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inthedayswhenlandswerefew · 3 months ago

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Where Will All The Martyrs Go [Chapter 9: Some Days He Feels Like Dying]

A/N: Below are your guesses...let's see how you did!!! 🥰😘

Series summary: In the midst of the zombie apocalypse, both you and Aemond (and your respective travel companions) find yourselves headed for the West Coast. It’s the 2024 version of the Oregon Trail, but with less dysentery and more undead antagonists. Watch out for snakes! 😉🐍

Series warnings: Language, sexual content (18+ readers only), violence, bodily injury, med school Aemond, character deaths, nature, drinking, smoking, drugs, Adventures With Aegon™️, pregnancy and childbirth, the U.S. Navy, road trip vibes.

Series title is a lyric from: “Letterbomb” by Green Day.

Chapter title is a lyric from: “Extraordinary Girl” by Green Day.

Word count: 8.3k

💜 All my writing can be found HERE! 💜

Let me know if you’d like to be added to the taglist 🥰

Let’s go back to the beginning of the end of the world.

On the big-screen tv in the Liberty Center at Saratoga Springs, Wolf Blitzer is saying: “We are receiving confirmation of additional outbreaks of the so-called Florida Fever, the first cases of which here in the U.S. were reported in Miami a little over one week ago. Concern is now growing nationally, especially as the modes of transmission, symptoms, and treatment options remain unclear. Let’s go across the country to Natasha Chen for the latest information. Natasha?”

“Hi, Wolf. I’m here outside the UC San Diego Medical Center where early this morning, two individuals suspected to be suffering from the illness were admitted. I’ve been informed by hospital staff that both patients are currently in stable condition, but there is still so much confusion and conflicting information regarding this ‘Florida Fever,’ and of course that uncertainty is leading to fear, rumors, and honestly a bit of hysteria. Even how to refer to the sickness is controversial, with no official name having been decided upon by scientists. Cases in Australia are known as Ragepox, the U.K. has dubbed it the 21st Century Sweat after a mysterious disease from the 1500s, and Russia is calling it the Ukrainian Flu while Ukraine has opted for the Russian Red Rot, inspired by the skin lesions that some patients experience.”

“Can you tell us what we do know, Natasha? Are doctors classifying this illness as a virus, or as a bacterial infection more akin to tuberculosis or meningitis?”

“At this time, what I’m hearing is that doctors are fairly certain it’s a virus, as patients do not seem to respond to antibiotics when they’ve been explored as a potential treatment. But there’s truly very little information at this early stage, and I think we’re all being reminded of those first days of the Covid-19 pandemic, when no one really knew how to best to avoid contracting the virus or what the long-term effects would be both nationally and globally.”

“There are absolutely some similarities, Natasha, which I’m sure is contributing to the unease surrounding the situation. What precautions are doctors currently recommending?”

“Wolf, doctors are urging the public not to panic, and to exercise common sense measures like avoiding crowded spaces, sanitizing surfaces, and staying home if they’re feeling unwell. Suspected cases of the illness should be reported to primary physicians or local hospitals. Typical symptoms appear to include headaches, fever, gastrointestinal upset, skin discoloration and blistering, and unusual bleeding, as well as behavioral changes, particularly disorientation, aggression, and even violence in some patients…”

“That ain’t what it is,” Rio says. He jabs his index finger at the tv from where he sits on the couch beside you. “Snowflake wasn’t sick, he was dead. He was motherfucking dead, flatline, code blue, crossed the rainbow bridge, he was gone. He was dead and then he woke back up, and he wasn’t a person anymore. He was…something else.”

“Dumbass, people don’t come back from the dead,” Mike says from the ping pong table. People are milling around pretending to play pool, darts, chess, poker, Monopoly, Uno, Parcheesi, but really you’re all here for the same reason. You want to know what’s happening.

Rio turns to you. “Wasn’t Snowflake dead?”

“He definitely seemed dead,” you reply, knees tucked to your chest and still watching the tv. Wolf Blitzer’s voice is calm, but his pale blue eyes have a manic sort of light to them, too large and too rattled.

“Man, fuck Florida,” says Desmond, a utilitiesman born and raised Trenton, New Jersey. “Nothing but psychos and alligators. Saw them off of Georgia and just let them float away.”

“What was that?” Tyler replies combatively. He’s from a trailer park in Tallahassee.

“Ty, why do you care? You’d be fine. You’re already up here. You can stay.”

“They’re lying,” Rio mutters, meaning Wolf and Natasha on CNN. “When the corpsmen called the hospital, they said to be prepared to restrain Snowflake and that he might try to bite us. Why aren’t they warning people about that?!”

Kayleigh, a steelworker from Oklahoma City, looses a frenetic sort of laugh. “Because there’s no non-panic-inducing way to say: Hey, go buy some duct tape and bungee cords to tie up your loved ones, because they might try to fucking eat you.”

Rio doesn’t frown often, but he is now; he slips his phone out of the pocket of his camo pants and types out a WhatsApp message to Sophie. You only know her from photos and quick hellos via video chat, a sweet diminutive woman with white-blonde hair and blue eyes that seem to fill up half her face, as fragile as Rio is overwhelming. She likes baking and romance novels and elephants; whenever Rio finds elephant-themed souveners, he ships them home to Oregon for her, refrigerator magnets and wallets and scarves and snow globes. Sophie wears a lot of long flowing skirts and hand-knit sweaters, and offers strange suggestions when she and Rio discuss baby names: Sage, Fox, Laurel, Coral, Juniper, Karma, Rune, Otter. Otter?! Rio had exclaimed. Babe, if you name our kid Otter, even I’M gonna have to bully them.

“I’m telling Sophie to stay with my parents,” Rio says to you. “They’ve gotten super weird with all the off-the-grid stuff, but they have years’ worth of supplies and grow most of their own food now, and they’re thirty miles from the nearest town. And no one knows how to defend themselves like doomsday preppers.”

“Good idea,” you reply, watching the tv. Now Wolf Blitzer is talking about tornadoes in the Midwest, and you could almost believe the world is normal again.

A few days later all major social media platforms begin censoring content related to the so-called Florida Fever, and then the internet goes down completely, and then the power turns off and on and off again, and finally quits like a car driven to its last mile. The combat units are moved out of Saratoga Springs—never to be heard from again—and the construction projects paused indefinitely, and one of the master-at-arms that Rio is friends with (Rio has a lot of friends, surely you aren’t so remarkable) relays information that he shouldn’t: tales of planned missions, impossible plagues, overrun cities, innumerable deserters in every branch of the U.S. military.

“Hey,” Rio whispers, shaking you awake one night, moonlight streaming through the windows and the pops of distant gunfire you aren’t supposed to ask about. “If I leave, will you come with me?”

It’s a big commitment; it could be a lifetime. You fear he might just be trying not to hurt your feelings. “I don’t want to slow you down.”

“No, you don’t get it,” Rio says. “I’m not leaving without you. Are you going to Oregon by choice, or should I tie you up and throw you in the back of the Humvee?”

~~~~~~~~~~

It’s a young one, maybe a teenager, little buds for horns and only weighing a few hundred pounds. This is good; if it was any heavier, Cregan and Rio wouldn’t be able to drag it back to the ranch. You’re still in Red Desert, Wyoming, and the bison are grazing just off I-80, an asphalt artery that cuts through an endless steppe of sand-colored rocks and tall grass. They gaze lazily in your direction with bulbous dark eyes, perpetually chewing, not terribly intelligent. The Colt pistols of the men who found you at the RV had been loaded with 9mm bullets, the same caliber your Berettas take; there weren’t many, but enough to fill both of your clips, something that feels like winning the lottery. You are lying on the rocky, dusty soil and lining up the shot. If you miss, the herd will scatter, and you’ll watch dinner vanish beneath a blue sky—pale like Aemond’s eye, a weak shallow blue—and rough white scars of cirrostratus clouds.

“Feels kind of wrong to kill a baby,” you murmur. Daeron, Luke, Baela, Helaena, and Ice are back at the house. Aemond, Rio, Cregan, Rhaena, and Aegon are here on the ground with you; Aegon insisted upon being brought along, and Rio agreed to carry him. Aegon had never seen American bison outside of the Oregon Trail computer game, those pixelated brown blobs migrating across the screen no more material than unicorns or faeries or basilisks.

“If the baby didn’t want to get killed, it shouldn’t be made of steak,” Aegon points out. He’s on a lot of Vicodin, the only narcotic Aemond could find back in Ogallala, Nebraska.

“No pressure, Chips,” Rio says, chewing on a long blade of little bluestem grass. “If you miss we’re just going to have to eat each other like the Donner Party.”

Aegon wrinkles his nose in confusion. “The what?”

“She won’t miss,” Aemond says, and Rio snickers to himself and gives you a quick wink that no one else notices.

“I don’t think one 9mm bullet will do it,” Cregan mutters. “Cows got thick skulls, I figure bison are the same way. You’ll have to hit it a few times, and before it can take off and disappear on us.”

Aemond casts him a patronizing glance. “And you’ve killed a lot of cows?”

“Oh yeah. Worked in a slaughterhouse for a while before I got hired by the power company. Hated it, went home and could still smell the blood and brains on myself no matter how many times I showered. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough.”

Aemond looks like he regrets asking. Rhaena frowns worriedly at the bison. “Will they charge if someone shoots at them?”

Cregan shrugs. “Probably not.”

“Probably?!”

You squeeze the trigger five times in quick succession, hit the calf thrice, tiny puffs of scarlet mist that spring from its woolly head. It flops over as the rest of the herd jolts into a gallop, kicking up dust and fleeing across the steppe.

“Yes!” Rio booms as everyone applauds. “We’re in business! We’re having ribeyes tonight! Cregan, my good sir, I take mine medium rare.”

“You’re getting well done,” Aemond tells him. “Everyone is. Just in case the bison has parasites.”

Rio groans. “You’re ruining my life, man.” Then he and Cregan trot over to grab the baby bison, each of them taking one of its back hooves.

“So,” Aegon says dreamily. “Now that Rio is preoccupied, who would like to assist me in returning my disgusting, debilitated body to the ranch? Anyone? Anyone?”

Rhaena turns to you. “When we have more bullets, could you give me shooting lessons?”

“Sure,” you reply, a bit startled. “Really? You’re interested?”

“Well…” Rhaena hesitates. “Baela’s always been the brave one. At home, at school, when we were shopping, even when restaurants would mess up my order, Baela would do the talking and make sure I was alright…and I would literally hide behind her waiting for her to solve all my problems. And now…with the baby, with Jace…it’s been really different being the one to help her for a change, and I don’t think I’m very good at it yet. But Baela deserves to have people to lean on, just like I’ve always had her. And…when I stabbed that guy in the RV…I kind of liked it.” She titters nervously when she sees the shock on your face. “No, not like that! Not the killing part, or the gushing blood, that was all super gross. But the fact that I helped protect Baela and Luke? The fact that I wasn’t useless in that situation? That was a good feeling. Baela is clever, and she’s courageous and caring and funny, and she’s always been better than me at everything, and I never minded because she…she was like my own personal superhero, you know? But now I feel like I need to start learning how to do things myself so I can help her. Even if Baela is still better at everything, and probably always will be.”

Aegon grins toothily and pushes his neon green plastic sunglasses up the bridge of his nose. “I know how you feel. It’s pretty impossible to look heroic next to Aemond.”

“Stop,” Aemond says, but he’s smiling, and a bloom of bashful pink blood appears in his cheeks.

“You already took over the driving,” you tell Rhaena encouragingly. “That was a big help.”

“Yeah,” Rhaena replies, a bit pensive. “Let’s hope I can keep that going.” Between the gas Aemond found in Ogallala and what was siphoned from the would-be attackers’ GMC Yukon, you got enough fuel in the Tahoe to take it halfway across Wyoming; but now the gauge is not just at but venturing below the E, and it can’t have more than five or ten miles left. That might not even get you to the next ranch, let alone a proper town. You need a working vehicle. There are nearly a thousand miles between here and Odessa, Oregon.

Aegon is pawing at Aemond like a cat. “Come on, hero. Help me up.”

~~~~~~~~~~

“This is why we’re friends,” Rio tells you as he shovels forkfuls of bison steak into his mouth, juice dribbling down his chin. Cregan gutted the bison and butchered it, then you helped him cook the steaks—not very uniform in size and shape, yet no one is complaining—on a pan heated in the woodstove. You fed the fire with books you found in the house, mostly religious in nature. “You convince me not to commit suicide when we’re stranded on a transmission tower, you share your Cheddar Whales, you’re good at shooting things…”

“How did you two become friends?” Baela asks. You are all arranged around the dining room table; there are just enough chairs for everyone. Ice lies beneath it mauling on bison bones that Cregan set aside for her. The room is illuminated by flashlights. Baela looks great: in good spirits, glowing, alert, wearing a loose cotton dress that Helaena found in an upstairs closet for her. Baela napped most of the day, something she rarely allows herself to indulge in, and the benefits are evident.

Rio says nonchalantly: “I talked to everybody and she barely talked at all. So of course I had to investigate and figure out what that was about. Turns out she’s kind of cool. You know the Wheel of Fortune game at arcades where there’s like a hundred little lights in a circle you have to press the button when the one that says Spin Zone lights up? She’s a freak, she can hit it almost every time. Can’t sink a basketball or sing karaoke to save her life, but you know, we all have flaws.”

Aegon looks up from his map, which he is scrutinizing as he eats his bison steak. “Do you realize that if we could just stop at gas stations like back when everything was normal, we’d be in Odessa or the Bay Area in fifteen hours? Literally less than one day. Fucking unreal. And yet here we are trapped in yee-haw country, freaky giant animals, no civilization but Jesus billboards everywhere, hell on earth.” He holds up a palm. “No offense, Cregan. You’re okay.”

Cregan smiles mildly. “None taken, Fried Foot. You know you’re a little well done yourself these days.”

“That’s ableist,” Aegon replies.

“We’ll find gas tomorrow,” Aemond says. He sounds confident because he has to; he’s not allowed to panic, to give up. He’s seated at the head of the table like a patriarch. His steak is the smallest and the most ragged. He wouldn’t accept any of the others.

You ask Baela: “Have you decided what to name the baby?”

“Kind of.” She rests both hands on her belly, a globe like a full moon. Helaena glances over at Baela, frowning and preoccupied. “If it’s a boy, I’m going to name it after Jace. We had already picked out Theodore…and Teddy for short, isn’t that cute? But now…I’d want him to have that connection to his father. The baby won’t have any pictures of him, or videos, or memories, or papers he wrote in school, or ties or rings or cufflinks, or…anything. But he could have Jace’s name.”

The rest of you nod, eyes downcast and feeling terribly sorry for her. “I really like that idea,” Luke says quietly.

Now Baela is thinking, her gaze traveling around the room as she chews on a cube of streak. “I’m not sure what I’d call a girl. Maybe something naturey like Violet, Rosemary, Ivy, Indigo, Fern…”

“You should name it Otter,” you say, and you and Rio erupt into raucous laughter. Aemond smiles as he watches you.

Baela is grinning uncertainly, trying not to be insensitive. Perhaps people named their kids stuff like Otter where you came from. “Um, sorry, what?!”

“That was one of the baby names on Sophie’s list,” Rio clarifies. “I vetoed it. Or at least…I think she agreed to cross it off…? Oh my God, imagine I finally get to Odessa only to find out my firstborn child has been named Otter.”

“You’d have to turn right back around,” you say. “Total abandonment would be the only honorable choice. We’d have to start over someplace else. I’ve heard Texas is nice.”

Aegon snorts. “You can’t live in Texas. They don’t even have legal weed there.”

Rhaena squints at him. “I don’t really think that’s a concern anymore, Aegon.”

Aegon smacks his forehead theatrically. “Oh no, I forgot about the apocalypse again!”

“So Cregan,” Baela says. “You were planning to vote for Trump.”

Everyone at the table groans. “No politics,” Aemond says.

“They’re all dead now, so it doesn’t matter,” Rhaena adds. “Biden, Kamala, that insane Kennedy brain worm dude, Trump…”

Aegon says: “If I was a zombie, I wouldn’t eat Trump.”

“I just found that interesting,” Baela continues, looking at Cregan like she’s expecting him to explain himself. Rhaena and Luke exchange a nervous glance. Daeron reaches under the table to pet Ice; you can hear her tail thumping cheerfully against the hardwood floor.

“I was a Trump voter, yeah,” Cregan replies between bites of steak. Aemond is studying him uneasily, but Cregan’s baritone voice is calm. “That doesn’t mean I approved of a lot of the things he did and said. I’m not a monster, I don’t believe in mocking people or all that January 6th stuff. But he was good for the economy. Back when Trump was president, groceries were more affordable, and houses were cheaper, and more companies were hiring. If I had tried to move out of my parents’ place in 2023 instead of 2019, there’s no way I could have done it. And I really needed to get out of there. A lot of people feel that they don’t have the luxury of voting for the nicest candidate, or the candidate they agree with on social issues. Something abstract like climate change isn’t even on the radar. They have to vote for their basic necessities.”

You and Rio understand what he means, you’ve both met plenty of people with the same perspective; everybody else seems shellshocked.

“But I don’t want y’all to think that I’m…” Cregan looks around the table, his eyes catching—interestingly—on Helaena, who observes him with a fully present attentiveness that you’ve learned is rare for her. “You know, like a sexist or a racist or that I hate foreigners or anything. Because I’ve never felt that way, and now I’m very happy to have found you guys, and I respect the hell out of you. And I want to be allowed to stay.”

“You can stay, Cregan,” Helaena reassures him.

“Yeah,” Rio says. “Especially since we’d probably starve without you.”

Cregan beams, clearly grateful, and there are chuckles and the tension breaks; and Baela is placidly skating her palm over the arc of her belly, and now that you’ve eaten all you can, Rio is spearing the remaining chunks of your steak with his fork and gobbling them down. He doesn’t ask before he does this; he knows you don’t mind. You’ve never understood why he’s given you so much over the past nearly five years. You are eternally offering him atonement.

Suddenly, Baela asks you: “What would you name a baby girl?”

You have to think about this before you answer. “Well, if you’re looking for something related to plants…I had a friend when I was growing up named Briar, and I always thought that was pretty.”

“Briar,” Baela echoes, intrigued.

“It means bramble, like a thorny shrub where blackberries grow. I remember her telling me that her mama wanted it to be a reminder that people go through rough patches and that life gets hard sometimes, but you have to keep going, and eventually you’ll find your way out.”

“Briar,” Baela repeats. “Yeah, that’s kind of neat. I’ll add it to the list!”

“And you’d have the same first initial,” Rhaena says. “Baela and Briar. Isn’t that adorable?”

Baela smiles. “And a few Rs thrown in there too. For Rhaena.”

Rio turns to Aegon. “Hey Honey Bun, if you had to name your kid after a plant, what would you name it?”

Aegon says without hesitation: “Marijuana.”

Now it’s an hour later, and Aemond is examining Aegon’s burned leg on the living room floor, Helaena holding a flashlight and you and Rio standing by for moral support. Underneath the bandages is a wasteland of red, weeping flesh…and yet there are spots where the skin seems to be hardening into white islands of scar tissue. Rhaena and Luke are keeping watch by the windows, Baela is passed out in one of the bedrooms, Cregan is showing Daeron how to put his wavy blonde hair up in a man bun.

Aemond points to a blackish patch on the top of Aegon’s foot, only a few inches from his ankle. “I have to debride this part here,” he says like an apology.

Aegon is afraid to ask. “What does debride mean?”

“It means I have to cut it out.”

“Cut it?!”

“It’s getting infected. I have to remove it or it will spread to the rest of the foot and you could get sepsis. I might even have to amputate the whole leg.”

“Okay, cut the dead stuff off,” Aegon swiftly agrees.

Aemond doesn’t have any more injectable morphine. He gives Aegon as much Vicodin as he dares and then begins working, carving away layers of dark disease with his scalpel and scrubbing the area with disinfectant. Aegon clutches your hand, squeezing so hard it feels like your bones might crunch, shrapnel-like splinters of marrow-stained organic glass beneath your skin. Rio has Aegon’s pink Sony Walkman—once owned by Ava—and takes one earbud while giving Aegon the other. They sing along to Sean Paul songs together, laughing as tears stream down Aegon’s sunburned cheeks:

“Well, woman, the way the time cold, I wanna be keepin’ you warm

I got the right temperature fi shelter you from the storm

Oh Lord, gal, I got the right tactics to turn you on

And girl, I wanna be the papa, you can be the mom…”

Now you’re curled up in bed, your arms crossed over your belly as you struggle to fall asleep. Aemond comes to bed late now; each night he waits until Baela is sleeping and then teaches Rhaena about childbirth and recovery: what to expect, what could go wrong. She is a good student, borrowing Helaena’s spider notebook to take notes and asking detailed questions. She wants to know everything she can so she can help when Baela goes into labor.

At last, the bedroom door opens. Out in the living room you can hear Rio asking: “Do you have Wagon Wheel? I love that song.”

Aegon scoffs. “No, of course I don’t have Wagon Wheel. Shut up and listen to your Enrique Iglesias.”

“You are so racist, man…”

Aemond sees that you’re in agony, rummages around in his medical kit, and gives you an oval-shaped white pill to wash down with the can of orange Sunkist on the nightstand; Helaena found a case of it in the pantry. “Why didn’t you tell me it was this bad?”

“I didn’t want to take any Vicodin from Aegon or Baela. They’ll need it more than me.”

“Your pain is as real as anyone else’s.” Aemond’s weight shifts the mattress as he crawls into bed beside you, his arm settling protectively around your waist, his hand covering yours where it rests on your lower belly. “If the Tahoe runs out of gas, will you be okay to walk tomorrow?”

“Don’t worry about me. I had three periods during basic training, I honestly thought I might die. After that I can power through just about anything.”

“I’ve noticed.” You feel the soft smile on Aemond’s lips as he kisses your temple. “Do you want quiet, or do you want to talk?”

“Talking would be a nice distraction.”

Aemond wastes no time. “Do you like kids?”

“Well, since birth control doesn’t exist anymore, I’d hope everybody does.”

Again, he is smiling; you can hear it in his voice. “Okay, but do you intend to have your own?”

“Yeah, I always envisioned myself having kids. I wanted a normal family and figured I’d have to make one myself, DIY it, you know? I don’t think the plan has changed. Gotta repopulate the earth somehow.”

“I wouldn’t try to sway your decision one way or the other. It’s a burden you should only have to endure if you actively choose it. But if you want to have children one day, I’d help you.”

You giggle in the dim orange glow of a single flashlight. “How self-sacrificial.”

“No,” Aemond says, laughing. “Not like, the making them. I mean, I’d help with that too, that aspect would be fun. But I was talking about the delivery, and recovery, and taking care of a newborn. I don’t know everything, but I know a lot. I could help you get through it. So that’s an option I want you to be aware of, if…you know.” Now he pauses. “If you trust me.”

“I trust you.”

“Sometimes I don’t know if you should,” Aemond murmurs; or at least that’s what you think he says as you lose consciousness, plummeting into sleep as if falling from a great height.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Tahoe runs out of gas just east of Tipton—not a city, not a town, just a collection of service roads linking sprawling ranches to I-80, the only continuous route across southern Wyoming—and Rhaena guides the SUV as it coasts to a halt on the shoulder of the highway. You hike about a mile to the nearest ranch house: Luke carrying the siphoning hose and empty gas can in case you can find fuel, Rio carrying Aegon on his back, Baela walking slowly and with great effort, Ice panting as she lopes across the dusty earth. You can’t spot any cattle or horses behind the endless strings of barbed wire fencing. Perhaps they are in a different pasture, or escaped or were stolen, or died of thirst without being tended to, or were consumed by a wandering hoard of zombies, never sleeping and always hungry. The house at the end of the dirt driveway is modest, old, and painted white. The front door is open; the screen door bangs in the wind.

“Rock Springs is the next real town,” Aegon says when Rio drops him to the ground, reading his map.

“And how far is that?” Rio asks.

Aegon deflates. “About fifty miles.”

“Great,” Rhaena says. “What’s the plan, to fly there?”

“Yeah, start flapping your wings, little bird. You’re light enough, you can make it.”

“No car in the driveway,” you tell Aemond. “Nobody home, maybe?”

He’s scrutinizing the house, his blue eye narrow. “Maybe.”

A thought occurs to Aegon. “Do you think ranchers have golf clubs?” he asks hopefully.

“No,” Aemond snaps. Rio is now on the front porch and pounding the butt of his unloaded Remington shotgun against the doorframe to see if anyone appears. Daeron is nocking one of his makeshift arrows as he trots around the perimeter with his compound bow.

Luke, peering through his binoculars, points to a large cylindrical aluminum structure about a hundred yards from the house, by a small red barn. “What’s that thing?”

“It’s a grain bin,” Cregan says. “Full of feed for cattle.” Ice whimpers at his feet, and he twirls his axe in his large, calloused hands. “Are we clearing the house or not? Something’s in there.”

“We are,” Aemond answers tonelessly. “Luke, Rhaena, stay out here with Aegon and watch for trouble. Daeron, you too.”

“Got it.”

“Baela—”

“Can I go inside?” she asks. “Please, Aemond. I’m so sick of sitting around feeling useless and exhausted. I want to help. I want to do something, I’m going insane.”

“Fine,” Aemond agrees. “It should be an easy one.”

It is easy, but it’s not pleasant. The house smells like dark, sickening decay. In the living room are the skeletal remains of two bodies, both children judging by the size; the maroon-stained bones are notched with indents from gnashing teeth. Cregan shadows Helaena as she searches through closets and drawers. She takes no clothing—it would have absorbed the stench of death—but fills her burlap messenger bag with matches, lighters, batteries, pills. She gives you a bottle of Advil before you can ask her for it.

“Thanks,” you say, a bit startled, as you tuck it away in your backpack.

It is not until Ice leads you to the final room, the bedroom at the rear of the house, that you hear the familiar, blood-chilling hissing and moaning of a zombie. It is in the closet, and emerges one limb at a time: one arm and then another, one leg long like a spider’s, streaked with a thick soup of rotting organs that spills from a gaping hole in her belly like the mouth of a mineshaft. Something has happened to its other leg; it is missing, and the corpse that was once a thirties-something woman—a soccer mom, perhaps, with a minivan and propensity to make meatloaf and fish sticks—drags itself across the fawn-colored carpet towards you, slow and pathetic. Ice growls and barks. Rio raises his Remington.

“Wait,” Baela says. Her hammer is in her right hand. “Can I do it?”

“Of course, be my guest,” Rio says; though you can tell he’s slightly disappointed. He loves clubbing things.

Baela approaches the yowling zombie—jaws snapping, claws swiping—and grimaces down at it, this one of millions of monsters that ended the world, that killed Jace and stole all the rest of her life from her too, all those normal things she was supposed to have, all those strings of fate that the plague cut through like a razor and sent floating aimlessly out into the void of the universe. Then with a scream, Baela swings her hammer and a catastrophic impact crater appears in the side of the zombie’s skull, and it crumples to the floor, its mindless brains spilling out onto the carpet.

“Nothing good?” Aegon asks when you reappear in the driveway, popping a Vicodin into his mouth.

“No,” Aemond replies grimly. “No gas, no bullets, no food, nothing to drink.”

“I knew it would be lean pickings once we got out here,” Cregan says, and Aemond looks like he could kill him.

“Well, fortunately, Luke might have some good news for us,” Aegon says with a grin.

Aemond perks up. “Really? What?”

“I saw a truck out there,” Luke says, using his binoculars to gesture to the grain bin. “It’s parked between the barn and the grain thing, I can just see the very front of it sticking out. And if there’s a truck, there might be gas.”

Aemond ruffles Luke’s fluffy dark hair. “Good job, kid.” And Luke lights up like how cities used to look at night, back when the power was on: Washington D.C., Key West, Corpus Christi, Chinhae. Rio stoops down so Aegon can hop on his back, and all of you trek together across the field.

“Nothing,” Cregan announces as he squeezes the little pump on the siphoning hose after opening the gas cap of the ancient Chevy Silverado and threading the hose inside. “Not a drop.”

“Fucking fantastic,” Aegon sighs from where he’s slumped on the ground. His eyes are glazed; he’s pretty stoned. He gazes pitifully up at you; you pat his shoulder sympathetically. You and Rio have already checked the barn, dilapidated but perfectly devoid of zombies. The roof has caved in; one of the two front doors are missing. “What now?!”

“We can go back to the interstate and walk until we find the next ranch,” you say, looking absentmindedly at the grain bin. It’s much larger up close, and rusty in spots. A ladder runs up one side to allow access to the roof. Ice isn’t whining or nudging anyone’s hands, but she’s sniffing the air as if she’s detected something interesting, unfamiliar.

“Yeah,” Luke replies miserably. “We can walk another five or ten miles and then maybe find a safe place to spend the night.”

Rhaena shades her eyes as she peers up at the sky. “It’s past noon already. Maybe we should just stay here.”

Rio barks out a sardonic laugh. “In a house with no supplies and that reeks of dead people?”

“Cregan, go kill us something to eat,” Aegon commands.

He chuckles in his deep, gruff voice. “It’s Miss Chips who is good at the killing, I’m just the authority on butchering at the moment.”

Aemond is watching Ice, his forehead furrowed. “What’s she doing?”

Cregan whistles. “Hey, princess, you okay?” Ice ignores him, still sniffing, her grey ears straight up in the air. Then it appears from behind the barn: a tiny brown creature, a baby bear.

“Aww, it’s so fuzzy!” Aegon squeals, stretching his arm out to pet it. Rio yanks him away; everyone else is backing up towards the grain bin. A second bear cub has now arrived, padding clumsily along, large cartoonish eyes and a little pink tongue poking out from its muzzle.

“Don’t touch them!” Aemond shouts to everyone. “Get away from them! If there are cubs, there’s probably—”

And around the barn comes the mother, a grizzly bear of 400 pounds. She bares her teeth and snarls, saliva dripping in long gluey strings. Ice is barking viciously; Aegon is shrieking and scrambling onto Rio’s back.

“Baela!” Aemond says because she’s closest to him, urging her towards the ladder of the grain bin. She gets the idea and begins climbing. Then Aemond reaches for you. “Come on, you next!”

“Rhaena, go,” you say instead, and she clambers up the ladder after Baela. Cregan is brandishing his axe; Rio has his Remington in his hands, Aegon still clinging to his back like a baby opossum to its mother. Now Helaena is climbing up the ladder, and Daeron nocks an arrow. You whip one of your M9s out of its holster, aim for the bear’s head, and pull the trigger.

Your bullet hits its skull, Daeron’s arrow pierces its chest; and the mother bear does not die but roars and rises up onto her back feet—taller than Rio, taller than Cregan—and then drops back down and charges towards you and the grain bin. Cregan blocks the way, swinging his axe. The bear reluctantly pauses, testing him with swipes of her claws that he evades. Rio is just a few steps behind Cregan, waving his Remington around hostilely. Aegon is screaming and holding on for dear life.

“Don’t shoot!” Cregan yells. “9mm isn’t big enough, you’ll just make her more angry!”

Aemond finally gets a grip on your wrist and drags you to the ladder. You obey and climb until your feet are several rungs off the ground, then you turn to see what’s going on below. Aemond, Luke, and Daeron are at the bottom of the ladder, their backs to you. Cregan is still wielding his axe.

“Fuck off, Mama Bear!” he bellows, standing as tall as possible and swinging his axe above his head. Rio follows Cregan’s lead and holds his Remington aloft. Ice is barking; the baby bears are fleeing in terror. Aegon is sobbing hysterically and saying he’s going to die. “You don’t want us and we don’t want you! Go on! Go get your babies! I’ll put this blade right between your eyes if you don’t change your stupid mind right quick!”

The bear pounds the earth with her front feet and growls, a beastly subterranean rumble, but she seems to be losing her nerve. The rungs of the ladder creak and groan; you see rust like blood-hued moss around the bolts.

“Get out of here!” Cregan shouts. “Go, you hairy old bitch! Go back to your babies!”

The bear glances back to see her cubs vanish behind the barn. Her mouth is open and panting, spittle gleaming on her pointed teeth; her black eyes are uncertain. As you hold onto the ladder with one hand, you have your M9 aimed at the bear’s left eye, just in case. Aemond is watching Cregan; on his scarred face a sharp severity, fascination and resentment and fear.

“Go on,” Cregan says firmly. “Leave us alone. You belong in the mountains, not down here. Go eat something that’s already dead, a nice easy dinner. You don’t want us. We’ll fight you.”

The grizzly bear shakes her head—flopping ears, shaggy fur filthy with dust and pieces of grass—and whirls, lumbering off to find her cubs. When she rounds the barn, Cregan waits a few long, tense, silent minutes and then turns to the grain bin.

“Alright y’all, we oughta hurry up and leave. I don’t think she’ll come back, but she might.”

From the top of the ladder, approximately forty feet off the ground, Baela begins to laugh. “Did that really just happen?! That was insane! Cregan, buddy, you can vote for whoever you want to. You and I are cool forever.”

He smiles up at her, wincing in the bright afternoon light. “I’m very glad to hear it, ma’am.”

Rio sets Aegon down on the ground and stretches his back; it must be hurting him. Aemond is taking your hand and helping you off the ladder, and you are reminded of the transmission tower where he found you in Catawissa, Pennsylvania, one of those middle-of-nowhere places like Tipton, Wyoming. As Helaena climbs down, you go to Rio and—with as much force as you can manage—knead the small of his back with the heel of your hand like you know helps him.

“You okay?”

He sighs loudly, relieved. “Yeah, I’ll be fine. Oh, wow, that’s good. Harder…oh yeah…”

There is a snapping sound, metal squealing as it breaks, and by the time you turn to look she’s already falling: her cotton dress billowing around her, her arms wheeling helplessly. It happens too quickly for her to scream—for her to understand what is going on and what it means—but there is a stunned gasp and then she hits the ground, and you hear a muffled crunch of bone—skull?? spine??—and she is completely, unnaturally still as she lies on her back, no pain, no words, nothing.

“Baela!” Rhaena shrieks, and she rushes down the ladder and runs to her sister. You are all gathering around Baela, petrified to move her—to make it worse—but pleading for her to wake up, examining her with terrified eyes. Baela’s own eyes, dark and glassy and serene, are open only a sliver like obsidian crescent moons. Aemond is asking Helaena for a flashlight and then prying them wide, checking Baela’s pupils.

“There’s no reflex,” he says numbly.

“What does that mean?!” Rhaena cries. “Aemond? Aemond?!”

“She’s…she’s…” He’s in denial; he’s in shock. He’s feeling for a pulse on her carotid, he’s digging his fingernails into her forearm to try to get her to respond to pain.

“Aemond?” you say softly.

“She’s gone,” he tells you, like he doesn’t believe it, like he’s waiting to wake up.

“The baby,” Rhaena says. “Try to save the baby.” And then, when Aemond doesn’t immediately understand, she grabs his backpack and begins ripping it off so he can get the medical kit inside. “The baby, Aemond!”

Now he knows what he has to do. He pulls the scalpel out of his kit as Rhaena moves Baela’s sundress to expose her belly. She was wearing biker shorts beneath, lavender, cute, something you might have picked out in a store. In less than a minute they will be soaked with blood. Cregan leads Daeron away, and he’s telling him that they need to keep watch in case the grizzly bear returns, but you think it is an act of mercy more than anything else. Ice goes with them. Helaena, her face pale and grave, is shining the flashlight on Baela’s belly, just beneath her navel.

“Aegon?” Aemond says.

“What? What do you need?”

“I need people to help hold open the incision once I make it. I have to be able to see the amniotic sac so I can cut the membrane without harming the baby.”

“I get it, I’m here, I’ll help.”

Aemond presses the blade of the scalpel to Baela’s skin and draws a semicircle from the top of one hip to the other. There is blood, but it is slow-moving and thick and dark; it is the blood of a dead woman, not a living one. Immediately, Aegon hooks his fingers under layers of fat, skin, and muscle, and opens the wound as much as he can. You and Rio reach in too, and you do this without thinking, without allowing yourself to feel the horror of it until the work is done.

“I can’t see,” Aemond is murmuring. Rhaena gets another flashlight and helps Helaena illuminate the area. Luke is on his knees with both hands clamped over his mouth, his eyes glistening with dread and disbelief. Aemond is slicing, pausing to probe around with his fingers, cutting again. Then his arm plunges into Baela’s abdomen up to his elbow and, with some difficulty, pulls out the gore-covered baby by its feet, a girl, large and limp and silent.

Rhaena sobs, equal parts grief and joy, a smile appearing on her face. “Is she okay? Aemond? Is she…why isn’t she crying? Aemond?!”

Rio yanks off his shirt and uses it to wipe blood and gelatinous clumps away from the baby’s eyes, mouth, and nostrils. Then Aemond takes the shirt and wraps the baby in it, warming her, rubbing her lifeless little limbs. When she does not stir, Aemond lays her on the earth and begins CPR: compressions with two fingers on her tiny heart, two breaths down the airway she’s never used. There are no sounds except his efforts. There is no crying when the baby wakes, because she never does.

Enough, you are thinking, as if from very far away: an island in the Indian Ocean, the Appalachian mountains in eastern Kentucky. Enough, enough, enough.

Aemond stops trying to revive the baby. He picks her up and holds her against him, and no one says anything. There is only the barrenness of the Wyoming steppe, an anemic blue sky, tall dry grass that bows in the breeze, black vultures that are landing atop the barn and the grain bin.

Aegon jolts out of his paralysis and reaches for his brother with bloodied hands. “Aemond, hey, Aemond, listen to me, it wasn’t your fault. Okay? Are you listening? Aemond, man, you did everything you could. You gave them a chance. You didn’t give up.”

But Aemond doesn’t respond; he only kneels there beside Baela’s butchered body, her dead baby girl in his arms.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Alys?” he calls, seeing that she never came back to bed. He is lying on his stomach, tangled in red sheets damp with sweat. It’s hot, too hot, and there is no humming of the air conditioning. When Aemond picks up his iPhone from the nightstand, it’s still plugged in but only at 87% battery. The power must have gone out.

He gets up, rubs the damp skin by his temple—headache, dehydration—and lifts open the nearest window. It’s odd: there is shouting, distant and indistinct, like the sound of a carnival or a concert. There are car alarms too, and sirens, and horns blaring, all too far away for him to see. It must be because of the power outage, traffic signals thrown into chaos, neighbors relaying the latest information back and forth. That’s the only logical explanation.

“Alys?” Aemond says again, groggy but with increasing curiosity, concern, guilt.

She started to feel sick last night, a pulsing in her skull and chills and powerful nausea. The possibility of it being the so-called Florida Fever barely registered in his mind. Alys gets migraines, and tofu is a migraine trigger, and he took her to a Thai restaurant (maybe he should have known better) and the curry Alys ordered ended up having tofu in it, and by the time she paid the check (as Alys always did) she was swallowing an Imitrex from the box in her snakeskin purse. She said she was going to lie down in the guest bedroom for a while so she wouldn’t wake him if she spent the next few hours dashing to and from the bathroom, a likely outcome, and if he was honest with himself about it, Aemond would admit he was relieved.

He shuffles to the bedroom door—black boxers, bare feet, century-old hardwood floors—and opens it. Now he can hear thudding, like someone tenderizing meat with a mallet. “Alys? Baby, you feeling okay?” There is no answer, only that rhythmic hammering. He realizes that it is coming from the guest bedroom, a door at the end of a long hallway still fuzzy through his half-awake eyes.

It had never felt right, but it had felt good: good in the body when she touched him, good in the soul when she told him he did something right. But lately—especially here, in the vast creaking historic house she shares with her husband and her children, who are presently sailing in Cape Cod—Aemond cannot shake the feeling that this entanglement is a surrender rather than an aspiration, something he fell into and now rests at the bottom of like a swimming pool or the sea, the cold weight of it threatening to pour into his lungs and drown him.

“Alys?” Aemond says, now with profound and inexplicable dread. Outside an ambulance or police car zooms by, sirens blaring. The pounding on the door of the guest bedroom grows faster.

I want to go home, Aemond thinks suddenly. At home, in the Federal-style townhouse his parents rented for him (Criston picked it out, a safe and quiet neighborhood in Beacon Hill, and Viserys paid), Daeron is visiting from California and watching golf tournaments with Aegon on the living room couch, pretending to be interested when Aegon describes the different types of clubs. Helaena, pursuing an Entomology PhD, is researching the Mediterranean mantis, clicking around on her MacBook Pro from the garden in the backyard. Jace and Luke live there too, and so Baela and Rhaena have all but officially moved in, keeping their apartment in Seaport only to have somewhere to retreat to when the Targaryen chaos becomes too much…and so the baby can have its own room. Baela bought a crib, a changing table, a rocking chair, a dresser, and about a million unisex onesies, mostly space-themed. Baela is studying Aeronautics and Astronautics, after all. Maybe one day she’ll work for NASA and fly rockets to the moon.

The door is rattling on its hinges. Aemond’s hand closes around the knob. On the other side is something terrible, and he knows this. But he cannot just leave her. Aemond is not someone who abandons people; he is not someone who turns away from responsibilities.

He opens the door of the guest bedroom, and immediately she is staggering towards him, limp dripping hair and naked like she was interrupted mid-shower: blood bubbling from her gaping mouth and the whites of teeth peeking through the crimson, necrotic skin hanging in strips from her fingers, eyes misty like steam on a mirror.

“Alys, stop! Alys! What’s wrong with you?!”

She’s alive but she’s dead. She’s yowling and clawing at him, but her flesh is the rotting swampland of a corpse. He’s pushing her away; his palms sink into her, places he once noticed and then fantasized about and then at last—euphorically, ashamedly—touched, held, borrowed but never kept. She’s trying to bite him. She’s trying to kill him. None of this is possible, and yet it’s true.

Aemond flings her away, and the woman who was once Alys stumbles backwards and down the staircase, sick wet thumps all the way to the ground floor, bones splitting through dissolving grey skin, organs sloshing around until they spill out. He can hear her still hissing, flailing, trying to get up again.

Without thinking—slipping seamlessly into what he learned during his psych rotation is called automatic action—Aemond races down the steps and grabs her by the skull, cracks it against the antique hardwood floor she once extoled the value of as he fucked her on it: shipped east from Oregon and laid in 1912, the year the Titanic sank. When she lurches up to try to bite him, he slams her head against the floor again and again until she is still.

Then Aemond kneels there alone for a long time, sirens shrieking outside, far-off strangers screaming for help, putrid black blood clotting on his hands.

#aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen #aemond x reader #aemond x you #aemond x y/n #aemond targaryen x y/n #aemond targaryen x you #aemond fanfiction #aemond targaryen fanfiction #hotd fanfic #hotd fic

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hyperlexichypatia · 2 months ago

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What some of y'all call "recovery" and "healing" is just... growing up.

The theme I keep coming back to, the theme I keep writing about over and over, is the inextricability of ableism (specifically neurobigotry) and ageism.

The pathologizing of youth. The infantilizing of disabled adults. The structuring and micromanaging of childhood leading to ever more opportunities for "deviancy" to be classified as "disordered." The "neurological" push to raise the age of majority. The constant framing of disabled parents and caregivers as "unfit" or "bad influences" on children. And on and on.

Ageism and neurobigotry are such an interconnected tangle loop mobius strip that people are using the "healing"/"recovery" framework for basic human maturation.

When you were little, you uncritically accepted the worldview of your parents and other adults in your life, but now that you're older and "recovered," you see it differently?

That's called growing up. You grew up.

When you had less information and experience informing your worldview, you saw things one way, and now that you've "healed," you see things differently?

That's called learning. You learned new information and changed your perspective accordingly.

Look, learning and change and growth and maturation are (or should be) lifelong processes with no endpoint, and one of the cultural factors making people so weird about "maturity" and age of majority issues is the assumption that a "Real Adult" is in their fixed final form. So people think "If I've changed and grown in the past 5 years, that means that 5-years-ago Me was Still A Child and should not have been allowed to make major life-altering decisions," and also think that once they reach An Endpoint, they can or should stop changing. And that's a problem.

But. But. Changes in one's relationship to oneself and one's family of origin are especially common during times of major transition. That's not pathological. That's not even abnormal. If you see the world differently than you did before a major life transition, that does not mean that you went from a diseased state to a nondiseased state ("recovery"), or from an injured state to an uninjured state ("healing"). Time passed. You got older. Everyone else got older. You changed. Other people changed. Your family changed. The social context in which you live changed. The pathology paradigm has no place in this phenomenon.

People are out here saying that "People should heal themselves before they have their own children," and then when asked, what they mean by "heal themselves" is "learn how to effectively communicate with children." That. That is a skill. Learning a skill is not "healing." Lack of a particular skill set is not a disorder you have to "recover" from. You just have to learn the skill.

But that's also why when we say "You don't have to recover from your disabilities, recovery isn't a moral obligation," people say things like "You want to use your disability as an excuse not to change and grow."

My good bitch, what does change and growth have to do with recovery?

And this isn't even a new observation, because people have talked about how parents of developmentally disabled children will credit "therapy" and "recovery" for their children's natural developmental trajectory (if your child gained a skill after a year of intensive therapy, that doesn't mean "the therapy worked," that means they got older and developed the maturation to acquire that skill). A lot of the rhetoric around early childhood education does the same thing (the reason your 6 year old can hold a pencil now and he couldn't last year is because his bones got stronger and his fine motor skills improved, not because his high-quality preschool made him ready to compete).

But this. This is adults doing it to themselves! And it's so very original-sin-coded. You are born Unhealthy, but through continual effort and right practice, you can Recover and Heal.

No! You just grew up!

#ageism #ableism #youth liberation #youth rights #mad liberation #neurodiversity #mad pride #anti recovery #anti psych #antipsychiatry

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im-literally-just-an-olm · 11 months ago

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You know, I wanna say I remember seeing a James somerton video a while back, it was on asexual erasure in the Queer community, and like it was so unbelievably clear how just it wasn't thought through, and just kinda blatantly acephobic. One of the first things said was the co-host (think he was the co-writer somerton hired but he deleted the video and his entire channel so I am unsure) was part of a pride organization, where they had a debate if ace people should get a spot, and if they were queer enough to be in this organization, then somerton go onto say "there's no persecution like gay people have faced." right after giving an example of persecution specifically toward asexual people. They also say its currently classified as a disease which hasn't been true since 2013, which never should has but whatever. They then go onto say that there's never really been asexual-based conversion therapy which is just untrue period. (there's actually a source I found that says ace folks face it more, source further down) I was like 20 minutes into this like hour long podcast at this point and I had to stop, because it was just hard to watch. As an Ace dude this blatant acephobia just pisses me off beyond all belief, and as a not horrible person, the rest of this mans plagiarism, sexism, and transphobia is just Horrific to me as well. I'd figure id add my experience with this mans content into the discussion. Idk what this is its midnight and im tired Source btw:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5b3b2d1eed915d33e245fbe3/LGBT-survey-research-report.pdf this pdf, section 5.7, specifically 5.7.1 "Amongst cisgender respondents, there was not much variation in who had undergone or been offered conversion therapy by sexual orientation. Bisexual respondents were the least likely to have undergone or been offered it (5%), and asexual respondents the most likely (10%)"

#asexuality #acephobia #tw: conversion therapy #james somerton #hbomberguy #asexual

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batmanfruitloops · 6 months ago

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Alright long but silly post, going into the reason why the furry versions are the animals they are. A few choices are influenced by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles v.s. Batman, some choices are already associated with the character (Catwoman, Penguin, etc.). Most choices are an uneven mix of visual, symbolic, and behavioral. So some have more thought put into them than others but it's all for fun.

Batman (Bruce Wayne) -Vampire bat

A pretty obvious choice. I think specifically a vampire bat is fitting, they are very stealthy and aware. They come built with the perfect tools for lapping blood and cause little harm (excluding diseases). Just as Batman always comes with what he needs and only causes as much damage as necessary. Bats are also social creatures and thrive in groups, so there is a bit of irony there. Bruce can put on a good face for the public and business but isolates himself and therefore goes against his nature. He craves family but keeps his loved ones at arm's length in fear of losing them.

Joker (John Doe) - Red-banded spitting cobra

This is a choice influenced by the TMNT v.s. Batman. Also haha Lego Batman clown snakes. I chose this because I'm tired of both snakes and clowns being seen as evil. John is already the way he is because both Sarsee and I agree clowns should be silly and whimsical instead of how more modern media portrays them as creepy and scary, which also includes the Joker. Snakes are my favorite animals. So keeping Joker as a cobra represents what we have set out to do with the au in the first place.

In terms of behavior, John acts mostly the opposite of what you would expect. Snakes are mostly solitary and overall not very social. John is a very outgoing person and extraverted, but he's social skills are stunned from both being autistic and his childhood. So not quite fitting in but he enjoys standing out. Though cobras are a more intelligent species of snake. John is very clever but most wouldn't guess that. As the Joker, John relies on the element of surprise and subverting your expectations. As a bonus spitting venom is similar to a clown's flower spraying water.

Two-Face (Harvey Dent) - Puma

A partial TMNT chose. Instead of just a cat, I went with a puma. Pumas are not classified as big cats but are the largest cat in North America. Despite not being a big cat their presence demands respect. Even when you do not see them if you are in their territory you would be wise to be careful. Pumas know how to pick their fights, taking on challenges with strategy and retreating when they know they are outmatched.

I think these things fit Harvey and Two-Face quite well. He may not be as high on the social ladder as say, Bruce, but he is no less of an important figure in his community. You know when he is in the room and you think about him when he isn't there. He is intelligent and strategic. He's never to be underestimated and most fear and or respect him. These things apply as a rogue or as a candidate. These strengths are what put a target on his back and thus becoming Two-Face. I also do not know enough about this but pumas are not as solitary as other cats. Which fit with Harvey's ambivert personality.

Harley Quinn (Harleen Quinzel) - Spotted Hyena

This one is also an obvious one I would think. Spotted hyenas are a matrical species, meaning the females are in charge. Harley as a character I think usually represents feminine strength at least in recent years. Hyenas are very strong, they take what they want and fiercely protect what is theirs. They have a nasty reputation but live in a pretty unforgiving environment. Hyenas actually do hunt and have to protect their prizes from animals like lions. They have good reason to be the way they are.

Harley is a pretty unpleasant person but she has her reasons. Having dealt with a lot throughout her life. Her actions come from a place of pain though ruthless. She is not satisfied with what she does at the end of the day. She knows she has a lot work to do and a lot to figure out. Scary as she is.

Poison Ivy (Pamela Isley)- Orchid mantis

Another animal associated with feminine power. Mantis are fierce and confident, they stand their ground even against other animals much bigger than they are. They are not very fast and can't fly very well, but are a top insect predator. They have no need to chase, just sit and wait until the opportunity to strike comes to them. Of course, they have the reputation of eating the head of their mates, but that's actually common for insects. Still fitting.

Ivy is a powerful person literally and personality-wise. She has incredible control of her environment as long as there are any plants around. She is beautiful and deadly. Anyone who can get close to her is very lucky. She's pretty content keeping to herself and her plants and is laid back when she is comfortable. She takes opportunities when they are presented to her with full force. Best stay on her good side and give her space. She makes a wonderful mantis.

Bane (Antonio Diego) - Grizzly bear

Bears are incredibly strong but it's not just brawn they have brain too. Bane is not just a brute, he knows how to use his strength well and is incredibly strategic. A bear can be a very scary animal but also fun to observe. Some find them cute, and some find them terrifying. Bane also comes off in a similar way, it just depends on what you know about him. He is someone you can have deep and philosophical conversations with but most would be too scared to approach him. Unfortunately, his addiction makes him unpredictable and behave in a way he would not want to. Bane does have a code he follows and will return the respect you give him. Just a bear will respect your space if you know how to behave in their territory.

Catwoman (Selina Kyle) - Domsitic long-hair cat

Yeah, Catwoman is meant to be a cat in person form so, I don't think there is much to explain. She comes and goes as she pleases and does what she wants. She likes to bother those with no interest in her. The whole shebang. Not bad but not good, just her own brand.

Mad Hatter (Jervis Tetch) - Arctic hare

Arctic hares are one of the largest species of hare. They mainly live alone but come together for warmth and mating. I'm still not too sure about this, I haven't found much on this yet but it seems like rabbits are much more territorially and aggressive than hares. Either way, most think Jervis is a rabbit and not a hare, because of his height and demeanor. Hares are often seen as crazy and generally have a wild reputation, and Jervis is pretty demure. This instead comes out as passion for the things he loves. However, if he is pushed too far all of his pent-up emotions and frustrations will come out in an explosive response. Despite his appearance, he's very fit and strong. He has metabolic issues that make it difficult to lose weight so in his efforts to lose it he instead makes himself stronger. A similar effect to powerlifters. I thought specifically an Arctic hare was fitting because of this reason, as an arctic animal it's incredibly important for them to gain weight to survive the harsh weather. Something that others believe including Jervis himself thinks is a weakness actually becomes a strength. He does become more comfortable with himself eventually, but he has a lot of trauma to overcome to fix his own self-image.

Riddler (Edward Nigma) - Domestic rat

Rats are very social and intelligent. Despite media depictions, they keep themselves clean and are very affectionate. Ed is very much an extrovert and hates being alone, though he can be overbearing at times he loves those close to him very much and gives as much as he takes. Rats are great at getting around being able to squeeze into most places and can tread water for a long time (ironically Ed cannot swim). Ed can also squirm his way into anything be it physically or finding information. Rats enjoy causing mischief and are often high-energy, they need a lot of enrichment. Ed is functioning at 100% and crashes to 0% once he's out of energy, he has to keep himself busy and do little evil genius tasks until he's completely exhausted himself.

(I drew these on stream and Marxtheimpish asked to give Ed a cheerio, and Jervis lettuce, Ed is mad he only got one single cheerio.)

Scarecrow (Jonathan Crane) - Milksnake

A pretty biased pick since I mentioned snakes are my favorite animal, and Scarecrow is my favorite rogue but I have a good reason for my choice. First of all, as someone raised in the South, I associate milk snakes (and therefore corn snakes and rat snakes) with the country. They can often be found on farms and are great pest control and that also makes me also associate them with scarecrows. Milksnakes mimic coral snakes to scare away predators. Jonathan does something similar and comes off as scary and intimating but for the sake of his own protection. Snakes really want to be left alone and so does Jonathan. Snakes are often misunderstood and seen as something evil (especially by some religious people), but they are anxious skittish creatures and will stay out of your way. The religious association is another reason I picked a snake. Most people assume the worst in Jonathan because of his appearance and aloof disposition. He's pretty tired of trying to prove them wrong and has convinced himself he can't be anything else. But know this, there is no such thing as an offensive snake there are only defensive snakes.

Music Meister (Darius Chapel) - Golden-breasted starling

This one is mostly a visual choice. Darius is a pretty boy so of course he should be a pretty bird. Starlings are also a songbird and incredible at mimicking sounds. Just as Darius is an incredible singer and has a wide range of expressing himself musically. I think starlings are sometimes seen as pests or nuisance, I've only heard that in passing. If that's true that fits with Darius. Some people find him annoying but he's a very pleasant person.

Polkadot man (Abner Krill) - Spotted newt

Spotted newts are poisonous and their spots and color advertise that. Just as Abner has dangerous spots. This is mainly the reason why I chose a newt for Abner. I think aposematism, when an animal is colorful because it is toxic, is a really cool thing that happens in nature. I couldn't pass up the chance. Newts are also very cute and humble animals so all the more reason.

Mr.Freeze (Viktor Fries) - Polar bear

Of course, Viktor is a polar bear. Polar bears are solitary animals, especially the males. They only need themselves, and can only afford to care for themselves in the environment they live in. Viktor is a very independent person. He's confident in his abilities and can do almost anything by himself. Nora is an arctic fox, I bring this up because arctic foxes often follow polar bears around. So they are a perfect match. Polar bears are very formidable, you do not want to get in Viktor's way. Though he may seem cold, he is a good person with a big heart.

The Penguin (Ozwald Cobblepot) - Emperor penguin

Yeah, penguin. Emperor penguins care very deeply for their families and don't much care for anyone else. They will brave harsh weather and dangerous waters all for the sake of their families. Oz does not like anyone besides his family. He'll go through any extreme he needs to, no questions asked. Just a cranky old man that wants to give his loved ones a good life.

I'm much better at expressing myself visually than verbally so I'm not sure if this was comprehensive enough. I don't feel like I got out what I had in my head properly. So please feel free to ask any questions. Also, most of these facts are from my memory and may be inaccurate, but I did my best to fact-check myself when I was unsure of something. So if I got something wrong please correct me, I love learning more about animals. Otherwise, enjoy this word vomit infodump.

-Fluffy

#batmanfruitloops #anewgothamau #furries #anthro #batman villains #batman rogues #rogue gallery #batman #dc #gotham rogues #long post #furries!#furry

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newcathedrals · 7 months ago

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can i ask you a dumb question how do you classify a 'classic' winnix fic i am so curious

I am so glad someone asked! I am so passionate about the “classic” style of winnix. “Classic” doesn’t refer to when the fic was written (it doesn’t matter if it’s old or not) or its popularity (it doesn’t have to be super popular). It's not a super common term or anything, but I found a pattern in many winnix fics bc I read so much and started thinking of these elements as part of a "genre."

Here are the musts of a “classic winnix” fic:

Not an AU. events line up closely to the progression of the events in the series, no huge divergences. diehard writers even line events up with the real Dick Winter’s book/other Band of Brothers books

If the plot includes time immediately post-war, it often takes place in NJ and involves Dick working at Nixon Nitration

Kathy, Nix’s sister, Nix’s father, and Dick’s family members are part of the plot if there’s any post-war plot

Lewis’s alcoholism is an issue in the plot and in Dick and Nix’s relationship. Nix struggles with some sort of mental health issue: alcoholism, depression, self-worth issues, etc

Nix and Dick both have issues related to their sexuality because of the homophobia of the period. Even if one or both of them have fully accepted themselves, this was a process they had to go through. Almost always, Dick has spiritually reconciled his sexual attraction with his Christianity. Internalized homophobia and societal homophobia are issues that they have to face.

There are other elements that are definitely not “required” but are super common in the “classic” winnix fic style. Most of the classic style fics will have a few of these elements:

Depending how long the post-war plot of the fic is, Dick and Nix almost always end up farming in the end. Chicken farming, grain farming, and producing animal feed are popular choices. If they end up farming, they always end up in rural Pennsylvania

Stanhope Nixon is an antagonist and blocks Dick and Nix’s ultimate goals of happiness and peace. He’s an alcoholic, and “gave” Nix the disease through childhood trauma, or even just genetics

Nix struggles to be a father to his daughter, and struggles with this issue.

Harry and Kitty are Nix and Dick’s closest friends that remain from their time in the war. They’re not explicitly homophobic and accept Dick and Lew as a couple (especially if they’re not outwardly affectionate in front of Kitty and Harry)

Lewis often does not feel deserving of Dick and struggles to accept Dick’s love. Sometimes he thinks that Dick should move on from him and marry a woman, and that he stands in the way of Dick’s “true” happiness and progress in life. Dick has to convince Nix that he’s the one for him, and that making a life with Lewis would make him happiest.

Bastogne foxhole activities (iykyk)

Some writers pay attention to the speech patterns and slang of the time, and incorporate 1940s language into their writing

I never get enough of this style! Even though the fics within this “genre” have so many similarities with each other, each writer also brings something new to the style and plot. The longer fics within the classic style also feel the most reminiscent of published novels. Maybe I’ll make a list of my favorites in the classic style (although many are in both of my winnix fic rec posts). The peak of classic winnix is the “What Things We Have Heard Together” series by joissant in my opinion. Some other greats are Fiorediloto’s "The Earth Below My Feet" series and the shorter “Give Me Light, Give Me Life” by an orphan account. But I also find more fics that fit into the "classic" style every day!

#winnix #winnix fic #band of brothers #hbo war #maybe this term will catch on...

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3m0n3rd · 4 months ago

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Please sign this petition to stop octopus farms!

Why should you sign this?

This is happening in Spain, as these farm hurt these intelligent animals. Because octopuses are emotionally aware and are able of social interactions. But these farms are taking these sentient creatures captive and it is well known that octupuses suffer greatly in captivity - which causes extreme boredom, stress, diseases and depression. They are also a major part of marine ecosystems, and taking them from their home is straight up ruining the bio-life under the water.

These farms in Spain raise about a million octopuses annually for food. Octupuses are solitary animals (unless mating) that live in deep sea waters that has little light. In captivity, octopuses are tightly packed in together and are shunned with light.

Farms in Spain use a method called the 'ice slurry' - "Ice slurry killing is a method of euthanizing fish or octopuses by lowering their body temperature to cause anesthesia and death" says humane slaughter association

In other words, they give these animals less and less oxygen and either warm up the temperature and or lower the temperature (depends on the species) until they die. So a slow and painful death to these well aware animals.

"Large numbers of octopuses should never be kept together in close proximity. Doing this leads to stress, conflict and high mortality …"

Around 350,000 tons of octopus are caught every year. With only 500,000 tons are in the wild. So basically even though the population is growing in the wild in enormous rates, these farms will just take almost half of the population that's growing and slaughter these classified sentient mollusk*. Octupuses are caught 10 times more since the year 1950 that's been recorded.

What can I do to help?

Well of course sign the petition! So far they have 580,304 signatures but they need to get to until 750K signatures!! You can also donate if you can, the donations are from 5$ up to whatever you have! This will help ban these farms and save these animals. Reposting also helps a lot! It takes one click to help the marine biolife and inhumane Slaughter toward these beautiful octupuses

*(A mollusk is "any of a large phylum of invertebrate animals (as snails, clams, and octopuses) with a soft body lacking segments and usually enclosed in a shell containing calcium.." - Merriam-Webster)

#spread awareness #spain octopus farms #Octopus farms #octupus protection #EKO #help the environment #marine life #marine biology #marine animals #mollusk #help octupuses

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militantinremission · 9 months ago

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What does being 'Black' really mean?

I have thought about this for a long time. Over the years, I spoke w/ Moors, Israelites, Indigenous, & Pan Afrikans about 'Blackness' & what it means to them. I also looked at Separate but Equal (Jim Crow) Laws, The Black Codes, The Fugitive Slave Act, Dred Scott, & related documents dating back to the Colonial Era. Writing on this Subject was always in the back of My Mind, but now I feel compelled to give an opinion. Dane Calloway & Yvette Carnell don't agree on much, but they're both in agreement about 'Blackness in America'; their perspectives intrigued Me. Cam'ron's Declaration of Blackness, followed by responses from Marc Lamont Hill & Umar Johnson inspired Me to chime in on the Subject.

Recently, Dane Calloway & Yvette Carnell both went into detail about 'Blackness' on their individual Channels. Both have expressed their view in the past, but the timing of their latest opinions caught My attention. They essentially agree that this 'designation' refers to a Bottom Caste status that sets Us up for Social Inequality as a Collective. They also agree that identifying as 'Black American' only clouds Our identity as a Lineage Group. The denial of (promised) resources to 'Black' Farmers, & the repeal of Affirmative Action on College Campuses were both done in the name of 'Race Neutrality'. Apparently, Whitefolk & Brownfolk thought that these (long overdue) measures offered too much(?)

I was still digesting Dane & Yvette's perspective, when Cam'ron declared that he prefers being called 'Black' over Afrikan American, citing a schism between Black Americans & Continental Afrikans. This prompted Dr. Marc Lamont Hill & Dr. Umar Johnson to respond- in the name of Pan Afrikanism. Over the last 5Yrs, Pan Afrikans have been very vocal about Reparations & who should be entitled. Groups like N'COBRA, NAARC, The NAACP, & The Urban League have pushed for Trans Atlantic based Reparations; but they favor Social Programs over cash payments. Grassroots Organizations like the ADOS Advocacy Foundation, stress the need for cash payments to American Descendants Of Chattel Slavery.

It's curious how the same U.S. Constitution that used Our skin color to classify Us as 3/5ths of Humanity, still uses Our skin color as a 'Racial identity' to restrict Our access to resources. Somehow, this skin color classification doesn't stop 'Minority Groups' (i.e. White Women, White LGBTQ..., Azkenazis, People Of Color [POC/ BIPOC]) from getting the resources that They want & need. Maybe it's just Me, but I see a double standard playing out. Edward Blum & his 'Minority Coalition' are hell bent on weaponizing Race as a means of maintaining Black Oppression. He recently resorted to applying the Civil Rights Law of 1866 against Black Women; meanwhile, ADOS was unsuccessful in their attempt to apply the Same Law to (naively?) support Byron Allen's Case against Comcast Communications.

I understand where Family is coming from, when they refer to dictionary definitions of 'Black'. In a 'White' Society, Blackness is depicted as antithetical. It's not unusual, when we consider the way Afrikan Tribes associate 'Whiteness' w/ Death & Disease (i.e. Leprosy). Historically, this attitude towards Blackness goes back to Our 1st Contact w/ Northern/ Step Europeans (Vikings, Scandanavians, ect...) who traditionally burned their dead. Our mummification process spooked them! Those bodies took on a dark hue, & hardened into a crystal like structure; the Europeans called it a 'Crust'. From this, came the word 'Curse'. The Europeans migrated south into Western Asia & transported their ideology w/ them. This fear of Black Mummies was shared w/ Mongolians & other Indo- European Tribes, like the Turks & Huns. In the same way that Afrikans came to associate Whiteness negatively, the Asiatics came to associate Blackness similarly. Today, We STILL hear Koreans, Japanese, & Chinese refer to a 'Black Devil'.

The modern regard for Blackness is a Social Construct created by 15th Century Castilians & Portugese. These beliefs were sanctioned by the Catholic Church, by way of Papal Bulls & adopted by Dutch, English, & French Colonizers. That's not to say Anti Black sentiment didn't exist; Maimonides (Musa Ibn Maimon) wrote 'The Curse of Ham' centuries earlier... Spain, Portugal, & Italy appeared tired of Moorish Rule, & took advantage of the waning years of their influence. Current Reparations discussions have included the prominence of Afrikan Slave Trading, & how Afrikan Kingdoms, like Mali & Kongo actually traded Slaves w/ Europeans; until they were also Colonized. Afrikan Kingdoms became dependent on the profits, decadent lifestyle, & overall efficacy of trading away their 'enemies'. They didn't concern themselves w/ Europe's intentions for these people.

European Colonizers told themselves that they were 'On a Mission' to Christianize the heathens. I don't know what THAT had to do w/ raping & pillaging Societies in 'The Americas' (Amaru Ca/ Turtle Island/ Atlantis). In 'Capitalism & Slavery' Eric Williams explains how Europeans rationalized their barbarism to offset the guilt of violating fellow Human Beings. The Fruits of Exploration clouded the moral judgement of Many. Thinking Men, like Samuel George Morton began to concoct a number Theories (Religious & Scientific) to condone their actions. It wasn't limited to Afrika or The Americas; ANY non- Christian was a potential target. Truth be told, Latin America had more Slaves coming from The Pacific, than The Atlantic. Many of the Illegal Immigrants that (so called) Native Americans in The Dakotas are calling 'Indigenous People', are descendants of 'Negritos' transported from The Philippines & the South Pacific Islands. Spanish & Portugese Conquistadors adopted Colorism from the Arabs, & used it as a tool for Divide & Conquer (Blanqueamiento/ Branqueamiento).

The Portugese & Spanish brought Colorism to the (so called) New World, but it was The English who refined it into the System of Racism. Benjamin Franklin was credited w/ using the term 'White' in 1751, but Black Codes were already in play for decades. Bacon's Rebellion of 1675- 1676 resulted in 'Racial' (Chattel) Slavery in Virginia. White Indentured Servants that were treated no differently than their Black counterparts, were elevated to Overseers & Slave Hunters; later to become Militiamen & Police Officers. Legally, 'White' represented the Wealthy Class of Land Owners & Bankers (Gentlemen of Property & Standing). 'Black' represented Indigenous Americans- Free & Enslaved; Poor Whites were stuck in the middle. The Lessons of Bacon's Rebellion brought Laws that ensured that the average White Person had a better lifestyle than the average Black Person. This is the crux of 'White Privilege'.

Dictionaries define 'Whiteness' as: Fair & Pure. 'Blackness' is defined as: Ugly & Evil. All of this helped perpetuate Indigenous/ Aboriginal People as inferior to the European. The 1790 Census brought the first reclassification of American Indians to 'Negro' & 'Colored'. This reclassification continued w/ each subsequent Census. Census Enumerators were not just instructed, but encouraged to use their personal judgement when making Racial Assignments; particularly when making classifications of Negro & Colored. In 1924, Dr. Walter A. Plecker pushed 'The (Preservation of) Racial Integrity Act' in Virginia. This Act sought to reclassify ALL Indigenous People in Virginia as Colored or Negro, & penalized them (w/ violence or death). The 'One Drop Rule' was added in 1930. The Census completed it's reclassification w/ designations of 'Black' in 1970, & 'Afrikan American'(?) in 1990... Chris Rock once joked: "Have you ever seen an American Indian Family in an IHOP?" He probably didn't know that depending on which IHOP, he may have been SURROUNDED by them!

The U.S. Government has been persistent in their efforts to erase America's 'Copper- toned Aborigines'. In addition to Local, State, & Federal Laws designed to keep Us out of contention, they also used Anthropology to prove the inferiority of Indigenous People, compared to Europeans. W.E.B. Du Bois countered, w/ the help of Franz Boas & a new generation of Anthropologists. Melville Herskovits, like Boas contributed to the Anti Black counter narrative; playing a role in setting up the Harlem History Club at the 135th Street YMCA. This is the same Club that inspired Ho Chi Minh... Since 1990, (Indigenous) Black Americans have been on a Pan Afrikan Crusade that sought to embrace EVERY melanated individual as 'Black'. Haitians, Dominicans, Columbians, Somalis & Nigerians have been very vocal about NOT being Black; they're right! Family thinks that they either want to be White, or at least avoid the negativity associated w/ Blackness. Regardless of their reason, they have a Right Of Expression.

History has been purposely skewed, to prop up self righteous White Men & their Female cohorts (WASPs) over Everyone Else. Their advanced weaponry & barbarism has motivated many to fall in line w/ the Western Agenda over the last 500 Years, but Indigenous/ Black Americans have been fighting them every step of the way. Despite the effort to "Kill the Indian & keep The Man", We continued to search for Our Truth. 100Yrs ago, that led Us into an extensive search on the Afrikan Continent. DuBois, Boas, & Herskovits ALL espoused Out of Afrika Theory; & in some shape or form, molded the Minds of many of Our Master Teachers & Scholars. Their search for Roots in Afrika (Alkebu- Lan) was a noble & fruitful endeavor. As Students, We learned of glorious Civilizations that predated Europe, Rome, & Greece by several millennia. We learned that The Kamau, Nubian, & Kushite referred to themselves as 'Black People'. They were the 'Children of The Sun'- Blessed by The Most High w/ Blackness (Melanin/ Ka Nu). The 'Afu Ra Ka Nu' & 'Afu Rat Kat Nut' are the First Born of The Most High; molded out of Primordial Blackness (CERN calls it: The 'God Particle') & assigned as Caretakers of Planet Earth (Geb). In a Nation that marginalizes the very Concept of Blackness, We were inspired to shout: "I'm Black & I'm Proud!".

Today We live in The Information Age, & as such, Our Generation(s) have access to sources that few of Our Elders had. As We put the pieces together, We discover that:

North America had a population of roughly 100 Million Indigenous People when the Colonizers arrived 500Yrs ago.

These People had highly functional Matrilineal Societies that existed for millennia.

They traded w/ The Moors & other Afrikan Kingdoms for Centuries, & They spoke the Lingua Franca.

They have a Legacy of Brick Making & Mound Building. Billy Carson & Walter Williams both say that Our Indigenous Ancestors have a direct connection to the Kamau. Archeological digs in Southern Illinois & Ohio uncovered Kamitic Ritual material & Pre Phoenician 'Proto- Hebraic Script' among the artifacts. Quiet as it's kept, North America has a plethora of Mounds & Pyramids; St. Louis is nicknamed 'Mound City'.

ALL of the European visitors admitted the 'Copper- toned Aborigines' or Indios practiced a higher Culture than ANY Culture in Europe.

Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, John Hancock, et al were students of Indigenous American Culture. They adopted the Articles Of Confederacy & The U.S. Constitution from the existing Confederacy Of The 5 Nations (The Iroquois Constitution), written around 1200 A.C.E... The Iroquois are the True Founders of the 'American Democratic Experiment'. Remember, ALL of the European Colonizers hailed from Monarchies, so it stands to reason...

The possibility of transporting 12 Million Afrikans to North America from 1619- 1865 is highly improbable. Dane Calloway already broke down the logistics of Trans Atlantic Shipping, & personally compelled The State of Virginia to reduce their 'Afrikan Slave' count by more than 90%. Depending on who you talk to, the number of 'Afrikans' transported to North America ranges from 90,000- 300,000 individuals. At best, this accounts for less than 10% of the 4 Million Individuals that were emancipated. The 20 Young Women that arrived at Point Comfort in 1619, were originally called 'Negresses', not Afrikans. American Indians were called Negroes almost interchangeably.

Dane Calloway, Kurimeo Ahau, & The Research Guy have all pointed out how Europeans transported North American Indians to 'Slave Seasoning' (Buck Breaking) Camps in The Caribbean. Afterwards, they were either shipped back to America, or transported to Europe, & later West Afrika; from Sierra Leone, to Angola. The English & French used Caribbean Maroons in their assault on Afrikan Kingdoms.

All of this new information about Our Ancestors has led many to revisit their Family Genealogy. Many of Us recall a Story or two about the Family connection to a particular Tribe. I personally can't remember hearing an Afrikan Origin Story, before the airing of Alex Haley's 'Roots'. My family taught Us about Our Indian Roots; We don't have a Slave Ship Story in Our History. Most of the Blackfolk claiming Afrikan Tribes, have taken so called Genetic Swab Tests that are advertised as 'Entertainment'. Black Historians & Genealogists, like Dr. Henry Louis Gates have refuted the accuracy of these 'Tests' for years. NO ONE can determine their ancestry from a mouth swab; you need the actual DNA of an Ancestor to make an accurate analysis. Most people don't know that their genetic material is being held (& utilized) by proponents of the [Mormon] Church Of Latter Day Saints. The largest Genealogy Library on Earth, is in Salt Lake City, Ut.

As We put the pieces together, We can clearly see the ongoing process of Colonization. AmeriKKKa cannot be as bold as Israel in their removal of Indigenous Black Americans, so The U.S. Government uses a trickbag of classifications & legislative measures to keep Blackfolk in a state of 'Arrested Development'. They hope that We 'migrate' to Afrika, but most of Us can't afford to visit; let alone relocate. Meanwhile, The Government continues to Flood the Zone w/ immigrants (for 175Yrs & counting). The Mainstream Media speaks about Venezuelan 'migrants' daily, but We hear nothing about the 100,000 Afghani & 100,000 Ukrainian immigrants they prepared for. These people are literally White on arrival. If illegal Venezuelans are getting 5 Star treatment, what are these folk getting?

I felt obligated to go in-depth on this topic, because so many cling to a definition created by Colonizers & Oppressors. How does someone define themselves using the language of their Oppressor? It's the same as someone saying: "A N-- like me", or "A B-- like me". We have been programmed into accepting a wretched (ratchet) image of Ourselves. Some of the people refusing to use the term 'Black', have No Problem referring to themselves as 'N--s' & 'B--s'. I question their logic. Richard Pryor said 40Yrs ago, in 'Here & Now' that he was wrong about using The N- Word. He went on to say that it was a Word that describes Our Wretchedness. He vowed never to use that Word again, but since his declaration, there has been an explosion of 'N-- Comics' over the last 40Yrs. Use of The N- Word is more prevalent than wearing that dress, but few talk about this particular assault on Our Culture. Is it just a coincidence that many of these N- Comics have 'funny looking Wives', as Katt Williams described them?

The lion's share of Our Master Teachers & Scholars were literally spoon-fed Out Of Afrika Theory, so We were primed for Pan Afrikanism. Marcus Garvey was actually 'fishing in a barrel' on those Harlem Streets. This isn't a bad thing in itself. Our Problem has been giving Our 'Cousins' too much access to Our Cultural Mores. Many of the Celebrities, Athletes, & Entertainers being spotlighted & engaging in miscegenation, are descendants of Black Immigrants. They're the Same Ones misrepresenting Our Culture, while telling Us that We're 'Culturally Lost'. Like Hindi/ Bangladeshi/ & Pakistani/ Americans, these folk are situational about their Blackness. They relish being 'Afrikan American' when it's profitable, but are quick to remind you of their Nationality (in a thick accent) when it isn't... It's time to delineate. EVERY melanated group has an identifiable lineage, except Black America. We had a clear identity, until We allowed Jesse Jackson to reclassify Us as 'Afrikan American'. To quote Dane Calloway: "We're named after 2 Continents". Now We're being amalgamated into an 'Afrikan/ Black Diaspora' that is looking to fleece Us like Everyone Else. Most of these folks are 'Black' Capitalists looking for a quick buck. The commercialization of Kwanzaa is a prime example. Our argument for Lineage Based Reparations has revealed this well kept secret.

The (current) Reparations discussion has brought important issues to the conversation. ADOS, FBA, Freemen, & Indigenous Family all agree that We're a specific Lineage Group w/ a specific Experience. No other group has endured what We have endured in America. Some Black Immigrants make a valid point that They have endured over 100Yrs of White Supremacy in America; few admit that They also had more autonomy & opportunity than We had. Many of the 'First Faces' that We tout, aren't Us, but Our Cousins. Colin Powell, Eric Holder, & Susan Rice aren't just descendants of Immigrants, they're also Cousins! Barack Obama was Harvard's 1st Black Law Review Editor & Claudine Gay was their 1st Black President, but NEITHER have Indigenous Black Roots. BOTH have more in common w/ the descendants of Slave Holders, than those Enslaved on Harvard's properties. We have far too many of their Faces in Our Spaces. 'Afrikan American' is not working for Us. It skews perspectives regarding Wealth & Inequality, while rewarding newcomers for their 'proximity to Blackness'.

I have to go back to The Black Power Movement, to get a clear understanding of what Blackness truly means. During that Era, 'Blackness' was an American Phenomenon that was Globally acknowledged. No One else said: 'I'm Black & I'm Proud' w/ as much authority. John Carlos & Tommie Smith proudly threw up their Black fists, knowing they would pay a price. Muhammad Ali lost his Prime Boxing Years to make a point. The Culture of Blackness permeated Music & Cinema; We were doing Our Thing, Our Way. The Culture was distinctly Ours. It WAS a Black Thang, & No One understood it; but EVERYONE respected it. As We travelled The World, We were called Soul Brothers & Soul Sisters, but most called Us Black American. We have a distinct Pedigree. The World knows WHO We are. If we're being honest, Black Culture & Music was generally more respectable before 1990, when We became 'Afrikan American'. Hollywood has been denigrating Us since 'Birth Of A Nation', but their images contradicted who We are. We're a Righteous & Noble People. Our Love of Our Collective progeny is unrivaled. The Slave Experience stripped Us of Our individual lineage, but it also eliminated any Tribalism. Indigenous Black Americans- from New York to Oakland, & from Detroit to Houston refer to each other as: 'Family from...' We compete against each other, & toss The Dozens; but when it's time to Put in The Work- We're ALL On Code.

I laugh at this notion of 'Race Neutrality'. What exactly is meant by Race? Chief Justice John Roberts & Justice Clarence Thomas both lean on this term pretty heavily, but how? Black, White, Asian, & Latinx aren't Racial Groups, they're Socio- Demographic Classifications. Every Middle School Student has learned by 8th Grade of 3 Races: Negroid, Mongoloid, & Caucasoid. This 'Racial Re- tread' only seems to affect Indigenous Black Americans/ Copper-toned Aborigines on the basis of Our skin color. Everyone Else, including Black Immigrants have a Right of Expression under the current demographic structure. This is the Same System that holds Black America stagnant at 13% of the population since Emancipation, while bringing Ethnic Europeans (Caucasians, Catholics) & Asians under the umbrella of Whiteness; to offset the declining birth rate in their demographic. The Biden Administration has implied the same thing is being done w/ Latinx. I STILL ask: What is a 'Latino/ Hispanic'- are they a specific Nationality? No, they're a Socially Engineered Group (Buffer Class) created to marginalize the Indigenous Black American Population. Our Collective, is not a grouping of different Ethnicities & Nationalities under a particular demographic- We're One Nationality. As We search for a uniform description of Our specific Lineage Group, 'Black American' is a No Brainer... Cam'ron is correct.

'Black American' actually describes a specific Ethnic Group w/ a specific Culture & Experience that NO OTHER GROUP can tout. It describes a Group of People in a specific Region, not a (Global) Racial Group. We are as distinct, as Australian Aborigines. Other than Our Cousins- the 'Black Brits', melanated People tend to describe themselves Tribally or Nationally. They only identify as 'Black', when they Come to America. Meanwhile, Native (Siberian) Americans have used the Dawes Rolls to appropriate Our Ancestral [Tribal] Identity, forcing Us to Collectively reestablish Ourselves from scratch. Indigenous, Aboriginal, or American Indian describes Our connection to The Land. The Blood & Bones of Our Ancestors are buried Here, not in Afrika. Black American, describes who We are today. It defines Us as a unique Nationality. This description makes it easier for Us to point out Centuries of legislative policy crafted & used against Us as a specific Lineage Group. Afrikan American, is a monolithic classification that ignores the diverse Cultural experiences & Tribalism of the Collective. Ultimately, Our Name may change, but The Culture stays the Same.

In a nutshell, Black American IS Our Tribal Identity. We're World renowned for Standing Out & Standing Our Ground, & NO ONE does it better. As Professor Black Truth puts it: 'We create Icons'.

-Just making My Case

#B1 #ADOS #FBA #Freemen #The13Percent #LineageMatters #RecalibrateTheCulture #TheProud&NoblePeople #OftenImitatedNeverDuplicated #LiberationRock #FarmersBoulevard #UnapologeticallyBlack #AgeOfProphecy #CultureOfResistance

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queering-ecology · 8 months ago

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Chapter 7. Polluted Politics? Confronting Toxic Discourse, Sex Panic and Eco-Normativity by Giovanna Di Chiro

“Stereotypes and lies lodge in our bodies as surely as bullets. They live and fester there, stealing the body.”—Eli Clare

Queer ecology as defined by Mortimer-Sandilands (2005, 24) “both about seeing beauty in the wounds of the world and taking responsibility to care for the world as it is”. (200)

Environmental justice constructs an eco-politics that defines the environment as our communities: the places where ‘we live, work, play, and learn’ (200). Environmental justice activists embrace inhabited/built places---cities, villages, reservations, agricultural fields, workplaces, poor and low-income neighborhoods next to hazardous industrial facilities as environments worthy of recognition and protection (Di Chiro 1996)

There has been rising environmental anxiety that surrounds cultural fears of exposure to chemical and endocrine-disrupting toxins especially as it relates to the troubling and destabilizing of normal/natural gendered bodies of humans and other animal species aka the “chemical castration” or the “feminization of nature” (Cadbury 1998; Hayes 2002)--rising fears that we are “swimming in a sea of estrogen” (Raloff 1994b, 56; Sumpter and Jobling 1995 173) as a consequence of rising levels of estrogenic, synthetic chemical compounds emitted into our water, air and food known as estrogenic pollution (ova-pollution). (201)

Pop-science warning about the ‘instability of maleness’—warns that the rising incidences of male-to-female gender shifts and intersex conditions observed in the ‘lower’ species of animals, such as frogs, fish, and salamanders, represent the newest ‘canaries in the coalmine’ portending an uncertain fate for human maleness and for the future of ‘normal’ sexual reproduction (Robert 2003) (201) also anti-toxins discourse has concerns about estrogenic chemical toxins disrupting/preventing/disturbing ‘normal’ prenatal physiological development and natural reproductive processes, leading to rising cases of infertility and producing disabled, defective, and even monstrous bodies (201)…

What can develop is a “sex panic” that resuscitates familiar heterosexist, queerphobic, and eugenics arguments classifying some bodies as not normal: mistakes, perversions, burdens (I would add ‘freaks’)…under the guise of laudable goal/progressive goals, a certain type of anti-toxics environmentalism mobilizes knowledge/power of normalcy and normativity and reinforces compulsory social-environmental order based on a dominant regime of what and who are constructed as normal and natural (Davis 1995; Garland-Thompson 1997; McRuer 2006).

Disability becomes an environmental problem and lgbtq people become disabled—the unintended consequences of a contaminated and impure environment, unjustly impaired by chemical trespass. (202) The true scope of the mortality and morbidity of POPs (persistent organic pollutants) becomes distorted by alarmist focus. This fixation ends up de-emphasizing and worse--naturalizing and normalizing other serious health problems associated with POPs that are on the rise: breast, ovarian, prostate and testicular cancers, neurological and neurobehavioral problems, immune system breakdown, heart disease, diabetes and obesity (202).

There is good reason for alarm concerning the continued use and accumulation of toxic chemicals that are wreaking havoc on the health and reproductive possibilities of the living world. Our cumulative exposures to endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, neurotoxins, asthmagens, and mutagens in our normal, everyday lives from our daily contact with plastic water bottles, shampoos, and kitchen cleaners to insect repellents, food preservatives, and factory farmed meats, among others, are most certainly putting at risk the health of our own bodies and our earth. (210) But where should the critical attention lie?

The hyperfocus on the world turning into hermaphrodites participates in a sexual titillation strategy summoning the familiar ‘crimes against’ nature’ credo and inviting culturally sanctioned homophobia while at the same time sidelining and naturalizing ‘normal’ environmental diseases such as cancer (211).

Environmental theory and politics in the US have historically mobilized ideas of the normal, to determine which bodies and environments/landscapes embody the distinctly American values of productive work, rugged individualism, masculinity, independence, potency, and moral virtue upon which environmental advocacy movements should be based (Haraway 1989; Cronon 1991). Critical histories of U.S. environmentalism have revealed the capitalist, patriarchal, colonialist, heteronormative, eugenicist, and ableist histories underlying its “progressive” exterior (Boag 2003; Darnovky 1992; Evans 2002; Gaard 2004; Jaquette 2005; Sutter 2001).

Eco-normativity (or eco[hetero]normativity) appear in alarmist discourse in the anti-toxins arm of the environmental movement. Their alarm about contaminants effect on sex/gender appeals to preexisting cultural norms of gender balance, normal sexual reproduction and the balance of nature. The use of “anti-normal” “anti-natural” in antitoxins discourse is highly questionable and risks reinforcing the dominant social and economic order (the forces actually responsible for environmental destruction and toxic contamination of all our bodies and environments) by naturalizing the multiple injustices that shore it up”…and thus creates what the author terms, polluted politics.

#queer ecologies: sex nature politics desire #econormativity #heteronormativity #critical ecology #queer ecology #ecology #environmental contamination #persistent organic pollutants #toxins #anti toxins #eugenics #ecofeminism #environmental politics #ecological science #environmental science

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mariacallous · 23 days ago

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Editor's note:This is the first blog in our series that examines how social determinants influence gender biases in public health research, menstrual hygiene product development, and women’s health outcomes.

Worldwide, over 100 million women use tampons every day as they are the most popular form of menstrual products. U.S. women spent approximately $1 billion from 2016 to 2021 on tampons, and 22% to 86% of those who menstruate use them during their cycles, with adolescent girls and young adults preferring them. Tampons and pads are the most practical and common option for those who are working and have limited funds. Yet, a recent pilot study exposed concerning amounts of lead, arsenic, and toxic chemicals in tampons: 30 different tampons from 14 brands were evaluated for 16 different metal(loid)s, and tests indicated that all 16 metal(loid)s were detected in all different samples. This news comes as quite a shock to women who use these products. It raises many concerns and questions for those who do not have other viable options when they menstruate. We explore some of the major questions and concerns regarding the products on the market and their potential to increase the risk of exposure to harmful contaminants. It is clear that beyond this pilot study, further research is required to understand the potential health challenges.

Unpacking the potential risks for those who use menstrual products

Measurable concentrations of lead and arsenic in tampons are deeply concerning given how toxic they are. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies lead as a major public health concern with no known safe exposure level. Arsenic can lead to several health issues such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. There are three ways in which these metal(loid)s can be introduced into the product: 1) from the raw materials that absorbed the soil and air, like the cotton used in the absorbent core; 2) contamination from water during the manufacturing process; and 3) intentionally being added during the manufacturing process for certain purposes. No matter how these metal(loid)s are introduced into the product, the pilot study stresses that further research must be done to explore the consequences of vaginally absorbed chemicals given the direct line to the circulatory system.

On an institutional level, the public health system has historically been biased toward the male perspective, essentially excluding research related to women’s health. In 1977, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommended that women of childbearing age should be excluded from clinical research. Because of this gendered bias, many women now experience delayed diagnoses, misdiagnoses, and suffer more adverse drug effects; eight out of 10 of the drugs removed from U.S. markets from 1997 to 2000 were almost exclusively due to the risk to women. In 1989, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) amended its policy to include women and minorities in research studies, but it wasn’t until 1993 that this policy became federal law in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993. Then, in 2016, the NIH implemented a policy requiring the consideration of sex as a biological variable in research.

Historically, women haven’t been in control of the various industries that support their unique health needs and develop products that allow them to manage their health in safe ways. In spite of this, women-owned businesses have increased over time, with many of them supporting a range of products, services, and health and child care needs. Changes in these industries can lead to a better understanding of how certain products aid or impede women’s health trajectories.

Racialized and gendered bias in health research

The life expectancy of women continues to be higher than men’s. That does not suggest there has been universal nor equitable support for women’s health issues and women’s health care. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues. They also experience racism and differential treatment in health care and social service settings. This reality becomes starker when stigma and bias influence negative behaviors toward Black women and other women of color, and socioeconomic status limits access to preventative care, follow-up care, and other services and resources.

Toxic menstrual products are just the tip of the iceberg for gender bias in health research. Gendered bias extends into how health care professionals evaluate men and women differently based on the stereotypical ideas of the gender binary. This results in those who are perceived as women receiving fewer diagnoses and treatments than men with similar conditions, as well as doctors interpreting women’s pain as stemming from emotional challenges rather than anything physical. In a study comparing a patient’s pain rating with an observer’s rating, women’s pain was consistently underestimated while men’s pain was overestimated. Women’s pain is often disregarded or minimized by health care professionals, as they often view it as nothing more than an emotional exaggeration or are quick to blame any physical pain on stress. This has led to a pain gap in which women with true medical emergencies are pushed aside. For instance, the Journal of the American Heart Association reported that women with chest pain waited 29% longer to see a doctor in emergency rooms than men.

For people of color, especially Black women, the pain gap, as well as the gap in diagnoses and treatment, is exacerbated due to the intersectionality of gender, race, and the historical contexts of Black women’s health in America. Any analysis must consider the unique systemic levels of sexism and racism they face as being both Black and women. They face a multifaceted front of discrimination, sexism, and racism, in which doctors don’t believe their pain due to implicit biases against Black people—a dynamic that stems from slavery, during which it was common belief that Black people had a higher pain tolerance—and women. A study found that white medical students and residents believed at least one false biological difference between white and Black people and were thus more likely to underestimate a Black patient’s pain level.

Intersectionality, as well as sexism, further explains why medical students that believe in racial differences in pain tolerance are less likely to accurately provide treatment recommendations or pain medications. A Pew study found that 55% of Black people say they’ve had at least one negative experience with doctors, where they felt like they were treated with less respect than others and had to advocate for themselves to get proper care. Comparatively, 52% of younger Black women and 40% of older Black women felt the need to speak up to receive care, while only 29% of younger Black men and 36% of older Black men felt similarly. Particularly among Black women, 34% said their women’s health concerns or symptoms weren’t taken seriously by their health care providers. This even happened to Serena Williams!

Restructuring the health system

On Tuesday, September 11, 2024, the FDA announced they would investigate the toxic chemicals and metals in tampons as a result of the pilot study. This comes after public outcry and Senator Patty Murray’s (D-Wash.) letter to FDA Commissioner Robert M. Califf asking the agency to evaluate next steps to ensure the safety of tampons and menstrual products. In her letter, she specifically asks what the FDA has done so far in their evaluations and what requirements they have for testing these products, ensuring a modicum of accountability within this market. As of July 2024, the FDA classifies tampons as medical devices and does regulate their safety but only to an extent, with no requirements to test menstrual products for chemical contaminants (aside from making sure they do not contain pesticides or dioxin). The pilot study on tampons containing harmful metals was the first of its kind, which sheds light on how long women’s health has been neglected. Regulations requiring manufacturers to test metals in tampons need to be implemented, and future studies on the adverse health impacts of metals entering the bloodstream must be prioritized. The FDA investigation will hopefully be a step in the right direction toward implementing stricter regulations.

For too long, the health field has been saturated with studies by and for men. Women’s health, on the other hand, faces inadequate funding, a lack of consideration for women’s lived experiences, and the need for more women leading research teams investigating women’s health. Women, especially those who face economic and social disparities, have the capacity to break barriers and address real issues that impact millions of women each day but only if they are brought to the table. With structural change, we can address how women’s concerns are undermined and put forth efforts to determine new and effective measures for women’s health.

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drowninginblox · 8 months ago

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Amo vocé

A Pac centric hideduo fanfic

Although no one wanted to say it out loud, the truth was clear. This land was dreadful. After the fracturing of Quesidia island a few months ago, the residents were moved to a new island altogether. One that wasn't a hellscape, my purgatory, or a crushingly systematic institution like that prison they shacked up in for a few days. If you don't look at the bunny boys who hop from resident to resident to bother, this place is amazing. It was everything the old island was, but more beautiful and diverse. Pac, although apprehensive, thought this would be a good change for his family. A new start that he desperately needed, but with all the same bonds. He was hoping to explore it all with Fit at Ramon, but when Fit's deadline came and passed with no word of where he was, and all the eggs suddenly became bedridden with some kind of disease, it was obvious that plans were not going to be acted on for a long time.

Nowadays, Pac is held up in either his or Fit's house. The worry about Fit's- their son ravaged him. Combined with the fact that he hadn't seen Richas in weeks, it felt like his world was crashing down while everyone was living their lives. Was he really the only one Fit told about his mission? Why was no one else questioning where he'd been? Is he-

A knock interrupts his ritual passing. The following silence seeps into him as he rolls his shoulders. The mascot of this hell peaks through the window of the front door "Hola," Pac stiffens, sighs, and forces a small smile. "Oh, Cucarucho!" Welcomes aren't something that should be handed to the devil, everyone knows his name too well. But when he comes knocking, being a good host is always the safest option. Pac opens the door, giving the bear enough reason to make himself at home, investigating everything with his pristine spyglass. All the while leaving no room for questioning. "Hola. Bom dia. O que está fazendo?" Pac cocks a brow, feeling for his scythe in his bag. "Nada de fato. O que está acontecendo?" The bear continues in its search, only bothering with a "Classified."

An unsurprised eye roll follows. "Sim, sim, of course." He mumbles. "Não se importe comigo, não é como se eu morasse aqui." Unbothered by the fact that the island representative is tearing through his house, Pac ops to head to the garden. If not for a distraction from but another instance of his life falling apart.

Fresh air and rich soil weren't as effective as he wished when it came to distracting himself. He would have gone over to the "shit shack" that was Fitche's and Ramon's house, but he doesn't trust the damn bear for shit. "Fitche, volte para casa logo. Por favor…" He found himself fumbling to a rose bush. He hears the door open and close. Cucurucho's bubbles catch Pac's attention. "O que você quer agora, seu urso estúpido?" His hallowed voice surprised him. "Espero que você goste da ilha." They respond in a taunting, monotone voice before placing a box in front of the Brazilian. Pac's curiosity gets the better of him as he follows the bear's gaze.

Yet he's already gone.

He sighs at the plain-looking box. It was just a brown cardboard one with packing tape on it. No address of course, but there was a small message written on the top. "I hope you enjoy the island. :)" If his eyes could roll any harder, Pac would be blind. One huff and a decisive bite of the lip later, Pac ends up putting the box inside his house. In hesitating to put it on the table, he opts to leave it on top of the fridge. Out of sight, out of mind. Yet the question lingered,

#qsmp fitmc #qsmp pactw #qsmp fitpac #hideduo #hidefamily #fitpac #qsmp hideduo #poll fic

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musicfeedsmysoul12 · 17 days ago

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Alx was on a mission. It was a very good mission, and they would not fail it. They had everything ready- a reason to be at the Hellp Desk (dragging a particularly nasty soul down who was due to arrive) and a way to start a conversation. Saying they liked Izuku’s hair was a good compliment. Right?

The blue-skinned demon paused to adjust their hair. It was one of the few things they couldn't shape shift, something their mother was baffled by as she could change her hair in anyway she wanted with a thought. Their father pointed out that his heritage probably came into play with that. Alx didn’t mind it. Much like their nails it was nice to have to put effort into things.

However, they did wish at that moment to be able to make the stupid strands stay straight.

Taking a breath, they walked right to the desk where they saw Izuku talking with some soul. Not the soul they had to grab, so Alx felt confident as they walked up to the desk.

“I don’t care who or what you were in life, you can’t take it with you. Level four,” Izuku was saying in a bored tone as he was turning back to his notebook.

“I was doing what was best-“ the soul began, his green and yellow hair becoming less prim and proper as he ran his hands through it.

“No you were attempting to control a situation due to your self righteousness and your egotistical nature due to your Quirk. You could see A future not THE future. Future in itself is subjective,” Izuku interrupted. “You had no right to demand things of your former hero partner and you barely pass on how you outright groomed your intern and forced him into a roll he didn’t outright choose. You then used a tickle machine which is actually classified as a torture device in some countries on other employees of yours. The only reason you’re not on a lower level is you did have good intentions you just failed. Level four,” Izuku turned away from the soul to smile. “Alx, right? You’re here for Kai when he shows up?”

“Overhaul himself yeah,” Alx said casually. They raised an eyebrow at the soul in front of the desk who looked lost. He didn’t seem to know what to say. “Keeping busy?”

“More or less. We don’t often get you guys up here to get souls,” Izuku said, tilting his head with his big green eyes blinking.

Alx had to hold back their coo as they shrugged, wishing there was something to lean against so they could tug their clothes a bit to show off their figure. They’d given themself a chest for the day, and some rocking curves, wanting to show off for Izuku. Their cute top showed a bit but the casual leaning would work better…

“I shouldn’t be here,” snarled a voice. A brunette man had come to the desk. “I was ridding the world of that disgusting disease called Quirks!”

“No you were an abusive bastard who wanted an excuse due to your own issues regarding how touching things made you fully aware of everything in it including germs which caused you to go mad,” Izuku said back, eyes narrowed. “Which would give you leeway if you didn’t know what you were doing was wrong and enjoyed hurting a little girl over and over again.”

“That thing was diseased,” the soul snarled. “No one should control time like it did. I did what-”

“Quirks are not evil things. What people do with them makes them wrong or bad. And you went around hurting people, hurting a child who hadn't been able to control her Quirk,” Izuku said coldly. “And you liked it. Just like how you liked the control you had over your subordinates. Liked how you put your ‘father’ in a coma. You can run around claiming anything you want, I have your file right here,” Izuku held it up, holding Overhaul’s eyes. “And as a ‘pure’ person, a Quirkless person in life, I will only say this, I hope you don’t go to the void to soon. I hope you stay on level nine a very good long time.”

“Holy fuck you're hot,” Alx blurted out. It broke the tension and Izuku’s head whipped around to them. They flushed and grabbed Overhaul. “GOTTA GO!”

To the Void- WHY?!?

#bnha #bnha au #hells Belles #choosing Belles #Alx is a mess #cutie who can't flirt #fuck overhaul #I'm always torn with Sir Nighteye #but here he ended up level 4 #he has a chance but he fucked up

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goodmorninglovelies42 · 1 year ago

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My least favorite take is that the story of Jamie’s dad is about substance abuse. It’s not. Addiction is a disease. At least in the US it’s classified as substance use disorder. And it’s a treatable condition that should be viewed as a public health matter and not a moral matter.

But that’s not the issue with James Tartt, Sr. The issue with James is that he’s abusive — physically, emotionally, and sexually — towards Jamie. Now, maybe that is exacerbated by substance use, particularly alcohol. But that doesn’t fully explain or excuse behavior.

And again, I believe that people can change. No matter how old they are or what horrible things they’ve done. And I believe that *societally* those people deserve second chances. But believing both of those things doesn’t require that the the *individual* they harmed extend forgiveness. Those are complex and individual choices.

The show implies that James Tartt Sr. is in rehab. And I think that’s great. People should absolutely get the medical treatment they need (AA isn’t evidence based, btw, but that’s a discussion for another day). But getting treatment for substance use disorder doesn’t automatically fix the behaviors he engaged in, even while under the influence. And me saying that doesn’t mean I’m demonizing people with substance use disorder.

#jamie tartt #james tartt sr #healing is complicated #and requires more than rehab #and alcholism isn’t what made James abuse Jamie #though perhaps he was self medicating for issues that did make him do that #anyway this is a James tartt sr hate account #and I’m fine with that

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thedansemacabres · 3 months ago

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THE 2024-2025 BRONTOSCOPTIC CALENDAR

Photo by Johannes Plenio on Pexels.com

[IMG ID: A scene of a lightning strike at light. The background is empty, sparing a few clouds illuminated by the light of the strike. There are two lightning strikes, one to the left that extends beyond the image, and another that stops slightly beyond the halfway mark of the image. The lightning strikes are a vibrant yellow, contrasting against a purple background, with the light around the strike taking on a striking red-pink.]

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Content warning: The brontoscoptic refers to several possibly triggering events, such as death, disease, and abortion. The text also refers to common practices in the ancient world such as slavery and misogyny, which we must acknowledge for the evil it is.

A new year, new dates for the Brontoscoptic calendar! This year is a bit odd for the translation, the new moon in cancer was June 21st—meaning the majority of the “June” month is in July. The calendar picks back up on the next new moon, which is August 4th. Therefore the brontoscoptic month of July is in August. Strange for us to think of, but lunar calendars do not always translate easily into Gregorian.

Supposing that publicly, in all augural teaching, the ancients assumed the moon to be a reference point (for under this heading they classified both thunder and lightning signs), one likewise may correctly select the phase of the moon as a factor for reckoning, so that, beginning with Cancer, we shall make observations of thunder day by day, beginning with the first day of the lunar month, and following lunar months. From this [study] the Etruscans transmitted observations localized according to the regions that are struck from the sky by thunder. — Divining the Etruscan World: The Brontoscopic Calendar and Religious Practice, Jean MacIntosh Turfa

JUNE-JULY 2024

CANCER JUNE 21ST-JULY 22ND

LEO JULY 23RD-AUGUST 22ND

FULL MOON IN CANCER JUNE 21ST, 2024: If in any way it should thunder, there will be an abundance of fruits, with the exception of barley; but dangerous diseases will be inflicted upon bodies.

12:00 JUNE 22ND: If in any way it should thunder, women in labor will have an easy delivery,

but there will be abortion of cattle, yet there will be an abundance of fish.

12:00 JUNE 23RD: If in any way it should thunder, there will be a scorching and drying wind, such that not only grains but even the soft fruits will be parched through and through and shrivel up.

12:00 JUNE 24TH: If in any way it should thunder, the air will be cloudy and rainy, so that out of a moldy dampness the crops will rot.

12:00 JUNE 25TH: If in any way it should thunder, ill-omened for the countryside. Those responsible for villages or towns will be thrown into a state of disorder.

12:00 JUNE 26TH: If in any way it should thunder, just as the crops are maturing, some sort of wild pest that has sunk deep into them will waste them.

12:00 JUNE 27TH: If in any way it should thunder, diseases will infect [men], but not many shall die. And although the cereal crops shall be successful, the soft fruits shall dry up.

12:00 JUNE 28TH: If in any way it should thunder, it indicates wet weather, and ruin of the grain.

12:00 JUNE 29TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be a loss of flocks through being overrun by wolves.

12:00 JUNE 30TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be frequent death, yet prosperity.

12:00 JULY 1ST: If in any way it should thunder, there will be days of heat, burning but harmless; there will be glad festivities in political affairs.

12:00 JULY 2ND: If in any way it should thunder, the same thing as on the preceding day.

12:00 JULY 3RD: If in any way it should thunder, it announces the fall of a ruler.

12:00 JULY 4TH: If in any way it should thunder, the atmosphere shall be burning hot, but there will be abundant harvest and good flow, not the poorest, of the river fish. Bodies, nevertheless, shall be utterly weak.

12:00 JULY 5TH: If in any way it should thunder, the winged creatures shall be injured during the summer, and also the fish shall perish.

12:00 JULY 6TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens not only dearth of the necessities of life, but also war, and a prosperous man shall disappear from public life.

12:00 JULY 7TH: If in any way it should thunder, there shall be days of burning heat and destruction by mice, blind-mice [field mice] and locusts. Still, it brings abundance and at the same time murders to the people.

12:00 JULY 8TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens destruction to the crops [soft fruits].

12:00 JULY 9TH: If in any way it should thunder, pests destructive to the crops shall perish.

12:00 JULY 10TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens discord for the community.

12:00 JULY 11TH: If in any way it should thunder, it means there will be a dearth of wine, but an increase in the other crops, and an abundance of fish.

12:00 JULY 12TH: If in any way it should thunder, the hot weather will be especially ruinous.

12:00 JULY 13TH: If in any way it should thunder, it announces good cheer, a putting aside of ills, and an end to disease.

12:00 JULY 14TH: If in any way it should thunder, it announces plenty.

12:00 JULY 15TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be wars and countless ills.

12:00 JULY 16TH: If in any way it should thunder, the winter will be especially harmful to the crops.

12:00 JULY 17TH: If in any way it should thunder, there is danger from the army for the men in power.

12:00 JULY 18TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be a good harvest for the crops.

12:00 JULY 19TH: If in any way it should thunder, the affairs of the queenly city [Tarquinia] will be improved.

12:00 JULY 20TH: If in any way it should thunder, in a short time there shall be frequent death.

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024

LEO JULY 23RD-AUGUST 22ND

VIRGO AUGUST 23RD-SEPTEMBER 22ND

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23RD-OCTOBER 22ND

12:00 AUGUST 4TH, NEW MOON: Upon the new moon, if in any way it should thunder, there shall be plenty, yet there shall be ruin [“Ruin” or “a falling” (πτῶσις) of the flocks: the connotation of falling down, or away, might have described a particular disease condition.] of the flocks.

12:00 AUGUST 5TH: If in any way it should thunder, the late autumn will be good.

12:00 AUGUST 6TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signals a heavy winter.

12:00 AUGUST 7TH: If in any way it should thunder, the airs will be turbulent, so that of them will be born scarcity.

12:00 AUGUST 8TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be an abundance of grain, yet it is the downfall of a virtuous ruler.

12:00 AUGUST 9TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens death-bearing diseases to the fortunes of slaves.

12:00 AUGUST 10TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be rains harmful to the grain fields.

12:00 AUGUST 11TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies peace for the community, but ruin for the cattle herds, and a dry cough shall infect.

12:00 AUGUST 12TH: If in any way it should thunder, it foretells a vision of the gods and the advancement of many good men.

12:00 AUGUST 13TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be lifesaving river waters.

12:00 AUGUST 14TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signals hot weather and stormy rain and a scarcity of grain.

12:00 AUGUST 15TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be unexpected cold in the summer, because of which the necessities of life will be spoiled.

12:00 AUGUST 16TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will appear the most poisonous reptiles.

12:00 AUGUST 17TH: If in any way it should thunder, it shows one man will come to power over many. But this man is most unjust in state affairs.

12:00 AUGUST 18TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be dissension among the common people and a scarcity of grain.

12:00 AUGUST 19TH: If in any way it should thunder, the king of the East … will be overcome [by?] war …and disease will be received from dry hot weather.

12:00 AUGUST 20TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies the succession of a great ruler.

12:00 AUGUST 21ST: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens a dearth of crops due to rainy weather.

12:00 AUGUST 22ND: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies war and the destruction of the powerful. On the other hand, there will be a plenty of cereals.

12:00 AUGUST 23RD: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens an unhealthy drought.

12:00 AUGUST 24TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be disagreement among the subjects, but not for long.

12:00 AUGUST 25TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signals good things for the affairs of state, but for the bodies, diseases around the head.

12:00 AUGUST 26TH: If in any way it should thunder, the dissension of the common people will come to an end.

12:00 AUGUST 27TH: If in any way it should thunder, it shows the possible misfortune of a powerful man.

12:00 AUGUST 28TH: If in any way it should thunder, it will go badly for a band of youth and also for the crops along with them. It will be a disease-bearing time.

12:00 AUGUST 29TH: If in any way it should thunder, after great plenty there will be famine.

12:00 AUGUST 30TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens subcutaneous eruptions to [men’s] bodies.

12:00 AUGUST 31ST: If in any way it should thunder, there will be a dearth of water and a plague of poisonous reptiles.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 1ST: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies a good harvest.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 2ND: If in any way it should thunder, men bent on vengeance shall slip into the worst kind of treachery.

[AUGUST] 12:00 SEPTEMBER 3RD: If in any way it should thunder, the affairs of the state will be slightly better, and there will be plenty.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 4TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens both diseases and at the same time a dearth of the necessities of life.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 5TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens both [public] trials and debates among the common people.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 6TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be a dearth of foodstuffs for both humans and dumb animals.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 7TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies that the women are the more sagacious.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 8TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be an abundance of honey, yet a lack of both water and the other foodstuffs.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 9TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signals harsh winds and diseases at the same time.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 10TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens harmless disease to the four-footed.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 1TH: If in any way it should thunder, it proclaims good health for men for a full year.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 12TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens bodily pains and wretchedness for the greater part of the people.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 13TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be a good harvest, yet the downfall of reptiles and harm to men.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 14TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be an abundance of cattle fodder and of acorns, but in the first ripening season, it will go badly.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 15TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be plague upon the bodies of both humans and dumb animals.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 16TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signals war for all the people, yet an abundance of crops.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 17TH: If in any way it should thunder, affairs will change for the worse.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 18TH: If in any way it should thunder, it promises a deep peace.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 19TH: If in any way it should thunder, the men of lowly degree shall be gloomy.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 20TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens civil war.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 21ST: If in any way it should thunder, the women and the servile class will dare to undertake murders.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 22ND: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens a plague on the cattle and disorder in the affairs of state.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 23RD: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens at once prosperity and discord among the commons.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 24TH: If in any way it should thunder, affairs will be moderately good for an entire year.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 25TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies that the lightning bolt shall fall, and warns of slaughter.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 26TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens the loss of wellborn youths.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 27TH: If in any way it should thunder, it foretells that during a stormy winter there will be a scarcity of soft fruits.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 28TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signals war.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 29TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens at once wars and treachery.

12:00 SEPTEMBER 30TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens at once wars and treachery.

12:00 OCTOBER 1ST: If in any way it should thunder, it signals both an abundance of crops and a loss by death of cattle.

12:00 OCTOBER 2ND: If in any way it should thunder, it signals no sort of reversal.

12:00 OCTOBER 3RD: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens diseases in the city over which it [the thunder] is cast down.

OCTOBER–NOVEMBER 2024

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23RD-OCTOBER 22ND

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23RD-NOVEMBER 22ND

12:00 OCTOBER 4TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies both a good harvest and good cheer.

12:00 OCTOBER 5TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be discord among the common people.

12:00 OCTOBER 6TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies heavy rains and war.

12:00 OCTOBER 7TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies the downfall of a powerful man and preparation for war.

12:00 OCTOBER 8TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies an abundance of barley but a decrease in wheat.

12:00 OCTOBER 9TH: If in any way it should thunder, there shall be power among the women greater than [what is] appropriate to their nature.

12:00 OCTOBER 10TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens a disease and out of it, a disaster for the servile class.

12:00 OCTOBER 11TH: If in any way it should thunder, it indicates that those especially powerful will consider crooked dealings in government, but they will not achieve their aims.

12:00 OCTOBER 12TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens that a disease-bearing wind will blow.

12:00 OCTOBER 13TH: If in any way it should thunder, there will be strife in the area in which the thunder is let loose; for another place [it is] not inapplicable.

12:00 OCTOBER 14TH: If in any way it should thunder, the underlings of the wellborn will foment revolution in the state.

12:00 OCTOBER 15TH: If in any way it should thunder, it says that the time of harvest shall be very rainy and there shall be famine.

12:00 OCTOBER 16TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens grave famine.

12:00 OCTOBER 17TH: If in any way it should thunder, it threatens diseases.

12:00 OCTOBER 18TH: If in any way it should thunder, it signifies a wet spell, but at the same time, prosperity.

12:00 OCTOBER 19TH: If in any way it should thunder, it is made known that there will be good sprouting, but [the plants will be] fruitless.

12:00 OCTOBER 20TH: If it thunders, it threatens a lack of the necessities.

12:00 OCTOBER 21ST: If it thunders, it signals both famine and wars.

12:00 OCTOBER 22ND: If it thunders, the fruits of the trees will be successful, but there will be diseases and sedition among the commons.

12:00 OCTOBER 23RD: If it thunders, it threatens the destruction of a famous man and war.

12:00 OCTOBER 24TH: If it thunders, it threatens ills and losses for the people.

12:00 OCTOBER 25TH: If it thunders, it signals prosperity yet a heavy and wet winter.

12:00 OCTOBER 26TH: If it thunders, it foretells a time of need during the winter of the year.

12:00 OCTOBER 27TH: If it thunders, it threatens a drought. There will be an abundant harvest of the hard-shelled fruits [tree nuts?]; around late autumn though, they will be destroyed by storms.

12:00 OCTOBER 28TH: If it thunders, out of civil unrest a tyrant shall be raised up, and he will be undone, but the powerful will be destroyed utterly with insufferable penalties.

12:00 OCTOBER 29TH: If it thunders, a corrupt ruler will be felled by divine decision.

12:00 OCTOBER 30TH: If it thunders, powerful men will work hatred toward themselves, and shall take sides against each other.

12:00 OCTOBER 31ST: If it thunders, there will be signs revealing great things. Beware lest it pour rain upon the fire of joyful elation.

12:00 NOVEMBER 1ST: If it thunders, it threatens a severe drought.

12:00 NOVEMBER 2ND: If it thunders, affairs of state [shall change] from worse to better.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2024

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23RD-NOVEMBER 22ND

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23RD-DECEMBER 21ST

12:00 NOVEMBER 3RD: If it thunders, it threatens a corrupt tyrant over the affairs of state.

12:00 NOVEMBER 4TH: If it thunders, there will be prosperity but the destruction of the mice of dry land.

12:00 NOVEMBER 5TH: If it thunders, it signifies hurricanes and disturbances by which the trees will be overturned; there will be a great disruption in the affairs of common people.

12:00 NOVEMBER 6TH: If it thunders, the lower classes will have the upper hand over their betters, and the mildness of the air will be healthy.

12:00 NOVEMBER 7TH: If it thunders, there will be a surplus of all the necessities excepting grain.

12:00 NOVEMBER 8TH: If it thunders, appearance of future abundance, yet harvest will be less plentiful and autumn practically empty of fruit.

12:00 NOVEMBER 9TH: If it thunders, pulses will be plentiful but wine less.

12:00 NOVEMBER 10TH: If it thunders, an earthquake with roaring is to be expected.

12:00 NOVEMBER 11TH: If it thunders, it threatens destruction to wild beasts.

12:00 NOVEMBER 12TH: If it thunders, it signifies the downfall of a praiseworthy man.

12:00 NOVEMBER 13TH: If it thunders, it signifies a strange sort of wind will be of service to the pastures.

12:00 NOVEMBER 14TH: If it thunders, there will be prosperity, but wind squalls will oppress.

12:00 NOVEMBER 15TH: If it thunders, commerce [business dealings, contracts] will be good, and prosperity in addition. He who controls the government with heavy hand will not be strong for very long.

12:00 NOVEMBER 16TH: If it thunders, it threatens war and the loss of flocks to death.

12:00 NOVEMBER 17TH: If it thunders, there will be scarcity from a dry and searing wind falling upon the crops.

12:00 NOVEMBER 18TH: If it thunders, men will be weakened in such a manner that they will seem to be unrecognizable.

12:00 NOVEMBER 19TH: If it thunders, good fortune for a rich man and for men wellborn.

12:00 NOVEMBER 20TH: If it thunders, it signifies a plentiful grain supply brought in from foreign lands.

12:00 NOVEMBER 21ST: If it thunders, it warns the downfall of a ruler or the overthrow of a king, but it warns both discord among the common people and abundance.

12:00 NOVEMBER 22ND: If it thunders, it warns there will be a festering wound, and for the many, extreme suffering out of the discord.

12:00 NOVEMBER 23RD: If it thunders, there will be coughing sicknesses and oppression of the heart.

12:00 NOVEMBER 24TH: If it thunders, it threatens for the people, bad conditions and spotted diseases.

12:00 NOVEMBER 25TH: If it thunders, the people will be of marvelously good cheer.

12:00 NOVEMBER 26TH: If it thunders, out of the discord of those in power, the common people will oppress [others].

12:00 NOVEMBER 27TH: If it thunders, there will be heavy misery resulting from misfortunes.

12:00 NOVEMBER 28TH: If it thunders, there will be an increase of animals, but at the same time they will suffer thirst.

12:00 NOVEMBER 29TH: If it thunders, it signifies heavy rains.

12:00 NOVEMBER 30TH: If it thunders, there will be a dearth of the necessities.

12:00 DECEMBER 1ST: If it thunders, a year of serious disease.

12:00 DECEMBER 2ND: If it thunders, it signifies not merely prosperity, but even fewer enemies, and good cheer for the state.

DECEMBER-JANUARY 2024-2025

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23RD-DECEMBER 21ST

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22ND-JANUARY 19TH

12:00 DECEMBER 3RD: If it thunders, it signifies discord for the city.

12:00 DECEMBER 4TH: If it thunders, it foretells prosperity.

12:00 DECEMBER 5TH: If it thunders, situations will pertain through which the lower classes will oppress [their] betters.

12:00 DECEMBER 6TH: If it thunders, grain will be better.

12:00 DECEMBER 7TH: If it thunders, it signifies storm for the state, and disease for humans and dumb animals alike.

12:00 DECEMBER 8TH: If it thunders, borers will ruin the grain.

12:00 DECEMBER 9TH: If it thunders, for those who are in the west, both humans and dumb beasts, diseases.

12:00 DECEMBER 10TH: If it thunders, it says gluttony shall come about from menacing diseases.

12:00 DECEMBER 11TH: If it thunders, the common people will be led into misery, but an abundance of daily provisions.

12:00 DECEMBER 12TH: If it thunders, for those in power, it makes an end to their perverted plans. A parching wind will wrack the trees.

12:00 DECEMBER 13TH: If it thunders, men shall give blessings to the god, for the wind shall blow out of the east.

12:00 DECEMBER 14TH: If it thunders, it indicates insomnia for some time for men.

12:00 DECEMBER 15TH: If it thunders, a wealthy yet sickly period threatens, tormenting bodies with internal worms.

12:00 DECEMBER 16TH: If it thunders, poisonous snakes shall somehow be gently undone by the men.

12:00 DECEMBER 17TH: If it thunders, the fish especially plentiful, but it shall plague the water-bound beasts. The commonwealth rather better.

12:00 DECEMBER 18TH: If it thunders, the creation of locusts and field-voles, to the king, danger, and there will be an abundance of grain.

12:00 DECEMBER 19TH: If it thunders, it signifies plentiful fodder for the flocks.

12:00 DECEMBER 20TH: If it thunders, it signifies war and woes for city folk.

12:00 DECEMBER 21ST: If it thunders, welfare of women.

12:00 DECEMBER 22ND: If it thunders, it signifies famine not of long duration.

12:00 DECEMBER 23RD: If it thunders, the mice shall perish; an abundance not merely of grain but also of pasturage, and a plenty of fish.

12:00 DECEMBER 24TH: If it thunders, it signifies a year of well-being.

12:00 DECEMBER 25TH: If it thunders, disease-bearing wind will blow.

12:00 DECEMBER 26TH: If it thunders, the watch post shall complete for the state good service against enemy tricks.

12:00 DECEMBER 27TH: If it thunders, there will be a very dangerous war.

12:00 DECEMBER 28TH: If it thunders, it signifies a civil war and the death of many.

12:00 DECEMBER 29TH: If it thunders, it threatens the same.

12:00 DECEMBER 30TH: If it thunders, many of the councilmen of the wealthier rank shall be ruined utterly by cowardice.

12:00 DECEMBER 31ST: If it thunders, the lower classes will do better, but the hoped-for fruit harvest shall be destroyed.

12:00 JANUARY 1ST: If it thunders, the mortals shall live in a condition more favored by the gods. Naturally, evils [will come] in due proportion.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2025

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22ND-JANUARY 19TH

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20TH-FEBRUARY 18TH

12:00 JANUARY 2ND: If it thunders, it signifies a year of well-being according to concord.

12:00 JANUARY 3RD: If it thunders, a plenty of fish and especially of fruits.

12:00 JANUARY 4TH: If it thunders, men will excessively consume their flocks because of a dearth of fish.

12:00 JANUARY 5TH: If it thunders, winter will be heavy, yet [there will be] abundance also.

12:00 JANUARY 6TH: If it thunders, it threatens mangy diseases.

12:00 JANUARY 7TH: If it thunders, the men shall be visited with visions of the faces of the gods, they shall experience a bad outcome.

12:00 JANUARY 8TH: If it thunders, it signifies the same for all.

12:00 JANUARY 9TH: If it thunders, virulent disease; out of it, though, will be an abundance of crops, but a plague on the flocks.

12:00 JANUARY 10TH: If it thunders, there will be the downfall of a famous man.

12:00 JANUARY 11TH: If it thunders, it threatens slaughter for men from diseases, but the fish shall be abundant.

12:00 JANUARY 12TH: If it thunders, heat-bearing shall be the summer season, and plenty imported from foreign lands.

12:00 JANUARY 13TH: If it thunders, it threatens diseases from diarrhea.

12:00 JANUARY 14TH: If it thunders, plenty, yet diseases it threatens.

12:00 JANUARY 15TH: If it thunders, it signifies at the same time civil war and abundance.

12:00 JANUARY 16TH: If it thunders, many will set out for war but few shall return.

12:00 JANUARY 17TH: If it thunders, newfangled affairs for the state.

12:00 JANUARY 18TH: If it thunders, it threatens that small locusts shall be born, yet there will still be plenty.

12:00 JANUARY 19TH: If it thunders, there shall be a heavy war.

12:00 JANUARY 20TH: If it thunders, it threatens prolongation of war.

12:00 JANUARY 21ST: If it thunders, it tells a lack of the necessities.

12:00 JANUARY 22ND: If it thunders, it threatens a hot and disease-making wind will blow.

12:00 JANUARY 23RD: If it thunders, the summer will be hot but plentiful in crops.

12:00 JANUARY 24TH: If it thunders, it signifies a disease for men but a harmless one.

12:00 JANUARY 25TH: If it thunders, it threatens civil wars for the city, and a plague on the beasts of the woods.

12:00 JANUARY 26TH: If it thunders, a movement of troops to war, but it will turn out well.

12:00 JANUARY 27TH: If it thunders, it threatens diseases for the slaves.

12:00 JANUARY 28TH: If it thunders, the king will help many.

12:00 JANUARY 29TH: If it thunders, the hatching of locusts.

12:00 JANUARY 30TH: If it thunders, it signifies the most healthful leanness for the bodies.

12:00 JANUARY 31ST: If it thunders, it signifies a rebellion against the kingdom and, reasonably, war.

FEBRUARY-MARCH 2025

AQUARIUS JANUARY 20TH-FEBRUARY 18TH

PISCES FEBRUARY 19TH-MARCH 20TH

12:00 FEBRUARY 1ST: If it thunders, a fast wind will blow, but not dangerous.

12:00 FEBRUARY 2ND: If it thunders, there will be unlooked-for war.

12:00 FEBRUARY 3RD: If it thunders, it shows after victory, loss for those in the war. Still, there will be plenty.

12:00 FEBRUARY 4TH: If it thunders, the common people will agree to make peace.

12:00 FEBRUARY 5TH: If it thunders, it signals health for the flocks.

12:00 FEBRUARY 6TH: If it thunders, it threatens a coughing sickness, but signifies an abundance of fish and of fruits.

12:00 FEBRUARY 7TH: If it thunders, there will be a slave revolt and recurring illness.

12:00 FEBRUARY 8TH: If it thunders, the ruler of the state shall be in danger from the people.

12:00 FEBRUARY 9TH: If it thunders, the king of the East shall be in danger.

12:00 FEBRUARY 10TH: If it thunders, it signifies rapid movement of wind, and a plenty of grain, but a dearth of other crops.

12:00 FEBRUARY 11TH: If it thunders, it signals famine [reaching] just up to dumb animals.

12:00 FEBRUARY 12TH: If it thunders, men shall be damaged in their faces, but there will be much fodder [for horses/cattle], and a plenty of fish.

12:00 FEBRUARY 13TH: If it thunders, it threatens diseases.

12:00 FEBRUARY 14TH: If it thunders, it threatens need, and the birth of mice, and the destruction of four-footed creatures.

12:00 FEBRUARY 15TH: If it thunders, servile revolt, and punishment for them, and abundance of crops.

12:00 FEBRUARY 16TH: If it thunders, the people shall be oppressed by the king.

12:00 FEBRUARY 17TH: If it thunders, it threatens non-dangerous diseases.

12:00 FEBRUARY 18TH: If it thunders, affairs circulating abroad shall make the people rise up.

12:00 FEBRUARY 19TH: If it thunders, when the king will have victory, then the common people will have the upper hand/stronger position.

12:00 FEBRUARY 20TH: If it thunders, there will be abundance of imported goods, but a coughing disease will afflict bodies.

12:00 FEBRUARY 21ST: If it thunders, the king hated by many shall be the object of a final plot.

12:00 FEBRUARY 22ND: If it thunders, there will be plenty, but also there will be an abundance of mice and of deer.

12:00 FEBRUARY 23RD: If it thunders, it signifies good order for the city.

12:00 FEBRUARY 24TH: If it thunders, it signifies disease following want.

12:00 FEBRUARY 25TH: If it thunders, there will be unrest among the slaves.

12:00 FEBRUARY 26TH: If it thunders, many shall be cut down by a man in power, but in the end he himself [will be killed].

12:00 FEBRUARY 27TH: If it thunders, it signifies nonthreatening diseases.

12:00 FEBRUARY 28TH: If it thunders, the fish of the sea shall be plentiful, but yet the flocks will be ruined by death.

12:00 MARCH 1ST: If it thunders, the condition of the air oppressive, and disease-bearing forall.

12:00 MARCH 2ND: If it thunders, it threatens plentiful death.

MARCH-APRIL 2025

PISCES FEBRUARY 19TH-MARCH 20TH

ARIES MARCH 21ST-APRIL 19TH

12:00 MARCH 3RD: If it thunders, it threatens war and the ruin of wealthy men.

12:00 MARCH 4TH: If it thunders, wheat in less supply, but barley better, and an increase in livestock, but there will be a wasting away of humans.

12:00 MARCH 5TH: If it thunders, there will be civil unrest.

12:00 MARCH 6TH: If it thunders, men shall be troubled not only in visage but also in their very minds.

12:00 MARCH 7TH: If it thunders, there will be a large harvest, a destruction for men.

12:00 MARCH 8TH: If it thunders, destruction of grain supplies and especially barley.

12:00 MARCH 9TH: If it thunders, it threatens destruction though not for long to humans.

12:00 MARCH 10TH: If it thunders, the greatest affair will inflame the state, and also fish will increase and yet dangerous wild beasts shall perish.

12:00 MARCH 11TH: If it thunders, worse the barley.

12:00 MARCH 12TH: If it thunders, the wild beasts shall undo the humans.

12:00 MARCH 13TH: If it thunders, good deliveries [in childbirth] for women.

12:00 MARCH 14TH: If it thunders, it threatens frequent death and unseasonable winds.

12:00 MARCH 15TH: If it thunders, there will be plenty, yet at the same time, political unrest.

12:00 MARCH 16TH: If it thunders, it threatens loss of progeny, and an onslaught of poisonous reptiles.

12:00 MARCH 17TH: If it thunders, the air shall carry plague, creation of both wild beasts and mice.

12:00 MARCH 18TH: If it thunders, to the people, auspicious, but of the powerful ones, bad [will come] out of discord.

12:00 MARCH 19TH: If it thunders, summer will be most fruitful.

12:00 MARCH 20TH: If it thunders, it threatens a heavy wind and eruption of pustules on bodies.

12:00 MARCH 21ST: If it thunders, there will be a throng of reptiles, and in addition, of worms.

12:00 MARCH 22ND: If it thunders, it signifies fine breezes.

12:00 MARCH 23RD: If it thunders, it signifies abundance.

12:00 MARCH 24TH: If it thunders, the air will be disease-carrying but not lethal.

12:00 MARCH 25TH: If it thunders, it threatens deformity for men, but destruction for birds.

12:00 MARCH 26TH: If it thunders, it threatens good health for men, but destruction for both fish and reptiles.

12:00 MARCH 27TH: If it thunders, to those living luxuriously, a reversal. There will be wars, and a heavy storm.

12:00 MARCH 28TH: If it thunders, it threatens hot weather, and a lack of water, and scabs on bodies.

12:00 MARCH 29TH: If it thunders, it signifies unrest among the commons.

12:00 MARCH 30TH: If it thunders, it prophesies abundance, yet at the same time, a disease-giving wind will blow.

12:00 MARCH 31ST: If it thunders, it signifies war and abundance.

12:00 APRIL 1ST: If it thunders, it signifies good things with long duration after great divisions of the people.

APRIL-MAY 2025

ARIES MARCH 21ST-APRIL 19TH

TAURUS APRIL 20TH-MAY 20TH

12:00 APRIL 2ND: If it thunders, for the entire year there will be strife and disagreements.

12:00 APRIL 3RD: If it thunders, it shall end the threatening affairs.

12:00 APRIL 4TH: If it thunders, for the state, discord following famine.

12:00 APRIL 5TH: If it thunders, there will be boundless prosperity.

12:00 APRIL 6TH: If it thunders, the spring will be sunny and the summer fruitful.

12:00 APRIL 7TH: If it thunders, the same and even better.

12:00 APRIL 8TH: If it thunders, a heavy wind will arise, which shall move the affairs of powerful men.

12:00 APRIL 9TH: If it thunders, it signals rains.

12:00 APRIL 10TH: If it thunders, it threatens ruin of man and creation of wild beasts.

12:00 APRIL 11TH: If it thunders, destruction to the four-footed.

12:00 APRIL 12TH: If it thunders, it signifies heavy rain and the creation of locusts.

12:00 APRIL 13TH: If it thunders, a powerful man in politics or a general is endangered; on his behalf, battles will be waged, and the wild beasts shall fall upon man.

12:00 APRIL 14TH: If it thunders, there will be plenty but the wild beasts shall be destroyed and the fish shall increase; and reptiles will trouble habitations but will not be harmful.

12:00 APRIL 15TH: If it thunders, it signals prosperity but threatens a death of men and birth of wild beasts.

12:00 APRIL 16TH: If it thunders, it signals hot spells and drought and a great throng of mice and fish.

12:00 APRIL 17TH: If it thunders, healthful the year, yet lacking in necessities.

12:00 APRIL 18TH: If it thunders, something unexpected will befall the people; ruin upon ruin for men and four-footed beasts.

12:00 APRIL 19TH: If it thunders, it signifies a period of severe rain, and disease, and the birth of locusts, barrenness [of crops] near at hand.

12:00 APRIL 20TH: If it thunders, a very dry summer and destructive.

12:00 APRIL 21ST: If it thunders, man will live with better behavior at the same time as more prosperously.

12:00 APRIL 22ND: If it thunders, it signifies prosperity after wars and hot spells causing destruction.

12:00 APRIL 23RD: If it thunders, destruction of birds, but a plenty of daily supplies.

12:00 APRIL 24TH: If it thunders, it signifies discord.

12:00 APRIL 25TH: If it thunders, it signifies prosperity.

12:00 APRIL 26TH: If it thunders, new affairs are given birth among the people.

12:00 APRIL 27TH: If it thunders, it announces [the] acquisition of imported slaves [prisoners of war].

12:00 APRIL 28TH: If it thunders, it signifies abundance imported from abroad.

12:00 APRIL 29TH: If it thunders, there will be a plenty of marine fish.

12:00 APRIL 30TH: If it thunders, the women shall obtain the better reputation.

12:00 MAY 1ST: If it thunders, there will be some powerful, self-possessed man of the kingdom, through whom [will come] good cheer.

MAY 2025

TAURUS APRIL 20TH-MAY 20TH

GEMINI MAY 21ST-JUNE 21ST

12:00 MAY 2ND: If it thunders, it threatens civil discord and the downfalls of fortunes.

12:00 MAY 3RD: If it thunders, sign of justice, bearing prosperity to good men, and paltry things to evil men.

12:00 MAY 4TH: If it thunders, it signifies profit out of a grain supply brought from abroad.

12:00 MAY 5TH: If it thunders, anger it threatens of those more powerful against the upright.

12:00 MAY 6TH: If it thunders, it signals a hot summer early [in the season] but a healthful year.

12:00 MAY 7TH: If it thunders, civil wars will arise.

12:00 MAY 8TH: If it thunders, it signifies all good things and a prosperous season.

12:00 MAY 9TH: If it thunders, it signifies heavy rains bearing disease.

12:00 MAY 10TH: If it thunders, it signifies victory for the kingdom and good cheer for the powerful ones.

12:00 MAY 11TH: If it thunders, of upright men there will be advances.

12:00 MAY 12TH: If it thunders, it signals the same things.

12:00 MAY 13TH: If it thunders, rains and prosperity and ruin of fish it signifies.

12:00 MAY 14TH: If it thunders, for men and for cattle destruction it threatens.

12:00 MAY 15TH: If it thunders, good health and prosperity it signifies.

12:00 MAY 16TH: If it thunders, it signals a plague.

12:00 MAY 17TH: If it thunders, it signifies abundance but at the same time the birth of field-voles.

12:00 MAY 18TH: If it thunders, it signals a plenty of daily supplies.

12:00 MAY 19TH: If it thunders, it signals discord and thoughtlessness of men.

12:00 MAY 20TH: If it thunders, a powerful man in the state shall be deprived at once of both reputation and property.

12:00 MAY 21ST: If it thunders, it signals divine anger.

12:00 MAY 22ND: If it thunders, it signifies good fortune for the crops, yet war for the state.

12:00 MAY 23RD: If it thunders, it will be the destruction of the flies.

12:00 MAY 24TH: If it thunders, it signifies a rain helpful for the sprouting time.

12:00 MAY 25TH: If it thunders, there will be discord among those in power, but their plans will be exposed.

12:00 MAY 26TH: If it thunders, peace during the entire year.

12:00 MAY 27TH: If it thunders, it signifies great hope of fruits and scarcity of harvests.

12:00 MAY 28TH: If it thunders, omens from the sky incredibly shall be revealed.

12:00 MAY 29TH: If it thunders, by shields the people shall be saved.

12:00 MAY 30TH: If it thunders, a zephyrus will prevail.

12:00 MAY 31ST:If it thunders, a shower of good things.

JUNE 2025

GEMINI MAY 21ST-JUNE 21ST

CANCER JUNE 21ST-JULY 22ND

12:00 JUNE 1ST: If it thunders, it signifies flight for the common people and loss of honor.

12:00 JUNE 2ND: If it thunders, it threatens need.

12:00 JUNE 3RD: If it thunders, it signifies abundance imported from abroad.

12:00 JUNE 4TH: If it thunders, the air will be mild and the crops will be plentiful.

12:00 JUNE 5TH: If it thunders, there will be an interchange of hardships in political affairs, and wheat more plentiful than barley. The pulses, however, will be ruined.

12:00 JUNE 6TH: If it thunders, it signifies that crops will ripen in haste and will be ruined.

12:00 JUNE 7TH: If it thunders, there will be abundance of birds and fish.

12:00 JUNE 8TH: If it thunders, ill-omened for the common people.

12:00 JUNE 9TH: If it thunders, it signals plague, but not exceptionally life-threatening.

12:00 JUNE 10TH: If it thunders, it announces storms, heavy rain, heavy floods of the rivers, a throng of lizards and of reptiles.

12:00 JUNE 11TH: If it thunders, abundance to be hoped for both on land and sea.

12:00 JUNE 12TH: If it thunders, there will be destruction of fish.

12:00 JUNE 13TH: If it thunders, it signals an increase in river waters, but diseases for men.

12:00 JUNE 14TH: If it thunders, there will be eastern war and great want.

12:00 JUNE 15TH: If it thunders, it signifies abundance.

12:00 JUNE 16TH: If it thunders, atonement must be made on account of terrible news.

12:00 JUNE 17TH: If it thunders, it signifies rainy weather.

12:00 JUNE 18TH: If it thunders, discord and out of it war and a lack of daily supplies.

12:00 JUNE 19TH: If it thunders, through good will of the people, some man shall be exalted to the height of good fortune.

12:00 JUNE 20TH: If it thunders, for those in the east, prosperity, but for those in the west, not the same.

12:00 JUNE 21ST: If it thunders, atonement must be made on account of terrible news.

12:00 JUNE 22ND: If it thunders, it signals heavy rains and destruction of marine fish.

12:00 JUNE 23RD: If it thunders, it signifies a good and fruitful rain.

12:00 JUNE 24TH: If it thunders, great evils such that those hearkening [to them] shall pass away from grief.

12:00 JUNE 25TH: If it thunders, a hoped-for resting place and slackening of evils.

12:00 JUNE 26TH: If it thunders, good for those working upon the tilled land.

12:00 JUNE 27TH: If it thunders, there shall be prodigies, and a comet shall shine forth.

12:00 JUNE 28TH: If it thunders, it shall be the same.

12:00 JUNE 29TH: If it thunders, it signals northern war, but not dangerous for commerce.

12:00 JUNE 30TH: If it thunders, the sprouting crops will be chilled by the winds.

FULL MOON IN CANCER 12:00 JULY 10TH: Upon the new moon, if in any way it should thunder, there shall be plenty, yet there shall be ruin [“Ruin” or “a falling” (πτῶσις) of the flocks: the connotation of falling down, or away, might have described a particular disease condition.] of the flocks.

References

The Religion of the Etruscans. (2006). In University of Texas Press eBooks. University of Texas Press. https://doi.org/10.7560/706873

Turfa, J. M. (2012). Divining the Etruscan World: The Brontoscopic Calendar and Religious Practice.

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