#Karam (no last name yet)

[suzukiblu]

Ko-fi thank-you sentences for Karam, plus a cut for more; Billy adopts Conner and it actually goes pretty good!

The walk over to the diner is quiet, mostly. Billy tells Lynn where some things are in Fawcett and points some stuff out in the neighborhood, but Lynn doesn’t really say much back. He nods along, though, and Billy's pretty sure he's listening. 

Maybe sure, at least. 

Worst case scenario, he figures he'll just repeat himself later. If Lynn's a little too stressed or overwhelmed to really be listening right now, well, he definitely wouldn't blame him. He's a baby, basically! Everything's gotta be so new and weird and overwhelming for him right now.

Billy isn’t gonna push. Not on day one, when they don’t even know each other yet. Lynn can take his time all he wants right now. It’s not like he’s hurting anyone, or even himself. So Billy just has to be patient with him while he learns stuff, same as any little kid he’s met in the system or on the streets. 

They get to the diner and Lynn hangs back a little bit. Billy suspects Cadmus did really not prepare him for restaurant etiquette and stuff like that, considering. He’s pretty positive it didn’t, in fact. Billy doesn’t go to many restaurants himself, but . . . 

It’s fine, he figures. He just needs to be a good example for Lynn, that’s all. And that’s what he always needs to do right now, so it’s no big deal. 

He hopes he’s being a good example, anyway. He really wants Lynn to be able to trust that he is one, so he can know he has someone to learn from, so . . . yeah. 

Billy goes to the counter, politely gives their fake last name–Batman would not appreciate them half-assing the new secret identities–and tips the waitress twenty percent and thanks her. It’s kind of a lot of food, but they have super-strength and a fridge for leftovers, so he figures it’ll be fine. 

He does feel a little nauseous over how much money he just spent, though. 

Batman gave them way more money than that, Billy reminds himself as he gathers up the bags. And there’ll be more next week. And if they actually somehow run out or just have an emergency, he can just fill out the League paperwork to requisition funds to make up for it. They could spend way more than this and still be fine. 

He’s pretty sure takeout is still gonna be a special occasions only thing, though. And couponing. Couponing is definitely gonna be a thing. 

It’s just a lot of money. 

Billy gets all of the bags juggled into his arms. Lynn looks awkward again and shifts Tawky under his other arm. 

“I can carry it,” he says stiffly. 

“Well, if you wanna,” Billy says. “We could split it?” 

“. . . sure,” Lynn says, still stiff. Billy smiles at him and offers him a couple of the bags. Lynn frowns, but takes them. Billy figures it makes sense Lynn wants to help; that’s pretty normal with little kids. Like, they always wanna do what the older kids are doing, or the adults, or just whoever. So it makes sense Lynn would too, especially if Cadmus didn’t teach him this stuff to begin with. He’s learning, basically. So yeah, it’s normal. 

And also a good sign, Billy hopes, if Lynn trusts he knows what he’s doing enough to copy him. It’s even sorta cute, actually. 

. . . okay, it’s really cute, but Lynn’s kinda a teenager so he might not appreciate hearing that. 

Still cute, though. 

They walk back to the apartment–back home, which is a weird thought, Billy recognizes fleetingly but tries not to focus on right now–and Billy unpacks all the food onto the coffee table in the living room. He figures that’ll be lower-pressure than the kitchen table for their first meal together, and they can put a show or a movie on if Lynn doesn’t want to talk too much or anything. 

Lynn sets Tawky on the end of the table, looking a little awkward about it. Billy smiles encouragingly at him. Tawky doesn’t really need to eat either in his stuffed animal form, but it’s nice that Lynn’s including him at lunch. And food does still taste good, obviously. 

“What do you wanna try first?” he asks, nudging the open box of onion rings over towards Tawky. He knows he likes them. Lynn frowns, looking a little wary. 

“It doesn’t matter,” he says stiffly. “Just . . . whatever.” 

“Okay,” Billy says, figuring that means he’s a little overwhelmed by the options. They did order a lot, so . . . yeah, that makes sense. “How about the soup, then?” 

“. . . sure,” Lynn mutters, and warily pulls the takeout bowl over to himself and takes the lid off. Billy offers him a spoon. Lynn frowns, but takes it. “. . . thanks.” 

“You’re welcome,” Billy says cheerfully. Setting a good example, and all.

[vartouhix]

↓ ━ have you had any bad experiences with roleplaying?

mun related ; accepting

HA. Yes, definitely. Someone straight up stole one of my OCs--one of Vartouhi's siblings--once. It was a situation where I had a falling out with a friend for super stupid reasons. This ex-friend was very familiar with Vartouhi and her lore. Had been rping with Vartouhi since almost the beginning of her creation. I even allowed her to make an OC of her own that was one of Vartouhi's ladies in waiting. I was minding my business when another friend messaged me like "Have you seen this??" and linked me the about page of "Karam, an alien prince with an affinity for plants and telekinetic powers that help him control plants." If you take a look at Vartouhi's siblings, one of them is named Aram. Vartouhi's people are plant/tree/flower-like people. The royals of the Balahyan family have telekinetic powers that do a lot of things, include help control plants. Oh, and the kicker was that this ex-friend used that exact same face claim with the same hair color as Aram. As I recall, it was even a picture taken from the same performance that my picture for Aram came from. This was back when I was in the trenches of the kpop rp community, and there was this horrible Mean Girls-style "Burn Book" type blog called krpventblog. People used to complain about me there because they thought I was "face chasing" muses that had the faceclaim Kai from EXO. (When in reality the rpc was so oversaturated with muses using him as an fc because he was popular at the time... And I just never turned people away that had the same fc as someone else I was already interacting with...) I was also a little bit of an elitist brat back then because of my previous rp experiences being so strict, so that wasn't helping my reputation. x'D ANYWAY the point is I was not popular on that blog, AND YET people sent in ask after ask being like "I don't like vartouhix, but this person DEFINITELY stole this muse from her." It was wild. But yeah that and the entire time I rped in the kpop rp community in general would be my worst experiences. There was just a lot going on in that community that was disheartening, racist, and toxic. I stayed in it for so long because for a long time, people in other rpcs wouldn't accept/rp with a muse with an Asian face claim. Idk what changed, but eventually I was able to branch out into the Marvel rp community... And then The Last of Us... and then slowly I became more comfortable with putting myself out there for other fandoms. And that's how I got to where I am now! :3

[devotioncrater]

Top 5 books! 🤗📖

YEESSS let's goooooo

putting this under a break because it got long ahaha oops

Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica.

this book my god. respectfully never reading it ever again 🫶 at first i didn't jive with the prose. it felt staccato and clinical and direct so much so that it was jarring; but the more i read the book the more i understood that it's an intentional choice. it had to be written in a distant way to help further exemplify the dehumanization occurring within its pages. for me, the true horror didn't set in until the last few paragraphs. i got the sense early on that Marcos is an unreliable narrator, so his moral descent was expected, but the ENDING???? HELLO??????? anyways this book left me hollow and empty. 10/10

Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses

if you are going to write a story, or are thinking about writing a story, read this book. it breaks down creative writing to its bones by examining the racist foundations in how fiction writing's taught and written. which voices are heard, which are dismissed, why and how that happens. what to do about it. 15/10 this book is necessary. my copy is marked up to hell & back and i often reread passages.

Men Who Hate Women by Laura Bates

i still haven't finished this book & i started it a month ago. it's...intense. i've been reading it on and off because i get worked up about the subject matter. the book delves deep into the manosphere, the radicalization of vulnerable men, and the violent misogyny centrally imbedded in those communities. Laura doesn't edit anything out, doesn't sanitize anything. the quotes she pulls are horrifying not just from what is written/said, but also from how they're all made by real people who truly believe in their messages. this book puts a name to an issue that's been skirted around in favor of coddling men's egos. the book talks about femicide and focuses on the real life consequences women face due to violent, online, misogynistic rhetoric. furthermore, the book isn't about hating men, either, as it reiterates and shows compassion for the harm men also face at the hands of the manosphere. 12/10, read at a pace you can emotionally/mentally handle.

Villainy by Andrea Abi-Karam

where are my fellow queer arabs at???? because booyyyyy does andrea abi-karam have something cooked up for you!!! holy shit. i love the way their mind works and their flow with words. their style is in a league of its own. unmatched. Villainy is a visceral read. super raw. not safe for work at all. unhinged. it's my favorite poetry book. 1000/10. go read it right now!!!!

The Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante

go girl put glass shards in his pasta!! i support women's rights but i also support women's wrongs. if you like a fucked up descent into madness thanks to divorce, then this is the book for you. things just keep getting worse and my god it is beautiful. yet another difficult read though. 9/10

[njamil21]

Inktober day 27 - Bored

Yes, this is more than a day late but I was so busy and working on this until 4 am so it felt better to quit and wait on it. I’m not too happy with how Karam worked out because I wanted them to have an outfit that was very ambiguos in gender but also maintain that traditional feel while imbuing some feeling of fantasy. I don’t think I achieved that last bit but I’m just happy that this is done and that Karam’s jewelry looks nice on them. They look like they’re stuck at a party and fiddling with their necklace as they cast judging looks on the people around them.

Please do not edit or repost without permission. (I edited my commission prices!)

[reyesstrand]

Tag Game!!

@ao3theskyisblue thank you for the tag, this gave me a much-needed break from online schoolwork!! 💗

1. What was the last movie you watched in theatres? Birds of Prey!! Before that I caught Parasite when it was re-released in theatres before the Oscars! 

2. What’s your favourite game to play? I’m very boring and don’t play much besides classic board games, so I have to say Scrabble aksjdsdfks

3. Chocolate or vanilla? Oooh tough one, but probably chocolate. 

4. What’s the last show you binge-watched? I feel like I’ve always got a show on the go, but the last one I fully binged was Tiger King with my family, and The Other Two right before that. 

5. Do you have any pets? I do! A gentle giant, three-year-old rescue dog! She’s a Great-Pyrenees/Retriever mix, and is appropriately named Elsa. 

6. What’s your favourite fairy tale? Hmmm, I remember reading The Little Red Riding Hood a lot as a kid, so let’s go with that! 

7. Who’s your favourite superhero? This is a difficult one, but I’d probably have to say Thor, honourable mentions to She-Hulk, Falcon and the whole Young Avengers team from my teenage comic-reading phase. 

8. Who’s your favourite Disney princess? I adored Jasmine as a kid, so either her, Mulan or maybe Rapunzel. 

9. Where’s the first place you’re going to go after the social distancing is over? Hopefully to see a movie (whenever most of them are re-scheduled to be released lol) or back to my job when they re-open.

10. Cookies or cake? Ooh, I’ve gotta go with cake, I think. Especially on special occasions. 

+10 questions 

1. Which show could you watch over and over? Let’s see...definitely Schitt’s Creek, especially when it ends in a couple weeks (cut to me crying) and I can re-watch the whole series; 9-1-1 Lone Star (because of course), The Get Down, Fleabag, Veep, Black Sails, and Bob’s Burgers. 

2. Favourite song lyric? It’s impossible for me to just pick one, so here’s some favourites from a few songs: 

“I buried a hatchet, it’s coming up lavender, / The future’s unwritten, the past is a corridor, / I’m at the exit, looking back through the hall, / You are anonymous, I am a concrete wall” — Phoebe Bridgers, “Smoke Signals” 

“Hold my hand and float back to the summer time, / Tangled in the willows, now our tongues are tied, / How can I believe you, how can I be nice? Tripping round tree stumps in your summer smile” — Glass Animals, “Gooey”

“So if I feel real good tonight, / I'm gonna put it high on the loudspeaker, / If I feel like crying, I won't hide it / I am a loudspeaker” — MUNA, “Loudspeaker” 

“Be as you've always been (Lover, be good to me), / Be like the love that discovered the sin (Lover, be good to me), / That freed the first man and will do so again, / And, lover, be good to me (Lover, be good to me), / Be that hopeful feeling when Eden was lost (Lover, be good to me)” — Hozier, “Be”

3. Favourite season of your favourite TV show? This one’s difficult too! Ah! I really love seasons 3 and 4 of Schitt’s Creek, and I of course love the only (for now) season of Lone Star, so I’ll go with those choices as I can’t think of anything else right now!! 

4. What never fails to make you smile/happy? Watching the sunset while reading a good book. My dog. Cooking. And I have to agree with @ao3theskyisblue — getting any AO3 notification makes my day brighter every time, without fail, and I want to thank anyone who’s ever even interacted with my fics because it brings me so much joy!! 

5. How are you doing with all that’s going on in the world (virus, having to do social distancing, etc)? I’m very much so introverted, so staying in is something that I normally find myself doing. I feel very grateful of my privilege in being able to stay home with my family and knowing everyone in my personal circle is healthy, though I do feel spikes in my anxiety whenever more news comes out. I’m stressed right now with how many school assignments I have, on top of participating in online lectures/seminars, but there’s only a couple weeks left of that so I’m pushing through!!

6. We all love new music to listen to, name an artist that is underrated/you think people should check out? boygenius!! FKA twigs!!! Christine and the Queens!! Perfume Genius!!

7. TV show or movie? Yet another tough one!! I have to say both, here, I love them for different reasons! 

8. Favourite holiday? I generally enjoy Halloween for the movies and weather, and I’d have to also say Christmas even though I’m not religious, I just love getting to have time to see my whole family and relax from school! 

9. A song that describes you? This is very difficult and something I haven’t thought of before...going through my music library now, though, I’ve always felt a pull toward Landslide by Fleetwood Mac for the sentimental value since I was younger so I suppose I’d go with that. But I’m definitely going to keep thinking of another answer!! 

10. Describe your tumblr in three words? Side-blog, writing, and (hopefully) welcoming! 

+5 questions

1. What is your favourite hobby? Writing, reading, cooking, discovering new movies/tv shows. 

2. What is your favourite book? Or/and a really good book you’ve read recently? Okay, so, I’m an English major and read lots of old books for my classes and I recently haven’t had much time for reading for pleasure (sadly), but I’d recommend The Goldfinch by Donna Tart, On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong, and The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller! 

3. What is your favourite ship that will never happen (or hasn’t happened yet)? Oh boy, I guess FinnPoe from the recent Star Wars movies? 

4. If you could spend the day with any living celebrity, who would it be? I feel like I have so many possible answers! Dan Levy would be amazing, so would Natacha Karam, Florence Pugh, Taika Waititi, Tessa Thompson, Janelle Monae...I could go on lol!! 

5. The best worst movie you’ve ever seen. A movie that you know objectively is trash but you can’t help but really enjoy it. The first thing I thought of were the live-action Scooby Doo movies from the early-2000s that my sister and I recently re-watched on a whim and I think that has to be my answer askjsdfks

Questions by @ao3theskyisblue

1. What is one thing you’ve recently watched/read that left you absolutely heartbroken? Oh, definitely the documentary I watched on migrant workers in Canada for a class the other day.

2. An activity (e.g., hobby, sport...etc) you wish you were better at? I would love to be able to draw/paint better!!

3. If you could stop time for 24 hours, what would you do? It’s very boring to say, but catch up on sleep!!

Questions by @reyesstrand

1. What is your all-time favourite movie?

2. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

3. If you could alter any questionable plot point from a tv show or movie, what would it be?

Feel free to try this out, if you’d like, or haven’t already! @tkstreyes @cateyesinlove @summerfiing @tylerkennedysstrand @aziraphalescrowley @hcnkycat @anadearmsa @lonestarbabe @evaneddie @hawkeeyes @oscarissaac @brillliantbanshee @derek-shepherds & anyone else who wants to!

[kazablanka96]

Tag game LIST OF STUFF

I was tagged by the lovely @riricitaa. Thank you! 💕

Nicknames: Anything involving my real name is difficult to write in English, so I’ll settle with Kaza.

Zodiac sign: Cancer.

Height: 150 cm (4′9).

Hogwarts house: I don’t know how I’ve managed to not watch any HP movie yet, but somehow I did and now I have no clue how to answer this.

Last thing I googled: Hannibal.

Song stuck in my head: Ace Hood – Bugatti.

Fav musicians: Hozier, Adele, Sam Smith, Billy Joel, Assala Nasri, Najwa Karam, and many others.

Following: 284.

Followers: 1k.

Do you get asks: Sometimes.

Amount of sleep: 7-8 hours.

Lucky number: 7.

What are you wearing: Mismatched PJs.

Dream jobs: Architect Engineering.

Dream trip: Barcelona, Venice, or Greece.

Instruments you play: :((

Languages you speak: Arabic and English.

Fav song: Michael Buble - Sway.

Random fact: I have a resting bitch face.

Cats or dogs: Cats.

Aesthetic: Sebastian Stan with that fluffy hair, beard, and all-black ensemble.

Tagging @midnightsvoid @its-a-pretty-interesting-wall @mrd-k3 @musette22 @st-eve-barnes @rogerzsteven and anyone who'd like to play!

[duaa7343-blog]

"Religion is integrity"

Every month of Ramadan, Zain (a telecommunications company in the middle east) present to the viewers creative ideas, music in its commercials that relate to social events and news. This year, Zain brings a new sensitive and influential issue on the table, through a beautiful song that combine both Christians and Muslims together after the sad events that happened to the churches and mosques, working together hand by hand. This commercial is on the trend these days and it has touched the hearts of viewers and have stuck in everyone's mind and that is a result of some factors that create a strong effect. In this essay, I will argue that the factors that helped to make the commercial so popular in order to support this argument, I will first talk about the effect of the children. then, I will talk about the effect of the message. finally, will discuss the effect of the famous celebrities in the video.   

First, they started of with an impressive saying that captures the viewer's attention: “let’s be like trees; different in form, leaves and branches yet embraced in our root.” Then, a christian choir standing next to muslim choir shown in the video and singing together. This considered a smart move because it found that song’s effect is much stronger than ordinary speech effect. In this case, this scene gives the viewer the sense of unity and similarities between the two groups because they standing next to each other and singing peacefully.

Then, it moves to the scene of two children, whose parents wish them to be good and blessed. The symbol of the cross is placed on the Christian girl in order to protect her, and the Muslim girl has the name of God for the same purpose. The two girls grow up to become friends, but then we observe here the influence of the racist people, when they speak with hateful words, and this is what sometimes happens in the reality and that can cause disagreements and can lead to make them separate.

However, the two girls chose not to make this disagreement to separate them. Fortunately, they decided to hold on to each other's hands and to continue their friendship and they didn’t allow others to control the feelings of love for each other. After that, two famous singers appeared, the Christian singer “Najwa Karam”from Lebanon  and the Muslim singer “Sherine” from Egypt, who sing together that religion is integrity, peace and freedom of thoughts by saying “Never censor an idea by breaking a pen for ideas are alive just like women and men. Never please a master with a distorted fact.” here, in this scene, the video focused on the hand that tied when it’s writing to indicate that there are so many restrictions that restrict the people who try to express their opinions. In the next scene, we can see a quiet image behind the news reporter, but then it collapsed and many problems appeared in the behind, which indicates that news sometimes manipulate people, and it doesn’t always reflect the truth.

Using children in the commercial is an important success factor, because the viewer can relate to the idea that children are always the same, regardless of their language, religion or nationality. Children are children wherever they are. They love each other and don’t care about differences, unlike adults who make differences a barrier to love others and who believe that difference is a reason to hate.

The message of the commercial is another success factor. A message that touches people's feelings, that religions shouldn’t stop people from being and loving each other. Also, it attracts the viewer’s attention, especially as it includes events witnessed and heard by people. For example, in the scene: "Hello, Brother", actually is a reference to the man who was killed at the door of the mosque after he greeted the person who killed him with “Hello brother”, and that happened in the New Zealand attack on the mosque. So viewers can interact and engage with the events in the video.  Also, The song presents the whole story with its problems, and in the end all the problems solved by the song. The strong message, music and colors make the viewer doesn’t pay as much attention to the quality of video shooting. Even if the filming isn’t great and contains lots of clips that have cut.

Have you ever trusted the quality of a product after you heard its name from a famous person? The last factor is using celebrities in the commercials. Celebrities have strong influences in how people accept new ideas. Celebrity branding is a good strategy to advertise any product because they have the ability to raise the position of the company and to build the trust and the awareness to the consumer. In this case, the presence of "Najwa" and "Sherine" consider a significant reason that this video spread quickly among the people and got a lot of viewers and make it more pleasing.

[multiverseanimecrossover]

Untitled Story (BSD Inspired Story)

18 years old Li Zheng waited around the station nervously as someone bumps into him and he bows his head. “Sorry! A thousand pardons!” He said loudly. However, the person moved passed him without any acknowledging his presence. “Well, that was rude.” Thought Li Zheng. “Hey there Zheng!” A voice called out. Li Zheng jumps and turns to see a boy with a big smile on his face. “Yuan Can? Is—is that you?” Li Zheng asked. With a flourish swept of his arms out in a dramatic pose; Yuan Can announced, “The one and only~! How’s it hanging?” Li Zheng forced a tiny smile. “Oh, you know—Been here, been there. I’m doing well.” He replied. “Awesome, let’s go! We’re going an adventure from here~!” Yuan Can said, leading his best friend down to the escalators to the city. “So…You know your way around here?” Li Zheng asked. Yuan had a hand behind his head, “Yeah, I’m no expert. I just know most of the cool places but still be around here OK?” He warned. They walked into the sidewalk to see there was four people standing around with books and reading but saw Yuan Can as they waved to him. “Sup Yuan.” The boy greeted. “Nothing much, Naota. How you guys been?” Yuan Can asked. “Hanging around, who’s your friend?” The other guy asked. “Ah, sorry! My name is Li Zheng.” Li Zheng introduced. The second guy was surprised. “Crap, did I say something wrong?” Li Zheng wondered. “Is that, like, the name of a monk?” The second guy inquired. “Maybe it’s an alias or a pen name, he probably doesn’t like to reveal his real name.” The girl with glasses suggested. “No, no, no—that is my real name.” Li Zheng confirmed. The four of them looked shocked. “What? Seriously?” asked the girl in glasses. The first guy was excited, “Wow, sound like the name of an anime character or something!” He claimed. “Ah, where are my manners? Li Zheng, these are my friends—Naota Makioka, Iwase Sugimoto, Tomiko Goldfield and Opula Coldmoon. By the way, Naota and Tomiko are lovers---Spoilers~!” Yuan Can clarified teasingly. Iwase looked irked, Opula laughed while Naota and Tomiko blushed. “Shut up, virgin ass! You’re just jealous ‘cause you don’t have a girlfriend!” Naota retorted. “Not yet but soon I will.” Bragged Yuan Can. “Uh-huh, in your dreams!” snapped Iwase. Opula and Naota laughed but not Tomiko. She glanced at Li Zheng carefully. “You’re Li Zheng right? You must be named after the protagonist from one of Atsushi Nakajima’s works.” Tomiko clarified. Li Zheng was astonished by this, “Atsushi Nakajima? Who’s that?” He asked. “You know, the author. He wrote ‘The Tiger Poet’ and ‘Moon Over the Mountain’, he’s quite talented.” Tomiko explained. “Oh, I never seen his work but I have heard of Dazai Osamu, Ryonosuke Akutagawa and Akiko Yosano.” Li Zheng clarified. That got Noata’s attention, “Really? You heard of Dazai Osamu? Have you heard of ‘No Longer Human’?” He said. “Have I? It’s one of my favorites!” Li Zheng exclaimed eagerly.

“Hate to cut this short but we should get going.” Yuan Can said. “Oh yeah, my bad! It’s nice talking to you.” Li Zheng called. “You too, Li Zheng, bye!” Tomiko hollered, waving. “Catcha later! Stay safe!” Naota exclaimed. “See you soon~!” Opula piped up. “Take care!” Iwase hollered. Li Zheng waved as he walked alongside his friend. That’s when they saw something strange: There was a cheerful boy handing out flyers when he noticed Yuan Can and Li Zheng approaching. “Hey Yuan, how are you doing?” He asked. “Great, and yourself?” Yuan Can asked. “Splendid actually.” The boy said. “Cool, I want you to meet someone. Gianni? This is my best friend, Li Zheng. Zheng? Meet Gianni.” Yuan Can introduced. Gianni’s eyes twinkled, “The same one you grew up in the orphanage with?” He said. “Mmm hmm, that’s him.” Yuan Can validated. Gianni gave a polite bow, “I’m Gianni Rivera. As a member of a respected family; I welcome the lonely and battle scarred.” He addressed. This made Li Zheng smile a bit. “Thanks.” He replied. They bid him goodbye and were on their way. “Never realized you were friends with such cool people around here.” Li Zheng noted. “Yeah, they can be weird but if you’re cool with them—they’re cool with you.” Yuan Can reassured. “Very funny.” Li Zheng rejoined. “I’m not kidding, there’s some people you really should stay away from.” Yuan Can cautioned. “Like who?” Li Zheng questioned, curious by his comment. “Hmm, let’s see…” Yuan Can said. He was quiet for a moment, then he replied: “....People who aren’t terrible however you don’t want to piss hem off. There’s Shosaku Katsura, polite to a fault but he’s got a temper so bad—you’ll be begging for mercy! As long as you keep your nose clean, you’ll be fine. And then there’s a guy name Yozora Obari.” That name threw Li Zheng off! “Yozora Obari?” He asked. “Yeah, I don’t know much about his past though he’s a pretty chilled dude however make him your enemy and he’s bad news to ya. He’s the strongest guy you’ve ever met.” Yuan Can informed. “Wow, sounds cool.” Li Zheng managed to say. “Uh huh, just be wary of them all right?” Yuan Can requested. Li Zheng nodded, “Got it.” He replied. Once they were done having a good time; Yuan Can walked Li Zheng to his apartment. “You had fun Zheng?” Yuan Can asked. Li Zheng grinned, “Yeah, thanks man.” He said. They fist bump each other when all of a sudden, there was a loud piercing sound that made Li Zheng covered his ears. The noise stopped, Li Zheng dropped his hands and glanced over to a horrifying scene: His best friend on the ground, his throat torn open. Tears filled Li Zheng’s eyes and looked up to see his adoptive guardian standing over with an insidious grin! “WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO THAT?!” demanded Li Zheng. “You can’t escape from your past, he can’t escape from his past…No one can! You’re too weak!” His guardian spat. “YUAN CAN!!!” Li Zheng screamed, tears dropping to the ground.

As he was working at the coffee shop; Li Zheng was reading the poem of Akiko Yosano’s Thou Shall Not Die as a way to cope: “O my young brother, I cry for you. Don't you understand you must not die! You who were born the last of all, Command a special store of parents' love. Would parents place a blade in children's hands? Teaching them to murder other men. Teaching them to kill and then to die? Have you so learned and grown to twenty-four? O my brother, you must not die! Could it be the Emperor His Grace Exposeth not to jeopardy of war. But urgeth men to spilling human blood, And dying in the way of wild beasts, Calling such death the path to glory? If His Grace possesseth noble heart, What must be the thoughts that linger there?” He placed the poem back in his pocket as he wondered to himself, “The poem is ‘Thou Shall Not Die’, it sounds like it’s from the Ten Commandments in the Bible. It should be one of the Commandments, it’s a sin to die but would it be a crime to live forever?” wondered Li Zheng. Just then, the door opens. This triggers the chiming of the bell attached to the door. Li Zheng looked up and smiled. “Can I help you?” Li Zheng asked. “Yes, I’d like a coffee. Make it black.” Said the man. “Cream or sugar?” Li Zheng said. “Cream, please.” The man replied. Li Zheng nodded. “Coming right up.” He answered politely. He managed to get the cream and coffee ready. Li Zheng gives the coffee cup, but Yozora stops him. “Kid, I’m not going to cause a scene but…I heard what happened to your best friend, Yuan Can. I’m so sorry.” He said. Li Zheng was terrified, he remembered the memories of his best friend! It was then Yozora tells him there’s twelve houses out there, he is from the Venus Orchestra Agency, known as Twelfth House. He tells him there’s others out there such as the Beast of Shadows Mafia that consisted of the most dangerous members within it: Tajomaru Ryosai, Michio Tayne, Chinatsu Midorikawa, Zenkichi Hirata, Akemi Naigu, Kanaya Ryosai, Remon Sakurano, Ichiro Kure, Omiya Kwanichi and their leader—Elisha Sumeru! Beast of Shadows is known as First House. Then, there is the Nighthawk Star Guild that include of Jaythan ‘Jayin’ Gatz as their leader and the rest of the crew—Valda Sherman, Geomar Kino, Hatim Milovan, Courtney Jimeno, Edison Canty, Perseus Simpson, Amaya Barnard and Ishmael Redburn. Nighthawk Star Guild is known as Second House! Also there was a guy who went by the name of Rodion Rashard of the Dreadful Hollows Army. His crew consists of Demetri Vruyx, Arkady Luzhin, Fyodor Karam, Dunya Rashard and Sonora Amaram. Chinno Kurami is from the Spider Needle Government and his second in command, Akagi, works under him. Just before Li Zheng could ask anymore, a member of the Beast of Shadows name Sohar attacks Li Zheng! He appeared behind, Sohar then had Li Zheng on the floor. “You little bastard! You think you can get away from me that easily?” She yelled. Li Zheng blocks his punches but could feel them pressing on his face. “You have no idea how much Yozora screwed you over! He’s just rucking with you! When I bring you to the boss, he’s gonna rip you a new one!” Sohar exclaimed. He peers over to Li Zheng with a grin. “Any last words you die? Because Yozora is going to pay for rucking us over!” Sohar said with a laugh. “Please no! Please!” Li Zheng begged. Yozora saves him when he took out a gun and shot Diana in the shoulder! He screamed when Yozora pushed him on the ground and had the gun at his head. “Sorry, did I step on your moment? Give the boss my regards, farewell.” Yozora remarked as he pulled the trigger, killing Sohar! Li Zheng couldn’t believe what Yozora done. “You…You’re Yozora?” He managed to say. Yozora turns to him and smile, “I won’t hurt you, I promise kid. I treat Yuan Can as if he were my son. And I will treat you the same, now come along Zheng.” He said.

A girl name Ayana Yukisada sat in the first row of the boss with a book in her lap as she mumbled the words to herself. Then, the bus stops and Ayana gets off. The man trails behind Ayana, a smile plastered on his face. He readies himself when he toppled over legs first and looked up to see Ayana standing over him with a smirk. “You’d think I was that stupid? Hm? You underestimated me? What do you think Melor?” She asked to the shadows. There was a low growl coming from the darkness. Ayana sighed, “Fine, have it your way. Now hurry up—I’m itching to see blood flying everywhere.” She said, her voice dripped with malice. Meanwhile; Li Zheng and Yozora met up with the others at the hotel for they were on a mission. Just then, something caught his eye; Li Zheng looked over to see the girl staring out at the ocean, she seemed to be fourteen years old, wore an embroider kimono. A hand touched Li Zheng’s shoulder as he turned to see Yozora. “It’s your lucky day, Zheng~! You and I are going to be sharing a room together.” He stated. Li Zheng managed to smile. They settled into the room with Li Zheng wanting to read when Yozora was still concern about him. “So, you want to tell me what’s bothering you?” Yozora asked. “I saw a girl, she looked sad and lost.” Li Zheng said. “Why are you so worried about her?” Yozora inquired, concerned. “Well, I was wondering…Do you think she’s like me? A surviving victim of a vice ring?” Li Zheng speculated. Yozora was determined, “Don’t worry, we’ll find this girl and rescue her. I promise you that.” He vowed. “Thanks, Mr. Obari.” Said Li Zheng. “Anytime kid~!” Yozora answered. And that’s when they went into their own bed to get some sleep however Li Zheng couldn’t sleep so he decided to walk around the hotel. While walking; Li Zheng heard a voice singing a song, he looked over to see that same girl again! She was balancing on the wall. The girl then noticed Li Zheng watching so she slowly ascend towards him, floating against the dark sky twinkling with stars. The girl reached over although Li Zheng shrieked and fainted. The girl, Ayana, looks over him. She reached over to nudge him. As he opened his eyes; Li Zheng gasped but Ayana put a finger to her lips. “Hi, are you Li Zheng?” The girl asked. “Who are you?” stammered Li Zheng. “Ayana Yukisada.” The girl said. Li Zheng was shaken in fear. “Don’t be scared, I won’t hurt you.” Ayana reassured. “Wha—What do you want?” Li Zheng insisted apprehensively. “I was wondering if you’ll be my friend.” Ayana said. “That’s all you want?” Li Zheng inquired. “Yeah…I also want to know if you want to go to the Magic Carnival with me?” Ayana requested. “I…I don’t know.” Li Zheng said. “Are you sure? I just want you to see something beautiful, that’s all. I mean no harm really.” Ayana reassured him. Li Zheng wasn’t sure but he was curious so he takes Ayana’s hand as they glide to the Magic Carnival that twinkled like a theme park as they got on the Ferris wheel! “Isn’t it beautiful?” Ayana asked. “Mmm, it is.” Li Zheng responded. They had a wonderful time before they head back to the hotel. “I had a fun time, thanks.” Li Zheng said. “I’m glad, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Ayana promised. “OK, have a good night.” Li Zheng replied, waving goodbye as she glided away into the night.

The next day; Li Zheng saw Ayana at the tea gardens, dancing under the cherry blossom trees. He made an excuse as he hurries off to see Ayana but then, the tea gardens were under attack by Lotus Eaters! Everyone was in fear, Li Zheng was terrified as he tried to get away when he saw Ayana slaying the monster! He cowers but the sight of blood. Then, Li Zheng looked up to see the Maniken at his feet and saw Ayana standing before him. She smiled sweetly. “Don’t worry, you’re safe now.” Said Ayana. Later, Li Zheng was sitting across the table from Ayana. “You’re staring again.” Ayana reminded. Li Zheng glanced away, “Sorry.” He apologized. There was an awkward silence. Li Zheng took a bite of an apple he brought to snack on. “What did Yozora told you that made you upset?” He inquired. “Next question.” Ayana said. “That’s the easiest one!” Li Zheng protested. “Next. Question!” snapped Ayana. Li Zheng sighed, this girl was difficult but he really didn’t like confrontation. “I think this makes us even, guess we can start trusting each other.” Li Zheng reminded. “True but…” Ayana said. She reached over and took a bite of his apple and put it in the middle for them to share. “…But you’re too curious. What do you want to know? Why are you so interested in me?” Ayana asked. “I—I was wondering if you were part of a vice ring, maybe a victim.” Li Zheng replied anxiously. Ayana was quiet for a moment. It was like she was taking her sweet time. “Perhaps, but I don’t want to talk about it if that’s all right.” She finally responded. “Sure.” Li Zheng said with a nod. “Where are your parents?” Ayana asked. “I don’t know, I don’t remember them…They died when I was born, I was an orphan. And then I was raised by someone I thought I could trust…” Li Zheng replied. “He hurt you?” guessed Ayana. “Mmm hmm, and he hurt another boy name Yuan Can….He was my best friend….” Uttered Li Zheng, his voice was choked up that he could muster out those words. “I’m sorry. I think…that’s something you and I have in common.” Remarked Ayana. Li Zheng is surprised by this comment, he looks down. “I don’t know why I’m even here, I’m not special.” Li Zheng assessed. “You may not think you are but I know you are. The problem is that some hapless, wreteched creature made you think you are worthless and destroyed your innocence. Would you like to know why I’m here?” Ayana explained. Something in Ayana’s eyes screamed predator, it’s like her face was saying, “Walk into my trap little boy”. He knew asking anymore questions would make him regret this. “No….Why are you here?” Li Zheng whispered. Her chair fell back as she stood up. “I’m here because….I’m out for revenge.” Ayana rasped. Her appearance changed as Li Zheng bite his tongue from screaming. “Pray that the Beast of Shadows don’t find us, you’re the one they want.” Ayana hissed in that sweet, lovely voice of hers.

“You’re new here.” Remarked the girl. “So are you, I’m Li Zheng.” Li Zheng introduced. The girl smiled, “Valda Sherman, people call me ‘Val’.” She replied. “Nice to meet you, Val.” Li Zheng said. Valda circles around him. “What?” Li Zheng asked. “You’re the weirdest guy I’ve ever met!” remarked Valda.“Yozora told me you’re from the Nightwalk Star Guild.” Li Zheng stated. Valda shrugged, “So?” She said. “What’s the building like?” Li Zheng asked. “Not as quiet as here.” Valda said, gesturing to the building of Venus Orchestra. Li Zheng smiled at that, Valda noticed his grin. “What? You want to be my sweetheart?” teased Valda. Li Zheng shook his head, “No thank you.” He said politely. Valda nodded, “Let’s keep things honest between us.” She suggested. Their friendship grew stronger as Li Zheng wanted to help Valda but then, she got moody by his cheerfulness. “Why? Because I’m this privileged, lonely hearts girl?” mocked Valda. Li Zheng was taken aback by her moody behavior. “I thought we were friends.” He reminded. Valda scoffed, “I lied.” She retorted. Li Zheng was hurt, “That was heartless you know that?” He snapped. Valda smiled that didn’t reach her eyes. “Yup.” She managed to say. She then went to the roof and dared Li Zheng to jump across. He hesitated however Valda mocks him, “I knew you were such a coward!” This triggered Li Zheng as he runs back, ready to jump over. This horrified Valda! “NO! DON’T! YOU’RE NOT GOING TO MAKE IT!!!” hollered Valda. But it was too late, Li Zheng leaped over as he nearly fell from the roof but Valda caught him in time. She helped Li Zheng get on the roof safely but her eyes were widened with surprise. “You’re crazy…” stated Valda. “Easy, I’m out of breath.” Panted Li Zheng. Valda sighed, “All right, boy. But it’s my roof, my rules! Got it?” She clarified firmly. Li Zheng nodded, catching his breath finally as he made his way with her. Li Zheng could see Valda having violent fits as he tried to calm her down however she wouldn’t. “KILL ME!!!” screamed Valda, attacking him but Li Zheng dodges her as she continued to ranted loudly while attacking him. “KILL ME! KILL ME! KILL ME!!!” Li Zheng finally stopped her. “No…You’re afraid of dying aren’t you?” He asked. Valda gasped. “It’s OK, I’m scared too.” Li Zheng reassured. Meanwhile; leaders from different organizations are coming together for a private conference assembly. There was Hansuke Sancho from the Venus Orchestra Company, Elisah Sumeru from the Beast of Shadows Gang, Jaythan ‘Jayin’ Gatz from the Nighthawk Star Guild and Chinno Kushami as his second in command assistant name Akagi was in the room!  

Li Zheng felt dizzy in the head as he tried to compose himself and stands up, brushing the dust away. Li Zheng decides to explore but she didn't see the shadowy figure until she bump straight into it. "Hey, what the--" Li Zheng started to say but he was stunt to see that it was a tall, teenage boy with light complexion, brown hair, and he had such dark eyes. "Where did you come from, big guy?" Li Zheng asked in amazement. The tall boy turned and looked down to see the young strange boy, "Who are you?" asked the boy. "My name is Li Zheng, who are you?" introduced Li Zheng. "I'm Kenren Taishou." said the tall teenager. "Do you know where we are?" Li Zheng asked. "Uh, no. I'm not sure where we are....Let's look around and see what we can find." replied Kenren. "'Us'? Together? Sure! Let’s go!" beamed Li Zheng, "I like to get to know you, Kenren Taishou." He grinned with earnest interest. And so, Li Zheng and Kenren started to explore around. In the meantime; another teenage boy and his friend was wandering around the strange world that wasn't their home. "Um Alyosha?" The first guy asked. "Yes, Nedran?" The other boy asked. "I don't think we're in our world anymore." answered Nedran. "Nope, we're not." agreed Alyosha. Just then, something pop out and jump scared them! It was Rokuzo. "AH-HA! GOT YA!" He exclaimed. Nedran and Alyosha jump back in fear however they were astonished by the boy's apparel. "What are you man?" Nedran asked. Rokuzo look a little, "I'm Rokuzo Taguchi, I'm a--" He started to say. "Oh! I know! I know! You're a ninja!" exclaimed Nedran. "Uh...Yes." said Rokuzo. Nedran glomped him happily, "Oh my! That is so cool, Finally! We get to meet a real life ninja, Alyosha!" exclaimed Nedran. "Get off! Get off!" gasped Rokuzo, he and Alyosha managed to get Nedran off him. He then panted and tried to catch his breath. "Geez! Tryin' to kill me or something?" snapped Rokuzo. "But we never met a ninja in all of our miserable lives!" complained Nedran, dramatically. “I’m sorry, Nedran. I know that excites you but you could’ve crushed him.” Reminded Alyosha politely. Rozuko stared at them when all of a sudden, there was a torpedo force that caused Rokuzo, Nedran and Alyosha to levitate in the air. "Ahhhh! What the heck is going on here?" cried Nedran. "I don't know!" shouted Alyosha. "Get us down from here!" yelled Rokuzo. There was laughter, it comes from a young man who appeared out of the shadows. He was the one responsible for all this! "I'm Cyrus, I’m an alchemist." But saw the others don’t look pleased. "Hey, can you get us down from here?" Rokuzo said, impatiently. "Sure can." Cyrus said. As Cyrus let the three go, they fell, there was confusion. Nedran and Alyosha stared at the other two, "How in the world did we get stuck with these weirdos?" wondered Nedran. “I wouldn’t know.” Alyosha admitted. Cyrus and Rokuzo turned on him: "WHAT?!" And they attack him until a voice cry out to break up the fight. “HOLD IT!!!” Rokuzo, Nedran and Cyrus stopped to see Li Zheng and Kenren standing there; looking out of place at the scenario. "What are you idiots doing?" asked Kenren. "Who are you guys?" asked Alyosha. "Kenren Taishou." answered Kenren. "And I’m Li Zheng." replied Li Zheng.

There was silence in the air when Nedran blurts out, "How did I get stuck with a bunch of freaks?!" Kenren, Rokuzo and Cyrus turned on him, crying out: "WHO ARE YOU CALLING A FREAK?!" Then, Round 2 of the battle starts. Li Zheng and Alyosha stared at them before Li Zheng sighed deeply. He dashed in and used his powers to impede the battle while shouting, “STOP!” The boys were on the ground. Kenren, Nedran, Rokuzo and Cyrus stared at the strange boy. Li Zheng planted his hands on his hips, "So, do you wish to continue or would you want to talk this out?" he asked. The other boys stared at him in awe, "Whoa..." they chorused.

[fairyroses]

The newest Supergirl post on twitter has the pic of Brainy and Nia at dinner with the caption "business or pleasure," and I have no idea how to feel. Like, 'YAY' they are letting people know that Brainia aren't a certainty. AND I really hope it's business. But, it's a little uncomfortable that this is how they are promoting it. Are they stringing Brainia shippers along?Are they backing away from Brainia, because now they see that enough people would be ok with Karadox? Do I just have false hope?

Okay so, I just went and checked the post out:

My advice? Don’t panic just yet.

They’re absolutely stringing Brainy/Nia shippers along (and have been from the beginning), but I don’t think this is them “backing away” from the ship, either - instead, I maintain that not following through with Brainy/Nia was always the show’s plan, along with this ship-teasing. Basically, the show is trying to have its cake and eat it too, just like they did last season with Karam*l, because apparently they still haven’t learned how dumb of an idea it is to bait shippers and then not follow through with it.  

We already know that this scene isn’t what it appears to be because of the synopsis that was released, which tells us flat out that Nia is misinterpreting Brainy’s motives. So essentially, the meeting is both business and pleasure - it’s “business” for Brainy, but “pleasure” for Nia - hence the miscommunication that they’re going to have to deal with. But you can also tell that most people haven’t read that synopsis, just based on the comments below that post (all the people saying “well OBVIOUSLY it’s PLEASURE” are uhhhh quite clearly out of the loop). And that’s not even getting into the people who are already telling Karadox shippers that our ship will never happen because “Brainy is dating Nia now”…

I actually feel bad for any Brainy/Nia shippers who don’t know about the synopsis, because they’re being baited by this “date” and falling for it, and they’re bound to be disappointed when it doesn’t turn out like they’re expecting. The show’s been toying with them like this ever since the misleading “may I get to know you?” line from 4.02, which most shippers assumed was Brainy showing romantic interest in Nia, but it was really just about Brainy recognizing Nia’s name and wanting to find out if she was indeed related to Nura. And then again, with his constant awkwardness around her that they’ve mistaken for a crush, when he’s really just nervous about potentially revealing spoilers…the list goes on and on. 

That being said, I’ve been talking about Brainy’s lack of romantic interest in Nia for weeks now (specifically, ever since the Nura namedrop happened), so it was definitely possible to see what was actually going on between them (i.e. not a romance, at least not from Brainy’s end) before now. I’ve also been pretty accurate with predicting things so far, based on nothing more than the show itself and my familiarity with Brainy’s character.

So, in my personal opinion: No, I don’t think your hope is false at all, because I don’t think this “date” is going to lead anywhere particularly romantic, just like all their previous encounters haven’t. 

However, I’m also not saying that Karadox will definitely happen eventually - the jury’s still out on that one, and I don’t wanna give people hope where there isn’t any right now. I just really don’t think Brainy/Nia is happening either. The whole “romance” is likely a red herring, with Brainy’s connection to Nura in the future being the Actual Big Twist Reveal. At least that’s what I’m predicting based on what we’ve seen so far. 

(I mean, could they make Brainy go against everything he’s said so far this season, and have him risk the entire timeline by getting together with his close friend’s ancestor, in a romance that’s ultimately doomed because he knows that Nia already has a destiny to fulfill? ….Sure. Anything could happen, and it wouldn’t be the first time that a CW show has made a character do something that feels wildly OOC for the sake of Plot.

….But I just don’t think that’s where they’re going with it this time.)

[odishaphotos]

Santali folk culture

Santali folk culture

The Santals are the third largest tribal people in India. They live mainly in Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Assam. In October, the Santals celebrate the city festival. During this time, the Santals worship the cows. The festival comes once a year. On that day, cows are worshiped because they help in the production of grain. They believe that it produces good crops.

Folk dance-- Santal society is based on an ancient civilization and a rich culture. There are many types of dancing in this society. For example, Dantana dance, Da dance, Lagene dance, Baha dance, Karam dance, Saharaya dance, Dahar dance, Singaraya dance. Different dances from the above dances take place at different times. Danta dances and Saharaya dances are performed mainly during Kali Puja. The dance is performed by people dancing outside. Outdoor dances are mainly performed at outdoor parties.

Folk music-- Music is a lifelong art. It promotes active human beings and the pursuit of fulfillment. Therefore, the daily connection of human life with music is divine. The folk songs of the Santali tribe include Laghane Geet, Da Geet, Baha Geet, Sauharaya Geet, Dasaya Geet, Dahar Geet, Bariat Geet and many more. The music of the Santal tribal community is called Santali music. It is mainly based on the culture, traditions, origins, etc. of the Santal tribes. It is also a means of entertaining people. Santal people like to sing and dance. Like other nationalities, their music has reached the mainstream of Indian music. But the traditional music of the past has not yet reached the mainstream. Santal music is a little different from Hindustani music. A lot of people are researching it. The tradition of the Santals uses the two main musical instruments in the last song, namely tobacco and tum-dai.

[xtruss]

Billionaire Family Feud Puts a Century-Old Business Empire in Jeopardy

As clashes pile up in courts in London and Switzerland amid suggestions of misogyny, the possibility of a messy unraveling of the Hinduja Group is rising.

— By Hugo Miller and Jonathan Browning | Updated: November 24, 2021 | Bloomberg

The Hinduja brothers, clockwise from left, Ashok, Prakash, Gopichand and Srichand in Mumbai in 2011. Photographer: Umesh Goswami

As a child in London, one of Karam Hinduja’s favorite pastimes was watching Bollywood movies with his grandfather Srichand Hinduja, the patriarch of a sprawling global business empire.

“He and I, without fail, once a week, whatever was new, whether it was good or bad,” Karam said in a recent interview in Geneva. “That’s a lot of how we bonded.”

Little did he know then that a quarter century later the two of them would be embroiled in a real-life family drama more gripping than any Bollywood plot. And unlike most of the tearjerkers they watched, this one may not have a happy ending.

His grandfather, SP as the 85-year-old is known, now suffers from a form of dementia, and Karam, his sister, mother, aunt and grandmother are locked in a battle with the rest of the Hinduja family over pieces of the $18 billion British-Indian group. Karam’s side of the family is effectively asking for what was once unthinkable — the group’s assets to be broken up. SP’s three brothers, Gopichand, Prakash and Ashok want the group to stick to its age-old motto that “everything belongs to everyone and nothing belongs to anyone.”

Karam Hinduja in Geneva. Photographer: Stefan Wermuth/Bloomberg

As clashes pile up in courts in London and Switzerland and the SP side suggests misogyny may be driving actions against his daughters, there may be no going back. The increasingly bitter feud has raised the possibility of a messy unraveling of the 107-year-old group, putting at risk one of the world’s largest conglomerates. With dozens of companies — including six publicly traded entities in India — the closely held Hinduja Group employs more than 150,000 people in 38 countries in truck-making, banking, chemicals, power, media and healthcare.

“They seem to have reached a point of no return,” said Kavil Ramachandran, a family-business expert at the Indian School of Business. “It’s most unlikely to go back to the socialistic philosophy of everything for everybody.”

Founded by their father Parmanand Deepchand Hinduja in 1914 in the Sindh region of British India, the one-time commodities-trading firm was rapidly diversified by the brothers, with early success coming from distributing Bollywood films outside India. The group’s heady rise let them rub shoulders with the likes of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In London, they are Queen Elizabeth’s neighbors, sharing Carlton House Terrace — four interconnected Georgian houses down the street from Buckingham Palace — where they hold their annual star-studded Diwali bash. SP and Gopichand, U.K. citizens, are among the wealthiest men in Britain.

Carlton House Terrace in London. Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

With a collective net worth of about $15 billion, the four brothers always presented a united front, with little to suggest that not all was well in the House of Hinduja. Until last year. That’s when a London judgment shed light on the conflict in the family. Gopichand, Prakash and Ashok were defending the validity of a letter signed in 2014 by the four brothers stating that assets held by one belong to all. That came as SP — represented by his daughter Vinoo — claimed sole ownership of Geneva-based Hinduja Bank.

SP wants the London court to rule that the letter has no “legal effect.” A decision on that is not due for a while yet, but if he succeeds, assets in his name could pass to his daughters Vinoo and Shanu on his death. Meanwhile, a court in the Swiss canton of Lucerne said the case between SP and his brothers is on hold, pending a decision on who will represent his interests.

Although the Swiss bank is a tiny part of the family’s overall assets, the case raises broader ownership questions. The three brothers frame it as a power grab by SP’s daughters, who they said are using their father’s weakened state to go against his long-held wishes.

“SP had one mantra that nobody owns anything, everybody owns everything,” Radhamohun Gujadhur, an adviser to the brothers, said in an interview. “Anyone doing differently is speaking under their own illusions or to further a selfish private agenda. The group structure has withstood the challenges of Shanu and Vinoo Hinduja who disagree with their own father’s vision of the group.”

SP Hinduja in Mumbai in 2007. Photographer: The India Today Group/The India Today Group

Shanu didn’t want to comment on the dispute while Vinoo declined requests for comment. Ashok said he couldn’t comment on the record. Charles Stewart-Smith, a spokesman for the brothers, declined interview requests, referring to an earlier statement by them saying the efforts “go against our founder’s and family’s values.”

Another London lawsuit from 2018 shows how the feud could touch other family assets. That fight was over $1 billion in assets held at the Swiss bank by a company tied to Ashok Leyland Ltd., one of the group’s most high-profile listed companies and the world’s third-largest manufacturer of buses.

Opaque holding structures — through trusts and offshore entities — make it difficult to determine ownership of the conglomerate’s companies. For instance, the brothers’ shares in IndusInd Bank Ltd. in Mumbai, among the largest privately-owned banks in India, are held in an entity registered in Mauritius. Even the brothers’ domiciles complicate matters. SP and Gopichand live in London, Prakash resides in Monaco, and Ashok in Mumbai.

The group’s organization that worked for the brothers may not for third and fourth generation Hindujas now taking the reins.

“These old structures in the new world that they’re in are going to come apart,” said Nigel Nicholson, a professor at London Business School and author of ‘Family Wars.’ “The notion that one can maintain unity with woolly notions of common ownership without clear governance structures is tricky.”

For instance, SP’s 31-year-old grandson Karam, appointed the Swiss bank’s CEO last year, has a different take on the ownership of his firm.

“SP is the founder and has always been the sole shareholder and continues to be of this institution,” he said. “In the absence of an overarching agreement, members of our family have individual shareholdings.”

The brothers’ adviser disagrees.

“The Hinduja group doesn’t have any individual ownership and this includes the bank,” said Gujadhur.

Karam has renamed the bank SP Hinduja Banque Privee, although on the Hinduja Group website it is still called Hinduja Bank Switzerland. Housed in a modest building at the foot of Geneva’s old town, the bank headquarters has a simple blue door and a small brass plaque engraved with its new name. In the interview there, Karam said he can appreciate that the timing of the bank’s re-branding may seem provocative given the ongoing legal battle. But the board endorses the move and it reflects the legal status quo, he said.

Shanu Hinduja attends the Rose Ball 2015 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. Photographer: Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

The bank is small by Swiss private banking standards, with about 2.43 billion Swiss francs ($2.6 billion) in client assets. Nevertheless it has become a lightning rod for the dispute, with Karam hinting that the fight has tinges of misogyny since the SP branch is dominated by women.

“It’s shocking; I simply cannot understand the animosity that exists toward the SP branch of the family,” the Columbia University graduate said. “It makes you wonder how even such wealthy and somewhat westernized and powerful individuals, what their views truly are, maybe, toward women. I don’t know. It’s all I can think of.”

Karam’s mother, Shanu, who is the Swiss bank’s chairwoman, said her ascension at the firm is “instructive,” showing her father’s opposition “to the sidelining of women.”

Traditional Indian family businesses often keep daughters out of key roles, but for the brothers’ adviser, Karam’s accusations of misogyny are flat-out wrong. Vinoo and Shanu are on the boards of several of the group’s companies, and “if there was any truth to those misogyny claims I don’t think they would have been named to those boards,” he said.

The sisters were removed last year from all their directorships of Group companies aside from the Swiss bank, a spokesman for them said.

What really sparked the feud remains a mystery to those not in the inner circles of the family, but some warn about its implications for the group.

“The moment you start thinking of division, that this part you look after, that part I look after, it belongs to you, it belongs to me, it belongs to my other brother, then you cannot continue for too long,” Hinduja Group General Counsel Abhijit Mukhopadhyay said in a law firm podcast last year.

The Hindujas aren’t new to controversy. In the 1980s, they were investigated on allegations they took bribes to help Swedish gun-maker Bofors secure an Indian contract. The case was later thrown out of court. In the early 2000s, they were entangled in the U.K.’s “cash-for-passports” scandal, having donated money for the Millenium Dome when SP was applying for British citizenship. More recently, Prakash has been investigated for suspected tax evasion by Geneva prosecutors, an allegation he denies.

But the very public fight within the family may be the biggest existential threat the group has faced, and the feuding sides are digging in for battle.

“Many of the questions at the heart of the family dispute are now a matter for the courts,” said Karam. “I don’t think people realize how tight-knit our SP branch is. The six of us, we’re very tight-knit. One of us gets cut and everyone knows about it.”

— With assistance by Maria Wood, Gem Atkinson, Jeremy Hodges, Patricia Suzara, Anto Antony, and Suvashree Ghosh

(Updates with a comment from the sisters’ spokesman about their board memberships. Also updates Swiss bank’s assets under management as of end-October.)

[verhdonlineworld]

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La vieja guardia (2020)

Fecha de estreno : 2020-07-10 Géneros : Acción, Fantasía Runtime : 126 Minutes Home Page : https://www.netflix.com/title/81038963 IMDb Page : https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7556122 Company : Skydance Media, Denver and Delilah Productions, Dune Films Reparto : Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari, Luca Marinelli, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Harry Melling, Van Veronica Ngo, Natacha Karam, Anamaria Marinca Tagline: Overview : Cuatro guerreros inmortales que llevan siglos protegiendo a la humanidad en secreto son perseguidos a causa de sus misteriosos dones tras descubrir a una nueva inmortal.

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[njamil21]

Sorry I’ve been so absent with my art lately!

I’ve been sitting on these for a while now and though I plan to finalize these hopefully soon, I wanted to show these off. Someone told me it’s best to get into the habit of making proper turn-around character sheets so that i have a reference to work with so this was a good exercise in anatomy, consistency, and posing. I’m proud that I was able to sketch out five sheets with five different perspectives, even if it was a bit tedious. What do you guys think of these?

Things are pretty hectic on my end, what with taking a small editing gig, doing some design work for my dad, and helping my mom pack things up around the house. I’m still working on the prompts since you guys sent in some really cool titles and I hope to post more art when I can. Things are going to be pretty busy on this end but I really need an escape so I hope I can post more frequently in the future.

Please do not edit or repost without permission. (I edited my commission prices!)

[libralita]

Truths and Roses have Thorns About Them | Chapter 3

Beginning | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Summary: The Marchen Tavern draws in many strange characters from all across Angielle and beyond. While it may bring wonder and mystery to those who stop, it does make keeping staff members a challenge. However, Fella Treslyn is up to the task of being the Marchen’s new cook. But is really ready to deal with all the antics it has to offer?

Fella was about to tie her hair up when she heard a knock at her door. “It’s Parfait.” The soft voice said from behind it.

“Come in,” Fella said, parting her hair to one side. “Is everything alright, Miss Parfait?”

“Yes, I just wanted to ask you for a favor.”

“Of course.”

“Last night we found a girl on the streets. She seems to not have eaten much so would you mind making her something for breakfast?” Miss Parfait asked.

Fella finished tying her hair and stood up. “Yes, Miss Parfait.” She said, reaching for her cane. “Is the girl alright?”

“She should be, yes.” Miss Parfait said and Fella must have had a strange look on her face because she then asked, “Is there something you needed?”

“Are you…really a fairy?”

“I am.” No hesitation.

“And Miss Delora is a witch and this really is this place for the cursed?”

“Yes, it is.” Miss Parfait answered softly. “Did Karma tell you?” Fella nodded. “Don’t worry too much about it. I’ll explain more later on. Okay?”

Fella nodded again, this time more slowly. “Yes, ma’am. Have someone come down in forty-five minutes and I’ll have something prepared for this girl.”

“Of course, Fella.”

~

Fella decided on a beef stew. It wasn’t much of a breakfast item, but she couldn’t imagine that someone who was hungry would mind. She wanted this girl to have something hardy that would help get her back on her feet. She cubed the meat adding carrots, potatoes, onions. It helped to get rid of some excess food.

“Miss Fella, are you okay?”

Fella blinked. I must have let my mind wander. “Sorry. Also, who are you?”

“Oh, I’m Annice.” The sweet, girlish voice said. “Sorry, I’ll try to remember to announce who I am.”

“It still takes me a while to learn voices. But I am better with voices than faces.” Fella said as she grabbed a bowl and ladle.

Annice let out a soft laugh. At least someone laughed at her jokes.

“Do you know who this girl is?” Fella asked.

“I think Miss Delora said her name was Lucette,” Annice said and then said in a quieter voice. “I think she might even be a princess.”

“A princess?” Fella asked, trying to sound surprised. “I’ve never heard of her.”

“Neither have I,” Annice said as she took the bowl from Fella. There was a soft sound of a bowl on a tray. “Thank you. Miss Fella.”

“Annice, before you go, do you see Karma in the dining room?”

There was shuffling. “Yes, I see her. Would you like me to take you there before I give Lucette her food?”

“Thank you. And for your troubles, I think there are about three portions left. One for me, one for Miss Karma and one for you.”

“Wow, really? Thank you! I’ve wanted to try your food but I’m always working before you run out.” Annice said.

Hmmm… maybe Fella could start making food for the staff. It would be nice to get a better meal then whatever a magic spell can whip up.

Fella got two bowls of stew and was taken to Karma’s table. She was starting to figure out where Karma liked to sit. “Stew for breakfast?” Fella asked.

“You are too kind, Fella,” Karma said, though she sounded a little bit off today. Fella sat down with Karma. She wanted to pry into what was going on last night and if Karma knew the Swordsman. But while Miss Karma was nice, she was rather secretive.

“Another missed meal?”

“Hello Jurien, Garlan.” Miss Karma said, sounding smug that she got another meal.

“Grab a spoon.” Fella offered. “I am not so greedy as Miss Karma.”

“Oh, Fella why do you wound me so? Can’t a beautiful woman appreciate wonderful food?”

“Did you really have to add the word ‘beautiful’ to that?” Garlan asked.

Karma went on about how there’s nothing wrong with expressing how beautiful you are when the room suddenly fell very quiet.

“What is this place?” An unfamiliar young woman’s voice comes out. It was…rather cold.

“Welcome to the Marchen Tavern! A home for those with the Fairytale curse.” That was Miss Parfait’s voice. Miss Parfait banters with Delora for a moment as Fella turns her head towards the sounds of their voices. She wasn’t expecting to get information about the Marchen like this. Parfait then explained that the Marchen is there to help the cursed, only those who are cursed and allied with their cause are allowed to stay.

Allied to their cause? Fella suddenly felt like she being dragged into something she didn’t want much to do with. All she wanted to do was to cook and experience the world outside of her farm. She would never consider herself to be “evil or wicked” as Parfait put it. Fella tugged at Karma’s arm but the woman ignored her. Great.

“Um…excuse me, Princess.” Then came Annice’s voice. “Are you certain you don’t want your stew, it’s very good.”

“No.” The cold voice responded.

Fella knew she shouldn’t be offended that someone denied her cooking. She might of just not been hungry. Yet, while it probably wasn’t her finest work, it was still something she had put the time in.

“Oh come now, Lucette” Delora’s voice came. “Fella made it special for you.”

Yeah!

Lucette responded. “It does not look to be special if she is eating it.”

Fella knew she should try to defuse the situation and say something more lighthearted. However, this princess seemed to have a talent for getting under her skin. Fella crossed her arms. "Am I not allowed to have leftovers?"

“If something isn’t made specifically for me, then it cannot be considered special by definition,” Lucette said and then paused. “Wait…you’re that blind girl from the doll shop. What are you doing cooking?” It was hard to describe the tone of that question. It wasn’t out of concern, like someone who would take her as an invalid. It wasn’t confusion. It was just cold. Like she could barely muster the energy to care.

“Making friends already, Ice Princess,” Delora said in a sarcastic tone. "Ice Princess" was right.

She felt someone lean close to her, the smell of the perfume indicated that it was Karma. “Don’t look so sour, Fella.” Miss Karma’s warm breath tickled her ear.

“She’s the sour one,” Fella muttered and felt childish for saying it.

Several sets of feet came towards their table. “You’ve already met Fella but here is—”

“Jurien Valiente and Garlan Belrott.”

Lucette already knows Jurien and Garlan? However, it did not seem that either of the two knew Lucette.

“Annice, Jurien, Garlan, and Fella are not cursed, they are allowed in this tavern,” Parfait said. So…everyone else in the Tavern was cursed. More great news. “Jurien and Garlan lend us their strength to help protect the Marchen.”

Fella tried to process what this all meant when Parfait and Delora excused themselves. The room went silent and Fella felt a slight twinge of pity for Lucette. It seemed like she was left to fend for herself. If Fella was already annoyed at Lucette, she couldn’t imagine what other people who have actually remembered her were thinking.

“I was told it was rude to stare.”

Please don’t dig your own grave, Princess. There’s some shuffling that Fella can’t quite make out until “You know the rules.” Jurien’s voice. “What happened in the past stays in the past.”

“And no one is allowed to harm anyone else in the Marchen,” Garlan added. At least that was good to know. “If you cannot comply, you are no longer welcome here.”

“Tsk. No matter. The Ice Princess will get what’s coming to her.” It was a man’s voice she did not know. He must have stood up in anger so Jurien and Garlan stopped him from doing anything too rash.

“Break the rules and you’ll get what’s coming to you. That goes for everyone here.” Jurien’s response to the stranger.

After that, things began to settle down. The ice princess must have left to go somewhere else. “I will be back.” Miss Karam said. “Time to thaw the heart of the ice princess.”

“Good luck,” Fella said, flatly. “I’ll go figure out what I’m doing for dinner.” Fella went over to the kitchen.

She passed by Miss Karma and Princess Lucette’s conversation “Your name is Karma?”

“A suitable name for someone as beautiful as me, no?”

Fella stifled a snort as she walked into the kitchen. She tied her apron on and stood in the middle of the kitchen. She wasn’t sure what she was going to make today. Had meeting the Ice Princess really had that effect on her?

No. Fella wasn’t going to let some brat get her down. Time to go back to her roots. They had steak medallions. All she had to do was make it. Maybe it was time to experiment.

She went through the spices. Smelling, tasting, mixing. Maybe some herbs. When she went for a pan, some of them fell over, making a bit of noise. Fella quickly righted them and set one of the stoves to get ready for a test run.

While she was waiting for that she began to quickly chop up some sage.

“Wow! You’re so quick!”

“Ahh!” Fella was surprised when she heard the stranger's voice. So surprised that she felt a sharp pain in her finger. “Ahh! Gods above!” She hissed, holding her injured hand.

“Oh no!” The stranger’s voice said and soft feet came rushing over. “Are you hurt?”

Fella just hissed in response. “Emelaigne.” Another strange voice came. Fella felt around the countertop and found a rag. She wrapped a finger around it and applied pressure to it.

She heard the sound of running water. “Come here.” The girl—Emelaigne—said pulling her towards the sink. Fella moved on her own to it and tried to clean it.

“What’s going on?” It was Parfait’s voice.

Fella tried to smile. “I swear, I am not usually this clumsy, Miss Parfait.” She said.

“Emelaigne, Rod, why don’t you two go into the sitting room while I—”

“I can take care of it.” Fella insisted. “This isn’t my first cut and it won’t be my last.” She said. After a little persuading, she was finally left alone. Though Parfait did graciously leave her with antiseptics and bandages. Her eyes watered when she cleaned her cut. From what she could tell it wasn’t that big. Then she bandaged it up.

Fella sniffed. Just another cut.

Many people said she looked like a porcelain doll. She remembered a time where she had asked one of her sisters, Eliyanna, why they said that. Eliyanna named her smooth skin, her red lips, her cute curls, her small stature. However, if one looked closely at her arms and her legs they would see small scars. Tiny cracks in that doll.

But Fella loved those scars. It told the world that she wasn’t some doll to be put on a shelf. To sit there and listen in the darkness. She could run and jump and fall all she wanted. Or cut herself by accident.

Emelaigne…and Rod? Those were the names of the prince and princess. Fella remembered her conversation with Karma last night. She had listed Lucette being the crown princess, hadn’t she? So maybe Lucette was the king’s biological daughter. And if the royal family is not cursed then that means…they all forgot her.

Fella shuddered at that idea. She couldn’t imagine what it would have been like to wake up one morning and no one remembering who you were. What if her parents didn’t know who she was? Her brothers and sisters? Dion?

Alright, she would promise herself that she would give the princess another chance…maybe.

~

Fella was getting better at guessing how many patrons would be attending the Marchen’s dinner so she actually had some spare food. Lucette and Annice had been serving and from what Fella could hear, Lucette had struggled a little.

So, Fella put on three of the leftover medallions. She seasoned it with a variety of spices: salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and even light brown sugar. When she placed the foot in the pan it made a satisfying sizzling sound. Fella seared them all on sides and would occasionally poke it to see if the temperature was right. She cooked them to medium-rare. That’s what people usually wanted. She gave Annice extra carrots and peas because the girl seemed to like those. She couldn’t think of adding anything to Lucette’s dish. She didn’t really know what the girl liked but hopefully, Fella would learn over time.

Fella was about to ask someone for help when Annice came hurrying over, worrying that they’d forgotten someone. Fella happily gave her the food and asked to be brought to Lucette. Lucette sat in a table that Fella wasn’t aware of. It was in a corner, alone.

“What’s this?” She asked in her cold, dismissive tone.

“Dinner,” Fella said simply, setting down the plate. “I had some leftovers so I thought I would give it to you, Annice, and myself.”

There some silence before she heard the plate be scooted across the table.

Fella stood there, she knew she wasn’t going to get a thank you or anything. She wondered if she should ask Lucette to join her in finding Karma, Jurien, and Garlan.

“What? Do you expect me to repay you?” An annoyed tone.

Repay me?

Fella shook her head. “I usually sit with Miss Karma, Miss Jurien, and Sir Garlan after work to eat my dinner. Would you like to join me, princess?”

“Why would I want to do that?”

Just smile. “Wouldn’t you enjoy a meal more with good company?”

“Are you implying that you are good company?”

Better than yours. “I have my moments, I can make jokes. You see?” Lucette was silent and Fella shook her head. “You’re supposed to say ‘see what?’ And then I say ‘everything but I don’t.’” Lucette remained silent for a long time and then Fella heard the clinking of silverware on the plate. “My food is getting cold, princess. So perhaps next time.” Fella turned without waiting for a response and went off.

At least she tried.

~

“Lady Parfait!”

Fella was startled awake when she heard Garlan’s voice. She listened and heard hurried voices, feet running around downstairs. She could also hear one or two other boarders shuffling out of their rooms.

Well, if others got to see what was going on, then surely she could too. Fella put on a coat over her nightgown and slipped on her boots. She took her cane and left. She went to the sitting room where she heard Lucette ask “What’s happening?”

Fella cautiously made her way over to also hear what was happening.

“Sorry, did we wake you two?” Jurien’s voice.

“No, but the noises Garlan was making would have woken the dead.” Fella snorted at Lucette’s comment. She wasn’t going to make Garlan feel bad for waking her up but that was an amusing comment.

“What?” Lucette’s voice asked and it took a moment to realize she was talking to her. Fella had snorted at her comment. It was funny!

“Nothing,” Fella grumbled.

Garlan cleared his throat and said. “Jurien and I found an injured man while we were doing our rounds. We brought him here.”

“An injured man…? Wait, what were you doing outside? It’s almost one in the morning.” Lucette focused back on what was happening.

Jurien dismissed Lucette’s questions while a boyish voice spoke up. It might have been Waltz? She had heard he had the Neverland Curse. “Lady Parfait and Annice are tending to the man now.”

There was a brief talk about witches before Jurien, Garlan and Waltz left. Fella was left alone with the ice princess. Try, try again, Fella. “Miss Parfait, had said that they used Jurien and Garlan’s strength, right?” Fella asked.

“Yeah?”

“And you said that they were former knights so perhaps they guard the Marchen from the wicked witches.” She said.

“Why are you talking to me about this?”

“You had asked them about it but they dismissed your question,” Fella said. “This makes logical sense.”

“Okay?” Lucette said but it was more of a question. Fella heard shuffling. “I’m going to bed.”

“W-wait!” Fella said. What am I doing?

Lucette stopped and it was silent. Quietly, Fella said, “a few nights ago I was saved by a man with a sword. I think…I think he might have saved you the other night as well. I am pretty sure it wasn’t Garlan. But…do you know who he was?”

“No, I don’t,” Lucette said. Fella couldn’t tell if Lucette was lying or not. Her tone of voice sounded the same.

And then Fella was alone. “Goodnight, then.” She said to herself and then went to bed.

~

There was a knock at the entrance to the kitchen as Fella was making a meal for the injured man. This time she wanted to more of a soup. “Fella?”

“Yes, Miss Delora?”

“Miss Parfait and I will be busy helping the injured man but we wanted to talk to you about getting a menu. And perhaps having a cooking assistant. Annice has said that she could do that.”

Fella paused what she was doing to turn towards Delora. “Really?”

“It will be a small one but you have demonstrated that you are more than capable of handling it.” Miss Delora said.

“Thank you! I’ll start thinking about it as soon as possible!” She said and Miss Delora said her goodbyes.

Fella was practically flying through making her soup when she was brought back to earth by an irritable. “Are you done, yet?”

The ice princess. Fella tasted her soup and then once she deemed it good enough she gave the bowl to Lucette.

Don’t let her fowl mood get you down! Fella thought, cleaning up. It was time to start coming up with a menu! She’d need to find Annice.

~

It took time to figure out what to put on her menu. She wanted to create unique items without requiring too much prep time and allowed to her multitask as she cooked. Annice seemed to have a decent knowledge of cooking. It took some encouragement to make her give out suggestions. She was a bit of a timid girl. If Annice was going to be her assistant, she didn’t want to be a tyrant cook.

Fella and Annice decided on the salmon dish she made the first night. People apparently were still talking about it. They also seemed to enjoy the chicken dish so that was on there too. The steak with fries. Finally, meatballs. Her family loved making meatballs for gatherings.

“How is the injured man?” Fella asked as they were starting to wrap up who would do what with each dish.

“I am a bit worried about him,” Annice said, while there was soft scratching of pen on paper. “Lady Parfait is having him work as a server. But he suffered head injuries.”

“Was he cursed?”

“I think so,” Annice said. “He—”

“Rumpel! You aren’t here to flirt!”

Delora’s voice traveled through the dining room and Fella snorted. Was that the new boarder? Fella couldn’t make exactly what was said but she did hear Delora call Miss Karma a waste of space. Fella covered her mouth. That was a little mean but even after being here a few days, Fella wasn’t entirely sure what Karma brought to the Marchen.

There was a back and forth that Fella couldn’t make out. “What’s going on?” Fella asked Annice quietly.

“It looks like Miss Karma has arrived and she’s meeting Rum—”

“My life before this moment has been a depressing monochrome. Now that you have entered my bleak existence I see everything in beautiful, blazing color. And nothing shines more brightly, more vividly, than you.”

Fella had to really try not to laugh out loud. Her body was shaking at hearing this as she leaned over the counter. While Fella considered Miss Karma to be a friend, she knew how highly Karma thought of her appearance. Now having a man that is willing to tell her how beautiful she is like this? Miss Karma must be head over—

“…your filthy hands off of me!”

Fella was even more shocked when she heard Karma shout that him and then there was a hard smack.

“I am going to make sure everything is okay!” Annice said, sounding concerned as she rushed out of the kitchen. Fella was still in a state of shock as she listened to Miss Karma chastise the man—Rumpel?

“Go on lass, give him a good beating! Like the one you gave to me!” She heard an unfamiliar voice. Was he talking about Karma and did this happen often?

“My queen, there is no need for violence.”

“What did you call me?”

Fella let out a laugh she hoped wasn’t heard too much.

She couldn’t make out the conversation until she heard: “But your voice, your face! Your breasts!” That certainly wasn’t going to win Miss Karma over. Or any woman. “Ow!”

“That’s what you’re focusing on? Pervert.” Delora’s voice and must have been what caused more pain to poor Rumpel.

Fella cleaned up the mess she had made trying to come up with a menu and then went out to see what was happening..

“What’s going on?” She asked quietly, trying not to smile too much.

She heard the voice she assumed to be Rumpel’s voice say, “I…I am undo—”

She heard shuffling and then someone took her hand. She yelped in surprise. “This establishment is truly outstanding to have such beautiful women in it.” Something was pressed to her hand, it was warm and soft. Had…had he kissed her hand? Fella’s entire face was ablaze. “Spices…were you the angel that prepared my brilliant breakfast?”

“…yes?” Fella had never heard her voice made that sound before. It somewhere between a squeak and a yelp. And her face still felt like it was going to melt off.

“Rumpel, refrain from killing our cook. We’re pretty sure she’s crazy enough to sta—” Delora cut herself off with a laugh. “Oh, Karma, I have never seen you make that face before.”

Fella wasn’t sure what face Miss Karma was making but she couldn’t be as embarrassed as Fella felt right now.

“I am merely complementing a beautiful young lady,” Rumpel said. “Surely I cannot be the first to tell you that your extraordinary cooking matches your beauty.”

Fella was absolutely flustered so fell back on the only thing she knew. “I mean who’s going to tell the blind girl she’s ugly?” Observations about her blindness.

“You’re…blind?”

The room went silent. She was pretty sure everyone was thinking the same thing. What an idiot. But Fella laughed at that.

“I cannot believe you didn’t even realize she was blind.” Fella was taken aback by how angry Miss Karma sounded.

Rumpel moved away, probably not wanting more injuries to add on. “Do not fault me for being oblivious. It only takes one look to fall madly, irretrievably in love.”

“Ah, so love has blinded you.” Fella said and Rumpel laughed.

“I guess you could say that.” He said still chuckling. “But Miss…?”

“Fella.”

“Miss Fella.” She was expecting him to say something poetic about her name but sounded more serious. “May I have a look at your—ow!”

“Don’t even think about it!” Miss Karma scolded, Fella felt a hand grab her forearm. “You are not going to look at her anything. Pervert.”

“You’re one to talk,” Rumpel said and he was starting to sound annoyed. But then his tone changed back to its usual flirtatious tone. “I think I must leave. My heart will need time to heal. It has been stepped on by too many…women.”

Miss Karma let out an annoyed sound and was practically dragging Fella away. It wasn’t until they were outside that Fella piped up. “Um…Miss Karma, where are we going?”

The other woman seemed to realize that she was going off in a random direction and stopped. She took a huffy breath. “That—that buffoon.”

Fella waved a hand in front of her face, in an attempt to cool it. Her cheeks were still very warm. “I am actually surprised you didn’t take a liking to him,” Fella said with a chuckle.

“Why on earth would I like such a man, Fella?”

“I thought you would like someone who thinks you are beautiful equally as much as you do,” Fella said, a little more teasing and then gently pulled her arm. “Can you let go of me?”

It seemed to Fella, Rumpel had really flustered Miss Karma for her to be so out of it. Miss Karma let go of Fella’s arm. “My apologies.” She said, sounding like she’s calmed down.

Fella was pretty sure they were in the back patio area, she poked her cane until she found the Tavern wall and then leaned against it. “What type does interest you?”

“Hmm?”

“A man. What type of man does interest you? If you do not like the flirtatious types then which do you fancy?”

“I just simply do not like when men flirt with any woman they lay their eyes on as if their feelings did not matter.” Miss Karma said. Was she avoiding the question? “He certainly was making you very uncomfortable. Your face was as red as my hair.”

Fella felt her face become hot again at the thought. She slid down so she was sitting on the ground covering her face with her hands. “You’re making me blush again!” She complained. “That was the first time a man kissed my hand.”

“Is this your first time being flirted with?” Miss Karma asked.

“Yes.” She said.

Miss Karma let out a laugh, “Oh, aren’t you so adorable.” She said in a teasing way. Miss Karma bent down and moved Fella’s hands away and tucked a couple of loose curls behind her ears. “Then I am sorry that your first experience was so crude.”

Fella did not think it was crude. He laughed along with her and was really poetic.

“Come now, stand up before you ruin your dress.” Miss Karma said. “I heard Delora and Parfait were giving you a menu, you have to prepare for that.”

[ladystylestores]

Syria votes for new parliament amid war, economic woes | News

Syria is holding parliamentary elections across government-controlled areas of the country on Sunday, as President Bashar al-Assad marks 20 years in power amid a continuing war and deep economic woes.

More than 2,000 candidates, including businessmen under recently-imposed United States sanctions, are running in the legislative election – the third since the start of the 2011 protests and ensuing civil war.

The elections, originally scheduled to be held in April, were postponed twice due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Although several lists are running in the polls, real opposition to al-Assad’s Baath Party is absent in the election.

Opposition groups traditionally tolerated by the government are expected to boycott the polls and the Baath Party is guaranteed to monopolise the new parliament as it has done in previous elections.

In the last vote in 2016, the Baath and its allies took 200 of the 250-seat parliament while the remaining posts went to independent candidates.

Observers say the contest lacks credibility with the majority of candidates being either part of al-Assad’s Baath Party or loyal to his regime.

“The majority of Syrians believe the election is only a process controlled by the regime to represent itself as a legitimate authority in Syria,” said Zaki Mehchy, a senior consulting fellow at Chatham House and co-founder of the Syrian Centre for Policy Research.

“People know that the majority of MPs are nominated by the Baath party and all of them need to have security approval based on loyalty and not qualifications,” he added.

Karam Shaar, an expert on Syria at the Middle East Institute, said: “The al-Assad regime uses parliamentary elections to reward loyalty. This time around, warlords and militiamen are expected to gain yet more seats for their contributions to the state over the past four years.”

Syrian children living in Atmeh camp, near the Turkey-Syria border [File: Khalil Ashawi/Reuters]

Economic woes

More than 7,000 polling stations have been set up across about 70 percent of the country where the al-Assad government maintains control.

Government forces have been pushing to regain control over areas overtaken by opposition and rebel groups since the start of the war.

Al-Assad’s troops regained control over Eastern Ghouta in 2018 and southern parts of Idlib after the launch of a Russian-backed offensive to retake the northwest province in late 2019.

Other parts of Idlib remain as the last rebel-held bastion in the country, while large swaths of land along the Turkey-Syria border house millions of internally displaced Syrians from the war.

Syrians living abroad, including millions of refugees forced to leave their homes because of fighting, will not be taking part in the election.

Citizens casting their ballots in Sunday’s vote are expected to focus on soaring living costs and the country’s dire economic situation.

“As nearly 90 percent of the country plunges into poverty, people are increasingly focusing on meeting their basic needs,” said Shaar.

Syria’s economy has been in freefall over the past few months with the pound losing about 70 percent of its value, making the price of basic commodities now unaffordable to many Syrians. 

Still, observers say most Syrians believe the parliament is not the right channel to solve their economic problems.

“The economic situation is choking the average Syrian in both government and rebel areas,” said independent researcher Malak Chabkoun.

She explained a deteriorating economy and US sanctions will be at the forefront of the voting agenda, but people will be casting their ballots for candidates “they were told [by the government] to vote for”.

“The Baath Party candidates have [also] added US sanctions to their platform this time around to garner support and cry victim,” she added, referring to a range of newly-imposed US sanctions, known as the Caesar Act, that target companies, institutions, and individuals doing business with the al-Assad government.

While analysts say the legislation affects the al-Assad government and its local and foreign backers, humanitarian efforts and civilians in Syria, and neighbouring Lebanon, have also been affected by the sanctions.

Displaced Syrians walking past their makeshift tents in Idlib, Syria [File: Getty Images]

Lack of international recognition

After the vote, the new parliament plans to approve a new constitution, and al-Assad is expected to name a new prime minister. The new parliament will also be expected to approve candidates for the next presidential election.

But experts say the international community will not recognise the vote.

“The international community and political opposition groups will not recognise this parliament as a legitimate one,” said Mehchy.

“A new constitution can be only approved by a new parliament based on a transparent election in which refugees and Syrians outside the country have the right to vote,” he explained, adding the coming parliament will only approve candidates “nominated and approved by the security agencies“.

Al-Assad came to power at the age of 34 in 2000 after nearly 30 years of his father’s rule. He was elected for a third seven-year term in 2014, with the government claiming more than 88 percent of the votes were in his favour.

His time in power has been marred by a bloody civil war that has seen hundreds of thousands of people killed and millions of Syrians displaced inside and outside of the country.

Commenting on al-Assad’s 20 years in power, Chabkoun said: “Bashar has continued the same pattern [as his father’s] of quelling any opposition, disappearing people who speak out against his government, and continuing to control the goods and resources of the country for his family and friends’ own gain.”

According to Freedom House, the Syrian government is considered “one of the world’s most repressive regimes”, which along with “other belligerent forces”, has severely compromised Syrians’ political rights and civil liberties.

According to Mehchy, al-Assad’s rule has been “a catastrophic era, especially the years of conflict since 2011”, which he said the government’s policies during the first 10 years contributed towards as “root causes”.

“These policies neglected the economic and political exclusion that the majority of Syrians were suffering from,” said Mehchy.

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[thedistricthq]

If the sinful streets of The District could talk, they would whisper about SALOME EL AYOUBI arrival. Rumor has it, they are a little bit MERCURIAL & OBDURATE. Maybe we should find out for ourselves, they could be MAGNETIC & AUREATE. All we really know is they will be working as the OWNER of GRIPPING (OCCULT BOOKSTORE). Someone said they saw them listening to JUDAS by BANKS on repeat, it’s like their theme song or something. Don’t trust the gossip though, come find out for yourself. You can see them coming from a mile away in BORDELLO by the tell tale signs, PAINTED LIPS ANNOUNCING LAUGHTER AS A DEFLECTION, THE CONSTANT REMINDER OF DEEP PURPLE BRUISES & BLOOD DRIPPING FROM THE TIP OF A DULL KNIFE. [ NATACHA KARAM, AGRIPPA, CIS FEMALE, UNKNOWN, SHE/HER ]

BACKGROUND

Some will tell you they enjoy not knowing, the luxury of absolution without actually having to ask for it. Salome was not some. Salome was the screaming voice in the distance, the one demanding answers to questions she hadn’t even yet whispered to herself. It wasn’t an entitled desire for proactivity, but instead a silent bout of self preservation. You couldn’t be destroyed, couldn’t be caged again if it meant that you were the only one who knew where to find the right shackles. Robbed of her own origin sorry, the same story that held the keys that kissed her to sleep, the ones that would hand craft her freedom.

Personal pre-occupation aside, there were things that she did know. So many, in fact, it was a constant surprise that it all could be called to the tip of her tongue for the right price or prize. The names of every demon in the order they had been created and called upon, the spells that could easily crumble cities, bring men to their knees. A living, breathing memory and map to all that had ever touched magic, or ever felt the grace of a spell on their tongues, caressing their fingertips. It’s designed to make it feel like an honor, like wielding that kind of power was freeing, like it was a reward. It all sounded so appealing, and maybe it was, until the truth would unfold.

Centuries spent on the shelves of clueless men and women that didn’t know what really lived inside. They couldn’t, until the pain came. Pages didn’t feel, they didn’t bleed, and they didn’t bruise. Perhaps it should have been comical, the look of surprise, the face value of shock and awe when the last kick to the dog when it was down was her appearance. How fast those pages came to life, bruised and beaten, all for a mere glimpse of the knowledge that was hidden behind busted lips and near broken defiance. She always held true, though. Never were they allowed access to whatever foolish, mundane want they thought needed, until they looked in the face - her face - and knowingly spit in it.

Currency came in back hand lessons and bruised curriculum. It was the only way, but eventually she started to remember. Instead of suffering every blow she was tortured with for the information, she repeated. Recounted every deal, ever detail, until it was the memory that was hammered into her instead of the hurt. It wasn’t until she started smiling, giggling, laughing through bloodstained teeth that they realized the mistakes they’d made. She’d whispered it the first time...

Your God’s gone home without you.

The second time, she hadn’t realized but she had been screaming it. Your God has gone home, repeated like the most sickening broken record, as the storybook turned sentient. The pages fell away, and the greatest tragedy had been left behind: Shakesphere could have never. She was whole now, having broken the chains that tied her to her temporary tomb. Five steps, ten steps, Salome made it to the next village before she started to feel the truth settle in her broken bones.

The book, what was left of the tattered cover she’d clawed her way out of, had to come with her. Bare feet walked for miles before she reached the first real piece of civilization just to burn it for sport. She needed to know what it felt like to watch it come apart, to finally trade in the victim card for the victor. She still doesn’t know if it was the flames or the freedom that warmed her that night, but it was a feeling she’d chase for years before finally tiring of the frivolous journey.

She was still starved for separation, after all. Hauling around the scraps of her own prison walls was a house of memories she never wanted to build a foundation for. Witch after witch, demon after demon, some of them with familiar faces, until finally the puzzle began to come together. The emancipation of Salome El Ayoubi, it was a series, not a single shot. The story is still being written, but it led her to The District decades ago. Her tether is smaller now, magic dedicated to reducing it to ash for aesthetic. It hung in a gold locket, permanently fixed to her neck, for now. Ironically enough, it took, is in the same shape of the same cover that once contained her.

She tells herself she stays for the chance, the way the town is always teaming with new answers, new opportunity. That might be part of it, but there is a home on these streets. A home she has chosen, a home that will never force her into pedestal nor shelf again. A home, that most importantly? Was hers, and only hers. She’d shared her space for too long, now her suffering had an address, and let the writers tell it, that was the first step in healing the scars that were constantly aching like ghost limbs. Bordello tasted like her favorite flavor of sin, the red lights flashing felt like a neon savior, and it seemed like a fine one to ask for salvation: a single sacrifice that just might seek out all the bits and pieces she’s been missing.

ABILITIES

Demon Summoning

Supernatural Condition/Combat

Death/Desire Sense

Magic Use/Spell Casting or Creating

Memory Vessel/Sense and/or Enhanced Perception

Contract Negation

Power Replication

WEAKNESSES

Entity Tethering

Certain Bindings

Memory Trade/Lapse

Certain powers only manifest after prolonged physical damage/Physical Damage

Familiar Bond

Certain Religious Bindings/Boundaries

HEADCANONS

HC 01: Due to the abundance of time that Salome spent as quite literally a book on a shelf, she opened the bookstore to try and make sure that no one else would ever suffer the same fate. Every cover that passes through her shop is checked thoroughly for signs of life, in any sense of the word. Furthermore, while the shop does offer regular magical books and other niche findings, if you talk nice enough to her, she can show you the real treasure trove of knowledge and history alike, tucked in the back and protected by a magic that is even stronger, and older than she is. Salome also collects or seeks out specialty items, books most think are only “myths”, or anything that might carry a legend to it that could either give her insight to her own, or be another of her kind.4

HC 02: As a sentimental reminder, one of the only she indulges in, she celebrates her birthday on the day she was liberated from her constraints, or the ashes of the book she now wears around her neck. Most people don’t even know the difference, assuming she knows very well where, where, and what she was born as. The party always incorporates fire, whether it be a bonfire, some kind of fire theme, or at the very least, the dress she wears is red. It’s the one night a year she tells herself that she feels as warm as she did the night she spent dancing in the flames of the ruin she’d created. Or, at least that’s the only time she typically admits easily to it.

HC 03: When she is alone, she often hums or sings. Salome doesn’t know if she had a childhood or if she just doesn’t remember it. Due to that, the songs and nursery rhymes are “borrowed”. This means she picked the up during her times collecting dust, spying on intimate moments and family gatherings, or from the people she has met along the way. The most emotional way she seems to have gathered these tunes is from the memories of others, filled with emotion she either doesn’t understand, or can’t wait to meet.

CONNECTIONS

WC 01: Connecting with the above wanted connection, someone who has come across Salome when she was singing or humming a song that is also a shared memory for them. Picture coming into the shop and hearing a tune only you and your lost lover knew, or one that your mother coined especially for you and your siblings, or while you’re picking up the morning paper you hear a hauntingly beautiful voice singing your favorite tune, through the open window of the nearby bookstore, type of thing. Again, this could have been in the past, or something that happens via active thread, and the interaction can be as positive or as negative as agreed upon or discussed when plotted.

WC 02: Some of Salome’s memories are not her own. Due to the unpredictable nature of her powers when it relates to memories, storing memories, sharing them, or absorbing them. This can sometimes make her experiences with deja vu quite unique. She is also prone to stopping and staring, or watching too closely when trying to recall why or how someone is familiar to her. It would be great to thread out this interaction, or even just use it as a starting point for something more detailed.

WC 03: Due to Salome’s unique skill/power set, she can negate any contract, including the ones made by and with demons. It takes a lot out of her both physically and mentally, and when she does, she experiences most of the contractee’s memories in rapid fire fashion. I would love to see someone who she has done this for, someone who wants her to do this for them, or the alternate side, a demon or other deal making supernatural being whose contract was negated by her (recently or otherwise).

SALOME IS CLOSED & WRITTEN BY BISHOP.