#National Beer Day survey
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Discover the latest trends in craft beer with our National Beer Day survey! Find out which brews are topping the charts in California and across the nation. From the Cullen-Harrison Act’s impact to the booming craft beer market, this article has it all. Cheers to great beer!
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Oulu is five hours north from Helsinki by train and a good deal colder and darker each winter than the Finnish capital. From November to March its 220,000 residents are lucky to see daylight for a couple of hours a day and temperatures can reach the minus 30s. However, this is not the reason I sense a darkening of the Finnish dream that brought me here six years ago.
In 2018, moving to Finland seemed like a no-brainer. One year earlier I had met my Finnish partner while working away in Oulu. My adopted home of Italy, where I had lived for 10 years, had recently elected a coalition government with the far-right Matteo Salvini as interior minister, while my native UK had voted for Brexit. Given Finland’s status as a beacon of progressive values, I boarded a plane, leaving my lecturing job and friends behind.
Things have gone well. My partner and I both have stable teaching contracts, me at a university where my mostly Finnish colleagues are on the whole friendlier than the taciturn cliche that persists of Finns (and which stands in puzzling contradiction to their status as the world’s happiest people).
Notwithstanding this, I feel a sense of unease as Finland’s prime minister Petteri Orpo’s rightwing coalition government has set about slashing welfare and capping public sector pay. Even on two teachers’ salaries my partner and I have felt the sting of inflation as goods have increased by 20% in three years. With beer now costing €8 or more in a city centre pub, going out becomes an ever rarer expense.
Those worse off than us face food scarcity. A survey conducted by the National Institute for Health and Welfare found 25% of students struggling to afford food, while reductions in housing benefit mean tenants are being forced to move or absorb the shortfall in rent payments. There are concerns that many unemployed young people could become homeless.
Healthcare is faring little better. Finland’s two-tier system means that while civil servants and local government employees (including teachers) paradoxically enjoy private health cover, many other people face long waiting lists. Not having dental cover on my university’s plan, I called for a public dental appointment in April. I was put on callback and received a text message stating I’d be contacted when the waiting list reopened. Six months later, I am still waiting. A few years ago I could expect to wait two months at most.
The current government, formed by Orpo’s National Coalition party (NCP) last year in coalition with the far-right Finns party, the Swedish People’s party of Finland and the Christian Democrats, has been described as “the most rightwing” Finland has ever seen – a position it appears to relish.
Deputy prime minister and finance minister Riikka Purra – the Finns’ party leader – has been linked to racist and sometimes violent comments made online back in 2008. The party’s xenophobia is clearly influencing policymaking and affecting migrants. As a foreigner, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to feeling a certain chill as anti-immigrant rhetoric ramps up.
A survey by the organisation Specialists in Finland last year found that most highly qualified workers would consider leaving Finland if the government’s planned tightening of visa requirements went ahead (that proposal, which extended residence time required for Finnish citizenship from four to as many as eight years has now become law). Luckily, I am a permanent resident under the Brexit agreement.
With the coalition intent on ending Finland’s long history of welfarism in just one term, there is a risk (and hope among progressives) that it may go too far, inviting a backlash. We arguably saw signs of this in the European election in the summer, when Li Andersson won the highest number of votes for an EU election candidate in Finland. Andersson, who was education minister in Sanna Marin’s former centre-left coalition government (which lost to the NCP in April 2023), ran on a progressive red-green ticket of increased wealth equality and measures to tackle the climate crisis. She has also been critical of emergency laws blocking asylum seekers from crossing Finland’s eastern border, arguing that it contravenes human rights obligations.
Andersson’s party, the Left Alliance, chose a new leader this month, the charismatic feminist author Minja Koskela, who was elected to Helsinki’s council in 2021 after a period as secretary of the Feminist party, and as a member of parliament in 2023. Koskela argues: “People are widely frustrated with the government’s discriminatory policy and cuts to culture, social and health services, education and people’s livelihood. It is possible to turn this frustration into action.” (Full disclosure: I’m a member of the party and have helped coordinate its local approach to immigrants.)
It remains to be seen if she can build on Andersson’s EU success. Although the popular media-savvy figure appears to relish the challenge of turning the party into an election winner, Koskela faces a huge challenge. The party struggles to poll at more than 10% nationally, aside from a brief high of 11% in July. A place in government is nonetheless possible. But Marin’s Social Democratic party (SDP) of Finland (now led by Antti Lindtman), has topped the national opinion polls 12 out of 14 times since April 2023.
Meanwhile, the Finns party is polling at 16%, down from the 20.1% vote they gained in the election. These figures point to one thing: another possible SDP-led coalition government in the next parliament by the summer of 2027. This would probably include the Left Alliance and the Green League, among others. And such a coalition would aim to undo a lot of the damage done by the right.
But until then, there will be more damage to come. So while there is clearly hope for an end in sight to the country’s political darkness three years hence, this will bring little solace now to poor people, migrants, and the squeezed middle class as the long Finnish winter closes in.
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Holidays 10.13
Holidays
Agricultural Workers’ Day (Russia)
Artist’s Day (Ukraine)
Astronomy Day
Azerbaijani Railway Day
Blame Someone Else Day
Bonn Phchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day; Cambodia)
Chuuk (Teachers’ Appreciation Day; Micronesia)
Clean the Crumbs Out of the Broiler Oven Day
Cold Turkey Day
Cultural Workers’ Day (Belarus)
Dashain Festival (Nepal)
Dia del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Argentina)
Durga Puja (a.k.a. Dasain (Sikkim, India)
Dussehra (a.k.a. Durga Ashtami; Parts of India)
English Language Day (UK)
Festival of Unmediated Play
Fox Mulder Day (X-Files)
Geologic Map Day
Ghatasthapana (Nepal)
Global Fertilizer Day
Good Samaritan Day
The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)
International Cassette Store Day
International Civility for the Girl Child Day
International Day for Failure (a.k.a. National Failure Day)
International Day For Natural Disaster Reduction (UN)
international Day of Education in Prison
International EarthCache Day
International Plain Language Day
International Skeptics Day
International Suit Up Day
John Peel Day
Karva Chat (Himachal Pradesh, India) [Women’s Festival Only]
King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
Military Hydrographer Day (Russia)
Modern Mythology Day
National Chess Day
National Erection Day
National Guinea Pig Day (Peru)
National Headband Day
National Herpes Awareness Day (Australia)
National No Excuse Day
National ‘That’s What She Said’ Day
National Transfer Money to Your Son Day
Navy Establishment Day
No Bra Day
Oilfield Prayer Day (Oklahoma)
Paramedics’ Day (Poland)
Peach Day (French Republic)
Prince Louis Rwagasore Day (Burundi)
Railway Employees Day (Azerbaijan)
Rwagasore Day (Burundi)
Silly Sayings Day
Swiftie Day
Tacksägelsdagen (Thanksgiving; Sweden)
Templars Day
Train Your Brain Day
Treat Yo’ Self Day
Vietnamese Entrepreneur’s Day (Vietnam)
Wan Tamruat (a.k.a. National Police Day; Thailand)
White House Day
Witches’ Festival (Elder Scrolls)
World Bank Action Day
World Cage Free Day
World Thrombosis Day
World Zombie Day
Food & Drink Celebrations
National M&M Day
National Peanut Day
National Pumpkin Day
Yorkshire Pudding Day
Independence & Related Days
None Known
2nd Sunday in October
Bokbierdag (National Bock Beer Day; The Netherlands) [ website ] [2nd Sunday]
Clergy Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Pastor Appreciation Day or Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]
Drink Local Wine Week begins [2nd Sunday]
Father-Daughter Day [2nd Sunday]
Good Thief Sunday [2nd Sunday]
Grandmother's Day (Florida; Germany) [2nd Sunday]
Grandparents’ Day (Hong Kong) [2nd Sunday]
Pastor Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]
Sandwich Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]
Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]
Shojo Festival (Narumi Hachimangu, Nagoya, Japan) [2nd Sunday]
Sleepy Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]
Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]
Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]
Survey Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]
White Sunday (American & Western Samoa) [2nd Sunday]
World Day of Aunts & Uncles [2nd Sunday]
Weekly Holidays beginning October 13 (2nd Full Week of October)
Anti Poverty Week [Australia]
Drink Local Wine Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Earth Science Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Healthcare Security and Safety Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Improve Your Home Office Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Infection Control Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
International Credit Union Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Int’l Credit Union Day]
International Infection Prevention (or Protection) Week (thru 10.19)
Meditation Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
National Case Management Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
National Chestnut Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
National Food Bank Week (thru 10.19) [Week including 10.16]
National Lone Wolf Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
National School Lunch Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
National Veterinary Technician Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
Nuclear Science Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
Pet Peeve Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Teen Read Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Columbus Day]
YMCA With our Violence Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
Festivals Beginning October 13, 2024
The Chocolate Expo (Manchester, New Hampshire)
Doi Taikomatsuri (Japan) [thru 10.15]
Dunellen HarvestFest (Dunellen, New Jersey)
Troy Chowderfest (Troy, New York)
Feast Days
Aequinoctium Autumnale VI (Pagan)
Alan Turing Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)
Alexandrina of Balasar (Christian; Blessed)
Allan Ramsay (Artology)
Arna Bontemps (Writerism)
Arrabiata Sauce Day (Pastafarian)
Campanella (Positivist; Saint)
Colman (Christian; Saint)
Conrad Richter (Writerism)
Daniel and companions, of Ceuta (Christian; Saints)
Edward the Confessor (Translation of the Relics Day)
Fautus, Januarius, and Martialis (Christian; Martyrs)
Fontanalia (a.k.a. Fontus; Old Roman God of Wells & Springs)
Gerald of Aurillac (Christian; Saint)
Herblock (Artology)
Maddalena Panattieri (Dominican Order of Preachers; Christian; Blessed)
Mariotto Albertinelli (Artology)
Miracle of the Sun
Moley the Mole (Muppetism)
Our Lady of Fatima (Roman Catholic)
Seven Friar Minors (Christian; Martyrs in Morocco)
Terry Frost (Artology)
Theophilus of Antioch (Christian; Saint)
Very Saucey Day (Pastafarian)
Walasse Ting (Artology)
Lucky & Unlucky Days
Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]
Premieres
All About Eve (Film; 1950)
The Babysitter (Film; 2017)
Badlands (Film; 1973)
Batman: Death in the Family (WB Animated Film; 2020)
A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond (Children’s Book; 1958)
Bee at the Beach (Disney Cartoon; 1950)
Billy Elliot (Film; 2000)
The Bon Bon Parade (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1935)
Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke, by Daidōji Yūzan (History Book; 1943)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (Film; 1989)
Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race, by Queen (Songs; 1978)
Fly with von Drake (Disney Animated TV Special; 1963)
The Foreigner (Film; 2017)
The Fowl Ball (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)
Goodbye Christopher Robin (Film; 2017)
Harvey (Film; 1950)
Hell House, by Richard Matheson (Novel; 1971)
The House of Mirth (Film; 2000)
Jane the Virgin (TV Series; 2014)
The Last Witch Hunter (Film; 2015)
Linda McCartney’s Sixties: Portrait of an Era, by Linda McCartney (Book; 1992)
Look Who’s Talking (Film; 1989)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (Animated Film; 1993)
…Nothing Like the Sun, by Sting (Album; 1987)
Riley’s First Date? (Pixar Cartoon; 2015)
The Rum Diary (Film; 2011)
The Scarlet Letter (Film; 1995)
The Seventh Seal (Film; 1958)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), by Beyoncé (Song; 2008)
The Sultan’s Birthday (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1944)
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Concert Film; 2023)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, by Edward Albee (Play; 1962)
Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys (Novel; 1966)
Yankee Dood It (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)
, by Prince (Album; 1992)
Today’s Name Days
Eduard, Gerald (Austria)
Bogoljub, Eduard, Romul, Teofil (Croatia)
Renáta (Czech Republic)
Angelus (Denmark)
Ebba, Ebe, Epp (Estonia)
Taija, Taina, Tanja (Finland)
Géraud (France)
Andre, Eduard, Koloman (Germany)
Agathoniki, Chrysi, Florentia, Florentios, Karpos (Greece)
Ede, Kálmán (Hungary)
Benedetto, Edoardo (Italy)
Irma, Mirga (Latvia)
Eduardas, Edvardas, Mintaras, Nortautė, Venancijus (Lithuania)
Tarjei, Terje, Torgeir (Norway)
Daniel, Edward, Gerald, Geraldyna, Maurycy, Mikołaj, Siemisław, Teofil (Poland)
Agatodor, Agatonica, Andrei, Carp, Papil (Romania)
Koloman (Slovakia)
Eduardo, Fausto (Spain)
Berit, Birgit (Sweden)
Eddie, Eddy, Eduardo, Edward, Edwardine, Ned (USA)
Today is Also…
Day of Year: Day 287 of 2024; 79 days remaining in the year
ISO: Day 7 of Week 41 of 2024
Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 15 of 28]
Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 11 (Geng-Xu)
Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]
Hebrew: 11 Tishri 5785
Islamic: 9 Rabi II 1446
J Cal: 17 Orange; Threesday [17 of 30]
Julian: 30 September 2024
Moon: 80%: Waxing Gibbous
Positivist: 7 Descartes (11th Month) [St. Thomas Aquinas]
Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 7 of 15]
Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 22 of 90)
Week: 2nd Full Week of October
Zodiac: Libra (Day 21 of 30)
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SEOUL, South Korea — In fried-chicken-obsessed South Korea, restaurants serving the nation's favourite fast-food dish dot every street corner.
But Kang Ji-young's establishment brings something a little different to the table: a robot is cooking the chicken.
Eaten at everything from tiny family gatherings to a 10-million-viewer live-streamed "mukbang" -- eating broadcast -- by K-pop star Jungkook of BTS fame, fried chicken is deeply embedded in South Korean culture.
Paired with cold lager and known as "chimaek" -- a portmanteau of the Korean words for chicken and beer -- it is a staple of Seoul's famed baseball-watching experience.
The domestic market -- the world's third largest, after the United States and China -- is worth about seven trillion won ($5.3 billion).
However, labour shortages are starting to bite as South Korea faces a looming demographic disaster due to having the world's lowest birth rate.
Around 54 percent of business owners in the food service sector report problems finding employees, a government survey last year found, with long hours and stressful conditions the likely culprit, according to industry research.
Korean fried chicken is brined and double-fried, which gives it its signature crispy exterior, but the process -- more elaborate than what is typically used by US fast food chains -- creates additional labour and requires extended worker proximity to hot oil.
Enter Kang, a 38-year-old entrepreneur who saw an opportunity to improve the South Korean fried chicken business model and the dish itself.
"The market is huge," Kang told AFP at her Robert Chicken franchise.
Chicken and pork cutlets are the most popular delivery orders in South Korea, and the industry could clearly benefit from more automation "to effectively address labour costs and workforce shortages," she said.
Kang's robot, composed of a simple, flexible mechanical arm, is capable of frying 100 chickens in two hours -- a task that would require around five people and several deep fryers.
But not only does the robot make chicken more efficiently -- it makes it more delicious, says Kang.
"We can now say with confidence that our robot fries better than human beings do," she said.
Investing in 'foodtech'
Already a global cultural powerhouse and major semiconductor exporter, South Korea last year announced plans to plough millions of dollars into a "foodtech" fund to help startups working on high-tech food industry solutions.
Seoul says such innovations could become a "new growth engine," arguing there is huge potential if the country's prowess in advanced robotics and AI technology could be combined with the competitiveness of Korean food classics like kimchi.
South Korea's existing foodtech industry -- including everything from next-day grocery delivery app Market Kurly to AI smart kitchens to a "vegan egg" startup -- is already worth millions, said food science professor Lee Ki-won at Seoul National University.
Even South Korea's Samsung Electronics -- one of the world's biggest tech companies -- is trying to get in on the action, recently launching Samsung Food, an AI-personalised recipe and meal-planning platform, available in eight languages.
Lee predicted South Korea's other major conglomerates are likely to follow Samsung into foodtech.
"Delivering food using electric vehicles or having robots directly provide deliveries within apartment complexes, known as 'metamobility,' could become a part of our daily lives," he said.
"I am confident that within the next 10 years, the food tech industry will transform into the leading sector in South Korea."
'Initially struggled'
Entrepreneur Kang now has 15 robot-made chicken restaurants in South Korea and one branch in Singapore.
During AFP's visit to a Seoul branch, a robot meticulously handled the frying process -- from immersing chicken in oil, flipping it for even cooking, to retrieving it at the perfect level of crispiness, as the irresistible scent of crunchy chicken wafted through the shop.
Many customers remained oblivious to the hard-working robotic cook behind their meal.
Kim Moon-jung, a 54-year-old insurance worker, said she was not sure how a robot would make the chicken differently from a human "but one thing is certain -- it tastes delicious."
The robot can monitor oil temperature and oxidation levels in real time while it fries chicken, ensuring consistent taste and superior hygiene.
When Kang first started her business, she "initially struggled" to see why anyone would use robots rather than human chefs.
"But after developing these technologies, I've come to realise that from a customer's perspective, they're able to enjoy food that is not only cleaner but also tastier," she told AFP.
Her next venture is a tip-free bar in Koreatown in New York City, where the cocktails will feature Korea's soju rice wine and will be made by robots.
youtube
Entrepreneur aims to improve South Korea's dish using robot
11 September 2023
#South Korea#chimaek#fried chicken#beer#Korean fried chicken#Robert Chicken#Kang Ji-young#advanced robotics#AI technology#Samsung Food#Samsung Electronics#metamobility#Youtube#robot
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Holidays 10.13
Holidays
Agricultural Workers’ Day (Russia)
Artist’s Day (Ukraine)
Astronomy Day
Azerbaijani Railway Day
Blame Someone Else Day
Bonn Phchum Ben (Ancestors’ Day; Cambodia)
Chuuk (Teachers’ Appreciation Day; Micronesia)
Clean the Crumbs Out of the Broiler Oven Day
Cold Turkey Day
Cultural Workers’ Day (Belarus)
Dashain Festival (Nepal)
Dia del Respeto a la Diversidad Cultural (Argentina)
Durga Puja (a.k.a. Dasain (Sikkim, India)
Dussehra (a.k.a. Durga Ashtami; Parts of India)
English Language Day (UK)
Festival of Unmediated Play
Fox Mulder Day (X-Files)
Geologic Map Day
Ghatasthapana (Nepal)
Global Fertilizer Day
Good Samaritan Day
The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)
International Cassette Store Day
International Civility for the Girl Child Day
International Day for Failure (a.k.a. National Failure Day)
International Day For Natural Disaster Reduction (UN)
international Day of Education in Prison
International EarthCache Day
International Plain Language Day
International Skeptics Day
International Suit Up Day
John Peel Day
Karva Chat (Himachal Pradesh, India) [Women’s Festival Only]
King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great Memorial Day (Thailand)
Metastatic Breast Cancer Awareness Day
Military Hydrographer Day (Russia)
Modern Mythology Day
National Chess Day
National Erection Day
National Guinea Pig Day (Peru)
National Headband Day
National Herpes Awareness Day (Australia)
National No Excuse Day
National ‘That’s What She Said’ Day
National Transfer Money to Your Son Day
Navy Establishment Day
No Bra Day
Oilfield Prayer Day (Oklahoma)
Paramedics’ Day (Poland)
Peach Day (French Republic)
Prince Louis Rwagasore Day (Burundi)
Railway Employees Day (Azerbaijan)
Rwagasore Day (Burundi)
Silly Sayings Day
Swiftie Day
Tacksägelsdagen (Thanksgiving; Sweden)
Templars Day
Train Your Brain Day
Treat Yo’ Self Day
Vietnamese Entrepreneur’s Day (Vietnam)
Wan Tamruat (a.k.a. National Police Day; Thailand)
White House Day
Witches’ Festival (Elder Scrolls)
World Bank Action Day
World Cage Free Day
World Thrombosis Day
World Zombie Day
Food & Drink Celebrations
National M&M Day
National Peanut Day
National Pumpkin Day
Yorkshire Pudding Day
Independence & Related Days
None Known
2nd Sunday in October
Bokbierdag (National Bock Beer Day; The Netherlands) [ website ] [2nd Sunday]
Clergy Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Pastor Appreciation Day or Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]
Drink Local Wine Week begins [2nd Sunday]
Father-Daughter Day [2nd Sunday]
Good Thief Sunday [2nd Sunday]
Grandmother's Day (Florida; Germany) [2nd Sunday]
Grandparents’ Day (Hong Kong) [2nd Sunday]
Pastor Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Ministry Appreciation Day) [2nd Sunday]
Sandwich Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]
Seven For Sunday [Every Sunday]
Shojo Festival (Narumi Hachimangu, Nagoya, Japan) [2nd Sunday]
Sleepy Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]
Sundae Sunday [Every Sunday]
Sunday Funday [Every Sunday]
Survey Sunday [2nd Sunday of Each Month]
White Sunday (American & Western Samoa) [2nd Sunday]
World Day of Aunts & Uncles [2nd Sunday]
Weekly Holidays beginning October 13 (2nd Full Week of October)
Anti Poverty Week [Australia]
Drink Local Wine Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Earth Science Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Healthcare Security and Safety Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Improve Your Home Office Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Infection Control Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
International Credit Union Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Int’l Credit Union Day]
International Infection Prevention (or Protection) Week (thru 10.19)
Meditation Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
National Case Management Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
National Chestnut Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
National Food Bank Week (thru 10.19) [Week including 10.16]
National Lone Wolf Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
National School Lunch Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
National Veterinary Technician Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
Nuclear Science Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
Pet Peeve Week (thru 10.19) [2nd Full Week]
Teen Read Week (thru 10.19) [Week of Columbus Day]
YMCA With our Violence Week (thru 10.19) [3rd Week]
Festivals Beginning October 13, 2024
The Chocolate Expo (Manchester, New Hampshire)
Doi Taikomatsuri (Japan) [thru 10.15]
Dunellen HarvestFest (Dunellen, New Jersey)
Troy Chowderfest (Troy, New York)
Feast Days
Aequinoctium Autumnale VI (Pagan)
Alan Turing Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)
Alexandrina of Balasar (Christian; Blessed)
Allan Ramsay (Artology)
Arna Bontemps (Writerism)
Arrabiata Sauce Day (Pastafarian)
Campanella (Positivist; Saint)
Colman (Christian; Saint)
Conrad Richter (Writerism)
Daniel and companions, of Ceuta (Christian; Saints)
Edward the Confessor (Translation of the Relics Day)
Fautus, Januarius, and Martialis (Christian; Martyrs)
Fontanalia (a.k.a. Fontus; Old Roman God of Wells & Springs)
Gerald of Aurillac (Christian; Saint)
Herblock (Artology)
Maddalena Panattieri (Dominican Order of Preachers; Christian; Blessed)
Mariotto Albertinelli (Artology)
Miracle of the Sun
Moley the Mole (Muppetism)
Our Lady of Fatima (Roman Catholic)
Seven Friar Minors (Christian; Martyrs in Morocco)
Terry Frost (Artology)
Theophilus of Antioch (Christian; Saint)
Very Saucey Day (Pastafarian)
Walasse Ting (Artology)
Lucky & Unlucky Days
Sensho (先勝 Japan) [Good luck in the morning, bad luck in the afternoon.]
Premieres
All About Eve (Film; 1950)
The Babysitter (Film; 2017)
Badlands (Film; 1973)
Batman: Death in the Family (WB Animated Film; 2020)
A Bear Called Paddington, by Michael Bond (Children’s Book; 1958)
Bee at the Beach (Disney Cartoon; 1950)
Billy Elliot (Film; 2000)
The Bon Bon Parade (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1935)
Code of the Samurai: A Modern Translation of the Bushido Shoshinshu of Taira Shigesuke, by Daidōji Yūzan (History Book; 1943)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (Film; 1989)
Fat Bottomed Girls/Bicycle Race, by Queen (Songs; 1978)
Fly with von Drake (Disney Animated TV Special; 1963)
The Foreigner (Film; 2017)
The Fowl Ball (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1930)
Goodbye Christopher Robin (Film; 2017)
Harvey (Film; 1950)
Hell House, by Richard Matheson (Novel; 1971)
The House of Mirth (Film; 2000)
Jane the Virgin (TV Series; 2014)
The Last Witch Hunter (Film; 2015)
Linda McCartney’s Sixties: Portrait of an Era, by Linda McCartney (Book; 1992)
Look Who’s Talking (Film; 1989)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (Animated Film; 1993)
…Nothing Like the Sun, by Sting (Album; 1987)
Riley’s First Date? (Pixar Cartoon; 2015)
The Rum Diary (Film; 2011)
The Scarlet Letter (Film; 1995)
The Seventh Seal (Film; 1958)
Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It), by Beyoncé (Song; 2008)
The Sultan’s Birthday (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1944)
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Concert Film; 2023)
Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, by Edward Albee (Play; 1962)
Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys (Novel; 1966)
Yankee Dood It (WB MM Cartoon; 1956)
, by Prince (Album; 1992)
Today’s Name Days
Eduard, Gerald (Austria)
Bogoljub, Eduard, Romul, Teofil (Croatia)
Renáta (Czech Republic)
Angelus (Denmark)
Ebba, Ebe, Epp (Estonia)
Taija, Taina, Tanja (Finland)
Géraud (France)
Andre, Eduard, Koloman (Germany)
Agathoniki, Chrysi, Florentia, Florentios, Karpos (Greece)
Ede, Kálmán (Hungary)
Benedetto, Edoardo (Italy)
Irma, Mirga (Latvia)
Eduardas, Edvardas, Mintaras, Nortautė, Venancijus (Lithuania)
Tarjei, Terje, Torgeir (Norway)
Daniel, Edward, Gerald, Geraldyna, Maurycy, Mikołaj, Siemisław, Teofil (Poland)
Agatodor, Agatonica, Andrei, Carp, Papil (Romania)
Koloman (Slovakia)
Eduardo, Fausto (Spain)
Berit, Birgit (Sweden)
Eddie, Eddy, Eduardo, Edward, Edwardine, Ned (USA)
Today is Also…
Day of Year: Day 287 of 2024; 79 days remaining in the year
ISO: Day 7 of Week 41 of 2024
Celtic Tree Calendar: Gort (Ivy) [Day 15 of 28]
Chinese: Month 9 (Jia-Xu), Day 11 (Geng-Xu)
Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]
Hebrew: 11 Tishri 5785
Islamic: 9 Rabi II 1446
J Cal: 17 Orange; Threesday [17 of 30]
Julian: 30 September 2024
Moon: 80%: Waxing Gibbous
Positivist: 7 Descartes (11th Month) [St. Thomas Aquinas]
Runic Half Month: Gyfu (Gift) [Day 7 of 15]
Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 22 of 90)
Week: 2nd Full Week of October
Zodiac: Libra (Day 21 of 30)
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US markets retreat as Iran Israel tensions spike, oil jumps
US stocks ended lower on Thursday as investors eyed the escalating crisis in the Middle East, which propelled oil prices higher, together with a mixed batch of domestic data.
By the close in New York, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 0.4% at 42,011, while the broader S&P 500 fell 0.2% to 5,699, and the Nasdaq Composite slipped 0.04% to 17,918.
SPX500 H4
A survey showed strong service activity in the world's largest economy, but weekly jobless claims data rose marginally a day ahead of the key non-farm payrolls report for September.
The latest Institute for Supply Management survey showed service sector activity, which makes up the majority of the US economy, rise to 54.9 in September, compared with an estimate of 51.7.
However, the initial jobless claims increased by 6,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 225,000 for the week ended September 28, above forecasts for 220,000 claims.
The mixed data further dampened down hopes for a 50-basis point rate cut at the Federal Reserve's November meeting. Odds on a 25-basis point cut rose to 64.9%, up from 50.7%.
Rate-sensitive tech heavyweights were weaker, with Amazon.com down 1.5%, Apple losing 0.5%. Elsewhere Tesla shed 3.4%, adding to the previous session’s losses on disappointing third-quarter deliveries, after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the EV manufacturer was recalling 27,185 Cybertruck vehicles in the US as a delayed rear-view image reduces visibility behind the vehicle.
But AI chip darling Nvidia rose 3.3% as its CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC on Wednesday that demand was "insane" for its next-gen Blackwell AI chips.
USOIL H4
Oil stocks Chevron, up 0.20%, and Exxon Mobil, ahead 0.9%, edged higher after four sessions of gains, as crude prices jumped on supply concerns caused by the Israel, Lebanon, Iran situation. UK Brent crude was up 5.2% at 77.73 a barrel, while US WTI added 5.4% at 73.85 a barrel.
On the news front, Levi Strauss dropped 7.7% after the company said it was considering a sale of its underperforming Dockers brand and reported below forecast fourth-quarter revenue.
And Constellation Brands fell 4.7% after the beer maker only maintained its sales and profit forecasts for fiscal year 2025.
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UK General Elections 2024: Notable Electors and Their Potential Impact
In the UK general election, Keir Starmer of Labour, Rishi Sunak of the Conservative Party, Nigel Farage, and smaller parties might have an impact on the result.
It is anticipated that Thursday's general election would either end the 14-year Conservative Party rule or return the Labour Party to office, ushering in a significant political shift for the United Kingdom. The competition between many powerful and well-known public individuals to lead the nation into the future adds even more intrigue to it. A deeper look at the leading candidates and their interests in this crucial election is provided here.
Keir Starmer: The pragmatic leader of Labour
Keir Starmer, 61, a former director of public prosecutions and human rights attorney for Labour, is the person being positioned as the party's most likely nominee for prime minister. In April 2020, Starmer succeeded Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the Labour Party. She is regarded for having brought the party closer to the center and handled issues like anti-Semitism among its ranks.
Starmer was raised in a working-class home by communist parents who were both nurses and toolmakers. He was given the name Keir Hardie in honor of the Labour Party's founder. Consequently, even if Sir Keir Starmer doesn't often use the appellation, there will always be a certain something about him.
His supporters regard him as a pragmatic who can steer Britain through the turbulent post-decline waters and a safe set of hands. On the other hand, others contend that Starmer, a circumspect politician, represents a leader lacking a defined strategy. They make a concerted effort to discredit him by calling him a dull flip-flopper. All things considered, surveys indicate that Keir Starmer is a strong candidate to lead Labour to victory.
Conservative Leader in the Storm's Eye, Rishi Sunak:
The 44-year-old head of the Conservative Party, Rishi Sunak, wants to be elected prime minister by the people of Britain. This is his request. Liz Truss, whose economic policies had caused market volatility and ultimately led to her removal from government after just 49 days in office, had suffered the consequences of Sunak's ascent to power.
Sunak, the first Hindu and British Asian prime minister of the United Kingdom, was perceived as a former banker brought in to instill stability in a nation still in shock from the chaotic premierships of Boris Johnson and Ted Truss. While he has made progress in reducing inflation, he has had difficulty delivering on his other key pledges, which include cutting back on undocumented immigration and reducing health waiting lists.
A string of missteps, beginning with the unpopular announcement of the election date and criticism for Sunak's 15-minute attendance at one major event, have completely derailed his campaign. His approval ratings are among the lowest of any prime minister, in part because of this, and his re-election campaign is doubtful.
Nigel Farage: The Immense Stranger
Known for drinking beer and smoking a chain smoke, Nigel Farage is still one of the most controversial figures in British politics. Nigel Farage, who was dubbed "Mr. Brexit" by former US President Donald Trump, had a significant role in the 2016 Brexit referendum. However, the pursuit of a Westminster seat remains unfulfilled.
Leading the hard-right Reform UK party, Farage hopes to steal votes away from the Conservatives in key seats. But his controversial comments on foreign affairs and the racial issues involving the party cadre have plagued his campaign. Farage's electoral performance might be detrimental to the Conservative Party's prospects.
For more information>>
#UKElections2024#NotableElectors2024#ElectionImpact2024#UKVotes2024#KeyElectors2024#GeneralElections2024
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Two Roads Brewing's Stratford location revamps the space, to be more family inclusive, a golf simulator, a new food menu, and more!
Press Release
STRATFORD, Conn. ... IPA with a golf chaser? That’s now on the menu at Two Roads Brewing Co., thanks to a new wave of additions and enhancements made throughout the brewery’s campus – already a favorite of Connecticut locals and a destination for craft beer enthusiasts from near and far.
The can’t-miss new Two Roads Tee Box means no more waiting for the 19th hole to kick back. Located just alongside the brewery’s recently-opened Food Hall + Bar, this full-on golf simulator, with Augusta National among 300 iconic courses all over the world, can be reserved by the hour and booked for private events. With space for six golfers, rentable clubs and delivery of food, beer and cocktails from the Food Hall next door, there’s something for everyone, from beginner duffers to scratch handicappers.
Other recent additions to the campus include:
- A family-friendly lounge in the brewery’s main Tasting Room. With comfortable leather couches and three new hi-def TVs, the lounge offers a more relaxed space for guests to sit back and unwind with the whole family, right down to highchairs for the littlest ones.
- A new shuffleboard table. Also located in the Tasing Room, indoor shuffleboard means never having to wait for warm or dry days. Community tables have also been added throughout the space to give guests even more seating options for drinking, eating, hanging-out and board-gaming.
- For warmer months, a suite of five cabanas located outside in the Hop Yard is available first come first serve or to reserve for large gatherings in the summer months during festivals and events. Each cabana can fit up to ten guests, who can order from the Hop Yard’s new cocktail menu – including all-new slushie and froze inspired cocktails.
“In true road-less-traveled form, we’re always thinking about how our campus experience can go beyond what our fans might expect,” said Ben Paré, Director of Hospitality of Two Roads Brewing Co. “Our latest additions were inspired by all the places our fans enjoy Two Roads – from the golf course to the comforts of their own home or backyard – and give them tastes of those experiences right here at the brewery.”
In addition to the campus enhancements, Two Roads is also debuting a revamped menu at its Food Hall + Bar. The new menu includes tacos made with brisket, pork and chicken braised or marinated in Two Roads beer and beverages, artisanal flatbreads, smash burgers and an extended list of “shareable” items perfect for groups.
“We got a lot of great customer feedback over the past couple months,” added Paré. “We’ve worked hand-in-hand with our Director of Culinary, Tim Lonzak, to launch new items that we know our guests will be excited to try, share and enjoy.”
Two Roads Tee Box will be open from Wednesday – Sunday between 12pm and 8pm available to rent for $60 per hour or $100 for two hours. To book a tee time or learn more about Two Roads’ campus, visit www.tworoadsbrewing.com.
About Two Roads Brewing Co.
Two Roads Brewing Co., launched in 2012, is a privately owned craft beverage company offering a wide-ranging portfolio of beers, canned cocktails, hard seltzers, distilled spirits, and other Road Less Traveled beverages. Located in Stratford Connecticut, Two Roads is ranked 54th among 9,500+ independently owned breweries in the US according to the Brewer’s Association’s 2021 survey. For more information visit www.tworoadsbrewing.com.
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At Katun, Durmitor National Park
Friday 13th October 2023
From my bed I can see the outdoor temperature monitor at first light, this morning at 2C, and watch as it creeps up at first, then as the sun rises the climb gains more momentum. Within ten minutes of watching it it had risen to double figures. Time to get up, and besides there was something of a kerfuffle outside, and was I still dreaming, or could I hear Spanish being spoken..
There was a Spanish TV crew filming for a travel programme. I spoke to one guy, but then was shushed, as they were actually filming. This item was about horse riding, in these foothills of the Durmitor, and they were away later in the morning to a vineyard. Actually while having that beer in the bar last night I had watched a promotional presentation on the TV about Montenegrin wine. It seems it’s very good.
Horses and cows roam around the place, but this cow coming over for a sniff, gave Roja a bit of a wobble.. they’re rarely good friends, cows and dogs..
The left hip I damaged a few days ago has recovered well enough to hike, and with the advice of one of the local guys tending the horses here, mid-morning Roja and I headed off into the hills, he had said, just go anywhere.. which was fine, as I just wanted to know I wasn’t on private land, but within just a hundred metres, it is National Park.
I surveyed a circuitous route, but soon became lost, as usual.. Nonetheless, my decision to gain height worked well, not only because it provided exceptional views of the peaks, but also because I could spy an onward course. It was tough at times, just on animal trods, but a good test for the recovering hip, which coped okay, though slow. We eventually, chiefly due to Roja’s nose, found our way around what turned out to be an 8 kilometre route, that took in one peak, at just over 1760 metres. It was thoroughly enjoyable.
I spent a few hours in the afternoon with Wordpress as I’m planning to move the blog over to something more of a website. It’s a few days away yet, and fortunately when I get the basics done, I have the help of a professional. Of course I’ll keep the reader informed, but it’s a few days away yet.
From when the sun gets low, about 5 pm, the temperature drops from the high of 28C, but not as quick as it rises in the mornings. 6:20 pm, and it’s just gone below 10C.
I’ll head up to the bar for a beer a bit later, and try the food out as well. It’s the first match of the new Premiership Rugby season tonight, delayed due to the World Cup of course, but the Friday night games are nearly always good fun, and close. It’s Bristol versus Leicester tonight.
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Sunday September 17, 2023
After another comfortable night in our little Inverness cottage, we packed up, converted our roller bags to their backpack configuration, and strapped our day packs on the front. Jeff rolled our smaller bag along with him. Weather-dot-com said it was is the thirties, so we set our with gloves and hats and our Gore-Tex jackets! We walked the 1.2 miles up to the Kingsmill Hotel, the site where we were to meet our Backroads group at 10am.
We arrived first, and it was fun to meet the first two couples that arrived - all from Wisconsin! They are veterans of many Backroads trips - this is our first experience with the company. Then a couple from Chicago arrived, then a newlywed couple (married Thursday in Inverness) arrived, then a mother/daughter/friend of mom … then two more couples that we’ve not yet interacted with much. Then we met our guides, Jenn and Keith, and our support person, Jules. More on all that later!
They piled all of our luggage into a large van, and we climbed into the three vans for a 90 minute drive to Torridon on the west coast of Scotland. The first 30 minutes of the drive I saw sights from yesterday, then we were climbing into the hills. We went past many lakes (lochs) and small villages. The terrain switched back and forth from forested areas to Heather-covered hills. After about an hour, we entered a National park area and a small one lane road with occasional turn outs for oncoming traffic. A slow way to travel - patience required. There were parking lots at trailheads full of cars and lots of RVs from all over Europe.
Eventually we got to the tiny town of Torridon where they’d arranged to have Liz from the Wee Whistle Stop Cafe shut down her cafe for the day and prepared lunch for us! It was a fantastic array of smoked salmon, salads and homemade bread. She’s also going to make our lunches the next two days - lucky us!
Keith gave a talk on how things will work overall and how we can us the Backroads app to be more self sufficient! He also was clear that their job is to make magic happen for us … and that we shouldn’t stew about something all week then hit them on the survey at the end of the trip! Jenn talked about safety, and our route for today’s hike.
Back in the vans for about a 10 minute drive to Loch Damh to start the hike - 4 miles along Loch Damh, the River Bagly, and along Loch Torridon until we get to our hotel. Not sure how they get the other vans back to the hotel, but I guess that’s how Jules works his magic!
It had rained a bit on the drive over, but the rain held off for the two hours that we hiked. It stayed cool, and I hiked with two layers and my rain jacket and was surprised I didn’t overheat! We walked through mud, puddles and rocks initially, but that last three miles was on nice wide trail - easy to walk and talk at the same time!
We enjoyed the hike, and what fun to arrive at the hotel and find Jules had coolers of drinks and snacks set out for us. I had a canned Gin and Tonic and some snacks; Jeff had a beer that was not the best, he said. Then we checked into The Torridon - a former hunting lodge turned luxury hotel. It’s quaint and rustic in the common rooms on the ground floor (with a whisky room and a library), but our suite is luxurious! Comfortable chairs overlooking the cow and the loch, a fantastic modern bathroom and massive comfortable bed. Two nights here - lucky us!
We showered and relaxed, then headed down to meet the group for a glass of wine in the library, along with another ice breaker. We headed to a group dinner after that, four amazing courses that were artistic in presentation. The wait staff gave us great detail on each portion, and between the six at our table we were somewhat successful at discerning what we were eating. Perfect portion sizes too!
After dinner, most of us retreated to the bar for some whisky. I sampled a more smoky variety this time - ok, but think I’ll stick to straight single malt going forward!
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You Take My Heart Away [Kelley O’Hara x Reader]
requested by anon: Kelley O’Hara x reader where reader gets into a fist fight but she’s like I won’t throw the first punch bc I’ll finish it and like she gets teased by the team but Kelley is mad at reader for it bc R could’ve gotten hurt but it was still cool
requested by anon: Can we get another Kelley O’Hara x reader doesn’t have to be anything specific just maybe along the lines of them both being crazy and maybe oblivious
A/N: i decided to combine these two prompts! hope y’all enjoy it. also bonus points to anybody who gets the title reference (there’s a lil connection to a reference within the story)
warnings: homophobic and sexist language, violence, and swearing
Conversation was flowing and music was playing in the background of the bar, as the USWNT finished up their first round of drinks and appetizers. The team had pushed together a couple of tables, where you all were now sitting, laughing at each other’s jokes.
The air was light, victory and celebration filling the atmosphere. Megan and Ashlyn had been the ones to suggest a night out after your win against Japan, not only to celebrate the 2-0 victory but also to celebrate Lindsey’s birthday that was in the next couple of days.
You were currently sitting next to your best friend, Kelley O’Hara, bridging the gap between the veterans and the youngsters.
“Anybody want another drink?” Alex asks, pushing her chair back, as she moves to get up.
A chorus of yeses ring out, the team’s orders ringing out.
“I’ll help you with that, Al.” You stand up from your seat, giving the other woman a warm smile.
Once the two of you had left for the bar, the rest of the team began interrogating Kelley, who let her eyes follow you as you moved through the crowd.
“Kel,” Ash calls out over the noise of the music. “When are you gonna admit to (Y/N) that you’re hopelessly in love with her?”
“What?” Kelley sputters, flustered.
Megan rolls her eyes at the defender. “It’s so obvious that you’ve had a crush on her for the past like six years, and a blind person can see that she likes you too.”
“I- I’m not in love with (Y/N).” Kelley’s face flushes, as she rubs the back of her neck nervously. “She’s my best friend.”
“Kelley,” Christen softly chimes in,, hoping to talk some sense in her friend she’s known since college. “You guys obviously have feelings for each other that go beyond friendship, and you’ve been dancing around them for years. We just want you two to be happy.”
Many of the women nod and voice their agreement.
“But what if it ruins our friendship and I lose her forever?” The freckled defender bites her lip nervously.
“That’s not gonna happen.” Christen gives her a knowing look. “Even if she didn’t reciprocate those feelings, she’s not gonna cut you out of her life.”
“And Kel,” Tobin adds on. “You never know until you ask her. And who knows? The risk of putting your heart out there may be worth it. But you’re just gonna live in the dark haunted by the unknown and what ifs unless you tell her how you feel.”
“I hate that you’re philosophical insights are usually right,” Kelley huffs.
Meanwhile, as the team holds their intervention for your best friend, you and Alex were at the bar ordering another round of drinks.
As you were waiting for the bartender, you and Alex were engaged in your own conversation, when you hear a boisterous voice interrupt you.
“Hey! It’s Alex Morgan!” A large man approaches the two of you, holding a half-full cup of beer in his hand, and you have a feeling he’s downed a couple pints already.
You sense Alex tense up next to you, as she gives the stranger a tight smile. “Hello.”
“Oh, and who’s this?” He turns to you, a leering grin on his face, making your insides turn. You reach for Alex’s hand in search of comfort but also as a protective gesture.
“Is she your girlfriend?” The man looks back at the star forward. “I hear your entire team is full of d*kes, but I didn’t think you were one. You’re way too hot to be a d*ke.”
Alex’s grip on your hand tightens, as anger radiates off of her. “I’m actually happily married.” She raises her left hand to show off her ring.
“Woah.” The stranger lets out a low whistle, his eyes slowly widening before he squinting to get a better look, as his movements impaired by the alcohol. “That is quite the rock. How’d you afford that with your pay? I’ve heard all about your team’s fight for equal pay and all that. I personally think it’s a load of crap. You guys aren’t even that good at soccer, and it’s so boring. The only thing that makes your games interesting is your smoking hot bodies.”
You scrunch your nose in disgust at this man’s blatant misogyny. “I’m surprised you know about our equal pay fight. I’d think it’d be too complicated for your thick skull,” you quip, throwing the insult right in his face.
“Ooooo feisty, are we?” He raises his eyebrows at you. “And where do you get off calling me dumb?”
“I’m just calling them as I see them,” you simply state, letting go of Alex’s hand, as you move to stand in front of her protectively. “Where do you get off disrespecting women and being a bigot?”
“(Y/N/N), it’s not worth it,” Alex whispers in your ear.
“I’d listen to your friend,” the man sneers and stands up straighter, slightly sobering up. “Because I’m not afraid to hit a girl, especially a mouthy one like you. Women like you deserve to be put in your place.”
“Go on then,” you challenge, probably a stupid decision on your part, but the adrenaline is rushing and you are at your wits end with this man in front of you. “I dare you.”
You thank all the gods in the universe that the stupid stranger was actually stupid enough to try and throw a punch with his blood-alcohol level because you can see his punch coming from a mile away.
Before his fist can make contact with your face, you grab his hand and twist his arm, leaning in closely to his face. “Is that all you got? My mom hits better than you.” You smirk.
“Let go of me, you bitch,” he growls, snatching his arm out of your grasp.
“Wait, I have one more thing,” you call out.
“What the hell are you talk-”
Before he can finish, you cut him off, rather your fist cuts him off. The man in front of you had been testing your patience and had used up all your grace, which, in your opinion, warranted a punch in the face.
You can’t help but wince at the sharp pain shooting through your hand upon the contact, but the cracking sound of his nose eases some of your discomfort.
By now, the rest of the team had become worried by your prolonged absence and then had noticed the commotion this stranger was stirring. Hearing the raised voices coming from your direction, many of the veterans, including Kelley, Christen, Tobin, Ash, Ali, and Megan, made their way over to where Alex was currently holding you back from unleashing your anger on this drunk man.
“What is going on here?” Becky asks, surveying the situation in front of her.
“This asshole was insulting Al and then had the audacity to continue being a sexist pig,” you spit out, directing your words at the man, who was still holding his bloody nose, while Alex was doing her best to keep you under wraps.
“I think it’s time for you to go,” Ashlyn states firmly.
As the goalie, along with Becky, Megan, and Ali, coax the stranger into leaving you alone, and hopefully leaving the club, Alex, Christen, Tobin, and Kelley try and calm you down.
“(Y/N/N),” Christen soothes, cupping your face. “I need you to calm down. Take a deep breath.” The curly-haired forward inhales and exhales, motioning for you to mimic her actions.
You take a deep breath, and upon exhaling, you feel the tension, along with the adrenaline, leave your body.
“Shit,” you sigh. “My hand.”
You lift your right hand, revealing your split knuckles on which bruises were starting to form.
“Come on, Sylvester.” Tobin claps your shoulder, letting out an amused chuckle. “Let’s get you back to the hotel, and on the way, you can tell us all about your heroics.”
You amusedly roll your eyes and lean into the other woman’s side.
As the team gathers their things, ready to call it a night after the turn of events, Megan approaches you, holding out a bag of ice.
“Here, (Y/N), the bartender gave me this for your hand.”
“Thanks, P.” You place the cool ice on your knuckles, hissing at the temperature shock.
On the way back to the hotel, many of your teammates were interrogating you about what had happened back at the bar. After telling the entire story, you received many hoots and hollers from the rest of the team.
“Damn (Y/N)!” Ash whistles. “Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
“Way to protect our honor,” Rose gushes, as many of the women nod along.
“Thank you, (Y/N), for defending me,” Alex says sincerely.
“Of course, Al. Anytime.” You give the forward a warm smile.
“Who knew (Y/N) could be such a badass?!” Emily exclaims with an impressed look on her face. “Kel, did you know that your best friend was a secret badass?”
While the rest of the girls had been teasing you about your heroic actions, your best friend had been oddly quiet.
“News to me.” Kelley answers shortly, her face hard and distant. You furrow your eyebrows in confusion, wondering if the defender was mad at you. You thought she would’ve been proud of you for standing up for the team and putting a sexist douchebag in his place.
Before going back to entertaining your teammates’s jokes and questions, you make a mental note to talk to her once you get back to the hotel, silently thanking Vlatko for rooming the two of you together this camp.
You would never in a million years admit it, but you were harboring a huge crush for your best friend, had been for the past six years, ever since you’d joined the national team. Not only did you not want to ruin your friendship and end up losing Kelley, but you knew she would never return your feelings.
Over the past several years that you’d been friends with the defender, you’d seen Kelley go in and out of relationships, and comparing yourself to her other girlfriend’s, you had a feeling you weren’t her type.
You also had reservations due to the fact that Kelley was your teammate, and you didn’t want to change the team dynamic, especially if the two of you didn’t work out.
Thoughts of Kelley clouded your mind all the way back to the hotel, only further exacerbated by her deafening silence.
Upon arriving to the hotel lobby, before you all disperse to your rooms, Alex gives you another hug and thanks you again, and Becky, ever the mother of the group, gives you a warning.
“Make sure to ice on and off. 20 minutes. You know the drill, (Y/L/N). Kelley, make sure she takes care of that hand.”
“Don’t worry about me, Becks. I got it,” you reassure the veteran defender, giving her a mock salute.
Following Kelley, you cautiously enter the hotel room. You nervously watch the other women move around the room, as she silently goes about her usual nighttime routine. Taking the hint that she wasn’t going to talk to you anytime soon, you go about your own routine and get ready for bed.
After about twenty minutes later, after both of you had showered, you were finishing wrapping your hand and were about to get into bed, when you noticed Kelley discretely staring at your bandaged hand.
Unable to tolerate the silence anymore, you break the tension. “Okay, what is up with you?”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“Kel,” you sigh, plopping down on the side of her bed. “You’ve been giving me the cold shoulder ever since what happened at the bar. Are you mad at me?”
“Nope. Not mad,” Kelley hums slightly passive aggressively, still not looking up from her book.
You roll your eyes, frustrated by your best friend’s childish behavior. “Kelley, I know when you’re lying, and I know that you’re mad at me right now, so would you please just look at me?!”
Sensing the exasperation and frustration in your voice, Kelley closes and sets down her book. “Fine, you’re right. I am mad at you.”
You thought you’d feel relieved, hearing her confirm your suspicions, but instead, the pressure in your chest increases.
“Why? What did I do?” You practically beg, scooting up the bed, so you’re closer to the other woman.
“As if you don’t know,” she scoffs.
Confused, you tilt your head. “I clearly don’t. Kel, please talk to me, tell me what I did.”
“You literally punched a dude in the face!”
“Yeah, but he deserved it, Kel! You heard the things he was saying,” you defend. “I couldn’t just let him get away with talking about our team like that. I thought you’d be proud of me for standing up to a sexist asshole like him.”
“I am proud, sort of. I mean that was completely badass and totally warranted, not that I necessarily expected that from you, and I’m glad you put him in his place,” Kelley babbles. “But that’s not the point, (Y/N/N). You were reckless tonight. You could’ve gotten hurt!”
Your face softens at her outburst. Taking a deep breath, Kelley confesses, “I love you, (Y/N). I’m in love with you, and I just can’t stand the idea of you getting hurt, especially by some drunk idiot who doesn’t know shit about football or respecting women.”
Your eyes widen and your heart practically stop, when you process the words that have come out of your best friend’s mouth.
“(Y/N), please say something,” Kelley begs.
“You’re in love with me?” You test the words on your mouth.
“Yeah,” she sighs contently, giving you a soft smile. “Have been for the past eight years.”
“Gosh, we really are idiots.” You let out a wet chuckle, shaking your head.
“What?”
“I’m in love with you, too, Kel,” you rasped, your voice laced with pure emotion. “I’ve loved you since my first camp.”
“Wow,” Kelley scoffs, an amused grin playing on her face. “Are we really that oblivious?”
“Apparently so.” You shrug. “But we’re here now.”
“Yeah, we are.” The freckled woman softens. “Can I kiss you?”
You nod eagerly, leaning in to meat the other woman’s lips. The kiss is nothing like you’d dreamed of; it’s better. It’s soft and tender, full of love and passion. You melt into each other, as your lips move together in harmony.
Not wanting things to get too heated, especially not before you’ve talked about what this meant for the future of your relationship, you pull away, resting your forehead against hers.
“Hi,” you whisper, smiling like a fool.
“Hey,” Kelley murmurs softly, returning your smile.
“I love you.”
“I love you, too.” She takes your hand, kissing your wrapped knuckles. “But please don’t be getting into any more bar fights.”
“Hey! I would never start a fight, however I have no problem finishing them.” You smirk, boasting slightly triumphantly.
Kelley rolls her eyes playfully, but then looks into your eyes. “I mean it, (Y/N). I can’t stand the idea of you getting hurt. So no more fights alright?”
“I promise, Kel.” You give her a chaste kiss.
“Good.”
That night, you stay in Kelley’s bed, cuddling into her side. As you slowly drift into a peaceful sleep, you notice the woman next to you is already fast asleep.
You sigh contently, and you can’t help but feel extremely lucky that even after all these years, and everything that’s happened, life still led you to this woman and a love worth fighting for.
#uswnt x reader#uswnt imagine#uswnt imagines#kelley o'hara x reader#kelley o'hara imagine#kelley o'hara imagines#uswnt#kelley o'hara
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National Mustard Day
Ground from the seeds of a mustard plant, mustard is one of America’s favorite condiments. Food lovers can celebrate this versatile topping on National Mustard Day, August 6. The National Mustard Museum was the originator of the holiday and celebrates the day every first Saturday in August. Guests who visit the museum on this special day can take part in a wide variety of games and even try a free hot dog and mustard sampling. Of course, you don’t have to go to the museum to have fun. Be sure to try out as many mustards as possible: the standard yellow American style, French Dijon mustard, Bavarian sweet mustard and the tangy, beer mustard!
When is National Mustard Day 2022?
National Mustard Day is celebrated annually on the first Saturday in August.
History of National Mustard Day
Mustard has been among the most used spices in the world for centuries. Believed to have originated in Ancient Egypt, it was used for medicinal purposes as well as a spice. The Greeks and Romans followed suit, utilizing mustard for both flavoring and as a herbal remedy. Mustard was prescribed as a cure for a range of ailments, from snakebites to hysteria.
The mustard arrived in Northern France where it was gradually cultivated by local monks. The word ‘mustard’ is derived from the word ‘mosto’ or ‘grape muss’ — a type of unfermented wine that hasn’t matured and was mixed with mustard seeds by the French monks. Monasteries started producing large amounts of mustard in the 9th century, from which they generated even larger amounts of income through sales.
Prepared mustard or modern mustard as we know it, was created in Dijon, France in the 13th century. The preparation of this condiment is thanks to the efforts of Pope John XXII of Avignon, who loved mustard and created a special post of Grand Moustardier du Pape or the Grand Mustard-Maker, to which he appointed his nephew.
At the beginning of the 19th century, mustard was finely milled into powder by the world’s first mustard millers, the British. This is how mustard became an industrial-level food ingredient. In 1904, the modern yellow mustard was introduced in Rochester, New York, from where it became popular due to its pairing with the classic American hot dog.
National Mustard Day timeline
400sRomans write down the first-known recipe for mustard1300sPope John Paul XXII created a new Vatican position: Grand Moutardier du Pape, or mustard-maker to the pope1904George T. French introduces yellow mustard (known as "American mustard" around the world!)1984Grey Poupon debuts its iconic "Pardon me" ads and sparks a sales boom of its mustard
Traditions
On National Mustard Day, grab the mustard and pair it with different food items. Used as a condiment for cheeses, meat, and bread food items such as hamburgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, and even pizza, its versatility is enjoyed today by food lovers everywhere.
Mustard is also a fantastic dressing for salads, an ingredient for sauces, and used in some marinades. If mustard is not being used as a condiment or key ingredient, then its many benefits are being enjoyed in the form of mustard seeds, and mustard oil, both of which have proven benefits for the skin and body.
National Mustard Day Activities
Mustard is the favorite topping for hot dogs
It’s good for you
You can put it on almost anything
A National Hot Dog and Sausage Council survey found that 71% of people confirm mustard as their top hot dog condiment. It’s a staple at baseball games and other sporting events, always on hand to supplement the concession stand food. It’s the perfect garnish for a tasty treat — just make sure you pick up an extra napkin so you don’t spill any on your shirt!
It's well-known in science circles that the elements found in mustard seeds can stop cancer cell growth. Mustard is also used as a remedy for muscle pains and certain types of skin disorders. Mustard seeds come with high levels of calcium, magnesium and potassium. As a great addition to some of your favorite foods, mustard is a low-calorie, low-sugar alternative to other condiments.
Mustard isn’t just for hot dogs. With all the varieties, it’s the condiment for creatives: if you can dream it, you can achieve it! Try out a breakfast casserole infused with honey Dijon. Bake up some mustard-roasted potatoes. Glaze a ham with honey mustard. If you can’t let go of your traditional roots, have a Chicago-style hot dog with yellow mustard, chopped onions, relish, a pickle spear and tomato slices.
5 Facts About Mustard That You Don’t Know
Plant vs. condiment
More than just a condiment
Broccoli is mustard’s cousin
Mustard on the go
There is no ‘mustard yellow’
Mustard is a plant, and prepared mustard is a condiment — an important distinction to make.
The Ancient Greeks and Romans used mustard to soothe pains, cure stings and bites, and even ease toothaches.
As part of the Brassica family, mustard plants are relatives of broccoli.
King Louis XI refused to travel without mustard.
The color mustard yellow is made by adding turmeric and not actual mustard seeds.
Why We Love National Mustard Day
You can learn all about it at the National Mustard Museum
Host a mustard-tasting
Make your own mustard
Located in Middleton, Wisconsin, the National Mustard Museum is the birthplace of National Mustard Day and the Holy Grail for mustard lovers. Started by Barry Levenson in 1992, the museum is home to nearly 6,000 different types of mustards from all over the world. Stop by to see the Great Wall of Mustard, an antique collection of mustard pots, and try out a free mustard tasting! This free museum is open seven days a week.
Serve up pretzel rods, hot dog bites and pita bread for guests to test out as many types of mustard, as possible. Hit up your local store to buy out their mustard varieties. You should even try out a local artisan market to see if you can pick up additional, hard-to-find mustards. Place the different kinds in small serving dishes and let everyone try out all the combinations of snacks and toppings.
Who says that French’s and Grey Poupon should have the monopoly on good mustard? Try out your own recipe on National Mustard Day. Soak mustard seeds for a full day in your liquid of choice: vinegar, water, wine or even beer. Then, grind up the seeds in a food processor. Make the mustard to your liking by adding your favorite flavors, like brown sugar, honey or tarragon.
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#Tempura Fried Green Beans#corn dog#B & K Root Beer Stand#Canada#USA#Montreal Smoked Meat#Chicago Hot Dog#fries#street food#travel#restaurant#Brix Restaurant & Gardens#one of my favorite restaurants#I'll be back this summer#Rabbit with two mustard sauce#vacation#food#Deviled Eggs with Californian Caviar#National Mustard Day#6 August 2022#first Saturday in August#Pastrami Sandwich
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The Purest Things- Repeating History
Aaron Hotchner x Female Reader
Word Count: 2k
Warnings: Brief mentions of murder and alcohol. Canon typical violence.
A/N: this takes place during season 3 episode 11, birthright. i had a lot of fun studying this episode and making it my own. i have changed certain dialogue and who says what for the sake of the story. please enjoy!
The Purest Things Masterlist
(my gif! please credit if you use.)
january 2008
Syd Moore said, “Disregard for the past will never do us any good. Without it we cannot know truly who we are.”
+++++
Your alarm is often hushed before it even has an opportunity to set off nowadays because you usually wake up before it even has the chance.
4:25 A.M.
You groan and toss your pillow over your face. Maybe, just maybe, you can will yourself to sleep for a little longer. As if someone heard your pleas for slumber, your phone starts buzzing on your bedside table. Of course, it is unnecessary for you even to read the messages. There is a case.
+++++
"Last night in Fredericksburg, a 20-year-old woman, Molly McCarthy, was abducted," J.J. begins, "She's the third to go missing in the last 6 weeks. All disappeared from public places. No one's seen them since until now. A couple days ago, body parts with cigarette burns were recovered from a national park that was once the site of the battle of Chancellorsville."
"Were they able to make an I.D.?" you and Hotch ask simultaneously. Your eyes meet, but he breaks the contact abruptly. Flustered and insecure, you bury your focus deep into the file in front of you. The group discusses the case for a couple of minutes, but you are so concentrated on the papers that you hardly absorb any information they've shared.
There is something familiar about this case to you. Suddenly, realization strikes.
Rejoining the discussions, you say, "I remember reading about a case like this in Spotsylvania county. Similar markings on the bone. It was the winter of 1980, also in Fredericksburg. There were 5 women aged 16 to 24. They were buried in pieces."
"Same markings. Same civil war battlefield," J.J. responds in agreement.
The team agrees that this could be the works of the same killer. There are aspects of the more recent killings that would be impossible to copycat since those details had never been released to the public. But, if this is the same unsub, what's he been doing for the past 27 years?
+++++
Hotch focuses on the road while you watch out the window of the passenger seat. Occasionally, you sneak the odd peek at him. His stoicism is alluring, and you find yourself drawn to this demeanor like a moth to a flame. Piecing together the tiny glimpses you've collected thus far as if working on a mental puzzle, you scrutinize his attributes. His eyes bare the beginnings of crow's feet. Only his sideburns tease the speckling of salt and pepper undertones. His lips turn downwards at the corners, no doubt from years of scowling at unsubs.
Reid speaks up from behind you both and breaks your train of thought. Probably for the better, there's no reason why you should examine your unit chief so intently.
"It's funny--he always dumps the bodies in this battlefield, no matter what the risk."
"It's a respected landmark. He's flaunting," Aaron reckons.
"It makes him feel important," you say in agreement.
Once you have arrived at the crime scene, you follow Agent Hotchner closely. Reid trails ahead, most likely trying to keep up with his own train of thought.
"How does someone not see or hear them?" You ask the sheriff.
He turns to you with a defeated expression, "It was dark. He had the advantage. Molly's boyfriend was the last person to see her. He said she was alone for a minute, maybe less."
Hotch surveys the surroundings, "He's patient and works fast."
"He's perfected his M.O.," Reid states while looking around.
You cross your arms as a wave of unease gets the best of you as you envision the moments leading to Molly's attack.
"If our unsub's pushing 60, he's gotta be strong enough to carry her a long way without her struggling," you bring out.
Hotch looks to you with a concerned squint. You shake your head, signaling to him that it's nothing you can't get under control. He nods in response. The sheriff agrees to point out the various entrances to the park.
"I'll catch up with you," your Unit Chief states. He motions for you to step aside with him, and you comply.
"You know, ever since my wife and I had our son, I dread receiving cases involving children," he discloses to you.
Tears well up in your eyes, "I can't even imagine, but sir, why are you telling me this?"
"This job will inevitably strike close to home on some cases more than others. It's okay for you to feel overwhelmed by it all every once and a while," he assures you.
"You never lose it, though."
He sighs heavily, "Maybe I should have."
Shortly before you joined the BAU, Hotch's wife Haley left with their son Jack. You never ask questions or stick your nose where it doesn't belong. It isn't your place, and you can't blame him for not wanting to bring his family struggles to work. He deals with enough broken families on the job as it is. Mixing his own personal life into the field would only make it more challenging to prioritize. Despite all this, you cannot help but wonder what exactly led to his and his wife's separation. You hope that they can find their way back to each other. The crimes you investigate do not need to claim the Hotchner's as victims as well.
+++++
"I'll let you talk to Chrissy Wilkenson," Hotch directs you towards the kitchen. You wipe your sweaty palms against the fabric of your pants and make your way into the kitchen, Hotch following closely behind you.
"Mrs. Wilkenson," you say gently, "My name is Y/F/N. I have just a few questions about your husband. Where does Charlie usually go when he's stressed?"
"The barn," she stutters. You can tell she's anxious and afraid for the well-being of her family.
"Anywhere else, Chrissy?"
Hotch is called into the other room, and you continue questioning Chrissy. She's becoming overwhelmed, so you guide her to the dining room.
"I know this is difficult, Chrissy."
"Did the father of my child really do that to those poor women?" She cradles her baby bump.
Your heart breaks for her, and you choose to remain silent. Sometimes saying nothing speaks louder than words.
Footsteps bound throughout the house, and Hotch appears in the doorway, "The sheriff will stay here with Mrs. Wilkenson. We need you with us."
Standing up from your chair, you place your hand atop Chrissy's, "History doesn't have to repeat itself." It is almost as if she could tell you were reading her thoughts. The endless whispers that cloud her mind making her feel like she's left with only one choice, but there's always another option. That is all you are trying to remind her of.
+++++
As you and your team trek through the forest, you see a clearing.
"Hotch, this way," you beckon him to pursue your course.
Suddenly, a gunshot rings out, and you stop in your tracks. You make eye contact with Hotch and mirror each other's actions, dashing towards the opening in the trees. Your heart pounds in rhythm with your footsteps colliding against the ground. It is clear to you from your exchange with Chrissy at the house that the origin of the gunshot will shock everyone but yourself. As you reach the clearing and rush down the hill, your speculation is validated.
Chrissy Wilkenson is standing over the body of her husband, the unsub. A traumatized young man haunted by his father's past and plagued by the idea that children are trapped in the endless cycles created by their parents.
I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Jesus. Now is not the time for that.
The newly widowed woman claims self-defense, yet the cops handcuff her anyways. Inside, you feel conflicted while watching her get into the back of the squad car.
Hotch appears by your side but remains silent. Again, sometimes silence speaks louder than words. You bit your lip, attempting to hide the fact that it is trembling.
"What did you say to her as you were leaving the dining room?"
"I told her that history does not have to repeat itself. I wanted her to know that even when it feels like you are backed into a corner, there is always another way out. Sometimes people don't know where to look for their out thought," you quiver.
He lightly touches your arm and gives you a reassuring tilt of the head, "Just know that you did everything you could. We will never do this job perfectly. Doing the right thing usually costs more than it pays. You did your part. I'm not a saint, and I am far from a hero, but I have integrity and honor, and I do this job to the best of my ability."
"If you can leave a case with a clear conscience," he continues, "you know you did the best you could. Any other thought process will eat away at you slowly but surely, and ultimately, it will result in the demise of your career and destruction of yourself."
+++++
After a seemingly neverending day, you all arrive back at Quantico.
"I could really go for a drink, guys. What do you say? Newbie's buying," you wave your wallet around frivolously.
"I could go for 5 drinks!" Prentiss exclaims.
"Count me in," Morgan winks at you. He never fails to make you blush.
Reid hesitates and you pout your bottom lip, "Please Reid! How could you not want a repeat of Dolly Parton night last month?"
Hotch comes down the stairs, "Dolly Parton night? Do I want to know?"
You and Derek snicker to each other as Spencer attempts to diffuse his own embarassment.
"9 to 5 is an iconic female anthem that certainly has a rather bewitching affect on a man when mixed with alcohol."
"You only drank Diet Coke that night," you roll your eyes at him.
Out of the corner of your eye, you notice Hotch forcing his way through the small group formed around the desks.
Making your way over to him, you invite him to join, "Want a beer?" You second guess yourself, but it seems as though his rather stern expression softens ever so slightly when he pivots on his heels to look at you.
"I would like that," he answers softly.
He immediately returns to his original path and hovers near the glass doors. You casually make your way over to him, joined by Dave and Emily. A man barges in through the glass doors announcing Aaron's name.
"Agent Hotchner?"
"Yes," the subject in question breaths out almost defeatedly.
The yellow package he holds in his hands is all too familiar and instantly churns your stomach into knots. You gnaw at your bottom lip, drawing a metallic taste that causes you to cringe.
"What is it?" Emily speaks up.
There's no question as to what it is. Oh Hotch. I’m so sorry.
Hotch's eyes trace the package from corner to corner in disbelief, "Haley's filing for divorce. I've been served."
When he eventually takes his eyes off of the lettering, his eyes meet yours. They lock onto you and it is in that moment that you feel as though you have been given the key to unlock his soul. His eyes are so unusual at this moment; they are more vulnerable than you have ever seen. The stoic man is gone, and instead, it is the eyes of one who is in tremendous pain. You had mistaken his bloodshot eyes for physical fatigue on the plane, but now you see that it is emotional exhaustion as well.
If only you knew how badly I want to hug you and tell you that you won't be swallowed up by this darkness. There's a long road ahead, but you have so many people here who love you and are here to support you through this. You aren't alone. Trust me, I know.
In some way, you pray that he can read into your soul and see the pain you feel for him. Once more, your shared silence proves to speak for itself.
At last, he breaks eye contact with you and finally releases the breath that you had been holding in. Dave grabs onto your arm, seeing the clear impact Hotch's news has on you, no doubt having also noticed Hotch's immediate response in looking at you.
"I'm sorry, but I don't think I can join you tonight," he excuses himself and escapes to the seclusion of his office.
Maybe history does have a way of repeating itself.
Tag List:
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#criminal minds#aaron hotchner#aaron hotchner imagine#aaron hotchner x reader#aaron hotch x reader#aaron hotchner x y/n#criminal minds fanfiction#criminal minds imagine#criminal minds reader insert#aaron hotchner fanfic#aaron hotchner fanfiction#aaron hotchner x fem!reader#aaron hotchner x you#aaron hotchner angst#hotch x y/n#hotch x reader#hotch x you#aaron hotchner headcanon#spencer reid#spencer reid imagine#spencer reid x y/n#imagine#derek morgan imagine#derek morgan x reader#criminal minds headcanons#thomas gibson#fanfiction#emily prentiss#jennifer jareau#the purest things series
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Sounds of Someday
Dean Winchester x Reader
Words: 3108
Summary: A fight leaves a rift in your heart and a split in Dean’s soul. Going your separate ways, you find that every road leads back to each other.
Notes: Eeeee, I loved writing this one so much guys! I’ve been wanting to write a Dean imagine based on a Radio Company song and I just had to do this one. I also incorporated the song “Who’s Cryin Now” by Journey because I felt it fit the plot.
Warnings: This one is a little steamier than other imagines I’ve written, but only for like, two seconds. I’m a tease.
Special shout out to my amazing beta reader Sarah, @suckmysupernatural . I love her so much and honestly, she’s helped me so much in getting these imagines out for you and she has some absolutely killer writing of her own!
Want more Supernatural? Find it HERE
-
All gone is here today
Finding room to breathe
“I’m done.” Those two words ripped through you as they left your lips. The anger on Dean’s face changed into remorse.
“What?”
“I can’t live like this anymore, Dean.” Your voice was hoarse from screaming at each other. This wasn’t the first fight you had had. But they’d never gotten this bad.
“So what, you’re just going to pack up and leave?” He crossed his arms. He may have started this fight, but he hadn’t anticipated it to go this far.
“Dean…” You ran a hand down your face in aggravation. “I can’t keep staying here, waiting for you to start the next apocalypse and then die trying to stop it.” The comment stung, but Dean wouldn’t show it. He set his jaw in a hard stare.
“Fine.” That was it. That’s all he said to you.
He stayed in the library while you went back to your shared room. You didn’t pay any attention to the clothes you grabbed, you just stuffed them into a duffel. The faster you got out of that bunker, the sooner you could stop fighting the tears that were burning your eyes. Dean hadn’t moved a muscle when you stormed back through. He wouldn't even look at you.
“I-” You started, but you stopped yourself. It didn’t matter. You got up the stairs before he finally spoke.
“This is on you.” He said in a steady, seething voice. You laughed bitterly, shaking your head.
“No, Dean. It’s not.”
The sound of the door closing echoed through the bunker and in his head. Dean kept his eyes trained on the ground even when Sam entered the room.
“Where’s she going?” His brother didn’t answer. “Dean, where is Y/N going?”
Dean just stared up at the closed door as if he were waiting for you to come back in. The silence weighed heavily on his chest, crushing the air out of him. He’d pushed too far this time. You weren’t coming back.
-
As soon as the bunker was in your rearview mirror, you broke down. This wasn’t just a break up. You had just left the only family you had. Your heart was screaming at you to turn around and forgive him. To let him hold you and kiss you until you forgot what you were fighting about. But it wouldn’t work. Not this time.
Dean’s words still rang through your head.
“Maybe you just aren’t cut out for this.” He had spat. “You can’t bear the idea of losing us because you wouldn’t last a day on your own.”
In your relationship, Dean had always helped you find your strength, but in that moment, he made you feel weak. Useless. You couldn’t stay.
You turned on the radio to drown out your thoughts.
Dean did the same as he laid in his bed back in the bunker. It felt… strange without you in it. He thought of your hurt and angry response.
“Yes, Dean. I am terrified of losing you. Every time you go out that door, I pray that whatever it is your facing won’t take you away. But you leave without a second thought. You go out, guns blazing and ready to die. It’s like you don’t care if you come back to me.”
He pressed the button aggressively and listened to Journey fill his room.
“One love feeds the fire. One heart burns desire. I wonder who’s crying now?”
You were half tempted to turn it back off. It was too fitting. The words made your heart ache.
“Two hearts, born to run. Who’ll be the lonely one? I wonder who’s crying now?”
Dean covered his face with his hands. Hearing your tearful voice was like listening to your heart break. And it was his fault.
Why couldn’t he just accept that someone cared about him? He had been pushing and pushing you away for months now and it finally got to be too much. You’d given up on him just like he’d given up on himself a long time ago.
You found a motel to crash at and plan for the days to come. You needed a case and you needed one fast. You pulled up news sites from surrounding areas and checked for anything strange.
Dean needed a case. It was the only thing that would get his mind off you. He enlisted Sam to help him with the search, though his younger brother kept badgering him with questions.
“Where is she going?”
“I don’t know.”
“Is she coming back?”
“Don’t count on it.”
“What happened?”
“Just help me find a damn case!” Dean yelled. Sam stared at him and leaned back in the chair. He wasn’t surprised by his brother’s outburst, but he wasn’t backing down. Y/N wouldn’t just pick up and leave. He raised a brow, waiting for an explanation. Dean sighed. “She’s done, Sam.”
“What do you mean, ‘She’s done’?”
“I mean, she said she’s done. She said she can’t live like this anymore.” Dean ran a hand down his face and took a swig of his third beer. “She’s not coming back.”
“Dean, I’m sure if you just call-”
“No.” Dean gave him a silencing stare. “Sam, just stay out of this, okay? She’s a big girl and can make her own damn decisions. This isn’t the first time a woman walked out angrily and it certainly won’t be the last. I’ll live.” But you weren’t just any woman. You weren’t a one-night-stand. He loved you. Which meant he would just have to try harder to forget you.
-
Go on beyond your way
And see
Yellowstone National Park. You used to visit this place all the time when you were a kid. Your parents were park rangers here until they walked into the woods one day and never came back. You never did find out what happened to them. After they disappeared, you were taken in by your aunt, who spent her days hunting down monsters, trying to find the one that killed her sister and brother-in-law. You watched the job destroy her.
You wouldn’t watch it destroy the man you loved.
You had found some reports of campers going missing over the years. Not the usual bear attack either, though that’s what local authorities assumed. You had a particular creature in mind; wendigo.
Dean threw his duffle onto the cabin bed and surveyed his lodgings. He had told Sam to sit this one out. He needed to clear his head, but he told his skeptical brother that he would call if he thought he couldn’t handle it. From the research he’d dug up, it looked like a possible wendigo. It had been years since he fought one of these bastards, so he would have to stay sharp.
Dean figured that a fed would stand out too much in this environment, so he posed as a researcher looking into bear attacks. The ranger just gave him a smile.
“You must be that nice woman’s partner! She was looking into the same string of attacks you are.” He shook his head grimly. “A damn shame. If people just left the animals alone, we wouldn’t have such a problem with these attacks.” He rambled on for a moment before Dean cut him off.
“Young woman?” The ranger’s brows furrowed.
“Yeah, she was in here just a second ago. Wanted to know about those campers. Tough-looking, but man, she was a pretty one.” With a glare from Dean, the ranger corrected himself. “Didn’t know she was here with anybody.” Dean rolled his eyes.
“Do you know where she was headed?”
After you checked in with the main desk, you found your cabin. The mountains around you gave you a bittersweet nostalgia. You used to love it here. You sighed and stuck the key in the lock, freezing when you looked at the cabin next door. The slick-black exterior shined in the sunset. Son of a-
“Of all of the gin joints...” A voice mused behind you.
You quickly unlocked your door and went inside. Dean caught the door before you could slam it on him. His expression was grave and his eyes still held the hurt that they had just two days ago.
“This is my case, Dean. You can go.” You looked anywhere else in the room but him. You could brave leaving him once, but you didn’t know if your heart would let you do it again.
“I found this case fair and square, so I’m not going anywhere sweetheart.” He said gruffly. You put your hands on your hips and he crossed his arms over his chest. Unless one of you said something, you could be in this stand-off for God knows how long.
“I don’t have time for this, I have a wendigo to fry.” You started to pack your backpack, but Dean still didn’t move.
“We have a wendigo to fry.”
“No.” You shook your head. “No we. Just me.” You stuffed the last of your flare guns in your bag.
“You’re not seriously going to take this on by yourself.” Dean scoffed. You narrowed your eyes.
“Oh, and you are?”
“I hate to break it to you, Y/N, but wendigo’s are nasty sons-of-bitches. They’re big and they’re fast and would snap you in half before you could even light a match.”
“Right, and a big macho man like you would be totally safe.”
“I’d have a better chance of fighting it off, that’s for sure.”
“Look here, Winchester.” You stalked towards him, jabbing a finger at his chest. “I know this area better than you, I’m a better tracker than you, and I can fight just as well as you can.”
“This is different.”
“It’s really not.”
“I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“I want you to stop underestimating me.”
“I should just lock you in here and throw away the key!”
“And I should give you a black eye!”
“When are we leaving?”
“Nightfall!”
“Fine!”
“Fine!”
You dropped your bag on the floor as Dean’s lips collided with yours. His arms lifted your legs up and you wrapped them around his waist. This kiss was fervent and intense. Your back was pressed against the door and Dean helped you shed your jacket and you undid his belt. Your lips moved down to his neck, leaning forward to encourage him towards the bed.
You slammed down onto the mattress, his green eyes looming over you and making your head spin. You started to lift his shirt over his head, but he paused.
“Wait wait wait,” His brows furrowed together in a way that could only be described as extremely hot frustration, “is this break-up sex or make-up sex?” You used your legs to roll him to the side that you were straddling his waist.
“Let me get back to you on that.”
-
Even the fires on the road
Trying to get away
You hadn’t really said anything since you started hiking. It was just after twilight and stars were starting to dot the sky. You were focused on listening to the nature around you, hand prepped on your can of bear-spray. Just because a bear hadn’t killed those campers didn’t mean one wouldn’t kill you.
Dean had a very uneasy feeling. Every snap set his nerves even more on edge. A wolf howled in the distance and he grabbed your arm, eyes wide. He definitely was not in his element out here. You just chuckled and shook your head.
“And you said I couldn’t handle it.” He just gave you a cocky smirk.
“Hey sweetheart, you’re legs sore from hiking yet?” He raised a brow and your cheeks flushed.
“You’re a pig, Dean.” You scoffed, quickly turning around. It was his turn to chuckle. A silence fell between you as you continued to listen to the sounds of the night. A seriousness came to Dean’s expression.
“Look, Y/N, about what I said back at the bunker-”
“I don’t think we should talk about that now.” You interrupted. Your head was fuzzy enough from the last couple hours in bed with him. Revisiting the break-up wouldn’t help anything. But Dean grabbed your hand, forcing you to stop.
“I know that you can handle yourself. And I know that you’re afraid of me getting hurt and leaving you. But that’s not going to happen, baby.” He brought your hand to his chest so you could feel his heartbeat.
“You don’t know that.” You looked at the forest floor. “Dean, how many times have you walked out ready to sacrifice yourself to save the world, or Sam, or me?” He didn’t answer. “I can’t live like that. I’ve watched too many people I love destroy themselves. I won’t watch it happen to you.”
Before he could respond, a voice cried out in the woods.
“Y/N! Help us!” Your eyes went wide.
“Mom?” You gasped.
“Baby, come find us!”
“Dad?” Dean grabbed your shoulders.
“Y/N, those aren’t your parents.” He said, trying to get you to focus on him rather than the phantom voices. “Your parents are gone.”
“Y/N!”
“Mom!” You screamed. You broke away from Dean and took off into the trees.
“Damn it, Y/N. Don’t!” Dean yelled after you. He tore through the foliage, but it was too late. You were gone.
-
And all the stars seem on a roll
Out of control today
You groaned, your head feeling like a bowling pin.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid.” You muttered angrily. How could you have fallen for a trick like that? Wendigos could mimic human voices. But how did it know what your parents sounded like?
That’s when it clicked. Their disappearance in the woods, the destroyed camp site, the wendigo’s memory of them. This was the bastard that killed them.
You were tied to a root or something in the ceiling of the cave. It was dark, but as your eyes adjusted, you could see the faint outline of other people across from you.
“Hello?”
You were greeted with a quiet whimper and a little movement from the smaller form. The other body remained still.
“Who’s there? Did that thing get you too?” It was a woman. You wracked your brain to remember the report
“Yeah,” You sighed, “Yeah it got me. But I have a friend out there. He’ll find us.”
“It’ll come back.” She cried. “It already… it killed Steven.” She was on the brink of hysterics, so you did your best to calm her down.
“Jessie, right?” You said softly. You could just see her nod. “Jessie, it’s going to be okay. Dean is going to get us out of here and then we’re going to kill this thing.” How Dean was going to find you… you tried not to think about.
A figure materialized from the dark. At first, you hoped it was Dean, but it was too big. It’s limbs were too lanky.
“Oh my god, it’s back.” Jessie cried. You assessed the situation and spotted your bag just behind Steven’s hanging form.
“Jessie, I need you to get a hold of that bag.”
“I can’t! I can’t!” She bawled. You gave her a hard stare.
“If you want to get out of here, you have to try.” You ordered. Seeing her movement, the creature picked her as its next target. She started to scream. Here goes nothing. “Hey!” You shouted at the monster. “Come and get me you freaky bastard! I taste good!”
Thankfully, the beast took the bait. You started swinging back and forth, hoping that the root holding you would break, or at least wear down the ropes that bound your wrists. The wendigo clawed your arm, making you cry out as blood spurted from your bicep.
“Hey!” Another voice added to the chaos and a flash of red zoomed by your face, nearly singeing your hair. Distracted by the newcomer, the wendigo turned away. Luckily, the creature had also scratched the ropes and with a few more jolts, your bindings snapped. You rolled towards your bag, ignoring the flood of pain that shot up from your arm. Jessie had been able to move it closer so in a few quick motions, you grabbed a flare gun and shot it into the monster’s stomach. The glare was bright enough that you needed to shield your eyes.
Once the creature was fully cooked, you could finally see Dean. He moved towards you, but you motioned to Jessie.
“Get her first.” He cut the frightened woman down and she threw her arms around him.
“It’s alright, you’re safe now.” He tried to keep her line of sight away from her shredded boyfriend. You couldn’t help but watch him with admiration. The way he cared so much… it was what made you fall for him. He looked at you. “I’m going to take her out of here.” His expression was reluctant. He couldn’t stand the thought of leaving you here.
“I’ll be fine, Dean. Go.”
He swiftly ushered the woman out of the cave and you dug through your pack for bandages. Dean gave Jessie a can of bear spray and told her to wait while he went back for you. When he found you, you were leaning over a pile of old human bones.
“At least now I know what happened.” You held up a small gold chain that you had found on one of the skeletons, buried beneath years of other victims. It was your mother’s. Dean knelt beside you and you took a shaking breath. “You were right, you know. Maybe I can’t handle this. I mean, I rushed into that forest with even a little hesitation. And I know what those bastards can do. I just didn’t care. I heard their voices and I just ran.” A tear fell down your cheek and you quickly brushed it away.
“Y/N, you nearly got your arm clawed off and you still killed that thing.” Dean exclaimed, helping to wrap your injury tighter. “You are a great hunter. I just said that stuff because… I’m just as afraid of losing you as you are losing me. When that thing took you, I lost my damn mind.”
You leaned your head against his chest and let him wrap his arms around you. You clutched the chain in your hand. Someday, all of this would make sense. How you found each other, how you continued to be pulled together even when you had given up, how you were willing to risk everything to stay together. Until then, you would enjoy the view.
And though, the Sounds of Someday
May
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General Tag: @rae-gar-targaryen; @takemepedropascal; @childhood-imagination; @mylovegoesto; @yellowbadgergirl; @itmejado
Supernatural: @desimarie12; @deandreamernp; @vicmc624; @halesandy; @livshaes; @d-whinchestergirl87; @mrspeacem1nusone
#radio company#dean winchester x reader#winchester takeover#sam winchester#wendigo#jensen ackles#sounds of someday
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English Translation of Novel 2: Chapter 4 - Captains' Dinner Party (Part 1 of 2)
Here is my first translation of the Black Clover novels. These chapters are huge, so I’m splitting this chapter into two parts, making this section about 6500 words long. This first half features Marx and Julius at the beginning, then transitions into the dinner party itself. Asta and Yuno also get mentioned in a hilarious kind of way. It’s a lot of fun to see the captains interact with each other! I think I nearly died a few times while I was translating this…
--- Captains' Dinner Party ----
As a close associate of the Wizard King, Marx uses his memory and communication magic with absolute precision. He is a capable man. His incredible ability is made evident by the fact he alone is the Wizard King’s close associate, who has been entrusted to his duties. As we all know, the Wizard King is the one who stands at the top of the Magic Knights.
Of course, Marx does not take on half of the Wizard King’s duties by himself. There are several people who support him. However, right now, Marx is the only one who reports directly to the Wizard King. There are those who act as imperial guards or advisers in times of emergency, but Marx generally acts as the Wizard King’s sole support.
In short, he is doing work that should be done by several people all on his own. Moreover, the current Wizard King, Julius Novachrono, disappears at every opportunity. It’s never related to his work, either. Rather, he’ll say “I’ve heard a rumor about some interesting magic in one of the neighboring towns”, and, like a mischievous boy, casually disappear for that reason. While protecting this (42-year-old) mischievous boy, Marx busily performs his daily duties. His position is one that a person without ability can never handle.
But now……
“……Everyone, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with me here today.”
Marx muttered through his teeth as a drop of cold sweat lined his noble face. His manner of behavior was clumsy, unbefitting of the capable man he is. He felt that he could throw up at any moment.
‘Why did things have to come to this…?’ he thought.
“…Hey, bowl-cut. Quit it with the formalities and get started already.”
The meeting place was the conference room of the Magic Knights’ main headquarters. Strewn across the table were many delicious-looking meat and vegetable dishes, as well as iced alcoholic beverages. There were also pots of food evenly spaced apart on the table, as well as…
“……Be quiet, Yami. A hideous man like you may not know this, but everything has a code of etiquette,” rebuked the Captain of the Blue Roses, Charlotte Roselei.
With her dispassionate reply, the others around the table began to speak up one-by-one.
“Huuuh? But, at this rate, the beer’s gonna get warm! Tepid beer offends my mana.”
“Kah kah. You two should stop getting to know each other so well! Marx can’t move on with you guys chatting so much!”
“Wh-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-Who’s getting along with each other!? Jack, don’t say such nonsense!!”
“Huh? Charlotte-san, why do you look a little happy……Eeek!?”
“……Young deer. The next time you speak, don’t be surprised if you find my thorns shoved down your throat.”
With Fuegoleon and Poizot absent, only seven of the nine captains were present. They were summoned by the Wizard King. A stormy aura emanated from them as they sat surrounded by pots.
“W-well then, at the very least, let’s toast…..”
Faced with such an explosive atmosphere, Marx forced a smile on his face and stood up.
“E-everyone! Today, let’s celebrate and get this party in full-swing……Cheers!”
And so, the dinner party from Hell began.
--- A few hours before the hellish party began ---
“……A dinner party for the captains?”
“That’s right. I’m thinking we should make today’s Magic Knight Conference like that.”
Marx and Julius had such an exchange earlier that day in the underground storehouse at the Magic Knight’s headquarters. They had heard that two members of the Black Bulls, Luck and Magna, captured an extremely difficult dungeon and brought the relics stored there into the kingdom. Of course, the two did not carry all those relics by themselves. At their request, Magic Knights from headquarters came to help them, but the dungeon was so full of relics that it took half-a-day to carry it all back. The relics were sent to the Magic Appraisal Division for appraisal, and, knowing that all of them have high research value, the Wizard King came to watch.
“Ooooh! Hey, hey Marx-kun! Look! This is amazing! This black skull is falling apart, but if you inject it with magical power, it becomes as good as new!”
…...Well, the other reason Julius came was to satisfy his curiosity.
“I must say, Magna-kun and Luck-kun are impressive, triumphing over ten opponents like that~! I want to ask them about it, but I wonder if they returned to their hideout already?”
“No, I’ve heard that they said they have some errands to take care of in Seitan, a village in the Forsaken Realm, so they left right away…They might have already left Seitan, but would you like me to try contacting them?”
“Hmmm…… no. They must be tired after a mission like that. Let’s let them rest…… More importantly, look! They say this skeleton has a magic room inside its body! This right here is supposed to be the switch to activate it!”
“Oh? As one would expect, all the relics from this dungeon are highly advanced…… wait, hold on!”
He was almost caught up in Julius’s pace. If you respond to him thoughtlessly, this magic maniac will babble on and on endlessly about magic.
“About the dinner party… well, that is, why do you think we need to do such a thing?”
“Why, you ask? ……Because we’re all comrades in the very same Order of the Magic Knights. I don’t think we need any other reason than that to eat and drink together.”
“That’s true, but……”
That’s not what Marx was trying to say.
“Certainly, they have known each other for a long time now, and they all have their own personal connections with each other, but… this is hard for me to say, but, from what I’ve seen, their relationship with each other is indisputably bad. With everyone being like that, I’m not sure if they’ll be able to enjoy it……”
To put it plainly, this dinner party is going to be an incredibly unpleasant experience for everyone involved… is what he tried to imply, but Julius responded with an affable tone as he fumbled around with the skull.
“Yeah, the dinner party is probably going to be so unpleasant that you’ll want to die. Ha ha, I’ll remember you fondly, Marx-kun.”
‘I should kick this old bastard’s skull in!’ Such dangerous thoughts, which would most certainly be considered national treason if he did it, sometimes crossed Marx’s mind.
“But, you know, that is precisely why I’m throwing this party.”
With those words, Julius looked away from the skull in his hands and toward Marx.
“We’ve received a declaration of war from the Eye of the Midnight Sun, and we’ve been betrayed by Gueldre. Moreover, the Diamond and Spade Kingdoms are becoming increasingly aggressive. Now that we have more perils and unease, the Magic Knights must become more monolithic…… We’ve talked about this several times now, haven’t we?”
“……Yes.”
After Marx meekly nodded his head in agreement, Julius took a breath and continued,
“And, you know that I’ve been working these past few weeks in order to give form to that idea, right?”
“……Yes. Revealing the traitor in the Magic Knights, encouraging joint missions like what happened in Kiten, as well as the trial introduction of the new system called Experience Enrollment*…… and more, right?”
“Yup, that’s about it as far as mission-related tasks go.”
Strictly speaking, that’s all he’s done so far as the Wizard King. However, the truth is, there is one more thing he did behind the scenes. It’s true that Magna and Luck have just traversed a dungeon that has never been explored before, and they brought back a number of treasures. However, it was Julius who induced them into doing so. Julius knew that the Black Bulls were looking for a way to fix Asta’s arms, so he chose an extremely difficult dungeon that most likely held rare treasures. He then used his transformation magic to transform into an old woman, told Magna about the dungeon at the black market, and gave him some hints about how to capture it. Whether or not they could capture it successfully was a bit of a gamble, and they did not find any clues about how to cure Asta’s arms (Well, it turned out that Asta had already healed his arms at the Witches Forest, anyway). Nonetheless, as a result, they became much stronger and successfully brought back the dungeon’s treasures.
Because of this achievement, the number of stars the Black Bulls have acquired now stands at 101, making them second only to the Golden Dawn. What was once the worst Magic Knight squad has clawed its way to the top in a flash. This will agitate the other knights and spur them on to work even harder. In other words, they must learn to cooperate with each other now more than ever. Though indirect, their efforts will serve as a great steppingstone for the Magic Knights to come together.
Of course, not everything will go smoothly. Still, just a little movement behind the scenes produced such magnificent results. For him, these results are more than enough.
“……What is it, sir? You suddenly started smiling,” Marx asked quizzically.
This made Julius realize that what he was thinking was showing on his face.
“Huh? Ah, no, ha ha, nothing really! I haven’t been doing anything behind your back, I swear!”
“……I haven’t said anything, yet…”
“…………”
Marx stared at him for some time before sighing in defeat.
“Well, it’s fine……I can more or less imagine what you did,” Marx said as he surveyed the piles of treasure in the room. He is truly a capable man.
“……So, what you’re saying is… this ‘Captain's dinner party’ is also an essential part of your plan to unite the Magic Knights?”
“Y-yup. That’s right.”
Julius cleared his throat as if to recollect his thoughts.
“I, too, am aware of the current state of their relationship. Though they aren’t exactly on bad terms with each other, it’s certainly not a relationship where they can laugh and eat together…… However, don’t you think it’s a problem if the Captains, who are supposed to set a good example for their squads, stay like this forever?”
“I completely agree with you, but I don’t think their relationship is going to improve after one or two dinners……”
“And it’s almost time for the Star Festival, you know? And I think I’ll probably be asked again, probably by either the King himself or one of the Royals “Are the captains working together properly?” …or something like that.”
Julius intercepted Marx’s words with a bored look on his face. Marx knew that Julius always makes that face whenever he talks about political matters.
“Well, I can be evasive if I need to be… but don’t blame me if something happens. The mere act of having a dinner party should have a little bit of appeal, I would think, which should improve their relationship a bit.”
It was only a few weeks ago since the attack on the royal capital, when royalty tried to place the blame on the Magic Knights. At the time, they were able to gain the people’s support, but that may not be the case next time. If such a thing were to happen again and the blame were put on discord amongst the captains, he wouldn’t know how to respond. Of course, Julius genuinely wants them to deepen their friendships with each other, and he also finds political diplomacy to be genuinely boring. However, one must pay attention to those trying to drag you down and prepare countermeasures accordingly.
“Sir……”
While Julius was thinking, for some reason, Marx had a look of admiration on his face as he said,
“You’ve been thinking about such delicate topics this much……!?”
“Sometimes I think about these things, just like how you sometimes don’t think of me as the Wizard King, right?”
‘Sometimes, you think of me as just a mischievous old man, right?’ he thought to himself.
“I was joking earlier…… However, I understand. If you’ve thought it through to this degree, then I will do all I can to help you,” Marx said with his hand in a three-leaf salute, his face finally breaking into a smile.
“Thank you.”
Julius expressed his gratitude with a small smile.
“……Well, I also have some personal reasons for doing this,” he said to himself quietly.
“Huh? I’m sorry, did you say something?” Marx asked Julius, but, by then, Julius’s usual smile had already returned to his face.
“No, it’s nothing. Well then, I hate to ask this of you, but can I leave preparations for the party to you?”
“……I understand. Are there any dishes in particular you think we should serve?”
He was a little worried, but he focused on asking pragmatic questions. The dinner was going to be in a few hours, so if he did not start preparing right away, he would never finish in time.
“Anything’s fine, but…… how about hot pot dishes? I heard from Yami that the people from his homeland all gather around a pot, strengthening their bonds with each other.”
“Understood. I’ll arrange for that, then.”
Hot pot dishes… it’s not a dish typically seen at parties in the Clover Kingdom. It’s a tall order, but that won’t stop him from preparing it.
“You have my thanks. Well then, I’m going to investigate these magic tools a little more.”
“That’s fine, but……”
Marx looked around the width of the room again with a bitter smile.
“Don’t get so engrossed in them that you arrive late to the party. I won’t be able to handle their questions by myself.”
“Ha ha! Don’t worry, I’ll be fine!” he said with a grin as he returned his attention to the skull. Marx made one more bitter smile from behind Julius before leaving the room.
“A hot pot party for the captains…… the atmosphere is probably going to be strained, but there’s going to be alcohol, and, above all, Julius is going to be there. Certainly, everyone will behave themselves to some extent if they are before the Wizard King.”
“Right, as long as the Wizard King is there.”
With that, we return to the present, while the starting toast is occurring…
‘……. That old bastard isn’t here!!!!!!!’
Marx screamed internally as the amount of sweat drops on his face increased twenty-fold. To make matters worse, not a single one of the captains raised their glasses for the toast. He went to retrieve Julius ten minutes before the party was to begin, and yet, for whatever reason, he wasn’t there. Instead, there was a note which read “I’m testing the skeleton’s functionality in a separate room. Please start the party without me.”
After being hit with that bombshell, Marx frantically began to search for him, but he wasn’t in any of the adjacent rooms, and he couldn’t even feel his mana. His communication was also cut off, as usual. As he hustled and bustled about, the time came for the party, so he reported Julius missing and started the party. However……. just as he expected, the atmosphere was terrible.
“Please calm down, Charlotte-san! Why are you so mad!?”
The party has barely even started and yet Charlotte, whose face was red for some reason, was shooting her thorns at the Captain of the Aqua Deer, Rill Boismortier.
“……S-shut your mouth, Rill. I’m merely teaching you how you should speak to your seniors!”
“Uh, no! I mean! It really feels like you’re trying to kill me…… ow, ouch! One of your thorns cut me!”
Sitting beside them were the Captains of the Green Mantis and the Black Bulls, Jack the Ripper and Yami Sukehiro. A turbulent aura surrounded them as they began to quarrel.
“Hey, Rose lady. Stop scarin’ the deer kid. Look, he’s shiverin’ like a newborn baby.”
“Kah kah! Yami, you’re the one who started this mess!”
“No way, isn’t this happenin’ because a certain skin-and-bone-head decided to say somethin’ that would push her buttons? I bet your brain is as emaciated as your face. You poor thing.”
“HUUH!?”
Sitting across from them was the Captain of the Golden Dawn, William Vangeance. Rather than do anything to stop the quarrel, he simply sat there and smiled as he usually does.
“Fu fu. Everyone is getting along as well as ever, I see…… Even so, the Wizard King certainly is late.”
Sitting beside him was the Captain of the Silver Eagles, Nozel Silva. He hasn’t uttered a single word since the beginning of the party. A sullen aura of displeasure radiated out from him.
“………zzz”
And finally, beside Nozel sat the Captain of the Coral Peacocks, Dorothy Unsworth.
“……zzz……zzz……..zzz……..nom, chew chew……zzz”
Whenever she is asleep, there is often a snot bubble coming from her nose. This must mean she’s asleep right now, yet somehow, she’s eating. There are many things about her that are simply incomprehensible. In any case, aside from Marx, there was not a single other person interested in calming the place down. There was no sign that Julius was ever going to come, either. He has been trying to use his communication magic, but he still hasn’t been able to connect with Julius.
‘……As I expected, I’ll have to try to do something by myself.’
“W-wow! I prepared all this food myself, but I must say, this is a delicious-looking assortment of ingredients!!”
In an attempt to change the atmosphere of the party, Marx began throwing ingredients into the pot. While he was doing that, he turned toward Yami, who was still arguing with Jack.
“I heard this hot pot cooking is a dish from Yami’s homeland. But what’s the most delicious way to eat it? Ha ha, please teach me, Captain Yami!”
“Dunno!”
“…………”
With that single word, Yami went straight back to arguing with Jack. His eyes had met Marx’s for a single instant, revealing a killer’s glare.
“……. Ah, I see. Ha ha, that’s right! What’s most delicious is going to be different depending on the person, right? I’m sorry.”
Marx felt as if his heart was about to break. He needed to find someone to talk to so that he could recover. Just now, his conversation partner and his timing were both terrible. This time, he’ll find someone who looks more open to conversation……
“Ah, C-captain Nozel! Do you like poultry!?”
At that moment, Nozel, who was reaching for some roast duck, shifted his gaze toward Marx. He may be hard to talk to, but if it’s a conversation about his favorite foods, he’ll open up a little. At least, that’s what he thought……
“Kah kah, come to think of it, I’ve never seen ya eat or drink before, Nozel!”
“Oh, he’s eating! Somehow, I feel kinda moved by seeing this. It’s like watchin’ a feral cat who doesn’t let you pet it finally eat the food you put out for it for the first time… I feel like I’m gonna tear up.”
……This is the worst. Jack and Yami paused their fight to poke fun at Nozel. They both must have decided that teasing him is more interesting than fighting with each other. However, their target ignored them and continued to eat his meal with refinement. Marx isn’t sure whether he should be surprised by this development of if he should have expected it. After all, Nozel knows very well how those two are. However, even though he looked calm…
“Kah kah, a cat!? But, now that ya mention it, he’s totally like a cat! A very prideful cat!”
“Yeah. When you think of him like that, he starts lookin’ kinda cute.”
This made Nozel’s forehead muscles twitch, but then the two pushed even further.
“Cute? With that sour look on his face? Kah kah! What the hell are you lookin’ at?”
“Nah, he’s cute. It’s the braid, y’know? He does that every mornin’ cuz’ he wants to look cute.”
“……Hey, that’s enough you two!”
Rill exploded. He puffed out his cheeks and pointed at Nozel’s braid.
“Nozel-san thinks his braid is cool! Seeing him get made fun of for that is just too pitiful…… Eeek!”
In the blink of an eye, Nozel thrust a spear of mercury into Rill’s throat.
“Huh, wait, what!? Why!? I was just trying to back you up! Besides, didn’t Yami-san and Jack-san say way worse things about you!?”
“……Silence. You’re hopeless.”
“Why are you being so unreasonable? ……Hey, o-ouch! Wait, the cut I got from those thorns earlier is even larger now!?”
Marx quietly looked away from the chaos that was ensuing between them. Nozel is certainly being unreasonable, but, no matter how you look at it, Rill is suffering the consequences for what he said. Let them handle their own problems, he thought.
“……H-hey, Yami”
After Marx made his cruel decision, Charlotte, who was sitting beside him, quietly divided the contents of the pot into small plates as a faint blush colored her cheeks.
“……Since I was already taking my portion, I decided I might as well make a plate for you, too…… I-it’s in the way, so hurry up and eat it,” she said as she placed a small plate in front of Yami.
……Come to think of it, ever since he told her that today’s meeting will be a dinner party, she has been acting a little strange. It seemed like she had to muster up her courage when she sat next to Yami, and she looked rushed when she did it. Even after the party started, she has been acting as if she was trying to get the timing right on something.
Could it be that she wants to look after Yami? He wasn’t sure what her intentions were, but if that was what she was trying to do, then he’s very grateful. If she can hold Yami in check, then Jack should calm down a little, too. That would rein in the two biggest troublemakers here.
Just as Marx was getting his hopes up, Yami and Jack turned toward each other,
“……Hey, Yami, because you started saying weird shit, now even Charlotte has started acting out of character…. What the hell!? What the hell is up with this enigmatic woman!? Talk about terrifying!”
“I don’t know! H-hey Charlotte……Wha-what is your aim here? I-is it my life you’re after?”
“Y-you cretins!! I was trying to do you a favor!!”
“Wooooooooooooow, what a delicious-looking dish!! Y-Yami, if you won’t eat it, then I wiiiiiiiiiiilllllll!!”
Just as Charlotte was about to summon her thorns again, Marx speedily forced his way into the conversation.
“……Y-yes! Please eat it, Marx! I want nothing to do with this foolishness anymore!”
For just a moment, Charlotte’s face was like a demon’s, but then she replied with a pout as she pushed the plate onto Marx.
‘……I don’t really get what just happened, but, for now, the danger has been averted,’ he thought.
“Ah, I-I know! Captain Yami! You had Yuno-kun in your squad a few days ago for the Experience Enrollment! How was that!?”
Though he just averted one crisis, it was only a matter of time before they would provoke each other again, so he decided to change the topic of conversation.
“Ah, that’s right! I just remembered! Hey Goldy, I wanted to talk to you about that!”
Marx wasn’t sure if he chose the perfect conversation topic or if it was just his timing that was good, but Yami stopped arguing with Jack and turned toward Vangeance.
“Hand Yuno over, ya hear? Not as a trade. Give him to me free of charge.”
‘……Well, I successfully managed to start a conversation, but it sounds an awful lot like blackmail,’ Marx thought.
“Ha ha…… I’ve heard a little bit about what happened while he was with you, but does Yuno interest you that much?”
Vangeance replied with a smile as he gently swirled the contents of his cup. As far as Marx was aware, Vangeance is the only one who can behave so elegantly while being pressured by Yami.
“Yeah, I could make real good use outta him. He’s great at cookin’ and cleanin’, and he could buy my alcohol and cigs for me.”
“I heard about that from Yuno himself. When Sandler heard, he became very angry and said, ‘You may be a mere peasant, but to think he’d make members of our squad do things like that……’. I had never seen him make a face like that before.”
“Well, of course, I also think that Yuno’s magic is really somethin’ else. It’s really crazy, that spirit magic he has. Yuno’s magic by itself is strong enough, but with that spirit supportin’ him, all his other spells have gotten multiple times stronger.”
It is said that a spirit dwells in each of the four major attributes: earth, fire, wind, and water. Extraordinarily powerful magic that can only be wielded by those who have received the spirit’s blessing, that is spirit magic. Yuno has been blessed by the wind spirit, Sylph. She has already made significant contributions in many of his missions.
“He’s really somethin’. He dried the laundry so damn fast!”
That ability is not for housework.
“You get what I’m sayin’, right? So, hand him over.”
And it’s not something one can get so easily.
“Ha ha. No. You’re not even offering me anyone in return, you know?”
“Huh? What, you mean you’ll think about it if I trade ya for him? There’s someone on my team you want?”
“……Hmm, let me see.”
From behind his mask, a mischievous glint shone in his eyes.
“How about…… Asta-kun?”
“…………”
Everyone at the table paused in shock. This has to be a joke, the kind you usually make at a drinking party, they thought. Surely, neither of them was being serious. Still, even if they were joking, he brought up Asta’s name in a conversation about trading the Golden Dawn’s ace ……he’s essentially saying that Asta’s value is equivalent to Yuno’s. That peasant who doesn’t even have any magic? Everyone knows that Asta has been an excellent Magic Knight. His name has shown up frequently in recent reports, and some of the captains here have even fought together with him. However, not having any magical power whatsoever is too dire a handicap to have in the Magic Knights. Thus, everyone was shocked to hear Vangeance bring up his name. Marx wondered if he could sense some kind of potential in Asta.
“Huh, you kidding? You’d be fine with him? You can have him. His arms were broken until just a while ago, but he seemed fine yesterday, so feel free to use him however you want.”
However, Yami didn’t seem fazed, continuing to speak in his usual way.
“……Well, but,”
In the next instant, his mouth upturned into a provocative smirk as he said,
“I don’t think you’d be able to handle him.”
“……I wonder about that.”
For a brief moment, the two stood still, studying each other without a word.
The atmosphere around them wasn’t unpleasant, but it was a peculiar air, as if the two were trying to measure something specific in the other. Just as Marx was getting ready to chip into the conversation,
“Fu fu, let’s leave the joke at that…. I won’t hand Yuno over to you. Everyone is expecting great things from him this year.”
“Huh~ What the hell? You stingy golden weird mask guy.”
“Ah ha ha…… huh? Was that always meant to be an insult? Not my nickname?”
With that, they started drinking again, smiling as they continued to converse with each other. Unlike before, when they seemed to be throwing riddles at each other, there was no unpleasantness at all between them, just genuine enjoyment of the moment.
If this keeps up, the other captains will probably get involved, and then they’ll all enjoy being part of a normal conversation. Marx felt a wave of relief wash over him, but then…
“Tch. Fine, fine. My brat has more guts than Yuno, anyway~”
Oh no. With that single sentence Yami casually blurted out, Vangeance’s smile stiffened by just a little bit.
“……I guess. Well, I think that Yuno has a considerable amount of guts, too. I haven’t tried to compare them before, so I can’t say this with certainty, but I don’t think that Yuno necessarily loses to Asta in that regard.”
“…………”
With those words, this time, it was Yami whose expression tightened a bit.
“……Naah. I don’t know about that. That Asta hates losing so much that he’d rather die, so I bet he’d come out on top. I can’t say that with certainty, though.”
“……Yuno also hates to lose. He told me himself that, during the raid on the Capital, the reason he was able to capture a member of the Eye of the Midnight Sun is because of how strongly he felt those very emotions.”
“Nah nah, if you’re gonna bring that up, Asta killed a ton of zombies during that very same attack.”
“He did, but Yuno defeated a member of their upper echelons. Because of him, we were able to obtain vital intel on the Eye of the Midnight Sun, wouldn’t you agree?”
“The only reason we were able to get that intel is because Asta used his sword to break the protection spell on them!”
“Huh, wait, what? Ha ha… what’s wrong, you two?”
Marx attempted to stop them, but his voice didn’t reach them, and the two continued their dispute. It’s probable that neither of them intended for this to happen. However, no matter what they might say, it’s clear that they both dote on their squad members. The two got more fired up with each exchange until their souls were practically screaming “My child is better than yours!”. Neither of them has had much alcohol yet, but perhaps the power of alcohol had at least something to do with it.
……And then, finally,
“……Then, we’ll just have to do it.”
Yami spoke with a sharp gaze and a voice so low it could kill.
“You mean, we should summon them right here, right now, and have them fight until one of them collapses… right?”
“Hmmm…… I guess that will be fine.”
“THAT’S NOT FINE AT AAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!”
Marx finally decided it was time to intervene, but he was no longer in their field of vision. He was used to Yami being like this, but it was rare to see Vangeance’s eyes like that. It might even be the first time he has ever seen Vangeance like this.
‘So, this is how strongly he feels about his squad members……,’ Marx thought.
“P-please wait! Having them fight now is…… it’s definitely too sudden, don’t you think!? Plus, the two of them hail from the same village, right!? Suddenly making them fight each other would be too cruel!!”
“Actually, I’ve been told that fighting each other is how they’ve honed their practical combat skills since they were kids. We just want them to do that one more time, so I don’t think they would find our request particularly unreasonable.”
Vangeance was surprisingly calm as he said this, which suggests that he was never carried away by his emotions to begin with. He’s just that wicked. People who are calm and logical when they’re angry are the most frightening of them all.
“Well, that may be so, but…… they don’t need to fight right now, do they!? What about the dinner party!?”
“Would ya shut up already!? We can eat and drink while the two fight it out!”
“What!? That sounds just like what rich people with bad taste do for fun! You’ll traumatize them!”
To watch two people who grew up together like siblings fight to the death against their will! Only a demon would do such a thing and smile about it! No, this man is called the God of Destruction for a reason. Come to think of it, if these two are saying things like this, then, most likely……
“Kah kah! Hey, Yami! Are you two planning to enjoy such an interesting spectacle without me?”
Just as Marx predicted, Jack joined the conversation.
“Let me in on this, too. And then I’ll cut up whoever wins.”
“Eeeh!? Jack-san is going to fight, too!?
It was as if a chain-reaction had begun. This time, it was Rill who responded, making sideways glances at Charlotte and Nozel as he spoke.
“A fu fu……Then, maybe I’ll go, too. I-it’s not like I feel really uncomfortable around certain people and am trying to get myself as far away from them as possible or anything!”
“……I don’t know what you are so fearful of, nor do I care, but I plan on coming as well.”
“Huuuuuuh!?”
Charlotte quietly declared her intent to participate, unconcerned with Rill, who’s eyes were wide with shock. Marx’s expression mirrored Rill’s as he sputtered,
“B-but…… Why you, too, Captain Charlotte!?”
“……Usually, I care not for whatever these men might do. However, the Star Festival will soon be upon us, an event of great importance. These foolish men need someone to keep an eye on them so that they don’t do anything stupid.”
For some reason, she kept stealing glances at Yami’s face as she spoke.
“……It’s dangerous to leave him unsupervised.”
For the second time that night, Yami and Jack exchanged looks after watching her behavior.
“……Hey, Jack. What’s up with her today? Dangerous to leave me unsupervised, she says……? Is she planning to follow me and… attack me from behind with her thorns!?”
“C-calm down, Yami! Try to remember! You probably did something to make her mad! You know, like… you defiled her honor or something!”
“…...I-I’m going to kill you!!”
“Please don’t!”
“C-captain Dorothy, Captain Nozel! You think it’s messed up to make Asta and Yuno fight, too, right!?”
Marx desperately called out as he shielded Yami with his body, arms outstretched. He didn’t have any faith that either of those two would join forces with him, but they were the only two who hadn’t yet entered the conversation. They were the last two he could possibly depend on, so he had no choice but to stake the last of his fleeting hopes on them.
‘……But, when you think about it, neither of them has been enjoying the party at all, but they haven’t done anything to spoil the party, either. No matter what they might say, that in itself could be evidence that they feel quite at home at this party, which means they might be willing to help me dissuade the other captains.’
Holding such hopes in his heart, Marx waited for either of them to make a response. However…
“……………………..”
“zzz………zzz…….zz zz, zzz-zz-zz…….zzz……zzz”
It was no good. Nozel’s eyes conveyed the message, “I don’t care. Bother me and I’ll break your spine in half”. Dorothy’s only response was her snores.
‘……As I thought, I’ll have to do something about this myself,’ Marx thought.
“P-please calm down, everyone! For now, let’s all sit back down! This dinner party is a formal banquet organized by the Wizard King, you know!? To disregard that would be unforgivable!”
He didn’t want to do this, but he decided he needed to borrow some of the Wizard King’s authority, so he mentioned him by name. Even so, he wasn’t sure if that would be enough to settle everyone down……
“……Or, how should I put it? Regardless of the fact this party was organized by the Wizard King, please do not abandon this banquet.”
Maybe he’s spilling the beans too soon. Maybe this banquet is all just a political maneuver.
“……The Wizard King established this banquet to deepen your friendships with each other.”
At the very least, he wanted them to know that fact.
“It’s true that I think this is a clumsy way to do it. It’s true that I think it’s hopeless. In fact, I think that it’s really irresponsible of that magic maniac to organize a banquet and not even show up! I’ve been thinking that, just once, I want someone to give him a good thrashing!”
“H-huh? Marx-san, are you trying to back him up? Or, do you just want to insult him?”
Rill’s voice was full of worry, bringing Marx back to his senses. He nearly let the daily frustrations he has built up erupt out of him.
“A-anyway, it’s an undeniable fact that this banquet was prepared in consideration of your relationship…… So, I don’t want you all to quarrel like this at the banquet he prepared for you.”
“………”
With Marx’s desperate appeal, the entire banquet fell silent.
…This banquet has strayed far from what the Wizard King intended. At this point, even if the Wizard King were here, it would be impossible to fix. However, this was the only way Marx could think of to keep the party from falling to pieces. Just as he feared, getting this group to get along with each other was impossible……
“……What nonsense.”
Nozel retorted as he slowly stood up from his chair. His retort felt like an attack on an already defeated enemy. With that, he made his way toward the exit.
“……Ah, wait! Captain Nozel! Where are you going!?”
Nozel stopped and turned his head over his shoulder, looking back at Marx with frightfully cold eyes.
“I’m going home. His goal was to deepen our friendships with each other, correct? However, with this banquet now in shambles, that will not come to pass. Therefore, it is pointless to remain here.”
“………”
He was right.
“……Or rather, do you not agree that this was impossible from the beginning? Me? Getting along with a commoner, a foreigner, and a fallen noblewoman?”
His cold gaze moved from person to person before meeting Marx’s gaze once more.
“It’s true that cooperation among the various squads of the Magic Knights will be essential as the war continues to intensify. However, cooperation and familiarity are not synonymous. Rather, such half-baked acquaintanceships give birth to carelessness, and carelessness disrupts cooperation. Instead of wasting time on such meaningless gatherings, it would be more worthwhile to conduct joint exercises.”
“M-meaningless, you say……!?”
But he couldn’t refute what Nozel said. Though Marx felt that Nozel took things too far, none of what he said was incorrect. Even so, the Wizard King is…..!
“……Isn’t discussin’ that kind of thing one of the reasons that guy set this party up?”
“………!”
The one who said the very remarks Marx wanted to make was Yami. His eyes and tone were as extraordinarily deadpan as usual as he continued,
“Also, you’re right when you say that a half-assed friendship would only lead to careless mistakes, but if we don’t start by half-assing it, then it’ll never develop into real trust. That’s what strengthens collaboration…… not that I don’t understand where you’re comin’ from. I don’t wanna do it, either.”
“……Shut your mouth, foreigner. It was because of your ridiculous proposition that the order of this event was disturbed in the first place.”
“Ah, that whole thing about how we were gonna make Yuno and Asta fight? Yeah, I thought it would liven this place up a bit, but I guess we really shouldn’t. Sorry ‘bout that.”
Yami glanced at Vangeance, who apologized with a wry smile,
“Yeah. Ha ha, I guess that wouldn’t exactly bring us closer together, would it? Just as you said, I thought it would be nice to have them fight it out a little and then treat them to the food here, but…… certainly, it was an impudent proposal. We got carried away, and I apologize for that.”
“……huh?”
Marx’s eyes widened in shock.
‘Did those two come up with that idea in order to revitalize the banquet? By making all those objections and trying to keep everyone here against their will, did I end up ruining their idea and making the situation awkward for everyone……?’
“Anyway, sit back down, Mr. ball-o’-pride. I’m not sayin’ you need to get along with all of us, but can’t you at least wait for the Wizard King to arrive? You can just tell him what you told us earlier and then leave, so you won’t have to stay much longer, y’know?”
“…….”
Just when Nozel opened his mouth to respond to Yami’s words, they heard the sound of something distorting.
“Oh… I finally got through to you.”
When he looked toward the direction of the sound, Marx saw the Wizard King’s face projected through his communication magic.
--- To be continued in Part 2---
I’ll post the next half of this chapter next week if all goes as planned.
A note of explanation: “Experience Enrollment” is referenced in previous chapters of this novel. Though I haven’t translated those yet, it appears to be the name of the program for Magic Knights to spend a day working in a different squad. An example of this is when Asta works for the Golden Dawn in chapter 2 of this novel.
#Black Clover#Order of Knights Book#Yami Sukehiro#Julius Novachrono#William Vangeance#charlotte roselei#Jack the Ripper#rill boismortier#dorothy unsworth#nozel silva#Marx#My translations
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