#but there is MUCH romance in the vows he gave during the surgery in his last episode

[useragarfield]

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[lynny246]

Gods, this took 3 years to do. I started this OC when Season 3 of BNHA began in, like, 2018. I ended up constantly tweaking her and forgot to touch her in 2019. Then came 2021, where season 5 is about to go down and wreck me so without further ado, here is Rune Byougen!

(Credit to Sakimii of DeviantArt for the background)

Character Information 

Name: Rune Byougen

Gender: Female

Age: 15 (Episode 4/Chapter 3 & 4)

Birthday: October 30

Sexual Orientation: Pansexual

Occupation: Student

Height: 5’8

Weight: 135 lbs

Ethnicity: Afro-Asian

School: U.A. High School

Year: First year

Hero Name: The Placebo Hero: Bacteriune

Appearance

Hair Color: Dark Blue

Hair Type: Shoulder length hair on the right and short hair on the left. Hair on the left is put in a ponytail

Distinguishing Features: Surgery scar between clavicles

Eye Color: Purple

Skin Color: Bronze

Background 

Born with sickle cell anemia, Rune’s adolescence has been defined by consistent hospital stays and minimal experiences. Despite this, she remained optimistic for her future; this is due in part to the constant support from her parents, Takao (who also has sickle cell anemia) and Camilla (a pro-Hero in America known as Wyvern).

During her pre-teen years, her condition would worsen; prompting a great deal of surgeries. It had become so dour that Rune considered giving up after finding out she would be missing her final year in junior high so she could remain in the hospital. During this depression, her father made it a point to emphasize the strength of perseverance and hope for a better future. Through his corny speeches, Rune found some solace and promised to keep fighting for her family.

The age of 12 would mark an important new chapter for Rune: her condition improved greatly which allowed her live independently with minor treatment, her quirk would finally manifest, she could resume schooling, and she had a clear goal for her life, choosing to find better treatment for those dealing with sickle cell anemia. Unfortunately, the biggest change in her life would be the death of her father at the end of the year. After reaching the average life expectancy, Takao had succumb to the illness after being rushed to the hospital after a stroke.

Unable to process the grief, Rune grew to resent her father; seeing his sudden death as not living by the values he set for her during her tribulations. Optimism gave way to pessimism as Rune became more jaded about her circumstances, her future, and her understanding of the world. For the first time in her life, she saw physical limitations that couldn’t be overcome with willpower, she saw a society that had largely forgotten non-quirk related illness and death.

From that day forward, she choose a new path: Uncover all the mysteries medical science had to offer to overcome her limits. On that day, Rune vowed not to succumb to illness or weakness. To see that vow through, she needed to find a way to overcome the natural weakness she was born with. To do this, she would need authority in different fields and money. She would need to be a hero.

Hero work could finance her research, the potential fame would make it easier to join medical projects and resources for research, and hero work could give her access to underground and taboo information not legally accessible. With her family moving to Japan to live with her paternal grandparents, the option of attending U.A. becomes obvious. She spoke with her mother about her desire to become a hero. Camilla, a well-known hero throughout the United States, used her connections to get her admitted with a recommendation. After training her quirk for a year, Rune is prepared to enter U.A. where her next chapter begins...

Personality

A box of intriguing mysteries or a miserable pile of secrets, whichever you choose, Rune qualifies. At first glance, Rune is a calm and ever-curious mind that operates with cordiality. Once the layers are peeled, that cordial and inviting exterior disappears, leaving a more cunning and antagonistic yet dignified and relax individual. At her best, she can be seen as a calming, loyal yet malignant girl who is hard to understand yet fun to be around. At her worst, Rune is a manipulative and inimical girl hiding behind pleasantries. A girl who seeks to unravel all those around her as a hobby

Likes: Herbology, Grimoires, Tarot Cards, Card Games, Botany, Medieval History, Camping, Anarchy

Dislikes: The cold, Paranormal romance novels, Crystal balls, Cosmetology

Habits: Biting her nails, Staring at people

Fears: Relapsing, Abandonment, Porcelain dolls, Limitations

Quirk and Abilities

Quirk: Pathogen

This quirk allows the user to control and manipulate bacteria and pathogens found throughout different environments and bodies. Using neuro-parasitology, the user’s dead skin cells are consumed by the microorganisms, giving the user full control of all bacteria and pathogens for approximately an hour

Quirk Advantages:

Due to bacteria being on every natural surface imaginable, there is no limit to the range of the user

In addition, when the quirk is active, the amount of bacteria present on the body can form a light layer of protection on the body without the bacteria hardening into a solid structure

In warm conditions or against heat-based quirks, the bacteria can be more effective and multiply quickly

Quirk Drawbacks:

Quirk overuse can result in the user losing control of the bacteria and pathogens. When it under direct control, those organisms can become very ensnared with the user’s skin cells and seek to consume them en masse. If not careful, the bacteria can attempt to consume so much of the cells, that the epidermis can be damaged, leaving wounds equitable to first degree burns

This quirk is at a natural disadvantage in colder environments as common bacteria thrives primarily in warmer environments. Extreme weather (hot or freezing) is disadvantageous as well

Overexertion can result in a minor case of chronic inflammation which includes fever, rashes, infection, abdominal pain, and chest pains

Fighting Style: Wyvern-style Martial Arts Created and used solely by her mother, it is a personalized form of martial arts that emphasizes brute force over speed by transferring all the power and force to a specific limbs. When utilized correctly, a simple kick can break a concrete wall. However, the style sacrifices speed, accuracy, and leaves other limbs defenseless. It also requires very specific stances to work properly. The style originated from Camilla who uses it to dispatch larger villains and wrestle Wai, a family friend that lost her humanity and became a large wyvern due to her quirk

Weapons/Items: Vials of poison and medication Most of the poisons are meant to hinder movement, allowing her to fight with minimal opposition. This is beneficial for using wyvern-style martial arts without issue. The medication is penicillin and various antibiotics Rune has created to combat her drawbacks.

Stats:

(Ultra Archive)

Power: 4/5

Speed: 2/5

Technique: 4/5

Intelligence: 5/5

Cooperativeness: 3/5

(Ultra Analysis)

Power: 5/6

Speed: 3/6

Technique: 6/6

Intelligence: 6/6

Machiavellian: 6/6

Relationships

Family:

Camilla Byougen - Mother Takao Byougen - Father (Deceased) In the past, the relationship between the Byougen family could only be described as loving and tight. Despite her work, Camilla was dedicated and active in the family, enjoying doting on her husband and daughter. Takao was no exception, spending much his days looking after Rune and Camilla as a stay-at-home-dad. Rune admired her parent’s strength of character and they served as emotional crutch to a child that didn’t have much in terms of socialization. Times have changed. Rune has come to loathe the type of person her father was, deeming him a hypocrite. However, her relationship with her mother is stronger than ever. The two look after each other and are quite open with one another. If not for the age disparity, one could mistake the mother-daughter duo as sisters

Wai - Godmother Despite being a late addition to the family, Wai and Rune’s relationship is solid. Wai may have lost much of her mental capacities after fully becoming a wyvern, however, she still remembers the love and loyalty she had for Camilla and that has transferred fully to her daughter. The two are very protective of one another and enjoy training together. Since Camilla is needed to communicate verbally with Wai, the two don’t have many secrets or intense conversations, but that doesn’t stop the two from greatly enjoying    conversation and each other's company

Kirika Byougen - Paternal Grandmother Fuga Byougen - Paternal Grandfather This familial dynamic is a tad bit complicated. Although there is clear love between them, there is also veiled hostility laced in every interaction. While a mystery to Camilla, Rune has concluded that the negative interactions stem from Fuga and Kirika being upset with Takao for abandoning his home and former life to chase after Camilla. While her grandparents are trying to overcome that distaste for Camilla and Rune so they can fully embrace the family Takao made, they are hindered by the grief of his death and past pains of his abandonment. Despite this, interactions between Rune and her grandparents are amicable. That is until Rune begins to read their motives and taunt them.

Friends:

Bakugou Katsuki - Close friend & most proficient teammate Tooru Hagakure - Close friend Kyouka Jiro  Reiko Yanagi  Midoriya Izuku - Test Subject 

Rivals:

Fumikage Tokoyami - Friendly rival Tenya Iida - Antagonistic

Enemies:

Toga Himiko

Trivia

Rune’s faovrite food is mitarashi dango

Rune was born in California

Rune prefers hiding her quirk simply to mess with her opponents, tricking them into believing her quirk is simply super strength

Rune is a Wiccan

[fandom-collective-writers]

Reader x Jihyun Kim {MysMes} - Letters to Heal a Broken Heart

Title: Letters to Heal a Broken Heart Fandom: Mystic Messenger Character: Jihyun Kim Genre: bittersweet? romance Warnings: spoilers for his good ending!  Intended Gender Audience: Neutral Audience  Word Count: 2040 words POV: second person Other comments: no smut but im proud of this! please note that everything with the push back is a letter! i think its pretty clear, but i wanted to make sure it’s understood <3 Written by: @mythiica​ Req: 

Dear –

I’ll admit, it feels a bit strange writing a letter for you, but my therapist recommended it. He told me to explain my emotions with words, saying it would help me become more confident. 

See, the reasoning behind it, at least from what I remember, is that there is no pressure to think quickly. Writing allows a flow, a sense of movement between the words before you pick which one you wish to use. Talking is different because it follows a completely contrasting rhythm. To keep a conversation going, you have to speak rather quickly so the person stays engaged in the topic. 

It’s all really interesting, and my therapist has given me a book over the fundamentals of other practices like this. I read half of it on the plane to Japan. 

To clarify, I’m writing this from my hotel room in Tokyo. I landed a few hours ago and the jet lag has yet to hit me, so I decided to take advantage of this time to write. 

I think you’d like it here – the sakura are in full bloom and I have three days dedicated to photographing the sea of pinks as they ripple in the wind. Until now, I’ve only seen pictures of the famous parks, and I never thought that I would be able to witness them in person. 

I didn’t think I’d

I never conside

Ah, I should mention, I’m not allowed to erase or cross out sentences I start. Another confidence booster? It’s a bit sillier, but it’s meant to force me to say what is on my mind, rather than letting it fester. I’ll try again: 

During my years under Mint Eye, my vision was narrowed, and I had only one duty. However, I am learning to broaden my horizons and expand my mind to encompass everything. The urge to explore bubbles in my chest, waiting for the moment to come out. There are so many chances to do anything, and I’ve got all the time to do all of it. 

I’ve also realized that I went over my word limit. I have to stick to 300 words or under. Confidence booster #3! Express yourself with less words. Take a guess of how many times I’ve opened the thesaurus, looking for better synonyms for words? At least seven times in the past five minutes. It’s crazy! 

For now, I’ll sign this off and try better next time. 

                                                 よりご多幸を祈って

                                                           Jihyun Kim

PS, I’m practicing my Japanese! That says best wishes… I think. 

नमस्कार

Hello and greetings from India! I took a long nap on the plane, and forgot to write. Although I’m only passing through, I ate some delicious food (that I should really try to replicate for you). India is absolutely beautiful – from the sunrises to the bustling markets to the colorful fabrics hung at every corner. I’ll inhale the air and smell six things at once, albeit, not all of them are the best, but I embrace it nonetheless. 

More about what I’ve been doing: funnily enough, my phone died on the bus ride, but I made a new friend named Sunmi, and she was kind enough to lend me her charging cable. Instead of ending the interaction there, we spoke for a few hours at least. I learned she was traveling with her friends on a photography excursion. She gave me all the information, and I’d like to look into it when I have wifi again. 

You wouldn’t believe what they’ve seen! Last year they went to Antarctica through South America. She got to pet a penguin! Apparently the company also takes people to Greenland and New Zealand – some places I’ve been dreaming of visiting since I was a young boy. 

I’ll use my last 100 words to mention that… I’ve gotten a bit homesick. I miss the RFA – well, the people from the RFA minus… 

Don’t tell Jumin about the company though, he’ll insist on flying me around with his private jet. I want to experience for myself. Saeyoung is somehow messaging me when I don’t have service? I don’t… understand. Anyways, I also saw Zen landed a huge international role (someone had a magazine on the plane). Otherwise, I hope Jaehee and Yoosung are well. And Elizabeth the 3rd of course. Send them my wishes. 

I didn’t forget about you though! The keychain you gave me reminds me of home every day. It might have lost an eye, but I found a button and stitched it on. And I also wanted to ask you–

Ah, I’m over again. 

Next time. 

                                                           Jihyun Kim

Iyi günler! I am in Turkey now and actually writing this on a boat. The sun is setting over the horizon, making the sky change colors with every passing minute. It’s breathtaking, but I wish you were here with me. The other passengers and I take turns standing at the front of the boat, and I sometimes linger, trying to take pictures. 

Good news! My vision is getting better. I’ve been taking some Greek herbal remedies, and the seem to be helping. Either that, or they have a wonderful placebo effect. Has that ever happened to you? To think something is working, but you’re just imagining things? 

I apologize, maybe that stirred bad memories for you. 

Back to Turkey: I stepped out of my comfort zone and spent a night camping. Honestly? I was terrified of doing so, but now I want to do it every night. It is the perfect temperature for hiking, even though I am a bit sunburned. 

So many people have been commenting on my hair. Good things mostly, and I started styling it with a bit of gel to keep it out of my eyes. It feels good to look people directly rather than through a curtain. 

What are you up to? Hosting anymore parties? I imagine that you are keeping busy, as always of course. My therapist said it would be best to wait messaging you until I return home. I nearly called you a week ago, but I didn’t want to break my vow. It’s like lying to myself, and I know better than that now. 

Still, it doesn’t stop me from dreaming. 

                                                           Sending love, 

                                                                     J

I’m genuinely angry, but writing to you always calms me. Someone stole my bag – I luckily didn’t have much in it, but your keychain… can you make me a new one please? Now that I don’t have it, it’s almost like I’ve lost a part of you. It hurts a lot, but then I wonder if I am being silly. It’s just a keychain. 

Otherwise, France is nice. I didn’t want to go to Paris, so instead I traveled through the countryside to visit a few wineries. 

Yes, I did… drink a bit, but I wasn’t impaired when my bag was stolen! 

You would laugh at me if I told you what happened, so I will save the story for another time. Before coming to France, I went through Germany and visited some of the most beautiful castles I’ve ever seen. They all looked like they could be straight from a fantasy movie set, and I was convinced one – Neuschwanstein Castle – actually was. 

I’ve barely written anything despite so much happening. 

I got a haircut (finally), because it was becoming a hassle to tie it back at night. 

One evening, I fed some stray cats and they followed me home. 

And a drunk (?) tried to play cards with me. But he didn’t have cards. He was dealing an imaginary deck. 

Other stories will have to wait until I see you again, and I feel better now. It’s okay to be upset, but it won’t hinder my trip any more. 

                                                           Je t'aime, 

                                                                     Jihyun

Alaska doesn’t have a night. 

That’s not exactly true, but it’s basically true. The hotel has special curtains that block the light, and it is only dark for a few hours. 

It has been many miles since I last wrote, but I was caught up in visiting show after event after party after exhibit through America. Their art has given me a new perspective on point of view and emotions, so I hope that the ten camera chips I’ve filled with photographs will be able to convey the same sense of awe. 

I’ve also been mistaken for an idol? Like – multiple times. Interesting to say the least, maybe I’ll say yes to the next person that asks. What should my stage name be? I’ll spare you the embarrassment and not share my ideas. They are all very silly and no one would believe me if I told them my name was Cam Ra. Do you get it? It’s bad, I know. 

I’ll be returning home soon, unless I get distracted or impulsive and go down to California and Hawaii before coming back. I want to – it doesn’t feel right to return just yet. But that doesn’t mean anything about you! 

Really, I think about you and everyone else each day. 

Have you met new people? We’ll exchange so many stories… 

                                                           See you soon, 

                                                                     J K 

You pace around, waiting for the last guest on the list to appear. The party started an hour ago, but he still has not arrived. Then again, it has been three months since anyone heard a whisper from V, and you start to lose hope. Swallowing hard, you remind yourself that V is having a wonderful time exploring the world and finding himself. 

          Taking a handful of your dress, you turn and head through the doors to the main room. Jumin tries to pull Saeyoung away from Longcat, Yoosung explains his most recent surgeries to a group of nurses from his work place, and Jaehee receives many compliments for her majestic cake. 

         Everyone is happy and has moved on. 

         You hope V has too. 

         Maybe all the wishing and praying finally paid off, because you hear his familiar voice calling out behind you. It’s a long shot, but you turn around nonetheless, thinking it is a different guest. 

         Instead, you see Jihyun, wearing the most dazzling smile you’ve ever seen, running towards you. He’s carrying a folder filled with papers, but that doesn’t stop him from embracing you. He smells rugged, like his voyage has transformed him, but you rather like it. 

         “Jihyun!” You melt against his hug. “You’re.. Here… you’re here!” 

         Your squealing draws everyone’s attention, but he focuses on you and only you. “Of course I’m here. I missed you more than I can verbalize.” 

         His stance is open, welcoming, and confident, much different from two years ago. He is a different person now, brave and proud. Jihyun offers you the folder. It is strange to gift something in the middle of a party, but you accept it anyways, happy he has returned. 

         Jihyun’s heart races as he explains. “I wrote you letters every time I went somewhere new. These are just a few of them, really I have so many. But each shows something I’ve learned.” He takes a breath and laces his fingers with yours. “This is sudden, and I’m sure you will need time to think about it, but I’m trying something new: asking without being afraid. Over the past two years, I’ve… longed for you. Art has shown me the power of friendship, joy, perseverance, and most importantly, dedication. I want to dedicate my art to you, if you’ll stand by my side.” 

         You can’t find the words to express yourself because you are so awestruck. He truly has changed, but he has embraced himself and his life. Tears start to roll down your cheeks from the overwhelming surge of emotions. Jihyun brushes them away and presses his forehead to yours. 

         “I still have much to learn, but I want to do it all with you.” 

         “I’d like that a lot, Jihyun,” you whisper, captivated by his intense gaze. 

         “And I can finally say this without fear–” 

         You tip your head up, and Jihyun kisses you the next moment. His lips are chapped and the warmth radiating from his skin envelops you. He doesn’t need words to communicate it, because you understand perfectly what he is trying to say. 

[broomballkraken]

🖊 Any character from your novel

I realized that it is hard to pick just one because I love all of my characters lol But I’ll pick the minor character that I most recently started fleshing out more.

Ori Natela is a 520 year old (roughly 40-45 in human years), bisexual, trans man, light dracone. He stands at 5 feet, 9 inches and weighs about 190 lbs. He has white eyes and long, silver hair that he usually wears in a braid. He is well kept with handsome features and a slim build that betrays his impressive upper body strength, made possible due to his love of archery. He takes pride in keeping his pure white wings as clean as possible, and his fellow dracone often chat about how they seem to glitter in the sunlight.

Ori was born in the capital city of the earth nation, Zelzen. His moms moved shorty after his birth to the capital of Eremenryu, Rai’Leon, due to them attaining teaching jobs at the Rai’Leon Scholar’s Academy. Shortly after entering primary school (around age 20) he realized quite quickly that his biological sex did not match his actual sex, so he started presenting as male immediately. His moms were incredibly supportive of him. When Ori finally reached adulthood at 50 years old, and his doctors concluded that it was safe to do so, he proceeded with sex reassignment surgery. It was successful, and he went on living happily as the man that he was.

After reaching adulthood and finishing primary school, he applied to the Rai’Leon Academy of Arts and passed the qualifying exam with flying colors. He realized early on in his schooling that he was very gifted in the visual arts, especially painting, and that is what he wanted to do for a living. He went on to win a few art shows during his time at the Academy, and he eventually graduated at the top of his class. After graduation, he mostly did freelance commissions for work, and he started to gain more and more fame among the populous of Rai’Leon, until King Kyrogen and Queen Akira personally took notice. The queen sent him a letter, commissioning him for a royal portrait of her and her husband, and he eagerly accepted and set the date.

It was during this portrait painting session that he met his future wife for the first time. Levina, a lightning dracone, was the captain of the royal guard, personal guard to the king and queen, and to Ori, she was the most beautiful dracone that he had ever seen. It was love at first sight, and he immediately took her hand in his, went down on one knee, and asked her to marry him. He received a punch in the face for his trouble. After Levina received a scolding from the queen and made Levina apologize, Ori went on the paint the portrait of the king and queen, and they were thoroughly impressed. Queen Akira immediately offered him a job as the court painter, and he accepted, after he recovered from the shock.

He moved to the castle and lived there from that point on. He also started trying to woo Levina every chance he got, much to her annoyance. After the 20th bouquet of flowers and numerous really bad poems, Levina finally agreed to go on one date with him, provided that he leave her the hell alone afterwards. What happened on that date is a perplexing mystery to all but the two involved, because after that night, they officially became a couple and have been together ever since.

About 100 years later, Ori and Levina were officially married and later had three sons together: Tahrea (an earth dracone), Lyulf (a fire dracone), and Kato (a psychic dracone). They lived happy lives for a few hundred years. Tahrea, the oldest, became a member of the city guard, and he idolized King Kyrogen almost to an unhealthy extent. Lyulf, the middle child, was extremely smart and was studying to become a scholar and eventually wanted to be a teacher himself. Kato, the youngest, was still in primary school, but showed signs of being a gifted actor. Ori was living the perfect life, until the genocide of the psychics was ordered.

When King Kyrogen gave the order to kill all of the psychic dracone in Eremenryu, Levina immediately turned on him and fled to find Ori, and then to find their children. They managed to flee the chaos in the city unscathed, and at the outskirts they found Tahrea standing over the dead bodies of Lyulf and Kato. He boasted about killing his brothers, and vowed to kill his parents if they opposed the wishes of the king. Ori was absolutely devastated and the shock of it all caused him to faint on the spot.

When Ori finally regained consciousness, he found himself in a forest camp far from Rai’Leon, with Levina, Kydrena (King Kyrogen and Queen Akira’s daughter), and Coryn (Kydrena’s fiance). He saw that Levina had lost her left eye in her inevitable fight with their oldest son, which ended in his death. Stricken with the grief of losing all three of his sons, and the guilt of not being able to prevent Levina from losing her eye, Ori sunk into a deep depression, where he considered suicide multiple times. Levina was left in a similar state, but they both knew that they needed to stay strong for each other, so given time, they helped each other overcome their despair and mostly move on, but the emotional wounds would never truly heal.

When the novel starts, about 150 years after the genocide, Ori is a general in the resistance against the tyrant king, Kyrogen, led by Kydrena. He specializes in ranged combat, preferring to use a bow with light arrows.

Ori enjoys art, archery, reading romance novels, watching the sunrise, teaching art, acting, fancy parties, fire wine, being dramatic and doting on his wife. He does not like getting dirty, bugs of any sort, melee combat, or cooking (which is good because he is a deadly cook).

…Okay this kinda got out of hand OOPS! xD I just like Ori a lot, okay? Also, he and Levina may or may not be inspired by one of my favorite pairs in Fire Emblem Awakening

Send a “🖊“ and I will talk about any one of my OCs at random

[justanotherdumpingground]

Chapter Reviews: April 1-5, 2019

Desire & Decorum Chapter 15:

Ugh! I hate seeing my MC being forced to wear the dress Duke Richards gave her and having to pay diamonds to get the Edgewater one. And what's with the option to have intimate moments with the other love interests? I'd stick with Hamid any day.

Crap! I didn't pick Edmund to walk down the aisle with me. Well, at least Bartholomew Chambers is good enough.

About time Viscount Westonly's mishearing comes in handy. Dragging him closer to the altar is a good way to delay the wedding vows further, though I'm sore at Hamid not objecting to the wedding.

At long last I get to reject Duke Richards during the wedding day itself. And it was a pleasant surprise to see Dominique and the queen stopping the wedding. About time the story goes somewhere. Now time for the showdown.

Across the Void Chapter 16:

The Jura general is one callous b***h. I swear, Pax needs to ditch the Jura, who comes across as moronic as the Vanguard. Just look at my precious Atlas sustaining major damage. At least the passangers are still cheerful, even though most of them except Lyra and Barlow are worthless.

Anyway, my MC and Sol got to prepare the Equinox for Barlow, and the scene is okay, though Sol's mention of his home planet just makes me think he could've been a great character while not hogging the spotlight. He's wasted potential, like the other love interests.

High School Story: Class Act Chapter 8:

I'm sick of the presidential election story sidelining my MC and Skye. Not to mention the twin's so immature for thinking it's serious business. Even their pro-sports platform is ridiculous because it's already the most supported program.

Super sad that I have to pay diamonds ro see my old MC and his friends. If I ever replay this book, I better pick that option. I heard it's also a good moment to see him and Aiden together.

As for the winter festival, I think there will be unnecessary drama, which has become the same old, same old.

Passport to Romance Chapter 4:

Honestly, Elliot's behaving like a manchild for playing around Marie Antoinette's bed. That guy shouldn't be on the MC's vlog. But then again, the MC is such a dimwit for getting basic history facts wrong. At least there's Sumire to provide insightful takes on Versailles.

Ahmed's change in demeanor isn't endearing me to him. His disdain for such opulence because it reminds him of the common man's plight is starting to make him act like a stereotypical social justice warrior. It would've made sense if he was raised rather poor, but he mentioned being in his family's home videos a lot, so probably not.

Anyway, I feel bad for Marisa having to deal with her boyfriend not seeing her again. Honestly, she better ditch him soon, just like Lily Spencer ditched Melanie early on.

America's Most Eligible Chapter 12:

Omar warning my MC to stay away from Jen just because he thought they're romantically involved doesn't make sense in this playthrough. Sure I like Jen, and my MC regards her as his friend, but not once did they do anything romantic. I mean, I roleplay my MC as gay, so...

I like how stylish Adam, Derek, Mackenzie, and Jen look in winter clothing. It's a pity the MC is never provided any. At least most of the activity is done indoors.

I'm starting to think Vince is getting the Ivy treatment. The narrative encourages me to hate him by giving me premium options to sabotage his food. It reminds me of the premium options to make the skit scene with Ivy look dramatic.

Dang, Heath and Slater giving me the cold shoulder is a reminder that I eliminated them. The irony is that Slater's still close with me. At least there's Bianca to vouch for me, and Ronan and Yvette seem to be fine with me.

Open Heart Chapter 8:

When Ethan told me to keep Naveen being Patient X a secret, I chose to keep it a promise, even when the MC's friends are asking him. Look, I know not everyone likes him, but I have to respect his privacy. Not to mention that I felt bad for him when he said he felt powerless when it comes to his seeming inability to treat Naveen, especially since he already lost Dolores.

I'm starting to respect Elijah more for his desire to save lives after a doctor saved his. I feel bad for him struggling with chronic spinal cord damage and his family's subsequent bankruptcy after paying for a surgery that saved his life. Even more so when he felt guilty for his family's ordeal even though it was never his fault to begin with. What ultimately made him earn my respect, however, was that decision to become a doctor alone after feeling inspired by the doctor who saved his.

So, the bachelorette party my MC and Bryce attended has three recycled models. Honestly, I understand that PB needs to save time, resources, and effort, but choosing already prominent characters like Scarlett Emerson? That's just bizarre. Still less bizarre compared to Nikolai Petrov's model reused in RoD even though his model, particularly the octopus tattoo, plays an integral role in VoS's story.

Ride or Die Chapter 12:

Toby should just quit the Mercy Park Crew and start a new life. Maybe a career in car painting. After all, it's an honest job.

Colt has gone the deep end, hasn't he? I never fully trusted him in the beginning, and seeing him proceeding with his job just proves his ruthlessness, even when it comes to the MC. To think of it, he's shaping to be like Icarus, who flew too close to the sun that the wax on his fake wings melted, causing him to fall to his death in the sea. I guess he'll perform an extremely risky move that it will be his downfall, all because of his pride.

So... Jason is part of the Brotherhood after all. Well, I guess you could call me foolish for underestimating the theory that he's a member of the Brotherhood and cooperating with him. After all, he's shady, and the reveal's predictable. The Brotherhood informant Foley being part of his task force is no surprise because of his character model. What kinda shocked me, however, was that Jason's entire task force are members of the Brotherhood, and the ending depends on whether MC sent info to Jason or not. Nevertheless, I find all od them except Jason rather bland because I only know that they could be worse than the Mercy Park Crew without being shown why.

After seeing people saying that Jason killed Foley, and they and their MC got trapped in the vault by the MPC, I gotta say that I'm impressed choices do matter. One thing I noticed is that consistently helping Jason (which is what I did) has him freeing Foley instead of killing him, restraining him, and telling him that MC saved their lives.

At this point, I'm going to say that as much as I hate this story for its clichés, overt focus on Logan, bland protagonist, and the predictable reveal on Jason, I begrudgingly concede that there are some parts I like. Among them are Colt and Teppei's characterization and this chapter's outcome depending on player choices.

The Elementalists Chapter 4:

The premium scene where Beckett experiments on the elements got me intrigued on how elements work in the story. I feel like it's about time I learn about the combos of the elements leading to a "higher" one (e.g. water + air = wood). Nevertheless, it would've been much better if this is free, as it reveals a bit about the plot and setting.

Man, Aster is someone who needs a big hug after her dad calls her out for mingling with humans. Seeing her and her species reeling from the outcome of the Wand Wars got me thinking this will lead to an important story arc that needs a satisfying conclusion. After all, the sour relations between humans and wood nymphs is a good way to show the gray elements in the setting. I also wasted no time cheering her up by helping her at her shop.

After the appearance of the caped lady who called herself the Blood Source, that got me even more excited on how the elements came into being. Seeing that blood is at the top of the pyramid, I think the lady is the first one created, followed by sun and moon, then wood and metal, and finally the other four, including Kane.

Speaking of Kane, as much as I like him, his behavior in this chapter is a somber reminder of the danger he poses. I like his playfulness and friendly demeanor towards the MC, but him suffocating the school staff shows his disregard for life.

[harryandmeghan0-blog]

2018: The year in Meghan Markle's family feud - Fox News

New Post has been published on https://harryandmeghan.xyz/2018-the-year-in-meghan-markles-family-feud-fox-news/

2018: The year in Meghan Markle's family feud - Fox News

Meghan Markle had a big year in 2018, to say the least — she became the Duchess of Sussex after tying the knot to Prince Harry and is now one of the most recognizable names in the world. But her family had just as big a year ─ and almost just as much time spent in the headlines ─ much to the chagrin of the royal family. Let’s take a look back at the former “Suits” starlet’s estranged brood’s year in her shadow.

JANUARY 2018

Meghan Markle’s estranged half-sister, Samantha Markle, leaked childhood photos of the former actress along with an interview with InTouch magazine. Samantha was uncharacteristically kind, telling the tabloid that she and Meghan’s father, Thomas Markle, “thought fondly” of Prince Harry, and added of Meghan, “She was extremely well-behaved and respectful. If she wanted something, she’d say it in a forthcoming, diplomatic way. She was well-mannered, tidy and disciplined [as a kid].”

However, she also criticized Meghan’s Ralph and Russo engagement gown, griping, “If you can spend $75,000 on a dress, you can spend $75,000 on your dad.”

Samantha also said that the engagement as a whole caused the Markle family “a lot of pain.”

Also in January, Thomas Markle Jr.’s fiancee, Darlene Blount, was arrested for allegedly hitting him, The Sun reported. Thomas Jr. had previously been arrested himself for allegedly holding a gun to Blount’s head.

Meanwhile, the then-reclusive Thomas Markle Sr. broke his silence and told The Sun he was thrilled for Meghan and Harry. “I think it’s wonderful, I’m very delighted,” he said. “I think they’re [a] very good match, I’m very happy for them, Meghan and Harry … I love my daughter very much — Harry’s a gentleman.”

FEBRUARY 2018

Meghan Markle’s half-brother, Thomas Markle, Jr., complained to InTouch that Meghan didn’t help him when he reached out to her for advice and aid on dealing with international scrutiny on their family after her engagement to Prince Harry in November 2017.

“My lawyer had a phone meeting with her lawyer, and he emailed me some of [Meghan’s] direct words. She said, ‘That’s distant family and I don’t know those people.’ That’s pretty harsh,” he said.

Thomas Jr. said he actually spent a great deal of time with Meghan when they were growing up and said he’d actually lost work because her fame put the entire family under a microscope.

“There was a time when people were following me around at work, taking pictures and posting horrible stories about me and my family saying I’m a white supremacist, a drug addict and a dealer, all this crap that just isn’t true,” Thomas recalled.

“My attorney was reaching out to her people and the palace to basically [help us] try to get a retraction for all these false stories in [countries] where there are different laws,” he continued. But an email allegedly from Prince Harry’s office simply read, “I am so sorry to hear you have been having a tough time with the media.”

MARCH 2018

Meghan Markle’s nephew, Tyler Dooley, revealed to “Good Morning Britain” that he wasn’t invited to the royal wedding. Dooley’s mother, Tracy, is divorced from Thomas Markle. However, they weren’t upset about it, quipping, “I don’t think we are getting invitations, but that is fine, we are so proud of her.” They added that Meghan used to babysit Tyler when he was a kid.

APRIL 2018

Thomas Jr. revealed that he was furious at being snubbed from the royal wedding guest list — and beseeched Prince Harry to cancel the royal wedding altogether.

“I’m not bitter, just baffled. It’s hurtful given how close we once were. I’m confused and a little distraught because here is a person knowing the position she’s in and knowing the scrutiny she’s under and yet she has forgotten her flesh and blood,” he fumed to The Mirror.

“She’s clearly forgotten her roots. It’s torn my entire family apart,” he continued. “Meg likes to portray herself as a humanitarian, a people’s person and a charitable person, but she is none of those things to her family. She is giving the greatest performance of her life. She is acting phony. Once she got into Hollywood she turned into a different person. She’s clearly forgotten her roots and her family.”

Also in April, Samantha slammed Prince Harry and urged him to “man up,” pointing out the alleged hypocrisy between Meghan’s humanitarianism and her supposed negligence of her father’s side of her family. Samantha was livid about the Markles, save for Thomas Sr., not being invited to the royal wedding.

Thomas Markle Sr. was in much better spirits than his kids, however, quipping that he was excited about the royal wedding, but that he was so nervous that he’d sweat enough to require a wetsuit. He was also photographed reading books about England and St. George’s Chapel, where Harry and Meghan were slated to tie the knot.

MAY 2018

On May 4, the palace announced that both of Meghan Markle’s parents would be in attendance at the royal wedding. However, 10 days later, it was reported that Thomas Markle wouldn’t attend his daughter’s big day after it was revealed he’d staged the aforementioned paparazzi photos ahead of the wedding.

Thomas confessed that the publicity stunt was “stupid and hammy” and that he regretted it, while Samantha took credit for the debacle and said the photos were her idea. Reports suggested that Thomas would undergo heart surgery in the days leading up to the wedding.

The next day, however, Thomas had a change of heart, reportedly after receiving text messages from Meghan saying she loved him and was concerned about his health. He said he’d “like to be a part of history” and vowed to be there.

Except he wasn’t.

On May 17 — two days before the royal wedding — Kensington Palace announced that Thomas would not attend.

During all of this drama, Samantha continued on a press tour of her own, attempting to defend her father from the maelstrom in which she’d embroiled herself.

A friend of Meghan’s told The Sun of the drama, “Meghan has had her ups and downs with her dad. But she thought the past year or so, she and her dad were in a good place. She’s been devastated by what’s happened.”

“After the revelation he had staged those paparazzi pictures, she has felt so let down and majorly questioned his loyalties,” the pal continued. “He collaborated with the press yet never condemned the actions of his other children Samantha and Junior, who were forever publicly disparaging Meghan.”

Prince Charles walked Meghan down the aisle on her and Harry’s May 19 wedding day, which, Markles notwithstanding, seemed to go off without a hitch.

Still, three days after the wedding, Samantha criticized Meghan on Twitter for allegedly not mentioning their father in her toast.

Princess Diana’s former aide, Patrick Jephson, told Page Six that Meghan’s late mother-in-law would have helped her avoid a public crisis with her family, but noted, “It bears repeating that Meghan is the age Diana was when she died. When you’re 36, with one marriage and numerous romances behind you, you’re not a beginner, you don’t have many excuses left. Therefore, the amount of latitude that the British public will give Meghan and to an extent, Harry, does have its limits.”

Just after the wedding, reports claimed that Meghan’s nephew, Tyler Dooley, received a warning in London for attempting to bring a knife into a nightclub.

At the end of the month, Thomas denied tabloid reports that he’d asked Meghan for money ahead of the royal wedding.

JUNE 2018

Thomas Markle reared his head again in June 2018.

He gave a lengthy interview with “Good Morning Britain” on June 18, in which he said Meghan cried when she learned he wouldn’t be at the wedding and said that she and Harry would have kids “soon.”

He also revealed that he’d apologized privately to Meghan and Prince Harry for staging the paparazzi photos.

“I didn’t do this for money,” he said. “I did this to change my image. For one whole year, I was presented as a hermit living in and hiding out in Mexico. I was looking to change my image. I made a mistake and it went wrong … I realized it was a serious mistake. Hard to take it back. I had been seen as negative for an entire year.”

Of the royal wedding, Thomas said, “She was so beautiful walking down that aisle and so proud and so gorgeous … I cried a little watching her … I was very proud. I was very upset that it wasn’t me [walking her down the aisle], but the whole world was watching my daughter. The unfortunate thing for me now is I’m a footnote in one of the greatest moments in history, rather than the dad walking her down the aisle, so that upsets me somewhat.”

Thomas also said he spoke on the phone with Harry about various things on the phone, including Brexit and giving President Donald Trump a chance.

He later fumed to TMZ that the royal family put him in a “penalty box” after the interview with “Good Morning Britain.” He griped that President Trump would meet the royals before he would, lamenting, “If the queen is willing to meet our arrogant, ignorant and insensitive president, she has no excuse not to meet me, I’m nowhere near as bad.”

JULY 2018

Thomas Markle granted another interview, this time to The Sun, and claimed that Meghan wasn’t actually happy since becoming the Duchess of Sussex.

“My thing about my daughter right now is that I think she is terrified,” he said. “I see it in her eyes, I see it in her face and I see it in her smile. I’ve seen her smile for years. I know her smile. I don’t like the one I’m seeing now,” he said, noting it was a “pained smile,” but that he wasn’t sure if she was truly miserable or if she’d just had a “couple of bad days … I don’t know. It really worries me. I think she’s under too much pressure.”

He also claimed, “Anyone who makes a profit off the royal family becomes shunned. But I could have made well over $100,000 by just doing a talk show.”

Thomas also griped about the royals’ “outdated” rules regarding dress codes and was miffed that Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland, was seated alone at the wedding.

Days later, he told TMZ he refused to keep quiet and just wanted to be able to communicate with his daughter. It didn’t work, with reports claiming all he did was anger the newlyweds.

He wasn’t her only estranged relative to run his mouth that month.

Samantha criticized Prince Harry for not standing up to Meghan and allowing her to allegedly mistreat her family, then said that if Thomas were to die, blood would be on Meghan’s hands. Days later, it was announced that Samantha may join “Celebrity Big Brother U.K.” In a demonstration of acute self-awareness, she then gave an interview about what “cashing in” means in regards to her newly royal relative.

Just days later, Thomas Markle Jr.’s fiancee, Darlene Blount, was arrested again for another domestic incident.

The Markles ended the month with Thomas Sr. calling Meghan “cold” for refusing contact with him and said he feared he would never meet his own grandchildren.

AUGUST 2018

In August, it was revealed that Meghan’s estrangement from her father may have begun much earlier than expected, as it’s suspected (thanks to a slew of photographs) that he never attended her first wedding to Trevor Engelson in 2011.

Perhaps it was because his relationship with her ex was similar to that of his relationship with Prince Harry. Thomas admitted in August that he angrily hung up on Harry before the wedding after the ginger prince warned him that the press would “eat him alive.” When Harry asked Thomas if he staged paparazzi photos, Thomas says that he lied and told the prince he’d been measured for a hoodie when the snaps were taken.

He also told The Sun that Meghan asked him to stop speaking to Samantha, which he said put him in a bind, explaining, “I have two daughters. I can’t stop talking to one of them. No father should be asked to turn his back on their children. I love Meghan but I also love Samantha.”

Thomas Jr., meanwhile, piped up again, telling The Mirror that Meghan’s treatment of their father was “selfish, cruel even. He gave her everything and now she is giving him nothing but hurt back. They say blood is thicker than water, but perhaps the blue blood of the royals now runs through Meg’s veins. It’s heartbreaking to see how this has changed her and the devastation it has caused to my family.”

SEPTEMBER 2018

Samantha Markle tried getting close to Meghan in September — literally.

After calling Meghan a “ducha—” (creative!) and comparing Prince Harry to a hamster on his birthday, Samantha’s publicist (yes, she hired one) announced that she’d visit London in an effort to mend fences with and deliver a letter to Meghan.

It didn’t work.

Reports later indicated that Samantha was turned away from Kensington Palace, then spent her time trying on masks of the royals.

OCTOBER 2018

In what may have been a sign that there are snowmen in hell, October 2018 brought the last thing the world would have predicted: Samantha Markle apologized to Meghan on TV.

“There is so much water under the bridge and so much has spun out of control that was never intended to,” Samantha said on a talk show while she was in London. “I think everybody was hurt by not being included or invited to the wedding, but I felt as though it could have all been nipped in the bud had everyone been included and we all just agreed to move forward with positive resolve, and the hurt feelings wouldn’t have snowballed … but believe it or not, it doesn’t mean that we love you any less. I just think that families can be this way when there’s confusion and when people are hurt. So, moving forward, I apologize and I wish things could be different.”

Of course, she also dissed Meghan, accusing her of having a fake relationship with her mother and of abandoning not just her father’s family, but also her former best friend, who served as a bridesmaid in Meghan’s first wedding.

Samantha wasn’t the only Markle family member seeking press that month.

Markle’s marijuana-shilling nephew, Tyler Dooley, joined an upcoming MTV reality show, “The Royal World.” Likely as somewhat of a relief for Meghan, he later said he’d “never spew hate” like her other family members.

On Oct. 11, an interview with Thomas Markle Sr. in the National Enquirer (via The Sun) unleashed quite a few bombshells: He admitted to using cocaine while working in film and television as a lighting director, as well as to purusing the Playboy Club — but that he drew the line at ever paying for sex.

Days later, Meghan and Prince Harry announced that they’re expecting their first child and that Meghan’s mother, Doria, was happy about it (obviously).

Thomas Markle Sr. learned about the happy news from the media, not from his royal daughter, but didn’t seem outwardly upset about it.

Samantha was the first family member to speak out about the pregnancy, telling The Sun, “It just makes everything that happened over the last year disappear. I want Meghan to be happy and calm and have peace. Everybody needs to be positive. “I would hope that — for the sake of the baby, the family, the world and my dad — that leaving him out of the statement was not intentional.”

Samantha spoke out again in late October, after Meghan gave a speech saying she paid for college herself with scholarships, grants and work-study programs.

“Dad paid her college tuition!” Samantha fumed on Twitter. “She forgot the most important part of her speech and there are receipts to prove it. I love my sister but this is ridiculous. You can’t lie like this, Meg! Delusionally absurd!”

NOVEMBER 2018

In a BBC documentary about Prince Charles, “Prince, Son and Heir: Charles at 70,” that aired in early November 2018, Prince Harry recalled asking his father to walk Meghan down the aisle after Thomas Markle bailed on their wedding.

“I asked him [Charles] to and I think he knew it was coming and he immediately said, ‘Yes, of course, I’ll do whatever Meghan needs and I’m here to support you,'” Harry said. “For him that’s a fantastic opportunity to step up and be that support, and you know, he’s our father so of course he’s going to be there for us.”

Surprisingly, the Markles stayed quiet until Thanksgiving, when Samantha tweeted that she’d celebrated the American holiday with Thomas.

DECEMBER 2018

After a quiet November, Thomas Markle reemerged to lament about how he’d been treated by both the press and his daughter.

In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, he revealed that he’d made “dozens” of attempts to contact Meghan via text and letters and received no response.

“She and Harry have put up a wall of silence,” he said. “I’ve pleaded with her to pick up the phone. I wrote her a two-page letter and sent it by certified mail via her representative in Los Angeles. I asked her why she was believing the lies. I even hand-delivered a letter to Doria asking her why our daughter won’t speak to me.”

He also presented proof in the form of hospital receipts that he had, in fact, undergone heart surgery ahead of the royal wedding — and provided photographic evidence that he’d been at Meghan’s first wedding to Trevor Engelson in 2011 as well.

“If she would just speak to me, things could be different,” he lamented. “I love Meghan very much. I want her and Harry to have a beautiful, healthy baby and a great life. But I want them to stop believing the lies.”

He also told TMZ that the reason he was speaking out wasn’t to defame his daughter, but to clear his own name.

Meanwhile, Samantha Markle slammed Meghan and Harry’s Christmas card photo — and Thomas gave yet another interview alleging that Meghan had “ghosted” him since the royal wedding.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/meghan-markle-family-feud-2018

[netunleashed-blog]

Where are the Love Island winners now? All the couples from 2015, 2016 and 2017 - from engagements to LOTS of splits

http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=25091 Where are the Love Island winners now? All the couples from 2015, 2016 and 2017 - from engagements to LOTS of splits - http://www.internetunleashed.co.uk/?p=25091 Love Island fans have been glued to their screens since the ITV2 show launched in 2015. And, now, a fresh batch of super-hot singletons are in the infamous reality show villa. With the help of Caroline Flack and narrator Iain Stirling, they're competing to find Mr or Mrs Right under the glare of the spotlight. This year, Danny Dyer's daughter, Dani, is in the cast, along with a doctor, a solicitor, a government advisor and a lot of muscles. But what happened to the previous contestants? And does the dating show really work? Here, Mirror Celebs examines how many of the Love Island couples actually stayed together after the show - and where our favourite pairs are now... SERIES 3 - 2017 Winners: Kem Cetinay and Amber Davies (Image: ITV) These two were so adorable they sailed to victory, last summer. Unfortunately, despite scooping the £50,000 cash prize, they went their separate ways in Decemeber. “With sadness, we’ve decided to separate. Our schedules made it difficult. We’ll remain good friends,” a statement said. Fortunately, Kem has his 'bromance' with Chris Hughes to fill any void. They've already enjoyed a one spin-off show and will now front another, also for ITV. Runners-Up: Camilla Thurlow & Jamie Jewitt (Image: Rex Features) They notoriously got intimate in the villa - despite the presence of 69 high-definition cameras filming their every move. Yet, defying the odds, Camilla and Jamie survived the show intact. These days, the couple are still together and spend much of their time using their fame to promote charitable causes, such as World Cancer Day. Who'd have thought it? Third place: Chris Hughes & Olivia Attwood (Image: Comedy Central) This pair need little introduction. Despite having obvious chemistry, they constantly argued during their time in the Love Island villa - and then some in the real world. Although they gave their romance a go on their on TV series, Chris and Olivia: Crackin’ On, it wasn't meant to be. In fact, their messy break-up was broadcast to millions. Since then, Chris reportedly briefly moved on with ex-Corrie actress Georgia May-Foote, while Olivia is said to have reunited with ex-boyfriend, Bradley Dack. Fourth place: Marcel Somerville and Gabby Allen (Image: REX/Shutterstock) Once part of boy-band Blazin' Squad, Marcel was - rather ironically - considered the nice guy of the competition. His connection with Gabby delighted viewers who wanted them to win, but they finished in fourth place. A nine-month relationship followed, but this came crashing down when he cheated on her during a lads' holiday in Spain. He then accused her of cheating on him with Dan Osbourne - husband of former EastEnders star Jac Jossa. Recently, he confessed that she won't answer his calls - which is probably for the best... Jessica Shears & Dom Lever (Image: ITV) They were the first couple to be booted from the villa, but that hasn't stopped Jess and Dom from embarking on a relationship together. To prove it, the pair stripped down to their swimwear to get ‘married’ by Richard Arnold on Good Morning Britain. Thankfully, it wasn't legally binding, but the pair are planning their own nuptials. Watch this space... Series 2 - 2016 Winners: Cara de la Hoyde and Nathan Massey (Image: ITV) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Cara and Nathan were love's young dream when they hooked-up on series two of Love Island. They were arguably the strongest couple in the villa (had a few wobbles - nothing major) and were destined to walk away with the £50,000 cash prize, which they did. Cara even emerged from the show telling fans: "We will not let you down. We're going to get married and we're going to have babies." Well, the latter was correct but sadly the marriage prediction was not. Cara moved into a flat with Nathan in his native Essex, which saw them pop-up in TOWIE. They also spoke frequently in interviews about their inevitable engagement. (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock) Then, in April, they announced a shock split. And a bigger shock followed just three weeks later: Cara was pregnant. She told OK magazine they hadn't been trying for a baby and had broken up around two weeks after finding out she was expecting. Fast forward to 6.30am on December 13 2017 and their son, Freddie-George, was born. They've both said they won't get back together for the sake of the child , but this also proved a dud prediction. The couple have since reunited and hinted on Instagram that more children may be on the horizon. Then in July 2018, while the latest series of Love Island was on telly again, they announced their engagement. Read More Nathan whisked Cara off to the villa where they'd met in Mallorca, blindfolded her and popped the question. Runners-up: Olivia Buckland and Alex Bowen (Image: ITV2) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now These two had an interesting start on the show: they only got together after Alex had already slept with another contestant, Zara Holland. But they certainly made up for lost time, being crowned the show’s biggest rompers after having sex more than 30 times. They officially became boyfriend and girlfriend in the series finale, which Alex took to the next level by popping the question over New Year’s Eve, which they spent in New York. They now live together in Essex (with a French bulldog). (Image: ITV) The wedding will take place this summer and fellow Love Island star Cara de la Hoyde has already been snapped-up as a bridesmaid. Olivia recently told MailOnline: "We’ve got a lot sorted but the guest list is the hardest. "The ceremony is really small and we want to keep it family orientated. In the evening it’ll be party time!" Third place: Scott Thomas and Kady McDermot (Image: WENN) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now They starred in one of the most romantic Love Island scenes of all time - when Scott asked Kady to go official while kneeling poolside surrounded by candles and towels arranged to spell out the words, ‘Be my GF?’. Following the show, their romance went from strength to strength. They lived together in Manchester and spent time in Australia supporting Scott’s brother, ex-Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas, while he was appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! Unfortunately, they split just 18 months after leaving the villa. Fourth place: Katie Salmon and Adam Maxted (Image: ITV2) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Katie coupled-up with Northern Irish wrestler Adam, but it failed to launch. Once the show finished, they both confirmed via Twitter that they were 100 per cent single - and threw in a couple of cryptic metaphors. Adam said: “It's like when you're eating a kebab after a night out & the first few bites taste good but then u realise that it really isn't nice at all!” Katie retaliated: “It's like getting socks at Christmas. Practical but no fun.” Katie later confirmed a romance with model Dani Whittaker, while Adam is in a relationship with dance instructor Carly Taylor. Fifth place: Emma-Jane Woodham and Terry Walsh Er, and Malin Andersson (Image: WENN) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now This was one of the more fascinating Love Island storylines: Malin and Terry hooked up at the start of the show and seemed utterly inseparable. When she was booted off in a shock elimination, he vowed to go with her but she insisted he stayed behind to finish the experience. So imagine her shock when newbie Emma-Jane turned up at the villa and Terry was immediately smitten, leaving a stunned Malin alone at home watching their romance develop - which included a VERY racy sex scene Malin then rocked up at the villa to confront Terry in a rather awkward scenes, and Tel later admitted he was sorry for hurting Malin, but he didn't regret his actions. "I’m not going to stay with someone for the wrong reasons," he said. "I want to be with Emma and life goes on." (Image: FameFlynet) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now But, alas, it was not meant to be, and Terry and Emma later split. Terry announced the break up on Twitter, saying: "For people asking me or who it concerns me n Em have broken up. We’re still friends. One chapter closes another must open." Malin, meanwhile, who later spent £7,000 on surgery to look good on social media, was later linked to fellow Love Island star Tom Powell, who admitted to Daily Star in March: "It's somewhere in between being friends and a relationship." Tom Powell and Sophie Gradon (He was eliminated week five, she walked) (Image: ITV) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Their romance was tested when Tom's ex, Emma-Jane Woodham, turned-up out of the blue, but Tom and Sophie genuinely adored each other. That was clear when he was eliminated in week five, which saw devastated Sophie alone in the villa - until Katie Salmon arrived, that was, and they became the first-ever same sex Love Island couple. Days after coupling up with Katie, however, Sophie cooled things off as she just wanted to be with Tom. She then quit the villa, saying she didn't want to lose him - unaware a furious Tom had been tweeting about how angry he was. Sophie and Katie became the show's first same sex couple (Image: ITV2) (Image: WENN) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Afterwards, Sophie and Tom met up - on camera - and managed to patch things up, but had a rollercoaster romance until splitting months later. And it wasn't the most amicable of splits, with mud slinging on Twitter and allegations of cheating. Most recently, Tom has been linked to fellow Love Island star Malin Andersson, while Sophie found love with new man Ashley Ienco. They later broke up and she began dating Aaron Armstrong. Sadly Sophie died at the age of 32 on June 20, police confirmed. It's not thought to be suspicious. Rykard Jenkins and Rachel Fenton (She was eliminated week three, he walked) (Image: ©ITV) Their romance was one of the sweetest and most enduring in Love Island history; after meeting at the villa and forging a connection, the couple were torn apart by a twist that saw Rachel eliminated and Rykard told to remain on the island. But the thought of saying goodbye to Rachel when he'd just found her was just too much to take, so he dramatically quit there and then, leaving the villa alongside his beloved. One year on they’re still super happy together and, unlike other Love Island couples, have shunned the limelight to live a relatively normal life. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now Series 1 - 2015 Winners: Jess Hayes and Max Morley Jessica and Max were crowned the first-ever winners of Love Island, sharing the £50k prize. However, the writing was on the wall when Jessica told Mirror Celebs less than 24 hours later: “We have a laugh together but we are not madly in love or anything like that.” So it was no surprise that two months later, the couple - who lived in different parts of the country - had split up, with Jess admitting: “Some things are just not meant to be.” Max added: “We gave it our best shot.” (Image: WENN) However, Jess seemed a little less amicable towards Max in a Facebook Live with Daily Star the following year, when she said: "You think you fancy someone but with Max, looking back at it now, it makes me cringe." "I would never, ever go near him again," she added. After the show, Jess found herself making headlines when she exposed her boobs at the Cheltenham Festival while attending with pal Katie Salmon - who would also go on to appear in Love Island . Max, meanwhile, went on to date Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby and fellow Love Island star Zara Holland. He also appeared in Ex on the Beach. Read More Love Island 2018 Runners-up: Hannah Elizabeth and Jon Clark (Image: ITV) Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now These two gave us our first - and only - on-screen engagement in series one, when Jon dropped to one knee and popped the question. Sadly for them, his grand gesture didn’t lead to them to victory (and that cash prize would have helped with wedding planning, given Hannah said she wanted the “biggest wedding ever” with a huge gown covered in Swarovski crystals.) In the end, there wasn’t to be a wedding: the couple called things off. (Image: Splash) Jon told OK magazine there was no animosity, they’d just been rowing and things hadn’t worked out. Hannah agreed, saying the engagement hadn’t been for show - they’d genuinely both loved each other and wanted to marry. Since Love Island , Jon's joined the cast of TOWIE alongside Chris Clark. Meanwhile, Hannah has found love with a new man, George Andretti, whom she's described as her "soulmate." Third place: Lauren Richardson and Joshua Ritchie (Image: WENN) These two paired-up as friends during their time on Love Island, two years ago. Sadly, romance didn't blossom for them, either. Lauren’s retreated from the spotlight over the last year, but Josh has been making his fair share of headlines. Joshua - who claims to have slept with more than 400 women - appeared in Ex On The Beach and had a brief fling with Stephanie Davis, following her split from Jeremy McConnell. Fourth place: Cally Jane Beech and Luis Morrison Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8Cancel Play now These two actually dated before Love Island - but being at the villa gave them a chance to reconnect and remember just why they’d fallen for each other in the first place. The fact Cally was based in Hull and Luis lived in London had been a factor in why their relationship hadn’t worked previously, but after being thrust together on the show, the timing was just right. And they produced the first-ever Love Island baby! Cally gave birth to daughter Vienna Morrison-Beech after a 32-hour labour, saying: “The most amazing day and feeling ever. When 2 became 3.” WHAT ABOUT THE PRESENTERS? Caroline Flack and Andrew Brady Caroline Flack and Andrew Brady She hasn't always been an authority on romance - with a trail of broken relationships behind her (including Harry Styles, no less). But it appears that she's finally found Mr Right in the form of another reality TV star: The Apprentice's Andrew Brady. The couple got engaged earlier this year and he recently moved into her London apartment. There were rumours of infidelity (on his part), but these have been dismissed and the couple have recently returned from a loved-up holiday in Greece. Iain Stirling and Laura Whitmore Laura Whitmore and Love Island star Iain Stirling Off-screen, Iain Stirling is far more successful than many of Love Island's contestants. He's been dating TV presenter Laura Whitmore for more than a year - and happily admits he's "punching above his weight" with the blonde beauty. Iain, who became well known for his sarcastic Scottish drawl as the voiceover of reality show Love Island, said he takes no offence at suggestions his girlfriend is better looking than he is. In an interview for the Chris Ramsey show, he said: “I don’t mind it, because it just means I’ve done better haven’t I? “I’ve got someone who’s like me, but much, much better. And Laura’s got someone who’s like her, but much worse. “I think I’ve done quite well out of it, but I’m dead happy because she’s lovely and stuff.” Source link

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St. Ignatius of Loyola

Today, the Church remembers Saint Ignatius of Loyola (c. 23 October 1491– 31 July 1556 A.D.)

Ora pro nobis.

Ignatius was a Spanish/Basque priest and theologian, who founded the religious order called the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and became its first Superior General. The Jesuit order served the Pope as missionaries, and they were bound by a vow of special obedience to the sovereign pontiff in regard to the missions. They therefore emerged as an important force during the time of the Counter-Reformation.

Ignatius is remembered as a talented spiritual director. He recorded his method in a celebrated treatise called the Spiritual Exercises, a simple set of meditations, prayers, and other mental exercises, first published in 1548.

He was a soldier in his youth, and was wounded in battle, a wound in the leg that he underwent multiple surgeries to correct, but left him with a limp for the rest of his life.

While recovering from surgery, Íñigo underwent a spiritual conversion which led to his experiencing a call to religious life. Hospitals in those days were run by religious orders, and the reading material available to bedridden patient tended to be selected from scripture or devotional literature. This is how Íñigo came to read a series of religious texts on the life of Jesus and on the lives of the saints, since the "romances of chivalry" he loved to read were not available to him in the castle.

The religious work which most particularly struck him was the De Vita Christi of Ludolph of Saxony. This book would influence his whole life, inspiring him to devote himself to God and follow the example of Francis of Assisi and other great monks.

It also inspired his method of meditation, since Ludolph proposes that the reader place himself mentally at the scene of the Gospel story, visualising the crib at the Nativity, etc. This type of meditation, known as Simple Contemplation, was the basis for the method that St. Ignatius would promote in his Spiritual Exercises.

Aside from dreaming about imitating the saints in his readings, Íñigo was still wandering off in his mind about what "he would do in service to his king and in honor of the royal lady he was in love with". Cautiously he came to realize the after-effect of both kinds of his dreams. He experienced a desolation and dissatisfaction when the romantic heroism dream was over, but, the saintly dream ended with much joy and peace. It was the first time he learned about discernment.

After he had recovered sufficiently to walk again, Íñigo resolved to begin a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to "kiss the earth where our Lord had walked", and to do stricter penances. He thought that his plan was confirmed by a vision of the Virgin Mary and the infant Jesus he experienced one night, which resulted in much consolation to him. In March 1522, he visited the Benedictine monastery of Santa Maria de Montserrat. There, he carefully examined his past sins, confessed, gave his fine clothes to the poor he met, wore a "garment of sack-cloth", then hung his sword and dagger at the Virgin's altar during an overnight vigil at the shrine.

From Montserrat he walked on to the nearby town of Manresa (Catalonia), where he lived for about a year, begging for his keep, and then eventually doing chores at a local hospital in exchange for food and lodging. For several months he spent much of his time praying in a cave nearby where he practiced rigorous asceticism, praying for seven hours a day, and formulating the fundamentals of his Spiritual Exercises.

Íñigo also experienced a series of visions in full daylight while at the hospital. These repetitive visions appeared as "a form in the air near him and this form gave him much consolation because it was exceedingly beautiful ... it somehow seemed to have the shape of a serpent and had many things that shone like eyes, but were not eyes. He received much delight and consolation from gazing upon this object ... but when the object vanished he became disconsolate". He came to interpret this vision as diabolical in nature.

In September 1523, Íñigo made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with the goal of settling there. He remained there from September 3 to 23 but he was sent back to Europe by the Franciscans.

He returned to Barcelona and at the age of thirty-three began to attend a free public grammar school to prepare himself for entrance to a university. When his preparation was complete, he then went on to the University of Alcalá, where he studied Theology and Latin from 1524 to 1534. There he encountered some women who had been called before the Inquisition. These women were considered alumbrados (Illuminated, Illuminati, or Enlightened Ones) – a group that was linked in their zeal and spirituality to Franciscan reforms, but had incurred mounting suspicion on the part of the administrators of the Inquisition. At one point, Íñigo was preaching on the street when three of these devout women began to experience ecstatic states. "One fell senseless, another sometimes rolled about on the ground, another had been seen in the grip of convulsions or shuddering and sweating in anguish." This suspicious activity had taken place while Íñigo was preaching without a degree in theology. Íñigo was then singled out for interrogation by the Inquisition; however, he was later released.

After these adventurous activities, Íñigo (by now Ignatius) moved to Paris to study at the famous University. He studied at the ascetical Collège de Montaigu, where he remained for over seven years.

He arrived during a period of anti-Protestant turmoil which forced John Calvin to flee France. Very soon after his arrival Ignatius had gathered around him six key companions, all of whom he had met as fellow students at the University— Francis Xavier, Alfonso Salmeron, Diego Laynez, and Nicholas Bobadilla, all Spanish; Peter Faber, a Savoyard; and Simão Rodrigues of Portugal. Peter Faber, a young man from Savoy in the south of France, and Francis Xavier, a nobleman from the eastern end of the Basque country, were his first roommates, and would become his closest associates in founding the Jesuit order.

"On the morning of the 15th of August, 1534, in the chapel of church of Saint Peter, at Montmartre, Loyola and his six companions, of whom only one was a priest, met and took upon themselves the solemn vows of their lifelong work."

Later, they were joined by Saint Francis Borgia, a member of the House of Borgia, who was the main aide of Emperor Charles V, and other nobles.

Ignatius obtained a master's degree from the University of Paris at the age of forty-three. In later life he was often called "Master Ignatius" because of this.

In 1539, with Saint Peter Faber and Saint Francis Xavier, Ignatius formed the Society of Jesus, which was approved in 1540 by Pope Paul III. Ignatius was chosen as the first Superior General of the order and invested with the title of Father General by the Jesuits.

Ignatius sent his companions as missionaries around Europe to create schools, colleges, and seminaries. Juan de Vega, the ambassador of Charles V at Rome, met Ignatius there. Esteeming Ignatius and the Jesuits, when Vega was appointed Viceroy of Sicily, he brought Jesuits with him. A Jesuit college was opened at Messina, which proved a success, and its rules and methods were afterwards copied in other colleges.

In 1548 Ignatius was briefly brought before the Roman Inquisition for examination of his book of Spiritual Exercises. But he was released and the book was finally given papal permission to be printed. It was published in a format such that the exercises were designed to be carried out over a period of 28–30 days.

Ignatius, along with the help of his personal secretary Juan Alfonso de Polanco wrote the Jesuit Constitutions, adopted in 1553. It created a centralized organization for the order, and stressed absolute self-denial and obedience to the Pope and to superiors in the Church hierarchy, using the motto perinde ac cadaver – "as if a dead body", i.e. that the good Jesuit should be as well-disciplined as a corpse.But his main principle became the Jesuit motto: Ad maiorem Dei gloriam ("for the greater glory of God").

During the years 1553–1555, Ignatius dictated his autobiography to his secretary, Father Gonçalves da Câmara. This autobiography ("Autobiografía de San Ignacio de Loyola" in Wikisource in Spanish is a valuable key for understanding his Spiritual Exercises. It was kept in the archives of the Jesuit order for about 150 years, until the Bollandists published the text in Acta Sanctorum.

Here are three prayers taught by St. Ignatius:

The Suscipe

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,

my memory, my understanding

and my entire will,

All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.

To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.

Give me only your love and your grace.

That is enough for me.

The Prayer for Generosity

Lord, teach me to be generous.

Teach me to serve you as you deserve;

to give and not to count the cost,

to fight and not to heed the wounds,

to toil and not to seek for rest,

to labor and not to ask for reward,

save that of knowing that I do your will.

The "Principle and Foundation"

The human person is created to praise, reverence, and serve God Our Lord, and by doing so, to save his or her soul.

All other things on the face of the earth are created for human beings in order to help them pursue the end for which they are created.

It follows from this that one must use other created things, in so far as they help towards one’s end, and free oneself from them, in so far as they are obstacles to one’s end.

To do this, we need to make ourselves indifferent to all created things, provided the matter is subject to our free choice and there is no other prohibition.

Thus, as far as we are concerned, we should not want health more than illness, wealth more than poverty, fame more than disgrace, a long life more than a short one, and similarly for all the rest, but we should desire and choose only what helps us more towards the end for which we are created.

Almighty God, from whom all good things come: You called Ignatius of Loyola to the service of your Divine Majesty and to find you in all things. Inspired by his example and strengthened by his companionship, may we labor without counting the cost and seek no reward other than knowing that we do your will; through Jesus Christ our Savior, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever.

Amen.