#With a spring in my step I am reborn; I live to create and play (c: anastasia afolyan.)

[realmythsmoved]

@the27percent continued from here

Atieno tilts their head at the source of the question - before offering a small, very sly kind of smile. "Suppose, I have a bad habit of being mysterious. It's not one I tend to break all that easily after all this time.." They shrugged, clearly used to people looking at them a bit funny due to their demeanor, their presence. The sheer not.. from here kind of energy that they are giving off even without really meaning to. "Is that a bad thing? Are you going to try and chase me out of here, or something?" They joked, almost teasing with some of the stories that they had carried, of those trying to regain 'control' of their home areas. Here, they figured she was just curious - and curiosity is something they were more than willing to indulge.

Interesting. Anastasia herself has her secrets, of course. She doesn't exactly go around telling people she's a phoenix. Most wouldn't believe her, of course. But she is certain that there must be other beings something like her on Earth. Maybe not other phoenixes, she isn't sure about that one. But other creatures that humans believe are only myths and legends. And even some that humans might not even know about.

She chuckles at the other's reply. "Old habits die hard, they say." A smile crosses her face. She can't help her curiosity. Anastasia had always been one to try to solve every mystery in front of her. And this person's mysterious nature is no exception. She is determined to figure them out. And if she can't, well, at least she would've tried. And in the end, that's all anyone can do.

"Oh, not at all. If anything, it's a good thing. Makes you even more interesting." Some people share so much of themselves, while others prefer to keep their aura of mystery. Neither one is right or wrong, in Anastasia's view. It's more a matter of personal preference in her opinion. "And don't worry, I won't chase you out of here. Why would I when I could get to know you instead?" Perhaps unravel some of the mystery, perhaps not. Either way, Anastasia is curious to learn more about the other person. "I'm Anastasia, by the way. Anastasia Afolyan." Of course, that's only her human name. But she never uses her phoenix one anymore. Even when she flies home, she tells everyone to call her Anastasia. Some of the other phoenixes find it weird, but they do what she wants anyway. So she's happy. And since she had chosen the names for their meanings, she feels that makes her human name even truer than her phoenix one ever had been.

Of course, her parents might disagree. They had named her originally, after all. And she has nothing against the name,exactly. She just prefers the one she's chosen. And she thinks that's only natural. Speaking of names, she hopes the other person will introduce themself. Who knows? This could be the start of a beautiful friendship. Or not. Only time will tell. But Anastasia is curious to find out how things go.

[minediamonds]

@lightcreators liked here for a starter from Anastasia for William Solace!

Anastasia is a phoenix. Of course, she keeps that under wraps since she doesn't (for now) want any humans finding out. But how long can that last? Still, she regularly switches between her human and phoenix forms. If she didn't she would lose her immortality and she doesn't want that.

She flies, in her phoenix form, and lands on the floor in what she thinks is a deserted alley. Of course, there could be someone lurking in the shadows, but she thinks she'd spot them. She transforms into her human form and then smiles. She walks down the alley, headed back to her home, when she runs into someone else. Oh no. Hopefully they hadn't seen her transforming.

"Hello! Can I help you?" She asks, a friendly smile crossing her face. She plays with her hands, though, a nervous gesture. She really hopes her immortal secret is still safe. "Anastasia Afolyan, and you are?" She might as well introduce herself. It will help her seem friendly to the stranger, and she needs that if she's going to find out if she was seen or not.

[amethystpath-writes]

Okay so this isn’t my original idea but remember that one post where it was like one soulmate is killing their other soulmate to stay immortal but their soulmate keeps on being reborn or just doesn’t stay dead for long??

If that’s too confusing basically can you do a continuation of your own prompt there the villain is the immortal, not the hero. (Prompt 41?44? I don’t remember oops)

I don't think I know that post, but if you still want me to write it and you can find it, feel free to send another ask! For now, I'll just fill the prompt!

******

“But- but I killed you.” Hero swore he couldn’t breathe. Villain wasn’t supposed to be in front of him right now. He- he was supposed to be in the morgue or wherever they kept and processed dead bodies. He was supposed to be dead. This had to be some kind of trick. Maybe there was a part of Hero’s mind that felt guilty for killing Villain, and now he was hallucinating. “I watched you die. I- I checked your pulse. You’re dead.”

Villain huffed and rolled his eyes. “Why is this always such a surprise to everyone?” He took two steps forward, watching with boredom as Hero flinched back, shielding his eyes. “You need me to pinch you? Convince you I’m right in front of you?”

“Not real,” Hero muttered. “Not real, not real, not. real. It’s in my head. It’s just in my head.”

Tossing his head back, Villain sighed. “Most of your little crew in the past at least tried to swing at me, finish the job. Some of them actually achieved killing me for a second time. I was impressed! Much more exciting than what you’re doing right now.” Hero kept muttering. Villain asked, “You really think you’re imagining me still? What’s it gonna take? Do I need to jab you in the gut? Would that help?”

Maybe I’d deserve that, Hero thought, continuing to consider the concept of guilt. What Hero was really curious about right now was, How is this so real? He acknowledged it was all fake, but he didn’t think his brain was capable of creating such a realistic version of Villain. The look, the voice, the condescending tone, everything was drawn up to a T. It shouldn’t have been possible, especially after a whole week of Villain’s death.

“Alright, this is getting old. I want to try something new since I haven’t had this reaction before. You really shouldn’t be a hero if you go into shock this easily.”

The image in front of Hero was moving closer. Villain was pulling something out from behind him. Hero already knew what it would be; Villain always kept handheld weapons back there in case his powers- whatever those were, Hero never knew- were unsuccessful. Usually it was throwing knives. This time it- Hero swallowed.

“You remember this. Good.” Villain nodded. “I figured you would, given how you stabbed me with it- rude.”

Now Hero had the sense to stand from his seated and shaking position. As a change, he was now in a standing and shaking position. This was becoming real to him- too real.

“Okay. What I’m thinking is that I clean this blade- a very pretty one by the way; love the chromatic look…I’m going to go over to that sink, and I’m going to clean this.” Villain made his way to Hero’s kitchen, turning on the sink like he said he would. He began scrubbing with the pad of his thumb. “I have two reasons for this: one, there are other victims’ blood on it now- from the morgue; they were about to cremate me if you can believe it. Props to you; that was my first time ever being in one of those places. And, two, because I want this to play out for you as it did for me- it was clean before you stabbed me with it; it should be clean before I stab you with it.” Villain turned with the blade now clear of any blood.

Hero couldn’t move, but he didn’t need to, did he? Because this was all his imagination, all his guilty conscious. Nothing else.

“You aren’t going to do anything to protect yourself,” Villain observed aloud. “You’re just going to stand there shaking like a rotting leaf stuck in a tree during October. Fine, then. Might as well take this to my advantage.”

**

Unable to move or think for himself, Hero was easily taken by Villain. All the while, Hero continued to believe this was a hallucination. Villain absolutely could not be alive because that meant- that meant he could…No. Villain can’t- can’t come back to life.

Hero knew for a fact he killed Villain. When he bled out, Hero listened to the silence of his opponent’s chest, watched its stillness. He. Was. Dead. It was that solidity in Hero’s mind that made him deny the obvious fact in front of him. Because it was impossible to become…undead. It just wasn’t possible. And since it was impossible, the person standing in front of Hero, talking to someone or something else in the room was fake- was a ghost in Hero’s head.

“-tired of this game. It’s becoming boring, but I found some entertainment for myself, and I think it can become a lesson to you. See…”

A red light was in front of Hero’s face. He looked, blinking slowly, beyond the red light to Villain. Hero didn’t quite understand where he was, or what his mind was conjuring up at the moment. He felt so tired because of his current insanity, and so it didn’t matter much what his location was.

“I think this can serve as a lesson to you- not that I care to help you, but it gives me an excuse to torture a poor soul.”

Hero blinked again. The red light belonged to a camera, he realized. Villain- or Ghost Villain- was recording him and talking to whoever was watching on the camera. In all reality, Hero figured it was he who was recording himself. Maybe he was even talking- he didn’t know. He was likely telling his base leader about how he was losing his mind and thought he was in a cellar-like room with Villain.

“I’m going to screw this back on the tripod, and then, I’ll show you what happens when you guys keep sending your men to kill me. It doesn’t work, alright? And I’m tired of dying.”

The chromatic knife was lowered in front of Hero’s eyes. He didn’t startle at it, but, as it was lowered out of his vision and Villain’s amused grin replaced it, he felt worry. Worry turned to searing pain in Hero’s leg and he let out a blood-curdling scream, grasping at the cold ground, fingers curling into fists that grasped onto nothing. The same pain magnified again as the knife came into sight once again- this time half coloured with red.

It’s real, it dawned on Hero as he finally looked down to find a hole in his leg. “A-augh!” It was throbbing and he swore he could feel his blood pulsing out of the wound. His stomach twisted with his pain and he turned to his right as to not throw up on himself.

What made the pain in Hero’s leg worse was the fact that his muscles were clenched. He couldn’t relax them no matter how hard he tried and that only meant the throb was everlasting.

The knife made its strike again- this time down the arm opposite of Hero’s now-injured leg. He hollered again, writhing and crying in anguish. “Stop! Stop it!” Quieter, he repeated to himself, “It hurts. It hurts, it hurts.”

For once his body protested as he eyed Villain in front of him. His good leg twitched like it was ready to assist in springing on and tackling Villain to the ground. But the controlled side of Hero’s mind told him it’d only make him hurt worse. Not to mention, he might land on the blade and therefore kill himself. Wait. “You’re- you’re going t-to kill…kill me.”

Villain paused, tilting his head almost curiously at Hero. “That was the plan originally, but then you fell to cowardice, and that was boring.” As he spoke, Hero could feel his limbs jumping, spasming. “So, now we’re doing something else. Kinda like it, actually. Centuries have gone by, and I never actually took my time with any of you. For once, I am seeing the true and utter fear I felt when I died for my first time.” Villain continued, “I could have been such a great person, you know? I would have been a perfect good guy, unable to die and all. But instead of seeing that vision, I was seen as a threat to humanity. They began hunting me, trying to figure out how to put me down for good. I decided to fit their little role, though.”

What Villain did and said next shocked Hero. “Go on, try it.” Villain held the blade handle out to Hero on the ground. “Take it. I’ll let you kill me again, and then you can leave.”

“You’re lying. That’s- that’s a stupid th-thing to- to offer. Why would you l-let me kuh-kill you, then let- let me go?”

Villain shrugged. “Something new. I want to live something different this time. I told you many times that few have killed me twice- and the ones who did it were killed as soon as I could find them. I want to see how far you can go if I give you a month’s head start.”

“You- you want to hunt me.”

“I do. Seeing as you did it to me, I think it’s fair.” He jutted the handle out to Hero again as an offer. When Hero took it, Villain said, “I know I took out your dominant arm out, but- well, I have confidence you’ll do just fine if it means you get to kill me again.” Villain tapped at his chest, right where his heart was located. “Go on. I know you want to.”

Hero considered this for a moment, staring at the knife- at the knife with his blood on it now instead of Villain’s. Did he ever question why his organization was going after Villain? Not really. He just knew Villain murdered every single man Leader sent out. Maybe it was self-defence, in which case Hero shouldn’t have been going after Villain like he was, shouldn’t have killed him like he already did once and was being given the opportunity to once again.

But now was different. Now, Villain really was sadistic- assuming he wasn’t before. Villain, if he was any sort of a healthy and sane man, would have had Hero jailed for trying, and succeeding, in killing him. Or, if he was afraid of the authorities taking him in for being- ahem- unkillable, then he would have only kept Hero locked up. Villain wouldn’t have had Hero in a cellar room, stabbing and slashing at him while a camera recorded it all. If Villain ever was good, that morality was stripped from him now, and that meant Hero needed to take this chance at life. Maybe he could go back to his base and demand answers. Because based off what Villain told, they knew he was immortal, and they never told Hero- or Hero’s previous teammates, who were now ‘mysteriously’ dead.

Without another word, or even a warning glance, Hero weighed the knife in his left hand, gripped the handle, and slashed at Villain’s throat. As he laid dying, Hero searched for the key on Villain’s person, and left.

[ofcloudsandstars]

IMBOLC was so MAGICAL!! Oh my goodness!!

It's a bit of a long story and I don't want to leave out too many details but I am so glad it all turned out more than ok!! I did not have enough time to put everything together easily and I had to whip up a ritual last minute and I was staying at a coworker’s BOUGIE apartment that is BEAUTIFUL and Ideal for an Imbolc setting (the color scheme is like all white, gray and cream with TALL ceilings, Huge french windows, fluffy white carpets, fireplaces I could put white pillar candles in, long sheer white curtains, you get the point lol) but literally I had a witch gathering party at his place while he was away and I had to make it look like nothing. ever. happened.. the next morning.

I bought these string candle-lights which everyone was laughing at how in theme it was but I strung some across window sills and over the fireplace that I've stuffed white pillar candles in. I stuck tea lights everywhere and found some silvery tealights at a corner shop that were "spa scented" which sounds weird but!! They smelled fantastic and made the space feel calmer. I topped those with sage leaves. I used vanilla incense sticks and this other scent called 'Divine' (that stamford masala incense brand you might see at every spiritual shop) that really elevated the space and made it feel calm and angelic. The whole apartment felt very angelic, light, white and fluffy. On their large screen TV I made a visual playlist on youtube of timelapse videos of nature thawing into spring and frost melting or flowers sprouting from the ground. I played a lot of winter meditative tracts and purifying binural beats.

I pulled strings to get out of work early so I could run to my coworkers place, feed his cats, and get to cooking!! I made a spread of cheese, (mostly brie), coconut cheese, cheese infused crackers and poppyseed crackers, black sable grapes and blueberries that I sprinkled silver bonbons in.

I prepared 3 tonics as a welcome drink that my witch friends could choose from to what potion will aid them for the seeds they are sowing and the cycles to come. They were syrups that were agave based and infused with herbs overnight. There was one for clarity to know what steps to take to achieve goals and that was an infusion of sage, juniper berries and rosemary. There was one for inspiration and sudden muse or creativity to help complete projects and that one was an infusion of valerian root, chamomile, blue poppyseeds and caraway seeds. (Seeds were also symbolic in this one lol), then lastly there was one for inner fire and a wake-up call to get the drive going to get tasks done. That was a black breakfast tea leaf with a sprinkle of pepper in it. They were mixed with Gin (gin being a juniper infusion actually has an interesting history with being used as a cleanser and medicine though its obviously not used that way anymore) and tonic so they were all really herbal and refreshing (non-alcoholic drinks were just gin-free) and they all had a pretty light golden clear color. The clarity one was the most popular though I wish I drank some of the wake-up call one myself.

For food I made baked macaroni and cheese with mozzarella, sharp cheddar, brie, sweet sauteed white onions, black pepper and truffle oil. The plant-based option was stuffed cabbage rolls made with this BEAUTIFUL cabbage I had no idea existed (it caught my eye in the store) called sweetheart cabbage. It was snow-white colored and each large leaf was somewhat heart-shaped. I stuffed it with a sauteed combo of white sweet onions, white mushrooms, chopped parsnips, cauliflower rice and coconut cheese. Lastly I made a salad of chopped fennel and the smaller leaves of the sweet heart cabbage and raw parsnips.

The whole table's food had a white and beige theme lol. We all caught up about our lives and ate food and coo-ed over the cats. When everyone arrived we got to the ritual which I dressed his coffee table in different tea lights and bigger candles. Since I am WIZENED from many previous disasters with candles on tables and witch shenanigans, I put SEVERAL covers on his glass coffee table which consisted of 1- bamboo mats, 2- a white blanket as table cloth (mostly for aesthetic) 3- a coat of aluminum foil 4- 2 layers of cream table cloths. Just to ensure nothing could damage his table.

I am not the biggest fan of leading ritual cause it feels uncomfortable to me to 'lead' everyone's energy but its nice cause this is the third sabbat in a row I've hosted and I guess my friends get the gist now so they all kind of contribute their own parts to it which is.. WHAT I WANTED IN THE FIRST PLACE lol. I take initiative to host sabbats or gatherings or create a community so sometimes people think I am a leader cause I am initiating something but honestly I just want to hold space for others. Anyway the ritual started off with us cleansing baggage from our previous cycle so we can move into the next one purified. I had a juniper bundle I bought in glastonbury that I smoke cleansed everyone with.

Then we spoke about what Imbolc meant for us and how its also reflective on the cycle of life and death when the spirit enters the womb and how seeds of life and hope are stirring. I asked them each to take a tea light and visualize it as a goal or project they wanted to accomplish for this year and to dress it in herbs and oils. I had sage for clarity, rosemary for abundance, blue poppy seeds for growth and inspiration, tea tree oil for protection etc and they could carve in symbols to their candle or whatever. When they were working on that I read everyone's spirit's incarnation crosses from their human design since I knew everyone's birth time lol. The incarnation cross uses some astrology to take into consideration the position of the planets during your third trimester when it’s believed that the spirit enters the body in the womb. It’s to illuminate what your spirit’s intention in this incarnation seeks to fulfill. 

Before we lit the candle my best witch friend took us on this AMAZING guided mediation that was so creative and visual and wonderful. We grounded ourselves but she took us on this story-telling guided meditation journey of us being deep in the earth and smelling the damp soil but having our goal be this light or seed within us that grows and expands until it pushes us up and out through the soil into the wintery forest air. I really felt like some reborn forest faerie sprite after that like she should record meditation podcasts.

We then lit our candles and we used the flame to light the biggest pillar candle as our combined hope and it lit ABLAZED. One of my friends couldn't get her candle to light and we did divination for her to find out what was blocking her and did a road opening spell for her so that she could overcome the obstacles.

After we wanted to do some candle scrying so another friend who does these amazing sound healing ceremonies (I went to glastonbury with her) lead the candle scrying and Y'all.. it was INSANE Like none of us were READY for the fucking adventure.. Basically we thought we'd all be staring into a candle in a trance quietly but it literally felt like something took hold of her like a greater spirit used her as a vessel and it was incredible. She told us all to hold hands and we closed our eyes and did some breathing. We all had to pulse each others hands and visualize a white thread locking us together for protection and creating a circle. She then called on to our higher guides to protect us and create this link to our higher spirits to open a channel so that we may see and allow the fire to guide us. She then was speaking so fast but also with such precision on how the light is opening a door and whatever we will see will help us unlock our true potential and see how we are the light etc for what felt like 6 minutes nonstop and it was so hard to stay on cause I had the WORST PAIN come up in the center of my back where my heart was and I was feeling like it was the culmination of energy being blocked (I have been doing sound healing there to help my heart energy but its been a rough journey), and the fire just felt like it could not channel through me cause of that blockage, but though the knot still hurts even as I type this, I could not break the circle lol. My best friend to my right was staring so intently I knew she was off like astral projecting into this fire, and as I would catch glimpses of others around me everyone was just like.. ON a Journey. I felt like it was like that scene in Harry Potter when they took the port key like we were all locked in and spiraling through time and space and I just had to wait until it was done. I looked at my friend to my right and she was beaming with TEARS covering her face, and my other friends looked windswept for some reason?? We were all like goddamn.. Everyone had Some Shit they've seen in the fire. Even if some of us didn't see something we saw a lot of colors which I mostly saw since I was really focused on the pain in my back. My friend leading the scrying said that the back area I pointed out was a channel that was blocked and is connected to my throat energy so once I fix that it can be aligned/opened but its like.. healing is so hard guys haha.

Anyway we grounded ourselves after the ritual with dessert! :) There was cheesecake (of course) I decorated with white chocolate star sprinkles and the same silver bonbon sprinkles and pavlova that could be topped with blueberries. I also had a cookie spread of butter cookies, white chocolate chip sugar cookies and white chocolate twix bars. The rest were mostly vegan desserts which were lovely. I bought coconut rice pudding but my other friends got vanilla cupcakes with thick white vegan buttercream, there was vanilla soy icecream that was really creamy and light and my aries witch friend I went to Berlin with made home made vegan tiramisu which was fantastic! She also bought red wine.

We spent the rest of the evening chatting, playing with the cats and laughing about whatever, my Aries witch friend was upset I made the dresscode all-white but she was wearing her 'artist' shirt she does painting in so she didn't care that she got tiramisu ALL OVER IT lol. (which we pointed out that no one else had stains on their white outfits but I mean she's an Aries what do you expect), and when we were all getting drunk and sleepy I asked my best witch friend if she wanted to tell a story and Oh My God she fucking DELIVERED

Basically she took us on this adventure retelling the story of Baba Yaga cause it was a tale that does also have to do with crone passing power to a maiden and a cycle re-continuing. Plus it's a midwinter tale involving fire and illumination. Anyway I used to think about how sad it was that back in the day people didn't have movies and had to like tell stories and shit but she was so good at telling this story I was like damn I get it now why people just used to sit around and tell stories together cause this shit is lit.

Before everyone left I forced people to take home food (I mean I had to get rid of all evidence of anything happening in my coworkers house) and I made everyone white paper lanterns with goodies inside and I stuck an electric tealight in it so it glows. I put a bathbomb in there, white chocolate, mint crumbles, buttermints for the non-vegans and tiny spell-jars filled with salt flakes.

When I was finally alone and had to do cleanup it took me nearly three hours but I was also drunk at that point lol. I now have left-over mac and cheese for days but gladly my aries witch friend is vegan and took the cabbage rolls with her and everyone helped take everything else.The cleaner came in the morning and essentially all evidence of anything ever occurring in that apartment was cleansed away...

I hope everyone else had a fantastic Imbolc!! It was on such a perfect moon phase too since it's the first quarter moon!!

[sensingsoundingspace]

Oneness

As I hear my heart beating fear is coming and leaving fear fear fear of not being fully here fear to mess with my reputation. fear to not fullfill the high expectation. fear to deny the ability to fly fear of limiting beliefs, fear of being nothing without experts and chiefs fear of losing freshness of the beginners mind, fear of always being one step behind. fear of not embracing the secrets of today fear to not speak out what I have to say. fear to not hear whatever is calling, fear to let go go fear of falling. fear whatever I create it's already too late the expectations seem so high I I I I ...

and suddenly I see the law of gravity I is rolling down the hill, no way to resist gravities will. I see ignorance diving into the sea of surrender and realisation can I ever be in I-solation? in the moment I fade away. I am recreated in a different form, a different way. if I am absent no one can be fully here, If I am crying everybody cries a silent tear. the whole desert in every single sand corn , with every baby's birth the whole world is reborn. all lifeforms flow through every single stone, all symphonies united in your voices tone every super heroes power in your favourite cartoon. you live 1000 springs when you see a flower bloom with every song you write, you let the world sing. it's the eternal now holding everything. it's the same earth our mother gave us birth, the same air that we share , the same fire that helps us to inspire, the waters infinite flow. same song of letting go. the mountains arms that always held us the same story that old souls tell us. It’s the trees wisdom The bees beautiful system The mysterious power of every sunflower It's worth to remember that we are a member of this organism and we are part of its rhythm It’s a breathing it's coming and leaving depart arrive death life every shared moment of eternity every act of generosity a gesture filled with love is a revolution every fresh thought is changing evolution there is  always  a new dawn we are standing in the mist something new is born, we feel time does not exist together we stand, holding the hand of a friend Encouragement there is nothing better but standing here together There is no worse nor better neither either nor or no less and no more no difference between effect and cause no difference between play and pause no difference between together and free no between freedom and responsibility No difference between you and me

- Poem by Darius & Music by Ben 

[avaliveradio]

1.14 Rock Mania Rising Stars with Jacqueline Jax

TODAY'S LIST OF WHAT'S FRESH COMING INTO A.V.A LIVE RADIO. THIS IS A ROCK GENRE SHOW SEGMENT FULL OF MUSIC THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU AND SEND YOU SEARCHING THE ARTISTS PAGES FOR MORE. EPISODE HOSTED BY JACQUELINE JAX.

Todays show is all about Rock and Roll. Get ready Rock fans to discover some new favorites.

Listen to the show : starts at 12 pm et on all broadcasting outlets including:

The Anchor Fm page: https://anchor.fm/ava-live-radio

iHeartRadio station page : https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-AVA-Live-Radio-Musi-29336730

The Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2toX0f3dPmI8gmUSOKZicx

FEATURING:

Artist: Cwiredband

New Release: Angel Circuit Engaged

Genre: Resurrection Rock

Located in: : Berkeley Springs, WV - Nashville, TN

This song is... Angel Circuit Engaged was one of the first songs C Wired wrote. It’s a call to all to engage our Higher Selves our Angelic Circuitry. It’s very much needed now as we find ourselves challenged by lower energy forces that are in control of and are making our planet uninhabitable. We can change our world together by holding a shared vision of Peace and Abundance for ALL.

Warm feedback slithers through our speakers and takes hold of our attention as we enter the title track of Cwiredband’s new record Angel Circuit Engaged, their follow up to their much-buzzed Omega EP also released last year. Before long, that feedback is harnessed and transformed into a scorcher of a melody produced by a feverish lead guitar and punctuated with the pummeling of a massive drum kit” – Don McCloskey – Gas House Radio

The music we are creating is... Resurrection Rock. The term came from one of the reviewers of our music. When something is resurrected it still retains common themes from the previous form but has morphed into something different. C Wired’s Spiritual advisor implanted a seed idea inside him to create “Genre less music”. What Cwiredband is all 

Right now we are... Working on our next EP. C Wired has more than enough material to record a full-length album, but both he and producer Addison Smith are really comfortable with more frequent releasees every 3-6 months utilizing the 6 song EP format. It’s more in tune with the way we consume and listen to music today anyways. Most people are not taking the time to listen to an entire album. They select the one or two songs they like and add them to their playlist. Working on getting booked for European and US based tours, festivals, etc.

LINKS:  https://open.spotify.com/track/7rOlHR2PjA6FoeoJoZGzUQ?si=OW_38dP8QNSjTFV89C-pwQ https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/cwiredband/1395435754 https://www.instagram.com/c_wired https://www.facebook.com/cwiredband

Artist: BlindSide Thunder New Release: My Baby Loves to Dance

Genre: Rock, Blues, Hard Rock

Located in: : Tampa, FL

This song is about girls. It's rock n roll.

The music we are creating is... fun and upbeat. We aren't here to make any political or social statements. We're having a great time and so should you. Life presents enough stress and discord, music should not add to it. If our music offends you, we're not sorry. Move along, please. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZ9evqOAuFs

Right now we are... BST is very excited right now. It's a great time to be an independent artist. We have a handful of new videos being produced, and we're working on a deal for distribution into the Asian markets.

LINKS:  www.facebook.com/BlindSideTHunderOfficial www.twitter.com/BlindSideT www.blindsidethunder.com www.instagram.com/BlindSideThunderOfficial https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/blindside-thunder/id577701131 http://www.reverbnation.com/BlindSideRI

Artist: Jac Dalton

New Release: I CAN ALMOST TASTE THE RAIN

Genre: Melodic Rock

Located in: : Adelaide, South Australia This song is... My roots and wings stem from a family dynamic best summed up this way: whenever we camped as kids, none of us were allowed to pack the car to go home until our own campsite was spotless, as well as those on either side. Music to me has never been about applause and recognition, but instead embracing the opportunity to leave audiences a little bit better for the time shared on both sides of the stage. Those same sentiments translate presently into a project not merely for stage, but in consideration of the needs of an entire Nation. My chosen home of Australia is presently in the throes of the worst drought in over a century, and while there are far worst things happening to good people across the globe, sometimes we must step up and do the right thing where we’re able for no other reason than because it needs to be done. My Band and I have just launched a drought aid program called ‘SA-NDI’ (South Australian Nip-the-Drought Initiative) a collective initiative rallying around a rock anthem we’ve produced called ‘I Can Almost Taste The Rain’. With Australia’s populace of 25 million and the World’s population tipping 6 billion travellers – if enough of us were to download the song through its portal (www.sa-ndi.com.au) for even a $1 donation – the result would amount to a tremendous impact providing water, hay, fuel, food to families who in turn grow food for a significant segment of our Mother Earth. One hundred percent (100%) of donations go to righteous charitable Oz organizations like Aussie Helpers, Buy-A-Bail, Drought Angels towards the worthwhile causes they oversee in devastated areas. But the SA-NDI mission doesn’t stop there. We are also determined to perform ‘I Can Almost Taste The Rain’ for a session of Parliament in the New Year as a heart-touching apolitical reminder that we are all one heart, one land – be it a challenged region, continent or planet. The support and visibility we can generate via the internet and social media adds weight with which to tip the scales. Change and progress can and do occur with the shared resolve of good people coming together committed to make it happen. It just needs to be put out there far and widely enough for hearts to be touched.

LINKS:  https://open.spotify.com/album/1JC6hEcEYhNd09zKDCgLhw https://soundcloud.com/jacdalton/i-can-almost-taste-the-rain-2018 https://www.amazon.com/I-Can-Almost-Taste-Rain/dp/B07GNRGGLQ www.jacdalton.com www.sa-ndi.com.au https://vimeo.com/303971615 www.facebook.com/jacdaltonband www.twitter.com/jacdalton www.instagram.com/jac.dalton

Artist: Dream Eternal Bliss

New Release: Loud

Genre: Rock, Alternative Rock Located in: Franklin Lakes, New jersey

This song is alternative rock with a deliciously catchy groove, lush keyboard textures, and wicked guitar lines.

The music we are creating is... Unique! We're combing '80s new wave influences with our love of modern rock and pop and then sneaking some prog rock musicianship underneath the surface to create a new sound that is full of big guitars, big keyboards, tons of vocals, and a fresh vibe. And the more you listen to these songs, the more layers you discover.

Right now we are... promoting the release of our new record, Picture Glass, with live performances in the New York metropolitan area, and we just released the first music video, which you'll find right here! LINKS:  https://www.reverbnation.com/dreameternalbliss https://open.spotify.com/track/1hOTdV0kgwpHVa2NGGXiH6?si=rNElCyiSRXmpSJTZZqs0jg https://www.facebook.com/dreameternalbliss https://www.instagram.com/dreameternalbliss

Artist: NewClue

New Release: Illustrious Youth

Genre: Rock, Classic Rock, Nostalgic Metal

Located in: : New London CT, USA

This song is... NewClue is Nostalgic Metal Reborn. We all have individual influences, but it depends on the song we're playing. Everyone is unique, and offers a mixed style. We try not to let our influences cloud the music. This song is a coming of age story, and something we can all relate to. When you have youth, you have dreams, aspirations, and a willingness to make an impact. It has a contemporary feel, and relates well in 2018. We wanted to deliver a song that's a straight-forward "toe tapper" with a positive message.

The music we are creating is... The music we are creating is relatable. We try keeping it real, by dealing with life's everyday struggles. There's always a price to pay for your actions. This campaign is so timely with the rebirth of yesteryear's Rockers and widespread revival tours. In our opinion, the 80's music was an expression; one that left a strong impact on a lot of us today. Everything has a way of coming full circle, and we see the 80's sound returning, but with a fresh reboot.

LINKS:  ReverbNation > https://www.reverbnation.com/NewClue Spotify > https://open.spotify.com/album/6v9VzmHOkUhoz6kfTaOv6T Twitter > https://twitter.com/NewClue2 Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/NewClueBand iTunes > https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/mystic-winds-ep/id1089653211?app=itunes&ign-mpt=uo%3D4 SoundCloud > https://soundcloud.com/newclue

Artist: Joe Andolino

New Release: Life's Little Surprises

Genre: Adult Contemporary Rock

Located in: East Hanover NJ USA

This song is... Going about your regular routine and if you keep the faith and believe in good karma good things could happen to you. I am wanting to promote real songwriting that was the norm in the 70's and 80's strong melodies, tenor male vocals, meaningful lyrics and strong musicianship. Right now we are Looking to work with other similar vocalists on new material.

LINKS: https://open.spotify.com/track/4KDIH4iWggY6DBklBBWHPR

Artist: Jeff Rockker New Release: "White Tiger"

Genre: Rock

Located in: Paris, France

This song is... Jeff Rockker is a Paris based French-Californian rock singer/guitarist/songwriter. He is the lucky recipient of an ASCAP “Popular Songwriter Award”. His style is influenced by the great hard rock bands of the 80’s (AC/DC, Kiss The Cult, Trust, etc...) but, their double drum kick, metal sounding guitars and often incisive words, give his songs a very modern edge! Meet the great "White Tiger" ! He roams the streets of our urban jungles. He is an analogy for the wild and the free creature that lies within the soul of the rocker! "White Tiger" is the official single of the album. Can you see yourself in the lyrics of this song?

Right now we are... Jeff Rockker has just released his first album (an EP) called "Stronger!" on January the 3rd 2019! To accompany this album, Rockker asked fans around the world to film themselves while rocking to the single "Stronger". This "Fan Video" will be released very soon. Stay tuned!

LINKS:  https://www.reverbnation.com/jeffrockker/song/30369632-white-tiger https://open.spotify.com/track/540g8z313pi4mCE7NN59Qp?si=nEtXp7pGRMO74ofWttH0ZA https://twitter.com/jeffrockker https://www.instagram.com/jeffrockker https://www.facebook.com/jeffrockkerofficial

Artist: Then Falls The Sky

New Release: Hostage

Genre: Metal-core

Located in: : Bainbridge, Ohio, US

This song is... Then Falls The Sky Spreads some light in an otherwise dark world. With a message of hope, their energetic upbeat tempos, and in your face intensity. Hostage is a song about those trapped in a domestic violence situation. Our drummer is a DV survivor, and this song was written to help inspire others to find a safe way out.

Right now we are...: We are very excitedto Announce that we are working with Adam Sines from mizfit productions on shooting our second music video for our song Synical. We are still in pre production stage, but are very eager to start shooting. Adam is a very talented Photographer and videographer, and we are very honored to get to work with him.

LINKS: RN: https://www.reverbnation.com/thenfallsthesky/song/29682823-hostage Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1z0GMhgnO7DuGaaq7X77Ai?si=DN9Jt1QZT9-dd94qw0QvsA iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/hostage/1397264399?i=1397264401 YouTube: https://youtu.be/7S3WWLN37XA Web: http://www.thenfallsthesky.com FB: https://m.facebook.com/thenfallsthesky/ (@thenfallsthesky) Twitter: www.twitter.com/thenfallsthesky (@thenfallsthesky) IG: www.instagram.com/thenfallsthesky (@thenfallsthesky)

[duo-log]

Don't Make Me Call Grandpa

I remember my summer holidays growing up when I visited my ancestral village near Kolkata. After a tiring but exciting train ride lasting a day and half in the sweltering heat in the third class of the passenger train, I always found my Thakurma aka my paternal grandmother standing on the terrace looking for the cycle rickshaw carrying us to turn the corner. She would be a speck at the beginning but slowly as her form grew large, I could see her smile lighting up her face. She hurried down the stairs to welcome my brother and I into her arms. I remember now her slight frame, her tightly tied up peppered hair and the warmth in her hug. She held my face in her arms and said, “Welcome home young lady!” in a fine lilting english and the spring returned in my step because that was the beginning of a month of storytelling during the load shedding hour after sunset, playing carrom board on the terrace with grandmother and cousins, cheating each other over ludo while everyone took their afternoon siesta, eating the most delicious food ever cooked and above all complete immunity from all parental berating.

I miss her now all these years later. For many years during high school and university and the summer holidays were littered with coaching classes for advanced mathematics or entrance examination preps, I didn’t visit her. I have a few regrets in my life but the biggest will probably be not getting to spend more time with my Thakurma and my Didu (maternal grandmother) and so when I receive tearful messages from our parents about how much they want to spend time with little D, that little regret forms a fist size knot in my throat. This morning as these memories make their presence felt I find myself pondering over why I find it so difficult to laugh when my little D makes a mess with her play-dough or leaves her toys scattered around the living room while my grandmother or even her grandmother would probably chuckle and pat her head?

“Don’t do it!” I tell little D “I don’t like you anymore. I’ll tell grandpa. My Grandpa lives in India,” little D said in a matter of fact way “Oh does he now?” “Mmhmm! I love my Grandpa” “Why do you love your Grandpa?” “Because my Grandpa plays with me and gets me ice cream,” she said.

The conversation above is the essence of the relationship grandparents share with their grandchildren. I believe, all grandparents think they fulfilled their duty with their children and it is time to reap the rewards with the grandchildren much like that friend who says, “I love children as long as they are not mine.” They pretty much share the same reasoning, which is to play, pamper and indulge and leave the policing to the parents. This quote from Jewell Parker Rhodes sums up the feeling quite nicely, “A grandparent has been there, done that child-raising stuff, and has the wisdom of experience. And so in some ways, they’re free to love without the anxiety of being the actual parents. They’re free to give.” Don’t you agree?

There is no one who loves a child more than the parents and yet their relationship is most often agitated. The responsibilities parents feel towards their offspring outweighs the love at every step. Too bogged down by the duty to raise a well mannered child, parents find it nearly impossible to get past the immediate mess and see the wonderful world of a child. This is exactly what grandparents easily achieve and thus are reborn in their ability to see the world with a fresh set of eyes. We think a child needs discipline and routine in order for them to feel safe and secure. We are right in our thinking but once they know that they are safe and secure they need something more; they need kindness, love, freedom to explore, patience, wisdom, a friend and apparently lollipops and while we anguish over cavities and the hours of sleep, they get these things in abundance from their grandparents.

I want to think I am above this and I can be a good parent and be her best friend at the same time but I am also a practical person and so I’m aware that it is nearly impossible, well at least not until the child is an adult. We will always remain cautious and skeptical where our offspring is concerned; It is just the way our brains are wired and so as compensation the universe created grandparents and wired them to let go and give the grand children what they could not give to their children.

Read the other part of this Duolog(ue).

A Tad Envious

Every weekend our family’s morning ritual, other than having a sumptuous breakfast, includes sitting in front of our computers. Some catching up on the previous night’s happening on Twitter, and some talking to the grandparents.

[headingoff2australia]

Free your mind and your nipples - Take the kids off the streets

I think a lot about her. Rani, Jyes girlfriend.

She is so wise, patient, tolerant and so helpful. Rani will have an everlasting impact on me. Particularly concerning my sensitiviy to suffering. Spread over her whole lifetime, she suffered several brain injuries. On top of that she is epileptic.

She lost the ability to talk, was paralized on her whole right side and still carries away damage, as her right hand is still numb. In the past year she had lots of surgeries and had to sleep long hours. Now, we can experience the volte-face.

Recently the doctors gave her lots of positive news concerning her health situation. From this moment on, she started again to climb, planned several journeys, works again via reintegration  and rushes back into the buildup of her own company. An organisation that helps people with disabilitiess to live a normal life with support from people that have gone through all this kind of obstacles.

If Rani hadn’t told us about her situation, we probably wouldn’t have had the tiniest idea of what was going on. She is just so strong, independant and determined. A remarkable woman!!

Since the last update, Amely and I have been a bit more active.

We went out for a couple of times. Sometimes together sometimes not, as Amely had to work. We had some great moments as we did funny tasks like throwing ice cubes into the clothes of stragers and ended up happy in our apartment where brought the night to an end. That’s the good thing about living somewhere where nobody knows you.

One Sunday we went to the blue mountains with some hostelfriends. Every Sunday the train is just $2.60 nonrecurring. This day was full of fabulous moments. We reached the blue mountains through a small path in the forest. It smelled like eucalyptus and we had a tropical hiking tour to the wentworth falls.

As we reached the first viewing point my breath got stuck for a moment as the endless wideness that we looked into overbeared me. It seemed to be an endless sea of treecrowns. These widths always sink in how small the humans are but how huge the nature it is. Everytime I see this beauty of nature my heart starts beating in this special way. The love for the nature is immense!

As we kept on walking, it felt like a 1000 steps, we passed some waterfalls where we played the models for our friend Aaron. Probably we were never shot so professionally.

When we reached the main waterfall, we all were stunned. I have never seen a waterfall of that size before. The water rushed down a 200 meters and still rippled down softly in the pools which were literally made for having a bath in them.

As soon as we soak up this moment of joy, we returned to our way. We climbed under some rock faces and had lunch on a rock spur with the most stunning view on the treecrowns, the smell of eucalyptus and the cockatoos en masse.

On our way back we came past this huge waterfall again. Harry was the first one who took a shower. Amely and I jumped in as well. Inspired of the beautiful nature, we wanted to be as natural as we were created. The nature took our clothes off and so we had a bath as we are when we first came to that world. We felt us as if we were reborn. That’s a thing we really learned here. Just to be the way you are. Naked and lighthearted.

Moreover we are part of the get naked community australia. From time to time this group arranges meetings all over australia where sooner or later you hang around naked.

Well, even the way back to the train was lovely. We came past some eucalyptus fields where the smell surrounded our noses. It was a small field. As we closed our eyes we just heard the birds singing and the water burbling. It was comfortable and a perfect ending of the day.

Free your mind -> Meanwhile I am reading a book about the power of the moment. It asks questions: Could you stop thinking? Could you switch off the voices in your head? - No? In this case your mental abuses you. The experience of an entire freedom will be prohibited and you stay a slave of your thoughts. It may not sound as wise and complete as it does in my book, but actually it is. In the last year that I had spent in France, I realized for the first time that my head was silent and empty. In the beginning it felt wrong and strange. Then I started enjoying it and concentrated on what surrounds me and what I feel in the very present moment.

Effectively every moment is way more intense and keeps longer in my mind and memory. So it’s worth to think about thinking less and enjoying more.

When Amely and I were off for one day, we went to one of these beautiful natural seapools filled with cristal clear water. We got tanned and appreciated the soft breeze nuzzeling along our bodies. When we had enough sun for the day, we went to the Oxfordstreet in Sydney. The most homosexual and most oldfashioned street around here I guess. We swaned around from second hand store to second hand store, found the lovliest Outfits in the coziest shops. It smelled like leather and 50 wild years that most of the clothes had already lived. Wonderful!

Together with Aaron and Harry we headed to an adventurous discover tour of the glowwormtunnel. With the train we covered the main distance and walked the rest of the way in the dark where we couldn’t even see our hands in front of us. We kept on walking until we saw this soft blue shimmer above us. 1000 of glowworms changed the dark to a magical light spectacle. We experimented with our cameras what led us to loose the feeling for time. We missed the last train and had to wait for the next one at 4am. So we decided to stay longer in the tunnel and when we got back to the trainstation the elevator seemed to be the best shelter for the moment to escape the cold and the wind. It did what it was supposed to do. We slept a little bit and had a great moment together that all of us enjoyed more or less… I guess.

In the last week we transferred a car on our name. We are official owners of a Toyota Hiace. The interior is already converted. All we need to do is the one or the other finishing. We could buy this car from friends tht we made at the hostel. This gives us kind of a safer feeling about the whole thing. Furthermore they would help us with stuff that needs to be be fixed, like the sidemirror that was smashed off by some of the athletic hostel people. Well Aden our car will be a faithful companion.

Obviously this car purchase needed to be celebrated. We invited some friends to a flat-food-party. We cooked a whole buffet and celebrated the whole night until the neighbours couldn’t be patient any longer. We danced, laughed, loved and celebrated our life.

All these people have gained a several importance in my life and this in just a few weeks. Every hug gives me so much as if we were one big family with the tiny difference that one or the other starts hitting on one of us every now and then. There is defenitely a lack of girls. Spring turns into summer now. Recently we had 36°C and we were lucky and had the day off. Together with Jye we spent a beach day. We saw cristal clear waters, jumped of some cliffs and snorkeled in the naked pleasure pond. It was a beautiful, hot day that could not have been any better.

We experience so much here. Theoretical we live a common life as anyone else. The difference is just, that we are at the other end of the world and everywhere around us are stunning natural spectacles.

I am nothing but content and satisfied. The decision to take a second year off despite all the negative reactions towards it was probably one of the best decisions I have ever taken. I am getting more and more homesick. There is just so much to discover but the social expectations can not always be combined with the dream of travelling.

Should we nowadays still allow other people to decide for us? Our society is corrupt, hypocritical and selfish. Can people like this try to proscrit our ways? I need to find the answers for these questions. A way to combine job and travels the best way possible. I am on my way and my way is the aim. Everyday has an impact on us and we grow and ripe.

[minediamonds]

@moonsromance liked here for a starter from Anastasia!

Anastasia has lived a long time. Longer than it seems she has. Being a phoenix guarantees it. Of course, she's currently in her human form, walking around, enjoying the sights. She doesn't have any real destination in mind, she's just having a nice walk. If she gets tired, which doesn't happen often, she can always find somewhere to sit. But she has an immortal's stamina, so while getting tired is possible, it's not likely.

Anastasia walks around before walking right into a stranger. "Sorry," She says to the other person, an apologetic expression on her face.

"I wasn't paying attention to where I was going." She explains. "Lost in my thoughts," She adds. She steps aside to allow the stranger to continue walking. "If you're going somewhere important I'll let you go. Or....I can buy you a coffee as an apology?" She suggests. She isn't going anywhere in particular, after all. And she does feel bad for bumping into the other person. Hopefully, her kind gesture isn't misconstrued. Sometimes that happens, she knows. But she truly is just trying to be kind to the stranger. Anastasia believes in kindness. And she knows humans like coffee. Of course, she doesn't know for sure if the stranger she'd bumped into is human or another supernatural or immortal being, like Anastasia herself. But she hopes that either way, it will be understood that she's trying to be kind, in the best way she knows how.

[realmythsmoved]

i'm quite a fan of yours. ( trixie @ anastasia )

"Oh, really?" It isn't often Anastasia meets a fan, exactly. Sure, her YouTube channel is rather successful. But she doesn't often get recognized. Still, she does appreciate when she does. "It's a pleasure to meet a fan of mine. Which videos of mine are your favorites?" She makes videos on various topics. From fashion to vlogs to reviews of her favorite tv shows and movies and more.

"And what's your name?" She is curious now that she has had this encounter, to know everything she can about the other person.

[realmythsmoved]

"Definitely!" Anastasia replies with a bright smile. She much prefers to have options to choose between rather than not having them. As they say, it makes a huge difference in terms of how you move through the world. And Anastasia prefers to do so with a ton of confidence. It's what suits her best.

"Oh, yes. I imagine so. You're the first one I've told about my supernatural secret. I'm being careful about it, so I don't accidentally tell a human." That would be a disaster, Anastasia imagines. At least for now, she much prefers to keep her supernatural identity a secret. "I imagine anyone who is more than human must do the same." As Atieno says, humans can't really handle anything that is distant from them. So Anastasia prefers to get to know humans on a deeper level before even considering sharing her supernatural secret with them. She has to know who to tell and who not to, after all. Who is trustworthy and will keep her secret and who won't. Then and only then would she even consider telling a human that she is really a phoenix.

"Of course, that is something that would be worth exploring. Having those options makes a huge difference in terms of how you move through the world."

They had explored a few different forms over the years and settling on this one as an option was something that took a little bit of time to figure out.

"Heh. Yeah, the humans can't handle anything that is too much .. distant from them. But I know there are some other more than humans about. It's just a matter of finding the communities. As you can imagine, they can be fairly secretive as a group. "

[realmythsmoved]

"It certainly is. Great to have options, always."

Anastasia regularly transforms into her phoenix form when she goes home. She wouldn't want to lose her immortality. No. That's the last thing she'd want. Luckily, she doesn't need to as long as she transforms back to a phoenix often enough. And so far so good with that.

When Atieno says they understand why she'd want to keep that information secret, Anastasia smiles. "Yeah, don't want to freak out the humans. At least, not too much." She says with a chuckle. "That said, it's always nice to know I'm not the only being out there who is more than human shall we say. I hope to meet more people like you." Anastasia doesn't mind sharing her secret with other supernatural beings. It's humans she isn't sure about. She'd rather keep it secret, at least for now. Perhaps she'd eventually tell a select few trusted humans her immortal/supernatural secret. But that remains to be seen.

Atieno couldn't help but be amused by the fact that their answer surprised Anastasia. Perhaps she wasn't expecting to encounter someone like them in her everyday interactions - which .. understandable. Most of the time - people's answers would have a lot more Earth-based given where they were at the time.

"Phoenix form hm? Sounds very interesting. Good to know that you have that option available to you."

If she was expecting a huge reaction, it would be a lot more muted - just because Atieno has run into all kinds of beings in their travels. That being said it is interesting that she bothered to reveal that secret with them.

"But I also understand why you'd want to keep that information secret around here. "

[realmythsmoved]

"Exactly." Anastasia says with a smile. She agrees completely with their words.

She nods when they repeat her words about the favorite place that they've visited. But Anastasia waits patiently. There's no rush, after all. She can wait for an answer.

However, their answer surprises her. It seems her current companion is able to travel amongst the stars. Of course, so can Anastasia in her phoenix form. Most of the time, she goes from home to Earth, not much stopping in between. But she'll have to check out the stars more. Especially since Atieno makes them sound so amazing.

"Ah, I see." She pauses for a moment, deciding whether or not to share her secret as well. After a few moments of thought, she decides it can't hurt since her companion isn't a human themself, seemingly. "That sounds wonderful. I'll have to check out the stars more when I'm in my phoenix form." Her eyes sparkle as she watches for Atieno's reaction to the knowledge that they are speaking to a phoenix. So far Anastasia hasn't told anyone her secret. So she is curious to see how they take it.

"Suppose so. You can't understand the limits of what you have access to without venturing a little further." It's a sentiment that Atieno understood well, as much as they were cautious about what people could to, it was genuinely fascinating to see how people would explore a bit more.

"Favorite place that I've visited?" Atieno paused for a moment, because their answer would easily give it away. Not that they really cared about giving it away either. The entity seems to really think for a moment about what they want to say about finally speaking.

"I suppose some of the hidden clusters.. out among the stars are some of my favorite spots to visit. So off the beaten path, but truly wondrous."

It seems like they weren't interested in maintaining the mundane Earthbound front for any longer than they needed to. Of course, what they hear from Anastasia could be another thing altgoether.

[realmythsmoved]

"Definitely. There's only so far one can go trying to solve a mystery. Depending on the situation. But one must get closer to it in order to figure that out." Anastasia says with a smile. Her eyes sparkle. She's enjoying the conversation already. Hopefully the other person feels the same. If they don't, of course, Anastasia will understand.

Anastasia nods at their next words. "Nice. I tend to travel quite a bit too. I love to explore as well. So I can definitely understand that. What's your favorite place you've visited?" Anastasia is partial to Greece and Italy, at least on Earth. But she's hardly going to explain that she's a phoenix to the mysterious stranger. As tempting as it might be to see their reaction to that information. She doesn't want to give away her immortal secret. Especially not that easily.

She smiles brightly at the other person. She wonders what other places they've traveled to and what else they've seen. Anastasia is definitely curious about them, but isn't going to overwhelm them with a barrage of questions. No. She'll take it slowly.

"I suppose that can be very interesting. Of course there are clear limits to how far one can and should go with any given mystery. But it takes taking steps to find that out each time..." Atieno had been really aware of how people often went too far in seeking out such mysteries but it was fascinating what people were willing to risk.

"I guess I was just exploring a bit - visiting, and looking at different locations. I tend to keep on the move. So I don't really.. have that much of a motivation outside of hanging out right now. Maybe something will keep my fancy. "

As far as conversation, they are not sure how far they want to go with this, but Atieno is willing to at least.. try, try and keep themself through this conversation.

[realmythsmoved]

"Yep!" Anastasia replies with a smile, her eyes sparkling with amusement as well. She is glad that her words had amused the other person rather than annoyed them. Of course, she is certain that she hadn't said anything wrong. But she does sometimes make mistakes. Even the phoenix isn't perfect.

She chuckles at their words. "Yes, some people probably would describe it that way. But personally, I find mysteries interesting. Even when there's no answer necessarily, it's interesting to dance around it." At least, that's Anastasia's view on the matter. Mysteries always arouse her curiosity. And personally, she wouldn't have it any other way.

"Nice meeting you too, Atieno. What brings you here?" A simple question first, at least in Anastasia's opinion. A way of easing the other person into the conversation. Hopefully they won't mind.

"Indeed, that is how the story goes..." They muttered with a casual amused tone. It was interesting meeting those who seemed genuinely curious about what they had going on. Although they didn't feel like explaining themself all the time, there were situations where maybe a bit more of a reveal might be fun.

"I suppose interesting is one word for it. Way too opaque is probably another way people could describe it. "

There is some relief that they didn't have to think about making a quick exit though. "Didn't realize that getting to know me would be your intention - but alright. I'm open. Nice to meet you Anastasia. You can call me Atieno. "