#ida needed closure

[reunionatdawn]

Weighing in on ATLA shipping discourse

Iroh: You're not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good.

Why did Zuko have a fever after decided to let go of his Blue Spirit mask? Well, the imagery suggested that he experienced a Kundalini awakening. A Kundalini awakening is a profound spiritual experience that involves the activation and rising of Kundalini energy, located at the base of the spine. In Hindu and yogic traditions, Kundalini is often depicted as a coiled serpent, symbolizing dormant spiritual potential.

Ida and Pingala are the two energy channels that run alongside the spinal column and correspond to the left and right sides of the body, respectively. Ida is associated with the feminine or yin aspect. It is linked to qualities such as calmness, receptivity, intuition, and nurturing. It is also associated with the moon, coolness, and the element of water.

Pingala represents the masculine or yang aspect. It is associated with qualities such as activity, dynamism, alertness, and willpower. It is associated with the sun, warmth, and the element of fire. In the yogic tradition, the balance and harmonization of Ida and Pingala are considered essential for achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Once the two energies combine at the crown chakra, a person's consciousness is supposed to transcend duality. What does that mean, exactly? It means to move beyond the perception of reality as consisting of opposing or dualistic concepts, such as good and bad, light and dark, right and wrong, or self and other. You understand that these apparent opposites are part of the same unified whole and are interconnected in a deeper, more profound way.

"I was head writer of ATLA, and this is exactly how I see it! There was some controversy that Zuko made the "wrong choice" at the end of season 2. A lot of fans were ANGRY! But it had to be this way… we wanted him to get everything he thought he wanted. The triumphant return. His father's respect, and a seat at his right hand. Only then could Zuko truly outgrow these things, and choose to do the right thing in a meaningful way." (Aaron Ehasz)

So, the symbolism definitely favors Zutara in that respect. Katara learned through Zuko that the Fire Nation is not innately evil. Even though he hurt her with his "wrong" decision, part of her character arc was understanding why he did it and being able to forgive him. And because he made that choice, she could trauma-dump onto him and that led to her gaining closure about her mother's death.

"I was head writer of ATLA. Azula and Zuko's relationship was not always well understood, even by the team internally. Azula loved Zuko, more than anyone save her father. She also felt competitive with him for their parents' attention of course, but since she had alienated herself from her mother, she focused her energy on pleasing dad… which of course meant acting in more and more intense and possibly evil ways." "By the end of the series, of course, her loss of her friends shatters the part of her identity that she could somehow control affection and love through intimidation. As a result she spirals… I did however intend to leave a kernel of humanity, and had we made a season 4 Azula would have completely bottomed and we would have explored the possibility of a path to redemption. True story!" (Aaron Ehasz)

But it's not even just Zutara. What I found interesting was that Azula was the blue dragon and Iroh the red dragon. Azula was crazy and needed to go down, right? By siding with his sister, you're meant to think that Zuko chose "evil" instead of "good". But it looks like some of the writers meant for it to be more complicated than that. There was no "good" or "evil" choice. Azula had a softer "yin" side, too.

Zuko wanted to get along with his sister. He did not want to kill her, even though Iroh thought that was the only option. The fact that Azula never got her redemption arc did a massive disservice to Zuko's arc as well. The fact that Azula had good in her is exactly why Zuko's choice in BSS couldn't truly be called "wrong" or "evil".

Azula loved Zuko and that idea wasn't conveyed very well in the cartoon. She was the one person on that beach who actually did understand him. She was jealous that Zuko chose the Avatar over her. And she knew that targeting Katara with her lightning was the best way to hurt Zuko. Katara found a non-lethal way to defeat Azula for Zuko's sake. Because after seeing how hard it was for him to fight her, she finally understood why he made his choice in Ba Sing Se.

"[Azula] had not bottomed in the end of season 3, she had further to go. At the deepest moment in her own abyss she would have found: Zuko. Despite it all, her brother Zuko would be there for her. Believing in her, sticking by her, doing his best to understand and help her hold her pain that she can no longer hold alone. Zuko — patient, forgiving, and unconditionally loving – all strengths he gained from Uncle Iroh." "And I always imagined that after coming out the other side, she would be one of those people who hilariously over-shares her own feelings all the time, and that she would be a bit over-apologetic. Like a Canadian version of Azula." (Aaron Ehasz)

The first episode of Book 3 was called The Awakening. Aang literally awakened to the energy twisted up in the middle of his back. He did not complete his spiritual transformation. The Kundalini energy did not reach his crown chakra. It was still blocked because he had an attachment to Katara that he hadn't worked through yet.

Zuko's awakening was figurative. Mai didn't understand how he felt. Symbolically, when she turned his head to kiss him, it showed the audience the scarred side of his face. When Zuko lied his sister, the unscarred side of his face was shown. I suspect that the writer for the episode, Aaron Ehasz, wanted to hint that Zuko did still feel a connection to Katara and didn't want Azula going after her and Aang.

Zuko in The Crossroads of Destiny was not supposed to be the same Zuko from The Avatar State. Both versions of Zuko still wanted to go home. But 201 Zuko was motivated more by selfish attachment. 220 Zuko was more motivated by love. He loved Azula unconditionally. Even with all of her twisted, ugly, and cruel behavior. His consciousness had transcended the duality of Iroh and Azula being opposites where one is "bad" and the other is "good". During The Beach he was fantasizing about a time when Iroh played with both of them as little kids. Back when they were all a family.

Mai: You know what will make you feel better? Ordering some servants around. I might be hungry for a whole tray of fruit tarts. And maybe a little palanquin ride around town. Double time.

I don't dislike Mai. I think she is an interesting character who was not a bad person or anything. I just thought she served a very specific narrative purpose. She was there to show how Zuko wasn't compatible with his old lifestyle anymore.

Mai wanted a typical socialite boyfriend. They really didn't get along too well or have much to say to each other during The Beach. She didn't like him when he started talking about his trauma and showed his uglier side. Zuko was insecure and jealous because he was not even sure if she really liked him. And she didn't even know the person he was after his banishment, only the person he was as a child. When he turned his head away from her, his unscarred side was shown.

Zuko: When I got to the meeting, everyone welcomed me. My father had saved me a seat. He wanted me next to him. I was literally at his right hand. Mai: Zuko, that's wonderful! You must be happy. Zuko: During the meeting, I was the perfect prince. The son my father wanted. But I wasn't me.

He walked out of that war meeting with the scarred side showing. Mai didn't love Zuko. She loved the perfect prince. The fantasy she built up in her head and the role Zuko was acting out at the start of the episode when he was ordering her the fancy fruit tarts.

Mai: I guess you just don't know people as well as you think you do. You miscalculated. I love Zuko more than I fear you.

Mai stood up to Azula to save Zuko, and she genuinely believed she loved him. But he left her behind to be with his new companions. If not for Ty Lee, she would have died. That should have been the end of that relationship. I thought it was very weird that they got back together. The NATLA writers should definitely find a different way to conclude Mai and Ty Lee's character arcs. Especially Mai. She deserved a more dignified ending than being left in prison and then threatening her ex-boyfriend to take her back.

"I love that even though Aang is sort of not in this story very much, to me, he's-his presence is in all of these scenes 'cause you know he's like the little angel on her shoulder [...]" (Bryan Konietzko)

The main reason I think the shipping discourse in the ATLA fandom is so toxic is because the creators Mike and Bryan saw the narrative differently than the other writers. They seemed to have a completely different vision for the story and characters compared to the head writer. So, there were two conflicting visions and fans who liked one over the other could argue their side indefinitely. Bryke saw things as more black-and-white and good vs. evil. You can see it in some of the interviews and commentary, particularly with Bryan.

IMO, there really was no "good" and "evil" side in The Southern Raiders. There was no "angel" or "devil" sitting on Katara's shoulders. To Katatra, what Aang said must have sounded like nothing more than a trite platitude. It's true that in the end, she didn't choose violence. But I don't think Aang's words were very pertinent to her decision-making when she finally faced Yon Rha, LOL.

It's understandable why Aang would come off as preachy, though. He was just a child coping with his own grief. The Air Nomads' philosophy was one of the only things he had left of them, after all. Such a teaching was no doubt his own personal coping mechanism.

Aang was right in the sense that Katara didn't need to resort to violence in the end. But ya know, maybe she would have if she didn't have someone by her side who understood her inner darkness and accepted her even if she had chosen violence. Just like how Aang might have killed the sanbenders if Katara hadn't been there. And Katara would not have condemned him if he had done so.

"Zuko and Katara might have shared some sparks, but sometimes there are people along your 'journey of love' who are there to teach you about yourself and what you really need, but don't necessarily end up being your partner. Come on, kids! 'Zutara' never would have lasted! It was just dark and intriguing." (Bryan Konietzko)

Zuko was a character of duality. Yin and Yang. Light and shadow. His two sides were represented by the scarred side and non-scarred sides of his face. I think Bryan viewed Zutara as a "dark" ship because a big part of Zutara was about Katara's shadow side.

Just like Mai did with Zuko, Aang built up a fantasy version of Katara in his head. The perfect, well, "waifu," I guess. The endlessly patient feminine maternal figure. The sweet beautiful girl with such manageable hair. But that's only half of who she was. There was another side to her that he never saw. One that used bloodbending. Angry, hateful. Yes, even ugly. And that's not a bad thing. It's human.

[defiledtomb]

i saw this ask in another blog and immediately ran with it. ouroboros: what your favourite ro says about you 🤡

💀 I love this so much and I will not be pulling any punches aight. Brace yourself.

Yor/Yana: Uppies? 🥺 You weren't held enough as a child.

Auryn: You yearn for someone to see who you really are, but refuse to go through the mortifying ordeal of being known

Idren/Ida: you've been hurt and never got the revenge or closure that you needed. You also wake up and choose violence every morning.

Sene/Selene: desperate for someone to see you, admire you, because that notion is so alien to you. Me? Worth loving? Sounds fake, but ok.

Leith/Custom: grief is your closest ally, you yearn for someone to just stay, and this is the line that changed your life:

Also you're an unapologetic monsterfucker, frothing at the mouth for the mere chance of L now having tentacles. I see you.

[therealslimshakespeare]

Not you coming through with the Sunday update again!

So first, Sanchez and Gale - I remember you mentioning at some point that they keep their distance because reasons (duh) and I so badly hoped you would give us some closure/meaningful interaction and this delivered in every way in a manner that seemed organic to both characters. Really love her and this is such a soft bookend in a way for me for what happens in Sanchez. Love her almost apology at the end and the way he reaffirms her.

He’d made it back to the door when he heard her, “I really thought you -were.” the last word held such meaning in her tone he knew exactly what she meant, she was remembering too, she was recalling how she’ had sliced him open, furious as a wild cat. She had really thought he was capable of the worst. “Why would you think I’m a good judge.”

This was so well done and I am so invested in more interaction between these two. Also curious if you're gonna give us the Ida and Sanchez interaction she's upset by and why Ida felt the need to go to those lengths to confirm her suspicions.

Second: I see what you did there with the tease of the fallout of Ida's miscarriage and I respect it but also - HOW DARE YOU

Third, this might be my favorite Gale x Maureen interaction? Such a present, self-aware conversation, I am really enjoying their dynamic together - esp how soft the moment was when Gale spaced out and came back to the safety of her soft fingers and the Gingerale tease. Really lovely writing.

IN OTHER WORDS, THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY WEEKEND, no big deal

You say i delivered —AND THAT MAKES MY WEEK 🥰

You know how I love a good fic reference quoted back to me so thank you for this, I gobbled up knowing what in particular resonated. 🤧 I may eventual write the Ida and Sanchez interaction but it’s low on the list. Short story is that Ida is rather sure of what Gale went through, due to Lu etc, and she’s trying to figure out if as his superior she’s somehow currently letting him down, etc, and she’s not going to be easy on someone who can give her that information, as an officer. It wasn’t a girl chat.

Ugh as for the fallouts -awful of me to hint away at all of that when we’ve got nothing else to solve it. I was so happy to finally publish a fic dealing with some of the aftermath. eeek the SS Era fics may make these others look like fluff. 😤

I’ve come to just really love the settled role of Maureen as Gale’s deputy in so many ways. She might be taking notes from his Co-Pilot, who knows, but i think it’s cool and important to see them being colleagues as working so well together -on top of the romance, of course, but also on top of even her ability to bring him back to present and be that all knowing yet all accepting person for him in that hard time. Someone who knows what Sanchez means to him and can fully appreciate that he’s still gonna have that talk, offer that job, see that potential. Nothing if not brave, her man, quietly so.

[loosesodamarble]

A Union Made in Shadows

Summary: At long last, Nacht and Josele have made the decision to finally be married. Though nothing grand is planned for their union, the most important people are gathered for the occasion. The beginning is based on a scene from Laura's fic Embers of Sun and Flame: Before We Have It. Genre: romance Word count: ~4500 Content notes: Solara is @thoughtfullyrainynightmare's oc. Heinrich and Ida are @marune2's ocs. Discordia and Harmonia are @lyranova's ocs. Acylla is @faewraithsworld's oc.

..........

Weddings, a celebration of love and marriage. There was always a warmth and brightness to such an occasion.

It was especially true in the case of the wedding Nacht currently attended, that of the union between Solara Equinox and Fuegoleon Vermillion. It could’ve been said that their wedding was more than their marriage. It was a symbol of victory over the devils. A sign of new beginnings for Clover and Thea. The grand fulfillment of hopes and dreams.

But, to the happy couple, it was simply their wedding. As it should’ve been.

The invitation to the wedding for Nacht and Josele came as a surprise. Nacht wondered if it was a formality on account of the events in Spade. But when Josele said that they’d be supporting the couple as friends, Nacht let go of his doubts and agreed to the notion.

Nacht watched the ceremony. Even with the distance between himself in the crowd of guests and the couple at the altar, Nacht saw with perfect clarity the joy and love Fuegoleon and Solara felt. Because they were getting married. It truly was a beautiful, special day.

And all of a sudden, Nacht’s chest felt tight.

He didn’t dare look in her direction but Nacht became all the more aware of Josele’s presence right next to him…

During the reception, Nacht shied away from others. He needed to be alone. To work through the thoughts swirling like a storm in his mind. And to keep his dour mood from the joyful atmosphere everyone else enjoyed.

Marriage… And Josele…

Once upon a time, Josele and Morgen intended to intertwine their lives as one. To wed and live happily ever after would’ve been one of their greatest joys, Nacht was sure. But Morgen died. And the ending that should’ve been was torn from existence.

Now, Nacht was the one to hold Josele’s hand and to whisper his adoration to her. They were boyfriend and girlfriend. But not a wedded couple. Because…

Was he deserving of a bond so sacred as marriage?

Could Nacht provide Josele with the happiness and stability necessary for a union?

Did Josele even want to get married? If she didn’t have that closure with Morgen, was it okay for Nacht to take the title of her husband?

And if they had children, what if Nacht failed as a father?

There was no way Nacht could ask Josele to marry him in his current state.

Nacht wanted to love Josele. He wished to give her every kind of joy. Despite his inadequate self, he wanted more for Josele.

He raised his eyes and spied Josele on the other side of the room, peacefully chatting away with the day’s bride and a circle of friends. Josele smiled and lived with an open heart. She made the most of her life after all the pain she suffered. Her life wasn’t perfect but it was one that made Josele happy.

And that life included Nacht. He made her happy.

If I reached out to Josele, Nacht thought while looking at his palm. A smile crossed his face. She would surely take my hand.

Nacht had his resolve.

When Josele placed herself in the back of the crowd for the bouquet toss, Nacht decided that was the moment to approach. He rose up from the shadows beside Josele.

“Josele?” Nacht extended his hand toward her. “I’ve been thinking abou—” Suddenly, he felt a weight. “Hm?”

In his hands was Solara’s bouquet.

There was a shout for a retoss only for Yami to insist that Nacht keep the bouquet. It was Solara’s gentle coaxing that got the crowd to leave things as they were and disperse. A few amongst the women muttered and grumbled but no one made a scene of themselves.

Nacht watched Solara as she left her position at the front for elsewhere, likely to be with Fuegoleon. She was a relaxed and thoughtful person to be sure, Nacht thought while mentally thanking her.

“Good catch,” Josele remarked with a teasing smile and put a hand on Nacht’s arm.

“I… suppose…” Nacht stared at the bouquet, at the beautiful blooms and their loving arrangement. “Actually I…” His heart started to race. But he pushed the words out, “was thinking about something like this…”

“For what?” Josele asked with a giggle. Her head tilted to the side, giving away her slight confusion.

Nacht glanced around them. The people. Too many eyes and ears.

Josele, seeing Nacht’s watchful gaze and sensing his hesitation, asked, “You were saying something?”

“Yes…”

Nacht took another glance around the room. There were a couple of dirty looks from some women, but overall, he and Josele were being overlooked. Nacht gripped the bouquet in one hand and took Josele’s in his other, then guided her out onto the balcony.

Nacht closed the balcony door behind him and even set up Shadow Veil to further hide himself and Josele.

“So what’s on your mind?” Josele asked as the two of them took a few more steps away from the door.

“I have a question for you,” Nacht stated without hesitation. He took Josele’s hand once more then bent down on one knee. Josele’s eyes went wide.

“Josele, for as long as we’ve known each other, I’ve done a poor job in showing my love for you. I hid my feelings from you, tried to avoid them for years, and dragged my feet even when we became a couple. All because I felt unworthy of you. But I’ve realized that I was being a fool. You’ve shown love and patience, granted me forgiveness, and taught me how to heal.”

Nacht felt himself choke up and tear up. He kept his eyes on Josele, who looked to be close to tears too, and tightened his grip on her hand to ground himself.

“Everything that you are, everything you’ve given me, I love it all. I want to declare that with confidence and clarity.”

Nacht raised the bouquet in his other hand, offering it in place of a ring.

“And so I ask you, my darling star, will you marry me?”

Josele seemed to glow as she beamed at Nacht and whispered ever so sweetly, “Yes, I will.”

.....

Knk knk knk.

“Enter right in, please!” a cheery voice called to Nacht.

Nacht stepped into the room. Candles set up at various points throughout the room dimly lit the space. Heinrich sat in an armchair with a book in one hand, a pen in the other, and a notepad on his lap.

“Good afternoon, Grandson,” Heinrich greeted with a smile and wave.

“Yes, hello… G-grandfather…” The familiar word felt strange on Nacht’s tongue but it would’ve also felt awkward to deny his and Heinrich’s connection. “Are you busy with something?”

Heinrich chuckled, “I am familiarizing myself with modern medicine practices, that is all. Time and knowledge certainly has changed.”

“I see…”

“Now, what is the nature of your visitation, child?” Heinrich set aside his book and notes to his desk.

Nacht glanced back at the door.

“I… Have a favor to ask,” Nacht muttered, feeling his heart shake. “I know that there’s still much that you and I have to learn about each other but this is a matter of the family and…”

“If it concerns the family’s history, I fear I cannot be of aid,” Heinrich remarked with a serious look. “I started the Faust tradition of devil worship but I had no say in its direction, as I was locked in the Underworld.”

“Wha—? No no no!” Nacht exclaimed and waved his arms. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “It’s not…” He shook his head then looked at Heinrich again. “It’s not about that.”

Heinrich quirked a brow upwards.

“Josele and I… plan on getting married,” Nacht stated simply. “And we would be honored if you could bear witness.”

Silently, Heinrich’s eyes widened and his lips parted in a look of surprise. After a moment, Heinrich smiled in a way tinged by sadness.

“You know, I never got a chance to see my son grow and marry,” Heinrich whispered, his voice soft and wistful. He rose from his seat and approached Nacht with a hug. “It’s not the same but… I’d love to attend.”

“Grandfather…” Nacht hesitated before returning the gesture. “… Thank you.”

.....

“Stupid weeds,” Ida hissed as she used her magic to dig into the garden’s soil. Charmy’s vegetable garden had been taken over by dandelions and it had been left to Ida and Josele to remove them. “Why are the roots so deep?!”

“Because the plant doesn’t want to move,” Josele answered while she added another fully uprooted plant to her bucket. “Just keep at it. We’ll have nice dandelion greens to eat later once we’re done.”

Ida shook her head at Josele and said, “I’m not eating weeds, Josy.” She maintained her magic only to pause when Josele crouched beside her. “Hm? Am I doing it wrong?”

“No, no,” Josele said quietly. “Just keep going. I wanna say something.” Ida nodded and let Josele continue. “I remember when Morgen and I were engaged. You were so excited, going on and on about how I was gonna be your big sister.”

Ida flushed. Josele was the closest thing she had to a sister, or even a mother at times. Even before the engagement, Ida called her “big sister,” to Josele’s embarrassment. And when it was so close to becoming real, Josele officially being her sister-in-law, of course Ida was happy. She practically clung to Josele whenever she wasn’t with Morgen.

“L-look, I was a kid…”

“It was cute,” Josele assured as she put a hand on Ida’s shoulder. “And I hope you’re just as excited this time. Only now, I’m going to marry Nacht.”

“Huh?!” Ida snapped her head in Josele’s direction. “Holy shit! You and Nacht—! Did he finally get a fucking clue?!”

“Mhm! Nacht proposed.” Josele then put a finger to her lips and whispered, “But we need to keep it secret. For now, it’ll just be a family affair, okay?”

Ida rolled her eyes but nodded regardless. With a smile, Josele went back to digging up weeds elsewhere. By gods, it’s really happening… Ida glanced over her shoulder. You sure kept me waiting, Josy. Smiling to herself, she got back to work. But I guess Nacht made you wait too.

.....

In the quiet of a large study, Queen Discordia of Lumi Kingdom wrote her signature on another document. Bureaucracy wasn’t fun but it was what she signed up for when she married Moros.

It could be worse, Discordia thought to herself while setting aside her quill. At least I have company these days. She looked to her right and smiled at Harmonia, her daughter, sitting in a high chair and clinging to a small plush. “Hello, little angel.”

“Ma!” Harmonia babbled and giggled.

Discordia laughed then poked Harmonia’s cheek. The princess laughed more. The servants could’ve watched Harmonia, but Discordia preferred having her baby close to her. Because it meant she could have moments like that with her daughter.

All of a sudden, Discordia sensed negative mana in the room. A devil’s presence.

Discordia stood and picked up Harmonia. She forged a knife from her Blood Magic as her gaze flicked across the room, searching for where the intruder would appear. Her eyes fell to the floor, to her shadow at her feet. Discordia gripped her blood knife more tightly.

She was no fighter but if she needed to—

Gimodelo’s round head popped out.

“Her Gracious Majesty Discordia!” the devil exclaimed as he floated up. “I bring to you a letter of great importance from Master Nacht!” He held out an envelope.

Discordia, after dismissing her spell and setting Harmonia down, took the letter. Even after they reconnected, Nacht didn’t contact her often. And now a letter… What did Nacht have to tell her that he couldn’t simply travel over to say himself or have his devil explain directly?

[Dear Discordia,]

[Greetings to you, Moros, and Harmonia. I hope all is well and I presume as such given yours and the king’s active role in Spade’s reconstruction. Thank you once again for—]

“Oh by the gods Nacht, get to the point!” Discordia groaned. Shaking her head, she skimmed the letter until she stepped on the word “invite.” She went to the start of that particular sentence.

[I understand that, as Queen and a mother, you are busy but I wish to invite you to Clover for a special occasion: mine and Josele’s wedding. It’ll be small, only the signing of legal papers and a dinner thereafter, but it’s still our wedding. I can arrange to transport you so you don’t need to be away from Lumi longer than necessary. Please answer promptly as the date of the union is in two week’s time. Whether or not you can attend, it fills me with joy to tell you this news.]

[Sincerely, Nacht]

Discordia blinked. She read the letter. Blinked again. Read again.

“If you need time to consi—Eep!” Gimodelo yelped when Discordia grabbed his body out of the air. “Your Graci—”

“Tell my cousin I have every intention of attending,” she stated, enunciating each syllable with purpose. “Would you please?”

“Y-yes, your Majesty!”

Discordia released Gimodelo and the little devil dove headfirst into her shadow.

“Nacht and Josele…” Discordia looked out the window at Lumi’s gloomy sky. “Morgen… You’re happy for them, yes? I’m sure you are but… You’re probably a little jealous too.”

She imagined the look on Morgen’s face, a wide grin where he closed his eyes to hide the tears in his eyes. Discordia shook away the thought. It didn’t matter. Josele and Morgen were married in spirit as far as anyone was concerned. And now, it was Nacht and Josele’s turn to be united.

“A wedding, hm?” Discordia turned to Harmonia, who cooed and reached for her. “Looks like we’ll need to get you a new dress!”

.....

The special day was soon at hand.

Josele received a communication from the Crimson Lion Kings’ base and she hurried there. When she arrived, Solara wasn’t the only one waiting for her but Fuegoleon as well. Josele didn’t say anything but there was confusion on her face as she approached.

“I can’t keep a secret from my husband,” Solara sheepishly explained.

Josele gave a faint “Ah, okay” before accepting the parcel Solara had for her. She turned to Fuegoleon. “Thank you again for the invitation. I hope you two are making each other happy.”

“We are indeed,” Fuegoleon answered, smiling. “You and Nacht, we wish you well also.”

“May the fates be kind to you both,” said Solara.

The women shared a quick hug. Fuegoleon saw Josele off with a firm handshake. As Fuegoleon and Solara watched Josele leave, Solara glanced at her husband.

“Is something the matter?”

“… I never expected to start a friendship with her after…” He didn’t finish his sentence, as there was no need. “But I suppose we can never truly expect what bonds will form between people.”

“It certainly seems to be the case.” Solara bumped Fuegoleon with her shoulder. “Next thing you know, our child will be courting theirs.”

Wife and husband shared a laugh as they returned inside.

.....

Acylla whistled when she saw the final product as Nacht displayed it to her.

I might go into the jewelry business if I ever retire from the Bulls, Acylla mused. Then, she said, “Looks like you got them straight from the night sky, dang!”

“Thanks in great part to you,” Nacht stated with an uncharacteristically warm grin.

“Oh! Well, you know…” Acylla flicked some hair over her shoulder and smirked. “It’s for Jojo after all.” She waited for a second. “Right, you’re getting married too.”

Nacht snorted, “Ah, thank you for reminding me. I was wondering why I’d gotten these in the first place.” He closed the box and stored it away in his shadow.

Fighting back her laughter, Acylla smacked Nacht’s arm.

“If you joked like that more, the rest of the squad would like you too!” Acylla then placed her hand on Nacht’s shoulder. “Be good to Josele, okay?”

“Wha—? But aren’t I—?”

“Be better then. Wait no!” Acylla jabbed Nacht’s chest with a single finger. “You need to be the best to Jojo! Got that?”

Nacht stared at Acylla for a moment. She stared him in the eyes with a serious look, but he didn’t feel any danger from her. With a warm sensation in his chest, Nacht pulled Acylla into a hug.

“Got it.”

.....

Josele stood in the foyer of Faust Manor with Ida and Heinrich. The only people missing were Nacht and Discordia, as the Shadow Mage had left to retrieve his cousin for the ceremony.

“How does it feel to finally become ‘Mrs. Josele Faust’?” Ida asked while patting her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s shoulder.

“I don’t think I can wait much longer,” Josele answered. “Not after having to wait more than ten years…”

“Shouldn’t be much longer now,” Heinriched whispered, smiling casually.

Barely second after Heinrich had spoken, Nacht and Discordia rose from the shadows. Nacht carried something over his shoulder while Discordia held up Harmonia.

“You made it!” Josele exclaimed and approached Discordia. The women embraced each other, mindful of Harmonia between them. “And it’s good to see—Oh gosh!” Josele squealed while shaking Harmonia’s hands. “Don’t you look precious!”

Discordia beamed as Josele fawned over Harmonia in her frilly, blush pink dress and matching headband.

“Well we couldn’t come to a wedding underdressed,” Discordia remarked and adjusted her hold on Harmonia. “Speaking of…” She gave Josele a once over, finally noticing that Josele was in her regular attire, squad robe included. “Will you need help with your dress?”

“Oh.” Josele gave a half-hearted laugh. “Actually, Nacht and I weren’t dressing up. Since there’s no fancy ceremony…”

Slack-jawed, Discordia looked at Ida and Heinrich, both of whom awkwardly shrugged. She then turned to Nacht who nodded silently. She took a deep breath.

“No. Absolutely not,” Discordia declared, raising her head high. “I refuse to let you marry in such a drab manner.”

“Drab?” Josele squawked.

Discordia’s grimoire rose to her side and two tendrils of blood took what Nacht had been carrying, a pair of garment bags. A third tendril pushed him next to Josele.

“I suppose my gifts will see use sooner than I expected…”

“I told you gifts weren't necessary,” Nacht groaned.

“Quiet,” Discordia snapped back. “Nacht and Joey, as your cousin first and Queen of Lumi Kingdom second, I present these to you. May they be the first of many gifts and luxuries you enjoy in marriage.”

The blood tendrils opened the garment bags. The first held a full suit: all black save for the dress shirt, with golden buttons and hem detailing on the vest and jacket. The second had a knee-length dress inside: black with a ruffled, off-the-shoulder neckline and a purple ribbon tied into a bow at the waist. The fabric and sewing technique gave away the high quality.

“Dia, they’re lovely,” Josele whispered as she stroked the dress’s fabric.

“And you’ll wear them today, won’t you?”

“Since you went out of your way to bring them, we couldn’t possibly refuse.” Josele then looked to Nacht. “Right, honey?”

Nacht sighed but smiled. “I suppose we’ll be wearing them eventually…”

“Excellent!” Discordia cheered and clapped her hands, albeit a bit awkwardly with Harmonia in her arms. “Let’s get you looking like a bride, Joey!”

…..

“Uh… Aren’t those…?”

The priest officiating the wedding pointed to Gimodelo, Plumede, Slotos, and Walgner as they stood alongside the members of House Faust, watching the proceedings. The clerk awkwardly kept her eyes down on the paperwork that would be signed.

“Devils? Yes they are,” Nacht answered while avoiding the priest’s gaze. “Please don’t mind.”

The priest took a deep breath and nodded. With that, he began his speech. Words regarding marriage and the sacredness of it were spoken. When prompted, Josele and Nacht each gave their “I do”s. Then, the priest indicated that it was time to share the vows.

Nacht went first.

“Josele, my guiding star, my guardian angel. They say ‘if you love someone, let them go. And if they return, they are meant to be yours.’ We’ve lived through that saying, and now I’ll hold onto you for eternity. I love everything about you, from your smile to your kindness to the sight of you asleep. Though I struggled to show it in the past, my love for you is real. It’s stronger than any devil and will last forevermore. Nothing will keep us apart from now on. If devils from the depths of the Underworld were to come and wish you harm, I'd be there to protect you. I know it from the depths of my soul. I don't ask for all of your heart, but however much of it you offer, I wish to protect it with all that I am.”

Then it was Josele’s turn.

“Nacht, my darling prince who guards me from the shadows. You are half my world, half of my heart. I love your earnest efforts, steadfast devotion, and how you find a way to show your love, even if it takes some time. It’s worth the wait though, you’re worth the wait. All the joys and pains we've experienced together affirm my undying love for you. Should you ever find yourself lost in grief or threatened by mortal pain, I’ll be there beside you, saving you as you saved me. I would walk through Hell to find you and guide you home and then to Heaven's gates. I love you for who you once were, the man you've grown to become, and who you will be in the future.”

Where their audience was seated, there was a range of reactions. The Bremen devils were openly weeping over the words shared. Heinrich fanned his face with fervor and tears visible in his eyes. Ida wore a poker face but the tears streaming down her face told another story. As for Discordia, she smiled as she dabbed the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

The exchange of non-rings came next.

Though not traditional, the necklace and earrings that were exchanged were given as tokens of Josele and Nacht’s love, their bond. Each in their own way reminded the couple of darknesses in their pasts, but also made way for brighter, more beautiful futures.

“Nacht,” Josele whispered once she wore the earrings. “Do I look…?” She tilted her head to the side, causing the light to reflect differently, as if to frame Josele’s beauty in the glow.

“Absolutely breathtaking…”

Josele let out a squeak and turned her suddenly red face away.

“Ugh, get a room!” Ida called from her seat.

“Shush! Really now?” scolded Heinrich.

“We know they’re going to fuck later so I don’t—”

“With the exchange done!” the priest yelled over Ida. His outburst got everyone’s attention back on track. He cleared his throat and resumed. “With the exchange of jewels complete, by the authority invested in me by God, I now pronounce you husband and wife.” He turned to Nacht. “You may kiss the bride.”

As both beamed brighter than the sun, Nacht and Josele kissed one another.

Happy. Eager. Warm. Fulfilled. Those emotions and many more were wrapped in a single kiss.

It was a moment that was built upon years of longing and heartache. On hidden feelings of love and overwhelming fears. Uncertain confessions led to hesitating embraces which grew in confidence each time they touched. Until eventually, Josele and Nacht were able to profess their love plainly, as their affection for one another was a fact of life to them.

There was no shedding the guilt and pain they’d felt over the years. Not entirely. But their love made the heavy memories an easier burden. One made even lighter by the fact that it was theirs to share.

Josele was the first to pull from the kiss. Just enough to look at Nacht through teary eyes. Nacht gave Josele a second kiss, a fleeting peck, before their guests, their family, rushed up to them.

“Congratulations!” Heinrich proclaimed. “What a handsome pair you make!”

“Let’s get a better look at those jewels, shall we?” giggled Discordia “My my my! How exquisite!”

“What the hell, you two? Did you have to go and make me cry?” Ida said as she slapped Nacht on the back. “You're so fucking mushy, it's gross…”

There were smiles, tears, and laughter as the joy of Nacht and Josele's marriage filled each person's heart.

…..

Later, after the paperwork was signed making the union as official as it could be, the family returned to Faust Manor for dinner.

“Your cooking is absolutely lovely,” Discordia remarked before taking a sip of wine. “But why not get something catered on your special day?”

“Mm, we just felt like doing it ourselves,” Josele replied. She turned her attention to Harmonia, who she had bouncing on her knee. “Plus, all that work makes holding this little cutie pa-tootie all the more rewarding! Yes you are, Harmonia! You’re just the cutest little thing in the world! Such a sweet little baby!” She lifted up Harmonia and blew a raspberry into the baby’s cheek, making her squeal in delight.

Ida snickered, “Oh-ho boy! Hope you’re ready for a work out, Nacht. Something tells me that your wife wants to be a mom real soon.” She wiggled her eyebrows playfully before taking another bite of food.

Nacht, pink in the face, scowled but gave Ida no reply. Giggling softly, Josele leaned over and kissed Nacht’s cheek, making his blush grow deeper but also breaking his frown.

“No need to rush having kids,” Heinrich said with a blithe grin. “They’ll happen when they happen.”

“But you’ll have kids eventually, right?” Discordia questioned. “You’d be wonderful parents. But also, I would love for Harmonia to have cousins.”

“We’ve discussed it,” Josele started to say while letting Harmonia grasp her hand. “We’ll have kids.”

“But not right now,” Nacht said, finishing Josele’s statement. He held Josele’s free hand, rubbing the back of it with his thumb.

Josele and Nacht knew they would have kids. But that was a thought for later on in the future.

At least for the time being, they would settle for being married, as it was only one of many milestones paving their future life. They’d linger on the joy of calling each other “husband” and “wife.” Though the words would be sweetly whispered, like a secret, for a short while. Others would be told of Nacht and Josele’s marriage, eventually.

Until then, the small circle of their family and the shadows were witnesses to their union.

[housetummelt]

There had always been a feeling that she couldn't possibly belong. Not inside such a noble family. A family that had come to be through arranged marriages, like threads in a tapestry that wove together and held the Tummelt name and reputation strong. And then there she was. The loose thread. Something unplanned that had simply come to be.

Ji-eun stared at the patriarch from across the market square. His was the last face she ever expected to see inside Lestallum, and yet even here, even now, she felt intimidated by him. She almost dared to call out to 'General Tummelt'.

Her jaw clenched and her hands balled to fists. She couldn't do it. She almost thought to simply pretend she hadn't seen him, to continue about her day... but she wasn't a coward. She didn't run from her problems in life.

The former-advisor gathered up her courage and marched forward. She thought she might reach him and shake his hand, or maybe she would burst out with questions about his youngest son. Baldur turned his head then and saw her approaching. He almost looked surprised to see her face.

And yet the most surprising thing of all was when she reached him, she wrapped her arms around him in a fierce hug. Perhaps she didn't belong, perhaps she was the loose thread that needed to be trimmed — but there, in that moment, she was just a young woman trying to pick up all the pieces, and he was a distant father figure who might be able to help.

It still felt like a dream - one of the horrid kinds. Neverending, though. And they would never wake up again. Being here in Lestallum was a risk. There still were many Lucians, who blamed any Nifen for what had happened. And Baldur couldn't even fault them. But he had to come here. Every week they put up new lists of names. One list of people searching for others, descriptions and questions. Photographs. And one list of those who were confirmed dead. It all had gone on for so long, Baldur didn't know whether he wouldn't also be elated to find his son's name on the confirmed-dead-list. At least that would bring closure. Like this though? Every week there was no mention of any Tummelt. It drove him into insanity. And his wife into a deep grief and desperation.

He was heading back to the main road, when a familiar face suddenly surfaced in the masses. A young woman. Dark hair and eyes. She had appeared so quiet, so well-behaved, picture-perfect manners. When she had stood in the hallway of their mansion the first time. Loqi at her side, all proud smiles. It was rare Loqi ever brought a "partner" to their home. In fact, this had been the first time he had actively introduced someone instead of waving any questions off. Ji-eun, the advisor of the High Commander. A smart and capable young woman. He and Ida had doubted Loqi's intentions first. Their son was not a cheat, but he was a calculating noble who sought for opportunities... Ji-eun had turned out to not be an opportunity, but genuine interest of Loqi.

There could've been more... but time in Gralea had been cut short.

He ha dto be honest, he had thought her dead. And that was it. Sad and tragic. But so many had died. And with his own family shattered, Baldur had had little inspiration to worry for others.

Now though, as this woman not only approached him but embraced him as if she was his own daughter... he was caught off-guard. Tense, though his hands slowly lowered, finding her back to return the hug gently.

"Ji-eun...", he begun, gently prying her a little away from him, though his hands stayed on her shoulders and she still was kept close, his eyes on her face.

"I... what a surprise to see you here... I am relieved you made it out of Gralea."

The words were whispers, because it was not smart to say this capital's name out loud. This seemed so unbelievable... the girl had made it out alive. She had left the Keep and found herself here. She was living proof that it was possible...

"... how are you doing? Do you need anything? A few Nifen have banded together down by one of the lower decks of the town. Ida would be so happy to see you, too."

[damage-defense-digest-32571]

Prospect Park Zoo Set to Reopen After Eight Months of Restoration

Wildlife Conservation Society prepares for the return of visitors following severe flood damage

After nearly eight months of extensive restoration efforts, Prospect Park Zoo is preparing to welcome back visitors. The zoo, located in Brooklyn, New York, was forced to close its doors due to severe flood damage caused by a record-setting rainstorm in September. The Wildlife Conservation Society, which oversees the zoo, recently announced on social media that it is looking forward to reopening later this spring, with an official date set to be disclosed in the coming week.

Although the flooding caused millions of dollars worth of damage, none of the approximately 400 animals residing in the zoo were harmed.

The rainstorm on September 29 resulted in the zoo's basements being filled with up to 25 feet of water, leading to significant damage to the boilers, HVAC and electrical equipment, and aquatic life support system.

Restoring Critical Infrastructure

The closure of Prospect Park Zoo was announced in October, with the Wildlife Conservation Society emphasizing the need to protect the zoo and its critical infrastructure from future extreme weather events. Craig Piper, the vice president of City Zoos for the Wildlife Conservation Society, stated that the restoration efforts would focus on preventing future flooding of the facilities.

Piper highlighted the zoo's previous experiences with storms Henri and Ida two years ago, which also caused considerable damage. He expressed concerns that these extreme weather patterns would continue due to climate change.

Damage Assessment and Restoration

The torrential downpour during the rainstorm caused extensive damage to the zoo's infrastructure. The basements, which were inundated with water, suffered the brunt of the destruction. The boilers, HVAC and electrical equipment, and aquatic life support system were all severely affected.

Over the past eight months, restoration efforts have been underway to repair and replace the damaged infrastructure. The Wildlife Conservation Society has been working tirelessly to ensure that the zoo is not only restored but also equipped to withstand future weather events.

Protecting the Animals

While the infrastructure damage was significant, the good news is that none of the animals residing in Prospect Park Zoo were harmed. The zoo's staff swiftly implemented emergency protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals during the flood.

The animals were temporarily relocated to safe areas within the zoo, away from the flooded basements. The dedicated team at the Wildlife Conservation Society ensured that the animals received the necessary care and attention throughout the restoration process.

Anticipated Reopening

The Wildlife Conservation Society is eagerly anticipating the reopening of Prospect Park Zoo. With the restoration efforts nearing completion, visitors will soon be able to once again enjoy the diverse range of wildlife and educational experiences that the zoo offers.

An official reopening date is expected to be announced next week. The society is working diligently to ensure that all necessary preparations are in place to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for visitors.

After months of intensive restoration work, Prospect Park Zoo is on the verge of reopening its doors to the public. The Wildlife Conservation Society's efforts to repair and fortify the zoo's critical infrastructure have been instrumental in ensuring its resilience against future extreme weather events. Despite the significant damage caused by the record-setting rainstorm, the animals within the zoo remained unharmed, thanks to the swift action taken by the dedicated zoo staff.

The reopening of Prospect Park Zoo not only signifies a return to normalcy but also serves as a testament to the resilience and determination of the community. As visitors once again flock to the zoo, they will have the opportunity to witness the incredible diversity of wildlife and learn about the importance of conservation efforts. The reopening serves as a reminder of the vital role that zoos play in educating the public and protecting endangered species.

As climate change continues to pose challenges, the restoration of Prospect Park Zoo stands as a symbol of the ongoing battle to safeguard critical infrastructure and protect vulnerable ecosystems. The reopening is a cause for celebration, but it also serves as a call to action for individuals and communities to take steps towards mitigating the impacts of climate change and preserving our natural world for future generations.

[marune2]

The true come up ichika x ida and josele finde out Chapter 3

Cloab whit @loosesodamarble and her oc josele candy

————————————————————————

A couple days passed without much happening. Except for an incident of catching Sterling and Johan climbing something they really *shouldn't* have been climbing. And scolding the devils after they lost Dawn and Dusk in the realm of shadows. And Nacht coming back from an argument with the Bulls looking like he took an explosion to the face.

Okay, actually a lot had occurred recently.

But nothing regarding Ida and Ichika happened.

Josele thought that she could finally let go of her suspicions. She almost did.

And then she walked into the changing room that led into the women's bath at the base. Ichika was there, with her hair soaked from washing and in the process of putting on her clothes. Or rather, Ichika was in the process of putting on *Ida's* clothes.

The fashion was Cloverian rather than Hino, so it couldn't have been from Ichika's wardrobe. The shirt was too large and thus one sleeve ended up hanging off Ichika's shoulder. And the pant legs were rolled up several times to fit Ichika's shorter stature. And Josele knew it was Ida's clothes that were being borrowed because the shirt Ichika was putting on was the shirt Josele had bought for her sister-in-law last week.

"Hey Ichika..." Josele choked out while staring at Ichika. She didn't even have the sense to try hiding her shocked gaze. "You know... if you want to borrow clothes, I'm pretty sure Noelle's closure in stature to you..."

Ichika's head turned to Josele and her eyes narrowed. "Noelle's clothes don't suit my tastes. And besides, I'm only borrowing Ida's clothes since I ran out of clean clothes." She let out a huff and briskly left the room.

"Uh... huh..." Josele bit the inside of her cheek.

What Ichika had said, regarding her reason for borrowing clothes at least, was a lie.

Josele blinked a couple of times.

If there was something deeper going on between Ichika and Ida, Josele needed to confirm it soon. Or risk going bonkers from the lack of certainty.

——

Ida look’s at ichika whit a question face “it’s just my ore is Josie looking more at ur direction?”

Ichika seufs “yes she is but she don’t catch on us I believe you should use you shadow if you come too my room ore gets my in your room

“Yes sounds good if we speak of the devil I believe she come”

Josele come in the open room as she see ichika and Ida sitting on the couch Ida drawing and ichika have her green tee as fare nothing suspicious “hello Ida and ichika “

“Hello josele-san”

“Sup Josie is something wrong?”

“Ah no I whas just looking after Sterling and Johan again”say she smiling

Ida raise a eye brow it’s a half lie what is she hiding?”good Johan and Sterling are gone too Asta if you search for them”

“Ah thank you “then go josele of

Ichika looking after josele “so what now?”

“We meet in my room the night my dear I will make it ready after all it’s ur half year event and Asta did bring us the stuff”

“Sounds good my dear moonlight “

———————

At night

Josele did want too looking if Ida and ichika are in the living room but they are not there what is surprising

Well do they sleep? But Ida and sleeping? She sleeping in the morning after breakfast some hours normally

Josele gose then too the girls corridors after all she should sleep but the hear she Ida’s voice in her room it’s sound like she mourning? And the a snickers from ichika? Have Ida her red Weck? Again and eat a dear again??? Just let’s look if they are ok wo know if ida need More red flesh then can she hunt again like good old times just looking if they ok how wrong will it’s go?

Josele rapped her knuckles on Ida's door.

"GYAAH!" Ida let out a hollar, as if she'd be hit by something.

Listening more closely, Josele also made out the sound of Ichika groaning, definitely in irritation.

"Ida? It's Josele! Are you alright in there?"

"Yeah! Why wouldn't I be okay?" Ida snapped back.

Josele frowned. Ida was snippy with everyone. Not even the years of affection between the sisters-in-law kept Josele from Ida's harsh tone every now and again. Yet there was something sharper to Ida's tone in the present.

"You were making some... um... sounds? For lack of better words..."

"Uh-huh. And?"

"Is it that time of the month? I could hunt something fresh for you if you need it."

"Ah, no need to worry about me!" Ida said while letting out a laugh. "Ichika is just... showing me Hino style massages! And I gotta say, they really beat the masseuses here!"

Josele leaned away from the door with one eyebrow raised.

*A massage? Ichika knows how to give massages? Not only that, but I should've heard her explaining her technique rather than laughing... I should've, right?* "O...kay..." Josele took a step back. "I'll... leave you to it. And maybe I'll ask Ida for pointers later."

As Josele walked away, she had a sinking feeling in her chest.

There probably was some touching going on behind the door. Just not a massage.

...

Back in Ida's bedroom, Ichika batted at Ida's shoulder and hissed, "A massage?! If Josele-san asks me later, I'm not going to have an answer for her!"

"I'm sorry! I panicked!"

Ichika seufs “good but we need too plan what I’m saying now……bevor she ask my…”

“Is good at least I know a little over massage man I fuc€t up”

——-

The next day

It’s whas nothing very big Ida is sleeping on the couch in the living room and Vanessa is drinking there too and ichika clean her sword and the other bulls are on a mission so josele drinking her Tee

Then Gose josele to ichika “ida sleep peaceful this is rare you work is a Wunder what a form of massage are you using this Ida sleeping this long”

Ichika looks josele strait in the eyes” yes she is it’s a secret technic I use I use to massage the vital points in her body”

Josele raise a eye brow it’s sounds plausible too her but why is she nervous?” Sounds good it’s surprising Ida don’t let somebody on her so close normally as whit you it’s still surprising my”

Ichika looks at josele “ oh I know what you mean in the beginning did Ida-San and I beat us in fight’s but now there we talk more I understand her and she my”say she whit a smile

Josele smile at her but it’s sound really close “sounds good I believe this you tow are really close”

In the moment snore Vanessa in her drunken sleeping???

Ichika say fast bevor josele could ask questions “yes it’s seems so but she did proved herself too my and I to her so no Wunder

Josele “yes I understand….you tow like each other really mush I’m happy abaut this”smile

Ichika get’s Panik do she know?!?!

In this moment wake ida up and she have no clue what going on” oh…..hey ummm is everything ok Ore what the hell I looking at?

[realhousewives-fan]

Bad Karma is a Bitch and They Deserve it

“You better believe in karma, Baby it's gonna sting. The wheel of life's gonna do you in, so I don't really have to do a thing. You took me outta my money, you messed up my love life and my career. You better believe in karma. Guess it's gonna start getting weird right here…”

Yeah, I was hearing Ida Marie’s “Bad Karma” in my head when I watched this reunion.

It doesn’t look good for Gizelle Bryant, Robyn Dixon, Ashley Darby or Mia Thornton.

Mia basically lost everything in the mess of a business, and the women couldn’t stop laughing at her explanations…

Ashley once shamed Candiace Dillard Bassett for being the least accomplished person on the show, yet she’s not even an independent woman.

Listening to her explaining the consequences of her divorce from Michael Darby was cringing, but it was honestly the writing on the freaking wall.

I don’t understand where people got the idea that she had secured the bag. Have they seen the dynamics in this marriage?!

And don’t get me started on Robyn…

She needs to sit back and be as quiet as possible, because she’s only giving the haters more ammo to use against her.

Ashley and Gizelle tried to paint a picture of Candiace’s husband being some kind of creep, but Andy Cohen basically asked:

“What kind of Victorian era are you guys living in?”

I appreciated that he took it to such a ridiculous length. Where are you at, Lady Whistledown?

Chris Bassett was friends with Gizelle! And suddenly it’s inappropriate to have a private conversation?!

As Wendy Osefo explained, their husbands are now hesitant to even engage with the women, because of the lies they spins about them.

And how much have we seen of Michael or Juan Dixon lately? Exactly, they haven’t even bothered showing up to the reunions for years now.

I understand why Chris sent Gizelle a text instead of filming with her.

Even though it would’ve been nice with a proper closure of “the storyline of lies”, I mostly wished it never happened in the first place.

[painsandconfusion]

Tomorrow

With You - Part Ten

(tw: torture mention, burning mention, creepy/intimate whumper, dubcon kiss, gaslighting)

[Previous | Masterpost | Next]

It was warm. 

The pillows propped up against their back soaked in their heat and fed it back to them little by little, adjourning the lingering cold from the shower Oren helped them through. The blankets were warm. The mattress. Oren’s knee that brushed against their thigh. The oatmeal at their lips - soft and sweet. 

Everything was warm.

Their tears had finally dried out, leaving itching trials across dry skin as they ate slowly. Obediently. With each mouthful Oren brought to their lips, they felt a little more grounded. Less spinning. Less floating. More real.

Oren had taken such care with it. Fresh apples caramelized with cinnamon and simmered into the oats. He hated cooking, and he’d taken the time to make something that would make them feel more themself. More at home in their skin.

Ida felt sick.

Ungrateful.

Ashamed that they still flinched, even when he was being so gentle.

But even with that, Oren was patient. He just let out a small, sad sigh, leaning in to press a kiss to their temple or their shoulder or their hand. Anywhere he could reach. Just little affirmations and assurances that there’d be no blood today.

This was better.

This was fine.

When Oren finally set the empty bowl aside, he tucked the blankets out of the way enough to slip in next to them. Right next to them. They could feel his warmth pressing along their arm, their side, and all the way down their leg. Then over their shoulders and he slipped an arm around them and pulled them closer.

Ida didn’t bother fighting it. Then just leaned in. Desperate for the softness and warmth he provided. 

Their voice was so soft as they hushed out a tiny, “thank you…-”

Oren just hummed in response, pressing a kiss to the top of their head. “I know this wasn’t…the best of circumstances. But the house looks wonderful. You always do such a great job.”

Ida’s mind numbly retraces their steps - they’d gotten almost every room in the house. All but the basement and attic. It must be late in the day now. The sun was down. They were too tired to think about what time it might be.

They found their head leaning against his neck, eyes too tired to closer completely. They were limp. Aching. Every inch of them throbbed with exertion and burns. The smallest, strangled whimper squeaked from their throat in response.

“Hey..” Oren softly tipped their chin up, gripping it between a knuckle and thumb. “What’s wrong?”

Ida’s eyes screwed shut - not wanting to meet his gaze - not when he was this close. “I j-...it…it h-urts-”

Oren chuckled softly. “The pain is good for you. It externalizes all that inner turmoil. Gives it an outlet. You want that, right?”

Ida stayed silent, lips pinching together.

Oren’s grip increased a fraction. They could feel him stiffen slightly around them.

“Right?” he repeated.

Ida was tired. Too tired to fight. 

Maybe they should fight. 

Maybe they should kick and scream and run if even just for defiance’ sake. 

But they were so tired.

“...yes-” The word slipped out of them in one, small breath. Not even a whisper.

Oren hummed in approval. “Kiss me?”

Ida should fight.

They knew they should.

They knew they should say no or pull away or do anything to make this stop.

But they were so tired.

Their lips met his without hesitation.

They could fight tomorrow.

[Previous | Masterpost | Next]

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[idleleaves]

In Absence of Knowing

A missing scene from “The Impossible Planet”.

* * *

Thirty minutes, Ida says, and we're going down. The station's staff leave near-wordlessly, and the door announces its closure behind them.

Rose is still looking up. The panels have come together, now, above her head, but when she shuts her eyes for even a second she still sees a body, drifting in space and silhouetted against the light. She takes a deep, shaking breath.

It's too quiet, now, without the omnipresent hum of the drill, but even with the silence surrounding her Rose knows she's not been left alone.

"She was my age," Rose says. "Close to, I mean. Just twenty."

"I know," the Doctor says from behind her, and sighs. "Rose-"

"No," Rose says, with an attempt at levity she has to struggle to maintain. "Keep that apology to yourself, Doctor. I think you've done enough of that already - today, at least."

He takes a step forward, and she can feel the weight of his eyes on her; she doesn't turn her head, but when she reaches out her hand, his is there. It slips through hers and holds it, and something about that warm, simple pressure makes her chest hurt.

"It's going to be okay, right?" Rose asks.

"Yeah," he says, and if there's any uncertainty behind his overtone of confidence he doesn't acknowledge it. "Yeah, of course."

"Doctor," Rose starts, but isn't even sure what she wants - or needs - from him, right then. In absence of knowing, she turns and hugs him, hard.

"I'm going down with them," he says.

Rose closes her eyes and lays her cheek against his shoulder. "Of course you are," she says, and straightens up, putting just enough distance between them for his arms to fall back to his sides.

Neither of their smiles are particularly convincing.

Fifteen minutes, comes Ida's voice over the comm.

The Doctor turns toward the door, and holds out his hand.

Rose takes it.

* * * 

(Also on AO3 here.)

[doctorcanon]

The Final Days of Ryoko Shinonome (Modern AU Idea)

Just something that randomly came to me. A modern AU with the Older pilots in mind. It would take place in Okinawa during the closure of several Army Bases (that have reopened since) in 2007 when Bush was in office and leaving several Japanese and American servicemen who fought in the Middle East at the height of the conflict without any VA benefits, unable to join the Japanese Defense Force and many with debilitating injuries, specifically loss of eye sight. Will handle subjects such as: Terminal Illness, Narcissistic Parental abuse, PTSD, Infidelity and Death = like lots of discussion about death.

Ryoko Shinonome: A 35 year old civil engineer who has been diagnosed with metastatic brain cancer. Despite battling it for a number of years, she now has a very limited time to live. Suffering from cognitive impairment and Vascular Dementia, she needs constant round the clock care. Her adopted brother Ei moved in with her after her fiance Tetsuya suddenly called off the wedding shortly after her diagnosis. However, she often forgets and Ei has to break her heart all over again. On the days she’s aware of her condition, she’s started getting her affairs in order and is currently working with Renya Gouto to arrange her own funeral and cremation. 

Ei Sekigahara: Ryoko’s younger brother, though they aren’t related by blood. Her primary caretaker due to the fact that he’s recently been released from military service and doesn’t have a 9 to 5 job. The stress of Ryoko’s care and his own personal demons have really done a number on his mental health. He ends up having to hire a hospice nurse who encourages him to attend a support group for veterans. Can and will kill Tetsuya Ida on sight. 

Iori Fuyusaka: Ei Sekigahara’s girlfriend and Tsukasa Okino’s Younger sister, a beloved elementary school teacher and all around ray of sunshine. She and Ryoko didn’t really get along in the first place but the latter got violent with her during one of her episodes. She truly does want to help, but only seems to be making the situation worse. Something her mother Chihiro says she’s quite good at.

Keitaro Mirua: A Routine Care hospice nurse hired by Ei Sekigahara for Ryoko, also a former soldier. Honestly, the man is a goddamn saint; he’s sweet, kind and maybe even a little shy. He’s been through a lot after he was injured in the field. Now that he has control over his life, he wants to help others. He attends a support group for former combat veterans and encourages Ei to attend as well. Trying to find the perfect ring to propose to his girlfriend.

Takatoshi Hijiyama: Miura’s closest friend and Tsukasa Okino’s husband. Also attends the same support group. Really, really struggling to adjust to civilian life, even more so after realizing that his injuries are more severe than originally thought. He has, however, discovered a great love of cooking through his physical therapy and enjoys taking care of his often workaholic husband, sometimes too much if you ask Tsukasa.

Tsukasa Okino: Former coworker and friend of Ryoko Shinonome and very talented Biomedical Engineer. Tends to get really lost in his work and hasn’t heard from Ryoko in a long time and is shocked to hear that her condition is terminal. This puts a lot into perspective not just with his husband but with his family. He decides to reach out to his estranged sister Iori. Unfortunately, Iori wants to bring their mother into it.

Yuki Takamiya: A physical therapist who once treated Shinonome and became pretty close with her and Ei. Occasionally comes by to drop off meals and see how Sekigahara is doing. Sometimes she invites him to the kickboxing gym to get him out of the house, she thinks that the support group is a good idea. After all, therapy helped her a great deal after her husband passed away.

Shu Amiguchi: Met Yuki Takamiya while visiting Ryoko, his former coworker, at the hospital and hasn’t left her alone since. A fellow engineer, he’s much smarter than he lets on. He works pretty closely with Okino too. He was actually really close to Ryoko since she dated his brother Tetsuya. Ei doesn’t really like him, but his weekly visits make Ryoko happy so they don’t talk that much. He believes that Tetsuya broke up with her because of her condition and that was the last straw and he stopped speaking to him.

Natusno Minami: Miura’s girlfriend, Iori’s coworker and Yuki Takamiya’s little sister. The absolute life of the party and a joy to be around. She’s the reason Keitaro Miura is still alive. Knows Ei more through the kickboxing gym and hasn’t really made the connection that Keitaro’s newest patient is Ei’s sickly sister that he keeps mentioning. She and Miura have been dating for almost six years now and she’s really starting to wonder if they are ready to spend their lives together.

Tomi Kisaragi: The elementary music teacher at the same school as Natsuno and Iori and a voice teacher outside of those work hours. The sounding board for a lot of relationship issues despite the fact that she’s not that helpful. She and Tsukasa Okino are old friends from high school. She’s the one who convinced him to help Megumi get a job at Shikishima as an engineer. May or may not have a history with Tetsuya Ida. She doesn’t like to talk about it.

Nenji Ogata: Tomi’s Not-boyfriend and a supervisor at Shikishima’s sales branch is often used as a liaison with the R&D department. Since he was desperate to make a name for himself outside of his family name, Nenji has an...interesting past. After falling on some hard times, his father, a former executive of Shikishima, gave him a job. Needless to say, his department doesn’t like him and he takes on a lot of extra work and stresses himself out. A frequent visitor to the kickboxing gym so he knows Takamiya, Minami, Hijiyama and Sekigahara pretty well. 

Juro Kurabe: Once known as Juro Izumi. An old friend of Ei Sekigahara who suffered a TBI in the field and is basically a different person. Underwent cognitive therapy alongside several other patients including Ryoko Shinonome. He and Ryoko are close friends and he’s just devastated about her diagnosis. Another person who will assassinate Tetsuya Ida on sight. Works with Yuki Takamiya quite a bit but is having a lot of trouble with mobility. 

Megumi Yakushiji: She really looks perfect on the outside. She’s great at her job, a great cook and a near perfect caretaker to her husband Juro. However, appearances can be deceiving. The man she married and the man she’s taking care of are two different people. But her love for Juro might not be enough to get her through their hardest day, sometimes he doesn’t even remember her. There’s only one person who sees the cracks in her facade, not her best friend Tomi or her coworker Tsukasa but Tsukasa’s husband Takatoshi who keeps asking her for recipes. 

Renya Gouto: An Undertaker at Ashitaba City’s Death Services and Mortuary. He knew Ei and Ryoko in high school but now is making arrangements for Ryoko’s cremation and general funeral services. Out of everything he’s done, he’s never spoken to someone who wants to arrange their own funeral and is the only other person who knows that Ryoko is arranging her own funeral without Ei knowing. He’s a close friend of Dr. Morimura therefore he’s familiar with Iori and Tsukasa. That’s not a good thing.

Chihiro Morimura: Dr. Chihiro Morimura is a retired oncologist who is trying to repair her relationship with her kids Iori and Tsukasa. Unfortunately, she sucks at it. While she can help Iori with her situation with Ei and his sister, she and Tsukasa will probably never get along. Who would have thought that years of narcissistic abuse would affect their relationship?

Tetsuya Ida: Ryoko’s ex-fiancee. Broke up with Ryoko after she was diagnosed with brain cancer. Has no idea about her severe condition but wouldn’t be surprised. He still works at Shikishima but not in the engineering department. Refuses to talk about her and is quite aware that several people are out for his head. He doesn’t care.

Miwako Sawatari: A kindergarten teacher who’s a bit of a gossip but really does it out of love. She knows a little bit about everyone. She works at Iori and Natsuno’s school, is a close friend of Nenji, she’s one of Yuki’s patients, and volunteers at Ashitaba Death Services. What I’m saying is, she’s the only person who knows exactly what’s happening.

[elisabeth515]

“The General’s Mistress”review (part 1)

(Part 2)

(Part 3)

(Part 4)

About: Basically this thing is based on Ida St. Elme’s memoirs (and plus some spiritual stuff—like angels and divination🧐)

Foreword

I am going to attempt to review a historical fiction properly after the horrors I’ve seen from Alison Pataki’s Sisi series (Elisabeth hates it so much). Although a very strong opposition from my dead best friend Michel, I decided to read Jo Graham’s “The General’s Mistress” because I feel really, really called to read it, after reading some reviews on GoodReads, also the encouragement from mutals on tumblr.

I hope you all will enjoy this entertaining reaction/review on this book which, hopefully I am going to finish it despite the fact that I have to finish two philosophy essays, my French writing assignment and prepare for the upcoming maths exam in January (#UniLife). Now, to the main thing!

//

First Impression

To be honest, although I was triggered by the fact that it was based on Ida St. Elme’s “Memoirs of a Contemporary” (which, as you know from some older posts, I don’t really like it no matter how intriguing the author is), this book is probably my cup of tea, given to my great interest in the Napoleonic era, also some supernatural, witchy things that reminded me of my weird witchcraft journey which has ended just some months ago. Given to the reviews thats I’ve seen on GoodReads, I think it is quite a nice and entertaining novel—especially because Michel Ney is in it. After reading the sample, my feelings are positive as I was pretty much hooked into the story.

The Reaction

This post is going to be a collection of my reactions, and impressions to chapter 1 to 13 of this book, which I managed to finish it in a lightning speed of 3 hours (with note-taking on my phone). So far, I am on chapter 24 (and now taking a break by charging my kindle) and it’s quite good I would say, at least better than what I expected, somehow, considering I am a bit reserved when it comes to historical fiction—like the accuracy is super, super, super important to me.

From the reviews, I have already been warned for 18+ content so reader’s discretion is advised. Before starting the book I have already been trained by watching porn with a straight face and I’ve passed them easily. Well, let’s just have a rough go through on my reaction to chapters 1-14 because I have too much things to talk about in this.

At first the writing is quite fine—here we have the very first glimpse of Ney and the MC basically swooned—as someone who loves Ney too much sometimes I approved

Yes we shall S W O O N in front of this babe

Well, apparently she no like her husband Jan (whom she married when she was 12, by the way) so she decided to go to be a sugar baby amd goes with the name Ida, and Victor Moreau is her sugar daddy

Everything is rather fine, until I found some errors in the clothing that the MC is wearing—dresses from the late 18th century to early 19th century are not closed with hooks (*at the back I mean); it was a late 19th century (La Belle Époque/Late Victorian) thing.

Edit: just looked up some more info again, apparently dress hooks also exists in some regency gowns for back closure, nevertheless, it would not have existed in a 1795 round gown.

By the way she is supposed to be wearing a pair of stays, not corset as it’s a future invention derived from stays. (This is somehow just nitpicking but this is very important)

Since she was supposed to be wearing a 1790s regency dress, I somehow just kinda want to say that she’s probably wearing a round gown since it was fashionable at that time; the square neckline started to come out in that decade, but I personally doubted that she would have been wearing one, since the wrap neckline or round neckline is more fashionable I would say.

Here is a fashion plate from the year when Ida started to have an affair with general Moreau (source)

Also, she would have been wearing a big handkerchief around her neckline (a fashionable thing in the 1790s).

Nevertheless the author got it right when it comes to the first steamy part when Moreau started to do her—before the drawers, dress historian guessed that women wear nothing underneath at the lower part of the body (except the mensuration belt which acted as the pads/tampons that we wear nowadays)

I kinda need to substitute the steamy parts with Moreau doing something to a sentiment rock to make myself get over it because idk—I just kinda reading them with horror because I can’t really stand smut for historical guys to an extent-

Oh no the description of babeythighs I’m ded- *proceeds dying of laughter while a confused Michel Ney watching me in the background*

Of course our MC just goes like “OMG OMG OMG I LOVE HIM😍😍😍😍😍” whenever Ney is mentioned and I feel somehow personally attached 🌚👌🏻

So there are some tarot scenes that somehow reminded me the days of me opening a tarot reading shop for earning funds for amino events, haha. It seemed like a pretty nice foretelling of the things coming ahead—like the main girl is going to be the master of her fate under the war ahead, yada yada

Another thing to note is that the MC has another persona called Charles and well, there are steamy parts for Charles as well besides Ida. The MC was seemingly super confident in “her crossdressing alter” (which you would first meet him the very first chapters of this story).

In the very first acquaintance between Ida and Michel, he kinda seemed awkward and cute which is pretty cute I guess- (well Michel in this said the MC is the most beautiful woman in the world and she has “the face of an angel”—I can faintly hear the one irl in the background saying he begged to differ lol—but spoilers say that there’s something going between him and the MC thus the “unusual behaviour”? Michel seemed a bit smitten to me in that scene ngl)

Of course the MC is super smitten by our babey who has unlimited charms despite not being considered good-looking; so she wrote a letter to Moreau and Ney respectively and Moreau found out and yeeted her out of the house.

In overall the pacing is fine, we are in the lens of our MC Ida/Charles and those foretelling through tarot is pretty cool in my opinion. There were some parts that I guess are connected to the previous books in the series which I have not read, but at least I can get the thing. One additional note is that it is written in American, so some terms might required a dictionary to understand if you have been learning British English.

Last but not the least, happy holidays and I shall yeet back to my philosophy readings now UwU

[luna-redamancy]

You Always Find Your Way Back Home Part Ten (Thranduil x Reader)

Previous Next

Series Masterlist

Warnings: One cuss word? That... That’s it?

“There will be a council meeting soon, King Thranduil---” Gandalf’s calm voice was cut off by Thranduil throwing his crown across the room, it’s sound vibrating through the room as it crashed against the stone flooring.

“She’s gone!” Thranduil shouted, “There’s nothing that you and your precious council can do because as long as this abysmal ring is in existence she will never come back!” Thranduil’s shouts turned into heartbroken sobs as he felt the same piercing pain in his chest like the first time he lost you.

“That is what the meeting will be about, destroying this… abysmal, as you say, to get her back for good, Thranduil.” Gandalf spoke sternly, gripping his staff as he stared down the king breaking down before him.

“For good?” Thranduil scoffed, a bitter laugh leaving his throat as he stared at the wizard with bloodshot eyes, crying for days and nights on end, a never-ending pit of sadness consuming him as he lost his love all over again.

“Yes, Thranduil, for good.” Gandalf lost the formality as he strode forward, pressing the end of his staff into Thranduil’s chest.

“You need to stop being so miserable and realize what is right in front of you,” Gandalf muttered, “Your son, your son Legolas, the son you raised with (Y/n), is hurting just like you are, but is he falling into a pit of sadness and neglecting every duty and responsibility around him?!” Gandalf nearly shouted, a glare in his eyes.

“No. He’s trying to hold it together for his father who fell apart like a house of cards... “ Gandalf sighed, realizing he couldn’t force the elven king to come to his senses like this.

“You’re right…” Thranduil clenched his jaw, leaning forward to rest his nose on the top of his hands that were now locked together as he leaned forward, his platinum hair falling over his face like a curtain.

“I am no house of cards,” Thranduil mumbled mostly to himself, “I am a king.”

“A king, a father, a ruler... “ He sighed deeply through his nose, wiping his eyes with the protective cover of his hair before flipping it up out of his face.

“Where are you going?” Gandalf questioned as Thranduil nearly launched himself out of his throne.

“To check on my son,” Thranduil declared, nearly running out of the room as he walked through the maze of twists and turns before he arrived at Legolas’ door.

“Legolas?” Thranduil called softly like he was coming to his son after he scolded him for doing something wrong. He didn’t want to have Legolas push him away. “Ada?” Legolas questioned, sniffling quietly as he wiped his eyes with his sleeve.

“May I come in?” Thranduil questioned, prepared for Legolas to say no and to continue to speak to him through the door.

“I guess so,” Legolas was confused, his father never checked up on him like this.

Thranduil inhaled deeply through his nose, opening the door to see Legolas perched now on the end of his bed, a confused look on his face.

“May I sit?” Thranduil motioned to the other side of Legolas, to which Legolas nodded. “If you’d like,” Legolas mumbled.

Thranduil sat next to Legolas, their shoulders nearly touching, “I’m sorry, Ionneg (My Son),” Thranduil sighed, looking up to the ceiling. “I should’ve, should, should be more considerate to your feelings,”

Legolas’ brow was furrowed as he turned to look at Thranduil, “What?”

“I lost a wife, the love of my life… But you lost your mother, and me, in the same go,” Thranduil’s eyes teared up, closing his eyes, “When I-- We, lost her, I became a shell of a man. I ran away when I should’ve run to you, to help you, to care for you,” Thranduil confessed, eyes opening as a tear slipped down his cheek.

“I’m so sorry Ionneg, I…” Thranduil was cut off by Legolas practically throwing himself into Thranduil’s embrace causing Thranduil’s teary eyes to widen as he held his son close to his chest.

The room was filled with silence until Thranduil felt the sobs wracking Legolas’ body as he held him close, Thranduil’s heart cracking just a little more as he felt responsible for his son’s pain.

“I’m here, my little Greenleaf, I’m here,” Thranduil cooed, being the father that Legolas needed since he was a child.

.

.

.

“Greenleaf, there is a meeting in Imladris to discuss destroying the ring once and for all,” Thranduil began, the two now sitting at dinner.

Legolas’ head perked up, lettuce halfway in his mouth as his eyes widened with this new information. “I want to go,” Legolas said, sounding more like “I wuff ta goo” with all the food in his mouth as he hurriedly swallowed it with an audible gulp.

Thranduil hesitated to spear his fork into the tomato chunk on his plate before nodding, “If you’d like to go, I won’t stop you, Legolas…” The urge to protect his child was strong, but he knew his son needed closure, and this was a way for him to get it.

Setting down his fork, Thranduil looked into Legolas’ eyes, “This ring has old and ancient magic, I am sure there are those who wouldn’t want it destroyed… Be careful.”

Legolas nodded, “I will be,” Legolas gave a smile as the two continued their meal, drifting into a comfortable silence.

.

.

.

Flipping through the Yellow Pages, you furrowed your brow. Fortune tellers, Magical trinkets and goodies, ‘Malevolent Ida, the woman of all magic’. It just sounded fake to you. Closing the book you tossed it onto the coffee table before running your hands down your face.

“How…” You repeated to yourself over and over as you began to think over every ‘magical’ encounter you’ve had in Middle-Earth.

Your thinking was interrupted by a loud rap of knuckles on your door. “Just a minute!” You called out, flinging your blanket off your lap.

The knocking kept going, causing you to furrow your brow again, your heart began to slam against your rib cage as you stared at the door. “I’m coming,” You called out again, now going to the kitchen and grabbing a large knife from your knife block before going to the door.

As you grasped the knob, the knocking stopped. Confused, you looked through the peephole. Looking side to side, you felt even more confusion as you realized one thing.

No one was outside.

Opening the door slowly, you looked around before looking at your feet. Below was a package wrapped in thick leaves and string like it was from---

“Middle-earth…” You mumbled in awe, reaching down to grasp the item and bring it inside, scanning your surroundings one last time before shutting your front door.

Carefully untying the strings, you watched as the leaves fell open to reveal a piece of old paper, words appearing to be written in some sort of golden ink.

“Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne in the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them… In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie,” You read out loud, horror filling your expression as you took a step back from the paper.

“Ancient magic is powerful, especially if you have to tie it to an object”

“The ring has been found again, reversing the spell we created long ago.” 

Gandalf’s words began to swirl in your mind causing you to stumble back into sitting in your armchair, you stared at the paper in shock.

Looking up to the ceiling, you examined the grooves of the paint as you let a sigh fall from your mouth.

“What. The. Fuck,” You cursed out loud, wondering why it had to be you, why it had to be Thranduil, why this mess had to happen at all. Who sent it? Why would someone want you to know of this?

All these questions began to give you a headache, causing you to slip your eyes shut. You didn’t know what you were going to do. But you knew one thing for sure, that ring must be destroyed.

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[endlesslyenlightened-blog]

key words for the spiritual beginner ~

active meditation: active meditation, as the name implies, is all about meditating while physically active. active meditations (sometimes called “dynamic meditations”) involves walking, dance and other exercises.

akash: akasha or space or ether is one of the world’s natural elements from which all is made. it is the most basic of all elements and is also the source of the other elements. through vibrations, akash interacts with other elements.

anapanasati: anapansati is “breathing meditation” and is one of the most important and oldest meditation types.

antaratma: the inner self, which is position inside the heart.

apana vayu: this is one of the pranas in the body, of which there are five. the pranas are energies. apana vayu is situated in the rectum area and flows downwards. it is instrumental in discarding that which is unneeded.

astral body:  the vedas state that there are three bodies: physical, astral and causal. the astral body takes the same image as the physical body but is formed of finer matter. this is the link between cosmic energy and the nervous system.

aura: the aura is the energy field which resides in all living beings. those born with the skill are able to see it. when seen, auras appear as colours that reveal an individual’s spiritual and emotional personality.

avatar: an avatar is a person who had been born as a god and therefore is not in need of any spiritual training.

bandha: a closure or obstruction. in yoga bandhas are a combination of muscle contractions. these function as a way of changing blood circulation, nerve pressure and spinal fluid. bandhas flow psychic energy into energy channels in the body.  they are important in self-healing.

bandhan: this is a specific technique which is performed at the conclusion of meditation practice.

bhakti: bhakti yoga / bhakti meditation is a type of meditation that involves focusing on an object of worship (usually a god or deity). bhakti brings the practitioner closer to the object of meditation.

bhramari: a pranayam. the technique is performed by filling the lungs on inhalation then closing the eyes with the middle fingers and ears with the thumbs.  the index fingers then press on the forehead and the remaining fingers push on the eyes and bridge of the nose. while doing this, focus on the ajna chakra (between eyebrows). then hum while exhaling. this relaxes the mind and helps with hypertension and blood pressure.

bodhisattva: in buddhism, an enlightened being who no longer needs to be reincarnated and therefore helps others to achieve enlightenment.

body scan:  a type of meditation in which the practitioner passes their mental focus around their body. heightens the mind body connection and relaxes both body and mind.

brahmachaya: this is the combination of the terms “brahma’ (higher awareness) and acharya (to live in). therefore, this refers to living with higher awareness. it also means control over sexual interaction.

buddhi: inner wisdom or intellect.

catch: an occurrence caused by the inefficient functioning of a chakra which prevents kundalini energy from flowing.

chakra: there are seven chakras in the body and they are energy centers.  they are located in the crown of the forehead, between eyebrows, in the neck, heart, navel, genitals and rectum. they are linked to different mental states and colours. the word derives from “chakra” which, in sanskrit, means “wheel.”

dhyana: the sanskrit word for meditation.

dualism: refers to two distinct irreductible principles. these could be ideas and matter, mind and matter. there are various understandings in philosophy and theology.

ego: the cause of suffering, the delusional idea of the self as a separate entity.

enlightenment: awakening /becoming enlightened to ultimate truth (in buddhism). or, in hinduism, the state of divine experience which is represented by the god vishnu. this is the ultimate goal of buddhism. perhaps the most famous example is the buddha, who achieved enlightenment under the bodhi tree.

feng shui: ancient chinese spiritual art form which integrates spirituality into decoration and environment.

guru: a spiritual master.

uda and pingla nadis: two of the three channels located in the spine which refer to the two brain hemispheres. pingala is active (extroverted) and relates to the left part of the brain and the right side of the body. ida is introverted and relates to the right side of the brain and the left part of the body.

jalandhara bhanda: the “neck lock.” a bandha. this is a technique practiced by contracting the neck and throat.

japa: the recitation of a god’s name in devotion. may be done aloud or silently. this technique is seen in different forms in all major world religions.

karma: in jainism, buddhism and hinduism, karma is the idea that this life is the result of mental and physical actions in previous lives. in the modern day it is often used to mean that good or bad actions in the past have led to certain consequences.

kinemantra:  a type of meditation in which a personal mantra is recited.

kundalini: derived from sanskrit to mean “coiled.” refers to the psychic energy in our being that is dormant at the base of the spine and which may be activated through specific practices.

laya yoga: the word “laya” means dissolution. laya yoga involved liberation and finding the “absolute.” related to hindu cosmology.

lotus position: sitting position with the legs crossed, originating in hinduism and used extensively in meditation.

manas: in buddhism, manas are the “general thinking faculty”.

mana0-vijnana: the seventh of the eight consciousnesses as taught in yogacara and zen buddhism.

mandala: a mandala is a diagram that is used in various meditation techniques, principally in tibetan buddhism.

mantra:  spiritual words or sounds used in meditation and devotion. principally used in hinduism and buddhism.

meditation: observing your thoughts through deep breathing in order to have a healthy sense of perspective.

merkaba: a meditation technique. markaba is said to allow the practitioner to achieve “ascension” to the fourth dimension, thereby freeing them from the three dimensional limitations in which we live. this is the traditional belief of the merkaba meditation.

mettabhavana: meditation practice that leads to the production of loving kindness.

mindfulness: a type of meditation originating in buddhism. mindfulness is all about being aware of your thoughts and detaching from them. mindfulness involves practicing awareness of true reality.

nadi: derived from sanskrit and meaning “stream” or “channel.” the body contains 72,000 nadis.

nadi shodhana: the cleansing of nadis performed through various techniques, including pranayam.

namaste: i see the sacred in you.

nauli: in hatha yoga, a technique in which the innards are slowly rotated, removing laziness and stimulating the healthy working of the internal organs.

nati-neti: a mantra that literally means “not this, not this.” used to remove conscious rationalisation to achieve the meditative state.

nirvana: in hinduism, jainism and buddish, supreme bliss, liberation from suffering and ignorance and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

nirvikalp samadhi: supreme consciousness. the cessation of mental activity and attainment of the supreme state. when achieved, oneness is found.

om: the primordial sound and the root of sound and letters.

oneness: the realisation and condition of being in a state of oneness with all reality. cessation of self.

passage meditation: recitation of passages used in meditation.

prana: the breath that sustains life. prana is the essential energy that sustains life. in yoga, the cosmic life force. often called ‘chi.’ prana enters through the mouth andnose and fills the body, sustaining life.

prana vayu: “forward moving air.” refers to the air that sets things in motions and which creates the basic energy on which life is sustained.

pranayama: techniques that use prana.

pratyahara: from ashtanga yoga, pratyahara is “withdrawal from the senses”.

samadhi:  “to place together.” the real purpose of yoga is to absorption, achieved through postures and techniques.    in meditation, samadhi is achieved when the individual achieves oneness with the object of meditation.

samana vayu: “balancing air.”

samatha: a type of buddhist meditation which focuses the mind and improves concentration. used as an entry point to vipassana meditation.

sandhya: in sanskrit “to join together.” usually refers to sunrise or sunset, when day and night are joined. this is considered the best time for prayer and meditation.

shitkari: a pranayam technique. performed with the tongue sticking out between the lips then drawing air in through the mouth while hissing, then exhaling through thenose. cures fatigue, thirst and hunger.

shushumna: the great river of the body and the most gracious of all nadis. runs from the spine to the tip of the head, moving through each chakra. it is the channel through which kundalini energy is moved.

spiritual: relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.

 subtle body: one of the four bodies.

swara yoga: a practice which uses alternation of breath. in yoga, it related to the sound of the breath and utilises specific techniques for the creation and flow of prana.

tandra: higher consciousness between sleeping and waking.

tantra: a spiritual science now more than 7000 years old. known widely for sexual practices though in reality it is much more than this. tanta uses specific techniques to expand the mind and to achieve liberation.

taoism: chinese religion and philosophy derived from tao te ching, a book ascribed to lao tzu though believed to have been written prior to his life.

third eye: one of the chakras activated by meditation. activation of the third eye chakra leads to improved vision.

trataka: yogic gazing. in this technique the gaze is fixed on a specific object. the eyes are then closed and the object visualised. helpful for curing eye disorders and improving concentration.

trimurty: the trinity of the three gods of hinduism—brahma, vishnu and mahesh.

udana vayu: “upward moving air.”

udiyan bandh: diaphragm lock in which the muscles in the diaphragm are pulled up, massaging the heart and causing secretion of the thymus.

ujjayi: pranayam exercise in which the back of the throat is constricted while breathing in and making an “ah” sound.

vayu: air, which stimulates life and gives birth to the senses.

veda: hindu scriptures.

vipassana: originating in buddhism, vipassana is a type of meditation that is all about being aware of your thoughts and detaching from them.

vritti: movement of mind and thought.

yantra: a visual symbol which is used to help the mind to focus during meditation.

zazen / zen:  one of the schools of mahayana buddhism which states that specific techniques can be used to achieve enlightenment.

source

[conoscenze]

annaliese // annaliese & ida.

Finally, after a long, agonizing period of time since I’ve announced her “presence”, I come here and slap on the blog Ida’s full info. Keep in mind that she is a fairly new character, and as such she might be developed differently from what’s written in here as of now---but it’s still a start, so let’s skip pleasantries and just jump into it.

Who’s sister Ida, the nun whom Annaliese looks up to and is basically watched over by most of the time?

1 // basics.

Full name is Ida Baumgartner.

Though she seems to have some vague Dutch ancestry, her family has been located within Germany since generations; this makes her full German.

Like Annaliese, she was born in Thuringia. However, differently from her, she’s from Apolda (located in the Weimarer Land district, which geographically surrounds Erfurt’s territory).

Ida is 37 years old, and has been in the convent since when she was barely 20. She’s ten years older than Annaliese.

Birthday is May 2nd.

Besides being nun by definition, Ida has, with time, taken upon the cloistered life. This means she spends all of her time within the nunnery’s territory, rarely stepping outside of it. She never goes beyond the the forest surrounding the structure, as well.

She occupies herself with studying and copying antique sacred scripts; despite being a rarely practiced (or required) activity since quite some centuries, Ida has always found it rather intriguing and relaxing. Consequently, as the job requires, she has developed excellent and precise skills in graphics (such as layout and copying Gothic fonts freehanded) as well as in figurative arts, more specifically miniatures.

Considering she likes to delight herself by reading old Latin manuscripts from time to time, she is fairly well-versed in the language itself. (Her knowledge of it isn’t academic, however.)

Other pastimes include praying, occasionally helping in the kitchen, and resting. From time to time, she helps with the convent’s small crops.

If asked, she will say she is heterosexual. However, she hasn’t explored that sort of aspect all that much, if at all. Ida is merely disinterested.

A lot of nuns in the convent admire her. She is far from being the oldest and / or the wisest, but her very severe and persevering lifestyle is often found worthy of praise.

She acts humble about this specific deal, but deep down, she’s aiming to become Mother Superior.

2 // personality.

Ida starkly contrasts Annaliese on all fronts. The most evident difference is reflected by her poise: if the latter tends to be overwhelmingly energetic and, to some extent, even immature, Ida in everything and anything reincarnates the stereotype of the cloistered, pious, sapient nun.

Though she seems indifferent and cold, Ida is very obviously a woman with a heart of gold. She hardly ever happens to think anything genuinely hostile in regards of anyone.

That, of course, doesn’t mean she isn’t irritable. In fact, she can be quite grouchy if you approach her during one of her aforementioned activities. Amongst the nunnery often hangs the heavy, stern warning not to disturb her whenever drawing, studying or praying.

Going by this rumor, Ida’s not fun to deal with when she’s furious. It is best not to test her.

Beyond the diamond and steely surface, Ida can sometimes reveal herself to be somewhat shy. A lot of nuns in the convent know her because of her general popularity, but she herself knows less than a third of the women that populate the building. Annaliese is the only girl she can say she really knows, besides a couple of other peers. In her words, approaching new people is “an hassle”---in truth, she is just much too awkward at handling first encounters.

She is a very private person, and dislikes sharing whatever she produces / is doing / thinking with people she doesn’t particularly care about.

Very good at picking up subtle signs and oddities in others’ behavior.

Before becoming a nun, Ida was an arts and psychology student. This explains her aptitude for artistic fields, as well as her good reading on whoever she may encounter. She is far less expertised in the second than she is in the first, though.

Ida is very religious, and strongly holds close to her heart the word of God. She isn’t a fanatic of any kind, but most of her beliefs and values heavily take from the Bible and the New Testament. Yet, here and there, her own faith doesn’t exactly match with that offered by the clergy.

She claims that she doesn’t like wasting her time teaching things she already knows, but it’s painfully obvious to everyone that it is a lie. Else she wouldn’t be so careful and gentle with novices.

Ida has a very good visual memory. Almost any face she encounters, she will remember.

If you wrong her, you need to keep in mind that she is going to be the jury, judge, and executioner of the situation. There is no situation she’s more fearful in, than one in which you perpetrated in her regards something which she deems unacceptable. Ida, paradoxically, never forgives and never forgets---especially if said something is considered absolutely deplorable and inexcusable. In the case in which you are right and she is wrong, all is well. Ida will apologize and that’s the end of it.

Very skeptical in talking about her past life---the one before closure. Not even Annaliese has managed to hear more than snippets of it.

3 // physical.

Ida is no spectacular beauty, even if she does retain some odd characteristics. Her body type is chubby, soft, and curvaceous; her lack of exercise and rich diet are contributing factors to this (not that it is that much of a big deal to begin with).

Chestnut brown hair / mint-shade green eyes, sparse and thin brows, bulbous nose, and fairly thick lips. She looks just about her age, the signs of time beginning to mark, if ever so slightly, her visage.

Her hair is neck length, straight, and often kept into a low bun. Her fringe parts towards the right. Despite being almost always beneath her veil, it always manages to maintain a thick and soft texture. Stray hair are a common occurrence.

A particular sign she retains, which can be only seen without her veil, is that she is missing her left ear’s lobe. Ida is unwilling to disclose the reason behind this, making her past even more mysterious in the eyes of the other nuns.

She’s 149cm tall. (Heavily advised against is making fun of her height.)

Whenever she’s not wearing her religious habit, Ida can be seen with thick, comfortable sweaters and ankle-length skirts. It’s rare for her to don anything body-adherent. Her sense of style is basically a grandma’s.

4 // ida and annaliese.

There isn’t much of a story to be told, despite the fact that the two know each other ever since Annaliese has started to properly live within the community. From that very moment, Ida has begun monitoring the younger girl, and to some point she even acts as a parent, rather than a simple mentor. While Ida can clearly detect Annaliese’s good intentions, she cannot deny that she finds her ways none short of unsuited for a proper Benedictine nun.

Even so, she can’t bring herself to force Annaliese to change out of her ways. Ida would never admit it, but she finds the girl’s energy and excitement soothing, in a way, even in the moments in which she manages to get on her nerves. Annaliese’s different and more active way of preaching belief and religion is also something entirely new to Ida; she finds it very refreshing and more synchronized with nowaday’s youth. Unsurprisingly, Ida herself was the one to suggest Annaliese the path of the sister.

They have an overall stable companionship, which can be hardly defined as a proper friendship, but that is also too much deep to be merely tagged as an acquaintanceship. It’s an odd, unnamed sort of middle ground. They both obviously care for each other, still.

Annaliese always tries to get Ida out of her shell, with little to no results. She will steadfastly attempt, and will take baby steps, if that’s what’s required. Annaliese simply wants Ida to make more friends, since she doesn’t have many.

Unbeknownst to Annaliese, Ida actually has sensed that something might or might not be weird with her. It’s not that difficult to tell, given that the younger girl is terribly excellent at being an open book; but Ida has particularly managed to understand that it’s not just general clumsiness. Ida is but a mere human (?), so she can’t say for sure what it is---still, her suspicion remains. She’s also the only one to have noticed the scars on Annaliese’s palms. So far, though, Ida prefers to abstain herself from making any bold accusations.

5 // ida and ... ?

Ida could be considered the perfect nun. However, there’s something odd about her aura, something weird lingering in the air around her. It’s a presence that no mere human can see---nobody but her. A fruit spawned from a badly-sown, ill-natured seed. A pact with no positive premises that she pursued in her younger years, going against all fears, with the expectation for said outcomes to outdo the predictions.

Alas, it’s not the case. Her egoism took the best of her, and Ida was blinded. Now, she’s forced to deal with her own selfish decisions.

A creature is attached to her, bound by unbreakable chains. Ida knows she won’t go to Heaven, which is why she does her best to detach herself from the material things that made her pursue such a crooked path in the past. But what is this thing? What whispers in her ears, tries to tempt her into further corruption?

It’s not for anyone else to know. Lest they get involved in something that she must carry alone.

Not a demon, but not an angel, either. Something in-between. In a staggering, unstable limbo.

Even in if physically powerless, it tries to get hold of the people that get close to her.

[jim5896]

Global shipping collective price increases across the board

Just now shipping companies collective, all lines price increases!

2021 global shipping severe, freight increasing will keep continue. 2021-09-10

Shipping companies, Hapag Lloyd and MSC, the European container shipping lines, have announced new rates for shipments from the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent to us ports. The rates will take effect in mid-September and October.

French shipping company CMA CGM announced a series of rate increases for Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa, South America and gulf destinations on the east and West coasts of the United States, effective in September and October.

While the price increases are not over, CMA CGM will also apply the following price increases on routes from the Western Mediterranean and Portugal to Central America, the west coast of South America and the Caribbean.

Because hitting by hurricane IDA with a 15-foot storm surge, shipwrecks and port closures for weeks. Merchant shipping has been suspended.

With shippers' demand remaining high, supply chain bottlenecks developing, port infrastructure stretched and inland shipments nearing overload levels, there is little relief in sight for shippers. The impact of the hurricane is bound to increase the shipping dilemma.

Many ports around the world are reporting increased cargoes and shipping delays, and as the holiday logistics peak approaches, the situation could get worse before it gets better, with a significant knock-on effect on interest rate delays.

Remind you to pay attention to the container shipping price rise and shipping delay!

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