#how much of what the president said about the people he's wiping out having been in a similar dictatorship in the past is true?

[july-19th-club]

house md wildest show on earth. a main character outright assassinates a known dictator, a moment that would be the very beginning or the mid-series crisis in any other show - an act which creates a power vacuum in a foreign nation already filled with child soldiers and genocide, and it's literally only brought up again throughout the season because that guy's wife divorces him over it. and occasionally to explore his relationship with who he is as a person and a catholic after having deliberately taken a life for what he calculates as the greater good, but mostly it's about his divorce

[bachiras-toaster]

your rewards are so sweet : ̗̀➛

RANPO EDOGAWA x gn!reader

cw: suggestive but no explicit smut

wc: 1.6k

Ranpo sat idly at his personal desk in the Armed Detective Agency: A dimly lit office, his hands perked behind his head in a resting position, his legs on his desk, and a strawberry lollipop wedged in between his pouted lips. Underneath his feet were piles of documents he had yet to even look at, and it seemed like he had been procrastinating his duties for what was likely an hour now, just staring at the clock as the minutes went by.

He didn't even seem startled by the sound of footsteps approaching his office, despite having done literally nothing within the past sixty minutes. Scolding? Punishment? Ranpo had been through all of that before, and besides, he was already the greatest detective that the agency had to offer. What was the worst that could happen to him if he was caught slacking on the job?

"What is it you want? I'm busy." He groaned, knowing that he had done nothing but get lost in his own daydream the entire time. However, his demeanour changed when he caught wind of the voice that was on the other side of the barrier as the entrance to his office slowly tilted open.

"Oh, that's no way to treat your coworkers." You made her presence known to him, your voice low in a teasing tone.

Ranpo's heart leapt as soon as he heard your sweetness. How could he mistake that voice for anybody else? It was the voice of the coworker he was practically head over heels for, the one he would do anything to impress.

It was no mystery to the agency that Ranpo was hopelessly in love with you- It was no mystery to you either. In fact, it seemed like the only one who seemed to deny his infatuation was himself, disliking the fact that people could accuse him of being so devoted to another person's approval. Despite what he said though, it was abundantly clear that he was constantly at your feet, desperately waiting for just a shred of praise.

He quickly turned around, his lollipop dropping onto his desk accidentally as he was shocked by your sudden appearance, his face flushed with embarrassment.

"(Y/n)-San! I didn't even know you were here." He stammered, immediately going to wipe the drool that leaked from the corner of his lips when his lollipop hit the table, trying to seem as casual as possible but unfortunately failing miserably. He glanced down at the desk and swiftly picked up the treat, wrapping it in tissue before nonchalantly discarding it into the bin and standing up. "—What are you doing in my office? Are you investigating something?" He turned his attention towards you, still a little nervous. "You could have knocked first.."

"Had to make sure you were doing your work instead of slacking off." You hummed, making your way towards his workspace. It seemed like his eyes hadn't moved from you since you entered the room- Although, how could they? You seemed so serious and elegant in everything that you did, even walking seemed like an accomplishment of yours to him. "The President ordered me to make sure that you were working on the cases instead of just sitting at your desk and eating sweets like you always do."

"Just eating sweets?" He seemed offended, adjusting his cap before looking you in the face. "I am investigating all cases that come to me with complete seriousness, thank you very much." He huffed. "Sweets are important for a detective's health! Detectives must use their brain a lot, so they need a lot of energy. Besides, I am doing all of this work for the sake of catching criminals, for the sake of justice. Shouldn't I be rewarded for my hard work with sweets?" He asked you in a rhetorical sense, already reaching into his pocket to take out another unwrapped lollipop to replace that one that was just wasted.

"Rewards come after you get the job done." You proclaim with a faint smirk as you watched him carefully remove the wrapper from his candy. Just as he was about to take the second lollipop into his mouth, you swiped it from him and stuck it in your own, enjoying the delectable taste of raspberry-flavoured goodness. At the action, his face took on an expression of both offendedness and arousal at the sight of you stealing his candy and he wasn't sure whether he should address it. But as you sucked on the lollipop with such relish, his face flushed and he let down a gulp. Just the sight of you taking the candy from his mouth and putting it in your own filled him with emotions he never knew he could feel, as well as a range of private thoughts he had thought about every night.

You truly were one of a kind. He would do absolutely anything for you, and he'll do it willingly.

"Can you tell me what you've found out about the case at least?" You asked, your words muttering, the lollipop was stuffed between your teeth and cheek. He quickly adjusted himself and cleared his throat, tugging on his collar as he sighed, pointing at the documents.

"Of course... Well, I've already found out that we're dealing with a serial killer, probably a woman. According to the evidence we’ve collected, the culprit also suffers from some form of illness." Ranpo replied obediently and swiftly, as if he had known that information all along despite having just looked at the case for the first time since being assigned it.

You smiled at his immediate response and just chuckled, your index finger swirling around the stick of the lollipop. The first sentence he said came out casually, but when he caught a glance of your approving nod, Ranpo’s head immediately went down to skim through the document some more to desperately search for more leads and clues.

“…More specifically amnesia.” He continued. “Though, it’s quite clear that her loss of memory was not natural and it was forced from her by someone who’s powers probably has something to do with the mind.” He spoke fast, still trying to catch glances at you to see if you were still listening as he rambled on, pointing towards the documents. “The murders lead back to her, but she is not the villain. She was instead brainwashed into doing someone else’s dirty work for them so that they couldn’t be traced back to the crime… The only reason we haven’t found the culprit yet is because they’re already dead. Her latest mission was approximately one month ago.”

He turned the sheet of paper towards you and you scanned the collection of images and texts written down, continuing to swirl your tongue around the lollipop.

“All of the previous murders are relatively close together- Perhaps by two or three days. The absence of murder in such a long period of time is clearly an anomaly. But it’s only this way because I’ve concluded that her latest murder was killing the person who set her up to all this after she gained clarity over what she had done. This murder-slash-victim in question is Yori Hazaguchi: a meek, little office woman, who has probably already thought about turning herself in.”

As his last finger pointed towards the papers once more, he stood himself back up to his fullest height to proudly admire the case he had solved yet again. He then turned his head towards you to see if you agreed, and was met with the perfect sight of your smile just growing into a wider, proud grin.

"Ah, good. So it looks like you actually have been working. Fukuzawa was wrong to be so accusing. Maybe you’re deserving of rewards after all." You got up.

Removing the lollipop from your mouth, you strolled slowly over to stand right in front of him. You saw the way his chest tightened the closer that you got, and it fascinated you to see him so nervous in your presence. It wouldn't stop you in any capacity though. You kind of liked seeing him in such a way.

"Say 'ah'." You smiled, holding his chin with your thumb and beckoning him to open his mouth.

He looked at you while you stood in front of him, his eyes actually fully opened for once to welcome you with a love struck gaze- The pupils of a puppy. Your faces were so close to each other that he felt your sweet breathing mingling through the air, the aroma of the lollipop still being present in your breath. Your lips, your eyes, your hair: As he scanned these things and felt your thumb softly graze his chin, he pulled a weak smile. All of these aspects filled his mind and made him go weak.

"Ah..." He opened his mouth, awaiting for the reward.

As his jaw hung open, you shoved the lollipop that you had previously sucked on into his mouth, smiling as you watched him happily close his lips around the treat. He took a couple of glances at you, before stuffing the sweet between his teeth and cheek without a second thought, the stick hanging innocently from his lips- The fact that he could still taste your warm saliva on it was even better to him. The action made his heart go even faster and his brain rushed with memories of how you had licked on that candy... God, he felt so special.

These kinds of rewards were the best.

[tittyinfinity]

i can't shut up i'm sorry I'm ranting about Biden again

I'm starting to think Trump's presidency really wasn't any worse than what we have going on now, he was just targeting different people.

Bear with me.

The thing is, Biden has been the president for most of the pandemic and he hasn't been doing anything to stop the spread of it, so when people say "but Trump would kill US here!!" I wanna mention that Biden is already killing people of all parts of the political spectrum with his passiveness on covid

Biden is smarter than Trump. He's been in politics longer. He has had decades of learning how to maneuver politics. He has agreed with a lot of bad policies, many more than Trump even had the ability to do w his only 4 years of presidency. Trump is more interested in his image than anything else. Which is also dangerous! But it's much easier to convince people that Trump, a guy who is loud about his prejudices and caused a lot of damage because of that, is worse than a guy who pretends to agree with you on issues and then commits literal genocide.

Like I said, it just changes who is targeted instead. But is that really the case? We're already being targeted in different ways. A few good things have passed under Biden! But we also lost more bodily autonomy rights as far as abortion and trans rights go (not everywhere, but many states have become dangerous to live in). "That's not completely his fault" sure! Well then if the president doesn't have the power to change things truly for the better themselves, then worrying about who the president will be doesn't really matter. Also, presidents in the US have the ability to make executive orders.

And maybe he has spoken up on these things more and I just haven't heard about them - but Biden does not take the time to speak out about the anti-abortion, anti-trans, or healthcare related issues, except for the occasional quip here and there before he goes right back to not giving a shit. And I'm only using those as an example because a lot of "vote blue no matter who" people apparently only care about what happens to people here instead of in other countries.

And it's just really shitty to say "well what about the people who COULD die under a republican presidency instead of the real people dying from Biden's incitement of genocide right now!"

Trump incited a LOT of hatred in our country, yes. It pushed people to be more loud and open about their prejudices. But the deaths caused by hate crimes and COVID here in America were not on near of a large and deadly scale as what Biden is doing right now. We didn't watch our entire cities get destroyed and have our entire families wiped out.

So it seems, again, like the "vote blue no matter who" crowd only cares about politics when it comes to how THEY will (or MIGHT) be affected.

Am I saying vote for Trump or DeSantis? Fuck no. I'm saying prevent the next election from happening and burn this imperialistic genocidal government to the ground. The US has caused enough death, well into the millions, ever since it was created, and hasn't ever stopped committing genocide. But it only seems to matter when it (COULD) happen to white Americans.

Mexican people are still being put in cages and having their children stolen, too.

Indigenous people are still being murdered.

Disabled people are still dying from lack of accessible healthcare.

And the prices of everything have SKYROCKETED since Biden became president.

People are already suffering under a democratic president. You just won't care until it happens to you.

[ourtearsofrain]

Chapter 23- Love Doesn't Leave When You Fade Away

Pairings: Danny Wagner x Sam Kiszka

Genre: angst, hurt/comfort, fluff

Word Count: just under 2.5k

Warnings: AU typical events, death

A/N: “And perhaps it is the greater grief, after all, to be left on earth when another is gone.”- Madeline Miller, The Song of Achilles

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Sam

“What? No ‘Dan’ or ‘Danny’?”

“Those are reserved for my close friends and family. Last I checked, you’re neither.”

If someone had asked him, Sam would be able to tell them exactly when “the male from 7” had become “Daniel”, and when that had turned into “Danny”. But he couldn’t believe that the change had happened in mere days, going from hating him to the point of wanting to kill him, to loving him so much he would die in his place. And in the span of less than two weeks, nonetheless. Sam felt like he had spent years with him; getting to know how incredible he was, staring at each perfect freckle over the arch of that gorgeous nose of his over the span of an entire lifetime. He only wished that he had had a lifetime with him, that their time together hadn’t been cut short.

I don’t know whether to be happy that I volunteered or angry. On one hand, if I hadn’t volunteered, I wouldn’t have died. But I wouldn’t have met him, I wouldn’t have known I could feel this much love for one person. I would have had a life, but it wouldn’t have been worth living. Not without him. At least I died saving him. It was worth it, it- it meant something. He gets to go back to Josie, to his family. He has the chance to grow old, to start a family of his own. I just wish that I was there to see it, I wish it could have been our family. I hope he can go on without me; I know he’s strong, he has people who love him. He’ll be ok. Maybe it was cruel of me to make him live on after losing me, but he has people who need him, Josie needs him. My family will survive without me.

Feeling himself slowly come back to his body, or at least what felt like his body, he cracks his eyes open, immediately blinded by light as he tries to focus. Huh, didn’t think “heaven” would have this many fluorescent lights. To be honest, I didn’t think I’d make it to heaven, if it was real. Still blinking through bleary eyes, he can barely make out the forms of his brothers slumped against a wall in chairs, dark circles heavy under their eye as they slept. Confusion overtakes him as pain radiates through his body, beginning at the center of his chest and pulsing outwards, making his limbs feel heavy and sluggish. “God, I’m definitely in hell, then.”

The twins’ eyes fly open at his voice as they both shoot out of their seats, Jake scrambling onto the bed below Sam and immediately wrapping his arms around his younger brother. “Thank fucking god you’re alive.” Jake sniffles the words out, as if he was and had been crying.

“Alive, yeah, right.” Sam laughs lightly, but as his senses gradually return fully, doubt clouds his mind. “Wait, you’re serious. I’m not dead?”

“No, but you tried really fucking hard to be.” Josh moves to his other side, sitting on the edge of the bed tentatively as he smiles at Sam, tears threatening his lash line as he looks at him.

“What? How?” Jake finally pulls back as Sam begins to look between them, still keeping his arm around his shoulders as he wipes his tears from his cheeks with his other hand.

“We pulled a few strings in The Garden, convinced them to get you out.”

“More like Jake did, if we had done things my way, people would have died. You should have seen Jake, heard him. There’s no way the President could say no to him.” Josh laughs, but nothing but gratitude and pride can be seen behind his eyes as he looks at his twin.

They said they got me out. What about Danny? “Where’s Danny?” Sam doesn’t even give them a moment to respond as his mind spirals, tears coming to his eyes as panic rises in him. “I swear to god, if you- if you traded his life for mine, if you let him get hurt, I- I’ll fucking kill you.”

“Woah, woah, woah, Sam, slow down.” Josh raises his hands up in an attempt to calm him and stop Sam from getting up before placing one on his shoulder gently, easing him back against the pillows again. “We didn’t, I promise. Jake convinced them to get you both out. He’s safe, I swear.”

“Where is he? I need to see him.” Pushing their hands off his body, Sam gathers all his strength as he gets up, trying to take a step towards the door as his legs only give out beneath him.

Thankfully, Jake rushes to catch him, beginning to gently guide him back towards the bed. “Sam, stop. Please, just lay back down and one of us can try to find him.”

“No. No, I need to find him now. You don’t understand, I need to-”

“I understand, Sam.” Jake’s eyes lock in his, his tinted shades missing, allowing Sam to see his knowing gaze. “I know you love him; I know that’s why you stepped in front of him.”

“I-” Sam can say nothing more as he tries to sort through his jumbled thoughts, trying to decide whether to go look for him or trust that his brothers would find Danny for him.

Just as he decides to continue to push to find him himself, the door slams open as Danny freezes in the doorway, his eyes wide and locked on Sam. “Sammy.” Danny’s voice breaks as he rushes towards him, closing the space between them quickly as he scoops Sam up into his arms, his face burrowing into the soft skin of his neck as he lifts the other man slightly.

It isn’t until then that Sam realizes that he was wearing nothing but a thin hospital gown, but he doesn’t care as he melts into Danny’s touch, so overwhelmed by his happiness to think of much else. They had made it, they both made it through the games. Together, alive. “Danny.” He sees his brothers slip out of the room quietly with small smiles on their lips before he closes his eyes, bringing his head down until his cheek rests against Danny’s hair.

After a few moments, Danny loosens his grip, setting Sam down gently as he half holds him up. Before Sam can speak, Danny’s lips crash into his, desperate and full of love as Sam feels his tears on his skin, mixing with his own in his elation. Sam begins to smile as Danny pulls away until he opens his eyes, seeing anger and fear plastered across the other man’s face as he guides him to sit on the edge of the bed. “What the fuck were you thinking?! You almost fucking- almost died for me, because of me! You fucking idiot! Why would you do that?!”

“We gotta stop meeting like this.” Sam tries to smile at him, hoping to ease Danny’s anger. He didn’t hold it against him that he was upset, he knew exactly how it felt to fear that he had lost the other.

Danny’s anger melts away, laughing slightly as he climbs onto the bed, pulling Sam with him as he sniffles. “We really do.”

Sam presses himself against Danny, needing to be closer to him, needing to feel that safety he always felt in his arms. “I am sorry though. If you had done the same for me, I- I don’t even want to imagine going through that. Thinking I lost you, and for it all to be my fault. Can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Sammy. I could never hate you for what you did; I love you too much to do that.”

“I love you too, Danny.” Neither say anything more as they hold the other close, trying to fully accept the reality that they were together, outside the arena. Sam never thought he would have the opportunity, never let himself hope that they could somehow both make it through.

“Can I ask you something?” Danny’s voice is quiet, small as he asks, and Sam tilts his head up to look directly at him properly.

“Go ahead.”

“When we were in the arena, when you were- when you were dying. You said that I had already saved you. What did you mean?”

“I mean exactly what I said. You saved me, Danny, and not just physically, not just my life. Before the games, before you, I was an asshole. I was more than an asshole. I had a terrible mentality; I would have done horrific things just to win. All because of my own pride and jealousy. I was- I was nothing more than everything The Garden wanted me to be. But after I met you, after I got to know you, you helped me change. See more value to lives, show me true kindness. You mourned your losses, felt remorse for killing. You saved my life when you could have easily killed me. When it would have been easier to kill me, when anyone else would have. But you didn’t.” Sam takes a deep breath, hoping that his explanation was coming off as he intended. “I would do it all over again in a heartbeat if it meant that I could become a better person just by being around you, even if it meant I hadn’t survived in the end. I would relive every second with you, the good and bad.”

“I would too.” Danny’s voice is quiet, his tears threatening to spill onto his cheeks once again as he rests his forehead against Sam’s, closing his eyes. He places a kiss to Sam’s forehead before relaxing into the pillow below him, his arms around Sam tightening slightly as if he were afraid something would take them from each other. They sit in silence for a few minutes this way, still in utter awe that they were together again before Danny breaks it again. “Do you want me to go find your brothers?”

“No. I know they’ll come back. I just want this right now. You.” Danny silently nods as Sam rests his head on his chest, closing his eyes as he feels himself creep towards sleep. Just as he’s about to slip into it, he hears the door open and close quietly as two pairs of feet shuffle against the linoleum of the floor.

“Sorry, did we wake you?” Josh’s voice is quiet as Sam opens his eyes, the other man looking at him apologetically.

“No, it’s alright.” Sam looks to Jake next, seeing something lurking just barely below his expression causing him to sit up as Danny does the same. “What’s wrong?”

“I just spoke to the President. She’s given you two options. You can both go back to your respective districts and live there, or- or you can choose one of your original districts where both of you will live. Once you choose, you can’t change your mind.”

What? Sam looks to Danny as hope flares in his chest. Danny could finally live the life he deserves; the one I could give him in District 1.

Danny must have realized what he was thinking as his eyes drop to his hand fiddling with the blanket below him. “I can��t leave Josie, and I would never ask you to leave your family.”

Despair claws at his throat as Sam tries not to cry. He didn’t know what to do. On one hand, if he went back to 1, he would lose Danny. It would be as if they had never met. He would have no one to call his, no one to hold him when his nightmares ripped him from sleep. He would be alone again. But on the other, if he chose to go back to 7 with Danny, he would lose his brothers, only see them once a year when the games rolled around. “I-” Sam looks to the twins, hoping there would be even the slightest hint of what to do apparent on their faces as Danny avoids his eyes.

“It’s ok, Sammy. We understand.” Josh’s tears roll down his cheeks as he smiles at him, and although there was pain beneath his eyes, he knew that Josh was being honest with him. They were happy he had the choice to stay with Danny if he wanted.

“You do?”

“We do.” Jake speaks next, his expression identical to his twin as he glances towards Danny. “He’s taken more care of you in the last week than we have in the last few years. We want you to be happy, Sammy. Wherever- wherever that takes you.”

Sam looks to Danny next, the other man still avoiding his eyes as he speaks, his voice quiet. “I can’t ask you to leave your district, your family, for a poorer one just for me.”

“You don’t have to ask.”

“We’ll… give you a minute to talk.” Jake taps Josh’s shoulder to tell him to follow as he moves to leave the room quickly. Silence falls between them as the twins close the door behind themselves, neither knowing what to say to the other.

“I want you to understand that this is a forever choice. You can’t go back to 1 if you come with me. Ever.”

“I know. Do you- do you want me to go back to 7 with you?” Sam waits for him to answer, holding his breath as his nerves trickle into his mind. What if he says no? What if he doesn’t want me there.

“Nothing would make me happier. I want you to meet Josie, Dave; I want them to meet the man that saved my life. The man I love. I want to show you how gorgeous the forests can be when someone isn’t trying to kill you. I want to live with you and grow old together and just try- try to keep living after the games. After everything that we’ve been through.” Danny’s voice breaks as he finally meets Sam’s eyes, both their tears making silent tracks down their cheeks. “And most of all, I want you to be happy, Sammy. Even if that means that I- that I lose you.”

“If you want me to be happy, I can only think of one place I can have that, be that. I want to go back to 7 with you. I don’t care if it isn’t as wealthy as 1, I don’t care about leaving everything and everyone I’ve ever known. My brothers will understand why I chose this, so there’s nothing left to keep me there. I want this, us. I want you.”

“Are you sure?” Sam knew Danny wasn’t asking because he doubted him. He was making sure because he knew how large of a decision this was for him, he didn’t want him to regret choosing him, and Sam couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“Yes. I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” Danny’s lips spread into a grin before they find Sam’s, less desperate than their kiss before had been but still full of just as much love, if not more. As they pull away from each other and Sam finds a home against Danny’s chest, only one thought circles his mind. We can have a life together.

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A/N: Go listen to Francesca by Hozier now

Taglist: @jake-whatthefisgoingon-kiszka @milojames16 @gretnavannfleet @aioba1503-sdm @sanguinebats @cheersdannyx2 @musicislove3389 @holdingup-fallingsky @freyjalw @hailthegodsong @currentlyfangirling10 @Maddie-Rae

[newstfionline]

Saturday, October 5, 2024

Helene Death Toll Rises (USA Today) The death toll from Hurricane Helene has surpassed 200 people across six states as crews continue searching for survivors in remote areas one week after Helene struck the US. Roughly 900,000 people remain without power and tens of thousands without running water as of this writing. Hurricane Helene is the deadliest storm to make landfall on the US mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At least 72 victims died in Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes Asheville and was hardest hit within Helene’s roughly 600-mile-long path of destruction. Helene and other storm systems in the past week dumped more than 30 inches of rain on North Carolina, triggering the biggest flooding in the state’s recorded history.

How 2 Offhand Remarks by Biden Caused Waves (NYT) With the Middle East on the brink of all-out war on Thursday, people around the world were wondering when Israel might retaliate against Iran and what the targets might be. So President Biden told them. Well, not entirely. But with two offhand responses to questions from reporters, the American president offered an unusual glimpse into the targeting and timing of a military attack being prepared by an ally. First, Mr. Biden said that the United States was “in discussion” about the possibility that Israel might strike Iran’s vast oil fields, a move that would dramatically escalate the conflict. He seemed to indicate some concern about that military option, saying that “I think that would be a little — ” but quickly stopped himself midsentence and said, “Anyway.” Responding to another question about possible Israeli attacks on Iran, he said: “There’s nothing going to happen today. We’ll talk about that later.” It was a moment that underscored the power of the presidency—or at least the power of a president’s words. It has always been the case that everything the Oval Office occupant says is transcribed and parsed as it bounces around the world. But now it does so at the speed of social media, and there is nowhere to hide.

At Least 70 People Dead in Gang Attack in Haiti (NYT) The gang members, armed with automatic weapons, stormed into the small town of Pont-Sondé in central Haiti at around 3 a.m. on Thursday. Then they started setting houses on fire. “As people rushed out of their houses, they were shot,” said Ravina Shamdasani, chief spokeswoman for the U.N. Human Rights Office. When the violence ended, at least 70 people—including 10 women and three infants—were dead, while hundreds of others ran for their lives, the U.N. office said in a statement. Entire families were wiped out and several people are still missing, according to an investigative report by the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights, a prominent civil rights organization in Haiti. The organization faulted authorities for a poor response time and not acting on widespread rumors about the attack, which had been known in the community for weeks.

The scourge of stolen bikes in Britain (Economist) On a summer’s day in Southport, in north-west England, the Merseyside police were on the hunt for stolen bikes. Their suspicions were raised by a “well-known male”, recently out of prison, on a notably pricey bicycle. Officers stopped him, entered the bike’s details into a database and rang the owner, who had been under the impression his bike was locked up outside his workplace. It had been recovered before he’d realised it had gone. The Merseyside police force is the first in England and Wales to experiment with routine stops of cyclists. It has carried out more than 4,000 checks in the past year. But its example is likely to spread. Bike theft is a blight in many British cities. Around 200,000 bikes were reported stolen in England and Wales last year; the real number is much higher because many thefts go unreported. This is not just a pain for their owners. Stolen bikes and e-bikes have also become the getaway vehicle of choice for thieves, according to the Merseyside police. In one way or another, some 80% of acquisitive crime in Liverpool involves a nicked bike.

Chagos Islands Handover (1440) The UK has agreed to return the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, ending a decadeslong dispute over the sovereignty of the Indian Ocean archipelago and marking the UK’s first territorial concession since its handover of Hong Kong in 1997. The Chagos Islands, which include the strategic US-UK Diego Garcia military base, were detached from Mauritius in 1965 before its independence in 1968. The UK forcibly evicted around 2,000 islanders to make way for the base, a move declared illegal in a nonbinding ruling by the International Court of Justice in 2019. The agreement allows for the continued operation of the base for an initial 99 years, a resettlement plan for displaced islanders, and provides financial support to Mauritius. The handover is expected to take several years, with many details still to be negotiated. In total, 65 countries formerly ruled by the UK have gained independence, with 14 territories remaining globally. At its height, the British Empire covered about a quarter of Earth’s land surface.

EU hits China with tariffs in electric car battle (Foreign Policy) Major new taxes will be imposed on imports of electric vehicles from China to the EU after the majority of European member states backed the plans. The move to introduce tariffs aims to protect the European car industry from being undermined by what EU politicians believe are unfair Chinese-state subsidies on its own cars. Meanwhile, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warned on Friday that the European Union was headed for an “economic cold war” with China.

In a Cat-and-Mouse Game, Russian Oil Tankers Are Flying New Flags (NYT) The Jaguar, a tanker the length of nearly five Olympic-size swimming pools, left a port near St. Petersburg, Russia, last year, bound for India and loaded with Russian oil. Its trip that spring came as Western authorities were frantically trying to piece together the network to which it belonged: one of shadowy ships with hidden owners on whom powerful Russians relied to transport the nation’s valuable oil. But by a quirk of the shipping industry, the Jaguar had ties to the West. The tanker flew the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis, which has its maritime registry just outside London—some 20 miles from the very British authorities who chase Russia’s assets around the world and chart its oil shipments. After unloading the oil, the Jaguar would soon switch to a more obscure flag, the Central African nation of Gabon. With an act of paperwork, the Russian tanker had moved beyond the reach of Western financial authorities. Dozens of tankers have made similar moves over the past year and a half, records show, as Moscow has worked to protect its so-called dark fleet in the face of international pressure to limit the market for Russian oil. It is the latest in a cat-and-mouse game that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia has played with the West since Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As American, European and British authorities have pursued, frozen and seized Russian money worldwide, Mr. Putin has found ever new ways to evade their grip.

Pakistan capital locked down, phone service suspended to stop rally by party of ex-leader Imran Khan (AP) Pakistani authorities placed shipping containers on key roads and highways leading to the capital and suspended cellphone service in Islamabad on Friday in an attempt to prevent supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan from holding a rally seeking his release. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government also deployed paramilitary rangers and additional police and shut schools in Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi after Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party refused to withdraw its call for the protest. Khan, Sharif’s main political rival, has been in prison for more than a year in connection with more than 150 police cases. He remains a popular figure despite the cases, which critics and his party say are politically motivated.

Work and travel resume across Taiwan after Typhoon Krathon finally dissipates (AP) Work, classes and flights resumed across Taiwan on Friday after Typhoon Krathon brought torrential rainfall to the island but finally dissipated over a mountain range. A heavy rain advisory remained in place for the northern coast and mountainous areas, where two landslides occurred early Friday. Krathon had brought much of the island to a standstill for three days but weakened to a tropical depression early Friday. Krathon lashed Kaohsiung with winds up to 126 kph (78 mph) and higher gusts. It felled trees and flooded roads. Heavy rains and flooding also occurred along Taiwan’s southern and eastern coasts. Mountainous Taitung County saw 171 centimeters (5.6 feet) of rain over six days.

Massive blasts in Beirut after renewed Israeli air strikes (BBC) Israeli bombing caused large explosions in Beirut, including one close to the international airport during a further night of air strikes targeting Hezbollah. The airport borders Dahieh, Hezbollah's stronghold in the capital. Plumes of smoke could be seen over the city on Friday morning. US outlets citing Israeli officials reported the target was Hashem Safieddine, a cousin of Hezbollah's former leader Hassan Nasrallah. Safieddine has been widely regarded as the most likely candidate to replace Nasrallah after his death in an Israeli strike last week. Massive airstrike operations across southern Lebanon in recent weeks have killed more than 2,000 people and displaced around 1.2 million others. Overnight on Friday, Israel struck the Masnaa border crossing, the main thoroughfare between Lebanon and Syria through which tens of thousands of people have fled Israeli bombardments. Israel’s military has accused Hezbollah of using Masnaa to transport military equipment. The group is widely believed to have received much of its weaponry from Iran via Syria.

Emails show early US concerns over Gaza offensive, risk of Israeli war crimes (Reuters) As Israel pounded northern Gaza with air strikes last October and ordered the evacuation of more than a million Palestinians from the area, a senior Pentagon official delivered a blunt warning to the White House. The mass evacuation would be a humanitarian disaster and could violate international law, leading to war crime charges against Israel, Dana Stroul, then the deputy assistant secretary of defense for the Middle East, wrote in an Oct. 13 email to senior aides to President Joe Biden. Stroul was relaying an assessment by the International Committee of the Red Cross that had left her “chilled to the bone,” she wrote. As the Gaza war nears its first anniversary and the Middle East teeters on the brink of a wider war, Stroul’s email and other previously unreported communications show the Biden administration’s struggle to balance internal concerns over rising deaths in Gaza with its public support for Jerusalem following the Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people.

[shiningwonderland]

Camus (All Star)

Translator: Mimi (Twitter: _mimisaurora)

Happy End — The Polyrhythm for the Future Ahead Seems Bleak

His noble voice captured the hearts of the audience.

There was a tenderness in Camus-senpai’s song that had never been heard before.

The audience was captivated by this gentle, heartwarming, yet somehow sorrowful new song.

This song could surely break curses.

I believed so wholeheartedly as Senpai finished singing.

And then, everyone else finished their songs. 

The winner of the grand prize was determined by a special jury, the audience, and viewers watching the live broadcast.

I watched with bated breath as the votes were collected one after another.

Saotome: Resultsss are innnn!!

The Shining Song Festival's prestigious Grand Prize goes toooooooooo…

Mr. Camus!!

The moment the president announced Camus-senpai’s name, the ground trembled from the roar of cheers that erupted through the venue. 

In the midst of applause and under the spotlight, the president presented Senpai with his award.

He stepped forward to the center of the stage in a regal manner and bowed gracefully before the audience. 

The crowd let out a collective sigh in admiration of his sheer beauty.

Camus: Thank you very much. I owe everything to the ladies and gentlemen who have supported me up to this point.

This Camus will continue to serve you all with the utmost devotion and sincerity.

He bowed his head once more and the venue erupted into thunderous applause and cheers.

It was clear everyone in the venue thought he was deserving of the award. My eyes welled up and I wiped away the tears that were threatening to fall.

It was then that the magical bottle of perfume glowed in my bag.

The white light that always indicated contact with the Silk Palace began to spill out from within.

I hurriedly covered the whole bag with my coat, and a voice echoed in my head.

Caller: Camus-sama, I bring excellent news! Her Majesty the Queen has just now recovered. The curse appears to have been fully broken!!

The queen’s curse…?

It caused me to look up and realize that the sky, which looked like it was about to start raining at any second, had cleared up.

The curse… was broken….

Haruka: I’m glad….

I was right to think that Senpai's music, our music, could work miracles.

Feeling relieved, I relaxed and sank deeper into my seat.

Caller: Camus-sama, are you listening…?

Haruka: C-Congratulations. Senpai isn’t here right now, but I’ll be sure to give him the message.

Caller: Huh? Ah, thank you. Are you one of his Japanese aides…?

The person on the other end sounded startled by my sudden response, but…

Caller: Well, it is nice to meet you.

With that final remark, the transmission from the Silk Palace ended.

Haruka: …Phew. Thank goodness…

Following the closing remarks by the president and the encore, the festival came to an end.

I stood up from my seat, clutching the bottle of perfume.

I hurried to get out of the bustling venue.

I wanted to hurry and tell Senpai the curse had been broken. 

And also...

I missed him. 

I wanted to see him as quickly as possible to tell him how I felt.

Haruka: Excuse me, please let me through. Um…

The crowd was heading out in droves, making it difficult to move ahead amongst the waves of people.

Haruka: I’m so sorry. Um… Kyah!

I was struggling to move forward when someone suddenly grabbed my arm.

Camus: Where are you going in such a hurry?

Haruka: S-Senpai!?

I was startled, and Camus-senpai brought his index finger up to the front of his lips to shush me with a laugh. 

R-Right.

It’d be a disaster if people figured out he was here.

Camus: …Let’s get out of here.

He lifted me in his arms as soon as he said it.

Haruka: Wah! W-What…!?

Camus: If I let you walk yourself we’d be stuck in this crowd forever. It’ll be quicker this way.

Haruka: Hold on, but…

I was confused, but his arms were warm…

Camus: Let’s go… back to our home.

Haruka: A-Alright…

I nodded my head. 

Senpai grinned to himself in satisfaction and gestured beyond the crowd.

There I found Alexander sitting there, looking as if he belonged there, and we both exchanged looks for a moment before laughing.

I then leaned my body against his chest.

Over the next few days, Camus-senpai was busy dealing with the aftermath of the Silk Palace incident.

As for what happened to the queen....

While celebrating the recovery of the queen, those in support of her marriage that had not shown all their cards up to this point finally folded and revealed their intentions.

This led to a significant step in the direction of breaking up her engagement to Cecil.

Since this was a matter between two countries, it was not something that could simply be swept under the rug.

Perhaps the experience of being frozen also helped the queen to overcome certain troubles. 

She publicly declared how she lacked interest in younger men and would not marry one less than 2 meters tall.

After the commotion that ensued, the engagement was finally formally dropped a few days ago.

Senpai, who had taken charge of resolving this mess, appeared to be a little happy despite the hard time he was going through.

Although problems still remain, like the decline of her magical strength, I hear that the queen has started to smile as she used to from time to time.

Senpai mentioned that our song may not only have melted the accursed ice, but also have reached the queen’s heart.

Now that she is no longer in an arranged marriage, she has given up on using me as her vessel.  

Camus-senpai would no longer have to return to Silk Palace and could continue to watch over the president while maintaining his career as an idol like before.

Haruka: I’m so happy…

Everything I worried about has taken a turn for the better that it honestly felt like a dream.

But, there was still a major problem to solve if Senpai wanted to return to work...

Some days after the song festival... 

Camus-senpai and I were summoned to the agency by the president.

Haruka: I wonder what it could possibly be about…

Camus: No idea. Despite winning the Grand Prize, I've caused a lot of trouble for the agency because of what’s been going on in my country.

He had to drop all of his work to be able to return to Silk Palace, and also had to have the Song Festival program rearranged so he would be able to make it….

Camus: Who knows what kind of penalty Saotome will impose. …You have to be prepared.

He spoke with a solemn look on his face, and I timidly nodded my head.

Haruka: A-Alright. …I’m… nervous.

Camus: Hmph. There’s no need for you to be so concerned. I will be the only one to receive any punishments. …Let’s go.

We both shared a look, nodded our heads, and then Senpai placed his hand on the office door.

Saotome: Congratulations on winning the grand prize, Mr. Camus!!

As soon as he opened the door, the president's broad smile flashed into view.

Saotome: And YOU! You are officially a part of the Shining Agency now! I'm looking forward to working with you!

I was knocked back to my senses from the surprise of him suddenly pointing his finger at me. I hurriedly bowed to the president.

Haruka: O-Of course. Thank you very much!

Saotome: Congratulations to you both! That’s all from me for today!

The president announced loudly, and then…. Silence.

Camus: Excuse me, sir… Is that really…. Everything?

As one might expect, Camus-senpai was a bit taken aback.

Camus: I am deeply sorry for causing the agency considerable inconvenience by abandoning my work recently. That…

Saotome: Non non non. There was a huge emergency in your country. I get that your earlship is important to you too!

The president interrupted Senpai with a mischievous smile.

Saotome: Besides, I have a memory of the queen of your country saving my life when I was younger.

…I made some adjustments to your work schedule while you were away. You should have no problem getting back to work.

Camus: Are you… serious!?

The president winked underneath his sunglasses.

Saotome: This is my way of repaying the favor. Don't worry about it.

Camus-senpai humbly bows his head.

Camus: I cannot thank you enough. I will surely repay this gracious favor.

Saotome: Hahaha! In exchange, I ask YOU to work harder than ever before. As one of the agency's poster idols, you’ll have to make up for all the work you’ve missed out on, so brace yourself!

Camus: O-Of course. As you wish…

Saotome: Hahaha!

Camus: Jeez….

Senpai's face remained respectful, but only I could see the faintest hint of distress…

And the president's laughter echoed throughout the whole office for a while.

From then on…

The president assigned Camus-senpai an absolutely brutal work schedule.

There was still tons he had to do following the events at the Silk Palace, but he was kept very busy.

I, too, was suddenly swamped with work as the composer behind the winning song.

I was so busy that I had no time to talk to him.

Several more days later….

It was the first time in weeks that Camus-senpai had a day entirely to himself.

I suggested to him that we should relax and enjoy a pot of nabe together….

Cecil: ….

Camus: ….

I have no idea why Camus-senpai and Cecil-san are glaring at each other across the living room.

Cecil: …Camus. I was supposed to have come here today so you could thank me again for helping with the queen.

Camus: You’re right. Now don’t make me repeat myself, you fool.

Cecil: You should not be acting so arrogant when thanking someone!

Cecil-san glanced in my direction as he argued with Senpai.

Cecil: I had guessed that she had been called here for the same reason.

But it looks like she is still living here. What does that mean?

Haruka: W-Well, you see…

I continued to live here since then because I was simply too busy to do anything else.

Now I’ve come to really feel at home living in this tower.

But I was just talking to Senpai about returning to my dorm room to set things right…

Cecil: The Song Festival is over. You two are not yet lovers. It is not proper for you to live together!

Cecil-san raised his voice.

Cecil: It is natural for two people in love to live with each other.... but that is not the case with you two yet.

Camus: Is that all you have to say? It's frankly none of your business that she wants to be here. Why is that a problem?

Haruka: H-Huh…? Senpai, I said I was going back to the dorms…

Cecil: I do not trust what Camus has to say. Muse, let me hear your side of the story.

Cecil-san looked at me in confusion. Camus-senpai smiled faintly and looked at me from the opposite side.

Camus: Alright, Haruka. Let us hear your true thoughts this time, free of any pretense.

Haruka: I-I…

He put his hand under my chin, making me turn to face him with a jerk. 

His eyes, which were as beautiful as crystals, looked directly into mine.

Camus: We're well aware that we shouldn't be living together if we're considering the agency's interest. 

But I don't want to be away from you. Don't you want to stay with me?

Haruka: I… don’t… hate the idea. 

I nodded my head. 

I would be very glad if I could continue to live with Camus-senpai as we have been doing up until now.

Senpai grinned in satisfaction.

Cecil: Camus! You’re terrible!

Cecil-san screeched from the side. 

He glared reproachfully at Senpai, who grumpily retorted, "What?"

Cecil: Now you have put some kind of curse on her!

Up until now… No matter how tyrannical, violent, arrogant, selfish, foul-mouthed, abusive, or much of a liar you were…

I trusted you would never put a curse on her, even if you were twisted and immature to actually do so!

Camus: Bastard… It is amazing how you can so quickly spout off such a tirade against someone who you claimed to have believed in. You've become fluent in Japanese for nothing.

Camus-senpai mentioned how this was also the second time Cecil-san’s brought up how he’d believed in him, and as he calmly pointed this out, he tugged on my hand to pull me toward him.

Haruka: Ah….

Camus: I assure you, I have not placed any curses on anyone. In fact, my singing has just shown that I can break any kind of curse.

Haruka: R-Right. This is no curse…

My heart had not stopped pounding in my chest since Senpai had stared at me earlier. There is no way that this is a curse.

Cecil: Grr. I am not convinced.

Cecil-san puffed out his cheeks slightly and pointed straight at Senpai.

Cecil: Camus. At one point I thought you might be able to take care of her. But I take it back.

You are still a tyrant. I recognize you as a senpai, but you are unfit to be her partner. A tyrant is not worthy of the Muse.

Camus: Ha, how so? Is there any man as gentlemanly as I?

Haruka: Um, you guys…

I was stuck in the middle of Camus-senpai and Cecil-san having a glaring match.

Cecil: Camus, shall I give you a mirror? If you look in it every day, you will see exactly what kind of person you really are.

Camus: Oho. You've only been in Japan for a few years, but you've mastered some truly sophisticated phrasing.

Then allow me to reward you with a can of cat food. It's 100% fish meat. Get down on your knees and eat it.

Cecil: Grr….

Cecil-san took a step backward after being stared down by Senpai's oppressive gaze.

Cecil: Maybe I should have married the queen after all. You would not be so rude if I were the king of Silk Palace.

Camus: Shut up. You think a boy like you could ever possibly be a match for Her Majesty?

Cecil: You are very devoted to the queen. If she is so important to you, then go back to your country immediately. I will protect Haruka, so there is nothing to worry about.

Cecil took my hand and smiled at me.

Cecil: Haruka, I want to live together with you day and night.

Haruka: Um… But….

Cecil: I will not be as awful as Camus, I will be much, much… kinder.

Those jewel-like eyes stared straight at me, and I froze in place.

Then, Cecil-san tried to lift up the back of my hand.

Just before he brought it to his lips, Camus-senpai tsked, put his hands on my shoulders, and pulled me toward him.

Camus: Tsk…. Let go of her hand.

Haruka: Hyah!

Camus: Hmph. I can be as nice as I want to be. Isn’t that right, Haruka?

Haruka: Y-Yeah…

He was so close.

Camus-senpai smiled at me as my heart began to race once more.

Cecil: Non! Camus' kindness is fake. Muse, you must wake up!

Camus: Hmph. It doesn't matter if it's fake, as long as it's kind. What is there to complain about if I say I won't hurt her feelings?

Cecil: Guh…

Senpai looked down at me while keeping Cecil-san in check.

Camus: Haruka, stay by my side as you always have. …Okay?

Haruka: O-Okay…

Cecil: Non. I won't allow that to happen! Haruka, let’s live together.

Senpai smoothly stepped away from Cecil-san and reverently took my hand.

Camus: Haruka, If you so desire, you can be a lady or a princess, and I will treat you as such. So, what do you say?

Haruka: U-Um… I actually prefer… the way you usually act.

Camus: Hmph. I will behave in any way you want, but why?

Haruka: Because I know you’re already a kind man, and I want to stand by your side as I always have.

Camus: Wha…

Senpai was momentarily taken aback but soon laughed contentedly.

Camus: Indeed. That’s what I like to hear.

Cecil: I see… I understand now. Haruka, you really are happy to stay with Camus…

Cecil-san alternated glances between Senpai and I, then his shoulders slumped dejectedly.

Cecil: I would have stayed by your side and protected you if I could. But…. so be it.

I will be watching over you from afar.

Haruka: U-Um… Cecil-san….

What should I do…. I am very glad I can continue to live with Senpai, but I also couldn’t bear to just leave Cecil-san, who is so honest, friendly and like a little brother to me, to worry about me like this.

Haruka: Well… You know… How about the three of us start living together?

Camus: ….

Cecil: ….

For a moment, they were both flabbergasted.

Camus: Absolutely not!

Cecil: No way!!

The two of them screamed out almost simultaneously.

Cecil: Right… My princess. That is the one wish of yours I cannot grant. It would be a nightmare living with Camus again.

Cecil-san held his head in his hands, trembling, and gazed up at the ceiling in despair.

Camus: That’s my line, you fool. I will never forget all the pain you put me through during the Master Course.

You've got a problem with everything I do. It offends me just to look at you.

Cecil: Non! It is you who always finds a fault in everything I do!

Camus: That’s because everything is your fault!

Cecil: Speak for yourself!

Camus: You peasant!!

Haruka: H-Hey…

Cecil: Ramandillo! Tua Terra!

Camus: Reduma! Shevarena!!!

The two of them got heated enough to start arguing in their respective native languages.

Haruka: W-What to do…

Being Japanese, I was absolutely clueless as to what they were shouting at each other.

But, they both kind of looked like they were enjoying this fight…

Alexander: Bark!

I stood there, baffled, as Alexander trotted over and curled up lazily at my feet.

Haruka: Alexander… We should…

Alexander nuzzled up against my leg, seeming to want to tell me to leave the two alone, closed his eyes, and began to sleep soundly.

Haruka: Ah… But…

I looked between both of their backs as they continued to argue.

Then… Somehow along the way, we started talking about which one of us would share a room with who if we were to live together.

The fighting has to eventually stop, but…

The two of them seemed to be having a good time, and Alexander looked somewhat content.

I was a little relieved at the sight.

Happy End

[fleetsofsnow]

Every once in a while I think about how there's been some (not enough but some) international attention on Xinjiang and the Uyghurs, and how previously there were some (not enough, and now seemingly rapidly fading) concern and international attention on Tibet, but I've not really seen people talk about Inner Mongolia.

Because sometimes I'll come across articles like this one and wonder how their people feel, how they live, what they want.

Because "Thousands of ethnic Mongolians have protested across northern China in opposition to Beijing plans to replace the Mongolian language with Chinese in some school subjects" and "Elbegdorj Tsakhia, president of Mongolia from 2009 to 2017, published a video in support of the protests" and that "The changes mirror those already made in Xinjiang in 2017 and Tibet in 2018."

Because "Enghebatu Togochog, director of the US-based Southern Mongolian Human Rights Information Center" said “The main concern of the Mongolian people is that this language change is pretty much just to wipe out the Mongolian language education in Southern Mongolia once and for all”.

And he also said that "In the past 70 years Mongolian people have gone through a lot, including genocide, political oppression, economic exploitation, cultural assimilation and environmental destruction. So after 70 years of China’s heavy-handed policy, the Mongolian language is the last remaining symbol of Mongolia."

And "Chinese authorities also shut down the only Mongolian social media app in the country".

And how do you live with that knowledge floating around the back of your head? What can you do? You can maybe highlight one thing at a time. Try to change the world in whatever way you can one step at a time. Spread information one click at a time. But what does that do for the millions of people suffering, from Ukraine to Palestine to the Congo to Tibet to Xinjiang to Inner Mongolia to the indigenous communities in Philippines to the Rohingya to endless others that I know and do now know of.

What do we do?

[40sandfabulousaf]

大家好! The boss and I caught up with Antho, our mutual friend, who introduced us to a stall specialising in mala. We left the ordering to him and he filled our small table with enough dishes to feed 5! The food was so delicious, I couldn't stop eating even after I was stuffed to the brim. None of us stopped until we wiped all the plates clean.

I'll share about what I got up to during Chinese New Year in the next post. This week, I came across a stall selling tomato soup fish bee hoon (vermicelli). In a nutshell, they serve the tangy broth used in tomato egg noodles with thick slices of fresh fish, tomato chunks, tofu cubes, lettuce and thick bee hoon. Digging through the noodles, I discovered a generous portion of fish slices, so for the price of $7.50, it was decent value for money. I'll return to try their original flavour sliced fish bee hoon soup.

Hokkien mee, frequently a combo of thick bee hoon and yellow noodles, is wok fried with egg, veggies and a flavourful broth. The noodles absorb the broth, making them very tasty and a firm local favourite, any time of the day. There are 2 versions: with prawns (usually sold by stalls that specialise in this dish) and without (sold at cai fan, or mixed dishes and rice) stalls. The former usually has a much more robust prawn flavour since it's eaten on its own, whilst the latter is milder tasting so as to pair well with other dishes. Both are very delicious.

This Chinese New Year, whilst I love my country deeply, I'm also fiercely embracing my ethnicity and roots. Grandpa came from Xi Men, Taipei, ROC and spoke solely in Hokkien for all his life. When he told me stories about how he came to Singapore, he always said he came from China. So to me, there was never any question about Taiwan; it's part of China. Nonetheless, the issue of Taiwan remains strictly between it and China. I have enough respect to keep my nose out of China's internal affairs.

We might be feasting during this festive period but elsewhere in the world, including in Gaza, hunger persists. Palestinian civilians currently survive off animal feed and rice. Food supplies are dwindling whilst Israel is interfering in how and where aid is delivered. Why haven't the US, UK, Canada and other Western countries said anything about the abuse of human rights? 下次见!

[tachvintlogic]

[Transcripts:

“I’m not glad,” says Peeta. “I wish we had waited until the whole thing was done officially.”

This takes even Caesar aback. “Surely even a brief time is better than no time?”

“Maybe I’d think that, too, Caesar,” says Peeta bitterly, “if it weren’t for the baby.”

There. He’s done it again. Dropped a bomb that wipes out the efforts of every tribute who came before him. Well, maybe not. Maybe this year he has only lit the fuse on a bomb that the victors themselves have been building. Hoping someone would be able to detonate it. Perhaps thinking it would be me in my bridal gown. Not knowing how much I rely on Cinna’s talents, whereas Peeta needs nothing more than his wits.

As the bomb explodes, it sends accusations of injustice and barbarism and cruelty flying out in every direction. Even the most Capitol-loving, Games-hungry, bloodthirsty person out there can’t ignore, at least for a moment, how horrific the whole thing is.

I am pregnant.

The audience can’t absorb the news right away. It has to strike them and sink in and be confirmed by other voices before they begin to sound like a herd of wounded animals, moaning, shrieking, calling for help. And me? I know my face is projected in a tight close-up on the screen, but I don’t make any effort to hide it. Because for a moment, even I am working through what Peeta has said. Isn’t it the thing I dreaded most about the wedding, about the future — the loss of my children to the Games? And it could be true now, couldn’t it? If I hadn’t spent my life building up layers of defenses until I recoil at even the suggestion of marriage or a family?

[...]

We wait for the others to return, but when the elevator opens, only Haymitch appears. “It’s madness out there. Everyone’s been sent home and they’ve canceled the recap of the interviews on television.”

Peeta and I hurry to the window and try to make sense of the commotion far below us on the streets. “What are they saying?” Peeta asks. “Are they asking the president to stop the Games?”

“I don’t think they know themselves what to ask. The whole situation is unprecedented. Even the idea of opposing the Capitol’s agenda is a source of confusion for the people here,” says Haymitch. “But there’s no way Snow would cancel the Games. You know that, right?”

I do. Of course, he could never back down now. The only option left to him is to strike back, and strike back hard. “The others went home?” I ask.

“They were ordered to. I don’t know how much luck they’re having getting through the mob,” says Haymitch.

End Transcript]

like I have perpetual hunger games brainrot but. I do think so much about how a majority of the capitol citizens were content to spend like 75 years celebrating, promoting, betting on, and just generally enjoying the brutal and unnecessary murders of 23 living children, but when peeta dropped the baby bomb and they were under the impression that a fetus was going to be in the arena w its living (16-17 year old!!!) mother?? there were riots and demands for the games to be canceled. it took a nonexistent unborn baby for the capitol citizens to openly question and criticize the games and that was absolutely not an accident on suzanne collins part.

[molsons112000]

By the way, I never hesitated giving verbal warnings. I gave you verbal warnings in two thousand sixteen.That god's gonna kill everybody who upsets me!!!! 😡 He already seen you. You f***** pieces of f***** living f****** s*** upset me.So now he's coming to kill you all!!!! 😡 He's coming, I'll pass away and then he'll wipe you out!!! You're only operating under my grace.As he said, he's waiting till I die and then he's coming for you!!!! And he said, anyone who dies before, then sits in purgatory, waiting for me to see their execution victims rights!!!

Oh, who do you think they invite to executions of people? The victim our victims!!!! Giving them closure.Watching the piece of s*** get put down!!!!!

And that's what you are here, just garbage people!!!!

And so either you clean it up or he's going to clean it up, but one way or another, it's going to end, that's the point of revelations, it's not going to continue on!!!!!

That's the point of the good samaritan role, giving you the power to put the scumbags down!!!!!

The reason they don't allow these historical cars to drive much. It's because of that they're pollution machine!!! So if you don't have a historical that's a nation, the government forces you to destroy the car cash for clunkers!!! I agreed with this program... But this should have been much more widely applied.... So you can only keep your old car if you get a historical designation, but you can't drive it much... And if you violate, you lose it, and the car has to be scrapped!!!!!

Limited Driving Time Classic car insurance typically limits the vehicle owner to 1,000 miles of driving per year. Considered pleasure driving, many policies specify that the vehicle can be driven in parades, car shows, and other similar events, but not as a primary vehicle.May 29, 2024

https://www.groveins.com › blog

How Does Classic Car Insurance Limit Driving Miles? | Blog

Even my friends, father, who owned a big steel company, he drove a subcompact to work everyday and he was the president of the company filthy rich. He left the Mercedes at home and drove a very small car. He didn't want california more pollution.. But there's a reason he's rich. He understands things that destroy property value. Adding to pollution, and he did, I solved the subcompact, and the reason I know I asked the son, why is some Mercedes in the driveway? My dad doesn't drive the big gas counselors only on the weekend for limited amount of miles. He drives a subcompact to work everyday.He doesn't wanna add to pollution.... And a lot of his steel went into all the structures in las vegas, he provided steel talk all the construction companies in las vegas.... 🙄

And I love this house, he had oceanfront, and I When outside and laid down in the hammock, that was outside and you could rock back and forth cause the wind blew you so he had a gentle rock and you could hear the ocean coming in and I laid down outside and took a quick nap... Lynn had a beautiful view. He had a private beach.It was a beautiful house... But he wanted to preserve that beauty!!!! So anything to reduce any kind of pollutants or emissions, he would be all for it immediately.... 🤔 He wants to do what's right ✅️ Unlike everybody else around here, they don't give a s*** about righteousness and justice!!!!!

[jodilin65]

When I look at the comments on some of the IVF articles it amazes me how more and more people are anti-abortion and just how conservative this country is getting.

When I asked myself who I would vote for if I was going to vote, not that I’m going to vote for real of course, saying I would vote for Trump may be stretching it a bit but the little bastard may actually be better than Biden for a few reasons. First, the attack on gays and women is going to continue no matter who gets elected. That’s just something that’s going to get worse and worse probably for decades before it gradually gets better if it does. I think it will fluctuate over the decades and even centuries where sometimes women will have more rights and other times they won’t.

But Biden got absolutely nothing done but invited tens of thousands of people into the country to hog our resources and give billions of dollars to other countries. Yes, Trump is a misogynist who’s probably a closet case who can’t deal with his feelings and will take his frustration out on gays and women any chance he gets. And yes, it was horrible that he appointed bigoted justices and all that but what’s done is done and like I said, things are only going to get worse before they get better.

So maybe it would actually be better to have a president who’s going to staunch the flow of migrants from taking jobs away from Americans and calling for longer waiting times getting into doctors and adding to the overcrowding. And maybe he won’t be as quick to give as much of our money away. Just something to think about unless he plans to target older people next. The guy’s amount of popularity and supporters really stuns me. He is definitely the most talked about and the most popular president we ever had next to Obama.

I try to remind myself that if the masses believe, think, or do something, it’s usually for a reason yet I’m still not seeing the “human” in embryos or fetuses. I see the potential human but it’s kind of like a seed versus a tree. Well, a seed isn’t a tree. I also don’t see the sin in two consenting adults in love just because they may have the same body parts. Sometimes I wish I could see it their way because it’s the norm and following norms is always easier but I just can’t and I don’t.

In the latest episode of my show, they talked about how some scientists believe they have proof that some of the disasters mentioned in the Bible actually happened because the people living there pissed God off. Well, I still say there likely is no God and that the Bible is simply stories, but if they’re right, then we have a very evil, spiteful God who doesn’t love everybody unconditionally as many people claim. Besides, if that was the case, why isn’t he wiping us all out right now with the way things are so fucked up in the world?

I keep going back and forth in my mind as to whether or not my TSH is getting too low for comfort. My dry skin and hair and the way I feel cold say it’s not but I also could be cold from not eating much. Tom thanks my weight is down because I haven’t eaten much but with the way I’ve been feeling tonight, I think it’s down because my TSH is dropping. I tell you, I know my body and I don’t lose weight no matter how sick I get. In my twenties and even my thirties I may have but certainly not now. I know the drill and what to do about it if it is, though, and that’s to simply cut my waiting time a bit before food and drink and that will back it off. If I ignore it, the anxiety and the blah moods will intensify.

I still wish I was more connected at times. Being on nights half of my life doesn’t help but even if I was always on days I still wouldn’t have the friends and family I sometimes wish I had. Sometimes I wish I was surrounded by parents, siblings, cousins, and close friends who were totally supportive, accepting, non-judgmental, and not the least bit toxic in any way. But then I remind myself that things could be much worse like if I was alone with absolutely no one. I really believe that if I hadn’t met Tom I wouldn’t be alive. I also try to keep in mind that more people means more trouble. There are too many bad people out there. Too many backstabbing, lying phony people who just want to use you, judge you and try to change and control you.

I’ll still be doing a little socializing because I’m now signed up for the painting class on the 21st. I’m also going to get a pedicure sometime while Tom checks out a nearby store he wants to check out, so we do have some fun things to look forward to other than doctor’s appointments and labs.

We got bombs ready now that creepy crawlies are waking up, so we’ll be out for at least a couple of hours that day.

I want to go down to the beach but I don’t want to have to race against time to find the nearest charger that isn’t broken, in use, or taking a year to give us enough of a charge to get to our next destination.

In today’s junk mail came a postcard for looking up information to donate blood. I guess they do this all over town. They give you a T-shirt and a $20 gift certificate.

For just a buck I got frosty light pink lipstick with our last Walmart order and it looks nice. It’s noticeable but doesn’t stand out a mile away.

[disgustedorite]

Joe Biden isn't 'misled' he's actively participating in a genocide while also denying its existence. What the fuck makes you think he, or any other democrat, would do anything to prevent a genocide here? Our only hope for liberation is organizing outside of bourgeoise political parties and forming militant organizations that can defend ourselves.

Remember that:

The prevailing propaganda in the US is "everyone in the middle east is a terrorist", and that politicians are not immune to said propaganda. Most people on the left aren't either. Biden is less sheltered than any other president we've had for a while, but he's still in the politician world which is more sheltered than it should be.

A lot of people really genuinely believe that the reports of genocide are exaggerated, a lot more than you realize, not out of malice but because of the propaganda I just mentioned and due to a lack of information being disseminated.

The vast majority of information about what's ACTUALLY HAPPENING in Gaza is exclusively circulating in extremely far left spaces, much further left than any in-office US politician you can name off the top of your head. Information simply isn't being disseminated to more left-center spaces, which is why you see so many people on the left supporting Israel and being confused and upset when people even further left start screaming at them.

Have you looked at any website that's been standing with Israel? Every single one of them has framed the Palestinian perspective as seeking a "final solution" against Jews--anyone who hears that first is gonna misguidedly shut out anything to the contrary because anyone against calling it the "final solution" is an automatic Nazi from that perspective. It's similar psychology to how so many people got locked into qanon not because they wanted to believe it, but because people going against it are framed as "supporting pedophiles".

Hamas is the face of literally all of this, especially in the media. It's not the fault of the Gazans that they're stuck with Hamas as their only chance at freedom at this point, but anyone not in the aforementioned far left spaces that actually report on it doesn't understand that.

I could be proven wrong, but it's realistic that Biden just straight up doesn't realize that people are telling the truth about it being a genocide and has, with information passed to him only though the filter of media and other politicians, and like basically everyone who isn't in far left circles, been lead to believe it to be a genocide against Israeli Jews instead, especially as the face of Gazan resistance right now is, unfortunately, Hamas. Knowingly supporting a genocide is in serious conflict with all of his other actions as president thus far, and someone needs to give him a reality check. It's a really fucking bad situation, but there's not much we can do about it at this point if protests don't get through to him. But as said in a previous post, it would also be so so much worse if Trump was in office--he'd proudly call it what it is with some stupid trumpy phrasing and support his literal buddy Benjamin Netanyahu anyway, and Gaza would just be a black mark on the coast by now with nobody left to report the number of casualties, and we might not even hear about it beyond a short "oh, Gaza was wiped off the map, aah, bad" that everyone forgets about in a day once the news suppression kicks in. And a bunch of people would be dead in the US too, we'd be in a hot nuclear war involving Russia and China, and the democracy would probably be over, but that's beside the point. I'd say that's a pretty important difference.

Meanwhile, while plenty of people are justifiably angry and saying they won't vote as a personal choice, many more who are actually calling for other people to not vote at all are social media accounts that mysteriously appeared or underwent a dramatic transformation only in the past three weeks. I spotted a former mutual who was hispanic living with their Mexican immigrant family in the US mysteriously turn into a Palestinian whose entire family except for themself lives in Gaza, whose deaths they then proceeded to liveblog one by one. Many of these blogs frequently share information sourced only from tweets and fake news sites that use overly loaded language that adds nothing to the information being shared, or even directly distracts from the facts, and serves only to make the reader angrier. Does this not sound a little bit familiar?

Everything sucks right now, but do what you can to slow down the rate at which things go downhill to give as many people as possible a fighting chance. If you don't, you become an easily sniped target in a worse world that could have been prevented.

[the-firebird69]

Right now there's a lot of people to go to that steakhouse in other places because here in Florida they're coming over here to pull you out and to get rid of you there's a lot of it I think there's much there are 14 rings to adding two tonight to 16 and they're each 10 miles wide this is to stop traffic doesn't have to be that many people coming in here

Thor Freya

-we've had enough of you idiots building up to driving here to harass us you're a bunch of s*** your cowards it's so easy to take you down and send it to I'm taking them down by looking at them it's ridiculous I've seen people die after looking at it wrong it's true answer you idiots how wonderful I don't want to talk the whole thing out I will say that you've been a horrible horrible group our whole time on Earth you never get along with anyone and you always have to mess things up in a couple of jerks including your kids. It's really most of you have down syndrome and when you're out there in the battlefield you poop out you go home I'm trying to turn on us and hit you we don't trust you at all and you say you do cuz he puts it on his machine I am sick and tired of looking at your dumb f****** face you retards and these two are completely absolute morons. This f****** b**** has her head is way off he said give me the money you stupid f****** c*** and she saying no you're with me last night and his shoes in some sex party he doesn't go anywhere and does not dream about her I'll tell you what they're delusional as hell he says it's dangerous and it is he's not soupy is that sick in the head he's not on drugs why doesn't fall for that weak s*** it looks like it cuz it's riding a bike you have to concentrate this helmet mb huh? They're both laughing and they probably think it's true and it's not you're so f****** dumb garth I should get a shotgun and kill your ass myself. No it says that because it's frustrating you're so annoying you're going to send hits out on you now garth you're such a prick you're such a moron. So many people of value got hurt because you're such an idiot you didn't know who your old family members are keep bringing Jason home your a slob he takes your stuff. Stan is taking his stuff and wiping them out the other way around you moron and he's smarter than stan about most things we can't stand you anymore

Mac Daddy

We have a statement too you idiots are out not to do you ever in you're not even our culture you're so dumb and the math you have is horrible it's not right he says you used to be within some lines and decided to rebuild and you did against her whole system now I want you out of here if there's an eviction means an eviction if you're still in the house you're going to get arrested

Stan

I'm actually going to go to court and found the papers nothing's going to happen by us hissing you come back as a different character you're going to get evicted again

Sherry

I cut it off of these idiots for several lifetimes they don't understand no they don't have to take over those stupid White House in a world that does not tolerate that you're supposed to learn from what happens overseas and just encourage you and at least to wipe out all of your people when you're trying it I thought you got it with Gene Simmons they put one right in the head and said don't do that and you forgot and that has a huge a****** and his name is Trump she became president anyway around harming people who thought harmed him and her friend here says it's probably really easy shot him because most people are far too tolerant of people who make catastrophic errors. Gene Simmons says he found out it was him and sees him shooting at her son and it's a problem but those are s***'s rancid and it is all of the warlock s*** is rancid. You're losing the whole game

Biden

Olympus

[saratogaroadwrites]

For King and Country (67/122)

For King and Country | saratogaroad rating: T total wordcount:  280,466 characters: Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, Roland Crane, Aranella, Batu, Tani, Lofty, Leander Aristidies, Bracken Meadows relationships: Roland Crane & Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, Aranella & Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum, Roland Crane & Aranella, Batu & Tani, Batu & Evan, Tani & Evan, Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum & Lofty, Rolander other tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Canon-Typical Violence, Mother-Son Relationship, Father-Son Relationship, Place Slowly Becomes Home People Slowly Become Family, Found Family, For Want of A Nail warnings: none

Pulled from his world by mysterious powers, former president Roland Crane finds himself caught in the middle of a coup meant to take the life of the young King Evan Pettiwhisker Tildrum. Joining forces with Aranella, the pair of them set out to aid Evan in making his dream of a kingdom where everyone can live happily ever after a reality.

But the road to peace is a long and treacherous one and there is no promise of success in a world where darkness spreads ever thicker with each passing day. If they are to stand a chance, they must stand together, for king and for country.

(A retelling.)

=

The uppermost levels of Broadleaf’s Factory were higher up than most skyscrapers in Roland’s world. Nestled into what would have been the canopy of a normal tree, a cavernous system of interconnected rooms and open air walkways twisted and stretched for what felt like miles. The air was hot and thick with steam inside, and bitterly cold on the walkways. It was the darkest hour before dawn, the final stars flickering out. Everyone was exhausted and ready to drop.

The security was in no hurry to let them. Bracken hadn’t been kidding about the climb to the top being difficult, Roland thought as he kicked the still sparking husk of yet another bot off the edge of the brass platform they all stood on. He listened to it fall, clanking all the way down, with a vicious sort of enjoyment. It felt like they could barely take two steps without getting attacked, and they were all running on fumes. Even the kids, who were normally kept to the back of the group, were bruised and battered. How much more of this could they take?

“Can we…” Tani gasped, braced half on her spear and half on Evan, his arm slung around her shoulders in what had started as an attempt to keep him upright and ended in them both nearly collapsed, “Can we take five or something?”

“It would be best,” Aranella said, wiping sweat off her brow. She flinched as it stung one of the scrapes on her arm. Even the Higgledies and their healing magic couldn’t keep up any longer. She turned to Bracken and asked, “Is there anywhere safe to rest for a bit up here?”

“Afraid nod,” Bracken replied, hefting her massive hammer up onto her shoulder. She was breathing hard as she said, “This floor didn’t have a break room to begin with, and with security up this high, we’ll get overrun really fast if we don’t get moving.” She turned a concerned glance to the kids and said, “I’m sorry, but we have to keep moving. We’re almost to the top.”

“We have been fighting for hours,” Leander said with a sigh. The Higgledies were sprawled on his shoulders, more limp socks than living beings. “Surely there must be somewhere we can stop and tend to our wounds.”

Before Bracken could answer, a low rumble sounded through the air. The few lights up on this level blazed a terrifying red. Batu looked up, eyes dark.

“What in blazes…”

It couldn’t have been thunder. They had passed through open air not that long ago and there had been no sign of any clouds. No, Roland realized, this was coming from somewhere inside the Factory. From the sounds of it, it was coming from a level or two up. The red lights were a warning, but of what?

Suddenly, Bracken nearly dropped her hammer.

“Oh no.”

She didn’t have time to explain. Without warning, the world began to shake. It was slow at first, a subtle shifting of the platform beneath their feet, but it quickly escalated to the entire Factory twisting, rocking violently from side to side. Alarms started blaring, but even their loud noise couldn’t cover everyone crying out as they were knocked from their feet. Weapons clattered to the floor; the Higgledies shouted as Leander went tumbling to his rear end. The kids fell forward onto their hands. Evan lifted his head.

“Everything’s—shaking—”

On his knees, Roland looked around wildly. It wasn’t just shaking, the whole place was falling apart! Aranella shouted, startled, as she lost her balance. Batu reached out and snatched her arm, pulling her in before she could roll off the platform. Behind them, the walkway they had just crossed shrieked, twisting and buckling with the motions of the Factory, until it tore loose and collapsed to the level below with a horrid screech. Pulled back to another time and place, Roland nearly missed Tani shouting.

“What’s going on?!”

“I don’t know!” Bracken replied, reaching out and snatching Leander before he could tumble headlong off the edge. Driving her hammer into the ground, she braced them both. “Everyone hang on!”

It only lasted a minute, maybe two, but it felt like an eternity. Glass shattered as anything not nailed down—and some things that had been nailed down—bucked and twisted. A walkway somewhere behind Roland buckled with another horrid screech, sending him to a time where the world had collapsed in on itself. The platform shook, metal against metal, end over end until suddenly—

As quickly as it had began, it stopped. The low rumble in the air died away, and with it, the shaking. Still clinging to one another, the group looked up.

“It…it stopped…” Evan wheezed, sitting on his knees. He still clung to Tani as he looked up. “What was that?”

“I don’t know,” Bracken repeated slowly. Setting Leander on his feet, she pulled her hammer out of the metal. “That sound we heard before it started was the Reactor spinning up, but this…” She looked around at the devastation. “…this is new.”

Roland took a shaky breath, looking around. It was more like a bomb had gone off than an earthquake. The hatch the robots had come from was collapsed, twisted and wrecked from the inside. Forcing himself to his feet, he dismissed his sword.

“It’s unstable, then,” he stated, stomach clenching tight. In the back of his mind, he started to pray that this wasn’t what he thought it was. “And you built it in the middle of the city?”

“It’s a prototype,” Bracken said sharply, “The safest place for it was here. And it’s perfectly stable!”

“Pah!” Lofty burst out at the top of his lungs, “Stable stuff don’t go tearing places apart, eh! The heck’re you lot doin in here?!”

“We’re just trying to make things better for everyone!” Bracken shot back. She dismissed her hammer and crossed her arms over her middle. “I don’t understand it…this has never happened before. What is he even doing up there?”

If she expected an answer, no one had one for her. Silence stretched out as the group took stock, but finding no new injuries Aranella turned.

“Bracken,” She started slowly, “You’ve mentioned this Reactor before, but what exactly is it? Why would working on it have changed President Vector so drastically?”

“I don’t know why,” Bracken sighed. She let her arms fall and turned away. “But I’ll tell you the rest on the way. Come on.”

As carefully as they could and as quickly as they dared, the group picked their way forward through the twisted platforms and half buckled walkways, helping one another across chasms that dropped all the way back down to the first level they had entered. Bracken paused for a moment to contemplate a gap between platforms, speaking in a low, heavy voice.

“You all walked in through the front door, right? That means you the state Sequoia Valley is in.”

“Yes, we did.” Evan said, frowning in disgust. Lofty made an over-exaggerated gagging noise from his perch on Evan’s shoulder. “What caused that?”

“Honestly? We did.” Bracken said. She crossed the chasm in a single leap, sticking her landing and turning to help Evan across. She caught him, set him down, and continued to speak. “Building the city, keeping it warm and powered…it’s taken its toll.”

“No flippin’ kidding.” Tani groused as she took a few steps back for a running leap. “That stuff was even worse than Boss’s Wyvern Stew.”

“Oi.” Batu protested without heat. He waited until Tani had crossed safely before gesturing Aranella to go next. Across the gap, Bracken grimaced. She set Tani beside Evan and sighed.

“We’ve been trying to fix it,” she stressed, “And the Reactor is part of that. We’ve tried everything from windmills to waterwheels, but they just can’t keep up with the need.” Pulling Aranella across, she gestured for Roland to come next. “The Reactor can, once it’s ready, and it’s clean energy without any waste or mining. It practically fuels itself.”

Caught off guard, Roland fumbled his landing. He would have fallen to his knees had Aranella and Bracken not reached out to catch him, but his mind was in another world entirely.

It couldn’t be the same thing. There was no possible way it was the same thing. Setting aside the odds of two very different nations in two very different worlds developing the same technology, there was just no way that Broadleaf, with its steampunk nature, had gone and created nuclear fission!

“Truly?” Leander said, dusting himself off. He eyed Roland with concern as he asked, “Is it magic, then?”

“Nope!” Bracken grinned proudly. She held a hand up in the air as Batu leapt across the gap. “It’s all science. Fission’s pretty complex, but basically you’ve got all these little stones spinning around in a great big pot. They hit each other, and that’s what makes the power.” Still grinning, she didn’t notice Roland going stiff. “It’ll go on forever once we get her going, and all without any waste or risk!”

Roland’s blood turned to ice. No matter the infinitesimally small odds of it, there was only one possible thing that she could be talking about.

“Nuclear fission,” he whispered, half remembered physics and history lessons competing with the mushroom cloud blooming behind his eyelids. “You’re talking about nuclear fission.”

“No, perpetual fission,” Bracken corrected, tilting her head. “Where did you get this…nuclear thing from—”

Suddenly, a muffled bang went off from above them. Everyone jolted, staring up at the ceiling. Everything creaked, dust raining down towards them. Tani edged close to her father.

“What was that?” She asked, “Was that something falling?”

“That came from the Reactor core…” Bracken hissed, “Something must have gone wrong. Come on!”

She took off running, the Delegation close behind her. Roland, still too stunned to move, held his ground. This couldn’t be happening. Not again. He couldn’t—there was no way he could--

“Roland?”

Evan. Roland jolted, jerked out of his spiral of panic, and looked down. Evan stared up at him, a hand fisted in the woolen material of Roland’s sleeve. There was an angry looking scrape on his cheek, dark in the red of the emergency lights.

“Are you alright?” He asked, voice pitched low and quiet.

Swallowing back the immediate “no” that threatened to burst out of his throat took more effort than it should have. He wasn’t alright, he was the furthest from alright he could be, but.

He couldn’t fall apart. Not now. Shaking his head, Roland tried to smile. He knew his attempt at reassurance had failed when Evan’s eyes softened.

The kid was getting too good at noticing when things were wrong. He tightened his grip in Roland’s sleeve.

“I’m fine,” Roland lied flat to Evan’s face, though they both knew he wasn’t remotely fine. “Don’t worry.”

Evan made a soft noise in the back of his throat. He opened his mouth—

“Oi!” Tani called, breaking the moment, “Come on, you two! We don’t have time for lagging behind!”

“Come on,” Roland said, patting Evan on the shoulder, “We should get moving.”

Though he didn’t seem convinced, Evan let go of Roland’s sleeve.

“Alright,” he said, “But be careful. Please.”

Roland smiled softly. “Don’t worry,” he said, though worry churned in his own gut anyway. “Whatever happens, we can handle it.”

Please, he caught himself praying to anything that would listen, Let me be wrong about this.

[loneranger0369]

Not sure about how much trouble this will get me....

But...

America makes no Sense...

Trump paying hush Money to some person, because he had an extramarital Affair with her. I have no idea about how much of the extra Evidence is actually Trump-created and how much of it is planted. Result - Trump Indicted.

Over 30,000 extremely confidential Emails, that were simply deleted, by Hillary Clinton, yet she is happy out there, destroying even more Lives. No Consequences.

Hunter Biden and his Laptop (with damning Evidence of horrible Crimes, Drugs, Pedophilia and much more), Joe Biden and his History of Transactions with China and other Countries; and much more. No Consequences.

Biden openly said that they are at War with Russia. And that World War has started. Yet people are ok with that.... No Consequences.

I am no fan of Trump, nor of Maga. But he seemed to have positive Relationships with Putin, Kim-Jong-Un and other people. (I am from India. War in rest of the World means War in India also)

Maybe, if Trump gets elected in 2024, then maybe he could somehow come to some Truce/Terms with Putin and stop the Russian Invasion on Ukraine; through which another World War could be prevented.....

But Biden and Co seem to be hellbent on starting another World War....

I would say that the current World Leaders have been extremely patient till now. Previous World Wars started for petty Reasons, when compared with current Events...

Maybe the Democrats expected Trump to be that way since the Beginning of his Term, which is why they might have started that Impeachment Crap right since the Start of his Presidency.

Now, Indictment....

So, Trump may not be President in 2024. So... Russian Invasion of Ukraine will most probably continue...

It doesn't seem that USA actually cares about Ukraine... Recently, Orlando Bloom visited Zelensky... For what exactly...? Movie Actors visiting Presidents casually.. To support..? Who will America send next? Johnny Depp?

"Which Actor is currently not working on any big Projects? Who does some Charity Work occasionally? Oh! Johnny Depp goes to Hospitals and meets his Fans who are suffering with serious Diseases. We could send him. Maybe we can pay him extra if he is willing to takes pictures with Zelensky in the Barracks alongside Ukrainian Soldiers."

In my Language, they call it Crocodile-Tears. Maybe in English too. Definition > Showing extreme sorrow and lots of support, but not meaning any of it sincerely, other than for your own Benefit...

WW1 & WW2 were mostly Nazi Germany and its occupied Countries against USA, UK, Russia and other allied Troops. (Indians fought alongside Germans under the leadership of Subash Chandra Bose; Indians also fought alongside British Soldiers due to the then colonial Rule [Actual Indians, not American Red-Indians])

"Cold War" though between USA and Russia/USSR has been having its negative Effects all over Europe, since the end of WW2. If there is another World War, then Europe could face another catastrophic Loss of Property and Life, as USA and Russia have no land linking each other.... USA could go westwards and fight with Russia from Russia's East. Or Russia could go eastwards and fight USA from USA's West. But, I guess that is not among the Options....

Maybe that is USA's Plan... Wipe Europe off of the World Map, then Dollar would be the most valuable Currency. International Trade is already happening in USD.

Then Establishment of Common/Centralized International Banks. Governed by USA... USD ruling World Economy, USA governing the World Banks; simply put, USA ruling the World...

Benefits of War, for USA

- Exponential Increase in Sale of Weapons (which they love to have and create. #SecondAmmendment)

- Enforcing USD as only Currency of the World

- Ruling the World...?

Is that their Goal..?

How exactly is this different from Hitler's Plan for the world...?

[roleplay-abiogenesis2]

"Hyun," read a note affixed behind a bundle of crimson carnations, daisies spaced throughout -- then, to bring them together, a bright bow. "While I am unable to visit you, I wanted to send my wishes on your most important of days. Were Rika here today, she would have bombarded you with cheers the moment the clock struck midnight, and I pray this gift reminds you of her. Jaehee has personally sent me a few of your latest performances, and I cannot wait for the day I can again witness your pristine talent before my very eyes once more." To its side, a photograph -- a younger Zen, hand arose in gesture, the spotlight illuminating his features. Though V had been dragged to his performance, to claim he hadn't been captivated by Zen's talent would've been a lie. Thus, whenever the moment struck... who would he be if he hadn't captured the moment? "Happy Birthday, Hyun. We are all very proud of how far you've come."

"Crap...!" Opening the mailbox, Zen's arms instinctively rose to protect his face, his whole body jumping back and away the moment he'd spotted the flowers neatly rested at the bottom of the large compartment...an upgrade he was thankful to his landlord for, ever since the amount of fanmail had grown.

He knew it! He shouldn't have opened it! Not today, of all days! But, well, if someone was going to prank him on his birthday - which people always did, no matter how much he hated it - then he'd figured that said prank would've sat in wait in his mail for whatever time he chose to be brave. Pranks did not un-do themselves just because the date of April 1st expired.

He waited, breath held tight in his chest, for anything. Counting the seconds, and...

Nothing... happened?

Curious red eyes blinked from behind the light sweater that had the privilege of protecting his flawless skin from the cold of early spring today. Hesitantly, the musical actor broke his guard to dare a step closer. Two... three...

"It's not a bomb...?" He mumbled under his breath. Cautiously, he picked out the few envelopes from the fans - or pranksters, who knew? - and finally the floral arrangement was neatly nestled between his fingers. It smelled fresh, not fake.

This was... a genuine gift. On his birthday? But who could...?

"It's V!!" His expression brightened the moment his eyes fell on the letter, recognizing it right away. Only V used a typewriter these days, that strange, strange man. With his trust in humanity completely restored, Zen quickly walked his way back to his small apartment. Closing the door behind, letting the flowers rest on top of the kitchen counter, for now.

The message in his hand was a gift much more precious than that. He felt he hadn't spoken to the RFA President in ages.

So many emotions flew through him from the bottom of that wide open heart of his at those words. The bittersweet heartache at the thought of Rika, and her admiration of his work; the thought that V, of all people, would be watching his last performance simply made him melt. Though, to the sideline, an intrusive thought asked why would Jaehee take care of such a delivery of all people? Was Jumin somehow behind it? No way, he wouldn't care about what Zen did or his shows...

No matter, in the end. That curiosity was wiped off the top of his head when he found the picture. Was this from...? It had to be one of his earliest performances. How long had V held onto this?

It was beautiful... so much more beautiful than he'd believed himself to be, back then. If Zen let his mind go back to those days, he could feel cold tingling rise to his face as if he'd dumped his head in a bucket of cold water. Suffocating and painful, agitation that took the breath out of his lungs and threatened to choke him to tears.

Since then, so much had changed. He'd received so much warmth, from so many people. But no one like Rika, and V. V, who'd even saved his life at one point. The kind of debt he'd never be able to repay...

With a soft smile, he stared into that youthful image of himself some more...

... Right before diving on his couch to reach for the phone and steal a picture of it. He HAD to show this in the chatroom! MC needed to see!