#Vander's Orchard

[emblematicemblazer]

Fire Emblem Engage Xenologue

Similarities and differences in Xenologue Firene

The Role of Zelestia and Zephia

In the main game's story Zephia is introduced to the protagonist when she invades Firene Castle with some soldiers to steal the Emblem Ring from Queen Eve. She is the first member of The Four Hounds that is introduced and is shown to have great power when she kills Nelucce in Chapter 5: Retaking the Castle. Zelestia is introduced in Xenologue Chapter 2: Seeds of Unrest, like Zephia, she is the first of her quartet to be introduced. Compared to Zephia she greets Alear with great affection and joy. She even runs over to the protagonist in excitement. She mistakes Alear for the Divine Dragon of their universe and is shown to be very emotional when she remembers the death of Xenologue Alear. Zephia greets Alear with hostility and surprise. She fails to recognise Alear as the Divine Dragon or the child of Sombron. All of her emotions are kept under control, even when she kills Nelucce for his failure. 

Alfred is not your guide. 

In Chapter 4: A Land in Bloom, Alfred is Alear's friendly guide, the one who introduces Firene and the rest of Elyso to them. He visited Lythos often and was there to help Alear defeat the Ring Vault from an attack by Elusian soldiers. Xenologue Alfred and his sister Xenologue Celine have failed to visit Lythos since the Divine Dragon died. Xenologue Firene is a land struggling with feeding their people, instead of asking for assistance in Lythos, war is considered whereas in the main story Alfred is sent by his mother to request and from Lythos. 

The honest, spirited, open minded and open hearted Alfred that welcomes Alear to Firene in Chapter 4: A Land in Bloom is replaced in the Xenologue by Nil. A genuine personality is replaced by a pretender. 

A land of plenty and a land of red

In the main story Firene is a land of greenery, flowers, orchards and fertile fields. The ruler: Queen Ève, promoted peace and tolerance. The people have a reputation for being good natured and friendly. Philanthropy and piousness are also associated with the country. Xenologue Firene is almost the opposite of those traits. The Blue sky is replaced by a cloudy sky of red and the abundance and beauty of the land are replaced by red flowers.  In the introductory poem Zelestia describes Firene as a “savage garden of blood and steel”, the red of the land fits this description. It is as though the petals have been painted red with blood. The flower could be the poppy since they are one of the few flowers hardy enough to grow in a battlefield. The good natured and peaceful population are replaced with what Nil describes as “ill tempered” and “vengeful and quick to violence.” The royalty of Xenologue Firene stopped visiting Lythos when the Divine Dragon died because of their disdain for Fell Dragons. 

When Xenologue Alfred and Celine are introduced, Alfred is on the verge of declaring war, a striking contrast to the main story where Firene value peace. This creates an atmosphere of suspicion and hostility compared to the warmth and deference shown in the main story. 

Rings vs Bracelets

In Chapter 5: Retaking the Castle, Queen Eve gives the Emblem Ring of the Caring Princess, with “Love and Trust.” The Emblem Brash of the Brash General is reluctantly handed over after a battle. Xenologue Alfred and Celine are paranoid about invasion and believe that Firene would be vulnerable without it.

Do not accompany

Alfred, Celine and their retainers accompany Alear in their journey to collect the Emblem Rings in the main story. Alear has no authority in the Xenologue. When Alfred and Celine offer their aid, Alear is eager to accept until Nel rejects the offer. Nel then scolds Alear for their presumption. 

No authority 

Alear is accustomed to picking and choosing who comes with them. We witness them denying Vander's rejection about recruiting the merchants and blacksmiths to start trading in the Somniel. In the Xenologue Nel makes it perfectly clear that Alear is just help and has no right to make important decisions. 

No allies

In Firene, in their universe, Alear is given the time and opportunity to recruit people not connected to the military nor the royalty; Jean, Anna and Yunaka. This is because everyone in Xenologue Elyso is corrupted. There is no Jean, Anna nor Yunaka to recruit. The urgency and the directness of Nel's orders allow for little time to admire the scenery or make allies. The only addition to Nel's army is Zelestia, who they had arranged to meet. 

[canonical-transformation]

“lay your weary head to rest; don't you cry no—” “The ongoing human rights crisis in Firene escalates as civilian casualties from Corrupted attacks continue to surge.” [A'lear Part 4]

(Spoilers up to Chapter 3 of Fire Emblem: Engage.)

With the walls breached and Queen Lumera dead, Lythos Castle is no longer a safe haven.

Vander has a suggestion: they make the Somniel their home base. It's where the Divine Stewards watched over A'lear for a millenium, so he and the twins know the place well. There's plenty of room for guests—royal dignitaries, including Alfred, used to visit A'lear in her slumber—and facilities, too. And as a floating island, it can move about a little bit, making it a mobile base of operations.

A'lear, still a little shaken, asks if the floating mansion island is defensible.

"Fear not, Divine One," says Vander. "It's only possible to enter the Somniel with a Divine Dragon's permission."

A'lear is the only Divine Dragon left, as far as she knows... so that means...

"Yes. This is impenetrable plot armour."

A'lear is hesitant. "Are you sure? Is it possible that a Deus ex Machina blatantly contradicts this and turns the one place I thought I was safe into a traumatising battleground?"

"No, Divine One. Not in the main story, though I make no such promises for the DLC."

"So why couldn't Lumera put the same enchantment on Lythos Castle?"

"You're in grief, Divine One. This is not a plot hole, it probably took an enormous amount of power for her to ward the Somniel like that. The Castle is far bigger, and as a capitol building it sees more regular foot traffic."

"She could have put that enchantment on the Ring Chamber!" A'lear wails.

"Perhaps. Perhaps not." Vander embraces his ward gently. "We just don't understand how magic works."

"It's true," says Clanne somberly, "we don't."

--------

It's still night time when they arrive at the Somniel. There'll be time to explore later, but first—

—free FEH merch! We get three S-rank bond rings, and three D-rank weapons, corresponding to the Askr trio. Both sets are pretty damned good, especially for freebies.

Bond rings, which we're seeing for the first time, are alternatives to Emblem Rings. They range from C/B/A/S rank, and are obtained via an annoying gacha mechanic (that eats through our premium currency, Bond Fragments), complete with merges, etc. Bond rings grant the wearer a stat boost, and earn them 0.5 SP for every EXP earned (as opposed to the Emblem Rings' 1:1). Some S-rank Bond Rings also grant a passive skill. We get Spur Atk, Spur Res, and Fortify Def from the Alfonse, Sharena and Anna bond rings.

The free weapons (Folkvangr, Fensalir, and Noatun) are like if a steel sword, lance, and axe forewent 5% crit, in exchange for:

5% extra hit rate, and

1 extra might, and

2 less weight.

These are easily among the best early game melee weapons, and they're free both in-game and IRL(*).

Not only that: they all cost less gold to refine than their Steel counterparts, and their ore costs are quite competitive too. Our army doesn't even have Steel weapons yet, so these will be getting some use for sure.

On to the rest of the Somniel! It's a bit empty right now, but there's an orchard with fruit, some Bond Fragments sitting in a grotto, and a little farmyard. A'lear looks at the farmyard, which must have been put there by someone who knew she liked animals... no, too soon, she'll put those feelings aside for later when she's alone. The farmyard is empty... and in the back of her mind, the seed of an idea takes root.

Oh and she finds some horse manure! Maybe that'll be useful later. Better add it to her inventory.

A'lear collapses into bed and is woken up by Framme with a slightly cheeky deja vu prank.

Once per Somniel reset(**), someone wakes A'lear up from her sleep, with some special dialogue depending on their support level. Various dialogue alludes to a duty roster for this.

One assumes A'lear wants these wake-up visits, but considering how much Protagonist Syndrome affects the cast's treatment of her (omfg! the Divine Dragon! what an honour!) it's entirely possible that this is just an excuse for people to come stare at her just like old times. Idk.

But on to business.

Firene is requesting Lythos's aid—this is why Prince Alfred was around in the first place. Across Firene, towns are being attacked by Corrupted. And though it was really Lumera's aid the Firenese wanted, A'lear is Lumera's successor, and she won't shirk in her duties.

Besides, it's time for A'lear to start on her Grand Quest to collect all the Emblem Rings. And one such Ring awaits them at Firene Castle: the Ring of the Caring Princess.

----

(*) The only cost, if you're reading this before 5 April 2023, is downloading a gacha game (which is a mental cost) and connecting it to one's Nintendo account. I already have a poorly maintained FEH account (mutuals, that's 4731965877 🥺👉👈) so this was a no-brainer.

(**) Somniel resets occur after every battle. These refresh all limited activities, and random item drops, and the Ancient Well.

On Maddening, resets occur per world map battle, so no using online Tower of Trials for easy farmyard+support farming. ;_; Even so, it'll be useful to grind Relay Trials for Seals. Those things are scarce and pricey.

[the-slumbering-divine-goddess]

"Right, let's go!" She followed him out the door.

It was a bright and sunny day this morning. The shops were busy as Framme was scrambling to do chores with Clanne. Alfred was doing laps.

Vander was humming as he was cooking breakfast: bacon and eggs with buttered toast and fresh fruit from the orchard. He squeezed some oranges to make some orange juice and pour some milk into glasses in case anyone prefers. He seemed focused.

@the-slumbering-divine-goddess Continued from here

She soon woken up, yawning softly. "Mm... big brother..." She opened her eyes. Same as her brother's eyes. Their hair same too. They were Divine Dragon twins. "Morning... mmm.. so hungry... I hope Vander made something for us." She began to stretch out.

He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his sister waking up. It was an all too familiar feeling and he felt this sense of warmth and belonging as he wanted to cherish his younger sister as much as he could. Suddenly, he let out a small laugh as he looked closer at her and gave a soft smile.

"Heh, your blue hair has bedhead again." he pointed out as he gave her another small pat to her head before standing up fully from their bed and started to stretch out as well. "Well, maybe we'll find out if Vander did make us something once you fix yourself up and we can head downstairs, sound good?"

[womenwantedzine]

Another few days passed and we have prepared a new batch of fics for you!

You can still join our contributors in flash challenges by applying as a writer here.

Prompt: SMILE | 450 words

Origamidragons | Sugar | 435 words

Sugar popped a grape into her mouth and bit down slowly, pushing its surface tension to the breaking point until it burst between her teeth, the flavor flooding her mouth. - read the rest here

Hotalando | Rouge | 377 words

Between the breeze of the sea and the gust of the land, on top of an island bristling up the currents of the South Blue, a woman of indescribable beauty lives. - read the rest here

Genomynt (LMAO_Its_Jazzy) | Cindry | 120 words

Blinding lights and the crowd's cheers we're the last moments that flashed from her memory before she turned back into an inanimate corpse. - read the rest here

Aibhilin | Nantokanette | 447 words

She’d been born into a wealthy family, with wealthy parents who, coincidentally, were the rulers of a wealthy nation.  Her brother was to be king one day, people said. - read the rest here

TonysArcReactor | Nami | 279 words

Nami tried to keep a straight face as she watched the Marines dig up Bellemere’s tangerine orchard. They didn’t even try to spare any of the trees. - read the rest here

Shockandlock | Rouge | 450 words

Portgas D. Rouge died with a smile on her face. The last thing she saw was the face of her precious child. - read the rest here

Majora | Nami | 293 words

“You must be Nami, my son’s navigator.”  The Supreme Commander of the Revolutionaries had appeared next to her silently, only a faint wind announcing his arrival. - read the rest here

Konfuse | Tsuru | 429 words

In her long career as a Marine Tsuru had heard the phrases like „You should smile more!“ or „What is up with the frown? Take it upside down!“ or „You‘re more beautiful when you smile.“ so often that it became part of her determination. - read the rest here

Ameiiiko | Toko | 385 words

To any outsiders who happened to pass through, Ebisu Town seemed like it could be considered a heaven of some sort. Despite being as poor as they came in Wano, the people who lived there were renowned for their constant laughter and joy. - read the rest here

Roxasfanfics | Bonney | 404 words

“You’d be a lot prettier if you smiled.” What woman didn’t loathe those words? Jewelry Bonney sure as hell did. - read the rest here

Vandereer | Pudding | 425 words

Pudding’s cheeks hurt. She’s been smiling since the early hours of the morning, since Mama’s tea parties are all-day affairs. - read the rest here

Embep | Toko | 434 words

A smile can be many things. Toko’s learned this. A smile can be anything. - read the rest here

Hikkora | Toko | 399 words

Laughter filled the air as O-Toko collapsed to the ground unable to hold her pose any longer. She loved playing “Daruma-san ga koronda”, but her friend Komainu-san was much better at keeping his composure. - read the rest here

What do you think? :)

[whodunnett1526]

Jerrott Blyth also turned; and walking slowly, knelt by the green cloak; and after a moment, dropped his face in his hands.

‘My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the vineyards of Engedi.’

My beloved is dead.

— Dorothy Dunnett’s Checkmate, the Lymond Chronicles

Nicholas said, “I shall send gems of lapis lazuli: I shall make her fields into vineyards, and the field of her love into orchards. My beloved...” He stopped again. It was, Katelina thought, as if he were remembering something from long ago, or listening to someone telling him something he had not known. Nicholas said, “My beloved is unto me as a cluster of camphire in the fields of Engedi...” He stopped again, and said, “My beloved is dead.”

Zorzi lifted the lamp. By its flame she saw the face of Nicholas Vander Poele, and it had no identity.

— Dorothy Dunnett’s Race of Scorpions, House of Niccolò

[estately]

Click on the image to scroll through more photos!

[debu-neko-kun]

Annual, Part 3

This is a huge male stuffing/weight gain commission for Doom7951 from over on DA. This chapter, the year wears on, and Dorian finds out Delta’s special (and filling) talent. Enjoy!

 January 2nd Dorian awoke, belly having calmed after the gentle dinner of the night before. A mint salad to cool his tum, a plate of thinly sliced fish, and a small portion of caramel-drizzled coffee cake. Delicious, and unexpected, considering the agonizing gauntlet just a few hours prior. “Morning, sweetness! Hope you don’t frighten easy, because there’s a load of crepes waiting for you down here!” Dorian couldn’t help but smile out of the corner of his mouth. He rolled out of bed and shuffled into the bathroom, yawning as he flicked on the light. In one corner was a simple yet spacious shower with a stainless-steel shower head. Besides the toilet and sink, the rest of the room was dominated by a massive bathtub which looked more like a small pool. It had four faucets for quick filling; it seemed perfectly usable for daily use, if not expensive and impractical with a shower so near. Dorian just shrugged it off as another fanciful amenity that may see some use for bubble baths and de-robed, climbing into the shower for a quick wash with the expensive gels provided. In a few minutes, he had toweled off, re-dressed, and had headed down to the first floor. His nostrils were filled with promises of sugary sweet treats waiting for him in the dining hall, readily confirmed by the assortment of plates that waited at the head of the table. Delta placed the last of the plates down as Dorian walked through the door. “Good morning! Sleep well?” the pink chef smiled, slithering over to him. “Definitely. The bed is super comfortable.” “Great, because there’s a big day ahead of us! I’ve sent for a gardener to harvest the orchard, though I’ve got to head back to the restaurant for a few hours before lunch. I hope you won’t be too lonely without me, darling.” Delta gave him a little pat on his back. “O-Oh, uh… I’ll be fine, I think.” Dorian reassured. “Good, good. Well, let’s not let the food get cold, shall we?” Delta led Dorian to the table and pulled the chair out for him. As soon as he sat down, he was scooted forward, getting a face full of delicious crepe steam. “It smells really good…” he salivated. He picked up the knife and fork and cut off a small slice drizzled in fresh strawberry sauce, and brought it to his mouth. His vision pulsed as the bite flooded his senses; it was bliss in crepe form. Dorian couldn’t help but cram the rest into his mouth, his cheeks puffing with food as he chewed. “I’ll just leave you to it~” Delta giggled, retreating back through the entrance. The next hour was bathed in warm, sweet flavors. Strawberry, chocolate, cinnamon, all graced his lips with their decadence one by one. And, in turn, his stomach was packed with six plates of thin pastry, turning his smooth, average belly into a tight basketball. He could barely finish the cider set out for him, yet the warm smoothness of it soothed the aching in his belly. After the last gulp, he let out a long sigh and rested back in the chair for a while, eyes closed. Ten minutes later, sufficiently recuperated, Dorian pushed himself back out of the chair and slowly roamed back into the main hall. With his hands in his pockets, he examined the portraits along the walls. The city’s history stared back at him, painters and architects, explorers and nobles. It was hard to ignore their sizes; soft rolls, prodigious bellies, arms like turgid pastry bags, chins and folds and dimples all carefully rendered on canvas by skilled hands. Dorian’s mind connected the theme to Delta’s love of cooking, but inevitably chalked it up to the fact that nearly all of the city’s famous contributors just happened to be big and left it at that as he moved on to the lounge. He was immediately drawn to the bookshelf. Recipe books and handwritten cooking guides lined the top, some embellished with fancy leather bindings and others just collections of notes tied together with cooking twine. Further down was a collection of classics; The Legend of Vander, Empire of Hunger, Claritser’s Guide to Magical Afflictions (and the sequel, Living with Transfigurative Curses: It’s Not so Bad, by Claritser.) The rest were combinations of easy-read adventure stories, amorous fireside romances, fantastical sci-fi tales, guides on proper self-care, and enthralling fantasies with beautiful covers. ‘Not a bad collection’, Dorian thought, and wandered past the tall shelves of films that comprised the less-literary library. He couldn’t help but stare at the twinkling, colorful bottles lining the back wall of the bar. On first glance, they just seemed to be liquors in overly fancy decanters, but on closer inspection Dorian found that most of them were simply fruit syrups and candy toppings. There were a few fine alcoholic beverages, yes, but the majority seemed to be sugary sweet dessert treats. Dorian spotted a dual-doored freezer below him and crouched down to open it, revealing dozens of ice creams, sorbets, and various other chilled treats. Dessert bar. Huh. He shut the fridge and meandered about for a while before finding a comprehensive bestiary from the library and a particularly cushy couch in the corner. Halfway between the human species listing, he fell asleep, the fire gently crackling away. February 1st A month into his vacation, he found himself building a daily rhythm. First, breakfast with Delta, then a trip to the library where he’d read for an hour, then off to the pool where he swam until his belly stopped hurting from the mass amounts of food he couldn’t help but stuff into himself. Then, he’d join Delta for lunch, and after that he’d take a book outside to the orchard and read in the chilly evening air, the scent of berries swirling around him. At the end of the night, a comparatively light dinner, thirty minutes of pushing piano keys, a cup of fresh red tea, and a shower. Dorian had yet to explore the rest of the spacious manor-nor had he even visited the greenhouse-but still felt in bliss. Nothing had changed particularly, but the relaxed familiarity was fine enough to live comfortably with. Nothing had changed. That is, until today. The sleepy boy finished toweling himself dry in the steamy bathroom and pulled on his underwear. However, where they usually hung around his posterior baggily, the fabric was pulled snug. Not enough to pinch, but unfamiliarly tight. “Hmm.” He frowned to himself, turning to look himself over in the mirror. His rather average physique had gotten decidedly more “average” in the past month, his whole body having attained a thin layer of pudge. He didn’t think he could call himself chubby yet, but if things kept progressing he was sure he could soon. “Maybe a little more time in the pool could help…” he shrugged to himself, and tossed on his shirt. “There’s certainly enough time for it.” Delta was waiting in his usual spot by the time Dorian arrived back in the dining hall. “Good morning, my adorable friend! How are you feeling today?” he spoke, putting a touch of sauce on the edge of the omelet plate. “I’m alright.” Dorian replied, and plopped down in the chair. “Well I hope you’re alright and hungry, because I made just a little too much this morning. I’m a little nervous about this to be quite honest, it’s a new recipe and I’d hate for it to go to waste…” Delta quickly unveiled the dish just beyond the omelet, a cloud of steam rushing out to the air. Sitting in a bed of powdered sugar sat a slab of French toast so large it looked more like a pillow than simple egg on bread. A light brown-sugar sauce was drizzled across, hints of maple wafting through the room. A single strawberry was perched atop. “Woah…” is all Dorian could think to say, awe-struck by the massive meal. “I’m so sorry it’s so large!” Delta clasped his gooey hands together, seeming more than a little distraught. “I’d hate to think I’d have created a meal that somebody couldn’t finish. Please, try your best for me!” “A-Alright! Let me just… finish these eggs first.” Dorian spoke, an uncertain grin wavering on his face. He shoveled in the thick warm omelet with his eyes focused on the main course, as though it would suddenly walk across the table and crush him at any moment. Eggs vanquished, he hesitantly pulled the large platter towards him, letting it rest in front of him. He had an urge to hug it in all of its soft, plush glory, but resisted and raised his knife. “I believe in you!” Delta cheered as Dorian cut off the first minuscule sliver which seemed like a meal in its own right. He brought it up and stuffed it into his mouth, syrup smearing across his lips. Ecstasy again, as to be expected from his cooking by now, but this felt… different. Like the winter season had divined it right there on the table, a warm, sweet shield against the frosty air outside. It was a sunny window, a close hug, a comfort. Simply put, it was the greatest breakfast Dorian had ever eaten. “W-Wow…” he gasped, forcing another large chunk into his mouth. Delta watched with glee, thick tail wiggling slowly behind him like a happy gummy worm. Dorian’s belly stretched into a now-familiar ball, yet not even half of the food was gone. Fifteen minutes later, he was no closer to being done, and felt more stuffed than a refurbished teddy bear. His jaw ached, and his resolution waned. “I-I… I don’t think I can finish this…” he groaned, sinking into his chair. Before Delta could even ask if he’d undone his belt, Dorian lifted his shirt gently to reveal that he hadn’t even worn one, and his tight-as-a-drum tum pushed the open flap of his pants out. “Are you sure? Maybe you just need some help…” Delta inquired, leaning forward to place a soft hand on his reddened belly. Dorian flinched, cheeks flushing. “H-Hey, wait- ahh…” he sighed, Delta’s fingers rubbing the intense aches into calm pulses. For as embarrassing as it was to have his host giving him post-meal massages, it undeniably felt fantastic. “Better?” he purred, kneading his belly like a cat on wool. Dorian nodded, leaning his head back. “Then… do you think you could finish it?” Dorian looked at the still-massive pile of syrup, sugar, and toast, then back to Delta. “I… don’t think so. I can’t keep chewing.” He rubbed his mouth gently for effect. “Oh, I can help with that! Here, watch this.” Delta picked up the platter and dumped it right onto his chest, the slime cleaning the platter into a shine, which was easily deposited out of his back and placed back on the table with his tail. The food swirled around within him like a small hurricane, quickly dissolving into his very core. He stifled a tiny slime belch, and raised his hand. “Open wide, please!” “Uh, okay…” Dorian opened his mouth hesitantly, and Delta pushed two fingers against his tongue. Dorian opened his eyes wide in stunned response (or lack thereof) as his hand melted into his cheeks, capturing the decadent flavors of the dish he’d consumed. It was like drinking warm chocolate: luxurious, flavorful, and comforting. He gulped the first mouthful of goo, and before he knew it another mouthful had taken its place. It didn’t take long to build a rhythm, cheeks refilled and quickly emptied down his throat one after the other. His belly grew ever larger, yet somehow felt no more irritated than before. It was practically a beachball in his lap before Delta withdrew his hand, rosy finger drawing down the center of his lip, leaving behind a pink trail. “Good, right?” Delta grinned a catlike smile, rubbing his belly in wide circles. At this size, small circles just wouldn’t do. Following on the thought of his size, Dorian looked down in drowsy awe to the tight orb of flesh in his lap. His shirt buttons had migrated upwards with the rest of the cloth, dangerously stressed and inches from snapping. He looked like he’d swallowed a great melon; however, he felt like he’d swallowed a whole patch. With hands splayed, he gripped both sides of his belly, and even with each finger stretching far apart, he could contain scarcely little of the turgid ball. Delta’s soft rubs kept it from aching terribly, and relieved him greatly; in fact, it almost seemed like his stomach was retreating ever so slowly. Was it?… His pants slowly filled out with plumping cheeks and thickening thighs, growing like a baking roll until it filled out his pants to skin-tight quality and pushed up ever further, giving him a muffin top just big enough to pinch and arms only slightly rounder. It felt inconsequential; just a small amount of fat here and there… nothing that wouldn’t come off with a bit of exercise. He felt like a blimp reveling in post meal rapture, as one does after an exceptionally large meal. It would be gone in the morning, he thought, but for now? He’d enjoy being round and warm. Delta leaned on his belly, holding himself up with one hand. “Why don’t I help you to the lounge so you can rest the rest of this off while I prepare lunch? Can’t have you too full for my special stew~” Dorian simply nodded his head, for as full as he was, a part of him looked forward to that stew.

[tillymint7]

Jorge Menna Barretto 🌟🌎

#Just notes for now #

From Brazil artist and a scholar

Moving to Liverpool in April 🤗

Jorge will be in Liverpool Biennial July 2020

One foot in each practice they feed each other

Project with the uni linked with the biennial

2014 started sites specific art practice

Sites shape the art

Linking food production to land sculptures

Look at the park around the biennial through the eyes of our digestive systems look at the plants that are edibles plantine

Site specific smoothies environmental sculpture

Food being a mediator in relation to society

2016 32nd biennial

Food forests - agroforestry - regeneration of land

Huge problem concrete and brass building further away from the forest

How can we talk about forest in a place that is so remote and far removed from it

Spiral jetty - 1970 Robert Smithson

Distance was part of the work it was not meant to be visited - articulated the distance

Took advantage of the distance - film writing drawing not documental approach all part of the work evolve from one system.

Knowing the work doesn’t mean you saw it.

Not sure what shape his art would take suggesting a moment of doubt - interesting state. Let the site determine his work - has an image. Like installationart

Considering the space as a blank space or blank canvas let the site determine his work be receptive to the space let the site make suggestions making it a collaborative works between him and the site, taking elements from the site itself

Ecological implications to it

1969 Sundo Myed ??

In Brazil site specific this was also happening. Determine by the sounds listening in an extended sense

President has caused issue - why rain forest fires where happening - related to agriculture 90% of deforestation caused by agriculture.

Artist is now informed humans transformative ability of the landscape.

What we eat effects the shape of the landscape where we live.

Our digestive systems as a sculpting tool

Environmental sculpture

Food forest in Brazil exact opposite of the monoculture anything that is not crop/sugar cane

Natural succession- moss weeds minerals bushes, fruit, flowers, insects, birds, seed and trees forest making mechanisms it happens 247 easy to spot it the city budliers

Monoculture is trying to stop that from happening by just producing one species through machines and pesticides

Food forest feeds natural succession

Farmer creates light in a way of pruning sculpturing the plant to sculpture light creating growth excellent

Today amazon forest is more of a food forest than much more than an environment of nature

Site not site

Food is imprinted in the site

The pavilion served food from the food forest people eat the food produced in the forest

Tells you the story of the environment. It tells your body the story of complexity the food tells your cells about complexity.

Restaurants can be a place for resting also. Galleries can be tiring they are that rest place.

Restaurant is the interval to the show, no text no pictures and no explanation.

The food would be the protagonist some people would go to the restaurant and not know that they were part of the work until the work was published

Restauro - restoration you can also regenerate the environment by going to the restaurant. Worked with small farms who worked with Afro forestry. Your vision can not travel more than a few meters very dense sound scape - even through we were visiting food forest

Also recorded soundscape of the monoculture very quite no life no sounds.

Collective table, furniture inspired by the forest using layers like the forest.

Soundscapes could be listened too the farmers were interviewed in the farms so their voice was part of the soundscape

Food site specific

Fixed menu didn’t have a fixed menu bring what you have and we will make food from what you bring crops determined the menu

Very flexible and creative f

Landscape jar inspired by the forest

Farmers visited by the farmers

7 types of bananas

Listening as an engaging activity. State of vulnerability

Keep the works Portuguese take 3 “enters out of sculpture you get listening

Translation into English when Brazil was ‘discovered’ people already living there not discovered.

No animals accustom to live with man. They are in better condition than we are for all the wheat and vegetables we eat.

Based their food without domesticating animals to eat.

Even though it is considered a highly sufficient Ed way to each England was a forest island and we can eat from our natural forest 🌳

Unruly edges describing what plantations are and what monocultures are.

Plantations created industry deepen domestication they remove the love from

Plants and places Labour was forced through Slavery and control. We see this as the only way to produce crops but people were alienated from crops and this was taken from granted.

Visited a banana plantations one species of banana heroic conquering of his space.

He had an orchard he said his family ‘a yellow smile’ only eat from his orchard.

Food was product but family were protected from the sprayed bananas

I’m concerned about these issues.

Urgent image

Funny and complaining about the restaurant

People could get more information from the project from the people in the tea - shirts

Art helped people’s health

On a need to know them -

Your our digestive enzymes - not force feed

Smithson definitely an influence with a known site

Systemic thinking

Where is the art in this thing

People thought it was the displayed food but not the whole thing

Liverpool - plantations where the engine Liverpool part of the problem helped spread monoculture and plantation agriculture

Still today Soya bean enters Liverpool from

brazil

The forest and Liverpool are connected etimology of the word forest

forest out there away somewhere

Transcreation melonclically referring back site specific and time specific

Explore possibility a lot held back discourse research- time and space to give people the information letter

Joey partner graphic design- living in the Netherlands 🇳🇱

3 sites of surface - earth, table, page

Page as a landscape - place to be cultivated graphic experimentations

Very disappointed with ourselves that involves farmers 3 months is not long enough approach this project with decades in mind not to see the exhibition as a goal

Enzyme magazine - table page landscape

2nd end of march

3rd Liverpool

Collaborative group launched at the end of the biennial

Break down the work expand that cab happen on the page

One issue here

4 next issues align

2 1/2 hectors - window of biodiversity

Worked at an engo before becoming a farmer - teaching them to use pesticides Kenya

Mountain 🏔 in Kenya so interesting when he gets there full of food.

Came back to the Netherlands quit job bought land which is very expensive first food forest

Visited food forest working with restaurant in Netherlands

Gay couple concerned farmers in Brazil very right wing farmers

Man in Netherlands also gay relieved. 💓

He is vegan 2012 hard to be vegan hard to be different through deconstruction of prejudice

Vander Nashiba - environmental activist

Monoculture of the mind - how we see the world

Artist and educators

Diversity of thinking

Creating food forests for the mind

Biodiversity as an adverb

Art is a great plant form to start that

Art is never right or wrong

Selection processes who’s better who’s not

Goes against the normal channels

Hiding let him receive honest criticism behind the counter listening first hand to complaints

Strategy of invisibility

Playing against the normal this is my art on a plinth I’m

A genius ☺️

Art school taught radical thinkers

Speak about my influences etimology related to influenza contaminated by other artists trying to get it out of our system still trying to engage in a dialogue somehow.

In Rio men wearing a suite 40degree whether colonial thought imposed Portuguese

Glass is not really needed in Portugal it is too hot air conditioning bill tripe

Colonialism is the opposite

Denaturalise the use of things

DNA totally colonised

State of doubt is constant

Choose right or left

No right or wrong

Teach at an art school

Traditional art school

How does your practice fit

I do sculpture as an artist

We do use more autonomous objects but I do use site specific

Mark Wright - Stop flying - we are alway flying in our minds ☺️

We have to fit specifics as a teacher you can bring a certain spice as a teacher

When I’m a teacher I’m a teacher

My thoughts 💭

Jorge lecture was so amazing! This idea that we could heal the planet by reviving food forest is so fascinating. It reminded me of how Iv always had an interest in the industrial hinterland when you see nature breaking through the cracks, it’s like Mother Nature is reclaiming all the neglected spaces. If only we would let her heal and reclaim more of what we’ve stolen.

I had a one to one with Jorge after the Q&A both of which were so engaging. I loved this new idea he has to take his work further because the subject matter is such an important issue he feels it should last years or even decades! Let’s just hope our species has decades left. Maybe this project will help highlight our need for a more sustainable way of farming.

When he spoke about his Restauro installation, I love the fact that he used so many different elements in order to create connections. The sounds of the food forest, the monoculture and the farmers, the restaurant furniture, farmers supply, the naturally grown foods and the unknowing viewer are all part of his art work, but that being said I really respected the fact that Jorge saw the issue as much bigger than his art work and definitely much bigger than any exhibition! This issue itself is so important to all of us and is integral to our survival as a species. I can see how he must be struggling to give the project the amount of attention it so rightly deserves.

Jorge wanted to be anonymous in his own installation. I love this idea of collecting honest feed back from viewer its definitely an important part of Jorges work. The viewers digestive systems are part of his work much like our digestive systems sculpt the land. Jorge actually had a profound affect on his viewers digestive systems improving their bowl function, which shows us how important it is to eat local naturally grown foods, it leads to happy guts. Maybe not happy participators but a faster functioning bowl is good for your health.

We discussed how nature is always giving us a helping hand. Antidotes and poisons always grown near by each other. I always say Mother Nature is trying to help us. Unfortunately we are still not listening hard enough and putting enough into action. The planet will recover but its the human race that will not survive if we don’t act.

His inspiration of three Spiral Jetty by Robert Smithson is definitely a piece that has intrigued me personally this idea that you let the site dictate the outcome of your art is something I have experienced with being an installation artist. I had to find the perfect available space in a short amount of time and only then could I create my final outcome the space dictate how it looked and in the end there were so many elements that added to my work it becoame perfect in its placement and naturally evolved on its own much like Smithson and Jorge’s work this site specific art work can be exciting and inspiring to let the control go and hand it over to its environment. Installation art works have been such a draw to me as an artist and I know listening to Jorge has really helped me look further at my own work next year.

We spoke in the one to one about layers. I use layers a lot within my work after a discussion with Rory I realised my work always involved time and a journey somehow. So when I was taking with Jorge we discussed how he was looking at earth, table and page. He seemed to really love my videos with layered footage and my prints, which was such a massive compliment, but he also seemed interested in seeing my installation which unfortunately is no longer showing. I would like to redo it though on a larger scale one day just like Jorge says the issue of our environment is such a important subject. I feel it can never be over done or highlighted enough.

Jorge excitingly also talked about a magazine he is launching and he wants Liverpool and our university to be part of the 3rd edition, I’m not great at writing so I’m not sure I would be a good candidate for this, but it would be wonderful to be involved somehow.

Jorges lecture also helped me to understand the Biennal 2020 theme so much more. I did attend both the LJMU talk and the Medical Institute talk in October, but there was still very much an element of uncertainty and also their language was so academic at times that is was hard to follow. So thank you Jorge 🙏🙏 now I understand it better the idea makes much more sense.

Im really look forward to seeing Jorge again in April, we also discussed my community project, which he seemed intrigued by. It made me realise no matter how I do this semester I have learned so much. I also have so many exciting projects in mind for next semester, but for now I’m going to enjoy my Christmas break with my family.

[worldsandfeathers]

Info ! Hidden Orchard of Las Noches

Outside of his usual duties as an arrancar, Vander likes to keep one or two pet projects on the side to keep things interesting. His most successful project has been a peculiar Wax Jambu tree he manage to cultivate in the Hollow Forest using a common cutting of the Wax Jambu, a cutting of the albino variety, the remains of his prey, and a sturdy sample of crystallized spirit particles containing reiatsu from the arrancar, Rudbornn Chelute.

By using the crystallized reiatsu as fertilizer, Vander imbued the albino sapling with hollow energy, thus giving it the ability to feed on both the common Wax Jambu and the bodies and the energies of his defeated prey. Thanks to this, the albino specimen fed not only on the nutrients of its kin, but also on reishi in the air and the reiatsu of surrounding hollows. This led to the birth  of what he calls a “leech tree” breed which feeds on the energies of surrounding hollows while producing fruit filled with an almost triple-concentrated form of the energy originally absorbed.

Naturally, this abundance in spiritual energy is bound to draw in other hollows intent on making themselves stronger. But like a great carnivorous plant, it lures them in only to sap them of their energy and use them as further fodder for its ever thirsting roots. Because of this, Vander created special cloaks for himself that protect him from the tree’s leech-like abilities. As a safety precaution, he also uses his portals to keep the tree (and its roots) neatly pruned and contained while collecting its valuable fruit. After all, the last thing he wants is for it to grow more than necessary and become a threat in need of being destroyed.

Vander also takes great pains to keep his fruit a secret from other arrancar so as to use the fruit extracts for various items and experiments. These extracts actually vary in effect thanks to the nature of the fruit’s reiatsu and where the tree absorbed it. As Vander has found out, if the tree only absorbs the air born reishi of Hueco Mundo, the fruit remains white and functions as a mere food source with minimal advantages. If the reiatsu from hollows of Adjuchas level or below is absorbed, the fruit (and subsequently, the extracts) changes color slightly and gives the user a temporary boost in strength, speed and energy. But when the tree consumes the reiatsu of an Arrancar or a being of similar level (human, shinigami, ect.), the fruit will gain a vivid flush of color resembling the hues of the reiatsu it absorbed. The fruit then bestows certain special abilities related to or possessed by the producer of the reiatsu it absorbed. Unfortunately, these abilities are temporary and only last so long as the fruit is eaten.

However, with these fruit extracts, he has managed to create specific hunting supplements which often gives him an advantage when on missions, hunting en mass,  opening long-distance portals, or battling particularly dangerous opponents. Thanks to this, Vander has had great incentive to gather reiatsu from everywhere in Hueco Mundo - especially Las Noches.

[nwbeerguide]

United State Association of Cider Makers updates their Level 1 Certified Cider Professional exam.

Press Release

Portland, OR— The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) released updates to its Level 1 Certified Cider Professional (CCP) exam this week. The updated test, official USACM cider style guidelines, and new preparatory materials are accessible on the association's website. USACM has already certified over 400 people, and they anticipate surpassing the 1,000-person benchmark in 2018. The updates are designed to make the test more relevant to the target audience of the CCP program—the front line of cider sales. USACM members receive discounts on exam purchases. 

“We’ve removed much of the more technical cider making content and replaced it with material more important in the world of beverage and culinary professionals,” explained Michelle McGrath, USACM’s Executive Director.

The updated exam sections are: (1) Apples, the Orchard & History (2) Cider Making (3) Flavor & Evaluation (4) Cider Styles (5) Keeping & Serving (6) Food & Cider. The 'Cider Styles' section follows the USACM cider style guide, which was released just this last fall by the association's board of directors. The guide has already had a noticeable impact on the language used by the industry to describe the extensive variety of the cider category.

Paul Vander Heide, USACM’s Board President and CCP spokesperson, shared that, “Cider is a fascinating beverage with deep historical roots and a vast culture, but outside of cider makers themselves, few people know about it. Our goal is to educate distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and bar and restaurant professionals. We believe their education will result in increased cider sales.”

CCP was launched initially in Portland, Oregon at the 2016 CiderCon, the association’s annual membership meeting and industry conference. The original visionary architect of the program was David Cordtz of Sonoma Cider. It was designed to be akin to the Cicerone program for the beer industry or the sommelier program for the wine industry.

In fall of 2017, USACM added a working group of four industry professionals to help further develop the CCP program. The committee includes Jennie Dorsey of Schilling Cider, Eric West of the Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition, Brian Rutzen of The Northman and Eric McCrory of Angry Orchard. The committee taught an exam prepartion workshop at CiderCon 2018 in early February.

The association is working with regional cider groups throughout the country to offer workshops in their areas. The goal is to help test takers gain the cider knowledge they need to pass and to be better cider stewards. Just this week, the Minnesota Cider Guild taught a workshop and purchased 50 tests for their cider community.

 “Cider’s rebirth is young and the industry lacks a unified language,” shared McGrath. “When the working group gets together to create direction for the CCP exam, they are making history. The industry is moving toward a shared lexicon, and CCP is a big part of that.” McGrath added that many other industry experts have helped build the CCP program, "It's been a community-wide effort." 

The working group will rotate appointees on a biannual basis. The association plans to roll out levels two and three over the next two years. For more information on CCP you can visit the association’s website at http://bit.ly/2FLrIdH. Inquire with the association for bulk discounts on exam purchases. 

from Northwest Cider Guide http://bit.ly/2GyweNV

[nwbeerguide]

First time ever. The Cider Association releases style guidelines.

Portland, OR [October 2, 2017] – The United States Association of Cider Makers (USACM) has adopted its first-ever set of cider style guidelines, a milestone that will greatly assist in educating both trade and consumers about cider to make better sense of the wide array of ciders found on a store shelf, a menu or in a distributor's catalogue. Drafted by consensus by the Board of Directors, the USACM style guidelines are available now for free download on the organization’s website.

Divided into two categories, Standard and Specialty, the guidelines span 10 styles overall including: Modern Ciders, Heritage Ciders, Modern Perries, Heritage Perries, Fruit Ciders, Hopped Ciders, Spiced Ciders, Wood-Aged Ciders, Sour Ciders, and Ice Cider. 

The Board used the style guidelines created by GLINTCAP (Great Lakes International Cider and Perry Competition), considered the industry standard, as their starting point. “We reviewed the most recent GLINTCAP guidelines and made a few changes to cast a slightly wider net,” explained Michelle McGrath, USACM Executive Director. “We wanted to start with a broad foundational language of styles and as the cider industry matures, this living document will grow.” 

The guidelines were established to be incorporated into the USACM Certified Cider Professional program, CCP, the first-ever US-based cider accreditation program designed for distributors, servers, retailers and enthusiasts who are interested in becoming bona fide experts on all things cider. The USACM style guidelines are not meant as competition guidelines, although competitions may pick them up for use.

Establishing the style guidelines is the first step of the organization’s greater Lexicon Project, which also includes creating new standards for a cider vocabulary and sweetness scale.  “The Lexicon Project will help us educate consumers and distributors about cider,” explained Trevor Baker, USACM Vice President. “Now we can get down to the fun business of developing cohesive marketing materials for our members as well as enhancing our CCP program materials.”

For more information about the USACM Cider Style Guidelines or to download the guide, please visit the organization’s website at http://bit.ly/2wwYBWJ;

# # #

About USACM:

The USACM is an organization of cider and perry producers in the United States. Its mission is to grow a diverse and successful U.S. cider industry by providing valuable information, resources and services to its members and by advocating on their behalf.

USACM's Board of Directors and Architects of the Style Guidelines:

Bruce Nissen (LBD Beverage Company), Dan Wilson (Hicks Orchard / Slyboro Cider House), Eleanor Leger (Eden Specialty Ciders), Trevor Baker (Noble Cider), Ryan Burk (Angry Orchard), Paul Vander Heide (Vander Mill Cider), Ben Calvi (Woodchuck Hard Cider), Marcus Robert (Tieton Works Cider), Brian Shanks (Bold Rock Hard Cider), Dan Young (Tandem Ciders) and Eric Foster (Stem Ciders).

from Northwest Cider Guide http://bit.ly/2g9Ky3c