#his faith is tested so very much throughout this book

[westywrites]

Last Line Tag

I'm finally getting a chance to go through posts I've been tagged in from the past who-knows-how-long (far too long)...

A long, long while ago, @kaiusvnoir tagged me in a Last Line Tag post. Thank you so much! Sorry for the immensely delayed response. Here's a little something that has recently been edited/rewritten for Draft 3 of Essence of Stars (book one of The Corvine).

Ivory and Cambridge sat in amicable silence as birds flew around the clearing and small animals scurried through the trees. Under the bright blue sky, he could almost forget the worry twisting in his chest. What Avenir had said at the campfire the night before terrified him. But he couldn’t fight the Almighty’s plan for him. It would do no good. All he could do for now was enjoy the peace while he had it. In the quiet, he could hear Cambridge’s breath quicken. His heart followed suit.

I have at least one more tag game post that will be scheduled to post later today, and I'm bad at deciding who to tag, so I'm not going to tag anyone in this one.

[gffa]

STAR WARS PREQUELS - A TIMELINE

So, what's this about, huh? After recently sitting down with Star Wars Timelines, I was genuinely surprised at just how much they were willing to nail down to a specific year and sequence of events, which admittedly is a reference book and those are pretty low on the canon totem pole so be prepared for future retcons down the road, but it's shockingly useful information to have! Because the more I paged through it, the more I realized just how useful it would be for fic writers, especially for anything that might be referenced by a prequels character. Do you want to know how old the Jedi Order basically is? What the eras were called, if a prequels character wanted to reference them? What year did Dooku leave the Jedi? When did Naboo join the Republic? When was the Republic founded? When was the Jedi Temple built? When was Yaddle born? When did the Togruta ally with the Republic? Was Anakin born on Tatooine? When did Plo discover Ahsoka? When did Anakin get his first kyber crystal? When did Obi-Wan join the Jedi Council? WHEN DOES THE MANDALORIAN CIVIL WAR TAKE PLACE?? Some of this is SO INTERESTING to have nailed down into place--like just how old Huyang is or that the Jedi Temple was constructed on Coruscant BEFORE the Republic existed! Useful for me to know, but also my prequels-era characters to know! This book is willing to tell us A LOT and I collated everything I thought would be useful for a prequels character to know! ERAS:

c.5,000 BBY– 1,032 BBY: Ancient conflicts "The Jedi and Sith wage a series of wars throughout their history so ruinous that at points each is brought to the brink of destruction."

c.500 BBY–330 BBY: "The Age of Exploration" "After centuries of governing in regions near the galactic Core, the Republic sets out to explore the Outer Rim. This era of exploration on the frontier presents many adventures and opportunities for the Republic and the Jedi Order alike, but growth also leads them to uncover new mysteries and dangers. Soon the Jedi Order’s very connection to the Force is put to the test."

c.500 BBY–100 BBY: "The High Republic" The four hundred years that are collectively referred to as the High Republic era.

TIMELINE:

c.25,025 BBY: BIRTH OF THE JEDI

"The Jedi Order is founded. Among the earliest locations, and likely the first, is a temple constructed on the planet of Ahch-To. Later, the temple retains the most treasured Jedi texts and earliest writings on the Order’s faith. For eons, these noble protectors stand united by their ability to harness the power of the Force itself for good."

c.25,020 BBY: Professor Huyang powered up "The architect droid Professor Huyang begins training Jedi younglings in the delicate art of lightsaber construction."

c.20,000 BBY: Dawn of the Republic

"The foundation of the Republic is formed through an alliance including Coruscant, Corellia, and Alderaan, prompted by the dawn of hyperspace travel."

c.5,000 BBY: Creeping darkness

"A dark-side sect splinters from the Jedi, causing the formation of the Sith. This fracture is the genesis of a millennia-long rivalry."

c.5,000 BBY–1,032 BBY: "The Sith battle the Jedi in numerous conflicts for thousands of years before their struggle comes to an end, resulting in the destruction of the Sith Empire."

c.5,000 BBY–1,032 BBY: "The Sith build shrines on planets, including Malachor and Moraband. They covet these locations for their connection to the dark side of the Force."

c.1,050 BBY: A Mandalorian Jedi

"Tarre Vizsla becomes the first of the Mandalorian warriors to be inducted as a member of the Jedi Order. The unique lightsaber he constructs comes to be known as the Darksaber, later stolen to be used as a symbol to unite his planet."

c.1,032 BBY: Coruscant Temple erected

"The main Jedi Temple on Coruscant is constructed at the same location where there was once a Sith shrine."

c.1,032 BBY: "Darth Bane, the last surviving Sith, recognizes that infighting and back-stabbing ultimately led to the downfall of the Sith Empire. He declares the Rule of Two, whereby there can only be a sole master and single apprentice of the Sith. The practice safeguards the inherently selfish Order from self-destruction, thus ensuring the survival of the Sith for centuries to come."

1,000 BBY: Reformation of the Republic

"The first incarnation of the democratic alliance of planets, the Galactic Republic, is reformed."

c.972 BBY: Rules of war

"The Galactic Accord of Systems establishes a set of rules of engagement, in the event another war should break out."

896 BBY: Yoda is born

"The future Jedi Master Yoda is born."

832 BBY: Construction of Theed

"Naboo’s capital city, Theed, is built. The floating city on the banks of the river Solleu becomes the jewel of the metropolis."

867 BBY: Naboo joins the Republic

"The planet of Naboo officially joins the Galactic Republic. The event will be commemorated annually with The Festival of Light."

796 BBY: Students of Yoda

"Master Yoda begins training Jedi. He will maintain this regular practice, teaching the newest members of the Order, for about 800 years."

600 BBY:

Jabba Desilijic Tiure is born.

509 BBY:

Yaddle is born.

c.392 BBY: PATHFINDERS

"The Republic and the Jedi establish Pathfinder teams to explore new hyperspace lanes in the farthest reaches of the galaxy. A team of Pathfinders typically includes two Jedi, a master and their apprentice, who work together with their Republic allies to discover new ways through dangerous and unexplored places. They work with communications teams who lay the groundwork for the infrastructure needed for Republic growth. In return for their efforts, the Jedi Order hopes to gain new understanding of the galaxy, new cultures, and the Force."

c.383 BBY: THE HYPERSPACE RUSH

"Independent explorers also race to discover new paths through hyperspace. These prospectors risk their lives in perilous, uncharted corners of the Outer Rim, hoping to find safer, shorter routes. Families like the Grafs and San Tekkas earn great fame and fortune by selling their knowledge of these new hyperlanes."

382 BB The First High Republic book of Phase II

The High Republic: Path of Deceit kicks off the second phase of books, set 150 years before the previous phase.

382 BBY: Battle of Jedha

"The Path of the Open Hand instigates a battle on the sacred moon of Jedha."

232 BBY The First High Republic book of Phase I:

The High Republic: Light of the Jedi, which kicks off the original era of the High Republic (out of universe, not in universe), starting with the Great Hyperspace Disaster where a ship explodes in hyperspace over the planet Hetzal Prime. This ignites an intergalactic conflict with the Nihil that draws the Jedi and the Republic into a massive connected, long-running series of battles against them.

232 BBY:

"Dignitaries and Jedi gather at the Starlight Beacon for its official dedication ceremony."

The Great Hyperspace Disaster (the Legacy Run explodes in hyperspace) happens and the Jedi rush to help mitigate the disaster and evacuate as many people as they can.

"The brave deeds of the Jedi Order [in the Great Hyperspace Disaster] are cast across the galaxy via holotransmissions, making Kriss and her fellow Jedi heroes."

The Emergences: "Though Hetzal has been saved by the heroics of the Jedi, fragments of the Legacy Run continue to threaten the frontier. Fear grips the Outer Rim as blazing wreckage of the ship appears with little warning from hyperspace. As the Republic seeks answers to these Emergences, a group of Jedi stranded in a forgotten corner of space unknowingly cause a far older and more sinister threat to emerge: the Drengir."

"Wreckage from the Legacy Run scatters through hyperspace, endangering the Outer Rim. The first of the Emergences after the Great Hyperspace disaster occurs at Ab Dalis, killing 20 million beings."

"The Nihil strike on Elphrona, intending to ransom well-connected homesteaders and capture a Jedi for Marchion Ro’s evil machinations."

"The Jedi Council votes to join the Republic against the Nihil."

232 BBY: A BEACON OF HOPE

"With the Great Disaster behind them, the Republic and Jedi refocus on the opening of the Starlight Beacon. This towering space station located in the Outer Rim is one of Chancellor Lina Soh’s Great Works, meant to provide a symbol of hope in a dark corner of the galaxy. This shining example of Republic unity and progress serves as a vital base for the ongoing struggles with the Nihil and Drengir."

"One of Chancellor Lina Soh’s Great Works, the Starlight Beacon, begins operation after a dedication ceremony attended by Republic dignitaries and prominent members of the Jedi Order. The station is to be just one of many beacons, serving to connect, inspire, and serve the Republic’s growth in the Galactic Frontier. The Jedi maintain a permanent presence on the station under the leadership of Marshal Kriss and the watchful eye of the exacting Jedi Master Estala Maru."

"Hunting the Nihil - Though it lacks a formal military, the Republic forms a special task force to hunt the Nihil, with Joss and Pikka Adren among the first volunteers."

"The Jedi broker the Ayelina-Ludmere trade agreement."

232 BBY: GROWTH OF THE DRENGIR

"The carnivorous Drengir take root across wide swaths of the frontier. Their lust for living flesh, which they consider “meats,” leads them to attack hundreds of worlds. Defenseless settlers and the Jedi alike struggle to repel these horrifying plantlike creatures."

231 BBY: THE REPUBLIC FAIR

"Chancellor Lina Soh’s next Great Work is a magnificent fair on Valo. Meant to celebrate the Republic and its many achievements, the event turns into a tragedy. The Nihil mount a merciless raid on the fairgoers, destroy the event, and nearly kill the chancellor. The Jedi defenders mount a valiant defense but are outnumbered."

231 BBY: FIGHT FOR THE FRONTIER

"The Jedi march across the frontier as they seek justice for the attack on the Valo fair. With the Drengir threat seemingly settled, they turn their attention to the scattered Nihil forces. The Jedi believe that they are gaining the upper hand, but are unaware of who leads the raiders and their ultimate goal. The Nihil Tempest Runners bear the brunt of the assault while the Eye of the Nihil, Marchion Ro, prepares a new weapon to fight the Jedi."

"The Republic-Togruta Alliance is formed."

230 BBY: FALL OF STARLIGHT

"The Nameless wreak havoc among the Jedi, who fight valiantly in Starlight’s final moments. Master Estala Maru sacrifices his own life to delay the top half of the station from burning up in Eiram’s atmosphere. Below, Master Stellan Gios stays behind to ensure the lower portion will not strike a populated city on the planet’s surface."

"The Jedi recall their members to safety on Coruscant."

"The Republic readies a Defense Coalition fleet to strike at Nihil space. The Jedi, concerned that they cannot yet combat the Nameless, remain on Coruscant."

c.200 BBY:

"Births: Chewbacca— Wookiee hero and copilot born on Kashyyyk."

102 BBY:

"Serenno foundling Dooku’s family abandons him as an infant after discovering his Force abilities. The Jedi bring him to Coruscant to join the Order." (Dooku is born this year.)

Sifo-Dyas was also born in 102 BBY.

86 BBY:

Dooku becomes Yoda’s Padawan.

Sifo-Dyas becomes Lene Kostana’s Padawan.

84 BBY:

Sheev Palpatine is born on Naboo.

c.80 BBY:

Rael Averross becomes Dooku’s Padawan

72 BBY:

Mace Windu is born. (Take with a grain of salt, it's from a De Agostini booklet and never appeared anywhere else that I can find.)

c.70 BBY:

"Averross is knighted and encourages Dooku to take another Padawan."

68 BBY:

Qui-Gon Jinn becomes Dooku’s Padawan.

c.58 BBY:

"After attaining the rank of Jedi Master, Dooku is offered a seat on the Jedi Council."

Qui-Gon becomes a Jedi Knight.

57 BBY:

Obi-Wan Kenobi is born on Stewjon.

54 BBY:

"Obi-Wan Kenobi begins his Jedi training." (Presumably this means he was 3 years old when he was adopted by the Jedi and began his training then.)

52 BBY:

Palpatine is elected Senator of Naboo.

50 BBY:

"The Nightsisters sell Asajj Ventress to Hal’Sted."

46 BBY:

Padme Naberrie is born on Naboo.

44 BBY:

Obi-Wan Kenobi becomes Qui-Gon Jinn's Padawan.

"Stranded on remote Rattatak, the Jedi Knight Ky Narec discovers Asajj Ventress and trains her as his Padawan."

c.44 BBY - "Amid concerns about the corrosive effects of dynasties, the Naboo Reformations limit monarchs to a maximum of two two-year terms."

42 BBY:

Rael Averross introduces Dooku to Palpatine.

Dooku leave the Jedi Order and returns to Serenno to reclaim his title.

c.42 BBY: "Civil war engulfs Mandalore, a planet with a proud honor code and a war-torn history. Its clans form factions, with the conflict evolving to pit tradition-minded clan fighters against New Mandalorians who see the warrior past as a dead end."

c.42 BBY: "Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan protect Duchess Satine Kryze during the Mandalorian Civil War. Obi-Wan and Satine fall in love and he offers to leave the Jedi Order to be with her. They decide that their duties won’t allow them to follow their hearts."

c.42 BBY: "The Mandalorian Civil War ends with Satine’s New Mandalorians ascendant, though traditionalists—including Satine’s sister Bo-Katan—organize to resist her rule."

41 BBY:

Anakin Skywalker is born.

"Distant secret Ancient Jedi lore leads Obi-Wan to the Force-imbued planet Lenahra, where he forges a deeper connection with the living Force." (These are the events of the Padawan novel.)

c.41 BBY: "Holiday interrupted While visiting Kashyyyk, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan foil a Trandoshan raid aimed at taking Wookiee prisoners during Life Day celebrations." (These are the events of Star Wars Adventures 2020, issues 3-4. Unclear if this is before or after the novel Padawan.)

40 BBY:

c.40 BBY - Maul becomes Sidious’ apprentice.

Qui-Gon is offered a seat on the Jedi Council. He does not accept by the end of Master and Apprentice.

"Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan visit strategically located Pijal to oversee the signing of a treaty between its monarchy and the Czerka Corporation." (These are the events of the Master and Apprentice novel.)

39 BBY:

c.39 BBY: Sifo-Dyas joins the Jedi High Council.

38 BBY:

c.38 BBY - "Shmi and Anakin Skywalker are brought to Tatooine. Their enslaver, Gardulla the Hutt, soon loses them to Watto in a bet."

37 BBY:

Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan mediate a conflict on Bri’n. (Age of Republic - Qui-Gon Jinn #1)

36 BBY:

Orson Krennic and Galen Erso meet.

Ahsoka Tano is born.

34 BBY:

"Mace Windu helps overthrow the warlord Guattako." (These are the events of Age of Republic - Special #1)

"A skilled mechanic, Anakin begins gathering spare parts to build a protocol droid, C-3PO, to help Shmi with household chores."

"Sidious tests Maul on Malachor."

33 BBY:

"Plo Koon discovers a Force-sensitive Togruta toddler named Ahsoka Tano. He brings 'Little ‘Soka' to Coruscant for training."

"Sifo-Dyas orders a secret clone army to be created on Kamino."

"Eager to test his abilities against the Jedi Order, Darth Maul kills the Twi’lek Padawan Eldra Kaitis on Drazkel’s moon." (These are the events of Darth Maul 2017)

Caleb Dume/Kanan Jarrus is born.

32 BBY: THE PHANTOM MENACE

"The former Padmé Naberrie is just 14 when elected and has barely taken office when the Trade Federation blockades and then invades Naboo."

The events of The Phantom Menace take place, the Trade Federation invades Naboo, Valorum sends Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon to help Naboo, Anakin Skywalker is adopted into the Jedi Order, Qui-Gon Jinn dies.

"Count Dooku pledges himself to the ways of the Sith, replacing Maul as Sidious’ apprentice and taking the name Darth Tyranus."

"Palpatine is elected supreme chancellor."

"Obi-Wan takes Anakin as his Padawan."

"The Sith take over Sifo-Dyas’ project to create a clone army, ordering inhibitor chips implanted in the clones to ensure their obedience."

"With Sifo-Dyas dead, Dooku takes over the clone project, altering it to serve the Sith’s purpose. In his guise as Tyranus, Dooku recruits the bounty hunter Jango Fett as the genetic template for the Kaminoans’ clone army. He then instructs the Kaminoans to secretly implant inhibitor chips in the clones’ brains to ensure their obedience. The clones will fight for the Republic, but the Sith will be their true masters."

Han Solo is born.

Boba Fett is born.

Yaddle is killed by Dooku.

31 BBY:

"Kuat Drive Yards receives an order from a secret buyer to create massive numbers of warships and weapons."

30 BBY:

"Sidious’ minions begin constructing a massive Observatory on Jakku, the first of several built as part of the Sith Lord’s decades-spanning Contingency project. As Palpatine, Sidious orders the secret establishment of bases, shipyards, and colonies in the galaxy’s Unknown Regions."

29 BBY:

c.29 BBY: "Anakin seeks out his first kyber crystal on Ilum and creates a lightsaber, an important step in his Padawan training."

"Anakin goes on a mission in Coruscant’s underlevels with a disguised Chancellor Palpatine, whom he comes to see as a mentor."

"Influenced by Palpatine, Anakin tells Obi-Wan he wishes to suspend his Jedi training and surrenders his lightsaber. With Anakin’s path undecided, Yoda sends him and Obi-Wan to Carnelion IV to investigate a distress signal. [Eventually] Anakin decides to remain Obi-Wan’s Padawan." (These are the events of Obi-Wan & Anakin 2016)

Hera Syndulla is born.

28 BBY:

Queen Amidala's final year as Queen of Naboo, where her successor, Queen Réillata, asks her to be Senator for Naboo and Padme agrees, taking office that year.

"Remembering her experience after fleeing Naboo, Padmé sends Sabé on a mission to investigate how to end slavery on Tatooine." (This ultimately doesn't really go anywhere/accomplish much, unfortunately.)

"Padmé becomes friends with two young fellow senators: Rush Clovis of Scipio and Mina Bonteri of Raxus." (These are the events of Queen's Shadow.)

c.28 BBY: "Obi-Wan and Anakin are sent to retrieve a Holocron from Dallenor, leading to a confrontation with the Krypder Riders." (These are the events of Age of Republic - Obi-Wan Kenobi #1.)

27 BBY:

c.27 BBY: "Cliegg Lars buys Shmi Skywalker’s freedom from Watto. They marry and live on Cliegg’s moisture farm."

26 BBY:

"While on a mission to Sullust, Dooku kills the Jedi Knight Jak’zin and forces the Kaldana Syndicate to serve Sidious’ interests." (These are the events of Age of the Republic - Count Dooku #1.)

"Obi-Wan and Anakin rescue Yoda from raiders on Glee Anselm, but discover the incident was actually a test engineered by the Jedi Council [to help them get along better]." (These are the events of Choose Your Destiny: An Obi-Wan & Anakin Adventure.)

24 BBY:

c.24 BBY - "Dooku founds the Confederacy of Independent Systems, attracting planets that wish to secede from the Republic and beginning the Separatist Movement."

"The Senate passes the Emergency Powers Act, allowing Palpatine to remain in office for the duration of the Separatist Crisis."

"Palpatine forms the Loyalist Committee to advise him during the Separatist Crisis. Senators belonging to the committee include Bail Organa of Alderaan, Padmé Amidala of Naboo, Ask Aak of Malastare, and Orn Free Taa of Ryloth."

"The Senate begins debating the Military Creation Act, which would allow the Republic to create military forces for its defense."

"Adrift after the death of Ky Narec, a grief-stricken Asajj Ventress embraces the dark side and becomes a warlord on Rattatak."

"Osika Kirske imprisons Ventress on Rattatak, forcing her to fight as a gladiator. Dooku frees her and offers to make her his apprentice in hopes of one day supplanting Sidious. Ventress agrees to serve as the count’s agent and assassin." (These are part of the events of Dooku: Jedi Lost.)

22 BBY–19 BBY: The Clone Wars

"A political crisis propels the Jedi Order into a galaxy-wide war against the Separatists, secretly led by the Sith."

22 BBY: ATTACK OF THE CLONES:

"Obi-Wan and Anakin help defuse a crisis on Ansion." (Mentioned in Attack of the Clones: "He's just returned from a border dispute on Ansion," Mace says of Obi-Wan.)

The events of Attack of the Clones take place, Padme is attacked for her stance against the Military Creation Act in the Senate, Jar Jar introduces a motion to give Palpatine emergency powers as Chancellor, including the discovery of the clone army, Shmi Skywalker dies, Obi-Wan and Anakin and Padme are held captive by the Separatists and rescued by the Jedi, many who die in the arena, as well as Jango Fett dies, and the start of the Clone Wars.

Anakin and Padme are secretly married on Naboo.

Poggle the Lesser gives the Death Star plans to Dooku.

The Clone Wars begin on Geonosis.

22 BBY: THE CLONE WARS:

"Mace Windu leads a Jedi mission to Hissrich. As a member of Windu’s team, Jedi Prosset Dibs accuses the Order of wanting Hissrich for the Republic. He duels Windu and is defeated. Dibs is found guilty of treason and confined to the Jedi Archives in hopes that he’ll find his way back to the light." (These are the events of Jedi of the Republic - Mace Windu.)

"Padmé and Captain Typho help Sticks’ squad of clone troopers free Separatist hostages on the embattled planet Hebekrr Minor." (These are the events of Queen's Hope.)

"Anakin becomes a Jedi Knight."

"Obi-Wan becomes a Jedi Master and is elevated to the Jedi Council."

"Obi-Wan investigates a bombing on Cato Neimoidia and discovers the attack bears the hallmarks of both a Republic and Separatist operation. He brings this disquieting hint that someone is manipulating both sides of the war back to Coruscant. Anakin duels Ventress on Cato Neimoidia." (These are the events of Brotherhood.)

"Captain Rex, formally designated CT-7567, is assigned to Anakin Skywalker, who saves his life during the Battle of Arantara. A mutual respect soon blossoms between the brash, bold young Jedi general and the sturdy, by-the-book clone officer."

"Anakin’s troops run afoul of hostile wildlife while searching for Separatist forces on Benglor." (These are the events of Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales #1.)

"The Techno Union’s Wat Tambor destroys the Nexus trading post on Quarmendy to keep Plo Koon’s troops from reclaiming it." (These are the events of Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales #2.)

"Yoda assigns Ahsoka Tano to Anakin as his Padawan, hoping to teach Skywalker how to let go of his emotional attachments."

"The Separatist battlecruiser Malevolence terrorizes the galaxy’s inner systems before it is tracked and destroyed at the Dead Moon of Antar."

21 BBY: THE CLONE WARS:

"The Republic invades Geonosis for a second time to destroy a dangerous new droid foundry constructed by Poggle the Lesser."

"Padmé and Jar Jar discover a bioweapons lab in Naboo’s swamps and must stop Nuvo Vindi from releasing the Blue Shadow Virus."

"General Grievous and Asajj Ventress lead a Separatist invasion on Kamino, with the Republic’s clones fiercely defending their birthworld."

"Sabine Wren is born on Mandalore but raised on neighboring Krownest."

20 BBY: THE CLONE WARS:

"Anakin experiences a disturbing vision of his future in the Force realm known as Mortis and must make a wrenching decision."

"The Republic defends Mon Cala during a Separatist-engineered civil war between the Mon Calamari and the Quarren."

"Republic forces suffer heavy casualties while storming Umbara, a strategically located world with advanced technology that has become a Separatist stronghold."

"Maul returns from exile, bent on obtaining revenge against the long list of those he believes have wronged him."

19 BBY: THE CLONE WARS:

"Maul forms the Shadow Collective, forging several of the galaxy’s crime syndicates into a single underworld organization under his leadership."

"Mandalore’s Duchess Satine Kryze is overthrown by Death Watch’s Pre Vizsla, whose own rule is quickly ended by Maul. Maul has manipulated events to bring Obi-Wan to Mandalore, and now has the hated Jedi at his mercy. He strikes Satine down in the throne room."

"Responding to a disturbance in the Force, Darth Sidious arrives on Mandalore. Maul swears fealty to his old master, but Sidious rejects him. He kills Savage, blasts Maul with lightning, and takes his former apprentice prisoner."

"Anakin and Ahsoka return from Cato Neimoidia to investigate a bombing at the Jedi Temple amid rumors that a Jedi was involved."

"Ahsoka is expelled from the Jedi Order, which believes her guilty of the Temple bombing. She is then arrested by the Republic and prosecuted by Admiral Tarkin before a military tribunal, with Palpatine presiding and Padmé representing the defense. [She] leaves the Jedi Order."

"During the Battle of Ringo Vinda, the clone trooper Tup turns his blaster on Jedi General Tiplar, forcing a Republic retreat. Fives and AZI-3 discover a tumor in Tup’s brain. He dies after its extraction. Palpatine and Nala Se insist the tumor be sent to a Republic medical facility, but Shaak Ti decides it must go to the Jedi Temple first. Kix helps Fives arrange a meeting with Anakin and Rex. Fives tells them about the inhibitor chips and the plot against the Jedi, but his story sounds like a paranoid conspiracy and he becomes agitated. Commander Fox and clone troopers arrive, sent by Palpatine, and try to arrest Fives. When Fives resists, Fox shoots him dead. Tup’s action is blamed on a parasitic infection, and the inhibitor chips are delivered to Dooku."

"Padmé travels to Scipio to expedite a Banking Clan loan for the Republic and discovers Rush Clovis is serving as their representative. The Banking Clan is dissolved and Palpatine takes over its holdings."

"Plo Koon discovers the crash site of Sifo-Dyas’ ship, prompting the Council to investigate the Jedi’s long-ago disappearance."

"On Oba Diah, spice kingpin Lom Pyke tells Anakin and Obi-Wan that the Pykes were paid by Tyranus to kill Sifo-Dyas. Dooku arrives and is identified as Tyranus. He kills the Pyke leader and duels with Anakin, but escapes."

"The Jedi are disturbed to learn Dooku was responsible for the creation of the clone army, but decide to keep this revelation secret."

"Yoda obeys Qui-Gon’s voice and travels to Dagobah, where Qui-Gon’s spirit tells him to learn how to retain his identity after death."

"Anakin teams up with a mysterious Chiss military officer, Thrawn, to locate Padmé and destroy a cortosis mine." [Thrawn: Alliances]

"Yoda helps Kashyyyk’s Wookiees defend their planet against Separatist raiders, earning the honor 'Defender of the Home Tree.'"

"Mandalorian commandos free Maul from Stygeon Prime. Sidious and Dooku allow him to escape in hopes of drawing out Mother Talzin. Maul lures Grievous and Dooku into a confrontation on Ord Mantell and takes them both prisoner—a dangerous gambit of Talzin’s aimed at luring her old enemy Sidious into the fight. Grievous and Sidious come to Dooku’s aid on Dathomir. Grievous kills Mother Talzin and the Mandalorians drag Maul away to safety."

- "Ventress asks the Jedi to help abduct Vos from Dooku’s service in hopes of saving him. Vos returns to the Jedi, claiming his turn to the dark side was a ruse. But his true loyalties are unclear. Vos defeats Dooku on Christophsis, but agrees to join him to defeat Sidious. His secret hope is to kill both Sith Lords. Ventress confronts Vos and Dooku, saving Quinlan before Dooku attacks her with a devastating blast of lightning. The count escapes. Vos and Obi-Wan return Ventress to the waters of Dathomir. [Ventress dies.]"

"Having left the Jedi Order, Ahsoka befriends Trace Martez, a mechanic in the Coruscant underlevels, and her sister Rafa. Ahsoka discovers the Pykes are working for Maul, who is on Mandalore. She uses the Force to escape with the Martez sisters, and the Pykes conclude they were targeted by the Jedi. Ahsoka returns to Coruscant, where Bo-Katan Kryze recruits her to fight Maul."

"Separatists commanded by Admiral Trench invade the Republic stronghold of Anaxes and repeatedly defeat clone counterattacks. Rex is disturbed that the Separatists seem to be adapting rapidly to his strategies and suspects Trench is using some new combat algorithm. He proposes raiding the Separatists’ cyber center to discover their secret. The mission succeeds with assistance from an unorthodox unit of genetically altered clones known as the Bad Batch."

"Anakin joins Rex’s clones and the Bad Batch to raid the Techno Union’s facility on Skako Minor, fighting their way through Wat Tambor’s droid legions. They discover Echo confined in a stasis chamber and hooked up to Separatist computers. Anakin confronts Trench to obtain the rest of the sequence to disarm the bomb, saving Anaxes. He then kills the admiral. Echo joins the Bad Batch."

"Grievous launches a Separatist counteroffensive. The Republic sends Aayla Secura to Felucia and Plo Koon to Cato Neimoidia to hold the line."

"Obi-Wan and Anakin rout Separatist forces on Yerbana. ["Old Friends Not Forgotten"] Ahsoka and Bo-Katan approach the Jedi to propose a joint mission to capture Maul and free Mandalore from his crime syndicate. The Jedi agree and split the 501st in two, with Rex leading troops under Ahsoka’s command."

"A Separatist armada launches a sneak attack on Coruscant, hammering the Republic warships of the Coruscant Home Defense Fleet. Grievous ambushes Palpatine in the Federal District, killing Roron Corobb and knocking Shaak Ti unconscious, then kidnapping the chancellor. The Open Circle Fleet arrives from Yerbana."

19 BBY: REVENGE OF THE SITH:

"Anakin and Obi-Wan fly through the titanic space battle, dodging salvos of laser fire exchanged by Republic and Separatist capital ships in an effort to reach the Invisible Hand, where Palpatine is being held. With the Separatists cut off from their jump point, the battle degenerates into a brutal slugging match, with ships burning up in orbit and debris raining down upon the Coruscant cityscape below. Anakin and Obi-Wan rescue Palpatine above Coruscant. Anakin kills Dooku and Sidious plots to make the Jedi his new apprentice."

"Grievous retreats to Utapau, where the Separatist Council is in hiding. Sidious orders him to relocate the Separatist leaders to Mustafar."

"On Mandalore, Republic forces take the docks of the capital, Sundari. Prime Minister Almec orders Gar Saxon to retreat into the undercity. Bo-Katan’s commandos capture Almec. Ahsoka confronts Maul in the undercity. He is disappointed to see her, having hoped to lure Obi-Wan into his trap."

"Anakin dreams of Padmé’s death in childbirth. Palpatine appoints Anakin to the Jedi Council as his personal representative, to the alarm of Yoda and Mace Windu."

"Bail Organa meets secretly with Padmé, Mon Mothma, and other senators determined to resist Palpatine if he doesn’t surrender his wartime powers."

"Yoda heads to Kashyyyk to bolster its defense."

"On Maul’s command, Saxon shoots Almec before Ahsoka can finish questioning him, then makes his getaway."

"At Coruscant’s Galaxies Opera House, Palpatine plays on Anakin’s anger and doubt about the Jedi’s integrity, guessing that they asked him to be their spy. He tells Anakin the story of Darth Plagueis, a Sith Lord who could save people from dying. Anakin, fearful his nightmares are a premonition of Padmé’s fate, is intrigued—particularly when Palpatine tells him it is not a power that can be learned from the Jedi."

"Obi-Wan travels to Utapau to hunt for Grievous."

"Clone troopers, Bo-Katan’s commandos, and Saxon’s warriors battle in the streets of Sundari, with the Republic’s forces winning the day."

"Ahsoka confronts Maul again, who tells her Sidious is behind everything and Anakin is the key to destroying the Sith. Maul reveals that he had hoped to lure Obi-Wan and Anakin to Mandalore in order to kill Anakin, so Sidious could not take the Jedi as his new apprentice. Ahsoka and Maul duel. Maul is captured by Rex’s clones, with Saxon apprehended as well."

"On Utapau, Obi-Wan confronts Grievous. He duels the Separatist warlord and then chases him through the city’s winding tunnels and warrens."

"Palpatine reveals his true identity to Anakin and begs him to use his knowledge to save Padmé. Anakin vows to turn him over to the Jedi."

"Obi-Wan corners Grievous in a hangar on Utapau and kills the mechanical monster with a shot from a blaster."

"Imprisoned in a device that prevents him from using the Force, Maul is brought aboard a Jedi Cruiser destined for Coruscant, escorted by Ahsoka."

"Told of Palpatine’s identity, Windu orders Anakin to wait at the Jedi Temple while he arrests Sidious with Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar, and Saesee Tiin. Sidious kills Tiin, Fisto, and Kolar and duels Windu. He attacks Mace using lightning, which the Jedi Master deflects back at Sidious. Anakin arrives and pleads that Sidious be allowed to stand trial, but Windu says he’s too dangerous to be spared. Anakin makes a fateful decision, stopping Windu’s attack by severing his hand. Sidious blasts Windu with lightning, sending him through the broken window. Anakin pledges allegiance to Sidious, who grants him the name Darth Vader. He tells Anakin to go to the Jedi Temple and kill everyone there—that will make him strong enough with the dark side to save Padmé."

"Ahsoka and Maul sense a strong disturbance in the Force."

19 BBY: ORDER 66

"Sidious issues Order 66. Clone troopers across the galaxy obey their inhibitor chips and attack the Jedi, decimating the Order."

"Commander Cody targets Obi-Wan Kenobi on Utapau. The Jedi survives the attack, escapes offworld, and is rescued by Senator Organa. Aboard the Jedi Cruiser Tribunal, Rex manages to tell Ahsoka to “find Fives” before trying to kill her. She evades Rex’s fire and flees from his troopers. Commander Grey and his clone battalion execute Depa Billaba on Kaller. oda avoids death by killing Commander Gree and Captain Jek, and then escapes Kashyyyk with help from Chewbacca and Tarfful. On a Jedi Cruiser above Bracca, Jaro Tapal is cut down by clones from the 13th battalion, sabotaging the warship before he dies. Captain Jag downs Plo Koon’s starfighter during a patrol flight on contested Cato Neimoidia. Ki-Adi-Mundi is cut down by Commander Bacara’s Galactic Marines during infantry maneuvers on Mygeeto. Luminara Unduli is captured on Kashyyyk. After her execution, the Inquisitors spread rumors of her survival to ensnare other fugitive Jedi. Stass Allie is blasted by Commander Neyo while flying BARC speeders in a mop-up operation on Saleucami. Commander Bly gives the order to shoot Aayla Secura amid Felucia’s colorful fungi."

"Ahsoka prevents other clones from killing the imprisoned Maul. She releases him to create a diversion. While Maul wreaks havoc aboard the Tribunal, Ahsoka activates a trio of astromechs to help her evade Rex’s troops. Ahsoka locates Fives’ records, learning what happened to him and that Rex suspected the clones’ inhibitor chips have some ulterior purpose. Ahsoka subdues Rex and removes his inhibitor chip. Maul destroys the Tribunal’s hyperdrive, sending the doomed Jedi Cruiser careening toward the surface of a remote moon."

"Bail Organa arrives at the Jedi Temple to investigate the uprising and is confronted by clone troopers. He retreats under fire."

"Anakin, now known as Darth Vader and backed by the 501st Legion, marches on the Jedi Temple and slaughters its defenders. He shows no mercy, believing that the dark side is the only pathway to the unnatural powers he must command to save Padmé. As his rage and lust for power swell, not even younglings hiding in the Jedi Council chambers are safe from his lightsaber. Elsewhere, young Grogu survives a clone trooper attack but is haunted by his memories of the event."

"Anakin obeys Sidious’ command and kills the Separatist leaders on Mustafar, shutting down their droid armies and ending the Clone Wars."

"The Senate holds a special session, during which Palpatine—now scarred after his battle with Mace—details the Jedi plot to kill him and take control of the Senate. He proclaims the Republic is to be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire."

"Obi-Wan and Yoda fight their way into the Jedi Temple and recalibrate a signal to warn any surviving Jedi away."

"Padmé arrives on Mustafar, unknowingly bringing along Obi-Wan as a stowaway. Anakin uses the Force to choke her. As C-3PO and R2-D2 tend to Padmé, Anakin and Obi-Wan fight a running duel through the lava flows of Mustafar’s mining complex."

"On Coruscant, Yoda confronts Sidious and the two duel in the Senate Chamber, with Sidious hurling Senate pods at his Jedi enemy. Ascendant with dark-side power, Sidious proves too tough a foe for Yoda, who flees their duel, evading clone troopers sent to hunt him, and is whisked away by Bail Organa in an airspeeder. Sidious senses his new apprentice is in danger and hurries to Mustafar."

"Anakin is left maimed and burned after dueling Obi-Wan on Mustafar. Obi-Wan takes Anakin’s lightsaber and leaves him to die. Anakin survives and is encased in life-preserving black armor. As Darth Vader, he becomes the subject of rumors as the Emperor’s servant and enforcer"

Padme gives birth to Luke and Leia, then she dies. Bail Organa takes Leia to Alderaan and Obi-Wan takes Luke to the Lars' farm on Tatooine, going into exile there, while Yoda is on Dagobah.

"Ahsoka and Rex bury the clones at the Tribunal’s crash site. She leaves her lightsaber behind to find a new path."

19 BBY: GALAXY IN DARKNESS

"Tarkin tells Lama Su that the Kaminoans’ contracts are void and the need for future clones is being questioned."

"Padmé, appearing to still be pregnant, is laid to rest after a solemn funeral procession on Naboo."

"Mas Amedda presides at an Imperial rally held before Coruscant’s Jedi Temple to celebrate the defeat of the Order."

"Sidious abandons Vader on the desert planet Gattering with orders to seize a Jedi’s lightsaber and make it his own. Vader travels to a dark-side locus on Mustafar and bends Infil’a’s kyber crystal to his will, making it bleed red. By compelling the Force to serve his purposes, Vader takes an essential step in his journey as a Sith."

"Sidious puts Vader in charge of the Inquisitors, Force users who once served the light but were seduced or brutalized into following the dark side and are now responsible for hunting down and killing the galaxy’s fugitive Jedi. Vader proves a ruthless taskmaster, brutalizing his new underlings in combat training sessions and eliminating those who fail to live up to the standards demanded by him and the Emperor."

"Sidious orders Vader to lure the Jedi Order’s fugitive archivist Jocasta Nu to Coruscant’s Jedi Temple and capture her. An enraged Vader kills Commander Fox after clone troopers under his command fire on the Sith Lord at the Jedi Temple. Nu explains to Vader what he’s failed to realize: Sidious wants the memory crystal and its list so he can find a potential replacement for his apprentice. Vader kills Nu, tells Sidious she died trying to escape, and crushes the crystal."

"The Empire builds up its forces and begins enlisting and training conscript stormtroopers to replace the Republic’s clone soldiers."

"The Empire bombards Kamino’s cities, destroying all traces of the cloning program that played a critical role in the Clone Wars."

SOURCES & NOTES:

Star Wars Timelines by Kristin Baver, Jason Fry, Cole Horton, Amy Richau, and Clayton Sandell is the primary source for much of this, anything in quotation marks is sourced from here unless otherwise noted. This timeline is only quoting a small minority of what's available in the book, so it's recommended that you check it out for yourselves!

I have done my best to put everything in order even within the specific years, noting where I'm not 100% sure of the sequence of events.

If a "c.[YEAR]" is included, the spot is estimated, not hard fact, but in general it's a pretty trustworthy placement! Except for birthdays--they're not placed directly on the timeline, so I just kind of threw them in at the end most times.

Observation: Holy crap, the Clone Wars was NUTS.

[thrashkink-coven]

I’m currently rereading the Bible because Lord Lucifer asked me to, and reading this book now that I have context and understanding from the cultures that surrounded them (Egypt, Canaanites, etc because there’s a ton), it becomes increasingly and blatantly clear, or at least throughout Genesis so far, that this book was definitely written as an explanation for why the Israelites deserve to own the land of Canaan. I don’t want to get too into my personal opinions on a holy book, I don’t like it obviously, but it’s a cultural story, fine cool.

But its so incredibly obvious that there’s a very deliberate way things are written, why are we talking about how much gold is in Havaliah (modern day Sudan) on page 3 of Genesis??? Such a strange detail unless you consider that this book was being used to sell Canaan to the Isrealites. Certain details are oddly placed, especially in regards to the land and the natives, which Abraham really doesn’t like. Keep in mind that at this point there have been no mention of why the Cannanites are so evil, like yes, we know the normal human sacrifices and sex rituals but none of that has even been mentioned yet. Abraham seems to just be an incredibly xenophobic Isrealite who thinks he deserves to own the entire land because God told him he did. Which like, again, not my place to say whether God really did or didn’t. But I keep reading things like “I would never marry one of these LOCAL CANAANITE WOMEN! I could never let one of my sons marry these LOCAL CANAANITE WOMEN! Marry your cousin instead! My sons will conquer this land and I will have thousands upon thousands of descendants!”

It also makes me extremely uncomfortable the amount of times God says blatantly “do this for me and I’ll make sure you have a fuck ton of kids”. Like thats always the promise, if you do what he says you’ll have thousands of descendants. Isn’t that…? Idk. It’s not like we’re seeing great displays of faith here. Abraham gets everything he wants immediately so he’s not being tested by anything. Big guy says “I’m going to make you famous” and then Abraham gets famous and has way too many children. These entire first few chapters after the flood are just Abraham getting literally everything he wants and being kind of weird towards his sons.

This entire first few chapters are extremely supremacist and ownership-y. As someone who hates the concept of land ownership it makes me feel uncomfortable. Because like… nobody owns the Earth ykwim? You don’t just get to take an entire land. What gives you the right? And the constant idea that they must destroy and conquer all others, even those within your own family.

Like, “the ground you are lying on BELONGS TO YOU” I fucking hate that.

Anyways, I’ll probably keep sharing more fuckery as I find it but so far, first chapter is a fat 0/10 stars. Most Christians don’t consider the old testament to be very relevant to us today anyways, so there’s that. Hopefully the new testament will be better!

[caissa-scribbles]

The Princess in the Ivory Tower (part 1/4)

Gajevy Week 2023, Day 1: Fairy Tale

"Once upon a time in a faraway country there was a wise old king whose only child was a daughter.

The princess was lovely but very shy. She adored nothing more than books, thus she spent all of her time in the ivory tower of the castle where there was a big library. The king loved her so much that he couldn't bring himself to force her to leave her sanctuary. Therefore she spent a secluded life dwelling happily in her stories and legends.

But as the years went by and the king was getting older, he started to worry about the future of his child and his kingdom. Who would take care of them when his time had come to leave the world?

As the princess's 17th birthday was nigh, he finally made a decision.

Soon the tidings were spread across every country that the wise old king was holding a contest to find a worthy successor who would gain half his riches and his daughter's hand as a reward and who would become king after him. Every young nobleman and knight willing to compete was invited, and they poured into the kingdom from near and far.

It was in the remotest corner of a gloomy inn that a wandering knight got word of the news, too.

Surely my readers would have loved him to be your archetypical knight-errant, travelling the country in shining armour to test his chivalric ideals or strive for courtly love, helping everyone in need solely to gain fame and honour.

Alas, he wasn't.

Our knight was indeed a roving fighter and a mage who had made himself a name as the Road Knight. But he didn't care for ideals or a good reputation at all.

He only cared for gold.

Yet news are a curious thing. They tend to be tweaked and twisted a bit every time they are told, especially when word is passed by mouth.

Thus it happened that our knight heard about a contest a king from a faraway land was holding, some kind of tournament with a splendid reward, and he decided to take part in it. He was broke once more, and it seemed a fairly easy way to earn some money.

So he mounted his faithful black horse and set off for the journey.

The contest was meant to last three days. When the opening day came, the castle court was buzzing both with spectators and aspirants longing to see the beautiful princess whose hand was the noble prize.

Only the princess couldn't be persuaded to descend from her library.

She did not want to witness the trial which was held for the sake of her future.

She despised her father's idea of reducing her to a mere trophy for some narcissistic wannabe hero.

But being a princess, she had no choice anyway.

The king now welcomed the competitors alone, of whom three dozen had arrived, and within an hour the first task was about to start.

The candidates had to showcase their talent as fighters, as a king needed to be able to protect his kingdom and everyone living within its borders. Therefore the hopeful young men had to face the commander of the king's guard, the strongest fighter of all, who was known as the Scarlet Knight throughout the country and beyond.

Those who could stand up to her in melee for fifteen minutes would pass the test, while both swords and magic were allowed as weapons.

Meanwhile the Road Knight had taken a nice long nap by the side of the road. It took his poor horse quite a few hard kicks to wake him up, so he almost arrived late at the tournament field and heard nothing of the king’s speech or the rumors about the princess.

When the battle started, he just leant idly against the fence enclosing the site, crossed his arms and yawped while the fight was raging around him. He did not even carry a sword with him.

It wasn’t until the Scarlet Knight had finished off more than half of his opponents when he finally decided to join the brawl, but what a sight it was!

For the Road Knight did not need to bear arms: His magic was of a kind that he could conjure up any shape of metal he wanted, turning his limbs into weapons easily. He was indeed an experienced fighter, having taken on countless opponents and monsters alike over the years. Still the commander gave him and the other combatants a hard time. When time was up at last, only three of them were left: the prince of the Flower Kingdom, the prince of the kingdom of Celeritas, and our Road Knight.

The crowd cheered the winners with thunderous applause, and a gorgeous feast took place that night.

Only the princess was nowhere to be seen.

[enbyonmandalore]

Heaven "Satan" St. John

An introduction to my CoD MW2 OC. TW for Violence typical to the CoD franchise.

Irish

Child of a cult leader

One older brother, Michael, and two younger sisters, Faith and Eva

Michael escaped the cult first, leaving all his siblings behind

Their father believes his son being a heretic "infected" Heaven with demonic ideals

Heaven escaped the cult at 16 after being nearly tortured to death

Queer

Religious trauma (obviously)

Can growl & hiss like an animal, defense mechanism from their childhood

Joined the military young by lying about their age

Violently beat a fascist to the brink of death because he reminded them too much of their father

Had the best time of their life as a cadet in the Royal Air Force

Had the chance to finally feel normal and make friends

Callsign "Angel"

Met a black girl named Gloria "Wrecker" McIntosh, fell in love with her

Became a RAF officer

Eventually achieved rank of squadron leader due to being an excellent helicopter pilot and drone operator

Loves flying bc all their big problems seem so small from up high

Arrogant enough to call the helicopter on their first big mission "The Baron"

Caught special forces recruiters' eye for being able to potentially resist enemy torture very well

Received "special interrogation" training

Shot down while on patrol in a war zone and pulled themselves out of the burning wreck, only survivor of the incident

Barely made it and had to undergo 2 years of physical and psychological therapy

Covers the massive burn scar on their face with a mask

The right side of their body in general is extremely scarred from the crash

Captain Price was present when they first woke up from surgery, but they didn't recognize him

Captain Price continues to make sure Heaven stays in the military

Once they're allowed to be active again, they get recruited to SAS and change their callsign to "Satan"

The co-pilot that died in the crash was Gloria

Kept a pair of Gloria's dog tags as well as a few (stolen) sweaters

Price's immediate reaction to seeing Heaven again is "Oh no, not another one with a mask..."

Is present during the events of MW, helps get Gaz and Price around and is assisted by Nikolai

Eventually gets put on Task Force 141 after the events of CoD MW

Immediately befriends Soap

Soap and Satan talk in extra thick Scottish and Irish accents when around each other

"Speak fuckin' English!"

Satan's cocky attitude slowly but surely is wearing Ghost's patience thin...

Audio books + stress cleaning = post-mission coping mechanism

Secretly loves eastern European music, but will never admit it

Learned to speak Polish for a mission

Fluent in Gaelic

Despite listening to a lot of heavy metal, their favorite song is "Somewhere Over The Rainbow"

Gets anxious letting anyone besides themselves pilot an aircraft

Insists that they hate chocolate (lie)

Actually hates any other candy

Doesn't celebrate any holidays and volunteers for shifts on said days, but Price, Gaz and Soap still gift them stuff for Christmas

The only way they're able to seem to be as unfazed as they do, is bc they're completely disconnected from reality on missions (helps keep the PTSD in check)

When TF 141 meets KorTac, Satan befriends Gromsko almost as quickly as they befriended Soap

Polish swearing can be heard throughout the base at all hours

König has a staring problem and thinks nobody notices

Ghost notices and chaos ensues (aka Test The Limits)

TW for more shit Heaven went through:

beaten as a child up until they were 16

nearly drowned during baptism in order to be "reborn"

forcefully exorcised at 14, burned with battery acid in the process

had a large cross carved into their back to "drive out the devil"

caged in with a hungry dog

starved

sleep deprivation, forced to stay up for days reciting prayer

held hostage at gunpoint during a mission

survived a nearly fatal helicopter crash, cracked multiple ribs, a triple fractured right leg, broken collar bone, two broken fingers on the right and three broken on the left hand, broken left wrist, severe concussion, 2nd degree burns on the right side and back of their body and face

[pagebypagereviews]

Embark on a transcendent journey of self-discovery with Paulo Coelho's enchanting novel, "The Alchemist." Distinguished as a modern classic, this mesmerizing tale has bewitched readers worldwide, firmly establishing its place as one of literature's most inspiring works. It's not merely the story's wanderlust that captivates the audience, but its underlying message: the pursuit of one's personal legend. At the heart of Coelho's narrative is a universal truth – a reminder that within each of us lies the potential to live out our dreams, no matter how distant they may seem. The book's protagonist, Santiago, embodies the quintessential seeker, illustrating that the treasure we most fervently search for often resides much closer than imagined. Solving the existential puzzle that haunts every individual, "The Alchemist" illuminates the path for those who find themselves at life's crossroads, struggling with the question of purpose. Paulo Coelho's masterful storytelling provides a compass for the soul, guiding readers through their own fears and doubts toward the realization that the most profound discoveries are those we uncover within ourselves. It challenges the very notions of fate and free will, pushing readers to contemplate the extent of control they have over their destinies. As the young Andalusian shepherd Santiago learns to interpret the omens strewn along his path, so too are we invited to discern the subtle signs in our lives, pointing us toward our own true north in an odyssey of spiritual awakening. Plot In "The Alchemist," a young Andalusian shepherd named Santiago embarks on a journey to fulfill his personal legend and discover his treasure at the foot of the Egyptian pyramids. Initially inspired by a recurring dream, Santiago meets various characters who guide him towards his destiny, including Melchizedek, the king of Salem, who introduces him to the concept of a personal legend and the notion that the universe conspires to help one achieve it. As Santiago travels, he works with a crystal merchant, learns the language of the world, and understands the importance of following one's heart. Upon reaching Egypt, Santiago's journey becomes even more challenging as he is robbed, encounters an Englishman in search of the Philosopher's Stone, and meets an alchemist who escorts him through the Saharan desert, where he faces tests of faith. The plot culminates with a twist, as Santiago learns that the treasure he was seeking was not in the pyramids, but back in the church ruins where he had his original dream, symbolizing the journey's importance over the destination. Characters The characters Santiago encounters significantly impact his perspective and growth throughout "The Alchemist." Santiago himself is a curious and determined shepherd, an archetype for a seeker or dreamer in pursuit of understanding. Melchizedek serves as a mentor figure, while the crystal merchant embodies the fear of change and the complacency that hinders the pursuit of personal legends. The Englishman represents the scholarly pursuit of alchemy and the importance of combining learning with experience. Fatima, a desert woman Santiago falls in love with, symbolizes true love that does not impede one's personal destiny. The alchemist, named after the book's title, is a mysterious and wise mentor who challenges Santiago to realize his full potential. Each character brings unique lessons and reflections, contributing to Santiago's journey and the story's broader metaphysical themes. Writing Style Paulo Coelho's writing style in "The Alchemist" is characterized by its simplicity and allegorical nature. The prose is clear and accessible, with a straightforward narrative that belies deeper philosophical themes. Coelho's use of symbolism and parable-like storytelling invites readers to derive their interpretations, allowing for a personal connection to the story's message. Through concise language and poignant analogies, Coelho examines complex concepts such as destiny, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all things.

His style often employs a blend of mystical elements and realistic descriptions, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that complements the book's focus on following one's dreams. Setting The setting of "The Alchemist" spans from the rolling hills of Andalusia in Spain to the vast expanses of the Saharan desert in North Africa. These locales play more than mere backdrops to the action; the countryside, towns, and desert regions Santiago traverses are reflective of the various stages of his quest. The settings influence the narrative's tone and mood – from the comfort of familiar pastures to the daunting bazaars of Tangier, and the enigmatic allure of the Egyptian desert. The settings also mirror Santiago's internal transformation: the closer he gets to his treasure, the more challenging and isolated the landscapes become. These diverse locales create a rich tapestry that symbolizes the universal journey of self-discovery. Unique Aspects One of the unique aspects of "The Alchemist" is its blend of spirituality, philosophy, and adventure, establishing it as a modern parable. The novel incorporates various religious and esoteric traditions, including Christianity, Islam, and Hermeticism, which resonate with a global audience. The idea of a 'personal legend' is a novel concept that Coelho presents, offering a universal message of pursuing one's dreams that transcends cultural boundaries. Another distinguishing feature is the novel's emphasis on omens and symbology, which are used as narrative devices to guide Santiago on his quest. Coelho's narrative also allows the physical journey to reflect the protagonist's inner transformation, making 'The Alchemist' a profound exploration of finding one's purpose and the treasure within. The book’s enduring popularity and impact – having been translated into dozens of languages and inspiring countless readers worldwide – testify to its unique position in contemporary literature. Similar to The Alchemist Below is an HTML code snippet showcasing the pros or cons of "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, using the table tag with solid 1px black borders to format each section distinctly. ```html The Alchemist Analysis table width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; table, th, td border: 1px solid black; th, td padding: 10px; text-align: left; th background-color: #f2f2f2; .pros-row background-color: #e7f4e4; .cons-row background-color: #fde8e8; Pros of The Alchemist Universal Themes The story's universal themes of following your dreams and the journey of self-discovery resonate with readers worldwide. Simple Language The book is written in simple language that is easy to understand, which makes it accessible to a wide audience, including younger readers. Inspirational Many readers find the story inspiring, encouraging them to take risks and pursue their own Personal Legend. Cultural Diversity The novel showcases diverse cultures and landscapes, providing a rich and educational reading experience. Cons of The Alchemist Overly Simplistic Some critics argue that the novel's message is overly simplistic and that life's complexities cannot be boiled down to a single philosophy. Predictable Plot Others believe that the plot is predictable with a lack of depth in character development and storytelling. Repetitive Narrative The central theme of pursuing one's dreams may feel repetitive to certain readers, as it is reiterated multiple times throughout the book. Unrealistic Expectations The book may set unrealistic expectations for success, suggesting that the universe conspires to help one achieve their dreams, which may not align with real-life experiences. ``` This HTML document features two separate tables to clearly outline the pros and cons of "The Alchemist." Each table has a header that spans two columns for a clear title. The content of the tables is divided into rows, each alternating in color to differentiate the pros from the cons effectively.

The overall style is designed to ensure that each section stands out and is presented clearly for thorough analysis. Editions and Translations of The Alchemist When shopping for a copy of Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist," you will find that it is available in various editions and translations. The original text was written in Portuguese, so if you are a reader looking to experience the book in its primary form, you should look for editions that have been published in Brazil or Portugal. For English speakers, numerous translations are available, and it's crucial to select one that has been well-reviewed for capturing the essence of Coelho's poetic prose. Notable translations include those by Alan R. Clarke. Consider also the different formats such as hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook. Collectors may want to invest in first editions or special hardcover releases, while casual readers might prefer the flexibility of a paperback or the convenience of a digital edition. Comparing The Alchemist with Other Inspirational Fiction In the genre of inspirational fiction, "The Alchemist" stands as a bestselling title with a simple yet profound narrative. When comparing it to similar books, pay attention to themes of self-discovery, adventure, and spiritual enlightenment. Evaluate how different authors approach these themes and examine the depth of the philosophical insights they offer. Books like "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel or "Siddhartha" by Hermann Hesse might present similar journeys of spiritual growth and could provide contrasting or complementary perspectives to Coelho's work. Reading reviews and plot summaries can give you a better idea of each book's approach to the genre. Understanding The Alchemist's Influence and Popularity Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" is not only a work of fiction but has also been a source of motivation for many. Its popularity has led to a global following, and it's important to recognize its impact on culture and readers. Look into the testimonials from readers around the world and the book's appearance on international bestselling lists. Knowing that renowned public figures and celebrities have praised the novel might also influence your decision, as the book has inspired many to pursue their personal legends. Additionally, understanding its influence can provide insight into why "The Alchemist" has been a recommended read in various educational and self-help contexts. Price Comparisons and Availability As with any purchase, the cost is an important consideration. Prices for "The Alchemist" will vary based on the edition, format, and where you choose to purchase it. Compare prices from different retailers including local bookstores, online marketplaces, and audiobook platforms, if you are considering the latter format. Look out for sales or discounts, especially during holidays or special events, as many book sellers offer promotions. Checking availability is also recommended; while the book is widely available, certain editions might have limited print runs and could be more difficult to find. Be wary of prices that seem unusually low or excessively high, as these could indicate counterfeit copies or price gouging, respectively. Consider the Publisher and Print Quality The publisher can significantly affect the reading experience of "The Alchemist." Renowned publishers ensure good print quality, paper, and binding, which contributes to the book's durability and your overall satisfaction. HarperCollins, for instance, is known for its quality editions of "The Alchemist." If you are looking for a version to keep for a long time, or even pass down as a keepsake, the investment in a well-made edition is worth considering. Always check for the print quality before making a purchase, especially when buying online. Look for clear text, well-spaced words, and paper that is sturdy and not prone to yellowing over time. Special Editions and Added Features For those who are particularly enamored with "The Alchemist,"

there are special editions that include added features such—as forewords by notable figures, illustrations, and bonus content like interviews with the author or discussions on the book's impact. These editions might carry a higher price tag but can provide a richer reading experience and deeper insight into the world of "The Alchemist." Such editions might also include reader's guides or discussion questions which can be invaluable for book clubs and academic settings. Remember to verify the authenticity of these special editions and ensure they are official releases. Please ensure this structured guide assists you in selecting a version of "The Alchemist" that best suits your preferences and fulfills your reading desires. ```html FAQ for The Alchemist What is the main theme of The Alchemist? The main theme of The Alchemist is the pursuit of one's personal legend, which is a person's destiny or life purpose. The book emphasizes the importance of following one's dreams and listening to one's heart. Is The Alchemist a religious book? No, The Alchemist is not a religious book, but it does incorporate various spiritual and philosophical elements that resonate with multiple religions and spiritual teachings. It promotes universal themes of faith, destiny, and the interconnectedness of all things. Who is the author of The Alchemist, and what is his background? The Alchemist was written by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian author known for his inspirational fiction. Coelho's works often explore themes of spirituality and self-discovery. Can The Alchemist be classified as a self-help book? While The Alchemist is primarily a work of fiction, many readers find self-help and motivational elements in the story. Its messages about pursuing dreams and personal growth resonate with readers looking for inspiration. Is The Alchemist based on a true story? No, The Alchemist is a work of fiction. However, Paulo Coelho draws on his own experiences and incorporates philosophical ideas that reflect real-life concepts and beliefs. What language was The Alchemist originally written in? The Alchemist was originally written in Portuguese and has since been translated into many languages worldwide. How long does it take to read The Alchemist? Reading time for The Alchemist can vary depending on the reader, but it is generally considered a quick read due to its length and the engaging nature of the story. On average, it may take anywhere from 4 to 6 hours. Is there a sequel to The Alchemist? No, there is not a sequel to The Alchemist. The book is a standalone novel. What age group is appropriate for The Alchemist? The Alchemist is often read by young adults and adults. The universal themes and relatively simple prose make it accessible to readers from the age of around 13 or 14 and up. How has The Alchemist been received by critics and readers? The Alchemist has received a mix of reviews from critics but has become an international bestseller and is beloved by readers around the world. Some critics have pointed out its simplicity and allegorical nature, while readers often find it deeply inspirational and life-changing. ``` In summing up the soul-stirring journey detailed in Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist," it's clear to see why this book has become an enduring classic, resonating with readers worldwide. Through the enchanting story of Santiago, a shepherd boy dreaming of discovering a worldly treasure, we are reminded of the importance of following our heart and interpreting the omens strewn along life's path. The narrative is not just a tale of adventure, but a timeless exploration of personal growth and self-discovery. "The Alchemist" stands out as a beacon of inspiration, encouraging us to pursue our dreams with unwavering determination and to recognize the significance of each choice we make. Coelho weaves a rich tapestry of themes such as love, destiny, and the interconnectedness of all things, which imparts invaluable wisdom to his readers. The philosophical

insights the book offers have the power to transform our thinking, prompt introspection, and lead to profound personal growth. Choosing "The Alchemist" for your next read is more than an investment in mere pages; it is an investment in a spiritual journey that offers benefits beyond the conventional. It teaches us to listen to our hearts, to recognize opportunity, and to learn that life's greatest treasures are often hidden in plain sight—within the journey itself. If you're on the lookout for a book that marries a simple narrative with deep, philosophical truths, "The Alchemist" is an unparalleled choice. Paulo Coelho's genius lies in his ability to present complex life lessons in an accessible manner, making this book not only a valuable read but a necessary experience for anyone seeking to unearth the beauty in their own personal legend. Other The Alchemist buying options

[yhwhrulz]

Worthy Brief - October 16, 2023

Tread and receive His promises!

Joshua 1:3,7-8 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

As Joshua is about to enter the promised land, God reassures him and affirms the promise that was given to Moses, saying, "Wherever you place your feet – it shall be given to you!" God reveals His will, makes an amazing promise, then gives His servant a practical principle for working the promise out and claiming it, telling Joshua to literally step into His will. This is true for every believer. Our mandate is to know, understand and step out into the will of God. How can we know God's will?"

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." [Romans 12:2]

But once we know His will we need to have the faith and courage to step out into it. If you don't step out – you can't receive it!

Who knows how many blessings we've passed on because we were too afraid to step out! So become like Joshua today! Step out in faith! The enemy of our souls is desiring to prevent us from stepping out – but the promise was given that we should "tread upon the power of the enemy" [Luke 10:18-20].

Step out in His will, claim the promise He has spoken to you– and it shall be given to you! Step out – press through – and know the promises are sure to follow – God has spoken, your part is to step out!

Your family in the Lord with much agape love,

George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX) (Baltimore, Maryland)

Editor's Note: Watch George's latest messages: The Simchat Torah War -- Part 2 - https://worthy.tv/the-simchat-torah-war-part-2/ | The Simchat Torah War … is this a water breaking moment? - https://worthy.tv/the-simchat-torah-war-is-this-a-water-breaking-moment/ | The Kingdom, Marriage, and the Feasts of the Lord - https://worthy.tv/the-kingdom-marriage-and-the-feasts-of-the-lord/

Editor's Note: During this war, we have been live blogging throughout the day -- sometimes minute by minute on our Telegram channel. - https://worthynews.us12.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b94ae97bb66e693a4850359ec&id=fc74078d4e&e=546629276c Be sure to check it out!

Editor's Note: We are planning our Winter Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.

[dfroza]

A refusal to bow (to bend) to the lying dragon’s wishes.

this world is a “testing ground” of faith, and it takes bravery, and much patience.

but also, humility. God will not be tested by His Creation, nor by the fallen dragon. and God tempts no One. people are tempted through their own carnal desire toward sin and we need a new True nature of the Spirit (inside, Anew)

Today’s reading of the Scriptures from the New Testament is the 4th chapter of the book of Matthew:

The Spirit then led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the devil. Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. After this fast, He was, as you can imagine, hungry. But He was also curiously stronger, when the tempter came to Jesus.

Devil: If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.

Jesus (quoting Deuteronomy): It is written, “Man does not live by bread alone. Rather, he lives on every word that comes from the mouth of the Eternal One.”

Then the devil took Jesus to the holy city, Jerusalem, and he had Jesus stand at the very highest point in the holy temple.

Devil: If You are the Son of God, jump! And then we will see if You fulfill the Scripture that says,

He will command His heavenly messengers concerning You,

and the messengers will buoy You in their hands

So that You will not crash, or fall, or even graze Your foot on a stone.

Jesus: That is not the only thing Scripture says. It also says, “Do not put the Eternal One, your God, to the test.”

And still the devil subjected Jesus to a third test. He took Jesus to the top of a very high mountain, and he showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in all their splendor and glory, their power and pomp.

Devil: If You bow down and worship me, I will give You all these kingdoms.

Jesus: Get away from Me, Satan. I will not serve you. I will instead follow Scripture, which tells us to “worship the Eternal One, your God, and serve only Him.”

Then the devil left Jesus. And heavenly messengers came and ministered to Him.

It was not long until powerful people put John in prison. When Jesus learned this, He went back to Galilee. He moved from Nazareth to Capernaum, a town by the sea in the regions of Zebulun and Naphtali. He did this to fulfill one of the prophecies of Isaiah:

In the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

the road to the sea along the Jordan in Galilee, the land of the outsiders—

In these places, the people who had been living in darkness

saw a great light.

The light of life will overtake those who dwelt in the shadowy darkness of death.

From that time on, preaching was part of Jesus’ work.

Jesus: Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

One day Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee when He saw Simon (also called Peter) and Andrew throwing their nets into the water. They were, of course, fishermen.

Jesus: Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.

Immediately Peter and Andrew left their fishnets and followed Jesus.

Going on from there, Jesus saw two more brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They, too, were fishermen. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee getting their nets ready to fish. Jesus summoned them, just as He had called to Peter and Andrew, and immediately they left their boat and their father to follow Jesus.

And so Jesus went throughout Galilee. He taught in the synagogues. He preached the good news of the Kingdom, and He healed people, ridding their bodies of sickness and disease. Word spread all over Syria, as more and more sick people came to Him. The innumerable ill who came before Him had all sorts of diseases, they were in crippling pain; they were possessed by demons; they had seizures; they were paralyzed. But Jesus healed them all. Large crowds from Galilee, from Jerusalem, from the ten cities called the Decapolis, from Judea, and from the region across the Jordan followed him.

The Book of Matthew, Chapter 4 (The Voice)

A set of notes from The Voice translation:

The point, of course, is not that Jesus couldn’t have turned these stones to bread. A little later in the story He can make food appear when He needs to. But Jesus doesn’t work miracles out of the blue, for no reason, for show or proof or spectacle. He works them in intimate, close places; He works them to meet people’s needs and to show them the way to the Kingdom.

By now Jesus desires a community around Him, friends and followers who help Him carry this urgent, precious message to people. His message is not dissimilar to John’s: Turn away from sin; turn toward God. And so He calls a community to join Him. These first beloved followers are called “disciples,” which means “apprentices.” The first disciples are two brothers, Simon and Andrew. They are fishermen.

Today’s paired chapter of the Testaments is the 10th and closing chapter of the book of Esther:

Across his empire, on the land and along the coasts, King Ahasuerus imposed taxation upon the people. All of King Ahasuerus’ accomplishments, as well as the great work of Mordecai, whom the king promoted, are written down in the chronicles of the kings of Media and Persia. For Mordecai the Jew became second-in-command to King Ahasuerus, and he was highly revered among the Jews because he worked for the prosperity of his people and was an advocate for their well-being.

The Book of Esther, Chapter 10 (The Voice)

A note from The Voice translation:

In all of Jewish history, Esther’s story is unique. Her meteoric rise from common Jewish girl to queen of the vast Persian Empire is evidence that God can use some unlikely characters. In this case, He uses Esther to halt a terrible injustice and to settle an ancient score. To be used by God in any capacity, however, requires courage; it requires taking a risk. In Esther’s case, she risks her own life in order to save her people, and in a greater sense to ensure that the story of redemption continues.

The world has always endured times of great injustice, times of great need. Yet God is at work, transforming sorrow to joy, shame to honor, and injustice to justice. Each person is called to impact the age in which he or she lives.

A link to my personal reading of the Scriptures for Tuesday, April 25 of 2023 with a paired chapter from each Testament of the Bible along with Today’s Proverbs and Psalms

A post by John Parsons about Israel’s significance:

Israel's Independence day begins April 25th at sundown and runs through the following day.

====

Do you have a Jewish heart? If you say that you love the “LORD God of Israel” (יהוה אֱלהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) -- and it’s clear that the LORD God of Israel loves the Jewish people -- it follows that you likewise will love the Jewish people (see Deut. 7:6-8; 14:2; 2 Sam. 7:23-24; 1 Kings 8:53; 10:9; 1 Chron 17:20-21; Isa 43:1-3; Jer. 31:31-37; Ezek. 36:24-28; Rom. 11:1-2;11:28; Hos. 11:1-11, etc.). After all, the LORD Yeshua is called מֶלֶךְ הַיְּהוּדִים / melech ha-Yehudim: the "King of the Jews" (Matt. 2:2, 27:11, etc.), and the very term "Mashiach" [i.e., “Christ”] is a regal term denoting the anointed King of Israel. Christians who pray to “Jesus Christ” are really praying to Yeshua as the anointed King of the Jews... And one day (very soon) Yeshua will indeed return to Jerusalem, the "City of the Great King" (Matt 5:35), to assume the throne of David and complete the redemption originally promised to the Jewish people (Zech. 12:1-13:1; 14:1-9, Ezek. 37:12-14, etc.). God will prove faithful to ethnic Israel, friends, and to deny this is to radically question God’s faithfulness to the "Church." Indeed, let me say this as plainly as I can: Churches or teachers who claim that God has abandoned ethnic Israel are directly impugning the credibility of the Gospel message itself. Yes, it’s that serious of an issue...

Note the verse that says, "I will bless those who bless you, but the one who discounts you will be cursed" (Gen 12:3). Why is this the case, chaverim? The answer is found in the second half of the verse: "For in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed" [i.e., through the advent of your Seed, the Messiah]. We cannot impugn the promises of God given to the Jewish people without likewise impugning God's promises given to us in Messiah. To say that God is "done with the Jewish people," or to consign them to a dark fate, is to disregard them, to curse them, and that results in reciprocal judgment from heaven.

The physical descendants of Abraham are called בָּבַת עֵינוֹ (bavat eino), the “pupil of God’s eye” (Zech. 2:8), a term of endearment that the LORD uses for no other nation on earth. Indeed the very habitations of the nations were established based on the number of the children of Israel (see Deut. 32:8). The Scriptures declare that the LORD will never abandon His original covenant people but will yet choose them for His Name’s sake (Isa. 14:1). The church has not replaced Israel in God’s redemptive plan but is merely “grafted in” to the original “root” of Israel. “Remember,” Rabbi Paul warns, “it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you” (Rom. 11:18). “Blessed be the LORD God of Israel From everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, "Amen!" (Psalm 106:48).

[ Hebrew for Christians ]

========

Psalm 135:4 commentary:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm135-4-jjp.mp3

Hebrew reading page:

https://hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Blessing_Cards/psalm135-4-lesson.pdf

4.24.23 • Facebook

Today’s message (Days of Praise) from the Institute for Creation Research

April 25, 2023

Doxology to the King

“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17)

In this stirring doxology to the One who allowed him into the ministry (vv. 12-13), whose grace “was exceeding abundant” (v. 14), who “came into the world to save sinners” (v. 15), who showed mercy and longsuffering, and who grants “life everlasting” (v. 16), Paul uses several majestic descriptive terms. Each deserves our attention.

The King eternal. God’s sovereign kingship is in view here. The phrase literally translates, the “King of the ages.” “But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king” (Jeremiah 10:10). He is the King, and we must stand in submission to Him.

Immortal. The Greek word used here implies more than mere exemption from death. A fuller meaning would include total incorruptibility; i.e., the inability to be stained by either decay or death. What a comfort to realize that the believer’s crown in glory will be likewise incorruptible (1 Corinthians 9:25), as will his resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15:52).

Invisible. God is a Spirit and as such cannot be seen. He has chosen to appear on numerous occasions, most notably as Christ, but is usually unseen, the primary meaning of the word. Christ “is the image of the invisible [same word] God, the firstborn of every creature” (Colossians 1:15). Seen or unseen, He merits our praise.

The only wise God. God is unique in His existence and wisdom, “God only wise” (Romans 16:27). He stands alone, solitary, apart from all others.

Surely to this eternal, incorruptible, unseen, unique, wise, sovereign King belongs “honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” JDM

[2stepadmiral]

Book of Boba Fett spoilers ahead!

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I really need to gush about Master Luke and Grogu, not gonna lie.

The energy Luke has as a Jedi Master? On. Fucking. Point. Firm and focused, yes, but kind, caring, and definitely a little playful. Gently but firmly telling Grogu not to use the Force on frogs and then lifting the entire population of the pond to make him smile?

Or when the remote blasts Grogu back and he falls down, how Luke tells him to always get back up. His tone is expectant, he clearly won’t accept no for an answer here, but it’s also encouraging, conveying with tone alone that Grogu can get back up, and that Luke has utmost confidence and faith in his ability.

What about when Grogu can’t at first manage a Force jump? Luke is chiding in tone, as though Grogu knew what Luke meant and deliberately misinterpreted him and he felt a slight chastisement was needed, before explaining clearly what he needs to do and how he can do it. When he fails to do it, Luke just points out a flaw in his approach, harkening back to Yoda’s teaching, and decides to focus on something else that can help him.

And on the topic of Yoda, all throughout the episode, Luke speaks of his old teacher with the utmost fondness and even a hint of longing. You can tell that even now, he sees self in the shadow of his former teachers wisdom. In many ways, he will always be comparing himself to Yoda and feels the need to measure up in any way he can. He sees it taking this student on as a way to both emulate and to honor Yoda, and perhaps in some way, as a way to make up for how little time he was able to spend with the wise old master.

And let’s not forget Ahsoka. Although her appearance was brief, we get a brief yet good look at their relationship. She calls him ‘Master Luke,’ because he has earned the title (if not the rank) by taking his apprentice, but not ‘Master Skywalker,’ for to her, that will always be Anakin. She looks at Luke fondly, very much the way we have always imagined she would, like a proud aunt with the now grown son of her long-lost brother. She sees so much of the good man Anakin once was, and likely sees much of Padme in him too, and seeing the goodness of her former master live on in the son who saved him before the end fills her with such warmth that she can’t help but smile. His heart, his tremendous capacity for compassion, his deep concern for his Padawan, everything about him reminds her of the man she looked upon as an older brother and a friend, so much so that every now and then, she can’t help but remark on it to him.

And the sheer amount of trust that she has in him, despite the fact that they can’t have known each other for too long, is nothing short of amazing to me. When the Mandalorian expresses concern for Grogu’s safety, Ahsoka simply says that there is no place in the galaxy safer for him than with Luke. She isn’t just acknowledging Luke as her equal or as more powerful than her, she is stating complete trust in him. She herself cares for Grogu and for his safety, and as Luke’s senior, she would doubtlessly know what would be best for him, and she does not hesitate to advocate for the young master. She knew Anakin before he fell to the dark side, and she expressed fear of the possibility of Grogu following that same path. Yet she has come to know Luke, and likely has been watching for any sign that Luke might have that same darkness within him, and he obviously has passed her test, for otherwise, she would never have stated so openly how she trusts him with Grogu’s training. 

And this trust goes both ways. Before Grogu and earlier before the Mandalorian, Luke radiated calm composure, a strong sense of wisdom and experience, almost as though he knew everything, but to Ahsoka, Luke allows himself to be open and vulnerable, and confiding in her his fear that he is not adequate to teach the small Jedi.  for the last of the Jedi, the weight is heavy, and although Ahsoka may not be a full member of the order anymore, the fact that she once was and that she knew his father and his teachers makes her one of the only people he can fully trust to help him bear that weight. 

[valorxdrive]

What do you think about Aqua's character across the games?

In my book she’s honestly a hot mess in Many of the right ways.

Her tale is one of how Authority isn’t always absolute, but also, how by proxy the system of being a Keyblade society failed her overall. This again, is due to how their lifestyle often doesn’t foster a normal sense of growing. Where qualities like empathy, a moral compass (that doesn’t shoot off to radical degrees that is), and a proper environment to learn about her promotion to a Keyblade Master before really having to past the test for it. Now I’ll give it that there was ill timing in the emergency of her being a Master and the plots of Xehanort, but, I’d like to indulge how this journey reflects many things she wished to obtain self-improvement upon.

First off. How much the impact this shift in power dynamic and it’s thrust into immediate action negatively impacted her relationship with Terra and Ventus.

Aqua at this point of time is granted a new duty, one by extension, amplifies her protective nature over Terra and Ventus to points that does more harm than good. Throughout the BBS chapter, you’d come to notice how a lot of her lessons throughout the Disney verses focus upon duty vs personal belief, new perspectives in what it means to be a leader, but also, to take a moment and really reflect how the teachings while being a Keyblade Wielder (Her instantly wanting to kill Cinderella’s sisters thinking darkness has a hold of them) has more flaws than she realizes, for her to question and reflect.

She sadly has to learn a lot while using what she knows to keep things together, which by extension, always happens too little too late.

And honestly through her journey I think this is a good dimension to explore! No one is not going to have all the right answers (spiritually speaking) without having the experiences of mistakes, learning and growing understanding by their side. BBS is portrayed a tinge more as a tragedy, since it’s only when everything falls apart, does she comes to learn many valued lessons. For example, how it’s after the showdown with Xehanort that she gets to hear this.

While it’s not the easiest aspect for her to adopt, it’s due to that nature of wanting Ventus to keep safe at home, for her to be the vigil eye and the acting hand as she protects that does more harm than good. Where this would’ve hindered his growth in time and got him into GREATER danger. That really sparked a more rebellious nature compared to what could’ve been camaraderie and better understanding if she actually attempts to see his angle. Partly her virtues, partly the environment that raised them.

This actually goes hand in hand in what stressed her relationship with Terra too. Keep in mind I don’t fault her deeply because ultimately, it’s Xehanort who worked and tugged at their bonds to really split them apart, knowing that the flawed system of how they were raised makes them blind to many things.

Her lack of faith in Terra, not knowing the way to really approach this in a way that considers their feelings and keeping it unattached to Eraqus’s orders and her authority as a Keyblade Master, in what she thinks needs to be the correct route, created so many openings for their bond to corroded until their unified stance back at the end of BBS. It’s only when the stakes are brought to a point where they’re together, fighting together, standing together does the true extent of all the earlier mess gets cast out the window. This conflict makes them reveal and strengthen themselves off this very care, down to each and every one of their bitter ends.

At the same time it reveals not only their sacrificial natures, but also, in Aqua’s case, the fragility of her heart when duty doesn’t bolster it upward. (Granted. Being in the Realm of Darkness is a hellish place that intends to pressure it down to begin with.) The Realm of Darkness created a horrible exaggeration to her thoughts and feelings which even to now, sticks with her to a degree.

She’s a Keyblade Master in the process of having to learn how to become her own style of Master. Eraqus died too soon before really imparting any meaningful methods and tools to assist with a journey of re-growth. Now she needs to define herself all over again, but as a Keyblade Master, and how to fairly balance that with a humble sense of progression.

.

Damn I went in with details. LOL. I hope you enjoyed reading this bit here out, whether you agree or disagree.

[oswald-privileges]

ALL RIGHT BUT YOU ASKED FOR IT

Power of Three as a series is just. full of weaknesses, most of which come down to poor continuity and structure. I'm not gonna try and fix ALL of those, bc that'd be laborious as hell, but I will pick out things that I feel are the most egregious as case studies.

What Po3 does have, tho, is an absolutely shining strength in the concept of its three main characters. After twelve books of Blandly Heroic Protagonist Syndrome, Jayfeather is an absolute godsend. He's angry! He's rude! He's unhappy! He's not nice. I Love Him And He's My Son. Lionblaze has his invincible pride (hah) and emergent bloodlust, and Hollyleaf has her moral absolutism and certainty. These are good starting points for characters. Sadly, the lack of continuity undermines what could have been three really good character arcs.

So! I present to you:

HOW TO MAKE "WARRIORS: THE POWER OF THREE" NOT COMPLETELY SUCK ACCORDING TO MY PERSONAL TASTE; A NON-EXHAUSTIVE, NON-CONSECUTIVE LIST BY ME

ONE

- Have there be a persistant, overarching series threat. Sol is a character with amazing villain potential who does literally nothing except hang around, and do exactly 2 Bad Things completely off-screen. This Is Not Good.

- Instead, have him be present from the second book onwards- initially introduced as a friendly but enigmatic outsider who is slowly revealed across the series to be a complete black hole of a personality, a social parasite quietly rearranging whatever community he's a part of to just-so-happen to benefit him as much as humanly possible. His "preach individualism not starclan" methods are not so much values as one strategy out of many. (to those who know me- yes i have a type. no i will not apologise.)

- Maybe his ultimate goal is to dissolve and centralise the clans or something so that he can live out his life as a political puppetmaster in all the cat-luxury he likes. idk it's hard to imagine overall stakes for this rewrite BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL DOESN'T HAVE ANY

TWO

- For gods sake you don't have a series based on the premise of "the main characters develop super powers" and then only have the second power confirmed by the end of the fourth book. I understand the first book mostly focusing on Jayfeather- his powers are obvious from the start, he's got the strongest personality of the three, he gets access to most of the prophecy plot stuff because of them. But you NEED to have the other two show an interest in something concrete happening to them beyond that, and you need to at least hint towards the other two having something unique to them even if nobody clocks it yet.

- Have Jayfeather tell his siblings about the prophecy by the end of book two at the latest. The amount of time he spends noodling around not sharing it with them is inexcusable. It's not that it's out of character for him to hang onto a secret for a bit, it's just that there's no point and it slows everything down. It would be equally in character for him to go to his siblings and be like "look, i'm SPECIAL. well you as well but ALSO ME". Boy starts off as desperate for recognition, what can I say

THREE

- Have Jayfeather discover that StarClan don't withhold signs or information on purpose for the sake of "building courage and faith" or whatever nonsense. Seeing and communicating the future is metaphysically very difficult, so interpreting signs and messages is a genuine skill, or even an art. The cats of StarClan, however, really are just ghosts, much more similar to living cats than the currently living believe. This is the impotus for Jayfeather's discarding of his reverence for StarClan, which remains consistent throughout the series.

- Have Hollyleaf and Jayfeather both still change their cat careers in the first book, but put place more attention on the fact that they basically switched jobs. Have a scene where they end up yelling at each other, because can't the other see how lucky they have it? The tension breaks when they realise they've both lost something important to them- Jayfeather his chance to prove he's as capable as a sighted cat, and Hollyleaf her path to helping her clan in the way she thinks is best. They commiserate together, and reluctantly promise to do the best they can with their lots, so they don't waste the path the other wishes they'd taken. This closeness is eroded over the series as they disagree more and more on the subject of StarClan and its role in their moral choices and obligations.

FOUR

- Speaking of Hollyleaf! I nearly threw my phone across the room when the first Omen of the Stars book claimed that Hollyleaf "worked so hard to discover her power to help her clan". Where, Ms Erins??? I would have LOVED to have seen that!! Hollyleaf expresses absolutely no concern over the details of what power she has/will develop, and only has a couple of scenes even touching on her ambitions to help her clan. She has some vague ideas about becoming leader and like one scene where she gets to do some leadery things, but that never gets followed up on. What does happen is that the whole "warrior code" thing becomes more and more a part of her personality (for no clear reason) until she snaps.

- Hollyleaf going off the deep end is something I wanted so badly to get into and be moved by, because I could see where it comes from! Her moral certainty is fascinating, especially since it's based in something as abstract as the warrior code- which, when you think about it, isn't really... anything. There's no concrete set of rules that make it up, no traditional wording or cat philosophers, not even any fables. It's a handful of agreed-upon, common sense rules- don't cross boundaries, don't take prey that isn't yours, respect your ancestors, and don't murder. That's it!

- So, combining the above points, I think Hollyleaf not being one of the Three should stay, but both the audience and the characters are given good reason to believe she is. By around the third volume, make it so that Hollyleaf has found that her power is to get cats to "Do The Right Thing"- i.e. what she wants them to do. She sneaks off often to see Sol, who teachs her how to use this power. Her siblings are concerned about this new power, having already gotten a glimpse at what Sol can do, but she's confident that she can only use this power for good. Volume-specific plot happens, Sol manipulates her into causing him to win, she is shocked and horrified, and vows to stick ridgedly to what she knows is right i.e. The Warrior Code

- However, the more fervently she tries to stick to this abstract idea, the less it gives her results, the more her power seems to be failing. Believing that StarClan is taking her power away from her, she becomes caught up in a faith-guilt spiral that puts her in the position to snap at the end of the series. By that point it's clear to her siblings that Hollyleaf has no power- she was just very, very good at persuading people to do what she wanted.

FIVE

- Lionblaze is a girl now because I Said So. This Cat Is Trans And There's Nothing You Can Do About It.

- Her relationship with Heathertail stays the same- childhood sweethearts who are torn apart as they begin to understand the nature of the societal divides that exist between them.

- This can be used to contextualise the whole "half clan/outsider blood" thing as a cultural contradiction. In reality, inter- and outer- clan relationships aren't at all rare. They can't be, otherwise the whole society would be inbred out of existence in like five generations. But if at least one society of humans can spend a good 200 years pretending Sex Is Bad And Sinful Actually then cats can have persistant cat-racism in the face of all logic. Heathertail clocks this contradiction, Lionblaze doesn't.

- Her relationship-to-power arc doesn't need changing all that much either, other than starting much sooner and being more consistent. At first, she's completely overjoyed by her power, since unlike her siblings, it lines up so well with her ambition- become the finest warrior any of the clans have to offer. As the berserker rage aspect becomes more prevelent, she becomes more and more disturbed by the fact that she isn't disturbed by what she can do, and that she doesn't want the escalation of her power to stop.

- Tigerstar still does his thing, but Brambleclaw knows about it. He recognises the signs from when his father used to visit him, and tries to train Lionblaze in his own way. She ends up caught between wanting to be a good warrior, and testing the limits of her power.

SIX

- Jayfeather can stay basically the same because he's my perfect little angy boy and nothing needs to change. His arcs can be strengthened by having a more robust relationship with Yellowfang where they try to out-bitch each other, and coming to terms with his internalised ablism. Maybe he has a chat with Mothwing about faith a couple of times. Him furiously lashing out at being offered help transitions into an acceptence and understanding of his abilities more naturally. He never stops being A Grumpy Old Man.

- All fucking past-lives unexplained time travel goes in the BIN. Doesn't fucking happen. You can have that lore dump sprinkled across the books, or come from going deep into the tunnels and having a surreal meeting. Make it properly eldritch-level scary, shake Jayfeather's confidence in the idea of them being just a bunch of ghosts.

SEVEN

- Have the way Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight present very clearly as parents to the Three be explicitly, textually unusual. One of the things I liked so much about the first series was an almost total lack of emphasis on who was mated with who, and who was related or not. It felt very real to how feral cat colonies form, where raising kittens is a communal job. This gets completely dropped the moment series 2 starts and now the cats have monogamy.

- This emphasis on the family unit and fostering close relationships between parents and kittens is deliberate on the part of both Leafpool and Squirrelflight. Their aim is to cover for Leafpool so she doesn't lose her role as medicine cat- something she already gave up Crowfeather for before she was pregnant.

- In that little bit of backstory, have a robust reason for both Leafpool and Squirrelflight to leave the camp while Leafpool is pregnant and giving birth, possibly one that ties into the present day story in some minor way. I don't know how, it would just make that element of the story a lot more ground than "we left, the kits were born, then we came back and everyone was cool with it"

- When it comes to the "I am Not your mother" reveal, Jayfeather and Lionblaze are confused and hurt that they were lied to, but come to the reasonable conclusion that well, since they were raised mostly by Squirrelflight, saw Leafpool often, and are loved by both, they don't hate her. Lionblaze has something of a crisis over being half-clan, possibly initiating an attempted reunion with Heathertail. Jayfeather is more concerned with how other cats will think it makes him lesser, something he's still sensitive too.

- Hollyleaf, meanwhile, completely fucking snaps at the way her mother Violated Part Of The Code. It's a completely irrational reaction, but expected because she's been growing more and more reliant on The Code for the whole series, and less and less stable in her attempts to aid her clan and train to be its new leader.

- Squirrelflight is the one to murder Ashfur. This is easy to work out while reading- she's literally the only one of the four with a motive who isn't a perspective character. The mystery is less around finding out who did it, and more about why she did it (it's very ambiguous as to whether it was an accident or not). The main tension comes from who finds out when.

- Lionblaze is shocked, awed by how far she'd go to protect the three of them, and reassures her she did the right thing (as a way to salve her own uncertainty over her own longing for violence). Jayfeather makes it all about himself because he's Jayfeather- upset that he didn't know immediately, instead of, you know, figuring it out in a few hours because he can basically read minds. They try their best to hide it from Hollyleaf, who is already rattling around the final volume as a full-on antagonist, but are unsuccessful. This almost costs them something incredibly important- possibly Squirrelflight's life.

EIGHT

- the whole plot with the Tribe Of Rushing Water is a MASSIVE can of worms that could be removed from the series without issue. As it is:

- Characterize the Tribe as uncertain of how to fight other cats, because yes, they haven't had to do this before. DON'T characterise them as pathetic, doing whatever their leader says without thinking, and with ancestors who have Given Up

- Have some of the Tribe be really good at the violence. Worryingly good. Have others be sickened by what they're being asked to do.

- Have some of the clan cats reflect on what they've done. Hollyleaf would be all for introducing this society to jesus The Code, but even she might be horrified at being thanked by a tribe cat who can't wait to get out there and win themselves glory, only to be killed a few hours later

- The Tribe begin a new tradition of marking the walls in the mud they use as camoflage in order to commemorate their battles, and memorialise the fallen. One of the characters reflects on the fact that in a generation or two, the Tribe will feel like it's always been this way. How many of their own traditions- those that feel almost like natural law- started out the same way?

- Have Sol as the leader of the invaders, or maybe having insinuated himself into the tribe as a "mediator" and doing his charismatic cult leader thing.

NINE

- Cinderheart isn't a reincarnation of Cinderpelt. She's just named after her bc Cinderpelt saved her mother from a badger. this is because I think the reincanation thing is stupid and I can't think of a way to make it good.

TEN

- No more using tails as hand gestures like covering people's mouths. Never. None of it. It's expunged from existence.

Disclaimer: I haven't read Omen of the Stars yet, so I can't account for anything that might happen in that series that's grounded in Po3. I'm like... two thirds of the way through the first volume. I'm Not Impressed.

[keanuquotes]

i-D: How did you get involved with Bernardo Bertolucci and The Little Buddha?

Keanu Reeves: Bernardo had seen My Own Private Idaho and he saw me. I didn't know anything about Buddhism. When I was a kid my mother had Chinese artifacts, so to me Buddha was this big fat smiling guy. I come from a background that is not Christian. My mother is English and has no interest in the church, no Western religiosity. In my life I have searched for and asked about God. I joined a Bible group for a bit when I was 11 but it was boring. We met in New York City in a hotel and Bernardo told me the story of the script. He spoke about the lamas he had met and how he had come from a non-religious background, a disbelieving aspect, and he felt he had met religious men and they infected him, you know? And as he told the story, I was crying, I was very excited to be there. When I said I was crying, I didn't, like, drench my jeans, but I was fucking moist on it because it was very sweet and moving and I was affected by seeing this man affected. I was thinking, my God, this is audacious!

While you were filming Much Ado About Nothing in Italy, you met the actor Brian Blessed, and he helped you out with preparing for The Little Buddha.

There was something about Brian Blessed which made me think that he meditated. He's an actor, he climbed Everest, and there was just something about him that made me want to ask him about the dharma (truth). So I asked him if he would spend some time with me, teach me about meditation. I had to prove to him that I wanted to learn. He taught me a basic, very simple meditation. It was my first introduction to many other experiences, to a magnetism that draws you. Throughout the three months that I've been involved I've had many examples of running into Buddhists out of thin air. Driving to Florence to meet my sister and picking up a hitch-hiker and me just asking out of the blue 'are you Buddhist?' And yes, he was. It's occurred many times. Sometimes I've had moments when it's been a little maddening -- like, leave me alone! Man, these fucking guys! There's a power about them, things get taken care of for them without them asking for it. Higher energies, I guess.

When did you start to get totally immersed in Buddhism, on your first visit to Nepal?

I started to have books shipped out to me whilst I was doing Much Ado About Nothing, and began reading, practicing posture and sitting. The first things I learnt were the four noble truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the path that leads to suffering, and the sensation of suffering. The Buddhists believe in no 'self.' The 'I' -- what we call the 'ego' in the West -- does not exist.

When I was in Nepal to do the costume fittings I met a 'master', a Rimpoche (Buddhist adept), who was working with Bernardo. I had some sessions with him doing personal training, he gave me a couple of meditations and he spoke to me about basically working on the notion of 'self'; you have to come to terms with that, then move onto subtler, greater aspects, and basically come to compassion and wisdom and happiness.

When I began working with the Rimpoche and dealing with the sense of self and the practices that he taught me. It's terrifying, it's so painful it's terrifying to give up that idea and the whole notion of the 'I' itself. The Rimpoche said to me do not take what I say on faith! Taste it, bite it, test it like gold. That is Buddhism's strength. It's not proselytising. A Buddhist will not make you fucking say 14 Hail Marys before they give you food. It's not about that the principle that has kept me interested in this is that Buddhists are interested in truth. The bottom line is love and compassion and kindness and happiness.

You were obviously very influenced by the Buddhist teachings. Did you want to become a monk?

No, but there was something inside of me that wanted to. There was a part of me that was searching for a vow to take, you know? There is something in you that can put you over the edge and basically it is only now that I am considering Buddhism. I am going to continue to study it.

How did the influence of Buddhism affect you as an actor?

I've trained as an actor for the past ten years: watching myself, asking why do I feel this, what do I feel now, physically learning expressions, trying to delve into the emotional and intellectual aspects of relationships. And this helped me. It's been therapeutic in a sense -- I've been training my mind.

The first shot you did for the film was the scene of Siddhartha's enlightenment. How did you prepare for that?

I just tried to invoke in myself a calm and a vastness. Bernardo had a picture from a book of the facial expression that he was interested in seeing. I would just try and relate to that and conjure it up.

What about the restricted diet you had to eat while you were doing the scene where Siddhartha is naked and starving himself in the forest?

You and I know, I fucking love feasting! Feasting is one of the great joys of life! But in the past couple of weeks we've been doing the mortification scene, so l fasted; I had an orange and ten litres of water a day, it's crazy, things are revealed to you, that's one of the kicks! Siddhartha was this man who was seeking release from old age, suffering and death. He was conquering his body, he was conquering his desires, his cravings, he was testing himself. He thought, 'if I can conquer my desires, I will be liberated'. You should read some Dalai Lama books, he's very eloquent. There's this one book I've been reading recently called Kindness, Clarity And Insight; if anyone wants to have a little taste of any of these things, they should try to read it.

What's the overall tone of the film?

We're doing a fable-istic, emotive and compassionate representation of Siddhartha. That's my view of it. It's trying to push out and magnify the pain that this man felt.

How are Buddhists going to react to this film?

I don't know. I haven't seen the film yet.

Originally the Indian director Satyajit Ray was against the idea of a film about the story of Buddha. There must be other people who think that too. The film isn't about the story of Buddha. It's a representation of Siddhartha and his life. Bernardo has been very careful about his responsibility. Tradition, ritual and practice is reflected in the film very accurately, and the teaching of the dharma is subtle, rich and deep, and hopefully that will help.

How do you feel about going back to Los Angeles after the filming?

I've come to believe that there is so much ludicrous about America, I can't even believe it! (laughs raucously) Being here (in Nepal) I realise the sewage is so good in America, how we take care of our shit -- the technology is so great, the industry of America is so beautiful. You can see its wonderful, incredible promise -- the potential of a land to really, really help everyone with its ideas and machines, to really fucking help everyone.

When I arrived in Nepal, I'd never ever seen anything like it before in my life. It was amazing. The shock of seeing the culture, the cows everywhere, people brushing their teeth in the street, the bare feet.

How did you deal with that?

I had the really bizarre feeling of being very comfortable and not thinking that it was strange at all. It seemed to make sense. I like cows! One of the most amazing things was an evening I spent at a sacred burial ground where they burn the dead. The sun was going down. On one side was a Hindu temple, some monkeys and dogs; on the other side were people praying and the preparations for a cremation. There were children playing around and selling food and the monkeys were playing with the dogs, the river kept flowing and the sun was going down and the whole of life was there. I didn't grow up on a farm, I grew up in the city. As a bourgeois white boy, sometimes you don't get to see the whole thing -- the morning, the joys, the children, the beginning and the end, the respect and the holiness. The feelings that coursed through me were awe, respect and just being a part of it and looking at all these different people. That was, to me, the most affecting time I spent there.

So you're going back to LA in two days.

Whoo hoo! It's hilarious, man, I've had, like, visions in my bathtub, of going home, lying on my lawn and pouring red wine over my head, soaking myself, going 'forget it, I'm just going to be an ordinary guy, just eat and shit and love and do whatever

, man!' I'm looking forward to seeing my friends and family and riding my bike, hanging out and reading, eating some crab and relaxing. I shipped all my books home -- I'm very interested in learning more about the doctrines, maybe becoming Buddhist. In the world that I'm in, you just want to talk to your friends, hang out, kick back; it's hard sometimes to see deeper things. All we want to do is be happy, have a sense of ease, comfort and joy. Most of us aren't looking for anything beyond that. We all want pray to something, we all feel that something more is 'out there' sometimes. I know I do. And all this has helped me come into contact with that -- an actual experience of it. And that is cool!

Credits

Text and photography by Stephen Hamel.

[queenlucythevaliant]

Dawn Treader is my favorite Narnia book

When I am frightened, or anxious, or sorrowful, my go-to fiction book is The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. I don’t usually start at the beginning. Rather, I know the book well enough that I can nearly always open to a particular chapter which helps to soothe my soul. Some examples:

After I learned that my grandfather had died, I read “The Very End of the World.” In particular, the partings with Caspian (“Yes, but this is sooner”) and Reepicheep (“quivering with happiness”).

Before a particularly difficult meeting where I knew I was going to have to stand up against an authority figure, I read “What Caspian Did There”

While in the recovery room after a major surgery, I asked my mom to read “The Wonders of the Last Sea” (“That’s what it is—drinkable light”)

Before my high school graduation, which was hard for a variety of reasons, I read and re-read “The Dark Island” (“Courage, Dear Heart”)

And I’m sure I could come up with many more examples if I wanted to, but this isn’t meant to be exhaustive. Now let me be clear: I know and believe that Scripture is the best balm for a troubled heart. That said, sometimes the heart rails against opening up the Bible. Sometimes, it’s a kind of refusal to be comforted; other times, you feel as though you simply do not have the energy. VDT, being fiction written for children, has at times allowed me to find Scriptural truth when for one reason or another I could scarcely stand to open my Bible.

Lewis said (in a letter, I think) that VDT is a book about spiritual journeys. I would take it a step further; I think VDT is a book about the spiritual journey. It’s a book about the Christian life. Conversion in Eustace’s un-dragoning. Storms. Temptation, and the ways in which God leads us away from it at Deathwater Island. Christian fellowship. Darkness, and the light of God which is never overcome. Spiritual testing, and failure, and the fact that even when we fail God renews our spirits. Communion and the intimacy with God it brings. Spiritual maturity. Mysteries of faith. Partings. Death. Glory.

VDT is a book about drawing near to the presence of God, and drawing near to heaven. It chronicles a literal voyage to the End of the World, beyond which lies Aslan’s country. The Christian walk is one in which we grow ever nearer to the presence and the character of God throughout the course of our lives, until we reach our ends and are welcomed into His presence utterly. And although it may seem obvious, I do want to clarify here: The Last Battle deals with the New Heavens and the New Earth. VDT deals with the presence of God, and ultimately with Heaven. They’re different promises, equally beautiful, but they speak to different hopes.

VDT presents wonders upon wonders as the end of the world draws near. The clear waters and the Sea People beneath. The bright, enormous sun. The birds that fly from its center to Ramandu’s Island. Sweet water like drinkable light. The lilies. The smell and the music at the end of the world. The glimpse of Aslan’s country through the wave. So often, my favorite parts of Scripture are the theophanies. I love Sinai, and the prophetic theophanies, the Transfiguration, and the apocalypse of Jesus in Revelation. Even though the imagery is very different, with lilies and water instead of thunder and lightning, the final chapters of VDT make me feel the way that Biblical theophanies do. It feels numinous and awe-inspiring. I want to weep and bow down and laugh and sing all at once.

Perhaps it is the light. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is positively light-drenched, just as God’s presence is light in Scripture. There is so much light imagery as the ship approaches Aslan’s Country. As with many people, I expect, Lucy’s experience with the Albatross on the Dark Island cuts me to the quick in the loveliest way. I have “Courage, Dear Heart” on a necklace and used it as my high school yearbook quote. I whisper it to myself in times of fear and sorrow. It does not feel like an overstatement to say that I am sure I have it emblazoned on my bones somewhere. Why is that moment so powerful? “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

VDT is a voyage into light. So is the Christian walk. A life of faith is a journey into the perfect, glorious light of God’s presence. Reading VDT makes me glad, gloriously glad to be a Christian. It also softens my heart and makes me better able to receive Scriptural truths to which I might otherwise be hard. In so many of those instances when I read VDT because I could not find it in myself, for whatever reason, to reach for my Bible, I found myself more able to pray and to read Scripture later. Maybe not immediately, sooner than I might otherwise have done. It’s as compelling an apologetic argument as any other Lewis ever put in print in his more “adult” works. That’s why it’s my favorite.

[magalidragon]

Romantic one-liners

“However many years we have left, I want to spend them all with you.”

Can it be some fluffy angst? 🥺😁

Sooo when I saw this quote I IMMEDIATELY thought of leap of faith universe. 🥺🤭 This is angsty fluff/fluffy angst in the only way I know how....with a happy ending! Enjoy! (?)

(Oh this has a TW for cancer)

Romantic One Liner Prompts

When his mother died, he'd been too young to be in hospital rooms with her for longer than a few moments at a time, the doctors afraid that he'd be bringing in all the germs and general dirtiness that followed around a preteen boy. It had been relatively quick; she fell off her horse and broke her neck and after a few days on a ventilator, his uncle made the sad decision to turn it off, with the knowledge that her organs would go on to help others. It was what Lyanna would have wanted.

All he remembered was entering the room a couple of times, the last time kissing her forehead, whispering he loved her and would miss her, and then being ushered out by his Uncle Benjen. The woman lying there with all the machines and tubes was not his mother, so it was easier for him to process. He'd kissed her goodbye when he had been on the way to school, surrounded by her earthy scent from spending her waking hours with horses in the stable, and the faintest sweetness of winter roses.

Any other time in the hospital as a patient, he had blocked it out, because he hated it so much, but there was one thing he oculd never get rid of when he walked through the doors nad it was that antiseptic coldness. It gave him a headache, forced him back to those days saying goodbye to his mother, to his uncle Ned after his heart attack, and then when he'd been there after his accident, his discharge from the military already stamped the moment he'd coded on the trauma room table Beyond the Wall.

Now, he was not here as a patient or as a visitor, but as a supportive partner. That antiseptic smell was still there, the room cold and sterile, and he maintained his composure, because he had to be strong. He couldn't afford to succumb to his own fears about why they were there or his spiraling thoughts of doom and gloom.

The papery gown crinkled under his light touch, his hand running up and down her cold arm, comforting her as best as he could. He didn't say "it will be fine" because they didn't know if it would be fine. He studied her blank expression, her lavender eyes sunken, dull shadows under them. It had been a long time since he'd seen those shadows.

They'd only been married a year, he thought, glancing at his silver wedding band. He leaned on the edge of the exam table, his arm wrapping around her shoulder, bringing her head to his shoulder. She rested it there, eyelids fluttering closed, her tiny body sagging against his, exhausted.

"What if it's back?" she whispered.

"Then it is back and we deal with it."

She nodded, turning her face into his chest, her hand clutching his shirt. He covered it with his, lifting to kiss her knuckles. "You didn't go through it the first time with me," she murmured. Her eyes clenched shut, tears trickling down her cheeks, wetting his hand when he tilted her chin up so he could gaze down a ther. She sniffed. "I was so sick, Jon. I thought the cure would kill me."

He cocked his head, knowing that all to well form his own accident recovery. "You have me now," he said. They'd talked about this, breifly, when she'd been having the headaches again, when he found her on the floor of their bedroom, sick to her stomach, too dizzy to stand, the pain blinding. She'd called her doctor immediately, scheduled an appointment.

They were waiting on rush lab results now, to determine if she would go down the hallway to get a brain scan. He brushed a lock of her hair behind her ear, tucking the long strands back over her shoulder. It had grown out since he'd met her, tumbling beautiful over her shoulders, like a silver waterfall.

The motion had her tears falling faster, but she remained silent. "I don't want to shave my head again," she mumbled. "It's stupid, but...I don't want to have to do that again."

"Dany we don't know yet if..." If it's back, he didn't say, the words stuck in his throat. He took a deep breath and moved his arms from her, placing them on her cheeks, her face tilted to his. He wasn't very good with words, he hoped he could explain this to her. "I love you, Daenerys, and I have loved you since the moment you walked into my life and jumped out of a plane with me." He dragged his thumbs over her cheekbones, her forehead furrowed. The motion drew his attention briefly to the thin silver scar that he could see in a part in her hair, from the first surgery she had.

He took a deep breath, his heart hammering into his ribs, swallowing down that fear that he'd almost lost her, but he didn't, because he had her now. And he would have her forever too, she wans't going anywhere. "Dany whatever those results show, I am here with you, forever. For a thousand years and more, like we promised each other before the heart tree and however many years we have left, I want to spend them all with you."

She hiccupped, her hands wrapping around his wrists, smile wavering. "I love you too. So much...but it's a lot..."

"You're my wife," he breathed. He grinned. "My dragon, my partner, and whatever happens I'm here. I'm with you Dany."

She nodded quickly, eyes closing again as he brushed feather kisses over her cheeks, kissing away the tears. Her arms snaked around him, holding tight, and she released a long, shaky breath, mumbling, "I am so lucky I found you."

Me too, he thought, eyes screwed shut, squeezing her close. He had made his peace with the idea that if it was back, he was going to be there for her in everything. It would be better, he thought, because he was here for her. Last time she had been alone. Sure, she had her brothers-- one of whom was an esteemed doctor himself-- along with Missandei, but this was different.

They remained in each other's arms for a long time, until the door opened, her oncologist entering, Dr. Mel a tower of crimson hair and odd robe-like dress with her medical coat. "Good afternoon," she drawled, her accent unique and entracing. She turned her blue eyes to them, smiling serenely. "Daenerys, how lovely, you have found your promised prince."

Dany laughed, wiping her eyes with the heel of her palm. "Um, yes, I suppose I have."

"Lovely. I reviewed your blood tests and I am pleased to tell you upon first look I do not see indicators of a cancer resurgence, however I will do a CT scan to confirm. That being said, there was an anomaly in your bloodwork." Mel smiled again, unblinking, her head cocked. "One I suspect you will be pleased with."

Pleased? Jon barely registered that, because all he heard was Dany's relieved sob, her hand clutching his, her other going to cover her mouth. "Oh! Oh thank you Mel! There's nothing?" She frowned, realizing there was more. "Wait...what...pleased? I don't understand."

Jon didn't either, an arm around her shoulder now, his hand so tight in hers he wondered which one might break the other's first. "Whatever it is," he began, but didn't finished, because Mel spoke over him.

"You're pregnant."

His heart stopped beating, before it lurched into his throat, strangling any sound he might have made. In his arms, Dany cried out, shocked, her hands over her mouth. She dropped them after a second, whispering, incredulous: "Pregnant?"

"Hmm, indeed. I suspect your migraines were the result of fluctuating hormones, the dizziness and the nausea were morning sickness that perhaps carried out throughout the day." She squinted. "Are you still jumping out of planes? That might also have something to do with it, you're dehydrated again."

"But I..." she stuttered, while he was also at a loss for words. She pressed her palm over her belly, breathing. "I wasn't supposed to be able to...after the chemo and...and the radiation..."

"This is a miracle from the Lord of Light," Mel cooed.

Jon thought it more a miracle from his Old Gods, but as Dany believed in neither the Fire God of Mel or the Old Gods of his forest, he said nothing. He wasn't sure how he felt, the knowledge that they were having a baby...he met her gaze, the joy within her formerly sad eyes. "A baby," he whispered.

"A baby," she laughed, beginning to sob, arms clutching him. "I didn't think it was possible!"

"I'll give you both a moment," Mel said, turning and leaving them, door closing quietly behind her.

In his arms, Dany cried, relief and exhaustion and happiness at once. He scrubbed his palm over his face, dropping it to her back, rubbing lightly. She pulled back and lifted up her gown, peering at her flat stomach. "Hello in there," she called, lightly touching her fingertips to her hipbone. "It's Mummy and Papa."

He lightly pressed his hand over hers, touching her belly, and smiled, unable to stop. It was frozen to his face, the dopey grin. "It still stands," he said, a moment later, after they had quietly reflected, fingers joined over her stomach.

"What?"

"However long in this life we have, whether it's just a year or for a thousand of them, I want to spen dit with you." He brushed his lips over her brow, embracin gher, amending it slightly. "With you both."

Dany nodded, touching her fingertips to his cheek. "Me too." She laughed, glancing down at her tote bag. After a second, she climbed from the bed and went to it, pulling out her battered notebook. She flicked to her list, which was all checked off and removed the pen, making a notation at the bottom.

When she left with Mel to go get a CT scan, just to double check, he took a quick look at the note she'd made.

Have a baby dragon.

He picked up the pen and made a simple edit, before folding the book back up and returning it to her tote.

Have Hatch baby dragon dragons.

[buriedlove]

Hello and Happy (almost) Hallows Eve! I would like to request 🧙‍♀️ spooky fic with our darling 💖 Abe 💖. Thanks for the treat! 👻🎃

Hey! Here's your little spooky fic featuring our favourite bibliophile. Fun fact, this almost turned into a whole damn novel because I loved the idea so much! I hope you enjoy reading it (sorry it's taken so long).

The Book

Abe regarded the book in his hands with suspicion. The book had no title. No author. No words at all decorated it’s aged green binding. That wasn’t so unusual. Not in itself. It was the contents inside that were causing his confusion. He stroked his hand over the binding and opened it again, staring at the first paragraph. He read it aloud, his deep voice carrying the words throughout the shop.

‘The man with the darkest secret but the lightest heart would regard the new arrival in his shop with suspicion. He had little idea what had brought it there. No concept of the secrets it contained. Or would contain. But he couldn’t really unlock its true potential without a significant leap of faith. Faith in forces that he had long ago shut down. Little did he know that a decision he would make that very day would change the course of his life. If only he could find the courage to take that next step. The treasure at the end of the path would far outweigh the hardships he’d need to suffer to receive it.’

Abe stopped reading and sighed. That was it. That was the only text in the entire book, even though it comfortably housed two hundred pages.

He thought perhaps it was a test chapter for a book that had been professionally bound for some unknown reason. But the paragraph was so short. He did find himself wondering what the leap of faith the man in the book needed to take was. Would he take it? What was the treasure?

“Well I guess I’ll never know,” Abe muttered, closing the book and putting it carefully on the shop counter. He walked around and sat at the laptop he used to manage his online store during the quiet periods of time in the shop. Those quiet times were becoming more and more frequent. It made Abe sad because he loved the quiet joy of watching people browse the shelves of books. Online retail just didn’t have the same connection.

He opened his emails and audibly groaned when he saw the email from his father.

‘Your application has been successful for the first stage, Abe. Time to get out of that dusty old shop and meet some new people. You’ve got this, son, I’m proud of you. You need to phone the number below to confirm the next steps. They’ll want to arrange an interview with you. Must go, I’m taking your sister to buy a new violin. Be safe and I’ll see you later.’

His father always signed off any communications with ‘be safe’. Abe knew it was because for so long they had been anything but safe.

He looked at the number he was supposed to ring. His stomach was churning at the thought of it. He wasn’t interesting. What did he have to give to a reality TV show? But it would make his father happy. It would also be a way of trying to open a door he had firmly closed.

His hand reached in his pocket for his phone and he absentmindedly pressed the numbers in front of him.

“Come on, you’ve done worse than this,” he muttered to himself, frowning slightly. With a deep breath in he called the number. A friendly voice answered.

“Hello, Buried Love production, how can I help?”

Abe introduced himself and arranged to attend an online interview. It wasn’t until next week, so plenty of time for him to build nerves so strong he backed out. Although something inside him was resolved that he was going to do this.

He absentmindedly opened the book again and his heart stopped as he looked at the first page again.

There was a second paragraph. It hadn’t been there before, he was so sure of it.

‘And so our brave adventurer’s journey begins. It’ll take him deep into the ocean, but the journey his heart will go on will be the most dramatic of all. Because at the bottom of the ocean he’ll find the one. Will that one see him for who he really is? Well, dear reader, please continue your adventures into this book and all will be revealed.’

Abe turned over the next page, and the next, and the next. All blank. But that second paragraph hadn’t been there. Had it?

He closed the book and pushed it slowly away, shaking his head in confusion.

Was it… telling his story? But that would make no sense at all. What kind of magic would it take to do that… and why would it be wasted on him?

He didn’t have a story worthy of a book.

Or did he?

[pregnant-piggy]

I’m having your baby - part V

Sirius Black x reader

series masterlist,  part one, part two, part three, part four

Warnings: mentions of alcohol, food, pregnancy

Words: 3.7k

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The car ride to the doctor is short. You sit next to James, who is driving. You haven’t talked to him about Sirius and you are not planning on doing so. You know how disappointed James is in Sirius. That is why you asked him to come with you to the doctor. You had made an appointment together with Remus, but this one agreed that you should take James. So now you are in the car with James. He has a big smile on his face, but he is not really happy. You know he feels terrible. This morning at breakfast he didn’t say a word and by the bags under his eyes you could see that he had not slept a lot, if even at all.

You arrive at the doctor five minutes later. James lets you out of the car and takes your hand like the real gentleman he is. You chuckle and squeeze his hand. He squeezes back but with less strength. You look up to him and see he is twitching his nose; something he always does when he is nervous.

‘Are you nervous, James?’ you ask and smile when James nods. You bump your shoulder against his arm. ‘That’s fine, I am nervous too. What if I am not pregnant at all?’ James head turns quickly to you.

‘What do you mean?’ he asks surprised. You open the door and let James in. You follow him to the waiting room.

‘Well, I have done a test, but those are not a hundred percent reliable. So it could be that there was a mistake and I am not pregnant after all,’ you explain. James shakes his head in confusion.

‘But what about the sickness? And the super emotions you have been experiencing?’ You laugh at James.

‘That is why I expect to be pregnant, but you never know.’ You give James a smile and he turns his gaze to a little boy that is playing with toys. His mother is reading a magazine and when her kid walks up to her she takes him in her lap and shows him pictures in the booklet. James snickers and then looks at you.

‘That could be you in a few years.’ You rest your head on James’ shoulder and close your eyes.

‘I know,’ you whisper back.

- -- -

‘Congratulations! You’re going to be a mother!’ the doctor says. You stare at her. Even though you already knew, you are stunned. Suddenly it feels so real.

You can’t concentrate on the rest of the appointment and all you hear is a soft buzzing in your ears. The doctor explains a lot to you, but you don’t really register it. Luckily James is sitting next to you, paying attention. You just stare at the doctor’s desk. After a few minutes the doctor is done talking and you look up.

‘I do wish to ask you some questions before you go,’ she says. You nod. ‘Alright. Do you smoke? ‘ You shake your head. ‘Drugs?’ Again no. ‘Have you drunk any alcohol since the fertilization?’ You shake your head again. She asks more questions about your health and you politely answer them. ‘And you are the father?’ the doctor asks James.

‘No, no. I’m just attachment,’ James says with a smile.

‘Oh, okay. Is the father still in the picture?’

‘Yes, but he does not know yet. The situation is… complicated,’ you say. The doctor smiles and writes something down.

‘That is fine, we get that more often here.’ The doctor smiles at you like she knows what is going on. She gets up and you and James follow her. ‘If you have any questions just call us or make an appointment and here-’ she hands you some leaflets ‘-read these, then you know what you can expect. I also advise on reading books, but you are still early in the process, so that is less relevant for now.’ You shake the doctor’s hand and walk out. James follows you and places his hand on your upper back.

The ride back home is just as silent as the way to the doctor, but this time the tension is different. Right before you arrive at home James finally says something. ‘I can’t believe you’re gonna be a mother! That is so… mature!’

‘Do you want kids?’ you ask and James nods.

‘Yeah, I do. But first I need to have a stable relationship. I would never be able to go through what you’re going through.’ James parks the car in front of the building and turns to you.

‘With Lily?’ you ask teasingly and James gets red. ‘She does really like you. You should stop showing off so much, then she’ll trust you more.’

‘I know, but what if she doesn’t? I am so scared I’m gonna mess this up, (Y/N)! She is perfect and I really like her!’ You giggle and get out of the car. James follows you and nudges you for laughing at him. ‘Stop that!’

‘Alright! But you should have more faith in yourself! You’re a great guy!’

‘I know,’ James says and you hit his head with the leaflets.

Meanwhile you have reached your front door. James opens it for you and lets you in. ‘Lady’s first,’ he says.

‘Then why didn’t you go before me?’ Now it is James’ turn to hit you.

You hear noise coming from the living room. Peter appears in the door. ‘How did it go?’ he asks. You hang up your coat and turn to Peter.

‘I am now officially pregnant,’ you say with a sigh. A big smile breaks through on Peter’s face and he takes you to the kitchen. With a steaming cup of tea in front of you, you and James tell Peter about the doctor’s appointment. James can answer all Peter’s questions and you don’t even know the answer to half of them.

After a while Remus also enters the kitchen. He is still wearing his pyjamas and you can see on his face that he didn’t sleep a lot last night too, so you give him some coffee. James is still talking about the appointment, but after a while he is done and the kitchen fills with silence. You stare at your now empty mug. The tension can be felt throughout your whole body and you know you are all avoiding to discuss what happened last night.

‘I’m gonna lie down,’ you say abruptly when you hear sounds coming from Sirius’ room. You quickly walk to your room and you see a flash of Sirius when you close the door to your room. You stay at your door and try to hear the conversation in the kitchen, but you hear nothing. You sit in your chair and go through the leaflets the doctor gave to you. You know much of the information already, but it is nice to have a more clear vision of what you will have to go through the next eight months.

After thirty minutes you have read everyhting and you are bored. And hungry. So you decide to eat something.

The kitchen, just as the living room, is empty. You don’t know where everyone is. It doesn’t happen very often that the whole house it quiet. Most of the time there are always people talking or the TV is on. But today it is silent. While making a sandwich you hum a song to yourself. Your head bounces along the non-existing beat. You turn around and are faced with Sirius. You almost drop the plate out of your hands at his sudden appearance.

Sirius looks terrible. Like he hasn’t slept in a week. His skin is pale and his hair is a mess. He looks like he has been in his room sick for a week. His eyes are darker than usual and the sparkle in them that you like so much has faded out.

You are staring at Sirius and he is staring back at you. After a minute you break the eye-contact and give him a cup of tea. Sirius stares at you while you continue to make your sandwich.

‘How are you feeling?’ Sirius asks you. A panicky thought shoots up your mind, about him knowing about the pregnancy, but there is no way that he knows so you try to push the thought away. Instead you turn to Sirius and look at him.

‘I’m fine, babe.’ You raise your eyebrow when he flinches at his nickname. It is not the first time you have used that, you always call him that. ‘How are you?’ you ask, ignoring his weird reaction. Sirius sighs and stares at his hands folded around the mug.

‘I don’t know. Terrible.’

‘I don’t want to make you feel any worse, but don’t you think you kind of deserve it?’

‘I do. I feel awful. I know I should’ve told you where I was. But I just needed some time alone, I needed to think. You understand?’ You give Sirius a smile.

‘Next time just tell us. We’ll leave you alone, I promise.’ You turn back to your sandwich and take a bite, but you have lost all appetite. You sigh and push your plate to Sirius. ‘You want this?’ Sirius thankfully accepts the plate and in no time the sandwich has disappeared.

While Sirius drinks the last of his tea, you look at him. He looks sick. You feel sorry for him, you know how bad he feels. And you know that you should probably tell him about the baby. But you can’t, you just can’t. Something is stopping you. Stretching your body you walk back to the living room. When you pass Sirius, you shortly place your hand on his back.

‘You should talk to James,’ you whisper and Sirius nods. He also gets up and follows you to the living room. But when you sit down, he also sits down instead of going to James’ room. You look at him. ‘What’s the matter?’ you ask him softly. Sirius takes a deep breath.

‘I’m scared,’ he admits. You smile and pull him into a hug. With your hand you brush Sirius’ hair. He puts his arms around you and your inside breaks. There are so many things you want to say, but nothing seems appropriate. So you say nothing.

‘Just tell him what really happened. You don’t have to tell me, Remus or Peter. But you do have to tell James. You owe it to him.’

‘Why are you always right?’

‘It’s a gift,’ you whisper in Sirius’ ear and then you place a kiss on his head. You softly push him in the direction of James’ room. ‘You got this, babe.’

There it is again. That flinch. You don’t know what it is. Why does he do that?

- -- -

After an hour you start to worry. Not a single sound has come from James’ room. You try to focus on your book, but you want to know if everything is alright. Remus has joined you in the living room and he is just as tensed as you. He hasn’t read a page of his book too and his leg is bouncing up and down.

You get up and takes Remus’ book from his hand. He follows you back to the couch without even looking at you. You put your arm around him and he rests his head on your shoulder. To make the silence disappear you turn on the TV. But it still doesn’t take the attention from the door just inches away from the TV.

‘How long have they been in there?’ Remus asks.

‘An hour already.’

‘Do you think everything is alright?’

You sigh but don’t answer. James and Sirius have little fights more often, but those are about who has to cook dinner or which football team to support. Then they don’t speak to each other for a few hours, but they always make up. Always. But, right now, you are not sure if James will forgive Sirius. Never have you seen him so angry and hurt as he was yesterday. Not even when Sirius’ parents cut their son off. James had been furious, but he had to stay strong for Sirius. Yesterday he had no one to be strong for, Sirius wasn’t there and James knows that he doesn’t have to hide his emotions from you.

Just when you want to get up to get some tea, the door opens. You freeze in the middle of your action. Your hand is on Remus’ thigh and his hand is in your side. Your nails drill into Remus’ legs and noticing by the tight grip in your waist it hurts him.

Sirius walks out of the room looking even more miserable than he did before you sent him to James. His skin is paler and his cheeks are wet from his tears. You can’t see James and by just Sirius’ terrible look you cannot conclude how their conversation went.

The black-haired mess walks to you and Remus on the couch, but when he looks up to you there is a small smile on his face. You relax and lean back onto Remus’ chest. Something you shouldn’t have done. Sirius’ smile immediately disappears and before even sitting down he turns on his heels and walks to his room. The door slams shut.

Panicky you turn to Remus, who is looking at the closed door. Then he looks at you and back at the door. ‘Go to him,’ Remus orders. You can sense by his voice that it is not a suggestion and hesitantly you get up and walk to Sirius’ door.

‘Babe? Is everything alright?’ you ask with a soft voice.

‘Like you care,’ Sirius sneers back and he snorts. Your jaw drops and you stare at the door. What? What does he mean? Why is he suddenly so angry?

‘Of course I care!’

‘Yeah right!’ You were afraid you were going to cry again, but now you are getting angry. You never did anything to hurt Sirius. Didn’t you make him tea and offer him your sandwich? Didn’t you help him with his talk to James?

Without saying anything else you open the door and walk in Sirius’ room. He is sitting on his bed and looks as angry as you feel. His clothes are scattered on the floor. The room still smells like alcohol.

You hear Peter talk in the living room and close the door behind you. You don’t want the others to hear the inevitable fight you are going to have.

Sirius looks at you and you look back at him, not wanting to break the eye contact.

‘What’s wrong?’ you ask and you try to disguise your anger.

Sirius jumps up from his bed and stares at you furiously. ‘What’s wrong?’ he spits. ‘Why don’t you ask your lovely boyfriend? I’m sure he knows what’s wrong!’

You laugh awkwardly and humourless. What is he talking about? He knows you don’t have a boyfriend.

‘Or is he also just a game? Do you also just sleep with him, then ignore him and then act like nothing ever happened? Do you also call him “babe” and make him believe you like him when in fact you are just playing a game? Is that what this is to you? A game? Am I someone on the side?’ You still don’t fully understand what Sirius is talking about but you do know that whatever he is talking about is complete bullshit. Your feelings are anything but a game to you and Sirius knows that. Apparently Sirius takes your silence as affirmation of his questions because he turns around and sits down on the side of the bed the furthest away from you.

‘Why don’t you just go back to your boyfriend? I’m sure Remus is dying to know what is going on here.’ Remus? Then it hits you. Sirius thinks you are dating Remus. That’s why he ran away when he found you and Remus on the floor yesterday and why he just ran to his room.

You sit down on the other side of the bed and turn to Sirius’ back. You choose your words careful.

‘Sirius, Remus is not my boyfriend.’ Sirius turns to you.

‘Really?’ he asks. His voice is still angry but you can see hope in his eyes. ‘Then why do you spend so much time with him?’

This is it. You have to tell Sirius. There is no more avoiding. If you don’t tell him right now, he will never forgive you. Then all your changes to maybe ever be with Sirius will be wasted.

After taking a deep breath you speak.

‘I’m pregnant.’

At first it looks like Sirius hasn’t heard your answer. He is staring at you with the same angry expression he had five minutes ago. You tilt your head to the side and squeeze your eyes a bit. After a minute Sirius opens his mouth and then closes it again. His angry expression changes into disbelief. He keeps shaking his head and his eyes widen.

Your whole body is shaking. For minutes all you do is stare back at Sirius’ face. The nerves are rushing through your body and you can’t think clear. All you can do is look at Sirius. The father of your baby, your crush, the boy who thought you were dating Remus, the boy whose eyes filled with hope when you told him that that was not true. Does he like you the way you like him? But then why did he leave you alone yesterday morning? Why did he disappear all day?

The room is silent and so is the living room. The other three boys make no sounds at all. Sirius still doesn’t move and you get more anxious with the second. It is like a balloon is being blown up in your stomach and it keeps getting bigger and bigger.

The balloon snaps. Sirius moves and speaks. The words don’t reach you. They sound like someone yells them at you from an isolated room.

‘Is it… mine?’

Slowly, after making sure you understand the words, you nod. Then the last thing you expected to happen, happens. A smile breaks on Sirius’ face. His eyes sparkle and his whole face lights up. He moves up his knees and gets closer to you. Taking your hands in his he places his face right in front of yours. A tear glistens in his eye and you let out a trembling laugh.

‘I’m gonna be a father? That is my baby? We’re gonna be parents?’

You laugh relieved and rest your forehead against Sirius’. You’re so close you can feel his breath on your skin. And he is breathing deeply and unstable. Just because he is excited, you think, but when his eyes shoot to your lips and back to your eyes you turn more red than you already were. Sirius moans softly when you bite your lip.

‘It kills me when you do that,’ he whispers and his breath on your skin gives you goose bumps.

‘Mm,’ you let out and bite your lip again. With a quivering laugh Sirius closes the space between the two of you.

The kiss is the same as and completely different than the kisses he gave you a month ago. His lips are the same, but they were hungry kisses then, kisses desperate for an answer. Now the kiss is soft and loving. Passionate but light. It doesn’t taste like alcohol.

Sirius moans again and you break the kiss smiling like an idiot. Sirius’ hands are on your back and you feel his fingers through your sweater.

‘You have no idea how bad I wanted to do that,’ he whispers.

‘I think I do.’

Your head drops on Sirius’ shoulder and you sigh from relieve. There were so many scenarios in your head, but you had never hoped that this would be the one that would play out. You had expected tears, screams and blames. Mentally you had already prepared to pack your bags and leave the apartment.

Sirius lets himself drop on his bed and you fall with him. You can see he is thinking and putting the pieces together.

‘You missed the first doctor’s appointment,’ you say interrupting his thoughts.

‘When?’

‘This morning. I went with James hoping it would make him feel better. The doctor is really nice. She gave me some leaflets, but if you want to know what she told you have to ask James. I wasn’t paying any attention.’

‘Thinking about me?’ Sirius grins.

‘I was! Remember, you disappeared?’

‘I know,’ Sirius sighs. ‘I’m sorry but when I saw you with Rem yesterday something in me snapped. Please don’t be angry! I already got it from James!’

You kiss Sirius one more time and then get up. He grabs your waist and pulls you back. No matter how hard you try, he won’t let you go.

‘Sirius please! I want to get out of here! The others want to know what is going on. Plus, it smells awful in here!’

Finally, Sirius lets you go. He watches you from the bed when you open a window. The fresh air immediately makes the room much nicer to be in. You pull Sirius from the bed and put his arms around you. He stares into your eyes and you feel butterflies in your stomach. With his soft lips Sirius kisses you again and you almost melt away.

The door opens and James appears. Shocked you and Sirius let go of each other but too late. James already saw you and is cheering now. ‘Remus! Peter! They were kissing! Finally!’ He walks over to you and puts his arms around each of you. ‘This calls for a party! But no-’ James keeps still and turns to you. ‘Does he know?’ he whispers in your ear and you nod. ‘Okay great! No booze! We don’t want an idiot baby!’

‘No we already have one of those,’ Sirius says and he pushes James out of the room. ‘That idiot baby can wait,’ he whispers before kissing you again.

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The last one! Oh, I’m gonna miss writing this, but luckily there is many more to come. I hope you all enjoyed this series!

MASTERLIST