#i'm a natural disaster || meredith

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

Closed Starter: Going to Be Okay (James/Ciri/Bonuses)

He's through the woods as fast as his legs can carrying him, clearing obstacles including a small flame, coughing but not stopping, never stopping.

He has to find her.

There is no other option.

James coughs as he bursts through the treeline, seeing her, not even seeing the others, running straight up--

Hitting a barrier and backing off slightly, his hand coming to his head, shaking himself off quickly and recovering. "CIRI!"

Cora looks up, alarmed. What the--? She looks to her brothers. Cal looks surprised and a bit confused.

Meredith has her head down, arms curled over her head. She'd stopped crying a long while ago. She didn't have any tears left. She doesn't look up at the cry. She didn't have any hope left, either.

Brandon Breyer glances to his sister and her counterpart, raising an eyebrow. Was that... his uncle, at a younger age?

Maruca's eyes widen and she looks to Atlas. They'd finally made it out here, for all the good it had been. Wylie looks up, lighting up with hope. It had to be, didn't it?

@storystartsanew

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

storystartsanew​:

It’s less of a thought and more of an instinct as she puts up a barrier around the clearing to stop Meredith from running. She can’t leave until it’s finished, not until she’s torn it all down to find him.

Turning back to the man in front of her, she nods slightly and offers him a somber smile. “Yeah, that sounds like you.”

Another James appears, and she turns to look at him, a small seed of hope worming its way onto her face. This one is… closer. “You died. I couldn’t save you.”

Meredith backs up more until she hits it, freezing and tearing up more, sinking to the ground against it and curling up with a sob. She just wants this to stop, needs it to stop, needs it to be over, please--

The redneck looks to the man who looks exactly like him with some hope. He seems a lot less rattled by this than he himself is, maybe, just maybe this could fix it.

James smiles softly, shaking his head. “Hey, no, no, we both know that’d never happen. Not with the backup I have. I’m right here, see? I’m fine.” He reaches out gently. “Come on, come here, it’s okay. It’s okay.”

Cora sniffs and follows Ciri's scent into the woods once she actually gets to them, tracking the other down, worried. Finding her, she whines very softly and goes over to her. "You okay?"

Ciri sits up when she feels Cora coming. She smiles softly and nods at the question, holding her arms out to pull Cora into a hug. "Yeah, I'm okay. My magic's just been... unpredictable lately, with everything going on. I thought it'd be good to get away from all of the magic in town and just sort of reset."

[fxirytxlcfxtc]

Tag Dump - Muses, 6/?

[kirkwallguy]

Meredith was impactful to me as a villain because she's just a. Human. A person. Who went through a trauma of her sister killing people because she was afraid of the templars, and she corrupted herself into hatred of magic and mages, which can draw a very discomforting parallel between Hawke and Bethany.

When it's a big powerful blighted "god" who wants worship and acts and speaks like a disney villain (in datv most of antagonists do that 😭) it's just nothing to deliver. Elgar'nan (what I've seen so far) is extremely dull and bland and doesn't inspire any curiousity and I'm a bit bored if I'm being honest. It would be more interesting if there was an intricate story behind or a GOOD characterisation (Flemeth) when I look at Elgar'nan I want to see some solemnity not a disney delivery

YEPPPP, meredith is my favourite villain because she feels so realistic. maybe we don't have mages and templars in real life but someone powerful letting their trauma shape them into a bigot who uses their influence to harm a marginalised group is super common. maybe it's just because i live in a country where there's a crazy rich and powerful blonde woman making my life worse due to her personal issues but it hits! it feels relevant!

i haven't actually seen much of the gods so far but it just feels like the stakes are too high for them to be compelling? you need to be more than a little traumatised for a "destroying the world" plot to have any nuance. i know making morally grey villains became a little overdone in recent years but past a certain point you need to ask yourself whether your villain can be replaced by a natural disaster and have the exact same impact. in origins, the blight and the archdemon are natural disaster villains BUT they have loghain to balance it out, he feels like the 'real' villain until he stops being a threat and you can start focusing on defeating the actual world-ending threat. dav really needed an extra 'political' villain with the same general concept that you overcome towards the end of act 2 tbh. maybe they do and i just haven't met them yet but i doubt it lol

[northern-spies]

Preparing for the Worst: A guide from an exhausted civil rights lawyer

We are at risk for a polycrisis and regional crises on top of the national issues are inevitable. Think about climate related events like Hurricanes Helene, Sandy, and Katrina, pandemics, civil unrest, solar storms, recessions, etc. Think about multiple crises at once in addition to a fascist government I'll equipped for response. That’s why this guide exists with suggested preparations for the weeks and years ahead. I wrote it because I've been an activist since I was 14 and a civil rights professional since I was 23. I'm fucking tired but I'm once again ready to conserve my strength for the fight ahead.

Passports. This is priority number one. Last Trump administration there were delays in processing. Get your application in ASAP.

Health care is the main reason. We're going to see an effort for a nationwide abortion ban. We may see certain kinds of contraception banned. We may also see restrictions on vaccinations, especially RNA vaccines. Expect restrictions on HRT and gender affirming surgery in red states.

Shopping is the other. We may see shortages. We may see restrictions on things like fluoride in toothpaste. The continued enshittification of the FDA is inevitable. Those of us fortunate enough to live near a border may end up visiting Canada or Mexico for basics like safe baby formula and OTC medications.

Communications. Expect monitoring. Expect app outages. Expect critical infrastructure failures, including government information sources like NOAA.

Download and learn to use the Signal app for encrypted messaging. More about Signal here: https://www.wired.com/story/meredith-whittaker-signal/ Signal only encrypts your messages en route; they're still not secure on your device so still exercise caution. Discussions of things like abortion in states with bans should still be held carefully and ideally in person, but Signal is better than nothing.

Consider getting a ham radio license for communication in the event of a communications network failure, especially if you live somewhere prone to natural disasters. There are guides online and affordable units (Baofeng brand) available. A good beginner resource is https://www.reddit.com/r/amateurradio/wiki/index/

Medical care. Expect a rollback of ACA and other protections.

Get all of your vaccines updated now. Pay special attention to Covid-19 updates and TDaP as pertussis is resurgent. Get the HPV vaccine if you haven't yet (now available into your 40s!) because it's a sexual health vaccine as well as a cancer preventative which means it'll be the most vulnerable.

Ask your doctor about getting your titers reviewed for determining which boosters you may need.

If you're able, stock extras of your prescription and non-prescription meds. Practice FIFO (first in, first out).

Make sure you have a primary care physician with whom you have a good relationship. Get a physical every year.

Consider long term and permanent birth control. Paragard lasts a decade. Other IUDs last multiple years. The gold standard is vasectomy and bilateral salpingectomy, which are permanent. Salpingectomy is fallopian tube removal and works better than ligation as well as reducing ovarian cancer risk, since many ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes.

Consider having Plan B or an alternative on hand. Know that Plan B is less effective for people with a higher body weight, but some alternatives retain effectiveness. Paragard IUD is effective when placed up to 72 hours after unprotected sex and works well regardless of body weight.

Consider advance provision of abortion medications. Visit https://aidaccess.org/en/page/2880027/advance-provision for more information.

Localize your supply chain.

If you have space for a garden, garden. The FDA and USDA inspections departments are underfunded as it is. It will get worse. Food you grow yourself is safer. One good resource is https://www.reddit.com/r/GardeningWhenItCounts/

Get to know your local farmers. Local sources for eggs, meat, produce, and grain are vital and safer. Go to your farmers market.

Join a community supported agriculture program.

Learn more about food preservation using both electricity supported means like freezers and shelf stable means like canning. One good resource is here: https://nchfp.uga.edu/

Consider investing in a vacuum sealer for long term storage of dry goods.

Download ebooks and other resources in the event the USDA and related government guidance becomes unavailable.

Mutual aid.

A beginners guide to understanding mutual aid is available here: https://afsc.org/news/how-create-mutual-aid-network

Food Not Bombs has been in this space for decades and does some effective organization: https://foodnotbombs.net/new_site/

Personal safety and self defense.

Basic first aid. With public health funding cuts anticipated, even basic first aid knowledge can be lifesaving. Consider getting certified in first aid and CPR. Consider a “Stop the Bleed” training in case of violence or injury.

Prepare individual first aid kits (IFAKs) for your home (most comprehensive), car (essentials), and personal carrying (basics plus emergency wound care supplies). These might include:

Bandages, including butterfly bandages

Hemostatic gauze

Windlass tourniquets

Alcohol prep pads, antibiotic ointment, and other antiseptic items

Eyewash solution

Electrolyte packets and water

Instant cold packs and heat packs

Disposable vinyl exam gloves

Safety pins

Medical tape

Thermometer

Pulse oximeter

Blood pressure cuff

Burn care items such as ointment and aloe for sunburns

Basic OTC pain relievers and other important medications: ibuprofen/aspirin/naproxen, Acetaminophen, Anti-diarrhea medications like loperamide, Benadryl (diphenhydramine) plus additional modern antihistamines like Claritin or Zyrtec, Antacids

Emergency phone numbers and information including your doctor’s contact info, insurance information, and copies of your ID

Small flashlights

Space blanket

Sunscreen

If you’re going to a demonstration or protest, Know Your Rights/Know Your Risks. The National Lawyers Guild is a great resource: https://www.nlg.org/know-your-rights/

Dress comfortably and in clothing/shoes you can move in at protests. Wear sunscreen and carry sunglasses, even in winter.

Dress anonymously and cover identifying marks to avoid risk of doxxing. Cover tattoos, take out piercings.

Wear layers to help conceal your appearance and adjust to changing weather conditions or provide cover for vulnerable tissue during tear gas use.

Choose glasses over contacts, which can trap tear gas against your eyes.

Bring water, first aid supplies, safe contact information, etc. Consider a temporary phone.

Use the buddy system, have multiple planned rally points in the event of street closures or kettling.

Let someone who is not attending know where you’ll be and make a plan to check in with them periodically.

Consider the settings you will be in in daily life. Self expression is important for the soul, and preemptive compliance helps hasten fascism. But sometimes, “gray” tactics to blend in are useful too. Being able to disappear into a crowd is useful.

For example, if you have to travel to hostile areas, being prepared with generic clothing such as a local sports or college t-shirt, plain jeans, etc. can be useful for concealing queerness.

People who do not wear glasses should consider having a pair on hand anyway. They provide some eye protection in hostile environments. Additionally and anecdotally, some Black men report less hostile treatment from White people while wearing glasses due to the “nerd” effect this provides.

Firearms are a last choice for many. That said, if you decide to go in that direction here are resources:

Socialist Rifle Association https://socialistra.org/

John Brown Gun Club/Redneck Revolt https://www.redneckrevolt.org/

Avian influenza pandemic.

Trump is going to further destroy government agencies responsible for health, safety, pandemic prevention and planning, and research funding.

Avian to pig transmissions of a novel influenza virus have occurred. Avian to human transmissions have occurred. An avian virus mediated through pigs, then transmitted to humans, could more easily result in human to human transmissions and an influenza pandemic. There is no telling if this will be a mild virus or something severe and deadly.

Imagine that it is September 2019 and this time you know what’s going to happen in January, February, and March 2020. Prepare accordingly.

Have a good supply of KN-95 or better masks and see the IFAK list above for more supplies to have on hand.

Always be prepared for a stay at home order of two weeks. Water, child/elder/pet care supplies, shelf stable and freezer preserved foods, hygiene items, medications, etc.

News sources. The mainstream media, owned by billionaires, helped cause this. Diversify your sources.

Propublica for investigative journalism: https://www.propublica.org/article/second-trump-administration-investigative-journalism

Podcasts:

Margaret Killjoy's Live Like the World is Dying is a great resource on being prepared and understanding mutual aid: https://www.liveliketheworldisdying.com/. Margaret is an anarchist transfemme writer and activist.

CoolZone Media: https://www.coolzonemedia.com/. A podcast network covering the collapse of the known and the birth of a new unknown. Lead by investigative journalist Robert Evans.

Behind the Bastards for historical bad guys, Cool People Who Did Cool Stuff for the other side of that coin.

It Could Happen Here: Season 1 for Robert Evan’s 2019 application of his knowledge from conflict journalism in the Middle East to the current state of the U.S.. Subsequent seasons cover fascism as it is currently taking root in the U.S.

Hood Politics for ongoing geopolitical discussion

Substacks

Birds Before the Storm: Individual and community preparedness from Margaret Killjoy: https://margaretkilljoy.substack.com/

Erin in the Morning: Transfemme journalist Erin Reed reports on LGBTQ+ legislation, court decisions, and news: https://www.erininthemorning.com/

Your Local Epidemiologist: Dr. Katelyn Jetelina writes about public health science in a layperson friendly way that leaves you well-equipped to make evidence-based decisions about infectious disease risks: https://yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com/

Force of Infection: Dr. Caitlin Rivers writes about outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics. Her seasonal “weather report” of respiratory and stomach bug activity during flu season is valuable: https://caitlinrivers.substack.com/

Law Dork: Independent journalism from attorney Chris Geidner, who covers trial courts to SCOTUS looking at key trends, explaining decisions, and focusing especially on LGBTQ+ civil rights and criminal justice, as well as post-Roe abortion and immigration litigation: https://www.lawdork.com/

Shatter Zone: Occasional dispatches from conflict/investigative journalist Robert Evans on the radicalization of the U.S.: https://shatterzone.substack.com

The Sword and the Sandwich: Independent journalist Talia Lavin covers developments on the far right and trends in American radicalism while also providing reviews of notable sandwiches: https://theswordandthesandwich.substack.com/

Bellingcat for independent investigative journalism: https://www.bellingcat.com/

Teen Vogue and Rolling Stone for mainstream outlets doing good editorials.

Prepare your pets. Keep vaccinations current. Keep extra food on hand.

In the event their usual food is recalled, do you have a backup you know they'll eat?

Do you know what they can eat if you have to begin preparing their food yourself from scratch?

LGBTQ+ Relationship and Marriage Preparations

Monitor for news of states enacting marriage bans and other restrictions as well as SCOTUS proposed actions.

Contact your local or state LGBTQ+ bar association for a referral to an experienced queer estates attorney to help prepare failsafe mechanisms in case our marriages are invalidated or lose recognition in some areas. Get wills, trusts, healthcare and financial powers of attorney, deeds, etc. in order.

If you have children with your partner and one of you isn't listed on a birth certificate, inquire with a queer family law attorney about second parent adoption and other mechanisms to ensure your family is recognized.

[robotslenderman]

For the ask character meme: either Jan Pieterzoon or Theo Bell.

I'll do Jan!

First impression

Boring Ventrue stereotype.

Impression now

Adorable autistic tryhard, especially because of this moment:

Favorite moment

Idea for a story

I've been toying with the idea of adopting Meredith, my thinblood, for a while. I just love the idea that his enthusiasm mixed with how obviously bad he is at trying to lead (at least, in BJD) would make him accidentally come across as this creepy puppet master when really he's a totally inept cinnamon roll who's got no idea what he's doing (beyond the fact that, IIRC, he's actually good at reading people and telling what they're going to do, he's just not so good at acting on it in a way that's natural) and mix that with Meredith's prickliness and paranoia and hilarity would be sure to ensue.

Unpopular opinion

what the fuck did Lucita see in him. like not to say he's a total disaster but I'm really struggling to see what the fuck a smooth master assassin would see in this disaster nerd

Favorite relationship

Haven't seen enough of him to say.

Favorite headcanon

Absolutely faked his death. Personally I'm not convinced he joined the Anarchs, at least not fully, but that he's going around building a base of power before he comes back and kicks the Inner Circle's ass and tries to basically rebuild it from its core to a more progressive Camarilla, alongside Theo Bell. I could see the two of them doing that -- I kind of interpret Jan as an Anarch-leaning Cammy, and interpret Theo as a Camarilla-leaning Anarch, so I think that would work really well.

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

Stiles shows up at Nova's in record time, absolutely worried sick about Meredith. She'd been missing since this all started, and with Nova's message about Ciri, he worries his worst fears about what might've caused this might actually be true. As worried and terrified as he is, he takes a deep breath before he walks in the door. The last thing Meredith needs to see is him all freaked out right now. "I'm here. What happened?"

( @storystartsanew )

Nova looks up, silently glancing to Meredith with the vaguest shake of her head as she remarks, "I'm wondering the same thing. But right now you need to eat. Soup's almost done. You just need to stay awake for it right now."

Meredith waves her off weakly. "I'm fine, mom," with a small teasing tone that doesn't reach her face, curling up slightly into a ball again almost reflexively as her stomach growls rather aggressively.

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

Ciri enchants two small candles, a number two and a number zero, so that when they light, they won't be able to actually burn or harm anything. She places them delicately in the cake she made for the occasion, also charmed to stay in its place on the kitchen counter until she cuts into it. Looking up at Meredith, she smiles. "Happy birthday, Mer." - ( @storystartsanew )

Meredith tears up, looking at the other and biting her lip, smiling. "Ciri... thank you. Really, this is more than special enough to me."

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

Ciri holds up two tickets to Ball with a sheepish grin. "Don't be worried. I totally get it if you're not comfortable going. But I thought it'd be worth getting them so you can at least think about it." - ( @storystartsanew )

Meredith looks up, eyes widening and lighting up. "Oh, my gosh, yes!" She laughs. "Just, recall you're bringing a Murphy to a formal event. You're not allowed to draw off me all night, I've seen what that can do to you. We'll... survive. Murphys always do, and I'll keep you safe."

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

“I exist to be happy, not to impress.”

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

Atlas draws a symbol in the air, and recites the spell to unlock Meredith's door. Once unlocked, he pushes the door open boldly. He's always one for an entrance. "I have arrived! Please, hold your applause and actually check your phone!" - (@storystartsanew )

Meredith squeaks in surprise, whipping around in alarm, freezing a moment and only vaguely relaxing. Not a villain, but still a random stranger breaking open her apartment door. She looks to Ciri quickly for any clarification.

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

Closed Starter: Save a Dance (Meredith/Ciri)

“It figures on the first and potentially only day in my life my curse has no potential left to do me any harm, meaning I can wear the heels in my closet for once in my life, the villains break out of the rehab so we’re stuck indoors.”

@storystartsanew​

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

"What... the fuck?"

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

"I don't plan to ruin today by thinking about a bad yesterday."

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

“After all, if you never try you’ll never know!”

[nxttheendxfthestxry]

storystartsanew​:

Closed Starter(Ciri/Meredith): Somewhere Safe

Ciri walks aimlessly through town, trying to sort it all out in her head. Rayla had lied to her for the last five years. Her father has been alive this whole time. And he's the one who's been after her?

Her phone dings with Meredith's reply, and she feels a small wave of relief. It's somewhere to go, with someone she feels safe with. She breaks out in a sprint towards Meredith's house, not wanting to spend anymore time alone with her thoughts than she has to be.

She makes it there in minutes, knocking on the door with an out of breath smile.

@nxttheendxfthestxry

Meredith jumps at the knock at the door, looking down at her phone and shaking her head. That was quick. She gets up and rushes to the door... sliding into the wall in her socks, groaning, sighing and opening the door properly. “Hey. Come on in.”

A picture frame falls off the wall behind her, the same wall she’d just crashed into. Meredith ignores it with a smile.