#man…… I was 14 when I drew that first one and here I am. back in the fucking building again

[kingshadows1001]

who up beating off‼️⚾️

(og under cut)

via October 2016

[stromuprisahat]

Can you help me to understand the tether between Alina and Aleksander? I've seen people say that it was formed when he collared her but if that's true then why not use it when she's on the run from him? I always thought that's why he got his nichevo'ya to wound her and why he thanked her, because it allowed that connection to form. Am I wrong here?

Okay, well, I'm still re-reading, but...

They're written as two halves of the same whole. They're supposed to be complimentary opposites, that's why Aleksander's waiting for the Sun Summoner instead of settling for just any immortal, why he believes they're meant to be even after encountering other immortals' different worldviews and Alina's refusal to accept her own greatness. She won't only live long, they're bound by the Making, so she's predisposed to ~understand~ (And there are moments, when she does. Only her upbringing, issues and moral police companions prevent her from embracing what's between them.).

The first clear sign of their interconnection's showed during Winter Fete, although from the wording, I've missed at least two earlier ones:

The moment his lips met mine, the connection between us opened and I felt his power flood through me. I could feel how much he wanted me—but behind that desire, I could feel something else, something that felt like anger. I drew back, startled. “You don’t want to be doing this.” “This is the only thing I want to be doing,” he growled, and I could hear the bitterness and desire all tangled up in his voice. “And you hate that,” I said with a sudden flash of comprehension. He sighed and leaned against me, brushing my hair back from my neck. “Maybe I do,” he murmured, his lips grazing my ear, my throat, my collarbone.

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 14

"... the connection between us ..." suggests it's something Alina figured out exists before this time, so she didn't experience it only once.

Then there's the Collar that gives Aleksander access to Alina's powers, although it's not exactly clear how it works.

I had spared the stag’s life. The power of that life belonged to me as surely as it belonged to the man who had taken it. ... The Darkling looked momentarily confused. He narrowed his eyes, and I felt his will descend on me again, felt that invisible hand grasping. I shrugged it off. It was nothing. He was nothing.

Shadow and Bone- Chapter 22

Like: Sorry honey, either the power belongs to you both, or you have the upper hand.

I would kill for Aleksander's LOGICAL explanation.

The nichevo'ya bite deepened the Bond, that's why Sasha did it. My guess is it might be something about merzost affecting the Making, therefore the connection formed by it, AND the tiny little detail the creatures might be created with use of said force, but from his own being. He's basically running around donating his body fluids essence to his closest "enemies"... *wink wink*

We don't know more than what he tells Alina, so perhaps he could feel her presence before that. Perhaps Alina's youth and inexperience played bigger part in her use of their connection, than we think. Perhaps her many issues did. (I hate repeating this phrase, but THE WASTED POTENTIAL!) Why tell your stubbornly uncooperating soulmate you have an in-build compass to help you track them, if they left a trail of more profane kind?

[geekywritings]

The stories that scars can tell

You guys are incredible! Just as I am working through last week’s requests, there are already new ones in my inbox. Thank you again for all your inspiration and encouragement. And of course, all requests will get a story!

But first, here is another one from last week: “You icon, it’s your fav anon again hehehe. So you are the best place to req for Cal so here’s another one 🤭 Cal x reader who has scars and he accidentally psychometry on one and he learns about her traumatic past and the comfort is reallll???”

_________

Cal had always been an early riser, while you preferred to stay in bed just that little bit longer. Now, after you had got together, the Jedi began to lounge in the mornings as well, enjoying that extra bit of time by your side.

He would busy himself studying your face or just closing his eyes to enjoy the feel of your warm body against his until you woke up. It was like a new form of meditation that offered him more calmness and happiness than he had ever thought possible.

This morning however was going to be different. You were still asleep, your nude body cuddled into Cal’s, as he drew lazy circles over your back. He could feel the traces of old scars there, some more faded than others. You were both fighters in this war, so your bodies were bound to carry the marks, but many of yours were older.

You had never spoken of their origin and Cal had never asked, knowing well that some things were better left to rest in the past. Still, sometimes he couldn’t help but wonder what your life had been like before meeting him. Before the rebellion. Before the fall of the Republic.

And just like that, his special Force power activated against his will, as his finger glided over a particularly long scar going from your shoulder down your back.

He found himself in a dark world of metal and strobe lights. Nar Shadaa? Corellia? It was hard to tell. Besides, something else quickly drew his attention. The agonizing screams of a girl, maybe 13 or 14 years old, as she knelt in a puddle of spilled drinks on the ground, shattered glass all around her. It was you, he realized. A younger version of you, to be exact.

“I told you to be more careful!” a tall man behind you yelled, as he hit you repeatedly with his belt. “You are the most useless slave ever! I should just sell you! It would be good riddance!”

Cal’s entire body was shaking with anger and disgust. And instantly, he forced himself to pull away from the vision. As much as he would have liked, he couldn’t pull his lightsaber at the man. An echo was just that, a replay of past events with no way to change them.

“What did you see?”

Your soft voice drew him back into the present and guilt filled him, as if he had invaded your privacy.

“I know that look on your face. You had one of those Force visions.” He had tried explaining them to you and while you could never fully grasp how they worked, you had come to know when they happened.

“I am sorry, Y/N… I didn’t mean to…”, he began, the guilt carrying in his voice.

“It’s alright. I know you can’t always control it… What did you see?”, you ended up repeating your question.

“I saw you being beaten… over spilled drinks.”

“Yes, my Master did that quite often.”

“You… were a slave?”, Cal asked hesitantly and you nodded. It wasn’t something you liked talking about, but it was no secret either. And especially the man you loved deserved to know.

“But slavery was forbidden…”

“The Republic didn’t have its eyes everywhere, Cal. And it wasn’t perfect. It tolerated more bad things than you and I can imagine…”, you spoke, adjusting your position, so that you could look at Cal better. “But the Empire is even worse.”, you tacked on, explaining why you were fighting for a Republic that had let you suffer.

“I never knew… I was so blind to a lot of things…” It was something the Jedi learned anew every day. How sheltered his life at the Temple had been. How much the war had covered. How many problems had been left unchecked because there was nobody to take care of them.

“We have the chance to make things better. That’s why we fight, right?” It was the reason you fought, at least.

Instead of answering, Cal pulled you into his arms, holding you close and burying his face in your hair. “I won’t let anyone treat you like that again. I promise.”, he whispered to you and you smiled, a hand gently playing with the hair on the nape of his neck. “We will make things better.”, he added on a vow. “For us. For everyone.”

You had no idea how you would manage that. You were but a handful of rebels against the might of an Empire. But right then, it didn’t matter. All that mattered were Cal’s arms around you, making you feel safe, protected and loved.

“We will, Cal. But for now, just kiss me.” And he gladly did.

[samstudios8108]

So I have come down with the plague, meaning I only have energy to play Outer Wilds and that's about it. That also means I'm gonna post something that I drew awhile ago.

So uhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... do you want oc stuff?

...

too bad you're getting oc stuff

Night of Caligo Tribe

MY SONNNN

I've talked about him a little bit on here; really tried my best to dial it down with my undying obsession with him, but I'm cracking so you get to hear allllll about him. Hopefully I get to expand on all this in the future, but for now you get a rant.

Okay okay okay,. Time to get right into it. Y'all have no idea how excited I am that I finally get to share him with the internet.

This is the one and only Night of Caligo Tribe. He is one of the 8 (9...10?) main characters for my book Shaken Earth. At the start of the book, Night is almost 14 years old. His birthday is October 16th.

Night is the Darkness Protector for the Five Tribes. I know right now I'm really just spouting random words; I promise I'll explain in the future. When I'm not dying. And when I actually have the motivation to really pick at the worldbuilding.

Time for a nice thick summary of his backstory. Once again, I hope to explain all in the future, and in greater detail.

Night grew up peacefully in the quiet town Laomedeia, his mother's love for space quickly bleeding onto him. Moondust taught Night everything she knew, and answered every question her son had to the best of her ability. Peaksnow was often traveling for his line of work, making the bond between Moondust and Night closer still.

Night grew up, went to school, and quickly met his first friend: Sun. Sun was a bubbly, loud spoken girl. She greeted Night with a smile the moment he walked into her 4th grade class. Despite Night being a whole year younger than her, he was in the same class as her, and despite the 2's strikingly different personalities and mannerisms, they hit it off really well.

Over the years, Night's relationship with Sun grew and grew. The 2 were almost inseparable, and they had even started to develop a gangle for friends as well. Burn and Raven had were a 2 years younger than Sun, but had joined in the neighborhood play after around a year of Night and Sun knowing each other.

As Night grew older, he started to realize the tensions within his family more. Maybe it was that the arguments between his parents grew more frequent, or Night finally grew a pair of eyes; he's not too sure what happened first.

Things especially started to worsen as the war between the Other Tribe grew longer and longer. Though the war had started when Night was only 6, it had really started to ware down on the Tribes, and many of the traveling working were highly encouraged to stay home until the war died down (if it did).

Peaksnow was always a man who loved his work, so this lockdown made him aggravated and antsy. Disagreements between him and his wife became more commonplace. Night would stay in his house less and less; it was much more fun to stay outside and be with friends. There would even be days where the fighting would get so bad, he'd stay over at Sun's for the night (with mom's permission, of course).

The fighting came to a head one night, a couple weeks after Night's 10th, and Moondust desperately needed a break. She told Night that she was going to leave for a couple days, but that she would be back. It distressed Night, but he knew that his mother would never abandon him. And she never did... not by choice at least.

A week went by without Moondust's return. 2 weeks went by. Then 3. By the end of the 3rd week, a knock at the door was heard. The police relayed the information they had found. Moondust had died somewhere near the border of Caligo Tribe. It was speculated to be some kind of Other Tribe attack. Moondust was a well-known face, a local celebrity and hard to miss among scientists. Her work was renowned, and the Other Tribe was notorious for attacking the pride of the Five Tribes. Unfortunately, she was one of the Tribes' treasures.

This broke Night. By the Spirit's he was only 10, and the one person who loved him more than the world, more than the universe, was dead. At first it was impossible to believe, but it quickly became the terrible reality of it.

After that, Night's family life entirely fell apart. Instead of Peaksnow taking up a more parental role, he simply became neglectful, taken over by the grief of losing his wife. Night practically lived at Sun's. Sun's parents — Rootwillow and Starwing — had seen the way Peaksnow had practically forgotten about his child, and came to the executive decision to adopt Night. For 2 years they fought the battle to be Night´s parents, until it finally became a reality.

Now 4 years after the war — nearly 4 years after his mother´s death — Night still hasn´t fully healed. Who could? It's was the death of a person who loved him infinitely. But the grief has turned Night bitter and untrusting. He finds it difficult to make meaningful relationships now. Deep down he knows it's partially a hole he dug himself in, but frankly he doesn't have the energy to get himself back out of it.

Anywayyyyyy, that's what I have before the book starts. Night is genuinely my comfort character. I've been with him through the 2020's. I've been through what he goes through during the book, and I've come out of the other side, happier from it. Night is almost a time machine back to when I was 12, where I get to pick apart the years I disassociated the most. I love Night, with all my heart.

[typewriter83]

Hi! I've been following your work for some time now, and I think you're such a prolifically skilled writer. I prefer the canon dynamic between Joel and Ellie, and the fact that their relationship has father-daughter themes but isnt purely that, yet also isn't romantic. However, I will dabble in some stories about Joellie and I do find that concept interesting. Just out of curiosity, I was wondering what your thoughts are on one of the OG fics, Flying to Wyoming? I noticed you mentioned it in a previous post listing fics. I know that while it's well-written, it's also considered a rather controversial (and at times, extreme) fic, and for good reason. I'm interested in seeing what other people think.

Oh, hello! First of all, sweet new cub, you’re too kind - I’m so touched that you enjoy my stories. Like sincerely touched. Thank you.

I came into the the TLOU fandom from the show, looking for Joel&Ellie stories, and had no interest in the romantic ship - shh, don’t tell the cubs - but it was fics that drew my attention and curiosity and eventually the brain rot sent in. I’m a fan of the canon dynamics too - minus Ellie’s treatment of Joel in Part 2, but that’s a topic for another day.

But yes, let’s talk about Flying to Wyoming because on the surface, it’s the quintessential Joellie story - discussion below the cut - it’s LONG, so buckle up.

FtW is one of those stories that I should have let lie, should have let it be a one and done, enjoyed it and never gone back. I read the entire 600k word behemoth in less than a week, which means I was speed-reading, skimming and not in great depth and detail. But at the end, those last paragraphs of the final installment, I was crying, like tears flowing down my cheeks and I wandered my house like I’d lost real people in my life. (Am dramatic, didn’t y’all know?)

The basic dynamics of the story are there - a sweeping epic, cross-country survival adventure where a teenaged orphan girl falls in love with her older male protector, one of the first people that’s ever protected her, ever put her first. Much like the canon story, Ellie starts off terrified of Joel and what he might be capable of, and Joel treats Ellie like cargo because he doesn’t want to get close to her and fail yet another that comes into his life. And, honestly, this story could have been a platonic story, 100% it would have worked - even with undertones of a teenager crushing on an older man, it would have worked. But, because of the twist the writer takes, we have a whole different angle that’s being built up to - trust me, guilt-ridden Joel is my bread and butter and there’s a lot of guilt in his inner dialogue. Ellie’s a very curious, horny teenager - which is pretty much on target for the character. I’ve written both these angles, myself, and so have others.

So, what’s my problem with it? It’s a lot. The change in dynamics after the FtW2 - it’s been awhile since I’ve read it, so if I mess up the timeline, that’s on me - Ellie is still 14 when they set out for SLC and the explicit sexual activities ramp up pretty quickly especially at the bed and breakfast. I’m judging here - okay, maybe a little, and I have no place to judge - but that’s a lot for a young teenage girl. My problem with it is simply a matter of opinion - Ellie was so young. Am I a prude? Was I sheltered? Maybe - or maybe it just wasn’t my cup of tea for reading material.

The writer is talented, his depictions of a broken world are brilliantly detailed. His depictions of how states would fight states and the scars left in the earth after battles that took place long before Ellie was born are gorgeously detailed. His descriptions of abandoned and desolate towns along the highways are incredible. Some of my favorite scenes come from their stops along the way, but namely the town at the edge of the Mississippi where they stop for bike repairs - it’s a real bonding moment for Joel & Ellie and the town’s description is vividly painted.

Those are my positive takeaways from the story - the writer draws you in with his depictions of the broken world and it’s part of the draw to the TLOU universe for me as well. The whole idea of two humans walking - or on the back of a bike - across a broken country, it’s just so compelling.

Back to the Joellie aspect of the saga.

It’s made very clear in the final story - which by the way is the best title: The Home at the End of the Road is just a perfect title to describe not only their home once they settle in Jackson, but Jackson itself is their home at the end of their long journey. I could weep - anyway, by the final story, it’s made clear that Ellie is considered an adult by end-of-the-world standards when she turns 16, and Joel is finally ready (at peace?) to give himself completely to her. I didn’t particularly care for the scene itself - it’s not how I would have written it, it’s not what I was looking for or expecting, but we’re not yucking on anyone’s yum here, it just wasn’t it for me.

The story jumps ahead by a good decade and immediately takes a sad, different kind of dark turn - we know Joel is mortal (for some of us, he’s not, but here he is) and the writer spends the last chapter showing that they’ve started a family but Joel’s mortality is this dark cloud over the home at the end of the road.

What I’m about to say next is entirely my opinion - I never had a chance to speak to the writer, he was long gone from ao3 by the time I read this story - this is my opinion. The idea of the war between FEDRA and surrounding communities felt like it was taken straight out of The Walking Dead - I don’t mean that in a bad way, just that it felt out of place for the universe. TWD and TLOU take place in different times beyond the start of their respective outbreaks - TWD is about 15ish years after the outbreak when the show ends and FtW is about 30-35 years after - that’s a big difference. I don’t think there are a lot of big communities out there in the TLOU universe - not like what was depicted in FtW, and an all out war against FEDRA. Again this is just my opinion.

When I set out to write Every Night Has Its Dawn, I wanted the epilogue to be an homage and draw inspiration from the final chapter of Home at the End of the Road. I wanted to show that living at the end of the world could be possible for Joel and Ellie and the family they have together. I was so devastated by FtW ending with not only Ellie losing Joel and one of her children, but then she loses her own life. It was too heartbreaking, and I had another vision.

That’s a lot of fucking rambling to get to the point. The story itself is a good story - the details and the way the Joel/Ellie relationship were written were not my cup of tea and I can see why you say that it’s an extreme example of the forbidden ship. It is. It’s a lot - there’s a lot of graphic descriptions of underage sexual activity, and it’s depraved, a lot of it. Does that make it bad? No, it makes it someone else’s enjoyment. It gives us writers inspiration though - there’s a lot he writes that I strive to write, but there’s a lot that I would change, and maybe did a little to fit into my universe.

Anyway, that’s my long winded take. If you stick around this long, y’all deserve a medal. Drop a line if you wanna add something to this. I would love to discuss more.

🫶🏻

[oswlld]

oswlld's monthly wrap up: january

note: i am trying something a bit different this year, so bear with me as i figure out how i want to format this. i wanted to spend more time sharing what i consume, beyond what i rb, and put my thoughts in one place. these posts are okay to rb

--

The Fifth Season, N.K. Jemisin [started 11/03, finished 01/23] This was originally a dnf from 2023 that i decided to pick up again. My entry point into her work was The City We Became and fell in love with her voice. With Fifth Season, however, I felt like I loved parts of the story but didn’t fall in love with the sum of the whole. I will go more into why in the tags because it will touch on spoilers (mildly!) I still gave it 4⭐️ in storygraph. — The Moth Presents: All These Wonders, Catherine Burns [started 01/05, finished 01/31] I bought this collection from Half Price so long ago, I’ve forgotten what drew me in. Probably because of the Neil Gaiman foreword. I had not heard of The Moth so I went into this blind. Some of the stories made me wish I heard it live and feel the story breathe and beat with the audience. 4.25⭐️ in storygraph.

Flavorful Origins, Netflix [started: 09/28, finished 01/04] I watched s1/s2 in 2023 at various pts of the fall/winter. Finally wrapped up s3 in January and caught up. Unsure if its a complete series or ongoing, but I do hope to return to the series in the future if they do upload more seasons. This series reminds me of the YT channel Liziqi, where they take one ingredient and unravel the techniques and related dishes by region. A great palate cleanser amongst all the other shows I typically gravitate towards. — Last Twilight, GMMTV on YT [started 11/10, finished 01/26] The only show I watched in real time, as it premiered week by week. If I solely focus on the January episodes, for the sake of this post, I can’t say I was happy with the way the final act was handled. If I look back on the whole of it, it’s still really special to me. In fact, there are episodes that still stand as the very best in television, THE BEST. Still licking the wounds inflicted by the finale, though. — Moving, Hulu [started 01/08, finished 01/30] This lured me in by process of dash osmosis, which is the very best brand of entry pt. I am O B S E S S E D with this show, I am singing its praises! It soothed the scars left by the show Heroes. Amongst all the action sequences, espionage, and high school drama is this huge heart beating loud and strong. Lee Mihyun, the way I love youuuuu, the character you are 🤌🏼🤌🏼🤌🏼 Guys, she saved January for me.

Chevalier, Hulu [watched on 01/14] The short runtime (well, short for the current landscape of cinema) did give me pause. I think some of the emotional beats could have been deepened if given 20 more min of his involvement in the rebellion. I think I wanted the betrayal to really cut me to the bone, but it felt like a papercut. — BlacKkKlansman [watched on 1/31] At this point, I would follow John David Washington’s career to the very end. I love his natural charisma. I want to see him go thru alllll the situations and wish this movie gave him a lot more room to breathe. Laura Harrier took me by surprise, portraying the BSU president Patrice. The story came to a very mild end and felt very tame, but the suspense held its own.

Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), Noah Kahan [first time listening] I originally learned about him when I was in my Lizzy McAlpine hyperfixation last year and heard she was a feature in one of his songs. And then I discovered a duet Noah did with Hozier and knew I had to spend time this month to sit down and really digest his album. WHOA MAN, this is one of those formative moments when music perfectly aligns with my current state of being. Take that as you will. Current top 5: Come Over, Strawberry Wine, Northern Attitude, Halloween, Your Needs My Needs — Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 [relistening] what else is there to say, this is a mandatory yearly listen when it becomes below 0 outside. When I saw this show live, it was a January date as well so this relisten really got me spiralling. These two albums got me Feeling 🧍🏻‍♀️ on my walks.

Minecraft [game, on Switch] I got this game as a christmas gift and was where I spend most of my waking hours outside of work. I enjoyed watch MC streams on twitch and knew I would enjoy playing on my own. I get it now, I am soooooo late to this game. I think and dream Minecraft. My mountain house and harbor builds? Immaculate. They basic, but immaculate. Now I’m in my fishing era, esp when I have Stick Season playing in the background (nothing else mattered when the sun was rising and the song The View Between Villages played in the bg, it was a religious experience). — Lethal Company [game, on Twitch/YT] My entire month has been hopping from one stream to another, lobby after lobby. This game is so fun to watch and witness how all the mods evolved as time went on. I don’t think I myself would play the game myself, as I am a bit of a scaredy cat, but watching my fav groups play has been a highlight.

[edupunkn00b]

French Kiss: Tale of the Revolution, Ch. 14: The Road Back

Colorized version of Fighting at the Hotel de Ville, 28th July 1830 by Jean Victor Schnetz. (embedded image description)

Prev - The Road Back - Next - Masterpost - [ AO3 ]

Logan leaned heavily against the side of the carriage, arms crossed over his chest. He’d angled the horses so they could wait in the shade until Janus to finally emerged. He kept one eye on the path from the palace entrance, the other on the steady march of the sun up to its late-June zenith. Janus, or rather, Patton, had gotten word to him that Janus had news to share and would finally be returning to him Paris. The message had said Janus would depart in the morning, so Logan had risen before the sun and made the journey out to Versailles, ensuring time for the horses to rest before the trip back in the hottest part of the day.

Patton had met him at the stables when he’d gone to water and rub down the horses. At first sight, the sweet little server had run up and flung his arms around him. “Oh, Logan, here, sit down.” He’d ushered Logan down onto a bench and pressed a cup of water into his hands.

“Really, Patton, I am quite alright,” Logan began, rising from his seat.

Patton stopped him with a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder. “Sit, if you please,” he murmured. “I'll care for the horses.” Logan’s resolve melted and he sat back, leaning heavily against the stable wall. He sipped at his water and covered Patton’s hand with his own.

“Thank you, Patton,” he murmured. The little server’s hand was warm, but not uncomfortably so and, with a pang, Logan realized just how much he’d missed the young man's sunny optimism.

“Oh, look out,” a passing stable hand muttered. “Prince Roman wouldn’t like to see you holding hands with his latest favorite.” He snickered and made a lewd gesture behind Patton’s back. “They say he doesn’t like to share.”  

Logan’s head jerked up, eyes wide as he stared at Patton in alarm, but the little server shook his head, cheeks pinker than usual. “Only gossip. Prince Roman has been kind to me, little gifts of cakes and fruit. But that’s all it is.” He smiled and patted Logan’s shoulder as he stood. “Finish your water and I’ll get you more. You can tell me all about what happened in Paris when the assembly was dismissed.”  

“Yes," he signed heavily. "There was… talk of marching to the King and demanding an audience. With or without his head attached to his body,” Logan began, voice low. “I managed to convince the loudest of them, Colére, to back down and reconsider the ramifications, but…” He sighed again and slumped against the wall for a moment. “It’s not going to take much to boil over.”

“We’ll just need to get a win, then, won’t we?” Patton looked up and shook out the towel he’d used on the horses and drew them over to a trough filled with clean water. “Go ahead, you two, have a good drink there,” he cooed at the beasts that dwarfed him. 

Sidling close to Logan’s bench, Patton sat next to him. He gave Logan a little shrug, even the dark discussion unable to dull his optimistic grin. “We might be getting somewhere with Prince Remus.”

“What have you heard?” Logan asked, letting the horses’ nickering and sloshing in the water cover his words. 

Patton grinned up at Logan. “It’s not what I’ve been hearing, but what Janus has."

The dissolution of the Assembly had led to a flurry of meetings between the King, Prince Remus, and the various ministers and advisors. Twice Patton had been assigned to stock the former King’s listening room and dutifully avoided meeting Janus’ eyes when he’d found him there, quill flying across his parchment, covering page upon page with the details of their discussions, schemes and counterpoints.

“He’s bringing it all with him to Paris,” he nodded, bouncing curls backlit with the hot midday sun just outside.

"How did he manage that?" It was all too good to be true.

“I think…” Patton traced the footprints in the dirt with his heel. ”I think that’s the why he’s asked to return so early.”

“Early!?” Logan sputtered. “He’s been gone for a fortnight!” 

Patton’s smile was gentle as he covered Logan’s hand with his own. “It feels early to him. And to the Prince, I would expect.”

~~~

Logan’s head jerked up, ripped from his reverie by the sound of footsteps on gravel. He peered down the path and smiled, the icy iron bands that had wrapped around his chest since Janus stepped into the castle two weeks ago finally loosening. Though the figure was still too far away to see clearly, Logan saw that delicate stride in his dreams.

As Janus drew nearer, sunlight played across his features, and Logan was amazed as he always was at the way Janus managed to bring life to the painted corpse look so popular among the aristocracy. Though his lips and cheeks were dyed a most unnatural red, the upturned corners, the little quirk in his eyebrow, the light in his eyes… No amount of artificial makeup could hide that.

Janus’ smile was softer, more… more genuine than Logan had seen in a long, long time. His footsteps skipped over the gravel as he turned to look over his shoulder, casting a brighter smile and a little finger-waggle wave at a lower window. Janus lingered for a long moment before finally turning back, his cheeks impossibly brighter. His smile stiffened, for a just moment, when he caught sight of Logan.  

He seemed to recover quickly, though, and by the time he’d reached the carriage, he hummed a light tune and passed his bag to Logan. Playing his part, the former priest bowed his head and accepted the heavy satchel with one hand and opened the carriage door with the other. “It is so good to see you again, Janus.” He kept his voice low so it wouldn’t carry back to the palace as he helped Janus into the cab. Even so, his voice cracked and warbled, surely just a bit of fatigue from the long journey and another poor night’s sleep.  Once Janus was settled, he leaned over the window sash and pointed at the travel case already inside. “I brought your own clothes and face tonic,” He smiled up at Janus, convincing himself it was his fatigue that saw hesitancy in his friend’s hands as he reached for the bag. “You can get back to yourself. Patton’s waiting for us just past the last gate,” he whispered just before snapping the brogue foot shut. “He’s gotten quite familiar with the surrounding woods during your visit.”

“That’s very fortunate,” Janus murmured from the darkened cab. “And… thank you,” he added, smoothing down his waistcoat. “It will be good to discuss everything that’s transpired.” Logan’s eyes caught on Janus’ new silk gloves and the glint of gold peeking out from beneath his sleeve. The rest of his clothing and the buttery soft leather satchel Logan now carried were also new.

As was the light red mark just under Janus’ jaw, ill-concealed by his face powder.

“Indeed,” Logan murmured before he climbed up to the driver’s perch and urged the horses back down the path and away from Versailles. 

~~~

A hundred or so yards past the last gate, Logan spotted Patton’s signal, that slightly too-regular to be natural dotted line of white stones along the edge of the path. He stopped the carriage and Patton’s cheerful face emerged from the thicket. “Thought that was you, Petit,” he murmured to the taller horse, stretching to scratch around her harness. The other horse snuffled at the wrapped package slung across his body with twine. “That’s not for you, Naif,” he smiled and favored the other beast with a pet as well. “That’s for Logan,” he murmured, laughter in his voice.

“Hey there, Logan,” he cheered quietly once he’d clambered up onto the driver’s perch. “Thanks for the ride,” he chuckled at his repeated joke once he’d settled. “I brought you something.” He set the hefty package between them on the bench.  “Some bread and cheese and that jambon sec you like. Oh! And fresh fruit.” He reached into the large pocket on the side of his trouser leg and retrieved a small bottle of wine. “And another of these to share,” he said with a sheepish smile. “Prince Roman was very generous when he heard I was heading out for errands,” Patton smiled, blushing.

“This appears to be more than generosity,” Logan began carefully, frowning at the bounty Patton carried, the stable hand's words about the prince's favorite echoing in his ears.

“He fancies me,” Patton said matter-of-factly as he took the reins from Logan’s hands. “But he’s been respectful and has emphasized he expects nothing in return but my consideration.” He grinned at Logan, nudging the packet of food closer to him. “No need to worry, Logan, you know where my heart lies.”

The grumble in Logan’s stomach was likely audible to Patton, but he said nothing of it, instead he only grinned happily when Logan opened the packet and tore off a bit of the crusty loaf. “It’s still warm,” he murmured around a bite. They fell into a companionable quiet as he ate.

After several minutes, Janus slid open the tiny window between the driver’s perch and the compartment. His face shone, bright and clean, with a natural pink tinge on his cheeks and a slight darkening of his scar. “May I join you two?” he asked.

~~~

Janus waited until the carriage had turned away from the palace before he slowly removed the change of clothes Logan had so thoughtfully packed for him. He picked up his once-familiar breeches and blouse, the plain linen waistcoat he’d once been so proud of. He traced the seams, counting the buttons, almost reminding himself of his ordinary clothes. His ordinary life. 

After he carefully unbuttoned the finery Prince Remus had given him and slipped it off, he smoothed down the brocaded silk, then folded and tucked it into the case. He dressed slowly, waiting until he had removed the fine silks to take off his wig and make-up. By the time he was done, Logan had already stopped the carriage and picked up Patton and he’d half-listening to their conversation as he dressed.

He nodded to himself when Patton mentioned Roman. The younger prince's interest had been obvious, and, as much as Janus could without revealing who the little blond server really was, had asked Remus what he knew. Apparently Roman said in private to his brother everything he’d said to Patton. Janus had pledged to himself to keep an eye on the younger prince, but had neither seen nor heard anything untoward.

He slid open the little window and smiled out at them. Out of his court clothing and back in his softer, sturdier wear, Janus was slowly getting back to himself. But each squeaking turn of the carriage wheels seemed to announce the growing distance between him and Remus, and it had become strikingly lonely in the compartment.

“May I join you?”

Logan covered his mouth with a napkin, and nodded rapidly. Patton eased the horses to a stop and Logan leapt down to open the carriage. “There’s no need to serve me out here, Lo,” Janus murmured, accepting his outstretched hand with a small squeeze. “Though I do appreciate it,” he quickly added when Logan's grip loosened and he looked away. At his words, his friend’s face shone again, clouds clearing after a storm.

The three men made room for each other on driver’s perch, with Patton insisting he keep the reins for a while. Sandwiched between them, he nodded to Janus. “It looked like you were privy to some interesting information,” he prompted and turned to Logan. “I can't count the number of times I saw you in the old King's listening room." He grinned at Janus, seemingly guileless eyes dancing. “How did you manage that?”

“Is this… is this true? It's not an exaggeration?” Logan reached across Patton to touch his hand, pride and hope painting his face. “You truly have earned his trust.”

“Well, y—yes,” Janus began. This wasn’t how he’d meant to tell Logan everything that had happened. To be sure, he hadn’t been certain how he was going to explain, but Patton’s exuberance seemed to have made the decision for him. “I… I demonstrated how much I trusted him, I suppose,” he said vaguely.

Logan’s hand on his stiffened. “What does that mean, Janus?” he asked, his earlier optimism hardening.

“I… Well, he saw my face. My scar and…” Janus’ voice trailed off. This was even more difficult than he’d expected.

“You were intimate,” Logan said, eyes flicking away from the few marks Janus had attempted to keep covered.

“Yes,” Janus nodded. Patton was silent, hands tight on the reins, tight enough Janus heard the leather crack. “And…”

“And?” Logan’s voice shook. They had not discussed this, they had not planned this. The scowl behind his words evidence that when Logan had assured him he would not pressure him into violating his own comfort for the cause, he hadn’t actually expected him to sleep with the Prince.

“And I told him my name.”

“You what?” Logan’s shout startled a family of rabbits browsing in the grass and he stood, wobbling on the perch to peer down the road behind them. Patton shifted the reins to one hand and reached for Logan’s arm, steadying him. “Are you completely mad? Impersonating a nobleman is grounds for execution!”

“Remus would never—”

“Oh, Remus. So much for 'The Prince.'" Logan's mocking tone seared his ears. "I suppose once you share his bed you might as well use his first name like he was some harlot you’d wrestled between the sheets.”

“Logan,” Patton hissed, but he continued as though he hadn’t heard.

“I cannot believe you would jeopardize the movement, jeopardize the mission, jeopardize your own safety simply because a pretty face looked your way!” He sat back down and glared at Janus over Patton’s head. “All soft words and kisses until he’s sucking on your neck!”

“Now, Logan, let’s—” Patton tried again.

“Or perhaps the pleasures of the flesh matter more to you than—”

“Logan!” Patton shouted and everyone froze. Even the horses stopped short, stamping their feet and snorting nervously.

“Janus, I—” Logan’s mouth worked but made no sound. Janus stared back at him, his scar tight and hot. The fire, the outrage he knew simmered beneath his friend's reasoned demeanor burned as it splashed over him. Patton avoided both their eyes and made quiet clicking sounds at the horses, calming them. Logan hung his head for a long moment before finally meeting Janus’ gaze. His eyes were glassy with tears. Janus looked away. “I apologize, Janus, I—I—I… I have no excuse, that was—I was…”

“Perhaps it would be better for everyone if I rode in the carriage the rest of the way,” Janus finally said without looking at either of them. Without another word, he slipped down from the perch and let himself into the riding compartment, snapping the door and the window shut right before his own tears fell.

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

2nd March >> Mass Readings (Except USA)

Saturday, Second Week of Lent 

(Liturgical Colour: Violet: B (2))

First Reading Micah 7:14-15,18-20 Have pity on us one more time.

With shepherd’s crook, O Lord, lead your people to pasture, the flock that is your heritage, living confined in a forest with meadow land all around. Let them pasture in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of Egypt grant us to see wonders.

What god can compare with you: taking fault away, pardoning crime, not cherishing anger for ever but delighting in showing mercy? Once more have pity on us, tread down our faults, to the bottom of the sea throw all our sins. Grant Jacob your faithfulness, and Abraham your mercy, as you swore to our fathers from the days of long ago.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 102(103):1-4,9-12

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry for ever. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 15:18

Glory and praise to you, O Christ! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’ Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel Luke 15:1-3,11-32 The prodigal son.

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them:

‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.

‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father.

‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate. ‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”

‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[ddelline]

ch83—136 | a shibuya OST

what | 49 quintessentially shibuya sounding tracks from every which genre (except the overused nu-metal the fandom wants) blurb | encountered one too many threads about the forthcoming (incredible sounding) shibuya OST filled w "it’s not hard/aggressive-sounding enough to fit the arc"-discourse, which gave me a rash, bc music w/o screaming can also sound (&go) hard af. so that forced me to assemble all my finest genre finds under the category “aggressive/raw/claustrophobic/menacing sounding tracks”, ranging from electro/ebm/breaks/idm → art pop/electronica/triphop → psychedelic rock & more. tldr here it is: the result of me being Affronted By Someone’s Musical Opinion On The Internet playlist → spotify (cont updated) tracklist | under cut

1. Identified Patient — Low Kust instr

2. Tricky & Martina Topley-Bird — Hell Is Round The Corner distant drums bring the news of a kill tonight  the kill which I share with my passengers  we take our fill, take our fill, take our fill

3. COUCOU CHLOE — WIZZ high—not the first time (shh)  high—not your last time (shh)

4. Tzusing — Gait instr

5. Martina Topley-Bird — Too Tough To Die derision’s a cold wind against my skin  you keep a-flayin’ til there’s no skin at all  what’s to hold it together when you stumble  and you fall

6. Labrinth — Nate Growing Up player, player put the money on it

7. Smoke City — Devil Mood I feel in a devil of a mood being instilled by the devil  wicked hot, brings me so much pain  and pleasure I can’t keep away

8. Massive Attack — Risingson now you’re lost and you’re lethal  and now’s about the time you gotta leave all  these good people; dream on

9. Portishead — Wandering Star those who have seen the needle’s eye now tread like a husk from which all that was now has fled  and the masks that the monsters wear  to feed upon their prey

10. The Herbaliser — The Sensual Woman instr

11. Vessel — Red Sex instr

12. Björk — Hunter I’m not stopping: I’m going hunting  I’m the hunter—I’ll bring back the goods 

13. Sofa Surfers — Hardwire psychic shrapnel  the ruin in me  I don’t want no heroes  cause someday you see the wire

14. Dollkraut — Rollercoaster instr

15. Nearly God, Terry Hall & Martina Topley-Bird — Poems forget the punk, I pack the funk  I’m gonna take a piece of you

16. Tristesse Contemporaine — Daytime Nighttime I just keep crashing, living on my rations the bullets and the roses, devil and the poses  don’t know where my ghost is; don’t know where my home is  guess we never chose this

17. Tzusing — 日出東方 唯我不敗 instr

18. Björk — Army of Me you’ll meet an army of me  army of me

19. Erik Lundin — Gold my sight aims on the horizon  through my pulse  and my temperature rising

20. Amnesia Scanner & Freeka Tet — Ledge instr

21. Tzusing — Residual Stress instr

22. The Prodigy — Breathe breathe the pressure come play my game, I’ll test ya psychosomatic, addict, insane

23. Caterina Barbieri — Memory Leak instr

24. Radiohead — The National Anthem everyone is so near  everyone has got the fear  it’s holding on

25. UNKLE & Thom Yorke — Rabbit In Your Headlights fat bloody fingers  are suckin’ your soul  away, away, away

26. Queens of the Stone Age — “You Got A Killer Scene There, Man…” what’s the fuckin’ difference, we all gonna die  you gonna do something killer?  c’mon, give it a try

27. Paul Kalkbrenner — Gebrünn Gebrünn instr

28. Underworld — and the colour red dark charge  no, no, no dark  charge  no, no, no

29. Tricky & Martina Topley-Bird — Black Steel I’m not a fugitive on the run  but a brother like me began to be another one  public enemy servin’ time, they drew the line y’all  they criticize me for some crime 30. Justice — Genesis instr 31. Alice In Chains — Would? am I wrong? have I run too far to get home?  have I gone? and left you here alone? 32. Mother Love Bone — This Is Shangrila so don’t you die on me, babe  don’t you die on me  ‘cause love is all good people need

33. Linkin Park — Faint I can’t feel the way I did before  don’t turn your back on me, I won’t be ignored  time won’t heal this damage anymore 

34. Labrinth — Mount Everest I burn down my house and build it up again  (tell ‘em)  I burn it down twice just for the fun of it (tell ‘em)

35. Vince Staples & Snoh Aalegra — Jump Off The Roof highway to hell and I’m speeding one way to tell if I’m breathing  on three let’s jump off the roof

36. Blawan — Body Ramen instr

37. David Holmes presents The Free Association — Le Baggage rise (rise, rise) rise above ground

38. Nearly God & Björk — Keep Your Mouth Shut better keep your mouth shut, babe  next to your chest  better keep your mouth closed, baby  and keep it close to your chest

39. The Dead Weather — 60 Feet Tall I know it ain’t easy  I must tap your evil well  boy, you come roaring like a bat out of hell

40. Giant Swan — Boasting instr

41. Screaming Trees — Shadow of the Season the hour is ending, can’t you see  there is no way now to get free  in the shadow of the season without a reason to carry on

42. Underworld — Bruce Lee bullet got the wrong bloke but he don’t die anyway  it’s nothing mortal but he don’t move

43. Amon Tobin & MC Decimal R. — Verbal instr

44. Massive Attack & Young Fathers — Voodoo In My Blood voodoo in my blood is livid  blood take, I’m chillin’, chill me  got the soul of a mimic  sign of the wars is my grinning

45. Blawan — Under Belly instr

46. Massive Attack & Roots Manuva — Dead Editors ‘cause to live or to die for  we all search for some kind of truth

47. Gonjasufi — Your Maker (Daddy G Remix) is anyone else tired from working on a spaceship?  from walking on a wire?

48. Labrinth — Gangster instr

49. Tzusing — 戴綠帽 (Wear Green Hat) instr

[renaissanceclassics]

The Pilgrim's Progress: Part 25

Listen to: Book 2, 9th stage, at Renaissance Classics Podcast.

When they were gone from the shepherds, they quickly came to the place where CHRISTIAN met with one TURN-AWAY, that dwelt in the town of Apostasy. Wherefore of him Mr. GREAT-HEART their guide did now put them in mind; saying, "This is the place where CHRISTIAN met with one TURN-AWAY, who carried with him the character of his rebellion at his back. And this I have to say concerning this man: He would hearken to no counsel; but once a-falling, persuasion could not stop him.

"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" ~ Hebrews 10:26-29 ~

When he came to the place where the cross and the sepulchre was, he did meet with one that bade him look there; but he gnashed with his teeth, and stamped, and said he was resolved to go back to his own town. Before he came to the gate, he met with EVANGELIST, who offered to lay hands on him, to turn him into the way again. But this TURN-AWAY resisted him; and having done much despite unto him, he got away over the wall, and so escaped his hand."

Valiant-For-Truth Then they went on; and just at the place where LITTLE-FAITH formerly was robbed, there stood a man with his sword drawn, and his face all bloody. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART, "What art thou?" The man made answer, saying, "I am one whose name is VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH. I am a pilgrim, and am going to the Celestial City. Now as I was in my way, there three men did beset me, and propounded unto me these three things: 1. Whether I would become one of them? 2. Or go back from whence I came? 3. Or die upon the place? To the first I answered, I had been a true man a long season; and therefore it could not be expected that I now should cast in my lot with thieves.

"My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not. If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause: Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit: We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil: Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:" ~ Proverbs 1:10-14 ~

Then they demanded what I would say to the second. So I told them that the place from whence I came, had I not found incommodity there, I had not forsaken it at all; but finding it altogether unsuitable to me, and very unprofitable for me, I forsook it for this way. Then they asked me what I said to the third; and I told them my life cost more dear far, than that I should lightly give it away. Besides, you have nothing to do thus to put things to my choice; wherefore at your peril be it if you meddle. Then these three, to wit, WILD-HEAD, INCONSIDERATE, and PRAGMATIC, drew upon me; and I also drew upon them. "So we fell to it, one against three, for the space of above three hours. They have left upon me, as you see, some of the marks of their valour; and have also carried away with them some of mine. They are but just now gone. I suppose they might, as the saying is, hear your horse dash; and so they betook them to flight." Great-heart. But here were great odds, three against one! Valiant. "'Tis true; but little and more are nothing to him that has the truth on his side. 'Though a host should encamp against me,' said one, 'my heart shall not fear. Though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident,' etc.

"Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident." ~ Psalms 27:3 ~

Besides," said he, "I have read in some records, that one man has fought an army; and how many did Samson slay with the jawbone of an ass?" Great-heart. Then said the guide, "Why did you not cry out, that some might have come in for your succour." Valiant. So I did, to my King,--who I knew could hear, and afford invisible help; and that was sufficient for me. Great-heart. Then said GREAT-HEART to Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, "Thou hast worthily behaved thyself: let me see thy sword." So he showed it him. When he had taken it in his hand, and looked thereon awhile, he said, "Ah, it is a right Jerusalem blade!" Valiant. It is so, Let a man have one of these blades, with a hand to wield it, and skill to use it, and he may venture upon an angel with it. He need not fear its holding, if he can but tell how to lay on. Its edges will never blunt. It will cut flesh, and bones, and soul, and spirit, and all.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" ~ Ephesians 6:12-17 ~ "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." ~ Hebrews 4:12 ~

Great-heart. But you fought a great while, I wonder you were not weary. Valiant. I fought till my sword did cleave to my hand;

"He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil." ~ 2 Samuel 23:10 ~

and when they were joined together, as if a sword grew out of my arm, and when the blood ran through my fingers, then I fought with most courage. Great-heart. Thou hast done well; thou hast resisted unto blood, striving against sin. Thou shall abide by us: come in, and go out with us; for we are thy companions. Then they took him and washed his wounds, and gave him of what they had to refresh him; and so they went on together. Now as they went on, because Mr. GREAT-HEART was delighted in him (for he loved one greatly that he found to be a man of his hands), and because there were with his company them that were feeble and weak, therefore he questioned him about many things; as first, "What countryman he was?" Valiant. I am of Darkland for there I was born; and there my father and mother are still. Great-heart. "Darkland," said the guide; "doth not that lie upon the same coast with the city of Destruction?" Valiant. Yes, it doth. Now that which caused me to come on pilgrimage was this: We had one Mr. TELL-TRUE come into our parts, and he told it about what CHRISTIAN had done, that went from the city of Destruction; namely, how he had forsaken his wife and children, and had betaken himself to a pilgrim's life. It was also confidently reported how he had killed a serpent that did come out to resist him in his journey; and how he got through to whither he intended. It was also told what welcome he had at all his Lord's lodgings; especially when he came to the gates of the Celestial City. "For there," said the man, "he was received with sound of trumpet by a company of shining ones." He told it also how all the bells in the City did ring for joy at his reception; and what golden garments he was clothed with; with many other things that now I shall forbear to relate. In a word, that man so told the story of CHRISTIAN and his travels, that my heart fell into a burning haste to be gone after him; nor could father or mother stay me: so I got from them, and am come thus far on my way. Great-heart. You came in at the gate, did you not? Valiant. Yes, yes; for the same man also told us that all would be nothing, if we did not begin to enter this way at the gate. Great-heart. "Look you," said the guide to CHRISTIANA, "the pilgrimage of your husband, and what he has gotten thereby, is spread abroad far and near." Valiant. Why, is this CHRISTIAN'S wife? Great-heart. Yes, that it is; and these are also her four sons. Valiant. What! and going on pilgrimage too? Great-heart. Yes, verily; they are following after. Valiant. It gladdens me at heart! Good man! How joyful will he be when he shall see them that would not go with him, yet to enter in after him at the gates into the City. Great-heart. Without doubt it will be a comfort to him; for next to the joy of seeing himself there, it will be a joy to meet there his wife and his children. Valiant. But now you are upon that, pray let me hear your opinion about it. Some make a question whether we shall know one another when we are there. Great-heart. Do they think they shall know themselves, then? or that they shall rejoice to see themselves in that bliss? And if they think they shall know and do these, why not know others, and rejoice in their welfare also? Again, since relations are our second self, though that state will be dissolved there, yet why may it not be rationally concluded, that we shall be more glad to see them there, than to see they are wanting? Valiant. Well, I perceive whereabouts you are as to this. Have you any more things to ask me about my beginning to come on pilgrimage? Great-heart. Yes; were your father and mother willing that you should become a pilgrim? Valiant. Oh no; they used all means imaginable to persuade me to stay at home. Great-heart. Why, what could they say against it? Valiant. They said it was an idle life; and if I myself were not inclined to sloth and laziness, I would never countenance a pilgrim's condition. Great-heart. And what did they say else? Valiant. Why, they told me that it was a dangerous way; "yea, the most dangerous way in the world," said they, "is that which the pilgrims go." Great-heart. Did they show wherein this way is so dangerous? Valiant. Yes; and that in many particulars. Great-heart. Name some of them. Valiant. They told me of the Slough of Despond, where CHRISTIAN was well nigh smothered. They told me that there were archers standing ready in Beelzebub Castle to shoot them that should knock at the wicket gate for entrance. They told me also of the wood and dark mountains; of the hill Difficulty; of the lions; and also of the three giants, BLOODY-MAN, MAUL, and SLAY-GOOD. They said, moreover, that there was a foul fiend haunted the Valley of Humiliation, and that CHRISTIAN was by him almost bereft of life. "Besides," said they, "you must go over the Valley of the Shadow of Death, where the hobgoblins are; where the light is darkness; where the way is full of snares, pits, traps, and gins." They told me also of Giant DESPAIR; of Doubting Castle; and of the ruins that the pilgrims met with there. Further, they said, I must go over the Enchanted Ground, which was dangerous. And that, after all this, I should find a river, over which I should find no bridge; and that that river did lie betwixt. me and the Celestial Country. Great-heart. And was this all? Valiant. No: they also told me that this way was full of deceivers; and of persons that laid await there to turn good men out of the path. Great-heart. But how did they make that out? Valiant. They told me that Mr. WORLDLY-WISEMAN did there lie in wait to deceive. They also said that there was FORMALITY and HYPOCRISY continually on the road. They said also that BY-ENDS, TALKATIVE, or DEMAS, would go near to gather me up; that FLATTERER would catch me in his net; or that, with green-headed IGNORANCE, I would presume to go on to the gate, from whence he always was sent back to the hole that was in the side of the hill, and made to go the by-way to hell. Great-heart. I promise you this was enough to discourage. But did they make an end here? Valiant. No; stay. They told me also of many that had tried that way of old; and that had gone a great way therein, to see if they could find something of the glory there that so many had so much talked of from time to time; and how they came back again, and befooled themselves for setting a foot out of doors in that path, to the satisfaction of all the country. And they named several that did so; as OBSTINATE and PLIABLE; MISTRUST and TIMOROUS;--TURN-AWAY, and old ATHEIST; with several more, who, they said, had, some of them, gone far to see if they could find, but not one of them found so much advantage by going as amounted to the weight of a feather. Great-heart. Said they anything more to discourage you? Valiant. Yes; they told me of one Mr. FEARING, who was a pilgrim, and how he found this way so solitary, that he never had a comfortable hour therein; also that Mr. DESPONDENCY had like to have been starved therein; yea, and also--which I had almost forgot--that CHRISTIAN himself, about whom there has been such a noise, after all his ventures for a celestial crown, was certainly drowned in the Black River, and never went a foot farther; however, it was smothered up. Great-heart. And did none of these things discourage you? Valiant. No; they seemed but as so many nothings to me. Great-heart. How came that about? Valiant. Why, I still believed what Mr. TELL-TRUE had said; and that carried me beyond them all. Great-heart. Then this was your victory, even your faith. Valiant. It was so: I believed, and therefore came out, got into the way, fought all that set themselves against me; and, by believing, am come to this place. "Who would true valour see, Let him come hither: One here will constant be, Come wind, come weather. There's no discouragement Shall make him once relent His first avowed intent To be a pilgrim. Who so beset him round With dismal stories, Do but themselves confound-- His strength the more is. No lion can him fright: He'll with a giant fight; But he will have a right To be a pilgrim. Hobgoblin nor foul fiend Can daunt his spirit: He knows he at the end Shall life inherit. Then, fancies, fly away! He'll fear not what men say; He'll labour night and day To be a pilgrim." Overcoming the Enchanted Ground By this time they were got to the Enchanted Ground, where the air naturally tended to make one drowsy. And that place was all grown over with briers and thorns, excepting here and there; where was an enchanted arbour, upon which, if a man sits, or in which, if a man sleeps, 'tis a question, say some, whether ever they shall rise or wake again in this world. Over this forest, therefore, they went, both one with another. Mr. GREAT-HEART went before, for that he was the guide; and Mr. VALIANT-FOR-TRUTH, he came behind, being there a guard--for fear lest peradventure some fiend, or dragon, or giant, or thief, should fall upon their rear, and so do mischief. They went on here each man with his sword drawn in his hand; for they knew it was a dangerous place. Also they cheered up one another as well as they could. FEEBLE-MIND, Mr. GREAT-HEART commanded should come up after him; and Mr. DESPONDENCY was under the eye of Mr. VALIANT. Now they had not gone far, but a great mist and a darkness fell upon them all; so that they could scarce, for a great while, see one another. Wherefore they were forced for some time to feel for one another by words; for they walked not by sight. Any one must think that here was but sorry going for the best of them all; but how much worse for the women and children, who both of feet and heart were but tender. Yet so it was, that, through the encouraging words of him that led in the front, and of him that brought them up behind, they made a pretty good shift to move along. The way also was here very wearisome through dirt and slabbiness. Nor was there on all this ground so much as one inn or victualling house, therein to refresh the feebler sort. Here, therefore, was grunting, and puffing, and sighing: while one tumbles over a bush, another sticks fast in the dirt; and the children, some of them, lost their shoes in the mire. While one cries out, "I am down;" and another, "Ho! where are you?" and a third, "The bushes have got such fast hold on me, I think I cannot get away from them." Then they came at an arbour, warm, and promising much refreshing to the pilgrims; for it was finely wrought abovehead, beautified with greens, furnished with benches and settles. It also had in it a soft couch whereon the weary might lean. This, you must think, all things considered, was tempting; for the pilgrims already began to be foiled with the badness of the way: but there was not one of them that made so much as a motion to stop there. Yea, for aught I could perceive, they continually gave so good heed to the advice of their guide; and he did so faithfully tell them of dangers, and of the nature of dangers when they were at them, that usually, when they were nearest to them, they did most pluck up their spirits, and hearten one another to deny the flesh. This arbour was called the Slothful's Friend; on purpose to allure, if it might be, some of the pilgrims there, to take up their rest when weary. I saw then in my dream, that they went on in this their solitary ground, till they came to a place at which a man is apt to lose his way. Now, though when it was light, their guide could well enough tell how to miss those ways that led wrong, yet, in the dark, he was put to a stand; but he had in his pocket a map of all ways leading to or from the Celestial City: wherefore he struck a light (for he never goes also without his tinderbox), and took a view of his book or map, which bade him be careful in that place to turn to the right hand way. And had he not here been careful to look in his map, they had, in all probability, been smothered in the mud; for just a little way before them, and that at the end of the cleanest way too, was a pit--none knows how deep--full of nothing but mud, there made on purpose to destroy the pilgrims in. Then thought I with myself, who that goes on pilgrimage, but would have one of these maps about him; that he may look, when he is at a stand, which is the way he must take. They went on then in this Enchanted Ground, till they came to where was another arbour; and it was built by the highway side. And in that arbour there lay two men whose names were HEEDLESS and TOO-BOLD. These two went thus far on pilgrimage; but here, being wearied with their journey, they sat down to rest themselves, and so fell fast asleep. When the pilgrims saw them, they stood still and shook their heads; for they knew that the sleepers were in a pitiful case. Then they consulted what to do: whether to go on and leave them in their sleep, or to step to them and try to awake them. So they concluded to go to them and wake them--that is, if they could; but with this caution, namely, to take heed that they themselves did not sit down, nor embrace the offered benefit of that arbour. So they went in and spake to the men, and called each by his name (for the guide, it seems, did know them); but there was no voice or answer. Then the guide did shake them, and do what he could to disturb them. Then said one of them, "I will pay you when I take my money;" at which the guide shook his head. "I will fight so long as I can hold my sword in my hand," said the other. At that, one of the children laughed. Then said CHRISTIANA, "What is the meaning of this?" The guide said, "They talk in their sleep. If you strike them, beat them, or whatever else you do to them, they will answer you after this fashion; or as one of them said in old time, when the waves of the sea did beat upon him, and he slept as one upon the mast of a ship, 'When I awake, I will seek it again'.

"Yea, thou shalt be as he that lieth down in the midst of the sea, or as he that lieth upon the top of a mast. They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; they have beaten me, and I felt it not: when shall I awake? I will seek it yet again." ~ Proverbs 23:34, 35 ~

You know, when men talk in their sleep, they say anything; but their words are not governed either by faith or reason. There is an incoherency in their words now, as there was before, betwixt their going on pilgrimage and sitting down here. This, then, is the mischief on't; when heedless ones go on pilgrimage, 'tis twenty to one but they are served thus. For this Enchanted Ground is one of the last refuges that the enemy to pilgrims has: wherefore it is, as you see, placed almost at the end of the way; and so it stands against us with the more advantage. For when, thinks the enemy, will these fools be so desirous to sit down as when they are weary? and when so like to be weary as when almost at their journey's end? Therefore it is, I say, that the Enchanted Ground is placed so nigh to the land Beulah, and so near the end of their race. Wherefore let pilgrims look to themselves; lest it happen to them as it has done to these that, as you see, are fallen asleep, and none can wake them." Then the pilgrims desired with trembling to go forward; only they prayed their guide to strike a light, that they might go the rest of their way by the help of the light of a lantern.

"We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:" ~ 2 Peter 1:19 ~

So he struck a light; and they went by the help of that through the rest of this way, though the darkness was very great. But the children began to be sorely weary; and they cried out unto him that loves pilgrims, to make their way more comfortable. So by that they had gone a little farther, a wind arose that drove away the fog; so the air became more clear. Yet they were not off, by much, of the Enchanted Ground; only now they could see one another better, and the way wherein they should walk. Now, when they were almost at the end of this ground, they perceived that a little before them was a solemn noise, as of one that was much concerned. So they went on and looked before them; and behold, they saw, as they thought, a man upon his knees, with hands and eyes lifted up, and speaking, as they thought, earnestly to One that was above. They drew nigh, but could not tell what he said; so they went softly till he had done. When he had done, he got up, and began to run towards the Celestial City.

[fordecree7]

BIBLE TIME

Genesis 38

Judah and Tamar

38 It happened at that time that Judah went down from his brothers and turned aside to a certain Adullamite, whose name was Hirah. 2 There Judah saw the daughter of a certain Canaanite whose name was Shua. He took her and went in to her, 3 and she conceived and bore a son, and he called his name Er. 4 She conceived again and bore a son, and she called his name Onan. 5 Yet again she bore a son, and she called his name Shelah. Judah was in Chezib when she bore him.

6 And Judah took a wife for Er his firstborn, and her name was Tamar. 7 But Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord put him to death. 8 Then Judah said to Onan, “Go in to your brother's wife and perform the duty of a brother-in-law to her, and raise up offspring for your brother.” 9 But Onan knew that the offspring would not be his. So whenever he went in to his brother's wife he would waste the semen on the ground, so as not to give offspring to his brother. 10 And what he did was wicked in the sight of the Lord, and he put him to death also. 11 Then Judah said to Tamar his daughter-in-law, “Remain a widow in your father's house, till Shelah my son grows up”—for he feared that he would die, like his brothers. So Tamar went and remained in her father's house.

12 In the course of time the wife of Judah, Shua's daughter, died. When Judah was comforted, he went up to Timnah to his sheepshearers, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite. 13 And when Tamar was told, “Your father-in-law is going up to Timnah to shear his sheep,” 14 she took off her widow's garments and covered herself with a veil, wrapping herself up, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the road to Timnah. For she saw that Shelah was grown up, and she had not been given to him in marriage. 15 When Judah saw her, he thought she was a prostitute, for she had covered her face. 16 He turned to her at the roadside and said, “Come, let me come in to you,” for he did not know that she was his daughter-in-law. She said, “What will you give me, that you may come in to me?” 17 He answered, “I will send you a young goat from the flock.” And she said, “If you give me a pledge, until you send it—” 18 He said, “What pledge shall I give you?” She replied, “Your signet and your cord and your staff that is in your hand.” So he gave them to her and went in to her, and she conceived by him. 19 Then she arose and went away, and taking off her veil she put on the garments of her widowhood.

20 When Judah sent the young goat by his friend the Adullamite to take back the pledge from the woman's hand, he did not find her. 21 And he asked the men of the place, “Where is the cult prostitute who was at Enaim at the roadside?” And they said, “No cult prostitute has been here.” 22 So he returned to Judah and said, “I have not found her. Also, the men of the place said, ‘No cult prostitute has been here.’” 23 And Judah replied, “Let her keep the things as her own, or we shall be laughed at. You see, I sent this young goat, and you did not find her.”

24 About three months later Judah was told, “Tamar your daughter-in-law has been immoral. Moreover, she is pregnant by immorality.” And Judah said, “Bring her out, and let her be burned.” 25 As she was being brought out, she sent word to her father-in-law, “By the man to whom these belong, I am pregnant.” And she said, “Please identify whose these are, the signet and the cord and the staff.” 26 Then Judah identified them and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not know her again.

27 When the time of her labor came, there were twins in her womb. 28 And when she was in labor, one put out a hand, and the midwife took and tied a scarlet thread on his hand, saying, “This one came out first.” 29 But as he drew back his hand, behold, his brother came out. And she said, “What a breach you have made for yourself!” Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out with the scarlet thread on his hand, and his name was called Zerah. Bible Time-Genesis 38 Diane Beauford

[rubywithin]

Scrolls of Mudorius 14

He drew his weapon...(Icaru) "Before you strike us down can I ask why you want to kill all of us here?" (Crimson) "Let's just say my client wants rid of the unconscious one, the three of you is just to thin that peace group's numbers!". I guess this is how things end...I guess the only saving grace is Umbrell didn't get my scroll. -Click- just as he was about to charge....they showed up! (Kiyen) "Don't take another step" (Miyuki) "We won't hesitate" the pair of them held their blades to his neck! He then suddenly vanished....(Crimson) "Hyah...never let your guard down" -gulp- the second they dropped their guard her pushed them both back. (Kiyen) "Reaper's Edge" (Miyuki) "Blade of the Future" I can't believe Miyuki's speed she out ran Kiyen's attack! (Crimson) "Nullify...ugh hehe so you two don't feel a shred of doubt huh?" (Kiyen) "Of course not I have fought stronger opponents my whole life. I never backed down till the bitter end". The man seemed wounded pretty badly after both attacks.

(Crimson) "How about you? why don't you feel any doubt when facing me?". (Miyuki) "Simple I have full trust in Master Kiyen and when we fight together we will take any one out. Also you blew your hand when you waited till our guard was down to reappear. Now we know your ability is simply vanishing and not any form of teleportation". (Crimson) "I see you are one of those analyser types...with my current wounds and the other three getting a breather I doubt I can win the fight here! But next time I clash blades with any of you I will take you out" he vanished using a crystal liked the others. (Torami) "Thank you Commander Kiyen and Miyuki" (Miyuki) "Humph I too am currently a Commander so address me by my title!". (Violet) "Or what..." as she was done talking Miyuki and already approached her pointing her sword right at Violet. Her speed was insane....I would hat to be her opponent especially if she was analysing me at the same time.

(Kiyen) "Miyuki please put away your sword, if you were to hurt my squad members I would have to fight you!". She put her sword away and helped Icaru to his feet while Kiyen tended to Novelle's wound and picked her up! "Are you two able to walk on your won" we both nodded, we then decided to go back to base. (Torami) "Commanders if I can ask has anyone heard of this Disowned group before?". It took a bit for any of them to respond, (Miyuki) "Only a few rumours where there name has been dropped. They seem to be a group trying to build up their reputation....other than this Crimson guy only 3 other members have been confirmed!" (Icaru) "According to some scouts we can confirm they have been collecting bounties from Soalien!". I felt nervous hearing that....if he has a relation to warriors like Crimson he seems even more dangerous. I wonder if Novelle has any knowledge on this group? the issue is she will most likely be questioned a lot for all of her actions in the Peace Blades!

-Meanwhile back at the abandoned Kingdom- (Cres) "So you failed to take out Novelle then?". (Crimson) "Give me a break I had to face two Commanders....Nullify didn't work on either of them!". (Cres) "It is your own fault for thinking it would, they are warriors willing to fight an army just to create their idea of peace". (Crimson) "Their idea?" (Cres) "True peace will be the eradication of all opposing group's fighting each other for their own pursuits. Isn't that right master Ernest?" (Ernest) "Yes we shall take all others out and then destroy all Legendary Weapons. However we need to build our organisation first, this place is a nice temporary base though Cres!". We are the Heir's who were denied our heritage, we have lived the lives off unworthy civilians. But one day we will unite everyone in this land after the destruction of all Bandits, Peace Blade's and Clans!

[blackhellokittys-blog]

welp yall i went visit my lil brothers and they got so big i cried when i saw them

and yk what i now cant kms no matter how sad i am no matter how worthless and weak and pathetic i feel ima jsut have to cry it out and say fuck it bc i cant die the way my brothers love me i cant leave them here and have a dead mother no father and a dead older sister

tht would be the most selfish thing i could ever do

so no i dont need a therapist anymore when i am feeling sick and wanting to kms i think they should jsut send me to my little brothers

also yesterday there was this 14 year old boy who is in 9th grade

i was with my brothers and at sum one else house and he had a lil girl and other boy and tht other boy had a friend come over

when i first saw him i was like o dam he cute

i thought oo he cute and we like locked eyes r whatever and he waved to me

then i didn’t notice he liked me but he was coming up to me close and my brothers said he was showing off ig

and my brother told me he liked me

amd later on he started touching me and picking me up and everything 😭

like he was like i can pick u up and i was like ahah..noo i dont think so then my brother said i can pick lay up it easy THEN he pick me up and o dude was like tht not how u pick someone up

AND OMG YALL I KID U NOT THIS DUDE PROCEEDS TO GRAB MY LEG AND BODY OFFF THE GROUND LIKE A FUCKING POLLOW AND IT WAS NOT REALGAR PICK UP THIS DUDE PRINCESS HOLD ME LIKE A BABY

like tht bru omg this dude is one year younger then me n tall?!?!?! like omg😭😭😭😭😭 wahhhhh

anyways yeah i noticed he liked me and he was funny and goofy and drew me

o also he tried to pick me up

like that which was scary bc he kept doing it without my permission 😭😭😭 i hate being picked up but i didn’t wanna be mean

and tHEN he kept asking me to ride his back and i declined twice and he asked again and my brother join in conversation and said lay u rid his back and i rid yours a 3 man piggy back rid

and i could decline my brother 🥲 i was hoping he was gonna get mad at o dude for flirting with me bc he did a lot but accepted this😭😭😭 anyway

so i did and got on his back and dudut tried to get on but messed and he took off with me😭😭😭 which was again scary bc i hate tht sm so blah blah blah we got dudut on and we was together and i got off yay

AND YALL THE DUDE FRIEND LIKE THE OG PWRSOSN THT BOUGHT HIM THERE HATES ME

and how ik bc ig his friend was talkjgn to me a lot and showing off and OMG YALL every single time i looked at tht dude he was mean mugging tf otta me😭😭😭 like i can see so well in his face he HATES ME

likeeeee i am sorry pookie i didn’t mean to steal yo man😭😭😭 like u can have him i dont even live there no mo

[wisedawn13]

#xiantober Day 14: Bartenderxian

CW // Alcohol, Attempted Drugging, Violence, Wen Chao, Cops

Friday nights are always swamped. The bar Wei Ying works at is in the middle of a busy area and attracts a lot of attention.

He has to say, he loves working there. He gets to meet and chat with people from all walks of life. It also keeps him distracted.

That isn't to say it's an easy job. It's not. It takes a lot of effort and energy and he has to stay vigilant, especially when it's crowded.

Tonight is one such night.

The unfortunate reality is that he can't keep track of everything and everyone. The other staff help that, but tonight just happens to be an understaffed night. He's a little on edge and not willing to put up with any shit.

He's had three different guys kicked out tonight already and it's not even 8 pm.

Wei Ying had noticed the young lady who came in alone (having lightly flirted with her as she ordered from him), so he tried to keep an eye on her as much as possible, but he was simply overwhelmed.

So, you can say he was kicking himself a lot when she came up to the bar and ordered an angel shot with ice.

He froze, eyes trailing where she came from to see a man staring directly at her.

"Sure thing," he said to her with forced cheer as he pulled.

Just as he finished ordering a ride for her there was a commotion that drew his attention. The man he clocked earlier was standing really close to another man, squaring off.

He swears under his breath and tells Wen Ning to man the bar while he goes over there.

As he gets closer he overhears what they are talking about.

"Back the fuck off, dude! It's none of your business!" the creepy dude exclaims.

The other man (stunningly gorgeous now that Wei Ying is getting a better look at him) doesn't budge. "I saw what you did."

"Oh? And what's that?" the creep sneers.

"You put something in her drink when she got up," the beautiful man says darkly and Wei Ying sucks in a breath. Fuck. He signals back to Wei Ying to call the cops.

The creep laughs. "So what? I saw her first. Why? You want in?"

Wei Ying's skin crawls. What an absolutely disgusting person.

He sees the beautiful man's face morph into a disgusted look before he replies, "No, and I am not letting you do anything to her either."

The creep snarls and Wei Ying doesn't get there in time to stop the punch.

Thankfully, he's apparently not needed because the beautiful man mostly dodges and swiftly punches the creep, knocking him out immediately.

The bar is absolutely silent.

"Holy shit," Wei Ying breathes. "You okay?"

The beautiful man looks at him and nods. "Yes, I apologize."

Wei Ying laughs and waves him off. "No need, that was amazing. I would have done that myself if I got here sooner, so thanks. Sorry you had to deal with that, though. You shouldn't have to."

The man shrugs. "I saw it and chose to act, that is all."

It's a bit of a blur after that. The cops arrive to take statements, get the footage of the incident, and take the creep (Wen Chao, a cousin of Wen Ning, who is now permanently banned) away.

The woman's name is Luo Qingyang and she profusely thanks them before leaving.

Wei Ying later finds out that the beautiful man's name is Lan Zhan. He doesn't drink alcohol (Wei Ying had offered him a glass of their finest wine for his trouble) and was here to accompany his brother and his brother's friends.

"Brother claims I do not get out enough."

Wei Ying laughs at that.

Lan Zhan ends up staying even as his brother and co leave. Wei Ying talks animatedly with him every chance he gets.

It's nice.

By the time the bar closes, Wei Ying has asked for Lan Zhan's number so they can keep in contact.

Lan Zhan obliges easily.

After that, he visits the bar often on nights he knows Wei Ying has a shift. They text and call every day and hang out when they are free.

They both become friends with Luo Qingyang as well and she often joins Lan Zhan at the bar so she isn't alone.

Eventually, Wei Ying asks Lan Zhan out on a date and it's the best night of his life.

----------

Link to thread

[roman-catholic-mass-readings]

22nd March >> Mass Readings (Except GB & USA)

Saturday, Second Week of Lent 

(Liturgical Colour: Violet. Year: C(I))

First Reading Micah 7:14-15,18-20 Have pity on us one more time.

With shepherd’s crook, O Lord, lead your people to pasture, the flock that is your heritage, living confined in a forest with meadow land all around. Let them pasture in Bashan and Gilead as in the days of old. As in the days when you came out of Egypt grant us to see wonders.

What god can compare with you: taking fault away, pardoning crime, not cherishing anger for ever but delighting in showing mercy? Once more have pity on us, tread down our faults, to the bottom of the sea throw all our sins. Grant Jacob your faithfulness, and Abraham your mercy, as you swore to our fathers from the days of long ago.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 102(103):1-4,9-12

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

My soul, give thanks to the Lord all my being, bless his holy name. My soul, give thanks to the Lord and never forget all his blessings.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

It is he who forgives all your guilt, who heals every one of your ills, who redeems your life from the grave, who crowns you with love and compassion.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

His wrath will come to an end; he will not be angry for ever. He does not treat us according to our sins nor repay us according to our faults.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

For as the heavens are high above the earth so strong is his love for those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins.

R/ The Lord is compassion and love.

Gospel Acclamation Luke 15:18

Glory and praise to you, O Christ! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’ Glory and praise to you, O Christ!

Gospel Luke 15:1-3,11-32 The prodigal son.

The tax collectors and the sinners were all seeking the company of Jesus to hear what he had to say, and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ So he spoke this parable to them: ‘A man had two sons. The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me.” So the father divided the property between them. A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery. ‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch, so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs. And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything. Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger! I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.” So he left the place and went back to his father. ‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate. ‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing. Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about. “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.” He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him; but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends. But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.” ‘The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours. But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”’

The Gospel of the Lord

R/ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

[smaptain-smerica]

Female Reader x Rooster

Time: Post-Top gun: Maverick

Y/n Blackwood - L/n, daughter of Charlotte "Charlie" Blackwood. Y/n took a strong interest in planes from a young age. Knowing her father was an esteemed pilot drew her even further into the navy. Quickly, she became one of the best solo pilots and graduating at the top of her class at Top Gun.

Her next mission? Return to Top Gun, Face certain death, romantic interests, and finally, her thought-to-be-dead, father.

This book contains strong language and sexual content that may be sensitive readers under the age of 18

This story was originally posted on Wattpad, follow me on there for faster updates. I have published a non-binary version of this story published there for those who do not identify as female or use she/her pronouns. It will follow the exact same story line. Link to Wattpad Account Link to the Non-Binary version

Master list

Flying Eggs

My alarm blared at 4:45 am for my wake up. I groaned, dreading early mornings. We had to be in the hanger for a briefing at 0600. Normally, 30 minutes would be plenty of time to get dressed and ready. But today, I really needed a shower.

I grabbed my clothes and toiletry bag and made the walk towards the communal bathrooms. For those of us who didn't live in Nevada, Top Gun provided dormitory style rooms for the pilots to stay in. You can imagine my surprise when I walked by the small cafeteria and saw Bradley sitting at one of the tables reading a plane manual.

"Good morning." I cringed at how rough my morning voice sounded. Bradley turned around, a cup of coffee steaming in his hand. He gave me the smallest smile.

"Good morning." He responded.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him while leaning on the doorway.

"Just catching up on some reading. I want to be prepared." He looked a little embarrassed to be caught doing it.

"Oh come on, aren't you the star child? The man who flew with Maverick in an F-14 out of enemy territory?" Bradley chuckled, obviously feeling flustered by the compliment.

"Yeah, whatever." He waved his hand in dismissal at my comment while shaking his head. "From what I hear, you just might be the best yourself. I don't know what we're going to be doing, but after the encounter with the First-Gen's last time I want to be prepared."

I signed gently with a smile on my face. "Rooster. There's only so much you can read. Don't use this," I pointed to my head, and then shifted my hand down to my heart. "Use this, and you'll never make a wrong turn."

Bradley smirked a little, looking me up and down for a brief moment. I felt awkward, standing there in my tank top and plain colored pajama pants. He had the misfortune of seeing me first thing in the morning.

"You sound just like him." I tilted my head at the comment, pushing my eyebrows together. "Like who?"

"Maverick."

I smiled, feeling proud of myself for the compliment. "Maybe you'll listen to me then."

With that I left, already late to take my shower for the day. I heard one other person enter while I was showering. I guess some people were getting around for the day now.

I had on my uniform that we were supposed to have on for briefing while wringing out my hair with a towel to get the water out. From behind me in the mirror I saw Hangman walk out of the shower with a towel hung loosely around his waist.

I stopped what I was doing and looked at him, instinctively rolling my eyes. He seemed to spot me and strode confidently over to me. "Good morning, wolf."

"Hangman. I hope you slept terrible." I commented, putting toothpaste on my brush and then popping it into my mouth.

"Oo, ouch. I retract my good morning then." He huffed, turning around to lean his back against the sink counter. "Come on y/n, I've changed."

I looked at him with a raised eyebrow giving him a 'seriously?' Look. Hangman chuckled and shook his head. "Okay, maybe only a little bit."

I hummed in agreement, spitting out my toothpaste and then swishing water around in my mouth. "I want us to be friends. I know we pushed each others buttons in school, but I've learned the importance of team work." Hangman encouraged.

"Oh have you now?"

"Yes, I really have."

Hangman and I both shared a laugh at this interaction between the two of us. I began to brush my hair back and put it into the required low bun. "You're gonna have to prove it to me, Jake."

"I know that."

"Good. Now go put some clothes on. You're going to be late." I smacked the back of my hand on his shoulder before turning towards the door to leave.

"Oh you know you enjoy the view."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes as I swing the door open and left. I noticed Bradley walking down the hallway away from the bathroom. I furrowed my eyebrows together in confusion then turned the other way, walking towards the hanger to get a good seat for todays briefing.

~~~

"Good morning, and welcome back to Top Gun." Warlock stood tall and proud at the podium, a smile on his face. The small crowd of pilots let out cheers of excitement and claps.

"Please rise, for the introduction of Captain Pete Mitchell. Call-sign, Maverick."

The pilots all stood up. I, most eager of all. I placed myself towards the front. Bob and Phoenix in front of me, Rooster behind me. On the other side of the aisle, Fanboy and Payback in the front, coyote, then Hangman.

I spotted Maverick, a shorter, raven haired man. He had aged well, very well. He looked nearly identical to the pictures my mom showed me from when he was younger.

"Good morning Aviators. It's good to be back." We all shared in a good clap to celebrate the reunion. "You may all be seated."

All the pilots took a seat. I eagerly sat down and leaned over the table.

"Unfortunately the reason we are brought back here is to yet again, face certain death. The enemy has built another underground nuclear plant that we have been assigned to take care of."

A tv was wheeled into the hanger and on the screen came a map of the ocean, a map of the area of the bunker.

"That seems easy enough, it's in plain sight." Hangman pointed out.

"Hitting the bunker with a missile will be easy. What won't be easy is the dogfight getting in and out. We've approximated 9 SAMS guarding the facility and an air base 7 minutes out. These are out on open waters. That means this time we cannot fly under the radar. There are three SAM units to the North, South and West. The enemy fleet will be coming in from the land to the east. You'll fight tooth and nail with these SAMS until you reach the location of the underwater plant. By the time you're through the SAMS the air fleet will already be there waiting for you."

"Jeez, this is a death wish." Coyote whispered back to Hangman. I had to agree, this seemed next to impossible to complete.

"To complete this mission we will set off In teams that come in from the north, south and west. These teams will take out the enemy SAMS and then retreat once their section is complete. The SAMS should only be taken out with flares because you will need your guns and missiles for the enemy fleet if we are unable to destroy their base with an initial airstrike."

"It's going to be a dogfight." I commented, completely astonished by what I was hearing. Somebody wouldn't come back from this, I could guarantee it. This was dangerous, stupid even.

Maverick looked at me, stared into my eyes and mine met his. "A dogfight, yes."

The tv turned off, Maverick turned his attention to us. "Your training. Today and tomorrow you will go head to head with me. After i have assessed your skill levels, I'll pin you up against one another for a little game of tag." I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins already. The rest of the group apparently felt the same because they began to get restless, excited.

"Alright. Let's get started."

~~~

Fanboy and payback were chosen to go first. The rest of the pilots were in the cafeteria eating breakfast while also gathered around a radio to listen to the action happening in the sky. From the sound of everybody else's discouragement, nobody was going to beat Maverick in a head to head.

I sat next to Phoenix, eating some strawberries in a bowl of oatmeal while drinking orange juice. On the other side of me was Rooster, (him and I were the closest to the radio) then behind rooster was Bob, and behind Phoenix was Hangman and Coyote. The rest of the table was filled with the other pilots like Harvard, Yale, halo. I hadn't gotten the chance to know them quite yet.

"Fanboy you see him?" "Negative Payback, he's either in front or underneath."

There was silence through the radio for a few seconds, then we heard both men exclaim in surprise.

"Underneath, he was underneath!"

The group in the cafeteria chuckled at the surprise response. "Classic Maverick." Hangman commented.

"Do you guys think this mission is really necessary? I mean, it seems extremely dangerous." Rooster expressed his concerns to the group honestly.

"Why, you scared?" Hangman teased, poking for a reaction. I moved my seat to glare at him from down the table.

"I agree." Bob chimes in timidity. "It seems like a dangerous mission, more than the last."

"This isn't a single man mission either we're some of us sit on the sidelines, it's all of us." Phoenix added. "This involves all of us and our ability to survive in combat."

I bit at my fingers, turning my attention back to the radio. I listened to fanboy and payback banter back and forth about what to do and where to go before I heard the familiar ring of tone.

"You guys are dead. Head back to base. Phoenix and Bob, be ready to fly in 5." Phoenix nearly spit out her drink as she jumped up out of her seat. "Oh shit."

The table chuckled at the two jumping up to get to the hanger. "Run Bob run!" Coyote taunted as he slipped around the corner of the doorway. The entire table shared in a laugh at the taunting. As much as they teased each other, I could see everybody has a close connection to one another. I hoped that I could become a part of that.

~~~

Bradley's POV

I watched the way her face scrunched up when she laughed. And when she focused on the radio, she rubbed her bottom lip with her finger. Her eyebrows furrowed together every so slightly.

She was beautiful, truly.

It confuses me why she lied.

There's no denying this is the woman I read about in my moms letters. Charolette and my mom kept communication with each other after she left Top Gun for DC. I found all the letters going through my moms things after she passed. Charlie's daughter is exactly how she described, beautiful, smart, and perfect in every way.

I thought back to last night, how she said she was excited to meet Maverick. It caught me by surprise, how had she never met her father before? I've ran though every possibility in my mind. I settled on the fact that they didn't want anybody to know so there would be no nepotism accusations.

Still, it confused me to see how excited she got when Maverick entered the room for briefing.

I couldn't have feelings for Maverick's daughter, he would never allow it. Then again, why wouldn't he tell me he had a daughter? I thought we had gotten close this past year. Apparently not as close as I thought. I'd say maybe he didn't know, but Charolette said Maverick had met y/n multiple times.

I haven't even known her for very long, But I couldn't deny there was something about her that drew me in. The conversation between her and hangman that I heard this morning made me jealous, which only confirmed my attraction.

There was something off about her story though, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was being tricked into thinking they didn't know each other, when I know that wasn't true.

Fanboy and payback moped into the cafeteria, until they saw the breakfast bar still with plenty of food. "Oh thank goodness." "I'm starving!"

I chuckled and shook my head at them while taking a drink of water. I watched as hangman slid down the table and took the spot of Phoenix next to y/n. She gave him a sideways glance before asking fanboy and payback how it went.

"It was tough man, way tougher without a wingman." Payback said in between bites of muffin.

"We all know how good Maverick is, it's a lot scarier when it's just you and him in the air." Payback continued on while taking their seats at the table.

"Yeah I don't know how you single fliers are gonna do it." Fanboy added, blowing air out his mouth in worry.

"Thank you, Fanboy. That's really reassuring." Y/n snapped at him with a sarcastic voice.

"Any time." Fanboy winked back at her, shoveling eggs into his mouth.

I chuckled at the interaction, my attention turning back towards y/n. She had a soft smile on her face as her attention turned back to the radio to listen to Phoenix and Bob.

I felt a kick on my shin underneath the table. It made me jump as I instantly searched for the source of the intrusion. Hangman's eyes met mine with a mischievous glint. He looked at y/n then back at me and started to make kissy faces with his mouth.

I rolled my eyes and shook my head. I took a scoop of scrambled eggs off my plate and then leveled my spoon, pulling it back and letting the eggs fly. They hit Hangman in the center of the face. Childish? Definitely. But he deserved it.

Y/n's head snapped to the left with a confused look as she saw the bits of egg on Hangman's face. She looked at me, spoon in hand, then back at hangman. We only had to hold eye contact for one second before erupting into intense laughter.

Hangman grumbled under his breath and stood up from the table, storming out of the cafeteria. "Oh man Rooster that was good."

The more she laughed and smiled, the guiltier I felt about my feelings. I needed to figure out what was going on between her and Maverick.

Shit, is this how everyone felt about me and Maverick the first time?

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