#Strict action will be taken for false

[jessamine-rose]

˖⋆˚♱ଘ Angel’s Tears ଓ♱˚⋆˖

*cries* I thought I was done with Church AU after Priest! Dottore yet here I am with more unholy ideas. Welp, Guardian Angel! Capitano x Nonbeliever! Darling, here we go (；ω；)

Tw:: yandere, psychological trauma, blood, violence, death, religious abuse, MDNI

Note:: fictional depictions of religion

♡ 3.8k words under the cut ♡

♡ From the moment of their creation, angels are classified into the Nine Orders. This hierarchy determines their roles in Heaven and Earth, with higher ranks assigned greater levels of power and authority. A special exception is The Strongest Angel, an individual who is neither a Seraph nor an angel from the First Sphere. Rather, the moniker belongs to Il Capitano, the leader of the Powers.

♡ The legitimacy of his title has never been questioned. As a warrior angel, Capitano’s purpose is to vanquish evil. He is the chivalrous knight in bloodstained armor, the nigh-invincible being who strikes fear into the hearts of demons, the ever-righteous angel bound by a paradoxical duty to partake in violence for the sake of everlasting peace.

♡ It is in a small town in Mondstadt, following his victory over a legion of demons, that Capitano encounters you. It is the hour of mass yet you are nowhere near the Church; rather, you have taken sanctuary in a secluded meadow. A book sits on your lap, not a religious text but a tale of dark fantasy. There is a saintlike quality to your countenance, an air of melancholy as delicate as the flowers which surround you.

✿ ⚘

The moment Capitano appears before you, all peace leaves the meadow.

No, this isn’t right. It is normal for humans to feel fear in the divine presence of angels, yet he is donning his human guise. Nonetheless, as soon as his shadow touches your form, you look up and suppress a shriek, your face losing its veil of apathy.

So what exactly did he do wrong?

For your benefit, he remains rooted to his spot. Clarity comes in the form of your gaze flitting to your book, its title printed on the cover in conspicuous letters, the whispers which leave trembling lips.

“I…I can explain! This book—it’s just fiction! There are no real curses or spells inscribed in the text; it doesn’t promote any form of blasphemy!”

Ah, now he understands. You weren’t afraid of him.

Carefully, Capitano takes a step forward and raises his hand in a calming gesture. A gentle expression adorns his false face.

“Be not afraid.”

✿ ⚘

♡ It doesn’t take long for him to understand your wariness. A glimpse into your soul, paired with your quiet explanation, tells the story of an orphan raised by the Church. Only, your Church is one of many founded on distorted beliefs, of violence preached in the name of a cruel god. As a result, your upbringing was marked by strict rules, corporal punishments, and sermons which painted the image of a hopeless child with a weakness for temptation.

♡ Knowing this, Capitano can’t fault you for forsaking God and your Church. Still in his human guise, he promises his silence and leaves the meadow. But once he returns to Heaven, his first course of action is to apply for a position as your guardian angel. It is an easy process—while that role is typically reserved for the lower ranks, there is no shortage of humans in need of spiritual guidance and protection. He only questions why an angel wasn’t assigned to you when you were in greatest need of one.

♡ Henceforth, Capitano becomes a recurring character in your life. Every week, he visits you in the meadow. When you ask for his identity, he claims to be a progressive believer from another town. But rather than enlighten you with the true Word of God, he simply keeps you company and indulges your “vices,” leading to hours spent reading together. Beyond those meetings, he also watches over you to ward off any demons or humans seeking to harm you.

♡ From your end, you slowly warm up to your mysterious companion. He is a man of few words, but his actions always convey a sense of kindness. And despite his faith, he genuinely respects your beliefs and accepts you as you are. At one point, he even gives you a special gift, a quill pen of exceptional quality. The feather, pure white with a soft radiance, must have been sourced from a rare bird of prey.

♡ Over time, however, something changes. Capitano can’t deny that the faults lies with him. His visits, his constant thoughts of you, the ever-blurring line between want and duty…nothing of his behavior can be attributed to an angel’s inherent love for humanity. If that were the case, his love wouldn’t beget heartache. His love wouldn’t beget the temptation to harm others, rooted not in the name of justice but for your own safety. His love wouldn’t beget lust, guilt, dishonor, desires so sinfully evocative of his own fallibility.

♡ The truth is, you were never in need of spiritual salvation. From the moment he first laid eyes on you, what Capitano saw was a pure soul—a good person unlikely to commit evil nor fall into true temptation. Moreover, he knows that your sin of disbelief is forgivable unlike your Church’s sins of violence. That so long as you remain as you are, your soul will not be denied paradise, albeit in a realm of Heaven beyond Capitano’s jurisdiction. So why is he incapable of leaving your side?

✿ ⚘

“I had a long, long dream. I dreamed that you and I met again in the pure white world that we created.”

As you read the final line, your gaze leaves the book and returns to Capitano.

“What did you think of the story?”

Your shoulder brushes against his own, a tempting sensation. It is all he can do to remain still, to think against seeking out more of your touch, to remind himself that your close proximity is a mere necessity for your current activity.

The left side of the book, bearing the story’s ending, rests in your left hand. The other side is held in Capitano’s right hand, a blank page devoid of hope for a happy ending. When he turns the page, you seamlessly catch it under your thumb to show the next page.

Who knew of the casual intimacies imbued in the act of reading together?

“It was a well-written novel,” he says simply. “Though her sins tarnished her honor, Rosalyne’s sacrifice was an act of love. Her loss did not hinder her faithfulness to Rostam.”

“I feel the same way,” you muse. “Now I understand why this book was banned centuries ago. Forbidden love between angels and humans…it certainly goes against what the Church taught us about angels. I have to give the author credit for their imagination.”

It’s just the two of you again, this time in the library. At the start of winter, you invited Capitano to your workplace. There, in your greatest show of trust, you brought him to a secret room dedicated to texts banned by the Church for promoting “blasphemy.” Fantasy, erotica, anti-Church publications, first editions of censored books, stories which merely deviated from the Church’s popular depictions of spiritual beings.

Molten Moment belongs to the last category. Little do you know that it was based on a true story, that the author had really formed a pact with a demon called La Signora. Capitano himself is mentioned in the story under his true name.

He was one of the few angels who noticed the changes in Rosalyne’s behavior. She used to be a Throne, an angel with no connection to Earth nor humanity. Yet by some twist of fate, she laid eyes on a brave knight from Mondstadt and began to meet him in her human guise.

He was the first to hear of Rosalyne’s sin, that being she saved Rostam’s life during a battle. It was a direct violation of God’s orders: Angels and demons may influence humans, but they are forbidden from directly altering a human’s lifespan.

He was a silent witness to Rosalyne’s descent. She fell from Heaven, burned by her own flames, yet she had never appeared more ecstatic. In the following years, she married Rostam and lived a happy life with him on Earth.

He was the last to recognize Rostam’s soul at the pearly gates, forever separated from his fallen lover. Such had been Rosalyne’s divine punishment, worsened by her knowledge of this possibility. But what else was she to do? To let Rostam know of her true nature? To drag his soul down to Hell, where he’d be subjected to an eternity of undeserved suffering?

Capitano is no fool. As he read Molten Moment, he began to understand Rosalyne’s sin in a new light. Half the time, he couldn’t even concentrate on the text, his human eyes repeatedly drifting to your intense reading expression.

He closes the book, leaving it in your sole grasp. But before he can stand up from the sofa, you scoot closer and lean your weight on him. The book is placed on a nearby table, forgotten.

“Do you mind?” you whisper. Your right hand, empty since the prologue, traces his left hand.

A moment of silence precedes his response. “You may.”

Wordlessly, you take his hand and intertwine your fingers. A gesture of intimacy, an unspoken confession. Yet as he savors your touch, Capitano wonders if you would harbor the same level of comfort around his true form.

He doubts it. As a Power, he bears an inhuman appearance on par with that of his superiors. It is his true image which has earned him the title of monster by witnessing humans.

Still, he allows himself to indulge in the blessing that is your oblivion. When you look into his two human eyes, there is a soft light in your gaze wholly free of fear.

“Spring is coming soon,” you mutter. “I can’t wait to see the flowers again. Come to think of it, there’s a variety of narcissus which grows only in late spring. It’s very pretty.”

Against his better judgment, Capitano strengthens his grip on your hand. “Shall I take it as an invitation to resume our meetings in the meadow?”

“Sure.” That is when you look up, a small smile adorning your face. “And if you can’t visit for whatever reason, I’ll pick a bouquet and preserve it for you.”

For once, Capitano is rendered speechless.

Rarely do you ever smile. Even to him, you retain your listless disposition—whether it is out of habit or lingering distance, he has yet to discern your reasons. But that is what makes it all the more special, those few instances when he is beholden to your expressions.

He wonders if this is what humans feel in the divine presence of angels, when they are borne witness to all things holy and beautiful.

Your smile is a phenomenon reserved only for the worthiest of souls. And in your grace, he has never felt more undeserving.

✿ ⚘

♡ At the end of winter, a religious war is authorized by the Church of Mondstadt. Shortly after the news reaches your town, Capitano informs you that he will be busy with “work.” He says it during another reading date, featuring Heart of Clear Springs. Before leaving, he kisses your hand and gives you a kind smile. There is a sad look in his eyes, but you don’t inquire further.

♡ In late spring, your town is attacked. With the entire area under fire, from your home to the meadow, you find yourself running back to the sacred building which you’d avoided for years. After all, though the enemy soldiers belong to a different denomination, they still worship the same god as you. In the present, the church is the only place on Earth where you can claim asylum and pray for your survival.

♡ Except every entrance is locked, including the doors to the orphanage. As the army reaches the town square, all you can do is bang on the front doors and beg to be let in. From inside, you can hear the voices of the people that luckily attended mass before the invasion. Some tell you to hide elsewhere, others beg you for forgiveness, a few sound like the nuns and caretakers who tormented you in the past.

♡ Before you can think of another sanctuary, a soldier strikes you. Pain…it has never felt more intense. Through your fading consciousness, you register your body falling and your head hitting the concrete. Blood pools from your forehead and trickles down the steps of the church, tainting it red.

♡ Life flashes before your eyes in a blurry sequence. The static images of God, sermons and bruises, unanswered prayers, people who never believed you or simply didn’t care. A birthday celebrated with your departure from the Church. Sanctuary found in the library followed by the meadow. Yet the numbness remained, each day bleeding into the next in a gloomy haze. In all those years, did you ever feel God’s love?

♡ It doesn’t matter at this point. A small part of you wonders if you should have retained your faith, continued your prayers, sought out salvation in the safety of your solitude. At least then, at the hour of your death, you wouldn’t be confronted with the fact of your humanity. The primal fear of death, the spiritual fear of ending up in Hell no matter Capitano’s reassurances.

♡ Capitano…where is he? Weakly, you call out to him but he doesn’t appear. Of course, why would he? You should feel thankful; it means he is probably safe, wherever he is. Still, you can’t help but wish he were here—if not to save you, as he has done by simply keeping you company, but to comfort you one last time. And those are the thoughts which plague you in your final moments, an unheard prayer on the tip of your tongue.

“I pray that we meet again, myself and the first person who truly loved me.”

♡ ______ died on a cloudy day, one of many people persecuted in the name of God. After the Church was destroyed and its followers slaughtered, their body was buried in a mass grave that once flourished with nature. There was a poignant quality to their countenance, an air of distress as transient as the flowers planted above them.

♡ At least, that is how your story ends from the perspectives of the survivors. But to the angels and demons who witnessed the destruction of your town, your death was only the end of a chapter in your life. In their eyes, Capitano had been present all throughout, an invisible witness to your death, absolute in his refusal to perform an unauthorized miracle.

♡ He remained by your side until the light faded from your eyes. That was when he took notice of the bouquet of narcissus clutched in your hand, tainted with blood despite your feeble efforts to save his gift. A soldier approached your corpse, intending to drag it down the steps for burial; but before they could touch you, Capitano appeared before them.

♡ It was only for a brief second, but the soldier drew back and cowered in fear. In the following days, they were haunted by the memory of the angelic figure who appeared outside the Church of Mondstadt. Or more precisely, the monster who prayed over a bloodstained corpse and took a bouquet of ruined flowers out of their grasp.

✿ ⚘

From the moment you wake up, all peace leaves the meadow.

What happened? Your memory comes back in hazy fragments—death, darkness, blinding light, pearly gates, ethereal figures. Most vivid is the sensation of strong arms and soft feathers, a familiar warmth which accompanied you throughout your journey.

As for your current surroundings, you are in a meadow so beautiful that it brings to mind the Garden of Eden. Flowers of every variety bloom across the scenery, some out of season. The sky is bright, sunless, a canvas of multiple colors. There are no other signs of life.

Internally, too, something feels off. A nearby pond provides a glimpse of your reflection—white garments, gold scars in place of your fatal injuries, your disoriented countenance. If this place is what you think it is…shouldn’t you feel at peace, happy even? And why are you alone?

Your gaze lands on a patch of flowers. Pure white, perianth petals, cup-shaped coronas…the same type of narcissus which grew in your favorite meadow. The flowers point in different directions, as though searching for a sun that does not exist.

“You are awake.”

A shadow touches your form, engulfing you in darkness. It bears a large, unrecognizable shape but such details evade you as you recognize the voice behind you.

“Capitano!” Immediately, you turn around, only to gasp and suppress a scream.

The person before you…can you even call him human? He is incredibly tall, to the point that you must crane your neck to see his face—assuming there is one beneath his iron mask. His body is clad in silver armor, stained blood in some places. A halo, shaped like a crown of thorns, shines behind his head.

But what shocks you are his wings. A single pair covered in radiant white feathers and eerily dark blue eyes. Each eye seems to glow with an uncanny aura.

Dark blue eyes with a striking resemblance to Capitano’s. What more for his long black hair and his solemn manner of speaking?

It doesn’t make your revelation any less unsettling.

“Capitano.” Your voice comes out in a nervous whisper. “Is it really you? You’re a…”

“An angel,” he confesses. He takes a step back, widening the distance between your bodies. “I ask that you pardon my appearance. Such was my sacrifice—for my true form, in all of its monstrosity, to be my sole image.”

His human face comes to mind, along with the kind gaze you fell in love with.

You feel the weight of multiple gazes on you. “What do you mean?”

“Is this realm to your satisfaction?” he asks. “I beseeched God to create a special paradise for you, cut off from the rest of Heaven. The price is that your capacity to feel negative emotions remains in this realm…though that is preferable.”

Preferable? How so? Right now, you can barely process what he is telling you. You are dead. Your companion is an angel. Your soul is in paradise, but not exactly.

After everything you’ve been through, you were still deemed worthy of a place in Heaven.

“I am sorry.”

Capitano’s voice brings you back to reality. He has never sounded more serious, emotional, repentant. And when you look up…

Is he crying?

Most of his eyes remain open, focusing on you with a fervent stare. But others are downcast, as if unable to face you. And a few appear glossy, blinking back iridescent tears.

“I am truly sorry.” He bows his head in shame, wings folded. “What I did to you was cruel, an absolute injustice.”

You don’t know which eyes to make contact with. “You—”

“It must have been painful,” he continues. “Even if I were to justify my actions, the truth lies in the fact that I tolerated your suffering for my own selfish desires. And that is why I ask not for your forgiveness, knowing I am the one at fault.”

Silence. In light of Capitano’s confession, all you can do is stare at him and comprehend the weight of your situation. What exactly are you supposed to feel, knowing his betrayal? Knowing that regardless of your feelings, you have nowhere else to go in the afterlife?

Yet despite it all, your prayer came true. The two of you were able to meet again.

And that is what compels you to take a step forward, to come closer until you are standing in front of him. “Hey, it’s…don’t cry.”

A delicate sensation blesses his wings—your hands carefully tracing his feathers to wipe away his tears. Several eyes widen in surprise, but all he can see in your gaze is sympathy.

“I’ll admit, it was painful,” you tell him. “Dying alone. But maybe it’s…better this way. If I survived, I’d have to deal with the loss of my home. And who knows what kind of living hell the other Church would’ve put me through?”

Above all, Capitano is the only person whose love you can believe in.

Hesitantly, you take his hand and intertwine your fingers. The next words to leave your lips are spoken with certainty, bringing fresh tears to his eyes.

“I’m sure it was an act of love on your part.”

His reaction is sudden, incurring your surprise. But all you can do is surrender to Capitano’s embrace, allow his free arm to hold your waist and pull you closer to him. His wings wrap around you, caging you in soft feathers and eerie blue orbs.

“Capitano?” You can only look up at him, peering into the contents of his mask.

…It’s like staring into an abyss, a night sky dotted with twinkling blue stars. But in the absence of a human likeness, his words express what a face cannot.

“Never again,” he vows, “shall I allow harm to befall you. That is a promise.”

The hand on your waist moves upwards to caress your face. His touch is light, more hesitant than his previous gestures.

“You need not serve God nor partake in fruitful labor like the other souls in Heaven. All I ask is that you rest, indulge yourself, enjoy this paradise to the fullest.”

A flower is pinned to his armor, right above his heart. You recognize it instantly—a narcissus in full bloom, stained with your blood.

“If you desire a flower, it shall grow at once. If there are any books you would like to read, they shall be brought to you shortly.”

What was the name of that variety again? Narcissus triandrus. Angel’s tears.

“If you are in need of my presence, I shall appear before you, so long as I am not in the midst of battle. And should you ever desire the opposite, I can promise my distance.”

When Capitano looks into your eyes, all he can see is his own reflection. Whatever emotion colors your gaze, it casts his true image in a compassionate light.

“I shall do everything in my power to bring you joy for all of eternity. Such will be my penance.”

“...All right.” With that, you close your eyes and lean into his touch. He feels warm, comfortingly familiar. “I’ll trust you on that.”

Rest in peace, ______.

Think not of your mortal body in the beginning stages of decay.

Think not of your tormentors who are paying for their sins in Hell.

Think only of eternity with your beloved savior.

♡

More Church AU here!! Dottore ๑ Arlecchino ๑ Pantalone ๑ Pierro ๑ Dainsleif

Note:: Please do not send me any Church AU asks/ requests involving other characters or dynamics who are not listed in my masterlist.

Aahhhh it's done....this idea turned out much heavier than expected, but I'm glad that I was able to write this!! I hope you all cried over enjoyed the story of Angel! Capitano and his damsel. They were truly a delight to write for~

Tag a Capitano enjoyer!! @diodellet @navxry @leftdestiny-posts @beloved-blaiddyd @bye-bye-sunbird @yandere-romanticaa @harmonysanreads @mochinon-yah @oofasleep @micchikari @whispereons @thescribeoflostmemories

[comics-and-fanworks]

Prompt for you (feel free to adjust this if you like)! Based on Princess Diana’s interview in 1995:

Marinette was interviewed by Lois Lane on live television about her past relationship with her former friends, bullying and harassment as well as abuse from her classmates. With Chloe, Marc, Nathaniel, Sabrina, Kagami and Luka as her only friends. Her mental health struggles including Marinette’s suicidal thoughts because Lila lied and falsely claimed about her, the toxic environment at her school and the reasons for her, Chloe, Marc, Nathaniel, and Sabrina to transfer to another school.

After the interview, it became number 1 trendy on Twitter and a national topic around the world. Bustier and Damocles were immediately fired from their jobs and had their license taken away, the class became pariahs from their peers in school and was excluded from any school activities and events. Their parents lost their jobs because of their kids' actions and nobody wants a bully parents to work for them. Lila and Alya were also sued by multiple celebrities for libel and defamation. Adrien was then stripped from his miraculous ring by Ladybug and his father sent him away to a very strict and harsh boarding school that his cousin Felix attended in London.

Hello! Thank you for the request!! I hope you like it, I tried to stay true to your original prompt, thank you again!!

TW: Swearing, Mentions of Past Abuse, Mentions of Violence, Bullying, Mentions of suicide, heavy angst

If you or someone you might know are struggling, please, please, PLEASE know that there are resources and people willing to help. It doesn't matter who you are, YOU ARE deserving of love and support!

There is a second message for this that was part two of the original request but I have no idea how to link the two.

~~~~

Marinette knew this was coming. She knew the second she decided to wear that dress to Fashion Week. She could feel everyone's eyes on the scars that ran up and down her body. She was covered in them, and almost all of them were inflicted by people she once considered friends. "This is a step towards healing," she remembered her therapist saying. "We may not like the past, but the more we try to run from it the faster it chases us," she remembered Luka humming as she ran her idea through him. "Your scars are not a sign of weakness," Kagami told her as they sparred, "A lion who has won many battles has many scars, and no one doubts its strength. Your scars are the mark of your strength." She took a deep breath and continued to walk forward. She could hear the paparazzi's cameras clicking as they took her picture. She would surely end up on the news, but Marinette decided, to let them talk. Let them talk about her scars and wonder where they came from, let them talk about who could have inflicted them on the designer. Let them talk until they finally decided to approach Marinette and ask. Despite her nerves telling her to curl up in a ball and hide, she kept her head high and walked down the red carpet like a queen walking to her throne. As soon as she was inside her phone buzzed, a message from Lois Lane. "Hi, honey. I saw the live feed from Fashion Week, are you going to be okay?" Marinette smiled as she read the message, Lois may be a reporter with a supernatural ability to detect a good story, but she was a mother first and was going to make sure her son's friend was alright. "I'll be okay. It was very scary because I knew everyone was staring," Marinette replied, she watched those little dots appear, and then Lois responded, "Do you want to talk about it? Off the record of course." It gave her a warm feeling to know that one of the greatest journalists was willing to let such a big story go to prioritize her comfort. She thought about it and replied, "Yeah, I would like to talk about it, but I'd like to talk about it on the record. Do you have some time in your schedule?" Lois's reply was almost instant, "Everything else can wait." Marinette typed out, "Perfect. I'll be in Metropolis in a week."

The first thing Marinette saw when she got off the plane was her friend Jon, followed by the airport's ceiling as she was quickly tackled into a hug. The two friends made small talk as she got her luggage and Jon decided to get her lunch. As they ate their conversation eventually turned to the reason for her trip. "Mari if you're uncomfortable at any time just say the word and mom will stop the interview. She's not like that one lady in Paris, she's not gonna push you into sharing anything you're uncomfortable with." Marinette sighed and picked at her food, "I know. That's why I want it to be Lois. She's the only one I can trust to let me tell my truth and not try to put some narrative on it or dig into more... private things," Jon nodded. His mother immediately figured out that Marinette was a hero. He remembered having to help his mom calm down the panicking girl and promising that if anyone could keep a secret identity a secret, it was Superman's wife. "If you don't mind, what made you decide to finally talk about all this?" Marinette's face contorted as she felt rage boiling in her stomach, "Damocles and Bustier still have their jobs," Jon gasped and Marinette continued, "It never would have gotten as bad if it did if they'd stepped in, but they refused! They refused to help me, and I bet they'll refuse to help others. I can't stand by and do nothing! I have proof of everything that was done to me, physical proof not just my word. I need to make sure they can't hurt anyone else," It felt so good to let out her anger without the fear of being akumatized for it. Taking a minute to calm down, Marinette continued, "I've also decided I'll be immigrating to Gotham. As much as I love my parents, I need to get out of Paris. So, this is also kind of one big last 'Fuck you' to the people who hurt me," Jon laughed, happy to see Marinette was still as feisty as ever. "Now what can I say to convince you to ditch Gotham and stay in Metropolis?" Marinette laughed, "Get my fiancé to move here, and then you've got a deal."

Lois really knew how to wrap the media around her finger and make a subconscious narrative, Marinette thought as she sat down on the porch of the Kent Family Farm. Mama and Papa Kent were more than happy to let Lois use it as a set for the interview, and when she asked Lois why the woman explained, "When people talk about something tough, or in our case hear you talk about something tough, they prefer to be in a safe environment. The farm has a very calming atmosphere, there's gentle background noise, and it's warm enough that we can be outside. Plus, it helps make you more sympathetic than an expensive set or a pricey hotel would. Most importantly, if it gets too overwhelming there are plenty of cute animals here to take your mind off things!" Marinette was a little concerned with just how well Lois understood how to paint a narrative but decided to roll with it. The two were in casual clothing as well, instead of the professional attire they were used to. Eventually, they were a couple minutes out from the camera feed going live, so Lois decided to give Marinette a rundown on how the process would work. "Ok honey, here's what's going to happen. I'll start off with an introduction explaining who you are and why we're here, and I'll ask you some basic small talk questions. After that, I'll ask about the scars, and it's your choice how much detail you wanna give. I'll base the rest of my questions off of what you tell me, so it will be like you and I just having a normal conversation. If at any time you need to stop, let me know and we'll cut the feed immediately. We've got a statement ready and everything, hell if you need me to I'll send the Super Boy Scouts to fetch Damian. Speaking of which you owe me an interview explaining how the hell you managed to charm that demon!" The two women laughed as they were told to take their places. The camera's light turned on, letting both women know they were now being broadcasted live to the entire world.

"Hello everyone! Thank you for joining us at such short notice. I'm Lois Lane and this gorgeous woman next to me is the marvelous designer Marinette Dupain-Cheng!" Marinette waved at the camera, trying to ignore the nerves in the pit of her stomach. "Mari started designing at only eight years old, and by the time she was fourteen, she had already started her own company and won multiple design competitions. She's one of those rare people with a special kind of spark. We first met when she attended a business conference that my son and his friend, her fiancé, by the way, happened to be at. I love this girl like a daughter, so Damian Wayne if you're listening, I'll kill you if you hurt her." Marinette laughed, she could practically hear the sound coming from Damian, a mix of indignation and shock that such a thing would ever be suggested. "I really could spend the whole interview just gushing about you Marinette, but then we'd have wasted your time and two plane tickets. As you know dear, the media has been speculating about you particularly intensely since Fashion Week. I'm not going to pull my punches, Mari," Lois said, the tone shifting to a more serious one as the older woman reached over to gently hold her hands, "What happened? Where did those scars come from?" Marinette took a deep breath; it was now or never. "For starters, they did NOT come from Chloe. Ever since she apologized and we worked on becoming friends, she has always been open and honest about how she bullied me in school. That stopped when I was fourteen and even at her worst she never physically hurt me. She's never denied what she did when we were young, and I want to make sure the message is clear." Lois nodded. The businesswoman had always been honest about how bitchy she was as a child, and as a result, created multiple organizations to deal with bullying. "I also want to be clear that these did NOT come from my parents. My Papa wouldn't hurt a fly and my Maman would only ever hurt someone who hurts her family." 'Smart move,' Lois thought. If she didn't clear it up, tabloids would certainly spread rumors that she was abused by her parents, and they didn't want that for Tom and Sabine.

"If I may, who did they come from? Or is it a bit more complicated than that?" "It's a bit more complicated. It was kind of like the perfect storm. I didn't realize it at the time, but my old school was a very toxic environment. My teacher was more concerned about preaching unconditional forgiveness and pushing problems under the rug. For example, I had paint poured on me right before our class photo, and instead of punishing the people who did it, she made me THANK them for "adding their creative touch" because I had designed my dress and obviously this was just them wanting to help." A screen behind them was showing the incident in question. Marinette managed to get the surveillance footage and audio of many examples of her bullying. Many of her tormentors had gone on to be successful, and if she didn't have proof she could be sued for defamation. "Chloe can back me up on this, but the principal wasn't much better. If you had money or power, he was at your beck and call. As a baker's daughter, I didn't have the resources a fashion heir, Mayor's daughter, and Diplomat's daughter did. So even in situations like the paint one, I was always in the wrong because if their children were in trouble, it would upset the money." Lois nodded, "It sounds like a lot of what happened to you was ignored. What about the school board?" "I tried to contact them, but they either never got my messages or ignored them. Either way, I had no adults I could trust, and anything I tried to make it stop only ended up backfiring." Marinette honestly had no idea why the school board never intervened. She called, emailed, and wrote letters, hell she was about to resort to telegraph.

"So, was it one person who bullied you, or was it, multiple people?" Lois asked. Her heart hurt for the young girl across from her. "It was everyone in my class except Chloe, Sabrina, and Nathaniel, my other friends, Kagami, Luka, and Marc weren't in my class. One girl led everything. Lila Rossi transferred to our class right before summer when I was thirteen. She was a liar, she claimed to know all these celebrities, go to all these countries, and do all these charities. Most of my class believed her right away, but I was always suspicious of her because I actually knew some of the people she lied about. I tried to call her out on it, and while a couple of my classmates like Nathaniel put the pieces together and realized she was full of bullshit, one classmate, Adrien Agreste, basically told me to shut up and take it. 'Take the high road,' he kept telling me even as he helped them shove me into lockers, shred my sketchbooks, and steal my stuff. He never physically hurt me, but he would cover for the others when they would. They would shove me down the stairs and I'd break an arm, and he would tell them that 'Typical clumsy Marinette tripped and feel.' They would cut me, cut my hair, and slice me with scissors," Marinette gestured to the many scars on her arm, "And he would tell any teachers that I was just not paying attention. They'd burn me with chemicals in the lab, and he would say I was goofing off. Thankfully Mrs. Mendeleev never believed that, and she had me come to her every time something happened so she could document it. It was all she could do with the principal being less than competent, and thanks to her I actually have a timeline of what happened and when," Marinette turned to face the camera, she had started crying a while ago but was still able to speak clearly, "Love ya, Mrs. M!"

"If you feel comfortable talking about it, how did their abuse, and let's be honest it was more like torture, affect you?" Marinette sighed and rubbed her wrists as she could feel herself sinking back into that feeling of dread she had dealt with each day. "I won't lie, it got to me, it really did. I struggled to sleep and was so scared to go to school that I'd get physically sick in the mornings. I completely shut myself off from the world for a while, it felt like I was on autopilot and just... doing what I had to do to survive." She took a couple of deep breaths and continued, "It didn't take long for me to believe what they were saying about me. My mental health was already screwed up thanks to Bustier, I had a martyr complex the size of Jupiter. I was taught to always be the peacemaker, always do things for others, and always take every burden. I would get in trouble if I asked for help or tried to decline to do something. I would get yelled at for asking to be paid back the thousands of dollars of costs I was taking on trying to please everyone else. So, when Lila, my classmates, and even Adrien began telling me that I was worthless, that they would be happier if I was gone, and that nobody would miss me if I died..." Marinette choked back a sob, but still tried to continue, "I spent many nights contemplating if I should take their advice and end it. I never did, primarily because I didn't want the people I loved to have to deal with the aftermath. Then, and to this day I don't know how she did it, but Lila got me blacklisted from Gabriel. She claimed to anyone who'd listen that I was an awful bully, I stole my designs, and that I only liked Adrien because I was a gold-digging whore. I had a crush on him at one time, but after what he did to me... He's dead to me. They all are. Anyways, it felt like my whole world shattered. I cried for days and stopped eating. Even though I've gotten better, I still struggle with my self-esteem. They told me I would never amount to anything, and I still struggle with trying not to believe them."

"How long were you in this awful situation?" Lois asked. She seriously considered signaling to the person controlling the TV that was set up behind them to cut the feed. Some of the injuries Marinette and Mrs. Mendeleev had taken photos of were truly awful, and the security camera feeds were tough to watch. But the world needed to know what had happened and needed to know that it wasn't okay. "I put up with it for two years, until I just... snapped. I couldn't take it anymore and broke down to my parents. I begged them not to send me there, I didn't care where they sent me to school, as long as it wasn't Dupont. I had kept so much from them because I was so scared they wouldn't believe me, that they'd be disappointed, that they'd tell me it was my fault," Marinette dabbed at her tears. Lois had told her to wear waterproof mascara and she was very grateful for it, "I never should have doubted them, Maman and Papa believed me, and had me switched to Luka and Kagami's school within the week. Marc, Chloe, Sabrina, and Nathaniel joined me shortly afterward. They told me that without the class punching bag infighting began, Lila apparently began a witch hunt of sorts. She began accusing anyone who even looked at her funny of bullying. They left before it could get much worse. It was a bit tough to adjust to my new school, I had my friends there, but I was still pretty quiet and kept to myself. My new classmates were so kind and patient with me, I think they understood that something really bad had happened to me. They never pushed me to tell them what happened, and while there were a couple of meaner students it was NOTHING compared to my old school. Because of them, and because I was in a healthier environment I was able to bounce back!"

Lois couldn't help the rush of pride she felt looking at the young woman. She remembered when she first met Marinette, who seemed rather shy and overwhelmed at that conference. She had offhandedly mentioned having to go get a dress for a press event and watching as a roaring fire was lit within Marinette's eyes. The girl had explained she was an aspiring fashion designer, and seemingly out of thin air she pulled out a sketchbook and pencil and began working. Lois swore the pencil was smoking with how fast the designer was working. She had been handed a sketch (and list of colors and materials) of the most beautiful dress she had seen. At said event, she was dubbed the best dressed and was quick to tell everyone she met about the talented teenager that had designed it. "One last question Mari, it's been a long day and I think you need TLC more than anyone right now. If you could face your tormenters today, what would you say to them?" Marinette took a deep breath and thought for a moment. "Well, I would like to say a few different things to a few people. To Lila, I want to say: I hope you're happy. You got everything you wanted and yet I'm still standing. I won't ask you why because I know why you did it: You could, plain and simple. To my classmates: I feel so sorry for you all, that you were so easily manipulated, that you were so quick to resort to violence on word of mouth alone. I feel sorry because you all were also victims of Mrs. Bustier, but in a different way than I was. You all were taught to expect someone to always carry the brunt of the load, and your bad behavior was encouraged. To Adrien: I know you're going to try and reach out to me and tell me to release a statement saying I made it up for attention. I can practically hear Nathalie typing it out now. I will not stand down, go ahead, and try to sue me, I have the evidence on my side. You were the only one who reached out to me after I changed schools, only to tell me to come back and that the problems the class had after I left were my fault. Leave me alone Adrien. I don't need you in my life and I don't want you in it. Stay the hell away from me." After she said this, a notification from Twitter pinged on everyone's phone. The tweet was from Damian Wayne and was quickly displayed on the screen behind the two women, 'On behalf of my Fiancée, legal action is being taken against her former tormenters, the people, and institutions that allowed this to happen and go on as long as it did. Don't bother harassing Marinette, this is completely out of her hands. If anyone decides to ignore her warnings or mine, a restraining order will be filed.'

The interview set off quite the explosion on the internet. May students of Dupont came out and confirmed Marinette's claims. It was trending for weeks and sparked international conversations about bullying. What shocked everyone was the severity of what Marinette endured, and it posed the question, "If she went through all that, who else could be going through similar things?" Suddenly the schoolboard had finally heard about what had happened to Marinette, and quickly fired Damocles and Bustier, primarily due to the public outrage that the two had flown under the radar. Investigations into their conduct revealed that Dupont did not just have a high akumatization rate, it also had a high suicide rate. Mrs. Mendeleev was revealed to have stayed primarily to try and help students escape such a bad environment and received a lot of praise. The school board finally released its statement, "We were greatly disturbed to hear of the abuse Mrs. Dupain-Cheng suffered at Collège Françoise Dupont and that educators under our employ did nothing to aid her. We were alarmed to hear that Mrs. Dupain-Cheng and her family tried to report her abuse and were unable to reach us. We are currently investigating this along with the many failures that led to Mrs. Dupain-Cheng's suffering. The two educators who were most responsible were let go and will no longer be in teaching positions. We sincerely apologize to Mrs. Dupain-Cheng and any others who have suffered due to oversights by the school board." The statement did not have the effect the school board had hoped for. The public largely found it unacceptable, and while they were happy Bustier and Damocles could no longer cause any damage, they were still infuriated and disturbed by the sheer ignorance (willful or not) of everything that went on within Dupont. An unexpected side effect of Marinette's interview was the scrutiny the parents of her bullies faced. People questioned how they could be so unaware of just what their children were doing and becoming, especially with Marinette making them so many things that obviously required time and money to make. Alya’s parents were criticized more harshly than the rest, primarily due to how many videos of the class's abuse were posted to the Ladyblog. The main question on everyone's mind was, 'How did this not get noticed sooner?'

Marinette's former classmates felt like their lives were imploding. They were served by the Wayne Lawyers, and it was made very clear to them that Damian Wayne was spearheading the fight against them, not Marinette. Adrien talked to his family lawyers about how they could get the suits dropped, and they told him, "Hell will freeze over before a Wayne backs down." Lila and Alya were hit with additional lawsuits from various others as well. Alya had posted Lila's many false claims about various celebrities on the Ladyblog, and their reputations had taken a hit. People began to wonder why so many famous people associated with Lila when all of her actions were revealed, and many PR teams had to work overtime to reassure the public that they had never met the girl in question. An investigation revealed that Lila had charged many of the class's shopping trips and expensive dinners to various celebrities' accounts, so she was also facing criminal charges as well. She had been effectively excommunicated from the class. After her lies came out and their actions were revealed they quickly cut contact. They were at a loss, their excuse for why they teased (They still refused to see it as anything more severe than light teasing) Marinette was because she was bullying Lila. Now that that was proven to be false, they searched for any reason to justify their actions. They can't really say that they were completely oblivious to Lila's lies, Marinette had tried to tell them multiple times and they had brushed her off thinking she was jealous that another girl was close to Adrien. Speaking of the blond, he had arranged a meeting at the Agreste Manor, and he looked like he hadn't slept since the interview. He wished he still had the Cat Miraculous, so he could escape this nightmare. He didn't want to admit it but the evidence of what he did and helped cover up was pretty damning, and it made the last words Ladybug had said to him the night she took his Miraculous all those years ago make sense, "Your actions as a civilian and in costume have proven that you are too irresponsible and immature to wield a Miraculous." He froze, Ladybug knew what he did. Ladybug, the love of his life, knew he helped make Marinette's life hell. His classmates looked at him as he was stuck in his mental turmoil, and they realized this was probably the first seriously negative press the Agreste Heir had ever gotten.

His image as Paris's Sunshine, a perfect gentleman who could do no wrong was ruined. All of their careers were, but they still held on to hope that they could save it. They didn't want to apologize, they didn't think they should have to, they were deceived by Lila after all. Adrien had hired a PR team to figure out what they should do, he had also asked privately what he should do. They had suggested a public apology and then disappearing from the public eye for a while. Thankfully his aunt and cousin agreed to let him stay with them, although he knew that Felix was never gonna let him live this down. His cousin called the second the interview finished and ripped into him. It had been incredibly hard for him to watch, and his classmates said the same. Seeing all those scars on Marinette, watching her breakdown, seeing the injuries he had helped cause, and watching the security footage of what they did... He had run to the bathroom and thrown up. Were they really that bad? Come to think of it, he remembered Marinette switching to long sleeves after they pushed her down the stairs and broke her... He was going to be sick again. His father was managing his own crisis, with his blacklisting of Marinette without solid evidence being put on blast. People were boycotting Gabriel, and it seemed like everything he did to try and fix the situation made it worse. He was brought back to the present by the cough of the man from the PR company. "Alright, now that I have everyone's attention, this is by far one of the most difficult cases I've seen in my career," Alya cut in, "We weren't that bad! Besides, it was so long ago, and I'd hardly call what we did bullying-" "Mrs. Césaire what you all did to Mrs. Dupain-Cheng is considered torture! Thank your lucky stars the statute of limitations is up, and you were children at the time, people have gone to prison for a long time for doing much less than what you all did!" To emphasize his point, he began playing the parts of the interview that showed the extent of Marinette's injuries. No one could bring themselves to look at the screen, a couple started to cry, and Adrien felt bile rise in his throat. The PR expert continued, "This goes far beyond simple bullying, you all are lucky Mrs. Dupain-Cheng did not make an attempt on her life. You are especially lucky that she said you were victims of Mrs. Bustier's utterly abysmal failings as an educator. But-" He cut Alya off before she could start,"-That does not mean you're completely Scott-free. You all still made the conscious choice to do what you did to Mrs. Dupain-Cheng, and that cannot be excused by being misled or having an enabler for a teacher. The best you can do is apologize and admit what you have done was wrong. You'll have to pray that Mrs. Dupain-Cheng decides to throw you a bone, and you WILL NOT contact her to try and force her to forgive you. That is absolutely the worst thing you can do because it will come off as if you haven't changed at all. The best thing you can do is apologize, admit you were in the wrong, and leave. Her. Alone. I will arrange an interview of our own so you can publicly apologize, a script will be written, and you'd better not deviate from it."

Nadja Chamack was the only journalist willing to interview them. It was decided that they would use the same format Marinette did and that Adrien would do most of the talking. After a brief introduction, their apology interview began. "What brings you all here today, especially after the shocking revelations that have come out," Nadja asked. She hated that she had to stick to a script, if she had it her way she would be asking the REAL questions, 'Why do you think Marinette is speaking about this now? Do you think she has something to gain? Isn't it a little fishy that she has the Wayne legal team suing you all and not her own? Do you think she's hiding something, or is she trying to get revenge?' Her producers stressed that she had to stick to the script because they would not hesitate to fire her if she began making such allegations. Adrien spoke, trying to keep himself composed, "We're here because we saw Marinette's interview, we saw how our actions hurt her, and we wanted to publicly apologize to her. We know what we did was wrong, and we were assholes. We wanted to explain our side, we know it won't fix anything or make things right, but we owe Marinette an explanation." He was doing exactly what his PR team told him to do, sounding sincere and referring to Marinette by her first name to establish a connection. Nadja nodded for him to continue, so he did, "When Lila came to school and began telling us about all the things she did and people she knew, it wasn't that hard to believe. I'm a model, Alya ran the Ladyblog, Rose knew Prince Ali, and Marinette had all these amazing connections. We weren't surprised that a diplomat's daughter knew all these people, and it wasn't exactly out of the norm for a class like ours. Somehow Marinette found out she was lying, and we refused to believe her." It was Alya's turn to speak, and the importance of staying on the script was highlighted to her, "Marinette had a massive crush on Adrien at the time, and she had gotten jealous of other girls before, so we figured this was just another one of those episodes. We also wanted to believe the best in Lila and give her the benefit of the doubt, it was what Mrs. Bustier had taught us."

Nadja couldn't help herself, she had to ask, "Adrien, when did you find out about Marinette's crush on you? How did you feel about it?" "I found out a few weeks before she transferred, and at the time I was shocked. It explained so much, about why she was so shy around me, why she was willing to listen to my awful advice. I was fully wrapped up in Lila's web then, and couldn't see past my massive crush on Ladybug so I tried to convince myself that she was a bully, and her crush was weird, but now? Now I wish I hadn't been such a coward. I wish I had seen that such an amazing girl was in front of me, if I could go back and do it differently I would. I would have stood up for her, I would have had her back for real. My biggest regret is that I didn't help her when she needed me and that I didn't reach out sooner to apologize and fix things. I lost the most amazing woman to Damian Wayne, and I’ll always regret that.” A small part of him hoped that Marinette still held a small flame for him and that he’d have a chance. He did some thinking and realized that Marinette was likely (he wasn’t 100% sure) Ladybug. If he could win her back, then he had a chance to convince his Lady to return his Miraculous, and that they were meant to be. Ladybug had no reason to be active, she defeated Hawkmoth and Mayura by herself, and had gone around the world gathering the remaining Miraculous. Part of his theory that the two were one and the same was that Marinette’s Fiancé and his family are in Gotham and are most likely providing funding for the Bat Family, and a new hero called Lady Miracle had been spotted patrolling with them, and she was reported to have multiple powers. These powers lined up with the Miraculous and her costume changed as she used them, so the two women were either one and the same or working together. Had Adrien developed these logical deduction skills earlier he would have recalled Marinette’s declaration that he was dead to her. Both the producer and PR rep were signaling to get back on the script or else their interview would be cut short. Nadja went on to the next question, “Okay, I can understand falling for someone whose life sounded similar to yours, but what I can’t understand is why you decided to pick on Marinette?”

Adrien took a deep breath, “Well Nadja, just like Marinette said in her interview with Mrs. Lane, it was a really complicated situation. What we believe now is that Marinette never bullied Lila, we know it was the other way around,” Rose cut in, going off script, “Mari didn’t have a mean bone in her body!” She sobbed into her hands, “I don’t know why we believed that, that witch over her.” “She told us what we wanted to hear,” Max sighed, “Lila promised us that she could introduce us to her important friends who could advance our careers and whether we consciously realized it or not we were willing to do almost anything to stay in her good graces.” Adrien shot them a look and continued, “My theory is that Lila gave Marinette an ultimatum, play along or she’d make Mari’s life hell. Not long after Lila began modeling for my father’s company, she began claiming Marinette was doing various things like stealing answer sheets, stealing from her, and pushing her down the stairs. Marinette was expelled without an investigation, and because we were kids, we trusted that the adults in charge were following procedures. She was reinstated, and Lila began claiming Marinette was tormenting her again. Like Max said, we were worried that if Lila didn’t believe we supported her then she would refuse to help us, but it mostly comes down to the fact that Lila lied well, and we were scared. She would claim Marinette beat her up after school and would come into school the next day with bruises. We suspect now that she was using makeup. Lila never outright said to hurt Marinette, but she was great at implying it. She said that she wished Marinette knew what the hurt she caused felt like and that If it happened to Marinette, she might quit being a bully. I think it was a case of falling into groupthink and fear. Everyone else around us seemed to believe Lila so fully, and anyone who didn’t was outcasted and treated terribly. We were afraid to challenge her, afraid to challenge the group, and we genuinely didn’t realize just how far we had escalated. I swear we never intended to hurt Marinette so badly, we sort of mindlessly followed along with what Lila suggested. When she and a couple of our other classmates transferred, Lila’s control snapped, and it was like waking up from a bad dream. She began to see her control slipping and began accusing others of doing the same things she accused Marinette of doing. It got to the point where she accused all of us of bullying her, and we realized she was full of shit. We realized what kind of person she was, and what we had become and decided to go our separate ways.” Nadja frowned. They had literally been spotted hanging out with Lila the week before Marinette was at Fashion Week and this whole thing began. If they had known Lila was a lying sociopath back in school, why the hell were they still hanging out with her? What about Marinette’s evidence? She had phone calls from Adrien demanding she returns to fix Lila’s mess, and evidence that he had known the whole time that Lila was lying. She may not be at Lois Lane’s level of reporting, but she could smell bullshit when it was in front of her, and judging by the look on her producer’s face, he’d caught on as well. Their PR agent nodded along, which told her that this was the narrative they created. They weren’t telling the truth, at least not the full truth, they were trying to slip out of trouble like they always did. Nadja remembered Marinette’s drastic change when she came to babysit Manon and listening to what these young adults were trying to spin confirmed that her earlier questions about Marinette’s interview were unfounded. Then she saw it: The signal from her producer, she could go off the script!

“Now Adrien,” She started in a tone she usually saved for when Manon was being challenging, “I’m not sure we were watching the same interview. I clearly remember some evidence Marinette presented showing that you all had fun tormenting her. I also remember that she had recordings of you demanding she comes back and fixes Lila’s mess. You called her a punching bag and said that the class needed its punching bag back otherwise they would begin ‘taking things out on each other.’ That’s not exactly what you’re telling me here. You all were spotting spending time with Lila before fashion week, and you seemed to be thick as thieves with her. So let me ask you this: Why are you lying to me?”

Adrien looked like a deer caught in the headlights, and so did his PR agent. They hadn’t expected Nadja to question their story, “I… We might have remembered some events differently. Most importantly, we want Marinette to know how sorry we are for everything that happened and what we did. We know that what Mrs. Bustier taught us is wrong, we are not owed her forgiveness, but we hope that she can find it in her heart to forgive us. Hopefully, we can work on rebuilding our friendship, but we understand that wounds like the ones we caused take time to heal. Mari, when you’re ready, please reach out to us. We’d love to apologize in person as well.” Nadja rolled her eyes. Looking at this bunch, it was obvious the sincerity wasn’t there. They acted like children getting caught sneaking an extra cookie when Nadja brought up Marinette’s evidence proving they weren’t as remorseful as they claimed to be. The fact that they only recently cut off Lila proved that they were lying and had planned to use her as a scapegoat. Nadja decided to make one last attack, “When she’s ready? She made it very clear she wanted nothing to do with you all. Why do you all think she owes you her attention and friendship after everything you did? You hurt her, yet here you all are acting like you’re the injured party!” “We are the injured party! Marinette’s little pity party ‘poor me’ attention whore act cost us our careers! She’s being overdramatic like she always is and now WE’RE suffering because she couldn’t take a little teasing,” Alya yelled with her classmates voicing their agreement. Everyone in the studio froze. The PR representative was shaking his head, while everyone else was in shock. The former Dupont students realized their mistake and quickly tried to backtrack only to be cut off by Nadja, “We are done. I will not let you use my coworkers or me to harass that girl anymore! You clearly cannot see the error of your ways and blame her for the misfortune you brought on yourselves. I may not be at Lois Lane’s level of journalism, but I am not a fool, and I will not be a puppet for you to spread your pitiful self-gratifying apology. Let’s be honest, you all clearly don’t care about the hurt you caused Marinette, you just care about the damage the truth did to your reputations. Get out of my studio! Get out of this building!” And with that, the interview was cut.

Their interview was trending, but it wasn’t for the reasons they had hoped. If they had done anything, it was throwing gas onto the fire. People almost couldn’t believe how heartless and totally unaware they were, that was clear from the various social media posts. “WOW. You guys are making grey sweatshirt Influencer apology videos look more sincere.” “Ew. Just. Ew. I used to like Adrien Agreste but now? No way. Watch out Damian Wayne he’s coming to steal his punching bag back.” “Teasing? Teasing doesn’t leave MULTIPLE SCARS.” “That was so self-serving. I gotta admit I feel terrible for whoever they hired for PR. Talk about letting the true colors out.” “I gotta give Nadja Chamack some credit! I was not expecting that level of journalism and take-no-bullshit out of her!” Twitter was having a field day with the live interview, and the statement released by Marinette’s former tormenters apologizing for their behavior during the interview and to Marinette didn’t fair much better. It was safe to say they had lost whatever little goodwill they had with the public. Lila had taken a slightly different approach. She did her own interview claiming that she never wanted Marinette to be hurt physically and that it was their former classmates that took things way too far. She cried that she was so, so sorry and that all she had wanted was to impress her classmates who had much more exciting lives than she did. Lila revealed that she had a crush on Adrien as well and was jealous of Marinette whom she saw as a threat. She explained that she spread rumors about Marinette hoping that Adrien would believe them and think Marinette was a bully, but their classmates took it too far. Lila claimed that she wanted to reveal that she’d made it all up, but she was scared that their classmates would turn on her and hurt her. She expressed shock that her friends would throw her under the bus for their wrongdoings and had her own apology for Marinette. Her interview was met with a bit more sympathy until someone (We all know it was Tim) released the recordings of Lila threatening Marinette and expressing to her victim the delight she took in watching Marinette being hurt by their classmates. Suddenly Lila’s image of the ‘Girl who made a few bad choices trying to impress her classmates and crush’ was shattered, and on top of all the lawsuits her public lies on the Ladyblog brought her, she was shunned as well. Gabriel, trying to cut his losses, fired Lila, and released a statement claiming that she was the one giving him false information on Marinette. However, Lila was determined to go down fighting and revealed her ace: Gabriel Agreste was Hawkmoth, and his assistant was Mayura. She had somehow collected evidence linking him to it while she worked for him as a model and as an Akuma provider.

The outrage was gigantic, with Ladybug having to return to explain that she had tried to go to the police, but they had not believed her or the proof she had. Ladybug had hung onto that proof, such as the gigantic map she had of where all the Akumatizations happened, and where the purified butterflies returned to. The French Federal Government decided to investigate how the Parisian Government had handled Hawkmoth, and they also decided to investigate Ladybug. They had found a young woman (whose identity they kept anonymous) who had been forced into the role by chance but had thankfully turned out to be incredibly competent. They found that she had worked within the law and had tried on multiple occasions to work with the police, but they had rejected her. Once she had discovered who Hawkmoth was she went to them, only to get laughed out of the police station. Why she wasn’t believed was something that was still unknown to the Investigators, but they had found Ladybug to be a superb hero. She was cleared, and given full permission to operate in France, should she ever choose to return. Chat Noir did not fare as well and was thoroughly raked over the coals by the report that was released. He had started out alright, but as time went on he quickly began to act out. He prioritized flirting and trying to win Ladybug’s affection and would refuse to help or even show up when she didn’t humor him. The report also revealed that he had been harassing civilians, such as one Marinette Dupain-Cheng. The designer had to explain that she had met Chat during an Akuma attack, and they’d become friends before his behavior worsened. Then after that, he’d harassed her on behalf of his other friend, Adrien Agreste. Twitter was on fire after this revelation, and #GiveMariABreak was trending.

No one knew who leaked Chat Noir’s identity, but theories were abundant. Some believed one of the investigators had loved ones who had suffered from Akuma attacks and Chat Noir’s behavior, and another group thought that the Waynes were behind it. They said that the Waynes were so enraged by the treatment their youngest’s fiancée had received at the hands of people who would have otherwise escaped punishment, that they decided to completely destroy her former tormentors. Considering Damian brought out the Wayne legal team, and Tim leaked the Lila Files, it was definitely possible that both theories could be true. What everyone did know, is that this outrage would go down in history. Adrien was still catching a lot of heat from the horrendous interview, which certainly did not help his case. It was quickly cleared up that he had no idea his father was Hawkmoth, and while officially on the report it said there was no evidence that he’d helped his father, the public speculation could not be stopped. In the chaos, photos were released of Ladybug landing on Marinette’s balcony and entering her room. These were brushed off as nothing surprising, surely the two women that were constantly harassed by the same man (even if they didn’t realize it) would find each other and start a support group. Adrien made a public plea for Ladybug to back him up and explain that he was a good hero, but it would seem that the Heroine of Paris had disappeared into hiding. It was clear that she had turned her back on him, just like he had turned on her all those years ago. He narrowly escaped getting charged along with Gabriel and Nathalie, but that didn’t stop the barrage of civil lawsuits he got hit with. The year ended with many trials, and the Wayne legal team proved why they were not to be messed with. Shortly after, a documentary was announced, to permanently document the fall of so many powerful people.

The documentary was a hit and contained all of the interviews that had taken place in the saga. The documentary was released at a party hosted by Bruce Wayne to celebrate his new Daughter-in-Law’s success, and it was met with rave reviews. But where was Marinette during the outcome of her interview? The designer had decided to step back from the spotlight until the mess had been resolved and hadn’t been seen in public since the initial interview. She was currently standing in the Wayne Manor with her husband, preparing to walk into the ballroom for her first public appearance as a Wayne. She was nervous. What if people began claiming that she’d only done this to take down a business rival? What if people accused her of making all of it up? She was brought back to reality by her husband, who pulled her into his arms. Damian gently kissed her forehead and whispered, “What’s bothering you, My Love?” Marinette had told him what had happened to her a year after the two became friends, and her bullies were lucky Bruce stopped him from going on a rampage. When he was watching his Darling’s interview with Lois at the Manor with the rest of his family, he could feel that fury reignite. It was also the first time his family learned about the abuse Marinette had endured (and suddenly his protectiveness made sense), so when he asked his father for the contacts for the Wayne legal team, Bruce had happily given them to him. Marinette took a deep breath, “I guess I’m just nervous, this is my first time being in public since everything came out and…” “And you’re worried that you’ll be walking into a den of lions.” Mari nodded, still amazed that he always seemed to know exactly what was wrong.Damian took a small step back and brushed a strand of hair out of her face, “My Jewel, you’ll be fine, I promise. The world believed you when you told them, you had strong evidence to support you, it’s illogical for them to turn on you now. Besides,” He gently poked her cheek, “Lila exposed Gabriel Agreste as Hawkmoth in a last-ditch effort to save herself. Think about it this way,” he gently twirled her around, admiring as the crystals she had hand sown into the stunning train on her dress sparkled. It was a tradition for every new member of the Wayne Family to debut in an all-black outfit, and Marinette had designed the most stunning dress in the Family’s history. “We attend the party, which is your debut as my gorgeous wife and I want to brag, and afterward we can go home, order some takeout, and binge-watch whatever you want on the couch with the Kwamii and the cats.” Damian would gladly and proudly admit that his wife brought out a side in him that he didn’t know he had, and Marinette was the only person he was regularly affectionate with. She was his star, and he wanted everyone to know how amazing she was. Marinette laughed, “Well I suppose we could do that; you drive quite the hard bargain Mr. Wayne.” The couple laughed, and all of Marinette’s worries evaporated as they entered the ballroom.

The young couple was met with hushed awe as they walked in, the wind from the open balcony doors catching parts of Marinette’s train. She looked ethereal in her gown, a stunning black dress with a long train that sparkled like stars in the void. The dress was form-fitting, with a galaxy of crystals wrapping around her body, coming to frame the neckline of her dress. It was an off-the-shoulder gown with a low V-neck. Marinette’s hair was done in an elegant bun, and the only jewelry she wore was her Miraculous, disguised as a pair of diamond earrings. The only other color she wore was blood-red lipstick. She looked like a goddess, elegant and regal, and held herself as if she was one. Despite the scars that littered her body, she stood proud, they were a part of her and would always be. The crowd began to murmur as the two youngest Waynes joined the rest of their family, “Is that Marinette? She looks spectacular!” “I heard she based parts of her dress off Princess Diana's Revenge Dress.” “I definitely believe that! She certainly looks like royalty!” “I’m surprised she’s showing her scars.” “Why wouldn’t she? The world should know what happened to her, and there’s no shame in being a survivor.” Kagami was right, no one doubts a victor’s scars. Cameras flashed, capturing her image from every angle as she talked with her parents and in-laws, and soon she was quickly whisked away by Damian to dance and mingle. She had to fight back a laugh, he loved letting everyone know that he had married this fantastic woman, despite the fact that the two bickered like cats and dogs when they were younger. He also knew that her old classmates were watching from their homes and wanted them to see the phoenix that had risen from the ashes. Damian wanted to drive the point home that while they had attempted to break Marinette, she was stronger. As the two danced and talked, the media had already begun crafting tomorrow’s newspapers. By the time the two had said their goodbyes and left the party for the night, the first article was out. ‘The Revenge Dress has a Successor: Marinette Wayne’s Revenge Look.’

[scarasimping]

But have we talked about Pirate! Scara angst?

He knows he’s a pirate and he steals and gets in trouble but it doesn’t you from loving him, he’ll distance himself not wanting you to get hurt, if he got caught stealing something of value you would run after him and the guards, you know when they lost him were he would be and when you find him…

Insert fluff

note before you start!: I haven't mentioned it in anything yet, but in my mind the princess is under strict watch, so it's almost impossible for her to leave the castle and see scara....almost. I'm also trying to stick closer to the plot I have in mind for pirate scara and the princess’s story, so it's a little different than the request. hopefully it all makes sense.

also i was listening to work song by hozier while writing this i think its fitting for how scara feels about the princess.

word count: 1.85k

Pirate! Scara believes wholeheartedly that he does not deserve you. He's a liar and a thief; he can't wash away the blood on his hands from all of the battles he fought, where someone had to die and he couldn't let it be him.

Yet, these same hands are the ones you hold so gently, the ones that you bring to cup your own face and kiss the palm of. He feels as though being with him is going to stain your perfect and gentle soul, that he's smearing the blood he's taken onto you while you just smile so beautifully and tell him how much you love him.

He doesn't even notice he's begun to distance himself from you; it happened instinctively. His nightly visits soon turned to every other night, to once a week, until he stopped showing up all together. 

It wasn't like you could ask someone to check up on him, or else that would give away all the rendezvous you were having, so you really had no idea why he stopped coming to see you. All you know is that in his more recent visits before he disappeared, he seemed so much more...sad. He clung to you tighter, his voice cracked like he was going to cry, but the tears never fell, and his responses were much more vague, whereas before he would tell you all sorts of stories in great detail about his adventures on the open sea.

For a while, you thought he left your kingdom all together, without even saying goodbye. That soon proved to be false, however, when you overheard some guards talk about how they heard someone sneak into the people’s bank on the far side of your kingdom, and how they almost caught him, but were a few seconds too late. 

So, not only was he ignoring you, he was getting sloppy with his work, meaning something had  to be wrong with him, and you were determined to find out what. 

When the moon rises the following night, and the kingdom is asleep, you put your plan into action. Waiting until just after a set of footsteps passes your door, since there’s usually a large gap of time between each person passing, you step out onto the terrace and start climbing down the same way you had watched your lover do many times before. It definitely took a lot longer than he would take, too scared of falling and getting gravely injured to go any faster, but eventually you made it to the cold, grassy ground underneath. Pulling the hood of your cloak over your head, you made a break for the treeline that separated the castle from the ocean. After a short run through the miniature forest, the sound of waves crashing against the rocks and sand reaches your ears, soon followed by the ocean coming into view. Though there were many ships at the pier, it was easy to tell which one was Scaramouche’s, his being the only pirate ship in a swarm of those meant for business only. 

The crew members on night watch easily picked up your presence as you approached, as any cloaked figure nearing the ship would be suspicious and hard to miss. Though you hadn’t met most of them before, you could tell the man staring down at you from the edge of the ship was Xiao. Scaramouche had described him before, and said he was the only crew member with tattoos.

He was observant and knew who you were as well, staring down at you with an unblinking and piercing glare.

“I know why you’re here, but if I let you on, you won’t like what you’ll see,” he warned, and a loud thud coming from the ship drew your attention away from his face. It didn’t take a genius to figure out that it was Scaramouche making that noise.

You look back at Xiao with a determination on your face, your own glare matching his own. He sighs, turning his back to you and lowering the gangway for you to climb on. Walking on the ship without Scaramouche right next to you is definitely a  different experience, and one you are not happy about. 

Xiao watches as you approach the captain’s cabin, before walking away, not wanting to invade at a moment that should be private.

The thudding you heard earlier only gets louder as you approach the door to Scaramouche’s quarters. You knock softly, barely audible, and there’s no answer, so you assume he didn’t hear you.

You’re cautious as you open the door, peeking your head inside. Scaramouche is there, standing over his desk with his hands gripping the wood so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. Crumbled pieces of paper were scattered across the floor, his bottle of ink thrown across the room as well as his hat. Everything was shoved off of his desk as well, as if knocked off in one fell swoop, and many other things were thrown around in anger, making a mess of his usually neat room.

“Did I say you could come in?” Scaramouche seethes, looking up with such fury in his eyes, it had you scared. He didn’t seem to realize it was you until after he said those words with such a bitter tone. When his eyes lay on you, they soften just a bit and a look of regret washes over him. He never wanted you to see this side of him - the angry and harsh side he only showed to his enemies or his crew when he was really upset.

“You..” he starts, sighing and dropping his head to avoid looking at your fear-stricken face. “What are you doing here?”

“Did you really think you could disappear and I wouldn’t notice?” You responded, shifting awkwardly where you stood, still behind the door. 

“Can I…come in?” 

Scaramouche runs a hand down his face, shaking his head at his own foolishness. It was clear you were trying your best not to upset him more, and that only made him feel worse.

“Yes, yes, of course, get in here.”

At his words, you cautiously step inside his room, closing the door behind you softly. Still, you were barely inside, hanging by the door and attempting not to overstep. Scaramouche sighs once more,  moving away from his desk and sitting down on his bed, head in his hands. “Sit.”

Though it’s true he was a man of few words, how little he was saying made you anxious. You sat down on the bed, keeping a few feet of space between your bodies.

“So what happened, dearest?” You asked him, breaking the silence that had grown between you.

“Nothing, I was just writing, that’s all.”

“Just writing?” You looked at him incredulously, glancing at all of the papers and the ink bottle spilling on the floor. “What were you writing that could have possibly made you so angry?”

“It’s not necessarily what I was writing, more so that I couldn’t explain everything the way I wanted to,” he responded, and true to his deceptive nature, you could tell he was only telling half-truths. It wasn’t a lie, but it wasn’t the whole story.

“I’m sure it’s not so bad, let me see,” you say, leaning down and picking up a crumpled paper from the floorboards, unraveling it in your hands.

“No! Don’t read that!”

Scaramouche snatches the paper from your fingertips, but it was too late. You had already seen the most important part.

“You were going to leave? And you were going to tell me through some letter instead of coming to see me?”

Scaramouche sits in silence, tonguing his cheek as he looks away from you, crushing the paper once more in his hands. It took him a while to form words, and for a second you thought he simply wasn’t going to answer. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath before, finally, he speaks.

“It’s for the best…that way you can finally marry someone like your father wants who would treat you way better than I.” Again, he doesn’t say the whole truth, but growing up with a dismissive father and a mother who never spoke up, you have learned to read between the lines.

“You don’t think you’re enough for me, do you? Is that what this is?” 

His silence answers your question for you, and the fact that he couldn’t face you only enforced that fact. You scoot closer to him, closing the distance that separated you two. One of your hands rests on his shoulder while the other cups his cheek, turning his head to look at you. His face was tinted red and tears welled in his eyes. You decide not to point that out though, as to not ruin how far you had gotten to being able to comfort him. When it came to emotions, Scaramouche was difficult, to say the least, so the fact that he was almost crying around you was a big step.

“I don’t want some pompous prince or a rich man’s son; I want you.”

He simply clicks his tongue at this, rolling his eyes. He takes hold of the hand that holds his face and removes it, simply planning to let go afterwards, but you intertwine your fingers instead. When comforting a man that’s as emotionally constipated as Scaramouche is, persistence is key after all.

“Dearest, if you weren’t enough for me, I wouldn’t be with you despite the universe being against us or sneaking out of the castle to come see you. I only want you, so stop being an idiot and avoiding me!” You tried to reason with him.

He simply drops his head once more, and you lean your forehead against his. He bites his lip, holding back a smile as you insult him in this situation.“Alright, I get it, now drop it please.” 

A small chuckle escapes you, and once again you hold his cheek in your hand. His eyes look up, meeting your own, and you can see the relief flooding through him.

“Are you still going to leave?” You whisper, and Scaramouche shakes his head.

“Not yet, though you know I will have to eventually? A man like me can’t stay in one place for long.”

“We’ll figure that out when the time comes, but for now, can I stay with you?”

Scaramouche doesn’t answer; he simply leans forward and presses his lips against your own. The hand that holds onto yours tightens as he pulls you even closer, turning his body to face you even more. His other hand holds onto your waist, thumb caressing you over your shirt. He’s smiling as he kisses you, each movement filled with more and more longing than the last. Even without words being spoken, you can feel how much he’s missed you these past couple of weeks. He’ll allow himself to taint you with his hands that have committed countless sins just this once, and be selfish with you, because who knows how long it will be until his hands can’t hold you anymore. 

[yesmissnyx]

Hey! I was the anon who wrote that long ask about kink as play, red flags for subs, and so forth. I wanted to address a few questions raised by the other anon who asked about it.

I’d like to start with what I feel is a false dichotomy between kink being a game or fantasy, and it being a *real* expression of love and kindness. The two things aren’t mutually exclusive in the slightest. Playing all sorts of games with a lover can be a powerful vehicle for and manifestation of love and kindness. You could play chess, Magic the Gathering, or an mmorpg with a lover, and while the game itself is only as real as you make it, the shared experience and affection expressed and received is very real. I emphasized kink being play because I want inexperienced subs to internalize that they have a selfhood outside or beyond the game even when it feels very intense and very real (which it should!). Even if you’re in a strict 24/7 D/s dynamic, there’s still a you who’s not *actually* a slave to your mistress. A you who could safeword out, a you who could leave that relationship entirely. Even if you never do, even if you never even slightly want to, the existence of that self is crucial for your ability to engage in healthy, consenting kink. It doesn’t make the love you feel when you engage in it less true. The opposite, if anything. If you could leave and choose to stay, if you could assert yourself and choose to submit? That is far more powerful to me as a domme than the alternative. And it feels much safer for me also. My faith in my partner’s ability to use her safeword is what makes me feel safe and confident hitting her until she can’t stand without help, or doing intense cnc things, for example. So the love and affection you feel when playing with your partner, anon, is real. Deeply, inviolably real. Love is as love does, and the love and life you share, whether for a month, a night, or a lifetime, consists of every little moment and action and feeling you share. The things you do together and how you do them. Some couples play tennis, others do petplay.

Second (that first one got long, whew!), I want to address wanting to be taken care of being a red flag. Apologies for creating a misunderstanding with this one. What I wanted to convey is that a sub *leading* with that would be a red flag to me personally. It’s a very common, valid, and potentially rewarding fantasy. The reason I’m wary of it is that I’ve had several experiences with it leading to a very unequal relationship where my needs as a caretaker (or just as a person) were secondary to my partner’s needs. As long as you and your partner are attuned to your own and each other’s needs, and are checking in regularly with intent to change things whenever or however much they might need to be adjusted, there’s no reason you can’t safely and rewardingly enjoy a caretaker/caretakee (is that a word?) dynamic. As I said, it’s just that when a sub leads with that it makes me think they haven’t thought seriously about what they’re asking for from me in the medium and long term, or how they might make sure my needs are met in reciprocation.

To that anon: from your description it doesn’t sound like you’re doing anything wrong or harmfully. You’re doing just fine, and your commitment to healthy and safe kink is both palpable and laudable, and will serve you well when mistakes happen. Keep playing, keep loving, keep learning. You’re doing amazing.

If there’s something that you (or anyone else out there!) wants me to talk more about or clear up further, I’m happy to do so with Miss Nyx’s approval, facilitation, and participation in this awkward game of anon telephone.

Stay sexy, stay weird <3

All good additions! And also:

"Some couples play tennis, others do petplay."

^^^ I love that 😤🙏

[hmshermitcraft]

(For the theme!)

Where False comes from, warriors are slaves to the royal family. They're seen as less than people, and with her being an eagle hybrid, she was seen even lower than that.

So, when she comes to hermitcraft, that's how she expects it to be. She's always guarding someone, even when she's so tired she can barely move. She won't eat or sleep unless someone tells her to (tells her she's allowed to), and then they have to make her food because she never got the chance to learn.

It took until season 4 for someone to bring it up, and she's shocked to learn that's... not normal across other servers.

Even now in season 9, she'll sometimes fall into it. She'll follow the nearest hermit and defend them with her live, she won't eat or sleep unless she's told. The hermits have gotten better at seeing the signs.

Another fun thing was learning she's allowed to love people. She liked people, sure!

But her idea of love and care was so warped, she thought loving anyone was being a failure. She liked the baker's daughter, she likes the paperboy who she'd see sometimes, but she didn't love them because she never got to know them.

But now she's allowed to love, and the hermits better be ready, because she has several years of love to unload onto them, and she's not stoppin' will she passes out in someone's arms dramatically!

It's taken a lot to help her unlearn those habits. They don't want to take advantage of her and they've set strict rules for how to act when they realise she's slipped into that state of mind. There's no miracle fix, but False is always at the center of their actions.

Ironically, one of the things that really helped False realise things were different was fighting. Duelling the hermits, challenging them in the minigames - attacking each other without pulling hits. If she's allowed to hit them, then she isn't protecting them. And they're encouraging and cheering her on. They shake hands when it's done. She's on equal footing to the other hermits, not beneath them.

And, as foreign as love is, she doesn't know how she ever lived without it in her life. The hermits love her wings, they love her humour, they love her laugh, they love her creativity, they love her assertiveness. They love her, every single bit of her.

On those days False feels like she isn't allowed it, she can find a hermit and tell them. They'll make sure she knows how much they all love her.

[madamlaydebug]

:/ ... This is a debunk!

On 24 May 2014, the National Report published an article positing that President Obama had ordered the removal of the words 'In God We Trust' (the U.S. national motto) from all U.S. currency by 1 July 2014:

Beginning July 1st the Federal Reserve along with the United States Department of the Treasury will begin printing all currency, which includes all notes and coins, without the words 'In God We Trust'. This modification comes under strict orders from President Barack Obama and his administration.

Obama held a press conference this morning to explain the impending change and to answer questions.

"As our country grows and changes, so must our money," Obama said. "There is [sic] now too many individuals living in this great nation of ours that do not worship the same God as most of us. In fact some folks don't believe in a God at all. This currency adjustment is truly change we can believe in."

By the following day, links and excerpts referencing this article were being circulated via social media, with many of those who encountered the item mistaking it for a genuine news article. However, the article was just a bit of fiction from the National Report, a web site whose stock in trade is publishing outrage-provoking fake news stories such as "President Obama Reported Sedated Following Emotional Breakdown," City in Michigan First to Fully Implement Sharia Law," and "Multiple Wyoming School Districts Implant RFID Chip Technology in Students Without Parental Consent."

In fact, legislation passed in 1955 makes the appearance of the motto "In God We Trust" mandatory on all coins and paper currency issued by the United States. That requirement cannot be unilaterally overturned by the President; Congress would have to specifically pass a bill rescinding the previous legislation in order for the change described here (i.e., the removal of the U.S. motto) to take effect.

(Although various lawsuits over the years have challenged the appearance of "In God We Trust" on U.S. money as a violation of the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, so far all such lawsuits have been rejected by federal courts.)

A petition posted on the official White House web site that urges the Obama administration to "Keep The Words 'IN GOD WE TRUST' on All American Currency" was linked from within the National Report article; that petition was simply a ruse created by the author of the National Report piece himself to lend an air of verisimilitude to his fictional article.

The National Report's disclaimer page notes that:

National Report is a news and political satire web publication, which may or may not use real names, often in semi-real or mostly fictitious ways. All news articles contained within National Report are fiction, and presumably fake news. Any resemblance to the truth is purely coincidental.

The Truth:

A fake news website is behind the false report that President Obama has ordered “under God” to be removed from the government property and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The fake news website, TDAlliance.com, reported on January 31, 2016, that President Obama had taken with “a flurry of executive actions.” The report, which appears under the headline, “Obama Orders Phrase ‘Under God’ to be Banned on all Government Property,” continues:

This order will help “ensure religious diversity” the President said in a press release Saturday.

“The separation of church and state outlined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is an important founding principle of our nation. Our nation’s Bill of Rights guarantees not only that the government cannot establish an official religion, but also guarantees citizens’ rights to practice the religion of their choosing or no religion at all.” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told Fox News.

That report is false. And TDAlliance.com is not affiliated with Fox News. “Fox News The FB Page” appears on the website’s masthead, along with Fox News logos.

In reality, The Obama administration has actually defended the government’s use of “under God.” The White House issued a formal response to a petition to remove the phrase from the Pledge of Allegiance in 2011. In response to the petition, which generated more than 20,000 signatures, White House spokesperson Joshua DuBois wrote:

The separation of church and state outlined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution is an important founding principle of our nation. Our nation’s Bill of Rights guarantees not only that the government cannot establish an official religion, but also guarantees citizens’ rights to practice the religion of their choosing or no religion at all.

Throughout our history, people of all faiths – as well as secular Americans – have played an important role in public life. And a robust dialogue about the role of religion in public life is an important part of our public discourse.

While the President strongly supports every American’s right to religious freedom and the separation of church and state, that does not mean there’s no role for religion in the public square.

When he was a Senator from Illinois, President Obama gave a keynote address at the Call to Renewal conference where he spoke about the important role religion plays in politics and in public life.

A sense of proportion should also guide those who police the boundaries between church and state. Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation — context matters.

That’s why President Obama supports the use of the words “under God’ in our Pledge of Allegiance and “In God we Trust’ on our currency and as our national motto. These phrases represent the important role religion plays in American public life, while we continue to recognize and protect the rights of secular Americans. As the President said in his inaugural address, “We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus, and non-believers.” We’re proud of that heritage and the strength it brings to our great country.

[axilarycobra]

Made up Wings of Fire lore because I can't stop world-building part 1

Even though a lot of this is probably going to be proven false when the guide comes out, this is lore I made recently for my WoF AU (which is literally just the series but I world-built it)

Protaetia was an ancient, celestial entity that mirrored the commonly known dragons. She was a fierce warrior who strived to protect her galaxy from the other challenging galaxies during an intergalactic war. Protaetia had eight daughters, all of which helped her by fighting in the great war. As the war drew to a close, Protaetia’s daughters were all mortally wounded. In order to preserve her daughters, Protaetia told her daughters to lie down on their galaxy’s planets where when they died, their bodies would become the land on which mortal species would walk.

Protaetia and her daughters rested on the planets of their solar system, pairing up with their closest warrior sister. These pairings were:

Pyrrhia & Pantala

Podalonia & Perdita

Phormia & Philornis

Pernolepis & Popa

Protaetia lay down on her own planet where she was so large, she took up half of the planet on her own. Their solar system became known as the Draco System and the five planets within it were to be the homes of dragon species.

The spirits of the sisters persisted on their planets, existing within the landforms they made. They could manipulate small things and certain actions taken by the dragons who lived on them could affect the sisters.

The Sisters and Their Mother

Pyrrhia: Pyrrhia is the eldest sister. She is wise and noble, often quiet and studious. During the war, she would make plans and wanted to go into everything with an idea of how they were going to get out. Pyrrhia always took a special interest in magic which is why she created animus magic for her dragons. She is shameful of the actions her magic caused and isn't eager to bring it back.

Pantala: Pantala was fearless and impulsive. If it weren’t for her older sister Pyrrhia, she would have jumped into every battle with no plan, just trying to stay alive. Pantala values strength but has found that she loves to rest and didn’t mind being at peace. She believes that unity makes everyone stronger and attempted every little thing she could to bring the Pantalan tribes together when they were estranged.

Podalonia: Podalonia was strict and a scholar. She was a believer in tradition and liked to do everything right. Out of all of her sisters, she studied history the closest and would reflect on the past. Despite her strictness, Podalonia would embrace change with the help of her sisters and held the belief that harmful traditions must be broken.

Phormia & Philornis: Phormia & Philornis, the conjoined twins, found balance in each other. Although their situation was tougher than most of their other sisters’, Phormia & Philornis accepted their differences and learned from each other. Where one of them was weak, the other was strong. Together, they could handle everything thrown at them.

Prenolepis: Prenolepis was a pacifist who loved life. During the war, she would cry at the sight of death and beg her sisters to stop fighting. During the short time between the end of the war and her death, Prenolepis felt happy. Although she wouldn’t see it herself, she couldn’t help but beam thinking about how she would support the lives of millions of dragons.

Popa: Popa was always treated like the youngest. She was more innocent than her sisters and liked to explore everything as if she were new to the world. Popa believed in harmony and coexistence, making her fascinated by the idea of life. Popa had a special place in all of her sisters’ hearts.

Perdita: Perdita, the true youngest, often felt neglected. She was in the shadow of Popa and her other sisters, not useful in most ways. During the war, she fought fearlessly but never well enough to be noticed over any of her other sisters. Perdita grew bitter and formed a hatred toward her mother and sisters but they would never know. Perdita suffered silently, letting small mishaps occur to inconvenience her sisters’ lives whenever she could. Perdita died with the regret that she would never publicly rebel against her family.

Protaetia: Protaetia was a strong leader. She was smart and caring. During the war, she lead her daughters, protecting them while letting them take initiative when they showed that they were strong enough to do so. Protaetia felt pride in watching her daughters become mature. She believed in self-discovery and never held her daughters back.

I don't want to lore dump too much at one time so here's everything that has a bit more development. I'm currently working on the continents for the other planets (not Pyrrhia and Pantala). I have to make a lot of fantribes 💀

[intothetlkverse]

Decided to challenge myself by drawing every single TLK character out there, up until this point in time, and post it here. You can see the finished project on my main account, though I figured to post it on my tumblr just show I could proudly show off my work and a few of my head canons.

Here is the second part of all the elephants across TLK:

Starting off from "The Elephants' Graveyard" we have four elephants. Ashtaa/Ashta(faith) is the leader of her herd and the successor of her aunt Daran/Dara(embrace), may her bones and spirit be laid to rest. Between taking over the responsibilities as leader for the herd, dealing with her aunt's decline and eventual death, pregnancy, and raising two claves already, she has been rather stress and unable to see how her two children have ben affected recently. Still, she is a steady, wise, compassionate, and merciful leader and mother. Her eldest son Harak(fast) has been growing envious of his little sister Belee/Beevi(angel-Arabic), and his jealousy and desire for more of his mother's attention has caused him to do some questionable things, such as nearly killing his younger sister and a then cub Simba in a bone avalanche. Fortunately this event and his mother scolding him is enough to break him out of his envy and after apologizing he vows to do better, though eventually the guilt of what he's done will prompt him to leave the herd and find a new place where he can truly start over. Beevi is very sweet, naïve, and forgiving, however since her brother's actions she has become more alert and cautious, much like how her mother describes her great-aunt to have been like.

Next up from the 6NA story "How True, Zazu?" is Pembe(horns) and her two calves, Cheka(laugh) and Lulu(pearls), looking disappointedly at them for spreading false rumors in order to discredit and humiliate Zazu, though she shares part of the blame for this. Despite knowing the importance of Zazu's near constant scouring and message-delivery, her comments and gossiping about his constant hovering and news delivery was picked up by her children and their friends, who decide to prank Zazu by giving false information and faltering Mufasa's trust in him. However, after Zazu saves the day and everyone from an army ant infestation, the two come clean with their friends about what they did, apologize, and offer to help Zazu out to make amends, while Pembe reflects on how her own actions and words affect her children. Cheka is the more bold, brash, and trouble-making of the two while Lulu is more obedient, but naïve and persuadable of the two.

Next up from the issue "Prickly Problems" is another four elephants. Starting off is Grandmother Elephant/Endesha(guide) who I have decided to merge with Lead Elephant from "Timon in Trouble", so she is both the head healer for her herd and the matriarch of it. From healing plants to poultices, she is a wealth-spring of information and has infinite wisdom, kindness, and mercy to spare. Her son Elimu(knowledge) has taken after her in this regard, choosing to stay with his herd, unlike most males, to help protect and aid his herd. Beside her is his sister and Esme's mother Sama(weather), who has inherited her mother's level-headedness in stressful situations and willingness to help others. Esme(Kind Defender-Arabic) is basically Beevi without the jealous brother, very naïve, kind, and innocent, surrounded by loving family members.

Going back to the Pridelands for a moment we have two helpful pachyderms. First off from the comic "Good Behavior" is Bantam/Basam(smiling-Arabic). A helpful lad who can use his trunk like a leafblower, he helps Simba and Nala clean out the cave so they can get put from under Zazu's strict babysitting rules. I like to think they rewarded him by helping get some hard to reach fruit for him. Next up is former Pridelands' resident Jelani(mighty) from "Simba and the Lost Waterfall". A strong and kind soul, Jelani left the Pridelands during Scar's reign and made himself a home in the Oasis. Simba frequently returned there to help form alliances with fellow prides and to help Timon's colony settle in, and ended up conscripting Jelani's help when a giant tree blocked off a river leading towards a pool.

Below him are his son and wife, part of Endesha's herd from "Timon in Trouble"; Toot/Thato(love-Afrikaans) and Toot's mother/Nariki(I love you). Jelani is more the solitary sort, however he knows about his son and does frequently visit the both of them, spending time with his son and teaching his son things he'll need to know. Thato is very curious and playful at this age, if a bit reckless, and Nariki hopes he'll take after his father's more subdued, yet kind nature as he grows.

To the right and below them we have three elephants from the Timon and Pumbaa Show. Starting off is Chafya(sneeze) from the episode, "Can't Take a Yolk". A scatterbrained and slow-witted fellow, he at least is polite and even-tempered. On the opposite end, we have Gavu(gum) from from "Doubt of Africa", Nedum's brother. Sharing his brother's aggressive attitude, even the slightest thing can set him off, so many choose to avoid him. Lastly, head of the bullies in "Good Mousekeeping" is Mpira(rubber/ball). Since there are so many grey elephants in the show, plus all the bullies look identical, I decided to use my own colors to save my sanity. I also scaled his age way down to a teenager/young adult. He's a jerk that likes to pick on a poor albino mouse, though apparently can't take what he dishes out.

Lastly, from the comic "The Elephant Walk",  we have Koroma(snort)and Ziradi(herb). A pair of calves who are separated by their herd and are terrified of running into carnivores, they unknowingly accept the help of one by the name of Simba, and only at the end when Mufasa arrives if his identity/species revealed at which both faint from surprise. The two are cousins and their fear comes from an incident Ziradi had which resulted in her nicked ear. In the night she accidently strayed to far from the herd, panicked and started frantically running around. her ear snagged against a rock's sharp edge and tore. When she was found, she spun a tale of how she was attacked by a viscous predator in the night, spreading the fear towards her cousin. Of course Simba has since earned the respect and trust of the two since, though even as king and grown up, the two are a bit more skittish then other elephants about predators.

[astralix]

  Act 015 False Hope

Pretty Guardian ✶ Sailor Moon

Characters: Original characters, Canon characters-mentioned Rating: Teen, Older Teen Genre: Angst, Action, Fantasy (Magical Girl) Song: “Angels” Within Temptation

Disclaimer: I do not own Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon.  I only own my versions of the Zodiac Senshi, Ophiuchus, Phoenix, and Andromeda.

✦✶✦

I see the angels I’ll lead them to your door There’s no escape now No mercy no more No remorse ‘cause I still remember The smile when you tore me apart

✦✶✦

  She never thought she would fall for the enemy.  She felt she was too smart for that.  She felt she was too secluded for that.  She kept to her very strict schedule to get better than her older sister, who was the golden child of the family.  However, when her sister came home with a boyfriend of her own, a part of Emiko snapped.

She was told at a younger age never to bring boys home, because she had more important things to do like studying.  She was not interested in dating, but interested in being friends.  Emiko felt no need for crushes.  She was more interested in the similar interests she shared with another person.  It hardly mattered what gender or sex they were.  Still, her father had made the decision and she would abide by that.  However, her sister was always able to bring boys home.  And she was very likely secretly dating them too.

So, imagine Emiko’s surprise when she cozied up to the young man that showed interest in her.  She was interested in what he had to say and he was knowledgeable in many things.  He did not mind that Emiko was more ambitious than him when it came to achieving a high-paying job.  And Emiko did not mind that the young man was less ambitious than her, and preferred the simpler life.  It might have taken away from her studying time, but she did not mind.  She was happy to have met a young man from her cram school that was interested in her.  Someone who studied nonstop and did everything she possibly could to get the best resume she could for her future.

For once in her life, she had hope she could bring this person home and introduce her to her family when she could.

Those were the days, until one day she was walking home with the young man.  And he stopped walking with her for just that moment.  She stopped a few paces and turned to see the young man change right before her eyes.  It was a split second, but she felt something pull her against the wall.  He siphoned something from her chest.  It was precious to her.  It was linked with her Sailor Crystal.  It was what made her human.

Her luminous eyes were no more.  They were dazed and the light did not show in them.  She slumped, while trying to call to attention what was happening to herself.  Something was really wrong.  She tried to will her body to grasp the crystal but it did not move.  It just stayed there slumped.  None of the other girls were there, and she grew scared the young man would take her crystal away from her.

She felt a warm hand underneath her chin.  He tilted her up to look into his eyes.  He could see his face reflected in them, but she stayed dazed.  She could see his smirk as he saw she was a Sailor Senshi, one of the many guardians in this universe.  He merely grinned.  He must have thought he killed one.  He started laughing, grabbing her crystal which glowed a soft green.

Emiko’s bangs covered her dazed eyes and her light brown hair covered her face in a curtain.  It was hurtful that he was laughing, but Emiko attempted to move.  She stayed still from the restraints but her fingers were shaking and wiggling.  She could curse her luck like she did when she was younger, however she got significantly better at this thing called “saving the universe”.  She had to keep a cool head however, just like Sailor Mercury who she looked up to.

The man said something about his boss being happy with him, but Emiko wanted to scoff.  When she was eclipsed, she took out more Sailor Senshi than that.  It was nothing to get excited over.  This man seemed more pathetic than he did when she first met her.  However, she was taken by surprise and was duped because of her jealousy towards her sister.  She was also pathetic.

Help me, she said towards the plants.  They always listened.  It was the one ability she had if she was not transformed.  She could talk and manipulate the plants to a degree.  I must… get back… my heart.  There was nothing at first, but the wind brushed her hair away from her face and a fallen leaf caressed her face.  She closed her eyes to see in mind’s eye the words: Very well.

It took awhile, and the man almost fled from the scene, but she could hear the familiar sound of her smaller, Anatian roses  biting his arm.  The man’s hope for escaping went out the window.

“Get off me!” he yelled.  Shaking his arm, he dropped her crystal.  Another Anatian rose opened its mouth and seemingly swallowed the roses.

“Nomph!” the Anatian rose said in its creepy, shrill voice.  It smiled as he chomped down on the man’s arm, and only got a yell of agonized pain from the young man.

“What the hell are you?!” the young man screamed.  He tried to fight the Anatian rose off his arm, while the other one scurried towards their mistress.  

It opened its mouth and spat the crystal out towards its mistress’ chest.  The crystal floated back in, and light reflected in her eyes again.

“Virgo… constellation power, make up!” Emiko outstretched her hand.  Her fingernails sparkled green as she transformed into Sailor Virgo.  She spun before posing in front of a glowing Virgo symbol.  “Cut it out, I got this!”  She called to the Anatian rose who was biting the young man’s arm.  “Hana-chan!”  She called to the other rose.  She felt its leaf wrap around her hand and it glowed a green and pink and morphed into her naginata.  She pointed it at the young man who was holding his bloodied arm.

“How?”  he gasped.

“Not going to tell you why,” Virgo said.  “You already know.”  She summoned a bright green, pink and brown star at the tip of her blade.  She surrounded it with a ring before firing it off at her enemy.  “We’re so over!”

The man screamed as flowers grew from his silhouette and he crumbled away to ash.

She de-materialized her naginata and the other Anatian rose.  However, before she could bend down to collect a sample of the ash a light was fired at her and she screamed in pain.  She left no trace but her shadow on the deep gray asphalt.  

The disk activated in Phoenix’s hand as she tried to locate Sailor Virgo.  A carved maiden was originally sculpted attached to the disk, and it was surrounded by green flames.  Phoenix found that the green flames were merely embers.  She needed to find her immediately.

However, the wind dancing through the trees strengthened and she could hear a faint scream from one direction.  Phoenix gestured towards Taurus to follow her.

Maybe they have a chance to find her!  The embers were still there!  Once they came to the street with the ash from the young man and shadow on the pavement, their hope vanished.

[links-crosses-multiverse]

Bella the Wolf's actions have crossed the line from personal opinion to harmful and malicious behavior. Her comments, in particular, have been deeply offensive and outright disrespectful, showing a complete disregard for both basic human decency and the law. Calling soldiers "rats" is not only hurtful but could potentially be seen as slanderous. This sort of dehumanizing language demeans individuals who risk their lives for their country, and it undermines the sacrifices they make daily. By using such terms, she may be engaging in defamation or incitement, which are serious offenses in many jurisdictions.

Additionally, her attacks on Technoblade, a beloved content creator who has passed away, are especially egregious. Slandering someone who is no longer here to defend themselves is not only morally reprehensible but could also fall under laws against defamation of the deceased. While these laws differ depending on location, many countries have statutes that protect the reputation of deceased individuals, particularly when it comes to online harassment and cyberbullying. Bella's comments about Technoblade may also cause emotional distress to his family and fans, potentially leading to legal consequences related to emotional harm or harassment.

Her unwarranted targeting of Queen Elizabeth is another troubling aspect of her behavior. Whether or not one agrees with the monarchy, attacking a public figure with baseless insults could be seen as defamation, especially when it’s intended to incite anger or hatred. The laws surrounding free speech do not protect hate speech or harmful rhetoric. Bella's choice to focus her platform on spreading this kind of negativity instead of using her influence for positive or constructive discourse is both damaging and irresponsible.

Ultimately, Bella the Wolf’s actions not only reflect poorly on her character but may also have legal ramifications. Hate speech, defamation, and harassment are taken seriously, especially in an online space where words can have far-reaching consequences. It’s important that her audience recognizes the harm these words cause and that they call out toxic behavior when they see it. A platform should be used responsibly, and when individuals fail to do so, they must be held accountable for the damage they inflict.

This is what is on her YouTube:

Bella the Wolf’s actions, based on the description provided, could potentially violate several laws depending on the jurisdiction. Here's a breakdown of the laws she might have broken:

1. Defamation

Defamation refers to the act of making false statements about someone that harm their reputation. Although defamation laws differ between countries, the essence remains similar: if someone makes a false statement about a person that causes harm to their reputation, they can be held liable.

Slander of Technoblade (deceased): While defamation laws typically protect living individuals, in some jurisdictions, statements that defame the deceased can lead to legal consequences if those statements cause emotional harm to surviving family members. Bella’s attack on Technoblade, who has passed away, could be considered defamation or slander if her statements were false and intended to damage his reputation.

Statements about Soldiers: Referring to soldiers as "rats" could be seen as defamatory if it falsely accuses them of dishonorable or unethical behavior, especially since military service is often held in high regard in many societies. This could potentially harm their personal or professional reputation, and defamation laws could come into play.

2. Cyberbullying and Harassment

Cyberbullying refers to using digital platforms to harass, threaten, or harm others. Many countries have strict laws surrounding online harassment, making it illegal to target individuals or groups with harmful, abusive, or threatening behavior.

Harassment of Technoblade: While Technoblade has passed away, Bella’s comments about him could cause emotional distress to his family, friends, and fans, which may fall under cyberbullying laws. Her comments could be perceived as intentional infliction of emotional harm, making it harassment under many cyberbullying statutes.

Harassment of Soldiers: Bella’s derogatory remarks towards soldiers could be considered harassment if they are seen as intending to provoke, insult, or cause emotional distress to those who serve in the military or their families. Many nations have legal protections for military personnel against this type of targeted harassment.

3. Hate Speech

Hate speech involves any speech or expression that incites violence, discrimination, or hostility against individuals or groups based on attributes such as race, religion, ethnicity, nationality, or even occupation (in this case, soldiers). Hate speech laws aim to limit language that could incite harm or promote discrimination.

Derogatory Comments About Soldiers: In some jurisdictions, attacking soldiers in such dehumanizing language might be considered hate speech. While soldiers aren't a protected group in the same way as race or religion, hate speech laws often extend to any group being targeted in a way that incites violence, discrimination, or hostility.

Targeting of Queen Elizabeth: Public figures, especially those of national significance, can sometimes be protected from extreme verbal attacks that go beyond criticism into the realm of incitement or hate speech. While criticizing public figures is usually protected by free speech laws, baseless, harmful attacks could be viewed as inciting hostility, which may cross into illegal hate speech depending on the context and jurisdiction.

4. Emotional Distress or Intentional Infliction of Emotional Harm

Many jurisdictions allow individuals to bring civil claims against someone who causes severe emotional distress intentionally or recklessly. This applies especially to online environments where harassment can lead to significant emotional or psychological harm.

Emotional Harm to Technoblade’s Family and Fans: Bella's harmful remarks about a deceased person, especially someone with a large following like Technoblade, could cause significant emotional distress to his family and fans. In this case, a civil claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress could be brought forward if her comments were extreme and outrageous enough to cause such harm.

5. Incitement to Violence or Hostility

In some cases, speech that incites violence or encourages others to engage in hostile acts against individuals or groups is criminalized. If Bella’s comments about soldiers or other individuals are viewed as encouraging violence or promoting hate, she may be in violation of laws surrounding incitement.

Targeting Soldiers: If her comments are seen as inciting violence or hostility towards soldiers, there could be grounds for criminal charges related to incitement.

Conclusion

In summary, Bella the Wolf's actions could potentially break laws relating to defamation, cyberbullying and harassment, hate speech, emotional distress, and possibly incitement. While specific legal consequences would depend on where she is located and the applicable laws in that region, her comments are harmful enough to warrant legal scrutiny, especially given the public nature of the remarks and their potential to cause distress.

Here is also someone who exposed her:

[qocsuing]

The Role of Forex Regulation in Protecting Traders

The Role of Forex Regulation in Protecting Traders The foreign exchange (forex) market is the largest and most liquid financial market in the world, with a daily trading volume exceeding $6 trillion. This immense market attracts a diverse range of participants, from large financial institutions to individual retail traders. However, the sheer size and complexity of the forex market also make it susceptible to various risks, including fraud, market manipulation, and financial instability. To mitigate these risks and protect traders, robust regulatory frameworks have been established globally. This article explores the critical role of forex regulation in safeguarding traders and ensuring market integrity.To get more news about forex regulatory, you can visit our official website.

Ensuring Market Integrity One of the primary objectives of forex regulation is to maintain market integrity. Regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) set stringent standards for market participants. These standards include requirements for transparency, fair trading practices, and the prevention of market manipulation. By enforcing these standards, regulators help create a level playing field where all traders, regardless of their size, can participate fairly.

Protecting Traders from Fraud Fraud is a significant concern in the forex market, particularly for retail traders who may lack the resources and expertise to identify fraudulent schemes. Regulatory bodies play a crucial role in protecting traders from fraud by licensing and monitoring forex brokers1. Brokers must meet specific criteria to obtain and maintain their licenses, including demonstrating financial stability and adhering to ethical business practices. Additionally, regulators often require brokers to segregate client funds from their operational funds, reducing the risk of misappropriation1. This segregation ensures that traders’ funds are protected even if the broker faces financial difficulties.

Enhancing Financial Stability Financial stability is another critical aspect of forex regulation. Regulators impose capital requirements on brokers to ensure they have sufficient funds to cover their operational expenses and potential client withdrawals. These capital requirements help prevent broker insolvency, which could have severe consequences for traders. Furthermore, regulatory authorities conduct regular audits and inspections of brokers to verify their financial health and compliance with regulatory standards1. By maintaining a stable and financially sound brokerage industry, regulators contribute to the overall stability of the forex market.

Promoting Transparency and Accountability Transparency and accountability are fundamental principles of effective forex regulation. Regulatory bodies require brokers to provide clear and accurate information about their services, fees, and trading conditions. This transparency allows traders to make informed decisions and compare different brokers based on objective criteria. Additionally, regulators enforce strict reporting and disclosure requirements, ensuring that brokers operate with integrity and accountability1. Traders can access information about a broker’s regulatory status, financial health, and any disciplinary actions taken against them, fostering trust and confidence in the market.

Preventing Market Manipulation Market manipulation poses a significant threat to the fairness and efficiency of the forex market. Regulatory bodies have the authority to investigate and penalize brokers and traders engaged in manipulative practices. These practices may include spreading false information, executing trades to create artificial price movements, or colluding with other market participants to manipulate prices. By actively monitoring and addressing market manipulation, regulators help maintain a fair and transparent trading environment where prices reflect genuine supply and demand dynamics.

Adapting to Technological Advancements The forex market is continuously evolving, driven by technological advancements and the increasing digitization of financial services. Regulators must adapt to these changes to effectively protect traders. For example, the rise of algorithmic trading and high-frequency trading has introduced new challenges and risks2. Regulatory bodies are developing frameworks to address these emerging issues, ensuring that technological innovations do not compromise market integrity or trader protection. By staying ahead of technological trends, regulators can proactively address potential risks and maintain a robust regulatory environment.

Conclusion In conclusion, forex regulation plays a vital role in protecting traders and ensuring the integrity of the forex market. By enforcing standards for transparency, fair trading practices, and financial stability, regulatory bodies create a safe and trustworthy trading environment. Traders can rely on regulatory oversight to protect them from fraud, market manipulation, and other risks. As the forex market continues to evolve, regulators must remain vigilant and adaptive to effectively safeguard traders and promote market stability. Through robust regulation, the forex market can continue to thrive as a fair and transparent platform for global currency trading.

[kisshtreviewsblog]

Maintaining Integrity: How Kissht Upholds Its Corporate Values

Amidst the rapidly increasing use of digital channels, rumors and unfounded allegations can spread like wildfire across the internet. They can doubt the integrity and origins of credible brands and entities, presenting misleading information to their customers. For Kissht, a leading player in the Indian fintech industry, the rumors surrounding its association with Fosun, a prominent Chinese conglomerate, have provided such a test. Despite the swirling speculation, Kissht remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, ethical practices, and customer trust amidst Kissht Fosun and Kissht Chinese rumors.

Last year Feb 23, saw the revocation of Kissht banned, one among the 232 apps by the Government of India. But the real truth behind the misinformation of Kissht Fosun reports states the association of the app with the Chinese and questions the credibility and legitimacy of the platform. Such tragic incidents generate rumors of Kissht Chinese or Kissht banned and incidents can happen in any industry but there were no proofs to validate it and Kissht upholds its corporate values during this phase.

Kissht’s Commitment to Transparency

Transparency is a cornerstone of Kissht’s corporate core value. From the outset, the company has prioritized open communication with its stakeholders, ensuring that all actions and decisions are clear and understandable. In response to the Kissht Fosun rumors, Kissht has taken several steps to reaffirm its commitment to transparency and address any concerns head-on.

Open Communication

Kissht’s leadership has proactively addressed the rumors by communicating directly with employees, investors, and customers. Through press releases, public statements, and internal communications, the company has clarified its position and provided factual information to dispel any misinformation. This open dialogue has been crucial in maintaining trust and demonstrating accountability.

Independent Audits and Verifications

To further bolster transparency, Kissht has commissioned independent audits and verifications of its financial and operational practices and any sort of link with Chinese firms.

Upholding Ethical Practices

Ethical practices are at the heart of Kissht’s operations. The company’s commitment to doing the right thing, even in challenging circumstances, sets it apart in the fintech industry. Amidst the Kissht Fosun or Kissht Chinese rumors, Kissht has doubled down on its ethical standards to reassure stakeholders of its unwavering principles.

Strict Compliance with Regulations

Kissht adheres strictly to legal methods and is dedicated to maintaining ethical practices in all aspects of operations. This includes stringent compliance with data protection laws, financial regulations, and industry standards. By maintaining rigorous compliance protocols, Kissht ensures that its business practices are not only legal but also ethical. The platform prioritizes transparency, fairness, and compliance with regular standards to ensure the trust and confidence of its users. Hence, the false allegations of Kissht Fosun and Kissht Chinese behind the Kissht banned are entirely baseless, and misleading.

Robust Governance Framework

A strong governance framework underpins Kissht’s commitment to ethical practices. This includes regular reviews of policies and procedures, continuous monitoring of business activities, and swift action to address any potential issues.

Building and Maintaining Customer Trust

Customer trust is the lifeblood of any successful business, particularly in the fintech sector. Kissht understands that maintaining this trust is paramount, especially in the face of rumors and speculation. The company has implemented several strategies to ensure that customers feel secure and valued.

Enhanced Data Security Measures

Data security is a top priority for Kissht. The company employs state-of-the-art encryption, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring to protect customer information. These measures are regularly updated and enhanced to stay ahead of emerging threats, ensuring that customer data remains secure and confidential.

Customer Education and Engagement

Kissht believes that informed customers are empowered customers. The company actively engages with its user base through educational initiatives that highlight the importance of data security, ethical practices, and financial literacy. By fostering an informed customer community, Kissht builds deeper trust and loyalty.

Technology and Innovation

To ensure its credibility, Kissht emphasizes the importance of innovation to prevent illegal activities by technology solutions, a decade ago, the notion that technology could transform a legacy sector like lending seemed quite far-fetched. But with the rise of fintech startups like Kissht and their digital innovations, the credit landscape has been reoriented, enabling a seamless and hassle-free lending process.

Another comprehensive measure Kissht takes to prevent illegal activities, by using machine-learning based statistical models to predict customers ability to repay loans and detect fraud or illegal activities. Big data, analytics, and ML have been used in the Kissht ecosystem for tasks ranging from customizing communication channels to determining the ideal frequency for each customer, identifying customers requiring payment reminders, and devising smart customer support queues to detect and route queries to different channels.

Kissht’s ability to maintain its integrity and uphold its corporate values amidst the Kissht Fosun and Kissht Chinese rumors is a testament to its resilience and commitment to excellence. By prioritizing transparency, ethical practices, and customer trust, Kissht continues to lead by example in the fintech industry. As the company navigates these challenges, its dedication to doing the right thing ensures that it will emerge stronger and more trusted than ever before. Kissht’s unwavering principles and proactive approach to addressing concerns set a benchmark for the industry, reaffirming its position as a true leader in the Indian fintech landscape.

[kalpanabadola]

#झूठीमीडिया_शर्म_करो

Top News channels like Zee news,ABP news performed foolish activity to represent the fack news on saint rampal ji maharaj they were already freed in all the cases accept false yourself otherwise strict action will be taken

Media Apologize To Sant RampalJi

[thecpdiary]

Journalism Accountability

Journalism accountability refers to the responsibility of journalists and news organisations to uphold ethical standards, ensure accuracy, fairness, and transparency in their reporting, maintaining the public's trust and the importance of journalism accountability.

My writing

When I started writing to learn about aspects of my disability, those blogs and articles got into the public domain through my website. I later went on to write a book about my disability to talk about my disability for the first time in 46 years, together with my experiences, so that I could learn about 'me.'

Throughout 14 years of writing, I have taken a thoughtful and introspective approach to my writing, choosing not to sensationalise my experiences. I have been caught out and let down by the media press, which I had no reason initially not to trust.

Ethical Standards in Journalism

An MP's recent remarks in the media highlight the importance of maintaining ethical standards in journalism, which is crucial for maintaining the trust and credibility of the media. The need for greater accountability and responsible reporting is essential to ensure that the public receives accurate and unbiased information.

The Role of Journalism

Journalism when done correctly, informs the public, holds power to account and fosters democratic engagement. However, when standards slip, the consequences can be damaging. Sensationalism, misreporting, and biased narratives can damage reputations, mislead the public and erode trust in the media.

Research, Fact-Based Reporting and Objectivity

High-quality journalism is built on thorough research and fact-checking. Reporters need to ensure their stories are accurate and well-supported by evidence. Objectivity is crucial, allowing readers to form their own opinions based on unbiased information. Angela Rayner's call emphasises the need for journalists to adhere strictly to these principles to provide reliable and truthful reporting.

The Importance of Accountability

The importance of accountability cannot be overstated. Media outlets should be willing to correct errors, sensationalism, and retract false information when necessary. This helps to maintain trust with the public and demonstrates a commitment to ethical standards.

The Problem of Sensationalism

In today’s competitive media landscape, sensationalism is often used to attract readership and drive sales. This can lead to exaggerated or misleading headlines that prioritise shock value over substance. While sensational stories may boost short-term engagement, they can undermine the credibility of the press in the long run.

Journalist integrity

But journalistic integrity is essential in maintaining the public's trust in the media. Accountability in journalism is crucial in ensuring the media serves the public interest and upholds ethical standards in their reporting.

Protecting the public

Holding journalists accountable for their actions helps prevent harm to individuals or groups.

Ethical Standards and the Role of Media Organisations

Media organisations need to enforce strict ethical standards to ensure accountability. This includes transparent correction policies, providing balanced perspectives and avoiding conflicts of interest. Angela Rayner’s statement suggests that such measures are not just desirable but necessary for the health of our public discourse.

The call for greater accountability

The call for greater accountability in journalism underscores the importance of ethical, research-driven, and objective reporting. By prioritising these values, the press can better serve the public, uphold democratic principles, and restore trust in the media. High-quality journalism is not just about reporting the news; it’s about doing so with integrity and responsibility.

The call for more responsible reporting

Overall, the MP's recent remarks highlight a critical issue in modern journalism: the need for greater accountability and ethical standards in the press. Her call for more responsible reporting touches on several key points that are essential for maintaining the integrity of the media. (Source: bbccouk)

For more inspirational, lifestyle blogs, please check out my site https://www.thecpdiary.com

[enterprisewired]

Demystifying Midland Credit Management: A Comprehensive Guide

In the realm of debt management and collection agencies, Midland Credit Management (MCM) stands out as a prominent player. With its extensive reach and significant impact on consumers’ financial lives, understanding what MCM is, how it operates, and its implications is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the world of MCM, shedding light on its history, practices, and the essential aspects consumers should be aware of.                                                                                                                      

1. Understanding Midland Credit Management:

Founded in 1953, Midland Credit Management is one of the largest debt management companies in the United States.

MCM primarily specializes in purchasing and managing unpaid debt portfolios from original creditors, such as credit card companies, banks, and telecommunications providers.

The company operates within the framework of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) and other relevant regulations governing debt collection practices.

2. How it Operates:

Upon acquiring delinquent accounts, MCM engages in debt collection activities through various channels, including phone calls, letters, and legal actions if necessary.

MCM employs a range of strategies to recover outstanding debts, often offering consumers settlement options or payment plans to resolve their debts.

The company utilizes data-driven approaches to assess consumer creditworthiness and determine the most effective collection strategies.

3. Consumer Rights and Protections:

Despite its efforts to recover debts, Midland Credit Management must adhere to strict guidelines outlined in the FDCPA.

Consumers have rights regarding how debt collectors like MCM can interact with them, including restrictions on harassment, false statements, and unfair practices.

It’s essential for consumers to understand their rights when dealing with debt collection agencies like MCM and to seek legal advice if they believe their rights have been violated.

4. Challenges and Criticisms:

Like many debt collection agencies, MCM has faced criticism and legal challenges regarding its practices.

Some consumers have reported aggressive or misleading tactics used by MCM representatives during debt collection attempts.

Legal disputes have arisen over issues such as the accuracy of debt information and compliance with regulatory requirements.

5. Impact on Credit Scores:

One significant concern for consumers dealing with Midland Credit Management is the potential impact on their credit scores.

Delinquent accounts managed by MCM can negatively affect consumers’ credit reports and scores, making it more challenging to obtain credit or secure favorable interest rates in the future.

However, resolving debts with MCM through payment arrangements or settlements can help mitigate some of these adverse effects over time.

6. Strategies for Dealing with Midland Credit Management:

For consumers facing debt collection efforts from MCM, understanding their options is key.

Communication is crucial; consumers should engage with MCM representatives to explore potential solutions and negotiate feasible repayment terms.

Seeking assistance from consumer advocacy organizations or legal professionals can provide additional support and guidance in navigating the debt resolution process.

7. Steps to Protect Yourself:

To minimize the risk of encountering debt collection issues with companies like Midland Credit Management, proactive measures can be taken.

Managing finances responsibly and addressing any outstanding debts promptly can help prevent accounts from being sold to third-party collectors.

Regularly monitoring credit reports for inaccuracies and disputing any errors can also safeguard against unwarranted collection attempts.

8. Transparency and Accountability:

Transparency is essential in the debt collection process, and consumers have the right to request verification of their debts from MCM.

MCM is required to provide accurate and detailed information about the debt, including the original creditor, the amount owed, and any relevant documentation supporting the claim.

Consumers should review this information carefully and verify its accuracy before proceeding with any repayment or settlement arrangements.

9. Financial Education and Empowerment:

Empowering consumers with financial knowledge and resources is an effective way to mitigate the impact of debt collection efforts by companies like Midland Credit Management.

Educational initiatives aimed at promoting financial literacy can help individuals understand the implications of debt, budget effectively, and make informed decisions about their financial future.

By fostering a culture of financial responsibility and empowerment, communities can reduce reliance on debt and minimize the prevalence of debt collection issues.

10. Advocating for Reform:

In response to concerns about debt collection practices, advocacy groups, and policymakers have called for reforms to enhance consumer protections and hold debt collection agencies accountable.

Proposed measures include stricter regulation of debt collection practices, increased transparency and oversight, and enhanced enforcement of existing laws.

By advocating for these reforms and supporting initiatives that prioritize consumer rights, stakeholders can work towards a fairer and more equitable debt collection system.

Conclusion:

Midland Credit Management occupies a significant role in the debt collection industry, exerting influence on millions of consumers’ financial lives.

While navigating the complexities of debt collection can be challenging, consumers have rights, resources, and support networks available to help them address outstanding debts and protect their financial interests.

By promoting transparency, accountability, financial education, and advocacy for reform, stakeholders can contribute to a more equitable debt collection landscape that prioritizes consumer well-being and financial stability.

[beardedmrbean]

In a bold move aimed at safeguarding national security, Bulgaria’s State Agency “National Security” (SANS) has imposed a strict entry ban on two individuals suspected of espionage on behalf of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation.

Update: 

The Russian spies identified by SANS in Bulgaria, Vladimir Nikolayevich Gorochkin and Tatiana Anatolievna Gorochkina, have undergone significant visual alterations, as evident from photos available to BNT.

Before - After

Under the aliases Denis Rashkov and Diana Rashkova, the couple, aged 39 and 37 respectively, resided in Bulgaria undetected until recently. However, BNT sources assure that they posed no immediate threat to national security.

Before - After

Vladimir and Tatiana were operating as illegal agents for the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation. Their primary objective in Bulgaria was to acquire authentic Bulgarian identity documents and establish a credible background under their new foreign identities.

Following their exposure, both individuals have been subjected to a coercive administrative measure, prohibiting their entry and residence in EU member states for a duration of five years. This action was taken based on evidence indicating their involvement in activities detrimental to the country's security.

The ban, issued by the chairman of SANS, targets Russian citizens Vladimir Nikolayevich Gorochkin and Tatyana Anatolievna Gorochkina. Born in Kaliningrad and the Saratov Region of Russia respectively, the pair have been identified as alleged illegal spies and are now barred from entering the territory of the European Union for a period of five years.

The ban comes after evidence surfaced suggesting that the individuals, previously operating under the false identities of Bulgarian citizens Denis Rashkov and Diana Rashkova, had been conducting intelligence activities within Bulgaria. Their true identities were uncovered by SANS, prompting immediate action to prevent further espionage efforts.

According to SANS, Vladimir Gorochkin and Tatyana Gorochkina were part of an operation orchestrated by the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service aimed at infiltrating foreign countries using false identities. Their mission in Bulgaria was reportedly to obtain authentic Bulgarian identity documents and biographical data to facilitate intelligence operations outside the country’s borders.