#free spirit spheres | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

stardewremixed · 6 months ago

Text

So... I was scrolling through fanart which turned into impromptu stream-of-consciousness writing prompts. I hope you like how it turned out.

WARNING: (Mild) smut, references to alcohol, drugs, and smoking. (Does not assume Farmer's gender).

Abigail - Organizes the town charity softball games, breaks a few windows (and a few hearts). Tough girl to hide her insecurities - you know the ones - her parents don't get her or support her and she's lonely as an only child (still living at home with her parents). She has this smug side smile when she's got you right where she wants you and will argue with you over trivial matters because she has to be right. She pitches in when there's a town disaster, the first to roll up her sleeves, not afraid to get dirty and work hard. Would absolutely be the tank in your DnD party. She dominates no matter what sphere she's in, including the bedroom. And Abigail is as wild and adventurous in bed as she is out of it. Oh and you always do it at the farmhouse because she's loud (and her parents are light sleepers).

Penny - shy and sweet as usual, intimidated by the ladies of the town, especially Abigail and Haley. Always carrying books, keeps her head down, and her heart is plagued by being the daughter of an alcoholic and a sailor who abandoned her mom. Dreams of a Beast to rescue her Beauty, would kill (metaphorically) for that library and yellow ball gown, but doesn't actually believe she's that pretty, even though she's stunning and educated and articulate, when she's not stumbling over her words in painful shyness. Reads everything she can get her hands on. Would write a children's novel if she could ever work up the courage to ask Elliott to be her editor. She is the blushy kind of lover and reads up on tips and tries to apply what she's learned. You think it's freaking adorable when she asks for 'sex lessons.'

Haley is not a natural blond (*gasp*) - we know! We were shocked too. She's notoriously vain but it's to make up for the fact that her mother was a supermodel and never had time to be a real mom, so she desperately wants attention and to be noticed as beautiful and worthy. Critiques her nose, the shape of her breasts, her thighs, her brows, her hair style, and hopes to someday love herself as much as her mirror does. Got the Dino tattoo on her lower back as a drunken dare from Emily and now she kinda likes it because it makes her not so perfect for once and that's a relief. She wears the best lingerie - pretty, feminine, lacy. And her fantasy she shares with you after a few too many Cosmopolitans? To do it in front of a full length mirror.

Emily - yes the girl absolutely presses paste jewels on her face because why not? She's the cool big sis (stepsister of Haley). The free spirit. Blue hair. Who cares? Other people's opinions don't really define her. Always wearing multiple necklaces and bracelets and rings. This girl has rings. Believes in crystal healing. Lets her sleeve slip off her shoulder after one too many drinks at half-price karaoke nights. She gives you that side-eye, daring you to take her home. And this girl has got some freaky passion (in a good way of course) and yes, she's flexible. It's not that she is really into one night stands, but she doesn't get hung up on the morality of sex. She just goes where the wind blows and enjoys every moment. No expectations. No labels. Just serious fun.

Maru - is a powerhouse genius with a sort of perma-frown on her face when she's concentrating that's somehow annoyingly cute. It's never quite good enough - whatever she happens to be working on. She has those glorious thick curls always bouncing around as she moves from project to project with eager determination. Summer humidity might create the great frizz storm, but she's too focused to bother taming it. Her rims keep it out of her eyes. Always a gadget or two in this girl's hands and she doesn't mind the Inspector jokes. She is far too serious about science and technology to worry about (or even notice) the random taunts of a more average intelligence population. But just because she's super smart doesn't mean she isn't kind. It just might take her longer to notice you, but that hyperfixation, those beautiful eyes, when they are on you, it's really special.

Leah- when doesn't she have paint on her nose? Dried clay on her clothes? Ink beneath her fingernails? Art is her life and the forest outside her door is a veritable landscape of dreams, the mountain tat on her sleeve a mere imitation. Her thick and wild red braid flows free and swishes back and forth as she moves and every once in a while she gets self-conscious. She knows she is pretty but she would rather have someone notice and appreciate her art. But there's something super sexy about the half-buttoned shirt, suspenders, and the nervous tuck of hair over her ear. People fall in love with her everyday but not everyone stays, as she's learned. Still she perseveres and pursues her love of art, capturing raw, pure moments away from her former bustling city life. When you offered to pose for her and be a subject for her art, it wasn't initially meant to be sexual. But she couldn't hide the flicker of interest in her eyes. And then a few weeks later when you finally kissed good night in her doorway, it was like a fire had been released. You tore each other's clothes off and did it right there standing up, then again halfway to the bed and finally made it to the bed for the third round.

Sebastian - the wild, just-rolled-outta-bed hair that's too long and his mother is always saying he should cut it, but he doesn't listen, just like the warnings she gives about the cigs perched between his lips ("those things will kill ya"). Multiple piercings, skulls on shirts, arm bands, the ripped hoodies - all symbols of his rebellious youth carried on because he can't shake the ghosts of his past. Secretly afraid that he is just a teenage boy trapped in an adult body. Hiding behind clouds of smoke and blue glowing screens make it easier to deal with the fact that he didn't follow his dreams. Freelance programmer. Dungeon master. Designing s video game. Lives in his mom's unfinished basement because it's quiet and Maru used to be scared of the dark. So when he does surface and you remember he's alive, it's actually a big deal. He made an effort and when you thank him, he just shrugs in that sexy casual way and says he wanted to see you today. It's simple but so meaningful. He's quiet but he loves you in simple ways - stealing glances from his computer, using coupons to buy your favorite foods at Pierre's, and delivering a piece of furniture you bought at his mom's shop (and conveniently 'forgot' so he would have to bring it to you, and he knows this and did it anyway). Oh and there was the time your computer crashed in the middle of the night (yes, really) and you were in the middle of applying for a farm grant and thought you lost everything you'd been working on for weeks, and you cried and called him, and he came over to fix it and recovered the data. And you may have made out and landed in bed together after (it was a dark and stormy night and the rain is like an aphrodisiac for you). You apologized a dozen times and said this isn't what you called him for and it wasn't supposed to be a midnight booty call. He laughs and kisses you gently and says he wouldn't have minded it if it was because he's wanted you badly for so long. And you went for round 2.

Sam has so much energy, too much, and he usually channels it into making mix tapes, half-finishing songs, pranking Morris and Shane at JojaMart, and skating half-pipe. But if you thought he was an empty airhead, think again. Behind the beanies, cut off sleeves, and ripped jeans, the crazy hair, and goofy smiles, there's a heart of gold. He will kneel down and tie Vincent's shoes for the five hundredth time, even though his kid bro should know by now how to do it. He'll carry those groceries all the way back to Evelyn's house for her, chattering about animal shapes in the cloud and a wicked sweet song he heard on the radio. Maybe someday he will write a jingle for the airwaves too. He will work a double shift so Shane can take Jas to swim lessons or the dentist or because Marnie was irresponsible again and left his god niece alone again late at night. And he will always buy his friends a round at the Saloon. Even if he's broke and spent all his coin on some vintage rock vinyls and the sugary cereal obsession of the week. He's a kid at heart, but he rocks hard and loves hard. That youthful exuberance is just what you need - bubble baths with rubber ducks, half-burnt pizza, dollar stor rose petals, and (root) beers in bed, making you giggle when he gives you foot massages, and tickling you with his tongue (oh yes, he knows all your sweet spots)!

Harvey may be older and mild-mannered, but he remembers little details about all his patients, whom he has come to know as friends and surrogate family. He never met his dad, his mom passed when he was a kid, and he was raised by his grandpa on canned pork and beans, microwave dinners, and model planes. His grandpa was a man of a few words, but they would paint models every evening. Sometimes they'd go out to the airstrip and watch planes take off and Grandpa would reminisce about the "good Ole days" when he still flew in the Air Force. And he always wore ties so the doc has kept up the tradition, and he still wears the coats with the elbow patches that smell of pipe tobacco and peppermint. And even though grandpa has been gone for a dozen or so years, Harvey still paints models most evenings. And every once in a while, he drives out to that airstrip with you to watch the planes while eating tunafish and pickle sandwiches and sipping wine in paper cups. And when he holds your hand, when he puts his arm around you, when he makes love to you, it's like he fits in your life and your body perfectly. Oh yes! The doctor is in!

Elliott - for all his flowery prose, his day to day speech is actually pretty down to earth once you get to know him. Maybe he comes across as a bit of a snob with his extensive vocabulary, but he really just wants to impress you, not turn you off. He (literally) likes long walks on the beach, dreamy piano sonatas, and long soulful ballads. On Chat nights you can find him loosening his ties, letting his hair down, and kicking back a pint with his BFF at the bar. He is never awake before 9:30 or 10 because his writer brain comes alive late at night. He has a flawless complexion (and he's proud of his skin care and hair routine). Inspiration might strike anywhere so he always carries a pen and notepad in his pocket and says things like "can I quote you on that?" for the Pelican Town Times, a newspaper he's trying to revive and has a circulation of maybe 3 people. He's always publishing poems under a pseudonym but his unpublished novel is his pride and joy and he doesn't let anybody read it so when he finally shares an excerpt with you one day it's a really important moment. And of course, when he does finally publish, the dedication is to you, which will make you cry, and he also dedicate it to the particularly bothersome seagull, which makes you laugh, the one that always squawks at the most inopportune times like when you two are trying to "have a romantic moment." His bed might be a little creaky and his cabin a bit drafty, but he treats you and your body like royalty (and to regular nightly full body massages).

Alex - yeah, he's not a complicated guy. He likes sports, surf, and sun. Granny has been his favorite, the first woman in his heart, and he's kinda spoiled by all her love and attention (yes she still cuts the crusts off his sandwiches and does his laundry), but he isn't a brat. He can fix a leaky roof, a leaky sink, a leaky sprinkler system. He mows the entire practice field at the high school in the spring, rakes leaves in the fall and shovels snow in the winter for his neighbors. He still sells ice cream from time to time in the summer, but usually works as a seasonal lifeguard on Ginger Island. Sure, he might be a bit disconnected and doesn't always know what his partners want, but when he's wrong and you tell him, he admits it. And while he can lift you up on his shoulders so you can pick fruit in the orchard and he has the stamina of a Greek god in bed, he doesn't brag about it (at least not very often). He really just wants to make you happy above all else. Oh and he wants to be a dad someday.

Shane was like a drug, in the beginning - you're addicted to this man, dad bod, scruffy face, and all. You love him in spite of his mean and grumpy exterior. Somehow insults turn into foreplay. Maybe it's toxic but you don't care. This man sets records in bed, and he's not a one-hit wonder. As you start showing him affection and stick around despite his numerous attempts to scare him off, he realizes you're here to stay and maybe he can have something of a life again. So he cleans himself up, goes to therapy, quits drinking, and detoxes. Boy! It's not pretty. But it's worth it to him if it means he can have you. And that makes you love him all the more. Sure he's still addicted to Joja colas, but that's really not so bad. Nothing fazes him. Chasing down cows in a thunderstorm, setting Jas' broken arm, putting out a barn fire, rescuing you from a capsized fishing boat, carrying you out from the mines for the umpteenth time, even a chicken landing on his head while you're discussing favorite sex positions in the garden. Come on. That should have elicted a laugh. He's come a long way from that scowling drunk in the corner at the Saloon who just wanted angry hookup sex. He has become your rock just like you were for him all those years ago.

#stardew valley headcanon #sdv headcanon #stardew remixed #sdv abigail #sdv penny #sdv haley #sdv emily #sdv maru #sdv leah #sdv sebastian #sdv sam #sdv harvey #sdv elliott #sdv alex #sdv shane

109 notes · View notes

teejaystumbles · 1 year ago

Text

For Sandtober #6, "golden", and the Monsterfucktober bingo square "undead", I present you something based on one of the books that left an impression on my teenage mind and now that is all I can think of when I get "bones" and "gold" in relation to one another -

Servant of the Bones AU

In Babylon, about 600 years BC, Hob, a young handsome shepherd, is forced to become the new statue of the god Marduk but through a secret ritual conducted by a witch does not die and is made into an undying spirit who has to serve whoever owns his bones. The witch botches up the ritual and dies, leaving Hob with his mind his own - even if he has to obey the bones’ current master, he is able to think for himself and over the centuries he outsmarts a lot of his crueler masters, leading to their demise and to the box being inscribed with more and more warnings not to summon what is inside.

First AU variant: In 2022, Dream Endlos [lol let’s give him the German name variant for once], a successful author of books and screenplays, buys an old mansion (Fawney Rig) which is full of old occult stuff from the previous owner. While he sorts through the stuff he comes to the conclusion that he’ll have to hire an expert to ascertain the value of a lot of objects. He trips over a box on his way out and it falls over and unlatches, revealing a glimmer of gold inside. Curious, Dream opens it and finds the golden bones of what seems to be a complete human skeleton. The box is inscribed with ancient warnings in almost every language from cuneiform to hieroglyphs to Greek and Latin. Dream is both horrified and fascinated.

He reverently places the bones back inside the box, carefully handles the skull and wonders about the person they belonged to. He goes to bed, his mind spinning with possible scenarios and stories concerning the bones, the box, the warnings. He lies awake for hours. Late at night he gets up again and goes back downstairs. He takes the box back up into his bedroom and sits before it. “Who were you?” he asks the box, and there is a quiet whisper of a man’s voice near his ear. “My name. Is Hob.”

Second AU variant (that I like almost better because I know how it would end):

Burgess gets his hands on the bones after he captures Dream. He uses Hob to try and get Dream to talk, in so far as that he sends him down to talk to Dream and learn his secrets, in the hopes it might work because Hob is a supernatural being. Hob is fascinated with Dream immediately and tells him that he should not talk to him so he won’t have to betray anything to Burgess. “You mustn’t tell me anything important, I cannot lie to my master. If he commands me to tell him what you said I’ll have to answer. But I can tell you about a lot of things, if you’re bored. You must be bored, right?”

Dream is in turn fascinated with Hob and his strange curse and after a while they talk about unimportant things, things they like and dislike, they tell each other stories. Hob tells Dream how he was made into what he is against his will. Dream aches with sympathy. Burgess is frustrated because he gets no results. Maybe he also tries to have Hob use force on Dream but luckily the magic circle and spells make it impossible for Hob to enter the sphere Dream is held in. Events happen like in episode 1, Alex inherits Hob’s bones but barely uses him to do anything because he’s almost more scared of Hob than he is of Dream. Hob talks to Paul more than he talks to Alex and he tries to subtly influence the man to let Dream go. It takes decades but eventually Paul is showing signs of having had enough. Hob warns Dream to be alert and begs him to please take his bones with him if he escapes. Events unfold like in canon and Dream breaks free. He leaves without Hob’s bones, too weak to search for them right away. He knows where they are but he can’t get them without reclaiming his power first.

Hob thinks Dream has left him to his fate and is full of sadness and despair. He returns to the bones, his master caught in an eternal waking nightmare. Paul takes the bones and calls on him to help Alex, but Hob can't help and so he ignores the pleas and doesn't even manifest. Paul is frustrated and puts the bones into a safe and out of his mind. When Dream has got the sand, helm and ruby back he goes back to Fawney Rig and searches for Hob. He finds his bones and takes them with him to the Dreaming, putting them into his own private rooms. Hob does not answer him and Dream pleads for forgiveness and begs Hob to come back to him. Only when he places a kiss on the forehead of the golden skull do the bones start to vibrate and come together and Hob is able to form himself a new body, with the help of the power of the Dreaming, a body that holds his bones and is free of the box so he will not be bound to any master ever again. :)

#technically the servant is a genie/spirit but I still count him as undead because of the bones I hope that's fine #sandtober2023 #monsterfucktoberbingo #dreamling #the sandman fanart #teejaystumbles #the sandman fanfiction #teejay writes

256 notes · View notes

talonabraxas · 5 days ago

Text

“It is necessary for the mind to become free of the illusions of this world and become a fine and marvelous instrument of the Inner Being.” — Samael Aun Weor

Kabbalah: The Three Triads Talon Abraxas

The Kabbalistic Tree of Life

The Kabbalistic tree of life is an ancient and profound diagram that is intimately related with alchemy, tarot, numerology, Hebraic wisdom, and astrology. A basic understanding and orientation to the map of the tree of life is useful to guide us in our inner work.

The key to studying Kabbalah is in the development of intuition, imagination and inspiration, in order to work with these cosmic forces in a practical manner and not get lost in intellectualism.

Practical Kabbalah

To truly know Kabbalah, to practice it, is to walk the initiatic path.

To incarnate the fruits of the tree of life requires an esoteric and psychological work. To move beyond our selfish nature, to love and sacrifice for others, always remembering shekinah, the divine grace, the gift of God.

Each sephirah, each pathway, each dimension, each pillar, is a lifetime of study and reflection unto itself. The focus of this article is the three triads that divide the nine superior sephiroth into three basic levels.

Logoic Triangle

The topmost triad is the logic, or supernal, triangle. The holy trifecta of Father, Son, Holy Spirit, also known as Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, or Osiris, Isis and Horus.

This triad contains the mystery of the trimurti or the trifecta in Christianity. Chokmah, the Christ, is an unfoldment from Kether, the Father. Binah, the Divine Mother is an unfoldment of the Christ.

Ethical Triangle

The middle triad is the ethical triangle. Revolutionary ethics have nothing to do with right and wrong as we understand it, but always working to have the will of God prevail, to allow the divine influences to guide the lower.

In this triad contains the sephiroth called Chesed, Geburah and Tiphareth. Here is the mystery of the human soul united to the divine soul, something that happens at a certain stage of initiation, a wedding of the soul to the spirit.

Samael Aun Weor writes in his book, The Initiatic Path in the Arcana of Tarot and Kabbalah that while the human soul, which is masculine, works, the divine soul, which is feminine, plays. This is the union of love that everyone on earth is truly searching for.

The sephiroth Geburah and Chesed represent the balance of justice and mercy. Justice without mercy is tyranny; mercy without justice is anarchy.

Magical Triangle

The lowest triad is the magical triangle, consisting of the mental, astral and vital worlds.

The sephiroth called Netzach, Hod and Yesod.

We who have our center of gravity in the physical world can access these higher planes only by uniting our vital force, intention and mind toward the divine. Here is the bridge to access the will of our Being, and the wisdom and love of God. This is the realm of ritual which is an act that vibrates into other dimensions.

Malkuth

Malkuth is the physical plane. Malkuth is a fallen sephirah.

It is the “wilderness” where Adam and Eve (the Lemurian humanity) were cast after they had eaten the fruits of the tree of knowledge and broken the law of God.

There are 48 cosmic laws in Malkuth, 24 laws in Hod, 12 in Netzach, and only 1 law: law of love, in Kether.

In Malkuth we have a much greater struggle against materialism to find the spiritual, which is understood with a study of the tree of knowledge. We stand on the brink of heaven and hell.

Above us is Yesod, the 9th sphere, the vital sexual force, the way off of the tree. Below us is the Klipoth, the shadow realms, where there are more laws, more darkness, more conditioning.

25 notes · View notes

ross-hollander · 2 months ago

Text

Band name potential:

(As assessed by my opinion alone, I am not the definite call here.)

Star League ★★

Federated Suns ★

Lyran Commonwealth ★

Draconis Combine ★★★★ (puts me in mind of some kind of fantasy rock group, like Falconshield or Grailknights)

Capellan Confederation ★

Free Worlds League ★★★ (some potential, mostly so-so; I would say faux-80s-synth if I had to pick)

Taurian Concordat ★★

Magistracy of Canopus ★

Raven Alliance ★★

Rasalhague Dominion ★

Wolf ★

Wolf in Exile ★★★★★ (I mean just listen to the name, it is practically meant for a band shirt)

Wolf Empire ★★★ (it is okay but lacks a certain character)

Smoke Jaguar ★★ (if anything, probably dubstep)

Sea Fox ★

Jade Falcon ★★

Hell's Horses ★★

Scorpion Empire ★★★★★ (probably metal, but like groove metal, a dynamic, heavy sound)

Republic of the Sphere ★★

ComStar ★★

Blessed Order ★★★★★ (I want to say symphonic metal but that's just because I like symphonic metal stuff)

Kell Hounds ★★

Snord's Irregulars ★★★ (either something like Clown Core or possibly a polka group)

Wolf's Dragoons ★

Northwind Highlanders ★★★ (all but definitely a 'Celtic folk metal' group)

Eridani Light Horse ★

Additions:

Gray Death Legion ★★★★ (solid stuff right there)

Blood Spirit ★★★★

Burrock ★★ (if you spelled it in all capitals, like BURROCK, it would definitely be a thrash or death metal group, four stars)

Steel Vipers ★★★★★ (tossup between glam metal and post-grunge, purely on the vibes)

Legion of Vega ★★ (weirdly, in-universe, probably a solid four stars because of the 'grungy washouts' lore)

#rh.txt #3151posting #battletech #mechwarrior #battletech clans #battletech mercenaries #battletech memes #battletech meme #I am not tagging every single Inner Sphere faction

30 notes · View notes

cyberclouddream · 2 months ago

Text

Mutable Signs through the Angular Houses

our drive to adapt

The Mutable Signs

Gemini: our drive to gather and share information; the need to stay mentally stimulated and connected with others; to establish a versatile and engaging environment where we can explore and communicate freely

Virgo: our drive to analyze and improve; the need for order and efficiency in our surroundings; to establish a space where precision and practicality are valued and where we can focus on detail-oriented tasks

Sagittarius: our drive to seek adventure and expand horizons; the need for freedom and exploration; to establish an environment that fosters growth, learning, and new experiences

Pisces: our drive to connect on an emotional and spiritual level; the need for empathy and creativity; to establish a space where we can explore our dreams and feelings freely and find solace in compassion

Core Similarities: they’re all about adaptability and change; they thrive on flexibility and are quick to respond to change; they seek to understand and navigate the ever-shifting landscape of life

Core Differences: Gemini adapts by collecting and exchanging information; Virgo adapts through analyzing and improving processes; Sagittarius adapts through exploring and avoiding restrictions; Pisces adapts by finding ways to go with the flow and blend in

The Angular Houses

These houses are the foundational pillars of our life, representing where our identity, responsibilities, and interactions play out. They indicate how we navigate public and public roles, and how we structure our experiences and ambitions.

1st House: how we present ourselves to the world and how we perceive our identity; our default mode for operating, the inherent traits and qualities that define our approach to life; our general attitude towards new experiences; how we want others to see us; how we initiate and sustain action

4th House: the roots of our upbringing and the foundation of our emotional security; how our family background impacts our sense of stability and security, along with our worldview; how we experience the end of our life; how we create our own home life, how we wish to live our later years and what we wish to leave behind; where we find solace

7th House: our approach to cooperation and conflict; the kind of people we attract in our lives and qualities we seek in others; how we handle interactions with significant others; how we engage with romantic partnerships, business alliances, or close personal relationships; our approach to formal agreements

10th House: our approach to authority and our reputation; how we plan for our future concerning society dynamics; our drive for success and our long-term goals, ambitions, and achievements; challenges we face in our professional life; how we strive to make a mark and achieve recognition; how we handle responsibility and how we’re perceived in the public sphere

Through the Rising Signs

Gemini Ascendants come off curious and restless, always needing something new. Deep down, they need order and structure at home [ Virgo IC ], even though they can obsess over keeping everything perfect. They attract partners who are wild and free-spirited [ Sagittarius Descendant ], which forces them to loosen up and stop trying to control everything. When it comes to their career [ Pisces MC ], they don’t care much for traditional success—they’re more focused on finding meaning through creative or spiritual paths, even if it means things get a little messy or unclear.

Virgo Ascendants project a no-nonsense, detail-driven image, but their heart craves the thrill of exploration and freedom [ Sagittarius IC ]. They need room to breathe and expand beyond their meticulously organized life. In relationships, they’re irresistibly drawn to partners who are deep, emotional, and delightfully unpredictable [ Pisces Descendant ], forcing them to shed their need for control and embrace the magic of uncertainty. Professionally, they shine in roles that ignite their curiosity and demand quick thinking [ Gemini MC ], thriving in vibrant, ever-changing environments that keep their mind buzzing and their spirit engaged.

Sagittarius Ascendants come off as bold and endlessly curious, always chasing new adventures. But they need a solid, practical home base [ Pisces IC ] to feel secure, even if it clashes with their desire for freedom. In relationships, they attract partners who are chatty and mentally stimulating [ Gemini Descendant ], forcing them to keep up with fast-paced, dynamic interactions. Professionally, they excel in jobs that require precision and meticulousness [ Virgo MC ], thriving in structured settings where their detail-oriented nature can make a real impact.

Pisces Ascendants seem ethereal and empathetic, but they need a solid, practical home base [ Gemini IC ] to feel grounded. In relationships, they attract partners who are practical and detail-oriented [ Virgo Descendant ], which forces them to confront their own escapist tendencies and get real. Professionally, they thrive in careers that offer big-picture thinking and room for growth [ Sagittarius MC ], needing a job that lets them explore and expand without being bogged down by details.

#astrology #astrology observations #sidereal astrology #traditional astrology #gemini rising #virgo rising #Sagittarius rising #pisces rising #angular houses #mutable signs

26 notes · View notes

boinkingbattlemechs · 3 months ago

Text

Marauder IIC

One of the most notable IIC BattleMechs, the Marauder IIC is based upon one of the most iconic 'Mechs in existence, the Marauder.

Touted as one of the most effective 'Mechs of all time, the Marauder saw wide usage during the Star League era by all the Great Houses. The design was also much favored by both the Star League Defense Force's Regular and Royal units as well as its famed Gunslingers, with many examples taken on Operation EXODUS. The belief that the Marauder was a precursor to a new 'Mech design paradigm disappeared in the Inner Sphere as the Succession Wars dragged on; however, in the same year as the Second Succession War broke out the Clans developed a followup to the venerable design, later dubbed the Marauder IIC, representing the pinnacle of Clan weapons technology prior to the advent of the OmniMech. Like other IIC designs, visual similarities between it and its predecessor initially led ComStar to incorrectly label the design as a mere refit of the original.

It is to the credit of its original engineers that no new production variants of the Marauder IIC appeared until a wellspring of new technology emerged in the 3050s and '60s, with Clan Star Adder introducing a visually refreshed model carrying the then-newly developed Heavy Lasers that quickly spread to the Cloud Cobras, Goliath Scorpions, Snow Ravens, Blood Spirits and Diamond Sharks. The efforts of the mercantile Sharks would result in the further spread of the design to the Inner Sphere-based Invading Clans, followed by Clans Jade Falcon and Ghost Bear introducing new Marauder IIC variants and constructing new production lines for them on Sudeten and Satalice respectively during the Word of Blake Jihad.

As with the Warhammer IIC, the Marauder IIC is ten-tons heavier than its Inner Sphere progenitor, pushing it into the assault weight class, but otherwise the design matches the original's ground speed through the use of a 340-rated standard fusion engine. Though both designs carry eleven and half tons of armor, the Marauder IIC's use of more advanced ferro-fibrous plating gives it superior protection, with an endo steel frame freeing up weight. While structurally the Marauder IIC appears to offer little advantage over the LosTech refitted Marauders introduced by the Successor States, the blatant superiority of Clan weaponry allows the design to pound its opponents to pieces in short order.

Built around the Extended-Range Particle Projector Cannon, one of the most powerful weapons in the Clan arsenal, the Marauder IIC's weapon layout is typical of the standard Marauder, each pod-like forearm carrying an ER PPC paired with Medium Pulse Lasers. Where the Marauder IIC differs is with its torso weaponry, replacing the top-mounted autocannon and its vulnerable ammunition-feed linkage with another ER PPC, and adding a set of four ER Small Lasers. Twenty-one double heat sinks keep heat levels manageable, with an enterprising MechWarrior able to use volley fire to keep up a steady barrage of fire.

#battletech #mechwarrior #battletech smash or pass #mecha #tumblr polls

25 notes · View notes

imthepunchlord · 19 days ago

Note

Awww I just realized after the last few anons and rereading what you’ve previously said about Lucee helping to give Gina wings and inspiring her to travel freely (minus the time she had Tom) that Lucee and Marianne would’ve been the first and second line of defense as Gina’s support group while she was going through what is most likely the worst patch of her entire life. Given the time period, she probably wouldn’t have been ABLE to leave Roland and get full custody of Tom while he was still a minor, so I totally get why she stayed with him both in the Bugettes AU and in canon, but that doesn’t make it suck any less to live through. I bet Lucee stayed with Gina for a long time afterwards when she first began her travels to make sure she properly healed before going separate ways and wishing each other well. I didn’t know that Gina went by her maiden name in-show before that anon brought it up; it was revealed in Miraculous Paris in Sabine’s contact list to be Bianchi (a plural of bianco which is "white" in Italian), neat! In this AU, I can totally see her wearing her prism design t-shirt (with the white light entering on side of a sphere and a ray of colors coming out of another side) as homage to the Miraculous fairies and how Lucee especially helped her out. Speaking of Lucee, I can also totally see her having Cursed Roland without his knowledge right after both Tom and Gina had left him like “Oh no, you don’t get to make MY chosen’s and HER son’s lives miserable for two decades, not even have the base decency to feel guilty or remorseful, and get off with no further comeuppance. May You Forever Live in the Shadow Cast by Tom Dupain’s Light.” And by the start of the Bugettes AU’s main plot, this has of course manifested as Roland’s bakery fading into obscurity once Tom and Sabine opened theirs and became vastly popular, them being happily married for 20 years while Gina hasn’t once reached out to him since their divorce, them having a beautiful, sweet and talented daughter who he never got to meet much less have a relationship with, etc.

I've actually come to a different speculation on the Dupain family dynamic, with it being more complicated than Rolland's the outright villain.

I'm under the belief that Gina and Rolland had a one night stand, she wound up pregnant, and traditionalist Rolland wanted them married to raise the kid together, and Gina agreed cause this is a kid she's about to bring into their world.

Only it's not exactly a great union between them given Gina's a free spirit while Rolland is a strict traditionalist. It's a major conflict of just who they are.

And based on what's given in canon, Tom probably was much closer with his father than his mother, given he doesn't seem happy to see Gina when she comes to visits. And based on what we see, she means well and does love her family, but there's also a disconnect and she has a hard time keeping up with them and what's going on. So my guess is that Gina was a more absent parent while Rolland was actually there for Tom. It could also add to Tom becoming a baker, created through that closeness with his father.

Only Tom married Sabine (and changed how he made bread) and there was a very bad fall out between the two with Rolland disapproving (and the messy set up of Rolland either implied to be racist or he stopped talking to his son over bread).

And then there's Sabine, who lost her parents, would want to see family together as she knows that ache of losing family. So she connects well with Gina, and this whole dynamic is probably why Sabine became an angel and Tom became coal in Befana.

And Sabine knows how close Tom and Rolland were, which is why she wishes they could reconnect.

Instead of Rolland being the villain of it all, I think it's just messy people being messy. Rolland does look the worst out of all Dupains (as he either was a racist or he just straight up stopped talking to his son over a bread recipe), but from what I hear, he also really steps up to change and improve. I have some ML buddiese who have watched more of the show and do like him.

I also will say I haven't thought about Gina's history all that much. Most I have is potentially the possibility that her family fled from Italy to France but got caught up in the invasion of Paris. And Gina met Lucee with a goal to reignite Gina's inner flame, and inspire others, to be a guiding light, to inspire hope.

Though at this time, I can't say how long Lucee would've stayed with Gina, same goes for Pollen and Marianne.

#ask Puchie #bugettes au #duapin family

13 notes · View notes

rastronomicals · 11 days ago

Photo

12:16 AM EST November 20, 2024:

Rush - "The Sphere A Kind Of Dream" Live at Pinkpop Festival, Landgraaf, Netherlands (Recorded June 4, 1979)

Last song scrobbled from iTunes at Last.fm

Having talked some shit about "The Trees", I figured I'd write with your kind permission a little something more complimentary about another part of Hemispheres. Can I talk about "The Sphere A Kind of Dream?"

The sixth part of the sidelong title track is so beautiful it nearly leaves me wrecked. You know how you sing along? I mean, we all sing along, right? Well, I can never get through the last part of "Cygnus X-1 Book Two." My voice always cracks, and I give it up. It's so stunning, it leaves me wondering how *Geddy Lee* can even get through it.

If you can argue that Hemispheres is the apex of Rush albums--and that's an argument I'm highly sympathetic to*--then it seems to me that "The Sphere" is the apex of Hemispheres. "Circumstances" was a nice single, "The Trees" is an anthem but also problematic, "La Villa Strangiatto" is a technical showpiece, but the band admitted right there on the album it's an "exercise in self-indulgence."

Yes, "Armageddon The Battle of Heart and Mind" has those incredible zigzag guitars and that amazing first verse. But "The Sphere" is the capstone to it all, in theme and in exquisite, gorgeous melody.

We can walk our road together If our goals are all the same We can run alone and free If we pursue a different aim

Let the truth of Love be lighted Let the love of Truth shine clear Sensibility Armed with sense and liberty

With the Heart and Mind united In a single Perfect Sphere

_______________ * If you think about it, Hemispheres is like Slayer's Reign in Blood: an album so masterful and so extreme that its creators knew that further forays in its direction were doomed to failure. So they didn't even try; instead each band just changed direction.

Permanent Waves is still proggy--but not like Hemispheres is. Permanent Waves introduced a ballad with "Different Strings" and "The Spirit of Radio" was designed to be a hit along the medium it was named for. Similarly, with South of Heaven, Slayer knew there was no way they could get faster, so they cut the tempos in half, and picked up the technical aspects.

File under: Codas

#Rush #Live at Pinkpop Festival Landgraaf Netherlands #The Sphere A Kind Of Dream

12 notes · View notes

artificial-transmutations · 2 years ago

Text

Max' Journey - End times (Part 2)

Although both men didn't get too much sleep last night, Max felt way more fit and energetic than Antorn. His new cyborg body gave him a near limitless supply of energy. It was a bit hard for him to concentrate on the discussion, since his cock was still half-stiff and leaking precum into his metal "underwear" armor, but the worst waves of hornyness had passed. Now, that he was in fighting shape, the three scientists and him discussed their strategy.

Luckily, the complete lack of fighting spirit that led to the alien's problem free conquest of the earth also meant they wouldn't be expecting any resistance. However, from the moment on that Max attacked, he would need to move fast, to reach the alien leader before they could assemble a force capable of stopping him. If that happened, not only would the only hope of humanity have failed, but also the small cell of free humans Max was currently hidden with would be detected before long.

So, the plan they came up with was that Max moved quickly and ruthlessly through the aliens he encountered before he met their leader. He would kill him while recording the whole scene with his internal cameras and Edan and the other two scientists would use that recording to create the myth of Max being an absolutely unstoppable force, capable of wiping out every living alien on the planet. That way, hopefully, the aliens would release humanity and flee.

It was a bluff, but it was their only chance. Even though Max felt like he could take on the world, objectively he knew he couldn't fight every alien on the planet. So, they had to make them think he could, painting Max even bigger than he already was.

The central command complex was nearby. It was one of the spherical ships that one day just appeared out of thin air on the planet’s surface. Pitifully little was known about the aliens themselves. They hid their faces and bodies in exosuits with a singular headlight on their foreheads. From what information they had gathered, the suits were suitable for protection against harsh environments, leading to speculations about the aliens home world having a different atmosphere.

That however did nothing to explain why there were so many aliens here or where they came from in the first place. The spherical ships they appeared in did not appear to be capable of space travel at all, which meant that the aliens used some kind of teleportation technology.

It was a risky endeavor, even more so as they knew so little about the enemy. But being the only choice, they had, it was easy to make.

So, with the first light of the next day, they travelled to the central command ship in a sleek floating vehicle. Max could see some enslaved humans with alien overseers on their way, but nobody paid too much attention to their vehicle. They landed only a few hundred meters away from the big sphere of the central command ship. It was made out of a similar material as the buildings and the vehicle Max was sitting in. The entrance, however, was open and a ramp was leading up into the ship. Left and right of the ramp, there were guarding aliens, equipped with some kind of rifle each.

This was it. When he stepped out of their vehicle, Max would immediately need to start running and fighting, only stopping when he had killed their leader. Even though his cyborg body was big and impressive, Max felt his knees get weak.

"Are you ready?" asked Sirah.

"As I'll ever be", said Max.

"Good luck", said Edan. "And don't forget to start the recording."

Max nodded and did so immediately. Then, without losing any more time, he opened the door and began to sprint towards the ramp. He saw both guards turn around to face him, but none of them fired at him yet. Instead, they aimed their weapons straight at his chest, probably too surprised by his sudden appearance to act immediately.

He reached the ramp and started to run up it. Now, one of the aliens hit the trigger and a bolt of energy hit Max' energy shield with a fizzing sound. He didn't even stop but instead jumped a gigantic leap powered by his leg servos, tackling away the first alien and grabbing his weapon in the process. In the same movement, he turned around and shot an energy bolt at the other one, who had not been so lucky to have an energy shield.

The alien screamed and fell down the ramp, hurt or killed. Max didn't care and sprinted towards the entrance of the ship now, astonished by his own speed and agility. He was moving faster than anything he had seen before. The ramp itself was wide enough for three people side-by-side to walk up comfortably, but he easily cleared it in a single jump.

Now inside the ship, he found himself in a maze of corridors and rooms. Most of the ones he encountered first were empty and only a few aliens stood guard here and there. Max had no trouble overwhelming them, but he knew well that time was working against him. By now, there would surely be an alarm already, and a larger force would be forming to stop the intruder. It was crucial that he reached the alien leader before they found him, but he had no idea where to go. The ship was huge! He needed some means of orientation.

He noticed several doors leading into small rooms and decided to check if there was something interesting behind them. One room contained only a computer terminal with a strange symbol on it, another was completely empty. In the third room, however, he found what he was looking for: A large map showing the whole ship. He only took a quick look at it and trusted in his remnant cave man instincts to find the best path to the command bridge.

As he came nearer, the number of aliens on his way increased and they became more organized. He still was able to take out the small groups of them without getting hurt, but it cost him more time. Finally, he found himself against a whole dozen of the exosuit-clad people in front of a large reinforced door. This must be where he needed to go.

He charged through them, firing energy bolts left and right. Two of them went down quickly, but two others blocked his way. The next moment, Max realized he wouldn't be able to reach the door without going past them. Like in Waterloo, he threw his rifle at one of them with full force and switched to hand-to-hand combat. His shield emitters burnt hot on his chest, as the energy shield absorbed more and more shots directed at him. He needed more! His insides came alive with blasting heat again, as the nanobots inside his body mobilized every bit of energy available to him, possibly even burning parts of his own body for it. With a fizzing sound, his shield emitter broke down, a thin bit of smoke coming from it. The next energy bolt would hit him instead!

Max ducked under the arm of one of his opponents, grabbed him by the neck and headbutted him with all his might. The alien's helmet dented he fell to the ground, but Max was already in front of the next opponent. As he broke his neck, Max felt a hot bit of pain on his left arm, as an energy bolt had melted a piece of his body armor. The molten metal burnt into his flesh, but Max couldn't stop now. He took the body of the alien he just killed and threw it towards the one that just shot at him. It smashed into the enemy's chest plate, breaking it and sending the alien flying back. Max followed him up and landed a knee strike on his groin. The alien flew backwards and crashed into a wall, leaving a dent in it.

A few more brutal seconds later, there were no more aliens around him that posed any danger. Some were still alive and groaning, crawling away, but Max didn't have time to deal with them. Instead, he gathered all his strength and, by overloading his leg augmentations, launched himself against the reinforced door.

It didn't break open and hurt like hell, but its hinges gave out and the door swung half-open. Max kicked it fully open and rushed inside, ready to face whatever awaited him.

He expected a whole lot of aliens inside this room but was surprised to find it almost completely empty. In the middle of the large room, there was a desk and behind that desk, there was one single alien in his exosuit looking at Max. Since he couldn't see the alien's face, Max wasn't sure if the alien was surprised or even fearful. It didn't matter. This whole thing would soon be over.

As Max stepped closer, unstoppable like a freight train, the alien raised a hand. He was not armed, Max noticed.

"Wait!" said the alien. "Don't kill me."

The voice sounded afraid and spoke the language perfectly.

"I will remove my helmet, I just want to talk." said the voice. Was this some kind of trick to stall him? But there were no sounds of more forces from behind, so Max stopped in front of the desk, carefully watching for any weapons. However, the alien just continued as announced and removed the helmet with a hissing sound. Max was surprised to see the entirely human face of a tired looking woman beneath it. She looked older than Max' mother and her eyes looked sad and tired.

"You are very fast", she said. "I never saw anyone move that quickly before."

"Who are you?", asked Max.

"My name is Galya Fell. I am the leader of the exodus expedition."

"Exodus?"

"Yes. We are here to save humanity from extinction. If you let me, I will explain everything to you. You have any right to kill me afterwards, I guess. You have nothing to fear. I told my men to stand down already."

Max nodded. He didn't know what else to do. He was confused by this turn of events but his experiences navigating the 1920s society told him, that there was a whole new layer of complexity to unfold. "Make it quick!" commanded Max and kept vigilant.

Galya gulped and started speaking.

"We are humans, just as you, and we come from earth as well, just a... another earth. From a parallel reality where things went a bit differently. You see, humanity is on the brink of extinction there. Our continuous exploitation of natural resources and unstopped natural disasters caused by uncontrollable atmospheric heating made most of the planet uninhabitable over the last centuries. Wars broke out over the last resources and inhabitable lands, and now, all that is left are a few hundred thousand people. Luckily, our scientists came up with a solution. They discovered a technology that would allow us to travel to other realities. We were hoping of finding an uninhabited version of earth to settle down there. But every single version we scouted had humans on them and our time was running out. So, in order to survive, we found that we had no other choice but to invade one of our neighbor worlds. Naturally, we chose the most peaceful one. That was this world. "

Galya looked defeated. "I had my doubts in the beginning, but when the continued existence of our human civilization is at stake, a lot of difficult decisions begin to become really easy. At the end, we could live on by coming here, but we had no right to do the things we did. I see that now. So, today is the day that I knew was coming since four years ago, the day the consequences of our actions are catching up to us. I... we are at your mercy here. You cannot escape fate, so much is clear to me now."

Max felt sickened by what he heard. The actions of those other humans were despicable to the bone, that was clear. But they saw no other way to survive than to take away someone else's home and life. And yet, he still felt guilty about killing these people who had done nothing wrong themselves. He wanted to ask Galya how she could have allowed herself to commit such atrocities, but he also understood why she did it on the same time. It must have been hard for her to make that decision and knowing that she would probably die anyway made it easier to give up on her own morals.

"I'm sorry", said Max simply.

He was stunned silent for a good minute before asking: "Is everyone thinking like you do? Will they stand down and let themselves be brought to justice like you?"

"No." answered Galya sadly. "Most of them are desperate for survival and will do everything. If you kill me now, there might be a chance they flee to another world, but I don't think there is anything to gain by reasoning with them."

This wasn't fair! Why did Max have to decide for a whole world of people here and now? This wasn't even his time! Perhaps he could reach the scientists that brought him here, but they, too didn't appear to be the right people for making such a decision. They weren't big on morals, they were only good at problem solving.

Or perhaps...

Suddenly, Max got an idea.

"I think, there might be another way of resolving that. We need to bring in some friends of me."

***

"I suppose it *is* possible" said Sirah, skeptically. "But why do we need to involve ourselves in this mess?"

"Because if we don't," explained Max, "There will be more bloodshed. The invaders from the other world won't step down as easily as Galya did and you guys don't fight."

"Well, even if we do, it is dangerous for the fabric of reality itself. Or perhaps it isn't. We could not find out and there is literally no practical research." Edan stated.

"But only for *their* reality", said Antorn, who was already convinced. "I think that is a fair punishment for what they did to us. Besides, I'm fairly confident it won't be so bad. Max here has left his footsteps in history, and it didn't change much as far as we know. Perhaps it won't even work, but I don't think there is harm in trying."

"So, you are suggesting that we use your time travel technology to prevent us from ruining our planet centuries ago? Won't that lead to paradoxes?"

Sirah shook her head violently and rolled her eyes. "No, since you're not in the same frame of reference. It's a clever combination of our technologies, really. You go back to your reality, travel back in time and make stuff right. Of course, you are locked to your original timeline by the matrices, so if you were to return to your relative present, it would not have changed anything. That doesn't hold true for the rest of your people, though, since they are not in the same reality that you are altering. If they switch back after you have departed, they should arrive in the new version created by your actions."

Max' head was swimming, but apparently Sirah had already seen through the concept. She was really exceptionally bright.

"That... might work" said Galya slowly. "If we can promise them the return to a healed home world, everyone would be glad to leave you alone. Let's do this."

***

It took some months to create another time travel device and calibrate it to key events in the other realities history. As Galya promised, the solution appeared like the best option to all exodus people, and they stood down after a touching speech from Galya.

Max was celebrated as a hero during all that time and experienced the wonders of the future and all the comforts and amenities an advanced society could give him. During all that time he still had his hyper-masculine cyborg body and put it to good use.

However, the day after Galya, and shortly after, her people left this world, the three scientists who welcomed him to this time spoke to Max again.

"Well, the time to say goodbye comes closer." Said Edan in his usual complicated pattern of speech.

"You may of course stay here with us, but I think after all these adventures, you want to return to your own time and body once and for all." Said Sirah, smilingly. "I have built another time travel device, with just a single use. No more time travel after that - it makes things way too complicated."

"And we have come to the conclusion that this course of history is next to ideal", Edan added. "Changing something in our history could have unwanted results. "

"So, are you ready to go home", asked Antorn warmly.

Max was silent for a moment. Of course, he had thought a lot about going home in the previous months. But...

"Can I... go somewhere else instead?", Max asked, slowly.

"Ohh, I so knew it!" cheered Antorn.

"In short, yes." stated Sirah. "However, this will be a one-way-trip. Wherever you decide to go, you are going to be stuck there. If you want to return to your Viking lover, you can do so, but that's it. No more wonders of technology for you, no more Sweden or Canada or whatever."

"Actually, that's not entirely true.", Antorn said, now with a serious face again. "Do you remember, what I said about administering body-enhancing nanobots to someone and the difficult ethical situation around it?"

Max nodded.

"Well, part of it, the important part really, is, that the bots won't let you age properly. They always restore the cells back to a youthful state. Of course, at some point, the bots cease to function and can't keep up anymore, but... that takes some time."

"How long?"

"Well, that's a bit difficult to predict, since it hasn't happened yet since the invention of that stuff. But I guess... One, maximum two thousand years?"

Max looked at him stunned. "I'm not going to die for two thousand years?"

"Not from old age at least. I mean, you probably can you know, but you won't age for that time."

"Oh okay." Max said. He didn't expect that.

"My point being: With a bit of patience, you can go to Thjodolf’s time and still live to see your own time again. It might be a rather long stay, though." Antorn ended.

All three of them looked at Max expectantly. He took a moment and then made a decision.

"Alright. I need two favors of you.", he said.

It only took Sirah another day to reconfigure her matrices to Max' new destination and to tell the algorithm his request.

"You know guys", Max said, as he stood in front of the sleek device, "I'm going to miss you. I mean, you completely changed my life, but, in the end, I'm very happy about it. Perhaps it was fate that we met", he said with a wink.

"Oooh, that's a good name for the time travel algorithm. Fate. I like it.", mumbled Sirah absentmindedly.

"Now, remember. No big changes." Edan had a stern face. "I trust in your judgement here!".

Max nodded and grabbed the small metal vial from the table. "I promise. Well. I guess, this is farewell."

He pressed the single green button on the device and another portal appeared in the room, stable and swirling slowly. Max turned around again and waved goodbye, which was mirrored by the three scientists. Then, he took a deep breath and stepped into the portal.

Max arrived in the Viking age exactly one second after his previous self had stepped through the portal. He didn't use any time. His first request had been to keep his cyborg for a few minutes after he arrived. These minutes were more than enough to drive away the 'evil ones', the raiders attacking Thjodolf's village, for good. He made such an entrance that nobody ever dared to lay hand on these lands ever again.

His body was already changing back into that of the Viking warrior he left as, as he ran towards his lover. He couldn't believe his eyes, as Max had already returned, merely a second after he had gone. Still, it felt like so much time has passed between those two moments that Thjodolf was just happy to see him again.

Max stayed in the Viking village and with his lover forever. Well, forever is an awfully big word, but here, it might be nearer to the truth than at other times. Max had brought one more dose of the body-enhancing nanobots and, after explaining everything to Thjodolf, they decided to stay together for a really long, long time. Max was just so happy. After all his journey, he had finally found his fate.

I'm so happy for Thjodolf and Max! If you're with someone you love, every moment can feel like a thousand years of bliss.

If you want to read the whole story from the beginning, go here. The first part of the finale can be found here.

#male transformation #time travel #Max Journey #future #cyborg #nordic #viking #happy ending

234 notes · View notes

driftward · 3 months ago

Text

Title: FFXIV Write 2024 - 5. Stamp Characters: Reinhardt Sauvetarre, Zoissette Vauban Rating: Teen Summary: Paid for delivery and boy is Reinhardt paying for it Notes: Weird Wild West AU this is a Desertwalkers story

Reinhardt was having a difficult day.

He wasn't having a bad day, not exactly. It wasn't good, either, but it wasn't bad. Just a difficult sort of day. A very difficult sort of day, the sort of day that tested his patience and made him wonder if there were some unseen spirits whose job it was to make his life more difficult.

The mission description was certainly simple enough. Intercept a package, inspect its contents, and bring that knowledge back to the garrison, where someone else could determine if it contained actionable intelligence or evidence of certain activities out in the wilds. It was difficult, maintaining a military presence on the frontier. The very, very large frontier they could not hope to possibly patrol in full, and it behooved them to take what advantages they could.

The details where were things got sticky. The package would be going through the Saltlick's courier network, and that meant going through Klynt's sphere of influence, which was not great for Reinhardt. He did not like that his work life was risking having him act at cross purposes to his personal life. What was worse was that Zoissette, apparently, was the courier.

He had hoped to keep an eye out, and to see if he could spot the exact dead drop location, and perhaps be able to get away with just reporting that to his superiors. That was actionable intelligence, which they would hopefully be satisfied with, and more importantly that would keep him from coming into any sort of direct confrontation with the courier, the package, or Klynt's attention. Somebody else could pull the mission to handle any follow-up on the dead drop, and he would be free to continue to pretend that his job was compatible with his love life.

But no, Zoissette was canny, and unfortunately had a tendency of being exactingly good at the jobs she picked up. He was not sure when she had done it or how, but the package she was now carrying towards her chocobo matched the description of what he was keeping an eye out for exactly.

Which meant now he had to try to convince her to let him have a peek at it.

She was off and away, and that meant he had to be soon after her, or else lose any opportunity for pulling this stupid mission off. Which he was tempted to do. But not tempted enough to risk pissing off Estinien, who would be first in line to chew him out and work him over should he screw this up badly enough. So he hurried, and soon enough, his chocobo was running after the gently receding form of Zoissette as she headed out on her duty.

It was easy to catch up to her, fortunately. She had a massive black chocobo, a bird that was almost military like in its demeanor, stamina, and speed. He'd seen it in action before, and he did not relish the thought of trying to outpace it. But she was keeping, not an easy pace, but not exactly a race, either. A conservatively hurried pace that would mean she would make good time but not tire out herself or her bird. Which meant Reinhardt could catch up to her quickly with a nice short sprint.

She spared him a glance as he got close, but did not seem inclined to pay him any further mind, even as he pulled back on the reins of his chocobo and slowed to match her speed.

"Hullo, Miss Vauban," he said, deciding to try the pleasant route.

"Good afternoon, Ser... Sauvetarre, I believe?" she responded.

"Yes ma'am," he said. "I was wondering if I might ask to take a quick glance at one of the parcels you're transporting today? Garrison business, you understand."

She gave him a longer sidelong glance as her gaze swept him up and down, inspecting him. "Do you perhaps have a warrant to go along with that request, Ser Sauvetarre?" she asked primly.

"Godsdammit you know I don't, we only just heard about this shipment this morning."

Also he wasn't at all sure Kemakka would share the garrison's opinion on the value of this package, but that was an argument that was above his paygrade.

"Then I am afraid I can speak no further as to what I may or may not be carrying, nor entertain discussion about the contents of my cargo, such as it is."

"Come on, Zoissette," said Reinhardt, trying for another tack. "This is for the safety and security of all of us out here, you know that."

And also the safety and security of his current and future relationship with Klynt and with the garrison commander and gods damn it he hated this.

"I am certain. However, my responsibilities are currently to my contract and my chosen duties. I have the appropriate stamps that certify for me for postal activities. As such, if you truly wish to know more, you may come to me with an appropriate warrant."

"You know that by the time I get that warrant that whatever's in there will be out and we'll have missed our window to do anything about this," he tried, starting to feel a little desperate.

Zoissette side eyed him again.

"Your initial request was honest enough, and I do not mind it," she said. "After all, you can hardly know what the proper limits are if you do not actually ask the question. The second attempt was endearing, showing a certain level of, shall we say, earnestness. However, a third attempt begins to border on the rude, which I begin to feel I might take exception to."

Reinhardt was about to open his mouth to try to push his argument, but he stopped himself, as he considered several things at once. One, Zoissette seemed to, at some point, have increased her personal close quarters armament. Previously she had just had a short field knife, but now she had two rather longer and very impressive blades on her back. Two, she had not really been paying close attention to him up until now, keeping a closer eye on the terrain and her bird, but now she and her bird both had a definite focus to them that was centered on him. Three, Zoissette was an elf, a tall one at that, and he was almost certainly within her swinging range.

He quickly pulled on the reins of his own bird, nudged a heel into its side, and leaned hard to the side, and the bird responded immediately, making a large hop to the side, bringing him out of what he estimated to be Zoissette's reach. And then he tugged on the reins some more, and steered the bird to give her another fulm or two extra, just for politeness.

He knew Zoissette had a thing about politeness.

Zoissette's bird returned its attention to the path, and after a moment of giving Reinhardt a look fit to freeze him to his saddle, she too turned her attention forward, and he let out a breath. He could take Zoissette in a fight, but he really did not want to.

He was having a difficult enough of a day already.

The two riders and their birds continued to keep pace with one another. The two chocobos were politely ignoring one another, keeping their peace. Zoissette was ignoring Reinhardt in a somewhat more pointed fashion, and Reinhardt kept sneaking glances over at her, trying to gauge her temperament.

At last, he spoke up. "Begging your pardon, ma'am," he said. "But you are right. I was out of line. I promise to not ask further after your cargo."

He held on, jaw tight, and waited. Zoissette regarded him once more. This time, from a polite distance.

"Apology accepted, Ser Sauvetarre," she said at last. "I am choosing to recognize that you were only doing what you felt was your due duty, and I cannot fully fault that. Keep your word on the matter, and I shall consider it closed."

"You've got my word," he said.

Zoissette nodded, and her rancor seemed to evaporate, and Reinhardt felt himself relax. This was good. This was better.

"If you don't mind, though," he said. "I think we're heading the same way. Perhaps we can convoy over together? Safer that way."

She glanced him over.

"I will have your word that you will stay out of my things as well."

"Of course."

"Then I find your proposal agreeable. It is a day and a half travel, and I was planning on taking both days to do it. Stop at midday for lunch and to take care of our mounts, overnight at duskfall."

"Sounds good to me."

"Then we have an accord."

Reinhardt nodded, and settled in for the day's ride. Alright. Fine. Cracking Zoissette was out of the question, especially if he wanted to stay on Klynt's good side. Corking one of her favourite couriers would not keep him in her good graces, and for that matter, his garrison commander would have opinions on that as well. Bad ones. And that was not part of the mission, anyroad, the package itself was. But perhaps he could catch the dead drop when they got to where they were going, or try to pick up the trail of the package again once it was no longer in Zoissette's possession and try to intercept it then.

He had options.

Shit ones.

Alright, so maybe he was having a bad day.

#ffxivwrite2024 #final fantasy xiv #reinhardt sauvetarre #zoissette vauban #stamp #202409-05 #biot writes #desertwalkers

15 notes · View notes

the-trans-folk-witch · 7 months ago

Text

Post Herbalist, Pre Pre-Medical traditional Witchcraft: a Joke but a reality.

Before I hand feed you my BITTER solar-infused coffee-induced rant, let me give a few ( comically self made) definitions: *see notes

Post Herbalist witchcraft: "energy work**" and magics that are performed by peoples with no means, funds, or ability to obtain herbs and knowledge of herbal medicine for magic and health. This loss of knowledge is due to colonization, fear of herbalisms ties to witchcraft, and the push for modern"white medicine. Note*- I fucking hate the term energy work, yet the magic itself is very very real and used by me.

Pre Pre-Medical witchcraft: -Not to be confused with Pre-med schooling in preparation for grad school.- Pre Pre-medical is what I call the average knowledge of modern medicine that the average person can obtain by ways of public K-12 schooling and the internet. Its place in witchcraft is the knowledge of medicine and the dangers of herbs and or anti-vaxx/med dangers within magical communities. In essence, Pre Pre-medical witchcraft is the belief in modern medicine as well as magical healing methods. Not to be confused with holistic healing which is utter bullshit when taught as completely factual in organized religious spaces.

With these definitions explained less blurred in the mind of the greater trad witch community, and ignorant tumblr onlookers, I move on to my spiel.

As a professional witch, conjurer, seer, and drama queen, I struggle to find a home amongst communities that have watered down witchcraft for a younger, whiter, and less informed audience. Gone are the days of nuance and professionalism. Today is now ruled by forever-beginners, eternal-newbs, and influencers turned teachers. With this post I hope to separate the wheat from the chaff and find the cream of the crop.

To practice witchcraft in a time where herbs are expensive yet taught as the only means to perform spells; and at a time when cities and suburbs have ruined free access to native plants; I find myself performing more prayer and power based magics. No longer do i spend money on herbs, candles and the like. Nor do I plan to purchase the land required to grow my own. I invest in verbal charms, prayer, writing, movement, and my own bodily secretions. I jokingly call this "Post herbalist Pre Pre-Medical witchcraft."It is more informed and rooted in history than generic "energy work". And is less concerned with the consumerism that is forced upon modern witches via herbs and more. The joke is the name is so humorously long and ignorant that it kind of works. I expect the internet will love it considering you folks love putting every adjective before "witch" such as "solar witches" and "crystal witches". Although I suspect people looking for such titles do not have the attention span to read this wordy blog post.

In 2020 I challenged myself to go a year without spending a dollar on my magic. Here we are in 2024 and I'm still going. Yes I use plant materials. Yes I buy things for spirit offerings. But no. I don't have a huge cabinet of herbs and candles. I fully rely on my spirits, my witchflame, the land, and my body to produce magic. No money required. I could spend another fifteen paragraphs explaining how to do so. But alas, i don't care to share. As I said, I am done engaging with forever-newbs who are at the same place they started in witchcraft ten years ago.

I hope my short yet long* rant leads you to... something useful

*note: this is actually a very short read. But in the modern internet sphere we are all unable to process information that's not in video format consisting of no more than 2 minutes. so this is a long post nowadays. hehe im really on a soap box today. sorry im so bitter.

#folk witchcraft #traditional witchcraft #transgender witches #beginner witch #folk catholicism #ozark magic #animism #santa muerte #folkloric witchcraft #witchcraft #the trans folk witch #ozark witchcraft #ozark mountains #ozark howler #ozark folk magic

22 notes · View notes