#Proclamation No. 60

[mariacallous]

 Our Nation has made tremendous progress in advancing the cause of equality for LGBTQI+ Americans, including in the military.  Despite their courage and great sacrifice, thousands of LGBTQI+ service members were forced out of the military because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  Many of these patriotic Americans were subject to a court-martial.  While my Administration has taken meaningful action to remedy these problems, the impact of that historical injustice remains.  As Commander in Chief, I am committed to maintaining the finest fighting force in the world.  That means making sure that every member of our military feels safe and respected.

     Accordingly, acting pursuant to the grant of authority in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution of the United States, I, Joseph R. Biden Jr., do hereby grant a full, complete, and unconditional pardon to persons convicted of unaggravated offenses based on consensual, private conduct with persons age 18 and older under former Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), as previously codified at 10 U.S.C. 925, as well as attempts, conspiracies, and solicitations to commit such acts under Articles 80, 81, and 82, UCMJ, 10 U.S.C. 880, 881, 882.  This proclamation applies to convictions during the period from Article 125’s effective date of May 31, 1951, through the December 26, 2013, enactment of section 1707 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66).

     The purpose of this proclamation is to pardon only offenses based on consensual, private conduct between individuals 18 and older that do not involve any aggravating factor, including:  

     (1)  conduct that would violate 10 U.S.C. 893a, prohibiting activities with military recruits or trainees by a person in a position of special trust;      (2)  conduct that was committed with an individual who was coerced or, because of status, might not have felt able to refuse consent;      (3)  conduct on the part of the applicant constituting fraternization under Article 134 of the UCMJ;      (4)  conduct committed with the spouse of another military member; or      (5)  any factors other than those listed above that were identified by the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces in United States v. Marcum as being outside the scope of Lawrence v. Texas as applied in the military context, 60 M.J. 198, 207–08 (2004).

     The Military Departments (Army, Navy, or Air Force), or in the case of the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, shall provide information about and publicize application procedures for certificates of pardon.  An applicant for a certificate of pardon under this proclamation is to submit an application to the Military Department (Army, Navy, or Air Force) that conducted the court-martial or, in the case of a Coast Guard court-martial, to the Department of Homeland Security.  If the relevant Department determines that the applicant satisfies the criteria under this proclamation, following a review of relevant military justice records, the Department shall submit that determination to the Attorney General, acting through the Pardon Attorney, who shall then issue a certificate of pardon along with information on the process to apply for an upgrade of military discharge.  My Administration strongly encourages veterans who receive a certificate of pardon to apply for an upgrade of military discharge.  

     Although the pardon under this proclamation applies only to the convictions described above, there are other LGBTQI+ individuals who served our Nation and were convicted of other crimes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.  It is the policy of my Administration to expeditiously consider and to make final pardon determinations with respect to such individuals.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-sixth day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-eighth.                              JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

[shcmook]

THE STAR BEAST

Is about the RTD era. It’s set in dimly lit London streets. The Doctor avoids going to UNIT directly. Queer identity is at the center of it. The Metacrisis DoctorDonna comes back. He meets a woman named Rose. The plot is moved by strange unexplained coincidences. The Shadow Proclamation is invoked. There’s a big obvious spaceship crash that wasn’t an accident like in Aliens of London. There’s alien law enforcement hunting a real villain like smith and Jones. The Doctor is separated from Donna by a clear barrier like he is from Wilf in end of time. But instead of losing her, he gets her back. She remembers him. Journey’s End is undone.

WILD BLUE YONDER

Is about the Chibnall era. We’re separated from the TARDIS like in Ghost Monument, facing creatures beyond our universe like in It takes you away, Can you Hear me? And Flux. We’re on a spaceship nearly outside of the universe, failing to get as far as Tecteun wanted to go. We’re reminded the Doctor isn’t from this universe. Of the destruction of the Flux that the Doctor failed to stop. And the Doctor refuses to let Donna in, to tell her how badly this is affecting him, just like 13 didn’t let Yaz in. He even almost chooses the wrong Donna near the end. In a different way, 13 also didn’t choose Yaz.

We’re scratching the surface of the Doctor’s trauma but the Flux isn’t the real problem. She’d been keeping her companions out since before that. Why? What happened to the doctor in between Donna and the flux?

THE GIGGLE

Is about the Moffat era. There’s great emphasis on how old the Doctor is, that is the same old Doctor we met in the 60s. We’re reminded how the Doctor lost Amy, Clara and Bill, and the Doctor’s focus is on protecting Donna and Mel over the actual planetary stakes. Time is rewritten. There’s a too-good-to-be-true happy ending. There’s a lot going on.

The Doctor hasn’t stopped moving since losing Bill. Really, he hasn’t stopped since long before then. But the Bi-generation gives him a way to stop without depriving the universe of the Doctor. Amy, Bill, and Clara didn’t just die. They got second chances at life, with their own chosen companions (Rory, Heather and Me) . And at the end of his short journey, 14 gets that same fate. He dies, but finally gets a happy, restful life. Meanwhile 15, already feeling the benefits of his past self’s rest, journeys on.

[usnatarchives]

As mentioned on 60 Minutes last night, we are thrilled to announce that the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote, will go on permanent display at the National Archives Building in Washington, DC.

Beginning in March 2026, visitors will have the unique opportunity to see this groundbreaking legislation alongside some of the most important documents in American history—the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Emancipation Proclamation.

The 19th Amendment represents a pivotal moment in our nation's history, as it removed voting restrictions for more than half of Americans and was the result of over eight decades of tireless advocacy by the women’s suffrage movement. This addition to the display marks an effort to present a fuller story of America’s journey toward equality and democracy. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work that continues as we move toward a more perfect union, just in time to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Archivist of the United States Dr. Colleen Shogan shared her excitement: "I am thrilled we are adding these documents as we celebrate 250 years of the United States of America. I look forward to welcoming all Americans to experience first-hand this engaging history on display.”

Learn more about this momentous announcement in this National Archives press release: https://www.archives.gov/press/press-releases/2024/nr24-40

📸: Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, June 4, 1919 (cropped). https://catalog.archives.gov/id/596314

[follow-up-news]

President Joe Biden is expected to pardon US veterans who were convicted by the military over a 60-year period under a military law that banned gay sex, three US officials told CNN. The pardon proclamation is expected to be announced on Wednesday and one official said it is set to affect roughly 2,000 people. The granting of pardons won’t automatically change convicted veterans’ records but allows those impacted to apply for a certificate of pardon that will help them receive withheld benefits. The pardon, which CNN is first to report on, specifically grants clemency to service members who were convicted under former Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 125 — which criminalized sodomy, including between consenting adults — between 1951 and 2013 when it was rewritten by Congress. It also applies to those who were convicted of attempting to commit those offenses.

[bullet-prooflove]

Great! I didn't want to be rude and request for Peter stone if you were not writing for him!!! If you can, I wanted to request Peter stone x reader with Taylor swift's midnight prompt 60)  She had the envelop where do you think she got it from?

Tagging: @Plaidbooks @malindacath @misscharlielulu @queenslandlover-93 @Storiesofsvu

Peter doesn’t know where you got the envelope but he recognises it the moment he sees it clasped in your hand. He know what it contains, the power it holds.

“You posted this through my door last night when you were wasted.” You tell him as he sits at his desk, his heart pounding.

“Did you read it?” He asks you, his gaze flickering up to meet yours.

You have, he can tell from the expression on your face. When he’d written the letter it was never meant to be proclamation of love, it was a way of venting his feelings, of channelling the news of your engagement. He knows you don’t love Mike Dodds, if you did you wouldn’t be fucking him.

“Peter…” You begin and he shakes his head because he knows that tone and he despises it.

“Don’t tell me that you don’t feel it too.” He says as he raises to his feet. “Don’t tell me you don’t think about me when you’re with him, that you don’t spend the night touching yourself remembering what it feels like when I’m inside you.”

Your cheeks color as you look away and Peter knows he’s won. He steps around his desk until he’s in your proximity. You can feel the heat from his body warming your skin through the silk blouse your wearing as he tips your chin up to meet his gaze.

“Don’t marry him.” He says as he looks into your eyes. “Marry me instead.”

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[random-brushstrokes]

Nasta Rojc - Self Portrait with a Rifle (1912)

Nasta Rojc, one of the first academically educated female painters in Croatia, was born in 1883 into a wealthy family. Her father was Croatian politician Milan Rojc, a former Minister of Education. From a young age she didn’t fit the stereotype of a young girl so, after many quarrels with her family, she persuaded them to let her peruse her true calling – painting. She was mentored by the prominent Croatian painter Oton Iveković thanks to whom she became skillful enough to continue educating herself in Vienna and Munich, alongside some of the most exquisite artists like Miroslav Kraljević and Josip Račić. She excelled at portraits and landscapes, but although she was often present in various galleries, her work was frequently overlooked. In order to obtain a better status in society her family talked her into an arranged marriage with her friend, a colleague painter, Branko Šenoa. Their marriage was based on friendship – there was neither romance nor intimacy. Nevertheless, Nasta stayed legally married to Branko until his death in 1939, even after she met her one true love.

Because of her poor health, Nasta took a trip to England, just after the end of World War I. Through one encounter she managed to heal her physical and emotional health. She met Alexandrina Maria Onslow, an officer of the British army, famous for her bravery on the war field that brought her medals of honor. Alexandrine was an exceptional woman, famous for testing the boundaries of femininity, thus opening Nasta up to her true nature. Nasta and Alexandrine traveled throughout England and Scotland getting to know one another and becoming deeply infatuated with one another; luckily, this love and infatuation lasted a lifetime and beyond. On that trip, Nasta painted the first painting of an automobile in Croatian art history, making a precedent once again, merely by her extravagantly bold life choices for that time. The two lovers returned to Zagreb together and started living together in a house that Nasta designed herself, along with a well-known architect Hugo Ehrlich, in a famous area of Zagreb, Rocco’s park.

Unfortunately, not everything went smoothly for the couple. Nasta and Alexandrine supported the partisans and after the proclamation of the Independent State of Croatia in 1941 their home was confiscated and though both of them were ill (at that time age 60 and 75), they were arrested, but soon released on account of insufficient proof. The stress was unbearable for Alexandrine, who started to fall ill more frequently, until she eventually died in 1949, leaving devastated Nasta alone. Nasta spent most of her time in the rose garden, reminiscing of her departed partner, allegedly barely painting. She died forgotten and poor on November 6, 1964, on the date of her birth. She was buried next to her beloved Alexandrine Onslow on the Mirogoj cemetery. (source)

[thisisnotthenerd]

Notes on the Bylaws of the Aguefort Adventuring Academy

We've had some revelations in this episode, so I thought it might be a good time to go back to my Musings on the Greater Solisian School District.

Before this season, we had learned a few things about the Aguefort Adventuring Academy's Bylaws from Fantasy High, Fantasy High: Sophomore Year and the Seven that are ambiguously canon:

Adventuring Parties are established on the first day of freshman year so that the party can graduate together and begin working as an adventuring party. The party is expected to participate in activities together such that they might go forth and be violent lunatics enforcing their will upon the world.

There are a variety of reasons one might leave an adventuring party--the one that applied to the members of the Seven was severe injury, incapacitation, or capture to the point of losing more than a semester of school. By technicality, the Bad Kids circumvent this by virtue of going to jail as a group for ~2 months towards the end of their freshman year--not enough to cause them to repeat the semester or break the party.

The Crowning of a Prom King & Queen was prohibited due to the prophesized return of Kalvaxus, Emperor of the Red Waste, given that Kalvaxus was in fact working as the Vice Principal in the form of a dragonborn named Goldenhoard.

Arthur Aguefort keeps numerous magical artifacts in his office and in various locations around the school, this includes objects like Watches and Wards, an abjurative ward that can only be affected by Arthur Aguefort and the Elven Oracle [Adaine Abernant], the Crown of the Nightmare King, and the Bylaws of the Greater Solisian School District.

Presumably, beginning in sophomore year, an adventuring party attending the Aguefort Adventuring Academy must complete a quest that accounts for 60% of their grade for that year. It is unclear whether this rule is universal or whether it applies to specific parties who have direct involvement in larger quests, i.e. the Bad Kids tracking down the Crown of the Nightmare King, the Seven Maidens going to the Red Waste to eliminate the remainder of the Cult of Kalvaxus. This ties into a later application of the bylaws regarding the Last Stand Exam.

Parties can have members in different grades, however, graduation and further work can cause the disbandment of the party.

To acquire a GED diploma from the Solisian School District, an adventurer/adventuring party must get the signature of the Superintendent of Schools of the Solisian School District and complete a class A, B, or C quest [reference my previous meta for more discussion of this]

Now, at the halfway mark of Junior Year, we have some more bylaws and school rules to consider.

Administrative

In the absence of the Principal of the Aguefort Adventuring Academy [Arthur Aguefort] the Vice Principal [Gilear Faeth] is the Acting Principal of the school and carries out all administrative decisions thereof.

In the absence of both the Principal [Arthur Aguefort] and the Vice Principal [Gilear Faeth], administration of the School falls to the Principal's appointed emergency staff: Principal [Interim Emergency Backup Principal Grix] and Vice Principal [Jace Stardiamond]

The bylaws of the Aguefort Adventuring Academy in particular are based on a combination of written and oral proclamations from Arthur Aguefort; thus some bylaws may be contradictory in their application, given the man's proclivity for bits and exaggerated speech.

The election of a student body president typically occurs around the end of a given school year, with students in their junior year competing to be president in their senior year. There is no indicated option for a vice presidential position, though there are other administrative positions such as treasurer.

Thus, when all options for administrative staff have been exhausted e.g. all appointed candidates have passed or are absent, the role of principal falls to the student body president, who presides over the Academy as a democratically-run educational institution.

Academic

Generally, students are expected to progress in the class in which they first joined the Adventuring Academy. While leveling can differ based on extracurricular achievement as well as background, the existing hypothesis places students in tier 2-3 starting in Junior Year*. Currently the Bad Kids are exceeding the hypothesized levels, but given their extracurricular achievements in adventuring, this is to be expected.

To Multi-class and effectively take both classes in which the student has interest, they are able to utilize the MCAT, upon given the consent of the class instructors for both courses. Reference previous meta for more information on the MCAT.

Measures of success in each class varies significantly; a wizard is not graded on the same curve as a sorcerer. One of the more extreme examples of this is the conditional pass of the rogue class; upon finding the rogue teacher, the student passes the year and no longer has to attend class.

Pass-Fail and Conditional Examinations

If a member of an adventuring party leaves for any given reason: irreconcilable differences, severe injury/incapacitation, capture or other forms of imprisonment, death, etc., the entire party is shifted to pass-fail for the entire year, and is thus prohibited from extracurricular activities.

If the faculty member/instructor of a particular class passes away during the school year, the entire class is shifted into pass-fail. This can have further effects on the adventuring parties of those students, since they are shifted into pass-fail along with their allies in the given class. The most recent example of this is the death of Yolanda Badgood and the shift of the Cleric class to pass-fail.

If a student, for whatever reason, has had difficulty throughout the year with academic success, especially due to systemic barriers, they may be eligible for a exam called the Last Stand, which is taken later in the year, and replaces the student's transcript. This exam can be taken as a party, or individually, depending on the students' needs.

*Tier 1 = Levels 1-5, Tier 2 = Levels 6-10, Tier 3 = Levels 11-15, Tier 4 = Levels 16-20

[reading-writing-revolution]

President Joe Biden is expected to pardon US veterans who were convicted by the military over a 60-year period under a military law that banned gay sex, three US officials told CNN.

The pardon proclamation is expected to be announced on Wednesday and one official said it is set to affect roughly 2,000 people. The granting of pardons won’t automatically change convicted veterans’ records but allows those impacted to apply for a certificate of pardon that will help them receive withheld benefits.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Haley Britzky, Oren Liebermann, and Natasha Bertrand at CNN:

President Joe Biden is expected to pardon US veterans who were convicted by the military over a 60-year period under a military law that banned gay sex, three US officials told CNN. The pardon proclamation is expected to be announced on Wednesday and one official said it is set to affect roughly 2,000 people. The granting of pardons won’t automatically change convicted veterans’ records but allows those impacted to apply for a certificate of pardon that will help them receive withheld benefits. The pardon, which CNN is first to report on, specifically grants clemency to service members who were convicted under former Uniform Code of Military Justice Article 125 — which criminalized sodomy, including between consenting adults — between 1951 and 2013 when it was rewritten by Congress. It also applies to those who were convicted of attempting to commit those offenses.

Anyone who was convicted of a non-consensual act such as rape will not be pardoned. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Separately, the law known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was repealed by Congress in 2011, but not before thousands of service members had been discharged from the military.

A service member’s discharge status can determine what kind of Veterans Affairs benefits they are eligible for. A bad-conduct discharge, for example, given under general court-martial, can make someone ineligible for services including a VA home loan military pension, and education benefits. The pardon is separate from the Pentagon’s ongoing review of military records for those who were discharged based on their sexual orientation, which one of the officials said did not apply to convictions under the UCMJ. The Pentagon launched a new outreach campaign last September to reach more veterans who believe they “suffered an error or injustice” to have their military records reviewed.

[...] The certificate of pardon does not automatically change someone’s discharge status. If a certificate of pardon is issued, the service member will then have to apply to their respective military department’s board of corrections to have their military records corrected.

President Biden is expected to issue pardons to US veterans convicted by the military under UCMJ Article 125 that banned gay sex until 2013. This is yet another step in the right direction for our LGBTQ+ troops who served in the military.

[clare-875]

Until The End (Levi x Reader)- Chapter 24

[The Silent Descent]

_____ A/N: Posted on Wattpad (@CLARE_875) but also decided to post here :)

Summary:

"You can push me away, but I will still fight by you, and I will still follow you… until the end."

The ever-so-stoic Levi Ackerman has only ever known the terrors that living in a cruel world could bring. This all changed one fateful day when he encountered [y/n]; a girl renowned for her looks and abnormal speed. As they escape the confines of the Underground together, they soon discover that freedom doesn't come easy in a world full of Titans. As they rise through the ranks, [y/n] becomes known as "Humanity's Angel", a beacon of hope to humanity as she melts the walls Levi had built around his heart. However, she has her secrets too, and a dark past that might just threaten to pull them apart.

The storyline and characters of Attack on Titan do NOT belong to me, but all to Hajime Isayama; however, I do own this story, and all that occurs disparate to that storyline.

[Series Masterlist] [Chapter Twenty-Three] <--> [Chapter Twenty-Five] _____

(Warnings: Descriptions of injury, canonical violence)

As you make your way across to the other side of the walls, your eyes widen at the scene before you. Houses in the abandoned town of the Shiganshina District have been set aflame, blazing smoke rising to the skies, no doubt the work of the Colossal Titan; Bertholdt. Your heart pounds as you search the vicinity. First, you would check for survivors, then you would fight, with or without backup, though the latter would probably mean an imminent death. You shake that thought from your head. You'd made a promise to Levi. Until the end. You're not dying here. You can't. Flinging yourself through the buildings, you look to see the Colossal Titan, body somewhat smaller, or thinner somehow, trudging through the area towards the wall. But then, you see it, a mop of blond hair; it was Armin. 

You let yourself breathe out a sigh of relief that not all the Scouts had diminished with Bertholdt's transformation earlier as you flash to their vicinity in a second. "Armin!" you shout out as you land next to him, looking down and seeing that Jean and Mikasa are also present. Your squad is still alive. "C-Captain [y/n]!" The voices of your team stutter in surprise, relief instantly filling their faces at your presence, almost like you were an actual angel descended to Earth. They must've really had it rough. ‘Even your presence, Captain [y/n], brings people hope. Do not underestimate yourself.’��Somehow in that moment, Nurse Frida's voice rings through your mind. Was this what she meant? 

You turn to Armin. "The Colossal Titan, it's slimmer than usual," you state as Armin looks at you, relief clouding his eyes in your understanding as he frantically nods. "It's just as Hange said! The Colossal Titan is weak in a battle of attrition!" His bright blue eyes shine at the revelation. He reminds you of Erwin. "Eren's experiments," you say looking at him. "He could only transform three times. If that's the case for his 15-meter Titan, a 60-meter Titan must be less efficient." Armin continues to nod to your words in agreement. "And, there's the steam attack, too!" He adds as his mind collects the pieces and puts them into place. "I bet it's consuming everything except his skeleton to produce that steam!" You voice your agreement before turning to Jean. 

"The other members of our squad are they still alive?" You ask looking at him. "Y-yes Captain! Apart from Eren who's still on top of the walls, Sasha and Connie are still in the vicinity." You nod in confirmation. "What of Hange and their squad?" To this, Jean frowns before looking down slightly. "All within close range to Bertholdt when he transformed. We don't think any of them survived." Your heart shatters at that proclamation but you try to keep on a steady face, lips downturned. Hange... "C-Captain!" You turn to Armin who looks nervous but certain. "I have a plan!" You nod, allowing him to continue. "If I could ask you and the rest of the squad to draw Reiner away and defeat him. Eren and I will defeat Betholdt ourselves." Your eyes widen at his words, but his gaze does not falter. "The two of us can win and I'm going to prove it." 

You watch as he comes back to his usual self though as he stutters out, "I mean, p-please Captain! I swear-," but you interrupt him before he gets the chance. "I trust you, Armin, as does the Commander." You look at him in his widening gaze, you grasp him by the shoulder firmly. "Trust in yourself." You watch as he hesitantly nods, face becoming more determined and confident once again. "Leave Reiner to the rest of us," you say as you call Mikasa and Jean to your side. "Roger! Thank you, Captain!" You hear Armin yell out as you turn and give a firm nod, before flying to where the Armoured Titan should be. 

..... 

You had met with Sasha and Connie, now the two of them along with Mikasa and Jean flying behind you in the streets. "We trust that Armin and Eren can handle the Colossal Titan, our focus is to prevent Reiner from interfering!" You call out to the rest of the squad who shout out in confirmation "Roger!" You all approach Reiner at full speed, but suddenly the Armoured Titan changes direction and sprints past you. A strong gust of wind hits you all, causing some of you to lose your balance. You grit your teeth as you realise his focus has changed to Eren. "It's too late!" You call out to the Scouts. "We're going to have to stop him by force!" You don't wait for an answer as you flash by to where the Armoured Titan has gone, the Scouts following you in acknowledgement. 

You grip one of the Thunder Spears you had taken as you fuelled up on gas earlier. Your body moves swiftly through the barren streets before you turn and fling the spear through the back of the left knee on the Armoured Titan. You release the handle trigger swiftly as the others catch up to you, watching Reiner's Titan lose balance. It reaches for the surrounding buildings, trying to stabilise itself but ultimately topples to the ground in a heap of debris. There is a thunderous boom at the impact as you turn to the squad. "If we can't distract Reiner from going to Eren and Armin, we finish him off here!" Connie, Sasha, Jean and Mikasa nod grimly. They would have to stop Reiner, someone they used to call a friend and comrade, but it was the only way. 

"We have three remaining spears!" Connie shouts out from behind you and you nod. You had one more strapped to your waist, Connie had one and so did Sasha. Suddenly a wave of hot air comes from the distance. You look up. The Colossal Titan that Armin and Eren had been fighting now emitted a warm gold glow, another wave of its steam attack rising in the air. You watch as Mikasa also turns and stops in worry, looking as though she wants to go to them. You grip her shoulder and she turns around. "Trust them." You say as she turns hesitantly back to the scene before meeting your eyes and nods determinedly. You still had to put an end to Reiner. 

The Armoured Titan is now on the ground, unable to get up, wondering how one blow had rendered his knee useless. You use his vulnerability to quickly turn to the squad that gathers around you. "We have three remaining spears. We have to take the chance now that he's immobile. Here's our plan. Jean and Mikasa, you go first, act as the decoy and make sure you get Reiner's attention." The two of them nod determinedly as you continue. "Sasha, Connie, while he's distracted you fire your spears at the jaw of the Titan. Once his Jaw slackens, I'll go in and kill him from the inside with my spear. Understood?" Sasha and Connie nod. "Either way this fight goes, this is where it ends!" You would all use the last remaining bits of your energy and resources on this final blow. Your last chance. 

Your squad yells out in confirmation, faces grim. They knew if they didn't succeed this would likely be the end of it all. No doubt, all of the Scouts on the other side of the wall have already met their deaths; you were alone. You could only hope that Levi would fulfil the final oath he took for Erwin and kill the Beast Titan, you could only hope that Armin and Eren succeed in stopping Bertholdt, you could only hope that you all would stop Reiner. "Alright then," you say as you turn to the Titan before you all, "get in position." At your words Jean and Mikasa shoot forward attaching to the Armoured Titan and surrounding buildings, letting out yells to gather his attention. 

Reiner reacts. Though unable to walk he uses his arms to destroy the buildings around him, trying to attack Mikasa and Jean. Using the destruction and distraction to their advantage, now Connie and Sasha go forward readying to fire their Spears. Connie shoots, aim sure as his spear ingrains itself into the Titans jaw, but then, there's a mishap. You watch as debris strikes Sasha in her head as she tries to shoot, rendering her unconscious. Her form falls, but Connie goes to catch her, shouting her name. You fly in front of Reiner, landing on a rooftop in front of him, but you know it's useless. Though Connie's spear damaged one side of his jaw, Sasha had missed, there wasn't an opening wide enough for you to throw in your spear. 

You grit your teeth. It's true, his mouth might not be open, but you'd have to try anyway. You would rather risk your own life over the lives of your subordinates. "Captain [y/n], wait, it's too risky!" Connie calls from a distance, as you ready yourself, heart pounding against your chest. You didn't know if you would make it. But then, a familiar voice fills the air and relief fills your system. "No, it's perfect!" You look up to see Hange, bloodied and injured, but alive. More importantly, they flung through the air, another Thunder Spear in their grasp. They shoot and aim perfectly, and the final spear connects and explodes on the other side of the jaw which Sasha had missed. You watch as finally, Reiner's jaw slackens. "Now [y/n]!" Hange calls as she flies out of the way. 

You let out a yell, as you fly to Reiner. His hand shoots out to you, but you're too fast. You flash across space and land inside the Titan's mouth. You shoot the spear in your hand down his throat towards his nape. "Reiner!" you shout out as you let the trigger go, and flash out of range of the explosion. Soon enough, there is a massive explosion and you watch as the Titan finally falls, Reiner's disfigured body protruding from the destroyed nape. 

..... 

You stand behind Hange as they approach Reiner. His body is badly injured and steaming as it tries to heal. He sits slackened on the side of the building, lack of limbs, and a cloth covering his eye. "Reiner... What's this metal case you had in your left chest pocket?" Hange asks as they kneel down to him. "Before we chopped off all of your limbs, you tried to grab it with the strength you had left. Suicide pills? Or perhaps a bomb?" There is a brief silence. Mikasa bandages Jean next to you. He had been badly hurt by the debris of Reiner's attack. Then, Reiner's slow and gravelly voice reaches the air. "A letter..." Hange looks at him in surprise. "A letter? What kind of letter?" There is a pause again as Reiner tries to gather the energy to reply. "A letter... from Ymir. You have to... give it... to Christa..." 

"Only after we've inspected it," Hange replies as they put the metal case away and stand up. "Now then, I've got a mountain of questions for you, but... your lips seem as tight as your armour is hard." You react to her words pulling out your sword as you point it threateningly at Reiner. "Are you going to cooperate and tell us everything that we want to know, or not?" You ask as Hange crosses their arms and stares down at Reiner's unmoving form. Hange now has a bandage on their head, no doubt from when Bertholdt transformed, one of their eyes completely covered from the damage. "No..." Reiner mutters out at your words. You frown before turning the hilt of your sword. "Well, at least you're prepared for this," you mutter, as you push your sword against his neck, blood seeping from the wound. 

"Hold on!" Jean shouts out from behind you. "Are you sure Captain, Hange? We might be able to steal his power." You think back to an earlier meeting. Levi had been entrusted with the syringe and vile given to him by Kenny. It could transform one of us into a Titan. We could feed Reiner, or any of the Titans with abilities to that Titan and we would, in turn, retain its powers for ourselves. Hange turns to Jean at his words as you keep your sword pressed against Reiner's throat. "I don't think all the conditions for that have been met." They say to him, as Reiner chokes on his blood at the pressure you hold him to. "We don't know the situation with Levi and the other side. Neither do we have the time to go confirm it ourselves. The reason being, there's no way for us to gauge the full depth of their powers." Hange turns to Reiner at their last words. 

"Even if we cut his head off, we can't be too sure!" They continue to shout out. There is a silence before Jean's words reach the air once more. "This isn't like you, Hange. If we back down because of not knowing something, down the line, can we ever hope to beat the Titans?" Reiner lets out another gasp, blood seeping from his lips as Jean's words linger in the air. "When are we ever going to know all there is about the enemy?" There is more silence, as finally, Hange turns to look at Mikasa and Jean. "Mikasa," they say, as the Scout looks to them in acknowledgement, "how much gas do you have?" Mikasa replies, dark eyes looking at Hange. "It's almost entirely gone. But it should be enough to reach Eren and Armin at least." Hange nods, "That's more than me, or [y/n]." 

"Mikasa... I need you to go check out their situation. Fill up your gas and bring back the injection from Levi. If for any reason, you're unable to do so, fire a smoke signal. That will be our signal to end Reiner." At Hange's words, you finally release your blade on Reiner's throat as he gasps out in relief. "Roger," you hear Mikasa say, as she flies off into the distance. You stand, sighing slightly before Jean starts to speak up. "Hange, I-" But they quickly cut him off in response. "The decision was mine. You were just a factor." Silence takes over but you still eye Reiner warily, not liking your predicament, even though you had won the battle. Levi. You had hoped he was okay. You hoped he had succeeded in the task of killing the Beast Titan. Hange walks over to Jean, as they check over their bandages. 

Moments pass in silence as Hange stands by Jean and you remain in front of the disfigured Reiner who pants in pain. Suddenly, a smoke signal rises in the air. You remember back to Mikasa's words. It was the signal to kill Reiner, that there had been a disturbance of some sort that rendered his life useless to them. You look to Hange who nods from a distance eyes flickering between you and then Reiner. Jean looks like he is about to say something but stops himself as he swallows. This wasn't the Reiner he befriended; this wasn't the Reiner he knew. He was the enemy; if he were in the same position, Jean knew that Reiner would kill him. You unsheathe your sword once more, taking in a deep breath, and looking at the man in front of you. You point your sword to the man, about to deal the finishing blow... But then you hear Reiner’s stuttering voice fill the air. 

"C-Captain... [y/n]... to think... that you... were one of us..." You turn to Reiner, your eyes widening at his words, the sword in your hand faltering. Hange and Jean look at you from a distance but they can't hear the quiet exchange, confusion in their features as they watch you hesitate to kill the man. "What do you mean by that." You mutter pointing your sword at him. "We... we needed Eren... but... he said... we needed you too..." Then you hear it, the sudden trembling of the Earth below, a thrumming beat of giant footsteps making their way to you. But you also feel it, the sudden wave of drowsiness that hits you, along with a prick on your upper arm. You look down. Sure enough, a strange syringe-like form had flown across space, from where you didn't know. It embedded itself into you, and with it, your vision started to blur. You lose your hold on the sword you had held onto Reiner, suddenly feeling yourself falling to your knees, your body slackening. 

You hear Hange and Jean's screams as they yell out to you. But your churning vision now turns to your right, and you see the large Titan you had seen in the distance with the Beast Titan approaching you on all fours, thunderously. Jean tries with his weakened frame to hold Hange back as they scream your name, but you don't have the energy to move or reply. You feel a large hand wrap around you, suddenly being hoisted into the air and landing next to... a man you hadn't seen before. Your eyes are now half-lidded, unable to do a thing, barely able to make up the features of the man. Blond hair... glasses... a lack of arms on his body. "Hange!" you hear the dwindling voice of Connie as he looks at the scene in shock, "They've taken Reiner and Capatin [y/n]!" 

Your ears are now muffled, as you continue trying to move, trying to fight the black descending on your vision. You can make out the sounds of ODM gear in the air. You can hear Hange's voice yelling out to you in desperation. But you can do nothing. You're getting further away from them, your friends, from Levi. The last thing you hear just as the movement of the Titan stops, is the man's voice next to you, uttered softly. 

"I've been waiting to meet you [y/n] [l/n]..." 

Your shock is clouded as you finally lose consciousness. The last thing on your mind... Levi. 

..... 

Hange looks in utter defeat as they finally come to a halt. Lack of gas evident in their tanks. They are in a state of complete disbelief, how could they have lost not only Reiner but you as well? Just a moment ago, they had had the upper hand, Reiner in their clutches, you just fine. What's worse, they would have to inform Levi. Hange could only imagine what devastation would be left in the wake of your absence. They turned to Connie, whose face mirrored one of shock and loss. "C-Captain..." his voice reaches the air wavering and barely a whisper. Hange grits their teeth squeezing their eyes shut before they turn to Connie. "We head back, regroup!" Connie shakes his head slowly, "B-but..." Hange interrupts him swiftly. "We have no gas to chase them, we have no more thunder spears to help with our attack, and we're utterly useless right now. We regroup... let's go!" 

When Jean looks up to see the lack of your presence he swears out, pounding the ground with his fist in defeat. "It's my fault..." He speaks out, voice dull. "I've done something terrible..." Hange knows he thinks it's his fault for not having killed Reiner immediately. Maybe then you would have been more on your guard, maybe then they wouldn't have approached you at all. Hange's face is dark as they look away from the boy. "I said the decision was mine. Let's regroup with the others." Jean's heart pounded against his chest. "C-Captain Levi... what will he say?" Hange is silent, as both Jean and Connie look like they're going to be sick. Ultimately, they decide not to reply to Jean's words. "Let's go." Connie silently puts an unconscious Sasha on their back, as Jean grasps onto Hange, flying through the air towards where a gold glow fills the air. A Titan Transformation. 

..... 

By the time Hange, Jean, Connie and Sasha had arrived where Eren and the rest were, they were met with a shocking sight. The body of a Titan lay steaming on the ground, protruding from it, was the body of Armin, Eren and Mikasa crying as they held him. On a nearby roof, Levi was sitting next to a deceased Erwin looking down at the sight, a lone soldier by his side. Connie and Jean quickly made their way to Armin as well, after gently leaning Sasha against a nearby building. Questions quickly spilled from their lips as Eren and Mikasa shakily gave their answers to them. Armin, on the brink of death, was chosen to be transformed into a Titan. He was chosen over an also dying Erwin who had somehow survived the suicide charge towards the Beast Titan, found by the lone soldier, Flock, who stood by Levi. Armin had then been fed Betholdt, and given the powers of the Colossal Titan, allowing him to survive. 

Hange approached Levi who gave the same answers. He told them about his choice, why he had chosen Armin over Erwin, and how he saw it unfit to bring him back into this hell after being in it for so long. A short moment passed when Eren and Mikasa finally calmed down, collecting Armin and following Hange's orders to take him to the top of Wall Maria. Jean and Connie also listen to Hange's words, taking Sasha as well to set up a makeshift area on top of the walls to allow her to recover away from the destruction in the streets. Flock, the only soldier left from Erwin's suicide charge also nods and goes to help Jean who is still badly injured. The seconds go by tensely as Jean and Connie still have a haunted look in their eyes, their Captain... you... missing. Hange gives them a silent look as they hastily, almost shamefully set off to the walls, following Eren and Mikasa. 

Hange can feel it. 

They can feel the suddenly tense atmosphere in the absence of the other Scouts as they make their way back to the walls. They can feel the way Levi's eyes now scour the area in realisation. They can feel the way he now turns to them, grey eyes ingrained on their backs along with the rising thrumming of his heart. They can feel the anticipation in the next few seconds. They know the question brimming through his mind. Hange feels their heart drop along with their gaze as their face darkens. First, the loss of the entire Scout Regiment, then Erwin... and now...

"Hange... where's [y/n]?" 

Hange can scarcely look up at him, still staring at the ground, facing away from Levi. On the other hand, Levi starts to slowly lose his sanity in the silence that consumes him. Where are you?  Why hadn't you arrived with Hange? What happened? Were you hurt? Did you go ahead to the basement? Were you still on the lookout for survivors? Where are you? Were you- Levi's heart pounds relentlessly against his chest, a strange sensation fills his senses, an unfamiliar feeling of dread... of genuine fear. His hands tremble at his side, eyes wide and pupils contracting. Where were you... where were you... where were-

Levi suddenly moves forward grabbing Hange by the collar of their shirt tightly, forcing Hange to look at him. Anger fuels his movements, impatience causing the rough movement of his hands as he roughly shakes them in his grasp. He sees it in their eyes, the sorrow, the regret... the loss. Levi slowly shakes his head in disbelief. "Hange... where is she?" Hange's silence only makes his rage increase. "Where is she Hange?! WHERE IS SHE!!" Hange finally speaks up, looking pitifully at the smaller man in front of them. Never had they seen him lose his composure as he does now. His eyes are wide, his features fierce, dread filling every rim of his face. "She's gone, Levi... They took her away with Reiner. The strange Titan we saw earlier today and a blond-haired man; the Beast Titan." 

Levi freezes his movements, his grip slackening as he takes a step back. The Beast Titan. The man he failed to kill. The man that escaped his clutches. The man he had stopped pursuing to save Armin. The man that took you away... The man that could've killed you by now, for all he knew. It was his fault. Hange watches as the once stoic Captain turns silent at their words. They watch as he falls to his knees gripping his hands into fists that slowly start to cause blood to seep through his fingers. They watch as his eyes are barely visible under the darkened expression on his face. Levi struggles to keep himself from hyperventilating. Thoughts fill his head at a pace he can't keep up with. You. His lifeline. Torn away from him, in the clutches of the enemy he swore to protect you from. He had lost so many people in his life. You had been a blessing, graced with your strength, with your smile, with your warmth... he had dared believe that you wouldn't leave him like the others did. 

You promised him. 

You swore you'd be by his side, until the end, no matter what end he met. He swore to himself and you, that nothing would touch you. How were you gone? Levi stumbles to his feet, breathing heavily as he struggles to control his emotions. He readies his ODM gear. He would chase you down he would find you by foot if he had to. He would do anything if there was even a slither of hope you were alive. He moves forward, mind in a haze, but something stops him. He looks up, a deranged look in his eyes as Hange almost relents at his gaze. "What are you doing?" They ask as Levi tries to continue on his path whilst Hange continuously stops him. "What will you do?!" They suddenly yell out, their own grief and frustration catching up with them. "Chase them to the ends of the Earth?! Die among the Titans outside the walls?!" Levi interrupts Hange quickly, outrage filling his words, "What would you have me do then?!" He yells, voice echoing the abandoned streets. 

"I don't care if I die, I'm going. Stay out of the way shitty glasses." He mutters darkly. "I thought you hated pointless death." Levi freezes, cold aversion filling his system as Hange mutters the words Erwin had spoken to him many months ago. The man who was now also dead among too many of the soldiers he was ashamed not to be able to count. "I did," he replies but then whispers in a voice barely heard by Hange. "But my life is pointless without her." Hange is taken aback by the vulnerability he allows himself to show for a single moment before he moves forward again. "What will [y/n] say?" They ask as they look at Levi who refuses to meet their gaze. "We have a job to do, we have to fulfil the mission. If you die before we're even allowed to come up with an actual plan to save [y/n], if you die before we fulfil the mission so many soldiers gave their hearts for... [y/n] would kill her yourself." 

With that Hange relents, releasing Levi from their observation and attempts to stop him, they fly off towards the walls. They feel their own heart sink in your absence. You had been their friend too. Always supportive of their experiments no matter how extreme their love for science and Titans grew. They had known you for so long, rising the ranks and growing as soldiers together. Now you were lost to the clutches of an unpredictable enemy because of a decision they made. Not only you but they had watched their squad die before their eyes. Watching as Mobilt pushed them out of the way from the bursts of hot air as the Colossal Titan transformed. Coming to find Levi, only to see that Erwin was also lost to the clutches of death. Hange pushed against the overwhelming depth of their grief as they approached Wall Maria where the other Scouts were tending to each other. Levi was lost in his despair, the other Scouts were lost in their survival and someone had to continue the mission. 

Meanwhile, as Hange left, Levi was rooted to the spot unable to do anything. His heart still hammers against his chest, the heavy feeling of grief filling his chest and making it hard to breathe. He knew Hange was right. That he couldn't save you right now, especially in this state, no matter how desperately he wanted to find you. He was still a Captain of the Survey Corps, with the overwhelming lack of Scouts left, his subordinates would be relying on him. But in that moment Levi allowed himself to think only of you. He walked over to a nearby crate hidden among the destroyed homes. He sat down holding his face in his hands and grip tightening on his locks as his mind reeled in his failure. Your smile. Your touch. Your everything. He felt the warm beginnings of tears run down his face and he yelled out in frustration before losing himself in his sorrow. Utterly defeated he let himself sob, something he didn't know was possible after the many losses making him feel as though he was a hollow shell of emotion. Well, until you showed up. 

He let himself lose himself in your loss, and many long moments passed. But then the instant came when he knew he had to complete the mission. For the sake of you and humanity. So, he loathingly lifted himself from the crate. After several moments he decided to join the rest of the squad that diverted their eyes in the presence of his evidently deathly aura, and darkened face. He prayed to whatever God was out there that this retched day would come to an end... and maybe he'd wake up to you by his side, telling him it was all just a dream.

_____

[Chapter Twenty-Three] <--> [Chapter Twenty-Five]

Tags: @batboygirlie

[thespoliarium]

NEVER FORGET. NEVER AGAIN.

On the 21st of September 1972, 51 years ago, Proclamation 1081 was signed. This would become the deadly start of the Martial Law.

However, the masses only realized that it has started on the 23rd of September. How did this happen? An ambush against the then Minister of Defense, Juan Ponce Enrile on the 22nd of September.

The Marcos regime is anti-NPA, or New People's Army, sometimes called CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines - New People's Army)

Now, let's have some facts about the Martial Law.

1. 107,240 people are primary victims of the HRVs during Martial Law. - 70,000 are arrested. - 34,000 are tortured. - 3,240 are killed by the military police. 2. 464 media outlets were closed - 8 major English newspapers - 18 vernacular, Spanish and English dailies - 60 community newspapers. - 66 TV channels (including ABS-CBN) - 20 radio stations - 292 provincial radio stations. 3. 11,103 of these people are victims of human rights violations. - 2,326 were killed or disappeared. - 238 were r*ped and forcibly abducted - 217 were m*tilated, abused sexually, including minors. - 1,467 were abused mentally, psychologically, emotionally. - 182 were subjected to inhumane treatment - 699 are in arbitrary detention (more than 6 months) - 1,417 are detained between 15 days to 6 months - 1,239 are detained from 36 hours up to 15 days - 579 were in involuntary exile involving violence and illegal takeover of business - 2,739 were in involuntary exile involving intimidation and physical injuries

This remains a dark stain in Philippine history. And with another Marcos on the high seat, we voice out: NEVER FORGET. NEVER AGAIN.

Sources: Fast Facts: The Marcos martial law regime | Inquirer News https://twitter.com/indiohistorian/status/1485997495587151877

[300yearschallenge]

Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3 I Part 4 I Part 5

"My God!" Charles Elias said. "That's awful! The poor girl..."

"Oh, yes, yes," the maid said, "Very tragic. But to see a troll! Could you imagine? There's whispers she might be cursed, troll-touched as she is."

"Are you done?" A voice rang out across the kitchen and a bolt of ice ran down Charles Elias' spine.

"Oh, Laura!" The maid said. "This young man here was waiting for you."

"I can see that," Laura said, glaring daggers at the maid, "You didn't think to come fetch me?"

"Oh, no," the maid said, "I was sure you would turn up soon enough. Besides, the poor man ought to know what he's getting himself into, don't you think?"

Laura and the maid both turned to look at Charles Elias at once, and he desperately wished for the floor to open up and swallow him whole.

"I see..." Laura said. "So he's a gossip too, then? That's good to know."

"A gossip, hah!" The maid laughed. "He seems perfectly fine to me. Don't you agree, young man?"

"Uh--"

"Oh, forget it!" Laura snapped. "Come on, Mr. Park. We're leaving."

Part 1 I Part 2 I Part 3 I Part 4 I Part 5

Summary of Part 3:

The maid told Charles Elias about an incident in Laura's childhood. Her and her mother and father had been traveling by wagon back home when their horse startled and the wagon fell off a cliff. In the aftermath only Laura survived, albeit wounded, and when she was rescued she told people that what had startled their horse had been a troll.

Historical Info

Let's talk about trolls and superstition!

Art by John Bauer (1882 - 1915)

So the troll in Scandinavian folklore/superstition is a creature of the wilderness. There's like a quintillion different troll stories and their appearances and behaviour can be quite varied from place to place, story to story. Sometimes they're hostile, sometimes they're friendly. Sometimes they're human-like, sometimes they're very not.

In The Genre of Trolls by Camilla Asplund Ingemark, she summaries the varied views of trolls based on location in the following way:

"The Central Swedish trolls dwell in mountains, those in Southern Sweden inhabit mounds, and Norwegian trolls live in the high mountains. The looks of the troll may be pictured in various ways, but its ugliness is a common feature. In Central Sweden the troll can be of human height, whereas the Northern and Western parts of the country favour huge trolls (Hartmann 1936: 60–65)"

Since there's a lot of research that has been done into folklore by smarter minds than me, I won't make any further proclamations on the workings of trolls as a whole. Other than to keep in mind that views and stories were varied and different, but the throughline seems to be that trolls are often to be feared and avoided.

In the story of what happened to Laura's family we have a horrific and traumatising accident attributed to a troll. Obviously trolls aren't actually real (although Laura and others believe them to be) and so whatever she truly saw was most likely twisted by trauma and injury into something she had heard of in stories.

In my pictures I chose to have the troll look like a mix between a goat and a man, inspired by the following quotes from the previously quoted text:

"The ambiguity between human and animal characteristics is an important one"

&

"One troll from the Åland Islands shows itself as a he-goat with terrible horns and a beard enveloping the entire hill where it lives (SLS 59: 48–49)"

It intentionally looks almost like very typical depictions of the Devil, since after Sweden became Christian "the troll was assimilated into the image of the Devil"

Now you may be wondering why Laura is being treated so poorly when she was simply the victim of a horrible accident (and supposed troll encounter).

Partially this is just basic human cruelty. Laura, for one reason or another, was seen as an acceptable person to mistreat.

It is also a matter of people fearing those who have had encounters with trolls. People surviving a troll encounter can be viewed in a few different ways. Sometimes they are simply victims of unfortunate circumstances, other times they are transgressors who get punished.

Often in the stories mentioned by The Genre of Trolls the people who have encounters with trolls where they survive (relatively) unscathed are in some ways tied to the trolls. Whether it be a troll expecting a future favour or gift, or wishing to re-capture a previous victim. Sometimes in stories where someone has a non-deadly encounter with a troll they may be gifted a "second sight" of sorts, allowing them to see through troll-made illusions or tricks. In these cases the people are "trapped between different versions of otherness, first a supranormal otherness, then a socially defined alienness".

In Laura's case she is not quite thought to possess any supernatural abilities, but the people in the village see her as someone who could be at risk of either a repeated troll encounter (which could put others at risk) or someone who could unknowingly owe the troll something since she lived when others didn't.

In essence her being mistreated by others is them seeing her connection to trolls as a sort of 'otherness', and as we all know many people in the past and now don't appreciate those who do not fit in.

[merlot-and-chardonnay]

A Lark Among the Wolves and Dragons: Chapter 60.5

Masterlist

Chapter 60

Ivan had staggered back to his feet, rubbing the spot on the side of his jaw where Aemma had punched him. He was certain the princess didn't mean to hurt him too badly, but at the same time she probably wasn't sure who to trust, given how things were going down now.

In truth, Ivan wasn't even sure what was going on himself. At this point, he's heard all kinds of things since it was confirmed by the Small Council that King Viserys had passed in his sleep sometime last night.

But now confusion was arising due to the fact that no one could seem to agree who was to sit the Iron Throne next. Ivan had been certain it was going to be Princess Rhaenyra, as Viserys had been steadfast in that proclamation since before Ivan was welcomed into the king's home. But new information had now come to light from the Dowager Queen that Viserys had changed his mind in his final moments and had wished to have his firstborn son inherit the throne instead.

This was something that confused Ivan greatly, that the king would change his mind so suddenly when he had made it clear time and time again that his firstborn child would be the next monarch. Something wasn't adding up, but this was something Ivan had tried to word his confusion, but realized that wasn't a wise decision, especially now when the Hand was conspiring to have the lords swear obeisance to Aegon instead of Rhaenyra...by any means necessary.

And also, being aware of Criston Cole's disdain for the princess, Ivan knew it would be wise to keep his mouth shut for the time being.

Something that didn't seem to matter the moment Ivan was shoved against the wall by Criston. "What are you doing?!" Ivan demands, noting the rage in Criston's eyes. "I could accuse you for treason, Ser Ivan," Criston warns, "letting the princess run off like that? Without putting a fight?" "Last I checked I took an oath to protect the king and his family," Ivan scoffs at that, "I wasn't aware that included apprehending or harming the princess in the process." "Well let me make this clear then," Criston pulls back, taking out a dagger and placing it against Ivan's neck, "His Grace had named his firstborn son, Prince Aegon, his next heir in his final moments. The Queen herself confirmed this. To question such a claim would be considered treason, and this is something Princess Aemma had not deigned to understand. Now Aegon is nowhere to be found, but when we do find him, he will be crowned king, and YOU Ser Ivan will do well to remember your oath to protect the future king and HIS family. Do I make myself clear? Unless you wish for me to inform the rest of the kingsgaurd of your...condition."

Ivan huffed, knowing now Criston was threatening to reveal his elven status to his colleagues, "you would make such a threat all for a small error of judgement on my part," Ivan points out, pushing the dagger away, "You took me to squire after the passing of Ser Laenor, you stood by as I was knighted, and when I took the oath and earned my white cloak. As far as I am concerned, my loyalty to the Kingsguard and to the crown has never wavered, never been questioned. Until now that is. All for a lapse in judgement. And now you accuse me as if my loyalty has always been questionable."

Criston was taken aback by this. He knew Ivan was right about that, but with everything else going on, with people outside the Red Keep not aware that the king was dead, with the dire need to find Aegon before Ser Arryk and Erryk find the prince, now wasn't the time for dissent and now wasn't the time for anyone's loyalty to falter.

So, Criston leaned in, giving Ivan a warning look, "I understand you're not from Westeros. It's understandable if you feel you hold no stake in this realm's politics. But you'll do we'll to know your place, Ser Ivan...you'll do well to remember that were it not for His Grace, you would not be in the position you are in now, were it not for the Crown you would remain on the streets digging for scraps to survive. Never forget that. Now you will stand guard and ensure princess Aemma doesn't try to escape again. Do you understand?"

Once again Ivan had to fight the urge to scoff, given how before his induction into the Kingsguard, Criston Cole was a lowborn son of a steward and the only reason he's gotten his station in light was for recognition of his accomplishments against the Dornish incursions...and Ivan knows full well of Cole's Dorne origins.

Nevertheless, Ivan slowly nodded in understanding, "of course, Ser Cole...I have not forgotten my place...I can only hope YOU haven't forgotten yourself."

Criston gave a shocked look as Ivan walked away to RELUCTANTLY resume his duties, trying not to not let Iorveth's words overtake his mind...trying not to consider that the elf might actually be right about Criston Cole.

Right now, Ivan wished he could whisk himself to the Street of Silk to talk to Ana.

-----------------meanwhile-------------

Aemma paced back and forth in her room, trying  her damnest not to pull out her hair with worry over what was going to happen to her. 

After her attempted escape, the princess was escorted to her room, waiting for Alicent to come speak to her.  Aemma had an idea what the subject was going to be, doubtless the queen would try and persuade- if not flat-out force- Aemma to acknowledge Aegon as Viserys' true heir instead of Rhaenyra. Despite her complex feelings towards her cousin/stepmother, Aemma knew that was not going to happen so easily. Long had she known that Rhaenyra was the heir, Rhaenyra was the one Viserys always wanted to sit the throne next, and for him to change his mind at the very last minute didn't make the slightest bit of sense to her. Viserys always favored Rhaenyra over his other children, and as time passed, he had spent less and less time with his children by Alicent.

So, for the late king to change his mind at the expense of his favorite child just didn't add up.

Also, Aemma is definitely NOT in love with the idea of Aegon sitting the throne, knowing full well the prince was nowhere near suited to be king, especially with his proclivities towards wine and women. Giving Aegon the crown and the absolute power that comes with it would not end well.

One other thing that wasn't adding up was the fact Aegon hasn't been crowned just yet...where even was Aegon, that was something Aemma had yet to figure out given he wasn't in his and Helaena's chambers this morning with Maelor and the twins.

Right on cue, the door opened. Aemma stood back, readying herself for what was to come. Alicent walked in. Aemma took some steps back, noticing her sword was missing. It was clear Otto and the Greens had anticipated Aemma would try something and had planned accordingly.

"Aemma," Alicent addresses, taking a few steps towards the princess. "I won't acknowledge Aegon as king," Aemma sternly tells the queen, "you can't persuade me otherwise."

"That is what Viserys told me in his last moments," Alicent insists with an equal stern tone, "if you were anyone else to say these things, you would be charged with treason, executed even." "You're the one committing treason!" Aemma exclaims, "why else go through all this subterfuge? Why all the haste to find Aegon and crown him before Rhaenyra and her family find out? If I didn't know any better, I'd say Aegon hasn't even been found yet, otherwise he would've been crowned already. He would be sitting the Iron Throne right now. Where even is Aegon?"

Alicent remained silent to that question, which was more than answer enough. "You don't know where he is, do you?" she realizes. "We'll find Aegon soon enough," Alicent assures, "I sent Ser Cole and Aemond to locate him. And once we do, he will be crowned king before the people."

Aemma huffed at that. It was clear Alicent would hold to the claim that Viserys had wished for Aegon to be the next monarch instead of Rhaenyra. She turned her back on Alicent, arms crossed, contemplating what was to come when her family on Dragonstone found out.

 "Rhaenyra won't take this lying down when she learns of this," Aemma points out, "And neither will Daemon for that matter." "Which is why I need your support in this," Alicent reasons, taking a step closer till she could place a hand on Aemma's shoulder, to which Aemma flinched. "I know you still harbor anger against your father, for the harm he caused the Lady of Larks. It was made clear last evening when you walked to the dinner...wearing your mother's dress. I know you believed you had no recourse, especially after your audience with the late king...but perhaps that could change." 

Aemma turned to face Alicent, her silence giving the queen her cue to continue, "Viserys may not have been willing to hold Daemon to account for his crimes, and knowing Rhaenyra, she will not be so willing either...but I can speak to Aegon, guide him to bring your father to justice. If you proclaim your support for Aegon as king, I can make this so. I...I also know you and Aemond hold love for each other, he spoke prior to the dinner, of his desire to take you to wife. I would like that very much for the two of you to wed. Once the succession is settled, we will hold your wedding at the Grand Sept. You and Aemond will be husband and wife as he wished...as I know you wish it to be."

Aemma gave Alicent a certain look, "you mean to bribe me," she stated, "use my disdain for my father and my love for Aemond against my family to proclaim something we both know is false." Alicent sighed, hiding her frustration at Aemma's stubborn nature, "Aemma...this world we live in. People like us, women, we do not rule, only guide the men in our lives who do. This is something Rhaenyra could not accept, and I know this is something you do not accept either. I blame myself for this, I...I should've done a better job with your education...but that is the order of things. I accepted this long ago...it is time you accept this as well."

In that moment, Aemma saw a brief flashback in Alicent's recent past, of her comforting a young serving girl who was hyperventilating and crying. The girl told the queen what had happened to her, and Alicent had sent her away with money and moon tea. The scene then changed to Alicent storming in to Aegon's bedchamber and scolding him for what he did to the poor girl.

When the scene ended, Aemma realized that what Alicent had promised her was a lie. Viserys would not hold Daemon accountable, Rhaenyra wouldn't either...but why would Alicent think she would be able to guide Aegon to bringing Daemon to justice when Aegon himself had been engaging in similar behaviors?

Aemma stepped away, now giving Alicent a look of disgust, "you promise me justice...yet you denied it for others who were similarly harmed." "Aemma?" "You say women can't rule, only guide the men who do...but how can you expect to do that when you can't even guide your own sons?"

Aemma leaned in close, just the queen would hear what she had to say next, 

"FUCK you, Alicent." 

In reaction, Alicent slapped Aemma across the face, something the queen regretting her action almost immediately. Aemma placed a hand over where she was slapped, not even surprised that Alicent would do that, considering that was what she has done to Aegon repeatedly since he was an adolescent boy, "will you strike Aegon in a similar manner when he is king?" she challenges, "is that how you intend to guide him in his rule?"

"...perhaps confinement in these chambers will change your mind," Alicent says in a low tone, "Ser Ivan will stand guard at the door. He won't hesitate to keep you from leaving this time around."

Alicent turned to walk away.

"My mother is alive!" Aemma exclaims, causing Alicent to stop in her tracks, she turned to face Aemma.

"That's not possible." "It's true," Aemma insists, "she survived the Rivian Riot all those years, she and the witcher Geralt. She told me what happened, that's how I learned that the romance between her and Daemon wasn't what he made it out to be. She told me about you as well, that you were a young naive child who only ever did as she was told. How exactly has that worked out for you all this time, Alicent?"

Alicent ignored that question, electing to walk away, leaving Aemma to silently stew in her angry thoughts for the rest of the day.

----------------------------

Aemma looked outside, seeing the sun was setting. Were it not for the window, she would have no sense of time, being locked in her own room.

She wondered if Aegon had been found yet, and she wondered what would become of her once the coronation begins. Will she be forced to attend? Or will she remain in this room until she changes her mind and acknowledges Aegon as the true king?

Right now, Aemma was wishing she had stayed on the Continent with her mother. If she had, if she had listened when the Lady of Larks told her that seeking justice for Daemon's wrongdoings was a futile effort, then she wouldn't be in the predicament she was in now...but if she had, she also wouldn't have shared that wonderful night with Aemond before it all went to shit.

The door opened once more, and Aemma faced it with surprise. As if he had been reading her mind, Aemond stepped inside. Aemma looked over to see Ivan was still at his post as Aemond closed the door.

"Aemma," he says, approaching her. Aemma said nothing, rather turned away from him, refusing to even look at him. "I'm guessing you and Ser Cole were successful in your mission," she said in a low tone, "you find Aegon." "Aemma," Aemond says once again, hoping to make his cousin see sense, "you can't fight this, you know. I know you're stubborn and refuse to accept this, but you need to heed my mother's word for a change."

Aemma silently turned to face the prince, "did your mother send you here?" she asks, "did she hope you might persuade me to swear obeisance to Aegon?" "She didn't send me," Aemond assures, "I came of my own accord." "Why?" "Because I love you," Aemond tells her, taking her hand in his, "I don't want to see you suffer anymore from this."

"If you don't wish me to suffer any further, then persuade your mother to let me go then, if she is concerned I'll fly to Dragonstone to warn Rhaenyra, then let her know I will fly to the Continent instead," Aemma insists, "I won't acknowledge Aegon as king, we both know your father never wanted that." "Aemma-" "Why are you even going along with this?" Aemma brings up, "you know damn well Aegon is not suited to be king!" "And you think Rhaenyra is?" Aemond brings up. "She was named heir since before I was born," Aemma points out, "Viserys never changed his stance. Can you look me in the eye and truly tell me this is what he wanted?" 

Aemond averted his gaze, "even if that was the case, she would not be anymore suited to rule than Aegon is," he says in a low tone, then looking Aemma in the eye, "especially with Daemon at her side."  Aemma huffed, now averting her gaze, knowing full well Aemond was using her father to bait her into changing her mind. "Rhaenyra will never hold my uncle to account, even if she did learn of the harms he enacted against the Lady of Larks, and neither with Aegon...but I could." "Aemond?" "Once the coronation has passed, once Aegon is king, we will wed in the Grand Sept," Aemond explains, leaning closer to her, "once you are my wife, I will take your case, see to it that your father will know justice, even if it must be by my own hand."

"If you did that, you would be branded a kinslayer," Aemma brings up. Aemond leaned in further to touch his forehead to hers, "I will gladly wear that brand for the rest of my life if it will give you closure."

Aemond then pressed his lips against Aemma's, which she surprisingly reciprocated. As Aemond deepened the kiss, as Aemond moved to kiss her neck, Aemma began to let her mind wonder. What if she did allow this? What if she did swear her support to the Greens, support Aegon as king, marry Aemond, and finally force her father to face the consequences of his actions? But what of Rhaenyra? What of Baela and Rhaena, and Jace and Luke? What would become of them once Aegon officially usurps the throne?  As much as she wanted to be with Aemond, and as much as she wanted Daemon to face justice...this was not the way to do this.

Aemma stopped Aemond, lightly pushing him away, "I'm sorry, Aemond," she says, "I don't want it, not like this. This...this isn't right. Se ao gīmigon bisa (And you know it)."

Aemond kept his anger in check, only offering Aemma a look of disappointment, "...I had hoped you would see things our way...I thought you were smarter than this, Aemma."

Aemond turned and walked away, leaving Aemma to her thoughts. Aemma felt a stray tear escape her eye, which she wiped away. She wished she and Aemond weren't on opposing sides, that none of this was happening. She wished she stayed on the Continent.

She wished she could've persuaded Aemond to stay with her there, they've could've eloped and wedded in a Continental ceremony, where her mother and uncle Jaskier would sing the night through during the reception, where she and Aemond could've had a first dance and consummate the marriage right after. 

But it was not meant to be...so much for the two of them going to Toussaint.

Aemma sank to the bed, burying her face into the pillow to conceal her tearful sobs as she lamented what could've been had she stayed on the Continent.

-----------------------------

Ivan remained at his post, doing his best to ignore the sob he could hear from the other side of the door. It wasn't his business, but he had a feeling that Aemma's tears had something to do with Aemond, which was made clear when the prince had him stand aside so he could speak to her, only to storm out in anger sometime after.

Ivan felt he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. He had his duties, his oath, but he wasn't even sure who his loyalty was supposed to be at this point. Given the predicament he was currently in, the half-elf wasn't even sure if that mattered.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Ivan kept his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready to face whoever it was.

To his surprise it was Ser Arryk...or was it Erryk. It was Ser Erryk, Ivan had spent enough time with the twin brothers to know which is which. "Ser Erryk?" Ivan greets, "I...don't think it's time to change posts soon."

Erryk had a plain looking cloak in hand,  "I'm sorry, Ser Ivan," Erryk says, fixing to draw his sword, "you seem like a good man." "You've come for the princess," Ivan realizes, "you plan to help her escape." "Princess Rhaenyra is the true heir," Erryk points out, "she is the one who must sit the throne next. I cannot be Prince Aegon." "I...do not dispute this," Ivan confesses, quickly looking around to see if anyone chanced to eavesdrop, "but for reasons that are my own...I cannot leave this post."

Erryk nods in understanding, "I know you were once brought to this place to be a companion to the princes," he says, "as repayment for saving Princess Aemma's life when she was still a girl. Will you help her once more?" "As I said...I cannot leave this post," Ivan repeats. "Why not?" Ivan looked Erryk in the eye, lifting his headband slightly to reveal his pointed ears to the knight. Erryk's eyes widen in shock, "you're..." "I've kept this secret since I first came to King's Landing as a child," Ivan explains, "I kept it ever since, until the princess found out, and now Cole knows it. His threat to reveal my elven blood constantly looms over me. It is why I cannot step out of line right now."

Erryk wasn't sure what more to say about this, but knew his mission took priority. Ivan adjusted his headband and took a fighting stance, "you'll need to punch me hard," he says, "make it look like I put up a fight this time around." Errky nods, "Forgive me for the pain that is to occur, Ser Ivan."

Errky sucker punched Ivan across the face, causing Ivan to fall to the ground.

Aemma woke up to hear the commotion outside. Opening the door was Ser Erryk. "Come with me, princess," the knight tells her, handing her the cloak and, to her surprise, her sword. "What's going on?" she asks, confused. "Just come with me," Erryk insists, "I cannot let this treachery stand."

Nodding, Aemma places the cloak around her and follows Erryk out the door. Aemma stopped when she heard Ivan groaning in pain, "Ser Ivan!" "Go, princess," Ivan urges, rubbing where Erryk punched him, "don't worry about me. I'll be okay."

"With me, princess," Erryk takes Aemma by the arm and has her follow him through the passageways. 

Once outside, Aemma saw a familiar figure dressed similar to her. "Grandmother!" Aemma ran to Rhaenys, who pulled her in for a hug. "Thank the gods you are unharmed," Rhaenys says with relief, "I had thought you would've left for Dragonstone with your family by now." "I stayed last night," Aemma says, "I...I was with Aemond."

"Oh, Aemma-" "I love him, grandmother," Aemma confesses, "I still do. But I can't stand by and let the Greens usurp the throne from Rhaenyra. I know she won't hold Daemon to any kind of account, but this is not right. Viserys never wanted this, I know it." "I know it as well, princess," Rhaenys nods, "I take it Alicent tried to persuade you to offer support for Aegon." "How did-" "She asked the same of me," Rhaenys tells her, "offer support from House Velaryon, but I refused. Despite everything my House has been through, our word is not fickle."

"Princess Aemma, Princess Rhaenys," Ser Erryk calls out, "We must leave now." Aemma and Rhaenys follow Erryk through town, with the intention of taking them to the docks and give them passage on the next ship to Dragonstone. The sun was just rising, and the bells tolled. It wouldn't be long before the whole of King's Landing- and Westeros for that matter- would learn that King Viserys is dead.

As they got closer to the docks, Aemma stopped in her tracks, "what of our dragons?" she points out. "Cirillia is still in the dragon pit, I can't leave her behind." "So is Meleys," Rhaenys agrees, turning to Erryk, "neither of us is willing to leave our dragons. If we can get to the dragon pit-" "No!" Erryk insists, "they'll expect the two of you there, princess. Neither of you will make it past the gates. Now come," he ushers the two princesses to follow, "the both of you must make it to the riverfront and find a ship. Before they know you've gone." 

Unfortunately, the three of them would not make it to the docks, as droves of people were being escorted from their homes and through the streets. It became more crowded, making it impossible to walk to the docks. Aemma and Rhaenys eventually got separated from Erryk, who was fighting through the droves to catch up to the two of them. "Grandmother?" Aemma starts to panic. "It will be alright," Rhaenys tries to assure, grabbing Aemma by the arm, "just stick close to me, and keep your hood up."

"Grandmother, I'm scared." "...so am I, princess...so am I..."

It was a long trek, but Aemma looked up to see they were heading for the Dragon pit. Why were all these people being led to the dragon pit of all places?

"What's going on?" Aemma asks out loud as they stood among the crowd inside the pit. "They mean to crown Aegon in the Dragon pit," Rhaenys realizes, "for all these people to see. Doing so will legitimize Aegon's right to succession." Right on cue, Otto stood before the people and gave his speech, "People of King's Landing. It is the saddest of days. Viserys the Peaceful...is dead."

Aemma stood on her toes to get a closer look. Behind Otto she saw Alicent and on her side stood Helaena and Aemond as well as Criston and members of the Small Council. Aemma sighed in sadness, once more wishing she and Aemond were not on opposing sides.

"But it is also the most joyous of days," Otto continues, "for as his spirit left us, he whispered his final wish. That his firstborn son, Aegon, should succeed him." Aemma sneered in anger as murmurs filled the crowd, knowing full well that was a lie. 

Some in the audience applauded as the Gold Cloaks arrived, forming a path for the arrival of their future ruler.  Right on cue, the guards held their swords high, crossing them, making way for Aegon to make his steps towards the center where he would receive the crown and be proclaimed king.

Being distracted from all the pomp of the circumstances, Aemma flinched when she felt Rhaenys grab her arm and lead down the steps to bowls of the pit where the dragons resided. Aemma looked behind her to see Aegon kneeling down, waiting for the High Septon to give the blessing of the Seven before Aegon was given the crown.

Once down below, Aemma called out to Cirillia, who more than happily responded and rushed over to the princess. Aemma hugged her dragon before mounting her. Rhaenys climbed on Meleys' saddle. "Now what do we do?" Aemma inquires of the older princess. Rhaenys looked up to the ceiling where the coronation was happening above them, hearing cheers erupt, indicating the crowning of Aegon II was complete.

"Follow my lead," was all Rhaenys said before directing Meleys to break through the stone ceiling. 

-----------------

A commotion was heard as people began to panic and attempt to scatter. Otto ordered the guards to stop the people from leaving, but there were too many, and in their panicked states, the folk of King's Landing fled for their lives and the Red Queen broke through the boards and stone, with Cirillia following behind the older dragon.

As the dust settled, Meleys faced the Greens, teeth bared. Cirillia faced the Greens as well, mimicking Meleys' threatening look. Aemma saw Alicent getting in front of Aegon- who was wearing the crown of Aegon the Conqueror- ready to protect her firstborn son, even if it would be a futile effort should either her or Rhaenys say the word.

Aemma looked to the side to see Helaena reaching a hand towards the dragons, no fear in her eye, almost as if she meant to calm them with soft words. And Aemma saw Aemond right next to Helaena, eye wide as he made a fighting stance.

Aemma made eye contact with Aemond, whose look turned to one of disappointment the moment he saw her on top Cirillia. "...I'm sorry," she mouths, hoping Aemond knew what she said, "please forgive me."

Meleys approached the Greens, Aemma becoming fearful that Rhaenys might actually command her dragon to burn her family at the risk of being branded a kinslayer afterwards.

To Aemma's relief, that didn't happen. Meleys roared, making it heard from beyond the pit. With that, Rhaenys has Meleys turn with a sweep of the tail and exit the dragon pit, immediately taking flight. 

Aemma took one last look at her family, specifically at Aemond and Helaena.

"Soves, Cirillia!" Cirillia turned and followed suit after Rhaenys and Meleys.

Finally on their dragons, Aemma and Rhaenys begin their flight to Dragonstone.

Chapter 61

[dertaglichedan]

Should Social Security Payments Be Taxed?

Back in August, former President Donald Trump issued a proclamation to voters on Truth Social, “seniors should not pay tax on social security!” 

In layman terms, the statement from Trump implies that current retirees should get to keep more money at the expense of future retirees who would receive more painful reductions to benefits in eight years rather than nine.

While that trade-off may or may not appeal to voters in November, the taxation of Social Security benefits needs to be discussed before voters reach the polls in the coming election.

These rules date back 30 years, and Congress hasn't monitored the rules as closely as it should.

On one hand, the taxation of benefits is a vital source of revenue for Social Security. It will generate nearly $60 billion in revenue this year for Social Security, which approximates the contribution of nearly nine million workers who will never collect benefits. Moreover, that revenue is projected to double over the next 10 years.

At the same time, we can���t justify a tax simply because the revenue is important.

For a bit of background, the taxation of benefits was added in 1983 as a compromise to generate income that would be needed to pay benefits far in the future. The policy option accounted for about 33 percent of the total effectiveness of the legislative package, which stabilized the program's projected finances from 2030 through 2057.

Four decades later, the tax reaches an ever-increasing number of people for two reasons.

First, the threshold that triggers the levy is not adjusted for inflation, so the definition of “substantial outside income” falls in real terms every year.

Separately, the components of “outside income” are rising faster than inflation, particularly wages paid to people who are working during retirement.

As a consequence of these factors, more than 50 percent of beneficiaries who file taxes pay a levy on some portion of their benefits. An average worker in the United States working 30 hours per week, would generally expose his or her benefits to a marginal tax rate of more than 40 percent.

[dwellordream]

“...Among the Iroquois, women were the farmers. They produced the corn that was the mainstay of their people’s diet and supplemental crops of squash and beans. Women also raised tobacco to smoke and herbs for teas and medicines. To add variety to their diet, they gathered fresh fruits, nuts, and insects such as grasshoppers. …The Iroquois had no concept of private land ownership. A woman might work a particular piece of land, and as long as she used the plot, it was considered hers. But when the village moved to another location, as it did from time to time, she no longer held a claim to her old fields.

…Iroquois women also maintained social stability through tightly knit female relationships. The mother-daughter bond was particularly strong. The Iroquois considered it more important than any other relationship, including that between a wife and husband. …Traditionally, large Iroquois dwellings, known as longhouses, sheltered as many as 50 or 60 people, all descendants of one elderly woman. By the mid-18th century, however, smaller houses had become common. They often lodged only a single family or a mother and one daughter with her family.

…After reaching right or nine, boys came less directly under female control. At this time they began to imitate adult male behavior by forming hunting gangs that roamed the woods in search of small game. …Older girls, meanwhile, remained with their mothers in the village compound, where they performed traditional women’s work: farming, preparing animal pelts, caring for younger children, making baskets and pottery, and gathering, preserving, and cooking food.

…White observers commented on the passionate love Iroquois women felt for their children and noted the mothers’ refusal to strike or restrain them. Scholars believe the Iroquois avoided physical restraint and blows out of respect for their children. The Iroquois believed that children could be insulted as easily as adults, and parents wanted their offspring to remember them with love and respect, not fear and resentment.

…Love, sexual attraction, and rejection were of great importance to the Iroquois. They readily consulted medicine women and men or even witches about problems in their relationships. Rejected spouses were usually encouraged to find new mates and accept the new unions of their former wives or husbands. Retaliation against a former spouse was discouraged largely because men’s absences made easy divorce and remarriage a social necessity.

…Traditional Iroquois ways gave both women and men the right to decide when to go to war. In Iroquois politics men did the public speaking and announced the decisions of the tribes in great meetings, but women freely exhorted the men to action or delay. The influence of individual women varied according to the persuasiveness of their arguments and their personal status within the tribe.

…The English government recognized that without great effort it could not control the vast new territories it had acquired from France. Rather than risk continual warfare with the native inhabitants, it forbade English settlement in these areas. In theory the English proclamation was an effort to prevent conflict until better arrangements could be made for the native inhabitants. In practice the idea was unworkable from the beginning, as many whites had already moved into the forbidden areas.

…Between 1760 and 1775 more than 125,000 people fled poor economic prospects in the British Isles and Germany to settle in British America. Adding to this surge in white immigration was the forced migration of at least 85,000 Africans, who were brought to the colonies primarily as agricultural laborers. The transportation of Africans and voluntary immigration of Europeans together resulted in a 10 percent increase in the colonial population in just 15 years.

…The lands already were inhabited by indigenous peoples, but this fact meant little to the colonists. They regarded Indian culture as barbaric, Indian religious beliefs as contemptible, and Indian use of the land as wasteful. White settlers believed that the Christian God wanted them to occupy the lands of the interior, just as they already had settled the coastal areas.

…By the time white settlers began to move west of the Appalachian Mountains in large numbers, Native Americans understood their ways well. They knew the whites would demand exclusive ownership of lands they farmed, generally fencing in their land to make the point absolutely clear. They also knew that the whites would pay only nominal sums for the areas they claimed and that they would destroy traditional hunting grounds without regard for the Indian way of life.”

- Marylynn Salmon, “Tension on the Frontier: Iroquois Women Face a New World Order.” in The Limits of Independence: American Women, 1760-1800

[variousqueerthings]

I think -- sexism aside for a moment -- that the big thing that frustrates me about m*ffat's era of doctor who, and something I hope doesn't continue into chibnall or rtd2, is that it feels like there's never a plan for where things are going

and technically one doesn't need to build an era with an overarching idea as such, classic!who seems to be taking it season by season (or even serial by serial, since it's the 60s-80s an season-long arcs and character developments weren't the big thing they are today)

but then he keeps teasing that there is a plan for where things are going. there's a big prophecy, it spans across the galaxy, look an alien bar with a bunch of callbacks to doctor who and new, cool aliens, look, the shadow proclamation throwing out cool words like "suicide moons," look a religious cult with big plans and all these things are leading us... somewhere...

outside of standalone episodes I feel like I'm watching a bunch of concepts for a completely different show, thrown together in a montage (yes, another montage is happening, if I'd remembered it was so many, I would have counted them, and it's always a montage showing how cool the doctor is or how someone is looking for the doctor because of how dangerous and cool the doctor is)

and I know it's not going to go anywhere

the thing so far that has gone the most somewhere was teasing the return of the Master via Michelle Gomez (which, I had other problems with how that was done if I ever finish my rating of the s8 finale, but it wasn't with the idea of the Master's return itself or with Michelle Gomez' portrayal outside of some of the dialogue this poor woman had to make work) and that worked because it wasn't some big prophecy about anything, it was the Master popping out of their box again going "notice meeeee!" which is, yeah, that's a thing that happens on dw a lot, and I quite like some of the way it spells out a bit of the quiet part of their relationship (although we have Questions about Pacing amongst other things)

but nearly every season some random alien has been introduced going "ooooh the doctor, we've got personal beef" and it's cut together like a star wars sequence (side-sweep transition and all) and I know it's meaningless random set-dressing

people worried about how having too much money might affect rtd2, but to me the worst use of dw money has already been, because it created a show that wasn't so much dw as it was hanging onto the coattails of other scifi series without knowing how to build its own identity, so it just threw money at designs and explosions and wrote quippy dialogue spoken too fast to fool you into thinking something was going to happen eventually

and so you wait and wait and wait and then it ends