#lance arroyo from The Other Two

[hubcaphalo]

top 9 characters i loved in 2023

I stuck to TV, because I can't remember what movies I watched this year lmao, and I kept to shows that aired this year as well

[frnkxalvrz]

❝ See, the life I’ve had, Can make a good man bad❞ Is that TOMMY MARTINEZ? no, you’re mistaken, that’s actually FRANCISCO ‘FRANKIE’ ALVAREZ { cismale, he/him }. He a 26/55 YEAR OLD VAMPIRE. He is a personal trainer and can easily be found at THE UGLY DUCKLING OR SUNNYSIDE. He is known for being IMMATURE, IMPULSIVE, and VAIN but also CHARISMATIC, ADVENTUROUS and BRAVE. You could probably bribe them with a NIGHT ON THE TOWN or piss them off by MAKING FUN OF HIM IN ANY WAY.

tw: blood, death, sex, drugs

Basics

Name: Francisco Alvarez. Nickname(s): Frankie, Frank, Franco Age: 26/55 Gender: Cis Man Species: Vampire Turned By: Luca Florres Occupation: Personal Trainer Lives In: Sunnyside

Personality

Character Inspos: Stiles Stilinski, Steve Harrington, Michael Kelso, Jason Mendoza, Troy Barnes, Jason Stackhouse, Lance Arroyo. Positive Traits: Charismatic, Adventurous, Brave. Negative Traits: Vain, Impulsive, Immature. Likes: 80's Movies, Old Pop Music, Cocktails, Working Out, Sex. Dislikes: Hurting People, Rude Clients, Awkward Silences, Sushi.

History:

Francisco was born on the 5th of January 1968 in Florida, he was raised by his dad after his mother passed away when Francisco was only two.

In school he fell into the wrong crowd, getting into fights, drinking from a very early age and even partaking in fairly heavy drug use. He had a fake ID from around the age of 16 and was very much into the party lifestyle, often being the life and soul of any social event he attended.

Frankie was kicked out of school for starting a fire in the locker rooms when he was seventeen, not that it mattered much, he was never an academic kid and though he was always friendly and upbeat, he was dumb as hell, even the fire was an accident.

He got a job working at his favourite nightclub, he was much too young but the manager overlooked his age since he was desperate for staff and had already served the young man plenty of times before. He worked there for a few years and became a very popular fixture of the club. He was friendly and had a bit of a reputation of sleeping with the patrons of the bar.

One night whilst working late on the bar, a handsome older man caught Frank's eye. They spoke, flirted and the man invited Frank back to his place for a bit of fun.

On the walk back the two men could barely keep their hands off one another, but soon enough they reached the stranger's apartment.

Barely in the door the men were all over each other again, they eventually reached the bedroom where things took a strange turn. As they laid there making love, he suddenly felt an intense pain like he had never felt before, a feeling that wouldn't stop, and only got worse and worse, and as the life slowly drained from him, it all went black and Frank knew this was the end for him.

He awoke a few hours later. His one night stand nowhere to be seen. Wondering if the pain he had felt before had all been a drunken dream. He felt good, great even, but a strange hunger overcame him. He then watched the door open and the man from earlier entered. He continued to apologise, profusely for what he had done, and Francisco's confusion only worsened. The handsome stranger went on to explain what he had done exactly and that Frank was now a vampire, a being that he had only heard about in stories, but it all made sense, and he knew what the hunger was for now.

Francisco tried to return home to his father and explain what had happened to him, but being an extremely religious man, his father threatened his son and told him to leave, and to never return.

Upset and confused Francisco travelled across the country, trying to find a place to call home, but unable to control his hunger and still in some denial about what he was, even after decades, he never settled anywhere for much more than a few months.

Eventually he found himself in Los Santos, and believed he had finally found the right town for him. He bought a rundown old gym and did everything he could to finally feel normal for once. He isn't the most subtle vampire in town, still struggling with it all, but for Francisco it's so far so good, and he hopes things stay good.

Head canons

Francisco doesn't mind being called Frankie, but hates when people he barely knows call him Frank. It's what his father used to call him when he was in trouble and it always reminds him of home, but not in a good way.

His least favourite thing about being a vampire is hurting people, he isn't good at controlling his hunger and often feels guilt for days after feeding on an innocent victim.

He never quite grew out of the 80s, he loves the music, the movies and most of all the fashion, often dressing a little questionably like he's still living in the iconic decade.

Francisco is one of the friendliest guys you will ever meet but he struggles to read a situation most of the time. He'll talk to anybody no matter if they want to talk to him or not, he can be a little annoying and it often leads the young vampire into sticky situations.

Sometimes his love for being liked can lead to Francisco showing off, be it his vampire strength at the gym or other abilities when he's drunk at the bar, almost outing himself on several occasions.

More to be added~

Wanted Connections

Roomie

Mentor

Drinking Buddy

Ex Lover

Vampire Who Turned Him

Client at the gym.

[nicksilveirart]

(SING!) Story Not Told, chapter 2 – How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

Chapter 1

Click to read chapter 2:

Buster sat at his office, unable to sleep. He meant for the best. He didn't meant to make Ash even more upset, let alone make her mad at him. He braced himself for the fact Ash may never return to the theatre.

"Less another one." He sighed, organizing one of his many stacks of documents. "One of the best, too."

Being avid to finish the minor cleanup, and being the workaholic he knew he was, he took a nap above the big pile of papers. That is, until a very annoying buzz woke him up. Unknown number. He froze for a moment. Everyone that usually called him had their numbers registered.

"Hello, this is Mr Moon. How may I help you?"

"You wouldn't take a beating."

Buster wasn't out from his sleeping state yet, and yawned. "Ash?"

"Took you long enough." She said with a light chuckle. "But a beating? Seriously? You'd take one if it meant me feeling better?"

"As long as it didn't put my life in risk," he began, laughing, "I'd gladly take it. I'm so sorry Ash."

"I know you are."

"I meant for the best."

"Listen, Mr Moon, it's fine. I didn't really call you to hear apologies, it's another thing. S-Say uh… Can you maybe…" She was at loss for words. Was she really going to invite a stranger that strange into her house? "Come on over?"

Buster jolted out of his sleepy state. "Come on over? You mean, to your house? You're inviting me over to your house?"

"Yeah, sorta. I mean, not like, inviting you for a sleepover or something." She sighed. "It's just, I, I ordered food and everything, and just thought I could use some company."

Buster stared blankly at the wall. His brain had just been erased.

"Mr Moon? You… Alive?"

After a few moments, he replied. "Um… Yeah, yeah, alive but um… Listen kid, we- You sure?"

She took a few seconds to reflect before nodding to herself. "Yeah. We eat, and watch a movie, or talk…"

"Okay then, uh… Do I have your address or you had me drop you a few houses from your actual house so I wouldn't know where you lived?"

She laughed softly. "Wouldn't have accepted your ride if I didn't want to be dropped right home."

"308 Negra Arroyo Lane?"

"You got it."

"Be right there. See you, Ash."

In the respective free times they had before meeting one another, they kept thinking about their soon-to-be meeting. Ash couldn't believe she had invited him. She was usually really cautious of those who went into her house, and she had just invited a stranger, much older than her, by the way, into her house. Her. House. He didn't seem to be the kind that'd cause anyone any harm, but you can never tell these things. Buster, on the other hand, was worried if seeing someone as young as Ash this late at night could frame him for pedophilia. Especially if someone saw them together. Both shook off their thoughts, and prepared for the actual meeting.

A good ten minutes later, Buster arrived, finding the delivery boy going straight to the house. He decided to prank her a little for a start, taking all bags he carried and ringing the intercom.

"Who is there?"

"Groceries delivery."

Ash opened the door, just as the 'delivery boy' walked into her apartment, loaded with a few bags.

"Hey, you can't just-" She began, but stopped when she saw the small figure holding a pizza box right in front of his face. She laughed. "You look like a pizza box with ears."

Lowering the box, Buster wore his signature smile. "Hey, I am the only reason you're actually getting the alcoholic drinks you asked for." He laughed, "No one wants trouble with the law, not even the cheap market you ordered all this from. So, where do I leave it?"

"Table, please. Where's the actual delivery boy?"

"Has been paid, don't worry. It's on me tonight!" He said, enthusiastically. She rolled her eyes and closed the door.

"Thanks, Mr Moon."

"Call me Buster for the night. When you said you had ordered food, I thought you meant a pizza, or Chinese, not a full out groceries shop! These should keep you for a week or so." He dusted his hands off, and Ash could finally take a good look at him.

He was formal, as always. It was practically his basic form, she figured. Didn't have his usual tie on, having instead a scarf of some sort. Aside from that, he wore khaki pants and a white social shirt. He looked… Kinda beautiful? Ash mentally slapped herself for thinking that. Although she had to admit: Even if she didn't let him know it, she liked his weird self. There was something innocent and happy about Buster that she adored.

"Want help putting these away?" He asked. "Hate feeling like I caused a mess at someone's house."

She shook her head and went back into reality. "You didn't cause it, it gets like this whenever Lance doesn't go to-" No. She wasn't going there. "I don't go to the grocery store for a while."

He turned to look at her. He knew she was a mess, but knew better than to push her yet more. If she wanted to talk about it, she'd be the one to bring it up. Both then proceeded to stash the many items Ash had delivered at her house.

"So, you live alone?"

"Well… Yeah, now I do. Do you really live at the theatre?"

"Want a better place to live?" He smiled. She laughed.

"You really love the business don't you."

"With heart, soul and body. Been wanting to work with it since I was a kid."

"Some kids just want to be astronauts." This was Buster's turn to laugh.

Aside from that, they only discussed frivolous subjects, from what was in the newspaper to the shows Buster had held at the theatre in the past. He took extra care not to mention his problems with the bank, his opinion on anyone's singing skills, and the fact that the great $100,000 prize was in fact $938 and $100 dollars worth of junk. Everything put away, Ash put the pizza in the oven and joined Buster in the living room.

"Found anything good?" She asked. He was laughing like an idiot. Who would've thought she'd see the theatre director at her house, laying flat at the ground, and laughing like there was no tomorrow. Trying to contain himself, he held up a copy of The Proposal.

"You have this DVD! You've watched this!" He laughed even more. "It's like the cheesiest romantic movie ever!"

"It's not mine!" She said, remembering clearly of the one Valentines Day Lance and her had watched it.

"Then where is it from, a rental store? Haven't seen one of those since… Well… Well. I think you weren't born by the last time I saw one of those!" She blinked. Was he… Teasing her?

"Maybe La- Someone left it here, I don't know." She said nervously.

"Relax Ash, I'm just messing with you." He winked, while picking up another one. Casablanca. "Hm, good taste you got! This is a great one! Let's watch this?"

She cracked up laughing. "How old are you, a hundred?! That movie is so old it doesn't even have colors!"

Buster simply put up a fake annoyed tone in his voice. "Hey, for one, I'm 42 and a half. And for two, this movie is classical! This is one of the first movies I've ever seen, I was 6 I think, and grabbed hold of a cassette tape containing this beauty."

"You grabbed hold of a what?"

"Cassette tape. It's the mother of DVDs. It was heavy, you had to rewind it, it could easily get ruined due to the 'tape', but those were the times!"

"Wow."

"What?"

"You talk like an old guy." She laughed. He rolled his eyes, turning the DVD player on. Both took a seat at the beat-up couch.

"You won't regret watching this. It's like the best movie ever!" Ash simply nodded and flashed him a little smile.

A/N: Kudos to whoever one catches the Breaking Bad reference.

[miraculouslooser]

Is Klance "Legal"?

Official ages of the paladins were released yesterday and we found out that Lance is 17 and Keith 18. Now everyone seems to assume (whether they care or not) that Lance and Keith dating would be illegal. I think their relationship would be legal and here’s why. 

(I’m putting everything under the cut cause damn this turned out way longer than intended)

Ok, so there are two basic laws that determine when someone can give consent to having sex (AKA have sex and not have the older partner go to jail): 

 Age of Consent

Romeo and Juliet Laws

Age of consent is pretty simple, it’s the age someone can give consent to having sex or any sexual contact.

Romeo and Juliet Laws are a little more complicated. I’ll go a little more in detail later but, basically, they cater to young couples who are close in age so that they can legally be in a sexual relationship. 

OK, I’m just going to assume that when the paladins were on Earth they were in the United States. I’m assuming this because (besides the animation) the show was created in the US, and from the little details we get about the Garrison and it’s location I just think that it’s the most likely. 

Why does the location of the Garrison matter? Because if we’re talking about whether or not something is legal in terms of Earth laws then we’re going to use the laws of the place on Earth they were last. It’s arguable that Earth laws don’t even count at all because they are in the depths of space, but I’m writing this for the people who still want to take human laws into account so here we go.

We know from episode one of season one that the Garrison was in the desert.

(sorry, those were the best photos I could get, but you get the picture)

It looked like they were near arroyos, there were tons of canyons, and the landscape was barren with almost nothing besides sand and Saguaro cacti (as can be seen vaguely in the background of that last picture). Based on this knowledge, the Garrison was most likely in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, or California. Now, the Age of Consent and the Romeo and Juliet Laws in these states vary so I’m going to briefly go over the different laws in each state.

Arizona

Age of Consent: 18

Romeo and Juliet Law:  “It is a defense to a prosecution pursuant to section 13-1405 if the victim is fifteen, sixteen or seventeen years of age, the defendant is under nineteen years of age or attending high school and is no more than twenty-four months older than the victim and the conduct is consensual.”

Summary: Though the age of consent is 18, it would still be legal for them to have a sexual relationship because Lance is older an 15 and Keith is younger than 19.

New Mexico

(another source)

Age of Consent: 17

Romeo and Juliet Law:  “New Mexico statutory rape law is violated when a person over age 18 has consensual sexual intercourse with an individual under age 17 who is at least 4 years younger whom they are not married to.”

Summary: Lance is legally old enough to consent to sexual contact in general, and having sexual relations with Keith would still be legal even if Lance were a year younger.

Texas

(another resource)

Age of Consent: 17

Romeo and Juliet Law:  “ While there is no close in age exemption, defenses exist when the offender was no more than 3 years older then the victim and of the opposite sex.”

Summary: There isn’t a Romeo and Juliet Law, but sexual relations between Lance and Keith would still be legal because Lance is 17 (the age of consent).

California

Age of Consent: 18

Romeo and Juliet Law: None.

Summary: They could not be legally be in a sexual relationship (at least for nine months when Lance turns 18).

I added California to this list, even though their relationship wouldn’t be legal there, because I thought the location could still be somewhat valid and I didn’t want to exclude it just because it goes against my argument. Information is information. Now… let me explain why I still think I’m right  :P (I know, vain but hear me out)

Their relationship would still be legal because the Garrison was in Arizona. Remember how I mentioned that there were a lot of canyons involved in the landscape? Well… Arizona happens to be known for it’s canyons, being home to the Grand Canyon.

(and I’d like to mention that there are more canyons in Arizona besides the Grand Canyon)

The other reason why the desert we saw in episode one is in Arizona is because there are (what I believe to be) Saguaro cacti in this picture:

(this is a close up of the picture I used previously of the moment between Keith in Shiro before we see the inside of Keith’s shack)

If I am correct, those thick lines on the horizon line are Saguaro cacti. For those unfamiliar with the plant, this is what they look like:

I think it’s pretty self explanatory that they look like the objects in the background seen in the show; they basically look like vertical lines. 

Now some people may argue that these cacti don’t look nearly tall enough be been seen so far away, but Saguaro cacti can get really tall. Like really tall you guys. 

They are literally the largest cactus in the United States and can grow up to 40-60 feet. They can be huge!

Also, we don’t really know the distance from which we see them because they aren’t at the same distance away as Shiro and Keith and we don’t have anything else to compare them (size-wise) to. But I am assuming that they are still at a far distance so the ones we are seeing are the really tall ones and the smaller ones are out of sight, hence why we only see them sporadically.

I don’t know what else those lines would be if not these Saguaro cacti; they are too thick and placed too unevenly to be power lines, and they are too spread out to be those lanky columns of rocks you sometimes see next to canyons.

I know, I know, a lot of talk about one type of cacti, but the reason I’m talking so much about them and why they are so important to this case is because these cacti are found exclusively in the Sonoran Desert which is located in Mexico, and would you look at that, Arizona. 

I don’t know, maybe I’m reading into this too much but it’s hard for me to believe the creators of this show would emphasis canyons so much (having a scene where the paladins get chased, for what seems to be several minutes, by the guards from the Garrison and escape by Keith dramatically flying them off of the canyon cliff) and add in Saguaro cacti when those two things are so familiarized with Arizona. The Voltron crew have to think thoroughly about their settings because it’s an animated show.

Sorry, this turned into more of an argument about why I think the Garrison and Keith’s shack are in Arizona than an argument about why I think Klance is legal, but the two are tied together. 

Welp, there goes my night but hopefully this convinced you guys that Lance and Keith’s relationship is legal. If not…at least you learned more about statutory rape laws or/and saguaro cacti?

[accuhunt]

Ten Football Burning Questions and stat leaders

Here are the 10 burning questions for high school football 1. Is Charter Oak, St. Francis on collision course? – The CIF Southern Section Division 3 rankings came out Monday and there was no surprise Charter Oak is No. 1. The Chargers dominated Northview, Colony, Glendora and Damien in racing to 4-0 and will likely do the same to South Hills Friday before rolling through the Hacienda League. St. Francis, ranked fifth, has been even more impressive than the Chargers, thoroughly dominating Mira Costa and La Serna on top of a rout of Pasadena. Both look like going 10-0 is a real possibility and the potential of meeting in the playoffs, particularly in a championship setting, gets more real each week.

2. Why is Charter Oak’s secondary so dominant? Because Michael Anyanwu has five interceptions and Isaiah Hamilton has four, which rank the duo with just nine others in the Southern Section with four or more INTs through four games. Anyanwu is tied for the section lead with Citrus Hill’s Shawn Dourseau, who also has five.

3. How serious is Gabriel Tapia’s ankle injury? – The Montebello quarterback suffered a severe ankle injury according to coach Pete Gonzalez and will likely sit out Friday’s game at undefeated Cantwell Sacred Heart (3-0). Tapia suffered the injury on the first drive of Montebello’s 35-7 loss to El Rancho on Friday, and it hampered his ability the rest of the game. It makes sense to sit him against Cantwell because Montebello has a bye next week before the Almont League starts on Oct. 6.

4. Is Covina and Northview in South Hills’ future? – There always has been the sense that Covina and Northview, which share Covina District Field with South Hills, should take on South Hills in non-league games. It hasn’t happened for a long time because for years, South Hills swallowed up all the district talent, but times are changing. The three schools have never been closer in talent, and there is talk that Northview and Covina, who square off in the Valle Vista League, are trying to secure games with South Hills, possibly as early as next season.

5. Is Friday’s Pacific League opener more important to Muir or Arcadia? It is equally important because Muir, in Division 9 and Arcadia in Division 11, begin the seven-week chase to make the playoffs. It is important to remember that while both divisions give Muir and Arcadia a chance to go deep in the playoffs, finishing top three in the Pacific is vital to making the playoffs. There will be tough games later against Burbank, Burroughs and Crescenta Valley so for Muir and Arcadia, dropping a game before it gets to those three could do big damage to its playoff pursuit.

6. Is Monrovia favored to win the Rio Hondo League? South Pasadena and San Marino are both 3-1 and even Temple City, who was terrible last year, is 2-2. While all that looks good on paper, Monrovia, which is 0-4 and about to go 0-5 hosting Damien this week, is probably still the favorite, but not the slam-dunk it has been in the past. The Wildcats are playing a non-league schedule that made sense five years ago when they were rolling, but not today. Still, a close 42-40 loss to La Salle can’t be ignored, though Monrovia took a big step back getting rolled by Whittier, 27-0. South Pasadena probably has the edge, but Monrovia started 1-4 and went undefeated in the Rio Hondo to win it last year, including a 46-16 win over South Pasadena. So who knows, maybe nothing’s changed.

7. Who leads the Southern Section in passing? – Bonita’s J.P. Andrade is the leader in the clubhouse with 1,431 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, an average of 357 yards per game. Second is Whittier Christian’s Quinn Commans with 1,331 yards, 11 touchdowns and an average of 332 yards per game. This is according to MaxPreps, so unless there are some teams out there hiding super quarterbacks, you don’t have to go far on a Friday to watch these two light it up.

8. Will anything change in the Mission Valley League? – No, while the MVL starts on Friday there is only one game to circle on the calendar, and that’s when South El Monte (4-0) visits Arroyo (4-0) on Oct. 6. Even then, not sure much will change from a year ago when Arroyo won, 38-14. The Knights have looked so impressive during non-league, especially the dominant win over Schurr, that following a Division 12 championship with a Division 11 title is a real possibility.

9. So who’s favored in Division 12? That appears to be Schurr (3-1), who was ranked No. 1 this week despite the 31-10 loss to Arroyo two weeks ago. Pollsters were obviously impressed with how the Spartans bounced back routing West Covina, 42-6.

10. Will La Mirada finally have a chance to breathe? – Yes, after going 0-4 and being outscored 149-14 in non-league, the Matadores open the Suburban League Friday at home against Mayfair (3-1), who just lost to Santa Margarita, 49-3. If La Mirada wins, it becomes the favorite to win league and all will be OK again.

SGVN, WHITTIER, TRIBUNE LEADERS OFFENSIVE LEADERS PASSING 1. J.P. Andrade, Bonita, 1,431 yards, 357 avg., 12 TDs 2. Quinn Commans, Whittier Christian, 1,331, 332 avg., 11 TDs 3. Kody Olmos, Los Altos, 985 yards, 246 avg., 12 TDs 4. Ernesto Camacho, Arroyo, 983 yards, 245 avg., 6 TDs 5. Kwon Peterson, Maranatha, 941 yards, 234 avg., 13 TDs 6. Nathan Delgado, Whittier, 869 yards, 217 avg., 8 TDs 7. Steven Comstock, Northview, 851 yards, 212 avg., 7 TDs 8. Miguel Aguero, Schurr, 848 yards, 212 avg., 11 TDs 9. Jacob Rodriguez, El Rancho, 804 yards, 201 avg., 6 TDs 10. Darius Perrantes, St. Francis, 792 yards, 264 agv., 6 TDs

RUSHING 1. Abel Cueva, El Monte, 756 yards, 189 avg., 5 TDs 2. Armando Flores, Mountain View, 699 yards, 174 avg., 9 TDs 3. Sal Tovar, South El Monte, 638 yards, 159 avg., 9 TDs 4. Eric Cuellar, Covina, 513 yards, 171 avg., 3 TDs 5. Matthew Chavez, Charter Oak, 506 yards, 126 avg, 7 TDs 6. Blake Cabot, San Marino, 480 yards, 120 avg., 8 TDs 7. Skyler Taylor, La Habra, 476 yards, 119 avg., 10 TDs 8. Alex Retana, Whittier, 462 yards, 155 avg., 0 Tds 9. Armando Velasco, St. Paul, 411 yards, 102 avg., 3 TDs 10. Francisco Ibarra III, Nogales, 401 yards, 100 avg.., 2 TDs

WIDE RECEIVERS 1. Lance Babb II, Schurr, 452 yards, 113 avg., 3 TDs 2. Christopher Vargas, Baldwin Park, 427 yards, 106 avg., 5 TDs 3. Daniel Centeno, Temple City, 409 yards, 102 avg., 3 TDs 4. Ryan Romero, Whittier Christian, 409 yards, 102 avg, 3 TDs 5. Noah Guzman, Bishop Amat, 391 yards, 97 avg., 1 TD 6. Jermaine Braddock, Charter Oak, 383 yards, 95 avg, 5 TDs 7. Noah Sanchez, Whittier Christian, 378 yards, 94 avg., 4 TDs 8. Quinn Peoples, Los Altos, 344 yards, 86 avg., 3 TDs 9. Rene Zaldivar, Los Altos, 330 yards, 82 avg., 5 TDs 10. Greg Dulcich, St. Francis, 323 yards, 107 avg., 3 TDs

DEFENSIVE LEADERS TACKLES 57 – Devin Escobedo, Damien; 53 – Nathan Alba, Damien; 52 – Mark Tolmachoff, Whittier; 47 – Jesus Lopez, Baldwin Park; 43 – Andrew Tarango, El Rancho.

SACKS 7 – Ray Dominguez, Baldwin Park; 6 – Mark Sosa, South El Monte, Noah Sanchez, Whittier Christian; 5 – Luis Valerio, El Monte, Eduardo Rodriguez, Sierra Vista, Frank Hernandez, Monrovia, Alexandre Dumais, St. Paul, AJ Carreon, South El Monte.

INTERCEPTIONS 5 – Michael Anyanwu, Charter Oak; 4 – Isaiah Hamilton, Charter Oak, Daniel Mendoza, Arroyo; 3 – Marcos Figueroa, El Monte, Jared Schoenick, Glendora.

Ten Football Burning Questions and stat leaders published first on http://ift.tt/2w0EToM

[dthoursonpalmer]

RAZE - 060 - Relieved

Vote for RAZE on topwebfiction.com. Your vote each week helps me get new readers. Share and tell your friends. Thanks. – Dave

I did not manage to speak to Yamurik before we made the checkpoint at the border of Avandeil the next day.

Until then, the Hand spoke little. A dark pall was over the caravan. Ecena and Ahdan rode at the front without waiting for my orders, and I didn’t think of giving them commands to the contrary. I suppose I hoped that some concessions would soften their memory of my failure.

At midmorning, with the heat rising, we neared the checkpoint. Ahead, the dry grasses greened as they rose into the foothills. I looked back to ensure the last of the caravan was coming without delay and that none of the raiders who had outwitted us were watching.

The road had risen more than I’d realized. It fell away below, a long, gentle slope of yellow in a waving, gray field. The plains were marred by the dots of trees and scrub plants, by dark cracks of arroyos, by seams like folds in a dun cloth. Behind us, the sky had grown dark as smoke as thunderheads built and roiled up. A storm, on its way south to the mountains to match my mood. A fitting portent.

At the base of the foothills, we found many workers in loincloths or sacklike trousers. They were hard at work on a wall, stretching away for leagues to east and west, five yards high. Lonireilans in white armor patrolled about them in fours, pale-faced men on camelback with long lances. There was a gap in the wall, a future gate but now just a way through the work where the road passed. Dozens, hundreds of wagons and hundreds more camels and oxen bore stone out of the mountains, wood for the walls. On high timber towers men kept watch with great handcannons, heavy iron weapons with silver filigree and little curls of smoke rising from their wicks. Their bearers watched us, the black mouths of their guns following us, lowered but ready, as the caravan processed up the hill and made way for stone-laden carts and braying camels and troupes of soldiers.

By the time we reached the checkpoint village, the wind was coming in strong, kicking up the dust of the square. Low timber buildings surrounded us, higher warehouses behind them, carriage houses and stables scattered throughout. Other traders were shouting and arguing with tariff men and customs officials in bright yellow robes. Squads of mercenaries loitered, some going about offering their services, others waiting to depart with their new, temporary masters. Above all the noise and furor, a house of yellow, cut stone looked down from a higher hill where it perched, narrow arching bridgeways and curling towers and pointed, elegant windows. Greenish sigils shone in the fading light from on the stone and brass ornaments hung above doorways. More Lonireilans patrolled the walls around it and stared down from the checkpoint customs-house rooftops and watched from towers. If I had raised a spear in anger, a dozen crossbow bolts and as many burning lead bullets would have tear me apart.

My soldiers went to the nearest barracks for supplies. Yamurik’s guards, the very few that remained, left after collecting their much-reduced pay. Ecena accompanied me as I followed Yamurik and his attendants to one of the customs houses.

The woman that greeted us was tall, skeletal, gray-haired. Her Lonireilan was so proper I could scarcely follow it. She stood on a timber porch and stared down imperiously, with her clerks at her sides and officers, men in white armor with short, sharp swords, watching carefully. She and Yamurik spoke and there was a good deal of talk of me and Ecena as well as blame cast on the Lonireilans.

Nabani raiders had carried off a portion of Yamurik’s opium on Lonireil’s doorstep. His shipment was late, and less than expected. Blame was cast, at the Lonireilans, and then at their representative in his contingent: me. There was little to say. That I had killed a handful of raiders? No. I had failed.

*    *     *

  We waited while the thunderstorm blacked the sky and churned the dust to mud. We waited while sheets of hard rain lashed at our tent, for there was no room in the barracks.

Traveling back to Onappa-ka, we went with wagons half-laden, for Yamurik had not been able to buy all the supplies he wanted. This made his mood fouler, and we did not speak at all during the fortnight’s journey.

Onappa-ka was much the same. We had a barracks near Yamurik’s compound, which had grown larger and greater. He had fifty wagons and four hundred oxen just to pull them. A thousand laborers went to his fields in the day, a thousand to his opium vats at night. The fires never slept. Smoke belched from the towers. Now he spent little time at his offices, instead leaving that responsibility to clerks and partners. He stayed at his house and his gardens, or traveled, or entertained lofty guests and visiting businessmen from Lonireil and Canifar and Ria Vancha. Runners went to and fro all day, bearing him news and bearing back his decisions.

In the summer, it was hot and wet. The fields were green with ripening poppies, but they had not had their second bloom yet. Lonireilans guarded the walls of Onappa-ka, and new homes were being built for the settlers who had come up from the south to work and farm and till gold from the fields and squeeze it from Serehvani sweat.

When I arrived, I went straight to report, as I knew I must. Eventually, my report reached de Trastorces.

Estevo was called. Ecena and Ahdan. Finally I.

De Trastorces met me in his offices in the keep below the hill. Weckar was not there, thankfully. Two lieutenants stood by the captain.

He questioned me on the raiders and our attack. What we had found. What we gained. Why I had left the caravan, and what we’d lost.

His hard, pale eyes glared out from a hard, pale face. His brow reddened at my answers.

“So.” He drew a breath and blew it through his nostrils. The lieutenants stared straight ahead, but I thought one of them had been about to grin at me. “I am supposed to believe that you, a Nabani, did your utmost to defend our cargo when, to my mind, it appears that you led your force away in order to leave Lonireil’s interests unguarded?”

I was stricken. I must have opened my mouth and closed it, but made no sound.

“We lost thousands of impexas. Yamurik’s loss is even greater, and he is demanding recompense from us for it. How long do you think it will take for you to earn that money?”

“Sir, that is not what happened.” It occurred to me that I’d never thought to be paid. I had food and a place to sleep. I was alive. For now. “We didn’t leave them to be attacked. I swear, sir.”

He swatted the air and stood, thumping the table. “If your people’s stories didn’t corroborate yours, I wouldn’t believe it. As it is, it appears you only failed, sergeant, instead of betrayed. You don’t seem a traitor, but you seem incompetent.” I waited. He breathed again, then sat. “You’re relieved of command. Ecena will be sergeant. She saw the danger and went back and saved part of the caravan. You and your other corporal…” he looked aside at one of the lieutenants, who checked a paper in his hand as my heart turned to wet mud.

“Estevo Nabrera, captain.”

“Nabrera. You and he are to be lashed and retained in service as conscripts in your current unit. Three hundred lashes in the muster tomorrow. You’ll parade your unit up and transfer your authority to Ecena at noon.”

I must have been escorted out. The next thing I remembered was telling Estevo, back in the barracks.

We sat at our little officer’s table, a rickety wooden thing to one side of the small canteen. It was late and no one else was about. I wouldn’t tell Ecena. She could find out at the last moment. I didn’t need her smug face till then, and then I would have other things to pay mind to.

Estevo sat, wordless, till his cigarette burned to his fingertips and he swore and shook it away. He sucked his finger and gave me a sideways look.

“We could run. Tonight. You and me.”

I shook my head and studied the wood grain of the table. “They’d catch us.”

“Not if we took extra horses.”

“You’re scheming again.”

“No, I don’t want to be whipped again. Lick of shit. Hang this place, and hang de Trastorces.” I shushed him, in case someone might come in to hear, but he waved me off. “No, hang him. Hang this whole thing.” He subsided back into his seat.

I clenched my jaw. “Tomorrow I’ll try to… I’ll ask for your lashes. It wasn’t your fault.”

“They’ll just say I should have stopped you or disobeyed and ran off with Ecena.”

“No, it’s not right. It was my fault.”

We didn’t say anything for a minute. Estevo reached for his pouch, but had no more tobacco. He swore again.

“No. I’ll take my lashes, il-Lonireil. You and me.”

“And the rest can hang,” I finished. I meant it.

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Aleem Dhalla, Margaret Foley, Alexandria Layton, Jennifer McBee and Adam Tully joined Snell & Wilmer’s Las Vegas offices. Dhalla focuses on business and commercial litigation, as well as labor and employment. Foley, Layton, McBee and Tully focus on commercial litigation. The firm’s Brian Blaylock and Kade Miller are founding board members of the Nevada-Utah chapter of the Alliance of Merger & Acquisition Advisors. The Alliance is an international organization serving the educational and transactional support needs of middle market mergers and acquisitions professionals.

Carlos Blumberg joined De Castroverde Law Group focusing on personal injury, real estate, family law and other business-related cases. Blumberg is a founding member of the Nevada Dispensary Association and has become an expert in Nevada’s marijuana laws.

Karl Rutledge of Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie is chairman of the Gaming Law Committee of the American Bar Association Business Law Section. He previously served as the committee’s director of programs.

Christopher Bentley is the executive vice president in the multifamily division of Colliers International – Las Vegas. He was principal of the Bentley Group Real Estate Advisors.

The Las Vegas Chapter of the National Bar Association honored Nevada Supreme Court Justice Michael L. Douglas with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Fisher Phillips formed a Pay Equity Practice Group, launched in response to legislative and regulatory initiatives and subsequent employer concerns over pay equity issues. The group is national in scope and is led by Kathleen McLeod Caminiti in New Jersey, Cheryl Behymer in Columbia, and Cheryl Pinarchick in Boston.

Three Square Food Bank promoted Andrea Martinez, Kate McLaughlin and Regis Whaley. Martinez is programs manager, McLaughlin is logistics manager and Whaley is business support manager.

Ellen Whittemore is a shareholder at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. Her practice focuses on gaming and compliance.

Kelli Little is community services supervisor at the Nevada Donor Network.

Lauren Sasso is a senior PR specialist at the Firm Public Relations & Marketing.

Marc Turner is CEO of Desert Hope Treatment Center.

Marc Comella is an independent member and chairman of the compliance committee at GameCo.

Jared Banes is shareholder and director of risk management at LP Insurance Services.

Yes! Air Conditioning and Plumbing earned four awards at the annual manager’s meeting for American Residential Services, its parent company. The were Safety Branch of the Year — West, Most Improved Branch Profit Dollars, Highest Margin Branch, and Most Profitable Branch in Dollars. Lance Fernandez was named general manager of the year.

Andre’s Bistro & Bar, owned by Stacked Hospitality, is open at 6115 S. Fort Apache Road. Scott Sampson is the executive chef. Patrick Trundle is the general manager.

The Latin Chamber of Commerce Board Installation Gala recognized Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison as Champion of Nevada, Randy Garcia as LCC Philanthropist of the Year and Radioactive Productions as LCC Member Business of the Year. The 2017 board of directors is made up of chairman Daniel J. Tafoya, Clark County School District; vice chairman Norberto Madrigal; Lunas Inc., secretary-treasurer Edgar Patino, NV Energy; assistant secretary-treasurer Andres Estrada, Lamar Advertising Co., immediate chairperson Maggie Arias-Petrel, Global Professional Consulting; two-year directors Chris Roman, MundoMax & Roman Communications Group; Debbie Holleran, CenturyLink; Frank Canales, Happy Tours; Jose Valenzuela, city of North Las Vegas; Sam Loya, Lotus Broadcasting; Sandy Colon-Peltyn, Foundation for Excellence & Distinction; and one-year directors Alex De Castroverde, De Castroverde Law Group; Arturo Castro Jr., Hispana Comunicación Integral; Daniel Johnson, Station Casinos; Jose Luis Melendrez, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Vidal Gonzalez, MGM Resorts International

Richard H. Bryan, William and Mary Scherkenbach and John C. Vanderburg elementary schools have been selected as National PTA (Parent Teacher Association) Schools of Excellence for their achievement in building effective family-school partnerships. They are among only four schools in Nevada and 173 schools across the United States to receive the designation.

Brady, a full-line janitorial supply, equipment and food service distributor based in Las Vegas, opened branches in California, Arizona and Maryland.

The Urban Chamber of Commerce celebrated its Annual Green Tie Awards for 2016. Honorees were:

• Small Business of the Year: Love Engineering

• Legacy Entrepreneur of the Year: Tuxedo Junction

• Community Champion: Communities In Schools

• Excellence in Education: Nevada State College

• Diversity in Contracting: Las Vegas Paving Corp.

• Corporation of the Year: Las Vegas Sands Corp.

The Hard Rock Hotel unveiled the first phase of a $13 million refresh of its Casino Tower. The property has renovated 575 standard rooms, and a second phase of the remodel will upgrade the remaining 65 luxury suites. Upon completion, 640 rooms and suites will have been renovated.

Ground was broken on the Henderson Unmanned Vehicle Range, a test site for drones. The range is the result of a partnership with the Nevada Institute for Autonomous Systems, the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Nevada State College.

Henderson broke ground on Fire Station 91 at 2901 Democracy Drive, the community’s 10th fire station and the first new station to open in 15 years. The station was designed by Carpenter Sellers Del Gatto Architects and is being built by Core Construction.

ACS Marketing is representing Geberit Plumbing in Southern Nevada.

The NuMale Medical Center offers a sonic treatment for erectile dysfunction.

The Nathan Adelson Hospice and Montevista Behavioral Health Hospital were recipients of the Southwest Alliance for Excellence’s 2016 Performance Excellence Program.

Richmond American Homes purchased nearly 31 acres in Cadence to build Encore and Sonatina. Encore’s 49 single-story homes will range from 2,050 to 2,550 square feet. Sonatina will have 151 two-story homes ranging from 1,800 to 2,300 square feet.

Several local companies received perfect scores on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2017 Corporate Equality Index. They are Caesars Entertainment Corp., the Cosmopolitan, MGM Resorts International and Wynn Resorts. The index ranks corporate policies and practices related to LGBT workplace equality.

Luken Communications launched the Action Channel and The Heartland Network on KMCC, a station owned and operated by Cranston II. Las Vegas-area viewers can find Action over-the-air on channel 34.1, as well as on Cox channels 14 and 1014, on DirecTV channel 34, on Prism channels 32 and 1032 and on Dish Network channel 32. Heartland is available over the air on channel 34.2 and on Cox channel 97.

The Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors broke ground on its headquarters near Rainbow Boulevard and the 215 Beltway.

Boyd Gaming Corp. finished a sweeping redesign and renovation of the California.

GlowZone Las Vegas is open at 6630 Arroyo Springs St., Suite 1200. The facility offers family friendly activities under black lights and other effects.