#links course Sweden

[une-sanz-pluis]

From a very early time in Syon's history, perhaps from the very start of its history, the duchess of Clarence was a supporter and benefactor of this royal foundation. Most assuredly, the Bible that the duchess purchased for the brothers was only one of many gifts to the abbey as an expression of gratitude for all the spiritual benefits, as described in the papal register entries, which she received from the Bridgettines. Perhaps the most important aspect of her relation with Syon was a long and close association with Symon Wynter; if not her confessor, he was at least a spiritual counselor to the duchess and sufficiently attentive to her spiritual welfare to encourage devotion to Jerome. In return, she was asked to encourage others of her acquaintance, both laity and religious, to join in the devotion to Jerome by permitting them to read and make copies of the life written by Symon. In the course of doing so, the duchess would have been helping to establish a reputation for the abbey and its works among those whose good offices might be of value to a foundation that in the 1420s was not fully assured of its continuance. If the repeated copying of this life of Jerome and its eventual printing by Wynkynde Worde are an indication, the good that accrued from the duchess's support for Syon endured well beyond her lifetime. The duchess's benefactions, of which her literary patronage is an important aspect, should probably be seen as part of an ongoing Lancastrian, perhaps specifically Beaufort, tradition of support for Syon and, by implication, for Syon's contributions to vernacular devotional literature. A half-century after the death of the duchess of Clarence, Lady Margaret Beaufort was continuing that tradition and, consciously or not, also continuing her grandmother's efforts as literary patron and publisher. In doing so, she seems to have seen the new printing industry as an ideal means for encouraging the good works of Syon and extending their benefits beyond what a reliance on its own scribes would have permitted.

George R. Keiser, "Patronage and Piety in Fifteenth-Century England: Margaret, Duchess of Clarence, Symon Wynter and Beinecke MS 317", The Yale University Library Gazette, Vol. 60, No. 1/2 (1985)

[shamiamja]

Help Jamal Shamia family

Jamal Shamia, Iam a criminal lawyer, lam suffering of many diseases hypertension and diabetic mellitus and Muscle spasms and always got shocked and coma .

Unfortunately, I was injured in the war and suffered a very serious injury, which was a blood clot in the hip joint area, which caused him many infections and the infection spread in the area. is currently in Gaza, and my home was destroyed at the beginning of the war. We have lost security and peace. We have witnessed how a single rocket can destroy your entire life, both your past and your future. Our dreams have been shattered. Now the future is unknown and dark. There is no home, no basic life essentials, no job. We are now seeking to leave this country for a life abroad and to obtain security. We estimate our loss to be at least $50,000 to rebuild a home and start our lives anew.

My wife, Mufida, is 62 years old. She traveled before the war to have surgery on her eye alone, and now she is stuck on the Egyptian side. She has no breadwinner and needs many medications and medical supplies.

After that, she suffered a broken hand due to the lack of necessary care for her. I want to collect money to go to her and support her.

Rasha Jamal Shamia and her husband, Khalil Abu Samaan, have two children, Mira and Omar. They have been forced to flee their home in Gaza City and are now living in a tent in Rafah, far from everything they once knew. Their home, their children’s education, and their future—everything is gone. Their days are filled with fear, and their nights bring no rest. The constant sound of bombs haunts them, and they have no way to provide their children with the life they deserve

Ahmad Jamal Shamia resides in Gaza and is a third-year student in dental school. He lost his education due to the devastating war in Gaza. He was studying at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, and his home was destroyed in the war. He is currently suffering from moving from one temporary shelter to another. Ahmad was a diligent, ambitious, and creative student who ranked first in his class. He didn't limit himself to what he learned in university. He attended courses and workshops online with Egyptian doctors to learn more and excel in his field. He always sought excellence and worked hard for it, and he loved helping all students.He now needs money to continue his education, which will cost him a lot of money since he will complete his studies in Egypt.

Vetted by:

Gazavetters no.#82

@90-ghost here

My link

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@sylvianritual @ana-bananya

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[four-ravens-in-a-trenchcoat]

Fuck this shit

Now Sweden gives thumbs-up to chat control 2.0, an awful proposition which would require digital communication providers to allow government access to encrypted private messages ("but only photo, video and links now :):):) not literally every digital communication you do :):):)"). This is a massive invasion to personal integrity, a fucking data security risk and an "'accidentally' surveilled the groups I like to opress or my political opponents a bit, oops" risk, especially in the more authoritarian countries. All to find, you know it, child porn and grooming (this will of course not catch teens sending consensual nudes, vacation pictures of babies on beaches sent to family members or normal porn and waste massive resources on scanning and processing "suspect" content).

Did I mention this sucks yet? They didn't even ask the government people supposed to decide our stance on EU politics, just the justice committee. During a single meeting, no debate. Sweden's desicion means a larger probablility that this passes in EU.

And you know what? Two parties which my views generally align with, who before the election NOT EVEN TWO WEEKS AGO, one of which I voted for partly because of their stance on this (no to mass surveillance, personal integrity is important) BOTH DID A 180 AND VOTED FOR CHAT CONTROL. One thing if parties I don't like and don't vote for do this, but I trusted these fuckers to have at least a little backbone/common sense. Also why did the nationalistic and generally shitty party SD vote no to this. Why do only they and C think this is a bad idea.

In other news, I've written to my first representative today to express my disappointment. I hope this doesn't pass silently.

[yet-another-greek-myth-gay]

Once again sitting here thinking about how, for all the remorse August felt about the video, for how shitty of a person he felt like he was for posting it, for all his efforts (however subpar they were) to try and apologize to Wille about it...Simon never got a fucking apology.

Which makes sense, and shows how, at August's core, he's still an elitist, superior prick, even if he's more cognizant of his flaws and more uncomfortable with them than he's ever been. He could not be bothered to apologize Simon, doesn't even have the thought cross his mind—why? Because Simon's a nobody. Simon has no power. Like, let's be clear, August has fucked up his life irreparably. There is literally no future where the video will not haunt Simon. (I read a great fanfiction I have to find the link for, where Simon says that he was fucked the minute August hit "post," no matter what Wille said or did, and like...yeah.) That shit was all over the news in Sweden. We see, already, people recognizing him out in public. Beyond even just the emotional turmoil that comes with that video existing, we see, through the posting of his address and the rock through the window, that its existence physically endangers Simon. Even if Simon were to leave the country, move somewhere new and try to start over, it would take one google search of his name to uncover that blight on his life.

That's not to say that Simon couldn't process its existence emotionally, or that he won't be able to lead a happy, fulfilling life with the video existing, because he absolutely can and will! It just incenses me that not once in August's journey of feeling this guilt and shame over the video, and reaching some sort of understanding and peace with Wille, does he once consider giving Simon any sort of apology. (The settlement doesn't count, of course.) It makes sense for his character, and Simon probably wouldn't have accepted the apology, and by no means should be expected to, but the fact that he didn't get one still makes me so angry.

[a-d-nox]

economic advice and timely buying tips: 2025 transits

as of late, social media has many discussions about what to buy - or avoid buying - over the next few years, largely in response to the political climate in the united states. across europe, many regions are actively preparing their populations for potential crises (sweden's seems to be the most popularly discussed - link). due to the urgency and pressure to act, as if the world might change tomorrow (and it could though i believe we still have time in many places), i’ve decided to analyze the astrological transits for 2025. in this post i provide practical economic advice and guidance on how much time astrology suggests you have to make these purchases everyone is urging you to prioritize. if it seems to intrigue people i’ll explore future years as well.

things the world needs to prepare for in 2025 in my opinion and why my advice is what it is: the rise of ai / automation of jobs, job loss, geopolitical tensions, war, extreme weather, inflation, tariffs - a potential trade war, a movement of using digital currency, the outbreak of another illness, etc.

uranus goes direct in taurus (jan 30, 2025)

advice

diversify investments: avoid putting all your money in one asset type. mix stocks, bonds, index funds, and, if you feel comfortable, look into sustainable investments or new technologies.

digital finance: familiarize yourself with digital currencies/platforms or blockchain technology.

build an emergency fund: extra savings can shield you from sudden economic instability. aim for 3-6 months’ worth of expenses.

reevaluate subscriptions and spending: find creative ways to reduce spending or repurpose what you have. cancel subscriptions that don't align with needs/beliefs, cook at home, or diy where possible.

invest in skills / side hustles: take a course/invest in tools that can help you create multiple income streams.

by this date stock up on

non-perishable food items like canned goods, grains, and dried beans. household essentials like soap, toothpaste, and cleaning supplies. basic medical supplies. multi-tools. durable, high-quality items over disposable ones (the economy is changing, buy something that will last because prices will go up). LED bulbs, solar-powered chargers, or energy-efficient appliances. stock up on sustainable products, like reusable bags and water bottles. blankets. teas. quality skincare.

jupiter goes direct in gemini (feb 4, 2025)

advice

invest in knowledge: take courses, buy books (potential bans?), and/or attend workshops to expand your skill set. focus on topics like communication, writing, marketing, and/or technology. online certifications could boost your career prospects during this time.

leverage your network: attending professional events, joining forums, and/or expanding your LinkedIn presence.

diversify income streams: explore side hustles, freelance gigs, and/or monetize hobbies.

beware of overspending on small pleasures: overspending on gadgets, books, or entertainment will not be good at this point in time (tariffs already heavy hitting?).

by this date stock up on

books / journals. subscriptions to learning platforms like Skillshare, MasterClass, or Coursera. good-quality laptop, smartphone, and/or noise-canceling headphones. travel bags - get your bug out bag in order. portable chargers. language-learning apps. professional attire. teas. aromatherapy.

neptune enters aries (march 30, 2025)

advice

invest: look into industries poised for breakthrough developments, such as renewable energy, space exploration, and/or tech.

save for risks: build a financial cushion to balance your adventurous pursuits with practical security.

diversify your income: consider side hustles or freelancing in fields aligned with your passions and talents.

"scam likely": avoid “get-rich-quick” schemes or ventures that seem too good to be true.

adopt sustainable habits: focus on sustainability in your spending, like buying high-quality, long-lasting items instead of cheap, disposable ones.

by this date stock up on

emergency kits with essentials like water, food, and first-aid supplies. multi-tools, solar chargers, or portable power banks. art supplies. tarot or astrology books (bans?). workout gear, resistance bands, or weights. nutritional supplements. high-quality clothing or shoes.

saturn conjunct nn in pisces (april 14, 2025)

advice

save for the long term: create a savings plan or revisit your budget to ensure stability.

avoid escapism spending: avoid unnecessary debt.

watch for financial scams: be cautious with contracts, investments, or loans. research thoroughly and avoid “too good to be true” offers.

focus on debt management: saturn demands accountability. work toward paying down debts to free yourself from unnecessary burdens.

build a career plan: seek roles / opportunities that balance financial security with fulfillment, such as careers in wellness, education, creative arts, or nonprofits.

by this date stock up on

invest in durable, sustainable items for your home or wardrobe that offer long-term value. vitamins or supplements. herbal teas or whole grains. blankets. candles. non-perishable food. first-aid kits. water. energy-efficient devices.

pluto rx in aquarius (may 4, 2025 - oct 13, 2025)

advice

preform an audit: reflect on how your money habits and your long-term goals.

make sustainable investments: support industries tied to innovation, like renewable energy, ethical tech, or sustainable goods.

expect changes: could disrupt collective systems, so build an emergency fund. plan for potential shifts in tech-based industries or automation. AI is going to take over the workforce...

reevaluate subscriptions and digital spending: cut unnecessary costs and ensure your money supports productivity. netflix is not necessary, your groceries are.

diversify income streams: brainstorm side hustles or entrepreneurial ideas.

by this date stock up on

external hard drives. cybersecurity software. portable chargers. solar panels. energy-efficient gadgets. non-perishable food. clean water supplies. basic first-aid kits and medications. portable generators. books on technology and coding. reusable items like water bottles, bags, and food storage. gardening supplies to grow your own food. VPN subscriptions or identity theft protection.

saturn enters aries (may 24, 2025)

advice

prioritize self-reliance: build financial independence. create a budget, eliminate debt, and establish a safety net to support personal ambitions. avoid over-reliance on others for financial stability/decision-making.

entrepreneurship: consider starting a side hustle / investing in yourself.

save for big goals: plan for major life changes, such as buying property, starting a business, etc. make a high yield saving account for these long-term goals.

by this date stock up on

ergonomic office equipment. home gym equipment. non-perishable foods and water supplies for potential unexpected disruptions. self-protection; consider basic tools or training for safety. high-protein snacks, energy bars, or hydration supplies. supplements like magnesium, B-complex vitamins, etc. stock up on materials for DIY projects, hobbies, or entrepreneurial ventures.

jupiter enters cancer (june 9, 2025)

advice

invest in your home: renovating what needs renovating. saving for a down payment on a house.

focus on security: start or increase your emergency savings. consider life insurance or estate planning to ensure long-term security for your family/loved ones.

embrace conservative financial growth: cancer prefers security over risk. opt for conservative investments, like bonds, real estate, and/or mutual funds with steady returns.

focus on food and comfort: spend wisely on food, cooking tools, or skills that promote a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle (maybe this an RFK thing for my fellow american readers or this could be about the fast food industry suffering from inflation).

by this date stock up on

furniture upgrades if you need them. high-quality cookware or tools. stockpile your pantry staples. first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, and home security systems. water and canned goods for emergencies. paint, tools, or materials for DIY projects. energy-efficient appliances or upgrades to reduce utility costs.

neptune rx in aries/pisces (july 4, 2025 - dec 10, 2025)

advice

avoid financial conflicts: be mindful of shared finances or joint ventures during this time.

avoid escapist spending: stick to a budget.

by this date stock up on

first-aid kits, tools, and essentials for unforeseen events. water filter / waterproof containers. non-perishables and emergency water supplies.

uranus rx in gemini/taurus (july 7, 2025 - feb 3, 2026)

advice

evaluate technology investments: make sure you’re spending money wisely on tech tools, gadgets, or subscriptions. avoid impulsively purchasing the latest gadgets; instead, upgrade only what’s necessary.

diversify streams of income: explore side hustles or gig work to expand your income sources. focus on digital platforms or innovative fields for additional opportunities.

reassess contracts and agreements: take time to revisit financial contracts or business partnerships. ensure all terms are clear and aligned with your goals.

prioritize financial stability: uranus often brings surprises, so focus on strengthening your savings and emergency fund.

avoid major financial risks: uranus retrograde can disrupt markets. avoid speculative ventures and focus on stable, low-risk options.

by this date stock up on

lightweight travel gear or items for local trips. radios, power banks, or portable hotspots in case of disruptions in digital connectivity. stockpile food, water, and household goods to maintain stability during potential disruptions. invest in high-quality, long-lasting items like tools, clothing, or cookware.

saturn rx in aries/pisces (july 13, 2025 - nov 27, 2025)

advice

review career: assess whether your current job or entrepreneurial efforts align with your long-term aspirations (especially considering the state of the world). adjust plans if needed.

strengthen emergency funds: aries energy thrives on readiness. use this time to build/bolster a financial safety net for unforeseen events.

prepare for uncertainty: build a cushion for unexpected financial changes, especially if you work in creative, spiritual, or service-oriented fields.

by this date stock up on

health products that support long-term well-being. essential supplies like first-aid kits, multi-tools, or non-perishables. bath products. teas. art supplies. drinking water or water filtration tools.

jupiter rx in cancer (nov 11, 2025 - march 10, 2026)

advice

strengthen financial foundations: building an emergency fund or reassessing your savings strategy. ensure everything is well-organized and sustainable.

by this date stock up on

quality kitchenware, tools, or cleaning supplies. pantry staples and emergency food supplies.

please use my “ask me anything” button if you want to see a specific asteroid god/goddess OR topics discussed next!

click here for the masterlist

© a-d-nox 2024 all rights reserved

[belle--ofthebrawl]

Rating: E

Pairing: Aether/Dew

Tags: forced femming, tit fucking, Aether continuing to be terrible and Dew continuing his Quintosis induced suffering from his power shall overshadow.

Summary: Aether benefits from his massive mistake.

Below or follow the link above for ao3.

A/n: I did NOT mean to make you guys wait a little over a year for this but in my defense. I'm bad at keeping WIPs in order. Sorry.

It's in the early hours when Aether does it. When they're both still out of their mind with need, when the lights in Dew’s eyes swirl up and enthrall Aether with a magic of their own. Dragging him into this accidental spell that's grown so much larger than intended. He's been pawing at Dew’s chest, memorizing the way each pinch, each caress makes him react. What makes him sigh with pleasure and vocalize pain. How much milk is inside, Aether wonders. How long would it take to empty him completely if Aether's mouth pulled at him until nothing was left? How fast would he refill. And other deep philosophical questions when the idea takes him.

And when he has this idea, he can't let it go. When will he ever have this opportunity again? No, they can't go to Omega until he's fulfilled this last, greedy desire. After this, after Aether gets this, they'll fix Dew.

“Would you,” he begins, groping at the mound beneath his palm and Dew sighs. Lets Aether bounce his tit, watch the soft flesh ripple with the motion. “Would you let me-”

He can't say it. Shyness forces his mouth shut and makes him bury his face in the pillow. Dew hums lazily, sated from being forced down on Aether's cock until he shuddered out his orgasm and Aether had pumped one more load into his body. It feels like ages ago, the way Aether's cock is aching and tenting the sheet now. Dew of course, notices and grabs at it with casual ownership. He could lead Aether around the Ministry by that thing and they both know it.

“Tell me…” Dew slurs as he wraps his calloused fingers around the base. The rough bumps are so much more pronounced after a tour and Aether shudders at the way they drag across the silky skin of his shaft as Dew strokes him. Swipes a thumb over the tip as precum burbles up in response. “Tell me what t’do.”

He rolls onto his side, the better to pepper Aether with lazy little kisses as his hand twists on the upstroke and Aether shudders, bucking his hips into it. Dew encourages him, throwing a leg over Aether's waist and scooting closer so Aether can tell Dew’s cock is filling out as well.

“Can I-” Aether hesitates. Dew trails a fingertip down, following a vein and Aether shivers, breaking out in a nervous sweat. “Is it alright if I…put it between them?”

“Put what?” Dew asks and Aether genuinely can't tell if he's teasing or not with the sleepy, vulnerable tone of his voice. The act isn't unfamiliar between them, but it's usually been Aether with Dew’s hot little stiffy pushing frantically between the mounds of his pectorals, splattering pre into the hollow of his throat.

“My…cock.” He clarifies breathing as Dew cups the weight of his balls in his palm, petting his thumb over the seam. “Between your, uh…On your chest.”

He's sure if he says such a vulgar word as tits that it'll break the spell. Remind Dewdrop of just how badly Aether fucked up, bring him to his senses. His tail curls in anticipation of rejection and his breath holds as Dew processes the words. His eyes blink shut as his hand on Aether stills then draws away completely as Dew tucks his limbs against himself, hiding the sight of his naked chest from Aether. He looks upset but Aether knows him too well to drop the subject. Dew knows the words to get him to truly stop and he isn't saying anything.

He wants to be convinced.

“It makes you feel good.” He presses, touching his forehead to Dew’s. Speaks right over Dew’s lips so every word is a soft kiss. “I like watching your face when you do it to me.”

Dew shivers, tucks his face against the pillow and stays silent. Aether takes the time to tenderly comb back strands of hair stuck to his sweat damp forehead. He lets a ribbon twine between his fingers, laying his lips on the shine of it. Dew is shivering now, fine trembles as Aether shifts closer, prods Dew with the firm jut of his cock as he slowly rolls his hips.

“Please-” He murmurs, insistent. He’s not going to go away, no matter how small Dew tries to make himself. “Please Dew, I-...need to see it.”

It’s too easy to sling himself over Dew, caging him in with solid arms and legs to keep him from wiggling away. He looks up at Aether with beautiful red-rimmed eyes and a hitch to his voice when he asks, defeated, “Haven’t you had enough?”

“That’s not possible.” Aether groans, giving in to the urge to touch himself, moaning deep in his throat at the jolt of sensation like he’s been dry for months instead of emptying his balls into Dew since the door shut tight behind them. “Not with you, never enough of you-”

Dew echoes his moan with a thready whimper, dragging Aether in for a filthy kiss; planting his feet to push his hips up so the soft bulge of his own cock rubs sweetly against the strain of Aether’s, slipping around the harder Aether tries to grind and he’s lightheaded in seconds at the feel of it, pre dribbling out to land on Dew’s shaft in a hot smear. Imagines what it would be like for Dew to feel it on his nipples.

He has to, now. Needs it more than he needs air. If Dew is too wary of allowing such things even in the privacy of their room, Aether thinks he might have a solution. Because he’s not backing down, not when the vision has him in such a strong chokehold. He sits up, rolling his neck and breathing out steadily. Dew watches him warily and Aether tries to give him a gentle smile but judging by the sudden shiver, he still looks like a predator on the verge of closing in. So he cups one hand to Dew’s cheek and focuses. He can feel the layers of his magic surrounding this form and he peels back just enough to allow his wings to appear just as they did before; dark and leathery, tipped with wicked looking claws. Large and imposing, giving him the impression of a gargoyle. They don’t see much use outside of stretching them on short flights.

But now…now they have a better purpose. He shuffles on his knees up Dew’s prone body, curling them forward until they hit the bedframe and he can hook his uppermost claw on the wood. The result is a dimly lit cocoon that envelopes Dew in Aether’s scent, hiding him from the even the empty space of the room beyond the bed. There’s nothing here but each other.

“I can feel your heart racing.” Aether says softly, reverently, and Dew’s lips part. He looks so small like this, so vulnerable like this. Aether spreads his fingers so his thumb brushes the corner of Dew’s mouth and it sends the same thrill down his spine to see Dew turn his head to suckle at it like he always does. “You’re going to let me do what I want because you don’t have a choice. Do you?”

“No.” Dew breathes around his finger and Aether feels sick with delight that he’s getting his way. His cock, a heavy weight on Dew’s skinny chest, gives a strong flex and blurts out a hefty spill of pre over his sternum. He can barely contain himself, shifting to settle more comfortably so Dew isn’t wheezing for breath, pawing possessively at his swollen breasts, tugging at the piercings while Dew gasps and winces and lets Aether play nonetheless.

“Perfect.” Aether breathes when he’s got a tit in each hand and can gently push them together to snuggle his thick cock between them. They’re not big enough to completely envelop him and it’s dry for now but it doesn’t matter. He’s got Dew right where he wants him to be and Aether wants to take his time with this. He’s never going to get to do this again after all. In for a penny…

“You’re so warm.” He tells Dew. “Warmer than the girls.” A pointed remark, intended to dig under his skin and make him squirm. It works. Dew inhales sharply and Aether pets one breast reassuringly. “But you like it, don’t you? You’ve always wanted attention here. To be pleasured…”

A soft stroke over a rosy nipple.

“To be hurt.”

A sharp pinch.

And Dew sobs as milk squirts out, spilling down Aether’s knuckles to drip onto the sheets beneath.

“Dew,” Aether groans, sounding like he’d been punched in the gut. He squeezes both simultaneously and is rewarded with streams of milk bubbling up. He adjusts his grip so the flow pools around his cock and while it’s not as slippery as lube, Aether wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Dew’s hands fly to his face as Aether’s hips start to work, gliding through the hot mess between his tits, keeping a firm grip as Dew’s body is rocked with the power of his thrusts. Dew makes small, sharp noises each time he’s forced upwards, like he’s actually getting fucked and it’s intoxicating. Aether slows, mindful of the distance between Dew’s head and the wood of the frame just a few inches away but as soon as he confirms Dew’s not in danger of concussing himself, he looks back down and feels all the blood leave his head in favor of going straight to his cock.

The sight of him, all shiny and going sticky with the vulgar mix of Dew’s milk and his own pre-cum is nearly too much. A vein is throbbing in time to his heartbeat and he swears it’s in sync with Dew’s.

“You’re beautiful,” He pants, moving his hips faster. His fingers move to frame his nipples between his middle and index and for a second he wishes he had his jewelry on so he could see the way the liquid coats the metal but Dew’s piercings will have to be a decent substitute. “Oh Dew, you’re so good- so good for me, you feel so good-”

He’s sweating, sure his face is as red as Dew’s must be under his hands and suddenly he needs to see everything. Every little bit of shame that’s playing out in Dew’s expression and he reluctantly releases his chest to grip Dew’s thin wrists instead, easily pulling them away and exposing the little ghoul’s defeated expression in its full glory. He’s deeply flustered with a haze in his eyes that Aether doesn’t even feel guilty about. He’s too close to cumming and he knows exactly how to make it up to Dewdrop for letting Aether put him through this.

He puts Dew’s hands right over his own tits, makes him hold them into position so Aether can thumb his mouth open, resting the pad of a finger on the point of a canine.

“Look at me.” He says softly and Dew does. They’re both so fucked up. “Stick your tongue out, yeah, just like that. Satanas Dew, you look like such a slut right now.”

He’s uncaring in how he finishes. Rough and fast, with the headboard rattling against the wall. Dew, cradling his breasts to keep Aether’s cock warm, spurting milk out every so often. Keeping his mouth open as Aether pants and groans deep in his chest, feeling his balls draw up and the pleasure tighten in his pelvis. The first and second shot are aimed square at Dew’s chest, landing randomly as Aether drags Dew’s head closer to finish cumming in his hot mouth, Dew mouthing at the tip as easily and naturally as he sucked Aether’s fingers.

“Don’t swallow.” Aether tells him, mouth dry. “I’m not done with you.”

Dew watches with trepidation as Aether repositions himself, stretching out next to him on the bed and bringing him in for a kiss.

“Give it back,” he murmurs before their lips meet. “And I’ll make sure it gets where it belongs."

He cleans his own cum out of Dew’s mouth as they kiss, the salty taste spreading over his tongue. He pulls away too soon, for the both of them judging by Dew’s quiet moan of loss.

“Easy,” he says like he’s trying to calm a wild animal. “I’ve got you.”

He moves down. Down past the milk drying on Dew’s soft skin, past the dip of his flat stomach and the tempting trail of hair that leads to his soft, pink cock. He kisses it chastely, careful not to spill his mouthful as he gets his arms around Dew’s slight thighs and hefts them over his shoulders. Tugs him up high as Aether sits on his haunches, spreading Dew’s cheeks to bare his hole. He kisses Dew there, too, and relishes the terrified noise it gets him.

One hand closes over Dew’s little cock, rubbing it in a motion meant to soothe as Aether parts his lips and uses his tongue as a guide to let his cum go exactly where he wanted it to be.

[moonyasnow]

🕯️✨~ HAPPY LUCIA ~✨🕯️

So if you didn't know, today, December 13th, is a Swedish holiday called 'Lucia'. It's dedicated to a saint, here known as Saint Lucia/Sankta Lucia, but in other parts of the world she's more well-known as Saint Lucy.

Christmas in general (called 'Jul' in Swedish, pronounced like 'Yule' just with less emphasis on the L sound) is quite a big deal here in Sweden. I've always joked that's because with how harsh and cold and dark the winters can be, people needed SOMETHING to look forward to. And Lucia is one example of that!

The general theme is that one person will be chosen to play Lucia, and then others are chosen for the other roles in the 'Lucia Train' as it's called, and those people will all practice songs which they'll then sing as they walk in procession to a pre-decided place, where they'll then stand and sing the rest of the songs.

The tradition started in the more Western parts of Sweden in the 1800s, with one of the very earliest Lucia celebrations dating to the year 1764 in a place a bit outside of a city known as 'Skövde'.

At first, when most people in Sweden were still farmers with their own farms, it started out as a day where the children of a family would put on the crown of candles you can see being worn by Lisle, here playing the role of 'Lucia' herself, and wake up early to give the parents breakfast in bed.

That's why almost all of them are wearing nightgowns! Since that's what the kids would have been wearing in the morning.

Sweden only adopted the Gregorian calendar in the 1700s, and before that time, still using the Julian calendar, December 13th was the darkest day of the year; in the Gregorian it's December 22nd. And so since a saint, or as we call them here in Sweden 'Helgon', also happened to be venerated on the same day, it just made sense to celebrate the coming of brighter times.

And December 13th was, in the old Norse 'Asa' religion (or 'Asatron'), that is to say the one including the Nordic gods like Odin (Oden) Thor and Loki (Loke), a dangerous night due to the darkness; a night where it was believed evil supernatural forces were out and about. And so All the lit candles in the celebration was also considered a way of protecting against it. And it was a feast day, meaning people got to eat more than usual.

I could go into more detail, but then we'd be here all day ;^^

So here's a link if you want to read more!

And here's one for the Swedish version which does include way more detail on the history, just be aware you'd need to use google's auto-translator, and a few words might not make complete sense.

Parts of the Lucia Train:

The first in the Lucia Train is, of course, Lucia. She can be recognized by the wreath crown adorned with candles that she wears. When kids do it, the crown is fake and made of plastic, with battery-driven lights, but when Lucia is done in Churches, the Lucia still has live candles in her wreath crown.

Lisle's head is not angled in a good way for this; if you were to copy his posture, you'd have candle wax in your hair very quickly.

It's also said the red band around Lucia's waist is supposed to represent her martyrdom.

There's a bit of a stereotype that only the popular girls get picked to be Lucia; kinda like how in places that have proms, only the popular girl becomes Prom Queen. It's basically always someone with long hair, too; usually long blonde hair.

In Swedish, it's pronounced: Loo - see - ah

The three behind Lucia in the train are called 'Tärnor', and it translates to something like 'maids/maidens'. They wear glitter in their hair, at least in the modern day, and instead of red bands they're supposed to wear glitter bands. But I forgot that when making Irina and then just settled on a 'fuck it, we ball' approach.

They carry a single candle in their hand. Sometimes, both Lucia and Tärnor can be at risk of passing out while singing, since the candles and singing both require so much oxygen, and the candles are so close to their mouth and nose.

Victor and Veronica here are dressed as Stjärngossar (1 Stjärngosse, many Stjärngossar) who are supposed to represent the three wise men in the Biblical story of Jesus' birth.

Pronounced: sch - ae - rn - goh - ss - é

And Tomoe and Spike are just dressed as a gingerbread woman (Pepparkaksgumma) and a Tomte

The Tomte was originally a 'väsen' (basically something that exists which is not human and could bring you harm, or be good to you, often depending on how you treated them. Many cultures around the world have similar concepts. A little bit like the Japanese 'yokai', or Celtic 'fae') a little guy who lived somewhere on the farm, like in the roof for example, and helped around the farm. So long as you left a bowl of porridge on the doorstep for him!

Although the modern concept of the 'Tomte' has basically just been mashed together with Santa Claus, and nowadays you say 'Gårdstomte' (something like 'estate tomte') if you're referring to the old variation of Tomte.

Gingerbread people and santa claus are obviously not part of the original Lucia train. But nowadays people like to dress up as them too, especially in kids' Lucia trains.

Pe - ppar - kahks - goo - ma

Or, for the masculine variant: Pe - ppar - kahks - goo - bbé

And Tom - teh

Songs:

Here are just a few of the songs you'd hear a Lucia train sing! My own personal favorites, mostly. But I do have links to the albums I got them from!

Album

Album

The 'Staffan' here, refers to Saint Stephen. A lot of saint have different names in Swedish.

Album

Also please listen to more songs by Tommy Körberg! He is definitely one of my favorite Swedish artists! My favorite song by him ever is 'Stad i Ljus' (city in light)

I really wanted to share this aspect of my culture with people today, because I really love it, and I hope you found it interesting!

And once again, have a happy Lucia! ^^

So, as we say in Swedish...

@another-random-paradise @thehollowwriter @faefum @cactus13-rolloflammesimp @beneathsakurashade

@nyx-of-night @theolivetree123 @babyghoul138 @skibidibabygirl @screamintoad

@gingacat @buttholesparkles @angelwishess @scint1llat3 @gimmeurmoneyagh

[scotianostra]

May 17th is Norwegian Constitution Day or Syttende Mai as its known in Norway.

A wonderful spring holiday celebrated with red, white and blue ribbons, national costumes and waving of the Norwegian flag, the three colours are everywhere in Norway at this time of year.

It’s a day Norwegians all over the world take off to celebrate and marks the historic signing of the Constitution in 1814, the year Norway gained its independence from Sweden, which was fully realized in 1905.

In every city, town and village in Norway, children and adults alike express their cultural pride by marching to the bright music of school bands, celebrating the joy of springtime and honoring of those citizens who created Norway’s constitutional government, founding her independence.

Especially popular is the Children’s Procession that brings every child out in their best clothes or national costume.

In Edinburgh the Norwegian community celebrate Syttende Mai too.

Edinburgh’s celebrations include the Norwegian Scottish Society dinner, after a reception at the Norwegian Consulate’s residence.

Each year Norwegian students in Edinburgh hold a breakfast at Prestonfield House followed by a parade along Waterloo Place and onto Princes Street. At the boom of Edinburgh Castle’s One o’ clock gun, the pigeons fly and the parade begins!

Tonight expats and guests gather at The Royal Scots Club Abercromby Place for a celebration dinner held by the Norwegian Scottish Association. The association was founded in Edinburgh in 1966, and has enjoyed over 50 years of Norwegian-Scottish friendship.

Norwegian Scottish Association roots lie in a much older friendly society, one rooted in the shared experience of Norwegians and Scots during the Second World War. Founded in Dumfries in 1941, the Scottish Norwegian Society brought Scots and Norwegians together in difficult times. Having escaped the German occupation of their homeland in 1940, around a thousand Norwegians had come to be stationed at various times in Dumfries, and it was not long before the idea of a formal society was begun.

Of course our history with Norway goes back centuries, Northern Scotland, was, at one time, a Norse domain and the Northern Isles experienced the most long-lasting Norse influence. Almost half of the people on Shetland today have Viking ancestry, and around 30% of Orkney residents.

Many agree that there are many points of commonality between the Norse character and the Scottish one that leads to a sense of kinship between the two countries, even for those living much further south in Scotland, where Viking influence did not reach. Words like bairn and muckle made their way into Scot’s language via the Norwegians.

I touched upon the links during the second world war earlier and have posted before about the Shetland bus which provided a transport link between the Shetland Islands and occupied Norway. Many Norwegian refugees fled their occupied home with the help of Norwegian sailors who undertook daring, high-risk trips across the North Sea. The whole episode became emblematic of the friendship across the seas.

More recently Edinburgh’s Zoo also has a strong connection to Norway as it is home to a very special resident. Sir Nils Olav III is the mascot and colonel-in-chief of the Norwegian King’s Guard. The king penguin’s rank has been passed down through three generations since 1972. Knighted in 2008, he even received a military promotion in 2016 with the brigadier title bestowed upon him in a special ceremony at the zoo.

The Zoo’s link with Norway originated in 1913 when arctic explorer Roald Amundsen presented a penguin to them on their opening. Once a year the penguin inspects soldiers from Norway’s King’s Guard.

Edinburgh's Syttende mai parade – the 17th May or Norwegian Constitution Day parade traditionally takes place along the capital's main thoroughfare, Princes Street. At the boom of Edinburgh Castle's 'one o' clock gun', the pigeons fly and the parade begins!

Pics are from last ears parade.

[b-skarsgard]

Bill Skarsgård: "I'm better than Stellan was at 34"

As a child, he accompanied his father on business trips around the world. Today, it is Bill who brings his family to international film shoots - and terrifies cinema audiences with his bloodthirsty characters.

Even when he was a small child, Bill Skarsgård had seen more of the world than most of us do in a lifetime. When father Stellan filmed, Bill, his younger siblings Valter and Eija and mother My came along to the recordings. Often they were gone for months at a time in countries such as Mexico, the United States and Cambodia.

full article at the link and under the cut

(translated through google)

- It was fantastic to grow up that way, says Bill. Mom homeschooled us, three hours a day. She was a fantastic teacher, so that meant that we were often a month and a half ahead of our classmates back home in Sweden.

It also meant that the three siblings had plenty of time and opportunities to get to know the countries. Bill continues:

- Cambodia is an incredibly poor country, with shootings. To see it as a child, to experience that contrast to life in Sweden... We became friends with the local children, and it was a privilege to see the world so early. It made me more humble and gave me a more complex view of the world. I am incredibly grateful to have been able to experience it.

Which of course leads to the follow-up question about how he himself does it, now that he himself has a successful career with long periods every year when he is away from home in Stockholm. Can the wife Alida and the children come along?

- They come to visit. It was easy now when we were filming in Prague, because if they felt that "now it's boring", then they could go home.

He laughs and says:

- Dad used to spend half of his salary on accommodation. The worst was when he made "The Exorcist" in Rome, then he rented a house that was visited by 70 people during the filming. I haven't gotten there yet, but I'm working on it.

Traveling with Stellan to various film shoots meant that the children sometimes had to come along to watch when dad worked in front of the camera.

- For me, that's the biggest reason why I fell in love with acting and filmmaking. I was completely mesmerized by the advanced illusions that were built. I think children understand acting better than adults do. I saw dad in a mustache and saw it for what it was. Children play thief and police, you dress up. That was a big reason why I chose this job.

Watched "Nosferatu" with dad Stellan as a child

The film that Bill shot in Prague was "Nosferatu" and it is to talk about it that we meet at the Nofo Hotel in Södermalm. Bill unfolds his 192 centimeters on a sofa, wearing a nice bright polo shirt and trousers. He is relaxed and happy, but conscious of keeping the most private things private.

"Nosferatu" is a remake of the silent film classic of the same name, which in turn was a theft of the plot of Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula". Stoker's widow sued the filmmakers and demanded that all copies be destroyed. Fortunately, some survived, and the film is today considered a horror film classic.

Even as a child, Bill saw the original film.

- It was Stellan who introduced me to it. We watched movies together and had a silent film period. We saw Chaplin , we saw "Nosferatu". I thought it was eerie and scary, but Dad also described how it had changed film history. There's something mysterious about that movie.

Bill plays the Transylvanian Count Orlok, who with the help of a broker is looking for a place to live in Germany. Orlok already has some kind of relationship with the broker's wife Ellen, played by Lily-Rose Depp . Perhaps we should mention that Orlok is a vampire and his journey towards and arrival in Germany brings pestilence and death.

Unlike other vampires, such as brother Alexander in the HBO series "True blood", this vampire does not have sharp canines, but is more of a loitering bloodsucker. And Bill looks really grotesque in the film, so one wonders what, for example, actor Lily-Rose Depp thought of playing someone so made up beyond recognition?

- We had many intimate scenes together and we talked a lot about it. She is outstanding in this role. She thought I looked really creepy and unpleasant, and she could use that. Then she knew it was me underneath. It helped.

- When the vampire sucks blood, it is a form of rape. Here we are as far from "Twilight" and "Interview with the Vampire" as it gets. We go back to the roots. We give the vampire a renaissance.

In recent years, Bill has played many roles in horror films, from the bloodthirsty clown Pennywise in the two "It" films to the television series "Castle Rock" and "Derry", all based on things written by the master of horror Stephen King .

- I don't know why there has been so much horror. I guess I attract a certain type of character and it works the other way too. I never had the ambition to be a horror actor. For me, it's always project-based – what does the script look like, who's the director? Now I'm super saturated when it comes to horror, but if a project comes along that brings something new, I'm interested.

The entire Skarsgårds family lives close to each other

As you know, Bill belongs to a large family. He has seven siblings, some of whom have children. He has a mother My, father Stellan and Stellan's current wife Megan . The jobs around the world mean that it is not always so easy to meet.

- But right now everyone has a base in Sweden, for the first time in a long time. As soon as everyone is home, we will hear from you and then we will see you at our local place in Söder. All live in Söder, ten minutes apart.

And then you see each other at dad Stellan's house, who is a good cook. Bill laughs when I ask if he himself is good at cooking.

- I am better than Stellan was at 34. Food is one of his biggest interests and I have grown up with it and learned. Although there was a lot of stuff like casseroles and Coq au vin, stuff that kids don't really like. And then I have married into the Per Morberg family, and he is also good at cooking.

In addition to constantly appearing on the big screen and in the TV box, the Skarsgård siblings stand out because they are tall, just like their father. They are visible. But Bill doesn't feel like they're being watched.

- There is nowhere where I feel safer than in Söder. I grew up here, I know half of the people who live here. They are probably tired of seeing me. And Swedes are not that pushy. It's probably when someone gets drunk.

"Quite Swedish of me in my clothing style"

Like many of his fellow actors, Bill appears from time to time as a model in fashion ads, including for H&M, while older brother Alexander recently worked with Calvin Klein. He says, with a laugh, that it's not about any fashion passion but that the companies pay well.

- It's fun with clothes, but in private I'm probably quite Swedish in my clothing style. I don't peacock much, but it can be fun to do it for a premiere, together with a stylist or a designer. But my usual clothing style is quite tame. Alex is even worse. There, only Converse, jeans and a t-shirt apply.

When we meet, there are a few weeks left until Christmas and Christmas celebrations with the big family. After the New Year, work awaits with the director Gus Van Sant and his new film "The prince of fashion", where Will Ferrell plays a man who takes his son to fashion week in Paris.

And jobs in Sweden? Yes, maybe.

- There is discussion about a continuation of the television series "Clark". I love that character and working with Jonas Åkerlund. •

[mrchiipchrome]

Hi prompt 32 with Fridolina Rolfo please if you are still taking prompts

prompt 32. -It’s you and me, always forever.

If you want to request, there's a prompt list linked in my masterlist.

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

“KANELBULLENS DAG PEOPLE, NATIONAL HOLIDAY! You get a cinnamon bun, and you get a cinnamon bun, and the biggest one is for you my love.” You enter the Barcelona locker room hollering in Swedish, a large paper bag in your hand. 

Handing each woman in the room a cinnamon bun, they each quietly thank you, some pressing small (or in Pina and Patri’s case, really sloppy) kisses to your cheeks. The steam floating off the baked goods gives the women an indication of their freshness.

Placing the last and biggest one in your girlfriend's hand, you can’t help but watch as her entire face lights up. 

You had both been missing your native country a little extra lately, and celebrating the holidays that were so important to the swedes always reminded you of home. 

It was especially fun to see the confused expressions on your teammates' faces whenever you burst into the room with traditional clothes on or different types of homemade sweets in your hands.

“Not that I’m not appreciative of this, but why did you get us cinnamon buns?” Lucy asked you, face full of joy and simultaneous confusion. 

“Ohh, in Sweden there’s a holiday called kanelbullens dag where we just eat cinnamon buns. The day actually originates from this company who in celebrating their 40th anniversary made a day solely for cinnamon buns.” You tell the team in between bites of your own cinnamon bun.

“So, you just have a day for eating cinnamon buns?” Mapi asks, still confused about the whole thing.

“Yeah pretty much” You reply, the crunching of the sugar pearls filling the room. As you look around the room, you see everyone eating their cinnamon rolls happily and you can’t help but be filled with joy.

The joy that the cinnamon filled bread always brought to everyone back home extended out to the locker room and you couldn’t help but smile. Smile at the childish expressions filled with satisfaction and genuine happiness.

You get pulled back into reality by your girlfriend placing her legs across yours, the woman sending you a smile sweeter than the treat you’d just finished.

“Tack älskling, det var verkligen fint av dig att göra det här.” Frido tells you, the beautiful smile lighting up her face in that delightfully unique way. Leaning your face closer to hers, you bring your thumb up to the corner of her mouth, wiping away the little cinnamon that rested there.

You lick the sugary sweetness off your thumb before telling her,

“Du vet att jag älskar dig, visst gör du? Det klart jag kommer göra saker för att göra dig glad.” You tell her softly, only so that she can hear you. The others didn’t need to know, they’d only tease you for being whipped.

“Jag älskar dig med” She confesses, planting a loving kiss on your forehead before getting ready to walk out of the room. 

You catch her hand in yours before she can move too far away from you. Pouting your lips, the blonde quickly gets the hint and gives you a passionate kiss, on your lips this time.

After she pulls away, you keep her near to press a few more pecks to her lips.

“Baby, it’s you and me, always forever. I’m yours until the end of time, it’s my only mission to make you smile.” You whisper against her lips, the blonde’s cheeks darkening several shades.

You would run across the universe and back if it meant you could get your girlfriend to smile just that much more.

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

Translations:

Tack älskling, det var verkligen fint av dig att göra det här. - Thank you darling, it was truly sweet of you to do this.

Du vet att jag älskar dig, visst gör du? Det klart jag kommer göra saker för att göra dig glad. - You know that I love you, right? Of course I’m going to do things to make you happy.

Jag älskar dig med - I love you too

[omarera]

Below is a long text. The reason I share this is that I think the article below gives a great insight into Swedish culture and debate climate and views of celebrities taking stands in political issues. I think it is a good to read for those who demand the Swedish cast to actively speak out on different political issues.

It also touches upon Sigge and Alex podcast. I am frustrated to see the polarization and cancel culture and also the narrative of Sigge as a Zionist based on that he followed some Insta accounts. And also Edvin and Felicia being labeled Zionists by association. Maybe the article can give some perspectives.

Sigge Eklund is a provocative person, and his and Alex Schulman’s pod is both popular and controversial. You kind of either love them or hate them, or both. They are both authors, both outspoken what I would call leftists, Alex for example write columns that are very leftist. They are also quite full of themselves and can be very condescending to others and also take ideas and concepts to extremes to prove points. Their takes are often debated. There is a bit of irony in that they have received criticism for not standing up for Israel and stated they were against Hamas attack and now Sigge also being accused of being a Zionists. Sigge is criticized from both sides.

With that said, below is a translation of an article from SvD, one of Swedens large morning papers. It discusses Swedes silence. It shows how celebrities that do speak up are treated in Sweden. Let’s just say they are shot down. Swedes don’t have a tradition of appreciating celebrities to speak up on subjects they are not fully educated on. It’s so easy to get lost. But also that we need to talk about but it’s so damn difficult.

The article below is from Nov 25th 2023. It’s also important to consider when reading it. I still think it showcase Swedish culture really well and our debate climate and view on celebs speaking up and how polarized and infected and hard the long ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict (now genocide) is for us to discuss.

link to article it’s probably locked for non-subscribers.

“That's why I keep quiet about the war"

During a dinner Björn Werner (the author of the article) was at recently, the question came up. The one that not only cuts through the public debate but is strong enough to tear apart friendships and social nets and relationships.

Alex Schulman's voice chokes with anxiety. He stabs himself. And stakes himself again.

"It freezes me now when I hear you're going to talk about it."

Now it must be done. Sigge Eklund has taken the plunge. They will talk about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

It's fast. Just a few minutes. A gentle ripple in a podcast of over an hour. Like few others in public Sweden, the two men are otherwise always carefree open with what they think and feel. Bridges to important colleagues, friends and acquaintances are burned in every other episode. They do everything for the content. But not now.

It is at the very beginning of the war. Barely a week since Hamas kidnapped women, children and the elderly and brutally murdered 1,200 Israelis. Israel's intense bombing campaign has only been going on for a few days. Nevertheless, the Swedish debate about the Israel-Palestine conflict is so feverish that the two seasoned authors and media men prefer not to talk about it.

"I hardly think it can be done without arousing so much hatred that in the end it won't be worth it," Schulman continues.

Eklund basically agrees:

"I've really felt at a loss for words," he replies and goes on to explain that it's not because he doesn't have anything to say, but that he himself doesn't know exactly what he's going to say once he starts. The feelings are too strong.

It is, of course, easy to call the podduo cowards. That they want to wriggle out of this deeply polarized conflict without clashing with anyone – whether listeners or advertisers. But in that case they are not alone.

There are many who, for social and understandable reasons, avoid the question. The price of taking a stand can be very high. For one thing, what one says can be taken out of one's mouth and reshaped into something grotesque and ugly. For one thing, the risk of losing control over one's own emotions is great. Then it is easy to end up wrong. To say wrong.

An abyss you like to avoid thinking about and talking about, if you can.

During a dinner I attended recently, the question came up. Someone admitted that he "sympathizes with Israel's cause here." Another then raised his hand: "I don't agree with that, and I think we should leave it like that, so it will be nicer." The entire table nodded in agreement. Everyone exhaled. A similar dynamic exists in the group chats I'm in, which have morphed from lively, fun conversations to cautious, polite flirting. Everyone sees the dark clouds towering. Nobody wants to see the rain fall.

A lot of this depends, I think, on the complexity of the situation. The vast majority of people outside the Israel-Palestine conflict are touchingly in agreement that it is terrible for all innocent people to die, regardless of nationality. It is all the more difficult to navigate beyond this single, self-evident opinion. Because one needs to have one after all. In everything else it is more difficult. They are looking for a scapegoat. The violence can't just happen? It must be someone's fault. Demanding a ceasefire also leads to the natural follow-up question: and then?

In both the issue of guilt and in the conversation about the future, dangers lurk wherever you turn: those who rush forward without a map and compass risk quickly running into both anti-Semitic and Islamophobic cuts.

Not that it is necessarily easier for those who actually take the time to read up on the issue. Is it about a multi-thousand-year European oppression of Jews? That Arab leaders have consistently refused to accept Israel's existence since the UN proclaimed the state in 1948? Is it the fault of the many Jewish settlers who drove Palestinians from their homes? Arab countries that in turn expelled Jews from theirs? That Palestinians by both Israel and Arab countries are used as a real political playing cards? Netanyahu? Hamas? It's just a matter of choosing. Everything is right – at the same time.

Whatever you think, however educated you are, there is always a weighty opinion that speaks for the opposite of what you have come to.

The situation is bizarre. Despite the fact that there is a terrible conflict going on where innocent children are killed daily, it is therefore a socially viable, perhaps even wise, strategy to just keep quiet.

the public also has results on how it goes for those who speak first and think later. When 160 celebrities signed a petition to stop the bombing of Gaza, they came under fire for not showing the same commitment during Hamas' massacre of Israelis. Artist Stina Wollter's star now appears to be falling after she mixed up her commitment to Palestinian children with anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. And the competence of the Green Party's Märta Stenevis is being questioned because she liked Stina Wollter's (not entirely clear) apology.

It is quite unusual for external events to cut so deeply into interpersonal relationships. Not least in the consensus-seeking country Sweden, which is otherwise known for its lukewarm political temperament. While the 1968 movement in Paris led to street battles between students and police, the student movement in Stockholm occupied its own union building. When Sweden, after 200 years of non-alignment, joins NATO, everyone just sighs amicably. The war in Ukraine has, if anything, acted as a unifying force, where people from left to right could confidently state that the world in this particular case really is black and white.

But there is a force in the Israel-Palestine conflict that is strong enough to tear apart the social net and relationships. Partly because of the horrific images we are all exposed to, but also because of the historically deeply infected nature of the issue. It's all starting to resemble the climate of debate in Britain about Brexit, which went to such levels that the prestigious British etiquette magazine Tatler raised the topic as one of twelve things you absolutely should not talk about at the dinner table.

Anyone who puts their faith in the ability of public discourse to unravel complex events also has nothing to gain from the issue of Israel-Palestine. The ongoing debate has quickly degenerated into a hopeless meta-debate about who thinks the most "wrong". The amount of constructive, well-read and nuanced posts that have been put forward since Hamas's attack on Israel on October 7 and Israel's subsequent bombing of Gaza can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Expressen's Per Wirtén succeeds, through a combination of solid humanism and understanding of the matter, to tackle the subject in a dignified way. Another is SvD's Elaf Ali, who from his personal perspective testifies to the polarization in the Swedish debate.

But - the more texts are about things that could just as easily take place at a dinner with a lost footing. There and in social media, the waves are high. Are leftists anti-Semitic because they react more strongly to Israel's attacks than to Hamas? Are right-wing debaters really Islamophobes, because they so fervently defend Israel while at the same time advocating cooperation with the newly anti-Semitic SD?

Who is foolish enough to stick their head into this hornet's nest willingly?

Maybe Alex and Sigge are doing the only reasonable thing. Despite one's instincts screaming to react when news of dead children sweeps by, there is not much to say – because hardly anything can be said without being taken as revenue for something else. But the question is whether it is even possible to be silent. According to today's twisted logic, there is also something to be said.

Shortly after "Alex and Sigge's podcast" was published, the right-wing comedian Aron Flam responded to X (recently on Twitter): "So Alex Schulman cannot condemn murder, torture and rape? Hard to say anything about murdering women, young, old, pregnant, babies? Speaking. He who is otherwise so full of goodness.”

And it hasn't stopped there. In a later episode, both podcasts return to the consequences of not taking a stand. Their social media inboxes are overflowing with anger.

Swedes are one of the world's most educated peoples, and at least until very recently formally non-aligned. The majority have few personal connections to either the millennial suffering of Jews or the Palestinian people's quest for their own state formation.

If even a remote, frostbitten nation of newly urbanized farmers can't pull themselves together, who can? If even we can't talk to each other, then who can?

[negativeyield]

if i die before I bake

Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Characters: Swiss (Ghost Sweden Band), Phantom (Ghost Sweden Band), Dewdrop | Sodo, Rain (Ghost Sweden Band), Mountain (Ghost Sweden Band), Cumulus (Ghost Sweden Band), Cirrus (Ghost Sweden Band) Additional Tags: Recreational Drug Use, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Hurt/Comfort, green out, Pack Cuddles, Crack Treated Seriously, well this was meant to be crack but it kind of veered away from that, Guilt, Marijuana, Panic Attacks, Vomiting, Swiss is fucking zooted Summary: Phantom bakes some homemade edibles for Swiss, but messes up a vital measurement.

read on AO3

“Hey Mountain,” Phantom said, appearing at his bedroom door. “You went on that weed run yesterday, right?”

The drummer was lying on his bed, idly scrolling through his phone. He rolled to his side to look at Phantom, nodding his head toward the dresser. “Top drawer. You having a smoke?”

“No, I’m gonna make some brownies,” Phantom grabbed the bag. “I accidentally took the last of Swiss’s edible he got in Amsterdam. Told ‘em I’d go to the dispensary with you... and then forgot... so I'm just gonna make some.”

Mountain chuckled, “Have you ever baked anything in your life?”

“Of course I have.”

Phantom had not. But how hard could it be?

“Okay, well if you want some help, let me know. I'll send you the link to the recipe we usually use.”

“’kay. Thanks Mount,” he said and made his way back to the kitchen.

Phantom had watched Swiss or Mountain make edibles on a few occasions, but he pulled up Mountain's recipe. He quickly realized it was a little more complicated than he thought. There was pre-baking, and making a butter, and making the brownies from scratch? Phantom looked at the box mix he found at the back of the pantry. It would have to do.

Soon, the kitchen was a wreck. Measuring cups and bowls were everywhere as Phantom filled their shared space with aroma of baked cannabis. It brought some of the other ghouls out of their room to investigate his baking endeavor.

“Fucking hell, Phantom, what are you doing in here?” Dew was the first to appear as Phantom took the roasted leaves out of the oven.

“My best,” Phantom wiped away some sweat from his brow, glancing at Dew. “This looks much easier when Swiss does it.”

Dew chuckled, hopping up to sit on the counter and watch.

“That’s because Swiss has seen every episode of Great British Baking Show and thinks that makes him star baker.”

Phantom threw some butter in a saucepan and started to combine the components of the brownie mix.

“I believe it. This shit is harder than I thought.”

Dew chuckled, jumping down from the counter and ruffling Phantom’s hair on his way out the back door. “Just follow the instructions, you’ll be fine.”

Phantom sighed, returning to his project.

Cumulus and Cirrus also came by, taking a few finger fulls of leftover batter after Phantom had his bake in the oven. Mountain came by briefly while he sat in front of the oven watching them rise.

“Looks good, Iron Chef,” he smiled, patting him on the back. “Did you make them with or without walnuts?”

“With.”

“Oh fuck, yeah. Be sure to save me one.”

Phantom smiled, feeling a bit better about his baking skills. When the brownies finally came out, they looked just like the ones the others have made. He cleaned up while they cooled, and delivered a generous piece to Swiss’s room for when he returned. Phantom thought about also enjoying one, but a text from Rain about a quick rehearsal tabled that plan. He cut himself a small sliver just to test out the taste, satisfied with the fudgey texture and gooey taste.

“Something is still missing,” Dew tapped his chin. They had spent the last hour and a half rehearsing some new bits for the rituals and testing out a few riffs. One in particular was giving them some trouble. “Maybe we should get Swiss down here. See if he has an idea or if adding a fourth balances it better.”

Rain put down his bass. “Yeah, I’ll go find him.” He left the practice room and headed toward the living quarters. In the meantime, Dew and Phantom continued to run through the bridge of the song.

Suddenly, rapid, running footsteps echoed up the hall. Both of the ghouls turned to find Rain looking pale and panicked.

“Something's wrong with Swiss,” he said, motioning for them to follow. They put their instruments down and ran to Swiss’s room. Phantom could hear the sound of retching from the hallway, which eerily stopped the moment they got into his room.

They found Swiss slumped beside the toilet, eyes unfocused as he barely registered Rain and Dew dropping to his side.

“Swiss,” Dew cupped his cheeks, trying to get the dazed ghoul to focus on him. “Swiss!” The only sound the ghoul made was some weak whimpering. The most he seemed to move was when he’d start to gag and lurch toward the toilet. Rain sat beside him, rubbing his back and looking at the others with concern.

“What do we do?”

“What is even wrong with him? He's sweating like he's back in the pits, but he doesn't feel feverish,” Dew said, hugging his arms across his body. “Food poisoning?”

“I don’t know, Dew, he’s pretty out of it.”

“Is he on something?”

Rain shrugged, “we just got back right before we started rehearsal. He didn’t have anything when he was with me.”

Suddenly, it dawned on Phantom. He looked back at the place he left Swiss’s brownie.

The plate was empty.

“Shit,” Phantom turned back to the others, suddenly starting to panic. “Shit, I made brownies earlier. Swiss had one.”

Dew’s eyes widened “How big?”

Phantom estimated with his fingers. “Not bigger than what Swiss has given me before.”

“Did he eat more than what you brought him or something?”

Rain stayed with Swiss while Dew and Phantom rushed to the kitchen where Mountain was coincidentally opening the pan of brownies.

“Mountain, wait!” Phantom yelled, startling the drummer into dropping the plastic knife on the ground.

“What?”

“Swiss is sick. Maybe because of the brownies,” Dew explained. Phantom grabbed the pan, sighing in relief to find only the piece he cut for Swiss missing.

“He only had what I gave him.”

“Well what was the dosage?”

“Whatever the instructions said, Dew, I don’t know!”

The room started heating up with Dewdrop as the epicenter. “Phantom, you saw Swiss— this is not the fucking time for I don’t know, I need some fucking number—”

“Guys,” Mountain yelled over them, the bag of weed, that now had a sizable dent in it, in hand. His face was especially serious. “Phantom, where is the extra butter?”

He stared at Mountain blankly. “What do you mean?”

“You followed the recipe I told you? Pre-baked the amount you usually see Swiss and me make, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, then where’s the leftovers? The recipe is for triple the amount of butter you should have used.”

Phantom suddenly felt like he was going to throw up. “I-I didn’t know that.”

“Shit,” Mountain cursed as Rain called down the hall for more help. Mountain went running, leaving Phantom feeling numb and a majorly heated Dew.

“I thought you were following the instructions,” Dew said, his eyes starting to flicker red, like embers in a fire trying to kindle.

“I was, but I was looking at the butter recipe Mountain told me to use and also reading the back of the brownie box and— and, I guess… I guess I got confused,” Phantom ran his fingers through his hair, tugging on the roots. Dew huffed, turning to go back to Swiss’s room. When Phantom started to follow, the fire ghoul whirled around, eyes fully glowing now.

“You’ve done enough, Phantom. We’ll take care of him.”

He left Phantom standing awkwardly in the hallway, his guilt feeling like a tight wire wrapped around his neck. He stood there until his anger kicked in. Phantom marched into the kitchen, grabbing the pan of brownies and slamming them into the trash can with such force the metal pan bent at a ninety degree angle.

He was angry at Dew. At the fucking instructions for being confusing. At Mountain for not telling him when he was leaving for the dispensary. Really, he was just furious at himself. How did he possibly think that much weed was supposed to go into one batch of brownies? What kind of idiot didn’t double check the recipe when making an edible?

Phantom banished himself to his room, throwing around a few things before collapsing on his bed in a fit of guilt-soaked tears.

Rain think he preferred it when Swiss was vomiting.

After the last time he hugged the toilet, just as Phantom and Dew went to check the kitchen, Swiss had a moment of improved coherence.

“Rain,” he mustered, spitting into the toilet. It was a relief just to hear him have some sort of orientation to what was happening around him. That relief was quickly thwarted by what followed, “I don’t… feel… good,” he said, his voice slurring and slowing. Rain had to lunge to catch Swiss’s dead weight as he suddenly collapsed.

“Fuck!” he yelled, pressing two fingers to his neck. Ghoul vessels did have heartbeats— usually slower than humans— but present. Even for a ghoul, though, Swiss’s was faint. “Dew! Phantom! I need you!”

To his surprise, Mountain was the first to arrive at his aid, helping Rain pull Swiss out of the bathroom and into the more spacious bedroom.

“He just passed out,” Rain said, obsessively checking the pulse points in Swiss’s neck and wrist.

“He’s greening out bad,” Mountain sighed, looking up at Rain with dismay. “Phantom fucked up the edible ratio. It won’t kill him, but we need to watch him until he comes down.”

Swiss’s eyes finally fluttered open again. Still unfocused, and even more out of it than before. Dew appeared at the door, chest heaving with anger. Phantom was nowhere to be found. Mountain took one look at Dew and shook his head.

“Out.”

That didn’t help Dew’s fury. “Excuse me?”

“You’re hot right now. You know he gets sensitive to emotions when he’s high, and right now the last thing we need is him panicking when he can barely comprehend why he’s panicking. You can come back when you cool off.”

Dew looked like he wanted to bite off Mountain’s head, but he did back out of the room.

“Mounty,” Swiss muttered, briefly focusing on the earth ghoul’s face. His hand limply waved, and Mountain grabbed it from the air and squeezed.

“Hang in there, bud. You’re gonna be okay.”

Swiss felt like he was dying.

Or locked in some shadow dimension. Either was possible.

Maybe this was the purgatory thing he’s heard so much about. A land between heaven and hell. It would explain why he felt like the world was melting between his fingers while also feeling like he was floating. He was burning hot and doused in sweat, but also wanted nothing more than to be wrapped in blankets.

A lot of contradictions. The only thing Swiss was sure about was that his stomach fucking hurt.

His head was in the toilet again. Throat burning. A hand rubbed his back and he tried to focus on that instead of the sour taste in his mouth.

Then darkness.

Maybe he was dying.

Sometimes he’d hear some voices. Muted, warped voices he could hardly identify.

One came through clearly. Swiss couldn’t quite identify what was being said, but he knew it was Mountain.

Mountain sounded upset. Swiss frowned working hard at trying to focus on the slow moving blobs around him so he could find Mountain.

A warm hand took his.

Fingers tinkered with his hair.

Touched his blazing skin.

He hoped he wasn’t sick.

They would also get sick if that was the case.

“You can sleep, Swiss miss.”

“We’ll keep you safe.”

Swiss didn’t want to sleep. He was exhausted to the point he couldn’t move, but sleeping seemed like something he wasn’t supposed to do. Like he’s fully succumb to the darkness.

Like he’d wake up in the pit.

His throat suddenly felt tight. Fingers tingled. He tried to suck in more air, but his lungs were sluggish. Slow as the rest of him. Swiss fought, feeling his body being turned. Being lifted and then put down again—

“I don’t wanna go!” he tried to scream, but only parts of it made it to his mouth.

Pressure on his cheeks. A hand on his chest. Swiss’s vision dotted for a few moments before realizing Rain was nose-to-nose with him, his ocean blue eyes pleading for something Swiss couldn’t hear over the sound of ringing in his ears. He looked at Rain’s lips come together and split in the shape of the word breathe.

I’m trying, he wanted to say, but he had no breath to do it.

Rain pressed on his chest. Tapped a pattern that Swiss took to mean as cues to breathe in and out. He tried— and struggled— to follow them at first, but soon fell into rhythm. He felt his body start to relax. His fingers regained feeling. Swiss felt the air fully inflate his lungs, hold, and exit with a slow whoosh.

Slowly, he faded into sleep.

Swiss woke up feeling like he had been dropped in boiling water. He was drenched, the feeling of his clothes on his skin making him nauseated all over again. Feeling a little more mobile, Swiss grabbed at his shirt, trying to ease it over his head.

“Woah, woah, woah, what’s wrong?” a voice asked. Dew's voice. 

“’m fucking hot,” Swiss said, back, trying and failing to make it over his head. Frustration started making him upset, and he took a break from his shirt and clumsily pulled at the drawstring of his sweatpants instead.

“Okay, let me help you,” Dew whispered, swatting Swiss’s hands away. Swiss stood still as Dew dropped his pants and helped pull his shirt off. The cool air on his burning skin was a relief, but Swiss still didn’t feel comfortable. He grabbed his underwear, but Dew caught his wrist.

“Those too?” he asked hesitantly.

Swiss nodded, trying to jerk out of Dew’s grasp, but being unsuccessful. Dew sighed and released him, and Swiss finally felt at ease.

He stood there until his body temperature felt normal again.

Then he realized he was fucking freezing. He slumped back on the bed, grabbing as many blankets at possible while Dew watched him, dumbfounded.

“Cold now, Swissy?”

“Freezing. Cuddle me, Dew?”

The fire ghoul groaned, and something landed on Swiss’s face.

“Okay, but you have to put your drawers back on.”

That seemed like a fair exchange. Swiss slipped on his underwear and opened his arms for Dew to come warm him up. The fire ghoul dropped into Swiss’s arms, muttering something about how he “better not puke on him”.

Swiss’s throat was dry when he woke up again. HIs room was dim. Less chaotic than before. Swiss tried to roll to his back, but found something blocking him.

Or someone.

“Swiss?” a soft voice asked, moving so he could plop onto his back. It was Mountain staring down at him with concerned hazel eyes.

“I’m falling off the bed,” Swiss muttered, weakly trying to shove at the massive drummer. Mountain’s concern shifted to mild amusement, and he gave Swiss some more space.

“Just making sure you don’t aspirate, Swissy.”

Satanas, his head was pounding. Swiss flopped down on Mountain’s chest, finding some comfort in the feeling of his heartbeat under his cheek.

“Is he awake?” Rain asked, walking in with Dew in tow.

“He is,” Swiss answered. “He is also so fucking thirsty.”

“Good,” Rain handed him some brightly colored drink. Swiss stared at is suspiciously until he explained. “Electrolytes.”

“Oh. Thought you were trying to poison me,” Swiss muttered, and slowly sipped at the cool beverage.

“That would be Phantom,” Dew muttered, quickly getting an elbow to the ribs from Rain. Swiss looked at them, confused.

“What about Phantom?” His bandmates looked at him and then one another. Swiss couldn’t tell if it was guilt or pity, but he didn’t like it either way. “Whatever it is, fucking tell me.”

“He’s usually pissy when he’s almost down,” Mountain said as though Swiss wasn’t sitting right fucking there.

“Think he’s good enough to tell him?” Rain asked.

“For fuck’s sake,” Swiss pinched the bridge of his nose. Rain placed a hand on his knee.

“Did you eat the brownie Phantom baked for you?”

Swiss slowly dropped his hand, the realization of his pre-nap snack hitting him the moment Rain said it.

“Yeah… it was good, but I’m guessing maybe a little too much?”

Dew scoffed. “At least triple the dose you usually do.”

That certainly explained why he felt like he was on a different plane of existence earlier.

“Damn. Uh, how bad was I?” They looked at each other again. That, and the fact they looked exhausted pretty much answered his question. He also realized Phantom wasn’t among them. “And where’s Phantom?”

Dew pressed his lips together. “I, uh, told him to stay out of the way.”

From the way Mountain and Rain exchanged a glance, Swiss had a feeling it was a little more than that. He sighed, pushing himself up to try and stand, but a rush to his head made him topple right back down.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Dew asked.

“To see Phantom. Make sure he’s not beating himself up over this.”

“You can barely stand still!”

Swiss looked at Dew. “Then go get him!”

Dew looked at Rain, who shook his head. The usually calm water ghoul looked at Dew sternly. “I’m not the one who yelled at him. Go fix it.”

With a groan, Dew departed. Swiss laid back in his bed, focusing on a singular point on the ceiling until the spinning stopped.

“Hey Rain?” he asked after awhile.

“Yeah?”

Swiss ran his hand over his bare chest and thighs. “When did I strip?”

He chuckled. “A few hours ago.”

“Why?”

“Dew said you wanted cuddles.”

Swiss sat with that for a moment before shrugging. “Yeah... that checks out. Can you grab me some clothes, please?”

Phantom wasn’t sure what to do. He snuck down near Swiss’s room a few times to try and gauge what was going on, but couldn’t quite get a complete read. Things seemed to calm down at least. Less sounds of vomiting. Rain, Mountain, and Dew had begun to take shifts of just one or two of them staying with Swiss at a time. Phantom wanted to assume the best, but he still felt his worst.

So he shut himself in his room. Lights off, so his main source of light was the glow of iridescent constellations on his ceiling.

Swiss had helped him put those up. And Phantom had basically poisoned him. What a good packmate he was.

Because he wanted to torture himself, Phantom looked back at the recipe for the butter. Sure enough, it clearly called for almost four times the amount of butter he used— if he had just fucking read it correctly, Swiss wouldn’t be spending the night worrying about choking on his own vomit.

Hot tears ran down Phantom’s face. Though he had formed some great connections with the others, he was still so new. Would they send him away after this? Would any of them trust him again? He ruminated on these increasingly destructive thoughts until there was a soft knock at his door.

“Phantom?” Dew said through the door. “You in there?”

“Yeah,” called, his voice raspy from crying. The door opened slowly, and in came Dew. He was much less angry than usual, but still seemed a little peeved. After taking in the dark room and Phantom curled up on his bed, his face softened.

“Hey…” Dew said, sitting on the edge of Phantom’s bed. To his surprise, the fire ghoul reached out and put a warm hand on Phantom’s calf. “Swiss is okay.”

“He is?”

“A little loopy still and post-high cranky, but yeah. He’s asking for you.”

Phantom bit his lip, curling more into himself. “He’s pissed, isn’t he?”

Dew’s eyebrows furrowed together. “Swiss? At you? Not at all.”

“You are.”

Dew sighed, pressing his fingers together in his lap. “I was. But, I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. I was mad and… and scared. Really scared.” Dew looked at him with with this sad expression. “Sorry for taking it out on you.”

Phantom finally sat up, pulling Dew into a hug before he could protest. The lead guitarist hugged him back, pinching his cheek as they pulled apart. “I hope you know you’re banned from baking, though.”

“Fair enough,” Phantom said, smiling for the first time in hours.

They went to Swiss’s room where Rain and Mountain were perched on his bed with them. When Phantom entered, they grew quiet, and started to move out of the way. Swiss opened up his arms.

“C’mere Phantom,” he said with a grin.

All the stress of the last several hours of soaking in self-doubt and guilt came tumbling down at once. Phantom practically tackled Swiss as he dove into his arms, reveling in the joyful laugh the multi-ghoul let out as he squeezed Phantom tightly.

“I’m so fucking sorry,” Phantom said into Swiss’s shirt.

“Don’t be, Twinkle Toes, that brownie was fucking fire. Perfect ratio of gooey, but not underbaked. And truly flattered you thought I could handle that much THC.”

“It did seem like a lot…”

“I fuckin’ bet,” Swiss chuckled. “It’s okay, though. I’m good. Sometimes I need a green out every so often. Keeps me humble.”

“Also freaks us the hell out,” Rain said. Swiss pressed his lips together, almost like he felt guilty about being basically incapacitated. He reached out toward the others, and Phantom felt the bed dipped as Rain joined the huddle. Mountain and Dew soon followed, encapsulating the two of them in their body heat and weight.

“Thanks for taking care of me, you guys.”

[katerinaaqu]

So since @aaronofithaca05 had asked me about my new tattoo that started one of my favorite headcannons of Odysseus getting a tattoo at war here it is! Done during a small trip I had by the talented artist:

https://www.instagram.com/poporotattoo?igsh=MW1iZThnZGt5NzVrZw==

It is symbol of my homeland, Greece and a promise of me going back there one day one way or another (since I currently live in Sweden). It was inspired by frescoes found in Greece especially in Crete and Santorini

Dolphin: The national animal of Greece and always mentioned as a protective talisman for sailors to a country surrounded by sea. The dolphin comes from the ancient Greek word that means "womb" and was meant to show how Greeks believed that they are mammals. The word Dolphin also sounds similar to the word that means "brother" "sister" or "sibling" in Greek.

The dolphin was an animal linked to many gods and goddesses of Greek mythology with some of the major ones being Poseidon (the dolphin revealed to him the hiding place of his future wife Amphitrite and often seen pulling his chariot), Dionysus (Dionysus transformed the drowning pirates to dolphins) and of course Apollo (linked to the myth of Delphi -giving the name to it- and the rescue of the musician and poet Arion)

Dolphins have been a symbol of freedom, intelligence, playfulness and sexuality by many researchers. It is an animal known to protect the sailors in the long voyages at sea. Their social behavior has also linked them with humans (thus the name "dolphin" also linked to the word "sibling")

To me it is a symbol of greece and my culture in general linked to my language, my land and my family.

Swallow: A little bird linked a lot with spring in Greece for they come to Greece after winter to make their nests and have their babies before flying back to Africa for the winter. A swallow is a beloved bird in Greece and symbol of Greek presidency.

In mythology the swallow was also linked to some gods and goddesses particularly Aphrodite but also Athena (Athena transforms into a swallow and flies away from Telemachus in the Odyssey). Also in the Odyssey it is mentioned that the chord of Odysseus's bow "sang like a swallow" when he used it to kill the suitors symbolizing his homecoming.

Swallow have always been linked to journeys specially to homecoming since they always come back during their migration trips. Their speed and ability when they fly is also linked to their capability of achieving such a dangerous trip despite their size.

To me it is a promise of returning home to my land one way or another and is also linked to my favorite books Iliad and Odyssey that make me feel proud that literature from my land has reached so far in people's hearts 💕

They are also moving in a never ending circle with each other hahaha also unconsciously a symbol of Poseidon vs Athena?! 🤣 dunno maybe hehehehe

[overtrred28]

Stargirl | matildas x original character fic [part nine]

Words; 2.9k

Pairings; matildas team x astrid taylor (OC)

Warnings; swearing, mentions of injury (no blood)

A/N; i kinda forgot to upload this earlier sorry

masterlist

Astrid was diligent with the slow and gentle rehab she had been doing, wanting to be better for the next Matildas camp only a month away now. It had been just over two weeks and she had been advised four to six for total recovery, but she was itching to be part of that squad against Canada, even if she only got a few minutes of playing time. 

She worked with the physios everyday to bring her strength back up in her ankle, eventually being able to walk around without the boot after three weeks and Astrid felt good. Without there being any tears or extreme damage to the tendons or ligaments, the time frame had just been an extra precaution because of her high intensity exercise and sport, wanting it to heal undisturbed as much as it could before she jumped back into football. 

By the time this next international call up was here Astrid had just begun jogging again on the pitch, passing the ball between her feet and it was like she was a different person than she had been for the past 6 weeks. She had formed a new appreciation for being able to play at the level she was and getting to do it with her best friends at a club that motivated her. 

The time had come and Astrid had never been more excited to go on a camp, the senior players who hadn’t been there for the last camp returning, the squad back together again to play against Canada. They had all made sure to check in on Astrid after hearing about or seeing her injury, encouraging her to keep going and get back onto that pitch, knowing how useful her skills are when up against tough opponents. 

The games were in Australia this time, meaning Astrid was finally going home for the first time since moving to Sweden, and her parents promised they would be there to cheer her on at the Sydney game. 

After a long day of travel the sweden squad, plus Mini and Harper, were so happy to be back on aussie soil and head straight to the hotel. The car ride from the hotel was full of chatter, all of the players trying not to fall asleep, aiming to hold on until bedtime. The car pulled up and they started getting out of the car, going and collecting their bags from the boot to take inside. 

They received their room numbers and went to drop their bags off, the rooming changing again and Astrid finding herself rooming with Kyra for the first time. 

“This one's mine.” Astrid placed her backpack on the bed closest to the window. 

“Oh so if someone comes to murder us they can get me first?” Kyra stood in front of the other bed, looking at the distance between the door and where she would be sleeping.

“Not what I was thinking, but sure.” Astrid shrugged with a smile. “Come on, let's go to dinner before they eat all the food.” She walked to the door with her phone and keycard, putting her arm out for Kyra to link her own. They left the room, skipping arm in arm down the hallway to the lifts, laughing as they almost tripped about seven times. 

They found their way to the room that had been turned into the team dining room, being easily directed by the noise coming from the girls in there. When they walked in it seemed they were the last to arrive, not surprising of course, the pair known for being late to things all the time. 

“Look who decided to show up.” The room quieted down as Sam spoke loudly, walking up next to Astrid. 

“Oh Sammy, you know I like to make an entrance.” Astrid smiled at her, parts of the room laughing before they pulled each other in for a hug. 

“How’s the ankle?” Sam asked as they stood together. 

“Yeah a lot better definitely.” Astrid nodded, looking down at her taped ankle. 

“Good.” Sam smiled. “Go and get something to eat, kid, catch up more later.” Sam nodded her head in the direction of the buffet, Astrid turning around, instantly spotting Kyra walking away with a full plate, both laughing as they made eye contact. 

Astrid grabbed some food and went to sit at the table where the “original trio” and Steph sat, slotting between the two Arsenal players. 

“Asteroid!” Mackenzie all but yelled across the table, reaching across for a fist bump which was returned with a smile from Astrid. 

“Hey chicken.” Steph spoke from beside her, Astrid instantly rested her head on Steph’s shoulder. 

“Hey Stephy. How are you?” Astrid moved her head to look up at Steph. 

“I’m good, how you feeling?” Steph squeezed her shoulder. 

“Real good.” She smiled and then began eating, catching up with the other girls on the table, hearing all about their time off and where they spent it. 

The team had a mini bonding night, deciding to put a movie on the projector in the dining room before they all headed off to bed. Those with movie suggestions wrote them down and they were placed into a hat for a random draw. 

“And the winner is…” Sam shuffled her hand around in the hat. “Hannah Montana The Movie?” Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. 

“YES!” A shout was heard and everyone turned their heads. Astrid had shot up from her seat, very happy her favourite movie had been chosen. 

“Were you not like a baby when this came out?” Caitlin asked the youngest member. 

“I was five.” Astrid calmly spoke. A few gasps came from the room, a lot of the players again shocked at how young she really was compared to them. “Enough with the questions, it’s movie time.” She had taken control of the remote, searching for the movie and pressing play. 

Throughout the movie everyone could hear Astrid singing along, dancing in her seat and even mouthing most of the script, a few of them filming her from behind. Then came the scene in the barn and ‘Hoedown Throwdown’ began to play, Astrid let out a small squeal before standing up at the front of the screen.

She began to do the choreography while facing away from the screen, she had learnt it off by heart from the amount of times she had watched it. Everyone sat in shock as she did the dance with precision, not knowing she had it in her. 

When it was done she took a bow, the group cheered and clapped loudly as she sat back down next to Charli and Kyra. The room went silent again, all paying attention to the rest of the movie. 

“Nice dance moves.” Kyra leant over and whispered to Astrid after a while. Astrid just shook her head and giggled. 

The movie finished and to most people's surprise they enjoyed it, something lighthearted and fun to watch before bed. Most of the girls were very tired after travel, Astrid thought she might be too but I guess the excitement of the movie brought her energy back. 

Everyone began to stand, stretching out their limbs while the credits rolled, all watching Astrid who was still dancing around to the music in front of the screen, singing loudly along to the words. 

The music stopped abruptly and so did Astrid’s dancing. Having enough with the upbeat song and Astrid’s energy, Mackenzie had found the remote and turned off the screen. 

“I wasn’t done.” Astrid whined to the taller girl. 

“Yeah you are, bedtime little one.” She patted Astrid’s head and laughed at her pout and eyeroll. Mackenzie headed for the door, Kyra coming over to push Astrid along and drag her off to their room for bed. 

As per usual, when she was done getting ready for bed, Astrid’s head hit the pillow and she was out like a light, the aftermath of long travel taking control and she fell straight to sleep. 

The next morning after getting ready, Kyra and Astrid headed down to breakfast with a little more energy after having slept a decent amount of hours, ready to begin training with the team. 

The first match was still two days away so they had some time to work with each other after months apart now that everyone had arrived. But playing with people on the same club team definitely helps in creating rhythms and relationships on and off the pitch. 

A quick gym session was first up upon arriving at the stadium, everyone working individually on what they needed to before proper training. Astrid was quick to take control of the music to play over the speakers, waiting to show off the playlist she had accumulated. It did feature a lot of Taylor, Hannah Montana and One Direction but she also added plenty of 2000s, 90s and even 80s songs into the mix for everyone to enjoy. Safe to say everyone was happy with Astrid being the DJ after seeing everyone sing or at least bop along to many of the songs. Maybe she would become the team's newly appointed DJ.

They finished in the gym and moved to the pitch, Astrid chatting with Caitlin while they walked out, catching up more than they did last night and Astrid asking about Arsenal and what it was really like. She parted ways with Caitlin after spotting Charli who was chatting with Kyra, Mini and Alex. She ran over and practically jumped on her, gripping the blonde's shoulders who let out a small scream at the impact. 

“Heyyyyy, Cha Cha.” Astrid peaked her head over Charli's shoulder who shrugged the girl off and began walking away from her with a smirk. “Ruuuude.” Astrid yelled at her as she followed behind to where everyone congregated. 

“Alrighty ladies, you know the drill.” Assistant coach Jens yelled out, indicating it was time to begin their session with a jog to warm up. 

“Ughhhhh, I hate this.” Astrid panted out halfway during the jog. “Can I be done yet?” She yelled as they passed the coaches. 

“Does your ankle hurt?” Jens raised a brow. 

“No.” And she kept going, picking up her pace to make it finish faster. She all but crumbled to the ground once she reached the end of the jog, having not run that much since her injury. 

“You good there?” A body covered the sun that was shining over her eyes. 

“I am now.” She smiled at Kyra who was extending an arm to help her up. 

Jens called them over to where they had now set up the circuit for the drills. Astrid liked this part a lot better than the initial jog, ready to hone in her skills and get back into her rhythm of passes and shooting goals. 

They had gone through their regular training drills before moving to work on separate skills in groups of their field positions. So tragically Astrid and Charli had to part ways, Caitlin dragging a pouting Astrid towards the group of forwards and Charli waving dramatically as she walked backwards to the defenders. 

After weeks of just doing small passes to build back up, Astrid was finally able to begin shooting goals again; the main thing she loved about playing football. One of the coaches would pass a ball to the running player and then they would shoot it in, aiming for a different part of the net each time. The goalkeepers had joined them to practise blocking the goals, Astrid was holding the lead against Sam for how many they could get past Lydia. 

“OHHHHH. Another one! And with the left foot!” Astrid ran with outstretched arms after she slotted another ball past Lydia, bringing her total to 6 and Sam just behind with 5. “She’s back and better than ever, baby.” Astrid circled Sam, the other forwards watching and laughing at her antics. 

“Piss off.” Sam shoved the younger striker away, taking her place to accept the next pass. With bad luck to Sam, Lydia had just tapped it away and then the whistle blew to signal the end of drills.  

“Sucked in, oldie.” Astrid whispered as she skipped away to the sideline.

“Get back here you little shit!” Sam huffed and began chasing the girl with a smile on her face, Astrid panicked and began running. 

“STEPHY! SAVE ME!” Astrid screamed as she approached ,the defender turning her head to see Sam chasing after Astrid. Astrid made it to the vice captain and stood behind her panting, hiding from the other captain. 

“Enough you two.” Steph put on a stern voice and looked between the two players. 

“She called me old.” Sam pleaded, going to speak again but Tony had interrupted her from further down the sideline. 

“Alrighty, scrimmage time.” The team began walking closer to him, taking a drink and breath break. “Sam and Steph, come and select your teams.” He tossed the red bibs to Sam for her team and the yellow to Steph. 

They had chosen their players, taking the defenders, then midfielders and finally their forwards. It was down to the two youngest forwards, Mary and Astrid. Steph got first pick so it was up to her, and knowing the passes Kyra and Astrid can make, it wasn’t hard.

“Astrid, you're with me.” Steph beckoned the girl over to her team, glad that it consisted of herself, Steph, Kyra, Charli, Lydia, Cortnee, Clare W, Mini, Alanna, Princess and Tameka. Sam’s team had Caitlin, Mary, Larissa, Emily Van Egmond, Emily Gielnik, Courtney, Aivi, Macca, Alex and Clare P. 

The game began and Sam’s team took good possession straight away but the defence between Charli, Alanna and Steph was strong. 10 minutes in and Kyra had stolen the ball from Larissa, running with it until she could see Astrid making her way into free space further up the pitch. Kyra booted it into the air, ending at Princess who hit it with her chest towards Astrid, right foot ready to catch it.

The tip of her boot brought it to the ground so she could steady her footing, quickly sending it towards the goal through Mackenzie’s still legs, thinking she was going to send it higher like usual. The net rippled and the young player cheered, running back to her position with a high five to her teammates as she went by. 

Tony blew the whistle to indicate the end of the match. It had ended in a 2-2 draw, everyone going around and high fiving each other. 

“Good game, Astrid.” Sam smiled at the young striker. She wouldn’t admit it outloud but she did think maybe one day she could give her a run for her money, seeing a lot of herself at that age in Astrid.

“You too, Sam.” Astrid gave her hand a shake and a clap on the back as they began to walk to the side for a drink. 

“Alright everyone in.” Tony’s voice carried through the team who began walking over to form a loose huddle, too hot to make it tight. “Well done today, very impressed with everyone’s efforts. Even after not playing altogether for a while you showed that no matter what you are a strong team. Off to recovery and then the day is all yours, I’ll see you tomorrow for match day minus 1.” Tony nodded with a smile. Everyone clapped before they made their way inside and headed straight for the cold pools. 

Astrid was the first one in the pool, loving the cold water from growing up at a beach during the winter, going for swims no matter the weather. Everyone else of course thought she was crazy to enjoy the cold water and her eagerness to get in it. 

The next day at training looked very similar to the day before but the physios had been keeping an eye on Astrid, being so soon off an injury. She felt great, really. It didn’t hurt and her ankle felt strong, continuing to work and train to be a sub for tomorrow's game. 

An early dinner of their usual pre-match pasta night was followed by an early bed for all the players, especially for those who had travelled from overseas all but a few days ago. Everyone bid each other goodnight before retiring to their rooms. 

Kyra had called the shower first, knowing from the previous night how long Astrid really did take on her skincare. Once they were both finished and had set an alarm, they lay in their separate beds, room silent, spare the aircon blowing softly. 

“I think you’ll start tomorrow.” Astrid spoke, turning in her bed to face Kyra’s. 

“Really?” Kyra also shifted, finding Astrid’s eyes in the dark room. 

“Yeah, I mean you’ve been working really hard and I think they can tell.” Astrid smiled softly at the girl. 

“Thank you.” Kyra also smiled even if Astrid couldn’t really see it. “I think Tony will put you on, make use of your ‘super-sub’ reputation again.” Kyra let out a soft laugh. 

“Maybe.” Astrid shrugged under her covers. 

“Definitely. I’m calling it right now.” Kyra turned to lie on her back and look up at the ceiling. 

“Fine. But if you’re wrong, you’re buying me a coffee.” Astrid copied Kyra’s shift in movement. 

“Deal. But if I’m right, you buy me a coffee.” Kyra spoke again. 

“Okay.” Astrid’s voice was barely above a whisper as she felt herself drifting to sleep. “Goodnight, Ky Ky.” She spoke one last time before letting herself fall into the pillow. 

“Goodnight, Stargirl.” Kyra took one last look at Astrid before shutting her eyes and falling asleep herself, a soft smile etched on her face. 

to be continued...

[lurking-latinist]

re: these tags

THAT'S SO COOL AHHHH!! good for you aubreyad community stays winning

[introducing this with a disclaimer in case i'm wrong about everything: i am only halfway through the series rn (just about to finish 10) and also am but a mere undergrad classics major who has yet to even declare said major and I probably don't have the right to be yapping about propertius. nevertheless i shall.]

anyway i have been growing persistently more insane about diana's proximity to a Lot of classical imagery, like how her first appearance in post captain is literally during a fox hunt + all the gender stuff she has going, obviously linking her to mythological diana (and artemis if we're going to conflate the two) but your take has sent me in a whole new direction with that-- because she doesn't actually really embody the artemis archetype all too much overall (an emphasized character trait being that she's notably Not Chaste) EXCEPT in relation to stephen, w/ whom her relationship is much more brotherly than it is sensual i guess?

which would align very well with your idea of diana as elegiac puella-- sort of in a way being mythologized by stephen-- resulting in the reader actually being able to see two different manifestations of her character (one through the eyes of an omniscient prosaic narrator and one through the perspective of stephen as a "poet" figure). and i just think that's neat.

my latin class has also been looking at a few of propertius' love elegies and, at least to me, they read a lot like if stephen 1.) hated himself significantly less and 2.) were less indecisive in writing about his Feelings?? 1.8 (and all of the poems concerning cynthia moving/traveling away and propertius being all moody about it) is very reminiscent of the arc from post captain to the surgeon's mate imo. 1.12 is also Literally Him-- "cynthia prima fuit cynthia finis erit" can be compared to stephen's poetic catastrophizing about how his life is Literally Over and Love Is Dead when he believes to have fallen out of love with diana!?!? i'm going to lose my mind.

sorry for dumping all of this on you unprompted and also sorry for the fact that it probably does not make sense. peace and love

if undergrad classicists don't talk about propertius literally WHO WILL. (genuinely my currently-being-written phd dissertation chapter is based on an idea I had in the class I read propertius in freshman year. never feel like you're not a 'real scholar' or something yet, because you honestly never do become something different, you just keep reading and talking and this is what we do! there's nothing realer than this!)

oh wow that's really well put--we kind of get to see her from an omniscient-narrator perspective and through the eyes of her lover who is Not Being Normal About Her. very nice!

yeah I keep reading bits of propertius and being like "hmm is po'b going to quote this one I wonder." (he doesn't mostly but I keep thinking he should. because I want the aubreyad to be denser and less accessible I guess? :P) there's a lot of catullus woven in too of course - I associate Catullus 72 with the 'falling out of love' arc (my dude that is not what falling out of love looks like).

oh gosh yes 1.8 -- that was one of the things I was trying to describe to Distinguished Classicist, the way she's so -- what's the word I want? not volatile... she disappears. she's constantly Gone. you turn around and oops, she's eloped to Sweden. (honestly though if Cynthia and Propertius could manage to have *fake* revenge affairs that would actually be *great*, for them that would be an improvement.) Gareth Williams (in a chapter called, amazingly, "From Grave to Rave") describes Cynthia as "ever only elusively visible in the narratological mist" and I feel like that's a bit what's going on with Diana. For her there's a genre element as well--she's a woman in the Men Going to Sea books, and even though the Aubreyad gives way more time to women than the average Men Going to Sea book, the fact is the camera frequently simply isn't on her. We see far more of Stephen thinking about her, hearing rumors, etc. than we do of her actually being on the page. Now in elegy nobody seems to be quite fully on the page, we only get "fragments of story" as Genevieve Liveley and Patricia Salzmann-Mitchell say (excellent collection by that name btw, I recommend checking it out if you're at all interested in narrative and lyric/elegy). But Diana manages this while being in a novel, which is impressive to me.

yeah stephen as a character is a lot more... self-reflective? than propertius' speaker. for one thing he's in a novel, I think, so he can actually... have a series of contiguous experiences. he's also a compulsive diarist which is helpful for self-reflection I guess. and more mature, like, as a human being, than propertius' speaker, who apparently does nothing with his life except be in love and write poetry, he doesn't exist outside of as a poetic voice whereas, again, stephen benefits from a third-person narrator and has medicine and spying to do and so on. also he's Catholic.

I love the "Catullus-and-water" line, it's like O'Brian just put in a little wink to those of us who would notice this, like, "yes I am doing this on purpose." All in all I've pretty much defaulted to assuming that O'Brian is doing things on purpose. although he did forget Babbington's first name that one time and retconned it very awkwardly

[jokeroutsubs]

Špancirfest and Joker Out: Interview with Kris for Radio Maribor's 'Musical radiogram'

On 1.09.2023, Slovenian radio station Radio Maribor broadcasted a program about Špancirfest in Varaždin, where Joker Out opened for Franz Ferdinand. The program also featured an interview with Kris Guštin, which you can listen to in the audio file above, or at this direct link from 28:30 to 38:00.

English translation below:

This is the radio show 'Glasbeni radiogram' ('Musical radiogram') in which we checked how our Eurovision representatives are doing. A few months after Eurovision we saw them on the main stage of a Croatian music festival "Špancirfest" where they performed as the opener for the group Franz Ferdinand. We spoke to the guitarist, Kris Guštin.

Kris, today I caught you at the concert in Varaždin, how are you feeling after the concert?

Kris: Well, I'll say unbelievable, for multiple reasons. Because, well, for us it's always surprising and an honour when we come abroad, even if it's just across the border, that people come to our concert and especially that they sing our songs in Slovene. It's incredible, on the other hand, this is the first time we opened for a... global name, global stars. Up until now we were openers only for Yugoslavian bands, which is of course an honour on its own, but today was the first time we introduced ourselves as an international opener. So a great memory for sure.

Have you met Elvis Costello in person or only through a video chat?

Kris: Unfortunately only through video chat, I'm pretty sure that since the collaboration happened he hasn't crossed the Atlantic ocean, so there hasn't been any time.

It seems that after thirty years, this border for musicians between Slovenia and Croatia finally opened.

Kris: Yes, it seems so, although we don't want to say too much right now because everything is still new. We need to know how this is going to work in the long run, but we couldn't be on a better track right now and that's what's currently guiding us.

In Croatia you have two concerts coming up in Zagreb, concerts in Rijeka... it seems as if this concert in Varaždin is the perfect springboard for Croatia.

Kris: It's true, we've never preformed in this part of Croatia, but I'd say the perfect springboard for us was at Šalata in Zagreb, where we opened for Buč Kesidi. I'd maybe say that it wasn't so much of a physical springboard, but it did change our perspective, as we saw and realized for the first time that we can attract an audience in Croatia and can afford to have a concert such as Tvornica kulture, which was something we were scared to do before.

With Slovene lyrics?

Kris: Also with Slovene lyrics. We do currently play all of our songs in Slovene, except for the two songs which are already in Serbian

It seems like yesterday when we played your song for the first time on Radio Maribor. A few months later you won at the festival Frišno/Fresh. This year Frišno/Fresh is coming back, but this journey has been, there are no other words than just unbelievable, dreamy.

Kris: By all means, the first Frišno/Fresh was a nice memory for us. At that time, our song was performed by a big band for the first time. Winning was a great honour as well, of course. I can also say that just today I voted for new nominations for Frišno/Fresh.

Should we reveal who you voted for?

Kris: I mean, I don't have any reservations about it if you don't. I voted for our really good friends and excellent musicians, MRFY, because 'Tobogan' ('Slide') was definitely one of the best songs from last year.

I talked to your audio engineer, Sandi, about how concerts at home or close to home are different from those abroad. You were in England, concerts in Sweden and elsewhere in Northern Europe are still to come.

Kris: I am going to say that the audience abroad is different in the sense that even if they don't know you, they gladly and really quickly give you a chance and they listen to you. If you have something to give, they figure it out quickly and they take it. On the other hand, maybe we dare to do more on stage, we go out of our comfort zone, because we are put in an unknown situation and it brings out our animalistic side, our more energetic selves.

A lot of times it seems that the home audience can act stepmotherly.

Kris: Well, not on our concerts. I think that for us, Slovene audience is always great and irreplaceable, for sure. I can't really say which one is my favourite, each has their own charm.

Now a guitar question, we are both guitarists. Sandi told me that when you are abroad, a long way from home, you rent at least the amplifiers. But playing on your own amplifier is still the best, no?

Kris: Definitely, performing when we can provide all of our gear is the best. This is sadly not possible abroad because of the flights. But we are lucky to be playing on relatively standard gear, which we can get anywhere in Europe and everywhere really. These are Fender, Vox amps and Ampeg for the bass, so it's not like we are suffering abroad because of this.

You could say classic gear, for a modern sound.

Kris: Yeah, we've always kind of gone from retro, from retro stuff, to modern sound.

You're about to play a sold-out concert in Stožice; Stožice may seem like a small milestone from the outside, when you've already conquered international stages.

Kris: Maybe it looks like that at this point, but we definitely don't see it that way. Stožice is the biggest thing an artist can achieve in Slovenia, apart from the Bežigrad stadium, which is unfortunately no longer available.* And the fact that at our age, at a relatively young age, as a young band, we managed to sell out this venue, is an incredible achievement for us, regardless of what's happening abroad. It's a great honour and for two, three months now, since I've realized that it's coming around the corner any minute now, I've been waiting impatiently for the moment when we can finally go on stage.

You yourself grew up in Ljubljana or close to Ljubljana. What would it really mean to you, to perform in the Bežigrad stadium?

Kris: There has been talk for years about its revitalisation, the reopening of the stadium, especially for cultural events. It really is such an iconic place, where, let's say, world famous names have performed, but also Slovenian ones. In fact, the Bežigrad stadium is of particular importance to me, because I don't just come from Ljubljana, I come from Bežigrad, and the Bežigrad stadium is definitely the most important symbol of our city's district. We are all very attached to it. And I have to say that I feel really, really sad because for us, for me and for Bojan, who are proud to call Bežigrad home, there is no longer an option for us to perform there.

If you were here today as a listener, and not as Kris Guštin, if you were just a listener from Bežigrad, who would you come to listen to, Franz Ferdinand or Joker Out?

Kris: Yes, definitely Franz Ferdinand. I've asked myself that a number of times. If I had heard us play, and I weren't in the band, whether I would have liked it or not. When we make music I love it, but you never know what it would be like on the other side. Franz Ferdinand are, of course, a legendary band, even if we didn't really listen to them that much, they've influenced our sound because they're one of the main creators of the British sound of the twenty-first century.

Franz Ferdinand are, I mean, famous, but with every new album, even though they haven't released a new album for five years, still modern; despite, let's say, adding an electronic sound, they're still authentic and you can still hear their sound, can't you? How do musicians manage this? Your third album is coming up soon. How to maintain your sound, but still be progressive, different, modern?

Kris: It's hard for me to give one single answer to that, because I don't really know myself, what is the deciding factor. I think it's easier to stay true to what you've always done, and it's harder to upgrade it every new album, every new cycle. We're always trying to push ourselves out of our shell, out of our comfort zone, with every new single, with every new album, that represents a new chapter in our sound. And here we are, we were in the studio two weeks ago, and we recorded a new single, which is going to be quite different from the previous tracks, and we've also indulged in some new instruments.

Kris, thank you.

Kris: Of course, thanks to you too.

*Bežigrad is one of Ljubljana's districts. The stadium in Bežigrad is the oldest stadium in Ljubljana, built by famous architect Jože Plečnik, and used to host Slovenian national football team's matches, as well as musical and other events. It's in need of renovation, but due to disputes about the current owner's renovation plans, it has been closed and falling apart since 2008. In 2003, Slovenian band Siddharta famously performed a concert there for an audience of about 30,000 people (in comparison, the Stožice arena has a capacity of about 12,000 people).

Translation cr: drumbeat, @joyridinglove, and another member of jokeroutsubs