#ancient coins for sale

[twofielder]

Coins… for sale…..!?

I just finished listing a ton of Roman coins on my eBay store today, check it out if you’re interested!

I’m listening to offers on everything (especially the provincial bronzes) so send an offer if you like something!

Find my store HERE!

[taylorswiftstyle]

“You belong with me” | May 30, 2025 Khaite ‘Shrunken Cashmere Top’ - $780.00 Vrai ‘Solitaire Stud’ - $600.00 Vrai ‘Solitaire Drop Ear Jacket’ - $595.00 Steven Battelle ‘Ancient Coin Necklace’ - price varies Cartier ‘Santos Demoiselle Watch’ - $18,330.00 Louis Vuitton ‘Le Damier de Louis Vuitton Small Ring’ - $3,950.00 Tiffany & Co ‘Diamond Wire Ring’ - $2,675.00 Khaite 'Danielle Straight Leg Jeans' - $620.00

I wanted to take my time and sit with Taylor’s announcement of her masters acquisition as we celebrate what a win this is. For Taylor, of course. For fans, naturally. And for artists as a collective moving forward.

I wanted to take my time and sit with Taylor’s announcement of her masters acquisition as we celebrate what a win this is. For Taylor, of course. For fans, naturally. And for artists as a collective moving forward.

In relistening to her discography, a pipeline of quotes came rushing at me. They reminded me how long this battle has been for her and, poetically, how much of her work contains inadvertent nuggets of wisdom that helped her play the long game to get to this moment. Her innate trust in herself, despite odds or norms.

“I had to make the excruciating choice to leave behind my past.” “He’s got my past, frozen behind glass. But I’ve got me.” "Give me back my girlhood it was mine first." “Without your past, you could never have arrived so wondrously and brutally. By design or some violent, exquisite happenstance … here.” “These hands had to let it go free and this love came back to me.” “The best things that have ever been mine … finally actually are.”

I found myself appreciating the images she used to mark the news. No background, no distractions, no hints at the next thing. There’s no need. Outfitted in a neutral and largely inconspicuous outfit. Most details are obscured by her body position and camera angles. Just her and her life’s work. Her seated cross-legged reminds me of her statement following the original sale of her masters in 2019 when she described her art as “music I wrote on my bedroom floor.” Here, placed similarly and finally owning that music feels full circle. The things that “pop” the most are her face and albums. I see this as centering this moment and soaking in that victory. And somehow it really was everything.

Illustration by Amelia Noyes

[domesticandlovingmonsters]

Guard Captain Aram (M) x F!Reader (wip)

Because I feel bad with how long this is taking to come out, and I am currently stuck on how to proceed, I'm posting this as is.

I intend to complete it annd post it as a whole, but since I'm stuck, you got this. Consider this as a type of two-parter until I can work out how to write someone having a date and how conversations work. I swear I'm a good writer, guys!!! I know how sentences and dialogue works.

Words: 9.9k

Theme/Plot:  (Fantasy/Medieval)  You're a merchant, new to the city looking to start a business from the ground up. Having purchased a cheap, run-down building as your starting point, you work hard to make something of the little things you have. But after a string of robberies, you find yourself as the centre of the Guard Captain's attention.

The rain came down in pouring sheets. Deafening you inside your own dwelling as a year's worth of rain pummeled the tiled roof.

Thunder clapped overhead so close to the city roofs that the window panels shook in their frames.

It was a gloomy day. One that made the hours in the shop drag by at a snail's pace. Not a soul was out today. For good reason, or else they’d risk being washed away by the water flowing down the street drains. Thankfully, there was alot of old stock you needed to organize and catalog to keep you busy.

The storm was a blessing in disguise. Despite the chilly weather.

With the lack of customers to keep an eye on and take commissions for, it allowed you to tune up the shop within your actual work hours. And not drip over into the late afternoon like you dreaded.

And with the ample amount of downtime came the close inspection of how your little, ancient store held up in such a harsh rainstorm.

The last of your money had gone into buying this place. It was a cheap sale and the reasons for it were obvious. A small shop with a small dwelling connected to the back of it for residential purposes.

The paint on the front was peeling and much of the wooden beams needed some love and care. The windows had needed to be removed and replaced; they had been so grimey and cracked that it made the store look sickly from the outside. And dark and gloomy within.

Not to mention the rot within the wood in some places. Which had soaked up that lingering few coins you had after the sale. But it was better than leaving the place smelling like decaying wood and having openings for rats.

The roof seemed fine, the tiles were covered in moss and some were cracked, but you didn’t see any damage other than age.

It has been months since you bought it and this had been the first real change in sunny weather, so you were walking around the place constantly looking for leaks.

So far, nothing splashed against the wooden floor. Your little shack was holding up nicely under the rain, even if the walls groaned rather worryingly whenever the wind rushed through the city streets.

The shop was nothing spectacular, you knew that. But it was yours. And it was a much nicer place than the roadside stall you used to man while you traveled.

You glanced out the window as a flash of white light illuminated the dreary street outside. And winced at the image of you and your old horse and wagon in such weather.

Many times you had been caught out in storms like this. Losing stock to the water or your wagon’s wheels getting sucked into the muddy roads.

Looking back into your warm, dry shop; a new type of appreciation came to you with your decision to settle down. And you took a deep breath of dusty, humid air and smiled.

Your shop.

It still felt weird to say. But it was still just as exciting.

Over the thunder and tumbling rain, your shop-door’s bell chimed. Alerting you to two customers that all but barrelled into the dry space.

They were soaking. But smiled cheerfully as you greeted them. One had an umbrella that looked like the wind had torn it asunder and both their hoods were raised low over their faces. Leaving only their wide smiles for you to see.

“We are so sorry for dragging water in here.” One said, a woman. Rubbing her arms to retain some heat beneath the thick cloak. “But we’re in need of some alchemy ingredients, if you have any. You’re the closest store to ours and we’re low on some things to make cold remedies.”

The other customer, with the torn umbrella, looked around your small store with a grin. “You’ve really spruced this place up. It’s so much nicer here than what I last remember. The last owner did not care for this building at all.”

You smiled as their hoods were lowered. You recognized them as the potions store owners down the street. You spoke briefly once. They were nice people. But very busy. And their names eluded you, unfortunately.

“Welcome! And don’t worry about the water, it’s unavoidable at the moment. I think I tracked in half the realm’s mud this morning. Please, come in. What did you need exactly? I have a few stocks that might be what you need.”

The woman huffed with visible relief and hurried forward to your counter. Where you withdrew some small boxes of bottled ingredients and jars of various substances.

You didn’t sell anything but the basic materials. Your shop was more a general store than a particular theme. You still weren’t sure what you wanted to be in the city.

You’ve only ever known what you could carry. On the road, certain ingredients didn’t travel well. And jewelry or fine goods made you a target for bandits.

Here, within the safety of the city, you could be any type of trader you wanted. You just still weren’t sure what niche you wanted to be.

But your general goods were exactly what these two were looking for. And your eyes widened in surprise when they asked to buy your entire stock of your basic ingredients.

“I know it’ll put you out, but we’ll pay you an extra sum on top of the sale. Our next shipment of this isn’t for another week, and we have so many commissions coming in for cold remedies.” The man said. Already pulling out a large coin purse from his belt. “And you’ll be doing us a huge favor. If you need anything-”

“It’s a deal.” You said, waving away the man’s pleading stare. “We’ve got to look after each other after all. I was going to offer a discount since you’re buying such a large amount.”

The bell over your door chimed and you shifted behind your counter so you could see around the couple. A young woman shuffled into the store. Her eyes looked around the shelves with interest and a thin cloak was wrapped around her shoulders.

“I’ll be with you in a moment!” You called out to the woman. Seeming to startle her. But she smiled, it felt a little forced, and moved deeper into your store. Her eyes darted around and then back to you.

You were about to say something else when the potion’s woman handed you a sum of coins. “I insist. I know how frustrating it can be to be out of stock. Particularly ingredients like this. Please, take the extra sum. You’re doing us a huge favor with-”

The woman’s partner glanced over his shoulder as the woman at the back moved quickly towards the door. Her shoulders were hunched as she braced for the cold water to hit her as she opened the door.

“Hey! You, wait!” He shouted but the woman was already sprinting out the door. Almost slipping on the wet pavement outside. The potion’s man swore and handed his partner the purse. “That girl is the one who stole from us last week. Get the guards!”

Before you could react, the man was barreling out of your store and charging out into the rain. His partner seemed just as surprised as you but quickly pocketed the purse and looked at you.

“Do you have a way to summon the guards directly here?” You shook your head. Your heart was pounding in your chest. “I have one in my store. I’ll go call them. See if you can find out if that woman stole anything from you. I’ll be right back.”

The woman left her crate of goods behind as she hurried out of your shop. You were quick to follow, but went to where you last saw the woman browsing.

Your eyes flew from object to object. Taking note of any spots that seemed to have shifted or had missing stock.

Everything seemed fine. Until you noticed your small display of wands had been touched. These weren’t like the wands that witches and warlocks used. But temporary magical items that did various things depending on their make.

You had ordered these as a step into selling magical merchandise. To see how well they sold here. Kids adored the ones that created bubbles of light. And a few people purchased the design that acted as a quill that would write for you without you touching it.

You had recently restocked the display with other types. And there were two that were missing.

One was a water-make. Which either made water or removed it. Not enough to drain a lake or a pool, but a few buckets could be filled or emptied if needed.

And the second was a fire starter. Which spat sparks that would harmlessly bounce off of skin or clothes, but would light a small fire on even the most water-bogged logs or extinguish it.

You sighed. Already understanding why these particular items were stolen.

You’ve dealt with enough desperate people to know when it was necessity and not greed that pushed a person to steal.

You bit your lip. These wands weren’t expensive and were cheap stock to order.

Maybe if I’m quick I can stop the potions woman from calling the guards. You thought. But then you reminded yourself that the woman who stole from you, had also stolen from them. And over the first few months of owning and stocking this store, you’ve had more than your fair share of robberies and stolen items. If word got out that you let a person steal from you, this could spiral into something worse.

The best you could do for them was not press charges if the person is found.

You sighed again. Heavier than the last and moved through your store to get your cloak.

But on your way to the back, past a small lock-box display of jewelry, you noticed the glass lid had been pried open. The magical seal had been expertly dispelled and one of your silver rings, one that created a bubble of small protection, was missing.

You swore under your breath. Disappointment flooding through you.

Now you had to continue with the guards and hope they found the person.

That ring was an expensive item. The enchantment was a common one, but the ring amplified the bubble to be the size of a house. Something that was incredibly hard to do and would have taken alot of material to make such an enchantment safe and usable.

Hence why it was in a lock-box, under magical protection, and worth a decent sum of coins. Another one of your stretches into unknown territory with sales and items.

It was nothing so expensive that it would put a target on your store. But it was one of your pricier items, one that a customer had been eyeing off last time they passed through.

“They just had to steal that.” You grumbled. Slapping the lid back down on the lock-box. The seal buzzed as the box was closed again, letting you know the magic was once again activated. You gave it an experimental tug on the lid and when it didn’t open, without your key, you were happy enough to leave it.

You retrieved your cloak from the back of the shop and exited your store. Making sure the door was locked and hurried down the street to the potions store.

You were near drenched when you slipped into the two story building. But the moment your foot stepped over the threshold, you were flooded with warmth and your clothes tickled with magic that left you dry and comfortable.

You definitely needed that enchantment on your front door.

From behind the many shelves, the potions woman appeared, looking flustered as she hurried towards you. “The guards are on their way. Did that wretched thing take anything?”

“Some low magic wands and an enchanted ring.” You grimaced. “I don’t care for the wands, so much. But that ring is expensive. As long as I get that back, I’ll let it slide.”

The woman scoffed and gestured for you to follow her, leading you to the back of the store where a pot of tea and some small biscuits were waiting. “That woman stole two potions of healing and an iron-bark elixir from us. I know times are tough. And the potions were only small portions, not worth alot. But the iron-bark elixir is a very slow and ingredient heavy process. We can only make so many a month and they're in high demand with the guards and travelers. If she only stole the potions, we wouldn’t have pushed so hard to find her. But the elixir alone can fix us up for an entire month.”

Your eyes widened. “Those elixirs are that expensive?”

“Ours are, yes.” The woman said, a little proudly, as she poured you a cup of tea. “Ours doesn’t just give you thick skin and more strength, we’ve perfected a way that the aftereffect of the elixir doesn’t put you in a bed for a day. It’ll affect you for a few hours at best after you use the elixir but unlike our competitors iron-bark, you can get up and get ready for the day after a good night’s sleep.”

You whistled in appreciation for such craftsmanship. “That’s incredible. I can understand why she would try to take it then. Sell it off for some quick coin.”

The woman nodded. Sipping her tea after putting some honey in it and stirring. “I grew up very poor. I used to steal bread and clothes to get by. But stealing potions like ours? You put yourself at such risk for it. Even your ring! The wands can be overlooked. But something like that is just…silly.”

You stirred some honey into your own cup and allowed the conversation to fall away as you sipped. Thankfully, the potions man appeared in the doorway. Looking winded and red faced. “I couldn’t find her. The damn woman gave me the slip.”

“Better you don’t approach her, love.” The woman said, with a soft smile. “Let the guards deal with her. They’re on their way.”

The man nodded. Taking a deep breath that his body obviously needed. He looked at you and offered a smile. “I’m sorry I couldn’t catch her. Did she steal anything?”

You explained the stolen stock and the man tsked. Muttering about the lack of respect for shopkeepers; “Especially one such as yourself. You’re just starting out! I recall my first few years as a storekeeper, my Gods, the ledger was never full enough. And every piece of missing stock was precious.”

You nodded, chuckling along with the man as he shook his head. “Well, at least our sale will help me out until I can get a replacement or the ring is found. I’ll bring the stock over once we’ve spoken with the guards. I didn’t think to bring it over just now.”

The two waved you off. Saying they trust you enough to not skip their deal because of a distraction like this.

The three of you chatted idly while you waited for the guards to arrive.

And when they did, you immediately recognized three amongst them.

One was a tall elf woman by the name of Yesrie. Dark hair with sharp eyes but a warm smile.

The second was a human man named Smith. You never got his first name because everyone called him by his second. He had been in his first year in the Guard when you arrived; eager to help and prove himself, he had taken your reports on missing items like a personal attack. And hunted them down like he was the one who owned them.

Then the third, the Guard Captain’s right hand, Briar. A green lizardman built like a stone barn. They were a stoic type of individual. Had a sharp tongue when it came to humbling their guards but professional when it came to their work.

They all greeted you a little more warmly than they did with the pair beside you.

Your first few months here allowed you to become quite friendly with the Guard. Not by any intent of your own, but your new store in town got more attention than you bargained for. And not in a good way. Stolen merchandise meant the Guard got involved. And it happened so often within a few weeks that the Guard Captain had stepped in.

And with that sort of attention watching your store, the thieves dissipated quickly.

“(Y/N), why am I not surprised your shop was involved?” Briar asked, crossing their arms over their armor plated chest. Their iron gauntlets clinked against the metal. “I had hoped that the call meant a different store.”

You shrugged, sighing dramatically. “It wouldn’t be a Thursday without something of mine going missing.”

Smith and Yesrie laughed. Briar’s reptilian face rarely showed much emotion other than a hard stare. But you glimpsed their scaly lips twitch in amusement.

“Indeed. You know the drill, then. What happened? Every little detail, as you know, helps us out.”

You explained the events that transpired within your store. Explaining why the potion-store owners were involved, which gave them a chance to explain how they recognized the person who stole from you.

Briar nodded along, taking in everything you said. Yesrie commented they were the guard that took the potion store’s report and that this thief was targeting many stores in the district, not just a few.

Smith was writing down notes in a small notebook that was the size of his palm. Asking the usual questions like the woman’s hair color or description. Which you had to let the potion shop owners answer, because you didn’t really take notice of the woman.

Then when you got to the descriptions of the stolen items, Briar’s tail twitched in irritation. Nothing directed at you, you found out. “Well, that complicates things. Stolen magical items of significant power require a formal report issued by the owner. Meaning, (y/n), you’re gonna have to go to the Guard House and fill one out.”

You groaned in annoyance. You had to fill out a report once before. It took forever. And you really didn’t feel like going across the district to the Guard House in this weather.

But if you want that ring back, or at least be compensated for its loss, you’ll need to go.

“I’m guessing I’ll need the paperwork I received for purchasing the item to sell?” You asked and Briar nodded.

“Proof of purchase or the license which came with the item. Anything that has the item’s description and magic detailed alongside your ownership. And it’s something you need to do at the House, too. We can’t issue you one, since you need a scribe to sign off on it and witness you filling it out.”

“All that for a magical item?” The potions woman scoffed. “Damn, I’m happy we never got into that side of the business.”

You wish you could agree with her. But you were definitely going to make an adjustment to your stock and protection so you didn’t have to go through this again.

“Alright. Thank you for your time. Sorry you had to march through this weather for my store again.” You said. And Yesrie shrugged, glancing out the window as another flash of lightning lit up the dim street outside.

“The weather makes you appreciate the sunny days more. We’ll see you at the House, (y/n).” Yesrie replied. And the guards took their leave.

You soon followed suit. Promising the potion owners you would bring their merchandise around soon. But they waved you off. Telling you to deal with the reports and the guards first before worrying about them.

You were beginning to really appreciate them. And made sure to lower the price on anything the two needed in any later deals.

Back inside your shop you made quick work of finding the needed documents that involved any transaction or information of the ring.

Which you then wrapped up in a leather satchel that was worn and aged from many years on the road. An old trusty item you’ve carried with you everywhere before placing it in the drawer of your new work desk.

It would protect the documents from the rain and keep them nice and flat while you trekked the stormy streets.

You wrapped yourself up in as much water-proof clothing as you could. Your cloak was your best chance at keeping yourself dry but watching the sky still bucket down torrents of water, you doubted you’d stay warm for long.

As long as the documents were safe, you could endure the rain.

And walking through the streets was just about as miserable as you expected. You stuck to any type of cover you could as you walked. Storefront canopies or trees that were planted along the paths. The thunder felt like it was roaring directly in your ear as you braced against the chilling wind.

You wrapped your cloak tightly around you and pulled your hood down so low over your face you could only see the pavement in front of you.

Every glance up at where you were going was a risk of cold water trickling down your neck and into your warm clothes.

You zigged and zagged through the district until you came upon the large stone steps of the Guard House. The House itself was huge! Meant to house many of the district's officers and their cadets. This one also doubled as a school for fresh-faced persons looking to become a guard.

As you climbed the steps to the door, you could hear someone yelling at said cadets beyond the stone wall that secluded the training yards from the streets.

You grimaced at the thought of training in such weather.

As you stepped through the doors, the same magic from the potion shop passed over your clothes. However, this enchantment felt like it was spluttering. Parts of you were left dry while other sections were left merely damp.

You were warmer than before you stepped inside but your fingers still felt icy as you approached the receptionist at the desk.

You greeted them warmly and explained what you needed to fill out. And the receptionist motioned for you to walk down a hallway and then turn right, which would lead you to the scribes that would help you out.

You thanked her and headed in your pointed direction.

The House was bustling with activity. You passed many guards through the halls, swathed in armor and weapons. A few scribes hurried by and you even made room for a woman with a mean looking hound to pass you in the hall.

She thanked you as she kept the beast on a short leash. The hound didn’t pay you any mind so you knew it was more for your sense of space than the dog’s.

But you found the scribe room easily enough and the man behind the desk went through the process of the report.

It was a long document too. With a handful of pages that you needed to fill out and agree too. The scribe looked equally annoyed with the prospect, apparently he needed to go over it and sign off as you went. It would take time out of both of your afternoon’s. But he took you to the side to a desk so you could sit comfortably and fill it out.

Excusing himself and asking you to call him over when you got to a particular section before moving on through the document.

You hoped the scribe didn’t think your agitation was directed at him as you sighed and sat down. But you got to work, reading over the lengthy questions and paragraphs with a quill in your hand.

A few minutes later, Briar entered the room and went to the scribe desk, speaking softly. When the scribe nodded and disappeared through a door, their eyes passed over you once before snapping back as they spotted you. They came over to greet you. Their tail dripped a little with rainwater. “Ah, it’s good to see someone with initiative. You got here quickly.” Briar said, leaning against another desk to your left.

“Better to get it out of the way now than later.” You shrugged. “You wouldn’t have happened to stumble across my thief with my ring by chance? So I don’t have to do this?” You asked, hopefully. But Briar shook their head.

That twitch pulled at their scaly lips again as a hissing chuckle whistled through their sharp teeth.

“If only we were that lucky. I have to do my own paperwork about it, as well. I envy you. I’d rather do your documents than my own.” Like the scribe was summoned, he appeared and placed a thick folder of paper on the front desk. Briar thanked him gruffly and went over to scoop it up. Grumbling as he showed you the thickness of the folder. “See. No complaining from you about lengthy reports. I will probably beat you on every account.”

You laughed and nodded. “I do feel a little better about my report now. Thanks.”

“Here to help. Enjoy.” Briar said with a curt nod before leaving the room.

You refocused your attention on the documents in front of you. Calling over the scribe when he didn’t look too busy once you got up to the section he requested.

And while he looked over what you wrote and ensured everything was in order, you let your gaze wander. The scribe hall looked like a bustling library. Desks and chairs were scattered about the room. And behind the front desk were many, many towering shelves of books and scrolls.

Scribes appeared and disappeared behind each corridor of paper. Some carried in armfuls of paper or were discussing something with a guard.

It was all very busy here. But the chatter was rather quiet. You wondered if there was some sort of magic that kept the sound of the hustle and bustle at a low range.

“Scribe Harry, I was told that- Oh, (y/n), what are you doing here?” Your attention snapped to the door of the hall as your name was voiced.

Guard Captain Aram strolled over to where you were sitting. Making your heart skip a beat when he leaned over the back of your chair to inspect the report.

Aram was an orc with a heavy green complexion that contrasted the pale patches of skin on his body caused by vitiligo. His blonde hair was tied back in uniform to the neat standards of the Guard.

His tusks curved out from his lower lip, decorated by silver caps on the blunt tips. His thick arms were wrapped in thick leather that slid under a heavy metal chest piece with the Guard’s symbol carved into the steel. The patches on his shoulders displayed his rank, if the better armor and air of authority didn’t already display it.

“I was robbed again.” You sighed. Pushing down the sudden rush of nervousness as you turned your attention to the captain. “A magical item this time. Briar came and sorted it out and told me to come here.”

Aram’s brows knitted together and you could have sworn you saw a spark of amusement light in those beautiful emerald eyes. Before the stoic expression of a guard captain fell back into place. “Ah, yes, the grand paperwork involved with magic. I thought you said you wanted to keep simple stock for a time.”

You nodded. Having to pause your answer to thank the scribe as he pushed the report back to you to continue writing. “Yes. But a friend of mine had some stock they couldn’t move in the settlement nearby. So, I took it off their hands.”

“And then someone decided to take it from yours.” Aram said. He glanced over at the scribe as he moved some dropped off paperwork into the shelves behind him. “Hmm, this will go quicker if I take over for the scribes. The poor bastards have had their hands full recently.” Then Aram called out to the scribe nearby, Harry, who looked relieved when Aram explained he’d be taking over witnessing you finish the report.

“Do you mind if we do this in my office? The magic in here makes my ears ache.” Aram asked. And when you nodded, Aram escorted you through the building to his office. Which you had been in once before when Aram had taken over the investigation of why your store was being targeted so frequently.

He closed the door behind you and you took the offered seat in front of his desk. Which he then slid your seat closer to the desk and made space on the surface for you to start the next section of the report.

He moved your chair so effortlessly with you in it that it made your stomach flip a little giddily. But you hid your smile as you busied yourself with reading over the next section.

“I was recently thinking about you. And, uh, the reports you had to make on your store.” Aram said rather quickly, fiddling with some papers on his desk. “It’s been a while since your last break in. I thought my trick did the job, to be honest.”

“For a while it did.” You agreed. Pausing to write down the description of the ring. “The extra patrols you had around the place seemed to scare them off. And gave me enough time to better the security of my shop. I still spot Smith on occasion in the area. But he always seems busy. I hope you’re not working him too hard.”

Aram chuckled. Picking up a quill of his own and scribbling over some papers on his desk. “The boy is fine. He’s eager for the work. But, uh…” You tore your eyes off the paperwork long enough to see why Aram didn’t finish his sentence.

His eyes were narrowed and his lips were pursed in a poor attempt at looking angry, looking over your head to the windows behind you.

You turned your head. And you caught a glimpse of something quickly darting out of view of the office. The room was enclosed but anyone in the hallways had a clear view of you sitting at Aram’s desk. The Guard Captain grumbled and stood, clearing his throat as he flicked a small switch and curtains fell down over the windows leading to the corridor outside.

“Nosy bastards.” You heard Aram mutter. But you pretended not to hear him as he returned to his seat and continued working on whatever was in front of him. “I was going to say he wanted to be set in that district. Apparently, his aunt lives around there.”

“Aww, that’s sweet of him. I’ll be sure to annoy him any chance I get when I see him.” You said, refocusing on the paper in front of you. You reached the next spot the scribe had told you to call for him and offered the papers to Aram.

Who went over the report swiftly and then handed it back to you after he signed off on the part he needed too.

“A ring of protection, huh? That didn’t move at your friend's establishment?” Aram asked, surprised. And you shook your head, writing as you responded.

“Their town was going through a drought. Which is probably being washed downriver right now with this rain. But no one had the money to purchase a ring like that. I offered to buy it off them and then give them a percentage if I manage to sell it. We used to travel together before they bought their store. They helped me get my place. Since I had no idea how to purchase property.”

Aram made a thoughtful noise, watching you as you worked. “Why didn’t you buy a place outside the city? Probably would have been cheaper. And also get you a better place than that splinter shack.”

“Hey, that’s my splinter shack you’re insulting.” You playfully snapped. Which made the Guard Captain laugh. “But I wanted to try the city. I’ve never stayed in one for long. And I thought a change of lifestyle would be refreshing.”

“And is it refreshing?” Aram asked.

You paused to look up at him, smiling. “Well, the people are much more interesting.” You let the sentence hang in the air for a touch longer before continuing. “And there’s always something happening here. And the food! Oh my Lords, I’ve never had such a wide variety of food always available. Every morning I get a fresh coffee with a freshly baked bun. A much better change than living off of dried meats and stale bread with cheese.”

Aram grinned at that. His eyes seemed to sparkle in the candlelight. “So, you think you’ll stay here for good then. This string of robberies hasn’t scared you off?”

You scoffed lightly and shook your head. “I’ve fought off armed bandits and kobolds from my goods before. A few hooded figures isn’t going to scare me off. I’ve gotten too comfortable sleeping in an actual bed now to give it up.”

Your words seemed to widen Aram’s smile. “Well, good to hear. The city always needs more good people like you in it. It would be a shame to see you go.”

Something in the way Aram spoke made your pulse quicken. Or maybe how his fingers brushed over your hand as you handed him the documents again for him to look over.

Either way, you were suddenly very aware of how little room there was between the two of you. Even if the desk was large enough to sit such a big man behind it, it felt like Aram was close enough to touch.

And as you took back the paperwork, you thought it was silly of you to think that he was putting his hand directly so that your fingers brushed over his.

It didn’t stop you from feeling how warm his hand was. Nor notice how much larger his hand was compared to yours.

You felt your cheeks flush with heat and you tried very hard to concentrate on the papers in front of you.

It still took an hour to go over everything, but you managed to finish the documents required. Aram took it upon himself to file it away as soon as possible. And asked you a few more questions about the robbery before opening the door of his office for you.

“I’ll be in touch in a few days.” Aram said, leaning against the doorframe. “If we find anything, you’ll be the first to know.”

“Thank you for your time, Captain Aram.” You said and then added jokingly. “And I’ll be sure to let you know if something else goes missing from my store.”

Aram laughed. “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen.” Then he glanced to one of the nearby windows as a crash of thunder sounded overhead “Have you got a way of getting back to your store? It’s still pouring outside.”

You grimaced and a shiver ran over you at the thought of the walk back. It was later in the afternoon now. The sun wouldn’t be set yet, but with the dark clouds overhead and closing to sunset, it was already pretty dark outside.

“No. It’s not that far of a walk, though. I’ll be fine.” You lied. And knew Aram would know this was your attempt at being polite and not complaining.

Aram’s warm smile dimmed and he shook his head. “I’m not having you walk home in this. I’ll get someone to drive you back.”

Your eyes widened and you tried to make an excuse that would justify not needing a driver. But Aram caught sight of Smith walking past and called him over.

“Yes, Captain?” Smith said as he approached. Looking between you and Aram worriedly.

“Get a carriage and drive (y/n) back to her store. And no side stops on your way back, got it.” Aram said, his voice harsh with authority as Smith’s confusion turned into something close to amused glee. He nodded and then looked at you.

“Your chariot is this way, ma’am.” He said with a little more bravado than needed. And you looked at Aram with a joking glare.

“You’re really going to subject me to this?” You asked. And Aram’s stern facade broke with a smile.

“I’d rather not hear that you got washed away by a river on your way home. Get her home safe, Smith.” Aram said before closing the door and leaving you to a beaming Smith as you followed him through the House.

“So, what did you and the Captain talk about in there?” Smith asked. Wiggling his shoulders in a teasing manner as he led you out into an enclosed barn connected to the Guard House. Where a carriage was currently being connected to two brown horses.

“He was overseeing the report I needed to fill out about the ring.” You explained. Ignoring the tiny flush of embarrassment that crawled up your neck. “The scribes were busy and he had time.”

Smith blew a harsh breath out of his lips. “Puh-lease, the Captain never has time.” And then so quietly you almost missed it. “But that seems to change for you.”

You chose to ignore him and wait by the House doors while Smith spoke with the person hooking the animals up. He then waved you over and opened the carriage door for you.

“My Lady.” He bowed his head and you tsked playfully at him.

“Stop that. It’s embarrassing enough as it is. Being escorted back home by a guard.” You mumbled as you climbed inside. Which got you a laugh from Smith.

“Come on, enjoy it! How many times have you been safely escorted home like the rich folk? Beat on the roof if you need me to stop for anything, alright?”

Smith closed the door once you were comfortably seated and you heard him clamber onto the front of the carriage.

The carriage itself wasn’t anything extravagant. The seats were plush enough to stop you from sitting on hard wood and there was enough space to fit four people.

It still felt a bit excessive for only you to be in here. But at least you weren’t going to be walking in the rain.

Your body lurched a little as Smith urged the horses into moving. And soon enough the carriage was filled with the deafening roar of rain pelting the roof above you.

You felt bad for Smith sitting up front. You had glimpsed a small canopy over the driver's seat. But that would be very little protection against the storm as it whipped around him outside.

You sighed. Relaxing against the seat as you glanced through the fogged window to the passing streets.

They were mostly empty. Apart from a few store fronts preparing to close for the afternoon. And some carriages that trotted past.

You haven’t gotten to experience a carriage ride in the city yet. You’ve been so busy with the store that any luxuries you usually would have gotten with your money were forgotten. Or spent on the store itself.

It was kind of peaceful watching the city pass you by.

You would definitely be sending another bakery basket to Aram for this. He had enjoyed the first one you sent after he helped keep your store safe last time.

I’m not having you walk home in this.

His words bounced around in your head like an endless echo. And you found yourself smiling.

And the way he had put his hand in the path of yours? It made your heart skip just thinking about it.

You shook your head. Trying to scatter the thoughts that were attempting to wriggle into your mind.

“Oh, stop it.” You sighed to yourself. “He’s just making sure you’re safe. That’s his job after all.”

You knew you wanted it to be a lie the moment you said it.

But you refused to think of any other reason that Aram would be doing this. You didn’t need something like that in your life just yet. You were busy as it was.

But…A small voice whispered. You definitely need something like him. Even only for a night or two.

Your cheeks burned as the thoughts spiraled and you shook your head again. Refusing to let those thoughts get any more traction than they already have.

It…has been a long time. But you were a business woman now. You had more important things at this moment than scratching that itch. Once the store was a little more organized and things calmed down, then maybe, maybe, you’d think about it.

You sat in your hurricane of a mind as Smith drove through your district and finally came to a stop just outside your store.

You went to open the door but Smith was already there. Drenched from head to toe but all smiles, bowing his head dramatically.

“My Lady! A pleasant ride, I hope.”

“Oh my Gods, you poor thing. Get back as quickly as you can before you catch a cold.” You gasped as you slipped out of the carriage. Hurrying to the safety of your store front.

“I’m fine. Get inside! I’ll let the Captain know you’re safely at your castle.” Smith called over the rain. And you didn’t even bother retorting, merely stuck out your tongue at him as you waved him off.

You heard him laugh and watched through your store windows as the carriage pulled away and disappeared into the heavy sheets of rain.

~*~

A few days later, the bell over your door chimed as someone entered. You called out to the customer that you’d be with them shortly and finished what you were doing in the back before greeting them behind your counter.

“Aram!” You beamed as the Guard Captain approached you. “What a surprise! Good news? Or bad news?”

Aram made a face like he was deciding, jokingly clicking his tongue as he leaned his arms on your counter. Crossing them over each other and coming down to your eye height.

“Which do you want first?” He asked.

You pursed your lips, hopelessly ignoring how Aram’s gaze flicked to your mouth before returning to your eyes as you said, “Good news first.”

“We found the woman who stole your items. Your ring is being processed and looked over to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with. It’ll take a few days to get back to you.”

You sighed with relief. “That’s good. But…the bad news?”

Aram’s grin made his eyes crinkle adorably as he shuffled his weight on his feet. He cleared his throat and it felt like he was forcing his gaze to stay on you. “The bad news is that I lost a bet involving the case. And you unfortunately will be put on the spot as I ask you out to dinner.” He cleared his throat again and stood at attention in front of you. Your heart pounded in your chest as he swallowed hard and said. “Would you like to go out to dinner with me?”

It was almost adorable at how worried Aram looked as you stared up at him. And it was even more so when relief washed over his expression as you nodded.

Before you realized you were even replying, you had said yes. You laughed sheepishly, shaking your head. “You lost a bet and you were forced to ask me out to dinner?”

“I wouldn’t say forced. That makes it sound like I didn't want to.” Aram replied. Scratching the back of his neck, under the thick braid of blonde hair. “I want to take you to dinner. I have for a bit now. I just…things got in the way and I wasn’t sure if you would be interested in me and…I’m sorry. I’m rambling.” He cleared his throat again. “This is me asking you to dinner, sincerely.”

“What would have happened if you didn’t?” You asked.

“Probably be called a coward by my men.” Aram replied. “Or someone would have done it for me, I’m sure. Or somehow talked you into asking me out. I don’t know. They’re very nosy. Very much like a bunch of highschoolers.”

“But they gave you an opening to ask me out to dinner. So, I would forgive them.” You said with a chuckle. And Aram visibly relaxed with the sound. “When would you like to set this dinner? I’m free most afternoons. I’m sure it’s your schedule we have to work around.” You said teasingly. And Aram nodded.

“I’ll free up my night next Friday, if that’s ok with you? I know it’s a while away but this week is choked up with work already.” When you nodded, Aram’s smile broadened and your body became heated under his sparkling gaze. You both discussed a place to eat, but since you rarely went out other than cafes and small take-away establishments, Aram promised he’d surprise you with a brilliant place to dine. “I’ll pick you up around seven? If the rain hasn’t stopped by then, I’ll bring a carriage around for us to use.”

You sarcastically rolled your eyes, “Please do not make Smith drive us. That was torture last time.”

Aram laughed but shook his head. “No, no. I won’t be letting those vultures anywhere near our dinner. I promise.”

Once you confirmed again the time and date, Aram excused himself, having to continue his patrol around the district. And the moment he left, your heart soared with excitement at the thought of dinner with Aram.

~*~

Friday couldn’t come any quicker.

The rest of the week fell into a snail like pace, dragging day and night until the morning of your dinner date with Aram.

The rain didn’t subside. Most of the city was now flooded or close to it.

You had braced your store for the worst. Purchasing new tables with waterproofing and protective surfaces, so if the water started to rise and your store was flooded, at least some of your merchandise would be saved.

Coincidentally, as you were unloading the transport carriage that had said furniture, three city guards came over to help unload them.

You didn’t know any of them, but you thought it was sweet that some passing guards saw you and the transport man struggling to move a table, and decided to help.

But that seemed to become a pattern over the course of the week leading to Friday.

You saw more guards than usual in the district and some greeted you as if you knew them. Smith came over to you whenever you were out. Conversing until he needed to leave for his patrol and you needed to return to the shop.

Briar dropped by and returned the ring to you. They was a lot more friendly than the prior meetings you had with them. They actually cracked a few jokes with you.

You finally caved when Yesrie just happened to be in the area on Friday morning. Popping by with a coffee for you. “Are all of you around here because I’m going out with Aram?” You asked. And Yesrie was terrible at feigning ignorance, even if she was joking the entire time she replied.

“You’re going out with my captain? That’s amazing! I didn’t know at all.”

You rolled your eyes and shooed her out of your store. Thanking her for the coffee and company before you needed to get to work.

But finally, the time came to close the store and begin getting ready for your date.

You chose something simple to wear but something to also make you look downright gorgeous. Being in the city had its perks and the ample amount of shops around allowed you to browse and pick something amazing for yourself.

You had half the thought it could be a touch overdressed, but you weren’t sure where Aram was taking you. And you did look good in it! So you wrestled down the nerves and waited for Aram to arrive.

You kept your hands busy with small things in your shop before a heavy knock sounded on your front door.

You quickly opened the door for Aram and he stepped inside wrapped in a thick cloak and hood sprinkled by the rain.

“Damn, look at you, (y/n).” Aram beamed. His eyes didn’t seem to know where to look. They definitely lingered along your chest and hips, but respectfully flicked up to hold your gaze very quickly when he caught himself staring. “I feel a little underdressed now.”

You glimpsed his attire beneath the cloak. Dark dress pants with a deep brown shirt that hugged his large frame snugly. He had decorative leather bracers along his wrists and his hair was neatly bundled up in a collection of braids. Each had small trinkets adorning the strands.

“Nonsense,” You said a little breathlessly. Have you ever seen this man out of uniform? “You look very dashing.”

Your words made his smile crinkle his eyes and he opened his cloak up to you. Nodding to the carriage waiting outside. “I forgot to bring you an umbrella.”

“Ah, yes. I also don’t own one.” You said, hoping the way you moved up beside him didn’t seem too eager.

And you absolutely had an umbrella. But you were not going to miss an opportunity to snugly press yourself against Aram.

Once you were standing against his side, Aram lowered his arm enough that the cloak surrounded you almost entirely. A sweet scent wafted off of him to you and you shivered as your arm brushed against his side.

He was so warm!

Together you exited the store, halting long enough to lock the front and then quickly dash to the carriage. Where a driver was waiting in the rain to open the door for the two of you.

You felt utterly terrible for the man. But as you clambered into the carriage, you caught a glimpse of your driver.

An automaton. A being made of metal and mechanical parts bowed their head as you greeted them. Their clothes were drenched but they didn’t seem to mind as Aram joined you in the carriage, taking the seat next to you, and the automaton closed the door behind him.

“Did you hire a driver for tonight?” You asked. Baffled by the beautiful interior of the carriage. It was much fancier than the one Smith drove you in. And the rain didn’t thunder the roof in this one. You could barely hear it as Aram responded.

“No. This is my carriage. Anthony out there works for me.” Aram said this as if it was a normal occurrence for someone to have an automaton driver. Or their own fancy carriage.

You tried not to balk at his words. Instead made room for him to remove the damp cloak and fold it on the seat across from the both of you.

“I didn’t know being a Guard Captain paid so well.” You teased. Watching Aram as he adjusted his shirt and ensured his bracers were still correctly placed on his wrists. There was a slight scruff along his cheeks and he had replaced the silver caps on his tusks with gold ones.

Damn, he dressed up nice.

Aram smiled and your heart shuddered when he winked at you. “It also pays to have been a successful adventurer beforehand.”

Your eyes widened and Aram laughed as you said, “Wait, you haven’t been a stuck up captain all your life?” Though your words were sarcastic, you couldn’t help but be impressed. “To be honest, I wouldn’t have guessed that was your past. Maybe a soldier of some kind? But not an adventurer.”

“You’d be amazed at how many guards of mine are retired adventurers or travelers looking to settle down. I knew the old captain before he retired. It sped up my promotions, I’ll admit, but I proved myself just like everyone else.” Aram admitted. Relaxing against the plush back seat of the carriage. “Chasing down burglars and walking the streets at night is a much better alternative to dungeon crawling.”

You hummed in agreement. “I do not miss the cold nights or falling asleep hungry. But there was definitely a charm to traveling that the city doesn’t have.”

It was Aram’s turn to agree with a grunt. “I do occasionally miss having the time and freedom to do whatever I want. But I wouldn’t give up my position for anything. Least of all, leave my Guards behind just to go treasure hunting.”

You caught a light twinkling in Aram’s eyes as he spoke. And his smile curled warmly at the corners. It was no secret that Aram was as loyal as any to the Guard, but there was definitely a type of kinship between them all as well.

“That does remind me,” You said, tilting your head teasingly at Aram. “Did you order more guards to patrol my district? I keep tripping over them everytime I leave the shop.”

Aram didn’t look surprised, but he didn’t look pleased about what you said either. “Ah, I was wondering why some of them took longer to return after their patrols.” You waited for Aram to say something else. And when he didn’t, you set a pointed stare on him, urging him to continue whatever thought was bouncing around in his head. Aram chuckled with a half roll of his eyes. “Alright, alright. This is a little embarrassing, but I believe they’re keeping an eye on you for me. On their own accord. I haven’t ordered anymore than the usual patrols in your district. But since…well, they’re a loyal lot and they want to make sure you’re safe.”

You laughed. It made sense why you saw Smith and Yesrie more than anyone else on your streets. “All because you asked me out to dinner?”

“Well…not just because of dinner. But that’s a conversation for later.” Aram said sheepishly. And he expertly changed the subject to your store and how it was faring in the weather. You let the conversation be swept into other topics, but you definitely would hold onto that little kernel of a question for later.

The ride through the city took a little longer than you expected. But soon, the streets outside transformed into a string of establishments on the docks. And the carriage was taken through a route that ran along the rough, crashing oceanside.

The beach looked absolutely ruined from the harsh tides. And the dark gloomy horizon was nothing more than a black screen of storm clouds.

Despite the rain, the street itself was bustling with activity. Lights illuminated the roads brilliantly in warm orange. And all along the sidewalk were canopies and large overhanging roofs to give shelter to the patrons that walked by.

Your carriage was taken to a restaurant that had a grand glass ceiling and a large balcony with many tables seated beneath it. Your table was directly next to the balcony edge, where a shield of magic protected you and Aram from the torrent of rain slashing down from above.

And you found yourself pleasantly warm as Aram pushed in your chair as you took your seat. The business must have heating enchantments placed around to keep their patrons comfortable.

“This place is lovely.” You said as your waiter passed you both a menu. Excusing themselves to give you time to look over their drink choice.

“It’s one of my favorite spots in the city. The ocean view usually is better, but I can at least trust the food will be good.” Aram explained, glancing over the railing to the harsh waves and dark waters. “I hope you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind at all.” You quickly reassured him. “I’m just happy to have an excuse to go out. I’ve been putting off going out for dinner for a while. I don’t know alot of people here yet. I wouldn’t know where to start.``

“Well, I hope my choice becomes one of your favorites.” Aram smiled.

The conversation fell into a simple one of work. Aram asked more questions about your store while you prodded about his life in the Guard.

“Things have gotten better over the past few months.” Aram admitted, drawing idle circles on the condensation of his cup of mead. “But I’m sure…activities will pick up closer to the holiday season. I dread to think about that time of year. But it is at least never lacking on slow days.”

“I used to avoid cities during their festival seasons. As backwards as that is for a traveling merchant.” You said in return. “It always caused me more grief than coins. But I guess it’s unavoidable now that I have a permanent spot here.”

                ~~~~To Be Continued Because my brain is stuck~~~~~~

As always, feedback or suggestions are welcome!! 

[sciatu]

TINDARI - la città greca-romana

Senti il vento? In verità questo non è il vento, è il tempo che passa, che attraversa i rami di ulivo, le antiche pietre di Tindari e fugge via, lasciando tutto com’è. Com’era anni, secoli, millenni fa. Tutto, qui all’ombra degli ulivi, resta com’era a raccontare come le vite degli uomini hanno senso solo se dietro di loro bellezza e armonia.  Il decumano maggiore che passa dalla grande Basilica a due piani e arriva al piccolo ed elegante teatro, il decumano minore su cui affacciano le piccole botteghe, le piccole case, tutte queste rovine, avanzi della storia e delle vite di chi le costruì e vi visse, tutto quanto vede passare il tempo come fosse il vento che sale dal mare al monte e resta immobile e osservandolo trascorrere resta fermo nel suo esistere al di là del continuo mutare della vita.

Così queste rovine hanno visto passare nel mare di fronte le triremi cartaginesi e le feluche saracene, i poveri pescatori di tonno e le orgogliose corazzate italiane destinate a trovare in quel mare il loro riposo eterno. Nel mentre i nobili del settecento instancabili percorrevano le sue strade invase dai rovi alla ricerca di monete e statue elogiando con la loro fame predatoria, l’antica ricchezza e bellezza. Ora resta solo il silenzio ed il tempo, nelle sembianze di vento, che passa tra gli ulivi, lasciando ogni cosa immutata nella sua antica rovina.

Do you feel the wind? In truth this is not the wind, it is time passing, passing through the olive branches, the ancient stones of Tindari and running away, leaving everything as it is. As it was years, centuries, millennia ago. Everything, here in the shade of the olive trees, remains as it was to tell how the lives of men have meaning only if behind them there is beauty and harmony. The major decumanus that passes from the large two-story Basilica and arrives at the small and elegant theater, the minor decumanus overlooked by the small shops, the small houses, all these ruins, remnants of history and the lives of those who built them and lived there, everything that sees time pass as if it were the wind that rises from the sea to the mountain and remains still and observing it pass remains firm in its existence beyond the continuous change of life. Thus these ruins have seen the Carthaginian triremes and Saracen feluccas pass in the sea in front of them, the poor tuna fishermen and the proud Italian battleships destined to find their eternal rest in that sea. Meanwhile the nobles of the eighteenth century tirelessly walked its streets invaded by brambles in search of coins and statues praising with their predatory hunger, the ancient wealth and beauty. Now only silence remains and time, in the guise of wind, which passes through the olive trees, leaving everything unchanged in its ancient ruin.

[tarotporkema]

Ancient Amulets and Talismans: The Magical Legacy of Protective and Prosperous Symbols

Exploring the Historical Significance and Modern Interpretations of Greek, Greco-Roman, and Celtic Amulets and Talismans in People Magical Practices and Cultural Beliefs

In recent times, amulets have once again become consumer items. I say "once again" because the sale of amulets spans thousands of years. However, unlike in previous centuries, they have lost their sacred character. Since people sometimes ask me for a "prosperity amulet"—having seen them for sale elsewhere—I believe it's an excellent opportunity to discuss the topic.

Left: Photo of Dr. John Dee's Black Obsidian Scrying Mirror on Display at the British Museum; Right: On the left, a marble herma with the head of Hermes and an erect phallus on the front of the pillar; above, a Roman tintinnabulum with a hybrid shape of an erect phallus and lion; below, a wappenmünzen with Medusa's effigy; to the right, a lar or Roman representation of the family spirit protector of the home holding a cornucopia.

Surprisingly, I agree with the definition of amulets, except for the "supernatural effects" attributed to them. We attribute certain powers or qualities to the natural world, and all objects from the natural world share the same symbolism, being associated with the culture we belong to and our personal and family beliefs.

In magical arts, there are two distinct types of these magical objects: amulets and talismans. To simplify, amulets are designed to ward off negativity, while talismans attract all kinds of fortunes. They are two sides of the same coin but are not the same. Ancient amulets require a broader explanation—I'll touch on that towards the end—but for practical purposes, the operative definition in the context of current magic is that amulets repel and talismans attract.

To acquire its power, this magical object requires four complementary actions:

Apotropaic: This is the most popular type and does not require formal magical knowledge. For example, a stone naturally holed by erosion. The powers considered are part of the culture, like believing in the protection of a St. Christopher medallion, which can have apotropaic qualities either inherently (animism) or by being "blessed" by a priest.

Liturgical: This involves sanctifying the object through religious rites, invoking the power of entities, gods, or spirits. An example is the aforementioned blessing of the St. Christopher medallion, where the priest acts as an intermediary and channel for the saint's power.

Energetic: Known as "charging" or "energizing," this action seeks to multiply the amulet's power. This does not necessarily involve a religious ritual. For example, leaving a stone exposed overnight to moonlight to "charge" it.

Sympathetic: This transfers the symbolic to reality through signs, words, the addition of objects, or spells. For example, engraving a talisman with the image of a desired book to attract that book, representing the desired object and making it appear in the material world.

Some details: If you buy an amulet because someone told you it's protective, you're trusting the seller's word, not the amulet's properties. If you value the seller's word—as some do with a priest—then you indeed have a powerful object. You can also buy a personalized amulet and "charge" it yourself, but you'd be purchasing the container of power, not the amulet itself. If you learned as a child that a horseshoe above the door brings good luck, then go ahead, because your subconscious likely considers that horseshoe very protective.

For millennia, writing was considered a magical art. The privileged classes guarded it zealously, believing that certain symbols possessed inherent magical powers. This tradition persists even in modern movies, where we see Count Dracula writhing in pain at the sight of a cross. This is the animistic theory of talismans’ operation, prevalent in popular and pagan witchcraft, both ancient and modern.

Today, many magicians reject this theory in favor of the energetic theory of talismans’ operation. They consider the most important thing is to charge the talisman or amulet, that is, to introduce magical energy into the chosen object to make it powerful. The time spent carefully drawing specific symbols on the object is an effective way to create and transmit energy. Adding this energy to the one generated and directed by the magician during the charging ritual explains why this magical technique is so powerful. However, no method—be it Witchcraft or Ritual Magick—is superior to another.

Stones for Making Amulets and Talismans

In historical families of the Celtic areas of the British Isles, the tradition of attributing powers to certain stones has a long history. The most famous of this legacy is the Lee Penny, belonging to the ancient Scottish family of Lockhart. This red stone, set in a silver coin, was believed to have powers to heal cattle: the magical technique involved immersing the stone in water and giving this water to the sick cattle. Sometimes, the distinguished family lent or rented the stone to others with cattle, representing a shared belief and magical practice by a community.

Astrological guardianship is crucial to determining the virtues of stones. Most modern lists of zodiac stones or "sign stones" are purely marketing; though beautiful, wearing the wrong stone has no significant magical effect unless you believe in it wholeheartedly (not the seller). However, some lists of stones and their astrological correspondences have ancient consolidation, like the one mentioned in the Bible about the High Priest of Israel's breastplate (Exodus 28:15-21). Historian Flavius Josephus says the stones on the breastplate symbolize the twelve months and the twelve zodiac signs, with the two large stones representing the Moon and the Sun. The current custom of wearing sign stones originated in the 16th century in Poland, among the Jewish jeweler guild interested in the breastplate's mysticism. Nonetheless, the astrological and planetary correspondences do not match the instructions for the stones we can buy today in the Jewish Quarter or any fair ( here you can read the History, magical uses, and spiritual meanings of precious and semi-precious stones).

Due to its color, one of the most magically charged stones is obsidian—less so, onyx—as it is believed to have trapped the very night. The magical mirror of Elizabethan astrologer Dr. John Dee, to whom we owe powerful Enochian magic, was made of polished obsidian.

If you're looking for a universal talisman or amulet but have a limited budget and do not trust the seller's knowledge, the mineral with which we can all symbolically associate attraction and repulsion is the old and beloved magnet. Magically, it is associated with attraction, but it can be used both to attract and repel, especially if combined with the symbolism of the metal it attracts, iron, representing Mars and Aries.

With the right moon, the right day, a spell written by you, and a good magnet, you will have a much more effective talisman than any piece bought in Villa Biarritz market.

Greek and Greco-Roman Amulets and Talismans

In ancient Greece, the most commonly used apotropaic symbols were the eye, the gorgoneion, and the genitals. These symbols were used in various ways. For example, some Greek kylikes were decorated with two large eyes so that when brought to the lips to drink, the face was completely covered by the cup: the person facing the drinker only saw, as if it were a mask, two intimidating fixed eyes. The eyes served as protection against critics and the evil eye, and also allowed the drinker to cast a glance at the guests, giving them the unsettling sensation of being constantly watched. The function of decorated kylikes was to give the illusion of control over one’s destiny and the destiny of others. To protect against enemy attacks and deceive death, the eye was also present in contexts like the Pyrrhic dance and in war weapons, generally represented on shields.

Apart from the eyes, the gorgoneion (or gorgonian) was also depicted on the shields of Athenian soldiers, as Perseus was a favorite of the goddess Athena. The gorgoneion is nothing more than the head of Medusa, the gorgon well-known for her ability to petrify anyone who dared to look into her eyes. Other attributes include the snakes for hair and the boar's tusks for teeth. A more recent interpretation of the myth shows empathy for Medusa because her head was severed by Perseus. However, unlike, for example, Ariadne, Medusa is not a mythical woman but a terrible monster, the embodiment of Death before whom we are all defenseless. (If you want to know my stance on the reinterpretation of myths, you can read the entry about Lilith)

Finally, the erect phallus was present in many iconographic contexts. Depending on the scenes, phallic representations could be simple erotic decorations, symbols of apotropaic objects, or serve to attract fertility and fecundity, similar to the cornucopia or horn of plenty. For instance, some scenes with an erect phallus were placed at crossroads and property boundaries; along with the phallus, a rudimentary bust was generally sculpted in stone. This stone was called herma, originally representing the god Hermes, protector of travelers and merchants, psychopomp and lord of the roads. Sometimes, this hermetic pillar was depicted in skyphos along with the caduceus, also an attribute of Hermes. Other examples include kantharoi with representations of satyrs with an erect phallus, illuminating maenads who carry the thyrsus in the retinue of Dionysus.

In Roman times, the preferred object to ward off evil influences was a kind of rattle usually placed on the doors and thresholds of houses. One of the most beautiful examples was found in Pompeii and features five phalli arranged like horns. Astragali and protective hand figures were also popular, as were the gorgoneion and cornucopias—whose origin lies in the goat Amalthea who nursed Zeus—as an attribute of the goddess Fortuna. Mercury's tintinnabula, which had the apotropaic function granted by the phallic rays emanating from the god's head, were also fashionable. This type of tintinnabulum is fascinating because it simultaneously served to protect and attract luck and fortune with the bag of coins Mercury held in his hand.

Tarot by Kema

Montevideo

[magicalgirlmascot]

KNPS Whenua probably does not have an evil slug collection hidden away somewhere like his canon counterpart did (one hopes, anyway). Is there anything in particular he does collect? ( I mean. Of course he does, it’s Whenua. You could tell me he was really into stamps or coins or folio society editions or fossils or vintage teapots or pinned insect displays or baseball cards and I’d go ‘yeah that tracks.’ But narrowing it down is hard.)

Red Rose tea figurines. He has a nearly complete set proudly displayed in a little glass cabinet he found at a yard sale and pestered Onewa into restoring for him. Nuju has offered several times to go looking for his missing figures on ebay or wherever but he refuses. He will hunt these ancient kitschy doodads down the old fashioned way or die trying. He goes to a LOT of yard sales and secondhand stores.

[queensharotto]

Brittle Doughie’s Cookie Run x Reader Masterlist (Part 3: Early 2023)

A masterlist of @brittle-doughie’s Cookie Run stories organized by month.

Genre Emojis

😞 is for angst, 🎃 is for Halloween, 🎄 is for Christmas, 🍪 is for Cannibalism, 💗 is for Yandere, 💝 is for Valentine’s, 👻 is for Horror, 🎂 is for Birthday, 💚 is for Yandere!White Lily Cookie

The Indents are related to the featured cookies. If there are numerous cookies (Over 10 Cookies Featured), I’ll make a note on that as well. Additionally, I’ll categorize various cookies if they’re associated with a specific hobby, location, food etc.

Also, the ⭐️ will indicate a story featuring one of Brittle’s OCs.

January 2023 ❄️

• “Molded, Battered, Whole”

Featuring: The Five Dragons

• “Y/N Cookie getting Injured”

Featuring: Pomegranate Cookie, Mala Sauce Cookie, Black Raisin Cookie, Financier Cookie and Princess Cookie

• “Foul Play” 💗

Featuring: The Cherry Stars

• “Seize the Spin”

Featuring: Numerous Cookies

• “Face the Music!”

Featuring: Gingerbrave and Friends, B.A.D 4, Manager Scarlet and Producer D.K.E.C

• “Two Sides of a Coin”

Featuring: Hollyberry Cookie

• “New Time Balance Department Cookies”

Featuring: The Time Balance Department

• “Sands of the Sale”

Featuring: Yogurt Cream Cookie and Lilac Cookie

• “Memories”

Featuring: Numerous Cookies

• “Coworkers Delight”

Featuring: Maple Taffy Cookie

• “Spared No Expense 2”

Featuring: Cheesecake Cookie

• “Y/N Cookie’s Valentine’s Day Experience” 💝

Featuring: Numerous Cookies

• “A Fish in a Barrel”

Featuring: Affogato Cookie and the Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom

• “Good Day for Walks”

Featuring: Pure Vanilla Cookie

• “A Handycookie’s Expertise”

Featuring: Coffee Candy Cookie, Baguette Cookie, Dark Fondue Cookie, Maple Taffy Cookie and Marble Bread Cookie

• “Chaos and Control”

Featuring: Twizzly Gummy Cookie and her Gang

• “House is Where The Heart Is”

Featuring: Raspberry Mousse Cookie

• “The Serenity or The Charismatic”

Featuring: Pure Vanilla Cookie and Clotted Cream Cookie

• “Eternity”

Featuring: Snow Sugar Cookie

• “Interactions with Milky Way Cookie during Episode 15”

Featuring: Milky Way Cookie

• “Y/N Cookie Dislikes People Yelling”

Featuring: Hollyberry Cookie, Purple Yam Cookie, Carol Cookie, and Caramel Arrow Cookie

• “No Deed Goes Unnoticed”

Featuring: The Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom

• “At Your Beck and Call”

Featuring: The Pearl Legion and House Custard Soldiers

• “Ayo, Their Pouch Responses”

Featuring: Sea Fairy Cookie and Moonlight Cookie

• “No Dice” 💗

Featuring: Clotted Cream Cookie and the Ancient Cookies

• “Undeserving”

Featuring: Affogato Cookie’s Disciples, Dark Cacao Cookie, Adventurer Cookie, and Captain Ice Cookie

• “But the Dance is Today!”

Featuring: Cookies of the Hollyberry Kingdom

• “Y/N Cookie’s Tailoring Hobby”

Featuring: The Tailor Cookies

• “Lost Amidst Matrimony” 😞💗

Featuring: Pure Vanilla Cookie and White Lily Cookie

• “Sweet Heartmender” 💝

Featuring: Blue Lily Cookie and Lilybell Cookie

• “Burger Chain Backfire”

Featuring: Reporter Cookie and Shining Glitter Cookie

February 2023 💝

• “Antagonized”

Featuring: Almond Cookie, Truffle Cookie, Butter Pretzel Cookie, Lollipop Cookie, and Melon Bun Cookie

• “Even More Heartbreak”

Featuring: Black Pearl Cookie, Captain Caviar Cookie, and Seaweed Cookie

• “Star of the Industry” ⭐️

Featuring: Dumpling Cookie (debut), Reporter Cookie, and various Music Cookies

• “The Sugar Swan’s Treasure”

Featuring: The Sugar Swan

• “Y/N Cookie Blurbs”

Featuring: Various Cookies

• “Pet Times”

Featuring: Carrot Cookie, Cheesecake Cookie, and Baguette Cookie

• “Y/N Cookie’s First Encounter with Stardust Cookie”

Featuring: Stardust Cookie and Moonlight Cookie

• “Moon Pie Cookie”

Featuring: Moonlight Cookie

• “Tales of Sweetness” 💝

Featuring: Carrot Cookie, Beet Cookie, Red Velvet Cookie, Pomegranate Cookie and Light Cream Cookie

• “If Y/N Cookie Hated Someone”

Featuring: Dark Choco Cookie, Pomegranate Cookie, Affogato Cookie, Ice Juggler Cookie and Cocoa Cookie

• “Movie Star Y/N Cookie”

Featuring: Cheesecake Cookie, Blackberry Cookie, Cocoa Cookie, Mint Choco Cookie, Tea Knight Cookie, Eclair Cookie, Twizzly Gummy Cookie and Shining Glitter Cookie

• “Duel of Hearts”

Featuring: White Choco Cookie and Rose Cookie

• “A Very Much Invited Guest”

Featuring: The Cookies of the Hollyberry Kingdom

• “Fashion Week 2?”

Featuring: Cheesecake Cookie, Chestnut Cookie, and the Tailor Cookies

• “Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to”

Featuring: The Vegetable Cookies

March 2023 🌱

• “Artist Y/N Cookie”

Featuring: Butter Pretzel Cookie, Cheesecake Cookie, Truffle Cookie and Pastry Cookie

• “Y/N Cookie’s Costume Concepts”

Featuring: Numerous Cookies

• “Drawings for the Little Cookies”

Featuring: Lollipop Cookie, Walnut Cookie, Onion Cookie and Strawberry Crepe Cookie

• “Ya Like Raisin Buns?”

Featuring: Black Raisin Cookie

• “Sweetheart Timekeeper Cookie” 💝

Featuring: Timekeeper Cookie

• “Stress from a Job”

Featuring: Baguette Cookie, Almond Cookie, Pizza Cookie, Dr. Bones Cookie and Kumiho Cookie

• “Ancient Y/N Cookie’s All Nighters”

Featuring: The Ancient Cookies

• “Y/N Cookie being part of a Royal Family”

Featuring: Madeleine Cookie, Financier Cookie, Red Velvet Cookie, Chocolate Bonbon Cookie and Rougefort Cookie

• “Y/N Cookie having a Nightmare”

Featuring: Moonlight Cookie, Milky Way Cookie and Stardust Cookie

• “Downstream: Part 1”

Featuring: Affogato Cookie and the Cookies of the Dark Cacao Kingdom

• “Group Findings”

Featuring: Cauliflower Cookie and Peperoncino Cookie

• “Volunteering to be a parent to Y/N Cookie’s child (Part 1)”

Featuring: Numerous Cookies

• “Sea Fairy x Y/N Cookie”

Featuring: Sea Fairy Cookie

• “A Jammed Heart” 😞

Featuring: Chocolate Frosting Cookie

• “Croissant Cookie vs. Timekeeper Cookie”

Featuring: Croissant Cookie, Timekeeper Cookie, Coffee Candy Cookie and Dark Fondue Cookie

April 2023 ☔️

• “A Forced Hand” ⭐️

Featuring: Salsa Cookie (debut) and the Ancient Cookies

• “Y/N Cookie in Scovillia”

Featuring: Scovillia Headmaster, Capsaicin Cookie, Parfaedia Principal, Prune Juice Cookie, Creme Knights Preceptor and Kouign-Amann Cookie

• “From Afar”

Featuring: Chocolate Bonbon Cookie, Croissant Cookie, Sour Belt Cookie and Lime Cookie

• “Kindred Souls”

Featuring: Milk Cookie

• “Y/N Cookie Comforting Centipede Cookie”

Featuring: Centipede Cookie, Lilac Cookie and Scorpion Cookie

• “Chocolate Frosting Cookie trying to redeem herself”

Featuring: Chocolate Frosting Cookie, Croissant Cookie, Coffee Candy Cookie, Dark Fondue Cookie and Timekeeper Cookie

• “The Pudding Cup Circus”

Featuring: Banana Cookie, Ice Juggler Cookie, Licorice Cookie and Pomegranate Cookie

• “Cookies of Darkness Go to the Movies”

Featuring: The Cookies of Darkness

• “Volunteering to be a parent to Y/N Cookie’s child (Part 2)”

Featuring: Financier Cookie, Pure Vanilla Cookie, Red Velvet Cookie, Madeleine Cookie, Captain Caviar Cookie and Clotted Cream Cookie

• “Exiled from their Kingdom: The Darkness’s Offering”

Featuring: The Cookies of Darkness

• “No Simp September”

Featuring: Hollyberry Cookie, Kumiho Cookie, Frost Queen Cookie, Blueberry Pie Cookie and Princess Cookie

• “I’ll Miss You” 😞

Featuring: The Ancient Cookies

• “The Incorrect Quote Cookie Jar #2”

Featuring: Numerous Cookies

• “Y/N Cookie in the Crème Knights”

Featuring: Financier Cookie, Vanilla Sugar Cookie, Kouign-Amann Cookie, Prune Juice Cookie and Capsaicin Cookie

Divider Source l Next Masterlist l Previous Masterlist

[blueiscoool]

Haul of Historic Coins Sells For $176,000 at Auction

A British man who found a massive cache of ancient Roman gold and silver coins while hunting with a metal detector has a lot more modern currency in his pocket after the treasure was auctioned off for $176,000.

George Ridgway, a trained archaeologist, investigated an unusual marking in a recently harvested field in Suffolk, England in September 2019, according to a news release from Noonans Auctions. He knew that a Roman road had once run close to the field, and thought there might be something to find.

Hours scouring the area turned up nothing, he said, but when he shifted his position by just 30 yards, he found two Roman brooches that dated back to the 1st century. Shortly after, he found a silver coin issued by Julius Caesar in 46 BC. Another three hours of searching turned up 160 more silver coins and some pottery fragments.

"I knew I had made an important archaeological discovery and called my dad to guard the site overnight while we waited for an archaeological team to arrive and excavate the site," the 34-year-old said. "It took three months to recover the hoard."

During that excavation, researchers found even more coins, including gold pieces. In total, 748 coins, dated from as early as 206 B.C., were recovered. Alice Cullen, a coin specialist at the auction house, said it was one of the largest hoards of Iron Age and Roman coins found in the United Kingdom. The coins may have been buried by a long-serving soldier in Rome's XX Legion, who were once stationed in what would later be known as Colchester, England, Cullen said. There was a "fierce battle" in the area around 47 A.D., Cullen said, and a victim of the conflict may have been the person who buried the coins.

Sixty-three of the coins were claimed by the British Museum and the Colchester & Ipswich Museum, to be displayed in their collections, and the rest were auctioned. While the auction house expected the sale to garner about $100,000, it actually brought in more than $176,000, according to CBS News partner the BBC.

A coin issued by Gaius Caesar - also known as Caligula - decorated with a portrait of the Empress Agrippina and dated to A.D. 37-38 sold for about $9,295, according to the BBC. Another coin, issued by Claudius and dated to A.D. 41-42, sold for about $6,640.

Ridgway said the proceeds of the sale will be split between himself and the landowner of the site where the coins were found. He said that such a find has been like a dream come true.

"I was inspired by my childhood hero Indiana Jones to start history hunting when I was 4 years old, and I dreamed of finding a Roman hoard since my grandmother bought me a metal detector for my 12th birthday," Ridgway said. "It was an awe-inspiring moment when I realised that I had found one!"

By Kerry Breen.

[the-garbanzo-annex-jr]

by Matti Friedman

The little book may have been kept by a Jewish family in Bamiyan, the curator suggested, with different people adding new texts as the years passed. The hands of at least five scribes are evident in the pages. They were influenced by ideas and writing coming from both major Jewish centers of the time—Babylon, which is modern-day Iraq, and the Land of Israel, where Jewish sovereignty had been lost seven centuries before and whose people were now under Islamic rule.

The previously unknown poem shows the influence of a familiar biblical text, the erotic Song of Songs, according to Professor Shulamit Elizur of the Hebrew University, the member of the research team in charge of the poem’s analysis.  But it also shows the impact of an esoteric Jewish book that wasn’t part of the Bible, known as the Apocalypse of Zerubbabel. This book is thought to have originated in the early 600s, when a brutal war between Byzantium and the Sasanian empire of Persia generated desperate messianic hopes among many Jews. Whoever wrote the poem in the Afghan prayer book had clearly read the Apocalypse, Elizur said—giving us a glimpse of a Jewish spiritual world both familiar and foreign to the coreligionists of the Bamiyan Jews in our own times, 1,300 years later. The previously unknown poem shows the influence of a familiar biblical text, the erotic Song of Songs, according to Professor Shulamit Elizur of the Hebrew University. (Museum of the Bible)

Chapters of the book’s journey from Afghanistan to Washington are unclear—some because they’re simply unknown even to the experts, and others because that’s the way the people in the murky manuscript market often prefer it.  

When the book was discovered by the Hazara militiaman, according to Hepler, the tribesmen didn’t know exactly what it was but understood it was Jewish and assumed it was sacred. The local leader had it wrapped in cloth and preserved in a special box. At one point in the late 1990s, it seems to have been offered unsuccessfully for sale in Dallas, Texas, though it’s unclear if the book itself actually left Afghanistan at the time. 

After the al-Qaeda attacks of 9/11 triggered the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan, the book disappeared for about a decade. In 2012 it resurfaced in London, where it was photographed by the collector and dealer Lenny Wolfe. 

Any story about Afghan manuscripts ends up leading to Wolfe, an Israeli born in Glasgow, Scotland. I went to see him at his office in Jerusalem, an Ottoman-era basement where the tables and couches are cluttered with ancient Greek flasks and Hebrew coins minted in the Jewish revolt against Rome in the 130s CE. It was Wolfe who helped facilitate the sale of the larger Afghan collection to Israel’s National Library. “The Afghan documents are fascinating,” he told me, “because they give us a window into Jewish life on the very edge of the Jewish world, on the border with China.” 

When Wolfe encountered the little prayer book, he told me it had already been on the London market for several years without finding a buyer. In 2012, the year he photographed the book, he said it was offered to him at a price of $120,000 by two sellers, one Arab and the other Persian. But the Israeli institution he hoped would buy the book turned it down, he told me, so the sale never happened. Not long afterwards, according to his account, he heard that buyers representing the Green family had paid $2.5 million. When I asked what explained the difference in price, he answered, “greed,” and wouldn’t say more. (Hepler of the Museum of the Bible wouldn’t divulge the purchase price or the estimated value of the manuscript, but said Wolfe’s figure was “wrong.”)

The collection amassed by the Green family eventually became the Museum of the Bible, which opened in Washington in 2017. The museum has been sensitive to criticism related to the provenance of its artifacts since a scandal erupted involving thousands of antiquities that turned out to have been looted or improperly acquired in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. The museum’s founder, Steve Green, has said he first began collecting as an enthusiast, not an expert, and was taken in by some of the dubious characters who populate the antiquities market. “I trusted the wrong people to guide me, and unwittingly dealt with unscrupulous dealers in those early years,” he said after a federal investigation. In March 2020 the museum agreed to repatriate 11,000 artifacts to Iraq and Egypt. 

[twofielder]

ANOTHER COINS FOR SALE POST?!

I’m trying out Whatnot this weekend and selling some of my ancient coins there.

Check it out 10/27 8pm EST if you can! https://www.whatnot.com/s/pEaO3m6R

And if you’re new to the app, use my referral link! https://whatnot.com/invite/twofielder

[impacto1]

Buy World Coins- IMPACTO

Discover the captivating world of numismatics with Impacto - Buy World Coins! Delve into the rich tapestry of history and culture through our curated collection of coins from diverse countries and eras. Unveil the allure of ancient civilizations and modern mintings, each a unique testament to human heritage. With trusted dealers and auction houses, we guarantee authenticity and quality. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a novice, Impacto invites you to embark on a mesmerizing journey of coin collecting, preserving tangible fragments of history. Explore, acquire, and make an #IMPACTO on your numismatic adventure! 🌍

Buy World Coins

[sierrawitch]

Manifestation of the Spoken Word

by autumn sierra

Manifestations aren’t always the product of ritual, or even a spell. Many times witches and people outside the community akin manifestations to actions bringing about the desired outcome, whether magickal or mundane. In my case, I did nothing but use the spoken word.

We as a people vastly underestimate the power of language. Whether we see it as inherently magickal or as an amazing evolution of ancient communication, language has a very important role in each life and in many ways. For someone living in the mundanity of our world, language is a means of communication and an outlet for creativity, an escape from the outside and a retreat into the vividness of the imagination. It’s also used to further education and community.

In witchcraft, we understand that language is all these things and more. We understand that in order to speak, we need to first think about what we’re going to say, and in order to do that we must conjure thought from a void within ourselves. In conjure or manifestation work, something is created from nothing, or at least by using limited tools to achieve the desired outcome. Some use tools like herbs and crystals, coins and fire. In my case (and in the case of others I’m sure) the tools were whittled down simply to the spoken word.

For the past few weeks, among my numerous hobbies I began practicing sewing and tailoring for my own growth and benefit. My younger sister realized I was doing this, and asked me to tailor her clothes, which then turned into paid commissions completely transforming old clothing into new pieces for her wardrobe. Doing all of this by hand, I often exasperatedly cried out “if only I had a sewing machine!” or “just wait until I get a sewing machine”. I said things like this over and over, usually in frustration and with fatigue, but also in excitement of the possibility of what I could achieve without needing to stitch everything by hand.

Was it my pure intention to manifest a sewing machine? Absolutely not. I did no fancy ritual work or spell casting. Nothing was set in motion physically for me to obtain one. I even recognized that I needed to put that want on hold for lack of space! And yet, my words became the catalyst of my desire. My frustration, hope, and pride in my own work fueled those words and suddenly, I found myself waking up to a text from my aunt. She had found a sewing machine at a yard sale. It was selling for $10, when it originally retailed for $130-250. She offered to give it to me free of charge. Flabbergasted, I accepted, and within the afternoon it was in my hands.

Have I found a place for my new sewing machine? No. But I have realized the immense power of the spoken word. Not only were thoughts conjured from a void within me, but my purest desires fueled with emotion were put out into the world. They were spoken of over and over again, until they came to fruition 2 weeks later.

The power of the spoken word is not limited to your native tongue. Magick is attached to languages of ancient times, like Latin, Gaeilge, Gàidhlig, Egyptian, Greek, Chinese, Ainu, Inuktut, and many more through tradition, culture, and generations of ancestral knowledge. By incorporating ancient language into witchcraft practices, we connect with those who came before and call upon the wisdom of the living word in whichever circumstance we find ourselves in. They can be used in prayer, ritual, offering, spell work, ancestor work, deity work, and manifestation. Simply using the language imbued with history and memory to commune with the world around us is magick.

So even if you’re not trying to manifest a sewing machine, consider how the words you speak so passionately could affect your life. They say “be careful what you say” and “be careful what you wish for”. Little do they know just what can be spoken into being.

[valoisfulcanellideux]

The Greatbridge in its heyday

We all know it as this beautiful creation:

But I wanted to write about how it might have been in its heyday, when the Ancient Capital was alive and thronging with people. And so I did...

From These Stones Remember (ch.22) -

The great wooden gates lay up ahead, and beyond them he could see a bustle already arising. Carts rumbled past him, laden with wares, donkeys and llamas similarly packed with goods passed by more noisily. And, as he walked through the gates, the whole of the Greatbridge lay before him. Flanking the whole length of it, as far as he could see, stalls and stands were already set up and in the process of being stocked. Banners and pennants danced in the river breeze that also brought the scents of spices and incense smokes to him. Baskets and crates and sacks, fruits and grains and vegetables, the hot floury smell of flatbread baking in ovens, the mouth-watering sizzle of sides of pork turning over hot coals that nosed down from the far end of the bridge, the chatter and laughter of haggling already underway. To his left, a large balloon that floated in the air, tied down with rope. Occasional bursts of flame upwards into the stiffened cloth sphere made it rise to the limits of the rope, as well as the heavy net slung across the top of the sphere. Below it there hung a large square basket, from which burly men wearing brown leather breeches and white shirts handed down large crates to their colleagues on the ladder below, who cracked them open and set out their contents on tables and boxes. Stacks of books, both plain and with magical sheen, piled between shining ingots of pure iron. To his right, a great chirping, flapping, and squawking as a man and woman took birdcages from a small cart pulled by a third, hanging them beneath a joyously bright statue of a parrot. Two small children stood close by, hand-in-hand, watching and giggling. Beneath bright awnings, cooking oils by the jug and dried fruits by the waxen bag, seeds by the pouch for planting, buttons by the cone and ribbons by the measure of thumb to elbow. Beneath the llama statue, women crowded to haggle for the best and brightest from water-filled buckets of colourful flowers. Moving through the bustling crowd, delights at every turn, Paix gloried in the beauty and heart of humanity that thronged this place. Hawkers cried their wares, flattered and wheedled and flirted with their customers for another sale, jugglers and tumbling acrobats somehow managed to keep both a space about them and an entertained audience distracted before them. Devotees sang and sold wine and sugar beneath a floating quartz cupola that defied both gravity and sensibility. A redstone trickster held a small gaggle of onlookers rapt while his light-fingered accomplice relieved their pockets of coin. Mummers performed a comedic play, drawing roars of laughter from those crowded around their antics. Paix was offered samples of wine by the singing devotees, juicy hunks of roasted pork by odd little squat folk whose cloak hoods flared widely on either side of their heads and who tried to press him for an additional purchase of copper ingots, giggling when he demurred since he had nothing with which to pay them. More wine, followed by a hand thrusting a crescent-shaped meat pie toward him with a broad grin and a bellowed word that was lost amid the general clamour on the Greatbridge.

[voraciousvore]

Giganterra (Chapter 3)

Prologue/ TOC | Previous (2) | Next (4)

Word Count: 3k

------ Chapter 3: The Threads of Fate ------

Candy Caramello went to town to sell vegetables. Her mother was usually responsible for this task, but she was hungover, so she sent Candy to go, once she was finished milking the cows. Candy didn’t mind, though, as she liked to get away from her tedious routine of drudgery on the farm to enjoy the sights of the city. 

In particular, she liked to admire all the cute boys. Candy was a hopeless romantic, and she dreamed about meeting a handsome man, getting married, and escaping her boring rural life. Maybe a knight in shining armor who could sweep her off her feet and gallop off into the sunset with her, riding a mighty steed with a flowing mane and tail. Candy was a sweet girl, with blue eyes, long blonde hair, and big breasts, and she loved to flirt with all the men, but she was also a poor peasant girl of lowly station. She rarely got to meet any eligible men, isolated as she was in the rural countryside, so she wasn’t anticipating any serious marriage offers anytime soon. She was also exceedingly dimwitted and clumsy, traits that made her undesirable to the families of available suitors. 

Her vegetables sold faster than she expected, so by midday most of her stock was gone. As she collected her things and her pouch full of coins from the sales, she felt the ground beneath her feet shake like an earthquake, accompanied by shouts and screams. She looked up to see what was causing the commotion, only to behold three colossal silhouettes on the horizon, flanked by the sun and stretching hundreds of feet into the sky. Her breath hitched in her throat at the monstrous sight. She couldn’t see their faces, only the sun on their backs, glinting off their weapons and chainmail. As their immense shadows engulfed the buildings around her, Candy was overcome with terror and fled like a mouse into the nearest entryway to hide, a tent that was set up in the market square near her stall. 

Her heart pounded hard as she trembled in the darkness of the tent. Candy had, of course, heard the ghastly stories. Giant soldiers striding over the land, stomping on houses, destroying farmland, snatching up people with impunity. She was spooked by the tales, but had never encountered a giant herself up close, for real. She had only seen them from a distance and felt the tremors in the earth of their footsteps. She huddled in her indoor hiding place, too afraid to peek out as the rumbling steps waxed larger and closer. 

“Come sit with me, child,” the voice of an ancient woman croaked from deeper within the dimly lit tent. Candy turned to face a hunched figure dressed in a midnight blue cloak embroidered with silver stars. She hesitantly walked over and sat down across the table from the old woman. There was a sizable spherical object on the table, concealed by a cloth. Upon closer inspection, she could just make out the woman’s face under the hood of her cloak, layered with heavy wrinkles. Her eyes were misty with cataracts, to the point where Candy wondered if she was blind. 

Candy shivered as the giant feet clomped past, rattling the entire space. A few candles toppled off a nearby shelf. “No need to fear, child,” the old woman assured her. “The giants are not here to cause harm.” She tilted her head slightly, her cloudy eyes staring directly at Candy yet seeming to pierce straight through her. “I believe fortune has brought you here to me today.” 

“Fortune?” Candy repeated, still flustered by the vibrations. 

“Yes, fortune. I’m a fortune teller, darling. For a few measly coins, I will read your fortune. Usually I charge a higher price, but I sense you are special.” 

“Wow, me? Special? But I’m just a peasant girl.” With her simple mind, Candy couldn’t possibly comprehend that she was being flattered for money. “O-okay.” She fished out a few coins from her pouch and gave them to the fortune teller, who greedily snapped them up with gleaming eyes. 

“Excellent! Let’s begin!” the old woman proclaimed, tossing off the cloth on the table. Candy was amazed to behold a magical crystal ball, glowing brightly with flickering stars in the darkness. Swirls of pale fog glittering with an otherworldly light revolved below the slick glass surface among the sparkles. The fortune teller hovered her gnarled hands over the glass and muttered an indistinguishable incantation. Candy watched with wonder as the tendrils of fog swam faster and the stars luminesced even brighter, until they coalesced into a solid image. The fortune teller’s cataracts reflected the image in her eyes, along with the swirling magic dust. 

“W-what is this?” Candy gasped with astonishment. She saw herself in the glass, yet she was different. She wore strange, foreign clothes, that seemed too short and skimpy for her voluptuous figure. She was running back and forth and pressing huge buttons on some gigantic device. Candy didn’t understand the image. 

“This is you,” the woman explained, “but from a different reality.”  

“A different reality?” Candy parroted back, bewildered. 

“Yes. You see, the threads of fate pass through us all, like beads on a necklace, connecting us to different, inaccessible versions of ourselves from other realities. We are inextricably tied to our other selves, fated to follow similar paths.” She waved her hand over the crystal ball, and the image changed. Candy was stunned to see her alternate self sitting in a giant hand. A handsome giant face came into view, dwarfing her entire being. 

“Oh no, a giant!” Candy cried. She was shocked to see the giant give her a tender kiss, and her other self blushing. “Wait… no…” 

“This is the man you’re fated to fall in love with,” the fortune teller said matter-of-factly. 

“What?! No! That can’t be possible. A giant?” Candy exclaimed incredulously. 

“Yes. A giant,” the woman confirmed. “In multiple realities, as you can see.” She tapped her fingers on the translucent crystal, and the image morphed again, into a more familiar version of Candy, yet still slightly off. She was climbing a vine or something high into the sky. The same comely giant man appeared again, but in a different outfit. He held the other Candy, kissed her, and placed her on his chest.  

“This can’t be real,” Candy uttered flatly. She was dumbfounded. There was no way she could ever even meet a giant, much less fall in love with one, as dashing as the man in the crystal appeared. Her heart sank as she felt her hopes slipping away from her. It was simply impossible. She would never find her dream man. She’d probably end up an old maid, or be married off by her parents for higher social status to some distant stranger who didn’t care about her, and only wanted her for her looks or body. She felt like crying. 

The image shifted again, and Candy saw a different giant in the crystal. He was an older man, perhaps in his 50s, with silvery hair and pale blue eyes. He would be handsome, if not for the lascivious leer on his features that made Candy’s skin crawl. He, too, was holding her alternate self in his hands, but the other Candy looked panicked this time. She was desperately trying to escape as the giant toyed with her in his fingers, licking his lips with avaricious anticipation. Candy was repulsed and a little alarmed by the disturbing scene playing out before her. 

“This giant... if you find him, you must avoid him at all costs,” the fortune teller said. “Although, you may be unable to escape your destiny either way. I can only wish you luck in your endeavors.” Candy nodded as she fixated on the lecherous old man behind the glass, tormenting the tiny human—the other Candy—in his beastly hands. Her stomach did a flip as he pinched her between his fingers and gave her a sloppy, sensual lick, slobbering all over her with his fat tongue. 

“I’ll... keep that in mind,” she mumbled, averting her eyes from the odious sight. The window into other worlds faded until the ethereal light was extinguished. The fortune teller replaced the cloth over the crystal ball and thanked Candy for coming in. Candy left, covering her eyes as the natural sunlight momentarily blinded her after being in the dim tent. She trudged out of the human city back towards her home, deep in thought. 

She could hardly believe her own eyes, with what she had seen. None of it seemed like it could be real, or even possible. And if it was, how was she supposed to meet the man she was fated to be with, her true love? She didn’t know any giants, and she wasn’t planning on introducing herself to one anytime soon. The whole concept was ludicrous. She dismissed it from her mind as melancholy seeped into her core. She would never find love. 

While Candy was following the dirt path back home to the farm, Leon, Martin, and Joey were leaving the castle and treading back to the border between the kingdoms. Joey was simmering with anger, struggling to hold back his true feelings. Finally, when they reached the outskirts of the city and he knew there were fewer ears to overhear his speech, he couldn’t contain himself any longer. 

“THIS is why we came? To—to enslave humans for the king?” he spat. “What we’re doing—it’s horribly repulsive and unethical! How are you two complicit in this? I respected and looked up to you! This is unforgivable!” Leon wilted as he absorbed Joey’s scathing criticisms. 

“Joey, keep your voice down,” Sir Maneater rebuked sharply. “It’s not as simple as it seems.” Leon averted his eyes to the side and scrutinized the scenery, unable to look either man in the face with his unbearable burden of shame. 

“Well, how then? Please, explain so that I can understand,” Joey said in a more subdued tone. He listened attentively to his mentor. 

“We are servants to the king, enacting his will, whether we agree with it or not. As a knight, I have taken an oath to serve,” Martin explained. “And when you become a knight, Joey, you shall do the same.” 

“If this is what it means to be a knight, then I quit,” Joey proclaimed. 

“Please, Joey, I’m not finished.” The knight shook his head. “If not us, then somebody else would do his bidding, and nothing would change. In exchange for our loyalty, we have influence at court. Leon, as an advisor, has access to the king’s ear, an unparalleled privilege. Even if the king does not listen to everything he says, he will at least consider his advice and temper his decisions accordingly. Why do you think he hasn’t outright conquered Minimaterra, and still allows the humans limited autonomy?” 

“It’s the best I can do,” Leon mumbled sadly. 

“As for me, I provide fencing lessons to Crown Prince Ronny. Do you not see the value in such a position, to be able to shape the future ruler of the kingdom? If we rejected the commands of the king, not only would we lose our influence, but also our heads. King Richard is not known for his clemency.” 

As Martin expounded to Joey his reasoning, he became so engrossed in the conversation that he neglected to watch where he was stepping. As fate would have it, the giants were heading straight for Candy, easily overtaking her comparatively miniscule strides. Candy, deep in her own cognitive machinations, noticed too late the seismic rumbles of the earth beneath her feet and the booming voices. She looked back to see several pairs of gigantic boots rapidly stomping towards her, threatening to crush her. The giants, with their unfathomably long strides, crossed huge swathes of land in seconds. 

Candy, in a panic, turned to run and ended up tripping on a pebble that caught her toe. Her pouch spilled open, scattering her valuable coins all over the dirt. Her moment of indecision, on whether to scoop up the coins or get back to her feet and sprint, cost her valuable time. The giants progressed to her position much faster than she foresaw. A vast boot slammed down inches from her, knocking her down in a cloud of dust, and an involuntary piercing shriek escaped her lips. The giant stopped. 

Candy froze out of instinct, terror rocketing through her nerves. She could sense the presence of the gigantic men looming over her as their forms blocked out the sun, draping her in shadow. Time stopped as her heart hammered in her chest. The silence felt as if it stretched into eternity with the tension. The dust settled around her, and she held in a cough. She couldn’t see them with her face turned down, but she could feel the weight of their eyes pressing her into the dirt like solid lead, to the point where her lungs wouldn’t function under the heavy burden. 

“Oh, sorry, little human. I didn’t see you there. Are you alright?” a bass voice reverberated through the air from far above. Candy was too petrified to answer, or even move. She stayed facedown in the middle of the pathway. 

When she didn’t respond, Sir Maneater, the giant who had nearly trampled her, grew concerned. “Oh no, I didn’t hurt the poor thing, did I?” he verbalized as he crouched down over her. Candy heard his enormous boots shuffling in the earth around her and felt the pressure of the air shifting as he lowered himself closer to her level. She didn’t dare turn her head to glance up, or even breathe, stubbornly keeping her face hidden. 

To her horror, a set of fingers thicker than tree trunks wrapped around her and lifted her up from the ground. She desperately wanted to scream, but she was paralyzed as she watched the ground plummet away before her eyes, too far for her to jump. She was trapped in this huge man’s hand, helpless to do anything if he desired to harm her. Yet, she couldn’t help but notice how gentle his touch was, how careful he was trying to be with the fragile being in his grasp. With a single finger on his free hand, he carefully rolled Candy into his palm, so she was lying on her back. She could feel the rough ridges of his skin on hers, and the mounds of callouses on her back, as his fingers towered above her, each one taller and thicker than her entire being. Her heart was racing so fast, she felt ill. 

“Hey there, are you okay?” he asked again, softly. He brought his head down close to examine her. Candy experienced a jolt through her body as she stared wide-eyed up at his massive face. She recognized him. He was the very same giant whom she had seen in the crystal ball, in various forms. The features were unmistakable: the sculpted jawline, peppered over with stubble; the dark, thick eyebrows; the large, masculine nose; the short, dark hair sweeping across his forehead; the stormy gray eyes. Yet, to see those characteristics brought to life, blown up to an impossible size, so striking and so close, was… breathtaking. Mesmerizing. Candy was overwhelmed, almost wondering if she was dreaming, yet the physical sensations of his all-encompassing warmth, the gentleness of his touch, the soft cushion of his palm supporting her miniscule body, the feeling of his breath washing over her, was all too real. 

His brow furrowed slightly when she still didn’t answer, and just gaped up at him in stupefied awe. He touched her in the side with his finger, as gently as possible, in an attempt to get some sort of reaction out of her. He was relieved to see she was breathing, and he could feel her tiny heart thrumming against the pad of his finger. She seemed to be unharmed, just afraid—an understandable response. He let out a sigh of relief that he didn’t accidentally crush her under his boot.  

As his exhalation tousled her hair, he saw her face turn red as a cherry with a hot blush. He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat, as he suddenly became self-conscious about just how close he was to her. Yet, he couldn’t seem to pull himself away, as his eyes drank in all the fascinating little details of her form that he wouldn’t otherwise be able to see. She was like a tiny doll, with her lustrous golden hair, her cornflower blue eyes, and her perfect little figure, including a buxom chest. However, unlike a doll, she was vibrant and full of life. Her little limbs tickled his palm with every subtle shift, her eyes sparkled like sapphires, and her vitals pulsed against his skin. He was himself awestruck as he felt pink creep across his own cheeks, mirroring her blush. 

“Sir Maneater, is the human alright?” Joey asked, snapping him out of his reverie. 

“Y-yes, I believe so,” the knight answered, not tearing his eyes away from her. Candy managed a small nod to indicate she wasn’t hurt. Reluctantly, Martin forced himself to lower his hand to the ground, so she could go back to her natural habitat. She slid down his fingers, returning her feet to solid ground, and looked up at him, keeping her hands on the tip of his finger, as if begging for him not to go. He lingered before slowly retracting his hand and standing up to his full height.  

Though only a moment passed, the two felt as if they were frozen in time, gazing at each other. Their hearts had connected, stitched together by a golden thread of fate. As Leon and Joey turned to leave, Martin did as well, glancing back at the tiny woman who stood in place and continued to gape up at him, spellbound. He kept looking over his shoulder even as she morphed into nothing more than a speck on the horizon, then disappeared from view. 

Chapter 4

[pennyblossom-meta]

Active plotlines in the Ides of April

Skip this post in case you've not read up to Chapter 07.

Contains spoilers, thoughts from the author and confusing notes with references. I'm writing this to situate myself given the big jumps and heavy plotlines the next few chapters will feature.

As you can tell, I enjoy planning this story far too much. Feel free to drop me a note, ask questions via anon or just argue with some of the plot points below.

Proceed with caution.

Main story -> The Ides of April Companion story -> The Curious Case of Anna Green.

Romance plot

I'll add the chapter references for this section.

Anna & L

Anna's bloody gauze(s) (chapters 1, 5 + companion story). No DNA match in any international database. Watari surreptitiously picks up a second set of gauzes for further testing in chapter 5 when Anna runs into him with yet another nosebleed at the To-Ho parking lot, during Misa's arrest sequence.

Anna's coin collection (chapter 2 + companion story). Watari confirms to L that a) one of the coins is called bu, real currency from the Edo period,

Watari: "(...) The bu is an authentic coin from the Edo Period, nowadays often on display at museums or secured by ancient history collectors. One single piece would be up for sale starting at 1.5 thousand, subject to the seller’s reputation."

and b) the Gringotts coin is made of pure gold and is neither fake or actively in circulation. L wonders if Anna was telling the truth when she mentioned it was exonumia (i.e., a collectible, not officially issued as currency by a government).

Watari: “The second coin is made of solid gold, though the minting — remarkable as it is — doesn’t match any known branch. The coinage alone is entirely unknown even if it bears Gringotts Foundation inscriptions, as they're not officially in circulation."

Anna's 1989 Macintosh Portable, quills, inkpots, books meant for different courses and inappropriate, old, leather suitcase (chapter 3 + companion story). L finds the entire apparatus questionable and makes a mental note of its strangeness.

L (and Near) run into a wall when trying to investigate Anna (companion story). So far, they've confirmed several red herrings and inconsistencies. It seems that Anna has not been present for the entrance exams, though the scores the got were not good. It begs the question why she was allowed to enrol in the first place.

Near: "(...) no record that Anna Green was ever present for the entrance exams, though, allegedly, she has scores for them. Below average at best, mediocre to the point that, under normal circumstances, no one with this poor of a performance would be considered for admission."

Additionally, she's taken up classes from different graduate schools, which shouldn't be possible,

L: "(...) Indeed, he thinks mildly, it was as if someone with no understanding of academia picked whichever classes they deemed most interesting, across several courses — and different schooling years. Like a patched blanket with no thought or structure, just a lot of questionable decisions along the way."

The only data available on Anna exists in the To-Ho student process. L considers whether she might be part of a smuggling network --- or in witness protection, possibly running away from a cult. Otherwise, there's not even records of Anna getting into Japan.

Near: “...doesn’t exist as a citizen of any country…no travel records in any airline or shipping company coming into or out of Japan…"

It's impossible to find anything on the father beyond his name (in Anna's student process): Atticus Cornelius Green. The mother has a birth certificate in Italy, 1955,, though nothing more can be found after age 11 until her death in Leicestershire, UK, in 1987, due to a freak accident. The maternal grandfather died shortly after from prolonged illness, though 'grief' was recorded as the catalyst.

Uses the highly selective, but virtually unknown and with no online presence, Goodfellow's Bank to pay for tuition, registered under the "apparently long-lived Gringotts Foundation", which was created in the mid 1800's. Mello could not find the physical office allegedly located in Charing Cross Road, London, and no one in the vicinity seemed to remember there ever was a bank by that name.

Anna's house, registered near Windsor, UK, is a ruin (according to Mello, although this was Muggle-Repelling Charms at work). In Japan, she's registered to live at an apartment 5m from away from the university, at the 8th floor. However, the building plans were changed a month before university started in April, stating the building has 7 floors, not 8.

In short, L is extremely suspicious of Anna for all these inconsistencies and the smokescreens, which appear perfectly plausible until investigated to the detail. However, he doesn't think she fits the profile to be Kira, nor is there anything tying her to the case. This is why he doesn't give her the Misa treatment, as there's no evidence to sustain the hypothesis.

L enjoys looking at Anna's picture (companion story). First hints of subtle romance.

L: "He skims through the first 10 pages for an overview, gaze tarrying for a few seconds too long on the picture of a young woman before he turns his attention to the screen."

Anna witnesses Misa's arrest and is subsequently "kidnapped" by L and Watari to keep the case under wraps (chapters 5, 6, 7). L's long term plan is to appease Anna in order to manipulate her, lulling her into a false sense of security so she can be more agreeable to his attempts to extract information. Note: This is a tactic he tries to convince Light to use on Misa in the manga/anime, after they're released from their 50 day incarceration. Light refuses, but I thought it would be very much like L to use it on Anna, especially given her questionable background.

Anna's books, her strange speech patterns (chapters 3, 6, 7). L is making mental notes of Anna's strange terms, like 'moving pictures', how she didn't know how to count money when they first met and try to pay back 3 times the amount she owed Watari.

Anna's 'cat' (chapter 6, 7). Given that the Task Force found cat hairs from the Second Kira, L wants to surreptitiously test if they belong to Anna's cat.

L gets annoyed at Anna for constantly questioning him. Anna detests that L and Watari keep lying to her (chapters 6, 7). That being said, because Anna isn't behaving like a normal civilian—being unusually perceptive of his L's lies and not backing down when she should be cooperative given the circumstances—make L more mistrustful of her. He's not entirely convinced that Anna's cat exists and calculates that there's a decent likelihood that it's a lie so she can escape once out of the hotel. He's somewhat enjoying the "banter", though. He assigns Moji to act as bodyguard should something go wrong.

SPOILERS (hidden side plots, featured later on in the main and companion stories)

L learns from Mogi that Anna was the young woman he was called to arrest for trespassing at Nanushinotaki Park and that she escaped without a trace. From Matsuda, he learns that he bumped into her near To-Ho, the day Matsuda met Light and some university students to go to Aoyama. Matsuda kept Anna's omamori so he could give it back, should he ever bump into her again—and he keeps it in his person at all times. L now has Anna's omamori.

Watari and Moji let L know about the ofuda plastered at Anna's front door. L is not happy about the implications and plans to interrogate Anna about this as well.

L is momentarily speechless when he sees Rufus for the first time glaring at him with yellow eyes from Anna's arms. He thinks it's a crossbreed between a small lion and a Norwegian Forest cat and internally ponders the smuggling network theory again.

Many of Anna's books are now charmed, and they contain bits of folklore and patched bits of other writings she had in her mind at the time of the spell, like plumbing, electricity circuits, etc. L will be very intrigued.

Anna Green's solo character arc

Hints of light depression, feelings of inadequacy, content to finally be a very long way from home and on her own.

Aware of her prejudice and bias against Muggles, though a lot of it she finds to be sensible.

Misses Millicent a lot.

Worried about what it means for the yokai to be so active. Anna doesn't understand why the Ministry staff was so scared that she encountered a Nurarihyon in Tokyo.

Finds the Ministry's overzealousness to be suspicious at best. Anna doesn't understand why would ban the word 'shinigami' or close the borders into Japan, but suspects they're omitting important information from the public.

Disgruntled that she might be followed by yokai. From strange feelings around the old places in town, to her nosebleeds at campus, she senses something is afoot.

Annoyed at Justin for interceding on her behalf so she could have her request to study in a Japanese university accepted.

Generally annoyed by Ryuga's existence given how much he sticks out like a sore thumb, uncaring, when she tries so hard to fit in with the Muggles.

Very much annoyed at Ryuzaki (previously Ryuga, a lie) and Watari for lying to her and trying to manipulate her while sounding plausible. Distrusts them both.

Wants to help the Muggles with what might be a wizarding problem that's leaked into their society, but hasn't quite accepted her role into all this.

Yokai

Strangely active in Japan, no one knows why.

Follow witches and wizards across the city, drawn to their magic.

Seem to understand human speech or, rather, their emotions, but act accordingly.

Yokai are deeply unhappy that they've been wrangled by wizardkind in order to prevent the exposure of magic.

Misc

Anna seems to be somewhat infamous in Japan already, due to being the first witch to attend Muggle university.

After Hiroshima and Nagazaki, only foreign witches and wizards live in Muggle cities across Japan.

Rufus seems to have taken a shine to Watari. Odd.

Sarah is a source of great information.

Midsummer is coming.

Samhain seems to be a difficult time in Japan.

Will we see more of the shopkeeper and the Ministry staff?

Anna took down the wards at her apartment, something's bound to happen any minute.

Anna's wand is now transfigured into a bracelet. There's nuance (and potential problems) to this.

That's it for now. We're in chapter 7, going into chapter 8. Stay tuned!