#leoras a master at working

[leoramage]

Tagged by @charlosgoggles, I was pretty busy and kind of late when I saw the post! I immediately sat down once I had my free time to do this. Thank you for the tag my co-F1 astrology bestie in this app!

name: Leora Mage is actually an anagram of my real name! i am currently using it as a penname and stage name!

sign: my big three is leo-gemini-pisces!

time: its apparently 6:47 p.m. when i started writing this down. 9 p.m. when i finished (i had duties to attend to.)

favourite band/artist: i am the music bestie that listens to anything. you can't pin me down and tell me to list my favorite artists/band! ಠಿ⁠_⁠ಠ anyways here's the following:

solo artists: taylor swift, lana del rey, rihanna, doja cat, britney spears, ariana grande, olivia rodrigo, beyoncé, jennifer lopez, madonna, lady gaga, ava max, camila cabello, qveen herby

bands/groups: in this moment, ghost, the great discord, the neighborhood, the chainsmokers, little mix, blackpink, 2ne1, exo, bigbang, coldplay

bonus: i listen to classical music too (tchaikovsky, mozart, beethoven, etc.)

last movie: burlesque (as in christina aguilera) and house of gucci! i watched it for like a whole bus trip.

last show: house of the dragon! i love rewatching because of sir harwin strong & aemond targaryen!

also drive to survive as well, i was finding the episode fernando was in because i told my mom a local artist here in my country has physical similarities to fernando hahahaha

when I created this blog: i created this blog last year's ummer - solely for my practice, learn knowledge from other practitioners about my craft. i happen to love astrology too so it kind of stuck with me and my theme! i am continuously learning and mastering my craft but at the same time explore more.

other blogs: i have another tumblr blog but i forgotten what was the username but i do believe that i made that blog for roleplaying and posting my photo manipulation for a fandom i used to be in.

do I get asks: not until belle and becca sent me a game! i passed them on to my favorite writers and some to my moot blogs. i was supposed to send one to @charlosgoggles but they do not have their ask on lmfao

followers: 20 blogs are following me. most of them are my moots for sure or bots. idk, i did not check who is following me. i do not check who is following me to be fair (⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)

average hours of sleep: 5-6 hours but sometimes longer. i work harder than i sleep.

instruments: guitar, ukelele, piano keyboard, violin. i only have a guitar and keyboard with me and i haven't touched them for ages. i learned how to play the other instruments because of my acquaintances who are passionate about music or simply band members.

what I am wearing: black maxi dress that i made myself!

dream job: i do believe i can be who i wanted to be if i put effort in it. so basically i do not have a dream job.

dream trip: world tour (my work requires a lot of that and isolation from the world. so it's quite a tough journey considering the rough waves of the ocean but anything for the bag of moneh)

favorite song atm: uh i do not have a favorite song at the moment. but i listen to subliminals a lot because they just calm my mind (my brain is so active that i need to decelerate it from thinking about the most obnoxious things) but let me check my most played in spotify... okay it says:

dance the night - dua lipa

tagging: @folkloresthings , @lorarri , @love-belle / @love-bellee , @goldsainz and @opheliaas-stuff because you guys are the sweet ones i had been interacting with for the past few days. i love them sm ฅ[⁠ᓀ⁠˵⁠▾⁠˵⁠ᓂ⁠]ฅ

(p.s. feel free to do in your own comfort 𔘓 much love guys 🤍🩷💕)

[thedicegoddess]

Finally have shots of all the characters for our star wars game. Here is everyone.

Far right is Fai Markos! A prickly Yovshin Swordsman in line for the throne of the Atrisian Empire. Though he won’t talk about it openly, he learned the Force via the Guardian of Breath tradition before studying with the Matukai (much to his displeasure it’a s family tradition that Mother couldn’t be talked out of). He recently inherited a powerful kyber crystal named Stormbreaker.

He is betrothed to (and secretly in love with)...

Princess Leora Kylantha of Theed, she hails from the fiercely independent Naboo - a young but wealthy and verdant Mid-Rim world ruled by the Council of Monarchs She joined a secretive Dark Side knowledge cult named The Blackguards during college, and is currently hunting the Pius Regenre cult that killed her Master.

Rimona Type, the lovable foul-mouthed pilot of The Hopping Pickerel. She studied with the Dai Bendu and is a revered member of their Order. She's a humble pilot who ferries passengers around Wild Space and the Outer Rim for cheap. At least the ones who need the break on costs get it for cheap.

The handsome fella standing behind the crate is Kretel Gran'Dorek, an unnaturally lucky Bothan on the run from his former brethren in the Blazing Chain pirate gang due to the number of unnaturally unlucky disasters that accumulated in his wake. He’s also wanted by the Bothaui Diplomatic Corp for a couple of deaths that are entirely a misunderstanding.

Last is Icon.  She's a relic from the ancient Pius Dea cult that once ruled the Republic. She was made as a statue in the image of the cosmic being Tilotny. Mom was so pleased with the beautiful stature that she made her into a real girl; but she grew jealous of Icon after less than a year and had her frozen in Carbonite. The party discovered her in stasis and have been helping her acclimate to the 10,000 year time loss.

Together the crew of the Pickerel has faced prehistoric superweapons buried beneath quaint helpless towns, terrifying and heavily armed AntiForce cults, waded through the veil between life and death, confronted ancient cosmic beings of pure evil, and they’re working on figuring out how to tell your fiance "I love you".

[witch-king-of-angstmar]

OMG haha!

I sent you that because it reminded me of your story where the main character was a badass who ran away from his cruel master with his shy daughter and he was dying without his medicine and they had to go find a cure or something. I think it was Oskar and Leora? Not sure.

Depression sucks. I'm sorry. Whatever happened to the Scary List of Scary? In any case, I like all your ideas. Finishing is hard, but it's also a monolithic thing to think about. It's easy to conceptualize because it's binary, done or not done, but like, getting there is a ton of work. Maybe it might help not to worry about finishing, but just to enjoy the process of wherever you are right now? Like reminding yourself why you like this idea. Keeping a list of all the stories you're working on, and reminding yourself why they appeal to you. And I can tell you as an outside brain, they are good ideas!

And like, if depression is kicking your ass, does stressing about writing make it worse or better? Does it help to have a routine that you feel good when you check things off, or is that just one more thing on the list that makes you feel like you've failed? It's okay to be kind to yourself and let things sit on the shelf for a while if you need that. It's okay to give your brain a break. Your stories will be there for you when you have spoons. Or if it helps to have a routine, then maybe just try to open the document each day without worrying about finishing. Like I said, finishing is a binary concept, but it looks deceptively easy. Most people only see a tiny bit of the path ahead, and they just follow it one day at a time. It's a slog even for people who don't deal with mental and physical health issues. Of course, one day at a time is hard when nothing is visible.

I so wish I could take my own advice.

I haven't been able to write for weeks because my brain is so foggy and my energy is just gone. Fibromyalgia, arthritis, depression, and my wonky rattling bones are all kicking my ass. If it's not pain it's the brain. I can barely remember what anything is even about. I feel like at this rate I barely even qualify as a writer because it's been so long and I can't even poke at my stories because I open the document and nothing happens. I wrote everything down but I try to read and the words don't make any sense. The medicine helps, but only like, barely. Enough to peel myself out of bed each day and shower. After that it's a crap shoot.

But yeah. Despite the big advice talk, I'm right there with you. I feel like I'll never finish because I can't even see a glimmer of a path ahead. I write consistently, but nothing I produce is even useful. And I can't fix it because I don't know where I'm going wrong. I can't picture things in my head like others can. It's really just throwing spaghetti at the walls and seeing what sticks.

And that isn't very inspiring to see.

Shout out to anyone that ever made a character that’s a ‘Secret Government experiment’ that escapes the lab and is now wanted and misunderstood. That’s top tier character design, thank you.

[enigmatic-elegance]

Mas’ Must Follow MASterpost

[In no particular order]

People

@risrielthron One of the best. You will feel as if you are talking with your lifelong friend. Sweet, friendly, and generous. A true example of who we should all try to be more like.

@theodorebennas Daddy Beans. Chill dude. Knows he can be a bit of a meme and owns it. Actually extremely smart and has a ton of good sense. Crusade!

@tanzrielle Super chill in the most not chill way. Will talk your ear off about their awesome characters and want to hear all about your own too. Great person to know and bounce ideas off of.

@thebattlesheep @a-sheep-does-art Sweet thing. Loves to meet new people. Does not RP much but when they do they kill it.

@possum Loser. (Seriously such a humorous, sweet, and all around amazing person.)

@wiedaashcroft Really great character, and the person who plays them is extremely laid back and chill.

@the-petalpaw-family They don’t RP as much right now, but their stories and characters are next level. No lie, they take things like plot and character lineage to places you rarely see. Amazing places.

@kat-hawke ICly very interesting and intense character. OOCly a more grounded individual. Blunt, but never cruel.

@darthscharactervault Someone who does not give themselves nearly enough credit for how creative they are with their ideas and characters.

@gwenya Often NSFW but she’s a gem of a person. Amazing, chill, down for whatever. She’s the raunchy friend you never knew you wanted.

@the-real-arcanist-val Smart person, fantastic writer, extremely sensible and rational. All around someone you want to know.

@vaard Never personally interacted with him, but he’s an iconic figure among the community. Everyone should follow. (Does not take commissions but is an amazing artist, too.)

@harvee-sarah-zena One of my closest RP partners. Might not post as much as they SHOULD but if you can catch them their RP is some amazing work. And their characters are all so unique.

@thegreatnyehehe Likely not returning to WoW any time soon, but still one of the best characters ever. To this day, worth reading through their posts.

@kinzorscarstorm Chill dude with a cool character. Have not interacted much IC, but respect them OOC for their char and methods.

@open-world-azeroth Not really a ‘person’ but a great resource for some fantastic RP spots.

@mediocre-bladeleaf Very cool aesthetic, and from what I see of their writings they have some awesome characters.

@draenei-tales Shout out to a fellow active and really cool looking Draenei RPer. All I see from them is extremely interesting.

@leora-strauss Don’t know much about the character but their aesthetic is so amazingly cool.

@serelia-evensong Active and interesting RPer. Will fill your dash up with fun to read posts of all kinds.

@susan-gampre Hoe. But she knows it. And she’s good at it. The character and RPer both are sassy and take no shit, and I love them for it.

@storykeeper-wra Spooky character. But not tired and boring spooky. The sort that’s very interesting. Like a good book. Makes sense they are the storykeeper, because their story is very appealing.

@halforc-mercenary Have always wanted to interact with their character but never much got the chance. Still adore their writings on my dash, and they often impress me with their plots and quality.

@rhysgoodwin Cute char, updates often, fantastic writer.

@priestess-nightfury Elf RP/Aesthetic at some of its very best.

@stonestridernerd They will love you and make you feel like the best person ever just be hurling likes at you and complimenting your work. They are just a gem of a person. So, so sweet.

@theshadowborn Shame I’[ve not interacted with their character much, but they are a clearly talented writer.

@durotan-ofthe-frostwolf Lot of OOC silly stuff, but genuinely a cool person and always a pleasure to see on your dash.

@ranekvilmas Just a very talented writer and all around chipper guy. One of those people who always has something interesting on their blog to read.

@penvenomstarkstar A good head on this one’s shoulders. ICly their character is extremely well written with so, so much depth. Endless things to discover here.

@ravenpriest DAMN awesome aesthetic. Really nails the gothica vibe.

@longveil Such a cool aesthetic. I’d follow for that alone, and there is so much more there too.

@kyuusei-shadowleaf Another blog worth the follow for aesthetic alone. So cool to see across your dash.

@k-sunrael Followed for a long time. Their blog can sometimes be a bit NSFW but the content is quality.

@monster-of-master In the vibe of ‘dark’ aesthetic without being overtly in your face. The sort of subtle horror we all secretly crave. Very much enjoy their content.

@summysparklesprocket Such an amazing, kind, and funny person. And the character is next level because they are a Gnome taken seriously. Love them.

@quai-mason @andrew-mason Extremely talented writer and one of the few who posts so, so frequently. You’ll eagerly await their next post, trust me.

@unabashedrebel ICly they are a very cool character with awesome stories. OOCly they are a smart and conscience driven individual with a good moral sense. More than once they’ve shown they are not afraid to stick up for what matters. Lot of respect.

@safrona-shadowsun Killer character aesthetic, great reblogs, and does not ruin their theme with bullshit. Fantastic follow, this one.

@helryder666 All over the place with their posts, but its never unwelcome or uninteresting. They always seem to know what you wanna see, even if you don’t know.

@thewardancer Some of the best troll aesthetic I’ve seen, honestly.

@brandstonethings Just a big bear of a man. I love him, and you will too. He’s so well written he feels alive.

@archmage--khadgar I hesitate with people who RP lore characters. This one managed to be one of my few exceptions. They actually do a really great job with it.

@forhonorandglory Only followed for a short time, but still worth it in my books. Sharp wit, great character.

@covexalexanderkingsley Don’t know if they still RP as much these days but they remain a very fantastic and creative individual.

@eilitheduskbringer Very talented writers. One of the best I’ve seen. And they host to an amazing community I’ve come to respect.

@thepalewolfhowls Great artist too, but I mainly know them for their awesome character and fantastic sense of story and plot.

Guild/Other

@the-royal-courier A fantastic source of events and stories. While they don’t host many writings of their own, they still reblog community events. Absolutely advise a follow.

@stormwinduniv Been around about as long as my old arse. Very talented group of writers who put on so many community events and intellectually focused debates.

@the-silver-circle A group of extremely talented writers focused entirely on Kaldorei writing and storylines. Very high levels of respect from me.

@moment-in-time-wra Less a ‘guild’ but still a great service for in game photography. They make your events look fantastic! Run by Risri.

@atc-wra A very talented small group of RPers who know how to make stories pop. You just want to be a part of them, or read what happens next.

@deadsunharbor Very fantastic crew who are open to all manner of amazing RP opportunities. They do criminal/dark correctly and with finesse rarely seen.

@oathswornvanguard Lawful good guild done proper. They have stood the test of time not only with their quality but their kindness and openness to the community.

@wraconnect A great source of WoW events and blogs to follow.

@wowrpevents Another fantastic source of WoW events and blogs to follow.

@wracentral ANOTHER fantastic source of WoW events and blogs to follow.

Artists

@whimsicallyart @elaianna Talented, intelligent, observant, and all around a gem of a person. Worth knowing.

@littleliongod One of the best I have worked with. Talented, priced very fair, extremely punctual, very communicative. Can not possibly recommend enough for any commission work.

@artofaokori Worked with them before and would absolutely do so again. Their style is very unique and you’ll recognize it anywhere in a good way.

@vintrove @vinsketchbook Extremely talented. Some next level stuff. Commissioned them twice and both times they blew me away with the end product.

@catbatart @cat-bat Such a shame I’ve only worked with them one time. One day, I must commission them again because they are the sort of artist who will go that extra mile and bring your piece to life.

@ferachidoesart They are Ferachi. They do art. Really well. Great style, super unique, and their commission prices are way more reasonable than you’d expect for their amazing quality.

@auggusst-art @auggusst Really such a kind and talented soul. One of those hidden gems of tumblr. They deserve more notice, so go give it to them!

@blackdogmelancholyooc @blackdogmelancholy Nerd. But actually a really cool dude with a ton of raw talent. They are great to work with.

@anzka Have not posted here in a while, but you should take a peek. Why? Because no one. Draws. Gnomes. Better.

@planktonheretic You like thick ladies? What about buff ones? Then my friend, have I got a treat for you. That treat is Plank. Check out their Twitter too for even more fantastic work!

@kellydidathing Amazing artist. Very busy person, but worth the investment because the art is top notch.

@izzarra Talk about raw talent refined into a craft. This artist is going places, seriously. Amazing stuff.

@thestringking @jane-fitzgerald @ahn-qiraj Extremely talented young lad who I know will go on to kill it in the art industry. Already one of the best out there, no lie.

Self Plug

My blog should be easy to find, right at the top of this post here, or the bottom. If you want to see all my character blogs, please check out RIGHT HERE (under repairs atm so a few of the characters might not work or link improperly) for a complete list. Each character page here contains a link just under their summary that will take you to their individual blog. Check out the ones that interest you!

Also want to plug my own guild, @coldwall-collective, for still being some of the best writers and content creators I’ve had the pleasure of working with. Go check us out!

Not Here?

Don’t be sad! Many reasons could be the cause. Maybe we’ve just not interacted enough. Or maybe I’ve not seen many of your posts. Maybe I overlooked you because I’m silly. Any of these could be a reason. If you don’t see yourself here, it does not mean I don’t appreciate you. I do. You’re a part of what makes this community great and I have all the respect for you.

[monster-of-master]

Things of some description

REPOST Don’t Reblog. Bold what applies best to your muse or italicize if it sometimes applies. Feel free to add options onto any section if you feel something is missing!

CLOTHING MAKES THE (WO)MAN Do their bra and panties match consistently? Yes | No | Not applicable Do they wash their makeup off before going to bed? Yes | Sometimes | No | Doesn’t wear makeup Do they wear socks? Yes | No What do they usually wear to bed? Nothing | Undergarments | Pajamas | Pajama pants | Whatever they were wearing that day | Tomorrow’s clothes Are they – Fashion over function | Function over fashion | Trendy but values function too Their clothes are usually… Stained | Raggedy | Like new | Well worn | Depends on the clothing FINANCES? LET’S SEE How do they handle their money? Blows through the entire paycheck | Sets some money aside, spends the rest as needed over time | Holds onto it as long as possible, spending here and there | Lives past their means How do they handle their bills? Sets aside bill money each cheque | Pays them right away | Pays them last minute | They’re frequently overdue What are they most likely to buy? Food | Clothes | Hobby supplies | Work supplies | Trinkets | Movies | Games | Bills | Spend it on others | Charity | Books | Alcohol | Drugs | Technology AN APPLE A DAY How often do they get exercise? Frequently, as a hobby | Frequently, from work | Somewhat, from a hobby | Somewhat, from work | Never Do they drink? Always | Often | Somewhat | On rare occasions | Never Do they do drugs of any kind? Yes | Sometimes | No Do they smoke? Yes | Sometimes | No What ailments do they have? Blind | Deaf | Physical handicap | Bipolar | DID | Gender dysphoria | Body dysphoria | Depression | Anxiety | Learning disability  | Asthma | Food allergies | Other allergies | Insomnia | Migraines | Mute | Epilepsy

EDUCATION MATTERS What education have they reached? None | Elementary/Primary | Middle/Secondary | High/Tertiary | College, bachelors (Azeroth Equivalent) | College, masters (Azeroth Equivalent) | GDA | Workforce training | Independent study Do they frequently learn new skills? Yes | On occasion | Only as needed | Not usually How do they learn best? Visually | By ear | Hands-on | Logically | Socially | On their own

tagged by @eye-of-kuu, fank yew m’fren.

TAGGING: @bwontulak, @elutia-morningstar, @sivanawra, @salt-water-siren, @caedun, @amaharette, @rosie-blackwater, @nunwith-agun, @annoyed-acolyte, @simplysoriya, @celestare, @whitedawn-wra, @sin-emberstalker, @prolificpoisons, @leora-strauss, @sneakybinch, @huntressdarkreaver, @manaheart (pick yer poison), @ravenpriest, @chidragonzhiro, @vain-duskrose, @jecarde, @cassielev, @ztwenty, @aredhelvaltieri, @sybilnorth, @latildarommel, @seilune, @bloody-loyalties, @myzariel

[runfromthemedic]

Star of the Circus

Chapter 2

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Our present picture of physical reality, particularly in relation to the nature of time, is due for a grand shake up.

-Roger Penrose

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She wasn’t sure how long she’d been unconscious – and she had been really lucky she hadn’t rolled of the practically non-existent edge and drowned – but it was long enough for the rain to stop and the river to fall to a more reasonable level that wouldn’t sweep Leora away when she tried to climb down.

Not that she tried.

Getting down would mean confirming that falling through a flaming hole in a sheet of fabric and somehow de-aging into a kid was her new reality. She suffered more than one hysterical breakdown since regaining consciousness and she didn’t think her frayed mental abilities could handle much more stress.

The people that walked across the bridge ever now and again weren’t helping, either.

They had all spoken Japanese.

Understanding them wasn’t the issue. Leora could speak Japanese. The circus had done a stint through Japan every other year so it just made sense to learn. No, the issue was that the chances that everyone crossing a bridge speaking Japanese in Europe was nonexistent. Which meant she was most likely in Japan.

Alone, de-aged, and on the other side of the world from where for all intents and purposes she should be.

Fuck.

Leora buried her head into her sack/pillow and tried not to scream, repeating the manta it’s not real over and over again in something akin to prayer.

Denial. Denial was such a lovely thing. With denial she didn’t have to acknowledge that she had somehow broken reality. She could stay perched under the bridge like some kind of over-sized bird and pretend it was all just a really messed up dream that she was having a few difficulties with waking up from.

Unfortunately, denial didn’t work on her stomach. At least two days had gone by since Leora had last eaten, left over concession stand fair that would probably have been better off thrown away, and her body decided to protest. Loudly. So it was with great reluctance that she secured a rope around part of the ledge that she now considered ‘Home Base’ so she could shimmy down.

Unused to her shorter height, she misjudged the distance between the end of the rope and the riverbank and ended up tumbling into the river.

Sputtering out a mouthful of dirty water, Leora managed to drag herself out of the surprisingly strong current and onto dry land before just deciding to lay there.

Food wasn’t worth this.

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Her protesting stomach eventually forced Leora to her feet and towards civilization.

The bridge sat on the very edge of a town leading out towards a forest just after a string of old and seedy looking warehouses. Leora kept close to the walls and empty crates as best she could. The few conversations she’d heard from under the bridge were all male, and almost all of them mentioned ‘boss’, someone beating up the new ‘recruits’, with the occasional mention of drugs and alcohol. Add that to her surroundings, the whole place practically screamed ‘danger zone’.

Leora couldn’t climb a rope correctly without her shortened height messing her up. She wasn’t going to even think of trying to fight someone else when it could possibly mean survival.

It took about twenty minutes before Leora came across something that looked like a residential area, and another fifteen of speed walking around random corners before she found what looked like a shopping district. This was both good and bad.

Good because it meant food and possibly a payphone so she could get in touch with the circus master to let him know where she was and that she would need help getting back. And possibly get help with her current age problem. She did not want to go through puberty again. If that creepy witch doctor they picked up near South Korea could fix this then she would be kissing the ground he walked on.

It was bad because it confirmed that she was actually in Japan. Kanji and hiragana covered the signs and shop windows while vendors haggled with customers in obnoxious voices in clear Japanese, and everywhere she looked was the stereotypical black hair and slanted eyes of obviously Asian heritage.

The eyes were bigger, more expressive, than she thought was normal or was completely comfortable with, but she chalked that up to half-starved delirium. She’d seen an older woman with natural looking grey streaked green hair not too long ago. Like that could really be natural.

Her stomach growled loudly, yanking her train of thought away from its tangent and back to point that she was half-starved.

Giving herself a shake, Leora squared her shoulders and walked out of the alley she’d been lurking in.

Not two minutes in and she was already wishing she hadn’t.

She’d expected stares. Hell, she’d expected them. She was part of a circus, getting stared at was part of the job, and she was obviously foreign despite her similar coloring. People always liked to stare at what was different. Was she wasn’t expecting was the blatant disgust and disapproval.

Ducking her head down and quickening her walk, Leora admitted that she couldn’t really blame them. She was a mess.

Her hair was damp, the curls snarled and hanging in a matted mess around her shoulders. The jeans that had fit her eighteen year old self were huge on her child stick-like frame, a belt the only thing keeping them up. She’d cut them off almost at the knee, and still they pooled around her bare and dirty feet. Her shirt was still streaked with grease. The sleeves had to be rolled up so she could actually use her hands.

All in all she looked, and smelled thanks to her dip in the river, like she crawled out of a dumpster.

Realizing that she would be the first person accused if she actually went through with her half formed plan to pick somebodies pocket to pay for dinner, she hunched her shoulders and made an immediate left into the next alley.

Her only safe options were to either beg or go dumpster diving.

Leora would sooner cut her own tongue out than beg these people for anything. So dumpster diving it was.

The restaurant whose alley she’d just ducked into’s sign said the name of the place was Takesushi. Old sushi probably wasn’t really the best choice, but her options weren’t really that great to begin with. So with a sigh and another quick look around to be sure no one was watching her, Leora shimmied her way into the dumpster.

It was gross, and she refused to go farther than the top layer of trash bags, but it wasn’t that bad. She scored big time with a takeout box that somebody apparently forgot. She couldn’t identify what anything was, but it smelled fresh. Or it at least didn’t smell bad. Wedging herself into the back corner of the alley just behind the dumpster, Leora wiped her hand as clean as she could before digging in.

Despite being of questionable freshness, it was delicious. Comfortably full, she tossed the carton back into the dumpster. She’d definitely come back here. Hopefully as an actually customer, but the dumpster was a more likely possibility until she could secure funds to get home.

Stretching stiff muscles out as well as she could and rolling up the hem of her pants just a little more, Leora promptly scaled the drainpipe to the roof.

It wouldn’t do her any favors if some concerned busybody decided to call the police on her. One of the good things about Japan was that the buildings were so close together. It was a short jump between buildings so even her shorter legs shouldn’t give her much of an issue. Besides, nobody ever looked up.

Getting her bearings as best she could from her new vantage point, Leora decided to follow the throng of people heading deeper into the medium sized shopping district. There had to be a payphone around here somewhere.

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“I’m sorry, the number you are trying to reach is not in service. Please check your number and try again.”

Leora’s eye twitched as the third number she tried failed to connect.

She had found a payphone. She’d even found a kid who looked about five or six who had a decently full coin purse. She didn’t like stealing, least of all from kids, but the child’s mother would be more likely to believe that he just dropped it instead of unwillingly donating it to Leora’s Getting Home Fund. So it should’ve been easy sailing once she got a few blocks away and disposed of the evidence.

Except nobody was picking up.

“I’m sorry, the number you are trying to reach is not in service. Please check your number and try again.”

Not in service her tiny Italian ass.

“I’m sorry, the number-“ The operator didn’t even get a chance to finish before Leora was slamming the handset back into the cradle with as much force as an enraged child could muster.

Shoving her hands through her hair and snarling when they got snagged in the mess, Leora stalked towards the park for a hopefully quiet place to think.

Nobody was answering. Leora had got through six numbers and all the money in the little coin purse and they all were out of service.

That just wasn’t possible. Those numbers were always kept in service so that the carneys would always be able to contact somebody. It had been a little over two days. That wasn’t enough time for all of them to get cut off even if they didn’t pay the phone bill on time.

Sitting down at a tree closer to the edge of the park well away from the other children whose parents would get all high and mighty about her appearance, Leora tried not to scream.

This wasn’t helping anything. She was in another country in a town called Namimori that sounded familiar but had never visited before, alone, without funds, food, or shelter, de-aged to about ten, and her only chance at getting home had apparently decided to go off the fucking grid.

To make matters worse the small, insecure part of her that she’d done her best to squash since she’d first joined the Cirque was deciding to rear its ugly head.

They left you here, it hissed. They didn’t want you anymore and dumped you like yesterday’s trash. Why else you’d you be here? You’re nothing more than a street rat whose parents didn’t even want her. Sure they kept you a few years, but they saw how worthless you really are.

Leora shoved that voice right back where it came from, but the doubt lingered.

Why else would she be here if it wasn’t because of them, the whole de-aging thing aside? If somebody hadn’t put her on a plane or a ship and left her under a bridge? But she’d been with them for twelve years and nobody had said they didn’t want her around. She was useful. She made sure of it. Was she really that blind? Curling up Leora bit her lip harshly to keep from crying.

Did they really not want her anymore?

She didn’t get a chance for her thoughts to spiral down any further before she was plowed into by something small, brown, and screeching at the top of his lungs.

The two went sprawling, Leora’s head knocking against the tree while the other kid’s face was firmly planted in the ground.

“Hiiiieee, I’m sorry!”

Blinking the stars out of her eyes, Leora squinted down at the other boy through her now pounding headache.

He look around ten if she was guessing his age right through the dirt on his face. He had brown hair that stuck out in so many directions she wondered if he stuck his finger in a light socket. Or used hair spray, but it looked to fluffy for that. Huge brown eyes stared back at her fearfully, with a tad bit of worry, but mostly fear.

Great. She graduated from disapproving stares to scaring children less than half her age.

“It’s fine.” Leora bit out, feeling the new bump forming on the side of her head. “Watch where you’re going.”

The boy cringed, pulling in on himself like he was afraid she was going to hit him and looking one loud noise away from bolting…and now she felt like scum. He didn’t deserve her snapping at him because of her family issues.

“Sorry.” she sighed, rubbing a hand over her face like she could physically scrub away the bone deep weariness that had settled in sometime around her third attempt at calling home. “I’ve had a really bad day. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

It was a shit apology, but the boy looked shocked over the fact that she apologized at all.

“I-It’s ok-kay.” He stuttered out, face turning red under the dirt. “It w-was m-my fault for not l-looking where I was g-going.”

The stuttering was kind of adorable, Leora noted absently. He was a scrawny thing, with more eyes than face and his hair sticking up in every direction even with dirt matting it down.

“Why were you running anyways?” He’d plowed into her with enough force to send them tumbling almost two meters from her original spot, and if anything he managed to turn even redder.

Leora didn’t know it was actually possible to turn that shade of red.

“I-I was r-running away from t-the dog.” He muttered, mostly to his shoes before nearby yapping had him sitting bolt upright and ramrod straight. He looked terrified.

Stiffening herself at his obvious fear, Leora slowly turned around, hoping not to startle whatever dog was chasing him into attacking the both of them.

Then relaxed completely when she realized that the dog the boy had been so afraid of was a chihuahua.

The brat had been running in terror from an ear and eyeball caddie that looked like it would weigh maybe twenty ounces soaking wet. It had a pink pompom clipped to its collar.

And the brat had decided that she would make a decent meat shield if the way he was clinging to the back of her filthy shirt was anything to go by.

Leora honestly couldn’t tell if the pain in her stomach was from the sushi she ate around lunch or from trying not to laugh.

The domesticated rat finally reached them, slamming into her legs, biting at her jeans, and yapping like a demented squeaky toy and Leora decided that, funny or not, it was annoying. She felt absolutely no remorse as she punted it back across the park, where it ran off crying with its tail between its legs.

Glancing over her shoulder at the comical look of shock on the boy’s face, Leora couldn’t help but crack a grin.

“Dog’s gone.”

“T-THANK YOU!!” Releasing her shirt, the boy bowed so deep he fell over.

“It’s fine.” Helping the boy back to his feet, she patted him down as best she could, wincing slightly at the stain her still wet clothing had left on him when he clung to her back. He went bright red at her fussing.

“I’m sorry I got you wet.” She added a bit sheepishly. She hoped his mom wouldn’t get mad at him even if he didn’t seem to care.

“U-um, why are y-you wet?” he asked a bit timidly, like she was afraid she would rebuke him for asking. Eh, Leora didn’t seem much harm in telling him.

“I fell in the river.” She paused a moment, not noticing his horrified look as an idea popped into her head, “Then got lost. Do you know where I can find a map?”

“I-if you w-want y-you can come to m-my house.” He blurted out, looking horrified at the offer but determined to get it out anyway. “M-Mama s-should have a m-map.”

Leora was just going to tell him no, but she stopped her knee-jerk reaction. She really did need a map if she was going to get back to ‘Home Base’, as unsafe as the area really was, it had her stuff. She also needed to know where any second hand clothing stores were so she could get clothes that actually fit her scrawny child frame. And shoes. She needed shoes. But following a random kid home was potentially dangerous, even if he looked like a rabbit. Looks could be deceiving, so to risk it or not to?

“You could t-take a b-bath while Mama w-washes your clothes.” The boy offered as her hesitance became more obvious.

Hot bath. Clean. No more dumpster smell. If this was a trap it was a damn good one.

“Okay.”

If worst came to worst she could always make for the nearest drainpipe. If she made it to a roof she’d be gone before somebody could get a ladder.

“I’m Leora Ido- ah, sorry. Idoni Leora. You can just call me Leora.”

The boy gave a painfully shy, but none the less bright smile back.

“S-sawada Tsunayoshi. You c-can call me Tsuna.” Leora inclined her head in acceptance before waving towards the street.

“Well, lead the way Tsuna-san.”

Giving her a shy nod of his own Tsuna set off down the street, glancing over his shoulder every now and then like he had to reassure himself that she was actually following him home.

She didn’t mind, not really. She was too busy wondering why the name Sawada Tsunayoshi sounded so familiar.

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Tsuna’s house seemed to be typical of a Japanese suburb. Small unitarian house, same as the one next to it, with a high wall surrounding the property.  Tulips had been planted under the windows to give it a splash of color, but really there was nothing special about it.

Which was why Leora couldn’t figure out how it looked so damned familiar. It’s not like she’d ever actually been in a Japanese suburb before. The circus had stuck to the country side.

Musing on this, she didn’t pay more than the bare minimum of attention when Tsuna ushered her into his house and announced he was home.

She started paying a lot more attention when his mother stuck her head through a doorway and squealed.

“Tsu-kun brought home a friend!” what looked like a female version of Tsuna gushed as she ushered her blushing son and what should have obviously been a homeless kid into the kitchen for snacks, seemingly not caring about Leora’s filthy appearance or lack of fitting clothes. And were those flowers popping into existence around her head? Was it some kind of trick of the light?

Leora rubbed her eyes.

Nope. Flowers were still there.

What the fuck?

“Mama,” Tsuna broke through his mother’s gushing with what Leora assumed was long practiced ease. “This is Leora-san. S-she fell in in the river and got lost s-so I thought she c-could take a bath here.”

“Ara, you poor dear.” The woman crooned as she ushered Leora up the stairs despite her best efforts to dig in her heels. “Let’s get you in a bath. I’ll give you a pair of Tsu-kun’s clothes to wear while I wash yours.” She paused a moment as if just now seeing her attire.

“These are a bit big on you.”

“…They belong to someone… older.” Leora defended. It’s not her fault that she’d shrunk.

“Ah, you must be new to the area. It is hard to find clothes through all the boxes to sort through from moving.” The woman sympathized, completely ignoring the dubious look Leora was shooting her.

How the hell had she come up with that?

Before she could ask what drug the crazy lady was on, not the best thing to ask your host, she was stripped and dumped in a bath that she didn’t even see the woman draw, clothes whisked away and locket placed on the edge of the bathroom sink.

Leora stared at the bathroom door for a solid five minute before dunking her head in the water to start washing out her curls.

Whatever the woman was, she wasn’t going to be able to beat. She might as well enjoy getting clean.

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Dressed in a pair of Tsuna’s shorts and T-shirt, and feeling considerably more human than she did before, Leora was ushered downstairs and seated at the kitchen table where Tsuna was already eating cookies.

At her blank face he slide the plate over, sending her an apologetic look while his mother bustled around the kitchen putting together things for tea.

“So Leora-chan,” Leora twitched at the childish honorific, “where are you from before coming to Namimori?” Sawada-san asked as she pulled more snacks out of a cabinet.

“…Italy, but my family moves around a lot.”

“Wah, that’s sounds like so much fun. Going so many places. Your family must really love life.” The Sawada matron exclaimed with a dreamy look in her too big eyes, making the tiny Italian twitch again. “Are you liking Namimori so far?”

Leora thought about mental breakdowns, dumpster diving, likely gang matters near her ‘Home Base’, and possible abandonment.

“Yes Sawada-san.” If her reply was flat, Tsuna’s mother didn’t seem to notice.

“Please, call me Nana or mama. I’m hoping I’ll see you around a lot. You should be going to Namimori Primary once school starts. Maybe you and Tsu-kun can do your homework together.”

“Mama!” Tsuna sputtered his cookie and Leora ended up pounding him on the back to help him breath.

“Oh, but Tsu-kun, Leora-chan looks so smart! And you’ll need better grades to get into Namimori Middle or a good university. Mama wants you to be able to say ‘Ah, I love life!’.”

That sent off so many warning bells, but Leora wasn’t sure why this conversation seemed familiar. Her own mother would never have said anything like that. And Namimori Middle. What was that name so familiar?

“Tsu-kun, why don’t you go pick up your room so you and Leora-chan can go play. Leora-chan, why don’t you call you family? It’s getting late so why don’t you ask to stay over since it’s so close to dinner. They can pick you up in the morning.”

Tsuna still looked embarrassed, but he still dashed up the stairs with all the grace of a horse on roller skates with a hopeful look on his face while Leora was lead to a phone in the hallway.

Even if she was an actually a kid, she highly doubted that decent parents would let their missing children spend the night at a strangers house. Not that she had any to ask.

Still, she dutifully dialed a number again, hoping that someone would finally answer.

“The number you are trying to reach is not in service. Please check your number and try again.”

Hanging up the phone, Leora walked into the kitchen to let Nana know she could stay the night. Then she walked up the stairs to Tsuna’s room and play whatever game he set up in a vain attempt to the painful ball of emotion that had taken up a place in her gut.

She’d just passed a small side table when one of the pictures caught her eye. It was a framed postcard of a man in a construction workers outfit who was obviously photo shopped onto a picture with penguins.

Something in her head clicked, ker-plunk, like the turning of a key in a lock as all the little things she’d thought was familiar today fell into place.

Namimori. Takesushi. Namimori Middle. Sawada ‘call me Mama’ Nana. Idiot looking construction worker with penguins. Fluffy haired Sawada Tsunayoshi.

Katekyo Hitman Reborn.

She was in an anime.

Leora didn’t even notice the floor rushing up to meet her as she fainted for the second time in two days.

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Tsuna cleaned his room as fast as he could, shoving empty snack containers under his bed and in his closet so he wouldn’t keep Leora waiting.

He hadn’t meant to run into her at the park, and he had thought she was scary looking even though she made the dog go away. He couldn’t really blame her though. He was sure he’d look scary too if he fell in a river. She’d even apologized to him.

She hadn’t looked scary at all once she’d gotten cleaned up and some better clothes.

Even though he was embarrassed by Mama, he was happy that she should be going to Namimori Primary. It would be nice to have a friend at school with him.

Nobody wanted to be friends with Dame-Tsuna, but Leora had never heard the nickname before so she wouldn’t know how useless he was. That left him with about three weeks of convincing her to be friend before she’d be introduced to his other classmates and bullies.

When he was younger Mama said that making friends gave you a warm feeling in your chest, kind of like a heater. Tsuna honestly couldn’t remember the last time his chest felt something besides cold and kind of empty. He honestly didn’t even notice how cold he really was until she had squinted at him and something flickered in his chest. It had reminded him of a drinking hot chocolate in the winter after being outside for so long. So he’d hidden behind her from the dog and basically dragged her home with him because he didn’t want that warm feeling to fade, checking over his shoulder every few seconds in case she disappeared. He’d been terrified, but the warm flickering in his chest kept him going. Somehow he managed to make it home without tripping. He took that as a good sign.

Shoving the last pile of dirty laundry under his bed, Tsuna hurried out to bring Leora up.

He ended up tripping on her in the hallway right outside his door.

Rubbing a new bruise on his head, he took in the sprawled out form of what was hopefully his first friend.

She had looked pretty tired after her bath, but he wished she could’ve made it to his room before falling asleep. He wasn’t strong enough to carry her.

Dragging her into his room as best as could, he wedged a pillow under her head and covered her with the blanket off his bed. She didn’t even twitch.

Huh, she really was tired. She didn’t say how long she was lost after she fell in the river, but it must’ve been a while if she was this conked out.

He’d need help to make her more comfortable since he couldn’t pick her up. But first he needed to let his Mama know Leora had already fallen asleep and wouldn’t be down for dinner.

That tiny little flicker of warmth still in his chest had him smiling the rest of the night, even after he’d fallen asleep on the futon his Mama had set up next to his bed where Leora was sleeping.

[maramaja06]

Floyden:  So what you say? This will be a super job for all of us! The company is expanding... not here, of course... Forgotten Hollow is too small but...

Angelo:  Working for you? I know nothing about you sir...

 Leora:  And why should you want to employ teens?  ...

Master:  You don`t have to work every day... and only after school... now and then!  Better take your time to think about it!  

 Angelo:  No! Nope! Never! Working for you, Flo, is not an option!

 Tony:  All right then!  I still don’t understand why Angelo would give you another chance but then...  I`ll try again, too!

Floyden:  You may call me boss, now!

Angelo:   In your dreams!

Floyden   Look! You were the one who told me to not make any mistake again because I’m a grown up!  Now I won’t have to... and leaving I am, too!  

Mal:  I don’t know!  I don’t feel well about this!  Like I’m in the wrong film... or... are we under drugs? Because I think I’m hallucinating! Someone is speaking in my head!

 Thor: You have a very sensitive friend... Ms. Jones... He’s he smoking anything?...

Dee:  Certainly not!  He only looks like that... but well... you also look particulary funny and... Halloween was yesterday!

  Thor: The same goes for your, Ms. Jones... how come you still look like a would like vampy? The next Halloween has a year to go!

Dee:  You don’t like?  I can change it for you? How would you like to see me? I love to change!

  Thor:  I’m sorry Ms. Jones... that was not polite, I apologise!

Dee:  Oh please don’t!  Why so shy?  I find you really cute!  I’m also sorry that I lied to you!  I don’t play the violin... but I’m  a very good painter... and would like to paint you!  Please say you’ll be my model!

Thor:  Never!

Dee:  We’ll see! Wanna bet?

[crystalelemental]

Been a long time since I’ve done one of these: a Pokemon team personalities rundown! Today’s team: Team Artifice.  The format of these posts are as follows:

Name and Species (name meaning/origin in link) Nature Characteristic Ability Hold item EV spread Moves Description of their personality

Also, as before, I’ll list the team names here:

Leora the Ampharos Aaralyn the Primarina Koishi the Nihilego Xiu the Mienshao Calla the Tsareena Shula the Chandelure

Hopefully that will help keep things in order.

Leora the Ampharos Nature: Modest Characteristic: Capable of taking hits Ability: Static -> Mold Breaker Item: Ampharosite EVs: 248 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 8 Defense Moves: Thunderbolt, Dragon Pulse, Power Gem, Hidden Power Ice Personality: Leora is a solitary soul, preferring to leisurely enjoy her hobbies at her own pace.  While there are some whom she enjoys the company of, she does not go out of her way to meet others.  Rather, all her acquaintances were considered accidental encounters in daily life.  She prefers to live away from others, more for the silence than anything dislike of others.  Leora likes to go on “expeditions,” as she calls them, which to anyone else would look like a simple walk around the woods.  Her primary hobby is collecting things.  She has a fascination with trinkets and baubles, her favorite of which are the colorful stones she’ll find during her exploration of surrounding areas.  She collects objects primarily out of a greater curiosity with the world, and is constantly wondering about what things are and how they work.  This intellectual curiosity has resulted in her having a wealth of trivia knowledge, but her pursuit of understanding can get the best of her at times.

Leora is closest with Aaralyn, as they’ve known each other most of their lives.  The two are almost always with each other, and several expeditions Leora goes on involve Aaralyn tagging along.  Aaralyn is far more social, however, and is often how Leora meets new people.  Leora is also quite close to Shula, but more in an “academic curiosity” way.  Shula often acts erratically just to see what happens, Leora is constantly curious about outcomes as well.  Koishi is also someone Leora cares greatly for, in the sense that she is strongly invested in understanding the strange, alien creature she finds herself living with.

Aaralyn the Primarina Nature: Modest Characteristic: Likes to relax Ability: Torrent Item: Choice Specs EVs: 248 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 8 Speed Moves: Sparkling Aria, Moonblast, Energy Ball, Psychic Personality: Aaralyn is an introverted soul at heart, requiring time to herself each day to decompress.  However, she is quite social as well, quick to make friends and to enjoy the occasional outing.  Aaralyn likes to learn about people and their histories.  While this curiosity can be endearing, there are times where she can become too probing and inquisitive into others’ business.  Aaralyn is quite a night owl, enjoying her time alone in the moonlight practicing her singing.  Aaralyn greatly enjoying creative expression, particularly singing, although she primarily enjoys doing this as a hobby, and doesn’t like performing in front of crowds.

Aaralyn is closest to Leora, whom she’s known most of her life.  The two are almost always together, and Aaralyn enjoys tagging along on Leora’s expeditions and seeing her get excited about the things she finds.  Leora is also quite close with Calla.  While Calla can be rather abrasive and difficult to get along with due to her strong-willed nature, Aaralyn’s laid-back attitude and friendliness eased their ability to get along.  Aaralyn is also close with Koishi, whose unknowable history is fascinating to her.  More than anything, Aaralyn wants to make some sort of personal, meaningful connection with this strange, alien creature.

Koishi the Nihilego Nature: Timid Characteristic: Alert to sounds Ability: Beast Boost Item: Life Orb EVs: 80 Defense, 176 Sp. Atk, 252 Speed Moves: Power Gem, Sludge Bomb, Psyshock, Hidden Power Ice Personality: Nothing is known of Koishi’s history, and little is known of her personality at all.  She’s a creature that was found, accidentally, by Leora during one of her expeditions.  Leora had found what she thought to be a large, shiny stone on the side of the path, when in reality it was Koishi, curled up.  Upon discovery, Koishi attempted to latch on to Leora, and was quickly scared away by Aaralyn.  Leora and Aaralyn then tracked down the injured Koishi, and attempted to communicate, only to find that it could not understand them, and they could not understand it.  Unable to communicate verbally, Aaralyn decided to attempt communication through gestures, tones, and pictures drawn in sand.  Attempts have been made, and while they are somewhat able to interpret body language, little sense can be made from the images she draws for them.  Needing a name, the two decided on “Koishi,” due to her seeming like a roadside pebble at first glance.

While no one is quite certain, Koishi seems to be close with Leora and Aaralyn, as the two spend a considerable amount of time with her, trying to make sense of what she is and why she’s there.  Koishi seems mostly curious about the team, often watching their movements closely and learning through imitation.

Xiu the Mienshao Nature: Jolly Characteristic: Proud of its power Ability: Reckless Item: Choice Scarf EVs: 252 Attack, 252 Speed, 4 Sp. Def Moves: High Jump Kick, U-Turn, Poison Jab, Knock Off Personality: Xiu is a master of martial arts, and a renowned fighter of a far-off region.  Xiu is elegant above all else, and focuses on honing technique rather than raw power.  While Xiu is often calm and composed, she will often attempt fairly reckless feats to gain the advantage over opponents, in fairly high-risk, high-reward scenarios.  As a master of combat, Xiu is aware of where weaknesses may lie in a team, and aims to fill whatever role is most beneficial for the team.  In this team’s case, speed is where they need support, so speed is what Xiu aims for.  Dedicated to this cause, she trains herself daily with a structured, rigorous routine to hone her body and mind.

Xiu gets along well with Aaralyn, due to their laid-back natures.  The two are fast friends, and enjoy the pleasant conversations they have with one another.  Xiu is also fond of Calla, although she can be frustrating at times.  Calla, while strong-willed, understands the importance of pushing toward self-improvement, and respects her outlook on life.  Xiu is wary of Shula, whom she considers too erratic to be fully worthy of trust.  She is also most concerned about Aaralyn and Leora’s attempts to connect with Koishi, as she recognizes the potential risks that such an unknown creature may carry.

Calla the Tsareena Nature: Adamant Characteristic: Somewhat vain Ability: Queenly Majesty Item: Assault Vest EVs: 56 HP, 252 Attack, 200 Speed Moves: Trop Kick, High Jump Kick, Play Rough, Rapid Spin Personality: Calla is strong-willed, and somewhat arrogant.  She has a clear view of the world, and a strong sense of justice. Despite these strong convictions, she recognizes that everyone’s circumstances are different, and that no one solution fits every situation.  As such, she is a strong proponent of doing what is best for each individual, rather than what works best for a majority of a group.  As such, Calla can be extremely empathetic, keenly aware of how others are feeling and what their wants and needs may be.  Calla is also fiercely deterministic, believing that everything that happens does so for a reason, and that finding those reasons builds understanding of how the world works.

Calla can be somewhat abrasive for others, but gets along well with Aaralyn.  Aaralyn’s laid-back nature and interest in the stories of others fits well with Calla’s outlook on life, and Calla appreciates the chance to converse with someone who understands her views.  Calla also admires Xiu, as Xiu’s constant push toward self-improvement is something that Calla believes everyone should strive for.  Calla also has a strong fascinating with Koishi, a being whose actions by and large do not make coherent sense.  While this is sometimes frustrating, Calla finds the study worthwhile, and firmly believes that she and Aaralyn will be able to understand Koishi with time.

Shula the Chandelure Nature: Quiet Characteristic: Mischievous Ability: Flash Fire Item: Firium-Z EVs: 248 HP, 252 Sp. Atk, 8 Def Moves: Shadow Ball, Fire Blast, Energy Ball, Trick Room Personality: A devious and somewhat dangerous spirit, Shula is a trickster at heart.  Shula often acts in her own interests, often doing things to see how others respond.  Shula prides herself in subverting expectations, ensuring that others never quite know what she’s thinking.  This behavior has led to her being quite adept in combat, although the same behavior can often be considered extreme by those close to her.  Contrary to belief, Shula is quite isolated, and prefers silence.  While she enjoys experimenting with new strategies or new tricks, she will often not converse with others about them, preferring to work independently, and only revealing the fruits of her efforts once success is assured.

Shula gets along well with Leora, who never interrupts her actions and seems to almost enjoy the results.  While not exactly on friendly terms, Shula enjoys interacting with Calla, who is easily riled up and led into arguments.  Among the team, Shula seems the least interested in Koishi.  While the creature’s origins are certainly a subject of interest, ultimately she finds the answer meaningless.  Koishi exists, and whether they understand her history or not, the critical thing is whether they can keep it under control.

[cinema-tv-etc]

36 Famous Actors Who’ve Guest-Starred on ‘The Good Wife’

By Rebecca Strassberg | Posted Oct. 16, 2014,

36 Famous Actors Who’ve Guest-Starred on ‘The Good Wife’ Photo Source: Craig Blankenhorn/CBS

Starring Julianna Margulies, Matt Czuchry, Christine Baranski, and others, “The Good Wife” has been one of the smartest, most well-crafted shows on network television since 2009.

While several famous actors have appeared in small roles on the show (Michael J. Fox and Nathan Lane among them), we’re looking at the actors who’ve surprised us with their roles as lawyers, criminals, judges, and the likes.

Who’s been your favorite “Good Wife” guest star? (If you don’t have one, that’s fine. But if you don’t have one because you don’t watch “The Good Wife,” call in sick tomorrow and get started!)

Matthew Perry The “Friends” star had a small arc during the show’s third and fourth seasons as Mike Kresteva, who runs again Peter (Chris Noth) for Illinois governor, and who Peter epically punches in the face.

David M. Russell/CBS

Jonathan Groff The former Backstage cover star and “Looking” actor graced “The Good Wife” on the Season 3 episode “Live from Damascus.” Jonathan Groff plays Jimmy Fellner, the brother of a girl who was captured while studying Arabic in Syria.

Laura Benanti On the Season 5 episode “Tying the Knot,” Tony winner Laura Benanti plays Renata Ellard, the most recent lover of “The Good Wife’s” most devious killer, Colin Sweeney. When Alicia (Julianna Margulies) stops by the lovebirds’ engagement party to get legal papers signed, she finds herself at a murder scene again, and Benanti is not as sweet and innocent as she seems.

Martha Plimpton Though Martha Plimpton is a recurring character, she’s just too hysterical to ignore. As defense attorney Patti Nyholm, Plimpton uses her character’s pregnancy and motherhood as a tactic for delaying hearings, being late, etc. Plimpton took home an Emmy in 2009 for outstanding guest actress in a drama series for the role.

Rita Wilson Rita Wilson pops up every once in a while as Viola Walsh, a competing defense lawyer and acquaintance of Diane’s (Christine Baranski). And when Walsh’s character comes into town from California, you know there’s gonna be trouble.

Jeff Neira/CBS

Kelli Giddish The “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” actor guest stars on four episodes of the show as Sophia Russo, a private sector investigator who’s romantically involved with Kalinda (Archie Panjabi).

Nestor Carbonell In the Season 5 episode “The Deep Web,” Nestor Carbonell plays a flirtatious juror with whom Alicia later goes out to lunch.

Aaron Tveit The “Graceland” actor took his turn on “The Good Wife,” as lawyer Spencer Zschau in the Season 3 episode “Executive Order 13224.”

Audra McDonald Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald play Liz Lawrence on the Season 4 episode “Runnin’ with the Devil.” As Alicia’s law school nemesis, McDonald’s character goes up against her in a case involving Lemond Bishop (Mike Colter).

David M. Russell/CBS

Linda Emond This two-time Tony nominee appears in three episodes of “The Good Wife” (thus far) as Judge Leora Kuhn, a military judge whom Alicia argues in front of, and later helps on a case.

Kate Burton The “Scandal” and “Grey’s Anatomy” actor portrays Chief Justice of Illinois Victoria Adler who respects Diane deeply and tries to help her become a judge, though she later retracts the offer.

America Ferrera The actor formerly known as Ugly Betty appears in four episodes as Natalie Flores, a college student who worked for Peter’s state’s attorney opponent Wendy Scott-Carr (Anika Noni Rose). When Eli (Alan Cumming) tries to expose her as an illegal immigrant, he finds something attractive in her instead. The whole unrequited love situation brings out the surprisingly endearing side of Eli.

JP Filo

Parker Posey Parker Posey plays Eli’s ex-wife for three episodes throughout Season 3. The “House of Yes” actor is a perfect match to Eli, making us wish the two would rekindle their love.

Amy Sedaris Amy Sedaris licks whipped cream off of Alan Cumming’s fingers. And yes, you read that correctly. Sedaris plays Stacie Hall for three episodes during Season 3, a lobbyist who appears to be Eli’s match. However, when she becomes his ex-wife’s campaign manager, her manipulative (and sexual) tricks are too powerful for Eli to fight.

Bebe Neuwirth What kind of show would “The Good Wife” be without a Bebe Neuwirth guest role? The two-time Emmy winner plays one of the many judges we see our favorite defense attorneys argue in front of.

David M. Russell/CBS

F. Murray Abraham Most recently seen in Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” and on “Homeland,” F. Murray Abraham plays Burl Preston on “The Good Wife,” a big shot lawyer from Los Angeles.

Lisa Edelstein The “House” actor appears in three episodes of “The Good Wife” including “Get a Room,” “Feed the Rat,” and “Marthas and Caitlins.”

Eric Bogosian Eric Bogosian spends three episodes on the show in Season 5 as an agent with the Office of Public integrity who’s determined to prove someone rigged Peter’s election for governor of Illinois.

CBS

Gillian Jacobs The “Community” star guest-starred on “The Good Wife” before the Emmy noms and critical acclaim. Gillian Jacobs plays Sonia on the pilot episode!

Jerry Stiller The “King of Queens” actor made an appearance as one of the show’s many judges. (Among them are Denise O’Hare, David Paymer, Peter Riegert, and Jeffrey Tambor, to name a few.) Stiller plays Judge Felix Afterman on the Season 2 episode “Silver Bullet.”

Christina Ricci In the Season 4 episode “Anatomy of a Joke,” Christina Ricci plays Therese Dodd, a vulgar comedian who never apologizes for anything. When she gets sued for taking her top off on live TV (supposedly to perform a breast exam), the network decides to sue her for damages. However, the case is only made more difficult for Alicia and Cary (Matt Czuchry) when she can’t keep her potty mouth closed.

Sarah Silverman Most recently with a guest-starring role on “Masters of Sex,” Sarah Silverman was a “Good Wife” guest star as well. In a part so perfectly fitting with her unapologetic/often sexual stand-up routines, Silverman plays Stephanie Engler, a woman who runs a website that allows users to have affairs with random matches.

Jeff Neira/CBS

Lily Rabe The “American Horror Story” actor has a teeny, tiny role on “The Good Wife.” As Petra Moritz, a reporter first appearing in the show’s second season, Rabe’s role is the kind of quick take that makes you say, “Is that Lily Rabe?!?!”

Matt Letscher Currently recurring on “Castle” and “Boardwalk Empire,” Matt Letscher guest-starred on “The Good Wife” on the Season 2 episode “Two Courts.” Letscher plays former campaign manager Adam Boras who attempts to go over Eli’s head and bring Peter big cash donors to his cash-poor campaign.

Hunter Parrish In the Season 5 episode “Dramatics, Your Honor,’ Hunter Parrish plays…I…I can’t. This one’s too painful for any fan of the show to discuss. See why here.

Courtesy of CBS

Richard Kind Currently on Fox’s “Gotham,” Richard Kind first guest-starred in one of the most pivotal and nail-biting episodes of “The Good Wife” as Judge Alan Davies on the Season 5 episode, “The Next Day”; it’s the one after the shit hits the fan, as any “Good Wife” fan remembers.

Tracy Thoms Known for playing Joanne in “Rent,” Tracy Thoms appears on one episode of the show (Season 4’s “Runnin’ with the Devil”) as Lemond Bishop’s sister, Judy.

Corey Stoll Most recently seen in “This Is Where I Leave You,” the “House of Cards” actor plays Collin Grant in the second episode of “The Good Wife.”

Wallace Shawn Every so often, Wallace Shawn (“Toy Story”) pops up as Lemond Bishop’s (the biggest drug dealer in Chicago) personal (and most definitely crooked) attorney. Courtesy of CBS

Kyle MacLachlan In two Season 4 episodes, Kyle MacLachlan (“Twin Peaks” is coming back!) play Josh Perotti who has Eli on tape committing a felony regarding political donations. He and David LaGuardia (Hamish Linklater) offer to make Eli a deal if he wears a wire and gets Peter confessing to the crime as well.

Kristin Chenoweth As Peggy Byrne in two Season 4 episodes, this Tony winner is a political reporter who gets a bit too personal with her questions but is quick to quiet reporters when they dig into her personal life.

Jason Biggs Before his epic “Orange Is the New Black” comeback, Jason Biggs appeared on two episodes of “The Good Wife” as Dylan Stack in Seasons 3 and 4. He first posed as the lawyer for the creator of online currency Bitcoin, but it’s later discovered that he’s one of its three inventors.

David M. Russell/CBS

Miranda Cosgrove On the Season 2 episode “Bad Girls,” the actor formerly known as Carly Shay (“iCarly”), plays Alicia’s pop star client Sloan Burchfield who’s accused of attempted murder after allegedly driving drunk.

Tamara Tunie Amidst her 14 years playing Dr. Melinda Warner on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” Tamara Tunie guest-starred on one Season 4 episode of the hit CBS show as Serafina Norvy where the lawyers battle a West Nile Virus case.

Bryce Pinkham Tony nominee for “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” Bryce Pinkham plays Dr. Hanson on the Season 1 episode “Unplugged,” about a case involving the wife of a comatose musician.

Pablo Schreiber The “Orange Is the New Black” villain appears on the Season 2 episode “Ham Sandwich” as Gregory Mars. The episode follows Lemond Bishop’s divorce, Kalinda’s grand jury subpoena, and Peter’s campaign (The first one!).

[purduetimmydomestictrip2k17-blog]

On to our second day in Atlanta! This morning started like any other with everyone waking up early (thanks Chad for turning on the lights), grabbing breakfast, and getting coffee at our new favorite coffee shop, Hodgepodge. Then we headed to Books for Africa, which is a non-profit organization that collects donated books and redistributes them to schools and universities throughout Africa. We helped organize the books based on grade level and subject material, such as elementary books, adult non-fiction, and middle school world history. The people we worked with were hilarious. For example, a volunteer named John told Emily and Annie that sorting one book was “easy peezy, lemon squeezy”. Jeff even climbed into one of the empty boxes we had sorted! After volunteering at Books for Africa, we headed to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for our visit and tour. We arrived incredibly early (blame McKenzie) so we hung out in the lobby where Jeff and Leora walked through a photo gallery created by the resident CDC photographer. We met up with IU Timmy at the CDC too! It’s their first year visiting Atlanta for a domestic trip and it was great hearing about their experiences so far and giving some tips from our trip! Then, we moved into a panel discussion with five experts from the CDC, including experts from emergency preparedness, infectious disease, epidemiology, and a “laboratorian”. We learned about their careers in public health and how they have grown into the roles they are currently in. We also got to ask lots of questions about the CDC and public health, which was super helpful for Puneet because we will be going to get his Masters of Public Health after he graduates in May! After an hour long discussion, we moved into the museum tour led by a retired employee of the CDC that had dedicated 22 years of her career to the organization. She explained the history of the CDC beginning with its original formation as a result of the malaria outbreak during the war in the 1940s. Atlanta was chosen at the site for the CDC because there are a lot of mosquitos in the south, which is how malaria is transmitted. We also saw an iron lung, which was used as treatment for polio patients, and the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We ended out tour by trying on biohazard suits! After leaving the CDC, we headed back to the church to grab dinner and decided to venture out for ice cream. Unfortunately, we don’t know how to navigate some of the small side streets with our vans and McKenzie’s van ended up stuck in the parking lot of a very fancy restaurant (whoops). The valets had to help us back out before a charter bus with a flat tire backed into us! Luckily, we made it out and headed to Jake’s to meet the other van for ice cream. We finished our sweet treats and decided we needed a new game so we headed to Target. We decided to pick up Taboo and headed back to the church for a hilarious hour and half long game! Now, we’re heading to bed and are excited to volunteer at the Berea Mennonite Church and Oakleaf Farm tomorrow, where we are staying! Then, we have a free evening so we are planning to check out The Beltline and have dinner with IU Timmy at Mary Mac’s Tea Room! See y’all tomorrow!! 

[16thstreet]

Sephardim and the West Coast: An internship project

By Leora Singer, Former Research Intern

Biography and Author’s Purpose

I am a New York City High School Student that completed a 5-week research internship at The Center for Jewish History this past summer. After taking Advanced Placement Spanish in school, I became interested in the history of Jews of Spanish descent. In addition, my knowledge of Hebrew and Spanish (although it is limited) was an incentive for me to look into the history and linguistic construction of Ladino [Judaeo-Spanish] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaeo-Spanish).  

When I researched Ladino in the online catalog for the partners of the Center for Jewish History Library and Archives Collections, I found a master’s thesis from a professor at the University of Washington on the few remaining Ladino speakers in Seattle. The study discussed a bit about the origins of Sephardim in Seattle, and how Seattle Sephardim became increasingly detached from Ladino and sometimes even their Sephardic culture. I decided to further look into the topic of Seattle Sephardim. Through more research, I was able to broaden my topic to Sephardim in the 19th-20th centuries from three cities on the West Coast: Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

I decided to organize my findings into three blog posts  each of which analyzes one research question for at least two of the three cities: Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Here are the questions:

1. How did the wealth and status of the Sephardim in West Coast cities affect their development in the late 19th- early 20th centuries? (Assessed for Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco)

2. What was the relationship between Sephardim on the West Coast and Ashkenazim on the West Coast in the late 19th-early 20th Centuries? (Assessed for Seattle and San Francisco)

3. What was the relationship between Turkish and Rhodesli Sephardim on the West Coast in the late 19th-early 20th Centuries? (Assessed for Seattle and Los Angeles)

The goal of this project is to compare and contrast the status and development of Sephardic Jews in Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. In addition,  I explore the relationships between different groups of Sephardim in those places, as well as  how Sephardim there related to Ashkenazim and even non-Jews. My research was largely based on books held by the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) and the American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS). I learned that Sephardim started moving to Seattle and Los Angeles around the same time, at the beginning of the 20th century, and the vast majority of the first generation of Sephardim in these cities immigrated directly from other countries. However, the first Sephardim came to San Francisco during the Gold Rush period, and many of them were born in the US. In my posts, I explore this contrast and how it affected the growth of each Sephardic community.

What was the Financial and Social Status of the Sephardim in West Coast Cities and How Did This Affect Their Development in the Late 19th- Early 20th Centuries?

This is my first blog post in a series of three posts in which I discuss the theme of Sephardim in the West Coast in the 19th-20th century. In this post, I compare and contrast the wealth and prominence of Sephardim in each of the three cities: Seattle, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Seattle:

The first Sephardic immigrants to Seattle, Solomo Calvo and Jacob Policar, came directly from the island of Marmara in 1902 (Adatto, 55-56). They came searching for jobs in the fishing industry that would make them enough money to sustain themselves and ensure a happy life for themselves. Calvo and Policar soon brought over family members that were also searching for a more financially comfortable lifestyle. These family members spread the word about the opportunities available in Seattle, so soon enough dozens of Turkish Sephardim living in poverty  arrived in Seattle, searching for a better future (Adatto, 60). The first few generations of Sephardim living in Seattle were uneducated (Adatto, 30) and took up jobs as unskilled laborers. Many of them worked in the fish industry, or as tailors, shoe shiners, or cigar rollers (Sidell, 578). However, they worked hard and encouraged their children, so the next generation was more prosperous (Angel,  564). As their prosperity grew, the Sephardim of Seattle had more time to engage with secular and Jewish intellectual ideas, and they focused more on educating the next generation. The Sephardic Talmud Torah improved (Angel, 571). At Bikur Holim, one of the two Sephardic synagogues that still exists in Seattle today, there is a thriving adult education program filled with interesting lectures by guest speakers (Read more about these synagogues in my third blog post). In addition, there is a large library at Bikur Holim.

Los Angeles:

Many of the early Sephardim living in Los Angeles were from Rhodes. Like in Seattle, most of the Sephardim living in Los Angeles in the early 20th century did menial labor because they couldn’t speak English. Most of the profits made from their menial labor were given to their struggling families in Rhodes. When their family members back in Rhodes saw this money, many decided to come to Los Angeles themselves. This led to more Sephardic immigration to Los Angeles. Many Rhodesli Sephardic immigrants to Los Angeles came in order to become prosperous, and would have stayed in Rhodes if they weren’t living in poverty there (Hasson, 384).

Similar to the Sephardim of Seattle, first-generation Los Angeles Sephardim wanted their children to get an education, find a job that did not involve menial labor, and assimilate into American society. One of the ways they tried to ensure that their children would be successful in America was by encouraging their children to speak English instead of Ladino (Hasson, 387). Although this did help second-generation Sephardim in Los Angeles to gain respect from others and to get high-paying jobs, it led to the decline of Ladino. Since many second-generation Sephardim in Los Angeles weren’t  used to speaking Ladino and thought it was not a tool for success in the United States, most of them weren’t inclined to speak it regularly with their children. With each passing generation, fewer and fewer Sephardim in Los Angeles spoke Ladino.

San Francisco:

Sephardim started coming to San Francisco during the Gold Rush in 1849. Unlike in Seattle and Los Angeles, most of the Sephardim that came to San Francisco were natives of other parts of the United States. Most of them were prosperous and highly educated (Stern and Kramer, 46). Many prominent politicians and educators in California in the late 19th- early 20th centuries were San Franciscan Sephardim. This allowed San Franciscan Sephardim to have a say in establishing laws and social customs.

The Sephardim were never able to have a congregation of their own (You can read about this phenomenon in my second blog post). Therefore, they chose which of the Ashkenazi-run synagogues to go to: Temple Emanu-El or Temple Shearith Israel. The Sephardim were split between the two synagogues (Stern and Kramer, 48).  Due to the fact that they were prosperous and their families had been in the US for a long time, the Sephardim in San Francisco didn’t see themselves as a minority group that needed to stick together. Stern and Kramer infer "...that both of the synagogues must have been wealthy." (Stern and Kramer, 48)

One of the prominent members from this community was Joseph R. Brandon. An activist lawyer, Brandon was also a member of the Sephardic congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco. He was a strictly Orthodox Jew, and he argued against the passage of laws that failed to protect the religious freedom of the Jews. For example, he opposed the recitation of the Christian Lord’s prayer in public schools, so he wrote a 20-page pamphlet stating that the rationale for saying the prayer had misquoted the scriptures (Kramer, 78). Along with the retired state supreme court judge Solomon Heydenfelt, also a Sephardic Jew from San Francisco, Brandon argued against the law that stores must close on Sundays. Brandon and Heyden felt won their case, and the law was not passed (Zerin, 19).  

Bibliography:Adatto, Albert. Sephardim and the Seattle Sephardic Community. Seattle: U of Washington, 1939. Print.Fitz Morris, Mary K., and University of Washington. Spanish Portuguese Studies. Degree Granting Institution. The Last Generation of Native Ladino Speakers? Judeo-Spanish and the Sephardic Community in Seattle (2014): Masters Abstracts International 53-04(E). Print.Angel, Marc D., Hasson, Aron, Kramer, William M., Maimon, Isaac, Samuels, Beth, Sidell, Loraine, Stern, Norton B. Sephardic Jews in the West Coast States : An Anthology. 1st ed. Los Angeles: Published for the Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles by the Western States Jewish History Association, 1996. Print. Western States Jewish History ; v. 28, No. 1-3.Stern, Stephen. The Sephardic Jewish Community of Los Angeles. New York: Arno, 1980. Print. Folklore of the World (New York).Zerin, Edward. Jewish San Francisco. Charleston, SC: Arcadia, 2006. Print. Images of America.

[stuffandpens-blog]

Off-topic side note before we start: Colin, one of our blog members, can’t post today, so I (Leora) decided to post something in his place.

The Netherlands has a school system, and it’s a bit different than normal schools. I’ll try to explain it, but English is not my first language, so here’s a spelling/grammar warning in advance. Enjoy! 😄

Peuterspeelzaal - Pre-school (Literally: toddler play room) - Grade 0 This is optional. Kids learn social skills and there are all sorts of toys children can play with. You can start going here if you’re 2 years old.

Basisschool - Primary school (Literally: basicschool) - Grade 1-6 In this school you’ll learn the basics. It’s actually not that hard, most schools will not give you much homework. The most I got was in group 8, and that was just two pages. In ‘basisschool’, grades are called “groups” (”groepen”).

- Group 1 & 2, age 4-6, grade 0: This is kindergarten 😋 - Group 3, age 6-7, grade 1: This is where you’ll learn how to read & write, you’ll also start doing math. - Group 4, age 7-8, grade 2: Grammar, spelling and multiplying. - Group 5, age 8-9, grade 3: It’s time for history and geography! Everything is getting harder: longer sentences, more difficult math problems, plus, grammar is more important. - Group 6, age 9-10, grade 4: It’s time for essays, and you’ll have to know the Dutch provinces. - Group 7, age 10-11, grade 5: -sarcastic voice- yaaay, homework.. It’s time for learning about the countries of Europe! Also, more essays. Most schools start teaching English in group 7 - Group 8, age 11-12, grade 6: Doing more assignments in less time 😥 Children learn about countries all over the world, they do essays and they have to do more homework. (It’s still not that much.) Almost every kid in group 8 learns how to speak English. Also, group-eighters do a musical at the end of the year, to say goodbye to the school.

Middelbare school - High school (Literally: middle school) - Grade 7-12 From now on, grades are called classes, not groups. There are four categories, you could say it’s based on smartness, but that’s not true. It’s also about having stamina (is that the correct word here?), wanting to learn and really ‘getting’ things. Also, if you have a VMBO diploma, you can join HAVO, class 4. Same with HAVO, if you have a HAVO diploma, you can join VWO, class 5. (Well, you can’t just jump in, there are a few requirements, but it’s definitely possible!)

VWO This is the highest level. VWO-students are here for 6 years (grade 7-12). VWO has two smaller groups: Atheneum and Gymnasium. The only difference is, in gymnasium, you’ll get two extra languages: Latin and Old Greek.

HAVO I'd say this is where the average student goes, or perhaps a little above average (?). HAVO-students are here for 5 years (grade 7-11). The stuff they learn in HAVO is less difficult than in VWO

VMBO If it’s difficult for you to really ‘get’ things and to learn, then I recommend this place. It’s less difficult than HAVO & VWO. Sometimes VWO-students practice a language, like French, with old VMBO exam tests. VMBO-students are here for 4 years (grade 7-10).

Choosing a profile If you’re one of the cool and big kids, then you can choose a 'vakkenpakket’! (Literally translated: subject package. A better translation is a study program, or a chosen set of courses.)

HAVO and VWO vakkenpakketten, choosable for class 4: - Natuur & Techniek (Literally: Nature & Technique) If you want a tech-ey job, then you’ll want to choose this package. - Natuur & Gezondheid (Literally: Nature & Health) Most people wanting to be a doctor choose this package. - Economie & Maatschappij (Literally: Economy & Society) This is for real business people. You’ll learn all about money. - Cultuur & Maatschappij (Literally: Culture & Society) People choose this one if they want to do something with art or with languages.

VMBO vakkenpakketten, choosable for class 3 (<- not 100% sure): - Sector Techniek - Sector Technique This is a practical package, similar to “Natuur & Techniek” - Sector Zorg en welzijn - Sector Care and welfare There isn’t much information about this available online, but it’s safe to say this package is working with people. It’s a little similar to “Natuur & Gezondheid” - Sector Economie - Sector Economy Similar to “Economie & Maatschappij”. It’s for business people, but also for people who want to work with tourists. - Sector Landbouw - Sector Agriculture If your parents have their own farm, they probably want you to be the next owner. This sector will prepare you for that. Nature lovers will also fit in.

Vervolgonderwijs (Literally: continue education) You can split this up in two sides: ‘middelbaar beroepsonderwijs’ (literally: middle jobeducation) and ‘hoger onderwijs’ (literally: higher education). You can get in ‘middelbaar beroepsonderwijs’ with a VMBO, HAVO or VWO diploma and you can only get in ‘hoger onderwijs’ with a HAVO or VWO diploma.

Middelbaar onderwijs (mbo) This will directly prepare you for a job. There are four levels, and depending on what level, it’ll take 1-4 years.

Hoger onderwijs (hbo or wo) Another split-up! One is ‘hoger beroepsonderwijs’ (hbo), this will take 4 years and you’ll be prepared for a job. The other one is ‘universitaire opleiding’ (literally: university education/training (?)), you can do bachelor (for about 3 years) and then you can choose to do master on top of it (one or two years extra). You can only do this type of education with a VWO diploma.

Some courses will take a little longer, because they’re more advanced. For example, being a surgeon takes a way longer to learn.

So yeah, I think that’s about it! There’s more though, this is just the general idea, but I think this post is long enough already.

Hopefully you’ve learned something from all this and I hope that you’ve enjoyed it! 😄😄😄

[shellyscribbles]

Character Profile: Uri

Name: Just Uri.

Backstory: He is a wizard from the wizard town of Galdur just west of of the Lux Forest.  He and his brother, Adrik, moved south in their youth.  As the conflict stirred up by Samael increased, Adrik was swayed, leaving his brother behind to move to Shara.  Having spent time in Lux, Uri was not swayed to follow his brother, but hesitated to take a side and instead remained in Galdur intending to avoid the conflict all together. 

Appearance: He has light brown hair, green eyes.  He is generally tanned as he enjoys being outside.  Not overly tall for a wizard, 5′11″.  Rather thin. 

Social Life: He is a shy person.  He struggles to form meaningful relationships with his own people, though he has kept a few friends in Galdur.  Mostly keeps to himself, limiting his relationships to that of a merchant. 

Interests: Uri is a master at Imbuing magic, but his real interest lies in the power contained in elements and the study of rocks and ore.  Led him to learn about the nearby city of Tooli where the strange secretive population of Nymph and wizard blended families reside on the bank of Enid lake. 

Other things: Uri is rather tender hearted.  When faced with apathy or doing something to ease the suffering of others he discovers he is stronger and more capable than he thought. 

When he is around a more dominate personality, he will take a passive role, but stands up to lead when the responsibility is dropped by others. 

He is one of the oldest characters at 307 years of age.  [life span for race is around 800]

-- scene from first draft--

“Royal nymphs?  Wonderful. I am a half nymph, but I can link to the Earth.” Her face remained radiant, lightening even Aila’s heavy heart.  “Anyway, you must be tired, have you traveled all night?”

“Most of it, if we could shelter here until we are able to get to Enid under cover of dark, we would be grateful.” Uri replied.

“You won’t need the cover of dark, there aren’t enemies between Tooli and Enid, we have seen to that.  You are welcome to remain as long as you wish.” Alaster nodded to Ela who joyously stepped toward their guests and led them to a spare room in the back of their house.

“This is our daughter’s room,” Ela said explaining her gesture that they be silent, “our sons sleep there.” She motioned across from the door to their right to show the two rooms in which her children slept soundly. “Here is where you can stay, I am sorry we only have one bed, I could bring more blankets, but we have no other pads.”  For the first time since meeting her they found her to be flustered.  She regretted not being able to provide better accommodations for their guests.

“This should be fine, thank you.”

“Aila can make a bed.” Leora said before yawning.  

“Shh, there is no need to tear up their home for a bed.” Aila leaned down to her sister feeling embarrassed.  

“Oh, that would be no bother at all!  It’s a wonderful idea.  A nymph bed would be a wonderful addition to our home.” Ela beamed as she looked at the older nymph.  Her expression dimmed somewhat as the effort of it occurred to her. “However, you needn’t spend yourself.”

Aila allowed a small smile.  She found Ela reminded her of her mother, all the good she possessed. “No, I think it will help me sleep to spend myself on a bed.” She smiled to reassure their host. With a promise of returning with blankets, Ela left them.

Uri helped Aila slide a dresser over to make room for the bed. With Leora fighting to stay awake in the bed already present, Aila began the careful work of constructing the bed. Once it was done, she sat down on the edge, shaking her head to clear the exhaustion enough to get herself ready.

“Here, lay back.”  Uri stepped forward to help the spent nymph.

“No,” Aila waved him away and got to her feet. “I made it bigger than the other, this is yours.” She stumbled toward the other bed where Leora had lost her battle and slept soundly.

Uri ran a hand along the side of the bed.  He looked at Aila who was carefully laying her sister beneath the covers before slipping under them herself.  Uri helped lay out the second blanket that remained folded at the foot of the bed.  “That was incredibly thoughtful.  Thank you.”

“Do you have children Uri?” Aila asked as she settled under the warm blankets.

“No.  Never married.”

“It’s a shame.  You’d make a good father.” Aila closed her eyes and fell asleep.  

Uri smiled down at them as they drifted to sleep. Ela returned with the blankets as he prepared to test out the new bed.

“Oh, its marvelous!” Ela nearly dropped the blankets as she found herself faced with the artistry of Aila.

Uri chuckled and took the blankets.  “It is sure to be comfortable too.  She made one for us yesterday.”

Ela, noting the low tone in which Uri spoke, looked to the other bed to find the nymphs asleep.  “How did you come to travel with them?”  She asked in a tone that matched his.

“I stumbled upon them outside of Galdur.  My brother had just left for Shara and I was deciding what I should do.  Stay in Galdur, head south to join him, or north.”  He looked across to the nymphs. “They looked so scared. I made up my mind to get them somewhere safe.”

[wutbju]

Judith Lovely Ayers, 79, of Clackamas, passed away April 27, 2019 in Clackamas. Judith was born Oct. 5, 1939 in Boise, Idaho to Ronald and Leora (Secoy) Lovely.

She attended Bob Jones University, Class of 1962, and Portland State University where she received her Master's degree in Library Media. On Aug. 11, 1959, in Seattle, Wash., Judith married Lawrence "Larry" Ayers. After graduating from college, Judith worked as an Elementary School Librarian and Teacher, working for Portland Christian School and the Reynolds School District. When not working, Judith enjoyed gardening, sewing and quilting, reading, traveling, playing with her grandkids and attending Good Shepherd Community Church.

Judith was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence "Larry" Ayers in 2018, and is survived by her daughters, Annette Hill (James), Alyson Wagner (Jim) and Amy Murphy (Sean); grandchildren, Courtney Johnson-Kiichle (Chris), Kevin Johnson (Emilie) and Jaymee Wagner; and great-grandchildren, Aiden Kiichle, Jonas Kiichle, Lauren Johnson, Simon Johnson, and Noah Johnson.

There will be a celebration of life for Judith at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 4, 2019, at Good Shepherd Community Church, 28986 S.E. Haley Road, Boring, OR 97009.

Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits

[funface2]

In Memoriam: SHA’s Michael Oshins: Caring, Dedicated, Funny | BU Today – BU Today

Longtime School of Hospitality Administration faculty member Michael Oshins (Wheelock’02), who continued to teach even as he fought pancreatic cancer, succumbed to his disease on Friday. He was 59.

“He was the most beloved professor at the school,” says Christopher Muller, a close friend and a SHA professor. “He knew every student who had graduated and kept in touch with an enormous number of them. There were both present and former students at his funeral on Sunday, and I got emails from students and former colleagues from all over the globe wishing to send their condolences to the family. There was one guy there from the class of ’94.”

Oshins, an Auburndale resident, was celebrating his 30th year of teaching at SHA. As the school’s first associate professor of the practice, he was instrumental in shaping its curriculum and culture, according to Arun Upneja, SHA dean.

“He was the most incredibly optimistic, happy person I have known,” Upneja says. “He lived and practiced hospitality. In terms of how we talk to our students and take care of them in this school, a whole lot of that flows from his mindset. People come in and say, ‘Whoa, this school is different.’ It is different in big part because of his sense of hospitality that he has imbued in this school.”

Oshins had taught different classes over the years, including introduction to hospitality, hospitality technology, marketing, lodging operations, and more recently, the required senior capstone course, Hospitality Leadership. Kristen Verdeaux (SHA’19) took a Harvard Extension course Oshins taught more than a dozen years ago and found him inspiring; later, with a career in event management, she joined the Masters of Management in Hospitality program at SHA largely in hopes of reconnecting with him. She landed in the leadership class, which Oshins cotaught with Suzanne Bagnera, SHA clinical assistant professor and chair of undergraduate programs, in fall 2018.

“That first day we walked into class and he said to us, ‘Guys, I’m sick, I have cancer, but I’m attacking it right now, I have a great team of doctors at one of the best medical centers in the country, and I will be there on graduation day to see you walk across the stage,’” Verdeaux says. “I remember people were crying, and we all had chills. You think about an educator who knows they’re fighting really hard but is incredibly dedicated to his students. That’s who he was.”

“He approached class with humor and grace and interactive learning,” Verdeaux says. “It was refreshing, and I never dreaded going to one of his classes.”

Oshins was an early adopter of computer technology for the hospitality industry and kept a vintage Apple computer in his office. Photo by Boston University Photography

On September 19, Oshins was inducted into Boston University’s Scarlet Key Honor Society, but did not attend the ceremony. Oshins “is the manifestation of hospitality, service, and leadership in one ‘mensch’ of a human being,” said the nomination letter from Leora Lanz, SHA lecturer and chair of the graduate program. She saw him last Tuesday, his final day of teaching.

“Mike has inspired thousands, literally thousands of students during his 30 years at BU,” Lanz says. “He truly loved his students. It’s no surprise that a number of former students attended his funeral service. The number of texts and calls I received once the news was shared was overwhelming. Personally, I am devastated and heartbroken.”

Before joining the faculty, Oshins worked for a company applying then-new software to such industry uses as restaurant reservation systems. He worked with the BU Office of Technology Application back in 2011–12 when the iPad was gaining popularity to create the very first commercial Apple app for BU, Muller recalls. It was called the Revenator, a sliding scale that allowed the user to estimate the sales of any restaurant based on the number of seats and average check. “His innovative approach to joining technology to the classroom was years ahead of the rest of us,” Muller says.

Oshins earned his doctorate in education from Wheelock College of Education & Human Development and his three children have all attended BU. He is survived by his wife, Alison Kur, and their children Abi, Jem, and Zachary, along with his parents and siblings.

Roughly 800 people attended a funeral on Sunday at Temple Beth Elohim in Wellesley, Muller estimated. One measure of the regard Oshins’ friends had for his sense of humor is that one eulogist appeared with a Steve Martin–style arrow on his head, while another wore a red clown nose.

One year Oshins was the best man in eight weddings, says Muller, who has known Oshins since they were Cornell graduate students. Oshins was instrumental in bringing Muller to BU in 2010. Muller said their friendship included plenty of jokes about Oshins’ size-15 feet—“these giant boats”—and that in recent years they had taken to referring to themselves as Statler and Waldorf, the two grumpy old men on The Muppets.

“My last communication with him was in texts,” Muller says. “I sent him a picture and said I was thinking of him and signed it, Waldorf. He wrote back and said, ‘Good to hear from you, this is Statler, I’m back in the hospital but all is good.’ And of course it wasn’t.”

Memorial donations may be made to the Mike Oshins Fund at Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley.

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