#jordan did not have it any better hers was joy.

[feng-shui71]

Manalang Twins Ref Sheet

[deliciousangelfestival]

You're The One - 4

Summary: A daughter uncovers the wild, untold story of how her parents’ marriage began—and it’s way better than any romance movie she’s ever watched.

Character: Husband!Bucky Barnes x Female!Reader

Genre: Romance, Comedy

Words Count : 1,654

Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , -

Main Masterlist || If you enjoy my work, please consider buying me a coffee on Ko-fi 🙏🏻

Thank you to everyone who has read this chapter. Leave a comment and Reblog, please. I'd love to hear your thoughts. ❤️

Present Day

“Nu-uh.” Bucky glanced at his watch. “She’ll be here any minute, and I need to get to the airport.”

“I’m coming with you!” Jade yelled, already bolting to her room to change.

“Why the sudden interest in coming along?” Bucky called after her.

“Because you won’t tell me the rest of the story, so I’ll ask Mom instead!” she shouted back.

Bucky froze for a moment, muttering under his breath, 'Well, shit.' Then he called out, “Her version will be way more dramatic!”

Jade popped her head out of her room, gasping with excitement. “I have to hear it from her now! Let’s go!”

After a long drive, the two finally arrived at the airport. Standing near the arrival gate, Bucky shifted impatiently while Jade scanned the crowd.

Finally, you appeared, wheeling your suitcase behind you.

“Mom!” Jade ran toward you, wrapping you in a tight hug.

You blinked, startled but touched. “Jade? I didn’t expect you to come along with your dad!”

Speaking of which, Bucky huffed quietly, clearly annoyed that he missed the chance to hug you first. Instead, he settled for a side hug, leaning in and murmuring, “Welcome home,” before grabbing your suitcase.

You smiled warmly and kissed his cheek. “Thanks.”

“I thought you’d be staying another week,” he said as the three of you began walking to the car.

“I wasn’t feeling great, and being sick abroad just made me more homesick,” you explained. As a game development director, you’d been away overseeing the final stages of a new project. It had been a long trip, and you were glad to be back.

Bucky asked, his voice laced with concern, "Are you alright, dear? Have you checked with the hospital? I'll call our doctor."

You shook your head gently, a soft smile playing on your lips. "No, babe. I've got the results, and everything's alright."

Relief washed over Bucky and Jade's faces. Bucky let out a sigh of relief, his shoulders relaxing. Jade, on the other hand, beamed with joy, her eyes sparkling with happiness.

“Mom,” Jade whispered conspiratorially in your ear. “Dad told me he kidnapped you from Clark Jordan.”

Your eyes widened in shock. “He did?” You turned to glare at Bucky, who rolled his eyes dramatically.

“Let’s just go home,” he grumbled, ignoring your laughter and Jade’s giggles.

On the way back, Jade couldn’t hold in her curiosity. “Mom, what happened next after Clark hit Dad?”

You smirked knowingly. “Oh, he told you about that part, huh?”

“Yup,” Jade said eagerly, leaning forward in her seat.

You shook your head, chuckling as the memory came back. “Well...”

🔔💍🔔💍

Flashback

Clark arrived at the location in a rush, his wedding suit slightly disheveled, the jacket discarded in his haste. His tie hung loose around his neck, and his face was etched with determination. He’d come as soon as he could after getting the tip-off about your whereabouts.

Bursting onto the scene, he froze when he saw you and Bucky. The two of you were arguing—your words sharp, your tone frustrated—but there was something unspoken between you. A connection Clark could sense but had never felt with you himself. It wasn’t just Bucky’s audacity that made him furious; it was the realization that something deeper existed between the two of you, something he would never have.

Without thinking, Clark lunged at Bucky, his fist connecting with his jaw. Bucky staggered back but quickly caught himself, his own eyes blazing with fury. He grabbed Clark by the shirt, stopping the second punch, and delivered one of his own in return.

“Stop it!” you yelled, stepping between them.

Both men froze, fists mid-air, their heavy breathing filling the tense silence. They glared at each other, neither saying a word, the tension crackling between them.

You felt a pang of fear—not for your physical safety, but for what might happen to Bucky. Clark wasn’t just a powerful man; his family had the connections to ruin someone’s life with a single phone call. You couldn’t let that happen.

“We should go back,” you said softly, your voice trembling.

Bucky flinched, his arm dropping to his side. He stared at you, stunned. “What?”

Clark took the opportunity to grab your arm gently, his grip firm but not harsh. “Let’s go.”

As he led you away, you couldn’t help but glance back over your shoulder. Bucky was still standing there, watching you. His expression was unreadable, but you couldn’t help the small flicker of disappointment in your chest. You’d hoped, even for a second, that he would stop you, but he didn’t move.

---

In the car, Clark broke the silence first. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” His voice was calm, but his worry was clear.

“No, he didn’t do anything,” you reassured him.

He let out a long sigh, relief washing over his face. “Thank God.”

You hesitated before speaking again. “Clark… about the wedding.”

He cut you off gently. “It’s alright.”

You blinked in surprise. Clark had always been kind and patient, but this… this was different. He seemed far too calm for someone whose fiancée had just been kidnapped.

“You must have been terrified,” he continued, his gaze focused on the road. “Out of the blue, someone takes you away. My heart nearly stopped.”

“I’m fine,” you said softly. “He wouldn’t hurt me.”

Clark’s knuckles tightened on the steering wheel. “I’m getting a restraining order. He won’t come near you again.”

“It’s not that simple,” you said quickly, but he cut you off again.

“He kidnapped you, and you’re still not mad at him?” His voice was quiet but filled with hurt.

You flinched at his words.

“I knew you're a brave woman,” he said after a long pause. “I heard you went into a store with him. You could’ve screamed for help, but you didn’t.” He glanced at you briefly, his tone full of disbelief. “It seems like you were willing to go with him.”

Silence fell between you, the weight of his words pressing down.

Finally, Clark spoke again, his voice soft but resolute. “The wedding’s canceled.”

“What?” you whispered, taken aback.

“I realized something today,” he said, his tone calm yet firm. “You’re not the one for me.”

You stared at him, struggling to find the words.

“I saw the way you looked at him,” he continued. “The way you argued, the fire in your eyes. It’s something I’ve never had with you. He’s the one for you, not me.”

You couldn’t deny it. “I’m sorry,” you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

“I am too,” he said with a sad smile. “I thought maybe there was a chance for us. But it seems like you’re meant to be with someone else.”

“You’ll find someone who’s right for you,” you said softly, genuinely.

Before either of you could say more, a loud whirring sound filled the air. You both looked up to see a helicopter hovering above the car.

“What the hell?” Clark exclaimed as you saw the door open.

There, standing boldly with a megaphone in hand, was Bucky. “Stop! In the name of love!” he shouted.

“What the fuck!” you and Clark said in unison.

Clark pulled the car over as the helicopter landed in the middle of the road.

You turned to Bucky as he stepped out. “Seriously?”

Bucky shrugged, a grin tugging at his lips. “I had to make a grand entrance.” He extended his hand toward you.

You glanced at Clark apologetically. “I’m sorry.”

Clark nodded, his face pained but understanding. “Go. Before you make my heart bleed even more.”

You stepped out of the car, your heart pounding as you took Bucky’s hand. He helped you into the helicopter, securing your seatbelt and placing a headset over your ears.

As Bucky climbed in, Clark called out, his curiosity getting the better of him. “What exactly did you do? How did you even afford this?”

Bucky smirked. “I’m the owner of Bitcoin.”

Clark's jaw dropped. "You?!" He had invested some money in crypto and knew a bit about the Bitcoin story, particularly the anonymous creator's preference for secrecy. Could Bucky be the creator of this coin?

Bucky shrugged. “Yeah. I like to keep it low-key.”

Clark muttered to himself, still stunned. “Unbelievable.”

Bucky offered a hand in truce. “Hey, man. I’m sorry I ruined your day.”

“And I’ll hate you for it,” Clark said honestly, shaking his hand. “But at least everything’s clear now.”

Bucky nodded. “You’re a good guy. I hope you find someone who’s perfect for you.”

With that, he climbed into the helicopter and shut the door.

You turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “So, what now?”

“We finish your bucket list,” he said with a grin.

You sighed. “No, we don’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because someone will definitely stop us,” you said knowingly.

“Who?”

“My dad,” you said flatly.

Bucky’s face fell. “Oh, fuck.”

Present Day

“I feel bad for Clark,” Jade sniffled from the backseat, dabbing her eyes dramatically with a tissue.

Bucky groaned, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “Oh, come on. He’s fine. Stop acting like this is some soap opera.”

Jade ignored him, her phone in hand as she scrolled through a quick search. “Wait a minute—oh! Clark got married two years after you two. To his childhood friend! And they have… five kids?! Woah!”

Bucky raised an eyebrow but said nothing, keeping his focus on the road.

“At least he got his happy ending,” Jade murmured, her tone softening. Then her eyes sparkled with realization. “What about Grandpapa? How did Dad win him over?”

Your lips curved into a sly smile as you glanced at Bucky, who suddenly looked tense. “Let’s just say Clark was a beginner level, but your grandfather? He was the Grandmaster level boss.”

“Oh, great. I hate this part,” Bucky muttered under his breath, his face a mix of annoyance and dread.

Jade leaned forward, her curiosity piqued even more by her father’s reaction. “Tell me everything!” she pressed, her eyes gleaming with excitement.

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[helpallthenamesaretaken]

Songs I Need to Hear in Future PJO Seasons (ft. me being very intense for no reason)

Angel with a Shotgun by the Cab - SEASON 👏 FIVE 👏 TRAILER 👏 it's literally about stepping up as a hero and fighting a war for what you love without caring what the gods would think, BANGER OF A SONG also so percy in tlo coded

Welcome to New York by Taylor Swift (Sad acoustic version) - Hear me out. It's a panoramic shot of New York during the war, and what the song describes as a city of new beginnings and dreams is now a city of the end of a lot of lives and crushed souls. And it won't ruin the sad vibe because it's a sad acoustic version

Labyrinth by Taylor Swift - Do I need to explain? S4, a slow-mo shot of annabeth staring numbly at the volcano exploding with tears down her face and her mouth opening to a scream as the lyrics "I'll be getting over you my whole life" echo, it's not a want, it's a need.

The Freaks by Jordan Clarke - The most camp half blood song to ever camp half blood, I need this song in an introductory shot of camp or at a campfire sing along scene

I Wanna Be Yours by The Arctic Monkeys - Okay, this is more of a vibe related song suggestion than a lyrics based song, but a scene with percy and annabeth pining over each other with this song in the background? would be chefs kiss. (also rick loves vintage songs in his books and this is a very vintage sounding song sooo)

Brutal by Olivia Rodrigo - Self explanatory, I just need the song, no matter what scene or character

literally any imagine dragons song

Riptide by Vance Joy (Cover) - the same song, the same cover except SON OF NEPTUNE TRAILER COME ON NOW

Not going to happen, but at least an instrumental of Good Kid when annabeth talks to piper in the lost hero season about how everybody had been searching for percy for weeks

The Prophecy by Taylor Swift - You know what a TLO adaptation means, right? It means a proper rewrite of the book to make it better, right? Which means we can write percy being actually depressed because of the prophecy, not just him ignoring it like how he did in the book, right? So imagine: when the whole "If I have to die, I have to die" dialogue comes around during the revealing of the prophecy, this song starts playing as percy storms out the room in anger and disbelief. He just goes to his rooms and buries his face in the pillow and starts sobbing with this song in the background. Also the 'just want someone who wants my company' lyric also expresses his feelings towards the rachel and annabeth drama.

Add on in the reblogs and comments of your ideas hehe😁

[avaelangel]

Marie is an emotional drunk.

LiMoreau blurb. I thought, since Jordan has tolerance towards most abilities in terms of combat, they also might have an inhuman tolerance to any substance. Or spice, but this is another story. Anyway, Marie doesn't have than kind of tolerance, even though she might be able to control how a substance will affect her bloodstream.

Dimmed lights in Jordan's room would have been a good start to an intimate atmosphere, if Marie wasn't beating her partner in Mortal Kombat. It was newbie's luck consistent of smashing buttons and learning their position without looking down at the controller. Marie was torn on Jordan letting her win or at least letting her down easy. They did show her the ropes and activated the fatality the first moment they got. ''So not fair!'' Marie nudged laughing Jordan, that even fell over to make her feel better, while Sub-Zero showcased Mileena's crushed head on the screen.

''Sorry! Couldn't resist,'' they nudged her back, but much softer, ''Do you want a beer? Or like a gummie or something?''

Their thoughtful gaze and Marie's complete unfamiliriaty with all things perspective-altering. But she squinted, sighed and noded.

''A beer, please. Do you really have a fridge there?'' Awkwardness was overcome with curiousity.

Jordan laughed again, getting off the floor in front of the TV.

''You know NOTHING about me,'' that earned them an eye roll.

''To be fair, we are sitting in the dark of your...'' Marie trailed off, feeling Jordan's eyes on the back of her head, ''Very nice room,'' Jordan let out an exaggerated sigh, still smiling. They did clean! Very fast, because they ran back from class to get here before Marie.

''I do mean it, though,'' she said, when Jordan sat back down with with two bottles of beer. They opened one, handing it to Marie while feigning seriosness,''I like your room. It looked lived it. If it weren't for Emma, my room would look like dungeon,''

Jordan smiled in a way that made Marie want to look away. It made her feel too special. The way their eyes sparkled, their soft head tilt that made their nicely curled hair fall on the side of their face, but not too much to be a nuisance. Marie managed to take a huge sip of beer to stop herself from gawking.

''You'll get to it. I could get you a fluffy duvet to compete with Emma's. Maybe a plushie?'' Jordan, seemingly, only now remembered about their beer and opened the bottle.

''Make it the pinkiest and the sparkliest one, please. I want to be a worthy opponent,'' Marie chuckled turning to the screen.

''Deal,'' Jordan was proud for the idea to dim the lights. Because they felt their ears burning a bit.

Marie stuck to Mileena and nearly knocked down her beer, desperately trying to get to a fatality of her own. When she finally did, she watched in awe when Mileena became a flying murder spinning circle that eviscerated Jordan's D'vorah.

''Mileena wins!'' Marie threw her hands in the air, ''Finally!''

Now it was Jordan's turn to look at Marie in slightly offended astonishment.

''How dare you! It's not even the forth time and you won!'' They sounded fully upset, but they watched Marie intently. Jordan felt so happy that they got her this moment of joy from a video game. And then she laughed all her breath away, she swayed towards them and Jordan changed to reach a hand around her shoulders, while she finished her beer in a final sip. They both haven't noticed how easily their bottles got empited.

'Wanna go again?'' Jordan nearly stattered, looking into Marie's eyes.

Come on. You already kissed.

They didn't have much time to chastise themselves for being soft. Marie nodded eagerly.

''Yeah! I want the yellow one now,''

''Which yellow one?!''

Marie ment Scorpio and she also remembered his name. Another win went to her, Jordan sulked less each time, still enjoying full on weirdo screams of the victor. It was exhilarating to be liked by Jordan in any way, but sometimes just being slightly annoying was the most delicious thing of all. She knew with all of her heart that Jordan feels the same. They were almost competetively annoying. Also very cool, and strong, and...

''You are so beautiful, by the way,'' Marie felt warm and wobbly, but she didn't mind. Jordan stopped before loading a new fight. Their brows slightly furrowed, they couldn't quite pin point what was wrong.

Marie was actually tearing up.

''Are you crying because of my beaty?'' Jordan put away their controller, turning to face Marie.

''No,'' she giggles, wiping her eyes prematurely, ''Well, yeah, kind off. I think I got so happy with you that I went the full circle,''

''Awww,'' Jordan tugged her closer, wrapping their arms around her, ''You are such a light weight,'' but when she hugged them back, pressing her face to their chest, Jordan felt drunker than ever before. They weren't expecting to feel as tender as an uncooked stake today.

''I am really glad you don't hate me anymore,'' Marie murmured and shifted her face, so her tears wouldn't stain Jordan's shirt.

''You are very hard to hate, even for a hateful dick like me,'' they were totally joking, but it made her worry.

''Nooo,'' Marie raised her head and shook their shoulders, suddenly, ''You are so much more than just a dick. Shit, sorry, no. I mean, you are great. You so beautiful, you can literally slay a dragon and carry me like a princess. I mean, I had dreams, but I don't have that much imagination to dream up someone like you,'' she sniffled, another tear falling down her cheeck.

Jordan wiped it without thinking and quickly hugged her again, now much stronger. They couldn't stop blinking, their face hot and their heart heave and light at the same time. To be honest, changing into their impenetrable self didn't do shit. They stil were crumbling, because for some reason, somehow, they ended up with Marie as their girlfriend.

''Did you have a favorite princess?'' Jordan asked in a quite voice.

''Yeah. Mulan still the best,'' Marie was hugging them with all her strength.

''She wasn't exactly taken by a dragon,'' A smile spreads on Jordan's no longer trembling lips.

''Shut up. You know what I meant,''

They look at each other for a moment, hands touching at least the smallest amount of skin. Moving into the kiss was incredible natural, even though Marie grabbed onto Jordan's shirt, giving the moment a more dramatic flare. When they both pulled away, both sighed.

''Want watch Mulan?'' Jordan asked, then adding, ''I had a katana when I was a kid because of her,''

''I might cry more,'' Marie warned, averting her gaze.

''You are not getting another beer, then,'' Both laughed.

Jordan will be salty about ending gaming on Marie's win. It will lure Marie into playing again, so she could win more. It will be another nice evening and a night, maybe even weed-infused. But for now, they snuggled into Jordan's bed as the movie started. Almost putting their head on Marie's chest, Jordan pulled away, reached their hand under the bed and took out two full bags of chips Marie had never seen before.

She judged them so hard in this moment.

''I'm moving in with you,'' she said bluntly and shook her head, wraping a hand around Jordan's waist.

''I kick in my sleep,'' they retorted with a smirk, opening a bag of puffy tofu chips.

''I lived with worse,'' Marie shrugged and took one, cursing at how tasty the chip was. They legit could camp out in Jordan's room and never go out. But she stayed silent, putting her cheek on Jordan's head that was on her shoulder.

[pixeldistractions]

Jordan came to this wilderness for answers and he wouldn’t leave here empty-handed. He reaffirmed to himself that he was happy as a clam living this way. It was everything he thought it would be, and he would do this forever if life allowed it. He loved the quiet, clear nights, and the sounds of wildlife all around him. He loved the dusty deserts and the vast soggy mountain forests. He loved the idea that he didn’t have to choose one or the other. He’d go where he wanted to go until he didn’t want to be there anymore.

Not everything was fun. His old rust bucket of a camper would seriously test his handy skills. Electrical work scared him, and he kept imagining how he could shock himself out here in the wilderness and die and how long would it be before anyone found out what happened to him?

A morbid thought that was minor in comparison to the overwhelming joy of freedom and wide open spaces.

He didn’t need much money. If he had it his way, he would get by just fine. The campsite fees were cheap. He fished and foraged for wild mushrooms and berries when he could, and he even taught himself a couple new recipes. Fishing, however, still eluded him, but he’d like to get better at it.

What money he needed, he mostly owed to Colette. But he could easily pick up a gig or two, and he had something to send to her. Whether or not the effort was appreciated was another matter.

“Okay, fine, but you still need a lawyer,” she whined. “We need a child support schedule. You can’t just send money whenever you feel like it.”

Nothing he did would ever make her happy.

And there was another truth he had discovered: Colette was the cage he ran from, the cage he clawed his way out of with nails and teeth, so desperate to escape that he would implode his whole life over it. Her criticism, her control, her judgment, her demands, her impossibility to ever please. So he burst out of that cage and ran as fast and as far as he could, leaving tears and disappointment in his wake. It was the only way he knew how to break free.

He felt a little stupid for causing all that trouble to discover something that now seemed so obvious. He went this far to realize that needing space didn’t have to mean being alone. Needing freedom didn’t need to mean being alone. It didn’t have to mean that.

It was a good thing to know, in any case.

So he finished his week in the wilderness, feeling refreshed, somewhat bored, brimming with answers, and somehow still unsatisfied.

— from “boxes and squares #3: what dreams?” (5/8)

Next ->

[hpanimagiweek]

🦉 The 2024 masterlist is finally there!

This masterlist officially (and sadly) marks the end of HP Animagi Week 2024. 

I'd like to give a huge thank you to everyone who took a chance in this fest. Whether you participated as a creator, a beta, a reader, or a cheerleader, this fest wouldn't have been possible without you all, so thank you! Everyone interpreted the prompts with originality and wildly different pairings, it was a delight to read all your stories!

Creating this fest and moderating it was a real joy for me, and a long-time goal I finally got to realize. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to see it through!

I hope everyone had fun participating in this fest, and I hope to see you all next year for another edition of HPAW!

- From your mod @nihilisticnomad

And without further ado, let’s take a look at the fest’s masterlist!

(You'll find here the Google doc version)

📜 We had a mindblowing total of 29 fics submitted for this fest, and about 32 725 words written!

1️⃣ Day 1: Nook

Furry snuggles (Scorpius Malfoy/Albus Potter, 2.1k, G) by SiobanHazel

Scorpius is enjoying visiting his boyfriend Albus at the Potter's house, and this afternoon he's brought a little present. (Magical alternate universe)

Cats and dogs (Arabella Figg/Minerva McGongall, 359w, G) by Elvira_Kamgut

Minerva is as fond of water as any other cat could be. Which is not at all.

Enjoying the sunshine (Draco Malfoy/Harry Potter, 365w, G) by ftmshepard

After a fight, Harry finds Draco sunning himself in a nook and they cuddle.

Lightning crashes (Regulus Black/Tom Riddle, 409w, M) by eggmett

Tom wants to be an animagus, but not if it means being a rabbit.

2️⃣ Day 2: Aurors at the door

What have you done (Regulus Black/Tom Riddle, 624w, M) by eggmett

Regulus knows Tom is up to no good. But he still doesn't expect what's coming.

Whines, Knocks, Shouts (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin, 3.1k, E) by SiobhanHazel

A bit of afternoon delight at Grimmauld Place for Sirius and Remus, until...

Vigilante Tabby (Arabella Figg/Minerva McGonagall, 349w, G) by Elvira_Kamgut

Minerva takes matters into her own hands which results into an impromptu meeting of the Auror Department at the door.

What being in love means (Poppy Pomfrey/Minerva McGonagall, 2k, T) by sky_watcher_rose

An unexpected visit from the Aurors leads to a confrontation between Minerva and Poppy.

Dog days of summer (Harry Potter & Severus Snape, 3k, G) by ftmshepard

Harry asks for more occlumency lessons, and that changes everything.

Or: (Harry moves in with Snape over the summer after 5th year, gets better at occlumency and also discovers his animagus form.)

The Magpie Song (Lee Jordan/Fred Weasley - Fred Weasley & George Weasley, 200w, G) by lumosdrabbles (lumosatnight)

Six years after the war, Fred is still missing.

3️⃣ Day 3: Lost

When it's lost (Regulus Black/Tom Riddle, 597w, M) by eggmett

Love had no place in his plans. But Regulus was his lifeline to any sort of humanity. Now Tom was lost.

Lost & won (Sirius Black/James Potter, 1.4k, T) by SiobhanHazel

Sometimes, James and Sirius take off into the Forbidden Forest for some fun of their own.

Kitten on the run (Sirius Black/Remus Lupin/Severus Snape - Sirius Black & Remus Lupin & Severus Snape, 632w, G) by Elvira_Kamgut

Sirius Black is the father of masterful ideas, and disastrous plans.

4️⃣ Day 4: Soothing touch

The cruelness of peace (Regulus Black/Tom Riddle, 921w, E & Dead Dove) by eggmett

"There was something in his aura of melancholy and his unwavering devotion that Tom craved. But it didn’t stop Tom from destroying him. Cracking him into pieces over and over again, just to rebuild them in a way that better suited Tom’s plans."

Or: Tom tries to find comfort in a fleeting moment of intimacy with Regulus.

Hanami (Cherry Blossoms) (Minerva McGonagall/Eileen Prince, 511w, G) by SiobhanHazel

Did you know there are cherry blossom trees on the Hogwarts grounds?

A brother's touch (Regulus Black/Sirius Black, 381w, G) by cassetteinability & GoldenBi

A hard day had Sirius shifting into Padfoot, desperate only for Regulus’ soothing touch.

Protector of the Queen (Fleur Delacour/Hermione Granger, 115w, G) by Elvira_Kamgut

Once an Animgus disappears into the wild it is almost impossible for them to return to Wizarding Society.

5️⃣ Day 5: "I'm sorry, you did what?"

Horcruxes and Heartache (Regulus Black/Tom Riddle, 1.2k, M) by eggmett

Regulus found it harder and harder to remain quiet as the days dragged on...More often than not, Tom was returning home covered in blood that wasn’t his own. It would have been so easy to magically whisk away any evidence first, but it was almost like Tom was proud of it.

Nibbles (Sirius Black/Severus Snape, 1.1k, G) by SiobhanHazel

Severus wouldn't say living at Grimmauld Place with Sirius equals domestic bliss, but they have their moments, both sweet and not-so-sweet. It's just natural that Severus gets irritated at Sirius.

Into the unknown (Helga Hufflepuff/Rowena Ravenclaw, 2.6k, T) by sky_watcher_rose

Rowena has been acting strangely all week, and Helga is determined to find out why.

Moose on the loose (Narcissa Malfoy/Mrs Zabini - Lucius Malfoy/Severus Snape, 278w, G) by Elvira_Kamgut

Some animagi are a lot more convenient for indoor activities than others.

6️⃣ Day 6: Injuries

The price of devotion (Regulus Black/Tom Riddle, 860w, M & Major Character Death) by eggmett

Tom returns to the sea cave, but doesn't leave the same person. Time doesn't heal all wounds.

Hidden whiskers (Narcissa Malfoy/Mrs Zabini - Lucius Malfoy/Severus Snape, 271w, G) by Elvira_Kamgut

Lucius is very hurt by the fact that no one cares that he got hurt. Really does no one care about him anymore in this house.

7️⃣ Day 7: Free prompt

The truth hurts (Regulus Black/Voldemort - Voldemort & Nagini, 439w, M) by eggmett

Voldemort stared into the fire, watching embers crackle and fly around the hearth. He wasn’t sure how long he’d been staring into its depths when Nagini slithered into the room to curl at his feet.

Lightning Strike, Loving Squeeze (Harry Potter/Ron Weasley, 3.4k, G) by SiobhanHazel

Harry and Ron have been Auror partners for over a year, and the Auror animagus programme leads to developments in more than just their careers.

Lectio Draconis (Fleur Delacour/Hermione Granger, 371w, G) by Elvira_Kamgut

Hermione has a wonderful surprise for Fleur, it is a bit more surprising than Fleur was expecting.

#️⃣ Joker 1: In the library

A long time coming (Sirius Black/James Potter, 2.1k, E & Dead Dove) by cassetteinability

“You don’t wanna tell Remus that you put your cock in my mouth… so I won’t make you,” Sirius assured him with a questionable wink. “Keep quiet, Jamie,” he added, just seconds before he slid down his seat and underneath the table.

Or: Sirius is sexually deprived, and James can’t say no to Padfoot. Not even in the library.

Laughter in the library (Regulus Black/Voldemort, 464w, M) by eggmett

Tom finally asks Regulus to join him on one of his forbidden trips to the Restricted Section.

#️⃣ Joker 2: Firewhiskey

Fiery Sniffles (Scorpius Malfoy/Albus Severus Potter, 2.1k, T) by SiobhanHazel

Scorpius is back at the Potter's for the Christmas season, and he and Albus get up to some mischief. (Magical alternate universe)

And that's it for the HPAW 2024 masterlist!

[theangrypomeranian]

Fic authors self rec! When you get this, reply with your favorite five fics that you've written, then pass on to at least five other writers. Spread the self-love ❤

I'm sorry this is so late orz life has been pretty crazy this past week lol.

Baby Steps

Summary:

After going through a terrible break up, Tina is left trying to pick up the broken pieces of her heart and life. Luckily, Zeke is there to help her with his tried and true method: touch therapy (literally). Through many trials and tribulations, they slowly learn how to grow and move on...together. A story of healing, friendship, and falling in love.

i doubt anyone is surprised by this choice lol. this fic is my pride and joy, i worked on it for a year and kept up a consistent update schedule for it. it's a story that is very near and dear to my heart and helped me start to heal my inner teenager.

2. i hate accidents (except when we went from friends to this)

Summary:

Best friends Louise and Rudy get married for tax purposes. No, really, that's totally it, honest. No way are any actual feelings gonna form. No way... ...unless...?

the fic i wrote for Roudise week 2023. this story was SO MUCH FUN to write omg. the whole premise started as a joke between my beta reader Red and I about these two getting married for taxes and the prompts for the week were announced i knew i had to use the idea. it was a huge hit with the Roudise side of the fandom and i'm so glad that they all loved it so much.

3. Safe and Sound

Summary:

When Tina Belcher is reaped for the Hunger Games, she's sure that her life is over. But when Zeke Tisdale volunteers as the male tribute and promises to protect her in the arena, she realizes that she might have a chance of surviving this...if she can avoid falling for him.

the Hunger Games AU i wrote for Zekina week 2023. as most of my followers probably know by now, i freaking LOVE the Hunger Games series, both the movies and the books (though I lean a lil more towards the books lol). the prompts for the week immediately made me think of it, and since i'd already had the first 2k or so words typed out already i figured why not finish it for the week? it was also written as the week went on because it was a last minute decision lol.

4. Long Way Home

Summary:

After Zeke leaves for three months to work for a logging company in Alaska, Tina receives a call telling her that he passed away in an avalanche. Devastated but determined to stay strong for her loved ones, she must learn how to live without the one that got away. ...or does she? Because unknown to all, Zeke survived - and he is fighting with the Last Frontier to get back home.

my current WIP. this one started as a weird ass dream i had about my otp and i told Red about it, then she proceeded to pitch a reworking of it for a fic and i was instantly in love with the concept. it's very niche so i don't blame anyone for giving it a pass, but i love it and that's all that matters. and for the fifth rec i'm putting down two because i genuinely cannot choose between them (and since when do i ever follows the rules for these kinds of asks XD):

Meet Me in the Afterglow

Summary:

Three months after she's peer pressured into breaking up with Henry, Susmita gets a call that her grandmother has died. Henry offers to take her home for the funeral and she quickly realizes that she's made a huge mistake. Can she sort through her feelings and win back her man? Or is it too late for them?

i LOVE this fic. normally i hate break up fics but i worked very hard on this one and did SO MUCH RESEARCH for it. overall i think i did really good with it and i'm always thrilled when someone reads it.

you better leave (it's not safe in here)

Summary:

Tina lives an idealistic life in the small community of Victory. Every day is the same, structured, secure. All of her neighbors know and like her, and her husband Jordan is a quiet unassuming man who works hard so that she can stay home and be a good housewife. Life is good and peaceful. However, sometimes she can't help but feel as if she doesn't belong there, and her nightly dreams of a tall and handsome man with an accent make her question if her marriage is really as happy as she's been led to believe. But then strange things start to happen and Tina starts to wonder if something more sinister is going on in Victory...

the Don't Worry Darling AU that no one asked for lmao. i was so let down by the movie but still loved the concept, so i decided to use it for a fic and loved the end result. just like with LWH, this one is very niche so i understand why it's not more popular. but i really love this fic and hope that one day it gets the recognition it deserves.

[therumpus]

Writing Beyond the Bars: A Mini Interview with Geneva Phillips

By Cass Lewis

Geneva Phillips is currently an incarcerated writer completing the end of a prison sentence in Oklahoma. She writes about a broad range of topics and has been actively involved in a writing program called Poetic Justice in addition to PEN America’s Prison Writing Mentor Program, which pairs more than 300 working writers on the outside with close to 300 incarcerated writers. She and I were paired about a year ago, well after she wrote these award-winning pieces. It’s called a mentorship program, but it has prompted me to think about how it’s really a partnership, as we both exchange writing advice and build community.

Phillips’ short memoir piece, “Holding,” received Honorable Mention and was just published in PEN America’s 2023 Prison Writing Awards anthology, Thank the Bloom. Her award-winning work was also included in the PEN America Prison Writing Awards anthologies, The Named and The Nameless (2018), and Variations on an Undisclosed Location (2022). She is the author of the memoir, Disappearing in Glimpses (Mongrel Empire Press, 2020). 

I was delighted when she agreed to share her thoughts on writing and community through an interview conducted via letter and telephone.

***

The Rumpus: When you think about your writing community, how would you describe it? 

Geneva Phillips: I would describe it as a constellation of hopefuls. We write together inside to find our voices and perfect them. We write with the hope of being heard. Though the distance of our confinement makes it challenging, those outside keep us buoyant with ideas, opportunities, feedback, and encouragement. I think it all culminates into a reciprocating microcosm. We hope together, with each other, for each other. We write, we listen, the confinement loses some power. 

Rumpus: While writing is a solitary activity, I’ve found there is something potentially transformative about a group of people all responding to the same prompt and sharing our work. How has writing in groups impacted your work as a writer?

Phillips: I’m definitely a better writer for the writing groups I’ve had the privilege to grow with. The relationships and community make writing a transformative activity.

Rumpus: Do you have any favorite writing prompts you’d like to share?

Phillips: One of my favorites was to open with the line, “Something happened,” and that one line produced a wealth of good material in our writing group. Also, we recently tried some unorthodox story writing where we used a selection of words and random sequence writing to produce short stories. I’m going to send you the directions so you can try it.

Rumpus: Thank you. I’m always looking for new prompts. Who are some authors you admire?

Phillips: Tanith Lee, Sandra Cisneros, Joy Harjo, N.K. Jemisin for the bottomless depths of beauty of their words. Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson for limitless imagination and the sheer scope of their world building.

Rumpus: When did writing become a central focus for you?

Phillips: I discovered writing poetry when I was eleven or twelve. It was a way to capture complicated feelings and experiences in words and helped me to process them. After I was incarcerated, I had a lot more time to write and I utilized it to practice other methods.

Rumpus: Recently, in the PEN America newsletter, “Works of Justice,” the Prison and Justice Writing Mentorship Coordinator, Jess Abolafia, and another award-winning incarcerated writer named Leo Paul Carmona discussed your memoir piece, “The Hard Part.” Carmona wrote, “Geneva Phillips’ piece hit me to my very core…It resonated so much, because I have lived and continue to live every word of what she wrote… Much like Geneva pointed out, we form friendships and bonds as we all go through the struggle of what it is to live in captivity. I have found that our bonds with others are solidified and strengthened when we face the same struggles together. Geneva speaks to the trauma of having friends ripped from you, or for us to be ripped away from them.” When you see the impact your work has on readers, how does this add to your sense of community and how does it align with your intentions as a writer?

Phillips: With my nonfiction work, essays, and memoirs, I wanted to expose the parts of being incarcerated that no one thinks to talk about. The emotions behind the injustices. The humans having human experiences inside the boxes where people believe only monsters exist. To have confirmation that others find commonality in experiences I write about just proves to me the importance of writing about these things.

Rumpus: When you’re writing, do you picture a specific audience for your work? 

Phillips: I really don’t. Mostly, I just wonder how it will land with my writing group. They’re the thermostat I use to gauge the success of a story.

Rumpus: Where do you find inspiration for your writing?

Phillips: The strangest places. A misheard sentence. Happenstance and serendipity. Inspiration is everywhere.

Rumpus: You have written poetry, memoir, short stories, and other forms. When you write, do you know when you first start working on a piece what form it will take, or is it a surprise or does this process change each time?

Phillips: With poetry, I usually know the tone I’m looking for in a piece. With my memoir, it was a little different. I had an idea, but found the individual pieces fit their own tone. I have found short stories to be a surprise from the beginning to the end.

Rumpus: What are you working on now?

Phillips: I’m writing a genre-crossing collection of fictional short stories.

Rumpus: One of the things I love about your work is how it is haunting and raw but with a refined beauty, like a controlled burn. How do you maintain that balance between revealing what is harrowing while recognizing the universal humanity and even offering what could be interpreted as hope?

Phillips: Well, first of all, thank you. I’m going to save that description forever. I think that it’s really just the truth about life that reveals itself when I write. Life is terrible. Life is beautiful. In the midst of the beautiful, we hurt. And in the midst of the terrible, we hope.

Rumpus: If you were going to share some advice with someone who just started writing, what would you tell them?

Phillips: Write. Practice your craft. Hone your skills. Read. Read things you don’t want to read. And find other people who also read and write to be in community with.

Rumpus: What is some helpful advice you’ve received about writing?

Phillips: Probably the most helpful words of advice anyone has ever given me were “go with your gut.” That was you! It was so helpful when I was revising. And at the end of the day, you have to go with what’s right for you.

Rumpus: Well, thanks. I’m glad it was helpful. It’s hard when different readers give different feedback and it’s all so subjective. I’d like to share a passage that really stuck with me from your poetic memoir, Disappearing in Glimpses: “So, she’s trained her eyes to not-see. Not see the trees. The wooded hills. The fields. The road leading away. She only sees the fence. The razor wire. This is reality. This is where reality is contained. A few square acres. For all intents and purposes, the rest of the world does not exist to her just like she does not exist to the rest of the world.” Can you talk a little bit about how you decided to write this story in a close third-person perspective, and how this poetic memoir came to be?

Phillips: The whole idea for this was inspired by The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros. I had never encountered a book written in the form of vignettes. Once I had, my immediate thought was, I could write a book in this style. The POV was a decision I made so that the book would be not just my story. It is my story, but it is also archetypally all our stories. We, women of the locked boxes.

***

Cass Lewis is an award-winning writer, currently working on a memoir that explores mental health, mass incarceration, and the climate crisis. Connect with her here: www.CassLewis.com.

[freakshowtwopointoh]

Watch What Happens - Cross The Line Part 3

Picture a handsome, heroically charismatic, plainspoken, know-nothing skirt-chasing cocky little son of a -

Lie down with dogs and you wake up with a raise and a promotion

< prev | next >

As Ella makes her way to the dance room for auditions, she recites the steps in her head, trying to keep Jordan’s advice in mind. It was actually quite helpful, which was frankly infuriating. It’s so much easier to make sense of Jordan when they aren’t ... nice. Easier to ignore their piercing stare, the way they move with such confidence. 

By the time she’s warming up, she still hasn’t seen Jordan come in the door. She was embarrassed to say she was checking for them. It’s not like she wanted them to be Romeo with her , it’s just that they’re clearly a better dancer than Luke and they should have been given the lead years ago. But they aren’t going to get it if they’re fucking late. Two minutes before auditions start, they’re pushing through the doors, looking flustered. Ella ducks her head, trying to hide her relief that they had shown up.

She’d never admit it, but she wants to show Jordan that she took what they said to heart. Because despite it being confusing, it was a nice thing to do. But they barely look at her the entire warm-up or during the other Juliet performances. They were watching each girl with a judgmental gaze, keeping an eye out for every mistake. She noticed, however, most of the other girls were, as Jordan had put it, dancing like bored robots. If she can pull off what she’s been practicing, she might actually get this part. Holy shit.

“Miss Jackson, you’re up.”

As I get up to perform, I spare one look for Jordan, but they keep their eyes ahead. Ok, El. Deep breath. 

The version of Juliet’s Variation that they were auditioning with was such a beautiful dance. Ella could feel herself slide into Juliet’s mind as she danced - a benefit of having practiced it so much. A young girl, excited and naive, flits between masked men and women, entirely unfazed by any of it. All she cares about is dance. Everything is fun, everyone is kindhearted, and nothing bad happens in her little world. Like a young Ella. Before the competitiveness, the cruelty, the... nonsense that kept her from what she loves. Feeling the music in every sinew of her body. And she let her love for dancing show on her face - trying to embody Juliet. That openhearted joy, that naive enthusiasm that only comes from a sheltered life. When she does the final move, she’s out of breath but so proud of herself. She can’t help but look again for approval to Jordan, but they’re laser focused on their own audition prep.

The Romeo audition was a version of one of the Prince Variations in Sleeping Beauty, and Jordan went last. Ella couldn’t help but stick around to watch with some of the other girls, despite the fact that she totally did not have to, and in fact, could be getting some extra hours in at the cafe. As much as she hates to admit it, she loves watching Jordan dance. They make every move look easy, flowing with the music as if each move was the most natural thing in the world. For the audition, they’re wearing this white tee-shirt with a slight v-neck, and it hugs their muscles in a delightful way. And the way their legs look as they gracefully jete? God, what she’d do to just...

Knock it off, Ella, before you start drooling. Jordan finishes their audition, and everyone begins to pack up to go. There’s the usual self-deprecating chit-chat, but the girls who were left were also appreciating Jordan’s performance. She ignored the spike of jealousy in her core - too confusing to unpack now - and dragged herself to the rehearsal room. Was it cocky to start practicing the callback dance now? Probably, but she was doing it anyway. To be fair and balanced, it is an incredible pas de deux that she would honestly kill to do on stage, even just once. She pulled up the walk through and began lightly blocking her way through it.

“Starting on the callback already, freshie? That’s presumptuous.” Jordan quips.

“And you’re here for tea?” She snips back.

“Touche, Jackson. But ya know, it’s kind of a hard dance to practice alone.”

“Are you offering, Li?”

“God, no. I need to dance with someone who doesn’t exude... ‘over confident snobby freshman’ vibes.” Ella rolled her eyes at this, and went back to the dance. Nothing she says in this room will prove anything to anyone, least of all, fucking Jordan Li.

Jordan’s POV

A small voice in the back of their head would point out that they are only delaying the inevitable. It was obvious to them that she was the best out of the Juliets, as much as they did not want to admit it. They did give her the advice that put her above the rest, the traitorous voice in their head would remind them. It’s their own fault.

But there was something... more. I mean, first off, the fact that she’s here now says something. They’d never actually seen anyone else stay after auditions to practice - what’s the point, the other dancers would say. We just auditioned! Jordan always refrained from pointing out that the better your audition went, the more work that was coming your way. It felt like accepting defeat to not practice for the callbacks.

They watched casually as she worked through the general formations of the dance, trying not to imagine themself as her Romeo, lifting her and dancing so closely to her. Looking up at her when she’s at her most beautiful - dancing.

They snap their gum. Fucking freshmen. She’s lucky Juliet is as much of a sheltered virgin as she is. They think to themself before packing up to leave. Like most duets, the male part of this dance is boring as hell. They wished that just once they could actually show off. Doesn’t matter which form (though others may disagree) they just want to be free from all the nonsense and pressures and fucking dance.

As a kid, they begged their parents to take dance classes. Of course, this was before Jordan even conceived of gender, or Compound V, or anything else. All they wanted was to dance, to feel the music. But early on, their parents and other adults were making comments on why they might be interested in dance. A four year old, and these grown ass adults are talking about it as if Jordan was thirsting over girls or whatever it is that they decided their motivation was. Because why would a boy-looking person want to dance? 

And then, the gift that kept on giving was taken away. When they shifted for the first time, they thought finally , I can dance however I want! No one will look at me weird when I go to the ballet class, I can try pointe shoes, be lifted into the air and spun - the center of attention for once. However, their parents were enjoying the reputation of having their “mini-Superman” taking ballet classes and being a ladies man (the term made them feel sick any time anyone said it). They joined the board of the dance college, and that was that. No one could ever see Jordan’s female form. No one could know that they were anything other than a perfect, straight, cis male ballerina.

Of course, their parents couldn’t keep them from using the correct pronouns. Not everyone in the school got them right, but at least they could have one thing that was theirs. One thing that their parents couldn’t use or criticize. Everything else about their life felt like a product being sold. Constantly playing a part that didn’t fit them, carving away pieces of themself to fit into the box their parents picked for them when they were born. As much as they loved dance, and dedicated everything to it, it was still a prison. Their pointe shoes never leave their apartment. Neither do their painted nails, or their fem form. 

Maybe when they’re gone, I can finally be myself

They hated themself for thinking it, but they couldn’t help it. They loved their parents, but they were the ones constructing the prison that was suffocating Jordan. And they didn’t know how much longer they can hold on.

< prev | next >

au by @poppy-metal

edits by @barbieprincesshilton

[cartoonygothopossum]

Inside Out 2

Today marked the second time I went to the movie theater, since my move to New York state. Before any trailers for the movie came out, I thought that the five main emotions would've been enough to express a person's personality. So, it was a bit of a surprise when I saw in one of the trailers that there would be new personified emotions introduced. Design-wise, the emotion Anxiety looks typical of something you would find in a puppet show or in a work with cartoony monster characters. Envy and Embarrassment had clever designs, being noticeably tiny and large, respectively. Ennui's design kinda reminded me of Fear's, but looked more human-like. I also liked her deep, accented voice. The first movie never failed to make me tear up, so I was curious as to whether this one would too. Spoiler alert: I did tear up.

It was cool how Riley's sense of self was depicted as a tree-like structure, with the roots formed by important memories, and how her consciousness was depicted as a river with the objects that she thinks of floating in it. Instead of being thrown into the memory dump, it was interesting that unpleasant memories were transported to the very back of the mind. Who knew that Riley still enjoyed a preschool cartoon, had a crush on a video game character who could roll himself into a ball, and... burned a hole in her family's rug? I did not expect that the movie would combine different animation styles during the scenes with the secrets, but I still liked it. Jordan, that boy whom Riley met at the end of the first movie, didn't appear much, but seeing his face in the statue of crushes suggested that Riley did have a crush on him.

It was interesting how this movie put more focus on Riley's interest in hockey. Riley's friends Grace and Bree were nice girls. Though she initially hesitated, it was sweet of Riley to help out Grace when the latter dropped her coins in class. The racial diversity among the three was also a plus. Val was a cool girl, but still nice, kinda like Shank from Ralph Breaks the Internet. While I could understand why Riley wanted to hang out with Val, I felt bad for Grace and Bree. Things could've ended quite bitterly between Riley and Grace and Bree. But thankfully, the latter two forgave Riley at the end and maintained their friendship with her.

While it was good that Riley was more open about her sadness, I did not like how Anxiety took over her mind, to the point of kicking out the original five emotions. As I had suspected, Anxiety was like Fear, but cranked up! I think I read somewhere that Anxiety had evil plans, suggesting that she would be the main antagonist of the movie. Anxiety's actions did hurt Riley, but that made sense, considering how severely the emotion can consume your mind. After the original five emotions' difficult journey to return to headquarters, I was relieved when Joy finally managed to get Anxiety to let go of control. Though the new sense of self was partially formed by some of Riley's unpleasant memories, it was arguably even better than the old sense of self. All of us go through changes at some point in our lives, and I can safely assume that most of us have moments that contradict our core personality traits. The way Joy had Anxiety relax on the chair and think about things that Riley can control looked like a sort of therapy session for the orange emotion. I can imagine that Riley's parents, or even her friends, might have given similar advice to Riley.

So, yeah, I definitely enjoyed the movie. I look forward to re-watching it when it comes out on Disney+.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

4th March >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Monday, Third Week of Lent 

(optional commemoration of Saint Casimir)

(Liturgical Colour: Violet: B (2))

First Reading 2 Kings 5:1-15 There were many lepers in Israel, but only Naaman, the Syrian, was cured.

Naaman, army commander to the king of Aram, was a man who enjoyed his master’s respect and favour, since through him the Lord had granted victory to the Aramaeans. But the man was a leper. Now on one of their raids, the Aramaeans had carried off from the land of Israel a little girl who had become a servant of Naaman’s wife. She said to her mistress, ‘If only my master would approach the prophet of Samaria. He would cure him of his leprosy.’

Naaman went and told his master. ‘This and this’ he reported ‘is what the girl from the land of Israel said.’

‘Go by all means,’ said the king of Aram ‘I will send a letter to the king of Israel.’

So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten festal robes. He presented the letter to the king of Israel. It read: ‘With this letter, I am sending my servant Naaman to you for you to cure him of his leprosy.’ When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his garments. ‘Am I a god to give death and life,’ he said ‘that he sends a man to me and asks me to cure him of his leprosy? Listen to this, and take note of it and see how he intends to pick a quarrel with me.’

When Elisha heard that the king of Israel had torn his garments, he sent word to the king, ‘Why did you tear your garments? Let him come to me, and he will find there is a prophet in Israel.’ So Naaman came with his team and chariot and drew up at the door of Elisha’s house. And Elisha sent him a messenger to say, ‘Go and bathe seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will become clean once more.’

But Naaman was indignant and went off, saying, ‘Here was I thinking he would be sure to come out to me, and stand there, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the spot and cure the leprous part. Surely Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, are better than any water in Israel? Could I not bathe in them and become clean?’ And he turned round and went off in a rage.

But his servants approached him and said, ‘My father, if the prophet had asked you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? All the more reason, then, when he says to you, “Bathe, and you will become clean.”’

So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, as Elisha had told him to do. And his flesh became clean once more like the flesh of a little child.

Returning to Elisha with his whole escort, he went in and stood before him. ‘Now I know’ he said ‘that there is no God in all the earth except in Israel.’

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 41(42):2-3,42:3-4

R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when can I enter and see the face of God?

Like the deer that yearns for running streams, so my soul is yearning for you, my God.

R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when can I enter and see the face of God?

My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life; when can I enter and see the face of God?

R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when can I enter and see the face of God?

O send forth your light and your truth; let these be my guide. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.

R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when can I enter and see the face of God?

And I will come to the altar of God, the God of my joy. My redeemer, I will thank you on the harp, O God, my God.

R/ My soul is thirsting for God, the God of my life: when can I enter and see the face of God?

Gospel Acclamation 2 Corinthians 6:2

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! Now is the favourable time: this is the day of salvation. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Or: cf. Psalm 129:5,7

Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus! My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word, because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption. Praise and honour to you, Lord Jesus!

Gospel Luke 4:24-30 No prophet is ever accepted in his own country.

Jesus came to Nazara and spoke to the people in the synagogue: ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country. ‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land, but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town. And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’ When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged. They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff, but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[cksmart-world]

SMART BOMB

The Completely Unnecessary News Analysis

By Christopher Smart

June 18, 2014

SAD DAY ON CONEY ISLAND — MIGHTY JOEY CHESTNUT OUT

NEWS FLASH! World Champion hot-dog-eater Joey Chestnut has been banned from Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest! Hells bells Wilson, what is this world coming to. Chestnut is the perennial winner — 19 years running — of the Independence Day extravaganza and holds the world record of eating (swallowing) 76 beef dogs in 10 minutes. Heck, the entire staff here at Smart Bomb couldn't eat that many franks in 10 minutes — or all day for that matter. The drama is outlined in The Atlantic magazine under the headline, “The Dog Days of Summer”: Turns out that Joey signed a sponsorship deal with another hot dog company — and get this Wilson, they're meatless dogs! Holy s - - t! The host of the Nathan's dog contest, George Shea, told The New York Times, “It would be like back in the day Michael Jordan coming to Nike — who made his Air Jordans — and saying, ‘I am going to rep Adidas too’ … It just can’t happen.” The annual Coney Island glut is no small deal. TV coverage garners more than 1 million viewers. Still, competitive eaters like Chestnut struggle to cash in on their fame. Imagine this Wilson, you're a cashier at a department store and people come up to you and say, oh my god, aren't you Joey Chestnut? WTF — no deal with Nike?

YOU CAN'T IMAGINE HOW HARD IT IS TO BE DONALD TRUMP

Wilson, did you ever consider how difficult it is to be Donald J. Trump? The Democrats want to cut his head off — or so says the big orange guy. “Haul out the Guillotine!” he said last week in a fund-raising email, “is the sick dream of every Trump-deranged lunatic out there!” At a Las Vegas campaign rally the former president asked the adoring crowd what would happen if he were on a battery powered boat that was sinking near a shark. No Wilson, we are not making this up. “Do I stay on top of the boat and get electrocuted or do I jump in over by the shark... ” FYI: he chose electrocution. What that has to do with anything, we're not sure but it is entertaining in a stupid sort of way. And then there was this: Adam Schiff, D-Cal., told Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee that he would like to quote the jury in Trump's New York hush-money trial: “Guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty... (he said 34 times). Fortunately Trump has Marjorie Taylor Greene to defend him. “The Democrats and the fake news media want to constantly talk about ‘Oh, President Trump is a convicted felon,’” she said. “Well, the man that I worship is also a convicted felon, and he was murdered on a Roman cross.” Joy to the world, Don the Christ has come.

NEW ANTI-WOKE WATER — DRINK UP FREEDOM

It's called “Freedom2o” and it will make you giddy with righteousness and the knowledge that you don't have to swallow any more woke water. “This water isn't free but your speech is,” according to a post on “X” during the right-wing Turning Point USA's People's Conference. “It's not just refreshing, it rebellious and it's unapologetic to drink this in public,” said company founder Elizabeth White. “[It] isn’t just about what’s inside the bottle,” she added, “it’s about the message it sends with every sip.” The communiqué apparently being something like the MAGA directive, “F- your feelings.” Yeah Wilson, the right is always being put upon by something or another. Imagine being forced to drink woke water — it's enough to make you puke. As White told the New York Post, she got the idea while watching the Republican debates, where she noticed audience members drinking water that had “no connection to the people drinking it.” Just think of it Wilson, drinking water that you had no political affinity with. You could get that twitchy thing that Democrats have. Or, you might feel like Martha-Ann Alito having to look across the lake at a rainbow flag for an entire month. Boy, she could sure use some Freedom2o now — along with her Glenlivet. Better make that a double.

Post script — That's just about going to do it for another fun-filled week here at Smart Bomb where we keep track of Mike Lee so you don't have to. Yes Wilson, it is quite a community service when you consider that Utah's senior senator has no soul — he sold it on the cheap to you know who. Recently, Lee voted against a bill guaranteeing IVF (in vitro fertilization), calling it “showboating” by Democrats. Meanwhile, he introduced legislation to stop noncitizen immigrants from voting —there is no evidence they are — which is against the law already. This week The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Lee asked Republicans in an unofficial poll if they would rather listen to NPR, KSL or be waterboarded. Of the 931 respondents, 85.8 percent chose the torture, he said. The tempest in a teapot, according to Trib ace Jeff Parrott, was a response to a social post by KSL that said the Utah GOP had “been running into tough times” and asked if folks were “tired of the Republican Party’s antics?” Your right Wilson, when it comes to fiction Lee is no slouch and he loves to say, I told you so — nanner, nanner nanner. “Waterboarding seems to be enjoying an early lead over listening to either KSL or NPR,” he said, “I totally understand.” Nanner, nanner, nanner. Such a statesman. Rock on, Mike Lee.

OK Wilson, Mike Lee ain't no elitist like them liberal Dems — although he clerked for Samuel Alito; his father, Rex E. Lee, was U.S. solicitor general under Ronald Reagan; his brother Thomas Rex Lee is a justice on the Utah Supreme Court. Oh, and Mike Lee spent much of his youth in an upscale suburb of Washington, D.C. Maybe you and the guys in the band can cook up a nice little ditty for Mike “Me-No-Elitists” Lee.

Some folks are born made to wave the flag Ooh, they're red, white and blue And when the band plays "Hail To The Chief" Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no Some folks are born silver spoon in hand Lord, don't they help themselves, oh But when the taxman come to the door Lord, the house lookin' like a rummage sale, yeah It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one, no Some folks inherit star-spangled eyes Ooh, they send you down to war, Lord And when you ask 'em, "How much should we give?" Ooh, they only answer, "More! More! More!" Yo It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no millionaire's son It ain't me, it ain't me; I ain't no fortunate one It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one, no no no It ain't me, it ain't me...

(Fortunate Son — Credence Clearwater Revival)

[tmrrwppl]

"If you ever have a daughter, and mark my words, she will turn out just like you, you will understand."

A curse upon her head from the tender age of 10, trying and failing to seek comfort from her mother because her brother, her protector, had left her to the nightmares by herself.

Her mother smacked her away, unwanted, unloved.

She was hard to love, impossible to love, she needed to learn her place.

~

Clari held her daughter in her arms, bouncing the delightful girl as Cassie cooed and gave her a big gummy smile. The infant easily trusted arms that held her and smiled without hesitation to any positive stimulation. Despite a difficult pregnancy filled with sadness, loss, and fear, Cassie was perfect to Clari. Clari, who had loved the baby from the moment she found out she was pregnant, despite all the obstacles, knew she would never trade this moment for any of them to change. This happy baby with blue eyes like her father and dark curls like her mother had Clari wrapped around her delicate little pinky finger.

She wasn't hard to love at all.

~

When Cassie had toddled into the armchair and bumped her knee, she had let out a surprised yelp, and Clari had rushed to her side, checking the toddler for injuries. "Baby go boom!" She said playfully, turning and giving a light scolding to the mean old chair her daughter had bounced off of, an exaggerated kick at the leg for good measure. "That rude old chair made you go boom on your butt, huh?"

"Boom!" Cassie crowed happily, but took advantage of her mother's proximity to cuddle against her legs. Clari easily scooped her up with a smile and hugged her. Cassie's warm little face pressed into Clari's neck. Affectionate, always happy to give kisses and hugs and show off her crayon scribbles. And Clari indulged her with equal enthusiasm and joy.

When the toddler happily followed her around taking any and all opportunities to get a snuggle in, Clari let her, not minding that the toddler could walk on her own. She was a baby, her baby. And Clari didn't mind ferrying her kiddo anywhere and everywhere since she got those sweet little hugs and kisses as payment. Even in her worst toddler meltdowns during the terrible twos, all she wanted was to be comforted and held. And of course Clari gave it to her. She was just a baby who wanted her mama (even though she was definitely a daddy's girl).

No, she wasn't hard to love at all.

~

The 6 year old was excitedly cheering as Jordan gave her a steady push on the bike, balancing on two wheels when his hands let go, while Clari watched from the curb. It was hard to ignore the desire to wrap her baby girl in a protective shield just in case, but she did. Her baby wanted to ride a big girl bike, and she worked hard to do it. And Clari worked hard to not be overprotective, an instinct she apparently got from Cas, the uncle Cassie would never meet. Because it sure as shit didn't come from her own mother, who once told her to not bleed on the bathroom rug after scraping her knee outside. She didn't even know how to ride a bike.

"Mama look! Look, mama! Big girl wheels!" Cassie called.

"Great job, sweetpea!" she called back, clapping with a large grin, genuinely proud of what her daughter accomplished. From training wheels to no training wheels in a year. Confident, smart, dedicated, kind, loving.

And she had no reason to ask to be loved. Because she was, unconditionally.

She was exactly like Clari, and it wasn't a curse, it was a blessing.

Clari cried into Jordan's chest that night until she was exhausted, and for every amazing milestone after, when Cassie was safely asleep in her bed and couldn't hear.

Clari cried, because she had a daughter who was just like her. And Cassie would grow to be even better than her.

Because she wasn't hard to love at all.

Her mother lied.

[angelojamal]

Scriptural Basis for a Godly Sanctioned Divorce:

Most people today look at modern marriage as a civil union only, to be decided upon by the state or ruling laws of the state. Many modern marriages don’t have the spiritual component for why marriage was even instituted according to the Father. So if a man attempts to quietly “put away” a presumably sexually immoral wife, then that was Joseph, when Mary immaculately conceived. But an Angel came to Joseph In a dream and gave him guidance to ease his mind to be the earthly father of Yahushua. Any other reason to divorce is adultery. For example, trying to upgrade from one woman to a better woman, adultery. Or, “She spends way too much of the family’s finances on herself,” divorcing that woman could cause her to be adulterous. Lastly, but not finally, divorcing a wife because she withholds sex from her husband, still would ultimately result in adultery, more likely on the husbands part. The only reason to divorce according to Yahuwah, is if either the husband or the wife, is sexually immoral; (proof isn’t necessary for people, a simple lie or embellishment will suffice, but Yahuwah sees all, so the burden of proof falls on the alleged guilty party to prove one’s innocence). Even when Moses wrote in Deuteronomy about a certificate of divorce, that was a law given because his people of that era, requested clarity on such a common practice. It was not God’s law, but a civil law of the Torah. Yahushua came later to fulfill the law, not to abolish it. And in doing so, he gave greater clarity to an issue that persisted in Yahushua’s time, and still persists today. Yahushua, later mentioned, if a man (mankind as a whole: man woman) LUSTETH in the heart then that is adultery. The Disciples was like awe naw, uno reverse… if it’s like that it’s best not to marry, that’s too hard to maintain on this earth. So, most monogamous marriages are doomed from the start. In the day of the Torah, it did speak of Polygyny as a form of family structures, but even that presented problems. If the earthly father of the family, amounted to a Man of God, and was raised, through the Yahushua Ha’mashiac, and granted earthly wealth, prestige, and influence; then the proper heir will be less likely to be a clear decision, and has caused issues in times past. In laymans terms, stay safe, don’t need to marry according to a civil law to be married in the eyes of Yahuwah. However, it is probably better to be married than to just have bodies on top of bodies (I Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭2‬-‭6‬ ‭NKJV ). But if Yahuwah is over the marriage, and witnesses view the proceeding in a house of worship, then the stipulations are as follows:

”“When a man takes a wife and marries her, and it happens that she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some uncleanness in her, and he writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, when she has departed from his house, and goes and becomes another man’s wife, if the latter husband detests her and writes her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house, or if the latter husband dies who took her as his wife, then her former husband who divorced her must not take her back to be his wife after she has been defiled; for that is an abomination before the Lord, and you shall not bring sin on the land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.“

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭24‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there. THE PHARISEES ALSO CAME TO HIM, TESTING HIM, AND SAYING TO HIM, “IS IT LAWFUL FOR A MAN TO DIVORCE HIS WIFE FOR JUST ANY REASON? And He answered and said to them, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.” They said to Him, “WHY THEN DID MOSES COMMAND TO GIVE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE, AND TO PUT HER AWAY?” He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.” His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry.”“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19‬:‭1‬-‭10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 31 “Furthermore it has been said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’ But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.“

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭27‬-‭28‬, ‭31‬-‭32‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Moral of this story and supported with the scriptures, if a man married a women, then divorced her, possibly because of some sort of sexual immorality, then that same man did not commit adultery with his first marriage, according to the Father. Now that he is divorced, he must look to remarry and be blessed in that, or become a munich. Other than that, it’s another sin entirely (although all sin is weighed evenly), maybe fornication, but not Adultery. This is why Yahushua was needed to be the worlds redeemer, because if going according to the Law, if one trip-wire didn't trip you up, then potentially the next trip-wire will according to the adversary.

[notebookmusical]

Hi!!! I totally missed talking to you too! I would love to hear about the performance or festival! It sounds super cool and I've never been to one. I hope it was amazing. I totally agree that the surprise songs are a nice bonus and how it makes every show different and special no matter what. I totally agree about the Folklore dresses..they are my favorite next to Speak Now. Unfortunately I didn't get to go to the Paramore show the other night which is a huge bummer. It just didn't work out at the last minute. But I finally saw the Barbie movie last night! It was pretty good. There were some things that surprised me still even if I got stuff spoiled. I loved all the pink stuff and the Ken stuff. It managed to be funny but also kinda heartfelt and real. Like even America's speech..even though it felt on the nose at times, it was kinda nice to hear her say it in a simple relatable way and it did make me think about being a woman. It had a lot of good themes and ideas but almost felt like two different movies...and I guess because of the two settings. It made it a little different than what I expected though and I don't even know what I was expecting either. I loved the I'm Just Ken song and scene! It makes me happy that he got to sing in another movie again haha. I guess they are still working on a La La Land stage version but I haven't heard anything else about it. I'm curious what other kinda songs could be in your musical version. I could definitely see a welcome to Barbie land song and maybe a song for Weird Barbie. I could see it being similar to Mamma Mia I guess. I love Megan Fahy as a choice and I loved her in the Bold Type and then I found out she was in Next to Normal. I'll watch the videos you posted too. Gavin Creel and Jen Coella seem perfect haha. I was lucky to see Gavin as Cinderellas prince/wolf in Into the Woods last month and he was funny so he'd be great in this. That's so awesome about getting Hadestown tickets! I'd definitely say it was one of my favorites in the last few years and to see live. I haven't actually listened to the new Sweeney Todd yet but I guess I'd recommend the original cast with Angela Lansbury as Mrs Lovett, but I've also seen Patti Lupone. For Rent, sometimes I just like hearing the songs compared to watching the show..like you can get most of the plot from the cast recording even if you're unfamiliar. That is sooo cool about Newsies!!! Did you get to see Jeremy Jordan? I've seen the proshot a ton of times anyway but I'm so curious. I also enjoyed and would recommend SMASH since we are talking about musical shows lol. But Schmigadoon was the same way with all of the references and stuff. Also who did you see in Waitress? I still watch the Tony's and try to keep up with it but I feel like the revivals were better than new musicals this year or that's what I was familiar with and I didn't listen to any cast recordings. I used to always do that before the Tony's with any new show but I didn't this year..but I will eventually. It's really hard for me to know who should win Tony's since I usually like most musicals. The only ones that I don't really like are the bio ones that's also jukebox cuz they all seem similar to me. I have a musical sideblog so I do try to keep up with it and I love all your gifs. You have great taste in musicals. I love anything Sondheim and those are great picks. Spring Awakening is also a favorite of mine! I forgot the rest of your list but I think I'm familiar with most of them. Also that's pretty cool about the Notebook musical and I'm sorry it wasn't good. Maybe some things shouldn't be a musical and I can't really imagine the songs translating well or how many songs it would be but at least you liked the actors. I'd be curious to hear more about it if you wanna share! I thought it could have potential with Ingrid Michaelson. I think I saw a clip of Joy Woods singing Suddenly Seymour from Little Shop if I'm remembering correctly and her voice is so good!

hellooooo friend!! i went to lollapalooza last week, which was my first music festival and it was a lot, but also really fun! i definitely am not an outdoorsy girl, and i was not as prepared for chicago summer heat as i should've been. i lowkey had more fun at the aftershows (for sabrina carpenter, and maisie peters), and i think if i was to do lollapalooza again, i'd probably just do aftershows and maybe not do GA for all 4 days, but just one day? there were a few sets where i was like "... i probably would have a better view and have more fun watching this on the hulu livestream", which is a little bit unfortunate, but you live, you learn! it was actually kind of scary watching so many people around me pass out, and i just ... do not think i am a festival girlie! which is fun because i have bumbershoot coming up, but it's not really a big music festival, just a very small one in seattle and i'll probably just hang out with the crafty things instead (unless the people i'm going with really want to listen to the music)! i got to see some of my favorite artists though, and it was just really, really lovely — especially holly humberstone, because i don't think i'll get the chance to see her for a while (unless she tours to seattle with her new album)! i don't think i've asked you this, but aside from paramore and taylor swift, who else do you like to listen to? 🤍 i'm sorry about paramore :( i thought of you earlier! i got a notification on my phone about cheap paramore tickets in seattle tonight and i was like oh .....! i almost caved and got tickets but i am 1) still run down from chicago/lolla + 2) i spent money on tickets this morning! but eeeee i'm glad you got the chance to see barbie!! i do agree about it feeling a little clunky / like two separate movies! i don't know what i had expected from the barbie movie, but i definitely didn't expect that! ugh i'm already thinking about how beautiful a barbie musical set would be (can you imagine the barbie house?) maybe something by jason sherwood or beowulf boritt? i just think it would be so fun!! and yes — love love love meghann fahy! she also sang a bunch of kerrigan-lowdermilk (who wrote sam brown) songs back in the day that i really like, like say the word i'm so jealous you got to see gavin in into the woods! the tour didn't come to seattle :( i've only heard the best things about gavin, and one of my close friends loves gavin creel so i was like "oh he'd be a perfect ken!" i think they finally announced the sweeney todd revival cast recording release date, so i mightttt hold off and wait till then, and then go backwards and listen to angela lansbury! i did not get to see jeremy jordan in newsies, but i have seen him live — he came to seattle with betsy wolfe to sing with the seattle symphony a couple years ago! i saw newsies on august 9th, 2014, actually (what are the odds), with corey cott, liana hunt, and ben fankhauser! i like the proshot, but i think i'm more partial to the casts i saw (and i think that jeremy and kara and ben and akb were all a little too old to play teenagers at that point)! although my favorite cast is probably actually an amalgamation of the first national tour cast — stephanie styles as katherine, joey barreiro as jack (i've actually seen him as jack twice; once on tour and once regionally), and i think i've just loved every davey i've seen! i love smash! i was talking to someone in chicago about it, actually — they were sitting at the table next to ours and i just struck up a conversation about lolla since they mentioned someone i really love and we ended up talking about broadway / smash and it was really fun! i always say i'll do a smash rewatch and then i never do, but the music is just so good! i'm super curious to see what happens with the smash musical (bombshell musical?) they're supposedly working on.

with waitress, i saw betsy wolfe & drew gehling twice on broadway, desi oakley twice on tour, and i saw alison luff & mark evans on broadway three times! my jenna ranking is probably alison then desi then betsy, and i just really liked how alison and mark played off each other (i have a soft spot for mark from when he was in the play that goes wrong). but i think my favorite jenna overall would be nicolette! i kind of stopped paying a ton of attention to waitress after it closed on broadway though! i also feel that way with this last tony season! i feel like everything now is just either a revival (no shade to revivals), or an adaptation, or a jukebox and it is very rare that an adaptation feels ... complete to me now rather than just a cash grab. it's just very disheartening, as someone who loves theatre! if/when you feel comfortable coming off anon, i'd love to follow your sideblog (and/or your main blog), but that's totally up to you! always happy to chat with you on anon 🤍 i got to see a sunday afternoon on the island of la grande jatte again in chicago, and i had a good little cry! i'm such a sondheim girlie. and that's okay; not all musicals are winners/will speak to me! i think the notebook musical just felt very ... cashgrabb-y? it did make me cry though, so there's that (not that it takes much to make me cry)! i think the songs were just kind of ... forgettable, which really sucks because i like a lot of ingrid michaelson's songs! joy woods' voice is BEAUTIFUL, and john cardoza really just stood out to me! i remember sitting in the theatre and thinking to myself "this man needs to be orpheus someday" and then went to look at his insta and realized he covered epic II from it! i was so so happy when he was cast in moulin rouge as christian; i've heard some clips of his christian and i really like him too! i think the set was beautiful too; i remember being really impressed by the rain scene! i wonder if they've reworked it for broadway, and what will be the same!

[catonatrain]

hi!! i did not submit rose hsu jordan... however!! i read the joy luck club when i was 16 and then again like two years ago and it was a book i was quite fond of so im here to tell you about rose hsu jordan!!

so what makes joy luck club very epic to me is that it follows the story of four mothers and four daughters. and there's two stories for each of these characters! its about wishes mothers wish they could express more clearly to their daughters. the hopes they have for them... the sacrifices their mothers made for them and the sacrifices they make for their daughters.. its about the daughters who want to better understand their mothers and for their mothers to better understand them. its about the struggles about immigrant life-- how it's so difficult to mend the rifts between generations, especially ones rife with trauma. it's about how gender roles play into asian (mostly chinese in this case) society. but, put simply, its about the love between mothers and daughters.

the book is rich with symbolism with most characters having an animal, a direction, and an element.

most characters are clearly associated with a different animal, which depends on what their chinese zodiac is! for example, a different mother and daughter pair, ying-ying and lena, are tigers who hsu, are both tigers. their golden (orange) side represents their fierce heart, and their black stripes represent how they can patiently wait-- like how a tiger hides itself when its hunting.

the four cardinal directions, north, south, east, and west, also show the women's characters. for example, jing-mei, is associated with the direction east, because she is the daughter who has the strongest ties to her homeland (which is represented by the east)

as for the elements, the five elements that are prominently used are: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water!

now to rose. as the submitter said, she struggles with indecisiveness. as a result, i'd argue that her direction is simply directionless. it ties into her element as well, which is wood!!

in regards to rose struggling to take action, to make decisions, to find conviction-- her mom says its because she is "without wood." she listens to the whims of many others, and because of that she finds herself struggling to stand up to herself

below is how her mom explained it to her!

"You must stand tall and listen to your mother standing next to you. That is the only way to grow strong and straight. But if you bend to listen to other people, you will grow crooked and weak. You will fall to the ground with the first strong wind. And then you will be like a weed, growing wild in any direction, running along the ground until someone pulls you out and throws you away."

but worry not, in the end, rose is able to overcome the challenges faced before her. she realizes she loves her house (that she does not want to lose in the divorce) which is filled with wood/plant imagery. it has an oak door, an herb and flower garden, and a cutting of an aloe vera... it was neglected, but im sure with time rose can make things blossom again :)

to end it off, i want to share one of my favorite passages in rose's mom, an-mei's perspective as it gives a lot of insight about her, rose, and the intergenerational trauma they all face.

"She cried, "No choice! No choice!" She doesn't know. If she doesn't speak, she is making a choice. If she doesn't try, she can lose her chance forever. I know this, because I was raised the Chinese way: I was taught to desire nothing, to swallow other people's misery, to eat my own bitterness. And even though I taught my daughter the opposite, still she came out of the same way! Maybe it is because she was born to me and she was born a girl. And I was born to my mother and I was born a girl. All of us are like stairs, one step after another, going up and down, but all going the same way."

do you see... do you see the mother wishes for her daughter. she wants rose to blossom...

Group A Round 1

[image ID: the first image is of the book cover of The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. the stylized art on it is colorful, with flowers, yellow and red Chinese dragons, clouds, and rainbow colored stripes. the second image is of Seijyu, a young blond boy, with purple eyes, a blue and white outfit, and a yellow scarf with a clip holding it together. he has a thin, sheathed sword. end ID]

Rose Hsu Jordan

The book as a whole is about generational trauma among Chinese immigrants. Rose specifically struggles with indecisiveness and blames herself for her brother's death. this causes her husband to take advantage of her, but her mom helps her stand up for herself. I love her because she has struggled so much but in the end is able to take back her life

Seijyu

A doll given life by his owner and sent to protect said owners best friend. He has no memories and the only purpose in life he was given was doing that job, his story is about self discovery and learning what it means to be human and to love. (he also has a transgender boyfriend). (when you google him the first result is a wiki page all written by me💛)