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mousehole5000 · 4 years ago

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more tgcf chapters 143-173 lets goooooo

PEI MING BOO HISS except actually okay he’s mostly funny i think but still boo hiss

“hey who’s this guy who’s really pissed at you?” “oh thats my sword. i broke it.” alright then!

i think i need to go back and reread the banyue pass arc bc im still confused as to whats going on with banyue and pei su

“Banyue dropped from the sky with two pots raised. Without a word, she plummeted with the mouths of the pots facing down, trapping and detaining the shocked Ming’guang and the roaring Ke Mo within.” - THATS MY GIRL

“It must be known that, to heavenly officials, it certainly was more than natural for kingdoms of the mortal realm to fight and annihilate one another; the acts of these plays progressing on endlessly. But when it came their own turn, it was often hard to let things go. If one must stand in the same court as the one who annihilated their own kingdom, and that man cavorted in the heavens, exceedingly flashy, then it must be vexing.” - hmmmm!!

“I’ve spoken too many words in this lifetime. What are you referring to?” - okay to be fair thats a mood

okay its nice to get some pei ming backstory and its funny that he and xie lian are bonding but also still whenever pei ming interacts with a female character my hackles rise like a cat lol

“Xie Lian watched as Banyue thought really hard before cheerfully pulling out a few long, wine-red scorpion-snakes, and putting them into the bubbling pot.” - THATS MY GIRL

“Although “smell” was something colourless and formless, the instant Banyue removed the pot cover, it was as if some mysterious physical object had twisted all the air around the mouth of that pot. The group stared at the sight within the pot for a long time. Their pupils reflected an endless, bottomless darkness; like it could pull them into the abyss. No words could describe the sentiment expressed within their eyes. A moment later, Xie Lian patted Banyue’s shoulder and gave a thumbs-up.” - like father-figure like daughter-figure. amazing.

“However, what if one day mortals discovered something completely new that ran faster than horses? Then, when this new invention overtook horses, worshippers of this heavenly official who controlled horses would inevitably decrease. Such heavenly officials, flashing by like shooting stars, made up the majority of the heavens.” - obsessed with this, genuinely. life and change. worship and its purpose. my religious studies diploma on my wall is screaming at me rn. ALSO i am once again thinking about celebrities

“...” It was only then that Pei Ming seemed to notice, and started to contemplate this question. A moment later, he answered, “A habit. In a dark, creepy place like this, isn’t it normal to hold women in your arms, to comfort them and calm their fears?” “I’m sorry, but I wasn’t scared,” Banyue said.” - BANYUE I LOVE YOU. I MISSED YOU SO MUCH. god this takes me back to every college party i ever went to

LING WEN BACKSTORY????? shoeseller chosen for godhood bc she wrote a political essay and got arrested...... and now she’s face to face with the official who appointed her..... do go on.....

“Ling Wen laughed out loud, seeming to be enraged, and her voice dropped. “Very well! You said I couldn’t reach that high. Then, might I ask you: had the prominence of the Palace of Jing Wen at its peak ever reached even the knees of my Palace of Ling Wen??” - GET HIM!!!! BOO HISS JING WEN

“Compared to you, I’m not that bad,” Ling Wen said. “You’d personally order me to stay in the Palace of Jing Wen until midnight, then turn around and say I shamelessly hang around ‘til late to harass you. Words murder without form; I was much nicer responding with blatant violence.” - ling wen im love you..... also this bit... feels Real

BLOOD RAIN BLOOD RAIN BLOOD RAIN!! FLOWER PETALS TRANSFORMATION!!! see hua cheng? look as how cool it can be when you leave the story for a little while!! bc then you get to return and make an entrance!!

“Not only can you bring forth bloody rain, you can also make flowers shower. I didn’t know that. How fun!” - cute!! and in that moment we were all xie lian

“Everyone was stunned by his deed, and Ling Wen arduously gave him a thumbs-up. ”Ol’ Pei, what a man!” Pei Ming gritted his teeth. “WELCOME!” - aww three two tumors buddies!!

okay yin yu is here and xie lian did the equivalent of asking someone when the baby is due only to find out theyre not pregnant at all. then rong guang taunts yin yu and no one says anything. i do love the amount of awkward moments in this book tbh sometimes there are no words.

“All around was sand and mud crushing at him, exceedingly suffocating. The sand and mud was also moving endlessly; the feeling was like he was swallowed into the stomach of a giant monster, and that monster had also eaten a bunch of other things besides him, tumbling everything in its stomach, trying to digest” - ooooh creepy!!! the red string thing... is cute.... also xie lian being able to see hua cheng’s butterfly vision by looking directly into his eye is kinda cool. and obviously homoerotic.

“Are lower-ranked heavenly officials below other people?” Quan Yizhen asked. “No,” Yin Yu replied. Were they not? It was obvious that he himself didn’t believe in his own words, and Quan Yizhen also noticed. A good while later, he said bluntly, “I don’t like it here.” Yin Yu said nothing.” - im having emotions. and then yin yu also saying he doesnt like it there either.... also idk how this scene is going to play out but as much as im enjoying quan yizhen being an icon i can also possibly see how yin yu could eventually get to the point of “i am tired of being nice. i do just want to go apeshit” even if he really cares about qyz. it happens </3

“Indeed,” Hua Cheng said. “Half a year later when Quan Yizhen actually ascends, he won’t find it so funny anymore.” “Can we watch that part too?” Xie Lian asked. “We can. Hold on,” Hua Cheng replied.” - quan yizhen king of taking things literally. also why did this turn into hualian having a movie night

jian yu seems like the kind of asshole who would purposely give someone regular soda when they specifically asked for diet soda. god yin yu is really having a bad day i really feel for him in the whole situation with the brocade immortal

awww okay at least jian yu tried to take responsibility. im still mad at him tho that was objectively a terrible idea. god this whole situation sucked :(

“Rocks and earth crushed at them from all around, forcing their bodies to press tightly against one another, their faces brushing, their ears warm. Although it wasn’t the right time, a thought flashed through Xie Lian’s mind: “‘To die buried together’ doesn’t feel so bad.” - okay... im kind of emotional.... gay people....

okay obviously these murals and the prince of wuyong have some connection (im guessing pretty direct) to xie lian and are important but everytime they start analyzing one i feel like im back in art history class fhadskfhskjdhf not that thats a bad thing!! i liked art history a lot tbh

“Don’t worry, they’re not human,” Hua Cheng said. “It’s precisely because they’re not human that we have to worry, alright….” Xie Lian thought.” - goth ghost bf problems

xie lian: well, there is one person i trust more than anyone else, someone who’s first in my mind hua cheng, oblivious: oh :/ xie lian, also oblivious: what? hua cheng: you shouldnt trust so easily its dangerous xie lian: oh. haha. yeah. well. wanna,,, know who it is? hua cheng: its :) fine :) it :) doesnt :) matter :) but of course you can tell me if you want to gege xie lian, internally: well now ive made it weird hua cheng, 5 minutes later: actually i need you to tell me. right now. its totally for your security me: gay people smh

“As they suspected, he had been captured by Qi Rong. Although no one was bound by ropes, there were balls of greasily green ghost fires hovering over every one of their heads.” - completely off track but anybody else remember the great green globs of greasy grimy gopher guts song

“Could there actually come a day when Qi Rong was embarrassed that someone might see the manner in which he ate? Before Xuan Ji entered, she put Guzi down. Guzi, ta-ta-ta, ran in, rushing straight to Qi Rong’s side. But when he saw him, he pointed his finger. He cried, “Dad is eating bad things in secret again!” “I’m not!” Qi Rong retaliated.” SCREAM IS QI RONG LEARNING THE POWER OF LOVE NOOOO also god that poor man whose body he has im starting to doubt if he’ll ever be free jimmy novak flashbacks

everytime we get another ghost king power somewhere someone should be writing hua cheng the cyborg bf in a high tech futuristic au i think thats the only other potential setting that could truly capture this wild ride

“In truth, throughout history, there was no man in the world who didn’t love bragging. A breeze could blow the handkerchief of a brothel girl into a man’s hand, and he would turn around and say the most beautiful of renowned escorts had fallen in love with him; holding shoes and wiping benches for the emperor’s mistress’s uncle’s grandson’s cousin’s mistress would for sure become him being an important administrator at the residence of royal relatives, raising his status. Thus, men who didn’t brag were a rare species.” - SCREAM this is going in my favorite tgcf quotes folder god... mxtx come here let me shake your hand

read the story of rain master yushi huang’s ascension. why am i crying. also this bit im crying again me with my stuffed animals “Thus, while Yushi Huang was cultivating at the Temple of Yulong, every time when she went to seek water and passed that door, she would rub the head of that ox. The door knocker soaked in her essence of life, and when the Rain Master ascended, the ox ascended with her.”

okay thats enough for now i have 7 more chapters to book 4!!! woo!!!

#tgcf liveblog #bedtime now but im excited to be moving on #mouse mumbles

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tea-with-cinnamontoast · 5 years ago

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So. Trials of Apollo. Rick's third series of the Greek Mythology Chronicles. The series that is in the perspective of a god. The series that made people cry, laugh, and ask some questions. But personally, I want to talk about Lester and Meg. The iconic duo.

Most of the fandom either sleeps on toa, or imagine toa didn't exist. Mostly because Jason dies. But, people die. Even the best heroes die. Life is not forever. That is what Jason understands in the battle. He knows that Jason or Piper are fated to die. He accepts it. He understands that life isn't forever.

Meg. Ah, yes. My favorite character of all. The best daughter of Demeter. The chia girl. The amazing, super underrated, plant-growing little girl, Meg McCaffrey. SHE'S SUUUUPER UNDERRATED. Heck, I've seen people post about aMaZHanG gIrLsS, but I can't see Meg. Like dude, she saves Lester's butt a hell lot of times, grew the ash trees that were super hard to be planted, double-blessed, raised in an abusive home with an evil emperor, part of the Imperial Household, whose dad got killed by nero, who got chased out of the Greenhouses by Caligula, survives countless shenanigans, AND Y'ALL STILL SLEEPING ON MY GURL MEG?? It makes no sense!! I've seen people rant on oMgSs hAzEL, fRaNK, NIcO, lEo, and jASoN aRe sOOoooOoo uDeRRateDddd. No! My boi Lester, my gurl Meg, Lavinia, a bunch more. Heck not only in toa. People also sleep on KANE CHRONICLES, but that's for another time.

And finally. Lester. Lester Papadopoulus. Our main character. Our fallen god. His character arc. His sweet personality. His "siblingly" love for Meg. His regrets. Hyacinthus. Daphne. Freeing oracles. Been through so much. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE HIM?? Fracking Zeus, that big bastard. Torturing my favorite character (and my godly parent for that matter). I just can't believe people still hate AND sleep on toa.

And that's my rant. If u have other opinions just share them! Imma listen and see how many of u actually agree.

Rating: 100/10.

Stars: 💫 💫 💫 💫 💫

Rank:

-toa & pjo

-hoo

Thank you for reading.

#apollo #greekgods #percy jackon and the olympians #percy jackson #trials of apollo #greek mythology #artemis #heroes of olympus

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orthodoxydaily · 4 years ago

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Siant&Reading: Tue., Mar, 30, 2021

Commemorated on March 17_by the new calendar

The Monk Alexis (411)

The Monk Alexis was born at Rome into the family of the pious and poverty-loving Eufimian and Aglaida. The spouses were for a long time childless and constantly prayed the Lord for granting them a child. And the Lord consoled the couple with the birth of their son Alexis. At six years of age the lad began to read and successfully studied the mundane sciences, but it was with particular diligence that he read Holy Scripture. Having grown into a young man, he began to imitate his parents: he fasted strictly, distributed alms and beneathe fine clothing he secretly wore an hair-shirt. Early on there burned within him the desire to leave the world and serve the One God. But his parents had prepared for Alexis to marry, and when he attained mature age, they found him a bride. After the betrothal, having been left alone of an evening with his betrothed, Alexis took a ring from his finger, gave it to her and said: "Keep this, and may the Lord be with us, by His grace providing us new life". And going himself secretly from his home, he got on a ship sailing for Mesopotamia. Having come to the city of Edessa, – where the Image of the Lord "Not-made-by-Hand" was preserved, Alexis sold everything that he had, distributed the money to the poor and began to live nearby the church of the MostHoly Mother of God under a portico and survived on alms. The monk ate only bread and water, and the alms that he received he distributed to the aged and infirm. Each Sunday he communed the Holy Mysteries.

The parents sought everywhere for the missing Alexis, but without success. The servants, sent by Eufimian upon the search, arrived also in Edessa, but they did not recognise in the beggar sitting at the portico, – their master. His body was withered by strict fasting, his comeliness vanished, his stature diminished. The saint recognised them and gave thanks to the Lord that he received alms from his servants. The unconsolable mother of Saint Alexis confined herself in her room, incessantly praying for her son. And his wife grieved together with her in-laws. The monk dwelt in Edessa for seventeen years. One time it was revealed about him to the sexton of the church, at which the monk asceticised: the Mother of God through Her holy icon commanded: "Lead into My church that man of God, worthy of the Kingdom of Heaven; his prayer doth ascend to God, like unto fragrant incense, and the Holy Spirit doth rest upon him". The sexton began to search for such a man, but for a long while was not able to find him. Then with prayer he turned to the Most Holy Mother of God, beseeching Her to clear up his confusion. And again there was a voice from the icon proclaiming, that the man of God was that beggar, who sat in the church portico. The sexton found Saint Alexis and took him into the church. Many recognized him and began to praise him. The saint, shunning fame, went secretly on a ship, journeying to Cilicia. But the Fore-Knowledge of God destined otherwise: a storm took the ship far off to the West and it arrived at the coast of Italy. The saint journeyed to Rome. Unrecognized, he humbly besought of his father permission to settle in some corner of his courtyard. Eufimian settled Alexis in a specially constructed lodging near the entrance of the house and gave orders to feed him from his table. Living at his parental home, the saint continued to fast and he spent day and night at prayer. He humbly endured the insults and jeering from the servants of his father. The room of Alexis was situated opposite the windows of his betrothed, and the ascetic suffered grievously, hearing her weeping. Only immeasurable love for God helped the saint endure this torment. Saint Alexis dwelt at the house of his parents for seventeen years and was informed by the Lord about the day of his death. Then the saint, taking parchment, wrote about his life, asking the forgiveness of his parents and betrothed. On the day of the death of saint Alexis, the Roman Pope Innocentius (402-417) was serving Liturgy in the presence of the emperor Honorius (395-423). During the time of services there was heard from the altar a miraculous Voice: "Come unto Me, all ye who labour and art heavy-burdened, and I wilt grant you respite" (Mt 11: 28). All those present fell to the ground in trembling. The Voice continued: "Find the man of God, departing unto life eternal, and have him pray for the city". They began to search through all of Rome, but they did not find the saint. From Thursday into Friday the Pope, making the all-night vigil, besought the Lord to point out the saint of God. After Liturgy again was heard the Voice in the temple: "Seek the man of God in the house of Eufimian". All hastened thither, but the saint was already dead. His face shown like the face of an Angel, and in his hand was clasped the parchment, which he did not let go of, nor were they able to take it. They placed the body of the saint on a cot, covered with costly coverings. The Pope and the emperor bent their knees and turned to the saint, as to one yet alive, asking to open up his hand. And the saint fulfilled their prayer. When the letter was read, the father and mother and betrothed of the righteous one tearfully venerated his holy remains. The body of the saint, from which began to be worked healings, was put amidst the square. The emperor and the Pope themselves carried the body of the saint into the church, where it was situated for a whole week, and then was placed in a marble crypt. From the holy relics there began to flow fragrant myrrh, bestowing healing unto the sick. The venerable remains of Saint Alexis, man of God, were buried in the church of Saint Boniface. In the year 1216 the relics were opened. The Life of the holy monk Alexis, man of God, was one always loved in Rus'.

Pre-Shiism Western SAint

st Gertrude of Nivelle_ Belgium (759)

The daughter of Pepin of Landen (580- 646), Mayor of the Palace under the Frankish kings of Austrasia*, and St. Itta (also Ida, Itte, or Iduberga; commemorated on May 8/21), St. Gertrude was born in Landen, in present-day Belgium, in 626. Her mother raised her in piety and nurtured her with love for the life in Christ.When St. Gertrude was ten years old, her father hosted a banquet, to which King Dagobert I was invited. At this feast, the King asked her if she would like to marry one of his advisors, the son of a Duke.The girl replied that she desired no other Bridegroom than our Lord Jesus Christ. The guests marveled at her steadfastness of soul and recognized that she was indeed one of God’s elect.After the death of Pepin** , his wife retired to their property in Nivelles (near present-day Brussels), taking St. Gertrude with her. At the exhortation of St. Amandus, Bishop of Maastricht (†February 6/19), she founded a double monastery*** for men and women.Many suitors had wanted to marry the noble young woman so as to gain wealth and power. As we read in the Life**** of St. Gertrude, to prevent “violent abductors from tearing her daughter away by force,” St. Itta cut her daughter’s hair herself. This tonsure marked her consecration to God.Having received the monastic veil at the hands of the holy Bishop, St. Gertrude was appointed Abbess by her mother. She was at the time only twenty years old.Adorned with steadfast faith and rare spiritual discernment, she inspired in the Sisters love for God and zeal for ascetic endeavors.Her Life states that “in temperance of character, the sobriety of her heart, and the moderation of her words she anticipated maturity.” She was “an intelligent young woman, scholarly and charitable, devoting herself to the sick, elderly, and poor.” She built churches and took care of orphans, widows, captives, and pilgrims. Her spiritual renown spread quickly.Two Irish monks, St. Foillan (†January 16/29) and his brother, St. Ultan (†May 2/15), whom the fearsome King Penda of Mercia had driven out of East Anglia, were welcomed by the Saint at her monastery. They were of great assistance in the organization of worship, and the holy books and Relics which they brought were invaluable treasures for the community.St Gertrude’s brother, Grimoald I, Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia from 643-656, gave the monks land at Fosses-la-Ville, not far from Nivelles, where they founded a monastery.The monks remained, however, under the spiritual direction of St. Gertrude, who asked certain of them to teach Holy Scripture to the nuns, and sent others to preach the Gospel in neighboring regions.One day, as St. Foillan was returning to his monastery after the Divine Liturgy in Nivelles, he and his three companions fell into a trap set by bandits in the deep forest. They were slain and their bodies concealed. St. St. Gertrude ordered her monastics to fast and pray that God might reveal the location of St. Foillan’s remains. After seventy-seven days of prayer, she had a vision of a light that illuminated a certain spot in the forest. She sent some people to recover his body, which was reverently borne to his monastery.St. Foillan’s brother, St. Ultan, thereafter took over the direction of the men’s monastery (655).After living five years under the direction of her daughter, St. Itta reposed in the Lord (652).St. Gertrude, desiring to devote herself more completely to prayer, entrusted the external affairs of the monastery to monks and the direction of the monastics to competent nuns.Dedicated with fervent zeal to fasting, vigil, and prayer, she acquired such boldness before God that, when she was praying in Church, the sisters repeatedly saw a flaming sphere over her head, which illumined the surrounding area by its brightness.Her great abstinence, however, led to a serious decline in her health, and at the age of thirty, with the consent of her spiritual children, she appointed as Abbess her twenty-year-old niece, St. Wulfetrud, whom she had reared herself.Living thenceforth as a simple nun, St. Gertrude increased her prayers manyfold, despite her failing strength, and received wondrous revelations from God.Sensing that her end was approaching, she gathered the Sisters, exhorted them to remain faithful to their monastic vows, and instructed them to bury her by covering her body with her hair shirt and her face with an old veil. This hair shirt and veil were later venerated by pilgrims along with her Relics.She then sent a messenger to St. Ultan at the Monastery of Fosses to ask him what day she would repose.The Saint informed her that she would give up her soul to God the following day, during the Divine Liturgy, and told her not to fear, since St. Patrick and Holy Angels would be sent by God to receive her soul. Indeed, St. Gertrude gave back her soul to her Heavenly Bridegroom the next day, March 17, 659, after having communed of the Immaculate Mysteries. Immediately after her blessed repose, miracles began to take place at her tomb, and her veneration spread during the Middle Ages throughout all of Northern Europe, where she is honored as the Patron Saint of travelers andIndeed, St. Gertrude gave back her soul to her Heavenly Bridegroom the next day, March 17/30, 659, after having communed of the Immaculate Mysteries.Immediately after her blessed repose, miracles began to take place at her tomb, and her veneration spread during the Middle Ages throughout all of Northern Europe, where she is honored as the Patron Saint of travelers and gardeners.

Source: http://austroca.org/

Isaiah 9:9-10:4

9 All the people will know— Ephraim and the inhabitant of Samaria— Who say in pride and arrogance of heart:

10 “The bricks have fallen down, But we will rebuild with hewn stones; The sycamores are cut down, But we will replace them with cedars.”

11 Therefore the Lord shall set up The adversaries of Rezin against him, And spur his enemies on,

12 The Syrians before and the Philistines behind; And they shall devour Israel with an open mouth. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.

13 For the people do not turn to Him who strikes them, Nor do they seek the Lord of hosts.

14 Therefore the Lord will cut off head and tail from Israel, Palm branch and bulrush in one day.

15 The elder and honorable, he is the head; The prophet who teaches lies, he is the tail.

16 For the leaders of this people cause them to err, And those who are led by them are destroyed.

17 Therefore the Lord will have no joy in their young men, Nor have mercy on their fatherless and widows; For everyone is a hypocrite and an evildoer, And every mouth speaks folly. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out stil

18 For wickedness burns as the fire; It shall devour the briers and thorns, And kindle in the thickets of the forest; They shall mount up like rising smoke.

19 Through the wrath of the Lord of hosts The land is burned up, And the people shall be as fuel for the fire; No man shall spare his brother.

20 And he shall snatch on the right hand And be hungry; He shall devour on the left hand And not be satisfied; Every man shall eat the flesh of his own arm.

21 Manasseh shall devour Ephraim, and Ephraim Manasseh; Together they shall be against Judah. For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.

1 “Woe to those who decree unrighteous decrees, Who write misfortune, Which they have prescribed

2 To rob the needy of justice, And to take what is right from the poor of My people, That widows may be their prey, And that they may rob the fatherless.

3 What will you do in the day of punishment, And in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your glory?

4 Without Me they shall bow down among the prisoners, And they shall fall among the slain.” For all this His anger is not turned away, But His hand is stretched out still.

Proverbs 8:32-9:11

32 “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Hear instruction and be wise, And do not disdain it.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.

35 For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the Lord;

36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul; All those who hate me love death.”

1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2 She has slaughtered her meat, She has mixed her wine, She has also furnished her table.

3 She has sent out her maidens, She cries out from the highest places of the city,

4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,

5 “Come, eat of my bread And drink of the wine I have mixed.

6 Forsake foolishness and live, And go in the way of understanding.

7 “He who corrects a scoffer gets shame for himself, And he who rebukes a wicked man only harms himself.

8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you;

9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.

10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For by me your days will be multiplied, And years of life will be added to you.

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristianity #originofchristianity spirituality sacredtexts oldtestament wisdom

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llama-milk-for-the-egg-nog · 4 years ago

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Thoughts on Mulan (2020)

Ok so I had heard some stuff beforehand about this movie, but I didn’t wanna let that tint my experience too much, though it kind of did in the form of noticing western influence on certain things. Here’s a list of thoughts more or less in chronological order. First I wrote these in a notebook, and now I’m putting them here.

The beginning sequence reminds me so much of Kung Fu Huslte

though honestly it might just be that stephen chow’s movies are pretty much the extent of chinese-made media that I watch

Rosalind Chao is here, I’m a Keiko O’Brien stan so she reminded me of DS9

Fa Zhou saying something about “emissary” also reminded me of DS9

The music where the rourans first attack is cool I guess

idk if the brass made the music of the imperial city sound kinda western or what, but it certainly did sound militaristic (which I guess it’s supposed to)

Why does mulan have a little sister instead of a little brother? to add more female characters to the story? she doesn’t really do much though

After mulan’s whole childhood sequence, it cuts to a shot of the witch in the desert, which if you didn’t already know the story, might make it seem like mulan grew up to be the witch

although this makes some sense too bc the movie likes to compare them

the witch twists into a hawk (?), neat!

I saw people earlier comment about both men and women in china (and other parts of the world) keeping their hair long, so when mulan’s hair fell out of place in the matchmaker scene it made me notice that both the men and women also wear their hair up, which in turn causes the part of the movie later when mulan emerges after the avalanche to make way less sense since how would they know she’s a woman?

ok this is the thing I’m upset about, its a small thing but still, Why don’t we get to see the sword form?? If you remember in the animated version, her father does this straight sword form. (It’s a real form, not just made up for the animated movie). So I was like “ok maybe mulan will do it later” and then it NEVER HAPPENED. (possibly she did it during the “make a man out of you” training sequence, but the odd camera angels and quick cutaways make it impossible to tell)

I also had heard earlier that the script was not subtle at all,,,y’all were right

oh look, a phoenix

mulan: “the phoenix”

yes, we know

Commander Donnie Yen Tung’s entrance is iconic

BAHAHFHDSK mulan’s reaction to seeing naked men skjfdk

uh oh,,only 40 minutes in and the forced romance is already upon us

although, in retrospect, the way they resolved it at the end didn’t make me cringe that much

I’m a slut for butterfly kicks

the scene where mulan bathes in the lake has a much more predatory undertone now, especially now that Ling, Chien Po, and Yao are missing

the trio made the scene funny in the animated movie

can the not-Li-Shang-love-interest Honghui please leave Jun/Mulan alone?? ffs

speaking of no Li Shang, I liked the Donnie Yen mentor character half better than the Honghui half

Honghui kind of comes off as a simp ngl

what’s with the witch’s makeup/outfit? are they based on something?

speaking of outfits, awhile ago, I saw a really cool doll alteration video for mulan 2020

Commander Tung’s monologue/ mulan’s and the army’s training sequence about Chi where the words “Tranquil as a forest, but on fire within” are spoken is actually my favorite part of the whole movie. As much as I would have liked a musical remake, I think they translated the visual elements and the words together well in a way that was different enough from the animated version, but still satisfying to watch (at least for me).

They also integrate the music of Reflection here really well imho. In the animated version, there’s a point where mulan modulates to a higher key, but the live action version doesn’t do that, which further pushes it away from sounding like disney’s classic musical theatre style. They also changed a few of the notes, and I think the overall changes to Reflection in this part of the movie really improve this montage.

Compared to the Spiderman where they changed the notes from harmonic minor to (normal) minor (idk if that’s the real term I’m not actually a music major) in the MCU opening sequence, the note changes in Reflection don’t actually upset me.

my brain: oh look!! flowers!! cool! whooshhhh (honestly I couldn’t even tell if she was doing flowers right in the first part of the movie until here)

Mulan/Jun is gonna marry Commander Tung’s daughter? Yeah girl!! Get it!

oh look at me I’m a rouran and I gotta turn around on my moving horse to shoot arrows let me just swoOP

1:01:56 WHY ARE YOUR FINGERS IN FRONT OF THE HILT oh ok they fixed in the next shot but its still annoying

Unsubtle phoenix imagery not subtle

I guess I was warned about it :/

oh look its my fav interval a major 7th, I wonder if that’s supposed to be like “the last step before rebirth/the octave” bc of how Jun “dies” after the witch throws a weapon that gets stuck in her chest binding

at least she’s not using ace bandages or smth but idk much about binding

WHY ARE YOU THROWING OFF ALL YOUR ARMOR WHEN YOU’RE GOING INTO BATTLE? ACCEPTING AND PRESENTING YOURSELF AS WHO YOU REALLY ARE DOESN’T MEAN YOU HAVE TO TAKE OFF YOUR ARMOR

ok I know it was so she would be visually distinguishable from the other imperial soldiers, but still

the soldiers doing the turtle thing with their shields reminds me of the “we irritating 😂😂😂” meme

brass to signify that mulan is going to have a heroic moment (causing the avelanche) seems western to me. Idk much about traditional chinese instruments but it seems like they could use more of those.

Guys,,,I’m so fucking stupid I- .... it took me an hour and ten minutes to register the Lucky Cricket stand-in character,,,excuse me,,,,

the scene where mulan saves hongui and puts her hand over his heart gives me r*ylo vibes and I hate it

the witch, 1:14:40: “🎵yes I~ am a girl like you~��”

damn the music even reminds of the barbie movie a bit

The emperor’s voice reminds me of the mentor character from Kung Pow Enter the Fist which in itself was a western guy making fun of old cheesy martial arts movies (and how movies sometimes have a white male protagonist when they’re deadass set in asia and everyone else is asian)

the mentor characters voice was dubbed into english (and you can tell) but to me the emperor’s voice also kinda sounds like that

I’m disappointed that we didn’t get some kind of scene like the part in the animated verison where Mulan leads Ling, Chien Po, and Yao to cross dress to help save the emperor.

to me, that scene in the animated ver. is a reminder that it isn’t shameful for men to act/dress feminine

in general the animated version, to me, sends the message that it is ok to have both feminine and masculine traits, and that they don’t undermine each other or your identity, so they should all be embraced as a part of one’s personality (which tbh really helped me as a young kid)

the 2020 ver,, just doesn’t really send that message, instead its more broad like “be true to yourself”

I’m a slut for butterfly kicks

the witch taking an arrow for mulan really didn’t do it for me tbh, it made her seem a little wishy washy

like, I get that she wanted acceptance/validation, and that a part of her was glad that mulan found that for herself, but what about the rest of her motivation? Isn’t a desire for power or something what separates her from mulan?

Unsubtle phoenix imagery and dialogue is unsubtle

The music playing during the Mulan v. Khan duel reminds me of Duel of the Fates

actually the setting of the duel and other things really remind of of the Maul v. Ahsoka duel from Clone Wars s7

damn I really wanna watch the Maul v. Ahsoka duel cause the fight choreo is just,, so much more interesting

aww! Cricket is alive!

Around 1:34:39 , the music does not feel like it should be building up to Reflection here. At this point, I think the melody had been reprised too many times and was getting to be overused (I still like it in the training sequence though).

I was happy to see Ming Na Wen!

Mulan is going home and ugh! Honghui! Don’t you know she’s betrothed to Commander Tung’s daughter? smh. homewrecker simp.

the matchmaker reminds me of Baron Harkonnen (Dune)

cheezy credits song is cheezy, even cheezier because they reprised reflection again

#mulan's hair falling out of place in the first matchmaker scene reminds me of when my hair fell out of place during a comp lol #I love watching the sword form bc I learned it when I was younger #I basically forgot it tho :/#'impossible'#<insert 'it's not impossible just hard!'> quote here #mulan's experiences in the sleeping camp make me grateful I don't have a roommate tbh #mulan 2020 #the character keiko obrien is Japanese but Rosalind Chao is Chinese

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atopearth · 5 years ago

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The Legend of Dragoon Part 1 - The Serdian War

Omggg this is so nostalgic already! Seeing Rose save Dart from the Dragon was a pretty iconic scene haha. I honestly don't remember this game having voice dubs lol, that was a nice surprise. I can't remember why exactly Shana could affect the future of this world or whatever, but I do remember she's the Moon Child or something and Dart needs to go around the world saving her haha. It's sad to see Dart's hometown Seles get burnt to the ground just because Imperial Sandora needed to capture Shana. And omggg I love how unique the battle system is btw, it's honestly the highlight of the game for me hahaha. I used to be pretty bad at it but I usually get the hang of it after a while haha. It's so weird btw. It's probably been more than 10 years since I played this game, but somehow subconsciously I knew that there must be something at the graves in Seles, and there really was stardust there! I can't remember what it's for, but I guess it's good to know that inside me I still remember a lot of things about this game haha. Anyway, Dart and Shana have a pretty common childhood friend relationship where he's always protected her since they were kids, so there's no way he won't go to save her from Hellena Prison. Seriously though, it's a pretty cliche relationship but I don't know why, when I was a kid, I was just really fond of them haha.

Meeting Lavitz here for Dart is a blessing since he'll be able to help him get through all the soldiers, but I guess that's likewise for Lavitz. Still better for Dart though since he'll be constantly trying to protect Shana haha. Anyway, I always found it saddening that Lavitz wanted to protect his fellow Knights of Basil that were captured as well, and about to be fed to Fruegel's pet but in the end, they still ended up dying🥺 I didn't realise that Dart actually hadn't been back to Seles for 5 years! No wonder why the others in town took a while to realise it was him, I just thought they were all groggy after their injuries. I guess that's why they believed that if he was there, Seles might have been okay, but still though, one more Dart can't really go against an army lol. Anyway, playing with Lavitz is so nostalgic! Hearing Dart say Double Slash and Lavitz say Harpoon is just so crazy hahaha. I can't wait to get Rose etc~ I still suck at the Additions though lmao, every time I'm like, I'm to good at this, I fail hahahaha, and I'm still just doing Double Slash, I literally only need to press one button when it goes close to the square lol! Fruegel wasn't that hard of a boss at all! I actually really enjoyed being able to use my Addition skills more because the soldiers kept dying in one hit lol. Ohh yeah, Dart's first hometown (where he and his parents lived) was called Neet and was attacked by the Black Monster! I think it was pretty saddening that his family escaped, but his father decided to return to help others, and his mother followed after him, like, what about your child?! It must have hurt for Dart to see something similar happen to Seles though... I can't believe Dart went on a journey to find the Black Monster when he was 13 though, like dang! But I guess a kid like him who had to learn to survive by himself would be resilient enough by that age... Hmmmm, as I gathered, the Kingdom of Basil is at war with Imperial Sandora and the war is widespread over Serdio itself. Can Emperor Doel of Imperial Sandora control the Dragon enough that he thinks he can take over Albert's kingdom instead of keeping the truce?? Gotta love how conveniently that log we chopped allowed us to cross the river hahahaha. Lavitz is such a kind soul though. He doesn't even know these random people on the road, and they're even from Sandora but he just invites them to Bale and even his house because they have nowhere else to go. I guess his kindness is a reflection of the type of country Albert runs.

Lmao, I love how Dart and Lavitz are such bros that even Shana can't butt in🤣 It was pretty scary when Lavitz slipped on the rock and nearly fell off the waterfall though, I felt so nervous for him lol. So cute how the guys are so fond of each other already though lol. Not sure what exactly Shana's powers do, but it instantly decimated that snake when her life was in danger so....hmm. It's so sweet how respected Lavitz is that the artist girl in Bale painted a portrait of him, and Dart said it was too handsome hahaha. Omg! I feel so sorry for the NPC in the inn! His child and his grandchild died due to the war so he thinks there's no meaning to his life anymore... That's so saddening... The lady that has been waiting for her boyfriend to come back even after 10 years is so faithful, it's heartbreaking. It's so cool to see how much the people love Lavitz in Bale, I guess it's understandable though, not only is he a good boy and knight, his dad is also a revered knight, so he's probably doing well succeeding him. Not surprised Dart wanted to leave Shana here to protect her lol. I loved how she practically immediately told him her feelings about it and him, like wow, she's so bold to say she wants to stay beside him forever in front of the king and everyone lol. Albert is right though, with a dragon on their side, no place is really safe in Serdio anymore... Hmmmm Winglies used to rule at the top until the Dragon campaign where they fought against Emperor Diaz and the seven dragons, and it was then that humans acquired their freedom after their slavery by the Winglies? And it was then that the Black Monster appeared.. I think it's really cool of Dart to see that him chasing after the Black Monster all this time has been selfish of him, and it caused him to nearly lose his hometown again, so now he wants to join alongside Lavitz to end this war before it creates more people like him who have lost their homes. No wonder why Hoax sounds familiar huh, that's where the current line of defence has been pushed to, and it's most likely where they'll use the dragon! HAHAHA, why does Albert have a slide that goes back to the entrance of the castle in his bed chambers?! Not complaining though because that was pretty fun and cool lmao. LOL at Shana saying she's Dart's girlfriend and not Lavitz's when the mum misunderstood, even Dart didn't know she was hahahaha. Lmao at Dart saying he can cook aka he can cook a large piece of meat hahaha, is that how he survived by himself for 5 years?! Even Lavitz was like forget it, leave the cooking to his mum and Shana loll. The answers are all so hilarious, imagining Dart trying to practise with his sword in Lavitz's house is so cute loll, he'll destroy the place. It was even more funny when you choose the option to take a nap because Dart says every young lady knows that lack of sleep is bad for your skin, and Lavitz is just speechless at it hahahaha. Looking around the house, it honestly feels kinda lonely that Lavitz's mum lives in this big house by herself considering Lavitz is away most of the time. I've always enjoyed the rooftop scene, you get to see a nice view of Indels Castle and you can see that Lavitz's passion towards protecting his country stems from watching his father, but it's become his dream now too. This is similar to Dart, where his passion lies in protecting Shana because he's the only one that can do that right now, he might still consider her a baby sister for now, but we'll see how it all goes! I think it's really cute how in the end, Lavitz ended up spending the night and even took his mum's handmade jerky haha, he's a soft boy at heart. I mean, the country and the war is important, but who knows how many times he can bond with his mother, so I'm glad he decided to spend some proper time with her instead of just lunch. I find it funny how you can jump from Lavitz's house's rooftop to the stables hahaha, imagine doing that in real life!

Lmaoo at Dart, Lavitz and even Kaiser (the Eighth Knighthood leader taking care of Hoax) saying that as long as Shana's food is edible, it's good enough🤣 To be fair, when you're a knight or a wanderer like Dart, I doubt you'll have much complaints about food haha. Omgg so King Doel is actually Albert's uncle?! Since Doel is apparently Carlo/Albert's father's brother! I wonder why their relationship soured, was it because Doel wanted to be king instead? Lmao at the midwife asking if they came to talk to her because Dart and Shana wanted babies hahahaha. War is always a saddening thing though. When I think about the soldiers such as the one holding the amulet from his daughter believing that he can go back home to her, the people fortifying their houses to protect against the raid and everything, it's just so saddening to see these soldiers fall by enemy arrows and everything... Man, the fight against Kongol is so unforgiving lol! If you fail your addition, he counterattacks you! I missed it once and was like whoa! Otherwise, I always love Rose swooping down in her dragoon form and saving Dart from Kongol~ hmm, so the Dragoon Spirit (the stone Dart's father left behind) means that you "deserve" to rule Dragons and for him, it's the Red-Eye Dragon? Nice that it's clarified that Dragoons were the ones who led humans to victory in the Dragon campaign, the pictures just kinda showed humans riding on dragons so I wasn't sure haha. It was so cute how Dart piggy backed Shana and told her that even if she may not be as strong as Rose, she's good for other stuff and doesn't need to compare herself. Oooh so Winglies used Virages in the Dragon Campaign, this one was pretty weak though! Greham's story is a pretty common one, but I always find it terrible, mainly because people like him driven by jealousy and power in order to get stronger than their best friend that they essentially admire, but then kill them in that quest is just..sad. People like Lavitz's father Servi trusted him, but in the end because of their desire to be stronger, they sacrifice their friend and end up pretty much regretting it in their death. I'm not sure if Emperor Diaz from the Dragon Campaign is alive or whatever as he says, but it's nice that Greham ended up leading Lavitz to inherit the Jade Dragoon Spirit.

I remember Lohan! It's such a crazy city because of how huge it is, yet all the houses and stores are so tiny and in like a maze lol! No idea how Dabas (the antique seller that tells us we can get Dragoni plant to save Shana from dragon poison north of the nest or something) affords his gigantic store lol. Lmaoo at the man staring across the street at a lady thinking she's interested in him, but she's actually just staring at him because he reminds her of her dog hahahah. I love the rollercoaster kinda ride you do at Shirley's Shrine to get the numbers to go to the boss lol, it's pretty fun hahaha. I thought Drake the bandit was aiming for treasure here, but it seems that he was protecting Shirley all along! I feel bad that Shirley's gone now, but I guess this is how it should be, and at least the White Silver Dragoon Spirit is in good hands and will only be used to heal people. It's kinda cute how apparently Haschel and Dart journeyed together before! Now they've reunited in the Hero Competition! Anyway, I've always loved this tournament part because it's really cool to see how Dart himself fares against others without the party. On another note, I'm not sure why I love Lloyd since I've kinda forgotten his character, but to this day, I love the name Lloyd enough that if it wasn't weird, I would totally call my future kid Lloyd, and it's probably the only reason I would prefer a boy than a girl LOL. I think I always found it really cool how overwhelmingly strong he was compared to Dart probably. Lmao at Lavitz trying to drag Rose away so Dart could play games around the arena with Shana alone, but she punches him instead hahahha. Okay lmao, totally cannot do that obstacle course lolll. I'd rather do what's wrong with the room one, it's so easy after you do it a few times hahah, also helps if you cheat by taking a photo with your phone LOL. But otherwise, it's the same scene every time so it's pretty easy. The pink bird in the hat moving around is too hard with the pixels merging together imo lol! And the monkeys throwing balls at Dart is pretty hilarious hahahah.

Although I can understand why Dart is so adamant on continuing his journey looking for the Black Monster after the war, Lavitz is kinda right that maybe he should focus on the present instead of chasing after the past, otherwise he's going to lose his chance at happiness with Shana. Omgg, Albert offering up himself at Hellena Prison to protect the people of Bale from Imperial Sandora?? This is when Lavitz dies...isn't it?😭 Well, I obviously didn't farm enough to get Flower Storm for Lavitz and I honestly cbb, but I did Google to see it, and apparently when Lavitz does it, he says Rose Storm (because he likes roses the most apparently) and Albert says Blossom Storm because his favourite is cherry blossoms! The even cooler thing is that this is changed in their Dragoon forms! Lavitz's second magic skill is called Blossom Storm with cherry blossoms all around, and Albert's is Rose Storm so they kinda swap around in Dragoon form to show their love and camaraderie with each other, it's so cool! Honestly though, I nearly cried when Lavitz died. I feel like when I was a kid, I never really saw how cool, loyal and kind Lavitz was because the Additions were too fascinating lol, so now seeing how friendly he was, how considerate he was towards Shana's feelings for Dart, how he gave advice to Dart on what he should cherish most, and how we was always willing to give his life to his king and his country, it really broke my heart to see him die like that. Especially in Lloyd's hands, someone who we thought was an admirable swordsman turned out to be the guy who would kill Lavitz when they actually fought against each other. I'm not sure what kinda sword he has but it seemed really beam-y lol. And what is the Moon Gem that he needed from Albert's body? I think the pain really hit me when Lavitz entrusted everything to Dart, and then the Jade Dragoon Spirit flew out of him😭😭 Ohh, the reason why Lloyd could so easily pierce through Lavitz's Dragoon armour was because his sword was the Dragon Buster, a weapon from the old world made to kill Dragons! It's really nice of Haschel to have come along with them btw, especially since he's on a journey to find his daughter. Although I guess it's not much of a deterrence considering he's been looking for 20 years, but still. I guess he'll find her along the way... Hopefully. So, the Moon Gem was one of the magical artifacts scattered across the world made from the Winglies after their defeat, but only they can use them? It's been hidden in each crown heir every generation in fear of the powers of destruction it could bring when put in the wrong hands hmm, I'm kinda amazed they found a way to put it in the body like that though. I guess now that Albert's kingdom is "gone", he's got a reason to go along with us to end this war with the few people and Dragoons he has. I mean, if the Dragoons ended the Dragon Campaign, I'm sure they're better than an army anyway lol. It's kinda nice that the one who taught Albert his lance skills was Lavitz himself, so it's understandable that he would use the same moves. Anyway, onwards to the Black Castle where Emperor Doel resides! Straight to the end of the war hopefully!

Lmao at the guy registering to be a mercenary with Imperial Sandora trying to revoke it after his friend told him about the Dragon being defeated and Hellena Prison having fallen. Wow, I restarted because I accidentally sold something but omg when you say you want to register, the guy taking registrations advises you to not and even gives you money if you have money problems because he doesn't want you to risk your life! He's so nice... Aww the people at the inn! When the lady begged for us to stay and treat it like charity, I felt like I couldn't be stingy lol, it's only 20G anyway. LOL at the guy trying to con people for their money by claiming he killed Feyrbrand (Jade Dragon) and then he gets arrested hahahah. The variety of researchers in the Black Castle are hilarious, especially Mr Magi who turned himself into "Cerberus" but really turned into a dog lol. But the research of Dragons and magic? This sounds suspicious and bad... The battle against Kongol was so annoying! His skills take so long lol! Defeating Doel felt like...bringing someone back to their sanity? I wonder why he had to kill Albert's father back then, was it really just to be king? Anyway, it's not nice to be happy about someone's death, but honestly, with Emperor Doel's death, the 20 year war finally ends... But our journey has not, because as Dart said, this journey began because people captured Shana, and after that too many things have happened to just go home and live peacefully, we need to see what Lloyd wants and whether Emperor Diaz really is alive.

Anyway, that's the end of chapter 1! Kinda crazy that it was only one chapter tbh, I felt like I finished a story but really, it's just the beginning. So many things happened... Especially Lavitz's death. Anyway, I'm hyped to continue the journey! Btw the battle against Emperor Doel was pretty hard, he deals so much damage lol! But then again, I'm always cheap with my healing potions hahaha. Didn't think he'd be a Dragoon though, but I guess it was to be expected lol. Yay for everyone having a Dragoon Spirit now though lol. Honestly though, I really enjoy the variety of battles and how engaging the story and characters are. I really like how there are battles that are more as a symbolism than an actual battle such as Shirley’s where you’re supposed to give her the correct answers rather than defeating her, I think it really makes you think about everyone’s motivations and how they deal with it all in order to continue on their path. I just love it. The towns are also so different and fun! Like, Lohan is just a bumble of shops and everything, gotta love the guy that shouts at you for running around the rooftop lol, and Bale is just so Albert and Lavitz centred that it has such a warm feeling when you’re there. Tournaments are always my thing, so I’m glad this game has it too haha~ I can’t wait to see the rest!

#the legend of dragoon #legend of dragoon

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icharchivist · 6 years ago

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The Journey So Far - A Mix of DGM songs on spotify // Others Playlists

or “i am too lazy to sort them out by invididual playlists just take it” the dgm playlist by yours truly.

Each song’s names are under the cut by alphabetical order with a vague reason why they’re on the list. Might also edit it as time goes by.

current song number: 158 songs, 11h02m of listening

Abel and Cain - D’espairsRay (Mana&Nea) / Alive - Superchick (Lenalee) / All Fall Down - OneRepublic (Allen) / All of Everything, Erased - Kevin Devine (Allen) / All We Are - OneRepublic (Allen/Exorcists) - Alone Together - Fall Out Boy (Allen/Exorcists) / And We Run - Within Temptation (Lavi) / Anonymous - Three Days Grace (Lavi or Allen) / As We Fly South - Walking On Cars (Lavi)

Back From the Dead - Skillet (Allen) / Battle Cry - Skillet (Exorcists) / A Beautiful lie - 30 Seconds to Mars (Lavi) / Bleed It Out - Linkin Park (Kanda) / Broken Crown - Mumford and Sons (Mana&Nea) / Buried Alive - Lovers & Liars (Kanda) / Burn - Three Days Grace (Lavi) / Burning Down - Skillet (Lavi)

Carnivore - Startset (Nea) / Castle - Halsey (Nea) / The Cave - Mumford and Sons (Lavi) / Closed Eyes Still Look Forward - Chiodos (Allen) / Color - The Maine (Allen) / Come With Me Now - KONGOS (Allen) / Control - Halsey (Mana&Nea) / Copy of a Copy - Dead Poetic (Allen) / Crawl (Carry Me Through) - Superchick (Lenalee) / Creatures - Shinedown (Noah&Allen) / The Crooked Kind - Radical Face (Lavi)/ Crossfire - Stephen (Allen&Exorcists) / Cry For Help - Shinedown (Cross) / Cynics & Critics - Icon for Hire (Exorcists)

Dangerous - Within Temptation (Kanda) / A Dangerous Mind - Within Temptation (Allen&Nea) / Dark Matter - Les Friction (Earl&Noah) / The Dark of You - Breaking Benjamin (Allen&Nea)/ Darkside - Shinedown (Earl&Noah) / A Day’s Pay For a Day’s Work - Darkstar (Kanda) / A Demon’s Fate - Within Temptation (Allen&Nea) / Devil in Me - Halsey (Allen&Nea) / Devour - Shinedown (Earl&Noah) / Dirty Night Clowns - Chris Garneau (Allen&Mana) / The Disappearance of the Girl - PHIDEL (Lenalee) / Dog Days - Within Temptation (Kanda) / Dust Bowl Dance - Mumford and Sons (Allen) / The Dying Kind - Joy Williams (Gen)

Earth - Sleeping At Last (Allen) / East Jesus Nowhere - Green Day (the Order) / Edge of the World - Within Temptation (Allen) / Emperor’s New Clothes - Panic! At the Disco (Earl&Noah) / Endless War - Within Temptation (Allen) / Erl King - Ghost Bees (Allen&Earl) / Every you, Every me - Placebo (Kanda&Alma) / Everybody Wants To Rule The World - Lorde (Order&Noah) / Evolve - Shinedown (Nea&Allen&Noah)

Figure It Out - Royal Blood (Allen&Nea) / Final Destination - Within Temptation (Allen&Nea) / Flawed Design - Stabilo (Lavi) / Float - The Neighbourhood (Allen) / Floods - Sir Sly (Allen&Mana&Earl) / Fool Like You - KOVACS (Alma) / Forgiven - Within Temptation (Kanda/Alma) / Frozen - Within Temptation (Alma)

Get Out Alive - Three Days Grace (Kanda) / Ghost Town - Radical Face (Allen) / Ghost Town - Shiny Toy Guns (Exorcists) / Gift For You - Celldweller (Alma) / Going Under - Evanescence (Kanda/Alma)

Hand of Sorrow - Within Temptation (Allen&Mana) / Happy Ending - Mika (Kanda/Alma) / HeavyDirtySoul - Twenty One Pilots (Allen) / Help I’m Alive - Metric (Allen) / Hero - Skillet (Lavi) / Holding Onto You - Twenty One Pilots (Allen) / Human - Daughter (Allen) / Humility - Gorillaz (Nea&Mana) / Hurricane - 30 Seconds to Mars (Kanda/Alma)

Illusion - VNV Nation (Kanda/Alma) / In Vain - Within Temptation (War&Allen) / Iron - Within Temptation (Nea) / It Has Begun - Starset (War) / It’s the Fear - Within Temptation (Allen&Nea)

The Judge - Twenty One Pilots (Allen) / Junior - Stateless (Lavi) / Jupiter - Sleeping at Last (Allen)

Let Us Burn - Within Temptation (Lavi) / Let’s Kill Tonight - Panic! At the Disco (Nea&Noah) / A Light That Never Comes - Linkin Park (Kanda) / Little Lion Man - Mumford and Sons (Lavi) / Louder Than Words - Les Friction (War)

Mad World - Within Temptation (Allen&War) / The March - Hypnogaja (Allen&Exorcists) / Marchin On - OneRepublic (Allen&Exorcists) / Melting In My Icebox - Bronze Radio Return (Lavi) / Memories - Within Temptation (Allen&Mana) / Mercury - Sleeping At Last (Allen) / Mercy Mirror - Within Temptation (Nea&Mana) / Message Man - Twenty One Pilots (Allen) / Metamorphosis - Blue Stahli (Alma) / Mirror Mirror - Jeff Williams (Allen&Nea) / Miss Missing You - Fall Out Boy (Kanda/Alma) / Mirror - D’espairsRay (Mana) / Monster - Imagine Dragons (Alma) / Murder - Within Temptation (Nea) / My Blood - Ellie Goulding (Kanda) / My Demons - Starset (Allen) / My Song Knows What You Did In the Dark - Fall Out Boy (Allen&Earl)

N.O.

Nashville - Noah Gundersen (Allen) / Nearly Morning - Luke Sital-Singh (Allen) / Neptune - Sleeping At Last (Lavi)/ Our Solemn Hour - Within Temptation (Innocence) / Out Of It - Fallulah (Allen)

P.R.

Pale - Within Temptation (Kanda) / Paradise (What About Us) - Within Temptation (Exorcists) / Pluto - Sleeping At Last (Allen) / Polarize - Twenty One Pilots (Lavi) / Raise Your Banner - Within Temptation (War) / The Recknoning - Within Temptation (War) / Rediscover (No Parallels) - Hands Like Houses (Allen&Exorcists) / The Resistance - Skillet (Exorcists) / Running With The Wild Things - Against the Current (Exorcists)

Savior - 30 Seconds To Mars (Allen) / Savages - MARINA (Lavi&Humanity) / Scared - Three Days Grace (Allen&Nea) / She’s A Handsome Woman - Panic! At The Disco (I.. don’t even know just...) / Shed Some Light - Shinedown (Lavi) / Silver Moonlight - Within Temptation (Allen) / Slow Fade - Casting Crowns (Allen) / Somewhere - Within Temptation (Kanda) / Still Breathing - Green Day (Allen) / A Strange Education - The Cinematics (Allen) / String Theory - Les Friction (Mana&Nea)

T.U.

This is a Call - Les Friction (Mana&Nea) - Trapdoor - Twenty One Pilots (Allen) / Trouble - TV on the Radio (Allen) / The Truth Beneath the Rose - Within Temptation (Allen) / Unbreakable - Three Days Grace (Allen) / Undefeated - Skillet (Allen) / Uneven Odds - Sleeping at Last (Mana or Cross & Allen) / Us Against The World - Coldplay (Exorcists)

V.W.

Viva La Gloria (Little Girl) - Green Day (Lenalee) / Viva La Vida - Coldplay (Earl) / Wake me Up When September Ends - Green Day (Allen&Mana) / Walk Unafraid - First Aid Kit (Allen) / Welcome to the Black Parade - My Chemical Romance (Allen) / What Have You Done - Within Temptation (Kanda/Alma) / What I’ve Done - Linkin Park (Kanda) / Where is the Edge - Within Temptation (Nea&Allen) / Who Will Save You Now - The Friction (Nea) / Whole World is Watching - Within Temptation (Allen) / Wicked Ones - DOROTHY (Noah)

X.Y.Z.

X-Amount Of Words - Blue October (Kanda) / Yami ni Furu Kiseki - D’espairsRay (Kanda/Alma) / You’re Gonna Go Far Kid - The Offspring (Lavi) / Young and a Menace - Fall Out Boy (Allen) / Youth - Daughter (Lenalee&Exorcists) / Zombie - The Pretty Reckless (Alma)

#I'VE. DONE. IT.#So it has also a slight yulma bias #but i didn't put my l/aven ones #SO HERE YOU GO #ichablogging playlist #ichatalks about dgm #d gray man #dgrayman #dgm #some of them are hella vague if you need reasons of Why My Brain Works Like That pray tell #anyway here you go if you want to waste 10 hours of your time #the other playlist tag is empty #but it's in case i make individual playlist of those mess #or when i'll post my l/aven one and c/ack one #or any of my F/F7 ones #anyway:!!#Allen Walker #mostly #not tagging everyone bc it is... so mainly an allen playlist dkjhfd

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ucflibrary · 5 years ago

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Every October UCF celebrates Diversity Week. This year’s dates are October 14 - 18, and the theme is Empowering Equity. University-wide departments and groups champion the breadth and culture within the UCF community, and work to increase acceptance and inclusion for everyone at UCF and the surrounding communities.

One of the fantastic things about UCF is the wide range of cultures and ethnicities of our students, staff, and faculty. We come from all over. We’re just as proud of where we are from as we are of where we are now and where we will be heading in future.

UCF Libraries will be offering a full slate of Diversity Week activities. To learn about the upcoming events visit: guides.ucf.edu/diversityweek

Join the UCF Libraries as we celebrate diverse voices and subjects with these suggestions. Click on the link below to see the full list, descriptions, and catalog links for the featured UCF Celebrates Diversity titles suggested by UCF Library employees. These 12 books plus many more are also on display on the 2nd (main) floor of the John C. Hitt Library next to the bank of two elevators.

And thank you to every Knight who works to help others feel accepted and included at UCF!

Girl, Stop Apologizing: A shame-free plan for embracing and achieving your goals by Rachel Hollis In Girl, Stop Apologizing, Rachel Hollis sounds a wake-up call. She knows that many women have been taught to define themselves in light of other people—whether as wife, mother, daughter, or employee—instead of learning how to own who they are and what they want. With a challenge to women everywhere to stop talking themselves out of their dreams, Hollis identifies the excuses to let go of, the behaviors to adopt, and the skills to acquire on the path to growth, confidence, and believing in yourself. Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

It Ain't So Awful, Falafel by Firoozeh Dumas Zomorod (Cindy) Yousefzadeh is the new kid on the block . . . for the fourth time. California’s Newport Beach is her family’s latest perch, and she’s determined to shuck her brainy loner persona and start afresh with a new Brady Bunch name—Cindy. It’s the late 1970s, and fitting in becomes more difficult as Iran makes U.S. headlines with protests, revolution, and finally the taking of American hostages. Even puka shell necklaces, pool parties, and flying fish can't distract Cindy from the anti-Iran sentiments that creep way too close to home. Suggested by Cindy Dancel, Research & Information Services

Lean in: women, work, and the will to lead by Sheryl Sandberg with Nell Scovell Lean In continues the conversation around women in the workplace, combining personal anecdotes, hard data, and compelling research to change the conversation from what women can’t do to what they can. Sandberg provides practical advice on negotiation techniques, mentorship, and building a satisfying career. Suggested by Katy Miller, Research, Education & Engagement

Out of Many Faiths: religious diversity and the American promise by Eboo Patel In this inspiring and thought-provoking book, Patel draws on his personal experience as a Muslim in America to examine broader questions about the importance of religious diversity in the cultural, political, and economic life of the nation. He explores how religious language has given the United States some of its most enduring symbols and inspired many of its most vital civic institutions―and demonstrates how the genius of the American experiment lies in its empowerment of people of all creeds, ethnicities, and convictions. Suggested by Richard Harrison, Research & Information Services

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi Persepolis paints an unforgettable portrait of daily life in Iran and of the bewildering contradictions between home life and public life. Marjane’s child’s-eye view of dethroned emperors, state-sanctioned whippings, and heroes of the revolution allows us to learn as she does the history of this fascinating country and of her own extraordinary family. Intensely personal, profoundly political, and wholly original, Persepolis is at once a story of growing up and a reminder of the human cost of war and political repression. Suggested by Cindy Dancel, Research & Information Services

Reclaiming the Black Past: the use and misuse of African American history in the twenty-first century by Pero Gaglo Dagbovie In this wide-reaching and timely book, Pero Gaglo Dagbovie argues that public knowledge and understanding of black history, including its historical icons, has been shaped by institutions and individuals outside academic ivory towers. Drawing on a range of compelling examples, Dagbovie explores how, in the twenty-first century, African American history is regarded, depicted, and juggled by diverse and contesting interpreters—from museum curators to filmmakers, entertainers, politicians, journalists, and bloggers. Suggested by Richard Harrison, Research & Information Services

Savage Feast: three generations, two continents, and a dinner table (a memoir with recipes) by Boris Fishman The acclaimed author of A Replacement Life shifts between heartbreak and humor in this gorgeously told, recipe-filled memoir. A family story, an immigrant story, a love story, and an epic meal, Savage Feast explores the challenges of navigating two cultures from an unusual angle. Suggested by Megan Haught, Teaching & Engagement/Research & Information Services

Text Me When You Get Home: the evolution and triumph of modern female friendship by Kayleen Schaefer From Broad City to Big Little Lies to what women say about their own best friends, the stories we're telling about female friendship have changed. What used to be written off as infighting between mean girls or disposable relationships that would be tossed as soon as a guy came along are no longer described like that. Now, we're lifting up our female friendships to the same level as our other important relationships, saying they matter just as much as the bonds we have with our romantic partners, children, parents, or siblings. Suggested by Megan Haught, Teaching & Engagement/Research & Information Services

The Best We Could Do: an illustrated memoir by Thi Bui This beautifully illustrated and emotional story is an evocative memoir about the search for a better future and a longing for the past. Exploring the anguish of immigration and the lasting effects that displacement has on a child and her family, Bui documents the story of her family’s daring escape after the fall of South Vietnam in the 1970s, and the difficulties they faced building new lives for themselves. Suggested by Richard Harrison, Research & Information Services

The Moment of Lift: how empowering women changes the world by Melinda Gates In this moving and compelling book, Melinda shares lessons she’s learned from the inspiring people she’s met during her work and travels around the world. As she writes in the introduction, “That is why I had to write this book―to share the stories of people who have given focus and urgency to my life. I want all of us to see ways we can lift women up where we live.” Melinda’s unforgettable narrative is backed by startling data as she presents the issues that most need our attention―from child marriage to lack of access to contraceptives to gender inequity in the workplace. And, for the first time, she writes about her personal life and the road to equality in her own marriage. Throughout, she shows how there has never been more opportunity to change the world―and ourselves. Suggested by Sandy Avila, Research & Information Services

Tinderbox: the untold story of the up stairs lounge fire and the rise of gay liberation by Robert W. Fieseler Buried for decades, the Up Stairs Lounge tragedy has only recently emerged as a catalyzing event of the gay liberation movement. In revelatory detail, Robert W. Fieseler chronicles the tragic event that claimed the lives of thirty-one men and one woman on June 24, 1973, at a New Orleans bar, the largest mass murder of gays until 2016. Relying on unprecedented access to survivors and archives, Fieseler creates an indelible portrait of a closeted, blue- collar gay world that flourished before an arsonist ignited an inferno that destroyed an entire community. The aftermath was no less traumatic―families ashamed to claim loved ones, the Catholic Church refusing proper burial rights, the city impervious to the survivors’ needs―revealing a world of toxic prejudice that thrived well past Stonewall. Suggested by Richard Harrison, Research & Information Services

Womanish: a grown black woman speaks on love and life by Kim McLarin Searing in its emotional honesty, Womanish is an essay collection that explores what it means to be a black woman in today’s turbulent times. Writing with candor, wit and vulnerability on topics including dating after divorce, depression, parenting older children, the Obama’s, and the often fraught relations between white and black women, McLarin unveils herself at the crossroads of being black, female and middle-aged, and, ultimately, American. Powerful and timely, Womanish draws upon a lifetime of experiences to paint a portrait of a black woman trying to come to terms with the world around her, and of a society trying to come to terms with black women. Suggested by Megan Haught, Teaching & Engagement/Research & Information Services

#featured bookshelf #ucflibrary #ucf celebrates diversity #booklr #suggested reading

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lizartgurl · 6 years ago

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I wish you would write a fic where Emma’s celebrates her first birthday at the manor

ANDI I LOVE THE NEW ICON IT’S MAGICAL

And this…this got way too long.

Mary and John Grayson were murdered on April 1, 2006. A little over a month later, on May fifteenth, Emma Mary Grasyon, her mother’s namesake, was supposed to celebrate her twelfth birthday in a place that was still strange, where the only family to celebrate with her was her little brother. Neither of them were in a mood for celebrating.

Emma woke up that morning with eight-year-old Richard snuggled against her, squeezing the life from his plush elephant, Zitka, named for their elephant friend from the Circus. She had been a “Welcome Home” gift from Mister Bruce, an attempt to make the vast and empty Wayne Manor feel more alive.

Emma had lion of her own, named Simba. The circus had tigers, but not lions, so her little friend was named after the Lion King who also had to witness his father falling to his death.

Emma tossed Simba across the room, he softly hit the door and fell to the floor as Alfred the Butler opened it.

“I assume Master Richard had another nightmare?” He asked quietly.

Emma nodded, slowly sitting up. Being called “master” or “miss” was still something she was getting used to.

“Then I will bring his uniform in here and make sure to keep the pancakes warm. I believe it would be best to let him sleep for now.”

“Yeah,” Emma agreed, and made her way over to the wide expanse of a vanity, brushing her back into a ponytail, just as she always did.

Alfred didn’t leave, dusting off Emma’s school uniform that had been pressed and set out on her desk chair the night before.

“Did you sleep quite well last night, Miss Emma?” He asked.

Emma snapped the elastic into place, “Just fine,” She assured him.

“If I may,” Alfred pulled a burgundy red ribbon from his pocket, carefully tying a bow around her ponytail.

“Happy Birthday, Miss Emma,” He gave the young girl a soft smile beneath his perfectly groomed mustache.

Emma made the effort to smile up at the old butler. “Thanks, Alfred.”

Thirty minutes later, Richard was running down the stairs, struggling to straighten out his school uniform as he sprinted to join Emma, Bruce, and little ‘Bella at the breakfast table.

“Morning, Champ,” Bruce said, not looking up from his paper. Emma noted that he was reading an article by Clark Kent, one of his friends, about the ridiculousness of the argument of “Batman versus Superman.”

“What’s he say?” Emma asked. Richard punctuated her question by piling tons of whipped cream onto his stack of pancakes, already drenched with syrup. Five-year-old Annabella watched Rick’s experiment of how high he could pile the cream before it fell over with wide brown eyes.

Mister Bruce grunted, “That Batman and Superman would work better together than fighting.”

Emma gave a “huh,” slowly chewing her strawberries and pancakes.

“I bet Superman would win.” She said, taking another bite. Bruce raised an eyebrow in her direction.

“No way!” Rick declared, already standing on his chair. “Batman has all those gadgets and stuff! And he’s smart! He’d find a way to stop Superman!”

“But why would they be fighting?” Annabella asked, forgoing the fork and eating her pancake with her bare hands. Alfred rushed forward with a damp cloth to stave off the syrup.

“That’s a good question, sweetheart,” Bruce leaned forward to kiss his daughter’s forehead, “But you are right, Richard, I bet Batman could take Superman down if he really had to.”

“Well,” Alfred interjected, “I happen to think that Superman could whip Batman’s tush if he so desired.”

Emma, Richard, and Annabella burst into laughter. As if Alfred’s accent weren’t already perfect, the way he said “tush” was still hilarious to a couple of kids.

“Okay, okay, I guess they probably wouldn’t be fighting in the first place,” Bruce stood up to help Alfred clear the dishes, “In fact, there’s been talk that they’re going to start a team with some of the other heroes.”

“Like Wonder Woman?” Emma gasped.

“And Flash?” Richard asked through a mouth of whipped cream.

“And the other heroes who helped them with that alien invasion a couple months ago. Now chew with your mouth closed, champ, and hurry up, we gotta get you two to school.

Middle School would have been absolute Tartarus for “charity project” Emma Grayson if it weren’t for Bette Kane, Bruce’s cousin and heir to her own fortune. Emma giggled as Bette stood up in the middle of social studies to give a five-minute rant about how the myth of Medusa was just a bunch of Greek men with their togas on too tight projecting all their fears onto a woman and how that was still evident in today’s society. The teacher was stone-faced for ten minutes while the class applauded her.

“Alfred told me it was your birthday, today, so I brought cupcakes!” Bette said at lunchtime. They were huddled in their own corner of the courtyard, no one was going to bother them here. There weren’t any candles allowed on school grounds, but Bette sang her the “happy birthday” rendition from Emperor’s New Groove, and Emma had another reason to laugh, though she regretted that the chocolate cupcakes Bette brought tasted nothing like Aunt Kayla’s birthday cakes.

Not even Rick had wished her a happy birthday, she sighed as the three Wayne children arrived home from school to an empty manor. Bella, still in kindergarten, ignored her homework in favor of the gardens, and since Rick was still in elementary school and summer break was fast approaching, he followed. Alfred went with them to supervise after making sure that Emma was content in the Manor’s library with a plate of milk and cookies.

Emma soon abandoned her boring few assignments, scouring the shelves for anything interesting to read. Her eyes fell on a copy of “The Mask of Zorro,” novelization. It sounded only slightly more interesting than “Pride and Prejudice”, but it seemed that it didn’t want to come off the shelf.

With a yank, she managed to pull the book forward, but not completely off the shelf. The floor beneath her feet shook, and that section of the shelf crawled forward, just enough that it could slide in front of another section.

Right behind the shelf was a cool, dark staircase, illuminated with tiny blue lights, curving down and out of sight.

She jumped back, unable to process this discovery, and a few minutes, the shelf returned to its proper position with a loud cranking noise.

She turned and ran from the library.

Alfred was in the kitchen, patching Annabella’s knee, so Emma ran straight for Rick, lining up sticks and pebbles to create his own version of Gotham city.

“Richard! You gotta come see this, now!” It only took minimal dragging to get Rick all the way to the library, but a lot of cajoling to get him to stand right there and be patient while she found the right book. Then, he was the one dragging her down the stairs to see what was hidden at the bottom. Emma was the only one of them who noticed when the door shut behind them. With no apparent way out, she followed Rick to the bottom.

“Woah,” Rick gasped as the stairway opened up into a cavern. Stalactites still hung from the top, interspersed with small groups of annoyed, fluffy bats, but the stalagmites on the floor had been cleared for catwalks, computers, suits in display cases, a giant playing card, and a giant mechanical dinosaur, of all things.

“This is awesome!” Rick shouted to make his voice echo with the dripping water.

Emma had a sneaking suspicion that they shouldn’t be there, and tried to back up, only to run into a wall. But it wasn’t a wall. She turned, and it was Bruce, glaring down at the both of them, arms crossed over a giant, black, Batman symbol on his chest.

“You’re him,” she squeaked.

“Batman!” Rick gasped.

Bruce just sighed, “I didn’t think you would be home from school yet. Get back upstairs, both of you.”

“What? Why?” Rick whined.

“Because I’m Batman, and I said so.” Bruce growled.

Richard glared at Batman’s cape as he sashayed away, confident that was enough to make them obey.

“You can’t make me, you’re not my dad!” He ducked under Bruce’s arm and swung from one catwalk to the next, deftly balancing on the rails as he rain, taking shortcuts a grown man like Bruce couldn’t hope to achieve, even if he was Batman.

As out-of-place as she felt, Emma was curious, about the cave, and about her foster father being Batman. He had been there the night that her family died. Why didn’t he save them? Batman was supposed to be a detective, wasn’t he? So why didn’t he stop Mister Zucco?

Inflamed by a sudden bout of anger, Emma leaped up onto the railing, copying Richard as she ran after Bruce. She landed on his cape for a moment, enough to distract him from grabbing Rick, and then leave him confused over which child to catch first. That gave her enough of a lead to make it to his giant computer.

Bruce caught Richard fairly quickly, a firm hand on the boy’s shoulder as he steered him to where his sister was waiting, but not quite hiding. He was a little ticked to find Emma sitting in his favorite chair- the only chair in his hideout, as a matter of fact- in front of the computer, eyes narrowed and arms folded tightly.

“You know where Zucco is,” She accused coldly, the GPS on display for all to see on the screen behind her.

Bruce couldn’t find an answer as Richard looked up to him, shocked and hurt.

“You were there that night,” Emma stood up, rigid and shaking, “You could have stopped him, and you didn’t. And now Mami, Tati, Aunt Kayla, and Jonny are dead, and Uncle Joseph is paralyzed for life.”

“You’re right,” Bruce admitted, which surprised both Graysons, “I could have stopped Zucco and his men, and I didn’t. I doubted that Zucco would do something so bold in plain sight, and it cost your family their lives.”

Emma’s eyes stung and Bruce released his grip on Richard and took her by the shoulders, kneeling in front of her. “That’s why I took you two in, because I know what it’s like to lose your family, and because I promised myself that I was going to stop Zucco from ever doing something like this again.

Richard sniffed loudly, and Emma wiped her own tears with the hem of her school jacket. “Let us help you,” She begged.

“No,” Bruce said with finality. He stood up, pulling Batman’s familiar cowl over his face. “You two stay here. I’ll take down Zucco and be back in time to tuck the two of you and Annabella into bed.”

Still, Emma and Richard persisted, following him down to the “Bat-Mobile, waiting on a rotating platform to shoot off in any direction at a moment’s notice.

“You two can’t get involved with this,” Bruce insisted, “It’s too dangerous.”

“So was the acrobatics we did at Haly’s.” Emma huffed.

“No. Now get upstairs before I call Alfred,” the top of the Bat-mobile slammed shut, and shot off through the waterfall that concealed the cave’s entrance from the rest of Gotham.

Emma’s hands shook. She didn’t care if Bruce was really batman or Wonder Woman or whatever. Tony Zucco had killed her parents, and she wasn’t going to stand by and let him hurt anyone else, either.

“Emma,” Richard said quietly, “Do you know where Alfred put our old costumes?”

Emma knew her little brother was thinking what she was, and as she grinned at him, her eyes landed on a couple spare masks and sheets of kevlar, just big enough to be called a cape.

Batman caught Zucco and his men breaking into the Graysons belonging left in storage under Joseph Grayson’s name. When he woke up, he was strapped to a spinning target on the grounds previously occupied by Haly’s circus. You could still see some of the darkened dirt where the Graysons had fallen. Zucco was throwing knives at him with reckless abandon, while his men watched and laughed.

“Look out, Batman!” Zucco cackled. Another knife flew through the air, aimed for his heart, but something knocked it to the ground. A dull batarang, one he’d left behind at the cave for Alfred to sharpen.

“Excellent shot, Miss Grayson,” Alfred’s voice manifested over his comms a moment later, as one of Zucco’s thugs had his feet yanked out from beneath him, and another was struck with a batarang to the shoulder.

“Alfred,” Bruce growled so that Zucco couldn’t heard over the sudden commotion.

“I’m afraid that they insisted, as you typically do,” Alfred quipped. “And I can’t very well quarantine all three children in the house at once.”

Bruce rolled his eyes as Emma Grayson, golden wings splayed across her red tunic top, eyes hidden behind a mask, and protected by a yellow skein of kevlar, sliced away the rope holding back his hands.

“Thank you,” He grunted, crouching to the ground. His belt had been stolen, but he grabbed a knife from the target board. With a flick of his wrist, it knocked the fedora clean off Zucco’s head.

Out of Batarangs, Richard and Emma each grabbed a couple knives that had nearly killed Batman to fend off the thugs that were now running at them.

Then Emma saw the gold dangling from Zucco’s pocket. Her mother’s necklace, a robin on a branch, made from solid gold. A Wedding present from John to Mary. She screamed with fury, using her knife to slice the hand Zucco was using to reach inside his coat for another knife. She went for his face next, but it was Batman who grabbed her wrist, blocking her from Zucco, who lay whimpering on the ground.

“He deserves it!” She spat, “He killed them!”

Bruce kicked Zucco in the face with his heavy boots, down for the count as he gripped Emma’s arms tightly.

“It isn’t up to us to decide who lives and who dies. That’s how they think,” He nodded to Zucco, then to his men, who had been casually taken out by a few easy flips from junior acrobat Rick.

“Emma,” Bruce tried again when she refused to look him in the eyes. “Would your parents want you yo give in to your anger, to go down a path that’s very hard to return from, just for them?”

Lip trembling, Emma shook her head, and threw her arms around Bruce, sobbing. Rick joined them a moment later, also crying.

They watched from a distance a few minutes later, as Commissioner Gordon arrived to arrest Zucco’s gang for murder, and thievery. Emma absently traced a heart in the dirt with her toe, holding Richard’s hand.

“I’m proud of you,” Bruce said as the police caravan drove away, “Both of you.”

He drew something from the pouch of his retrieved utility belt. “I believe that this belongs to you,” He held out Mary Grayson’s robin necklace to Emma, securing it around her neck.

“Happy Birthday, Emma.”

#lizart writes #my ocs #nightingale #young justice oc #batfam oc #other people's ocs #shadow #nightwing #robin #dick grayson #bruce wayne #batman

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attacksoftheclones · 7 years ago

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Why We Need to Appreciate Padmé Amidala

In spirit of #SWisagirlthingtoo making its way around Twitter, I thought now would be the perfect time to make a post I’ve been wanting to write for a while. Star Wars up until recently has not given much attention to its heroines, perhaps with the exception of the iconic Princess and General Leia Organa. It is incredibly sad that it has taken this long for the franchise to realise that characters such as Leia, Padmé and Rey (as well as the many animated heroines we have met such as Ahsoka and Hera) have been and will forever continue to be definitive factors in the way many girls have and will grow up.

When it comes to Star Wars, I loved Leia and I love Rey, but they are both not the heroine I connected with. I connected with former Queen and then Senator Padmé Amidala from the highly criticised (although increasingly less so) prequels and then again in the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Any Padmé fan knows that loving her as a character most often means you’ll often be told that in the end she did ‘nothing but cry over Anakin’ or is in no way comparable to her daughter, you’ll find it frustrating that no reference is made to her at all following Episode III and you’ll know that she has little to no presence in merchandising even when you are more than willing to throw coins down Disney’s way for her.

But Padmé deserves to overcome all of the above. Padmé constantly has to battle against both what people expected her to be (arguably a Leia clone) and the often restrictive and limiting definitions of what makes a “strong female character”, especially in pop culture. Regardless, here is why Padmé is such an underappreciated and amazing character.

The Phantom Menace:

Padmé is elected queen at 14 years old, a competent and strong leader wise beyond her years. She was educated in public service from an early age, earning the trust of her people after serving as the Princess of Theed and becoming a junior senatorial adviser upon joining the team of Apprentice Legislators from the age of 8.

She is one of the first people to acknowledge and realise the failures of the Republic (“It is clear to me now that the Republic no longer functions”, “Wake up, Senators, you must wake up!”).

She is brave enough to take part in espionage missions in order to allow herself to take part in both negotiations and the action, as well as to keep herself safe.

When the time comes, she is brave enough to reveal herself as the queen even though it is not asked of her.

It is her idea to form the Gungan Alliance and to try retake Naboo herself. She is able to realise that a diplomatic solution is no longer plausible for her home planet and instead of sitting back and ordering action from the sidelines, she fights alongside her people and risks her life in doing so.

She delivers victory, bringing the two species of Naboo together and liberates her people.

Padmé served the full two terms allowed by Naboo’s laws but was so popular as a leader that her people wanted to amend the constitution in order to allow her to remain queen.

Attack of the Clones:

Padmé continues to serve her people as the representative of Naboo in the Galatic Senate, even as her life continues to be threatened and also after she watches her decoy (and friend) die.

Despite more threats to her safety, Padmé is selfless in going with Anakin to Tatooine to try and save his mother as well as wanting to help and rescue Obi-Wan.

Padmé is prepared to put her career first. She denies her feelings for Anakin right until she believes she is going to die on Geonosis and understandably realises that her career does not have to be the only satisfaction in her life. She accepts that she is entitled and allowed to love, even when Anakin does not share the same luxury.

She decides to become committed to hiding her relationship so that she can continue her duties for the Republic as well as attempting to ensure Anakin is not denied his life as a Jedi.

Her every action is not driven by her love for Anakin. She decides to go rescue Obi-Wan when Anakin argues against it and whilst Anakin and Obi-Wan bickered when chained up on Geonosis, she instead took the time to rescue herself and reach higher ground.

Padmé survived the Battle of Geonosis as a clever politician and as a blaster-weilding fighter whilst many other Jedi and trained clones died. She proves again that she can fight.

The Clone Wars:

Padmé essentially becomes a hero through her politics.

We see more of her in action in the Senate, particularly in the episode The Pursuit of Peace where she gives an unforgettable speech. “Who are we fighting for? My people, your people, all of our people. This war is meant to save them from suffering, not increase it. I support our brave soldiers whether they come from the clone factories or from any of the thousands of systems loyal to the Republic… It is our duty and our responsibility to preserve the lives of those around us.” The full version can be found on Youtube.

Padmé continues to be the target of further assassination attempts but continues to expand her power and influence nonetheless.

Padmé cleverly earns the attention of the galaxy’s most important players and is able to come to adaptable and sufficient compromises with them despite differences in beliefs and alliances.

Missions with Ahsoka!!

She again does not let her decisions be influenced or driven by Anakin. When Anakin does not want her to go on a mission he deems to dangerous in the episode Senate Spy, she replies “You’re not going to let me? It’s not your decision to make, it’s mine”. Padmé puts her duty to the Republic first, even when it bothers Anakin on multiple occasions.

She is brave enough to leave Anakin when he violently attacks Rush Clovis, whom she had been previously romantically linked with.

Revenge of the Sith:

Yes, many of her scenes where she is active in the early formations of the Rebel Alliance are cut and we will never forgive George Lucas 5eva. The original ending where she attempts to assassinate Anakin also would have been awesome. This movie is where Star Wars fails Padmé, but her role in it still can not be ignored.

Padmé is able to question the state of the Republic when many around her are too afraid to in fear of accepting what it may truly mean – “What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exists and the Republic has become the very evil we’ve been fighting to destroy?”

She recognises that Palpatine has gained too much power in the Senate upon becoming Emperor and reorganising the Republic into the Empire, famously stating “so this is how liberty dies, with thunderous applause”. This leads her to form the early stages of the Rebel Alliance that would ultimately become a deleted scene but should still be considered canon.

Once learning all that Anakin has done, Padmé states that he is “going down a path [she] can not follow”. She is not blinded by love and is able to see his actions for what they are and who he has now become. He ultimately destroyed everything she had worked so hard to preserve.

Whatever way you want to believe Padmé died, she went through unimaginable heartbreak and her emotions should not totally be criticised because her pain will never be understood by most. People also often fail to realise that Padmé’s fate is also that of the Republic. She was fated to die with it as she was symbolic of its spirit. I think it is fair to say that she was never destined to live past the birth of Luke and Leia (despite that one line from Leia in Return of the Jedi which can be argued for) as Vader would never have been fully committed to being Palpatine’s apprentice with Padmé around and her future would have had to have been reduced to one of hiding.

It is Padmé that instills the hope and kindness in Luke that allows him to refuse the dark side and resurface the last bit of humanity left in Anakin/Vader. Luke does not win over his father through combat or power but through embodying the eternal impression of light that his mother left on his father. Like his mother, Luke knows that fighting, or ‘aggressive negotiations’, will not always be the answer. A New Hope is ultimately a product of Padme’s legacy.

I know myself that I would not be the person I am today without my favourite female characters. Through female characters, as girls we can feel as though we have defeated great evils, overcome inner conflicts and sometimes even get to save the boys for a change. We might not be able to pick up a blaster or lightsaber in real life, but we learn it’s okay to take charge and that there is absolutely no reason we should feel ashamed for doing so. We learn that we can aim for and strive for any goal whilst also feeling confident and every bit capable to get the guy on the side if we wish to and that having such feelings should not be seen to diminish our strength in any way.

Padmé carried the weight of her gender throughout the entirety of the prequel trilogy and for that reason alone she was never going to please everyone. She was the new female lead and many hoped she would be a character who was along the lines of being Force sensitive or perhaps even a pilot like Rey. But Padmé’s strength was in being kind when she had every reason not to be and was a force to be reckoned with through her intelligence and diplomacy that helped preserve the security and stability of the Republic for as long as it was able to stand under Palpatine’s manipulative rule. She was the humanitarian the galaxy needed when it began to lose all humanity.

Many people who grew up watching the prequels first probably connect with Padmé more because they never tried to fit her into a mould or an already established idea. But I do hope that fans of any age can come to recognise that Padmé is as worthy of being centre stage in the Star Wars arena as any other female character and I truly hope Forces of Destiny can help bring that about. Of course we need more representation in the Star Wars universe and I will never deny that, but I am lucky enough that I did gain a character from Star Wars that I adore so much. I also appreciate that these female characters can be every bit important to male fans as they are to female fans and any male fan that is able to appreciate our heroines as equal to our heroes is helping fandom and pop culture take a step in a better direction than it has in the past.

#padme amidala #star wars #women of star wars #prequels #padme naberrie #queen amidala #the phantom menace #attack of the clones #revenge of the sith #TPM #AOTC #ROTS #the clone wars #TCW #forces #forces of destiny #FOD

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solerey · 5 years ago

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Rules & Verses for Mobile:

Having had these requested for my Finn account, I thought I should go ahead and make some mobile-accessible rules/verses for the rest of my accounts too, so here are Rey’s! (This also includes the various parental backstories I will play for her.) Note that while I don’t change my rules much (or basically ever lol) the VERSES information here is definitely not going to be up-to-date because I am forever making new aus…but here’s a start, at least, to give you something to explore until you get back to your computers!

Mun is named Nicky and is well over 21. Muse’s age will vary. Multi-ship and multi-verse.

RULES:

Following and Mututals:

This is a sideblog of nickyrp and as such cannot follow back.

We do not need to be mutuals to send memes or starters. Feel free to throw things like that at me at any time even if we’ve never played or plotted before. If I’m not interested or just too busy etc I promise I will let you know politely and not just leave you hanging!

If you want to play please send me a message or toss me a starter; I’m bad at paying attention to my follower count and probably didn’t notice your subtle arrival! Or thought you wanted to lurk idk. Say hi!

If you are a multimuse with a lot of characters or a lot of fandoms all on one url, I may not follow you because that tends to be overwhelming for me. It’s nothing personal nor a comment on your writing style; it’s just more than I can easily keep track of, myself. (That’s why mine are all on their own sideblogs.)

If I can’t read your blog (small text, low-contrast colors, etc) I will not interact with your character. I don’t have the best eyes and straining to read sucks all the fun out of rp. If you need any of my formatting or color choices adjusted for your own ease of accessibility please let me know! I will do so happily.

You can reblog any of my shit (headcanons, graphics, verses, meta, whatever) even if you’re a personal blog, I don’t care; it’s all one fandom imo. That said please don’t reblog my interaction threads with other people because most rp-ers do not like their things reblogged and I want to respect that. If I reblog anything of yours you do not want reblogged just let me know and I will delete it; I promise it’s just because I thought the thing was cool and got excited!

Interactions:

I am always up for trying new things so if you have a crazy idea, please hit me up! I promise I rarely disintegrate anyone.

I am happily open to interacting with Original Characters! I need to know who your character is though, so if you don’t have a bio or background I can find on your blog I’m not going to be interested.

I will not write smut with anyone under the age of eighteen.

If I ever do something that upsets or confuses or offends you, please let me know. It probably wasn’t intentional and I always want to be called out on problematic behavior because how else can I learn to do better? I promise to react apologetically, not defensively.

Formatting:

I’m a visual person so I like icons and gifs and will almost always incorporate them. If you don’t want to use images that’s cool with me, but I majored in comic book art so I enjoy the marriage of words with images. I should further admit that interactions with visuals do tend to keep me more excited than plain ones – I’m shallow!

I’m not a big fan of fancy formatting. I don’t mind if you use it but I don’t. Feel free to adjust my formatting to suit your aesthetic if that makes you more comfortable, but I’ll likely keep mine simple.

If you need any triggers tagged message me and I’ll do so gladly.

Canon & AUs:

I have as of yet read very little of the expanded universe materials for the New Canon (a few comics, the Thrawn novel, etc). As such, my portrayal of Rey may at times be lacking in regards to supplemental canon information. Please never hesitate to inform me of any details relevant to your character or any ongoing/burgeoning threads. I appreciate that assistance!

As far as the Legends EU goes, I have read most of the old novels (excepting NJO period) and many of the Dark Horse comics but that is a lot of material and I do not promise to remember everything. Please let me know if I make a mistake or assumption you do not agree with; I promise I will not be offended!

I will generally default to putting Rey into the canon of the Sequel Trilogy because that is where she comes from, but I am happy to play her in Legends Canon too – just let me know! If you don’t indicate verse/time on a meme or starter, I might pick another verse (or make a new one) so please indicate where you want to play if you have a preference!

I also love making AUs whether canon-divergence or totally off-the-wall so please don’t hesitate to throw new verses my way! I love both plotting and winging-it when building new worlds, so don’t be shy!

Characters Relationships & Shipping:

Platonic Ships: I generally enjoy Rey without any ships and am thus extraordinarily eager for friendships, familial relationships, and Found Family interactions. (Antagonistic and abrasive interactions are also welcome – it doesn’t have to be all sweetness and light all the time!) Rey very much wants to be loved, but it isn’t romance she is primarily looking for. I will usually write Rey as being either an aromantic or biromatic asexual.

OTPs: That said, I do thoroughly enjoy the idea of a Finn/Rey/Poe polyship and would be thrilled to play out interactions under that set-up. I will also happily ship her with either of those two gentlemen on their own, or with Rose Tico or Jess Pava or Jannah or really anyone whom it makes sense to ship her with, providing there is chemistry and a basis in friendship to build the ship from (whether that be formed via interaction or plotted ahead of time). Interspecies ships with non-human characters are also welcome!

NOTPs: No teacher/student, adult/minor, or incestuous ships, please. Additionally I will not ship Rey with Kylo Ren in any verse. I have no objections to playing in verses where they are not related, but due to the fact that I started thinking of them them as siblings about five minutes into my first viewing of TFA (the Jaina/Jacen vibes were too strong for my Legends-based heart, sorry!), it is simply something that I am not comfortable shipping regardless of their actual familial status in a verse or lack thereof. Please tag your reylo so I can block it?

One-Way Ships: I will never force a ship on you. I expect the same courtesy in return. That said, you are more than welcome to have your character express unrequited romantic feelings toward mine. (In most cases I expect I’d even be okay with this sort of one-way attraction coming from a Kylo Ren character; if it ends up crossing the edges of my comfort zone I’ll let you know!)

Main Faceclaim: Daisy Ridley [older: Keira Knightley] [younger: Raffey Cassidy]

“We are the spark that will light the fire that will burn the First Order down.” ―Poe Dameron

VERSES & BACKSTORIES:

I am a big fan of AUs and canon-divergent verses so if you don’t see something here that looks like your cup of caf know that I am always happy to plot out a new one! Also feel free to pull anything from my wishlist.

BACKSTORY OPTIONS: I find that I enjoy the Rey Palpatine/Rey-Chooses-Skywalker Idea more and more the longer I contemplate it. I do however remain wholly convinced that Rey Organa-Solo was the original intention with the character in TFA. Thus, for threads set early in Rey’s character arc I am likely to default to Rey Organa-Solo while in threads set later I’ll probably go the Palpatine/Skywalker route. (And I have other options too!) If you have a backstory preference, please specify before starting a thread.

The Last Solo (default canon verse): Rey was too little to remember that her full name was Breha Organa Solo but it wouldn’t have mattered if she’d been one hundred; when Emperor Palpatine decides to mind-rub the entire galaxy, they forget. Sensing the all-but-unprecedented power within the little girl, the half-resurrected shadow of Palpatine was too tempted by her potential to destroy her outright; instead he erased her life. He couldn’t erase the emotional weight of her absence, though, nor the instant sense of connection felt by both Rey and those who had once loved her. Even Kylo Ren didn’t know why the little girl he dragged from the ruins of the Jedi Temple mattered, but he couldn’t bring himself to kill her, instead abandoning both her and his father’s ship on Jakku before following Snoke into the Dark. Palpatine’s lies about Rey’s lineage fooled everyone for a time – but in the end, the truth felt real in a way that the lies did not, and Rey reclaimed the heritage he had stolen. In the end, Palaptine lost everything.

The Last Skywalker (secondary canon verse): When the half-resurrected former Emperor mind-rubbed the entire galaxy to forget Luke Skywalker’s daughter, he succeeded – but his former Hand recognized the feeling of his touch on her thoughts. Mara Jade immediately knew he was back. She didn’t know why she felt such a connection to the little girl buried beside her in the ruins of the Jedi Temple, but she knew she had to kill her former master – and that she had to keep this child safe. She “borrowed” her brother-in-law’s ship and went searching for Palaptine, her forgotten daughter in tow. When she reached Jakku, she left the girl and the ship behind, knowing the next step was too dangerous to bring a child she loved along – but the Final Order she found was more than the fragments of the Empire she had expected, and Mara never returned for her daughter. That didn’t stop the girl who called herself Rey from sensing a connection to her true family when she finally found them again, nor stop her from claiming her true lineage in the end in spite of Palaptine’s lies. (Can also be played with a different mother!)

Palpatine’s Heir (canonical canon verse): When Rey at last discovered her lineage, she was horrified. She was the granddaughter of Emperor Palpatine, the man who had destroyed the Old Republic and created the Empire – and was now the resurrected Lord of the Sith. After initially giving in to fear and despair at the darkness she believed she saw within herself, Rey eventually returned to the war. With the assistance of Kylo Ren, who had turned his back on the Sith at the last minute, she was able to destroy Palpatine while the Resistance obliterated the Final Order’s fleet. Hope was restored to the galaxy, Rey was restored to life in a final act of atonement, and the stain of the Sith was at last ended…at least for now. Choosing to turn her back on the bloodline that spawned her, Rey has instead declared herself a Skywalker in essence if not in birthright, carrying on the legacy of the late Luke and Leia. As the first of the new Jedi, Rey now looks to teach others the ways of the Force as Leia did her – starting with her dearest friend, Finn.

Not So Nobody (alt canon verse): The daughter of Kam and Tionne Solusar, two of Luke’s earliest Jedi students, Rey was the first child born within the Temple. Kylo Ren desperately wanted to make her his first apprentice of the Dark Side, but the Solusars escaped the slaughter and fled across the galaxy. The First Order pursued. Unable to shake them, Kam and Tionne made landfall on the nearest planet: Jakku. They hid Rey with a junk dealer and left, planning to lead Ren away and double-back when it was safe – but the First Order caught them. They convinced Kylo Ren that Rey had died of wounds taken during the attack on the Temple, but the deception cost them their lives. Kylo Ren was irritated to have lost Rey as an apprentice but had more important things to do than dwell on the death of one child…until he heard about the girl on Jakku who helped the deserter. He knew immediately who she had to be – and that she would become his apprentice after all, or he would ensure that her parents’ lie became the truth.

Orphan of Jakku (alt canon verse): Kylo Ren told the truth: Rey’s parents were nobody…but what does that matter? A person’s worth isn’t determined by their lineage but by their choices. And Rey chooses the Light and the Resistance and she will give her all to defend her friends and to free the galaxy from the shackles the First Order wants to wrap them in. Kylo Ren might be descended from Darth Vader but Rey doesn’t need to be a Skywalker too in order to end him and his reign.

Twinverse (for duplicates): Twins run in the Skywalker line, and B(rey)ha and Pad(mey) were no exception. Named for both of Leia’s mothers, their loss hit her as hard her son’s fall to the Dark Side – and hit the girls even harder: separated for the first time in their lives, they were scattered to distant planets and lost, abandoned. So young they could barely remember their own names let alone those of their family, they grew-up like orphans until one day “Rey” found herself leaving aboard a ship whose controls fit her hands like they’d been made for her. When the Force stirred in Rey, it reached out to her sister as well and Mey went looking for the family that had never come back to find her. (I’m happy to play either Rey or Other Rey in all versions! Can also be done as Skywalker twins or nobody twins. Names changeable!)

SEQUEL TRILOGY VERSES:

Her Mother’s Daughter (alt post-TFA): Leia had always been too busy running rebellions and piecing-together governments to truly master the Force, but she knew enough to teach Rey the basics – at least until the old friends she dispatched to fetch her brother could talk him into coming back. She could have sent Rey, but after losing Han she didn’t want to let her daughter out of her sight – not so soon after finding the long-thought-dead girl again. Besides, they had so much to catch up on…and the Resistance could use a Force Sensitive woman like Breha, training or no training. And for General Organa, duty always came first.

Corrupted Coordinates (alt post-TFA): the map did not lead them to Master Skywalker. Artoo wasn’t sure if the data was corrupted or if Luke had been there at one point and then moved on – but wherever he was, it wasn’t here. Unwilling to return to the Resistance empty-handed (to fail again the way she had failed to save Han, to protect Finn) Rey went looking for every rumor of Luke she could find. Aboard the Millennium Falcon with Chewbacca and R2-D2 in tow, she is determined to keep searching until she can come back to Leia with something that will give them all hope.

A Newer Hope (alt TLJ): It wasn’t Rey who finally convinced Luke Skywalker to come back to the Force, back to the Resistance, back to his sister; it was the droid Artoo Deetoo, perhaps Luke’s oldest living friend. Artoo’s old hologram reminded Luke of the boy he’d once been and the hopes that had once filled his life to brimming. Lifting her Jedi Master’s ancient X-Wing from the water had been the last task Rey completed before Luke deemed her ready to return to the galaxy and to continue her training from within the Resistance, although he was cautious about letting her progress too quickly, unable to shake his fears of creating another Kylo Ren.

A Skywalker Returned (alt TLJ): If Luke had not cut himself off from the Force he would have recognized his daughter’s presence the moment she set foot on that island. As it was, the resemblance she bore to his sister – to the woman his daughter would have been if she had lived to grow-up – seemed like a cruel joke of the Force and inspired him to push her away instead. His daughter had died alongside her mother, murdered by Ben Solo in an attempt to hide his fall to the Dark Side…or so Luke had thought. Unable to kill his little cousin, Ben instead mind-rubbed her and dumped the confused girl on an out-of-the-way planet. He never expected the girl from Jakku to come back to haunt him – but the Force has a way of returning things to their proper balance, and Kylo Ren knows now that no lies will keep him safe from his long-lost cousin. Unless he can twist her to the Dark Side the way Snoke once twisted him, their next meeting will leave one or both of them dead.

The Rise of Organa-Solo (post-TLJ): Rey felt an instant connection to Han and Leia (and Kylo Ren), the Force within her whispering that this was the family she sought. Her father thought her resemblance to his beloved Leia was mere coincidence and died before learning the truth; her mother surely sensed something when they met but whether out of concern she might be wrong or hopes of sparing Rey further emotional turmoil before she started her Jedi training, Leia said nothing…and Luke had cut himself off from the Force and thus was unable to recognize his niece. Now only Leia remains to guide Rey into the Light away from Snoke’s lies and toward her destiny – but will the truth make it harder or easier for her when she has to kill her brother?

The First Jedi (alt post-TLJ): While Leia reforges the fragments of the Resistance into a New Rebellion, Rey has a mission of her own: finding other Force Sensitives and leading them with her into the Light before Kylo Ren’s agents can drag them to the Dark Side. She is no Jedi Master but she has the ancient Jedi teachings to draw from, friends to support her, and her own clarity of vision to guide her. She will learn, and she will teach. The Jedi will not end with her.

The Sunrider Option (alt TROS): With Kylo Ren dead at her hand, Rey faced Palpatine alone – but she had read the old Jedi texts and knew of a different sort of sacrifice she could make. She did as commanded and struck him down, claiming her position as Empress of the Sith – but severed herself from the Force at the same time. The spirits of the Sith moved from him to her…and found nothing waiting there that could house them. They faded, dissipating into nothing but impotent screams. Before the Final Order could realize the ritual had failed, she gave the command for their fleet to stand down. The combined Resistance and Free People’s Fleets destroyed most of their ships before they could fight back or flee, and Rey returned to her friends alive and untainted – but forever sundered from the Force. Now she does her best to pass her training on to Finn so he can guide the new generation of Jedi that she will never be a part of…and learns to live with a world that will feel forever muffled, forever less.

The Balance Restored (post TROS): While Poe Dameron, Rose Tico, Kaydel co Connix, and the other leaders of the Resistance turn their hand from rebellion to building a government, Rey has a mission of her own: finding other Force Sensitives and training them as Leia did her. From the fragments of the Jedi Order, something new will rise – something that is not bound by the limitations of the Jedi Code or the sins of Jedi past, but something nonetheless firmly rooted in the Light. She will restore balance to the galaxy one student at a time, starting with her first apprentice: Finn.

Rebel Daughter (pre-TFA divergence): Breha was not lost when her brother fell to the Dark Side. She grew-up amidst the strain and stress of political upheaval and imminent war, but she also grew-up surrounded by family. Breha’s devotion to the Resistance is total – almost. The loss of her brother cut her too deep for even the dozens of unofficial aunts, uncles, and quasi-siblings of her parents’ friends and allies to assuage – but dragging Ben back to the Light would do it. Breha refuses to give up on the big brother she once adored, no matter what Uncle Luke or her parents caution her, but will she risk the continued survival of the Resistance she loves on her certainty that Ben is still in there somewhere, and she can bring him back? She tells herself it’s the will of the Force guiding her – but maybe she just misses her brother.

Scoundrel Daughter (pre-TFA divergence): when Ben Solo fell to the Dark Side, Leia and Han decided that the Force was too dangerous for their remaining child. Duty demanded that General Organa stay with her burgeoning Resistance, so Han and Chewie took young Breha away from war and into the safety of the seedier side of life. She grew up more on the Falcon than off, flitting from port to port and learning the tricks of the smuggler trade rather than the ways of the Force. It wasn’t until Hosnian Prime met its grim fate that they came home to Leia, joining the Resistance for a desperate mission to Starkiller Base – and Breha’s first confrontation with her brother since she had been a little girl and he had not yet become a monster.

Dark Lady of Ren (pre-TFA divergence): When young Ben Solo proved resistant to Snoke’s manipulations he set his sights on an easier target: the boy’s baby sister. His assault on the Jedi Temple left many survivors, but it had all been a distraction so he could kidnap Breha. Raised to the Dark Side and indoctrinated with the beliefs of the First Order, Kreya Ren has few memories of any life before and even less interest in uncovering them. With her family convinced that she died thirteen years ago, she might never have discovered her origins – save that Poe Dameron knew the moment they came face to face who this woman who looked so much like Leia had to be. That had been Kreya’s first mission as a Knight of Ren and she took Dameron’s escape and the defection of the traitor FN-2187 personally. Vowing to destroy the Resistance once and for all, Kreya Ren never expected to discover a brother barring her way – nor parents who refused to accept that she would never turn her back on the Dark Side.

Orderly Mechanic (pre-TFA divergence): The First Order was never picky about where it harvested its resources – or about how willing they were. Rey didn’t want to leave Jakku but she wasn’t given a choice when stormtroopers marched over the sands “recruiting” anyone useful. She was barely a teenager but everyone knew she was good with machines and they needed people to keep their ships spaceworthy. At least she’s learned a lot, although “traveling the galaxy” probably would be more exciting if she ever got to step foot off the ships for more than the occasional dirtside repair. Being a young and self-taught prodigy has netted Rey few friends among her co-workers, but some of the stormtrooper recruits at least are nice to the girl who helps fix their boots and blasters…and so far no one, not even Rey herself, has realized that her instinctive avoidance of Kylo Ren is anything more than ordinary prudence. And every day, her lost family feels a little further away…

More Coming Soon! like literally as soon as soon as someone asks for or suggests one, I love AUs. Don’t be shy!

LEGENDS EU VERSES:

Another Desert Daughter (as Shmi’s great-granddaughter): Luke felt an instant connection to the new Jedi trainee the moment Rey stepped into the temple. Here was yet another Force user from Tatooine, another orphaned child of the sands who dreamed beyond the confines of her hot and distant world, like Taihiri Veila and himself before them. So why did the extent of her powers frighten him? Was it because the coincidental resemblance of her features and his niece’s, his sister’s, had Luke making the mental leap to yet another Jedi from Tatooine? But this girl was no Vader, surely! Of course, if he had known that she too carried Skywalker blood in her veins, Luke might have let himself worry more…but Shmi Skywalker had died too quickly to tell her son that there was another. (can be set at any time in Legends Continuity but probably not NJO because I don’t know it)

Lost Hapan Princess (as Allana Djo Solo): deeming it too dangerous to hide her daughter in plain sight with Han and Leia Organa-Solo, Tenel Ka sent Allana to Dathomir after faking her death – but the ship never made it there. Left on the nearest planet for safe-keeping by her escort while they dealt with the threat pursing them, Allana soon found herself abandoned and alone. Her memories damaged by the upheaval in the Force following Caedus’s fall and Abeloth’s rise, she spent the next several years sure of nothing but that she had family out there somewhere who would be coming back for her…but as the amnesiac girl drew inward to shield herself from the darkness in the Force, Tenel Ka was forced to conclude that her deception about her daughter’s death had become the truth: Allana was gone. But the Force wasn’t done with the woman now called Rey just yet… (for post-LOTF interactions)

Littlest Solo Sister (as Breha Organa-Solo): either taking Anakin Solo’s place as the youngest of the three Solo children, standing alongside Anakin as the second set of Organa-Solo twins, or as the fourth and youngest of the siblings, Breha grew-up as the daughter of the New Republic’s Chief of State and the niece of the Jedi Grand Master. It was a life that involved lots of affection from a host of unofficial aunts and uncles, the occasional kidnapping, and training in the Jedi Temple on Yavin Four. It eventually involved war as well, interspersed with tragedy and darkness. (can be set at any time in Legends Continuity but I really don’t know the NJO so assistance with details may be necessary if you want that)

More Coming Soon! like literally as soon as soon as someone asks for or suggests one, I love AUs. Don’t be shy!

#rules #verses #rp style #sw rp #ooc ramblings #for mobile users

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bolbianddolanhouse · 6 years ago

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BNHA self insert AU

Nani the heck is this? Read here!

Chapter 14: Sopresa Puta

I wake up on the day of my skills display and it’s a bittersweet feeling. I won’t have my family to see me get my agent number but that won’t stop me from doing my best! I do my skin care routine with Gwen Stefani on loop and the boys see that I’m not rushing and in better sprits, which made them happy that I was back to my normal self. I make my coffee and pack my food like I do for any other friday morning but I pack some of my extra weapons and dressed in my orange track suit. I teleport out and get myself situated for my display, everyone’s is specially curated to show off quirks and fighting styles.

“Are you guys excited?!” screeched Mimi “because I’m fuckin’ PUMPED!”

“I am! I’m gonna be flexing for the big agencies in the crowd!” I yelled in response.

“Yall know I have that mf THANG on me!” Jin remarked as he pulled out his blades from his sleeves.

After a quick warm up, all of 1st year intelligence headed out to the half stadium to suit up and do a quick run before they get announced in. In come the families to get seated and I see them with their banners and flowers, suddenly I miss my family and Mimi and Jin noticed.

“Hey, lets do our best in honor of your parents!” said Jin getting my gaze away from the others “my parents aren’t here either but if they were better people, they’d be here and care.”

“My parents are in heaven, looking at me and smiling that I made it this far” Mimi said putting her hand on my shoulder “your parents would be here if they could, lets put on a show that would make them proud!”

Jin puts his hand on my other shoulder and I smile with watery eyes “We international students gotta stick together huh?” I said choking back my tears “thats why we’re the best... LETS FUCKIN GIVE THEM A SHOW!”

We do our chant and go do our quick run through of our display. Meanwhile, in the bleachers, hero 1-A is seated and in awe of the turn up of the pros that are scouting the agents.

“Oh my! all the major pro agencies are here!” gasped Midoriya “LOOK! there’s Best Jeanist! and The Emperor’s Coup! and is that, Crimson Riot?”

“WHERE?!” Kirishima perked up pushing Midoriya aside “IT IS HIM! Gunhead is here too! And Hawks! and I don’t even recognize most of these other ones!”

“Even someone from my brother’s branch is here” added Iida as he looked behind him at the top of the bleachers “this must be a big deal if he’s here, wonder why?”

Meanwhile, Midnight was in the school, giving a quick tour to a family of 4 and their dog.

“...and that concludes our school tour! Its a real honor to be in the presence of the family of one of our most talented students!”

“Oh you talk so highly of my youngest daughter!” said a stout woman with curly hair “is she really one of the tops of her program?”

“Oh yes! you’ll soon see in her display” said Midnight escorting them to the half stadium “Itati is a tough one! I don’t know how she managed to keep herself together being away from you. She’ll be so happy to see you!”

“tuh, I can already see her stupid ugly crying face” scoffed the boy in basketball attire and curly short hair.

“psh! I just want to get this over with to go explore the city” mumbled the older girl with dark skin and wavy hair “hey Joaquin, isn’t that her?” she said elbowing the boy.

“THAT IS HER!” he said shocked “lets pester her!”

They looked at each other and dead sprinted toward unsuspecting Ita.

“Prima! Joaquin! REGRESETE O VAS AVER!” the stout woman shouted “excuse them Miss and myself, I have to go stop them before something catches on fire!” the woman then levitates herself and dashes forward to catch up with the other two.

“Are- are they always like this?” asked Midnight to the thin, dark skinned man holding a shitzu.

“My wife means well, and my kids are all spitfires and up in arms” said the man “I don’t do all that, I’ll just walk... isn’t that right, Mr Muffins?” the small dog pants in response.

As I’m doing one of my air maneuvers, I get air struck down and I teleport myself to safety before hitting the ground. What the hell was that? Who’s attacking me at my display?! I look around and I don’t know who did it but I hear a look out and I see the fireball coming my way and I dodge it but I knew who was responsible, and I wasn’t happy to see them.

“Oh wooooow!” mocked the older girl “you’ve learned a new trick lil sis!”

“What’s up with the romper?” said the boy, landing on the ground “yall look like bootleg Men in Black.”

“You BRATS!” I yelled taking off my visor “I fake death for what?! you hijos de la gran putas to ruin my life in this country too?!”

“Oh ho ho! Careful sissy!” taunted the older girl “is that anyway to talk to your big sis and little brother?”

Everyone in the field gasped, they were about to see a fabled fight that was just a war story I said in passing.

“I don’t want to fight you! Why can’t you just be cooperative and just sit and watch my display, just this once?” I pleaded with them.

“Nah Ita, I wanna see for myself how strong you’ve become!” Joaquin said getting in fighting position.

“That’s right! I want to see how a top of the program fights!” Prima said igniting her fire “you’re still the weak and submissive little girl that’s good for nothing but be an eyesore in the house!”

The yelling and fire caught the attention of the hero 1-A class and they all ran out in time to see me yell “BRING IT ON YOU LAZY SACKS OF SHIT!” and the fight of screaming and full force power commenced.

“Wow Palma-san is using nothing but her fists and wrestling to fight those two” said a dazed Mineta “who are those two anyways?”

“I think- I think those are her siblings!” gasped Uraraka “look they have the same hair type and they have the same quirks Palma-san had explained to us before!”

“If they’re here, then where’s her parents?” pondered Iida as he saw the older sister transform into her rampage form “this is getting out of control! Ita is going to get injured!”

As I managed to toss my sister in the air to do my flying finisher and my brother slapping me with his stretched out arms, suddenly my arms get pinned to my sides by an unseen force. My sister turns back to her normal form and my brother’s arms get snapped back into place, we all groan as my mother stomped onto our field of vision.

“Mire que asistes! You were telling me that you missed your sister on the plane and you try to fight her? IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY ON HER BIG DAY?!” she scolded as she floated us in front of her “I raised you better than that! Hola mi amor! disculpa a tus hermanos.” She said lovingly to me like she used to.

“Mom? does that mean-” I spoke as Midnight and my dad with Mr Muffins came onto the field “MUFFIN! DAD!”

My mom released me from her levitation and my dad put Mr Muffins on the ground to run toward me. He jumped into my arms and wiggled like crazy as he licked me and I was a mess trying to process everything. “I missed you so much! How and when did you guys get here?”

“The school reached out to us and brought us over” My dad said as he walked over to us “we got here yesterday afternoon.”

I gave them a quick hug and refocused on my display, everyone headed to the bleachers and everyone was looking at my family.

“She really does look like her mother” said Momo “so petite but so powerful!”

“Look its your in laws Iida-kun” elbowed Kaminari “you should go over there and introduce yourself as their future son in law.”

“I’ll go talk to them but not for that” Iida said standing up “I have to let them know that I’m one of her trusted friends.”

As he approached, everyone got nervous for him.

“Hola familia Palma” Iida said to get their attention “Yo soy Tenya Iida, un amigo de Itati.”

The family just looked confused and really didn’t know how to respond so they flashed a polite look and said “hello” and quickly turned back to the center field.

“Um sorry for being so sudden but I wanted to introduce myself because I think so highly of your daughter” Iida said as he bowed “you raised a wonderful young lady that really puts us in our place.”

“Puts in your places?” Prima turned to him and raised an eyebrow “you fought with her?” he nodded in response “you must be dumb and weak if she took you down!”

“yeah! she might be on par with us but if she defeated anybody” Joaquin glared at Iida “then I see why shes at the top, everyone around her is weak and stupid.”

“Ya! what is with you two!” scolded the mother “thank you for thinking so highly of my daughter and for being a friend to her during her times of need.” She smiled then her face turned a bit sad “I’ve missed her and worried for her if she’s ok or is surviving on her own. It’s nice to see that she didn’t have trouble making friends and gained the respect she deserves. Looks like the change of environment was what she needed.”

“EVERYBODY LOOK ALIVE! OUR INTELLIGENCE SKILLS DISPLAY IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!” announced Mic sensei. “WE HAVE UA’s TOP PROMISING AGENTS OF 1-A, THESE STUDENTS HAVE TAKEN ON HARD ASSIGNMENTS AND HAVE AMAZING TEAM WORK! LETS GIVE IT UP FOR THEM!”

All 9 of us marched in formation onto center field and struck into battle pose. We all went one by one in no particular order. I was 5th up and I got announced in,

“NEXT UP WE HAVE AMERICAN STUDENT: ITATI PALMA! SHE’S UA’s TOP INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS WITH DOUBLE QUIRKS MID-RANGE TELEKINESIS AND COPY! WHILE SHE’S SETTING UP, LETS REVISIT HER ICONIC FINISHING MOVE AT THE PRO-HERO TAKE DOWN PRACTICE TEST!”

I finish setting up and give the signal to take position.

“THATS THE SIGNAL FOLKS! MISS PALMA, TAKE POSITION TO SHOW EVERYONE WHAT YOU’RE MADE OF!”

I levitate myself up to do my air shooting, next heavy weapon showcase, then my MMA and lucha libre mock spar, and lastly short staff and mace twirling. I finish my display with a dramatic mid air pose. The explosion of applause made me very happy, I gathered all my things and walked to the waiting wing to pack and join the others.

“WOW STUNNING DISPLAY! DID YOU KNOW THAT MISS PALMA WANTED A CAREER IN ENTERTAINMENT?! ALTERNATIVELY SHE WANTED TO BE A RESEARCHER IN QUIRK MEDICINE...WHAT A GAL! ITATI PALMA FROM AMERICA!”

As I pack and change to go back to the stands, Mimi and Jin come in to give me the tea on who was taking intense notice on me among the scouts. I get excited that I got a lot of them interested. I sit with my class and I see the hero 1-A class waving me down and I waved back. I watch the last few displays and then the intermission started to give time to set up the ceremony part.

“Oh jeez yall I’m getting nerves!” I said jittery “I wonder what number I’ll get and who’s going to give me offers.”

“Same!” replied Jin “my blade work really got them scribbling and your lucha libre made their jaws drop.”

“Yeah, it was quite the show you put out there” Mimi said rubbing her eyes “do you think we’ll get the same offers?”

“Maybe, they keep showing clips of our practice test” I reflected on “that has to be a driving point to our chances of getting offers.”

I see my classmates and family calling me over, I teleported over to just get swarmed with compliments. I was flattered with all the praise but I wanted to hold my sweet little muffin. He jumped in my arms and I was being cuddly and baby talking.

“Who’s my sweet little boy? I love you! yes I do! I love you! kissy kissy!” I said rubbing up to him.

“Erm, Palma-san” said Tokoyami a bit envious “is this the fabled Mr Muffins?”

“Yes this is!” I said proudly “doesn’t he look just like the robot one?”

“He’s so cute! Aww hi Mr Muffin!” everyone was petting him and talking to him and he enjoyed the attention.

“I cried almost everyday when I was away from this little one” I said holding his paw “he brings me comfort and understanding that no one else can give me.” I look up and see how touched everyone was by my display of affection toward my dog. Before I could say anything, I got a ping from Diya sensei to report to the waiting wing to get on stage. “ah gotta go y’all!”

The ceremony commences and all of 1-A intel walks up to the stage in formation. They gave us our numbers one by one and myself and my squad were the last ones, it gave us nerves as it came down to us.

“Now these next 3 are very special to the program” said Diya sensei “they give off amazing chemistry on and off the field, they’re my first responders and are the bravest youngins I’ve ever met. They’ve traveled far to be here and put in the hard work to succeed, I’m proud to say that these agents are our Big 3 and for the 1st time in UA history, intel Big 3 are all international students. So without further ado, heres their agent numbers.” He walks over to Jin “Matsui, I present to you agent number 21, for your outstanding work in investigation and blades.” Then to Mimi “Oleshin, I present to you agent number 20, for your flawless work in weapons and defense” Finally to me “Palma, I present to you agent number 19, for your incredible intuition and underestimated power.” We look at each other and lock arms that our friendship was recognized and enforced by our agent numbers.

The roar of applause took us back but it touched us as the absence of our families was drowned out by it. When it was all over, I ran over to my family and introduced them to Mimi and Jin. Aizawa sensei walked over to congratulate me and meet my mother, they bonded over the fact that they had the same quirk. I was so happy that both of my worlds were coming together but before I could think of anything else, I was approached by 2 agencies.

“Hello agent 19, I am in part of Best Jeanist agency.” said the man in Jinko jeans.

“And I’m from the major branch in Hokkaido.” softy spoke a man in a parka.

“Oh very nice to meet you” I said with a bow.

“We have a few questions for you to have the full profile on you to gage our offers for internship.” Jinko jean man asked as he flipped to a page on his note pad “When the announcer said you wanted to pursue a career in quirk medicine, what did that mean?”

I told them and both men scribbled hard on my response.

“I scouted that practice test and couldn’t believe my eyes when you and your team took down those 3rd years” gushed the parka man “my question is, are those 2 in your squadron really dependent on each other?”

“Umm, tough question but we depend on each other but in different levels at a given time and situation. We depend on each other to finish group work and when we fight as a team, but I don’t depend on them as heavily when I’m living my day to day life or when I train because of how different we are.”

They scribble some more and Jinko jean man asks his final question “Ok let’s say your quirk gets taken away or suppressed and you’re supposed to protect a high profile person, what course of action would you take?”

“Assuming that I don’t have my team and backup was already requested/denied, I would use anything and everything within my person to protect them and get them to safety. If I run out of ammo, I’ll use my fists, if they break my arms, I still have legs! If they break my body, I’ll scream to get them away from the person so they can flee. I’d would have to be dead to be stopped and I am not afraid to die protecting somebody, even if I don’t know them.”

They stopped writing when I said that last part, I sensed their concern but it was the truth and I wasn’t going to lie to them. They thanked me for my time and they walked to their colleagues. I rejoined the rest of my class and we gathered our things so we can have the rest of the day off. I spent my evening with my family and Midnight as we went to the local food places and shopping. When it was getting late, my parents let me take Mr Muffins to my dorm until they need to leave. I get so happy that I get to snuggle up like old times with my sweet little boy. When I got to my dorm, I gave Mr Muffins a tour like he was going to be dorming there too.

“...And here’s my room! We gonna sleepy weepy in here with a special someone.” I said as I opened my door and Muffin 2.0 was sitting at the foot of the bed, wagging his tail.

“Hello Itati, is this the original Mr Muffins?”

“Right you are! Mr Muffins, this is your robot counterpart, Muffin 2.0″ I said as I put them on the floor to sniff out the robot.

“Hello Mr Muffins, rest assured that your beloved master is being loved and taken cared of while you’re separated” the robot said, Mr Muffins put his paw on the robot’s paw “thank you for trusting me, you are a very good boy.”

I cried at the display but then pulled myself together to make some makeshift bedding for my dog and search for a pet store to buy some food for the time I’m going to have him. We settled in for bed and I felt the most at ease since I got here. In the morning, I walked the dog and got in the car to buy some dog food, all before everyone got up.

“Oh my goodness! You got to keep your dog?!” cried out Kirishima

“Hahaha only for the weekend until my family has to leave” I said as I served my dog a scoop in a disposable bowl “so don’t get too attached to this little boy!”

The robot played with Mr Muffins and it was an odd sight but I was delighted to see them interact. I did some homework in the commons room and everyone saw how my dog curls up on my foot when I work on things to keep me company. When it was time for lunch, everyone came out to see me feed him.

“Muffin! do you want...yoguis? does my boy want yoguis?!” I baby talked him while shaking a small yogurt cup. He did his little dance and everyone saw how much love and care I had for him that they understood why I missed him so much.

“You feed your dog yogurt?” questioned Iida.

“Yup, I also give him watermelon, spicy chips, cheese, ice cream, cheese crackers and cheerios” I said as I mixed the yogurt with a disposable spoon “but as a treat, I’m not crazy.” I said as I spoon fed him yogurt and everyone was confused.

“Wow he really likes that” said Sato “why do you spoon feed him?”

“He tends to eat too fast when I give him treats so I give him little pieces of the amount I want to give him so he doesn’t choke or throws up.”

“Thats...actually smart and thoughtful of you” said Iida as he kept looking at the dog eating off the spoon “may I- have a try at feeding him?”

“Sure! Here, don’t scoop up too much on the spoon and just put it in front of his face.”

“heh I’m doing it!” Iida exclaimed as the dog ate off the spoonful he served him “what a sweet creature, you trained him so well.” Suddenly the dog puts his paw on Iida’s knee and looks into his eyes, “oh what is it little one?”

“Oh my, Muffin?” I said shocked.

“What? what does this mean?” Iida asked in a slight panic.

“When he does this, that means he trusts you” I said choking back tears “Oh my sweet boy!”

Iida then put his hand over his paw “don’t worry Mr Muffin, you can trust me with her, I promise she’s in good hands.”

I wanted to let it all out but then I got a text from Mimi

[Yo, everyone is with their families and it gave me and Jin big sad]

[Oh heck! I’ll come over si quieres]

[actually...we were thinking to have a party tomorrow, with whoever is here in the patio area on our side]

[HELLA DOWN! I can pick up a few things so I make something]

[sounds good :) get some meat, Jin’s request]

[lit, I’ll go rn since I’m free and I’ll get the robo to look after the boi]

[yee yee!]

“Hey can y’all do me a favor?” I asked as I looked up and everyone was surrounding my dog “can y’all look after my robot and dog? I have to go pick up a few things for a thing my squadron is hosting, yall are invited.”

“A party?! but yea we can look after your dogs” said Kaminari “doesn’t seem like too much work.”

“Great! some ground rules: DON’T give him your food no matter how much he begs. MAKE SURE his water bowl is always filled. If he scratches the door and starts whining, that means he needs to go outside to potty TAKE HIM OUTSIDE AND NOT THE TOILET! If he starts growling at you, that just means he doesn’t like you, don’t worry too much about that.” I turn to Mr Muffins “now you be on your best behavior! I’ll be right back from the store.”

I get my bags and keys to head out, once I was out of sight everyone was looking at the dog and wondered how well trained he is.

“Well Mr Muffin” said Mina to the dog “what do you want to do?”

“Dummy he can’t tell you!” yelled Mineta “you have to uhh like uhh, wave things in front of him to see if he’s interested.” He then proceeded to wave a house slipper in front of the dog and he started to growl.

“Oh no!” Todoroki exclaimed in a low voice “he hates you, not that anybody is surprised.”

Everyone went ballistic with that roast that the dog stopped growling. Mineta never really recovered from that roast either.

The girls tried playing ball with the dog but were fooled because the dog wouldn’t give the ball back and they chased him all over the field. When they got tired of running, they headed back inside and filled his water bowl.

“I can’t believe Palma-san and her family have such a spunky little dog” panted Hagakure “I wish I had one growing up.”

“My parents didn’t let me have a dog” said Koda introducing his rabbit to Mr Muffins “having a rabbit is nice and all but I really wanted a dog like this.”

Iida walks in and immediately Mr Muffins runs to his side and follows him around. Everyone sees this and were astounded by the sight.

“Looks like he likes you Iida-kun” commented Midoriya “its like he can sense that you care for his master.”

“SEE! even her dog is telling you to tell her your feelings!” exclaimed Kirishima

“I’m working on it!” Iida responded as he sat on the couch and the dog jumped up to sit on his lap.

“AHH CUTE!” the girls and Koda squealed at the sight. They all took pictures to show me later and I came back 20 mins later.

“I’m back! Did my sweetie miss me?” I baby talked to get the dogs attention, he jumps down from Iida’s lap and dashes toward me. “Aww baby waby! Did you behave? Did you have fun?”

I put away my purchases and prepare some things for the next day. As I cooked, the robot dog hoisted Mr Muffins on the stool to watch me cook. Everyone saw that I was happier than ever before and it gave them an idea on how I was before I came over.

“Man, hearing her baby talk is kinda cute” whispered Shoji “I wonder how it is to be loved by somebody like Palma-san? It seems like you’d have nothing to worry about and have all the validity in the world.”

In the evening, when everyone was supposed to sleep, Ita was at work on her dress while the dog drifted to sleep. The next day was spent setting up the party in the intel dorm patio. Nobody from intel that spent time with their parents returned yet so it was just me, Mimi and Jin. I borrowed quirks to help with the food and drinks to save time and resources. Finally, at sundown, we brought everyone over to celebrate.

“I love all the fairy lights!” fawned Uraraka “it really brings the party feel together.”

“Thanks! would you like a beet?” offered Mimi “or would you like some beef soup?”

Everyone was confused on the food selection but then remembered that we’re from different sides of the world, of course there’s boiled beets, bibimbap and tacos right next to each other! It was a nice time and then came the speeches,

“Can I get everyone’s attention please?” I requested, everyone stopped and looked at me “I would like to thank everyone that came to celebrate our agent coronation, its heart-warming that so many people care enough to recognize our success.”

Mimi spoke up “Personal time, my parents died when I was young and I’ve been on my own since then and thought it would be the same like when I was in Russia. But that hole in my heart was filled with the companionship our team and our successes. I truly feel like these two are my family and I’m happier than I could ever imagine!”

Jin stood up “Same, my parents are wanted criminals in Korea and I was abandoned as a child to fend for myself. Nobody wanted to adopt me either because of my lack of social skills and hobbies. When I came over here and saw these two, I wouldn’t have thought that they’d accept me and willingly work with me! They’re my new family now and I’d do anything for them, this Big Three title affirms our love and support for each other.”

“Heres to chosen family and many more successes!” I said raising my glass, others joined in “may all of you strive for greatness too!”

“KANPAI!” everyone cheered, Mimi, Jin and I downed our cups of secret booze and hollered “MUFFIN 2.0 PLAY MEME MACHINE!”

“Now playing: Meme Machine by Pink Guy” and right when the first word came on we rushed to the dance area and busted down. We may or may not have pre-gamed a bit before everyone came over. Everyone looked confused on why did we just went from sentimental to booty poppin’. A bit later came my parents with Midnight and Aizawa, they joined us for a bit of fun and food until my parents and siblings had to head to the airport.

“I know its hard mija” comforted my dad “it’s hard for us too.”

I held Mr Muffins and gave a final squeeze “Bye bye little boy, take care of them” I said as I handed him over to my sister “I hope to return soon! Or everyone come back again for the next big event!” my tears fell and my family came in for a final hug. We all knew that the next time isn’t guaranteed but we couldn’t bear having that discussion again. Iida, Tokoyami and Midoriya were watching out of sight but highly curious.

“I still don’t understand” whispered Iida “Ita has had 2 opportunities to return home for a brief visit and clearly her family can afford to come and visit.”

“What are you saying Iida-kun?” asked Midoriya.

“I’m saying that why hasn’t she gone? And why is it such a surprise that her family visited?” stated Iida “it doesn’t make any sense!”

“ummm, that is a bit strange” pondered Tokoyami “maybe her family is high profile? It isn’t safe to her to go home?”

“Whatever it is” Iida said standing up “she isn’t telling us the full truth and she knows she can’t keep it away from us forever.” He walks over to the her as her family drives away. “Ita? Are you feeling ok?”

“What? Oh yea psh!” I said quickly wiping away my tears “I just had to say good bye to my family and Mr Muffins. I just got all gushy over that group hug, lets go back to the party yeah?”

“It’s ok to feel sad, I’m not-”

“no no! really! I’m cool!” I denied my true emotions as I just wanted to have a good time before I had to do serious things. I spotted Tokoyami and ran up to him “hey~ I got a big sad that needs...comforting~”

Tokoyami looks around to see if anyone else heard me and asked “my room or yours?”

“Yours, I’ll be teleporting in at 10, be ready for me~”

Everything died down at around 9ish and I started to clean up so I can uphold my promise in time. The night went accordingly and the next day I was in good spirits as it was T-minus 6 days until the dance!

-Intel Homeroom, the next day-

“Hope everyone had a nice weekend of celebration” cheerfully announced Diya sensei “because now comes some decision making. I have your offers in these packets for you, some of you got the attention of the major branches and I’m thoroughly impressed that some of you got an offer from the branch I worked for. I’ll be passing them out and if you have any questions about something on the offer sheet, let me know so I can clarify.”

“I’m shaking yall!” said Jin “I don’t know what to expect!”

“I hope The Emperor’s Coup gave me an offer” muttered Mimi with closed eyes and crossed fingers “the scout was so hot that I almost lost my cool answering his follow up question!”

“I’ll be happy with anything!” I sighed as I was a bit groggy “I just want to see if I got comments.”

We get our packets and ours were thick with comments and offers. I flip through and I saw the offer for Best Jeanist, I think hmm, what are they noting me for to offer me anything? I read the entire sheet and see that they’re basing their decision on my desire for quirk medicine.

“Huh? That’s odd” I thought out loud

“What’s odd?” asked Mimi and Jin

“My offer for Best Jeanist” I said as I showed them the sheet “look what they’re basing it off.”

“Quirk medicine? Wasn’t that one of your factoids?” realized Jin “what would make the number 3 hero want with an agent that had a dream of being a researcher for quirk medicine?”

“That’s a bit off I’ll admit” pondered Mimi “I don’t have an offer from them.”

“neither do I” Jin added.

“Hmmm, then I have alot of thinking to do before next week” I groaned as I didn’t know who to take up on.

-Hero classroom, before I arrive-

“I got that stupid meme song stuck in my head” cried out Mina “Jiro-chan make it stop!”

“I can’t!” Jiro admitted “I like that song! its in my current favs playlist now!”

“That was some party eh Todoroki-kun?” elbowed Sato

“Yes! I didn’t know beets could be so tasty” Todoroki said bluntly “Palma-senpai and her squadron really know how to host.”

“I’m glad that dog is gone” pouted Mineta “thinks he has a good gage on people, I’M A GOOD PERSON!”

“That dog is just like Palma-san” stated Kirishima “small, cute and doesn’t tell lies...I already miss him.”

I teleport in clumsily “oof, hi yall!”

“Are you good?” asked Shoji “you look like you caught something.”

“nah! I’m good! swear!” I dismissed my hangover as I fumbled to my seat “I just didn’t put on makeup this morning hahaha!”

Class started and it was a chill day of review, but I had alot on my mind as I remember seeing an offer from Ingenium’s Tokyo branch. And I remember that its Iida’s older brother that runs that branch personally, maybe he can get me to change my mind? Class ends and I catch him before he leaves the room.

“Hey Tenya”

“Ita! Hello, are you alright?”

“Yea yea I’m good... listen, can we talk?”

He saw the seriousness in my eyes and perked up “Yes of course!”

“Privately, not even Mimi and Jin can hear about this”

“Oh my, this is serious”

“Come then” I said as I pulled at his sleeve to follow me to the intel wing. We get there and I open the unused workroom. I flip on a light and set my bag on the table to rummage for my packet.

“What’s the matter?” he asked with seriousness “are you in some kind of trouble? Is your family ok?”

I pull out my packet and flip to my marked tab for the Ingenium offer “Looky here, your big bro gave me an offer.” I said handing him the packet to read the sheet.

“That’s great! My brother has an amazing branch with 20 sidekicks and-”

“Why?” I interrupted his thought “Give me a good reason for me to take up the offer OTHER than he’s your brother. What inside information do you have that made them choose me and not my squadron.”

Iida gulped at my directness, he does know why because he texted his brother about seeing the scout that day and it’s all for power purposes.

“My brother has had an eye on you since the practice test” he started “his agency wants to sow the seeds to have you work for them in the future because they think that your double wielding power can protect their heroes that work there. This is all because my brother and 2 of his sidekicks have been injured to the point of decommission with all the villain attacks and none of the agents that work for him are competent enough to do the job.”

“So they want me as their meat shield!” I said horrified “aren’t these branches well networked? Can’t they find somebody with telekinesis that’s already in the field? Why does it have to be me?”

“Telekinesis is a rare quirk this side of the globe” he sighed as he knew the truth was going to hurt me “same with copy with the range that you have and since you’re under a private sector of work, everyone will want you for the same purpose as their bodyguard with limitless power. Whatever intellect you posses will mean nothing to them, you will be the first line of defense for the branch.”

I take a deep breath to process all that information and to make my choice “thank you for telling me, I needed it to make my decision.” I took back my packet and put it back in my binder.

“Are you upset? I didn’t mean to hurt you” he asked gently “you deserve the truth and I wasn’t going to deny you from it.”

“I’m not upset, a little hurt” I assured “but I got so many offers that said the same thing that I needed some insight. Thank you for always being honest with me” I said facing him “You’re one of the few people I can trust in this life.” Without thinking, I grabbed him for a hug. He hesitated but he hugged back, feeling her warmth and smelling her sweet fragrance made him fall deeper for her. He wished that they could stay like this forever but she broke the hug.

“hehe your hugs are really warm” he awkwardly said “I forget how petite you are and you smell really nice.” He caught sight of me blushing as I put my backpack on.

“umm hehe thanks?” I played it cool “well don’t let me hold you captive! you can go enjoy the rest of your lunch time.”

We went our separate ways and he’s high off of that hug and my words. Kirishima and the rest of the Baku-squad sees him in his daze and assumed the best.

“Iida-kun, I saw that you ran off with Palma-san” instigated Sero “could it be?”

“She said that I’m one of the few she trusts in this life” Iida sighed dreamily “and her hugs are just so...right and warm.”

“That seems a bit much of an answer for just asking her to be your date to the dance” Bakugo said taking a sip of his soda.

Iida snapped out of his dream-state “I DIDN’T ASK HER! I had the opportunity and even hugged her but asking her just slipped my mind!” he slammed his head on the table.

“Then what did you two talk about?” Mina asked “You were gone for 20 minutes!”

“She wanted to know hows my brother’s branch” he explained without giving the real reason “he gave her an offer to intern in the agent sector.”

“Oh wow she really made it huh?” Kaminari commented “did your word help make her final choice?”

“I have a feeling it did” Iida said confidently “still, I’m a fool for not asking her when I had the chance.”

“Aww cheer up buddy!” Kirishima said as he put his arm around Iida’s shoulders “you have 6 days to ask, down to the wire but we’ll help you get your girl and get you 100 percent locking lips with her during the slow dance.”

While they plot ways to ask me, I was on my personal quest to find some answers for the corruption I just found out.

-After school, in the intel hallways-

I catch sight of Diya sensei walking out of the classroom, plan is to get some insight from his perspective.

“Diya sensei!”

“Hmm? Oh Palma, hello”

“Hello, sorry to catch you after hours but I have a burning question about my offers.”

“Oh you can tell me, I don’t mind”

“Great! Ok so I’m perusing the reasons for the offer and most of them say ‘quirk’ or ‘security’...what does that mean exactly?”

Diya lets out a long, sorrowful sigh “Oh kiddo, I was hoping you’d never had to experience the sour truth while you were here. Why those reasons is because of your quirks, double wielder of rare quirks is like hitting the lottery for these scouts. Since its two powerful defense quirks, they’ll want you to play bodyguard for their own greedy reasons. Worst of all, is that they’ll keep you like that, unable to advance and won’t make use of all your non-quirk abilities. It’s a life of torment and loneliness, I don’t wish it on the worst villain out there!”

“Did that happen to you sensei?” I asked as I picked up a sense of personal grief from him “you got roped in the trap?”

“You caught me! Clever girl, I was one of those lottery agents and got flattered by all the offers. When I interned, I was conditioned to come back when I graduated and I was naive to their intentions. I went back and they treated me like a protective blanket, just throwing me about and not caring if I got injured or my mentality. It went on for years and I was seeing my family less and less, my girlfriend at the time left me because I was never there for her. The money didn’t feel worth it anymore and I wanted to escape, so I did the whole ‘faked my death’ thing and changed my name so I can work in a field I cared about more. They never found out that I was still alive and I got work in the rescue field for independent branches. When I was nearing my retirement, I went to college to start teaching agents...and now I’m here.”

“What made you a lottery agent?” I asked curiously “are you a double wielder too?”

“Yes ma’am! I have gravity influx and forcefield. Gravity does not affect me but I can change the gravity of an area with a wave of the hand, so I can walk up walls and make the enemy fall to the ground with crushing force. With the forcefield, I can make bubble forcefields as big as a 20 story building that not even a missile can penetrate! Needless to say, You’d want me on your side in a villain attack.”

“Those are useful quirks, I get it now. I should chose how I please but STICK it to them!”

“Yeah! Stick it to the man, rebellion to the corrupt! I am so proud of you for getting it and listening to my advice, my hope for you is to fight the corruption by making a name for yourself so you won’t be ignored.” He said sincerely as he put his hand on my head “Now run along to the dorms! You need to rest to tackle on tomorrow.”

“Oh right! yes, thank you for sharing that insight! Have a nice evening sensei.” I said before teleporting out. His words lingered in my head as I went along my usual routine, I hope I was making the right choice because there was only one agency that gave me an offer based off of my interests. I went to bed thinking about rebellion and dreamt about destroying capitalism. Ah what sweet thoughts to lead into my calmer week.

-End Chapter 14-

#bnha #mha #self insert au #not canon #chapter 14 #will update regularly #ask me anything

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possiblyhereticalultramarine · 8 years ago

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Twin Stars of Ultramar- Cato, Chapter 2: Pride

Well folks, if you think you’ve hated Cato Sicarius before, prepare to despise him with a fury that puts Khorne to shame

“You’re shorter than I thought, Master Cato” said an elegant, female voice behind him.

Cato Sicarius turned from the view of the night city that the balcony provided him. At the entrance to his personal room was a noticeably young and, if he was being honest, very attractive girl in a turquoise dress, seemingly designed to both show off the lithe figure of the wearer as well as her regal status. Her copper colored hair was held in place above her shoulders by expensive fasteners that doubled as elaborate jewelry. Cherry-red lips pursed into a smile that carried all the way up her aquiline face to her hazel eyes.

“You must be Miss Genevieve” Cato said, his typically arrogant expression meeting her eyes as he stepped back into the interior of his room, slightly annoyed that one of the guests had followed him to his room where he had escaped to after growing tired of the vapid praise they were lavishing onto him at the celebration.

However, he was curious why a girl would chase after him today of all days. Cato was no stranger to women. Growing up as a son of one of the most respected aristocratic houses on Talassar, nearly all of the noble girls at his schola had relentlessly attempted to win his favor, either because their parents forced them to seek out a powerful future husband or they simply wanted one of their own accord. Also, even without his noble status, Cato did cut quite a handsome figure. He outgrew their annoying attempts at seduction rather quickly, however, viewing them as craven weaklings that could only succeed by hanging onto the coattails of their betters. Still…they had their uses to him.

When he was selected for his ascension into the Adeptus Astartes however, they immediately gave him a wide berth. He was effectively eliminated as a potential suitor to carry on their families’ legacy and it was considered scandalous to fraternize with those chosen to become initiates. Therefore, he was interested in why Genevieve Hafner would try to interact with him. He knew her by her family. She was the daughter of Gregor Hafner, one of the patriarchs of the lower noble houses and Master of Commerce for their city. He remembered her name as she was one of the very few women that made no attempts to seduce him during his years at the schola.

“Mistress Genevieve” she corrected, and for a moment, a flash of irritation crossed her eyes causing Cato to smile. “With the death of my father, I am the rightful heir to the Hafner consortium and I would prefer it if you used my official title, honored Cato”

“Ah my apologies, with all my duties as an Ultramarine initiate…I must have forgotten to keep up to date with the happenings of the lower houses” he replied, making sure to give his words a trace of mockery that put his counterpart on edge. He was very good at doing that.

She bristled at the comment but stepped into his room, her pale hand running over a marble bust of Konor. She looked around the room, her eyes settling on a decently sized golden symbol of the Ultramarines that was fastened onto the wall opposite his bedside. “I suppose your parents put that there to be a motivation to you” she said, gesturing at the icon. “You were raised solely for the purpose of being one of the Emperor’s finest after all”

“I ordered that put there myself” Cato replied, his eyes challenging hers as he took a step forwards. “As a portent of my future role as one of the defenders of Ultramar”. And one of its masters, he added to himself.

“Such confidence!” she gave a short, bubbly laugh before meeting his gaze with an intensity that surprised him. “Is that why you came here?” she asked, a slight edge in her voice. “To get away from all us…normal people?”. She was quite daring, he had to give her that. No other person in the palace, no on the entire planet would dare to challenge one chosen for ascension like that. Especially one from a lower house than him.

“Quite frankly, yes” Cato replied, his smile deepening. If she wanted a challenge, she can have one, he thought. “I was getting tired of my name being used in such shallow praise. If I am to be congratulated, I’d rather it be from people that have a modicum of my respect”.

“Oh? And will any of us be worthy of that respect?” she countered in a more relaxed tone this time. “I’ve seen the way you look at us, Cato. Not just here but in the schola. We’re nothing but stepping stones for you to trod upon in your path to glory”. He could detect a hint of sarcasm in her voice. It really does seem like she was one of the adventurous types, he thought.

“And you took it upon yourself to come up here and lecture me on my worldview” he said with a derisive laugh. “Oh, how very noble. I’m sure Lord Guilliman is looking down upon such acts of selfless morality”.

“Do not take his name in vain” she said sharply, fixing him with a cold glare. “You have the honor, no, the privilege of becoming one of the most holy protectors of Ultramar and its time you learned to respect those below you. If I had-” she stopped herself before she could complete the sentence.

“If you had been chosen instead of me?” Cato could not hold back a burst of hoarse, mocking laughter. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment and it brought Sicarius great pleasure to see the mixture of shame and anger in her face

“Yes” she said between gritted teeth. She could never become an Ultramarine. Never carry out the teachings of Lord Guilliman in earnest no matter how much effort she devoted into such an endeavor. She hated herself for that. She hated herself and he knew it.

He stepped close to her, a dark grin spreading across his face as his hand went up to her face, his knuckles gently caressing her cheek. “There are…other ways to serve the warriors of Ultramar” he said, his voice both condescending and malicious. “More indirect ways” his hand went to the side of her hip, tugging on one of the bindings of the dress.

Her eyes widened and for a microsecond, she was frozen in place as she looked into his eyes. The power and ambition that radiated from them was immense and she could see what he was after. What he was always after. He never wanted to be a mere protector. He wanted to conquer, to dominate and to rule. Cato Sicarius wanted power in its purest form…and he would never have enough of it to satiate his needs.

She pushed herself away with a jolt and slammed her fist into the side of his head. She was no defenseless court lady. She had been tutored in martial arts from a young age as her father insisted she be able to hold her own in a fight. A sentiment she wholeheartedly agreed with. Therefore, she was satisfied when she heard a crack as Cato’s head snapped to a side.

Cato smiled as he felt the copper taste of blood welling in his mouth. She was a tough girl, this one, he thought. “I take it your pointless moralizing is over now?” he sneered at her.

“Bastard!” she shouted at him and stormed outside his room, her hand slightly trembling as her mind reeled from what had just happened.

The son of house Sicarius spat out a gobbet of blood and returned to the balcony. Oddly enough, he felt himself in rather high spirits. Her visit had brought out his more…honest self and it was not often that he had the opportunity to put that on display. So often did he have to hide his ambition behind pretty words. So often did he have to pay lip service to those weaklings, promising to be their selfless hero who would gladly give his life for them. The thought sickened him.

He was no mere protector. He was more than that. He would not die on some backwater world giving his life to defend those too weak to defend themselves. He would be a glorious leader, a knight-champion with uncountable victories. His name would become synonymous with power and majesty, the entirety of Ultramar calling out praises to him. As he stared out into the starry night sky, he let these visions of grandeur blossom inside him, keeping him warm in the cold night air. He would be the burning star of Ultramar…and no one would stop him.

#ultramarines #warhammer #warhamemr 40k #space marines

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orthodoxydaily · 4 years ago

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Icon,Saints&Reading:Tue.Sep.152020

Commemorated on September 2 ( OldJuian calendar

The Holy Martyr Mamant of Caesare (275)

The Holy Martyr Mamant was born in Paphlagonia of pious and illustrious parents, the Christians Theodotos and Ruphina. For their open confession of their faith, the parents of the saint were arrested by the pagans and locked up in prison in Caesarea Cappadocia. Knowing his own bodily weaknesses, Theodotos prayed, that the Lord would take him before being martyred. The Lord heard his prayer and he died in prison. Saint Ruphina died also after him, having given birth to a premature son, whom she prayerfully entrusted to God, beseeching that He be the Protector and Defender of the orphaned infant. God hearkened to the death-bed prayer of Saint Ruphina: a rich Christian widow named Ammea reverently buried the bodies of Saints Theodotos and Ruphina, and she took the boy into her own home and surrounded him with motherly care. Saint Mamant grew up in the Christian faith. His foster mother concerned herself with the developing of his natural abilities and early on she sent him off to study his grammar. The boy learned easily and willingly. He was not of an age of mature judgement but distinguished himself by maturity of mind and of heart. By means of prudent conversations and personal example young Mamant converted many of his own peers to Christianity. There was a denunciation about this to the governor, named Democritus, and the youth was arrested and brought to trial. In deference to his illustrious parentage Democritus decided not to subject him to torture, but instead sent him off to the emperor Aurelian (270-275). The emperor tried at first kindly, but then with threats to turn Saint Mamant back to the pagan faith, but all in vain: the saint bravely confessed himself a Christian and pointed out the madness of the pagans in their worship of mindless idols. Infuriated, the emperor subjected the youth to cruel tortures. They eventually wanted to drown the saint, but an Angel of the Lord saved Saint Mamant and bid him live on an high mountain in the wilderness, located not far from Caesarea. Bowing to the will of God, the saint built there a small church and began to lead a life of strict temperance, in exploits of fasting and prayer. Soon he received a remarkable power over the forces of nature: wild beasts inhabiting the surrounding wilderness gathered at his abode and listened to the reading of the Holy Gospel. Saint Mamant nourished himself on the milk of wild goats and deer. The saint did not ignore the needs of his neighbours: preparing cheese from this milk, he gave it away freely to the poor. Soon the fame of Saint Mamant's life spread throughout all of Caesarea. The governor in concern sent a detachment of soldiers to arrest him. Coming across Saint Mamant on the mountain, the soldiers did not recognise him, and mistook him for a simple shepherd. The saint then invited them to his dwelling, gave them a drink of milk and then told them his name, knowing that a suffering death for Christ awaited him. In surrendering himself over into the hands of the torturers, Saint Mamant was brought to trial under a deputy governor named Alexander, who subjected him to intensive and prolonged tortures. But they did not break the Christian will of the saint. He was strengthened by the words addressed to him from above: "Be strong and take courage, Mamant". When they gave Saint Mamant over for devouring by wild beasts, these creatures would not touch him. Finally, one of the pagan-priests struck at him with a trident-spear. Mortally wounded, Saint Mamant went out beyond the city limits. There, in a small stone cave, he offered up his spirit to God, Who in the hearing of all summoned the holy Martyr Mamant into the habitation on high (+ 275). He was buried by believers at the place of his death. Christians soon began to receive from him blessings of help in their afflictions and sorrows. Saint Basil the Great speaks thus about the holy Martyr Mamant in a sermon to the people: "Commemorate ye the holy martyr: those, who saw him in a vision, who from amongst the living here have him as an helper, those whom in calling on his name he hath helped in some matter, those whom he hath guided out of a prodigal life, those whom he hath healed of infirmity, those whose children already dead he hath restored to life, those whose life he hath prolonged – all of ye, gathered as one, praise ye the martyr".

Kaluga Icon of the Mother of God (1771)

The Appearance of the Kaluzhsk Icon of the Mother of God

Commemorated on September 2, October 12, July 18 and on the first Sunday of the Apostles' Fast.

The Appearance of the Kaluzhsk Icon of the Mother of God occurred in 1748 in the village of Tinkova, near Kaluga, at the home of the landowner Vasilii Kondrat'evich Khitrov. Two servants of Khitrov were examining old things in the attic of his home. One of them, Evdokia, noted for her unconstrained temper, was given to rough and even indecorous language. Her companion began to admonish her and while arguing she discovered a large package covered in a grimy sackcloth. Undoing it, the girl saw the picture of a woman in dark garments with a book in her hands. Considering it to be the portrait of a woman monastic and wanting to bring Evdokia to her senses, she accused her of being disrespectful to the hegumeness. Evdokia answered the scolding words of her companion, and becoming increasingly angry, she spit at the picture. Immediately she became convulsed and fell down senseless. Her frightened companion reported about what had happened throughout the household. The next night, The Queen of Heaven appeared to Evdokia's parents and told them, that their daughter had jeered at Her blasphemously and She ordered them to make a molieben before the insulted icon, and to sprinkle the invalid with holy water at the molieben. After the molieben Evdokia recovered, and Khitrov took the wonderworking icon into his own home, where abundantly issued forth healings to those approaching it with faith. Afterwards they conveyed the icon to the parish temple in honour of the Nativity of the MostHoly Mother of God in the village of Kaluzhka. A copy of it was dispatched to Kaluga. At the present time it is situated in the cathedral church of Kaluga. Through this icon the Mother of God has repeatedly manifest Her protection of the Russian Land during its difficult times. The celebration of the Kaluga Icon on 2 September was established in remembrance of the deliverance from an ulcerous plague in 1771. A second celebration was established 12 October, in memory of the saving of Kaluga from the French invasion of 1812. In 1898 there was established a celebration on 18 July in gratitude to the Mother of God for safe-guarding against cholera. Celebration is made likewise on the 1st Sunday of the Peter fast.

Galatians 2:21-3:7

21I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.1O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified?2This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?3Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?4Have you suffered so many things in vain-if indeed it was in vain?5Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?-6just as Abraham "believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness."7Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham.

Galatians 2:11-16

11Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed;12for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.13And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.14But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, "If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews?15We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,16knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

Mark 5:24-34

24So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.25Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,26and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.27When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.28For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."29Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.30And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"31But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' "32And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.33But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.34And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

#orthodoxy #orthodoxchristian #ancientfaith #firstchristian #spirituality #holyscripture #gospel #wisdom

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