#Lorenz Love Exchange

[deerinspotlight]

Lorenz Love Exchange gift for RuinedAreadbhar  This piece has an accompanying fic you can read here

[hydrangeatattoo]

My gift for @bladesandstars at the Lorenz Love Exchange! A little Claurenz drama. >D

[allthebrazilianpolitics]

In Brazil, a Best-Selling Novel Confronts the Brutal Afterlife of Slavery

Crooked Plow made Itamar Vieira Junior an essential voice in Brazilian letters.

On May 13, 1888, Princess Isabel of Bragança, the heir presumptive to the Brazilian throne, signed a “Golden Law” that freed 700,000 people from slavery in Brazil. The country, which had declared independence from Portugal 66 years earlier, had received close to half of all enslaved Africans brought to the New World by European colonizers. Isabel’s formal declaration of abolition came decades after the precedents set by countries such as Great Britain, which outlawed slavery in 1807; facing pressure in the form of port attacks and slave ship seizures by British forces, Brazil’s parliament passed an 1871 law that freed all children born to enslaved parents (though not guaranteed before they reached the age of 21). But this blanket implementation, and even Isabel’s later decree, did little in the way of truly liberating those upon whose bodies the country’s economy had been built. By the dawn of the 19th century, Portuguese colonizers had shaped Brazil via the vast and often violent industries of coffee and gold in the South and sugar in the Northeast. To maintain this infrastructure, landowners conspired to keep enslaved men and women—most of them from West Africa—unfree. After abolition was implemented, the formerly enslaved were still at the mercy of landowners who would grant them permission to live on their property in exchange for free labor, leaving them indebted to their former employers and without much more freedom than what they’d had before.

First published in Brazil in 2018, and recently translated into English by Johnny Lorenz, Itamar Vieira Junior’s Crooked Plow takes place during the transitional years when freed slaves and their descendants sowed and harvested land that they were prevented from owning. Set in the hinterlands of Bahia’s Chapada Diamantina region in the early 20th century, the novel follows three generations of a family caught between the pull to remain in a familiar system of servitude in exchange for stability, and the post-abolition push toward claiming the land they knew—and loved—better than their former masters.

The book’s success in Brazil exemplifies a trend in the country’s literary landscape toward novels told from the perspective of the historically oppressed. In the past five years, Vieira Junior has been an integral member of a group of Brazilian writers who, in depicting racism and slavery through the viewpoint of racial minorities and enslaved peoples, remind us of Brazil’s painful colonial history while returning agency to those who suffered under its one-sided narration. In the wake of the Bolsonaro presidency, which sanctioned the intrusion on Indigenous territories and denied the prevalence of racism in the country, Viera Junior and his cohort’s mission has been particularly remarkable; by reimagining Brazil’s past, these writers are committing themselves to reimagining what Brazil can become.

Continue reading.

[gracehosborn]

A Short Biography of James Gilliland Because If I Don’t Talk About Him I May Go Insane

This man. This man is a SHINING example of why I want to create a companion anthology to The American Icarus full of interesting short stories or scenes I can’t include in the main narrative.

Let me explain—under the cut because this got LONG! No apologies whatsoever.

James Gilliland was married and had a number of children (exact number is unclear) prior to joining the war effort. [x] Evidently, he helped run a “a mercantile and mathematics school” (though… The Papers of George Washington editors don’t source this claim?). [x] Of joining the war effort, Gilliland later recalled that “upon the enemies Approach to N[ew] York I retreated from thence with my family & what part of my effects I could find time & opportunity of bringing off: enter’d the Service as [Lieutenant] in Col[onel] A[lexander] Hamilton’s Comp[an]y [of] Artillery.”

Indeed, on March 14. 1776, Gilliland was appointed 2nd Lieutenant of the New York Provincial Company of Artillery, headed by Alexander Hamilton. [x]

I would assume, due to having already started a family, that James Gilliland was slightly older than his ~19-year old captain, however I haven’t found definitive proof of his age as of writing this.

On August 12, 1776, Captain Hamilton wrote to the Convention of the Representatives of the State of New York that “there is at present a vacancy in my company, arising from the promotion of Lieutenant Johnson to a captaincy in one of the row-gallies, (which command, however, he has since resigned, for a very particular reason.).” Hamilton requested that 1st Sergeant Thomas Thompson be promoted to the vacant lieutenant spot, which would result in the “advance of Mr. Gilleland [sic] and Mr. Bean” in rank to fix the issue. Thus, on August 15, Thomas Thompson and James Gilliland were given promotions. [x]

Below are illustrated depictions of an officer in the general uniform of Hamilton’s company, and a sergeant in the company’s winter dress:

Source: Smith, Digby; Kiley, Kevin F. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms of The American War For Independence, 1775-1783 Lorenz Books, 2008, pg. 121.

James Gilliland was with the company through the summer and fall of 1776, participating in many of the company’s happenings (for a much more detailed discussion of the company’s actions, please see this timeline). On October 21, Hamilton recorded in his company pay book that Gilliland was paid “Cash.” No other entries were made on his page spread, which does raise some questions.

Around December 4, 1776, Gilliland, “from domestic inconveniences, and other motives, resigned his Commission to General Washington” as Hamilton later explained. [x] Gilliland was not done with military service, however. Soon after, Gilliland became the director of ordinance of Fort Montgomery just south of West Point. His name appears on a list of officers dated in 1777 for the fort. I have included the document below, due to its being found on Ancestry.com (which I equally love and despise) and with the knowledge that I only have access to Ancestry’s library through my university. Is this what I should be utilizing that resource for? Probably not, but here we are.

Source: U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783, New York: Willet's Regiment of Levies, 1781-1783, Folder 173, Subgroup: Various Organizations, Folder 181, pg. 619; Microfilm Publication M246, War Department Collection of Revolutionary War Records, Record Group 93, National Archives And Records Administration. Digitized by Ancestry, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/records?recordId=1728379&collectionId=4282&tid=&pid=&queryId=6cca2cdf-dbdb-4a3c-9de8-f61e4bdb211d&_phsrc=Jgh152&_phstart=successSource

On October 6, 1777, Fort Montgomery and the nearby Fort Clinton were taken by British forces, resulting in Gilliland becoming a prisoner of war. It’s unclear as to when he was exchanged, unfortunately. As well as the conditions he experienced while a prisoner.

Fortunately for James Gilliland however, on March 13, 1779, while encamped at Middlebrook, New Jersey, General George Washington wrote in his General Orders that he wished for Gilliland and eleven others to report to headquarters as the group’s members were to be nominated to the companies of sappers and miners.

Months later, Gilliland was promoted to the captain-lieutenancy of Captain Bebee’s company of sappers and miners by way of Washington’s General Orders of August 2. [x] Gilliland served in this position until June of 1781, when in the General Orders of June 19, he was promoted to captain of one of the companies of sappers and miners. [x]

Below is an illustrated depiction of a private in the Company of Sappers and Miners, dated 1781. Although Gilliland was commissioned as a captain, he would have worn a similar uniform.

Source: Smith, Digby; Kiley, Kevin F. An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Uniforms of The American War For Independence, 1775-1783 Lorenz Books, 2008, pg. 123.

Unfortunately for James Gilliland, he revealed to George Washington in a letter of September 3, 1781, that his family’s situation was of great distress in light of his position as captain:

I should feel my self altogether Happy & Contented but for that load of distress with which I foresee my Family consisting of a wife & Eight small Children must be overwhelm’d, from not a Partial but a total want of the great essentials of their Support, Provisions & Firewood, to purchase which hitherto they have been under the disagreeable Necessity of Selling their Furniture, not even Excluding their Bedding, and all their Resourses in that way being now Exhausted, must depend upon the Cold hand of Charity for a Support during my absence unless an order is given for letting them draw four or five Rations of Provisions from the Commissary & an addequate quantity of Fuel from the Qr Master Genl at Newburgh where they now reside the value of these articles to be Stopped out of my Pay hereafter.

It’s so heartbreaking to see that after so many years had past, his family had to sell their possessions just to stay afloat.

Gilliland requested a hearing to have Washington “take my Case into Consideration & Grant such relief as in your po[wer]” however, there is no explicit indication that this was done.

James Gilliland was active at the siege of Yorktown, and in a full circle moment, he served under Alexander Hamilton in his corps who stormed Redoubt 10 the night of October 14, 1781. Hamilton wrote about Gilliland’s actions in a letter to the Marquis de Lafayette on October 15, simply stating that “Capt Gilliland with the detachment of sappers and miners acquitted themselves in a manner that did them great honor.”

The Yorktown campaign had taken a toll on Gilliland’s health, for a later letter (of August 3, 1782) reveals that Washington allowed for the captain to stay with his family over the winter of 1781-2 to recover from an illness that had been brought on by “the Fatigue I underwent during the course of that Campaign.” [x]

Alarmingly, Gilliland’s relationship with the officers of his company was so poor that he sought to explain the situation in the same August 1782 letter. His officers had “avowedly entered into a malicious combination to make my life unhappy whilst among them,” Gilliland claimed, “and thereby renders it impracticable for me to perform my duty in the manner I could wish.” The captain concluded that their motivation for doing so was simply “envy for some testimonials of approbation of my conduct at York Town, with which I was Honor’d” as well as Washington allowing Gilliland to stay with his family over the ensuing winter to recover from the campaign. He also noted that in June of 1781, having “relapsed into my former Illness,” he had been granted permission to “retiring into the Country, conformable to the Doctor’s advice.”

By October, Gilliland’s poor situation with his officers had not seen any significant change. In a latter of October 9, 1782 to Washington, Gilliland remarked that it would be “utterly incompatible with my felicity to continue longer amongst a Sett [sic] of Officers, combined against me either thro’ envy or from an unjustifiable ardency for promotion” with whom he could not maintain “that harmony which ever ought to Subsist Amongst Officers.” Gilliland also acknowledged that he had yet to receive part of his pay dating back to 1780 and another sum since 1778. Though “small in itself” this money was then “Essentially Necessary to the Support of my family, to whom I return pennyless after upwards of Seven years faithful Service.” Ultimately, Gilliland asked to retire from the Army as a result of the building circumstances against him.

After the war, James Gilliland found work in New York City as a “gauger” by 1789 as can be seen in the New York City Directory, and lived “near the Exchange.” [x] It is evident that this position was appointed by a petition Gilliland wrote on May 31, 1789, wherein he simply asks to continue in the post on account of his family’s financial needs.

Unfortunately, as far as I can find, James Gilliland’s paper trail stops here. What is extant however is absolutely fascinating, so naturally I couldn’t help but come here and rant about him.

Note: The links provided for the letters Gilliland wrote to Washington, and Washington’s General Orders are “Early Access Links.” This means that the permanent links have yet to be made for these documents, as the teams behind Founders Online are still in the process of digitizing the remaining volumes of The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series to the database. Eventually the links will break; I might forget to update this post and as such I have provided exact dates.

[themattress]

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Continued from my last post.

This will be my final such post for the year, covering up to the end of Part 1: White Clouds.

- The same sad music from Chapter 10 is playing in Chapter 11's Explore map too, only the context has changed: before it reflected Byleth's grief over Jeralt's death, now it reflects their sadness over Sothis, their literal closest friend, being gone, leaving them behind with an uncertain destiny. Dorothea's remark during this time stands out the most to me: "It's like you're sort of floating above the clouds, separate from other people... And like you've got no interest at all in ever coming back down." Byleth is beginning to feel more god than human.

And to help the effect along, I went and dressed them up like this:

- On my Blue Lions file, I only recruited faculty members, adding no student from the other two classes to my ranks. On my Black Eagles file, I recruited all but Sylvain (who thus remains with Dimitri and Dedue) from the Blue Lions and all but Lorenz (who thus remains with Claude and Hilda) from the Golden Deer, and later on due to the choice I made lost Flayn, Seteth, Catherine and Cyril. Finally, on my Golden Deer file, I recruited everyone.

- This exchange is so fucking creepy when you know the full context:

- I love Felix's deadpan remark when the Flame Emperor comes in flanked by Adrestrians:

Like, you would think that would've been obvious!

- The story does a neat thing here. Up to this point, the Flame Emperor - now revealed to be Edelgard - certainly hasn't been on the up and up morally speaking, but she also has been mostly detached from the villainy you've faced, which has primarily driven by the Agarthans without her direct knowledge or input. And given that Rhea is trying to un-person Byleth as the culmination of lord knows how many years of unethical experimentation, the conflict is kind of slanted in Edelgard's favor. Until now, that is, where Edelgard goes full dastard and directly leads a tomb robbing operation, paired with a literal homicidal psychopath, and says that anyone who interferes is to be killed...even if it's her own Black Eagles class! While the emotional burden of being crowned Emperor by her ailing (possibly dead at this point) father and awareness of the bloodshed she is about to cause explains this, it is not an excuse, and it effectively puts both Rhea and Edelgard on the same level of personal reprehensibility.

- Btw, Metodey is voiced by Todd Haberkorn. You could not ask for better casting!

- I love that on the Blue Lions route if you have Dimitri fight the Flame Emperor, he's all serious and pissed off while the Flame Emperor acts dismissive, but on the Golden Deer route if you have Claude fight the Flame Emperor, he just badgers her with questions and she's so clearly annoyed by it. It's honestly a good display of both respective dynamics.

- The Flame Emperor being revealed as Edelgard is honestly the most impactful on the Blue Lions route. Despite being the first version written, on the Black Eagles route Edelgard is there from the start and then when the Adrestrians come in she just casually says "I'm the Flame Emperor". In the Golden Deer route, meanwhile, the switchover from Flame Emperor to Edelgard happens so fast after defeating her that it's almost hard to process and even feels somewhat comical. On the Blue Lions route, there's a fully animated cutscene where we see who's behind the mask, with Dimitri finally cracking since he's been desperately fighting this very suspicion for two whole months now, only for the nightmare to actually come true.

- With that said...sigh...now we come to the problem with Dimitri that I alluded to last time. There is a big difference between going mad and going evil, and the game's writers clearly didn't seem to understand that difference. Dimitri snapping doesn't feel like his trauma fully overcoming his psyche; it feels like a switch was flipped and suddenly he's discarded every aspect of his character but the vengeful aggression, but on top of that adding in sadism - the enjoyment of hurting and killing others (not just the target of his revenge) - and sneering contempt towards all good people who were formerly his cherished friends. He smiles in satisfaction after brutally killing Adrestrian soldiers. He uses the most violent, extreme language to convey what he wishes to do to Edelgard. He is dismissive toward Dedue and Byleth as people and only treats them like they're pawns on a chess board. He's a monster.

And this still would have worked if it was how he was in Part 2! That would have not only been more understandable since he would have been through way more trauma (including physically this time) and lived a much harsher life, but it also would have been more effective. You're gone for 5 years and you return to your good friend Dimitri having become this! But instead, he's already like that right here in Part 1, which gives the impression that I don't think the game was aiming for: that Felix was right, and Dimitri was always an evil monster just pretending to be human (a pretty elaborate act for no particular solid reason, in that case!) And this really harms Azure Moon given how much of it is about Dimitri and hinges upon you caring for him and wanting to see him get better. How am I supposed to even think he can get better when you've gone and made it seem like him having been "better" was all a ruse?

- Funnily enough, this writing mistake also causes a huge error in Chapter 12 on the Blue Lions route, where you are still able to give Dimitri gifts, invite him to Tea or a meal, instruct him in class and have him do weekly tasks with other students as normal, and the game still has him give all of his normal lines and reactions! He's suddenly a mentally stable, polite dork again, which accidentally makes it look even more like he's always been putting on a facade.

- On my Black Eagles route, I of course made the choice to protect Edelgard and stand against Rhea. As I've pointed out in the past, Byleth doesn't actually turn against Rhea and the Church of Seiros in this moment, they simply decide to defend their student against an objectively unjust demand for extrajudicial murder. It's Rhea's reaction, deeming Byleth "another failure" and trying to kill them, than puts them firmly on the side of the Empire. With that said, yeesh, this route was developed late in production and it shows, as both times Rhea transforms into the Immaculate One it's a sudden still-frame with dialogue over it, making it unclear what's even happening, and the following scene with all of the Black Eagles pledging allegiance to Edelgard just because Byleth does feels super rushed. While I like this route a lot, particularly for how Edelgard's character develops, it needed more time to cook.

- Speaking of Rhea, on the other routes she reveals to Byleth and Seteth the truth she's kept hidden: that Byleth is a vessel for Sothis' Crest Stone and that her aim was to have her mother reborn and absorb Byleth's personality so that it can only be Sothis, in a new body. All because Rhea can't feel she and Fodlan can be at true peace without the Goddess. It's why she doesn't fix many of Fodlan's problems - she feels that right is her mother's alone, and acting on the contrary would be admitting that her mother is gone. That's the tragedy, of course: her mother is still gone. The Sothis reincarnated in Byleth is a new being who, rather than absorb them, co-existed with them as a friend and learned humanity from them and their experiences. She had no interest in ruling over Fodlan as a Goddess and only wishes for Byleth to determine their own path. It's sad....although I admit I still laugh at this exchange:

- Hilda sums up what my position in real life would be:

(Though lol, "Edelgard's so scary!", and then later Hilda curb-stomped her in battle).

- The scene with Claude before the battle gets me choked up. I just love him so much.

- It all comes down to the climactic Battle of Garreg Mach. On the Blue Lions and Golden Deer route, I'm defending the monastery, while on the Black Eagles route, I'm part of the attacking forces. It's an exhilarating but tragic experience regardless of what your position is. Garreg Mach was your home for a year, and now, it burns. Things will never be the same.

- Rhea is amazing in the end cutscene that plays when you're on the defensive side, and there will be more interesting things to come from her at the conclusion of every route going forward...except for Azure Moon; there, this is actually the last that you'll ever see of her! Yes, really. Also, Thales (and the Agarthans in general, really) reaches the peak of his villainy in this cutscene, and on all the routes afterward will degrade into a massive disappointment.

That's it for this year! Part 2 (Crimson Flower, Azure Moon, Verdant Wind) comes next Fall!

[senjuushi]

Valentine's Day 2023 Lines — Antiques

Enfield

Friend Chocolate: Wow, this is friend chocolate, isn’t it? Thank you very much, Master! Yes! I’ll be waiting for the other one! 

Dear Chocolate: Eh!? You’re giving me Dear Chocolate, Master!? ...actually, I knew about it already, from yesterday. You made it by hand, special for me, didn’t you?

Snider

Friend Chocolate: You’ve got some guts to be giving chocolate to me. I’ll make an exception and accept it because it’s from you, but don’t count on me eating it. 

Dear Chocolate: Since you’re giving this to me, I see you’ve decided to be my Master and my Master alone. Heheh... both this chocolate and you now belong to me. 

George

Friend Chocolate: Oh! Thank you, Master.☆ I’m gonna go deliver Valentine’s gifts to the town, too! Ring, ring~♪

Dear Chocolate: Wow! Is this Valentine’s chocolate from Master!? I’m so happy! Now, lemme take a bit~ Mmh! Sweet!♥

Kentucky

Friend Chocolate: Ah, you’re givin’ me friend chocolate. Thanks a bunch! And no, I’m not... not stressin’ about it at all! Not a bit! I don’t care about Dear Chocolate at all!

Dear Chocolate: Master is giving Dear Chocolate to me...!? Thanks so much!! But, I wasn’t ready for this at all... nn! I’m gonna go stand under a waterfall for a bit now!*

*A stereotypical form of training done to increase mental fortitude.

Pennsylvania

Friend Chocolate: So you’re giving me chocolate too, Master? I’m getting a lot of it today... it’s Valentine’s Day? Ahh... so that’s it. 

Dear Chocolate: Thank you. I don’t know much about feelings of love, but for Master’s sake, from now on— huh? This isn’t the same thing? I see...

Charleville

Friend Chocolate: Oh, Master’s giving me friend chocolate? I have something prepared for you too! Let’s exchange them! Here you are.♪  Thank you.♪ 

Dear Chocolate: Thank you! I’m so happy... Um, I’m usually too shy to say it, but... I really love you too!

Chassepot

Friend Chocolate: Thank you for the chocolate, Master. I’m delighted! By the way, who will you be giving your Dear Chocolate to?

Dear Chocolate: You’ve given me something precious, Master. I’m so happy...! I have no words for these feelings, so may I embrace you? 

Tabatiere

Friend Chocolate: I’m glad that all of the cafe’s customers were pleased. Getting such a wonderful reward from Master-chan is the best! 

Dear Chocolate: Master-chan, you’re awfully kind to be giving chocolate to an old man like me. Next year, find someone you really like instead. 

Dreyse

Friend Chocolate: This chocolate is a symbol of friendship, isn’t it? I’m grateful to receive it, Master. In return, I’ll give you this wire puzzle. Please take some time to enjoy it. 

Dear Chocolate: I’m honored to receive this show of your affection. I want to meet your expectations, so... please... help me do that.

Jitte

Friend Chocolate: C’mere and look at this! It’s chocolate in a sake cup!* Gotcha! Ahaha...

Dear Chocolate: Thank you for the chocolate. You’re always giving me things, huh? To pay you back for this life, memories, and friends... I’ll do my very best! 

*This is a pun. “Sake cup” is pronounced the same as “chocolate” here; both are ちょこ.

Karl

Friend Chocolate: Last year, the castle received more chocolate than we could eat. This year, giving gifts to me was banned. Still, I’ll accept it from you. 

Dear Chocolate: I’ll accept the courage it took to give handmade chocolate to me. Which one... Oh, this tastes better than I’d expected. You put a lot of effort into these, didn’t you?

Lorenz

Friend Chocolate: Chocolate, hm... Actually, Austria ranked number one in handsome men, and the castle is already overflowing with chocolate...

Dear Chocolate: No matter how many gifts I’ve already received, yours feels special. In order to verify these feelings— should I study the philosophy of love? 

Cutlery

Friend Chocolate: Ah... friend chocolate...!? Because... we’re friends. Thank you... Maybe I should give some to Mikhael...

Dear Chocolate: Hey, warn me before you give me something like this! I was prepared not to get anything... Nnn... I’m happy... thank you. 

[fireemblems24]

Golden Wildfire Ch 7

More Golden Wildfire spoilers below the cut.

STORY

A Contest of Beasts - Holst vs Berglietz?

Alliance lords vote to counter invade - based.

I like that Lorenz asked about Ordelia's opinion before making his take known. Because it shows he's listening to the opinions of other people.

Man, Judith is so hot. I'm so mad you can't play as her.

ALL the lords voted and said "fuck the Empire." Approved.

Lorenz is so Lorenz. He's still seeing his father's actions as tainting the Gloucester name. Even Claude's burnt out lamo.

Ohhh, Shez gets a say. You know, after suffering though getting forced into "uwu eDeLgArD" in Houses, it's nice Hopes is giving you an honest say. And I say - "Fuck the Empire."

Leonie is out for blood. I love it.

Claude's like "this isn't about personal ambition, but Berglietz' land is 👀👌." Lamo.

I wonder if the Kingdom will take this "wellllll that land is . . . nice." Or if it'll be only about making sure the Empire doesn't do this again.

MAP/SIDE MISSIONS

"New Exam Seals Are Available" - LET'S FUCKING GO!

Arval asking me if I support revenge. Hell yes, let's go! I'm such a sucker for a revenge story.

Lysithea wants to go on a rampage and I support that.

I forgot that the Alliance is planning to invade the Empire and openly talking about grabbing land, lamo. #Deserved. Though it'll melt my Dimitri-loving, Faerghus-defending heart if they're the only crew in the game who doesn't do that.

Forever upset that Judith will likely remain forever unplayable. DLC not looking likely and with Engage around the corner, they'll leave Fodlan behind, so no playable Judith. It's a crime. Someone needs to get arrested.

It's funny how they've cannonized Holst and Berlitgz as the strongest fighters in their respective countries but you don't get to play as them in Houses, lamo.

Even Gatekeeper wants revenge against the Empire.

The first side-mission has us escorting a commoner to safety. But aren't we invading? So who's endangering the Empire commoners . . . Empire soldiers?? Doesn't make sense.

Bergliez is sooooo ugly. He's also stupid. Oh, the Alliance is invading? Naw, not worth worrying Edelgard over.

Caspar's kinda unlikeable in this game, ngl.

Oh, Shahid is going to ruin Claude's invasion. And he's causing chaos because Claude is gone, or he wouldn't be allowed to.

SHEZ & HOLST C SUPPORT

Finally get to know Hilda's mysterious brother better. Total missed opportunity to make him look anything other than exactly what you'd imagine big, strong army dude should look like. I mean, if Hilda can swing around an axe and Dimitri can lift a horse, Holst doesn't have to look realistic for his strength either. Oh well.

Holst always holds back when sparring. I wonder if that's how Balthus beat him in a tourney.

Kinda refreshing to see Holst isn't weird about what Hilda does with her body.

CLAUDE & HOLST C SUPPORT

Holst takes training very seriously.

I forgot Holst didn't have a crest.

This support is these two exchanging compliments, then being like, no, I'm not that great, say that again.

Holst is partly loyal to Claude because Hilda is.

HOLST & HILDA B SUPPORT

Holst "sensed" Hilda's presence, like a spider sense

So far this is more about training and encouraging Hilda to apply herself/live up to her potential and not creepy, which is refreshing

So what is Holst's excuse for not being there in Houses?

I like how Holst has a lot of reasons to be with the group in this support and not just a sis-con complex.

Gotta say Holst and Rodrigue >>>>>>x100000 compared to Monica. BE got robbed of getting an actual character.

HILDA & LORENZ B SUPPORT

This is their only support. Weird it's a B one.

There's like a rose painting in the background of this. Is that because of Lorenz? I'm guessing it's generic, but it's funny.

More about Lorenz's search for the perfect wife for the Gloucester house.

Lorenz is def fishing to see if Hilda's interested. Probably not a good match, lamo.

Hilda wants to travel. A woman after my own heart.

Lorenz is like, travel is too dangerous for you, you should settle down instead. I'd give him a big middle finger.

Lamo, he offers that she visit his lands. Sorta a "you tried at being smooth" award.

HOLST & BALTHUS B SUPPORT

Balthus is trying to sneak out, but Holst catches him. Appreciate that Holst threatens to write him up despite being friends.

It all comes to a crashing to a halt when he agrees to come along though. I think he used proper ways to leave though lol.

They're talking about Hilda, but Balthus has no Hilda support. Y

Balthus mimicking Hilda is funny.

Really seems like Seteth and Flayn 2.0 where a man can't understand why a woman doesn't want them hovering over them 24/7

SHEZ & MARIANNE B SUPPORT

Marianne doesn't eat meat. My precious girl.

They're grown more comfortable with each other. I'm happy their relationship is a friendship one. Marianne deserves all the friends.

Shez is encouraging her to socialize with other people.

Marianne brings up her curse, which makes her run from Shez too :(

HILDA & RAPHAEL B SUPPORT

Hilda is checking on Raphael and compares him to Holst.

Raphael looks up to Holst a lot, both his strength and how he looks out for family. I'm glad that part of Raphael didn't get dropped like it did for Alois.

Holst and Raphael are friends, but they don't have supports. Whyyyy.

They swapped sister stories. Kinda sweet. Glad it's not creepy lamo.

Raphael's sister played a reverse uno card and I love it, saying she'll have to make sure Raphael's future wife is good enough rather than the usual dad with gun standing by daughter blehness

LYSITHEA & IGNATZ C SUPPORT

Getting flashbacks, guys. Hopefully she's nicer to him this time around.

She's thanking him. She's being nice.

And then she's like "I thought knighthood would be too much for you" lamo.

Wait, wait, wait. Ignatz doesn't have a crest, right? And he's not a noble, right? But he's still getting forced into a role he doesn't want because his parents are pressuring him into it. I know this is going to sound crazy . . . but maybe, just maybe, Rhea has nothing to do with human failures. And the stuff that gets blamed on the "crest system" would happen even without crests. Shocking. I know. I know. Very original.

Lysithea finds Ignatz commendable for that decision. GUYS, does this mean she'd support the Crest System? I need to write a shit post about this.

Who would've guessed this support would get me so fired up? But I honestly never considered how Ignatz's parents punch so many holes in the nonsense people say in and outside of the game about Rhea. Their assholery towards their son is good for something now!

FINAL BATTLE + STORY

If it's at Gronder Field, does that mean Dimitri's there?

Poor Lorenz is scared :( He's really one of the breakouts of Hopes for me.

Does every single level have Jeralt and Byleth? It's getting super old really fast.

Glad Leonie and Shez are addressing the whole Jeralt thing.

I forget Claude is invading them, trying to take their lands, lamo. This makes Dimitri the only one who's never been an Imperialist

(but it's hard to blame Claude)

Always feels good to recruit Petra away from the Empire

Cool cut scene, rooting for Holst. It ended in a draw. Lame.

Two cut scenes. But this is another Byleth vs Shez one. Byleth is cheating with time warp.

Put Sothis next to Alois in characters the writers hate.

Lamo, Claude tried to invade and got his ass handed to him. At least Edelgard, in her route, conquers successfully. And this is why you Stan Dimitri.

Really? Really? Almyra attacks? Isn't that oddly convenient.

You know, this game is fun and all, but SB is basically just backtracking - the plot - and not Claude gets hit with this too. It's a bit dull.

That's Ok, as long as Dimitri and the Blue Lions get the good plot, I'm not as bothered by this silliness in others.

Arval protesting that their power wasn't not enough when like, it wasn't lamo.

Arval is cooler than Sothis. Or they just character assassinated Sothis to make Arval look better?

Was that the same cut scene as in SB and AG? Because I swear I've seen this conversation before. It's like 2 am and I haven't played in like a month so I'm not all clear right now lol.

Yeah, pretty sure this is the same that I've already seen.

Wow, my 3 favorites so far: Monica, Caspar, and Bergliez. /s

Bergliez has like a shockingly ugly face. At least he cares enough about the Empire to not chase after Claude because he's worried about burning the food. Asshole Caspar doesn't give a shit and is upset he can't keep murdering people. I swear, Caspar when he's with Edelgard turns into a HORRIBLE person.

Monica's like "it's shocking, but we actually respected an enemy!" And Hubert's upset about it. Like, wow. Being shocked her generals are respecting enemies isn't a good look.

Now this bitch is like, maybe we shouldn't conquer the Alliance and just beat up the Kingdom. Like, why? Because Bergliez decided he likes Holst and Claude? What sort of clowns are leading the Empire?

Hubert is like "right, though military means." Lamo, bitch still wants to conquer them.

Claude kicked Edelgard's ass too many times lamo.

XX

[lyon-amore]

With you until the end of the world Chapter 13

Chapter 12

*Angel POV*

I keep in mind that it's child's play to pretend I'm going to flirt with Andrew.

It's just that I'm not interested in him and I don't know how to play either. As a child I have never played something normal, I would stain the dolls they gave me with red paint and pretend to investigate who the murderer was.

It didn't make my mother very happy to clean it up afterwards, but my father would laugh when he saw me.

I wear clothes that I usually get when we are at home, more my style. I only brought two clothes for when I was with Jake and not on the street, I guess I wanted to impress him. Although it didn't last long when it was just the two of us...

Okay, I have to focus, I'm supposed to be talking to another man, I'm not supposed to say my boyfriend's name because that's so weird and suspicious.

   &lt;<Just try to stay focused and don't get mad, remember: Don't bring your feelings into the case, no matter how hard it is. Remember that advice.>>

This time I have come alone to the restaurant and at sunset. Perhaps if he sees a more romantic environment, I may be able to make him talk a little more until he is misled.

I’m waiting outside the restaurant, I have seen him through the window playing the piano. The melody was another of my favorites. Do he know my playlist? Listening to those melodies make me feel nostalgic for my home.

I close my eyes and as I listen to the next song, only Jake comes to mind this time. A melody with which I associated him. I smile leaving my mind in a trance. I just love listening to that melody.

It ends and I open my eyes. I wish it had never ended.

Andrew comes out of the restaurant and when he sees me, smile at me. I settle better on the bench and put a smile on my face. I have to be charming and irresistible.

    "My" he whistles as he sees me as he approaches ", you look different today."

    "Do you have a problem with my wardrobe?" I ask with a small laugh.

   "Usually I've always seen you wearing the boring black sweatshirt" I get up from the bench and he looks me up and down “. I like this one better.”

    &lt;<Ugh, could you stop drooling?>>

    "Mr. Lorenz, my eyes are on my face." I say playfully.

    "Sorry, you're hard not to admire" He takes my hand and kisses it “. But I'm starting to think that the real stalker here is you, Miss Becker.”

     More would this guy want me to stalker him like a crazy.

    "Maybe I'm interested." I smile at him and start walking, looking for him to follow me.

We walk keeping a little space between us, so I can observe him better. He's pretty cool, but he keeps one hand in his pocket. Maybe his phone is ready for anything.

    “How is your son?” He asks me kindly.

    “He is fine, a neighbor is taking care of him”

    "And meanwhile, you're flirting with a complete stranger, abandoning your son."

    "I'm a bad mother, arrest me." I challenge him with a laugh.

     He laughs too, bowing his head shyly.

Ok, I got him where I want him, now I have to try and get his phone number.

    "Andrew, I've been thinking" I look shyly, I hope this works “that since you were a piano teacher, I thought I could have your number in case I wanted you to teach Jack.”

     I see from his eyes how he gets nervous when I have named the classes. It's easy to hide it from the rest, but not from me.

    “Isn't it easier if you ask me for the number directly?” He approaches me, placing his hand on my waist. It turns my stomach when I hear him speak in a whisper. What if he gives it to me and stops doing these things? “And you give me yours.”

    "Hey, I'm just talking about business " I separate him with a little push, wanting to keep him at a distance now “, the one who is interested in the classes is me, I shouldn’t give you my number.”

    “True, but since I give you my number and we get along well, you could give it to me to meet.”

     Do he want my number? Ok, I'll give him my number.

We exchange phone numbers, only I give him my boss's. 

We continue with the walk. Now I need an excuse to leave.

    "Okay, thanks for the walk" I say stepping back a bit “, the truth is that I only came to comment on the classes-“

    "Angel, I know it seems like I'm just trying to get you into bed, but really, if you need help, whatever you need, call me" he take my hands carefully, looking into my eyes “. I can help you in whatever you need.”

     Steady hands. Confident look. He means it. I just don’t need help.

I nod with a smile.

I remove my hands slowly and walk away.

    “Thanks for offering to help” I say softly “, I’ll call you soon, Andrew.

     Or rather, never.

    “I’ll be waiting, Angel.”

     As soon as I turn my back, my smile is dedicated to my success.

I look at Andrew's phone number saved on my cell. He may be angry because I haven't told him anything, but we can confirm who he is.

I get home and see Jake on the computer with Jack, they seem animated talking. They're adorable.

    “Classes again?” I ask and see that they quickly close the window.

     I arch an eyebrow, looking at them curiously now.

    "Hey angel." He tries to be calm as always, but I can see right through him and then there's Jack and his mischievous smile that gives him away more than Jake "Anything new?"

    "Yeah, I've got something interesting" I take out my phone, showing him Andrew's name and number. Jake picks up the phone and glares at me “. Don't look at me like that, I had my reasons.”

    "Alright, let us hear those 'reasons'." he says with an annoyed tone.

     I sit at the table and place my hands in my lap, like a good girl.

    "Remember when I told you about the guy who gave Jack the doll back? Well, he's here and I've gotten his trust to give me his number so you can investigate his phone.”

    "Do you suspect him?" He asks me starting to work on the computer.

    "What were the chances that we would meet again?" I ask now.

    "In that I agree with you, it is not something very common that happens" He looks at me quickly before going back to the computer “. I will let you know when I am done to see if he followed you.” He hands me my phone and I take it.

     I kiss him on the cheek and smile.

    “I am still mad.” his tone is funny, as if he’s holding back his laughter.

    “But you’re glad I got it.”

    “Just stop taking any more risks, okay?”

    "Yes, dad." I smile mischievously, leaving the room.

     Now is the time for him to work on it.

*Jake POV*

As I try to hack into this Andrew guy's phone, I explain to Jack how it is done. It is better not to get distracted by the plans we were making earlier for the surprise.

When I managed to get into his cell phone, I see from his profile picture that it is the same guy who asked me for the charger. That is when I get tense. I have to find out if it is true that he's been following her.

    “I don't want that man with Mom.” Jack says angrily.

    "Me neither." although I do not think we are talking about the same thing.

    “Don't let him be my new dad, I want you to be my dad.”

    "That is why there is no problem, believe me." I ruffle his hair and he laughs.

     I continue to investigate. The emails are all spam, messages from friends and family and it is true, his mother is sick.

I even see a work chat. He is a pianist in a restaurant from what she came to read. Italian is not my first language. The photos he has are all normal, there are not any of Angel, which means he has not been following her.

He is totally normal.

I sigh calmly when I see that there is nothing in relation to her. I guess meeting here was a fluke.

I hear Jack's quiet breathing, he has fallen asleep.

Slowly I get up from the chair, taking the little one in my arms.

I take him to his room and lay him down in his sleeping bag. I smile and go looking for Angel in our room.

She Is wearing headphones, looking out the window.

I walk over to her and place my hand on her shoulder, getting her attention. She takes off her headphones and looks at me.

    "There is nothing strange on his cell phone" I answer, sitting next to her ", I think it was just a coincidence that he were here."

    “You're sure? Have you looked well?” She asks me nervous.

    "Yes, there is nothing that stands out about him being an agent" I caress her face with a smile “. You are safe.”

    “No, you are” always putting me first, when what is important to me is her “. So… is he just a guy interested in me?”

    “Which does not make me very happy anyway.”

     She lets out a laugh approaching my face.

We kiss slowly, in the complete silence of the room.

    "Don't worry, I'm not going to see him anymore" she whispers into my lips ", I just wanted to check if he was an agent or not."

    "You are doing the same thing you did when you got Richy's messages, you are handling it on your own."

     She looks away and I make her look at me, slowly.

Her eyes sparkle in the dim light from the street. Eyes that look at me worried.

    “You know me, I try to do it my way” she shrugged, without looking away this time “, and I thought that if I brought you into it too soon, we might be found out.”

    "With my skills, that will never happen, angel." I brush her hair back and she smiles at me "Are not I supposed to be better than the police?"

     She laughs and I kiss her.

She wraps her arms around me, pulling me closer to her.

We stay for a while kissing, until she separates from her.

    “Could you…” She begins to ask, almost out of breath “Could you take a look again? Just to make sure.”

    "If you tell me that, it is because of something that seemed suspicious to you."

    "He told me that he taught classes two years ago, but he got nervous" she answers quite seriously “. I don't know, maybe it's because I'm paranoid.”

    "I will look into it for you" I kiss her forehead before getting up “. Rest now, you've done well.”

    "I'll be waiting for you." she smiles, biting her lip.

     I try to control myself and leave the room. It drives me completely crazy for her.

I finish examining the cell phone for the second time, but I cannot find anything strange.

I go to the room to warn her and I find her asleep in the sleeping bag.

I chuckle and walk over, laptop in hand.

I climb into the sleeping bag and she automatically hugs me, as if she has noticed me.

    "I'm not going to bring you coffee…" she murmurs in her sleep.

     I have already noticed that it is when she is nervous or worried that she does it. I sigh carefully caressing her face.

Tomorrow I will have a good talk with her about not getting into trouble.

Chapter 14

[crescentmoonteas]

posting these here too because I wrote two fics for the 2022 winter FE Trans Hub gift exchange!!!

the first piece is et tu, amicus? which is post-Golden Wildfire banter between Khalid and Lorenz! you can read it on AO3 here!!

the second piece is like each other together, which is a cute piece about Bernadetta and Marianne trying to say "I love you" without using words (and instead using flowers, chickens, and small knitted horses) and can be read on AO3 here!!!!

[deerinspotlight]

"Since you destroyed the previous book I gave you despite me telling you not to get it wet," Lorenz reprimands, his affection thinly veiled behind his stern tone, "I had this one alchemically treated. You can store it underwater without damaging it." "I'll treasure it," Claude says, his eyes bright and curious as he flips through the pages before looking back up at him with a mischievous smile, "You should be careful, though. If you keep giving me such thoughtful gifts, I'm going to start thinking you've fallen in love with me." "Regrettably,” Lorenz allows, “you wouldn't be entirely mistaken."

Lorenz Love Exchange treat for chaoticloutral

[crater-lake]

77

2/20/24

What I care about most is communicating well, with myself and others, so I am bringing myself here despite feeling pathetic, despite not wanting to talk. Even writing about it is an admission of defeat because of the seeming lack of equality between me and Lorenz's reactions to how I did not show up this morning.

I woke up and realized it was already 9:30 so he had gotten on the train already and I feel bad. Inside of the bad is loneliness and frustration. I feel not lonely when I spend time with him and navigating the insecurity of having feelings for him makes me feel lonely. His lack of being upset in my not having shown up makes me feel lonelier.

I wanted to write down the exchange of messages we had but I can't seem to do it right now. I had just asked him if he was frustrated this morning with me, and he said only for a second. It seems to me the main point of concern is how I am feeling emotionally involved and am implicitly expecting a similar level of intensity back.

I am feeling sensitive because with Fernando, we got into the dynamic that made him resent me because I had more feelings for him, and that makes me feel insecure. I feel sad that I cannot see Lorenz for a week because I have been feeling lonelier than usual recently, which has to do with the way I use Grindr. Right now I have it deleted and I am going to keep it deleted for the day. I want to feel less 'desperate.' I want to ask: Is Lorenz a good distraction from loneliness for me? Towards the beginning of knowing him, he had announced to me that I was simply a good distraction for him. I wonder what the status of this observation is.

I deserve the space and freedom to explore desperation and vulnerability. I must ask myself what I am looking for from my relationship to Lorenz and what he is getting from it back and continue to manage my expectations reasonably. Also: communicate clearly in most instances. I have no doubt that I will write more about this in a few days but the fact I am feeling better speaks on transforming information.

Today I will fill my time more consciously than other days to feel a bit more real. I will fight the urge to masturbate for 3 hours. I will live on the moon with my held breath. I will be as good as anyone. This is coming from a place of love.

[lorenzgiftcombo]

DISCOVER THE BEST GIFT FOR RAKSHA BANDHAN WITH LORENZ FASHION

Celebrating Raksha Bandhan with Unique Gifts

Raksha Bandhan, the festival that celebrates the eternal bond between siblings, is just around the corner. The age-old tradition of tying the rakhi is accompanied by exchanging thoughtful gifts. Choosing the perfect gift, however, can be a daunting task. But what if we told you that Lorenz Fashion has made this process hassle-free for you?

Lorenz Fashion: Curating the Perfect Gift Combos

Gift-giving has never been easier with Lorenz Fashion’s curated gift combos. The brand offers a combination of wallets, watches, sunglasses, and belts. These gift combos are not just stylish but are practical too, ensuring they’ll be cherished for a long time.

Why Lorenz Fashion Combos Stand Out

Gifts symbolize love and care. When you choose a Lorenz Fashion combo, you’re gifting more than just accessories; you’re gifting quality and elegance. Whether it’s the sophistication of their wallets, the sleek design of their sunglasses, or the classic allure of their watches and belts, every piece is a testament to Lorenz Fashion’s commitment to excellence.

Top 3 Gift Combos for Raksha Bandhan

The Timeless Classic: A watch and wallet combo, perfect for siblings who love to keep things elegant yet practical.

The Fashion Forward: A combination of stylish sunglasses and a sleek belt, ideal for the sibling who’s always setting trends.

The Ultimate Combo: A mix of a watch, wallet, sunglasses, and belt — because why choose one when you can have it all?

Tailor Your Gift to Their Personal Style

Lorenz Fashion believes in catering to individual tastes. With a range of designs and combinations, you’re sure to find the perfect match for your sibling’s unique style. From classic leather wallets for the traditionalist to trendy sunglasses for the fashionista, there’s something for everyone.

The True Essence of Raksha Bandhan

While gifts are a significant part of Raksha Bandhan, the essence of this festival lies in the bond shared between siblings. It’s a bond of protection, love, and trust. By choosing Lorenz Fashion, you’re not just selecting a gift but a token of your love and appreciation.

Conclusion

This Raksha Bandhan, make your gift as special as the bond you share with your sibling. With Lorenz Fashion’s impeccable gift combos, you’re not just gifting an accessory but a lifetime of memories. So, why wait? Dive into the world of Lorenz Fashion and discover the best gift for Raksha Bandhan.

[abhi089729812]

DISCOVER THE BEST GIFT FOR RAKSHA BANDHAN WITH LORENZ FASHION

Celebrating Raksha Bandhan with Unique Gifts

Raksha Bandhan, the festival that celebrates the eternal bond between siblings, is just around the corner. The age-old tradition of tying the rakhi is accompanied by exchanging thoughtful gifts. Choosing the perfect gift, however, can be a daunting task. But what if we told you that Lorenz Fashion has made this process hassle-free for you?

Lorenz Fashion: Curating the Perfect Gift Combos

Gift-giving has never been easier with Lorenz Fashion's curated gift combos. The brand offers a combination of wallets, watches, sunglasses, and belts. These gift combos are not just stylish but are practical too, ensuring they'll be cherished for a long time.

Why Lorenz Fashion Combos Stand Out

Gifts symbolize love and care. When you choose a Lorenz Fashion combo, you're gifting more than just accessories; you're gifting quality and elegance. Whether it's the sophistication of their wallets, the sleek design of their sunglasses, or the classic allure of their watches and belts, every piece is a testament to Lorenz Fashion's commitment to excellence.

Top 3 Gift Combos for Raksha Bandhan

The Timeless Classic: A watch and wallet combo, perfect for siblings who love to keep things elegant yet practical.

The Fashion Forward: A combination of stylish sunglasses and a sleek belt, ideal for the sibling who's always setting trends.

The Ultimate Combo: A mix of a watch, wallet, sunglasses, and belt – because why choose one when you can have it all?

Tailor Your Gift to Their Personal Style

Lorenz Fashion believes in catering to individual tastes. With a range of designs and combinations, you're sure to find the perfect match for your sibling's unique style. From classic leather wallets for the traditionalist to trendy sunglasses for the fashionista, there's something for everyone.

The True Essence of Raksha Bandhan

While gifts are a significant part of Raksha Bandhan, the essence of this festival lies in the bond shared between siblings. It's a bond of protection, love, and trust. By choosing Lorenz Fashion, you're not just selecting a gift but a token of your love and appreciation.

Conclusion

This Raksha Bandhan, make your gift as special as the bond you share with your sibling. With Lorenz Fashion's impeccable gift combos, you're not just gifting an accessory but a lifetime of memories. So, why wait? Dive into the world of Lorenz Fashion and discover the best gift for Raksha Bandhan.

[homoepathic-pet-medicine]

Communication through Love: How Dogs and Humans Interact on an Emotional Level

In the realm of companionship, there exists a bond that transcends language barriers and cultural differences, a bond that thrives on a mutual understanding of emotions and needs. This unique connection is none other than the remarkable relationship between humans and dogs. United by an unspoken language of love, dogs and humans communicate on a profound emotional level that has fascinated researchers, pet enthusiasts, and psychologists alike. This article delves into the heartwarming world of communication through love, exploring how quotes about dogs love and humans establish an emotional connection that goes beyond words.

The Silent Language of Love

"Quotes about dogs' love" reverberate with sentiments that encapsulate the depth of the bond shared between dogs and humans. From revered figures to everyday individuals, expressions of love towards dogs have been captured eloquently through words. Helen Keller once beautifully remarked, "The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart." This sentiment resonates profoundly with the relationship between dogs and humans. The connection is not merely rooted in physical presence but thrives on emotional resonance, where actions and gestures speak louder than words.

To know more about : -

Unveiling the Canine Empathy

Dogs possess an extraordinary ability to empathize with human emotions. It is as if they possess an innate sixth sense that allows them to perceive the emotions of their human companions. Researchers have found evidence that dogs can read human facial expressions and body language, tuning into their emotional states. A study conducted at Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary found that dogs are capable of differentiating between happy and angry human facial expressions, showcasing their ability to grasp emotional nuances.

Famous ethologist Konrad Lorenz once said, "The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this Earth can ever be." Dogs not only recognize human emotions but also respond to them with astonishing sensitivity. Their comforting presence during times of sorrow and their jubilant reactions during moments of joy are testaments to the profound emotional connection they share with their human counterparts.

A Two-Way Street of Affection

The connection between dogs and humans is a two-way street. Just as dogs perceive and respond to human emotions, humans are equally attuned to their canine companions' feelings. American humorist Josh Billings captured this sentiment succinctly, stating, "A dog is the only thing on Earth that loves you more than he loves himself." Dogs possess an uncanny ability to sense human needs, offering solace, companionship, and an unwavering sense of devotion.

Numerous studies have underscored the physiological benefits of interacting with dogs. Petting a dog releases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and affection, in both the human and the dog. This shared release of oxytocin solidifies the emotional connection and reinforces the mutual love and care between the two species. As the famous saying goes, "A dog is the only thing that can mend a crack in your broken heart."

Beyond Words: Nonverbal Communication

Communication between dogs and humans transcends spoken language. It is an intricate dance of nonverbal cues that convey emotions, intentions, and desires. Dogs have an incredible capacity to understand and respond to these nonverbal signals, which allows for a seamless exchange of affection and understanding.

Renowned animal behaviorist Temple Grandin once noted, "Animals make us human." Dogs have an uncanny ability to bring out the best in humans, encouraging empathy, patience, and compassion. Their nonjudgmental nature and unconditional love create a safe space for humans to express their emotions without fear of criticism or rejection.

Strengthening the Bond

The bond between dogs and humans isn't solely based on affection; it also thrives on mutual trust and reliance. Dogs rely on humans for their care, feeding, and protection, while humans depend on dogs for companionship, emotional support, and even specific tasks such as therapy and service work. This mutual interdependence solidifies the emotional connection, creating a relationship built on trust and shared experiences.

In the words of author Dean Koontz, "Once you have had a wonderful dog, a life without one is a life diminished." The emotional connection between dogs and humans enriches both parties' lives, leading to a deeper appreciation for the wonders of companionship and love.

Conclusion

In a world often dominated by words, the profound relationship between dogs and humans serves as a testament to the power of nonverbal communication and emotional resonance. The bond shared between these two species goes beyond the spoken language, thriving on empathy, trust, and unwavering love. As individuals who have experienced the indescribable joy of a wagging tail or a gentle nuzzle, we understand that the connection between dogs and humans is a living example of how love can be communicated without uttering a single word. So, let us cherish and nurture this remarkable bond, celebrating the unspoken language of love that unites us with our beloved canine companions.

Read more : -

[loremmagazines]

Issue 1 - Bird and Byron

From their new home in Nashville, Bird and Byron bring along a unique blend of soul and rock music, creating a discography full of undeniably infectious songs. Making their debut as a group in 2020 with their first release, The Boy is a Storm, Bird and Byron tested their chemistry through shared influences of The Black Keys and blues music. With lead singer Blake Bergeres developing a unique vocal style and guitarists Nick Lorenz bringing in new and obscure music to the group, the duo has been able to dig into the stylings of soul, gospel, and emotional folk rock with their sound. In January, Bird and Byron released their first ep, How Love Grows, followed by a six-show tour along the southern U.S. I was able to catch up with them in Austin during their last show of the tour to discuss how the project came together.

_____________________________________________________________

“It’s not me writing all the vocal parts, we’re building these tracks together.”

In the back of a dimly lit Empire Garage & Control Room venue, Nick and Blake introduced us to the band members supporting them on stage as we make our way to a standing table. Blake, wearing a tucked-in RHCP shirt, explains to us the process behind making their EP.

Blake: How Love Grows is entirely written, produced, mixed, and mastered ourselves, except for the song Lessons Of Love, which was mastered by Brian Lucey from Magic Garden Master. In terms of differences between what we’ve done before was that it was a labor of love, because we had every connection to the creative process in each of these songs. We wanted to keep control of it because that’s where the fun is.

_____________________________________________________________

In anticipation of the debut of How Love Grows, Bird and Byron released five singles in what they called their "45" series, which was "an initial documentation of our first releases in our new home of Nashville.” Accompanied by a different colored sleeve of a 45’ record, each single contained a new stamp alongside the ones found on the previous covers. When asked if there was any significance behind the stamps on the singles, the eyes of both Blake and Nick lit up with surprise as they explained to us how the stamps came to be.

Blake: Nicks girlfriend does the art work, she’s incredible. We’d have these songs written and we’d go to her and she’d devise something that would embody the song and it’d be a stamp on the vinyl.

_____________________________________________________________

With the Pandemic in place during the start of the band's career, dreams of touring were put on hold for Bird and Byron as they turned their attention toward their music. Now, In support of The Criticals, Bird and Byron were able to go on their first-ever tour, playing shows in Mississippi, The Carolinas, and Texas. From videos shown in their stories, the reaction from the crowds was found to be exhilarating. The energy at the shows seemed to be in a continuous exchange between the band and the crowd. 

_____________________________________________________________

In asking how the band felt about the audience reception so far, I was surprised to hear that a majority of the concert goers didn’t know who Bird and Byron were.

Nick: We knows that there’s been a good amount of people that haven’t heard us that come to these shows, and I feel like we’ve been doing a good job showing them who we are and the music that we really want to inspire people with.

Blake: You’ll see tonight, we’ll get the crowd going and a lot of these people really won’t know who we are. I bet you like 80% of this crowd won’t know who we are, so when they get moving, you’ll see.

And that they did. With Nick wearing his pair of black sunglasses, and Blake wearing a white, Elvis inspired, t-shirt with the word “BIRD” sewn to the back (as seen on the back cover,) Bird and Byron got the crowd into a dancing frenzy.

_____________________________________________________________

“We’re just happy the music’s connecting. This is kinda like the reward for it”

As the tour comes to a close with their last show in Austin, Bird and Byron are hopeful for the future as they begin a new chapter in their careers. In discussing any plans for a future project, the group lets us know that an album may just be around the corner.

Nick: We both have day jobs, but every minute of every hour outside of it we dedicate to the music.

Bird: We’re in album mode right now, its been like 4-5 hours a day. Most of the songs are already written, and now it’s just like finishing them. They all feel really cool and they all feel like us. We’ll play one of the songs tonight, Its looking like it might be around summertime.

_____________________________________________________________

With anticipation for a future release growing as Bird and Byron hint at the possibility through their Instagram, this band is one to keep your ears out for. With a discography of infectious songs, a commanding presence on stage, and artistry that is both refined as it is their own, we’re both excited to hear more of what Bird and Byron have to offer.

[bloodngvts]

Lorenz Love Exchange 2023 Dear Creator Letter

Dear Creator,

Thank you so much for participating in this exchange with me! I’m looking forward to seeing what you create. I’m not super picky, and I can pretty much guarantee that I’ll love whatever you decide to do. These are nothing but a brief look at my interests for certain things like tropes and ships.

For prompts, I’ve been obsessed with political intrigue and general aristocratic behavior and settings lately. Any excuse to get Lorenz into fancy attire. I like tea parties and ballroom dancing. I would prefer to keep to the main setting, but if you have a unique idea for an AU I’m down with it! I would also like to put an emphasis on Lorenz’s magical and physical combat prowess.

Storywise, I adore plot and flowery prose; in fact, the longer and more detailed, the more I like it. I’m big on writing with a strong sense of setting too. I want to be immersed, feel what the characters are feeling and sense what they are sensing. Whether the characters are rooted or adrift, where they are matters to me, and I always crave those details as a reader. That said, I also love small, bite sized one-shots. Short, succinct, and sweet! Experimental writing or poetry is always welcome.

I’m down for any combo of ships and any work that features transgender, genderfluid, and non-binary headcanons. I would enjoy narratives that explore queerness and queer sexuality in general too. This can encompass so much besides a coming out narrative. Maybe they’re on a journey of self-discovery? Maybe they already know themselves very, very well. Maybe they’re coming to terms with their gender identity or suppressing it (Lorenz is a perfect character to use to toy with these ideas).

While I’m interested in a story that–as the exchange itself centers on–is about a romantic and/or sexual relationship between the characters in the pairing, I’ll be happy with a story anywhere on the spectrum that ranges from mild to explicit sexual activity. I do enjoy erotica as much as the next person, but I also appreciate writing without it. Pure fluff or romantic buildup that ends with a kiss works for me just as well. In fact, I enjoy it more, because sometimes the chase is better than the catch (if you know what I mean).

I like mutual pining or minor miscommunications, since those are really common tropes within lighter tropes. I would only like unrequited love if it’s someone who’s in love with Lorenz, not the other way around. Romantic or sexual tension is great! Friendship and loyalty are preferred themes as well.

I am good with light to heavy angst, the latter being of the death and major injury variety, as opposed to non-con. Fight scenes and body horror are good too. Hurt and comfort is a go-to, though if the piece features a woman or non-binary person, I would prefer them to not be the one being injured. I’ve listed my general DNW below. I think that’s about it but feel free to reach out to me if anything needs clarification or if you want to know something specific. You can reach me on here, Twitter, or AO3.

Do Not Wants

Pregnancy/Childbirth/Kids. I'd also rather not receive a work that has pregnancy/childbirth/kids as the central concept(s), unless used in a horror theme kind of way. There’s an exception when it deals with the complications of a trans individual dealing with pregnancy and possible fears or anxiety around it. In general though, I don’t like family-kid fics and that’s mainly what I’m concerned about. This includes mpreg or anything that involves A/B/O.

Infidelity. Any story in which a character is cheating or is being cheated on is not for me. A miscommunication that involves somebody mistaking an action for cheating is fine, as long as it is resolved at the end. If a triangle is resolved with polyamory, that works just as well.

A/B/O dynamics.

Non-con.

Amnesia. It’s a tired trope. Unless there’s something special or there’s a unique situation to how it’s used, I don’t want it.

Bodyswap.

Genderbending to make a pairing straight.

1st Person POV