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minervacasterly · 4 years ago

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Tudors, the Masters of Propaganda: When the Pen is Mightier than the Sword

The biggest winners of royal history because as far as European dynasties go are the Tudors. Let’s face it. There’s been no dynasty or group more successful in rewriting and shaping the modern world as the Tudor clan. “The story of our past is open to interpretation. Much of British history is edited and a deceitful account of events … The sooner you do a little digging, you discover it is a tapestry of different stories, woven together by whoever is in power at the time.” (Lucy Worsley in “British History’s Biggest Figs) ^This! How we see history is in accordance to our politics. Her first episode focuses on deconstructing the wars of the roses, presenting the facts and the different accounts that have come up of the men and women involved in this conflict, leaving the viewer to decide what might have likely happened. In regards to the Princes, in other pages I administer, some have said that it would be good to have the bodies that were found in the Tower of London examined to find once and for all who ordered their deaths. But assuming that the crown allows for DNA testing, allowing the world to finally know if they are the Princes in the Tower or not, supposing they are, it wouldn’t provide us with an answer. Like with Richard III, science would tell us how they died -and offer us an accurate description (based on facial reconstruction) on how they looked- but it wouldn’t tell us who kill them. Unless we were to discover a letter of Richard, Margaret Beaufort or any other suspect, declaring their guilt, the Princes in the Tower will remain one of history’s greatest cold cases. What is undeniable though is that the Tudors were crafty in making the people believe that they were chosen by God to rule over England. There were prophecies by the Welsh, made up ancestry, and of course a wedding that was promoted as the union between Lancaster and York that would put an end to the war and bring forth a dynasty that would last forever. “The line between fact and fiction often gets blurred.” (Lucy Worsley in “British History’s Biggest Figs) It’s true. Often fiction becomes the new history. Most of the times, it is because we have great storytellers who give us a simpler version that isn’t too complicated or convoluted, that it is easier for us to accept. The wars of a roses a turbulent period but it wasn’t chaotic. People were tired of civil war, and it might be one of the reasons why they were ready, after Henry VII put many rebellions down, to accept their new overlords. Not only that but fast-forward to the sixteenth century when religious tensions were at an all-time high, when there was divisions among Catholics and even Protestants, the Tudors were more desperate than ever to solidify their power. Henry VIII needed a son to secure a dynasty that many abroad still questioned its legitimacy, while also a tool to make themselves immortal. Henry VIII wasn’t a fan of Protestantism but he liked the idea of Kings being above reproach, subject to no judgment but God’s. Kings were no longer half-divine, in Henry’s mind, English Kings were now completely divine. What their conscience wanted is what God wanted. Going against the King was no longer treason but a sin as well. When Edward VI succeeded his father, his coronation pageant included many religious symbolism, primarily figures of the Old Testament like Josiah and Moses. These powerful visuals were meant to tell the people that their new King was God’s messenger on Earth and that he would turn England into an Evangelical nation. Then there is Mary I. Mary was seen as the great Catholic hope and to some extent she was but she soon proved that she her father’s daughter. And like her father she was determined to be the sole sovereign of her nation. She engaged in theatrics as her mother had done, playing the part of the dutiful wife to her Spanish husband, Prince Philip, King of Naples and Sicily, begging him not to leave, writing to him constantly about how much she needed him. But once he was with her, she proved that she was more like her Tudor ancestors than their Spanish ones. Mary was also compared to religious figures. These matronly figures helped her justify her reign before her subjects who weren’t used to the idea of female monarchy. When her friend, cousin and Archbishop of Canterbury, Reginald Pole, advised her to return Church lands to the Church, she pretended not to listen. Those lands had benefited many powerful subjects she didn’t wish to antagonize, not to mention that some of those lands were now in possession of the crown. Would Mary really give them all up after all the revenue they had provided her family? The answer is obviously ‘no’. When she confronted the rebels that were led by Wyatt, she inspected the troops as a King would, and gave a rousing speech, where she said that she was a mother protecting her children from harm, and that she would be ruled by her people rather than by her needs. Mary ended up pardoning many of the rebels but had no mercy for most of their leaders. At the end of her reign despite her efforts to cleanse the Catholic Church in England of corruption and restore a Humanist curriculum in the universities, as well as re-funding some of them; Mary suffered from Protestant propaganda and her own failure which was not giving the kingdom an heir to continue the Tudor line and her religious ambitions. As soon as Elizabeth I got her sister’s reign, she quoted one of the psalms where she said that “this is the Lord’s doing” and “it is marvelous in our eyes”. Curiously, it is recorded that when she said this, she was next to a royal oak, similar to what her ancestress, Elizabeth Woodville, when she reputedly encountered the Yorkinst King for the first time. As always, another Tudor monarch who employed great rhetoric, and used biblical and classical symbols to justify her reign. As she got older, she continued to dress extravagantly. While many people expected her to marry, she chose to remain a Virgin. Nobody knows the full extent of her relationship with her male favorites but given how strict she was with her ladies, it is safe to say that her religiosity wouldn’t have allowed her to be intimate with them. While supporting many Protestant groups overseas, she was quick to dismiss them when they preached about a Republican government. Elizabeth didn’t like this because that meant that the King was no longer close to God, but another public servant who was under strict scrutiny by his people. In various paintings, one can see Elizabeth being led to victory by classical goddesses, being given the sacred fruit. She is their chosen one, the one who will vanquish all of England’s enemies and is closer to God than anyone else. Using her single status, she became a substitute for the Virgin Mary. One whose virtue was no longer mocked but praised. But, in spite of this, Elizabeth I was also a pragmatist and as previously stated, when she found that some of her councilors were leaning towards more radical branches of Protestantism, she confronted them and fought them hard using her best tool: her words. Turning them against one another, and foiling their plans to institute Evangelical measures. When she died, she was hailed as one of the greatest. This is largely due to nostalgia. James VI of Scotland succeeded her becoming James I of England. He and his wife, Queen Anne were jointly crowned on Westminster Abbey. Despite James’ efforts to be a good ruler, people grew disappointed of him and soon began to look towards the past, transforming it into a place of beauty and mysticism. Despite some writers looking down on Catholic Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry VII, and his granddaughter Mary I, they made figures like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I into national icons. Henry VIII’s split from Rome and Elizabeth I’s defeat of the Armada became legend. What they wrote endured for centuries. Some will argue that it endures today, with many people still buying into the myths that these figures wrote about their reigns, proving that nothing is more powerful than propaganda. The pen is truly mightier than the sword. Recommended reading: Tudor by Leanda de Lisle; Wars of the Roses: Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors by Dan Jones; Armada by Garrett Mattingly, Elizabeth I: The Struggle for the Throne by David Starkey, Henry VII by SB Chrimes, Plantagenet Chronicles by Derek Wilson; Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen & The Queen’s Bed: An Intimate History of Elizabeth’s Court by Anna Whitelock; Blood Sisters & Game of Queens by Sarah Gristwood; The Myth of Bloody Mary & Tudors vs Stewarts by Linda Porter; Inside the Tudor Court by Lauren Mackay; The Anne Boleyn Collection by Claire Ridgway; In Bed With the Tudors & Elizabeth of York & The Six Wives and the Many Mistresses of Henry VIII by Amy Licence; Blood will tell by Kyra Cornelius Kramer; Margaret Beaufort by Elizabeth Norton; The King’s Mother by Elizabeth Norton; 1536: The Year that changed Henry VIII by Suzannah Lipscomb; Private Lives of the Tudors by Tracy Borman; The Woodvilles by Susan Higginbotham; The Wives of Henry VIII & Mary, Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser.In terms of documentary, there is the source quoted which comes from the first episode of the new documentary series “British History Biggest’ Fibs” presented by Lucy Worsley.I also recommend her six wives documentary which is currently being shown on PBS every Sunday on the US; Suzannah Lipscomb and Dan Jones’ documentary on the six wives and David Starkey’s documentary on them as well. They also have other documentaries that also focus on the wars of the roses and the Tudor era. Bits and pieces of some of these can be found on YouTube, while others you have to buy or watch if you have subscription on Netflix or Hulu.

#tudors #tudor history #dailytudors

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pillow-ghost-nan · 5 years ago

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SPAMANO FANFICTION REC LIST

Because I’m a spamano trash and I think I’ve read way too many fanfictions than I should have.

I will try to keep this list updated. If you know some good story that isn’t here let me know. Also if there’s anything wrong with the sources feel free to message me too

Multichapter:

All of our flaws by lastdreamofmysoul

Antonio is a man whose world revolves around anyone but himself. Lovino is a man with dreams bigger than a job behind a drugstore counter. Antonio is broken; Lovino is incomplete. Will a chance meeting lead them to mending their cracks and finding their missing pieces? Human AU, trigger warning for self-harm. - Ongoing

Credo by Cameron Kennedy

AU, 1502. Fueled by revenge, Lovino Vargas hasn't failed an assassination job yet - but when a new Spanish captain comes to Rome, killing the unorthodox Antonio Carriedo might just be the death of him.

The lemon tree by StarsMadeinHeaven

AU Lovino didn't want to be a slave in that scary mansion. He needed to break free. The fight for independence, however, is a difficult path, and falling in love with the man that destroyed his life doesn't make things any easier.

This fanfiction is just absolutely beautiful. Everything is just 10/10

The Many Personalities of Spain by Writer-Girl-19

England casts a spell to rid himself of Spain. As expected it goes wrong; leaving Romano to deal with the many personalities of Spain. That sounds like a normal day for Romano, right? It would be if the personalities not had their own personifications. - Ongoing

And the Birds Sing No More by Burlesque Romantique

"Don't ever leave me." Lovino said nothing. He allowed the tense heaviness to settle among his shoulders, tighten his lungs, and spread between the space from where he stood to where Antonio was seated lethargically. Antonio's gaze sharpened. Lovino, inclining his head slightly, whispered, "I won't." Spamano, AU

Bottoms Up! by Sunny Day in February

Follow Lovino on his weird and, well, at least quite interesting trip around Europe in order to find out some of the greatest secrets ever about himself, Europe, tomato-shaped alarm clocks and the past of his lovely, but complicated Spanish partner.

This one is just hilarious. It is a bit silly but will definitely make you laugh from the beginning to end.

Softness and Light by betka23

AU. Odrzucany przez bliskich licealista Lovino nieoczekiwanie otrzymuje pomoc od swojego nauczyciela. Choć nie chce się do tego przyznać, coraz bardziej zależy mu na uczuciach Antonia. Spamano, zawiera także lekki FrUK i GerItę.

Translation: Lovino is a high school student rejected by his relatives. All of the sudden he receive help from his teacher, Antonio. Even though he doesn’t want to admit that he cares more and more about Antonio’s feelings. Spamano. FrUK and GerIta mentioned.

So this one is in Polish. If you don’t mind reading with a Google Translate help then I really recommend it. It’s short but it’s an amazing story.

Secret Tunnels from Madrid to Sicily by PrincessSmuttButt

When Antonio Fernández Carriedo begins work as a professor at a prestigious university in Britain, one of his students, a Sicilian boy who goes by the name Romano, immediately catches his eye. He is a clearly gifted writer, who closes himself off in the wake of a dark and painful history. Even wrapped in his darkness, pushing everyone away, Toni finds himself determined to bring out the potential within Romano...They drag each other into a passionate, inevitable affair--doomed, they know, to end in flames.

A very beautiful and mature story. It’s also amazingly written. I cried like little shit at the end.

Tesoro Mio by spinyfruit

Antonio’s the charming, handsome farmer with an infuriating Spanish accent, and Lovino is the mysterious wine entrepreneur who comes and goes. When Antonio falls in love, he throws society, expectations, and religion to the wayside, but can a strict Catholic like Lovino do the same?

We the Dreamers by TheGoliathBeetle

New York City, 1940: Antonio is a recently arrived refugee from Spain, a scarred soldier with firm political convictions. For Lovino, everything is pointless and nothing ever lasts. The two of them live, love and dream desperately, as World War Two threatens to take it all away.

Greasy by evetnt

Summer time 1955, a mechanic equally as hot as the weather had been fixing up Lovino's car for what felt like forever and their fascination with each other grows passed auto-shit and sandwiches even as the pressure from Lovino's over-protective grandfather and greaser/soc gangs rise. -ongoing

Tight Rope by TheFreakZone

Rich, spoiled kid Lovino Vargas hates pirates. Pirate captain Antonio Carriedo hates rich, spoiled kids. None of them ever thought they could feel something different from hatred towards one another. However, Fate seems to have different plans for them, and twists their lives in unexpected ways. -ongoing

Breathless in the Atmosphere by Spinyfruit

Antonio only needed money for marble. He needed to make his art. And a chance encounter on the subway offers him a job as a male escort. It was just for the money. He could stop anytime he wanted to. Really.

The Space Between the Balconies by Spinyfruit

There's a space between the balconies, where glances are stolen, smoke flies, and dreams wander. Lovino draws the blinds, and Antonio opens his windows. They see each other sometimes.

Left me crying like a little baby. This is one of my favourite spamano fanfiction. It’s short but absolutely powerful and touching

Dance with me by StarsMadeinHeaven

AU. Lovino Vargas started taking tango lessons completely by accident. Who would have thought that one day he wouldn't mind those hands roaming over his body? That he would be dancing with his teacher as if there was no one in the room but the two of them? -ongoing

Bésame Mucho by George deValier

WW2 AU. Lovino Vargas only ever wanted something exciting to happen in his boring, everyday Italian village existence. He never expected war, Resistance, love, passion, treason, or a cheerful, confusing, irritatingly attractive Spanish freedom fighter. -ongoing

Ok, I am very aware that everyone knows about this fanfiction but still I couldn’t resist

Numbered Lithograph by youaremarvelous

AU Spain x Romano. When Lovino starts attending art school with his brother he finds his most important lesson doesn't come from his professors, but from a culinary student at a sister school: sometimes the flaws hold the beauty.

Good Vibrations by The Cilantro Family

Lovino wasn't a fun guy to talk to, he knew this very well. When he signed he was speaking, not putting on a show. Usually his expression represented what he was feeling, rather than what he was saying. But this guy, for some reason, was different. He acted like he wanted to talk to Lovino even though Lovino had nothing interesting to say, and no interesting way to say it.

Oh boy, this fanfiction is one of the best things that happened to me. Absolutely recommend

One shots/ Two shots/ short stories:

Before the Snow Falls by Spinyfruit

Lovino, jersey number nine, right winger. He was ready to pass the ball, ready to set up the win, but Antonio, opposite team, center fielder, was ready too. Someone thought, and someone didn't, and they crashed. Hard. A few months later, Lovino's on crutches, Antonio has scholarships, and they have to deal with the aftermath of what happened. —Spamano, two-shot.

Liar by starshards

Spain cannot resist Romano, even though he hates himself for it.

Fool by faerichylde

Spain really was a fool. Otherwise he wouldn't have wanted Romano so badly. After all, fools always want what they don't have.

Rebels in a Sleeping City by konstellasjon

"I felt like we were in limbo, two blindingly awake rebels in this sleeping city. I didn't know your reasons for being up and about. But, you were, and so was I, grinning at you like it was going out of fashion."

Light by annapotterkiku

Lovino was convinced that he didn't have a soulmate.

25 MPH by writingandchocolatemilk

"Any reason you were driving fifteen miles under the speed limit?"

"Safety?"

Officer Vargas frowned. "Yeah, sure. Willing to take a breathalyzer test?"

"No!" Gilbert stumbled out of the car. "That is a bullshit request! Because if you don't, Antonio—"

"I'll shoot you," Officer Vargas muttered, and Antonio wasn't sure he actually heard that. He doesn't think he was supposed to. "Sorry, do you want to take the test, instead?"

Five Times Romano Unintentionally Made Spain Blush by darkhue

...and one time he did it on purpose.

Conversations on Cups by orphan_account

Lovino is not particularly fond of his job: working in a coffee shop can get infuriating, with the long orders and hard to spell names. But frustration at one customer has melded into friendship, and even that’s beginning to shift.

Leading the Blind by steingasse

Lovino Vargas’s life was simple, tedious, and a functional amount of lonely. Then one day a hung-over stranger broke in and passed out on his couch.

Door to Door by Canadino

Do not open the door. It could be a zombie, an unwanted boyfriend of your brother's, or a persistant salesman by the name Antonio Carriedo.

Chalk Dust by counterheist

Lovino Vargas (grandson, philosophy graduate, teacher, brother, man): 1. Fate: a lifetime. It’s a start.

The Spaniard and Death by Oboeist3

The tale of a young reaper, a heavy soul, and perhaps a bit of love.

whose thing is this anyway by ShippingEverything

In which Lovino and Antonio get their clothes, among other things, mixed up

Lovers by fuckingtomatoes

Antonio loved him. He loved everything about him

Language Barrier by TheFreakZone

Even though he doesn't understand him, Antonio loves talking to Lovino in Spanish. Lovino doesn't say it, but he loves it too.

It’s a story based on a prompt that Antonio thought that Lovino doesn’t know any Spanish so he kept saying many filthy things because he was sure that Lovi did not understand. Oh boy was he wrong Super cute and hot

Non Omnis Moriar by Burlesque Romantique

Antonio knew that once someone is bitten, they're dead after dying. So all he can do is run.

Unrighteous by SnowyWolff

Lovino has been unrighteously charged for crimes he did not commit and has been sent to teach at a remote northern Magical College. There, he meets Antonio, who makes the never-ending cold a little warmer.

Lifeline by antiheroics

AU (human names used); Suicidal Lovino Vargas makes a suicide pact online with equally suicidal Antonio. They meet, they get mistaken for a couple out on a date, they drink a lot of badtasting vodka, and Lovino begins to wonder not so much if he wants to kill himself, but if he wants Antonio to.

32 Thursdays by counterheist

Antonio is a physics student in love. To Lovino’s embarrassment, so is he.

Aroma by Jacquzy

This is how it happens; how Antonio Fernández Carriedo comes to fall in love with the sweet-scented child seven years his junior.

Progression by Horribibble

When the Vargas Famiglia lost its Don, Lovino was abruptly faced with all of his nightmares. The worst of which wants nothing more than to give him a kiss.

A Trip To The Cinema by lullabyemyuu

Surrounded by the ruins of the ruined cinema, an elderly Lovino both remembers and forgets.

I wouldn't if I were you by starshards

Romano comes to the shocking realisation that people actually think that Spain is attractive.

Cupcake by writingandchocolatemilk

"No, Lovino!" Feliciano pointed, tears evaporating. "It's a dog!"

"What?" Lovino looked around. "That's a fucking bear."

"Lovino," Antonio hissed, "be respectful! No swearing!"

"Shi—sorry. Antonio, look at that dog." Lovino pointed. "Look, it's a bear."

Ludwig leaned closer. "That's a newfoudland."

Lovino scowled at him. "That's a bear."

Disgustingly Sweet by Sunny Day in February

We all have this urge sometimes.

El Despertar by Tyranno's girl

Or 'The Awakening'. This world is filled with many strange things, people, and occurrences. Once must always be careful of who they put their trust into; everyone has a dark secret behind the mask they don in the day.

Spostare by Canadino

She was just one girl, one body in the whole human race, that made him realize he was undeniably, helplessly attracted to Antonio; and she was the one who stole Antonio's heart away. High school AU, onesided Spain/Romano

How It Is by counterheist

This is how it is in the house of the never-setting sun.

on the dimensionality of an n-night stand by counterheist

Antonio is the one night stand who just won’t leave.

Diplomat's Son by writingandchocolatemilk

Lovino is content to let Antonio touch him. Antonio is happy to do this, and he runs his hands up Lovino's sides, relishing at the feeling of skin against skin, at the quick heartbeat he can feel. His head spins and Lovino pulls him into another kiss.

"Oh, Lovino," Antonio murmurs.

"What?" he asks, sharp, but that just makes Antonio's heart melt. "Take off your shirt. I'm not going to be the only one naked."

"Yes, sir." Antonio laughs.

A Sprinkler of Disaster by SnowyWolff

Lovino comes home one day and the surprise that waits for him behind the door is not exactly what he had expected

Baile Con La Bula by Wendigo Heart

Romano thought the bulls were actually rather pathetic, allowing themselves to be slain. It was the matador’s control that really ignited his passion. But he would forever deny a certain matador’s passion; Romano refused to be his bull to slay -The original source was deleted... That was hell of a good fanfiction

The Art of Flying by The Goliath Beetle

They're both a little bit damaged, a little bit unscathed. Lovino can only truly see the world when Antonio describes it to him. Words can be magical, words can drive the darkness away.

Exasperation by ReinMaker

Lovino reflects on how it came to this, thanks to himself and his mother-in-law.

PWP/Porn with some plot/basically smut

Praise by learninghowtosmut

Tumblr request for praise kink, ft blindfolds and gross sappy adoration

Six Times Romano Failed at Seducing Spain (And One Time He Unintentionally Succeeded) by sapphiire moon

Spain is sick and tired of Romano constantly flirting in front of him, and so he decides to punish Romano by not having sex with him anymore. Romano does not like this at all, and he's determined to win his way back into Spain's bed (and heart) through seduction. Awkward, awkward seduction.

A Way to Say I Love You by sapphiire moon

Spain and Romano's first time

With No End in Sight by stardropdream (orphan_account)

It's hot and Antonio is distracted.

For The First Time In A Long Time by Chaosride

Antonio has been hunting like this as long as he's been a vampire. Human's were more ripe during sex, and the bite was pleasurable anyway, as long as he didn't drink too much, but this times a little different. He picked up an Italian in a bar, expecting a quick meal.

Beautiful by Chaosride

A tumblr prompt requested Spamano BDSM

Give and Take by mareepysheepy

After hundreds of years in the making, Romano is in what he would grudgingly call a relationship with Spain. At least he thinks he is. He's really not sure. Weren't relationships meant to be about mutual give, and take, after all?

Jesus Christ I think this is the best written smut I’ve ever seen

Spirito Di Punto by starshards

After Romano's driving skills send another car to super-car heaven, his boss decides that it's time for him to have something much more modest. Luckily for Romano, Spain's there to help him learn how to appreciate it.

Like a Virgin by The Cilantro Family

Antonio's never had sex before. Lovino walks him through it.

Great spamano writers:

Basically almost all of their fanfictions and great, I just didn’t want to put them all on the list

Canadino

TheGoliathBeetle

sapphiire moon (aka best spamano smut writer you can ever find)

StarsMadeinHeaven (former Happymood)

writingandchocolatemilk (basically tons of amazing spamano one-shots)

userscounterheist

SnowyWolff

#spamano #aph spain #aph south italy #hetalia #axis powers hetalia #fanfiction #ao3 #spainxromano #aph romano #Antonio Fernandez Carriedo #lovino romano vargas #fanfic #aph fanfiction #aph #hetalia axis powers #hetalia fanfiction

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v-thinks-on · 5 years ago

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Generations - Part 1

Note: This is the beginning of a nine-part saga that I’ll be updating every other week for the next few months. Ever since I first heard about Kirk’s death in Star Trek: Generations I’ve had plans to fix it, and now that I’ve finally seen the movie (and some of Star Trek: The Next Generation), I’ve finally been able to put those plans onto paper. Without further ado, I give you my version of what happens if Kirk simply doesn’t die at the end of Star Trek: Generations.

Captain James Kirk struggled into awareness with a groan. Everything felt fuzzy and distant; the over-bright lights, the dull ache that permeated his entire body - what had he gotten into? Even his bond with Spock had faded away so much he could barely feel it. He struggled to remember where he was and what was going on. He’d had the strangest dream, and before that… Was he still on the Enterprise-B, in their sickbay?

He tried to reach out to Spock, for some semblance of order in all the uncertainty, but there was nothing. His heart leaped into his throat, suddenly beating much faster. Spock couldn’t be dead, he would feel it.

He forced his heavy eyelids open despite the searing bright light.

“Captain Kirk, you’re finally awake,” a woman said from just on the edge of his vision.

He tried to prop himself up on an unsteady arm to get a better look at her. She was attractive, with bright orange hair, in her forties, if he had to guess, watching him with a worried, almost nervous expression. She looked like a doctor or nurse in scrubs over a strange uniform that he recognized from somewhere, but on her chest was a pin with the Starfleet insignia. His first thought was an alternate universe, but somehow that didn’t quite sit right.

"Not so fast, Captain," she cautioned, her hands out to help him lie back down.

Despite his protesting muscles, he still had a little pride, enough to carefully lower himself onto his back without any assistance. Her exasperated expression suggested he was hardly her first stubborn patient, but she didn't interfere. Once he was settled, she stood next to him so he could see her clearly without straining his neck.

"I wouldn't be on the starship Enterprise, would I?" Kirk asked, not entirely serious just in case.

She answered with a faintly bemused smile of her own, "Not quite. This is the United Starship Farragut. I'm Dr. Beverly Crusher."

Kirk's eyes widened a little in surprise. It was quite the coincidence - if it was one - waking up on a ship that shared its name with the first starship he'd ever served on, whose crew had been ravaged by a sentient gaseous cloud that Kirk, as a young Lieutenant, had been unable to stop.

"I see," he remarked at last, as lightly as he could.

"How much do you remember?" the doctor asked gently.

"Other than waking up in the nicest sickbay in the Federation?"

Dr. Crusher seemed amused if not convinced. "Your reputation precedes you, Captain."

"All good, I hope. And you can call me Jim.” A little more darkly, he added, "I'm retired now anyway."

Her expression quickly changed from exaggerated annoyance at his teasing to something more serious, almost pitying. "You've traveled a long way in what must seem to you like a very short time. It may come as a bit of a shock."

He nodded for her to continue.

"Do you remember the launch of the Enterprise-B?"

"Yes."

When she continued, she spoke very carefully, "According to our historical records you died saving the ship from a gravimetric distortion."

"But I take it I'm not dead," he said with just a touch of mischief.

"Yes." She gave him a somewhat weak smile. "According to Captain Picard, you were stuck in a 'temporal nexus.' To you it may have seemed like just minutes, but" - she hesitated - "You were in there for almost 80 years."

Kirk nodded along almost blindly. It hadn't been a dream, then. He remembered Captain Picard and an incredible place that wasn’t quite real. Maybe that could even explain whatever had happened to his bond with Spock, he only hoped it hadn't broken. Just a few years after Spock’s death had almost been enough to drive him mad, he couldn’t imagine what eighty years would do, even to a Vulcan.

"It's 2371 now," Dr. Crusher said.

That was about 80 years. "I guess I have a lot of catching up to do," he said with half a smile.

"Let's worry about getting you a clean bill of health first. You took a bad fall while fighting Soran" - she glanced at him to check if the name was familiar.

He nodded. He could remember the man Picard had taken him out of the Nexus to fight, who had been desperate to return to it.

"Your bones are mostly healed," the doctor continued, "But you should take it easy for a little while, which shouldn't be too hard. Right now, the Farragut is just taking the crew of the Enterprise back to Earth, since our ship was destroyed in the attempt to stop Soran."

Kirk couldn't help but smile a little at the coincidence that another starship called Enterprise had been destroyed in exchange for the life of another old captain. "It wasn't the Klingons, was it?"

"Strangely enough, yes, the Duras sisters" - she attempted to clarify, "Rebels against the Empire." At last she said sympathetically, "A lot has changed in eighty years."

Kirk nodded. “I’m sure it has.”

"If you need anything or have any questions, just ask," Dr. Crusher said, a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"I don't suppose I could have a computer terminal?"

"Of course. You must have a lot of questions."

Dr. Crusher soon returned with a PADD, much sleeker than the ones from his time on the Enterprise. "You can use this to access the computer library. I also noticed your record says you're allergic to Retnax, so I replicated these for you." She handed him a pair of standard reading glasses.

He accepted the glasses much more reluctantly than the PADD, but he thanked her with a smile all the same.

Once Dr. Crusher had moved on to her next patient, Kirk put on the glasses and turned to the PADD. "Computer, status of Captain Spock."

"Did you mean Ambassador Spock?" it replied with the same feminine voice the computer had when he started as a captain.

Kirk smiled. He couldn't say he was surprised by Spock’s promotion. He wondered if the Federation wasn't also at peace with the Romulans now that Spock had something to say about it.

"Yes," Kirk said. "Status of Ambassador Spock."

He was alive - Kirk let out a breath of relief. The computer listed pages and pages of accomplishments; conferences and treaties, but no mention of what he was currently doing.

"Current location of Ambassador Spock," Kirk attempted, but it turned up no answers.

Spock couldn't be dead, he would feel it - wouldn't he? Maybe Spock was missing like Kirk had been for all those years - eighty years - or on some classified mission. Kirk would find out one way or another, if only he could somehow let Spock know he was back.

The computer, at least, seemed to hold no answers. So, instead, he alternated between sleeping - he was still recovering after all - and looking into who else was still around.

Dr. McCoy had retired to Georgia and was still living there today, if his Starfleet record was to be believed. Living to 140 wasn’t the strangest thing listed, and Kirk had been there for a lot of the other things, so maybe it wasn't so surprising he'd lived so long. He would be surprised to see Kirk again.

Scotty, as it turned out, had disappeared like Kirk had, in his case due to a transporter malfunction not long after the launch of the Enterprise-B, and had also been rescued by the Enterprise-D just a few years ago. Apparently, he'd hardly aged either. Now, he was travelling the galaxy in a modified shuttlecraft.

Kirk was reading through Scotty's reports - including plenty of commentary, of course - on all the places he had visited when he was interrupted by Captain Picard.

"Captain Kirk, Beverly told me you were awake," the captain said as he stepped over to Kirk’s bed.

Kirk put down the PADD and pushed himself upright. His body was still sore, but he was feeling much better. "Please, call me Jim," he said, once he was comfortable.

"If you're certain." A little less awkwardly, Picard asked, "How are you doing?"

"Good for a man who was last reported dead," Kirk said with a grin. "I see you rescued my chief engineer from a similar predicament."

"Your chief engineer?" Picard asked. His eyes widened as it dawned on him. "You mean Montgomery Scott? I forgot he served on the Enterprise at the same time you were there. And you both..." he trailed off. "It's an incredible coincidence."

"I'd say, but stranger things happen in space."

Picard shook his head in bewilderment.

"I don't suppose you've had a chance to meet Ambassador Spock too?" Kirk asked as lightly as he could.

"Oh, yes, he was your First Officer, wasn't he?"

Kirk nodded. "Do you know where he is?"

Picard's face fell. "I'm sorry, that's classified information. I would have to check with an admiral."

Kirk waved it off - he was sure he'd have a chance to ask for himself.

Picard hesitated before changing the topic - "Do you know if Antonia…?" He left the question hanging.

"Antonia?" Kirk asked, frantically trying to remember the woman that belonged to the name.

Picard looked dumbfounded, as though it should have been obvious and the name sounded familiar, like something from a dream… And then it clicked and Kirk couldn't help but give a silent chuckle.

"I never really knew an Antonia," Kirk said at last.

"But you said you almost married her," Picard protested.

Kirk shook his head. "I might have married Edith or Ruth, or maybe even Carol, and I even spent a month married to Miramanee, but I never knew an Antonia."

Picard hesitated again. At last he admitted, "What I saw in the Nexus wasn't real either."

Kirk nodded. After a moment’s pause he smiled and said, “Thank you for getting me out of there. I wouldn’t have thought to try and free myself.”

“I needed your help more than you needed mine. I wouldn’t have been able to defeat Soran on my own, so thank you.”

“We can call it even,” Kirk suggested.

Picard nodded in agreement. “You really put up a fight out there.”

“It’s all in the swing,” Kirk suggested with a wry smile.

“I think I’ll stay on the bridge, if it’s all the same.”

Kirk let out a sigh and leaned back a little against the pillows he was using to prop himself up. “There’s nowhere better.”

"Captain Kirk." A beautiful young woman who he had seen making the rounds through sickbay stopped by Kirk's bed. She had a pleasant accent, though he couldn't place it. "It's nice to meet you, I'm Counselor Troi."

Kirk removed his reading glasses, set aside the PADD, and sat up a little taller to face her properly. "Nice to meet you, Counselor, what can I do for you?"

"I just want to see how you're settling in. You've been through a lot in what may feel like a very short time," she said, as though in an attempt to pacify him.

Kirk nodded, but gave nothing away.

She continued, undeterred, "I am also half Betazoid and therefore have some empathic abilities. I can sense that you're uncomfortable about something."

An empathic counselor, that sounded almost as annoying as a Vulcan, and at least a little intriguing. For an instant, Counselor Troi detected what seemed to be a clumsy attempt at a telepathic broadcast of mischief and affection underlaid with a mess of other emotions that she didn’t have time to analyze, all coming from the old captain. It didn't seem to be directed at her, but she couldn't detect its intended recipient. And then it was gone.

Kirk shook his head and gave her a smile. "Those abilities must come in handy as ship's counselor," he remarked.

"They are very useful," she acknowledged, "But there's a lot more to the job." She turned her attention back to Kirk's psyche; "Eighty years is a long time. How do you feel about this sudden disruption in your life?"

"What is, is, what will be will be."

Troi could sense that it was like a familiar joke that he was using to deflect her questions. It was a strange use of Vulcan philosophy, though that would explain the attempted telepathy.

"You have an interest in Vulcan philosophy?" she asked.

"A little. Mostly just a good friend who happens to be half-Vulcan." He smiled to himself at the thought and Troi felt a wave of affection.

"You are referring to Ambassador Spock?"

Kirk nodded.

"You seem to care very much for him," she stated the obvious. "How do you feel about having been away for so long?"

"I would feel better if I knew where he was," Kirk replied with a pointed look.

"I sense you are concerned," she said, clearly intending him to elaborate.

However, he took an alternative, "I'm not very familiar with Betazoid telepathy. You can sense all the emotions of everyone in this room?"

She nodded. "It's similar to your sense of hearing. The closer someone is and the stronger the emotion, the more it affects me."

"You experience it too?"

She nodded. "Yes. Do you have a particular interest in telepathy?"

"It's a useful ability," he said, avoiding his primary interest altogether.

"It is." After a moment’s consideration, she said "It was nice meeting you, Captain Kirk," and held out a hand to shake.

"Likewise, Counselor," Kirk said with a smile.

"I look forward to talking with you again," she said and moved on to the next patient.

"You're all clear," Dr. Crusher declared, finally allowing Kirk to sit up and slide off the examination table.

"Thank you, doctor," he said, though he was too stubborn to accept the proffered arm. "It's been a pleasure."

She gave him a look, but the trace of a smile ruined the effect. "You're free to walk around, but be careful, your bones are still fragile while they finish healing. No strenuous activity for a few weeks at least. And I want you to come in here at the first sign of any trouble. Understood?"

"Yes ma'am," Kirk said.

"Good, then you're clear to go."

Kirk had just one more question; "I don't suppose you know anyone who could give me a tour of the ship?"

She smiled. "I think I know just the person." She pressed the Starfleet insignia on her chest, that also served as a communicator. "Dr. Crusher to Data, are you busy right now?"

"No, I am not doing anything urgent at present," a somewhat stilted male voice replied over the intercom.

Data turned out to be a humanoid, with unnaturally white, almost grey skin and bright yellow eyes. His hair was as even as a Vulcan's, but more closely cropped.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Captain. I reviewed your record in preparation for giving you a tour," Data said as he led Kirk away from sickbay, down a long brightly lit corridor, with white walls lined with black and brown panels. Data spoke in a very matter of fact way. Kirk may have even been able to believe he wasn't capable of lying, if he thought it was possible.

"Nice to meet you." Kirk held out a hand and Data took it with a firm, almost cold grip. "You can call me Jim."

"Very well, Jim," Data replied awkwardly, but his voice did not drop despite his hesitation.

"So you're an android?" Kirk asked as they continued down the hall.

"Yes," Data said. "I was created by Dr. Noonien Soong."

Kirk froze, his eyes wide. "Dr. Noonien Singh? Khan?" He readied for a fight he knew he could not win.

"No, Dr. Noonien Soong,” Data replied, as though it was a simple misunderstanding, “A famous cyberneticist of this century. I assume you are referring to the infamous tyrant from 20th century Earth who, similar to yourself, fell into a stasis and was reawakened in the 23rd century?"

Kirk could still picture Spock trapped behind the glass, dying before his eyes while he could do nothing to stop it. Spock had come back, he’d made sure of it, and they had renewed their bond years ago, but without Spock's reassuring presence in his mind…

Kirk swallowed and forced himself back to the present.

"No relation?" he confirmed.

"None," Data said. More hesitantly he continued, "I am sorry if I caused offense."

Kirk waved it off. "My compliments to Dr. Soong. Are there many other androids in Starfleet?"

“No,” Data replied sadly. “I am the only one.”

Kirk gave a sympathetic nod. “Stuck on a ship full of illogical humans?”

“Illogical?” Data asked, his head cocked to the side in confusion. “I do not find my colleagues’ behavior particularly illogical, human or otherwise. Rather, I admire the human capacity for emotion.”

“Do you?” Kirk asked, his eyebrows rose in surprise. “You don’t seem to be lacking any emotions yourself.”

Data grinned as though it was a great compliment. "Thank you, sir- Jim. I have been trying to be more human for many years, but I only recently installed a chip, which has allowed me to experience human emotions."

“How are you liking them?”

"They are very inconvenient at times," Data acknowledged, "But I believe I am beginning to master them."

“Really?” Kirk said with a wry smile. “You’re doing better than most humans already.”

“No, I still have much to learn,” Data insisted.

Kirk nodded in understanding - they all had a lot to learn.

Meanwhile, Data had led Kirk onto a turbolift, which opened on the bridge. Dark metal had been replaced by soft light browns, and the whole room looked larger, crowned with a bright domed ceiling, but for all the changes, it was unmistakable. They stayed to the side by the lift as not to disturb the officers at their stations. It looked like a shift of younger officers had replaced the normal bridge crew for the time being. They all stood as Kirk entered, but he hastily waved them back into their seats and they obliged.

His eyes wandered from station to station as he tried to take in the whole room, but his gaze was inexorably drawn to the con. It was a larger drop than he remembered between what had once been the science station and the central dias - it would have been harder to glance over his shoulder for a silent conversation with Spock. But in the center, there was not one chair, but three, with sitting space for more.

“How many captains can one ship have?” Kirk mused, his voice low enough that if Data was human, he would have barely been able to hear.

“Typically, only one,” Data replied, clearly confused by Kirk’s question.

Kirk just waved it off. He let out a sigh as his attention shifted from the unfamiliar trio of overly comfortable chairs in the center, to the viewscreen ahead. The stars raced by as they traveled incredible distances at an unfathomable speed. His heart seemed to soar, as though trying to escape his chest in a desperate bid for freedom before he was trapped back on Earth, even if it was by his own design.

The view seemed to hold him, preventing him from turning away and continuing on the tour. But he had retired years ago - it was already too late. It wasn’t his.

Finally, he tore himself away and forced himself to return to the turbolift, Data at his heels.

“Is something wrong, sir?” Data asked as the doors closed behind them.

Kirk sighed again and shook his head. “It brings back memories,” he said at last.

“You did not like serving aboard starships?”

“No,” Kirk said with half a smile, “The opposite.”

“You are unhappy because you were reminded of something you enjoyed?” Data clarified, dubious of the whole train of logic.

Kirk nodded. “Do you have any regrets, Mr. Data?” he asked as lightly as he could, with an almost challenging lilt.

Data seemed to consider the matter as the turbolift came to a stop, and they stepped out into another corridor. “I regret not stopping Soran from taking Geordi,” he admitted at last. “I regret pushing Dr. Crusher into the water and generally not understanding my crewmates’ jokes. I regret not feeding Spot promptly.”

“Spot?” Kirk interrupted Data as he began to ramble.

“My cat,” Data said.

“You had your cat with you on the Enterprise?” Kirk’s eyebrows rose a little in disbelief.

“Yes. I was very happy to see that she had survived the crash. She is currently in my quarters here, on the Farragut.”

Kirk grinned. He wondered if Spock would have wanted a cat if regulation had allowed it - of course, he got no answer. “Why a cat?” he asked aloud.

“They are common pets among the families that lived on the Enterprise, and I concluded that caring for a pet might enable me to become more human.”

“There were families on the Enterprise?” Kirk could hardly imagine it, let alone understand why with all the dangers they encountered exploring the galaxy, even without going into combat. As though to prove it, the Enterprise had just been destroyed, no doubt killing dozens of civilians, if not more.

“Yes,” Data replied, as though it was perfectly logical. “According to Starfleet records, that was not the case on the first USS Enterprise or the Enterprise-A.”

Kirk shook his head. Maybe things had calmed down in the intervening century, but he doubted it. Still, it wasn’t his place to argue, instead he asked, “What has having a pet cat taught you about humanity?”

“I have learned many things from caring for Spot, and Spot herself has proven to be an able teacher at times. Ever since installing the emotion chip, she has evoked in me a wide variety of feelings; joy, annoyance, even fear for her wellbeing.”

Kirk couldn’t help but ask, “And you never considered getting a dog?”

“No, It would be impractical to keep one on a starship.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Kirk acknowledged a little reluctantly.

“You prefer dogs to cats?”

Kirk nodded.

“I have noticed that my human colleagues occasionally engage in a debate as to which is a superior pet. I have never understood the reasoning” - Data paused in consideration - “Though I now find that I am inclined to favor cats on a purely emotional basis.”

“It’s probably just that, for the most part,” Kirk admitted with a smile. “When I was growing up, we had a dog - Butler was his name - and I couldn’t imagine a better pet.” He shook his head. He could only wonder why he had gotten so nostalgic all of a sudden.

“I see…” Data seemed to consider the information. “I will have to examine these feelings further.”

Data soon led Kirk through another doorway, into long, low room, lined with computer terminals, plus a large table in the center for more, all displaying ship’s specifications. At the far end of the room was a giant glowing column that could only have been the warp core.

“Welcome to Engineering!” a young man declared, with a broad gesture at the room around him. He had a visor over his eyes that Kirk could only assume was like a tricorder that left his hands free to work. “So, that’s where you’ve been, Data.” He grinned at the android and then turned to Kirk. “It’s an honor to meet you, Captain Kirk, I’m Geordi La Forge, Chief of Engineering of the USS Enterprise.”

“Nice to meet you,” Kirk said, and they shook hands.

“What brings you down to engineering, sir?” La Forge asked.

Kirk waved it off. “You can call me Jim. Mr. Data was just giving me a tour of the Farragut.”

“I take it you’ve already been to the bridge.”

Data gave a sharp nod.

“What about Ten-Forward?” La Forge suggested. “Or whatever they call it here. Riker said he might check it out since he doesn’t have much to do.”

“What’s ‘Ten-Forward’?” Kirk asked.

“Sorry, sir,” La Forge said. “That’s just what we call the ship’s bar - it’s on the tip of the saucer, deck ten.”

“The ship has a bar? A lot has changed in eighty years.”

“Oh yeah, the old Constitution-class ships were a lot more minimalist, weren’t they? We studied them in engineering track at the academy.”

Kirk smiled. “They were nice ships, but you’re right, they weren’t made for comfort.”

“Geordi, would you care to join us?” Data asked.

“Sure,” La Forge said. He led the way out of engineering without taking off the visor. “They don’t really need me here, I’ve just been hanging around since I don’t have anywhere else to be. I’ll be glad to be back on duty, that’s for sure.”

Kirk nodded in understanding. “It’s never the same being on someone else’s ship.”

“I didn’t think I’d miss the Enterprise so much, but now that she’s gone…” La Forge trailed off.

“I have also developed some affection for our late starship” - Data seemed a little surprised by the realization. “Perhaps that is why there have been so many starships with the name Enterprise.”

“I wouldn’t command another,” Kirk said.

“With all due respect,” La Forge said with a smile, “Captain Picard would give you a run for your money.”

Kirk shook his head. “He doesn’t have to. I’m retired now.”

“Funny thing, I met Captain Montgomery Scott - you knew him right?”

“He was my chief engineer,” Kirk said with a touch of pride.

“Well, that’s what he said too; that he was too old,” La Forge continued. “Did everyone in your time retire so young?”

Kirk shrugged. “Eventually you have to step out of the way and let the younger generation take over. One day you’ll understand.”

La Forge just shook his head. After a moment’s thought, he redirected the conversation with a grin, “Did he really say everything would take longer than he actually needed?”

“He told you about that, did he?” Kirk said, his lips pursed in mock annoyance. “To be fair, I always needed things done in half the time, so it probably evened out.”

“I do not understand why it would not be better to have the accurate times.” Data’s forehead was scrunched up in confusion.

Kirk smiled at him. “As Spock would say, it’s just an example of human illogic.”

To his surprise, Data exclaimed, “Why does Ambassador Spock reject the humanity that I seek? It frustrates me.”

“Why do you want to be human?” Kirk countered gently.

“As an android, my purpose is to be an artificial human,” Data explained.

“If Dr. Soong wanted to create another human, there’s a much easier way,” Kirk remarked with a wry smile.

“There’s something in the challenge of it - Dr. Soong was a scientist, wasn’t he?” La Forge suggested. “And I think he succeeded pretty well.”

“Thank you Geordi, that is very kind, but even with the emotion chip, there is still much I do not understand about human behavior,” Data said.

“There’s a lot we humans don’t understand about ourselves,” Kirk said.

Before the conversation could continue, they came upon a pair of double doors that opened into a dimly lit room, crowded with Farragut officers on their off shift and Enterprise crew members with nowhere else to be. Against the near wall was a bustling bar. One of the bartenders, a woman dressed like no Starfleet officer Kirk had ever seen, in a brightly colored dress with a wide disk of a hat, was watching him with a piercing gaze that made him wonder if she was telepathic. But at last she turned away.

Kirk shook off the peculiar feeling and let his eyes wander around the room. Amidst the crowd of standing officers, he could make out a few square tables where the lucky - or high ranked - were sitting. A young man at a nearby table glanced over and jumped up to greet them with an eager, almost wry grin. He had an easy confidence that almost reminded Kirk of himself when he was in his prime, but for some unfathomable reason, he had elected to grow a beard and moustache - Kirk could only assume it was the fashion of the times.

“Data! Geordi!” the young man exclaimed as they waded their way through the crowd to meet him in the middle. He was significantly taller than Kirk had expected. “And you must be Captain Kirk,” he concluded once they arrived, and held out a hand to the captain.

“You have me at a disadvantage,” Kirk said as they shook hands.

“Commander William Riker, First Officer of the USS Enterprise-D, at your service, sir. I’ve read about all your adventures, and I’m sure there are plenty that didn’t make it into the history books.” He flashed Kirk a knowing smile.

Commander Riker waved Kirk over to the table, where he had been sitting with, of all things, a Klingon in a Starfleet uniform. Riker introduced him with a wave - “Lieutenant Commander Worf.”

Worf stood and Kirk shook his hand as well.

“Worf…” Kirk trailed off - the name was familiar from somewhere. Suddenly, he remembered. “I didn’t realize Klingons lived so long - you don’t look like you’ve aged a day,” Kirk exclaimed. “I don’t think I ever got a chance to thank you for defending Dr. McCoy and I in that trial, though I know it was really just for show.”

“Sir?” Worf asked, in a very low, gruff voice.

Kirk’s face fell. “The trial over the death of Chancellor Gorkon right before the Khitomer Conference. I could have sworn we were defended by a Colonel Worf.”

“Colonel Worf was my grandfather,” the lieutenant commander explained, unamused.

“I can see the family resemblance,” Kirk attempted with a somewhat sheepish grin.

“Thank you, sir,” Worf said, still completely straight-faced. “I have been told that my grandfather was an honorable man.”

Vulcans were known for their stoicism, but Kirk could swear many of them hid a sharp sense of humor behind their logical mask. This Klingon, however, seemed entirely humorless, even more so than any of the other Klingons that Kirk had met over the years, but Kirk was hardly an expert in reading them.

Once Kirk had been properly introduced, Riker ushered him into a chair despite his protests. The others crowded around the table, and he caught several other officers watching him with eager, wide eyes. They all looked remarkably young, or maybe Kirk had just gotten old.

Suddenly, a young woman who must have been an ensign piped up - she somehow reminded him of Chekov, though there wasn’t really any resemblance - “Did you really kill God by crashing the first Enterprise in the center of the galaxy?”

Kirk took a moment to process the question while all the officers tittered eagerly around him.

“It’s about time you humans did away with your gods,” Worf remarked, “We Klingons slew ours eons ago.” Kirk had no way of telling if he was serious, but his tone remained unchanged.

“No,” Kirk said at last, “We didn’t really kill God, and we certainly didn’t do it by crashing the Enterprise in the center of the galaxy.”

“You did destroy the first Enterprise though, didn’t you?” La Forge asked.

“There is record of a court case-” Data began to explain.

“And according to the reports, you encountered some sort of god in the center of the galaxy,” Riker cut in.

Kirk carefully chose which question to answer. “It called itself god. But it only took a few disrupter blasts to destroy it, so it can’t have been that all-powerful."

“Your ‘god’ is even weaker than that nuisance, Q,” Worf proclaimed.

“Don’t get me started on Q.” Riker leaned back in his chair and explained to the confused captain, “He’s an ‘all powerful’ alien from something called the Q Continuum who drops by every so often to play his tricks on us. He’s not that different from some of the things you encountered.”

Kirk recognized the description - “Like Trelane? He could manipulate matter and energy at will and used it to dress up as an 18th century squire and toy with my crew until his parents put a stop to it."

“Unfortunately, Q doesn’t seem to have any parents to speak of,” Riker said. “The Continuum took his powers away once, but it didn’t last.”

“You also met the ancient earth deity, Apollo, is that correct?” Data asked.

“Yes, apparently the ancient Greek gods came from outer space,” Kirk said with a grin.

Worf crossed his arms over his chest. “You humans have too many gods.”

“At least Apollo wasn’t much harder to beat than the thing at the center of the galaxy. We just had to hit him in the right place to knock out his power source,” Kirk said.

“But then when did you crash the Enterprise?” La Forge asked, trying to go through the years in his head.

Kirk sighed. “That’s another story.”

The ensign took the opportunity to ask, “What about that old NASA probe that tried to destroy Earth? Didn’t you get rid of it by stealing whales from the Klingons?”

“Such weak animals would not survive long on Qo’nos,” Worf declared.

“Old NASA probe?” Kirk asked. “You mean V’Ger - Voyager?”

The ensign nodded.

“It was a different probe that wanted to talk to the whales, from another galaxy, I think. And we got the whales by going back in time, not asking the Klingons.”

“Can you really go back in time by sling-shotting around a star?” La Forge asked.

Kirk nodded. “It’s a little risky, but it does the trick.”

“Intentional time travel is also against Starfleet regulation,” Data said pointedly.

“Just hypothetically,” La Forge insisted.

“You’ve never gone back in time?” Kirk asked with a grin.

La Forge shook his head. “I know the theory, but I’ve never had the chance to try it.”

“We have entered into multiple time loops,” Data corrected him.

“Naturally occuring?” Kirk asked.

“Yes,” Data replied, “One of which produced an alternate universe.”

“I take it that’s why time travel is against regulation? Though there are other ways to get stuck in alternate universes.”

“I thought that was just a rumor that the old transporters could drop you in another universe,” La Forge exclaimed.

“Just under the right conditions,” Kirk said. “They could also split a person into their good side and their bad side if you were caught in the wrong storm.”

La Forge shook his head in disbelief.

“It is not quite the same phenomenon, but we entered a space where thought and reality combined,” Data remarked.

“Did you really meet President Abraham Lincoln?” Riker cut in.

“No,” Kirk said, a tad regretfully, “Not the real one. We did get to meet Jack the Ripper on Argelius II - he tried to frame my chief engineer for murder.”

“What was he doing there?” Riker asked.

“Apparently he was actually an alien ghost that fed on fear,” Kirk explained.

Riker grinned. “I was going to offer to show you the holodeck, but you’ve seen it all.”

“There’s always more to explore,” Kirk said with a glance toward the wall of windows, looking out on outer space.

“Anyway, you have to be careful with the holodeck,” La Forge said. “The holograms can be pretty real.”

“Especially if something goes wrong,” Riker added.

Before anyone else had the chance to speak, the Starfleet insignia on Riker’s chest beeped and he pressed it to pick up a call.

“Picard to Commander Riker,” the captain’s voice sounded over the communicator, “Admiral Brackett is on the line from Starfleet command. I want all the senior officers and Captain Kirk in the conference room as soon as possible.”

“We’re on our way, Riker out.” He pressed the insignia again and the communicator turned off with a beep.

#v writes #Star Trek: The Original Series #Star Trek: The Next Generation #Star Trek: Generations #Spirk #Generations

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manuscripts-dontburn · 6 years ago

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40 Years of Queen

Author: Harry Doherty

First published: 2011

Pages: 96

Rating: ★★★☆☆

How long did it take: 1 day

Look, I have ALWAYS loved them. But Bohemian Rhapsody film just plunged me into the deep waters of fandom and I had a need to read about them as well!

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Author: J.K. Rowling

First published: 2001

Pages: 144

Rating: ★★★☆☆

How long did it take: 1 day

This was a really sweet book with nice illustrations and perfect as a "breather" in between big, serious books. Nice.

The Magic Toyshop

Author: Angela Carter

First published: 1967

Pages: 248

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 11 days

Inspirational and offering good tips, but in many parts rather useless to me personally. Also, as someone who is not a great fan of King´s work, there are many references which I just did not get.

Marie Antoinette: The Journey

Author: Antonia Fraser

First published: 2001

Pages: 629

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 19 days

Excellent. I love how accesible yet well researched and informative Fraser´s writing is.

The Diviners

Author: Libba Bray

First published: 2012

Pages: 578

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 9 days

What can I say what has not already been said? This is simply enjoyable, with some good creeps and great potential for future stories.

The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry

Author: Gabrielle Zevin

First published: 2014

Pages: 232

Rating: ★★☆☆☆

How long did it take: 6 days

I had expected a touching story revolving around a grumpy and angry man and his character development under the influence of a little girl he becomes stuck with. Sadly everything in the book happens very quickly, with hardly any character development at all. We are told Fikry is unpleasant and depressed, but lo! the next page he is completely normal. Yeah.... boring.

The Nutcracker

Author: E.T.A. Hoffmann

First published: 1816

Pages: 112

Rating: ★★★☆☆

How long did it take: 2 days

Sweet :) Though the ballet is really what gives the story the Christmas magic.

Sto let českých Vánoc

Author: Petr Koura, Pavlína Kourová

First published: 2018

Pages: 462

Rating: ★★★★★

How long did it take: 12 days

Krásná kniha, z níž jsem si odnesla hlavně upevněné vědomí toho, že Vánoce jsou především oslavou lidské pokory a sounáležitosti, a že tento pocit jim nedokázal sebrat žádný režim. Pravda, trochu mi chybělo, že pozornost nebyla věnována tomu, jak "komunistické" Vánoce zažívaly děti svými slovy (jako je to například u části věnované Vánocům za první republiky a druhé světové války), takže publikace na mne nepůsobí tak nestranně a objektivně, jak by si jako dítě rodičů, kteří si pamatují mnohé krásné Vánoce v šedesátých a sedmdesátých letech, přála). Kniha rovněž nastavuje zrcadlo dnešní společnosti, která po tom, co čtyřicet let musela vytrvat v obraně duchovního rázu svátků, tento samý ráz ráda vyměňuje za konzum. Až by se často dalo říci, že to, čeho se tak úporně snažili dosáhnout komunisté (již zmíněné odstranění duchovní podstaty a její náhrada konzumem), dosáhl kapitalismus. Naštěstí ne docela. Naštěstí ne pro všechny.

Spinning Silver

Author: Naomi Novik

First published: 2018

Pages: 466

Rating: ★★★★★

How long did it take: 13 days

The writing, the atmosphere, the female characters.... yes, yes, yes. True, perpahs there is way too many POVs, but not once I was confused so it was no issue for me. Loved.

The Night Before Christmas

Author: Nikolai Gogol

First published: 1832

Pages: 65

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 1 day

I had no idea this would be so chuckle-worthy and entertaining. Truly perfect for any night before Christmas. Superbly funny.

From Queen to Empress: Victorian Dress, 1837-1877

Author: Caroline Goldthorpe

First published: 1988

Pages: 88

Rating: ★★★☆☆

How long did it take: 2 days

This could be of great use to anyone trying to write historical fiction set in the Victorian period.

Farmaceutka

Author: Amálie Kutinová

First published: 1947

Pages: 170

Rating: ★★★☆☆

How long did it take: 1 day

Milé čtení, které stále dýchá oním kouzlem původních knížek. Škoda jen toho nešťastného, době poplatného úvodu z roku 1947, který hrubě a nepříjemně narušuje atmosféru celé knížky.

Klatovy za císaře pána

Author: Dušan Kučera

First published: 2018

Pages: 143

Rating: ★★★☆☆

How long did it take: 1 day

Ideální k oddechu, krátká publikace k pobavení nad výstřižky z novin Šumavan.

Innocent Traitor

Author: Alison Weir

First published: 2006

Pages: 422

Rating: ★☆☆☆☆

How long did it take: 3 days

Where to begin? Maybe with saying that being passionate about a subject does not mean you are a good novelist. And judging by this book, that is the case of Alison Weir. This book (of which I read 300 pages and skimmed the fainl 100 because I just did not care) was just a frustrating pile of info-dumping, robotic dialogues (nobody talks like that!) and topped with a super-woman heroine who is a) the smartest b) the most innocent c) the most pious but constantly abused (mentally and physically) against which she rebels all the time only to ALWAYS accept the abuse in the end, no matter how much she had ranted a moment ago. The story of Lady Jane is very sad and full of political intriques, and somewhere in the middle of it is a young girl who paid the price for the ambitions of others, and it takes a real talent to turn all that into a book so frigid and tiring.

What Life Was Like in the Time of War and Peace: Imperial Russia, AD 1696-1917

Author: -

First published: 1999

Pages: 144

Rating: ★★★★☆

How long did it take: 2 days

A pleasant, consice coffee-table book with beautiful illustrations. Perfect for anyone starting their research of Russian history.

#booklr #wrap up #December 2018

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detectiveguapo · 6 years ago

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Bhisop for your recent post 👌🏻

general opinion: fall in a hole and die | don’t like them | eh | they’re fine I guess | like them! | love them | actual love of my life hotness level: get away from me | meh | neutral | theoretically hot but not my type | pretty hot | gorgeous! | 10/10 would banghogwarts house: gryffindor | slytherin | ravenclaw | hufflepuff – An MC president who’s a hufflepuff? I know, but listen… The more revealed about Bishop, the more I’m seeing a difference between him and Alvarez. I think it’s easy to see a leader figure and either lump them as gryffindor or slytherin. But here’s why I think Bishop is a hufflepuff – he’s more trusting of his brothers than Alvarez ever was with his MC. Bishop is so loyal to his club that he is willing to be patient with the process of investigating the rat. He doesn’t even want to believe it’s true, and I think it’s because he sees the good in his brothers and can’t imagine that they would ever betray him. Bishop is also super friendly and warm with a lot of locals in Santo Padre. Clay had his relationships with locals in Charming but there was always this sense that he was wielding his power as the president of SAMCRO. I don’t get that with Bishop (at least not yet). best quality: Hufflepuffs are full of great qualities so naturally Bishop’s best qualities are his trusting nature and his warm personality. I think he’s an effective president in spite of him being more willing to endure the suspicion that there may be a traitor among his club members. worst quality: I don’t think he’s displayed a bad quality yet, but I do think his overly trusting nature will bite him in the ass with Alvarez and the cartel. So if there’s anything Bishop should work on, it’s probably becoming a more proactive leader that’s making actual steps to make the club a more independent entity. ship them with: Not the mayor because the mayor is a lesbian and she’s married to a “hot woman” (who we haven’t seen. smh). I wish he had an old lady though… I definitely wouldn’t mind season two introducing a cast of Latinxs (and other men/women of colour) to be paired up with the guys in the MC. Can we get an Asian woman in there? I volunteer.brotp them with: Antonia. I love their friendship and I think there’s (platonic) history there. I also love his friendship with Taza, Hank, and Riz; but I need to see more, which is why every episode needs to be at least two hours.needs to stay away from: Theoretically, Bishop should stay away from the cartel. But the only way I see that happening is if the MC took out Miguel so nah, forget I said anything. misc. thoughts: Writing this has helped me realize that Bishop displays qualities of a leader that aren’t often emphasized in characters written to be leaders. I think it makes his character more intriguing and I’m excited to see how he develops. Will his leadership be challenged because he’s not as aggressive as Clay or Marcus? Will this allow someone else to take over? Or will Bishop become more ruthless when he finds out about Angel working with the rebels?

#asks #mayans mc #obispo losa #bishop losa

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darrowsrising · 5 years ago

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*flexes fingers* My time to shine, Pixies!

My only contribution to the fandom are ocassional strikes of genius and lots of shite posting, so be bloodydamn sure I have things to say about the hand symbolism.

Here's what Lorn says in Golden Son when we get introduced to him:

"My great-granddaughter was born last night. I still have the smell of blood on my fingers". He holds them out - like tree roots, crooked and calloused from the jolding of weapons. They tremble slightly. "These took her from the darkness to the light, from warmth to the cold, and cut the cord themselves. It would be a fine world if that was the last flesh they cut."

...

"To think about what hands feel," Lorn mutters. "These have felt the lifeblood of my sons as their hearts pumped it put of their bodies. They've felt the cold of a razor's hilt as they stole the dreams of youth. They've worn the love of a girl and a woman and then felt those heartbeats fade to silence. All for my glory. All because I chose to ride the sea. All because I do not die as easily as most." He frowns. "Hands, I think, were not meant to feel so much."

"Mine have felt more than I'd wish," I say. I feel the snap go through them that I felt at Eo's hanging. The texture of her hair. I remember the warmth of Pax's blood. The chill of Lea's pale face in the cold morning after Antonia butchered her. The grainy red smear of haemanthus blossoms. Mustang's bare hip as we lay by the fire.'

Point is, hands are a reccuring symbol through out the trilogy. Hands mean creation and distruction. They mean action. The scars on them mean suffering. Their softness can deceive - see Pliny, he is soft of hands and of words. Their deftness gives away quickness of mind and cunning - see Matteo, he is faster than Darrow and he is a master at Karachi.

The Jackal not caring about them differentiate him from Darrow, meaning he is a man of words, not action. He deceives with words. He plots and lies and manipulates.

Thing is, the hands feel. Words don't.

Octavia has delicate hands with long red nails; in the first year of her reign, the Moons rebelled because they thought her unsuited to rule them. She made them fear her so that they obey. She turned the blood on her hands into claws. (Neah, she didn't, but the metaphor sounded cool in my head).

Daxo is great with a razor, but a wizard with his stylus. He is creative and powerful. He is gentle with Diana, but ruthless in his pursuits - even using Oracles. He wears a ring with an eyeball, which in itself is a symbol.

Darrow is a man who feels a lot. He is a man of action. He even says way more with actions than actual words. His hands are very important to him. And, as the man himself has said, Darrow knows himself very well. His hands reflect his personality. That is why he is so easy to misunderstand him as a character - you need to read between the lines to get him.

I think he looks at hands a lot as well as other people's hands to gage what to expect. He's a very perceptive guy. He can find out lots of details from a person's appearance. And everyone who had any link to Sherlock Holmes at some point in their lives knows that you can tell a lot about someone by how their hands looks like.

Thank you so much for tagging me @thegorydamnreaper ! Means a lot to me!

Has anyone else noticed the amount of page time that hands get? Is it just me or are there mentions of hands EVERYWHERE? And not just with Darrow either.

Like, yes, I know they’re significant to Darrow being a Helldiver and the Sigil thing, but there’s also:

The hand-shaped clawDrill.

Darrow burning his hand.

The scene right before Darrow is hanged where he eats one handed because his mom is holding the other. This was like a whole paragraph about his hands.

Threatening to remove & keep Harmony’s hand.

The fact that Violets and Obsidians have extra fingers on their hands

The Jackal cutting his own hand off.

There’s a lot more from even just book 1, but I don’t have the ebook and it’s glorious search feauture.

So does anyone have any thoughts on this? @darrowsrising I could probably use your insights here, because I think this is worthy of discussion ♥️

#red rising trilogy #iron gold trilogy #pierce brown #symbolism

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wolffyluna · 8 years ago

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Veteratorian for Marco de Domine, Misqueme for Jas, Caprizant for Kaemoque, Antipelargy for Khelresse?

Content Warnings: csa for Marco’s drabble, torture for Jas’.

Veteratorian: crafty, subtle

Leonardo de Domine thought he was a subtle. He was so clever, he could pretty much boast about what he’d done, what he was going to do, and no one would be any the wiser.

That was true, as amply demonstrated by everyone else at this dinner party. But it wasn’t because Uncle Leo was clever or subtle. People like Leo broke families, made them blind. “No, he could never have done that, he’s so nice,” “No, he couldn’t have ever have done that, one of our family would never do that,” “Yes, maybe he did do it, but we need him too badly,” “Sure, he did it, but we can’t go around airing dirty laundry,” “He did that to me, never did me any harm,” “He never did that, I must be crazy,” “I’m the only one, it must not matter,”

Leo could jump up on the table and shout “I fuck children! I’ve fucked most of the children in this room!” and the conversation wouldn’t change from “Lovely weather we’ve been having, isn’t it?” Considering how drunk Leo was, Marco was surprised he hadn’t done it already.

“Toni, how are your studies going?” Leo asked.

Antonia flinched at her name. Marco couldn’t tell if it was the tone, or the nickname, or just Leo talking, but it was definitely a flinch.

Leo smiled.

‘Likes to watch people flinch’ was low on the list of Leo’s crimes. Ridiculously low. Spectacularly low. But it still made Marco want to jump across the table and smite him.

That would definitely change the conversation around the table, though. It was the tricky thing about being a paladin, especially in this family. You had to conform to people’s ideas of a paladin. Don’t right the evils you see, no, go right the evils everyone else was doing. Make polite conversation even as their aura of evil bubbles and writhes in front of you.

Say: “Yes, the weather is nice, but I hear the coast has got the most dreadful rain.”

Say: “The temple has been mostly quiet, generally is this time of year. My student is progressing very well though.”

Say: “No, of course no one at this table is evil. Why would they be?”

***

One of the advantages of being a grey guard is few knew the difference between a grey guard and a paladin. Within the church, people liked to think they were night and day. But outsiders just assumed you were a normal paladin. The idea you could be underhanded was completely foreign, unexpected.

And you can’t defend yourself against what you don’t expect.

Marco walked across the grounds in the middle of the night. He was family, what was odd about doing that? He had a sword at his hip, and knife as well. He was a paladin, that was what they were supposed to wear at their hips. He climbed the stairs towards Leo’s chambers. He was family, what wrong could he even be doing?

He opened the door, closed it behind him, and drew his sword.

Leo sat up, and looked blankly at Marco’s blade.

“I know what you’ve done.”

Leo blinked twice. “What have I done?”

“You’re not as subtle as you think, you know. Especially when someone who knows what to look for. Someone people tell things to that someone they wouldn’t tell anyone else.”

“Oh.” Leo paused, and then grinned. It could best be described as shit-eating. “You can’t prove it. Not to the courts. You guys have to go through the courts.”

Marco stepped closer, holding the sword an inch away from his neck. “No, not really.” That was a lie. Depending on what happened in this room, and how the Seven Mounting Heavens were feeling tonight, it might be decided that he should have gone throught. It might be decided that he broke the Code. If that lie hadn’t already counted as a breach, of course.

Tomorrow morning, he was going to be sweet talking a cleric into preparing atonement.

“I’m going to give you two options. You admit what you’ve done, in public. You make amends, from a distance. And you make sure you are never so much in the same building as a child again, or this option is revoked.”

“And the other option?”

Marco drew the knife, and held it to his neck also. It was awkward holding the sword and knife at once, but from how Leo’s eyes widened, it was effective. “Or, tonight, you’ll have a burglary gone wrong. Really wrong. Such a shame the thieves were so jumpy, and that you were in exactly the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Leo looked scared, yes, but also confused. Like this didn’t jive with what he understood of Marco. Of what he understood of paladins. “You can’t do this. You can’t. You’re not allowed.”

“I think I see where you’re confusion comes from: I’m not a paladin.”

Misqueme (to displease; to offend)

Jas sat alone in a dining room. At least, that’s what he thought it was. He hadn’t worked out the logic of Commoraghn interior design, and didn’t think he ever would. It seemed deliberately confusing, the sort of architecture to set people on edge.

But the chairs were soft and the table was a reasonable height, and the Dark Eldar would only give those things to themselves. And the knives and skewers were too dull to hurt anyone with, so they had to be for eating. Therefore, it was dining room for whoever owned this place.

The Lord walked in, and sat opposite Jas. His cloak shimmered green and blue in the light. Jas had never found out his name, had never found out the names of any of his owners. He changed hands too many times to learn anyone’s name beyond Lord or Master. (Plus, only real people had names thought.)

“You look tense,” The Lord said. “You don’t have to be. Just relax.” He put his hand on top of Jas’, and Jas couldn’t suppress his flinch. Body heat felt too much like a prelude to pain.

The Lord kept his hand there. “When Jedruch paid me, I didn’t expect to find someone like you in there. It’s a waste, really. We’re cousins, and a cousin is too valuable to kept just for pain if there’s something better they could be doing. Don’t you agree?”

Jas said nothing.

“You know the difference between us? Not us as individuals, though there are some, but the difference between the Dark and the Craftworld Eldar.”

Jas’ tongue was braver than the rest of them. “We knew when to stop.”

“I’d say that you were cowards that ran at the first setback, but I value your opinion, cousin. There is value in differing perspectives. Our differences are not innate though. There is very little stopping you from claiming your birthright as a superior being.” The Lord handed a knife over to Jas. This one was actually sharp. “It’s nothing fancy: a sharp edges and some dilute acids and salts. Nothing you could make too great a mistake with.”

The Lord nodded at a door. Jas didn’t know what was behind it, but he could make a pretty good guess. “You take your birthright, you get your freedom.”

“No.”

“It’s not so hard. Once you get over the squeamishness, it comes quite naturally.”

“Not can not, will not.”

“This isn’t an offer that will be repeated.” There was a hard edge to the Lord’s voice. It sounded more natural, to Jas’ ears. “Most won’t care for our shared race.”

“I am of a Craftworld before I am Eldar, and I know when to stop and when not to start.”

It was a trained instinct, a bad habit. Jas’ hand betrayed him. He pushed the knife across the table, back to the Lord.

***

Jas didn’t know what most of his scars were from, how they happened. He knew the when, roughly, but other details were lost to him. There were ten he remembered clearly. His first, a long silver stripe along his left forearm; his last, a rough cut on an ankle. A few more.

And a deep red thing on one hand. He remembered the wound, the acids and the salts. He remembered the conversation.

He didn’t feel much about most of his scars, bar residual fear and pain. He was proud of that one.

Caprizant: of the pulse, uneven or irregular

It’d be easier to sleep if the sound was regular. Or even if it was an actual sound.

It was faint in realspace, fainter in the webway. Something coreward sung. Psychically, of course, he couldn’t have heard it from this way if it was real. It pulsed, the sound crescendoing and diminuendoing randomly, and double drum beats ringing haphazardly.

Kaemoque didn’t expect anyone to sympathise with how annoying it was. Sympathy was in short supply on the ship generally. Anyway, he was one of two psychic people, and Jas didn’t seem to notice.

“I’ve probably been hearing it since I was child, I’ve just tuned it out,” Jas said.

Kaemoque never expected to find what it was. It would remain this vague annoyance

Then he saw a galactic map. Coreward of them, in the direction of the singing, sat a planet mostly irrelevant to the Eldar, but very important to the mon-keigh.

Addan probably wouldn’t know what it was. They were bricks more psychic than her. But if the singing was from that planet, she might know. It was a human planet, and she was human.It felt unnatural speaking Gothic. His lips rebelled against and stumbled at such low speech. “Does Terra sing?”

“Singing I can hear, or singing you can hear?”

“I can hear, not you.”

Addan nodded. “That’s the Astronomicon. At least, that’s what it probably is. The primaris is my company said it sounded like singing to him. We use it like a lighthouse.”

“Light like little mass, or like light like star?”

“It’s an idiom. The Astronomicon… is a beacon, a thing to find your way.”

“And I should be able to hear it?”

“It’s for psykers, so yeah. I’d be surprised if you couldn’t.”

Kaemoque nodded, happy. He now knew who was responsible for the incredibly annoying singing.

Antipelargy: reciprocal or mutual kindness

It was an easy task, positively childlike for someone as dextrous as Khelresse. Crawl through the vents of the ship, land in the middle of the defenders, cause chaos.

She could feel Merathera’s body heat through her boots as the crawled through the humidifier vents. Moisture condensed on the metal, making it slippery. They had no trouble going through though. If anything, the slipperiness helped them get through the narrower sections.

Khelresse knocked a grill out, and it clattered to the floor. One of the ship’s sentinels turned towards the noise.

Khelresse slipped out, headfirst. It was an easy manoeuvre: dive out, flip midair, land on your feet. She managed all three.

But she landed off balance. She toppled over, fell flat on her face.

Merathera came out after and landed just a few centimetres from her.

The sentinels started to turn around.

In those precious first seconds, when few of their prey knew what was happening, and the rest were too stunned to react, Merathera didn’t attack. No shooting, no stabbing, not even any punching. She didn’t use them that way.

She used those few seconds to lean down and lift Khelresse back up.

***

Khelresse sparred with Merathera. Mera’s technique was sloppy, but she made up for it with gusto and a keen eye to learn Khelresse’s skills.

She jumped up, kicked Khelresse in the chest, and flipped back onto her feet. Khelresse followed the blow. Mera had been paying attention: Khelresse had used that on her last week.

There was flaw in the move, however. Unless you had drilled for hours to compensate, for that first half second after you landed, were off balance.

Khelresse shoulder charged her. Merathera fell backwards, only just managing to break fall.

In those precious first seconds, just after the fall, when she had the best opportunity, Khelresse didn’t confirm the bout. No blade to throat, no boot to chest, no pin till time ending. She didn’t use them that way.

She used those few seconds to lean down and lift Merathera back up.

#my writing #jas #kaemoque #khelresse #marco de domine #the merry band #team paladin #diseonfire #asks

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peopleoftexas · 8 years ago

Text

Edward Stiff, The Texan Emigrant, 1840

Page 56: The system of imprisonment for debt, never has, nor ever will, effect to any useful extent, the object of its adoption; it does not facilitate the collection of debts, or teach men caution or integrity in their dealings; and of these facts even the people of Texas are well aware, and make a distinction between poverty and crime, and thus in their infancy have wrested this engine of oppression from the grasp of tyrants. The fact is, a man that will be coerced into a payment, deserves to wear the badge of slavery from the cradle to the grave.

Page 77: Under such circumstances, these people are far less censurable for their irregularities and disorders than the inhabitants of older and differently situated countries, where mob law is frequently the order of the day; and by people, too, who have not been subjected to the misfortunes, hardship and privations which many of the people of Texas have, who are now denied many of the blessings which are elsewhere enjoyed.

Page 154: But the most conspicuous of them all, is the celebrated Gen. Baker of Tuscaloosa memory, who is now a leading member of the Texan Congress. I will not undertake to determine that public men are always to be taken as a fair sample of these from among whom they have been elevated to office, but as some publications, of a novel character to me, were circulated to promote this gentleman’s election, as well as others, I conclude they may in struct the reader respecting land titles and interest him otherwise, and a small sample is therefore inserted here placing the general defense before the world as the Honorable Representative placed it himself before the people of Texas.

Page 156: Justice to myself and to the individuals owning this grant, requires that I should give the reasons which induced me originally to become interested in these speculations and which now influence me to make this relinquishment. Previous to our revolution, we lived under a government speculative in its character, and who attached but little value to the public domain. They were daily granting away large tracts of land, regardless of its ultimate effect on Texas, and so far from any dissatisfaction being expressed by the people of Texas, they encouraged this ruinous policy, anxious themselves to accumulate large landed estates. Many hundred leagues of land were donated away in this manner, but the spirit of speculation became restive under the slow accumulation of land through the medium of eleven league grants, and the state at one session disposed of several hundreds to a few individuals. Of these contracts I knew nothing until the return of the parties to Texas, when I was offered an interest in one of the grants which I accepted, and in that manner acquired the interest I now relinquish.

Page 160: That the privileges are as great as many have attempted to make them out, no one will believe, neither will the public believe, that the members of Congress voted for this bank from any consideration of individual benefit. Those who afterwards were received not the company, were received for the purpose of organizing it, and who by their influence and talents would, it was supposed render it respectable abroad, and secure for the country the benefit of the capital proposed. Such were my views on this subject, but when I found the people of Texas were arrayed against it, and almost unanimously disapprobated the vote, I surrendered my interest to those from whom I received it.

Page 164: But our exertions were successful and the people did rouse. When the campaign opened, I went into the army as a private. Having been instrumental in the revolution, I sought no office and would accept of none. I had been accused of ambitious and interested motives in urging the revolution, and I was determined to convince the people of Texas that such charges were false. In this campaign I fought in the battle of the Grass Fight, and only left San Antonia when it was understood the army were ordered to retreat to Goliad. When the information reached San Felipe of the siege of the Alamo, I was unanimously elected to command the company from that place, and was among the first to reach Gonzales. On the retreat of our army, I was stationed with a few men, never more than 80 in number, to protect the crossing of the Brassos, which I did against the Mexicans, though headed by Santa Anna in person. In the battle of San Jacinto I did my duty.

Page 181: The people of Texas are doubly cursed with this corroding malady. The liberal policy of the Mexican government gave birth to speculations in lands on a large scale, and these giant calculations now enter into the trade of the country in all its ramifications, until men seem altogether averse to engage in any regular business which does not promise a speedy return of fortune; and in the absence of such opportunities dissipate time and money to the ruin of their own constitutions and the absolute annihilation of all the sources from whence flow the purest and less defiled springs of human happiness.

Page 213: In order to a proper understanding of the part that the people of Texas acted in the Mexican Revolution, the attention of the reader is particularly invited to bear in mind the measures of the Mexican government respecting slavery and religion, at so early a period of its existence, and before the province of Texas had even thrown off the appearance of a wilderness; and independent of the inhumanity of such traffic at first, such measures were ere long imperiously called for in other respects, Texas having in a brief space of time become a kind of depot for malefactors, not only from the United States, but also from the West India Islands; and to cap the whole, many a stolen Negro, and many a free one, had found masters in Texas in direct contravention of all the laws until the final decree of 1829.

Page 235: Resolved, That the people of Texas be invited to cooperate with us in support of the principles incorporated in support of the foregoing, and that it was the Santa Anna forces, and not a faction of rebels that have battled against military despotism in this part of the Mexican Republic.

Page 240: To suppose that any party in power in Mexico would uniformly be governed by wisdom and justice would argue a degree of credulity and ignorance from which I trust I am exempt; but to suppose that any of the alternative authorities would wantonly have harassed the people of Texas, is the greatest absurdity; and that the law of the 6th of April, 1830, was passed to prevent the accumulation of warlike materials, and the introduction of smuggled goos, the history of the times as well as subsequent events abundantly prove. Indeed, none can be so profoundly ignorant as to suppose that the government of Mexico, had enacted such laws out of mere caprice at any time; and much less, when the elements of strife were rife in the land, and a small firebrand from such a source certain to light up a blaze in Texas which had long been kindling, and now only needed fuel to send forth a flame.

Page 278: Now the good people of Texas, availing themselves of their natural rights, do solemnly declare that we have taken up arms in defense of our rights and liberties, which was threatened by the encroachments of military despots and in defense of the republican principles of the constitution of 1824. That Texas is no longer mortally or legally bound by the compact of Union; yet stimulated by the generosity common to a free people, we offer our support and assistance to such of the members of the Mexican confederacy as will take up arms against military despotism. That we do not acknowledge that the present authorities of the nominal Mexican Republic have the right to govern within the limits of Texas. That we hold it a right during the disorganization of the federal system to withdraw from the Union and establish an independent government or to adopt such other measures as we may deem best calculated to protect our rights and liberties; but we will continue faithful to the Mexican Government so long as that nation is governed by the constitution and laws that were formed for the government of the political association, but will not cease to carry on war against said authorities whilst their troops are within the limits of Texas.

Page 280: But a brief space of time before, as noted in the 12th Chapter of this work, we who are now conjured as brothers, were denounced before the Mexican people as notoriously profligate and lawless and in the same address by the same war party, Santa Anna who has since that address was penned removed all former grounds of complaint, and committed no wrongs upon the rights or liberties of the people of Texas, is now transformed from the champion of liberty, and the distinguished Don Lopez de Santa Anna, into a military despot who had trampled on the liberties of his country. Religious establishments and violated Constitutions grate harshly on American ears; and this love for the constitution was a subterfuge resorted to for the purpose of enlisting our feelings still more in their favor, and was in point of fact rebelling first and finding out the reason afterwards, and never, it is believed, did juggler play off his illusions with such effect as did the war party in Texas, when performing before their notoriously profligate and lawless brothers, the legitimate descendants of 1776.

Page 295: If the declaration of the consultation of delegates is to be received as an exposition of the encroachments on the rights and liberties of the good people of Texas, I am unable to perceive any definite change except that of the modification of the constitution of 1824, and it has already been shown that this modification was effected by the operation of universal suffrage; a doctrine whether sound or unsound is professed to be held most sacred by all republican people; and least of all should the Texans have complained of a violated constitution when the first infraction of this venerated document was made at their own especial and repeated request and conceded to them by the generous courtesy of an overwhelming majority of the nation.

Page 301: To the Public. The undersigned, deem it an act of justice, not to themselves alone, but to the community of which they are members, more especially to those whose generous sympathies were so deeply enlisted in the cause of Texas to make known the causes which have induced them to abandon an enterprise, in which they embarked with so many fond and flattering hopes. They would have been glad to have been spared this painful task. They take no pleasure in the performance of an act, which may tend to check the universal current of kindness and sympathy which has been manifested by the people of Kentucky, towards the people of Texas, from the beginning of their revolution down to the present time. They have too distinct a recollection of their own feelings when they quit their homes, to aid the cause, as they then thought, of civil and religious freedom, not to know that their return and this brief expose of the motives which induced it, will cause a pang of mortification in many bosoms which now throb with exultation, in the hope of Texan freedom.

Page 335: On the 3d of October, 1836, Congress convened at the town of Columbia, when the returns showed that the people of Texas were nearly unanimous in their desire to be annexed to the United States; and the President, in his inaugural address, alluded in feeling terms, to the recent triumph of their arms, and the part the people of the United States had borne in the troubles of Texas—remarking that many of us had rendered important services to his country; that we had all sympathized with Texas in the day of her trials, and that our joy at her success had been irrepressible. These proofs of our friendship, he continued, encouraged him to hope that the universal wish of the people to be merged in the Union, would meet a favorable answer.

Page 336: On the following day, the two Houses of Congress passed unanimously the following Joint Resolution: Whereas, the good people of Texas, in accordance with a proclamation of his Excellency, D.G. Burnett, President, ad interim, of the Republic of Texas, did, on the first Monday of September last past, at an election for President, Vice President, Senators and Representatives in Congress, vote to be annexed to the United States of America, with an unanimity unparalleled in the annals of the elective franchise, only 93 or the whole population voting against it: Be it therefore resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of Texas, in Congress assembled, that the President be, and is hereby authorized and requested, to dispatch forthwith to the government of the United States a Minister, vested with ample and plenary powers to enter into negotiations and treaties with the United States government, for the recognition of the independence of Texas, and for her immediate annexation to the United States—a measure required by the almost unanimous voice of the people of Texas, and fully concurred in by the present Congress.

Page 348: That communication has been laid before the President, who has considered it with just sensibility. In giving to the undersigned instructions to present, in reply, a prompt and decisive indication of the course it has been deemed necessary to adopt, the President indulges the confident expectation that no unfriendly spirit towards the Government or the people of Texas will or can be imputed to the United States.

Page 357: The apprehension of the honorable Mr. Forsyth, that the refusal of this Government to negotiate for a treaty of annexation, thereby declining all the commercial and other advantages which would be secured by that measure, may induce an attempt on the part of that Government of Texas to extend its commercial relations elsewhere on terms most favorable to its own welfare and prosperity is perfectly natural; but the undersigned assures Mr. Forsyth that such endeavors will not proceed from any unkind feelings to the Government and people of the United States; and he would take this occasion to reiterate the friendly disposition of the Government and people of Texas towards the Government and people of the United States, which he had the honor to communicate in his note of the 4th of August. Page 360: With the most rigid adherence to whatever is just and right, the Government of Texas will naturally pursue such a course of policy, foreign and domestic, as will best conduce to the increase of her wealth and population, and thereby her national power and consideration. In its intercourse abroad, it will endeavor to find those markets where her agricultural products, cotton, sugar, rice, tobacco, etc., will obtain the highest prices, and where such articles as may be needed for her home consumption may be procured at the lowest rates. If these advantages are presented in a commercial intercourse with the United States, the undersigned need not say that the warm predilection of the Government and the people of Texas for the Government and people of the United States would render such an intercourse as agreeable to the former as it would doubtless be advantageous to both.

The undersigned most respectfully assures the honorable Mr. Forsyth, and though him his excellency the President of the United States, that the prompt and decisive rejection of the proposition for the annexation of Texas to the United States will not be imputed to an unfriendly spirit to the Government and people of Texas.

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minervacasterly · 8 years ago

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#Tudor Tuesdays! Tudors, the Masters of Propaganda: When the Pen is Mightier than the Sword “The story of our past is open to interpretation. Much of British history is edited and a deceitful account of events … The sooner you do a little digging, you discover it is a tapestry of different stories, woven together by whoever is in power at the time.” ^This! How we see history is in accordance to our politics. Her first episode focuses on deconstructing the wars of the roses, presenting the facts and the different accounts that have come up of the men and women involved in this conflict, leaving the viewer to decide what might have likely happened. In regards to the Princes, in other pages I administer, some have said that it would be good to have the bodies that were found in the Tower of London examined to find once and for all who ordered their deaths. But assuming that the crown allows for DNA testing, allowing the world to finally know if they are the Princes in the Tower or not, supposing they are, it wouldn’t provide us with an answer. Like with Richard III, science would tell us how they died -and offer us an accurate description (based on facial reconstruction) on how they looked- but it wouldn’t tell us who kill them. Unless we were to discover a letter of Richard, Margaret Beaufort or any other suspect, declaring their guilt, the Princes in the Tower will remain one of history’s greatest cold cases. What is undeniable though is that the Tudors were crafty in making the people believe that they were chosen by God to rule over England. There were prophecies by the Welsh, made up ancestry, and of course a wedding that was promoted as the union between Lancaster and York that would put an end to the war and bring forth a dynasty that would last forever. “The line between fact and fiction often gets blurred.” It’s true. Often fiction becomes the new history. Most of the times, it is because we have great storytellers who give us a simpler version that isn't too complicated or convoluted, that it is easier for us to accept. The wars of a roses a turbulent period but it wasn’t chaotic. People were tired of civil war, and it might be one of the reasons why they were ready, after Henry VII put many rebellions down, to accept their new overlords. Not only that but fast-forward to the sixteenth century when religious tensions were at an all-time high, when there was divisions among Catholics and even Protestants, the Tudors were more desperate than ever to solidify their power. Henry VIII needed a son to secure a dynasty that many abroad still questioned its legitimacy, while also a tool to make themselves immortal. Henry VIII wasn't a fan of Protestantism but he liked the idea of Kings being above reproach, subject to no judgment but God's. Kings were no longer half-divine, in Henry's mind, English Kings were now completely divine. What their conscience wanted is what God wanted. Going against the King was no longer treason but a sin as well. When Edward VI succeeded his father, his coronation pageant included many religious symbolism, primarily figures of the Old Testament like Josiah and Moses. These powerful visuals were meant to tell the people that their new King was God's messenger on Earth and that he would turn England into an Evangelical nation. Then there is Mary I. Mary was seen as the great Catholic hope and to some extent she was but she soon proved that she her father's daughter. And like her father she was determined to be the sole sovereign of her nation. She engaged in theatrics as her mother had done, playing the part of the dutiful wife to her Spanish husband, Prince Philip, King of Naples and Sicily, begging him not to leave, writing to him constantly about how much she needed him. But once he was with her, she proved that she was more like her Tudor ancestors than their Spanish ones. Mary was also compared to religious figures. These matronly figures helped her justify her reign before her subjects who weren't used to the idea of female monarchy. When her friend, cousin and Archbishop of Canterbury, Reginald Pole, advised her to return Church lands to the Church, she pretended not to listen. Those lands had benefited many powerful subjects she didn't wish to antagonize, not to mention that some of those lands were now in possession of the crown. Would Mary really give them all up after all the revenue they had provided her family? The answer is obviously 'no'. When she confronted the rebels that were led by Wyatt, she inspected the troops as a King would, and gave a rousing speech, where she said that she was a mother protecting her children from harm, and that she would be ruled by her people rather than by her needs. Mary ended up pardoning many of the rebels but had no mercy for most of their leaders. At the end of her reign despite her efforts to cleanse the Catholic Church in England of corruption and restore a Humanist curriculum in the universities, as well as re-funding some of them; Mary suffered from Protestant propaganda and her own failure which was not giving the kingdom an heir to continue the Tudor line and her religious ambitions. As soon as Elizabeth I got her sister's reign, she quoted one of the psalms where she said that "this is the Lord's doing" and "it is marvelous in our eyes". Curiously, it is recorded that when she said this, she was next to a royal oak, similar to what her ancestress, Elizabeth Woodville, when she reputedly encountered the Yorkinst King for the first time. As always, another Tudor monarch who employed great rhetoric, and used biblical and classical symbols to justify her reign. As she got older, she continued to dress extravagantly. While many people expected her to marry, she chose to remain a Virgin. Nobody knows the full extent of her relationship with her male favorites but given how strict she was with her ladies, it is safe to say that her religiosity wouldn't have allowed her to be intimate with them. While supporting many Protestant groups overseas, she was quick to dismiss them when they preached about a Republican government. Elizabeth didn't like this because that meant that the King was no longer close to God, but another public servant who was under strict scrutiny by his people. In various paintings, one can see Elizabeth being led to victory by classical goddesses, being given the sacred fruit. She is their chosen one, the one who will vanquish all of England's enemies and is closer to God than anyone else. Using her single status, she became a substitute for the Virgin Mary. One whose virtue was no longer mocked but praised. But, in spite of this, Elizabeth I was also a pragmatist and as previously stated, when she found that some of her councilors were leaning towards more radical branches of Protestantism, she confronted them and fought them hard using her best tool: her words. Turning them against one another, and foiling their plans to institute Evangelical measures. When she died, she was hailed as one of the greatest. This is largely due to nostalgia. James VI of Scotland succeeded her becoming James I of England. He and his wife, Queen Anne were jointly crowned on Westminster Abbey. Despite James' efforts to be a good ruler, people grew disappointed of him and soon began to look towards the past, transforming it into a place of beauty and mysticism. Despite some writers looking down on Catholic Margaret Beaufort and her son Henry VII, and his granddaughter Mary I, they made figures like Henry VIII and Elizabeth I into national icons. Henry VIII's split from Rome and Elizabeth I's defeat of the Armada became legend. What they wrote endured for centuries. Some will argue that it endures today, with many people still buying into the myths that these figures wrote about their reigns, proving that nothing is more powerful than propaganda. The pen is truly mightier than the sword. Recommended reading: Tudor by Leanda de Lisle; Wars of the Roses: Fall of the Plantagenets and the Rise of the Tudors by Dan Jones; Armada by Garrett Mattingly, Elizabeth I: The Struggle for the Throne by David Starkey, Henry VII by SB Chrimes, Plantagenet Chronicles by Derek Wilson; Mary Tudor: Princess, Bastard, Queen & The Queen's Bed: An Intimate History of Elizabeth's Court by Anna Whitelock; Blood Sisters & Game of Queens by Sarah Gristwood; The Myth of Bloody Mary & Tudors vs Stewarts by Linda Porter; Inside the Tudor Court by Lauren Mackay; The Anne Boleyn Collection by Claire Ridgway; In Bed With the Tudors & Elizabeth of York & The Six Wives and the Many Mistresses of Henry VIII by Amy Licence; Blood will tell by Kyra Cornelius Kramer; Margaret Beaufort by Elizabeth Norton; The King's Mother by Elizabeth Norton; 1536: The Year that changed Henry VIII by Suzannah Lipscomb; Private Lives of the Tudors by Tracy Borman; The Woodvilles by Susan Higginbotham; The Wives of Henry VIII & Mary, Queen of Scots by Antonia Fraser. In terms of documentary, there is the source quoted which comes from the first episode of the new documentary series "British History Biggest Fibs" presented by Lucy Worsley. I also recommend her six wives documentary which is currently being shown on PBS every Sunday on the US; Suzannah Lipscomb and Dan Jones' documentary on the six wives and David Starkey's documentary on them as well. They also have other documentaries that also focus on the wars of the roses and the Tudor era. Bits and pieces of some of these can be found on YouTube, while others you have to buy or watch if you have subscription on Netflix or Hulu.

#documentary #history

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