#echoes of an unseen mirror (videos)

[wyvernoleander]

The start of something new...

A rather rough introduction of the character Leander Wyvern, from the bowels of Coldharbour to the sunny skies of Stros M'kai, with some chatting about future plans, tea, and the fact that it's been at least two years since I've streamed.

[gogogodzilla]

day 13, mommy kink

wanda maximoff x reader warnings: nsfw 18+, fingering, cunnilingus, wanda calls reader sweet girl, slight dub-con, vision doesn't exist kinktober ☠︎︎ main masterlist ☠︎︎ read on ao3

Wanda had this innate ability to invade your ever-waking thoughts. You supposed it was partly due to her powers. She gave you a taste of what she was capable of when she was aligned with Ultron, and she effortlessly invaded your mind. However, since then she has been on your mind for a very different reason.

You flit around your shared house, straightening the Halloween decorations as you pass. You halt in front of the full-length mirror in the hall. You were clad in a  tight, black catsuit that hugged every curve of your figure and a belt with a red hourglass on the buckle. You zip up the bodysuit to your neck. It’s a family-friendly holiday, after all. 

You couldn’t for the life of you figure out what your costume is referencing, and you wrack your brain as you stare at yourself in the mirror. You’re broken out of your thoughts by Billy and Tommy walking into the living room and staring at Pietro’s snoring form on the couch. 

Quicker than you could register, Pietro jumps up from the couch and in front of the boys, scaring them. He begins to chase the still-screaming twins around the living room and you watch with amusement. 

“Oh! Somebody better be bleeding, broken, or on fire,” your wife calls as she descends the stairs. You rush to greet her, and your breath catches in your throat, astonished at your wife’s appearance. 

“Whoa, Mom!” Billy exclaims, echoing your thoughts. He tilts his head to the side, “Are you Old Red Riding Hood?” 

She spreads her arms wide, “I’m a Sokovian Fortune Teller.” 

“You’re beautiful,” you murmur as your wife reaches the bottom of the stairs. Her eyes soften as she looks at you, and she cups your chin affectionately. 

“What’re you supposed to be?” Tommy questions, taking in your appearance. 

You shrug, “Actually, I’m not quite sure. It feels right though.” 

Tommy goes to compliment his mom’s costume but quickly changes his mind once Pietro voices his opinion. A moment passes and Wanda looks startled. Billy goes on to talk to someone unseen. You furrow your brows. 

You blink rapidly and next thing you know Pietro and the kids are furiously playing video games on the living room couch, candy wrappers strewn about. 

Wanda laces her arm through yours, “Looks like they’ve already sampled the product.” 

You look up at her, a smile tugging on your lips, “You haven’t told me much about your brother. I didn’t think he’d be so…” 

Pietro hops up and shows the boys how to shotgun a soda. 

You grimace, “... Good with kids.” 

An idea struck you, and you tug Wanda closer to whisper so the kids won’t hear. “How about we let him watch the kids for the night? We could finally get some alone time. It feels like we’ve had an audience for the past few days.” 

She straightens at your suggestion, but before she can object, Pietro butts in. 

“Great idea! Uncle P can watch the kiddos tonight.” 

Wanda’s gaze jumps between the two of you.  “That’s not what you’re—“ she pauses for a moment to correct herself, “It’s their first Halloween, darling. We wouldn’t want to miss it.” 

You take her gloved hands in yours, “We won’t miss all of it. Besides, I have some decorations that still need to be put up before the trick-or-treaters get here.” 

“Problem solved,” Pietro hums as he slaps you on the back. 

You’re thrust into Wanda’s arms, almost as if an invisible force pulled your feet out from under you. She catches you, eyes wide. 

“Guess I fell for you once again,” you grin as you press a kiss to her cheek. You hear a distant ‘awww’ and tilt your head.  

Wanda pulls you up, her hands lingering on your hips. “Where’d you say those Halloween decorations were again?” 

You aren’t quite sure how you got to the bedroom. One minute you’re in the living room and the next thing you know you’re in your shared bedroom. Wanda shuts the door behind her and approaches you. You don’t turn to face her, your mind scrambling to fill in the blank periods of time. 

She wraps her arms around you, and litters kisses in the crook of your neck. Instinctively you tilt your head, granting her further access. 

“You don’t have to worry about anything, hun. No one can see us in here,” she whispers against your neck. Her hands are roaming your body and you can’t think straight. 

Your heart is palpating so rapidly that you think it may beat out of your chest as she reaches for the zipper of your costume. Her breath is tickling the back of your neck, and her free hand is meandering dangerously close to where you desperately need her. 

She gradually tugs the zipper of your costume down, and you let out a gasp as she slides a gloved hand into your bodysuit to cup your breast. She rolls your nipple between two of her fingers and you arch against her. 

“You want mommy to touch you, sweet girl?” she rasps against your ear as her free hand moves to drag a finger over your hip bone. 

Your hips jut forward, begging for her touch. “Yes, mommy. Please, please touch me.” 

Wanda gives a satisfied hum and pulls her hands away. Your whine is cut short by Wanda pulling your suit down over your shoulders. You hastily pull your arms out of the sleeves and undo the belt around your waist allowing it to fall to the floor. She tantalizingly rakes her hands down your body and hooks a finger on either side of the waistband of your suit. 

In one swift motion, your suit and underwear hit the floor. Your nipples perk up against the cool air of your bedroom. 

“Let mommy see you,” Wanda purrs, taking a step away from you. 

You turn, shyly. Wanda’s face lights up as she takes in your naked form. She steps forward and cups your face with one hand. Your lips meet in a featherlight kiss and you smile against her ruby red lips. She smoothes a hand over your ass and squeezes and you gasp. 

She pulls away, nearly as breathless as you. “Get on the bed, baby,” she orders, voice gentle. You obediently climb onto the plush mattresses and lay on your back, spreading your legs. 

A light moan leaves her, seeing your legs spread and waiting just for her. She saunters over and holds out a hand to you, “Put that pretty mouth to use,” she commands, eyes flicking to her glove. 

You sit up, eagerly. You take the tip of her middle finger in your mouth, gently raking your teeth over each knuckle as you pull away. Your teeth latch onto the tip of her glove, and you tug it off of her. Wanda takes her glove from between your teeth and pushes two fingers passed your lips. You run your tongue over the pads of her fingers, sucking lightly. You want to be good for her. 

Her other hand grazes over your cheek, and she tucks a strand of hair behind your ear. She pulls her fingers out of your mouth and nudges you back onto the mattress. Her fingertips dance over your thighs as she situates herself between your thighs. 

“So good for me,” she praises before swiping a finger through your now-dripping folds. You arch against the mattress, and your hands grip the sheets. 

She hooks her arms around your thighs and kneels in front of you, her face inches away from your heat. “Such a pretty pussy,” she coos, pressing kisses along your inner thighs. Your hips buck as her breath fans against your core, and she keeps you in place. 

“Please, mommy,” you begged, tears nearly forming. She tsked, nuzzling against your thigh and breathing in your scent. 

She finally latches her plump lips onto your core. She swipes her tongue against you, moaning at the taste. Her grip on your thighs as she desperately pulls you closer. Her tongue works relentlessly against you as she laps up all of you. Breathy moans and pleas escaped your lipstick-stained lips. You didn’t even know what you were begging for anymore.  You just wanted her. 

Her nose bounces against your clit as you jut your hips against her mouth. She sinfully presses a finger inside you. She pumps it a few times before adding another one. Her pace is tortuous, and you throw your head against the mattress. 

She circles her tongue around your clit as her pace increases, curling her fingers inside you. She slides her hand onto your stomach and you grip it, holding onto her like your life depends on it. 

“Feels so good, mommy,” you whine as look down at her. All you can see is her hair spread out across your thighs and her one gloved hand clutching your own. Wanda moans at the pet name and she ruts her fingers inside you. 

A high-pitched whine leaves you as your orgasm rips through you. Your thighs go to close around Wanda’s head but scarlet tendrils keep you in place. You clench around her fingers, and static rings in your ears. You squeeze your eyes shut and a vision flashes beneath your lids. 

You’re standing on a battlefield. The sun is blazing above you and you’re locked in battle with a monstrous creature. Gigantic wheels tore up the ground and anything in their way as they sped toward you. You finally land a killing blow to the creature, but you don’t have enough time to run. You crouch down, praying to whatever deity that you’ll survive this. The hurtling of the blade stops and you breathe out a sigh of relief as Wanda lands on the battlefield. Scarlet pulses of magic lift up the wheels and Wanda hurls them at a line of incoming enemies. 

You straightened and beamed, pointing at Wanda. “That’s my wife!”

You blink rapidly, as Wanda rubs a soothing hand over your thigh, bringing you back to reality. You attempt to steady your breathing. 

Your release pools over her fingers as she pulls out of you. She brings them to your lips, making you taste yourself. Your arousal covers the lower half of her face, and your cheeks heat up the sight. 

“You did so good for me, sweet thing,” she says as she runs a hand over your hair and cups your cheek. You press a kiss to her palm. 

She waves a hand, bringing the two of you a towel from the bathroom. You lean on your elbows as she cleans you up, a warm, gooey feeling filling your chest. She levitates the towel to the hamper and kisses your cheek softly. 

“Is this real?” you sigh dreamily as she pulls away. Doubt dances in the back of your mind as your vision gnaws at you. 

She freezes above you, eyes scanning your face for something. She stands and moves to grab your clothes off the floor. 

“It’s as real as you want it to be,” she answers as she returns to your side, a soft look dancing across her features. 

You remain puzzled as Wanda helps you dress. If she saw your vision, she hasn’t said anything. The thought unsettles you. Where were you and who were those people you were with? Why were you fighting? And with that the static returns and you screw your eyes shut. 

You blink furiously and the next thing you know, you’re walking through the neighborhood hand in hand with Wanda. Pietro and the boys are running and collecting as much candy as they can. A calmness settles over you. Maybe you were right where you were supposed to be.

[republicsecurity]

The Creed

With a directive from the instructors, H2U8M's voice gradually faded into the digital abyss, leaving the recruits once again in the embrace of the silent void. The instructors, like unseen puppeteers, observed the platoon's reactions through the telemetry data and AI analyses.

In the dark and motionless expanse of their armored suits, the recruits were left to dwell on H2U8M's words. The instructors monitored the physiological responses, the subtle shifts in neural patterns, seeking signs of resonance or resistance to this unorthodox experience.

KO10T: "Let them marinate in this silence a bit longer. It's fascinating to see how they adapt, how their minds react to the unexpected."

6DG05: "Agreed, KO10T. This reveals more about their mental fortitude than we anticipated. The power of isolation, focus, and introspection in a suit – it's a potent cocktail."

As the recruits lingered in the sensory void, their thoughts echoed within the confined space of their helmets. The Mark IV Armour Suits, normally a conduit for information and interaction, now became vessels of solitude and self-reflection. The instructors, orchestrating this peculiar exercise, awaited the fruits of their experimental endeavor.

O10T's stern voice echoed through the recruits' helmets as their HUDs flickered to life with the opening of the Voice and Video Channel. The recruits found themselves virtually face-to-face with the imposing figure of KO10T, his expression obscured by the mirrored visor of his own Mark IV Armour Suit.

"Recruits," KO10T's voice resonated with authority, "welcome back to the realm of the operational. You've just experienced a taste of the isolation your suits can impose. It's a reminder that within these suits, focus is your ally, distraction your enemy."

He paced in front of the recruits, his movements crisp and purposeful, a visual representation of the discipline he expected from each of them.

"In the next ten days, you will become intimately acquainted with your Mark IV Armour Suits. These suits are more than mere armor; they are an extension of yourself, a tool that amplifies your capabilities. You will train together, face challenges, and ensure that every component of your suit functions flawlessly."

The recruits remained immobilized, absorbing KO10T's words as the anticipation of the upcoming training period hung in the air.

"Remember," KO10T continued, "you are not alone in this. Your fellow recruits are your comrades, and together, you will form a cohesive unit. Now, let the training begin."

With those words, the Voice and Video Channel closed, plunging the recruits back into a digital silence, their minds now focused on the challenges that awaited them in the days to come.

The HUD lit up with an eerie glow, displaying the suit creed in bold letters and intricate designs. The recruits stood in a formation, their suits locked in place, as the words scrolled across their vision.

"This is my suit. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My suit is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life.

The voice of the AI echoed through their earpieces, guiding them through the creed with a hypnotic rhythm.

My suit, without me, is useless. Without my suit, I am useless.

As the creed unfolded, the recruits were prompted to repeat each line after the AI.

I must serve the wounded and sick better than any who would harm them. I must serve them before harm befalls.

The words became imprinted in their minds, merging with the conditioning they had undergone.

My suit is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother. I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its components, its utilities, its display, and its functions.

The sleek, red visors of their helmets displayed the text in a way that felt almost invasive, seeping into their consciousness.

I will ever guard it against the ravages of wear and tear as I will ever guard my skills, my compassion, my knowledge, and my dedication against decay. I will keep my suit functioning and ready.

The repeated chant filled the training room, creating an otherworldly chorus. The recruits, unable to move, focused solely on the luminous display of the creed.

We will become part of each other. My suit and myself are the defenders of life. We are the masters of our craft. We are the saviors of those in need.

The AI adjusted the pacing, ensuring each recruit spoke in unison, creating a symphony of obedience. The final lines resonated, and the HUD dimmed, leaving the recruits in a momentary silence.

KO10T and 6DG05 stood at the periphery, their faces half-shrouded by the crimson glow of the recruits' HUD displays. As the recruits echoed the creed, the instructors exchanged glances, their smiles bearing the weight of experience.

"Ah, the first immersion," KO10T mused, the reflected light dancing in his eyes. "I remember it like it was yesterday. The awe, the submission, the transformation."

6DG05 nodded in agreement, his gaze fixed on the recruits like a puppeteer admiring his marionettes. "We were like them once, young and untested. But now, we are the architects of their reality, the masters of this symphony of obedience."

The room hummed with the rhythmic cadence of the recruits' recitation, a chorus of conformity carefully orchestrated by the unseen puppet masters. The HUD displays glowed with fervor, projecting the suit creed into the minds of the recruits with relentless precision.

"Their minds, like clay, molded by the creed and conditioned by the suit," KO10T said, his voice tinged with a sense of accomplishment. "Soon, they will not question; they will act instinctively, like well-tuned instruments in the grand performance of the corps."

6DG05's smile widened, a blend of satisfaction and detachment. "They think they wear the suits. Little do they know, the suits wear us"

KO10T and 6DG05 shared a knowing glance, their expressions concealed behind the crimson visors of their seasoned armor.

The HUD displays fed them the recruits' physiological responses, a canvas of compliance painted in shades of commitment and conformity.

"Their minds," KO10T continued, "become extensions of the AI, guided by the parameters set forth by the corps"

"Our minds," 6DG05 repeated, a mantra that transcended the confines of the HUD. "Entwined with the technology, entangled in the narrative. They believe they shape it, yet it shapes them in return."

"Little do they know," KO10T repeated, his words a whispered mantra of their own. "Little do they know that the true puppet masters are not the ones who wear the suits, but the ones who control the strings, hidden in the shadows of obedience."

The HUD displays flickered with real-time data, a cascade of responses to the creed. Physiological signatures intertwined with vocalizations, forming a feedback loop of conditioning.

"You know we are as controlled as they will soon be…" 6DG05 trailed off, acknowledging the paradox that bound both the puppet masters and the puppets in their intricate dance.

KO10T, his visor reflecting the flickering HUD displays, nodded knowingly. "Yes, but we enjoy it."

As they observed the recruits, still caught in the echo of the suit creed, KO10T and 6DG05 acknowledged the shared embrace of their own conditioning. In the shadows of command, they found a perverse enjoyment, a fulfillment that mirrored the very control they exerted over others, even if they knew they were subject to control themselves.

"In the next ten days," KO10T's voice echoed through the recruits' helmets, "you will become one with your suits. They will be your second skin, your sanctuary, your shield. From this moment onward, you will only open your visors for nourishment breaks. The rest of the time, you live, breathe, and exist within the confines of the Mark IV Armour Suit and its Helmet"

The recruits, visors now transparent, listened intently as 6DG05 continued the explanation.

"Sleep will be an integral part of your training. You will sleep in the suits, allowing them to become an extension of your very being. And when nature calls, you will use the waste evacuation system of the chastity device within the suits. Efficiency is paramount, and the suit ensures that every moment contributes to your readiness."

The instructors observed the recruits' reactions, their expressions hidden behind the visors but observable to the AI. The system read a mix of anticipation, curiosity, and a touch of apprehension. The recruits, now fully immersed in the symbiotic relationship with their suits, absorbed the instructions with the stoicism expected of them.

"Remember," KO10T emphasized, "this is a crucial phase of your training. It's not just about physical endurance but mental fortitude. Your suits will become an extension of your will, and you will learn to navigate the challenges they present. In the end, you emerge not just as paramedics but as embodiments of discipline and dedication."

The instruction continued: "You will start now with going through the obstacle course. It will feel different because the suit add mass and bulk you up. You'll go through it as a pair and we count the time and compare to the time you needed without the suits"

The recruits, now fully clad in their Mark IV Armour Suits, marched towards the looming obstacle course. The suits added mass and bulk, transforming the once-familiar landscape of the course into an uncharted territory. The instructors, with a devious twinkle in their eyes, explained the challenge that lay ahead.

"The obstacle course will be different this time. The suit adds a new dimension, a weighty presence that demands synchronization between man and machine. You'll navigate it as a pair, and we'll be watching closely, comparing your times to the ones without the suits."

The HUD transitioned into simulated mission mode, casting a digital hue over the recruits' vision. The obstacle course, once a routine challenge, now took on a surreal, almost otherworldly quality. Each obstacle became a potential battlefield, and every movement had the weight of a tactical maneuver.

As they ventured forth, the recruits felt the enhanced strength of the suits, the amalgamation of man and machine. The obstacle course, a microcosm of the challenges they would face, demanded not only physical prowess but also an acute mental connection with the suit. It was a dance of precision and power, a symphony of human determination and technological augmentation.

The instructors observed, their expressions a blend of scrutiny and satisfaction. The recruits, now navigating the course in a synchronized dance with their suits, moved with a newfound grace and efficiency. The Mark IV Armour Suits, once perceived as tools, now felt like companions in the journey ahead – silent partners in a mission that transcended the physical boundaries of the obstacle course.

As the recruits progressed, the obstacle course morphed into a simulated mission scenario. The HUD projected tactical information, turning each obstacle into a strategic checkpoint. The recruits, guided by the immersive display, maneuvered through the challenges with a sense of purpose and determination.

he instructors, clad in the same formidable Mark IV Armour Suits, observed the recruits as they navigated the obstacle course with precision and determination. The HUDs within their helmets displayed real-time data, capturing the nuanced details of each recruit's performance. KO10T and 6DG05, the puppet masters in their crimson exoskeletons, exchanged glances and initiated a silent conversation through the secure communication link.

KO10T: "Impressive. The suits have transformed them into a cohesive unit. Look at IU664, leading with confidence."

6DG05: "And A7T9R, adapting quickly to the added mass. The neural conditioning is paying off."

6DG05: "The silence drill served its purpose. They're adapting faster than expected. The neural synchronization is remarkable."

As the recruits conquered each obstacle, the instructors continued to analyze the HUD data, delving into the intricacies of their performance. The suits, once seen as tools, were now instrumental in shaping the recruits into a formidable paramedic force.

KO10T: "This generation will surpass our achievements. The neural enhancements are taking root."

The instructors, their voices masked by the helmeted visages, shared a nod of agreement.

KO10T: "Ten days in those suits. They'll come out smelling like roses, won't they?"

6DG05: "More like a bouquet of tactical paramedic excellence. I'm sure the stench of dedication has a unique fragrance."

The instructors shared a chuckle, their banter a brief respite from the intensity of the training. The recruits, encapsulated in their suits, continued their drills with unwavering focus.

KO10T: "Imagine the aroma when they finally pop those visors open. A symphony of commitment, if you will."

6DG05: "Ah, the sweet scent of conditioned neural pathways. It's an acquired taste, I'm sure."

As they exchanged jokes, the instructors maintained a keen eye on the HUD data, assessing the recruits' adaptability and performance.

KO10T: "Let's see how they handle a simulated mass casualty incident. Deploying virtual patients now."

As the recruits moved through the training area, their HUDs filled with simulated patients in distress. The AI projected vital signs, injuries, and urgent medical needs. The recruits, clad in their powered suits, assessed the virtual casualties and executed the necessary procedures with a blend of efficiency and precision.

6DG05: "Impressive. The AI-generated scenarios test their decision-making under pressure. It's not just about physical prowess; it's about adapting to dynamic situations."

KO10T: "And the suits facilitate that adaptation. The recruits are experiencing the symbiosis of human intuition and AI assistance."

The simulated obstacles and patients provided a comprehensive evaluation of the recruits' ability to handle complex emergencies. The AI continuously adjusted the scenarios based on their responses, ensuring a dynamic and challenging training environment.

6DG05: "This isn't just about completing a course. It's about honing their skills in unpredictable situations. The AI gives us real-time insights into their thought processes."

KO10T, standing beside the regeneration station, addressed the recruits with a stoic demeanor. The station, a fusion of technology and comfort, awaited the tactical paramedics like a dormant giant ready to embrace them.

KO10T: "Recruits, welcome to the regeneration stations. In the field, these will be your sanctuaries between missions. Here, you rest, recharge, and prepare for the challenges ahead. The connection you establish with the station is not just physical; it's a merging of man and machine."

The recruits, still adjusting to the surreal reality of the Mark IV Armour Suits, observed as KO10T explained the process. The tubes snaking from the wall connected seamlessly to ports in the armor, creating an intimate link between the tactical paramedics and the regeneration station.

KO10T: "The station contours to your body, providing a customized and ergonomic sleeping experience. It's not just about physical recuperation; it's a mental reset as well. The AI in your suits will sync with the station, optimizing the regeneration process based on your unique needs."

6DG05, monitoring the recruits' reactions, added a touch of dry humor to the explanation.

6DG05: "Think of it as a high-tech bed that knows you better than you know yourself. The station ensures you're at your peak when the next call comes in."

The recruits, some still wide-eyed from the intensity of the simulations, approached the regeneration stations with a mixture of curiosity and fatigue. The rhythmic hum of the station's systems seemed to beckon them into a realm where man and machine seamlessly coexisted.

KO10T: "Get acquainted with the stations. In the field, these moments of rest are precious. They are where you recharge not just your bodies, but your resolve. Now, rest up. Tomorrow brings more challenges, and you'll face them well-prepared."

IU664 and H2U8M, lying in their regeneration stations side by side, initiated a private channel through the AI, their helmets displaying a dim glow as they engaged in a subdued conversation.

IU664: "Quite a first day, huh? I never imagined the suits would be this… immersive."

H2U8M: "Yeah, it's like living in a different world. I mean, I expected challenges, but this… it's beyond anything I trained for."

IU664: "The obstacle course, the simulated missions, it's all designed to push us to our limits. And then there's this regeneration station. Feels like something out of a sci-fi nightmare."

H2U8M: "Nightmare or not, it's our reality now. Did you see the way they monitor our every move, even our private conversations?"

IU664: "The AI's always watching, always listening. They want us synchronized, not just in action but in thought. It's like they're molding us into a single, cohesive unit."

H2U8M: "And what about that mantra they made us recite? 'The suits wear us.' What the hell does that even mean?"

IU664: "I don't know, but it sounds like they're trying to blur the lines between man and machine, make us dependent on these suits for everything. It's… unsettling."

H2U8M: "True. And did you notice how they talked about the regeneration station contouring to our bodies? Like it's meant to become an extension of us. This is more than just training; it's indoctrination."

IU664: "Indoctrination into what, though? The paramedic corps, sure, but it feels like there's more to it. Like we're being groomed for something beyond just saving lives."

H2U8M: "I'm not sure I want to know what's beyond saving lives. But we're in this together, IU664. We need to watch out for each other."

IU664: "Agreed. We navigate this nightmare together, and we'll come out the other side, whatever that side looks like."

As IU664 and H2U8M continued their conversation, the AI subtly guided their exchange, analyzing the nuances of their words and expressions. Eventually, a gentle prompt from the AI signaled them to rest.

AI Prompt: "Rest is essential for optimal performance. Sleep well, recruits. Tomorrow brings new challenges."

With the precision of an automated orchestra conductor, the AI roused IU664 and H2U8M from their regenerative slumber. The helmets' dim glow returned, gradually illuminating the confined space within the regeneration station.

AI Prompt: "Good morning, recruits. Your sleep has been monitored and optimized for peak performance. Suits are functioning within optimal parameters. Initiating wake-up sequence."

The suits adjusted, providing a subtle nudge to assist the recruits as they transitioned from the horizontal repose of the regeneration stations to the upright stance of wakefulness. The helmets cleared to reveal the familiar surroundings of the training facility.

AI Prompt: "Current status report: physiological indicators within standard ranges, sleep cycles aligned with optimal patterns. Ready for the day's activities."

As IU664 and H2U8M emerged from their stations, the AI continued its informational updates.

AI Prompt: "Nutrient levels replenished. Waste evacuation system ready for use. Your participation in today's training will contribute to further optimization. Remember, recruits, the suits are here to enhance your capabilities. Embrace the integration."

The dim glow of the helmets intensified, signifying full activation.

In the bathroom, the recruits were guided by the AI to attend to personal hygiene. With a gentle hiss, the visors of their Mark IV Armour Suits ascended, allowing them to see their reflections in the mirrors. The sterile environment of the bathroom was briefly exposed to their vision.

AI Prompt: "Recruits, please proceed with dental and facial hygiene. This brief pause allows for personal care routines. Make use of the allocated time efficiently."

As the recruits inspected their reflections, the AI prompted them through the steps of cleaning their teeth and face. Each movement, synchronized with the suit's interface, became a well-choreographed routine. The suits, once again, proved their versatility, adapting seamlessly to the recruits' daily rituals.

AI Prompt: "Maintaining personal cleanliness is essential. A disciplined routine contributes to overall readiness. Conclude your hygiene activities promptly."

The visors descended once the hygiene routine was completed, reestablishing the enclosed environment of the suit.

In orderly rows, the recruits aligned themselves as directed by the AI, waiting for their turn in the morning chow hall. The ambient hum of the facility accompanied the recruits' anticipation as they stood encased in their Mark IV Armour Suits.

AI Prompt: "Recruits, as you await your nourishment, recite the Paramedic Corps Pledge. Let the words reinforce your commitment and purpose."

The AI's voice resonated through their helmets, guiding them through the recitation of the pledge. The recruits, in unison, echoed the words that encapsulated the ideals and dedication of the paramedic corps. The rhythmic cadence of their voices, amplified by the suits' communication system, created a sense of unity within the assembly.

Recruits (in unison): "In service, we stand united. With courage, we face the unknown. For the wounded, we are the healers. In the face of chaos, we bring order. Our armor is our shield; our duty is our oath. We are unwavering in our resolve."

AI Prompt: "Well done, recruits. The pledge echoes in unity, a testament to your shared purpose. Nourishment dispensing will commence shortly."

One by one, they approached the serving station, where trays were meticulously loaded with carefully measured portions of nutrient-rich food.

As each recruit received their tray, the visors of their helmets lifted, revealing faces temporarily unshrouded by the sleek, reflective exterior.

IU664's gaze lingered on H2U8M, a rare moment of unobscured connection in the regimented routine of the paramedic corps. Across the table, their crimson-armored forms seemed to soften, if only momentarily, as the visors retracted for the morning meal.

IU664 (raising his tea cup): Quite the view without the visor, isn't it? Feels almost human.

H2U8M (nodding): Yeah, it's like a brief respite from the metal embrace. Almost forgot how faces look.

IU664 (smirking): Faces, expressions… sometimes, I wonder if the suit's trying to erase our memories of being regular folks.

H2U8M (smiling): Regular folks, huh? Feels like a lifetime ago. How's the morning treating you, IU?

IU664 (leaning back slightly): Same old routine. The suit, the pills, the chow. Makes you appreciate the little things, like a cup of tea.

Instructor H2U8M approached the table, his visor retracted, revealing a face that mirrored familiarity more than the polished crimson armour ever could. The recruits paused mid-conversation, acknowledging his presence.

Instructor H2U8M: Morning, recruits. How's the day treating you so far?

IU664 (saluting): Good morning, Instructor. Just enjoying our moment of visor freedom.

Instructor H2U8M (smirking): A rare luxury, isn't it? Thought I'd drop by and have a word. How are you both settling into the routine?

H2U8M (recruit): It's… different, sir. Getting used to the suit, the protocols. Feels like living in a controlled environment.

Instructor H2U8M: Controlled, yes, but for a reason. You're not just paramedics; you're the first line of defence. The suit is your ally, your shield.

IU664 (nodding): Understood, sir. It's just a bit overwhelming at times.

Instructor H2U8M: Change always is. But adaptability is a trait we cultivate. You two can talk to us, share your thoughts. It's crucial to maintain mental resilience.

H2U8M (recruit): Thank you, Instructor. It's good to know there's support.

Instructor H2U8M (leaning in): One more thing before I go. Did you take your morning medication? Compliance is key.

IU664 and H2U8M both nod, lifting their empty cups as proof.

Instructor H2U8M (smiling): Good. Stay focused, follow the routine. You'll find your rhythm.

IU664 and H2U8M finish their meal, return the trays and align with the rest of their platoon in a line in the chow hall. The platoon stood in a disciplined line, visors descended, reducing the outside world to a dim and muted existence.

In the quietude of the visors, they waited for the next set of instructions. The rhythmic hum of the ventilation systems and the distant murmur of conversations created a peculiar sense of isolation, even in the midst of their comrades.

The AI-generated prompt blinked on their HUDs, signalling the resumption of their training schedule. The visors intensified their opacity, shutting out the chow hall and its sounds completely. The recruits stood in silent anticipation, their thoughts contained within the sealed confines of the Mark IV Armour Suits.

The visors dimmed further, reducing the ambient light to a soft glow as the AI initiated the recitation of the Suit Pledge. In unison, the recruits began to recite the words that had become a daily ritual, their voices echoing within the confines of their helmets.

"This is my suit. There are many like it, but this one is mine."

IU664's voice resonated with a blend of familiarity and determination. The suit, once a foreign entity, now clung to him like a second skin, a testament to the symbiotic relationship forged through training.

"My suit is my best friend. It is my life."

H2U8M echoed the sentiment, feeling the weight of the armor that had become an extension of self. The camaraderie among the recruits was palpable, bound not just by shared experiences but by the collective acknowledgment of their dedication.

"I must master it as I must master my life."

As the words lingered in the air, a sense of purpose enveloped the recruits. The mastery of the suit was not just a technical feat but a commitment to the profound responsibility they carried as paramedics.

"My suit, without me, is useless. Without my suit, I am useless."

The recruits felt the truth of these lines deep within, an understanding that their effectiveness relied on the seamless integration of man and machine. The suit was both shield and sword, a conduit for their skills and compassion.

"I must serve the wounded and sick better than any who would harm them."

The pledge invoked a sense of duty, a calling to excel in the face of adversity. In the dimly lit chow hall, the recruits stood with a shared resolve to be unwavering guardians of life.

"I must serve them before harm befalls."

The words hung in the air, a solemn promise to act preemptively, to be the shield against the encroaching shadows of affliction. The recruits embraced this commitment with a silent determination.

"My suit is my life. Thus, I will learn it as a brother."

In the quietude of their enclosed helmets, the recruits reflected on the intimate relationship they had cultivated with their suits. It was a bond forged through training, trials, and an unspoken understanding.

"I will learn its weaknesses, its strength, its components, its utilities, its display, and its functions."

The HUD within their visors pulsed with data, a visual representation of the suit's intricacies. The recruits, now attuned to the nuances, navigated the complexities with a proficiency born of repetition.

"I will ever guard it against the ravages of wear and tear."

The pledge resonated with the recruits' dedication to the meticulous care of their suits. The constant exposure to harsh conditions demanded vigilance, and they embraced the responsibility with a sense of stewardship.

"As I will ever guard my skills, my compassion, my knowledge, and my dedication against decay."

IU664 and H2U8M felt a surge of pride as the pledge emphasized not just the physical aspects of the suit but the intangible qualities within themselves. The commitment to personal growth and resilience became a beacon in their shared journey.

"I will keep my suit functioning and ready. We will become part of each other."

The recruits felt the synergy between man and machine, a fusion that transcended mere functionality. The suit was not just an instrument; it was an ally, an inseparable companion in the pursuit of their noble mission.

"My suit and myself are the defenders of life. We are the masters of our craft. We are the saviors of those in need."

As the final words reverberated, a collective sense of purpose filled the air. The recruits, bound by the solemnity of the pledge, stood as guardians, masters, and saviors, ready to face the challenges that awaited them in the world beyond the visors.

[rainbowloveletters]

Breaking Silence

In the small town of Franklin, New Hampshire, high school was a vibrant tapestry of cliques and camaraderie, where cheerleaders ruled the halls and jocks strutted through with an air of confidence. At the heart of this lively scene was Luke Carmichael, a 17-year-old varsity football star known as much for his athletic prowess as for his charming smile and affable nature. Although he was surrounded by friends, fame, and the occasional fanfare, there was a soft longing within him, an unexplored emptiness that no touchdown could fill.

That emptiness would soon take on a name—Jaxon Kline.

Jaxon was a quieter soul, a high school ghost that flitted around the edges of the bustling crowds, shy and withdrawn. At school, he communicated through a spiral notebook and deft movements of his hands, expressing thoughts that escaped the world’s ears. He was deaf. This difference made him unseen to many, but to Luke, there was something compellingly beautiful about him—his dark hair glimmering in the afternoon sun, his expressive eyes that betrayed a depth of emotion, and the almost musical way he signed his thoughts.

Luke first laid eyes on Jaxon during a history class. The teacher had introduced him, but the name didn’t stick. It was Jaxon’s nervous glance around the room, every fidget an echo of his shy soul, that caught Luke’s attention. The two hadn’t interacted much beyond the occasional passing smile. Luke often wondered what lay behind the walls of silence that surrounded Jaxon, but the thought made him hesitate.

However, it was one sweltering afternoon in late September when the threads of their lives began to intertwine. Luke had been hanging out with his friends at the local diner, a popular spot adorned with flickering neon lights and the comforting smell of fries. He spotted Jaxon at a corner table, scribbling furiously in his notebook, seemingly lost in thoughts that danced around the worlds he couldn’t hear.

A flicker of courage ignited within Luke. Bold and spirited, he stood up, excused himself from his friends, and approached Jaxon’s table. “Hey,” Luke said, carefree, leaning against the table. Jaxon looked up, eyes wide with surprise, his hand frozen mid-air, but soon, a small smile broke through his initial shock.

“Hi,” he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I’m Luke," he said, signing his name awkwardly while looking at his phone to make sure het gets it right. Jaxon’s smile widened, and Luke felt a thrill of joy at the affirmation. He realized how few people ventured to converse with Jaxon, and this sparked a determination within him.

The days turned into weeks, and Luke made it a mission to connect with Jaxon. He would wander through the halls, always mirroring his steps to Jaxon’s side, sharing smiles and fleeting conversations with each other. He practiced signing with the help of videos online, piecing together words like a puzzle until his fingers could craft simple phrases—“I like your style” or “Would you like to eat with me?”

As autumn began to grace Franklin with its chilly embrace, Luke began to notice how the leaves mirrored the change in his heart. Jaxon was different; every glance, every shared laugh over cafeteria lunches resonated with strength. Jaxon’s vulnerability was beautiful and raw—a rare gem that he wanted to protect.

One afternoon, after football practice, fueled by a cocktail of courage and affection, Luke finally asked, “Can we eat together? Just us? I know a great diner.”

Jaxon looked uncertain for a moment, but the sparkle in his eyes spoke volumes. He nodded slowly, a tentative smile solidifying Luke’s hope.

Their first real dinner date unfolded under the flickering lights of the diner, warmth emanating from their booth as laughter and stories flowed. Luke shared tales of his pranks on the football field, while Jaxon animatedly signed his thoughts. Luke sighed in relief as bits of Jaxon’s personality unfolded. He learned about Jaxon’s passion for art, the sketches he carried in his notebook, and his quiet dreams of being a graphic novelist.

Yet there was a moment of profound silence, the kind that filled the air with untold stories. Luke’s eyes were locked with Jaxon’s as he dared to ask, “What do you feel, Jaxon? I want to know you better, deeply.”

Jaxon hesitated, taking a deep breath before he wrote something down and slid the notebook across the table. “I feel invisible. But you make me feel seen.”

The words thrummed in Luke’s chest, a quiet storm, revealing a shared solitude beneath glamor and appearances. Jaxon was not merely a timid boy; he was a world of thoughts and textures, cloaked in silence.

That night, under the glow of the diner’s neon lights, the two exchanged their first tentative touches—fingers brushing, softly, as they began to navigate the waters of their budding relationship. Luke realized he wanted to break through the silence that enclosed Jaxon, so he immersed himself in learning sign language. He practiced relentlessly, fueled by a single dream—to hold a genuine conversation without barriers.

Weeks passed. Luke delighted in watching the walls around Jaxon slowly crumble. He attended events in which Jaxon participated, clapping the loudest when Jaxon’s artwork adorned the walls of the school showcase. “This is beautiful,” Luke signed enthusiastically, and for the first time, Jaxon beamed with pride and joy.

One chilly afternoon, with leaves turning fiery hues of orange and gold, Luke decided he wanted to make things official. They met at the diner again, the center of their shared universe. The diner was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the table. Luke, his heart pounding, took a deep breath. He had been building up to this moment for weeks, his feelings for Jaxon growing stronger with each passing day.

“Jaxon,” he began, his voice barely a whisper. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you.”

Jaxon looked up, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. He leaned forward, his attention focused solely on Luke.

“I really like you, Jaxon,” Luke confessed, his cheeks flushing. “More than just as a friend.”

Luke crafted a whimsical proposal using signs—the air filled with anticipation as Jaxon’s eyes sparkled with delight. Luke formed the question with trembling fingers, “Will you be my boyfriend?”

Jaxon’s eyes widened in surprise, and a blush crept across his face. He hesitated, unsure of how to respond. He had never felt this way about anyone before, and the thought of reciprocating Luke’s feelings both thrilled and terrified him.

“I know I’m not… I’m not like the other guys,” Jaxon stammered, his voice barely audible. “I’m different, and I don’t always know how to fit in.”

Luke reached across the table and took Jaxon’s hand. “Different is good,” he assured him. “It’s what makes you, you. And I love that about you.”

Jaxon looked into Luke’s eyes, searching for any sign of doubt or hesitation. But all he saw was sincerity and affection. Slowly, a smile began to spread across his face.

“Okay,” he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Yes.”

The world around them seemed to pause. Jaxon’s heart raced as he realized the significance of his words. He had taken a leap of faith, and it felt both exhilarating and terrifying. But as he looked into Luke’s eyes, he knew he had made the right decision.

As the cool breeze danced around them that evening, Luke felt complete for the first time; with Jaxon next to him, he had everything he had unknowingly searched for. They held hands, fingers intertwined, defying the constraints of sound, finding solace in a language only they understood—a language rich in love that echoed far beyond words.

The cool night air enveloped them as they walked hand-in-hand down the quiet street. The soft glow of the streetlights cast long shadows, creating an intimate atmosphere.

"That was amazing," Jaxon signed, his voice a soft whisper. "I had so much fun."

Luke smiled. "Me too. I'm glad you liked it."

They paused under a streetlamp, their eyes locked. Jaxon hesitated, then began to speak, his voice a mixture of English and sign language. "You know, I've always felt a bit different," he confessed. "But with you, I feel like I can be myself."

Luke reached out and took Jaxon's hand. "You're perfect just the way you are," he said. "Don't ever forget that."

Jaxon smiled, a warmth spreading through him. He leaned in and kissed Luke gently on the cheek. "Thanks, Luke," he said. "For everything."

"I love the way you sign," Luke said, his eyes sparkling with admiration. "It's like watching a dance."

Jaxon laughed. "I sometimes mix it up with spoken words, too. It helps me express myself better."

Luke nodded, understanding. "That's cool. I'm still learning sign language, but I'm getting better, I guess."

Jaxon's eyes lit up. "I can help you practice anytime."

As they continued to talk, Jaxon seamlessly transitioned between sign language and spoken words. He signed about his love for art and his dreams of becoming a graphic novelist, and then he spoke about his favorite band and the latest video game he was playing. Luke listened intently, his heart filled with warmth. He had never met someone so expressive and passionate.

At Luke's home, the aroma of freshly brewed tea filled the kitchen as Luke sat at the kitchen table, lost in thought. His mom, Sarah, smiled warmly at him. "Well, someone's happy," she observed, pouring him a cup of tea.

Luke looked up, surprised. "Really?" he asked.

Sarah nodded. "Yeah, you seem more happy these days and you're definitely way more relaxed now, honey."

A blush crept across Luke's face. "I guess I have," he admitted. "I'm just really happy with Jaxon."

Sarah smiled knowingly. "I'm glad to hear that, honey. Jaxon seems like a wonderful young man. I like him too, you know."

Luke nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude.

Just then, Luke's dad, David, walked in. "Sounds like someone's got a spring in their step," he joked.

Luke grinned. David added, "Just remember, school and football are still important, too."

Luke nodded. "I know, Dad. I'm just trying to balance everything."

Sarah smiled. "I'm sure you'll figure it out. You're a smart kid. Why don't you bring him over for dinner some times?" Sarah suggested.

"Mom, why didn't I think of that!" Luke replied.

Luke retreated to his room, the soft glow of his laptop screen illuminating his face. He had been practicing sign language, eager to improve his communication with Jaxon. He decided to record a short video message.

"Hey, Jaxon," he signed, his fingers moving gracefully. "I just wanted to say that you've made me really happy. You're like a bright star that I couldn't possibly miss. You're not invisible, Jaxon. You're amazing, and I'm so lucky to have you in my life."

A warm smile spread across his face as he finished the video. He hit the record button, capturing the heartfelt message. He couldn't wait to share it with Jaxon, hoping it would bring a smile to his face.

[sunnydaleherald]

The Sunnydale Herald Newsletter, Sunday, January 15

ANYA: We have to bring presents, right? Birth is a present thing?

~~Family~~

The Sunnydale Herald is looking for at least one new editor. Contributing to the Herald is a great way to get your Buffy on! Find out more here.

[Drabbles & Short Fiction]

How To Obtain A Demon Wife (Buffy/Spike, E) by desicat

Same Voice, Different Words (Buffy/Riley, M) by Emmeebee

Grieving (Giles, T) by Dynapink

How To Obtain A Demon Wife (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Desicat

[Chaptered Fiction]

Love Unseen, Chapter 3 (Willow/Tara, E) by queermagic12

It must be Tuesday, Chapter 1 (Crossover with Wednesday, M) by Chlo88

Bring Him Home, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, R) by acb6293

Razing the Veil, Chapter 11 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Eurydice

It's Easy Time, Until It's Not, Chapter 14 (Buffy/Spike, AO) by hulettwyo

Mirror, Mirror, Chapter 3 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by scratchmeout

The Sentinel, Chapter 5 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Jws1993

Randy + Joan: As Long As You Love Me, Chapter 16 (Buffy/Spike, R) by BewitchedXx

Talkative Minds, Chapter 11 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by Jws1993

I Violently Dislike You, Chapter 2 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by scratchmeout

Wallflower, Chapter 17 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Girlytek

Across Ages, Chapter 23 (Buffy/Spike, R) by Isabeau

Best Wishes, Chapter 28 (Buffy/Spike, PG-13) by Kanita

The Odd Couple, Chapter 16 (Buffy/Spike, NC-17) by honeygirl51885

Break Even, Chapter 15 (Buffy/Spike, PG) by violettathepiratequeen

Scoobies in Neptune, Chapter 22 (Crossover with Veronica Mars, FR7) by Buffyworldbuilder

Baby Love, Chapter 30 (Spike/Buffy, NC-17) by Niamh

Echoes of Beljoxa, Chapter 31 (Spike/Buffy, 18+) by myrabeth

[Images, Audio & Video]

Buffy Reboot Poster (Fanmade) by loseyoutwice

The Pit (nsfw) by Dirtyaim

Artwork:BTVS “Every Outfit” - BONUS “Glory” part 1 Xx by whatshisfaceblogs

Artwork:[Calendiles art] by dreadfulcalendarwoman

Artwork:[Buffy and Willow] by olilala

Artwork: An oldie but a goodie by thebestiaryofboysiveloved

Manip:faith lehane / mitski, goodbye my danish sweetheart by becomingpt2

Gifset: faith lehane + favorite outfit by summrsbuffy

Gifset: 3.20 - “The Prom” by dailybtvs

Gifset:2023 monster girl + tv tropes of the week 2/52 by ettadunham

Gifset:[Spin camera moments] by mycatismyfriend

Meme:[Buffy & Faith text posts] by imsorrythatusernameistaken

[Reviews & Recaps]

[ATS S4 Review] by doggirlbuffysummers

Buffy S03E20: The Prom by the-watchpost

Buffy S03E21/S03E22: Graduation Day Part 1/Part 2 by the-watchpost

Buffy Season 3 Top Five Episodes by the-watchpost

SHORT- "The Body" by The Speech Prof

Buffy The Vampire Slayer S06E08|'' Tabula Rasa''♡Reaction & Review♡ by SoFieReacts

CAME BACK WRONG??? - Buffy the Vampire Slayer Reaction - 6x09 - Smashed by TheLexiCrowd

Every BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Episode RANKED (SEASONS 1-4)! by Elie Moses

Is BTVS "feminist"? by Lily Fayos

PODCAST: Bargaining Part 1 S6 E1 by Buffy and the Art of Story

PODCAST: Fear, Itself by Buffy the Vampire Straya

[Community Announcements]

James Marsters to Attend Kameha Con in Allen, TX 12-14 May via dontkillspike

Promo: 2023 Get Your Words Out! via Mirrored Illusions

Volunteers (Still) Wanted! via Sunnydale Herald

[Fandom Discussions]

[On bringing Angel back to S3] by silvermars

[Willow warning sign] by herinsectreflection

[If vampires absorbed traits from prey] by hedge-bones

Question Spike & Buffy––sibling or romantic? cont. by multiple authors

Which is Hotter Encounter by multiple authors

A TARA PREQUEL written by Ashley Poston, out on August by Individual-Task-4586

I still don’t understand why Kendra lost the fight against Drusilla, was it due plot or does it have to do with the way Kendra fights? by multiple authors

What’s an opinion of yours about BTVS nothing will ever change your mind about? by multiple authors

Why did Xander go from a somewhat capable vampire fighter (around season 2/3) to a complete buffoon at fighting in the later seasons? by multiple authors

Just how powerful is Gunn in the Buffyverse? And what was the point of the Initiative if a regular guy can fight demons/vamps on their own without drugs and magic? by multiple authors

Rewatched the s4 freaky Friday episode and I’m so impressed with both SMG and Eliza Dushku’s acting by multiple authors

Yes or no - Was Principal Robin Wood a positive addition to Buffy's final season? by multiple authors

how is only one slayer active at a time by multiple authors

Southern California setting by multiple authors

Darla Became My Favorite of the Big Four Vampires because of This Series by multiple authors

Xander and Cordellia by multiple authors

Episode 3x02 by multiple authors

[Articles, Interviews, and Other News]

PUBLICATION: Comic Brendan Murphy to bring Buffy re-Vamp to Belfast via Belfast Telegraph

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[fasalquran]

Mathematics and Eternity_ A Call for Reflection.mp4

Explore the fascinating connection between mathematics, nature, and spirituality in our latest video! Discover how universal mathematical principles like the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio unveil the beauty of the natural world and reflect deeper spiritual meanings. Dive into the Quran's profound mathematical structure, exhibiting divine design through intricate numerical patterns and symmetrical arrangements. Learn how numbers in the Quran symbolize deeper spiritual concepts, emphasizing balance, moderation, and accountability. Uncover the significance of the numbers seven and nineteen in the Quran and how they inspire a deeper understanding of creation and divine wisdom. Join us on a journey of self-reflection, seeking knowledge, and embodying virtues for a just and sustainable future.

#MathAndSpirituality #QuranicMathematics #DivineDesign #FibonacciSequence #GoldenRatio #SpiritualJourney #NumericalPatterns #DivineWisdom #BalanceAndModeration #SustainableFuture

If you enjoyed this video, please like and share with others who might find it insightful!

OUTLINE:

00:00:00 Open Letter to Humanity: 00:06:15 The Unseen Language 00:07:26 Echoes in Eternity 00:08:42 The Divine Structure 00:10:04 The Balance of Creation 00:11:13 Numbers in the Quran 00:12:24 Seven Heavens, Seven Earths 00:13:26 The Significance of Nineteen 00:14:49 Reflections in the Mirror of Actions 00:15:55 Towards a Life of Integrity 00:16:55 A Call to Reflection 00:17:57 The Musyaf 00:26:12 the surah of insects 00:34:10 Numerical Analysis in the Quran: Uncovering Meanings and Patterns Through Numbers 00:39:00 the deep abalysis

[meybellreed]

Published on YouTube: FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES

Published on YouTube: FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES https://meybellreed.wordpress.com/2024/10/16/published-on-youtube-fast-track-your-english-skills-with-stories/ FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES | WAqademy Unlock the magic of storytelling and transform your English language learning journey! In this video, discover how stories—both historical and contemporary—can create a powerful, immersive environment for mastering English. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, storytelling provides the context-rich exposure to vocabulary, grammar, and fluency that traditional methods often fail to offer. Learn why traditional language learning methods can feel repetitive and dull, and how the magic of immersive stories helps you naturally acquire language skills. We’ll dive into effective techniques like active listening, shadowing, and role-playing, giving you practical ways to enhance your speaking and listening skills. Plus, explore how storytelling connects you with diverse cultures, opening up exciting new worlds of language learning. Ready to embark on a more rewarding and engaging way to learn English? Let’s turn language learning into an unforgettable adventure! Subscribe to WAqademy for more top tips and learning skills: https://www.youtube.com/@WAqademy12 What you’ll learn: 1) Why storytelling is a game-changer for learning English. 2) Practical tips for using stories to improve fluency and comprehension. 3) Techniques like active listening, shadowing, and role-playing. 4) How stories can help you build vocabulary and grammar effortlessly. 5) The cultural immersion benefits of learning through storytelling. Be sure to like, comment, and share this video! Join the discussion in the comments and let us know your favorite stories for learning English! Don’t forget to subscribe for more language learning tips and strategies! OUTLINE: 00:00:00 The Power of Stories 00:00:25 A Familiar Tale 00:00:54 The Story Solution 00:01:24 A Stifling Embrace 00:01:50 The Silent Barrier 00:02:18 The Comprehension Conundrum 00:02:44 Your Language Stage 00:03:12 Vocabulary in Bloom 00:03:40 The Unseen Teacher 00:04:05 A Gentle Beginning 00:04:38 Echoes of Everyday Life 00:05:15 Diving into Deeper Waters 00:05:49 Tuning In and Predicting 00:06:27 Mirroring the Masters 00:07:01 Stepping into the Story 00:08:15 From Ear to Voice 00:08:48 Weaving Words into Memory 00:09:58 Finding Your Voice 00:11:17 Cultural Immersion and Understanding 00:11:54 Embracing the Adventure 00:13:05 Unlocking Opportunities 00:13:47 Take the First Step #EnglishLearning #Storytelling #LanguageAcquisition #LearnEnglish #ImmersiveLearning #Fluency #EnglishSpeakingPractice #LanguageJourney #ListeningSkills #VocabularyBuilding #CulturalImmersion #LanguageFluency #waqademy #LanguageLearningTips #SpeakEnglishFluently #EnglishComprehensionSkills FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES published first on https://www.youtube.com/@waqademy12 / from WAqademy https://waqademy12.wordpress.com/2024/10/16/published-on-youtube-fast-track-your-english-skills-with-stories/ via https://www.youtube.com/@waqademy12 via Maybell Reed https://meybellreed.wordpress.com October 16, 2024 at 02:39AM

[reymcauley]

Published on YouTube: FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES

Published on YouTube: FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES https://reymcauley.blogspot.com/2024/10/published-on-youtube-fast-track-your.html FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES | WAqademy Unlock the magic of storytelling and transform your English language learning journey! 🌟 In this video, discover how stories—both historical and contemporary—can create a powerful, immersive environment for mastering English. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, storytelling provides the context-rich exposure to vocabulary, grammar, and fluency that traditional methods often fail to offer. Learn why traditional language learning methods can feel repetitive and dull, and how the magic of immersive stories helps you naturally acquire language skills. We’ll dive into effective techniques like active listening, shadowing, and role-playing, giving you practical ways to enhance your speaking and listening skills. Plus, explore how storytelling connects you with diverse cultures, opening up exciting new worlds of language learning. Ready to embark on a more rewarding and engaging way to learn English? Let’s turn language learning into an unforgettable adventure! 🚀 👉 Subscribe to WAqademy for more top tips and learning skills: https://www.youtube.com/@WAqademy12 What you’ll learn: 1) Why storytelling is a game-changer for learning English. 2) Practical tips for using stories to improve fluency and comprehension. 3) Techniques like active listening, shadowing, and role-playing. 4) How stories can help you build vocabulary and grammar effortlessly. 5) The cultural immersion benefits of learning through storytelling. 📌 Be sure to like, comment, and share this video! Join the discussion in the comments and let us know your favorite stories for learning English! Don’t forget to subscribe for more language learning tips and strategies! OUTLINE: 00:00:00 The Power of Stories 00:00:25 A Familiar Tale 00:00:54 The Story Solution 00:01:24 A Stifling Embrace 00:01:50 The Silent Barrier 00:02:18 The Comprehension Conundrum 00:02:44 Your Language Stage 00:03:12 Vocabulary in Bloom 00:03:40 The Unseen Teacher 00:04:05 A Gentle Beginning 00:04:38 Echoes of Everyday Life 00:05:15 Diving into Deeper Waters 00:05:49 Tuning In and Predicting 00:06:27 Mirroring the Masters 00:07:01 Stepping into the Story 00:08:15 From Ear to Voice 00:08:48 Weaving Words into Memory 00:09:58 Finding Your Voice 00:11:17 Cultural Immersion and Understanding 00:11:54 Embracing the Adventure 00:13:05 Unlocking Opportunities 00:13:47 Take the First Step #EnglishLearning #Storytelling #LanguageAcquisition #LearnEnglish #ImmersiveLearning #Fluency #EnglishSpeakingPractice #LanguageJourney #ListeningSkills #VocabularyBuilding #CulturalImmersion #LanguageFluency #waqademy #LanguageLearningTips #SpeakEnglishFluently #EnglishComprehensionSkills FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES published first on https://www.youtube.com/@waqademy12 / from WAqademy https://waqademy.blogspot.com/2024/10/published-on-youtube-fast-track-your.html via https://www.youtube.com/@waqademy12 via Ray McCauley https://reymcauley.blogspot.com/ October 16, 2024 at 01:22AM

[waqademy]

FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES | WAqademy Unlock the magic of storytelling and transform your English language learning journey! 🌟 In this video, discover how stories—both historical and contemporary—can create a powerful, immersive environment for mastering English. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced learner, storytelling provides the context-rich exposure to vocabulary, grammar, and fluency that traditional methods often fail to offer. Learn why traditional language learning methods can feel repetitive and dull, and how the magic of immersive stories helps you naturally acquire language skills. We’ll dive into effective techniques like active listening, shadowing, and role-playing, giving you practical ways to enhance your speaking and listening skills. Plus, explore how storytelling connects you with diverse cultures, opening up exciting new worlds of language learning. Ready to embark on a more rewarding and engaging way to learn English? Let’s turn language learning into an unforgettable adventure! 🚀 👉 Subscribe to WAqademy for more top tips and learning skills: https://www.youtube.com/@WAqademy12 What you’ll learn: 1) Why storytelling is a game-changer for learning English. 2) Practical tips for using stories to improve fluency and comprehension. 3) Techniques like active listening, shadowing, and role-playing. 4) How stories can help you build vocabulary and grammar effortlessly. 5) The cultural immersion benefits of learning through storytelling. 📌 Be sure to like, comment, and share this video! Join the discussion in the comments and let us know your favorite stories for learning English! Don’t forget to subscribe for more language learning tips and strategies! OUTLINE: 00:00:00 The Power of Stories 00:00:25 A Familiar Tale 00:00:54 The Story Solution 00:01:24 A Stifling Embrace 00:01:50 The Silent Barrier 00:02:18 The Comprehension Conundrum 00:02:44 Your Language Stage 00:03:12 Vocabulary in Bloom 00:03:40 The Unseen Teacher 00:04:05 A Gentle Beginning 00:04:38 Echoes of Everyday Life 00:05:15 Diving into Deeper Waters 00:05:49 Tuning In and Predicting 00:06:27 Mirroring the Masters 00:07:01 Stepping into the Story 00:08:15 From Ear to Voice 00:08:48 Weaving Words into Memory 00:09:58 Finding Your Voice 00:11:17 Cultural Immersion and Understanding 00:11:54 Embracing the Adventure 00:13:05 Unlocking Opportunities 00:13:47 Take the First Step #EnglishLearning #Storytelling #LanguageAcquisition #LearnEnglish #ImmersiveLearning #Fluency #EnglishSpeakingPractice #LanguageJourney #ListeningSkills #VocabularyBuilding #CulturalImmersion #LanguageFluency #waqademy #LanguageLearningTips #SpeakEnglishFluently #EnglishComprehensionSkills FAST TRACK Your English Skills with STORIES published first on https://www.youtube.com/@waqademy12 /

[dashodist]

Winter 1, video.

𝅄 ☆ 🖇🩶 ₊ ⊹ every page holds whispers from ages past and dreams yet to come; each book serves as both a confidant and guide. in this hushed haven, time stands still while imagination roams free. the narratives woven within these walls breathe life into forgotten histories.

★ 𝖦𝖨𝖱𝖫 % 이야기에 의하면 ..✿ᮢ 𓊇 in this sanctuary, surrounded by the ghosts of words and the echoes of thoughts, i find a quiet solace. these pages hold more than just ink on paper; they are doorways to my soul and bridges connecting me to realms both seen and unseen.

Winter 3, video.

⫏̮ ׄ ❀ᬊ 인생의 동반자처럼. 🌸 ៑ ׅwe dance together in perfect harmony, our movements synchronized with the rhythm of the beat of supernova. 𓂃 ☁🎀 𓉸 ₊ ⊹ the pink creature, marvel of cuteness and wonder. here is an ost melodies that is both infectious and sweet.

Winter 4, (3 capt).

ēp. 𝟮𝟭̲⠀—𝙷𝚘𝚝 𝙼𝚎𝚜𝚜’ ˖ 🖇🎀⎯─ as i hold the delicate, bejeweled phone to my ear, its surface encrusted with ribbons and pearls, i feel a connection to a world of fantastical wonder. my fingers, adorned with rings, each touch sending ripples of delight through my being.

̨ 🎀🪞 ִ ་⠀❀ᮬᦾ 나의 성찰𓍯⠀ ͒⠀in this enchanted reflection, i see the embodiment of my dreams—a being of pure imagination, ready to embark on an adventure beyond the confines of reality. the sensation is electric, a tingling of excitement that courses through my veins.

. 𐀶 ⁺ . 🖇💋🩹 ⊹ ˚ ₊ seated in this enchanted chariot, i feel like a princess of my own fairy tale, ready to traverse the realms of imagination. the steering wheel, wrapped in soft fur, beckons me to take hold and steer towards the horizon of infinite possibilities.

aespa, (2capt).

𓊆+ ˙ 🎀 ⑅ 만화에 빠진 소녀들 𓊇 beneath a sky of twinkling stars and counterfeit glow, four enchanting beings stood, each a captivating inspiration of this queer. their shadows, swirling lights that twirled on a ceiling of mirrors. every stance, was a masterpiece of elegance.

..  ۫ 𓂂 ☆ | 𓈒 후끈후끈하다 ⓘ 𓈒 ۫ 𔖭 their attire spoke in whispers of rebellion and elegance, a poignant of fluffy arm warmers and denim shorts, bold patterns and delicate lace. boots clashed and harmonized in hues of pink and white, grounding their otherworldly presence.

[jgthirlwell]

2020 Year In Review

This year once again I invited some friends and colleagues to reflect on 2020

JG Thirlwell

Composer

Foetus Xordox Manorexia Steroid Maximus Venture Bros Archer

www.foetus.org

2020 was a troubling and disturbing year. I created a lot of music and experienced a lot of nights waking at 5am in a panic. I deeply missed the sacred experience of being able to see live music. In its absence of that I listened to a lot of music. It was difficult to whittle down this list but here are a lot of albums I enjoyed in 2020, in no particular order.

Le Grand Sbam Furvent (Dur Et Doux) John Elmquist’s HardArt Group I Own an Ion (900 Nurses) Roly Porter Kistvaen (Subtext) Liturgy Origin Of The Alimonies (YLYLCYN) Clark Kiri Variations (Throttle) Dai Kaht Dai Kaht I & II (Soleil Zeuhl) Chromb Le livre des merveilles (Dur Et Doux) Horse Lords The Common Task (Northern Spy) Ecker & Meultzer Carbon (Subtext) Insane Warrior Tendrils (RJ’s Electrical Connections) Jeff Parker Suite For Max Brown (International Anthem) Jacob Kirkegaard Opus Mors (Topos) Tristan Perich Drift Multiply (Nonesuch) Bec Plexus Sticklip (New Amsterdam) Vak Budo (Soleil Zeuhl) Merlin Nova BOO! (Bandcamp) The The Muscle OST (Cineola) Zombi 2020 (Relapse) Regis Hidden In This Is The Light That You Miss (Downwards) Rival Consoles Articulation (Erased Tapes) Sarah Davachi Cantus, Descant (L.A.T.E.) Sufjan Stevens The Ascension (Asthmatic Kitty) Idles Ultra Mono (Partisan) Daedelus The Bittereindeers (Brainfeeder) Boris No (Bandcamp) Aksak Maboul Figures / Un peu de l’ame des bandits / Onze Danses Pour Cobattre La Migraine (Crammed) Noveller Arrow (Ba Da Bing) Felicia Atkinson Everything Evaporate (Shelter Press) Ital Tek Dream Boundary (Planet Mu) Author and Punisher Beastland (Relapse) Sparks A Steady Drip Drip Drip (BMG) Corima Amatarasu (Soleil Zeuhl) Code Orange Underneath (Roadrunner) Deerhoof Future Teenage Cave Artists /Silly Symphonies / To Be Surrounded../ Love Lore(Joyful Noise) Sote Moscels (Opal Tapes) Run The Jewels RTJ4 (Jewel Runners) Oranssi Pazuzu Mestarin Kynsi (Nuclear Blast) Master Boot Record Floppy Disk Overdrive (Metal Blade) Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith The Mosaic Of Transformation (Ghostly International) / Ears (Western Vinyl) Michael Gordon Acquanetta (Cantelope) Neom Arkana Temporis (Soleil Zeuhl) Rian Treanor Ataxia / File Under UK Metaplasm (Planet Mu) Helm Saturnalia (Alter) Ivvvo doG (Halcyon Veil) Robert Normandeau Figures (Empreintes Digitales) Ben Vida Reducing The Tempo To Zero (Shelter Press) Beatrice Dillon Workaround (Pan) Dan Deacon Mystic Familiar (Domino) Sea Oleena Weaving A Basket (Higher Plain Music) Elysian Fields Transience Of Life (Ojet) Rhapsody Symphony Of Enchanted Lands II - The Dark Secret (Magic Circle) Duma Duma (Nyege Nyege) Ulla Strauss Tumbling Towards a Wall / Seed (Bandcamp)

Honorable mentions Carl Stone Stolen Car (Unseen Worlds)  Nazar Guerilla (Hyperdub) Iwo Zaluski with the Children of Park Lane Primary School, Wembley The Remarkable Earth Making Machine (Trunk) Nahash Flowers Of The Revolution (SVBKVLT) Cindy Lee Whats Tonight To Eternity (Bandcamp) Insect Ark The Vanishing (Profound Lore) 33EMYBW Arthropods (SVBKVLT) Declan McKenna Zeroes (Tomplicated) Layma Azur Zeii (Bandcamp)

FILM TV Succession ZeroZeroZero Escape at Dannemora 1917 Small Axe : Five films by Steve McQueen Pirhanas Monos The Hater Better Call Saul

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Drew Daniel

Matmos, The Soft Pink Truth

an alphabet of 2020 recordings

Arca “KiCk i” BFTT “Intrusive / Obtrusive” clipping. “Visions of Bodies Being Burned” Duma “Duma” Eilbacher, Max “Metabolist Meter (Foster, Cottin, Caetani and a Fly)” Forbidden Colors “La Yeguada” GILA “Energy Demonstration” HiedraH Club de Baile “Bichote-K Bailable Vol. 2” Ian Power “Maintenance Hums” Jeff Carey “Index[off]” Kassel Jaeger “Meith” Laurie Anderson “Songs From the Bardo” Mukqs “Water Levels” Negativland “The World Will Decide” O’Rourke, Jim “Shutting Down Here” Perlesvaus “These Things Below with Those Above” Quicksails “Blue Rise” Rian Treanor “File Under UK Metaplasm” Slikback “///” Terminal Nation “Holocene Extinction” Ulcerate “Stare Into Death and Be Still” Various Artists “HAUS of ALTR” William Tyler “New Vanitas” Xyla “Ways” Y A S H A “Summations” :zoviet-france: “Châsse 2ᵉ”

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Sarah Lipstate  (Noveller)

With all live performances canceled, this was truly the year of demo videos and home studio recording for me. These are 10 pieces of gear that came out in 2020 that helped keep me feeling creative and inspired during lockdown. In no particular order:

EHX Oceans 12 Dual Stereo Reverb - The Oceans 12 ticks all the boxes for what I’m looking for in a great soundscaping reverb. I used the Shimmer and Reverse algorithms in conjunction a lot when I was composing music for a film score.

Chase Bliss Audio Blooper - While I don’t actually own a Blooper, I had the pleasure of borrowing one from Mike of Baranik Guitars after NAMM this year. He made an incredible Blooper-inspired guitar and I was completely charmed by them both. Chase Bliss always delivers pedals that push me creatively and the Blooper truly hits the mark.

Cooper FX Arcades - I love everything Cooper FX has released to-date so the opportunity to access those sounds in one pedal via plug-in cartridges is just awesome.

SolidGoldFX NU-33 - I was asked to do a demo of this pedal for its release and ended up being really charmed by this box’s approach to lo-fi nostalgia. I’ve used it a lot for film scoring and highly recommend adding it to your collection.

Demedash Effects T-120 DLX V2 - I LOVE a good tape echo and the T-120 Deluxe V2 ranks up there with the best I’ve tried. This pedal made its way to me this Christmas and I look forward to making some beautiful sounds with it in the new year.

Hologram Electronics Microcosm - The Microcosm is one of those pedals where you should fully read the manual before diving in but once you put in that initial effort you’ve got a massively powerful tool on your hands. It does glitch like no other. Definitely worth the homework

Azzam Bells MP019 - I discovered this unique instrument through a post on Reverb’s IG page and immediately looked it up and ordered one. These experimental percussion instruments are hand-made in Italy and they’re as beautiful visually as they are sonically. I used it for bowed cymbal and daxophone sounds on a film score and it was absolutely haunting.

Echopark Dual Harmonic Boost 2 - I love the control you have over dialing in the perfect amount of grit with these dual boost circuits. I use it a lot as a textural tool when I’m laying down drones or bringing in big distorted swells. It’s one of the most versatile overdrives in my collection and I love that.

Fender Parallel Universe Series Volume II Maverick Dorado - I was smitten with the Maverick Dorado when I first saw it at NAMM. It has a lot of the specs that I look for in a guitar and the body shape with the Mystic Pine finish just blew me away. I hope that I get to use it live soon.

Polyeffects Beebo - The Beebo is one of those pedals that I genuinely feel is smarter than I am. It’s like an entire computer in one small touchscreen box. I can’t claim to have mastered using it yet but the sounds that I have managed to get out of it so far have been brilliant. I’m looking forward to spending more time with this box in 2021

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HELM 2020 REVIEW

Let's get the bad stuff out the way first, 2020 was undoubtedly an awful year. I'm still not sure how to really respond to seeing a global pandemic bring the capital to its knees and everything I love and hold dear to a grinding halt. Our government fucked it's response, putting profit before people and killing tens of thousands. The Labour Party descended into farce with the newly elected leader Sir Keith revealing himself as a bland centrist with no opposition or ideas. On a personal level it sucked not being able to travel or see my friends in different parts of the world - or even the same country - who I am starting to miss a lot. However, I was fortunate enough to get through the year with my sanity intact. Music, art and culture once again being my main positive. I think I listened to more music than I have in any year ever. I read more books than I have done since I was a teenager probably. I also re-discovered the joys of walking long distances and am extremely thankful for living near a lot of incredible green spaces: Epping Forest, Walthamstow Wetlands, Walthamstow Marshes, Wanstead Park, Wanstead Flats...

Music. My favourite albums of the year.

Oranssi Pazuzu - Mestarin kynsi Wetware - Flail Raspberry Bulbs - Before The Age Of Mirrors Necrot - Mortal Rope Sect - The Great Flood Private World - Aleph Oneohtrix Point Never - Magic Oneohtrix Point Never Pyrrhon - Abcess Time CS+Kreme - Snoopy Speaker Music - Black Nationalist Sonic Weaponry Drew McDowall - Agalma Regis - Hidden In This Is The Light That You Miss Nazar - Guerilla Zoviet France - Russian Heterodoxical Songs (and all the ZF reissues!!) Triple Negative - God Bless the Death Drive Permission - Organised People Suffer Actress - Karma & Desire Acolytes - Stress II The Gerogerigegege - >(decrescendo) Chubby & The Gang - Speed Kills Flora Yin-Wong - Holy Palm Eiko Ishibashi - Hyakki Yagyo The The - See Without Being Seen Prurient - Casablanca Flamethrower Henning Christiansen - L’essere Umano Errabando La Voce Errabando Subdued - Over The Hills And Far Away Rian Treanor - File Under UK Metaplasm Komare - The Sense Of Hearing Shredded Nerve - Acts Of Betrayal Jesu - Terminus Autechre - SIGN Hey Colossus - Dances / Curses Sparkle Division - To Feel Embraced Mark Harwood - A Perfect Punctual Paradise Under My Own Name Still House Plants - Fast Edit The Bug & Dis Fig - In Blue Kommand - Terrorscape Haus Arafna - Asche Khthoniik Cerviiks - Æequiizoiikum Worm - Gloomlord Kraus - A Golden Brain Faceless Burial - Speciation

A shout-out to Jon Abby's AMPLIFY series on Bandcamp / Facebook, which I contributed a new piece of music to.

A shout out to the labels where most of the music I listened to seemed to come from:

The Trilogy Tapes Iron Bonehead Penultimate Press Dais La Vida Es Un Mus

Gigs. Despite live music being destroyed in 2020 I still saw a few unforgettable performances at the beginning of the year.

Graham Lambkin @ The ICA, London Puce Mary / JFK @ The Glove That Fits, London Demilich @ Finnfest, The Garage, London Container / PC World / National Unrest @ Venue MOT, London S.H.I.T / Asid / Chubby & The Gang @ Static Shock Festival, ExFed, London

Books I enjoyed. Most not published this year, but all read in 2020.

Joe Kennedy - Authentocrats David Balzer - Curationism Tom Mills - BBC: The Myth Of A Public Service Simon Morris - Consumer Guide: Special Edition Luke Turner - Out Of The Woods Various - Bad News For Labour Mike Wendling - Alt-Right Baited Area issues 1 & 2.

Film. Three good films I saw this year which I hadn't before.

Suspiria (Remake) Midsommar Cannibal Holocaust

Podcasts. I listened to a lot of these whilst walking.

We Don't Talk About The Weather Novara Media Tysky Sour & Novara FM Grounded with Louis Theroux System of Systems Red Scare loveline episodes Suite 212 NOISEXTRA Social Discipline CONTAIN

TV.

Didn't watch a huge amount and what I did was mostly trash. For some reason I rewatched both series' of This Life, a British drama from the late 90's about a group of young professionals house sharing and navigating their careers. Very cringey and has aged terribly, but it was perversely fascinating to revisit something from that time in the age of the pandemic. Following on from this I binge watched the entire series of Industry which was entertaining enough. A programme about a bunch of horny bankers with what felt like a confused ideology behind it. It seemed stuck between trying to criticise and glorify the culture around the industry, but also protect the industry itself from outside criticism by portraying anyone who may oppose as an insufferable wanker. Currently halfway through Succession which is OK. The Murdoch documentaries on the BBC were excellent and a rare respite from their descent into client journalism.

Thanks to anyone who listened to my music this year also. Best wishes to you all for 2021.

Luke Younger

http://hhelmm.com | http://alter.bandcamp.com

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Elliott Sharp

composer

1. My Nr. 1 lesson: patience. Whether it's bouncing through 30 seconds of severe turbulence at 39000 feet or slogging through 30 minutes of a interminable piece of concert music, one attribute I've tried to develop is the ability to see past the discrete and awaited ending, the exact framing of the immediate process, but put it into the context of a larger time frame. I've found that this year more than all others has demanded it. Breathing helps...

2. Books: revisiting old favorites from the realm of Thomas Pynchon and Philip K. Dick (both especially relevant), digging into John Lomax's portrait of Jelly Roll Morton, the works of Colson Whitehead, random things off of the shelf…

3. Composing: with touring off the table, I focused on that which needed to be written, some requested and commissioned, some spontaneously springing forth. Composing requires that one open the windows wide to the world, which at this moment brought in grief, terror, uncertainty, anxiety, visions of plague and pestilence and incipient fascism. Okay, now shut the window and get to work! How to process, translate, transform? The work can be a comfortable and obsessive cocoon once one learns to handle the radioactive materials and put them into the creativity reactor.

4. Beans! We have long been a fan in our house of the wide world of legumes but this year brought two stars to the front: the black bean and the red lentil. The black bean commands the lofty peaks but the seemingly infinite variations of dal surround it. Ginger, garlic, turmeric, smoked paprika, cayenne, onions, and olive oil form the basis then imagination builds.

5. Online teaching substituted for my canceled conduction of workshops in the Pyrenees Mountains of France. Between the participants and myself, we built a temporary but very congenial space online to share concepts and music. In addition, private lessons brought conversation and music with new friends in Germany, Italy, California, Australia, Illinois, Denmark, Pennsylvania, Spain, Florida, Brazil.

6. What started out as "stress baking" (before I even had heard of the term) soon became a frequent practice that yielded very edible results. The twins preferred the sweeter forays into banana bread and chocolate cake. I tried to find a balance between tried-and-true techniques and experiments in texture and taste with yeasted pumpernickels, multi-grains, and seed breads.

7. While not the same as performing 'live ', online gigs proved that it was possible to generate a surprising amount of adrenaline even without the pheromonal handshaking of a room filled with receptive ears. As a corollary, online recording collaborations with friends worldwide proved to be inspiring and a suitable substrate for sonic experimentation, exploration of new instruments, tunings, effects programming, structures. In these realms, shout-outs to Helene Breschand, Mike Cooper, Henry Kaiser, Tracie Morris, Mikel Banks, Dougie Bowne, Payton McDonald, Billy Martin, Colin Stetson, Jim O'Rourke, Scott Amendola, Roberto Zorzi, Jason Hoopes, Eric Mingus, Melanie Dyer, Dave Hofstra, Don McKenzie, Sergio Sorrentino, Veniero Rizzardi, Taylor Ho Bynum, Scott Fields, Bachir Attar, Karl Bruckmaier, Robbie Lee, Matthew Evan Taylor, Matteo Liberatore, Al Kaatz, David Barratt, Jessica Hallock, Kolin Zeinikov, Robbie Lee, Jeremy Nesse, James Ilgenfritz, Sergio Armaroli, Steve Piccolo, Sandy Ewen, David Weinstein, Jim Whittemore, Chris Vine, Werner Puntigam, William Schimmel.

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Daniel O’Sullivan

(Grumbling Fur, Guapo, Miasma & the Carousel of Headless Horses, Ulver, Sunn O))), Æthenor, Laniakea, Miracle, Mothlite, and This Is Not This Heat.)

Music Richard Youngs - Ein Klein Nein Alabaster DePlume - Instrumentals Hildegard von Bingen - O Nobilissima Viriditas Francisco de Penalosa - Missa Ave Maria Peregrina Carlo Gesualdo - Responsoria 1611 Dirty Projectors - Five EPs Sonic Boom - All Things Being Equal Brother Peter Broderick - Blackberry Richard Horowitz - Eros Of Arabia Duncan Trussell Family Hour Cocteau Twins in the bath

Books/comics Alexander Tucker - Entity Reunion II Derek Jarman - Chroma Stephen Harrod Buhner - Plant Intelligence and the Imaginal Realm The Penguin Book Of Irish Poetry - edited by Patrick Crotty The Gospel Of Ramakrishna - translated by Swami Nikhilananda Lucretius - De Rerum Natura Plotinus - Enneads Ram Dass - Grist For The Mill Lisa Brown - Phantom Twin

Other Fasting / meditation / macrodosing Walks in freshly coppiced woodland (for the smell mainly). Plants / Foraging / Growing Traditional ferments Douglas Sirk movies Mandolorian Writing songs on the piano Rediscovery of Kenneth Graham via my kids

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Karl O’Connor (Regis)

01.Wolfgang Press - Unremembered, Remembered 02. Klara Lewis - Ingrid Live at Fylkingen 03. Jesu - Terminus 04. Dave Ball - Leeds Poly Demos 1979 05. Edwin Pouncey - Rated Sav X (the Savage Pencil Skratchbook) 06. The Bug - In Blue 07. New Order - Power,Corruption and Lies ( Writing Sessions  ) 08. JG Thirlwell and Simon Steensland - Oscillospira 09. FM Einheit and Andreas Ammer - Hammerschlag 10. Thurston Moore - By The Fire 11. Body Stuff - Body Stuff 3 12. Ann M Hogan - Honeysuckle Burials 13. Rob Halford - Confess (Autobiography)

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Caleb Braaten (Sacred Bones Records)

Shirley Collins Hearts Ease Dehd Flowers Of Devotion Duma Duma Bob Dylan Rough and Rowdy Ways Green-House Six Songs for Invisible Gardens John Jeffery Passage Drew McDowall Agalma Sweeping Promises Hunger For a Way Out Colter Wall Western Swing & Waltzes and Other Punchy Songs Woods Strange to Explain

My Favorite 90’s Nostalgia Movie Rewatches

Colors Ghost Dog Menace II Society The Player Rounders Safe Starship Troopers Trees Lounge Vampires Waiting For Guffman

Most Culturally Bankrupt Year : 1997

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Charlie Looker

(composer, Psalm Zero, Extra Life, Seaven Teares)

Ten Things That Didn’t Happen in 2020

1.  I didn’t write a ton of new music. Don’t get me wrong, I wrote some. I always do. But mostly I focused on my new YouTube channel, essays, and on getting old recordings released. I haven’t even been working a day-job so I thought I was going to write my next Ring Cycle, but I really didn’t find Covid inspiring.

2.  Trump wasn’t re-elected. Cool.

3. I didn’t lose anyone to Covid. I am, of course, profoundly grateful for this. But I feel pretty embarrassed remembering group-texting ten friends in March, “We are all going to see a loved one die. Every single one of us. Don’t kid yourselves”. I can get hysterical, and that was somewhat irresponsible of me.

4.  No revolution happened. I don’t mean to be smug or cynical, or to belittle anyone’s participation in the protests. But, as far as I can tell, nothing happened in 2020 that promises to reduce police brutality or human suffering of any kind. We’ll see. That burning Minneapolis police station was exciting to watch at the time, if only on an aesthetic level.

5.  I have a stack of unread books I bought this year, just staring at me, with nary a crease among them. These include:

Adorno and Horkheimer, The Dialectic of Enlightenment (looks amazing, but I haven’t touched it) Marx, Grundrisse (it’s 1000 pages for fuck’s sake. Amazon also accidentally sent me two copies, and its double presence in the stack is just comical) Reza Negarestani, Intelligence and Spirit (the first 15 pages blew my mind, then my mind blew it off)

6.  I didn’t settle into living in LA. I moved here six months before Covid and I was just starting to cultivate some friendships and play shows. This was quashed and I still feel like I still live in New York. I still barely know the layout of the city here.

7.  No brand-new buzzy musical artists burst onto the scene, that I can recall. No new hyped micro-genre of the moment. There was just no way for there to be a hot new trend. I’d say that was refreshing, but it wasn’t.

8.  Tyson’s return was not awesome. Two minute rounds, ended in a draw. I’ve been getting way into boxing this past year. This fight was a bummer. I’m looking forward to Mayweather vs Logan Paul (LOL) because we know it’s comedy ahead of time.

9.  For three weeks in July, I didn’t do a single thing other than watch street fight compilations on YouTube and Worldstar. That’s just grim.

10.  There were no school shootings in March. Apparently, this was the first March with no school shootings since 2002. Not a single 7th grader got a hand job in March either. I cannot begin to imagine what it’s like to be a kid now.

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Chuck Bettis

https://chuckbettis.com

Other People's Music released this year:

Coil "Musick to Play in the Dark" (Dais)

Duma "s/t" (Nyege Nyege Tapes) Twig Harper "External Boundless Prison/ in 4 parts EP" (self-release) I.P.Y. (Ikue Mori, Phew, YoshimiO) "I.P.Y." (Tzadik) Kill Alters "A2B2 Live Stream 11/13/2020" (self-release) Krallice "Mass Cathexis" (self-release) Lust$ickPuppy "Cosmic Brownie" (self-release) Doug McKechnie "San Francisco Moog: 1968-72" (VG+ Records) Merlin Nova "Boo!" (self-release) Omrb "Milandthriust, The Graths of Mersh" (self-release) Akio Suzuki & Aki Onda "gi n ga" (self-release) Yoth Iria "Under His Sway" (Repulsive Echo) Wetware "Flail" (Dais)

My own music released this year:

collaborations

Chatter Blip "Microcosmopolitan" (Contour Editions) Matmos "The Consuming Flame: Open Exercises in Group Form" (Thrill Jockey) Reverse Bullets  "Dreampop Dsyphoria" (self-release) Snake Union "live at Roulette" (self-release) Snake Union w/ Hisham Bharoocha, Bonnie Jones, Heejin Jang, Matthew Regula "Three Arrows" (Rat Route) Thomas Dimuzio "Balance" (Gench Music) YoshimiO & Chuck Bettis  "Live at the Stone" (Living Myth)

solo Chuck Bettis "Arc of Enlghtenment"  (Living Myth) Chuck Bettis "Motion Parallax"  (Living Myth)

compilation Various Artist "Polished Turds Vol.1" (Granpa)

Music Books read this year

"Intermediary Spaces" by Eliane Radigue/Julia Eckhardt (Umland) "Ennio Morricone In His Own Words" by Ennio Morricone/Alessandro De Rosa (Oxford University Press) "Free Jazz In Japan: A Personal History" by Soejima Teruto (Public Bath Press) "Rumors of Noizu: Hijokaidan and the Road to 2nd Damascus" by Kato David Hopkins (Public Bath Press)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Maya Hardinge

(musician / artist)

list of things i liked this year

first ever solo road trip through new mexico and Texas right before lockdown experiencing manhattan with no cars on the road . having a car to escape in to nature. (which i craved so much) walks and bike rides with friends… FRIENDS! The web site ‘workaway’ that helped me feel that there were options for escape. playing games weekly on zoom during lock down teaching yoga weekly on zoom. Witnessing and being part of the BLM protests. witnessing and being part of the demise of T sitting on my couch at 6am drinking a cup of tea, appreciating my apt. making time to meditate. halloween without tourists .

some music I’ve bought and/or enjoyed this year Elvis Perkins-Black Coat Daughter Patricia Kokett -Soi soi Henning Christiansen - OP201 Bryce Hackford- Safe Svitlana Nianio and Oleksander - Snayesh yak? rozkazhy Brannten schnure - Sommer im Pfirsichhain Killing Joke - Nighttime David Shea - Tower of mirrors Shakey - Shakey Woodford halse tapes Coil - Musick to play in the dark

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BJ Nilsen

sound artist / composer

Work 2020

Despite Covid 19 lots of things actually did happen.

In Feburary I visited the only active nuclear plant in The Nederlands as part of my "Expanded Field Recording” project together with SML. In March revisited the Acousmonium at the Elevate Festival in Graz with an additional trip deep inside the Schlossberg recording old mining trains. In March and April I did two daily recording projects “Pending and Auditory Scenes” - both of Amsterdam during lockdown. In May did my first Zoom field recording workshop with the CAMP project. In June & July  two research trips in Waldviertel, Austria with Franz Pomassl. In August recorded bells and organs in 10 different churches around Amsterdam for Jacob Lekkerkerker. In September recorded Kali Malone at the Orgelpark in Amsterdam. Performed at Heart of Noise Festival in Innsbruck and A4 in Bratislava. Also went ice-skating for first time in 20? Years. In November and December I travelled to Jeju island to record field recordings for a project by Femke Herregraven for the Gwangju Biennale, commissioned for 2021. Did lots of gardening, released two tapes “Call it Philips, Eindoven” and “Zomer 2020” with Sigtryggur Berg Sigmarsson. NOW! Looking forward to 2021.

http://bjnilsen.info https://soundcloud.com/bjnilsen/sets/auditory-scenes-amsterdam

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Vicki Bennett

(People Like Us)

Negativland - True False https://negativland.com/products/truefalse-cd (this came out last year but is so THIS year) Bob Dylan - Rough and Rowdy Ways https://www.bobdylan.com/albums/rough-and-rowdy-ways/ The Soft Pink Truth - We from Shall We Go On Sinning So That Grace May Increase https://thesoftpinktruth.bandcamp.com/album/shall-we-go-on-sinning-so-that-grace-may-increase Carl Stone - Stolen Car https://unseenworlds.bandcamp.com/album/stolen-car Porest - Sedimental Gurney https://porest.bandcamp.com/album/sedimental-gurney Matmos - The Consuming Flame: Open Exercises in Group Form https://matmos.bandcamp.com/album/the-consuming-flame-open-exercises-in-group-form Domenique Dumont - Miniatures De Auto Rhythm https://antinoterecordings.bandcamp.com/album/atn044-domenique-dumont-miniatures-de-auto-rhythm The The - See Without Being Seen https://www.thethe.com/product/see-without-being-seen-cd/ Ciggy de la Noche - Hold Tight HMRC https://soundcloud.com/ciggydelanoche/hold-tight-hmrc Neil Cicierega - Mouth Dreams http://www.neilcic.com/mouthdreams/

and my details: http://peoplelikeus.org/ https://peoplelikeus-vickibennett.bandcamp.com/ pic: http://peoplelikeus.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Welcome-Abroad-promo3-2-scaled.jpg

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DJ Food

Music - Type 303 - Sticky Disco / Analogue Acidbath 7" (45 Live) The British Space Group - The Ley of the Land CD (Wyrd Britain) Squarepusher - Be Up A Hello LP / Warp 10 NTS mix (Warp) dgoHn - Undesignated Proximate (Modern Love) LF58 - Alterazione LP (Astral Industries) Robert Fripp - Music For Quiet Moments series (DGM) Run The Jewels - RTJ4 (BMG) Simf Onyx - Magenta Skyline / The Unresolved 7" (Delights) Luke Vibert - Modern Rave LP (Hypercolour) JG Thirlwell & Simon Steensland - Oscillospira (Ipecac) Aural Design - Looking & Seeing 7" / DL (Russian Library) Luke Vibert - Rave Hop (Hypercolour) Clipping. with Christopher Fleeger - Double Live (Sub Pop) APAT - Terry Riley's 'In C' performed on Modular Synthesizer (YouTube) Field Lines Cartographer - The Spectral Isle LP (Castles In Space) Jane Weaver - The Revolution of Super Visions single (Fire Records) King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard - K.G. LP (Flightless) Humanoid - Hed-Set - forthcoming on (De:tuned)

Film / TV - Inside No.9 (BBC) What We Do In The Shadows Season 2 (Netflix) Tales From The Loop (Amazon) Keith Haring - Street Art Boy (BBC) John Was Trying To Contact Aliens (Netflix) The Social Dilemma (Netflix) The Mandalorian (Season 2) (Disney+) Long Hot Summers - The Style Council documentary (Sky Arts) Zappa (Alex Winter)

Books / Comics / Magazines Confessions of a Bookseller - Shaun Bythell (Profile books) The Often Wrong - Farel Dalrymple (Image Comics) Edwin Pouncey - Rated SavX (Strange Attractor Press) Jeffrey Lewis - Fuff (all issues - really late to the party on this one) Rian Hughes - XX - A Novel, Graphic (Picador) Cosey Fanni Tutti - Art, Sex, Music (Faber) Caza - Kris Kool (Passenger Press) Dan Lish - Egostrip Vol.1 Electronic Sound magazine Decorum - Jonathan Hickman & Mike Huddleston (Image) John Higgs - Stranger Than We Can Imagine Simon Halfon - Cover To Cover (Nemperor)

Very few exhibitions or shows this year for obvious reasons

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[wyvernoleander]

A heist and something more…

A shorter video thanks to having less to do; including an initial reading of Leander's first journal entry and a lot of rambling.

[archadianskies]

pas de deux

→ on Ao3

@dbhrarepairs​ Friday Day 5: Longing • Mirrors; post-revolution North/Chloe

Individuality is a new concept to deviants, and something North’s embraced. It’s different, though, when one seeks to stand out when one exists in multitudes versus someone who’s always been an individual; there are a thousand WR400s with her faceplate in Michigan alone and there is, and always will be, just one RT600. Chloe is the first, the last, the only, and North can’t go more than an hour without seeing someone with her exact same face.

During the revolution North had started to change her hair, adding more and more red to it so it was a vibrant strawberry blonde. It’s something she has control over, that and her makeup though she leaves those settings alone. 

Chloe is a custom Carl Manfred model, sculpted and painted laboriously as a one off in a way that can’t be printed en masse like the rest of them. Mass production hadn’t even been an option back then, of course, given she had been Kamski’s foray into the unknown. 

Meeting Kamski had been a forgettable affair and she holds no high regard for the creator of their kind, though begrudgingly there’s some respect owed given he wasn’t responsible for the WR400s and HR400s and thus can’t be blamed for life of suffering inflicted on her and her siblings. And Chloe loves him. North’s not sure why but if Chloe sees something in that disaster of a human then he certainly can’t be too bad. 

Meeting Chloe had been something else entirely, and North’s glad for her ability to record and store perfect memory. Not that Chloe could ever be forgettable, but she’s grateful for the ability all the same. For the sake of diplomacy, Markus had requested they meet at the town hall and when Chloe walked in, everyone else became irrelevant. 

It’s not that North’s never seen her face before, since there exists WR400 sisters with her same face, but it was the way she held herself, the way she exuded power unseen by the humans but felt by every android in the vicinity. Back during the demonstration when Markus had beckoned to their brethren, North had been in awe of such an ability but it paled in comparison to the way that petite android commanded the world around her. 

“It’s an honour to meet you,” Chloe had smiled graciously and North had blinked incredulously.

“ Me ?” She’d echoed in disbelief. “You’re the First of us, why would meeting me be an honour?”

“Because you are the fire of the revolution, North,” Chloe quipped with a soft giggle, squeezing North’s hands. “You inspire our people to fight against inequality and injustice.”

She had something lovely to say to all four of them, and North could forgive a bit of flattery towards Markus, but to the rest of them? The three of them? She wasn’t so sure there existed anything one couldn’t chalk up to sheer luck and good timing; for all her bravado, for all of Josh’s sage advice, for all of Simon’s caution, they’d really just stumbled on after Markus and tried their best not to get anyone killed. That didn’t sound worthy of honour, and certainly not bestowed by Chloe RT600 herself. 

* 

“Are you going to ask her to Markus’ gallery opening?” Simon asks in the taxi, a warm soft presence against her side. Kamski is hosting a super secret meeting at his villain lair and while she holds no love for the man, his villa is a fortress when it comes to information security. It’s a black spot for CyberLife as they squabble to find footing in a post-revolution landscape now that androids have been granted the status of living, sentient beings. 

“Don’t be stupid Simon, why would I ever do that?” North snaps and Simon shrugs nonchalantly.

“Because you like her, and she likes you,” the PL600 points out, and North rolls her eyes.

“She’s just being nice, because she’s a nice person,” huffing, she slumps in her seat and crosses her arms over her chest. 

“What’s the worst that could happen?” Simon prods. “That she’ll say no? She’d even do that graciously I’m sure.”

“She could wipe me out of existence in a single blink,” she drawls, and Simon sputters a laugh. “I’m serious! You were there at that board meeting! She totally just wiped that shady programmer’s entire online life off the face of the earth!”

“She put it back,” Simon frowns. “I think?”

“Anyway you can’t talk, don’t think I haven’t noticed you making eyes at Terminator Mr Darcy.”

“That’s not nice,” Simon says sternly and North concedes with huff.

“Okay, yeah, that wasn't. But I’m still right.”

Simon stays quiet for a few moments, expression softening. “I just can’t quite believe I have the time for…” He makes a vague gesture, and oh North absolutely gets it.

“To not be in survival mode. To have the luxury of stupid crushes on people way out of our league.”

“Yeah,” he laughs and it’s such a nice sound. He never laughed in Jericho, not even once.

“I’ll ask her out if you do,” she elbows him and he groans.

“That’s not fair!”

“It’s totally fair!”

He presses his mouth into a tight line before sighing. “Alright, deal.”

*

The villa really does look like a supervillain lair, though Spring has done much to soften the stark palette. The taxi pulls up and they clamber out and North wishes for the umpteenth time that she had a sense of smell. Back during her Eden days it had been a blessing not to have a sense of smell or taste, but as she watches Simon pause and inhale deeply, no doubt filling his sensors with the scent of flowers, North yearns for the ability to do the same. 

They’re early, too early for Markus and Josh to have arrived yet and North is about to suggest hanging around outside before subjecting themselves to human company but the door opens.

“Good morning North, good morning Simon,” PL400 Peter greets them with a gentle smile. “Mr Kamski is having his breakfast but you may wait inside. There are light refreshments prepared in the lounge.”

“Thank you, Peter,” Simon says cordially and nods as he enters the villa. “Is Ms Chloe free?” Oh the little shit earns a jab in the ribs for that one.

“She is in the ballet studio with Ronan for a private ballet class,” Peter gestures and Simon’s cheeky somewhat grimace morphs into surprise.

“Ronan?”

“Yes, the RK900 dances with her here sometimes,” the PL400 explains, leading them down a long hallway. “You are welcome to watch, she will not mind.”

“We’d love to,” North answers because she has to get Simon back somehow for the earlier mischief. Even if her revenge is via a double-edged sword.

* 

It’s not unknown to her, Chloe’s love of ballet- Carl Manfred had stated he’d carved her proportions based on a ballerina, and she’d spent much of her early phase absorbing movement via ballet videos. 

It’s a different thing entirely, to watch her dance. She moves with such easy grace, effortlessly elegant and yet powerful at the same time. The RK900 is a fine partner, all calculated strength and cold regality. It’s one thing to tease each other about harmless crushes from afar, and another thing entirely to be so close and full of longing. 

“Mind your timing, Chloe, you have to ease into it, you’re not giving yourself enough time to prepare,” the hologram of the ballet mistress commands, because of course Chloe’s ballet studio has mounted cameras and holographic capabilities. “Ronan you’re adjusting your stance too often, I want your footing to be neater. Again, please.” She claps her hand and Chloe blinks, soft piano music filling the air as they repeat the segment. Chloe catches her gaze briefly, smile brightening.

“Ask her, and I’ll ask him,” Simon bumps his shoulder to hers. “I promise.”

North thinks back on last November, on how everything changed so quickly with barely any time to process the violence, the trauma. She compares her life before, and after the 1st of December when the law recognised what they’d known all along- that they are alive, and they deserve to be free. 

She’s different in some ways, and the same in many; it’s normal to long for change, but one constant in her life, one unwavering trait she’s proud of is that she never settles for the theoretical, the what-ifs, the maybes. If she wants something, she’ll fight for it; what use is longing without action? 

The piano music ends and the teacher is pleased, clapping twice in praise and Chloe giggles happily as she bows in parting. The hologram fades and she reaches for North’s hands in greeting.

“Hello North, it’s so lovely to see you,” she’s beautiful and radiant like a goddess, and it’s all North can do to not buckle at the knees. She’s not one to back down from a challenge, but she thinks maybe standing defiantly against soldiers aiming rifles at them like a firing squad was easier than this. 

“Would you like to go to Markus' fancy art party with me?” There, she asked. Chloe gasps in delight, squeezing her hands as she beams.

“I’d love to.”

*~* 

It takes her a whole day to process Chloe’s acceptance, and also remember it had been part of a bargain she’d bullied Simon into agreeing to. The PL600 is sorting books Josh had left strewn on the meeting table when North wanders over.

“So. Did you ask him?” She demands, hands on her hips. He looks up like a deer in headlights, slowly taking a step back. “ No ?!”

“No, but-!” He bares his palms as if fending off an impending attack. Rightfully so. “I didn’t have to,” a shy, somewhat sheepish green. “He’d already asked me last week.”

There’s a pause and Simon bites his lip, taking another step back.

“I’m going to kill you,” she says evenly.

“Um-”

“SIMON!” 

“Okay love you bye!” The blond tries to dart out of the room but North tackles him down and attacks him with her fingers, wriggling them into his sides. “Noooo!”

“You conniving bastard!” She shrieks and Simon laughs and laughs helplessly, trying to bat her hands away. 

“Mercy! I had to do it! And she said yes!” She stops and flops onto her back beside him. After a moment, Simon scooches closer and rests his head on her shoulder. “Don’t be mad at me, you needed the push.”

“I did,” she admits and there’s no shame in the admission when the outcome far outweighs the discomfort. “Thanks Simon.”

*~*~*

{Chloe and Ronan are [rehearsing Manon].}

[bird-in-a-cage]

Zombie

Do not provoke the patient.

Do not touch the patient.

Do not ask any leading questions that could cause trauma to the patient.

If the patient touches you at any time you will be pulled from the room for decontamination and not permitted to return.

Do not pass anything to the patient. If caught doing so you will be arrested and charged with tampering with government properly.

Steve stared down at his hands on the table, under two layers of latex up to his elbows. He'd been forced to wash them three times until they were pink and raw. Thoroughly decontaminated.

When Max had handed him the very official looking letter, shaking with tears right in the middle of Family Video he knew it was serious.

He didn't think it would be this serious.

The room he'd been taken too was plain. Had no windows and only two doors. A table in the middle with two chairs. All of it bolted to the floor. It was cold stainless steel, not that Steve could really feel it through all the layers. Opposite was a large mirror that took up most of the wall. Clearly two way. The room behind probably full of officials and scientists, all very proper looking with ID badges and miles of abbreviations after all their names.

Apparently Neil had wanted to burn the letter. Ignore it completely like it never existed. Max had snatched it away and ran. Skitched behind a bus nearly the whole way with little care for safety. Robin read the letter first. Let Steve try and calm Max down somehow. The full severity of the situation hit home even harder when Robin's eyes blew wide, like she couldn't believe what she was reading.

Billy Hargrove was alive.

The room smelt overly sterile. Steve tapped his sneakers in plastic bags on the floor, waiting. They bounced hollow with no squeak. The door he hadn't come through was pushed open, and someone wearing a lab coat and a white mask walked inside with the ‘patient’. Set him down in the opposite chair on the other side of the table, and left without a word or even a passing glance.

Steve was shocked into silence.

This wasn't Billy Hargrove.

He remembered Billy being full of life and fire, eyes that could pierce at a thousand yards, a dangerous tanned frame, and a quick tongue within a mouth that was too smart for his own good.

The person in front of him was none of those things.

His hair was completely gone. Shaved short. His eyes looked black and bruised with fatigue, those once deep ocean blues sunk in and hidden, staring down at the empty table top. He was pale. Thin. Gaunt.

This wasn't Billy Hargrove. This wasn't the boy he'd known, had a whole secret life with away from the gossips of high school. Had spent nights with at the quarry getting high, drinking and talking, listening to mixtapes in each others’ cars. Playflighting about Billy’s love of metal and Steve’s love of anything that wasn’t. Making out in backseats in the rain.

This felt like meeting a stranger.

"I had a feelin' she'd ask you to come," Billy spoke. His voice cracked like it hadn't been used for a while. He raised his head and dared to smile, but it didn't look right. He felt forced and it was too big for his new face. Wasn't bright or menacing. Just felt like a mask. Hiding the pain underneath.

"She tried. Wasn't allowed in." Steve just watched as Billy rolled his shoulders in a silent laugh to himself, pulled his arms up with some effort to rest them on the table. They were lined with white scars and tracks, poked with obvious needle marks. His wrists were thin. Steve could see the tendons shift in the back of his hands when he moved his fingers. Rolled his hands into fists and released.

It made Steve’s heart fall into his stomach.

"H-how have you been?" Steve winced at his own question. It was obvious to see how Billy had been but he couldn't think of anything else to ask. Two days ago he, and the rest of Hawkins, believed Billy had died in Starcourt. The town chose to ignore the whole thing, not knowing the true story. It was just a terrible electrical fire that had spread too wild before it could be controlled. The government forbade Steve from talking to anyone about it aside from his specially appointed therapist once a fortnight.

It didn’t do very much. 

It’s hard to talk through being tortured by Russians in a secret underground base in the town that used to be your home but now just feels like a shell and all the memories you made there feel like lies. It’s hard to talk through fighting monsters and having to make split second decisions to either save your own life or a bunch of kids’ you barely know. It’s hard to talk through nightmares that are just endlessly long tunnels and a snarling noise and rows and rows and rows of teeth dripping slime clamping around your face and eating you alive soft parts first.

It’s hard to talk through losing the one person who understood you inside and out, even if you never completely opened up to them, but you just didn’t have too because you were both on the same page of the same chapter of the same book somehow. And that was all that mattered.

Steve had slowly made peace with the fact he was never going to see Billy again. Quietly. Alone in his home that he now felt like a ghost walking through. Acting like nothing had happened. It had taken months but he was slowly getting over his fear of the dark again. Was getting over waking up alone again.

Seeing Billy though, even as small and un-Billy like as he was sat on the other side of the table in a strange building it had taken three hours driving through the middle of nowhere to get too, with Max in the passenger seat bouncing her knees and going between wanting to throw up, cry or just scream out the window, had ripped open every wound Steve had tried to let heal.

It was the most alive he’d felt since July.

“I’ve been better,” Billy answered, with a small coy smile. “Been worse too.”

Steve blinked and he was back at the mall. Back when it was all over. The air thick with gunpowder and smoke. A single wail of despair echoing from a soul too young to deal with something so horrible.

They were all too young to deal with something so horrible.

Billy on the ground. Lifeless. Nearly torn in two. Cold eyes at the sky. Covered in black and blood. Laying in a puddle of indistinguishable fluid.

Yet here he was. Clean. Breathing. Alive. Eyes still bright despite obvious pain. It was a miracle.

"How?" Was all Steve could think to ask next. 

Billy shrugged, bony shoulders within hospital clothes. A pale mint coloured loose fitting top and matching pants. He didn't have shoes.

"I try not to think about it. They say it's not good for me to think about it. Causes too much stress."

They. The government. Doctors. The Russians. The monsters that could still very well live under Hawkins. The monster that was inside Billy the whole time unseen by those who should have cared enough to notice.

Steve would never forgive himself for that.

"But I fell asleep there. And woke up here. Only way I can put it."

It was November now. Thanksgiving was in two weeks. Billy had been three hours away for five months. If the letter had never been sent no one would have ever known. If Neil had burnt it no one would have ever known. His eyes flashed dull for a moment, dragged down to the table keeping them apart, looking at his own reflection or trying not to get pulled into remembering something awful Steve couldn’t tell.

His fingers itched within the layers of latex. To just reach over and touch and confirm this was all real and not some crazy hallucination. To feel Billy, alive Billy, breathing Billy again. Hold Samson and will his power back. Will all of this to be over for good. Kidnap and smuggle him out of here somehow so they could run away from nightmares and monsters and Hawkins forever. Start again somewhere where it never got cold. Where they could both get tans and be happy.

“Max says hi,” Steve said instead, keeping his hands between his knees. “Well, she says more than hi…”

Billy chuckled like a cough, matching Steve’s eyes. “I figured.” He slowly rubbed his chest like every heartbeat was aching.

Do not ask the patient about any procedures.

You have been asked to come here to stimulate cortexes within the patient’s brain. Sight alone should be sufficient but we understand you may wish to exchange a few words.

“Do you know if you’ll ever be out of here?”

Do not ask any leading questions.

Billy’s face fell. He tapped his fingers on the table. Thinking. His voice was small and sad. 

“No.”

Steve released his hands from being clamped down where it was safe and put them on the table, slowly inched over until it just barely touched Billy’s fingertip. Blue eyes sparkled a little. Felt like home seeing them like that again.

Do not touch the patient.

“I miss you,” he said quietly, forcing down a self pitying sob, focusing straight ahead. He heard a door behind him swing open. Billy rolled his hand over the latex. Squeezed tight. The door behind Billy swung open too. The doctor started coming towards them.

Do not touch the patient.

“I miss you too. Tell Max I love her, okay?” Billy smiled so genuinely as he put his hands up in surrender. Looked like he was practiced in that movement now. He was marched away without a glance back. The door was closed sharply and it was like nothing had ever happened. 

Steve had just spoken to a ghost.

Outside in the car Max was still in the passenger seat, waiting for news. Steve’s hands were even pinker after more decontamination cleaning. They tingled but he still felt the weight of Billy’s hand somehow. Felt the slight compression. She stared wide eyed at him getting in and slipping the keys into the ignition so they could return to Hawkins and pretend none of this had ever happened once again. One more lie wouldn’t hurt.

“He’s okay.” 

[fasalquran]

the fall of america in 2045 Explore the fascinating connection between mathematics, nature, and spirituality in our latest video! Discover how universal mathematical principles like the Fibonacci sequence and the Golden Ratio unveil the beauty of the natural world and reflect deeper spiritual meanings. Dive into the Quran's profound mathematical structure, exhibiting divine design through intricate numerical patterns and symmetrical arrangements. Learn how numbers in the Quran symbolize deeper spiritual concepts, emphasizing balance, moderation, and accountability. Uncover the significance of the numbers seven and nineteen in the Quran and how they inspire a deeper understanding of creation and divine wisdom. Join us on a journey of self-reflection, seeking knowledge, and embodying virtues for a just and sustainable future.#MathAndSpirituality #QuranicMathematics #DivineDesign #FibonacciSequence #GoldenRatio #SpiritualJourney #NumericalPatterns #DivineWisdom #BalanceAndModeration #SustainableFutureIf you enjoyed this video, please like and share with others who might find it insightful!OUTLINE: 00:00:00 Open Letter to Humanity: 00:06:15 The Unseen Language 00:07:26 Echoes in Eternity 00:08:42 The Divine Structure 00:10:04 The Balance of Creation 00:11:13 Numbers in the Quran 00:12:24 Seven Heavens, Seven Earths 00:13:26 The Significance of Nineteen 00:14:49 Reflections in the Mirror of Actions 00:15:55 Towards a Life of Integrity 00:16:55 A Call to Reflection 00:17:57 The Musyaf 00:26:12 the surah of insects 00:34:10 Numerical Analysis in the Quran: Uncovering Meanings and Patterns Through Numbers 00:39:00 the deep abalysis

[jazgarewal]

South Park: Where We Go One Pt. 40

EXT. COURTHOUSE - DAYS LATER There’s a large crowd of Q SUPPORTERS holding various placards supporting Q, or screaming such things as “Patriot Killers!” or “Mother Killers!” and even “Spider Beast Killers!”

The front doors of the court open, releasing a large group of REPORTERS and CAMERAMEN, who surround the five - Kyle, Stan, Leo, Eric and Jimmy - and their respective LAWYERS.

They all keep their heads down as they try to move through the reporters and cameras.

REPORTER 1: What are your feelings now that the grand jury voted to indict?

LAWYER 1 (to the five): Don’t say anything, just keep moving.

REPORTER 2: Do you have anything to say to Q-Baby?

Kyle stops, which surprises everyone, including the reporters.

STAN: Kyle, this isn’t the time.

KYLE: If not now, when?

LAYWER 2: Mr. Broflovski, as your lawyer I strongly advise against this!

ERIC: Goddamnit, Kyle.

Kyle looks out at the reporters and cameras, and then beyond at the protesters.

KYLE: I stand by everything I said on that video. Our lives have constantly been getting worse and we are just as at fault as we are the victims. We all have played our roles, being manipulated to fight against each other and not for each other. And, yet, we don’t realize how bad it’s gotten, because, it’s like looking in a mirror day after day. You don’t see that you’re getting older, just one day, you realize you’re old. The change happens slowly, a deregulation here, a lower corporate tax there. Decommissioned military gear requisitioned for this town’s police, civil forfeiture enacted by that county’s sheriff. In every crises, it’s not the people who are saved, but the corporations who are bailed out, and come out stronger, while the people come out defeated and weakened. And like that, you wake up one day, and realize, hey, we live in a dystopian nightmare. It used to be, when there was something truly evil in this world, we could come together to fight it. But evil learned. It learned that it could put us in a constant state of fear, and turn that fear into anger, then pit that anger against each other. Its unseen hand nudges us here and there, focused on fighting over whether we should listen to scientists, or yelling about who needs to be cancelled next, while that evil continues to grow, and we continue to sink deeper into that anger and despair. It’s time for us to no longer be victims! It’s time for us to no longer bend under that unseen hand! It’s time to fight alongside one another for the good of us all!

A moment as his words finish echoing out.

STAN: Dude, you kinda sound like -

PROTESTOR 1: Q?

PROTESTOR 2: Oh my God!

PROTESTOR 3: It’s Q!

PROTESTOR 4: Where we go one, we go all!

PROTESTOR 5: Let him go!

PROTESTOR 6: Yeah! Free Q!

And the rest of the protestors pick up the “Free Q!” chant.

KYLE: Goddamnit.

DA DADA DADA DA DA DA DA DADA DADA