#i have done a little research into the belief of souls

[theshiftingwitch]

Reality shifting

Demystifying the basics:

In order to have a better grasp of the concept of shifting, we must address the beliefs that brought us here in the first place.

Shifting got really popular on TikTok in 2020 (thank you DracoTok) and with it, misinformation came a plenty. So let's deconstruct the notion, pull it apart, and make it as simple as we can.

What is reality shifting?

To shift is to become aware of a different reality.

That's it. That's all there is to it.

Like changing the channel or flipping through the radio, all of creation is finished and all of the possible realities that you could potentially think of already exist. All you have to do is switch your awareness from one to the other.

But how did we get here? How do we do it? CAN we do it?

Well, let's see:

In order to believe in shifting in the first place, you have to at least be a little bit spiritual. And if that's the case, then ask yourself this:

Do you believe that you are the universe having a human experience? That you are the creator and the creation?

If the answer is yes, then you have a grasp of the basics.

You see, there is no fundamental separation between you and the universe. You are not a separate entity from the Cosmos.

You are the Cosmos.

This idea is not new. It is not some new age spiritual BS that sprouted into existence a few decades ago. It is an ancient philosophical and spiritual belief spanning back decades. Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism emphasize the concept of Atman (the soul) being identical to Brahman (the ultimate reality), suggesting a unity of consciousness. Many mystical traditions, from Sufism to Christian mysticism, have explored the idea of divine consciousness within the human being. Contemporary spiritual movements often incorporate this concept, emphasizing personal transformation and connection to a higher power.

In simple terms, you are all that there is, all that there was, and all that there will ever be.

So if you answered no to my previous question, read this again and tell me your thoughts.

Now that we got the basic concept out of the way, let's talk about shifting, other realities, and your moral compass.

If you agreed that shifting is becoming aware of another reality that you already exist in, and if you're on board with the notion that you are the divine, the creator, the universe herself, what is actually stopping you from shifting?

Nothing.

Nothing is standing in your way, nothing is blocking you from shifting. There is no more work to be done, no more attempts to fail, no more research to explore. All you have to do is let go. Release this hold that perfection, stress, and eagerness have on you, breathe in and know that you have already shifted.

It is done.

You are successful.

In the same vein, if you are completely and utterly convinced that you are the universe, you are all there is and all there will be, you are everything and nothing, what makes you so sure that your current form is your true one?

If you believe in reincarnation then you know that you have had many faces, many bodies, many races, many ages, many lives, many experiences...

Same with shifting. This reality is not the metric in which you measure someone's righteousness. It is not the one and only form in which you are stuck within forever. You are the creator, and you, as you experience yourself, already are all of the ages, all of the faces, all of the genders and the races and the ethnicities and the creations around you. You are the rock and the house and the cat and the butterfly. You are the mean neighbor who constantly complains and the little girl skipping rope on your driveway. You are the bus driver who is always grumpy and the old lady at the market who always smiles when she sees you. You are the dictator causing havoc and the victim suffering from oppression. You are both the bad and the good, because that is the essence of your experience. You are me, I am you. We are the one consciousness.

Morality is by no means subjective, but it is also your creation. You made the rules and you enforced them and you rebelled against them. You are the one and only.

So why measure someone's morality by where or who they decide to shift to? Why judge their existence and believe yourself superior for adhering to a set of rules you created? Nothing is set in stone and no two people shift to the same exact reality, so why hinder yourself? Why limit your experience?

Do you have any idea how lucky you are to know about shifting in the first place?

There are currently 8 billion people at this point in time in this reality, and you happen to be among the very few who are aware of such wonderful experience, of such divine knowledge. Are you really going to spend that time judging other people's choice of reality? And on the other hand, are you really going to let other people dictate, police, and limit your experience?

At the end of it all, we all go back to the same origin.

The one great consciousness, where there is no judgement, no superiority or inferiority complex, no finger pointing and virtue signaling. We simply exist.

Have fun on your shifting journey, know that your experience is yours and that you decide how it goes.

Be a good person, live your best lives, and spread love as much as you can ❤️

[barefoot-joker]

Destined for Heaven, Stolen by the Devil~ Yandere!Lucifer X Reader

Hey, guys and welcome to another Lucifer story. I'm sorry I write for him a lot. I just find to him be a very relatable character and I love him so much! Anyway, this fic deals with heavy Christianity themes, so I did my best to research. If something is wrong, please tell me and I'll do my best to fix it. I was very inspired by the song 'The Plagues' from "The Prince of Egypt". As always, I hope you enjoy and have a great day/night!

Words: 2899

Warnings: Heavy Christianity Themes/Beliefs, Swearing, Christianity Mocking, Slight Possessive Tendencies, Reader's Aunt likes crystals, Reader Dies, Kidnapping?

I sighed as my mother pulled a light blue cardigan over my shoulders. She dusted off my dress and fixed my hair so that I looked presentable. Today was Sunday so that meant we had to go to church. I wasn’t too fond of going and I would have rather been playing in the backyard as a twelve year old does. However, my mom made it her duty to take me and make me a good Christian girl. “Why do we have to go, mom? It’s soooo boring!”

I stuck out my tongue at her. She gently pushed it back in. “You know I want our family to have a good relationship with the Lord. It’s our Christian duty. Besides, going to church is in your blood. After all-”

“Yeah, yeah. God told you that I was destined to be a wife for Adam. How can you believe that? It came to you in a dream.”

“Y/n M/n L/n! You do not question God’s ways! You know better! Now come on, we don’t want to be late.”

Dragging me by the hand, she ushered me into the family Cadillac and sped off. I sighed heavily. There were so many things I’d rather be doing than go to church. I could be with my friends, heck I could be at my cool Aunt’s house. “Hey, mom?”

“Yes, dear?”

“When are we going to visit Aunt Hailey? When she called you said we’d be seeing her soon.”

“I only said that to get her off my back. You know how I feel about her.”

I grunted and crossed my arms. Aunt Hailey was seen as the black sheep in the family all because she was wealthy. A lot of our relatives (my mother included) thought she sold her soul to the Devil in order to be immensely rich and refused to interact with her. I, however, thought she was so cool. When she used to come over she’d regale to me hundreds of stories about her travels around the world. She even showed me her cool crystal collection when we went over to her house a few times. “Now don’t be like that. It’s not ladylike.”

I grunted again and slid down in the tan leather seat. A few minutes later the car was parked in the church parking lot and I was being dragged inside. Sometimes I wish I had siblings so I wasn’t the only one to feel mom’s wrath. She seated us near the front and handed me the heavy white Bible from the pew. I robotically turned to the page with the Lord’s prayer and stood when Pastor Bob entered. We began reciting the Lord’s prayer and sang a hymn before we sat. I didn’t pay much attention as our Priest told us his sermon for the day but I didn’t dare to look around the room. I had to look the part after all. Fidgety, I played with my ring finger. Glancing down, I took in the birthmark that oddly looked like an apple. I remember it showing up after I stayed at Aunt Hailey’s house one day. I never told my mother about it though. I was often reminded of the tale of Eve and the apple and I don’t know what she would do if ever saw the fruit insignia. After the sermon and another hymn, it was time for communion. We all stood in line and when it was my turn I took the small Ritz cracker and ate it. I coughed lightly and then took a sip from the golden chalice. My mom and I returned to our seats and when everyone was done, we recited the Lord’s prayer one final time. Thank goodness it was over. 

As we walked out, I was forced to shake hands with our elderly Pastor. “How is my favorite little disciple doing today?”

I cringed at that. Ever since my mother told the church of her insane dream I was treated like some goddess. “Good.”

“That’s great to hear. I look forward to our weekly blessing.”

“Of course, Pastor Bob,” my mom butted in, “we wouldn’t miss it.”

He smiled and bid us both ado. We walked back to the car and drove home. As we passed by houses in our neighborhood, I looked longingly at the kids playing. Besides church, Sunday was dedicated to my education of becoming a housewife so when I did die and go to Heaven I was prepared. Parking the car, we went inside. I slipped off my Mary Janes and put them by the door. The rest of the day was spent cleaning, doing embroidery work and cooking. Just as I was getting ready for bed, the phone rang. I went into the kitchen and picked up the landline. “Hello?”

“Is my dear Y/n there?”

“This is her.”

“It’s your Aunt Hailey.”

“Auntie! Hi! How are you?”

She chuckled. “I am good, my darling. And you? Surviving another day in that stuffy house?”

I giggled at her commentary. “I’ve been okay. What can I do for you?”

“I was wondering when you can come over. I was talking with a friend the other day and he would like to meet you properly. I believe he saw you at my house when you were five.”

“I’d love to come over! Let me ask mom real quick.”

I walked into the living room and pressed the phone to my chest. “Hey, mom. Aunt Hailey’s on the phone. She wants to know when I can come over.”

She looked up from her book and glared at the phone. “You know my answer.”

“Come on, mom! It’ll just be for a day!”

“I don’t know.”

“Please! I promise when I get back I’ll focus on my wifely duties! Please!”

I gave her puppy dog eyes and slightly whimpered. She sighed and rolled her eyes. “Alright. You can go tomorrow, but I expect you to stay true to your promise. You know how God would feel if you went back on your word.”

“Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

I lifted the phone up to my ear and quickly ran into the kitchen. “She said I can come tomorrow.”

“Wonderful! I’ll see you then, my dear.”

“Bye, Auntie!”

“Goodbye for now, darling.”

I ended the call and put the phone back on the receiver. I returned to the living room where mom and I did our nightly prayer. When we finished, she gave my forehead a kiss and sent me to bed. 

The next morning I dressed in a plaid dress shirt, brown capri pants and black oxfords. I bounced in the passenger seat giddily as my mother parked the car in my Aunt’s gravel driveway. “Now remember to behave. I don’t need any calls about your disobedience.”

“I’ll be good, I will.”

“That’s my girl. And you have your cross necklace?”

“Yes, mom. Can I go now?”

She kissed my forehead and I got out of the car. “Be safe! Call me if something happens and I’ll be back around dinner to pick you up!”

“Okay mom, bye!”

I waved and she drove off. I turned towards my relative’s mansion and walked up the stone steps. I grabbed the handle from the golden lion’s head and gave three loud knocks on the large oak door. The door opened to reveal Timothy, my Hailey’s middle aged butler. “Ah Miss Y/n, we were expecting you. Please come in.”

He stood to the side and allowed me inside. Closing the door, he led me across the marble floor to one of the drawing rooms near the back. I could hear muffled voices talking as we entered, Timothy clearing his throat. “Your niece is here, madam.”

“Thank you, Timothy. That will be all.”

He bowed and exited the room. My Auntie smiled and gestured for me to come over. I ran to her and gave her a big hug. Her navy silk and lace dress clung to me. “It’s so good to see you, darling! I’ve missed you so!”

“I’ve missed you too!”

I pulled away and she motioned to the gold and floral print armchair next to her. I sat and looked at her guest on the chaise lounge. He seemed quite the esteemed gentleman. He had slicked back blonde hair, pale skin and red eyes. I found them quite odd but didn’t judge. Mother said it was bad to judge based upon appearances. He wore a white suit with a red dress shirt, a black tie with black flower detailing, black leather gloves and shiny black dress shoes. He was on the shorter side as well. “Y/n, I’d like you to meet my friend Luci. He’s the one to thank for my wealth.”

The man stood and bowed to me. He took my hand and kissed my apple birthmark. “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, my little apple. Your Aunt has told me so much about you.”

“It’s good to meet you too, sir.”

“So polite. Your mother is raising you right.”

“Except for the amount of gospel she puts in my poor baby’s head. I swear all because of her fucking dream, she’s gone total Bible thumper.”

Luci titled his head to the side. “Oh you’ll have to tell me over tea. Speaking of which, I think Timothy has finished setting up the garden for us.”

“Splendid!”

We all stood and the blonde offered me his arm. I gladly took it and we walked outside to Hailey’s marble floored porch. A metal table sat in the middle overlooking her large flower garden, a lacy white tablecloth set on top. Luci pulled out my chair and after I sat, pushed it in. He sat next to me and began pouring tea for all of us. Today Timothy had picked out the clear glass kettle so we could see the yellow liquid inside and the pastel teacups. I thanked Auntie’s friend when he poured into my cup and marveled at the small pink flower floating. “I see we’re having chrysanthemum tea. You know it’s your Auntie’s favorite.”

I giggled and picked up my cup. Blowing a little, I took a sip and smiled at the sweet taste. “So you were talking about Y/n’s mother?”

“Ah yes. She’s always been a Christian woman, believing in the power above. Then one night she had a dream, a vision she calls it, that Y/n is to be the third wife of the first man Adam. Ever since then she’s been obsessively devoted and is dragging my poor niece with her.”

“I see.”

Luci seemed to become stiff at the mention of Heaven and God. Perhaps it was a touchy subject?

“So God came to her and said this, hm?”

“Sure as shit supposedly.”

The three of us sipped our tea in silence. “So has school been going, my dear?”

“Good, Auntie. We learned how to do cursive in English the other day so now I can write my name all fancy!”

“That’s great, darling. Anything else?”

“I’ve been feeling kind of left out lately.”

Both adults turned to me in curiosity. “How so?”

“Well none of the other kids my age are really learning wifely duties, at least not as much as me. When I want to go outside and play mom forces me to do my skills.”

“Wifely duties? Pray do tell,” Luci cocked an eyebrow.

“I learned how to clean the house from top to bottom, cook all three meals, sew, embroider, and do laundry. Basically anything my mom deems necessary to please this angelic husband of mine.”

“I can assure you it will come in handy. Especially with how much of pigish brute he is.”

“How do you know?”

“I just got that impression when I’ve read his passages in the Bible, sweetie.”

“Oh.”

“If you had a real man I can be sure you wouldn’t need those skills, darling,” Auntie piped up, sipping her tea.

“A real man? Like who?”

“Like Luci for example!”

I turned to the blonde and he smiled. His eyes glinted with what looked like adoration. He gently grabbed my hand and held it, his hands quite warm through his gloves. He brought it to his lips and kissed the back of my hand. “It’s true. If you were my wife you wouldn’t want for nothing. Every day would be spent in marital bliss.”

“Sounds gross!”

He chuckled and kissed my hand again. “When you’re older you’ll come to love it.”

‘If you say so.”

“I know so.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent listening to Luci’s tales from his travels while drinking our tea. They were quite intriguing and full of adventure. The people he met, the places he went were all so fascinating. It soon became dinner time and true to her word my mom sat in the driveway. Luci walked me to the door and gave a little bow. “It was a pleasure to chat with you, Y/n. I have a feeling we will see each other more in the future.”

“I hope so. You’re so cool, Luci!”

He smirked and patted my head. “Farewell, little lady.”

“Goodbye, Luci!”

I gave him a quick hug before running to the car.

Sure enough as I grew up I ran into the short blonde more often than not. From trips to the grocery store to when I was allowed at Aunt Hailey’s house, we would bump into each other. We’d always exchange a few words and always those red eyes sparkled bright around me. 

That was eleven years ago. Now I lay in a hospital bed, feeling like I was on the brink of death. A few years after meeting Luci I had gotten terribly ill. I was feverish, pale and felt nauseous. My mother was worried and took me to the clinic. I was just diagnosed with the flu. I took my medicine and stayed in bed as best as possible but the final straw was when I fainted in the backyard while gardening. Since then, I had been in and out of hospital with different doctors viewing me like prize cattle. I was poked, prodded and dug at only to be told no one had a clue as to why I was sick. It was like it had just fallen upon me. My mother became even more obsessive in her Christian ways. I was blessed every weekend and prayed upon every day to try and heal my mysterious illness. I was forced to drink holy water at every opportunity and had to wear my cross necklace with two rosaries. 

Currently, I was coughing so hard I felt like I dislocated my lungs. My mother sat next to me holding my hand, a rosary wrapping around us. As I continued to cough she pushed some hair out of my face. “You’re going to be alright, honey. Just stay strong.”

After my coughing fit, I laid back and tried to catch my breath. “I feel like I’m dying.”

Her hand tightened around mine and I could feel her body shake with sobs. “Maybe this is God’s way of letting us know Adam needs you. As much as I’d hate to see my baby go, you’d finally fulfill your purpose.”

“Mom, please. Not now.”

“I’m sorry.”

A knock at the door made us both look over. There in the entryway stood Luci, his white hat with the dark red band hanging tightly in his hands. “Come in.”

He stepped forward and gave a small smile. “Hey, how are you feeling?”

“Like shit.”

“Y/n! Language!”

“Sorry.”

He chuckled and came to my side, putting a hand on my shoulder. “May I have a moment alone, please?”

My mom looked at me and I gave a curt nod. She sighed and stood. “I’ll go get something to eat. I’ll be back later, honey.”

She gave my forehead a kiss and walked out, shutting the door behind her. Luci took her place in the chair next to my bed. “What can I do for you, handsome?”

“I wanted to come see you. Hailey told me how you were faring and I knew I needed to come immediately.”

“I appreciate that. Especially since I feel like this may be the last time you see me.”

“Nonsense. We will always find each other, even in death.”

He brought his hand up and caressed my cheek. I smiled and then began coughing. I turned away and hacked into my arm, only turning back when I was done. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

His hand wrapped around mine and squoze tightly. “You know, I could end your suffering right now.”

“Yeah right.”

“I’m not lying to you, my dear. One small kiss and you’d go peacefully.”

“Luci-”

“And then we can be together forever. Adam, not even Heaven will keep you from me.”

“What are you talking about?�� “Just kiss me.”

What could go wrong? I was already suffering so much.

“...Alright.”

He leaned forward and connected our lips. He tasted sweet like caramel apples and I just melted. My soul felt like it was being sucked out of my body and when he pulled away I couldn’t breathe. “You’re mine, little apple. Forever and always.”

He caressed my hand and my eyes closed.

The beeping of the heart monitor slowed and then faded to silence all together.

[buggywiththefolkmagic]

Informative Rant: Starseeds

What are starseeds?

Starseeds are a belief that one's soul is reincarnated into a human body but the soul itself belongs to an extraterrestrial being. It was introduced by Brad Steiger in his 1976 book Gods of Aquarius. Now Gods of Aquarius was a book compiled of 'confirmed' UFO sightings and recounts his own experience going 'out of time' with Sekhmet, who is really an alien...and responsible for all Greek deities, Celtic Fae, Doomsday Prophets, and most importantly, UFOs. See a bit of a problem already? I hope so! Keep with me though.

Steiger's other writings include books on werewolves, demons, Atlantis, Giants, general paranormal stuff, a entire book appropriating Indigenous beliefs as 'medicine men and the great journey', and pseudoscience based hypothesizes. None of which he gives any sources for. A lot of the modern belief in starseeds has veered a little from Steiger's own beliefs.

Now a days anyone interested in starseeds claim to be so because they are: Too empathetic, unable to handle large crowds or are too smart to perform daily tasks, easily forgetful, zones out, gets overwhelmed. Supposedly once 'awakened' usually done with age, puberty, or with a trance state given to you by someone (you likely paid for), you're told you are a alien princess/royal/warrior/archeologist/etc from some galaxy or planet. A lot of times whatever the person naturally enjoys becomes their 'mission' and a lot are told to just focus on that rather than the things that occur and are important in day to day life.

If some of these points sound familiar, and you think, "Wait isn't that some very normal mental health symptoms?" You would be correct. A lot of parents, desperate for a 'normal' child, or one that isn't 'broken' will cling to fringe theories like starseeds or indigo children in order to excuse away their child's quirks instead of help them with their issues. It's the same principal with the belief that you or a family member is a Changeling from the Fae. Which if you ask me is a classic example of child abuse via neglect of mental health.

Now some of these descriptions, such as the soul being from a UFO might also pick another part of your brain, asking "Hey didn't that Heaven's Gate Cult believe something similar?" Yes. They did. The major difference being that they thought extraterrestrials were the 'next evolutionary level' rather than the past itself.

I say all of that to say this: Please please do research into where something you believe comes from. Some beliefs are anything but healthy, starseeds are one of those beliefs in my personal opinion. Most people I have talked to who claim to be starseeds had no idea about the term or belief's origins. And frankly, it is embarrassing that such a large movement, which came from such a shady source, has become something factual through nothing else other than 'popularity'.

[lovebvni]

Hii, I was researching channeling people from my DR but some peoples experience sound fun and emotional while others are saying that it’s dangerous and you shouldn’t do it. I understand you need to have protection before you do it but I’m nervous now and I need help starting so can you please help me 😭🙏🏾

hey anon!! ofc i can help you out <3

for the past few days i have been channeling every night so my father, loki, and a few other guides could help me get into the void — and it’s been going pretty well!

one thing i do have to say though, is channeling takes a lot of belief and determination for people just starting. i’ll be real, i still have my doubts, and i even told lilith this and she literally smacked me (not hard, dw) and asked me if i felt it 💀💀 i love her <3

anyways! enough with my stories! let’s get in how to do it <3

vv long blog below vv

How to Channel Safely

okay! there are many different ways to channel, but the one i use and the one i will be teaching is through clairaudience. it literally means clear hearing. some examples include when you hear a ringing in your ear (if u don’t have a hearing problem) or randomly hearing your name called out when nobody around you said it!

now to do this on command, it takes practice — a lot of it, but you will get the hang of it! coming from someone who literally learned it in less than a week, you’ve got this.

PROTECTION

the most important part of any spell or form of channeling, manifesting, or making something happen is protecting your own energy. you don’t want to allow negative energies to enter your spirit or your place of residence, because they can mess things up.

for protection, you can preform a protection spell, set up crystals, sprinkle salt near doors or walls, or even just simple affirmations; the easiest one and the one i do every day.

the thing is, i wouldn’t recommend just affirming for beginners unless you are confident in your craft. it is hard to do if you set an intention in a half assed way. you need to be strong, clear and powerful with it.

the best method for beginners or even people who have done it before, in my opinion, would be with crystals such as clear or smoky quartz, tigers eye or amethyst.

when using crystals, i suggest playing a song with positive and protective energy, like an upbeat song, and sending your positive vibrations from the song into the crystal/s. make sure you have at least 2, so one can be behind you and one in front of you or one for each hand.

2. CALLING ON A SPIRIT

calling on a spirit or the universe is easy, it’s just a matter of calling the one you want or the version of them you would like to talk to.

so, i know 3 versions of loki personally. my pops —the literal norse deity, my s/o loki from my spiderverse dr, and my mentor/friend loki in my mcu dr. now it can get confusing, but they all have similar souls/spirits. two just have incarnate forms.

so, let’s say i want to call on my friend loki. i close my eyes and say or speak in my mind, “i am channeling loki {replace his name with whoever you would like to channel} from my mcu dr. when he is here, he will touch my arm, grab my hand, or say hello.”

just something like that, it doesn’t have to be exact. around this affirmation, i say something like “my guides are protecting me from any negative spirits, tricksters, or anyone who wants to harm me in any way while i am channeling. nothing i do not want to channel will affect my spirit, soul, house or family.” or something similar. i’m usually more casual with it lmfao

while affirming, i always notice and take note of where the little voice in my head is coming from. is it at the front of your head? near one of your temples? towards the back? any way, take note of it, because it will come in handy when confirming they are with you.

3. CONFIRMATION THEY ARE WITH YOU

to confirm a spirit is with you, simply ask for a sign.

it’s as easy as that! ask them to touch you, give you a certain smell, remind you of a specific scenario, so on and so forth! this is where the other clair’s can come an and are helpful :)

now, when they speak or communicate with you, i want you to recognize where their voice is speaking in comparison to yours. for me, i usually hear lokis {father} voice on the far upper left of my head, while lilith is more towards the back.

when channeling, sometimes you will see or hear things — and this is because you’re more connected to the spirit world. when channeling lilith, i see a slightly red energy, when channeling loki, i see a green energy, when channeling my friends s/o (when i did) i used to see red feathers/wings. and this was all with my eyes wide open. i didn’t see them in the 3d, rather in the 4d. it’s really fun btw! just make sure to take note of them.

another thing i suggest is asking them facts. their hair colour, their eye colour, when you met, their birthday, whatever. that’s just for confirmation.

4. CHAT AWAY

you’re talking to someone important to you! have a conversation when you get to them! don’t let me guide you!!

5. ENDING A CHANNELING SESSION

the way i end channeling sessions is literally by saying “i am cutting off my channeling line. i can not be accessed unless it is important or necessary.” or something like that.

sometimes i literally forget and the spirits will leave lmao. it’s that simple.

EXTRA — TIPS!!

when channeling, be open and ready. you can be told things you don’t want to hear, and that’s okay! just keep going with it.

remember — the person you’re channeling is a soul too! don’t try to control them or hurt them emotionally. they have feelings.

you can feel things while channeling! be careful with this. spirits can make unwanted advances. although i have never had it happen to me, be prepared.

you can accidentally channel!! i’ve done this before with my s/o. everything felt different and i felt his presence. neither of us said a word, but rather just stayed with each other <3

try channeling with pinterest!! set the intention to channel someone and you can get their messages through pinterest. make sure not to go with your algorithm though, because you could be tricking yourself!! <3

DONT MAKE THIS A SUBSITUTE FOR YOUR DR/WR!!! can you talk to the people? yeah! but you’re not with them. don’t let channeling hold you back from shifting, okay?

i love u all!! i hope this helps someone along with u anon!! there are so many more ways to channel, and my friend actually taught me <3 i really really hope u can channel and have fun with it

[pannman]

I got a request. The confrontation with Valentino at the club in "Welcome To Heaven" escalates and Sir Pentious takes an angelic bullet for Angel Dust, which lands his redeemed soul right in the middle of the Heaven Court.

Ok, VERY interesting concept I love it!

The Selfless Snake

Tw: Blood, mention of toxic relationship, slight angst, not sure if this counts as Canon character death since he is technically still alive

Sir Pentious saw Angel's face when he saw his boss. He didn't know the full extent of what was going on but he knew that it was serious. He had been trying to work up the courage to court Cherri bomb though failing epicly and hilariously every time. But he was ready to leave when everyone else was after seeing that Angel was so serious. And that was the plan. Until sweet oblivious darling Niffty took off in the worst possible direction. Angel tried to stop her but in the act Valentino saw him.

This lead a confrontation and Angel held his ground. Standing up to him which Pentious could tell was a hard thing for him to do. Angel got his point across and it seemed that although he would pay for it later today he had won. But as Angel turned Pentious noticed that infernal Moth pull out a blessed pistol. In an act of instinct he pushed Angel out of the way taking the bullet himself. He felt shooting pain up his spine and a pound of pressure from the point of entry before he fell to the ground.

Angel upon realizing was in shock and in tears. Sir pentious grabbed at the gapping bloody hole in his chest. He wasn't long for this world. He thought for sure he was a goner... but then he blinked.

"The court finds no evidence that- huh? What!?!" the woman speaking gasped with a look of shock and bewilderment. Gasps followed by whispers flooded the room. Sir Pentious though confused and a little scared waved awkwardly and smiled. "Hello" his discomfort was lessened when he heard a familiar voice.

"Pentious?!?" Charlie gasped her eyes wide in disbelief before joy took over. "You've-You've been redeemed!!!" Vaggie was next her looking surprised as well but also a little hurt though Pentious didn't know why. Charlie tried to gather her bearings and plead with the court. "Look there's proof right there! It can be done. We've done it!" The gasps rose around the room once again along with judging glances at the woman in charge. Pentious simply stayed silent and slightly confused.

Charlie before continuing looked over at Vaggie with a look of conflict and uncertainty before smiling and taking her by the hand. "Heaven may have been wrong about the exterminations but that doesn't mean that things can't change. That heaven can't right these wrongs. If we put on this belief that we are perfect we never try to improve. And this here is proof that people can improve. So why can't heaven do the same?" The quiet in the room gave away that everyone could tell she had a point. The woman in charge looked over at the smaller one who pleaded with her with her eyes.

She sighed. "This does change a lot. And it does warrant our attention to at least give it a chance. We will put the exterminations on hold for now while we assist with your redemption plan and do our own research. And if it plays out right... then maybe there is a future where the yearly extermination is eradicated for good. Now if you'll excuse me, I have much to discuss with my superiors" everyone exited and Charlie threw her arms around Pentious in literal tears.

"I can't believe my eyes! I'm so proud of you! But what happened? We stopped watching after Angel confronted Valentino." Sir pentious had a lot to tell them. "Well, it was quite intense I must say- wait what do you mean watching?"

[shining-gem34]

Dan Feng/Dan Heng and the Aeons (1)

Note: This is all HC of what I think their opinions regarding the Aeons of Long, Lan, and Yaoshi until otherwise revealed.

"The Vidydhara, as a whole, do not forget our origins. The hatchlings of the present are not as devout as their seniors, but we cannot forget. Long existence is like a code etched deeply into our souls- A cycle we cannot escape from. Their gift...is both a blessing and a curse." -Dan Feng.

In general, Dan Feng respects Long and understands their importance to the Vidyadhara as a whole. As High Elder, he is required to partake in committees discussing his clan celebrations and give the final word where the planning is directed. In any important rituals, the leading role naturally falls to the High Elder to make sure it goes off without a hitch. Otherwise, in private, Dan Feng very little practices his faith. He holds Long, their Creator close to his heart. But, not so close he considers himself a devout worshipper compared to the other Vidyadhara. However, with the ongoing problem of the Vidyadhara species in slow decline and his personal issues- Dan Feng can't help resent Long just a little bit. After all, their blessing is starting to become more of a curse at this point. But how can he, a mortal, judge an Aeon? Not just any Aeon, but the Aeon of Permanence who given birth to the Vidyadhara. To reject Long, even deceased, is considered blasphemy.

"I do not share the Vidyadhara faith in Long. The reason...Well, I'm sure you understand why by now. Unfortunately, I am that man reincarnation. As long as I hold this power, my encounters with the Vidyadhara will not end here." -Dan Heng

Dan Heng has no love or hate towards Long. He acknowledges their existence, their importance to the Vidyadhara, and their relevance to him. He does not love Long, because he does not worship them- respect them, yes. He does not hate Long, because the ones who hurt him are their children. Besides, what reason does he have to hate an Aeon who ihas long passed away? Despite the Preceptors best efforts to educate him, Dan Heng obviously does not practice their faith in Long. If he must, it will be after the events in Xianzhou Luofu where he's learning more about their culture including the Vidyadhara. Something he never got to do during his imprisonment. Everything he learns and research will go into the databank. But also, it's helping Dan Heng understand more about a place he never saw as a home. Slowly, it may also help him gain a deeper understanding of his past incarnations knowledge and Long.

"The Reignbow Arbiter, unless summoned, has no reason to appear before us. We are their warriors, raising our weapons, and vowed to eliminate every last one of Yaoshi abominations. Yet, what honor can be gained for losing your life in this eternal war?" -Dan Feng

While Dan Feng is closer to Long than Lan, he respects them no less. The Reignbow Arbiter eternal pursuit against Yaoshi inspired the Xianzhou to take arms and follow them. Their beliefs aligned with Lan determination to eliminate the Abominations of Yaoshi and that hasn't changed even in the present.

Dan Feng is the High Elder of the Vidyadhara. Naturally, his first priority are his clan and the Xianzhou natives second. There are times when it is difficult to make a decision: to find a compromise. Because he is not only Vidyadhara, but he is also a soldier who spoke his vows to the Hunt as many others had done. The war he joins and fight is for the sake of his people AND the Xianzhou.

Is it conflicting when he follows Long and Lan? The simple answer is no, because there is no point in trying to understand what the Aeons are thinking (especially since Long has long passed.)

Dan Feng knows his priorities. It's in the present where his people rely on him for safety and guidance. It's where his friends/families, and his lovers (or fiances/spouse) matter the most to him.

He is the High Elder of the Vidyadhara Luofu, a member of the HCQ, a friend to a selected few, and...a lover to the most amazing people (Yingxing and Jing Yuan) in his life.

Dan Feng is never described as a person with feelings. But his heart, his human bleeds, seeing the loss in the endless war against the Abundance.

That's why he can never understand why so many see it as an honor to die fightning for their homeland. Not when they still have people waiting for them to return home.

And a part of him that he kept locked away resents Lan [Aeons] for this.

But again, Aeons are beyond mortal understanding. What does his opinion matter?

"Before I met Himeko, I was a wanderer. I followed the Hunt, because I felt like I was required to in order to redeem myself. Wherever I went, battles follow and I had to fight to survive. If an abomination of Abundance appeared...I felt compelled to fight and eliminate them. " -Dan Heng

Initially, Dan Heng believed if he followed the path of the The Hunt, then it would distance himself further away from Dan Feng. Not only that, but it would enforce his identity as "Dan Heng". The crimes of his past self had committed should've been absolved after he reincarnated. Yet, it didn't matter in the end as Dan Heng is punished for his past incarnation crimes. As for his opinion of Lan, Dan Heng will admit he is biased. He knows the consequences for seeking immortality; a monster. He agrees with Lan end goal- to kill Yaoshi. By extension, he also agrees with the Xianzhou cause as well. Dan Heng respects Lan and their ideals, but he does not walk the same path as their followers do. Because Dan Heng is an exile, marked as a criminal for a sin his past incarnation had done. But that's alright, because Dan Heng found his place in the universe as a Nameless on the Astral Express.

"Do not heed the words of Yaoshi worshippers. The Plague Authors mercy is a curse in disguise of a blessing. Their "love" is sweet on the tongue, but they're vile. A disease festering in your core. A parasite slowly eating away your life and sanity as your body rots." -Dan Feng

Dan Feng absolutely abhors Yaoshi, but more than that he hates himself for resorting to use a flesh of an Emanator of Abundance. But he believed at the time he was doing the right thing for the right cause. In the aftermath, within his prison, he feels only regrets and defeat...

"I do not agree with the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus. There's a reason why Yaoshi existence does more harm than good. They bring life, but they also sow discord and suffering. Dan Feng knew that, so why did he...?" -Dan Heng

Dan Heng is absolutely confused why his past incarnation committed one of the Unpardonable Sins. He abhors Yaoshi, any of their children are dead on sight.

[velnica]

Invitation (Orpheus/Eurydice)

A continuation of Homeward. Eurydice is Sanson's Ancient self, and Orpheus is Guydelot's

We arrive at the entrance to her apartment building and she waits wordlessly, patiently, until I finish my song. One last pluck of string and I let the note ring clear through the cool night air; a sweet chord to close the day with a positive mood. On impulse I amplify the sound with a little aether, aiming it like soft tendrils of wind towards her.

Eurydice notices—she always does—and her smile deepens with amusement. We play this game well, me with the grandiose display and her with the affectionate mirth. But this is where it always ends, right at the towering front door that will soon separate us.

On another impulse I extend my aethersong further, to curve gently along the lobes of her ears. She shivers.

So do I.

It has been two full moons since we've started this new tradition. I would wait for her outside the Ploutonion, harp at the ready to match the tempo of her steps. She would dust herself and walk out the door, greeting me as if we just coincidentally met. We'd grin conspiratorially, then we would fall into step together, at first to the beat of my song, but now, more often than not, we would walk to the cadence of her voice as she regales me with the stories of particularly interesting individuals that she had chronicled that day.

Once I had turned a woman's lifestory into a ballad. Eurydice didn't admit it, but I could tell that tears pooled under her mask. Another night I had sung a ditty about a researcher with concepts so outlandish that they beggar belief, and the soft giggles that followed had haunted my every dream since.

She always tells me that she is unremarkable; how could she ever compete against all of these people she chronicles, with their monumental accomplishments and indelible marks upon the star?

I always tell her that she is wrong; how could she not see how her sincerity and gentleness had helped a great many custodians find that one last spark of joy that they may enter the aetherial sea unburdened by doubts?

How could she not see that her candour, her insightful opinions and her steadfast encouragement as I sat next to her on the grass with tangled compositions on my tongue, had set my soul afire?

"Thank you as always, Orpheus, for your song," she says softly, breaking my reverie.

I smile back at her, "Thank you for listening, Eurydice, as always."

With flourish I bow in front of her, a theatric gesture that she enjoys greatly. Caught by yet another impulse—a common occurrence when she is near—I reach for her hand and bring it up to my lips to plant a whisper of a kiss on her knuckles. Another shiver runs through her, through me. When I rise back up I catch her gaze. Her golden glows sweep from behind the mask over my form; observing, scrutinising. I hope that one day she deems me worthy of being chronicled into the pages of history.

She opens her mouth to say her goodbye, but nothing comes out. How unusual. I seek out her aether through our still joined hands, hoping to needle out her feelings for a well-aimed tease, only to be greeted by a jumble of warmth and… and affection—

Oh.

Eurydice realises what I’d done and her face combusts. So does mine.

We stand breathlessly for a moment before another emotion radiates out of her; a small spark of something bright, something confident.

“Would you—would you like to have some tea before you leave?” she asks. Her face is turned away from me but I know, even without my empathy, that she is smiling.

“Not milk and honey, as you oft do before bed?” I tease back, remembering her preference for the sweet drink.

She giggles, that selfsame sound that haunts my sleep. “I can make two cups, if you’d like.”

I seize that sound with my heart. “How can I refuse such an offer? Lead the way.”

Eurydice beams, and she pulls me by my hand through the great double doors, towards the elevator at the back. As the contraption speeds up towards her floor she slips her fingers between mine, a wordless invitation into her life. 

A melody suddenly forms deep within my chest. Eurydice always tells me that she is unremarkable. I always tell her that she is wrong… and that's where my mistake lies. Words won’t suffice to show her what she means to the star, what she means to me. 

I grip my harp tightly as the elevator stops and opens its door. Tonight I will sing her a song, her song.

And I hope she will sing it with me.

[dragonologist-writings]

Title: Violent Delight Fandom: Baldur’s Gate 3 Rating: M Status: One-Shot Characters: Naia (F!Tav), Araj Oblodra Ships:Naia/Araj Additional Notes: Belligerent Sexual Tension, Blood, Background Naia/Shadowheart, Flirting but in an Evil Scientist way Word Count: 2.7k Summary: Araj makes a proposition. Against her better judgment, Naia accepts.

read below or here on ao3

It’s unnerving, how easily Naia can move through Moonrise Towers. Convenient, yes, of course- but unnerving, all the same.

She clutches her bag closely to her side, putting her utmost effort into appearing cool and confident as she sweeps out of Balthazar’s rooms, still half-expecting to be caught and questioned at any moment. The guards watch the gray-skinned tiefling as she goes, but it is with little interest; she has been verified as a True Soul. In their eyes, she belongs here.

The belief, she admits, is not even a particularly misguided one. Balthazar did send her here, did put her on the lead to understanding more of his research, and it would be a lie to claim that his teachings on the deeper levels of necromancy were received without a small, begrudging amount of admiration. That admiration gnaws at Naia’s stomach with an echo of guilt…but it does make it easier for her to play the part of a willing student in Ketheric’s loyal army.

Naia descends the long staircase and makes it halfway through the entrance hall without incident, and the tension within her begins to ease. It was wise to come here alone, she knows this. Ketheric’s guards may not prove so amenable to a large group attempting to navigate the fortress’s upper levels, but she is quick and capable enough on her own. And this way, she does not have to worry about her companions’ eyes upon her as she studiously unravels the undeniably impressive magic woven by Moonrise’s necromancer.

Yet she is also anxious to be done with this place and return to her friends waiting just outside the gates. Mostly, she is anxious to return to Shadowheart, who has sequestered herself within the locked rooms of Shar’s Gauntlet so as to better focus on her trials. This solitude is just one of many worrying tendencies Shadowheart has indulged in as of late, and Naia can only hope-

“You there.”

Naia winces at the voice, but it is too late to duck and run. With no small amount of reluctance, she turns to greet the drow woman sauntering across the hall with a self-satisfied smirk on her lips.

A look of such smugness upon the face of Araj Oblodra cannot be a good sign. Unfortunately, Naia dares not risk ignoring her outright; the drow is the only one in Moonrise who seems to realize Naia’s true loyalties. As of yet, she has not cared enough to announce this to anyone else, but recent events have left things tense between them, and her good grace is surely wearing thin.

Those same events have also thinned Naia’s patience, and despite her resolve to remain diplomatic, her voice is curt as Araj draws near. “If you’re here to ask me about Astarion again, the answer is still no.”

The woman’s red eyes flash with petulant anger, but her pointed smirk remains in place. “How adorably stubborn of you. But regarding my intentions, you are wrong- a feeling which I’m certain you are quite familiar with.”

Naia has no interest in granting this woman the benefit of doubt. “As I told you before,” she hisses, stepping closer so as to shield their conversation from passing soldiers, “he is not inclined to speak with you, let alone do anything else with you. A feeling which I’m certain you are quite familiar with.”

Araj tilts her head, that look finally slipping from her face. “Such a clever little tongue,” she says, a hint of dark amusement still lurking under her tone. “A pity it’s wasted on a creature with no spine.”

“If you’re not here to say anything useful-”

“I speak the truth,” Araj snaps, cutting through Naia’s words. “I’m not here for him. I’m here for you.”

The resulting look on Naia’s face must betray her emotions, for Araj releases a sharply delighted laugh. “Not for that, my darling. Some may find your demon’s nature enticing, but I am a lady of more acquired taste. What I require from you is for a purely scientific purpose, I assure you.”

Naia crosses her arms, her tail swishing angrily against the stone floor behind her. “You still haven’t told me what you actually want.”

“Is it not obvious, for a specimen such as yourself?” Araj asks, cloyingly sweet yet still somehow dripping condescension. “I am a sanguine alchemist. I want your blood.”

Naia stiffens, arms tightening around herself. “No.”

Her quick response earns a scoff from Araj. “You remain too easily offended. This is as much for your benefit as mine. Allow me to draw a sampling of your blood, and I shall distill a portion of it into a potion, which you may have and use however you see fit. A trade more than fair, considering I shall be doing all the work. All you have to do is bleed.”

The answer should, once again, be a quick and decisive no. Yet against her better judgment, Naia asks, “What will the potion do?”

Araj’s entire demeanor seems to brighten, her eyes sparkling at Naia’s reluctant interest. “I don’t know. Each one I make is unique, attuned to the blood of its source. And you…you are more unique than most, True Soul. Are you not curious as to what may come of it?” She licks at her lips; her gaze sharpens into something hungry. “I am.”

If only an honest denial could be made. But Naia is curious by nature, and her attentions are often most caught with subjects that others consider best left alone. The pages upon pages of necromancy research stowed away in her bag right now are testament enough to that fact.

Araj waits through Naia’s internal arguments, but finally rolls her eyes and gives an impatient toss of her hair. “Don’t give me that sour face, darling. It will only take but a moment of your time.”

“Fine,” Naia relents. These potions may be useful; if she observes carefully, she may even be able to reverse-engineer Araj’s formula and process. It is, overall, a pragmatic decision.

Araj lifts her chin in triumph, and Naia is quick to add, “But take one drop more than necessary and I shall rot the flesh from your bones.”

The answering laughter from Araj is almost fond. She turns on her heel and waves for Naia to follow as she sets off to her makeshift laboratory. Naia obliges, and she is relieved to see that the space is empty; if she’s going to do this, she’d rather do it without the Moonrise guards hanging over her head.

Once in the lab, Araj’s bearing shifts, if only slightly. She makes her way to a corner of the room and begins clearing her books and scrolls, her movements sharp and focused. Soon enough, she has assembled a collection of glass vials and alchemical ingredients, some of which even Naia cannot name. Each action she takes in this process is precise and intentional; her fingers are deft as she arranges the glass-encased chemicals, her eyes vibrant as she assembles the space exactly to her liking with gleeful anticipation.

Loathe as Naia is to admit it- and oh, she is loathe to admit it- there is something about the woman that makes her just as intriguing as she is infuriating. Such devotion to her craft can only be admired, and few others can claim to have reached her level of passion for this type of science. While her methods are hardly standard…well, Naia is once more reminded of the research in her bag, and the spells inscribed in her own grimoire. She is hardly one to judge.

Hells, Naia’s begrudging interest is perhaps a signal of danger all on its own. Gods know that her own tastes have always had a tendency towards the ill-advised.

Araj finally steps back from the table, apparently satisfied with its arrangement. She pulls a chair forward and looks to Naia, blood-red eyes gleaming. She must be proud of those eyes, seeing as how she decorates the skin around them with identical red shimmer, emphasizing the striking color. Araj’s smirk sharpens as she catches Naia’s watching gaze, and she waves a hand over the chair in exaggerated welcome.

“Please, darling- make yourself comfortable.”

That won’t be happening, so Naia settles for dropping herself stiffly in the offered seat. Araj circles her finger through the air in a get on with it motion, and with a deep breath through gritted teeth, Naia rolls up the sleeve of her robe and presents her bared arm.

This is the part she is looking forward to the least- but when Araj’s hands make contact, it’s not as bad as she was expecting. In fact, there’s something oddly comforting in the detached professionalism of the drow’s touch, in the precise press of her fingers as she searches for a vein. Her fingers are cold, and as she trails them down Naia’s arm, she leaves goosebumps in her wake.

Araj is silent as she locates her desired point of study, even as she picks up the scalpel and vial. It’s only when she presses the sharp blade into Naia’s skin that she releases a small sigh of contentment.

Naia herself barely reacts to the cut; this pinprick is nothing compared to other injuries she’s received these last few weeks. Her muscles barely quiver at all as she watches Araj stare at the trickling blood, bright red against pale ashen skin.

“I wasn’t sure you’d have any to give at all,” Araj murmurs as the blood slowly collects into the vial, which she keeps in place with a summoned Mage Hand. “You look half a corpse already.”

“With your proficiency for astounding scientific observations, you might have noticed I am a necromancer.”

“That’s hardly an excuse, darling. I know Balthazar considers himself a genius, but you needn’t go following his example. You’ll decay into a boring old husk and lose the pleasure of this.” The scalpel presses just a little harder, and Naia releases a sharp hiss of a gasp- more in irritation than anything else, she insists to herself.

“Isn’t it a beautiful thing?” Araj continues blithely, her voice sinking into that awful, sensual rhythm of hers. “The bite of the pain…the slow drip of the blood…the fragility of the connection as your lifeblood spills for the sake of another’s pleasure…have you truly never been tempted by the idea?”

“Hard as it may be for you to believe,” Naia bites out, “vampirism has never appealed to me.”

Araj’s dreamy expression shifts into a pout. “No…of course not. That’s not quite your type, is it? But what about that Sharran that used to cling to you? Does she not spill blood for her goddess? Is her devotion so different from my desire?” As she speaks, she studies Naia’s reaction, a single eyebrow raised as a taunting lilt enters her tone. “Where is she now, by the way?”

The mention of Shadowheart does more to affect Naia than Araj’s little blade ever could…but she’ll be damned if she lets Araj see that. “Nowhere that is any of your business.”

Araj sighs, a taunting, pitying sound. “Nor yours, I should think. Those Sharrans always did guard their shrine so jealously. Is that why you’re here alone? Has she gone and locked herself away from you, to better offer herself up to something grander?”

“Do you remember when I threatened to rot the flesh from your bones?” Magic flares in time with Naia's anger, and the air around them grows colder. But Araj hardly seems intimidated; in fact, she chuckles.

“How could I forget?” Her lips curl upwards in amusement at Naia’s answering silence. “Let the Sharrans have their hiding hole, I say. Their dark lady will never deliver on her promises, no matter how much they bleed on her behalf. That is where the gods and I differ. I could show you something truly worth your pain.”

Cold fingers curl over Naia’s arm, and Naia wants both to pull away from the touch and lean in closer. It’s a foolish notion, and more than that it is petty…but Naia must admit, not all of the anger she carries today is pointed towards Araj. Something in her chest does ache at the way Shadowheart has closed herself off in the walls and shadows of that temple.

So when she should withdraw and snap once more at Araj to back off, Naia instead locks her dark eyes on the drow’s face and allows herself to lean the smallest bit forward. “And just what does that mean, blood-witch?”

“Are you interested in finding out, necromancer?”

“…I might be.”

Araj hums, and she shifts ever closer to Naia. Her tongue darts out to lick at her lips, and her fingernails dig just a little deeper into Naia’s arm. Where once she’d been standing above the tiefling as she drew her blood, she’s now practically in her lap, and her leg slides slowly against the skirt of Naia’s robes.

“Isn’t that adorable…” Araj breathes. “All your bluster, and you wish to be the one at my mercy? Are you imagining my teeth at your neck, your blood on my lips?”

Naia wasn’t. But Gods, she is now.

She swears Araj must be able to read her mind, because her eyes gleam even more viciously. Those eyes roam over Naia’s body, taking her in with an air of greed. Silver hair has fallen from where it was tucked behind her ear, and Naia is struck with the inane urge to brush it from her face- yet she also finds herself frozen in place, unable to move even as Araj presses herself closer. Naia’s stomach twists in a heated combination of anxiety and anticipation.

And then Araj pulls away, twisting a stopper onto the vial which Naia had all but forgotten about. “Done.”

A shaky breath escapes Naia’s lips; blood trickles down her arm from the cut left unattended. Araj stows away the small glass vial and returns to Naia’s side in a flash; her thumb traces over the cut, and with a small surge of unexpected healing magic the skin stitches itself back together. The blood remains, and Araj’s touch is not quite gentle as she smears it with her thumb and runs her hand down Naia’s arm, leaving red fingerprints down to Naia’s wrist.

“You were a perfect specimen, darling. What a shame it is, then, that I prefer to be the one bitten,” Araj muses as she lifts Naia’s wrist to her mouth. Her lips press a kiss against Naia’s thudding pulse; her teeth graze and tease at the skin, but nothing more, and then she’s pulling away again with a violently victorious edge to her voice as she whispers, “Were I so inclined, I’m certain you would be delicious.”

She then turns back to her assembly of vials, and her professional demeanor settles into place even as Naia is left half-frozen in the chair. The tiefling swallows and shakes her head, and finally regains enough composure to ask, “What about…”

“Your potion?” Araj responds innocently, throwing a smirk over her shoulder. “It will take some time to prepare. You may return for it tomorrow.”

It’s a clear dismissal, one that leaves Naia’s head reeling, as if she’s just lost a round of lanceboard she hadn’t even realized she was playing. But she rises to her feet, ordering her legs not to shake as she does so, forcing herself back to the state of passive distaste she’d held before Araj sunk her scalpel in.

“Tomorrow, then, if you insist on dragging your feet. I would have thought someone who thinks so highly of themselves would be capable of a quicker delivery, but I suppose even that is too much to expect in a place like this.”

It’s a weak barb, but it’s enough to let Naia leave with some small semblance of pride still intact, and to let herself pretend she does not feel Araj’s smug, crimson gaze on her as she goes.

[ellethespaceunicorn]

Bright Like The Moon: Chapter 11

Chapter 11: I Got Soul, But I’m Not A Soldier 

Rating: Explicit, 18+, Minors - DNI 

Fandom: Night Hunter 

Pairing: Walter Marshall x Black!OFC  

Word count: 3K 

Summary: Kamaria Mansfield is hired at the Minnesota Police Department as an intern. Detective Walter Marshall is overworked and unsatisfied. Takes place post-film. 

Chapter Summary: Kamaria’s attackers are sentenced. Walter devises a plan. 

Chapter warnings: a teeny bit of court stuff (sentencing), angst, panic attack, vaginal fingering, oral (f receiving), p-in-v sex, creampie

A/N: I AM NOT A LAWYER, nor do I pretend to be one. I did a little research(pray for my search history), and that’s it. Suspend your belief a bit here, folks. Un-beta’d, we die like people who tried their best. 

Dividers: @firefly-graphics 

Support/Reblog banner by me

Cover Art by me, model for Cover Art credits 

Cross-posted on AO3 

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Series Masterlist

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Kamaria’s POV 

One Month Later 

I never wanted this whole thing to end up a mini-circus. 

But that’s basically what ended up happening in the few short months since my abduction and assault.  

From the plethora of therapy appointments that both Walter and I have attended to the meetings with my legal team, I thought I was already bogged down with talking about what happened to me.

I told myself that no matter how many times I wrote it down or said it aloud, there was always going to be this piece of me that felt as though I could step right back into that nightmare but I wouldn’t allow myself to. 

I had done so much work to crawl out of that hole and I’ll be damned if I put even a toe back into that deep, dark space ever again. 

But the moment Walter and I stepped into the courthouse today for sentencing, I could barely hold myself together. I knew I would have to see Justin again, which wasn’t great but it wasn’t horrible. He was just another victim and if not for him, I would’ve never got the chance to escape. I might have never seen the love of my life ever again. 

I don’t owe him anything, I know that. It doesn’t make it feel any better knowing he’s going to be facing jail time. And it all stemmed from his involvement with a man who turned my life upside-down. 

Lloyd Hansen. 

His face haunted my dreams. His words haunted Walter. And his actions changed our lives forever. I wanted him to be tortured in some far-off dungeon where no one would be able to hear him scream. I needed him to feel broken, lost, and alone.  

I knew the judge wouldn’t give him the death penalty but I would have loved to have seen him get a lethal injection of Pavulon, potassium chloride, and midazolam. I fantasized about the midazolam failing to sedate him. Maybe the Pavulon kept him immobile while he felt the suffocating feeling of fluid in the lungs. And the potassium chloride without a sedative? The lava slowly tearing through his veins would be unimaginable pain. 

But that daydream would never come to life. I mean, all he did was kidnap and rape me. Let’s not get started on the unfairness of the American legal system. I could be here all day long. 

The uncomfortable wooden bench under me wasn’t enough to distract me from where I was. Walter in my ear with soothing words didn’t stop me from staring at the back of Lloyd’s head the entire time. My worry about what they would do to Justin didn’t stop me from feeling like he deserved to be punished. He still acted in my worst interest whether or not he thought he was doing some version of the right thing by helping me escape. 

I barely pay attention until the sentencing is read. Walter grips my hand tight and I focus my energy on watching the two men stand before the judge to get their lashings. I could tell he wants to bury Lloyd, and he feels somewhat sad for Justin but he would not let it sway his judgment. I take a deep breath and listen as their fates were decided. 

Justin is sentenced to 16 years with the possibility of parole for drug possession and being an accomplice to kidnapping. He cries loudly as the officers take him away. 

Lloyd is sentenced to 70 years without the possibility of parole for criminal sexual conduct in the second degree, rape in the second degree, and kidnapping in the second degree. He smiles, looking back at me to wink before he is taken away. 

Relief was too small of a word for what I felt. It was more like liberation, emancipation, or deliverance. The massive weight of anxiety fell off of my shoulders as if it wasn't glued to me for the past few months. 

My eyes become blurry with unshed tears, I try and blink them away but they fall down my cheeks before I can stop them. Clearing my throat, I try desperately to calm myself but nothing works. I hiccup, my breathing stuttering as I fail at stopping a panic attack from starting. 

Before I know it, Walter is ushering me out into a small room just outside the courtroom. His hands are on my face and he is speaking slowly and clearly, knowing my brain is catching up to the here and now. 

“It’s over, Kam. We never have to see those bastards again. You’re safe with me.” He kisses my forehead and my breathing slows as if it was a button to be pressed, “Are you here with me?” 

I hear his question and look up into his eyes, “I wanna go home. I want you to help me forget all about this. I just wanna be with you and not think about anything else, please?” 

“Of course, Princess.” No sooner are the words out of his mouth is my hand in his and he is walking me out of the room. 

We speak shortly with my attorney, or rather, Walter speaks for me as I'm still a bit in shock at everything. Once hands are shaken and goodbyes are said, we make our way out of the courtroom and out of the courthouse.  

We make it to Walter’s truck and as I get in, I realize how hot he looks in a suit. As he walks around the front, he pulls off his blazer. The way his dress shirt clings to his strong back, wide chest, and defined arms has me salivating. Inside the cab, he notices me staring. 

“What?” He nervously chuckles and his eyebrows shoot up. 

“You clean up nice, you know? I mean, you are sexy in a suit.” I can’t believe I was so anxious this morning that I didn’t notice how the blue in his tie brought out his eyes. 

A pink hue colors the tips of his ears and his neck. I just made Walter Marshall blush. As if reading my mind, he looks around before his eyes come back to me. Biting his lip, he shakes his head. 

“Princess, we are not fucking in this parking structure. As much as I want to bend you over the bed of this truck and fuck you until your moans are bouncing off of the cement walls, I’d much rather have you in bed or the couch or the dining room table.” 

“But Daddy, I want you.” My hand slides over my thigh and underneath the skirt of my dress. 

“You think I don’t want you, babygirl?” He takes my other hand and places it over his hardening length, “I want nothing more than to be inside you. But I’m taking us home first.” He starts the truck and moves out of the spot, starting us on the road home. 

“Yes, Daddy.” I concede, my fingertips touching the gusset of my panties where a wet spot is forming, “Daddy, can you drive with one hand?” I try and get him to touch me in one last hopeful effort. 

Without looking away from the road, his right hand comes to rest on my thigh and gives it a good squeeze. Slowly moving between my legs, he cups my pussy and then moves a single finger up and down the front of my panties. 

He presses a finger in til he feels my clit and rubs there a bit. My moans fill the cab of his truck and I lean back in my seat. Sliding his finger down, he moves my panties to the side to feel the evidence of my arousal. He removes his fingers and sucks them into his mouth before returning them to my entrance. Pressing in, he is welcomed by my wet heat. Starting a rhythm, he oscillates between steady strokes and clit stimulation. 

Before long, we are close to home. During the final stretch of streets, he slows down right as I could feel my orgasm approaching. 

“Fuck, you are absolutely soaked. Poor little pussy really needed some attention. Just hold it for a little longer baby. I’ll let you cum soon enough.” 

“Yes, Daddy.” I moan, my brain tries to keep up but it’s just too flustered with a pre-orgasmic stupor. I don’t even notice that we make it home and are in the driveway until I feel his fingers slip free.  

He reaches his hand up to my lips and I suck them dry, tasting myself on his thick fingers. He grips himself through his slacks and takes his hand away. He looks me up and down then exits the truck. Walking around the front, he keeps his eyes down, unbuttoning his cuffs and folding them up those veiny forearms. Once he reaches the passenger side, he helps me out and closes the door behind me. 

With a giant paw wrapped around my hand, I am being led into the house quickly. As soon as the front door closes, Walter lifts me off my feet and wraps my legs around his waist. Walking the distance to the bedroom, he reaches a hand behind me to unzip my dress. 

He puts me down in the bedroom, and my dress pools at my feet. He kneels to help me step out of the dress. My bra and panties were the next to go. I stand in front of him in a simple pair of black heels. 

“Any objection to the heels staying on?” He asks, letting a new fetish be known. 

“No, Daddy,” I murmur, suddenly struggling to keep myself together given that he is fully clothed and I am in my birthday suit. 

“Good. Sit down and open those legs wide for Daddy, Princess.” His hands roam from my ankles to my inner thighs before he kneels between my open legs.  

Walter’s POV 

Using my thumbs to open her outer labia delicately, I'm pleased to see her honey dripping. She was so worked up in the truck and this poor little pussy is ready to burst. 

But not yet. I’m going to tease it first. 

I gather some of her juices on a finger and swirl it around her clit, but I never quite make contact with the swollen bundle of nerves. I kiss her inner thighs and nip at them which always makes her groan and I am once again showered in her sex noises. She has the best fucking sounds. From her words to the sounds her body makes, it’s all beautiful. 

I move my finger to circle her entrance and slip in slowly. Her hands go to her breasts, she knows I haven’t given her permission to touch me yet. She also knows that grabbing my hand will only stop my movements. But she is always allowed to touch herself while I’m taking care of her cunt. 

Her tight heat envelops my finger and I move in and out of her folds. It’s torturously slow and I can feel her body trembling with the anticipation that I’ll either speed up or add another finger.  

When I don’t do either, she wiggles her hips and whines. The quick slap to her clit has her remembering to use her words. 

“Daddy, can you please use two fingers? Please? I need it,” The sound of her begging is music to my ears. 

Instead of answering, I wet another finger in her nectar and slide it in slowly to let her adjust to the thickness. The immediate squeeze around my fingers is mind-blowing. I can feel her inner muscle on my fingertips and I massage it gently, but not enough to let her cum. 

Leaning in, I circle my tongue around her clit as my finger did before. Only this time, I relent and give her clit sharp flicks with my tongue. She’s putty in my hands and that’s how I like it.  

All she needs is me, and all I need is her. 

I take her nub into my mouth and suck it gently, still tonguing it ever so gently. With the mix of her in my mouth and on my fingers, it’s not long before my cock is hard as a rock and pressing against the front of my boxer briefs. 

I squeeze myself through my slacks and go back to eating this delicious pussy. I decide she can cum and I speed up my fingers and suck her bud harder. The moans that flow from her signal that she is close and I relish the change in the room when she finally lets go. 

Curling my fingers, I continue to stroke inside her as she rides out her orgasm. Giving kitten licks to her clit as her hips wiggle, no doubt feeling very sensitive. It’s not that I don’t care, it’s just that the more sensitive she is, the harder her next orgasm will be and I wanna feel that one on my dick. 

With my fingers still inside her, I stand up and unzip my slacks and pull out my painfully hard length. Pulling out of her warmth, I use that hand to stroke myself. I watch her as she watches me use her cum as lube.  

Moving her up the bed, I climb in. With one hand on her stomach, I use the other to position myself at her entrance. Sliding home, I groan at the sensation of her core molding to my girth.  

It is always so surprising that it never gets old. I love that first moment of being inside her. Letting her adjust to my fat dick for a moment, I pull back and push back in. I hold both of her thighs open so I have full range to fuck her. 

Pushing her legs back as far as they will go without hurting her, I start a punishing rhythm. The slap of our bodies moving together is a symphony. The movement of her breasts and stomach reminds me of an ocean wave ebbing and flowing. This woman is perfect, inside and out. 

Letting go of her legs, I lean down and kiss her passionately. Holding her close, I continue to fuck into her. In this position, I can stimulate not only her G-spot but her clit as well. 

It’s not long until I feel her breathing hitch and feel her pussy fluttering around me. Her moans turn into sobs as her orgasm takes over her. I grind my hips into hers and help her to stretch it out. 

I get back up on my knees, my hands on either side of her head. I look down into her eyes for a moment and resume kissing her cervix with my tip. She throws her head back and I take the opportunity to kiss and suck at her neck. Leaving lovebites behind isn’t usually my style.  

But anything goes today. And she is gonna have to try and cover up evidence of my love. On her espresso skin, I have to suck very hard to leave a mark. Challenge accepted. 

Her hands are in my sweat-slicked curls before long and we reclaim eye contact. Something in her eyes draws me in and pretty soon, I am fighting to hold off my orgasm. 

Just like she always does, she comes to my rescue. 

“Daddy, I need your cum inside me. Please cum for me?” Her big brown eyes pierce through me like a fucking bullet and I’m done for. 

“I’m gonna cum for you, Princess. Fuck! Ugh,” With one last press forward, my balls tighten and I shoot my load into her greedy little snatch. I feel like I’m cumming for what feels like a full minute. 

I stay inside her, attempting to regain control of my body and my brain. She strokes the hair at the nape of my neck and I kiss over the already bruising spots on her dark skin. When my softening cock slips from her, I sit back on my heels to look at my handiwork. 

Her swollen pussy is leaking with my spend and I feel that swell of pride inside me. She’s nice and full because of me. I unconsciously rub at her stomach as I watch my jizz leak and I feel her hand on mine. 

She just smiles at me as I look into her eyes. There is something behind that smile, but I don’t have enough brainpower to work through it right now. I lay next to her and pull her into my arms. I listen as her breathing evens out and she falls asleep shortly after. 

Looking down at her, I wipe my thumb across her brow and she stirs a bit before settling back to sleep. I smile and try to get my brain to work, but it’s to no avail. She’s wiped me out and I couldn’t be happier. 

There are a few things that would make me happier. But all in due time. I figure I’ll start small and work my way up. 

Step 1: Ask her to move in with me because she already basically lives here. 

Step 2: Ask her to be my wife because I already made up my mind that she is the love of my life. 

Step 3: Ask her to make a baby with me because she’s so great with Faye and seeing that belly of hers swollen with my child would make me so happy. 

But I will worry about all that later. We can take our time with everything. Neither of us is very keen on rushing things. But one thing is for certain. 

We want to spend the rest of our lives together. That’s what matters. 

Chapter 12 (coming soon) 

A/N: Welcome back to my story. Haven’t posted since June. I missed my babies. Songs for this chapter are All These Things That I’ve Done by The Killers and Streets – Silhouette Remix by Doja Cat. 

**Tag List** 

@brattymum96 @ambinxe @avengersfan25 @kebabgirl67 @enchantedbytomandhenry @astheskycries @rebelangel1102 @deandoesthingstome @liveoncoffeeandflowersss @foxyjwls007 @rosiesluv7 @livisss @slut4henrycavilll 

Let me know if you wanna be added (or removed) 😁 

[skepticbeliever-bookclub]

Hiya shippers & readers!

Just as we're feeling a fresh breath of life into our shipper souls thanks to the return of our boys going on fun dates, our book club raffle winner pitched a very familiar theme we hadn't had a chance to revisit in years. Casefic! We wanted them detecting; we wanted them navigating a mystery and with ten nominations pouring in, we found one that many of us had been saving for a special treat A Thread of Lavender by breathtaken.

This brilliantly crafted noir fic, set in the 1950's during the worst of the Lavender Scare, positions Ryan the PI, still so very much Ryan in all his endearing qualities and flaws, in a juxtaposition of trying to get his job done and wavering under the influence of his best friend and partner Shane. We as a book club agreed that-- with its very well-researched setting, plot execution and the author's unflinching look at what it was to be queer in this era and how that speaks to our experiences now--this particular casefic deserves a ribbon in the hall of fame of its genre.

Rating: M

Summary:

In the two years they’ve been in this business, Ryan’s heard countless husbands and wives tell the tale of their spouse’s infidelity, and this one’s textbook: the late nights at the office, the flimsy excuses. A receipt in his wallet from a downtown jewelry store, for a hundred dollar purchase he never told her about.

“I just need proof.” Miss Esposito is wringing her gloves in her lap, but her voice is clear and resolute, her dark eyes dry. “Then I can hang him out to dry.” For the first time since she walked in their door, she looks anxious. “Please—Ryan. Get me those pictures.”

Book Club Thoughts

I definitely felt like this one hit different in a number of ways and it could stand on its own as an original but I want to compliment [the author] deeply on their use of Ryan's quirks to imbue the plot with what we needed in a protagonist

one thing i love about [the author's] fic in general and this on especially is that they have no fear (at least that's apparent) in being realistic about writing how hard it was for queer people in this time period and piece and not shying away from bringing in alcoholism and other classic tropes of the genre

I'm both incredibly unfamiliar with the genre and the time period, but there's something so evocative and vivid about the prose, that it was very easy to feel the setting, very cinematic

yes i love an AU that is Seamless, where there are little easter eggs of irl for us to find but it's really different in key ways

It paints a picture in the mind both the glitz and glamour, and the desperation bubbling under its the surface, that characterized old Hollywood and the city that surrounded it. Efficiently creating atmosphere all without giving off the slightest hint of purple prose

i definitely think sometimes with the historical fic, especially the tinsworth of it all, can get a leeeeetle (or a lot) ooc so it's always a treat to have one that doesn't

overall i just got so absorbed in this world and every scene i pictured was in black and white. loved ryan's focus on Queers and that kind of like… fascination and confusion about it all. shane's stalwart beliefs and ryan's acceptance of it even when he didn't Get It. ryan's big brave hero moment and the vulnerability. augh. just a REALLY GOOD READ

WOULD YOU LIKE TO JOIN US FOR OUR NEXT DISCUSSION? CHECK OUT THE FAQ, AND SEND US AN ASK! IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR FIC RECS, PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR READS, NOMINEES AND BOOK CLUB REC LISTS!

[godslittleprincess]

I've already asked this of @katelyn-marie323, but I'm asking you as well because I'm always curious as to answers to this:

What denomination are you and why?

Favourite book of the Old Testament and why?

Favourite book of the New Testament and why?

Favourite Bible character, excluding God/Jesus, and why?

Favourite Psalm(s) and why?

Favourite hymn or worship song and why?

Favourite names of Jesus and why?

Bonus question if you're Catholic, Anglican/Episcopalian, Lutheran or Orthodox - favourite saint(s) and why?

Hiye, sorrey for the late reply. I'm on vacation and i’m only now getting this, but thank you, i love questions like this :)

1) I'm currently a born and raised Baptist wanting to convert to Orthodoxy because it's more in tune with my beliefs. I believe that all the practices and teachings of the early Christian church (including veiling and prostration) are not to be abandoned and I'm more of a faith + works type believer as Jesus said to go out and sin no more as well as repent.

2) My favorite book of the Old Testament is a tie between Exodus and Esther, because I love both the story of Queen Esther and all the history of the Hebrews in Egypt especially God saving them. I think both books are very beautiful, and to be honest, in the middle of church I sometimes get lost reading them and forget to pay attention to the sermon.

3) My favorite book of the New Testament is Revelation, as it's always been so incredibly compelling for me. It's so amazing and faith affirming watching the prophesies of Revelation coming true, but at the same time it sends a chill down my spine reading the the judgment that is to come and the extent of the battle of good and evil.

4) I don’t have a favorite Biblical figure in particular, but i have an extensive fascination with the angels and with biblical angelology. I doodle the different types of angels sometimes, and I’ve done lots of research on them.

5) I’m afraid I haven’t yet read much of Psalms but one of the verses I quote the most often, especially when I’m fearful or need comfort happens to come from it. It’s Psalms 23:4, Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me... It gives me a huge amount of peace.

6) My favorite Hymn is “It is well with my soul” I remember when I was little, I listened to a story about the writer of that song, he experienced many horrific tragedies in life including the Chicago fire burning his assets, and the passing of his young daughters on a sinking ship, and still he was able to have peace in the Lord and be able to say that whatever happens, it is well with his soul. I always found that so incredibly inspiring and knowing the story makes the song sound so much heavier and emotional.

7) Honestly I think my favored name for Christ would simply be Jesus 😅. I say Jesus whenever I’m feeling uneased and it gives me a rush of calm and peace like no other.

8) I don’t yet know much about the concept of saints, but my favorite disciple would be John, I hope he counts. I admire that he didn’t hide and was bold enough to be the only apostle to stand by Jesus during his crucifixion, and I think it’s amazing that he was given the vision of Revelation and documented it so that we could read it today.

I apologize, I realize I’ve wrote so much, but I truly enjoyed this, thank you 😊

[crownamedblue]

On “real names”

To name something is to give it significance. It goes from being a rock, to Rocco the Rock (you can tell it's important because it's in uppercase). Once something has a name, it gains a personality. Some people with names may not have a personality, granted, but that's why we have given them a different moniker entirely: tool. This, in turn, brings me to another point entirely: the difference between a given name and a chosen name. Additionally, which is your real name? Now, as one could expect from one of my articles, I have done far too much research and put far too much thought into this. 

We’ll begin with the Egyptians, who have something of a tiered system of names. It may seem off topic, but more than a bit away from the sandy deserts and ancient pyramids, there lies, in America, a swampy land known as Louisiana. I bring your attention to this polar opposite, if only to point out a certain magic that exists there, among the witch doctors and wilds. That magic, of course, being voodoo. The reason I mention the needles and dolls, is that the hierarchy of names works very similarly. That is to say, that if you possess someone’s “true name,” the name that describes your soul in perfect perpetuity, you can have much of the same effects. 

However, with one notable exception, it is not much of a hierarchy if it doesn't have more than one level (that one exception being the hierarchy of angels- fun little shoutout to my Nightvale article). At the bottom are your chosen names. A chosen name is, as one might guess, a name one chooses for themselves. Consider a nickname or a username online. As previously stated, this other name may very well have a personality attached to it (unless you are a tool). It may be what you use for day to day and it may fit you better than your given, or original name, but nonetheless it is not what you were assigned at birth, and thus it has less power. The next tier, as mentioned above, is the given name, or your original name. This is the one handed to you at birth, the one you used when you hadn't the consciousness to assign another. It is a mix of it being the original and the fact that this is what your most developing period was based upon. This would, therefore, give it priority and thus greater power. The final tier is the true name, which I have already spoken about.

This wouldn’t be one of my articles if I stopped here. Oh no no, you poor thing. You sweet summer child swaddled in the cashmere cloth of innocence, you expect too little of me. Spiraling out of Egyptian beliefs, let's talk about one of my favorite things. That which I love to hate. That's right, it's time to talk about the church. Why? Demons. Specifically demon summoning. I won’t go into too much detail (please don’t censor me editors), but one of the steps required is to know the Demon’s true name. This has a similar effect to the Egyptian voodoo-esq beliefs (or vice versa technically if you based it on chronological order but you can kindly close your mouth). If you know their true name, the demon will do anything you command. The interesting part, however, is where they differ. You see, in the Egyptian mythos, to know one's true name is to control the mind, body, and spirit. You capture one’s true name, and you can order them about. The twist is that they will do it of their own will. It will be as if they want to do whatever you manipulate their name to compel them to do. Their own soul will change in accordance to your will. 

The church disagrees, as per usual. You see, the church has a problem they need to solve. They have peasants to convert, who all follow their own pesky little deities. Step one is to bring some filthy peas- I mean loyal citizens- over to your side and use them to bring even more over. Step two is to declare the gods and goddesses as evil. Step three is to then state that the remaining followers are, in fact, in league with the demons, thus putting on peer pressure and dividing the peoples. Step four though, step four is tricky. See the people didn't much care for the division of neighbors and attempts at conversion. They got testy and decided to resist, and some of them are, annoyingly enough, town leaders and good people and now the trick is to explain why these good people are actually evil. Thus come the Deals with The Devil. See, these people thought that they could control the demons, the church says. After all, knowing their true names allows control of the demonic forces. What the leaders failed to consider, the church continues, is that you only control their body, and demons are experts at finding loopholes. So they meant to be good at first, the church reassures, but the demons found the loopholes and now they own the leaders’ souls which is why you should stay away from them and only listen to us. 

With my mandatory rant against the church over, this leaves me with my closing arguments. Both the church and Egyptians will argue that a true name carries far more power than any other. However, we don’t really have access to those, so what is your real name in our current society? Contrary to Egyptian beliefs, I’d put my money on the chosen name. As someone currently trying to change mine, and who are friends with people who have, your chosen name truly reflects you the best. I've been lucky on this front, and don't experience discomfort from my given name being uttered, but regardless, that can be extremely damaging to a person. For something that I personally do get to experience, it feels so much better when someone does use the right name. So which is someone’s real name? Whatever they tell you. Respect people's pronouns, use their chosen name, and don’t be a tool.

(On pronouns, mine are any/all, so he/him she/her and they/them all work. I identify as genderqueer, meaning currently I have no idea what I am but it certainly isn't what I was assigned at birth)

[lrfinalproject]

Heaven and hell research #1

My game explores the themes of heaven and hell. I'll be looking at different views of heaven and hell from a website to help me know the game theme better.

Heaven and Hell, According to Various Religions - Neatorama

1. Judaism

the idea of heaven with this religion is different because there's two different beliefs which is whether or not there is an afterlife. I also find this idea that good people get brought back to life interesting because it's less of a heaven and more of a revival. Hell is seen as a dump for sinners however, later on there was an idea that unbelievers get punished by being sent to hell and only stay there for a year which is definitely more forgiving then having to spend eternity there.

2. Zoroastrianism

I like the idea that everyone will get into heaven eventually as it gives people more hope that they can go there after death. It also states how you after walking a bridge you are met by a female embodiment of all the good things you've done which I also find interesting. The hell of this religion basically becomes the opposite of the heaven where the bridge turns onto another side with razors and instead of a feminine representation of all your good deeds there is an "old hag" that torments your soul. After this, you get sent to a hell which is said to be the most horrific of all however, you eventually get sent back to heaven. I find this one very interesting and I like how the bridge gets inverted to basically a hellish version of it.

3. Christianity

what interests me about this idea is how its surrounded by a large 200 foot wall and 12 gates each with their own angel which leads me to believe this is for protection against demons. It also states that all pain is gone forever which is nice thought for believers. With Christianity's hell you stay there for eternity so I'd say it's a bit harsher than the first two.

4. Islam

This heaven makes it so the people that have done more good then bad get treated like royalty. It talks about how they drink out of crystal goblets, clothed in green silk and lie upon couches. I find this interesting because it just sounds like a wealthy lifestyle. This version of hell is basically endless torture from which you stay for eternity and I supposed its demons torturing them however, it doesn't say.

5. Hinduism

This gives us an idea that we live in an illusion and there heaven is the real reality. It also says how we are trapped in the circle of death and rebirth and when we get out of it can we really transcend this new reality which is a different way of looking at it.

6. Buddhism

This is kind of similar to Hinduism as it also states that we are trapped in the circle of death and rebirth. I also says desire burns us and fuels the circle of death to continue so again very different. It says there are a lot of states you can be in for example, sleeping is one, birth and trance. I also find it interesting how after death you stay in this limbo for 49 days and then its decided whether you go to heaven or your rebirthed. if you have more lives where you've done good things than lives with bad things you go to heaven as well.

The story in my game is that your a sinner hence why a demon is after you. The lights repel the demon as they are supposed symbolize guardian angels. It is definitely anywhere close to actual religion as it sounds that sinners wouldn't really deserve the protection of an angel so I'm being a little inaccurate.

[entheundead]

G - god/goddess/deity, F - father, M - mother. This is from the same dreamwritten book from my last post. Bone apple tea.

M: Goddess, please, Goddess. Please... G: Please, speak. What is it you wish to learn? F: Our child has fallen ill and, and, and no doctors know how to treat her. Please, Goddess, help her. G: You ask of me to save a life? You do realise I don't want to meddle with your mortal affairs. Death or life, undeath or rebirth, they are mine to control. I give you, mortals, knowledge to do as you wish, I do not give you any other kind of service. M: We are willing to put our lives for your research and experiments, and knowledge, just, please, we beg of You, save our child. G: Fine, I'll cure your child of this illness. And to be clear, I don't need your lives for my research anymore. You hold nothing new. You are stagnant beings that I alone am trying to fix, you should put some effort into it as well. M and F: Thank You, Goddess. We are- G: Shut. I do not need your gratitude, I want your improvement. Weak, fragile, stagnant flesh. Eons have gone by since Him and He is far better than any of you. Disappointing and disgusting. F: Please, Goddess, we are nothing more than humans, we are nothing compared to how powe- G: Powerful, knowledgable and everything nice. Yes, those ingredients to create me. I know, I've heard it all. However, you are right, you are nothing. In the grand schemes of mine, you all can be redone to fit my needs. But never fear, never worry, never doubt, for the small things matter to make the big things true. You will be perfect. I will MAKE you perfect. You will be Him and you can't deny what I can do and what I will do. Now to fix up that little version of you both.

............

M: My child! Can you hear me? How are you feeling? G: There. Your child's alive and well. More than well, but not well enough. F: Thank You, Goddess. You are truly the greatest of everything. We can't thank You enough, we don't have anything that can be of value to You. G: Yes, yes, gratitude. You are welcome. That is true, you have nothing to offer me that I might need. Neither does your mind, soul or body have anything I haven't done everything with already. What a shame. Can't think of anything. Guess the only thing I can ask of you... M: Yes, Goddess, we will accept anything. F: Our lives and existence belong to You. We thank You for saving our child, so we will do anything to pay off our debt. G: Gods, these people. I was going to ask you to read an encyclopedia on history of ancient Greece or something on the lines of that, since you all have seemingly forggoten it due to the worship of me. Annoyance, truly. But now... Hear me. You will help me with an experiment I have not done since The Conquest Millennia you all are so familiar with. F: OF COURSE, ANYTHING TO APPEASE YOU, GODDESS. G: Right. M: If I may, Goddess, what sort of experiment have You done during The Conquest Millennia? F: Goddess, forgive us, we mean no disrespect- G: It's fine. You wish to learn and that is why I'm here. During the so called "Conquest Millennia", I was experimenting with the creation of belief and change of body structure. Some beings alter their bodies to fit what they believe in, wether the belief be religious, philosophical or none of those. Did I answer your question? M: Yes, thank You, Goddess. I am grateful for You to teach me. G: Excellent, hopefully that's not a lie. You'll do the same thing, but I won't do anything this time around. I'll put you on some distant planet with a civilisation and I'll have you spread your belief of me. I recall you humans altering those prisons of yours to be more free with metal. Try that. And don't fear, you'll be just as safe as you are here. If needed you can take your daughter there as well. F: Of course, understood. We will do this right away. If I may, how long do we continue this for? G: That is a good question. I'd prefer a couple dozen millennia, but that is a bit cruel for the current me. You can do it for a decade, a couple, a generation or more. It's up to you. M: We will do everything to carry our bloodline to Your desired times. G: Please, don't torture yourselves for silly thing. You'll be there not just to pay the price, but to learn of literally otherworldy beings and their cultures. You'll grow. You will improve. You will be closer to what He was. Understand? F: Thank You, Goddess. M: Thank You, Goddess. G: Humans and their obsessions. Fine, You are welcome. You can take your leave. Ensure to grow.

[renee00124]

WOW! WHAT THE HECK?

One in this group of four lived in the Los Angeles County community where I live.

About a month ago, another Los Angeles Sheriff nearby was shot while stopped at a stop light? At that time I thought, "Are they being Targeted?" I say this become the Los Angeles County Sheriff at the stop light was killed by a so-called Schizophrenic who typically say a voice in their head told them to kill. The fact is, this is PATENTED, technology, in research, TESTING, and development programs for DECADES within a ruthless, hideous official coverup where disbelief has destroyed many lives effectively using the mental illness tag.

Are they weeding out the good guys, who have become aware of the truth of ongoing human experimentation and its destruction and thus become a threat to the quickly advancing, nationwide mass mind control control grid who could influence others?

Patents this program uses can alter consciousness, create depression and extreme mood changes, combined with patented subliminal influence technology and it is not aliens and demons but hideous, red-blooded sociopath human monsters. Mind reading is key, effortlessly with no one exempt on the face of the earth no matter who you are or how lofty your position.

If this is what is happening, it is beyond belief horrifically sad done by those who have lost their souls and have little regard for anyone at the helm of highly, again, highly advanced technologies...

[drew-mga2022mi5019]

Research | Insects and Beauty in Terror

"And so it goes. In Africa, a mosquito bites a man and kills him. In India, an evil person beats a child and is reincarnated as an insect. In Siberia, one dies and the soul may leave the body as a wasp. Alexander the Great is preserved in golden honey and his body is shown to luminaries for centuries. Conversely, in Medieval Europe the body of St. Clare is devoured by insects while being admired by the faithful as an incorruptible or miraculous preservation. In Russia, the mortician in charge of preserving Lenin’s body in Red Square has a recurring nightmare of a fly buzzing inside Lenin’s sarcophagus. Clearly, insects abound in both the physical reality and the mythology of death in cultures around the world." (1)

In the same vein as the previous topic, I will be using the Six Thinking Hats model of thinking postulated by Dr. de Bono when approaching this topic. The inspiration for this topic stems from a song I discovered a couple of months ago; The Bug Collector by Haley Heynderickx, which deals with the fear of insects as a metaphor for psychosis. Personally, as I mentioned before, I am deathly afraid of insects, however I find them incredibly fascinating. When I think of insects, I think of Terror in Beauty. But why? Why have humans collectively associated insects, an incredibly broad group as creepy crawlies? To understand this, I dove into the symbolism of insects in art.

Arguably the most well known piece of art or literature to make mention of an insect is Little Miss Muffet. Why is it that a nursery rhyme makes mention of a spider and immediately ties it to the idea of fear? The spider, in this instance has done nothing. Its mere existence is what scares Miss Muffet. Why is that? Is it to do with the inherently alien stature of insects? Throughout pop culture, the common basis for extraterrestrial or otherworldly designs has always been an arthropod. Or does it go deeper than this? To find out, we must look at insects from an evolutionary perspective, and the impact of insects on the human psyche.

The fear of insects is known as Entomophobia, and appears to have persisted since the dawn of mankind. It is one of the most common fears in the world. One common belief of why this is so, sans their unsightly appearance their intrinsic link to death. "Insects cause death. Especially as disease vectors, insects have killed humans from time immemorial and have even influenced the fate of nations. Insects eat the dead. The role of various insects as decomposers of animal corpses, including man, is well known. The biology of these insects is used in crime fighting as forensic entomology to determine such factors as the time of death or the location of a murder (Erzinclioglu 2000). The preceding are physical realities of insects in relation to death in the real world." (1) This passage from a study conducted by Ron Cherry posits that this is a reason for entomophobia.

This could explain the relationship between arthropods and death in mythology. In many cultures and religions around the world, misfortune, sickness and death have been linked back to insects. The Bible states that of the Seven Plagues sent by God to the Egyptians during the time of Jewish slavery, one was a plague of locusts to ravish their crops and livelihood. Similarly, the locust is also regarded as the bringer of death in the mythology of the Wiyot of California. In South Africa, the praying mantis is known as the God of the Hottentots and is blamed for humanity's loss of immortality in their mythos.

These mythological references even persist in modern times. A genus of booklice was aptly given the family name Atropidae, named after one of the Three Fates in Greek mythology, Atropos. Allegedly, Atropos was the Fate that determined the course of human destiny, and her role was to cut the Thread of Life. The genus Atropidae was given this name because it was thought that members of this genus made a tapping noise on wood at the moment of death of humans.

Cherry also makes note of how insects are also a symbol of life after death, or rebirth. "Guralnik (1970) defines a symbol as something that stands for or represents another thing, especially an object used to represent something abstract. The use of an insect image to suggest or denote something other than itself—an abstract idea or quality—is to be recognized as true symbolism and distinguished from purely linguistic, artistic, or pragmatic representation or venerations of the insect (Hogue 1975)." (1) Notable symbols of rebirth consist of butterflies for their ability to metamorphosise, cicadas as a symbol of immortality due to their desiccated appearances and place in Chinese funeral rites, and infamously the scarab beetle regarded as a sacred symbol by the Ancient Egyptian civilisation.

Further driving the notion of insects as symbols of death and rebirth, the Warao of Venezuela have a rich insect mythology that includes powerful insect spirits. They are Black Bee, Blue Bee, Termite, and Wasp. It is said that these insects gather around a board on which the insects play a game that determines the fate of life on earth. Also, one Warao god is Warowaro, the Butterfly god (Calligo sp.). If a shaman had served the Butterfly god, he would go to the god upon his death to live a blissful afterlife (Cherry 2007).

An observation that becomes immediately apparent is the role of death and the fear of insects is not simply reserved for the ugliest of the brood, but even those as beautiful as bejeweled scarab and the delicate butterfly. This belief may tie into why children are taught to respect even the smallest of life forms at a young age, out of not just respect for all life but the fear that had been instilled into humanity since the dawn of civilisation. However, with fear also comes an oddly perverse fascination. This is especially noted in children. A study conducted by Haefner in 2006 noted that presenting children with insects elicit a wide range of reactions from fear to excitement, to be expected. Despite this, the insect handler receives a steady stream of questions from children on all parts of that fear-excitement spectrum and a great sense of curiosity. (2)

It does not stop at study, as previously mentioned insects have remained prevalent throughout art and literature for centuries as seen by the works of creatives like Ulisse Aldrovandi, Joris Hoefnagel, Johannes Goedart, and Franz Kafka, and this persists even in the modern day seen through popular tales such as Alice in Wonderland, and even permeating Japanese media such as Tokyo Ghoul. This could be attributed to humanity's daily exposure to some form of insect or another. What is it that gives humanity this urge of morbid curiosity?

According to a study conducted by C.W Scrivner of the University of Chicago, they posit that morbid curiosity derives from an evolved cognitive architecture for predator management, is powered by curiosity, and, in humans, is amplified by the capacity for imagination. Their basis for these claims rely on the study of predator detection and avoidance and predator inspection, as well as William James and Daniel Berlyne's models of curiosity. Their definition of curiosity is divided into two parts; perceptual curiosity and epistemic curiosity, the latter of which is largely exclusive to humans. (3) They go on to say that if curiosity refers to internal motivation for information gathering, and organisms are sometimes internally motivated to learn about threats, then it follows that organisms are sometimes curious about threats. This would go on to explain why morbid curiosity occurs. In the modern day, humanity does not see insects as threats, however due to our shared history with insects and what we know about them through mythology and knowledge passed down from our predecessors, I hypothesize that subconsciously, humans still view insects as threats, albeit on more of a psychological level (an extreme case of this is seen in individuals with psychosis). However, as I mentioned in the beginning of the analysis of this topic, there is beauty in terror. A butterfly, the symbol of death and rebirth, is simultaneously beautiful and terrifying to those who revere it.

Already a few positives on this topic present themselves; due to the saturation of insects being used as a means to communicate the otherworldly, eldritch or horror type themes, we begin to learn and understand more about them through media. Further, this idea of insects being tied to death allows for storytellers to tap into the core of human nature and bring out interesting and meaningful narratives. This also could strive to inform on some real world dangers of insects, such as the spread of disease and rot.

In terms of negatives, the point of insects constantly being represented this way in media is a double edged sword, causing irrational fear among the public. Furthermore, this could also discourage interaction with these fascinating creatures as well, and due to superstitions and cultural beliefs could even lead to an active hatred towards insects, due to generalization of bugs as a group. There is also the very real problem of rampant misinformation being spread this way.

A solution to the problem of entomophobia has already been provided in this study; education. As mentioned before, morbid curiosity could stem from a desire to understand "threats". Already, some schools in Canada have begun to use a new model of education which exposes children to outdoor, hands on learning. This allows them to explore curiosity and learn more effectively about the natural world around them. I intend to take this further, by using this concept of exposure in my final animation through multisensory art, the film itself being my design solution and part of a campaign to represent the ethereal beauty and positive representation of insects through the research of preexisting mythology. As mentioned in a previous post, this topic offers limitless potential for experimentation and this in particular is an avenue I feel I can use as an opportunity to tap into the human psyche.

(1) Cherry, R., 2011. Insects and death. American Entomologist, 57(2), pp.82-85.

(2) Ernst, C., Vinke, K., Giberson, D. and Buddle, C.M., 2013. Insects in Education: Creating tolerance for some of the world’s smallest citizens. The management of insects in recreation and tourism, pp.289-305.

(3) Scrivner, C.W., 2022. The psychology of morbid curiosity (Doctoral dissertation, The University of Chicago), pp.9-24.