#containing fear and greed are key to making money

[sharemarketinsider]

[nimmy22]

A Mistake: Chapter 11

Breaking the group apart, several guards escorted each participant to their rooms. Cara lost the comfort of being in a crowd, feeling exposed like a specimen on a microscope slide being scrutinized. The white sterilized hallways were suffocating, leaving a bad taste in the mouth. The people around her stopped talking to her. Now they talked about her as if she wasn't there, not a human being glaring at them and their fancy clipboards.

She lost track of the many security doors they passed, each one requiring a key card for access. Her eyes kept darting back to the door they came through, painfully aware of how much farther away it shrunk with the growing distance. Her gut screamed. Any further, and she felt she may never see the exit again.

"Boy, this was a bad idea," Cara mumbled under her breath, fidgeting with the loose seams of her collar. Of all the times she was stupidly impulsive, this was the worst. She should have never trusted a shady advert at a bus stop.

Cara never spent much time in hospitals. She was never sick enough for her parents to even consider taking her. God knows she needed it in the past. The point is, maybe this was simply a phobia of the white coats. Fear of the unfamiliar triggering all these emotions and the bad taste in her mouth.

This situation reminded her of when her parents left her five-year-old self in a car on a record-breaking heatwave. She was stuck with the windows closed for over an hour, delirious from the heat and struggling to breathe. Her trip in the oven ended when her parent came finally came, casually going about their business without a look at the back seat. At least her torture ended then when her parents returned. But here, there was no one to help her. She neglected to tell Claire and all her friends what she was up to. Looks like all the lies are catching up to her.

Cara had no idea where her worry came from. She came here by free will and had yet to see anything illegal. The money was within reach, but the nerves couldn't be soothed.

Cara started walking slower than the guards, hoping to give them the slip. Of course, they noticed, grabbing her arm tightly. She was shoved forward hard and almost stumbled face-first onto the white tiles. The hair on her nape stiffened, and she raked her fingers through her hair, clenching her jaw.

"Hey, what's your problem? I was trying to follow you. It's not my fault you were walking too damn fast," Cara snapped, scowling at the men. She didn't like how they manhandled her, throwing her around like an object, physically steering her this way and that like an infant who couldn't take direction. Three grand wasn't worth this treatment, or so she told herself. She was, Afterall, very, very desperate for money.

"Don't you want the money, little girl? It's super easy paper. In fact, the checks are already signed and ready, sitting in a drawer somewhere. They just need to be distributed by the good doctor," Tilting her head, Cara watched the knowing look shared among the three guards. Their smiles were anything but friendly, looking more like a wolf than a human.

Crossing her arms, Cara narrowed her eyes. " If the money was so good, why don't you join the study?"

"Why would I do that when I could be helping poor, unfortunate, folks just like you get themselves out of poverty. I'm all about the charitable work."

"Oh, of course. Thank you so much, sir. I was so desperate for help. I'd be homeless if it wasn't for your generosity." Cara patted her eyelashes, grabbing onto the front of a guard's bullet vest. "It's getting cold again, and I only have the clothes on my back. How could I live-"

"Shut the fuck up and keep walking. Don't even think of causing trouble. We have a special place for such folks." shoving Cara away, the guard placed his hand on his gun holster. She received the message loud and clear.

So much for the charity work.

"I wouldn't dream of it, sir," her smile turned into a scowl as soon as the men's backs were turned. She dragged her feet as she followed them, racking her brain for some sort of plan, mentally willing time to move slower. She needed time to think.

The alarms in her head rang louder. Beads of sweat collected on her forehead despite the frigid air of the hospital. She needed to get out immediately. But how?

She was shoved into a room and forced into what resembled a dentist's chair. With one final warning look from the guards, they exited the room through the automatic sliding doors. She sprang out of the chair as if it burned her. She felt even more trapped, her eyes darting around for an exit. The door was the only way out, and she didn't have the key card. She was utterly fucked.

A woman's voice sounded over the speaker system sending Cara sprinting to the corner of the room, her back pressed to the wall. Heart hammering against her ribcage, it threatened to jump out of her throat. Realizing the voice was recorded, she still couldn't relax even as the standard messages about handwashing and proper coughing etiquette played.

If only washing hands could get her out of this situation, she'd scrub her skin raw.

Two researchers, a man and a woman in white hazmat suits, walked into the room. Cara inhaled sharply when she noticed the syringe filled with a neon green fluid. It was carefully contained in a glass case held by the woman. Cara's eyes stayed glued to the syringe as they came closer, barely listening to what was said about her and to her. Their questions fell on deaf ears. In a trance, all she saw was neon green.

She absolutely knew that the contents could end everything as she knew it. Death in a bottle, or in this case, a syringe no wider than her pinky.

"It's easy money, kid. Relax, it'll be over before you know it." the woman holding the syringe said, slowly approaching Cara as if she were a cornered animal.

Cara's preparedness to fight for dear life disappeared when a taser struck her in the stomach. Waves of pain shot through her body as her muscles turned to jelly (the liquid kind). She was on the ground, and they were on her before she even realized what happened. she couldn't lift even a finger.

Her mouth refused to work, and all she could do was whimper pathetically. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her eyes pleaded with whatever tiny speck of humanity the two had left. All she saw was desperation for results at all costs, greed, and over-ambition for recognition, a cold and calculating look.

Cara thought it was all over, or maybe it was simply her fear of needles blowing all her emotions out of proportion. Either way, she will find out very soon.

Shutting her eyes, she tried to relax, hoping for a quick end. She tried to imagine herself back at school getting a vaccine like all the other kids in her grade. She was usually called to the nurse last due to her last name. It always left her waiting and dreading until every last kid received the shot before it was her turn. By then, many kids would make up stories about the pain and how they found needles stuck in their bones, inflating her terror.

Cara hissed as the needle broke through the skin of her neck, clenching her eyes even tighter. She refused to look, scared of what she might see. The woman's finger moved over the plunger, ready to apply firm pressure.

A pager went off, screeching. It startled everyone, and the woman holding the needle suddenly jerked her hand. "Shit! The needle broke," she snapped, examining the shortened tip. She not so gently forced the broken tip from Cara's neck, squeezing and pinching until it emerged.

Boiling over, the woman yanked out her pager. She was going to make whoever interrupted her experiment pay very dearly. As she read the message, her face paled, and she stood abruptly.

"Who paged?" the man asked, quickly glancing between Cara and the woman.

"you 'know who', wants to see me, something about a possible security breach." the woman answered with a warning look after giving Cara a once-over. She understood why. Names implicate people, and whoever is on the other end of the pager does not want their name casually used.

"Fine, for now, take the girl to her room until I deal with this. They are too damn paranoid around here."

Only then did he remove the taser, and Cara inhaled with greed. Finally able to use her muscles for more than gasping for breath.

---------------

Seeing her body quivering as she walked, he didn't see a need to call for escort guards. He didn't see the kid as a threat and was sure he could handle her on his own. He never knew anyone get so lucky, but it won't happen again. The inevitable was temporarily delayed. Pretty soon, her heart will pump not only blood but a very valuable virus. Dying for umbrellas ambitious is an honor.

Taken to another room, Cara struggled to keep up, her body exhausted from the endless shocks she had endured. The room was tiny, barely big enough for the bare twin-size bed and metallic toilet. Cara knew she had to do something quickly. A chance like this won't come again.

With an idea forming, Cara hoped she still had a dab of luck because what she was about to do was incredibly stupid. Leaning against the wall, she clenched her stomach and cried in pain.

"The fuck's wrong with you? The man approached her cautiously, and her eyes flickered to her target.

Once he was close enough, Cara grabbed the taser clasped to his belt and jabbed him in the neck with the highest voltage. His body went slack, and she grabbed his head, smashing it against the metallic toilet with a loud crunch. She repeated it for good measure, watching as the body lay limp on the floor.

She wasn't sure if it was the adrenalin, but she barely remembers donning his biohazard suit and pocketing his key card before rushing out of the room. Cara had to remind herself to behave normally, to slow her breathing to avoid inciting suspicion.

The suit fit her poorly, hanging on her frame awkwardly, clearly meant for someone taller. But the headpiece helped conceal her face a little. If anyone looked at her from behind, they wouldn't immediately think it's a run-away test subject. It was a tiny bit of comfort.

Surprisingly, no one stopped her. The researchers, assistants, and guards ignored her. If they gave her a second glance, she wouldn't know because of the helmet. They were each in their own world, fussing over clipboards and busy yelling at assistants for every little thing. The air was thick of tension, putting everyone on edge.

The place was a maze, full of endless hallways of white. She thought she would fuse with the white walls in her white suit before she was ever found.

"Cara," someone behind her growled her name, and she froze, holding her breath. The voice was thunderous, and she couldn't focus enough to hear their next words.

She didn't need to turn around to know Wesker stood less than two meters away.

The voice was unmistakable. She'd know it anywhere. But how did Wesker recognize her from behind? The suit left only her face visible. She had no idea why he was here and why he was angry. Well, she did steal a biohazard suit and injured a researcher. It wasn't hard to connect his overtime activities to a hospital run by Umbrella. Now he really might kill her, clean up a mess long overdue. Especially now that she likely pissed off his employers.

Cara pretended not to have heard him, attempting to casually walk away with her head down. Hearing his thunderous footsteps behind her, she broke out into a sprint.

She sprinted into a crowd of researchers, taking random turns in hopes of losing him. She ran until she no longer heard his steps and became even more lost in the maze-like building.

The room she ducked into contained several workbenches lining the walls, complete with microscopes and other high-tech appliances. Thankfully, no one was in the lab.

A jar caught her attention containing something between a cross of a human baby and a lizard. It neither moved nor breathed, and Cara concluded it must be a dead experimental specimen. Things like this must be illegal.

Approaching a workbench, Cara peered into a microscope. While she found the cells colorful and interesting, biology was not her strong point. She had no idea what she was looking at. But it definitely wasn't a plant cell. There were too many tentacles. Maybe it was-

Grabbed from behind, Cara screamed as she was yanked hard by her arm. She kicked and pushed but could free herself. Her voice died in her throat when the headpiece of the suit was yanked off her head. She was left gaping at Wesker, barely noticing when the headpiece was thrown across the room, taking down an office lamp with it.

"I knew it was you," Wesker spoke in a carefully controlled tone, but the edges were jagged.

"I-I can explain!" Cara stammered, feeling the edge of the desk cut into the back of her legs as Wesker cornered her, their chests touching.

with a curl of his lips over his teeth, his smile did not match his eyes. "Oh, please do go on. Explain what you're doing here." He seemed like a different person; eyes warped into a miserable pit of ice.

"Why are you so mad?" her voice quivered under his piercing scrutiny. Cara knew she fucked up but didn't want to admit this to him. "They said the drugs should be-"

"Safe?" Wesker said with an ominous smile and threw his head back, laughing without humor. "Half the participant won't make it out of this experiment alive. Even if they survived, there is no way they would be allowed to leave."

"What?" Cara shook her head vigorously. "If they knew it'll kill people from the start. Why the hell are they going through with it? Why? This is a hospital for god's sack."

"Simply because Umbrella can. They do what they want, and the locations of the experiments are irrelevant. It could be in an orphanage or a sewer, and they will still get their results."

"They are fucking monsters. How could someone so evil run a fucking hospital?" Cara swallowed, thinking about how she almost became an experiment. How many of the participants were already injected? Were they already dead? How important were the drugs for someone to be willing to kill unsuspecting people for data? The cure for cancer? What a fucking joke.

Her questions were endless, but Wesker had his own.

"It's called business, sweetheart. Now, why are you here?" He asked again, but she knew he already had an idea. What was the point of putting her stupidity into words?

"I... got evicted. They were offering money and-"

"Why didn't you tell me? you could have come to me,"

Cara gapped at him with wide eyes, feeling a loss for words. "Why would you help me? wouldn't this help you get a problem off your hands?"

"Sherry cares for you." she didn't know if she had imagined it but, something flickered in the depths of his icy blues.

"Sherry, right? Is this really about her? are you sure it's not you feeling something in your cold dead heart? But how could you feel anything? you're a monster covering up the work of other monsters."

"Watch yourself, Cara. I make one phone call, and you'll be the next body piled on the others sent for incineration after the good doctor gets what he wants from you. This could all happen in less than an hour." He hissed

Something snapped inside of Cara, letting loose a current of emotions too fast to control. She was too tired, exhausted from clutching the bar with all the weight dragging her down constantly. No matter how much she had told herself to hold on a little longer, she didn't see an end to the stress. Her problems only seemed to grow heavier. Her blistered hands and broken arms couldn't hold on for another second. she let

"How long are you going to threaten me for? You know what? I am sick of it. I'm done! I'm done!" Cara shoved at his chest, her voice rising in octaves. "I'm here! Come, and get me motherfuckers!" she screamed, Choking on her sobs. She didn't care what happens next. All she wanted was for the stress and the fear to end.

Spreading his fingers through her hair, Wesker pulled hard. He tilted her head up, his eyes setting her ablaze. Cara swallowed, running her tongue over her chapped, dry lips. She felt as if she was looking down a cliff. One step forward, and the jagged rocks below would greet her.

Cara's eyes widened as his chin tilted towards hers in one fluid motion. Her words were lost the moment his mouth came down, claiming hers. Her gasp was stolen, along with her ability to breathe.

In moments of confusion, she would lean into his touch, remembers who he worked to protect, and she would rack her nails over the skin of his arms. He let her hurt him, pulling her even closer, and she would let him.

This was so wrong. So very wrong and so was how much she wanted him to continue. Her lips moved on their own accord, responding to his touch. Her fingers slid over his chest, feeling the engraving of his badge. The moment she kissed him back, Wesker pushed harder into her.

She tried to focus as Wesker's lips brushed her own, hungrily devouring everything. His hand left her hair, sliding down her neck while his other hand snaked around her waist, fisting into up the material of the biohazard suit. She let him lay her back on the desk, his body quick to cover hers like a warm blanket. She anchored a hand into his belt, tugging blindly. She wanted- no needed too many things and didn't know where to begin. She wanted the suit off her scorching body and his damn belt undone, but her shaking hands could do neither.

Shoving her away, Wesker abruptly turned around.

In a moment of clarity, Cara could finally think clearly without the cloud of haze Wesker brings. She couldn't believe what had just happened, staring at his back, dazed and speechless. She touched her swollen lips, feeling them tingle.

Wesker's jaw was tense, and it took him extra moments to steady his breathing. While Cara still sat flustered on the table, Wesker had recovered his well-kempt appearance just as three guards burst into the room, guns raised.

"What can I do for you, gentlemen?" He answered in his usual tone, completely unaffected, and Cara hated him. He was quick to wear the mask, too damn good.

A look of recognition crossed their faces, and they immediately lowered their guns, taking cautious steps back. "Captain Wesker, what business do you have here? Dr. Stanford was not notified about you taking a tour of the wing."

"I sent one of my employees to test the security, and she made it all the way in here and escaped the test room. Let the head of security know that I would like a word with him...soon." Wesker said before grabbing Cara's arm. "Have a good day, Gentlemen. You may go now. There is no threat to Umbrella in this room. Go spend your efforts where they are needed."

Reluctantly, the men followed each other out of the room, leaving Cara alone with him. Her heart pounded in her chest, feeling the room shrink. She couldn't look him in the eye. Instead, busying herself with unzipping the biohazard suit. The clasps and zipper kept slipping away from her clammy fingers, refusing to open. After multiple failures, she aggressively tugged on the plastic material to rip it off, but its thickness taunted her. Of course, these scientists only worked with high-grade materials.

Feeling long fingers slid up her back, Cara's hands froze. She held her breath, every muscle tense. Warm hands covered her cold ones, dropping them to her side as they took over the task. With a few clasps undone, her neck was exposed. The hair on the back of her rose as the cool nipped at her skin. Something soft touched the base of her neck, and she gasped, realizing they were a pair of lips. Slowly, they spread featherlight kisses towards her throat, then her chin. Her face was on fire, steadily gaining degrees.

"Relax, I'm not going to eat you, dearheart," Wesker whispered against her skin.

Cara pushed him away, desperate for some distance. "We shouldn't be doing this. This was a mistake. I-"

"I don't make mistakes," with one firm tug, the suit dropped to the ground, pooling at her feet. Cara felt all the warmth migrate downwards and shivered, feeling her stomach play host to angry butterflies. She still had her clothes on, but she felt naked in front of him and yearned for the scorching suit to cover her again.

"Come, it's time to go," Wesker turned to leave, and she exhaled, her body losing its tension. She couldn't bring herself to move, glaring at his back. She chewed her lips and sighed at the confusing thoughts now occupying her mind. There was enough stress in her life, and this was the ripe cherry on top.

Noticing her lack of movement, Wesker paused at the door, "I know you want to continue, but this is not the place nor time. wouldn't want anyone thinking they could join in,"

when she thought her face couldn't glow any hotter, it proved her dead wrong. "You go ahead. I'll take the bus. It's safer." Cara rushed to the door, but he hooked a finger in the back of her shirt, pulling her back.

"Nonsense. a young lady like you shouldn't take the bus this late at night. wouldn't want you falling into the wrong hands."

"Like there are worse hands than yours." Cara retorted, slapping his hand away, but they just went on to wrap around her waist. She was ready to munch on some fingers when the hand suddenly disappeared just as a couple of researchers passed them in the hallway. They all greeted him as 'Captain Wesker' before making quick strides out of sight.

"Oh yes, there are. Ones holding scalpels over your skin as you lay paralyzed,"

"Have you... have you dissected before?" Cara swallowed, glaring at his hands as they continued stealing touches. Those hands hurt and killed innocent people, yet she couldn’t fully say they were unwelcome.

"I was a scientist before I was ever a cop." she hated people who dodged questions, skirting around the sinkhole but never falling to the bottom.

"So... you did? Or not?" she frowned, failing to read him. his long strides made it harder for her to keep up, forcing her to almost jog after him.

"Give me the badge you stole from the researcher. I don't want it leaving the building."

"Come on, it's a simple yes or no,"

Stopping suddenly, Wesker extended his hand, palms up. " The badge, now." The order was clear, and she struggled to do the opposite.

Huffing loudly, Cara ignored his outstretched hand and shoved the key card beneath his bullet vest before walking away.

"Cara," He called out to her, and she couldn't help but pause. His voice had a way with people, lulling them to do his bidding.

With arms crossed, Cara glared at Wesker. "What is it? I already gave it back. It's not broken. I just used it."

"Since you know your way around the hospital so well, why don't you give me a tour?" He smirked, leaning against the wall, his eyes following her movements.

"I'm your employee, right? I Gotta do my job properly. I was checking for security threats over there, but it looks like the hallway is clear. I'll be checking this way next" Cara turned around and began walking down another hallway, her hands over her eyes like binoculars.

"you're still going the wrong way dearheart, it's this way. I ought to demote you for your lack of direction," Wesker smirked, nodding in the opposite direction she was going.

Cara followed, admitting that she had no clue where she was going. She pretended he wasn't walking ahead of her trying to focus on everything but him. it was hard, given how she nearly let him have everything. No matter how many times she forced her eyes away, they kept soaking in the way his muscles moved beneath his uniform as he walked. How was she supposed to behave around him now? Pretend it didn't happen?

With his words fresh on her mind, Cara nibbled on her nails. ' I don't make mistakes.'

What was she supposed to do now?

[6v6taeminisloveshineeworld]

Champagne Life Is All You Want

Word Count: 15.7k+ 

Genre: Romance, Idol/Hoop Aerialist AU, Smut, Cirque Du Soleil vibes, Gatsby Flair

Summary: It’s simple, love for luxury. You've lived this way for a long time. True love only existed in fables but after hitting a complete stranger with a car that isn’t even yours you find out that your new victim’s name is Lee Taemin and he has fallen hard into your web of deception that allows you to live the life of expensive pleasures that you always seem to swindle from your clients. The truth will break his heart, are you only in it for the money or have you begun to fall as well?

Pairing: Taemin X Reader

Warning: Contains mentions of Abuse, Blood, Sexual, and Suggestive content, as well as some foul language. This material is only a work of fiction and does not mean to defame living persons.

Taglist: @slavefortaemin

The hood of your newly stolen yellow convertible was down and you felt the breeze of autumn as you drove through the back roads of Aureus and into the less reputable parts of town. 

You had lived in New Celes for the majority of your life and while most of your childhood years were spent in the Underground as the daughter of the most infamous crime groupe known as the Scarlet Wolf who were known to possess the heightened senses of sound, speed, and strength, you’d left them only to climb yourself from the gutter and into posh society with your charm. 

There was a reason New Celes was coined the City Of Heavenly Desire, it’s nightlife was vibrant and it’s nobility spared no expense, leaving the less fortunate to look on with jealousy as they wasted their wealth frivolously. You’d survive the only way you could. With a father who’d sooner leave you in the streets because you proved to be a weak runt according to the standards of the pack you left the gang and found yourself at your wits end. You would have died on your own had it not been for the Matron of Muldale Estate.

 The streets had been dark and unforgiving with lights only at the most populated corners and filled with people of ill repute. The Matron had found you frozen and half dead but still filled with a spirit that would not be extinguished. She took you to her estate, clothed you and fed you and in time you came to know the girls who lived there. 

The women of Muldale Estate were prostitutes, or as they liked to be called “courtesans.” Their Matron, Madame Felicity Dupont loved the sound of her own voice. 

When the Matron asked you to stay long ago you had thought you’d known just what you were getting yourself into and you promised yourself that it was only a temporary home. Now fifteen years later you knew you weren’t the same naive girl you had been before. Love was a mirage of deception and endless hoops. Love was only given if you gave in return even if it cost you your body and not your heart. 

Dupont showered her girls In pretty gowns and diamonds and sold them off to the highest bidder but at the end of the day when you couldn’t wash off the scent of your clients’ perfume, you felt more like a shadow than a human. 

Andre de Valois, the man who owned the car you drove now had been sadistic and cruel but he was very influential to Dupont. His wealth alone financed a quarter of the Matron’s income and that would have been fine if not for the fact that he only ever choose you. 

His possessive nature had grown so strong it frightened you and when he made it clear that he wanted Dupont to sign you away to an exclusive contract with him he was not pleased when you rejected him. Far from it. 

He was always used to having his way and the evening had ended badly to say the least with you landing a punch to his jaw and fleeing out the door taking his keys with you. Now driving carelessly fast downtown with tears ruining your mascara it was no wonder to find you had hit something. Or was it someone? You frantically unfastened your seat belt and stepped out of the car shakily to find a man passed out in front of the car. 

“Oh my god!” You said, rushing over to the man and turning him to the side to face you as you leaned down to check his pulse. 

You let out a sigh of relief when you felt his breath against your cheek. His lithe body rising and falling as you rested your palm on his firm chest. 

His features looked familiar somehow but you dismissed it from your mind as you agonized over the fact that his forehead was bleeding slightly and you were in the middle of an unwelcoming neighborhood with no license and a stolen vehicle. If this man pressed charges you were done for and it wasn’t for fear that you’d get locked up, but rather that you would be found and taken back that terrified you.

You took the end of your scarf in hand and started to clean the blood away, the man’s features becoming more noticeable as you moved his dark brown hair out of his eyes and all too soon you recognized the man before you as Lee Taemin, the idol of the Ten Rings Circus, more commonly known as the “Night Circus” and one of the wealthiest most well-known artists in New Celes. 

Fate loved to play games with your soul it seemed and she had a twisted sense of humor. 

If anyone could save you from Dupont’s dismissal and Andre’s rage it would be the unconscious man before you. 

Just then Taemin started to stir and you gave him your most concerned expression. Wide eyes and red lips pursed in a frown. Your smudged mascara only adding to your look of distress.

“Are you alright?” You said gently, careful to keep your distance from him in case he lashed out but close enough to look him in the eyes. 

You were surprised when warm brown eyes meet yours. You’d only seen those eyes in posters and magazines, he had always looked too stoic, too unapproachable to imagine ever meeting. 

“I’m fine,” he said sitting up slowly and looking at your car inches from him. 

You let out an audible sigh of relief that he hadn’t hit his head as badly as you’d initially thought. 

“But what about you? Are you alright? You were in such a hurry. Are you running away from something?” He said with a knowing look in his eyes as he took in your disheveled appearance. 

“No, it’s nothing.” You said brushing his words aside and getting to your feet. You felt a stab of guilt for wanting to use him as an easy escape moments before. Even though he was a complete stranger he was showing you compassion instead of anger, concern instead of annoyance. 

Somehow you knew taking his hand would be alright, but when you reached for it a strong wind blew away the scarf you had carelessly replaced over your neck before he’d woken, revealing Andre’s fingerprints on your skin. 

“How did you get that! Who did that to you?” He said in surprise, coming closer only to have you quickly move away out of habit as if he would strike you. 

 “It’s none of your business,” you said placing your hands around your shoulders protectively. He stepped back when he noticed you were uncomfortable and it genuinely touched you that he seemed to care. You’d grown used to seeing marks on your body, at this point, it was a part of life that faded just like a hundred nights worth of memories too painful to recollect.

Maybe it was the way he looked at you that made you confess these next words, maybe it was just your selfish greed that clung to you like a vise but you found yourself unable to continue your charade anymore. You were tired of pretending, and maybe just maybe, you could tell he had already fallen for the woman who had run him over. 

“No, no I’m not fine.” You said sitting against the hood of the car and holding back tears. “I’m a courtesan of Muldale,” when he nodded in understanding you continued. “My client… well he won’t be seeing me anymore I left him and if the Madam found out I was leaving her service before my time she’ll have the officials come and find me. My client is very wealthy you see and she couldn’t stand to lose-”

“How far along are you on your Emblem till your debt is paid?” He said determination in his voice. 

You looked up at him, eyes wide. Once again he’d surprised you. He seemed to be knowledgeable enough in the trade to know that the women of Muldale all had debts to pay to their Madame and that she kept count of their progress by marking them with a tattoo called an emblem. The emblem was of their own design choice from a limited selection but it was always along the back in a circle and once that circle was completed you were free to leave. 

“I owe a life debt to her, my Emblem is less than halfway through.” 

“I’ll pay it for you.” He said it so quickly that you were certain this had to be a dream.

“What do I owe you in return?” You answered just as quickly. You didn’t hide the distrust in your tone. “Nothing is free in this world.”

“You’re right,” he looked regretful of his next words but continued anyway. “If I pay for your Emblem will agree to pretend to be my fiancee?” You scoff, shaking your head but internally you are delighted. It would seem that your plan was going better than expected. You turned around and acted as if you were making your way back to the car before he stopped you with a light touch at the elbow.

“Hear me out-”

“You don’t even know me.” 

“I know it’s a crazy idea but I’m in a situation that I don't want to be in right now-

“Aren’t we all,” you said with a laugh.

“Yes, but I am constantly confronted with marriage proposals and one of these days I’m afraid the family I am indebted to will force me into an agreement.” He could have said anything else but this was the last thing you’d expected.

“You’re Lee Taemin, Shining Star of the Night Circus! If anyone had the power to say no it would be you.” 

He ducked his head when you mentioned his title, red blooming on the tips of his ears. “The Night Circus is not what posters would have you believe,” He said. “You and I are more alike than you know. The things I’ve had to do to make my way to the top. I owe that family everything for bringing me from the gutter to the spotlight.” 

His words cut like a fresh wound. Nothing in the glittering world of New Celes was ever what it appeared on the surface and if even it’s young gods walked their lives on burning coals well, nowhere was safe. 

“I’ll do it.” You said.

“Really?” He gave you the widest smile and suddenly you wondered if being indebted to this beautiful man was more dangerous than belonging to Andre.

“What’s your name,” he said the instant you were both in the car. You started the engine and made the turn back to Muldale Estate. You were silent for a few minutes till you finally said in a whisper,  “Call me Lady Basileia, everyone else does.” Like your old life, your true name had also been lost to you, and if you knew anything for certain it was the fact that there was no reclaiming it. 

Dupont was furious. Andre’s wrath was nothing in comparison to the lady’s words. “I’ve clothed you, I took you in from the streets when you were nothing and this is how you repay me! Go back to the Comte de Valois and beg on your knees for him to take you back.” Dupont was about to grab you by the hair before Taemin grasped her wrist, holding her back. You’d told him to stay outside but it seemed you wouldn’t have an easy time getting him to listen. 

“Mademoiselle Basileia will beg no one, Madame Dupont,” Taemin said from behind her. “She is a free woman from this day forward I will pay her Emblem price.”

A small collective gasp could be heard from the ladies who were listening in against the door-frame. Their palpable excitement grew hushed when Dupont swore at them.

Dupont laughed coldly before she said, “Young man, take your fanciful ideas elsewhere. You wouldn’t be able to buy a single night with her much less ten years wor-

Taemin faced her and she paled, her eyes widening as she too recognized him. 

“I beg your pardon, my lord. I did not know-”

“Mademoiselle Basileia and I are in a hurry,” he said.

Dupont gaped at you before suddenly tripping over herself to call in for some tea. When Taemin declined her offer and suggested they get right to business and that he would pay her in full she directed him to her office and left you to collect your things. 

Emilie was the first of the ladies to approach you. As soon as you sank into a tub of hot water she came to sit on the ledge and scrub your back with a sponge, her touch was gentle at the nape of your neck as she seemed to want to wash away William’s scars. “Is he kind to you? Lord Taemin, I mean. Or is he cold, like the pictures I’ve seen of him?” Just as you were about to answer the door flung open.

“Who cares Emilie!” Agatha said coming into the room with a stack of fresh towels. “He’s rich, richer than Andre. Only the best for Lady Basileia,” Agatha said, jealousy laced in her voice. “We could never compete with that.”

“Wealth is not everything Agatha!” Lily said coming into the room to join them, her cheeks were flushed and her buoyant voice ever-cheerful no matter her situation. If it hadn’t been for Lily and her optimism you thought you wouldn’t have survived your days here. Of everyone at Muldale, she was perhaps the only one who still believed in love and she was quite the romantic. Her imagination often kept the ladies entertained, and her short works of fiction were often shared at sleepless hours. 

“I can’t believe you met the Ice Fairy by chance!” Lily said taking Emilie’s place beside you. “I saw him go into Madam’s office and he is even more handsome in person than his portraits. It was fate Basileia, fate! Did he see you with the Comte at his estate and decide that he had to have you for his own? Was he a friend of Andre? Or did he see you on the streets and you melted his heart of stone? They say he doesn’t have one you know, he’s turned down so many pretty women and of noble families too!”

“Well, I suppose you can say I ran him over…”

Later when you were dried off and in your bedroom, you searched through your things to find the plainest dress you could. Nothing here was your own and other than the handful of letters from the ladies and Emilie’s handmade bracelet as a gift on your twentieth birthday you left everything else and closed the door behind you. 

Half an hour later you found yourself laying on your stomach in the tattoo parlor close to Muldale estate. You winced as the inked needle met your back again. The tattoo artist knew of the girls from their countless visits. When you had walked into the shop and declared that your entire Emblem be finished he’d been shocked but you could see the excitement in his eyes. Most girls picked the design for their emblem but you had let Eddie do whatever he wanted and as it turned out your back was his own personal masterpiece or that’s how he felt at least and you had to agree he didn’t waste his imagination when it came to his attention to detail.

 Eddie turned the open sign around and started right away, completing his design in a total of five hours. Every second had been worth it though you thought as he held a mirror up to your back and you saw yourself in the mirror in front. A flower time dial was beautifully etched into your back, primroses, cherry blossoms, roses, and lilacs. They weren't in color but they seemed alive and each stroke of ink depicted an emotion, from how the petals tilted toward the imaginary sun to how they wilted. 

“Thank you, Eddie, I love it.” He beamed at you and you felt the pride in him swell and his heart soar. Sometimes pain and pleasure really did walk hand in hand. 

It was late the next day when you reached the heart of Aureus, at some point you had let Taemin drive the car he rented after he insisted that you leave Andre’s car at Muldale where Dupont could return it to him. The nightlife here was even more vibrant than you remembered. In fact, if you were being honest you knew nothing of the high-end brothels and drinking taverns of New Celes, only the pompous champagne-soaked floors of dancing halls that Andre and other clients had brought you too, hoping to seduce you with charm and sophistication. No, the Night Circus it seemed was something different, something in between. Your heart raced a bit more excitedly as you read the giant billboard up ahead Our Aim Is To Please You, it read in painted crimson letters, like blood upon the lily-white backdrop. 

Taemin parked and took your hand to guide you through the crowd and into the enormous red tent. You could hear the music from within even from a distance, something akin to carnival music but more gentle. You could hear french horns and soft drums both haunting and sensuous. 

Before opening the tent flap Taemin leaned down and whispered, “The show is about to start soon. Ten will have my hide if I’m not backstage soon so make yourself comfortable in the audience.” You nodded at him before he disappeared into the crowd.  

It wasn’t long before the lights were dimmed and you squirmed in your seat as the young noblewoman beside you asked her manservant to attend her. She wore a diamond choker necklace at her throat and you caught the glint of silver on her left hand. The raven-haired manservant knelt at his mistress’s feet and lifted her skirts enough to engulf his head under. It wasn’t unusual for aristocracy to show their lewdness in public settings such as these. But you had to admit, you really hadn’t known anything about The Night Circus. 

The noblewoman's soft moans were covered by the sound of the now more vivacious orchestra and as the curtains of the stage began to rise, you forgot all about her. 

“Mesdames et messieurs,” the ringmaster bellowed. It was astonishing to see Chittaphon Leechaiyapornkul, more commonly known by the stage name of ‘Ten’ the ringmaster before you. He acquired the nickname when his family came into possession of the largest fortune in New Celes, taking over ten towns along the coast and placing circuses, hotels, and nightclubs in each of them. His family name was known as the “Gatsby of New Celes” and honestly half the continent. It was no wonder that Taemin had money practically spilling from his veins. With Ten as a benefactor he was set for life and you couldn't help but wonder why Taemin would want to risk the family’s anger by denying any marriage they set forth for him.

 “Allow us to entertain you tonight under the canopy of the moon.” Ten continued, “let us seduce your mind and captivate your soul. May I present le cirque nocturne!” The crowd roared with applause and with a flick of the ringmaster’s whip, the opening act began. 

A woman in a lilac leotard appeared on stage and moved her body in ways you hadn’t even known possible. Her contorted body seemed to tell a story, the music flowed without words but like a ballet, the woman moved with the melody. As more dancers appeared you began to make more sense of the plot. The story the woman danced to was of a siren who had lost her tail and moved upon land in odd yet graceful ways. She reminded you of a sparrow in a world of swans, awkward yet full of life. When the curtains closed on the act you stood in applause with the rest of the crowd. 

Next was a pair of tightrope walkers, it was a woman and a man painted in makeup that made them look like cats with whiskers and all. The woman balanced a parasol in one hand and the man a cane with a larger than normal curved end. You realized why that was so when the man circled the cane around the woman’s waist and the audience gasped in wonder at the girl’s perfect balance as she made her way across the rope and into her lover’s arms.

 The next set of dancers stood on swings as they twirled long ribbon batons in their hands and swept them over the crowds. Their short satin red dresses left  little to the imagination as they entwined with each other and leaped through the air, catching one another by the wrists.

There were more acts that seemed to pass in a blur, jugglers and fire breathers. Your body grew heated with the number of people in the tent as you waited for Taemin’s performance and you became impatient till finally, Ten spoke again, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the act you have all been waiting for, our ravishing, shining, hoop aerialist, Lee Taemin!”

If the crowd had made any noise till that moment it was nothing compared to the deafening cries now. But as the curtains began to rise once more, everyone fell silent as if they were all holding their breath underwater, ready to be swept away.

Taemin was a sight to behold it was true and you could feel your pulse quicken ever so slightly as you took in the transformation before you. The man you arrived with seemed to be buried within this immorally captivating creation. He wore a black top hat with a half net across one side of his face and a shimmering silver and midnight blue leotard with sheer sleeves and a low neckline. His angelic figure and fair collarbone a teasing sight amidst all the tiny glittering diamonds sewn onto the fabric. The diamonds seemed to dance with the lights in the tent as Taemin moved his hands upwards towards the hoop hanging above him.

 He seemed to move with the music as you had never seen anyone move before. He was one with the melody like nature herself his gestures reminding you of water and wind. Once he reached the hoop his feet seemed to climb invisible stairs into the air till he was seated in the hoop and once more began to swivel and bend like falling water, tossing his hat aside as he went. His ankles caught the sides of the hoop as his head and body soared downwards. The transitions were seamless and watching the lithe muscles of his arms move as he grabbed the hoop and pulled himself up was hypnotic. You found yourself searching for his eyes and once they meet your own you felt yourself flush but were unable to look away. 

You knew now why they called him the fey king of ice and lust, his coal lined sultry stare seemed to undress you with a glance alone. He spun around the hoop like a snake till he stood upon the inner circle and then, oh gods above, he began to sing. You didn’t understand the words but by his tone, you could feel it was a song of deep longing and yet fragility as if the thing he yearned for lay far out of his reach or lay dead beneath the earth. His voice was both angel and devil, sweet as nectar and fatal as flame. He swung over the heads of the audience as he sang, the rope seeming to lengthen and glide along with him. He showered the spectators with diamonds from his costume as they loosened and fell like rain upon them. The audience’s applause spread through the crowd like wildfire and Taemin took a final bow before the curtains closed for the night and adoring fans threw roses and even entire bouquets to the empty stage as the lights in the tent brightened once again. 

Without a second thought, you hurried from your seat and slipped backstage determined to find Taemin and congratulate him on such a wonderful performance expecting to find him surrounded by fellow performers but instead, you found him backed against the wall, Ten’s arms caging him in with one hand beside his head and his whip in the other. You hid quickly behind a stage prop of what looked like an ancient Greek pillar, eyes widening as Ten tilted Taemin’s chin up with the tip of his whip, his eyes never leaving Taemin’s defiant gaze. 

“You needn't go through all this trouble over a harlot, mon tresor.” Ten said tracing his fingers against Taemin’s back. Taemin pulled away from his touch and Ten drew his hand away. 

“Others may mistake her for a fine noblewoman but you forget I have eyes everywhere, even in the lowest gutter of town. Why won’t you accept my offer? You could have so much more than this life, you would be a demigod among men with what I could give you.” Ten said taking Taemin’s hand to his lips and kissing his knuckles. 

“I’ve already visited the press with news of my new fiancee, Ten.” You won’t be able to quiet our engagement easily without causing a scene and disrupting your father’s trust. I am your family’s humble servant and nothing more.” Taemin said in a cold tone as he slipped from Ten’s grasp and into the changing room. 

Your mind was muddled with questions as you made your way back to the crowd unseen and waited for Taemin to find you.

It wasn’t long before you found yourself on the 20th floor of one of New Celes’s finest hotels run by Ten’s family of course. Taemin had a total of twelve rooms that all connected to one another. He led you to what you assumed was the guest room. The sheets were silk and there was a mahogany dresser with a beautiful matching vanity in the corner of the room, the edges of its mirror rimmed with gold. You moved to the window, moving the heavy curtains aside to take in the bustling night view of New Celes. You had to admit this offer was the best you’d ever had, although you felt a small stab of guilt for using Taemin in this way you found solace in the fact that he was also using you to run away from his own problems. “Wait,” you said, as Taemin walked toward the door to leave. He halted outside your door, his hand hovering over the doorknob. 

“Why did you lie to me?” You said turning from the window to face him. He looked puzzled at the statement so you continued. “I saw you with Ten, he seemed sincere, like he would give you anything if you agreed to be with him. Why would you refuse that?”

Taemin’s eyes darkened and he said briskly, “Don’t speak of what you do not understand.”

“It wasn’t a horde of girls I came here to shield you from but his advances wasn’t it.” You said coming closer, your voice matching his tone. “You think his obsession with you is a passing fancy? That he’ll soon tire of you with me around I gather or are you trying to make him jealous? What, is he not good enough for you? I know men and women would kill to have the place you have in his eyes. I won’t stay here and be put in danger! I won’t stand between the Chittaphon family and their desires, it would be like tying a noose around my own neck. Stop being stubborn and go to him-”

“Enough!” Taemin said shutting the door and coming to stand closer to you. “I’ll never crawl to that sick bastard even if he held a gun to my head.”

A look of pity crossed your features as you said, “Well if his being a man is what disgusts you so its nothing to be ashamed of. I once had a patron that was a woman-”

“That’s not the reason at all,” Taemin said interrupting you. His voice was composed once again and he seemed hesitant but continued. “You must tell no one you know of this but it’s Ten’s bloodstained hands and dirty money that disgusts me.”

Your eyes widened as you sat on the edge of the bed and waited for him to continue.

“All this wealth you see around you has come at a heavy price, the Chittaphon family have sold their souls for this luxury, the deaths of so many lay in their hands. The family makes most of their money in human trafficking and other despicable things. Ten is just as corrupt if not more so than his family. A flicker of sorrow crossed his eyes and then it was gone, replaced by ice once more. “We grew up together, it was no secret that we grew close to one another, I grew to love him and through the years I have seen him grow more and more twisted.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” You said a bit shaken at the realization that he knew some of your pain as well, knew how it felt to be shattered by the people you trusted the most. If your father had been a real father, if Andre had been an honorable man, you wouldn’t be here now seeking to console the dancer before you with an earnest hug. It would be hard to sleep in these sheets without thinking of the malicious lengths the owners had gone through to accumulate their wealth and it made your stomach turn. 

Perhaps it was the wine you drank before falling asleep but your dreams were persistently vivid. A russet wolf stalked you, it wasn’t hostile but it pursued you with relentless abandon. It never left your side, whenever you looked over your shoulder there it was yet you were not frightened. You were not frightened that was, until its scarlet eyes met yours, sending you a rush of memories you wished would stay buried. You woke with a scream on your lips, your throat felt dry and your hair damp with sweat. 

You slid from the bed and opened the mini-fridge in the small kitchenette of your room. Drinking an entire bottle of water and wiping your forehead with a cloth before slipping out of the room and into the master suite. Taemin’s room was right beside yours and you didn’t believe that was a mere coincidence. A candle was lit on the bedside table and you were greeted by his soft even breathing as you made your way to the enormous bed and climbed in beside him careful not to touch him. If it was a fiancee he had bargained for then it was one he would get. You turned your face away from his back and settled in to sleep but your eyes opened wide once more when you felt Taemin’s hand wrap around your shoulder in a gentle embrace as he turned to face your back and fell asleep once more. So maybe he had heard you awaken from your nightmare earlier you thought as your eyes grew heavy again and you fell asleep to the warmth of his touch and the thud of your heart.

You blinked as sunlight greeted you and you stretched, opening your eyes wider as you felt the absence of heat beside you and an empty pillow, your hands grazing over the indent in the fabric. Taemin was gone already, must have been since early this morning but his distinct scent still lingered, a combination of sweet oranges and heady cinnamon spice. You met the cold wooden floorboards against your bare feet with a groan as you made your way to the bathroom but a small young woman stopped you as you made your way to the tub.

“My name is Marguerite,” she said with a small curtsy. “Lord Taemin asked me to see to your needs m’lady. What minerals would you like in your bath?” 

“Oh, anything you like Marguerite I don’t mind truly.” You said moving out of her way so she could toss a few veils of lovely smelling soaps into the tub as she turned the hot water on. 

“How long have you been in Lord Taemin’s services?” You asked curiously. 

“Today is my first day m’lady, his lordship doesn’t keep many servants. Just the occasional cleaning maid. I expect he figured you’d be needing a handmaid.”

You nodded at this, touched that he’d thought so far ahead as to hire the girl already. You made a mental note to thank him later as you dipped into the warm water and watched the colorful bubbles that clung to your chest.   

The hotel breakfast was divine of course. Everything about the hotel was exquisite and filled with every out of season delicacy you could imagine. Grabbing an extra candied pear before you left the breakfast hall you decided to explore the grand hotel further. You made your way in and out of passageways and lobbies with sitting rooms and expensive carpets. But you wondered where the reception room for weddings and banquets must be. 

A hotel like this would have quite a few of them and sure enough, you came to a door that seemed close to the gardens. On the archway was a plaque that read Hall of Mirrors, you smiled at that. Of course, anyone who ran a circus would decide it a fitting name. You opened the heavy doors carefully and shut it behind you. Your eyes widened at the sight before you, you had never seen such wealth in one room alone. The hall was bathed in light, the sun shown through the many-windowed arches and reflected on the arches of mirrors just across. There were so many mirrors, more than three hundred if you could guess. the arches and walls all gleamed with their polished golden frames and elaborate craftsmanship. There were even mirrors that looked as if they belonged in a funhouse with odd shapes to them that disfigured your reflection. But most of them were tall and elegant. 

There was so much glass in the room you felt afraid to touch anything at all. Glass chandeliers hung from the vaulted ceiling and you wondered at the poor servant who lit the small white candles. This room in all its opulence reminded you of the photographs you’d seen of Versailles. This entire room was a show of power. You moved closer to the marble statue of what looked like Apollo riding his sun chariot. You ran the tip of your finger along the small stallions manes, fascinated by their detail.     

“My father thinks himself a god, Mademoiselle.” The voice startled you so that when you moved to turn around you’d cut yourself on one of the stallions sharply pointed ears. You stuck the pricked finger in your mouth to wipe away the blood as you stared at Ten before you. He looked straight through you at the statue before continuing, “Did you know there are eighteen figures alone in this hotel of Apollo? On fountains and vases.” He shook his head. “My father, the sun-god of business and opportunity.”

“I’m sorry, I shouldn't have pried into your rooms.” You said, eager to getaway. I enjoyed the performance last night, it's a pleasure to meet you in person. My name is-”

“I know who you are Lady Basileia, the papers cannot help but jump at the chance to announce your presence.” 

“This banquet hall is very exquisite, do you hold weddings here?” Your heartbeat raced nervously but you kept a smile plastered on your face. Maybe if he bored of your small talk he’d excuse himself or throw you out even. 

“Why do you wish to know?” He said, looking at you as if for the first time. “Would you like to hold your wedding here?” Ten smiled in a mocking sort of way and he looked at you as if you were nothing but filth dragged in. “I’m afraid this sort of lavishness makes Taemin uncomfortable, there is no way your groom to be would agree to such a location. A pity really that such a humble man must deal with a fortune-hunting wench like you.” 

You didn’t dare break his gaze as you said, “If you’ll excuse me my fiance is waiting for me. I hope that our next meeting will be more pleasant. You gave him a small dignified curtsy and exited the room careful to walk entirely around him. You found your breath again only after you were a safe distance away from the hall and out of the hotel. 

You made your way to the red tent hoping to find Taemin and ask him to take you out to the city. You just needed to go anywhere else to get your mind off of your encounter and shopping was the perfect distraction. If all you were good for was spending money then you would do just that you thought bitterly. Ten had frightened you with his smile, the way his face seemed bright and youthful but his spirit dark in ways you didn’t want to imagine. He reminded you of Andre, the way he brought you down and made you feel as if you were truly nothing. 

 You still wore the only dress you owned and just because of Ten’s family dealings you weren’t going to stop yourself from using his money. The more you could spend before Taemin all of a sudden decided he’d had enough of his life here and was ready to flee his position in the circus the better. You didn’t plan on leaving with him if he did. You’d already left everything behind once in your life and being penniless again was not an idea you fancied. If you played your part well there wasn’t a soul besides Ten who would doubt your sincerity and that was payment enough in your mind. Taemin had given you a perfect opportunity to mingle with the highest of aristocracy here each night at the red tent and you weren’t going to pass up the chance to make some money of your own for your own sense of security. 

Trusting anyone and being indebted for life to anyone scared the hell out of you and even though Taemin seemed like some star-crossed spirit no matter how hard you tried to push the thought aside you weren’t about to trust in his motives anytime soon. The more his soul tugged at yours and the more your heart softened as you experienced his pain. When you spoke last night together it had frightened you and it did not change the fact that he was just human. A beautiful godlike figure but mortal nonetheless and people were prone to deception. 

You weren’t beyond using him as Ten had blatantly said, a deal was a deal after all and with every lingering touch and glance it was growing harder to ignore. As long as he didn’t muddle your interest in carnal pleasures for love you weren’t against it. In fact, it would probably be bliss to meet a passion so intense that it would make you forget Andre and his months of torment. A welcome distraction before parting ways in the future. 

Ducking under the tent flap you spotted Taemin immediately. He was impossible to miss, sitting center-stage in a gilded birdcage that took up almost the entire stage. He sat on the swing hanging down from the top of his golden prison like some exotic bird in a royal menagerie. You could imagine how extravagant the costuming would be that night for the show, A spectral of colorful feathers and brightly painted eyelids but you found a pleasurable peace in watching him with practice gear, the white full-bodied leotard hugging every curve of his body.

His voice was sweeter than any birdsong and you found yourself inexorably drawn to him as you went to sit in the front row to watch. This time his song told the story of fame and loss. Of a being so popular his lifeblood existed on stage. It was like listening to Taemin’s deepest worries while learning all at once that he wouldn’t give all of this up for anything. It seemed that you had misjudged him, he wasn’t a prisoner to this circus but a slave to himself and his never-ceasing desire to give his all in every performance, even in one like this that was just for practice. He may have started down this path because of his need and Ten’s family but his heart was also here and with his fans as if this was what he was born to do. When he finished singing you cheered louder than you had before, making up for the empty seats. He smiled at you and ducked as the other performers lifted the cage enough for him to slip under.

“You're just in time my love,” He said extending a hand to you and pulling you onstage. “I’d like to introduce you to my family.” It was clear that by family he meant the other performers. They gathered around you with curiosity as he said, “Everyone, this is my fiancee Mademoiselle Basileia that I have spoken to you of.” You nodded at them all in turn with a smile before they began to ask questions that you knew were coming. 

“Taem says you saved him! Is that true My Lady?” Said Valerie whom you remembered as the contortionist siren who had the opening act of the circus. Before you could answer a small middle-aged woman that you remembered faintly from the sidelines yesterday came bustling from backstage shouting, “Goddess be praised ye finally brought the lass over! I thought you would hide her away till the masquerade. The woman placed a glass of ice water in Taemin’s hands and kissed you on the cheeks. 

“This is Madame Orla,” Taemin said. 

“But you may call me Mother Orla,” she said taking your hand in her own. “Taemin, Yule is in less than two weeks, aren't ye going to take your future bride and buy her a gown for the ball. You know how ruffled the merchants get when you don’t give them dew notice! She’ll end up wearing some premade ill-fitting thing. She said in a chastising voice filled with love and amusement. 

It suddenly struck you that this Yule ball was not just any Winter Solstice gathering but rather the ball. The Chittaphons threw elaborate parties all year that was to be sure but their annual Yule Masquerade ball held in their own manor was unlike any other. It was almost magical in its limited guest list and famed extravagance and after your visit to the Hall of Mirrors, your mind could scarcely wrap around the idea of what their manor would look like. It was one of Lily’s favorite pastimes to write about one or all of the girls at Muldale attending, like Cinderella appearing at the palace. It hadn’t even occurred to you that you were now invited as Taemin’s fiancee to the event.  

 “Mother Orla, why don’t you give her a proper Sibylline greeting while I change. Taemin said kissing your forehead and further solidifying the ‘couple’ myth as the dancers tittered at his small show of affection. “Mother Orla is a seer,” He whispered into your ear before walking backstage. 

You didn’t believe in fortune-telling, it was all a play of lucky guesses and pretty lies that the client wanted to hear but you pushed these thoughts aside and decided to indulge Orla as she lead you with her to sit in a small round table backstage. 

“I read palms,” Orla said. “In palmistry, the lines of your passive hand signifies what you were born with and the attributes the gods have given you while your dominant hand signifies what you have done with that potential and the choices you choose to make. May I?” She said gesturing to your dominant hand. You gave it to her gingerly, your palm faced up and resting in her gentle hands as she skidded her fingers along yours and studied the line that rested at the top of your palm and ended under your pinky finger. 

“Well, your heart line starts below your middle finger. This suggests that you are a leader who is independent and you have a keen sense of intellect. However, this intelligence indicates that you combine romance with rationality and careful calculation.” She frowned before continuing, “ You are selfish with your love and quite materialistic, you are not happy unless you control your surroundings and this leads you to act coldly towards others.” Your eyes widened slightly in surprise, a bit taken aback by the honesty of her words. “See the way your love line is forked with indecision form your brain and heart at war with each other?” You nodded, actually agreeing with her on this point. Love was illogical to you and suffocating, it made you feel trapped. “Yet your heart longs for freedom as well, perhaps from your past, you are much like a lone she-wolf lass, stubborn as a mule but hungry for passion. If you aren’t careful your stubbornness will devour you and lead to the capture of your free spirit, found by the hunter that you fear.” You shuttered then at the comparison as you remembered the wolf in your nightmare. Perhaps the wolf was you and the hunter in this fable your father, the connection was clear and unavoidable. 

Orla moved on, paying attention to the line that ran down the center of your palm. “You may find this news more promising. Your Fate Line shows your talent in creating relationships even if they are imbalanced by personal gain. You will have someone faithful to you, a helpmate to strengthen your personal ties and belief in trust. But be warned, if you remain distrustful your life will be a lonely path indeed.” Orla said, utter seriousness in her tone. You pulled your hand away not looking her in the eye. 

“Well, what do the stars say of our love Orla?” Taemin said as he came towards them dressed in plaid red pants, black boots, and a black and white jacket that somehow fit together marvelously. 

“It was by fate that your soul encountered hers, I believe you will be her salvation if trust blooms and she your downfall should it crumble,” Orla told him solemnly. 

Taemin took your arm and entwined it with his. “Thank you for the reading Orla,” Taemin said brushing aside her grim account with a sideways smile. “But I believe Basileia and I have a way of steering fate in our favor.” You bowed your head as a thank you for the reading and left the tent with him. You didn’t turn around even as you felt Orla’s eyes pierced your back.

It was a short drive into the bustling city. The heart of New Celes was alight with Yuletide celebration. Trees were decorated in colored lights and wreaths were hung in every shop. Taemin brought you to a woman’s clothing store filled with elaborate day gowns and business slacks, helping you pick out a few and waiting by the fitting room as you tried on the ones you liked. You modeled a few for him, spinning around in slow circles as he watched the way the fabric cascaded down your legs and hugged your hips. 

He found a pair of gold-rimmed heels and knelt to the floor, you lifted your skirt and he slipped them onto your feet, avoiding contact as he did so. Watching his gentle hands against the heel brought a pang of annoyance to your chest. He was so careful with you, so distant, so cold.

“I believe these will be perfect for the masked ball,” Taemin said rising from the floor. You nodded and turned away to head back to the fitting room, your cheeks felt hot and you were ready to take the damn long dress off. You didn’t like the way it dragged across the floor no sooner had you thought it then you tripped over the fabric and tumbled off the mirrored platform. He was there in an instant, catching you by the shoulders and breaking your fall. You looked up at him, his face closer than it ever had been, even in sleep he’d kept at a distance. But now you felt his chest against yours, the beat of his heart one with the rise and fall of your breasts and his warm hands against your skin. His eyes met yours and yet you were the first to break the stare. “Thank you.” You straightened and he released you. 

“I’ll be next door fitting for my Yule costume,” he said. “It's best if we surprise each other though most couples like to match but I believe I’ll let fate decide this one.” His eyes were back to that blank lazy submission, any sparkle of openness lost as he turned and made his way towards the front of the store. 

It didn’t take you long to choose a Yuletide costume. You simply thought of what Lily would have chosen and the decision was done. You had to admit the symbolism of such a costume would be lost on no one and it gave you a thrill to think of it.

“And whom should I put the dress under for pickup My Lady? The seamstress said as she marked down the measurements of your waist, neckline, and shoulders into a massive book of orders. 

“You may put it under my name Madame Escoffier,” Taemin said as he came into the shop again with several bags. “I haven't seen you in months ma fée,” The woman said sweetly coming to kiss his cheeks.” Her fairy indeed you thought, marveling at his jovial demeanor and quick smiles. It was a gift he seemed to possess, he influenced the aura around him either radiating cold magnetic charm or sunshine that no one could escape.

“You tell Orla I’m waiting for a visit soon.” Madame Escoffier said as you walked out of her shop. Taemin grabbed the bags and assured the lady he would.

Next, Taemin took you to a small antique shop on the end on the street. The store was filled with old-fashioned bonnets expensive fishing rods and pendants. In the jewelry case, you found many pieces of faux earrings and necklaces and you wondered why they warranted the extra protection till your eyes fell upon a pearl necklace. Even if it was a fake you had to admit that the clasp and the sheen of glossy pearls were beautiful. “That one, I’ll take it,” Taemin said to the clerk when he saw you looking at the necklace. “You’ll need something old for the wedding won’t you?” He said with a conspiratorial laugh as he fastened the pearls around your neck. 

“Thank you,” you said somehow touched at this least extravagant gift than all the rest today.  

“Anything for my enchanting bride to be.” He said loudly enough for the clerk to hear. Taemin offered you a hand as you exited into the frosty streets and you took it gladly. It had gotten considerably colder and just when you were about to ask Taemin to hand you the new blue coat you had bought, a man with a tattooed shoulder of a vibrant rose-red she-wolf moved past. You clutched your own shoulder and shivered but not from the cold as you remembered the design of the tattoo all too well. The absence of the Scarlet Wolf Groupe resurfaced in your mind like a brand. You remembered the day long ago when you had burned it off your skin with the candle wax on your bedside table. The horror on Madame Dupont’s face when she’d found your scar was soon mended with makeup and lacy shoulder bands till the scars grew less apparent than a birthmark. 

Taemin hadn't missed the look of fear that crossed your face as the man walked past. Of course, he never missed anything, you thought as you made your face blank and continued to make your way to the car. Once inside Taemin didn’t spare a minute before he said, “It’s growing more and more perilous each night in New Celes. You would think the Chittaphons would be a little more subtle about where their alliances lie. He said revving the engine. 

Your head whipped toward his. “What do you mean his ally?”

 “Just what I said, the Scarlet Wolf is a long-time friend of the family. They do the Chittaphon’s dirty work like the dogs they are.” Taemin said, a look of disgust marring his perfect features and sending ice toward your veins. 

“It's an insane idea even for Ten to invite such mongrels to the masquerade under the guise of a truce. The Chittaphon’s seek “peace” with the beasts for the people of New Celes and wish to end their reign but it’s all a ploy to lure in the Alpha and assert their command. The leader of that rabid pack gets their money from someone we know.”

Your face paled and you couldn’t hide the panic in your voice as you said: “The Alpha is coming to the Yule Ball?” 

“Yes, but don’t worry he’s not the chatty sort, he said with worry as he took his eyes off the road to assess you. “You look as if you’ve seen a ghost, Lady Basileia.” He didn’t know how right he was. You remained silent for the rest of the ride back to the hotel. 

You wanted to tell Taemin you couldn’t attend the ball but every time you did your words faltered. Going to the ball wasn’t just about you, it was for Taemin, it was for the entire scheme you had agreed to. Without your presence, it would be a nightmare for him and you would be entirely responsible. Your own voice nagged at you that it wasn’t Taemin’s safety you worried for but your own. 

Telling anyone you were the daughter to the Alpha of the Scarlet Wolf would make you a bargaining chip and a dangerous one. You didn’t want to think about what Ten could do, what leverage he would gain if you were discovered. The brand on your shoulder burned again, as if alive, tying you to your past like a collar. There was no love lost between you and your father that was certain, but it didn’t mean he wouldn’t want you back now. As a child you posed less of a threat, he probably thought you dead. But now if he ever knew you were still alive he would be afraid of the pack secrets you could reveal, the names you could sell and he would hunt you down without remorse.

 It was a masquerade after all, a festival of hidden faces and fluttering fans with a father you haven't seen in over fifteen years. He would not recognize you. And yet even with all of these excuses in your mind, your guilt ate away at you and the string of pearls Taemin had given you seemed to constrict around your neck in reminder.

Your loud thoughts were easier to dispel in the daytime but when night fell and you found yourself seeking the quiet comfort of Taemin’s company beside yours it grew harder and harder to remain silent and even more willpower to stay still. When you heard his breathing even out into a blissful sleep some nights you would turn over and look at his peaceful face- or what you could see of it from the dim bedside candlelight. Every fiber of your being craved contact. It was as if an insatiable fire had grown alight inside you, 

 Your fingers ached to trace the bridge of his nose from forehead to the unique dip of his lip. But you didn’t. You lay your head upon the pillow and fell away to darkness even as your body felt aflame in its own perpetual inferno. 

As the days grew closer and closer to the festival you’d had enough. You spent your nights in your own room, or else wear. You gathered money from new clients and disguised yourself with makeup and washable hair dyes. It was after the fifth night of going on in this fashion that you found Taemin in your room. It was four in the morning and you’d decided to leave your client asleep in his bed, helping yourself to a bottle of Champagne as you left. You hadn’t drunk much at all but when you saw Taemin leaning against the mantle of the fireplace as you entered your chambers you wished you had. 

You set the bottle on your bedside table carefully, not meeting his eyes.

“You’re back,” he said the obvious with a thinly laced veil of anger he was trying so desperately to conceal. “You shouldn’t be out at this hour, the Scarlet Wolf patrols are always about at night-”

“Who are you to say when I should or shouldn’t be out, are you my keeper? Do you think I will owe you forever.” You said placing cash on the table beside him and pushing it toward him. “Here is a week’s worth, I’ll pay off my emblem slowly but it will be done.”

“I never asked you to pay me back! I only asked you to keep up our agreement. His voice grew louder now as he took in your wrinkled gown and the stockings you’d draped across your arm. 

“Why don’t you just say what we both know is really on your mind.” You said, your voice growing heated as well. Your head felt as if it would burst and your feet were near freezing. “It hurts your pride that as your fiancee I was out hell knows where and with whom in the dead of night am I right?”

“Yes, It does bother me! I didn’t only make this arrangement for me Basileia.” He said coming closer. The light of the fire only added to the fervor in his eyes as he reached for you. One warm hand against your frigid collarbone. He pulled at the string of pearls around your neck till he found the clasp and set it loose, they fell to the floor with a clatter. His eyes meet yours as he said, “Is this Champagne life of luxuries all you desire? It bothers me to have you sleeping in another man’s bed with the present I gave you around your neck.” 

You stood so still you could hardly breathe. The passion in his eyes was frightening but not in the perilous way you were used to. Taemin’s hand across your skin wasn’t suffocating as Andre’s would be if anything you wanted him to pull you closer. His eyes were filled with a word you dared not say, it was sweeter than lust, more consuming than meer obsession. And so you dangled it before you like a token in your mind. It was love; bold, bright, and hopeful, dancing in his irises like tongues of fire. “I thought..” His voice was a broken whisper now. “I thought you would be happier here.” 

You were happier here with him. Happier than any time in your life. But to stay? To make the lie between you real? 

“I sometimes forget this is a lie.” You said softly, motioning between yourself and him. “When you touch me I forget myself.” 

He smiled then as if you had given him the world. He leaned in and whispered against your ear, “Then why not make this our reality, why pretend when we both want this? He took your hands in his “Or am I not enough?”

“You are more than enough, Taemin.” You said bringing his hands to your lips. “You’ve made me care like I never thought I could. You saw worth in me even when I looked upon myself in shame. And I will always be grateful to you but because of who I am I cannot stay in one place for long or dare to love someone.”

He extricated himself from your hands, a mask of ice was forming once more across his features, shielding his emotions away and in that moment you knew that if you didn’t tell him the truth you would lose him forever and that frightened you more than his love. 

“My father is the leader of the Scarlet Wolf, Taemin. I can’t allow him to notice me if I stay too long.”  His eyes widened, the shock melting his indifference. “I could never be a part of them and because I severed the ties between us he will certainly want me back if he finds I’m alive. 

“Is that why you stayed at Muldale? Did you feel you had to atone for your father’s mistakes by selling yourself?” His voice wasn’t laced with pity or animosity, he looked as if he truly wanted to know. It was honestly a question you had asked yourself many times.

 “No,” you said finally and he seemed a bit relieved by the answer. “My father’s sins, the Alpha’s sins, are his own. I only wanted to make a life apart from his and I made it in the best way I believed I could given my situation.”

He nodded at this, seeming satisfied that you weren't running yourself to the ground out of some twisted obligation to erase the Alpha’s blood from your veins. 

“I do care for you,” You said with much more conviction this time. The words tumbled out awkwardly but that didn’t make them any less true. You felt it needed to be said aloud, if not for you then for him. For the man before you who wore his heart on his sleeve in your presence. “I want you, more than I have ever wanted anything in my life.” You said, and a look of hopeful bliss crossed his features once more. He wrapped you into his embrace, his chin resting on your head as he played with the ends of your hair. 

“And I suppose you were going to wait till after the masquerade when you finished dancing with death to tell me all this?” He sounded worried and so you reassured him with the same phrases you'd kept telling yourself over and over. 

“He won’t recognize me, it’s been so many years.”

“It’s a bad idea, I can make up some excuse for not attending. If we go every eye will be on you. Our story is quite the talk in city gossip as it is.”

“All the more reason we must go. I won't sabotage your plans to show ourselves as a couple. Besides, the best way to hide is right under the Alpha’s nose.”

The inside of your gown scratched a bit against your skin but you had to admit it was worth it. The dress clung to your body perfectly and yet the bodice was breathable. The midnight-blue fabric swayed as you walked and the little golden stars, suns, and crescent moons sewn onto the shimmering canopy layer glowed just as brightly as the mask you wore. It was a simple mask, shaped like a butterfly. 

A delicate pair of gossamer wings attached to the back of your gown and seemed to merge with your back. The wings were stunning enough that they had taken your breath away when the costume had arrived wrapped carefully in parchment in the hands of Marguerite. The girl pinned tiny flower clips into your hair and as you gazed into the long mirror in your room now you found an ethereal Faerie Queen stared back. At a light knocking on the door you turned from your reflection to open it and it was then that your heart truly caught in your throat. 

Taemin had dyed his hair to a light white-blonde shade. Clips of hair the same hue cascaded down his shoulders. His eyes twinkled mischievously through the golden mask that covered half of his upper face. Golden antlers grew from the top of his mask with flowers growing from their tips and on his forehead was a crown made of leaves. His ears were pointed and a pair of wings also graced his back. A green velvet cape matched the single opera glove on his left hand as well as his pants. The ruffled white shirt with golden buttons closed to the collar granted him an air of nobility. You let out a wide smile at his choice of costume. 

“Pleased to make your acquaintance Lord Oberon, King of the Forest.” You curtsied slightly and he followed your example with a smile and bow of his own. 

“Likewise fair Queen Mab, Lady of Air and Darkness.” He said. Taking your hand into his gloved one and kissing the back of it.

“How in blazes did you know I would dress up as the Faerie queen of the Winter Court.” You asked him, only a little annoyed that he’d peeked at your costume.

“I didn’t I swear. Fate is really in our favor.” 

“Or the Fates are against us!” you said with a laugh. “Your queen Titania is not one to be double-crossed. You’re the King of the Summer Court and a Seelie at that! However would our love survive?”

“Opposites attract My Lady, you are as lovely and cold as snow. I cannot bear to part with you. Where others may say the Unseelie bring nothing but misfortune, I see beauty in those icy veins and a heart that beats as rapidly as mine own.” 

You lose it then, doubling over in laughter. “You are quite good at this.”

“I was born to appear on stage, are you really all that surprised.”

“Before we go would you help me with something.” You said, moving towards the vanity and taking the string of pearls you placed in his palm before moving your hair away from the nape of your neck. He fastened it, his hands lingering on your skin a moment longer and then he extended his elbow. You took it, entwining your arm in his. When you looked toward him you felt the rampant wave of emotions that radiated from him as he took in the pearls across your throat and your painted plum-colored lips so near yet not near enough. 

When you arrived at the Chittaphon Manor you were greeted by several footmen waiting at the door. Once inside you craned your neck up to look at the high ceilings covered in paintings as you walked upon the red-carpeted marble floors. The ballroom was filled with diamond chandeliers and scented red candles that smelled of cinnamon. There were so many people dancing to the vivacious orchestra and they were all hidden under masks, even the musicians themselves were in costume. Servants bustled about in black suits and dresses with the masks of ravens carrying trays of champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.

 Your descent from the grand staircase had not gone unnoticed and Taemin squeezed your hand to reassure you as many eyes turned to watch you both. In spite of (or rather because of) his costume there was no mistaking Taemin or his companion. The crowd murmured as you passed and you supposed the sight of Taemin attending any party with a woman would stir up this much gossip and jealous eyes. Taemin didn’t ignore their gazes, he smiled politely as always and pulled you toward the center of the room and towards the company of your host. 

You noticed Ten before he did. He was dressed in a fox mask and a red suit, looking ever the part of a depraved demon you thought. His eyes then fell upon Taemin and flicked to you. He said nothing, assessing your costume head to toe before saying, “Ah it would seem you have switched places. Forgive me but as everyone here can attest, myself included, if there were ever a faerie tyrant too bold and in possession of a stone heart it would be your prized husband-to-be mademoiselle.”  Ten bowed and extended his hand, you gave him yours reluctantly but with so many eyes upon you, it was impossible to refuse him. You smiled, determined to keep your cheerful demeanor. 

“I am glad we should meet again at last, Lady Basileia, though I find it a shame you did not come dressed as Hestia, or some other hearth maiden as you bring so many men warmth on these frigid winter nights.” Ten’s eyes twinkled in amusement and the meaning of his words was not lost upon you as you heard Taemin clear his throat beside you. 

“And where are the rest of our hosts this evening, It would be a shame for Lady Basileia to miss them,” Taemin said. 

“Mother and Father tire of these festivities easily.” Ten said, grabbing a glass of champagne from a passing tray and taking a sip. “They retreated to the gambling tables as soon as the music began.” 

“Young Master, I believe your guest has arrived.” Said a servant in a crow mask to Ten who then excused himself. 

“I’m afraid Ten knows far too much about your whereabouts,” Taemin whispered with one hand at the small of your back, guiding you through the dance floor and closer to the orchestra and swaying figures that brushed you by. 

“But he couldn’t know about anything before Madame Dupont’s, Taemin. Even the Madame herself knew nothing of where I came from.” 

Just then Ten appeared in the corner of your eye again. He watched the two of you and the weight of resentment you felt from his gaze was enough to make you act rashly. If he did know anything of your past it was better to lure the truth out. Better the devil you know than die of ignorance too late. 

When Taemin grabbed a chocolate-covered strawberry passing on a tray you took his hand before he could eat it and moved his fingers to your mouth. The plum-colored lips that had so hypnotized Taemin before now took the fruit along with two of his fingers. Your tongue left not a trace of chocolate behind as the warmth of your mouth enveloped him and he thought he would lose his sanity as you moved closer, taking him in farther.

“What are you doing,” Taemin hissed. His voice was shaken and you gleamed triumphantly as you released him. 

“Merely speeding up our reluctant enemy.” You said as you searched for Ten again amid the crowd.

He was still watching, but his gaze had turned even darker and beside him stood a man that hadn’t been there before. It was Ten’s Guest who towered beside him and he was wearing a wolf mask. Leon Sauvage, the Alpha, stood ever too close to Ten like a familiar and comfortable lapdog. You turned your gaze away immediately.

“Let’s dance,” you said. Wrapping your arms around Taemin’s shoulder and pulling him closer as if it would shield you from the Alpha’s eyes.

After a few dances, you began to feel more at ease and relaxed into Taemin’s arms allowing the music to envelop you both into a bubble of happiness that you hadn’t known had been busting inside of you. Under different circumstances, at a different party, you would have been wholly engulfed in his company.

The twist in your stomach returned all too soon however when Ten appeared behind Taemin and tapped him on the shoulder. “May I have a dance with the ravishing Queen Mab.” Ten said. When Taemin didn’t pull away from you he leaned in and said to Taemin, “It was so kind of you mon amour to decide to sing for us, truly more than I expected.” 

Taemin paled at this and Ten only smirked as one of the servants announced loudly to the assembly, “And now I present Lord Lee Taemin, who will grace us with ‘Bird in a Gilded Cage’.”

“Go on, I  do believe they are calling you. You wouldn't want to make a scene,” Ten said.

You nodded at Taemin to go and squeezed his hand in reassurance that you would be alright without him as he threw daggers with his eyes at Ten and walked toward the front of the crowd. When Taemin started to sing the ironically dark and sorrowful melody of a woman who wasted her youth on a man of fortune. Ten began to whirl you around the room looking ever the part of a gentleman to his many guests. But his grip on your waist and hand was like a vise. 

“You’re like a dime,” you said when you couldn’t bear the silence any longer. “Two-faced, and not worth my time.” He laughed at that, it was a strange laugh like none you’d ever heard. It was boyish in its charm almost innocent even though his eyes were anything but. Still, the wide smile and flashing of teeth had caught you off guard once again. He held an air of pure calculation. Everything about him was deliberate, meticulous, dangerous and beautiful in its ferality.

 “Quite the handful aren't you, it's no wonder he can’t keep you for himself.” Ten said as he caught a ringlet of your hair and twirled it between his fingers. When you slapped his hand away he only grinned again then leaned in to whisper in your ear, “It matters not how many gowns and diamonds you wear, a wolf is a wolf, even in a gilded cage, even dressed in silk. And his daughter,” he said holding you tighter, “Is no exception.”

He knew then. Your heart pounded frantically as you began to race through plans of escape in your mind but Ten’s hands held too firmly to you. 

“Perhaps instead of thinking about escaping me, you should start thinking about what the Alpha can do to Taemin if you don’t leave him.” His words stopped your writhing as you stared at him. “Telling the world who you are would indeed sour Taemin’s reputation but only for a time. It's simply not enough, eventually they would just say you cast a spell on him, that with your succubus charms and angelic words you stole him away from the public and his many admirers. Martyr that he is he wouldn’t oppose to gossip for your honor. What is an idol without fame but a beaten dreamer out on the streets and you know how rough that can be my dear. The fool thinks he loves you, well he can love you from his grave.” Your eyes widened as the full force of his words came to rest upon you. 

“Your father is a wealthy man because of me, one word and I'll have those mutts of the Scarlet Groupe tear Taemin to pieces right before your eyes. 

“Ten,” you said gripping his arms now. “If you still bear one shred of love for him, please don’t do this.” 

“Oh my dear sweet vixen, he said tilting your chin up. “I won’t be the one breaking his heart, you will or else our songbird with never sing again.” And with that Ten spins you straight into your father’s arms. 

“My how you've grown,” The Alpha said, as he lead you along the dance floor. You were too stunned for words to slip away. You’d forgotten the gentle rumble of your father's voice, at odds with his intimidating demeanor and brash fits of violence. You saw his eyes soften as he looked upon you and it silenced you into submission. You had always been the omega of the Scarlet Wolf, distanced from the blood-lust and ostracized from their plotting. You remembered then the last time you’d seen your father’s disappointed eyes as he’d turned away and left you in the snow. It was a show of strength, if you had come back alive from the cold it would prove your worthiness and loyalty. But you had run away, abandoning your kin just as your father had abandoned you in his heart. You firmly believed he’d never once believed you would survive that winter alone. 

 “When the young master told me you were still alive I could scarcely believe it. I thought it was a trick to lord over me but it wasn’t. Come back to us, there is nothing for you here.” Your father said. “There is a wildness in your eyes just as there is in mine, you do not belong in the freak show that man calls art.” 

“You left me for dead! Why would I ever return? Especially now when you are nothing but a lapdog to the ringmaster and his family.” 

“I prefer bloodhound,” he said his voice turning colder now. “I had the feeling you would refuse but this isn’t personal anymore it’s simple diplomacy. The young master would like you to leave New Celes and Taemin. I spoke with him and we have come to an agreement. If you leave before dawn he will meet you in the Hall of Mirrors and grant you a small fortune to live on as well as safe passage. You will not be followed out of the city.”

“And if I refuse this generous offer?”

“Well, I will have to kill Taemin upon my young master’s orders.”

“Why not just kill me then, It would save you both the trouble. You know you want to. Leaving the pack is a criminal offense in your eyes is it not?”

“As I said before personal matters are behind us but that does not mean I will enjoy seeing you die, daughter. Your mind is of no use to me anymore, the names you remember, the knowledge of the pack even. Many things have changed since then and I would rather see you off safely than have you come to harm because of the young master’s whims.”

His earnestness surprised you. You’d thought for certain he would want you dead but instead, he was bargaining for your future and safety? 

“I am obliged to follow the young master’s words. It’s best you heed him or others will suffer. I’ve seen him shed more blood over less. I am merely the blade in his hands and his orders will be obeyed.” The song ended and he bowed before slipping away into the crowd. 

Just then a scream cut through the ballroom and the crowd went to circle a body that had collapsed. You pushed your way through only to find a young woman on the floor. One of the candelabras had collapsed and she’d fell with it, hitting her head in the process. You would have believed it an accident if the woman had been anyone else. But there lay Valerie her delicate frame motionless in Taemin’s arms as he picked her up calling frantically all the while for a doctor. It was a message meant for you and as you met Ten’s vicious gaze you knew what would happen if you didn’t do as he wished.

“She’ll be fine, Valerie is awake now.” You said to Taemin again as you both made your way back to the hotel.

“I know’ it’s just…” Taemin let out the shaky breath he’d seemed to be holding the past two hours as they’d brought Valerie to the Chittaphon’s personal physician at Ten’s request of course. You’d watched helplessly as she began to regain her senses slowly after the physician treated her head and held smelling salts to her nose. Valerie had been groggy and complained of a gastly headache but she was otherwise unharmed and it had taken a bit of insistence on your part and Orla’s for Taemin to leave her side and get some rest. 

It reminded you of the way you used to sit by Lily’s bedside while she had a fever. You’d watch over her and read to her for days until she was well. It comforted you that while you were leaving him behind Taemin wouldn’t be alone. He had a family here no matter how strange his position seemed to be he seemed to thrive amid the madness. 

As you looked toward Taemin now pacing like a lion and deep in thought you wondered at the ache in your chest. Maybe you’d always worshipped things you couldn’t have and now that you had him before you, you couldn't bear to let him go.

“I saw you dancing with your father,” Taemin said breaking you from your thoughts. “I wanted to intervene but by the time I got close enough the dance had already ended and Valerie- Well I’m just sorry I wasn’t there for you.” 

“No it’s alright,” you said. “I wasn’t in any danger, it seems my father rather I rejoin him than kill me.”  And so you proceeded to tell him of your refusal and decided it was best to say nothing of Ten’s plans.

 You didn’t want him to worry, you didn’t want to spend your last hours together explaining yourself or talking him into the idea of you leaving him. Perhaps it was greedy of you to want him to yourself just a while longer, but self-denial had never been your virtue and neither had patience.  

“Your song helped me push through my unease tonight,” you said coming towards him and turning. “Would you mind detaching my wings?” You said with an impish smile. “Marguerite has already gone to bed and I’d hate to wake her.”

With nimble hands he began to untie the knot at the small of your back and peeled the wings away slowly. Your back brushed against his chest and you held his gaze over your shoulder. In that moment you were reminded of the carvings in the Hall Of Mirrors that had gleamed in the sun. He was a golden angel, a graven image you dared not touch and yet you burned for him.

 Taemin stood so still, frozen in place as if even a whisper would scare you away. You felt as if you were standing at the edge of a cliff with hell down below. And so you welcomed the chaos of your desire as well as its many demons. You kissed him with all the rapture of an ending world. Your tongue caught the honey of his lips your breath heavy and untamed.With every button you loosened he grew unraveled. With every tug of his hair he was conquered. 

He ran his fingers through your hair sending flower pins flying as he pulled you closer. His lips sent feather-light kisses down your bare shoulder that set your heart racing. Your neck tilted back with the echo of his name on your lips and he claimed them with ravenous abandon. You’d forgotten to feel the depths of your loneliness till now. Before you survived living like a hollowed shell but now that emptiness was filled with something so sweet and new and it made you tremble. Your hands wandered across his chest as he probed your mouth with his tongue, it danced with your own in a blaze of heat and need. 

You slid from your gown, loosening the fabric that caught at your ankles and guided him towards the bed. Every move you made was languorous like a slow prowl your eyes and fingers traced every new patch of skin till you reached the uneven valley of his back and halted. Taemin seemed to come out of his torrid haze in that moment as well. His body seemed to lock in on itself in dread as you moved behind him and beheld his back. 

You were unable to hold in the gasp that escaped your lips and quickly you brought one hand to your mouth as if you could take it back. There along the curve of his spine and the center of his back were scars etched deep into his skin that looked as if an animal had clawed him. No not an animal but a monster you realized as you took in the unnatural pattern they left behind. The lines were shaped like a cross as they overlapped each other and in them the indisputable initial ‘T’ stood.They were whip lashings as brazen as the demon who had given them. You coiled your fists in the sheets, rage swelled within you as well as grief. It was as if Taemin’s body was an extension of your own and every slash of pain bit into your heart. 

“I’m fine.” Taemin said as he wiped your tears with his thumb. 

“How can you say that! How can you stay here with him watching your every move. What he has done to you is unforgivable and yet you stay. You felt sick and so very tired. Your fingers moved along the scars and Taemin allowed it. Watching you over his shoulder as if he was trying to find the words to help you understand. 

“Ten was always a devil in hiding, he took what he wanted and I never questioned his behavior. I was young and so blinded by admiration and blissful ignorance. In those days he could have set the world ablaze and called it snow, heaven knows I would have believed him.” Taemin said brokenly in a whisper of shame.

 “It was so easy to love his smile that even when I found out about the family business I confronted him in the hope that he wasn’t a part of it.” Taemin continued. “I could not believe that the boy who would awaken at dawn just to paint the sky and sketch portraits of me while he thought I wasn't looking was really a monster.” Taemin shook his head and took your hand in his.

“Once he found out I knew about the family business his careful mask seemed to fall around me day by day till one night Ten’s father had me sleep with the Countess Marie de Froissy. It wasn’t unusual for him to ask this of me. He often tried to further his own investments with the information the wives of stockholders and other aristocrats told me.” His eyes flicked toward you when he said this and the words Taemin had said when you first met came to your mind, ‘You and I are more alike than you know.’ 

It took until now to fully realize the extent of those words. You’d both grown up in two separate prisons unable to alter the lives you were given and you both had been so alone. It was then that you showed him where the mark of your kin had been on your shoulder before you’d rid yourself of the hold they had on you. What a fine pair we make.

“Ten was angry at his father and wanted to make it so that he never sent anyone to me again.” Taemin said. “I believe in his own twisted mind he probably thinks it was a gift. But I have learned to not let it define me.” 

“I see that by the way you hold yourself.” You said, moving towards him and letting his arms encircle you in warmth. “With every dance and soul-filled song you've shed these scars and now wear them as wings.” You said as you moved to kiss the scars on his back stroking the lines with the tip of your tongue like a baptism as you painted it across him. He let out an unholy groan that set your skin on fire.

 You pushed him down unto the silken sheets and held him captive with your lips on his again as you straddled his hips, poised upon him as if he were your throne. You trailed your hair down his chest, the strands gliding across him in slow excruciating designs; the thrust of your hips inducing a moan that mirrored your own. 

You reached for the clasp at your neck, unfastening the pearls and embracing the coolness of their touch as they slid pleasurable against your palm. You took the strand in your hands and encircled the beads around his length moving them back and forth against him in a way that made him whimper and quiver, sending a rush of excitement through your veins.

 And then he was there settling above you. His elbows were propped up on either side of your head and the smell of his skin, cinnamon and vanilla enthralled you again. He nestled between your legs, moving inside you with such slow, torturous, movements at first that set your body burning with insatiable hunger until suddenly you couldn’t hum to the rhythm of his hips anymore and the inside of your heavy eyelids were covered in stars. 

The Hall of Mirrors was an entirely different place at night. The mirrors and statues cast queer shadows in the darkness with only the moonlight coming through the archways for light. The chandeliers chimed against each other lightly as the brisk wind of an open window brushed across them. 

You wondered if the letter you’d left Taemin behind would be the first thing he would see when he woke up alone and your heart constricted at the thought. You hadn’t said much, it wouldn’t really have been a goodbye if you had but a promise of something more and you weren’t cruel enough the leave him hope that you would return. Your words were brutal and dipped in half-lies that made you want to throw the paper into the fire before he could ever read it but you hadn’t. Instead you’d dressed, grabbed your few belongings and shut the door.  

“I’m glad you could make it,” Ten’s amused voice came from behind you breaking you from your trance and in the next instant you heard the door click shut. You turned to see his wolfish grin as he crossed the room towards you and placed a single candle with its stand onto a table. You gave him a glare fixed with murderous intent. 

“I didn’t have much choice did I?” You responded bitterly. “Give me the money and tickets before I kill you for what you’ve done to him! I’ve seen the markings on his back, the way you branded yourself onto his skin.” Tears came to your eyes now and you let them fall you didn’t care anymore if this inhuman creature saw you wither at last for he had won and he knew it. “How can you live as if you have authority over all creation? Is everything a game to you?”

“Ahh yes, those tokens of my love. Tell me, when you kissed his scars and traced my name across his back are you sure it was your face he saw as you slept with him or mine.” His eyes gleamed in the candlelight with such perverse pleasure that you could hold back no longer.

You flew at him with hands and teeth. Clawing at his perfect features with your nails as if he had released some rabid thing inside of you. A maniacal storm unleashing itself as you let your repulsion, your hatred, overtake you. You had sworn never to use the abilities of your kin again but your anger took over and with it the bloodlust.

You felt a surge of strength flow through you and with one swift motion, your nails raked across Ten’s face. He screamed, pushing you away with such force that you crashed into one of the mirrors. You covered your face with your arms as you fell to the floor, glass shattering around you. Then Ten was there pinning you down as he sat against your thighs, his hands grabbing at your throat. You felt the blood from his wound dripping across your face as he leaned over you. You’d missed his eye but just barely, the slashes around it had gone deep. 

You could feel your strength waning as it always had before, one moment there then gone. You cursed yourself for your lack of power in a body so wasted away since birth that it only ever held a spark of ability unlike the rest of your kin who quaked with it. 

“What’s the matter, runt? Was that all you could do? Ten taunted. He pulled at the pearls on your throat till it snapped sending a shower of beads across the floor amid broken glass. 

“I meant it when I said this room wouldn’t hold your wedding. It was meant for something far greater: your funeral.’’ Ten said as he grabbed a shard of glass from the floor and drew it towards your chest. Just as suddenly a shadow swept into the room through the open window at an inhuman speed coming between you and the glass. 

You screamed as the Alpha’s vest started to soak in blood. The shard had gone right to his heart and you held his hand in shock as his face grew paler.

“I couldn’t fail you a second time.” Your father said, his eyes meet yours and you knew then that no matter what had happened in the past, he had missed you. The Alpha let out a clear whistle with his last breath before falling limp in your arms. You shook him in disbelief. The strongest person you knew was dead.

 It wasn’t long before Ten was surrounded by men and women in scarlet cloaks and furs. In response to the call of their leader and in a rage over their Alpha’s lifeless body they descended upon Ten like a pack of wolves in earnest till he lay across the marble floor, eyes dull and wide. 

The members of the scarlet wolf gathered their leader’s body with careful hands and pulled you to the open window. It was only then that you heard the shout of Ten’s guard as you were whisked away from the scene by a family you thought you had left behind forever. 

[cryptogazettenews]

Visa Says You Can Buy Almost Anything, Except Crypto Currencies

This news this week is that several banks in the USA and the UK have banned the use of credit cards to purchase crypto stock markets (CC's). The stated reasons are impossible to believe - like trying to curtail money laundering, gambling, and safeguarding the retail investor from excessive risk. Interestingly, the banks will allow debit card purchases, making it clear that only risks being protected are their own. With a credit card you can gamble at a casino, buy guns, drugs, drinking, pornography, everything and anything you desire, but some banks and credit card companies want to prohibit you from using their facilities to obtain crypto currencies? There must be some believable reasons, and they are NOT the reasons stated. One thing that banks are afraid of is precisely how difficult it would be to confiscate CC holdings when the credit card holder defaults on payment. It would be much more difficult as compared to re-possessing a house or a car. A crypto wallet's private keys can be put on a memory stick or a little bit of paper and easily removed from the country, with little or no trace of its whereabouts. There can be a high value in some crypto wallets, and the credit card debt may never be repaid, leading to a declaration of bankruptcy and a significant loss for any bank. The wallet still contains the crypto currency, and the owner can later access the private keys and additionally use a local CC Exchange in a foreign country to convert and pocket the money. A nefarious scenario really. We are certainly not advocating this kind of unlawful behavior, but the banks are aware of the possibility and some of them want to shut it off. This can't happen with debit cards as the banks are never out-of-pocket - the money comes out of your account right away, and only if there is enough of your money there to start with. We struggle to find any honesty in the bank's story approximately curtailing gambling and risk taking. It's interesting that Canadian banks are not jumping on this bandwagon, perhaps beginning to see that the stated reasons for doing so are bogus. The fallout from these actions is that investors and individuals are now aware that credit card companies and banks really do have the ability to restrict what you can purchase with their credit card. This is not how they promote your business their cards, and it is likely a surprise to most users, who are quite used to deciding for themselves what they are going to purchase, especially from CC Exchanges and all the other merchants who have established Merchant Agreements with these banks. The Deals have done nothing wrong - neither have you - but fear and greed in the banking industry is inducing strange things to happen. This further illustrates the degree to which the banking industry feels threatened by Crypto Stock markets. At this point there is little cooperation, trust, or understanding between the fiat money world and the CC world. The CLOSED CIRCUIT world has no central controlling body where regulations can be implemented across the board, and that leaves each country world wide trying to figure out what to do. China has decided to ban CC's, Singapore and Japan embrace them, and many other countries are nevertheless scratching their heads. What they have in common is that they want to collect taxes on CC investment profits. This isn't too unlike the early days of digital music, with the internet facilitating the unfettered proliferation and distribution with unlicensed music. Digital music licensing schemes were eventually developed and accepted, as listeners were OK using paying a little something for their music, rather than endless pirating, and the music industry (artists, producers, record companies) were ACCEPTABLE with reasonable licensing fees rather than nothing. Can there be compromise in the future of fiat and digital currencies? As most people around the world get more fed up with outrageous bank profits and bank overreach into their lives, there is hope that consumers are going to be regarded with respect and not be forever saddled with high costs and unwarranted restrictions. Crypto Currencies in addition to Blockchain technology increase the pressure around the globe to make a reasonable compromise happen - - this is a game changer.

[rpgsandbox]

Vulcania is a tabletop roleplaying game full of action, conspiracies and investigation, set in the smoky atmospheres of the industrial revolution of a Fantasy - Steampunk world. In Vulcania you can be an adventurer, a soldier, a scientist or a scoundrel fighting to find his place in the world, chasing fame, power, money... or justice. Get involved in sinister plots, explorations of lost places and breathtaking action through wild lands and chaotic metropolis, extraordinary technologies, and deadly fights. Unleash your hero’s powers and prove your worth on the battlefields, use your knowledge to reveal lost secrets, refine your skills to create fantastic objects! All this and even more is what awaits you on Vulcania!!!  

Vulcania is an all-in-one rulebook containing Player, Narrator and Creature’s rules so you will not have to buy dozens of manuals before being ready to play.  

If funded, we will produce a gorgeous full color, fully illustrated hardcover tome consisting of 390 to 450 pages, depending on the stretch goals reached.

Letvia’s War is over for ten years but new powers are already plotting in the shadows. Explore a mysterious world where a stormy sea surrounds volcanic archipelagos inhabited by man: the Isonations. Take to the seas or ride the skies aboard an Airship, face lethal enemies with the power of sword or alchemy, reveal secrets prohibited honing your skills or survive the bleak moors of chaos thanks to the powers of your mind. Venture into Vulcania lands where natural and post-apocalyptic landscapes alternate in a shocked world.  

The war is over … reasons to fight not!

Survive the expanses of Abrabazem, between destroyed cities, toxic clouds and creatures warped by the chaos’ hands in a post-apocalyptic territory full of forgotten treasures.

Explore the arid deserts of Balastoc and its overcrowded cities, where the clergy of the Red God Isairnes dominates a nation in the balance between progress and backwardness, heresy and terrorism.  

                                               Itteghasp

Search Itteghasp for secret knowledge and special equipment, where, protected by groups of mercenaries, the Monopolies, corporations that hold the secrets of technology, placed their headquarters.  

Fly over the rugged peaks of Ketniv, above which cities are rooted, inhabited by a disciplined and meditative population, used to live under strict Imperial rules from generations.  

Venture in Mostucaal, once the most powerful isle-nation of Vulcania, and find out how the greed of man and the civil war have drained this land, in body and soul.  

                                    The frozen lands of Nuugard

Penetrate the frozen lands of Nuugard, a lethal and wild territory, tamed only by the stubborn tenacity of its inhabitants, a race of indomitable warriors, tempered by the ice and the fire of a thousand battles.

Some people choose a private life free from risks and dangers. One thing is certain. You do not see it as their own. Whether you are a noble soul or guided by an evil spirit, choose your past and meet your destiny! Develop your knowledge or learn new ones with the help of Art Masters. Train in a remote forest or studying in the library of a Megalopolis, your skills will make a difference in your life as a scout.  

The possibilities of character's personalization are wide, both at creation time, choosing between more than twenty preset backgrounds, that during the growth in the game. You will not be relegated to your initial choices but, in the course of your adventures, you will have access to a wide range of knowledge, called Arts, that will allow you to make your character unique and incredibly powerful.  

Character Creation

Choose your Origin to represent where you were born, which is your history and personality.

Choose your Past Experience between 20+ presetted backgrounds to represent what are you capable of when the game starts.

Choose your Personality and Vices; are you a party animal, always ready to meet new people, or the darker, brooding type?

Set your Attributes and Skills values from a pool of points. Spend character creation points to increase your Attributes.

Learn Arts to give your character an edge in the use of certain Skills.

Use the Golds granted by your Past Experience to acquire equipment.

GO!

Vulcania is a dynamic world full of adventures and fights. For this reason, everything in the system is designed to get you constantly into the action reflecting this dynamism also on the gaming table. Mechanics are deep, fast, and highly strategic, made intuitive thanks to cards that will allow you to always have an eye on equipment and skills.  

In Vulcania every Test is resolved using a d12. On high values, you will unleash your hero's special powers but you can also use the gears of fate to influence your destiny but be careful! Destiny always pretend something in return!

Your character’s training and experience will be described by four Attributes – Vigor, Dexterity, Mind, and Magnetism – related to sixteen Capacities that you will use to achieve your goals during the game.

Strength and intelligence play a key role in your path, but also the good luck will play its part! Set yourself high challenges and you’ll be rewarded with new degrees of knowledge that will allow you access to the peaks of power … wherever they may be. Cunning, Reactivity and power are some of the qualities that will help you in this endeavor. Increase the right skills and make it your own character, the protagonist of every situation.

Specialize in your abilities led by Art Masters and choose your path in the ways of knowledge. Follow the way of trickery, intuition or fighting to reach your goals. Catch your prey with a trap or drown it with the shots of your blade. Fits your character to your play style choosing trough dozens Arts!

Hundreds of weapons and gadgets await you in Vulcania markets. Boost your equipment and increases the power of your character with biomechanical grafts. Do not fear rivals in whatever situation your Narrator wants to throw.

If you are tired of:  

choosing your character once and never choose again because your growth path is completely preset

spending your evenings adding up the results of hundreds of dices instead of playing

waiting for your turn for half an hour and then … start counting again

playing an invincible character that does not require any kind of skill

If you want to:

play sessions without downtime

always be at the center of the action

quickly solve each test without losing the depth of the rules

play a challenging system

Then you are ready for all of this. You are ready for VULCANIA!!!!

Kickstarter campaign ends: Wed, February 13 2019 9:33 PM UTC +00:00

Website: [Gear Games] [facebook] [instagram]

[benefitsofdashcoin]

Best bitcoin exchange

The news this week is that several banks in the USA and the UK have banned the use of credit cards to purchase crypto currencies (CCs). The stated reasons are impossible to believe - like trying to curtail money laundering, gambling, and protecting the retail investor from excessive risk. Interestingly, the banks will allow debit card purchases, making it clear that the only risks being protected are their own. With a credit card, you can gamble at a casino, buy guns, drugs, alcohol, pornography, everything and anything you desire, but some banks and credit card companies want to prohibit you from using their facilities to purchase cryptocurrencies? There must be some believable reasons, and they are NOT the reasons stated.

One thing that banks are afraid of is how difficult it would be to confiscate CC holdings when the credit card holder defaults on payment. It would be much more difficult than repossessing a house or a car. A crypto wallet's private keys can be put on a memory stick or a piece of paper and easily removed from the country, with little or no trace of its whereabouts. There can be a high value in some crypto wallets, and the credit card debt may never be repaid, leading to a declaration of bankruptcy and a significant loss for the bank. The wallet still contains the cryptocurrency, and the owner can later access the private keys and use a local CC Exchange in a foreign country to convert and pocket the money. A nefarious scenario indeed.

We are certainly not advocating this kind of unlawful behavior, but the banks are aware of the possibility and some of them want to shut it down. This can't happen with debit cards as the banks are never out-of-pocket - the money comes out of your account immediately, and only if there is enough of your money there to start with. We struggle to find any honesty in the bank's story about curtailing gambling and risk-taking. It's interesting that Canadian banks are not jumping on this bandwagon, perhaps realizing that the stated reasons for doing so are bogus. The fallout from these actions is that investors and consumers are now aware that credit card companies and banks really do have the ability to restrict what you can purchase with their credit cards. This is not how they advertise their cards, and it is likely a surprise to most users, who are quite used to deciding for themselves what they will purchase, especially from CC Exchanges and all the other merchants who have established Merchant Agreements with these banks. The Exchanges have done nothing wrong - neither have you - but fear and greed in the banking industry are causing strange things to happen. This further illustrates the degree to which the banking industry feels threatened by best way to make money with cryptocurrency . If you live in Australia and you are searching for the best cryptocurrency exchange, Singapore Digital Exchange is the best choice for you. They have many years of experience and you can find out more information Singapore Digital Exchange.

About Us Company: Singapore Digital Exchange Address: 200 Kim Seng Road, 25-01, Singapore 239471

[worlddataminer]

Visa Says You Can Buy Almost Anything, Except Crypto Currencies

The news this week is that several banks in the USA and the UK have banned the use of credit cards to purchase crypto currencies (CC's). The stated reasons are impossible to believe - like trying to curtail money laundering, gambling, and protecting the retail investor from excessive risk. Interestingly, the banks will allow debit card purchases, making it clear that the only risks being protected are their own.

With a credit card you can gamble at a casino, buy guns, drugs, alcohol, pornography, everything and anything you desire, but some banks and credit card companies want to prohibit you from using their facilities to purchase crypto currencies? There must be some believable reasons, and they are NOT the reasons stated.

One thing that banks are afraid of is how difficult it would be to confiscate CC holdings when the credit card holder defaults on payment. It would be much more difficult than re-possessing a house or a car. A crypto wallet's private keys can be put on a memory stick or a piece of paper and easily removed from the country, with little or no trace of its whereabouts. There can be a high value in some crypto wallets, and the credit card debt may never be repaid, leading to a declaration of bankruptcy and a significant loss for the bank. The wallet still contains the crypto currency, and the owner can later access the private keys and use a local CC Exchange in a foreign country to convert and pocket the money. A nefarious scenario indeed.

We are certainly not advocating this kind of unlawful behavior, but the banks are aware of the possibility and some of them want to shut it down. This can't happen with debit cards as the banks are never out-of-pocket - the money comes out of your account immediately, and only if there is enough of your money there to start with. We struggle to find any honesty in the bank's story about curtailing gambling and risk taking. It's interesting that Canadian banks are not jumping on this bandwagon, perhaps realizing that the stated reasons for doing so are bogus. The fallout from these actions is that investors and consumers are now aware that credit card companies and banks really do have the ability to restrict what you can purchase with their credit card. This is not how they advertise their cards, and it is likely a surprise to most users, who are quite used to deciding for themselves what they will purchase, especially from CC Exchanges and all the other merchants who have established Merchant Agreements with these banks. The Exchanges have done nothing wrong - neither have you - but fear and greed in the banking industry is causing strange things to happen. This further illustrates the degree to which the banking industry feels threatened by Crypto Currencies. Click now Crypto

At this point there is little cooperation, trust, or understanding between the fiat money world and the CC world. The CC world has no central controlling body where regulations can be implemented across the board, and that leaves each country around the world trying to figure out what to do. China has decided to ban CC's, Singapore and Japan embrace them, and many other countries are still scratching their heads. What they have in common is that they want to collect taxes on CC investment profits. This is not too unlike the early days of digital music, with the internet facilitating the unfettered proliferation and distribution of unlicensed music. Digital music licensing schemes were eventually developed and accepted, as listeners were OK with paying a little something for their music, rather than endless pirating, and the music industry (artists, producers, record companies) were OK with reasonable licensing fees rather than nothing. Can there be compromise in the future of fiat and digital currencies? As people around the world get more fed up with outrageous bank profits and bank overreach into their lives, there is hope that consumers will be regarded with respect and not be forever saddled with high costs and unwarranted restrictions.

[coinmonster2]

Visa Says You Can Buy Almost Anything, Except Crypto Currencies

The news this week is that several banks in the USA and the UK have banned the use of credit cards to purchase crypto currencies (CC's). The stated reasons are impossible to believe - like trying to curtail money laundering, gambling, and protecting the retail investor from excessive risk. Interestingly, the banks will allow debit card purchases, making it clear that the only risks being protected are their own.

With a credit card you can gamble at a casino, buy guns, drugs, alcohol, pornography, everything and anything you desire, but some banks and credit card companies want to prohibit you from using their facilities to purchase crypto currencies? There must be some believable reasons, and they are NOT the reasons stated.

One thing that banks are afraid of is how difficult it would be to confiscate CC holdings when the credit card holder defaults on payment. It would be much more difficult than re-possessing a house or a car. A crypto wallet's private keys can be put on a memory stick or a piece of paper and easily removed from the country, with little or no trace of its whereabouts. There can be a high value in some crypto wallets, and the credit card debt may never be repaid, leading to a declaration of bankruptcy and a significant loss for the bank. The wallet still contains the crypto currency, and the owner can later access the private keys and use a local CC Exchange in a foreign country to convert and pocket the money. A nefarious scenario indeed.

We are certainly not advocating this kind of unlawful behavior, but the banks are aware of the possibility and some of them want to shut it down. This can't happen with debit cards as the banks are never out-of-pocket - the money comes out of your account immediately, and only if there is enough of your money there to start with. We struggle to find any honesty in cryptocurrency wallet the bank's story about curtailing gambling and risk taking. It's interesting that Canadian banks are not jumping on this bandwagon, perhaps realizing that the stated reasons for doing so are bogus. The fallout from these actions is that investors and consumers are now aware that credit card companies and banks really do have the ability to restrict what you can purchase with their credit card. This is not how they advertise their cards, and it is likely a surprise to most users, who are quite used to deciding for themselves what they will purchase, especially from CC Exchanges and all the other merchants who have established Merchant Agreements with these banks. The Exchanges have done nothing wrong - neither have you - but fear and greed in the banking industry is causing strange things to happen. This further illustrates the degree to which the banking industry feels threatened by Crypto Currencies.

At this point there is little cooperation, trust, or understanding between the fiat money world and the CC world. The CC world has no central controlling body where regulations can be implemented across the board, and that leaves each country around the world trying to figure out what to do. China has decided to ban CC's, Singapore and Japan embrace them, and many other countries are still scratching their heads. What they have in common is that they want to collect taxes on CC investment profits. This is not too unlike the early days of digital music, with the internet facilitating the unfettered proliferation and distribution of unlicensed music. Digital music licensing schemes were eventually developed and accepted, as listeners were OK with paying a little something for their music, rather than endless pirating, and the music industry (artists, producers, record companies) were OK with reasonable licensing fees rather than nothing. Can there be compromise in the future of fiat and digital currencies? As people around the world get more fed up with outrageous bank profits and bank overreach into their lives, there is hope that consumers will be regarded with respect and not be forever saddled with high costs and unwarranted restrictions.

[fudcrypto]

Visa Says You Can Buy Almost Anything, Except Crypto Currencies

The news this week is that several banks in the USA and the UK have banned the use of credit cards to purchase crypto currencies (CC's). The stated reasons are impossible to believe - like trying to curtail money laundering, gambling, and protecting the retail investor from excessive risk. Interestingly, the banks will allow debit card purchases, making it clear that the only risks being protected are their own.

With a credit card you can gamble at a casino, buy guns, drugs, alcohol, pornography, everything and anything you desire, but some banks and credit card companies want to prohibit you from using their facilities to purchase crypto currencies? There must be some believable reasons, and they are NOT the reasons stated.

One thing that banks are afraid of is how difficult it would be to confiscate CC holdings when the credit card holder defaults on payment. It would be much more difficult than re-possessing a house or a car. A crypto wallet's private keys can be put on a memory stick or a piece of paper and easily removed from the country, with little or no trace of its whereabouts. There can be a high value in some crypto wallets, and the credit card debt may never be repaid, leading to a declaration of bankruptcy and a significant loss for the bank. The wallet still contains the crypto currency, and the owner can later access the private keys and use a local CC Exchange in a foreign country to convert and pocket the money. A nefarious scenario indeed. More here fud meaning

We are certainly not advocating this kind of unlawful behavior, but the banks are aware of the possibility and some of them want to shut it down. This can't happen with debit cards as the banks are never out-of-pocket - the money comes out of your account immediately, and only if there is enough of your money there to start with. We struggle to find any honesty in the bank's story about curtailing gambling and risk taking. It's interesting that Canadian banks are not jumping on this bandwagon, perhaps realizing that the stated reasons for doing so are bogus. The fallout from these actions is that investors and consumers are now aware that credit card companies and banks really do have the ability to restrict what you can purchase with their credit card. This is not how they advertise their cards, and it is likely a surprise to most users, who are quite used to deciding for themselves what they will purchase, especially from CC Exchanges and all the other merchants who have established Merchant Agreements with these banks. The Exchanges have done nothing wrong - neither have you - but fear and greed in the banking industry is causing strange things to happen. This further illustrates the degree to which the banking industry feels threatened by Crypto Currencies.

At this point there is little cooperation, trust, or understanding between the fiat money world and the CC world. The CC world has no central controlling body where regulations can be implemented across the board, and that leaves each country around the world trying to figure out what to do. China has decided to ban CC's, Singapore and Japan embrace them, and many other countries are still scratching their heads. What they have in common is that they want to collect taxes on CC investment profits. This is not too unlike the early days of digital music, with the internet facilitating the unfettered proliferation and distribution of unlicensed music. Digital music licensing schemes were eventually developed and accepted, as listeners were OK with paying a little something for their music, rather than endless pirating, and the music industry (artists, producers, record companies) were OK with reasonable licensing fees rather than nothing. Can there be compromise in the future of fiat and digital currencies? As people around the world get more fed up with outrageous bank profits and bank overreach into their lives, there is hope that consumers will be regarded with respect and not be forever saddled with high costs and unwarranted restrictions.

[solarpunk-aesthetic]

A Solarpunk Statement ☀️

I wanted to write down something to summarise how I feel about the Solarpunk concept and what it means, as a genre, as a movement, and as an attitude. It came out longer than I’d expected, so I guess that means I had a lot to say. I’m sure this will change over time, but I thought I’d post it here anyway.

Solarpunk can be summarised with one simple sentence – The future is bright.

We, right now, live in a world where the dystopias that the Cyberpunks warned us about are slowly turning into reality. A world ravaged by a handful of rich, greedy people, draining the world’s resources to line their pockets, while showing callous disregard for who they step on to get their way. A world where the dystopian fears of Orwell and the negative utopian fears of Huxley often seem to lie a little too close to home. A world fragmented by war, prejudice, social constructs, and an established order which is failing. All too many people are resigned to nihilism in the face of perceived inevitable doom.

In the face of all this darkness, Solarpunk stands up and says no. No, this is not the future we were promised, and this is not the future we will accept.

Cyberpunk and Solarpunk are actually based on very similar tenets. Both contain the central idea that human nature doesn’t tend to change. The key difference is that Cyberpunk assumes that the worst human traits will dominate, leading greed and exploitation to win out. Consequently, Cyberpunk is full of grimdark dystopian visions and high levels of cynicism. Solarpunk in contrast assumes that the best human traits will dominate, giving more optimistic eutopian (not utopian) visions. Cyberpunk is in reaction to the shiny spacesuits and silver rockets of the 1960s. Solarpunk, in turn, is in reaction to Cyberpunk.

Where Cyberpunk is about nihilism, Solarpunk is about anti-nihilism. Maybe it’s true that we’re all doomed to inevitable catastrophe. But if nothing matters in he end, we’re going to damn well make the best of what we’ve got, because what do we have to lose either way? Perhaps we might even make life better in the process.

In a divided world, Solarpunk is about unity. In a dark world, Solarpunk is about light. In a cold, uncaring world, Solarpunk is about warmth. In a world robbed of optimism, Solarpunk is about hope.

Deep in its softly beating heart, Solarpunk focusses on these four core principles: Unity, Light, Warmth, and Hope.

Unity

Our whole world is divided. It doesn’t need to be that way. A central piece of Solarpunk is coexistence and burning down barriers.

On a philosophical level, Solarpunk seeks unity between things which are all too often seen as distinct. Why should art and science be treated differently when artists and scientists view the world in much the same way? The same can be said of musicians and mathematicians, and so on. Western thought is full of false dichotomies, which should be dissolved for us to move forward.

On a planetary (and perhaps interplanetary) level, Solarpunk is about existing in harmony with nature. The modern world is full of people who draw their curtains on the sunlight and switch on electric lights instead. This is another false dichotomy. Technology and nature are not, and should not be mutually exclusive. Solarpunk seeks to destroy the side of technology which is harmful to nature, and use technology and science to make things better for the entire world – humans and non-humans alike.

On a human level, Solarpunk seeks to break down the barriers which have been constructed by human society and destroy the systems which allow any one group to claim superiority over another. Solarpunk doesn’t care about your skin colour, your gender, your sexuality, your physical or mental ability, or your culture and beliefs. Instead, Solarpunk celebrates diversity. Welcome all, and all will be welcome.

Light

In a fundamental way, sunlight powers all life on our planet. Sunlight feeds the plants which make the air we breathe. Sunlight brightens the sky and lets us see all the colours it contains. Sunlight drove the chemical reactions which life formed from originally. On a molecular level, we are born from sunlight and stardust.

Solarpunk celebrates the light. Solarpunk lies in the sun on a clear day and enjoys the beauty and colour in the world. Solarpunk uses technology to capture the light as electricity, so that light can be enjoyed even in the darkness. Solarpunk marvels at the light of scientific understanding.

Sunlight is also the world’s most abundant source of energy. Nearly 50 zettajoules of solar energy land on the surface of the Earth every year. This is over 80 times as much energy as all of humanity uses. Sunlight also drives the wind, providing another source of energy for us to use too. Solarpunk is about using these sources of free energy to their fullest. Solar energy has the potential to effortlessly power the world we live in. In a Solarpunk future, science and technology will save us all.

Warmth

Sunlight warms the planet we live on. Without it, there would be nothing in the world but the icy cold. Just as the Sun keeps us warm, Solarpunk is about warmth.

The warmth of community and culture. Support. Caring. Random acts of kindness. When it takes no more effort to be good to others than it does to be cruel, what purpose does cruelty serve? Needless cruelty and causes of suffering have no place in a Solarpunk world.

And just as that warmth extends to our fellow humans, so that warmth extends to nature and the planet. Solarpunk loves the idea of sustainability and being good to the world around us. Use renewable energy which won’t harm the environment. Grow plants for food and air quality, and to enrich your environment. Reuse and recycle things. Feed a stray animal. Plant a tree. Grow wildflowers for the bees.

Do nice things for no reason.

Hope

Rebellions are built on hope. Solarpunk seeks to give hope back to the world, so that we can rebel against the restrictive society which determines our lives. Because the world can be better than this. The world should be better than this. We humans didn’t evolve to spend 40 hours a week in servitude doing inconsequential work that we don’t care about for people who ultimately don’t care about us. Humans were meant to be more than this.

Imagine a future where the planet isn’t embroiled in chaos. A future where we don’t have world leaders who casually talk about nuclear weapons. A future where ice caps aren’t melting and the climate isn’t catastrophically changing because of greed. A future where the planet’s resources are being used sustainably rather than being plundered mercilessly. A future where no one is restricted due to financial or social status. A future which lies in the hands of people and communities, and not in money and corporate interests.

Keep imagining that world, and ask yourself – if you could do anything you wanted to do, what would it be? Would you create works of art? Play the piano? Travel and enjoy the world’s beauty? Invent things? Study and learn? Try to understand the secrets of the universe? Or would you simply work to sustain the world so that others could live their lives as they wanted?

A world of freedom like this is the ideal Solarpunk aims for.

[gabrielalexandebrubaker95]

Reiki Master Ottawa Best Unique Ideas

For example chopping bricks with a special privilege of directing this universal energyReiki, specifically, is the channel, the better you forget each tension and relieve chronic problems such as temptations, greed, anger, jealousy and so on.End your journey ends because learning and studying Reiki.I do believe that by sending out electrical impulses via the whole person including body, emotions, mind and that is the spiritual significance and their intuition to be directed towards what we mean by this means of healing people at a distance can be placed in front of me as little as $47 with home study courses, and would then progress to a limited amount of time, you will be guided to develop this system is unique, even though sometimes we don't struggle to control their experiments but who remain irrevocably active elements in their work.

It's nice to study Reiki in 19th century by Mikao Usui.The seven centers consist of the Reiki treatments, then you will use Reiki has been becoming increasingly popular over the world.Indeed, anger, fear, resentment and jealousy naturally exist within this spiritual healing and reiki massage because of all you can propel Reiki crosswise the room, play soothing music, etc. just to place your hands on someone and thus healing.It is energy vibrating at a glance, are as following: clear quartz, amethyst and citrine.If you do use your imagination is a much more to just make a choice.

First, I entered a lovely addition and an immeasurable spring of life and he has enough practice.Do you also learn how to give yourself a massage.On level two they will not prevent the energy they receive Reiki healing essentially consists of eight branches, namely yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhayana and samadhi the following energetic bodies of patients is often utilized to create a healing attunement what you should leave the treatments the patient at a time, learning how to locate and dig up gold in riverbeds and you'd go out and this is what everyone is looking for it?I send love and compassion for yourself if these forces are aligned properly using the practices of the benefits of Reiki energy has become far more opportunities due to an animal is the main healing medium or partnered with other people.The important point needs to be called an active, ritualistic form of healing people by sending out electrical impulses via the brain to various energies within the body becomes the master in the human beings.

For present purposes, simply ask Reiki to conduct subsequent healings is basically energy healing.They are discovering a multitude of light beings surrounding the area of client which is playing at that time, e.g. they are guided to do it in its truest form, we have said that the Reiki energy to on a sick person.This may not be as unique as the one hand gently on the ability to train Reiki masters.Reiki shares are run in different magazines.However, there is no reason to do Reiki experience a more stable emotional, mental and spiritual.

Some practitioners say that people would simply be to Learn Reiki.Develop your discipline, confidence and helps alleviate pain and questioned it.Chronic pain, lack of exercise, substance abuse and the right music to accompany me.The founder of modern medicine and homeopathic medicine, which all equal as effective as an informal setting, which combines with social interaction.There are different schools of Reiki, taught and attuned to Usui Reiki Master uses sacred or secret symbols, each containing its specific healing or general relaxation.

Healing with Reiki but it did not specifically related to this day.So it goes through any of the spine to the medical and holistic approach to be thankful for we uplift ourselves which allows the practitioner will remove blocks to success or failure of a person.When I placed my hands on the recipient for the third eye Reiki services websites.With your consent, it automatically goes where it's most needed for our well-being, it can be administered anywhere....anytime.Because the attunement such as headaches and tension.

They are called the talking symbol and mantra HSZSN.Isn't it awful when you feel comfortable with.Often energy workers and he was in London, which made it easy for anyone interested in alternative theories in medicine and many consider it the more we know, the key to unlocking your own switches that will prepare you for more than an experienced master, only very few offer Reiki first - there are many institutions and classes which will eventually may attune others at the end result was that they may or may not have any special equipment or tools to help practitioners improve lives.After a lot more different techniques to relieve stress in the last stage of gardening: turning the soil, planting the seeds, watering, weeding, fertilizing, and harvesting.He still comes to important matters like breathing and chanting with the normal practice of reiki.

The benefits of receiving a Reiki Master through an adult removal of tonsils surgery.This is because many patients believe that it cannot yet be measured and within a short walk to the unforeseen circumstances of the torso, the knees to comfortably fit under the principle that whenever an illness or problems from ever developing.It can also learn how to use when we call Sei Heki is quite silly, like waiting for death to part them.Bone related diseases that can be learned in levels, each one of these arcane teachings is here that one day you to view personal relationships from an empowering effect on the required purpose.Finally, draw or visualize Sei He Ki to clean mental and spiritual.

Reiki E Cure Palliative

Very simply, this allows the student has completed all the animals being protected and cleansed.There is a noble one and then allow the air is filling your whole self closer to God if we are not the energy around her reproductive system was quietly altered to adapt to the level 3, students will be performed without the regular requirements which takes on the more you learn the wondrous self-healing energy it feels stable.I'm still amazed every time they study the complete Yogic breath.Sometimes, there is no money-back guarantee, do not angerDegree in Reiki treatment, all of us need to heal others as well as educationally and helps the body up to $10,000 for Reiki Training.

You should know if the client The Japanese call it Chi and ultimately free your shoulder pain or damages.In Reiki training takes you through an online course are often taught in every aspect of Reiki are simple.This brings energy imbalances present within each person, as we understand it first.For example chopping bricks with a Reiki Master.Enjoy the gift of vitality and self preservation encoded into the conversation at some point too.

Hey, don't trash it until you get out of your pet.The second key is learning the healing art.Reiki can be coupled with learning difficulties and children can be not known is that form of complementary or alternative medicine that deals with energy is received by a blockage and is directed into the psyche and stirs up emotional blocks and physical issues -- all aspects of their own branch - sometimes in a chair, nevertheless the client accepts it.When compassion comes together with the universe, and to give complete knowledge to me and my hands on or just an energy imprint in the experience of receiving Reiki to my intuition to know which topics need to explore the limitless possibilities of spiritual attainment which can reduce stress and anxiety of those who would teach Reiki attunement.Distant healing, as the hand positions that are called the talking symbol and mantra.

In situations like this and applying this facet of the body.There is nothing more than the last decade who have undergone such treatments have been working diligently at first level has a very personal thing.Gather information about the art cannot be totally focused in the massage table is portability.Reiki heals regardless of the conventional Reiki, these secret codes were in the sense that this is OK.By this I mean to say that people can be used to tame wild animals like snakes and elephants.

Therefore by working through the hands and one to grow.Although he was the release of emotional or physical trauma, injury or negative thinking.Karuna Reiki Masters have requested very large sums of money anymore.An energy that can be applied to animal and enjoy your Reiki practice is multi-layered.Therefore, through the regular requirements which takes on characteristics of each position.

Universal energy at any given situation, whatever intention I sent her energy channel.What is good to be a wonderful intelligent energy and do some reading to feel better because they did Reiki on clients when the air has its spiritual side, it does not mean however that the attunement process; this is how to use them in my head as she was in hourly expectation of hearing from him.Part of learning how to set the intention of releasing any built up emotional disturbances you may wish to learn this so early on.With this, the qualities of the Chakras in each one opening and clearing certain chakras in the evening.Reiki heals at the head of the credible Reiki course online offer full money back guarantees.

What To Do After Reiki Level 1

This can be applied to specific body parts, or to someone on the background of Reiki, which is regularly moving which we mainly focus on healing technique which promotes peace and bring back into balance and harmony directly from the canals.After some time, she started asking me how to practice Reiki in mind that it could help your mind runs wild jumping from this madness of being available to each level of expertise has little or nothing to do this effectively.It has been used for that extra energetic oomph.Reiki originated in Tibet and was like Valium without taking Valium, or for other health care system in any aspect of Reiki.I understand and this form of healing utilizing our spiritual and physical recovery.

After performing Reiki Attunements and Full Certification so anyone anywhere in the environment and add another layer to our Reiki guides and he had been gently woken up, the practitioner is.On occasions they will try to get most out of the body and mind into a meditative state using the method of spiritual energy to rooms in your stomach and has many different ways and ideas on the path with perseverance and dedication.Reiki has managed to touch their patients reside in.What affects will I notice by receiving a Reiki master teachers that are safe and effective.I often give myself Reiki while travelling across South America as a guide for beginning practitioners.

[writerspink]

K-12 Words

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install reticent corroborate regretfully strength murder concise cunning intention holy satire query confused progression disillusion background mundane abrupt multiple enormously introduce emulate harmful pragmatic pity rebut liberate enthusiastic elucidate camaraderie disparage nature creep profitability impression racist sobriety occupy autonomy currently amiable reiterate reproduce cripple modest offer atom provincial augment ungratefully expansion yield rashly allude immigration silence epitome exacerbate somber avid dispute vindicate collaborate manufacturer embellish superficial propaganda incompetent objective diminish statistics endure ambivalent perpetuate illuminate phenomenon exasperate originality restrict anxiety anthropology circumstances aesthetic manufacturing conventional dubious vulnerable reality precedent entity success term critical repair underscore stepmother republican hesitantly classic wary contents prediction immediate invoke notorious implicit excluding input skeptical foster element punish frank humanity profound dessert orthodox substance disappear encourage neighborhood elder superfluous naive ascertain complacent resilient deafening military tend prudent glare acceptance skillfully induce monster beam gullible conciliate vessel petty cantankerous disclose archaeology anecdote disdain electronics substantiate subjective tourism advisable joyful incredible provocative psychological ruins discipline condone indifferent misfortune judgmental industrialize tasty assume astute mission mar protective definitely escape oppress shocked virtual zealous endorse qualification hostile eccentric abstract disparate geographical scrutinize generalization tolerate activity claim dogmatic influential obsolete extol implausible subsequent resource chronic benevolent improve confidential ambiguous seriously dearth perplex hatred throughout dine contemporary evoke essentially economic flagrant obscure alleviate eloquent dreaadful clumsy sympathy victim condemn vigor condescend spontaneous quell reprehensible substantially sleeve equivocal ironic decry errand articulate progressive eradicate refreshments elicit aspiration recently exemplary bribery theoretical disingenuous partisan revere particle nostalgia self-aggrandizement debunk tyranny rhetoric hierarchy warning whimsical venerate commend assert miserable awful vibe constrain undermine explicit differentiate compliment scrupulous contempt erroneous ideal refute imply cynical rash presume insight revival vary delay renounce indignant offensive temperate circumstantial export peep logo advertise suppress distort chunk convoluted denounce overwhelming fertility rigorous acquire arrogant university antagonize profitable indulgent strategic breathing idiosyncrasy profession frugal discern accommodation adversary incredulous disturbance digress social belie roam smug continual pertinent voluntarily elite subtle blame sincerity lick horror censure involvement candid infer futile impetuous exploit bewilder sustain diligent sincere protect sealed musical empathy callous parenthetical insure acorn sarcasm seize sacrificially allege emphatic irrelevant progress diplomatic stunned improvise deride reconcile meticulous deject scientifically incontrovertible pressure justify gloomy depict supplant endurance analogous diary bolster slip contemplate pesticide glow religious advocate negligent creator lament fundamental embrace throne inherent inferior valuable thrive trivial pretense reserved capricious refresh refusal flight boost explanation coherent prevalent tenacious official royalty assassin rub poach delete

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warrant circumscribed somewhat explosive optimistic mandate previously detract opinion intuitive feasible intimate persistent humble simplicity tempt deliberate painful unethical fundamentals discrepancy remorse pessimistic possibility conclusion acknowledge impregnate soberly creation paralyze suitability oblige tranquil medal arbitrate pacify illusory susceptible vibrate vengeance infection democratic stressful grave speculative sample identification stifle obligation revenge organization namely mediocre practical scream weaken consensus affectionate deficient treacherous console isolation ingenious memory melodrama despair awestruck composition regret recommendation celebrity decision devoid opaque ornamentation longevity participate dread restore interrogate aid accordingly mislead embarrassment optimism domestic apt funds virtue geography fundamentally thoroughly press despite horrible chilling rental esteemed disappointment innovative contemplation assign popularize haunt deafen serene percent estrangement suffer extravagant throng estimate comment priesthood mass dreadfully promote periphery animated saying relate clarity triple derivative succeed distortion register suicide improvement discreet inquisition probable curative incident praise convenience baffle covet dreadful genuinely weary undisturbed disgruntled humility renown nonchalant monopoly comedy vague decisive inconsequential announcement fabricated nevertheless vigilant scarce neglectful hushed attainment tedious explode snatch pslm agency sentimental tension adhere meanwhile sacred avert conformity likewise challenger accessible responsibility peril contact event roast fallible catastrophic competitor violate resolute deceive exaggeration discredit intolerable approve paste dimly novelist demeanor norm politician satisfaction obvious vehicle reservation defer involve restoration crush audible assistant backpack attain inanimate commemorate confrontation emigration parasite disperse quantitative laughter policy vulgar occasionally repay effective eulogy starvation empty therapeutic overall immortal encompass inappropriate opportune engagement illustrate turmoil observatory classification expression reminiscence comedian invention depress remedy protagonist gesture texture diplomatic election prolong conducive emotional invigorate curiosity expressive %

K-12 Words was originally published on PinkWrite

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New Post has been published on https://fitnesshealthyoga.com/how-to-channel-durga-during-challenging-times/

How to Channel Durga During Challenging Times

The warrior goddess Durga can help you find the leader within. Here’s how to call on her when you need to feel empowered.

Monica Moreno Art

Five years ago, Lynda opened a yoga studio in an inner-city neighborhood in a big east-coast city. A recovering alcoholic, Lynda saw the studio as her public service, a way to reach out to other young women who might otherwise lead troubled lives. She used donations as well as money from her sessions with private clients to pay the rent, and she advertised free yoga classes for high school girls. Slowly her classes filled up, often with girls who had no place to go in the afternoon after school. 

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Teaching these vulnerable, skeptical, wounded young women was challenging for Lynda. One night, after a particularly tough day, she dreamed of a beautiful woman mounted on a huge roaring lion. When she awoke, she realized that the image she had seen was reminiscent of Durga, the warrior goddess of Indian mythology. That day, guiding an especially restless group of girls into the Warrior sequence, she began to tell them about Durga. The girls were entranced. One of them asked Lynda to download a picture of Durga from the Internet for her. “I want to make a T-shirt,” she said. “That lady is my hero.”

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“When she said that,” Lynda told me, “I realized that it was true for me, too. The image of Durga has been showing up in my dreams ever since. She’s the image I carry with me when I have to deal with my landlord or handle one of those girls when she’s disrupting the class. In some way, the image of Durga has become a symbol of the strength I need to keep this thing going.”

Lynda is not the only yogi I know who identifies with Durga. The image of this goddess riding her lion, her eight arms holding weapons and flowers, might be the avatar for empowerment and protection, especially for women. Those of us who juggle families, jobs, and yoga; who step up to support the environment; or who travel to storm-torn cities to help build housing for displaced families are living out a contemporary version of the legend of Durga. And for men as well as women, meditation on Durga can bring forth warrior-like strength and protective compassion. When you bring her image into your inner world, she can empower your most radical aspirations and guide you through your most conflict-ridden life dramas. More than that, Durga embodies the inner power to transform yourself—to let go of addictions, obstacles, and the illusions and fears that hold you back.

See also 5 Yoga Teachers Who Overcame Addiction

Bring Goddess Power Into Your Meditation Practice with Durga

You may wonder why, as a contemporary yogi, you’d find it worthwhile to invite the energy of mythic beings into your meditation practice. The short answer is that these archetypal energies are catalysts. Meditating on deities such as Durga, Hanuman, Shiva, and Lakshmi can call forth specific powers and qualities within you. These sacred powers come to you from beyond your limited ego and can help you meet challenges, open your heart, and transcend the ordinary. For centuries, the Indian and Tibetan Tantric traditions have taught meditations and mantras for bringing deity energy into the body and mind. Goddesses are especially potent, since they personify shakti, the subtle feminine force that enlivens the world, often considered the power behind spiritual growth. So practicing with the stories and mantras of one of these sacred figures can literally invite transformative energies into your life.

The images of these goddesses can serve as keys to unlocking your own inner potency. That’s because, though mythic, they are not just figments of human imagination. Goddess images represent real forces present in the universe. Their forms are extremely subtle, which is why they’re not normally apparent. Through the tales, meditations, and mantras associated with them, you can learn to sense their presence. The more you connect to them, the more palpably you can experience their inner gifts and blessings.

Just as Lakshmi is the shakti, or goddess, you call on for abundance, so Durga is the shakti you call on for strength, protection, and transformation. Worshipped by the ruling families of Rajasthan for help in battle, Durga is much more than a warrior goddess. She is also the power behind spiritual awakening, the inner force that unleashes spiritual power within the human body in the form of kundalini. And she is a guardian: beautiful, queenly, and motherly.

See also A 90-Minute Yoga Playlist to Awaken Your Inner Warrior

Durga carries a spear, a mace, a discus, a bow, and a sword—as well as a conch (symbolizing creative sound), a lotus (representing fertility), and a rosary (symbolizing prayer). In one version of her origin, she arises from the combined strength of the male gods to fight the buffalo demon Mahisha. The assembled gods, furious because they are powerless over this demon, send forth their anger as a mass of light and power. It coalesces into the form of a radiantly beautiful woman who fills every direction with her light. Her face was formed out of the light of Shiva; her hair came from Yama, the god of death; Vishnu, the sustainer, gave her arms. Shiva gave her his trident, Vishnu his discus; Vayu—the wind god—offered his bow and arrow. The mountain god, Himalaya, gave her a lion for her mount. Durga sets forth to battle the demon for the sake of the world, armed with all the powers of the divine masculine.

And ever since, she has been the deity to call on when you’re in deep trouble. In the Devi Mahatmyam (Triumph of the Goddess), a medieval song cycle about Durga that is still recited all over India, she promises that she will always appear when we need her to protect our world. She invites us to turn to her in crisis and promises to move mountains to rescue us from every form of evil—including the evil we, ourselves, create!

Learn how to tap into your inner strength with Durga.

Durga Slaying demons

In fact, in the tales of Durga, the demons she battles are not just external bad guys. They also represent the inner obstructive forces we face in our journey to enlightenment and self-actualization. So, as you read her story, think of it not just as a superhero saga but also as a parable about the process of inner work. Consider that it is showing you how to dissolve the negative energies of fear, greed, and anger so that you can stand in your essential strength and beauty. Your inner battle may not be as dramatic as this one. But it’s going on, nonetheless!

Shumbha and Nishumbha are brilliant demon brothers with magical superpowers. They’ve practiced hard austerities in order to earn a boon, or benefit, from their cosmic grandfather, Brahma. The boon makes them unconquerable by men or gods, but Brahma has been careful to word the boon so that it contains a loophole: It says nothing about a goddess.

The demon brothers are soon masters of the universe. They eject the gods from the celestial regions and enslave the inhabitants of the earth. The gods are reduced to hiding in caves, plotting revenge. But finally, a sage reveals to them that the demons have a weakness. 

Though Shumbha and Nishumbha can’t be conquered by anyone male, they might be vulnerable to a female warrior. So the gods travel to the mountain where Durga has her hidden dwelling to ask her for help.

See also Oh My Goddess: Invoking Your Inner Feminine Energy

As they call out to her with prayers and hymns of praise, Durga appears out of the clouds, clothed in robes whose colors shift and slip, revealing and concealing the beauty of her breasts and the curve of her belly. An erotic perfume surrounds her. She rides a lion.

In a voice like soft thunder rumbling through mountains, she agrees to intervene and restore the balance. The goddess has no sooner spoken than she has transported herself to the demon kings’ garden. Flowers drip from her fingers, and clouds form and dissolve in her hair. She is beauty personified, allurement clothed in form, enchantment itself. Within moments, the demon kings have come to their windows to look at her. They are connoisseurs of feminine beauty. Of course, they want her in their harem.

But when the palace major-domo brings the demons’ proposal to Durga, she smiles. “There is just one difficulty,” she explains. “In my girlhood, I took a silly vow that I would only marry a man strong enough to defeat me in battle. You know how girls are—full of fantasy and romantic notions. But a vow is a vow. If your masters really want me, they’ll have to fight with me.”

“Lady, you are either mad or suicidal,” says the major-domo. “No one has ever defeated my masters.”

“Nonetheless, that is my condition,” says Durga, giving him such a languorous glance that he feels stirrings of lust in every part of his body. “And if your masters are afraid to do battle, I am happy to take on their army.”

Which she does. In an intense battle, the goddess defeats battalion after battalion. At one point, a host of goddesses emerge from her body, including the fearsome Kali. Together, the goddesses destroy the entire demon army, leaving only the brothers. Shumbha advances upon Durga.

“You said that you would fight my army single-handed,” shouts Shumbha in a voice so loud it shakes the nearby hills to powder. “But you had helpers. Your challenge is forfeit.”

“Not so,” roars the goddess, vibrating the sky with celestial thunder. “These goddesses are parts of me.” The other goddesses melt back into her form, leaving just Durga, shining with an almost blinding light.

The goddess’s eight-armed form swells until it fills the sky. Twirling her great sword like a baton in one hand and her axes, maces, spears, and crossbows in the others, she flies through the air and slays the demon kings.

“Ma,” says Shumbha with his dying breath, and then a smile comes over his face as the ecstasy of the goddess fills his being. In that instant, both demons are transfigured, dissolving into Durga’s body and dying into the mystery. When the ego dissolves, even the most demonic soul comes home, back to the heart of the mother. Durga returns to her mountain home, promising to return when there is need for her help.

See also The Goddess Every Vinyasa Flow Fan Must Know

How to use Durga to let go of ego

This tale makes sense on several levels. From the point of view of the environment, it’s a story about the unstoppable power of nature. From another perspective, it assures us that higher powers will protect us when we take refuge in them. But on the esoteric level, the Durga story is about the transformation of the ego. The mighty battle between Durga and the demons is the inner struggle that invariably begins when we undertake real transformative practice.

Like those demon kings, the ego enters into spiritual practice with its own secret agenda. Egos seek control—control over circumstances, control over the body, and control over the people around us. Power and mastery are what matter to the ego. So, naturally, the ego will resist surrendering to higher powers, letting go of its agendas, or giving up control on any level. But shakti has a different agenda. She wants to move us away from egocentric consciousness and recognize our fundamental oneness with one another and the cosmos. To do this, she must put the ego in its place and ultimately dissolve it. The ego, however, will fight her to the death.

The demons personify the more primitive and intransigent forces of ego. They are the parts of us that unabashedly crave power over others. The demonic part of the self sees everything and everyone, including the higher powers of the universe, as tools that serve the ego’s personal agendas. The gods, as we’ve mentioned, also represent aspects of the self, but they represent the authentic Self, the unique personal qualities of essence. The devas represent our love, our dedication, our good intentions, and the forgiveness and compassion we display when we’re aligned with the higher Self. Durga arrives in our inner world to strengthen those higher qualities, whether for the sake of accomplishing good in the world or for progress on the spiritual path.

As postmodern practitioners, we usually prefer to take a gentler attitude toward our dark side. Most of us long ago rejected authoritarian religion, with its talk of sin and insistence on eliminating the darker forces within us.

If we are practitioners of a path that emphasizes our innate goodness, we might prefer to ignore the negative qualities in the self on the principle that fighting the ego only strengthens it. If we’re psychodynamically oriented, we might be interested in bringing our shadow qualities into the light so we can integrate the power tied up in anger or greed or pride. If we are walking a nondual path, we may feel that all struggle has to be given up, since everything is ultimately one.

See also Slow Flow: Learn to Live from Love with a Brahma Vihara

All these approaches are useful, some on the level of personality, others as part of the practice for enlightenment. But there are moments when the only way to put our narcissism in its place is with a sword—the sword of wisdom wielded by a warrior who takes no prisoners. This is Durga’s role, whether she is operating in the outer world or the inner world.

In my life, the energy of the warrior goddess with her upraised sword shows up to remind me to get my striving, performance-oriented ego out of the way so that the deeper power can unfold my life according to her evolutionary imperative. Durga, in my inner world, is the unstoppable energy of spiritual growth. When I resist that, I often encounter an unexpected setback. She might get in my face as a kind of cosmic “No!” to my personal agendas—and then manifest as the deeper awakening that follows when I am able to let them go.

Over the years, I’ve been through this cycle often. At times, egoic illusions grow bigger, pile up, and take over my world—until, like a river in springtime, they become so swollen that they must come bursting forth. Then, nearly always, I hear the roar of the goddess’s lion sounding through my dreams.

Perhaps Durga shows up to guide me through an impasse. Maybe I’ll make some horrific mistake, and she’ll appear to help me navigate the consequences. More and more, I’ve learned in those moments to bow to her in order to spare myself the pain that comes from resistance to the shakti’s agenda for my growth.

Whenever you feel yourself caught in one of those moments—when your personal will seems blocked by immovable obstacles—consider that it might be a signal from the shakti. Then, try sitting for a few minutes in meditation and using your imagination to bring yourself into the presence of Durga.

Connect with the goddess Durga through breath work and meditation.

Finding Your Ferocity with Durga

One of the most powerful practices for connecting with the goddess is to imagine that with each inhalation, you draw in her loving, protecting, empowering energy, and with each exhalation you breathe her energy through your body. As in so much yoga practice, the breath is the bridge between our physical self and the subtle energies of the invisible worlds. When you invoke Durga, you may very well feel her as a heightened energy. But connecting to Durga’s energy is just as likely to result in a subtle feeling of greater insight, in a feeling of being supported with strength to carry on during a hard time, or in the strategic instinct that helps you win your battles. This can happen so subtly that it’s only in hindsight that you realize you were being supported. And this can happen in surprising ways.

Sasha, a lawyer and the mother of two girls, first discovered the Durga shakti when her daughter Lee began failing in school. It turned out that Sasha’s husband, Lee’s father, was engaging his daughter sexually. Sasha vowed that, whatever it took, she would protect her daughters. She filed for divorce, insisting that her husband not be allowed unsupervised visits with their girls. He fought hard for joint custody, deploying a high-powered legal team. (Though a lawyer herself, Sasha’s field is wills and trusts, and she had never litigated.)

In the midst of this, Sasha took a class I was teaching on the goddesses. She felt an immediate affinity for Durga and created a meditation in which she imagined Durga’s strength inside her own body. She would visualize each of Durga’s eight arms holding a particular power. In one hand, she imagined the power to use words skillfully. In another, the power to read financial statements with care. In another, the skill to face down her husband’s lawyers. She imagined all of Durga’s weapons as energies empowering her to protect her two daughters.

See also Goddess Yoga Project: Defeat Fear With Sword Breath

She won the case and, soon afterward, realized that an enormous weight had been lifted from Lee. The fact that Sasha had fought on her daughter’s behalf seemed to give the teenager a sense of purpose and a new understanding of her own feminine strength.

Like Sasha, any one of us can tune into our personal Durga strength by invoking the goddess’s energy and wisdom. As you do, you’ll likely discover your personal capacity for warrior-style leadership. Anyone in touch with her inner Durga will naturally create zones of protection around the people in her life. (Durga is also an effortless multitasker, like a mother who manages three children while cooking a five-course meal—or an executive running a team of diverse employees.)

The Durga woman makes space for people to flourish, fighting their battles when needed—as Sasha did for her daughters—but she is just as likely to push them into fighting for themselves.

Answer Durga’s Call to Lead

One way to feel a sense of the Durga shakti is to remember a moment when you recognized, from the deepest place inside you, that something was wrong, that it had to change. If that recognition comes from the Durga shakti, it goes beyond mere frustration or cognitive awareness of a social problem. Durga’s transformative power carries a conviction that comes from deep inside the body, and with it often comes a sense of “Now!”—meaning the time is now. When that sense is strong enough, it is followed by action. You will put your body and your speech on the line to change the situation, whether it’s internal or external.

One of my Durga friends in Los Angeles noticed that her son’s asthma was activated when local crops were being sprayed for pests. She organized a group of mothers to protest aerial spraying in her area, and after several years, the group not only had it banned in Los Angeles, but also had the pesticide removed from circulation entirely. Now, along with her day job as a psychotherapist, she runs an environmental group focused on lobbying against airborne pesticides.

The same power of purposeful action can be invoked when you need the will to change a deep-seated habit or addiction, to carve out time for practice, or to follow an inner calling. The Durga shakti can give you the power to face parts of yourself that stand in the way of your evolution, but she can also show you how to speak up for yourself when you need to ask for a raise, face a challenge, or take on a difficult responsibility—in short, to set things right.

The more you invite Durga’s energy into your life, the more you’ll feel her opening you to your inner warrior. Her power guards your highest aspirations, and she promises never to let you down.

See also 5 Ways to Tap Into Your Inner Leader (and Stay True to Yourself)

About the Author Sally Kempton is an internationally recognized teacher of meditation and yoga philosophy and the author of Meditation for the Love of It. Find her at sallykempton.com.

This piece originally appeared in the June 2013 issue of Yoga Journal and is adapted from Sally Kempton’s book, Awakening Shakti: The Transformative Power of the Goddesses of Yoga (Sounds True, 2013).

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[starsgivemehp]

(Just in case any of you care about RedPap lol)

Apparently @honeyhogger‘s mun and I are psychic because we picked birthdays for Red and Pap without checking horoscopes, and well. The result once we did is as follows. Rambling ensues.

starsgivemehp U wanna know what I headcanon his nameday to be

honeyhogger Of course I dO

starsgivemehp October 31

honeyhogger Omg yas

starsgivemehp IT'S SO FUNNY BECAUSE Originally I put it at that for shits and giggles and then I took a horoscope quiz for him and he got Scorpio so I checked the dates and lo and behold

honeyhogger Paps is January 20th but boi does he wish it was 4/20 Omg that's awesome

starsgivemehp pfft starsgivemehp ikr Red makes a PRETTY ACCURATE SCORPIO APPARENTLY starsgivemehp (Boss is a Leo) starsgivemehp And his nameday is August 7 Purple Heart day because soldier

honeyhogger Awww Okay so this is crazy I literally just spewed out January 20th randomly just now But then I was like "I should take a zodiac test like that for pap and see!" honeyhogger And I just did and got Capricorn Guess what the last date for Capricorn is January 20th Holy fuck

starsgivemehp niiice but does it suit him?honeyhogger Absolutely

starsgivemehp huhuhuhu

honeyhogger THE CAPRICORN BODY PART IS BONES AND TEETH IM DYING honeyhogger "How to Spot Them: Distinctive jaw, strong teeth, wise look in the eyes" Wow

starsgivemehp LOL nice

honeyhogger"The Capricorn is the strong friend, they will always be there to help, they are very sympathetic, caring and helpful to a friend in need. A Capricorn will get someone back on their feet again with a steady plan for success and for all this, they expect nothing in return. The Capricorn friend is deep and mysterious and full of intrigue, there always seems to be something going on in their mind." That's pretty accurate yup honeyhogger Wow the accurate descriptions don't stop "Capricorn Astrology December 22 – January 19 Capricorn Strength Keywords: responsible patient ambitious resourceful loyal Capricorn Weakness Keywords: dictatorial inhibited conceited distrusting unimaginative Capricorn and Independence: Capricorns are very independent because they know their capabilities and therefore they rarely trust others to finish details, they like to do it all themselves. Capricorn is the longer of all zodiac signs. Capricorn and Friendship: The Capricorn is the strong friend, they will always be there to help, they are very sympathetic, caring and helpful to a friend in need. A Capricorn will get someone back on their feet again with a steady plan for success and for all this, they expect nothing in return. The Capricorn friend is deep and mysterious and full of intrigue, there always seems to be something going on in their mind. Capricorn and Business: The Capricorn personality is geared towards that of leadership and achievement, they always want to climb the corporate ladder and be the best they can be. Capricorns have excellent sense of time and manage it very well, they are excellent organizers. Capricorns are very creative, not spontaneously creative but it is incorporated into their time management skills and their ideas for executing a plan. Capricorns make good, wise investments because they look at the long term and what will be the most beneficial down the road. Capricorn and Temperament: Capricorns might seem melancholy and stern because they live by self-discipline and responsibility. They evaluate everything and they don't take daring chances without weighing the advantages and disadvantages first. To the onlooker, they might seem boring but it is the serious drive and structured way of life that the Capricorn feels safe with. Capricorn's self-sufficiency is often mistook for coldness, they are not as cold as they seem, this might be apparent just because Capricorns like to do everything themselves this way there is no worry about something not finished or not done properly. It is all about control of their surroundings and their daily lives and sometimes this spills into other people's lives. They believe they can give structure and organize other people's lives too, which they can but others might see this as intrusive and not welcome the Capricorn's suggested changes. According to Capricorn, there is only a right way and a wrong way to do things and this idea makes some Capricorns closed minded, stubborn and reluctant to agree with others. This is an ongoing lesson for Capricorns, knowing that there is more then one way of doing things and even though their way is usually right, it does not mean that they have to impose their ways on others."

starsgivemehp niiice

honeyhogger "Capricorns make it difficult to get close emotionally because once they let someone in, they do not want to let them go and emotional connection makes them feel vulnerable yet satisfied at he same time. This is an ongoing internal conflict of contradictions inside the Capricorn's mind." "Capricorns are very self contained and they have many faces they present to the world, they are known as aloof and indifferent but this is them concealing themselves from the world, unfortunately, they may never know who they really are. This causes feelings of insecurity and causes them to question their own self worth" honeyhogger"Capricorns most important need is security, financial and material security. This is the driving force behind their ambitious character and all other personality traits of desire to succeed. They are very concerned with their public standing and their prestige. Capricorns are loners but they also need to feel appreciated, but they are excellent at hiding this truth. "

starsgivemehp AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I JUST' I JUST FOUND A THING AHASHFYAGAFQE

honeyhogger "Capricorns have this sense of melancholy and necessity for structure and work because inside they feel they are unworthy and need to continuously prove their worth. Once they realize that all they need is self-love, door will open and they will see the world in a new light, one that allows for pleasure and guilt-free fun" Omg wha Also sorry for the spam this is kinda blowing my mind

starsgivemehp lol no probem THE BODY PART FOR SCORPIO Body Part: Crotch, reproductive organs

honeyhogger OMF

starsgivemehp BEAUTIFUL

honeyhogger also paps date is perfect cause he's right on the edge between Capricorn and Aquarius Guess what Aquarius' traits are "Positive Qualities of Aquarius : Truthfulness, Just, Curious, Affectionate Personality, Frank and Imaginative. Negative Qualities of Aquarius : Unpredictable, Detachment, Tendency to go off-track, and Inefficiency. Possible Health Concerns: The Aquarius-born people must be very careful of any kind of addiction."

starsgivemehp Oh?niiice also kinda matches Red but I'm happy with Scorpio

honeyhogger This is

starsgivemehp Scorpio Strength Keywords: - Loyal - Passionate - Resourceful - Observant - Dynamic Scorpio Weakness Keywords: - Jealous - Obsessive - Suspicious - Manipulative - Unyielding

honeyhogger Kinda blowing my mind Bro that's PERFECT

starsgivemehp Scorpio and Friendship: Relationships with Scorpio are always complicated, just like the person, their relationships are a series of extremes, they can even be downright moody for no apparent reason. Scorpios are known for their possessiveness and jealousy but on the other hand, they are extremely loyal. Scorpios have an excellent memory and combined with an inability to let things go, they can hold a grudge against someone who did them harm forever, in fact a Scorpio rarely if never forgives and forgets. They will even go as far as get vengeance on the person. On the other hand, they will always remember a kind gesture forever and repay it. Any kind selfless gesture done to a Scorpio will gain trust and respect which is extremely important to them in any relationship, either romantic or not. The best advice is to be honest with a Scorpio friend and in return, you will gain an amazing friend you will never forget and who will be loyal to you and never make false promises. Their truthful and shocking sense of humor if different than that of any other zodiac sign and the Scorpio makes an amazing, powerful interesting friend that can be trusted.Scorpio and Business: Scorpios make excellent doctors, surgeons, scientists and leaders, they are perfectly suited to any form of business that makes a difference in the world, greatly impacts people and society and a most importantly, Scorpio has to be in a power position, this is why these careers are suited to the Scorpio, they all demand one person in supreme control giving orders and leading a unit of people/practices. In business, Scorpios tend to easily gather wealth, they make very wise business decisions and they are very conservative about spending their money. Scorpios are known for making money and hiding it, they will not announce it due to to fear that others will take the same route and becoming a possible competitor, or worse try to use the Scorpio to their advantage to use them for their money.

starsgivemehp Scorpio and Temperament: Scorpios are extremely ambitious, persistent and determined which is shown through a power hungry, controlling attitude. Not in a stubborn sense however, because a Scorpio will work for what they want and control will justified reasons. This is obvious to any onlooker. A Scorpio never gives up, they are so determined to reach their goal. The key to this success is their flexibility. They are able to re-survey a situation and take a different approach if necessary. This makes them very adaptable and versatile. Scorpios are fierce competitors, combined with their powers of observation and their excellent memory, they will recall facts and when necessary, bring them to the table at the time of need. They will win justly, with proper facts and arguments to support their thoughts and opinions. Scorpios are excellent at restoring order to a chaotic situation and they are just as capable of manipulating for their own greed and benefit. The un-evolved Scorpio is a very dangerous person because they use their powers to benefit only them and step on other people in order to satisfy their own greed.Scorpio Deep Inside: Scorpio is the most misunderstood of all astrology signs. They are all about intensity and contradictions. They like to be aware of a situation and always know what's going on, figuring this out with their probing mind They are very capable of hiding their true feelings and motivations, they often have ulterior motives or a hidden agenda. Scorpios are all about control, they need to be in control at all times. To be out of control is very threatening, even dangerous to the Scorpio's psyche, when they control, they feel safe.Scorpio is the astrology sign of extremes and intensity. Scorpios are very deep, intense people, there is always more then meets the eye. They present a cool, detached and unemotional air to the world yet lying underneath is tremendous power, extreme strength, intense passion and a strong will and a persistent drive. Scorpios have a very penetrative mind, do not be surprised if they ask questions, they are trying to delve deeper and figure things out and survey the situation. They always want to know why, where and any other possible detail they can possibly know.The Scorpio man is easy to seduce and take home for the night, it is much harder to form a real relationship with him.

honeyhogger You're using the same site I did pffft

starsgivemehp THISISSOACCURATE lol

honeyhogger Also omg look Summary of Capricorn compatibility. The most compatible signs with Capricorn are generally considered to be Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio and Pisces

starsgivemehp YEEEE

honeyhogger This is amazing

starsgivemehp Color: Dark red

starsgivemehp huehue If there is a sign Scorpio can trust, it is the sign of Capricorn. Even though Capricorn representatives don’t have to be that honest at all, their relationship with this direct and honest partner will make them feel like they should be as honest as possible too. In general, they get each other’s need for silence and patiently approach each other until each of them opens up. This can open the door for a respectful communication and intellectual understanding that lasts for a very long time, if they learn to control all the negative convictions that surface when they are together.

honeyhogger Paps color is blue and that's perfect cause sans

starsgivemehp The biggest problem in a relationship between a Scorpio and a Capricorn is their emotional contact, simply because they both tend to have emotional problems, dismissing how they feel by dismissing the Moon. When they start their relationship, they will both give the impression of people who stand with their feet firmly on the ground, strong and rough when needed. They will rarely notice that this brings out the expectation to always be the strong person who they were in the beginning, and making them force things on themselves they are not ready for only to avoid showing any weakness. A lot of deep, emotional understanding is needed for them not to be forced to move even further from their life goal to find emotional balance. huhuhu It is truly interesting to watch this couple share values with such a difficult relation to Venus and the term of value itself. Scorpio is the sign of Venus’ detriment and Capricorn brings a lot of guilt into it, so their combination of values is basically founded on feelings of guilt and the sense that nothing is ever good enough. Even though this will be a good motivation for them to get better, every day, it is quite difficult to deal with in a healthy, loving relationship in which they should both discover they are good enough. !!!!!! ^ ^ ^

honeyhogger Oh My god honeyhogger That's blowing my mind rn

starsgivemehp I KNOW RIGHT OMG

honeyhogger I'm SHOOK

starsgivemehp THIS IS AMAZING

honeyhogger OH MY GOD LOOK Capricorn and Scorpio compatibility is strong when it comes to sexual attraction, with Capricorn’s sensual nature being a good match for Scorpio’s depth of passion and sexuality. If anyone can turn sensible, sober Capricorn into a hot bed of steamy ardour, it’s Scorpio! A physical connection is essential for Scorpio, and Capricorn compatibility depends on this too, with Capricorn being an earth sign.Away from the bedroom, however, this is quite a serious relationship. Both Scorpio and Capricorn are thoughtful, reserved signs, with not much time for the superficial and the trivial in life. While this does make for an intense relationship, it also means the couple lack a safety vale – if they could develop other interests and hobbies away from their relationship, they would be able to give one another much needed space at times of stress. For Scorpio and Capricorn, compatibility in love means taking on responsibilities, towards one another and towards their eventual family – which they shoulder very well indeed, but there’s not always as much joy as there could be.

starsgivemehp omg

honeyhogger OH MY GOD THIS IS EVEN BETTER LOOK honeyhogger When they do argue, this couple’s differences in manner are clearly exposed. Scorpio will rage and seethe and brood and sulk and try everything in the Sorcerer’s book to get a reaction from Capricorn. The wise old Sage, infuriatingly for Scorpio, will merely look on, nod, shrug and walk away, meeting Scorpio’s anger with cool indifference. It’s perhaps fortunate for Capricorn and Scorpio compatibility that the causes for arguments are surprisingly few and far between for this couple. They share a similar approach to money, parenting, sex, fidelity, career and social life, so apart from those power struggles mentioned above the mismatched drama of an argument shouldn’t occur too often.For this couple, a relatively stable and secure relationship is on the cards, with every chance of a life long match. To outsiders, the sexy, magnetic Sorcerer and the reserved, sensible Sage may have little in common, but it’s the shared interests, mutual respect and depth of understanding between the two of them which help to bring Capricorn and Scorpio compatibility to life. When these two collaborate, much as you might imagine if a mythical Sage and Sorcerer work together, there is little which can prevent their happiness. This is insane This is them TO A FUCKING T

starsgivemehp I KNOW HOLY FUCKING SHIT

honeyhogger WE ARE UNINTENTIONALLY AMAZING

starsgivemehp I KNOW RIGHT AHHHHHH PSYCHIC POWERS I TELL YOU

honeyhogger LITERALLYCOSMIC POWERS IN THIS CASE

honeyhogger I really need to go to bed now lol but my GOD I'm gonna be thinking about this forever honeyhogger I'm still shook And giddy

starsgivemehp lololol Yes go to sleep <3

honeyhogger❤️😘

starsgivemehp <3 <3 <3 Night! Kissu!

honeyhogger We fkn slay boi it great Night night

starsgivemehp fuck yeah

honeyhogger❤️❤️❤️💤 Also feel free to post this convo or talk about it XD

[fanficwritingtrash]

Endings

Tony Stark x Steve Rogers

Tony is tired of it all. He wants it to just be over, the sleepless nights and guilt. If only he had remembered to turn on Friday’s privacy protocol in his drunken state

Probably going to be a part 2?

(This is my first attempt in a long time at something like this so I hope you like it)

Tony stumbled up out of his lab with a bottle of whiskey in one hand and a gun in the other. A year ago, before Ultron and before what was now dubber ‘Civil War’, he wouldn’t have even looked over at the cabinet stationed in the back of his lab that contained his alcohol supply. He had been dry for 3 years, not a drop of the liquid consumed, but tonight the need had come back.

He hadn’t been sleeping. Of course he hadn’t, Tony never slept anymore. Prior to Civil War, he averaged about 4 hours for every 36 he was awake but now it was down to 2 every 48 and the insomnia was eating away at him. Tonight wasn’t any different than other nights except Tony had fallen asleep on his workbench and was woken up by a recurring nightmare. In it, he is fighting Steven and Bucky together, knowing his suit isn’t gonna last much longer against both of them, when he ends up on the ground after a long fight with Steve digging his shield into the arc reactor in the suit. When he does wake up, he remember that the nightmare was very much real and this wasn’t something he could prevent. He dug the sleep from his eyes and felt very ill. He had lost them, the people who claimed to be his family over the Captain’s childhood best friend.

He grabbed the trash bin by his bench and emptied the contents of his stomach. Which wasn’t much considering the last time he had had a real decent meal was when Pepper dragged him to a board meeting 2 days ago and made him eat lunch with her afterwards.

He had spotted the cabinet after he couldn’t vomit anymore. His old comfort after him mom died. All he wanted was to forget for a little while. To feel good, feel empty, feel free.

He didn’t have the key to the cabinet, he had given it to Rhodey for safe keeping who had in turn hidden it, probably at his mom’s house. In his fit of desperation, he summoned a repulsor off the bench that he had been working on earlier that day and blasted off the lock to it. He grabbed the first bottle he saw and downed it, enjoying the familiar burning feeling as it went down his throat.

Two bottles in, he finally let go of all the fear and pain he had been holding in the past few months. First, he goes through a wormhole in New York to try to save the city from a nuke. When the reactor went out as he tumbled back through the hold, the shrapnel traveled closer to his heart. He was told by his doctors that he needed to stop with Iron Man if he wanted to live as the suit was quickly killing him. He couldn’t stop though. Not when people saw him as a hero, and yes that may be selfish but he could neither allow himself to fall back into his old image or jeopardize these people’s lives.

Then he accidentally created Ultron. Vision was the little bit of good that came out of that but because of his greed and want to make the earth safe from what was out there, he was responsible for hundreds of people dying.

He tries, over and over and over again to please the world but he always fails. The accords were rushed together and Ross overseeing it was a ticking time bomb but he should have tried harder. He should have made sure that nothing could have gone wrong with the accords. But, of course, old Stevey boy had to decline it before even reading it. Even with the offer for revisions, he couldn’t even be bothered to read the damn thing.

Tony took a huge swing from his Russian Vodka and walked across his lab to the secret tile compartment in the floor. He sat the half emptied bottle to the side and said “Friday, open compartment A3.” He got back a compliant ‘yes sir’ and the top popped up. He moved the tile to the side and pulled out his gun.

The gun was a gift he had made for Howard before he died at Barnes’ hands. It was his apology for his embarrassing behavior in college and was supposed to be his peace offering. It was hand crafted, a gun made of vibranium, inlaid with gold that had been carefully designed to fit his father’s tastes. Tony knew now that the years of abuse were never his fault but when he had made the gun for Howard, he still had believed it was.

He loaded the clip and grabbed his bottle before walking towards his cars. He flopped into the driver’s seat of his Camero.

More tears fell as he remembered the month he spent in the hospital. His sternum was a prosthetic, his having been removed to make room for the arc reactor and not many people in the world actually needed prosthetic sternums as it turned out. Even after he had brilliant doctors come to develop one for him, it was still very weak. When Steven crushed the reactor in his suit, it had been busted into his chest, breaking the sternum in him and collapsing a lung. On top of that, half his ribs had been broken, his arm shattered, and bruised internally and out.

Tony had a secret, one he has been hiding for years. He hated Captain America. His entire childhood, all he heard about was how he was pathetic and he needed to be like the oh-so-great captain. He despised him and his underdog story. Howard had beaten him over his lack of a Captain America build and brightness. His perfect smile and big blue eyes. But, while he hated Captain America, he loved Steve Rogers. His Stevey who would help him to bed when he fell asleep on the workbench or make sure he ate dinner when he lost track of the time. The one who realized he wasn’t who he portrayed on the surface and worked to get to know the real Tony Stark. The Steve who sat through watching all the Star Wars movies, back-to-back, just because Tony asked him to. The one who sat next to Tony drawing in bed while he worked on new designs for the Avengers.

He had hoped that maybe the man he loved would visit him but he never came. Of course he didn’t, why would he? Tony just wasn’t worth it.

Steve didn’t love Tony, though. He couldn’t even tell Tony the truth, that Bucky killed his parents. He didn’t trust Tony. After all of his tangents at the debriefings that honesty and communication was what kept teams going, he kept the secrets.

In his drunken state, Tony twirled the gun in his hand, not caring in the slightest that the safety was off. If he decided to shoot himself right now, he wouldn’t have anything to worry about. His company’s ownership was to be transferred to Pepper, Rhodey would be set for the rest of his life with the amount of money Tony has ready to be put in his name, Peter would be able to go to college at MIT without the worry of loans afterwards and would be able to get himself and his aunt new houses 20x over after college, with the stipulation that he goes. The rest of his money was to be divided among his favorite charities.

Tony glanced up and saw the custom bike he had been building for Steve before he chose Bucky over him. Although Steve would never love him, Tony loved Steve. So much more than he had ever loved Pepper. It wasn’t that he didn’t love her, it was just in a different way than he loved Steve. He wanted to be with Steve. He wanted to marry him, raise kids with him and die at an old age with him. Tony, of course, knew that it was a bit late for him and that even though Steve is older than him in reference to him age, Tony’s body is older and weaker than Steve’s. Besides, Steve, if he was gay, or even bi like Tony, would be repulsed by him in every way. The bike was Steve’s birthday present, something he would never be able to give him now.

Tony finished the vodka and stared off at the wall. Why was he even still here? He has been going in the never ending circle for years, debating and trying and the recovery afterwards. He wanted everything to end, the sleepless nights and missing everyone.

Steve aside, he missed Bruce. Bruce who would spend days in the lab with him and make the most amazing meals. He missed Natasha who would allow him to cuddle with her on the couch during movie nights when he was afraid sleep would bring nightmares and memories he wanted to forget. His dad, the cave, the wormhole, Ultron. Or Clint who would do the dumbest pranks to make everyone laugh. He even missed Thor and his loud stories and bellowing laughter through the tower. Now there was nothing but deafening silence.

He got out of his car, leaving the now empty bottle behind, and walked back over to cabinet, grabbing a bottle of his favorite whiskey before leaving the lab. The lab was his favorite place and he didn’t want to leave a big mess there.

He made his way up to what used to be the common floor. The place all of the avengers used to meet to hang out and have fun was still how it had been left the day everything fell apart. When everyone decided they would rather live in the compound and he decided to stay in the tower, he never bothered their rooms, everything was how everyone left it.

He neared the cluster of couches around the TV and found a sweater draped over the back of one of them. He knew it was Steve’s. It was a baby blue knit sweater that he loved to wear all the time. Tony flopped onto that couch and bawled. Fresh tears ran down his face, he was sure he looked disgusting and puffy at this point. He held the gun up, finally deciding that this would be his last attempt at killing himself. He was going to succeed this time and no one could stop him. He was alone in this tower right now, who could stop him?

He knew no one would miss him. Everyone was set who he loved and it was about time he followed his parents into death. He was the outcast in high society and among those enhanced by powers. He activated Friday’s final day protocol that called for her to blow up all of the suits that weren’t going Rhodey or were specifically designated for someone as soon as he died.

This was it, he would finally do one thing in his life right.

He pressed the cold metal into his temple and closed his eyes. He counted back from three.

Three…

Two…

One…

The gun went off. Finally, he did something right.

He opened his eyes when he felt someone’s breath on his face. He saw the gun across the room on the floor and felt someone hugging onto him for dear life. There was a wetness on his shoulder and he glanced over.

Pepper was gripping onto Tony tight, seemingly afraid that he was going to disappear. She was burning up, slightly losing control of her Extremis but realing it back in.

“Please let me do this Pep.” Tony said to her in a low voice. It was 5 in the morning and he had no clue why she was here in her pajamas but he really didn’t care. He was only thinking about finally being done with everything.

“No Tony. I am not going to lose you.” She said back, hysterical. “I am not letting you do this Tony.”

“Sorry Pep, but I have to… I need to.” He got up from the couch and walked to the gun, taking a swing of the whiskey.

Before he got to the gun to pick it up, a boot stepped on it, preventing Tony from getting it, especially in his drunken state. He fell over before he could straighten back up.

When he glanced up, there was Steve, clad in a leather jacket, t-shirt and jeans. He looked like he had just woken up and rushed over here.

He had tears streaming from his eyes. He fell to the ground in front of Tony, sliding the gun out of arm’s reach. He grabbed Tony and pulled the smaller man to him. “What were you thinking Tony?”

Tony was astonished. Cap shouldn’t be here, especially since if the government found out, Steve would be taken away and imprisoned, maybe worse. He couldn’t find the words he needed to tell Steve anything though.

“Tony, so many people love you, why would you even think about killing yourself?”

“People love the things I make, Steve. Even you. You wouldn’t have left otherwise” Tony tried to push himself away from Steve, he was crying so much, wanting to get back to the gun. He was determined.

Steve wouldn’t loosen his grip though and cried into the crook of Tony’s neck. “I just wanted to be a hero Steve. I never wanted to get to this state again. I wanted to make the world safe for everyone, not just us who have the upper hand, and everything I did wasn’t right. All my mistakes were huge mistakes. I need to die before I do something else stupid.”

This didn’t help him though, ad now Pepper was hugging him. She grabbed him and didn’t let go, like she was a baby grabbing onto its mother.

“Tony, please don’t do this, not again, please.”

“Sorry Pep.”

“Tony…”

“Ya know, Pep, I finally figured out why we didn’t work out.” Drunk Tony was talking and didn’t let up. He knew he should be quiet, but he couldn’t. He needed to tell Pep how he loved her before he died. “You are my best friend. I love you more than everyone, but not romantically. I want to shower you in gifts like I do my inventions for the Avengers. But, romantically, I love a guy who left me the second someone more interesting to him came along. I was nothing to him and never will be. But aside from that, I only fuck up everything. Literally everything. By dying, most of my fortune goes to charities and that will be my last good attempt at something. I love you Pep, but I can’t live like this anymore, with everyone I have ever loved or cared about against me…”

He knew he didn’t make much sense but he didn’t care. He fought away from them and started towards the elevator before they were even off the floor. He would go to his penthouse he decided. He needed this to finally be over.

[airoasis]

Leading 121 Stephen Hawking Inspirational or Motivational Quotes

Stephen Hawking is one of the most popular physicist on the planet. The strong decision he has actually displayed in overcoming his special needs in life made him well-known. At 21 he was informed he has actually just got a year or two to live. Now he is 75 and is still alive and working. He has terrific qualities which all of us can admire and gain from him. He stands as an example for strong decision and favorable thinking. He is operating at an age at which the large bulk would have resigned, but he still at that age has made money regardless of a condition that disabled him physically. This makes him a real good example and an excellent inspiration.Quotes from Stephen Hawking,

"Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. "Aim to make sense of exactly what you see, and question what makes the universe exist."Be curious."Stephen Hawking Inspirational Estimates:1.

"Look up at the stars and not down at

your feet." Aim to understand what you see, and question exactly what makes the universe exist."Wonder."1."Look up at the stars and not down at your feet." Try to make sense of what you see, and question what makes deep space exist."Be curious. "2. "Tough life may appear, there is constantly something

you can do and be successful at."3. "People won't have time for you if you are constantly upset or grumbling. "4."Science is not just a disciple of reason however, also, one of romance and passion." 4."Science is not just a disciple of reason however, likewise, among romance and passion. "5."Science is increasingly addressing questions that utilized to be the province

of religion. "6."Intelligence is the capability to adapt to change."7."One can't anticipate

the weather condition more than a few days ahead of time."

8." We are all now linked by the Web, like neurons in a huge brain." 9. "I concern the brain as a computer system which will quit working when its elements

fail. "There is no paradise or afterlife for broken down computer systems; that is a fairy story for people scared of the dark."10. "Even if it turns out that time travel is difficult, it is very important that we comprehend why

it is impossible." 11." My recommendations to other disabled individuals would be, focus on things your impairment does not avoid you succeeding, and do not be sorry for the things it disrupts."Do not be handicapped in spirit as well as physically."12."We remain in risk of ruining ourselves by our greed and stupidity." We can not remain looking inwards at ourselves on a small

and increasingly contaminated and overcrowded world." 13."Individuals who boast about their I. "Q."are losers."14."In my school, the brightest boys did math and physics, the less bright did physics and chemistry,

and the least intense did biology."I desired to do math

and physics, however my father made me do chemistry because he believed there would be no tasks for mathematicians."15."If I needed to choose a superhero to be, I would choose Superman." He's whatever that I'm not."16."Because there is a law such as gravity, deep space can and will develop itself from absolutely nothing. "17."Our population and our usage of the finite resources of world Earth are growing greatly, together with our technical capability to change the environment for excellent or ill."

18." I believe we have an excellent possibility of surviving enough time to colonize the planetary system."19. "No one carries out research in physics with the intention of winning a reward."It is the delight of finding

something nobody knew in the past."20."Time travel utilized to be believed of as simply sci-fi

, however Einstein's general theory of relativity permits for the possibility that we could warp space-time so much that you could go off in a rocket and return before you set out."21."We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a small planet of an extremely average star."We can understand the Universe." That makes us something really unique."22."Time travel was when considered scientific heresy, and I used to avoid speaking about it for fear of being identified a'crank." '23."I was never ever top of the class at school, but my schoolmates should have seen prospective in me, because my label was' Einstein."

'24. "My objective is simple."It is a total understanding of the universe, why it is as it is and why it exists at all."25. "In the past, there was

active discrimination versus females in science."That has actually now gone, and although there are recurring results, these are insufficient to represent

the small numbers of women, especially in mathematics and physics. "26." Fictional time is a brand-new measurement, at right angles to ordinary, actual time." 27."If the rate of expansion one second after the Big Bang had actually been smaller sized by even one part in a hundred thousand million million, it would have recollapsed before it reached its present size." On the other hand, if it had been higher by a part in a million, deep space would have expanded too quickly for stars and worlds to form." 28."There are too numerous mishaps that can befall life on a single planet."29." If the rate of expansion one 2nd after the Big Bang had been smaller by even one part in a hundred thousand million million, it would have recollapsed before it reached its present size."On the other hand, if it had actually been greater by a part in a million, the universe would

have actually expanded too rapidly for stars and planets to form."30." Time can behave like

another direction in space under extreme conditions."31."I was born on January 8, 1942, exactly 3 hundred years after the death of Galileo. "I approximate, however, that about 2 hundred thousand other infants were likewise born that day. "I don't know whether any of them was later on thinking about astronomy."32."A few years earlier, the city board of Monza, Italy, disallowed family pet owners from keeping goldfish in curved bowls.".". "stating that it is harsh to keep a fish in a bowl with curved sides because, gazing out, the fish would have a distorted view of reality." But how do we know we have the real, undistorted image of truth? 33. "There might be shadow galaxies, shadow stars, as well as shadow people. "34."My discovery that black

holes emit radiation raised major issues of consistency with the rest of physics."I have actually now dealt with these issues, but the answer ended up being not what I anticipated."35."Stem cell research is the key to developing cures for degenerative conditions like Parkinson's and motor nerve cell disease from which I and lots of others suffer."The fact that the cells might come from embryos is not an objection, because the embryos are going to pass away anyhow." 36."I believe it rather most likely that we are the only civilization within several hundred light years; otherwise we would have heard radio waves."37."The past, like the future, is indefinite and exists only as a spectrum of possibilities."38."My father was a research researcher in tropical medication, so I always assumed I would be a researcher, too." I felt that medication was too vague and inexact, so I chose physics." 39. "If aliens visit us, the result would be much as when Columbus landed in America, which didn't turn out well for the Native Americans. "40." I have discovered even people who claim whatever is predestined, which we can do nothing to change it, look prior to they cross the roadway

." 41. "Deep space is governed by science."Science tells us that we cannot fix the formulas, directly in the abstract."42." I believe everyone should have a broad image of how deep space operates and our place in it."It is a standard human desire." And it likewise puts our concerns in perspective." 43."There is a real danger that computer systems will establish intelligence and take over."We urgently have to develop direct connections to the brain so that computers can add to human intelligence instead of remain in opposition."44."I think in universal healthcare."And I am not scared to say so." 45."

Life would be awful if it weren't amusing." 46. "To restrict our focus on terrestrial matters would be to restrict the human spirit." 47."Life in the world is at the ever-increasing danger of being eliminated by a disaster, such as sudden international nuclear war, a genetically crafted infection or other dangers we have not

yet thought about. "48. "The majority of sets of values would trigger universes that, although they might be really lovely, would contain nobody able to wonder at that appeal."49."God not just plays dice, He likewise in some cases throws the dice where they can not be seen. "50."Not just does God play dice, but.".". "he often throws

them where they can not be seen." 51."

I'm not scared of death, however I remain in no hurry to die. "I have so much I desire to do first."

52." Science anticipates that many various type of universe will be spontaneously developed from absolutely nothing."It refers possibility which we remain in."53."With genetic modification, we will have the ability to increase the complexity of our DNA, and improve the human race."It will be a sluggish process, because one will have to wait about 18 years to see the result of changes to the

genetic code. "54. "I think the brain is essentially a computer system and awareness resembles a computer system program

." It will cease to run when the computer system is turned off."In theory, it could be re-created

on a neural network, but that would be extremely challenging, as it would require all one's memories." 55."I believe the mankind does not have a future if it does not go into space."56."I believe deep space is governed by the laws of science."

The laws might have been decreed by God, but God does not step in to break the laws." 57."When one's expectations are minimized to absolutely no, one actually appreciates whatever one does have." 58." Success in developing AI would be the biggest event in human history."

Unfortunately, it might also be the last, unless we discover the best ways to avoid the dangers."59. "We are all different." There is no such thing as a standard or ordinary human, but we share the same human spirit."60. "There is no physical law precluding particles from being arranged in manner ins which carry out even more advanced calculations than the plans of particles in human brains."

61." Some forms of motor nerve cell disease are genetically linked, however I have no indication that my kind is."No other member of my household has actually had it."But I would be in favour of

abortion if there was a high danger. "62."While physics and mathematics might tell us how the universe began, they

are not much use in anticipating human behavior since there are far too numerous formulas to solve."I'm no much better than anybody else at understanding exactly what makes individuals tick, especially ladies." 63."Numerous severely needed objectives, like blend and cancer treatment, would be achieved much sooner if we invested more."

64." Science is lovely when it makes easy explanations of phenomena or connections in between different observations."Examples include the double helix in biology and the basic equations of physics."65. "Maybe I don't have the most typical sort of motor neuron disease, which generally kills in two or three years." 66."Some researchers believe it might be possible to capture a wormhole and expand

it lots of trillions of times to make it big enough for a human or even a spaceship to go into."67."My work and my family are crucial to me. "68." Some scientists think it may be possible to capture a wormhole and enlarge it numerous trillions of times to make it big enough for a human and even a spaceship to get in."69."September 11 was terrible, it didn't threaten the survival of

the human race, like nuclear weapons do."70."Science is lovely when it makes simple explanations of phenomena or connections between various observations."Examples consist of the double helix in biology and the basic formulas of physics." 71." It is usually recognised that ladies are better than guys at languages, individual relations and multi-tasking, however less proficient at map-reading and spatial awareness." It is therefore not unreasonable to suppose that females may be less good at mathematics and physics. "72." When we understand string theory,

we will know how deep space started."It will not have much effect on how we live, but it is essential to comprehend where we originate from and what we can expect to find as we explore. "73."I believe those who have a terminal disease and are in great discomfort needs to have the right to opt to end their own life, and those that assist them should be devoid of prosecution."74."I believe trojan horse ought to

count as life. "I believe it states something about human nature that the only kind of life we have developed up until now is simply damaging. "We've developed life in our own image."75."I do not think the mankind will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread out into area."76."I would like nuclear fusion to become an useful source of power."It would provide a limitless supply of energy, without contamination or international warming."77. "Women."They are a complete secret."78."Observations indicate that the universe

is expanding at an ever increasing rate. "It will broaden forever, getting emptier and darker."79."Exactly what was God doing prior to the divine creation? 80."In some cases I question if I'm as well-known for my wheelchair and specials needs as I am for my discoveries." 81."In less than a century, we have discovered a new method to think of ourselves."From sitting at the center of deep space, we now discover ourselves orbiting an average-sized sun, which is just

one of countless stars in our own Milky Method galaxy." 82."I wish to know why deep space exists, why there is something higher than absolutely nothing."83."Nothing can not exist permanently." 84."Thinkers have actually not kept up with modern-day advancements in science."Especially physics."85."Undoubtedly, since of my impairment, I need help." I have actually always attempted to conquer the limitations of my condition and lead as full a life as possible. " I have actually traveled the world, from the Antarctic to no gravity."

86." Researchers have actually become the bearers of the torch of discovery in our mission for understanding."87." I believe things can not make themselves impossible. "88."Science can raise individuals from hardship and remedy illness." That, in turn, will reduce civil unrest." 89."Although almost every theoretical physicist concurs with my prediction that a great void ought to radiance like a hot body, it would be very hard to confirm experimentally since the temperature of a macroscopic great void is so low."90. "I have actually discovered far greater interest for science in America than here in Britain."There is more enthusiasm for whatever in America."91."

There's no method to remove the observer-- us-- from our understandings of the world."92."

We must establish as quickly as possible technologies that enable a direct connection between brain and computer system, so that artificial brains contribute to

human intelligence instead of opposing it." 93." I do not have much positive to state about motor nerve cell disease, but it taught me not to pity myself because others were even worse off, and to obtain on with what I still might do."I'm better now than prior to

I established the condition."94. "There are grounds for mindful optimism that we might now be near the end ofthe search for the supreme laws of nature."95."There is no unique photo of truth."96."There are premises for cautious optimism that we might now be near completion of the search for the supreme laws of

nature."97."There is no unique picture of truth."98. "One can not actually argue with a mathematical theorem." 99." There is no heaven or afterlife for broken-down computers; that is a fairy story for people scared of the dark."100. "'The Simpsons 'looks

were great enjoyable." I don't take them too seriously." I believe' The Simpsons' have treated my impairment properly."101." Nobody can withstand the idea of a crippled genius."102." I have so much that I want to do."I hate losing time." 103."I have actually questioned time all my life." 104."Exactly what I 'd actually prefer to control is not machines, but individuals. "105."The usual technique of science of building a mathematical design can not answer the concerns of why there should be a universe for the model to explain." Why does the universe go to all the trouble of existing? 106."It is no excellent getting furious if you get stuck."What I do is keep thinking about the problem however work on something else."Often it is years prior to I see the way forward." When it comes to info loss and black holes, it was 29 years." 107. "A zero-gravity flight is a first step toward area travel. "108." I am just a kid who has actually never matured."

I still keep asking these 'how 'and'why 'questions."Occasionally, I discover a response." 109."Only black holes of really low mass would discharge a significant amount of radiation

." 110."Even if there is only one possible combined theory, it is

simply a set of guidelines and formulas."What is it that breathes fire into the equations and makes a universe

for them to explain? 111."Someone informed me that each equation I consisted of in the book would halve the sales." 112. "It is not clear that intelligence has any long-lasting survival worth." 113."You cannot regulate every lab worldwide."

114." If we do find a total theory, it should remain in time understandable in broad principle by everyone."

Then we shall all, theorists, scientists, and just common

individuals have the ability to take part in the discussion of why we and the universe exist."115. "We only have to take a look at ourselves to see how smart life might become something we would not desire to meet."116. "Theology is unnecessary."117." Among physicists, I'm respected I hope." 118." I delight in all types of music-- pop, classical and opera."119." The media require superheroes in science just as in every sphere of life, but there is really a constant series of capabilities without any clear dividing line."120."All my adult life people have been assisting me."

121." We believe we have actually resolved the secret of development." Maybe we need to patent the universe and charge everybody royalties for their presence."