#Sone River

[sesiondemadrugada]

River's Edge (Tim Hunter, 1986).

[tamsiblings]

something i was thinking about the other day was that, when trying to find new buyers for the goods in the pilot, mal insists doing so in boros isn’t an option because there’s too much alliance presence there, even though that’s apparently where they were supposed to drop the passengers. which seems to imply that either simon specifically looked for a ship headed to boros or saw that serenity was headed there and decided that was fine. the latter seems much more likely to me, as what he says in one of the deleted scenes when book asked why he chose serenity - “it looked disreputable” - suggests he, like book, cared more about the ship than the destination, albeit for much different reasons. but this does also mean simon (as he often is in the show, but particularly in the pilot and very early eps) is kind of in over his head. he has no foresight/knowledge/situational awareness that boros is probably not the place that wanted, seemingly high profile, actively-being-hunted fugitives should go.

so you do kinda have to think that mal, along with the other reasons he offers the tams sanctuary, is probably also going “oh fuck this kid i wanted to hate has sympathetic motivations and also CLEARLY has no idea what he’s doing, okay.” lmao!

which does lead into another interesting aspect of the mal & simon dynamic i’m so endlessly fascinated by… like.

two things are true at once, right? i think mal (by the end of the pilot, and certainly as the show progresses) has a genuine respect for both simon’s skill and ability to work calmly under high-stakes pressures as a doctor, and his integrity and courage (and his ability to hold his ground. he does note “i’m not too worried about you” in reference to a potential conflict between jayne and simon in the train job, not because simon can match jayne’s physical strength but because he’s one of (maybe THE person on the ship, tbh, even though others like him more) the few that recognize that simon is not… really actually that much of a pushover, which is something i think gets taken for granted even in fandom at times. the shooting script for the train job, for instance, has the note in the stage directions that rather than being cowed by jayne in the scene where jayne insists he’s not part of the crew, simon is merely weighing the advantages and disadvantages of arguing and decides against it. simon is ((generally)) reserved, polite, and not outright combative when he’s not being provoked, but when people are rude and sarcastic to him, he tends to be rude and sarcastic right back. and in the train job, what mal is commenting on is the fact that simon is the person who took the initiative to neutralize jayne with the resources he had. to me, simon is not so much a pushover but a person who is always distinctly aware of what advantages he does and does not have in any given situation and wields them at very specific times with specific intentions because of that.)

okay i got off topic. the point is: mal respects him on those levels, but i do think he also views simon as a bit, naive maybe? and that’s definitely not something he respects in the pilot, and is directly related to that whole boros thing, even though i think it ultimately contributes to his sympathy for the tams. (mal’s a bleeding heart whether he likes ot or not!) like, his view of simon once he knows he’s not the mole is basically “sheltered spoiled rich kid who’s never had to figure out how to survive life on the rim and therefore is naive about it.” that is, broadly, true, though ungenerous in its framing, as i think mal initially thinks that’s all there is to simon, when that’s clearly not the case. (i also think how ‘naive’ simon actually is depends a lot on what about and the context we are putting him in.)

but something a little interesting goes on as the show goes on which is that mal DOES get to know simon past his initial impressions and i can think of at least two instances in which mal, rather than being resentful of that relative naivety or inexperience or what have you, as he seemed to in the pilot, actually seems pretty concerned and protective on simon’s behalf because of it. mal is protective of all his crew, but it manifests differently at times, and he clearly sees it as one simon’s vulnerabilities he has to check in on. in war stories, though the scene is hilarious, mal checking in on how simon is faring after taking up arms at niska’s is genuinely heartwarming, and in direct relationship to not only simon’s status as a healer, but his relative inexperience with guns, violence, and killing. and i always read surprise in mal’s expression when he turns to listen to simon praising jayne at the end of ariel. he would’ve done the airlock thing regardless, but that was salt in the wound.

anyways, as ever, i wish we had gotten more of the show, because i think seeing their dynamic further developed would have been sooo interesting.

[allthedoorsareopennow]

ALRIGHT. LET’S INVESTIGATE THE UDAD PHOTOS. MUCH INFORMATION BELOW. SO MUCH

ok top left. brian is the oracle of delphi, of course in greek mythology the most prominent oracle

bottom left. for some reason the goddess artemis’ name seems to have been misspelled as artimes? I have no idea why. artemis is the olympian that features in actea and lyssa.

bottom right. seems to suggest marius’ lecture will take place in the aristotle institute - aristotle is a famous greek philosopher (among other things, grouped loosely as a polymath)

top right. as you likely know, these are military dog tags, usually intended to allow for the identification of corpses. an enomotarch is the commander of an enotomy, a division of 25-36 soldiers, bound together by oath. this seems to be a term originating in Sparta.

middle right. tipple seems to be a term for alcohol, consistent with the bottle top the term appears on. the toy soldier seems to have made its own liquor brand while in the city. (perhaps DB stands for dionysus bacchus, the greek and roman names respectively for the god of alcohol?)

right. a coin is shown, on one side reading ‘to speed the/journey down’. this likely is about the belief that the ferryman (charon) who takes the dead souls across the river acheron and into the underworld must be paid. virgil’s aeneid claims that if the deceased cannot afford to pay the ferryman, they must wander the shores of the styx (another underworld river, in some stories providing the same function as the acheron) for one hundred years before they are allowed to cross into the underworld. thus having this coin to give the ferryman would literally speed the journey down into the underworld in greek mythology. also depicted on this side is the logo of the acheron. on the other side of the coin is featured a headshot of ashes, with the text ‘a penny’ above (the smallest british unit of currency). I cannot discern the text below.

background. the blueprint for the aegis, which in homer’s iliad is a device carried by athena pr zeus, interpreted as either an animal skin or a shield, sometimes featuring the head of a gorgon, that symbolises protection.

the text on the left appears to read as follows:

‘…[ti]tanium…n for the…ens district…[lig]htning rod

‘spikes - they look badass

‘Durable Ti core

‘Moderator’

Ti is the chemical symbol for titanium. also depicted is a uranium fission reaction. a moderator is something else that is needed in a fission reactor core, so this must be a design for a fission reactor. ‘enriched to 90%’ refers to the uranium - uranium-235 is the most fissile isotope, so the more U-235 you have, the more fission you can achieve. for context, reactors often use uranium enriched to 3.5-4.5% - 90% is overkill by a long way for energy generation purposes. my guess is that this reactor core is designed to provide huge amounts of energy to operate sone kind of lightning device, likely intended for zeus (the god of lightning). it is signed by athena and raphaella la cognizi.

BRING FORTH THE NEXT IMAGE!

another acheron coin is shown. I'm not really sure what’s happening in most of this one.

ANOTHER!

more acheron coins and a half-visible toy soldier’s tipple bottle cap. the focus of this picture is a torn and blood-splattered coaster for Calypso’s, the bar from which the suits kidnapped ulysses.

NEXT!

now this is more like it

a zeus coin is depicted, showing five credits - presumably the official currency of the city

there is a gambling chip bearing the name hermes, perhaps referencing his role as a trickster god

the guitar pick is stamped with the name apollo, the greek god of music and song.

there is a fragment of a newspaper cover - we will get more shots of this later.

the emblem of poseidon is shown to be a trident, a weapon poseidon is often depicted as wielding, representing his status as god of the sea.

wow I wonder what name is on that card it’s mostly blocked I wonder if the next will have the name..

BEHOLD!

so that’s presumably an ID card for a security guard, whose name we can now see is Anippe ?aiad. Anippe in greek mythology is the egyptian daughter of the river god nilus, and is thus a naiad, so the name on the card is Anippe Naiad. I can find little information about her, other than that heracles killed her son.

we also get a look at ulysses here, the the text ‘//ALL POINTS FUGITIVE ALERT//‘ above their mugshot.

NEXT!

the text on the ulysses info that seems to be on some kind of old tablet reads

…1) COUNT THEFT:

…[CYCLO]PS - POSEIDON PROPERTY

…OR CAPTURE: DR-25000

…E BOUNTY

…S:

SPONSORED BY POSEIDON INDUSTRIES

CLICK TO LEARN MORE

this seems to be putting a bounty of ‘DR-25000’ (presumably a currency?) on ulysses’ head for the theft of the eye of the cyclops.

more newspaper.. shall we take a closer look?

across four different images, here is the newspaper:

TRANSCRIPT BEGINS

ALL THE NEWS ALL THE TIME

LARGEST HOME CIRCULATION

LARGEST ADVERTISING VOLUME

DELPHI 2374

The City Oracle Telephone Number

THE CITY ORACLE

IN THREE PARTS - 46 1…

PART 1 - GENERAL NEWS…

ORACLE OFFICE

292 West Hector Stree[t]

VOL. LVIII KRONOU MORNING, GAMELION 5, 12390 DAILY, 5 DRACH[MA]

OEDIPUS IN INCEST MARRIAGE SCANDAL

SHOCKING NEW REVELATIONS OVER IDENTITY OF HERO DOCTOR'S WIFE AND MOTHER

MAN WHO CURED THE SPHINX TRIES TO PLEAD IGNORANCE - WILL SEEK TO FIND REFUGE OFF WORLD

(columns on right):

INSIDE

NARCISSUS DENIES PLASTIC SURGERY CLAIMS

HERMES TO UNVEIL NEW HI-SPEED MAGLINES

FORTY DEAD IN SUB-LEVEL 54D EXPLOSIONS: WHO IS “GUNPOWDER TIM?”

TWENTY YEARS FROM ILIUM: WILL THE SCARS EVER HEAL?

Oedipus Rex, the doctor hailed as a hero after successfully curing the disease ravaging the sublevel slums, has been revealed to have been married to his own mother for the last eight years, in what is being hailed as the social scandal of the decade.

Mr. Rex previously claimed to have grown up in one of the City's most troubled orphanages. However, a source within the Acheron has claimed that Teiresias, one of the network's most trusted interfaces, revealed his true origins yesterday.

“I didn’t know,” Oedipus told The Oracle, “I’d always believed my parents to be dead. I had no way of knowing they were even alive, let alone…”

Oedipus’ wife and mother, Jocasta Rex, has been unavailable for comment. She was last seen boarding a transport line to Outer Thebes, an area known for the number of suicides it attracts.

It is known she had been married once before to Laius, Mayor of one of the Thebian districts at the centre of the Sphinx epidemic. It was repoterd that he disappeared shortly before the announcement of the cure, under circumstances described by City PD as ‘suspicious’.

CONTINUED PG.5

HERACLES ACQUITTED ON MISTRIAL TECHNICALITY

The City High Court finally came to a ruling today in the case of Heracles, the notorious figure at the centre of the murder trial which has gripped the City for the last four weeks.

Heracles, who worked for the House of Zeus as head security for fifty years before resigning under unknown circumstances last Theozenios, was found not guilty of the brutal slaying and dismemberment of his wife and two children.

According to sources familiar with the case, he was found lying unconscious in his home, surrounded by the bodies of his family, holding in his hand what was at first thought to be the murder weapon. However, forensic evidence regarding the blade was judged to have been inadmissible, and his insistence he was defending his family from an attacker swayed the jury.

Heracles has been unable to identify the assailant against which he was struggling. This is not the first time Heracles has been involved in accusations of violence. Rumours persist that he may have been the infamous “Thunderbolt of Zeus” while working with the company, despite no connection ever being proven between the Olympian patriarch and the unknown hitman.

CONTINUED PG.9

TRANSCRIPT ENDS

Delphi and the oracle are referenced several times.

A drachma is a greek unit of currency, hence why I have guessed that as the unit of price for the newspaper.

Teiresias, the one referenced as revealing Oedipus’ parentage, is a blind prophet of Apollo from Thebes, known for clairvoyance and being transformed into a woman for several years. he is referenced as being one of the first brains volunteered into the acheron in the fiction, and holds and manages all the knowledge of the acheron.

Theoxenia seems to be a descriptor for greek mythology stories in which characters show benevolence and hospitality to strangers who turn out to be disguised deities capable of reward. These stories encourage people to treat anyone they meet as potential disguised divinity.

ONWARD!

another oracle of delphi ad, the corner of the newspaper, and part of hades’ file on oedipus..

TRANSCRIPT BEGINS (pencil markings in orange)

Name: Oedipus Rex not given surname

Occupation: Doctor (Retired) Disgraced

Age: 52 No records- abandoned at birth. Estimate Height: 5’10” Weight: 132l[b]

Hair: Chestnut Eyes: N/A self-blind[ed]

District: Thebes

Abandoned by wealthy but paranoid parents at birth. Olympians secret[ly] pulled strings, used him as poster [child] for failing orphanage scheme. Notab[le] for successfully researching the cause/[…] for the Sphinx - exceptional intel[ligence] shown. Worthy candidate for "Trial [by] Wits". Currently seeking to leave T[he] City after publicised patricide and maternal relations; will likely pla[…] ball given ample funding. EXPLOIT

END TRANSCRIPT

the tab at the side reads WITS. as well as oedipus’ fingerprints, there is a dirty handprint in the top right of the document. the newspaper appears to be stained with rings of tea or coffee.

at first I thought the photo of oedipus featured in hades’ document was this one, but it doesn’t quite match. it’s a good photo anyway.

NEXT

gunpowder tim’s dog tags from earlier are visible at the base of the photo again. A different part of Oedipus’ file is shown, showing a handprint and the start of a date on the photo of Oedipus, beginning 08/12. a map is shown too, with crosses through two locations and a circle around another. from what I can see the streets seem to mostly have fairly generic names.

sadly I have now reached image limit. when I have made the next post, I will link it here.

update I realised some of the stuff guessing cut off words and such that I did is pointless because the full documents for a bunch of them are in the goddamn cd book thing. and I kind of can’t be bothered to finish cause it feels like half the stuff I did was pointless. if you would be interested say so and maybe I will do more. but otherwise. nah

[fancyfeathers]

Father Like Daughter (Yandere William James Moriarty and his darling having a genius daughter)

The day Albert is arrested is the same day Andrei becomes the new Earl Moriarty. The night of William’s death and the manor is set ablaze by Albert, all the children and the darlings of William, Louis, and Albert get out when they are told to and gave to watch the life they knew burn up into ashes, but when Albert comes out to make sure they all are okay before having them taken to somewhere safe until the chaos is over, they are gone. Eloise and Andrei predicted this may happen with this last plan, so they packed suitcases in the garden shed so that when it was time to watch the flames rise they could run and not look back but no one knew where they went and Albert feared that his darling and family may have perished in the fire.

So when Albert stands in Mycroft’s office before he is to be imprisoned he asks Mycroft to look for his children and before Mycroft can even respond a new set of footsteps enters the room. Both Albert Mycroft look to see Andrei, dressed in fine clothes like an adult, clearly no longer a child. Albert immediately asks his eldest where are his sisters and cousins and Andrei tells him that they were staying with the young gentleman Eloise had been courting, but not like it mattered because none of them could sleep.

“I suppose as you know with your father’s arrest you shall become the new Earl Moriarty, and the Moriartys shall be treated the same it does the Holmes- as families who must shoulder the weight of sins and crimes-“

“No, I refuse to let that be the case.”

Andrei had never interrupted anyone before, let alone Mycroft. Andrei was livid at Mycroft’s statement and Albert was shocked that his sone would speak in such a way.

“When Eloise was six she had tried to stop her father and then Madeline as well, I eventually realized as well what was going on and so did Marguerite and Hyacinth. We know what they did to our mothers and it disgusts me, but we tried to stop them from damning themselves anyway because we believed that no one deserves to die. We lost our childhoods because of their obsession, possession, and a false sense of justice, so if you think I shall let myself or my current or future in bear the weight of their sins, you are sorely mistaken because none of us will do such a thing.”

“What has gotten into you, Andrei-“

“Lord Moriarty.”

“Excuse me?”

“Lord Moriarty, that is my title, father. The one I received today when your crimes have been brought before the crown. I am Lord Andrei Nicholas Moriarty from this day on, do lean to respect that seeing as you were not able to respect mother for all the years you were married- no… married is the wrong term, held her captive is a better description, do you not think?”

Albert is clearly taken aback by his son’s new behavior and just watches as he looks back at Mycroft again.

“I simply came here to tell you that none of my kin who caused the crimes against this nation shall bear the weight of what has happened. I vow to you that I shall not let these sins stain my name any further, I will work to restore my family’s honor by moving forward by giving us all a new start. If one should try to drag us down with what our fathers have done then I shall make sure personally that their plans will fail and defend those I consider my family till my dying breath, and no I do not consider my father family any longer, he is as dead to me as my uncle who died in that river last night. Now if you would excuse me, I have other things I need to tend to.”

Andrei leaves and Mycroft and Albert just sit there in the silence left behind. Then that was the last time Albert heard from Andrei for years, any of his children for that matter. Mycroft would write to Albert in his captivity and tell him of what he had heard his children and nieces were up to…

Eloise had become a well respected detective much like Sherlock Holmes and even took on a case all the way in the city of Venice, Italy, during their famous Carnival of Venice. Also hearing she is to become a Duchess when she married her betrothed who has recently become a Duke in his own father’s retirement.

Madeline he heard was now a professional fencer and had also begun teaching at a women’s university, becoming a professor just like her father, though Madeline taught science and not mathematics.

Marguerite was traveling Europe with her mother, Albert’s darling, even getting to meet many famous and noble people throughout the nations they have seen, getting to have tea with the Grand Duchess of Russia when visiting Moscow.

Hyacinth’s life was much the same due to her condition, living with Andrei in their townhouse in Mayfair, though since she was becoming of age she had received many new suitors who had which never been allowed before due to the overprotectiveness of her father and uncles. And apparently she rather fancied this one future Marquess.

Then there was Andrei, he was told about Andrei the most. Mycroft sent him clips of newspaper articles that were about him, the new bill he helped to have passed, the new charity he was funding, the opera house he had rebuilt. Andrei never cared for the public opinion, he just cared about doing the right thing and punishing the wrong. Andrei kept his word in rebuilding his name, people saw him as strong for overcoming all the hardships in his life. It was like Whitley all over again, but unlike Whitley, Andrei never lost hope even in the darkest of times and learned how to properly protect the people he loves.

The one thing that Mycroft does not tell Albert is what he does not know. Andrei, Eloise, and Eloise’s Fiancé, Nathaniel Briar, are beginning to form a network, an organization dedicated to stamping out illegal acts in the underworld that may affect the current society, refusing to let anything like what happened before happen again (sort of like the Aristocrats of Evil from Black Butler). Now while Mycroft and the MI6 may not be aware of this organization yet, they will be because of the threat it may pose to the MI6 soon enough.

(Also I did some post timeskip sketches of Andrei and Marguerite. I didn’t do too much with Andrei from his previous design besides giving him a green carnation on his left lapel. Then Marguerite I gave her less modest clothing for the time because she is either at the beach in France on her travels with her mother or coming back from a sniper job after being recruited into the organization that Andrei is making and all those heavy petticoats and hard to breath and stiff blouses makes it hard to shoot.)

[cryptidclaw]

Do allied orders gain some sort of multiple benefit? how to hunt in the ally's territory or maintain romantic relationships with such a cat in the other order?

The gains vary from order to order but these are the sone general ones: (this is all before the orders unify more as well.)

Leniency on a bit of border crossing, though hunting on on the other territory is not often allowed.

Sharing prey in times of need. Often times allied orders can come to eachother and make deals on trades or gifts of prey when there are shortages.

Allies in battle! If an order is attacked their allies may come fight in the battle as well (if they know about it that is). Though this is not always the case, for example Wind isn't going to fight river alongside Thunder to win sunning rocks, that is an ongoing battle between those two orders.

General peace and friendship is also a plus! Cats don't have to stress about getting heckled on the border or getting into skirmishes bec the Orders are allies and are not quick to fight one another. And cats aren't really looked down upon for being friends with cats from an allied order.

Also they will often be able to amicably discuss disagreements rather than fight about it.

[patrickarchana-caminofrances]

Day 3 - Walking from Zubiri to Pamplona

Distance: 20.4 kilometres (official trail distance) 27.7 km (we walked)

Elevation gain:

Cardio level: 4

Steps:

Patrick’s steps - 30,387 steps

Archana’s steps - 34,087+ (Apple Watch battery resigned after 18 kilometres walking)

Weather: Overcast, pleasant temperature

Terrain: Muddy (after last night’s rain), slippery, undulating walk without strenuous section, we followed the river - across the highway from time to time, sometimes it got tricky as the path was narrow. Patrick’s rating 2/5, i.e. not too demanding.

Wednesday 4th September 2024

Another very pleasant day! We were picked up from our hotel in Pamplona Mercedes Vito (Van) at 9 am and dropped off at Zubiri around 9:25am. The previous day in a rush we had forgotten to get our Camino Passports stamped in Zubiri so stoped by a cafe to get them stamped and then marched off. At 9:30am we were probably the last pilgrims leaving Zubiri. Patrick even wore shorts and Archana opted for her Keen sandals instead of the trekking shoes, as we expected an easy day. It had rained the previous day, the sky was overcast and the temperature on a cooler side. A couple of kilometres into this walk we bumped into Rob & Barbara and also David, we had met all three of them plus David’s young son Martin, although we had been separated the previous day. The Camino teaches you about life in its own way. People joined you on parts of the trail, you exchange pleasantries but each one marched to their own tune and walked their own Camino. Some of them you saw again and some you never saw again, some became friends for life and some taught you an important lesson in that brief encounter. Even we (Patrick and Archana) were walking our own Caminos. Usually we started together and then due to his long stride and higher level of fitness Patrick would be miles ahead of Archana, sometimes he would wait for her in the next town, next church, end of the trail….

Like today as Archana walked into Trinidad de Arre, she saw beautiful church across the bridge as she entered the town. There was a notice welcoming people to their church and to stamp their own passport. So when Archana walked into the dark church, only the altar was visible. But then suddenly the motion sensor triggered the light and she noticed on her left sitting on a church pew was Patrick!! All he said was “I have been waiting here for you for over 45 minutes!”.

After saying a small prayer together and chanting the mahamantra, they walked side by side on small streets on the outskirts of Pamplona until they reached the walls of a fort, even a drawbridge above what would have been a moat in the bygone days.

Happy days! Laundry had been sorted the previous night, so tonight it would be a shower to freshen up, some rest and back for sone more Sangria at the same bar as the previous night.

It was a sultry night, the sangria was delicious and day 3 had been done and dusted.

[chroniclesinlavender]

ENTRY 002: Dreams (Part 2) [with transcript]

"Isaiah embarks on a chase in the night. Aran helps someone in need."

TRANSCRIPT:

[Chronicles in Lavender. Art and Story by Koishi. ENTRY 002: Dreams (Part 2)]

[December 13, 2019. 3:33 AM]

ISAIAH: That was a new dream! A NEW DREAM!!! I've never had a dream like that before! But what does it mean? Is there even any meaning behind it?? What did that butterfly mean when it said it'd help me??? And why does it's voice sound so... familiar?

ISAIAH: wait WAIT HOLD UP!! [thinking] SHIT! I'm gonna lose it! [through text to Amaliah] headin out for a bit will prolly be back in the morning dont touch my shit

ISAIAH: [thinking] What the hell am I doing? Am I really gonna ride up a mountain just to chase after some dream butterfly? ...Goddamn sone of a bitch. Some horror movie-ass shit I'm getting myself into...

ISAIAH: No no NOOO UGH why couldn't you stay on the path... Okay... I guess... Since I already came this far... Where is that stupid-- Ahah! I see it! Why am I doing this?

ISAIAH: AAH-!

???: Child Of The Moon, First Of The Descended, From Across A Thousand Lightyears And Ten Thousand Lifetimes You Have Been Led Astray. A Wrong That Must Be Righted, A World That Shall Undergo, A Great Change, A People Who Must Be Brought Home, With This, We Shall Mend What Is Broken And Burn The Bridge. Take On This Burden, And You Shall Be Given All That Has Been Promised.

ARAN: [unintelligible]

ISAIAH: uuuuuuugh... hmmmmg.... everything huuuuurts..... christ, my head... w-wha?

ISAIAH: hnnnk- hah... guh... w-where the... hell is the... fucking mirror?

PROPHET: Let me pull one up for you!

ISAIAH: Wait, who just said... that? yo wHAT THE FUCK!?!?

ISAIAH: Where the HELL am I??? What is this... shit on... my... FACE!? AGH-! ow ow ow... Is this some kinda weird prank? My head still hurts... I can't remember how I got here. I need to get my bearings. ...My journal! Please please please please... Oh thank GOD I still have my phone on me. No signal... That's... not ideal. Okay, I have no clue where I am or how I got here... But I ain't finna stick around and find out.

ISAIAH: w-whoa... WHOA!!! OW--! Okay, maybe... go at it a little bit slower... I need to get outta here before whoever brought me here comes ba--

ARAN: ...so if I leave now I-- Ah! You're awake! Thank the stars! I was worried for a beat that you weren't going to come to! Are you feeling okay? how's yo--

ISAIAH: nah nah NAH whatever you are you stay the HELL away from me!!!

ARAN: Whoa whoa, bug, it's okay! I just wanted to check that you're alright! I'm not going to hurt you!

ISAIAH: Yeah, sure, good for you. I'unno what kinda fucked up prank this is, but I ain't in the mood! Y'ALL HEAR THAT!? i AIN'T PLAYIN AROUND NO MORE!!

ARAN: M-Maybe I should've brought them to a professional... Here, I'll go and get you some water, and summon a skeeter to take you to a clinic-hive. Just wait right he--

ISAIAH: WAIT WAIT WAIT!!! Where... am I, exactly?

ARAN: Oh, sorry! You must be so confused! You're in a spare cell of my hive! I kind of panicked when I saw you by the river, and your vitals weren't showing up on Prohet, aso I didn't know if I--

ISAIAH: Okay again, wait... "found me by a river??"

ARAN: Y-Yeah, you were lying there passed out on the riverbank. I was worried you were dead, but I felt you breathing so I thought I should bring you home until you came too, since it was so early in the morning.

ISAIAH: So... this ain't no kidnapping thing? I can just... up and leave?

ARAN: Uh... yeah s-sure! If you want! I'm not trying to kidnap you. You can walk out the front port if you feel up to it!

ISAIAH: Aight bet. L-Lemme just... aH COME ONE! OOF-

ARAN: Whoooaaa I've got you! Here, let me help you to the door!

ISAIAH: Why do my... legs feel so o-off?

ARAN: It's alright! We can go one step at a time. Wati there! I'll get you some water. I need a water dish, Prophet.

PROPHET: Of course! Here you are.

ARAN: Here, just in case!

ISAIAH: The... water's in a plate.

ARAN: Yeah, why?

ISAIAH: ...Thanks, but I'm good for now. As soon as I can stand, I'm gone. Taking this stuff off of me too.

ARAN: Are you... talking about your chitin?

ISAIAH: My what? I dunno, man! Whatever this shit is. ugh... what did you... glue all of this... hmmg... on me or... something?

ARAN: Hey, stop that! You're going to hurt yourself!! Just... let's go outside, alright? Up you go! Maybe some fresh air will do you some good!

ISAIAH: ...yeah, I guess. And... thank for not kidnapping me, um...

ARAN: Al-Aran, but just "Aran" is fine by me!

ISAIAH: Cool... I'm Isaiah.

ARAN: Nice to meet you! Now let's get you out of here!

ISAIAH: I think I've seen this place in a... dream? [coughing] Yo what the he-- oh. OH!!! It came off! Aran, how did you do that--

ARAN: [in Seraphic] Ān… ĀN ĞŌGĞRSL OLISĀC PR̄- ASĒYA?? (What... WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU!?)

ISAIAH: ...wuzzat now?

[Ēzm̄fl īn-hōn pi-jalzègxa olsl… (To be continued in the next entry...)]

[booksrbetterthanpeople]

What happened to the recess class in paintball game, did they get out or something?

*The Recess Class are minding their own business in the waiting area when the Akuma Class and Science Kids return*

Gia: Hey, guys! How’d it go?

Denise: *Takes off their mask* I kinda wish we were timing that.

Jean: Still, one of our best. So, are you guys ready?

Akuma Class: …

Adrien: For what?!

Sabrina: Is it too late to run?

Victoria: You wusses got nothing to worry about. The winning class gets to face us in the next round.

Austin A: And now that you pansies are out, we all get to go fucking feral without hurting your precious little heads.

Marinette: Excuse me?!

Nino: That wasn’t them going feral?!

Mireille: Nah, did you see those guns? Come on!

Simon: And my usual paint grenades are more, uh… Ah, what’s the word?… More war-like.

Marc: Hey, but since you guys lost, you can watch our match and see the slight differences when we go against M. Grotke’s students.

Austin T: Yeah, and it’s ttally fun and safe. And you know? I feel it brings all of us close together.

*Later*

Austin T: *Lets out a battle cry* YOUR ASS IS MINE, JEAN! * Shoots at Jean, who ducks and rolls into a river and starts throwing paint grenades*

Gia: BEHIND THE SHIELD! NOW! *Austin T gets behind her shield as multiple lavender explosions go off*

Lacey: *Putting Mason in a headlock and holding a gun to him* DROP THE GUN!

Spinelli: STAY! FUCKING! COOL!

Marc: *Pointing his gun at Gerard trying to climb over the fence* GET OFF THE FENCE! GET OFF THE DAMN FENCE!

Gerard: IF I DIE, YOU’RE COMING WITH ME! *Shoots at Marc with a small paintball gun, but he narrowly dodges each one*

Zoé: DIE, GERARD *Throws a bolo at Gerard’s ankles so he trips and falls hard on the floor*

*The Akuma Class sit in the waiting room and watch the viewing screen with horrified expressions*

Alix: Why are they using weapons?!

Ivan: Apparently, they’re permitted when they play!

Nino: We go to school with animals!

*Ismael mercilessly shoots Austin Q in the forehead… Then shoots him in the back and legs*

Sabrina: Good Lord.

*Denise who has their ankle caught in a rope trap, shoots at the rope and tucks and rolls onto the ground. Hearing a twig snap, they shoot Rochelle down*

Juleka: You have to admire their skill, though.

*Some time later, the game finally ends close to the evening as a draw due to Marc and DJ as the last two players shooting each other at the same time*

Spinelli: Hey, guys, no hard feelings, right?

Aurore: Oh, you just wait when we kick your asses next time.

Spinelli: *Laughs* As if!

Max: How can you all be so calm after that?! What you just went through was a… A grueling, I wouldn’t even call it a sport. It… Why?!

Austin B: We all find that sports requiring strategic and quick thinking, camouflage skills, and the threat of danger help sharpen our skills w for in case of Akuma attacks.

Marinette: Oh. I guess that-

Reshma: Yeah, and it’s a great way to get out all the rage we feel towards you lot.

Akuma Class: …

Marinette: One more time?

Austin A: Yeah, you guys cause so many Akumas, we can’t keep track. And we’re the ones running and hiding for our lives because some of you just love pissing people off.

Victoria: And you guys get re-akumatized, which is always fun, because I do so enjoy turning into a singing servant for a perfume-spraying princess and getting shot by an arrow that makes me hate my friends.

Mindy: So… Yeah, paintball and dodgeball are sort of stress relievers for us. We admit, it’s not perfect and sone of us end up in the hospital, but it’s better than yelling at you guys and getting you akumatized again.

Alya: Th-that is so-

Rochelle: Valid? We’re aware. Now, we’re gonna get milkshakes. Nath, you coming?

Nathaniel: Yep.

Alix: Wait! You’re going with them?! Why?!

Nathaniel: Where was I during Zombizou?

Akuma Class: …

Nathaniel: That’s why. *Follows the Science Kids and Recess Class out of the paintball arena*

[fierceawakening]

So re “from the river to the sea,” sone I asked I’ve seen several different things given as its meaning, in articles and posts:

“Publicly, we said we didn’t mean we wanted Israelis killed, but among ourselves we agreed that since we think it’s an illegitimate colonialist country, everyone should be killed or driven out.”

“No civilians should be killed, but the Israeli government should be forcibly overthrown.”

“No civilians should be killed, and the Israeli government should immediately voluntarily disband.”

“No civilians should be killed, but both governments should disband under pressure from the rest of the world and a joint government should be formed by members of both groups in which all people have the same rights.”

“A two state solution should be negotiated, under which the Palestinian state reaches from one body of water to the other.”

“Even if a Palestinian state is not formed, Israel’s policies should immediately change such that Palestinians in Israel have the same rights as Jews there.”

I dunno. I want everyone to be free everywhere, but I don’t know that I personally would use this slogan, given that my listener could assume I mean any of the above.

[sesiondemadrugada]

River's Edge (Tim Hunter, 1986).

[indiator1]

1 night 2 Day Ayodhya Tour: How to Reach & Must-Visit Places

Ayodhya, a sacred city in India, is a place known for its rich culture and spirituality. The sacred city is resting on the banks of the Sarayu River. If you are seeking a spiritual connection, Ayodhya is the right place for you. The place offers a perfect blend of culture, spirituality, and history. 

However, before you go on an Ayodhya 2 Day Overnight Tour, it is essential to make a list of must-visit places. To make your task easier, we have included the top tourist attractions that you can consider exploring on your next trip to Ayodhya. So, are you excited to know more about those iconic places? Let’s quickly have a look.

How to Reach Ayodhya from Delhi Conveniently? 

If you are planning to go on an Ayodhya Tour, then you have multiple options to reach the city. You can book a flight or take a train or a bus. If you have booked a flight to Ayodhya from Delhi, then you’ll reach Ram Nagri in just 1.5 hours. However, if you go with the train or bus, then it will take around 8 to 10 hours to reach Ayodhya. So, it’s your choice which option you choose as per your convenience.

Don’t Miss These Places on Your Ayodhya 2-Day Tour

Ayodhya is one of the sacred cities in India. There are several places that you can visit on your Ayodhya 2-day tour. Some of them are listed below:

Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir: Ram Janmabhoomi is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. It is one of the worshipped places in India. Also, it is one of the religious places in Ayodhya. Hindu pilgrims from all across the world come to seek blessings from Lord Rama. The architecture of this temple is magnificent and awe-inspiring.

Shree Hanuman Garhi: Hanuman Gharhi is one of the famous places to visit in Ayodhya. This magnificent temple is situated on a hill overlooking the city of Ayodhya. It is one of the captivating attraction in Ayodhya. The people of Ayodhya follow the custom of visiting the Hanuman Garhi temple before worshipping the Ram Temple.

Kanak Bhawan: This is one of the best attractions of Ayodhya. The temple was built in 1891 and is known as Sone-ki-Ghar. As per the people’s belief, the people this Bhawan was a gift to Lord Ram and Goddess Sita by the Mata Kaikeyi. So, it is a must-visit religious place in the land of India.

Ram ki Paidi: Ram ki Paidi is one of the well-known places to visit in Ayodhya. It is a religious complex that has several ghats. It is one of the famous tourist destinations for worshippers. Hindu devotees come here to take a dip in the holy water. So, paying a visit to this iconic place is a must.

So, these are the top places that you must explore on your 2 days Ayodhya tour package.

Choose Indiator to Book Your Next Tour Package

Now that you know about the top places that you must not visit on your Ayodhya 2-Day Overnight Tour. At Indiator, we offer exclusive and well-curated tour packages at affordable prices. So, you can easily book your Ayodhya Tour Package without worrying about the budget. So, don’t procrastinate! Book a tour package today.

[balapann-blog]

Day 115 - 30 December - Bangkok

We got in very early in the morning to Bangkok airport and got ourselves through and got a taxi to Josh’s, who very kindly got up and showed us to our room. We slept in for a good bit and then had some breakfast and went for a walk round Josh’s neighbourhood which was not the one I had visited before. We then went to a shopping center briefly that is where all the counterfeit stuff is sold. We looked around as I needed a new bag but nothing looked quite sturdy enough. We then went to get some food nearby. I got some crispy pork and rice which was really tasty and was a great way to get back into Asian food. We then went for a drink on the river at a place called Jack’s Bar which I had been to before and then went on a river cruise for an hour or so.

We then went home and went for a swim in Josh’s buildings pool which was really nice and had a great view. We then went to a night market a bit further out. This market was very popular with tourists, particularly Chinese groups. There was lots of delicious food everywhere and it was slightly overwhelming so we honed in on lots of delicious bbq meat and veg on a stick and a few drinks before going home very full and tired.

Day 116 - 31 December - Bangkok

We got up and went for breakfast in an American style diner which had a delicious omelette. I had an orange coffee which is something that we have seen advertised in a number of places but we hadn’t had yet. It was actually really nice but I don’t think I will be having it all the time in the future.

Nin and I then went to the Jim Thompson House which was much more packed than the last time I went. We came back and chilled out and went to the gym and the pool, very GTL from Jersey Shore before our night out!

We went out for some Japanese food before taking a grab to the bar that we were going to for the evening. It was quite packed so we went down to the river and had a drink and waited for the fireworks with lots of other people in a strange ruined house that was full of people. The fireworks were amazing at midnight.

After that we went back to the bar and chatted in some nice chairs for a while before taking a tuk tuk back to the apartment and going to bed.

Day 117 - 1 January - Bangkok

We woke up quite late after the late finish the night before. We slowly went for some brunch at a thai place round the corner from Josh’s. I had some rice and minced beef and sone stir fried morning glory.

We then went to watch Gladiator II in the cinema which was very luxurious. It was so air conditioned that they gave out blankets and I was genuinely cold for the first time in ages. Gladiator was very entertaining even though the plot made no sense.

Nin went for a face massage and Josh and I went for a drink, and Nin joined us after. We then had dinner in the same place and we went back and watched the return of the king before going to sleep.

Day 118 - 2 January - Bangkok

We got up and had breakfast before driving to Ayutthaya. We went to a couple of sites and then went to get some lunch in a thai restaurant near the river. It was really delicious and we had a thom yum soup, some deep fried pork, morning glory and fried rice. One of the best meals we had in Thailand. We went to one more sight and then drove home. Nin and I got ice cream, Nin durian and me ube.

We drove back and went for a gym and a swim before going to another Japanese in a mall near Josh’s apartment. Thailand vs Vietnam was on a big screen so we watched some of that. I had a pork katsu, and we had some tempura and some sushi. It was really nice and a great way to end the food odyssey of Bangkok.

We went back and watched The Bourne Ultimatum, thus completing all the Bornes on this trip. At about half midnight we got a taxi to the airport for Manila. The baggage drop was very busy, once we got through security we chilled in a lounge for an hour of so and then boarded the flight.

I slept a bit on the flight but woke up during the decent feeling a little hallucinogenic.

Day 119 - 3 January - Manila

Getting off the plane, my internet weirdly seemed to have stopped working and I was very tired so hadn’t gone through all the rigmarole before immigration, when my online passenger boarding card had not come through against my passport details. Borrowing Nina’s phone to hotspot I did it again but it still didn’t work. On the third time the lady in the passport booth said it might have been because my details were wrong. I then realised that although my passport number was correct, my date of birth was wrong because I had put it in using European date syntax and not American, so I had to edit that and then resubmit.

I finally got through and then we got our bags and headed to our hotel in a taxi. We went to a quite overpriced place for breakfast and stayed there for a while, before going and getting a shoulder and foot massage in a place near our hotel which was much nicer than I anticipated.

We then checked in, showered and went for a snooze. Wehn we woke up we went to see Wicked in the cinema and then came back and went to sleep.

Day 120- 4 January - Manila

We had breakfast in the hotel and then went to the starting point of our walking tour. We had a very friendly guide who was very knowledgeable. We kicked off in a hostel and walked to a four hundred year old church before taking a ferry to the old town. We had another couple with us and a sweet student who was doing tourism in university and this tour was her internship!

Our first stop was the Black Nazarene Church, which apparently has almost cult like devotion from its followers. It is almost always full and services throughout the day particularly on Friday. The Black Nazarene is a relic of a black statue and supposedly burned cross. It apparently has massive crowds once a year where it is brought out and circles the church. Our guide said his parents went every Friday but he gave off the impression that his faith was not quite as fanatical.

In an unsurprising turn of events the British had occupied Manila in the 18th century for 18 months which reminded me of the map of 19 or so countries that supposedly the British had not invaded. We went to the old main street Escolta street which had lots of run down art deco buildings but which were in dire need of repair.

Divorce is illegal in the Philippines with only Vatican as the other country in the world where it is illegal. Interesting considering it was illegal in Ireland in my lifetime! Manila also has the worlds oldest organised China town, which was started by the Spanish in 1594! In return for them converting to Christianity, meaning that Chinese in Manila a nominally Christian, although there are private hidden temples, one of which we went to. It was a temple halfway up a modern building. The temple said that it was Buddhist but none of the shrines were to Buddha and were more Taoist, with the main shrine being to Kuang Kong.

We had our first snack which was a siopao which was a delicious dumpling that was fried at the bottom. One of the people in the tour asked about the fact that Bong Bong Marcos and Duarte seem to be at war with each other and he said that it was two dictators trying to kill each other and hopefully they neutralise each other. We then went past a place doing vegan snacks that were popular on tik tok and it is the only vegetarian restaurant in Chinatown.

We walked over a waterway that was so polluted it was pretty intense, we then walked past a mixed religion shrine as it was effectively a Buddhist shrine with a cross rather than a Buddha, our guide said this was typical of Manilian Chinese Christianity as it was a fusion of Christian and Buddhist practices.

Our second food snack was an hopia which was pastry with an ube center which was sweet and crumbly. Our guide said that they was a real mall culture in Manila and that 3 of the biggest malls in the world were here, which isn’t really my vibe but still. China town has privately financed fire brigades, including one but a guy called Mr. Ube who made his money in ube and all his trucks are purple!

We then went to the old town that was Spanish and enclosed by walls. Lots of it had been destroyed but you could definitely see the Spanish influence. We got some bikes and cycled around different places to to look at like the old dungeons. The other couple were itching to cycle so left us saying they had only booked the tour for the bike ride, which begs the question why they didn’t just hire bikes but anyway. We also managed to cycle round a bit before finishing up and getting a taxi back to our hotel.

We went for dinner at a popular Filipino restaurant (in a local mall obviously) which was nice but very meaty and quite heavy so we finished up very full.

Day 121- 5 January - Manila > Taipei

We got up and I went for a swim and a stretch. After packing and checking out we got a grab to central Manila again. There was a Sunday service taking place at the Church of the Black Nazarene which was packed with a crowd outside of the church. It was mad that there were so many people and it really felt like the most densely populated part of the most populated city in the world! We had a deep fried quail egg with a lovely vinegar and sweet and sour dressing, and headed to china town.

There we had one of the siopao that we had before which were very nice. We then went to a dumpling place we hadn’t been the day before. We had pork and chive kutchay dumplings which were really nice with the Chinese vinegar. We then bought some hopias from the place we had had them the day before (right next door to the dumpling place) and then went to the big shop of Mr. Ube and got a couple more hopias. We then braved the crowds to go back to the Black Nazarene to get some candles before hopping in a grab and going to that most Filipino of places the mall.

We walked around the mall closest to our hotel for a bit. I had lost my water bottle so I got a fun personalised one and we went to a cafe and had their signature hot chocolate and sweet cheese roll which tasted a lot better than it sounds. I think that Filippino food is probably too sweet for me but this was nice. We were getting unite tired from all the walking so we then went and had a drink in an Italian restaurant and due to time and ease had a plate of very nice pasta there before getting our bags and heading to the airport. The flight went without a problem and we arrived in Taipei at around 1, getting to our hotel around 2.

[finance-with-mukesh]

A Perfect Travel Guide to Plan Your Spiritual Journey to Ayodhya

Ayodhya is a fascinating place that is rich in mythology, spirituality, and history. Whether you want to discover inner peace, achieve spiritual enlightenment, or just want to engage yourself in the lively cultural heritage of India, Ayodhya is the ideal destination for you. Let's take you on a journey through the paths of Ayodhya, revealing its hidden treasures, ancient temples, and the divine spiritual energy that pulsates through every corner of the city. Get ready to be fascinated by Ayodhya's timeless charm and profound spiritual significance.

Understanding the Essence of Ayodhya

Located on the banks of the revered Sarayu River in the state of Uttar Pradesh, Ayodhya holds a special place in the hearts of millions of devotees worldwide. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is mentioned in several ancient Hindu scriptures, including the Ramayana.

Planning Your Journey: Ayodhya Tour Packages

Prior to beginning your spiritual journey, it is important to select an appropriate Ayodhya tour package that matches your preferences and interests. There are various options available to meet the needs of every traveller, whether you prefer a guided tour with professional insights or wish to explore the city at your own pace.

Recommended Activities:

Visit to Ram Janmabhoomi

Exploration of ancient temples like Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan

Attend the enchanting Ganga Aarti on the banks of the Sarayu River

Experience the cultural extravaganza during festivals like Diwali and Ram Navami

Exploring Sacred Sites: Must-Visit Places in Ayodhya Ayodhya has numerous sacred sites and landmarks that offer glimpses into its illustrious past and spiritual heritage. From majestic temples to serene ghats, each place holds a unique significance and leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

Top Attractions:

Ram Janmabhoomi: 

The holiest site in Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama. It houses the revered Ram Lalla idol and is a focal point of devotion for millions.

Hanuman Garhi: 

This hilltop temple is devoted to Lord Hanuman and is a popular destination for devotees due to its breathtaking views of Ayodhya.

Kanak Bhawan: 

Also known as the Sone ka Mandir, this stunning temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and Goddess Sita. It is renowned for its intricate architecture and impressive golden idols.

Sarayu River Ghats:

Enjoy a peaceful boat ride on the Sarayu River while you witness the beautiful spiritual ceremony of Ganga Aarti.

Immersing Yourself in Spiritual Practices

Ayodhya is not just a destination; it's an experience that resonates deep within the soul. Whether you're a devout pilgrim seeking blessings or a spiritual seeker on a quest for inner peace, Ayodhya offers various opportunities for introspection and enlightenment.

Suggested Activities:

Offer Prayers and Offerings: 

Visit different temples to seek blessings from the deities and improve your spiritual and material prosperity. Each temple has its unique significance and offers a different experience. You can engage yourself in the culture and traditions of the region. Connect with the divine and feel the positive energy around you. Seeking blessings from the deities can refresh and rejuvenate you.

Participate in Meditation and Yoga:

Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Ayodhya by practising yoga and meditation to refresh your mind, body, and soul.

Engage in Seva (Selfless Service):

One way to give back to the community and make a positive impact is by volunteering at nearby ashrams or participating in charitable activities that aim to uplift the underprivileged. Not only will you be making a difference in the lives of others, but you will also be able to connect with like-minded individuals and gain a sense of fulfilment from your good deeds. 

Indulging in Cultural Delights: Festivals and Cuisine

No trip to Ayodhya is complete without experiencing its spirited culture and savouring its local cuisine. Enjoy the city's festivities and indulge in authentic regional delicacies.

Cultural Extravaganza:

Diwali: 

Diwali is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Ayodhya. Everywhere in the city, it is decorated with lights and pretty things that make it look magical. Diwali is a big festival celebrated by many people all over the world. Ayodhya is famous for its beautiful lights and decorations during Diwali. You can walk around the city and see the colourful lights and pretty diyas, which are small clay lamps. It's a very happy time, and you can feel the excitement in the air. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience that will leave you in awe of the magic of Diwali!

Ram Navami: 

Celebrate Lord Rama's birth in Ayodhya with a colourful procession, soulful bhajans, and religious rituals. The highlight is the temple ceremony, where priests perform elaborate rituals to mark the occasion. The celebration ends with fireworks, creating an unforgettable experience of Indian culture.

Culinary Delights:

Ram Ki Ladoo: 

Savour the heavenly taste of Ram Ki Ladoo, a renowned Indian sweet delicacy prepared from the finest quality gram flour, pure jaggery, and rich ghee. 

Chaat and Street Food:

Enjoy a variety of delicious street foods, such as chaats and samosas, that will delight your taste buds with their amazing flavours. These savoury treats are a must-try for anyone who loves good food. The flavours are so exquisite that you'll want to keep coming back for more. You can expect to experience a burst of spices and herbs in every bite. Don't miss out on this incredible street food experience.

Conclusion

As you conclude your spiritual journey in Ayodhya, may you carry with you the divine blessings and timeless wisdom that permeate every corner of this sacred land. Whether you came seeking solace, enlightenment, or simply a deeper connection with your spiritual self, Ayodhya has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on your heart and soul.

Remember that Ayodhya will forever remain etched in your memories as a beacon of light and spirituality, guiding you on your path to self-discovery and inner peace. Until we meet again on another sacred journey, may your soul be blessed and the divine grace of Ayodhya uplift your spirit.

[harrison-abbott]

wild part of the woods

I went for a walk in the woods behind the neighbourhood. This was a city woodland. As in, the woods were on the east side of the city, and the river that ran through it was clogged with all kids of junk and polluted water. But, if you went far enough, the other side of the river, the trees got denser and you could get a sense of being alone, of the wild. And as you went farther the trees got older, taller, pines and oaks and elm, and the ivy rose up them in handsome green.

Onwards I walked, without much direction. I lit a cigarette and walked up a hill full of ivy and the triangle leaves were laced with little spider webs that sone in the sunlight quite pretty.

At the top of the hill I went into this little group of birch trees and sat down in the shade. I finished the cigarette and then lit another one, and as I smoked I gazed around behind me at the birch trees and there mossy branches. And, behind one of them – behind one of their trunks, something caught my eye. A colour that was out of place in the scenery. So I stood up and walked over to see what it was.

The strap of a rucksack. Navy blue, nylon. And it had an Adidas logo on its front. Except it was the old Adidas flowery logo, not the modern one, with the three straight stripes. And the bag itself looked like it’d been here for ages, because it was all crumpled and covered with leaves. … Maybe somebody had left it here on a camping trip a while ago? But this was quite, as I mentioned, a wild part of the woods. And there weren’t any signs of bottles or litter or anything nearby. Why was the bag here?

Hesitantly, I picked the bag up. It was heavy. I had the feeling that I was being watched, somehow. Even though it was all merry with sun and birds: and I looked around me to check that nobody was here.

Slowly, I unzipped the bag. The zip handle was cold and wet and the zip lining was tricky to budge, it kept getting snagged. I looked inside.

First thing I saw was rope. A coil of rope. Orange in colour. And I thought, Okay … I took the rope out. And then I found a round object, some kind of fat cylinder.

Gaffer tape.

Under the tape I found a hammer.

And next to that was what looked like a woman’s hat. It was one of those hats you see at Christmas markets, that they sell in stalls.

I had already touched all of these items and I instantly regretted it. What I did was put all of the items back into the bag and then I took the bag and threw it further into the brush, into the bushes. My heartbeat had increased and I could feel it pumping against my ribs. I could still see the bag from here. So I went over to it and I found a lower part in the earth and I rammed it in there. And then kicked leaves and earth over it. … Then I made a U-turn and I quit the patch of birch trees and zoomed back down the valley and retreated, fast, all the way I had come.

Needed to get away from here fast. I didn’t want anything to do with that bag … or know what the story was behind it.

[priyanka104]

Ayodhya Tour: Tracing the Divine Footsteps of Lord Rama

Ayodhya, a city steeped in ancient history and mythology, holds a special place in the hearts of millions of people around the world. Nestled on the banks of the sacred Sarayu River in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Ayodhya is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Rama, a revered deity in Hinduism. This blog takes you on a spiritual journey to Ayodhya, where you can explore the rich heritage, visit sacred temples, and immerse yourself in the divine aura that envelopes this sacred city.

The Legend of Ayodhya: Birthplace of Lord Rama

Ayodhya's significance in Hindu mythology is deeply intertwined with the life and adventures of Lord Rama. According to the epic Ramayana, Ayodhya was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, ruled by Lord Rama's father, King Dasharatha. Lord Rama, born to Queen Kaushalya, is believed to have spent his childhood and early adulthood in Ayodhya before embarking on his epic journey to rescue his wife, Sita, from the demon king Ravana.

Key Attractions in Ayodhya: A Spiritual Sojourn

Ram Janmabhoomi Temple: The epicenter of Ayodhya's spiritual significance is the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, built at the spot believed to be the exact birthplace of Lord Rama. Devotees from across the globe visit this sacred site to pay their respects and seek blessings.

Hanuman Garhi: This temple complex dedicated to Lord Hanuman is perched on a hill and offers panoramic views of Ayodhya. It is a popular spot for worship and a serene place for meditation.

Kanak Bhawan: Also known as Sone-ka-Mandir (Golden Temple), Kanak Bhawan is dedicated to Lord Rama and his consort Sita. The temple is known for its exquisite golden idols of the deities.

Treta Ke Thakur: This ancient temple is believed to have been established by Lord Rama himself. It houses a pair of footprints believed to be those of Lord Rama.

Swarg Dwar: Known as the 'Gateway to Heaven,' this imposing archway marks the spot where Lord Rama is said to have ascended to heaven at the end of his earthly life.

Spiritual Practices and Festivals in Ayodhya

Ayodhya is a city where spirituality is deeply ingrained in daily life. Pilgrims and devotees flock to the city year-round to participate in various religious rituals and ceremonies. The city is particularly vibrant during festivals such as Diwali, which is celebrated with grandeur to commemorate Lord Rama's return to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana.

Exploring the Historical and Cultural Heritage

Beyond its religious significance, Ayodhya also boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. You can explore ancient temples, ashrams, and other landmarks that have preserved the city's timeless traditions.

Tulsi Smarak Bhawan: Dedicated to the famous poet-saint Tulsidas, this museum showcases his life and works, including the epic poem "Ramcharitmanas," which narrates the story of Lord Rama.

Valmiki Ramayan Bhawan: This institution is dedicated to the sage Valmiki, who composed the original Ramayana. It provides insight into the history and literary significance of the epic.

Ayodhya Art and Crafts: The city is known for its vibrant arts and crafts, including handwoven textiles, pottery, and intricate woodwork. You can explore local markets to purchase souvenirs and support local artisans.

Conclusion:

A Spiritual Odyssey in Ayodhya

Ayodhya, with its deep-rooted spiritual legacy and historical significance, is a destination that invites visitors to embark on a spiritual odyssey. Whether you're seeking divine blessings, exploring ancient history, or simply looking for a tranquil retreat, Ayodhya offers an immersive and enlightening experience. As you walk the same paths as Lord Rama and immerse yourself in the city's timeless spirituality, you'll find that Ayodhya is not just a place; it's a journey of the soul.

[the-firebird69]

=trump is under fire as is dan and terry c and are hit a lot. tons of times.

=tons die today here. yesterday at home depot he left a fight broke out andthey held trump and terry c and dan. hit them over and over. -here they are hit now and others. too. and tons of times. they are seeking ships and stashes and more. fire on you often. and take you down in pc and pg. tons of yo die today. tons. ken is commended by camilla. and all see it he helped. said it out loud. no.

-and huge numbers are o ut already. tons of them out due to their mouths ok true too. are heated and say what they want and feel and get hit like tommy f did. he is a loser now and all hit and take.

-there is more

-they are taking over here and i tis the psuedo empire and camilla is a part of it and directs hers to hit and take down idiots. and our son willb e better yes. unless the hospital is used and she balks sees it oh and no no w e wont and cant and good. we are here shall be.

-tons of iditos out yesterday around him looking like stans and ohter. tons. and were hit. and more today we assure you. t his is it too we see you trying to get him to do useless things so we hit you idiot morlock here

-we watched trump try to hassle our son to remain hungry andwe hit. tons of ppl saw it. hit hard. and terry c too. your watched ok see. and nope. hit. and beaten to death yes. tons of times too kept it up. dan too. and then this we are bad but shit.

-sirens means a big wig morlock. and the idiot in the chopper...are aat it they say and cant help it. will die here. and know it some do. tons hate it.

=there are changes

-the tide is lowwer, while the big stuff occured it dopped to 52" as a new mid tide level yes. high tide is about 29" down from lasstyears high water mark the clams. low tide is 52 inches down. it is good.

-the water took tons of shit out. and the trough is now 12' deep and 85' wide as two more feet since our last announcement left. it has to go downt o 20' but it is progress and any downard motion makes more downwards motion. it is faster true. a foot aday now almost it was half a foot ad ay

-tons more. the river empties too and of muck but is deeper about three feet deeper and soon clear only about 7 more feet to go. is a deeper body of water than the harbor and by far no a little.

-tons say it the flow is huge ad the bridge is at risk and it is. the bottom though is below hte san and not eroding, at this time

-a few more things they are at our sone we hit

-they re organize the local government and streamline it need it now

-take out the idiots form the bilidng dept and planning board remove them

sieze the assets of evil doers. and tons of them meaning tons of assets trucks and cars pickups adn bikes ebikes houses and mroe. discontinue mortgages and yes....

-begin large scaled evictions here of morlock and tons of them will be out of pc and pg. tons. and they head said it to stan enough times. he is resiliant. tons of times.

we watch them perish and no big loss are a headache take too mch time. an globaly are assaulted by misc pseudo empire and emprie forg and us adn and all really. tons attack take stuff foud tons of things daimonds nand lots of them and ships and under them off out and nope and you shall.

i t is a major day for us

Thor Freya

Olympus needthis we need territory ad stuff take it

we plan now we think 8 more Mega Bases globally and 10 Veery large no 20 Very Large 9 Mega Bases good. an d many more. and we rule shortly and our Obelisk come online today we complted ten. and ten more started and near your areas morlok