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after-witch · 1 year ago

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Check Out Time is Eleven [Yandere Chrollo x Reader]

Title: Check Out Time is 11 [Yandere Chrollo x Reader]

Synopsis: You're invited to a hotel for a warm meal and a place to sleep by a mysterious stranger. Soulmate AU.

Word count: 7100ish

notes: yandere, kidnapping, mentions of drugging, a really useless and non-philosophical reference to My Dinner with Andre

The red thread on his finger loses slack for the very first time in his life, and for the smallest of moments, Chrollo Lucilfer forgets himself. His steps falter, expensive, stolen shoes nearly scuffing on the sidewalk, and a startled breath quivers through his chest. His mouth gapes, ever so slightly.

In surprise.

In trepidation.

In realization.

The red thread was, had always been, attached to you. His soulmate. Whoever you were. The gentle tugging of the thread meant that after years of fruitless searching, you were finally somewhere nearby, close enough to reach. Probably, given the tautness of the thread, even within walking distance.

How lucky for him.

How unfortunate for you.

You were finally discovered. You were finally within his grasp, fingers itching, warm satisfaction blooming through his skin. How often had he ruminated over the fact that you had yet to belong to him? How often had he wondered what you would look like, how you would feel under his touch? And what you might do to him when he had you in person? Would he find himself changed, however slightly, as the others in the Troupe had been? Or would he mold you with his own presence, looming over you like a shadow?

The mere thought of you is enough to get his heart racing, bring a bead of sweat to his neck. It was so unlike him, and wasn’t that a thrill?

And then, just like that, the moment is over. He recollects himself and his mouth closes and his mind whirs back into focused gear.

He needed to find you, first thing. The rest of the logistics could come later.

His eyes track the movements of the thread, and without missing a beat, he turns on his heels to follow the direction of the movement. It was possible--no, highly probable--that you were close enough to reach on foot. Within the city, certainly, and he didn’t mind the exercise.

As he continues to walk, the cold gleam of the business district turning into rows of glitzy restaurants and downtown attractions, he’s glad that you weren’t too close. It gives him more time to think about what he wants to do with you.

The Troupe members that had already found their soulmates--and Chrollo feels a surge of pride in his chest, counting himself among them now, fulfilled in that goal--had taken on different approaches.

Some merely kidnapped their soulmates and kept them in secure locations. Simple, effective in terms of security, but that would ensure it would take him a long time to win you over. And he knows that he will do just that, eventually, no matter how he decides to keep you. Others took their time, attempting to strike up something of an ordinary relationship before revealing their knowledge of the red thread, and persuading their soul mates to come with them for safety (and romance)’s sake. Surely the more appealing of the two options, but it did come with the downside of expended time and energy.

What he would do with you depended on so many factors. Did you live in some stationary location, or were you prone to travel? What did you do for a living? Were you already in a relationship, some inferior partnership with someone who could never appreciate you the way that he could, as your only soulmate?

All of these questions circle heavily in his mind as he walks, following the thread that was becoming tighter and tighter between the pair of you. The ritzy downtown buildings were now gone, replaced by rows of old buildings that had seen better days. In place of fine dining were small cafes and diners that practically exuded grease, laundromats with blinking signs, and the occasional busted out window. The scores of people walking, gabbing, waving around fancy handbags were replaced by only the occasional person walking with clear destinations in mind, eyes in front.

As the thread becomes even tighter, it leads him down an alley that most people would have surely avoided. But he doesn’t worry about the glances of the people leaning up against heavy exit doors, or the people crouching on the ground with needles against their arms. He thinks about you. Will he find you here, perhaps, curled up in the arms of a drug dealer pumping you full of toxic chemicals that flushed you with endorphins and heat? Or you might be on the other side of the needle, pocketing cash and going on your merry way?

But, no. Perhaps not. Instead of leading him further into the den of seedy dealings, the thread brings him away, feet crunching on broken bottles, towards some type of fenced-in parking lot. Or it had been a parking lot, once

From a short distance through the metal fence, he can see burning barrels, tents, carts. The smells of cooking grills waft over, greasy foods, easy to cook outdoors. It wasn’t a new sight, in this city or otherwise. Chrollo had seen worse. Had lived worse.

And then, there--at the end of the red thread that weaved in between one of the fence’s metal honeycombs: you.

He sees you for the first time and knows, with a burning intensity that threatens to knock him over, that he needs you. He needs you now. He needs you always. You have something that he lacks and perhaps possessing you will give it to him.

Is this what the others felt, when they first saw their soulmates? Or is it something unique to you and him? Some unfathomable bond that has shaken him to his core? Not for long, of course, never for long. He regains his senses within moments and catalogs the feeling away for later analysis.

It’s you that he focuses on, now. And the fact he will have you, as soon as he decides on the where, when, and how. He wouldn’t be the leader of the Phantom Troupe if he wasn’t skilled at taking what he wanted.

Today what he wants is not a gallery of paintings or a rare gruesome artifact, but a person.

You.

What to make of you?

You’re standing in front of one of the burning barrels, rubbing your hands together. They look red and chapped, even from his vintage point. Behind you is a shopping cart filled with odds and ends. On the side nearest the fire, you had clearly laid out clothes over the edge of the cart--wet ones, from rain or maybe you’d had the opportunity to wash them. Your current ensemble is a simple hodgepodge. Clearly, you wore whatever was cleanest, whatever was warmest, whatever you could find.

He remembers such a living.

You appear to be on the outskirts, avoiding the groups scattered around the encampment. No one approaches you and you don’t approach them. A loner… by choice, or not? You wouldn’t be alone for long, if it wasn’t by choice, and in time you might be grateful for it. If it was by choice, well, there were ways to tame feral cats.

It doesn’t take much analysis to decide what to do with you, to decide how best to approach things. He’s glad that he wore something casual today. Just some simple slacks and a nice sweater. If he was overdressed, it might be more difficult. Not that he couldn’t manage it, but he enjoys advantages when he can get them.

With no hesitation, he walks through one of the ragged gaps in the metal fence and begins to approach you.

Your head jerks towards him the moment that his steps become even remotely close. He doesn’t mind. It’s only natural, especially for someone who has been living the way you surely have. There’s a tugging somewhere inside him--memory of himself and connection with you.

He smiles, not broadly, but in a way meant to disarm.

“Hello,” he says, stopping a few feet away from you.

You stiffen.

“I’m Chrollo,” he continues. His voice is undisturbed and calm. As if he was meeting you on a sunny afternoon in the park while you were both buying ice cream from the same cart. That might have been a more charming meeting, he muses, but this one can work to his advantage just as easily. “Won’t you tell me your name?”

You snatch your hands back from the barrel and step, refusing to turn your back to him, behind your cart.

“None of your business,” you say.

And oh, he thinks, it would be heaven if he could somehow bottle the first time he hears your voice and listen to it on demand. But he supposes, he has the rest of his life--and yours--to hear you speak.

“That’s all right.” He gestures towards you, the cart, your life. “I see you are in need.” You frown at him, but he continues. “How would you like to go somewhere warm?”

Your lip pulls back in a sneer and you move yourself on the other side of the cart.

“I don’t do that. Fuck off.”

Ah. You thought he wanted you to--well. It wouldn’t be the first time people took advantage of others in less fortunate situations. There had been enough of that in Meteor City.

“No, nothing like that,” he says, voice going soft. “I should have clarified. I’m a… missionary of sorts. I look for people in need and offer what help I can give. I’d like to buy you a hotel room for the week.” He notices your wary expression. “Or even the day, if that would be more comfortable for you. Somewhere you can get some safe sleep, a shower, something to eat. I wouldn’t even be there.”

He recognizes the look on your face all too well. Wariness. Suspicion. The face of someone who knows that people are tricky and greedy and cruel. That people will take things that they haven’t earned. Oh, yes-- he knows all of that so well, from both sides.

And he also knows how to get your guard to drop enough for him to accomplish his goal. Sure, mistrust is essential in an environment like this. But mistrust can always be overpowered when there’s something essential within reach. Like comfort. Or food. A warm place to stay, even if it’s just for a few hours. A private bathroom, a toilet, a tub.

“I don’t know,” you say, finally, having given him the appropriate stare down.

He nods his head.

“I understand. I would feel wary myself, in your position. It’s perfectly reasonable.” It is more than reasonable, he thinks, but you don’t need to know that. You just need to believe that coming with him will be worth your while, worth ignoring what he’s sure is a growing pit in your stomach.

“What I would like to do is accompany you to a hotel where I often book rooms for those in need. It’s a private room, of course. And I will pay for your meals.” He sees the gears turning in your mind at the promise of a bed. The promise of food. “I have my own room in the hotel, but it’s on a different floor, and I won’t have to see you at all,” he adds, and this is how he will make you step over that cautionary line. “I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable. Everything is pre-paid on my card, of course, and you’re free to order whatever you’d like. What do you say?”

He lets his words hang in the air, wafting like smoke from the nearby barrels.

You wet your lips. You glance around at the people around you. A few of them have taken notice of Chrollo, perhaps as a mark, perhaps more; but he pays them no mind. He could kill them in a fraction of a second and whisk you out of here just as easily, if he needs to… But he hopes it will not come to that.

“All right,” you say suddenly, softly. “If… you’re just going to give me a room and feed me, then all right.”

Chrollo smiles. It is, he thinks, perhaps close to a genuine one.

“Wonderful. Follow me, if you please.”

The hotel is expensive, but thankfully not terribly ostentatious. Chrollo would hate to put you off by throwing you into some gilded lion’s den. But the hotel is more reserved, classy. Comfort and luxury without any of the ridiculous trappings that often come with them.

Chrollo does bring you with him to the front desk, if only to reduce the chances that the security will kick you out for looking out of place. And you do look out of place, but perhaps that’s for the better. It will make you appreciate what he’s going to do for you more, won’t it?

You’re quiet all the while, but that’s to be expected. You only hold tight to your backpack, where everything you hold dear has been crammed, and let him do the talking. A reservation is easily made under the guise that only you are to know the room number--you certainly don’t need to know that he’ll swing back and reserve the connected room next door--and the key is given without fanfare from the polite desk clerk who gives you curious glances but nothing more.

Chrollo walks you to the elevator, ever the gentleman, and hands you the key. You stare at it. The uncertain expression on your face is unbelievably precious, he thinks. He hopes he can see more of it before it inevitably morphs into shock and anger and fear.

“Would you like some new clothing?” Chrollo asks, after he pushes the button on the elevator for you. “I can have some sent up from the hotel’s boutique. I’ll tell the front desk, so they can give the concierge the room number. Ah, and I’ll need to know your size, if you’re willing to give it.”

“You want to buy me clothes?”

You almost splutter out the words, and he has to restrain himself from kissing you right then and there. You are terribly cute, and there’s a slight disturbing tinge to how much he finds everything about you enticing so quickly. The way you furrow your eyebrows at his question. The slight look of embarrassment, the twitch of your lips.

He needs you so much, and he’s only known you for a few moments.

You tell him your size, then glance at him before staring at the glossy metallic doors. “Um, I need something warm. No useless stuff.” Your head gestures back towards the hotel lobby, where a few women are walking on the arm of male companions, dressed in sleeveless dresses and likely heading for the restaurant.

“Of course.” Chrollo does not tell you that he can envision you wearing all sorts of useless things in the future his mind is creating, brick by brick. You would look heavenly in something strapless, something slinky. Something that hangs off your shoulders. He would drape a fine wrap over them, were you behaving enough to go out with him--no one else but him will be privy to such delicacies.

For now, though, he resolves to send you the clothes he knows you want. Things will be a little more seamless if your guard isn’t entirely raised.

The elevator doors open.

Chrollo steps aside, and gestures for you to enter.

“This is where I take my leave. I will let the restaurant host know your name, and you can order whatever you’d like. It’s on my card. Please, don’t feel the need to hold back.”

You take a step inside the elevator and ah, there it is. Just the slightest hesitation. The slightest jerk of your head as you look back at him. Do you feel bad, leaving him in a lurch when he’s giving you charity? Do you feel beholden to him in some way?

“I guess it’s okay if we share a meal. You’re paying for it, anyway. It’d be awkward otherwise.” You stare down at the elevator carpet as you say the words, and Chrollo realizes that he’s perhaps misjudged the gesture. Your sense of shame, maybe, outweighs your desire to be rid of him and his potential alternative motives for assisting you.

That might come in handy.

He nods, as you turn around and make brief eye contact with him.

“Well, then. How about we meet here in 5 hours for dinner? I can send something dressy to your room, if you’d like.”

You shrug your shoulders as the doors close, which is as good as assent in his view. The string on his finger rises with the elevator, but now there is no fear that he’ll lose you. The string, something which had been maddening in its slackness for so long, is now something of a treasure itself. A little leash, keeping you to him, wherever you go.

Which, for now, is your hotel room--meaning he needs to get moving. He won’t pick anything too flashy out from the boutique; something modest, something simple. There are delicate steps to take to avoid making you feel ashamed without offending your sense of dignity all in one go.

Thankfully--for you and himself--he’s attuned to such needs.

5 hours. That would give you enough time to take a shower or bath, to change into the fresh clothing he’ll send up, to take a nap. Perhaps you’ll stare out the hotel window at the view or curl up in the bed, rolling on the fresh sheets.

Five hours would give you time to freshen up and relax, yes. And it would give him enough time to get hold of Shalnark and procure anything he needs to make your removal from the hotel as smooth as possible.

The shower is running again. He doesn’t blame you. He remembers days where a hot shower was a luxury beyond imagining.

He keeps his side pressed against the door connecting your rooms--not that you know he is on the other side with a key to yours, of course--and holds back a contended sigh as he watches the red string on his finger twirl and shift with your every movement.

What are you thinking about? He wonders. Are you thinking about how long it’s been since you had a hot shower? Are you thinking about slipping the shampoo bottles into your backpack?

Perhaps more inviting… are you thinking about him?

He knows what’s on his mind, and has been for the last few hours now. You.

What were you like, deep down, underneath your layers and justifiably guarded stance? Maybe you liked to read, maybe you once had a dream of being a dancer before life went to hell, maybe you were shy, maybe you liked to get drunk and sing your favorite songs at full volume.

What would you be like, once you were fully his?

What do you look like, underneath all of your clothing? What has nature and nurture shown fit to bestow upon you, your skin, all those secret places you keep hidden?

The thread bobbles again. Are you stepping out of the shower soon, or still scrubbing yourself? You’re so vulnerable, naked and unawares, just a few feet away from him. The water running is a delicious sound to his ears, because he knows that you’re underneath it.

He imagines what you might look like naked. He imagines what sounds you might make, underneath him, gasping and--

Oh, but he’s getting ahead of himself. He smiles and shakes his head at the rush. He should slow down, yes. Slow down and savor it all.

He clenches both of his hands. In one is the duplicate key, in the other is a syringe. Both go into opposite pockets, awaiting their respective time to shine.

The dress that arrives at your door with a prim knock from a porter is not quite what you expected--which is a relief. You expected the stranger to send up something ridiculous. Something slinky and glittering, maybe with only a half shoulder.

But instead it’s a simple dress with a flared skirt, all made from dark blue fabric. The sleeves are elbow length, the neckline isn’t too low, and there’s a matching black belt to go with it. He’s even sent up a pair of nylons, which are something you haven’t worn since you were a little kid, desperately trying to mimic your mother’s fancy outfits.

He also--and maybe this is overkill--sent up a few pairs of shoes in different sizes, along with a transcribed note instructing you to call the front desk if none of them fit, or simply wear your own shoes if you are uncomfortable with it.

This stranger--Chrollo--is awfully accommodating. And kind. And considerate.

Which is exactly why, when the dress is on and your nylon-clad feet are resting in the shoes easiest to run in, you tuck your switchblade into one of the dress pockets for safekeeping.

Maybe he is just kind. Or he’s one of those people that makes themselves feel better by occasionally being charitable; he’s harboring some sort of guilt that can be alleviated, however temporarily, by buying a person a sandwich or two.

But maybe he’s not. You’ve known people who have been hurt or killed or sometimes worse by so-called charitable people. People that lure you in with showers and hotels, meals and clothing. People that slit your throat before or after they have their way with you.

Life was dark and life was shit, and you weren’t born yesterday. If this stranger had any nefarious intentions, you certainly weren’t going to walk into them like a bleating lamb.

And yet, and yet… some part of you wanted to believe he had good intentions. You’re not sure why, exactly. You weren’t the type to look on the bright side or always see the good in people--or at least, you hadn’t been that way since childhood. Yet something about this Chrollo made you hope that he was a good person. That you’d have a nice conversation and he wouldn’t do anything more than give you a nice afternoon and a place to sleep comfortably for a bit.

It was an almost primal feeling, which made it all the more stranger. Your gut feelings usually told you something like: this place is dangerous, this guy’s probably got a gun, that alley’s too notorious to use as a shortcut.

Your gut didn’t give you silly notions, like wanting to trust someone, hoping they would talk to you during dinner, wondering if they’d be pleasant to be around for longer.

At least, not before today.

“And the lady will have the cailles aux raisins.”

You raise an eyebrow.

“Quail,” Chrollo says, allowing the waiter to take the leather-bound menu from his hands. As if your issue was with the choice of food--okay, you didn’t know what it meant, but still--and not that he ordered for you. “Stuffed with shallots, grapes, liver, and ah, I believe, some cognac, if I’m not mistaken.”

“That’s correct, sir,” the waiter says, not giving you a second glance--you didn’t even get a menu, which irked you, but considering you had nothing to pay with and perhaps the hotel staff knew it, it was a practical snub.

Your lips twist into a frown, although you suppose you can’t complain. The dish does sound good. Not that you’ve ever had quail. But it can’t be that different from chicken. Or duck. You had duck, once, as a kid. Your mother brought you to a hotel just like this for a Mother’s Day brunch and you sat at a table with an embroidered cloth and wore a pair of your mother’s white gloves, so that you would look extra fancy.

“I apologize,” Chrollo tells you. “I should have asked your preference first.” The strangest part is how sincere he sounds, like he really didn’t want to offend you. Like he actually might be interested in what you want to eat. Part of you can appreciate that, and part of you wants to finger the handle of your knife inside your pocket.

“It’s fine.” You shrug it all off. Because you can, and you choose to--but also because you’re famished and the smells wafting from the other tables is enough to make your stomach growl. “People usually don’t order things like this for me, anyway. If they do give me anything.”

Chrollo tilts his head slightly, looking at you like a particularly interesting painting on a wall. “No?”

You smile thinly. “Nope. I’m lucky if I get someone’s leftover fries from a fast food shop.”

“What a shame.” He places both hands on the table, clasping his fingers together. His gaze bores into yours. You look away, briefly, but find yourself wanting to look back. How odd. “I’m sure,” he begins, talking slowly, measuring out his words, “that must be demoralizing--to be treated as lesser-than.”

You can’t help the snort that comes out your nose, or the quick words that follow. “Yeah? And what would you know about that?” Your eyes rake over his outfit, your mind whirls over how much money he’s spent on you alone, as if it was nothing. A drop in the bucket. Some rich man playing with his money. Or daddy’s money, depending on the circumstance.

Of course, you expect him to get offended. You expect him to call you ungrateful and cancel the order and ship you out of here like yesterday’s trash. It wouldn’t be the first time someone has gotten angry that you didn’t play into their savior fantasies. Your muscles even prep to stand, your face goes stony, ready to block the anger that he’ll throw your way.

Only... none of that happens.

His face looks--it’s hard to describe, really. It’s almost like it glitches for a moment, and you see something you weren’t meant to see. You’re not even sure if he realizes it. And then his expression gets so remote and so quiet. He looks away from you for perhaps the first time, looking instead, at his hands.

“I know a lot about that, actually.”

It’s not offense in his expression but… sympathy? No, that’s not it either. You know “sympathy face” like the back of your hand, for all the good it does you.

It’s empathy. Trace, but there. A shared experience between you. Maybe that’s why you’ve felt inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt all day. Why you went with him in the first place, hunger pangs aside.

“So you’ve been…” You begin, but is there a need to finish. He’s been homeless, or something like it. Downtrodden. On the bottom.

He nods.

“Sorry.” The word comes out blurted but soft. Well, I’m an asshole, you think.

He smiles at you, a soft, thin thing--almost like a gloss that covers up his previous expression. “No, don’t be. You had no way of knowing, dear.”

Dear.

The word hangs between you silently, as if it’s being dangled on some sort of invisible string. He opens his mouth slightly--maybe to apologize--but shuts it when you don’t say anything. Instead, he simply blinks, and watches you.

Perhaps a minute ago you might have bristled at the nickname, might have sought to cut it right down, in fact. But for now, you brush it aside. He’s being nice--he knows what you’re going through. And sure, there’s some sort of guilt relief in his actions, but it’s not coming from the place of a rich man making himself feel better. It’s coming, you think, from a place of not just knowing where you’ve been but having been there himself.

Before either of you can speak, the waiter returns with your appetizer and despite the guilt in your gut, your hunger practically sings at the sight of the plate of bread and butter. It’s fancy bread, already cut, gleaming with what smells like garlic butter spread over the top.

The flavored butter is shaped like a rose and it’s only after you childishly dip your bread right into it and take a loud, chewy bite of the delicious goodness that you realize you’ve committed a faux-pas. There’s a tiny butter knife on the plate, obviously meant to delicately smear the butter onto your bread. And here you are, gnawing on the piece like some sort of medieval peasant during a bad harvest.

A pang of shame tingles over you. It’s a silly kind of shame--inconsequential, really. Who cares how you eat bread at some hotel you’ll never step foot in again in your life? But it lingers terribly. Until Chrollo picks up a piece of brand and dips it right into the butter, too, taking a chewy bite with far less graciousness than you imagined with his sophisticated appearance.

“It’s good, isn’t it?” He asks, not even bothering to cover his mouth.

You smile. You almost-snort. And the shame dissipates like ice crystals on a sunny day, as you and Chrollo both finish off the appetizer. He lets you eat more without saying a word, which you appreciate.

There’s a lot to appreciate about him, really. He’s been kind. He hasn’t been terribly condescending, dinner order notwithstanding. And he seems to know how to approach you with actual empathy and not just the sticky, coddling sympathy that most people do.

And you won’t lie--he is nice to look at. He even smells nice, but with the amount of money he had to spend on the clothing he sent up to your room, he can likely afford to buy expensive cologne.

If he notices you staring, he says nothing. Instead, he half-closes his eyes and appears to be deep in thought. Over… you? Or dinner?

He hums a bit under his breath, and you realize: it’s the music. It’s a delicate song being played by a small group of musicians set up on a stage in the corner. It’s familiar… your brain strives to catch up with your ears.

“You like this song?” You ask, because the silence has stretched too long, and the bread is now gone.

Chrollo opens his eyes and regards you with a sober smile. “Yes.” He pauses, then. “It’s--”

“Elgar's Chanson de matin,” you blurt, before he can. “I know it.”

His eyes widen, just a tad. Enough to show that he’s curious. A funny bit of pride thrums through you. It can be retribution for the quail earlier, you decide.

“You’re familiar with his work?”

You feel your cheeks heat up, even though you don’t get the sense that he asked to be cruel. He seems actually interested. Like he wants to know you. It’s nice, and confusing, and a little startling.

You nod, wishing there was more bread to break up the conversation. “What, you think someone like me can’t be interested in classical music?

“Of course not.” He answers swiftly, resolutely.

He reaches his hand towards yours and grasps it before you can think to pull away. It seems silly to yank your hand out of his, so you don’t. Even if the way he looks down at your interlocked fingers makes goosebumps dance up your arm.

His expression is so strange. He looks… lonely. And desperate. And relieved. But why?

Both of your gazes meet for one electric moment and for that moment, you feel like he sees you. And you see him. Not as clearly. But you see something inside him that is not quite on the surface. Something which does make you pull away, but not with distaste. You withdraw your hand from his slowly, like he’s a wild animal that you don’t want to startle.

The waiter, impeccable timing as ever, arrives with the main courses just as your hand makes its way into your lap.

And just like that, the spell is broken. Ripples of water dash whatever it was between you, and he’s speaking charmingly to the waiter, who appears swiftly again with a glass of champagne for each of you. You weren’t intending to drink, but maybe it wouldn’t hurt. It could calm your nerves.

Neither of you talk much for the rest of dinner. It’s not tense, exactly, but you can tell there’s something in the air. Questions unspoken, maybe, or just an awkwardness between two strangers who seem to both understand and misunderstand each other in equal measure.

The hotel’s restaurant begins to thin out after your main courses are taken away. A dessert menu is brought, and Chrollo orders a simple slice of cake for both of you.

Real vanilla bean frosting is on your lips when you ask your question. Quiet, but with most of the other guests gone, he has no trouble hearing it.

“So you were… homeless, before?”

You’re not sure why you need to know this. To confirm that he’s not some rich boy playing with his father’s money? To see how much he can really understand you? Maybe the champagne went to your head. You don’t normally drink, it wouldn’t be impossible.

His fork stalls as the question comes out. He glances up at you and there’s nothing offended or hurt in his eyes. He seems to weigh his answer before he gives it. It doesn’t really surprise you; he could be just as mistrustful of you as you are of him, couldn’t he?

“Something like that.” He rests his fork on his plate. “I suppose you are trying to decide just how much I can sympathize with your… situation.”

Heat floods your cheeks, and you’re grateful the water brought another glass of champagne that you can sip from to loosen the tightness in your chest.

If he notices your flushed countenance, he doesn’t remark on it. You like him better for it. He continues speaking, looking at you with a measured expression. Like before, his words come slowly and carefully, given to you with something akin to grace.

“Our situations were not exactly similar. I don’t find it terribly useful to compare them. Better in some ways, worse in others. Like anything.”

“Better?” You dab at your mouth with a napkin.

“Ah.” He seems to weigh his next words with even more scrutiny before he decides on them. “I had something you didn’t, which surely benefited me.”

“Which was?”

There’s something wistful in his voice now. It makes you lean forward over the table. With most of the other guests gone, it feels strange to talk so openly about clearly delicate matters. Chrollo mimics your lean, and while he doesn’t take your hands across the table into his, you get the feeling he’d like to, if you let him.

“Companionship,” he says simply. The word settles in the air like a brick that seems to land right on your chest. You blink and feel the beginnings of tears in your eyes. You really did have too much champagne, and this is all getting to be a lot. You start to lean backward when he speaks again.

“Aren’t you lonely?”

“No,” you lie. The shock of the question does make you lean back fully. Then, to be spiteful. “Are you?”

He doesn’t answer. He only looks down at his hands and the empty spot where yours used to be, and then back at you.

Nothing more is said on the matter. He pays for the meal and leaves a nice fat tip for the waiter--who has, you think, been lurking nearby either to witness your drama or to make sure no one swipes his tip from the table--before escorting you back to the elevators.

Shame slams back into you while you’re standing in front of the elevator doors.

“I’m sorry.” Sure, he asked it first, but fuck--you hate being rude. If you were rude. It was hard to tell how Chrollo felt about anything. The champagne making your head fuzzy doesn’t help. Not at all.

He tilts his head a little. “What for?”

Your eyebrows furrow together. “You know, for asking… for being…” You wave your hands around a little. It’s too hard to put into words. You’re tired, you feel out of sorts, and you’re tipsy bordering on drunk. You can give yourself some forgiveness in a lack of coherency in this matter, at least.

Chrollo regards you for a moment before he shakes his head, scoffing a little as he smiles.

“For being yourself? Or at least showing some small part of it to me? I don’t mind.” He holds out his arm and you, unsteady champagne fuzz in your head, take it. “I’ll escort you to your room, if that’s all right. I don’t feel comfortable letting you go there alone.”

You should tell him that you’ll be fine. You should. But the champagne in your brain and the way you feel drawn to him--however slightly--makes “should” fly out the window. So you nod and let him lead you into the elevator, where the ride up makes you dizzy enough that Chrollo has to steady you carefully, and you mumble out another apology.

He only chuckles a little and helps you walk out of the elevator without stumbling over the threshold. Your room is just down the hall and he keeps a steady grip on you the whole way, even though you’ve told yourself that you won’t stumble anymore. It feels weird, to have someone so close to you; to smell his cologne and feel the warmth of his skin.

It feels weird, yes, but giddy too. He is handsome. And he did buy you dinner. And clothes. And he’s not as shitty as you thought he might be at first. The way he ate the bread in solidarity with you earlier--you can’t forget that, can you? It was… cute, even. If someone like Chrollo could be called cute.

Is it the champagne, the newness of this stranger-but-not-entirely, the rich disarmament that comes with a full stomach and freshly washed face? All of the above? Whatever it is, it’s got you thinking too much about Chrollo as he gently takes the key from your hand and opens your hotel room door.

A gentleman, he only sees you just inside before taking his leave, promising to meet you for breakfast in the morning--if you’d like.

You would like, you tell him, and the door shuts and locks swiftly afterwards. Chrollo’s cologne lingers in the air, or maybe it rubbed off on you from all the steadying he had to do.

The hotel room is just as you left it. Clean and pristine, smelling vaguely of lemon. Your duffel bags and personal belongings are shoved in the corner. Maybe you’ll try to read one of your books tonight, before you sleep? It would be the first time you read on an actual bed in ages. Maybe you could even call for room service? A little midnight snack? It’s not like Chrollo would mind, or at least, he probably wouldn’t. It’d be something small anyway, nothing wild.

Unless you wanted a bubbly nightcap.

Full of ideas, you take your giddy champagne self back to the bathroom to change into pajamas that he sent up earlier, humming Elgar’s Chanson, thinking about bread and quail and… Chrollo. The knife in your dress pocket gets left on the bathroom counter. It was silly to bring it, now that you think about it.

Still humming, you flop on the bed and grab the menu for room service. It wouldn’t hurt to order some extra dessert. And another glass of champagne. Maybe two…

You’re so out of sorts that at no point for the rest of the night, before your weary head hits the soft pillow, do you stop to wonder how Chrollo knew your room number.

There are few things Chrollo truly regrets in his life. One of them, he knows, will be that he couldn’t plant himself in this town for a few months in order to properly court you; to introduce you, gradually, to the concept of nen. To the knowledge that you were his soul mate.

But it can’t be helped. He has to leave tomorrow night, come hell or high water. And he certainly won’t let you drown here a moment longer. It’s for your sake. You’ll come to realize that eventually, just as you will--in time--come to forgive him for what he must do.

You’ll no doubt regret letting down your barriers in the morning. But if you hadn’t been so keen to trust in someone, to trust in him, then he wouldn’t have gotten to see something of the real you underneath all of that built-up survival instinct. And didn’t you see something of him, too? He thinks you did. Just a moment, a spark, but it was there.

You sweet thing. He could hear you humming through the door earlier; heard you order room service (champagne and desserts) and he regretted not having Shalnark swoop in during dinner to set up some security cameras.

The key to your room feels heavy in his hand. On this side, he is simply himself, staring ahead as the red thread of his soulmate leads away from him. But once he turns it into the lock and quietly opens the door, there will be nothing between you but sleep.

He opens the door and relishes in the way the thread sags even further downward. If only you could have seen how beautiful the thread looked during dinner, all tangled up as he clasped your hand in his. That’s how the thread was meant to look. Not tight and taut and unforgiving.

You’re fast asleep when he silently enters the room and unlocks the deadbolt so that Shalnark can help him remove you from the premises. Curled up underneath the covers, you look like you’re in bliss. It’s likely the first restful sleep you’ve had in a long time. Months? Years?

How awful for you, to wake up tomorrow and realize that you’re no longer in the hotel bed. And that he’s the one to blame for it. How awful for him, too, to lose his grasp on the tentatively pleasant and revealing evening you had together. But he doesn’t think you’ll be empathetic on that matter. Not for a while, anyway.

He sits down on the bed next to you and it takes a considerable amount of self-control not to curl up against you. It’s not worth the risk of you waking, although the tranquilizer in his pocket could be jabbed into your thigh early, if need be.

Besides… you’ll have a lifetime of nights together after this.

There’s no need to rush what is finally his to keep forever.

#yandere chrollo #yandere hunter x hunter #chrollo x reader #yandere #yandere chrollo lucilfer #afterwitch writes

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keikakudom · 11 months ago

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I decided to make a HH AU cause...y'know....anyway.... now introducing

Reset Resort! A Hotelier Vox AU

- you already know, it's a hotel Vox AU.....but not quite what you're thinking. Kind of a swap between Alastor and Vox, it focuses on the butterfly effects of this single change, rather than a full reversal.

- Most things are kinda(?) the same. Except the hotel is not as run-down and quite more successful. As if S1’s hotel started with S2's reputation and building. It's also more modern/sleek and closer to your typical strip hotel. Much more busy with additional residents coming in and out. Think Vegas-style. It has way too many amenities than necessary, and it's actually an enjoyable place to hang out , but the message for "redemption" might be a bit....lost.

- It’s supposed to be a place where Sinners can (lightly) indulge in their vices without risk of falling into a soul-binding deal on their road to recovery.

- In this AU, movement between Sinners/Winners has been proven. NOT redemption yet. With this “concrete” evidence, Vox considers it "purely a business investment" to sponsor the hotel.

- Because of this "proof", Heaven has granted Hell/Charlie a grace period of an extra year with no exterminations, so long as they continue to monitor the process and Hell provides further progress and evidence of redemption.

Vox is there for the start up of the hotel with Charlie. He sponsors her project with his reach and expertise. His personality is much more subdued, his TV persona taking center stage, except for rare occasions. His temper is not as bad as in-canon. AKA, he’s much more fake and corny in this AU.

Charlie is slightly more mature and realistic in this AU. She studies redemption seriously and notes behavioral patterns/is much more patient and careful with the process. With Vox being extremely efficient and taking over the managerial/facility side of the resort, she is able to dedicate her time fully towards the redemption of sinners and being a therapist. She is still overzealous sometimes because she knows that if nobody else will show enthusiasm/push sinners to do better, then nobody will.

- Vox tried to manipulate Charlie very early on when they first met, and Charlie ended up realizing his kindness was just for his own benefit and has been wary of that fact ever since.

- Their relationship is like: she knows he’s reliable and will do everything she asks, but is doubtful/sad that he’s ingenuine. Vox thinks Charlie looks at him with pity and absolutely HATES it, but he still plays carefully so he can do a repeat and build up her trust again. Doesn't like Vaggie for a similar reason. They just think he's another misguided sinner in need. Neither have fully grasped the idea that most Sinners chose to do-evil(which he certainly has).

- Vox holds a contract with Lucifer. What for? Well... let's say that they're on good terms and are friends. They meet with each other once a week (where Lucifer gets social interaction and updates on Charlie).

I already have sketches for Alastor and Vaggie planned out in this AU~

It's less of a full "reversal" and more so one swap and the butterfly effect that follows. This AU has been my brainchild for a few weeks, so PLEASEEE I'd love to answer any questions or asks....

My AU tag is #au: reset resort

All information can be found under there! Until I make a masterpost or something.

Old design under the cut:

#hazbin hotel #my art #au: reset resort #vox #charlie

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tanadrin · 3 months ago

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The impression I get from Revolutions is that in the 19th century there was a real uncertainty about the empirical question of how to achieve socialist aims in politics. On the one side you had forces like the Russian Narodists, who eschewed engagement with the system (and "the system" was, in the Russian context, Tsarist autocracy), fearing that to do so would be to legitimize the system and allow the desire for reform to be coopted, and thus allow it to be stalled out. This was framed in somewhat Romantic terms, with language about, like, the "vitality" of the "revolutionary spirit," but I think the underlying concern is one I'm sympathetic to, even if I would use different language to describe it. And, after all, the system you want to build is pretty politically and socially divorced from the circumstances around you, and it's hard to envision how you get from the current system to that one, in any kind of reasonable timeframe, by purely incremental reform.

On the other hand, you had agitators like Martov and also social democrats willing to work within the (limited, and definitely undemocratic) parliamentary systems that European states were grudgingly establishing, or even the pretty powerless zemstvas in Russia, but whose engagement of the system also came in the form of, like, strikes and demanding concessions from bosses and capitalists, which is something that a lot of anarchists and Narodist and others on the "anti-engagement" side thought was a waste of time, and tended to grant the legitimacy of the position of these bosses at the top of the hierarchy. Equality and freedom and the like wasn't something you should be granted, it was something you should take. At its most extreme, this dichotomy expressed itself in political terrorism: 19th century anarchists really thought that killing a king or a tsar (or even a president) might spark a national revolution and cause the whole system to come crumbling down.

But the course of the 19th century, especially the latter 19th century, pretty much answered these questions. For one, assassinations just provoked brutal crackdowns that tended to destroy radical organizations. For two, the labor movement proved effective. Wildly effective, in fact. For three, the fears of arch-conservatives proved correct: a little bit of parliamentarism was a foot in the door for genuine democracy, and once your foot was in the door you could keep pushing, and revolution was still an option on the table if progress stalled out too hard or for too long.

And yet I also have the suspicion that the long 19th century was a period where revolution was an unusually effective tactic, and that in the centuries before and the century-and-change since, it has proved to be a much dicier proposition. Revolutions are of course hard to kick off even under ideal circumstances--you can miss your chance one day because it rains and people stay home, or a protest over one pastor getting evicted can bring down your whole regime. But autocracy is brittle, the 19th century (and early 20th) was a period of extremely rapid social change and an extremely entrenched reactionary ruling class, and the alternative a lot of revolutionaries had in mind--liberal parliamentary democracy--can actually be surprisingly stable once it gets entrenched.

Revolutions that switch out one strongman for another, or install more oligarchic republican forms, or otherwise create governments with weak legitimacy can instead devolve into a generation of political chaos. But by the 19th century, Europe was starting to converge on a pretty durable model of governance, one pioneered in Britain (which managed to avoid revolution entirely throughout the period!). And I think in this framework participation in the system is both easier to justify and is inarguably more effective than abstention. Abstention, in both its more peacefully separatist and its aggressive kill-the-king-and-hope-everything-collapses forms, proved too utopian; building a parallel drop-in replacement for the state is simply too vast a coordination problem, and the whole reason states exist in the first place is that they solve big coordination problems (even if in deeply suboptimal ways). You can secede to form your own little community in the wilderness, if that's the flavor you want your anarchism or agrarian socialism to have, and if it is, more power to you--but if you want to remake society, rather than just remove yourself from it, ultimately you have to confront and engage with the channels of power that already exist.

#revolutions podcast

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nasa · 1 year ago

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For the Benefit of All: Assistive Tech Developed from NASA Tech

What do modern cochlear implants and robotic gloves have in common? They were derived from NASA technology. We’ve made it easier to find and use our patented inventions that could help create products that enhance life for people with disabilities.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which highlights the contributions of American workers with disabilities – many of whom use assistive technology on the job. Take a look at these assistive technologies that are NASA spinoffs.

Low-Vision Headsets

The Joint Optical Reflective Display (JORDY) device is a headset that uses NASA image processing and head-mounted display technology to enable people with low vision to read and write. JORDY enhances individuals’ remaining sight by magnifying objects up to 50 times and allowing them to change contrast, brightness, and display modes. JORDY's name was inspired by Geordi La Forge, a blind character from “Star Trek: The Next Generation” whose futuristic visor enabled him to see.

Cochlear Implants

Work that led to the modern cochlear implant was patented by a NASA engineer in the 1970s. Following three failed corrective surgeries, Adam Kissiah combined his NASA electronics know-how with research in the Kennedy Space Center technical library to build his own solution for people with severe-to-profound hearing loss who receive little or no benefit from hearing aids. Several companies now make the devices, which have been implanted in hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

Robotic Gloves

Ironhand, from Swedish company Bioservo Technologies, is the world’s first industrial-strength robotic glove for factory workers and others who perform repetitive manual tasks. It helps prevent stress injuries but has been especially warmly received by workers with preexisting hand injuries and conditions. The glove is based on a suite of patents for the technology developed by NASA and General Motors to build the hands of the Robonaut 2 humanoid robotic astronaut.

Smart Glasses

Neurofeedback technology NASA originally developed to improve pilots’ attention has been the basis for products aimed at helping people manage attention disorders without medication. The devices measure brainwave output to gauge attention levels according to the “engagement index” a NASA engineer created. Then, they show the results to users, helping them learn to voluntarily control their degree of concentration. One such device is a pair of smart glasses from Narbis, whose lenses darken as attention wanes.

Anti-Gravity Treadmills

A NASA scientist who developed ways to use air pressure to simulate gravity for astronauts exercising in space had the idea to apply the concept for the opposite effect on Earth. After licensing his technology, Alter-G Inc. developed its anti-gravity G-Trainer treadmill, which lets users offload some or all of their weight while exercising. The treadmills can help people recover from athletic or brain injuries, and they allow a safe exercise regimen for others with long-term conditions such as arthritis.

Wireless Muscle Sensors

Some of the most exciting assistive technologies to spin off may be yet to come. Delsys Inc. developed electromyographic technology to help NASA understand the effects of long-term weightlessness on astronauts’ muscles and movements. Electromyography detects and analyzes electrical signals emitted when motor nerves trigger movement. Among the company’s customers are physical therapists developing exercise routines to help patients recover from injuries. But some researchers are using the technology to attempt recoveries that once seemed impossible, such as helping paralyzed patients regain movement, letting laryngectomy patients speak, and outfitting amputees with artificial limbs that work like the real thing.

To further enhance the lives of people with disabilities, NASA has identified a selection of patented technologies created for space missions that could spur the next generation of assistive technology here on Earth.

Want to learn more about assistive technologies already in action? Check out NASA Spinoff to find products and services that wouldn’t exist without space exploration.

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space!

#NASA #space #tech #technology #spinoff #robotics #physical therapy #disability #disabled #accessibility #a11y #inventions

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satvpsandowns · 1 month ago

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Chains as a symbol of football and identity in Blue Lock's covers

I know cover analysis are too common, for some even annoyingly common, but bear with me, I had some free time and decided to give it a try. I haven't read the recent "state of art" of the chain interpretations so if I say something already said, I apologize.

Feel free to disagree and add your takes in the comments!

(Featuring Snuffy's quotes and analysis of Lorenzo, Sae, Rin, Hiori, Yukimiya, Zantetsu, Kaiser and Ness' covers)

If you lose soccer, what will you have left?

Snuffy said this to the Ubers team in ch. 214.

The chains in the Blue Lock covers have multiple interpretations so far. I consider the chain to be football and the identity the player forged around the sport, whether it was for salvation or damnation, the sense of self and the prove of existence is wrapped around the chain: the football and who the player is on the pitch.

Take Lorenzo's for example, he bit his chain. Snuffy found him on the streets and taught him to play soccer to save his future, to change his life. His bitten chain relates to his ace-eater persona. He's a defender, the only one we've seen so far that is comfortable with his position. (Aiku still kind of wavered). His football and his identity revolve around his goal of eating the striker's attempts at surpassing his defensive third.

Sae has one of the most interesting chains: from the collar to some short length it's falling apart, it's not rustiness, it's progressive deterioration. My take is that the breaking piece of the chain represents his earlier time at RE AL youth club. We know he let go of the striker position and thus the final broken link represents his fight with Rin in that snowy night. I interpret this scene as Sae's breking point. Rin is a genius, he doesn't understand Sae's struggle and, maybe, jealousy. From there, the chain solidifies back but with way more quality (the golden color) and so the chain continues to move. Sae's identity is nothing but football, as stated in his EB profile. He has absolutely nothing going on besides football, something normal for high performance athletes. But the curious and sad thing here is that he's implied to be a "talented learner", someone who had to struggle, like Isagi, against geniuses before finding his rooting in the midfielder position where he has thrived up to stardom.

The chain broke at some point but it restored itself with new material, from Sae Itoshi striker and Rin's partner, to Sae Itoshi RE AL star midfielder.

In contrast with Sae's chain, there's Rin's.

Holding the chain where Sae's was broken. His identity, his football, still revolves around his brother and their former partnership he can't let go yet. Also, the chain is not moving.

Hiori's cover presents the chain as damnation. The chain doesn't flow like the majority, it's short and held with indifference. It's an absolute burden for Hiori, the weight of expectations, the impossibility of building an honest identity around a sport you never liked to begin with.

Yukimiya's chain also lacks movement. Football for Yukimiya is like a timebomb, the chain doesn't flow because there's nowhere to, Yuki has no future but the immediate moment because of his illness. His whole self is being concentrated in the short-term results.

Ego's cover, on the other hand, solidifies my point: the tension of the four pulled chains means the hold the sport has on Ego. We've seen nothing so far about his relationship with Noa and geniuses. His whole self is football. Without it, the sudden break of chains, after being held with such force, will annihilate his identity like a loser in a game of tug-of-war.

Zantetsu's chain also represents his childish form that made him the player he is. Fast, no time for wavering, that's for adults, just follow the flow and enjoy. Tell him what to do in the pitch, he'll do it, as long as he enjoys it.

Kaiser's chain is fully made of glass, his identity and the football he plays has become his everything, him and football player Kaiser are one and the same. That's why it's so easy to break Kaiser, his whole self is fragile because he put all the eggs in one basket. That's why Isagi surpassing him terrifies him and why he's so obsessive. Taking into account his backstory, where for him there was nothing but malice in the world, he found comfort in replicating it and doing harm to others. Only the love he desperately seeks can replace the glass with some other material idk.

Will you be able to love yourself when you are no longer viewed as a genius?

Ness' chain is my favorite aesthetically. From the collar up to the piece at the back of his head there are no roses, a simple chain in movement. The start of the vines that entangle with the chain is concealed behind his head. From there on, Kaiser's influence became the reason why Ness kept playing football and believing in magic. His sense of self is wrapped in the acceptance Kaiser gave him, Kaiser basically told him he was good the way he was, something his family always disapproved. He has yet to discover his true self as a player: playing for his original ego: the search of magic.

Also, we've seen Ness play without Kaiser, excel in his childhood's soccer team to the point of being invited to BM tryouts. I hope we'll see him rekindle his original dream.

Before you are a football player, you are a person, regardless of whether you are talented or not. So value your life.

Who are they without their chains? Who are they without their talent, without football? Well, just themselves, and it's up to them to value that.

And you? 🫵

Do you have something that chains your identity like football does to this characters?

Mine is probably my field in Academia LMAO. What am I without academic validation? I guess I need to work it out too....

#bllk #itoshi sae #itoshi rin #alexis ness #michael kaiser #yo hiori #don lorenzo #bllk covers #satvbllk #ego jinpachi #yukimiya kenyu #blue lock

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lapsed-bookworm · 1 year ago

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This isn’t an exhaustive list, but I’ve run into some of these organizations as places to donate, and it's fine for my followers to share other lists that have gone around. (I'm not going to be offended.) This is version three with some organizations that include long-term goals of Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and peace in addition to the initial organizations offering emergency aid. Organizations are listed alphabetically.

Alliance for Middle East Peace

ALLMEP is a coalition of over 160 organizations—and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians and Israelis—building cooperation, justice, equality, shared society, mutual understanding, and peace among their communities. We add stability in times of crisis, foster cooperation that increases impact, and build an environment conducive to peace over the long term. (Even if you're not really keen on supporting AllMEP itself, searching Member Organizations may also be a way to find organizations based on sectors - environment, women, youth, etc. - or type - Palestinian, Cross Border, or Shared Society.)

American Friends of Magen David Adom

The most common way I’ve seen recommendations for USAmericans to donate to Magen David Adom. (Additional Friends Societies are on Magen David Adom’s site for other countries.)

As a fully-fledged member of the International Red Cross / Red Crescent, Magen David Adom serves as the Israeli Red Cross organization.

Anera

Anera, which has no political or religious affiliation, works on the ground with partners in Palestine (West Bank and Gaza), Lebanon and Jordan. We mobilize resources for immediate emergency relief and for sustainable, long-term health, education, and economic development. Our staff serve in their communities, navigating the politics that constrict progress to get help where it’s needed most.

A Land For All

A Land for All is a shared movement of Israelis and Palestinians who believe that the way towards peace, security and stability for all passes through two independent states, Israel and Palestine, within a joint framework allowing both peoples to live together and apart.

Doctors Without Border/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

An independent organization “focused on delivering emergency medical humanitarian aid quickly, effectively, and impartially.” This link goes to the Palestinian Territories section.

Friends of Roots

We are a network of local Palestinians and Israelis [in the West Bank] who have come to see each other as the partners we both need to make changes to end our conflict. Based on a mutual recognition of each People's connection to the Land, we are developing understanding and solidarity despite our ideological differences. Ongoing Initiatives include interreligious exchange, a women's group, partnership lectures, a children's summer camp, youth group, after school program, incident response team, and community de-escalators.

Hand in Hand

Hand in Hand is building inclusion and equality between Arab and Jewish citizens of Israel through a growing network of bilingual, integrated schools and communities. [...] The curricula in Hand in Hand’s schools are based on values that reflect both cultures and languages, oriented in multiculturalism and shared and equal citizenship. In our bilingual educational model, Hebrew and Arabic have equal status, as do both cultures and national narratives. Our thousands-strong adult community members come together year-round in celebration, solidarity, and dialogue. These community activities are geared towards parents, staff, and other active citizens who are interested in taking part in a shared community. We believe it is not apt to place the burden of creating a shared future on the shoulders of our children. We, the adults, must lead the way. These community activities are an inseparable part of our work towards building a shared society.

MAUSA - Muslim Aid USA

An international charity that provides assistance from natural disasters and conflict. They have a specific Palestine Emergency page.

Mrs Najah’s Kitchen

Emergency food relief in Gaza.

Off The Grid Missions

Off-The-Grid Missions (OTG) is a global humanitarian aid organization filling the gap in disaster-response by providing Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing people with critical life-saving resources in high-risk and disaster-stricken regions around the world.

Depending on the mission, aid can include assistance with evacuations, providing food, solar lighting and emergency electric sources, and assisting with alternatives to sound based warning systems. (Assistance with Deaf and Hard-of-hearing individuals in Palestine and Israel has been mentioned on quickly updated social media sites, like Facebook.)

Palestine Red Crescent Society

The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is an officially recognized independent Palestinian National Society. It is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

Standing Together

Standing Together is a grassroots movement mobilizing Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel in pursuit of peace, equality, and social and climate justice. We organize protests across the country demanding economic equality, climate justice, and an end to the occupation. We hold workshops on grassroots power, organize get-out-the-vote campaigns, and run candidates for student union elections [related to university chapters]. Our alternative media outlet, Rosa Media, produces Hebrew and Arabic podcasts highlighting underrepresented political stories and perspectives from across Israeli society. We maintain a robust presence in Israeli social media – combatting extremist voices and advancing hope.

Women Wage Peace

Women Wage Peace is a broad, politically unaffiliated movement, which is acting to prevent the next war and to promote a non-violent, respectful, and mutually accepted solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the active participation of women through all stages of negotiations.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises.

They have response teams and partners in Gaza, Israel, Lebanon, and Egypt.

Charity Navigator page for additional organizations for the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Posted: 5 February 2024. (Link to Version 2.)

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cottoncandyswisherz · 8 months ago

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tell me.

softdom!matt x exgf!reader

warnings: p n v, dirty talk, semi-public sex (in an office) a lil emotional

as i sat in the backseat of this car, driven by my driver, paul, i thought about everything i did to get here.

i thought about the people i left behind. my friends. people i called family. it pains me to know that they'll probably never forgive me.

but nothing hurts more than thinking about matt. he stuck by my side through my senior year of high school. he loved me and i loved him.

i loved him more than anything i've ever known.

my biggest regret is listening to my fucking parents when they told me that he wasn't going anywhere. that his dream of being an influencer was unlikely to come true. i listened when they told that i should just go to howard and become a lawyer and forget all about him.

but i never forgot. how could i?

im jolted out of my thoughts when the car eases to a stop.

its almost mechanical, the way i grab my brief case, and step out of the car, into the building and onto the elevator.

im here to negotiate the terms of a brand deal between an influencer and my firms client, CHERRY LA.

who this person was, i had no idea. this wasnt my case. i'm just a associate. this client belonged to one of the partners who dumped it on me.

again, im jolted out my thoughts when the elevator stops. i look up to see who's gonna be joining me and to make room for them but i freeze.

my breath stalling in my chest.

my heart does a quick double beat.

here, in this small elevator, over a thousand miles from massachusetts, i find myself standing a foot away from the boy who changed my life.

he doesn't look surprised. he doesnt look shocked. he looks pissed.

"matt." i whisper his name.

in one quick movement, matt closes the gap between us. his hands come up to the sides of my face. he leans in, his bright blue eyes inches away from mine. i'd forgotten how bright his eyes were. i swore i'd memorized every detail about him, but- being this close again, feeling his heat again- is setting my body on fire.

"y/n." he growls my name.

he leans in at the same time i push up onto my toes. our lips collide, his mouth is warm and soft and demanding. i grab onto the front of shirt, vaguely aware that the elevator doors have shut, and it feel like we're moving.

matts hands slide around to the back of my head. his fingers gripping my hair. the tug is enough to tilt my head. taking instant advantage of the new angle, matts tongue slides against my bottom lip. i nip at him as he pulls my hair, causing me to groan.

he presses against me, bringing our bodies flush.

i'd missed him. missed his body. missed the way he makes me feel.

when matt breaks the kiss, i realized that elevator has stopped, and the doors are sliding open again.

he grabs my hand, intertwining our fingers, and pulls me out to follow him. the move has me flashing back to when he took me with his family to vermont and he was dragging me through the woods to show me the creek that he loved. his grip on my hand is now even more passionate than it was then.

i almost have to hog to keep up with his long strides, not sure where hes taking me. the lights are off, but i think we're on the top floor. the executive floor. where my meeting is.

my meeting is in 20 minutes, but for him, im saying fuck the meeting, fuck the job, fuck the career, fuck the rest of the world.

matt steps through an open door, pulling me with. he stops suddenly, turning back to face me. with his free hand he reaches out to slam the office door shut.

"where are we?" i ask.

"in a room with a lock.

matt walks into me, using his body to press me against the door.

i hear the click as he locks the handle. adrenaline surges through my body. i know what he wants.

and i want it too.

i let go of matts hand so i can use both of mine to push his jacket off his shoulders. he lets me, but as soon as it hits the floor he crowds back into my space.

in a move i've only ever seen in movies, matt reaches down, grabs my hips, and lifts me. pinning me against the door with his body between my legs. my thighs automatically wrap around his waist. my arms around his neck. my mouth fusing to his.

his hands are so large the nearly cover my entire ass as he grinds into me. matts mouth leaves mine, trailing open mouthed kisses down my throat. reaching my collar bone, he scrapes his teeth across my skin. the sensation sending a shiver straight to my core.

pulling us away from the door, matt supporting all of my weight, he walks us across the room. i drop my lips to that hollow spot at the base of his throat and lick.

"fuck, sweetheart." matt grinds the words out.

that name. that silly pet name he used on me seven years ago. i never realized how much i loved it until i wasnt hearing it anymore. i sink my teeth into the side of his neck. this boy- no this man, has turned me back into a 18 year old girl. being so close to him, all i feel is safety and desire.

"why'd you leave me? why'd you run?" his questions rumble through my body.

i shake my head against him. "if i didn't leave then, i'd still be there."

a crack sounds throughout the room, accompanied by a sharp sting on my ass.

i rear my head back.

he narrows his eyes at me, daring me to talk back and get spanked again. "you didn't say bye."

he stops walking and lets go of his hold on me. i only drop a few inches before i find myself sitting on top of a desk.

he leans in close. "and you kept my clothes."

he hands start on my bare knees, and slide up my thighs, pushing my dress up as he goes. "tell me youre sorry."

when i dont reply, he pinches my hip.

i startle and whisper, "im sorry."

"good girl." he kisses me once more. brief but hard.

pulling away from the kiss, he presses on my chest until im laid out on the desk.

"i should bend you over this desk. fuck you from behind. pull you hair. smack your ass until its red. punish you for what you did." his breathing gets heavier with each word he bites out.

holy shit. the idea of getting punished has never turned me on before, but his filthy words have me soaked.

matt steps from between my legs, undoes his belt, lowers his zipper then his pants. finally he releases his already hard cock. his pants, around his knees, he steps back between my spread thighs.

i've never been an extremely sexual being, but the sight of him, long and hard and ready, has my mouth watering.

"i should do that." he says. "but i want you like this. i want you watching me. seeing what you missed."

he grabs my hips and pulls me until my bottom half is hanging off the desk. i reach up and grip the edge of the desktop above my head. if he steps away from me now, i'll slide off.

matt groans as he pushes the skirt of my dress over my waist. "fuck sweetheart. look at you."

he runs a finger over my clothed core, demonstrating how wet my panties are.

with one hand he pulls the fabric to the side, revealing my pussy. with his other hand he strokes the tip of his dick up and down against my entrance.

"tell me you want this." he demands.

i dont hesitate. "i want it. i want you."

matt pushed in one inch. "say it again."

i moan. "i want you. please. please!" im begging for him to fuck me.

he pushes in another inch. "tell me you thought of me. tell me youve thought of my cock inside you. stretching this perfect pussy."

his voice is strained. hes trying to stay in charge. but i know hes close to losing it.

i roll my hips up, trying to get him deeper.

another smack sounds through the room. with my ass hanging off the desk he still has access to my bare skin.

"tell me." he growls.

"i've thought of you." i pant. "i couldnt stop thinking of you. matt, please."

a change comes over his eyes. its small, but watching it happen was like watching a flower bloom in 3x speed. like he was opening himself up. i said exactly what he wanted, but he knew, it was exactly what i felt as well.

in one sudden move, matts lips crash against mine at the same he pushed his cock inside me. all the way to the hilt. in one hard thrust. the feeling of him filling me again, combined with the emotional wave of my confession, is too much. the sensation is too overwhelming. i cry out in shock and pain and pleasure.

he pulls out, presses in, and just like that, im a puddle on this desk. my orgasm hits me like a slash of cold water, my breath leaving my body completely.

im caged in. matts encasing me. one hand holding my face, his mouth mouth plundering mine, his other hand squeezing the back of my thigh. my body doesnt know whats going on. my pussy is throbbing with each thrust, matching matt. my minds so blurry i cant form words, and i think i have tears in my eyes.

"fuck. y/n. fuck." matt buries his face in my curls. "you feel so good."

im lost in him. in this moment. in the experience. sense of time evades me, and i feel myself hanging on for dear life. i dont want it to ever end, but im afraid i wont survive another minute.

his thrusts are getting slower. harder. his movements jerky.

matt groans against my neck. "goddamn, you feel so fucking good."

he slams into me hard. once, twice, then i feel his thumb on my clit. my body can't take it. i think i've been suffering from one long never-ending orgasm this whole time, but that doesn't stop my body from starting all over. i shatter. moaning loudly. clawing at matts shoulders. arching against his body.

"thats it, sweetheart." one more thrust and matt stills. his body going tight. his groan of release filling my head. his actual release filling my cunt.

he raises up and looks me dead in the eyes. im mesmerized by his blue orbs. so bright. full of hope and hurt.

"im sorry, matt." i murmur, letting the tears fall.

then a phone rings and we're brought back to reality. matt pulls out of me and i moan quietly.

while he answered his phone i just lay there on the desk, trying to get myself together.

"yeah nick, im on the way." i hear matt say, before hanging up and walking over to me.

"i have to go, but we're gonna talk. i promise. i just have this meeting with this brand and chris really wants to team with them-"

"brand?" i ask. "what brand?"

"CHERRY LA." he answered" "chris really like their clothes and we're here to negotiate the terms of our deal." now he's getting himself together, pulling his pants up and grabbing his jacket off the floor.

"matt." he stops what he's doing. "im CHERRY's lawyer. your meeting is with me."

he smiled. "of course it is. i made sure we only spoke to the best attorney in california."

niyah speaks i been watching suits teeew much guys. anyways new chapter for against all odds tonight!!!

remember that if no one loves you, mommy loves you (and my mommy i mean me)

taglist: @mattslolita

#chris sturniolo #matt sturniolo #nick sturniolo #sturniolo triplets #christopher sturniolo #nicolas sturniolo #matthew sturniolo smut #matthew sturniolo #fanfic

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cyberclouddream · 4 months ago

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Signs through the 11th House

Note: recommend using whole sign house system. interpretations are also affected by planetary placements and aspects.

The 11th house is associated with friendships, groups, and social networks. It reflects our need for connection, belonging, and future aspirations.

[ social identity ] how we relate to groups, friends, and communities, if we’re team players or prefer solitude

[ belonging ] where and how you feel accepted and supported, and the kind of friendships that shape your worldview

[ aspirations & goals ] our long-term hopes, dreams, and how we align ourselves with causes or social ideals

[ support system ] the kind of people or networks that will help us grow, succeed, and make an impact

[ innovation ] how we think about the future and our openness to change or radical ideas; where we might rebel against norms to pursue a better future

Aries in the 11th House [ or gemini rising ]

- you tend to be the trailblazer in your social circles, the loud, assertive one who leads or disrupts; you prefer action-oriented friends who keep up with your energy, since when you want to do something, you expect your friends to keep up with your fast pace; you approach friendships with a sense of independence and confidence, and people may see you as the person who initiates plans, organizes activities, or pushes the group forward; you’re not interested in clingy or overly dependent friends

- you don’t want to fit in, you want to stand out; you have a strong need to assert your individuality within groups, and you may form friendships that are competitive or based on shared challenges; you’re drawn to people who inspire you to be more decisive , assertive, and courageous, and who are just as driven as you are; you’re drawn to environments where there’s a healthy level of competition or where people are passionate about their goals, whether it’s a sports team, entrepreneurial group, or a cause that requires assertive action; you also value friends who are direct and honest, not having much patience for passive-aggressiveness or emotional manipulation

- your aspirations are based around action, pioneering new ideas, or pushing boundaries; you chase after big goals with a fierce attitude, not afraid to take risks; your aspirations often involve shaking things up and leading others towards progress; you want to be the best and your willing to fight for what you believe in, whether it’s in your career, personal achievements, or social causes, since you approach your dreams with the mind of a warrior

- you tend to attract strong, independent, fiery, and driven people, like athletes, entrepreneurs, and competitive people; those who push you to be better, challenge you, and aren’t afraid of conflict; you don’t want friendships with anyone who holds you back or tries to dim your shine; your competitive friendships are often based on mutual admiration rather than jealousy; your best friends are those who challenge you to be better without making you feel inferior

- you tend to align yourself with causes or groups that require action or reform, and you don’t waste time talking about change but making it happen; you may be the person who leads protests, starts movements, or fights for reform with passion and courage; you want to be the first to take action and are willing to face challenges head-on to make things happen; people may look at you to take the first step in difficult or uncertain situations; you have the able to act decisively where others are hesitant, making you the catalyst for change in your social groups

Taurus in the 11th House [ or cancer rising ]

- you value stability and loyalty in friendships; you’re more likely to form deep, lasting connections rather than fleeting acquaintances; you tend to take on the role of the emotional anchor; people trust you because of your down-to-earth nature and they know you’ll be there when they need you; you approach your friends slow and steady and like to build relationships over time; you like to spend time with friends in comfortable, relaxed settings, such as cozy dinners, nature walks, or aesthetic environments

- you thrive in environments where you feel valued and appreciated; you tend to have supportive friendships based around shared interests in art, nature, or indulgences in pleasure or comfort; you’re drawn to those who appreciate finer things in life; you may struggle to let go of friendships that have become stagnant or toxic because of your preference to hold onto what’s familiar; you thrive in environments where there’s consistency and mutual support

- you have a practical approach to your dreams, and your aspirations may revolve around financial stability, material success, or creating a beautiful life for yourself and those you care about; you may gravitate towards social causes that emphasize sustainability and managing resources; your long-term goals may involve creating or appreciating beauty in some form, like through the arts, design, or anything related to luxury or aesthetics; it can be creating a beautiful home, developing artistic skills, or accumulating the resourced to enjoy the finer things in life

- you may have a strong network of friends and allies who are there for you on the long-term, people who are reliable and dependable and can provide emotional and practical support; you seek those who aren’t just there for the good times but during challenging ones as well; you tend to connect with friends through sensory experiences and mutual experiences for practical and material success

- you may focus on practicality and sustainability when it comes to societal change, ideas that bring stability and beauty to the future; you’re the one who ensures that the foundations are secure in the plan; you tend to focus on building community resources, creating financial stability, or finding ways to improve comfort and security for those around you; you might be drawn to social causes that involve environmental protection, sustainability, or the arts

Gemini in the 11th House [ or leo rising ]

- you tend to be seen as the social butterfly, since you thrive in diverse social settings and enjoy connecting with various or eccentric groups; you tend to take on the role of the connector, linking diverse individuals together; you wrestle rarely tied to one group and often have friends from diverse backgrounds and with different interests; you enjoy engaging in dialogue, sharing ideas, and learning from others; you seek out friendships that stimulate your mind

- you feel like you belong in intellectual communities and groups that share your desire for learning and growth; your friendships are often formed around shared interests in learning communication, and exploration; you prefer environments where everyone is encouraged to speak their mind and share their perspectives; you may prefer a wide range of acquaintances rather than a few deeply intimate friendships

- you probably have multiple goals and interests, which leads you to explore different avenues simultaneously; you might be inclined towards causes related to education, communication, or technology, seeking to broaden your perspective and those of others; you may feel inspired to write, teach, or work in fields that involve constant learning, speaking, or sharing ideas; your aspirations may change frequently as you explore new ideas or develop new intellectual passions; your ability to communicate effectively and connect with others will play a key role in how you achieve your aspirations

- your support system is probably made up of a acquaintances and friends, with emphasis on mental connection rather than emotional depth; you seek individuals who can provide information, ideas, and connections; your friends may change often, reflecting your diverse interests; your friends come from all walks of life, since you don’t like to limit yourself to one person; you’re drawn to those who challenge you intellectually, encourage you to learn, and share your curiosity for the world

- you’re drawn to progressive ideas and social movements that promote communication, freedom of expression, or technological advancements; you may advocate for change through dialogue and sharing information; you have a talent for conveying your ideas in a way that others find engaging and persuasive, so you’re able to use your communication skills to rally people around a cause or inspire others to think differently about it important issues; you’re likely to be the person who suggest fresh perspectives or unconventional solutions to issues

Cancer in the 11th House [ or virgo rising ]

- you’re the caregiver of the group; you’re heavily influenced by emotional connections; you’re the type of person who wants to nurture your friends and social groups, often offering empathy and a listening ear; you tend to pick up on conflict or tension rather quickly; you value friends who you can trust on a personal, intimate level; you’re likely to treat friends like family, and social groups may feel more like an extended family network

- you seek friendships that feel like family, craving deep, meaningful bonds that provide emotional safety and support; you gravitate towards people who have similar values or who feel like “home” to you; you may go out your way to make sure everyone feels included and cared for, like the “mother” figure; you thrive in environments where you can openly express your emotions and be accepted for who you are; you’re not interested in surface level connections, since you want to know and be known on a deep, personal level

- your long-term goals and aspirations might be centered around building a community that feels emotionally secure and nurturing, a family-like atmosphere; you’re more concerned with emotional fulfillment than fame or financial success; you focus on causes that involve nurturing and caring for people, such as mental health, family advocacy, or community building; may feel draw to working with women, children, or in areas like caregiving, mental health, and emotional wellbeing

- your support system is full of friends who feel like family; you seek out people who provide the kind of comfort, understanding, and support that family traditionally offers; you may feel dependent on your friends for emotional support; you surround yourself with people who are emotionally available and willing to be vulnerable with you; you’re the kind who is always checking in on your friends and offering support when needed; you may feel deeply hurt if someone doesn’t live up to your emotional expectations

- your type of innovation comes from emotional intelligence; you intuitively understand what needs to change to create a more nurturing and supportive environment for others; you’re drawn to social causes that focus on human connection, emotional wellbeing, or family-oriented issues, like mental health awareness, children’s rights, or community building; you can be hesitant to embrace radical or disruptive change unless it feels emotionally safe or involves protecting something you care deeply about

Leo in the 11th House [ or libra rising ]

- you naturally take on leadership roles in your social circles; you thrive when you’re the center of attention and enjoy being admired by your friends; people likely see you as confident, magnetic, and expressive and they’re drawn to your warmth and charisma; you’re the person people naturally look to for direction or inspiration

- you seek out friends and groups who appreciate you; you thrive in social settings where your talents, ideas, or personality can be showcased, and in turn you’re extremely generous and loyal to those who support and admire you; if you feel overlooked or undervalued you withdraw or lose interest in those friendships; you surround yourself with vibrant, fun, and creative individuals

- you have grand visions and aspirations for the future; you want to receive recognition or accolades for your achievements, wanting to be known for your contributions; you may have aspirations related the arts, entertainment, or any fields where your creative talents can shine, whether that’s performing on a stage or taking the lead in a project

- you attract people who boost your confidence and self-esteem; your close friends are likely people who admire your talents, cheer you in, and appreciate your generous spirit; you give back to those who support you, offering loyalty, protection, and encouragement; you tend to stick with friends through the thick and thin as long as there’s mutual respect

- you’re drawn to causes where you can take a visible, active role, whether it’s organizing events, leading initiatives, or being the face of a movement; you’re not afraid to think big and take risks, likely to propose bold, unconventional ideas that shake things up; you have the ability to inspire and motivate others, rallying people around a common cause

Virgo in the 11th House [ or scorpio rising ]

- you’re seen as the helpful and reliable friend in social circles; you’re often the one organizing, planning, and providing practical support to the group; you take pride in being seen as useful, having the ability to improve situations and offer solutions

- you’re very selective about the people you associate with, preferring those who share your values in practicality, work ethic, or intellectual pursuits; you’re not the most outgoing person in group settings, tending to be reserved or introverted, but when you do engage it’s in a thoughtful and measured way

- you’re more interested in forming friendships based on mutual respect, dependability, and shared goals; you thrive in acts of service, where you can show your care for others by helping them with practical tasks or offering advice; you feel connected to people when you’re able to help them improve their lives in some tangible way; you hold your friends to high standards

- you tend to focus on goals that realistic, achievable, and aimed at improving or fixing something; you don’t rush but focus on doing things the right way, even if it takes time; you’re probably drawn to humanitarian or service-oriented causes that involve making life better for others, like areas where precision, health, or efficiency are important

- your support system consists of people who are not only intellectually compatible but also offer tangible help or advice, people who you can count on when needed; you’re not afraid to offer constructive criticism to your friends, which should be balanced with empathy

- you approach causes with a focus on how things can be made more efficient, organized, or productive, aiming for sustainable and practical solutions than flashy or overly ambitious goals; you’re often the one suggesting more efficient ways to do things or offering to reorganize a process that’s not working well; you’re drawn to innovate in areas related to public health, fitness, or environmental sustainability, where you can create a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle for others

Libra in the 11th House [ or sagittarius rising ]

- you’re seen as the social butterfly who values harmony and pleasant interactions; you’re diplomatic and charming, often acting as the mediator or peacemaker within your friend groups; you’re often smooth over disagreements or ensure that everyone feels included and heard; you care about how things look and feel within your social circles, both the physical environment and emotional atmosphere

- you’re drawn to friends who share your love for beauty, culture, or intellectual conversations; you prefer social settings where people are being diplomatic, kind, and willing to compromise, since aggressive and confrontational people make you uncomfortable; the idea of “working together” is important to you and you dislike selfishness or power struggles in friendships

- you’re driven by the desire to create a more balanced and just society, so you may feel drawn to things like human rights, gender equality, or environmental justice; your long-term goals might aspire you to work in creative fields such as art, design, fashion, or anything that involves bringing beauty and balance into the world; can also be drawn to projects that enhance cultural understanding or promote peace through art and beauty; you thrive in environments where teamwork is key

- your support system consists of people who respect your need for equality and share your appreciation for beauty, balance, and justice; you dislike relationships where one person dominates or where there’s a lack of reciprocity, preferring those who value peaceful resolution and mutual support; you have a core group of close friends but you’re also skilled at maintaining lighter friendships or acquaintances, often through social events, clubs, or shared interests

- you excel at creating census and bringing different groups together to find solutions that work for everyone, approaching social causes or groups full of peaceful negotiation and compromise; you may want to innovate in areas related to law, human rights, or diplomacy, using your social skills to lead or influence change in these areas

Scorpio in the 11th House [ or capricorn rising ]

- you tend to form deep, transformative connections with those in your inner circle; people may see you as mysterious, private, or even a bit intimidating because of your intensity, since you’re not the superficial socializer; you are highly selective about the company you keep, valuing depth, loyalty and authenticity, drawn to people who possess emotional resilience and strength; you often appear guarded or distant until you feel that trust has been established, preferring to reveal your inner self to a select few

- you want to connect with people a soul level, drawn to friends who understand the darker, more complex aspects of life; once you’ve established a strong bond with someone you’re fiercely protective and loyal to them; there may be power struggles or unspoken dynamics in your social circles; you often find yourself in positions of influence or dominance in your friendships; you value relationships where both parties respect each other’s strengths

- you’re not interested in superficial success, you want to leave a lasting impact, whether it’s through social change, psychological growth, or mastering a complex field; once you commit to something, you go all in with intense focus and determination, which can sometimes lead to burnout; you have a natural inclination to wield influence and steer the course of collective efforts, whether it’s in politics, activism, or business; you aim to be in control or at least deeply involved in things

- you require a support system built on unshakable trust; the people you surround yourself with have proven their loyalty and can stand by you through the thick and thin; you don’t forgive betrayal easily, and if someone breaks your trust they’re usually cut off for good; your friends may share interest in psychology, healing, or transformation, and you often bond over intense, transformative experiences

- you’re not content with surface-level reform, you want to dismantle old systems, uncover hidden truths, and rebuild from the ground up; you approach innovation with strategy, which can often involve the psychological or hidden motivations behind societal structures; you tend to work behind the scenes, not necessarily the loudest voice in the room but you’re often the one pulling strings or guiding the direction of change; you can be drawn to fields related to therapy, crisis intervention, or trauma recovery, given your keen insight into human nature

Sagittarius in the 11th House [ or aquarius rising ]

- you’re known as someone who is open-minded, curious, and always up for new adventures in your friend group; your friends likely view you as the explorer of the bunch, always introducing new ideas, philosophies, or places to discover; you love discussing big ideas with others, whether it’s politics, religion, or travel stories, since you enjoy sharing your worldview and learning from others; you’re likely interested in making friends from different backgrounds, and you may be drawn to those who have lived rich, varied lives

- you don’t like feeling restricted or tied down by social obligations, so you gravitate towards friends who share your need for space and autonomy; you’re drawn to people who think broadly and aspire to greater things, whether it’s traveling the world, pursuing higher education, or working towards social or political ideals; you want to belong to groups where people are idealistic, progressive, and future-oriented; you may have friends from all over the world or people who have different perspectives and life experiences; you could meet friends through international work or within cultural or intellectual circles

- you aim to make an impact on a global scale or to pursue ambitions that expand your mind and soul; you may aspire to be a teacher, philosopher, or someone who spreads knowledge and wisdom, which can make you drawn to things like writing, speaking, or teaching; travel may also be a big part in your long-term goals, as you seek to explore different cultures and learn from them; you’re idealistic and want to contribute to movements that promote justice, equality, and cultural understanding

- your support system may not be confined to one single place, since you’re likely to have friends from all over the world; you want friends who encourage you to grow, expand your horizons, and challenge yourself; you need friends who you can engage with on an intellectual level, people who are just as curious and eager to discuss life’s big questions, whether it’s philosophical debates or discussions about world events

- you like innovate by introducing new ideas, cultures, or philosophies into your social circles; you’re always imagining how things can be better and never content with the status quo; you bring a visionary mindset to any group you’re part of, pushing for growth and development; you’re drawn to movements that promote learning, travel, or cross-cultural exchange, and may get involved in projects that aim to connect people across borders or encourage global understanding

Capricorn in the 11th House [ or pisces rising ]

- you may approach your friendships with a sense of responsibility or professionalism, taking your role with them seriously; others may see you as the one who keeps the group grounded, organized, and focused on achieving shared goals; you favor friendships that are beneficial, supportive, and contribute to your long-term growth; you may feel like your social identity is tied to the recognition or respect you’ve earned within your social groups; you may naturally take on leadership roles or be seen as an authority figure amongst your peers, especially in professional or formal networks

- you may not have a large circle of friends but those you do have can count on your for support and guidance; you expect a level of commitment and seriousness from your friends; you feel most comfortable when you and your friends are striving for success together, so friends with no direction or shared goals may seem pointless or shallow to you; you feel a sense of belonging in structured or formal organizations, such as professional associations, career networks, or groups with a defined purpose; you like being part of something organized, where there are clear goals, responsibilities, and goals to achieve

- your goals are about creating something durable and meaningful; you’re highly organized and prefer to have a clear plan in place; you understand that success takes time and you’re willing to put in the hard work and effort required to achieve your long-term dreams, whether it’s career success, building a business, or contributing in some lasting way to society; you likely aspire to be recognized for your accomplishments, wanting to be known for your hard work, discipline, and ability to achieve significant goals

- your support system consists of friends who are practical, reliable, and share your sense of ambition; you’re drawn to people who have their lives together; people who understand your goals and offer support in realistic and grounded steps to get where you need to go; your closest friends are probably those who you’ve known for years and have weathered ups and downs with; you may gravitate towards older, more experienced individuals or mentors

- you’re likely to innovate by creating systems or organizations that improve efficiency, build stability, or achieve long-term goals; you’re good at organizing people and resources to achieve collective goals; you may be drawn to groups that help others succeed, whether through mentorship programs, professional networks, or organizations aimed at self-improvement

Aquarius in the 11th House [ or aries rising ]

- you stand out in your social circles as someone who values independence, originality, and intellectual freedom; you want to surround yourself with people who share your ideals and are driven to create a positive change in the world; your friends are often people who think differently, rebel against conformity, or are involved in humanitarian causes; you may resist fitting into traditional roles within your groups, preferring to march to the beat of your own drum

- you seek out friendships where individuality is celebrated rather than suppressed; you might find yourself belonging to communities that celebrate race, culture, gender, or ideology, anything connected to the idea of equality and brotherhood; you need space to be yourself and pursue your independent interests, so friends that are too clingy or emotionally intense feel suffocating; you’re drawn to people who understand and respect your need for autonomy

- you aim to create or contribute something that advances society as a whole, whether it’s fighting for human rights, climate action, or technological advancements that improve society; your long-term goals involve pushing boundaries and embracing the unconventional, which can lead you to work in fields related to technology, science, social reform, or anything that feels cutting-edge and forward thinking

- your support system is likely made up of thinkers, rebels, and innovators; you’re drawn to friendships where individuality is respected and where people support each other’s unique paths without trying to conform or change each other; they may be involved in science, art, technology, or social activism; your friends inspire you to think outside the box, innovate, and pursue unconventional goals

- you’re deeply committed to challenging outdated systems and creating a more equitable and just world, whether through new technologies, social movements, or philosophical shifts; you’re not content with traditional paths when it comes to your social life or aspirations; you’re drawn to innovations in science and technology, so you could be involved in anything from digital activism to space exploration

Pisces in the 11th House [ or taurus rising ]

- you often take on the nurturing or supportive role within social groups, offering emotional comfort to others; you are naturally drawn to people who need help, and your friends may turn to you for your deep insight and compassion; you may be seen as the idealist in your circles, someone who dreams but may not always be focused on practical details; you may have difficulty distinguishing between your needs and the needs of others, due to unclear boundaries with friends

- you feel most connected when you’re part of groups that value emotional depth, creativity, or spiritual exploration, whether it’s an artistic community, spiritual group, or humanitarian cause; you seek environments where people are kind, compassionate, and acceptable of each other’s differences; your sense of belonging is tied more to emotional and spiritual connection than to practical or material concerns; you easily pick up on the emotions of others and often act as the emotional barometer of the group

- you may be drawn to humanitarian causes, spiritual or artistic endeavors, or goals that involve healing, helping, or inspiring others; you might aspire to deepen your spiritual practice, explore metaphysical subjects, or use your intuition and creativity to guide your path; it’s important to find wats to ground your dreams and bring them into the real world, given your inclination to focus on imagination and feeling more than practical steps

- you are drawn to friends who understand your emotional depth and value connection on a soul level; you may have an intuitive bond between you and your closest friends, and may communicate through unspoken understanding or shared feelings; your compassionate nature often draws people who are in need of emotional or spiritual support, though it’s important to not sacrifice your own needs by trying to “save” people in your social circle

- you are drawn to creative and imaginative ways of bringing about social change, like artistic or spiritual movements; you may feel called to use your artistic gifts to raise awareness or create change in subtle yet profound ways; you may also approach innovation from a mystical or spiritual perspective, believing deep emotional or spiritual transformation is key to societal progress; you’re likely drawn to movements that focus on healing, compassion, and transcendence, whether through meditation, art, or emotional healing work; you’re very attuned to the suffering of others and you may feel called to bring healing to your community or the world at large, since you desire to alleviate pain or suffering on a collective level

#psychological astrology #astrology #astrology observations #sidereal astrology #the 11th house #11th house #eleventh house #Aquarius

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creative-type · 2 years ago

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The Romanticism of One Piece

I’m always amazed by how Oda has managed to stay thematically consistent for more than two decades while writing a thousand plus chapter epic about silly pirates having fun chasing their dreams. One Piece, at its core, is about the dawn of a romantic adventure, and its been that way since volume one, chapter one.

But romance is one of those terms whose meaning as shifted over the years and is drastically misunderstood. So what is literary romance, and how does One Piece fit within its framework?

Well buckle up, folks. This is gonna be a long one.

Romanticism as a movement started in the late 18th century, and is described by Isaiah Berlin as the “the greatest single shift in the consciousness of the West”. The modern ideas of childhood, imagination, and sentimentality were born here. It’s a rejection of society’s constraints in favor of impossible yearning for impossible goals. Romantics were restless and passionate, and embraced the magnitude of their feeling over the scientific rigors of the Age of Reason.

Sound familiar?

Romanticism gets its name from the old medieval ballads (themselves written in the Romantic languages) that became popular with the growing movement. The 19th century was a period of incredible change. Industrialization, urbanization, and the development of the middle class were all new. Revolution, both industrial and political, was changing the course of the world forever. The Romantics worshiped heroes of the past (in fact, the term hero worship was coined during this time) and sought a return to nature. William Wordsworth famously lobbied against the building of railways in his beloved Lake District, and much of the art of the time, whether it be painting or poetry, focused heavily on man’s relation with nature

In addition to rebelling against traditional political structures, the Romantics also broke away from the traditional religious teaching, many believing that man found enlightenment not through theology or the bible, but by study and attunement with nature. One of proto-Romantic writer Jean-Jaques Rousseau’s most influential works Emile, or On Education was banned in parts of Europe and even publicly burned due to its ideas on natural religion.

All of this leads to the Romantic pursuit of the sublime. While Enlightenment thinkers would often attempt to remove themselves emotionally from what they were experiencing in order to understand said experience through objective, immutable fact, the Romantics sought emotion, awe, and reverence that transcended rational thought. They celebrated and marveled at the wonders of creation, allowing themselves to be consumed by emotion and experience. These were not stoic people, and its here where One Piece truly begins to shine as a work of Romantic art

The world of One Piece, particularly once the story gets to the Grand Line, is chalk full of impossible wonder and whimsy. Each island visited along the journey is a feast for the eyes, and Oda’s art does each distinct and incredible location every justice. Luffy has no desire to see the boring or everyday, and he has no qualm in expressing his excitement everywhere he goes. Oda has made the conscious decision never to let the reader look into Luffy’s thoughts via thought bubbles, but the audience is still able to connect with him because they are always aware of what he he is feeling. Every smile takes up half his face, every sadness drawn as a sniveling wreck. Logical ideas are routinely rejected in favor of desired experiences, and Luffy himself rejects the opportunity to hear the answer to the series’s biggest questions because to him, the journey is more important.

It’s important that Luffy’s mindset isn’t all that common, even a world as wild and wacky as One Piece. As the Jaya arc proves, Roger’s execution initially inspired a generation of pirates to go out and follow their dreams, but in the twenty years since his death that ideaolgy has crumbled under the weight of a new wave of dreamless pragmaticism, the same way the Romantic movement gave way to the Realists who followed.

Luffy’s Romantic spirit stands out, even amongst the Straw Hat Pirates. Many of the Straw Hat’s character arcs involve Luffy helping to remove the blocks that prevent them from living out their Romantic ideals. As the series progresses, the crew inches towards embodying that freedom of spirit that Luffy exemplifies. What that looks like for each crewmate is different (Romanticism is highly individualistic, after all) but they’re given the opportunity to live out that ideal because of their association with Luffy.

This theme of freedom of expression and pursuit of dreams follows the Straw Hats wherever they go on both the micro and macro level. The Romantic pursuit of self-determination bleeds over nearly every arc with Luffy at its epicenter, until it comes to a crescendo during the Wano arc, when the true nature of Luffy’s fruit comes to light for the first time.

Luffy is the beating heart of One Piece’s Romanticism. He specifically imbues many of the Romantic ideals of childhood, such as innocence, joy, and being unprejudiced by a corrupting society. He’s uncomplicated yet passionate, without a care in the world for what anyone else thinks about him, and because of that disregard for authority he comes off as equal parts wise and naive.

In Emile, Rousseau lays out his idea of childhood education, which doesn’t include a classroom so much as the child’s interaction with the world, emphasizing the senses and building on the child’s own observations and inferences. The Romantic child was instinctual and in tune with nature, and a character like Luffy growing up on the fringes of society while spending most of his time romping around in the woods would not be out of place (see Mary Robinson’s The Savage of Aveyron, based on the real story of a feral boy that had been found in France).

What makes Luffy different is that he never loses that simplicity of character even as he interacts with an increasingly complex world. Yes, he matures both as a person and a captain, bearing the weight of terrible loss and difficult decisions, but he does it still while maintaining that curious mix of selfish desire to do whatever he wants and selfless sacrifice towards the people he cares about. Luffy doesn’t want to be a hero, but remains uncorrupted by the malevolent social hierarchies that rule One Piece’s world.

But for all the ways One Piece is a Romantic story, the philosophy of the series departs in several key places. The Romantics of the late 18th and 19th centuries were reacting to the anxieties brought around by the Industrial Revolution and the subsequent urbanization that came along with it, while One Piece belongs squarely to the post-modern era of the 21st. While both glorify a long-gone past, what that past looks like is very different. One Piece fully embraces technology and progress, as best seen during the conflict between Noland and Calgura in the Skypia flashback. While industrialization is sometimes portrayed negatively (see Wano) it’s just as likely to be seen in a positive light (Water 7), and the mysterious civilization of the Void Century was more technologically advanced than the present day manga, not less.

What’s more important than modernization and technological advance is the ways people use said technology. The beautifully rendered locations along the Straw Hat’s journey are just as likely to be vast stretches of wilderness as bustling metropolises, and that search of wonder and the sublime is equally likely to be found in both.

More importantly, I think, is that the Romantics of old were solitary creatures, brooding and isolated from the people around them. There was a preoccupation of creating art devoid of outside influence. The sublime was a deeply personal experience that by its very nature could not be shared with others. Melancholy, loss, solitude, and death were preoccupations of the Romantic mind, the price of visionary genius being social isolation.

One of the most famous Romantic heroes of the 19th century was Thomas Chatterton, a young genius of a poet who, in the midst of poverty and depression killed himself at the age of 17. He was immortalized in paintings and poems, and his influence can be felt to this day by the persistence of the trope of the suffering artist that he, and countless others, helped codify.

One Piece is the story of a boy who rejects the confines of society in search of his own freedom, but he does not do so alone. Luffy is driven as much by the desire to be with his friends as he is by his desire to find the One Piece. The series agrees that risking death is an acceptable part of chasing ones dream, but rejects the notion that it should be sought out or celebrated. It’s better to live an undignified life in the hope of a better tomorrow than to give into an easy death.

And that’s the fascinating part about how philosophies evolve over time, because as much as One Piece borrows from the Romantic era of the 18 and 19th centuries, it isn’t a Romantic story, just as how no amount of research and copying of style could ever turn a historical novel written today into a product of the era its trying to emulate. Oda has taken an old idea and made it into something new, using that idea as the guide for the entire series. Like sun, guiding to the dawn of a new era.

A Romance dawn, if you will.

#one piece #romanticism #creative-type analyzes #monkey d luffy #guess what I wrote instead of sleeping

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elicypher · 7 months ago

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WILLIAM WITH A S/O THAT LOVES SWORDS — HCS

: william j. moriarty x f!reader, slight enemies to lovers?

: thanks for the request, anon. i hope you'll like it :)

: i rewrote this four motherfucking times, idk what's up with tumblr but this wouldn't save and had my eye twitching

★ when he first met you, he was intrigued by your no-nonsense and bold attitude and you were unimpressed by his noble status, thinking he was an arrogant, eccentric man — just like all the noblemen you'd met previously.

★ ever since you met him, he's liked teasing you through mind games. although when asked about it, he refutes it saying he's never done such a thing. you're not the brightest out of the bunch but you always try and put up a good fight — you were not going to look stupid, and you would die on that hill. it's always amusing to him, even charming.

★ wanting the freedom of movement and since it makes fencing much easier, you prefer wearing light clothes compared to the heavy dresses society would make you wear. you were never one for rules, anyway.

★ when suitors would come asking for your marriage, you'd challenge them to a duel saying that if they won, you would immediately marry them.

★ up until now, everyone has lost. you find great satisfaction in defeating them with your skills at arms.

★ upon learning this, william is more than impressed. he's further charmed by your unapologetic passion. you speak your mind freely, unintimidated by his title/status. he admires your confidence and the way you refuse to back down from a challenge, whether a duel or a battle of wits.

★ for your part, you come to appreciate the depth of his character. you realize he's no mere stuffy aristocrat, but a man of principle, compassion, and keen intellect. the antagonism between you transforms into mutual fascination.

★ once you find about his real identity... well, let's just say you're not entirely shocked. you'd been suspecting something before — just not the lord of crime. you knew his build was a little too fit for it to belong to a noble who's never once had to work too hard in his life.

★ it takes a lot of convincing and consulting you until you finally decide that listen to his full story. yes, you may have a bold and sometimes abrasive personality but that didn't mean you'd jump into the fire that william was. you, even though experienced in combat, were but a normal person. you didn't see crime every day and you've never engaged with a criminal before.

★ after hearing his cause and everything that has led to this point, you decided to trust him. and nothing much has changed to your surprise, in fact, you feel like your relationship with him has grown better. the two of you trust each other more now.

★ you've also started doing sneak attacks on him, surely he could handle them. and you were right — his reflex and reaction time was incredibly fast. having him as an opponent was thrilling and during duels, you constantly try to push him to his limits, see how much he can take.

★ the way you handle your rapier is almost mesmerising to him. william secretly begins to long for moments where your bodies come dangerously close as you clash blades.

★ william is good, but he's always bested by you. you're just that good in terms of combat. your movements are fluid and unpredictable — which is why a strategic man like him can't seem to read your thoughts and next choice of action.

★ there is raw tension and chemistry between the two of you, it is undeniable. eventually, the two of you get into a relationship. william is in no way a bad lover, the absolute best. but you're as equally as wonderful and understanding.

★ you two, although you share differences in personality, are an unusually well matched and balanced pair.

#this is a repost #📼 — received requests #moriarty the patriot #yuukoku no moriarty #william james moriarty #william james moriarty x reader #moriarty the patriot x you #yuukoku no moriarty x you #mtp x reader #ynm x reader #moriarty the patriot x reader #yuukoku no moriarty x reader #moriarty the patriot headcanons

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aesethewitch · 10 months ago

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There's something interesting I've noticed in my spellcrafting experiments. I do a lot of food magic, turning meals into spells and writing recipes specifically for magical purposes.

When a dish takes more time and effort to create, I find it has a greater magical "punch." Quick and easy dishes done with magic work just fine, of course. I wouldn't do them if they didn't. But their effects don't last as long, I've found, and they tend to not have as drastic results as something that takes a lot of energy.

Once I noticed this in my food magics, I started seeing it elsewhere, too. I tested it with my money bowl by going from a single tea light candle lit once per week to a large taper candle lit every day. Not much else changed about the bowl itself, but I also decided to physically write out a petition instead of just thinking what I wanted during the casting.

It's had drastically different results. Money comes in quicker, easier, and in large quantities. I think it's in part because the set-up of the spell took more effort (the petition) and because it's taking active, concentrated care every day (lighting and babysitting the candle). The energy input matches the output.

Now, I do think this means that low-effort spellwork would yield smaller or shorter-term results. That doesn't mean it isn't worth doing. Performing a bunch of little spells for the same purpose builds up that effort and energy over time, compounding into a bigger and bigger result.

But the effort put in tends to match the results gotten out of spells. The more care taken, the more effort it takes, the more attention it gets, the better it'll do.

Obviously, this is based on observations done on my own spellwork and practice. It makes sense that effort = results in my practice, since I'm pulling fatestrings and so forth, and the harder the pull, the bigger the movement. So YMMV, etc.

I'm curious, though, has anyone else noticed this same thing? And if so, what sort of paradigm are you working with?

#aese speaks #spellwork #witchcraft #witchblr #witch community #spells #spellcasting #spell results #spell crafting

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aquaglow · 16 days ago

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do you have any advice for someone who is 100% sedentary and wants to become fit in 2025? I never practiced any sports and never went to a gym

first advice is to bite a smaller piece. if you're completely new to fitness, you're better off not having "becoming fit" as your short-term goal (one year is not a long time for a full on body transformation imo). instead, I recommend that you just make "getting started" as your goal. smaller goals are easier to follow through!

my second advice is to try out different things, if that's available to you. most if not all gyms and studios have trial periods, often for free, so do that! go to different classes, talk to people who are already used to those practices, ask questions to tutors/instructors, get the feel of it to find out what kind of movement attracts you. same goes for sports, if that's more your vibe. lots of cities have community centers and non-pro groups that promote different sports, so seek those out if it's available.

(I honestly believe and always advocate that the most important part in building a healthy fitness routine is to find out what kind of physical activity you actually enjoy doing, because that's how you'll keep coming back to it.)

third advice is to take it slow and understand the process deeply. this shit takes a looooong time to present visible results, and that can be disheartening. like, you'll be exhausted, often bored, sometimes sore, even injured if you go too hard, and you still won't see the results that you're expecting. the effort is not directly and not immediately proportional to visible results.

I say "visible" results because, on the inside, the change is instant. one good workout session can completely turn your life around, I truly believe this. I remember the first time I did an hour of yoga, because it fundamentally transformed me as a person. but things like weight loss, toning, muscle definition, strength, flexibility etc take a long time, especially when you've never done anything physical before.

and my final advice is to not set your eyes solely on 2025! if you want to become a fit person, I can already tell you that it's not a one-year plan, but a lifetime commitment. you'll never reach a point where you're like, oh well I've done it, now I can quit and go back to my old ways. fitness and health are arrangements that need to last forever, because you'll never not need them. we as a society may treat them as optional, but as human beings we need them regardless of how we feel about them.

hope this helps you 💘

#inbox #anon #becoming that girl #it girl #self care #self love #self improvement #personal growth #wellness girl #clean girl #it girl energy #wellnesscore #green juice girl #pilates aesthetic #pink pilates princess #wonyoungism #that girl #fitspo

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astroamorsworld · 9 months ago

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What does this New Moon in Taurus have in store for your rising sign?

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On the 8th May 4:33am UK time, there will be a New Moon in Taurus. So what does this mean for your rising sign?

Aries Rising: With this New Moon activating your 2nd house of finances and possessions, it's prime time to focus on building your sense of security! This New Moon energy is like a blank check for your financial future. This is your chance to get serious about your money. Do you want to finally create a budget? Increase your income? Treat yourself to something special but within reason? The New Moon encourages clear intentions. The stuff you own should reflect who you are. This might mean decluttering and getting rid of things that no longer spark joy, or saving up for that high-quality item you've been wanting👀. This New Moon is also about taking a slower, more strategic approach. Avoid impulsive purchases and focus on long-term plans that bring lasting security. A tip from me would be to Repeat positive affirmations about abundance and achieving your financial goals. Visualisation is powerful too – imagine yourself reaching your financial dreams!

Taurus Rising: This New Moon illuminates your 1st house, all about self-expression, confidence, and how you want to be perceived. It's your chance to embrace your unique qualities and let your inner light shine. Been wanting a new hairstyle, wardrobe update, or to cultivate a different vibe? This New Moon supports positive changes to your physical appearance or overall persona. The New Moon encourages connecting with your inner strength and values. When you feel good about who you are on the inside, it radiates outwards with confidence. Spend some time reflecting on what truly matters to you. A tip from me? Don't just dream it, embody it! This New Moon isn't just about introspection, it's about taking action to step into the best version of yourself. Start small with something that makes you feel empowered, like trying a new outfit or joining a class that interests you.

Gemini Rising: Since this New Moon lands in your 12th house, you’re gonna wanna pay attention to your dreams and intuition during this time. They might be offering valuable insights or nudges about what needs to be released or healed on a deeper level. Journaling or meditation can be helpful for deciphering these messages. The 12th house is associated with endings and letting go. This New Moon could prompt you to release limiting beliefs, past hurts, or negative self-talk that have been holding you back. It's a time for emotional cleansing and forgiveness. While the 12th house deals with endings, it's also about new beginnings on a subconscious level. The New Moon here is like planting a seed for personal growth and transformation. You might not see the results immediately, but trust that this inner work will pay off in the long run. Want advice from me? This New Moon isn't about outward action, but about introspection and self-discovery. Give yourself permission to take some quiet time for solitude and reflection. Disconnect from the busyness of the world and reconnect with your inner voice.

Cancer rising: This New Moon is landing in your 11th house, of hopes, wishes, and the company you keep. This New Moon energy is like rocket fuel for your social circle. It's a great time to reconnect with old friends, expand your network, or even attract new soul connections who share your aspirations. Feeling inspired? This New Moon is the perfect excuse to whip out a vision board and get clear on your long-term goals. Focus on what you hope to achieve, the kind of life you want to build, and the people you want to share it with. The 11th house also deals with social causes and movements. This New Moon might spark your interest in a particular cause or inspire you to collaborate with others to make a positive impact. Here’s my two cents - Believe in your dreams, nurture your connections, and take inspired action – the Universe is conspiring to help you bring your visions to life!

Leo Rising: With this New Moon falling in your 10th house, this New Moon is all about leveling up your professional life. Feeling stuck in a rut? This lunar energy ignites your ambition and motivates you to pursue your goals with renewed fire. Believe in your talents and don't be afraid to showcase them! The 10th house is all about how you're perceived by the world. This New Moon is the perfect time to refine your personal brand and make a lasting impression, whether it's through a captivating presentation, a bold social media presence, or even simply exuding confidence in your interactions. Natural leaders like yourself might find new opportunities to step into positions of authority. This New Moon empowers you to inspire and motivate others with your vision and charisma. Embrace your leadership qualities and guide your team towards success. My advice? Don't be afraid to put yourself out there! This New Moon encourages you to embrace the spotlight and share your talents with the world. Whether it's starting a YouTube channel, giving a presentation, or simply taking center stage at a social gathering, this is your moment to shine!

Virgo Rising: The 9th house is all about expanding your horizons and seeking knowledge. This New Moon is like a cosmic invitation to embark on a learning journey. Maybe it's signing up for a new course, devouring a stack of travel books, or diving deep into a philosophical topic that's piqued your interest. While the 9th house can ignite wanderlust, this New Moon with Taurus's grounding influence might inspire a more meaningful travel experience. Consider a trip with a focus on cultural immersion, historical exploration, or learning a new language. The 9th house also deals with belief systems and philosophies. This New Moon might prompt you to explore different perspectives or challenge your own limiting beliefs. Don't be afraid to question the status quo and seek out new ways of thinking. My advice - While the 9th house deals with exploration, it also encourages setting long-term goals and aspirations. This New Moon is a powerful time to envision your dream life and the experiences you want to have. Planting these seeds of intention now will guide you towards a fulfilling future.

Libra Rising: The 8th house is all about emotional intimacy, vulnerability, and merging with another. This New Moon energy can deepen your existing relationships or spark a new, intense connection. Be open to exploring intimacy on a deeper level, but remember, true intimacy requires vulnerability from both sides. The 8th house also deals with transformation and letting go. This New Moon might bring up past hurts or unresolved issues related to intimacy or shared resources. Don't shy away from these shadows – facing them head-on allows for healing and growth. For some Libra Risings, this New Moon could influence financial partnerships, investments, or inheritances. Proceed with caution with any financial decisions during this time, and prioritize open communication with partners involved. What i think - The 8th house encourages us to release what no longer serves us. This New Moon might prompt you to let go of emotional baggage, unhealthy attachments, or limiting beliefs that are hindering your growth. Embrace the power of forgiveness and release to create space for new beginnings.

Scorpio rising: The 7th house is all about one-on-one relationships, both personal and professional. For Scorpios who are single, this New Moon could spark a powerful new connection with someone who shares your intensity and depth. For those already coupled, this lunation encourages taking your relationship to a new level of intimacy and commitment. The 7th house also deals with teamwork and collaboration. This New Moon might bring opportunities to partner with others on creative projects or professional endeavors. The key here is finding collaborators who share your vision and complement your strengths. While Scorpios crave connection, they also value depth over superficiality. This New Moon encourages you to prioritize quality over quantity in your relationships. Be discerning about who you let into your inner circle and focus on cultivating deep, meaningful connections. Want ny opinion? Scorpio's emotional intensity can be both a gift and a challenge. This New Moon encourages you to be honest and vulnerable with your partners, both in expressing your desires and acknowledging potential power struggles. Open communication is key for building strong, lasting partnerships.

Sagittarius Rising: The 6th house is all about organization, productivity, and creating healthy habits. This New Moon is the perfect time to re-evaluate your daily schedule and make adjustments that support your well-being. Consider incorporating exercise routines, healthy meal planning, or creating a sleep schedule that fuels your body and mind. Feeling a bit sluggish? This New Moon in grounded Taurus encourages prioritizing your physical health. Schedule a check-up with your doctor, explore healthy eating habits, or consider a new workout routine. Remember, a healthy body fuels a vibrant spirit! Sagittarius’ are known for their adventurous spirit, but neglecting daily routines can lead to burnout. This New Moon encourages finding a balance between your work and personal life. Creating a structured schedule can actually free up more time for your passions and explorations. Want my advice? Let's face it, routines can feel restrictive at times. This New Moon whispers that even the mundane can be approached with your signature enthusiasm. Transform your chores into mini-adventures, find joy in healthy eating, and use your creativity to make even the most routine tasks engaging.

Capricorn Rising: The 5th house is all about self-expression, joy, and creative pursuits. This New Moon ignites a desire to explore your artistic talents, whether it's writing, painting, music, or any other creative outlet that sparks your joy. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun! Are you feeling a bit disconnected from your hobbies or passions lately? This New Moon is the perfect opportunity to rekindle that spark. Dust off your creative tools, revisit an old project, or sign up for a new class to reignite your creative fire. Capricorns are known for their work ethic, but sometimes work can overshadow fun. This New Moon encourages you to find ways to integrate your passions into your professional life. Maybe there's a way to add a creative element to your work, or perhaps you can pursue a creative side hustle. Advice? The 5th house also governs love and romance. For Capricorns in relationships, this New Moon could spark a more playful and romantic dynamic. Plan a date night that's fun and lighthearted, or surprise your partner with a creative gesture of love.

Aquarius Rising: The 4th house is all about creating a safe and nurturing environment. This New Moon energy is like a cosmic home improvement project! Think about ways to make your living space feel more comfortable, stylish, or reflective of your unique personality. Decluttering, rearranging furniture, or adding some personal touches can make a big difference. The 4th house also deals with family dynamics. This New Moon could prompt you to reconnect with loved ones or mend any strained relationships within your family. Open communication and expressing your emotional needs can strengthen your family bond. For some Aquarius Risings, the concept of "home" might be unconventional. This New Moon encourages you to define what "home" means to you on a deeper level. Maybe it's a physical space, a sense of community, or a feeling of belonging. Embrace your unique definition of home and create a space that truly nourishes you. Advice - The 4th house is also associated with emotional security. This New Moon might prompt you to address any emotional baggage or limiting beliefs related to your upbringing. Healing past hurts and fostering emotional self-reliance can create a strong foundation for your future.

Pisces Rising: The 3rd house governs communication, both written and verbal. This New Moon in artistic Taurus awakens your creative side and encourages you to express yourself with more depth and feeling. Whether it's journaling, poetry, or simply more heartfelt conversations, embrace your artistic voice and share it with the world. Pisces are known for their intuition, and Taurus brings grounding energy. This New Moon creates a beautiful blend of intuition and logic in your communication. You'll be able to express complex ideas with clarity while weaving in your unique emotional perspective. The 3rd house also deals with close relationships, particularly siblings, neighbors, and classmates. This New Moon fosters a more empathetic and compassionate communication style, allowing you to connect with others on a deeper emotional level. For Pisces Rising, learning often comes through intuition and emotional connection. This New Moon amplifies this ability. Pay attention to your gut feelings and emotional responses as you learn something new. They might hold valuable insights waiting to be unlocked. Advice - you have a gift for empathy and compassion, and this New Moon encourages you to use these qualities in your communication. Listen deeply to others, express yourself with kindness, and don't be afraid to share your unique perspective. The world needs your voice!

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#astro #astrology #astro posts #astrology community #astro community #astro notes #astrology notes #astrology posts #astro observations #astrology observations #taurus #taurus new moon #astrology help #astrology readings #astrology placements #paid readings

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