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jenovahh · 3 years ago

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Wild Greens Choke Tended Gardens - Ch. 4 - Gladiolus (Sword Lily)

He’s bored.

He usually is, but something about the monotony of everyday life seems particularly...bothersome now.

It has been another day of delegating and overseeing, having returned to the Garlean Embassy within Kugane after releasing the Warrior of Light back to her friends.

“I’m A’yana Salvia, the Warrior of Light.” She huffs, her tail giving an angry flick. “And you are going to let my friends go, peacefully.”

He can’t help but let loose a chuckle then, eyes unseeing as a servant refills his glass of wine. He had to admit, it was certainly amusing to see how readily she stood up to him, how she was devoid of fear despite her defeat by his hand at their last encounter. He couldn’t help but find the entire situation...refreshing.

“You are strong, but I am willing to lay down my life for my friends. I would do whatever it takes to allow them to escape.”

He had heard of people like her. Noble. Dutiful. Selfless.

A waste, comes the thought unbidden.

He had never understood those types, those that threw down their lives for the sake of others. Those who attached their sole reason to do battle to weak concepts such as selflessness and pride.

Man should fight for the joy of it. Only man could fight for fightings’ sake.

“Why are you even here?”

He can’t help but grin to himself, remembering her rage, how her eyes flashed with unbridled fury at his insult of her skills. How he could see any desire to save her friends had bled from her eyes and turned into a wish to see him dead where he stood.

“You had come looking for me, have you not? Sorry to disappoint you once again, but I am the Warrior of Light and the Warrior of Light is me.”

A’yana Salvia, the Warrior of Light…

Standing from his chair, he excuses himself, not allowing himself to head to his rooms straightaway. While sleep was tempting, if only to spare him from the boredom of the waking hours, he had something to occupy his time if only for a little while.

He walks the halls until he reaches a door, punching in the code to unlock the latch to allow him inside. Behind the door was an office, nearly as opulent as his own back home in Garlemald, filled with all manner of books and files and maps. Upon the desk was a neat stack of paper, along with a single book, bound in leather with gold trim.

Nearing the desk he sits himself in the high backed chair accompanying it, leaning back for a bit of comfort as he takes the documents in hand and reads the note on the first page.

A Brief History of the Warrior of Light, A’yana Salvia

At his request had his men been tasked with finding out as much about the Warrior of Light as possible, from the time of her birth to what she liked to eat for dinner. He was if anything thorough, and he had failed his own standards by not being able to connect her title with the Miqo’te woman herself. He would not make that mistake again.

Flipping the page, he is surprised to find there is little known about the details of her birth. The report goes on to say how there were no official records or reports or even hearsay of her birth, no ties back to any childhood homes. Even her parents were a mystery. Despite his best efforts to remain impartial, he couldn’t help but sit a little straighter, intrigued by the concept of a hero who came from nothing, but not in the traditional sense.

To anyone who tried to delve into her origins, they would find nothing. Even nomads, even beggars of savage city-states had some history and telling of their beginnings, and yet…

A’yana Salvia had none.

And not for lack of trying, either. The report goes on to say that others have attempted to dig deeper into her past, but no one, not even those known to be close to her know of her origins. It is said that she had almost seemed to appear from the mists, an adult ready to explore the world when she had been discovered by the Scions of the Seventh Dawn to come together to orchestrate Baelsar’s defeat.

It was all rather peculiar, that someone of such power had so little known about their life, save for their deeds as the hero. Enough deeds, that someone had deigned to write an entire book practically detailing her accomplishments.

The Dragonsong War, by Count Edmont Fortemps lays on the desk still, its leather staring back at him unassumingly. Cutting his eyes back to the report, he flips through the pages, seeing more information he had known already in addition to whatever his men could scrounge up. He had already heard the Garlean side of Baelsar’s defeat, but the report managed to dig up a few more details, such as her befriending of the traitor, Cid nan Garlond.

Done with the report, he picks up the tome, flipping through the first few pages that details the author’s early life. His years as a child were oft spent in between the shelves of the royal library, the princeling easily gaining the ability to scan through tome for information he sought.

Reaching the beginning of the retelling, some of the words begin to jog his memory. He had heard of the first brood. Heard of the terrifying power of Midgardsormr and his equally terrifying children from books about the fall of Agrius. The war of a thousand years waged by one of the dragon’s sons, fueled by nothing but his hatred for mortals. He had not seen such a beast himself, but he knew that the stories were true that despite not holding their sire's power, the first brood were still magnificent in their own right.

And she had slain him, this Nidhogg.

The Warrior of Light was lucky, yes, but there was no denying her power.

How could such potential be housed in such a small frame, such gifts be given to someone so... unworthy?

Part of him whispered that she was not as unworthy as he thought. The slowly fading scar on his neck attested to that.

It had been years since he sustained such an injury, his fingers constantly drifting to his neck anytime glanced at himself in a mirror. It had long since healed, the scarring not an angry red, but pale and silvery, as if dust from the moon itself had been imbued in her magic.

His eyelids fall close as he relives the rush of pain, the rush of feeling his blood well up into tiny pebbles at the small cut on his skin. He was strong enough to withstand her magic without difficulty, but even the discomfort it gave told him that the average man would find it nigh unbearable.

Their gap in power was not as large as it first seemed. Unlike him she lacked training, lacked control.

Somehow that was part of his unintentional obsession. He had built himself from the ground up with power, doing all he could to become a better hunter. The prestigious prince who had the best instructors in the land brought to his home to teach him, versus the feline warrior from shrouded origins with nothing but a blessing and luck to her name.

It was almost laughable really, and yet he found himself more intrigued than he cared to admit. He continues to flip through the pages, eyes dragging across the Ishgardian cursive script with the barest hint of detachment, his eyes steadily drifting closed.

He's dreaming again.

The usual warmth surrounds him, melding into his bones in a way that is frighteningly comforting. It has always been like this, yet only now does he consciously realize it is so.

It feels akin to--

The feeling of her in his arms--

"Thinking of someone?"

The dreamspace shifts and coalesces into another dense forest, though this time it is dark and moonlight drifts through the trees. His friend is behind him, their presence still formless and yet not, their energy seeming much looser and not all there.

"Why would you draw such a conclusion?" He asks, brows furrowed, not even bothering to turn to face what is not there.

"That woman," they begin, "the Warrior of Light. Was she not in your thoughts?"

He remains silent gazing up at the moon. It's milky surface stares back at him, shining brightly and illuminating the depths of his soul. He closes his eyes and allows himself to bask in its glow, the strange sense of comfort drifting across him again.

A minute passes before he realizes he's not given an answer. "Yes."

He hears tinkling sounds behind him, but still he does not turn to face them. "I like her."

Frowning, he responds in monotone. "That makes one of us."

Silence sits between both of them for another beat. "Do you feel nothing when you look in her eyes?"

He does whirl on them then glaring at their misty form. "I thought we already discussed this." he growls.

“Discussed what?” They question nonchalantly.

“Discussed this...soulmate nonsense--” he grounds out, glaring harder as their tinkling laughter surrounds him and their form solidifies a little more. “And what is so amusing?” he snaps, crossing his arms across his chest. “Do you find my innermost thoughts a source of entertainment?”

Though they don't have the form to manage it, even he can sense them shrugging nonchalantly. "I have only ever wanted you to be happy Zenos."

His lips move to form the words that he is happy, but he cannot bring himself to state such a blatant lie. Not to himself, not to his friend, because whether he liked it or not, they always found out the truth.

“And how would she make me happy?” he questions, regaining a little more composure. “She is weak. Untrained. She is used to having her equally weak companions throw her at whatever god arises and vanquishing it with raw power and sheer luck.” he scoffs, lip curling at the thought. “How could such a weakling make me happy?”

“You question how she could make you happy, yet you have spared her twice.” They respond, not at all bothered by his lofty tone.

Wrinkling his nose, he turns away from them again, trailing off into the forest. “A mistake I will soon rectify when next we meet.”

“Did she not say herself that you have caught her out of her element?” They press on, following behind him at a safe distance.

“What good is someone incapable of fighting on any battleground?” Zenos asks, uncaring as water from the creek soaks his pants leg. “Either she will prove that she is the challenge I seek when next we meet, or she shall die by my hand.”

His friend giggles behind them then, and he can’t help but turn once more to see their form a bit more solid. Were they always so much smaller than him? “And just what is it that you find so humorous?” He grumbles, sighing as the breeze caresses his skin.

“If only you could see it yourself, Zenos.” They giggle, their laughter like the tinkling of bells. “Try as you might, you're more invested than you let on.”

Frowning, Zenos finds that that thought resonates with him a bit more than he’d like. “You have known me this long. Am I anything other than thorough?” He asks, coming to a stop as he gazes out at the greenery before him.

“You are right, I have known you this long. Long enough to know when you are nearly obsessed. Long enough to know you thirst for more.” They echo, the dreamscape once again fading, his friend’s voice drifting away as it becomes indiscernible from the wind whispering through the trees.

Blinking away sleep, moonlight pours through the window, signaling he had been sleeping for quite some time. Shifting to a standing position, rolls his shoulders, preparing to retire for the night until he sees some of the Kugane guards running about in the streets.

Drifting closer to the window, he watches their paper lanterns light their path as they scuttle along, their voices muffled but Zenos can gather enough of what is going on. They seem to be trying to apprehend someone.

No longer interested, he prepares to turn away until a particular group’s conversation is loud enough to drift up to him.

Scions of the Seventh Dawn…

Garlean traitors…

The Warrior of Light--

His feet have carried him out of the office and toward the main entrance before he can even stop himself to ask what he’s doing. His soldiers question him, but he only feels his lips form the orders to not follow him if they wish to remain living. Grabbing a single sword, he stalks out into the night, noting that the guards have moved further into the city.

His hair trails behind him as he makes his way to where the general populace of Kugane resides, sticking close to the alleys as he keeps track of the guard’s movements through the streets. They are rather disorganized, and already he has spotted the two women the warrior calls her friends sneaking through the city to their destination. He does not doubt the Warrior of Light is far behind, taking the backstreets to keep a low profile. While not in his full regalia, there was nothing else he could be but the prince, and any guard that did happen to spot him wisely overlooked his presence.

It would also not do to have the woman know he was out looking for her as well. She’s doing a surprisingly good job of hiding from him; surely he would have spotted her at least once by now.

He keeps up his search until a group of guards begins shouting, their exclamations turned into coughs as a cloud of smoke erupts in the city street. Hurried footsteps barrel toward him and with all the grace of a predator does he reach out and snag the would be intruder, dragging them into the shadows as the smoke clears. They struggle against him but go still as the guards begin searching the area, failing to notice the two huddled together under a dark alcove.

As the sounds grow quieter, they renew their struggle, prompting Zenos to let them go.

“What are you doing?!” The Warrior of Light hisses, fangs catching the faintest bit of moonlight, sapphire eyes gleaming up at him in the darkness.

“Protecting my investment.” He responds dryly, watching as that riles her further.

“Your investment?!” She whispers harshly, looking as if she would love nothing more than to raise her voice.

“Letting you live was not without cost. Until I duel you under more...favorable circumstances, then it would be in my best interest to make sure no misfortune befalls you.” He sighs, watching as her eyes go wide with shock before narrowing once again.

“I did not need your help!” She growls, preparing to leave, but he blocks her path.

“I am inclined to disagree.” He purrs, unable to keep himself from poking the hot embers before him, in hopes that he’ll be burned. “Kugane may be a state of neutrality, but even they know that they must bow to the emperor, or risk their way of life being upset.” He hums, watching the gears turn in her head. “I would hate to bring attention to your location, or worse, your friends who I saw pass by earlier…” he trails off, unable to keep amusement from suffusing his words.

Her expression steels immediately.

Ah...there it is.

“You wouldn’t dare.” She whispers, the sound so sinister and low that he can’t help the shiver that runs down his spine.

“Would I?” he goads, eyes darting to how she flexes her claws. “While I have endeavored to occupy my time with more important matters, I find you have too many mysteries surrounding you for my curiosity to ignore.” He continues, watching an unreadable expression pass through her eyes. “Answer my questions truthfully, and I will allow you to return to your friends. Refuse…”

“Right, right, ask your stupid questions.” She snaps, crossing her arms across her chest.

He had expected more arguing from her, but he’s pleased to see that she is at least practical. “The first: why are you running?”

His eyes have adjusted to the darkness sometime ago, able to see her tail give an angry flick. “My friends and I were looking for a comrade of ours. Unfortunately we trusted a stupid fish who tried to turn us into your soldiers.” She grumbles, ears flicking to and fro as if still listening for guards.

“A comrade? For what purpose?” He continues on, unconsciously taking a step toward her. The alley is narrow and already one step has him nearly looming over her.

“To liberate Doma, what else?” She retorts, not at all afraid of him.

“You mean to free Doma?” He laughs, taking another step closer. She does take a step back then, though he can tell it is not from fear. Her eyes have not left his, fierce and unafraid. “While I applaud your ambition, I believe I have shown you twice now where standing against me will bring you.” He rumbles, voice thrumming in his chest. “What primal will your friends throw you at next, little Warrior? What tasks will they place upon you to bear alone?” He presses on, smirking all the while. “I have heard of Eorzea’s Savior, though a more aptly named title would be...Eorzea’s Errand Girl. Barring she is not killed first.”

“You…” she seethes, not even flinching as he backs her against a wall. He stands tall above her then, but she does not tremble, does not shake even though most people cower in his presence, his proximity notwithstanding. Even in the dark he can see the slits of her eyes have widened to let in more light, giving her superior vision in the night. Her fangs capture his attention with how sharp they actually are, but most of all…

It is the rage he feels from her that makes him shudder.

“Is this all you sought me out for? To insult me and make me question how my friends care for me?” She huffs, standing her ground.

“I have asked questions, but not made you question anything, Warrior of Light.” he chuckles, her title sounding like silk on his tongue. “I am merely curious about your endeavors, as any enemy would be. Is that so wrong?” He taunts, hoping for another violent reaction, but his smirk fades as a determination enters her eyes, one that stills his breath.

“You will listen and listen well, Garlean.” She hisses, reaching for his hair and yanking him down, the movement surprising him so thoroughly, his brain is still struggling to catch up. Never had anyone dare to take such liberties with his person. Even the servants whose job was solely to take care of his hair asked for permission to do their job.

That his body almost moves at her will, bringing him face to face with her so that she can glare at him from her level, sets something alight within him. A burn he had not felt his whole life. In this moment his entire being is tuned into her, tuned into the quiet conviction in her eyes.

“You may insult me all you like, but I will not allow you to insult my friends. Yes, they may be unable to fight a majority of battles without my help, but it is help I give gladly, it is help I give willingly.” She seethes, his eyes paying close attention to how the curl of her lip keeps her fangs displayed, almost as if in reminder of how she could sink them in his throat. The thought makes him shiver with an unnamed emotion. “As I had informed you at my capture, I don’t have time to play with a spoiled prince. My friends need my help and if it means giving up my life to help them, then so be it.” She growls, giving his hair one more tug and it goes straight to his groin.

“Now, you will be letting me go, without any fuss.” She demands, and just like that, he can see it.

The Warrior of Light in all of her glory.

She releases his hair, but he makes no moves to stand back to full height quite yet, still staring at her in muted wonder. She stares back until confusion slowly seeps into her gaze, unsure for why he has remained silent for so long. Silence continues to stretch between them, until her impatience finally gets the better of her. “Are you quite done staring? You are more than welcome to have me come sit in for a portrait if you so wish. I don’t have time to stand here with you gawking at me.”

Eyelids fluttering closed, he releases a single chuckle, standing back to full height as his hand absentmindedly runs across the strands of hair she had abused but moments before. Once he opens his eyes, she gasps, unsure what she sees there, but caring little.

If she had wanted him to leave her alone, there was no way he was doing so now.

“Very well, Warrior of Light.” he hums, stepping from her personal space. Giving her a forceful shove into a dark corner in the alley, not giving her time to complain as he calls out into the night. “Guards!”

He can hear her go stock still behind him, quiet as a mouse as nearby guards rush over to him.

“Lord Zenos!” they exclaim, bowing profusely in his presence. “How may we assist you?”

Glancing down the street, he remembers what direction her friends were heading before speaking once more. “While I am loath to help you bumbling savages...I would rather not have my rest interrupted by you shouting all over the district. While unsure of your targets, I last saw a suspicious group of people head south west of here.” Resting his hand on his sword, he can hear them all audibly swallow. “I would also suggest you be quick about it. I would like the district clear by the time I arrive at the Embassy to rest.”

“O-Of course, my lord!” they hastily bow, rushing down the streets like their lives depended on it. Turning to speak with the Warrior of Light, she stares back at him almost equally mystified, though her skepticism is clear on her face.

“As I had informed you earlier...I must protect my investments.” He grins, lips pulling into a genuine smile that stuns her even further. “Run free, Warrior of Light. Our next meeting may be sooner than you think.”

She shoots him a distrustful glare without hesitation, pushing past him as if he were just another man and not her sole enemy. The change is so refreshing he cannot find it in himself to even think of punishing her for her disrespect. To do so would be counterproductive.

“Oh, my wild, untamed beast…” he purrs to himself as he watches her hurry to her destination, skirts trailing behind her as she disappears into the night. “There is no escaping me now.”

When he returns to the Garlean embassy it is with purpose, his men nearly jumping out their skin at the look in his eye as he begins rattling off orders. His father hasn’t approved any action to march on the savages in Gyr Abania, giving him a copious amount of free time to do as he wished. If his father really did begin to ask after him, he could always feign that he was putting the Doman wench in line; which would not be far from the truth. She had failed him by letting the Warrior of Light reclaim the Ruby Sea, and yet he cannot be too harsh on her.

She had brought him a challenge after all.

When morning comes, he feels a drive he had not felt since he was a boy. A zest for life that was blooming within his chest, barely able to contain the sheer joy he felt. It was not hard to arrange for his entourage to prepare him a vessel to depart for Doma the next morning. Using the information he had gleaned from the Warrior of Light the night prior, he was walking the halls of the dilapidated castle in no time at all.

The Doman woman kneels before him, subservient as the rest. Her hatred had intrigued him before; it was why he had seen fit to ascend her to a position that allowed the subjugation of her own people. But looking in her eyes now, all he can feel is disappointment.

Blue, feline eyes glare back at him in his mind’s eye, and a rush of heat runs through him.

“Have you anything to say for yourself?” he questions, not even deigning to stand up. Prostrated before him, he is glad she does not tremble before him at least, but the lack of defiance is rather uninspiring.

“Nay, my lord.” she replies, not even bothering to look at him to give her answer.

Rolling his eyes, he studies her for a moment longer. “Tell me then, in detail just how you failed me. Have you not heard of the Warrior of Light? Is your network so under utilized that you could not quash a rebellion well before it started?”

She flinches under his criticism, and remains kneeling before him. “I had not, my lord.” she answers, throat tight. “She was like a storm; a typhoon, making landfall before you could even do anything about it.” She does rise up to look at him then, most likely in hopes that he will see how sorry she is. “She had rallied the Confederacy so quickly, and I had tried to stop her...but suddenly those Kojin...she had slain a god.”

His eyebrows raise as she sounds almost stupefied, as if trying to make sense of how it all went wrong so fast. “It was as if the fear of the empire no longer mattered. Her and her friends had organized and planned, she had instilled the people with a will that even the empire could not suppress. She is formidable, my lord.” she finishes, and her words make him think.

The conviction he saw within her eyes, a will not easily broken. That even as he stood before her, out of her element, her life in his hands by the prospect of her being in his presence alone…

It was this will that inspired the masses to rebel as he had hoped the Doman woman could do.

Begrudgingly he had to admit that she knew how to inspire the masses. She accomplished in days what the woman couldn’t even accomplish after several moons and imperial forces at her disposal.

It was also clear that between her and her two comrades, she was not the strategist. He would not go as far as to insult her intelligence, but there was no denying that just as his presence evoked fear, hers inspired hope. He doubted she gave speeches, doubted she gave orders. Simply by existing she was an inspiration, a morale booster of the highest caliber.

He can’t stop himself from smirking, even if the action makes the woman before him fear for her life. He envisions those fierce blue eyes again, whispering her name on his lips.

“The Warrior of Light, A’yana Salvia…”

Her name on his lips tastes heavenly.

As much as she warned him to stay away, to threaten his life in the hopes he would take heed to her promises…

It only made him yearn for their battle more. Without trying, his prey had gotten snared in his trap--

And he would not suffer to let it go.

#zenos #zenos yae galvus #ff14 #FFXIV #Final Fantasy XIV #WGCTG

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fanfiction-inc · 5 years ago

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Baptism of The Fathers Betrothed (Chapter I)

Series: Welcoming The Bride

Verse: Far Cry 5

Characters/Pairings: Joseph Seed/ Reader, John Seed, Jacob Seed, Faith Seed

Rating: T for Teen

Warnings: Potential drowning, Baptist and Christian vibes, lots of religion, but lets be real, this is the Seed family! Induction ceremonies, family love.

Word Count: 2283

Summary: Joseph Seed has fallen in love and wants to marry the woman of his dreams. But what kind of process must that include to be fully his?

Link to Ao3 Version: https://archiveofourown.org/works/22995019/chapters/54978007#workskin

[Next chapter]

---

Silence among the church, soft reds, blues, yellows and so on filtering in from the stained glass among the windows all around. A clear of his throat, all eyes on him and he begins with the faintest of smiles that held his joy. This sermon was special, after all. He knew the intended audience would get such. “The Bible says we are to love one another. We are to hold them close, to savor their beings and we are to make them into one with ourselves if it is destined by the lord above and the man or woman before you. The message we hear, the message we read is simple. In the book of John, it is stated “For this is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another", and in the book of Matthew, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself'" Now, I know love can lead to lust, and lust can be the worst among the sins, as is wrath, but my children, lust is not a sin when matrimony is in place.” He adjusted his aviators, a clear of his throat and his eyes fixated on the woman sitting in the second row behind the family pew. Her body was relaxed, gaze returning his own and smile big as always. Her smile was infectious, drawing his own to grow before returning to the sermon before him.

“While love is a wonderful, warm feeling, it is not only a feeling. In fact, according to the Bible, love is primarily an active interest in the well-being of another person.” A single glance stolen to the front pew, the knowing looks giving an encouraging glint. He takes a deep breath, moving from behind the podium with arms outstretched before his congregation, those who looked on in awe. The colors of the stained glass dance over his bare skin, tattoos and scars glistening under such. The woman watched as he moved to stand before everyone in the pews, looking among them. “Or perhaps it is in the matrimony of a person. One allows their love to develop, to flutter and grow. If God had not made love an emotion, a feeling and so beyond...then why would he have made my love for my family? For you, my children, my congregation…” He looked to the woman, meeting those bright eyes. “My angel, (First name)?” He held a hand out to the woman, watching as her cheeks redden and she stands, taking the mans hand before he brings her own to his lips, gently brushing them against her knuckles. He lowered down before her, the room fluttering with a number gasps and shock when he sits before her on one knee, never letting go of her hand, the free one reaching back into his pocket and pulling out a small, velvet box. “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life….(First name), will you do me the honor of becoming my wife? My beloved angel that will walk hand in hand with me to Eden's Gate? Will you marry me, and become (First name) Seed?”

She was frozen, watching those desperate eyes look on to her own behind yellow tinted aviators, his fingers moving to remove them and view hers with those blue eyes that had drawn her into his company. Those blue eyes that made her stay at his side when the conflicts with the Resistance began, that brought her into his service and kept her safe from harm the night they came for him. The locust in the garden. That smile she's woken up to from nights of staying over, the same smile that watched her take care of the children of his congregation and begin his teachings with the younger generation. She was his angel, his sweetened woman…”Yes.” He was now shocked, stammering. “W-Wait...Did you just say yes?” Her smile grows and with careful ease of getting down before him and careful of the dress she worse, she cupped his cheeks, forehead against his own. “Yes, Joseph...I want to be your wife.” His lips were against her own in seconds, the start of the clapping and cheers coming from the front of the church where his family stands, and soon the rest of the congregation cheering on the new couple before them. He separated from her lips, standing with her and slips the ring onto her finger. This was the start of it all.

The start of their new lives.

---

Slow steps with joined hands and gentle exchange of glaces lead the way down the path to the lake below. The sun shines brightly through the tree branches overhead, creating an almost sort of glow to the future brides skin. A loving tone against her ear, her husband whispering such sweet words that leaves her in giggling fits that were followed by his own sounding chuckles. Each step was steady, each sway of their arms a gentle motion. Three months after the proposal, Joseph had grown impatient. He couldn’t handle the thought of the woman not being in his arms, in his bed with him or by his side as he gave his sermons. He couldn’t imagine them not being joined as one, and so he begged for the wedding to be sooner...For their family traditions to be done the day before. The generations gave was to the immersion of their family, his father immersing his wife, his grandfather before them his, so on and so forth. Now it was his turn...But he wasn’t the one to be baptizing her today.Slowly their steps draw to a stop when the waters graze the tips of their shoes, Joseph's finely polished leather shoes taking a turn to face the woman at his side, forehead resting against her own and eyes simply staying connected with her own. “My angel, my darling...Today you are to join our family, to finally be introduced as a true member, and tomorrow we shall make it truly official. We’ll be one, souls intertwined and together once the words “I do” follow...now I need your absolute trust. I need to know that you will be okay with this, that you will be fine with what is about to happen. Are you ready?”

The woman lightly clutched the lapels of the mans suit jacket, lips gently turning up into that sweet smile that always brought him calm in his chaotic life. Those sweet eyes making his own smile grow and the words that made his heart flutter slipping out like honey from the wooden stir stick. “I’m ready to be one with you, Joseph.” A quick kiss was shared, gentle and innocent but wanting for more. They would just have to wait. Joseph stepped away from the waters edge to stand with his brother and sister, watching the younger of the group approach the woman, shoes already off but suit perfectly dry as he stands within the waters of the shore. They were far cooler than the hot summer air, but it was a relief to the body. John outstretched his hand to the woman as she cautiously took his own, white gown fluttering in the light breeze before flattening out as they went within the waters of the lake. He goes waist deep, hands supporting the shorter woman before him. Her abdomen was submerged beneath the cool waters, goosebumps littering her skin and heart beginning to hammer. His hand raised, water droplets falling from his fingers to her forehead, and a smile grows. “Lets begin. Today, we are here for the baptism of (First name) (Last name), a member of our wayward flock and soon-to-be sister in law of the Seed family. We shall go right into the ceremony, then we shall celebrate with our new sister as she has been bled of sin.” John allowed her closer to him, a hand placing against the back of her neck right on the nape, long fingers curling and holding her with firm fingers. His other hand eases beneath her legs, supporting her at the thigh as he tilts her back, aiding her in floating on the surface of the lake. His voice grows muffled due to the waters, but the shift of his gaze is what makes her heart begin to beat steadily. The night before, John had promised to not let her drown. Though he had a chuckle and smirk that followed, He was joking...right? Her pulse began to grow harder, fingers shaking among the water as his hands slipped from her body, letting her float freely.

“Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." To meet our lord, you much descend among the depth and purge yourself of your sins. Among the water, you must declare then revoke them, and allow our lord among yourself. The waters will wash your sins, will clear your mind and leave you fresh for the acceptance of our lord and our family.” A brush of his fingers to clear her hair from her face and he brings a hand back to be beneath her. He placed one on the back of her head, his other hand moving from her face to her chest and placing flatly between her breast within the white dress. A glance to Joseph and a small nod follows. “Hold your breath.” The only warning sounding before he puts her beneath the waters, watching the bubbles rise and how her eyes close to hide from the particles within the lake. “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” So says Matthew. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” So says Ephesians. You will be free of all past traumas, of all bad and return to the surface as the innocence you extrude. Be purged and be free.”

Within the next minute, she had began to panic, looking up to the man who kept speaking, who met her gaze with that grin and watched when she began to struggle. Her hands reach up to clutch at his wrist holding her chest down, trying to push up, to rise to the surface and yet he wouldn’t let up. Her nails began to dig, her legs began to kick and as quickly as her lungs began to fill with water, he brings her back up. “And so your sins have been purged, my child of God. Your past has been freed and you are within the love and acceptance of God...of us.” He held her close against his chest as she coughed and sputtered, clearing her lungs of the water that lingered and simply catching her breath as the small group clapped from the shoreline. Johns hand pats her back gently, free hand raising her to tilt her chin towards him and do the same as her soon-to-be husband does to her, that her new brother and sister waiting among the shore do when they accept the woman she has become. “Didn’t I say I wouldn’t let ya’ drown?” The softness of his voice, the sweetness within those blue eyes much like his brothers own and smile as bright as the moment someone successfully atones. “Lets get you back to the shore.” He helps lead her along, Joseph meeting then where the water touches the tips of his shoes and arms going around the soaking wet woman. She held onto him tightly, face buried away in his neck due to the way he held her. “You’re my perfect angel, (First name). All mine.” The whisper of his voice made the other shiver, kiss placed to the others temple before separating when the tallest of the brothers brings her smaller form into a bruising embrace, gruff voice fluttering in the air with a near appreciation of the smaller woman. “You’ve been welcome in this family before this moment, you know that, right?” He grinned. “This is just a measure...But welcome. We’re happy to have you.” In Jacobs mind, it was a breath of calm air in this family, the one normal aspect to it all. Faith damn near knocks the woman over when her arms envelope her, giggle sounding and joy bubbling up in the sweetest of ways. “Oh, I’ve always wanted a sister!”

The path back up was steady, hands once again intertwined and shoulders bumping as they go on. His jacket was over her shoulders, keeping her warm as the sun began to set and the night air began to chill the area around them. Each step was quiet, each word sounding from the siblings as the pick on each other and tease the newly joined member. John approached at his brothers side, hand slapping down on his back and grin keeping in place. “So, you ready to marry her?” His voice whispered near his ear. An air of confidence floods Joseph as he looked to the younger Seed, smile growing as his eyes seem to damn near brighten.

“Yeah. As ready as I’ll ever be.”

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Tag List: @yancy-trash

If anyone else would like to be added to the list, please let me know!

#far cry 5 #joseph seed #Joseph Seed/Reader #Joseph Seed x Reader #John Seed #Jacob Seed #Faith Seed #potential drowning #Baptist and Christian vibes #lots of religion #but lets be realthis is the Seed family! Induction ceremonies

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upennmanuscripts · 5 years ago

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A Leopard that Changes its Spots: A Hand-Decorated Incunable from the Library of Jean Chardalle

Fifty-two discoveries from the BiblioPhilly project, No. 28/52

Saint Augustine, De civitate Dei (City of God), University of Pennsylvania, Inc A-1232 Folio, fol. 13r

This week’s BiblioPhilly manuscript “discovery” is a bit of a misnomer on all three counts, as it A) amplifies an observation previously made by another scholar, B) relates to an item held at the University of Pennsylvania–an institution not officially included in the Bibliotheca Philadelphiensis grant–and C) concerns an early printed book, rather than a manuscript! Nevertheless, it is worth including in the blog since A) the discovery was enabled by an innovative online project, B) the item will be included in next year’s post-BiblioPhilly exhibition at Penn, and C) the incunable in question was decorated by hand with high quality initials and bar borders.

So, we are still dealing with an illuminated book, even though it is printed. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, the advent of the printing press did not diminish the demand for skilled illuminators. In fact, there was an explosion of available work, as innumerable inset spaces left for initials in printed works still had to be completed by hand. The book we are looking at today is an example of the involvement of traditional illuminators with the new technology, a phenomenon well studied by Lilian Armstrong and others. It is a copy of Saint Augustine’s City of God from 1470, the third edition of the work to be printed in Italy, by the German printers Conradus Sweynheym and Arnoldus Pannartz (a fourth had been produced by Johann Mentelin, the first printer to settle in Strasbourg, in 1468). These two business partners were the first to establish a press outside of German-speaking lands, at the Benedictine abbey of Subiaco in 1464/65. By 1467, they had moved in search of greater economic opportunities to Rome, where our volume was printed. Adapting to their trans-alpine audience, Sweynheym and Pannartz abandoned the Gothic typeface used in Northern Europe, developing a semi-Roman font at Subiaco and finally a fully Roman version upon their move to the Papal city (you can see that this is the typeface they used here).

Inc A-1232 Folio, fol. 13r (detail of illuminated initial G)

Unusually, and perhaps uniquely, this incunable’s secondary decoration was added not in Italy but in France. The bar borders and illuminated initials in deep blue and reddish-mauve are all typical of northern French illumination of the 1470s. The single historiated initial G on the first page of the prologue depicts the mitred Saint Augustine blessing the kneeling Marcellinus of Carthage, his friend and the dedicatee of the City of God, who is shown holding a heart in his hands indicative of their bond. In style, the two figures are reminiscent of miniatures produced in Paris by the workshop of François Le Barbier, a prolific artist (previously known as “Maître François”) responsible for illuminating a large number of Books of Hours and theological manuscripts in a somewhat rote style.1 Le Barbier and his associates illuminated three much more elaborate French translations of the City of God: one for the lieutenant general of Paris, Charles de Gaucourt (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS fr. 18–19); one for the king’s secretary, Mathieu Beauvarlet (Paris, Bibliothèque Sainte-Geneviève, MS 246); and one for the recalcitrant Duke of Nemours, Jacques d’Armagnac (vol. 1: The Hague, Museum Meermanno, 10 A 11; vol. 2: Nantes, Bibliothèque municipale, Ms. 181).

In the lower margin of the prologue page, a rectangular strip of paper has been excised and replaced with a patch bearing an armorial escutcheon surrounded by a green wreath. The arms appear to show a Lion’s golden face against a blue background. This would seem to be a potentially popular choice for a coat-of-arms, but a head-on lion’s head is almost unheard of in European heraldry, and my first instinct was that this was a fictitious emblem, added to enhance the appearance or price of the book at a later date.

Inc A-1232 Folio, fol. 13r (detail of coat-of-arms)

However, I noticed that the book’s heraldry had previously been discussed on the web as part of the Provenance Online Project. This is a lightweight crowdsourced initiative started at the University of Pennsylvania whereby simple, cellphone photos of unknown annotations, bookstamps, bookplates and other heraldic identifiers are shared online via Flickr, a free photo posting utility. Users around the world are then encouraged to identify the owners. Luckily, the arms in our book were identified by none other than Martin Davies, former curator of incunabula at the British Library and a leading authority on early printing.

As Davies pointed out in a reply to the POP posting, the arms display the face of a leopard, not a lion! They are, in heraldic terms: azure, a leopard’s face or (in French: d’azur à la tête de léopard d’or). This unique animal iconography belongs to Jean Chardalle of Marville, (Johannes Chardallus in Latin) who served as Canon of the Cathedral of Metz from 1475 to 1502. Described as a “noble seigneur d’Église, homme sage docte et scientifique personne” by the contemporary chronicler Philippe de Vigneulles, Chardalle was a prolific book collector, and around thirty-five incunables and fifteen manuscripts have been identified as belonging to him by Pierre-Édouard Wagner.2 This copy of the City of God represents a new addition to this impressive tally, and is all the more important owing to the devastating loss of nearly half of the Municipal Library of Metz’s manuscript and incunable holdings during the Second World War, incuding many books that had belonged to Chardalle. This is indeed a case where prior dispersal has led to survival.

Among the incunables Chardalle owned, most are Italian and bear Italian decoration. Chardalle presumably purchased these on ecclesiastical trips to Rome. The style of the roundel in the City of God is also Italian, contrasting with the Parisian initials. It closely resembles the heraldic devices on other books he brought back from Italy, for example two separate texts by Juan de Torquemada, a Commentum in psalmos David (Verdun, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 84), and a De potestate Ecclesia (Metz, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 104). The evidence from our book suggests that Chardalle purchased extra versions of his coat-of-arms while abroad for insertion into his books.

Juan de Torquemada, Commentum in psalmos David, Verdun, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 84 (image tweeted by Michaël George) and Juan de Torquemada, De potestate Ecclesia, Metz, Bibliothèque municipale, MS 104, fol. 1r (image from Pierre-Édouard Wagner in Pierre Louis, ed., Épreuves du temps, 200 ans de la bibliothèque de Metz, 1804–2004 (Metz: Bibliothèques-Médiathèques de la Ville de Metz, 2004), 126.

Though most versions of his coat of arms show five thistles issuing from the Leopard’s mouth (the word for thistle in French is chardon, a play on his surname), here this feature is absent. The same is true of the arms in a fine manuscript copy of Augustine’s works (comprising the Meditationes, Manuale, Enchiridion, and De fide, but not the De civitate dei) from the Cathedral Treasury of Metz, where it accompanies a striking image of Chardalle in prayer before the Crucifixion (Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS lat. 9545, fol. 1r).

Saint Augustine, Meditationes, Manuale, Enchiridion, and De fide, Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS lat. 9545, fol. 1r (with detail of coat-of-arms)

from WordPress http://bibliophilly.pacscl.org/a-leopard-that-changes-its-spots-a-hand-decorated-incunable-from-the-library-of-jean-chardalle/

#Fifty-two discoveries #University of Pennsylvania

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xaz-fr · 6 years ago

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First - Previous - Next

Set in a fantasy world of the semi socialist society Fey Alliance with magic, dick head dragon riders, benevolent necromancer, and even bigger dick head gods of mischief. The Zealous Servant is the story about a guy named Spayar who, basically, has to keep his crown prince of a bff from being murdered by his entire family by murdering them first. Honestly though Spayar just wants to take a nap and find a cute boy to kiss and not have to worry about his corpse potentially being dragged through the street after a war. Better win that shit then.

@barkingjester @golden-lionsnake @deadpool-scar-bro @bromeliadgoingdragon

So a thing of note here. There is zero alcohol drinking in the Alliance. It's got a lot of history in their culture as being a beverage of slave owners and the Alliance is SUPER anti slavery so in turn they don't drink except for some small areas. Instead most citizens of the Alliance do recreational drugs similar to weed or mushrooms or other opiates for the same reason they're anti alcohol. Plant based drugs was seen as a thing only slaves did and was very low class so because the Alliance is literally a country founded by freed slaves they kept their drug use roots. Not being able to handle your smoke has the same sort of social stigma in our culture as not being able to hold your drink and being an annoying/violent drunk. So if you want to smoke, you better keep your suit together and know when enough is enough or be labeled a high menace.

Also formatting is trash because Tumblr on iPad is also trash

Chapter 5: A Well Behaved Man

The day of Paja’s naming day it was like a switch had been flipped in the Garden. One day it looked as it had when Spayar had arrived save for a bit of construction and then he woke up and the entire Garden was different. Garlands covered nearly every plant, lights inside paper cups lined every pathway, every tree and bush had been forced into bloom by a faunamacer and all work had been suspended. The grounds of the Garden had been turned into a festival with cute animals to be pet by the children and games had been set up to participate in. A faunamacer had even been employed to make a living jungle-gym for people to climb on that would probably be gone in the morning. Several stages had been set up overnight for gymnastic displays and various rituals and bands.

And there was food everywhere. Pasta in more shapes than Spayar could comprehend covered in dozens of different sauces. Various roasted vegetables on sticks and mountains of fruit some he recognized and some he didn’t. But no meat. The only animals in the Garden were at the little petting station for the children.

Spayar saw the food and all he could think was that the Nedalians must have been fairing better harvest wise than other parts of the Alliance. That or they had been stocking up specifically for this. He tried not to let that ruin the mood for him.

Von didn’t even seem to notice any of that and all he saw were the festivities. “I wasn’t expecting an actual party,” Von admitted.

“They just worship Lemp, they aren’t somber,” Spayar said.

A smile pulled its way across Von’s face. “This is cool. Let’s go see,” and he grabbed Spayar’s hand to go have breakfast. Spayar had no choice but to follow. He wasn't exactly happy about it. Von had decided that while he was in the Garden he was going to dress like a Nedalian man. Traditionally, because they lived in such a warm climate, Nedalians wore only what absolutely necessary to preserve their cultural modesty. That meant covering the chest, stomach, and back for women and the no shirts for the men but full pants.

Usually Spayar had no problem seeing men shirtless. The Nedalians who dressed like that didn't bother him at all. It was just Von. Standinh or walking around looking half dressed without a shirt. He looked almost at home in the Garden too with his summer bronze skin and sun bleached hair. He was doing it to make Helida like him more, and it was working. It also had the side effect of making Spayar forget what he was even thinking and sometimes even what he was saying. He was trying not to be miserable about it but when he had to worry about a coming Conflict being distracted by Von's abs was not exactly helpful.

Food for the entire day was already out in the morning as Von dragged him to the big paved courtyards for breakfast, being kept cool or hot by the appropriate elementally aligned warlock. They gladly picked at the offerings. Von was fond of the sweet pickles and honey glazed breakfast tarts made of custard and topped with berries. Spayar made sure he ate things other than sweets but he didn't know why he bothered. Von always pouted at him when he reminded him to eat properly and Spayar wasn't as immune to him as he thought he was.

Before long the sun started to rise and they sought the shade of strategically placed awnings all over the Garden along with other Gardiens seeking their own respite from the heat.

They sat on the grass in front of a stage where a band was playing. Three wind players and a percussion person with a pair of hand drums. They were seated in the shade but playing to liven the mood. Around them the Garden was alive with people but most had done the same as them and were resting in the shade. Or the adults were. The children didn’t care about the heat and were still running around, playing the games, yelling happily or bothering the animals.

Spayar started when a man came and sat down next to them. Most of the locals save Helida ignored the two of them and everyone knew they were ’royal envoys’ with only the governing family knowing who they actually were. He was black like Spayar but not nearly as dark but from across the Sea. Most dark skinned people in the Alliance and the east had curly, kinky, wirey hair that could be brushed out into magnificent afro halos of hair. Typically west coast Shard peoples and beyond had wavy hair or greater loose curls. It was a way to spot a foreigner at a glance if they were darker skinned and didn't have proper peaked Feylon ears like this man didn't. He wore his hair close to his scalp and had a full beard dotted with traditional flower adornment of married men with children. If Spayar recalled it was two varieties for two children. “Prince,” he grunted with all the casualty of someone who wasn't afraid of someone of nobility. Spayar was mostly annoyed he didn't recognize them. He liked to think he knew everyone of the governing families but it was so easy to overlook the men of the Rosalia. They had little to no power or authority in matters of state and rarely made any waves because of it. That didn't make Spayar any less annoyed.

“You might have me confused with someone else, friend,” Von said with a joviel smile.

“Pretty sure I don't. Unless you're here calling my wife a liar?” he said mildly and gave Von a cool look with his pale gray eyes.

Von looked confused, “Not at all, Lord Necromonger, we just didn't recognize you,” Spayar said quickly. At least now he could place the man and also knew why he didn't know him.

“Funny that,” Ilnta Rosalia said and picked up a pipe from his side. “Care to share?” he asked with the same casual familiarity he'd been using all along.

“Depends,” Von said slowly. “What’s in it?”

“Just storm weed, mixed with some perfumes,” Ilnta said and leaned back on one arm. Spayar had a type but that didn't stop him from thinking Helida’s husband was a beautiful man. Maybe the Nedalians had the right idea with having them men folk go around without shirts on all the time.

“It’s like a mild version of modica,” Spayar told Von who looked confused. Storm weed was only smoked along the gut and Western provinces while modica, a smaller and hardier plant was used in the central Alliance to achieve the same effect. It was a fairly mild drug, easy to think through but lifted your mood pleasantly. Spayar had only heard of storm weed while serving time but the westerners always compared it to the more centrally popular modica.

“Then yes,” Von said with a smile. “Allow me,” and he reached a hand out. With a delicate twist of his fingers a spark jumped into the pipe and the weed started smoking gently. Ilnta took the first pull before handing it across Spayar to Von.

As Von politely took a pull he gave Spayar a look. He had no idea who this guy was despite Spayar naming his title. “What brings you here, Lord Ilnta?” Spayar asked when Von handed the curled pipe to him next.

“I like knowing what's happening in my Garden,” Ilnta said and rubbed one of his wide bangles. “Especially you two.”

“We’re just here for the party,” Von assured him. Spayar handed Ilnta the pipe back, his lungs full of smoke.

Ilnta took a small hit and looked them both over. “No one comes to the Garden for parties. Come up with a better lie, your highness,” he said.

“You are,” Von said like a jackass and Spayar wanted to smack his hand across his face but knew that wouldn't help.

Ilnta looked from Von to Spayar and gave him a sympathic look. Why, Spayar had no idea. Was it all over his face? Great. “I live here,” he said. “My Governor asked me to make sure you were enjoying yourselves, and staying out of trouble.”

“The Governor is very hospitable,” Von said.

“Are you not enjoying yourself?” Ilnta asked Spayar.

”I keep business and pleasure separate,” was all he said.

Ilnta’s lip curled up at one side. “Very well d’aelar,” he said so respectfully that it made Spayar nervous. “We’ll see if we can't do something about that,” he handed the pipe back to Spayar. He didn't much like the sound of that. That sounded a lot like what Von said before they and their other friends had ended up stoned dancing on tables at a bar in Smoker’s Den. It had been fun but Spayar had been so burned out the next morning and in some strange man’s bed. It had turned out to be the son of Baron Hothrod, which hadn't been at all a pleasant morning leaving the manor in Assarus and had to walk all the way home from Fey’s Shadow to Bellringer in his clothes from the night before. Spayar tried to temper his ’fun�� after that. He cautiously took a drag of the pipe and Ilnta got to his feet.

“What was that about?” Von asked, lookimg after him as Ilnta walked off.

“I’m sort of afraid to find out,” Spayar said slowly.

“Let me have the last one,” Von said, holding out his hand for the pipe. Spayar gladly gave it to him as he kept his eyes trained on Ilnta where he was talking with a group of men.

“Try not to get too stoned tonight,” Spayar said, looking away from the group to Von.

“Why not?”

“I don't think we really want to party like some Lemp worshippers.”

“You’re the one who keeps saying they're just people.”

“Yes, but first hand experience from serving time tells me that when people who live a regimented life style are allowed off their chain it can easily get out of hand,” he looked back at Ilnta.

“Don’t have fun on a naming day, got it,” Von said.

“That isn't what I meant-

Ilnta came back over with two men. One was older and clean shaven with features similar to Helida. Brother? Spayar knew she had one but not much beyond that. The other was bearded with a shaved head and a single red poppy woven into his beard. Spayar wasn't sure what was about to happen and it made him nervous. “Can we help you, gentlemen?” Von asked as he tapped the ashes of the pipe onto the ground.

“I heard you weren't here to have fun on my neice’s naming day,”said the clean shaven man with a full wide smile full of white teeth, arms spread. He had mischief in his dark eyes and Spayar was going to live to regret this. He already saw that in his future.

“Nonsense,” Von insisted. “We just… don't know how you do it out here.” Spayar knew that was the exact wrong thing to say when Ilnta and the man with the poppy also smiled the same smile Helida’s brother did.

“Well come then, we'll show you,” he offered a dark hand to Von. Von glanced at Spayar before taking it and was hauled to his feet. “There’s a exhibition starting real soon. It's better on this,” he handed Von a glass of bubbling liquid the poppy man had produced.

“Uh… I know you necromongers aren't warlocks but I can't drink,” Von said apologetically, ready to gracefully bow out of whatever nonsense this was. Thank the gods.

“It isn't alcohol, don't think we'd insult you like that,” he said nicely. “It’s dissolved.”

“You can do that?” Von asked, blue eyes wide.

“Won’t know if you don't try,” Ilnta said encouragingly.

Spayar got to his feet, took the drink out of Von's hand and knocked in back in two gulps. “I would prefer if you didn't hand him something we don't know.” He wasn't going to let his prince drink some mysterious liquid with who knew what actually in it. That and Ilnta seemed like the same sort of annoying guy as himself who refused to accept no as an answer and knew he could get away with anything as the husband of the Governor and High Necromonger. What a jackass. No wonder people said Spayar was annoying sometimes.

“You drank it,” Helida’s brother said.

“I’m expendable, he's not,” Spayar said casually. “Let’s keep it familiar.”

“Hmm, I think that can be arranged.”

“Well we are here, we might as well do as the Nedalians do,” Von said helpfully.

“That’s the spirit,” Helida’s brother said and clapped an arm around Von's shoulder. Von just gave him an uneasy smile. “You stick with Od and we'll have a good time!”

“What’s this exhibition?” Spayar asked. He was already starting to feel whatever it was he'd drunk. It wasn't alcohol, he'd had that just to see what it felt like. This was more like mallium as a drink. Meaning he couldn't let Von anywhere near it. Von's favorite was mallium and he didn't need to be stoned and chasing after an equally stoned prince. That always led to disaster.

“Ever seen a contortionist?”

“A whats-onist?” Von asked.

“Someone who can contort their bodies into crazy positions,” Od explained. “That’s why it's better high,” he grinned.

“If you say so,” Von said slowly.

“Moddi, Ilnta, let's find something else for our guest since his friend was so eager to try it first.”

Spayar didn't like any of this. He also knew better than to stop any of it. If Helida had sent Ilnta to see how they were doing it meant she would approve of this. And that she expected her guests and perhaps future allies to participate in the way her own people did. That didn't make him feel much better. He went over to Ilnta’s side when Od led Von over to where adults were smoking and casually keeping children from getting their hands on the substances despite them just wanting to mimic the adults.

“Why are you doing this?” he quietly asked Ilnta.

“Doing what?” Ilnga asked casually.

“You know what I mean.”

Ilnta looked at Spayar, “You really must relax, friend. Your hair will go gray,” and he mimicked Od’s position on Von with him. “It’s my daughter's naming day. You think I care what you're doing here? About a petty royal dispute? Not even in the slightest. You two just look out of place. Sober, dressed up,” he glanced up a day down at Spayar’s clothes. Spayar rolled his eyes. Ilnta leaned in close to whisper into his ear, the sound of his voice making his ear tingle, “You’re not the only ones here.” Spayar didn't react. “So relax,” he squeezed Spayar's shoulder.

“That is the last thing I'm doing now,” Spayar said, giving him an exasperated look and trying his best to stay focused. “What was in that drink?”

“Calshoi oil from the south. Nice right?”

Spayar stared at Ilnta for several seconds. “I severely underestimated you.”

Ilnta grinned, his teeth a thin white slice against his dark lips, “Don’t feel bad kid,” he said, clapping Spayar firmly on the shoulder. “Everyome does. You'll be fine. Nothing bad is going to happen. Just relax. That's what she wants.”

“You must not know him because Spayar never relaxes,” Von declared, standing before them again with Od.

“Sounds like a challenge,” Ilnta said, squeezed his shoulder again and before Spayar could complain was directed across the field. Od spoke with Von the entire way but Spayar couldn't focus on what was being said. The calshoi was hitting him hard and so was whatever Von had taken. As the hottest part of the day broke people came out from there shelters where they'd been relaxing, smoking, and socializing, going to find more food, drugs, or some exhibition or band to loiter in front of.

That made the rest of them in good company as Spayar and Von were led over to a low stage where two Nedalians, but not native to the Garden, were seated on impossibly thin stools wearing skin tight clothing covered I'm vibrant geometric patterns. What wasn't covered in fabric was painted in the same style. They waited until they'd gathered a crowd before a string player Spayar couldn't see started to play a quick bouncing beat. Spayar stood, unimpressed, as the women got off their stools, bowed to the small crowd and Spayar wasn't even sure. It looked like they folded themselves over each other and around in a way he could only describe as snake like.

He ended up staring open mouthed at the way their bodies bent and twisted, limbs looking broken as they took impossible poses. They used each other and the stools as props and moved only to the poppy beat of the music. The longer he watched the more the calshoi took effect and their geometrically patterned clothes and painted bodies became even more exaggerated and impossible. He couldn't look away and now he was very glad he'd taken that drink from Von because Od was right. This show was way better on it.

Then almost as soon as it started it was over. Spayar was aware that it was the drugs distorting his feeling of time but he didn't mind. He clapped with the rest of the crowd and the contortionists bowed one more time to them before climbing back onto their stools to wait for the crowd to change to do it all over again.

“That was so cool,” Von said. “I’ve never seen anything like them.”

“Yes well the rest of the Alliance doesn't have the same good tastes as us,” Od said and was steering Von away. Spayar followed and grabbed the back of his belt just so they didn't get separated. Von didn't notice and was talking to Od. They arrived at another stage, this one with a full band of bright horn players and three sets of huge drums, all played by shirtless men. Spayar just stared and forgot what was going on. While in the shade it was still warm and they were playing high tempo music and jumping and stomping their feet so their skin glistened with sweat in the bright coastal sunlight.

“You alright there, friend?” Ilnta asked him when he stood, stupified.

The next words out of his mouth were only because he was high and only Von laughed at first, “Are any of them single?” Once it registered with their hosts they snorted.

“Afraid not. They're all married,” Od said teasingly.

“What a waste,” Spayar said which earned him more snickering. Even though it was true. What a waste of good looking men to be married.

“Do you dance?” Od asked Von.

“Not to this? I don't think. Spayar, do I know any eastern dances?” he poked Spayar in the shoulder, distracting him.

Spayar blinked at him. “Von, I don't know anything. I'm really high right now,” he said right to his face which just made Von erupt into a giggling fit so hard it got the others going and after a few moments the entire area of people around them were laughing for no reason other than they were all the same level of stoned and laughing sounded like a great idea. Spayar didn't understand what was so funny. He'd just said the truth.

Once their direct area of people had settled down a bit Od said, “Well show you one you don't know then,” with one of his big white smiles. Von just smiled and nodded and allowed Od to pull him to where people who hadn't been infected by Von's giggling were dancing to the rowdy music.

“And what about you?” Ilnta asked him.

“What about me what?”

Ilnta snorted, “Do you dance, d'aelar?”

“I do but I'm not nearly high enough for you to get to see,” Spayar said.

“That’s a challenge you don't want to give me, friend,” Ilnta said.

“No. I don't dance,” he changed his mind. “You’re not cute enough got that,” he added because if there was a cute boy around who wanted to dance with him he'd dance with them. But he'd already made up his mind that all the men in the Garden weren't attractive enough for him. Sober Spayar knew that was a lie. Sober Spayar had also made up his mind about that so that high Spayar wouldn't end up in some random guy’s bed. If he found a cute boy that is exactly what would happen and he needed to keep an eye on Von. He looked around. “Where’s Vondugard?”

“Just there,” Ilnta grabbed her shoulder and pointed to where Od and Moddi were having the best time ever being high and attempting to show a high Von how to do what they were doing. Western dances were a lot more foot work than central or southern dances Von was practiced in. “Feeling relaxed?”

“Against my will, but yes,” Spauar grumbled.

“Good enough!”

Spayar ended up sitting on a bench and watching while the others of their group danced to the banging drums and wailing metal horns. He tapped his foot, bobbing his head to the beat but didn't participate other than that. Only when the band was done to take a break did Von stumble over to where he was. His eyes were a bit less shiny than before, more focused. “Were you over here the entire time, Spayar?” Von asked.

“Maybe,” Spayar said. While Von was coming down from whatever he'd taken Spayar was still up.

“That was fun but I really need to lay down,” Von complained.

“Of course, of course,” Od said. He was still up too. Spayar wasn't sure Ilnta had ever taken anything other than initial storm weed he'd shared with the two of them. “It’s chems so perfect for a break. After was when the Governor planned to host the gift opening,” he added. Then he looked at Ilnta, “It is chems now, right?”

“It is,” Ilnta said with a chuckle.

“Perfect. Let's go.”

They were marched off to the buffet which had been refilled to some degree. Von just ate whatever was handed to him Od insisted he needed to try. It took Od exactly five seconds to discover Von's sweet tooth and Spayar watched with a sigh as Von ate a chems that was mostly sugar. Spayar just found some partially frozen fruit to help cool him down some more since he was wearing a shirt.

In the few seconds he looked away Od had given Von a suspicious pink cookie that when Spayar got one and smelled knew it wasn't just a sweet. He managed to grab the other half away from Von before he could eat the entire thing. “Hey! Spayar,” he complained.

“Just be sober for the gift opening,” Spayar ate the rest of his just so Von couldn't take it back and it was usually bad form to eat more than one of any laced food at a time. Either it was rude to take more than one or people thought you had a problem. It would keep Von fairly sober to pay attention to the gift opening. Wasn't good for Spayar's state but he'd rather be high than Von be high for this.

“Fine,” was all Von said.

They picked at the buffet a bit more before adults started gathering up the children and taking them to a central location under a pavilion. That seemed as good an indication that something was going on. Ilnta directed them to where it was happening and left them to find a place to sit or stand. Spayar had to sit. Whatever he'd taken was not mixing well with the calshoi and he really wasn't happy about being vertical.

There was a mountain of presents for little Paja’s naming day. All shapes and sizes. Most in colored boxes but others in silk or painted canvas bags. Paja was only three with an afro held back by a jeweled head band and looked about to crawl out of her mother's arms to get at the gifts. Ilnta stood next to Helida with his hand on a young boy’s head who was the spitting image of him down to his storm gray eyes.

Helida said something about thanking everyone for coming and for the gifts for her daughter before putting her down. The little girl, with the help of her big brother and several of her friends, started opening all the boxes and bags. There was polite clapping or a little cheer each time she got something open. A collection of dolls soon formed an army off to the side and animal shaped toys and there was over a dozen potted plants that were either flowering or were decorative shrubs. There was also a fair amount of jewelry, all of made of wood or stone and brightly colored for a child’s taste. Spayar stopped paying attention somewhere around the twelfth doll and his attention was caught by a sheep shaped rocking horse he was sure was giving him a funny look.

Von nudged him and he started. What was he supposed to pay attention to? His eyes darted across the assembled faces to where Helida was crouched next to Paja and making her stand still long enough to pull her hair back some and pin it into place. When Paja could finally go back to her gifts Spayar squinted at the ornament and saw it was the pretty hair comb Von had bought at Tassa’s suggestion.

He patted the back of Von's knee to get his attention and offered a slightly raised hand. Von smacked the bottom of his fingers against Spayar's in a little moment of triumph.

Spayar spaced out the rest of the gift opening but he did get startled into clapping with the rest of the crowd once the last gift had been opened. Von helped drag him to his feet. “How you feeling?”

Spayar blinked at him a few times. “Better than you.”

“Thats for sure!” he looked around. “Od, Od,” he waved at Od who was standing a bit away. “My babysitter has divined that I'm allowed to party again.”

Od turned his focus back on the both of them from here he was talking with a scary blonde woman with a red eye. “Oh yeah? Great!” No not great. So not great. “You still up, young man?” he asked Spayar.

“I think the calshoi might finally be wearing off. Don't give us that.”

“Awww, no fun. Very well,” he came around behind them both and looped his arms around both of their shoulders. “We’ll just have to find something else,” and he guided them away from the opened gifts back to the bar.

The rest of the day passed in a haze of loud music, more food, and Od getting way more stoned than either of them. As night came lamps were lit, the children sent to bed, and harder stuff was brought out. Spayar had sobered up by then and had to stop Von from being convinced by Moddie to try slate. All their new necromonger friends did it instead. It didn't take longer after that for a good natured fight to break out. Said fight ended in three broken arms and a healer being called. Not a single man seemed to mind the broken bones either and just called each other school yard names.

Before it grew too late and who knew what else Od would convince the two of them to take Spayar begged off saying they were tired and needed to go to sleep. A sober woman waved Od away and let them leave. Spayar had to pull Von away.

They made it back to their guest rooms in one piece. Von was practically laid across Spayar's entire side babbling highishly about nothing. Or if Spayar cared to pay attention he was saying stuff about how great it was the Rosalia were going to help him kill his family.

Spayar dumped Von onto his bed once they got inside, still dressed as he was. Once there Von kicked off his boots but didn't even make it to the pillow and it was much too warm for a blanket.

"Goodnight Spayar," Von sighed contently, eyes closed, still high as could be.

"The stuff I put up with because of you," Spayar grumbled.

"I know," Von said dreamily, "but you love it," and he yawned thickly.

Spayar looked down at Von. By the deep, even, rise and fall of his chest Spayar could tell he was already asleep. No shirt and his skin still warm and glowing from the day in the sun. "Why Quen?" he asked the goddess of desire because in that moment he felt so weak looking down at Von laying sprawled out on the bed. Spayar could see his tan line between the deeply tanned, nearly golden, skin, and the pale shade of skin like that started at his pant line. "Why must you do this to me?" he looked up at the ceiling like she was looking down at him from there mockingly.

It'd be so easy to just do something. It was so tempting. So damn tempting. Curse Can'dhe for putting his fate in line with Von's. He had to have a strong will to be Von's friend and not just go crazy because yes, he did want his prince. In his current state he wasn't as strong as he normally was. It wasn't so easy to look past how wonderful he was, how adult he'd become while Spayar had been serving time. He knew he was better than this. Better than allow drugs to take advantage of his state of mind like this.

“I’m not doing it, Quen. Find someone else to ruin,” he mumbled and managed to stumble away from Von's bed. He squeezed his eyes shut as he did so he couldn't see him.

He made his way to the door and paused when he heard Von roll over. He did the stupid thing of looking back. Von was more laid out and Spayar could see the curve of his hips and spine, the softly defined shape of his hip bone pressing against flesh. He closed his eyes again. “Go away Quen,” he whispered even as he could practically feel her hovering over his shoulder, whispering in his ear. It was like he could feel her long nails dragging across his chest, tempting him. He wasn't sure what she was tempting him to do but that didn't matter to the goddess of desire. Spayar’s pain was enough of a necter for her.

He took a breath and walked out of the room. He locked the door behind him and went to his own room. He hated being in love.

#original fantasy #original fiction #original story #fantasy #zs

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icodogio · 6 years ago

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Tokenized Securities, STOs

Whats the deal with Security Token Offerings, STOs

by Bilal El Alamy

As I mentioned in the “Token Economy” article, “Tokenized Securities” are my favorite asset class, it would be interesting to understand what kind of product can be offered to investors.

However, before that, we will dive into some History of Securities to understand how they have evolved. Then, we will study the competitive advantages of those Digital Securities.

I like to call them “investment tokens”. (it’s more comprehensive for non-financial backgrounds)

But first, what is a Security? In short, it is a tradable financial instrument that holds a monetary value. I say, “in short” because depending on the jurisdiction, it can include or not different instruments, usually, it is equity, bonds, debt, real estate.

And then, what is Tokenization? It is the process of converting analog or electronic “paper-based” files (rights to an asset for example) into a “tokenized” form, which is ultimately a cryptographic key with the contract embedded in it. In other words, it encrypts information to allow more security, efficiency and trust to the system because all the regulatory is codified within the token.

The three eras of life cycle of Securities & STOs:

Analog age: from the birth of the Amsterdam stock exchange to 1990. Mass Market Model.When people traded paper shares for Cash. It was a bit noisy in the market room.

Electronic age: With the rise of Information Technology. Mass Market Model. Today, we still trade paper shares for Cash, but thanks to I.T, everything is more efficient and the papers are in the custody banks.

Digital age: Enable Customer-Centric Model. Started by the Digital Revolution and platforming, add to that DLT and Tokenization for all the benefits they deliver.

Tomorrow, I expect to trade cash for a Security Token / Investment Token (Digital shares instead of Paper shares). This option will be opened to a global investor base with a faster and more efficient settlement at a lower cost. (Thanks to programming)

(Just ask yourself, why do we, mainly, use e-mails instead of mails ? if you’re not convinced. The answer is because it’s “Faster, Cheaper and more Secure”).

Hence this Security Token / Investment Token is a programmable (“interest” or “ownership”) digital share that is issued and traded on a Blockchain or another Distributed Ledger. Therefore, this specific token benefits from the advantages given by DLT (Trust, Security, Efficiency, Transparency) and the beauty is that it can be easily divisible, whereas the paper share. And these particularities solve a whole bunch of pain-points in Capital Markets, including liquidity, undervaluation of assets and barriers to entry in term of investors base (the legendary “entry ticket”). They are an improved traditional financial product that removes middlemen from the transactions. They are backed by tangible assets that are made fungible, thanks to the underlying protocol used. They can represent equity, real estate ownership or interests, a right to future revenues of companies… and entitles you to possible voting rights, dividends, profit shares, interest in future entities, depending on how they are codified.

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality but rather by building a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” Buckminster Fuller (Professor at Harvard)

Advantages of such Digital shares and Security Tokens:

Lower cost of transactions, Higher efficiency and faster trade execution: thanks to Consensus algorithms, there is less intermediaries, as well as automated services functions, such as legal. Usually, the more people involved in a deal, the longer it takes. Decentralized trading exchange accelerates the timeline to, humm, Almost Immediate trade settlement, on the secondary market for security token (again, decentralized exchange. This is attractive to both issuers and investors) No more cash lock-up for 5 to 12 years when you invest in a Private Equity fund or a VC.

Greater Security against Manipulation: the tricky part. Let’s just say that, less intermediaries decrease the likelihood of corruption/manipulation.

Destroy all barriers to entry in a Global 24/7 free Market exposure: How hard is it, today, for foreign investors to invest in your local companies or real estate ?

They have to see a local lawyer, sign a whole bunch of papers, then wait, then repeat, then wait again, probably repeat all that, one or two more time. The process is expensive, time-consuming and gives you a hell of a migraine.

The way I see it, any Asset Owner should be able to market their deal to anyone with an internet connection, within Regulatory Limits and proper Due Diligence of the underlying project. We are neither in the Software business nor in the Service business, we are in the Empowerment business. This is “4.0” Crowdfunding! (for the “4.0 Industrial Revolution”, I’m not inventing 2 models of crowdfunding here)

Improved Liquidity: Since the token is divisible, you can easily put, whatever percentage of what you own, to trade in a Decentralized Exchange (Secondary Market). This opportunity solves the Undervaluation and liquidity pain-point. And it’s definitely better than having an intermediary take 20% of the profit because he found a buyer.

I’ll explain my self, in real estate. For example, if you cannot sell your, let’s say, your castle at a given price, you will have to decrease the initial price to meet an offer, and then goes all the lawyer part again. Maybe it’s better to embed rights and not ownership in a token… (depending if your castle is creating value or not). And regarding the “20% profit”, if you invest in a fund, you are eligible to “Management fees” and “ + “Performance fees” which follow the “Pareto” “80/20”.

If you want to see it the other way around, it happens that owners split an apartment to Optimize the returns. You can apply a similar model of rights thanks to the divisibility “property” of the Security tokens and its (partial) fungibility. Creating the opportunity of new business models of co-ownership associated with co-living, co-working, co-parking.

The quintessence of the sharing economy is still to come. (Why would I own 100% of a holiday house in one place only to spend 10% of the year there ? What if I own 10% of it, would it be a more suitable process ? or what if I own 10% of ten houses in ten different places ? humm) Well, for digital nomads like us, millennials, this is just the world we want to live in)

Low cost of set up: Tokenization-as-a-Service (TaaS). (Well, in reality it’s just another SaaS, but I like the name)

Easy to track: Thanks to the Distributed Ledger Technology.

Can be applied to various Asset Class: Equity, LP shares, Bonds, debt, oil, gold, fine Art…). Artists could tokenize their activity easily, to have cash in exchange of potential future returns (royalties tokenization), beware big musical Majors, you are soon to be disrupted (works with painters too). Here is another example, one of my favorite, Galleries and Museums could tokenize their activities in exchanges of some “luxurious perks” for the token holders, or whatever, while enjoying the financial benefits of the “ Investment” token. If there is a market and you like what you are doing, go for it, Tokenize Your Activity!. (Personally, I’m already dreaming of all the new sustainable financial instruments and diversified portfolios we can build, far from the complexity of CDOs, SWAPs…).

And the cherry on the cake is that, this change of paradigm is actually reinforcing the current legislation. We do not need to change a thing! We are in-building a compliant contract in the token. Meaning, before, you had your advisor telling you what you can and can’t do. Now, if you can’t do a transaction with someone, it means that the system won’t allow you to. And so, you won’t have the risk of doing something not compliant, subject to fines…

Even though an attractive taxation could foster the shift… I don’t think we can fight this evolution. I expect, with the ruthless conviction, that within the next 30 years, Security Tokens will take over all traditional securities currently being issued and traded.

I’ve tried different market sizing methodologies to estimate the Total Addressable Market(TAM), even if I never fall within a significant confidence interval, the TAM is always counted in Hundreds of Trillion of Dollars / Euros. This could lead to the biggest creation of wealth ever!

Security Token will flood the market with cheap capital, leading to attractive investment environment, spreading the virus like in the 80’s when Mike Milken introduce Junk bonds, (<BBB) also called high-yield debt, for Leveraged Buy-out (LBO). He created cheap capital and made a lot of people billionaires. (Yes, I love history!)

Moreover, from an economic stand point, every current asset is mispriced because the price depends highly from the investor base. And since digital shares can be bought and traded by anyone in a global market place, they can be considered as “mispriced”.

Disadvantages of such Security Tokens:

Issuers will have to:

– Ensuring Token Consistency (key legal & technologic challenge)

– Underwrite their own deal

– Prepare their own marketing materials

– Solicit investor interest

– Ensuring high level of security and compliance

– It’s a Transfer of Rights and not a Transfer of Ownership?

“As the world’s asset become increasingly liquid, the concept of ownership will evolve in ways we cannot yet imagine” Stephen Mckeon

But everything should be fine with proper advice. I’m thinking of third party consultants and auditors. Nothing impossible, So many are already pretending to be experts. Different strategies are possible to benefit from the security tokens:

– Analog / Electronic owners could shift their security to digital, so they would shift from illiquid-single-owned to liquid-multi-owners. This would ultimately increase the underlying asset price due to liquidity premiums, geographic arbitrage and an increase investor base. This is called Capital Appreciation.

– You could also build portfolios of digital securities of previously illiquid assets. Build small amounts of fractional ownership in a variety of assets to create new financial products & opportunities. Creating the same way “super” Diversification. (such a fan)

– Or, simply issuing digital share from the beginning. Entrepreneurs could bypass “classical” Venture Capital funds (with their 80/20 rule, again…) and raise money faster, cheaper and easier in a secure way in exchange for Equity.

Security Token Real Estate Example:

Imagine, you purchase individually some real estate with fiat money. Convert your Analog property paper (called “Paper-Rock”) to Digital Security / Investment Token. You would be able to list it on an Alternative Trading System used as a Security Token Exchange, (Remember our European Token Exchange) and meet global investors base 24 / 7 / 365. Just to remind you, Decentralized Exchange are a new technology that allows users on a distributed ledger to transact with each other (peer-to-peer), in a regulatory compliant way, without reliance on a centralized authority (point of failure). This Exchanges take the power and responsibility out of the hands of brokers and place it back in the hands of individual buyers and sellers.

In short, you get the most of your assets, you transact when you want, with who you want (those the regulators allowed you to deal with, of course), wherever you want, in a compliant way. You are in control!

There is also a social component here. We are Empowering, anyone, to gain access to assets which were previously reserved for the (ultra-)wealthy and well-connected people. Thanks to fractional ownership, modest families (for example) will be able to invest, whatever the amount they can, in the best geographies and asset types, potentially leveraging the best yields. However, I’m not a big fan of limitless capitalism, so I really advise proper audit & strategies to limit the capital appreciation that will be created due to high demand in some specific geographies, otherwise for some specific securities, this could sky rocket them ridiculously….

The people that will lead this Evolution will need a very High Level of Conviction, as well as a large pool of Capital and Network and a strong appetite to move quickly and rigorously. This is an efficient system that will reward by an order of magnitude the first movers or as I like to say, those who will embrace this change of paradigm.

But, is it the right moment for the Security Token / Investment Token?

To answer this question, once again, we need to map the evolution of Distributed Ledger Technology. I used past data, and for the prediction I simply extrapolated the evolution of Internet (1.0) to apply it to what’s happening today (Internet(s) 2.0).

2008–2013: Selling the Vision for the initial Bitcoin Whitepaper

2013–2016: Building new Networks (Ether) / 240M$ raised in ICOs

2016–2018: 1st generation Token deployment (Payment Token, Utility Token) / Crash

2018–2020: 2nd generation Token (Security Token) / DApps deployment

2020–2021: Innovation tsunami / Crash

2021–2025: Market Stabilization (Top Capitalization redistributed)

Therefore, I consider this exact moment as the opportunity to catch this new wave of innovation.

You want another pattern? Fine, let’s investigate investment and capital raised in the industry.

– 2016: $240M in ICOs

– 2017: $5,6B in ICOs (Global Market base) + $1B from VCs

– 2018: $1B in STOs

– 2019: > $10B in STOs (Global Market base) (Underestimated Prediction)

“Token-to-market-fit is the new Product-to-market-fit”

The potential is definitely huge for both Investors and Entrepreneurs. And the best part is that it will not be retail investors who will make up for the greatest demand for STOs. It will be Institutional Finance, lending to a greater momentum than the first generation Tokens.

Investors & Institutional entities:

– Highly accessible and compliant crowdfunding model via more traditional channels

– A way to onboard new asset class with “digitalized” value (Art, DNA, Diamonds…)

– More fractionalization, smaller initial investment amounts for greater retail investor accessibility

– Lower fees due to blockchain’s low-cost model and disintermediation.

Entrepreneurs & Blockchain enthusiasts:

– A way to trade tokens that you are familiar with (Improved User Experience and User Interface), except via their bank account and credit cards directly.

– Hedging opportunities for crypto volatility with tokenized haven assets.

– Wider array of investment opportunities.

– A way to raise money by your terms.

In the next article, we will dive in what I call Tokenization-as-a-Service (TaaS), where we will dive into some interesting Use-cases, to understand how we can build a service that will enable all of this. Every tangible asset will be able to become a Security! (What a wonderful world)

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of me and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency.

The post Tokenized Securities, STOs appeared first on ICODOG.

source https://icodog.io/news/security-token-offering/

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