#I DID think of Massie Block but like | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

starr-fall-knight-rise · 4 years ago

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HASO, “Confession.”

Hope you guys have a great Monday, and hope you like the story.

The rundi pilot maneuvered his ship around a chunk of space debris, cutting low as he watched the slow and leisurely path of the rocket as it began on its trajectory towards the moon. Radar was almost impossible to use in the debris field these humans called an orbit, so it was up to his eyes to make out any incoming hostels.

They circled low and then wide around the slow moving rocket keeping their distance while also keeping an eye out. It was easy enough as the drone was covered in cameras and sensors , which allowed them to see from almost every angle. A human might have been better at this, but right now they were the only ones they could trust.

***

A green folder rested atop the lectern as the President of the UN gave her halting, and to the chairwoman it seemed, unenthusiastic speech. The humans down below didn’t seem to notice, making her wonder if she was simply imagining things,though a part of her said that was not the case.

She had been suspicious of the Un president from the very beginning, the very beginning when she was given power after the first launch of the enterprise, and they had been forced to deal with her during treaty negotiations . At every step there seemed to be some sort of obstacle, something wrong, some reason that the humans could just not accept. It went on behind closed doors and in quiet whispered conversations. But luckily for them people like Adam Vir and Admiral Kelly had been there to smooth things over between the two.

The chairwoman knew better than most, that there were only a few humans in the galaxy holding everything together.

And the last thing she wanted was bad relations, or to go to war with this species. It would be a nightmare.

She shifted in her seat as she listened to the speech. The valley below her still had traces of smoke let off by burning so much fossil fuel at once . She imagined that such a stunt wasn’t entirely great for the atmosphere of the planet, though as far as she knew humans tended to run on sustainable clean energy these days.

The chairwoman stepped down from the little podium and into the back where she could not be seen leaning in so she could hear the words whispered from her assistant, “The drones are deployed, and so far we have not met any resistance.

She nodded slowly, “Good work, keep an eye out.”

***

The Un president felt her fingers digging into the soft paper of the green folder. The red one was lying discarded under the lectern, and she was having trouble concentrating, forcing herself to remember that this wasn’t over. She glanced into the crowd expecting to see that strange white face staring up at her from the throng of people, but there was nothing.

Had she seen it as in her imagination, or did she really see an alien face staring back at her.

She glanced upwards towards where the rocket had vanished, only half paying attention to the practiced words that dribbled from her mouth. She finished her speech and the people below clapped and cheered heartily, though she didn’t much feel like clapping with them.

She turned on her heel and walked down the back of the stage to where her entourage was waiting for her. Admiral Massie was sitting on one end and Admiral Kelly was sitting at the other, the two of them doing their damndest to ignore each other at all costs.

She sat down next to Admiral Massie arms crossed over her chest as he leaned in to speak with her.

“That didn’t exactly go as planned.” he muttered softly.

“It will if your men are ready.” She snapped back her palms cold and sweaty.”

Admiral Massie nodded, “Of course, they should come out when they reach the densest part of the debris field, that way we can make it look like some unexpected collision.” He glanced towards the lectern, “So I would keep ahold of that red folder of yours.”

On the other set of chairs, Admiral Kelly was giving them a sidelong glance. Everyone knew that she was in Admiral Vir’s camp licking his boots at every opportunity. It would be within their best interest to keep silent when she was around.

The UN president leaned back in her seat, “You should be on your way, Admiral. We will have time to talk later.”

He stood and nodded slowly, “Of course madame president.” he turned to walk away catching the eye of Admiral Kelly as he stepped past. The two of them didn’t much like each other, though as the head of the OGI (Office of Galactic intelligence) Admiral Massie had enough pull to keep Kelly in her place.

The UN president turned her head away. Not wanting to draw attention to herself.”

***

Admiral Kelly glanced over at the UN president as Admiral Massie passed by. There was something about those two spending time together that she didn’t like. Granted it was more than likely the two of them were having some sweaty, wrinkly liaisons out of hours which she didn’t really want to think about, but if that was the case then he could easily be pressing his planetary isolationist views off on her.

Kelly did not think highly of the UN presidency. Right now it seemed mostly concerned with power and political favores with the people rather than doing the right thing. Plus she found the president herself to be superficially charming but easily manipulated by the wrong people. Fear mongering worked the best on her, which is why she worried about Massie and his affect on her to begin with.

She found herself digging her nails into her palms as she thought about it.

‘Please help us.’

Admiral kelly shot up in her seat looking around as she tried to find the source of the noise, or the voice. She turned in her seat expecting to find someone whispering in her ear, but there was nothing. She pressed at the implant along the side of her neck wondering if someone had called her and she just hadn’t noticed?

‘Look up.’

jolted again, lifting her eyes towards the sky and the burning sun. She threw up a hand to block her vision, and as she did, she thought she saw a shape floating there against the backdrop of the sun. She squinted hard trying to make it out but was having trouble.

‘Now look into the crowd.’

She turned her head down, still not sure where the sound could be coming from, but as she looked into the crowd, she saw a strange sight. One of the people was wearing a dark hoodie, and was turned away from the direction which the rest of the crowd was facing. Their hood was pulled low, but ever so subtly, they lifted their head to reveal a porcelain white face, with large dark eyes.

Admiral Kelly went very still as she stared at the starborn.

‘Not a starborn, A halfbreed, my name is Eris, Admiral Vir’s…… daughter/’

Oh…. oh, yes she had heard about the starborn hybrid from one of hsi reports.

“What do you want.” She mouthed quietly.

‘We need your help, the UN president is planning to have Admiral Vir Killed, and Admiral Massie is on his way to make the order, please, you have to do something.”

Admiral Kelly jolted to her feet very quickly glancing at the Un president in shock and horror before she was able to capture her emotions. The UN president looked up to her sudden movement, and Admiral kelly had to fight to keep her face neutral as the woman looked up at her

“Are you feeling well Admiral.”

She could feel the sweat dripping down her face and the nape of her neck, but she remained as calm as possible as she took a deep breath, “I…. Am suddenly very dizzy. I think it’s the heat.”

“You should sit down, have someone bring you some water.” The woman said, her voice calm and clear as if she hadn’t just ordered the murder of Adam Vir.

“No I….. I think I need to walk for a minute and find some shade. You will excuse me?”

The UN president shrugged and turned back to staring at the sky giving Admiral Kelly time to step forward and hurry after General Massi’s retreating figure.

***

General massie stepped into mission control and walked down the blank empty corridors. No one was here, they were all either in the control room or out celebrating the successful launch. It had been a sight to see, two thousand year old technology working for one more time, but personally General Massie saw it as completely obsolete and a useless waste of government capital.

That was something they could have been using to help fortify earth’s defense nexus. Out of all the useless things Admiral Vir had supported, at least he had agreed that they needed SOME form of defence against extraterrestrial attack. General Massie made a face, though he wouldn’t doubt Admiral Vir would have been totally fine leaving their planet with its pants down in order to let those xenos fuck them over.

Everyone in their dog knew that Admiral Vir preferred alien cock over his own kind.

The thought made Admiral massie cringe. It was a well kept secret among the UNSC, but the man wasn’t nearly as secretive as he liked to think he was. Rumors of his infatuation with the stupid blue beetle alien had reached command almost as soon as it began. The only reason they didn’t allow it to leak was that it would make the UNSC look bad to the rest of earth.

And Jupiter how he hated that man.

Stupid, juvinile egotistical xeno fucker.

Today was the day all of that came to an end.

He cut right just before the doors to mission control and walked down two more hallways, finally opening a small side door into, what might have looked from the outside, like an equipment closet. He stepped over a mop and bucket and sat down at an old console, which he fired up with the flick of a button.

“Flight 1 this is Earth 1 over.”

“Roger earth one this if slight one, in position over.”

He turned on the screen giving himself time to look the radar over as twenty dots appeared on screen.” Those were twenty Thunderhawks they had slowly appropriated over the intervening year. WIth a place as big as the universe to cover, it was pretty easy to lose a few jets in the shuffle. He could see them now illuminated as little green dots on his screen, hiding in the debris.

“fFlight one this is Earth one, Operation After Apollo is go. Now remember boys and girls, make it look like an accident.”

“Roger that Earth one.”

“You TRAITOR!”

***

Admiral Massie spun in his seat eyes wide and wild as Admiral Kelly stood in the doorway. She could feel her skin growing hot with absolute rage as she stalked forward over the open floor. In one hand she held up the small recording device Conn had handed to her outside the building, and on it held proof of this man’s order. On the screen behind him twenty little dots burst to life.

She was too late.

The man slowly got to his feet as Kelly Aimed her handgun at him her grip steady her aim true.

“Call off your dogs.” She snarled

Admiral Massie slowly lifted his hands before slowly leaning forward in his seat towards the intercom button. She stepped forward watching him intently as he leaned over the console pressing down on the button.

“Flight one this is earth one…�� her eyes flickered up to the screen waiting to see them pause.

But before she knew what was happening an elbow came up striking her on the hand and causing the gun to spin out of her grip. Admiral Massie turned and tackled her to the floor, his nearly 300 lb body crushing her to the floor.

The wind was knocked out of her and she gasped as he struggled to pin her to the ground.

Her hat had flown off and her bun became undone as he drew back a fist to punch her. She was able to block it with her forearms as he raged and went for her face. The blows rained down on her from above with an onslaught of power she wasn’t expecting but should have.

She took another gasping breath, and then with a surge of adrenaline she bucked throwing him forward where she grabbed one of his arms and bucked again forcing him to his side and onto his back. Still gripping his ar, she threw herself sideways, throwing her legs over his chest and struggling with his arm to pull it flat.

He kicked and grabbed at her legs with his other hand painfully gripping her calves as his nails dug into her skin and drew blood. The pain was incredible, but she finally got his arm down tucked tight to her chest, her legs across his chest, and then she jerked her hips sharply upward.

Admiral Massie screamed as his elbow snapped backwards.

She let go of him and scrambled towards the console, but at the last moment he grabbed her by the foot and hauled her back to the ground, one arm hanging limp and useless at his side. He clawed at her with one hand, and she rolled onto her back, kicking up at his face with her boot catching him square in the chin.

He staggered back as she crawled to the console and reached to adjust the frequency ready to call in lunar support.

There was a sharp click behind her, and she froze, turning her her seat to find Admiral Massie standing behind her gun held in his good hand.

Blood leaked from his nose and down onto the front of his uniform, staining the grey fabric red, “Nice try, Kelly.”

***

Donovan Red waited spinning slowly as he watched the progress of the distant rocket. Inside his helmet his breathing was cold and calm as, ranging all around him, his other men and women waited as well. Their ships had been outfitted with proper weapons as they had ridden here in the cargo hold of the omen. The group of them weren’t soldiers or trained fighter pilots, so he didn’t imagine this would be easy, but it was going to have to be good.

“Red, this is Apollo 11 do you copy.”

“Yeah Cinderella, I copy.”

“See anything?”

“Nope not a….” he paused, “Wait.” there was something, something he thought he saw detach itself from another piece of space junk, “Hold that thought Apollo.” he detached from his own bit of space junk and inched forward.

A thunderhawk? What would one of those be doing here.

It began to accelerate.

He accelerated after it

Up ahead the rocket was growing larger and larger in his view.

Thunderhawk has made lock. The cool female voice said from his console.

“Oh shit, Admiral r-’ He didn’t have time to finish his sentence as a small ball-like-silver ship came pelting down from nowhere blasting the thunderhawk in the wing with a sharp burst of laser fire. It’s wing exploded and it went careening in the opposite direction as the silver ball whizzed past.

“What the fuck!.” he turned to fly after it, but was stopped.

“Red, stand down that's a Rundi UAV.”

“Rundi, I thought it was the rundi we were worried about,” He called in confusion.

“Yeah, but that thunderhawk had locked on us. It looks like they’re helping.”

He grunted and cursed under his breath, switching the coms, “Boys and girls if you see a silver ball stand down, those are on our side.” Just then another thunderhawk shot over his head. He cursed again and pulled himself into a sharp upward turn cutting after the thunderhawk and locking on. His lock cut off their attempts to shoot down the rocket, and they were forced to dive under as he followed after. He followed, spinning right and left around debris as the thunderhawk attempted to escape.

It cut upward, justin time for a bright pink jet with graffiti words on the side to shoot out of nowhere.

The thunderhawk exploded in a cloud of debris as Wendy roared by.

“Good shot, girl.:

He said over his radio.

“Thanks boss.”

***

Admiral Vir floated before the console knuckles white and unable to do anything. A silent explosion flashed in his vision to the right as quickly as it had begun. Richards and Chavez started with wide eyes and dropped mouths.

“Admiral what the hell is going on.”

Adam took a deep breath, “it seems as if we are under attack.”

The two of them exchanged glances, “From who! What the fuck!”

Adam turned where he stood to look at the two of them, “I am sorry I got you two into this mess, but the isolationists have been gunning for me for a few months now, and it seems as if now things have come to a head

“What are we going to do!”

“Radio Houston.”

Chavez hurried to do as ordered, but when she did they heard only static, “Shit…. Something is jamming our coms.”

Adam took a deep breath, “Well I guess all we have is Donovan and the Rundi to protect us. Lets’ hope they do it right.”

***

Admiral massie laughed, “You’re as dumb as you look Kelly.”

She stood slowly wiping blood from her cheek as she turned to look down the barrel of the gun. Her own gun.

She didn’t generally tend to agree with massie, but this time he did have a point. Surprisingly though she was very calm, “You aren’t going to get away with this.” She glanced over to where the little silver recording device lay in the shadows under one of the chairs

Massie was too amped to notice.

“Doesn’t matter. I will have done my duty to my planet and my people, saving them from alien lovers like you and that bastard Vir.”

“Whose Idea was this, the President or yours.” She held her hands out to the side.

“Do you think that dipshit was smart enough to come up with a plan like mine.”

Kelly raised an eyebrow, “Is it wise to incriminate your friends alone with you.”

“That bitch, I could care less. And if i am going down she is going down with me. The president make think it was all her idea, but it was mine all along, she was following my orders whether she believes it or not, and once Adam Vir and YOU are dead than it doesn’t matter what we did because diplomation relations will dissolve and it will be all over.”

He lifted the gun to her face, “Goodby kelly.”

She remained very still as the shadow fell over him from behind, “May I say one last thing.”

He paused.

“Turn around.”

“Very funny, he lifted the gun again and pulled the trigger.

There was a sharp crack and thud as metal hit metal. Kelly flinched and held up her hands, but opened her eye after a moment as no pain came. Admiral Massie lay on the floor face down. Kelly reached down quickly to grab her gun looking up to where Sunny was standing in the doorway holding her pearlescent white spear. Behind her floated the starborn Conn and the hybrid.

She took a deep breath, “Great timing you three.

Sunny nodded, “Anytime.”

Admiral kelly turned and lunged for the comms, switching the frequency to the lunar station only to find she couldn’t get through, “Damn it.” She cursed turning to look at Sunny and the others, “I was too late, the ships have already been deployed.”

She paused and looked down, grabbing the recording device from off the floor tossing it to the hybrid who caught it with some difficulty, “Run that to one of the media outlets, convince them it is important and leak it as soon as you can. We don’t want her to have time to cover her own ass.”

Eris nodded and shot off in the other direction

Sunny knelt down to help her restrain Admiral massie.

Just then the sound of feet came thundering up the hall and they looked up to see the Chairwoman of the GA and her assistants skid around a corner. Sunny’s eyes narrowed as she crouched low leveling her spear.

“Did you catch him?” The Chairwoman asked

“No thanks to you.” Sunny snarled

The chairwoman waved her off, “I lost contact with my drones, but they should be out helping to protect Admiral Vir. I am sorry I couldn’t do more, but it was all I could do not to show my hand too early.”

Admiral kelly stood slowly, “You knew about this.”

The charwoman shook her head, “not this specifically, but I have been trying to find the source of the assasination attempts on Admiral Vir’s life. I’ve had discreet escorts on him for the past few months while I tried getting in contact with my people in the criminal underworld. She sighed and I called the hit on him with those pirates knowing who Captain kell was hoping that he could get more information out of the pirates that I could.”

Sunny stared at her rage flickering across her face, “You called a hit on him!”

The charwoman did not seem perturbed, “Those pirates couldn’t have…. How do the humans say…. Hit their way out of a paper bag. I have been attempting to come in contact with the leather of the anti alliance for the past few months. I have been trying to convince them I am on their side, and that was part of my ruse, as well as knowing Admiral Vir was captain Kell. During my investigation it became clear that someone within the UN was involved though I couldn’t have said who.”

“And why should we believe you aren't just covering your own ass.”

The chairwoman hissed, “do you really think I want to make an enemy out of the strongest species in the galaxy. Not on your life. I am not stupid. Besides, I owe Admiral Vir my life . I admit I have done some irreparable things in order to keep the alliance going, but those moves were calculated, and Vir was always protected.

***

One of the silver UAV’s exploded and Red had to dodge to the side to avoid the flying debris. He cut right and then left keeping as fast as he could possibly go as he cut up through the chunks of metal and locked onto the back of a thunderhawk. There was a sharp click and then a silent explosion which he rolled out of the way to avoid. He had sent one of his men off to make contact with lunar forces for backup.

They were good, but these men and women were made for combat, and despite their best work only four out of twenty of them had been destroyed, and their numbers were dwindling fast. He cut right before one of the thunderhawks forcing it to turn away from the rocket and cut down in another direction. He could only imagine the fear of those inside the rocket as they watched helplessly at the fight raging on around them.

He spun down and under cutting off another Thunderhawk coming in the opposite direction.

There was no way there were going to keep up with this for long.

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dizzyduck44 · 3 years ago

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Penalties and rules or lucky dip?

So I know there is plenty of disagreement of late every time a penalty is handed out but just recently I have never been more confused. I’ve been watching F1 for 30ish years and week in week out, I now sit there thoroughly baffled by penalties that do and don’t get handed out.

Let’s start with last weeks Azerbaijan Grand Prix as there is enough to unpick within that. Obviously the first big talking point of the weekend was Lando Norris’ 3 place grid penalty for not entering the pits during a red flag. For those not aware the car in front of Lando crashed slightly ahead of him at the end of the lap, as Lando is approaching the pitlane at speed, a red flag is thrown. He asks his team should he pit, he later clarified this was to check the crash wasn’t in the entrance to the pitlane. By the time the reply came back he could no longer enter the pits at a safe speed so continued.

He was handed a 3 place grid drop and 3 points on his superlicence for this, which was a lesser penalty as they understood the circumstances (allegedly). He was not penalised for speeding up under red flags which confuses even more people and some are still reporting he did as you can hear him accelerate away from the pitlane, probably to get out of others way.

Then onto Sunday. Nicholas Latifi is caught out in a similar way when his engineer accidentally tells him to stay out (accidentally 6 times!) and he goes round the track again. He is given the race equivalent of Lando’s penalty, a 10 second penalty and 3 penalty points on his superlicence.

During the red flag period McLaren appeal to the FIA saying people did not lift off under the safety car in the previous laps, Michael Massi shouts them down saying “everyone was speeding”. However telemetry now shows that Yuki, who McLaren were questioning was travelling at 60km a hour more than Lando and 30km more than Charles at this point. They might all be speeding and not lifted off as much as the race director wanted but 1) you chose not to red flag the race immediately and 2) that is a HUGE speed difference under a caution.

Now let’s talk about the two things I spotted that seem to have been ignored and either by coincidence or planning they both involve Ferrari.

Early in the race Carlos went into a run off area and reversed back onto the track, into the path of an oncoming Alfa. Is that not the definition of rejoining the track in an unsafe manner?

Then during the 2 lap chaos restart, Charles is clearly shown moving twice to first keep up with Pierre and then moves to block Lando (Lando claims this was in the breaking zone). Again this is a clear no in the rules.

Neither incident was punished or even investigated.

So that should be the end of that right? We are all confused. Some people pushed the rules and got away with it, others were shown no sympathy. Penalties are a lucky dip right?

EXCEPT three incidences that happened last year.

Remember Monza and Lewis and Gio being given slow or misinformation regarding the pitlane during a red flag? I’m pretty sure the penalty points were halved as the team argued they were as much at fault as the driver for not reacting quickly enough or giving the wrong info.

Again in Russian, Lewis was handed two penalty points for a practice start in the wrong place. These were removed as the team argued it was solely their fault.

So don’t be surprised if the points on Lando and Nicky’s licences reduce or go entirely if appealed (and they should be).

Now as to the I’m too busy to deal with all of you breaking the rules at the same time attitude. Do you remember the crazy restart crash at Mugello last year, resulting in 12 drivers being handed warnings because "no one driver was wholly or predominantly to blame"? The truth was that when they looked back at the telemetry three drivers played a significant part in that restart with 9 others simply reacting. It wasn’t Valtteri’s fault leading the race and there was one driver handed a warning who’s speed and throttle was consistent with Valtteri. So it’s not like mass punishments don’t get handed out. I don’t understand the reluctance this time.

As I said I’m completely confused over the last two years with stewards and penalty points. And this is without discussing Bahrain where I’m actually convinced they gave Seb every penalty they could think of.

I don’t think any of the drivers I have mentioned are dangerous or dirty drivers. Yes Charles, Carlos and Yuki can get a little over enthusiastic at times and Lando has a panic button which renders him useless for a few seconds but no one is running anyone off the road on purpose or clearly not acknowledging flags, Lando and Nicky both radioed their team about the flag situation.

What doesn’t sit well with me is the argument that these punishments are for everyone’s safety, but two races in two years have suffered multiple tyre failures, drivers have been allowed to unlap themselves with marshalls still on track and we learnt in horrific fashion that barriers can fail.

I will leave you with one final comment, there is a story doing the rounds currently that Michael Massi told Lando even a six year old in karting knows what to do under red flags, a comment I saw was this:-

In junior karting you return to the grid under a red flag not to the pitlane.

I don’t know if it’s true or not but that right there was when my faith in the penalty system died!

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thelifeofprettycommitteealpha · 4 years ago

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How to Act Like Massie Block

Steps

We'll start with attitude, by far the most important aspect of being like Massie Block. If you only take one thing from this, remember that you must always show, radiate, and have CONFIDENCE! This means not pointing out your flaws to others, (ex: "My hair is so frizzy today!" or "Is this top cute? 'Cause I'm not sure...") having good posture and always looking straight ahead, (never at the ground) and not ever letting people know when you feel unsure of yourself or your opinions. Never appear to be upset. Don't cry or make comments about how "your life sucks." You must always make it seem as if you have everything together, and that your life is perfect, or else people will never idolize you. Even if you're majorly embarrassed about something, you have to just laugh it off and forget it (don't make it a big deal). You can never show weakness!

Another crucial part of your Massie transformation is looking the part. Massie is gorgeous. She has straight, extremely shiny brunette hair, about shoulder length, sparkling amber eyes, and perfect skin. You don't have to look exactly like this, (always choose the look that works best on you) but you must always appear your best.

Without a fabulous wardrobe, Massie would be nothing. Be a true fashionista and wear expensive clothes from stores/designers like BCBG, Coach, Juicy Couture, Ralph Lauren, Seven For All Mankind, Guess, Lacoste, C&C California, Marc Jacobs, Joie, True Religion, etc. Always dress to impress! Never leave the house in sweats and a T-shirt (unless they're Juicy!). Even if you can't afford uber-expensive clothes, make sure to always look pulled together and stylish, with coordinated accessories and cute shoes. Don't tell anyone where you got your cheaper clothes unless you have a social death wish! A final note on inexpensive clothes: don't ever wear anything that looks cheap. This means don't go for the Wal-Mart or Target look when you can be buying low-priced (and way cuter) clothing from Forever 21 or Wet Seal. Oh, and no too tight/too big tacky clothing please. Wear stuff that fits you and looks good. Not sure? Get a second opinion. Make sure your underwear/bras are cute, too, from stores like Victoria's Secret or underglam.com. Trust me, people do notice in the locker room when you're changing. Never wear the same outfit more than once every two weeks or more: if you double up, people will think that you are thrifty and don't have very many clothes...and we wouldn't want them to think that, would we? No.

Massie is the queen bee. Popular. Worshipped. And how does she do this? By looking fabulous, having the right attitude, and establishing her dominance by using intimidation. Get together a clique of the prettiest and most fashionable girls in the school, 3-4 others. Make sure you are their leader. Your beta (second in command) should be the most loyal. The other girls should also be loyal and reliable; make sure you have at least one nice-ish girl to keep the peace in your clique. If you don't all get along, you will never rule. It's all about unity. This doesn't mean you can't boss them around though--it's what Massie would do! Test the waters by starting off really nice, then gradually getting a bit harsher. If they stick with you, you'll know you have 'em forever. Lighten up a bit if they start to stray. Make sure people are somewhat scared/intimidated by you, so that you know they'll do whatever you want. Be totally snobby to the losers at your school (a.k.a. basically everyone outside your group). Chances are, you'll be so fabulous by then, it will only make them idolize you more.

You must be thin to maintain your social status! This means very little or no fatty/sugary foods like chips, soda, candy, fried chicken, pizza, etc. It's a tough sacrifice to make, but well worth it in the long run! Work out regularly on a treadmill, doing crunches, squats, or playing the specified sports below. Chew sugarless gum. Never be too skinny or develop an eating disorder. Not only will many rumors be circulated about you, but you could even die from it!

Get super shiny hair by using shine shampoo, (such as Citré Shine or Brilliant Brunette Shine-Release) shine serum or spray, (know your limit--don't use too much or your hair will look greasy) and rinsing out your conditioner with cool water (as cold as you can stand it!). Straighten your hair with a good-quality flat iron and consult hair magazines or a hair stylist to find the best cut for your face (but never shorter than shoulder length!).

If you desire brown eyes, (and you don't have 'em) experiment with color contacts.

Achieve your best skin by washing your face morning and night with a good cleanser (Clean & Clear works great) and exfoliating and moisturizing daily. If you have dry skin, wash your face once per day and use more moisturizer; if you have more oily skin, skip the moisturizer. When you're drying your face, remember to pat, not rub, (rubbing pulls the skin and causes wrinkles). If you have bad acne that cannot be fixed by this skincare regimen, see a dermatologist.

Now for make-up...it can do so much for your face, turning you from plain to perfect in a matter of minutes. But be careful not to wear too much--you want to be like Massie, not Nina! Wear an eyeshadow in a natural color like brown, gold, or beige, (or whatever subtle color compliments your eye color) thinly line your eyes with a black or brown eyeliner, add a coat or two of blackish-brown mascara, and conceal all of your blemishes with the right shade and amount of concealer. It's also very important to remember your lip gloss--Massie would never leave home without hers! Buy a variety of different good-smelling flavors and bring them everywhere you go.

Make sure your teeth are bright-white and perfect. If your teeth are crooked, use "Invisiline" rather than getting braces (a lot more attractive!). Whiten your teeth with laser procedures or Crest Whitestrips. Brush at least twice a day with whitening toothpaste, and remember to floss!

Tips

Get a super cute dog (the smaller the better) such as a Chihuahua or a Pug, in black, light brown, or honey color (they're the cutest). You can also get a kitty; they're ah-dorable, too. Tell your pet everything, (yes, you can talk to her about your insecurities!) and love her as your child. Dress her in the cutest fashions, (this works best if you have a dog) and take her on walks in the evening with your Louis Vuitton leash.

Use words like "ah-mazing," "ah-dorable," and "ah-nnoying". Say "ehmagawd!" when you're shocked, surprised, or excited about something. When something is well-known and "ah-bvious" to you, say, "Given!". When you have the same opinion as someone, say, "Ah-greed". When something someone says strikes you as reasonable, say, "Point!" and draw an imaginary "1" with your finger if you desire.

Have the best and biggest room. Go with Massie and have everything be white, no exceptions! Make sure you have a queen-size bed, (you are one, right?) an Apple computer, a giant walk-in closet to store all your ah-mazing clothes, and a leather chaise by your bay window to have long phone conversations and brush your pet before going to bed. Vanilla scented candles are a nice touch, too. Have everyone refer to your room as the "iPad".

Sports are luh-ame unless they are something classy and don't involve getting dirty like Tennis, Horse-back Riding, or Volleyball. And shopping, of course!

Purple is the official color of royalty. Therefore it's your favorite color. Wear it, love it, decorate everything from books and pens to your cell phone with it (purple rhinestones, of course!).

Speaking of cell phones, you need one! It's the perfect way to stay updated on gossip and keep in contact with your friends. Make sure you have a texting plan so that you your clique can silently dish about stuff in class, detention, wherever! Cover it in Swarovski crystals and bring it everywhere you go.

Get together a carpool with your clique. Taking the bus is so ew!

Wear a charm bracelet with charms such as a shoe, Eiffel Tower, dog or cat, (whichever you have) star, and most importantly, a crystal-encrusted crown! Make sure the charm bracelet is gold, and never have any of the charms be silver (tacky much?). Buy it from Tiffany if you have the money.

Always have your fingernails and toenails perfectly manicured! I highly suggest a french tip for fingernails, because it coordinates so well with everything. Have them done at a fancy salon with your clique afterschool or on a weekend for a fun activity.

Throw a fabulous party to increase your popularity. Invite everyone.

You must always be prepared with a witty comeback for if, on some rare occasion, a wannabe insults you. One of my favorite Massie-style ones is, "Did I invite you to my barbecue?...Then why are you all up in my GRILL?" Consult the Clique books for some other great ones, or make some up yourself. Never let anyone get the best of you or think that they have won. Remember that YOU are in charge. YOU make the rules.

It helps to have an AIM account, or MSN, you'll need it to keep in touch with you friends one-on-one!

The magazines Teen Vogue, ElleGirl, and Lucky are your bible. Read them religiously(but not in a creepy way...)

Warnings

Be prepared to receive some backlash from the people that wish they were you. In other words, the jealous people. They may spread some pretty nasty stuff about you, but respond with something positively catty (your beta will help) to show them who's really the boss.

There may be occasions where controversy arises in your clique. Like a power-trip, where a girl in your clique suddenly wants the throne. Start by putting her in her place by telling her off in the hallway (preferably with many people around). If she still doesn't get the hint, kick her out the group and recruit someone new. Chances are, she'll come crawling back, begging for forgiveness. Let her back in after a little while, and ditch the temporary.

Many people will probably think you're a mean person. But they'll still love you, and wish they were just like you (they'll love to hate you). This is inevitable if you want to be on top like Massie. You'll get used to it.

#lifestyle tips #beauty tips

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scribbling-stiks · 4 years ago

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Puppets - XXIV - Consultations

By the time they arrived at the hotel, Russia had confirmed that his father wanted to discuss the situation's details. New York had also called back and helped them get paid reservations at the nearby hotel.

New York reserved two hotel rooms, one with a small living area, a fold-out couch, and two beds and the other with just two beds. They decide to stay together until nightfall, when they would break off and go to sleep. After arriving, they quickly settled into the room; all of them spread out around the larger room.

Louisiana is in the bathroom, and the other states are already washed up when Canada orders room service for their room. The food doesn't taste good. He did relish the shower and the fact that he can finally wash off the grime from their adventure.

After Russia finishes, he sits with the others in the room. He checks his phone and sees a text from his father saying to call when he wanted help.

"My father is waiting to help figure out what's going on. Should I call him now?" Russia proposes.

"Yeah, go ahead," Canada says with a wave, disappearing into the bathroom.

"Ooh! Put him on speaker," Texas suggests, hopping onto the arm of the couch.

Russia does just that and takes a seat on the floor with his phone lying on the ground at his feet. His father picks up after the second ring.

"Hello?" Soviet greets.

"Hello, Papa. I am calling to discuss what has been happening. The states that are with me can hear you as well," Russia responds.

"Hi," Massachusetts says with a small wave.

"Heya partner," Texas exclaims happily.

"Hello," Louisiana says, giggling at her brothers' greetings.

"Hello. Well, first, you must tell me everything. What happened, and what did you find?" Soviet asks.

Before Russia can speak, Texas cuts in. "Well, Mr. Soviet -Sorry Russ- there were cameras everywhere in the cave we were looking in, and some guy was watching us the whole time and was taunting us!" Texas says, his hands flying around as if to vent frustration.

"Cameras?"

"Yeah. Me and Massy knocked most of them down. But the guy was telling us about how we were entertaining to watch."

"That is not good."

"It was not just that, Papa. There was whispering and two earthquakes, but no reports of the earthquakes anywhere," Russia reports, exasperated.

"There was also the tunnel that went from a short room into a long corridor," Canada says, exiting the bathroom, and he takes a spot on the floor.

"How do you know it was a short room?" Soviet inquires.

"I was labeling the areas we explored with some tape. The longer the piece, the bigger the area," Louisiana explains.

Soviet hums in acknowledgment.

"There was also the writing and the knocking. Sorry, this probably doesn't make much sense. Essentially, we were exploring a shady cave system here in Colorado. There was an earthquake, and our exit was blocked. I tried to move it, but I passed out. Then Texas and Russia stared at a wall and some meaningless shadows and then told us to run, and we followed some mysterious knocking to a new exit. There was a second earthquake. Then Russia almost ran off a cliff. Then we all fell down a good 60 feet because the ledge we were standing on crumbled," Massachusetts explains.

"What we saw was writing on the wall, Mass-hole," Texas insists, crossing his arms, "it wasn't meaningless jabber."

"Writing? What are you talking about?" Canada asks, curiously.

"The shadows started moving strangely, so I looked at them, and it began to form words. It was like two different dialogs. One was telling us to leave quickly and that they could help, and the other was telling us that we were trapped," Russia explains.

"It seems that more than one thing is doing this," Soviet mutters, "this is strange."

"It does make me think that whatever is behind this isn't necessarily after power," Canada says.

"You may be correct. I have seen no noticeable change in the countries whose personifications have been taken," Soviet reports.

"There is also something else. Ute, the personification of the Southern Ute Tribe in America, also mentioned that monsters were being a lot more active," Russia recounts.

"Monsters? Russia, what you have told me already is hard to believe. Now you are telling me there are monsters? The countries have already reached a consensus that there is a single entity causing this," Soviet scolds lightly.

"But, Papa, that's what they are. Things that copy voices, things without faces that snap backward and crawl like spiders, and jump off cliffs!" Russia responds defensively.

"Sir, if I may say something," Louisiana interjects, "these aren't part of any made-up story. We were attacked yesterday by somethin' that was like 18 feet tall! It had long arms that brush the ground and the head of a dog. It copied our voices to lure us to it, and it tried to eat Russia. There was also a black human-spider thing that attacked us in the cave that crawled on the ceiling. The outline was human, but its head twisted around, and its eyes reflected light."

"Human eyes do not reflect light. That and the knocking we were talking about was coming from inside the walls. The thing wearing faces might be the only one that you countries are aware of, but lots of monsters seem to be involved. North America has monsters, despite what the god d*** older countries will say. But even then, something terrible is going on, and someone is aggravating them more than usual," Massachusetts adds.

Soviet goes silent, and Russia grows concerned. "Papa?"

"*Is that why the UN did not want anyone looking for the missing countries?*" Soviet mutters in Russian, his tone is holding slight panic.

"What did he say?" Texas asks, bewildered.

"Is that why UN did not want anyone looking for the missing countries?" Russia translates. "*Papa? Are you alright?*" Russia asks.

"*No. I have sent my child on a suicide mission,*" Soviet snaps.

"*Papa, I am not alone. And you did not send me. I chose to go,*" Russia counters.

"Wait, hold up. You think that the UN knows more than he is announcing?" Texas interjects.

Soviet is quiet for a moment before composing himself. "Yes. I knew the UN knows more than he has said, but I did not know to what extent until now. His strictness about going after the missing countries seems more reasonable."

"But why would he be hiding this?" Canada asks.

"It does not seem malicious. He is insisting on other safety protocols. It may be to prevent mass panic," Soviet suggests.

"And whatever is causing this has magic, 'cause I can't find Pops," Louisiana says.

"You would need a lot of power to control most of the creatures lurking around here," Canada remarks.

"What kind of power would someone need to control those things?" Russia probes. Canada shrugs.

"I do not think that entertainment is the only motive, but it is possible," Soviet says plainly.

"It is the only reason that the voice alluded to," Russia remarks.

"Do you have more to say?" Soviet asks after a short pause.

"Are you allowing me to continue looking?" Russia presses.

"I do not like that you are in danger, Russia. But, you have made your decision, and I have promised to allow you to make your own choices. I know that without any action, it will get worse, even if the UN denies it. I just do not like that it involves you," Soviet relents.

"Well, if you are allowing it, do you have any suggestions of where to look next?"

"How did you find the first location?"

"We were going off reports of strange activity in the area."

"That will probably lead you to the next location. However, I do suggest to keep us informed of where you are."

"Us?

"Myself and the other states. There was a lot of worry last time you disappeared," Soviet remarks.

"*Thank you, Papa. I love you.*"

"*I love you. Stay safe.* I will tell you if I find more information. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

He hangs up the call.

"We should probably split off. Who wants to come with me to the other room?" Canada suggests.

"I'll go," Texas volunteers, hopping up from his seat to gather his luggage.

"We're staying in room 209, just down the hall. We'll come back tomorrow morning before we leave," Canada says, opening the door and stepping out.

"See y'all tomorrow," Louisiana calls, and the two leave.

"I call the bed!" Massachusetts declares, jumping up from the couch to lay across the bed closer to the couch.

"HEY!" Louisiana complains.

"Calm down," Russia soothes, "you can have the other bed, Louisiana."

"Nah, you can keep it. You got the couch last time anyways. Mass is just bein' obnoxious."

The rest of the evening is quiet. Massachusetts turns on the television, and he watches it until around 10:00. Russia doesn't protest, wanting to be rested for the day ahead of them.

Table of Contents

#rusame #countryhumans #statehumans #ch russia #ch america

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imreallyfkinsorry-blog · 5 years ago

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Honestly right now i feel like shit. This was the last thing i ever wanted to happen. Did you really have to block/unfriend me on everything. Do u really not want to be my friend that badly, i was really upset u didnt even message me once over these 4 days like u wudnt even know, but i accepted it because of u and ur situation, i was ok with not talking to u for months if it atleast meant i can still be your friend, i was so happy for you when i saw ur results like u wudnt believe, i almost called you the second i saw, im still sooo proud of you, i was so excited when i heard u reached this morning i wanted to be the first one to hug u and congratulate you but u cudnt even look me in the eye, that really hurt, i mean like really cant i celebrate your achievements with you? Cant i be happy for you? Even after all that i still bought a freakin slice of cheese cake for u just now in massy to surprise you tomorow, but now i saw that im unfriended. Is what im doin really that bad? All the headpats and snacks and stupid jokes, the cup the pens, the kfc, the chinese food, the bestie card the worrying about you, even not messaging you after 4 or on weekends, even when alicia asked about the art supply crap i told her i probably forgot to give u, I really didnt know i was causing u so much pain, those stupid little things made me so happy, like soooo happy at this shit job, i even got super friendly with like everyone in the office so it wudnt be weird when im around you. Like everyone really likes me now like you wudnt believe, everyone just comes up and touches me or makes some joke or pushes me and honestly thats all thanks too you, the fay-cade is serious af, ugh it may sound like im just rambling on but thats because i am just rambling on, this may very well be the last message i send you so im sorry if its long i just have alot to say. I even made a new account since u know im probably blocked. Look tbh i understand y u blocked me and dont want to talk to me outside of work u think this is gonna make ur relationship healthier and perfect and at the end of the day as much as i throw tantrums and bitch about u not messaging me and neglecting me, i still do 100% platonically love you, you are still MY best friend you can block me, unfriend me even pass me straight in the office, nothing is gonna change that,i may not attend your wedding but i want you too know i want you to be happy,i genuinely do, you fucking deserve that, you deserve the best tho i not gonna lie and say ur not an asshole or very immature or that u treat me like shit, but jesus tap dancing christ its those little things that you do that make me soo happy, i just want you to be sooo happy and i want to thank you for being my friend, like really, thank you Lorrie. I can never hate you....

Nvm u made me cry today,i was setting up this cool joke from a tiktok vid i saw and u just ripped me apart, i had to go outside to play it off, now stacy ann thinks i hav corona or some. I was dissapointed in u in that moment but i will never hate you so u can hate me all you want, act agitated with me all you want, act like im bothering you all you want, im still gonna pat ur head, smile with you, bring you snacks and defend you whenever i hear the slightest inkling of someone insulting u. You know what u were being a dick for today im gonna eat your cake now. Btw my friend came to pick me up today thats why i stayed back late then i saw u, were u running from me? Thats kinda freaking depressing and kinda really hurt but still

I DO NOT HATE YOU,

Still i am sooooo fucking proud of you tho, fucking distinctions hoe fucking hell you bad bitch.

Im probably gonna leave JD soon so please please please please dont hate me until then, i cant deal with passing you straight and not talkin to u, we can talk about suppliers and staplers for hours if u want, im just sooo fkin sorry i made u feel like that so please dont hate me, honestly there really is something wrong with me, im trying to work on it.

I started writing this to fkin get everything off my chest and tell you y i hate u but i cant, i really cant.if today or tomorrow something happens to either of us i dont want today to be the way we remember each other.

You're my friend, you always will be, even if everyone is against you, even if its 40 years in the future, even if you never talk to me again, you can always come to me, i will always be there for you, no matter what.

Btw if u think ghosting me is gonna get u away from me buyin you a birthday present then you dont know me atall.

Can you atleast just add me back on facebook, this actually really bothers me, i really like to see the shit u post once in a while, i promise never to message you and i promise not to post anything so u wont have to see me...please.

If not then ok, im still gonna be down but i dont hate you and i am soo sorry i forced you to have to go this far i really really didnt wanna hurt you. Being your friend has made me so goddamn happy these couple months,like every single day was something to look forward too but if i have to sacrifice my happiness in order for you to be happy,as much as ot fucking hurts, then so be it, I can live with that.

Thank you for being my friend, like truly thank you,that meant so much to me even if it was for a short while. Thank you.

Again im sorry and please dont hate me

Lol now finish the cake.

Im so proud of you, u smart muthafker and im lovin the person your becoming, strong, intelligent and beautiful. You deserve to be happy, you earned that right and i hope you get everything you want. Im praying for it, like to indian jesus and the spagetti monster.

Good bye, i may not come tomorrow.

Pawny stays with me until i leave, no kidnapping or chicken protective services😤

Thank you for everything, thank you for being such an amazing friend and for being there for me I really and truly appreciate it...... and please dont not forget me.

Add me back😢

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the-firebird69 · 2 years ago

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It's how it goes if you look outside that trash has been there for like almost 2 months most of the rules are damaged to not fixed and you live in crappy houses in the first place the garbage is out there too and you're the wealthiest people on the planet at least you were now we can't stand you you give up your companies your factories everything too been wondering around during the day doing nothing you're boring your idiots says we should make huge entertainment facilities and malls starting to see something screw you people you just go there and you entertain yourself but it's a good idea so we're going to do it

Second part is the storm doesn't look like it's there at all and your stupid map we can see all these clouds in the sky so we kind of hate you cuz you're stupid

It's going to drop any moment now and there's a lot of people watching it and it is shaking and quaking feel like the others were and the others were shaking and quaking about 20 minutes or 10 minutes before it fell. I checked the pressures it's down to five which is what normal soil is more less and that's about a mile in it is very far. And it is going on momentarily.

We took over so many companies it's blinding but they're not managing them and the higher-ups are all bunch of vegetables now and they're not running anything. And they don't really know how to run stuff and yeah last night the comedian took a dump and he's going into a grave today the funeral hasn't occurred yet it's weird they just kind of sit around for a while with that too. And there is a lot of trouble happening and gifted people fight like that Jolene was doing it's just not gifted that saw them doing it and he just blocked it like very easily.

It's a few more things happening here mac daddy is getting frustrated he wants people to go meet and he wants to discuss how to stop this stupid storm and we'd like that to happen too we don't think it's right for someone to start storms and rampage all over the place and ruined tons and tons of structures so he's down there requesting the people show up and he means it it's Mike he wants to be there Daniel he's just not saying it for no reason maybe it's hard for him to get the gumption up to send police to go grab you you know what I mean like free donuts or whatever come on this is War this is stick a freaking knife in your leg and feel the pain. 10 minutes later something that's going to happen then you use psychological stuff and surround people she might have to bust out of there. It's all true and he's sick of the storms too A lot of people out here will support you guys Justin oh he's done here she's okay so now they're saying okay. And we got other things happening too

We did take over another area of business concentration and it's huge it's tractors and tractor supply and farm and farm equipment now I've taken over half of that because we had to but really these people are sitting around saying they won't have to do anything there's a ton of them they're all deteriorating and not doing anything and not going on any ships and it's just that they don't feel they have to do anything so I'm making tractors as a lot of tractors got ruined too because the technology is poor. And our tech is older but it works. The air intake closes when it's not on on the vehicle too it doesn't start unless you're training the thing and the thing doesn't open unless they turn it it's very simple mechanism right now we're writing up orders for us to come in here and assess the situation and to see what's going on is our son says nobody's doing anything they're not even leaving to sit around and farting still and mildly and they have all this crap everywhere and if it gets blowing around it's going to cause damage and fly into windows like mine and he doesn't know what to do about it so we're sitting here and hoping that something happens better than what is happening and he is somewhat impact resistance windows a replacement windows they're not massively shatter resistant but I don't someone tells me there's no plastic in them but they're tempered at least which is better than nothing it can take a hit believe me that it's not too bad in a double layered. And one window is not it has stickers on it okay this class.

The golf is vibrating like madness all over the whole thing and yeah it's news too but not here and they're seeing it's my prerogative like they're going to be mysterious and win by osmosis that's probably still this DC s*** and the comedian's funeral is going to kick off a bunch of things because it is a retarded man hitting one of them publicly which is a No-No, funeral is at 3:00 p.m. and will and Bill can't go Ken's not going either it says for our son to shut it cuz our son's trying to order them up there guys can't make it he said what about as an X-Men superhero and kick off a damn movie so I'll try it it might be me in the background you can bring Camilla and the others and I swear to get there he's a respected person from both sides so you tries to do jobs so Garth is going to wrap us and Ken Bill and will and represent well man this is the punta Gorda gang with me in a PC gang bill is a famous superhero and Loki is too his name is Loki okay fine Preston says I'll send some stuff notes. Daniel says thank you anyway Mike t says some nasty stuff then thank you it's probably the whiskey so yes it is better have someone else fly so he laughs and says okay. Tonight Adrian goes nuts again and the holes might be opening up her son says the holes open up during the day and there's a time that they open up and they open up at night as well and then there's a finale but I think there's another night scene before that when some old fogies are hit a woman is hit and Adrian is they try to kill Adrian and there's the Morrison and the formation of Dr Manhattan is sometimes tonight that's a big deal because it's newsome and we think he dies and people can't tell and he dies a lot and he's a trumpster it's going on tonight and starts at 3:00 that counts for a lot of attitude problems it's one of their heroes.

It's a huge number of people who are trying to get into these apartments next to our son they keep on pushing them and pushing them and pushing them trying to get them out hasn't done anything I would try other stuff right now staying is going after them she needs stuff. Some others are going after them that are big mac daddy Tommy f and the whole cadre of them will and Bill Terry cheesman the same crew Dan the same crew BG bja and there's a few more the people that he has offended deeply and companies that he has given up to the wolves and people that he has bad blood with recent bad blood that he's harmed and is the wanted man for a questioning and connection with the terrorist strike on Massachusetts Connecticut Rhode Island they're not letting him off on the fact that he could have been in The matrix there's so many of the people there with his men and they all found without devices and was real brains so he's in trouble cuz I wanted terrorist and he was shot last night not before.

It's shaking and it's quivering and it's burping air believe it or not and air is formed when the water leaf bleaches out some some spots in it usually belts is out big huge bubbles three four miles across maybe a 100 at a time and that means it's going to sink and it's going the whole length now it looks like a Jacuzzi and a bubble bath just making a froth and stinks and it's actually deadly and it may spray it with something they might. We don't think so and it's the whole length the whole depth so about 500 ships of capsized some are 10 miles long and they are ships that Mac was running and most of them moved and some didn't listen they were run by Court and that hurt bubbles and said what the hell is that so doing all that leeches what's going on at once this was happening it Mike too says yes he says it's not the code I can remember it's like Delta alpha something they got the third time so Corky stays behind with 500 ships some are 5 or 10 miles in the sink can probably raise them if they don't break and you have to wait it's probably intact for a bunch of morons are so I moved them it's interesting. You worry about some I moved him down and it's kind of moving off and it's getting cooler and I keep those little ships out of here and the whole side. That was Mac Daddy and it's helpful and it's working usually this time is really hot here it's going to get cold real quick and it's going to push that thing off.

Several men came by to see our son today no. Nobody did it's usually quiet here and so quiet it's unsettling we have to inquire why nothing's happening here at all and we asked around and nobody said anything and I sent it could be the funeral and that could be what it is because they all look kind of sad and they're going up there with what they call heavy hearts and it is about that and they are upset at BG and our son says well if you want your son back I could probably have to fight for it man cuz his particular reputation. He's now decide to fight and they'll say Justin you were friends and under very extenuating circumstances and unlikely a pair in the first place. There's a ton of people going up there and interested in and then moving out shortly and it's a funeral this might be the song from Elton John funeral for a Friend because there are some elements to the song and it just hit our son with a feeling because of the watchmen and what it signifies and what it means and what happens to DC and New York City.

There's a large number of people here who is trying to get the math a little more that this is how and it shouldn't be hell but it is hell.

They're a huge number of people that will be seeking shelter and one reason is that they are in fear they don't want their house to collapse on them and there's too much debris Mac is tried to order Jeff to do it and he won't he keeps saying let him rot and all this s*** and all of a sudden he says you're going to be up there they're going to be here in your little owl ship or something you want to fly down and capture a friend so we're going to find you and we're going to take your stuff and mac daddy said that earlier and they have their keys and they're going to start doing the work in a minute now into the night if possible and you're going to pick it up all of it and there's tons of trucks no but they know what they have to do and basically they have a weight on area for scrap and they just put something on it blasting they have blasting mats you can use and I thought that's a good idea they might lift up but not have to put a few cables on them they're going ahead and do that

Says you just take a few pylons you worked out and barium and attached to it and traffic signal pylons or something they agree with it

The ground is shaking it's moving it's it's rolling and heaving and is going to drop in a few moments and we see it burping more and it's a huge huge line of burps about three or four hundred miles each and it's random so it's all going to probably go the same time and some huge ones are coming out now five 10 miles across actually never see anything like that huge bubbles makes me wonder what's under there but I know what it is it's just a crevasse and a big huge thing of dirt now it's starting to settle a little it's shrinking slowly like a foot a minute and now I see it dropping in the middle it's going down like 8 ft and now 20 each terrace and now 30 each terrace and now it's going down in the pattern of the terrace to the sides and fast and it's spreading and it's doing it that way which probably will make it not to have a wave at all in any way. It's spreading out and it's going down the terrace all at the same time it's not cascading and a lot of us thought it would something I wouldn't that's a shock. Nevada Ariana said it's going to go like it's going now and it's because of the pressure is it relieves in the middle first and It matters by minutes. And here it goes the whole thing is dropping but it's going all at the same time the whole terrace and we thought it would be staged so the middle would create a wave and it's not going to do that much it's going down it's about 200 mi to the East 200 miles to the west from the Mississippi it makes sense the river must have done some extra capillary action through its pressure and turbidity into the sand and and drain fast into the river too probably and they say yes that's one thing and is down it is a small wave maybe 50 ft and it's going to probably dissipate in a few miles require a lot more than that to create a title wave. They're working around here and it sent the crew down and people are saying it would be nice to get this s*** out of here so it doesn't break all the windows and they're in a panic now and they're moving around and they're asking people to help and pick up trucks and trucks actually going on it and they said they got so many trucks that says all the time has to do is say you can all bring it in so they're telling them to do it and it's going people are doing it. A lot of women are asking their men to do it it's getting done.

So congratulations everybody who worked on this the final section of the Gulf of Mexico is dropped and the cold air is going to come down momentarily I have a gauge when it dropped it's a heat sink you see with the soil the soil doesn't absorb any heat but the water does and all the water that was in the soil is cold but for about 2,500 miles long and an angle that's a huge area in a lot of water and that the rest of the water will be cold at the bottom and it's already cooling and it will chill the water at the top and it will continue to do so due to the depth and it's dark after 1,500 ft no after about 400 so most of it's cold and that cold will wick cold air all around it and it will connect with cold air and it's doing it now I can see it on the scope and yeah there are trucks around here all day working on the lines refitting and putting new transformers and they're doing it like madness really they're going gangbusters for some reason not really sure what it is I think New York DC is going to buy and they know it so strong as you get the equipment out of there and they're doing that now and they say it's cuz the storm.

More later but we're going to publish this

Thor Freya

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patriotsnet · 3 years ago

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Why Did Republicans Vote Against The First Responders Bill

New Post has been published on https://www.patriotsnet.com/why-did-republicans-vote-against-the-first-responders-bill/

Why Did Republicans Vote Against The First Responders Bill

Biden Pushed For Bipartisanship What Happened

Why Did the Republican Congress Argue AGAINST the COVID Stimulus Bill?

Biden ran on wanting bipartisanship efforts on Capitol Hill, and being a;negotiator during his 36 years in the Senate.;

More:Amid calls for unity, President Biden and Republicans don’t agree what that looks like

Bipartisan efforts were made in the beginning of negotiations, with a;group of 10 Republicans meeting with Biden at the White House in early February to propose a counteroffer: a;$618 billion package.

But, those talks and communication have;since fizzled, according to Romney, who was;one of the senators who met with Biden. He told reporters;there has been very little effort on the part of the White House to find common ground with Republicans.

More:How much money will your state get if Biden’s COVID-19 relief bill passes?

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Me., who was also in the group of 10 Republicans, said;talks between the White House and her colleagues stalled.”

Biden said he hoped;”Republicans in Congress listen to their constituents,”;citing the popularity of the bill in some polls.;

Romney told reporters Thursday if some Republican amendments;got into the bill, some of his colleagues may support it.;

“But my guess is it’s not likely that many of our amendments will get any Democrat support so I think it’s very unlikely that any Republicans will support the final bill,” he said.

McConnell and other Republicans have also criticized Democrats for using;a special process called reconciliation to push forward;the legislation;without much input from the GOP.;

Gop Claims Afghan Refugees Are Arriving Unvetted That’s Not True

Thirty-five House Republican broke ranks Wednesday evening to support legislation that would establish an independent commission to investigate the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

Liz Cheney of Wyoming

Tom Rice of South Carolina

Dan Newhouse of Washington

Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington

Peter Meijer of Michigan

John Katko of New York

David Valadao of California

Tom Reed of New York

Don Bacon of Nebraska

Andrew Garbarino of New York

Tony Gonzales of Texas

Dusty Johnson of South Dakota

David Joyce of Ohio

Chris Smith of New Jersey

Van Taylor of Texas

Chris Jacobs of New York

David McKinley of West Virginia

Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska

Why 21 House Republicans Balked At Medals For Capitol Police

There was a brief political consensus in the immediate aftermath of the insurrectionist attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. The left, right, and center could all agree on a simple truth: participating in a riotous assault against the nation’s seat of government, in the hopes of derailing our electoral system, is a serious attack against our democracy.

As we’ve discussed, however, that consensus broke down soon after. As winter turned to spring, many House Republicans decided to rewrite recent history, recasting the villains as heroes, and the police as heavy-handed abusers who interfered with “peaceful patriots” engaged in a lawful protest. There was fresh evidence of this yesterday: TPM reported, “During a House Oversight committee hearing Tuesday, several Republicans spent their speaking time expressing concern for a specific group of people involved in the January 6 attack: the insurrectionists themselves.”

Soon after the hearing, the House took up a measure to honor the law-enforcement officials who defended the Capitol on Jan. 6. The resolution passed, but not unanimously.

To be sure, a 406-to-21 vote is lopsided, but under normal circumstances, we’d expect zero members of Congress to vote against a measure honoring Capitol Police who kept them safe during an attack on their own institution. Yesterday, however, 21 lawmakers — each of them conservative Republicans — voted “no,” despite knowing that the resolution would pass anyway.

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House Republicans Voted Against Giving Medals To Officers Who Responded To Jan 6 Riot

The House passed a bill Tuesday to award the Congressional Gold Medal to all law enforcement officers who defended the Capitol during the Jan. 6 riot, with 21 Republicans opposing the bill.

Why it matters via the Washington Post:“he vote underscored the still-lingering tensions in Congress amid efforts by some GOP lawmakers to whitewash the events of that day.”

Stay on top of the latest market trends and economic insights with Axios Markets.

The measure passed the House with a bipartisan vote of 406-21.

Details: The four medals awarded under the bill one of the highest civilian honors would be displayed in the Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police headquarters, Smithsonian Institution and the Capitol building.

The bill names the three law enforcement officers who died following the attack, and singles out U.S. Capitol Police officer Eugene Goodman, who lured a mob away from members of Congress.

The resolution recognizes their actions as an example of “the patriotism and the commitment of Capitol Police officers, and those of other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in service of our country.”

The Republicans who voted against:

Rep. Thomas Massie

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Rep. Andy Harris

The Long Fight To Funding

Congress passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act in 2010, over opposition from some Republicans who balked at its original $7 billion price tag. The act was reauthorized in 2015 for 90 years. But a portion of the law the Victim Compensation Fund was only funded for five years, through the end of 2020.; The fund aimed to provide necessary financial support for the thousands who suffered serious medical issues, including a spate of cancer diagnoses, after the 2001 attacks.;

The House voted 402 to 12 to permanently reauthorize the fund through 2092 earlier in July, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating $10.2 billion in costs over the next ten years. However, Sen. Rand Paul prevented the Senate from voting to approve the bill by unanimous consent last week because of its high cost. Fellow Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah also placed a procedural hold on the legislation, further preventing it from passing in the Senate.;

Under Senate rules, any one senator can propose that a bill be considered for unanimous consent, but one senator can also block it. The bill was then brought to the floor for debate and a full vote this week.

Comedian and 9/11 first responder advocate Jon Stewart blasted Paul;over the issue, telling Fox News the move was “absolutely outrageous.”;

In a last-minute pitch before Tuesday’s vote, Paul offered an amendment he said would help offset the bill’s spending costs.;

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/11 Responders Bill Defeated By Senate Gop Filibuster

the CNN Wire StaffSTORY HIGHLIGHTS

Motion for cloture falls three votes short of ending GOP filibuster

Republicans oppose the $7.4 billion cost; supporters hope to revive the measure

Bill would provide medical benefits, compensation for 9/11 first responders

NYC Mayor Bloomberg calls it an “example of partisan politics trumping patriotism”

Washington — Senate Democrats failed Thursday to win a procedural vote to open debate on a bill that would provide medical benefits and compensation for emergency workers who were first on the scene of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

The motion for cloture, or to begin debate, needed 60 votes to pass due to a Republican filibuster, but fell short at 57-42 in favor.

While supporters said they would try to bring the bill up again, either on its own or as part of other legislation to be considered, the vote Thursday jeopardized the measure’s chances for approval in the final weeks of the current congressional session.

The House previously passed the bill on a mostly partisan 268-160 vote.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg reacted to Thursday’s result by calling it “a tragic example of partisan politics trumping patriotism.”

RELATED TOPICS

Michael Bloomberg

“I urge Senate Republicans to reconsider their wrong-headed political strategy and allow the bill to come to the floor for a vote,” Bloomberg said in a statement.

Zadroga Act Opponents Including Paul Ryan Observe September 11 Anniversary

WASHINGTON — The nation’s leading Republicans marked the 11th anniversary of 9/11 with the words “never forget” on their lips — most of those using the occasion to promote legislation — but nearly all of them opposed the bill passed two years ago to help the first responders who suffered health problems in the wake of the attacks.

Prominent among them was vice presidential nominee, Rep. Paul Ryan , who voted twice against the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and opposed the final passage of the bill.

“Eleven years ago today, from Capitol Hill, I could see the smoke rising from the fires burning in the Pentagon. Like all Americans, I will never forget the moment that our homeland came under attack,” Ryan said in a statement. “For me, this is a day to remember those who perished on that day of terror, including the first responders.”

A spokesman for Ryan, Brendan Buck, insisted that Ryan supports 9/11 responders and pointed to the congressman’s votes soon after the attacks in favor of aid for those suffering. He explained Ryan’s Dec. 2010 comments on the House floor in opposition to the Zadroga bill by noting that Ryan said he didn’t like the bill because he thought it was flawed, was “rushed” onto the floor by Democrats, and created a new mandatory spending program.

“Gov. Romney supports government assistance to the victims of terrorism,” Saul said.

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Texas Elections Bill Was Near Party

Friday’s vote;saw only one representative;cross;party lines; Rep. Lyle Larson, R-San Antonio, who voted against SB 1.;

All 40 Democrats who were present Friday voted against the bill, with several saying efforts should focus on improving;voter access with such initiatives as online or election day voter registration.

Instead, Republicans squandered an opportunity by focusing on restrictions that will have a disproportionate impact on voters of color, said Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie,;one of nine Democrats to speak against SB 1 to close Friday’s debate.

The bill, Turner said, was inspired by the “big lie” that President Donald Trump was denied a second term because of widespread election fraud, a conspiracy theory unleashing a toxic and dangerous threat to democracy.

“He and other Republicans whipped their base into a frenzy with crazy conspiracies about election fraud,” Turner said.

“This bill was never about election security or voter integrity.;It was always about using the big lie to justify restricting access to the ballot box,” he said.

More:From polls to ballots, here’s what a new Texas voting bill would mean for you

Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, a Black woman who recalled having to pay a poll tax to vote when she was young, said SB 1 was a continuation of an attack on the right to vote for nonwhite citizens.

“We have 90 days to act,” he said. “The clock is ticking.”

Utah Sen Mike Lee Votes Against 9/11 First Responders Bill After Losing Bid To Limit Spending

Why Ted Cruz Voted Against 9/11 Relief Funds | MSNBC

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.

Washington The Senate passed a measure Tuesday extending for decades the fund for victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks after defeating an amendment by Sen. Mike Lee that would have limited the payout to about $20 billion over the life of the program.

The bill, which passed overwhelmingly in the Senate 97-2 and was previously approved by the House, now heads to President Donald Trump’s desk for his signature.

Lee, a Utah Republican, had held up the bill while attempting to curtail the expansion to only what is needed in the next decade. His amendment, shot down by a 32-66 vote, would have given $10.18 billion to the fund in the next 10 years and another $10 billion after that.

After his amendment failed, Lee voted against the final bill. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, supported the overall measure.

Lee walked off the floor shortly after it was clear his amendment didnt have the 60 votes it needed to pass.

His office declined to comment on the vote and pointed to a statement from last week when the senator said that the victims fund has had an excellent record avoiding waste and abuse and has always been funded for a time-certain extension.

These two things are not coincidental, he said in that statement. They go together.

The Senate also rejected an amendment by Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., that would have cut other programs to pay for extending the 9/11 fund. Paul cast the only other no vote.

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Republicans Vote Against Awarding Medals To Police Who Defended Capitol

The House passed legislation on Tuesday to award Congressional Gold Medals; one of the highest civilian honors; to police officers who defended the Capitol during the violent Jan. 6 insurrection.

Lawmakers handily passed the legislation. Members of both parties supported it, 406-21, with all of the votes in opposition coming from conservative Republicans.

The four medals awarded under the bill would be displayed at the Capitol Police headquarters, at the D.C. Metropolitan Police headquarters, at the Smithsonian Institution and in a “prominent location” in the Capitol.

The medal displayed in the Capitol would be accompanied with a plaque listing all of the law enforcement agencies that helped protect the building on Jan. 6 from the mob of former President TrumpJoe BidenSpotlight turns to GOP’s McCarthy in Jan. 6 probeBiden visits union hall to mark Labor DayBiden approves disaster funds for NJ, NY after Ida floodingMOREs election victory.

The resolution names three police officers; Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood of the Capitol Police and;Jeffrey Smith of the Metropolitan Police; who died in the days after they were on duty at the Capitol on Jan. 6.

The measure states that their actions “exemplify the patriotism and the commitment of Capitol Police officers, and those of other law enforcement agencies, to risk their lives in service of our country.”

‘we’ll See You At The Polls’

But the bill’s House sponsor, Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, said SB 1 was the product of more than 35 hours of House debate between the regular session that ended in May and two special sessions.

“We all strive for improvement, and I believe that’s what we’re looking at with this legislation, is improving the Election Code of Texas,” Murr said, his voice scratchy from almost 13 hours of debate Thursday over SB 1.

Moments before the House took its final vote on SB 1, Rep. Harold Dutton, D-Houston, engaged Murr in a back-and-forth discussion on the House floor.

“Do you think there’s fraud in Texas elections?” Dutton asked.

“Generally speaking, I;think there is always a likelihood of fraud,” Murr replied. “We have;seen past examples of fraud.”

Dutton ended with an acknowledgement that the fight over SB 1 was almost over, but he said a larger fight is looming: “We’re going to;go;vote, and so we’ll see you at the polls.”

Once the House names its five members to the conference committee, they will negotiate a final version of SB 1 that will need to be approved;by both chambers.

The bill’s author, Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, said Friday that;he will determine the next step after;studying House changes.

Also Check: How Many Republicans Are Against Trump

DOJ wades in against Texas abortion ban

Attorney General Merrick Garland said Monday that the Justice Department would protect women seeking an abortion in Texas as the agency explores ways to challenge one of the most restrictive laws in the nation. In a statement, Garland said the department would protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services pursuant to our criminal and civil enforcement of the law known as the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act.

The announcement from the Justice Department comes days after the conservative-majority Supreme Court declined to block the Texas law that bans abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, with no exceptions for rape or incest. The law also allows anyone to file a lawsuit against any other person who has aided someone in obtaining an abortion, with the potential for a $10,000 payoff.

The Internet responds

Pro-choice users on TikTok and;Reddit;have launched a guerrilla effort to thwart Texass extreme new abortion law, flooding an online tip website that encourages people to report violators of the law with false reports, Shrek memes and porn.

The law makes it illegal to help women in;Texas;access abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy. To help enforce it, anti-abortion group Texas Right to Life established the digital tipline where people can send anonymous information about potential violations.

A Legislative Win But At What Cost

As the bill now heads to the president’s desk for final signature, advocates and living survivors can’t help but think the battle was won but at the expense of hundreds of their brothers in arms.

In the process of the reauthorization, over 200 firefighters and first responders died as a result of cancers and other medical ailments related to the 2001 terror attacks.;

The daughter of William Gormley, a former New York City firefighter who died after his own battle with cancer in 2017, told CBS that her family had filed a claim for benefits from the victims fund immediately after her father’s death and was assured that the money would be there.

“They went back on their promise but they had to. It was better for everyone to get a little money than no one at all,” Bridget Gormley said.

Gormley says the fund was unfortunately a “victim of its own success” after the fund quickly ran out of money because of a rise in cancer-related illnesses in the 9/11 community.;

“This is not going to be a cause for celebration,” Gormley noted importantly. “We unfortunately have to learn some lessons form our failures in this situation. It’ll be a milestone but it’ll serve as a testament to the first responders who fought.”

Recommended Reading: What Were The Reconstruction Goals Of The Radical Republicans

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massielandnetwork · 3 years ago

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Thriving in an Economic Bubble during Anarchy

4. The Christian Succession – What a fun week

A few items from the secular world this week:

1. The NFL (yes, the National Football League) announced this week it it is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender. Does that make you “Ready for some Football”?

2. The new Miss Nevada is a transgender person. So, allow me to rephrase those judges’ decision. The most beautiful, most talented, most ideal young women in Nevada is a biological male who thinks he is a female.

Give our Lord and Savior the credit for the great awakening that is happening before our eyes. Satan is being exposed and confronted. Hallelujah. Amen. Here are just a few examples:

1. Trump held his first rally in months, had an overflow crowd in Ohio, and was watched by over 3 Million viewers on line. That viewership easily eclipsed the total number of all Bidenharris events beginning with the basement campaign last year to present. But we are supposed to be stupid enough to believe Bidenharis won the election. If you believe Bidenharris won, I have a bridge in New York City for you to buy. It used to have a lot of traffic before the Demented Marxist (DM) Mayor turned his city into a third world country equivalent.

2. I have lost count of the Americans who are black that have spoken out against the Critical Race Theory (CRT) equating it to the teachings of the Ku Klux Klan. Numerous states have outlawed it from their schools. Virginia does not have any adult legislators.

3. Did you read that the Republican candidate for Governor in Arizona has pledged to finish building their section of border wall? The rebellion is bubbling.

4. The Arizona hand count of the ballots has been completed. There are two other steps in the audit that have not been completed so it may be August before there is a report given.

5. As many as 20 other states are discussing election audits. All of the states should be audited. Every nonprofit organization has an annual audit, publicly traded companies get audited, how come it is not standard procedure to audit our elections? Where are Virginia’s Republicans? Hiding under their blankies?

6. There were even more reports of Moms becoming vocal and organized in their opposition to the Critical Race Theory and the LGBT agenda. Watch this trend. An entire generation of children are at risk because school systems are more concerned with chasing the phantom of “social justice” than with teaching math, science, and western history. I expect the Momma Bears to win this debate. A positive from the Pandemic.

Meanwhile, our “elected” officials and the media are primarily focused on a contest of words as they vie to outdo each other with cute turns of phrase, etc. Is there a new Olympic sport called Word Jousting with some umpire tracking the points earned by being more outrageous as talking heads compete with meaningless words. Most of our elected officials are champions at talking and strutting. I long for real American leadership.

There are some quite serious issues that need to be addressed. No, Climate Change is not one of them despite the media demonstrating they are universally poor with both math and science. Climate Change can be summed up with fact that the Ice Age did not end because millions of years ago some Neanderthal ancestor of mine started driving an SUV.

I am reading a great book which is a thorough analysis of Climate Change written by Steven E. Koonin called “Unsettled”. Mr. Koonin is a true expert, candid in his disdain for the media’s distortion of the facts that have been and are issued on the topic of Climate Change. It is easy to see that the media types are either clueless about science or severely slanted in their view because they never let the facts stand in the way of a good story.

While our “faux leaders” talk and strut about foolishness such as Critical Race Theory (all whites are racists) and Modern Monetary Theory (governments can borrow all the money they want without damaging that country’s economy), the Chinese have built a country with modern technology, become a mercantile state that controls a number of global industries, bought our officials, own 20 square miles of Texas adjacent to our air force base, and acquired Africa along with most of the rest of the world using their Fools Gold currency. The USA is now just a slave of China because they produce our stuff and own our government, universities, sports teams, and media.

The legacy media is full of meaningless talk devoid of fact but full of opinion and acting as if word jousting accomplishes something. As a capitalist, I find it fascinating to watch the dying so called mainstream media being replaced by new sources of information. CNN is reportedly on the block to be sold and the market will ultimately impact other enormous organizations like Facebook, Twitter, etc. Since they are controlled by China, they should move there.

Are you watching the electricity shortage in California and Texas? Highest cost and lowest reliability is the reality of an electric grid dependent on solar panels and bird slicers called windmills. Virginia better get some adults in leadership or we are going to be in the same fix as California and Texas. Brownouts are not my idea of good government.

Economic trends over the last week saw stock markets struggling to price in the announcements of The Fed about tapering Quantitative Easing (QE) and the effects on interest rates. The increased mortgage interest rates from The Demented Marxists (DMs) gaining control of our government have already slowed the housing market. The peak of this real estate cycle was this past January – February. The Fed now owns such a large percentage of the Treasury market that it is causing mixed signals in the markets. Do not be fooled, as The Fed tampers QE interest rates will rise and the economy will slow. The impact will be determined by a matrix of factors that will be impacted by the actions of The Fed. The highest probability is that this will be a brutal economic event.

About the only supply chain that is not disrupted is toilet paper. It is in surplus. Major supply chain problems are being reported in China and India due to the spread of a variant of the Wuhan Virus. The current twin negatives are the shortage of parts and the shortage of employees. The 20+ Conservative states that have cut back on the unemployment payments are recovering faster and better than the misnamed Progressive states that continue to pay folks not to work.

Totally lacking leadership, Virginia continues to pay folks not to work. Help wanted signs are everywhere. Every business head I talk with has had to cut back on their business operation because they cannot find anyone to hire. That is not hard to understand when you calculate that by not working, the “unemployed” reportedly receive $60,000 that is not taxable. These distortions are causing inflation. When supply chains get closer to demand, prices will be “sticky”, if they decline.

The current forecast is that oil will hit $100 per barrel by the end of this year. That means $4 per gallon gas. Biden destroyed our energy independence and returned the USA to being energy dependent on OPEC and Russia. Do you find it interesting that China and Russia are prospering with the DMs in control in the USA? Increased gasoline and diesel prices affect the cost of everything, another source of inflation.

Counting the one that is coming in 2022, during my career I will have been through seven recessions caused by one of the following – (1) increased energy prices, (2) interest rates being raised to combat inflation, and (3) increased taxes. The recession coming next year will be the result of a combination of all three of those forces. Get prepared…now.

170 days into the DM’s Coup, each day more details emerge regarding the fraudulent election last November. Eventually, we will know all the facts. Pray for the patriot attorney in Antrim County, Michigan who called for the Secretary of State to resign or be impeached and the election to be De-Certified. Another county in Michigan has voted to audit its election. Keep watching the Arizona Audit. The Secretary of State in Georgia decided to investigate the chain of custody of some of the mail in ballots to CYA. As the election audits spread and the terabytes of information from Mr. Dong bubble, you can smell the fear of the DMs.

A great piece of land remains The Best investment long term. Capitalism builds wealth, Marxism/Socialism consumes it in self destruction. Pray for a return to honest and audited elections in the USA. God is in control. Men make plans, but God ALWAYS wins.

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.”

(Romans 12:12) New Revised Standard Version, Oxford University Press)

Stay healthy,

Ned

July 1, 2021

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fuzzballsheltiepants · 7 years ago

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The Forging of the Wolf, Chapter 14

Finally! The adventure continues... Read the earlier chapters: Chapter 1. Chapter 2. Chapter 3. Chapter 4. Chapter 5. Chapter 6. Chapter 7. Chapter 8. Chapter 9. Chapter 10. Chapter 11. Chapter 12. Chapter 13.

Dearest Mikkal,

I don’t know if you’ll ever read this. I don’t even know if you’re still breathing as I write this, or if you let yourself be taken into the next world. But I’m leaving tomorrow for Terrasen, and I know now that I will never see you again.

I shouldn’t put this on paper, but right now I don’t give a damn. For the past day I have been so angry, and that helped me see through all the other bullshit. I loved you. I never told you that; I thought you didn’t want me to, but here it is. I loved you, and you never really let me in.

I am grateful to you, for all that you taught me. I don’t think I ever said that either. You made me stronger in every way, and that is a debt I will never be able to pay. But I will take it with me, and I will remember you, always.

Aedion

Aedion looked around his small room. At the bed, stark and empty; the small bookcase, its denizens now packed away; the spot on the floor where he had collapsed in Mikkal’s arms, the last time he had ever done so. At the desk, vacant save for the sealed letter with Mikkal’s name on it. He hefted his pack over his shoulder and turned to leave. The letter caught his eye one more time. He pushed back through, crossed the room, and picked it up. He studied it for a moment, then crossed to the small waste paper basket and dropped it in, and not a second later the door clicked shut behind him.

A minute passed, and he was back in the room. Grabbing the letter out of the basket, he opened the seal and wrote ten words at the bottom, then resealed it and left it on his desk.

His men joined him in the stables while he was still readying Avenar. The horses were laden down enough that it would add at least a day, probably two, to their trip, but there were few settlements between the camp and Orynth, and Aedion had no clue what condition any of the villages would be in. That the roads would be ankle deep in mud was a given, and he had brought shoeing equipment for the horses as a precaution. He was counting on being able to do at least some hunting, but bad weather could slow them even further. There was also no way of foretelling what reception they would receive, given their uniforms; at least he had convinced Colonel Sayre to issue green and brown ones rather than the standard black and red, and the gold wyvern insignias were far less noticeable. No reason to make themselves more of a target than they had to be.

Spirits among the other four were high as they mounted and headed through the courtyard. General Paget was standing there, a rare honor, and they all halted to bow while he wished them well. Catching the look in his eye, Aedion sent his men on and stayed behind.

“Are you certain that you don’t want me to send a messenger when I know more?”

Aedion nodded. “I’m certain, sir. But thank you, for the offer.”

Paget studied him for a long moment. “I wish I was sending him with you today.”

Swallowing hard, Aedion nodded. “Me too, sir. Me too.”

Clapping him on the knee, the general gave him a nod. “Go on then, and take care of your men.”

“Thank you, sir. I will.” Wheeling Avenar, he jogged her up to Raedan, and they turned to trot through the gate together.

“What’s going on?” Raedan asked, as quietly as he could over the sounds of the horses.

“Mikkal…” He ground his teeth against the surge of anger. “Mikkal was seriously injured in Fenharrow.”

“Shit,” Raedan said under his breath, unaware Aedion could hear him. “Will he be all right?”

“I think it’s too soon to know.”

Raedan turned his eyes back to the road, but didn’t say anything more. The five of them continued north through town and onto the main road where they eased back to a walk. So they continued through the day, walking and trotting, the fit horses not seeming overtaxed but Dorsey and Hirons looking a bit sore by the time they stopped to set camp. They had passed several farms and small villages, but none with an inn. This part of Adarlan was much less populous than farther south, and once they crossed into Terrasen it would get sparser still.

The trip was remarkably uneventful save an afternoon and night spent with a farmer in the foothills of the Perranth Mountain gap when a late snow squall rose up, obscuring their vision enough that they had to seek shelter. Aedion had been uncertain as to what their reception would be, but he would not soon forget the awe shining in the faded blue eyes of the farmer and his wife when he gave his name. It broke his heart.

When the farmers wouldn’t accept his money, he and his men had pitched in with the never-lessening mountain of work involved in farming. The horses had looked a bit askance at having to share their accommodations with the cows. Everyone else was more than content as they sprawled out on various guest beds and couches for the night, even Aedion’s hollow belly full with the delicious stew and bread.

Since that night, his men had been a bit more subdued. Dorsey in particular, who had been raised on a farm, had kept looking behind him as they left the hills and set out across the plains, the Staghorn mountains looming in the distance. Aedion didn’t realize how much of the quietness stemmed from himself. As they neared Orynth and began encountering villages with more frequency, they also encountered more people who recognized Aedion on sight, or who would stop and stare when one of his men said his name.

It was Hirons who broached it one night as they were cooking the rabbits Aedion and Dorsey had shot. “So you’re really a prince,” he said, breaking a silence Aedion hadn’t even noticed had grown around the crackling flames.

“Yes,” Aedion said slowly, drawing out the word. “I didn’t think it was a secret.”

“No, I knew it, I guess I just didn’t really know it.” Aedion’s brow furrowed, and Hirons went on. “I mean, these people, the farmers, those villagers…they all love you.”

Aedion carefully turned the stick the meat was speared upon. “They loved my uncle and aunt. They loved my cousin. I’m just…a reminder, I guess.” Hirons looked like he was going to go on, but out of the corner of his eye Aedion saw Raedan shake his head and the lieutenant subsided. He didn’t even want to know what that was about.

The sun was just beginning to drop in the sky the next day when Avenar crested a ridge and the white city was spread out in front of them. Aedion’s breath caught and he blinked hard to keep the tears from escaping. Raedan rode up on his left, Hirons on his right. “This is where you grew up?” Hirons asked. Aedion nodded, not trusting his voice.

“Welcome home,” Raedan said softly, and Aedion closed his eyes and brushed his thumb and forefinger through his lashes. He urged Avenar forward and, flanked by his men, headed towards the gates.

*****

It turned out Delaney was not only more than adept at selling bread, working the counter was an even better fount of gossip than the parties she went to most nights. She soon learned that midday was the best time to be up front, as that was when the working people came in. The guards’ shift change mid-afternoon was second best. She blessed her memory every night as she sat up scribbling down notes that she would burn once her letter to her dear Uncle Clery was written.

The beautiful Lady Massie did in fact come in twice a week to purchase cookies or miniature cakes or delicate flaky pastries, and time always slowed down for those precious few minutes where Delaney could gaze into those large, expressive eyes as they exchanged smiles. A couple of weeks into her new position, the Lady thanked her shyly by name, and it was days before she stopped dreaming of the sound of her name in that musical voice.

During one of her afternoon training sessions with Fulke, she paused for a water break as he worked her yet again on how to block an overhead knife strike. “Do you know anything about Lady Massie?” she asked innocently.

“Massie? Massie?” He thought for a moment. “I don’t know a Lady Massie. I know old Lord Massie, maybe she’s his wife?”

There was no ring on those delicate hands that Delaney had studied as she’d handed over packets of pastry. “Does he have a daughter?”

Fulke shrugged. “All I know about the old bastard is he’s one of the sycophantic pricks who keeps kissing the King’s ass every time he decides to invade somewhere new, since he’s made profiting from war an art form. Hell, I think he’s funding half the invasion of Fenharrow at the moment. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. She comes into the bakery all the time and I was wondering who she was.” Delaney thought her tone was utterly nonchalant, but Fulke eyed her suspiciously. She squared up to him. “Again,” she said, and he sighed as he repositioned her feet and ran through the exercise for yet another time.

One morning a group of raucous soldiers came in to the bakery as Delaney was putting out fresh loaves. She listened as she wrapped their orders more slowly than strictly necessary.

“I heard it was an utter massacre,” one young man was exclaiming. “A hundred and sixty rebels dead in under fifteen minutes. I can’t wait to get down there, do more than train for once.”

Delaney’s heart leaped into her throat, her hands shaking slightly as she finished taping the packet shut. Clery and Kerrin and Flinn, all her friends in Orynth, Raedan, Aedion…

“Do you really think we’re getting sent down to Fenharrow?” another asked, reaching for the package she handed him without looking at her. Fenharrow. She closed her eyes briefly in a silent prayer of thanks.

“I’d bet a month’s pay on it,” said the first. “After those bastards tried to burn down the camp and almost killed that major? They’re going to send us all south.” They pushed back through the door, still chattering, and the sudden silence when the door closed was a relief.

South, not north. But was it really any better that a hundred and sixty people were dead, just because she didn’t know them? She felt a surge of guilt for thanking the gods that it was not her rebels who had been destroyed. As if the people in Fenharrow mattered less. Come to think of it, this must have been the attack noted a couple of weeks ago on the casualty lists. But only the Adarlan losses had been noted: three regulars killed, one officer seriously wounded. Not even a hint of the destruction that had been wrought.

Another wave of people came in, and she tried her best to turn her focus onto her job, to smile and look pleasant as she took people’s money. Yet Luk came to her an hour before her scheduled break and ordered her to go early. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost, girl,” he said when she protested. “You’re going to make my cakes bitter. Get out of here, get some fresh air.”

The spring sunshine was weak but optimistic when she pushed through the belled door. It was chilly enough she was glad she’d grabbed her cloak, but the city had finally lost that dingy gray look it had borne for the past months. She headed into the market square, dodging aristos and peasants alike as they all did their shopping. Stopping at a cafe for a sandwich and a cup of coffee, she found a seat at a painted iron table right on the edge of the square. The people bustling by held no interest for her today; still all she could think of was her friends falling under the sword. Her sandwich lay in front of her, barely touched, as she rested her elbows on the table and pressed the heels of her hands into her eyes.

“Are you all right?” came a tentative voice from over her shoulder. Whipping around, she saw a tall girl who seemed to be all angles and remarkable blue-gray eyes looking at her with a concerned expression. Two other girls stood a few paces back, studying her with superior airs.

“Yes, I’m fine,” Delaney said, with a hideous attempt at a smile.

“You hear that, Cherise?” called one of the other girls. “She’s fine, let’s go. I’m hungry.”

Cherise glared at the girl over her shoulder before turning back to Delaney. “Ignore them,” she said, loudly enough for them to hear, “they’re idiots.” She gave Delaney a conspirator’s grin and Delaney couldn’t help but smile back.

“I’m really fine, but thanks for asking.”

The gray-eyed girl pulled out a chair and sat, uninvited. “You look sad,” she said bluntly.

Delaney struggled to come up with a reply. “I just heard about the rebel attack in Fenharrow,” she finally settled on.

One of the other girls, pale and sharp featured, snorted. “You’re a bit behind the times, aren’t you?” she drawled.

“Well, I understand,” the other one said dramatically, taking a few steps closer, “I was absolutely devastated when I learned it was Major Paget who was wounded.”

Cherise rolled her eyes. “Just because you danced with him one time…”

“That’s one more time than either of you,” the dark-haired girl snapped.

“Well, I heard he lost a foot,” the other girl said slyly, “so I think it was your last time as well.”

“It wasn’t a foot, it was a hand.”

“That’s even worse,” the pointy girl said. “Can you imagine him touching you with his stump?” She shuddered, and Delaney had to sit on her hands to keep from getting up and slapping her.

“As long as he didn’t lose his most important part, I wouldn’t care.” They erupted into giggles.

“His head?” Delaney interjected drily, and they all three looked at her in a bit of shock before Cherise began to grin.

“That’s not what I meant,” the dark-haired girl replied disdainfully.

“Oh, so you’re saying you’d fuck him if he didn’t have a head?”

Cherise burst out laughing. The other two glared at her. “You’re disgusting,” said the pointy girl.

“Sorry,” Delaney said, not sounding sorry at all. They stared at each other. The other girl looked away first.

“Come on, let’s get out of here,” she said to her companions. The dark haired girl followed her, but Cherise stayed seated.

“Rousalie’s always been a bit of a bitch,” she said. “Just ignore her.”

“I don’t really plan on ever talking to her again,” Delaney replied, picking up her sandwich again, “so it’s probably a moot point.” She took a bite and chewed pointedly, waiting for the gray-eyed girl to leave.

She didn’t. “What’s your name?”

“Delaney.”

“Nice to meet you, Delaney. I’m Cherise.”

“Yes, I gathered that.”

Rather than being offended, she looked coolly amused. “Well, Delaney, I hope to run into you again soon. I could use some new friends, you see. Mine are shallow and stupid.” She stood up and extended her hand. Delaney looked at it for a moment before taking it. “See you around.”

She was halfway across the square before Delaney caught up to her. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

“Well, whatever it is,” Cherise said, her wide mouth turning up, “I hope it’s contagious.” At Delaney’s obvious confusion, she laughed. “This city could use more people like you. Everyone else I know is boring.”

Delaney looked down at the cobbles, the few little pieces of grass that were managing to poke out between them despite the thousands of feet that trampled over them every day. “I’m not really that interesting,” she muttered.

“Do you know Major Paget?” Cherise asked, tilting her head slightly.

Delaney was thrown by the apparent non sequitur, and had to think for a moment before she recognized the name. “The officer who was injured in Fenharrow? No, never met him. Why?”

Cherise’s expression grew even more amused. “Ugh, he stopped here last spring for a week on his way to another camp. Everyone was half in love with him.” She rolled her eyes, clearly excepting herself from the class of everyone. “It was ridiculous.”

“I take it he’s handsome?” Delaney asked, beginning to smile herself.

“Handsome, and polite, and not interested in a damn one of them.” She laughed.

“Why did you think I knew him?”

“I don’t know, you just seemed…more upset about how Brigitte and Rousalie were talking than most girls would be.”

Delaney shrugged, keeping her tone as nonchalant as she could. “My brother’s a soldier.” She noted how Cherise’s face immediately changed, became serious. “I’d hate to think of people talking about him like that if…” The image of Raedan lying unconscious and bloody in the forest, the one that had haunted her for weeks, popped into her mind.

“And that’s why you’re so sad.”

She shook herself, coming back to the present. “He’s not in Fenharrow, at least I’m pretty sure he’s not, but that doesn’t mean he’s safe.”

Cherise took her hand and squeezed it impulsively. “I’m sure he’s fine.”

“Probably, at least for now,” Delaney agreed. “But those three soldiers who died, and all those rebels. What about their sisters? Their families?”

The tall girl looked as though she’d been struck. Delaney freed herself and turned to leave. “Please,” Cherise said quietly. “Please be my friend.”

“I’m around,” Delaney said over her shoulder. “You can find me any time.” Not that she would; no, Cherise’s clothes put her squarely in the “don’t associate with bakery employees” set. She set into a jog across the square; her break was almost over. So she never looked back to see the longing in those gray-blue eyes as they followed her through the crowd.

*****

The light filtering through the window was bright; it was well past dawn. Mikkal couldn’t remember the last time he’d slept in this late. He stretched and the arm around his chest tightened, pulling him in against that broad chest. Lips grazed his neck, and he could feel his lover’s arousal pressing into his ass. He let himself slump back, let his fingers intertwine with the ones splayed across his body. Looking down past his own hardening cock, he could see those long fair legs tangled with his own and he sighed in contentment.

Turning his head, he tried to roll over to meet those lips with his own. At the movement, though, that big hard body began to break apart. He shifted his legs, and the ones they were pressed against dissolved into so much sand. The hand engulfing his own disappeared, taking his fingers with it. Panicking, he thrashed around, desperate to see his lover, to hold onto him and never let go; but by the time he got himself flipped over Aedion was gone.

Mikkal shot awake, reaching automatically across the bed to find only cool sheets. Ignoring the burning in his lower abdomen he pushed himself into a sitting position. The moonlight was shining through the window onto his pillow; he must have forgotten to close the drapes. There was moisture on his cheeks, and he swiped at them furiously.

He had to stop this. He had to get out of here, but it had been over a month since the rebel attack and he still wasn’t strong enough to mount a horse. When he woke up the day after, he had expected it to be his hand that hurt the most, but it was his damn abdomen. Every time he turned, even just his head; every time he sat or stood or even used the gods-damned toilet the pain ripped through him. The healers had stitched him together, had stopped the bleeding and saved his worthless life. They kept telling him how fortunate he was that the knife hadn’t penetrated the membrane inside his body; if it had he would have died of infection. They kept telling him if the arrow had hit an inch lower, it would have severed the main artery to his arm and he would have bled to death.

It seemed he just couldn’t catch a break.

He didn’t bother to bite back his grunt as he stood, awkwardly lighting his lamp with his left hand. Sitting on the desk was the untouched letter that had arrived from his father earlier via express messenger. It was rather fatter than normal, and he wasn’t sure he wanted to know what it contained. What reproaches he could expect for putting himself in danger, as evidently Major Thrayer had seen fit to tell General Paget all he had observed from the watch tower. At least he hadn’t been able to see what had really happened to his hand.

The letter he was really waiting for still had not come. With the support of General Chambers he had submitted a request for release from the army, citing his injuries. Not that he had any notion of what he would do once released. It wasn’t like he could be a farmer or a laborer; even with two functional hands he hadn’t a clue how to do that type of work.

With a sigh, he picked up his father’s letter and ripped open the seal. There was a second sealed letter inside. He scanned his father’s first. Not surprisingly, it contained the hope that when he did recover and was released from his obligation to the army, he would return home. It was the second letter he had received from his father, the first having been written in response to Major Thayer’s and this evidently written not long after. He had already dictated a letter reassuring his father that he was on the mend. This time, he would write his own, though he knew it would barely be legible. But first…

He reached for the second letter, and his hand began to shake as he picked it up. He had not heard from Aedion since a week before the attack. On the back, beneath the seal, was written in his father’s hand, This was found in Ashryver’s room. I don’t know if he intended to send it. Mikkal had a brief moment of terror before he remembered Aedion would have left for the north by the time this had been sent. Taking a breath, he opened it and scanned it, his heart fracturing more with each word.

Aedion was right. He hadn’t let him in, not completely, for if Aedion had seen him for the coward he was he would have scorned him and for good reason. It had been yet another truth Mikkal had hidden from, had put off facing. Too much of a coward to really embrace the fighting, too much of a coward to rebel against Adarlan even as he recognized the evil it was perpetrating; too much of a coward to even admit to Aedion how much he loved him.

It was the postscript that kept him from falling into total despair. That hastily written pair of sentences, added on at the end. Who am I trying to fool? I love you yet. He couldn’t make any of this up to him, but… He pulled a piece of paper to him, and picked up a pen in his left hand. It still felt so foreign to him, like he was learning to play a new instrument. Slowly, painstakingly, he began to write.

It was dawn by the time he had finished his letters, enclosing Aedion’s in care of his father’s since the gods only knew where he was now. Standing naked in front of the mirror, he studied the long puckered purple scar that slashed below his navel. Looked at the bones now jutting through the skin, at the muscle that had gone soft, at the mangled hand that would, in fact, be his salvation. Pulling on his clothes, Mikkal turned off his light and headed out to the courtyard, and for the first time since he had been woken up that horrible night he joined in the morning workout. He was as slow and awkward as the most pathetic of new recruits, and every movement hurt, but he gritted his teeth and pushed on. After breakfast he barely made it back to his bed before collapsing and falling into a sleep so deep he didn’t dream. The afternoon was spent supervising training he couldn’t participate in, correcting footwork and grips over and over. And so his new routine was born while he waited and waited for the letter from the King.

*****

Somehow, Aedion was not surprised when a knock came before he had even settled into his room in the inn. A messenger stood outside holding a note; he dropped a copper in the waiting hand and took the sealed paper.

I would be delighted if you would join me for dinner. Clery. There was an address below the signature, one Aedion didn’t immediately recognize. He pulled out his map of the city.

The years he had been away had struck Aedion like blows as he had ridden through the city. On the surface Orynth was still beautiful, with the Staghorns rising behind the white castle on the hill, the broad winding streets, the parks that were just beginning to bloom with early flowers. The colors, the noise, and the smells of cooking meat and fresh-baked bread and spices in the market had been nearly overwhelming to Raedan and Osment, who had never seen anything larger than the market town near camp. Yet to him it felt as though it were dying. Its lifeblood, its people - there were so few compared to the teeming streets he had been used to, and they moved so heavily, as if weighted down with loss and fear.

He could not help but notice the way the people had stopped to gape at him when he first rode through the gates. It was enough to make him pull his hood up, hiding his bright hair and his eyes. He was grateful for the cloak masking the insignia on his uniform, though his heart ached with the knowledge he was riding through his home city wearing the garb of its enemy.

An hour later, he threw his cloak back over his clothes, then went and knocked on the door of the room Raedan and Hirons were sharing. The lieutenant answered the door.

“I’m going to head out,” Aedion told him. “You should eat and get some rest, I don’t know what to expect tomorrow.” Hirons nodded, and Aedion went to Osment’s and Dorsey’s room with the same message before heading down the stairs. Feet came racing after him, and he sighed as Raedan’s scent hit him.

“I’m going out alone,” he said, without turning to look at his brother.

“I know,” Raedan said, still following as they walked out into the street. Half a block down, Aedion stopped and glared at him in exasperation. “What? I’m going out alone too, we just happen to be going in the same direction.” His expression was innocent, though stubborn humor danced in his eyes.

Aedion growled, debating whether or not to officially order Raedan back to the inn before he started walking again, following the route he’d memorized. The address Clery had given him was in a fine neighborhood, but stood far from the glorious house he had owned near the palace when still a lord. He paused at the gate, looking up at the tall, narrow townhouse, before pushing through with Raedan still at his heels. The door opened before he could knock, a civil-looking housekeeper greeting him formally and showing the pair of them into a warm sitting room.

“Lord Clery,” Aedion said bowing reflexively on beholding the older gentleman.

“Not a lord anymore, Prince,” Clery said, bowing in return, not bothering to hide his displeasure as he beheld Raedan standing behind him. “And who is your companion?”

Aedion’s lips twitched as he replied, “Allow me to introduce Raedan Lamar.”

Clery’s mouth dropped open briefly before he rushed to take Raedan’s hands in his own. “You’re Delaney’s brother!” he exclaimed, and it was Raedan’s turn to look shocked. This was why Aedion had let him come along, and those gray-green eyes turned to him in a mute appeal for information.

“I sent Delaney to Orynth, Raedan,” Aedion said quietly. “That night, when…” He glanced at Clery. “When everything happened. She’s been here this whole time.”

“Not quite,” Clery said, looking a little anxious. “She’s in Rifthold now.”

It took Aedion two breaths to understand, and he lunged for Clery, lifting him off his feet and pressing him against the wall. “You’re using her as a spy?” he snarled in Clery’s face.

The older man blanched. “It was her idea,” he choked out, and a heartbeat later Aedion let him drop, though he didn’t take his furious turquoise eyes off of him. Raedan pushed his way in between them, shoving at Aedion’s shoulder until he backed up a wary step, then two. Clery straightened his clothes and met Aedion’s eyes calmly.

“Come on, man,” Raedan said quietly, “let him explain.”

So Clery did, about Delaney’s determination that had been redoubled after Raedan’s injury. About all the measures he put in place to keep her safe, many unknown even to her; about her weekly letters and Fulke’s regular reports. Aedion didn’t know Fulke, but that wasn’t surprising; no doubt most of Clery’s men would be strangers to him, especially now. He had not known Clery as well as some of the other lords, like Darrow and Cal Lochan and the Allsbrook family. But he had never doubted the man’s loyalty to Terrasen, nor his cunning as one of King Orlon’s preferred advisers.

He rubbed his hands over his face once Clery had finished. Until that moment, he hadn’t realized how much he had been looking forward to seeing her, to telling her about everything that had happened. To hearing her own stories, and her thoughts on what to do moving forward. She always saw things a little differently from him, a little more clearly. Letting his hands dropped, he leaned back in the chair Clery had persuaded him to sit in. Raedan was looking between the two men, pride and concern warring on his face.

“I appreciate what precautions you’ve taken,” he said finally. “I suppose I should have known she would find a way into the middle of the mess.”

Raedan laughed, and Clery relaxed.

“I’m sorry about that,” Aedion said, gesturing to the wall.

“You forget, I knew Rhoe his whole life.” He was looking at the wall with a faraway expression, seeing something other than honey-colored paneling. “He would’ve left me with bruises, and not apologized for it afterwards when he was your age.” He smiled fondly at the memory. “Shall we go up to dinner?” he asked, and Aedion’s stomach growled loudly in response, earning another laugh from Raedan. They headed up the narrow stairs and into the small dining room where the housekeeper was setting a fourth place.

“My apologies,” Clery said, gesturing for them to sit. “I had invited another guest, not realizing you’d be bringing one of your own. He should be here shortly.” His eyes flicked to Raedan, then back to Aedion. Raedan did not miss the look.

“If you want me to leave, I will,” he offered.

The townhouse door opened before Clery could answer, and there came the sound of boots echoing over the hall tiles, then the stairs. Aedion turned to the door, inhaling the unfamiliar scent of leather and resin that preceded the man.

“Sorry, Clery,” came a voice like hooves on gravel, “I was-” The man entered the room and froze, eyes locked on Aedion, a muscle twitching in his cheek. Aedion held his gaze unblinkingly, assessing. Though his features looked as though they’d been carved from granite, he was younger than Aedion had thought when he first appeared, perhaps only a few years older than himself. No gray touched his thick brown hair, nor the stubble that lined his jaw. But his hazelnut-colored eyes were as hard as his voice, and there was deep anger simmering there.

Finally the man turned to glare at Clery. “Is this a rutting joke?” he growled. “You tell me…you send me that message, and this is what you mean?”

“Cathal,” Clery said soothingly, “just sit down, let’s talk.”

“You expect me to take this seriously? A seventeen year old fallen prince in a gods-damned Adarlanian uniform?”

Aedion could hear Raedan’s teeth grinding from across the table and he shot him a warning look.

“And who the hell are you?” the man - Cathal - asked, looking at Raedan. “Let me guess, you’re the soldier who’s been warming Ashryver’s bed.”

Raedan laughed, though there was little humor in the sound. Clery leaped to his feet and put a placating hand on Cathal’s arm. “That’s Delaney’s brother, Raedan,” he said.

Cathal snorted. “You look pretty good for a corpse.”

Aedion and Raedan both glanced at Clery. “He’s been north of the Staghorns all winter,” Clery said by way of explanation.

Cathal shook his head. “This is just a rutting waste of time.” He turned to go but Aedion moved faster, on his feet and blocking the door before the other three men could blink. Clery backed away a step involuntarily.

“Why don’t you sit down, and we can listen to what Clery has to say,” Aedion said as pleasantly as he could manage.

“How about you just go back to hiding in Adarlan, Prince,” Cathal snapped, bristling. “The gods know you’ve been doing enough of that for the past three years while my people have been butchered.”

“And what, exactly, was I supposed to do,” Aedion snarled.

“That’s why I asked you both here,” Clery said to Cathal, “so we could learn what’s happened.”

“You’re honestly going to trust any answer he gives?” Cathal was shouting now. “He didn’t just survive, he’s become a gods-damned officer. And apparently he’s taken another officer as his lover, and you think there is one ounce of loyalty to Terrasen left in him?”

Raedan eased to his feet and walked around the table, one hand resting casually on his dagger hilt.

“Don’t worry,” Clery said in an undertone, “Cathal won’t hurt him.”

“That’s not who I’m worried about,” Raedan replied, just as quietly. There was a flicker of something that might have been fear in Cathal’s eyes as the words registered. Aedion smiled grimly.

“Are you really such a stubborn prick you can’t even sit down and listen?” he asked. Anger was warring with reason in Cathal’s face, and Aedion pressed him further. “Or is it that you have such a brilliant plan to protect Terrasen that you don’t need me?”

Turquoise eyes stared into brown ones for a long moment. “You have one hour,” Cathal finally said, before going to sit in the vacant seat at the foot of the table. A servant appeared promptly with soup, and Aedion fell on his as if he were starving.

Clery and Cathal were gaping at him, and Raedan looked to be struggling not to laugh when Aedion surfaced for air a few minutes later.

“When did you last eat?” Clery asked in some concern.

“Around midday,” Raedan answered for him, before taking an exaggeratedly polite spoonful of the soup.

Clery muffled his surprise, and Cathal turned to Aedion and said drily, “Well, princeling, I’m amazed you survived such hardship as not eating for an afternoon.”

“It is impressive, I know,” Aedion replied, mimicking his tone. A little flash of surprised humor lit Cathal’s face for a brief moment before the stony expression returned.

The next course was brought in, and Clery turned to Aedion. “Why don’t you tell us what’s happened, and what you want from us.”

With a deep breath, Aedion began. Even Raedan hadn’t heard all of it. He had never known about the scar on Aedion’s palm that he showed them all, hadn’t realized that he began planning to send Delaney to Terrasen from the moment she confessed her desire to leave the camp months before the need arose. He glossed over the details of the night Delaney had finally fled, though he couldn’t stop the roughening of his voice or keep his eyes from briefly meeting Raedan’s. Nor could Raedan stop the trembling of his hands when Aedion told of the attack in Oakwald.

“Do you understand now, why I couldn’t just leave?” he asked Cathal when he had finished. “My choices were die, or feign cooperation. I wasn’t going to help anyone but myself if I died.”

Cathal looked flatly skeptical. “Your story is certainly compelling,” he said. “But I still find it hard to believe Adarlan would be so stupid as to send you back here without some way of leashing you.”

“It has baffled me, too,” Clery said.

Aedion huffed a laugh. “Me too, if I’m being honest,” he said. Raedan set his fork down and passed the remains of his plate across the table for Aedion to polish off.

Cathal studied Raedan for a moment, fingers tracing the rim of his wine glass. “I expect they’re using your lover to ensure your cooperation.”

Raedan stared back, a dangerous spark deep in his eyes. “You seem to have a fascination with who Aedion takes to bed,” he said. “You keep bringing it up.”

“Are you trying to imply that it’s not you?”

Aedion and Raedan looked at each other and both laughed. “Hardly,” Raedan said. “I have no interest in men.”

“And even if you did, it would be too much like incest,” Aedion added, and Raedan nodded.

“But,” Cathal turned to Aedion, “do you deny that you have an Adarlanian lover?”

“I’ve fucked a lot of people,” Aedion said lazily. “I’m not sure why it’s relevant.”

“Because according to reports, at least one of them wears that gods-damned uniform,” Cathal growled, “and I have concerns about how you can remain loyal to Terrasen while sharing your bed with an officer who no doubt would happily see my country burn.”

“I wouldn’t go there,” Raedan said warily.

“Or what? Is he going to attack me because I dare to question the integrity of a soldier he welcomed into his bed?”

“It’s a valid question,” Clery said mildly.

Aedion watched the flickering candles on the table, debating protesting the existence of any such relationship. Yet somehow he couldn’t bring himself to deny Mikkal. “I understand your concerns,” he said, too quietly, “but I can assure you they are unfounded. He…did not support the invasions.”

It was Clery who pushed this time. “Do you deny that Adarlan could well use him to force your cooperation?”

“Not likely,” Aedion said grimly. “Or if that was their plan, they certainly didn’t go about it properly.”

“What do you mean?” Clery asked.

Aedion couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice. “They sent him to Fenharrow six months ago. He was gravely wounded over a month ago, I got word just before I left. For all I know, he’s already dead.” His laugh made all three men flinch. “If they hoped to use him as some sort of a leash, don’t you think they should have kept him safer?”

A silence followed. “No,” Aedion said at last. “I’ve decided this is a test. They figure that either you’ll kill me and save them the trouble, or I’ll declare myself a citizen of Terrasen, side with you publicly, and they can hang me in the market square in a grand celebration, and spike my corpse on the palace gates. Of if by some miracle I actually follow orders, they can use me as a means to keep Adarlan’s foot on Terrasen’s neck.” Raedan leaned back in his chair, watching him, tapping his knee absent-mindedly with his fingers. “I don’t think it has occurred to them that I might play a more subtle game.” One side of his mouth quirked up. “One of the advantages of being seen as merely a cocky brute.”

Cathal held his eye for a long moment, then turned to Raedan. “Well, if you’re not his lover, what is your role in all of this? You have no reason to care about the fate of Terrasen.”

“Have you ever had a friend who was so close they were your brother in all but blood? Where you’ve seen each other at your absolute worst moments, and it makes no difference?” Raedan asked quietly.

“Yes,” Cathal said, face so tight with pain Aedion reached halfway across the table to him before his brain caught up. He slowly withdrew his hand, settling it in his lap.

“Then you understand. My allegiance is to Aedion alone.” He looked across the table, a small smile on his lips as he took in Aedion’s expression. “Don’t look so shocked, you fool,” he said, and Aedion laughed. A grin flashed across Cathal’s face, disappearing so quickly it seemed as if the expression was afraid of being caught. Aedion couldn’t help but notice how it much it changed him, though. How much younger it made him look.

Clery called for port, and once it was poured he settled back in his chair, glass in hand. “Now that we’ve cleared the air, perhaps you can tell us what your plans are.”

“I don’t think so,” Aedion replied slowly.

“Excuse me?” Cathal said flatly. “Why the hell am I here then?”

“You’re acting like I invited you,” Aedion snorted. “I’ve been in Orynth all of,” he checked the clock on the mantel, “four hours. I don’t know you, I barely know Clery, I expected to see Delaney here and for all I know she’s buried under a floorboard somewhere instead of in Rifthold.” Clery and Raedan both choked, and Aedion felt a twinge of guilt until a glance at Raedan revealed him smothering a laugh.

“I could turn you in,” Cathal bristled. “I could go to the garrison commander right now and tell him you’ve been meeting with rebels.”

“Cathal,” Clery warned.

“You could,” Aedion said, “if you want to get Clery killed, go right ahead. It seems counter-productive to me.”

“I don’t have to tell him which rebels.”

“Ah, but see, he knows I’m here.”

Three faces wore identical expressions of horrified shock. He tilted his chair onto its back feet, long legs stretched out in front of him. “I was under orders to report to him when we arrived. Since I had barely set my stuff down in my room when the note arrived, I brought it along. I had a hunch that Clery was smart enough to meet with officers on a regular basis, keeping up appearances.” He tilted his head at Clery, who nodded stiffly in response. “I’m not exactly inconspicuous. If I’m going to a private home the same night I arrive, it could look suspicious. So I told him I’d gotten an invitation to dine with you, and asked him if it was some sort of a mistake.” He shrugged. “He assured me that you had extended the same courtesy to him, and recommended I take you up on it as you serve excellent food. He was quite right, by the way.” Cathal opened and closed his mouth once or twice, but nothing came out.

“But what would you have done if you were wrong?” Clery asked, pinching the bridge of his nose as if he had a headache.

“I would have declined the invitation as having been in error,” he said with a shrug. “You were clever enough not to put my name on it.”

Clery was looking from Cathal to Raedan as if expecting them to help in some way, but they seemed just as dumbstruck. He tossed his hands in the air and let them fall in his lap. “Delaney always did say you were smart.”

“And you didn’t believe her?” Aedion tsked. “You should have known better.”

“Well, now I do.”

Cathal stood. “I think I’ve had all I can take for tonight. Thank you for the meal,” with a bow to Clery before turning to Aedion. “Ashryver. You’ll forgive me for not bowing while you’re wearing that uniform.”

Aedion rose and held out his hand, which Cathal took hesitantly. “I’ll be in touch through Clery,” he said, and Cathal nodded and left, looking like he’d been through a whirlwind.

Before Aedion and Raedan took their leave, Clery brought them into his study and began rifling through a large stack of papers. Pulling out a few sheets, he looked up at the two young men opposite him. “What’s his name?” he asked, and Aedion looked at him stupidly for a moment.

Raedan, reading the sheets upside down, caught on faster. “Paget,” he said. “Major Mikkal Paget.”

Clery scanned down one sheet, then another. On the third, he paused. “This reports that he suffered partial amputation of one hand and an abdominal wound.” He looked up and Aedion nodded. “Well, he’s not on the two most recent casualty reports,” he said gently. “If he had died from his injuries, he would have been listed.”

Aedion looked at his feet, blinking rapidly against the sting in his eyes, and Raedan bumped his arm with his shoulder. “He’s all right,” Raedan said, his voice thick. “He’s all right.”

Out in the entrance hall, Clery put his hand on Aedion’s arm, pulling him to a stop. “Give Cathal a chance,” he said. “He lost everything in the takeover, and the battles afterwards.”

Aedion met his eyes, taking in the lines around them that had deepened so much in the years since he’d seen Clery last. “So did I,” he said. “Remind him of that.” With a slight bow, he turned and followed his brother out into the street. The lamps had come on, and he realized he had forgotten how the lights turned the white buildings they illuminated to a buttery gold. The noises of people talking, of doors closing, of children laughing, followed them as they walked towards the inn in silence. Through a window thrown open to catch the chill spring air they could hear music spilling. It was a simple song on a piano, picked out by fumbling fingers, but Aedion couldn’t help but stop and listen. He looked over his shoulder at the palace that loomed over the city with the mountain rising behind it, then at Raedan, who had stopped a few paces away.

“Welcome to Orynth,” he said, and they continued on, shoulder to shoulder, up the street.

#aedion #aedion ashryver #prequel #throne of glass #heir of fire #queen of shadows #empire of storms #sjm #sarah j maas #fanfic #fan fiction #my writing

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