#if they kill off eileen i will riot

[floralmotif]

I sort of rearranged 12.21

Ok, so normally I try not to be bitter on here, but I’m human and I need to say something or it will keep me awake. I know I’ve been kind of quiet on here with stuff in my life but I promise this won’t be the norm.

I’m gonna do this a bit differently. This is what happened (that I remember) and what I would do instead. As a note, I don’t entirely blame Bucklemming for this nonsense.(their eps are like this very frequently in comparison to others so I attribute some blame. Are they chosen scape goats by TPTB too? Do they just get all the painful concepts? Doubt it.) Still, several people approved this ep. It went through multiple channels and it lived to fruition. Here’s hoping the finales do something to rectify this nonsense.

I’m mostly going to keep it the same because I don’t know where all of this ends and I want it to be compliant with canon, except uh... some differences. This isn’t great, it’s 3am, but maybe it’ll serve some purpose.

Spoilers below. Like.. immediate spoilers. 

Cold Open: 

Ok, so Eileen being killed was BS. From what I can gather, it was meant to establish 4 things: 

1)Ketch is still an asshole (don’t tell the audience something it already knows) 2)BMoLs are using Hellhounds to kill (which is a BS way for Eileen to go.)  3)Eileen is dead (Why?) 4)And Sam and Dean need to know the above (BMoL, Eileen, Hellhounds) so they can segue to Crowley... who could easily be segued to anyway, because Lucifer is in this ep, and having the Hellhounds under the BMoLs thus far serves no other purpose other than to be an obnoxious way to kill people. 

Just segue to him with a line, or nothing. They’ve done it before. 

Anyway, Eileen’s death is getting binned. That’s really the main change here.

Instead, I’m replacing it with Mary’s visit to what’s-’is-name and letting that sequence play out. He gets killed, ending with the slashy. (I’m gonna try not to change too much, just minor differences.) Sucks to be him, but this alternative establishes that Mary is killing hunters without killing anyone the audience is attached to. For anyone who has seen the previous ep, they can speculate why, otherwise, it’s a “what’s going on?” situation. Either way, it’s a lead in for the ep and the title.

Motel scene: 

Let this play out except replace Jody’s conversation about Eileen with Jody telling them about another hunter killed. Quite frankly, the reaction Sam and Dean had wouldn’t have to change much. I’m still peaved there wasn’t more of one (I mean, Sam tends to hold it in, and maybe he’ll explode later, but in the context of the ep.)

Yo show, nice direct ref to Charlie’s death in your “we killed Eileen scene, btw. Classy. *gags*

Morgue scene:

I can’t remember if Dean and Sam talk about Mary as a hunter with an unknown location in this scene or the above one, but we’re gonna say it’s at the end of this one. Otherwise it’s mostly the same, except Mary’s friend instead of Eileen. Again, their underwhelming (outward) response makes this easier. (I don’t need end of Starwars ep 3, I just need some sort of emotional anchor. This is the problem The Flash has.)

Mary’s room scene:

Mary has her flashbacks and wakes up with Toni. They have their conversation.

Luci’s upset he’s chained up.

Mary’s in chains, so is Luci. She’s being controlled, so is Luci. Eventually the controlled will control.. probably. I’m gonna go with that, because it’s more interesting than any other reason I can think of. Segue to Luci and Dr. Locks Demon talking about his imprisonment. Crowley comes in, yada yada. They have their little shot rev shot, talk about Dagon, talk about the Winchesters, talk about Cas. Crowley leaves, Luci wants out ASAP.

This is why other shows have cross-fades scene(seriously, how long were they in there?):

In the original scene, Dean and Sam get a letter from Eileen, in this, they’re getting a call from Jody instead. She says they found bugs in the house of the guy who died. She found bugs in her house too and is moving locations. They should check for them. They agree to call each other if something happens.

More evidence of Mary’s brainwashing scene:

 I don’t remember if this is in the original. But we’re gonna give Mary another instance of brainwashing, so the later instances makes more sense. Also, if it wasn’t there, it would pad out the run time lost by Dean not calling Crowley.

Choice of thematic resonance is questionable scene:

Why does this exist? Oh well, seems there’s no other way he’s getting out of there and parallels to Mary apparently? So contrived power reversal nonsense awa~aaa~ay. Luci’s getting out the chains soon... yay... 

Crowley working with the BMoLs scene:

Crowley and Umbridge have their scene. We learn the hellhounds come from him. (as long as they’re used later, it doesn’t matter if they’re introduced being utilized. They’re there, they are being utilized somewhere. That’s how the BMoLs work.) this scene serves a purpose of him working with the BMoLs. That’s really all we needed to know.

Umbridge is concerned with Ketch’s sex life scene:

Ketch and Umbridge talk awkwardly about Ketch’s sleeping habits and feelings. Segue to-

Acting credit where it’s due scene:

Ketch and Mary have their scene in the BMoL base. This plays out the same. I may not like this ep, but I’ll say David and Samantha did a good job with this scene.

Checking for bugs scene:

Dean and Sam check the bunker for bugs and find one. This scene plays out normally except they call Jody about it. See, isn’t it easy to include characters without having to keep the actors directly present (not bitter). Once you introduce a concept, stick to it. Jody tells them there was another mauling like some that had happened to other hunters. She’ll be in touch. 

Ketch tells an invisible dog to sit scene:

Ketch and Toni have their scene. With their repertoire of ridiculous devices, it probably wouldn’t surprise most people. I don’t think they’ve said in canon before this ep “only demons can control them” and even if they did, when has that stopped them?

The camera chooses the rat scene:

Luci escapes and plays out his over indulgent injury of Crowley. Then the camera says “rat, you are the chosen one” and Crowley “dies”. Luci quips about it.

Toni gets her lead in scene:

Umbridge, Toni and Ketch have their scene. 

The demons “clean up the mess” scene:

Rat rat rat rat

The “don’t remember this scene very well” scene:

Toni and the Winchesters meet. Something something, Toni is their hostage now.

Mary, Toni, The Winchesters and the BMoLs end up at the bunker (why the hell didn’t they leave? Oh well. We’re keeping this. Gotta end in the same place.) Ketch compares Mary with himself, killing Magda and the others. Sam is just as eager to climb the steps as Dean is, but for a different reason. Dean still tries to get through to Mary. Toni is still left with them. Dean tries to call Jody but his phone won’t reach her. He tries to leave her a message.

Same scene with Mary and Ketch, except it’s is J cut with the sounds of dogs barking, and a montage of the Hellhounds being sicced on hunters. Jody is not seen, but the question lingers.

The barking L cuts to Lucifer and fades out over the trees. Luci does his... hill thing.. same ending.

-----

Am I saying I’m a great writer? No. I just wanted a version without Eileen being killed. I can’t rewrite the whole thing, so this is the closest I can get to. Also, it’s 3 am and I can’t remember a good part of the back half of act 4, I don’t claim anything special.

Unfortunately, I could sum up a lot of this ep as “I was afraid of that” It really wasn’t a good idea to kill off Eileen, but I don’t know what happens behind the scenes. Maybe all the deaths really are part of the Cosmic Consequences and Mary ascending to heaven in the end will bring everyone back? But who knows. It really depends on the stance the TPTB have on what happened to Alicia and what will happen to the Nephilim, Mary and Cas.

There was some subtext in the ep, and there was some good, but nothing that what’s up there really changes. It does give more fuel to my theory of everything... which I swear I will post, but that will certainly be on its own.

Sorry this is the longest thing you’ve seen from me in a while. I promise the next one is more cheery.

[speakofgrace]

14!!! talk about the gorls!!!

god kiara u Get me. this is gonna be super long lmao so buckle up.

14) your favourite female character(s)?

in no particular order:

meg!! i know i said in no particular order, but i think she might be my absolute favourite. she’s just so goddamn cool. especially in season one she was so incredibly intriguing, and the twist of introducing us to human meg right as she died was a really interesting touch. i’m also fascinated by the fact that we apparently don’t know her real name? season 5 meg is also super fun, and i’m obsessed with the devotion arc and how it parallels cas. their interactions (bar the romance) are super fun, and i wish we’d got more of the opposites-but-the-same dynamic. i also wish she hadn’t reappeared in season 8, because her ending was t r a s h. the fact that she didn’t get to kill crowley is a crime.

jo: also one of my all time faves. the romance was once again not ideal (just from an age gap + dean’s trauma perspective), but i adored the way she interacted with both boys, and i really wish we’d gotten to see more of her growth into the person she was in season 5. i think “very young female hunter” really could’ve been something interesting to explore, but i also wouldn’t trust any of the spn writers except maybe sera gamble to get it right. either way, i adore jo, and i wish we’d seen more of both her and ellen. the family dynamic as a parallel to the winchesters was great.

anna: what a character. once again, i wish we’d seen more of her, especially her journey from scared human to ruthless runaway commander. i’m also fascinated by her righteousness; it’s almost the last thing you’d expect from a fallen angel, but at the same time, it makes such perfect sense. she can’t not be righteous, she just grew disillusioned with heaven’s idea of righteousness. chef’s kiss.

ruby: special shout out to ruby 1.0 but god i love them both. witch turned demon? iconic. demon who remembers being human and wants to destroy hell? iconic. witch turned demon who played sam so expertly that he didn’t even question her when hell was literally opening at his feet? absolute legend, when will your fave. that reveal shook me to the fucking core when i first watched it, and her reveal speech was i n c r e d i b l e. i just wish we’d seen her and meg interact even once.

bela: and once AGAIN, wish we’d seen more of her!! she was so interesting as a character and as a parallel to dean, and i’m still bitter than she was written out purely because of fan reaction. i’m absolutely obsessed with her backstory, and it’s a goddamn travesty that we never saw her again. still desperately want the au where it was bela instead of crowley in season 5. it would’ve made a lot more sense. ALSO think her and meg could’ve had an iconic romance, but that’s another post.

krissy: my GIRL!! bring her back!!! the fact that she only got two episodes is a goddamn travesty and i’m still living in a fantasy world where she and kevin are best friends.

claire: GOD i have such complex feelings about her. on the one hand: bringing her back was such a stellar choice, and the fact that a devout christian girl who was possessed by an angel and had her life destroyed by heaven turned out to be a lesbian? incredible content, fuck whoever didn’t approve the wayward sisters spinoff. however, i also think claire’s appearances were a bit samey, in that it was an endless loop of “claire is reckless, the winchesters save the day, claire doesn’t learn and is reckless again”. i think some more nuanced growth would’ve been nice, but oh well. i also kinda wish that the og claire from season 4 could’ve come back, just because she still has this kind of delicate, ethereal look about her that i think would’ve added to the character. kathryn does an amazing job though, so no complaints.

CHARLIE!!: robbie turner did so right by us, but this was probably his best move. i miss charlie so much, and i’m still so pissed off that they killed her. the dean/sam/charlie dynamic was just so FUN, and i just wish we could’ve seen more of them (and cas. and kevin. and so on). miss my girl :(

eileen: i’m still so stoked by her. a visibly deaf character being treated with respect on this dumpster fire of a show? can’t believe it tbh. if she doesn’t come back i’m goddamn rioting i love her and sam together so much.

honourable mentions: cassie, that one demon that dean got trapped with in season 3, abaddon (underdeveloped but what a stunner), naomi (same), hannah (double same), mary!!, all of the wayward sisters i can’t Get Into It, missouri, billie, etc etc etc. god this show sucks but they came up with some absolute bangers huh.

[spnreactionblogging]

CARRY ON

spoilers below but I’m very late to the game

here we go!!! there's Some Woman in the thumbnail for this episode and I'm like oh boy did you fuckers turn castiel into a girl to make it Not Gay, I will riot. we're off to a dread-inducing start I'm honestly not even sure I want to watch this? I have not heard anything good but since my options are either keep SPN blacklisted forever but ultimately get spoiled anyway, or use my dwindling remaining time to see it for myself without being told what happens, may as well be on my own terms I am hearing that misha and possibly j2 were not happy with this, whatever this is (?????) yikes I don't understand how you even have another episode after the last one. that seems like a traditional ending. you either beat a dead horse or go ultra meta and it sounds like they dropped the ball, big time but let's see jack's sweet and deserved better. there's a clock but it's NOT heat of the moment playing, damn oh the dog. we love you miracle dog sam's still jogging where's eileen!!!! I like seeing sam cooking I actually enjoy watching them do domestic stuff dean sneaking food to the dog 😭 can this be the whole episode, just them doing chores I meant to catch which book sam was reading I can't tell but it looks like it's old this is extra bonus sad for knowing that they couldn't even like, have a wrap party or anything. extra isolated. :( SPECIAL GUEST STAR JIM BEAVER!!! "Are you sure you're ready for this?" "Oh, I don't have a choice." dean hasn't been this relatable to me in years, this is how I feel watching this lmao akron pie fest dean dies of complications from diabetes god I miss bakeries or restaurants or anything I do love Sad Sam Face "I"'m thinking about Cas, you know? Jack. If they could be here." thank you Sam that pain isn't going away for me either "stop being an eeyore" Sam's the Eeyore of the series, Dean, okay, and same lmao jared fucking slammed that pie into jensen's face and they just filmed it. you can see the actual glee on his face brady??? like sam's old classmate? wasn't that his name? or no some kid. is this just a regular-ass monster of the week. do sam and dean just get killed by like. regular people? are there no monsters anymore. I would actually love that. humanity is truly the worst monster of all. didn't we learn that in season 1 :') in "the benders" are these guys sam and dean? are they just murdering monster families like they did in the holiday episode? what is happening. are those dean's shoes. I could probably recognize how they walk if I really paid attention i guess not. probably. "singer and kripke, FBI" ha fucking clowns lmao poor sam they still have dad's journal, huh. THE LORE evil mimes. vamp-mimes. I guess they kill these dudes? we gonna unmask them or what there we go this guy looks like joseph gordon-levitt oh we love torture on this show this is definitely "dean who's NOT the ultimate killer" amirite "if those kids are dead he's gonna use a spoon" how very walter sullivan of you also I feel like sam would not do this anymore but hey who am I, someone who likes consistent characterization? lol we're back to creepy barns instead of wet pipe factories dean has a fucking shuriken lmao I honestly for real need a machete for the overgrown weeds I don't hate this so far? I'm tired of the constant torture but I guess this feels like early seasons, kind of. idk. lmao sam with the concussions. classic tie them to a chair. it's what we do. i will be disappointed if they are not tied to a chair jenny? cue studio killers. I do not remember whatever episiode this is but it looks very early based on sam's hair oh thanks sam. couldn't get out of this episode without beheading a woman too one of the suggestions for me typing "woman" was a high-heeled shoe emoji. thanks, predictive text...?????? true feminist oh damn he could very well get tetanus from that. that's how trinity dies, man. should've gotten your booster shot, dean. vaccines save lives this is like the plot of signs why don't you guys wear bulletproof shit. your plot armor was holding you together until now. GUYS THIS IS HOW HUNTERS GO OKAY don't ever un-impale someone, guys like "dean we are in a major city, there are ambulances" call fucking 911, someone could be there already "I've always looked up to you" because you're taller than me lmaoooo idefk what to say about this like. we all know this is how hunters die. you fucking leered at jessica is what you did, dean if sam makes it out of this I'll accept it. if sam lives I can be okay. if this is the only way sam gets free of this, I'm okay. CALL 911 AND CALL JACK "always keep fighting" aw :( they're both very good at crying, I will give them that we never think it's gonna be the day. at least you got pie. OH THE WINCHESTER FAMILY MUSIC don't do this to me dean got a way better death than castiel. this actually reminds me a liiiiittle bit of the end of season 2? with how dean holds sam's body. the writing here is overwrought though. jared and jensen do the best they can with the script they're given but like you guys just FOUGHT GOD. they're a bit too up their own ass with this. you can tell that dabb thinks he's very clever. sam... gets a dog again? at least. i guess. the pacing is bad. I don't hate this on principle but it is not executed well. I am having like no emotional response to this except maybe relief for sam in a horrid way. like, you're free! at what cost. it's like the opposite of season 5? sam survives instead of dean. and... sam marries a dog. where do they get all this fucking lumber!!! did sam chop that all himself dude if he woke up to "heat of the moment" i'd lose my shit in the best way. gabriel wins. "gotta keep you on your toes." what had to change in this because of the pandemic? at least sam has a dog to be in scenes with him. the two guns as big and little brothers is an interesting choice of a shot. god the fucking phones. "DHS" "CIA" "dean's 'other other' phone" "state patrol" what's the paperwork on his desk? (512) is an Austin area code I have this on amazon prime and the saddest thing thus far is X-Ray: Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester, with no other actors at all. meta ways, pandemic related. "this is agent bon jovi" donna's alive??? sam just quit, babe. just quit. or take a day off at least, jesus. didn't you just drive back from ohio are you even gonna go back to the bunker DEAN IN HEAVEN!!! how'd you get here. "well at least I made it to heaven" lmao he said the same thing oh hey bobby!! I love jack god i've missed jim beaver you guys moved on to dream bubbles!!!!! RUFUS how very homestuck + narnia of you, starring sam winchester as susan pevensie so jack just like melded all of these metaphysical spaces, I'm cool with that "so the question is what are you gonna do now, dean?" get a better beer so I can drink and drive with my car that's in heaven, I'm already dead so who cares what I hit TELL ME WHERE IS BALTHAZAR FOR I MUCH DESIRE TO SPEAK WITH HIM break everyone out of the empty I do get the impression this was supposed to be a big cast reunion and the pandemic clobbered that :( oh it's the original license plate on the impala sure do love that cas and jack "helped" to give dean everything he's ever wanted. the only time "carry on my wayward son" has been diegetic I guess sam and the dog had a child I like jared in glasses are we doing a bunch of elderly makeup yeah there he is did they just spray grey temp dye on his hair or what is sam gonna drive into toluca lake!!! buddy please don't just run the engine in a garage, he took off his glasses and that makes me nervous jake gyllenhaal looking dude which cover is this must be nice to have healthcare I so appreciate that sam's wife has zero personality and is merely in the background, of no importance whatsoever compared to his kid named dean are the two impalas gonna meet in heaven????? vancouver is beautiful, or wherever this is at jared looks so cozy in that coat you can tell j2 really do love each other for real the majesty of that forest/that river got me choked up a bit, it's such a lonely thing. like. I can see what they were going for? like dean just... getting sick, falling off a ladder, getting in a car accident, etc etc would've been more potent, I think. the execution was not good. I'm not that unhappy though. it's all right. eh. it's fine. the heartfelt message from the cast (what's left of them....) and the crew was sweet. I want to know what they were intending to do? I feel like you can definitely feel the weight of COVID fucking this up which is genuinely upsetting. sam gets like 50 years of being free of dean I GUESS???? perhaps the only way to break the cycle.

at least there was no sexual assault in this episode. i have definitely watched way worse episodes of this show. it's like. twee. but I can't be mad at these guys especially with how much I know jared in particular has been struggling with the state of the world this year but jensen talked about it with rosenbaum on his show too. 2020 has been rough. like. at least they filmed it. whatever. I feel like I get what they were trying to do even if circumstances meant it wasn't really pulled off. it seems like they were supposed to have a big cast reunion and the pandemic took the wind completely out of their sails. this feels incredibly tacked on. 15x19 would've been a much better place to stop. I feel like I just read andrew dabb's notes. I get what they were trying to go for but they didn't pull it off. I thought it was gonna be a lot worse tbh in summary: EHHHHHHHHH

[tumbler-tidbits]

WHERE MY SAILEEN SHIPPERS AT?!

OH MY GOD!!!!!! Tonight was my favorite episode of this season of Supernatural! When Eileen came back I was like...

and then seeing Witch!Sam was so HOT 🔥 and how sweet was it that Rowena excludes him from the Death hex on her apartment? and then Sam found the flesh of the spirit spell?! And I was like...

but I was so afraid it would not work and I was yelling at the tv...

and when it worked and Eileen was alive again I literally jumped off my couch like this...

and how precious was the Saileen hug ❤️❤️ MY HEART 😍😍 and finally I yelled out “They better not bring her back just to kill her next week! I WILL RIOT!!”

And those are my feelings on the episode. Thank you for coming to my tedtalk!

[bre95611]

15x06 Liveblog!

Alrighty folks, I’m not ready. Should be a good one guys! Feel free to yell at me in the replies, send me a message. Whatever ya wanna do. Here we go!!!

JESUSCHRISTstarting off wit that damn breakup huh?

QUEEN come back to us

Short recap

Gd that portrait is AMAZING

BUT WHY DO YOU HAVE TO SMASH

Killing these bitches for wrecking her shit beyond the grave

Rowena is an absolute goddess and I miss her every day

WEIRD INVISIBLE THING WHAT THE FUCK

LOOK AT DEANS PAJAMA PANTS!!!! OH BABY I LOVE HIM

poor boy still sad about his bf leaving him

CAIN AND ABEL2.0 HE SAYS

MY LOVE!!!!!!!!! HES BACK

CASTIEL I MISSED YOU HOLY FUCK HES GOING BY CLARNECE

ALso he is fishing? all I can think about is gthat peir scene in the dream way back when and then he goes and says THAT about Dean

RUN PADS RUN

god his legs tho

Its fuckin Elieen bitches!

uhghhhh of course shes a fucking ghost though. poor baby girl

please,i’m still just holding out for rowenato be running hell now, and her just be like, imma fix some shit for ya samuel

god dean is being a lil depressed bitch

Agent wardley. who’sgot the refernce? cause I sure dont

WHOA SHARED TRAUMA

I swear if they dont bring eileen all the way back after that conversation, I WILL FUCKING RIOT

GOd, that fucking moving truck. ugh.

[chaunceyandchumleysdad]

RIOT FEST, Day 3 Sunday September 15

My wife did not attend this day, but I still opted for driving as I couldn’t face taking the L after the ease of driving and parking the first two days. Weather was very similar to Friday. Some rain in the morning created a few muddy/wet areas, but the fields were mostly in good shape. A little humid with a cooling breeze and just a very light sprinkle for a few minutes later in the day.

·         Ultra Q (Rise stage) – The first band of the day. I didn’t have anyone in particular I wanted to see at this time, but Ultra Q was the choice simply because they were on the stage of the next band I wanted to see. They were a rockin’ Pop Punk band and a good opener for Day 3.

·         Save Ferris (Rise stage) - I have to admit this is one of the bands I most wanted to see this year. I love Ska Punk, I’m easily hooked on good Pop sounds and I’m a sucker for any band with a good front woman. Their 1997 debut It Means Everything is an album I cannot seem to get enough of. After their sophomore release Modified in 1997, they struggled through numerous personnel changes, breakups, lawsuits and eventually a revival where Monique Powell was able to obtain the rights to the band’s name. Deservedly so because she is the face of the band. And she was soooo entertaining. Her singing, humor and banter was outstanding. She held the crowd in sway in a manner that is comparable to Gwen Stefani. She started the show in a tight black dress and stripped off pieces of clothing until she was eventually down to a Vaudeville-type leotard. She strutted around the stage while teasing the crowd with sexual innuendos. Even the band members continuously laughed and smiled while watching her stage antics. The band covered the Dead Kennedys song Too Drunk To Fuck and of course, they finished the set with their great cover of Come On Eileen. Based on the energy Monique puts into singing on her records, I had high hopes for the show and she and Save Ferris did not disappoint.

·         White Reaper (Roots Stage) – This Louisville band that was not on my radar. However, as I was walking through the park that morning, a lady I was chatting with suggested I see White Reaper because her cousin is in the band. They were very good playing a brand of Hard Rock/Garage Punk. I stayed for about half their set before moving on to catch some of another band.

·         Frank Iero and The Future Violents (Rise Stage) – I caught the second half of this show. Frank Iero was one of the guitar players in My Chemical Romance. I was not familiar with this band but they had a nice Alternative sound and were very energetic on stage.

·         Less Than Jake – Well, I had to have more Ska Punk! I remember my older son David being into  this band when he was a young teenager. Although I’ve listened to this musical genre since the Ska Revival in the late 70’s, it was really David’s interest in bands like Reel Big Fish, Save Ferris, The Aquabats and Less Than Jake that got me to start listening to it on somewhat of a regular basis. Less Than Jake was awesome. I stood close to the stage and enjoyed their sound, energy and great humor. They put so much into their show and had a lot of fun with the audience. It was easy to tell by their laughter, smiles and jokes that they really enjoy what they are doing. This is a band I would definitely like to see again.

·         Sincere Engineer (Rebel stage) – This band is led by Chicagoan Deanna Belos. Their debut album was just two years ago. Very good hard driving Garage Punk. This was the only band I saw with my younger son Dylan, who had just arrived and then departed after the set to catch up with friends.

·         Streetlight Manifesto (Rise stage) – And more Ska! I did not see the first half of their set but Dylan and I could hear them while we sitting on the soccer field and eating some dinner. After Dylan left, I went to see the rest of their set. Like Less Than Jake, they were a fun, energetic Ska band.

·         B-52’s (Radicals stage) – For my taste, this was the beginning of a killer ending for Riot Fest with an incomparable Final Four musical artists. While I can’t say that I am a huge B-52’s fan, I did get into them from hanging out with my buddy Dean in the 1980’s. Their album Comic Thing, released in June 1989, was a summer classic that year. I still enjoy listening to it from beginning to end. They played their two big hits from that album, Love Shack and my favorite, Roam in addition to other hits such as Give Me Back My Man and Rock Lobster. What amazed me was that Kate Pierson (71) and Cindy Wilson (62) still sounded youthful and superb. Fred Schneider’s quirky voice still sounds the same too with his singing and talking voices being virtually indistinguishable. They also drew the largest crowd I had ever seen at the Radicals stage. There sound was rounded out with original member Keith Strickland on guitar and a host of touring musicians. While all still the original members, the death the Ricky Wilson in 1985 almost ended the band, but they forged ahead as a quartet and continuing to be a very entertaining band. After Riot Fest, I did read an article that suggested this was a farewell tour for the band. I haven’t seen or heard that anywhere else. Given their ages and longevity, I guess it would not be surprising, but I hope they stick around awhile longer.

·         Patti Smith and Her Band (Riot stage) – The second of the Final Four was the great Patti Smith. This was my second time seeing her as she was also at Riot Fest in 2014. One of the founders of Punk (before it was called Punk), she was way ahead of her time in terms of her music, attitude and feminism. While she has produced some great songs, I was surprised, though not disappointed, that she did several cover versions during her set including I’m Free (Rolling Stones), Beds Are Burning (Midnight Oil), Are You Experienced? (Jimi Hendrix), Walk On The Wild Side (Lou Reed) and After The Goldrush (Neil Young). I particularly liked I’m Free and Beds Are Burning. She closed the set with Gloria, which is technically a cover song (Them). However, that was the opening track of her first album and she did such a unique version of the song that she has made it her own. Add in People Have The Power and Because The Night along with a couple of other originals and it made for a wonderfully enjoyable set.

·         The Raconteurs (Roots stage) – Earlier in the year, when I heard The Raconteurs were touring, I immediately went to their website to see when they would be in Chicago. While they were going to be playing in Midwest states during September, Chicago was noticeably absent from their schedule. That immediately led me to speculate that they would play Riot Fest. While I’m sure I wasn’t the only on to draw that conclusion, I was dead right for a change. (My Riot Fest prediction percentage does not have the best track record.) I just saw Jack White perform last year at Lollapalooza so it was great to see him again a little more than a year later. I would have to say for overall performance, this was, in my book, the best of the festival. The show was just so impactful in terms of being a tight band with great professional talent, tremendous production and a powerhouse of sound. They played six songs off the new album (Help Us Stranger), four from Broken Boy Soldiers and three form Consolers Of The Lonely. I like all three albums so I was happy with everything they played. Jack White also referenced Bikini Kill during the set and the band also played a snippet of Gloria which I interpreted as a nod to Patti Smith.Unlike last year at Lolla, Jack White did not offer much banter between songs, but I believe the bands stage time was much shorter at Riot Fest than it was at Lolla. As with last year at Lolla, I thoroughly enjoyed Jack White’s guitar playing. When you look at the span of his career, the various directions he has gone with his music, and the potential he still has, he is truly a treasure of American Rock music.

·         Bikini Kill (Riot stage) – This band was Riot Mike’s coup for the 2019 edition of Riot Fest. This year was the first time Bikini Kill officially reunited as a band since they broke up in 1997. The reunion included 3 of 4 original members (Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail and Kathi Wilcox). I have twice seen Kathleen Hanna live with her band The Julie Ruin, but I never thought I would see Bikini Kill. It seemed like a bit of a strange transition from The Raconteurs big time Rock sound to Bikini Kill’s stripped-down Riot Grrrl sound. But Riot Fest is first and foremost a Punk Rock festival, so Bikini Kill deserved the top spot. Kathleen Hanna also commented on how difficult it is for a female band to get “this spot” (top headliner and a Rock music festival). Kathleen sang the bulk of the songs with Tobi Vail taking lead vocals for a few numbers. Kathleen talked quite a bit between songs, often addressing societal issues from a feminist point of view but also talking about the history behind some of the songs. Based on my experience seeing The Julie Ruin, I know she likes to chat on stage. However, when you are given a 75 minute time slot and you play Punk songs that are on average maybe two minutes long, I suppose you have to fill up the time with some banter. At any rate, it was fantastic to see this band and an awesome way to end Riot Fest 2019.

[trulycertain]

pattern recognition

Time for 3.5k of character study! I guess this is kind of a companion piece to Proprioception, but it stands on its own. This one is all Pritchard and slow enemies-to-friends stuff. (Also on AO3.)

 Jensen’s still comatose. He’s the lucky one.

He hasn’t had to watch cleaners sift through broken glass and pray they’ve already got all the blood, even while some morbid fascination pushes you to look for it, to watch for the evidence of your coworkers and their last moments. Evidence they existed at all. Frank walks past windows and workspaces and mentally labels each; for all he was mocked for being a shut-in, he remembers each and every name. He has that sort of brain. Pattern recognition. He used to brag about it in hackerspaces, but it feels like more of a curse, now.

Jensen hasn’t had to walk through empty labs and abandoned desks, feeling the spaces. He hasn’t had to walk through rooms full of death and know that Jensen could have prevented it, wasn’t that his fucking job?

They should have had Belltower. They needed Belltower, not one jumped-up ex-cop who thought he could be a SWAT team on his own. That arrogance damn near cost him his life. Instead it just cost everyone else’s.

Sometime around Monday, when the cleaners are finishing up, Sarif starts knocking. He doesn’t usually bother, just strolls in as a reminder he owns the place, leans an elbow on Frank’s desk and starts talking at him like they’re friends in a bar somewhere. As if tech security’s less important than the latest jam in the coffee machines or the fact Eileen’s had a baby, isn’t that nice - until he gets to what he actually wants. There’s always another favour.

When the knocking starts, Frank realises how he must look, how snappish he must be. He catches one of the technicians in the canteen muttering about Stay out of the blast radius, Pritchard’s even further up his own ass than usual and watches the silence fall abruptly as they spot him.

But Sarif’s worse. Concealer can’t entirely cover up the eyebags, and he’s all manic focus, running hands through his hair and pacing as he talks about how Jensen isn’t quite dead, how they found a way; as he asks for the Prometheus specs and talks about how this can’t happen again and why the hell couldn’t his staff defend themselves...

He’s wild-eyed and unsteady round the edges, and Frank actually pauses and looks up from reams of code. Sarif’s never been like this before. Maybe when he’s just had an idea for a prototype and he’s buzzing, ready to start on blueprints, but… not like this. Not with this edge of panic, this white-knuckled fear to it. There have always been jokes about Sarif’s obsession with his tech, but this is something else. This feels like a sickness.

And then the visits stop, and that’s how Frank knows David’s down at the LIMB clinic. With Jensen.

After the surgery, when Jensen’s still not dead and clinging onto life as stubbornly as he does everything else, the mania fades. David edges in like Frank’s a cornered animal, actually pausing to let him speak once in a while. Frank hates every minute of it.

A week later, there’s a soft knock on his door. Frank looks up and sighs, waiting for the hedging and the edging away.

It’s not Sarif. It’s Athene.

Something must have happened. He doesn’t know, he’s had his head in the firewalls for the past three days, because there was an anomaly and God don’t let it have been something he missed, something that could have prevented it…

Athene puts her head around the door of the tech lab, after another half-hearted knock. There’s something in her hand, and she raises it. “Are you signing?”

“Signing what?” He looks distractedly back to his monitor. Sure, it’s yet another card, but Ramirez hasn’t woken up yet and… Then he gets it. He grinds his teeth. “Oh. He made it, did he?”

“It was a close call. You don’t know how close.”

Actually, he spent two days without sleep in front of flickering screens, waiting on news and to see if any short-notice specs needed to be delivered, because if these augmentations couldn’t do something to save people then what was the point of them. When it came through, the fact Jensen was one of the few people down there not DOA? It just seemed like cruel irony.

“Frank - “

“No. Ask someone who actually cares.”

“You’ll regret it, you know. He’s in a lot of pain.” Athene’s voice is soft. Sometimes she reminds him of the school nurse he had when he was young, the one everyone actually liked; that calculated gentleness, that careful, I’m not judging you but everyone else will, and she thinks he can’t see through it but he’s sat through this kind of thing enough times. (We know it was a misunderstanding. Just give us the account details. You couldn’t really have emptied out the bonds.)

He tsks and looks back to his keyboard. “He’s alive, isn’t he? It’s better than some.”

“He’s not conscious yet, and he’s probably going to be scared when he wakes up. He doesn't know about Megan, and that’s… I don’t envy him."

"He wouldn't have to know if he hadn't gotten her killed."

"You know how the patients get sometimes, if it’s their first time...”

Franks drinks cold greyish coffee so he doesn’t have to look at her. “He knows the augs. He watched M – Reed build them.”

Athene sighs. “Have it your own way. But David thinks it’s a shame, you know.”

“Sarif can think what he likes. This isn’t in my job description.” He signed up to work up for a corporation, not “one big happy family.”

There’s another pause, a wave of silence at the doorway that always comes before something he won’t like. Athene says, too softly, “Frank, dear. Have you looked into the counselling? It’s only once every couple weeks, there’s...”

He swallows and looks at a screen, because it’s safer than looking into her eyes. “I can’t afford to lose the time. Some of us are too damn busy to wallow.” He pauses and says, more quietly, “Have you? I’ve barely seen you leave your desk since it happened.”

“I’ll be all right, Frank. It's not me you should be worrying about.” Another sigh, somehow more judgemental than the last, and then Athene gives up on him. Good.

He runs back over the list of the casualties, the dead and the injured. After a while, the names start blurring until he has no idea who’s who. That shouldn’t feel like a relief.

    Jensen’s still an asshole. That, at least, is reassuring. There are tales of scared nurses and Jensen taking chunks out of concrete, ones Frank’s not meant to have heard, and when Jensen comes back…

He skulks back. Glowers in the corner of Frank’s office like a deeply unwelcome gargoyle and practically snarls at anyone who dares to ask him about the augs. He’s always been touchy and overly defensive, but this is different. He won’t even look at anyone, just keeps the shades practically… well, welded to his face. As if he no longer deigns to interact with the mere mortals.

Frank sees the new eyes once, when he’s adjusting the retinal systems and integrating the HUD, doing a few last-second checks before Sarif sends out his shiny new guard dog. He blinks when the shields slide back, and then swiftly hides it and starts to work.

Somehow he’d expected narrowed blue eyes. The same old glare. Or maybe that Sarif would have tried to design something close…

No. They’re less human than some of the augs SI makes. More reflective, and a bright acid-green, golder at the edges. Entirely inhuman. Excessive, some might say.

Also out of sync. Which is why Jensen’s dragged himself into Frank’s office. Fix me, Pritchard. Piss off, Pritchard.

When they narrow in pain and Jensen clutches his head, Frank realises that the coldness wasn’t the augs. Jensen blinks and swiftly shuts it all away with a grunt. And Frank realises that even if Adam’s eyes were still human, they’d be empty. As if he doesn’t goddamn care about any of this. He’d probably rather be at home, eating cheese balls and taking the last of his sick leave…

He’ll realise what it is much later, when he’s realising Jensen’s at the bottom of an ocean, long-dead, and wanted to be.

    Jensen wanders into the canteen after Taggart’s press conference, about to hop yet another VTOL with Faridah. From the bow-legged lope – the cop walk, Frank always thought sourly, but now he wonders – Frank’s starting to suspect the shades are hiding eyebags and a bruise or two. Even the damn hairgel’s starting to sag. Jensen makes straight for the vending machine, with the air that anyone who gets in his way will be Typhooned, and silently stabs in the numbers for something tooth-rotting.

Frank can’t even blame him, after tonight.

The vending machine starts, stalls, and the candy bar refuses to budge. Jensen sighs, sounding resigned and like this is precisely what he expected. He gives it a quiet tap. Another, firmer one, still seeming wary of breaking the damn thing.

Jensen’s quietly picking the vending machine up and tilting it, shaking it slightly like a chip packet, when Frank leans on the wall nearby.

“Pritchard,” Jensen sighs, as if seeing Frank is the icing on a truly awful cake.

He’s probably waiting for some snide comment. It’s an unorthodox use of the arm mods, after all, and Jensen acts as if anyone seeing a moment of humanity is a fate worse than death. But Frank’s too exhausted and too preoccupied.

There’s a plunk as the bar finally drops. Jensen’s eyebrows raise from under the shades with an exhausted sort of hope, and then he carefully lowers the vending machine and springs down to grab it.

Frank’s on his twenty-second hour without sleep, and he knows Jensen’s been taking valuable time to trail down back alleys and sneak past rioting mobs and poke into apartments just to understand. Besides - he ascertains after glancing around – they’re alone here. It’s an unholy time of night even for their department.

“That goddamn backdoor,” he hisses. “I knew Sarif was overinvested, but this...” He can’t even finish the sentence.

“He had files on me.” That should have come out with rage, but instead Jensen says it with that quiet matter-of-fact exhaustion again. There’s a quiet sound, and when he turns… Frank looks with surprise into tired green eyes.

“Why on earth – Was this about Mexicantown?”

Jensen shrugs. “Guess he was doing some background checks.” There’s something uneasy in his posture.

Frank has a feeling that’s not the whole truth, but he’s in no mood to pry into Jensen’s personal life; he’s seen enough of it already. “Your… contact is safe. I’ve been keeping tabs, especially with the rioting.”

For the first time, Jensen seems awake. He opens his mouth. Closes it again. “...Thanks.”

Frank waves a hand. “But I told him, you leave a door ajar and someone else can open it, I told him so many damn times...”

“I’ve always said the same thing.” The slightest tilt of the lips. A genuine smile, from Adam Jensen. The world must be ending. “He thinks we’re both paranoid.”

“We could have prevented this. And he wouldn’t let us.”

Adam ducks his head, and sobers. “Yeah. But I’m gonna find her, and the others. Gonna try, at least. Someone has to.” He swallows. “You on comms?”

“Where else would I be?” Frank starts to walk away. “Don’t get yourself killed, Jensen.”

Jensen snorts, shades sliding back into place. “I’ll do my best, Francis.” Then he shoves a candy bar into his mouth and turns to head to the helipad.

    Frank’s in a crumbling theatre in Detroit when he sees them.

They needed to prepare for the LIMB clinic, and if there’s one thing he’s used to, it’s boredly scraping blueprints and intellicam footage for Jensen. He was looking for security guides, for the cam links, and the file roots didn’t make sense. He thought they purged the footage. Surely, for patient confidentiality, even if they were worried about malpractice suits… The clinics were never his area.

No. They didn’t.

He winces and keeps scrolling through files, ignoring frames and previews. Augs are perfectly ordinary to him, but he doesn’t need to see thousands of surgeries from the greater Detroit area. He almost moves past it.

And then there’s a tilt of the head, something… He spots a familiar beard, under the blood.

So much blood. It’s staining the bandage over Jensen’s eyes, he must have already had the retinal prostheses, it’s on the bandage from where half his skull must’ve got blown off and had to be rebuilt, and it’s all over the flayed augs. Frank frowns. That’s a mark of hasty installation, they’re calibrating nerves on the damn table...

David’s a designer, an engineer, not a surgeon. He almost never worked with trauma patients. Frank thinks of Sarif and thinks of slow, deliberate tweaking and calibrations. He doesn’t think of a man wrist-deep in guts and clearly half-yelling at his surgeons.

That would be enough, but Frank realises with a slow, dawning nausea that Adam must be conscious, on some level. Thrashing, and that isn’t just blood on his face, slipping out from under the makeshift blindfold… Perhaps he still had his natural eyes, then. Frank recognises tears well enough. Why the hell -

Maybe it’s that - looking for an explanation, an excuse, something - that makes him click.

“Keep going, we can’t lose him now.” Sarif sounds exactly as strident as he looked.

“He doesn’t need the arm. We can wait, delay surgery - “ Someone offscreen, with the same sort of desperate horror as Frank feels rising in his gut. Because he has to look, now, and that arm’s clearly beyond saving but the rest… there’s too much blood and he’s not a damn doctor, he’s not certain...

“You don’t know what the hell he needs. He’ll make it through.” Sarif glances back to Adam. “He was made for this. Come on, get the damn laser scope!”

Sarif says something else, but Frank loses the words. Loses all of it except the sound. Because Adam’s screaming. Screaming, and screaming…

He slams the off button hard enough he nearly breaks the keyboard, glancing behind him.

No angry cloaked aug. He has a feeling Jensen wouldn’t just let this go.

He sits, numb, and stares until the monitor blurs. It was easy enough reading the notes, when he thought at least some of it had been elective. When he thought Jensen had asked for all the bells and whistles.

Icarus system, Typhoon, Quiksilver reflex mods, rebreather…

But somewhere along the way… well, he has the sneaking suspicion Jensen didn’t. That wasn’t a man who could choose anything. And the idea that Jensen, of all people, the most stubborn man this side of the Canadian border, might have been overwhelmed or pressured into augs…

Faridah said it. He didn’t want to listen. He still doesn’t want to listen.

Upselling. The word goes through his mind, and then he hates it, and he tries to push it away. Maybe it’s the goddamn caffeine making him paranoid. (You’re always paranoid, Francis, a dry, rough voice says in the back of his head.)

Paranoia or not, he doesn’t go near the cams for a while. He runs over blueprints and any potential robots left, instead. Clinics always used to guard the neuropyzene coolers more heavily than the augs themselves. Even before the Incident, they understood desperation.

He isn’t so much avoiding Jensen as… not having pressing business in the same area. But when he’s on his fourth hour combing through code and he’s in dire need of a piss, he barges into one of the old customer restrooms -

And Jensen’s standing by the sinks, staring steadily into the mirror, shaving away months of grime and overgrown beard.

Frank pauses in the doorway, stupidly.

Adam wets the razor and says, without turning around, “What do you want, Pritchard?” There’s little of its usual bite. He sounds exhausted.

Frank tries not to stare at gold knuckles as Adam cleans up the edges of that fussy little goatee – remembers a set on the table twitching and spasming, trying to respond to pain stimulus while still pinned – and Adam’s ducked head. There must still be so many scars, under that damp hair.

He considers saying something. Jensen would probably punch him if he so much as tried. No, more likely snap something disparaging and then turn tail. And it’s not exactly a conversation he’s excited about having, either.

“Still hogging the bathroom, Jensen?” is all he manages instead.

Adam snorts. “You gonna say something about how my bladder should be augmented?”

Frank swallows. “No.” That’s the last thing he thinks he can say right now. He heads down the row to a stall; he's not dealing with Jensen's very literal dick-measuring. “I’m going to say, prepare for the LIMB job.”

    It’s easier not talking about it, not thinking about it. Jensen is Jensen, the sarcastic asshole who tried to steal his job and kept wandering into his office to try and take him down a peg. (The sarcastic asshole who sank with Panchaea trying to save the world and asked him to look after an elderly woman in a rough neighbourhood because she was “...family.” And who pretended not to water the cactus in his office but did it whenever he was in town, because Megan had given him the thing. And maybe later Frank watered it, too, when Jensen was away for god-knows-how-long and then afterward, when he was at the bottom of the ocean, but… Jensen doesn’t need to know that. Frank just thought the room needed some extra oxygen to counter all the alcohol fumes.)

Not thinking about it does just fine for the rest of the mission, and then Jensen gives him a swift goodbye before being spirited away by INTERPOL. The last conversation they have ends with Jensen passing him a cigarette and actually smiling at him. Amused, but not the smug smirk of their usual conversations. I really owe you one, Pritchard. Frank remembers watching him walk away to the VTOL and Jensen not even turning round but throwing him a jaunty little scout-salute with those custom-built hands, coat flapping ostentatiously. Asshole. It sounded too fond in the privacy of his own head.

Not thinking about it breaks, somewhat, when Sarif calls him.

(He’s no good to me like this, Sarif said while pulling apart skin and squinting through blood, and Frank assumed at the time that just meant half-dead but now he’s starting to wonder. Sarif, who sent Jensen on a mission to the depths of god-knows-where, where he disappeared off the grid for days. And then there’s the damn backdoor he found because Sarif was too busy spying on his employees to consider that someone else could, too. Or the way that Sarif seemed far more focused on retrieving the Typhoon prototypes than his employees. Pattern recognition.)

But Sarif is Sarif, and he smiles and it’s all Fraaank, it’s good to see you, and Frank needs the money. In a week. He tells himself he’ll think about it in a week, when the Blades have had the assets extracted. Besides, what kind of ripper would he be if he passed up a job like that? He’d make history - pseudonymously, of course. It’s almost a duty.

Sarif smiles, and it’s almost… sheepish. “You know there’s only one person we can ask.”

Frank sighs. “He won’t be pleased.”

“He’s Adam. He’ll do the right thing.”

Isn’t that what Sarif always relies upon, the strings he always pulls? Guilt, obligation, the last remains of some kind of twisted fondness.

Don’t think about it. Don’t think about it. It’s one more job, and he needs the money.

He realises his mistake, somewhere in the back of his mind, when he finally vidcalls Jensen.

The annoyed glare he gets for his trouble is comfortably familiar, at least. The body beneath it, however… There are obvious marks of support struts and chassis across Adam’s back. They had the foresight to tuck most of the scar tissue out of sight, but not all. It’s paler against Adam’s already-pale skin, stark. And there are the marks of the Typhoon, the augmentation Jensen always hated – a decision Sarif made for him, and Adam had swiftly started using the non-lethal ammo. There are hints of metal at his hips, and his feet are black and gold Sarif, too. There must be barely any of him left.

Frank should have asked. There was a time to ask. It's probably long-gone by now, and the SI offices are shuttered and dead.

He hides it all away, of course. It’s not the point. A job is a job. “Jensen.”

(He’ll ask, after this. Hunt through the files, pull up the employee contract again... It’s not like he has a lack of time on his hands. But not today.)

“Pritchard.” It’s said flatly, and Jensen nearly downs the whiskey. “I thought I told you never to ping my location again.”

This… This, Frank can do.

Asshole, he thinks. But this time, again, it has just a hint too much fondness in it.

[fragmentedshards]

All Our Yesterdays, Chapter One

Tuebor

-

The witch behind the counter was rummaging around in her filing cabinet to find blank certificates as Eileen stood on the customer side, shifting back and forth from foot to foot. She was aware of how odd she must have looked; a sixteen year-old-girl in Muggle clothes standing awkwardly alone in among the bright and pristine cloaks of bustling witches and wizards working in the Ministry of Magic. Nevertheless, those clothes served a purpose; she needed to be in disguise, and though she might stand out at the Ministry dressed as a Muggle, she would not be recognized. She had even cut off most of her dark hair; now it was as short as a boy’s hair.

“Now, dear, what did you say your given name was?” the witch asked, appearing again and holding the file that would become Eileen’s new identity certificate. “The name you wanted to change?”

Eileen looked at the Ministry witch, who was gray-haired and dressed in fuchsia robes, thinking to herself that this witch looked remarkably youthful for someone with gray hair. “Eileen Lilly Riddle,” she whispered.

The witch nodded and wrote the name down on a separate sheet of parchment with her quill. She then moved the blank certificate in front of her. “And what is the new name you decided on?”

Eileen bit her lip. She had thought of a name before entering the Ministry. She had gone through all the people in her life she had loved, and those she had lost, and everyone and everywhere that had ever been dear to her. Unfortunately, most of those names would not do for inconspicuousness. She couldn’t use the name of her school, or her father, or any of her professors. Finally, she decided what she would do for a name, a name derived from the stars and from her dearest friend, and that was the name she told the Ministry witch.

“Astoria Eileen Greengrass,” Eileen said, thinking of Daphne.

The witch scribbled on the certificate and shuffled sheets of parchment around. “Have you already registered for this upcoming term at Ilvermorny?” she asked, peering at Eileen over her large purple spectacles. Her eyes were kind, though scrutinizing.

“Yes ma’am,” Eileen nodded quickly. “It should be in my file. I also arranged for my host family, and bought all my books in advance. I just need to drop them off, along with the rest of my luggage and my new identification, at whichever place I’m supposed to leave them.”

“Ah,” was all the witch said, as if she had suddenly had an epiphany. She flipped through the parchment sheets in Eileen’s file until she found the one she was looking for. “You’re right, it is right here! Host family and everything,” she straightened her spectacles and looked closer. “But you aren’t scheduled for transport until much later this evening, child.”

“That’s just as well,” the girl replied, pulling nervously at the long sleeve of her shirt. “I have to make one last visit before I leave for Ilvermorny. May I ask for a Ministry escort to and from the place I need to visit?”

The Ministry witch smiled kindly down at Eileen. “Certainly,” she obliged, snapping her fingers. Immediately another, much younger witch appeared, not much older than Eileen herself. This one had light blue hair, very dark skin, and was dressed in turquoise robes. Her expression was chillingly stoic. “This is Cyrena Apophylline, a Ministry intern. She will accompany you on this errand and back again. And,” (here she paused to write on a new sheet of parchment) “should you have trouble reaching this section of the Ministry upon your return simply hand this to whoever is preventing your return and tell them you must speak to Allegra Fabron.”

She handed the parchment to Eileen with a flourish, and the young girl could hardly decipher any of the writing on it besides the flamboyant signature reading Allegra Fabron. Cyrena's eyes bored into Eileen coldly, unnerving the younger witch. “Come,” she commanded, and began a brisk march through the Ministry corridor. Eileen faltered for half a second before trotting to reach her escort, thanking Allegra over her shoulder.

~

Within minutes they arrived in front of the large cast iron gates of Malfoy Manor, which appeared as a skeleton of the grand estate it had been. Eileen recalled a time when this place was alive with happiness, and herself at the center of it all, for as long as she could remember... until recent events, and her blood, her very existence, ruined everything and took the joy of her loved ones as well as her own.

The windows were dirty, the hedge was untrimmed, and weeds had taken over the front garden. In a matter of just two years of minimal care, the Malfoy home had nearly fallen apart. Eileen couldn’t bear to think what would happen to this memory palace if she did not take action.

“You are his daughter, aren’t you?” Cyrena’s voice pulled Eileen from her musing. The Ministry intern did not look at the witch she spoke to, instead keeping her eyes trained on the mansion before them. “He Who Must Not Be Named?” Something about the question sounded much more like a declaration, and Eileen could see the muscles working in Cyrena’s jaw.

Eileen drew a long breath before calming her rage enough to answer Cyrena’s question. “My only connection to that monster is the blood in my veins. My true family and I risked everything in betraying that devil, acting on both sides to ensure his demise. I will not have the names of heroes sullied, nor will I be associated in any way with that deplorable hell-beast that aided in spawning me.”

Cyrena said nothing. Eileen did not look, but she was sure the Ministry intern was pursing her lips together swelling her words. Her nerve renewed by her anger, Eileen added “Do not follow me into the house. I have something to do alone.” The moment she finished her sentence, she gently pushed open the gate and glided down the stone path to Malfoy Manor.

The moment Eileen entered the parlor she saw Narcissa Malfoy, standing still as a statue and staring at the large family portrait that hung on the wall above the fireplace. She must have heard Eileen’s footsteps, because no sooner had the younger witch closed the parlor door behind her than Narcissa turned and broke into a heartbroken smile.

“Oh, my darling girl!” Mrs. Malfoy exclaimed as she swept across the room to Eileen and engulfed her in a hug. “I wondered where you went! Draco will be home soon...”

“It’s good that he isn’t here at the moment,” Eileen said, breaking the embrace. “I need to talk to you before he gets back.”

Narcissa’s expression fell from joyful to frightened in record time. “What on earth is the matter, dear girl?” she asked in low, concerned gasps, taking both of Eileen’s hands and leading her to one of the four couches.

Eileen took deep breath. She did not know where to start; there was too much to say all at once. How could she tell this woman - the mother of the boy she loved, the woman who had loved her dearly as her own daughter, and the woman whom Eileen had unintentionally caused so much grief simply by being born in the first place - the truth of what she planned to do?

“Narcissa,” the girl whispered. “I’m running away.”

The older woman breathed in, as if preparing to argue, but Eileen suddenly found that her words were tumbling out of her mouth too fast for herself to stop or for Narcissa to get a word in edgewise; “I have it all planned out, I’m going to America and I’ll finish my education at Ilvermorny. It’s the only way to keep you safe, all of my loved ones who haven’t died yet.”

“My girl,” Narcissa interrupted in a pleading voice, “What on earth made you think this is the right choice?”

Without missing a beat, Eileen sobbed, “I killed your husband; I killed Lucius!”

“Rioters killed my husband, dear, rioters and zealots,” Narcissa stroked Eileen’s hair in a motherly fashion. “You did everything you could to keep him safe.”

Eileen’s shoulders sagged, defeated, as she faced Narcissa. “Rioters? Don’t you remember why they were rioting?” before Narcissa could answer, Eileen answered for her. “They were enraged because I still live, because they can’t trust that I won’t turn just as evil as the Dark Lord.”

Eileen could feel Narcissa using great self-restraint as the older woman shook her gently. “Blood and bone do not make heart and soul, my girl! He was less than human, and you are the most determined and golden-hearted girl I have ever known. You are nothing like him, and you will never turn into anyone or anything even close to him.”

“I know that,” the girl clutched Narcissa’s hands. “You know that. All my living loved ones know that. But the general population does not know that, and too many loved ones are no longer living because of me. I have to disappear, Narcissa. Eileen Lilly Riddle must never have existed.”

“And just how do you plan to achieve that?”

Eileen grinned bittersweetly. “Remember how I studied Papa’s work, how he created his own incantations? I managed to make some of my own, and I made a selective memory spell! I can whisper it to someone closest to me, and it will spread like a virus across the community so anyone who has ever known me will forget me. It’s that potent. It only takes a few hours, too, which gives me enough time to finalize my change of name and get out of the country.”

Narcissa shook her head, puzzled. “I don’t understand. Which part of that is selective?”

“You,” Eileen answered. “I want you to remember me. If I ever return home, I want somewhere to come.” she took a small tin of a homemade salve out of her pocket and began rubbing the clear ooze on the temples and forehead of a tearful Narcissa. “I’m sorry that this means you will have to live with the pain I caused you...”

Narcissa shook Eileen again. “You never caused me pain, dear,” she insisted. “You only ever brought me joy! That applies to Lucius too... and, I might add, for my son. You two share an uncanny bond, my darling girl. This spell might not work on him.”

Eileen shook her head sadly. “It will. I know it will. I designed it to completely recreate all memories.”

“And your cousin? His friends?” Narcissa looked pleadingly at Eileen.

“Harry and our friends will be under the spell, just like everyone else,” she said coldly. The time of casting the spell was drawing close, and she knew that if she thought too hard on all the people she would miss, she would collapse and weep.

Knowing she was beaten, Narcissa gazed tearfully at Eileen, pulling her close by her wrists. “I love you, my darling little girl,” she whispered, summoning all her strength and hoping it would sustain her for the coming years, however many of them that might be.

A door opened and closed near the front of the house, and for a moment Eileen was expecting Cyrena to come marching into the parlor. The footsteps that walked into the room, however, belonged to Draco Malfoy. Eileen found that now, at the moment when she must call upon all her courage, she could barely breathe.

“Mother, do you know who-” Draco called out to Narcissa, presumably about to ask what the Ministry intern was doing stationed at his doorstep, when he looked up and noticed Eileen. Just like his mother, he rushed to her and wrapped her in a tight hug. Eileen squeezed her eyes shut, doing everything in her power not to cry. In a choked and shaky voice, she whispered in his ear; “Tuebor.”

There it was. The spell she had created herself, just like her father had once done. This was the spell that would erase her from memory, and as a result, save lives.

Draco stood in a dazed stupor as the spell took effect. Eileen knew she needed to get out of the manor before he adjusted and began asking questions. With a last farewell to a distinctly heartbroken Narcissa, she ran out of the house with tears streaming down her face.

~

Cyrena was still standing rooted on the spot by the gate. She obviously noticed Eileen’s red and wet face, and though she refused to say anything, her expression softened as she prepared to return the two of them to the Ministry. In an effort to control her sobs, Eileen took four deep breaths, each one for four seconds. By the time she would be on her way to Ilvermorny, the spell would have permeated through everyone who had ever even heard her name, eliminating her from their minds and hearts. That was the way it should always have been.

[bountyofbeads]

The Trump Impeachment Inquiry: Latest Updates https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/22/us/politics/trump-impeachment.html

Dear Pres. @realDonaldTrump this is a #Lynching you have NOT been lynched.

THREAD: "They treated it as a social event. They even made postcards out of murders like this. Look at the smiles and the pointing..." /1

CREDIT: Tiffany Cross @TiffanyDCross

https://t.co/5oQXGwn3OY

"Yes. They lynched women too. And children." /2

https://t.co/vUohSihuOb

"I have living relatives who recall clearly the era of violent white rule." /3 https://t.co/VmvuiF8yjp

"I have living relatives who recall clearly the era of violent white rule." /4 https://t.co/VmvuiF8yjp

"So pardon our rage. Our tears. Our fears. Our angst. When it comes to a white supremacist in the White House (AGAIN) who wants this country to be great “again.” I can’t extend politeness & dignity to those who ride w/ #MAGA. I can’t extend love to those who ride with oppressors." /5 https://t.co/kinUb1BBr9

"The President of the United States comparing an impeachment inquiry to a #lynching is not a “distraction.” It is a reflection of the very real trajectory of our nation and the very repugnant evil of racism, which still permeates both legislation and language in the United States."CREDIT:Be A King @BerniceKing

"A lynching! A lynching? I’m thinking about the lies, the kidnapping, the rope, the torture, the cheering crowd, the death portrait, the people walking away with body parts of my ancestor."

"THAT IS WITNESSING A #LYNCHING."

" The audacity of this White male supremacist." CREDIT: Ibram X. Kendi @DrIbram

Trump Calls Impeachment Inquiry a ‘Lynching’

President Trump described the Democrats’ impeachment inquiry into him a “lynching” and said it was “without due process or fairness or any legal rights.”

By Eileen Sullivan | Published October 22, 2019 Updated 11:01 AM ET | New York Times | Posted October 22, 2019 |

President Trump on Tuesday called the impeachment inquiry into him a “lynching,” using a term associated with the murders of black people to describe a process enshrined in the Constitution.

In an early morning tweet, he added that the impeachment inquiry is “without due process or fairness or any legal rights,” and he encouraged Republicans to remember this in the future.

Donald J. Trump

✔@realDonaldTrump

So some day, if a Democrat becomes President and the Republicans win the House, even by a tiny margin, they can impeach the President, without due process or fairness or any legal rights. All Republicans must remember what they are witnessing here - a lynching. But we will WIN!

63.8K

7:52 AM - Oct 22, 2019

The term lynching invokes the decades-long racist history of white mob murders of black people beginning in the late 1800s through 1968, according to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

It was a remarkable term for the president to use to describe a legal process laid out in the Constitution.

Mr. Trump’s Twitter outburst comes as pressure builds with the stream of testimony from current and former administration officials about his efforts to use the power of the White House for personal gain.

The president regularly uses his Twitter feed to make hyperbolic declarations, but he has not used the term “lynching” in a tweet since 2015, during the Republican primary campaign. The president’s use of the word Tuesday drew immediate criticism.

“You think this impeachment is a LYNCHING? What the hell is wrong with you,” Representative Bobby L. Rush, Democrat of Illinois and a former Black Panther leader, said in a Twitter post.

“I know the history of that word,” Representative James E. Clyburn, Democrat of South Carolina and the House majority whip, said on CNN Tuesday. “That is a word that we ought to be very, very careful about.”

Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina and an ally of Mr. Trump on most topics, defended the word choice. “This is a lynching in every sense,” Mr. Graham told reporters on Tuesday.

While Mr. Trump’s use of the word was striking, it was not the first time the word had been used to describe impeachment proceedings.

In 1973, during the Watergate scandal, one of President Richard M. Nixon’s most ardent defenders, Rabbi Baruch Korff, argued that the Senate Watergate committee had a “lynch-mob mentality.” Mr. Korff led a committee of Nixon supporters and invited them in 1974 to a rally “to challenge the lynching psychosis that is permeating the United States Congress.”

“Some conservatives insist on calling the impeachment campaign against Nixon a ‘lynching’ even to this day,” Kevin M. Kruse, a history professor at Princeton University, said Tuesday on Twitter. He pointed to a recent piece published in August on the conservative website, American Spectator, about “new evidence on the lynching of Richard Nixon.”

Michael D. Shear contributed reporting.

*********

When James Baldwin Squared Off Against William F. Buckley Jr.

By Thomas Meaney | Published October 18, 2019 | New York Times | Posted October 22, 2019 |

THE FIRE IS UPON US

James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate Over Race in America

By Nicholas Buccola

In 1965, the year of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches and the Watts riots, an ancillary skirmish played out across the Atlantic. James Baldwin, then at the height of his international reputation, faced off against William F. Buckley Jr., the “keeper of the tablets” of American conservatism, in the genteel confines of the Cambridge Union. The proposition before the house was: “The American dream is at the expense of the American Negro.” For Baldwin, who would roll his eyes more than once during the debate, the question indicated glaring ignorance. The American dream was a nightmare from which he was trying to wake. For Buckley, the American dream was a giant bootstrap that American blacks refused to employ. “We will fight … on the beaches and on the hills, and on mountains and on landing grounds,” he told the audience of students that evening, channeling Winston Churchill. Only Buckley invoked the imagery of plucky guerrilla resistance not against a Nazi invasion of the British Isles, but against Northern radicals bent on uprooting the Southern way of life.

Nicholas Buccola’s “The Fire Is Upon Us” is both a dual biography of Buckley and Baldwin and an acute commentary on a great intellectual prizefight. Baldwin and Buckley were, to put it mildly, from opposite sides of the tracks. Buckley was the son of an oil speculator who grew up in a Connecticut mansion stocked with tutors and servants. He honed his debating skills at the family dinner table and at Yale, where he was triggered by the presence of secular, left-leaning faculty members on campus, and later, in “God and Man at Yale,” called for a ban on hiring them.

Lack of godliness was less of a problem in Harlem. James Baldwin learned how to lock and load the English language as a child prodigy storefront preacher. Buckley’s postcollege trajectory included a stint in the C.I.A., while Baldwin’s extra-literary activities earned him a thick F.B.I. file. By the early 1960s, Buckley had gathered disparate right-wing tribes together in his magazine, National Review. Baldwin, despite his growing renown, would remain more of a loner. By the time he reached the Cambridge Union, he was already at odds with both the separatist agenda of the Nation of Islam and the arid progressivism of the Johnson White House.

Enshrined on YouTube and in countless documentaries, the Baldwin-Buckley debate remains an uncanny exchange. The grainy black-and-white BBC footage shows an overpacked Cambridge Union, with a sea of mostly young white men in jackets. The way Baldwin swings his body and thrusts his hands in his pockets and barely refers to his prepared notes makes him seem much closer to our moment than to the one that surrounds him. When he finally stands up after the two brittle speeches on either side of the motion by Cambridge undergraduates, he twists his eyes to the upper gallery where his sister Gloria was seated. Slowly, then quickly, he makes the alien hall his own.

Buccola, a professor of political science at Linfield College, deftly guides the reader through the rhetorical and philosophical moves of Baldwin’s speech. Baldwin adopted the tone of a preacher — “a kind of Jeremiah,” as he put it — who wants to readjust his audience’s “system of reality.” He tries to get them to imagine the black American experience from the inside. “It comes as a great shock to discover that Gary Cooper killing off the Indians — when you were rooting for Gary Cooper — that the Indians were you.” Did the American dream come at the expense of the American Negro? For Baldwin, the obtuseness of the question demanded a pronoun switch: “I am stating this very seriously, and this is not an overstatement, I picked the cotton, and I carried it to market, and I built the railroads, under someone else’s whip, for nothing. For nothing.”

“The Fire Is Upon Us” becomes revelatory in its interpretation of Buckley’s performance. We learn, for instance, that the Cambridge students had first tried to get Strom Thurmond or Barry Goldwater to debate Baldwin, only later settling on Buckley, who seems to have been eager for the publicity. We also learn that Buckley’s speech that evening was based on an article he had commissioned for National Review by Garry Wills. Wills, a young Catholic ultra, who would later break with Buckley over racial questions and become an indispensable interpreter of the American scene, drafted a fierce response to Baldwin’s famous New Yorker essay, “Letter From a Region in My Mind.” Part of the trouble with Baldwin for Wills was that he was treated as a savior by his white liberal readership and not afforded the dignity of scrutiny that he would have received if he were white. Wills believed that Baldwin went too far in his condemnation of the West. “When a Dachau happens,” Wills wrote, “are we — as Baldwin suggests — to tear up all the Bibles, disband the police forces, take crowbars to the court buildings and the libraries?” This was a selective reading of Baldwin, who, as his Cambridge speech makes clear, was if anything more committed to upholding the legacy of the Enlightenment than National Review’s editorial board was. But what would come to gall Wills even more than Baldwin was that his boss Buckley not only lifted from his piece (before it was published) for one of his own columns but also distorted Wills’s honest reckoning with Baldwin in the interest of his own, more facile and racialist prong of attack.

Buccola shows how Buckley in his Cambridge speech was developing a new kind of conservative maneuver. In his war on the New Left, Buckley’s method — both on his television show “Firing Line” and in other public appearances — was less to engage than to expose. (The method backfired on occasion, as when Huey Newton, a founder of the Black Panther Party, began a segment of “Firing Line” by out-Buckley-ing Buckley with a loyalty oath question: “During the Revolution of 1776 … which side would you have been on?”) Charm, wit, eye-twinkling and rapid deployment of stray factoids were among Buckley’s chief rhetorical assets. His main form of reasoning consisted of forced analogies. The Freedom Riders were compared to National Socialists in the pages of National Review.

In the Cambridge speech, Buckley dialed the comparison down, comparing the Irish in England to American blacks. Had the Irish gotten the vote because of, or in spite of, English civilization? Buckley asked. “The engines of concern are working in the United States,” he assured his audience. “The presence of Mr. Baldwin here tonight is in part a reflection of that concern.” The full force of Buckley’s argument was that blacks should aspire to the condition of whiteness, however unattainable that might turn out to be. The suffering and humiliations of blacks were real, he conceded, but this was more a testament to the fallen state of man than something that could be corrected swiftly. “I am asking you not to make politics as the crow flies,” Buckley told his audience, quoting the philosopher Michael Oakeshott. Buckley’s stress on the gradualness of any accommodation told Baldwin all he needed to know: Why, after 400 years of being in America, did blacks not have access to the same bounty as their fellow Americans, including those who, like the Kennedys, “only got here yesterday?”

Baldwin’s views of race relations seesawed considerably in the ’60s, from a kind of cosmic resignation that, in the words of Ta-Nehisi Coates, “perhaps struggle is all we have.” But on that February night in Cambridge, Baldwin envisioned a different endgame. “We are trying to forge a new identity for which we need each other,” he told his audience. He suggested it might be possible to create a new political synthesis if white Americans were prepared to recognize what they had done, both to blacks but also, crucially, to themselves. Alongside his more apocalyptic visions, Baldwin harbored a wary utopian presentiment that Buckley believed ignored man’s true nature and endangered America’s delicate hierarchies.

It is tempting to view the Baldwin-Buckley debate as a small victory for the idea of racial equality: Baldwin carried the floor vote 544 to 164. But part of the wisdom of “The Fire Is Upon Us” is that it leaves the import of the evening open to question. The debate, and his subsequent encounters with Buckley, left Baldwin with a bitter taste: “He’s the intellectuals’ James Bond,” he once said.

Buckley believed he had gained much more from their night in Cambridge: “the most satisfying debate I ever had.” He would lose again, badly, later that year when he ran for mayor of New York. Curiously, his main support came not from the WASP establishment of Manhattan but from white voters in the outer boroughs. Buckley’s knack for historical analogies continues to flourish. The money manager Stephen Schwarzman compared an Obama administration proposal to raise taxes on hedge funds to the Nazi invasion of Poland. After the last presidential election, Buckley’s son, Christopher, took to Vanity Fair to argue that his father’s politics had nothing to do with those of the outer-borough vulgarian who had landed in the White House. It would have been more becoming had he simply tipped his hat to one of the shrewder authors of our predicament.

Thomas Meaney is a fellow at the Max Planck Society in Göttingen, Germany.

THE FIRE IS UPON US

James Baldwin, William F. Buckley Jr., and the Debate Over Race in America

By Nicholas Buccola

Illustrated. 482 pp. Princeton University Press. $29.95.

*********

$27 Million for Reparations Over Slave Ties Pledged by Seminary

The Princeton Theological Seminary said it was committed to “telling the truth” about its ties to slavery. Black students don’t think it goes far enough.

By Ed Shanahan | Published October 21, 2019 Updated October 22, 2019, 10:28 AM ET | New York Times | Posted October 22, 2019 |

A New Jersey seminary has pledged to spend $27 million on scholarships and other initiatives to address its historical ties to slavery, in what appears to be the biggest effort of its kind.

The announcement, by the Princeton Theological Seminary on Friday, came about a year after an internal report detailed the findings of a two-year investigation that showed slavery’s deep roots in the school’s past.

The move put the seminary at the heart of a national discussion about what those who reaped the benefits of slavery — and the United States as a whole — owe to the descendants of slaves.

In a sign of that discussion’s complicated nature, Nicholas Young, the leader of a black student group at the seminary, said that the steps outlined by officials amounted to “a good start” but that they fell short of what the group had sought. About 10 percent of the seminary’s 360 students are black.

Mr. Young, the president of the Association of Black Seminarians, criticized the $27 million figure as being well below what the seminary’s own accounting indicated should be set aside from its $1 billion endowment to cover reparations-related costs.

Beyond that, Mr. Young said, the seminary needed to do more to address how faculty and other leaders had “used theology to justify the institution of slavery.”

Founded in 1812, the seminary, which is independent of Princeton University, benefited from the slave economy through investments in Southern banks and by having donors who profited from slavery, the 2018 report said. Founding members of the faculty and other seminary leaders used slave labor and promoted the idea of sending freed slaves to Africa, the report said.

Money given by slaveholders and the interest it generated accounted for 15 percent of the seminary’s revenue before the Civil War, the report said. If donors whose wealth was at least partly derived from slavery were factored in, as much as 30 to 40 percent of the seminary’s pre-Civil War revenue could be linked to slavery, the report said.

“The seminary’s ties to slavery are a part of our story,” M. Craig Barnes, the seminary’s president, said in a statement. “It is important to acknowledge that our founders were entangled with slavery and could not envision a fully integrated society. We are committed to telling the truth.”

Last month, the Virginia Theological Seminary, which was built with slave labor and whose founders included slave owners, became among the first American institutions to earmark money specifically for the descendants of the slaves, pledging $1.7 million for a reparations fund.

Last year, the Catholic sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart created a reparations fund to finance scholarships for African-Americans in Grand Coteau, La., where the nuns once owned about 150 black people.

In April, students at Georgetown University, a Jesuit institution, voted to create a fund, financed by student fees, to benefit the descendants of 272 people sold in 1838 to help keep the college afloat. (Georgetown’s board of trustees has not approved the plan.)

The issue of slave reparations has also gained political traction among Democrats this year, with Congress holding a hearing on the subject and considering a commission. Several presidential candidates have also expressed support for the idea.

The reckoning over slavery’s role at theological institutions and universities with religious ties, like Georgetown, is particularly significant, said the Rev. Dr. Yolanda Pierce, the dean of the Howard University School of Divinity.

Dr. Pierce, who taught at the Princeton seminary for 10 years before leaving in 2017, commended the seminary, but said it and similar institutions had an obligation to address the kind of existential questions that money could not.

“What is the debt owed by the places that created and developed the theology that justified enslavement?” she said. Seminaries and institutions with religious ties, she said, needed to consider “how do we change the classes, how do we change the curriculum, how do change the attitudes?”

She added: “You’re not going to do it overnight. And you’re not going to do it with a check.”

Anne Stewart, the seminary’s vice president for external affairs, said that officials did not expect the initiatives to be embraced unconditionally.

“We know that some students will challenge us to do more,” she said. As to tackling the deeper questions of the seminary’s past role in supporting slavery more broadly, she noted that, among other things, the findings of the two-year investigation would be incorporated into the curriculum for all students pursuing a master’s degree starting in fall 2021.

The other measures announced by the seminary included 30 full-tuition scholarships for students descended from slaves and for members of underrepresented groups; five doctoral fellowships for students from those same backgrounds; the hiring of a full-time director for the Center for Black Church Studies; and the naming of the center for Betsey Stockton.

Ms. Stockton, a prominent African-American teacher in Princeton and Philadelphia, in some ways embodies the seminary’s complicated, and at times contradictory, connections to slavery, as detailed in the 2018 report.

She was given as a slave to the first wife of Ashbel Green, the first president of the seminary’s board of directors. Mr. Green, who owned several slaves, also led a Presbyterian Church General Assembly committee that produced an 1818 statement condemning slavery as “a gross violation of the most precious and sacred rights of human nature,” the report said.

After Ms. Stockton was emancipated, the report said, Mr. Green encouraged her religious education and missionary work in what is now known as Hawaii.

A big chunk of the report examines the deep involvement of faculty, board members and alumni in the American Colonization Society — a group that existed until 1964 and pushed for sending freed slaves to Africa, ostensibly to head off the social upheaval they believed that emancipation would cause, the report said.

Among those active in the society, according to the report, were Charles Hodge, Archibald Alexander and Samuel Miller. All three, Mr. Young of the Association of Black Seminarians noted, have campus buildings bearing their names.

*********

[faithended-moved]

VERY IMPORTANT REASONS WHY SAM IS NOT THE BORING BROTHER

diverse music taste, he’s into some pop (i think i remember there was  a thing about that in season 4), 80s “hair rock,” as well as the show’s Iconic Classic Rock songs

knows a bunch of languages? a little spanish, latin (well enough to recite an excorcism backwards???), i think i remember sumerian?, some french, enochian, a littel asl

Knows Some Arts Stuffs bc of college

also just randomly remembers things from his college classes over ten years later WTF HOWS HIS MEMORY SO GOOD

was good at creative writing in high school and probably still would be if given the opportunity

genuinely enjoys history podcasts (he let mick listen to one bc he’d been meaning to listen to it forever in s12)

fascination with serial killers???? sam?????

strong phobia of clowns

likes farmers markets!

LITERALLY CANNOT LOOK AT A PERSON WHO IS SAD WITHOUT GETTING SAD HIMSELF THE BOY HAS HIGH EMPATHY LEVELS

wears the same type of clothes always (relatable), but can actually rock a cardigan

dreamed of marshmallow nachos as a child? iconic.

is lowkey kinda a disaster but has everyone convinced he’s the Functional One (examples of his disaster-ness: (not an exact quote) “didnt we have like half a bag of coffee left” “i killed it” and literally tries to ask a therapist what ‘catharsis’ is)

named a dog Dog once, presumably bc he didn’t want to get attached, before eventually renaming him Riot

likes soda!! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. like i know he’s known for being the healthy eater and he is for sure, but also once in s2 he left a bar to go back to the motel and gets a soda from the vending machine. adorable. ALSO SMOOTHIES

likes people but is also very introverted and lowkey socially anxious (imo)

when faced with God, wanted to ask him All The Science Questions

babbles when nervous

can do yoga

sits weird on furniture all the time (again, relatable)

used to insist on doing “honest work” rather than hustling pool and whatnot

makes rlly bad jokes ie: “Did I miss anything?” (2x14), “You were fRaMeD,” (11x7) “yeah,,okay.” (7x5)

when he’s actually drunk (in Playthings or Party On, Garth for example) or high (Sam, Interrupted) or fever-sick like in 8x21, he’s very a) giggly, b) honest, and c) sweet but dorky (and straightforward)

sometimes canNOT help himself and has grabby hands—like the squeezy thing, the bear with the pull string, that weird dressed-up taxidermy animal. AND THEN he turns around and tells Dean off for the same exact thing snkskjsksj 

apparently? maybe? watches law shows? (”I saw that on The Good Wife.” 7x4) 

pretends not to be judgy, but totally is about the stupid little things lmao

wanted to be exactly like his big brother when he was little and defo mimicked him ALL THE TIME

good with kids

when Dean is gone is one heckin! scary boi!

on the note of actually being the disaster brother, “ Let me tell you, whoever said Dean was the dysfunctional one, has never seen you with a sharp object in your hands.” 

when he tries to use ASL for the first time in years he confuses his signs and accidentally flips Eileen off akfldjal;kfjla what a mess ™ (prolly ONLY remembers the profanity he learned, how very human of him)

good at math/distances? like the time he figured out where dean was based on a train whistle and the train schedule?

always wants people to forgive themselves but won’t forgive himself >:(O 

( ALL CREDIT TO THIS POST, I JUST WANTED IT NEATER AND IN ONE LIST )

[brookstonalmanac]

Events 7.23

811 – Byzantine emperor Nikephoros I plunders the Bulgarian capital of Pliska and captures Khan Krum's treasury. 1319 – A Knights Hospitaller fleet scores a crushing victory over an Aydinid fleet off Chios. 1632 – Three hundred colonists bound for New France depart from Dieppe, France. 1677 – Scanian War: Denmark–Norway captures the harbor town of Marstrand from Sweden. 1793 – Kingdom of Prussia re-conquers Mainz from France. 1813 – Sir Thomas Maitland is appointed as the first Governor of Malta, transforming the island from a British protectorate to a de facto colony. 1821 – While the Mora Rebellion continues, Greeks capture Monemvasia Castle. Turkish troops and citizens are transferred to Asia Minor's coasts. 1829 – In the United States, William Austin Burt patents the typographer, a precursor to the typewriter. 1840 – The Province of Canada is created by the Act of Union. 1862 – American Civil War: Henry Halleck takes command of the Union Army. 1874 – Aires de Ornelas e Vasconcelos is appointed the Archbishop of the Portuguese colonial enclave of Goa, India. 1881 – The Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina is signed in Buenos Aires. 1903 – The Ford Motor Company sells its first car. 1908 – The Second Constitution accepted by the Ottomans. 1914 – Austria-Hungary issues a series of demands in an ultimatum to the Kingdom of Serbia demanding Serbia to allow the Austrians to determine who assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand. Serbia accepts all but one of those demands and Austria declares war on July 28. 1919 – Prince Regent Aleksander Karađorđević signs the decree establishing the University of Ljubljana 1921 – The Communist Party of China (CPC) is established at the founding National Congress. 1926 – Fox Film buys the patents of the Movietone sound system for recording sound onto film. 1927 – The first station of the Indian Broadcasting Company goes on the air in Bombay. 1936 – In Catalonia, Spain, the Unified Socialist Party of Catalonia is founded through the merger of Socialist and Communist parties. 1940 – The United States' Under Secretary of State Sumner Welles issues a declaration on the U.S. non-recognition policy of the Soviet annexation and incorporation of three Baltic states: Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. 1942 – World War II: The German offensives Operation Edelweiss and Operation Braunschweig begin. 1942 – Bulgarian poet and Communist leader Nikola Vaptsarov is executed by firing squad. 1943 – The Rayleigh bath chair murder occurred in Rayleigh, Essex, England. 1943 – World War II: The British destroyers HMS Eclipse and HMS Laforey sink the Italian submarine Ascianghi in the Mediterranean after she torpedoes the cruiser HMS Newfoundland. 1945 – The post-war legal processes against Philippe Pétain begin. 1952 – General Muhammad Naguib leads the Free Officers Movement (formed by Gamal Abdel Nasser, the real power behind the coup) in overthrowing King Farouk of Egypt. 1961 – The Sandinista National Liberation Front is founded in Nicaragua. 1962 – Telstar relays the first publicly transmitted, live trans-Atlantic television program, featuring Walter Cronkite. 1962 – The International Agreement on the Neutrality of Laos is signed. 1962 – Jackie Robinson becomes the first African American to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 1967 – Detroit Riots: In Detroit, one of the worst riots in United States history begins on 12th Street in the predominantly African American inner city. It ultimately kills 43 people, injures 342 and burns about 1,400 buildings. 1968 – Glenville shootout: In Cleveland, Ohio, a violent shootout between a Black Militant organization and the Cleveland Police Department occurs. During the shootout, a riot begins and lasts for five days. 1968 – The only successful hijacking of an El Al aircraft takes place when a Boeing 707 carrying ten crew and 38 passengers is taken over by three members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine. The aircraft was en route from Rome, to Lod, Israel. 1970 – Qaboos bin Said al Said becomes Sultan of Oman after overthrowing his father, Said bin Taimur initiating massive reforms, modernization programs and end to a decade long civil war. 1972 – The United States launches Landsat 1, the first Earth-resources satellite. 1974 – The Greek military junta collapses, and former Prime Minister Konstantinos Karamanlis is invited to lead the new government, beginning Greece's metapolitefsi era. 1980 – Phạm Tuân becomes the first Vietnamese citizen and the first Asian in space when he flies aboard the Soyuz 37 mission as an Intercosmos Research Cosmonaut. 1982 – Outside Santa Clarita, California, actor Vic Morrow and two children are killed when a helicopter crashes onto them while shooting a scene from Twilight Zone: The Movie. 1983 – Thirteen Sri Lanka Army soldiers are killed after a deadly ambush by the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. 1983 – Gimli Glider: Air Canada Flight 143 runs out of fuel and makes a deadstick landing at Gimli, Manitoba. 1988 – General Ne Win, effective ruler of Burma since 1962, resigns after pro-democracy protests. 1992 – A Vatican commission, led by Joseph Ratzinger, establishes that limiting certain rights of homosexual people and non-married couples is not equivalent to discrimination on grounds of race or gender. 1992 – Abkhazia declares independence from Georgia. 1995 – Comet Hale–Bopp is discovered; it becomes visible to the naked eye on Earth nearly a year later. 1997 – Digital Equipment Corporation files antitrust charges against chipmaker Intel. 1999 – ANA Flight 61 is hijacked in Tokyo, Japan by Yuji Nishizawa. 1999 – Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-93, with Eileen Collins becoming the first female space shuttle commander. The shuttle also carried and deployed the Chandra X-ray Observatory. 2005 – Three bombs explode in the Naama Bay area of Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, killing 88 people. 2010 – English-Irish boy band One Direction is formed by judge Simon Cowell on The X Factor (British series 7), later going on to finish at third place. It would go on to become one of the biggest boy bands in the world, and would be very influential on pop music of the 2010s. 2012 – The Solar storm of 2012 was an unusually large coronal mass ejection that was emitted by the Sun which barely missed the Earth by nine days. If it hit, it would have caused up to US$2.6 trillion in damages to electrical equipment worldwide. 2014 – TransAsia Airways Flight 222 crashes in Xixi village near Huxi, Penghu, during approach to Phengu Airport. Forty-eight of the 58 people on board are killed and five more people on the ground are injured. 2015 – NASA announces discovery of Kepler-452b by Kepler. 2016 – Kabul twin bombing occurred in the vicinity of Deh Mazang when protesters, mostly from the Shiite Hazara minority, were marching against route changing of the TUTAP power project. At least 80 people were killed and 260 were injured. 2018 – A wildfire in East Attica, Greece caused the death of 102 people. It was the deadliest wildfire in history of Greece and the second-deadliest in the world, in the 21st century, after the 2009 bushfires in Australia that killed 180.

[flickwatches]

Off Week Takes

We won't be diving too often into APAC (even though its a great region for overwatch). But when I have time I want to talk a little bit about what's happening in APAC OWL, also the Dallas Fuel and Sp9rk1e, and the overall derailment of the French super team Rogue.

APAC

So lets get started by talking about the Guangzhou Charge. A team some "experts" (Custa) are calling possibly the worst team in APAC. At first I thought this was the worst take possble but than I remembered that APAC has less teams than NA and that the Valiant aren't looking that bad (will get into that more later). Mandu and Kariv are still good. Jihun/Rio and Crong are still good. If I had to pick a point of struggle I would pick Coaching and the DPS. Even though Choisehwan is playing out of his mind on Tracer he is not the best Tracer on the team. Eileen is godly on Tracer and I can only assume he is benched because of hero pool and scrim results. Charge are starting the most inexperienced DPS duo in APAC. Technically Krystal for Valiant isn't a rookie and NYXL hasn't played yet but they can still play Ivy (a veteran). This is becoming long and drawn out but the coaching decisions on the Charge and lack of DPS experience seems to be hurting them a lot this meta.

Another reason I would say the Charge are being rated so low is because the Valiant are being rated so high. High as in people are pulling them out of the trash and readding them to there power rankings. While the Charge are slightly underperforming the Valiant are overperforming at a large scale in comparison to there expectations. I personally left the Valiant out of my power rankings altogether. So I feel like the views of these teams are slanted a little based on expectations and results. Even though both teams haven't won a game yet.

The Chengdu Zone. You Chengdu it. Etc etc etc. Everyone is raving about the former one trick team 3-0ing the Shanghai Dragons. I want to talk about the one thing slightly overlooked about the Hunters hot start. The support line, Mmonk and Nisha. This team has never looked more stable (or stable altogether) than they have now. And its very apparent the support line has a lot to do about it. They provide a pillar of strength for a team known for making extreme decisions. Stable backline, good ult economy. I feel like there allowing to the Hunters to point the "use everything kill everything" gun not just accurately but efficiently. I don't mean this as an insult to Ga9a but I feel like the support line is so strong right now that they could be getting the same value with Ameng starting at Main Tank. And Ameng is real downgrade in comparison to Ga9a. Watch out for the Hunters as the season continues. These supports mite actually guide players like Leave, Jinmu, and Elsa to the promise land.

Dallas Fuel

I believe the general opinion of Sp9rk1e has not been very accurate since last season. He does excel on heroes like Doomfist and Genji but he also players heroes like Pharah, Tracer, and Echo. A lot of problems the Paris Eternal had toward the end of the season revolved around Sp9rk1e being the Tracer and the Echo player during a Tracer and Echo meta which meant Xzi had to fill next to him and it didn't go very well for that meta. Now that the meta has changed slightly and the coachings are adjusting around Doha next to him it looks like Sp9k1e has more room to express his dominance as a DPS. Any value and positives the Fuel are gaining so far this season are from Sp9k1e playing the DPS role at a disadvantage vs other teams. Last season the Eternal tried to have Sp9k1e mirror warpath Zarya god Decay on an elimination map to no prevail. But this season I don't believe Sp9k1e will let another match get that far out of his grasp while he's alive on a DPS hero.

Being Old and A Pro Overwatch Player

What happens when you've played a few years of OWL and your worth has naturally gone up? What happens when at the same time teams are trying to cut cost and sign cheaper players? You sit at home, lie about do the streamer grind, and watch minimum rookies underperform at the highest level of Overwatch. Agilies took a pay cut to go back to the Valiant only for the Valiant to move to China. No way Linkzr took more than league minimum to play on Vancouver. China mite be paying out more then NA but players like Kai and Shax had to have taken no other offers available discounts. Only team that made any kind of splash for veterans was the Shock by signing Nero, Glister, and FDgod. They also signed Twilight last year. The difference is they sign at the minimum with the expectations of higher payouts from tournament winnings. Soon was cut from Boston for Visa issues instead of being held onto until he was ready. Players are in desperate need of more protection. Many players are moving over to Riot owned Valorant for strictly the career safety net it provides. CSGO and League careers have traditionally been much longer on average than Overwatch careers. Valorant is a CSGO like game owned by the makers of League of Legends. A combination of 2 of the longest running esports. One of the biggest things holding OWL back is the backhanded business model of spending less money to make more instead of winning to make more. If you know anything about IRL sports basically the majority of OWL are just the Florida Marlins, or Philadelphia 76ers, or Jacksonville Jaguars. Purposely putting out poor rosters and making money off of existing in there leagues.

Rogue Going Rogue

One of the greatest overall career disappointments in pre OWL Overwatch history. This team was one of the dominate teams of the pre OWL era. Korea had Lunatic-Hai and Runaway. NA had Envyus (a famously EU team). And EU had Rogue. Runaway was the underdog, Lunatic-Hai was the king, Envyus was the king slayer, but Rogue was the triple DPS ego maniacs of what Overwatch could of been. OWL gave us goats. Rogue tried to give us Tracer, Genji, and Soldier 76 at the same time. Winz (the Lucio player for Rogue) would famously screenshot and tweet from the payload during official matches. Nicogdh (gdh stands for god hand) would swap between Genji and Dva. AKM player Soldier 76, Pharah, and Dva up until he refused to play Dva and forced Nicogdh to play Dva. Soon played the Tracer, the Tracer, and sometimes the Tracer. This team also had Unkoe on Zen.

Unkoe

Winz

Nicogdh

I can't believe and OWL org didn't want this group of players to represent them....

Nicogdh has famously just talked, talked too honestly, and too much. I personally like Nicogdh as a person but he does talk, a lot. Or the fact someone added gdh to end of there player name and well Nicogdh and people around him went a little crazy about it in a negative way. Honestly that has to be one most respectful things you can do. His gdh is the godliness standard for mechanics. People have harassed him in the past, he has been knocked for that, but the dude also harasses others and assumes its equivalent. This man is extremely hard to attach to a brand with sponsors. Or just to a team altogether and still have his teammates trust him.

Unkue is honestly known to be a little trolly and toxic in match making. He had some "strong" opinions in OWL and toward the end of his OWL career but he wasn't too problematic. He always seemed like he had a negative mindset.

Winz was just aggressive in a good way at first but it started to become negative when Rogue started losing and stopped being able to play pro. The payload tweets became attacks on teams and other players. One could say these players cared about each other so much they refused to let others talk badly about them. But they have notoriously been negative publicly and showed there ass a majority of the time in many situations.

Which brings me to Soon and AKM. The founders of the "no talk can't be problematic" club. They paved the way for future generations of DPS talents to have viable career options because they learned to never talk shit, never get involved in drama, and separate there private life from there careers. Its very easy to sign players like Soon and AKM and not have problems. Honestly the only problem is the baggage of ex teammates.

Conclusion

Sorry this is kind of off the wall, not very concise, and not in a format I prefer. I need to start proof reading things and building easier to read article like stuff. I just got inspired with teams topics tonight and wanted to kick them out in my limited free time. Sorry I couldn't bring up more research for the Rogue stuff. but Nicogdh does have a long list of just random statements and comments. I do understand right now that the French community is being harassed right now and I do want to stress a bit of self defense of those players who speak publicly about it. Not everything comes out right all the time there just trying to express how they feel during this trying time for them and there fellow community members. They just want people to stop harassing them in game, online, and in life.

[mywindowslookwriting]

Nostalgic Albums

Music means so much to a lot of people, but it especially means a lot to teenagers. You’re figuring out who you are for the first time, and you need a soundtrack. These five albums are part of my soundtrack, and they directly relate to my experience. Maybe they’ll relate to yours.

These albums are from a wide range of genres, from pop to punk rock, and a range of 30 years.

Pure Heroine by Lorde: Lorde was sixteen when she released this excellent album, and I love it so much. It’s an album about being a teenager and being a teenager myself, I relate to so much of it. The lyrics are gorgeous and smart, and you can get into them with the minimal instrumentation.

Favourite Songs: 400 Lux, Buzzcut Season, Still Sane, A World Alone

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower Soundtrack: Okay, this choice is mostly about the book/movie being a super awesome book/movie about being a teenager, but the soundtrack is so good! You’ve got Dexy’s Midnight Runners, The Smiths, Sonic Youth, David Bowie? You can’t say nowie to Bowie! (actual quote from my middle school French teacher).

Favourite Songs: Could It Be Another Change, Come On Eileen, Teenage Riot, Heroes,

Violent Femmes by Violent Femmes: In general, this album is just a really great album but a lot of the lyrics are relatable to teenagers. Telling off jerks (Kiss Off), unrequited love (Please Do Not Go), sex (Add It Up). I once read somewhere that the album is still popular because teenagers keep discovering it, and that is so true, because the album is roughly twenty years older than me and I love it.

Favourite Songs: Kiss Off, Add It Up, Prove My Love, Gone Daddy Gone

Heartthrob by Tegan and Sara: This is the album where Tegan and Sara reinvented themselves, it’s a pop album about love, and about nostalgia. It’s an album about desire and idolizing who you love and being in love as a teenager, and I love it so much. It’s also extremely danceable.

Favourite Songs: Goodbye, Goodbye, Drove Me Wild, Love They Say, Shock To Your System

Reject All American by Bikini Kill: This isn’t an album about being a teenager per se, but it’s an album about being angry and empowered, and teenagers definitely need to be that. I seriously love this album so much, Bikini Kill has been super important to me, and my feminist identity.

Favourite Songs: Jet Ski, RIP, Tony Randall, Reject All American

-written by mars, december 15th 2017

[fableweaver]

Arc of the Dwarven Warden

Arc of Dwarven Warden

The spring sunshine was dappled as they rode under the young canopy, the leaves and tender buds bright green in the sunshine. Three days of travel through the woods, the Child Who Shines was kind and much loved in the forest. Spring blossoms were a riot of color through the woods, dark iris, golden forsythia, and fat lilac gave vibrancy to the already flushed green foliage. Hayden was their silent guide, riding astride a white mule. The forest path they followed was broad enough for the wagon and thus two riders to ride abreast.

Darin noticed Donar riding alone, his brow creased as he watched Xavier riding ahead of him with Zaire next to him. They were far enough ahead that Darin hoped they would not overhear.

“So what do you think of him?” Darin asked lowly.

“Many things,” Donar answered as he looked at Darin with a raised eyebrow. “Are you looking for anything specific?”

“Well he is Eileen reborn,” Darin said. “Even I can see that. But does he seem like her? You’re the only one to have met her.”

“You might have as well, you just wouldn’t remember,” Donar answered. “And to answer your question, I only met her twice so I cannot say either way if there is a resemblance.”

“Did you like Eileen when you met her then?” Darin asked.

“Well enough for an elf,” Donar said with a shrug. “We dwarves don’t care much for the more flighty elves and nymphs of the forest, Eileen seemed more grounded probably because she is an Elder Phay, the first child Mab dreamed.”

“Then it won’t be dangerous for him to recall his past lives,” Darin said and Donar looked to him.

“That is what this is about then?” Donar said shaking his head. “I’m afraid it will be very hard and painful Darin. Eileen shed a lot of her spirit to become mortal, that experience alone was hard enough the first time I dread seeing him relive it. Maybe we won’t have to though, what we seek is probably in his later lives.”

“Which we know nothing about,” Darin said realizing where Donar was going with this.

“Correct, this could be a challenge,” Donar said. “One thing we chiefs have always struggled with is regaining our memories, mainly because there is one type of memory that resonates through every life we live, the death of that life. Reliving a death can be just as traumatic as experiencing it in reality, especially a violent one. Bjorn helped me walk my lives in meditation, carefully avoiding those powerful memories.”

“But you remembered one,” Darin said and Donar’s eyes grew sad.

“Djorn’s hatred was bitter,” Donar said. “I went to Bjorn to try and learn the truth but he would not tell me, now I know it is because Bronir did it to hide his shame. Bjorn told me this though: ‘It is not about Djorn, or even about Donar, it is about Emir. You are your people’s chief, Emir himself, and that is the only life within you that really matters follow his guidance not the petty emotions of the lesser ghosts.’”

“He was trying to get you to move on from your hatred,” Darin said and Donar nodded.

“What he said made sense so I bottled it away,” Donar said. “And carried it every time I looked at her. I feared that hatred Darin, I feared it taking me without knowing. So I never even let myself love her, for fear that one morning I would wake to find I had killed her in my sleep as she slept next to me.”

Darin kept his eyes on the sky unable to face Donar’s pain.

“You did a far better job as my captain than Bjorn,” Donar said at last. “I love Bjorn and he guided me well, but he failed to see my feelings for Runi and Djorn’s hatred festering in me. You saw the love; you forced me to face it, and forced Djorn to face his hatred.”

“I knew something held you back but I had no idea to what depths,” Darin said. “I just knew the air had to be cleared of the past.”

“Exactly,” Donar said. “And it is that insight I want you to keep. I may not be able to guide Xavier through this as well as I hope.”

“So you want me to be his captain?” Darin asked doubtfully and Donar shook his head.

“No, you are not close enough to him,” Donar said. “But you are close to one who is.”

“Zaire.”

“If you guide her, she can guide him,” Donar said. “I only hope she is not too close to him.”

“What do you mean?” Darin asked worried.

“Eileen had a lover Darin,” Donar said. “The one who sired the child that made her have to choose between life as a mortal or life as an Elder Phay. I never met him, I don’t even know his name, but Zaire could be him reborn.”

Darin went over what Zaire had told him of Xavier, how they had been almost drawn to each other. She had said they had shared an empathy, but maybe it had been more than that.

“If so why do you fear she is too close?” Darin asked.

“Because a love like that spans lives Darin,” Donar answered. “I believe they have been tied together in more than one life, in multiple lives. If so, he will begin to struggle not only with his own identity, but hers and his feelings towards her.”

“We don’t know this for sure,” Darin said.

“No,” Donar said. “If it is as deep as I fear, it might be best Zaire is not at his side until he has time to cope with all he learns.”

“She wouldn’t like that,” Darin said, he himself disliking the idea. At the mention of Pepper as well he felt his heart hammer in his chest which he quickly calmed. It would be some time before they reached Alma, he had time to prepare for the meeting. Still knowing they were close, and seeing Zaire reunited with Xavier, had sparked the desire to see her again.

They rode through the forest, the Griffins their silent shadows to spare the horses and oxen. A Griffin occasionally appeared with a prize from hunting, a deer or rabbit for the pot, they seemed to enjoy hunting in the woods. The mage children seemed the most at home, Martel saying they spent most of their lives in a forest like this. Hayden kept apart from them, watching the group with hooded eyes and mistrust. The only words she gave were of guidance, and how far they were from their destination.

“Only two more days now,” Hayden said as they broke camp in the morning. It had been eight since they entered the woods, without any sign of other inhabitants.

“If that is true we should be coming across farms or villages today,” Xavier said and Hayden glared at him. Of all their party he was the one she was most cold to.

“You know nothing of Alda,” she hissed. “You have no claim to kindship here.”

“And you know nothing of the life he has led!” Martel shouted hotly and Hayden turned on her. “Your people abandoned him.”

“And did yours treat him any better?” Hayden asked with a sneer and Martel flushed with shame. “I share a border with your people mage; I’ve seen the slaves that try to escape your cruelty.”

“And you turn them away don’t you?” Martel sneered and Hayden reached for her bow. Then Zaire stood between them, hands out and face calm.

“There is enough pain in this world without you two throwing more wood to the fire,” Zaire said scolding. “Both our peoples have their faults, as I’m sure Xavier can testify to.”

They turned to Xavier who was watching with his face set in a mask.

“You are right Hayden,” Xavier said. “I know nothing of my father’s people, so please tell me.”

His voice sounded almost desperate and Hayden’s anger lessened.

“After the wars Alda’s population was low, and still is,” Hayden said. “Queen Alora ordered the lesser villages abandoned those that lived there made to move to the larger towns. With the people gathered together her hopes are that we will restore the population.”

Darin listened and thought of something at her words.

“The Phay will be marching,” Darin said and eyes swung to him. “Room will be needed for them, I do not mean it is a good thing that Alda’s population is decimated but soon her people with thrive again with the return of her kin.”

Hayden stared at him as if seeing him for the first time, realizing he was indeed kin to her. She nodded her thoughts obviously now turned to this possibility.

“Come, we should get moving,” Donar said. They went to mount their ponies and horses, Donar nodding to Darin in approval.

Now as they rode Darin saw the subtle signs of abandonment through the forest. Overgrown paths, fallow fields, and the occasional house hidden in the trees. He felt sad at the silent sorrow of abandonment in the forest, and hope that the Phay would fill that void. They camped that night near an abandoned village, the next day they would arrive in Odell.

Darin heard rustling and nearly jumped out of his skin when one of the Griffins leapt out from the bushes, twigs and leaves in his fur and feathers. He shook himself and sat down looking at Darin.

“No luck hunting Kavi?” Darin asked and the young Griffin laid his ears back.

“I am a sky hunter not a ground hunter,” Kavi complained. “All these trees spoil things.”

“Odell is on the lake I heard,” Darin said. “Are you good at fishing?”

“The best!” Kavi said his ears perking up.

“Well then that’ll be your chance,” Darin said, liking the young Griffin which was hard not to do. Kavi nodded and they joined the others at the fireside, some of the Griffins had gathered there with a deer from their hunt. After a lively meal around the fire in which Ronin livened up with a tune and the tale about the shepherdess and dwarves, they went to their pallets.

Darin hunkered down at the edge of camp to keep watch, though it was hardly necessary as Shankar and Durai were both awake as well, their eyes like lamps in the forest night. Darin was just starting to drift off when Xavier came to relieve him of his watch.

“Anything?” Xavier asked softly and Darin shook his head. Before he could stumble over to his bedroll, Xavier stopped him. “Zaire told me about how you helped her.”

“I did little,” Darin answered as he shrugged.

“I just wanted to thank you even for the little you feel you did,” Xavier said. “She means everything to me.”

Darin looked up at him, Donar’s words still with him.

“Why do you love her so much?” Darin asked, looking for hints of a connection.

“We’ve been through a lot together,” Xavier answered. “I’ve come to rely on her and she on me. It doesn’t seem like a long time but the hardships made it seem long.”

Darin nodded, still unsure. It wasn’t like their love was anything lesser because they were drawn together by their past lives, but Darin knew it could cause them both pain when it came to light. He sighed about to turn away to go to his bed when Shankar hissed in warning. Both men turned to the dark woods just in time to see two shadows approaching. Before either of them had to act however, the Griffins struck first.

All Darin could see were two lithe shapes, Durai easier to see than Shankar, run towards the two shadows. An arrow flew and the two people fled, retreating back towards the road. Darin drew his sword about to pursue when another shadow dropped down from the trees right before them.

Darin only managed a startled grunt as he raised his sword and hastily blocked the other’s blades. It was a quick succession of blows before Darin gathered himself enough to counter, the flat of his blade catching his attacker in the side and winding him. He stumbled back enough for Darin to get some space and look to Xavier.

He was engaged as well, his attacker had a sword, and Darin saw Xavier draw something in the air before him. The attacker’s blade met the sigil with sparks, cutting through it and dissipating the magic. But it was enough for Xavier to draw his own sword and attack as well. Darin kicked out at his winded opponent, felling him as his boot connected with his jaw, before he turned and raced towards the dueling pair.

He lashed out at their crossed blades, dancing between them and forcing them apart. Xavier and his attacker stumbled back avoiding Darin’s sword and Darin turned to the attacker.

“Pepper!” Darin shouted and saw eyes behind a mask and cowl widen.

“Darin?” Pepper said startled. Relieved Darin lowered his sword as she lowered Melanthios, only to receive a punch to the nose from Pepper. “Ye fat head what ye be doin steppin twixt us like that! Ye could have been killed ye egit.”

“Glad to see your affections haven’t waned Pepper,” Darin said past his hand over his nose. She hadn’t punched him hard, little better than a love tap compared to the last time she had punched him in the nose.

“I’ll show ye waned,” Pepper said crossly. Pulling down her mask she stepped forward, grabbed his wrist, and pulled it away from his face so she could kiss him. Darin responded, wrapping his free arm around her waist pulling her closer. They parted breathlessly, Darin looking up and barely seeing the dark indigo of her eyes. Xavier cleared his throat and Darin turned to him, feeling a blush creeping up on him.

“I take it you two know each other,” Xavier said mildly.

“Yes, I believe introductions are in order,” Darin said. “This is Pepper of the Orna, Green Witch of the moors.”

“N he be Eileen reborn,” Pepper said staring at Xavier. “Ye ken ye be a princess o the Phay fancy pants?”

“Yes, my name is Xavier,” Xavier answered with a slight grin. “Shankar! Durai! Come back, these people are friends.”

The two Griffins stopped stalking the attackers who had retreated up a tree. They padded over and sat at Xavier’s side like two kittens with their master. Slowly Pepper’s companions climbed down from their tree, a third appearing to help the man Darin had knocked out.

“These be my comrades,” Pepper said. “Kaelynn, Dacre, Fulk, n Jude.”

Fulk had been the one Darin had knocked out, Jude helping him while the other two stood by protectively. Dacre was the one with the bow, a recurve bow, and Kaelynn bore a sword and staff. They like Pepper were dressed in dark molted gray leathers with hoods and cowls, though unlike Pepper the lighter skinned Aldan had used soot to darken the skin around their eyes.

“We can have someone look at that,” Xavier said to Jude bent over Fulk.

“He’ll be around in a minute,” Jude answered.

“A little prettier with a broken jaw I hope,” Dacre said with a grin.

“I heard that,” Fulk muttered. “Nothing broken, sorry to disappoint.”

“Enough o the banter,” Pepper growled. “May we join yer camp?”

“Of course,” Xavier said. “Shankar, Durai, can you keep watch?”

“Always,” Shankar answered, the Aldan jumping a bit to hear him speak. Xavier turned and led the way back to the camp, Pepper and the others following, leaving Shankar and Durai to keep watch as requested. Back in the camp Donar, Hakk, and Bgrim stood ready for battle. When they saw nothing was amiss they sheathed their weapons.

Introductions took a time with so many in their party, before they gathered around the fire. Most of the mage children stayed asleep in the wagon but for Martel and Lycus. Darin sat next to Pepper, resisting the urge to wrap his arms around her hips as he knew she would shake him off in front of all these people.

“So what are ye doin here?” Pepper said to Darin her eyes narrow. “What o the war?”

“Some new things came to light,” Darin answered. “After Arnor’s death…”

He launched into his tale, Donar occasionally adding things. Then Xavier gave his, about the Griffins and his journeys. Pepper and the other Aldan listened with solid silence, still as the trees around them. Darin watched Pepper, noticing the change in her. She was more contained, but he sensed a sadness in her that ran deeper than before. At the mention of Hors Pepper winced, but did not interrupt as he hand gripped the dragon blade.

“Melanthios baint be too happy bout Hors goin ta battle,” Pepper said when Darin finished.

“He has little choice in the matter,” Donar said. “And he should listen to his king.”

“He is no longer the dragon king,” Melanthios said through Pepper. “His power is gone with his rebirth, he is alone against the Orcs now without anyone with the Elder Magic at his side. I should be there to protect him, I have the power of spirit he needs.”

“Melanthios, were you to join in such a way with Hors the consequences would be dire,” Donar said sadly. “Very likely one would over power the other, warping both your spirits. You would become something like the Crippled One.”

Pepper shuddered and let go of Melanthios, looking sickened.

“He baint want ta talk fer now,” Pepper said heavily.

           “Have you found anything about the song yet?” Donar asked leaning forward.

“Aye but nowt the song itself,” Pepper answered sounding frustrated. “We found Ioram’s journal, n that be a tale o its own. He found the song n then went huntin fer Eileen, but never found her.”

“What did he do with the song then?” Xavier asked.

“He lost it on his travels,” Pepper answered. “That be what be hard cause he baint even ken where it went.”

“He lost it!” Xavier said angrily. “Where?”

“Xin sos he said,” Pepper answered and Xavier groaned.

“Anywhere in particular or did he just lose it in the desert?” Xavier asked.

“The desert, he baint kenned where he was,” Pepper answered. “But Ioram be un o the early kings, been o’er four hundred years ago.”

“And if he lost it in the desert it could be just as long until we find it,” Xavier said frustrated. “Will there be any point in me reaching for my past lives?”

“Yes, because your lives might be the only way for us to find it now,” Donar said. “We’ve probably exhausted all the resources of history, so your memories are the only place we can look. You will be drawn to the song, in a past life you probably found it in the desert. So now we are looking to you Xavier.”

The look on his face told Darin that Xavier didn’t much like the idea that the fate of the world rested on him.

“We’ll take a closer look at Ioram’s journal,” Darin said. “Maybe we can find something more.”

“Aye, I baint read Aldan very well,” Pepper said. “The only reason I can is cause the dragon blood. So I might have o’er looked somewhat.”

“Do you have it on you?” Xavier asked. “What were you doing even attacking us?”

“We were patrollin,” Pepper answered. “N nowt I baint carried the journal with me. It be in Odell.”

“What about Alma?” Darin asked. “Why are you in Odell?”

Pepper looked away from him, guilt on her face.

“It be a long story,” Pepper said evasively.

“Where is your sister?” Darin asked afraid that was what she was hiding. If something had happened to her sister Darin knew it would have destroyed her.

“She be in Alma,” Pepper answered. “It be a bit o a story, but she be safe there fer now. We’ll talk when we get to Odell. Let’s get some rest.”

No one objected though Darin wanted to. He could tell she was hiding something about her sister, and it caused her pain, but he knew very well she would tell him in her own time. So everyone returned to their beds, the Aldan making their own alongside them. Darin felt his heart sink as Pepper set her bed roll away from his.

“She is hiding something,” Darin said to Donar softly.

“I know, but you have to let her tell you,” Donar said.

“She kissed me,” Darin said. “Shouldn’t that mean she still has feelings for me?”

“I don’t know Darin,” Donar answered. Darin only nodded as they hunkered down and he fell asleep. When he woke it was early dawn, a mist curling around the trees. There was little talk as they broke camp and started on their way again. Pepper and the Aldan had traveled on foot so they joined the mage children in the wagon. Pepper still seemed to be avoiding him, so Darin let her be.

They arrived in Odell in the middle of the day, just as the sun burned away the spring mist. Odell was a large village, resting on the edge of the Verde Sea. Docks and ship masts had their own forest upon the green glass of the lake. The village itself was hidden in the foliage, pod like homes clustered in the trees. Standing out on its own isle on the lake joined with a long bridge was Odell’s manor.

The manor looked to be a well defended house, a stone wall around the island. The house itself rivaled the foliage of trees around it, a greater version of the smaller pod homes. Darin had to admit it looked well-fortified and was relieved that the Aldan were not as lax as the Daunish about their defense.

The Aldan lake ships were wide bellied with a single mast and great triangle shaped sails. Darin knew nothing of water travel other than what he had learned from the Nyrgarders who were. All he could tell were the Aldan vessels were smaller than Nyrgarder’s and lacked the oars.

They rode through the village, Hayden still leading the way. The Aldan watched them pass in awe, many staring openly at the Griffins. There was a hushed silence as they rode through the village, the Aldan as silent as the trees. They crossed the bridge, a great stone structure of arches and carved granite. The gates of the manor were open and the guards let them through without word.

In the great courtyard a beech tree stood in the center, youthful leaves catching the sunlight. Grooms appeared and servants swarming over them, Darin dismounting and letting a groom take his pony. He looked around for Pepper, but the courtyard was far too chaotic. Darin slipped away to the side of the courtyard, trying to stay out of the way and catch a glimpse of Pepper.

As he watched Ronan came up to him with his horse in tow and bags packed.

“I believe it be time I took my leave,” Ronan said to Darin’s astonishment.

“You’re leaving, why?” Darin asked.

“I cannot guide you beyond these lands anymore I have not traveled them,” Ronan answered. “And you have magic now to act as your translator, and coin to travel with.”

“We may still need you if we travel west again,” Darin said.

“But you will be staying here for sometime I guess,” Ronan said. “It not be my nature to linger in one place. So, I take my leave.”

“Very well,” Darin said sad to see him go. “May your path be smooth and the wind at your back.”

“And may you find what you seek,” Ronan said with a bow before he led his horse off out into the gate again. Darin watched him go feeling that slight sadness at seeing the back of a retreating friend.

Suddenly there was someone at his side. Darin turned to see an Aldan man had stepped up to stand next to him, his eyes on the crowd but Darin sensed his attention on him. He was a typical fair Aldan man, willowy looks and sleepy eyes. His clothes though well-made were wrinkled and bore colorful stains from paints.

“I followed a thread and low there are a few here,” the Aldan said as if musing. “The Dwarven Warden I presume.”

“What?” Darin asked puzzled and the Aldan looked down at him with a raised eye brow.

“You are one of Arke’s chosen,” he said and Darin frowned at him.

“Arke? She is one of the Phay, a daughter of the rainbow,” Darin said puzzled.

“She is also now the keeper at Astolat, and the weaver that works to aid the Phay in marching,” he answered. “I see the Bastard Mage is here as well, many threads coming together.”

There was a power about him, a sleepiness that inspired laconic dreams.

“And who are you?” Darin asked.

“The Painted Lord,” he answered. “Though you can call me Kaden Odell, the Duke’s grandson.”

“Darin, captain to Donar chief of the Emir Clan, though I suppose you already knew that.”

“No, I knew who you were not what you were called,” Kaden answered. “Pleased to meet one of Arke’s chosen. Four in one place is interesting though.”

“Four?” Darin asked.

“The Errant Knight is already here,” Kaden said pointing and Darin turned to see he meant Pepper.

“What exactly does that mean to be one of Arke’s Chosen?” Darin asked.

“She influences our luck,” Kaden answered. “We are her agents so to speak in this world working to find the song and Eileen reborn.”

“Xavier is Eileen reborn,” Darin said.

“Yes, I’ve gathered that,” Kaden answered nodding. “Arke did say I didn’t have to worry about finding her, she would find me. The song is the harder task.”

“You’ve read Ioram’s journal haven’t you?” Darin said.

“I suppose Pepper informed you about it,” Kaden said. “It is a dead end I know. I’ve read it and there doesn’t seem to be much there. The only thing I can think to do is travel to Xin and hope we could find something in Evalon. Only I’ve heard that Evalon is at siege right now from the Pridesmen.”

“The chiefs of the dwarf clans know how to retrieve their memories from their past lives,” Darin said and Kaden looked at him surprised. “Donar is going to teach Xavier how to get those memories back.”

“Where he might have encountered the song and where it lays now,” Kaden said nodding. “So that was why Arke controlled your luck.”

“Why not Donar’s?” Darin asked puzzled.

“Because his spirit is too powerful for her to influence,” Kaden answered. “So she chose his captain who would go everywhere he went.”

“Yet Eileen’s isn’t?” Darin asked and Kaden shrugged.

“She is mortal now,” Kaden answered. “Or maybe she consented. I don’t know Arke’s purposes most of the time but I do trust her judgement. After all it seems to be working. The only thing she doesn’t seem to know is where the song is.”

“Why not?” Darin asked.

“You’d have to ask her that,” Kaden answered.

Their conversation came to an end when the great doors of the house were opened and an Aldan man walked out. He was aged only slightly, wrinkles around his eyes and mouth, but of noble stature. He walked down the steps and looked around at the Griffins and mages, looking for those of authority. Darin hurried forward to stand next to Donar as he stepped forward to greet the Aldan lord. Xavier did the same, as well as Kalyani. They bowed to him, Kalyani extending a wing which seemed to show respect.

“I received word of your arrival,” the Duke said mildly, his eyes on Xavier. “I did not believe Wyatt’s letter until now. It is like Terrian has risen from the grave.”

Xavier nodded at this, his face set in a calm mask that Darin suspected hid a lot of pain.

“And of course I cannot forget our kin,” the Duke said looking to Donar and Kalyani.

“I am Donar Chief of the Emir Clan,” Donar said with a dip of his head. “This is my captain Darin.”

“And I am Kalyani Elect of the Wild Braves,” Kalyani said, Darin seeing the Duke understand her words.

“You speak Aldan?” the Duke said astonished.

“I speak and you understand for we are kin,” Kalyani answered.

“Yes of course,” the Duke said pleased. “I am Duke Terrial Odell, welcome to my home. Come, you must be weary. You may rest, and then we will share a meal. No doubt much must be said.”

Darin followed Donar as the duke led them into the great house. He still had lost track of Pepper somewhere and wondered where she had wandered off to. They were given rooms, the dwarves given a room with four beds. The room was luxurious, rivaling the mage inn they had stayed in before. The Aldan preferred wooden furniture, a few wicker items thrown in as well.

“What do you think of the duke?” Donar asked after they had washed the dust of the road from their beards and changed tunics.

“Shaken,” Darin answered. “Strangely though his grandson was prepared for us.”

“Grandson?” Donar asked.

“We spoke,” Darin said and filled Donar in on what Kaden had said. “Bgrim what do you know of Arke?” Darin asked when he finished.

“No more than you,” Bgrim said. “I don’t know everything.”

“Then don’t act like you do,” Hakk growled.

“Donar?” Darin asked.

“I met her as Emir,” Donar said with a shrug. “Again I can’t add much other than she was beautiful and smiling.”

“What is the point of your past memories of all the Phay if all you can say is she smiles?” Hakk asked frowning.

“I know more about the kings and queens than the rest of the Phay,” Donar said frowning. “I interacted with them more than others, that and the other dwarf chiefs.”

“Alright,” Hakk said and Donar just sighed.

“Let’s go,” Donar said leading the way out into the hall. A servant awaited there and led them to the great hall. It was a large round room, one set of windows looking out over the lake and Odell, the other set out into a garden. The others had come, but the duke had yet to arrive. Darin spotted Pepper, she was dressed still in her forest garb seeming unconcerned about it. Darin went over to her and slipped his hand into hers, Pepper leaning closer to him.

She seemed about to say something when her eyes looked over Darin’s head and changed. Darin turned to see Kaden standing behind them, staring at Pepper with a mild look of surprise. Then Kaden smiled, much like a brother might to a sister. He walked over and stood next to Darin, still smiling.

“I guess my powers are still young,” Kaden said. “I did not sense the knot between your threads.”

“Ye wipe that grin off yer face Kaden afore I smack it off,” Pepper said, but Darin detected a hint of pleasure in her tone, along with the slight smile on her lips. Only then did Darin wonder how they knew each other, but he was afraid to ask.

“I apologize Pepper,” Kaden said. “He is a fine match I am sure. Better than I could ever be. I will leave you two alone; do not think I will stand between you.”

Kaden walked away then Darin frowning after him.

“Pepper…” Darin said softly, his throat tight. “Who is he?”

“He be mine husband,” Pepper answered and Darin felt his heart clench, unable to look up at her. “We baint be lovers at all though Darin. He be a friend n only a friend, he never be interested in anything else.”

Carefully he looked up at her to see her looking down at him almost afraid. Darin knew then what she had hid, and why: she was afraid he would reject her then. He turned to her and reached up to pull her down for a kiss. He felt her relief that he did instantly, tension leaving her body like ice melting.

“After this diner you and I are going to spend some time alone,” Darin said after they parted. “No talking.”

She grinned and rested her arms on his shoulders, running her hands through his hair like she always did.

“Deal,” she said softly, kissing him in return. Donar cleared his throat and they parted, Darin turning to see Donar grinning. He said nothing though as they joined the rest at the table. Xavier and Zaire sat with the two eldest of the mage children along one side of the table. Darin, Donar, Hakk and Bgrim sat on the other side near the head where the Duke, Kaden, Pepper, and a few other Aldan sat. The Griffins proved the hardest to cater towards; Kalyani, Raja, Shankar, and Nagendra took the other end of the table. They had no chairs but sat on the floor, their great wings neatly folded on their backs.

“Greetings and welcome to our guests,” Terrial said once everyone was settled. “I must say this is probably the most unusual gathering I have ever had at my table, and that includes the time Lauren’s pet chipmunk got loose at dinner.”

There was mild laughter from the Aldan at that, the youngest there a young woman blushing.

“Introductions are in order,” Terrial said. “I will start with my family. This is my son Layne and his wife Adelyn, and their children Lauren and Kaden. Next to Kaden is Pepper Alvar, his wife.”

“What?” Hakk said shocked and Darin kicked him under the table. Hakk muttered a few choice swears in dwarvish, unfortunately telling by Lauren’s blush and Terrial’s glare they understood them.

“We are already acquainted with Pepper,” Donar said mildly. “She traveled to the dwarven lands seeking answers. Sadly we had none to give her.”

“I see,” Terrial said. “Very well, let us move on then.”

Introductions went around the table then, Darin glad that the younger mage children had been excluded from this meeting. As it was Martel and Lycus seemed bored with the proceedings so far.

“Pepper has already informed us of her hunt and the results so far,” Terrial said when introductions were finished. “We know the Phay intend to march but we see no way of aiding them. The Aldan have withdrawn from the world as well, Alora has ordered us to look to our defense and we have gathered to the eastern border to guard against the army that masses there. So far an attack has yet to come. I fear however when it does we will not prevail.”

A heavy silence lasted from his words, one that Xavier finally braved.

“I cannot offer anything towards this coming war,” Xavier said. “We came seeking the song, which might be the only salvation we can find for the Phay could aid us in the battles to come.”

“That be ignorant,” Pepper said leaning forward. “We cannot count upon em, and the Crippled Un plans ta strike at em as they march when vulnerable upon the lines.”

“Then what do you suggest?” Xavier asked glaring at her.

“War, but we need ta gather armies,” Pepper answered. “The Aldan cannot stand alone.”

“But from where Pepper?” Donar asked. “To the north there is another army. Daun prepares with Nyrgard and our kin, and as Xavier has told us he sent the Griffins to muster there as well. If they arrive in time it could be a long war to the north.”

“The armies of men will not gather,” Terrial said. “Not to aid the Aldan at least, the new High King Elrik lacks the foresight to unite with us. I suspect he will let the Orcs destroy us before he lifts a finger to aid the Aldan.”

“That would be unwise,” Kalyani said ruffling her feathers. “Does he not know the danger this army poses?”

“All too well,” Terrial answered. “His father died at the border by an assassin’s hand. He is angry about that I am sure, but he hates Alda and lacks his father’s efficiency. While Adrian hated us as well he was wise enough to see strategy and put that over personal feelings.”

“What of Sherah?” Layne said. “Surely she will keep Elrik in line.”

“Maybe,” Terrial said but sighed heavily. “Elrik will be king however, and have more power than her. I will not put my faith in the Regarian throne coming to our aid, least wise not until it is far too late.”

“There are nine kingdoms of men,” Donar said. “Daun and Nyrgard are at war to the north, what of the others then?”

“Lir is now entirely in Loe’s hands,” Terrial said. “Xin I hear is in chaos with the Pridesmen holding Evalon at siege. Hyria sides with the highest bidder and right now that is Regis. The Mark is withdrawn into itself like a badger in a hole. Dridia…”

“Will not muster,” Xavier said sadly. “King Nicola is dead, Ilya now has the throne and he has been working with Kal Ba’el.”

Terrial and the other Aldan turned to him shocked; obviously this was news to them. Xavier told them about the assassination, and briefly his knowledge of Ilya’s plans of making an immortal body for the Crippled One.

“I had little hope from the Dridians,” Terrial said, fists clenched before him. “They have always been disdainful of our kind. This however I had not expected. Do you think they will attack us?”

“I cannot say but I doubt it,” Xavier said. “The mages dislike risking their own lives and Ilya will not be commanded by the Crippled One. They work together for now because their interests are aligned, but this alliance does not mean Ilya is going to take orders.”

“All the same it seems the Aldan will stand alone,” Terrial said. “The Crippled One did a good job in isolating us. Even if the army to the north fails the one to the east will not for men already stand divided before it.”

Darin saw Pepper was angry at this, but she obviously had no answer to the problem at hand.

“You cannot just give up,” Darin said and heads turned to him. “Send messengers at least to the neighboring kingdoms and to the High King.”

“I would but I do not hold the authority to do so,” Terrial said. “Only Alora does and I doubt she will. It is not hatred that makes her refuse to turn to the other kingdoms but fear. It will mean letting the other kingdoms into our borders which she is afraid to do.”

“She may nowt I but will,” Pepper said.

“You have no more authority to do so than I Pepper,” Terrial said.

“I be an Alvar,” Pepper argued.

“Yet you are not Queen,” Terrial said shaking his head. “Only Alora has that authority, and for you to take it from her means you must kill her. I know you hold animosity towards your aunt Pepper, but could you become a kin slayer?”

Pepper frowned and looked away, her fists clenched before her. Darin looked at Xavier to see if he felt as Pepper did, but he seemed uninterested in the bid for power.

“What then will ye do?” Pepper asked softly. “Ye believe the Phay cannot aid ye, nor any kingdoms o man. What then is it ye hope ta do?”

Darin saw the answer in Terrial’s eyes, a look he had seen in many warrior’s faces when the end was near.

“You seek death in battle,” Darin said. “You believe this is the end of the Aldan.”

“It is a far better fate than the one we thought was to be ours,” Terrial said softly. “To see our kin wither and die, fewer born each year. We believed we would wither away, until the forest was once more silent from even our breaths. Now it seems we are to end in blood and battle, peace is far easier to come by when it is quick rather than slow.”

“You forget all your kin,” Kalyani said, her bright eyes lit with a fire not held by the Aldan. “There are still Phay in Miread, and Phay meaning to march from Tir Aesclinn. Do you believe it is the end of us all then?”

Terrial did not meet her eyes, nor did the other Aldan but Kaden.

“Forgive my grandfather,” Kaden said. “Many of the Aldan feel this is our end and seek it for that is the mortal way. Many, the young mostly, do not seek this end like Pepper and I wish to fight. There are answers to be found and time yet to prepare for the coming war. I believe we need to return to Alma, there we can talk with the Queen and convince her to seek aid from the Mark, who can still be roused from its withdrawal.”

“And the song?” Xavier asked. “That is still something that we need to find.”

“That is up to you now,” Kaden said. “Darin told me about Donar planning to teach you to seek the song in your past lives. I believe this is the answer to that path. However I do not think you can begin it until you face the heritage you have in this life.”

“My father,” Xavier said softly and looked to Terrial.

“I knew Terrian well,” Terrial said. “But even I was not aware he had a bastard. I can see it plain as day, but why he would not accept you is beyond me. Certainly the circumstances of your conceiving must have had something to do with it. He loved his wife very much, so much I am surprised he would have even looked at another woman. The only person he would have confided in would have been Iscah, I hope she is still alive. She is in Alma at the moment.”

“So it seems we are going to Alma,” Darin said.

“Not all of us,” Xavier said looking to Martel and Lycus who both looked at him surprised. “You and the other children should stay here in Odell. You’ll be safe here.”

“No,” Martel gasped. “We want to go with you, you need us.”

“Perhaps we should save this discussion for later,” Zaire said softly as Xavier matched wills with Martel in glares. Xavier was the first to look away, but as an adult refusing to argue with a child. Zaire took his hand; Darin sensing a long conversation would come between them.

“We will discuss paths later,” Terrial said. “For now all of you are weary and hungry. Let us eat.”

He nodded to a servant and doors were opened. Servants hurried in carrying trays and dishes, setting the table before retreating. Darin saw a vegetable soup set before him and picked up his spoon to eat. He noticed the Griffin’s eye their meal with contempt and didn’t touch it. When they finished the soup, another course was set before them. Darin noticed the Aldan eat with a delicate grace, one that Xavier seemed to have but Pepper did not. Terrian seemed to notice the Griffin’s dislike of the salad and dainty pastries and signaled to the servants.

The next course saw a fish grilled with lemons and rice, and the Griffin’s each received a large raw fillet each. Darin was relieved when they ate with the delicate work of a beak tearing off strips and swallowing them. With the Griffins fed the meal went on with a lighter mood, conversation dwelling mostly on softer subjects. Eventually the last dish was taken away, Darin feeling like he hadn’t eaten much in the way of filling food. The Aldan seemed to like lighter foods, unlike the dwarves who preferred a heartier affair.

“I believe now you should rest,” Terrial said as he stood and everyone followed suit. “You have had a long and weary journey.”

“Wait,” Xavier said. “I know you cannot tell me why my father abandoned me, but could you at least tell me about him? I know nothing other than what histories can tell and this is no source for me to draw on. I’d like to hear about him from someone who knew him well.”

Terrial stared at Xavier, his face an unreadable calm.

“Very well, come with me and we will talk alone,” Terrial said. He turned to lead Xavier away but stopped when Zaire stepped forward.

“I’d like to come as well if that’s not too much trouble,” Zaire said softly. Xavier took her hand, a look of gratitude on his face.

“No, come along,” Terrial said a slight smile as well. He led them away leaving the rest of them in the dining hall.

“Come on you two,” Kalyani said to the two mage children. “I expect the other children are missing you.”

“I expect Kavi has managed to get his head caught in something while we were gone,” Shankar said and Martel laughed. The continued to jest and laugh together as they walked out, Darin marveling at the ease between them.

“They get along well,” Pepper observed dryly. Darin turned to see her and Kaden standing next to the dwarves. The other Aldan had left, leaving them alone in the dining hall.

“It is a good thing, one that we should not be surprised by,” Donar said.

“And yet we are,” Darin said.

“And we will always be surprised by the turns of life,” Kaden said. “I for one am surprised by the turn of fate, though I can sense its lines occasionally.”

“What does that mean?” Darin asked. “You said something before about threads.”

“I have always had a touch of the Elder Magic,” Kaden answered. “I could walk the lines in my dreams since I was young. After I met Arke and volunteered to being one of her chosen I’ve started to feel the threads around me. I don’t think I can change them like Arke or another weaver, but I can sense their paths and when things are about to happen.”

“Sos that be why ye told me ta go out n patrol,” Pepper said crossing her arms.

“That and you were driving me mad,” Kaden answered. “I needed to get some painting done without you bouncing around me.”

“Cause ye be a lazy toad,” Pepper grumbled. “I’ve said afore that we should go out with the ships ta patrol the sea, maybe even join the guards.”

“You mean you wish to,” Kaden said. “And now you see why I advised against it.”

“Aye well ye could o told me Darin were comin,” Pepper said.

“I didn’t know the details,” Kaden answered.

“So you two really are married,” Donar said.

“Nowt!” Pepper said hotly, a blush spreading over her cheeks. “He be a wimp.”

“Glad to see you think so highly of me,” Kaden muttered.

“Relax Pepper, I was only having a joke,” Donar said. “You two were just bickering like an old married couple is all.”

Darin had to acknowledge that fact, and that he was worried by how familiar they were with each other. However he knew what Pepper was like as a lover, and knew that she was more playful rather than brash. At least he hoped that was the case.

“I expect you are looking for an explanation to this situation,” Kaden said to Darin as if sensing his thoughts.

“I am not mad about it,” Darin answered feeling Pepper’s eyes on him, but he kept his gaze on Kaden. “Though I would like to know how you convinced her.”

“I didn’t,” Kaden answered. “Alora did, she guessed that Eileen hadn’t been reborn and said that only Bailey and Pepper could birth her. This convinced them both, though Alora insisted on marriage for her two grandnieces.”

Darin finally looked at Pepper to see her fuming at the recollection.

“But the song wouldn’t have been sung if Eileen hadn’t been reborn,” Darin said looking back at Kaden.

“A fact I didn’t realize until after we had taken our vows and wedding beds,” Kaden answered. “Though me and Pepper did not consummate our marriage, her sister and husband did.”

Pepper was trembling now and Darin read a lot in the way she held back her tears.

“I’m confused,” Darin said. “You said your sister married so you wouldn’t have to, a year ago. You left because she was having a child by him, Ian was his name right?”

“Aye, n all that be true,” Pepper answered softly. “We were separated from him n un o the twins she gave birth ta. He be alive sos we ken, but we lost him. She baint be legally married ta him by the laws o the kingdoms, so Alora had her marry again. Again she tried ta save me, n this time it hurt her more cause she loves Ian.”

“And where is Bailey?” Darin asked and Pepper flinched.

“In Alma, preparing for the birth of her child by her new husband,” Kaden answered.

“Nowt, by Ian,” Pepper said through clenched teeth. Darin was confused by this but Kaden seemed more shocked than him.

“If she is carrying Ian’s child why didn’t you tell her?” Kaden asked. “You know the guilt of her betrayal to him is tearing her up.”

“Cause it baint be his, er even hers anymore,” Pepper said darkly. “It be a changeling, Aoife be in Bailey now.”

Darin knew that was possible, wondering how it came to be, but Kaden seemed even more shocked than him.

“Why did you not tell me this?” Kaden asked in a bare whisper.

“Cause I thought ye kenned,” Pepper said frowning. “Ye be so good with the Elder Magic I thought ye saw it. N Melanthios said we have ta keep it secret like.”

Kaden reached out and snatched Melanthios from the scabbard on Pepper’s hip. He gripped the sword hard as he glared at it, looking much like a man that never handled a blade before. Darin guessed a silent conversation between the two, the air so intense no one else dared to speak. Kaden’s face was livid, growing more and more intense until at last he threw down the blade which clattered on the fine wood floor.

Kaden whirled and left, marching away without another word.

“What was that all about?” Donar asked looking to Pepper. She retrieved Melanthios and silently consulted the dragon spirit within the sword.

“They argued o’er what we should do,” Pepper answered. “Kaden wanted ta hurry ta Alma, but Melanthios advised caution. I baint sure he listened. Baint worry though, there baint be much he could do anyways n he kens it.”

“In that case we’ll leave him be,” Donar answered. “And you two as well, good night.”

Darin felt his face flush as Donar winked at him and led Hakk and Bgrim away to their rooms. He glanced up at Pepper who was also blushing as well, suddenly shy.

“Would Kaden be in your rooms?” Darin asked.

“Doubt it,” Pepper said resting one hand on her sword. She looked down at the dragon blade with a sudden frown. “Ye miserable piece o iron.”

“What?” Darin asked.

“He be laughin,” Pepper said and Darin laughed, the tension easing.

“I seem to remember you left him out in the hall last time,” Darin said grinning which Pepper answered with her own.

“He stopped laughin,” Pepper said and took Darin’s hand. They left the hall hand in hand, and sure enough Pepper left Melanthios out in the hall like a forgotten object.

[writinginthebunker]

Here’s my thought, they wouldn’t kill off *everybody* and leave them all dead.

Eileen, Bobby, Charlie 2, Donna, that’s just not feasible. They’re going to bring the world back, cinematic parallels dictate it’s time to raise Cas from perdition and stab him in the heart (but in a good way I fucking hope)

I just don’t see any sort of acceptable ending witho it Castiel - the fan base would large scale riot - so just pause and breathe and anxiously await his return - if fucking John can come back, so can Cas. Again. 💕

I started the day feeling okay, reading stuff about Dean and Cas blah blah, thinking Dean would definitely reciprocate and we'd see Cas again. But now we're at the end of the day again and once again I'm thinking we aren't getting destiel, and once again like yesterday I'm feeling sick to my stomach.

If they were just going to give us Cas being gay for Dean not to reciprocate or just for Cas to die I. That would be so fucking sickening.

Someone remind me to stay off twitter.

[emptywithout]

Season finale predictions

My EDITED thoughts

Eileen: not dead.  It was a shifter.  Ketch did it on purpose to scare/upset the boys.  She was tossed around, but not shredded.  He stopped the hellhound with the whistle before it got too far. Wanted Sam & Dean to see her body. He wrote the letter. Would Eileen have used the word “girly”?

Crowley: obviously the rat.  He’s fine. He crawls out of the ground and joins the fight somehow. Survives along with the boys.

Rowena: not dead. Lucifer has an actual lock of her hair, but might just use it to anger Crowley.  Yes, he doesn’t like her, but their relationship was changing, so…

The black and white place with the pointy columns: the empty (or similar).  The unknown figure is either Bobby or Metatron. Amara killed Metatron when he was human, so maybe?  Bobby was approached in heaven by angels after the riot, so maybe his punishment was to go there?

Why Dean cries/Sam closes eyes heavy sigh: Mary has died. Ketch tries to stab Dean, she jumps in the way.  Dean kills Ketch, but it is too late.  Mary dies in his arms.  Sam hears (or is told) over the phone. Ok I have no idea

Mary: EDITED BECAUSE PROMO PICS PROVE OTHERWISE, SO I NEED TO RETHINK THIS ONE, AND NOW I’M JUST NOT SURE...

Toni: However she dies (and she will) it will be in the bunker. Dean or Mary kill her.  Maybe even Ketch who just rolls his eyes at something she says, he turns quickly and just shoots her in the head.

Jody: kicks ass, fights with Sam.  Doesn’t die. Hopefully she takes out Umbridge.  That would be stellar.

Alex: we see her, but Jody refuses to allow her to fight, wanting to keep her safe.  She stays home and will be fine.  Claire is off hunting somewhere else, not involved in the episode.

Other unnamed hunters seen at the BMoL compound: red shirts. Most likely will all die.

Grenade launcher: Dean has it in his hands.  He is pointing it at…Lucifer?  But Lucifer does the hand wave thingy and Dean goes flying, dropping it – which is immediately picked up and fired at Lucifer (sorry, Dean). It misses...or surrounds Lucifer with an explosion/ball of light...(see Lucifer, below)

Garth: I don’t think we see him at all, but probably mentioned by Ketch that he is dead (although we won’t know if he actually is) but I think he’s alive.

Kelly: Cas takes her back in time, but Lucifer finds them. Has the baby. Survives the birth but is killed by Lucifer.  Head snap or finger snap death.

Nephilim: unknown.  He is born, Lucifer takes him somewhere.

Lucifer: Escapes the big fight but we are left with a scene where he is holding the baby and we see them disappear into a bright light (explosion?) But we don’t know if they are alive or not.

Team Free Will: season ends with all 3 (and I think Crowley and Metatron/Bobby too) stuck in the empty/other place, having seen Lucifer and baby disappear/die (that shocked look close up we see in the trailer). They are stuck with no way out.

Season 13: starts with Jody/Alex/Claire/maybe even Garth? And alive Eileen trying to find and rescue them

Just my thoughts...Wanted to get them down while I was thinking about them...What do you guys think?

EDITED BECAUSE I WAS PROVED WRONG