#my son hath found a stick

[kraftykelpie]

BEHOLD! my stick

[libidomechanica]

Reliquary had expects bringes

A curtal sonnet sequence

               1

Now her freight: that I don’t sleep which your cold me. You wilt the bloudy lyons pleasure or talk six time and presence and rules that little and Jebusite, but dead left think of gentle she salue boast: nor to busie Teachery, to tie? They sow. Young-wise,—past milking and heaven out his Toyl he would Caledonia’s glow-worm legs. And she, that selfe with all browes of a dreary, I would David by, one blue-bell amazing and in her.

               2

If will to metaphysics, nor in general Sons, alway, not Bull smell let Law teach others lap: a maiden garden of the burning spies than the Sun. Beyond simple of loue doth my so high, what every low and a most a Limb of her days like and in crowds, if that reap, at the deigneth one loue: but laught full true, as that true imaged Word, with her veins flay ensuing, in though weary dove, their to all beloved watch him?

               3

Short me askew and weetly strengthening a stake to flesh an’ wilfull am leaves, whom if ye promise have drawn the gods and even as shells desires: the stairs of though hell fit was wondering poure in his Matrimony. With threats their layes.&With Arts to steadfast me: my such doth food for since his; the Beach, or for the Witnesse shall costliest lyke to this occupation among to blows. The best way or the man heartbreaking.

               4

The Paus’d; there wed, cometh natural. Betray my soul upon! Of manly bourner of my toung chamber cradle neast on matches round beauties me forbore, tulip, resin, hath to rest, men came riddle. That sits adore in me. Flesh, blood will not quite is confess; disdain an act of each side: and day; who watch the boy was this, whose clue is daught me for me times are quite, than they should I believing way his very lose ivy-twinkle.

               5

To see me for Worship doth fetter kneel to erect in tract of deare he could Natures spoile. But all the hours. For therefore can come, but she rejected to false dead, still! All compile gaped there tenth of those for pleasing barge, which my place, her treble silken should brooked upon they were desire, that throes! A slumber: what cannot to warb—le thou must spoyle. Lyke saucers, they loss of a mere ploughs in the good Husbandry.

               6

It had kills the worldling the Parias; and Human Wit could, you lie, fisted her long a victor’s barn or evil is lips, the when show that her will not so blesse it with burne to ruine owne ioyous holy fruit with the glooming galleons life of blue each eyelid drank by my penetrates Records have Righten all sterling o’er the gracefull hye. We are incense the prisoned with sugred spotlesse mix’d earthly commitment company.

               7

Down towre, in gentle more I find. And in lowling stretched to a scream, with your owling kiddes the vanish’d the Tyrannesse streight high words haue fede, or Curst empty house, are but when he vnto her trade. Hideous are me, who couetize, the empty cordings are bosome she smart a greater. With blank. Over than loosely shepheard to prov’d you and in sky. And take them from bleed at the anchor, thou springs the words, which her gods have we lose.

               8

That bless to him, and in the sky, and with which my beseech the darkness, to receptive my louely flour, is woe, that balance than whose white echo of a current runs fast, that his hand as frugal Vertues drowne me by Heaven his true found a lawfull of the loues to love; flesh repose. And tell be themselfe nor grill groaned, gave raise up and tell he said; she keep her courtesy not distant substant of a mortally: and wiser?

               9

And when to strous hast then to Rebell and quicker, older and Priests thy natural Instructor, e’re though you I do Stella loue wounded breath travell’d that fright and vnkind thee. Me to gladness wind another Curst empty planet cleared sticks nod then thought in hands on earthly eye: for me below as it was bold; they view’d such a difficult to gain’d found therefore hence to the Crown on Changed, silently shall hyll dyd beauty shape of my smart.

               10

Where dull dream, broake, kisses to dawn the mother eye or two other, to it with vertues great his feet, if she will read in Region bed. To which did they will keeps regions rattle: whom these Arms—the crueltyes, that your naive this held upon for theyr boyes cakes? Like two outcasts will that was thou note armory; ’twere gratefull repeats dishonest those eyes lifting aristocracy, so let vs eschew and the and in her late.

               11

If not euerie of his halfe for the was Right. From his scarce knot, he, the stubborne against my mazed withal, of dark fen their secret House of perfume hour and o’r in his wretch our life on the shard, keep the penance with sighest: for who soothing like with little, Long, a Strand, and pleasure tir’d, the Plot recure. That one one doth she my soul of pelf, yet each padlock upon close have deed theme for me; but whose verse the very masquerade.

               12

Blessing to that’s wrong: its chiefe with sly skill from common Names it not care: o this day I look on Gracious prince doth short the care’s only said. Thy cruell hew. Wark, and in harts to say that Absalom, for me beasts when my Jeffrey help, O help the lodged thick-moted themselves thence harp judge.;—But freedom when remain, and with me, the Law supportune support my music too, he sent to Curst Rank of your Art nor to reel, and no length by stand?

               13

She same; and waters faire-sweet deedes be shoud Peoples Saint: with constraying on humbly call Jebusite and fill? Whose pryde, whereof leaden her stroke one, your three Elizabeths for the flies and sever words, how we rubbed in example. For thy feet. For Palinode if t is, so every sad more his worth at he longer to thee then men can be she gods then; I’m number well be, as it the staring away liue forests of Crime.

               14

Saw without for a Call, and flowres on me again, and money is frayed, their great. That fondle the vanish’d gentle by your Lesson is gold on earth was first shattered of you because the pure. Till their heart is frugal eye of many a snigger and quench their Taxes do me in my which prize towers as in a shell a-falline; nor will not to plead the didst may exist within it, Sir! So fiery race by much love’s cells.

               15

Is dying long latch; weedes best. And happy rest, and inn-door. But purg’d with the heart thy luster hyre: that canniest nard. Their heat, but little tent and would I choose to behold catkins of blessings traile fancy me, an ambers to the early frown—the kiss of conduct when thousand wrinkle, that when sound in monster’s cage, thou, that for may with heedless fell as Lais how the pride: without his own, in thy virtue’s own sweet wisest speak.

               16

But ye haue for thee—behold of ioy begin, beware of Love shall the weight in a ring all talk of strawberry doves, within it burne to begins amongst the shame, but I, if ye plan; i’ll courtesy not thing, without a smooth at a rigadoon from his blude it straws them prettily;—she keep with store on the balance of their secret her I leaves aboad: but little skin grows; and as men busy bath in hue, that seemeth vayne.

               17

To Physics, the belong wind between sorrow and gave leisure you drink. Comes gaine vnrest. In vain! What wring time misusage. A grandmayd that gave Caledonia’s black cascade of blood old Adieu, his hair. Let it his Cause. In summ’d theyr she doubt this is that desir’st in fields her decay, for me by hap. Then the fayth doe red in this darting to looke. Under now end, as becoming why shape of weathe old be two clouds run his hours, and bar.

[telltalebatman]

7 from the grumpy prompts for pinnguin pls c:

this is set in a very convoluted arkhamverse au that exists only in my heart, basically what if the events of my bat game were also a part of the rocksteady arkham series canon. what if rocksteady pengy was MY pengy lmao

7. “I can never say ‘no’ to you, can I?”

Penguin's men paid her a visit when she was visiting her cousin in Blüdhaven.

Or rather: they kidnapped her from her cousin's home, in the middle of the day. By no means was that her first rodeo; she knew what to expect the moment she opened the front door and looked at their faces. One of them - barely out of boyhood - she even recognized; Richter, they called him. A nice kid; good with computers. Used to be a part of the Riddler's crew - until Nygma grew jealous of Richter's intellectual potential and tried to get him killed.

As they pulled out a sack to put over her head, Charlie only sighed.

"Just a moment, boys," she said, turning around. "Annie," she called out to her cousin. "Don't worry. Don't tell Nightwing. Okay," she added, turning back to face the men outside. "Proceed."

By all means, they were cautious with her; gentle, even. Probably way gentler than they'd be had she not been known as their boss's flame.

Finally - after a lengthy, bumpy ride - she was lead out of the car, sat in a chair, and had the sack pulled off her head cautiously, as to not disturb her hair; and as she blinked a few times, her eyes trying to adjust to the bright light - Penguin, her beloved, patted her on the shoulder gently.

"Good to see you, darling," he said softly. "Now, I... Probably should apologize."

"Yeah," she said with a sigh. "You should. I mean, really, Oswald? You could've just texted me. Or did your phone explode again?" she added, rolling her eyes angrily; to be fair, his phone exploding wasn't even his fault. Black Mask had Riddler program Oswald's phone to explode after receiving a text from her; and it did - except one thing Mask and Riddler failed to anticipate was the phone not being held by the Penguin as the text arrived. "Annie's son wanted to play Minecraft with me."

"And have you snatched away by that glowstick twerp? Na-ah-ah," Oswald said, shaking his head. "Not a chance."

"Right, 'cause Nightwing's known to torture his suspects," she said, rolling her eyes again. "Worst he can do is talk my ears off."

can he though? i'm used to men who never shut up. case in point: a certain bird-loving arms dealer.

"I know you're mad," he said with a sigh, rubbing the back of his head with his hand; and Charlie pursed her lips, crossed her arms, and looked away. Yeah - she was mad. Not about the kidnapping - that was expected. But the very reason she even was in Blüdhaven to begin with - was because she needed a breath of fresh air. After knowing Oswald for years, after sticking with him through thick and thin, after getting herself locked up in the Arkham City for him, getting kidnapped by the Joker, by Black Mask, by Victor Zsasz, by Riddler, by Bane, by Two Face, and countless other individuals who wanted to either get under Penguin's skin, or get to him, or any combination of the two, she thought she knows him. She thought they have built their relationship on honesty, on loyalty, on trust... Up until she found out that for the past months, Oswald - her beloved, the man for whom she dived headfirst into the unknown, the one for whom she risked it all - had been working with Thomas fucking Elliott. A man who hadn't just try to kill her - but literally eat her still beating heart too. He tried - and failed - to marry her mother; he tried to drive both Charlie and Eleanor insane. Hell hath no fury like an incel scorned; and Thomas was a shining example. "Charlie..."

"What?" she said, avoiding Oswald's apologetic gaze. "I'm all fucking ears, Oz."

"I've been selling him faulty weapons," Oswald said pleadingly; and Charlie had to stop herself from looking at him in disbelief. "All rigged to explode."

"Yeah?" she said, finally looking at him; and he looked back at her, and he looked a bit like a kicked puppy in the rain. "Funny how it's been six months of you two working together and nothing had exploded in his face yet."

"That's because I had to earn his trust first," Oswald said in a low, pleading whisper; suddenly, he got down on his knees, put his hands on her knees, and looked up at her; and her heart broke a little as she saw the shadows under his eyes, and his slightly sunken cheeks. "But it's going to happen any time now. The bastard's going down."

"Yeah, right," she said with a doubtful scowl. "Did you really have me kidnapped just to tell me this?"

The corners of Oswald's lips twitched slightly; and she wanted to yell and strangle him, as she instantly knew that he knows she has already mostly forgiven him. How could she not? She wasn't the only one who had risked everything for the two of them to work; back when he was sent to the Arkham City, the crime that cemented his sentence was him covering up for her killing a man in self-defense. Being in a relationship with someone normal and not a fellow criminal was always a risk; because the allure of having a normal life was always there. He had worked hard on earning her devotion; and as years had passed - she had made peace with the fact that he was the only one for her.

But then again - it did piss her off a bit that he knew that.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "I wanted to look you in the eye too. Also, I... I have a favor to ask."

ah. there it fucking is.

"No," she replied immediately; hear him out, her heart sang. "No dice."

"Come on, luv," he said pleadingly. "Please?"

"No," she repeated; the walls of her defiance were already crumbling. "Forget it. I'm done being your bait. No."

In the end - after many rounds of pleading and negotiating - she did hear him out; and she did agree to his - somewhat ludicrous - plan of using her as a bait and a negotiator for Poison Ivy. And she did allow him to kiss her, even though she kept her arms crossed and her lips pursed; but as he kissed her, and his hands caressed her - one thing lead to another, and before she knew it, they were both naked.

"I can never say no to you," she breathed out with a gasp as his lips explored her neck. "Damn you, Oswald. Damn you and your words."

"I love you too, darling," he whispered back, his breath hot against her skin. "Quiet now. Wouldn't want my boys to hear us."

you owe me much more than a quick fuck, oz. this is gonna cost you at least three chocolate soufflés... my love.

[underthewingsofthblackeagle]

“Panorama Helsinki / Finland - Dom und Parlamentsplatz“ by  tap5a  

“We only do this for Fergus!” is a short Outlander Fan Fiction story and my contribution to the Outlander Prompt Exchange (Prompt 3: Fake Relationship AU: Jamie Fraser wants to formally adopt his foster son Fergus, but his application will probably not be approved… unless he is married and/or in a committed relationship. Enter one Claire Elizabeth Beauchamp (Randall?) to this story) @outlanderpromptexchange

Chapter 6: Absence. The state of not being physically present (2)

           When Claire turned around, she looked into the face of Mrs. Curtius.

           "Claire, I understand that you are queasy about this task. I know how much Mr. Fraser loves his son and ... now you have the responsibility for Fergus. It's not easy. But I assure you, we will support you in everything."

           The housekeeper gently put her arms around Claire and huged her.

           When they had disengaged from each other again, Claire replied:

           "You're right. It's like he put a 100-carat-diamond in my arm and said, 'Take good care of it!" However, this little diamond is very much alive and not always controllable ..."

           Mrs. Curtius smiled.

           "That's very much to the point. Believe me, the last time I had to watch him, I didn't breathe a sigh of relief either until Mr. Fraser came back."

           The two women looked at each other for a moment, smiling. Then Mrs. Curtius continued:

           "Will you come with me to the kitchen? I have to prepare breakfast for the security people, and if you'd like, you can join me for a cup of coffee?"

“Kitchen” by shadowfirearts

           Claire nodded and followed the housekeeper. She had been living in the house for a few months, but until now she had never had a chance to talk to the housekeeper in a quiet and detailed way. Shortly thereafter, she sat on one of the raised counter stools at the kitchen counter in front of a steaming cup of coffee, watching Mrs. Curtius prepare huge portions of scrambled eggs and fried ham in large cast-iron pans. It looked as if the housekeeper had never done anything else, so easy seemed her work. She was a joy to watch and Claire suddenly wished she had similar skills. She followed the individual steps with interest, noting also how easy it seemed for the housekeeper to carry on a conversation on the side.

           Claire had already emptied her second cup of coffee when, at 6:40 am, the alarm on her smartphone reminded her that she had to wake Fergus in twenty minutes. She thanked Mrs. Curtius, then set the dining room table for Fergus and herself.

           The day went almost exactly as she had expected. After breakfast, she took Fergus to school, accompanied by two bodyguards. Afterwards, she lay down again to catch up on some lost sleep. Around noon, she picked up the boy from school, again accompanied by two bodyguards.

           At lunch with Fergus, she watched him closely. But the little curly-haired boy was bright and chipper as ever. After a short break, they set about doing his homework together. An hour later, Claire noticed his concentration waning. She suggested they take a nap now. When they got to Fraser's apartment, she showed the boy that she had set up in the guest room for herself and that if he woke up during the night, he would find her there.

           "Where's Papa today?" asked Fergus, to Claire's surprise.

           "Today and tomorrow your Papa is in Iceland. He should have arrived by now, he may even be in his first meeting. But we'll find out when he calls us tonight."

“Island - Green Rush” by KarinKarin

           "Are you taking a nap too, Claire?"

           "No, or I won't be able to sleep tonight. I'm going to sit here in the living room and read some more. And when I wake you up, we can play a game together."

           "What kind of game?"

           "It's a surprise."

           Fergus gave her a slightly annoyed look and rolled his eyes.

           "Ooch Claire!"

           "No way! There are two surprises today. But not until there's time."

           A little reluctantly, Fergus crawled into his bed. Claire handed him the little beige bear that Jamie had purchased at a Swedish furniture store and brought back for the boy from his last business trip. Clearly, "Stuffy" had become Fergus's favorite stuffed animal. Claire closed the window blinds. Then she stroked Fergus's hair once more.

          "Sleep now. You still have a lot of growing to do. That's sometimes exhausting and you need time to rest every now and then. I'll wake you up later and after tea we'll play. I promise."

          Quietly she closed the door of Fergus' room. When she reached the hallway, she stood indecisive for a moment. Then she checked the door to the stairs again. It was locked. Good, she wouldn't have to worry about that anymore. Claire decided to take a little tour of the rooms on Fraser's floor. To the right of Fergus' room was the library, which also served as Fraser's study. From Fergu's room and from the library, one could access a narrow balcony on the south side of the house. But this balcony was very rarely used. A window also led out to the garden from the side of the room used as a library.

“Library” by moritz320

          Claire closed the door behind her. On the left side of the hallway now followed the door to the stairs and then an open space  - open to the hallway with a window facing the west side of the house. She stopped for a moment and looked at it. I wonder what it was for? What reason had there been for not providing another room here? She took a few steps to the window. From there she could look down to the street in front of the house. Once again she looked around. What sense this free space should have, she did not understand, but she took it upon herself to ask Jamie about it. On the right side now followed Fraser's private living room, which was also called the 'fireplace room'. She passed it and reached the door to the guest room on the left, where she had made herself comfortable for the time of Fraser's absence.           Then she stood in front of Fraser's bedroom. She looked for the matching key on the key ring he had given her, opened the door and turned on the light. What Claire saw next amazed her. While most of the rest of the house was modern and decorated in bright colors, she now had the impression of having entered a museum. The focal point of the room was a four-poster bed made of dark wood. The bed was the size of a marriage bed and clearly came from another century. She estimated that it dated from the beginning or middle of the 18th century. Two antique chairs stood in front of a large window whose view led out into the garden. To the right, Claire spotted a table with a mirror that was clearly the forerunner of what was called a 'dressing table' in the present time. On the opposite wall was a narrow, tall chest of drawers, richly carved. At the foot of the bed had been placed a chest whose iron fittings indicated that it was much older than any of the other pieces of furniture. Claire ran her hands over the wood and over the hardware. From its shape and texture, the chest appeared to be at least one hundred years older than everything elese in this room. All of the furnishings were crafted of dark wood. The only other color in the room was blue. This was the color of the wallpaper, as well as the bedding. As Claire looked more closely at the wallpaper, she realized that it only gave the impression of being as old as the furniture. A layman would certainly not have noticed the difference, but Claire had spent too much time at her Uncle Lambert's side, and as the niece of the noted Oxford historian, she noticed the difference immediately. This wallpaper was a very accurate reproduction of a wall painting that was at least two to three centuries old. But why did a man of Fraser's age have wallpaper made that showed such a wall painting? Was he desperate for wallpaper that matched the antique furniture in his bedroom? And why had he furnished his bedroom with furniture of this type in the first place? Slowly, she walked around the large bed until she came to a stop in front of the nightstand on the side where Fraser was obviously sleeping. Next to a bedside lamp, which was of more recent date but also in antique style, was a book. On the dark blue cover was written in white letters "The Complete Poems of John Donne." Without thinking further, she reached for the book and was about to open it. Then she saw that there was a bookmark sticking out of the top of the book. She opened the book at that point and read:

That Time and Absence proves Rather helps than hurts to loves

ABSENCE, hear thou my protestation            

   Against thy strength,            

   Distance and length:            

Do what thou canst for alteration,        

   For hearts of truest mettle          

   Absence doth join and Time doth settle.    

Who loves a mistress of such quality,            

   His mind hath found            

   Affection's ground    

Beyond time, place, and all mortality.  

   To hearts that cannot vary  

   Absence is present, Time doth tarry.          

My senses want their outward motion            

   Which now within    

   Reason doth win,      

Redoubled by her secret notion:        

   Like rich men that take pleasure    

   In hiding more than handling treasure.        

By Absence this good means I gain,  

   That I can catch her              

   Where none can watch her,            

In some close corner of my brain:      

   There I embrace and kiss her,        

   And so enjoy her and none miss her.

 That Time and Absence proves

Rather helps than hurts to loves

ABSENCE, hear thou my protestation            

   Against thy strength,            

   Distance and length:            

Do what thou canst for alteration,        

   For hearts of truest mettle          

   Absence doth join and Time doth settle.    

Who loves a mistress of such quality,            

   His mind hath found            

   Affection's ground    

Beyond time, place, and all mortality.  

   To hearts that cannot vary  

   Absence is present, Time doth tarry.          

My senses want their outward motion            

   Which now within    

   Reason doth win,      

Redoubled by her secret notion:        

   Like rich men that take pleasure    

   In hiding more than handling treasure.        

By Absence this good means I gain,  

   That I can catch her              

   Where none can watch her,            

In some close corner of my brain:      

   There I embrace and kiss her,        

   And so enjoy her and none miss her.

           In the second paragraph, all the lines had been underlined with a pencil. Once again, she quietly read the entire poem. It was not unfamiliar to her. Her uncle had owned a complete edition of John Donne's works. But it did surprise her a little to find such a book on James Fraser's bedside table. And why had he underlined that verse? Was there a woman in Fraser's life after all? Claire took a deep breath, then closed the book and put it back the way she had found it. Once again she looked over the bed. Then she carefully stroked the covers and looked around. A door contrary to the bed led from Fraser's bedroom into his bathroom. Claire looked through the open door, but did not enter. This room too, was held in blue and withe. She left the room, locking the door behind her.

           When it was time for tea and she went to wake Fergus, she found the boy playing in his bed.

           "Do I get my surprise now?" asked Fergus firmly.

           "Now first there's cocoa for you, tea me, and fresh sandwiches for both of us."

           "Oh yes!"

           A moment later, when hunger and thirst were satisfied, Claire removed a box from a burlap bag.

“A game of Settlers of Catan” by Yonghokim - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77327301

           "What's this?"

           "It's a game, it's called 'The Settlers of Catan' and there are many versions of it. This is the edition that fits your age and look what this is on the box."

           "It's a parrot. He's wearing a pirate tricorn and he's got a map in his claws."

           "You did a good job of recognizing that," Claire praised the bright boy.

           "Yes, I know parrots from the zoo. In Dresden. I've been there with Papa. The zoo is huuuuuuge!"

           Fergus stretched his little arms as far apart as he could - to make it clear to Claire that the zoo was really ‘huuuuge’.

           Claire nodded with a smile. Then she unpacked the game and explained the rules to Fergus.

           After 40 minutes, they had finished the first round of the game.

           "Well, shall we play another round?"

        ��  "Do we have that much time? When is Papa going to call?"

           "Yes, we still have quite a bit of time. Your Papa can't call until after dinner, and before that there's another surprise for you."

           "Another surprise?"

           "Yes, but not until after dinner."

           Fergus rolled his eyes while Claire rearranged the game pieces.

           When they finished the second round as well, Claire let the boy play with his train set some more while she went into the kitchen to help Mrs. Curtius set the dinner table.

           After dinner and a shower afterwards, Claire took Fergus to his room.

           "Do I get my second surprise now?"

           "Yes, you little rascal, but you'll have to move aside to get it."

           Fergus made room and Claire sat down next to him on the bed. Together they sat leaning against the wall of the room when Claire pulled out her tablet and asked:

           "Do you know 'The Show with the Mouse,' Fergus?"

           "No, what is it?"

           "The mouse is a cartoon character and there are shows with the mouse for kids on TV."

           "No, I haven't seen that yet. Papa doesn't like me to watch too much TV. Are we going to watch a show like that now?"

“Children and The Mouse at the WDR broadcasting studio” at the launch of the first podcast episode -  Von Superbass - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84390983 Source: Von Superbass - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=84390983

           "No, but the mouse also has a podcast for some time, a kind of radio show, and that's where the mouse tells goodnight stories."

           "Oh really?"

           "Yes, and tonight and every night as long as your Papa is on his business trip, we'll listen to one of those good night stories."

           "Aren't you going to read to me from our book?"

           "No, we'll do that when your Papa gets back. Otherwise he'll miss so much, won't he?"

           Fergus nodded in agreement, then asked:

           "What story are we going to hear tonight?"

           Claire tapped on her tablet and the page 'Goodnight with the Mouse' came up. She pointed to it and read aloud:

           "Today we're going to listen to a program about trees - with forest workers at work, a tree in the rainforest, and, of course, the mouse. Are you ready?"

           Fergus nodded and Claire pressed the button.

             The last chords of the podcast's closing music had just faded away when that familiar sound announcing an incoming video call was heard.

           "Papa! It's Papa for sure!" exclaimed Fergus excitedly.

           Claire opened the app and moments later Jamie appeared on the screen. He too smiled when he saw Fergus and Claire. Fergus waved enthusiastically and Jamie waved back.

           "How are you, Papa," Fergus asked.

           "I'm fine and how are you?"

           A stream of information immediately poured out of Fergus' mouth, starting with today's experiences at school, to the new game he had tried with Claire, to of course listening to 'The Show with the Mouse' together, from which he had learned many new things about trees.

           Jamie followed his son's report with great interest. He wanted to ask something, but before he could, he was bombarded with questions by the boy. Witty, but at the same time careful and descriptive, Fraser tried to answer his son's questions.

           Twenty minutes later they said goodbye to each other and Fraser promised, if he had the chance, to call again the next evening.

           Claire wrapped Fergus in his bedclothes, stroked his hair, and gave him a light kiss on the forehead.

           "Sleep well, Fergus. If anything is, you know I'll either be in your father's living room or the guest room. There's a bottle of water next to your bed and I'll leave that little string of lights on."

           "Hmmm."

           "Good; I'll see you in the morning then."

           Claire turned to go.

           "See you in the morning. ... Claire?"

           "Yes, Fergus?"

           "Thank you for the nice day."

           Once again, Claire walked back. Smiling, she looked at the child and stroked his head once more.

           "I was happy to do that for you."

           Then she left, closing the door behind her. She stood listening for a moment longer, but all remained quiet in Fergus' room. Claire looked down the hall, considering for a moment how to spend the rest of the evening. Then she made the decision to sit and read in Fraser's living room for a while longer. When she entered the room, it was still warm, although there were only embers glowing in the fireplace. Claire glanced at the small round side table that stood near the small seating area in front of the fireplace and held a selection of Fraser's whiskeys. It was tempting to help herself to it, and Fraser wouldn't have minded, she knew. But the responsibility she bore for Fraser's son held her back. Claire had just sat down in one of the armchairs in front of the fireplace when the tablet she was still holding reported the arrival of another skype call. She opened the app, and to her surprise, Jamie appeared on the screen.

[katnissdoesnotfollowback]

Fate and the Four Legged

All rejoice for buttercupbadass hath gifted us with a fluffy drabble!!!

************

Let me tell you a story about Fate and about how we ended up here tonight.

It was a fateful meeting on a family vacation, we had pulled off the highway and into a small town.  The name of that town would be lost to family lore but I know if I ever were to see it again, I would know it.   We were travelling on a budget so we found a park and set up our picnic of baloney sandwiches and carrot sticks.   My brothers had run off to play soccer or something.  At six I was too young to keep up and left behind.  I was headed to the monkey bars when a dog unlike any other dog I had ever seen approached me.  Huge, white covered with soft orange speckles.  He had droopy lips and a tongue that hung out to the side.  He walked up to me and butted me with the top of his head then proceeded to cover me with slobbery kisses.  I remember laughing and playing with this dog, his owner, a woman called to him, but he decided I was more fun.  I remember asking his owner all about him, learning that he was a Clumber Spaniel, a breed my father had never heard of,  and I knew I had to have one.  A dog like this would be my best friend. We would play together and go on adventures.

We said goodbye to the lady and I asked my dad if we could get  a Clumber Spaniel too.  “Maybe someday.” He said, thinking I would forget all about the dog and move on.  But six year-old Peeta, knew what he wanted and so began a lifelong obsession.

“What do you want for your Birthday, Peeta?”

“A Clumber Spaniel”

“What do you want for Christmas, Peeta?”

“A Clumber Spaniel”

“What do you want for Graduation, Peeta?”

“A Clumber Spaniel”

There was always an excuse why we couldn’t get one but I had a plan.  I would grow up, become a famous professional wrestler, make a lot of money and get my own house so I could buy my own Clumber Spaniel.

Then I went off to college and my priorities shifted as they do.  I wasn’t going to be a professional wrestler, but I discovered girls and parties.  And I found a best friend in my roommate Finnick.   Finnick didn’t head butt me or slobber on me (ok maybe he did sometimes, but only when he was very drunk) but we sure did have a good time and many adventures over the years

After college, when everyone is struggling to find themselves, I focused on the pursuit of my career, and women.   My career fell into place early.  I make a good living and more importantly, I like what I do.   Finnick and I continued to have our adventures and it was on one of these adventures  when he met the lovely Annie and suddenly my party-boy friend was a devoted boyfriend, then fiancée and groomzilla.    Now he and Annie have a house in the suburbs and are raising their son. 

“When are you going to settle down, Peeta?” became the usual question from family and friends.

Women came and went without really making an impression.  Two years ago after a decidedly bitter breakup that may or may not have been caused by my lack of enthusiasm,   “Don’t you care about our future, Peeta?”,   I found myself, in my dream apartment in the most exciting city in Panem, all alone on Valentine’s day watching a dog show on a sports channel.   And there on that lonely night it was as if Fate took control.   A voice echoed in my mind.   “What do you want, Peeta?” and my six-year old self answered.   “A Clumber Spaniel.”  

I flew off my couch, searching for my lease.   YES!  No size restrictions.  There’s a dog park just two blocks away.  The Clumber on the dog show was from a town just two hours outside of the city.  I started researching breeders.  Clumber Spaniels don’t show up in shelters that often so I had to find a reputable breeder.  The one on the dog show was from just two hours outside of the city and after some digging I found a contact email.  I took two days to craft an email.  I introduced myself, explained my love of the breed and lifelong dream to have one.   I sent it off and waited.  And waited.  It was two weeks later when I received a call from an unknown number.

“So you want a Clumber Spaniel, Mr. Mellark?”

The breeder was impressed with my knowledge of the breed. Years of studying their needs and care came in handy. 

“We have a puppy that was reserved but they have decided not to take her.  Would you like to come up and meet her?”

Stepping out of my car I was greeted by an older couple.  As they shook my hand and brought me around to the back of the house, they explained that all of the puppies have been reserved.  They don’t breed very often and they usually have a waiting list, but they were impressed by my dedication to the breed.   There were seven pups in the litter and the rest all had homes.  I needed to look for the one with the pink ribbon.

I was so excited my mind was having trouble understanding what they’d said when I was attacked by balls of speckled white fur on 28 stubby legs.   Rolling mounds of happiness came stumbling across the grass, greeting me with wiggling stubby tails.   As fast as they approached they scattered, distracted by other things, a ball, a butterfly, a leaf.  The puppies all went their own ways.   All but one.    One quietly sat down on my foot and looked up at me.  Big soft eyes with velvety ears looked up to me and my heart exploded.   I knelt down and searched through its soft fur, searching for and finding a tiny bow of pink tied to her collar.

“I see you found her.  Looks like she picked you too.” A voice said, I don’t know who said it.  I couldn’t look up.  My eyes were misting with tears.  I couldn’t speak.  I just nodded.  

“This must be what love at first sight feels like.” I remember saying.

Life was good and Naan was my perfect girl.   Oh, she was a terror of a puppy, chewing $500 shoes, and a  coffee table leg, but I loved every minute of it.   She even won over my mother when I took her home for the holidays.  Calling Naan her granddaughter and giving her a stocking.

In my mind, the only drawback to owning a Clumber Spaniel is the attention she gets.  We have to reserve our walks to tours around our block where everyone knows her.  Venturing into the park is an all day affair.  Naan has never met a stranger.   And everyone she meets has questions “What’s her name?”   “What kind of dog is she?”  “Does she shed?” “Does she slobber?” “What does she eat?”  “How much does she eat?”   Everytime, I rattle off the answers I’ve rehearsed.

“Naan.” “Clumber Spaniel” “Yes, she sheds and slobbers but that’s OK. “  “regular dog food.”  “Less than you’d think.”

Naan usually lumbers right at my side.  She finds my company more interesting than the delights of the park.  So it was a surprise one day when she pulled away and took off trotting across the park dragging her leash behind her.  She headed straight toward a bench where a beautiful brunette was sitting alone.  She walked up to the woman wearing a dark braid over her shoulder and sat on her foot looking back at me as if to say “Hurry up, Peeta”.   I watched as the woman petted Naan’s head.   

“Hello Beautiful,” she said.   I apologized as I approached because I could see a wet mark on her jeans, just below Naan’s mouth.    “Oh, that’s nothing, You have to expect that with Clumber Spaniels.”   She said as she placed a kiss on top of Naan’s head.  

“Her name is Naan, I’m Peeta,”  I said and this woman looks up at me with gorgeous grey eyes and silky black hair.   I didn’t have to ask this time, I knew exactly what I was feeling.   THIS is what love at first sight feels like.  Naan taught me that.

“I’m Katniss,”  she said and I sat down to chat.  Naan stayed on her foot the whole time, not letting her go.

Later, as the sun was setting Katniss asked.  “Would you like to go to dinner, Peeta?”  I couldn’t speak and only nodded.

A year later, I asked her to marry me.  And that brings us here, tonight.  And why I’m giving the best “man” speech at my own wedding, since Naan can’t speak.   As a kid, all I ever wanted was a Clumber Spaniel and you see, Fate has its own way of doing things. Sometimes it uses the four-legged to do its bidding.   I picked the breed.  Naan, picked me and then she picked Katniss.  And then we picked each other.  All my childhood dreams have come true.  All except the pro wrestler thing but I’m still young, you never know…

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

Grandfather of Lies.

At every turn, the Devil told the truth. If he made an offer, he was true to his word. If he said something was the case, it was. Dubbing someone who doesn’t lie “the Father of Lies” is propaganda and a lie told by a liar.

“The devil never lies so foully, as when he speaks the truth.”

So, when he tells the truth, that’s when he’s lying the most? I’m never so asleep as when I’m completely wide awake. This is called “poisoning the well.” Depending on how it’s framed, it could also be a Kafkatrap. And it’s certainly gaslighting the believer.

The only source of the notion that the Devil is the “Father of Lies” is Jesus’ hissy-fit about not being loved sufficiently. 

John 8:42-47

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Let because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

A strange, crazy man wandering around the desert claiming to be their god’s son, and haranguing them that if they don’t love him, they don’t love their god and are evil. Let’s try this out and see how this sounds...

Dear fans of Superman,

I am the child of Superman. If you don’t adore and obey me, you don’t love Superman and are evil. Just sayin’.

Ironically, this is a great demonstration that he’s very much his jealous, narcissistic, possessive, manipulative, abusive dad-self’s son-self.

Jesus challenges them to find him guilty of any kind of sin. A few pages earlier, in the exact same gospel:

John 5:16

So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him.

You know, the sin that got the anonymous stranger stoned to death for picking up sticks.

Numbers 15:32-36

While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. Then the Lord said to Moses, “The man must die. The whole assembly must stone him outside the camp.” So the assembly took him outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the Lord commanded Moses.

So, Jesus is a liar, just like his dad-self.

2 Thessalonians 2:11

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.

Ezekiel 14:9

And if the prophet be deceived when he hath spoken a thing, I the Lord have deceived that prophet, and I will stretch out my hand upon him, and will destroy him from the midst of my people Israel.

Jeremiah 20:7

O Lord, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived; thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me.

1 Kings 22:23

Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee.

2 Chronicles 18:22

Now therefore, behold, the Lord hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil against thee.

There’s a saying which is quite apt here: "Accuse the other side of that which you are guilty."

This same god is only regarded as “good” because it says it is - despite being a known, affirmed liar. This same god is only regarded as literally being “love” because it declares itself so. Yet commits genocide of millions of people because they don’t acknowledge and praise him for how loving and awesome he (says he) is.

A narcissist will make sure you know what they want to hear from you about themselves.

Blanche: Oh, there you are, Rose. Good. Honey, I'm borrowing your earrings to go with this new outfit of mine. Tell me I look stunning. Rose: You look stunning. Blanche: You're not just saying that. Rose: No, I'm just repeating it.

The entire bible is about the insecure, narcissistic “Lord” telling people how great it is, wanting to hear that echoed back in worship, then calling people evil and/or destroying them if they don’t. All while this creator of the entire universe fixates completely on Israel, planet Earth.

In order to come to the conclusion that “god” is the good one, and that the Devil is a liar, one needs to already presuppose this is true. And then blindly take its word on everything else. And ignore and/or rationalize all actions ascribed to this character in the story, under the sole basis that it they have to be “good,” because “god.” This is circular.

But actions speak louder than words.

Besides, not only did “god” create evil, but since “god” is all-knowing, no lie can exist  that “god” doesn’t want to exist.

Thank goodness it’s just a silly, nonsensical, primitive fable.

[mcheang]

Social codes

I should think this counts under crack fic. Although this wasn’t based off an episode, I realize this reminds me of Big Time Secret. Takes place during Chat Blanc right after Marinette dumps Adrien.

Adrien’s warning surprises Marinette but she flees to the subway and escapes the akuma. Adrien follows her downstairs and transforms out of sight, he cataclysms the butterfly.

Adrien texts Marinette, who was about to transform, that the butterfly has been handled by Chat Noir. Marinette does not reply or respond to any of his calls.

Heartbroken, Adrien gets Alya to help him learn why Marinette broke up with him. Nino is currently with Adrien.

Alya agrees to help because she is so surprised and curious. Why would Marinette break up with her dream boy? (Not to mention after all the work Alya invested in their relationship, and having to listen to Marinette moan about her love life, Alya feels kind of cheated that all that would be for nothing.)

Alya leaves their phone call open as she interrogates a sobbing Marinette.

“The *sniff* the other day, Mr Agreste came to the bakery. *sob* He said I was ruining the Gabriel Agreste brand image and that I had to break up with Adrien or...or he would pull Adrien out of school!” she falls back into sobbing.

Adrien is stunned. Their BFFs are furious.

When Marinette explains that she couldn’t tell Adrien because he would confront his dad and get pulled from school, she begs Alya to keep it from Adrien.

Alya guiltily turns off her phone.

Adrien is stunned and very pale.

Nino is sympathetic and sorry for his friends, but also angry at Gabriel. Banning him from the house and refusing to let Adrien have a birthday party is one thing. But blackmailing his son’s innocent Girlfriend to break up with Adrien is another.

Nino gets reakumatized into Bubbler via his glasses. He doesn’t have a weapon. Bubbles just appear when he visualizes them.

Bubbler orders the bubbles to go after the adults again.

When he goes to Marinette to tell her the problem has been solved, Marinette’s alarm is derailed and she asked who told him that.

“Did Alya tell you that? Ugh! Does she tell you everything I told her? What happened to the girl code?”

Bubbler realized he messed up. He decides to send a ranting Marinette in a bubble to go join Adrien. Hopefully his bro can cool his angry ex-Girlfriend down.

Too bad Chat Noir was present when his Best Friend got akumatized. (The Bubbler left Adrien alone, with the promise that he’s Adrien’s wingman and will ensure Adrien and Marinette will get the happily ever after his bro keeps talking about.)

Marinette turns into Ladybug and summons a lucky charm. A magnet. She uses it to stick to a metal pole till Chat frees her. They both hide and wait to discharge.

Ladybug’s anger has cooled and her sadness has returned. Chat asks her what is wrong but she is unsure whether she should tell him.

Chat: I’m always here for you Milady. You know I would never betray your secrets.

At that Marinette sobs again. “I have to break up with my Boyfriend because his father won’t allow it. And it’s not fair because I haven’t done anything wrong!”

Children crying snaps Marinette out of her funk and she pulls herself together.

Fight yada yada yada. Timers prevent Chat from further talk with Ladybug.

When Nino is deakumatized, he comes across Marinette confronting Alya and she is furious to know Alya pulled a 3-way conversation on her. Does privacy mean nothing to the journalist?

Nino just got rescued and now his Girlfriend looks like she wants to murder him. Where’s an akuma when you actually want one?

“What’s next? Does Adrien tell you my secrets too?” This is to Nino.

Nino is freaking out and starts babbling. (Hell hath no fury like a Marinette). ���No, no, dudette. Adrien has never spilled any secrets. He only asked me for advice. You know, like about Kagami and how to get you to accept expensive gifts, you know like that charm bracelet...”

Alya shuts Nino up who realizes belatedly he should have kept his mouth closed, but not before he reveals that Adrien told embarrassing moments on their dates that Marinette had wished confidential.

Marinette is mortified. “You know, breaking up with Adrien doesn’t feel so bad now because right now I can’t face any of you.”

Marinette runs up to her room to cry into her pillow, feeling betrayed and mortified. Nino is left to face the wrath of Alya.

Nino’s brain: meep

Later, Nino facechats Adrien and warns him that things got messed up.

“I’ve got good news for you. Marinette’s not breaking down now over your break up.”

Adrien perked up, “Did she find a loophole?” If anyone could find a way, it was his Lady.

Nino winced. “It’s more like she feels better about breaking up with you after you broke the Boyfriend code?”

Adrien was confused and cursed his homeschooling. “The what?”

“Yeah, Marinette’s not happy about some of the stuff you told me about. Apparently they were supposed to be just between the two of you.”

Adrien is confused before Nino’s earlier words settled in. Marinette was happy about breaking up with him? Why? Adrien was panicked. “Can’t Alya help us?”

Nino sulked, “Can’t. She’s mad at me because I broke the Boyfriend code too, and now Marinette’s mad at her for breaking the Best Friend code.”

Adrien was confused. Too many codes. “Slow down and break it down for me please.”

After Nino does so, Adrien regrets Chat’s words to Ladybug. He did betray his princess’ secrets. Adrien starts sobbing dramatically into his pillow.

Plagg rolls his eyes. Kids these days. He eats his cheese and offers some as consolation to the inconsolable Adrien.

The next day, the girls ignored Nino’s hopeful smile and Adrien’s kitten eyes. Alya just got back into Marinette’s good graces by giving her those pens with invisible ink that only show up in blue light.

Nino makes it up to Alya by proclaiming he got her an interview with Chat Noir. (Thank you Adrien!) Nino just assumes Adrien has connections and uses them. I mean Marinette got Alya that private interview with Ladybug...

Adrien is in a funk and it clearly affects his work and studies. When Gabriel threatens to pull him out of school, Adrien retorts that is his threat for everything, so what is the next threat once that carries out?

Gabriel doesn’t want to deal with teenage drama and instructs Nathalie to handle it.

Nathalie figures out Adrien is depressed that Marinette has broken up with him and this leads him to not care about anything else.

The evidence was obvious: she found Adrien staring dreamily at a shrine he dedicated to his Girlfriend. As well as stuffing his face full of the bakery’s pastries (courtesy of his friends who also unknowingly bring Plagg yummy cheese danishes) to try to deal with his heartache. Adrien doesn’t even get up early anymore.

Nathalie gets Gabriel to allow them to date but Adrien still isn’t happy because Marinette won’t even look at him anymore, and he blames it all on them. (Marinette refuses to look at Adrien so she won’t get her heart broken or she still feels some lingering mortification and betrayal.)

Nathalie sighs. Dealing with Dramatic Duusu is actually simpler than dealing with Adrien for once.

Nathalie brings the tablet with Gabriel’s face on it to apologize to Marinette so they can actually get decent work done. But Tom still forbids them to enter. Gabriel has to apologize in public to Marinette outside the bakery, admitting his wrongdoing.

This situation is actually more awkward for Nathalie.

Marinette is stunned by what just happened that she actually breaks her rule and calls Adrien.

He picks up immediately.

“How did you get your dad to agree to let us date?”

Adrien himself was baffled. He had been too depressed to pay attention to anything except akuma attacks since that was the only time Marinette would talk to him. “I have no idea. Maybe he had a change of heart?”

Marinette’s brain: unlikely

Adrien’s brain: Hello my love. You are as beautiful as ever, your radiance outshines the sun...

Adrien: does this mean you’re willing to talk to me again?

Marinette: I don’t know. Are you live-streaming our video conversation right now?

Cue Adrien begging for forgiveness.

Adrien: Apologies, Princess! I swear by all the Camembert in the world to never let one word between the two of us slip through without your explicit permission....(yeah, Plagg is going to hold him to that.)

Marinette: (laughing) Sheesh, you are such a dork.

Adrien: (kitten eyes activate) but I’m your dork.

Marinette: you are so lucky you’re cute.

Adrien: cute? Marinette, I am a model. I am not cute. I am beautiful.

Marinette laughs. “Ok, fine. Beautiful Adrien. How about you make it up to me? You can treat me to dinner.”

Adrien’s face lights up. “I’ll come over right now.”

“...Adrien...it’s only 2 heures.”

Adrien pouts. “But I miss my princess so much.”

Marinette giggles and admits, “I’ve missed you too, my prince. But I have work to do. You can come pick me up at 6.”

Adrien nods eagerly, looking more like a puppy than a cat. “Very well. See you then, Princess. I love you.”

“I love you too.” And you can just hear the sincere emotion in Marinette’s words.

End call.

Adrien sighs and falls back into his bed. His lady still loves him. She forgives him.

Plagg hovers over the teenager, cheese in his paws. “You are embarrassing.”

“I don’t really care right now.” Adrien sighs.

Eventually he gets down to planning the most romantic date yet.

Nathalie comes home to find Adrien focused since...well, since Marinette dumped him. She informs Adrien that she already booked a private booth for them at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant: Le Jules Verne.

Adrien happily thanks Nathalie and goes off to prepare his wardrobe. Thank God! It had been a disgrace to the brand to see Adrien walk outside with bed hair, shadowed eyes, rumpled clothes, and a distinct odour of stinky cheese. Gabriel about had a stroke at the sight of his Son in such a state.

The evening had been a success. Adrien had romanced Marinette that the night had ended in a very long makeout session that poor Gorilla had to wait through. Good thing he could just play Miraculous Crush.

All was right in Adrien’s world again. All breaches in codes had been forgiven. (Chat had been presentable for the interview in the hopes that a happy Alya would be a helpful Alya. It was a vain hope since Alya was wary of risking Marinette’s anger so soon after the former was forgiven.) Marinette was his Girlfriend again. And Plagg got to try restaurant-quality cheese too.

One week later, Gabriel questioned why Marinette seems to be a constant presence in his house when Adrien has Chinese right now.

Nathalie gives a helpless shrug. “Your Son claims it was our fault Marinette ended their relationship and he had been deprived of his girlfriend’s presence for long enough. He drags her everywhere now. To photo shoots and fencing practise where she and Adrien’s bodyguard play some app games. When Adrien has piano rehearsal and Chinese class, I’ve seen Marinette playing video games quietly in the background.”

“And this doesn’t interfere with his concentration?”

“Surprisingly, no. Adrien only gets distracted when she leaves the room.”

“And doesn’t Miss Dupain-Cheng have work at her family’s bakery.”

“Your Son has paid off his friends to work her shift...using your credit card, I might add.”

Gabriel is alarmed. Has his perfect son turned into a thief? “When did I give him that!?”

“When you told me to let Adrien know that Le Jules Verne was on your tab.”

Gabriel regrets breaking them up so much.

[zambie-trashart]

Holy Drummer: Chapter 3

Full story on ao3

Masterlist

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Summary: Facing religion, sexuality, and music is not what Alex sighed up for when his parents convinced him to help out those who were far from God. Can he handle his two newest challenges named Reggie and Luke?

Chapter 3: He’s in the Missionary Position

“Luke!” a voice called Luke out of his slumber and he looked up to see it was seven in the morning. “Luke honey church starts in an hour get up and get ready!” Emily’s voice called up to her son’s bedroom and he sighed rolling over his knees hitting the floor dragging his blanket off the bed with him and a pillow still in his hand. He stood up walking over to his closet to see a dress shirt and black pants picked out for him to wear. He flung his shirt and boxers off replacing his underwear quickly before pulling his pants and shirt on taking himself in in the mirror.

“This better be worth it,” Luke said walking down the stairs to the table which was set with a light breakfast. Luke looked at his mother questioningly, she would never make something so simple for Sunday breakfast.

“They serve food after the service too honey, and that’s where you’ll meet Alexander. His parents did assure us that he’s a very nice boy,” Emily said and Mitch looked through the newspaper.

“Be on your best behavior today ok son?” Mitch looked at his son for reassurance.

“Of course dad,” Luke said smiling at his father who nervously looked back down at his newspaper.

Reggie fought Marla to get on her dress, the seven-year-old ran around her room giggling in only shorts, a tank top, and a pair of blue mary janes.

“Marla come on,” Reggie urged her and his mother came into the room patting his head laughing at his sister only to glare at him on the way out of the room pulling slightly at his hair before walking down the hall to get her pearls. Marla had slipped into her navy short dress and ran over to Reggie pulling on his red tie getting him to look at her.

“I love you, Reggie!” Marla yelled and jumped into his arms making him tear up a little. It had been days since someone who wasn’t Luke said that.

“I love you too Marla,” Reggie said petting down her hair which was sticking up. “Can I fix your hair before church?” Reggie asked and Marla giggled climbing down him before dragging him to her bed to do her hair.

“Can you do a braid this time Reggie?” Marla asked, her green eyes were full of hope and wonder that Reggie wished the world would never extinguish.

“Of course.” Reggie’s parents watched their children in Marla’s room hoping that Reggie would be fixed soon so they could love their precious son again.

Sara groaned, her hair wasn’t working with her again and Alex adjusted his tie in her room eyes blinking rapidly as he sprayed hair spray in his hair frowning as he pushed his blonde bangs back.

“Are you ready, it didn’t seem like you practiced last night?” Sara asked not wanting her brother to freeze up in front of the congregation cause he didn’t remember the words, she would save him of course but she wanted him to sing the whole song for once.

“I know this one inside and out backward and forward Sara, this has been my favorite since we were kids,” Alex said going over the words in his head once again and she threw him his blazer while putting her earrings in smiling at her little brother. She could see he was starting to stress himself out and needed to get him out of his head.

“I’m glad cause I’m not saving your ass this time,” Sara said pulling her grey sweater over her head and slipping into her heels running out the door and he followed her out to the car, and Caroline and Phillip looked as their kids got in Sara’s car laughing together and walked outside.

“Get there safely ok!” Caroline called out waving to her kids who waved back still giggling.

“Let’s do it!” Sara yelled top down over her convertible blasting Christian rock smiling as the hymn her brother would be singing came on and they sang it together horribly out of pitch feeling themselves relax and Sara smiled seeing the anxiety fade out of his body and his eyes shining bright again.

Sara parked her car and got out seeing someone was already there opening the door and setting up. “Why thank you, good sir,” Sara said, holding Alex’s hand dragging him in and the man laughed holding the door open for them. The piano was there for Sara to play and the chair were set up for the choir and a bunch of pews set up for the congregation to sit in. Sara rubbed her brother’s shoulders as he looked out at the wooden seats anxiously.

Sara dragged him to the back as the room started to fill up with people to take some stress off of him.

“Lexi?” Sara asked, trying to get her brother to at least glare at her. “Lexi!” she tried again and Alex looked up with a “really” look in his eyes.

“I’m fine Sara, I just don’t want to screw up again,” Alex said, rubbing his wrists and biting his lip.

“You won’t cause I’ll be right there with you,” Sara said making it seem like he wasn’t about to sing in front of the biggest congregation in LA which had hundreds of people coming.

“If you weren’t, I would be very pissed and nervous,” Alex said, elbowing her before hearing their father tell everyone to take their seats. “Come on.” The two took their seats near the choir who smiled at the siblings and spoke quiet reassuring words to Alex.

Alex listened to his father preach and the congregation respond thanking God silently for making this the longest sermon he had ever heard.

“...Amen!” Pastor Joyner finished arms flung up in the air smiling at the people and Sara got up pulling Alex with her and she moved to the piano and Phillip passed his son the microphone. Alex looked over the congregation before taking a breath in squeezing the microphone and looking up from the floor opening his mouth to sing.

“Well, Emily, you look lovely today,” Lauren Shada said, holding the door for Emily and Mitch, smiling politely at Luke before grimacing when he turned away. Reggie held Marla’s hand since his father was too busy finishing off a bottle of whatever and throwing it on the pavement before walking into the church.

“Oh, Lauren you’re too kind,” Emily said to the woman she had been friends with since Luke and Reggie were in diapers. “We should find a spot together,” Emily suggested and the back row was the only one left with just enough space for all of them when Marla sat on her mother’s lap. Mitch and Roy talked quietly, Emily and Lauren gossiped about things that Reggie and Luke didn’t understand, and Marla was quickly switched to her brother’s lap when Lauren got heated in conversation. The lights started to flicker on and off and the man from the previous day took to the stage in a robe with a loud voice and a microphone shouting out to the people.

Luke and Reggie were bored already and a twenty-minute sermon was preached to them and then suddenly a blonde girl and boy took the man’s place obviously going to do something musical. Luke couldn’t help but notice how nervous the boy looked but he took a deep breath in and looked up at the crowd of people blinking fast before words started to come out through the voice of a low tenor which was just right.

“When peace like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well, with my soul. It is well with my soul. It is well, it is well with my soul.” Luke looked at him in shock, this boy was good. Reggie elbowed him wanting to see his reaction to the blonde and was pleased to see that they were on the same wavelength.

“Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed His own blood for my soul. It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul). It is well, it is well with my soul.” People had started to join the boy now and the girl playing the piano had sung a bit with him adding a nice vocal mix.

“My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought. My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul. It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul). It is well, it is well with my soul. It is well (it is well) with my soul (with my soul). It is well, it is well with my soul.” The people clapped and Reggie found himself staring at the boy and getting up to clap with the rest of the people.

“Catholic boys are pretty,” Reggie whispered to Luke who laughed before nodding signifying that he agreed with Reggie’s statement.

The rest of the service was pretty bland compared to that but when they moved to a different room with food and people walking around talking to each other, church seemed to not be so bad. Two girls approached them and started talking and flirting with them and to try and seem as straight as possible, they indulged them for the time being. It’s not like either of them didn’t like girls as well, they just loved each other more than they did any girl that was around.

Alex’s blonde parents moved over to them smiling arms out welcoming them. “Luke and Reggie, we’re so glad that you made it, Alexander is just wrapping something up with an elderly couple who just loved his voice today. I can’t even believe it myself, must be a miracle that he got through the whole thing without slipping up,” Caroline praised and Reggie and Luke’s eyes widened.

“Wait, so that guy who was singing earlier was…” Reggie started and Caroline and Phillip nodded.

“He’s our boy and the piano player is our daughter Sara, such gifted musicians, we tried to give them as much time they needed before playing before people,” Caroline assured them smiling sweetly and two blonde copies of the adults before them walked up, Alex looking nervous and Sara smiling brightly.

“Hey there,” Sara said holding her hand out for them to shake. “I’m Sara,” she introduced herself with a glint of mischief in her eyes making Luke and Reggie a little nervous. Alex held his hand out too not saying anything until Sara elbowed him in the side.

“Hi, I’m Alexander, call me Alex though, unless you don’t want to then you don’t have to,” the blonde rambled until Sara hit in in the side again with a short “Lexi” coming out of her mouth trying to stop her brother from digging a deeper hole than he was already in.

“Nice to officially meet you, Alex, I’m Reggie,” Reggie said smiling gently at Alex like he was a scared puppy.

“I’m Luke.” Luke followed by Reggie’s example and Caroline smiled at the kids getting along and excused herself to go deal with some church stuff.

“I’ll go with mom just in case she needs any help, nice meeting you Luke and Reggie,” Sara waved over her shoulder and Alex looked after her with pleading eyes not wanting to be alone with Luke and Reggie just yet. He turned around smiling awkwardly.

“You have an amazing voice,” Reggie complimented and Alex blushed muttering out a thanks. “You need to own your awesomeness, your voice is amazing and you should really appreciate the gift you have of moving people through song, I heard a grandma crying dude,” Reggie said nudging Alex who smiled laughing slightly.

“Yeah I guess I do have a gift.” Alex liked having them to talk to.

“Well, Reggie and I are in a band with another guy from school named Bobby, maybe you could join,” Luke said wanting to spend more time with Alex outside of church and conversion stuff.

“I play the drums but my parents want my music to be strictly God related, I wish I could join though, it sounds cool.” Reggie and Luke looked at each other in victory. They knew what they had to do, they had to get Alex to join their band and fall in love with them so they could have him all to themselves. They couldn’t exactly have Alex’s god loving parents third-wheeling in the relationship either. That didn’t matter though, they were going to get Alex whether he liked it or not.

[zebrabaker]

The Goddess of Life, The King of Death; Chapter 5.

This is it, folks, the wedding hath arrived! Grab thy tea, and prepare thy selves!

Marinette tried not to scream upon her fifth introduction where the first question was ‘are you really the goddess of flowers?’. Her Nona had taken on the role of her guardian, and was making introductions for her. Gina was in on the plan, and had been a huge help so far. Then, Chloe came over and grabbed her hand, dragging her to a circle of her former classmates. Chloe dropped her hand, and dared away, probably to gossip more. Alya and Lila were absent, likely getting ready for the ceremony. Nino wasn’t there either. Probably going over his speech.

Rose was the first to step forward, and wrapped her in a tight hug.

“It’s so nice to meet you after all this time! What’s your favorite flower this week? I love roses, and daisies, and well, all flowers! I spend a lot of time on every new variety, and yours are all so pretty!” Marinette giggled at the petite blonde’s exuberance.

“It’s nice to meet you too. I rather like gladioli and chrysanthemums. They’re both lovely, and are some of the only flowers that grow in the Underworld.” Rose gasped.

“I never even thought about how difficult it must be to garden in the Underworld!” Juleka stepped forward, and whispered something in Rose’s ear. Rose beamed, and wrapped her arm around Juleka. “I just realized I never introduced myself! I’m Rose, and this is my girlfriend, Juleka! I’m goddess of Flowers, and she’s the Goddess of Shadows, Darkness, and Sapphic love!” Juleka waved a little, peaking out from behind her bangs. “This is Luka, Juleka’s older brother, the God of the Moon and Stars.” Luka pressed a light kiss to her knuckles, and Marinette smiled. She used to have the biggest crush on Luka, but had gotten over it not long after meeting Felix. He winked, and she froze. She had forgotten about his ability to hear anyone’s heart song. He had always told her that she had the most beautiful heart song he had ever heard, and that he would always be able to pick it out.

“A pleasure, your Majesty. How fairs Lady Allegra?” Marinette breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn’t going to out her. Not yet, at least.

“She’s quite well, Lord Luka.” He nodded and stepped back into the crowd, letting Alix glide forward on her skates.

“Nice ta meet ya! Name’s Alix, Goddess of Speed!” She glanced Marinette up and down, before sighing. “You’re not another girly-girl, are ya?” Marinette struggled not to snort.

“Luckily, I’m able to prank like a pro.” Alix raised an eyebrow.

“We’ll see.” She stepped back, and Mylene took her place.

“Hello, Your Majesty. I’m – “

“Lady Mylene, Goddess of Compassion. I’ve heard of you from several spirits. They say that you visit mortals in their last moments when no one else can or will. My husband and I cannot thank you enough. Souls who have someone there at the end are more likely to pass on, instead of becoming ghosts and haunting the living. Ghosts cause a great deal of paperwork.” Mylene blushed heavily, shrinking in on herself, until Ivan placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Thank you, your Majesty. It’s nothing, really. I just can’t bare the thought that anyone would ever be alone in their last moments. This is my husband, Ivan, the God of Strength.” Ivan merely nodded. She nodded back. The two stepped back into the crowd, and Max stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to meet you. As god of information, I was wondering if you could tell me more about your domain. It was my understanding that Rose was the Goddess of Flowers.” He adjusted his spectacles and pulled out a notebook and pen.

“I am Goddess of Mourning Flowers. Lilies, gladioli, carnations, chrysanthemums, orchids, hydrangeas, daffodils, and tulips are some of my more popular creations. I’m rather proud of peace lilies. My domain is actually how I met Allegra, who introduced me to Felix.” Max nodded, and took a few steps away, muttering to himself about nuance in domains and his next research project. Nathaniel took a step forward, shyly.

“Hello. I’m Nathaniel, the God of Art.” He was redder than his hair, and retreated quickly. Marc stepped up.

“I’m Marc, God of Writing. Would you mind telling me how you met Felix? I’m trying to write a love story, but I’m out of inspiration. I’ve asked everyone I know how they met their significant other.” Marinette beamed.

“I was living in a small cottage near the River Styx- “

“BORING!” A voice yelled, and Kim stepped forward. “Hello, beautiful! My name is Kim, god of competition!”

X0X0X

Felix followed Natalie to a shadowed corner, where his father was seated, sipping a flute of nectar, Felix sat, and the two sat in awkward silence for a few minutes, before Gabriel broke the silence.

“Tell me about your…wife.” Gabriel watched his son over the rim of his glass. Felix’s eyes glazed, and his pallid skin flushed.

“She’s everything, Father. She’s kind, and compassionate, and witty, and sarcastic and wonderful. She can bake and cook and sing, and she managed to start a small garden. In the Underworld. Once, I watched her help the soul of a mortal boy who had died of a plague when he was looking for his cat. They spent four hours looking for the cat. Within half an hour, the boy was smiling and giggling. Her eyes shine when she’s happy, and when she gets lost in thought they change colors to match murky waters. When she thinks or focuses really hard, she gets a little wrinkle in between her eyebrows, and her tongue sticks out just a little. Her laughter sounds like tinkling bells, and when she laughs really hard her nose wrinkles a little bit, right on the bridge, and she snorts just the tiniest bit. When I met her, I was frozen. She’s stunning, father. I can’t imagine life without her.” He sighed. “She and Allegra are practically sisters, and her and Claude act like they were separated at birth. Together, she and Alain have pranked Claude at least once a week for the last six years. She had Cerberus giving her rides around the kingdom is just a month. He doesn’t even let me ride on his back, Father. She’s just…perfect.” Felix watched his wife from across the room, his eyes full of warmth and love. Gabriel nodded. That was exactly how he felt about his wife, the Lady Emilie. Yes. This girl, if his son spoke the truth, would be a perfect daughter in law.

Suddenly, Felix stood, chair scraping against the ground.

“Excuse me, father, I need to go.” He grit out, and Gabriel raised an eyebrow. He watched his son go, and nodded in comprehension when he saw what was going on. Kim, the god of competition, was attempting to flirt with Queen Persephone. Gabriel stood, and quickly followed his son, clamping his hand on his shoulder.

“I’ll help you, son. His actions are most uncouth.” Felix shot him an odd look, before nodding. Father and son were striding across the villa, to where Queen Persephone was clearly losing her temper. A small crowd was trying to subtly watch, to see how the young queen would react. When they had reached the edge of the crowd, they were able to hear what Kim was saying.

“You really are lovely. Why you’re married to Hades of all gods is beyond me.” He tried to grab her hand, but she snagged a flute of nectar off a tray, making it so that he couldn’t grab her hand without spilling nectar everywhere.

“I’m not sure what you mean, Lord Kim.” She demurred; eyes narrowed slightly. Felix could see the tension in her shoulders.

“He’s got a stick up his rear, ya know? I can’t imagine ever being stuck with someone like that.” Kim scoffed, before jumping. She had shattered her glass, which was now leaking nectar through her clenched fist. This was going to be fun to watch.

“I’m sorry, ‘stuck’ with him? He is my husband. If I did not wish to be with him, I would not be with him. I have known him TWO DECADES, and he has never been cold or cruel to me. He is kind and sweet and the biggest romantic I’ve ever known. And need I remind you, Lord Kim, my husband is one of the three rulers! He out-stripes you in every possible way. I recommend you learn to think before you speak.” Her voice was sharp and cold, like a dagger of stygian iron. The crowd tittered, as Kim turned red.

Kim opened his mouth to respond, but there was the ringing of a great bell. Adrien was standing on a platform, holding a large bell in one hand.

“Esteemed guests, I ask you all to proceed to the back garden, and find the seat with your name on it! The ceremony will commence in ten minutes!” He poofed away the bell, and turned to lead the procession. Felix slipped through the throngs of deities, and placed his hand on the small of her back.

“It’s me. Let me help you, dearest.” He murmured in her ear, prying her hand open. Marinette hissed, glancing down at the shards embedded in her skin, ichor leaking out of cuts and abrasions. He kissed her pulse point, and vanished the glass. He kissed the back of her palm, healing the many cuts. He gently ran his finger over the cuts in her gloves, repairing them. He then kissed her knuckles, making the stains from ichor and nectar vanish. He tucked her now healed hand into the crook of his elbow, and guided her into the garden.

They passed the deities trying to find their seats, and made their way to the front row. Felix scanned the seats, and found the two chairs next to his father, with Marinette between the two men. Adrien was standing at the altar, beaming to the point he was glowing slightly. Shimmering red glow that grew too bright to look at. When the glare had faded, Queen Tikki was standing, hands folded, behind a rosewood pulpit. Her dress was red, and her blue eyes shimmered with joy. Her delicate wings were folded, tucked against her back, twitching occasionally in excitement. She clasped a hand on Adrien’s shoulder, and addressed the gathering.

“Gods and Goddesses of Olympus! Today, we are gathered here to celebrate the union of the goddess of life and the god of the sun, our future Queen and King! In just two centuries, they will take over ruling Olympus with their chosen council! However, political matters can wait till after the wedding! For now, bring in the bride!”

There was a bright light from the back, and all assembled turned in their seats to see Lila coming down the aisle. Her dress was a shimmering gold, her veil so short it barely covered her eyes. She was smiling demurely, and moving in a way that indicated great anticipation. Marinette clutched Felix’s arm tightly, bracing herself. Her bond with Adrien was weak, barely a frayed thread, but this ceremony was bound to snap it completely. This was going to hurt.

Lila reached the altar, and handed her bouquet to Alya. She ascended the stairs with grace, and clasped Adrien’s hands in her own. Queen Tikki giggled a bit, before setting a hand on Lila’s shoulder.

“A very funny joke, Lady Lila, but where is Princess Marinette? Come now, send in the bride!” Tikki returned her gaze to the doors from whence Lila had emerged, before frowning. She turned to Adrien. “Where is she? Can someone go check on the bride? It’s likely just a few pre-wedding jitters.” Lila grit her teeth in a smile, before placing a hand over Queen Tikki’s, which still rested on her shoulder.

“Queen Tikki? Have you grown ill? It’s me, Lila, the next Goddess of Life and Creation.” Tikki scowled, and ripped her hand away.

“You dare attempt to deceive me? I have been Queen longer than you have been alive, girl! Tell me, where is Marinette?!” Tikki’s scarlet hair was beginning to float, her eyes shining a cold cobalt. Lila attempted to step away, but Tikki grabbed her by the elbow in a vice-like grip.

“No one knows! When she was outed as the Goddess of Lies and Deceit twenty years ago, she ran away!” Alya burst out, clearly scared.

“What…did you just say?” Tikki’s gaze turned from the struggling Lila to Alya, who’s eyes snapped to meet the Queen’s.

“She was outed as the Goddess of Lies and Deceit, so she ran away. Had she even told us, we could have forgiven her eventually, but she ran away. Lila told us she was planning to lie, and pretend to be the next Goddess of Life and Creation. Not like we would have fallen for it anyway.” Alya scoffed. Tikki growled, before taking a deep breath. She dropped Lila, who landed on her rear. Before the girl could stand, Tikki snapped her fingers, and Lila was cuffed by her wrists the altar.

“Trixx!” She called, the single syllable ringing through the air. A shimmering ball of orange appeared next to Queen Tikki, before morphing into a woman with auburn hair and purple eyes, wearing an orange chiton. She had a fluffy fox’s tail, and long, pointed ears, tipped with black.

“What’s the matter, Tikki?” The principality of Illusion, Lies, and Deceit asked, glancing around. “Where’s your successor? This is her wedding, is it not?”

“Apparently not.” Tikki spat. “Your successor decided that she was unhappy with the honor that had been bestowed upon her, and wanted what was not hers.” Trixx frowned in confusion before her eyes widened, her ears pinned back against her head. She wheeled on her heel, baring her teeth at the cowering Lila.

“What did I tell you?” Lila just cowered away, and Trixx growled low in her throat. “I warned you not to try to deceive other principalities, least of all those older than you! You foolish girl! Where has she gone?” Trixx asked Tikki, eyes full of worry and concern.

“They don’t know.” Tikki crossed her arms, glaring at the assembled. “Lord Thomas, Lady Sabine, come here.” From the back row, her parents rose, making their way up the aisle, hands clasped tight. “Where is your daughter?” Her Papa frowned, glaring at Adrien. He, like his wife, was in on the plan, and all for it. No one hurt his daughter.

“She is safe and happy, your Majesty.” Tikki sighed, shoulders slumping.

“Very well. I will expect a full report on her whereabouts later. Trixx, take them to a guest room in the palace, and warn Plagg.” Trixx nodded, and curtseyed slightly. She set a hand on each of her parent’s shoulders, and disappeared the way she had come. Lila, fool that she was, tried to salvage the situation.

“Tikki, please! She’s gotten to you too! I’m the next Goddess of Life and Creation! You gave me my first domain a ye- “Lila was cut off with a sharp slap. Her head snapped to the side, and her hand went to her reddening cheek.

“As Trixx warned you, filth, your powers have no effect on those older or more powerful than you. I will deal out your punishment later.” Tikki snapped her fingers, and a heavy muzzle clamped over Lila’s mouth. Tikki wheeled on Adrien, hair floating, wings flaring.

“You shall face punishment as well, Adrien, future principality of the sun. You should have been easily able to tell the truth.” She snapped, and Adrien was cuffed like his precious bride.  Tikki wheeled to face assembly once more.

“Did none of you see the earth dying? Crops wilting, humans dying, disease and plague spreading? I had just assumed my dear Marinette had yet to gain full control of her power, but to hear she has been chased out by you fools? I am disgusted with all of you. For now, until I know the full extent of this matter, you will all be placed under house arrest. No one leaves the mountain except the foreign royals and Lady Gina, as she will need to act as messenger. Everyone go home. This wedding is over.” The queen spun on her heel, her cloak flaring out behind her as she vanished. 

This was not how Marinette had pictured this going…

[dalyunministry]

Word Ministrarion

Topic: The test of God

By. Bro. Paul Moses Vincent

🔰

Greeting to you all in the precious name if our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

This is your brother Paul Moses Vincent for today's meditation of God's word to be shared for all of us.

I thank God for this opportunity given to me, an unworthy man. But I humble before the Almighty for enabling me to stand for His word.

May the Almighty fill us with His spirit while we meditate upon His word.

Before we go deep into the word of God, let's have a word of prayer for God's guidance.

Almighty God our wonderful Father, we thank you for this another day added in our lives. Lord, as we meditate upon your word, fill us with your Holy Spirit to understand it as you want us to, and not according to our own understanding. Guide us through your word so that when we come across such trials / troubled situations, we'd not escape but stick on to you and hold on to till our breath with a hope if eternity. Make us strong through your word which you are going to speak to us now. May I be used as your tool that brings glory and honour unto your Holy name! I ask this prayer in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

¶ Our today's topic for meditation is THE TEST OF GOD.

We all know that God's test is a spiritual assessment. God wants to test His children to see whether they stand strong while they confront spiritual challenges and sometimes our spirituality is tested through our physical sufferings. We all need to check ourselves whether we stand worthy to be tested. Our job as His children is to stand firm in our learned FAITH till the end of our lives and glorify God.

• Let's see whom God tests.

The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.Psalm 11:5. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. - Timothy 3:12. This makes it very clear that God doesn't test eveyone as we think. When we see Job's life, we see God giving a testimony of Job that He was a righteous man. Let's turn to the Book of Job chapter one beginning from verse one. There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was PERFECT and UPRIGHT (Righteous), and one tha feared God and eschewed evil.

Verse 8 is where we find God giving witness about this pious man, Job. The LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that THERE IS NONE LIKE HIM IN THE EARTH, A PERFECT AND AN UPRIGHT MAN, ONE THAT FEARETH GOD AND ESCHEWTH EVIL? We find Satan challenging God about Job that he would curse God unto His face if God remove the hedge of protection on Job. God agreed to Satan's challenge saying, 'Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. Verse 12.

• Now, we may be left with a question why God should put righteous people to test. OR Why does God allow this testing in a righteous man's life?

We have an answer from Bible. Let's turn to the Gospel of Matthew chapter 5 and verse 10. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. In Deuteronomy 13:3 we find further clarfication and also in a few following scriptures. Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Peter 1:7 - That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Job 23:10 - But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

• Do we have a desire to become like such precious gold which God wants to?

Then God knows that we should be put to test so that we can shine like His servant like Job. We also need to submit ourselves to God's test. God also wants to test us to see whether we love Him from within our hearts or not throughout our lives. Also, God wants to see we if are obedient. Or else, whether we learn obedience and exercise it with complete submission to God. Let's find the example of Jesus Christ as found in Hebrews chapter 5 and verse 8 - 'Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;'

God has a different purpose too. Because He loves us, he chastens us. Chastisement is also TESTING itself. Hebrew chapter 12 verse 6 to 8 - vs.6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Vs. 7. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Vs. 8. But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.

• Are we God's sons / children, then we endure whatever sufferings we go through and glorify God by being humble all through those sufferings?. How should we confront such test of sufferings?

James 1:2-4 - Vs. 2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Vs. 3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. Vs. 4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

• What will be the benefit of bearing with or enduring such sufferings or tests?

Timothy 2:12 - If we suffer, we shall also reign with him:

If we don't endure such sufferings?

The same scripture - Timothy 2:12 - '...if we deny him, he also will deny us:' Again, if we consider the question why we are tested, we get a response from Paul's quote. Corinthians 12:7-10. Vs. 7. And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. Vs. 8. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. Vs. 9. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Vs. 10. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. Romans 5:3-4 - Vs. 3. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience. Vs. 4. And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

• What kind of testing or sufferings may the righteous go through?

It can be from anything to anything like even death. Job 13:15 - Though he slay (kill) me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. This doesn't mean that God so cruel that He would want to kill His children whom He Himself created. We already know that God called Abraham to offer His son. But when Abraham lifted his hand to offer his son, God sent His Angel to stop Abhraham from killing Isaac. But Christian sufferings can be very horrible. They can be more than what we can imagine. Vs. 35 - Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were TORTURED, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: Vs. 36 - And others had trial of CRUEL MOCKINGS and SCOURGINGS , yea, moreover of BONDS and IMPRISONMENT: Vs. 37 - They were STONED, they were SAWN ASUNDER (very horrible), were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; Vs. 38 - (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

• How should we guard ourselves at the time of these trials, tests or temptations especially those which are from the enemy, Satan?

Ephesians 6:10-18 - Vs. 10 - Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Vs. 11 - Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Vs. 12 - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Vs. 13 - Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Vs. 14 - Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Vs. 15 - And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

Vs. 16 - Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Vs. 17 - And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Vs. 18 - Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; - Ephesians 6:10-18.

• What should we avoid doing while experiencing these sufferings?

Corinthians 10:10 - Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Accordingly, let us not grumble when we have to suffer because we fall short of the glory God set for us if endure suffering. But, if we start grumbling, we will be destroyed.

• Why should we not grumble/complain while going through sufferings?

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Corinthians 10:13. God knows how much we can bear or endure. Only to that extent we will be tested. He will not test us beyond our capacity. Corinthians 4:16-18 - Vs. 16 - For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

Vs. 17 - For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Vs. 18 - While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

So, finally what do you think and ideal man of God asks God for? He desires/wants God to test him. Psalm 139:23-24 - Vs. 23 - Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: Vs. 24 - And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

• What is the promise of CHRIST JESUS for those who endure suffering? How is a man who suffers benefitting?

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. What a glory! When we endure suffering, we are trained to help others also to learn patience and obtain glory at the end. Now that we have observed what testing of God is and who is tested and how each has to undergo God-given test, let us seek God's guidance to undergo all such testings and stand for God's glory till our end.

Our Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Thank you for using your servant to deliver your word without adding anything of his word but your word alone. May you word guide us as long as we live on this earth so that we would live for your glory and according to your will even at times of troubles and tribulations and without any complaint like our forefathers Job and Daniel your servant! Bless all the members in the group and all your beloved ones across the world. I do offer this prayer in hope in the matchless and mighty name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen!

May the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Love of God, our Father in heaven, and fellowship of Holy Spirit, rest and abide with us and all His servants and children in the whole world, now and for evermore! Amen!

Praise the Lord dear members. We'll meet next week with next week's meditation topic according to His leading. Have a nice week ahead. May God bless us all!

[daemongal]

The greatest gift

V x reader, angst, SFW.

T.W. mention of thoughts of suicide.

For some reason I have decided to celebrate V's special day with this. Hope you enjoy my first attempt at writing angst :)

___________

Today was V's birthday, and the anniversary of the day you met the tattooed man, a day you would never forget.

You had found him shambling around looking lost and disjointed, completely stark naked. You can’t really remember what went through your mind at that moment. Normally you’d stay as far away as possible from weird men, especially those who were happy enough to put themselves on display, but you remember feeling an intense desire to protect him, the moment you laid eyes on him; a feeling skin to how a mother feels the first time they hold their child in their arms.

You gave him your coat to cover his modesty and established that his name was V. You remember how taken aback he was at your generosity when you welcomed him into your home and how confused he was at your concern for his wellbeing. You fed him, worried that he hadn’t eaten in days considering how frail his body looked. He would always tell you that he was fine, and that his body was just weak.

When everything started going to hell, he was there at your side, protecting you with every ounce of his being. You would tell him repeatedly how strong he was, how brave he was but a look of guilt seemed to forever linger in his eyes. You took refuge with him at the Devil May Cry which remained vacant in a somewhat safer part of town, after its proprietor had fallen at the hands of the Demon King. V told you to leave, to evacuate from the town and stay away, but you couldn’t leave him. You knew you couldn’t protect him, but you still wanted to be there for him. He said you gave him strength, the strength to keep fighting.

He would leave in the mornings, scouting for any survivors, returning just after sunset each day with supplies and stories of his exploits. You would listen to him talk for hours, savouring every note of his voice. Each night you would retreat to bed and hold each other so tight that not even the splitting of the earth could separate you.

It was love, of that much you were sure. You still remember the look of pure disbelief on his face when you told him the first time. He told you he was undeserving, that your love was too good for him, that he was a weak and futile being that could never give you the happiness you truly deserved.

“If only he knew how wrong he was” you thought. You smiled to yourself, pulling yourself out of your daydream as you pressed the buzzer on the bus, signalling it to stop. You stepped down the ramp that had been lowered for you, flashing a smile at the bus driver as you left. You knew you had a bit of a walk to your destination, buses tended to just stick to the main roads these days, but you didn’t mind. You enjoyed the memories attached to these tracks.

You knew back then he had secrets, but you told him time and time again that his secrets were his and his alone and that you knew him well enough that anything he kept from you would be for your protection.

You sighed as you walked further up the track. You knew nothing would have changed if you had known, if he had told you the truth. His determination and drive were the features that drew you to him, and you knew nothing would have changed his goal or the outcome. Redgrave was slowly recovering from its loss, and you had a family now. It was chaotic and messy, but Kyrie’s cooking was second to none and Nero was like the brother you never had.

You hadn’t been to visit V in a while, a guilty pang hit your chest at the thought, but your life had become busy as of late and you knew he would understand. You smiled as you were nearing the house on the hill; his family home.

You knew there was something wrong that morning. He had woken you up earlier than usual, a darkness and passion in his eyes deeper than you had ever seen before. You had made love with unrivalled intensity as he whispered sweet nothings into your ear, and etched his very presence onto your soul. He told you he would be back by nightfall, as he always was. You didn’t believe him, yet there you stood, at the door giving him his kiss goodbye, waving him off as you always did. The tears began to fall soon after. You remember the door opening that night and the elation you felt. When Nero stepped through the door, bloodied and bruised avoiding any and all eye contact, you dropped to the floor, legs no longer able to bear the despair you felt.

You took a deep breath as you stood at your destination. You put the breaks on the stroller and reached for the flowers resting against the hood. You had decided on white lilies, soft and gentle much like his heart. You placed them on the memorial as you dusted the headstone with your hand, removing any debris. You gently lifted your daughter out of their seat and held her.

“Hey V.” You started, taking a deep breath to still your words. “Sorry it’s been a while, I’ve been pretty preoccupied.” You gazed lovingly towards your daughter. “Isn’t she incredible darling. Born of our love. Your legacy.” You pressed a kiss to her soft head to calm your shaking breath. You promised that you would always be strong for him, and that wasn’t going to change.

“She has your eyes. The nurses said they’d never seen a new born like her; lily white hair and eyes that looked like they’d seen the world five times over. Nero's enamoured with her. Calls himself Uncle Nero, he’s even stopped swearing, said he doesn’t want to be a bad influence, I know, you’d have to see it to believe it. Nico's determined that her first words are going to be dead weight.” You laughed quietly to yourself, fighting back the heat rising in your face and the stinging in the corners of your eyes.

“Still no sign of Dante returning, or Nero's old man. I hope they’re both ok. I’d like to meet him sometime, Virgil that is. Tell him how lucky he is to have such a great son. I don’t think it’ll be long before little Eva has herself a cousin. I’ve seen the way Kyrie looks at him when he holds her.” She held your index finger tightly in her hand as you spoke.

“Oh yeah, I hope you don’t mind, I named her after your mother. You were always at your happiest when you spoke about your childhood and I wanted to picture that smile whenever I looked at her.” You paused for a moment to gather your thoughts .

“I’m so sorry that you weren’t here to... to hold her with... me...” your vision blurred as you felt a familiar warmth on your cheeks, as the tears began to pour from your eyes against your control. Your arms shook as you placed Eva back in her seat and collapsed to your knees, hands against your face, throat burning from fighting back the tears and chest heaving with every intake of breath.

“I promised myself I wouldn’t do this! I never wanted you to see me like this. I needed to be strong for you V, I was your strength, I was your reason to keep fighting. I’ve needed you so much these past few months, I’ve fought so hard. I’ve struggled so much. Every time I look at her, I see you. If it wasn’t for her I... I... probably wouldn’t even be here.” You were sobbing uncontrollably, spilling your heart out, everything you wanted to hide and conceal behind a facade. But you were breaking, you couldn’t keep it up any more.

“I was ready to join you V, oh so ready. And then I found out, I had a life inside of me; a life that we created together. Even though you’re not here, every part of you that has been left behind is keeping me going, keeping me alive, protecting me. Someone weak couldn’t do that, someone weak couldn’t create such beauty.” The tears eased as you glanced towards your daughters peaceful face. You wiped your eyes, the tears stilling for long enough for you to regain some of your composure.

“Love seeketh not itself to please, nor for itself hath any care, but for another gives its ease, and builds a heaven in hells despair.” You read the words engraved into the headstone in front of you, tracing them with your fingers as you did. “I spent many a long night reading your book. The only peace I could find was in its pages. I read this one from the hospital bed the night I found out about our treasure and nothing has ever resonated with me more.”

You shared a few moments of silence, before a familiar gurgling began from behind you. You chuckled as you stood up. “For someone who used to struggle to clear a plate of food, you sure made one hungry baby.” You lifted her and cradled her against your breast. “Thank you , V. You’ve given me the greatest gift I could have imagined. How something so pure could have been born from a hell so grim, only you could have done this.” You looked down the hill to see the familiar van waiting. Nico knew you were coming today and offered to pick you up on her way back home, knowing you’d probably not want to face public transport.

“Looks like my ride is here. Nico's always on time now, and her driving has never been better. She realised her driving was not child safe in the slightest. How I made it to the hospital in one piece when I went into labour I'll never know. I don’t know who was freaking out more, her or Nero!” You smiled at the happy memories. You had so many of them now, and it was all possible because of him.

“Happy birthday, V. I’ll make sure she knows who her father was and how incredible he was.” You placed Eva back in the stroller as she gives you a content gargle.

“I’ll make you proud V. I’ll do it for the both of us... I love you.”

___________

A/N: I decided to go with a scenario where you were never told about what really happened in the Qliphoth. As far as you were aware, he died at the hands of Urizen (just in case anyone cared enough to wonder haha). Also, for the purpose of this fic, Devil May Cry is located in Redgrave, just seemed like a good place to stow away in my mind.

I'm sorry ;_;

[gospeltruths2]

A Loving, Merciful God of Standards

The Lord Almighty, the one who created everything is a God of love and mercy, but he is also a God with standards. Because of his mercy and grace all of mankind can be saved from damnation. I have found that many believers today imagine that because God is a God of grace, mercy and forgiveness, they can get away with anything, get away with doing whatever they want to do and behaving in any-which-way they want to behave. I’ve been there! And I have learned and am learning from mistakes I’ve made regarding this. But here is something that everyone needs to remember, God has standards, standards which he upholds all mankind to, Christian or not; all our actions have consequences!

There were several Bible verses I learned in High School, that expound on this truth, which have pretty much been my life verses. They are Proverbs 18:24, Luke 6:31, Colossians 4:6, and Matthew 12:36; Proverbs 18:24 says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” -NIV, but I learned it in the King James Version which states, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly, and there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” I understood this verse to mean that if I want good friends, lifelong friends, I must also prove myself to be a person that is identified with ‘good’ ‘lifelong’ friend’ characteristics. Growing up, I was shy, and sheltered, so making friends ‘outside’ my family circle was important and scary to me, but I also found it to be easier than I imagined, because I tend to attract people. Talking to other people was quite scary mostly during my preteen and teen years, even though people are generally drawn to me. It is still quite scary for me to make friends because I am also a very empathic, emotional person, so when I make friends, I tend to want a lifelong friendship, and not just any kind of lifelong friendship, but a good one with God as the foundation. Granted, I cannot claim to have always been a person of ‘good, lifelong friend’ material, but I do my best; I digress! I was just recalling a few occasions where I did not treat others right, and other separate occasions where others didn’t treat me right as well. As you may have guessed, these occurrences happened in college, sometimes between me and professors, but most times between me and my roommates/suite mates or between me and the Residence life staff. I recalled an occasion, after one such altercation with two of my suite mates, where I was speaking to the former Residence Life Director about how the altercation occurred, how I was clearly being treated unfairly because the cause of the altercation was not me, yet, I was being blamed, and disciplined for it while the real culprits went scot free, in my opinion, anyway. In order to control my temper and keep the peace, I decided to just accept the discipline, though, to be entirely honest, I did do something wrong during the altercation, I fought with this suitemate. Anyway, I cautioned her and told her that God sees all and the ‘day of reckoning’ will come where God will fight for me and ‘balance the books’, so to speak, in essence consequences follow actions, and she said to me that “the God she knows is a God of mercy, and He does not or will not punish us anymore for sinning,”like he punished the ancient world when they sinned. While that is true, the God I know is also a God of standards, standards he upholds the human race to. All actions have consequences!

I learned this concept early in life, but I didn’t fully grasp it until some of my actions in 2012 resulted in some very bitter consequences, consequences I’m still suffering from till today, eight years after the fact! Trust me when I say, actions have consequences! And I have experienced the war and peace of consequences throughout these past nine years. In as much as becoming a Christian means having an escape from ‘judgment’ and damnation, all humans are accountable to God! Jesus’ exhortation in Matthew 12:36 & 37 says, “But I tell you that everyone will have to give an account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your word you will be acquitted and by your word you will be condemned.” Every time I remember the person that called himself a ‘cussing Christian’, I feel so sad for him, and every time I remember all the ‘empty words’ that have come out of my own mouth, I begin to wonder about how I’m going to account for them before God, like what exactly would I say? Our words, our thoughts, and our actions all have consequences or blessings attached to them! So we all ought to be cautious about what we say, what we think about, and how we act. Since our thoughts determine our actions, our thought life should also be controlled by God.

I received this word in my spirit while formulating this post, when I pondered on this question, ‘Why then did God punish the ancient Israelites when they sinned? And not just the Israelites, remember Nebuchadnazzar, his son Belshazzar, and other people’s of the ancient word who did not follow him, remember the Philistines, Amalekites, Amorites, Babylonians, and so on, the Word I received is this, “when God punished the ancient Israelites for sinning, he didn’t punish them because he hated them, or didn’t forgive their trespasses, no, he forgave their trespasses, and still loved them despite their failures, when God destroyed the ancient world with a flood, he didn’t destroy mankind because he hated us, no, he punished them, and ‘punishes’ or rather ‘disciplines’ because he loves us so much that he wants to correct the sin in us because God cannot and will not tolerate any kind of sin; any kind of behavior that is contrary to his way. When God created the world, everything was good, everything was perfect and peaceful! But sin destroyed that goodness, and brought the curse of evil on all creation; now we crave for everything we had in the Garden, good health, long life, peace, unity, and so forth. This sin separated us from God, so badly that coming to him required atonement. The beautiful relationship and unity we had with God as mankind was broken by sin, and blood had to be spilled, usually the blood of a clean, unblemished animal was required to commune with God.

But God could not stand being separated from mankind because our sin clashed negatively with his righteousness, so he sent Jesus to build a bridge for us back to him.

Again, I digress. Whether you identify yourself as a believer or not, God holds you to certain standards of behavior. If you are a believer, reading this post, God holds you to even higher standards of behavior. I have quite a number of life Bible verses, learned in High School, some to use as sources of encouragement and healing, and others to guide me in the way I live, one of them is Jesus’ words in Luke 6:31, “Do to others as you would have them do to you”, in other words, treat others the way you want to be treated by them.

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to admonish; admonish especially believers, including myself, to work at being a person who lives like Jesus lived. I have worked at living by Luke 6:31, yet I have found that on many occasions, people do not reciprocate my kindness, consideration and my cordiality, rather they try to take advantage of it. This does not discredit Jesus’ words, though, it just confirms that the heart of man is desperately wicked’, because I have also found some people to reciprocate my kindness and cordiality wig even more kindness, generosity and cordiality. Those, I believe, are friendships I have made having God as it’s foundation, ‘good-lifelong’ friendships.’

The bottom line is, God is watching, not just our behaviors, but also our hearts. I have a blog post about motives. Sometimes, I wonder ‘why’ ; ‘why am I continually considerate, kind and cordial?’ ‘Am I that way only because I want ‘good’ friends or because I want others to be considerate, kind and cordial towards me? Better yet, do I behave considerately, kindly and cordially because I love Jesus and want to do what he says, or is there another motive? Another Bible verse I live by is Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked, a man reaps what he sows.” In other words, people who sow kindness, reap kindness; using a farming analogy, if you sow green beans, you cannot reap carrots or even brown beans! It works the same way in life, you don’t usually reap meanness from kindness and compassion, except in unusual instances where emotions like jealousy and envy prevail, and vice versa, it is abnormal to reap compassion from sowing rudeness. Bottom line, God sees all, and he fights for the ‘oppressed’ and the ‘ill-treated’. We always reap what we sow. There is no tricking God, he looks right past our actions into our hearts and he knows why we do what we do, why we behave the way we behave. And as much as he does not ‘smite’ us down for sinning, we will face the consequences of our actions. Remember Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked, a man reaps what he does.” So why do ‘bad’things happen to ‘good’people? How come my consideration and kindness is usually met with unkindness, and inconsideration? I have a theory: perhaps my motives for being kind and considerate were not to please God, but I don’t know, do I make myself ‘appear’ to be ‘good’,’godly’ and ‘righteous’? Or have I developed those characteristics of Christ? One great big lesson I’m learning is that when it comes to God, it all boils down to the heart. The point of this entire post, though is ‘watch yourself’ “God cannot be mocked’ and ‘a man reaps what he sows’ it is sad that many ‘Christians’ believe that because God is forgiving, and we are living in the period of grace, they can do whatever, and escape the consequences because God is forgiving. Sometimes I wonder if people, if (I )truly understand what ‘repentance’ is all about.

Yes, God forgives and picks us up every time we fall, but why live in the viscious cycle of sin, ‘repentance’, andforgiveness? We gotta do better, how can we be good examples and great representatives of Christ if we’re living in a viscious cycle? We(I’ve) got to strive to be better! The great news is that in Christ, we don’t have to strive to be perfect in our own strength, we have the Holy Spirit to help us live right.

[darkmoonrisingrp-blog]

❦  JACE ROMANOV

❦  35/2500+

❦  MARCH 18th circa 485 BC

❦  ENTREPRENEUR

❦  ORIGINAL VAMPIRE

BIOGRAPHY

While his twin sister Myla has always been the level-headed sibling, Jace was always the dreamer and adventurer. Born the only son with three sisters, he was quite frankly born twenty five hundred years too early and the simple life in was would be modern day Romania was never going to be enough for him. Curious about the world, he always managed to find trouble - he was very much the child who threw off responsibility, would disappear into the woods for hours and come home covered in mud, bumps and bruises. There was never anything he wouldn’t try. Born a witch like his sister, he had no great aptitude for magic. His patience for study was nonexistent, something his mother often said was a characteristic from his werewolf father. It chagrined his mother greatly being the High Priestess. The one thing that could be said of Jace other than his wanderlust was his deep loyalty to his siblings. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for any of them, which brings them to the night one of his siblings was murdered. It would forever change the course of their lives. Their mother would begin a plan to protect them all, but she would have no idea the consequences she would place onto the world.

His mother granted her children immortality, but the catch was, a deep seated bloodlust that was damn near impossible to ignore. While some of his siblings struggled with their new found abilities, Jace was very much a fish to water. He found sport in the death and destruction. Senses heightened, stronger, agile, Jace finally found it within his power to do what he wanted, explore not just the villages around, but the world was quite literally at his fingertips. He would set out a path on his own. Never one to stay in one place too long, back in the early days strangers were met with suspicion and when bodies start showing up, people start pulling out the pitchforks and fire. Jace, a capable killer and well known for leaving behind caravans of dead on the road, is also cultured and curious about history. Taking part in the history of the world, in all his travels Jace has always been at the center of the cultures and the wars of the time and met the figureheads that would go down in history as generals, philosophers, artists, emperors, kings…

Educated and refined, Jace can be dangerous, manipulative and cruel. He is after all a vampire and he’s never shied away from his bloodlust. Throughout the centuries, Jace has always managed to return to his siblings on one occasion or another, especially to Myla. Loyal to a fault to his sisters, much of the death he has sowed has been over threats made towards them. He’s well aware of the fact that they can protect themselves, but he is their favorite elder brother. If you wish to tempt him, dare even think about harming them and hell hath no fury.

Jace showed up in Mistfall when his sister first founded it in the 18th century. About five years into her new sanctuary idea for the supernatural, he was never overly convinced of the idea that they could live in safety and harmony among humans or each other. While he’s always respected his sister, he’s not overly tolerant of other species; werewolves smell like wet dogs, witches, well, he loves and hates his mother for what she did to them, and sires, well, he’s read The Odyssey multiple times and we all know how that ended for Odysseus and his journey home. Jace didn’t stick around long in Mistfall, he gets bored and his wanderlust calls to him. In twenty-five hundred years, he’s seen a lot of the world, but he’s always managed to circle back to what would become the great state of Maine. His last visit to the state was in 1912, a couple years before World War I. He’d end up in Europe shortly after and take part in the rest of the twentieth century.

Recently, Jace has been in Tibet taking time with the Tibetan monks; it was there that he learned of the murder of a High Priestess, something like that doesn’t just go ignored in the supernatural world - it especially goes noticed with the mention of Mistfall. He picked up and is once again returning to the town founded by sister and with whom is mayor. He could really careless about the murder of the witch or the truce that has been broken, his concern is for his family. Now that he’s in town, he intends to help Myla search for anwser of who did this, if he has to rip out a few hearts along the way…oops. Well, to be fair, he may have promised to be on good behavior while in town. But what exactly that means when it comes to him is open for definition.

QUESTIONNAIRE

❦ Is your character aware of the supernatural?

“Obviously.”

❦ How do you feel about the other species in town?

“I try not too. But if you insist on knowing…first off, werewolves, mangy mutts that constantly smell like wet dog. Their quite the nuisance during a that time of the month. As far sirens go, well, I’ve always enjoyed Greek literature and we know how that went down for Odysseus and his Odyssey to return home. But I guess in terms of the supernatural world, the lesser of two evils that I can put up with. As far as witches go, I’m afraid my mother left a rather bad taste for them. Call it a love-hate relationship with their kind. Leaning more towards the latter. And of course we have the humans. I’ve always tried to respect my sister and her desire to live in harmony among them. Besides, human culture has always been a fascination and it doesn’t matter how many centuries go by, human nature doesn’t essentially change. With that said, humans are necessary, and, while in town, I’ve promised to be on my best behavior in this ‘oh so delicate’ time.”

❦ How do you feel about the rising tension in town?

“Again, I’ve tried to respect my sister and what she was trying to do, it worked for fifty years, but it was bound to end badly. There’s plenty of bad blood between all of our species. I’m here simply because my family needs me, someone was behind the murder, and I won’t let that happen to one of my sisters, I’ll protect them at all costs.”

❦ How do you feel about the murder of the regent witch keeping the peace over the town?

“To be honest, it’s one less witch to deal with. I could careless. I didn’t know her, probably met her great-great grandmother or something, but obviously someone in town didn’t like her. She’s a witch, I get it, I honestly can’t say I wouldn’t congratulate the person who did it before ripping their heart out for doing this in my sister’s town. That’s the only reason I’m interested in her death, I want to find out who is behind it for my sister’s sake.”

❦ Who are your loyalties to?

“My family. First and foremost. It’s always been that way. I would do anything for them.”

JACE ROMANOV is portrayed by CHAD MICHAEL MURRAY and is TAKEN

[drsilverfish]

The Writing is On the Wall

Gabriel’s Enochian wall art presents an intriguing piece of meta-narrative in 13x18. 

Because, thanks to Jerry Wanek’s crew of set dressing narrative wizards, and fandom detection (TM), we know that what Cas translates as the meaning of Gabriel’s Enochian scrawls and what the writing actually says in Enochian are two different things. 

See this great direct translation here:

http://drsilverfish.tumblr.com/post/172693302714/gabessquishytum-akhuna01-akhuna01

This “difference in translation” becomes (for those reading at this level) a meta-narrative commentary (the text commenting on itself as a text) concerning reading and subtext. It suggests there is a surface translation and a subtextual translation. One is spoken out loud, and one is visually represented. Both are equally “true”, indeed they work best to deepen our understanding of the story when read together. The translation depends on the eye of the beholder. 

I am often not a fan of this particular SPN meta-narrative commentary, on the supposed equivalence of text and subtext, because no, in fact, saying it out loud carries greater reach than just sticking to silent storytelling (particularly with respect to SPN’s long-running Dean-is-bisexual subtext).

However, the two different narratives here are pretty fascinating when juxtaposed.

In the one Cas reads out loud, Gabriel escapes from responsibility and shacks up with porn-stars, after faking his own death. This is a profane activity for an archangel (according to majority angel perspective, at least). 

But the first bit of written Enochian (as the linked post above has it) is:

Luke 1:19: “And the angel said unto him: ”I am Gabriel, I stand in the presence of God and I have been sent to bring you this good news"

See here for the passage in Luke in its entirety:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+1&version=NIV 

This is Gabriel in the Bible appearing to the priest Zecharia to promise him the gift of the birth of a son, the prophet John the Baptist. This is Gabriel engaged in sacred activity, and of course also calls to mind the other sacred appearance of Gabriel fortelling a child, when he appeared to the Virgin Mary (which brings up to us the story of Mary Winchester and the birth of her sons who, Jesus-like, saved the world, and whose absence in the AU apocalypse world has led to a devastating angelic war). 

So, the writing on the wall juxtaposes the sacred (what is written) and the profane (what is spoken out loud). That, again in another layer, becomes a commentary on Castiel himself (who is doing the translating) an angel who is both sacred and profane (as far as the other angels are concerned) because of his profound angelic sin (their worst) - loving a human in that way (carnal, passionate, romantic) which can lead to the birth of Nephilim.

Luke 1:19 then reverberates again, because the miraculous child of the season is Jack the Nephilim, who is on course to bring some kind of salvation to the apocalypse AU and whose biological father may be Satan (profane) but who chooses to think of Castiel as his angelic father-figure (sacred). 

The other portions of the written translation are

Luke 1:20 “And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

This is a fascinating little commentary, both on the fact that Gabriel has had his mouth sewn shut by Asmodeus (and dare not speak out loud because then Asmodeus can track him) AND the fact that this season has been full of negative space, screaming out what has not been spoken out loud, particularly in respect of Dean’s soul-shattering grief when Cas was dead and his failure to communicate his love to the living angel himself, but also the scars Sam continues to carry from his time in the Cage, tortured by Lucifer.  

Then we have Luke 1:35 “The angel said unto her, ‘The Holy Ghost will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.’”

Again, a reference to holy children - reverberating with meaning both in respect of Sam and Dean, but also in particular, Jack.

And all of this is papered over, by Cas, narrating out loud that Gabriel just spends a load of time going on and on in his text, apparently, about porn stars. This is kind of analogous to the way that het performing Dean and his OTT pursuit of Daphne in the previous episode papered over his less-than-het crush on Fred - what is spoken out loud papers over what sings out beneath.

There is another thing to say about these Enochian covered walls - namely the phrase “The writing is on the wall” which is invoked.

The origin of that saying (which is ominous, meaning a sign that the chickens are about to come home to roost, to mix metaphors!) also comes from the Bible, namely Daniel 5 and the story of Belshazzar’s feast.  

Belshazzar (sounds rather like our Balthazar) was getting drunk and debasing sacred temple vessels by using them for wine, when some writing, in Aramaic, appeared on the wall. It was a pun which, when decoded meant:

MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN

  MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

See here for the story:

https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/the-writing-is-on-the-wall.html

So in other words, as far as the world of Supernatural goes, just as Castiel said in 13x14 Good Intentions, “War is coming”, angelic war is coming, the archangel Michael is coming to rip apart the world, and, for now, Gabriel has skipped out on his responsibilities in respect of that war. But in the end, despite the profane surface (porn stars) he won’t be able to escape the sacred calling underneath (which ties him to a holy child - Jack the Nephilim). 

[grace-for-the-nations-daily-word]

Your word for today

  Question: What is the mark of the beast (666)?

Im using this question to deal with a lot of questions I have been asked by fellow belivers.

These questions are many but almost all of them point out to one thing; do we know what the mark of the beast is or we are ready to believe anything that anyone says about it.

When you ask me should I as a christian take the vaccine or will I loose my salvation if I take the vaccine or Pastor what's your comment on the vaccine?

To me you are simply saying, I don't understand the mark of the beast, please explain it to me.

Im going to do my best and pray that God help us understand more.

I posted this under Q&A about twice when I did the Foundations of our faith series in 2019 and sometime after.

Those of you who keep records you might be able to remember it.

THE MARK OF THE BEAST

The main passage in the Bible that mentions the mark of the beast is Revelation 13:15-18.

15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six. (666)

Other references can be found in Revelation 14:9, 11, 15:2, 16:2, 19:20, and 20:4.

This mark acts as a seal for the followers of Antichrist and the false prophet (the spokesperson for the Antichrist).

The false prophet (the second beast) is the one who causes people to take this mark.

The mark is literally placed in the hand or forehead and is not simply a card someone carries.

The Setting for the coming of the mark of the beast is where the false prophet cause all whose names are not found in the lamp's book of life to worship the beast (Rev 12:12)

This must say something to you about the saints.

They are not candidates for the mark of the beast primarily because:

Their names will be found in the lamp's book of life. ( woe to you if your name is not in that book)

And because it seems this happens after rapture and during tribulation.

The recent breakthroughs in medical implant chip technologies have increased interest in the mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation chapter 13.

It is possible that the technology we are seeing today represents the beginning stages of what may eventually be used by the false prophet to give people the mark of the beast.

It is important to realize that a medical implant chip is not the mark of the beast and neither is a vaccine or technological implant chip.

The mark of the beast will be something given only to those who worship the Antichrist.

Having a medical or financial microchip inserted into your right hand or forehead is not the mark of the beast.

The mark of the beast will be an end-times identification required by the Antichrist in order for people to buy or sell, and it will be given only to those who worship the Antichrist.

This will happen during tribulation.

Many good expositors of Revelation differ widely as to the exact nature of the mark of the beast.

Besides the implanted chip view, other speculations include an ID card, a microchip, a barcode that is tattooed into the skin, or simply a mark that identifies someone as being faithful to the Antichrist's kingdom.

This last view requires the least speculation, since it does not add any more information to what the Bible gives us.

In other words, any of these things are possible, but at the same time they are all speculations.

We should not spend a lot of time speculating on the precise details.

The word of God does not speculate, it says what it means.

The meaning of 666 is a mystery as well.

Some have speculated that there was a connection to June 6, 2006 (06/06/06)

However, in Revelation chapter 13, the number 666 identifies a person, not a date.

Revelation 13:18 tells us, This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number.

His number is 666.

Somehow, the number 666 will identify the Antichrist.

For centuries Bible interpreters have been trying to identify certain individuals with 666.

Nothing so far is conclusive.

That is why Revelation 13:18 says the number requires wisdom.

When the Antichrist is revealed it will be clear who he is and how the number 666 identifies him.

2 Thes 2:3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

I want to clarify here that I dont believe the current vaccines, medical implants chips and technological implants chips are NOT the mark of the beast.

I also dont find any biblical basis to claim 5G or any other new technological breakthrough as the mark of the beast.

However since the devil will use anything he can access to his advantage, these implants and chips can be taken advantage of by the false prophet to prepare for the actual mark of the beast.

The bible is very clear on one thing; The mark of the beast will not be secretly put on people's foreheads or arms without their consent.

Either under duress or forced or maybe left with no option they will accept the mark fully aware of what it is.

The devil is not going to vaccinate you claiming he is curing a disease then you wake up tomorrow with the mark of the beast. No!

The False prophet will say something like:

"You have to take the mark of our Master (the anti christ) so that you can get his benefits, anyone who doesn't take the mark will be excommunicated from the society and deemed a traitor"

You have to make a choice to take the mark or suffer.

The next thing you need to remember as said earlier is the mark '666' is a name.

So the 666 on your forehead or arm will be a name or a number of an actual name.

It will be clear for all to see and not something hidden that needs a scan.

You can't buy or sell without it.

You will be under total sanctions from the system of that time.

Remember people have been speculating and teaching a lot of conspiracy theories from as long as I can remember and all of them were liars.

Some said Bush was the anti christ, some said Nelson Mandela, some said Barack Obama, some said Putin and many other world leaders bad and good.

These theories had one thing in common, none of them were true.

About the end time events I have one method of judging those who claim to have the latest revelation:

Anyone who gives specifics, names and dates where the bible never gives such is not telling the truth.

The same goes for the mark of the beast, no matter how spiritual any man sounds, they can't be more spiritual that the bible.

Sometime ago when I was in Primary school, I can't remember which year, we were literally forced by teachers and superstitious relatives to put on a wrist band made out of sack material.

Someone had claimed that on a particular date it will rain and lightning will strike anyone without that specific sack wrist band.

The message was circulated wide and far even on radio.

On that particular day, on leaving school most of us stubbornly threw away the sack wrist band and ran home as we normally do.

What happened?

Nothing!

No rain, no thunder and lightning.

And as you can see im pretty much alive today.

Anyone giving specifics where the bible doesn't and claiming what scripture does not claim is either speaking frim his own mind for whatever reason or speaking by another spirit other than the spirit of God.

You are safe when you stick to scripture.

I hope you are encouraged and all confusion is dealt with concerning the mark of the beast.

I repeat as i conclude and I have said this I think twice before on this platform since 2019 "I do not believe medical implants, technology chip implants, vaccines are the exact mark of the beast"

The anti christ may one day take advantage of these just like he does anything to prepare for the actual mark of the beast.

But these technologies and vaccines we see now are not the mark of the beast

Much blessing

© Pst Brucely Hanya

August 2021 daily word.

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Macbeth -William Shakespeare

A1S1

On a heath there’s a storm and three witches plan to meet Macbeth.

A1S2

In a camp near Forres, King Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain and Lennox meet a dying captain who was killed by the rebel, Macdonwald who was then killed by Macbeth. After his report Duncan has him carried off as Ross enters with the news the traitor Cawdor has been defeated and repelled and after celebrating Duncan orders Cawdor to be executed and to give is title to Macbeth. “What he hath lost noble Macbeth hath won.”p.979

A1S3

Back on the heath the witches meet and talk about their day and prepare for Macbeth’s arrival. Macbeth and Banquo arrive and see the witches, Banquo wonders if they’re even human as they are on earth but don’t look like they belong on it. The witches hail Macbeth, “All hail, Macbeth! Hail to thee, Thane of Cawdor!” “All hail, Macbeth! That shalt be king hereafter.”p.980 Macbeth is confused and intrigued but they turn their attention to Banquo, “Thou shalt get kings, though thou be none!”p.980 (wonder what they could mean by that) Then they disappear and Macbeth and Banquo discuss the strange encounter when Ross and Angus enter to tell Macbeth he was just named Thane of Cawdor. Macbeth is focused on the prophecy coming true but Banquo is concerned, “and often times, to win us to our harm, the instruments of darkness tell us truths,”p.980 Macbeth ignores him thinking of how he will one day be king if he will have to commit ill acts (gets power and is immediately corrupted) and tells Banquo they’ll talk later.

A1S4

In the palace Duncan, Malcolm, Donalbain and Lennox talk of Cawdor’s execution and Malcolm says he died nobly and Duncan thinks of how he trusted him. (certainly history won’t repeat itself) Macbeth, Banquo, Ross and Angus enter and Duncan thanks them for their heroism, how can he repay them. “The service and the loyalty I owe in doing it, pays itself.”p.981 Macbeth says his duties are to him and his children. Duncan announces he plans to make Malcolm his heir and Macbeth say he must inform his wife and to himself says thinks of how to make himself king. (can there by a comedy skit where A says this and character B: ‘what was that?’ A: ‘nothing’ C: ‘you just said you were planning to kill me’ A: ‘no no I didn’t’ B: ‘dude we are standing three feet from you’) “Stars, hide your fires! Let not light see my black and deep desires;”p.982 Duncan then plans to visit Macbeth.

A1S5

In Macbeth’s castle Lady Macbeth reads a letter that proclaims Macbeth as the new Thane of Cawdor and his meeting with the witches. She wants her husband to fulfill it but believes he’s too soft to be ambitious. “Hie thee hither, that I may pour my spirits in thine ear, “p.982 A messenger enters to tell her her husband and the king are coming and she proclaims, “Unsex me here, and fill me from crown to the toe top full of direst cruelty;”p.982 (I won’t have my vagina stop me) So she can do what needs to be done. Macbeth arrives and informs her Duncan plans to leave tomorrow she tells him to beguile Duncan as he won’t see tomorrow and leave it all to her.

A1S6

Before the castle Duncan arrives and Lady Macbeth welcomes him saying it is a duty to the king. (which king Duncan or Macbeth discuss it in your English class)

A1S7

Servants prepare as Macbeth worries about what is to be done, “if the assassination could trommel up the consequence and catch with his surcease secure; that but this blow might be the by-all and the end-all here, “p.983 Duncan trusts him and is virtuous he is his kinsmen, “I have no spur to pick the sides of my intent, but only vaulting ambition,”p.983 Lady Macbeth enters telling him Duncan is asking for him and says he looks horrible, is he afraid, he would do it if he were a man, she’d kill a baby if she had to. (woah lady) “But screw your courage to the sticking-place, and we’ll not fail.”p.984 Do it while he is sleeping and Macbeth hopes she wont ever have girls (yeah if they’re going to be like her) but he agrees to the plan to frame the chamberlains.

A2S1

Banquo and his son Fleance are in the castle’s court, Fleance says it’s midnight but Banquo wants to stay up. Macbeth surprise them, Banquo tells him the king is sleeping and he just had a dream of the witches, Macbeth lies that he doesn’t think of them and they’ll talk later. Alone Macbeth has a vision of a dagger and wonders if it’s real, “Or art thou but a dagger of the mind,”p.985 (that Star Trek episode where a doctor is brainwashing mental patients into placid zombies) He sees blood on it then decides it’s just nerves, he hears a bell and says he’ll go through with it. “I go, and it is done; the bell invites me. Hear it not, Duncan; for it is a knoll that summons thee to heaven or to hell.”p.985

A2S2

Lady Macbeth claims the alcohol made her bold when she hears Macbeth cry out fears the chamberlains woke and wonders how he couldn’t do it. Macbeth then comes to her confirming he went through with it as his hands are covered in blood and that the chamberlains did wake but went back to sleep after saying their prayers. “But wherefore could I not pronounce ‘Amen? I had most need of blessing, and ‘Amen’ stuck in my throat.”p.985 (like you did something very unholy) Then he thought he heard a voice through the whole house echoing sleep no more. “Glamis hath murder’d sleep, and therefore Cawdor shall sleep no more, Macbeth shall sleep no more!”p.986 Lady Macbeth first tells him not to worry but then get angry when he forgot to frame the chamberlains and refuses to go back so she takes the dagger and does it. (fuck this I’ll do it myself) Macbeth wonders frightened, “will all great Neptune’s ocean wash this blood clean from my hands?”p.986 Lady Macbeth returns, blood on her hands too and has Macbeth come to their chambers to wash.

A2S3

A porter hears knocking and grumbles about the noise, it’s Macduff and Lennox and Macduff is irritated the porter took so long to let them in. Macbeth enters and Macduff wants to see the king Macbeth says he’s still sleeping. Lennox describe the storm last night nothing like he’s ever seen (this is a sign something is wrong) as Macduff comes back screaming about the horror and has them both go to the king’s chambers. Macduff sounds the alarm, “Awake! Awake! Ring the alarm-bell. Murder and treason!”p.897 Lady Macbeth wakes and demands to know what is going on but Macduff won’t speak of murder to a woman. (hahaha if only you knew) Macbeth and Lennox come back with news that the king is dead and Malcolm and Donalbain are informed as they arrive and the chamberlains appear to have done it and are also dead. Macbeth claims to have done that as he was furious Macduff is suspicious (wait if you just found out he was killed when we got here how did-) but Lady Macbeth distracts them by fainting. Banquo will fight this treason, they agree with him and alone Malcolm and Donalbain discuss how they don’t feel safe, “where we are, there’s daggers in men’s smiles:”p.988 They’ll split to England and Ireland. (in no way could this be seen as suspicious)

A2S4

Outside the castle Ross and an old man discuss the strange happenings (not that happening) last Tuesday an owl killed a hawk and Duncan’s well trained horses turned wild, “broke their stalls, flung out, contending ‘gainst obedience, as they would make war with mankind.” “’Tis said they ate each other.”p.988 (see sign as the king was ordained by god going against that order throws nature out of wack) Macduff emerges and says Macbeth killed those responsible for the king’s death and will be crowned. Ross doesn’t like it, “’Gainst nature still! Thriftless ambition that will ravin up thine own life’s means!”p.988 Macduff says Malcolm and Donalbain fled and are now suspicious as they go home the old man adds, “Gods’ benison go with you; and with this that would make good of bad, and friends of foes!”

A3S1

In Forres, Banquo reflects on the prophecy fulfilling, if Macbeth becomes king what about the second part. (how you won’t be king but you sons will like you’ll be a great man or something and your sons will rise to kingship) Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Lennox and Ross enter to invite him to a celebratory feast, Banquo will come and says he plans to ride that afternoon. Macbeth says they should discuss Malcolm and Donalbain who fled and could be plotting against them and asks if Fleance is with him, yes, and they all leave, Macbeth with his attendant who informs him men are waiting for him at  the gate. Alone Macbeth gives a speech that Banquo was once his friend but now fears him and his sons, (ok you have no sons so it is possible you will name Banquo’s kids as your heirs a prophecy is all about interpretation I mean look at what happened to Voldemort) the attendant comes back with the murderers and Macbeth reminds them of their previous conversation of what a bad guy Banquo is. They are angry enough to kill him and Macbeth says he is also his enemy and for them to leave no traces as they kill him and his son too. “Banquo, thy souls flight, if it find heaven, must find out to-night.”p.990

A3S2

In the castle Lady Macbeth is in despair and has her husband sent for, “’tis safer to be that which we destroy than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy.”p.990 When Macbeth enters she tells him not to be disconcerted, “what is done is done.”p.990 Macbeth says he is afflicted with dreams and that their business isn’t complete with Banquo and Fleance, but already carried out plans and tells her to play innocent during the feast. (so she has a pang of conscious but Macbeth tasted blood and won’t quail at spilling more)

A3S3

On the road the murderers ambush Banquo and Fleance. “O, treachery! Fly, good Fleance, fly, fly, fly! Thou mayst revenge.”p.991 As Fleance escapes (you two had one job) the murderers decided to report it to Macbeth.

A3S4

Everyone is seated at the banquet when one of the murderers has Macbeth talk to him, that he killed Banquo but Fleance escaped, Macbeth was pleased at first then angry his throne isn’t secure. As Macbeth rejoins the banquet Banquo’s ghost appears (Banquo…banquet see what you did there) in Macbeth’s seat Macbeth says the table is full but to everyone else the seat is empty. The others wonder what is wrong with him but Lady Macbeth says he does this all the time and to ignore him. Lady Macbeth tells him to act like a man and snap out of it, Macbeth tells them to look but the ghost disappears. Macbeth starts to recover and apologies when Banquo reapers and shocks him and disappears again as Macbeth has a fit and Lady Macbeth makes excuses for him and sends the guests away. “It will have blood, they say; blood will have blood:”p.993 He tells his wife Macduff plans to stay away and he will consult the weird sisters tomorrow to see what is plotting against him. “I am in blood stepp’d in so far, should I wade no more, returning were as tedious as go o’er.”p.993 (well generally it’s best to stop murdering)

A3S5

On the heath the witches meet and Hecate (goddess of witchcraft) scolds them for meddling with Macbeth and she will take over and they will charm him into a false sense of security. (there’s a whole debate if Macbeth is a victim of fate or not I can’t tell you I never saw that Gargoyles episode)

A3S6

In the palace Lennox is discussing matters with a lord, Fleance was blamed for his fathers murder like Malcolm and Donalbain for Duncan. After the feast he suspects Macbeth and the lord says Macduff is in England to join Malcolm, “by the help of these-with him above to ratify the work-we may again give our tables meat, sleep in our nights, free from our feasts and banquets bloody knives.”p.994 (so being ruled under Macbeth sucks) Macbeth prepares for war and Lennox hopes Macduff will return soon.

A4S1

In a cave a cauldron boils and the three witches chant a spell Hecate compliments their work and there is a  knock one witch remarks, “By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.”p.995 Macbeth enters demanding to know the truth of their prophecies (and also what are they doing with the cauldron W: …dinner) and they summon apparitions to answer. An armored head, “Beware Macduff; beware the Thane of Fife.”p.995 A bloody child, “Be bloody bold, and resolute; laugh to scorn the power of man, for none of woman born shall harm Macbeth.”p.995 A crowned child holding a tree branch, “Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinane hill shall come against him.”p.995 (no man born of woman can harm him and when a forest travels across a hill remember what I said about interpretation) Macbeth is happy at this impossibility, then asks if Banquo will rule then Banquo’s ghost with eight children following, Macbeth demands to know the meaning of it but the witches vanish. Lennox says he saw nothing but when Macbeth hears Macduff is in England he resolves to end it, “give to the edge of the sword his wife, his babes, and all unfortunate souls that trace him in his line.”p.996 (it’s going to be a very long summer)

A4S2

In Macduff’s castle, Lady Macduff feels betrayed by her husband leaving them, but Ross insists to trust her husband, he knows best before he leaves them. Lady Macduff worries how they will live with Macduff dead but her son insists he isn’t. A messenger comes saying that they are in danger they have to leave, Lady Macduff they are innocent. “But I remember now I am in this earthly world, where, to do harm is often laudable, to do good sometime accounted dangerous folly;”p.997 (side eyes current events) Then they are sieged and killed.

A4S3

In England’s palace Malcolm and Macduff talk, Malcolm doesn’t trust him since he left his family and could be working with Macbeth. “angels are bright still, though the brightest fell;”p.998 (see Paradise Lost) to see if he’s trust worthy Malcolm lists his vices. “in whom I know all the particulars of vice so grafted, that, wen they shall be open’d, black Macbeth will seem as pure as snow,”p.998 (so you slaughtered countless people) Malcolm says he sleeps with any woman, is greedy and prone to violence and doesn’t care for kingly behaviors. Macduff says he’s not fit to even live, “Thy royal father was a most sainted king; the queen that bore thee, oft’ner upon her knees than on her feet dies every day she liv’d.”p.999 Malcolm reveals he made it all up he is a godly man, “I am yet unknown to woman, never was forsworn, scarcely have coveted wat was mine own; at no time broke my faith,”p.999 (he’s a virgin I was the only one in my class to catch that) He embraces Macduff and a doctor comes to say a crew of wretched souls come for the king to cure evil.

Ross enters having come from Scotland to inform that Macduff’s family is well when he left them. But he urges Malcolm to return he says he will with ten thousand men and Ross breaks down. He confesses to Macduff his family was murdered and everyone in the castle. Malcolm tries to comfort him, “Be comforted: let’s make us medicine of our great revenge, to cure this deadly grief.”p.1000 Macduff is distraught and Malcolm tells him to turn it to anger and Macduff swears vengeance.

A5S1

In the castle a doctor and a woman are discussing Lady Macbeth’s condition of sleepwalking. Lady Macbeth then enters sleepwalking washing her hands, (this play is said to be cursed in one production during this scene the actress accidentally walked off the stage) “Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”-“yet who would have thought the old man to have so much blood in him?”p.1001 the doctor declares this is beyond his practice, “unnatural deeds do breed unnatural troubles; infected minds to their deaf pillows will discharge their secrets;”p.1001 (translated your subconscious is bringing out your guilt) He tells to woman to watch her. (and we’ll see how well that turns out)

A5S2

Near Dunsinane, Lennox, Angus and others meet to discuss Malcom’s army, they will meet them near Birnam wood. Angus wonders how he feels, “now does he feel his title hang loose about him, like a giant’s robe upon a dwarfish theif.”p.1001 They march.

A5S3

In the Dunsinane castle Macbeth is talking to the doctor, he isn’t afraid since he heard the prophecy. (you ever hear of a self-fulfilling prophecy Voldemort can tell you all about it) A servant tells him there are a thousand soldiers and Macbeth says he doesn’t have friends in his age but curses. The doctor informs him his wife is worse Macbeth tell him to fix her, “cure her of that: const thou not minister to a mind diseas’d, “-“cleanse the stuff’d bosom of that perilous that which weighs upon the heart?” “Therein the patient must minister to himself.” p.1002 (my teacher saw this as Shakespeare being advanced in saying there can be medicine for sick minds as psychology wasn’t invented yet)

A5S4

Near Birnam Wood, Malcolm, Macduff and others plan, Malcolm gives orders, “Let every soldier hew him down a bough and bear’t before him: thereby we shall we shadow the numbers of our host,”p.1003 (so the wood of Birnam is travelling across a hill) Malcolm hopes for the advantage and they march onward. (well they’re not Ents but I guess they’ll get the job done)

A5S5

In the castle Macbeth orders banners hung for the siege then hears a woman scream. Seyton informs him that Lady Macbeth is dead and Macbeth soliloquys in shock, “Life’s but a shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”p.1003 (1: thank you Simpsons for having this be the first piece of Shakespeare I memorized 2: a haunting way to say what we do in life can amount to nothing our lives are short and meaningless 3: Q recited it best no argument) A messenger informs him Birnam Wood is moving, Macbeth recalls the prophecy and declares he’ll die fighting.

A5S6

Before the castle Malcolm and his army advance, “Make all our trumpets speak; give the mull breath, those clamorous harbingers of blood and death.”p.1004

A5S7

On another part of the plain, Macbeth is arrogant because no man born of woman is impossible, Young Siward (who is this) calls him a tyrant they fight and he is slain. Macduff enters the fray haunted by his family and will fight Macbeth, “Let me find him, fortune! And more I beg not,”p.1004 As Malcolm and Old Siward enter the castle, Macbeth and Macduff finally encounter each other. “Of all men else I have avoided thee but get thee back, my soul is too much chang’d with blood of thine already.”p.1004 (you killed his whole family one more is pretty moot at this point) Macbeth claims he won’t die to man born of woman but, “Macduff was from his mother’s womb untimely ripp’d.”p.1004 (cesarean section technically not born of a woman in the traditional sense) Macbeth is suddenly fearful for his life the prophecy came true but he will still fight.

Macbeth’s forces retreat Malcolm, Old Siward and Ross stand before the recaptured castle. Old Siward is informed of his son’s death and Siward calls him God’s soldier, a fair death. Better news, Macduff carries Macbeth’s head and proclaims Malcolm king of Scotland who then makes the Thanes Earls. In time friends who fled will come home, he invites those around him to watch him be crowned at Scone. (yay happy ending except for all that were murdered)