#but like. it is So Very Little in the face of the very clearly Arabic influences of the design of the “evil army” and their dehumanization-

[2soft2sensitive]

the racism/colorism of lord of the rings has got me thinking a lot about how it is important to critique the things we love, but it is also important to remember that we can still love them despite their problematic nature- and that everyone that carries on about how anyone that enjoys whatever piece of problematic media are horrible, irredeemable people, always has a piece of media they enjoy that is just as problematic, but because they are convinced that consumption is a moral act (and god forbid you imply they aren’t morally pure), can’t accept it and will make endless excuses as to why it isn’t the same. the only thing that really matters is being able to see what is wrong with the media, engage critically with it, and accept that it is what it is- and that some people will always be uncomfortable with it, and rather than making excuses, you have to own up to the thing you like being kinda shitty

[germiyahu]

"If you describe a horrific and detailed act of racism committed by an IDF soldier or a Kahanist or other anti Arab extremist (say Baruch Goldstein's massacre), you'll find that a huge majority of Jews condemn him, his philosophy, his actions, denounce him and consider him a poor practitioner of Judaism"

No they don't, that's the whole fucking point.

Whenever IDF soldiers kill Palestinians the only reaction from Israelis you would get is them bringing up how military service is mandatory in Israel so you can't be mad at the soldier, how this is an extremely complex two-sided "conflict" where both sides are equally wrong and equally victims, how everything is the fault of the entire government of Hamas and Bibi (but just Bibi, they will never hold anyone else in the government accountable) and gaslighting people into believing that this is an isolated incident that doesn't normally happen and that the Israeli committing the crime will actually face any type of justice.

And this assuming that they would even acknowledge a crime has been committed instead of calling it "blood libel" and using what happens as a segue to talk about anti-semitism even more.

So you clearly don't know any Jews because Baruch Goldstein is one of the least controversial figures in Jewish history to condemn. Like, he probably has defenders in Israel but they're definitely a pretty small minority, and you'd be very hard pressed to find any diaspora Jews who approve of his crimes.

And aside from that, because yes people do defend the IDF when they are presented with similarly horrific sounding stories... but look what happens, most of these stories turn out to be exaggerated or completely false to begin with! This isn't about starry-eyed Jewish supremacy vs Muslims just doing an oopsie and they had good reasons for it, this is about truth. That's the key element. It's a little ridiculous to whine that Jews won't full throatedly condemn bombing a hospital and killing 500 people when that turned out to be a lie!

Baruch Goldstein was a terrorist, he factually provably committed horrific crimes. Osama Bin Laden was also a terrorist, he factually provably orchestrated horrific crimes. If you ask the average Jew to defend the former, they'd be equally as uncomfortable as if you asked the average Muslim to defend the latter. There are always going to be braindead terrorism fanboys in both groups, duh. I'm talking about the average person.

And here you are, deciding that no, the average Jew is a savage devotee to terrorism and genocide, just like every other Jew Hater online. It's becoming a bit stale. See that last part in particular, this is about a deep envious rage you feel that Jewish people "get away" with doing/thinking/saying "The Bad Thing" and you feel a need to bring them down a peg. You frame a very real thing (like blood libel is not trivial and Jewish people do not actually talk about it frivolously), as a privilege, a cheat code. You're jealous because you probably belong to a demographic that can't "milk" it's own historic oppression and tragedy, so you feel that Jews shouldn't "get" to.

But this is the real world, where exaggerating the alleged crimes of Jews is demonstrably linked with an increase in antisemitic rhetoric (check), harassment of Jews and Jewish institutions (check), and even violence (they just thwarted a planned terrorist attack in Brooklyn, very much the last roadblock to a liberated Palestine).

Anyway my point was that if you zoom out to more and more abstract concepts, a greater percentage of both Jewish and Muslim populations will probably support them. And I think it's telling that "a Jewish state founded on war and large violent population transfers" has a higher moral burden on it than "a Muslim state founded on war and large violent population transfers."

Ask a Muslim if they support "Pakistan exists" and how many would disagree? Realistically? But you dare act disgusted and shocked that a similar number and percentage of Jews support "Israel exists"? My entire question is why "This is a country that has done bad things and it exists amid ethnic conflict" is even on par with "this niche cult within a giant religion (literally they admitted to it) did a massacre on civilians."

If that's the moral equivalence then we're done here. I'm not playing games like that.

[aayakashii]

Coffee shop AU... Coffee shop AU save me... (towa talks during the day in this I guess)

Towa's face lights up like a thousand stars as he sees you timidly get in line yet another day while he made the order for the customers right in front of you.

His instinct was telling him to trash the cups of coffee and push them out of the way so he could talk to you once and for all, but he knew humans wouldn't be very keen on being treated like that.

And unfortunately, for him, if he wanted to stay at the dorm with Haru and that bastard Ren, he had to behave.

Boooooooring.

However, all things come with a positive side to it, and this one is very obvious: it gives him more time to plan his strategy for this day.

Because Towa is going to get you to say your real name to him today. He is going to have your real name. He IS. He swears on Thor's name, and also Zeus' and Taranis' and Indra's and Raijin's and Perun's and— and—

... Well. He doesn't know the name of any other lightning god. But that's not the point!

The thing is, you know of his tricks. The mist that surrounds him as a disguise – the one thing that makes normal humans look at him and not notice his goat-like eyes – simply doesn't work on you. Like you are made of breeze, and his fog dissipates before your eyes, baring his true nature only to you.

You know he isn't human, and worst of all; you know he is a fae.

No, wait. Maybe the worst thing is that you actually know all the rules when it comes to dealing with fae people, and it made you immune to his insistence and his charms.

Yes, that's the real tragedy.

The customers in front of you leave with their orders, and you approach the counter with a friendly smile on your face.

As if he hasn't tried to get your name so so so many times before.

At least you've been consistent with your pseudonyms. So far, he's gotten Rosemary, Lily, Basil, Daffodil, Tulip, Daisy, Iris, Dahlia, Aster, Clover, Marigold, Amaryllis...

Towa actually kept a list of all these names because some of them would repeat some times and he needed to check if you were finally being honest or if it was a ruse once again.

A ruse! Can you believe it? A mere human trying to trick a fae!

If it wasn't so interesting and amusing, Towa would probably have burned you into a crisp with a lightning.

"Hello, Mr. Bartender." you say, with a small bow.

"Hello! What can I do for you today?" Towa beams at you with a smile, half hoping this would catch you off guard, half actually happy that you were around.

"Well, you know. The usual."

"The usual being...?" he hovers his pen over the cup, making circles, waiting for you to tell him your order.

Do you really think he remembers every little order his customers ask? He's a fae, not a fucking elephant. Humans are insane.

"Arabic coffee with milk and vanilla."

"Arabic coffee with milk and va–" he murmurs, writing down, before stopping and glaring at you with a deadly stare. "A vanilla latte?"

You grin mischievously at him and nod frantically, stuffing your hands in your pocket, clearly satisfied to have played a little prank on him once again.

Towa breathes deeply.

"Think of Haru. I can't kill customers. I can't kill customers. Think of Haru and the dorm and the rent. I can't kill customers" he chants to himself in his mind as he pouts angrily and scribbles down your order.

Well, he wouldn't kill you anyway. You're too cute for that.

Towa quickly finishes preparing your order, the motions of making drinks already second nature to him after all those months pretending to be just a weirder human with a normal job.

He watches through the corner of his eyes as you patiently wait against the counter, fidgeting with your fingers, apparently eager to take the drink with you. Towa walks towards your spot with your vanilla latte in hand and lazily places it right in front of you.

He waits with bated breath for the moment you finally grab the cup, only to pounce on you like a hungry predator finally catching its stupid little prey.

"What's your name?" he frantically asks, quickly putting his long, slender fingers on top of your weak hands, barely paying attention at the way you wince at the burn of the hot cup on your skin.

Your frown melts away as you observe his pink eyes, those rectangular pupils that, for whatever reason, never seemed to baffle or intrigue any other customer.

He is so cute. That light lavender hair, all tousled, makes you think of flower fields, petrichor, and morning dew.

But you know he is also quite the dangerous creature. Just like a poisonous plant. Pretty, inviting, and deadly. His insistence on knowing your actual name and shackling you to his whims and desires made you shudder as much as it made you just a little bit prideful.

What? How many people can confidently say they've attracted the attention of a fae, after all?

You sigh loudly, closing your eyes for a second, steadying your resolve. You were not going to give in to him. At least not yet. Maybe once you get an actual death wish, you'd give up your independence to the cute fae barista next door to your job.

You open your eyes and feel a lopsided smile grow on your face, and you pull your hand away from his grasp.

"Dandelion." you say with a wink and walk away.

[notaspectator]

part 4 of valorant hc's (i have too much to talk about this. please send help.) Viper does know who Omen was before whatever the hell happened that made Omen to what he is now. Viper will not tell Omen because Viper refuses to see them as the same person- in her attempts to move on and stop grieving for who Omen was, she refuses to let Omen even consider trying to go back. She knows it wont be the same. Cypher doesn't have any photos of Nora. His memories of her are fuzzy and contain certain smells, textures, and little things he remembers more clearly than the rest of it. Despite his best attempts to not forget, he doesn't really remember quite what she looked like anymore and it scares him deeply to think he's forgotten her. He thinks that it is a betrayal to her. Cypher really, *really* hates when its humid out. unfortunately for him, the VALORANT protocol is stationed on well.. an island. So, oftentimes, he's up at 6 in the morning stumbling blindly onto the helicopter to fly to a mission site while it is humid out. Cypher hates it mostly because his mask always ends up feeling damp and it is harder to breathe in. Omen often holds onto people when he doesn't want them to leave. This includes when another Agent dies in front of him. Oftentimes, since Omen is too cautious to take a fight he can't win, he ends up carrying one or two of the other agents (dead or fatally wounded) to the extraction site. Many of them appreciate this company, though the younger agents find it unsettling. It is an ironic little thing since Omen is most talkative and protective when someone is dying in front of him. Omen doesn't know why he does it; it is not a learned behavior. It probably stems from how he cannot stand to be alone when he is hurt because he can and will fall apart painfully. Cypher probably smells like a mix of spices and cinnamon. He cooks a lot for the others on his own time. He prefers for his room to smell similarly because it reminds him of his home. Cypher likes to whistle! He doesn't do it often, but he does whistle to songs he remembers hearing along the street. He stopped because the others often laugh about it when he does. Cypher has quietly sang under his breath over comms in the middle of a mission while aiming a gun to kill someone. It unnerves most of the others because Cypher uses it to focus before he ends a life. Omen often reprimands the duelists that gloat about their kills. He finds it vain and disrespectful to mock the dead, even knowing that they all will be revived in the end and will persist to fight again. He doesn't like the idea of becoming indifferent to death to the point of laughing about it, even if he cannot help but feel apathetic about the lives he takes. Cypher probably has his computer displaying everything in Arabic. this is mostly so that other agent's just plain can't understand what he's looking at. It frustrates the younger ones the most that they can't look over Cypher's shoulder at Cypher's phone and figure out anything relevant. Cypher only really uses his phone to text the other agents and look at cat pictures from time to time, or look up recipes from Morocco that he isnt so sure about. Omen likes to help with cooking. He isnt very good at cutting things up, but he likes to mix things together and to arrange them in preparation. Cypher often brings Omen to his room so they can cook together since Cypher misses rambling while he cooks. Since Cypher likes to taste it while he makes it, Omen just tries his best to not look at Cypher whenever he tugs his mask up to taste whatever they're stirring. Cypher doesn't bring the other agents back to cook with him because he only trusts Omen not to mention it. Sage has seen Cypher's face. its just,, unavoidable, seeing as Sage is a healer. Cypher loathes that fact, but trusts her nonetheless. He prefers to be alive with one person knowing his face than to be dead and left to be forgotten entirely.

[strwberri-milk]

Kaeya and Diluc's reaction when they first saw you dancing Arabic or indian style and they realized they where in love with you!

very light spoilers for genshin ig mainly in regards to theoried kaeya parentage - just know i prescribe to sumeran kaeya agenda :D

When you offered to perform in place of Diluc's initially hired help he didn't think much of it. You talked to him on occasion about your performances and how you didn't have too many opportunities to perform anymore but the way you lit up talking about it made him want to help you out.

For some reason, he never thought to ask you to perform at the Tavern before. Now that he had this perfect opportunity he was going to make sure everything was perfectly in place for you to do your best.

The second the music began playing everyone's eyes were turned on you. Diluc couldn't help the way he started, trying to turn his gaze away to avoid pressuring you. He didn't know that were anybody to see him, they'd see a man who clearly just learned what it means to fall in love with someone.

His lips were slightly parted, eyes intently focused on your every move, desperate to not miss even a single second of it all. When he felt the flush of his face becoming too much he looked away in embarrassment. You thought he didn't like it, trying not to let his sole focus on cleaning the bar bother you too much.

When you're finished, you make your way back to the bar, planning to thank Diluc for giving you the chance to perform again. You have no idea why he continues to avert your gaze, only looking up at you when you say his name a little more forcefully.

The warm smile on your face, the slight flush from the exertion of your set, it all set his heart ablaze for a new reason this time. He managed to pull himself together, giving you a kind look as he invited you a more permanent slot working at Angels Share from now on.

One day, Kaeya was just sitting in his office doing work when he heard music playing outside. It seemed somewhat familiar to him, piquing his interest as he peeked outside.

He didn't know what he was going to see, but he didn't expect to be able to catch a glimpse of you through the window, dancing to a live ensemble in the setting sun of the day. To him, you looked bewitching in the warm light, adding to the ethereal nature of your dancing.

He was glad that you wouldn't be able to see him, now leaning against the window and ignoring his work in favour of you. He had no idea that you were so good at dancing, much less a style he hadn't ever seen done before in Mondstadt.

Kaeya didn't want to look away, mesmerised by the fluid movements of your body The way you led his eyes with your hands and the way your clothes moved with you made it impossible for his attention to escape from you, finally deciding to come down and join the crowd in front of the Barbatos' statue.

You didn't see him until you finished your routine, bowing and smiling as your eyes met his. Kaeya gives you a little wave and you find yourself a little flustered under his attention. You didn't have the honour of meeting the Cavalry Captain too often and knew he could come off a little intense but had no idea what people meant until now.

He came up to you and started to talk to you, introducing himself as if you didn't know one of the most eligible men in Mondstadt. You did your best to keep your attention on him and respond in an intelligent manner rather than just ogling him. Unbeknownst to you, he totally caught on and was using that to his advantage.

There was something in his gaze that made it feel like you were trapped. You were both under each other's spell, and neither of you seemed to mind too much.

[takeachillpillshawty]

British Riddle this, British Riddle that.

Have you all considered Cockney Accent Trey?!

Here. Me. OUT.

I feel like Trey would have a Cockney accent, but he toned it down a bit when talking to other people outside of Queendom of Roses.

I can just imagine during a unhappy birthday party Trey is just running his mouth off, Riddle nodding and agreeing with him. Ace and Duece adding their tid bits in and Cater has no fucking Idea what either of them are saying, especially Trey. Ace can understand him clearly, either is dad or older brother has a Cockney accent same thing with Duece. ( I think ace would have a Cockney accent, but not as thick as Trey's he probably learned it from his dad or Brother. It's not thick but you could hear it in his voice.)

I don't know if Savannah claw boys would have accents.... Maybe Leona or Ruggie...

Bronx or transatlantic Floyd. Please, I can't be the only one. I can HEAR IT in his dialogue. Oh and Italian accent Azul, and I know I get it. Azul the mob boss of his dorm having an Italian accent?

I pick accents for some characters based of four things, if it's a character with animal features( merfolk, beastmen), a character based of a mythological creature ( faes) or where the Disney movie they were based off takes place, and finally by their names.

And seeing that it's confirmed by Disney that the little mermaid took place in Italy or near a location of Italy.. I think it would kinda fit Azul.

And I think the last dorms are dead give aways the last two are if you know your mythology.

Let's knock this one away completely, we all know. Everyone knows that Kalim and Jamil are Arabic, from the way they are named to the culture. ( and I believe that the scalding sands may follow their own version of the casting system... Based on in game dialogue.) Do I believe that they would have Arabic accents? I could hear it especially with Jamil.

Now for the Pomefiore boys. We already know Rook is French and Epel has a southern country accent.

But Vil is German. Are you going to look him dead in his attractive face and think he ISN'T German?! Look at his last name! I'm pretty sure you won't find some random Joe with the last name Schoenhiet and not think he is German. And a fun detail that Jamil and Vil have is that in their respective language their names mean "beautiful". Jamil means beautiful in Arabic and Schoenhiet means beautiful in German.

It would be very cool to hear Vil speak with a slight German accent when the English dub releases.

Now onto my boys.

It's a dead give away as well with this one, they're Greek. Idia is based of Hades from the Disney movie. And ortho....Ortho is just here for the vibes.... I haven't played book 6, and maybe they make a reference to a Greek mythology.... Who knows.

And finally... The last ones.... Diasomnia.

Now I had to do a bit of research on this.....and had two options, German or French. And like one of the points I brought up is looking at the characters names and location. The two characters were Lilia and Sebek (fun fact Sebek, is an alternate form of Sobek an Egyptian crocodile-headed god.)

While digging into their names I found out that in lilia's name the "Van" in his name is German, more commonly used for royalty. It fits him being affiliated with the Royal family in Briar Valley. And for Sebek, well instead Sebek I had to work with Sobek a surname name used in what? German. And so we know that Briar Valley is most likely the Twst equivalent to Germany...or something ( take with a grain of salt)

And the one nail to finish this coffin.... Fae, the species they were based off, is tied to many folklore some being French....and German. And with all that points I made, I have to give this ones to the German side. And I think hearing Sebek shout " WAKA-SAMA!" in a thick German accent is scary and hilarious.

( and please be reminded that most of these are some headcannons I made about some of the characters due to the culture behind their characters. Some of this information is no way cannon to the story of Twst, and If the English dub comes out and the characters don't sound like what they are headcannoned to be don't harass the voice actors. )

Thank you for reading!

[mercury-prince]

Now, what I want to see from star trek is how aliens represent other aliens in art. Imagine if that ancient Bajoran guy who space-sailed to cardassia came back and told ppl how cardassians look, spawning hundreds of kinda shitty drawings in bestiaries after a long game of telephone where they barely look recognisable (like these: first is a scorpion, second is a panther)

[Image ID: a square medieval illustration of a creature with a human-ish face, a fish-like body, and four limbs sticking out akimbo. it has a sharp tail that is piercing someone's hand. /.End ID]

[Image ID: a deer-shaped creature with a red belly, face, and legs, a blue back, green butt, and beige neck. it has white streaks coming out of its mouth, as if it's exhaling or spitting. a group of rams, sheep and deer look at it, with very confused expressions. /. End ID]

All the pre-warp species that the federation had broken the prime directive with must have some sick paintings of vaguely humanoid creatures standing around in matching outfits.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY: do other species have something like the zodiac? Or drawings of the star systems around their planet, using familiar figures to link different stars together? What did they call the foreign planets, before they learned they were called Vulcan or Romulus or Ferenginar? Imagine all the pre-warp star maps in different alien languages and art styles. the ones we have irl say so much about the cultures they were made in.

first pic [Image ID: a photograph of the nebra sky disk, from 1800-1600 BC. It is a turquoise coloured metal disk with a gold circle representing the sun, a crescent moon, and small circles depicting the Pleiadies star cluster. /. End ID]

second pic [Image ID: an annotated diagram of the Mayan Wakah-Chan Tree, a design found on the burial lid of Lord Pacal, from circa 680 AD. It is an illustrated diagram depicting the sun, moon and planets with intricately patterned symbols. /. End ID]

third pic [Image ID: an illustration from The Book of Fixed Stars by Abd al-Rahman al-Sufi, circa 964 ad. it depicts the constellation of Orion, using a black ink drawing of a kneeling figure with the stars drawn as red circles on different parts of the body. Each of the stars are labelled in Arabic. /. End ID]

I could go on forever about how we love to look into the vast unknown to find reflections of ourselves, and how i think star trek is an extension of that urge we've clearly been having since the dawn of time. Its not just the need to study things that will help with our everyday lives (like looking at the harvest moon), its the way we often take a celestial body and make it the symbol of a human characteristic, like how klingons represent honour and vulcans represent logic. what we think about space and what we do to fill in the gaps of the unknown say a lot about how we think in general. and according to trek we think a lot about weird little blokes in weird little outfits so. yh fair enough

i think this is my most research heavy shitpost ever lmao. but please add ur thoughts or take these ideas however u like

[canichangemyblogname]

Hello all!

There are posts going around on X, FaceBook, TikTok, and Tumblr claiming that Hamas has called for a global day of Jihad this Friday against "Western" targets and allies. Other posts claim he has called for a worldwide day of violent strikes on Jewish institutions. Many of these posts use news articles from right-wing and tabloid sources, like the National Review.

The original source is Reuters, and it actually says very little compared to what outlets like the Daily Mail are reporting.

The former leader of Hamas' political wing and current head of Hamas' diaspora office, Khaled Meshaal, has called for Muslims in the Islamic world to protest Friday in support of Palestinians. Meshaal also called on Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt to help in the conflict.

His reported statement is as follows:

"I call on you... to head to the squares and streets of the Arab and Islamic world on Friday, the Friday of Al Aqsa Flood. Deliver a message through the squares and the streets, a message of anger, that we are with Palestine, that we are with Gaza, with Al Aqsa, with Jerusalem, and that we are a part of this battle, this is first.

Second, Gaza is calling you for help, with relief and money, with whatever you own, whoever can help; this is the moment of truth... We are facing truth, and here I say clearly, without hesitation, this is the moment for the nation to join in the fight, to fight with them.

I call firstly on the surrounding countries, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt, all of its sons and daughters; officially and popularly, your duty is bigger because you are closer to Palestine.

Tribes of Jordan, sons of Jordan, brothers and sisters of Jordan, from all of your sides and backgrounds, this is a moment of truth, and the borders are close to you; you all know your responsibility, and this applies to all nations.

To all scholars who teach jihad for the sake of God and who preach the fighters and martyrs, to all who teach and learn, this is a moment for the application so that words are not just words."

There is no definite meaning to the concept of jihad as the concept is constantly evolving in meaning, practices, strategies, teaching, and understanding. It has been interpreted and re-interpreted for a variety of political reasons. In the context of Islamic law, the "lesser" jihad generally refers to an armed struggle against outsiders in the way of Allah. The "greater" jihad, on the other hand, refers to the struggle to be a good Muslim and pious, and this is the common meaning of jihad for 99.999% of the 1.8 billion Muslims around the world, which is why I caution against alarm.

More responsible news outlets report that without greater elaboration, Meshaal's comments have not made it clear whether he purely intends to provoke political protests and plead for relief, or if there is a deeper meaning given he still represents Hamas. They have stressed that pro-Palestinian acts are not inherently aligned with terrorism and violence at a time when people have been taking to the streets in major cities worldwide to peacefully protest in solidarity with the Palestinian people. These protests are unrelated to Meshaal's statement. Less responsible news outlets, however, are reporting this as a call for a global military jihad against Jewish people as well as "Western" countries and their allies.

Officials have cautioned against jumping to conclusions, warning that interpreting Meshaal's statement as a call to global military action can lead to violence. Fearmongering will only contribute to the likelihood of sectarian violence. It is also more likely to contribute to antisemitic and Islamaphobic hate crimes in the Global North. The advice of conservative political strategists like Joey Mannarino (who I have seen many people and outlets quoting) to Americans is an overreaction.

The Jewish Community Center released a statement after Reuters published Meshaal's statement, saying that while there aren’t any known threats against Jewish institutions in the U.S., it will remain on high alert. Out of an abundance of caution, they are taking proactive steps to provide greater security for Synagogues, Jewish community centers, and Jewish neighborhoods. Jewish advocates recommend that Jewish people remain vigilant during this time as the outbreak of violence in Israel often leads to a spike in antisemitic crimes in the Global North.

Contrary to what some claim, you will not have to avoid any public spaces on Friday. Not trains. Not planes. Not shopping malls. There are *no* known threats against U.S. institutions or Jewish institutions in the U.S. If you do not live in Egypt, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, or Palestine, you are likely to remain unaffected by any protests, riots, or violence inspired by this conflict. So, please, do not inspire panic about Friday.

I urge the WASP-y Americans and non-Jews reblogging right-wing news coverage and fretting about their safety over the next 24 hours to remember that this isn't about you. And, please, for the love of peace, stop depicting this as a holy war, reducing the conflict to Muslims v. Jews, and claiming this as the start of WWIII. You are *not* helping anyone, least of all the religious minorities you’re claiming to support.

Let's keep the focus on relief and liberation for the Palestinian people and on relief for the victims of terrorism. And let's take efforts to make our own country a safer, more secure, more welcoming, and more comfortable place for religious minorities. That includes Jewish people.

Thank you,

Evan

[trans-leek-cookie]

the thingw the orcs in dunmeshi is sth i skirt around bc like u said it is. not a great modern take on orcs. obv not the worst it could be and kui at least did engage w trying to write a more involved lore on them rather than just having this be the same “orcs are big uncivilized brutes” version 8000000 but that element is still there. and i do think “its not the worst” is hardly what i would want to set my highest expectations to jdhdgksgd

tumblrs being a bitch n not letting me put images in so I'll just paste the text from the other ask

Nodding. ty for the info on the ways halfling racism can be compared to irl examples in “the middle east” like that rly is such a close comparison i wonder if it was at all intentional… AND FR on the whole . wishing we knew what they called themselves bc the “halfling” “half foot” thing i rly cant help but think abt how it feels like irl examples of certain groups being denigrated to category slurs its like. LOL. dunmeshi makinh me feel party to fictional racism and microaggressions against my will...

Idk Abt skirting around bc I think it's smthn we should face head on, but at the same time I'm not in a place where I can really add onto the discussion wrt orcs as a white/East Asian person. IIRC ppl have said tolkiens orcs are black and/or central Asian (Mongolian I believe) coded, which is meaningful cause he's influenced so much of modern fantasy, and thats. Y'know. Not great. Also the orcs in dungeon Meshi are essentially an indigenous group from what I remember so that's also a whole mess. Again, my opinions arent very meaningful when it comes to this, but I feel like it's incredibly disappointing to see an author who's clearly capable of nuanced and interesting commentary on racism in the context of real life and fiction (even if it's not always great it's clear she's thinking about it in some depth) really just. Fall back on tropes. Bc for the other races - human is a wider category than usual, tall men aren't always the Everyman, elves are long lived but that doesn't make them wiser, and halflings are mature, worldly and resourceful, which I feel like does a lot to break free of typical fantasy pigeon holeing. But the orcs are just sorta... The Bad Guy but Not That Bad I guess? Theoretically it's a departure from the "super evil forever no exceptions" idea of the but it's still so far behind what needs to be done to make it less of a lazy, racist trope.

Yeah, again I'm not west Asian or Arab like I said, but between reading stuff ppl online write n talking to my Iraqi friend + rereading dungeon Meshi and really trying to analyze it, it kinda stood out to me. I will say I was a little unconfident posting about it bc it's 3 things (4 if you count the name note) but theyre still really notable at least to me. The hand/foot cutting is I feel the most explicit? Because that's such a fucked up stereotype it just stands out immediately. I don't necessarily know if the half foot/middle east connection was intentional, because I assume Japan/Asia in general has a different relationship with West Asia (since they are the "far east" in comparison, so "Middle East" wouldnt really make sense?), but it could be one of those things that colonialism managed to spread. I'm not very knowledgeable about that, but even if it wasn't intentional I think it's a very interesting parallel in how language can be used to categorize people as "normal/other". So i can't say if its intentional or not, but it's definitely an interesting lens to consider the story thru. Id also say I believe halflings are said to be native to a place that's east from where the story takes place, but not the eastern continent (which is p much easy Asia). I've seen some ppl take this to mean eastern Europe, and I don't think that's wrong, but I think u could also think of it as west Asia? Idk if we ever got much info on it in story, so I might be missing some details. (Honestly I'd personally HC that halflings are generally mixed Eastern European/West Asian- not to conflate the two, but rather Im imaging the majority of them are in a kinda blended culture).

[forgaeven1]

hob,  for the lack of better term,  isn’t the smartest cookie in the jar.

and it’s clearly not something he thinks he’s ashamed about  —  because sure,  it’d taken him well into the early 1500 to take his letters seriously   —  though that’s just it,  isn’t it ?   it’ll always take him more than a good few acceptable years to learn from his mistakes,  and even then,  it’d never quite guaranteed him from never making them again.   not the smartest,  but hob likes to think that the lessons afterwards always stay with him a little better than the ones that are far more fleeting,  and simple.

exhibit A   —   ever since the whole witch trial and drown-fest at the bottom of the thames ?   hob had been smarter about keeping his identity...   well,   for the lack of better term  —  straighter than he’d been treating it.   especially since he’d learned how real the consequences could be,  and how absolutely not fun it is to still wake up sometimes thinking your lungs were burning with the weight of the water.

but no matter.   point is ?   hob couldn’t stay in london forever.   which is how he ended up in cairo,  still getting used to the glaring sun when his body,  it seemed,  had finally gotten used to london’s ever-dreary and wet weather.   too bad,  he scolds his body inwardly.   after all,  change is inevitable;  expected,  even.  hob had put down the necessary paper trails to make his new identity  —  robrich g. darling —   possible,  and his old one burnt.   (   a terrible and unexpected ski accident.   body claimed by distant relative.   furnitures are mysteriously taken by a will stating it must be kept in a warehouse until further notice.  )

what he didn’t expect though was a familiar face.

‘   calliope!  ’    hob hears his own voice rings.   around him,  his new co-workers who have always been generous enough to coach him in arabic,   turn to whatever has clearly taken up rob’s attention.   hob gives them very little attention,  instead moving past them to gather the goddess in his arms,   twirls her around.   the rush of joy in hob’s veins are unspeakable;  it’s been so long since he had someone he knew who could safely recognise him without giving anything away.   calliope looks as astonishingly graceful as ever,  as untouched by time like hob always is.   she looks beautiful.

‘   you didn’t tell me you were coming.  ’     

    @dionai​    /    surprise ig >:)

[yunathun]

BEHOLD, I SHALL STIR UP THE MEDES AGAINST THEM-(PART 18)

BEHOLD, I SHALL STIR UP THE MEDES AGAINST THEM-(PART 18)

THE AMALEKITE-EDOMITE-KHAZARIAN ROMAN CAUCASIAN STATE BOMBS THE IRANIAN CONSULATE-EMBASSY IN SYRIA, THE MEDO-PERSIANS ONLY DESIRE RECOMPENSE, VENGEANCE, BLOOD, JUDGEMENT, DEATH, AMEN...

FROM THE KING JAMES BIBLE (KJV 1611) BY BROTHER J.R. WILLIS

THE LORD IS STIRRING UP THE MEDES AGAINST BABYLON-AMERICA-EDOM, AMEN:

United States of America, you are the Virgin Daughter of Babel, and soon the Edomite stronghold of Babylon the Great shall perish as it is written, Amen.

EDOM-(THE CAUCASIAN NATIONS), ARE THE VIRGIN DAUGHTER OF BABYLON & MUST DIE, THUS SAYETH THE LORD. THE MOST HIGH SHALL BURN AND DASH EDOM AND THEIR LYING BOULDER-ROCK HEADED DEMONIC SERPENT CHILDREN TO PIECES BY WAY OF THE MEDES-(IRAN):

MIGHTY KING DAVID OFJUDAH-YUDAH PROPHESIES AND SPEAKS AGAINST BABEL-EDOM:

PSALM 137:7-9

7 Remember, O LORD, the children of Edom-(THE CAUCASIAN NATIONS), in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof-(THE YEAR 586 BC, ANCIENT NEO- BABYLONIAN INVASION OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM BY CUSHITE-HAMITE KING NEBUCHENEZZER, OF CHALDEA, EDOM WHO ARE THE NEW SPIRITUAL BABYLONIANS-CHALDEANS, ASSISITED ANCIENT BABEL TO TAKE US YUDAH-JUDAH, INTO CAPTIVITY, AS THEY DESTROYED OUR HOLY TEMPLE, THEY CRIED & CHANTED, [RAISE IT, RAISE IT-DESTROY-LEVEL IT], UNTO THE FOUNDATIONS, ESAU-EDOM MUST DIE, AMEN),

THE 7 YEAR LONG BLOODY BATTLE OF MASADA- JERUSALEM, ISRAEL-OVER ONE MILLION BLACK JEWS ARE SLAUTERED & ENSLAVED BY EDOMITE ROME-RAISE IT, RAISE IT THE EDOMITES CRIED ALOUD WHILE THESE WRETCHED HEATHEN, RED- FACED SERPENT SEED DEVILS DESTROYED OUR HOLY TEMPLE TO THE FOUNDATION-([ROMAN GENERALS & CAESARS, VESPESIAN & TITUS).

8 O daughter of Babylon-(AMERICA-ESAU-AMALEK-EDOM-THE CAUCASIAN NATIONS-THE DAUGHTER OF EDOM-THE MOST HIGH IS CLEARLY DISTINGUISHING ANCIENT CHALDEA FROM THE NEW SPIRITUAL CHALDEA AS AMERICA IS THE –[VIRGIN DAUGHTER OF BABYLON, SHE IS A VIRGIN DAUGHTER OF ANCIENT BABYLON AND OF ROME BECAUSE SHE IS THE EPIDEMY & HEIGHT OF THE BABYLONIAN SECRET MYSTERY RELIGIOUS OCCULT & BECAUSE SHE HAS NEVER BEEN INVADED OR TOUCHED BY FOREIGN MILITARY CONFLICT, BUT SOON THIS GREAT WHORE WHO SITS UPON MANY WATERS SHALL BARE IT ALL, AND ALL WITHIN HER SHALL BE BURNT TO THE FOUNDATION THEREOF,AMEN),

who art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that rewardeth thee as thou hast served us-(BABEL-BABYLON AMERICA IS THE SWORD & HAMMER OF THE EARTH THROUGH THEIR EDOMITE ROMAN MILITARY-EDOM SERVED THE MOST HIGH TO CHASTISE, SPANK & EXACT GREAT FATHER AHAYAH'S JUDGEMENT UPON THE NATIONS & VENGENCE UPON TRUE YISRAEL SO THAT WE MAY REPENT AND COME BACK TO OUR GLORIOUS FATHER IN THESE VERY END TIMES-AMEN).

9 Happy shall he be, that taketh and dasheth thy little ones against the stones-(EDOM DASHED THE BRAINS OF OUR LITTLE ONES AGAINST THE STONES FOR COUNTLESS GENERATIONS-IT IS ONLY FITTING THAT IT SHALL BE DONE BACK UNTO YOU-THE LORD IS A MOST FAIR & JUST ELOHIM-AMEN).

ISAIAH 13:17-22

17 Behold, I will stir up the Medes-(PRESENT DAY MEDO-PERSIANS-IRAN) against them-(BABYLON-AMERICA-THE AMALEKITE NON JEW-ISH STATE), which shall not regard silver;

18 and as for gold, they shall not delight in it-(AMERICA CANNOT BUY OUT THE PERSIANS AS THEY HAVE DONE TO THE REST OF THE MIDDLE-EAST & ISHMAEL WHO ARE THE ARAB NATIONS-SAUDI ARABIA).

19 Their bows-(CONVENTIONAL BOMBS-NUCLEAR WEAPONRY-THE SWORD-THE WASTER), also shall dash the young men to pieces; and they shall have no pity on the fruit of the womb;

20 their eyes shall not spare children-(NOT EVEN THOSE GIVING BIRTH IN HOSPITALS OR THEIR CHILDREN SHALL BE SPARED FROM THE ATTACK BY THE IRANIANS-TRUE TERRORISM SHALL COME FROM THE IRANIANS UPON THE WEST LIKE NEVER BEFORE).

And Babylon-(AMERICA), the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees-(ANCIENT BABYLONIAN SORCERERS-RICH WISE MEN-ESAU EDOM ARE THE NEW SPIRITUAL CHALDEANS)' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah-(COMPLETE NUCLEAR FIRE & BRIMSTONE).

21 “But wild beasts of the desert shall lie there-(YEMIM); and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures-(THE YEMIM-EMIM-IMIM); and owls shall dwell there, and satyrs shall dance there-(YEMIM).”

22 It shall never be inhabited, neither shall it be dwelt in from generation to generation: neither shall the Arabian pitch tent there-(NO MORE FOREIGN MERCHANTS SELLING GOODS & MAKING A LIFE THERE);

22 neither shall the shepherds make their fold there-(NEVER AGAIN SHALL FOREIGNERS-THE HEATHEN GENTILE NATIONS MAKE FORTUNES DWELLING IN THAT WICKED NATION AS SHE IS BROUGHT TO COMPLETE RUIN & DESTRUCTION).

ISAIAH 13:19

19. “And Babylon-(AMERICA), the glory of kingdoms, the beauty of the Chaldees' excellency, shall be as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah-(FIRE & BRIMSTONE-NUCLEAR WAR).”

****IMPORTANT NOTES****

(ARTICLE EXCERPT): 4-11-2024

PRESS TV DOT IR

'Punishing aggressor a necessity', Iran FM tells German counterpart Thursday, 11 April 2024 5:33 PM [ Last Update: Thursday, 11 April 2024 6:19 PM ] Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock held phone talks on Thursday. Iran's foreign minister has told his German counterpart that "legitimate defense with the aim of punishing the aggressor is a necessity" after Israel's April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consular section in Damascus.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and Annalena Baerbock held phone talks on Thursday, during which the top Iranian diplomat also criticized Germany for its "neutrality" on the Israeli genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Iran has pledged retaliation for the Israeli airstrike that killed seven Iranian military advisors at its diplomatic annex in the Syrian capital.

"When the Israeli regime completely violates the immunity of individuals and diplomatic places in violation of international law and the Vienna Conventions, legitimate defense is a necessity," Amir-Abdollahian said, according to a statement issued by the foreign ministry in Tehran.

The statement said the two ministers discussed the latest developments in the region and bilateral relations, emphasizing the necessity to maintain the path of dialog.

"The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran is always based on avoiding tension," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Iran, the minister said, expected Germany to clearly condemn the Israeli crime in killing its military advisors.

"If a similar missile attack had taken place on one of the diplomatic places in the war zone in Ukraine, would the reaction of the United States and Europe have been the same?" he said.

Amir-Abdollahian addressed Baerbock's remarks about the need for a ceasefire in the Gaza war and the failure of efforts to halt the Israeli invasion of the besieged Palestinian territory.

"The reason why Germany's efforts to establish a ceasefire in Gaza have been fruitless should be found in the lack of German neutrality in this genocide," the Iranian minister said.

"Israel is an occupying regime and Palestine has the right to legitimate defense. In this regard, the only way to solve the current problems is to end the genocide and war crimes in Gaza," he added.

Amir-Abdollahian welcomed the resolution of misunderstandings between Tehran and Berlin regarding human rights.

In February, Baerbock appealed for an extension of a UN mission about 2022 riots in Iran during her speech to the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"We expect Germany not to repeat baseless accusations against Iran and to defend the rights of thousands of women and children in Gaza and other parts of the world, where women's rights are constantly violated," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Baerbock spoke with her Iranian counterpart about "the tense situation in the Middle East" and the need for restraint, the German foreign ministry said.

"Avoiding further regional escalation must be in everyone's interest. We urge all actors in the region to act responsibly and exercise maximum restraint," the ministry wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The Iranian foreign ministry readout said Baerbock congratulated the advent of Eid al-Fitr, stressing that the Muslim festival carries the message of peace.

"In this tense situation, Germany requests restraint from the Islamic Republic of Iran," she said, it added.

As for the Israeli attack on Iran's consular section in Damascus, the German foreign minister said her country "clearly emphasized that diplomatic places enjoy complete immunity", the Iranian foreign ministry statement said.

The German government, she said, has tried and is trying to end the war in Gaza through a political solution, according to the statement.

****CONCLUSION****

THE LION OF JUDAH-YUDAH IS COMING TO DESTROY ALL HEATHEN NATIONS:

JEREMIAS 4:7

7. “The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.”

For Judgement-(DEATH), comes for Esau who is Amalek, who are Edom, which are the Caucasian nations by way of the WRATH OF THE LAMB.

REVELATION 2:9

9. I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich)-(LORD YASHAYA KNOWS OUR OPPRESSION-AFFLICTION & DESTRUCTION AT THE HANDS OF OUR ENEMIES AS HE HIMSELF ENDURED THEM FOR US-BUT WE ARE RICH BECAUSE WE ARE THE LORD’S HERITAGE-WE ARE THE WORLD & THE WORLD WAS CREATED FOR US), and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews-(AMALEK-EDOM-THE CAUCASIAN NATIONS), and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan-(THESE WICKED SERPENTS ARE THE CHIEF HOUSE OF THE DEVIL HIMSELF).

***END OF SUMMARY***

NOW WHO SHALL DENY THIS REPORT?

J.R.WILLIS-(YUNATHUN ZION)

AUTHOR: A RACE OF DEMONS REFINED 2017 AUTHOR: SPIRITUAL CRIMES 2018 AUTHOR: THE PROPHECIES AUTHOR: THE BOOK OF DAEMONOLOGIE YEAR 2020

[youjustgotlawyered]

This author replied to me with restricted comments: @etz-ashashiyot

“Take a breath honey, that was a lot of buzz words for one post. Now go back and reread my post with your critical thinking hat on and quote for me where I said any of that. If you're gonna be a lawyer, you need to learn how to engage people's actual arguments with a cool head rather than emotionally reacting to what you assume they said. :)”

Oh honey. My post didn’t use any buzzwords. Simply not liking what I have to say isn’t the same as using buzzwords.

If you’ve only opened your mouth lately and not your eyes, this is Tumblr, not court. So I don’t have to be polite or engage with you unemotionally, even though you wrongfully assumed that by writing forcefully I was being emotional and therefore illogical. Rest assured, I was and am quite calm, though the audacity to demand calmness in the face of atrocities is mind boggling. But perhaps speaking to you in a demure tone is the only way you can understand me, honey.

There aren’t logical or cohesive arguments to support apartheid or genocide—I say that both as a Jew and from a foreign policy perspective. The U.S.’ unwavering commitment to Israel is an anchor around its neck, so the humanitarian crisis aside, it is wholly unacceptable to continue to support them. Frankly the only reason why this charade continues isn’t because of a legitimate concern about antisemitism—it’s not as if the GOP all of a sudden cares about Jews, especially ones in another country. Our legal system is bought off by AIPAC, which perhaps makes this grandstanding all the more pathetic.

You see, I’m not misunderstanding you. That’s the problem. When you said that the “true test” of being Pro-Palestinian is to also hold Arab countries accountable for not opening their borders—that IS you shifting accountability. That reeks of the same racist rhetoric that people have utilized that always evade accountability.

You can read your statement as either these offenses being equal or punished proportionally based upon their offense. If you don’t like that, feel free to write more clearly as I can see you had to make a post clarifying your positions. But even if what you’re referring to the later, you’re evading accountability because this is an obvious red herring.

Your “but what about this” argument is, quite simply, bullshit. And if your logic was correct, we could certainly say that since Israeli’s entire existence is basically built upon the fact that since nobody wanted to open its borders to Jews post-WW2, nobody is truly pro-Israel. Now, that’s an interesting argument to make-hell, I might even agree with it.

Your statements about Israelis who are “working their asses off” to improve things, but differently than what I’d like—their perspective does not matter to me if their perspective is rooted in apartheid and genocide. And honestly, your whinging of antisemitism doesn’t seem to come from within a legitimate concern about antisemitism—rather a blatant attempt to shut down conversation and preserve the status quo, which includes what? Apartheid and genocide. And I don’t think that’s your intention—and I believe that because, unlike you, I actually went through your blog. But you still come off that way, honey.

I’m sure there would have been a way for us to have a reasonable discussion, however a very clear first step in “solving” the problem is eliminating an apartheid state. It seems as if you’d even agree on that point. All of my reply wasn’t all directed towards you specifically, or your content, rather it was about the state of things in general.

Little tip, if you think sexism helps people engage more appropriately with your arguments, you’ve thought incorrectly. And I’ve been an attorney since 2015, so I think I’m doing ok. Honey. :)

I think the true test of whether or not you are actually Pro-Palestinian is not whether you are willing to hold Israel, Jews, and/or Zionists accountable for their human rights abuses, but if you are willing to hold the multiple Arab countries who refuse them citizenship, property ownership, keep them in displaced persons camps, and/or refuse to open their borders to them accountable proportionate to the offense as well.

I think the true test of whether or not you are actually "pro-Israel" is not if you're willing to combat the "Israel can do no right" crowd with an "Israel can do no wrong" party line, but rather if you are willing to listen to the Israelis who are working their asses off trying to make it better even if you don't love their criticisms or would do things differently.

I think the true test of whether or not you're an ally to diaspora Jews is not if you recognize and stand with us against the antisemitism of the people on the other side of the political spectrum, but if you recognize and stand with us against the antisemitism of your own side.

I think the true test of whether or not you value peace and the well-being of everyone in the Levant is not having a clear idea of how to "solve" the problem, but if you are willing to prioritize the safety, dignity, freedom, and self-determination of all the people in the region over any one particular group being "right" or "vindicated."

[gaining-and-gaming]

There was a rich sense of history and grandness to the Palace. It matched the feeling of the grand capital too. This was a place that housed a monarch and the latest in a long line of them too. Monarchs and Sol Guardians both had shaped this nation. Using films as a reference, it felt as grand as the palaces of Europe yet in the styles of those of the Ottoman or Arabic influences too.

Sure enough, news of his arrival would reach the ears of the feline. Having plenty of time to settle in and rest up, Blaze would arrival promptly. Knocking thrice upon the set of double doors that led to the bedroom, the heavyset feline pushed against the doors and waddled her bulk in.

Needless to say she was very obese. Bigger and wider than she used to be by a large margin. Husky breathing escaped her as her heavy footfalls were heard against the tiled flooring. Each step swayed her wide and bloated hips, huge gut wobbling and bouncing with one thick arm being used to stablize the jostling stomach. Still, even with effort and mild sweat making her red in the face, Blaze kept the air of a lady of beauty and grace. Heavy grace, but grace nonetheless.

"Uuuff... Ouurraallppp..." She crassly belched into her free fist as her gaze looked towards ehr guest, a smile settling on her pudgy face while her bodysuit jostled in the effort to hold her mass. "Silver... ahhh..... you... y-you... ooff... made it....~"

To say Silver was surprised by the obese feline standing before him would he sn understatement. The young hedgehog's eyes would go wide as she entered belching loudly and huffing like a locomotive. It was true some of their friends had softened up during these peaceful times, Silver himself was one such case having thickened up atleast in his lower half now sporting a curvy and plump look.

"Blaze!" He stammered a blush quickly spreading across his cheeks as he looked down at the box of chocolates in his hands. "I got your invitation, I gotta say I didn't expect this place to be so big. I would of gotten lost without the staff helping me." He chuckled faintly before nervously extending his arms holding out the box of chocolates for her to take. "I picked you up a little something on the way, as a thanks! For letting me come visit and for well... everything really." He said giving her a faint smile before finding himself admiring her softened features, despite clearly putting on more than a few pounds she still carried herself with an air of elegance. She had certainly grown since the last time they spoke face to face.

[kiwikiwikiwisstuff]

2-2

(The Hashiras were sat down in the ground when the show suddenly started. First, two girls of the same height appeared to the sound of the drums and bells that began the music. Her eyes were familiar, but her hair was different. In slow and sensual movements, a short girl and a very tall girl entered, both with their hair down, dancing to each of the people present who were there, until finally a girl with jet black hair and a bit tanned appeared, but she had those eyes, blue like the summer sky. They were all dressed as Arab dancers, but the faces were quite familiar to them. Apparently they all had good hip rhythm and at least the male audience liked the show)

Uzui: Wow, they are pretty enough girls, I might reconsider making one of these my fourth wife- OUCH! (The short girl, Ryoko, "accidentally" stepped on the tall demon hunter and giggled innocently) Uzui: Clearly she not... Shinazugawa: (he laughed in a mocking way) why? I liked her Obanai: I'm not gonna lie, I liked her too

(Apparently, from another side, there were musicians and some men smoking Indian tobacco near them and they fixed their eyes on them. The tallest one with a fake mustache and with a Darbuka whispered to the one with long hair taken and with some kind of prosthesis on his head. nose that was calmly smoking from a Hookah)

Kaito: Hey, Yoru, it looks like I'll have to change your position, there's them again. Yoru: (he sighed in annoyance) wow, man, it was your turn to be calm in our last job, plus you smoked opium… or are you jealous that the bad-faced boy took Kumiko away from you? (he laughed shamelessly) Kaito: no, idiot… although it would be nice to make him look dumbfounded… but I say it for the sake of this job… it's not good to have demon slayers in this kind of thing… especially the ones from their rank Ren: (he was sitting next to Enko, both wearing turbans, only Enko was covering his face with a scarf while playing an Arabic lute and Ren, with a fake mustache too, gave him some of the Narguille so he could also enjoy) I think this time I support Kaito, dear Yoru, plus maybe our big guy back there also agrees, eh? (Behind them was the strong man of the circus, also disguised with a turban, playing a ney. The rest of the musicians were people who did not know who their companions were, who were whispering in the middle of their work. The men would like to tell to their new companions something, but the giant was so intimidating that they decided to remain silent. The giant nodded) Ren: well, I'm bad at playing instruments, so I'll dedicate myself to "that"… I only had an extra profit for us at the circus, guys, and our beloved robbery victim is in front of us (Ren stood up between giggles) Kaito: I'll also go test the waters, but first a smoke, eh, Yoru? Yoru: (sighed again) ok, you already know well, between the beats of the song we will change quickly, 1… 2… (At the change of the beat, they agilely changed position) Kaito: (he was smiling shamelessly) thank you, old friend, I owe you one…

(The tall and strong girl was dancing with some men with a fake smile when she saw Kaito change places with Yoru, and at the change of pace she went towards the girls who looked alike) Tsubame: (with an annoyed tone through whispers) Hey, thing 1 and thing 2, it seems like there are problems or just Kaito is stupid (Both girls, who were also wearing wigs, realized this and got a little closer to each other) Yuuko: How original Tsubame, although I prefer the "twins", eh, Hiroko? Hiroko: I think you should focus more on the situation rather than your fixation on what Tsubame said, little sister. Yuuko: Oh~ dear, I am more than clear about the situation, but since this time I am the one who has to carry it out, I think they will have to go ahead, and apparently Ren also got up… I hope he doesn't just steal wallets and help them a little with them (she indicated with a mischievous smile the table where Obanai, Shinazugawa, Uzui and Rengoku were) At least they are handsome, so if you need to resort to other techniques it won't be complicated Hiroko: Shut your mouth, Yuuko, and concentrate… Tsubame, I might also need a little help from you if Yuuko doesn't go. Tsubame: okay, although for now you might not need me, it's my turn to keep up with Miko, I just hope nothing shit happens Hiroko: okay… while I'll get closer, at least Yuuko is right that they are pretty, I'll go for the one with the googly eyes Tsubame: I don't know how they like those ailments (As Haruko headed to the table between dancing, Tsubame approached Kumiko, who was just realizing the situation) Kumiko: (whispering) Tsubame, what's wrong? Tsubame: Guess, Miko, dear, we have company… (Tsubame indicated the Hashiras table) Kumiko: Oh, shit, Ren stole the least convenient wallet apparently… (Both moved in coordination despite the difference in height, without ever stopping smiling flirtatiously at the audience) Tsubame: That's right, what do we do? Kaito stood up, I just hope he doesn't respond with combos, because the plan will be ruined, and you know how Enko and Yoru are, they will play along, Ren would be the only one who would be left laughing like a fool… and if… Kumiko: No, he won't get up unless we tell him to… but for now, just trust, I'm sure that our job can be done without any problem with those high-ranking hunters, so as soon as we finish this duo, I'll tell you. I leave you in charge, just don't screw up and let Yuuko play her game. Tsubame: (she smiled) I like the way you think, it's fine, I left you stealing the show, dear (At the Hashiras table, Haruko appeared) Hiroko: (in a flirty tone) Goodnight, gentlemen~

[robkappow-blog]

Death on a Honeymoon - Chapter 4 (A Death in Paradise fan-fiction)

Chapter Four

Naomi and Marlon arrived at the Azure and walked through the courtyard. The imposing bulk of the new hotel loomed over them a short distance away. It was easy to see why holiday makers might choose the glossy new hotel, over the slightly shabby establishment that had once been one of the Island’s finest spots.

The pair walked into the reception. Marlon could certainly see why this hotel used to bring in big numbers of tourists. Although it was very much ‘of a certain time’ - it had that quaint shabby-chic vibe that the Caribbean was traditional so famous for. A wall on the far side of the room caught his eye. He wandered over, seeing a young man shaking hands with a plethora of celebrities over the years.

If you followed the wall from left to right, you saw a sort of timeline of a man’s life. This man, Marlon assumed, was Francis. He knew from his notes that Francis was a local man who worked in a variety of fancy hotels and eventually, aged just 25, secured a huge amount of finance to buy the Hotel Azure, and turn it into the best hotel on the island.

The celebrity faces ranged from US presidents, to Arab Sheiks. In the middle row, a few columns in, there was a red-haired woman who Marlon couldn’t place, he’d hoped the picture might say who she was, but there was just a hand-written message: “To Francis, thanks for a wonderful holiday. We had a lorra-lorra laughs! x" - this meant nothing to Marlon, but he made a mental note to ask the Inspector who it might be. 

The wall continued to age Francis as Marlon walked along it, eventually finding a photograph of Francis with the victim. They were smiling from a boat, and looking at the camera. They’d clearly been fishing and it looked like they were both happy. It looked like a good friendship, admittedly from one snapshot, it was impossible to tell, but Marlon’s gut told him that these guys were very good friends. Or at least, they had been.

Naomi had already engaged the receptionist in conversation when Marlon approached. He caught the tail end of the conversation, the receptionist was just turning away saying “I’ll see if he’s free, I think he’s with the chef, preparing for the banquet night”

Naomi turned to Marlon and asked, “anything good over there?” Nodding her head towards the wall of pictures.

Marlon followed her gaze and said “Quite a few big celebrities have stayed here over the years. But what was interesting, was the photo of Francis and the victim. They looked like very good friends to me.” 

Naomi sighed, she took in the wall of images and said “Money is the root of all evil, or so they say” looking at the photograph of the two old friends. But it drives a wedge in even the best of friendships.

At that moment, an elderly man came out from the kitchen area and introduced himself. “Hello, my name is Francis, I understand you would like to speak to me about poor Victor” he said. He had a very authoritative voice, and Marlon could imagine him holding the attention of everyone he spoke to when needed.

They followed the old man through to a back office, where he offered them a small glass of rum both refused, but that didn’t stop him from pouring himself a large glass. Naomi subconsciously checked her watch, it wasn’t even 11am. 

“Thank you for seeing us on such short notice, sir” said Naomi. “We just have a few questions in regard to your friend, Victor Sparrow.” Her pronunciation of the word friend was strained, wether on purpose, or without meaning to, but Frances picked up on it.

“I think you’ve heard some things, young lady?” He said, with a little smile. “But let me tell you my side of things, so you have all the facts”

Naomi simply nodded. He really did have the sort of voice that commanded attention.

“I have known that old bastard for close to 60 years. We are old, old friends. I will miss him dearly. He was my confidant. You may ask,” he continued, correctly anticipating Marlon’s impending interruption, and correctly assuming what he was about to say “then why did he build that big old hotel overlooking mine and drive my business away?”

It was Marlon’s turn to nod. He remained silent, he knew that at this juncture, he wasn’t meant to interrupt.

“Well, let me tell you this” continued Frances “when you have been in business as long as I have, you will know that friendship plays second fiddle to a good business deal”

Marlon was quite surprised by this answer. “But he was driving you out of business. How can you be so pragmatic?”

The old man sighed, looked up to the ceiling and chuckled “You really haven’t had a chance to do your due diligence yet, have you, young man?” Did you see the name of the holding company. The company who owns both hotels?

Naomi checked her notes quickly, with an air of someone who didn’t like to be a step behind in anything. “Yes,” she said, sounding a little rattled, the company name is “Moineau Faucon”

“Correct” he said, with a grin “and, I assume you speak French?”

“Oui” she said immediately, “Oui, Je parle français…” but the last word tailed off.

He immediately knew she’d understood.

“What happened?” Asked Marlon? My French isn’t brilliant.

“You own the holding company with Vincent?” She asked, “how did I miss that?”

“Correct” said the older man, turning slightly to face Marlon, “You see, young man, Moineau is French for Sparrow… and in French, the word Faucon can be translated to Hawk”

Marlon came to the conclusion as soon as the last word was out of the man’s mouth, “Your surname is Hawkings…”

Smiling again, the man said “Correct, my surname is Hawkings. I’m affectionately nicknamed Hawk, and have been since I was a kid.

“So you stand to take over the hotel?” Asked Naomi “That still sounds like a motive to me”

“Young lady, when you have lived as long as me, you don’t want to run hotels. My name is on that paperwork and I get 50% of the profits regardless. Young Ronald will take over the running of the company now, and I still get my 50%” the old man said. 

“And as for this place?” He said, as though he was expecting a question about why he effectively destroyed his own hotel in the creation of a new one, “this place is due to be completely renovated next year, all through the new holding company and will be a companion hotel. It’s for overspill. They’re brothers, not competitors.”

Marlon looked around the room, and then asked his big question, “Mr Hawkings, you said that he’d ‘stabbed you in the back’ and ‘what goes around, comes around’ - care to explain that?”

The man chuckled “I shouldn’t laugh really, but it was a horrible choice of words considering what has happened. But he stabbed me in the back by taking a lady out for dinner, a lady I was very keen on and he knew about it!” He smiled, as if remembering some of their escapades as younger men.

Marlon pressed him, “that still sounds like you were holding a grudge”

The man chuckled again and said “No my lad, I was planning on waiting for him to get a lady friend, and I’d swoop in myself.” He said with an almighty laugh. “What goes around, comes around. We used to talk like this all the time, ask anybody. We were good friends. And I’ll miss him terribly”

Naomi was making some notes. She surveyed the man, as he sat there, drinking rum at 11am. He had a kind, but sorrowful look about him. But she still had to ask “Sir, can you account for your whereabouts last night, when Victor was killed?”

“Of course I can, and I have a room full of witnesses that saw me”, he started to get up as he was speaking, “we had a large banquet on that night, and I was mingling with the guests all night.” He finished up. 

“We will need to check that sir” said Marlon, but he knew that they were not looking at the face of their killer.

“Please do that, young man” Frances said, “my receptionist can provide you with any CCTV footage you need.”

“One last question before we go” asked Naomi “as you are partners, do you know the chef he recently fired? Marie?”

“Oh yes, Marie - of course, she wasn’t fired. She was transferred. She works here. In fact, she was the chef at the banquet. So if you are thinking she’s done something wrong, you can think again. She didn’t leave that kitchen last night until after midnight”

[anshelsgendercrisis]

i’m not shutting the fuck up about this!!!!!!!!!! you CANNOT claim to be fighting for justice and real change if you refuse to acknowledge reality. you cannot make real change until you acknowledge why things got this bad. if those million jews hadn’t been cleansed from their home countries and fled to israel, i don’t think israeli politics would be as extremist as they are today.

because you understand, right, the fact that palestinians’ collective trauma and oppression pushes them towards extremism. i have been hearing people say “october 7th was an act of resistance, when a people are oppressed for this long of course they’ll lash out!” from y’all for MONTHS so clearly you understand that trauma and persecution makes people desperate. it’s human nature. we don’t want to die! we don’t want to be persecuted! you will never ever see me saying october 7th was “resistance”, but i absolutely do understand why so many palestinian civilians in both palestine and israel are resorting to increasingly desperate measures to try to gain their freedom, and that this often pushes people into extremism.

so put yourself in the shoes of the jews who have just been violently ethnically cleansed from arab countries. your parents and grandparents had talked about the unequal treatment they’d faced, some had even been through pogroms, but generally jewish life in these countries had been fairly comfortable. as you hear the news coming out of europe in the 30’s, and restrictions from colonial powers like the vichy and italian regimes start to make life increasingly more dangerous, you start to get nervous. suddenly, you can’t work or attend school alongside your non jewish neighbors anymore. some of your neighbors are indignant on your behalf. some start to say it’s good. some even start to get violent. suddenly, troops start shipping you and your community off to labor camps. you watch as your friends and family and children starve, suffer, and die of sickness.

when you’re finally release, you return to find your synagogue burned down. soon after, your non jewish neighbors start passing around pamphlets full of antisemitic propaganda. one day, a group of people starts looting jewish businesses. your shop is destroyed, your possessions smashed, and your home is ransacked. you and thousands of others are left homeless and without prospects. there are whispers among the community about escape. you’re devastated at the thought of leaving the land your ancestors have lived for three thousand years. this is your home. you were best friends with the little muslim girl who grew up just down the street. you don’t want to leave. but after a crowd storms the jewish quarter, killing dozens of your community members, it’s clear you have no choice. you have to flee. if you’re still lucky enough to have possessions or money, the government seizes that. and the only place willing to take you that you can afford to get to is the country your non jewish neighbors and government have been accusing you of being more loyal to.

you arrive in The Promised Land, the land that promised to save you, exhausted and traumatized. there are tens of thousands of others like you, arriving in the place named in your prayers, written in millennia old manuscripts and prayer books. and yet the land that was supposed to save you is now under attack by the very people you were supposed to be saved from. you get used to ducking into bomb shelters, hearing about another group of civilians killed in a terror attack, and you wonder when will it end? when will they finally just let us live in peace?

you become bitter and jaded. the memories of the people who had been your neighbors for hundreds of years, who you talked with at the shops and sold rugs to, who brought bread to your home after passover to celebrate with you, fade and are replaced with memories of labor camps, pogroms, expulsions, and bombs.

white people halfway across the world living in countries whose wartime regimes placed you or your parents in labor camps to die of starvation or disease just a few decades ago tell you that you have no right to live in the land in which you are a refugee, they tell you to go back to poland — a country you or anyone in your family or community have ever been to, but the mention of which sends your ashkenazi neighbor into panic attacks as they remember hundreds of their community being beaten or stabbed to death and more hundreds being locked in a barn and burned alive by their polish gentile neighbors — they tell you that the violence you and your community experienced and are experiencing is deserved.

your world is nothing but death and bombs and violence and you cry out to god for salvation, and he sends you benjamin fucking netanyahu, who promised to avenge the pain and suffering and trauma that consumes you. you believe him. you don’t care who gets hurt, because no one ever seemed to give a fuck when it was you and your community who was hurting. people say “never again” and you don’t believe them.

this is the pain and trauma that has radicalized many israeli jews. this is the story you need to understand if you want to have ANY hope of peace, because you cannot approach a traumatized population with “who fucking cares also it was israel’s fault anyway just go back to your own countries and stop being evil genocidal maniacs” and expect to get anything but a massive fuck you. and frankly it’s fucking ridiculous that a lot of you can’t seem to understand that.

always throwing the "million jews who were violently ethnically cleansed from arab countries only a couple decades ago" argument but funny how you never mention it was because of israeli colonialism. guess what that would never have happenend if israelis didnt decide to start an apartheid racist fascist state

u can’t make this shit up y’all. apparently collective punishment is fine as long as it’s jews!