#its called the sunrise of the reaping

[the-blackdale]

where are my hunger games girlies ? Haymitch Abernathy just got his novel !!

[oceanblvdst13]

"SLUT!"

mentor finnick odair x victor fem!reader

summary : capitol's darling has gotten quite the reputation after snow's menaces, finnick comforts her through her frequent crisis.

warnings : FLUFF , mentions of finnick' trauma and whatever comes with it

"in a world of boys , he's a gentleman"

. ִֶָ 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆★⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ

Beautiful is what your surroundings called you. Not hot or sexy, but breathtaking. Spending sunrises and afternoons on the beach with your friends shaped your days. They all spoke about their experiences but you were far too ignorant to try anything with anyone. Too sweet, too innocent.

Until the reaping, where you met Finnick. He had tried his best to help you win the games and was now beating himself up for it every night . Deep down , the second he met you , Finnick knew that your death was imminent. Either physically in that arena , or either mentally where you would have your body and soul stolen in the bed of Panem's elite at your return.

To his great disgust and to Snow's pleasure, you had won the games and became their jewel. Not only were you extremely desired one to one, but Panem loved your overly sexualized exhibits. The people were loving it and the traction was stronger than ever. New skimpy outfits every week, dirty jokes anytime you were interviewed, your soft soul had been muttered into a so said slut while your heart was shattering, not being able to let go fully of its innocence.

Finnick blamed himself. He wished you stayed eighteen forever, that you didn't celebrate your nineteenth birthday in a strangers bed, that you didn't have to spend your life the way he did, which is why he came to you every few nights. To hold you to sleep and attempt to wipe the horrors he's also lived a few years prior out of your head atleast for the time you slept. To seek comfort in your presence and kindness that still stayed nonetheless. But he didn't allow himself to think so selfishly. No, it was only for you.

That evening, routine catched up. Reminiscing about the days before all of it , and tears falling slowly on your cheeks in the dark, until you heard the familiar knock.

"How are you doing tonight love?"

"Okay." You responded, your tone of voice completely betraying your awnser.

Finnick knew. Words are hard and no one liked voicing their pain out loud. With him there was no talking about it, besides the sweet nothings he whispered into your ears.

His hands ran along your hips, lightly pressing on your shoulders, only to finish softly rubbing your back to sleep. Occasionally, he'd bring a hand up to your cheek to wipe a tear out of the way.

"I know baby, I know."

"You're not a slut, this isn't your fault."

"Give it time , time will heal everything."

Often , he'd kiss your forehead, in a protective mentor way and other times he'd kiss your neck in a much more personal way. Those times were the days you could actually get some rest. You didn't have an idea of love , since you never got to experience it before your dignity was stolen from you, but you'd imagined this is how it felt like. Dreaming of a world where you would be Finnick Odair's girl and not Panem's sex symbol.

Finnick did not have to imagine, he knew he was far inlove with you, the attraction he felt for you on the first days had sealed into total obsession after the dark bond you too shared. By saving you , he was also saving himself in a way. Finnick did not stay dreaming though , and actively worked against Snow for a day you could safely and slowly fall for him. He'd wait years , for you to learn love all over again and know the shivers and butterflies. For you to get to live , to leave him if you felt the need too. He would've given anything to see his girl happy.

And eventually, he did. Capitol had left its scars all over you and moved to the next one but Finnick was more then happy to heal each and every single one of them when he found out about the perfect thing, you fell just as hard as he did <3.

[babbletaels]

I know a lot of fans wanted it, I didn't really see a need for it at all, but if Collins wants to write about haymitchs games then I'm sure it will be good in any case.

What I really don't want is for fans assumptions to be true. Like I don't think snow killed haymitchs entire family and his grilfriend because he found the force field lmao I think that's kinda stupid? It must be explained in a better way like maybe they already had a winner set up because the games aren't actually real and then haymitch got in the way of that and that made them do it but that also seems stupid? Like most dictators and corrupt governments aren't dumb and do evil stuff just no reason like that, cause it haymitch were to tell anyone that the capitol killed his family for literally no reason (you know he has friends outside of 12 after the game??) then wouldn't that make people hate the capitol more? I'm one hundred percent sure that something else happened, like haymitch felt untouchable after the games and tried to deny the capitol what they wanted from him as a victor, whatever that may be, just an example could be maybe it was a finnick situation and they wanted to sell him and he refused because he has a girlfriend so they killed his girlfriend? Like even something that simple makes more sense. You don't have to take the bare minimum of information given to you and try to piece it together from that if the conclusion makes no sense.

Anyway another thought I have. I can't find any info that says it's actually confirmed that the book will be about haymitch, and the title is kinda throwing me off a bit.

Because like.. Okay you can excuse it by saying "sunrise on the [DAY OF THE] reaping" but like... hmmm.. to me it really sounds like sunrise ON the reaping. The reaping is the ceremony, not the day, right? Is there a district that has the reaping that early? Does the capitol have the sunrise that early? Idk. Is it really confirmed to be about haymitch? And further more, is it really confirmed to have the games in it? I feel like there's not a lot to tell about haymtichs games because we already know everything that happened in it, and I myself would love a book where the games aren't the focus.

"BUT ITS A HUNGER GAMES BOOK, ITS NOT THE HUNGER GAMES IF THERE ARE NO GAMES" quote from a person I overhesrd when leaving the movie theater after watching mockingjay part one. Hello? Did you forget the part where it's not called the hunger games: haymitchs story? I think it would be really nice to see a story without the games in it

Edit: ALSO NO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE WOODY AS 16 YEAR OLD HAYMITCH PLEASE LET US HAVE A NEW ACTOR and NO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TOM BLYTH AS HAYMITCH OH MY GOD

Edit AGAIN: Pleeeaaassseee give haymitch black hair like he's supposed to have

[viandclintbarton-supremacy]

Hunger Games Phoenix (OC story)

Chapter 1: The Everdeen Children   (Before we start, this was written years ago. It was one of those projects that due to busy life i never finished so i though why not add it here and see what happens. Forgive me if not the best as i said it was written years ago)

It was quiet in the forest, it always is at dawn. In this forest a boy was sitting on a branch, enjoying the sunrise and the view smiling to himself, slowly humming to himself. This is Jack Everdeen the brother of the 73th hunger games winner Katniss Everdeen, unlike prim not everyone knew about him, everyone knows about prim since Katniss volunteered herself and in interviews Katniss never mentioned the boy. It also doesn't help that he doesn't talk to anyone other then a select few. He continued to hum the tune of the song he read about in one of the books he found in the forest years ago until he started to sing the words

Jack: "When god is gone and devil takes takes hold, who will have mercy on my soul" The song is called "O Death" from the lyrics Jack could relate as it's about the person asking death to spare them to live longer, in this case Jack is the person asking to be spared whilst the reaping is death "O death, O death, consider my age please don't take me at this stage" its a dark song to a lot of people but it somehow calmed him "O death, O death, won't you spare me over another year" He finished softly

Peaceful he thought, the birds, the view and the warm breeze

Then a mockingjay started to sing the mocking jay song

Jack frowned and turned his head to the mockingjay with a really look "Really? Do you have to sing that specific song" The boy said irritated at the song that became a constant reminder of Katniss and people call me a dick" The bird tilted its head "Yeah i called you a dick and what are you gonna do about it?"...... It started to sing again which made jack's mouth agape "You little shi-"

"JACK!!" Jack was cut off by the voice of a girl he knows to well, he looked down to see primrose who had a amused look on her face

The boy gasped "OH MY SAVIOUR. PLEASE HELP ME DESTROY THIS FOUL BEAST" Jack shouted in a mock capital voice as he pointed to the mockingjay which made primrose roll her eyes

"How many times do i need to tell you to stop arguing with birds" Primrose put her hands on her hips amused at the scene. Jack grabbed his bag and Knife and climbed down the tree

"When one" Jack grunts getting ready to jumped down "pecks" The young Everdeen lands in front of his younger sister "one of Katniss's eyes out" He said smiling innocently

*Smack*

"Ow why ya slap me!!* Jack whined as rubbed the back of his head

" You deserved it. Plus its funny" Rolled his eyes "Come on Katniss is hunting and i know it won't go well if you two bump into each other an-" Prim and Jack started to walk but someone was in front of them 10 feet away..... "Oh hey Katniss?"

Katniss had her bow and kept glancing at Jack awkwardly

"I wonder if that mockingjay is hungry for eyeballs right now" he whispered to prim and in response she elbowed her brother in the stomach who tried to play the pain off

Katniss: "H-how have you been?"

Jack:"Uh fine i guess" This is awkward

Katniss: "Oh ok, i-i um missed you" Jack blinked

Jack: "Oh uh me too" Katniss slightly smiled "OH HI PEETA" Katniss turned to see no one, peeta wasnt there, she turned back to see prim on her own and a jack running off into the distance

I wish we could be closer brother, i love you Katniss thought.

Jack woke up differently not because of the awkward meeting with katniss yesterday but because its the day of tge reaping.

He woke up ate the bread Peeta gave him and got dressed in his well normal clothes which was a old hooded jacket and ripped jeans with boots but all in light blue, he glanced out the windows and saw peacemakers or shitmakers jack likes to call them.

They were preparing for the announcements, so he hurried to get in the crowd and when he got there and stood between two kids at least are both 13. Jack couldnt help but be so sick that kids get dragged into this they don't deserve it......no one does he thought to himself. He saw the kid to his right sniff,  jack placed his hand on his shoulder

"It will be ok" the boy who was scared started to tear up. Jack started to feel bad and had a sick feeling in his stomach. He bent down and whispered to the boy. "I promise if you get picked I'll volunteer" he smiled to which the boy looked shocked and jack then stood up and look at the podium

Jack: "Please for the love of god be someone who is over 16 and not me" he whispered. He put his name in 19 times but he doubts he would be reaped but the odds aren't always in your favour

Walked up to the peacekeeper who was going to jab his finger

*jabbed*

"Ow"

Wow Effie has less makeup on her then the last time, she looks human, jack thought whilst the video package finished. Surprisingly peeta, haymitch and Katniss were not on the stage properly waiting on the train an get out of here

Effie: "Now as always ladies fir-. Actually let's do boys first *chuckle*" jack rolled his eyes so modest he thought sarcastically

She put her hand into the bowl and mixed it and pick a name. Jack felt everyone's nerves build up and held it up and went to read but she frowned then it turned to a shocked expression.

"Oh my.............Jack Everdeen" Jack looked at Effie wide eyed, he couldn't believe it. He is going to "Where are you darling" crap he thought as quickly walked out of the line and walked up the stairs making eye contact with Effie who had a look of sorrow and what looked like a little bit of heartbreak.

Jack looked out to the crowd, he saw gale in the crowd who looked to be thinking. He was going to volunteer, he locked eyes and mouthed the words "Katniss needs you" please listen for once asshole. Gale looked conflict after a couple of seconds but nodded and looked down

Effie: "Now t-the girls* She repeated the action " Tina summers"

There was mumbles but nothing prepared jack for what he saw, a small, brown short haired , skinny girl stepped out and walked to the stairs. Jack tilted his head at the youngster with horror building inside him

No, not a kid. He thought. He staying to pray and hope that someone volunteered for her. But no one came. A million scenarios ran through his head. What if she dies, who will keep her safe if he is dead...what if they are the last two

"District 12's tributes, Happy hunger games" Effie said trying to remain professional "Yeah happy indeed" Jack mumbled

Jack waited in a room for his mother and sister prim and speak of the devil he turned around with pairs of arms hugging him

"Why! We could of given you food damn it peeta gave you food jack!"

After looking at his family he couldn't blame them

"Someone had to help the families here, I'm sorry but do you know how many kids are there dying whilst we are being fed!. I couldn't stand by"

His mother gave a sad smile but started crying again as she hugged her only son

Prim: " please win, I can't lose you. Katniss can't, she does love you" Jack looked at his sister with sad eyes Maybe she was right, did Katniss love him. There past isn't the prettiest

A Peacekeeper marched in "Times up"

Mother: "Goodbye Jack, i love you" both were pulled out shouting his name

Jack waited and looked out the window and looked over the city of District 12. Was this the last time he would see it.

The door opened, Jack looked behind to see... Gale?

Jack: "What in the hell you doing here?" He said in a weird high pitched manner. Gale sighed

Gale: "I know why you put your name in but why not go to katniss she would of helped" Jack raised his eyebrow

Jack: "You think she would let me put myself in any danger, despite our feelings toward each other she wouldn't let me" gale nodded "And don't go blaming yourself for not volunteering, Kat needs you as much as it annoys me and your nearly over the age limit to be free from all this" Gale sighed before looking at Jack with some admiration

Gale: "I know we aren't fond of each other but I'm glad you think that, I'll see you soon, goodbye jack...and win" He turned to leave, jack smirked

Jack: "Just keep it in your pants asshole" Jack said in a arrogant voice, Knowing Gale's feeling towards Katniss

Gale stopped and sighed shaking his head but then left. Jack smirked, he loved pissing him off

Jack, Tina and Effie were riding to the train that will take them to the capital

"I can't believe you put you name in! You stupid boy Katniss is going to kill you before you enter the arena" that would help, Jack couldn't believe he was chosen but someone had to help those kids. Jack glanced at Tina and sat opposite her "Are you listening, young man" Jack sighed and gave her a look "Fine. Katniss will deal with you hope pain free" Jack looked at Tina

"Hi there my name is Jack" he extended his hand, Tina looked at it and then back at him. She then jumped into his arms and buried her face into his shoulder and started to cry "Hey, hey it's ok. Your gonna be fine Tina" Jack looked at Effie, who teared up. Jack for the first time in a long time doesn't know what to do. All he knew was he HAD to protect this girl

Jack stood there in the train holding a sleeping Tina, rocking her back and forth. Effie went to look for Katniss, peeta and Haymitch. She said she wouldn't tell he is a tribute because she simply can't tell them because she scared of their reactions. Jack on the other hand was scared for Tina and also scared shitless of what Katniss will do. He looked done at Tina those scenarios still playing in his head, he feels so powerless.

*Door opening*

Jacks eyes widen and gulped as he heard the doors behind him open

"Aww the tributes are bonding" very funny Haymitch

Katniss pinched Haymitch "That's not funny Haymitch" She then lowered her voice "One of them is just a kid" she couldn't help but remember Rue

"We are your mentors?...would you like to tell us your names and turn around??" He heard Peeta say. Here we go the boy thought

Jack (Fake high pitch voice): "The girl's name is tina" He heard haymitch snort

Haymitch: "Whats with the fake voice, nervous kid?" Jack sighed and slowey turned around to see his mentors

Haymitch was mid drinking and started to choke on his drink and looked backed at Effie with shock

Peeta eyes went wide with shock and tried to speak but couldn't find them he then looked at katniss

Katniss stared at him with wide eyes, she started to shake

"No n-no no no no" Katniss started to tear up and covered her mouth

Well this is different, He thought Katniss who be furious at him. Katniss then frowned and stared daggers at her younger brother and started to walk towards him like she was going to kill him

To be continued

So yeah that's the first chapter. Honestly have no idea where i was going with this. But i still have the same end goal of the story But what did yall think? Why do Jack and Katniss have a odd relationship. How is Jack going to protect Tina and will Katniss kill Jack before he enters the arena

[st4rshipr4nger]

okay i saw a post talking about people gatekeeping haymitch??? and its just like okay are they or are people just upset people are gonna switch up on him and suddenly give him the young president snow treatment cause thats what is upsetting me cause i know the book is gonna leave such a message and an impact and theres gonna be that one corner of people who are like "ohh my pookie bear i never hated him for a second" "wait hes kinda!!!" like thats what irks and makes me uncomfortable to think about and obviously it is NOT THAT SERIOUS!! but its kind of serious to me in a sense because the hunger games books and movies were kind of a big part of my childhood and growing up because me and my sister would watch them together and then secretly read our mothers copies anyways im rambling, my problem isnt that i feel the need to "gatekeep" i dont think its what it is, i think it just upsets me when people suddenly switch up on characters me and so many other people have loved over the years that some people just highly disliked which i will never get over the haymitch hate (why are yall hating !!!) and its like it gives me whiplash, i call it the Tom riddle effect where like oh yall hate voldemort but are head over heels for like his younger self because they casted someone conventionally attractive,, yall hate president snow but love his younger self because they casted someone conventionally attractive. also i know Haymitch is not a villain , he's not on president snow or voldemorts level like that is not his character but ive seen this happen so much in media where someone hates a character but as soon as we see a young conventionally attractive so pretty wow awooga version of them and suddenly everyone is like crazy over it like i dont know maybe im just overthinking it all but i dont know!! and i think its fun to yap about it

also i would like to mention i love when new people join a fandom and find something new to love but what i was talking about is aimed at the people who have been in the fandom for a while and have hated on this character and will automatically switch up once sunrise on the reaping comes out!!

[libraryofcirclaria]

137 CE

Library of Circlaria

Remikra Timeline

A Quest for Power

In November 130 CE, King Solon of the Remohans died, and was succeeded by his son, Solonmake. Solonmake, a young man of great ambition, made some observations. First, he realized that the Remohan people were mostly poor and starving, having barely any resources. In a moment of enlightenment, he discovered that whoever had dominance over Remikra had a surplus of food and resources at their disposal; and after further searching, King Solonmake discovered the dominating power to be the Empire of Wannonia. It was at this point that he experienced a divine vision, which charged him with the task of conquering Wannonia and reaping all of its spoils. Such a quest was difficult, though, as Wannonia proved to be very organized and powerful. Solonmake had to attack the weaker nations to attain their wealth and resources, which would be just enough to prepare for Wannonia.

To the North and West lay the Kingdom of Kitalos. With this nation, Solonmake realized his call to reclaim the former city of Calanas. The Kitalan Kingdom was organized and powerful as well, though not so much as Wannonia; so a victory over them was possible. Very soon, King Solonmake began recruiting and training his Remohan soldiers. He also attempted to recruit Calanasian people, who still lived in "pocket communities" throughout the Remohan lands, but they would not oblige except for a great amount of wealth.

The Fall of King Hemos

In June 133 CE, King Solonmake and his soldiers arrived in Kitalos, only to find that its defenses were not as robust as they were ten years previously, due to a recent plague. One night, the Remohans launched a sneak attack upon the city, overrunning it and killing King Hemos by sunrise. The raiding of Kitalos' homes, shops, and palaces did not generate the wealth needed to fund enough Calanasian soldiers to help Solonmake overcome Wannonia. So he looked next to the Republic of Chemko.

Desire for Chemkan Wealth

Just then, various sources brought news to King Solonmake regarding Chemko, especially its capital city, Corbos. Chemko was a republic, which King Solonmake viewed as unstable and anarchic in nature, and therefore, weak. Furthermore, most people there were poor while the few rich merchants resided in their palace-like residences in Corbos; and such places were unprotected aside from the walls and guards around the city. On such defenses, Solonmake sent spies to attain information, and was surprised to learn that no improvements were made on the style and type of such defenses since the sacking of Eskant by Totian Emperor Kestaven centuries before. The same defenses and guard post functions remained. In June 134 CE, after a great deal of planning, King Solonmake launched a Kestavian-style assault; and in a very short amount of time, Corbos was overrun by Remohans.

Chemkan Response

As the Remohans swept through Corban streets in a reign of terror, people were killed, properties were raided and set ablaze, and valuable items were taken. Those lucky enough to escape the ensuing chaos escaped the city and fled elsewhere. The Chemkan Senate, by protocol, fled to the location where stood Estrayon's Library, where they convened and voted to dispatch multiple Chemkan Legions. These Legions drove the Remohans out of Corbos, and mostly out of the Chemkan Republic. However, the enemy struck back, making numerous hit-and-flee raids against the Chemkan border villages. Attempts by the Chemkan Legions to target and eliminate Remohan encampments right across the border were met with high casualties and low levels of success. As peace and order was at least restored to Corbos, the Senate returned to their original meeting place, where they voted to dictate a letter to Wannonian Emperor Murstallar II for assistance.

Meanwhile, in the Wannonian capital of Tekon, Emperor Murstallar II was struggling to keep coffers afloat owing to the recent war and internal upsets in Wannonia, and was forced to levy taxes. In retaliation, some Wannonian people rebelled against the high taxes by protesting, or even by simply refusing to pay. With a seemingly pointless war in the West, as proposed by the Chemkan Senate, serving as a potential for additional financial burdens on the already-strained Imperial system, Murstallar II responded to Corbo with a letter of refusal.

Attack on Wannonia

Ironically, it was during the raid on Corbos that the residences of the rich guild owners were ransacked, yielding, as King Solonmake hoped, a large enough amount of wealth to finally acquire enough Calanasian soldiers to launch an attack on Wannonia. And in January 135 CE, Solonmake did just that, capturing the city of Aron. Such a victory was short-lived, however, as Emperor Murstallar II, having received news of this, dispatched multiple Wannonian Legions, who swiftly returned Aron to Wannonian control. With the emerging stories of terror, of Wannonian farmers slaughtered and homes and crops set ablaze, it was in September 135 CE that Murstallar II was determined to eliminate the Remohan terror once and for all. He promptly signed an alliance treaty with the Chemkan Senate, sending them a letter of apology for the previous statement of refusal and calling upon them to join Wannonia in an attack on the city of Remoh proper. The Remohan capital, however, was surprisingly well-defended; so they called upon the Calanasians for assistance.

The Rise of Queen Lifsona

The "pocket communities" of Calanasians left over from the fall of Calanas more than ten years previously were now being forced to make decisions between fighting for the Wannonians and Chemkans, or fighting for the Remohans. In September 135 CE, Lifsona, a female Calanasian warrior, initially answering to a call to fight for the Remohans. Her company, however, was captured by Wannonians early on, and she was taken prisoner. With strategy and wit, though, she escaped her captors before crossing the border into Wannonia, and, in March 136 CE, returned to her homeland. Upon her return, she listened to the anger and frustration of her fellow Calanasians, as they had no control over the lost Calanasian lands to the affairs of the warring foreign powers. Such powers were also fighting over the Calanasians, themselves, as if they were merely pawns in a board game. It was then that Lifsona formed her resolve: to unite the Calanasian people and re-establish the State of Calanas. Such a resolution appealed well to the Calanasians, who joined her.

Under Lifsona's command, the Calanasians carried out a strategy where they appeared to join the ranks of the opposing foreign armies. However, when the time came for the armies to attack each other, with the Calanasians on both sides, the Calanasian recruits turned inward and, in coordination, slaughtered their own military hosts. Such an assault was launched in September 136 CE; and by that November, the Wannonians, Chemkans, and Remohans were successfully driven away as the Calanasians carved out their own sovereign territory, taking up the Southwest portion of Remikra.

The Council of Abetz: 137 CE

Lifsona went to the city of Abetz, situated in the middle of the Interior Desert, where she called for a council with the previously warring nations. It was here that she signed a peace treaty mutually with Wannonia, Remoh, and Chemko, and furthermore re-established the Kingdom of Kitalos, which would be governed by her sister, Hanna, now a Queen. Shortly thereafter, Lifsona, herself, became the Queen of the Kingdom of Calanas.

<- 131 CE <- || -> 217 ->

[moonlightserenities]

Astraea

Astraea is the goddess of purity, who once lived on earth as the ambassador of the golden age of humanity, until she disappeared from the wickedness of social order and became the constellation of Virgo and the lady not getting involved in too many tales.

The celestial virgin, was the last of the immortals to live with humans, but created the general spirit in renewal of culture occurring.

The principles to refine and maintain innocence is the battle in realms of many stories giving Astraea, still the power of faith.

Hasta is a lunar mansion in Virgo symbolized by an open hand giving blessings to humanity is the spherical analysis of this asterism.

Great skills and intelligence are the ability to achieve the goals in complete and immediate manner is the deity of the very same constellation.

The helping hand in childbirth and preparation in meditation towards other worlds, are the sattvic qualities to face the hardship of life.

Spica in the constellation of Virgo, called the good star has the mythology that we only reap the harvest after caring for the fields to make it last, declaring the means to an ear of the wheat.

Astraea’s deity is related to her purity and equalities observed as dusk and dawn as the daughter of Astraeus the god of sunrise and Eos the goddess of sunset symbolizing the changing horizon and mental aspect of humanity.

The natural time keeping of sunset and dawn is the galactic equinox that determines the constellation in which the sun rises throughout the day and year, giving the rising sign its values to establish a horoscope to its energy signification, of the moment.

Astraea’s message is not to confine in the heart of the earth given to simple trust, for it is the soul of heaven which is trustworthy, for it assimilates all in its own being.

To look upon life not only from one’s own point of view but also from the point of another is no loss, but widens the horizon to one’s point of view.

[cambodiatraveltour]

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In conclusion, Siem Reap tour packages provide the perfect gateway to uncovering the mystique of Cambodia, from the ancient splendor of Angkor Wat to the vibrant culture and landscapes that define this captivating destination. So why wait? Embark on your Cambodian adventure today and immerse yourself in a journey of discovery that will leave you spellbound.

[jaydeemedia]

[ad_1] Experience some of the best sights in Cambodia with our 3-day Siem Reap itinerary. Visit all the mysterious Angkor temples, soak up the unique culture of a floating village on Tonlé Sap plus enjoy the best of the city.   By: Mark Barnes | Published: 15 Mar 2024 span box-shadow: none !important; filter: brightness(1) !important; ]]> Siem Reap is the second biggest city in Cambodia and an essential stop on any trip to the country. Its calling card are the remarkable Khmer temples built in the 9th to 12th centuries. Lost for hundreds of years, these elegant stone cities are partially consumed by the forest, making them the most evocative religious buildings in the world. Just a few miles south is Tonle Sap, the largest lake in southeast Asia. Here locals adapt to the changing height of the lake by living in homes that float on the water or perch high above it on stilts. In addition to the surrounding sights, there are plenty of great things to do in Siem Reap including interesting museums, an old market, and plenty of cool bars. Our itinerary covers 3 wonderful days in the area with tips on when to visit, where to stay and suggested additions if you have more time. IN THIS GUIDE SIEM REAP ITINERARY HOW MANY DAYS DO YOU NEED IN SIEM REAP? We recommend spending 3 full days in Siem Reap. This gives you enough time to explore all the most famous temples (as well as some lesser visited ones), visit a floating village on Tonle Sap and enjoy the nightlife in Siem Reap.   It is however possible to see most of the highlights in just two days. Four days would allow time to see the highlights at a more leisurely pace, explore some of the museums, and spend time chilling by the pool. BEST TIME TO VISIT SIEM REAP Siem Reap is hot and sticky all year round. Daily average highs are between 30°C (86°F) and 35°C (95°F) all year.   However, the year is split into two seasons, the wet season, and the dry season. In the wet season (May-October) it can be cloudy all day with intermittent rain and high levels of humidity. In September, it’s so overcast you might never see the sun. In the dry season (November to April) temperatures drop by a couple of degrees, there is little rain and less humidity. It’s still hot and sultry, but less so than in the wet season and there is much greater chance of clearer skies. The best months to visit are December & January. They are the coolest months of the year, and the Tonlé Sap Lake is still relatively full of water – perfect for seeing the floating villages. PHNOM BAKHENG 3-DAY SIEM REAP ITINERARY Here is an overview of our 3-day Siem Reap itinerary. Day 1 – Small Circuit of Angkor Wat, Bayon, and Ta Prohm. Day 2 – Beng Mealea and Banteay Srei, followed by Tonlé Sap. Day 3 – Grand Circuit of less the visited temples, and Cambodian Circus. At the end of this guide, we have suggested amendments in case you want to take things a bit slower. ANGKOR THOM DAY 1 IN SIEM REAP SMALL CIRCUIT For day 1, follow the Small Circuit, a circular route around the most impressive temples around Siem Reap. You can find detailed instructions, including times, tips on how to get around, and maps on our Small Circuit guide. Get an early start and head to Angkor Wat to watch sunrise from behind the north or south reflecting pools. Explore Angkor Wat not missing the carvings on the southern and eastern walls, the Hall of a Thousand Gods or the views from the Upper Level. Next head to Angkor Thom, a collection of temples, the most impressive being Bayon with its 216 smiling faces.   Visit the Tomb Raider temple, Ta Prohm, fighting a losing battle against the jungle.   Finish at Banteay Kdei with its maze of chambers, Buddha statues, lintels, and bas-reliefs. The entire tour takes between 6 to 9 hours depending on how long you spend at each temple. There are restaurants and shops dotted along the route to pick up some lunch. BAPHUON, ANGKOR THOM

ANGKOR WAT BACK IN SIEM REAP If you leave Siem Reap an hour before sunrise you should be back about mid-afternoon. Spend the afternoon relaxing by your pool or strolling around town. In the evening explore the Old Market, and grab dinner at the stalls of the Riverside Night Market which are perched on the banks of the river. OLD MARKET WILD DAY 2 IN SIEM REAP Start day 2 by visiting the best temples on the outskirts of Siem Reap then take a tour of a floating village on Tonlé Sap. OUTER TEMPLES Hire a taxi for the morning and take the 1-hour drive to Beng Mealea, a remarkable temple literally consumed by the forest. Next drive 1 hour to Banteay Srei, a small temple with intricate carvings, considered the pinnacle of Khmer artwork. Drive back to Siem Reap (45 minutes) BANTEAY SREI BENG MEALEA BENG MEALEA TONLÉ SAP FLOATING VILLAGE In the afternoon join a tour to a floating village on Tonlé Sap Lake. There are quite a few to choose from, but we recommend either Kompong Phluk or Kompong Khleang. You can read all about them on our Tonle Sap post. Tours leave Siem Reap between 2 pm and 2.30 pm and end with sunset overlooking the lake. TONLÉ SAP DINNER IN SIEM REAP For dinner head to Street 26 in Siem Reap. Banlle does good vegetarian food, Tevy’s offers excellent Khmer classics, and Miss Wong provides the cocktails in a bar inspired by 1920’s Shanghai. TIPS FOR DAY 2 This is a busy day so you’ll want to leave by 8 am otherwise you’ll miss the Tonlé Sap tour. The taxi tour around the temples will cost about $65-75 and takes about 5 hours. There is an optional canoe experience on Tonlé Sap which cost $5 per person and is payable in good quality US notes only. If you want to take things slower see our Itinerary Adjustments lower in this guide. MISS WONG LAUNDRY DAY 3 IN SIEM REAP On day 3, complete the Grand Circuit, a route that explores the less visited temples that surround Angkor Wat. All the details are in our Grand Circuit guide.  As you don’t need to leave for sunrise, you can have a slower start this morning. Have a leisurely breakfast in your guesthouse or try Sister Srey for an excellent coffee.   GRAND CIRCUIT Organise a taxi to leave around mid-morning and do the Grand Circuit tour in an anticlockwise direction. Start with a brief photo stop at Prasat Kravan, then explore the monumental pyramidal structure of Pre Rup, followed by East Mebon. Next go to Ta Som, not missing the eastern entrance to see the remains of a tree consuming the gate. Stop off at North Baray lake, then walk across the boardwalk to Neak Pean temple. Finish at Preah Khan, a maze of corridors and vaults similar to Ta Prohm without the crowds. TA PROHM TA SOM PRE RUP ANGKOR WAT IN THE AFTERNOON On the way back to Siem Reap, you’ll pass Angkor Wat and it should be late afternoon. The light hitting the façade of the temple at this time of day is beautiful and it’s generally much quieter. Head back to the north and south reflecting pools and libraries to get photos in the peace and quiet. Note – Angkor Wat closes at 5.30 pm so make sure you arrive a good thirty minutes beforehand. AFTERNOON AT ANGKOR WAT PHNOM BAKHENG FOR SUNSET We suggest one of two options for this evening. If you’ve still got the energy head to Phnom Bakheng and hike up to the summit (25 minutes) to watch sunset over the jungle.  You can see Angkor Wat in the distance and there is often a good hubbub on the summit. PHARE The views from Phnom Bakheng are not amazing (in our opinion), so another option is to go to Phare, the Cambodian Circus. The performance is in a large tent in the western part of Siem Reap and it’s a lot of fun. The show begins at 8 pm and lasts 1 hour. PHARE ITINERARY ADJUSTMENTS The above is our recommendation on how to spend 3 days in Siem Reap. However, if you only have two days, we suggest you complete Day 1 and Day 2 of the itinerary above. If you have three days and don’t want to rush, consider this slower 3-da

y itinerary: Day 1 – Complete the Small Circuit Day 2 – Take a taxi tour to the outer temples of Beng Mealea and Banteay Srei, but also include a stop at the Roluos Group and the Cambodia Land Mine Museum. Day 3 – Explore Siem Reap and visit the Angkor museum (or chill by the pool) in the morning, and then take a tour to a floating village on Tonle Sap in the afternoon. You’ll miss the Grand Circuit, but it’ll be more relaxing, and you’ll have seen the best Siem Reap offers. If you have four days, follow the slower 3-day itinerary above, then on the fourth day complete the Grand Circuit. TONLÉ SAP ROLUOS GROUP TA PROHM OTHER THINGS TO DO This 3-day itinerary covers our highlights of Siem Reap. But it’s a popular destination and there are plenty of other sights. Don’t miss anything you might be interested in by reading our guide to the best things to do in Siem Reap. There are also lots of very different-looking temples. Here’s a breakdown of all the best temples near Siem Reap. ANGKOR TEMPLE TICKETS To visit the Angkor Temples near Siem Reap you need a pass from Angkor Enterprise. You can purchase the pass at the entrance gate to the main Angkor temples, but it can take time. It’s much more convenient to purchase them in advance online. The pass can then be stored on your phone to show as you enter each temple. There are three types of tickets: 1-Day Pas ($37) – Entry to all the Angkor temples for 1 day. 3-Day Pass ($62) – Entry to all the Angkor temples for any 3 days in a 10-day period. 7-Day Pass ($72) – Entry to all the above temples for any 7 days in a 1-month period. The pass will be scanned at the entrance to most of the major temples to monitor how many days have been used. Children under the age of 12 are free but must show their passports. Note – Even if you follow our 4-day itinerary above you can buy the 3-day pass, as the third day exploring Siem Reap city and visiting Tonlé Sap does not require the ticket. WHAT TO PACK Read our guide on what you need to know before travelling to Cambodia, but here are some items particularly useful for hot days walking around the temples. A refillable water bottle to help cut down on the excessive plastic use in Cambodia. High-factor sunscreen and a floppy hat that covers the neck. Mosquito spray with a high level of DEET and bite cream. Good comfortable walking shoes – the miles quickly add up. Longer shorts – shorts that are too short are not allowed in the temples. Men seemed to get away with shorts just above the knee, but the rules are stricter for women. Bring plenty of T-shirts with sleeves – sleeveless T-shirts are not allowed in the temples. In the wet season bring comfortable thin walking trousers and a light rainproof. A light rucksack to carry items during the day will be handy. Basic first aid kits including rehydration salts are always a good idea in Cambodia. A lot needs to be paid for in cash, so always have small change in US or Cambodian Riel. ANGKOR WAT WHERE TO STAY Siem Reap has embraced tourism with plenty of accommodation options from budget backpacker lodges to luxurious hotels. Here are a few recommendations from us. HOSTEL | $ ONEDERZ SIEM REAP Located beside the Old Market, this excellent hostel has private rooms and dormitories with free Wifi and two swimming pools. BOOKING.COM | HOTELS.COM BOUTIQUE | $$ JAYA HOUSE RIVER PARK Located outside the busy area in a tropical garden, this beautiful property has excellent Wifi, air-conditioning, and a very enticing pool. BOOKING.COM | HOTELS.COM LUXURY | $$$ BOPHA WAT BO RESIDENCE A smart clean hotel with a pool in a lovely garden setting. The breakfast is superb and it’s just a short stroll into the centre of town.   BOOKING.COM | HOTELS.COM ANYWHERE WE ROAM ISREADER-SUPPORTED When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. You can also shout us a coffee. Thanks for your support – P

aul & Mark. INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK [ad_2] Source link

[samwisethewitch]

Add Some Oomph to Your Spells with Magical Timing

Like herbs, oils, and crystals, you don’t need to work with magical timing for your spell to be successful. You can cast a spell at any time, no matter your intention, and get your desired results. However, working with the energy of the sun, moon, and days of the week can add an extra power boost to your magic.

Think of it this way: certain energies are dominant at certain times. Those energies are easier to connect with because they are closer at hand, so to speak, so you can bring them into your life and your spells more easily and in a more powerful way. That doesn’t mean you can’t call on other energies during these times — it just means that you may not connect to them quite so easily.

If you choose to work with magical timing in your spells, there are several yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily cycles you can align your spells with.

The Cycle of the Sun: Solstices and Equinoxes

These are the turning points that mark the solar year, and are associated with the relationships between day and night, light and dark, summer and winter. Each solstice or equinox marks the end of one season and the beginning for the next. Because they are so rare and so potent, these days are a great time for your “big picture” spells or for spells that need a big power boost.

Winter Solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and falls between December 20 and December 23, depending on the year. In some pagan traditions the winter solstice, or Yule, marks the beginning of the new year — you may choose to set intentions for the coming year on this solstice. After the winter solstice, the nights start getting shorter and the days start getting longer — so spells related to healing and bringing things into the light are especially effective at this time of year. The winter solstice marks the end of the “dark half” of the year and beginning of the “light half” of the year; at this point, our focus turns from inward reflection to outward manifestation. You may choose to think of the time between the winter solstice and spring equinox as a “planning phase,” where you examine yourself and your desires, decide what you want to work on in the next year, and make plans for manifesting what you want.

Spring Equinox. An equinox occurs when the day and the night are exactly the same length, representing a perfect balance between light and dark. The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring and occurs between March 19 and March 22. The Christian holiday of Easter and the pagan holiday of Ostara are both related to the energy of this equinox. At this time of year, the natural world is coming back to life as winter begins to fade. Plants are beginning to grow, and baby animals are being born. This is a powerful time of year for fertility magic and any magic related to new beginnings. You may choose to think of the time between the spring equinox and the summer solstice as a “planting phase,” where you “plant the seed” of the things you want to manifest and begin doing the work to make it happen.

Summer Solstice. This solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It occurs between June 19 and June 23. As I am writing this post, we are coming up on the summer solstice (June 20, 2020). Life, fertility, and growth are at their peak during this time of year, which makes this solstice a perfect time for big manifestation spells. At the same time, this marks the end of the “light half” and beginning of the “dark half” of the year, so after the summer solstice our energy shifts from outward manifestation to inward contemplation. You may choose to think of the time between the summer solstice and fall equinox as the “harvest phase,” where you reap the results of your hard work and manifest your desires in the physical world.

Autumn Equinox. This is the other time of year when the day and night are perfectly balanced. The autumn equinox occurs between September 19 and September 23 and marks the beginning of autumn. This is traditionally the time of year when crops are harvested, and many pagan groups celebrate harvest festivals around this time. Nature is beginning to die or go into hibernation in preparation for the coming winter. This is an especially powerful time of year for shadow work or for magic related to endings and transitions. You may choose to think of the time between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice as the “reflection phase,” when you retreat from the outside world to rest, focus on yourself, and do your inner work and self-healing.

Important Note: This post lists dates for the solstices and equinoxes in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. If you live in the Southern hemisphere, you would observe the winter solstice in June, the spring equinox in September, the summer solstice in December, and the fall equinox in March.

The Cycle of the Moon: Lunar Phases

If you don’t have time to wait for the appropriate solstice or equinox, you can still connect with the cosmos in your magic. One of the biggest pros of the lunar cycle is that it happens roughly every month — so you never have to wait very long for the next full moon. The moon is also associated with magic and spirituality in several traditions, which makes it an especially powerful astral ally for witches.

New Moon. The new moon is when the moon is completely invisible in the night sky, and is the phase opposite the full moon. The new moon is a powerful time for shadow work (because it deals with things that are hidden) and for magic related to new beginnings.

Waxing Moon. The moon is waxing when it appears to be growing in the night sky; this is the phase between the new moon and full moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with drawing something in, building something up, or strengthening something that already exists.

Full Moon. Many witches believe that the full moon is the most powerful time of month for any kind of magic. This is a good time to cast any spell that needs a serious power boost. The full moon is also an especially powerful time to release what no longer serves you or to work healing magic.

Waning Moon. The moon is waning when it appears to be shrinking in the night sky; this is the phase between the full moon and new moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with sending something away, banishing negative energy, or bringing something to an end.

Dark Moon. The dark moon is the three day period immediately before the new moon. In some traditions, it is believed to be bad luck to cast spells during the dark moon. Other traditions hold that the dark moon is the best point in the lunar cycle for destructive magic, such as curses and hexes. Many modern witches don’t recognize the dark moon as a separate moon phase at all. I personally like to use the dark moon as a time for self reflection, and may focus on shadow work during this time.

Magical Correspondences for the Days of the Week

The days of the week also have their own unique magical energies, and each day is linked to a certain planet and to certain deities.

Sunday. Sunday is, of course, connected to the Sun and solar deities. Sunday is the best day of the week for any manifestation magic that needs an extra boost. Its energy is also associated with healing, personal growth, power, and success.

Monday. Monday is associated with the Moon and lunar deities. Monday is a quiet, introspective day, and can feel very ethereal. It’s the best day for magic related to intuition, nurturing, and shadow work.

Tuesday. Tuesday is associated with Mars and with gods and goddesses of war and action. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Tyr/Tiw.) Tuesday is a very “active” day, and is good for magic related to action, activism, victory, or finding courage.

Wednesday. Wednesday is associated with Mercury and with gods and goddesses of wisdom, learning, and communication. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Odin/Wodan.) Wednesday is all about mental activity. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to thought, travel, communication (written, spoken, or digital), and learning/study.

Thursday. Thursday is associated with Jupiter and with gods and goddesses of prosperity, wealth, and protection. (It is named after the Norse/Germanic god Thor.) Thursday, like Jupiter in astrology, is all about outward expansion. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to career, prosperity, and wealth.

Friday. Friday is associated with Venus and with gods and goddesses of love, fertility, and sensuality. (It is named after the Norse goddess Freyja, or perhaps the goddess Frigg.) The energy of Friday is fun, lighthearted, and sexy. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to love, beauty, and sex/sexuality.

Saturday. Saturday is associated with Saturn and with time and wisdom. (The day and the planet are both named after the Roman god Saturn.) Saturday is practical and wise, but it does have a little bit of a dark side. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to banishing and protection.

Magical Times of Day

Okay, so you’d like to start working with magical timing, but what about emergency magic and last-minute spells? What if you don’t have time to wait for the next full moon, or even the next Sunday? You can still align your spell with magical timing! There are several moments of power each day, and each has its own magical associations.

Sunrise. Sunrise is, of course, the birth of the new day. This makes it the perfect time for spells related to new beginnings or expanded possibilities.

Noon. This is the peak or high point of the day. This is a powerful time for healing magic.

Sunset. Sunset is the end of the day, and forms a gateway between light and dark. This is a great time for spells related to accepting endings, releasing that which does not serve, and moving on from the past.

Midnight. If noon is the peak of the day, then midnight is the peak of the night. Midnight has a very ethereal, transformational energy. Like with the full moon, some witches believe that any spell will be more powerful if cast at midnight. This is a powerful time for both banishing and attraction magic.

Resources:

You Are Magical by Tess Whitehurst

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin [specifically the chapter on the sabbats]

Qabalah Made Easy by David Wells [Note: Qabalah is based on an appropriation of Jewish mysticism, and I am NOT endorsing its practice. However, much of the magical timing associations used in modern witchcraft is shared with Qabalah and other forms of ceremonial magic, which is why it’s referenced here.]

[cecilfaust]

Beautiful Boy - The Reapings / pt.1

What a beautiful day.

Sure, the Reaping was set to start in a few hours, but Harrow Pitt didn’t want to think about it. Not when there was so much beauty to be had in that moment. Then again, when did Harrow ever think about the future?

“Hello, earth! Hello, sky! Hello, world!” It was a habit of Harrow’s that he picked up ever since he was a boy. As he breathed in the fresh air, it all seemed to be greeting him back in gratitude.

The fields were particularly green and the sun particularly bright on that particular morning. It was like Eleven got itself up just to tell him:

“Hello, Harrow.”

His mother’s honeyed voice came from behind him while they watched the sunrise together. He offered a lazy smile in return, nodding his head slowly for no discernible reason. Did they need one? Was it so hard to believe that people could actually be happy in Eleven? Everyone from their district talked in whispered tones about how the Pitts were constantly high off of whatever morphine or moonshine they could get their hands on. Never mind the fact that their family could barely even afford to keep food on their table, much less indulge in any vices. They were peculiar, sure, but that wasn’t a crime.

“Hello, apples,” he said as he plucked another batch from the orchard. The one in his hand looked tempting. He would have been whipped for even thinking about taking a bite out of it. The closest he had ever gone to tasting one was when he shoved his bleeding finger in his mouth, the lingering sweetness taking him by surprise.

But he took a bite, anyways.

It was wicked. He’d never tasted it anything like it. Was this what they were keeping from them? A life spent in Eleven and never once did he ever think something grown from his own two hands could be so lovely.

Harrow quickly wiped the juice from his mouth as if to hide the evidence, but the damage was done. It wasn’t like he could just put it back without anyone noticing a chunk of it missing. Worse that the apple would be docked from their quota.

Harrow looked around him to make sure no one was watching before dropping down to his hands and knees to dig a hole in the dirt. It was a familiar sight. His father and his father’s father were buried in an orchard and he, too, would one day meet the same fate. It only felt right that the apple would go back to its own home.

Someone called his name just as he finished his deed. Harrow hadn’t even bothered to say goodbye to it all when he left that day. Maybe he figured that he would get the chance to say goodnight, just like he did every night, when he returned.

Besides, this year was his second to last. What did he have to worry about on that beautiful day?

[crackcrocs]

DEATH WILL ONLY BE THE BEGINNING #3

3. Transformation Central

the entities of my personalities would like to come together in one voice that speaks through me, we or I call this collection of words from the mustiest corners of my brain to this note page to voice something that might come close to what I feel underneath the skin I wear. In all my unorganised words- I might even go as far as to call this a poem, titled:

‘TRANSFORMATION CENTRAL’

sub characters in my head would appreciate if this could be visualised & understood through as deep a lens as humanly possible. even I confuse myself so if you can decode or relate to any of this, wonderful. If not, I’m locked in my own mind, swallowed the keys to my soul.

SIMILARITIES & INTERCONNECTEDNESS BETWEEN HUMAN & PLANT CONSCIOUSNESS EXIST! if you look closely at my nose freckles you’ll see the resemblance of the constellations above. if you look at the human veins & the layout of a tree, this is further proof.

{VISUALS THROUGH A SEPIA WINDOW STARING @ THE AUTUMN LEAFS; IMAGINING THE SEEDS UNDERNEATH, THROUGH NUMB ROOT VESSELS THAT PERMEATE THROUGH EVERY MEMBRANE OF MY EXTERNAL TO INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT}

~FEATURING THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF DEPRESSION & PERFECTIONISM.

here goes:

What is this part of my mind ?

If you want; delve inside-

I may look sweet like Alice,

but underneath it all

I deteste looking in the mirror

-cos I see the mad hatter.

my inner child needs a platter-

full of care not distortion & abuse pls.

less fibbin would’ve been a breeze.

now following the dead fish in the stream!

HOW on EARTH do I fit with the cod & the Haddock?

I’m the rainbow fish- beat & battered.

dim my own light cos I’m too afraid to shine.

alone.

thieves tried to steal my shiny scales.

I sat and watched them grow.

In the sea realm they were mean gargantuan selfish whales, with poisonous shark fangs & alligator tails. scorpion hands. (gremlins)

and still they make me feel like the alien-

I cant take it.

Make it make sense ?

I can’t.

controller in my hand-

Off balance stance.  

anxiously I move round like a wobbly jelly.

where’s the button to balance my chi & shut out the ego ?

the teLLIE telling lies to our vision!

change the channel aura terracotta orange- daily dosage of vitamin D & C.

catch me sun gazing by the sea

head buzzin like a bee.

speaking from a dusty box

stuck on top of a forbidden shelf

cos I dunno how else.

I’m tryna delve deep but forgot how to dive

How can i visualise? scenery foggy-

the establishment man with the glue gun got me xD

inner monk burning but at peace

Cos I refuse to believe

If the only way is the American dream

Interconnected; like the frog in science -let’s dissect it!

down to every floating atom spirit neighbouring your door

subcategories & divisions, it’s more!

than the rich and the poor -prism that’s been built

do we all feel like a performance monkey on stilts?

will my data be extracted & used to mould a robots personality some day?

well obviously not.

does the price of our lives all amount down to slave ways?

LABOUR YAY!

but morals & values it seems we’ve forgot.

sO If i don’t speak its cos I’m lost.

or maybe i’m enlightened-

Standing at the edge of the porch;

watching TRYING to understand how the flowers grow.

questioning eVERYTHING man made!

I’ve stepped out of the perfect picture frame

I can see the coal pollute the sky

I need to hop on the train-

but I’m comfortable

Sunset to sunrise statue standing still.

what’s the ingredients to life’s yucky pie?

I’ve exceeded mental lotteries.

Sanity n universal peace would be a trophy.

TIL then I’ll be crafting & shaping a solid pottery reality,

with a few pence, gum, and a bandana of belongings tied to stick.

thinking one day I’ll be laying the bricks

& building a kingdom of bliss.

guess for now I’ll use the intricate delicate materials in my tool box- that’s all I’ve got.

might have a long way- maybe worth a shot.

I observe, cruisin in the sky.

dunno why..

I jus look @ the hills.

Only time & history reveals.

no thanks mr men-

I don’t want your prescription pills.

there’s enough propaganda as it is.

I won’t jump on the merry go round-

til my core trusts & envisions we’ll actually feel safe!

I don’t want to take part in this faux fur, sweet nothings & a jack in a box punching blur, so called future.

oh and genuinely thanks quarantine-for once again, I can hear bird sounds!

guess this is me tryna speak out loud!!!...

it’s not thrilling

system  time killing everything-

mother nature’s oxygen

everything is nauseating

clock ticking, I better start creating.

they should write a book on how to be free when the system set us up to believe that we’re tied to the cut down trees that gives them a currency of greed that they breed.

If blindfolded, I don’t wanna eat what they feed.

Whilst they profit of us -tell us smile and the bandits don’t wanna see us happy.

they’re too busy robbing all our hoods.

In exchange for the silence, they’ve granted us with a 21’st century fashion garment of a slave muzzle! labelled conform.

More delusion to add to the already desensitised norm.

zootonic diseases, welcome covid 19 to your plastic kiddy tea party!- apologies for questioning your motive!

Been handed too many hot plates with a post it note saying HOLD THIS.

we’ll be okay just hush.

Same Shan message told to every generational seed.

If we don’t TRY overpower-

we’ll never succeed!

it’s getting even more scary.

Artificial intelligence.

Societal negligence..

my canvas isn’t clear-dunno am I schizo ?

finger painting, cos it makes more sense.

struggling to blend.

borderline conspiracist pretending to be fine;

moving the goal post, hovering above the race line.

who made the chalk? who set the lanes?

I wanna know it all, maybe¿ far past insane.

I can fit all I need in the palm of my hand,

Maybe even less! cut a finger off not sure it’ll even add stress.

hi from personality Peter, even sober- always away with the fairies.

Pass the pixie dust, I’m in a rush

Found shelter in the comfort of pan physicists timer, no not the one on your phone!

Ring ring, skeptical! is it my demon or my mommy on the phone?

I’m stuck in the airspace of an infinite glass filled with beach particles trying to form myself standing up still attempting not to slip through the hands of my very own discovery.

time is running out & ill go when I go.

I’m sitting inside the fly trap -

stardust, chakras can you feel the sensation colors like a starburst.

deep emotion is a curse.

still entrapped in the sand dune of nothingness-

flipping a domino monopoly of solidified thoughts as I sway with the wind.

I’m the trapped sandbox in the playground & the slipping sand in my own hands.

Inhale chronic but I wanna enter the quiet realm of white noise

-color of a wife beater vest, calmer than the ease in ignorance of a red neck.

sadomasochistic, messes.

but oblivion, seems like less stress.

Unfortunately I can see, with all eyes

empathetic paralysis, gets me vexed.

Punching truth into the core of your chest!

It’s not funny, neither is the one on the receiving end..

My limbs are numb

& im done playing octopus alchemy.

I want minimalism & life can be simple,

Evil entities have made it hard.

Maybe I’ve got stars above my head like an old cartoon character.

But I can’t make it make sense, are they out to get me. worse all of us? Or have I bottled myself tryna re mesh the broken shards,

I feel glued to the floor cos there’s a pretty price to pay if you want more.

I see life through a different lense, maybe born downside up, Benjamin button I came out the back door-

Outside looking in, digesting confusion.

Is to be a product of environment a sin?

rummage through my messy brain.

personalities sardine packed in this tin

I’m the wizard of my mania

Scaring & attracting the black crows-

they’re my friends.

Sometimes still a cowardly lion

Roaring pain & true riddles at the wrenching wicked witch posse of the west.

will my voice ever be loud enough to shed light wit my words and grate the sweet zest

In to the cake i’m baking?

Probably not.

Got more thoughts than the autumn leaves collected by the garden rake. alone.

gathering & storing the pains of yesterday.

sometimes I stay in line

Other times in my head Im on my hands juggling out of time.

but I really don’t mind if I lose or win.

we all have a pace

I jus don’t want the 1% to win the race.

It’s unfair!

Humanity does anyone care ??

Half lady

half fairy

Good  MOOrning-

from my anagrams.

no I’m not a cow.

twister fidget spinner brain in the flesh-

form of expression this time around lyrics.

feel I’m jus a silly rubix

& still mourning

I don’t like dairy

pass the oat milk.

Are you aware the industry are sabotaging our diets?

we want peace!

the powerful elite-

perceive & deceive

the scene they want us to be.

chuck the narcissistic psychopathic pie back in our face-

every time we almost found & addressed the Programme & Control man in the maze.

evil & extroverted- he said that the anarchists have to be the cause of riots.

working isn’t class. I said let’s switch roles- he said pass.

It’s piss! Who’s got the bomb & the guns?

Who got the land? off wit OUR heads 4 fun!

it’s pure scary.

Pharmaceutics handshake.

with the cooked up suppliers, also crooked wack liars.

I’d rather shot a gallon of bloody blubbery infused slaughter house milk

If it meant we didn’t use cocoons for silk.

why not add a drizzle of bleach to the concoction & maybe that’s a reach.

every time I guzzle fakeness, it taste peak.

I want real fruit, what next-

a seedless peach ???

what’s the difference between a weirdo & a freak?

layers & levels to the shit.

Magnifying tapping the window of society, I’ll be puffing green til I get to the land of Oz.

sponge soaked soaking up emotions

Suffocated by deduction of care in life

feel entrapped in this paradigm

what am I thinking ?

got the verbs & a cuppa tea

It’s mixed with torment & desire to be free.

I’d rather be awake than asleep

When I get too comfy I feel weak

Demons they reap

underneath

rip the seems as I bleed

Concrete

Solid

Emotions

Is all you’re getting

It’s all sad scenes in the imagery I’m setting

people need care we seem to be forgetting

why are we in debt wit

a posse of clowns

pay the price so we can get a frown

here’s some seratonin

quit ya moaning

life is all sound

aw yeh¿  if you’re not an over thinker!

product of environment- Sirius flickers

theyve done a ritual like it’s Wicca

now here’s your gold sticker..

for managing to co operate.

In this world fuelled off of evil n hate

waking ups a bloody disgrace

I am not amazed.

Man I love my fam n my friends

Just hate this part of my brain that feels the need to play pretend

sometimes I feel insane

but I’m calm

need to escape so I don’t do harm

Gold lioness in the sky by the sea

with puff the magic dragon

fire out my mouth, fuel helps me breathe

I will shine bright

Promise imma be alright

even tho I’m not sure why

I function like this

I wanna be myself

It’s just hard to find the comfortability

To feel happy and pretty

Lay me down on a bed of roses

Ring around sing about overdose emotions

Sorry dunno how to communicate

Heads in a constant debate

Should I go or should I stay

My head clashes

Burnin the next ciggy as my thoughts become ashes.

[mememanufactorum]

Final Fantasy XIV Primal lyric starters

* FEEL FREE TO SHARE AS YOU PLEASE, NO CREDIT NEEDED. CHANGE PRONOUNS OR ANYTHING ELSE AS DESIRED.

-Under the Weight-

Cold are the hands that grasp at your soul

Bound to the dark, for the light I shun

Succumb to the hate that corrupts your fate

In spite of the blood that was spilt before, you whet your blades, you thirst for more

Now kneel, overdweller, your lord commands

There’s no salvation for the sons of man

The skies will tremble and the earth will quake

From the crumbling walls, no one escapes

I’ll drag you down to the seventh gate

-Thunder Rolls-

Thine advent quelleth creeping night

The wicked burn, their pyres bright

Soul without a name, heed my call

Sin doth stain the hearts of us all

Soon he too shall reap what is sown

Step into the storm, know its mercy

Let the wind and the rain crash down over thee

Soul fallen from grace, ware thee well

Judgment thou must face, thine own hell

Soul, thine end is nigh

Take my hand

All life must return to the land

Purge thy flesh of fear and be strong

Step in from the storm, praise its mercy

Let the sting of the rain never stray far from thee

Now lift thine heavy head and vanquish thine sorrow

Now turn thy gaze ahead and look to the morrow

-Oblivion-

There’s nothing left

Now close my eyes for one last time and say goodbye

The pain won’t cease

I’ll find no peace

We are taught to fear the reaper

I try and try but I can’t say no

This endless nightmare has just begun

My heart is dragging me down unto oblivion

The endless lies, I’ve cast aside

Steeled is my soul, my blood grown cold

I gain control

We all learn to fight the reaper

Can’t defeat her, so instead I’ll have to be her

My mind’s made up, my fear is gone

-Unbending Steel-

Red bloometh the rose of conviction

Red bloometh the rose of hate

Red bloometh the rose of conquest

Only blood will sate

The war, it wageth on

The storm, it rageth on

The bold ever fight on, their lives echo in song

All, like snow, they fall, petals plucked and strewn

The war still wageth on

The storm still rageth on

The bold blindly march on, their lives lost in a song

-Fiend-

What is it like when you pull back the curtain and realize every wrong is a right?

Your world is rusted like a dirty razor

You walk the path laid before you

The call of reason, you refuse to abide

Necessity is an inventive mother

You’ll find slumber when the world comes tumbling down

Retreat where lesser men lead

Flee from what you do not see

Heed the dark within your being

Waste no more time fighting your demons

Lay down your arms and let the evil inside

You let it eat until there’s nothing left at all, so you can feel that you are truly alive

Better to serve in a waking nightmare than to live in their paradise

What is gold always glitters, but it still comes with an unpayable price

You are the night at the end of the tunnel

The angels graze in the meadows of excess

-Equilibrium-

A heartbeat without harmony is moonlight without dark

The heart seeketh equilibrium

With balance will your worry part

-Locus-

Let go this destiny

You’re caught in a trance

The mortal coil we serve is taut like a spring

Our world’s a fantasy, no more than a test

No time enough tomorrow for turning back to where we began

This mortal coil we serve is naught but a spring

Your world’s a fantasy, you’ve failed the test

-Beauty’s Wicked Wiles-

In time, you shall follow

Behold as our burdens become south with the sun

Step from the dark to the light

Give into your hunger

Cast off inhibition, let passion run wild

Fuel the unquenchable fire

You needn’t hide

-Wayward Daughter-

Each petal a promise torn, shorn one by one and cast to the winds

I gave unto them my all

Wayward daughter, step into the night

Naught save the night shall know our sorrow

We give unto it our all

-Amatsu Kaze-

Is this divine torment or judgment, I know not

To the end of the world I flee to surrender to the whims of fate

He shirks not from my rage and speaks of destiny and defiance

Surrender to the wind

Surrender to the rage

-Sunrise-

Stranger to kindness until freed by love eternal, you and I

Honor binds me unto errant kin

If here I find my end, stay your tears for we shall meet again

As the light of the setting sun fades, bid farewell to me, beloved

In these fleeting moments, hold my hand as I whisper a silent prayer

Should dawn never break on this thousand thousand year night, I promise

Should I take to wing and seek you in every distant sky

One more life for us, one more chance – for this I pray, I beg, I plead

Dreams of you and me in my heart I hold forevermore

Wait for me, wait for me, my love

-eScape-

Come ride, heroes, ride

The storm heads gather

Why do weathered warriors wander their way whither wanting wonders wait?

Twixt the leaves you’ll find naught amiss – missing aughts and crossing fates

Dare the dead tread ahead on a road that was borrowed design

Through the sum of their suns do they seek tomorrow

Witness as the end shall begin what was final

-What Angel Wakes Me-

Yet with each descent do we rise again to our hearts’ content

Fly away, my friend, for a day and then we’ll begin again

Do you love me not?

Will you, when I’m gone, remember me?

Braving anything together, we learn to play our part

Catch a falling star, lock it in our hearts eternally

To these crowns we cling for we’ll all be kings tomorrow

Summer child with heavy eyes, come our angel nigh, sing in our sweet lullaby

Time wilts and fades, luster lost in the rain, bows to the blade, till the spring calls again

-Invincible-

These memories ache with the weight of fate

Ever we fight, never we fly

Ever we fall, forever we fall

Now breathe deep of the darkness beneath the flood, where all of the proud angels drink to their deeds of blood

Their lies, twisted and torn, into dreams they’ve spun

Yet ever we will stand stall, invincible

-Return to Oblivion-

My sins claim me

How long have I waited to open my wings?

The soul longs for oblivion

A slave to my fate, ever doomed to repeat this

No more goodbyes, though my heart is still aching

Now open my eyes one more time, here I come

Spring’s promise of sun is honored when winter’s weighed upon us

Clear as diamond, yet fragile as ice

My heart is racing

Falling too fast, but the fall will not break me

No more goodbyes, I am tired of waiting

-To The Edge-

All our splendor bathed black in silence, our surrender, a somber reverie

Know our places, for worth is wordless

Brother, stay this descent to madness

Come and save us

Catch us before we fall

Don’t lose hope

Like broken angels, wingless, cast from heaven’s gates, we only fly when falling far from grace

Hell can take us, heaven can wait

Quick to their ends, our candles burn until we’re free

In monochrome melodies, our tears are painted in red

Deep inside, we’re nothing more than scions and sinners

In the rain do light and darkness fade

Time circles endlessly, the hands of fate trained ahead

All things change, drawn to the flame to rise from the ashes

To begin, we first must see the end

Rock of ages, we cast the first stone

We know not what we do

Tomorrow’s come too soon

Follow blindly like lambs to slaughter, at the mercy of those who ply the sword

We’re forgotten, now and forevermore

Without a compass, wandering lost in lies and faith, only alive when fighting death’s amber embrace

Our hearts beat loud, unafraid

On hands and knees we pray to gods we’ve never seen

Come, shadow, come follow me

The final hour upon us, no more time to breathe

[darkhorse-javert]

Vidua... Part 1

@everlarkficexchange and @567inpanem. I’m sorry this is so late, technical problems my end. Also I am still writing it down, and I have no idea when I will get to the end.

Written for prompt 44, where Katniss is taken to the Capitol to marry Snow.

They bang on the door just after sunrise. Buttercup leaps from the windowsill to dive under the bed as I shove my feet into my boots and cross the room to open the door. No matter what you opened when the Peacekeepers knocked, or you soon found that you didn’t have a door, just a flat board of wood lying on your floor. Cray, Head Peacekeeper, stands on the doorstep

“Katniss Everdeen, aged sixteen on 8th of May this year?”

I nod tightly “That’s me” Cray knows who I am he’s bought wild turkey from me often enough, but there is a clipped formality to his voice, and I see the half-dozen other peacekeepers grouped up beyond him

“You need to come with us to the Justice Building, now”

“What is it?” My mother’s voice comes from behind me “What’s going on?”

“No need to worry Mrs Everdeen, in fact you should be proud of your daughter.” Still the formality in Cray’s tone, my mother's hand clamps on my shoulder, wrinkling the rough shirt. “Now Miss Everdeen comes with us, Mrs Everdeen you and any close family may attend at the Justice Building in half an hour to assist, bringing smart clothes for Miss Everdeen”

Cray holds out his hand towards me, I don’t take it but I step through the doorway, past him. The half-dozen peacekeepers form a box around me two in front, two behind, two at my sides. They are so precise it unnerves me, but as we march off I take a look over my shoulder. My mother stands in the doorway of our house, watching, and then Prim still in her night dress appears at her side in a flash of checks. 

Framed by the Peacekeepers we walk quickly through the district, the dirt paths and rickety Seam houses, then onto the more orderly streets of the town. Already people are up, and they look over but then avert their eyes. Someone in the centre of a squad of peacekeepers, it doesn’t do to show any kind of acknowledgement or association. Only a handful of children stare, because it is a strange thing to see, with our Peacekeepers. That only makes me stiffer in my stance. Somewhere in the long distance between the start of town and the Justice building, the peacekeeper on my left reaches out and touches my hand, making it seem as if she’s guiding me around a puddle on the ground. I glance over to see the formal reflective visor gone and recognise Purnia, who I’ve seen at the hob. Her eyes are kind as she whispers quickly, “Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble, I swear.” 

I want to ask her what is going on, but her eyes snap forward again and the glimmer of the visor comes down. We’re nearly at the square when I hear the pit siren. But not the horrifying screech that means there has been a mine accident, the hooting that marks an end of shift, and yet, isn’t the pitch different. Normality in the middle of chaos, but even that is wrong. 

We pace across the square, prominently visible. The shopkeepers are more awake than the Seam; setting up for the day, rigging out their awnings, polishing the glass, checking the lay of the window displays. They stop what they’re doing as we walk past, making a dull ripple of silence and I feel the fear in their gazes. But again, nothing more than looking, you don’t mess with Peacekeepers on official business. Then when we’re at the base of the two flights of steps to the front of the Justice Building, there is the sound of a scuffle going on behind. Only when we reach the big landing halfway up the stairs do I glance over, two of the baker’s sons are grappling in the shop door, the older pulling the smaller back into the shop. Purnia’s hand on my back urges me forwards up the stairs onto the stone frontage. The doors, with their huge proud eagle, swing open, then close behind us with a deep metal slam. Only my pride holds back a shuddering flinch. Now Purnia's reassurance feels very very thin. 

Inside the Justice Building entrance hall,mMy escort march me to one of the lifts. I along with  Purnia, and the other flanking peacekeeper step into the lift to be surrounded by the smell of sour milk. The other peacekeeper presses the button to take the lift up. 

As I turn round, just before the doors close I see the back pair of peacekeepers moving away to the flights of stairs at a quick jog. The lift doors close and it begins to creak upwards. Without the sun on the visors I can now see the face of my other escort, Livia. She's not in the job as often as some of them, but I've traded with her before now. Rosehip syrup comes to mind.

"Katniss, whatever is to happen, from the moment these doors open, you stand for District 12 in its entirety. Just - " Purnia pauses “Just show them what District 12 really is, not just the assumptions people make about it,  that it's all grubby minors. 12 is more than that. Be proud of it and show that pride.”

  The fact that the Peacekeepers who know about things because they are the officials of the district don't really seem to know what this is about far more than I am willing to let on. And why warn me or cue me at all. Whatever is going on, it's to her benefit for the District to look good for some reason. Of course the Peacekeepers are the security, the day to day panem representative in our district, so they want to look good.

The lift in the Justice Building is supposed to be slower than a slug but it is too soon when the box stops and the doors open. It must be slow though for Cray and the other four Peacekeepers stand there to receive us. Cray is slightly further back, his face tinted red. I resist a smile at the thought of him having to puff up all those stairs for me. The flash of amusement is quickly doused, what am I doing here? To represent the District, according to Purnia. That’s the same high flowery language Effie trinket uses each Reaping day. But how? A reprobate hunter being whipped? Have they snached Gale too, to make an example of both of us… or some of the Hob traders?  They lead me down the corridor to two large wooden doors at the end with the same eagle insignia as on the Justice Building main door we passed through earlier. Last time I was here I was eleven, receiving a medal for my father who I would never see again. I blink sharply, forcing back the emotions behind my mask. Purnia warned me. 

Keep it together Katniss, you stand for District 12.

Cray pushed open the wooden doors of the hall, and we walked in. The wooden beamed hall seeths with Capitol people, a mass of bright colours. As someone notices our arrival there is a sudden hush, and in the gathering of the silence I hear someone say "President Snow has chosen well this time."

 Even then a shrill Capitol voice rises and out of the throng comes Effie Trinket, the Capitol representative who each year calls out the names of those reaped 

"Here she is, our District Sposata" her hands are outstretched towards me as if in welcome, but I'm still coping with the shock of the too brilliant false pink dress she is wearing, so bright it cannot be a natural colour. She clicks towards me in her heels, moving straight past Cray without even an acknowledgement. Her eyes note my clothes and hollow, then falsely brighten again.

 "You are a darling, I am sure."

She glances at Cray, who straightens and answers a question she hasn't even asked "I asked her family to arrive in half an hour with smarter clothes, to give you a chance to explain everything to Katniss, Miss Everdeen,about her situation."

"Quite right." She beckons to me as she turns away "Come with me, dear and I'll explain everything."

I follow her then perch awkwardly on the wood of a recessed window seat. I already know at least part of what she is about to say. As soon as the bubbly man said the words President Snow. A dim memory from that starving spring I turned 12, extra mandatory viewing,watching a girl from District 4 in the Capitol, walking between rows of people in a dress of luxury we could only dream of, to be married to the president of Panem, a man old enough to be her father. There had been pain in her eyes, pain I hadn't understood or cared about then, as she walked. I drag myself back to listen to Effie prattle "it is a great honour to be chosen for your district Katniss, to be the one to symbolise the partnership between the Capitol and the District." 

Partnership..not likely. 

I but in, before I think too deeply about that. "What about my family, my tesserae, I provide for them". 

Effie actually looks sympathetic for a moment before it morphs into excitement "You needn't worry Katniss, they'll receive a Capitol stipend to replace your wages, a house in Victors Village... They needn't worry about the tesserae anymore with that. Besides with the marriage they'll become Capitol citizens by extension, and they'll be ineligible for reaping." Effie pauses to tally where she's got to in her list of benefits, and it's a good thing because my brain is fixed on those three words 

Ineligible for reaping. 

I go and Prim won't be in the pens this summer knowing that there is a slip with her name on itin the girls great glass bowl. And not just this summer, but every summer, as the slips would pile up each year.- for this I would be willing to die, marriage is a small price to pay. 

"How many of my family?"

 "Just siblings dear, those with a shared parent."

A pang of regret that I cannot register Gale and his siblings as my cousin and have them excluded from the reaping too.

"Is the marriage today?", it tumbles out before I can stop it and Effie laughs softly, pityingly like you would with a child. I clamp my jaw shut before I say anything else stupid and she shakes her head. 

"Goodness me, no Katniss. Today is your district farewell, then we'll go to the Capitol. There are so many things that you need to know and that need to be done. The fitting of the dress, your trousseau," Effie waves her hand as she speaks and the cuffs flutter like birds. The marriage, that will take place in a week, once we've dusted you off a little bit.” I feel like I have been doused in cold water. Effie is looking around slightly suspicious at one of the fire places, which does seem fairly free of coal dust. 

These people are not interested in me. Just in a symbol of the district they can have without it's bad points. I rub my fingers on the smooth wood of the seat, while she rattles on again sounding rather like a squirrel chattering in the branches. After a while she notices that I am not attending in the slightest and huffs, then she gets up and leaves me to the whirl of my thoughts. 

There is a velvet cushion on the window seat, my fingers find it, rifling the stroke of the fabric back and forth. But even this is strange, different from the little house, where it's only place is a tiny strip on my mother's collar. I turn and stare out at the square below. The stalls have been herded away, people in uniforms are setting up huge projector lights, uncoiling the rope for one large pen in front of the steps, I cast my eyes upwards and sure enough there are nests of extra Peacekeepers appearing on the roofs I can see. It's like another reaping day, apart from the fact there are no age pens. The thought, the realization hits like a stone, sinking through my mind and into my stomach. It is a Reaping day, and I am the lone tribute, chosen by a lottery I don't even know; to go to the Capitol. I turn back to the room, and Effie must have been watching because she's stops her chattering and comes to me

"You will love this Katniss, I've just been to talk to Cinna, the ideas he has for your trousseau, you'll be the talk of the world." I have no idea what a trousseau is,  other than it needs fitting according to her earlier comment.

"Miss Trinket," I use my best manners voice, as if I was at school, "I will be able to come back to District 12 won't I?"

"Of course", the cuff birds flutter. "Why it would be utterly gauche to miss any special district events… but Katniss there is so much in the Capitol the winter celebrations, the illumination yo will never have seen the like, the fireworks the dinners, and I haven't even mentioned the private parties."

But through that I hear what she isn't saying, that once I leave the district I become a person of the Capitol and that my visit back will be few and far between for display. Some of it must have shown on my face, because Effie starts chattering again "But of course we're not rude, after you have been presented to the district and received their acclamation, you have two whole hours to make your goodbyes to all your friends, so they understand before you are whisked away to the Capitol for a time" 

[i]or forever[/i]  I add in my head. 

"You mustn't come back until you are well settled in." She holds out a notebook and a gold pen, seeming warmer in her attitude "Here, you write down a list of everyone you want to see, and that way I can give them priority over anyone else who comes to curry favour." 

The back of the notebook is slightly furry in my hand, a strange texture between pelt and the velvet. The pen is so strange, cold and gold that I am almost afraid to touch it, that I'll leave fingermarks on the shell. Effie leaves again. Livia steps closer to me, ostensibly a protective guard. She leans over and subtly twists the pen so a small nib pops out of the end, giving me a tiny chin up nod then becomes inscrutable again. I turn my attention to the page, the list of people I really want to see as it forms in my head as I run it down. 

[i]Gale Hawthorne[/i]

[i]Hazelle Hawthorne[i]

[i]Primrose Everdeen[/i] I'm not taking chances she'll be forgotten, but I hope she'll come with our mother. 

There are others I'd like to add, but I don't think I can safely invite Hob people without giving reason, and I can't send peacekeepers to fetch them on official business. But Sae is safe. Yet as I add her name, I realise I don't know her surname. Only that her Hob name amongst us is Greasy Sae, and we can rely on her to take what we catch and to not begrudge us hear in the winter. I stare down at the page, trying to remember, trying to hear someone else use it, but I draw a blank. Livia bends her head down, speaking low.

"Its Fetler." 

[i]Sae Fetler[/i], I write it down pause... then add another name beneath 

[i]Madge Undersee.[/i]

We aren't friends, not like Gale and I but I realise that I'd feel guilty to leave her out, to disappear without a proper explanation to her face, although being the mayor's daughter she probably knew before I did. Half a dozen names, all the people I can put down to say goodbye to. Not much really. Effie clicks over on her heels, wordless I hand over. She nods, half glancing." I'll see they come". She speaks with such confidence and nods with such assurance as if no one would dare say no to her.

------------

Any feedback, @567inpanem, would be gratefully received.

[drmazel]

The Sun and the Moon of The Archives

From the Perspective of An Outsider

When did you begin comparing him to the sun, Jon? When did you begin to look at his face and recall the life-giving warmth of that light?

Was it a wandering fancy of the mind, ignoring the responsibility of the statement calling out to you, dismissing the hunger in your being that grew and grew to the point of being unbearable? Was it a desperate attempt to fight it off a little longer, digging your feet like roots deep into the dirt and reaching out, reaching up, higher and higher, seeking out the brightest light of him that you could manage to reach, just to say I can hold on a little longer, I can stay like this just a little longer, I can avoid that path for just a little longer? 

My sun, you say to yourself, reveling in the secret nickname you have given him. My warmth, my light, I can be human a little longer if you just come back to me.

But he has not come back to you. He remains hidden behind the deepest, thickest fog you have ever seen in your life, somehow managing to cast you back into shadow as soon as you part the clouds to catch a glimpse of his brilliance. He appears determined to keep himself confined to an eternal twilight, dipped below the horizon, leaving behind a pink aura as a painful, teasing reminder of his recent presence that you only just missed. I can see him tomorrow, you tell yourself. As with every day, he will return tomorrow.

But you do not see him tomorrow. The world has cast your Eye to the west, to new, unknown prospects that send a chill of terror up your spine. You cannot see the sunrise in this way. You will never see the sunrise in this way.

And so he remains hidden in that cloudiness, and you are wilting beneath the overcast sky.

Have you ever considered the deeper implications of comparing him to the sun, Jonathan? Beyond your need of his light to give you strength, have you thought about how appropriate the metaphor truly is? The resemblance is uncanny, truly. But not for the reasons you may think.

What is the sun, Jonathan? This isn’t a trick question, I promise you. The sun is nothing but a ball of gas, thousands of miles from where you sit in your cold archives now, burning itself away in nuclear reactions so powerful that one second of the sun’s raw power could fuel our entire civilization for a half million years. 

But only a fraction of that energy reaches us here, on this tiny speck of dirt that hosts our parasitic species. The earth sits in an unbelievably unlikely golden zone of distance from our star that is capable of sustaining life, maintaining a delicate dance of its orbit to never get so far as to freeze all life and never get so close as to burn it all up with the sheer force of the sun’s heat. One of the saddest things about the sun is the greatest product of its nature: light. Produced in its core, a photon will bounce and jump about within the sun’s body, shyly making its way to the surface, for four thousand years. And when the sun has finally helped this little photon out to the surface, offering the very essence of its own being to us here on Earth, it is received and consumed in only eight minutes. Never to be seen again. The sun has given us so much, and never received anything in kind.

There is always some surface appreciation for the sun’s favors to us, the gifts it brings while asking nothing in return. Sometimes it even inspires religions, worshiping the being as a god for the life it brings. And yet there is always that footnote of caution. Do not fly too close, or you will burn. Do not look directly into its light, or you will go blind. Never expose yourself directly to its power, don’t accept its kindness with open arms; only reap the benefits.

If the sun were to disappear now, at this very moment, everything that surrounds it would scatter and die and freeze in the stillness of open space. If the sun were to burn itself out, it would explode in a stunning display of a supernova, destroying everything it worked so hard to sustain for billions of years. 

And yet we carry on, despite the overcast sky. The earth has not frozen nor been vaporized, so the sun must still be there behind the clouds, working away at its nuclear reactions as it has done since its birth, giving away a tiny fraction of itself with every passing moment to keep us here. Perhaps that is some comfort. To you, at least. I doubt it is very much comfort to him.

The sun doesn’t even have one of its kind nearby to keep it company. Not one individual that can withstand the true, unadulterated release of its warmth and light.

How terribly lonely that must be.

And if he is the sun, what does that make you, Mr. Sims? In this fantasy metaphor brewing in your mind, you considered yourself akin to a plant, soaking up everything he had to offer you just to keep yourself grounded. But let’s not be so greedy, now. What do you offer to the earth? 

Perhaps you get to be my personal favorite celestial body. Perhaps you can be the moon.

Think about it. I find it quite appropriate. Your importance may be somewhat more mundane in this metaphor, but nonetheless necessary. You may not directly provide life, but you do keep death away, holding the ocean’s powerful tides at bay. You create no light of your own to provide to humanity, but you reflect a fraction of the best of what he has to offer, guiding the earth through the darkest of nights. 

Perhaps it is only a strange coincidence that the waxing phase of the moon resembles the opening of a great, bright eye in the sky?

Yet one side of you is always hidden from the world. He will almost always see you, always have you, but you flow in and out of the awareness of the world. But when the world dares to step between you and your sun, you are bathed in the red of blood before plunging yourself into complete and utter darkness. 

The world always steps away, and you always come back. But if you didn’t return, if earth maintained its position between you and your sun, leaving you in darkness, the world would carry on anyway. The world has never depended on the light of the moon.

So be cautious before you place yourself between the sun and the world, Archivist. For the same cannot be said about an eternal solar eclipse.

[ladiesinprint]

Desigual X Maria Escoté’s Color Oracle Collection

“In 2020, we turned 36, we grew, we matured and we realized that if there’s something missing from the world, it’s a little more love. Which is why we want to inspire and help anyone who looks to us to help them love what makes them different and, also, to love differently. Love Different is our new brand claim, a leitmotiv that will stay with us. We are the result of a vision to dress people through a different way of making clothes – clothes that have the power to change moods – because we believe that dressing is a declaration of intent.” 

This statement is part of the brand history on the e-commerce site of the fashion company Desigual, headquartered in Barcelona, Spain. The company’s original motto, ‘La vida es chula,‘ or ‘Life is beautiful,’ was fitting for a brand with products ideated from a sprawling office overlooking the island of Ibiza. The company’s newest collection, in collaboration with the Spanish designer Maria Escoté, embodies Desigual’s new vision, which is a nod to their realization that life is beautiful... when different possibilities that can add beauty to life are embraced. The three patterns and color combinations featured in the collection represent the soul, body, and mind, as well as possibilities of characteristics wearers can access as intentions as they get dressed and prepare for the day. 

The new collection is displayed on Desigual’s e-commerce site with their idea, “dressing is a declaration of intent”. Customers are introduced to the collection, called “Color Oracle,” as the site background transforms from white to a fiery range of reds, accompanied by the holographic name of the collection. The design of the collection name, which spins in a circle, serves as the perfect prelude to a multidimensional array of pieces that coincide with the meaning of a hologram: a combination of two Greek words - “holos'' meaning “whole,” and “geramma” meaning “message,” - coming together to create a complete picture. The collection presents energies that vibrate at certain times, as they are activated to present an intended message to come forth from the wearer’s whole being. 

The presentation of the collection, with hypnotically beautiful models in sky-high heels, views as a reference to the attachment of the characteristics that the mind, body, and soul are said to represent as a spiritual meaning that can activate consciously in the wearer. The ideation of Desigual began in 1984, when Thomas Meyer, who still owns the company today, designed a jacket that is now considered one of the fashion industry’s first ever up-cycled products. For a company that was founded with past lives of clothing at its forefront, it’s an authentic step for the brand to use product descriptions on its e-commerce sites to set intentions for consumers that still leave room for interpretation.

And now let’s get into the prints, with an example of each…

1. Mind

Closer look at the print >>>

Venturing into the wild, nature comes to life as light radiates on branches and moss ripples with the pace of a stream. Neon flowers bloom in this powerful duo of exuberant creativity and free-flowing tropical energy. Plant-growth is supported year-round in this region - The tropical mind. 

2. Body

Closer look at the print >>>

The hypnotic nature of this pattern, which diverts attention to various parts of the body, manifests the sensual, calm energy reaped from a period of focusing. The waist of a slim-fitting dress is cinched by exotic lilies, the flowers blast from a pink-haired imagine being onto the chest of a loose tee, and the skin of a snake is dissected and scales are laid one over the other in a refashioned print to travel down, accordingly, with the grooves of the back and chest of a zippered bomber. The color oracle of these pieces of the collection can be described as psychedelic, a term derived from the Ancient Greek words psychē, or “soul,” and dēloun, meaning “to make visible, to reveal”.

3. Soul

Closer look at the print >>>

A flushed, pink sky occurs almost entirely at sunrise and sunset as a result of the clouds reflecting long and un-scattered rays of sunlight. Rave energy can be ignited when a rhythmic flow is interrupted by the jolting joy of passionate energy. 

Discover the whole collection now on Desigual’s e-commerce site.