#decking Adare

[solastimber]

Enhance your outdoor oasis in Adare with Solas Timbers' expert decking solutions. From intimate gatherings to grand celebrations, our meticulously crafted decks provide the perfect backdrop for every occasion. 

[thesummerestsolstice]

How Silm characters would react to meeting their Rings of Power counterparts:

Gil-Galad:

Oh they do not like each other

"I'm sorry, you said what to Elrond?"

RoP!Gil thinks Silm!Gil isn't detached and regal enough

Silm!Gil is trying to figure out the political consequences of decking him

"I'm sorry, you sent Galadriel where??"

At some point RoP!Gil, who can't believe this is another version of him, asks Silm!Gil what his royal lineage is

Silm!Gil gets real quiet after that lmao

If they ended up physically fighting Silm!Gil would win RoP!Gil fights like a normal elf and Silm!Gil bites

I think the Elronds have to pull them apart eventually

Elrond:

The Elronds get along very well I think

Silm!Elrond teaches RoP!Elrond some eldritchry

RoP!Elrond tells Silm!Elrond all about his speech craft

I think Silm!Elrond would be very into animal-carcass-related metaphors, he's a weird little guy

I feel like Silm!Elrond would feel bad for RoP!Elrond, who clearly deals with a lot of disrespect in Lindon, and would try to teach him how to be a bit more assertive

They bond over having to deal with everyone else's bullshit

Galadriel:

See this is bad for Middle-Earth

Silm!Galadriel is less openly angry but just as much of a force of nature as RoP!Galadriel

And Silm!Galadriel is also a lot better at the more subtle conniving stuff so between them they do, in fact, possess all the skills needed to take over Middle-Earth

They're busy scheming up plans to wipe Sauron off the face of the planet and frankly good for them

Celebrimbor:

They also get along very well

They talk for 15 straight hours about forge stuff

Silm!Cel talks about Annatar and RoP!Cel is like "lovely! no red flags here!"

RoP!Cel talks about how the idea for the rings came from some random, very suspicious "human" and Silm!Cel is like "haha yeah inspiration comes from the strangest places sometimes'

They're a little bit stupid but they're also beefy and kind so we can forgive them

Sauron:

Halbrand and Annatar immediatly start viciously insulting each other

They both accuse each other of having terrible taste (in Finweans and incarnate forms)

"Useless sparkly twink!" "Filthy mortal!" "I can't believe you tried to seduce Celebrimbor!" "At least I didn't try and fail to seduce Galadriel!"

Annatar finds out about the situation with Adar and the orcs and bullys Halbrand relentlessly about it

Sauron's ego can't take there being more than one version of him

Hopefully they keep each other busy until the Galadriels smite them

[sillymarillly]

Just finished TROP and am very much losing my mind thanks!!!!

CELEBRIMBOR MY LOVE THEY DID YOU SO DIRTY (yes it was close enough to canon but STILL. HE WAS LITERALLY CELEBRIMBANNERED ON SCREEN)

Charles Edwards the actor that you are!!!!

DISA. My love for her cannot be put into words.

And then the Balrog. Nuh-uhhhhh.

Also Imladris??? Next season perchance???

Honestly I prefer this season's Gil-galad to last season's!!!!

And Adar. I did honestly like his character, his death hurt a good amount.

ANNATAR

I have never wanted to deck my TV screen so hard!! Like Charlie Vickers seems like such a nice person how did he fit all that malice on screen???

[baddybaddyadardaddy]

THE MERCURY HAS YET AGAIN RISEN, MY FRIENDS

AS EXPECTED, THIS WEEK JUST ABOUT BROKE THE BADDYDADDY BAROMETER

pretty sure at this point Adar is Doomed By The Narrative, but damn is he gonna go down swinging. Using Gal like that was a Bad Move. He's gonna blow it with the boys by inviting Damrod to the party, and it seems like he's now going to be targeting Elrond specifically since he is carrying Nenya and that is DEFINITELY not gonna end well for anyone. I WILL actively claw the walls if we we don't get his full backstory before he snuffs it though. WE DESERVE IT.

Bless the all-female directing corps for the ABSOLUTELY SLUTTASTIC CAMERA TREATMENT OF ADAR IN THIS EPISODE. Long lingering shots. Heavy breathing. Weird underlying sexual tension. I swear to god there were MULTIPLE times that i thought those two were in clear and present danger of SUCKING GRATUITOUS AMOUNTS OF FACE.

We also got a JUICY Black Speech moment; once again, Sam slays in the tongues of Middle Earth.

All in all, this ep turned in an indisputable reading of DADDY

Tl;dr: Someone on that production team is horndogging HARD for baddydaddy and we are reaping the benefits. (That said, Sam is on deck for Inside ROP next week and I BADLY hope that's not going to be a sendoff... but it might be :/)

anyway, when it is not 4am i will have Additional Thoughts, but that's all for now.

[i-believe-in-melinda-may]

This is called: Adar Fracking with Laura's life even after his death

(Also my first time writing angst Bill/Laura)

While her kids are talking about her in the ready room Laura is in the CIC, watching Bill, trying to determine if he heard what was being discussed on the wireless.

“Commander?” Gaeta asks, approaching Bill, feeling nervous after the way Bill has been acting all morning. “Here’s Doctor Baltar’s report,” Gaeta says, handing it over. “And the president is waiting for you in the core,” Gaeta says.

“Thank you,” Bill says as he glances up to where Laura is, getting a smile a wave in response so he, despite the betrayal and anger he is feeling, smiles back and gestures with the report before walking up to join Laura on the upper level. “Clear the deck,” Bill says to the people at their desks, and once they leave Bill turns to Laura, who unknown to Bill is waiting for him to talk first so she can get some idea of his mood. “Madam President, we are the proud owners of the universe’s first bona fide Cylon detector,” Bill informs Laura, and from his overly professional tone Laura knows that not only did he hear the report, but he was hurt by it.

“Well, that is great news,” Laura comments, trying to force a smile but it falls flat.

“Yeah,” Bill confirms, as he avoids looking at Laura.

“So, when do we begin?” Laura asks.

“Doctor Baltar would like to star widespread testing as soon as possible, but there are some serious limitations,” Bill admits. “He can only do one person at a time and verification takes hours,” Bill explains.

“So, who’s going to go first?” Laura asks curious, trying to engage Bill in more of a conversation.

“That’s the question,” Bill admits. “We should start with people in sensitive situations, people who are required to make ethical decisions for a lot of people,” Bill suggest, and because of the words Bill choose to use Laura feels like she has been punched as she knows exactly what he is implying.

“Well considering the Cylons have already tried to convince me that you’re a Cylon I think you should go first,” Laura says, trying to hide just how much Bill’s words hurt, and instead focus on the decision they need to make. “That way if a Cylon tried to tell someone who doesn’t trust you as much as I do that, you’re a Cylon we have the proof we will need to prove them wrong,” Laura tells Bill.

“Trust right,” Bill mutters bitterly.

“Is there something you’d like to say to me, Bill?” Laura asks, taking a step towards Bill, looking less than happy.

“Not at all, Madam President,” Bill responds, even though there are more than few things he would like to say to Laura.

“It certainly seems like you do,” Laura comments, as she crosses her arms over her chest. “Whatever you want to say you might as well say it before you choke on it,” Laura says angrily, as she is sure that it would be best if they just had the fight that is bubbling under the surface.

“No, I’m not going to do that, we’re not going to do that here,” Bill tells Laura, as he won’t get into a fight with his ex wife in front of his crew.

“Why not?” Laura asks. “Since when do you hold back?” Laura asks, as she has never known Bill to hold back.

“Since I have work to do, and unlike you I can keep things professional,” Bill says, his words once again hurting Laura, but this time he realises it. “Now, if you excuse me Madam President, I have a test to take,” Bill says before walking away, deciding that given everything it is the best thing he can do.

After Bill walks away Laura turns away, so that no one can see, and takes several deep breaths. While she understands that Bill only knows pieces of the story, and she can understand his hurt as she certainly wouldn’t be acting at her best if she out Bill was in a relationship, she would also have liked to believe that Bill would talk to her rather than jumping to conclusions; the fact that he didn’t hurts more than Laura would like to admit.

[justplainsalty]

Tedbecca, Battlestar Galactica AU 💀

Just so everyone has context, this one is a rubber band back to me. It is my fault. And now I'm having to eat crow.

****

Rebecca Welton is the relatively new commander of the Battlestar Richmond, an old and creaky ship that hadn't won any battles in almost as long as she'd been alive, possibly longer. She was the ship's XO for years, under her longtime-ex-husband Rupert, until he was caught sleeping with an NCO on the flight deck and court martialed back to Caprica. Now she's faced with taking over command of a ship where every crewman was highly loyal to Commander Mannion, and she must prove herself out of his shadow. The negative press attention on her since Rupert's arrest has not helped boost her crew's opinion of her. Her new XO, Higgins, suggests accepting President Adar's request to send a PR team up to the ship to film an on-ship pyramid match between command staff and NCOs and boost morale. President Adar has been pushing a multi-pronged initiative to "sanitize" (or in Fleeters' opinions, sterilize and castrate) the Fleet forces for years; Rebecca is the unlucky commander who is forced to accept it this PR move, but it doesn't mean she has to be happy about it.

Ted Lasso is the current Secretary for Culture and Sport within the New Caprican government; he is currently 45th in line for the presidency. Ted is never without his shadow, Coach Beard, the Under-Secretary for Sport. There are questions about how Ted and Beard rose to their positions, debates whether it was a good ol' boy backroom deal, or something more scandalous. After all, Ted has no real government experience on his resumé: prior to his role on President Adar's campaign staff, and then his role as Secretary, Ted was best known for coaching university-level pyramid. Everyone who has worked with Ted understands why he is a good leader and policy-maker; to everyone outside the room where it happened, the choice could not be more opaque. Adar asks Ted to attend the pyramid match with the PR team in order to ensure its smooth execution and diffuse any conflicts that arise.

Nathan Shelley is an intern with the Department of Defense, in the department responsible for the maintenance of the planetary defense mainframe. His girlfriend, Bex, works for a defense contractor. Nathan wasn't supposed to, but he let Bex have some access to the mainframe, so she could scope out some specs and look good for her bosses when they put a bid in for the latest contract. And then she asked if he could get her access to the software the Colonial Fleet was writing to update all the newest ships, and Nate wanted to impress her, so he did. Nate didn't want to ask too many questions -- he was too grateful that someone like Bex was with someone like him in the first place.

And then the cylons attack.

Suddenly, these disparate paths converge, as Rebecca is faced with a fight for her life from the outside, a fight for control of her ship from within, and a fight for the future of humanity from the teeth-grindingly jovial sports coach-turned-president who doesn't seem to understand just how dire their situation is. And what kind of a person says, "We have to get out there and start making babies!" with a straight face, anyway?

Featuring:

Keeley Jones, Tactics Officer

Dr. Sharon Fieldstone, Chief Medical Officer

Trent Crimm, independent journalist-turned-quorum representative and general thorn in Ted’s side (although with plenty of mutual respect)

Pilots: Roy Kent, Jamie Tartt, Sam Obisanya, Isaac McAdoo, Colin Hughes, Dani Rojas, Richard Montlaur, Thierry Zoreaux, Jan Maas, Moe Bumbercatch

Bex, cylon number 6

Leave an AU and a pairing in my ask and I’ll give you the plot of the fic I won’t write for it.

[bohcards]

The Symurgist's Journal

Feather-Decked Journal

In Caer Adar I heard the secret gods speak one to another. I thought that would be the end of my journey, but the more I heard, the more I knew must be missing. I am the Librarian of Hush House, and I will find what has been lost. [The Symurgist came to Hush House to find a History with the songs that have fallen to silence; but you can complete the game by recording any History. You might wish to begin your studies with the Birdsong Wisdom.]

Sky Wind, storm, echo, song; the intricacies of mathematics and the principles of flight. Law's touch is lighter than we sometimes think. [Matters of balance, harmony and necessity.]

Mystery: Winter Greater challenges require stronger skills.

Memories: the Symurgist 'I eavesdropped on the songs of the Aviform Hours. I'd heard the warnings; I'd lose my mind, my soul, my skin. All those things are true, but no-one ever warns you what happens if you get away with it… which is to say, after that, there just doesn't seem to be anything else worth hearing'

Readable There are worse things to put in your eyes than this.

Thing 'The gentleman makes things his servants. The petty man is servant to things.' - Master Xun

Journal I began before this book, but it'll end when I do.

Grants Chor when studied

The Roots of Memory

Here I began my climb. [As you learn Skills, you can decide where in the Tree of Wisdoms they belong - enriching your Soul as you catalogue the invisible world.

Grants Trist

[sweetteaanddragons]

Rings of Power: Episode Six Review

Many, many spoilers ahead.

Southlands

- Post-volcano visuals were stunning; I want to steal them for Dagor Bragollach gifsets.

- If, you know, I ever make a gifset. 

- I thought the scene in the healing tent was highly moving, but I have to say, this is the third time I thought we’d find out Bronwyn was dead, and it’s not that I want her to die, it’s just that there’s only so many fakeouts I can care about.

- Speaking of: their treatment of Elendil’s grief for Isildur was fantastic. However.

- We all know Isildur isn’t actually dead.

- We are all very sure of this.

- And it’s not that I wanted anyone in particular to die from the volcano, it’s just that I feel strongly that if you are going to have a volcano erupt and you have an ensemble cast, someone central to the plot SHOULD die of it.

- Instead, even the creepy villager guy made it.

- Speaking of that side of things, the synopsis definitely pulled a fast one on me with Adar; I assumed he’d be coming up with a new name for himself, not the Southlands.

- . . . honestly, I think that reveal would have hit harder if they’d waited. The book fans already knew where this was going, but letting it be called Mordor by the narration really nails home that they’re not getting the land back, and I think they should have waited to nail this particular coffin closed. It’s inevitable, sure, but timing is everything.

- Oh, yeah.

- There’s also Celeborn.

- I literally shouted WHAT at my screen.

- Several times.

- Don’t get me wrong, I support him existing in the narrative, I just -

- This was such a bewildering direction to take with him.

- Him going out to fight in the war instead of staying in Doriath. Him being missing, presumed dead, when we all know he’s going to have to turn up again later.

- Why would you make this narrative choice? What is the plan?

- I have so many questions, and I’m not sure I want the answers.

Harfoots

- It’s a little thing, but I like that they say “hair of her foot” instead of “hair of her head.”

- I liked Poppy’s song about snails.

- In general, I like the slow dread of the smaller horrors the Harfoots had to face in this episode.

- I have mixed feelings about Poppy’s decision to go after the Stranger (can we just go ahead and call him Gandalf now? I feel really sure he’s Gandalf now). On the one hand, warning him is a noble goal; on the other hand, the Harfoots really need all hands on deck right now.

- Sadoc continues to be a standout character; I love how he clings to his traditions, but stills tries so desperately to be kind about it, like when he’s sending the Stranger away.

- I also love his final lines in the episode - the grumpy resignation of ‘we might as well do this’ that’s behind “Why not? We’re all going to die anyway,” and how he then throws himself into doing it, and the humor of, “How could we miss him? He’s a GIANT.”

- Very curious about the creepy people following the Stranger.

Dwarves

- I loved just about every scene that Durin was in.

- Love the references to Khuzdul and to dwarves’ secret names, though I don’t quite like the dwarf lords using it in front of Elrond, even quietly.

- So Durin has a brother! Who we haven’t heard from until now. Some kind of rift?

- Durin the elder disinheriting his son over the argument seems extreme.

- Disa’s reaction is . . . interesting. Up until now, she’s been a very positively focused character; her final scene with Durin here was giving me definite Lady Macbeth vibes. Our friend Disa is ambitious.

- I kind of like it.

- Like. It definitely puts a more morally gray vibe out there for her. But I think it could be fun.

- Not sure of the feasibility of that two man mining operation they had going, but I really liked the vibe between the two characters.

- And we have our balrog! Earlier than I was expecting him.

[vivalaezra]

Agent of Eorzea:Recruit

Chapter 8

Ezra skidded to a stop besides Wyatt, pausing to conjure a healing spell the moment he connected his accelerator to his sword and adopted that familiar stance those who practiced the red arts took on while casting. The Roe was trying to wave him off as he did so however, pushing to spur the red mage on. “Can’t waste time on me!” He argued.

“Still have time left... If it’s on a timer she had to leave herself enough time to escape.” Ezra reasoned.

“Kind of cocky to  think you can find it that easy.” Wyatt countered.

“A bomb which uses gas, needs a large enough room to circulate... Open windows perhaps... Below deck somewhere so it rises up and clears space... And it has to look inconspicuous so it would go unnoticed up until now.... Did I miss anything?” Ezra said unable to hide his smirk as Wyatt was was bathed in a warm bright light and the wounds he endured began to shrink back.

“... Smart ass... Go, I’ll secure our traitor here.” Wyatt said with a chuckle as he rushed over to Sumi. Ezra wasted little time, racing to the stairwell and opting to leap downward to the deck below as to not waste any more time. Landing with a thud, he looked around to ensure there were no more surprises for me him. All the while he hoped he wasn’t just being cocky like Wyatt said and knew what the hell he was talking about. Maybe there was no timer at all and it would go off any second. He shook his head in disagreement though. No, She needed to stay alive to set the scene afterwards. Ezra looked about the ship, frozen in place as he tried to reason where Sumi would store the bomb. Somewhere it would go unnoticed. Curious eyes would notice anything odd around her footlocker as a ship hand as herself wouldn’t have private quarters. Any good spy wouldn’t keep anything condemning around their person while under cover as well. It needed to be something she had access too but could store out of sight. He then thought to the first time he saw her. She had been playing cards and moving to get refills for her drinking partners. However when Ezra told her who he had been there to meet, she headed off in the other direction, forgetting about the drinks in question.. Which meant... Ezra raced off to where she had moved towards and ran right into a store room. Pausing at the entry, he frantically looked about and saw nothing out of the norm. Just crates. He was beginning to feel nervous and prayed he didn’t choose wrong again but then his gaze shifted to a grate that was out of place. Not as large as the others, it stood by itself, not stacked along with the other crates.  This has to be it!

Kneeling behind the crate he brought one had up to it and was about to lift the lid when he paused. Was it a trap? Did she set something up in place in case someone found it?

Think! Think! Think! He chastised himself then paused. Think, think, think... His thoughts followed a pattern, a repeating tone.

Pressing his ear to the box he found he wasn’t crazy.

Tick, tick, tick.

A clock was inside, perhaps something used to count down. Now convinced this was the box he looked around the room frantically. Could he risk moving it? If he was afraid to open the lid out of fear of it going off could he even risk trying to lift the damned thing? He was running out of options fast and he knew it. Could he managed to get everyone one off the ship in time? What about the supposed sharks which were out there?

“.... This better work...” He said to himself before he whistled long and hard.

Ezra heard the fluttering of wings upon the window and didn’t need to look to know his mount was just outside. “Fly high Addy...” He ordered his mount who responded with a squawk and took off.

Hand placed on the box, Ezra took a deep breath and began to pour his aether into the accelerator. For about two years now he had been studying aetheric currents. He studied with Master Matoya, read his grand fathers journals, and even came up with his own theories regarding the use of teleportation magics. So he was fairly certain that he would be able to port the small distance from the ship to his mount high above with the bomb in toll.... Or he would somehow fuse with the crate and explode..  “Well... Here goes...” He said as he focused on his mount, creating the mental image in his head as the store room was flooded with blinding light. The light continued to building, bathing everything with it’s luminous glow until Ezra was forced to close his eyes and then just like that, he was swallowed by darkness... Black inky darkness that stretched on for all eternity.

Meanwhile, Adar continued to rise higher and higher, his master no where in sight...

[jannaphia]

Can you tell us more about Ronan? Like some info about all the kingdoms and places? Your worldbuilding seems so fascinating I’d love to know literally everything *heart eyes*

Anon, you have no idea what a can of worms you opened up here :DSorry in advance, this will be long!

Empire of Asturia

The empire used to be a small state simply called Asturia, until its then King grew a bit too ambitious, decided to expand his realm and declare himself emperor. After centuries of warring, marrying the right people, annexing and bullying smaller states into submission, the empire has become the largest nation in the history of the continent.The empire itself is split into smaller counties, duchies & land- and margravines, loosely resembling the shapes of their initial sovereign nations.Right beneath the emperor in status are the Princes or Fürsten. None of them own land per se, but those are the people controlling the fate of the empire. The senate made up of ‘ambassadors’ from the various territories now contained in the empire has very little power, and is more often than not a farce to make them feel like they have a voice in the capital.Even though the emperor rules alone, there is one person whose words may weigh even more: a True Immortal called Salain de Avennes, who has made Karisan his patron city.

Bregón

Once the counterweight to an ever hungry empire, Bregón lost much in the last war. Among those things were control of the Harrow (the main pass accross the Wilds), two regiments of finely trained soldiers (they walked too far into the Wilds and never returned) and their reigning King (assassinated by what many believed to be an old lady - nobody knows because they never got caught). The twins who inherited the throne were too young and inept to say the least. Now the crown is struggling while the merchants’ power grows with every passing day. The trade with Koshar is lining their pockets with gold, gold which they increasingly refuse to pass on to the reign - even though the king has tried to better himself after his sister’s ‘hunting accident’ (what a classic).

Dornhan

Not much to say about Dornhan, as it mostly consist of salt marsh, normal marsh, a few windy islands off the coast, hungry peasants and at least two to three kings at a time. Generally nobody knows what’s going on up there and nobody cares. They say a Bregón king tried to overthrow Dornhan once and returned home after walking 10 feet into the country.

Altarath

In Altarath the sun is blotted out every midday by an obstruction in the sky they call ‘Okirin’. Basically, there is a small eclipse every day.It’s a dark, mostly barren and harsh land, ruled by a True Immortal called Ashishkaia Anaetta Kladia, Queen of Altarath, The Eye of Okirin, who is almost worshipped as a goddess by some. The Altheli are a reclusive people, they are rarely found on the continent, but they are easily discern-able by their white pupils.

Norotvoi Islands

South of Altarath, the storm tossed Norotvoi Islands are also under the shadow of Okirin. The Norotvoi are excellent seafarers and explorers and the only people who somehow made something like a democracy work. A new leader is chosen every 6 years at a special gathering and every citizen over the age of 20 is allowed to vote (unless they stand on the deck of a ship).

Fervir

Fervir borders on eastern Asturia, and is a rather rough and archaic land. Early attempts by the empire to overthrow the state were thwarted immediately and so a peace treaty was installed, which both countries have kept to this day. It might be, because Fervir is mostly mountainous, with little means to grow resources, and their most notorious export is a steady stream of fearless warriors (getting a Fervir body guard has become somewhat ‘chique’ in Karisan). The country is divided between Arls, who rule their lands in family clans. The High Arl is seated in Falkanger, and is a chosen member of one of the many Arl families. 

Lattvhila

Desperately cold and frozen, especially in winter. Nomadic families roam its tundra, who sometimes make the bothersome journey to Fervir, to sell furs, silver and whatever strange things they found under the ice.

Zaferya

‘The Bridge to the East’ is covered by steppe and desert, but that hasn’t stopped its people from building tall, tower-cities all over the planes. They always sit on top of a well, and the water is distributed evenly through a system that outsiders would describe as ‘this shouldn’t even work’.

Koshar

Koshar’s climate is rather subtropical, bordering on a desert farther inland. Its coast, however displays a much more temperate, mediterranean climate. Koshar is essentially a monarchy, lead by a man they call Adar-Malik. The Kosh are gifted artisans and craftsmen, and their pigments are in such a high demand that merchants travel as far as Norotvoi and Altarath to sell them.

Other important places..

The Wilds

The Wilds are a vast expanse of mountains and forest smack in the middle of the continent. They could almost be described as another realm, as nobody has been mad enough yet to claim ownership of them. That is why there is practically no border between Bregón and the Empire, except for a few mountain passes where the two nations meet.The Southern Wilds are a lot tamer, and not completely infested with everything straight out of your worst nightmare.

Norik

Norik, or formerly the sovereign confederacy of Norik, is now a province of the Asturian Empire, located in the north and bordering to Fervir. Its governmental system used to be similar to that of Fervir, only that it was ruled by Lords, who only chose a High Lord in times of crises. Such a crisis arose when the Empire came knocking on their door. Before the decisive battle, however, a treaty was strung up and the High Lord blackmailed into signing it, which turned out later to enable the Empire to take over the whole confederacy without compromise.

Naturally the entire population felt betrayed in such a way, that the first rebellion formed a mere week after the annexation. Ever since the Empire has been trying its hardest to gain control over its most unruly province, which continues to revolt.

Cara Reka

For some ungodly reason Cara Reka escaped the Empire’s notice when it was looking for new conquests. Maybe because the little kingdom was too small, or maybe because it lies even behind Norik and the generals just couldn’t be bothered anymore, or maybe because their cavalry is deadly and made up of Rivenhorses.

Kirchenfal

Kirchenfal used to be an independent, theocratic country, west of the Southern Wilds. They believed only priests are permitted to study and learn magic (it’s called the Pulse but that’s a whole other thing so I’ll just call it magic here), which put not only the role of leadership, but also their military and guard into the hands of their church. Back then the land used to be rich with Hakkon Silver - a mineral that shortly enhances one’s magical abilities - and when the Empire started expanding its eyes soon fell upon them.Led by greed, a general named Alos de Brevi raided the country, overthrew the trifecta church, ordered every priest and monk executed and mined the silver until there was none left to be found. Despite the Karisan court being in uproar over the cruelty of the undertaking, the money and power the silver brought soon quieted most critics and Kirchenfal has reluctantly been absorbed into the empire as county palatine, ruled by the de Brevis. Robbed of not only their main source of income, but also of their ruling class and any way to learn magic, the Falese soon surrendered to their fate, although sparsely uprisings occur and many young people flee west into Bregón or south into Koshar.

Taifa of Inezra

The little mass of land at the very western tip of the continent had been gifted to a Kosh general called Inezra al Yanin, who aided the King of Brégon in a battle against southern raiders. It was subsiquentially named after her, and when she retired from the army she set up residence in a small port she re-named Abderral. Under her patronage the small seaside town soon grew into a bustling harbour city and a haven for artists and scholars. Its library surpasses even the Karisan Archives in size and its five universities are renowned, not only on the continent, but also overseas.After al Yanin’s death, her son took over ruling the taifa, holding up his mother’s values.

...I think I’m gonna stop here lmaoYOU SAID YOU WANTED TO KNOW EVERYTHINGThanks for asking haha ♥ 

[blossom--of--snow]

95 "come cuddle" spaceparents (I know I requested more before... But I'm greedy... I'm sorry.... Hope u have time for it)

It only took me about 87 years, but here you go! What I learned from this is that I’m incapable of writing Spaceparents without angst. So sorry about that. 

Laura’s trail of belongings betrayed the type of day she’d had. On days when her students behaved, abstained from SparkNotes, and wrote like AP English students, everything had a place. Her tote bag hung on the olive green wall next to the door, her heels hid primly under the key table, and her blazer lay over the back of the couch. However, more often than not, only half her students behaved, too many didn’t quite finish their assigned reading, and even more write like accelerated English students. Those days called for toppled heels just inside the door, blazer still on her shoulders, tote bag tossed next to her desk, and Laura hunched over a pile of ungraded papers. On the remaining Bad Days, her blazer hung where the tote bag should be, the bag was stuffed under the key table, and at least one shoe was near the wine cabinet.

Today, Bill tripped over the tote, shoes, and blazer before he’d taken two steps into their condo.

“Laura?”

“In bed.” Laura’s voice barely carried down the hall. As he moseyed toward their bedroom, he noticed the closed door, with no light seeping through the cracks. He refused to give paranoia about the cancer’s resurgence any credence, but his fortitude wavered when he saw Laura.

It took him a moment to find her under the blanket of golden fur that was their dog, Prima. Curled on what remained of her side of the bed, Laura had discarded all her clothes in favor of Bill’s old Air Force hoodie.

She lifted her head so that he could see her face over the massive fluff of golden retriever. “Sorry Prima wasn’t there to greet you. I never understood the concept of emotional support animals before we got him. You’re welcome to come cuddle with us.”

Bill dropped the armload of her belongings onto the bench in front of their bed. “I suppose cuddling will make up for almost killing me with the obstacle course you left at the front door.”

Her laughter permeated the darkness. “I’m sorry about that. Come to bed, and I’ll explain everything.”

Usually, Bill would have made a show of putting his shoes in the closet where they belonged and tossing his clothes in the hamper like an adult, but today, he shucked everything but his dog tags, boxers, and uniform tank to the floor and climbed into bed on the other side of Prima. Either too lazy or too comfortable to move, Prima merely craned his neck to cover half of Bill’s face with his tongue.

Bill’s hands vanished in the fur behind Prima’s ears. “Yeah, yeah, I know. It’s been a lifetime since you last saw me. Good boy.” Propped on one elbow this close to Laura, he could see her puffy eyes and pink cheeks, and suddenly the problem wasn’t as important as finding a solution. “Bad day?”

Laura studied Prima rather than meet Bill’s gaze. “Not particularly. In fact, I had a pretty great day. Karl Agathon turned in his literary analysis, and from what little I read, he’s improved exponentially since we started in September. He’s a smart kid, but you know he always struggled to organize his thoughts coherently. I got a list of potential freshman from Tory over at the intermediate school, and it’s a small group, just the way I like. Principal Adar canceled our meeting today, so I actually got to be productive during my planning period.”

Bill reached over Prima and brushed Laura’s red curls behind her ears. “You don’t sound too happy about those things.”

Two tears stained Laura’s blue, satin pillowcase. “Don’t you hate it when you have a perfectly good day, but all you can focus on is the two minutes that frakked you?”

He thought of all the times he’d seen someone who looked like Zak on the hanger deck, or watched Lee’s son playing with one of Zak’s old toys, or had been walking down the street when he remembered that when he was five, Zak’s favorite color was purple.

“I do.” As much as he wanted to wipe her tears away, she preferred to feel her pain before moving on from it.

“We were discussing symbolism. And don’t ask me why I didn’t pick an example from the text, because I have no frakking idea. The kids we’re bored with the text…just one of those days, I guess, so I…” Laura huffed and rolled onto her back. “When I glanced down at my notes, I saw my bracelet, and the kids had already noticed the look on my face. I told them about the accident, about finding the bracelet in my baby sister’s personal effects. Did I ever tell you it was the only thing in all three bags without any blood on it?”

She had not.

“Of course, to avoid breaking down in front of my entire class, I dissociated, used the experience as an teaching moment. The bracelet remaining untainted by the tragedy was symbolic of three lives full of memories that can stand apart from their deaths, or some such bullshit. And you know, Bill, I was fine until I finished, and the kids didn’t say a word. This…reverent silence took over, and these teenagers respected me enough to absorb this calamity I forced on them.”

“No, Laura. You’ve known those kids since they were freshmen. They love you. You didn’t force anything on them. They’re old enough to understand.”  

Swiping angrily at her tears, Laura sat up in bed, as if she was too restless to stay still but too exhausted to walk. “Old enough to understand my hypocrisy. Thirty years of life and happiness, and I can’t think about them without crying.”

“That’s not true.” Expelling an embarrassing amount of effort, Bill sat up. “I don’t have to tell you that some days are worse than others.”

Her gaze focused on the drawn blackout curtains, Laura snickered. “I’m focusing on the negative today, remember?”

Bill thought that with her hunched shoulders and bedhead, she couldn’t look any more dejected. Then Laura flopped back onto the bed and flung one arm over her eyes.

“I hate feeling like this and knowing all I can do is sleep it off and hope everything is better in the morning. But when I close my eyes…”

The steadiness of her voice indicated the resignation and emptiness that on even the most excruciating days of treatment, she could always suppress. Bill’s intimate knowledge of those feelings did not make them any less unsettling to see in her.

As usual, Prima jerked them out of the moment’s solemnity. Muffled barking sent him leaping off the bed toward the living room, where his view of the “intruder” would be unencumbered. Bill cursed under his breath before rolling closer to Laura, who had propped herself up on her elbows. Her eyes, puffy but dry, reflected her musings, and Bill couldn’t stop looking for a solution, in the face of her acceptance that there was none.

“I’m sorry.”

His apology startled Laura out of her trance. Shifting her weight to one elbow, she stroked Bill’s cheek, and he saw light flicker in the bleakness in her eyes. “Just because you can’t always pull me out of my morbid introspection doesn’t mean you have to apologize.” Bill tried to protest, but she covered his lips with her fingers. “Never doubt that you make it easier to be grateful for every day.”

Then he was back at that night under the stars, only a month after the cancer had vaporized like an unsettling dream. With her wind-blown hair tickling his nose and her arm over his middle, the future was irrelevant in the face of the perfect present.

Maybe we should embrace it—the life that we’ve got while we’ve got it.

The memory of her words whispered in his ear, and he embraced her, needing to feel her breath—real, present life—on his cheek.

[lindoig5]

Days 10 and 11   Sunday and Monday - Antarctica at last!!!

Sunday

Sunday dawned dismal and foggy, with sub-zero temperatures and thick snow laying around from overnight falls. A good day to stay inside, but it is amazing how quickly the weather changes down here.  One minute it is bleak and miserable, within 5 minutes the sun is shining brightly with not a cloud in the sky - and 10 minutes later, it is snowing again.  The snow we have had has generally been in fine flakes, but some of the flurries have been quite dense and sting quite sharply if you are out on deck at the time.

We had two more lectures that day – one on interpreting ice charts (fascinating) and another on polar photography.  It would have been great to capture that one on video and audio – it was really useful from the technical camera perspective although I don’t think I learned anything about the artistic side of the subject.  Dan was the presenter and he is a great photographer but there was so much information in his lecture that most of it got forgotten before he got to the end.

It amazes me that people don’t get the message – at least some of the most important messages.  We have been told repeatedly that the vacuum-operated toilets are very sensitive and ’if it doesn’t come out of your body, it doesn’t go in the toilet’.  There is a bin for toilet paper that is cleared regularly by the Russian staff, but people continue to put it in the toilets.  They have become blocked at least 10 times so far and nobody can then use the toilets, take a shower of wash their hands in the sink for an hour or two until the crew cleans and resets the system.  I few times it has just been a single deck, but most times, the whole waste disposal system goes down and that inconveniences everyone – sometimes quite seriously and for quite some time.  If only people would heed the warnings……

During the morning, we encountered 3 humpback whales and spent a wonderful hour or so in their company. They were obviously inquisitive and followed us around (when we weren’t following them) and everyone got some wonderful photos.  A truly unique experience and quite a few of us were somewhat overcome by the emotion of the encounter.  Such magnificent gentle giants and everyone was touched by the experience.  At times they seemed to be showing off for us, rolling over and diving – they were probably just enjoying their lunch, but it really did seem that they were consciously interacting with us – at least with the ship, even if not the humans aboard, but I really do think they were playing with us too.

By now, we were getting closer to Cape Adare, our first Antarctic destination and we had a series of briefings before dinner in preparation for the big moment around 3am on Monday.

Just for fun - a Southern Fulmar - one of zillions.

Monday

We got our wake-up call at about 3.45am, but quite a few people were already on deck by then.  As we approached Cape Adare, the sun started to rise and the brilliant white of the icebergs leapt out at us.  Seeing the retina-burning gleam of the bergs against the inky black clouds and orange-pink band of the dawn along the horizon was most spectacular.

Our first glimpse of Antarctica could hardly have been more dramatic.  The massive bluff at the Cape was mind-bogglingly spectacular with the 4200-metre precipice at the end of the peninsula towering over us and many giant tabular icebergs surrounding us, sometimes less than 20 metres away.  Many of the floes had Adelie Penguins saluting us as we passed and dozens of South Polar Skuas were patrolling the beach looking for a meal of some of the last remaining penguin chicks still there.  We sailed up and around the Cape looking for a possible landing site but the sea ice was tight-packed against the shore and a landing proved impossible.  We had good views of the penguins (but not as close as we had hoped) and there was a giant bull elephant seal sunning himself on the ice and a few leopard seals prowling, hunting for a careless penguin or three.  There are a couple of historic huts on the beach – the dilapidated remains of Scott’s last hut and the more substantial Borchgrevink one – plus some modern NZ scientists’ huts and equipment temporarily required while they are doing some restoration work there.  We pass the same area as we leave Antarctica and hope we will be able to land at that time.  (Borchgrevink was a German expeditioner and the first person to overwinter on the frozen continent.)

The landscape is utterly stunning – quite overwhelming – massive volcanic cliffs, hundreds of square kilometres of snow-covered peaks glistening apricot-orange to rose-pink in the early sun, eye-squinting white icebergs all around, and the massive black cloud-topped Cape Adare brooding over us all.  The emotion of the view got to quite a few people today – perhaps it’s just the fact that we are all in such a remote and awesome environment but it fired the emotions for quite a few of us.  I have already run out of adjectives so feel free to add your own – just make sure you scatter lots of superlatives in there too because whatever we jointly come up with will be a poor shadow of the real thing.

The sea ice prevented us from getting close to the shore so we sailed away and to the east, around the Cape to follow the peninsula south into the Ross Sea proper.  The coastline is stunning (or have I already said that?) with cliffs at least 300 metres high and snow-icing many hundreds of metres thick (and many hundreds of kilometres long) on top of them.  We sailed south for a few hours to the Possession Islands – again massive dramatic cliffs, giant icebergs, inaccessible vertical sea stacks and guano beaches home to a few more thousand Adelies.  We sailed around looking for possible landing places and some of the crew took a zodiac in search of a landing, but again the sea-ice defeated us and we were obliged to head further south.

The route we took paralleled the coast and it was one amazing vista after another all the way down. We passed quite a few islands, none for which we had landing permits even if we could have but the whole way has been adjacent to spectacular snow-laded mountains.  Utterly awesome and unlike anything we have seen before.

I spent a lot of the day sorting photos, identifying birds and writing my blog with occasional interruptions to view the coastline, check out some minke whales, eat a meal or two, visit the Bridge to photograph more birds and do a little reading – finished another book at last.  (I read at least six e-books while we were away: probably more than I would read in a year at home.)

Not sure what tomorrow will bring.  We have changed course at least twice more because planned landings proved unlikely or impossible due to weather, ice or wind conditions.  We got quite a bit of snow in the late afternoon so we are now heading for historic Terra Nova Bay and should reach there about noon tomorrow. It has a bad reputation for extreme winds, but hopefully, that may drive some of the snow away and allow a landing – but we will know that around lunchtime tomorrow.

[itztagninut]

nisan update / דערהײנטיג פון  ניסן

nisan (aries) 2019: april 6 - may 5

last month’s update: אדר ב׳

Nisan proved to be a really busy moon for me between school, keeping a kosher Pesach, and working lots of doubles. I’m looking forward to the end of this semester and finally getting the chance to work on some larger, more serious projects.

This moon cycle was more about internal work than anything else. The theme of the month was Key 11, The Intersection (in the Slow Holler Tarot, my deck of choice lately) or Justice in the RWS. For the last few months my work has been focused on tangible practices to ground and protect myself as my psychic sensitivity is increasingly heightened. As I get further into that, I’m beginning to focus on some more mundane internal work as well. I want to keep this blog more focused on my occult work so I’m not going to get too deep into this stuff but suffice to say that this Nisan/Aries moon brought me some time to really think about my life path and opportunities to root into myself.

My natal chart is characterized by deep Saturnine influence (which I think explains my attraction to Judaism and affinity for work with my ancestors and other spirits of the Dead). This has been overwhelming this far in my life (to say the least). I feel like I am confronting my internal darkness/Saturn in a new way, a way that is increasingly empowered and grounded, especially as I work my way to my Saturn return.

What have I been up to?

I took advantage of a choice Venus election--Venus exalted in Pisces on 19 Adar II / March 26 to build a Venus altar and consecrate a few items during her hour (for myself and a birthday gift for my best friend). I followed up with offerings and petitions on Friday during her day and hour and continued making Friday offerings until she transited out of exaltation, on Erev Pesach, Nisan 15 / April 20.

The garden received a lot of work this month, much of which has come up with nothing due to dramatic rainfall and flooding in my region. Despite this, a few of my vegetable starts survived and luckily most of my perennial magical herbs are flourishing despite the excess rainfall. 

I think I may investigate some of the gardening and plant spirits in the grimoire section of Devin Hunter’s Witch’s Book of Spirits when I have some spare time during Iyar to see if propitiating them could yield some more luck with my very finicky gardening plot.

Before the rainfall, I collected my spring harvest from my early-yielding lamiaceae and tried my hand at some glycerites (I made three: lime thyme, lemon balm + lime mint, peppermint + chocolate mint). These should be ready to go by late May.

I went all out for Pesach this year, including lots of mundane preparation. I typically give my house a thorough cleaning/cleansing and reset all of my boundaries and wards before Pesach and Rosh Hashonah.

Towards the end of the month, a friend and I engaged in a small group working seeking to banish a very chaotic and destructive person from her life. It’s not my story to tell (and its a long one), but in short, we think he (the banish-ee) may actually be an obsessed demoniac and our working may not have had the exact success we were looking for. Time will tell, I suppose.

I worked out a daily banishing practice using the format of Jason Miller’s Sphere of Hekas* and the LBRP but using traditional zmiros (Jewish liturgy) that are more authentic to me. I’ve tentatively titled this “Sphere of Ohr” in homage to Miller. I’m averaging working this around once a week.

* From Protection and Reversal Magick, Miller (2006)

[blue-mint-winter]

BSG 2x10 Pegasus rewatch

The title says it all - THE SUPREME BITCH HAS ARRIVED

I love that ominous beginning, everyone’s cheering and celebrating because Pegasus found them and meeting another group of survivors, with superior ship and firepower and more supplies seems like a miracle

BUT the music - it’s not anything close to joyful or triumphant, instead it’s dark, sorrowful, moaning - it warns of the storm that’s coming with Pegasus.

All those causes for celebration can’t hide the clues that something’s wrong afoot.

Cain herself is characterized as tough, young Admiral. she got the promotion before more experienced commanders. She was also well-connected (she recognized Roslin and Baltar by sight).

Pegasus XO tells a disturbing story of Cain shooting the previous XO for refusing to follow her orders. He pretends he was just kidding, but...

A new chief of deck from Pegasus explains that he was drafted from civilian ship Scylla, which sounds suspicious as hell because Pegasus came alone, so what happened to civilian ships they encountered? Why Cain didn’t mention anything? Hmmm?

Cain’s also suspiciously not answering President’s calls and gives supplies only to Galactica, ignoring the civilian ships. We know where her priorities lay.

Pegasus pilots mark how many Cylons they shot down on their Vipers, which shows a different, more militarized culture. Kara, Lee and other pilots from Galactica laughed at it, but their attitude is different. Killing Cylons isn’t a sport or a competition to them. It’s a matter of survival.

We also see the treatment of their Cylon prisoner, another Six, that Baltar is supposed to pump for information but actually plans to help her (brilliant scene when he’s with her in the cell). She’s been abused, raped, shackled on the floor and traumatized. Lieutenant Thorn from Pegasus tries to rape Sharon too, but Tyrol and Helo warned by some gossiping Pegasus guys come and save her, with Tyrol killing Thorn by accident.

By this point Cain has done changes as she liked, ordering transfers of those Adama loves, Kara and Lee, away from him just after he got them all back as family (ship is the family), and putting her man in charge of Tyrol’s decks. And Adama took it all from her because that’s military protocol and he has to respect the chain of command. But when Cain sentenced Tyrol and Helo to be executed, all bets are off. She crossed the line.

In the end, this was to be predicted. Roslin saw where this could go when she compared Adama’s situation with a hypothetical “what if president Adar came to the Fleet”. She didn’t say it outright, but she did suggest she wouldn’t really appreciate being usurped, even if it was perfectly lawful.

Adama’s and Cain’s style of command are different on the ideological level. Adama protects his people and the civilians, the military serves the government, the ship is the family and tehy havve each other’s backs, Galactica is the guardian of the Fleet. For Cain, war on Cylons takes priority, therefore military takes priority, she also doesn’t care about lives or relationships. For her, there is no room for compromise and she requires total obedience. Friendship or bonds can’t exist on her ship. Adama can’t abide with her philosophy and methods and she can’t abide disobedience, so the clash was imminent. Tyrol and Helo only made it happen faster, which is actually good because the changes Cain made are still very fresh and haven’t become permanent yet.

Meanwhile, Lee is away on a scouting mission in a Raptor (oh teh humiliation) because Cain’s planning an attack on an important Cylon ship. Kara who was taken off the mission for talking back to Pegasus’ CAG, instead took the Blackbird to make stealthy recon.

Excellent episode and the music is just brilliant.

[jesus-thenameaboveeveryname]

30 People extermination plan

People extermination plan

Esther3:5 When Haman saw that  Mordecai didn't bow down, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of  wrath.

Esther3:6 But he thought scorn to  lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had made known to him the people of  Mordecai: therefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews who were throughout  the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.

Esther3:7 In the first month,  which is the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of king Ahasuerus, they cast  Pur, that is, the lot, before Haman from day to day, and from month to month,  [to] the twelfth [month], which is the month Adar.

Rev.17:3 He carried me away in  the Spirit into a wilderness. I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet-colored  animal, full of blasphemous names, having seven heads and ten horns.

Rev.17:4 The woman was dressed  in purple and scarlet, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls,  having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of  the sexual immorality of the earth.

Rev.17:5 And on her forehead a  name was written, "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF THE  PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH."

Haman represents Satan. Satan plans to kill all of God's  people who worship only God and do not worship him. Haman represents the prostitute  and the king represents the scarlet beast.[1] Haman himself does not have the  power to kill the people, so Haman uses the king to kill the people. The prostitute  rides the beast to kill the people.

The day to kill the people was set.[2] It is the last1week.[3] (There may be an opinion that  the last month chosen represents the last1week out of the 70 weeks that human  history ends with its end.) Perceiving that his time is short, Satan makes  the last effort to kill all of God's people.[4] The time is the last1week.

Esther3:8 Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered  abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom;  and their laws are diverse from [those of] every people; neither keep they  the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to allow them.

Esther3:9 If it please the king, let it be written that they be destroyed:  and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver into the hands of those who  have the charge of the [king's] business, to bring it into the king's  treasuries.

Esther3:10 The king took his ring from his hand, and gave it to Haman the  son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy.

Esther3:11 The king said to Haman, The silver is given to you, the people  also, to do with them as it seems good to you.

Esther3:12 Then were the king's scribes called in the first month, on the  thirteenth day of it; and there was written according to all that Haman  commanded to the king's satraps, and to the governors who were over every  province, and to the princes of every people, to every province according to  the writing of it, and to every people after their language; in the name of  king Ahasuerus was it written, and it was sealed with the king's ring.

Esther3:13 Letters were sent by posts into all the king's provinces, to  destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old,  little children and women, in one day, even on the thirteenth [day] of the  twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey.

Esther3:14 A copy of the writing, that the decree should be given out in  every province, was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready  against that day.

Rev.13:1 Then I stood on the  sand of the sea. I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and  seven heads. On his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads, blasphemous  names.

Rev.13:2 The beast which I saw  was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth  like the mouth of a lion. The dragon gave him his power, his throne, and  great authority.

Rev.13:3 One of his heads looked  like it had been wounded fatally. His fatal wound was healed, and the whole  earth marveled at the beast.

Rev.13:4 They worshiped the  dragon, because he gave his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the  beast, saying, "Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with  him?"

Rev.13:5 A mouth speaking great  things and blasphemy was given to him. Authority to make war for forty-two  months was given to him.

Rev.13:6 He opened his mouth for  blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his dwelling, those who  dwell in heaven.

Rev.13:7 It was given to him to  make war with the saints, and to overcome them. Authority over every tribe,  people, language, and nation was given to him.

Rev.13:8 All who dwell on the  earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the  foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been killed.

Satan tried to exterminate God's people in all areas  belonging to the Mede-Persian Empire. In the last1week, since the beast will  take over the whole earth, Satan will try to exterminate God's people from  every realm on the earth. The  people Satan wants to kill, are the people of God who worship only God. Those  who are already rebelling against their Creator cannot be a threat to Satan. This is because they cannot  make Satan's judgment is confirmed because they do not keep the commandments  that the Creator has commanded them to keep. Those who are called to be perfected in the  image of God[5] but live as beasts, cannot  prove the truthfulness of the commandments, and therefore cannot be used to  establish the commandments as the basis for judgment. Exterminating the people therefore  includes not only killing those who worship only God, but also threatening  the people and corrupting them from giving true worship to God. What Satan wants to prevent is the  people who keep the commandments.

Satan uses the law of the rulers, the law of the beast, to  prevent the people from keeping the commandments of God. Haman took the king's power on  his back and tried to slaughter the people[6] who did not obey the king's  law.[7] The means Haman used to kill  God's people was the king's law. He made a king's law that was against God's law and wanted to  kill all those who did not keep the king's law.

The means Satan uses to kill God's people is also the law of  the beast. Satan will make a law to make people worship the beast, so he will  choose and kill all who do not worship the beast.[8] Satan thinks that everyone will  be afraid of death and worship the beast[9], but Satan will meet  terrifying enemies[10] who love God more than their  lives[11] and do not fear even death.[12] Those who keep the commandments  of God will be killed only their bodies by Satan[13], but those  who forsake the commandments and worship the beast will be thrown into the  lake of fire not only their bodies[14]  but also their souls by the fearful God.[15]

Esther7:3 Then Esther the queen  answered, If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it please the  king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request:

Esther7:4 for we are sold, I and  my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been  sold for bondservants and bondmaids, I had held my peace, although the  adversary could not have compensated for the king's damage.

Esther7:5 Then spoke the king  Ahasuerus and said to Esther the queen, Who is he, and where is he, that  dared presume in his heart to do so?

Esther7:6 Esther said, An  adversary and an enemy, even this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before  the king and the queen.

Rev.12:1 A great sign was seen  in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on  her head a crown of twelve stars.

Rev.12:2 She was with child. She  cried out, laboring and in pain, giving birth.

Rev.12:3 Another sign was seen  in heaven. Behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and  on his heads seven crowns.

Rev.12:4 His tail drew one third  of the stars of the sky, and threw them to the earth. The dragon stood before  the woman who was about to give birth, so that when she gave birth he might  devour her child.

Rev.12:5 She gave birth to a  son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. Her  child was caught up to God, and to his throne.

In between the decided times of fate, when they were forced  to be slaughtered helplessly, an unexpected event occurs that turns the  situation upside down. Through Esther  who was ready to die for her people[16], Haman was killed by hanging  on a tree.[17] This symbolizes the event in  which Satan's judgment is confirmed[18] by the crucifixion of our Lord  Jesus.[19] After Haman's judgment is  confirmed, Mordecai receives sovereignty.[20] This symbolizes the event in  which our Lord Jesus came to rule the creation world after He was resurrected  and sat on the true throne of the heaven of angels.[21] Esther symbolizes our Lord  Jesus who took the cross, and Mordecai symbolizes our Lord Jesus who was  resurrected and sat on the true throne.

From Haman's point of view, it must have seemed that Esther  overturned his plan which was likely to be successful, but God's plan for  saving His people through Esther had already been decreed by God[22] even before Haman had a heart  to eliminate the people.[23] From the beginning, Satan was  merely ordained as a tool[24] to be used to accomplish the decreed  plan of God.[25]

A woman gives birth to a male child who will rule the world  with a rod of iron. This symbolizes the coming of our Lord Jesus through  Israel, the church. (The  woman[26],  the bride[27],  the church, who gives birth to a male child existed even in the old testament  times.[28] It was only hidden in Israel[29]  which had become brood of vipers.[30] This  church which will give birth to the Messiah, symbolizes God's people[31]  who continue through the promise, the covenant, not the law.[32] The  church of the old testament times[33]  which was imperfect because they were betrothed by the blood of animals[34],  is perfected by being betrothed by the blood of the Son.[35]  The 1st covenant, the temporary covenant, established with the blood of  animals, was incomplete, but the new covenant, the original true covenant,  established with the blood of the Son[36],  is perfect.[37]  It is because God the Holy Spirit gives us the strength to keep.[38])

Our Lord Jesus who died on the cross, is  resurrected and sits on the throne of God. In order to prevent the coming of our Lord  Jesus, Satan has tried to persecute the Israel in various ways, but all have  failed.  Of course, Satan will continue to fail.

Esther9:1 Now in the twelfth  month, which is the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the  king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, on the  day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have rule over them, (whereas it  was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over those who hated  them,)

Esther9:2 the Jews gathered  themselves together in their cities throughout all the provinces of the king  Ahasuerus, to lay hand on such as sought their hurt: and no man could  withstand them; for the fear of them was fallen on all the peoples.

Esther9:3 All the princes of the  provinces, and the satraps, and the governors, and those who did the king's  business, helped the Jews; because the fear of Mordecai was fallen on them.

Rev.11:3 I will give power to my  two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred sixty days,  clothed in sackcloth.

Rev.11:4 These are the two olive  trees and the two lampstands, standing before the Lord of the earth.

Rev.11:5 If anyone desires to  harm them, fire proceeds out of their mouth and devours their enemies. If  anyone desires to harm them, he must be killed in this way.

Rev.11:6 These have the power to  shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They  have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth  with every plague, as often as they desire.

A new decree is issued other than the decree that was issued  to kill the people. The 1st decree was a decree to kill the people by judging  them sinners[39], but the new one is to save  the people by giving them the chance and authority to fight.[40] The 1st covenant engraved on  stone tablets was the law of death, but the new covenant engraved on the  heart tablet becomes the law of life.[41] Satan tries to bring the people  under the law by deceiving them to sin[42], but through the blood of the  cross[43], God makes the law that was  previously death to the people, life to them.[44] This law which makes overcome  the lusts of the flesh, symbolizes the new covenant.[45] The 1st covenant revealed the  sins of the people and imprisoned the people who had no power to overcome  their sins under the death of judgment.[46] But the new covenant[47] which was made through the  blood of the Son[48], is a covenant that enables people  to overcome sin and escape from judgment.[49] People must fight to defend  themselves.[50] No matter how victorious our  Lord Jesus is, if the people do not protect themselves[51], they will only be deceived by  their enemies and fall into judgment together.[52] The people must have God the  Holy Spirit and obey the guidance of God the Holy Spirit to overcome sin.[53]

The last1week is the time when Satan tries to destroy God's  people, and is the time when God's people fight against Satan and prepare the  way for our Lord Jesus who will judge Satan. When our Lord Jesus comes  again, Satan fraudswarms will be imprisoned in the abyss for a while[54] and thrown into the lake of  fire.[55] Satan  who was thrown down to the earth, raises beasts from the sea and the earth to slaughter God's  people.  But the 2  witnesses who resist Satan's oppression[56] and attack Satan will arise  among God's people.[57] Also, many of God's people will  be protected from Satan's oppression. After 42 months, the 1st half of the last1week, after the  great tribulation[58], the 1st resurrection takes  place.[59] (There  may be an opinion that the great tribulation will begin 'with' the 1st half  of the last1week, by interpreting 'half' in Dan 9:27 as 'during half'.[60]  And there may be an opinion that the great tribulation will begin 'in' the  1st half of the last1week, by interpreting 'half' in Dan 9:27 as 'in the  middle'.) If the  truthfulness of the commandments is proved through the 1st resurrection that  will occur at the end of the great tribulation, judgment on Satan fraudswarms  will be poured out during the 2nd half of the last1week.[61] It  is the 2nd woe that people1/3  are killed by the 200000000 horsemen and the saints suffer from the  oppression of the beasts during the 1st half of the last1week.[62]  And it is the 3rd woe that the  7 golden bowl plagues are poured out on the earth in the 2nd half of the  last1week.[63]

Had it not been for Hadassa's decision to risk her life, God's  people would have been utterly destroyed by Haman. If our Lord Jesus had not  suffered unspeakable pain on the cross, God's people would have been utterly  destroyed by Satan. The  reason that God's people can fight and overcome the beasts when Satan sets up  the world beast government and seeks to exterminate God's people, is not  because the people themselves have the power to overcome Satan[64], but because God the Holy  Spirit dwells within the people.[65] If our Lord Jesus had not shed  His blood, the people would not have their sins forgiven, and if the people  had not had their sins forgiven, God the Holy Spirit would not have come upon  them.[66] If God the Holy Spirit had not  come upon the people, the people would not have been able to overcome their  sins[67], and if the people had not  overcome their sins[68], the people would not have  been able to be resurrected or transformed.[69] If the people had not been  resurrected or transformed, the truthfulness of the commandments would not  have been proved[70], and if the truthfulness of  the commandments had not been proved, the commandments could not have been  established as the basis for judgment.[71] If the commandments had not  been established as the basis for judgment, the act of breaking the  commandments would not have been recognized as a sin[72], and if the act of breaking  the commandments had not been recognized as a sin, our Lord Jesus would not  have come again to judge the transgressors.[73] Therefore, through the cross  where God the Son was cut off from His Father, God the Son saves His people  and judges Satan.[74]

[1] Dan.7:17 These great animals, which are four, are four kings, who shall arise out of the earth.

[2] Dan.9:27 He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week(view2:for half of the week) he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall [wrath] be poured out on the desolate.

[3] Dan.9:24 Seventy weeks are decreed on your people and on your holy city, to finish disobedience, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy.

[4] Rev.12:12 Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has but a short time."

[5] 2Cor.4:4 in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them.

[6] Rev.13:15 It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, so that they should give them marks on their right hand, or on their forehead; and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. He who has understanding, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is six hundred sixty-six.

[7] Dan.3:5 that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up; and whoever doesn't fall down and worships shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.

[8] Rev.13:15 It was given to him to give breath to it, to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause as many as wouldn't worship the image of the beast to be killed. He causes all, the small and the great, the rich and the poor, and the free and the slave, so that they should give them marks on their right hand, or on their forehead; and that no one would be able to buy or to sell, unless he has that mark, the name of the beast or the number of his name.

[9] Job2:3 Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause." Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Skin for skin. Yes, all that a man has will he give for his life. But put forth your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce you to your face."

[10] Dan.3:16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If it be [so], our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods, nor worship the golden image which you have set up.

[11] Song8:6 Set me as a seal on your heart, As a seal on your arm; For love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, A very flame of Yahweh. Many waters can't quench love, Neither can floods drown it. If a man would give all the wealth of his house for love, He would be utterly scorned. Friends

[12] Acts20:23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions wait for me. But these things don't count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

[13] Matt.10:28 Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.

[14] Rev.16:2 The first went, and poured out his bowl into the earth, and it became a harmful and evil sore on the men who had the mark of the beast, and who worshiped his image. The second angel poured out his bowl into the sea, and it became blood as of a dead man. Every living thing in the sea died. The third poured out his bowl into the rivers and springs of water, and it became blood.

[15] Matt.10:37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn't worthy of me. He who doesn't take his cross and follow after me, isn't worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

[16] Esther4:16 Go, gather together all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast you for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast in like manner; and so will I go in to the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish.

[17] Esther7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the king's wrath pacified.

[18] Gal.3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree,"

[19] John12:31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

[20] Esther8:15 Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal clothing of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a robe of fine linen and purple: and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.

[21] 1Pet.3:22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

[22] Is.46:10 declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;

[23] Esther1:18 This day will the princesses of Persia and Media who have heard of the deed of the queen say [the like] to all the king's princes. So [will there arise] much contempt and wrath. If it please the king, let there go forth a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it not be altered, that Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate to another who is better than she.

[24] Prov.16:4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end -- Yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.

[25] 1Pet.1:20 who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of times for your sake,

[26] Gen.3:15 I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."

[27] Jer.3:8 I saw, when, for this very cause that backsliding Israel had committed adultery, I had put her away and given her a bill of divorce, yet treacherous Judah, her sister, didn't fear; but she also went and played the prostitute.

[28] Acts7:38 This is he who was in the assembly in the wilderness with the angel that spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers, who received living oracles to give to us,

[29] Rom.3:1 Then what advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision? Much in every way! Because first of all, they were entrusted with the oracles of God.

[30] Matt.3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, "You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruit worthy of repentance! Don't think to yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

[31] Gal.3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ. Now I say this. A covenant confirmed beforehand by God in Christ, the law, which came four hundred and thirty years after, does not annul, so as to make the promise of no effect.

[32] Gal.4:25 For this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and answers to the Jerusalem that exists now, for she is in bondage with her children. But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. For it is written, "Rejoice, you barren who don't bear. Break forth and shout, you that don't travail. For more are the children of the desolate than of her who has a husband." Now we, brothers, as Isaac was, are children of promise.

[33] Heb.9:18 Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood. For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded toward you." Moreover he sprinkled the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry in like manner with the blood.

[34] Ps.50:5 "Gather my saints together to me, Those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

[35] Heb.9:12 nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.

[36] Luke22:20 He took the cup in like manner after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, that which is poured out for you.

[37] Heb.9:15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

[38] Jer.31:31 Behold, the days come, says Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they broke, although I was a husband to them, says Yahweh. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yahweh: I will put my law in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people:

[39] Esther3:8 Haman said to king Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom; and their laws are diverse from [those of] every people; neither keep they the king's laws: therefore it is not for the king's profit to allow them.

[40] Esther8:11 in which the king granted the Jews who were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, [their] little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,

[41] 2Cor.3:3 being revealed that you are a letter of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tablets of stone, but in tablets that are hearts of flesh.

[42] Rom.3:19 Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of God. Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.

[43] Heb.9:18 Therefore even the first covenant has not been dedicated without blood. For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, "This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded toward you."

[44] Rom.8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don't walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free from the law of sin and of death.

[45] Heb.8:10 "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel. After those days," says the Lord; "I will put my laws into their mind, I will also write them on their heart. I will be to them a God, And they will be to me a people.

[46] Gal.3:24 So that the law has become our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.

[47] Heb.9:15 For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, since a death has occurred for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first covenant, that those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

[48] Luke22:20 He took the cup in like manner after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, that which is poured out for you.

[49] Gal.5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

[50] Rom.8:13 For if you live after the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

[51] Rom.7:23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death?

[52] 1Cor.9:27 but I beat my body and bring it into submission, lest by any means, after I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

[53] Gal.5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one other, that you may not do the things that you desire.

[54] Is.24:21 It shall happen in that day, that Yahweh will punish the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth on the earth. They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison; and after many days shall they be visited.

[55] Rev.20:10 The devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet are also. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

[56] Zech.12:6 In that day I will make the chieftains of Judah like a pan of fire among wood, and like a flaming torch among sheaves; and they will devour all the surrounding peoples, on the right hand and on the left; and Jerusalem will yet again dwell in their own place, even in Jerusalem.

[57] Zech.12:8 In that day Yahweh will defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem. He who is feeble among them at that day will be like David, and the house of David will be like God, like the angel of Yahweh before them.

[58] Matt.24:21 for then will be great oppression, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be. Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the elect's sake, those days will be shortened.

[59] Rev.11:14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe comes quickly. The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, "The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!"

[60] Dan.9:27 He shall make a firm covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week(view2:for half of the week) he shall cause the sacrifice and the offering to cease; and on the wing of abominations [shall come] one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, shall [wrath] be poured out on the desolate.

[61] Rev.11:18 The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your servants the prophets, their reward, as well as the saints, and those who fear your name, the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

[62] Rev.9:12 The first woe is past. Behold, there are still two woes coming after this. The sixth angel sounded. I heard a voice from the horns of the golden altar which is before God, saying to the sixth angel who had one trumpet, "Free the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates!" The four angels were freed who had been prepared for that hour and day and month and year, so that they would kill one third of mankind. The number of the armies of the horsemen was ten thousands of ten thousands. I heard the number of them.

[63] Rev.15:1 I saw another great and marvelous sign in the sky: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them God's wrath is finished.

[64] Luke10:3 Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

[65] Mark13:11 When they lead you away and deliver you up, don't be anxious beforehand, or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

[66] Acts2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

[67] Gal.5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

[68] Rom.6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[69] 1Cor.15:55 "Death, where is your sting? Hades, where is your victory?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

[70] Job1:8 Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil." Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven't you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face."

[71] John12:48 He who rejects me, and doesn't receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke, the same will judge him in the last day.

[72] 1John1:10 If we say that we haven't sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

[73] Rev.11:17 saying: "We give you thanks, Lord God, the Almighty, the one who is and who was; because you have taken your great power, and reigned. The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your servants the prophets, their reward, as well as the saints, and those who fear your name, the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth."

[74] John12:31 Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

[touchtheflames]

Have you ever met someone who looks so good in red? No? I didn’t think so.

If Ember was a modern day singer, I genuinely think she’d be Rihanna. “Needed Me” by Rihanna was essentially ghostwritten by Ember and the entire music video is just Rihanna killing men. How much more Ember does it need to get?

Ember loves cigars. There’s just something so spicy and earthy about them that she loves. She likes the taste and she’ll pay extra for those nice Cubans. After every successful Guardian mission, I imagine that Ember smokes a cigar and then tries to get Cobalt to do the same. She’s a big frequenter of those nice, elegant smoking lounges. You can find her at one of those card tables, decked out in a nicely fit black suit with a smoking cigar in one hand.

Red lipstick is a must. What is a black widow without a bloody mouth?

Ember once challenged herself in the bedroom with one of her lovers to see which could cause more pleasure: Malachite’s #69 elixir or her. It was a hard fought victory but Ember eventually emerged victorious. That’s why one night with Ember is fucking legendary.

Ember uses pet names for those she doesn’t care about. Baby, doll, love, sweetheart, she purrs them into people’s ears and watches them shiver with whatever emotion she’s invoked in them. When Ember doesn’t care about you, she will not remember your name and she’ll be cruel about it too. One of the worst things to Ember is someone not knowing her name. She didn’t go through hell as a young Fey, bullied beyond belief, all for someone not to know her name. E-M-B-E-R. Ember. She’s Ember Fairburn, Seelie Guardian and Black Widow and by Danu, everyone’s going to know her name by the time she dies in this world. She doesn’t want her name to die with her but rather, she wants to be talked about as one of the infamous Seelie Guardians for the rest of time. She doesn’t care what they whisper about her or about her deeds, she’s thriving on the sole fact that people ARE talking about her. 

Ember is Seelie to her core. All their morals are what she aims to personify. She might not be aristocratic but she is naturally beautiful, relying very little on glamour except on covering up her scars. She’s beautiful, youthful, pleasurable, she lives for the revels of the Seelie court. She scorns all thing Unseelie despite that side of her, forever denying herself any sort of association with that court. 

Part of her Seelie self is her intense loyalty to King Adare. I almost imagine that she was given a job in the palace before she became a guardian. She grew up, running to the kitchens and trying to catch glimpses of Adare. He might have been seventy years older than her and ascended when she was three but she felt a sort of kinship with him. They’re both things that the Seelie court did not expect - a male Seelie King and the bastard half-breed. Ember would never bring this up to Adare but as a child, she was fascinated by him, taking jobs just to see him when she could. He might have been a King but he always treated her gently whenever she stumbled in front of him. She might have developed a girlish crush as a child but as a woman, she has no time for that sort of thing. Crushes? Loves? Not in these heels. 

Ember walks in time with the beat. Each sloooow, bump n grind step of hers is perfectly timed, never off-beat. She saunters and slips closer, hips swaying to the sound of the drums. Music loves Ember and Ember loves music. A good guitar riff? The sexiest thing she’s ever heard.

I think as a duo, the dynamic of Cobalt and Ember is iconic. I love that he’s the steady one, walking through her inferno. I think she was a blazing, burning firestorm that didn’t know how to control it in the beginning. Like the steady, guiding hand of the river, Cobalt curbed her anger and taught her how to control it. He taught her that anger comes in handy sometimes and it’s a powerful motivator but she has to be smart. 

When Adare couldn’t escort his darling children Echna and Fianait whenever they wanted to go into the human world and even some places in the Seelie Court, it was Ember who kept an eye on them. And, she honestly loved them. She loved the backbone on them, the fact that they were so purely Seelie, that they loved her and ran to her whenever she returned from a mission with gifts for them. 

Ember loves rap music and sushi. 

Ember’s #BadAtLove but jealousy isn’t a word that she knows. She’s never been jealous of people in love or of her romantic partners. If anything, she’s often on the end of someone else being jealous toward her. And jealousy is so unattractive. 

She’s tough but God help her, she loves feminine things. She leaves red lipstick marks on fine china, sipping a rich tea. She loves ornate hair scarves, draping them around her head as she walks down Soho. Girl loves shopping but that might stem from having very little as a child. She’s always walked that fine line between love and lust, femininity and fatality. She’s very dynamic in her job but keeps who she is outside of it.