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dragon-writes-sometimes · 4 years ago

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Once Upon A Time... Not, Chapter 3: Whatever Doesn’t Kill You…

Chapter Summary: With the move out of the way, all that's left is school. Things don't go Virgil's way, however. He and Anastacia do get a new friend, but also an enemy. Why does he have to be different from everybody?

Trigger Warnings: Bullying, a bit of swearing, spiralling of thought, anxiety.

Word count: 2835

AO3 link

Chapter 1

Previous Chapter - Chapter 4

Chapter 3: Whatever Doesn’t Kill You...

Well. It’s bigger than I thought it would be. With the limited income we get from Father’s job, I didn’t think we would get this big of a house for that little money. Maybe more people are moving away from rather than are moving to Gainesville. I don’t know. I have no idea how stuff like that work.

��Alright, kiddos. Time to conquer our new home.” Father’s voice snaps me out of my thoughts. Right. This is where we live now.

Ann gives my hand a small squeeze and leads me inside. She knows I don’t like change, so she takes the lead and guides me into our new home.

The day goes by fast. We get our stuff moved into the house, choose rooms, boxes everywhere by the end of it.

Father’s on the phone at night. It’s close to the summer break, so I’m imagining he’s talking to someone about school. I’m not sure if I’m ready to go back yet. I really hope we can keep the same arrangements. That would be nice. He already said Ann wasn’t going to go back to school for the rest of the school year since it’s so close to the break.

Speaking of, Anastacia’s in her own room, no doubt decorating it with all her quotes and the drawings from me as well as her own. And the paintings we worked on together. And the ones with Mother. God, I miss her.

Summer goes by mostly uneventful. I don’t come out of my room often. The box I found in my old room I hid away. Under my bed. How ironic. I get back to drawing, Father takes Ann and me to an animal shelter. He wants to get me a support animal since I’m getting panic attacks whenever I’m alone. We end up adopting an albino German Shepherd. She’s very young. The girl who was working at the time said she was waiting for the right owner to name her. I named her Maia. Maia seems to really like her name because she responds every time I say it.

Summer’s ending. I don’t know what Father has found out about school. I’m just cuddled up with Maia on my bed, scrolling through Tumblr. Someone knocks at my door. From Maia’s reaction, it’s Anastacia. She just looked over at the door and laid back down again. Had it been Father, she would’ve moved to my side. It’s astounding how good she is discerning who is knocking at my door.

And sure enough, Anastacia comes in. “Hey.” She gives a small wave. “Father, he wanted me to come get you. I don’t know why, but he sounded serious.” She pauses slightly and looks around my room. “You really need to get the last boxes unpacked. This is not healthy.”

“I-I’ll be ri-right down.” I still don’t talk much, but Maia’s helping. I’m talking more than before the move. Ann looks really happy. She’s always delighted whenever I try and speak. I know she won't pressure me into it, and for I’m grateful. Father, on the other hand… I don’t know. I don’t think he has this whole ‘single parent’ thing figured out yet. I don’t think I have, either.

I look up to see that she’s gone again. I was lost in my thoughts again. Maia starts nuzzling my cheek as if sensing my thoughts. I’m happy I got her. She’s amazing. And she’s jumped off my bed, looking towards the door. Right. Father wanted me downstairs.

I look around the living room when I get there, Maia in my heels. “Y-yeah?” I ask as I spot Father sitting at the table. Something’s off with his demeanour. He looks up as I get closer.

“Hey, sport. How, uh, how’s it going?” he tries with false cheer. I shoot him the most unimpressed look I can. He sinks back into his chair and sighs. “Look, this is not something you’ll like very much, so please sit down, Virgil.” Okay, what’s going on? I’m starting to freak out. Maia nuzzles my leg, whimpering a bit. I scratch her behind the left ear, calming down at the action.

“Father, you’re starting to freak me out. What’s going on?” Ann voices the question for me. Another deep sigh from him. He shifts and produces some papers I hadn’t noticed.

“It’s about school. I talked with the administrator or whatever. We can’t make the same arrangements. You either go to school or not at all. They just don’t have the funds to make it happen. I’m sorry. We’ll go shopping for school supplies for you guys tomorrow. It’s last-minute, but it’s all we can do. I’m really sorry. I’ve spoken with them about, uhm, about you not talking much, Virgil. They say it’s alright. They’ll pass it along to your teachers,” Father finishes. Great. And here I went and thought today would be a good day.

Anastacia is by my side immediately. She starts massaging my shoulders at the tension that’s beginning to build. She’s the best. And Maia is at my feet, creating a warm and grounding sensation. How did I get this lucky?

“Well, when we get our schedules, well make sure to stick together as much as possible!” Ann says, fiercely. And I believe her. She’ll do anything to protect me, as I will her.

The last of the summer break goes by with a blur, and suddenly we’ve reached our first day as seniors at Gainesville High School. We are headed to the Principle’s office to get our schedules and a school guide. I’m so freaking scared. What will the Principle think of me? What will the guide? I’m basically mute at this point in my life, and I’m only 16! They’re gonna think I’m a joke and laugh at how stupid I am! And- oh God! I have to share classrooms with a bunch of teenage strangers! Who will judge me for not talking at all! Oh, God, I’m sweating! Will they notice I’m wearing a binder? No, they can’t. My hoodie’s too big for them to see. But what if they demand I take my hoodie off? Then they’ll know. I don’t like this, I wanna go home to Maia and curl up with her and never leave the house again!

“…il? Virgil, hey, look at me. Please? Virgil!” I’m thrown out of my thoughts by someone circling their finger in my palm. Who? Oh yeah, Anastacia. “There you are, Vee. It’s going to be okay. I know you’re scared. I’m scared too. But we need to have a clear head, kay?” Anastacia speaks softly. We’re standing in front of a door. Must be the Principle’s office. ‘T. Sanders’, it says. I nod. That’s all I can really do at this point. I certainly don’t trust my voice to actually hold. My fingers are shaking too much to sign, so that’s a no-go, too.

Ann knocks on the door. Three times, softly. We hear a muffled “Come in,” and we enter. I’m just looking at the floor, letting Ann guide me to the chairs we end up sitting in.

“Anastacia and Virgil Blake, I presume?” a man speaks up. We both nod. He sounds nice, so I chance a glance at the man. He looks to be in his mid-to-late thirties. He has a very kind smile. That’s one of the first things I can tell about him. “My name is Thomas Sanders. I’m the Principle here at Gainesville High School. Now, you’re here for your schedules. I spoke briefly with your father at the end of the break. Said he wanted for you two to have schedules that somewhat corresponded to one another. I’ve also let the teachers know about you, Virgil. I know anxiety can be tough, and we’re trying to be all-inclusive.” He hands us our schedules while he’s talking. He has such a pleasant and calming voice. He reminds me of… no. not going down that road today.

The door opens behind us with no warning. I literally jump out of my seat like the scaredy-cat I am. Ann lays a hand on my shoulder and guides me back into my chair. “Whoops, sorry. Didn’t think you’d already be here,” a sheepish voice says from the doorway. I look up and see someone our age. They are wearing all black clothes. Long-sleeved crop top with a view of the shoulders. Skinny jeans which aren’t too tight. Combat boots with yellow laces. And a bowler hat? A very stylish one, with a silver band around it. It doesn’t make them look out of place, nor does it throw off their outfit, but still. A bowler hat. Who wears bowler hats in school?

“Ah, still haven’t learnt to know, I see?” Mr Sanders tells the newcomer. “Anastacia, Virgil, this is Nini Lupa. Your student guide. She’ll show you around the school and take you to your first class of the day.” The other student, Nini Lupa, winks at us and gives a two-finger salute. “If there’s anything, just go to her. “Have a great first day here,” he smiles at us as we follow Nini out the door.

“Sorry about the dramatic entrance. I really thought you wouldn’t be here yet. Anyway, let’s get the run of the place, shall we?” Nini says, clapping her hands together once as she speaks. The bell hasn’t rung yet, so there’s still a lot of students in the halls. They’re all looking at us. It makes me want to crawl out of my skin.

She’s done with the tour just as the bell rings the second time. “If there’s anything else, here’s my number. Just text me,” she smiles at us, as she writes down her number on a small notebook she produced out of nowhere. She hands each of us a little piece of paper. “And this is your first period of the day is at. Good luck, guys. And I’m serious. If there’s anything at all, hit me up. I really won't mind.” She waves us off and leaves to go to her own class.

“She’s certainly an interesting one,” Ann says. We open the door and see that the classroom is already filled. I feel tiny right now. There’s like, at least more than 20 people in here. I can’t remember when the last time I was surrounded by this many people was. And all of them are staring at us like they’ve never seen another person before. Oh yeah, and they are all like, 17 or 18 years old. Ann and I skipped a grade a while back, so we’re always the youngest.

“Ah, glad you could make it!” the teacher says. “I’m your Psychology teacher, Miss Singh. Everybody, these are our new students, Anastacia and Virgil Blake. All the way from England. Do try to be nice, for once,” she says, earning a chuckle out of the other students. “Please take a seat next to Emile and Qikkie. Raise your hands.” Two students raise their hands, and Ann and I walk over to sit next to them. It’s in front of the class. I won’t miss a thing like this, and I won’t have to worry about any strange looks I know I’ll receive. I’m just glad Miss Singh didn’t make us tell about ourselves.

Miss Singh is much different from any teacher I’ve had in the past, so it’s a fascinating lesson, to say the least. The bell rings, and we pack our stuff together. Emile and Qikkie both say hi to us before heading to their next lesson of the day. As do we.

Ann and I don’t share a lot of classes today, and I hate it. There are some faces I end up seeing more than once during the day, though. One being Nini Lupa. Turns out, she also skipped a class and is really smart. Another person I keep seeing is a boy I think is called Jake. Something about him is off-setting. He seems like the type of person you’d want to avoid, so that’s what I’m going to do.

The last lesson of the day is AP History. Great. I know nothing about it. Give me art any day. The teacher, Mr Anderson, seems nice. And it also seems like he wasn’t told about my, uh, mental state. He asked me a question, and I can’t answer it. Like, I actually know the answer, but I can verbally answer it. Luckily, I share this class with Nini. She’s been nothing but kind and helpful. “I’m sorry, Mr Anderson, but didn’t Principle Sanders tell you?”

“Tell me what, miss Lupa?” Mr Anderson looks at her quizzically. He doesn’t know. Great. He actually doesn’t know.

Nini looks at me for my permission to tell him. It’s going to be in front of the entire class, but I still nod to her that she can.

“Virgil doesn’t talk much due to his anxiety. It causes him to not be able to speak a lot of times. I thought Principle Sanders told every teacher.” Mr Anderson look surprised at first, but it soon changes to understanding.

“Oh, I’m really sorry about that then, Virgil. Could you perhaps write down the answer instead? You look like you know it,” he asks. He’s given me a way out, though. I can decline if I want to. I end up writing it on a piece of paper and give it Nini. She reads it aloud, and Mr Anderson looks impressed. Apparently, that was a hard question not many actually knew the answer to.

Rest of class proceeds with tension. Not from Mr Anderson, but from the other students. I get a lot of weird glances. I don’t look at the others directly, but I know. I’m trying so hard not to have a panic attack. How would that look? Oh, the new boy can’t talk. He’s probably doing it for attention. And now he’s having a panic attack in the middle of class. Such an attention whore.

The bell rings. It’s time for lunch. I think. Still haven’t figured the American school system out. Nini says her goodbyes to me, she has to go to the library to meet up with a friend of hers that need help. I go outside to get some air. Father said to call if I became too much for me, and I’m seriously beginning to consider doing so.

I shoot a text Ann’s way to tell her I’m outside. I sigh and find some shade. Everybody in the school probably knows I’m a freak now. High schools are infamous for being ground zero for gossip after all. As long as they think I’m contagious or something, like the students back home, they’ll leave me alone. “Hey, freak!” Or not.

I look over minutely and spot that Jake guy. Great. The off-putting dude. He was in Mr Anderson’s class. Everyone seems to hurry out of his way. Welp, I’m doomed, and it’s only my first day here. This is how I go. Finally, someone decided to put me out of my misery.

“Hey, I’m talking to you! Just because you can’t speak, doesn’t mean you get to ignore you superiors!” he hisses out at me. Oh, so that’s how it goes? I’m suddenly the lowest of the low just because I can’t speak? That makes me stupid, somehow? I steel my face and put on a bold look. I turn to him, and that quickly crumbles when I actually get a good look at the guy. He’s huge. I’m nothing compared to him. I’m just the new scrawny kid you get to throw around like a ragdoll.

I’m standing underneath a tree, but I take a step forward and out into the sun to meet him head-on. Show him I’m not scared of him, even though I’m terrified. Doesn’t look like I’m getting any help from the surrounding students. I’m all alone against a giant.

“Or maybe you can talk, and you just pretend so you don’t have to say anything in class. Nah, I bet an emo like you aren’t that smart.” He’s going for my looks now. This is fine. I can handle it. I just gotta wait until Ann gets here and then it’s two against one. I don’t give him the satisfaction of a reaction.

And before I know it, I’m on the ground. My head knocks against the tree, and it hurts like all hell! He must’ve pushed me or something. I don’t really recall. All I can focus on is the pain in the back of my head.

“You’re fucking weak. A weak freak! No one’s going to help you. You know that, right? They don’t dare go against me, and they couldn’t care less about you!” he laughs. I can’t help but let out a tiny whimper because it’s true. I can see it on their faces. They won’t help. I don’t know what going to happen now. I just wanna go home and never leave again. I-

“OI! What the hell do you think you’re doing?!”

#sanders sides #trans Virgil #virgil sanders #original characters #bullying #a bit of swearing #spiralling of thought #anxiety #thomas sanders #lilly singh #leo anderson #dahlia writes #Once Upon A Time... Not #chapter 3

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midnightmarev · 5 years ago

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Just To Pet My Dog?!

Fandom: Sanders Sides

Relationships: Pre-Moxiety

Word count: 2285

AO3 link

Notes: Based off of an incorrect quote by @ssslimyboy

Summary: Whatever Virgil had imagined would happen today, it most certainly wasn’t this! This man nearly died, just to pet his dog! Like, what? Okay, let’s rewind the day a bit to see what actually happened, shall we?

Just To Pet My Dog?!

“Alright, Ann. It’s 4:30. We gotta head out now if we don’t wanna be late for the vet’s.” A whine was heard. Virgil chuckled. Anastacia really didn’t want to go the vet. Virgil couldn’t really blame her. He himself never liked going to the doctor’s office either.

“Wruff!”

“I know, Ann. But it’s just a check-up,” he said, finding the leash as well as some of Anastacia’s favourite treats. She starts wagging her tail when she catches their smell. She was a beautiful albino German Shepherd, and he’d had her since she was a pup.

After another minute of dosing her with love, they were out of the door. It took about 15 minutes to get to the clinic, and their appointment was at 5 pm, so they would have some time to spare once they got there.

They were walking peacefully down the street when Virgil was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts at the sounds of tires screeching. Virgil looked up and saw a bespectacled man with curly honey-brown coloured hair. And he was crossing the road at what one would call superspeed without a care for his life. All Virgil could do was stand there and stare. What the actual hell was going through that man’s head?! The road was heavily trafficked this time of the day with people just wanting to get home from work.

Virgil visibly winched when a bus nearly hit him. Luckily the bus driver stopped just in time to not hit him. What was this guy thinking?!

Oh no! A car! Virgil stands there in silent terror and anxiety, praying to any and all deity that the man stops before he’s run over. He doesn’t, but the car does, and he slides across the hood. And a second. And third. And suddenly he’s standing on the pavement in front of Virgil, out of breath. But he’s smiling like a goofball? He seems super excited. Why?

“Oh my gosh!! Can I please pet your dog??” he asked, looking like he had to physically restrain himself from attacking Anastacia with love and pets and cuddles.

The question catches Virgil entirely off guard. What?

Anastacia also seems baffled. Humans were weird, but she never thought they would want to risk dying just to pet her.

“Um… sure?” Virgil hesitantly answered. And the man began to pet Anastacia, who gladly, but very confused, accepted the soft strokes to her fur.

“Did you just- did you nearly get hit by a bus and slide across the hood of three cars just to pet my dog?” Virgil asked incredulously after he broke out of his stupor.

The man giggled while petting Anastacia and getting concerned face licks from her. “Obviously.”

Now, Virgil wasn’t really the type to fall for people just like that, but the only thought that crossed his mind after that response was ‘is this love?’ and Virgil was in a daze. Here was someone who risked his life to say hi to Anastacia, because he thought she was the most important being in the world. Just like Virgil did.

All Virgil did for the next two minutes was stare at the man. The man who nearly got himself killed to pet Anastacia. The man who almost died and was now cooing at Anastacia like nothing had happened. The man who now casually told Virgil his name. “I’m Patton, by the way.”

And instead of answering Patton politely with his own name all Virgil could say was “You could’ve died! Are you out of your mind?!” And Virgil, anxious, awkward Virgil, internally facepalmed at his own words.

“Hmm?” Patton looked up at Virgil, eyes widening. “Oh my, I’m terribly sorry for distressing you! I can be a bit impulsive at times,” Patton sheepishly admitted. “And I’ve never seen a white German Sheperd before, and I kinda let my impulsiveness take over.” He looked down to Anastacia again, emphasising it by scratching her behind the left ear. He looked very guilty. That would not do.

“Uhm, I get that. Not many have. Well, she’s not just white, she’s albino. And albino German Shepherds are rare, to say the least.” Virgil scratched his neck, not knowing what to say next. “Where were you headed?” he then asked, feeling extremely awkward.

“Nowhere in particular, really. Just needed to clear my head. Had a small argument with my brother.” Patton looked, and sounded, sad at that. Why did Virgil always screw things up? Patton had been in a good mood for getting to meet Ann, and now Virgil made him think about something bad that happened to him. Stupid Virgil.

“I- I’m sorry to hear that. But that happens sometimes, right? Between siblings?” Virgil asked, trying to help. He didn’t have any siblings, so he didn’t really know the feeling. And he never spoke to his parents. They had basically disowned him at this point. But that wasn’t the same as having an argument with someone you loved and who loved you back.

Patton nodded. “I suppose. It’s just not often it happens, but it’s too often for my taste. I hate fighting with him,” Patton said, just as sadly. “But enough about me!” His cheery smile was back. “Where are you two cuties headed? Maybe I can join you?”

“Uhm, we’re just going to the vet for a check-up. But uh, sure?” Virgil stammered out, still trying to process the innocent nickname.

“A check-up? Has she been sick?” Patton asked worriedly. They started walking together.

“No no, she hasn’t. It’s just standard procedure with albino dogs. They just need to make sure her immune system is alright, and no genetic errors have popped up, or something like that. Anastacia’s as healthy as can be.”

Anastacia whined at the mention of them going to the vet. Strangers groping on her body was not her pack of treats.

Patton chuckled. “Sounds like someone doesn’t want to go, though. And that’s such a beautiful name! Anastacia.”

“Yeah, she’s been complaining a lot today because of it,” he smiled down at her. She responded by looking up at him, innocently. Their interaction made Patton giggle, and oh if that wasn’t the most beautiful sound Virgil had ever heard.

“Well, I don’t blame her. Going to the vet isn’t the most fun thing to do with your afternoon. You know? If it’s the vet just down here, you might be lucky, Anastacia. My old friend, Logan, works there, and there is no one as gentle as him!” Patton happily exclaimed, bending down to her to scratch behind her ear.

“Really? Do you think you would be able to make him do the check-up? She’s not very comfortable with most people, and last time she bit the vet we ended up with…” Virgil trailed off, remembering the day. He was very picky with who got to examine Ann, and they went through several vets before ending with the one she bit.

“Really? Patton asked, looking down at Ann, who purposely avoided looking at him. “So she chooses who get to examine her, or what?” Patton enquired.

“… and I’m also really “picky” with who is allowed to examine her,” Virgil sheepishly admitted.

“As you should be. She deserves only the best and most caring hands to do the examination!”

Virgil was glad he wasn’t the only one who thought her a treasure to the world. She was his emotional support animal and had helped him get through some of his roughest times and a lot of panic attacks. He would only accept the best for her.

Before they knew it, they were at the clinic. Virgil sat with Ann next to him while Patton was talking to the receptionist about getting Logan to do the examination. They had arrived ten minutes before the check-up, so they had some time to themselves while waiting.

Patton and Virgil held a light conversation, talking about anything and everything. They really hit it off.

“Anastacia?” someone asked. Virgil looked up to see a man dressed in the usual vet attire. He had a tie around his neck, making him look even more professional than any of the other vets. He had glasses on, similar to Patton’s, and black hair slicked back.

“That’s us,” Virgil answered. He encouraged Ann to stand up and say hello. He really hoped this Logan was to her liking. It seemed so.

“Salutations. Please, follow me,” the vet, Logan, said, motioning them towards a room down the hall. “In here, if you will.”

Virgil nodded. He went inside the examination room with Ann following on his heel.

The human vet the nice, but crazy, human had introduced her to was not so bad. She still didn’t like it here though, and would much rather go home.

“Patton told me she bit the last veterinarian to examine her?” Logan inquired.

Virgil looked a bit sheepish. “Yeah, she’s not all that crazy about going to the vet, even if it’s only a check-up.”

“I see,” Logan mumbled. He then went to a basket to search for something. When he emerged, he had a plushie in hand. “Here, this should help her with what I assume is her anxiety.” He handed the plushie to Ann. “It has helped my own canine companion a great deal.”

Virgil watched as Anastacia cautiously sniffed the plushie before slowly taking it, accepting coordinated and gentle strokes to her fur by skilled hands. No other vet had ever been like this with her. He faintly smiled.

“Now, if you will guide her to lie here?”

The examination went well. She was calm all throughout and not once did she growl at Logan. When the examination was over, Logan declared that she was much healthier than most dogs her age.

During the examination, Virgil learned that Logan had a husky named Laylin, but whose pet name was Star. He learned that Patton and his brother, Dee, were really close and it hurt Patton a lot on the rare occasions they fought. He also learned that Patton was very much gay and very much single. And he was waiting for Virgil and Anastacia.

“Salutations, Patton,” Logan greeted when he recognised Patton, sitting and waiting for Virgil.

“Heya, Lo! How did it go?” he asked. He looked genuinely worried. It was sweet. He already had formed some sort of connection to both man and dog.

“Anastacia is as healthy as a dog her age should be. It’s not many dogs that have the optimal health, but it seems like you are excellent at keeping her at peak health,” Logan said, the last part directed towards Virgil.

“Ooh, that’s good to hear! OH! Maybe we could set up a playdate so that she and Star can meet each other! And Nini could join too! She’s Dee’s snake! She’s sooo cute!! They would love each other!” Patton exclaimed, making some of the other patients look at him with various expressions; pet and owner alike.

Virgil and Logan chuckled at Patton’s antics. “You know, it would be good for Anastacia to interacts with other dogs, and to have a healthy experience with animals that aren’t dogs,” Logan pondered to Virgil. He already knew Patton would win. Nobody could resist his puppy dog eyes, and once he’d made up his mind, there was nothing that could deter him.

“Why not. My friend, Roman, is always on my ass about me having to leave the house more,” Virgil shrugged. They seemed like kind people, and his anxiety wasn’t telling him not to.

“Language!” Patton scolded him. Virgil was so surprised he first stood with his mouth open like a goldfish before bursting out laughing. “What? There are innocent ears here!”

When Virgil’s laugh died down to a giggle and had gotten a hold of his breath again, he looked incredulously at Patton. “You just do that? Scold people for their language? At the vet’s?” Virgil giggled.

Logan leaned over. “You’ll get used to that. And no, not just here. Anywhere,” he stage-whispered.

They laughed with each other before exchanging numbers. Logan had to get back to work, and Virgil urged Patton to go back and clear things up with his brother. Virgil could see the strain in Patton’s smile and the pain in his eyes.

Patton insisted on following him and Anastacia home, though. “Just to make sure no one else tries to cross the busy road to pet her,” he joked, bumping his shoulder into Virgil’s.

They said their farewells at the door, Patton declining the invitation to come inside for a glass of water. He needed to get back to Dee and Nini. Patton gave Virgil a small hug instead, saying thank you for being allowed to befriend Anastacia as well as being a well-needed distraction from his thoughts.

After Patton had left, Virgil gave Anastacia some of the promised treats for being so docile with Logan, before letting her trot into the living room and jump onto the couch. She was proud of herself. She had singlepawedly made sure her human got new friends. And a love interest. Dogs above knew he needed love from another human. And if she got new animal friends out of it, who was she to complain?

Virgil sat next to her, scratched her behind the ear, and grabbed his phone from his pocket. He was so going to text Roman about his crazy day. He wrote a short message saying he so needed to talk face-to-face because his day had been beyond absurd. Before he pressed send, he looked at Anastacia, smiled, and thought about Patton’s smile and adorable giggle. Only one thought occupied his mind. Ann looked at him and voiced it:

“Yeah, this is love.”

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dogmapod · 6 years ago

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02 The Branch Davidians and David Koresh

Hey folks, welcome to the show Dogma: A Podcast About Cults I’m your host Denis Ricardo.

This show is about cults. The origins, practices and abuses of cults. So, if you are uncomfortable with descriptions of sexual, physical and mental violence and abuse, this is not the show for you.

I’m gonna try to keep it light and fun, but this stuff can get kind of dark… so you’ve been warned.

Our story begins in 1929 with a one Mr. Victor Houteff, president and prophet of The Shepherd’s Rob, an offshoot of the Seventh-Day Adventists, who could be the subject of their own episode.

Houteff did not see eye-to-eye with the church’s interpretation of Isaiah 54-66, which are a collection of oracles unknown to prophets after the Hebrews returned to Judea from Babylon.

Houteff believed that the church was not doing all it could, becoming relaxed in their teachings and becoming secular. He shared this with his Sunday school classes and was disfellowshipped by his local Seventh-day Adventist congregation just before publishing his book, The Shepherd’s Rod.

The Shepherd’s Rod is a 172-page manuscript that called for worldwide reform.

He listed twelve areas that he felt the church was not addressing, named “Partial List of Abominations.” It included information attempting to define the identity of the 144,000 of the book of Revelation and his interpretation of Isaiah 54-66.

Despite being disfellowshipped, he did not want to start a new movement. He told his followers

“in case some one’s name is take off the church books for carrying on the message, do not be discouraged in any way but to press onward as though nothing happened. Pay your honest tithe and offering to your church and feel like IT IS your Father’s house.”

In the transcript, you’re going to notice Houteff’s spelling is a little… off.

In 1932 he published the second volume of The Shepherd’s Rod, clocking in at 304 pages. Two more booklets filled with tracts published the following year would be volume three. It was reported that Houteff’s followers were being physically removed from their churches and that Houteff himself was attacked for trying to enter a church in LA.

His followers saw no other option but to organize the Universal Publish Association (UPA) in 1934 in LA. They were dedicated to publishing Rod’s message which they believed were God’s fulfillment of Micah 6:9 and 7:14

9 The Lord's voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it

Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

“Bashan” is the northernmost region of the Transjordan and Gilead is the company that overcharges people for PrEP.

I’m joking. Gilead is an area between Jordan, Syria and Israel, or at least it is believed to be. It was part of a Hebrew conquest that was called the Golan Heights, and again, this is at least believed to be correct. But because of its significance to the Jewish religion, it’s lead to some contention between these countries.

Houteff’s teachings were officially labeled heresy in the Seveth-day Adventist church between 1934 and 1936 by hearings in Fullerton and Los Angeles. In March of 1934 the Shepherd’s Rod was officially organized. Both the Seventh-day Adventists and Shepherd’s Rod believed that they were living in the end times with evidence in the Bible as prophecy.

In 1935 leaders in the Shepherd’s Rod saw that they needed a headquarters for their growing number of followers. They purchased 189 acres just outside of Waco, Texas. This facility would later be known as the Mount Carmel Center, named after the quote in the Bible they base their beliefs in.

By 1942 the group had renamed themselves “Davidian Seventh-day Adventists.”

Houteff died unexpectedly in 1955, he was 69 years old (nice). Florence Houteff, Victor’s wife, intervened in a meeting to appoint herself vice-president of the church and remove E.T. Wilson, the standing VP who was appointed by Victor. She asserted that booting Wilson and picking her

“were in harmony with recommendations made by Brother Houteff prior to his death.”

This kicked off a flurry of fractures in the organization, with several congregants deciding to follow basically anyone who said God appointed them the new leader.

The organization broke in 6 splinter groups, and the Mount Carmel Center was taken by EE Ranches, a commercial horse breeding company. But the core part of the property with the main building was retained by one of the splinter groups, the Branch Davidians.

The Branch Davidians also believed themselves to be in the end times.

The Branch Davidians formed after a failed apocalypse prophecy by Florence Houteff was made in 1959. After being disappointed to not all just die at once, follower Benjamin Roden splintered from the group.

Roden died in 1978 and was succeeded by his wife Lois Roden. But even in this group, there was splintering, as some followers felt their son George Roden should be the new president. However, when Lois died George succeeded her, so it wasn’t that big of deal in the end.

But, things weren’t that great because there was yet more splintering and a man by the name Vernon Howell rose to power and had a few followers of his own.

Howell arrived at the Waco compound in 1981, when he quickly had an affair with Lois Roden, he in his late 20s and she in her late 60s. But I’m not here to yuck any yums, so get yours, I guess.

George Roden and Howell fought for power in the group, with more members favoring Howell.

Now, this is where it gets really weird.

In order to challenge his spiritual prowess, Roden exhumed a corpse for Howell to resurrect. This is illegal in Texas, and Howell filed charges against Roden. The files were dropped because Howell was told he needed evidence. So, this lead to a raid on the compound by Howell and seven of his followers equipped with five .223 caliber semiautomatic rifles, two .22 caliber rifles and two 12-gauge shotguns with 400 rounds of ammunition.

It is assumed that Howell wanted to take the place over, but he claims that they were gathering evidence on Roden. However, they didn’t have a camera with them, so it is not know how they would document evidence.

The case was dropped yet again, but the jury found Howell’s followers not guilty and no agreement on Howell. Howell invited the prosecutors out to ice cream after the trial.

In 1990 Howell is considered the de facto leader of the Shepard’s Rod.

He took the name David Koresh.

“David Koresh” comes from King David and Koresh from Cyrus the Great (Koresh is the Hebrew pronunciation of Cyrus). Cyrus the great was a Messiah who brought the Jews out of captivity from Babylon

I’m going to go over some the stranger religious practices of the Branch Davidians.

The Branch Davidians group had dietary restrictions, abstaining from sugar, processed flour and dairy.

Former follower David Bunds said,

“His reasoning was, well, dairy products are made from milk which is baby food. Milk is what you drink when you’re a baby and we’re adults now.”

This is actually a pretty common dietary restriction among Seventh-day Adventists and as a vegan I’m not totally against this philosophy. But, it’s still really not that good… and it gets worse.

Unsurprisingly, they were also very restrictive standards for women. Women could only wear long blouses and were forbidden to wear makeup or jewelry. They also couldn’t have sex with any man other than Koresh and their husbands were expected to remain celibate. Age was also not a factor and Koresh took “spiritual wives” as young as ten. This young ten-year-old woman later testified in court that Koresh molested her at a motel. In all, Koresh had 20 wives by 1993.

Former member Shelia Martin said,

“If we weren’t being obedient in the sense of like, [I] went to the store and bought something, you know, it was being selfish […] He always would let us know it wasn’t right and we should’ve done [it] differently, and many times it was in front of everyone.”

Children who misbehaved were regularly beat,

“…as a kid, being disciplined was like a 24/7 thing,”

Joann Vaega who was 6 when she was on the compound.

Koresh’s own children did not escape his abuse. When Koresh’s son Sky Okimoto was a child, his mother Dana Okimoto would beat him with a wooden paddle until he bled for even the most minor infractions such as spilling milk. In an interview with ABC News, she said that she was so deep under Koresh’s control that she couldn’t stop herself from beating her child.

“I felt like the most evil person in the world to be beating my baby this way. But this is what God wanted and needed from me.”

In an interview on Good Morning America in 2008, Sky Okimoto said of being the son of someone so infamous,

“Being the son of David Koresh, yes it was pretty hard […] I’m pretty much at peace with the fact that he existed. Sometimes I look up to him because of his charisma. Other times I think he was crazy.”

Dana Okimoto left the church with Sky and their other son Scooter shortly before shit hit the fan.

Aside from feeling the need to be huge creep and monster to prove his leadership, he also preached that they the Branch Davidians would someday be under attack by the US government and so the group began to stockpile arms and food.

A little bit of foreshadowing there…

Around on February 28, 1993, at 9:30am agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms arrive at the Waco compound after hearing reports of the group stockpiling arms. Gunfire erupts between the two groups and 4 ATF agents were killed, 16 wounded. An unknown number of Branch Davidians were also killed or wounded. The FBI comes in hours later, taking over for the investigation.

This will begin what became a 51-day standoff between the US government and the Branch Davidians.

(“Battle Hymn of the Republic” performed by Thomas Chalmers fades in. It is a scratchy recording from 1927)

I’m not going to go exhaustively through every single day, but there are quite a few sources online if you wanted to go in-depth.

On Monday, April 19, 1993, after 51 days of standing off and several people being shot at or leaving the compound the FBI had enough.

At 5:59am the Branch Davidians are given a message over the loudspeaker that they are under arrest.

By 6:02 two FBI combat vehicles began to pump tear gas into the compound and ferret rounds were shot at the building. Shortly thereafter the Davidians began shooting.

Former Attorney General Janet Reno is on the scene and meets with the FBI in the situation room.

By 7:30am the combat vehicles break through the front side of the building and pump more gas into the first and second floor of the compound.

At 9:20am the FBI calls for more gas to be pumped and more ferret rounds arrive at this time.

By 9:30 one of the combat vehicles is failing, the supply of ferret rounds is dwindling and a strong wind is blowing away the tear gas. Two other combat vehicles approach the building, one to widen the hole already made “from which the Davidians could escape,” and the other makes a new hole at the rear end of the building near its gymnasium. Attorney General Reno contacts President Clinton and reports that everything seems to be going well and that she will be leaving for a conference in Baltimore in 30 minutes.

Things don’t go very well.

At 12:07 the Davidians started 3 fires simultaneously in different parts of the compound.

At 12:12 Koresh is asked to lead the Davidians out of the compound. Nine of them flee and are arrested.

At 12:25pm the FBI reported hearing “systematic gunfire” coming from the compound, making many of the agents suspecting that the Davidians are committing suicide or are attacking one another.

At 12:41 fire-fighting efforts begin and HRT members enter the building looking for survivors.

More than 70 Davidians died in the compound, including at least 17 children. It was determined that Koresh was killed by a close-range gunshot.

So ends the life of the would-be messiah David Koresh.

However, that is not the end of the Branch Davidians.

Now here comes the fun part, where I beg you for money. I come to you hat in hand, asking you to go to patreon.com/dogmapod and throw a few bucks my way to help support the podcast. I can’t offer much for tier rewards, but no matter what level you donate at, I will get the episodes out to you early and you can have access to the joke/pop culture cult podcasts and non-cult related articles and podcasts that don’t quite fit with the format. At higher donations, I will take suggestions for cults and do an episode on those. Thank you so much if you decide to be ever so gracious. OK, now back to the show.

A single surviving offshoot from the original Roden-lead Branch Davidians is lead by a man Charles Pace. He is the leader of The Branch (comma) The Lord Our Righteousness. Yes, there is a comma in that.

It is a legally recognized denomination with 12 members. He has condemned Koresh’s teachings and said that the Lord has appointed him to be a leader but not a prophet. The Branch, The Lord Our Righteousness is also a doomsday cult.

The current-day Adventists also condemned the Branch Davidians, and it seems as though they all condemn any of Houteff’s splinter groups.

Thanks again so much for listening. That was our episode about the Branch Davidians and David Koresh. I’m going to put all of my sources in the description. Some of them are from Wikipedia, but I checked to make sure those sources were legit, so lay off me.

Be sure to check out the Instagram to see photos relevant to today’s investigation and the Patreon to throw a few dollars my way. Thank you very much!

Next time we’re going to be investigating a group that you may not have heard of. It was quite popular and it raised in popularity quite a few times, at least six or seven times at this point since 2004. So I can’t wait for you to hear that.

Until then, take care and goodbye.

Citations:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Houteff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd%27s_Rod

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Branch_Davidians

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Koresh

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/waco/timeline.html

https://abc13.com/the-siege-timeline-of-the-branch-davidian-compounds-fiery-end/1892261/

https://www.atf.gov/our-history/remembering-waco

https://www.nytimes.com/1993/05/04/us/growing-up-under-koresh-cult-children-tell-of-abuses.html

https://www.ranker.com/list/kids-of-famous-cult-leaders-where-are-they-now/jacob-shelton?page=2

Song Credits:

“Frozen Jungle” by Monplaisir under the name Komiku (http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Komiku/)

“Amazing Grace” performed by Original Sacred Harp (https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200049050/)

“At the Cross” performed by Fiddlin’ John Carson (https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.200149072/)

“Battle Hymn of the Republic” performed by Thomas Chalmers (https://www.loc.gov/item/ihas.100010455/)

Consider joining the Patreon!

#Branch Davidians #Waco #David Koresh #Koresh #cults #cult #fbi #religion #spirituality #podcast #seventh day adventists

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belphegor1982 · 6 years ago

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Got tagged by @kikabennet!

when did you last sing to yourself?

Yesterday, since I’ve currently been awake for an hour and a half. Might have been either “Bonnie Portmore” or “Here’s a Health (To The Company)”. I’ve been putting a lot of shanties and pirates/sailing-related films soundtracks on to draw to (and hopefully write to) lately. (EDIT: Ooops - yep, wrote that yesterday around 11AM, so make that this afternoon; I hummed while I drew along with the first 3 Pirates of the Caribbean soundtracks. It’s so darn hummable.)

if a crystal ball could tell you the truth about anything, what would you want to know?

Who was the Man in the Iron Mask!? (I know better than to ask personal/family truths :S Besides, I’m curious.)

(putting the rest under a cut...)

what is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

Being able to speak (mostly) and read/write English fluently.

what is the first happy memory that comes to mind, recent or otherwise?

When my mum was in the hospital with my newborn baby sister, my dad would take me see them, and before that we’d stop for ice cream and a ride on the merry-go-round. That’s what comes to mind when I read “first happy memory”.

if you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living?

I’d go see my family and friends who live far away a lot more, and eat a lot more of my favourite things.

do you have a bucket list? if so, what are the top three things?

I don’t, really ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

describe a person close to your life in detail

The Best Beloved is tallish (1,77m - that’s… 5′10?), with dark brown hair, green eyes, skin that tans easily even in winter, and glasses. …and that’s as much detail as I’m comfortable putting.

do you feel you had a happy childhood?

On the whole, yes. Could’ve done without the bullying at school and the undermining of self-confidence at home, though.

when did you last cry in front of another person?

Don’t remember, so it must be at least a fortnight.

pick a person to stargaze with you and explain why you picked them

My dad, who used to sail with a compass. I don’t think he knows much about constellations, but he’s always willing to share memories, even if sometimes he doesn’t remember he’s told them multiple times.

would you ever have a deep conversation with a stranger and open up to them?

Probably. I shouldn’t, though. Strangers being by definition strangers, you never know where that information is going and how it might be used (possibly against you).

when was your last 3am conversation with someone, and who were they to you?

We both were tired and ended up going to bed around half past midnight, so no 3AM conversation, but my friend Sandrine last week.

if you were about to die, and you could only say one more sentence to one person, what would you say and to whom?

…I have no idea? I think I’d concentrate really hard on not dying :S

what is your opinion on brown eyes?

Why would it matter tho I have brown eyes and for the longest time I thought they were boring. It doesn’t help that brown hair and eyes are basically the default where I grew up/live. Then I grew up and moved on.

pick a quote and describe what it means to you personally

George Bernard Shaw’s “Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.” Life is complicated, all about balance between extremes and absolutes. Don’t trust people who tell you the world is grim and serious just because they are. And while getting the giggles at a funeral/wake is inappropriate, it doesn’t mean you’re heartless.

what would you title the autobiography of your life so far?

Wait, What

what would you do with one billion dollars?

I’d keep half a dozen millions for me (car and house debts), my family and my friends, and give the rest to social services, healthcare, and public services in general.

are you a very forgiving person? do you like being this way?

Ehhh… It’s complicated. I tend to hold grudges when I can remember why, but I rarely do something about it. On the whole I’m pretty “live and let live”.

would you describe yourself as more punk or pastel?

Neither, really. I’m too soft for punk, but pastel’s not really my thing either.

how do you feel about tattoos and piercings? explain

I’m too much of a wuss to even consider getting either, but they look great on other people. When I get a spot on my tongue I wonder how people with a tongue piercing manage to keep it, though. It’s very distracting.

do you wear a lot of makeup? why/why not?

As a rule, no, but if I work or if I’m invited somewhere I’ll throw on a bit of eyeliner and lipstick. (I should raid my makeup drawer, really, some of my lipstick cases are almost 20 years old and you should NOT do that.)

talk about a song/band/lyric that has affected your life in some way

In high school I saw a psychologist (junior high was NOT a happy time and the bad stuff just overflowed at one point) and went to an outpatient clinic every Wednesday. They had lots of activities, like painting on silk, various art stuff, and a band, and I loved that band. I was one of the only ones who’d request songs to sing in English. The guitarist introduced me to the Beatles’ “Something”, which I didn’t know, and to this day when I hear this lovely song I think of that guy who had a great smile, a great sense of humour and a great moustache (think George Harrison on Let It Be) who helped me get better.

list the concerts you have been to and talk about how they make you feel

Not to brag, but back in my uni days I did go to a number of them - K’s Choice, Coldplay, King Khan And His Shrines, M, Tom McRae are among the ones I remember. And a couple months ago I went to a rock concert with three bands one after the other. I love live music, it feels amazing. It courses through my body, makes me grin like a maniac, and want to jump and flail around just to vent the excess energy. And all this without a single drop of beer! (can’t stand the stuff :P)

who in the world would you most like to receive a letter from and what would you want it to say?

I’d love a letter from the national loto that says “here’s a giant check even though you haven’t scratched a ticket in years” :P More seriously, I LOVE receiving letters from my Internet friends.

do you have a desk/workspace and how is it organised/not organised?

I don’t really have a workspace. I have a desk, which has the desktop screen, keyboard, mouse/graphic tablet, and a whole lot of mess of papers, pens, boxes, and stuff. I can use either that desk or my laptop in my armchair.

what is your night time routine?

Finish watching the movie/tv show, look at Tumblr a bit (and/or stuff on the laptop, like TV Tropes), go to bed, read a bit on my Kindle, kiss the Best Beloved good night, switch off the lights, and try to sleep.

what’s one thing you don’t want your parents to know?

Anything about my intimate life, thanks.

if you had to dye your hair how would you dye/style it and why?

I experimented a bit with henna back in the day, but generally I just have haircuts (I have too little hair to risk harming it). I’d like some reddish highlights one day, though.

pick five people to go on an excursion with you. who would you pick and where would you go/what would you do?

Eehhh... I’d rather stay at home and chill :P Okay, I’d take the Best Beloved and my friends Melody, Nico, Sandrine, and Aldric, and head to Marquèze. (wish their website had an English version, it’d be better.) It’s an ecomuseum about local life in the early 1800s/early 1900s, with preserved traditional houses and people showing skills like dyeing fabric, shepherding, making flour (there’s a watermill) and all sorts of cakes and bread and snacks, and an entire day isn’t too much to visit everything.

name three wishes and why you wish for them

I wish:

I had a decently-paying job from home,

my friend Sandrine’s mum were/will be all right (don’t ask),

we had the house extension built already

what is the best halloween costume you have ever put together? if none, make one up

We didn’t have Halloween when I was growing up, it really only started to be a thing in earnest a decade or two ago. Although... One time when we lived in Bordeaux, the Best Beloved and I were invited to a housewarming party on Halloween, so people would wear costumes. I went as a witch, with a long black skirt, long-sleeve thing with black lace (-ish), long black and white wig, and of course black lipstick and lots of black around the eyes. The Best Beloved had made a cloak, a scythe of sorts with cardboard and foil, and had a scary death head mask on. We didn’t have a car and the friend lived in Saint-Médard (which is relevant), so we had to ask around the bus drivers for which bus went there.

So picture the two of us dressed as we were, mask and all, well after dark, asking around for the “S&M” bus. Yep :P (People stared at us during the ride, and unlike the Best Beloved, I didn’t have the luxury of a mask to hide my laughter...)

what’s the worst thing you’ve ever done while drunk or high?

The only time I got slightly tipsy I went a little pink and apparently talked a little louder than usual. I’ve never got drunk (too afraid of stomachache later) or high (it took my mum two heart attacks to quit smoking and I’m wondering if she hasn’t taken it up again, I can’t hold a cigarette, tobacco or otherwise).

what’s one thing you would never do for one million dollars?

Hurt people, probably. If I wouldn’t do it for ten dollars I wouldn’t do it for a million - if you agree to one or the other the rest is just haggling over price.

if you’re a boy, would you ever rock black nail polish? if you’re a girl, would you ever rock really really short hair?

I don’t think I have the right face shape for that - my face is too round, longer hair suits me better.

what’s your starbucks order, and who would you trust to order for you, if anyone?

I live 126 km (78 miles) from the nearest Starbucks, when I walk by one the queue is huge, and the prices are well beyond my range :> But I’d trust the Best Beloved. He’d still ask me, though.

what is the most important thing to you in your life right now?

Being happy and/or stress-free. Also the oncoming Papa Bear Awards nominations in a week and the Eurovision Song Context coming up in May :D

Tagging @radarsteddybear, @rose-of-pollux, @truxi-twice, @myrling-art, @iorvethscommando, and @toooldforthisbutstill! :o)

#about me

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emblemerscum · 7 years ago

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Chrobin Week: Day 7: Vows

In the divine presence of Naga and her cherished people, I take thee as my spouse and friend.

Strangers, allies, friends, partners. All in less than one year’s time, Chrom and Robin had undergone every stage. With every step forward, they grew closer together, and with every inch of closed distance, they wanted less and less to let one another go.

“I never want to let you go, Robin. Does that make me selfish?”

From this day onward, my heart shall lie foremost in your hands.

Chrom had found becoming Ylisse’s ruler to be a monumental task. There were days he felt he would be better off simply living in his office or the throne room. He’d promised himself and his wife that his first duty would need to be bringing peace back to his people.

He worked hard during the day, but every night when the clock struck ten, he would drop whatever he was doing and be sure to head back to his and Robin’s quarters. They needed and owed each other those few precious hours together.

When she became pregnant, he saw that he was done with work by seven. His duty may have been to his country, but his heart still belonged to her.

“I’m a lucky woman to have met you, and luckier still now.”

Your sorrows I shall shoulder.

She remembered placing her hands gently on his shoulders, every inch of him stained with blood or mud from the Midmire. She remembered telling him she would be there for him as he had been there for her, if only to see the weight of his sister’s loss ease off his heart for an instant. She remembered the embrace they shared shortly thereafter, no longer with the Shepherds’ eyes on them. For the first time since losing her memory, she felt she was no longer lost, but exactly where she was supposed to be.

It only became clearer after that moment: Wherever he was, she was meant to be there. Wherever he was was home.

“I'll do everything I can to make the castle a happy home for us.”

Your joy I shall see as my own.

She had called herself an Ylissean. Even being their queen, their war hero, she had never marked herself as belonging to their country until now.

Chrom felt strangely proud, taking comfort in her reassurance that she belonged with them. As time went on saw the way she began to fit in in their palace, much as she had in their army. He thought of the lost woman he’d picked up in the field so many moons ago and smiled.

She felt at home, she felt happy. And nothing could’ve made him happier than knowing that.

“I guess we really are two halves of the same whole.”

I vow now to forgive you as we have been forgiven.

Through war and peace they lead their people as one. The brawn and the brains, the courage and the cunning, commander and tactician, king and queen.

And through their time they’d seen the blood they’d shed, the mistakes they’d made, those they couldn’t save and those they’d disappointed.

It weighed on Robin terribly. But without fail, there was always another who could understand her. Another who felt just the same and could grant her forgiveness for her shortcomings, and she could grant him forgiveness for his.

There was always her other half.

“If we are all bound by these invisible ties, I thank the gods it's with you.”

To love you as we have been loved.

He never felt Emm’s hand leave his shoulder after she passed. In ending the war, in leading their people, she was guiding him. In offering his heart to the woman he loved, it was her voice encouraging him.

When he found himself in doubt or wondering just what to say, he could listen to her, and she would give him the answers. “Keep an open mind, an open heart, and cherish those around you,” she’d tell him.

When he heard those words in his mind, he made sure to hold his wife or daughter a bit tighter, for his heart cherished them more than they could know.

“Together we can be more than we can alone, remember?”

And I vow to try with you to better understand ourselves, this world, and our country.

There were still things that Robin didn’t know about herself. Questions that she couldn’t answer. Who was she? Where was she from?

But slowly, she became less concerned with “was” as her present grew brighter and fuller. She was a tactician, a wife, a mother. She was from Ylisse. Her life began the day she met her family.

There was still so much she didn’t understand, but with her friends and her partner at her side, no question was too troubling. Anything they’d yet to understand, they would work through together, be it politics, ethics, or the past of an amnesiac.

“I could never forget a single thing about you. Even if death were to tear us apart... Even if I lost my memories again...”

I as I am and you as you are, let us be bound by the Holy Mother in this life and those to come.

Their eyes met as purple robes disintegrated. Her body began to fade away, Chrom’s froze on the spot. They both knew why she’d done it, but it hurt nonetheless. Gods did it hurt them both...

Their life, their shared past and happy memories lingered in the air between them before disappearing with Robin’s image. But as all else disappeared, one thing still remained: a red string of fate, an unbreakable bond that would withstand the trials of lifetimes, bloodlines and destinies. Just as it had in worlds past.

Robin whispered,

“May we meet again in a better life.”

That our love may never find its end.

Haven’t gotten a chance to publish for days 1-6 (will probably make them up sometime later) but this prompt was too nice for me to pass up :’3

Plus this mishmash of real and made up vows was easy to make, and Chrom and Robin give you a good choice of quotes to pick from so it went pretty quick!

#chrobinweek2017 #fe13 #chrom #robin #chrobin

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awkwardlyamusing-blog · 5 years ago

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Weekday top 5: Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival changing name, Auburn drug bust, Auburn food truck wins prize | Local News

New Post has been published on http://doggietrainingclasses.com/weekday-top-5-finger-lakes-musical-theatre-festival-changing-name-auburn-drug-bust-auburn-food-truck-wins-prize-local-news/

Weekday top 5: Finger Lakes Musical Theatre Festival changing name, Auburn drug bust, Auburn food truck wins prize | Local News

Soft training: Union Springs man raises service dogs for children with autism

For Fred Horning, training emotional support dogs is about desensitizing them to everything except harsh behavior.

“We’re much more focused on the behavior than we are the obedience,” he said.

Horning takes the five or six puppies in his care on road trips to Boston and the docks of New York City to expose them to the crashing of shipping crates. However, he makes sure to train them “soft,” without using a loud voice. That’s because Horning’s service dogs will be paired with children with autism, and the dogs need to be emotionally sensitive enough to reflect what the children feel.

“You can tell what the child’s going through by how the dog is. If the dog’s happy and boisterous, it’s a pretty good indication that the child is OK,” Horning said.

He breeds chocolate Labs at his farm in Union Springs every two years, and picks two out of every litter to train as service dogs for children with autism — which comes at no cost to the families. Horning said he works with an organization called Paws 4 Ability that chooses the children who receive the service dogs.

Horning chose chocolate Labs for their easy-going and nonthreatening nature, as opposed to another common service dog: German shepherds.

“There’s almost no perceived threat to a Lab. So when you give someone a service dog that already has social anxiety, giving them a dog that keeps people away is not really a way to fix or counteract that social anxiety,” he said.

Horning also tries to gradually breed his dogs to be smaller to better accommodate the families, and so the dogs can accompany the children in smaller spaces like planes.

The first thing Horning does to train his puppies is put them in a car to go on long rides, and bring along his four adult Labs to demonstrate calm behavior. The puppies also learn to track scents if their child ever goes missing, show their teeth with a disguised command if the child ever feels threatened, and bark at the scent of human urine.

Another part of the desensitization training involves hanging around a couple of barber shops in Syracuse so the dogs can get used to all kinds of physical, racial and cultural diversity.

“It’s very easy to raise a pup in your little nucleus of your world, and then the pup freaks out when it sees somebody that’s over six-and-a-half-foot tall or somebody that wears a western cowboy hat or somebody whose skin’s a different color,” Horning said.

He’ll also put the dogs in the bed of his truck and take them around Auburn, where he often hears strangers’ stories about their own dogs: “They relay a story about loss or they relay a story about life, and I’ve gotten very good at redirecting people’s sorrow,” he said.

One of the dogs in the pack, T.J., is Horning’s own PTSD service animal. Horning was electrocuted 13 years ago while on the job repairing telephone lines, and sounds of crackling and popping bring back traumatic memories. “I spent an unbelievable amount of time in a hospital bed, in my head,” he said.

But, once he got home, Horning’s dogs didn’t care about the physical changes that impacted his own sense of identity. He then went on to train PTSD service dogs before switching to his current training for children with autism.

“I have a quote on my fridge and it says, ‘The meaning of life is to find your gift, and the purpose of life is to give it away,'” he said. “And that has been probably 90 to 95 percent of the driving reason why I do this. I want to know that I make a difference.”

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