#march has been maddening fr

[imaginespazzi]

Stanford 🤝🏽 Notre Dame

Ruining my already-in-shambles bracket

These aren't even my teams and I was stressing every second so UConn please, please, please just let me breathe easy tomorrow. 🙏🏽😭

[terraclae]

The story of Sachairi

Epoch and Carmen finally decide to clarify who it was Arodan had seen in his dream. 

lore pinglist: @yuushanoah-fr @cityofinoue

‘They sure just put anything in these rooms huh?’ In no distinguishable order apparently. carpets piled up with seafaring tools and torchwood lined up with pieces of what must have been a fresco. It was a very strange view, that was certain. Epoch sat on top of one of the various piles. ‘How do you find anything in this mess?’ Arodan asked, walking up to a pile in the corner of the room.

‘It depends, what are you looking for?’ He said, and cocked his head in almost coy manner. ‘Just because you see chaos doesn't mean we see it.’

‘Everything is arranged in organized chaos.’ Carmen chimed, from underneath a structure of boxes, banners and carpets that seemed as if it could topple over on top of her any second. ‘We know our way around here.’ Epoch and her chimed in unison.

‘This is-This is a mess.’ He glanced around the room, and couldn't possibly look more awkward. ‘I was trying to find king Balam actually. And perhaps a new carpet because the one by shelf 18 has holes in it and it's driving me crazy.’

‘King Balam is…’ Carmen paused and seemed enraptured in thoughts. ‘Either he's cooped up in the war room or he's out in town, I don't think I've seen him today but in glances actually.’ She grinned. ‘As for your carpet, why didn't you just grab one in the hall?’

‘You sound a little neurotic.’ Epoch said, and didn't look up to see what Arodan thought of that statement. ‘But yeah, you have permission to grab anything on the grounds that you semi-live here now.’

‘I wasn't sure if I was allowed to okay, some of us like their castles orderly.’ Arodan snapped. He marched up to where Epoch sat. A chair stood next to the pile and Arodan cleared it to sit in it. ‘I'm not really feeling like hauling a carpet suddenly.’

‘What, is that our fault?’ Carmen smugly remarked, leaning on her hands. ‘Cheer up Dan. We’re just joking. You're so uptight.’

‘It isn't your fault.’ He sank a little in his chair. His hand rose to rest on his chest and he could feel a heartbeat under his palm. ‘I had something to ask him, but in hindsight I doubt he would have given me an answer.’

‘Why not try your luck with us?’ Epoch appeared in Arodan's field of view, hanging over him from his perch. ‘Why not try our wealth of knowledge?’

‘Something tells me it is something of magical scope you are bothered by.’ Carmen crawled out of her current hideout to plop down on a drawer that stuck out of Epoch’s pile. ‘So, come forth wanderer!’

‘Well, I guess.’ An awkward giggle escaped Arodan and he was quick to drag his chair so he sat facing Carmen and Epoch. ‘It is a very particular question however.’

‘We don't do palm readings-’ Carmen started, immediately followed by Epoch saying ‘or take questions about your luck in love.’ Their voices chimed in unison. ‘So leave those by the door.’

'Well, you're lucky, my question is neither.' Arodan said, his face twisting into an unamused grimace. 'I don't believe in that stuff.'

'We do, we just suck at it.' Epoch said. He tilted his head peculiarly. 'Do tell, what is your question?'

'Is there… Is someone locked in this castle? With bright golden eyes and dark wings and called Senna? Or...' He paused. 'What do dreams mean in which you find others chained up in places?' Maybe that was a better question.

Carmen looked up expectantly at Epoch with a look only siblings could clearly read. He had seen similar glances often shared between castle inhabitants but it was special and specific between Carmen and Epoch. Epoch's face gained a tense facade, and slowly turned to look at Arodan, a sigh signalling he had figured out how to best answer Arodan's question. 'Let me tell you a story.'

'I don't need-'

'You'll understand. It's only a small story.' Epoch stopped Arodan from declining his offer with a small gesture. 'Once upon a time...' He shot Carmen a look. 'Carmen, if you please.'

Carmen's hand flew up, middle finger and index finger pointed in a gesture odd to Arodan. At her fingertips and orange bolt formed and at high velocity was aimed and shot at the storage room's main light, destroying it.

'Why did you do that?!' Arodan yelled, his arms covering his head snugly.

'I can repair it, no worries.' She chimed, almost eerily calm. Carmen looked all too happy with herself and Epoch didn't seem particularly disapproving of the action either. She held her open palm before her, and another orange glowing fixture appeared in it. As if she was scattering sand she blowed the magic in her hand which floated forward and up until it like gunpowder ignited in the air, forming a magnificent spectacle before them. Within the vision a figure could be seen, a battle scarred imperial taking down its opponents with ease. When all enemies seemed defeated he stood lonely on a cliff by what seemed to be a frozen ocean.

‘Once upon a time, there was an imperial, an ex-gladiator from the fighting pits in the Shifting Expanse. Secluded, distant, not someone people would like to befriend or be interested in. His name was Sachairi.' The imperial's form shifted to a bipedal one and he sat down on the cliff.

'Yet, the gladiator, against all expectations had someone who dearly loved them and who he loved in return.' A second figure appeared, a skydancer that flew a circle around the imperial before settling down next to him in a bipedal form of their own, smaller, with long hair and thin frame. ‘The gods only know what he would have been like without him, without his heart and purpose to life, named Raz. Sachairi being imprisoned within the fighting pits kept the two apart. Yet here, in the Southern Icefields, they would be reunited, a king from the south having saved the imperial from his former life.' He held up his hand and gestured for Carmen to shift the scene. It faded to a happy looking couple both donning necklaces with a red stone set within in the company of a grand figure and two imperials who seemed awfully familiar to Arodan. 'So they lived happily, healing within the safety of the city's walls from the traumas left within them.' Epoch's eyes had a grim look to the and Carmen looked at him with a similar grim expectation, her hand rising to shift the scene.

‘This story however…’ The vision flared and changed, to a steep mountain path where the same imperial and skydancer could be seen, surrounded by figures in strange garbs. The imperial and skydancer fought the now assailing beings. It seemed the fight was ended cruelly on the skydancer's end as a bespectacled imperial with a frightening look managed to take him down entirely. He faded from the vision and the imperial was left reaching for his taken mate and assailed by countless beings that painted the entire vision black and hollow. ‘Doesn't have a happy ending for our anti-hero, for he could not protect himself from the sickness within that maddened him, driven to grief when it seemed the turn for his lover to be taken.’ The vision whirled and now showed the event of a city being besieged by the same imperial with his eyes and mouth seeping black, his face twisted into a horrible expression of terror. ‘Faced with a decision, the king took quick action that the lives of many would always be worth more than the life of one, no matter how trusted they'd might be. The now rogue gladiator was taken down-’ A pair of mages Arodan now fully recognized as Carmen and Epoch appeared at the feet of the imperial and combined a blast, taking him down and sending him sinking into the ground. ‘- And cast into the Shell, a locked room where the very depths of the royal crypts where he was left to remain in eternal slumber.’ The vision faded entirely on the last image of the gladiator in a bipedal form, laid peacefully down as one might with the dead. 'Meant to be kept forever, so he'd never attack Paramo again.'

‘Well, that isn't a very fun story.’ Arodan said before Epoch and Carmen could even ask him what he thought of it. He didn't even think it was particularly good. ‘What really happened?’

‘That is what really happened. That is what happened to our Sachi.’ Carmen said, regretful almost. ‘He was just another lost soul King Balam took in and he was part of our family. I want to tell you something different happened, I really do, but I'm afraid I can't.'

'We tell stories about him like this in his honor because we appreciated his presence.' Epoch added, glancing off to the side with an almost spiteful scowl. 'We rooted for him to learn to deal with his trauma, you know, like with everyone else. He would do the same for us.’

‘Okay, fine.’ Arodan hushed the two. ‘So… Who were him and his mate? What were they like?’

‘Sappy. Silly. The sort of couple that is grossly over-affectionate.’ Epoch answered. ‘But they were a warming presence. Raz was outgoing, sweet, he made friends easily, he wanted to be around people. Sacha, not so much. Sacha was incredibly distant and held a bad temper, would try to fight anyone who looked at him funny. Folks around here didn't think he was a nice person.’ He folded his hands on his lap and looked down at them. ‘Yet, when he was around Raz, he turned mellow, playful even. It was so easy to see that these two were deeply in love. If you didn't think it was overly cheesy it rubbed off otherwise, people looked at them wishing they could be like that.’

‘You sound like it left quite an impact on you.’ Arodan remarked. He wasn't that impressed, mostly because he hadn't entertained the thought of romance himself for a long time, Caer's words echoeing in his head. ‘What's your deal with them?’

'They were… Dear friends to us. It was nice to see others so hopeful, and to have faith we could upkeep our own goals and desires.' Epoch said in his usual monotone. Even though he was hard to read however Arodan intimately knew there must have been a fondness settling within him. 'People like them wanted to make me try harder at being more courteous towards the others I meet.'

'I think, for me they were...' Carmen held a hand over her heart. 'A little piece of Paramo itself. Not perfect but something I told myself I would protect. Flawed, and as such has a reason to be aided.' She looked up at Arodan. Heck, they even swapped their hearts metaphysically, isn't that neat? I can't believe it's here with us.'

‘I don't follow-’

‘Oh you know, the thing you have hanging around your neck.’

‘Woah.’ Arodan's hand slammed down on the spot necklace hung under his shirt. ‘How did you-’

‘Shh.’

‘Carmen-’

‘Shhh!’ Epoch seemed just as surprised as Arodan was. Carmen crept towards Arodan and sat before him, pointing at Arodan's hand. ‘I know your energy by now Dan, such a strange magical force on you is bound to be noticed.’ She grinned, mysteriously almost. 'Please tell me how you got it.'

‘I spit it out after a very strange dream, that's why I asked you who Sachairi was.’ He very softly said, pulling his legs up so there was a little more distance between him and Carmen. He could feel Epoch was staring at him judging the gaze burning into the back of his head. ‘I think I saw him in that dream.’

‘... Show me the heart.’ Carmen said, more quietly now. She rose from her crouch and held out her hand in demanding fashion towards Arodan. ‘Give it to me.’

Arodan swiftly took off the necklace and pulled it out from under his shirt, dropping it in Carmen’s hand. ‘Why did you tell me this story?’ He expectantly looked up at Carmen who had gone to fondly looking at her reflection in the red stone. He was curious how long she had known and why she hadn't immediately asked. ‘Can I know?’

‘I wanted to save Sachi, I really did. Things like what happened to him is why I wanted to become a witch.’ She flexed her other hand and small orange flowers grew in it. ‘I've saved others before, so why not him? I regret failing him like that.’

‘Carmen, you know we weren't raised with abilities to cure the Shade.’ Epoch had gotten up from the pile and crawled down so he stood besides her. He curiously inspected the necklace, and his body language was clear in communicating that he was dissatisfied with Arodan being in possession of the Heart. ‘Tell him how he figures into this. Get to the point.’

‘Sachairi, as you had seen, went mad with shade sickness because Raz had been taken from him. We don't know who took him, all we knew is that they had gone out for a walk once day and he came back inconsolable and nonverbal.’ Carmen answered. ‘He ended up attacking the city, harming or killing many residents in the process. It was that day as if something unique was ripped from all of us, from people like Kassa, or Balam. Epoch and I don't hate him, but may others do.’ Rightfully so, her eyes seemed to say. Even if there was nothing to be fine about it in the end no one was free of judgement. ‘The heart resurfacing could only mean bad news. Sachi awakening isn't a good thing, because he's a hazard to himself and others. This-’ She held up the heart, and her soft smile momentarily faded. ‘Is the first thing he will look for and if he's still caught in a frenzy then who knows what he will do trying to get it back?’

Arodan momentarily was quiet, and then immediately snagged the necklace from Carmen’s hand. ‘Okay. Fine. I understand, so I need to prepare for that, right?’ This was a problem, paired with another enemy that was going to be outside their walls soon. What Carmen wanted from him, was for him to know why everyone thought this was as big of a problem as it. ‘I'll keep it then.’ She must have had a hunch then what he himself suffered of.

‘That doesn't seem like a good idea.’ Epoch said sternly, Carmen looking fazed by Arodan’s action. ‘Let us keep it, if Sacha is awake then he will be drawn to the heart and try to come for if, he'll recognize-’

‘No, clearly if it came out of my throat then I am meant to keep it safe.’ Gods, that sounded weird. ‘I'm not going to do anything rash, but believe me, I know how to deal with shade beings. I was raised in a clan that fought them, I know what it's like.’

‘But do you have any abilities to actually counter them?’ Epoch asked, more persuasively and his hand twitching as if he wanted to yank the necklace from Arodan's hands.

'A few.'

'A few is not-'

'Let him keep it Epoch. He's right.' Carmen pushed Epoch back. 'Some things are meant to be. Like Raz and Sachi, and Arodan spitting out a solid gold necklace with a spirit ruby in it.' Her tail impatiently swished behind her again. 'But you know… If you have a bad gut feeling, let us know. I have unfinished business with the owner of this necklace so if he comes for it, I want to try again.'

'Understood.' He slung the necklace around his neck again and tucked it into his shirt. 'Can I ask you something personal now?'

'Shoot.'

'You took Sachairi down in that vision no?’ Carmen nodded as answer to Arodan's question. ‘Would you be able to do that a second time if necessary?’

She seemed to hesitate briefly. Her hand found Epoch’s hand as a momentary anchor. ‘I'm a witch. I wanted to be one when I was small because hey, I had all these skills I didn't ask for. Why not make something good of them?’ She tilted her head curiously but her thin little smile revealed she felt a little more steadfast. ‘Now I want to be someone who protects this city no matter what. Not you or anyone else will stop me from that.’

Arodan expectantly looked at Epoch now, who backed away who seemed as if he felt threatened. ‘I share that sentiment. My goals are a little more selfish perhaps, but yes, I will be able to fend him off if necessary.’ His ears fell flat against the sides of his head. ‘I'm doing this for Carmen.’

‘Epoch-’

‘Because that's what brothers do.’ He turned to her with a fond look to his eyes only tight knit siblings had. ‘So, old times.’

‘Fine.’ She smiled, a little crooked but humorously. ‘Old times.’

Arodan at that moment felt like he was intruding on something special and made a mental note to send more letters to family if they'd ever arrive or be read. So, like any respectful figure he made the first steps to walking away and giving Epoch and Carmen some space.

Instead he was grabbed by the wrist by Carmen and stopped dead in his tracks.

‘Oh hey, you don't feel weird anymore.’

‘Phrasing.’ He hissed and turned to look at the palm closed around his wrist. He only had half a mind to ask what she meant and to be fair he knew it very well. ‘Do you need something from me any further or do you need me to-’

‘No, you just got here, we’re getting you a carpet dummy.’ Carmen demanded. She dragged him along and shot Epoch a look to help push the unruly skydancer along to another pile. ‘Drop the gloom, we’re gonna talk furniture.’

‘What if I suddenly don't wanna talk furniture?’

‘Lyyyyyiiing.’ Carmen lilted in similar fashion to how he had first heard her. ‘There's a really nice lily patterned rug in the pile over yonder I think you'd like.’

‘You're just recommending that because you like lilies.’ Epoch blankly said. ‘I'd personally just recommend one with butterflies because if I remember it right, that particular patch of floor you spoke of is predominantly purple.’

‘That's why you should pair it with yellow!’

‘You guys, please!’ Arodan yelped above the two tugging at him. They ceased, and slowly but surely he caught himself laughing. It was soft and restrained, but a laugh nonetheless. ‘I'll… I'll take both.’

‘How are you going to get them to the library?’ Epoch asked.

‘I'll ask Atlas. He probably doesn't mind.’ Arodan answered, now holding Carmen and Epoch at an arm’s length. Besides, gives me time to talk to him.’ It felt quickly as if the entire earlier conversation hadn't happened, and the emotional whiplash was staggering he realized. It hadn't been until Atlas came and helped him lift the carpets and they were walking down the hall in satisfied solitude that it really hit him what the potential danger was. That night, and the nights following he slept with one of Atlas' knives under his pillow.

[gta-5fr]

State briefs: Deadline postponed for dealing with Confederate statue

CORRECTS NAME TO KRISTA NOELLE MADDEN, NOT KRISTA LOWELL GRIFFIN – This photo made available by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, N.C., shows Krista Noelle Madden who was arrested on Friday, May 10, 2019. Her claim that her 7-week-old baby was kidnapped quickly unraveled after the infant was found at the bottom of a 75-foot ravine in the North Carolina mountains, law enforcement officials said Friday. (Henderson County Sheriff’s Office via AP)

CHAPEL HILL — The board governing North Carolina’s public universities has again pushed back its deadline for deciding what to do with a Confederate monument at its flagship campus.

The University of North Carolina system issued a news release on Tuesday saying it would not be discussing the statue known as Silent Sam at its May 21 meeting as planned. May had been picked after a March deadline was pushed back.

No new deadline was given. The next scheduled Board of Governors meeting is September.

The news release says the board and universities have been focused on other issues including the legislative session.

“Silent Sam” stood in a main quad for over a century before it was torn down last August by protesters who called it a racist symbol.

Evaluation sought in fake kidnapping case

ASHEVILLE — An attorney for the North Carolina woman accused of faking her infant daughter’s kidnapping and trying to kill the baby wants to have his client evaluated and treated for postpartum depression or possibly postpartum psychosis.

Attorney Sean Devereux said the intent is not to build a defense for 35-year-old Krista Noelle Madden, but to get her some help.

Madden said last week that the infant was kidnapped, but Henderson County authorities said that claim quickly unraveled. The baby was found in a ravine and Madden is charged with attempted first-degree murder with bond set at $750,000.

Devereux said Madden’s attorneys haven’t sought to get her $750,000 bond reduced because they need to secure a spot in a facility before she makes bond.

Post-Florence recovery dollars pour into state

RALEIGH — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has awarded slightly more than $336 million to North Carolina in response to damage caused by Hurricane Florence last fall.

Gov. Roy Cooper said that the funding announced on Tuesday falls short of the state’s needs and is calling for Congress to pass additional disaster relief legislation. Cooper said in a news release that “far more is needed to help North Carolinians rebuild their lives and communities.”

Florence caused $22 billion in damages in North Carolina last September and was directly responsible for 15 deaths.

The governor’s office announced on Monday that eight communities that were hard hit by Florence will get $2.7 million from the 2019 state Rural Housing Recovery Fund to help address affordable housing shortages.

Revenue surplus lowered, still largest in years

RALEIGH — State economists said much of the surge in North Carolina income tax collections this spring can’t be counted on to return in 2020 and 2021.

An updated examination of April tax collections by legislative staff and Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget office released Tuesday forecasts a $643 million surplus for the year ending June 30. That’s slightly below the $700 million the legislature’s top economist said last week was possible. It’s still the largest surplus since the Great Recession.

A memo from legislative economist Barry Boardman says most of the increased collections are one-time bumps due to investment capital gains. That means General Assembly budget-writers can’t expect all this extra money again to help fund their two-year state spending plan. Often one-time money is earmarked for building projects or short-term needs.

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