framing. Yet again, this issue is narrated by the Sovereign, but this time it's narrated to someone. And that someone is Trinity, Diana's daughter that Tom King created. She gets no lines and she doesn't appear on panel, but given the Sovereign refers to Diana as "your mother," there's only one character it could be. First of all, this is Diana's book, it should be told from her perspective. We get no insight from her, nothing from her perspective, she shows even less emotion than in the last issue. This is not the treatment Tom King gave Batman. Second, I do not care about the OC daughter. I do not want to hear about her.

But on to the actual story. So, it starts with Diana on an open field being approached by Steve Trevor, who is acting on behalf of the US government and is telling her to stand down because she can't win.

Look, I didn't think I'd ever complain about Steve Trevor, incredibly basic WW supporting character, being mischaracterised but. Isn't he meant Wonder Woman's staunch friend who pretty much always takes her side? Hasn't he seen Diana in enough battles to know she doesn't just lose? She's fought gods, armies from outer space, the forces of Apokolips, why does he think the US army is beyond her? He's underestimating her for no reason.

And more importantly, because she is the title character, why doesn't Diana seem to care that her long time ally is being a coward?

And why does Diana care about the soldiers wellbeing at this point? Why is she trying to get them to go home with no consequence and no hint of anger about how her or her fellow Amazons have been treated when they've already made their stance quite clear? People are dead! They've already made their decision, you already tried to extend them mercy. Now you fight. The thing about Diana is that mercy is always her first port of call, but when the other side has made their choice she meets them and she does have anger about the injustices they've committed. Here, she just doesn't seem to care.

Also, Diana's nihilism about the ways of men, that they will always "crash upon the rocks" is at odds with her optimism. She knows that humanity contains multitudes, some crash, some don't.

Anyway, the whole issue parallels her fight against the army with flashbacks to her final fight on Themyscira to prove herself worthy of being the Amazon's champion and Wonder Woman. This parallel makes no sense to me. Those fights were completely different.

One is against an army to defend herself and her people from enemies who want them dead, the other is against an ally in a tournament, a battle where no one's in real danger. Or at least, that's how it should be. Usually when this moment is shown, it's a good faith tournament to find out who the most qualified person to serve as champion is, they're all allies who respect each other. Here, the opponent is shown to be hateful towards Diana, genuinely seriously injure her and there's no sense of camaraderie between them.

While Diana and her opponent are trading barbs before their fight, the other Amazon gives her a chance to surrender. Diana responds "Honour is won with swords, not surrender," which is incredibly out of character for her. Yes, there are cases where Diana would consider surrender dishonourable, but it's not an absolute rule. She believes in compassion and peace, which means surrender is sometimes the right course of action. The framing of it as an absolute here does a disservice to her.

Steve Trevor would not fucking say that, Amazons do not fucking act like that and the last panel makes no sense. It's said by present Diana but only makes sense as a continuation of past Diana's sentence. present WW just said "To tell me who I am." with no words before that. To parallel these conversations, present Diana talking to Steve would have had to have said "Neither you nor anyone else has ever earned the right..." in the fifth panel so the seventh panel made sense for both sides. The composition here was thoughtless. Yes this is a nitpick, but details matter. Where are the editors? Sidenote: her mask is ugly.

Anyway, then we get these choice narration boxes from the Sovereign.

It's just. So bad. I want to make it clear that at no point is the Sovereign framed as an unreliable narrator, despite being the villain who's diametrically opposed to Diana. This just appears to be, Tom King's genuine take on things. I would ask if he understands that you cannot believe in peace and do nothing in the face of violent status quo, but I don't have to. Of course he doesn't. And of course he calls her an idiot while he's at it. Remind me, did he ever call Batman anything like that?

We then get more pathetic "Of course I want Diana to win, I'm still gonna serve with her enemies though" Steve Trevor. I should make it clear tho that he's not actually fighting against her, he's just watching the fight and updating Sargeant Steel.

Anyway, then we get a bit of narration that says:

"Infantry. Be it conscripts or... Well it's always just conscripts. If you can't do it from afar...Or with haste... Then get the grunts to rush in close and kill and die in what you will tell their children was a patriotic mission."

Tom King, stop processing your war trauma here. Any one of these soldiers could have stood down, they chose to enforce a genocidal policy. It's on them. Stop framing them as victims who were taken advantage of, they're grown adults who chose to be there.

Anyway. Another caption box from the still-inexplicably-narrating-this Sovereign:

"...And prepared to meet the onslaught of angry men with the grace of a princess born and proven."

I ask this again, did he ever treat Batman like this? Does he ever emphasise Batman's grace and frame him as being above anger? Why does Diana need to be like this?

And now for an unnecessary Macbeth reference.

"For some time the missiles rained down. No man of woman born could have survived such a salvo. But of course. She was neither a man nor born of woman. She was Amazon. Forged first of clay. Then steel."

I don't think this reference makes sense considering the line in Macbeth is a prophecy, a warning that Macbeth missed. But here it's a measure of power. She's powerful enough because she's not a man of woman born, which makes no sense because that has nothing to do with power. I'm nitpicking. Again. I know. But the Macbeth reference is such a shallow attempt at being badass. And as a sidenote, it should say "She was AN Amazon."

"Potty train." "A pup." God this dialogue is so bad. Amazons do not fucking speak like that.

Then Diana smashes a tank with another tank and there are cartoon stars on the impact sight. This is meant to be a serious battle, why are they there?

"Many people lie about your mother. About her family, her origins, her abilities, her wants her needs. Every tale of the great Wonder Woman provides us with more insight into the teller than into their supposed protagonist. They faithfully project their own fears onto her with the aspiration that her legend can ease their daily panic."

So close to self awareness and yet so far. It's so ironic.

"Men in the field, I admire your courage! I honor your service and your loyalty! I do not wish to harm you! But if you proceed... I will... Over and over... Drop a 55-ton abrams tank on your pathetic little heads!"

Again, why does she not seem to care about the violence they've committed against her and her people? Why does she continue to respect them and wish no harm upon them? Where's her sadness, her righteous fury? And the bit where she says she'll drop a tank on their "pathetic little heads" is so out of character and it's such bad dialogue. When Diana makes threats, it's not like that.

Anyway, y'know the flashback fight? Yeah, well, the issue ends with the reveal that her opponent is the Amazon that committed the massacre which kick started this whole thing, which is such a cheap retcon it makes me roll my eyes.

After all this, I think I put more thought into this post than Tom King puts into any of his writing. I hope the next issue isn't bad enough that it inspires me to do this again. I'm tired.

[iheartmoons]

every year my school holds an optional writing competition and if you win you get money (cough which i won last year cough) and this year, i cryptically wrote marauders fanfiction and the school doesn't know 😭 but i'm genuinely proud of it, so i'm posting it here for yall to see! the prompt we had to go on was: be bold.

(by the way, i listened to "did you know there's a tunnel under ocean blvd" while writing this, if anyone cares)

Mary is broken, cracked and peeling and falling apart. Looking back, she thinks she was foolish to give up like that. She is still breathing, still living, still here to grieve. Is that a good thing?

All her friends have thrown themselves into war, thrashing and violent. That is what happens to kids. You breed them in a wartime, they will run from peace. Mary didn’t though.

Be bold. That is what her mother always told her. Be bold enough to take what you need, to run from pain. Her mother had told her that, sometimes, the boldest thing to do is to lay down your armour. That is what Mary did. She laid down her armour and begged for life.

Her friends did not understand her at the time, said that she was a coward to cower from war, but they are lost now. That is what happens with war. It sweeps away the kids, like a tide collecting the litter along shore, engulfing and perpetual.

She collects the mugs from her coffee table, moving slowly over to the sink and washing them. This is what happens after war. What then, after the blood and the grief and the stench of death, happens? What, when the rest must go home and carry on as though the soldiers are just old myths of the battlefield, happens? Do they grieve? Do they move on, keep living? Or, when war takes a soldier, does it take the village down too?

Stuck to the fridge, there is a year old post-it-note from Emma that tells her to pick up the balloons for a birthday party. How strange to see it now, when they are all gone. Their memory haunts her; they left themselves in abounding details, so ingrained in her that she can’t shake it. They stick like sand on her skin, or like the scent of rain after thunder has been driven out.

An ache caves inside her chest, carving her out until she is a bleeding mess. What does it mean to be bold? Does it mean to hurt, to do the bravest thing? Well, her friends are wrong. Her friends told her that the boldest thing was the fight for the right cause, but what do they mean by that? On either side, the leftovers must collect themselves, write eulogies for no-one who will listen, and live on in the resounding absence. When you have been preparing your whole life for war, listened to the missiles as they lull you to sleep, or listened to the ramblings of older men who point your moral compass, is it really bold to fight? Do you point your spears and learn the name of the person who you pierce? Would you kill them, really, if you knew?

Mary had begged at their feet not to leave her. She had promised that the bravest thing to do, when everyone screams their war cries, is to want to live on. It is hard to die for a cause you think is right. It is harder still to live through it.

On the news, the man calls their sacrifices ‘courageous’. They cheer for them, they wear black, they take two minutes, but what else? Do they stop the guns, or the bombs, or the deaths? Do they take down the posters before it is too late, before children are getting sucked into the glory of war?

Be bold, her mother tells her. On the other side of the room, she picks up the teddy bear, which is yet to be battered. It is brand new. She walks over to the bin and drops it in.

Be bold, except now she is bruised and broken. Except now, her friends have died and no longer have to hurt. It is a mercy, really. She selfishly wants to be them. Among the debris, she comes up burnt. She curses them in bed, curses them with every breath that she inhales and exhales. Every one is careful, knowing that they have none left. Staring up to her ceiling, she doesn’t hear their voices or get their calls. She held them funerals weeks ago, but no one came. She read out their eulogies, by the graveyard, in her loveliest black dress, and the only one to hear her was the woman by the grave opposite. The other woman didn’t care – she was too busy mourning. And who do they mourn? Do they mourn their friends, or the absence of them? Do they curse the violence of war, or the damage it leaves behind? Is it selfish? How can it be, she thinks to herself, bunching the duvet in her fists, there is no one else left to consider.

Perhaps putting down her weapons has done her more hurt than good. Perhaps, in the end, it was the futility of their anger, the burning inside them that had been extinguished by one mighty tidal wave, that frustrates her. In wartime, you must make rash decisions. They had ridiculed her for not taking the side of a leader they could barely trust. But that is it, isn’t it? In war, the only thing you can do is put blind faith in a person who might ruin you. You lay down at their feet and say: use me. That is what a soldier is. A weapon to throw across the battlefield, measuring just where they sink and thinking, oh well, we’ll do better next time.

Why does it go in circles? Why, when one generation has been lost in the hungry winds, will the next pick up their swords and fight the same battle?

Be bold, she will tell them, but they won’t listen. They will go in, hungry for violence and glory and flesh and blood. Sometimes, she thinks, when you are so ready for combat, the boldest thing to do is to let yourself cry.

[luckykdp7]

I saw gameplay of the Identity V and was interested by the characters. I haven't played the game Identity V yet so if anyone who knows and/or plays the game have any Ideas for what her Kit Accessories and traits can be let me know in the Comments...

Name: Eun Iseul Ju-won

Gender: Female (She/Her)

Age: Adult (27+)

Birthday: June 7

Personality: Eun is driven and ambitious, always seeking to succeed in her career. She is methodical and analytical, making her a skilled stockbroker. She is also kind-hearted and empathetic, inspired by an act of charity to help others. Eun can be a bit reserved and serious, but she has a strong sense of justice and is always willing to fight for what she believes in.

Career: Stockbroker

Nationality/Country of Origin: Korean

Turn-ons/Likes: Manhwa, The Antiquarian, Korean Cuisine, Smooth Jazz

Turn-offs/Dislikes: Being Disorganized

Favorite Dish(es): Bibimbap, Kimchi

Bad Habits/Quirks: flatulent sometimes due to eating flatulence inducing foods, Drinks a lot of coffee

Tool(s): Her Smartphone, Calculator

Backstory: Eun grew up in a middle-class family in Korea. The death of her grandparent left her with emotional scars and unfulfilled needs. This experience, combined with the loss of the primary breadwinner in her family, led her to struggle financially in her early years. However, a mentor showed her an act of charity that inspired her to help others. Eun's regret over a past incident where her greed caused harm to a philosopher has fueled her desire to make amends and do good in the world.

Eun's character Arc centers around her journey to reconcile her past mistakes, make amends, and find personal fulfillment. Through her experiences as a stockbroker and her encounters with the mysteries and horrors of the world, she learns the importance of balancing ambition with compassion and personal relationships. Ultimately, she realizes that true success comes from helping others and finding inner peace.

[virtuouswhitehatorganization]

Lucky Hand (Villainous Oc)

Name: Felice Chance 

Ethnicity: Caucasian 

DOB: March 17 

Headcannon Voice Actor: Analiz Sánchez (Spanish);  Jules Medcraft (English)

Sexuality: Straight

Occupation: Casino Worker; Supervillain; Henchwoman; Superheroine In Training (formerly)

Residence: Marin City ; Cointowne City (formerly) 

Relatives: Big Win/ Boone Chance (father); Eudora Chance (mother-deceased) 

Abilities: Her right hand can cause good luck while her left hand can cause bad luck 

Love Interest: King Cassino

Age: Same Age As G-Lo And Green Rod

Personality: She is very loyal and in love with King Cassino. She holds contempt towards her father for his abuse and PEACE for keeping his image clean. She wants to prove she has the making to be a villain and tries to show it. She still has a personal code against going against children and is very sensitive to those who went through domestic abuse. She gets mad when people praises her father for being such a great hero while she knows the truth. She is also pretty confident in her skills as a gamer and loves showing them off. She can be very whimsical and friendly towards those even if she has to fight with them. She still has the compassion of a hero, but also has to at times spare it since she's now dealing in the supervillain scene but can reserve for those she feels deserve it. She still is somewhat naive to the villain scene but gradually grows accustomed to it as King Cassino gradually guides her into it. 

Background: She was born in Cointowne City to the daughter of the town hero, Big Luck. Her father was respected and loved in the town, but behind doors he was an abusive asshole to his wife and child. Her father soon pressured her into living up to his expectations which caused her all kinds of stress until she snapped and decided to go to the Black Hat Institute where she enrolled and graduated. She went to Marin City where she met King Cassino and became one of his underlies and gradually becomes one of his favorite squeezes. 

* Her father's image was protected so people do not know he's a domestic abuser and PEACE would cover for him if she spoke up against him. 

* Her father was a cheater and often got away with it because no one could know for sure it was his powers. Also PEACE covered for him. 

* She was once in the PEACE hero academy. 

* Her father has the same powers as herself and she inherited it from him. 

* Her father is still working as a hero. 

* She often calls King Cassino "Daddy Cass". 

* She will later bear a son by King Cassino.

* She sometimes wears the sexy casino outfit. 

* King Cassino calls her the nickname "Baby Luck". 

* Cointowne City is known as a resort city with tons of casinos, hotels, and other resorts. 

* She uses her unlucky powers to sabotage rivals of her boss/lover. 

* She is considered a rookie level villain. 

* She also encountered many other sidekicks like G-Lo and Green Rod through superhero sidekick program but they weren't super close but people knew who her father was. 

* Her mom died as she graduated high school of a drug overdose due to trying to handle the abuse by her husband. 

* Her father often times used his powers to abuse his family. 

* She's left handed. 

* She has a mask she sometimes uses when she's on mission. 

* She learned her gaming skills from her father. 

* She never uses her powers to win games because she wants to win on her own skills. 

* Even before she left her dad, she often took tiny acts of rebellion against him under his nose. 

* Her father actually has been to King Cassino's place before and won big there. 

[charlieconwayy]

who is ~queer~ on BMW?

it’s so funny bc we know from that one writer who commented on someone’s post once and the crazy coryshawn stan that PMed a writer on fb (did i make the second part up or does anyone else remember that from like 2015), that there was a want to have intentional queer rep in the writers room. so if we go by that, here’s what i think

shawn doesn’t identify as anything, he doesn’t label himself. but he definitely likes all genders and feels kinship to all genders. i have SO much more to say on the topic of queer shawn, if anyone wants my thoughts on that pls ask!

cory is gay. the fact that the show wasn’t written to purposely identify cory as a gay man is absolutely insane, bc this is actually a show but a gay man living in a heteronormative world.

i think early seasons topanga is a lesbian, but unfortunately by s7 topanga lost almost all likability and compassion that drew audiences to her in the first place. so i do think that by the end of the series, topanga is like JARRINGLY heterosexual.

rachel is a lesbian and when she joins the peace corps she meets a butch lesbian who changes her life. they now run a gay bar together

angela is bi and i def think that she and rachel have fooled around. the reason angela was so comfortable in cory and shawn’s relationship is bc she was already educated on queerness, and was confident in her own sexuality

i think eric is like the definition of a bi himbo. i rly go back and forth on jack and eric’s sexualities, but i do think that the scene in s4 where eric is talking to cory about first times screams bi!eric. i’m a shawn/cory shipper and to me that is THE relationship of the show and the fact that ppl like jack/eric over them is weird to me lol and i think the writers put a lot of the overt queerness of shawn/cory into jack/eric bc the cory/topanga debate had won. yes i do think jack/eric is endgame (at least to me), but in my world i don’t think that anything happened until rachel realized that she was a lesbian and that led into jack having his own gay panic while eric was kind of just like “dudes are hot, you’re hot. and?”

idk why there is a giant skip between here and the last paragraph, but i’ve done a lot of thinking about this and i think that jack is gay. i don’t think it’s something he realizes until later in life, but unlike cory, who knows he likes men and is trying to hide the fact, jack doesn’t realize it. he genuinely likes women, but after coming home he comes to the realization that he only wants to be with men, and maybe the attraction to women wasn’t always there, even if the love was. so yeah, jack/eric bfs

morgan is a lesbian we know literally nothing ab morgan but #tome she has always been an icon for the lesbians

[blog85432]

Title: The Star’s Ascendance

In the neon-lit world of pop music, 23-year-old Zara Blake was on the cusp of superstardom. With her ethereal voice and captivating stage presence, she had won the hearts of millions. But as her fame soared, so did the whispers of something sinister lurking in the shadows.

One night, after a particularly electrifying concert, Zara found herself drawn to an abandoned studio on the outskirts of the city. It was rumored to be haunted, but something compelled her to explore. Inside, she encountered a strange light that pulsated like a heartbeat. Transfixed, she stepped closer, and the light enveloped her.

Zara awoke hours later, feeling oddly disoriented but invigorated. Over the next few days, she noticed subtle changes in her life. Her lyrics became deeper, more profound, and her performances more mesmerizing. Fans described an almost otherworldly experience during her shows, feeling as if they were entranced.

Unbeknownst to her, Zara had become the subject of an extraterrestrial experiment. A group of Nordic aliens, who had long observed humanity, had chosen her as their conduit. They believed that with their advanced mind control techniques, they could elevate her music to spread a message of peace and unity across the globe.

As her popularity skyrocketed, Zara began experiencing strange visions during her sleep. She saw ethereal figures with pale skin and striking blue eyes, their thoughts intertwining with hers. They shared their dreams of a harmonious world, free from conflict, and urged her to use her platform to inspire change.

However, as Zara embraced this newfound creativity, the pressure mounted. Industry insiders noticed the shift in her music and demanded more. “You’re a brand now, Zara! Stick to the hits!” they insisted. But she felt a deeper calling, one that threatened to tear her from the commercial mold.

One night, she received an anonymous message urging her to meet at the same studio where it all began. Curiosity outweighed her fear, and she returned to find the Nordic aliens waiting. They revealed their purpose: to guide humanity towards enlightenment through her artistry. But they also warned her of the dangers of manipulation. “You must choose your path, Zara,” they said. “Use your gift wisely, or lose yourself.”

Faced with this choice, Zara felt the weight of her fame pressing down. She knew that succumbing to commercial pressures could mean sacrificing her authenticity. After a moment of contemplation, she decided to harness the aliens’ influence without losing her identity. She would blend their messages with her own, creating a unique sound that resonated with both her fans and the higher ideals the aliens shared.

Zara's next album, Celestial Echoes, was a blend of haunting melodies and profound lyrics, calling for unity and awareness. It became an instant hit, but this time, it sparked a movement. Fans resonated deeply with the themes of compassion and understanding, creating a wave of change in the music industry.

However, the more Zara spoke out, the more scrutiny she faced. Critics claimed she was under someone’s control, questioning her authenticity. They pointed fingers, suggesting she was a puppet of alien influence. Zara stood firm, her connection to the Nordic beings empowering her voice rather than silencing it.

In a bold move, Zara held a concert to unveil the truth. Under the spotlight, she shared her story, the cosmic encounters, and the beautiful message of the aliens. As she sang, the studio lights flickered, and the familiar glow of the Nordic beings appeared, shimmering above the stage. The audience gasped, a mix of awe and disbelief.

“Let their love guide you,” she urged. “We are all connected, and together, we can transcend fear.”

The concert ignited a cultural revolution, breaking barriers between music, spirituality, and social consciousness. Zara became more than a pop star; she was a beacon of hope, a reminder that the greatest power lay within one’s true self.

As the years passed, the whispers of Nordic aliens faded into myth, but Zara’s legacy remained. She had harnessed the mind control, not as a tool of manipulation, but as a means of awakening. And in doing so, she found her own voice among the stars.

[broodwolf221]

THE MERRY WHUMP OF MAY

3rd — Lost “See what happens"; screwdriver; club ao3: The Price of Silence

cws: torture; violence; explicit discussions of slavery; suicidal ideation; thumbscrews

1467 words

He sagged in his bonds, breathing shallowly. It was hard to tell, but he thought one of his ribs was broken—every breath hurt, and deep breaths were agony. He didn’t even flinch when his chin was lifted, glaring at Andruil. She was not the only one who had come to extract information from him, but she was one of the most frequent. “Just tell me and this will all end, pup,” she said softly. But her voice wasn’t made for softness, for compassion. It sounded artificial. He said nothing, head dropping again as she stepped away. Showing weakness did not matter anymore. Nothing mattered anymore except his silence. “It’s already gotten so bad for you, but it will only get worse.” He was silent—at least until she stroked across his ribs, grunting and trying to jerk away from her touch. “See what happens when you refuse? I could summon a healer for this. Could mend your face. Eventually this would be nothing more than a bitter memory. You just need to tell me where they are.”

Where the freed slaves were.

He may have lost, he may have been captured, but they still had a chance. The rebellion would continue without him, he had to believe that. And the slaves had suffered, many of them much worse than this… he would not betray them just to save his own skin. “You’re being foolish.” Now her voice sounded real, a hard edge to it that sent a shiver down his spine. Although he had been shivering anyway, terribly cold, deprived of clothing and left in this bloody cell, his wrists suspended above his head—just high enough that he ended up standing on the balls of his feet. There was never any rest, any peace, any freedom. Only these interruptions, soft offers made between brutal pain. “What comes next, even the healers will struggle to repair.” He did not react, although his stomach clenched with fear. “If you tell us now, you will not be maimed. You can leave here, recover, and still show your face in court. All can be forgotten. But it must be now.”

She waited for some time. It came as a surprise, and he eventually lifted his head to look at her. She seemed… genuinely concerned? It did not make sense. His confusion must have shown, for the edge of her lip quirked up in a bitter smile. “I know you think me monstrous. You believe I take pleasure in this. But I would not see you broken, Solas. You fascinate me—your spirit, your pride. You are something I want to win, not destroy. Come back to the fold.” Another pause, a flicker of real emotion across her face. “Come back to me.”

“I was never yours,” he said slowly, each word difficult. She winced and turned away, jaw tight. He was unsurprised when she slapped him.

“You could have been!” She shouted, grabbing his face and making him look at her. “I wanted you. You could have enjoyed a night with me and won a better position in court. Or did being my mother’s dog appeal to you so much?” Her grip slowly eased, her hand shaking. “You could have been my consort. You and Ghilan’nain. Think of it, Solas. Your future would be secured. You would have two eager partners. Instead…” She shook her head, releasing him. “You betrayed all of us.”

“You betrayed yourselves,” he managed, ignoring the rush of agony each word provoked. “You don’t even see it. How twisted you’ve all become. How self-serving. No one exists to serve you—they just exist. They have that right.” She scoffed, crossing her arms.

“They are meaningless. Weaklings. Their mark is made in what they can do. Look at what they’ve built!” She gestured beyond herself, and he knew she did not mean this cell—she meant all of Arlathan, its beauty and grandeur. But… they had made this cell, too. They had suffered making it, and they had suffered within it. “This is the best legacy for them. They live on through their work. Their creations!”

“They’re people,” he spat out, shaking from the cold, from the pain, and from his fury. “They do not live only to be spent on your fucking whims.” She looked angry, but a moment later it fled.

“I enjoy you, Solas,” she said quietly. “You’re bold. You have a unique view. Just tell me what I need to know, and I will let you out of here.” She tilted her head as she studied him. “I will even promise that the runaways will not be killed. Nor will they be tortured.”

“No, just sent back to work.”

She threw her hands up, sighing. “Yes! Back to what they’re meant to do! Back to the lives you ripped them away from!” She drew close to him, hands settling carefully on his bare waist, somewhere that was not damaged. “Please, Solas. You have already lost. You have failed. If we are forced to find them, they will all die and it will be your fault.” His breath caught at that and he squeezed his eyes shut, traitorous tears slipping down his cheeks. She lifted a hand to cradle his jaw, wiping a tear away with her thumb. Sickly, a part of him wanted to lean into her touch, wanted to chase the gentleness, even that he knew steel lay under the silk. “You do not need to suffer more. You only need to speak, and to accept things the way they are. Is that so much to ask?”

“It is everything,” he ground out, forcing his eyes open so she could see his sincerity. “And I will never yield.” She searched his face and eventually sighed, embracing him.

“Change your mind, Solas. Even after you have been maimed I will accept you.” She kissed his cheek and then left, nodding to someone standing outside and glancing back at him. He met her eyes once again, and she sighed before walking away. 

He stared at the newcomer. A slave. A young woman who looked utterly haunted as she carried a small device. He recognized it and panic thrummed through his body, but he did his best to force it away. “I know that you must do this,” he said quietly, watching as she flinched. “Do exactly as you have been ordered.”

“I'm sorry,” she whispered, trembling as she set the tool aside and reached up to undo the chain on his left hand. He hissed in a sharp breath as his arm dropped, gritting his teeth as blood started flowing back into the limb. She delicately held his hand and he felt a drop of wet against his palm. A tear, and he did not know if it was his or hers. “I'm so sorry,” she said again as she reached for the thumbscrew, slipping it on.

“I know,” he told her. “I know. It's not your fault.”

“I'm sorry,” she whispered again, voice thick and desperate as she began turning it. He gasped and threw his head back, grinding his teeth together. “—until I can't tighten it,” he vaguely heard her say, missing too many words.

He screamed and thrashed as she steadily crushed his thumb, eventually sobbing, face turned into his right arm. His skin was slick with sweat that was steadily cooling on him, a minor misery compared to the rest. He heard her voice again but couldn't make sense of the words, feeling her hand softly touch his arm and guide it up again. She hadn't removed the thumbscrew. It was still in place as she chained him again, the silence punctuated by his heaving breaths and sobs, each movement causing a radiant burst of pain from his broken rib.

For a long time his awareness could not extend beyond his own suffering, but he eventually realized she was gone. He was alone again. Left in this condition. 

He was alone. Unwatched. If he could just figure out a way, he could die now, before they broke him. But the room prevented him from using his magic, if he could even concentrate enough in the first place. 

He closed his eyes and pushed against everything around him, let all his force and will and pain drive a surge of magic—and it was useless, constrained by his skin. If he could summon a spirit, perhaps it would be kind enough to release him. 

He planned as he waited. When someone next opened the door, disrupted the seal, he would be ready. He would summon a spirit. If it could free him, he would keep fighting—if it could not, then he would ask to be freed in another way. 

He just had to make himself remember. Not get lost in the pain and the fear.

He just had to remember.