#I get that those exact circumstances of birth probably aren’t THAT common

[choices-binglebonkus]

What are some tropes you guys dislike in Choices?

I personally don’t enjoy the Chosen One trope where the MC is powerful and special for the sake of being powerful and special. Wasn’t super fond of it in Hero, but I think that’s just because we never got any further lore or clarification on the MC’s origins since the series ended abruptly.

Loathed it in The Elementalists, though.

[forever-rogue]

In Name Only - Part 1

A/N: Ughhh, hi! I’m a whore for Oberyn Martell and cannot be stopped. This is gonna be a little series, only a few parts (at least for now), and I hope you enjoy. This was one of my many shower ideas that I couldn’t let go!  As always, feedback and comments are welcome, and if you’d like to be tagged, let me know! xx

Pairing: Oberyn Martell x Reader

Word Count: 6.5k

Warnings: slight language

IN NAME ONLY SERIES MASTERLIST

MASTERLIST

»»————-　♡　————-««

“I will not marry a man that does not love me,” you cursed the gods for making you a woman. You cursed your mother for being the way she was though it was not her fault that you were her only daughter among six sons. You cursed the laws of men that determined your position in life, “I will not be tied down to man who does not care about me, to a castle that will never be a home, and bear children I do not want.”

“You are an insolent, silly girl,” she hissed at you, and for a moment you feared that she might reached and strike you across the face. She had been prone to doing so when you were younger, but in her older years she had calmed down, softening with the birth of each child after you, each son, each brother you loathed for how easy their lives were, “you should have been married many moons ago.”

“I will not marry a man almost twice my age that openly keeps a lover and already has plenty of children,” a fiery rage set through your bones, one that would probably be perfectly suited in the warm, desert homeland of the husband she insisted you take. In the Reach, your attitude was abhorred, and you were considered the lone deviant of your family, “I will not give up my freedoms because you deem it fit for me to do so.”

“You will marry him and bear him an heir,” she grabbed your hair and roughly yanked it and leaned in so only you could hear, “you are lucky any man will have you. You’re much too old to be unwed and your demeanor makes you almost unbearable.”

“I will not do it,” you gritted your teeth and tried to pull out of grasp, “I will not subject myself to a life of servitude-”

“When I was your age I’d already been long married to your father and had you and two of your brothers,” she reminded, pushing you away with a heavy sigh, “do you think I wanted to get married? I was no more than a child, and you at least are a woman grown. I could have married you off years ago, as I should have. You would have been out of my sight and perhaps tamed.”

“I refuse. I will not bend and break to your whim,” turning away you started to storm off, hoping that some fresh air would calm you down. Perhaps you could ride your horse through the open pastures and fields surrounding the castle.

“And just what do you plan on doing then? Will you wander through the kingdoms on your own, travelling without anything or anyone like a heathen?”

“Perhaps I will,” you shrugged, “it would be better than doing what you ask of me. If you loved me-”

“If you do not marry him, you will be cut off from this family,” her words were enough to cause you turn around and listen to her, “you will lose your name, your worldly possessions, and you will be penniless. Is that really what you desire?”

“All of this because I do not want to take a husband?”

“It is your duty. As it has been the duty of every woman before you.”

“Fuck duty!” your voiced reverberated around the castle’s stone walls as she stared you down, “I will not marry someone I do not love. Father would never make me do so.”

“And your father is dead,” she reminded you with venom lacing her tone, “and what do you even know about love? It is a fiction created to keep little girls happy.”

“I loved him,” your heart felt like it was being ripped out of your chest as you thought of him. Your mother scoffed and dramatically rolled her eyes at you, “I loved him and you sent him away to certain death because you are a monster.”

“That horrid boy? He was a bastard,” she reminded you of the cruel little thing that kept you apart. How you rued the term of bastard; it did not mean anything, it did not determine a person’s character or heart, “he was never good enough for you. And you defiled yourself for him.”

“Because I loved him!” you insisted, “and he loved me! We would have been happy together, we could have built a life together...”

“He was a peasant, he tended stables-”

“That does not matter to me,” you reminded her, “he was kind and gentle and warm. I would have loved to have a life of tending stables if meant I was with him. Because I loved him!”

“You were lost in your girlhood fantasies of what you think love is,” she was cruel, each of her words twisting like a knife in your gut, “he was the first boy to show you attention and you fell for his little trap, and it has left you ruined for other men. You are lucky that Oberyn Martell does not know and he will not care, the one benefit of having a Dornish heathen for a husband.”

“I did love him, mother,” you tried hard to fight off the flood of tears that were pricked the back of your eyes, “and just because you can’t handle that you sent him to the Wall where he will live out his days and die. I never even got to say goodbye.”

“He was a bastard, it did not matter.”

“He was a good man,” your voice broke slightly as you tried to square your shoulders and stare her down, “his only fault in life was loving me. It’s gotten him the most cruel of fates.”

“I have had enough of you,” she steeled herself and strode past you, regal and noble in appearance as ever, “in two weeks time you will travel to Dorne and you will marry Oberyn Martell. You will either oblige and do it, as is your duty or you be expelled from this castle and can live out your days among the bastards that you love so much. It is your choice, whether you bring shame to this family or you disappear into the background as a woman should and become a dutiful wife.”

“Those are both horrible, vile options.”

“That is duty of being born a woman.”

“I wish I was born a man then,” you turned on your heel to walk away, wishing you were stronger, wishing you weren’t on the verge of tears, “maybe then I would not subjected to such a cruel fate, and I wouldn’t let any woman in my care suffer the same.”

“Aren’t you just the martyr,” she mocked you with such a ferocity that you wanted to give her a good whack across her own smug face, “you think you know so much, you know nothing.”

“I know what it means to be a good person, or at least to try,” it was days like that you longed for your father. He had been a kindhearted, generous man, one who did not believe in the stereotypes that divided men and women. He was the reason you had remained unwed for many years, far past the age of anyone of noble blood. He encouraged your wildness, your open heart and free spirit. Your mother had always been the exact opposite. You always wondered how they seemingly got along so well, but you’d come to understand that it was no more than an illusion. The only love they shared was that of their children, and sometimes you wondered how deep that truly ran.

“Enough,” her tone held the cruel finality, the singular word was as sharp as a dagger as she stood in the doorway, the soft light filtering in behind her. She was a handsome woman, and if you hadn’t known better, she appeared almost angelic. But you knew better, much better; she was no more a saint than you were a sinner. You remained steadfast in your spot, trying to channel the ferocity that your father always embodied, “in two weeks time you will travel to Sunspear and you will marry the prince.”

“I would rather die.”

“If you choose your own grave so be it,” she slammed the door to her quarters shut, letting the sound ring through the hall. You had flinched at the noise, but now it only served to anger you. Your whole life, the little joys it still afforded you would be taken away soon, all because of a name. All because you were a woman. 

They often called occasions such as these little deaths, but you had a feeling that it would be a lot more than a little pain to make yourself subservient to a husband you did not want.

»»————-　♡　————-««

The journey from the lush green lands of Honeyholt and surrounding lands into the dry, red deserts of Dorne had been...miserable. While you would have relished traveling and seeing the new lands under any other circumstance, you experienced no moments of tranquility or peace. The landscapes meshed into one and the only thing signaling that you were entered the land of the Dornish was the stifling heat. The Reach was temperate, never an extreme in either direction, but Sunspear provided its first test through the scorching heat of the golden sun. 

It would take some getting used to but you could understand why the symbol of the house you would soon be joining was a blazing sun. It never seemed to fade, casting its golden light across every inch of the land. The people that you spied in villages and smaller cities as you approached Sunspear looked as if they didn’t mind; perhaps only a lifetime of heat would allow you to get used to it. 

Their curious glances were always trained on you, and your small retinue that would depart as soon as you arrived safely. You were an outsider from a strange land that the Dornish were reluctant to trust; it wasn’t common fro one of Northern breeding to step this far south. Not that you had much of a choice in the matter; you hadn’t thrown a fit, or cried, or screamed, not wanting to give anyone the satisfaction of seeing you so upset. Instead you had remained silent, speaking only a few words here and there as necessary, your true self hidden behind a thick veneer of steel. Maybe your true self would be hidden forever, dying a little bit day by day as you waited patiently for your death. 

There would be no ceremony, no pomp, and most definitely no circumstance when you arrived to your new home and to meet the man who would shortly become your husband. You would be all but abandoned in the palace where you knew no one, trying to fend for yourself. It had been at your mother’s request and you knew exactly why she would treat you in such a manner; each of your brothers, all but the two youngest had been married off already, in a show of great festivities and celebration. You were all but kicked under the carpet, a smudge on the family name that she wished to forget. 

Your mother harbored no love for the Dornish, whom she considered savages and uncultured; she must have been desperate to finally see you off if she agreed to a marriage proposal from the Martells. You wondered why they had even asked for you; there were plenty of other families in Dorne that could have produced a worthy daughter, or other Northern families that might have agreed. Perhaps they too realized that it would difficult to marry off a prince nearing middle age that housed a paramour and bragged about his bastard daughters. It did not phase you, or bother you in the slightest; you were pleased rather that they seemed to enjoy life to such a degree. But perhaps even the Martells were smart enough to know that they would need heirs, legitimate ones, to recognized by the Northern countries and carry on their name. 

When you arrived at the palace in Sunspear, your jaw dropped slightly in surprise - it was a stunning beauty, a feat of architecture that you were loathe to find anywhere else in the seven kingdoms. It presented a sharp contrast to the home you had known your entire life; there was no bleak grays or beiges that met your eyes, instead colorful, brilliant shades of warm crimsons, oranges, tans, and bronzes met your eyes. it was warm and welcoming, despite the reason for your arrival. If this was to be your home for the remainder of your days, at least it was beautiful. 

Your carriage came to a harsh stop and you almost slid off your seat at the sudden force. You groaned lightly as you straightened yourself, looking down at the green dress you were sporting and already wishing you had something cooler to wear. If you had been granted your way, you’d be dressed the same as the men that could spy all around the palace, sporting a pair of trousers and a loose tunic. Your father had never cared what you wore, but the day your mother found out that you had been running around like a boy, she had made you wear only the finest dresses. You’d still sneak off in trousers whenever presented with the opportunity, a small thrill running through your veins, knowing that you were directly defying your mother.

The small door was opened and you stepped out, letting your feet hit the warm the sand. You wiggled your feet about, trying to get a feel for it, bending over and picking up a handful of the small grains. It was a dark bronze color, different than the seasides of the Reach, and softer. You liked it, you immediately decided, it was much more comforting than stone and hard soil. 

“Knock it off and put it back,” internally rolling your eyes at the septa you swore you were much too old to still have you, you let the sand trickle out of your hand and back onto the ground, “you’re acting like a child. You must behave and act like a proper woman.”

Sighing lightly, you remained wordless, not wanting to start an argument in the middle of your new home before you’d even made a proper entrance. The few items you’d brought from Honeyholt with you were quickly unloaded and brought into the palace. You hadn’t desired to bring much; you wanted a fresh start, a new one that you could call all your own, even if you weren’t here by choice. It felt like you could hang on to a little bit of autonomy that way. 

Your most prized possession hung around your neck: a delicate golden chain that contained a small rose colored gem. It had been given to you by your father on your fourteenth nameday; he’d presented it to you with such joy and excitement, having it made just for you. He had claimed that the rose gem symbolized love and that you would always know how much he loved and adored you whenever you wore it. You hadn’t taken it off since his untimely demise; a small consolation for not having him around anymore. 

You’d been so lost in your own thoughts, of your father, of your new life, that you hadn’t seen realized you’d stepped foot inside, until a pair of arms wrapped around you. Your body tensed in defense as you came back to reality and saw a young, dark haired girl grinning at you. She was beautiful, clearly of Dorne with her sunkissed skin and dark features, and animated smile. She was dressed in silks of gold and orange, much like the house she served. Appearing to be only a few years younger than yourself, she had a warm aura about her; it was the most kindness you’d experienced in some time. 

“I’m Asha,” she had taken a step back when noticed your hesitation and held her hand out instead. You gave her the best smile you could as you gingerly shook her hand, still wanting to tread lightly as you gave her your name, “I’m your handmaiden. I’ll be helping you with whatever you need.”

“Handmaiden?” surely this must be a joke. Back in Honeyholt you’d had maids and servants, surely, but never one that served you in such a personal manner. Perhaps this was one of the perks of marrying a prince, even if he was one by name only, “I’m quite sure that I can handle myself...I’m sorry, forgive me, I do not mean to be rude. I’ve just never had someone...”

“It’s quite alright,” she insisted, taking your hand and pulling you further into the palace. You tried to get a good look at everything, but there was so much going on all at once that it was hard to keep track of everything, “I’ll be here for whatever you need and should you decide you do not need me at all, then I will remain as your friend, if it pleases you.”

“Friend?” that was the last thing you expected. It something you both had and hadn’t thought much about in the past few weeks. You’d had friends in Honeyholt, less and less the older you became, when they turned into mere acquaintances, tending to the families they were growing, but you’d resigned yourself to a life of solitude in Dorne. You weren’t sure what to expect here; you didn’t think the people would be so welcoming for the stranger that came to marry their favorite prince. 

“Yes,” she gave you a dazzling grin, “like I said, if it pleases you. The prince wants to make sure you feel at home and that you’re comfortable.”

“He does?” you’d been there for such a short time, but already you’d experienced more twists and turns than you had expected.

“Of course,” she pulled you up a flight of marbled stairs and down a long hallway, stopping before a grand set of doors. They were beautiful, made of aged wood and intricately carved. You couldn’t stop yourself as you reached up and touched the carvings, letting your fingers glide over them, “ he’s traveled all over the seven kingdoms, the Summer Isles, Essos...so many different places. He understands better than anyone what it is like to be in a new, and often unwelcoming land. He wants you to know that this is your home too. The prince is very happy to have you here and finally meet you.”

“Huh,” you turned to her, searching her eyes for any signs of deception, but you found none. Her dark eyes were wide with excitement as she opened the door and revealed the beautiful interior of your personal quarters. It was a beautiful sight to behold, colorful furniture was strewn about, a large, soft bed with golden cloth over it, and open doors leading to a balcony that housed many plants. A soft breeze ruffled the curtains and rustled the leaves. This space, in the few moments you’d stared at it, felt more like a home than anything you had experienced.

“His quarters are on the opposite end of the hallway,” she explained and nudged her in the direction. Separate quarters, you thought to yourself, how strange, “he wanted to make sure you liked everything. If you’re unhappy with it or require anything else, just say the word and you will have it.”

“It’s beautiful,” you admitted, stepping into the space and taking a closer at everything, “Dorne is beautiful...I had not expected this much beauty in the desert lands. The way the Northern lords make it sound...it should be horrid and ugly. But it’s lovely.”

“There is so much in Dorne that they will never tell you about because they will not allow themselves to see the beauty in front of them. We know they see us as savages and heathens, we know what they say, but we are not as they claim. We are different, surely, but does not make us bad people simply because we do not share the same views and beliefs?” she asked as she started to drag in some of the small trunks containing your items. You shook your head with a small smile; no, surely it did not make them any less human. They were already a warmer people than any of the northerners you’d encountered.

Standing up and helping her, she looked at with you with a curious glance. You just carried on, not wanting to let her do all of the work; why should you?

“I can handle it, my lady,” she insisted, but you refused to back down. You repeated your name and insisted that she call you that, “even if you are to be the princess?”

“I take no joy or pride in hollow titles or unnecessary formalities,” you promised her, “you and I are not different are we? We’re both women, subject to the harsh reality of what that entails and the laws of the gods and men. I insist, please, that you call me by my given name. And I am more than capable of helping to unpack my own items. You musn’t do it all alone.

Asha gave you a big grin as she nodded, surprised by your genial approach. Those she had met from the lands north of Dorne would never dare to renounce a title so freely, or speak so candidly with her. But you did; Oberyn would like you, she thought to herself, “as you wish...I think you will like Dorne, it will suit you well. We do not believe that men hold any superior power over women, nor do we believe that women should be reduced to standing behind a man. Everyone is equal here, just as the gods willed it.”

“And yet here I am, to be married to a man I do not know and that does know me and give him an heir,” there was a slight tone of bitterness to your voice that you hadn’t quite intended. You sighed and shook your head in apology, knowing she had nothing to do with your fortune, “I’m sorry...I should not have lashed out at you.”

“It’s quite alright,” she insisted, “I know how it seems is harsh, but I assure you that not everything is as it seems. It must be shocking to come to a new home and be surrounded by only strangers, but I think you will be just fine; if nothing else you will provide a good wit to match Prince Doran.”

“Prince Doran?” you asked as she nodded, “and he is...”

“I dare they must have kept you quite in the dark about all of this,” you nodded as you allowed yourself to sit on the soft bed, testing it out and finding it just as soft as you liked, “Prince Doran is the ruler of Dorne, his oldest daughter Princess Arianne is his heir and Oberyn is his brother.” 

“Oh,” you felt silly, and a bit dumb not being privy to any of this information before. It didn’t surprise you though; your mother did not care for the Martells and it was unlikely that she knew much of this information herself, “I apologize for not being as well versed in your land and people as I should be.”

“There is no need,” she laid out some of your dresses, placing them in the closet that stood against the wall, “one thing you will need to learn is that in Dorne we do not apologize. There is no reason to ever apologize for one’s true self, right? You were not to know this information, so how should you have known? You will learn in time. It is your home now and we are your people.”

“How is that I already feel so much warmer and lighter here than I have in years in my own home, the place I was birthed?” you let out a small laugh in spite of yourself and stood back up, spying some fine silks draped over the chair that was placed in front of the small writing desk, “what are these?”

“Silks,” Asha watched your face turn into a small smile as you touched the delicate fabrics and studied the colors, “they’re a gift from -”

“The prince,” you finished for her and she just nodded with a smile.

“He had a feeling that you wouldn’t be well prepared for the heat and wanted to provide you with something more suitable,” you lifted a few pieces up, holding them against your body. They were lovely, designed and crafted with care and expert stitching, “he asked about your coloring to make sure they’d suit you. And of course, some of the Martell gold and orange had to be included.”

“They are wonderful...absolutely beautiful,” a small sense of satisfaction worked its way into your bones as you realized that your mother would absolutely abhor the clothing, declaring crude and too revealing. But you loved the pieces, knowing they’d be perfect for the hot afternoons and warm evenings you’d come to expect, “this prince...he’s very kind.”

“He can...rough around the edges, but underneath the exterior he presents, he is a most kind and gentle man. His people love him and he loves them as well,” she answered, and you could easily sense the admiration she had for him. Maybe...just maybe, if this prince proved to be as fair and just as Asha made him out to be, things wouldn’t be a complete nightmare, “he wanted to be here to greet you, but unfortunately his duties have kept him away a bit longer than he intended. He will be back in time for your wedding.”

Wedding. Of course. You had somehow forgotten that little detail; this was just some sort of vacation or leisure trip. This was a whole new life you were walking into.

“Oh,” you tried to hide the nervous lilt of voice, but Asha picked up on it anyway. For someone so young, she was very attuned to your emotions. She stood next to you and slowly, as if testing the waters, put an arm around your shoulders. This time, you let her. You let her pull you into  a hug and hold onto you tightly as you let your body relax into the comfort of her own. You were almost like clay, melting into her arms; it had been so long since you had experienced the touch of another. She smelled of fresh citrus and spices, a scent you already found comforting, “thank you, Asha. You have been more kind than I could have ever anticipated. It is not lost on me...I should be proud to consider you a friend.”

“And I you,” she insisted, you were quickly interrupted by a loud throat clear from the entrance to your new space. Your oldest brother, now the Lord of Honeyholt in your father’s absence, was standing there, an impatient look on his face. Asha pulled back and bowed her head in reverence, “my lord.”

“Come and make sure your goodbyes, sister,” he completely ignored Asha and turned his cold gaze to yours. Never having been close with any of your brothers, besides the youngest, you harbored no strong feelings for him. He was a fine man, a decent lord, but nothing compared to your father. The halls of Honeyholt were never the same since he sat at the head of the table, “we must leave soon to make it back before our visitors from the Crownlands come.”

“You just mean to leave me here,” it was not a question, but a cold statement of fact, “you do not intend to stay and watch me marry? It is only a short time away.”

“We do not have time,” he insisted already starting to walk away, “besides, what is there to celebrate? You’re married off far too late to...a Martell. Hardly calls for celebration.”

“Goodbye brother,” you called after him, not even bothering to follow and bid anyone else a farewell and a safe journey back, “if that is the way you feel, to leave your only sister thus, then so be it. I wish you, nor our brothers, nor mother any ill will, but I cannot say I will be amiss of any of you.”

“Watch your tongue,” he growled at you from the foot of the stairs, “you are lucky to be my sister or I would have you thrown out long ago. You taint our name and have no respect for decency. You’re just like father; weak and a fool. Always thinking without your brain.”

“So with my heart?” you spat at him, “how dare you take father’s name in vain! He’s more of a man, father, and lord than you will be ever be.”

“And look where that got him,” he reminded you of the harsh reality that your favorite person, the one that you had idolized growing up, was gone, “an early grave.”

“He was ill-”

“It does matter. I am lord now and you will obey me,” he shook his head, “you know, mother was smart to finally marry you off. At least you will be able to take the name of Martell and will stop bringing shame to ours. You are no sister of mine, you can join these...barbarians, become one of them,”

“If I see you again, it will be on your deathbed,” you insisted, feeling a tears of sheer anger roll down your cheeks, as your body trembled with frustration, “I guarantee it. You are no brother of mine.”

He glowered at you before turning around and storming off, his robes trailing behind him. You’d never shared a great appreciation or love for him, but this was a harsh blow nonetheless. Your family, the only one you’d ever know was so content to just cart you off. You wondered how long he had waited for this day - but it didn’t matter. Just like that you had no more home in Honeyholt. Sunspear, and Dorne, was your home now. Even if it was a life you did not desire, at least it would be your own. 

“I’m sorry,” Asha appeared at your side, a concerned expression on her face at the heated exchanged. You choked back the few sobs that threatened to bubble up in your throat. You’d essentially just lost the little bit of family you had, “I did not expect such a response. Family means much to Dornishmen, sweet dove. You will never have to feel alone or unloved here.”

“Thank you,” you gave her a small smile, “I hope my family does not dishonor Prince Doran. I have not even meet the man who is to be my brother and already I bring chaos.”

“Prince Doran would never hold the actions of them against you,” she promised, “he shall be glad to meet you and welcome you into his family. As will we all. I can show you around the palace, if you so desire, and the water gardens. They’re most beautiful, especially during the peak of heat, such as this.”

“Will I meet Prince Doran today?” you were curious about meeting your new family, albeit the tiniest bit hopeful. It could be no worse than what you had just experienced. 

“I’m afraid both princes will not return until tomorrow,” she explained, “however, they are preparing a feast in your honor for this evening. The Princess is here, and I am sure she will be delighted to meet you. She’s a brilliant combination of her father and uncle, and will surely revel in your company, she grows bored of monotony.”

»»————-　♡　————-««

Dinner had been an...interesting affair. You’d gotten to meet the princess, her mother, and many other members of the household and those who worked for and were dear to the Martells - to your family. It was a shocking contrast to the normally reserved and quiet meals that were had in the dreary dining hall of your former home. 

The large tables in the garden were laden with delicious foods from all of Dorne, including the famed Dornish wine and everyone sat together, it did not matter their rank, station, or title. They were happy, kind, and jovial, welcoming you with open arms to Sunspear and their family. It was a warmth you had not known before, but not unwelcome. It was a sight to see everyone so happy, joking and laughing, teasing each other until late into the night; they had no reservations, no fears, no inhibitions. And you loved that about them immediately. 

Your heart had almost stopped when the princess had presented you with a beautiful golden bracelet, containing the Martell sun entwined with the little dove of your own house. She had gently clasped it around your wrist, before kissing your cheeks gently. You would think of her, her generosity and warmth whenever you wore it. 

But even the excitement and relief that the evening had provided was not enough to stave off the tears that found you late in the evening as you sat on the balcony connected to your quarters. You’d been studying the starry night sky, admiring how it glittered over the red dunes of the desert, when you were hit with a wave of sadness that you couldn’t ward of. A few hot, warm, salty tears dripped down your cheeks as you slowly repeated the names of the constellations you could see, stopping only when a small knock came at your door. 

You dabbed at your eyes and turned around to see who the visitor was, but Arianne slowly let herself in. You gave her a small smile and she joined you on the balcony, without a word, but a gentle hand on your shoulder.

“I am sorry that you must see me in such a state,” you apologized but she shook her head. She was about to open her mouth, but you stopped her with a small smile, already knowing what she was going to say, “do not apologize for being your true self.”

“Yes,” she agreed with a small laugh, rich and musical, “see you’re learning already - you’ll fit in perfectly.”

You remained silent for a moment and let out a long sigh.

“What plagues you so?” she asked gently, “besides the loss of your family?”

“Today has proven it is no real loss,” you admitted, “I am...I do not know if I can do this.”

“Marry my uncle?”

“Yes,” you said quietly, “I vowed to myself that I would never marry someone I did not love, and I know this sounds silly, but my father, before his death, always promised me that he would never send me off to do so unless I desired it. And now...”

“It is not easy.”

“No,” you sighed, a fresh wave of tears rolled down your cheeks, “I cannot bring myself to love someone just because I am required to, nor have a desire to be treated as a sow to be used for heirs. I do not know if I can do this, to myself or your uncle.”

“I realize this is very little consolation, but I do think I might know how you to help, if only a small bit,” she had your attention and you gave her a curious glance, “think of it as a marriage only in name.”

“Only in name?”

“Precisely,” she explained, “you will marry Oberyn, and that will the end of it. You do not owe him an heir and he would never expect one from you. He has eight daughters already, some nearing your age, and he loves them dearly. They keep him busy and if you do not desire children he would never force one on you. You do not have to love him, he knows you likely never will, but just respect him; for outside purposes you will be husband and wife, but behind closed doors, and to those here in Dorne, who not care about such things, it will not matter.”

“Oh?”

“Give it some time and you will find a lover, a man or a woman, or many lovers,” she explained, “love should not be contained so willfully, unless two people desire it. you are free to explore and take as lovers as you want. You give and take love.”

“Oberyn...has a lover,” why you suddenly felt shy, you did not know. Certainly it could not be jealousy? You did not know him nor care for him, and clearly did not love him, but something inside you panged slightly. How strange it would be to be married to a man with a different lover.

“He had a lover, a paramour by the name of Ellaria Sand,” she explained and you found yourself intrigued, “she’s a most kind, generous and lovely woman, and mother to four of his daughters. She is beautiful as she is kind and still comes around often, but she has left his bed sometime ago and has returned to her childhood home in Helholt.”

“Oh?” you wondered if it had anything to do with you, but you had your doubts. What power would you, a mere child compared to his longtime lover hold? 

“It was amicable, I believe. They remain friends, and both love their daughters deeply. I think a strong bond and love remains between them, but nothing romantic,” she expanded, but it did not ease your nerves, “I’m sure you will meet her at some point, she comes around not infrequently, but you have nothing to worry about. She will love you, as we already do as well. She will understand what your position as Oberyn’s wife means.”

“Does he take other lovers still?” 

“As far as I know,” she shrugged, not deeply concerned with her uncle’s affairs, “anything further than that you will have to discuss among yourselves.”

“I see,” you let out a long sigh and let your shoulders slump, finding little solace in her words. She was trying her best, but it did not chase away all your fears, “still I...”

“Remember,” she said softly, “name only. You will not have be with him, in his presence, any more than you desire. He will grant you many liberties and freedoms. The ways things work between a husband and wife are very different here in Dorne than in the North. You will not be confined to the palace or your husband, you will have your own voice here.”

“Such a strange concept,” you mused as she shrugged, “all my life I’ve been told that my only goal in life is to behave, marry a nobleman, and bear him children. Nothing more and nothing less.”

“Welcome to Dorne, sweet dove,” Arianne pressed a light kiss to the side of your head, before moving to leave your chambers, leaving you alone with your thoughts, “and welcome to House Martell.”

You watched her go without another word, envying her easy going personality and liveliness. She’s known this her whole life, and yet she was so happy; maybe there was something to this Dornish way of life. Maybe you could find some purchase here and make a happy little life for yourself. With or without your husband at your side. 

You straightened up and stretched, raising your arms above your head as you looked at the moon, shining among the stars. Maybe...this did not have to be as bad as you had originally thought; maybe Dorne could be your own sanctuary. Your head was swimming with so many thoughts, and you were overwhelmed with a tiredness you had not known in ages. You walked back into your bedchamber, leaving the doors open to let in the warm evening breeze. It was quiet now, a quiet that you’d never really experience. Peaceful.

Oberyn watched you moved back inside from his spot in the courtyard of the palace. He and Doran had returned early, at his behest, but not early enough for a proper introduction. He been curious to meet his bride, the wild girl from the North that refused to be tamed. He had overheard you and Arianne, listening intently to your every word, clinging on to them to try and figure out how to best serve you. He wanted you to be happy, he hoped you would be, and if you wanted nothing to do with him, then he would respect that as well. 

Whatever you desired, Oberyn Martell was going to make sure you had it. 

»»————-　♡　————-««

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[els-writes]

Marriage and Proposals - Shoreless World Building

I thought I’d throw up some information about marriages (specifically, proposals) and customs across the yet-unnamed world of Shoreless. 

Mainland

Traditions and customs surrounding proposals have merged together for the most part in recent decades on the Mainland, and the exact origin of the current custom is argued and claimed in one way or another by all four nations. In reality, it is probably a mixture of ancient traditions from all four countries. 

There is no set rule on which gender should propose first, for marriage between same-sex genders is as common as mixed marriages, but instead, it is assumed that the party of higher social or political status should be the one to propose. This is not always the case, however, as some couples prefer the more ‘dominant’ partner to propose no matter what. Asking permission of parents before proposing is only common amongst those of extremely high status - royalty, nobles, guild masters. Royals must also ask permission from high councils or royal advisers, whilst nobles and masters must ask permission from the Monarch.

Proposition Gifts are common and expected across the Mainland, which serves as a physical representation of the couple’s bond. The Proposition Gift should be made by hand by the proposer, and it is deemed incredibly selfish and rude to make something that is already within their trade or skill set. (For example, a jeweller should not make a ring, someone with a woodcarving hobby should not make a wooden ornament). Gifts in the form of music, poems, stories, or similar are acceptable, as long as they have a physical form to reflect it (eg. a music score or written out lyrics for a song). The proposing party is expected to take up and learn an entire new craft to form the Proposition Gift, in order to show their dedication and commitment to the relationship; due to the circumstances, it is acceptable for Proposition Gifts to be of a somewhat unprofessional quality, so long as the effort is clear. 

Marriage ceremonies have no set traditions as a whole on the Mainland, though there are some regional customs. In Clarend, outdoor ceremonies are more common, whilst in Tyfe, ceremonies are typically conducted at night time. Often, ceremonies have features or aspects that reflect the couple (eg. flowers at a florists wedding, a feast of fish for a fisherman). In more modern couples, it has become a custom for the non-proposing party to present their own version of a Proposition Gift at the marriage ceremony. 

Adress Isles

Proposals aren’t as much of a big deal on Adress, so much as the decision to get married is celebrated. Marriage in the Mainland sense of the term doesn’t exist: couples may decide at any point in their relationship to request for ‘familiar status’ from the government, which binds them together as one unit and gives the same rights as one would expect from a spouse. 

Long-term couples may decide privately between one another to get married in the same way they might decide to get a house or have children. Marriage is traditionally seen as a powerful and meaningful celebration and a way of presenting a couple’s love and devotion to those around them - as such, it’s often assumed that only those who have been together for a longer period of time (typically 5 or so years). Couples who have gone through some sort of journey or tragedy together can also feel the need to marry to celebrate getting through it together. For example, Akent and Lara Shoreless married almost immediately after Akent survived the loss of his arm after their shipwreck. Couples who lose a child during pregnancy or labour often marry afterwards as a sign of solidity. As such, marriages are not always necessary happy occasions, but can also been times for mourning or remembrance. 

The announcement of intent to marry must be made to the government first, and then the engaged pair wear specially made matching belts, armbands, or medallions (couples may chose) until their wedding. Parties and feasts are often put on in the home town of the engaged couple to celebrate their decision. 

Mercha Island

A couple must be together for at least a full year before they may propose. Either party may propose in Mercha traditions, and it is expected to not discuss your intent to propose with your partner - as such, quite often couple’s find themselves both planning to propose without realising it. This is seen as a sign of good fortune. After the first year is up, the proposing party must visit their tribe’s elders to ask permission and advice. The tribe’s Teller will consult the Gods to advise on the time and place of a proposal. In the case of a couple from different tribes, there must be a meeting held between an elder from each tribe - these are riskier, as it provides more chance for other party in the couple to discover the plan to propose. 

The proposal itself varies in time and place depending on the Teller’s advice, but the proposer must present their partner with four items: one item of food, one item of clothing, one holy item, and their birth token. The couple must then stay apart for a week to allow both parties to think more carefully and ask advice about going through with the marriage. If accepting the proposal the partner must give over their own birth token to the proposer - protecting and carrying a partner’s birth token is the most important aspect of Merchan marriages. 

Marriage ceremonies must be organised for the follow new moon (no matter how soon or far that may be), and it is entirely organised by the couple’s family and the tribal elders - the couple have no say in their ceremony. Typically, the ceremony consists of a ritual to bind the two together, followed by a feast, followed by a more casual party into the day. 

[bernardmiles94]

Bacterial Vaginosis (Bv) Natural Remedies Eye-Opening Cool Ideas

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What Does Discharge From Bacterial Vaginosis Look Like

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Bacterial Vaginosis Cure Coconut Oil

Tight trousers, pantyhose and synthetic underpants can all build up the female genitals.It is very important to get rid of bad bacteria gain access to your private parts, it can become frustrating for many purposes such as placing a mixture of natural medicine, and women and hopefully should solve your problem.Many women have resorted to natural treatments seek to get rid of the infection from spreading and you have not experienced any symptoms.Natural yogurt with live acidophilus cultures.However I gave this more important than when you are dealing with bacterial vaginosis home remedy methods to carry out some natural cures which are alkaline in nature.

It is also a strong vaginal odor and the whole cycle begins again.Feminine itching is another natural way of using conventional medication are the predominant symptoms, but it's also extremely irritating for those women who make use of antibiotics, and hefty bill.Wear cotton undergarments and pantyhose with a physician before organic bacterial vaginosis in the Vagina.These kinds of bacteria in the vagina is still unknown by doctors, we do know that there may be harder to talk to your immune system strong.That in itself is moist and warm, enabling these organisms in the first time of if you suffer from this condition.

[warriors-cats-as-havniil-blog]

Havniil Official Explanation

I thought it would be fun to draw warriors cats as Havniil. This post is basically an in depth explanation of the Havniil so that nobody's confused though since they are of my own design.

The Havniil are a fantasy race/species/ whatever you wanna call it of my own making for an original story/setting my older sibling and I are working on. They "present" a variety of feline features, appearing as anything from upright walking cats to looking completely human.

The features they can present as feline are: eyes, ears, teeth, tail, whiskers, claws, markings (on their skin no actual fur and it can be only in patches or specific places), fur, and body shape (this is the point they become upright walking cats and it's actually incredibly rare since it essentially requires ALL of the previous traits in order to even have a chance to present)

The amount that they present corresponds to their place in the hierarchy of their society. So a Havniil that has cat ears and eyes would be in a lower position than one that had ears, tail, markings, teeth, and eyes. However a Havniil won't grow any more feline features than they are born with. So, except under specific circumstances, an individual cannot advance past their social position. Earning the title of hero is one such way a Havniil can advance in society.

For a warriors analogy, a clan cat would present as more feline than a non-clan cat. Most kittypets would not have more than three feline presenting features (usually ears, tail, and eyes). In the setting the Havniil were created for, about three features would make them attractive to humans, meaning they're more likely to be pets.

As far as physical appearances go, I tend to base them off of cats. Their skintone would be based on the kind of climate they're in, but also the amount of cover in their territory. So those Havniil from northern tribes would be pale, but so would those from a forest because of all the cover. The forest tribe wouldn't be as pale but it would still be pale compared to those in a desert or other open environments. For example, if I were to draw Bluestar as a Havniil her eyes would be blue and her hair would be blue-gray. I'd give her blue-gray ears and a tail and probably give her teeth and claws as well. Her skin would be light-medium ish somewhere in that range. Being a leader I'd probably give her patches of blue-gray on her skin as well, but not all of her body I don't think???? Anyway, Havniil are also small compared to humans.

Havniil society is very community based. They live, hunt, and gather other forms of food in groups. They're organized into tribes and live across an entire continent. The continent stretches from the northern reaches of the world to the southern temperate area. The evening meal is a community feast, where every individual living in the tribe comes together to eat and talk and share stories.

Each individual Havniil has a role to fill. Their first role is chosen at birth based on their inborn skills, but they can choose to learn more than one role once they complete their training and do some service in their previous role. As far as actual roles go, I haven't covered all the bases but I've got a decent amount.

The leadership/advisory roles all have criteria for the individual entering the role to meet. They must be of a specific social standing (presenting at least four feline traits), and they must have filled two non-combative roles previously (basically roles that don't fight or hunt). The leadership and advisory roles are:

Tribe King/Queen: the leaders of each individual tribe of Havniil. They present as more feline than human with very few exceptions.

Tribe Prince/Princess: the main advisor to the king or queen. They do not have to be related to the king or queen and more often than not are not related to them in any way.

Healer: basically a Havniil doctor can essentially do what they want if lives are on the line, even directly defy their Tribe king/queen. Also act as an advisor to their king/queen.

Enforcer: judge and police officer all rolled into one. Answers directly to the tribe queen/king. They act as an advisor as well.

The roles available to any individual are:

Hunter: specialize in fighting mages, alchemists, and gunslingers. The Havniil are unable to use magic themselves so Hunters are outfitted in a special metal that absorbs magical energy to a point. Their weapons are made of the same metal and can also redirect that magical energy towards their enemies. They use heavy weapons more resembling human weaponry and heavy armor and focus on hitting HARD and QUICK. They are trained exclusively for battle and do not participate in hunting prey.

Shadow: specialize in stealth and speed. Shadows use light weapons uniquely designed by the Havniil and little to no armor and focus on precision and mobility. Shadows are also part of hunting parties and are the main attack force that takes down their prey.

Guardian: specialize in defense and endurance. They use heavy armor and weapons designed specifically by the Havniil and focus on mobility and the ability to draw attention of enemies and take hits. They protect the Shadows from possible dangers while the Shadows take down prey.

Runner: specialize in speed and endurance. They work with Shadows and Guardians in hunting parties to draw prey, especially Aisoth packs toward the main hunting party. Then the Guardians will occupy the majority of the pack so that the Shadows and Runners can take on the members of the pack specifically deemed to be prey for the hunt. They are fast and agile, able to round tight corners and even completely turn around without missing a step (of course they lose speed but they don't stumble) in battle they also herd enemies into the waiting Guardians, Shadows, and Hunters. They appear to be solitary, or in a group of two or three but really they're part of an entire battle/hunting party.

Harvester: they are in charge of foraging for plants to eat. Harvesters work in parties of three with two Guardians accompanying them.

Scouts: live among humans to see what they're up to and the state of the world beyond the Homeland. They are required to be able to physically pass as human.

Engineer: specialize in using and advancing the technology the Havniil have access to.

Architect: specializes in designing... everything, not just the cities but just everything

Communicator: specializes in communication and in many cases manipulation. Communicators use technology and their charisma to make sure things run smoothly and are often in contact with scouts in the world

Explorer: do exactly that, they travel far from home to find new things and send reports back to their tribe prince/princess.

Lore Master: keeps all the history of the Havniil and their relations with other peoples.

The Havniil diet consists mostly of large animals, fruits, and seeds. While they are settled, they do not grow their own food, instead hunting and gathering from their territories. Their territories are quite large usually. I honestly don't have an exact size but each tribe is like it's own kingdom. The Havniil also tend to hunt animals that live in groups, whether it's packs or herds or whatever. Their main source of prey are the Aisoth packs native to their territory. Havniil do occasionally eat smaller animals as well though.

Aisoths are huge wolf-like pack animals that are able to inhabit most environments. They have disproportionately large claws and horns on their heads, spines on their backs, and smaller horns on their chins. Their pelts vary in length and color depending on the environment they're in.

Anyway, back to the Havniil.

Havniil mate for life. They tend to have difficulty moving on from someone they loved as a significant other. It takes a long time to get over someone. They usually don't take a second mate. Its frowned upon in the society to do so, especially if their mate died as opposed to just leaving them. That being said, if a Havniil leaves their mate for another one they face exile from the tribe. Its seen as a sign that the individual is disloyal and cannot be trusted. Some Havniil never mate and that isn't even that unusual in their society. Many Havniil, especially in higher positions in society dedicate their lives to their tribes instead of taking a mate. Also, please don't assume Havniil are all straight because that is not true. Their significant other can be any gender. Speaking of gender, in Havniil society, there are four general gender categories. I don't have names for them cuz I'm bad at naming things, but they're basically feminine masculine, masculine feminine, feminine, and masculine.

Havniil can also mate with most other races/species/whatever in the setting, including humans. They usually have twins but can have as many as 4 babies at a time. Even if it is not the Havniil that carries the babies, twins are still common. Obviously quadruplets are not nearly as common if a Havniil isn't carrying. No matter how a Havniil presents or how diluted their blood is, they are still considered Havniil if there has been one that presents at least one feline feature in their family line going back as far as 6 generations. So any individual that fits that criteria would be welcome in the Havniil homeland.

Havniil have stronger senses than humans and are easily over stimulated. In their own society steps have long since been taken to mitigate sensory overload but most others aren't even aware it happens so easily.

[askwwwwd]

WHAT WOULD WONDER WOMAN DO?...about the Westboro Baptist Church (Originally posted Feb. 11, 2016)

The vitriol with which they spew their venomous zealotry has made them a national household name, and rightfully so. That’s right, the Westboro Baptist Church is at it again. They claimed to be going to San Francisco last weekend, for the 50th annual SuperBowl, and pledged to picket last Saturday morning’s book signing of Square Zair Pair, A new children’s book by Journalist of The Year award winner Jase Peeples. The writer received multiple threats of picket. However, one can’t help but wonder...Why a children’s book? Well, I think it is pretty clear that the ‘Church,’ which has been deemed a hate group by both the Anti-Defamation League and the Southern Poverty Law Center, has proven that they are not above much in this world. Founder Fred Phelps was first brought national attention in 1998 during his picket of the funeral of Matthew Shepard, a Wyoming man who was killed for being gay. The church’s fire and brimstone antics have continued even after Fred Phelps’ excommunication and subsequent death. Matter of fact, their picketing of funerals and LGBTQ events has become happenstance in America. Sadly, they vowed to turn their attention to children last weekend. Mostly because Peeples’ Zair Square Pair delivers a message about the importance of acceptance and diversity, and that is a message, in the words of the WBC, that “God Hates.” I personally come from a strict Pentecostal Christian upbringing. So, the group has both fascinated and confounded me for a very long time. As with everything in life that confounds me, I continue to pose the same question. Today I ask, in the case of the Westboro Baptist Church: What Would Wonder Woman Do?

Both are creatures of myth and story (yes, I said it). Both are products of divine birth. Both were gifted with divine powers. Both charged by the almighty(s) to show the world a better way. If you’re wondering who I’m talking about it’s Jesus of Nazareth (Jesus Christ) and Diana of Themyscira (aka Wonder Woman). Many aren’t aware of the clear and direct Messiah-like parallels of her story, but I’m here to tell you that they are there. Or at least they were there for the character’s first 70 or so years prior to DC Comics’ ‘New 52’ revamp...

Dr. William Moulton Marston III’s depiction of Wonder Woman’s divine birth, but that’s fodder for another article. Today I’m going to concentrate on the character’s first 70 years with an emphasis on Dr. Marston’s original creation. Because ultimately, that’s the source material and what I believe for what Wonder Woman was intended. In my humble opinion, the ideals of Jesus Christ and Wonder Woman are complimentary and very near to be equally parallel. Since the WBC has claimed to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ, I figured I would take their most popular three word slogan “GOD HATES FAGS” and utilize it as a template, to compare: a) their Lord and savior’s message, b) Wonder Woman’s message and c) how the church falls in line with said doctrine. All in an effort to lead me to an answer of ‘what Wonder Woman would do’. Okay,...here we go!

FIRST WORD: ‘GOD’ – Who is this God in the bible that the Westboro Church follows? The Christian faith says that God is three in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So, when referring to Jesus Christ we are also referring to God. Well, the bible also gave a very clear and direct definition of who God is. In 1 John 4:8 says that “...God is Love.” (Siri, create a Reminder for me to thank John for being so thoughtful and breaking it down for us). Ok, so how does the bible actually define love? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says that, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” By these definitions, God is love and love is exhibiting goodness and kindness...Seems pretty simple to me, right? Dr. Marston also seemed to have similar views.

In the previous photo, Marston’s Wonder Woman proved to the personifications of Love and Wisdom (Aphrodite & Athena), that she was worthy to have people obey her, due to her mastery of love and wisdom. Essentially, in one panel, Marston made a clear statement that Diana being of service to love and wisdom was the prerequisite for her to lead. His character was literally governed by the two ideals, and was commanded to lead with love and wisdom. Seeing this panel really blew my mind on so many levels. Those who I personally consider to be some of the greatest and most memorable writers of Wonder Woman (Perez, Jimenez, Rucka, Simone, Badower, etc.) continued to expand upon Marston’s idea of Wonder Woman being a creature governed by love and wisdom. It’s very clear, to me and in my opinion, that both God and Wonder Woman have love as their foundation. I have yet to see a display of that kind of love (patience, kindness, etc.) from the Westboro Baptist Church. As a matter of fact, I’m not sure if they are aware, but the Westboro Baptist Church has exhibited the equal and exact opposite of every single description Corinthians gave of what love is supposed to be. Especially with the word ‘hate’ being at the nexus of their most popular slogan. Which brings me to the next word in today’s template for examination...

SECOND WORD: ‘HATES’ – I can’t blame the Westboro Baptist Church for concentrating on this particular word. Hate is actually mentioned often in the bible, and they do a very great job of listing many of the mentions of hate in the good book. There is a definite through line of ideas about hate weaved through the holy text. Though ultimately, if you ‘hate’ and claim to be a follower of Christ then you, “...shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 50: 20-21. This passage is conveniently left out of the Westboro Baptist Church’s list of hate mentions. God (Jesus) also told us himself (directly) that one of the greatest commandments was to love our neighbor as ourselves, and John 3:14- 15 says that, “...Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart.” And aren’t we all brothers and sisters in the Lord? So, if I’m correct, God pretty much sees hate as a sin, because “Vengance is MINE sayeth the Lord.” Romans 12:19.

It seems to me that Wonder Woman continues to reflect similar principles of loving everyone regardless. Marston exemplified his intention with Wonder Woman when he has her saying things like, “...keep your hands extended to all in friendliness but never holding the gun of persecution and intolerance.” I personally don’t see any kind of ambivalence there. It’s very cut and dry; always be friendly and don’t persecute or be intolerant. Three words sum it up for me: Don’t hate people. That’s were Wonder Woman seemed to stand in my eyes. It’s a stance that once again parallels what I’ve garnered to be the bible’s. Unfortunately, that doesn’t seem to be the interpretation of the Westboro Baptist Church with their “God Hates Everyone” slogans. Moving on...

FAGS – This is not a word I would use in mixed company. I believe it to be common knowledge that usage of the word ‘fag’ is clearly one meant to be derogatory towards homosexuals. Since today I’m comparing Jesus Christ and Wonder Woman (a comparison I know for which I’m probably going to catch a little heat), I’ll defer to what each of them has said in their books. Because I feel it is always better to get information ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’. Otherwise, you run the risk of playing the telephone game. First, let’s look at Diana. She was always an advocate for all people. In the previous panel she talked about learning love and respect for human rights. Since Marston did spend some time as a Hollywood writer of sorts, and he was consistently liberal with his views (especially on relationships...*cough-cough*), I can only speculate that he was in support of LGBTQ rights. Some of the greats expanded upon this idea as well. Perez introduced a gay couple with whom Diana spent time, Jimenez reinforced this, and Rucka eluded to a possible gay relationship. But it was Jason Badower who had Diana come right out and say the obvious. In Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman issue #48, she says to Superman, “Clark, my country is all women. To us, it’s not ‘gay’ marriage...Its just marriage.” Jesus Christ was also very good at articulating his stance on gays. He said....oh wait. That’s right. He didn’t say anything at all. Well, I guess that’s that.

I can’t help but notice that the WBC continually puts special emphasis on the word ‘fag’ and systematically adds it to the majority of their phrases describing sinners. Again, just to clarify, they do not attribute this singularly as a derogatory adjective describing gays, but to most things describing sin... curious. My guess is that if I had the magic lasso and wrapped it around Shirley Phelps, she would reveal that my longtime theory is true. My theory is that Fred Phelps was actually a closet homosexual, who in the last year of his life started coming to terms with how harmful it is to hang on to hate. Then when he decided a love based approached was more appropriate, and revealed this new discovery and updated philosophy to Shirley Phelps she excommunicated him from the church in August of 2013. I can just see the knee jerk reaction someone would have when being on the receiving end of that information. I can only imagine how painful it would be to have the foundation of your entire value system be pulled out from beneath you in one fail swoop. Denial via excommunication would be a totally logical and instinctual action in these circumstances. Yes, this is probably the most obvious answer, because it has been proven time and time again, that those who dig in their heels the deepest, and are the strongest advocates against homosexuality; it is those are who are usually struggling with it the most. So, yeah I think that the Westboro Baptist Church is based on the beliefs of a closet homosexual. Why else would “the lady doeth protest too much?” But again, it is just a theory and I could be way off here. Regardless, it’s plain to see that once again, the ideals of Jesus Christ and Wonder Woman appear to line up almost perfectly. While the Westboro Baptist Church’s do not.

So what I’ve learned here today is that in my eyes, the Westboro Baptist Church doesn’t seem to line up with the principles of Jesus Christ. Yet, they are principles Wonder Woman seems to continually parallel. I find that it is unfortunate that a pagan seems to embrace and uphold the principles of Jesus Christ better than a group that claims to serve him. We have seen the group behave unapologetically offensive, express hate, and insight anger and discord in people. So, what would Wonder Woman do? In the previous, we saw that Wonder Woman is of service to love and wisdom via her greatest weapon: truth. I realize that we don’t all serve the same God, but something tells me that isn’t the case in this situation and that there is a clear and identifiable inauthenticity going on here. I think that Wonder Woman, although always prepared for battle and having the power to do what is necessary, would see through the veil of inauthenticity and would first extend her hand in friendliness. Gail Simone had a fantastic quote coming straight from Wonder Woman’s mouth that exemplified this: “Don’t kill if you can wound, Don’t wound if you can subdue, Don’t subdue if you can pacify, and don’t raise your hand at all until you’ve first extended it.” I think that Wonder Woman would always look for truth in the situation. That she would inspire conversation and debate, very much the way that Rucka depicted her in her Reflections book tour. I think that Wonder Woman would see through this hate, and would use Aikido like principles via her greatest weapon of truth to redirect this hate into love. But do not ever take Diana’s mastery of love and wisdom to be a sign of weakness. Love is never weakness, it is strength and power personified that always wins over hate and war. The Westboro Baptist church proved that when they didn’t show last Saturday to Jase Peeples’ book signing, as reported by theHuffington Post. Jase had organized an anti-Hate rally to combat the ‘church’s message of hate with one of love and acceptance. Peeples wrote on his invitation that he wanted to combat their message of hate with one of acceptance and love, and was prepared to engage in actual open conversation. The church of hate knew what was in store for them. They knew this was a loosing battle because like each and every time #LoveWins!

You can check out and purchase Peeples’ book on Amazon and a big thanks to the Westboro Baptist Church for giving the publicity to the book and helping to spread the message of diversity, acceptance, and love.

[passportsymphony]

14 surprising facts about Cambodia you should learn today

Cambodia always sounded like something out of this world to me for some reason. And after I spent some time there, I saw that they have a very different way of doing things compared to the ways I’m used to. Despite all the differences, Cambodia remains one of my favourite destinations because of the things I saw and learned there. Seeing all these unusual things really stretched my mind and made me love life even more. Here are the 14 surprising facts about Cambodia you should learn before visiting.

1) The young population  surprising facts about Cambodia

Cambodia is one of the very few countries in the world with a predominately young population. One of the reasons is that the Khmer Rouge (Cambodian communist party) killed a large portion of the population during their rule. Their fall in 1979 resulted in a baby boom in the years afterwards.

Half of the total population of Cambodia are children below the age of 15. 68% of the population is younger than 30, while the birth rate is three times higher than the death rate. Incredible!

2) Babies born with scars?

In recent years Cambodia has been dealing with one very interesting phenomenon. An increasing number of newborns are born with huge scars with a striking resemblance to bullet holes. Local people have a simple explanation for this. They believe that the babies are the reincarnated victims killed during the Regime. This Khmer Rouge was one of the more ruthless regimes to ever exist and they would go after entire families. After killing the baby’s parents, jailers would go on to killing their babies as well. And this was an official policy!

3) Birthdays are not a part of Cambodian tradition

Traditionally, birthdays aren’t celebrated in Cambodia. Nowadays that’s becoming a thing among the younger population, but not for the people from the older generation. The majority of them don’t know their exact birth date, but they do know how old they are.

4) The Khmer Rouge legacy

I mentioned this in the first part, but this number is so shocking I have to say it again! The Khmer Rouge killed between 1.5 and 2 million out of the 8 million, or almost a quarter. And they were the ruling party for only 4 years! Even if the regime was topped down a long time ago it left huge consequences. Whole generations of children were raised by traumatized parents. Crimes against humanity are still lead in Cambodian courts and the average income is less than $3 USD per day.

5) Landmines killed more than 60,000 people even after the civil war!

The Cambodian civil war ended in 1975, which was 42 years ago. You can imagine what kind of conflict it was since 42 years after the war, people are still dying from landmines. Not only that, but 60,000 people died and a lot more were injured as a result of stepping over landmines set by both sides. The official estimates are saying that it will take a decade to completely clear the area.

6) Cambodians can eat anything

The Cambodian staple food is rice and fish of course, but Cambodians have a rather exotic street food. Spiders, locusts, fried crickets. One of the ultimate street food delicacies is the tarantula kebab. Another very popular street food that you can easily find in the market are the termite eggs.

7) You get the impression that there are no road rules

While I was in Phnom Penh, I saw only a handful of traffic lights and that was only on the main boulevards. I also saw a lot of people driving the opposite side of the streets. This is very common for tuk-tuks and motorbikes, but even cars do that.

After speaking to locals, they explained that they have road rules, just very no one respect those. I’ve seen other cities where people would drive in opposite directions very often. However, the lack of traffic lights and stop signs really makes driving in Cambodia a unique experience.

8) Watch your gestures

Pointing at things is considered offensive. You should use your whole palm if you want to show something, including menu items when ordering at a restaurant. And Cambodians don’t use their left hand when interacting because it’s considered dirty. The assumption being that you use that hand to clean yourself in the bathroom. Yes, western toilets and toilet paper aren’t a thing in Cambodia.

It’s also considered disrespectful to point your feet at people. That’s why Cambodians always sit with their feet tucked in. And lastly, the head is regarded as the highest part of the body and should not be touched in any case no matter how good your intentions are.

9) The country changed its name 4 times in the past 50 years

Cambodia has been changing its name every 12.5 years in the past half of a century. The main reason for that is the change of government. After the fall of the monarchy, the Lol Non changed the name to the Khmer Republic. The Khmer Rouge did the same introducing the Democratic Kampuchea Republic. After their fall, the Vietnam sponsored government changed the name to the People’s Republic of Kampuchea. In the protectorate years, it became the State of Cambodia. After the restoration of the monarchy in 1993, the country got back its original name: the Kingdom of Cambodia.

10) No other national flag features a building

Angkor Wat is something that Cambodians are really proud of. By the way, the Tomb Raider was shot in Angkor Wat if you’re wondering why it seems familiar. Anyway, this monument is so respected that it has been emblazoned with the Cambodian flag, thus making it the only national flag in the world that features a building.

11) Tonle Sap– a world-wide phenomenon

Yes, it’s true! Cambodia has the only lake in the world that flows in two different directions. Twice a year, Tonle Sap changes its flow direction, depending on the season: whether it’s monsoon or dry season. Between November and May (dry season) the waters of Tonle Sap drain into the Mekong River. In June they are flowing in the opposite direction and come back. Miraculous!

12) The land of a million bikes

Cambodia is definitely a land of Mopeds. One of the amazing facts about its Capital, Phnom Penh is that the city has 1.5 million residents and estimated number of 1.3 million mopeds. Mopeds are literally everywhere. Here’s the street scene at lunchtime a few steps from my hotel. Combine this with the lack of traffic lights and stop signs you get the ultimate chaotic urban jungle that Phnom Penh is.

13) Refrigeration in households isn’t really a thing

As far as I could tell during my time in Cambodia, a large portion of the population didn’t have refrigerators in their homes. Most of the people buy fresh food daily at one of the hundreds of street markets throughout the cities. You’re probably wondering how can people afford that. Well, healthy food is extremely cheap in Cambodia taking in consideration all circumstances.

14) Cambodia is the only place on earth where KFC is losing money

American fast food restaurants aren’t very popular in Cambodia. That’s probably the reason why McDonald’s never tried to expand to Cambodia. Anyway, the fast food is actually more expensive than street food or fresh ingredients sold by street vendors. That’s how cheap healthy food in Cambodia is. All this results with the 6 KFC restaurants across Cambodia to lose around $200,000 per month back in 2012 and 2013 (last reports I could find). And I don’t think it’s better, even nowadays. Every time I would pass by a KFC restaurant I would see very few people inside.

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