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five-miles-over · 4 years ago

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‘Aftermath’ Part 7: Wait for It

Summary: Disdain of the emperor is now rising again in the streets of Rome. Meanwhile, Commodus’s first day of the games brings back triggering memories and dark thoughts.

Warning: Violence, angst

Word Count: 2,631

Read Part 1: The Impossible Dream here

Read Part 2: Proud of Your Boy here

Read Part 3: Point of No Return here

Read Part 4: Look Down here

Read Part 5: Beneath a Moonless Sky here

Read Part 6: These Palace Walls here

“That’s the problem with young men like you. No restraint upon your tongues…or on your swords for that matter.”

Senator Julius smirked at his colleague Senator Gaius’s remark. Gaius had never been one to appreciate a jest with a vulgar double-meaning, but still did it to seem like a man in public.

General Petronius shook his head. “He’s going to do it - he’s made plans to announce it at the games and no one seems to be doing anything about it.”

“The Senate has done much to gain the support of the people. Especially after the death of Senator and late Consul Gracchus, may he rest in peace.” Gaius lectured, “We hammered the letter addressed to the Caesar in the public square. With our collective pleas, we begged him to show us mercy and bestow kindness upon the Senate of Rome.”

“Keep making your jests, Senators,” Petronius answered, disgusted with the two elder men. “The people do not understand the value of elocution as well as we do. All they know is…fear and wonder. Wasn’t it your friend Gracchus who said that the heart of Rome lies not in the marble of the Senate, but in the heart of the Colosseum? That is what his Highness takes advantage of. It is how he whisks the common man from under our noses.”

“And the army, too,” Julius chuckled. “What have you to complain about, General? Does Caesar not pay you handsomely enough?” The general was beyond offended by this.

“He pays me well, but in not the way I would desire” He spat, not caring in that moment about the repercussions of his tone. “I am complaining because I do not wish to tarnish the legacy that the great Caesar Marcus Aurelius has brought to Rome.”

“And the General who became a slave…who rose from his ashes into a gladiator who could defy an emperor, Maximus Decimus Meridus,” Petronius added with a theatric flair. “The two of them gave their lives for Rome, and now that very Rome is to pay for the life of this man sitting on the throne now!”

“And I suppose you wish to follow in his footsteps,” Gaius sneered. “Or do you wish to survive? Last I recall, you have an unwed sister and two small children at home. I shudder to think what may happen if their breadwinner goes gallivanting behind a metaphysical quest for a Republic.”

Petronius continued to assert himself. “If not us, who will? Our venerated Lady Lucilla was once there to stop him from carrying out such a dastardly action. And now…the duties fall upon us to bring back the Rome that once was.”

Senator Gaius clicked his tongue. “With your way of words, you could have been extremely political. What a pity you had to follow in your father’s footsteps.”

“I prefer to fight my battles in a straightforward manner. A general talks with his weapons more than with his tongue, Senators.”

“Yes, but anyone can be killed with weapons,” Julius retorted. “Only a fool can be killed by his own tongue.”

“I should say so, coming from a man who may soon find himself out of a livelihood very soon and is still making jokes like a street jester.”

Just as the angry young general was about to leave, Gaius grabbed Petronius’s arm. “It does not bode well for a man like you to behave like this in public,” he whispered hotly. “For our own safety, we must remain quiet until we have the power to act. You must trust Fate for the time being, General”

The young man hissed, “I have no faith in the same fate that brought such an emperor back to life from the realm of Tartarus.”

“Meet us tonight in the Forum, and I will guide you to my house. There, we shall set our next move.”

—————————————————————————————————————

The golden sun gleamed upon the city of Rome. In the early hours of morning, it was truly a heavenly sight to behold - it was as if the entire city was bathed in an ethereal light, with the warm glow emanating from every marble structure.

A divine Father…that is what the sun truly is, Emperor Commodus mused to himself, standing from his balcony. For the first day of the reinstated games, he wore a brand new set of dark grey and black armor coupled with golden ornamentation.

It shows light equally upon the buildings as well as upon the grass and the flowers. Regardless of the obstacles it faces, the Sun continues to illuminate the world and shower light, just like a father showering unconditional love upon his children.

And so I shall be like the Sun - brilliant, courageous, and devoted to his children. I shall rise every morning and shower love upon all of my people as the Sun bestows light.

“Uncle?” Lucius called meekly. “Yes, Lucius?”

“Is all of this violence necessary in the name of entertainment?” Commodus was taken aback by the boy’s query. “Lucius, it does not serve you well to question such a tradition. Ever since the reign of Emperor Augustus, gladiatorial games have been held to entertain the masses. They will make you courageous in the face of battle.”

Lowering his tone to a whisper, the emperor knelt down to the boy’s level. “Many Caesars, including those from our ancestor Emperor Claudius have used the games as a way of keeping the people of Rome happy. And these games…these games are being held to honor the legacy of your grandfather. He was a great emperor whom I swore to honor when he named me his successor.”

“I see, Uncle.” Lucius replied, not wishing to ask more about the late Caesar. His mother had told him many things before she was sent away from Rome, including the conspiracy that his uncle, of all people, killed his grandfather through suffocation. Lucius was intelligent enough not to directly ask the emperor about this, but it lingered in the back of his mind. His uncle could kill for the throne, granted his last battle nearly cost the emperor his life, but it would be logical to suspect the emperor was capable of committing another such heinous act.

“Now, finish your breakfast,” Commodus instructed, smoothing the boy’s dusky, golden hair. “Our chariot will take us to the Colosseum at noon, and I expect that you will be prompt.”

Lucius nodded, and Commodus watched as his nephew ran off. He loved the boy dearly, but there was something…strange about the dear prince. Whenever Commodus wanted to approach him, he always flinched like a sparrow being approached by a hawk. In the place of love, there was fear in Lucius’s eyes. It reminded Commodus too much of his own sister. The more he ruminated about it, he could even see Lucilla’s face in Lucius.

He loved the boy dearly, but…the betrayal by his own sister was unforgettable, to say the least. It stung him more than the most sharpest of daggers. Even before his duel with Maximus, he’d already felt as if he’d lost his greatest weapon. In a blind fit of rage, he threatened the life of the very boy whom he hoped to shower with paternal affection. Commodus never failed to regret bringing his nephew into the stakes of politics. Though it was Lucilla who’d committed the mistake of revealing confidential information to Lucius, Commodus took it upon himself to blame for putting Lucius’s life in danger. From the moment he first stood up from his bed, barely recovered from his injuries, Commodus swore to protect his dear nephew - even at the cost of his own life.

And, the emperor promised himself that he would do the same, should the gods bless him with sons and daughters of his own.

———————————————————————————————————-

“Caesar! Caesar! Caesar!”

With the majestic stride of a lion, Emperor Commodus felt as powerful as the feline king of the jungle when he entered the Colosseum and waved to the citizens. His triumph over Maximus had appeared to have reaped its fruit. The crowd loved him, and even embraced him. He watched as his servants threw loaves of bread into the crowd. Perhaps it was not him who was fighting in the arena this time, but Commodus felt the victory he never had a chance to feel on that fateful day.

The announcer, wearing a blonde wig, ascended the steps to the podium. He declared, “On the first day of the reinstated games, his Highness is pleased to present yet another piece of history. Honoring the great triumphs of the Commander Publius Cornelius Dolabella during the Roman-Gallic wars, the Battle of Lake Vadimo will be re-enacted before you today. But before the emperor can let the battle commence, there is a special announcement he would be delighted to deliver.”

“Thank you, Cassius,” Commodus politely acknowledged the announcer. “People of Rome, it brings me immense pleasure to be in the presence of you all. As your emperor, I consider it my foremost duty above all else to make sure that my citizens are satisfied with my reign.

In the name of satisfying my subjects, it is my executive decision to formally announce the dissolution of the Roman Senate. From tomorrow, the citizens will be encouraged to take their grievances to my palace directly. My doors shall remain open for each and every citizen, and I shall give each and every concern of theirs due attention.

’Tis time for Rome to enter a New Age. One in which power is out of the hands of dry, old men who inadequately represent the people whom they are supposed to give a voice to, and an age in which an empire is ruled by an emperor. I thank you all for your love and support, and it is my ardent wish that you enjoy the games today.”

For a moment, it was as if the gods made time stop for Commodus’s words to echo through the Colosseum. Silence prevailed through the arena before scattered applause morphed into furious claps, mainly from the commoners. Despite the acclamation from the plebeians, it was the artificial smiles of the Senators that instantly attracted the attention of Emperor Commodus. It baffled him how not a single one of them protested their dissolution. And then it came to him - they were already plotting against him. He had been too transparent with his disdain for them, and now they were already planning to take revenge.

This was not his first time fighting this particular battle. When Commodus told the Senate he was using the grain reserves to pay for those very games, they reacted with silence. They reacted with deadly, lethal silence that only paved the way for a grand scheme to depose him. Granted it failed ultimately, but it still cost him everything he knew and cherished.

Not wishing to repeat his mistake, the emperor forced himself to maintain his jovial manner and suppress his resurfacing paranoia. Casting an affectionate glance towards Lucius and the empty throne that used to seat Lucilla, Commodus gestured for the games to begin.

The bloodshed, as always, managed to take Commodus’s mind off of the political trauma he’d endured for too long. Bloodied chariots, fallen hounds, and even spears to the chest elicited laughter and childlike glee from the emperor. Many of the intellectuals would scorn an emperor who took so much pleasure in the games, citing his father’s stoic ideals, but in Commodus’s mind it was his way of honoring the traditions of Rome. Moreover, it was a rare feeling of multifaceted control that Commodus never seemed to feel often. Seated above all in the Imperial Box with the ability to grant life or death with the mere movement of his thumb, it was a powerful sensation indeed.

And to add to his good mood, there were no rude surprises today. Just as history had written, the Romans won the Battle of Lake Vadimo, while the Gallics were brutally defeated.

——————————————————————————————————————-

The moment the large doors closed behind the emperor, the laurel crown announced its place on the floor with a loud clang.

“Wine,” the emperor ordered, immediately being delivered an urn of dark scarlet liquid and a goblet. Commodus poured himself a drink and gulped it down. Closing his eyes, he let out a painful sigh from both the gravity of the day’s events and the alcohol taking its toll. It was for Rome, he told himself. I needed to save Rome from the politicians.

“Commodus, the Senate has its uses.”

Could he be hallucinating again? “L-Lucilla?” He stammered, looking up to her with wide, naive eyes.

“Brother,” Lucilla narrowed her eyes. “We both know father would not have wanted this for Rome.”

“Father is dead, Lucilla,” Commodus dismissed, pouring another serving of wine.

“Come now, Commodus. We both know you feel otherwise.”

“Why should it bother you what I feel? You and Father were the experts at putting up facades, pretending to care for me. I was the one so foolish as to believe your love for me.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Commodus. There’s always been a Senate.”

“Rome has changed since the days of the Republic, dear sister. An empire needs an emperor, nothing less.”

Lucilla’s nostrils flared at his impudence. “Even Death has been unable to teach you a lesson. All your life, you’ve been stubborn, clinging to those dreams you fabricated as a boy. You turned every one of your friends and allies against you because you refused to accept things.”

Enraged with her, he threw his goblet onto the floor, staining the marble with red droplets. His upper lip quivered while his eyelids struggled to hold back hot tears. “YOU LEFT ME! You left me when I needed you the most and I paid for it with my life!”

“No one left you, Commodus,” she harshly reprimanded him. You sent them away to satisfy your insatiable ego. Soon you’ll be left with no one but your own mind for company. It will do you good to remember me then.”

Growling like a wounded animal, he furiously lunged towards her only to fall from his chair. When his eyes rose from the floor, she disappeared. It was only his mind playing tricks; Lucilla was truly gone.

A young, startled slave rushed in, holding a tray of food. “Sire, is there something you need?”

“No, go away,” the emperor dismissed him, trying to stand up. He had given in to a hallucination, and now he was caught in a rather compromising position by a servant.

“Are you sure, Highness? I heard- “ the servant rambled, only to be cut off suddenly.

“Actually…I’d like you to fight me.” Commodus demanded the slave.

“I-I-I don’t have a weapon, Your Highness.”

“There’s a knife on your platter, near the cheese. Use it.”

“Sire, it is no-”

“That was not a request, slave. Pick up your knife and fight me.”

Obedient to his master, the slave put down his platter and grasped the kitchen knife tightly. Commodus held a naked sword and led the slave into the hall, launching the first attack. For a servant, he was surprisingly good at stalling the emperor, blocking and dodging many of Commodus’s blows. Alas, it was only a matter of fatigue and timing before the servant was unable to maintain his momentum. The emperor backed the servant into a wall, swiftly letting his blade enter the servant’s stomach again…and again…and again.

Tiny droplets of blood from the crumpled corpse blemishing his face, Commodus looked around slowly as he sheathed his dirtied sword. The halls were empty, except for a pair of emotionless blue eyes that had seen too much.

#gladiator 2000 #commodus #commodus fic #emperor commodus #gladiator au #gladiator fic

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jack-is-lost · 5 years ago

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You've mention headcanons here and there lately. I'm interested in hearing them in more detail! Can you share any with us?

Sure! Although, I should note that my headcanons don’t differ that much to what has become widely accepted in the fandom. I’ve read and written a lot of fanfic throughout the years and certain things just ‘click’ and I’m like: “Hell yeah, I can totally see that, man!” And thus, I’ve picked up things here and there.

Examples being the following:

1) Marko being an artist and/or mechanic savvy

2) Dwayne collecting books when not out skateboarding

3) David enjoying a glass of whiskey now and then and can play a mean game of poker

4) Paul knowing how to play an instrument, normally the guitar, and having an obsession with collecting music

There are plenty more when it comes to their personality, but honestly, it would be me just rehashing what’s probably been said many times before. So instead, I’m going to share my headcanons on their mortal lives and how/why they turned.

Let’s start with David, shall we?

David was raised in a semi-comfortable living situation. One bar up from poverty, even. His family, who ran a ranch, was able to keep the foundation of their lives pretty stable and life was good. That was until war broke out in April 1861, when Confederates attacked the U.S. fortress of Fort Sumter. By that time David was nineteen and more than a little eager to play his role in history. He thrived in the military structure. He even raised himself up in the ranks to a sergeant position. Yet, within two years, just two short of when the war would end, David met his fate out on the battlefield among fallen comrades. As a leader, as someone everyone looked up to, he tried to scavenge the destruction for the wounded. And though he did succeed in rescuing one man, to which David carried back to camp before even his body gave out, David was beyond simply injured. The next thing he knew was a slow death inside an infirmary, barely alive but alive enough to be offered a second chance. The doctor being Max.

“You live for the kill, don’t you? Yet you risked life and limb to save a naïve boy.” -Max’s words to David before turning him.

Dwayne was born into the Navajo tribe. Raised during the dying age of the Wild West times and despite being raised during the years where agreements were made to put the war behind them, to find a peaceful ground, racism, and death for his ‘kind’ were still highly aggressive. By the time 1915 rolled around WW1 was rearing its ugly head making people more on edge, but Dwayne did not ‘die’ in any war. Dwayne, like life has always treated him, found himself enduring disputes of mens opinions. Fights always occurred, but that night would be the death of him as Dwayne went up against drunks, outnumbered four to one, and where one decided that fists were not enough. Three stab wounds later and Dwayne found himself dying at the end of an alley, laying in his own blood while staring up at the sky dazed and alone. In his mind, he had found clarity in what he expected to be his last breaths. That is until David and Max, who just happen to lay witness to the events, decide to bring him into the fold.

“Why let such a man willing to fight vigorously lay waste to death?”- David’s words to Max when discussing to offer Dwayne immortality.

Marko was raised sandwiched in between the generations of new postwar families and their boom of babies. It was all about high school sweethearts, wild parties and fast cars. Especially motorcycles! Yet, during that time it was also about rules. Rules about clothes — which clothes you could wear when. Rules about church, about accepting religion and faith or else damnation. Rules about the streets, when to be home and who to be out with. Even rules about how to play, with who and how. And quite frankly, Marko didn’t like rules, didn’t want to be told what to do and how to do it. He was hungry for some recognition, some validation, and when it came, he embraced it.

“He seems dangerous and wild.” Dwayne mused as they watched the energetic blond punch a taller guy in the face. Despite his short stature and blood trailing from an already busted lip, the boy was grinning.David hummed around his cigarette before letting out a puff of smoke. “Exactly, he’s perfect.”

(NOTE: I first heard this concept from @lostinsantacarla and fell in love with it. I highly recommend their fanfic of Marko that dives even deeper into the idea. It can be found HERE. )

Almost all aspects of American society in the 1970s were marked by restlessness and a questioning of traditional authority. From public protest movements to personal fashion, people were thriving for excitement, for newfound reasoning in society. Paul was no different. He lived for the wild times and sought out a thrill whenever possible. Why let the world bog you down? Get high, share a few drinks, enjoy others company. Despite these laid back mottos, Paul’s home life was rough. Abusive father, absent mother, and no siblings. It’s not surprising that he fought for a sense of escapism, and that’s just what Paul did the summer of 1980. He packed what he could fit into a bag, took his guitar case, and rode off to southern California. No clear destination was in mind other than freedom. He never thought he’d find it within what looked to be motorcycle gang but, hey, who is he to look a gift horse in the mouth?

“I don’t know, there’s just something about him.” Marko stared at the newcomer in town, an obvious drifter. He could be a quick and easy meal when considering that no one would take note of his absence. Yet, there was something there layering under that broad smile and weed odor. “I’m going to check it out.” And Marko was off, weaving through the crowd.

I even have a short summary for good ol’ Max. There’s not a lot of details regarding headcanons for him except how and when he became a vampire. Other than that, he’s still the typical nerdy looking family-oriented vampire seen in the movie. I suppose his reasoning behind wanting a family after a few centuries have come and gone may be due to seeking out a forgotten sensation.

MAX:Born in 17th century England within a middle to an upper-class family who had a hand in the iron industry. Life was luxurious for Maximus. He grew up as a well-mannered boy, trained properly, and knew nothing more than high adequate standards. That all changed the year of 1636 when yet another plague swept through London. Within a week his world fell into a spiraling madness, losing his family, his home, and almost his life. It was the help of a ‘special doctor’, a doctor who walked the streets on Maximus’s final hours that he ever felt the chance of ‘life’ again. With so much death among them, the world seemed fitting for a rebirth, and so he accepted the opportunity with no difficulties.

All images used here were edited by me

#ask and you shall receive #headcanons #personal opinion #the lost boys #edits by me

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theunmappedstar · 5 years ago

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might i add! sophie has a 4k t.v. (don't ask how) and whenever her boys are sick, she finds new netflix shows to binge. keefe and fitz l o v e it. some of their favorites are stranger things, i am not okay with this, and love is blind. don't ask me why those shows. i don't know.

yes!! this is important!!

sophie would love being able to keep up with an aspect of human culture and everyday life – and fitz and keefe would love getting involved, too! human media and entertainment is drastly different from any elvin productions they’ve seen – by far. humans are a lot more… dark? and violent? but…. it’s intriguing. fitz isn’t keen on r-rated movies, though, because the violence gets Very graphic. keefe can only stomach a few. sophie’s kinda just Used to it

i feel like fitz would be into (some) documentaries and movies based on true events. he’s a knowledge sponge, guys! an adorable little nerd! he loves to learn about prominent figures in human culture and pieces of their history. it intrigues him. (and sometimes terrifies him. seriously, how are humans so violent?)

still, even if it gives him a bit of a stomach-ache sometimes, he always appreciates the effort put into the film.

think The Act, Won’t You Be My Neighbor, Miss Americana (Netflix), Gaga: Five Foot Two (Netflix), RBG, Apollo 11, Bohemian Rhapsody…

also fitz watches Animal Planet and other series similar to it because he loves animals don’t @ me.

okay but fitz is also a sucker for rom-coms and coming-of-age stories

he loves the movies where teenagers find their way in life. he loves the movies where the characters find their soulmate. he loves the tropes and the cliches and the coffee shops. he loves the sweet and sappy movies. and honestly? the cheesier the better.

a few of those get on keefe’s nerves, but for the most part keefe also likes them. (yet, he won’t admit it).

think 16 Wishes, Mean Girls (keefe really likes that one, too), Eighth Grade, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix), Love, Simon, I Am Not Okay With This (Netflix)….

mystery/thrillers are also hella rad!! fitz loves picking out one and playing a game with sophie and keefe. they want to see who can guess the plot twist or killer first – and whoever can wins a favor (sound familiar ;) )

think Get Out, Black Mirror (Netflix), Gone Girl, Knives Out, Misery, Black Swan…

while fitz is into more psychological thrillers, keefe likes anything and everything generically dubbed ‘freaky’. (he thinks pennywise is pretty cool. he draws him once and sophie is both amazed and off-put by how realistic it looks)

sophie’s pretty into the horror category herself, so her and keefe can empathize on the interest. fitz is downright confused as to how they could enjoy something like that. (if it’s movie time and keefe or sophie picks one of those, fitz claims the Middle Cuddle Spot so that he’s cushioned between the two of them and can easily hide under the covers or their arms.)

keefe also likes comedy, action, chick-flicks, drama, (some) musicals… you know, this boy can basically roll with anything. does he have his favourites? yes. but can he settle down and watch something with sophie and fitz that he wouldn’t normally choose? also yes

think Megamind, Lost In Space (Netflix), Good Girls (Netflix), The Dragon Prince (Netflix), Into The Spiderverse, Pitch Perfect, Mamma Mia!, Easy A, Dirty Dancing, Us….

let’s state the obvious – keefe and fitz are both into disney. especially disney princess movies.

and i’m serious about that!!! not as a joke, like, “oh, haha, they like the princess movies?”

yes bitch they like the princess movies

keefe’s favourite is probably Tangled.

flynn rider is suave and has keefe’s charm/humor! maximus is tough and snarky when you meet, but he can soften up, and keefe relates to that! pascal knows how to put up a fight! and rapunzel herself is brave and adventurous and there for the people she cares about; and that’s all keefe has ever wanted to do. (also wielding a frying pan as a weapon is badass)

also, as much as it might hurt to say it, keefe relates to rapunzel, the abuse she suffered, and the trap she was in. the strong storyline and accurate depiction hits home.

fitz’s is probably Frozen. he loves the sisterly action they have going there, okay?? like how badass is anna? how badass is elsa? how badass are these women together?

sophie’s is Mulan. she’s such a strong and powerful role model to look up to! and the humor is PEAK.Mulan is also from sophie’s childhood, so that makes it even more special. the fact that she gets to share it with keefe and fitz…. magical.

also sophie lowkey wants to follow in mulan’s footsteps and slice her hair into a bi bob with a sword. see this post of mine ; )

sci-fi gets all of them. they like the adventure and the morals in the stories, the warnings for the future. they like the undiscovered planets, the tricky tech, and the general imagination that went into producing it.

think The Matrix, Star Wars, Alien, Guardians of the Galaxy, Avatar, Tau (Netflix), Wall-E, I Am Mother (Netflix), Ready Player One…

they all have some shared favourite movies and shows, though, where their tastes align.

think Stranger Things (Netflix) (they find it seriously freaky and amusing how similar it is to them/their situation), Once Upon a Time (these are the fairytales sophie grew up learning about?), Dark (Netflix) (does it get much better than time travel??), She-Ra and the Princesses of Power (Netflix) (again!! badass women galore!! it’s awesome!!), the OA (Netflix) (it’s shrouded with mystery), the Rain (Netflix) (this one is a big adventure!!), the Umbrella Academy (Netflix) (i mean, c’mon, they have to save the world from the apocalypse, isn’t that pretty rad in and of itself?), A Quiet Place (this one… fucking brilliant. they’re all dead silent as they watch it and it’s such a powerful movie that they feel weird making sound when it finishes… they watch it again and again and again.), Onward (it’s adorable as FUCK and keefe may cry a little everytime they watch it)…

so, yeah! keefe and fitz really appreciate human media (and it especially comes in handy when they’re sick)

but let’s all admit it…. sometimes human productions are extremely Stupid and low-budget/general low-quality.

so, there’s always fun in picking out a movie or show to laugh/cringe at because it’s just that bad.

take this one chinese television series on netflix

it seriously looked good. it did.

but then they watched it.

it went well at the start but then?? the main love interest?? was just an asshole??

and why did the protag continue to put up with his bullshit?? he punched the wall next to her face until his knuckles were bleeding?? she was crying?? oh and he kissed her repeatedly when she said stop??? oh and now he threw food at her that she spent time making for him???? sophie??? what the absolute fuck are humans on????

the show’s called Meteor Garden (Netflix)

#anonymous #sick!sokeefitz #sokeefitz #sokeefitz headcanon #headcanon #headcanons #kotlc #kotlc headcanons #ask #asks #ask me anything #theunmappedstar asks #my asks #keeper of the lost cities #keeper headcannon

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introvertguide · 5 years ago

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Fight for My Entertainment

Over human history, people have found entertainment in a lot of different things. Tastes have changed over time but love of music has been present since the rise of man. Games of athletic prowess have provided drama and amazement for centuries. Even dancing has been a great source of entertainment to the population in some form throughout recorded history. One other thing that seems to keep an audience’s attention is the good old fight to the death. Although there are extreme fighting sports that are popular today, actual murder is severely frowned upon to say the least. Movie audiences still like to see portrayals of the fight to the death and there have been many movies, both good and bad, that satisfy this blood lust. I just wanted to go over some of my personal favorites (and some that really suck):

Ben-Hur (1959) is one of my least favorite movies, but I got to give respect to that chariot battle. I have been to Rome and seen the Circus Maximus field where the movie was filmed and where actual chariot races once took place. The horses and the outfits were great but the real interest to the audience in ancient Rome was the real chance of horrific trampling death with every turn of the race. Visually amazing with dramatic appeal. If this movie was only this, it would be a masterpiece, but there is almost 3 hours of boredom attached around it that really didn’t interest me. Great scene, though.

Spartacus (1960), on the other hand, is one of my favorite movies. It is another epic film and lasts a little bit long, but there are many huge battle scenes with thousands of extras and great one on one gladiator battles. Kirk Douglas is amazing as a gladiator turned general who took on the Roman army. There are a lot of one-on-one fights in this film and, despite the age of the film, still seem pretty realistic. This film is the reverse of Ben-Hur for me, having only 15 minutes of boring material surrounded by great scenes. Fantastic movie.

Edit Note: After rewatching, there are a lot less gladiator fights than I remember. In fact, I only now remember two, maybe three. There is also a lot more preparation for battle than actual battle. The best fighting part is likely when the gladiators first attempt to escape. This movie focuses much more on the repercussions on forcing people to fight instead of actually showing the fights.

Enter the Dragon (1973) has to be mentioned because it has freaking Bruce Lee. A martial arts phenomenon that passed away far too early, Bruce Lee fights in a tournament to have a chance for revenge. Unlike many fights in which the action was sped up, he is rumored to have been told to slow down so that the camera operators could keep up. This doesn’t have massive crowds but there are still fights to the death for the entertainment of others. I do want to mention that this film is kind of racist and is exploitative along the lines of stereotypes, but the skill is so amazing that I think it rises above the B movie genre and is one of my absolute favorite movies.

The Running Man (1987) is a movie that is absolutely amazing but not what I would call good. The script is weak, the dialogue is corny, and the acting is laughable. However, it does have Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jesse Ventura in the same movie. I mean, c’mon. A bunch of guys who are serving prison terms are put in a maze with professional killers that have weapons like chainsaws, fire suits, and electric projectiles. And this is all for the pleasure of a TV audience. Very much the modern day Colosseum scenario and a lot of fun to watch.

Bloodsport (1988) is not a good movie but it is the reason that Jean Claude Van Damme is a household name. The “Muscles from Brussels” really shows off his high kicking skill in a tournament that features more than one fatality in the ring. Look at how much air that guy is getting...the athleticism can’t be denied. The film has a pretty strong cult following and it is another “fun” movie to watch because it does show a lot of very interesting matchups. By the way, the murderous villain in both Enter the Dragon and Bloodsport is played by the same Hong Kong martial artist turned bodybuilder, Mr. Bolo Yeung. A great fighting filming needs both a great hero and a powerful villain and this movie does have both of those things...but that is about it.

Mortal Kombat (1995) is based on the video game of the same name and boasts supernatural fighters that end their bouts with gory fatalities. It totally delivers exactly that. There are no promises of nice sets, interesting back stories, or special effects and that is good because that doesn’t happen. The one-liners are cheesy, the martial arts are very good, and the soundtrack bumps throughout the entire film. Good enough for me.

Gladiator (2000) “We who are about to die salute you!” I guess that you can’t have a list of gladiator movies with putting in this one. Russell Crowe plays a disgraced Roman soldier named Maximus who loses his family and is thrown into the ring to die. He works his way through to eventually take on a Roman leader and the whole thing is epic. There are a lot of battles in the Colosseum and they are all glorious. As far as realism and quantity of fights, I think this might be the best. Directed by Ridley Scott, it really takes the viewer and thrusts them into ancient Rome. “Are you not entertained?”

Battle Royale (2000) is the film that so many people cough under their breath when somebody brings up the Hunger Games. This film features a class of children that tormented their teacher so they were all shipped by bus to an island to kill each other until only one person is left. Warning, there is a whole lot of murder and suicide with sharp objects involving children. Each kid also has a choker that blows out their throat if they stop moving. Far and away more gory than its American counterpart, this film does not hold back nor are the contestants prepared for their predicament in any way. Very interesting but really makes the viewer feel that this kind of competition is wrong. Not a “fun” watch.

Ong Bak: The Thai Warrior (2003) is a fantastic martial arts movie starring the great Tony Jaa as a fighter who partakes in underground street fights in an attempt to find the head of his village’s sacred statue. He takes on some crazy opponents who are much bigger than him, but he is one of the most high flying fighters I have ever seen. His flying knee attacks are just phenomenal. When this guy fights, I am entertained and I am not afraid to admit it.

The Hunger Games (2012) is the story of youths in a dystopian future who fight to the death representing their district. This is all for the pleasure of the super rich who watch and give help to those players that they like. I think that the premise is so interesting but the heavy helping of teen angst amongst the child death seems weird. The desperation for companionship in the face of death was so much better in Battle Royale, but I still enjoyed this movie. The build up took too long for me, but the last half of the movie is gladiator arena glory.

Thor: Ragnarok (2017) is a movie that I just thought of last minute but it does have a planet where warriors fight in an arena for the entertainment of Jeff Goldblum. There is a battle between Thor and the Hulk and that is all I really needed to know to be interested. Apparently this fight is amazing to everyone, even aliens on a trash planet. You know that audiences have a taste for carnage when they want to see two superheroes battle.

This list is by no means anywhere near complete so feel free to add on any other great gladiator films. These are just examples of how movie audiences seem to have a little bit of a blood lust and shows our tastes in entertainment have not changed as much as we might think since the days of the Roman Colosseum. I am not immune, but I am glad that my desire to see fighting can be quenched by acting without the need to see somebody actually die.

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local-femme-gentleman · 5 years ago

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10 things I’ve watched in the quarantine (so far)

1. Dazed and Confused 1993 ‧ Comedy/Indie film ‧ 1h 43m

So, I kicked off the apocalypse lockdown with Dazed and Confused - and yes, even though the movie made me realise I was going to have to survive literal months without my usual amount of marijuana consumption, it also filed me with that warped sense of nostalgia and longing for a bygone era that Dazed and Confused always leaves me with - especially a deep yearning for seventies music because the soundtrack of this movie may be one of its best aspects. It is equal parts kinda stupid, ridiculously fun, and wholly introspective, and at the end of the day I love this movie for helping me see what my boomer parents - and their whole generation - were like as teenagers more than anything else.

2. 2001: A Space Odyssey 1968 ‧ Sci-fi/Adventure ‧ 2h 44m

2001: A Space Odyssey has since its release become an absolute classic, and I for one adore it to absolute death. This was one of the first ‘adult’ movies I watched, I was 11 years old at the time - and although I didn’t understand it then, and frankly got a little bored, revisiting it now (after having rewatched it many many many times, and as a slightly older, well, kid) I’ve come to absolutely love it. I personally was looking for some slightly longer movies for the lockdown - considering I have more than enough time, and if you are too then this one may be just what you’re looking for - even if you’ve seen it already. There’s always more to discover in a movie like this one.

3. Okja 2017 ‧ Adventure/Drama ‧ 2 hours

Of all the movies on this list this may be the one I recommend the least. Not because it’s a bad movie, because it honestly and truly isn’t ( Bong Joon Ho still definitely came through for this one), however, this movie is, in my opinion, far too heartbreaking for this exact moment in time. If it was any other period in history I would be overwhelmingly promoting this movie, because I honestly and truly loved it - but it made me want to give up meat in a period of time where I simply do not have the resources for that to be an option. So if you’re down with your day just getting a little bit sadder, albeit in a not entirely bad way, I’d say watch Okja - if not, then I’d say, just for now, maybe stay away.

4. Spirited Away 2001 ‧ Animation/Fantasy ‧ 2h 5m

Okay, I love this movie, my parents love this movie, your parents love this movie, your sister loves this movie, your best friend loves this movie, you’re-cousin’s-nephew’s-dog’s-best-friend’s-owner loves this movie - and, if you don’t love this movie, well, each to their own but you’re kind of a monster. Spirited Away is one of those universally agreed upon masterpieces, everything about this movie just makes you feel good, from the colours, to the world, to the characters, to the animation. Spirited Away wraps you up in a blanket of all things warm and comforting in this world - if you’re looking to just feel better, which given current situations you probably are, this is the one for you.

5. Before Sunrise 1995 ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 1h 45m

I’ve always loved this trilogy, yes, it may be one of the most teenage girl things to ever exist, the ultimate teenage girl fantasy, but what’s wrong with that? Before Sunrise, at every watch and rewatch, makes me want to meet a stranger on a train and just wander somewhere in europe for a single night. I’m fairly sure this will never happen, but this is the perfect time for daydreaming and so I will. Honestly, this movie truly is good, the amount of angles explored in Jesse and Celine’s still forming relationship over a single night is fascinating and it’s a very pretty film. If you’re just looking for something light and easy to watch - that gets you just the right amount of emotional, this is the one for you.

6. The Royal Tenenbaums 2001 ‧ Drama/Comedy-drama ‧ 1h 50m

Oh so you thought I’d go one recommendations video without mentioning Wes? Ha. Okay look, The Royal Tenenbaums is probably my fifth favorite Wes movie, but considering I love basically every Wes Anderson movie that isn’t not saying much. The Tenenbaum siblings stand as some of my favorite Wes Anderson characters and I love Angelica Houston no matter who she plays. The Royal Tenenbaums is just a good Wes Anderson film, and you get exactly what you’d want and expect from it - whip pans, impeccable wardrobes, symmetrical shots, a Wilson Brother, a sugary colour pallette, the futura font, and rich white people, well, being rich white people

7. American Vandal 2017 ‧ Satire ‧ 2 seasons

Ok I’ll say it, this is the perfect quarantine show. It’s completely stupid in the smartest way possible, absurdly funny, and overall one of the best shows netflix has ever produced. If you’re looking for a laugh, and I know I was when I clicked on this, then this is the one for you. American Vandal is satire at its peak - and I can officially say that both seasons hold up at a third rewatch, because yes, I’ve watched this entire show three times over. If you like true-crime series, or The Office and Parks and Rec (and yes I see the disparity in genre) then you will absolutely adore American vandal - and the fact that this show didn’t get a third season is a whole tragedy. Shame on you Netflix, shame on you.

8. Marriage Story 2019 ‧ Comedy-drama/Drama ‧ 2h 17m

Again, considering current times Marriage Story may have not been the best choice, but hey, I love this movie, and as sad as it makes me, it also makes me incredibly happy in a bittersweet sort of way. The good thing about marriage story is that it’s one of those films you truly get lost in, when I watched it just a few days ago, I truly and honestly, for just those few moments, forgot about everything going on right now, and - i say this at a risk of sounding selfish, I know - it felt good. Marriage Story is by far one of my favorite movies of last year, the writing is gorgeous, the editing is genius, and although the movie isn’t intrinsically happy in nature, it may just be what you need right now.

9. Every John Mulaney Special New in Town ‧ The Comeback Kid ‧ Kid Gorgeous ‧ etc.

So I, in true Gen-Z fashion, have watched every John Mulaney Comedy Special many many times. I love these specials, they truly mean quite a bit to me. I like playing these in the back while I do other things like cleaning my room or cooking. I think I watched him so much that his voice has become almost comforting - I may have formed a bit of an attachment. Chances are you’ve probably seen at least one John Mulaney Special, if you’ve only seen one watch the rest! And if you’ve seen the all then rewatch like I did! For me, this is the perfect time to just watch some good standup, so even if it isn’t John, just watch a comedian who makes you happy - trust me, it’ll help.

10. Tangled 2010 ‧ Animation/Musical ‧ 1h 40m

Ok so honestly my friends put this on together on Netflix Party to watch that first song and get some self-quarantine ideas - but then we just watched the whole movie so, yeah. I do love Tangled though, it was one of my favourite Disney movies as a kid, granted I’ve always been more of a Pixar girl (speaking of which this is the best time to binge on Pixar movies!!!!). Honestly, this is just a solid disney movie, it’s cute, it’s adorably animated, I properly adore Pascal and Maximus because no matter how old I get I will always adore a fun animal sidekick. Honestly, now is just a good time to watch a good disney movie, I had fun with this movie okay, no lie it was great.

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solitariusdeluna · 5 years ago

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One really wonders who came first, Lily or Starrk? Is Lilynette the Little Sister Starrk always wished to protect? Or is Starrk the older Brother Lily never had to keep her safe? Or Was it something else entirely, and the original tore themselves into the perfect idea of a brother and sister that would never be apart? What's your own personal headcannon for Starrk and Lily's origin?

-rolls up sleeves and drinks a good gulp of coffee for this- okay!! i had this in the inbox for well over a month now and i need to share my thoughts because it’s about time to! first off, thank you for sharing and second i hope you like what comes your way keeping in mind your vast knowhow of the bleach world, this is just my humble interpretation of how i see starrk and lily. so thank you for asking! ^^

i believe starrk came first because he’s the stronger of the two and i’m also partly weaving in your thoughts about him being a power hog was it? power in this sense being the energy and force for strength and not the whole wanting to be in control thing because that’s not him with how he doesn’t care for leadership roles with the way barragan wants to be king. anyhoo, he absorbs life force and strength more because of his selfless nature and also because he doesn’t want to burden lilynette with their collective being and that comes with it.

so in a sense there he is being rather protective of her because it’s in his nature to be that way. but i don’t think she was the little sister he wished for. when their entire being existed there was countless souls of those they encountered that happened to be absorbed by said being.

that being was so alone and wanted craved companionship so much that it grew mad with grief and wanting. and in that process the strongest being starrk emerged and the second strongest being lilynette also came into being. so yes it was an entirely different being that housed so many souls (because of the whole absorbing souls thing) which was an unfortunate side effect of its strength.

and now to answer my own personal hcs for starrk and lily’s origins.

we start with Starrk first:

okay, so the song viva la vida greatly inspires my take on starrk and is my go to song when i need a little boost. mostly because when i first heard it at the inception of this blog it vibed with him so much. Certain muses of mine just click so well with a song and it becomes there’s (case and point kensei and remember the name).

some of the lyrics that apply:

I used to rule the worldSeas would rise when I gave the wordNow in the morning, I sleep aloneSweep the streets I used to own

I believe starrk was a general and a mighty good one who was adored by the emperor and I was toying with the idea that he was someone pretty important back in Rome. He’s from that time period of Marcus Aurelius who was an awesome stoic (also where starrk got into the whole stoicism school of philosophy) and just emperor. Starrk who’s name back then was Marcellus Silvanus Janus. He was a farming family and hailed from what is now known as spain, and rose through the ranks of the military but deep down loved the land and always wanted to go back and retire there once he was done serving his great nation. Emperor Marcus loved Starrk and considered him a valuable commander of his armies. He went out for his many expeditions and always came back victorious. Now, since the emperor was so fond of Marcellus, his character and prowess he wanted to make him his next in line. Marcellus (It is a name derived from Mars, the god of war. It means young warrior or hammer) Silvanus (This was the god of the forests) Janus (This was the god of new beginnings and openings. Janus is a perfect choice for parents whose child symbolises a new journey).

Marcellus was proclaimed emperor of Rome while in the eastern provinces of the empire and was subsequently confirmed as such by the Senate; however, for the duration of his reign, he never had the opportunity to return to Rome. He had accepted the role after the emperor died much to his great reluctance since he knew how things were in that coveted seat of power and how it was such a headache with all the other power hungry people wanting it as well. He followed in his predecessor’s policies hoping to make the empire stronger by stabilizing it from its territories and not really focusing on Rome and that was his biggest mistake.

I used to roll the diceFeel the fear in my enemy’s eyesListen as the crowd would singNow the old king is dead! Long live the king!

As emperor, Marcellus first attempted to enact reform to bring economic and diplomatic stability to Rome. His diplomatic actions brought about peace with each of the individual kingdoms, however the additional monetary costs and subsequent fiscal reforms generated unrest in the Roman military within the capital and the family of the former Emperor who weren’t too thrilled with him took advantage of this unrest by causing a rebellion with some young 15 year old son of the former emperor’s cousin proclaiming himself as emperor with support by those rebelling legions in Rome. Marcellus at the time was busy fighting a battle but fled the battlefield in order to try and reach Rome and quell all this mad but before he could. he received word of his family being captured and executed on their land and he had to go back just as he was in the outskirts of Rome to find them dead and his home burned to the ground. He buried his wife and son and returned to the capital.

One minute I held the keyNext the walls were closed on meAnd I discovered that my castles standUpon pillars of salt and pillars of sand

Except he never made it to the capital and instead was captured in and later executed in Cappadocia. After his death, the Senate declared him and his son enemies of Rome and had their names struck from the records and their images destroyed and wiped from history.

It was a wicked and wild windBlew down the doors to let me inShattered windows and the sound of drumsPeople couldn’t believe what I’d becomeRevolutionaries waitFor my head on a silver plateJust a puppet on a lonely string

Oh, who would ever want to be king?

Who would ever want to be king, true words buddy i mean after all that mess he’s been through (and even though he doesn’t remember it all but still... it’s more instinct and self preservation mechanics kicking in than memories of that past life) can you honestly blame a guy for being strong but not giving a crap about ruling?

And that’s how be become a hollow while keeping in line with his whole fair and upright ideals and character. ah, originally i was heavily influenced to just take the gladiator’s maximus’ story and make it starrk’s and i told lainey as much. but as i was writing this now, it evolved into a part that and part something else. but anyway here we are. his tragic tale that made him a hollow.

As for Lilynette, her story isn’t as fleshed out as starrk’s is but to ever so briefly summarise it;

I think lily died at a young age maybe in medieval times and was born into a gypsy family and had relatively strong powers that were not understandable so her family had to move about a lot to protect her and were prolly the leaders of the group but the ppl in her gypsy group resented that they had to move around alot because of her and set up some trap for her which ended in her demise. So her strong soul emerged into its own presence.

anyways, back to their original form. I also think their hollow was a collection of all those MOUNTAINS AND MOUNTAINS of souls that died because of it. But then starrk and lily were the ones who finally emerged from that soul collection and that starrk houses the burden of all those souls and power more than lily does. The souls are prolly every single entity that came their way when they were one being that was looking for companionship. @cxrvina also pointed out that this hc of mine helped to contextualise how starrk and lilynette are completely different ages, different genders and different personalities.

special thanks to the lovely @cxrvina who encouraged me to share my headcanons and gave me that boost to finally write all this down and extract it from my brain.

I hope this answered all your questions and once again thank you for sending this character developing and deep thought provoking questions because they are so essential especially when a muse is new.

#venenorita #answered;#hcs;#ooc #i should prolly make a verse for his pre hollow life #hmm #we'll see #long post cw

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daughter-of-the-prophet · 5 years ago

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Carver Hawke (TV Tropes)

Always Someone Better: He felt inferior to his sisters, since Bethany is a mage and Areida is a superior fighter. Bethany even confirms that Carver felt this way when their Mabari hound, Maximus, chose to imprint on Areida instead of him.

Badass Normal: Along with his older sister, Carver survived the Battle of Ostagar and managed to outrun the Horde all the way to Lothering to warn his family.

Big Little Brother: To Areida, not just in height but bulk: Carver is at least a head taller than his sister, and his biceps are thicker than her thighs.

Child of Forbidden Love: Like his sisters.

Color-Coded Eyes: Carver has Icy Blue Eyes, indicating his more aloof personality as compared with his twin sister's.

Death by Origin Story: He dies during the prologue of the story quicker than you can say "spoiler."

Desperately Looking for a Purpose in Life: All his life, Carver wanted to find a role in life outside being Areida Hawke's younger brother, which is likely why he rushed off to join King Cailan's Army at Ostagar (and got that tattoo of a Mabari).

Does Not Like Magic: Fairly minor case, especially compared to Fenris, but it's still there. He blamed his father and twin sister's magic for making the family's life more difficult.

Embarrassing Tattoo: At Ostagar, he got one of a Mabari. He even claimed that he can make it bark.

Fantastic Racism: He was not that big on mages in general, which is understandable considering how much of his life has been dictated by his family's magical talents.

I Just Want to Be Special: His dislike of magic is implied to be a reaction to growing up in a house of magic users, causing him to feel left out.

Jerk with a Heart of Gold: He is rather abrasive due to his inferiority complex, but he cares about his family and friends.

Leeroy Jenkins: You can practically hear it when he runs towards the Ogre in the Prologue. Oh Carver, we know you mean well, but what did you think would happen?

Mauve Shirt: He dies in the prologue.

Meaningful Name: In-universe example; Carver was named after a Templar who helped his father escape Kirkwall.

Middle Child Syndrome: Carver is technically the older twin and suffers this trope hard. It's heavily implied that Carver was never as good a fighter as Areida, and Bethany was Daddy's Girl due to their shared magical sense.

Momma’s Boy: Out of everyone in his family, Carver was closest to his mother. He loved her to the point where he died protecting her from an ogre. His death obviously hit his mother very hard.

Muggle Born of Mages: His father and twin sister were mages. His lack of magic and the fact that his older sister was a better fighter caused him to feel completely alienated from most of the family.

Nice, Mean, and In-Between: Of the three Hawke siblings, Carver is the Mean to Areida's Nice and Bethany's In Between . He's only "Mean" by comparison; he can be abrasive, but he's still a good person who loves his family.

Outnumbered Sibling: He was the only boy of the three Hawke siblings growing up.

Overshadowed by Awesome: This was a big problem for him in regards to his sisters growing up, particularly Areida.

Plotline Death: He dies protecting his mother from an ogre during the prologue.

Red Oni, Blue Oni: Red to Bethany's Blue.

Sacrificial Lamb: He dies in the prologue of the story.

Sibling Rivalry: This was also his relationship with Bethany; she tells Varric that when they were kids, he used to nail her braid to the bed while she slept.

Sibling Yin-Yang: With his twin sister, Bethany.

Sour Supporter: He's very loyal to and supportive of his older sister. He just scowls and sulks the whole time.

Strong Family Resemblance: His facial structure is very similar to his uncle Gamlen's; the twins clearly favor their mother's side of the family.

You're Not My Father: Legacy implies that Areida greatly takes after Malcolm, particularly in personality. One can imagine that part of the reason that Carver felt so much resentment towards her is due to the death of their father, which would be twice as hard to deal with when his older sister, who is essentially the same person, then stepped into the role as head of the household.

#dragon age #dragon age 2 #Carver Hawke #TV Tropes

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r0ck80tt0m · 5 years ago

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Marcus Aurelius: Meditations

So far, I have read the first 2/6 of the books in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditations. I may continue to read the rest of the books later on, but for now, I think this is where I will pause and take note of my thoughts while they are still fresh.

I think the philosophy that is being illustrated in Meditations is a philosophy that I strive to adhere to. The only parts that I did not feel this way about were the pieces in relation to the gods and the pieces about governing a state. This is simply due to our differences in stature and time.

If one were to follow the teachings very well, there would be no situation in which they could be blamed or be in the wrong. If everything one does is motivated by compassion and reason, how could one go wrong?

Book 1

“piety, the inclination to give generously and to hold back not only from doing wrong but even from thinking of doing so”

This lesson taught to him by his mother peaked my interest because of the part about not even thinking of doing wrong. This is interesting because I am currently capable of not doing wrong but I don’t think I am able to keep myself from thinking of doing wrong. I would love to get to this mindset though. When I simply think of doing wrong, the thoughts and feelings build up and lead to feelings of resentment. This keeps me from behaving and thinking my best.

“to those who have angered or offended one to be ready to respond positively and to make things up again, as soon as they want to come back into the relationship”

Do not hold onto resentment or anger. If someone has truly wronged me, it is a problem with them and they need to deal with it. If they don’t, that is okay and I will carry on, but if they recognize what they’ve done and have resolved the issue with themselves, I will not hesitate to welcome them back into my life.

“read with precision and not be satisfied with a generalized understanding, nor agree quickly with those who are just chattering away”

This is important to me for the very reason that I am reading this to begin with. I want to be reading much more than I have in the past, and I want to read complex things that will stimulate and develop my mind, so when I read, I want to fully understand what I am reading. I want to take time to understand things enough that I can be confident when discussing it and confident in forming opinions about the content.

“take as one’s guide nothing but reason”

“be very intense but very relaxed”

“not to become impatient in giving explanations”

!!!!!!!! patience

“Live according to nature”

see my notes in the text

https://www.quora.com/What-does-Marcus-Aurelius-mean-by-The-Whole-and-Nature

“deep learning without ostentation”

“rarely and only when necessary to say to someone ‘i am too busy,’ or by this kind of behaviour to make continuous excuses for not meeting the obligations that go along with our social relationships”

basically, stop being so flakey

“1 readiness to help others and to give generously; optimism and confidence in the affection of friends; 2 frankness with anyone of whom he disapproved; 3 and that his friends never needed to guess what he did or did not want since this was obvious”

2 its okay to dislike or disapprove of someone, but if that is so, be honest and frank and upfront... don’t be fake to them since that is wholly unfair

3 don’t try to hint at what I want or be mad if someone doesn’t do what I want if I never express the desire. If I want something from others I simply need to tell them

some snippets from “from maximus”: “be master of oneself” “be cheerful under all circumstances” “readiness to tackle the task in hand without complaint” “be sure that everyone is confident that whatever you say you mean”

“hold immovably to judgements made after full examination”

make judgements after serious research and examination, if judgements are made this way then you can hold on to them and not budge from them

“not requiring his friends always to have dinner with him or to be obliged to accompany him on his travels, but if people were kept away by some need they would always find his attitude the same”

!!”as for things that make for the comfort of life, of which fortune provided plenty, to use them without showing off but also without apology so that he could enjoy them without self consciousness if they were there but did not miss them if they were not.

“he respected genuine philosophers, but as regards the other kind, he was neither unduly disparaging nor easily taken in by them”

he did not ridicule those whose thoughts he did not respect but he didn't fall for their teachings either

“he took care of his body in a moderate way, but was neither over-protective of his life nor focused on good looks nor neglectful of himself, so that, thanks to his own attention to himself he had least need of doctors”

“readiness to give way without jealousy to those who had a special competence” “support them to become well known for their own area of special excellence”

don’t be jealous of those who are good at the things that I am not as good at, and rather support them and be friends with them, then you are not doing any wrong and you can also use them as an asset

dont “’get in a sweat’ about things” handle things “as if at leisure, in a calm, orderly way, which was also vigorous and consistent”

Book 2

(all of this relates to “living in accordance with nature”) people with many faults (ungrateful, violent, envious, meddling etc) “are subject to these faults because of their ignorance to what is good and bad”... I and the wrongdoer are related, or both part of the whole (nature), “we were born for cooperation” “so to work against each other is contrary to nature; and resentment and rejection count as working against someone”

“just as the changes in the elements maintain the universe so too do the changes in the compounds”

you have a limited and uncertain amount of time on earth “and if you do not use it to clear the fog from your mind, the moment will be gone and you will be gone and the opportunity will not come again”

“stop wandering aimlessly”

“you don’t often see people being unhappy because they don’t pay attention to what is going on in someone else’s mind; but those who don’t follow closely the movements of their own mind will necessarily be unhappy”

“when someone is angry, he seems to turn his back on reason with a certain kind of pain and an unconscious contraction of the heart; but when someone goes wrong because of desire and is then overpowered by pleasure he somehow seems more self indulgent and more unmanly in his wrongdoing”

worse to do wrong motivated by desire than anger

!! “death and life, fame and lack of fame, pain and pleasure, wealth and poverty-- all these things happen to good and bad people alike, though they are neither right nor wrong; therefore, they are not good or bad”

also lots of stuff about why you should not fear death!

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neshabeingchildish · 5 years ago

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Madame President.

“On today’s special episode of Pipe Up! I would like to introduce Psychiatrist to the Supers…” Charlotte turned the TV down. It was recording, anyway. Piper double majored in psychology and sociology in college, worked as a professional counselor in her office, which was what used to be Junk N’ Stuff, became one of those internet professionals who had a thriving career and an online presence/following for it, not to mention all of her old following when she was a public figure… So it was only natural that her dreams of becoming a television lifecoach came true. She had done multiple talk shows as a guest, documentaries, reality projects for clients that she had who were famous, and for the past several years, after helping Charlotte to found SupesSpace (the mental health network for supers and heroes), she had her own show Pipe Up! Pipe Up was about helping and healing the heroes that kept our world safe, but also highlighted the professionals who guided them through those processes.

It was partially mental health information, from professionals, testimonials from those who had been going through things (often heroes that had been nonconsensually unmasked, or had been forced into the life early - Piper and Charlotte’s soft spots), partially tips for those in need from the very people who did this kind of work, partially backstories of those people, because a lot of times, those not in the field considered them necessary, but rarely knew anything about them or took the time to ask them how they were. Sometimes, Piper’s clients wanted to share their story on the show and it would be special segments.

Today’s guest was the leading supers psychiatrist. Charlotte definitely wanted to see it, but had so much to do today. She was turning over her power to Max Thunderman, of all people. She had no idea that the super community would ever forgive him enough to entrust him with this position, but here they were - he was getting ready to “retire to” President of the Hero League, and she was getting ready to campaign for President of the United States.

There were a lot of people who didn’t like the thought of a super in the White House. Charlotte was tired of the gymnastics that once went into making people comfortable with having her in spaces that “weren’t meant” for her. While, some part of her worried that the Oval office was much too powerful and had too many possible setbacks for her to ever be able to redirect the country in much needed ways (even some of the historically “best” presidents had a tough time of making a dent in the state of things), she still held out hope that she could possibly make some kind of positive difference in an oppressive nation in a world built upon the oppression of others.

Whenever she and Simone gathered to bring or pick up their children from playdates, she would always tell her, “You know that they’re going to suck your soul out in that position, right? It’s the reason that the Hero League acts in the best interest in humanity first and has sovereignty over supers. This country is a wasteland with a gated community of a certain percentile and that office is to keep the waste where it belongs and to go wherever it takes to obtain more for that gated community. Every U.S. President is a puppet and a clown…” Or some variation of it.

Charlotte would toss a shady joke in her direction such as, “Every since you got those goddess locs, you’ve been on your bullshit again.” SImone would just smile and shake her head. Those locs looked great on her. Charlotte thought about them, but it was going to be difficult enough to run for a major office in this country with her natural hair, much less that style, as majestic as it looked. And Simone’s skin was shining every since she shed all the green genes. Max was always posting “My Four Girls,” her, in the middle of the twins and their youngest daughter Meaux (Pronounced “Mo”), now what 8 years old, maybe? They had twin boys in between her and the baby girl (Simon and Maximus Jr), maybe a year younger than Charlie - but Charlotte wasn’t keeping up with ages anymore, just how quickly everyone seemed to surpass her height! Charlie was the only kid of all their bunches that seemed like she probably wasn’t going to be taller or as tall (short) as Charlotte.

Max, with his salt and pepper long hair and beard looked more like a supervillain than president of the Hero League, but insisted that was part of his “mystique.” He was the poster boy for reformation. He was what any villain could look to whenever they tired of their evil ways and for that, people felt somehow safer with him. He was always scrutinized for his past, therefore, they felt like he must’ve been really reformed, to not have had any incidents in nearly 20 years. With this position, Max had goals, but the greatest of them was to “Ride it out here until I die.”

Meanwhile, Simone had not been involved in politics in a long time. Instead, she opened a center for supers who just want to be able to have normal lives. There were all grades of school and there was housing for those beyond school age. It was basically a supers community where nobody was expected to be the hero. She helped people to start businesses - everything from frozen yogurt shops to boutiques. She studied dance and opened her own dance studio in that community. But, The Center of Hope for Heroes (With the general prohibition sign covering the word Heroes) was in the center of the community and was the heart of it. It wasn’t too far from the Mimi Memorial, so Ray settled in the community with Katelyn, and buried her in tree form at Mimi’s grave. It took him a while to allow himself to care for another dog, but he’d frequently go to the dog shop to try to convince himself to do so. He was just tired of losing others and knowing that this was his fate as an indestructible man. He would last longer than most of the people he cared about. It was depressing, but the lady who owned the pet shop made it a little more bearable.

She would introduce him to different dogs, but also gave him the information of a licensed supers counselor who worked with heroes who have lost partners. “A lot of people think that because they weren’t in the field with you that meant that they aren’t your partner, but you came home to her everyday and you took care of her, the two of you took care of each other, for many years. She counts as a partner and a friend and her loss is no less important than if you had lost a child or a romantic partner.” He had lost one of those and the potential other. He never really thought about talking to a counselor about it, beyond Piper, though. After he did, he went to check on another dog, and to check on the pet shop owner. She was single… and interested. He couldn’t stop smiling about the possibilities. Mimi would’ve wanted him to move on years ago, but his heart wasn’t ready. He and Katelyn simply coped until he had to face it - not everyone made it, and that was okay. He didn’t have to bury himself with those who left before he did, and they wouldn’t want him to...

Jasper was going to go ahead and call in his surrogate again. That was cool. If it was gonna be a girl, he wanted her to be called Bushida, which Charlotte told him she didn’t think that was a name and also that the word that he was probably looking for might not be appropriate for his daughter. If it was another boy, he wanted to call him Bucket. “Do you simply hate your children, or…?” He waved a hand at her. He didn’t care about the haters. Bushida or Bucket were gonna be well loved and have at least one dad that made them laugh ALL of the time. Mitch might be an overgrown child, but children loved that about him.

Charlotte had so much money that before she even made her donations to charity, she honestly just made sure that her loved ones had everything that they could need. That meant all friends from the Man Cave, and now the Lady Lair - Piper’s family, their parents, even Jasper’s folks, the Thundermans, the Bilsky’s, The Center of Hope for, the Academy, despite Hamilton’s removal, Evelyn was still an important part of her life, and she believed in the school… She still had much to give away for her charity interests, technological advances, and other cares, causes and concerns. And, she would have enough to run a successful presidential campaign, hopefully while keeping her morals in tact.

Running a country with such a system in place and all of the insistence to continue it for all of the purposes that there were to continue it… She knew that wouldn’t be easy, if she even made it to that point. She did still have a husband and children and thought maybe, just maybe… She should actually take a BREAK, for once.

Charlotte looked at herself in the mirror. She looked… similar to how she remembered. She looked at this version of herself a lot less than she had when she was younger. A lot of times, she had her hair and makeup done by someone else. A lot of times, she ate while she got dressed, or conferenced in on of of Hank’s corporate calls while she brushed her teeth on mute, or looked over assignments to dispatch heroes to while she did her skincare routine at her desk. This woman in the mirror - she was some person who had been much too busy to remember to pause every now and then. Even both of the times that she was on maternity leave, she always had a lot of “not on your feet” work to do and taking on a huge role at this moment would mean that she wouldn’t be able to get that break any time soon. It’d likely be about 2 years of campaigning, and then 4 years in office. She would probably look in the mirror in six years and the patch of gray that had grown across the front of her head would be a head full of gray and maybe there would be more worry creases and wrinkle lines.

Charlie helped her put her hair up and they had a mother daughter spa day, which was usually Charlotte trying to relax while a very excited Charlie, with very expensive product on her flopped around and attempted to tell her 50-11 stories. At the end of it, Charlotte never felt reasted, at all… just softer. She’d put Charlie to bed, check around the house to see if Hank was there (he usually wasn’t). Much like both of his parents, he was quite the workaholic. He was generally in the Danger Fortress, though… That was what Charlie had somehow gotten them to start calling the command center from which Charlotte used to assist Mr. Danger. Hank would work on upgrading things for fun, sometimes with Schwoz’s help or guidance. She found him in there, with four holographic screens pulled up with stats from businesses and with campaign projections.. “Hope you’re wrapping up and getting ready to head to bed,” she said.

“I don’t have anything to do in the morning,” he observed, typing notes on a notepad connected to his waist.

“Fifteen minutes,” she said and made eye contact with him.

“Yes, Mom.” She looked around the room. It felt different, but the design wasn’t new. She just knew that a lot had changed since she set it up. “Miss it?” Hank wondered.

“Not especially. But, I have a lot attached to it. How are Henry’s legs?”

“In perfect shape. I would tell you if anything changed.” He began to shut things down and they left the room together. “Charlie is coming into the lair tomorrow, so I wanted to have everything squared away.”

“Coming in for training?”

He nodded and went into his bedroom, “Homework first though. I told her that I would help her with it because Dad helped her and wound up having to look up all the answers to her math. She got points deducted because she didn’t show the work.”

“Ugh. He’s supposed to grab you when he doesn’t know what he’s looking at!” She complained.

“I was at the site we’re looking at for Page & Thunderman Corp. But, I’ll handle it tomorrow.” He gave her a kiss on the face and went into the room. She watched him for a moment, kick off his shoes, but neatly place them in a shoe rack, grabbed his night clothes and activated his computer to work on verbal command.

She went in and checked the crystals that she knew he only kept nearby because of her. “Interface, adjust Hammy’s room for sleep, not work and replace his crystals and put these with those that need cleansing and charging, please.”

“Yes, Madame President.” She furrowed her eyebrows, and left the room. Henry was doing pull ups in his home gym and she got his attention and tapped her watch at him. He nodded, finished his set and grabbed his towel. “Did you know that Interface called me Madame President tonight?”

“Yeah, we programmed her to do that. Well, Hank programmed her to do it, but it was my idea. You always tell me that you gotta envision and claim and manifest.” She smiled at him and he kissed her on the cheek. “You take a shower yet?”

“No, I was waiting on you, Dude. But, Charlie told me about you planting her a violet garden and getting her a statue commissioned?”

“I’m positive that she said ‘commisionerred,’ because that’s what she said every single time, but yeah. I’m using my allowance card, because honestly, what I promised her is gonna cost me.”

“Stop promising her grand things.”

“She’s my daughter,” he said, as though that settled it. She nodded, so it did. “She wants the garden to have a fence with purple lights, a purple birdbath, with a birdhouse hovering above it and a bird feeder inside the birdhouse - all this is supposed to be purple, so I guess I’m gonna have to decide which shades, because naturally I won’t just have a big violet eyesore on the premises. There’s a place for all of the plants on these grounds.”

“I actually already heard the plans. I just wanna get your hot body into the shower so that I can have my way with you and you can put me to sleep.”

Henry threw his towel away and set his water down and picked her up to go do just that.

They were laying in bed afterward and Charlotte commented, “You make love to me like I’m still as beautiful as when we started.”

“Well, dang… I was tryin’ to do it like you’re more beautiful now than you’ve ever been!” He smiled at her. She looked emotional. “You okay?”

“I’m tired and I feel old, but I have goals and I know that I won’t rest until I’ve met them. I just want to be able to take a break… but I guess that’s what retirement is for. 65 full stop, right?”

“I’m leaning more towards 45, but…” She looked at him and he said, “Just kidding. These legs have another good 50 years. My heart will give out before they will. So… Maybe 65 for me. I already feel old, though.”

“Your work is physical. You really need to start looking for a sidekick, Hen. You don’t want to be old and trying to train someone through a headset.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll start thinking about it. Maybe I’ll create an ad on FaceMask.”

“I think SymBIOsis would be better for it. More range.”

“Yeah, but FaceMask is tried and true. I KNOW I’ll get legit level sidekick there… if I EVEN do that!”

“Well, I just want us to one day be able to take a break, while I still have some life left in me.”

“You… You get some news or something?” He asked, concerned.

“I looked in the mirror. Some old chick was looking at me. Had the nerve to be moving like I was, like she was me or something.”

He smiled and nudged her with his nose, “Oh, her… I don’t know how to tell you this, but I’ve been hitting that for years. She really does it for me. I’m sure she always will, and I just can’t let her go.”

“What if she gets older and older and more old?”

“I’m gonna be tapping it until her hips go bad.”

She cackled at his proclamation. “She must have that good good!”

“The goodest,” he said and winked at her.

Two years later

"I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States..."

Hank didn’t want to live in the White House. Henry didn’t want to leave the Charteaux to landscapers, even the finest that they hired to keep up with everything. Charlie just wanted to be a superhero and being the President’s daughter seemed pretty close to that, so she was fine with whatever. She was more concerned about her facial adjustments and her body changes.

The first concern was the fact that she had glasses. She had to get them when she turned 11, but she was constantly breaking them to the point that now, she had ones that were much too big for her face, in her opinion and the ones that Hank worked on for her were more like goggles… So those messed with her hair, which was already a lot to take care of! The next concern was NOW, she needed braces! And… she hated the thought of it. She’d have to care for them and clean them and all of that? She hated stuff like that! For what? Straight teeth without gaps in them? For her mom’s perfect set? What could possibly go wrong with her body next?

She hated that she asked! Because not too much longer afterwards, she went to the bathroom and there was blood everywhere. Now… she knew what it was and she had been taught what to do when it happened, but when it happened, she just froze for a moment, then rushed to try to clean up and score protection. She didn’t tell her mother about it. She knew that she’d probably have some kind of serious person talk with her and she wasn’t into that. She told Hank and he got her everything that she needed and then binged movies with her and ate snacks. He was sincerely the best brother and she always loved the fact that everybody else thought he was words like “pretentious” and “narcissistic,” but she only knew him as “awesome.”

They were in her second cycle and their new way of handling it whenever she commented, “I wonder now that Mom’s president if that means that I can start trying to look into doing things through Hero League, since she can’t BLOCK me anymore.” She said it with a lot of resentment that Hank didn’t appreciate, but he understood the frustrations. To this day, he had held himself back from trying to become a super because of his anxiety over what Charlotte would say, do, or think if something went wrong.

“I’m sure that she has Maxi on the lookout for stuff like that, but… I mean, maybe she’d go a little bit easier now that you’re 13 and you’ve reached this portion of your journey.”

“What does that mean? Say it like I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Well, you know, because you have a superpower, you can register for legal adulthood when you hit puberty, but you already have to be in a position to take care of yourself, for instance have money, powers, or intelligence that makes you capable of supporting your own lifestyle and needs, OR you have to be a registered hero with the Hero League. I can’t imagine that Mom WOULD support you moving forward with it, but if you want me to try to talk to her, I can always remind her that dad started his job at your age.”

She gasped and asked, “HE DID???”

“Yeah… Dad used to be Kid Danger, didn’t you know that?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t know that he was an actual KID, I thought it was a nickname like that funny guy you listen to on old podcasts! Kid Fury! Dad was a KID kid when he was Kid Danger? That means that I’M ready to be a sidekick too! He’s been looking for one, but he’s been training one the whole time!”

“I don’t know… I was thinking more along the lines of you speak to them about becoming legal, getting your inheritance turned over to you and safely living freely until you’re actually old enough to be a superhero.”

“I AM actually old enough to be one! You just said it! It’s legal and it would be hypocritical for them to refuse me! Daddy did it!”

“I don’t think you’re getting the moral of my message…” She zipped out of the room and he massaged his temples, “Mom is gonna be piiiiiiiiiiiiissed.”

Mr. Danger was appointed to President Page by the Hero League for the first ever Head of the Super Secret Service. The Secret Service would still be in effect, but it was unprecedented that an unmasked super was President of the United States and therefore, getting non-pow humans to guard her life seemed unfair and unethical to her. She had never even had bodyguards before, save Mr. Danger, so an entire team felt like a lot for her. But, if they were supers, she felt better and if Danger was in charge of those supers, well - that was the best case scenario. The children had non-pow secret service, simply because she certainly didn’t want to put any of these dutiful people out of work.

Charlotte was in meetings with Mr. Danger posted outside whenever Charlie got her guards to bring her to him. He thought it might be an emergency, but kept a calm face. “Charlie, what is it?”

“Hank told me that you began being a superhero when you were my age, which means that I’m eligible for being your sidekick and I won’t take no for an answer, because that would be unfair!”

“We have to discuss this later, Sweetie,” he said and gestured for them to lead her back to her room.

“Just tell me yes right now. We shouldn’t have to discuss anything, Daddy. You say all the time that I’m way better at what I do than you were when you were younger! I didn’t know that you HAD THE JOB when you were underqualified! I am over qualified then and you need a sidekick…”

He nodded his head, “Okay, Sweetie, but Mommy’s in here working and Daddy has to guard and keep a lookout, so please, let them bring you back to your room…” She squealed and hugged him and rushed off, telling her guard about how she was going to be a sidekick. Wait.. Had he said that to her? He replayed the conversation in his mind…

Her: just say yes…

Him: Okay, Sweetie… but…

“Oh my God… Charlotte’s gonna be piiiiiiiiiiiiised,” he whispered to himself.

Charlie handed Hank her designs for her costume and her notes of the features she needed, “You can do this, right?”

“No, Charlie! Mom is not gonna let you be Dad’s sidekick. I don’t care what you think he said to you today,” He looked at the designs, “But, this is excellent work. You… must’ve gotten mom’s fashion bug.”

“Mom? Fashion?” She busted out laughing. “Anyway… So, see here, that violet will be what we can use to keep me tuned into the Interface… And I will actually settle for goggles in costume, since I can’t imagine going to battle with these!” She pointed to the glasses on her face. “This getting a period thing kinda rocks. I know what they mean when they say you become a woman…” She looked at Hank. He was still studying her plans and apparently hadn’t heard her.

“And the schematics are properly done to scale.”

“Ummm, you bug me about details all of the time.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t expect you to pay attention. I’ve been bugging Dad about details since I was a kid. He still tells me stuff like, “Just take it in a little in the middle and make it a tad longer in the back. I blame mom for knowing what he means by non-measurements and just making it work. But… I need to go to the Danger Fortress…”

“I’m coming!”

“No, we can’t both go. Mom will flip out.”

“Why would she? We’ll have those secret service dudes for decoration and me for protection! I’m a sidekick now, Hank.” He sighed and rolled his eyes, grabbing her hand to help her up. “Should we clean this up before we go? Mommy says it’s rude to just leave a mess, even when there’s a maid.”

“We’re coming back.”

“You’re gonna stop doing a project to come back here?”

“Good point, make it snappy and meet me at the car.”

“Will you leave me if I’m not quick enough?” She asked. He smirked, but didn’t answer, so she hauled ass to clean up their mess and rushed to meet him at the car to go back to the property and work.

Charlotte came out of her chambers hours later and all she wanted to do was kiss her husband, hug her kids and try to settle for the night until the next obligation. Mr. Danger was pacing, and not wearing his mask.. Which - technically, he didn’t need it because the world knew who he was, but he still wore it because of work and stuff. “Hey, you okay?” She asked. He yelped at the sound of her voice and smiled at her, “Okay… Tell me what’s going on.”

“Okay. Well. I. May. Have… Possiblyyyyyyyyy… Perhaps… Mayhaps, even… Perchance…”

“Henry!”

“I told Charlie that she could be my sidekick!” He gasped right after he finally said it out loud and covered his own mouth, like that was going to have him to take it back.

She looked relieved, “Oh. Jeez. You scared me for a moment. I thought it was something serious.”

“She and Hank are at the Danger Fortress working on her costume.”

“Wait. Right now? You told Charlie that she could be your sidekick right now? At her age? In this time? While I’m the president and you’re supposed to be working here on my behalf?”

“That’s the beauty of it, right? If she’s my sidekick, then she’s just at my side in the White House and stuff. We won’t have an assignment assignment for like 4 years!” He cheered, having just thought of this right now.

“Only, that’s not true. You’re one of the Hero League’s best operatives. Max isn’t just letting me HAVE you for four years. You’re creating a system, showing this group how to on the job and I’m sure that within months, maybe even weeks, he’ll have you in the field, on assignment! You… You gotta go tell her that you made a mistake and it can’t happen!”

He sucked in air through his teeth and clasped his hands, “I’ve tried to, but she keeps bringing up great points and now, I don’t know… I’m gonna just give it a shot…” Her face went on a full journey through emotions that he knew, ones that maybe she didn’t even know, and ones that terrified him, before she smiled and blinked her eyes and asked, “Why would you do this?” She clenched her fists and then held out her hands, honestly awaiting an answer.

“Hey, I started at 13 and I was fine.”

Almost immediately, she lost her entire cool, “Ray broke child labor laws, not to mention behaved morally and ethically questionable in hiring you! You were too young and it wore you out! It was incredibly hard for you and he didn't even cut you slack! If I thought for one moment that you would follow in his footsteps, I wouldn't have given you my support in your hero’s journey and certainly wouldn't have bore your children!”

He hated when she did this. She would get mad and go off on him and say something just nasty and hurtful like this. “Char, you're angry, so you're being mean…”

“You're darn right, I'm angry. Our daughter hates me enough already and now I have to go tell her that I'm forcing her not to be able to do what you promised her. Damn you, Henry, for making me have to make her hate me more!” Her voice was loud and high pitched and she knew that she shouldn’t be doing this in the White House, because somebody somewhere would have something to say about it, but her nerves were bad about this. The relationship with Charlie had been struggling since she was a little girl and whenever Charlotte began working towards being the president, a lot of Charlie’s ways and habits just… would no longer fly. She didn’t understand why SHE had to be a presentable aspect of Charlotte’s life and whenever Charlotte explained how difficult it was and how hard on her the public would be because of her marginalizations - race, gender, superpower, it would be even harder to gain their approval. But, Charlie couldn’t comprehend why she would WANT approval of anybody that she worked hard to get it from. Why not just be herself and they could take it or leave it. Hell, Charlotte playing the game was how she was even privileged enough to feel entitled to people receiving her. She was floating on Charlotte’s respectability and...

“Charlie does not hate you. She loves you. You two just don't have much in common. She wants to impress you, like Hank does. She thinks this is the only way to do that. If she can't do it, she won't hate you, but she'll be worried that you'll never see her the way that you see Hank.”

“This is unfair, Hen.” She whispered it, and her voice sounded almost like begging. It was breaking his heart, but of course, he would fix it. Of course, he would answer whatever plea her words couldn’t form.

“Char�� Just, give me the chance to have her as my sidekick. Of course, I'm not gonna follow in Ray's footsteps. She'll be fighting crime with me, but I'll be protecting her while we do.”

“She'll be an easy target for any villain with half a brain!”

“I won't allow it. I promise… Char, I promise you, on us - on my love for you, on our family - that I will never let anything happen to Charlie, in the field, or otherwise.”

“On us, huh?”

He nodded once, “On us.”

She sat in that for a while and he rocked on the balls of his feet, eager for some confirmation that she believed in him and trusted him to do this properly. He was a great father, but he was also a great superhero and with mixing both of those things, yes - he full well knew that it would be much tougher when he had one of the loves of his life in the thick of danger with him, but he wanted both of his girls happy and both of them healthy. “Well, that's a grave promise. Because, if anything does happen to her, Henry, you're dead to me. I mean it.”

“I know. If anything happens to her, I'm dead to me, too. I wouldn't be able to live another day.”

“I want her happy, but I want her safe.”

“We'll make sure that she's both.”

#henry danger #hd fanfic #Nesha HD Fics #Family Danger

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kabane52 · 6 years ago

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“A Sign Throughout Your Generations”

The blessings and curses are often misunderstood. By and large, the promise of blessing is not about God’s special act in history to bless His children for obedience. Rather, since obedience to the law of God fulfills what it means to be truly human and in harmony with creation, the obedient acts themselves bear an intrinsic relation to the blessing which follows. The same is true of the curses. Rebellion against the law of God intrinsically leads to increasing social disorder and a less fruitful human life.

Generational curses exist because of the ontological bond that exists in family lines. It is not so much that God punishes the sin of the father on the son, but that the son often inherits the consequences of his father’s actions. This is true even relative to certain temptations with which we particularly struggle. More recent scientific research has revealed that the inheritance of acquired characteristics is not a myth, but actually plays an important role in the development of particular characteristics in each bloodline. I know of a bloodline where the male in each generation had a problem with adultery, until the last in line issued forth in the real, true repentance which had lacked in the generations of his fathers.

A more concrete example is debt. The Bible warns repeatedly against the excessive accumulation of debt. It reflects, in general, moral calumny, greed, a lack of patience, and folly. The accumulation of debt then intrinsically leads to a reduction in the debtor’s capacity to exercise influence over others and creation. That cursed debt is passed on as an estate to one’s offspring. The same is true, in the reverse, for wealth accumulation.

But God’s blessing is to the thousandth, not fourth, generation. Wealth exponentially multiplies faster than does debt. Those family lines who make faithfulness to God and wise management of their estate a marker of their name will find that they are continually increasing in dominion and influence over the creation. This is the promise of the covenant through the Spirit who circumcises the heart. Moses in Deuteronomy 30 and Isaiah in Isaiah 59 speak of that heart-circumcision by the Spirit in the new covenant as particularly relating to the transmission of faithful family lines. You see, under the old covenant, there were occasionally faithful generations. Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, after all.

But immediately afterwards, there was apostasy. Judges records this apostasy and faults the fathers of the household and the fathers of the priestly nation (the Levitical tribe) for their failure to teach and discipline Israel. The problem, as apostle Paul says, is flesh- “God has done what the law, weak as it was THROUGH THE FLESH, could not do.” Flesh in scripture is repeatedly associated with multiplication and reproduction. The “two shall become one flesh” is the first time the term is used. Circumcision is “in the flesh” and on the organ of reproduction. The Torah particularly associates emissions from reproductive organs with “the flesh”, symbolizing death and constituting a person as ritually unclean.

As Maximus and the other Fathers teach us, the disease of Adam is transmitted through reproduction. Think of the human family as a single corporate entity, a single body. Fallenness is necrosis which spreads throughout the body. One faithful generation here and there which kept the Torah doesn’t stop the spread. That’s why we have the Messiah, the Spirit, and the new covenant. As Paul continues from the above quotation- “God did, sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, He condemned Sin in the flesh.” Flesh is put to death in the Messiah’s death.

Sharing in that death and resurrection circumcises our heart and enables us to live faithful lives- and it enables the church corporately to persist in faithfulness throughout all generations. The full realization of this blessing, obviously, has not occurred. In my personal view, it is very possible that we are still in the infant Church relative to the whole span of God’s work in history. This is something which the Spirit produces over time, in fits and starts, through many deaths and resurrections. As Jesus teaches of the kingdom, it is like leaven which spread throughout a lump until it was “all leavened.”

The link between generations and in family lines is also reflected in our baptism of infants. We don’t baptize just any infant. We baptize those infants whose parents are identified with the people of God and who covenant to bring that child up in the faith. God works in an expanding series of concentric circles, each representing a degree of familial relation. The Church prays for the “unity of all mankind”, meaning the incorporation of the whole people of Adam into the Church, which would be made up of a wonderful family of nations, each with its distinctive language, culture, and contribution to the Kingdom of God, each altered and changed in its own unique way. This is why the Slavs can be converted corporately when St. Vladimir is baptized. Israel was corporately baptized in the Red Sea, the Slavs are corporately baptized under Prince Vladimir.

The ordering of familial relations is fractal in nature. The one family of Adam is made up of a number of civilizational families. For example, one of the families is the pan-European civilization, descended from Japheth the son of Noah. Then, when we examine this family, we find that it itself opens into multiple families- the Slavs, the Anglos, the Franks, the Italians, and so on. And when we pick out one of these groupings, it too opens up into a series of multiple subgroups.

God instructed the Apostles to teach and baptize “all nations”, not just individuals from these nations. Grace sanctifies, glorifies, and fulfills nature, and it is part of the inner constitution of human nature that its subsistence be in the ordering of interrelated natural families. We baptize infants in Christian families not because they’re the only infants that we can get our hands on, but because in virtue of our being “in the Messiah”, members of our families are “set apart” or “consecrated” (1 Corinthians 7:14). This, I think, is liturgically reflected in the fact that infants undergo a “churching” which has traditionally preceded their baptism. Those interested in the mystery of the family and its corporate status in Christ should take a closer look at at the Service for the Churching and see what insights can be gleaned.

Because God is One and Three, the co-inherence of unity and diversity is replicated at every level of creation. Moreover, fractals are ubiquitous because of the “fractal” structure of the divine processions/energies themselves. For example, love is an energy of God, interrelated with every other energy- justice, peace, humility, and so on- while being irreducibly distinct. And yet, there are an infinite number of divine loves which are eternal, each of them also being irreducibly distinct.

And so we find such a pattern pervasively present throughout our world.

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transmogeny · 2 years ago

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The universe speaks to us via synchronicity and in ways specific to us each- in ways we will uniquely recognize. This kind of "dictionary" of symbolic terms combined with our personal emotional saliencies is the foundation of conversation with the universe.

I felt inspired to check out furry art and was immediately led to this. It jumped right out as a message. Some odd time back 'max' kept popping up- as a name, a random security "spell the image" prompt, and in other ways, like car tags- and so this jumped out to me. I call the smaller synchronicities "scoring"- like when someone scores glass in stained glass making to cut and shape it into a masterpiece. Sometimes synchronicities work like this- little ones that lead to serve as attention-getters for a larger message. It's all neccessary- so flowing with the bits that don't make sense at the time is important, just roll with it and trust that you'll know when you know. So the 'Max" part jumped out.

I started transmogenizing then.

Ray Maximus- a great beam of awareness/focused attention

Age 27- it's time to step into the energy of '27'- numerologically it's the most spiritual of numbers in a special kind of way. It adds to a 9 and indicates new beginnings, endings. The sharing of divine wisdom- both of divine feminine (2) and masculine sorts (7).

He/Him- a confirmation station clue that this information is talking about/to me (I'm FTM)

Leopard Seal- Leopard is the healer of deep wounds, of reclamation of power lost/forgotten/untapped, and of a period of rebirth after radical change. Seal is the bringer of fruition of that which was born in emotion/metaphysical into the tangible world. Seal also indicates a reclamation of one's inner child, of playfulness, of having fun.

Height 6'3- A vibration (vertical dealio) that has the qualities of loving responsibility (6) in a creative/social light (3). They also add to 9, a number of endings and beginnings, and of reaching into the void to call forth something new.

Weight: 302 lbs- Social/creative, infinite possibility, duality/divine feminine/relationships.

The numerology energy represented by the number 302 resonates with doing things on a whim. It is a sensual energy, both physically and mentally feeling and absorbing as much as possible of every experience.

302 energy also resonates with creativity, companionship, and has an infinite potential.

The number 302 reduces to the single-digit number 5. The energy represented by the number 5 resonates with — among other aspects — curiosity, wit, and expression of a personal sense of freedom. It contributes the majority of the resonance represented by the number 302.

Wrestler Role: Heel- I'm a dog trainer, so "heel" is a direct cue to follow Source and stick close. Following intuition and feeling deeply into it. Also implies movement, going places, and attuning through the movement.

Style: Powerhouse/Striker- In human design, I'm a manifesting generator, so this is salient and validated by that knowledge. Interrelation. It highlights my traits of having lots of energy, the ability to use that energy to power a cause, and to "strike"/take action in powerful ways.

Finishers: The bottomfeeder/The powerbomb- This part really got me, it was the new nugget of understanding contained in this message from Source/Archangel Metatron (he works through time, so these chained synchronicities can easily be from him- and I've been enjoying his company recently). There's two modes of expression here. Human design talks about this in their gates, so it ties in with the above. There's a few levels to look at this at- a couple messages. There's the fact that I have two extreme expressions, or finishers. There's serious depression/suffering- bottomfeeding-, or there's super robust expression/utilizing power. But it's the same gate. Just in different expressions.

The other layer to see this through is that even the bottomfeeding is important- because a bottomfeeder is cleaning up and recycling and gathering information. It's fuel for the powerbomb, basically.

As far as timing is concerned- the importance of this grows. Another nugget I got today is the importance of knowing the lower vibrational expressions of consciousness because, without this experiential knowledge, interrelational wisdom can't be born. Especially as far as healing is concerned. You can't tell a depressed person to think happy thoughts and heal them. Anyone who's been there knows this. Instead, one of the most healing things is one can do is to hold space and to be able to relate. To have been there. Only then do you really know how to avoid adding to their suffering, and how to do what you can to relieve some of it, and especially how to create an energetic atmosphere that acts as a ladder they can climb up if they choose.

I'm also a 3/5 personality in human design, so the bottomfeeder/powerbomb dynamic is also important. I'm designed to gather lots of information and to test it via trial and error, then to share my findings to save people the trouble. And here I am doing that- a new striking out on my part, a leap of faith- as they say. It's something worth sharing, but it's new- and that can be scary, and that's ok. Here I am.

So this message houses all of that information- it all checks out with what's going on in my life and led to a new understandings, connecting things in new ways. Providing advice and guadance. This is my very favorite thing ever. This is transmogeny. And I'd love to teach the world how to do it.

[OC] Ray Maximus Drew a sketch in my sketchbook, then it ended up being a lil' character info sheet. (Peep the wrestling promotion logo I made there, "PAW" - Pro Anthro Wrestling)

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jupitermelichios · 6 years ago

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So you want to read Marvel comics

A while back I made a post of Marvel & DC comics that would make a good intro into the world of comics, and I thought it was time for an update. So here’s some more short run Marvel comics to try if you’re just getting into comics (or some recs for those of you who already are).

Press J to skip this post.

1. X-Club (2012) - 5 issues.

I’m always a little wary of recommending Si Spurrier’s Marvel comics to new readers, because no matter what Marvel want him to do he writes in a universe largely divorced from continuity. That said, the Marvel universe in his head is a glorious mess of high camp, melodrama and comedy and I love it. X-Club is one of his best Marvel works, focussing on the scientists who surround the X-Men. Funny, silly and with some great character moments.

Written by Si Spurrier, drawn by Paul Davidson, coloured by Rachelle Rosenburg

Starring: Dr Nemesis, Kavita Rao, Danger, Madison Jeffries

Best for fans of comedy action

2. New Warriors (2014) - 12 issues

This book got cancelled just as it was really finding its feet, but while I would have loved to see more, they did a great job of wrapping up most of their plot threads in time for the issue 12 finale. Like all the best Marvel comics, this is best described as a romp, about superpowered teenagers taking on a villain called the High Evolutionary (whose whole deal is furries). I read it knowing nothing about most of the characters and was rarely confused, despite it being a sequal to previous New Warriors books. A great introduction to one of Marvel’s perennial teen teams.

Written by Christopher Yost, drawn by Marcus To, coloured by David Curiel and Ruth Redmond

Starring: Justice, Speedball, Nova (Sam Alexander), Sun Girl, Scarlet Spider (Kaine), Hummingbird, Haechi, Silhouette, Water Snake, The High Evolutionary, The Celestials

Best for fans of young adult adventure

3. Angela: Asguard’s Assasin (2014) - 6 issues

This is the first in a 3 part series, followed by Angela 1601 and Angela: Queen of Hel, all of which are wonderful. Do you want transwomen? Do you want women of colour? Do you want women loving women while also having space-opera adventure quests? Then you need Angela and her wife Sera, here to bring you the good news of queer comic-book writers. Honestly I can’t tell you how good the Angela series is - you need to go read it for yourself. Plus it’s a veritable who’s who of Asguard, so a great introduction to that part of earth 616

Written by Keiron Gillen & Magueritte Bennet

Starring: Angela (Aldrif), Sera, Malekith the Accursed, Thor, Odin, Freyja, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Gamora, Star-Lord, Drax the Destroyer, Heidall, Sif, The Warriors Three, Loki

Best for fans of high fantasy lesbians

4. Ultimates (2015) - 12 issues

How high can sci-fi get before it loops back round to being fantasy? This is a book which walks that line - sci-fi so metaphysical it’s almost philosophy, except it’s not because it’s Superheroes in spandex fighting an all powerful being in the universe’s silliest hat.

Written by Al Ewing

Starring: America Chavez, Spectrum, Blue Marvel, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Galactus

Best for fans of high sci-fi

5. New Avengers (2015) - 18 issues

If any comic deserved 6 season and a movie it’s this 2015 title. When Science Super-villains A.I.M run out of funds they decide to sell off the organisation. Former New Mutant Sunspot has a massive fortune, a desire to save the world, and a flair for the dramatic. It’s a match made in heaven. (Fans of the book don’t despair, it got a sequel in 2017′s U.S.Avengers).

Written by Al Ewing

Starring: Sunspot, Squirrel Girl, Wiccan, Hulkling, Power Man (Victor Alvarez), White Tiger, Hawkeye (Clint Barton), Songbird, Red Hulk, The Maker, POD, Iron Patriot (Toni Ho), Red Hulk (General Maverick), Canonball

Best for fans of comedy drama

6. Royals (2017) - 12 issues

This is Al Ewing’s third appearance on this list, because he really is just that good a writer. This is the perfect introduction to the Inhumans, who are way more interesting than the TV show would have you believe. This is classic space opera - a warring family of royalty on an epic quest to save their dying race from certain extinction. I didn’t think I liked the Inhumans until I read this book.

Written by Al Ewing

Starring: Medusa, Maximus the Mad, Gorgon, Swain, Flint, Marvel Boy (Noh-Var), Ronan the Accuser

Best for fans of space-opera

7. Mockingbird (2016) - 8 issues

If James Bond were an american woman with superpowers, actual human emotions and a chemistry degree, he’d be Mockingbird. Silly, heartfelt and deeply touching in places, this is one of my favourite short comics. Aided by her current boyfriend and his pet Corgi, SHIELD agent Bobbi Morse solves mysteries, fights bad guys and tries to clear her ex-husband’s name for a murder he really did commit.

Written by Chelsea Cain

Starring: Lance Hunter, Mockingbird

Best for fans of light-hearted spy stories and geeky jokes

8. Iceman (2017) - 11 issues

I’m not going to lie, this comics was hard for me to read in places. Not because it’s bad, but because it’s good. Founding X-Man Iceman was outed as gay against his will in a controversial 2015 story. This comic follows him as he works out what his life looks like as a gay mutant, comes out to his parents, and kisses a boy for the first time. Well written and emotional, plus it’s always nice to see queer writers and artists working with queer characters. Warning that this comic deals with homophobia.

Written by Sina Grace

Starring: Iceman, Shadowcat, Daken, Oya, Hercules, Darkstar, Angel, Amp, Ghost Rider

Best for fans of drama

9. Hercules (2016) - 6 issues

Hercules is a laughing stock in the hero world, better known for his drinking than his heroism (even though he’s 10 months sober). Gilgamesh hasn’t left Herlcules’ couch for a month. But when terrifying new gods emerge in the modern age, the old gods are the only ones who can stop them. Epic in the old sense of the word.

Written by Dan Abnett

Starring: Hercules, Tyresius, Gilgamesh, Ire of the Crua before the Ice

10. Black Bolt (2017) - 12 issues

Black Bolt generated a lot of hype when issue 1 dropped last year, and it’s hardly surprising because this comic is something special. Betrayed by his brother, deposed monarch Black Bolt is locked away in the universe’s highest security prison. Depowered, trapped and tortured, he must rely on the help of his fellow prisoners to escape. If escape is even possible. Best read in tandem with Royals (above). Warning that the later part of this comic deals with past child neglect and emotional abuse.

Written by Saladin Ahmed

Starring: Black Bolt, Lockjaw, Absorbing Man, Metal Master, Blinky, Raava

Best for fans of emotional drama and prison break stories

#marvel comics #x-men #inhumans #asguard

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