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libreramune · 7 months

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Booklist

My current booklist, with a little over 200 books total, some of which I am currently reading and two that I've finished. Everything will be in alphabetical order and below the cut because this is gonna be a long one.

Please also keep in mind that there may be issues with the listed writers or books that I don't know (I don't really inhabit spaces where I'd find this information out and googling every book or writer I find to see if they're controversial is depressing and I'm not doing that). I'd still like to know though so if you see someone on my list give me a heads up.

🤎 A Ghost in the Throat by Doireann Ni Ghriofa

🤍 A Magic Steeped In Poison by Judy I. Lin

🤎 A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki

🤍 After the Sun by Jonas Eika

🤎 Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So

🤍 All Flesh Is Grass by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 All the Living and the Dead by Hayley Campbell

🤍 All the Lovers in the Night by Mieko Kawakami

🤎 All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thompson Mathews

🤍 Annhilation by Jeff Vandermeer

🤎 Atomic Anna by Rachel Barenbaum

🤍 August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White

🤎 Before the Coffe Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

🤍 Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

🤎 Borne by Jeff Vandermeer

🤍 Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens

🤎 Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes

🤍 Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

🤎 Burnt Sugar by Avni Doshi

🤎 Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

🤍 Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth by Wole Soyinka

🤎 City by Clifford D. Simak

🤍 City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff Vandermeer

🤎 Cold Enough For Snow by Jessica Au

🤍 Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata (COMPLETED)

🤎 Coraline by Neil Gaiman

🤍 Crying in H Mart by Michell Zauner

🤎 Dead Astronauts by Jeff Vandermeer

🤍 Dead Eleven by Jimmy Juliano

🤎 Devil House by John Darnielle

🤍 Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi

🤎 Dishonored: The Corroded Man by Adam Christopher

🤍 Dishonored: The Return of Daud by Adam Christopher

🤎 Dishonored: The Veiled Terror by Adam Christopher

🤍 Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou

🤎 Don't Say We Didn't Warn You by Ariel Delgado Dixon

🤍 Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

🤎 Edenville by Sam Rebelein

🤍 Edge Case by Yz Chin

🤎 Elsewhere by Alexis Schaitkin

🤍 Enchanted Pilgrimage by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (COMPLETED)

🤍 Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson

🤎 Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin

🤍 Fire Season by Leyna Know

🤎 Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes

🤍 Flux by Orion Carloto

🤎 Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

🤍 Funny You Should Ask by Elisa Sussman

🤎 Ghost Forest by Pik Shuen Fung

🤍 Ghosted by Jenn Ashworth

🤎 Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

🤍 Gods Behaving Badly by Marie Phillips

🤎 Gods of Want by K-Ming Chang

🤍 Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation #1 by Mō Xiāng Tóng Xiū

🤎 Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

🤍 Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

🤎 Hear the Wind Sing by Haruki Murakami

🤍 Heaven's Official Blessing #1 by Mō Xiāng Tóng Xiū

🤎 Homesick for Another World by Ottessa Moshfegh

🤍 House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski

🤎 Hurricane Girl by Marcy Dermansky

🤍 I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

🤎 I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-Hee

🤍 Idol, Burning by Rin Usami

🤎 If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio

🤍 Infinite Country by Patricia Engel

🤎 Insatiable by Daisy Buchanan

🤍 Islands of Abandonment by Cal Flynn

🤎 Joan Is Okay by Weike Wang

🤍 Kamikaze Girls by Novala Takemoto

🤎 Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo

🤍 Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto

🤎 Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

🤍 Laserwriter II by Tamara Shopsin

🤎 Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu

🤍 Letter to a Future Lover by Ander Monson

🤎 Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata

🤍 Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

🤎 Lonely Castle in the Mirror by Mizuki Tsujimura

🤍 Loteria by Cynthia Pelayo

🤎 Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park

🤍 Made to Kill by Adam Christopher

🤎 Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones

🤍 Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies by Maddie Mortimer

🤎 Memorial by Bryan Washington

🤍 Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

🤎 Miss Lonelyhearts by Nathaniel West

🤍 Mister N by Najwa Barakat

🤎 Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

🤍 Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of N.I.M.H. by Robert C. O'Brien

🤎 Ms. Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami

🤍 My Year Abroad byChang Rae-Lee

🤎 Never Whistle At Night by Shane Hawk

🤍 Night Film by Marisha Pessl

🤎 Nobody Is Ever Missing by Catherine Lacey

🤍 Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

🤎 Normal People by Sally Rooney

🤍 O Beautiful by Jung Yun

🤎 Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez

🤍 Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint by Sing Shong

🤎 Our Wives Under the Sun by Julia Armfield

🤍 Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

🤎 Paradise Rot by Jenny Hual

🤍 People From My Neighborhood by Hiromi Kawakami

🤎 Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

🤍 Popisho by Leone Ross

🤎 Postmarked the Stars by Andre Norton

🤍 Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin

🤎 Revival Season by Monica West

🤍 Ringworld #1 by Larry Niven

🤎 Saltwater by Jessica Andrews

🤍 Scattered All Over the Earth by Yoko Tawada

🤎 Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

🤍 Seeing Ghosts by Kat Chow

🤎 Send Nudes by Saba Sams

🤍 So Bright the Vision by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 Solo Leveling #1 by Chugong

🤍 Somebody's Daughter by Ashley C. Ford

🤎 Spare and Found Parts by Sarah Maria Griffin

🤍 Speak, Okinawa by Elizabeth Miki Brina

🤎 Stories from Tenants Downstairs by Sidik Rofena

🤍 Strange Weather In Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami

🤎 Supper Club by Lara Williams

🤍 Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa

🤎 Swimming In the Dark by Tamasz Jedrowski

🤍 Tell Me How to Be by Neel Patel

🤎 Terminal Boredom by Izumi Suzuki

🤍 Territory of Light by Yuko Tsushima

🤎 The Vietri Project by Nicola DeRobertis-Theye

🤍 The Beast You Are: Stories by Paul Tremblay

🤎 The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

🤍 The City Inside by Samit Basu

🤎 The Darkness Outside Us by Eliot Schrefer

🤍 The Deep by Rivers Solomon

🤎 The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

🤍 The End of the Moment We Had by Toshiki Okada

🤎 The Factory by Hiroko Oyamada

🤍 The Fallen by Thomas E. Sniegoski

🤎 The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chang

🤍 The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien

🤎 The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oli

🤍 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

🤎 The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien

🤍 The Hole by Hiroko Oyamada

🤎 The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

🤍 The Houseguest and Other Stories by Amparo Davila

🤎 The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

🤍 The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

🤎 The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

🤍 The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

🤎 The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

🤍 The Local by Joey Hartstone

🤎 The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa

🤍 The Midcoast by Adam White

🤎 The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope

🤍 The Nakano Thrift Store by Hiromi Kawakami

🤎 The Order of the Pure Moon Reflected In the Water by Zen Cho

🤍 The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

🤎 The Pachinko Parlour by Elisa Shua Dusapin

🤍 The Paradox Hotel by Rob Hart

🤎 The Return of the King by J. R. R. Tolkien

🤍 The Rig by Roger Levy

🤎 The Rock Eaters by Brenda Peynado

🤍 The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System by Mō Xiāng Tóng Xiū

🤎 The Secret History by Donna Tart

🤍 The Stange Bird by Jeff Vandermeer

🤎 The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester

🤍 The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James

🤎 The Two Towers by J. R. R. Tolkien

🤍 The Visitors by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 The Wanderer by Fritz Leiber

🤍 The Werewolf Principle by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 The White Book by Han Kang

🤍 The World After the Fall by Sing Shong

🤎 They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

🤍 They Walked Like Men by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone

🤍 This One Sky Day by Leone Ross

🤎 This Weightless World by Adam Soto

🤍 This World Is Full of Monsters by Jeff Vandermeer

🤎 Those Who Walk Away From Omelas by Ursula K. Le Guin

🤍 Time and Again by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri

🤍 Tripping Arcadia by Kit Mayquist

🤎 Way Station by Clifford D. Simak

🤍 We Play Ourselves by Jen Silverman

🤎 Weather by Jenny Offrill

🤍 Welcome to Lagos by Chibundu Onuzo

🤎 Welcome to Nightvale by Joseph Fink & Jeffrey Cranor

🤍 What Is Not Your Is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi

🤎 What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

🤍 When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain by Nghi Vo

🤎 When We Lost Our Heads by Heather O'Neill

🤍 Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

🤎 Where the Dead Wait by Ally Wilkes

🤍 Where the Evil Dwells by Clifford D. Simak

🤎 Why Call Them Back From Heaven? by Clifford D. Simak

🤍 Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin

🤎 Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle

🤍 You Have A Friend In 10A by Maggie Shipstead

🤎 You Made A Fool of Death With Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

🤍 Yvinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

#🔖booklist #🧾announcement #bookblr #readingblr

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sifu-kisu · 3 months

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Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

This workshop series aims to provide an in-depth exploration of Northern Shaolin Kung Fu, its philosophy, training stages, and unique characteristics. Participants will gain insights from Master Kisu's extensive experience and the rich history of the Northern Shaolin style.

The training of Northern Shaolim follows the process of natural bodily development. That is also the reason why we felt that the Northern Shaolim style is one of the best system for training kids and young people.

The First stage of Northern Shaolim training emphasizes the development of the joints of the individual. In this stage, whether it be the exercise routines or the fighting forms, the demand on the movements are wide and long circular movements executed with fluidity rather than strength.

The purpose is to widen the range and mobility of all the joints including neck, shoulder, waist,hip, wrist, ankle etc. At this stage, the movements or techniques have little actual combat applications, but its movements are generally very graceful and pleasing to watch. This is great exercise for young kids for their growth.

One thing to point out though, most Northern Shaolim practitioners stop at this stage thinking this is the aim or the final form of Northern Shaolim.

What are the essential characteristics that make the Northern Shaolim Style unique ?

Most styles of martial arts emphasizes specific characteristics, techniques, philosophies, theories etc.

What makes the Northern Shaolim Style unique is that its an overall encompassing style that is well rounded and covers all aspects of training and techniques.

The styles curriculum covers techniques for all fighting ranges (long, medium, and short). It covers the applications of all parts of the body as weapons and tools without biasing on any particular means such as kicking or grappling.

Since most Kung Fu styles are developed to enhance the inventor's specialty or cover for his weaknesses, (examples are Wing Chun, Pray Mantis, etc.), the most difficult aspects of martial arts are not covered by many styles.

These aspects are speed, mobility, agility, power, and long fighting range. Just because the Northern Shaolin style is broad and covered these aspects fully, it actually became famous for these specialties.

From my personal insight, the uniqueness of the Northern Shaolim style is the natural body mechanics, the foot work, the arrow like forward attack techniques, the feather like retreat skills, and the broad variety of hand and kicking techniques.

We will be sharing Northern Shaolim Essential foundation techniques.

The Northern Shaolin style of Kung Fu as made famous by Grand Master Kuo Yu Chang is a cumulative set of Kung Fu techniques, both northern and southern styles, choreographed by the Grand Master into a curriculum that he taught both in the Nam Jing Kung Fu Institute and his Canton Kung Fu institute. His curriculum increased throughout his teaching years to include techniques of many styles. The Grand Master, being highly skilled in the Northern style of Kung Fu, emphasized the Northern style of Shaolin Kung Fu in his teachings.

Since most of the stories of martial art origins, including that of the Northern Shaolin style, are passed down by word of mouth, we can treat all of this as more a part of a legend than facts.

The Northern Shaolim style of kung fu is one of the most prominent traditional Northern styles of Chinese martial arts. The Northern styles of Gung-fu generally emphasize long range techniques, quick advances and retreats, wide stances, kicking and leaping techniques, whirling circular blocks, quickness, agility, and aggressive attacks.

The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, routines, or movement of sets.

The students learn the basics by practicing the routines until the movements in the routines can be executed naturally based on instinct. Then, two or multiple man sets are practiced to train responses and applications of techniques learned from the sets. The practice sets/routines are not only practical in applications but are also graceful and artistic in nature. The fluidness of the movements combined with acrobatic techniques are trademarks of the Northern Shaolim Kung-Fu sets.

Northern Shaolin workshop series

With Sifu Kisu

Fifth generation disciple of Hui Clan NSKFA

Forms, Theory, Applications, Weapons

More details to follow…

#sifu kisu #atlab #lok #northern shaolin #northern shaolim #kung fu #jian #atlab lok #baguazhang #piandao

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erla-film · 10 months

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#teljes film magyarul #teljes film magyarul https://novitv.net

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imoim36news · 1 year

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Ngày 15/4, Sohu đưa tin khi tham gia buổi quảng bá cho bộ phim Tinh thần long mã, ê-kíp làm phim và nam chính Thành Long gặp phải tình huống xấu hổ. Một khán giả đã đứng lên chê "phim rác" và yêu cầu hoàn tiền vé. Khi đó, Thành Long bối rối, cho biết chấp nhận các ý kiến đóng góp với tinh thần cởi mở của khán giả Tứ Xuyên. Nam diễn viên phụ Quách Kỳ Lân phải lái sang vấn đề khác để tránh ngượng ngùng. Theo Sohu , bộ phim Tinh thần long mã do Thành Long đóng chính nhận về nhiều đánh giá tiêu cực với nội dung quay qua loa, hời hợt, thiếu điểm nhấn, mảng miếng cười cũ kỹ. Trước đó, danh tiếng của Thành Long liên tiếp bị giảm sút vì nhiều tác phẩm không thành công như Kung fu Yoga, Biệt đội mãnh hổ, Đại chiến âm dương, Cấp tiên phong . Những dự án này bị nhận xét có chất lượng trung bình, Thành Long muốn dựa vào sức hút của các ngôi sao lưu lượng nhưng các diễn viên trẻ diễn xuất kém cỏi, góp phần khiến dự án thất bại. Phim của Thành Long quá dở khiến khán giả đòi lại tiền vé. Theo QQ , hiện tại bộ phim Tinh thần long mã đạt doanh thu 129 triệu NDT (18,8 triệu USD). Các trang bán vé đưa ra dự đoán, phim chỉ có tổng doanh thu phòng vé khoảng 230 triệu NDT (33 triệu USD) trước khi rời rạp. Trong khi đó, bộ phim có chi phi sản xuất lên tới 300 triệu NDT, chưa tính tới tiền quảng bá và ăn chia tỷ lệ với cụm rạp. Tinh thần long mã tiếp tục là bộ phim lỗ của Thành Long. QQ phân tích phim Thành Long ra mắt trong dịp bình thường, không phải cạnh tranh với các bom tấn trong dịp lễ lớn. Song, cũng chính vì thế, lượng khán giả có thể tới rạp xem phim giảm sút. Thêm vào đó, danh tiếng truyền miệng của Tinh thần long mã không tốt khiến tỷ lệ người xem ngày càng giảm. Thành Long liên tiếp thất bại trên màn ảnh vài năm trở lại đây. Thành Long, Châu Tinh Trì từng là những ngôi sao ăn khách của màn ảnh Hoa ngữ. Song, càng về tuổi xế chiều, họ càng bị khán giả quay lưng khi liên tiếp mang đến...

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saigonstartravel · 2 years

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CÔNG VIÊN BIỂN BIKINI BEACH LẠC GIỮA RỪNG NGHỈ DƯỠNG RESORT

Bikini Beach được mệnh danh là một địa điểm du lịch lý tưởng. Với diện tích khoảng 16 hecta được xem là thiên đường check-in và là điểm đến cho hàng trăm ngàn du khách trong nước cũng như quốc tế. Với quảng trường rộng lớn cùng với iconic đầu tiên tại bình thuận chắc chắn sẽ làm bạn ngạc nhiên như lạc vào khu vui chơi ở ngoài nước. Với cổng cầu vồng, nhà gỗ, khung chụp ảnh, logo bikini beach tại bãi biển. Ngoài ra ở đây còn có công viên biển thuận tiện tụ hợp, tổ chức những hoạt động biển độc đáo. Bãi biển nơi đây sôi nổi với sân golf, sân tập gym outdoor,.

ẨM THỰC PHỐ XÁ TẠI BIKINI BEACH

Bikini Beach là một địa điểm du lịch nổi bật của thành phố Phan Thiết, tọa lạc trên đường Lạc Long Quân, thuộc phường Tiến Thành, thành phố Phan Thiết, với những chuỗi nhà hàng Á - Âu vô cùng đẳng cấp cũng như các dịch vụ tiện ích tại đây nhằm để phục vụ nhu cầu ẩm thực cho du khách, các cửa hàng nổi tiếng với thương hiệu quen thuộc Lotteria, Xing Fu Tang, Baskin Robbins,... Chắc chắn sẽ mang quý khách đến với phong cách Nam Mỹ quây quần nướng thịt BBQ, hít hà nồi lẩu chuẩn vị Hong Kong tại Dynasty House hay nếm thử hương vị hải sản tươi ngon tại Marina Club. Đây chắc chắn sẽ trở thành chuyến du ngoạn mỹ vị tuyệt vời cho quý khách.

Cùng Saigon Star Travel khám phá thử xem công viên biển này có gì nhé: https://saigonstartravel.com/tour-du-lich-phan-thiet-mui-ne-3-ngay-2-dem/

#saigonstartravel dulichmuine phanthiet travel vietnam binhthuan nNovaland Novaworld bien dulichbien bikini bikinibeach

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flyingstork-codeoz · 6 years

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Vì giống tân nương thiệt, cho nên mới đáng sợ...

It’s scary cause he looks like a real bride.....well, an 800 years old bride.

Hua CEO is watching...

#heaven official's blessing #Thiên Quan Tứ Phúc #Tạ Liên #Nam Phong #Phù Dao #Nan Feng #Fu Dao #totally not Feng Xin #totally not Mu Quing #Nhược Da #my art #Hua Cheng #Hua Cheng's magical butterfly #idk what i'm tagging why is this so long???#Hua CEO #Xie Lian #an 800 years old bride #srsly tho #the wedding is going to be great

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phoenixlionme · 3 years

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Asian Martial Arts

I will be doing a set of posts of all of the martial arts from each of the country they all originated from. I can’t be entirely sure how many martial arts there, so I had to google and went to a site called, wayofthemartialarts.com as well as using Wikipedia on the “List of martial arts” page. If I missed any from this country, please add it but BE polite. I don’t tolerate rudeness. Also, some of these martial arts may include a weapon (s).

1. Bangladesh -> Butthan, Lathi Khela, Boli Khela

2. Cambodia -> Bokator, Pradal Serey

3. China -> Ba Fa; Ba Ji Quan Kung Fu; Ba Gua Zhang; Ba Ji; Bak Mei Kung Fu; Bai Mei; Bao Quan Kung Fu; Bei Tui; Chang Quan; Cha Quan; Chin Na; Choy Gar; Choy Li Fut; Chuo Jiao; DiSom; Di Tang Quan; Drunken Money; Drunken Fist; Duan Quan; Eagle Claw; Emei Quan; Fanzi; Feng Shou; Five Ancestors; Five Animals aka Ng Ying; Fujian White Crane; Guzhuangquan; Fu Jow Pai (Tiger Claw Style); Fut Gar (Buddhist Family); Hei Hu Quan (Black Tiger Fist); Hou Quan Kung Fu; Hua Quan; Hung Fut; Hung Ga; Hung Gar; Jow-Ga Kung Fu; Kunlun Quan; Kuntao; Lai Tung Pai; Lama Pai; Lau Gar; Leopard Style; Liu He Ba Fa; Li Gar Quan (Li Family Fist); Long Quan; Luohan Quan (Arhat Fist); Mei Hua Quan (Plum-blossom Fist); Mian Quan (Cotton Fist); Mi Zong; Mizongyi; Mok Gar; Monkey Style; Nan Quan; Northern Praying Mantis Style; Northern Shaolin; Pao Chui; Pi Gua Quan (Chop-Hanging Fist); Pushing hands; San Da (Chinese Kick-boxing); San Soo; Sanshou; Shaolin Kung Fu; Shuai Jiao (Chinese Wrestling); Shui Quan (Water Fist); Snake Style; Southern Dragon Style; Southern Praying Mantis Style; Tai chi; Tan Tui; Tien Shan Pai; Tong Bei Quan; Wing Chun; Wu Dang Quan; Wushu; Xing Yi Quan; Yau Kung Moon; Yi Quan; Yue Jia Quan; Zi Ran Men; Zui Quan

4. India -> Adimurai; Andhra Pradesh; Bal Vidya; Bihar; Dhanurvidya; Gadayuddha; Gatka; Huyen Langlon; Malla Yuddha; Mushtiyuddha; Kalaripayattu; Karnataka; Kashmir; Kerala; Kick-fighting; Maharashtra; Manipur; Nagaland; Niyuddha; Odisha; Pehlwani; Pugilism; Silambam; Vajra-mushti

5. Indonesia -> Caci; Cakalele; Debus; Fitimaen; Kabasaran; Kuntao; Mekare-kare; Pasola; Payuq; Pencak Silat; Silat; Sisemba; Sitobo Lalang Lipa; Tarung Derajat; Tinju

6. Israel -> Kapap; Krav Maga

7. Iran -> Kung Fu To’a

8. Japan -> Aikidio; Aikijujitsu; Araki Ryu; Bajutsu; Battojutsu; Bojutsu; Bujutsu; Byakuren Kaikan; Daido Juku Kudo; Daito-Ryu Aikijujutsu; Enshin Kaikan; Goju-Ryu Karate; Hanbojutsu; Hojojutsu; Iaido; Iaijutsu; Isshin-Ryu; Itto-Ryu; Jojutsu; Judo; Jujutsu; Jukendo; Juttejutsu; Karate; Keijojutsu; Kendo; Kenjutsu; Kickboxing; Kobudo; Koryu; Kyokushin Karate; Kyudo; Kyujutsu; Kyusho Jitsu; Naginatajutsu; Ninjutsu; Nippon Kempo; Niten Ichi-Ryu; Nunchaku Jutsu; Shindo Jinen-Ryu; Shintaido; Shito-Ryu Karate; Shootfighing; Shooto; Shorinji Kempo; Shorin-Ryu Karate; Shotokan Karate; Sojutsu; Spochan; Sumo; Taido; Taiho Jutsu; Tanto Jutsu; Tessenjutsu; Wado-Ryu Karate; Yabusame; Yamanni-Ryu; Yoseikan Budo

9. Korea -> Gongkwon Yusul; Gungdo; Gungsol; Haidong Gumdo; Han Mu Do; Hapkido; Hwa Rang Do; Korean swordsmanhsip; Korean spears; Kuk Sool Won; Kumdo; Kyuk Too Ki; Sibpalki; Soo Bahk Do; Ssireum; Taekkyeon/Taekkyon; Taekwondo; Tang Soo Do aka Soo Bahk Do; Subak; Teukgong Moosool; Wong Hwa Do; Yongmudo

10. Laos -> Muay Lao

11. Malaysia -> Silat

12. Mongolia -> Bokh aka Mongolian wrestling

13. Myanmar (Burmese) -> Aka; Bando; Banshay; Lethwei; Naban; Pongyi thaing

14. Philippines -> Dumog; Eskrima; Kino Mutai; Panantukan; Sikaran; Yaw Yan

15. Sri Lanka -> Angampora

16. Thailand -> Krabi–krabong; Lerdrit; Muay boran; Muay Thai; Silat Pattani

17. Turkey -> Matrak; Oil Wrestling; Sayokan

18. Vietnam -> Cuong Nhu; Nam Hong Son; Qwan Ki Do; Tam Qui Khi-Kong; Võ thuật Bình Định/Bình Định Gia; Nhất Nam; Võ Việt Nam aka Võ Đạo of Phạm Văn Tan; Vovinam

#my posts #weapons #fighting #multiple asian cultures #edustory

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arlothia · 3 years

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MEN IN BLUE

Time to celebrate a beautiful color on beautiful men!

Hu Ge: Mei Chang Su - Nirvana in Fire

'Leo' Wu Lie: Fei Liu - Nirvana in Fire

Jin Dong: Lin Chen - Nirvana in Fire

Chen Long: Meng Zhi - Nirvana in Fire

Sun Chun: Xiao Ting Sheng - Nirvana in Fire 2

'Turbo' Liu Yuan: Xiao Ping Jing - Nirvana in Fire 2

'Jaco' Zhang Bo: Xun Fei Zhan - Nirvana in Fire 2

Huang Xiao Ming: Xiao Ping Zhang - Nirvana in Fire 2

Kanazawa Hao Kim/Kim Jin/Jin Xin: Yue Yin Chuan - Nirvana in Fire 2

Zhou Yi Wei: Xiao Qi - The Rebel Princess

Fu Meng Bo: Sui Zhou - The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty

'Thomas' Tong Meng Shi: Yang Guo - The New Version of the Condor Heroes

'Wallace' Huo Jian Hua: Ling Hu Chong/Yang Lian Ting - Swordsman

Liu Yao Yuan: Wang Zhi - The Sleuth of Ming Dynasty

Wang Kai: Zhao Zhen/Emperor Song Ren Zong - Serenade of Peaceful Joy

'Darren' Chen Kuan Hong: Zhan Yan - No Boundary

Zhang Zhe Han: Zhou Zi Shu/Zhou Xu - Word of Honor

'Andrew' Yin Zheng: Xhang Xi Rui - Winter Begonia

Jang Hyuk: Lee Bang Won - My Country: The New Age

Yoo Ah In: King Suk Jong - Jang Ok Jung

Jo Seong Woo: Baek Gwang Hyun - Horse Doctor

Ji Chang Wook: Lee Choon Bae (young) - The Bros

Woo Do Hwan: Nam Seon Ho - My Country; The New Age

Lee Jun Ho: Heo Saek - Homme Fatale

Yoo Yeon Seok: Gu Dong Mae/Ishida Sho - Mr. Sunshine

So Ji Sub: King Jung Jo - The Throne

Lee Min Ho: Ghoi Yeong - Faith

Liu Hai Kuan: Lan Xichen - The Untamed

Liu Duan Duan: Li Cheng Ze - Joy of Life

Wang Yi Bo: Lan Zhan - The Untamed

'Vardy' Wang Hao Xuan: Yu Ming Ye - Dance of the Phoenix

'James' Huang Zi Teng: Lan Qi Ren - The Untamed

'Marius' Wang Zhuo Cheng: Jiang Shao - Legend of Two Sisters In the Chaos

Zhang Ruo Yun: Fan Xian - Joy of Life

'Sean' Xiao Zhan: Bei Tang Mo Ran - Oh My Emperor

Guo Qi Lin: Fan Xizhe - Joy of Life

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This is part of an unofficial series @terribleteej and @smylealong have been having fun with. Check their stuff out here:

Teej's Men in Modern Red

Teej's Men in Traditional Red

Lea's Men in Modern Black

Lea's Men in Traditional Black

#me #mine #blue #hanfu #hanbok #robes #korean men #chinese men #K-actor #C-actor #terribleteej #smylealong #cdramas #kdramas #too many people and dramas/movies to tag ;)

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sifu-kisu · 4 months

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One thing to point out though, most Northern Shaolim practitioners stop at this stage thinking this is the aim or the final form of Northern Shaolim.

What are the essential characteristics that make the Northern Shaolim Style unique ?

Most styles of martial arts emphasizes specific characteristics, techniques, philosophies, theories etc.

What makes the Northern Shaolim Style unique is that its an overall encompassing style that is well rounded and covers all aspects of training and techniques.

We will be working with:

Northern Shaolim gorm No. 8 – Open-Space Fighting Combinations (Leaping Steps)

This form is the essence of long-range fighting. The techniques are geared for a prolonged fight with many opponents in a wide-open field. The techniques are long strikes with many long advances and extensions to reach distanced opponents. They are also meant to ‘ward’ opponents away so that they are not crowding’ into you. All techniques were emphasize the use of ‘circular and regenerative’ movements, which economize on energy as well as providing the continuous and unending deliveries required for a long and sustained fight. When executed well, this set is a graceful and fluid performance.

Since most of the stories of martial art origins, including that of the Northern Shaolin style, are passed down by word of mouth, we can treat all of this as more a part of a legend than facts.

The system teaches empty-hand techniques and weaponry through predetermined combinations, routines, or movement of sets.

Northern Shaolin workshop series

Huntington Station NY 11746

With Sifu Kisu Fifth generation disciple of Hui Clan NSKFA

Forms, Theory, Applications, Weapons

May 18-19 Long Island Wing Chun 10am-4pm $160

257 Broadway

#sifu kisu #atlab #lok #northern shaolin #northern shaolim #kung fu #jian #atlab lok #baguazhang #piandao #appearances #in person

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daycattocgiare · 2 years

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Con trai Will Smith công khai bạn gái mới giữa "tâm bão" sự nghiệp của bố sụp đổ

Mới đây, con trai cả của Will Smith là Jaden Smith đã công khai đi dạo cùng bạn gái Sab Zada tại New York, Mỹ. Theo tờ báo Daily Mail, khoảnh khắc Jaden đi chơi được chụp trước khi Will Smith rời khỏi Việt Hàn lâm. Đây là lần đầu tiên Jaden và Sab công khi đi chơi với nhau, tin đồn về cặp đôi này đã diễn ra một năm trước đó, khi cả hai bị bắt gặp đi chơi tại Disneyland trong ngày Valentine.

Con trai Will Smith công khai bạn gái mới. (Ảnh: Daily Mail).

Vào đêm diễn ra sự kiện Oscar 2022, sau khi Will Smith tát Chris Rock trên sân khấu, Jaden đã có hành động ủng hộ cha mình. Anh viết trên trang cá nhân: "Đó là cách mà chúng tôi cư xử". Sau đó, nam diễn viên trẻ cho biết, anh đã khóc khi bố mình phát biểu nhận giải Nam diễn viên xuất sắc nhất tại trao giải Oscar 2022.

Jaden Smith khóc khi bố phát biểu tại Oscar 2022. (Ảnh: People).

Jaden Smith từng gây tiếng vang khi tham gia vai chính trong phim The Karate Kid vào năm 2010 cùng ngôi sao võ thuật Thành Long. Diễn viên gạo cội Trung Quốc dành nhiều lời khen cho cậu bé. "Jaden hoàn thành xuất sắc vai diễn. Cậu bé có thể là Thành Long của Hollywood. Những ngón đòn kung fu ở cậu ấy cực kỳ ấn tượng", Thành Long nói.

Khi đó, Jaden chỉ mới 12 tuổi. Mặc dù nổi tiếng sớm và có vị trí riêng của mình trong làng điện ảnh nhưng khi lớn lên, Jaden chọn hướng đi khác với bố. Anh chuyển sang cá hát và là một biểu tượng sống của nhánh thời trang phi giới tính. Thường xuyên mặc những chiếc váy của các thương hiệu lớn, Jaden Smith cũng không ngại khoác lên mình những màu sắc nổi bật như hồng, tím... Anh cũng là người đi đầu phong trào MSFTS (Những kẻ dị biệt có gu ăn mặc khác thường, phi giới tính).

Jaden trình làng thương hiệu thời trang MSFTs REP cũng theo xu hướng này, với thông điệp đề cao tuyệt đối sự bình đẳng giới tính.

Thuở còn tuổi teen, Jaden Smith có mối tình đẹp với Kylie Jenner. Bộ đôi nuôi dưỡng tình cảm nhiều năm, từ bạn bè chuyển thành yêu thương. Mối quan hệ được cặp sao trẻ công khai bằng cái nắm tay tình tứ trước một rạp chiếu phim.

Jaden Smith khi còn tuổi teen bên cạnh Kylie Jenner. (Ảnh: People).

Giọng ca Never Say Never có mối tình thoáng qua với nữ diễn viên Amandla Stenberg. Trong thời gian yêu nhau, Stenberg đã đưa bạn trai đến buổi dạ tiệc ở trường trung học của cô. Người đẹp tiếp theo lọt vào "mắt xanh" của Jaden Smith là Sarah Snyder - nữ diễn viên kiêm người mẫu lớn hơn anh 3 tuổi.

Tháng 9/2020, con trai của Will Smith công khai yêu Sofia Richie. Cả hai có buổi hẹn lãng mạn ở Los Angeles, Mỹ. Sau đó, cặp sao chia tay gây ngỡ ngàng.

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anjuschiffer · 4 years

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Amira Wayne - Chapter 18

Chapter 18 is finally here! Damn this was one hard chapter for me...enjoy!

Chapter 18: Heroes

P.Tag: @theatreandcomicfreak @damianette-is-life @toodaloo-kangaroo @elijahcrevan @vixen-uchiha @nathleigh

Tag: @we-want-mini-mini @ramos123 @bluesimani @redscarlet95 @greatcatblaze @promiswords @fantasiame @corabeth11 @anonymously-odd @alexandriamw @officiallydarkgeek @galla02006 @maleive07

MASTERLIST | FIRST | PREV | AO3

Gris sighed as she watched her various clones run off to different directions, slumping against an empty can of cat food.

It’s been two hours since Marinette became Banshee.

There was no sign of Ladybird and with Queen Bee out of commission, Gris wondered if they were even able to take this Victim down.

While Master Fu assured her that things will work out, Gris couldn’t help but feel-

“Mice have been deployed. How are things on your side?” Gris said into her comms, waiting for her partners' updates. She let out a deep breath, watching it merge with the fog.

She can’t let herself lose hope...not yet.

“It’s difficult to ensure that no one will get swept up by my plan.” Ryuuko spoke. “Because I have thought of one.”

“There aren’t any civilians in the streets in our area at the moment. Carapace and I just confirmed that.” Chat managed to answer. “So if you have a plan, go ahead and try what you have in mind.”

“On it.” Ryuuko said, the girl looking at the fog covering all of Paris. “Wind Dragon!”

She watched herself turn into the wind, flying up until she bursted through the layer of fog. Returning half of her body into her original state, Ryuuko summoned her katana, only to find out it had turned into an epee.

It reminded her of the one she often carried in her civilian form, a fencing sword that had been passed on from her grandfather to her mother, and then to her. The only difference between the two were the colors. While the family heirloom was red in color, the one in her hands is black.

Only the handle and button were two other colors. The tip was now white while the handle was decorated in gold and white.

Realizing she was distracted by her epee’s elegance, Ryuuko meditated for a while before her eyes shot open.

Letting out a battle cry, Ryuuko let out an attack, the slash not making a single effect at the dense fog beneath her.

Returning to her wind form, Ryuuko decided to move on to Plan B.

Stretching out her hands, she focused her strength and summoned gusts of winds, the streams of wind circling around all of Paris.

“Ryuuko! What are you doing?” She heard Chat yell at her through the comms. “If you continue to do that, you’ll-”

“Do not worry Chat. I’ll make sure to not exert myself.” Ryuuko promised. With an ‘alright, be safe’ and a click, Ryuuko went back to work.

—

Wally didn’t know how long he was sitting on the cold ground, still trying to process what the hell happened to him.

“-y! Wally! Can you hear me?” Wally managed to recognize Barry’s concern, pulling his hands out of his hair and instead wrapped them around himself.

He was still shaking.

He can’t give them a reason to barge in...even if he -and possibly the Miraculous Team- were in dire need of help. “Wally.” He heard him say again.

Tiredly, Wally chose to finally answer him.

“I’m alright.” Wally tried to assure. He hated how he was able to hear his own scattered heartbeat despite talking through the comms.

“Wally. We know-”

“No, you don’t know what’s going on here.” Wally growled, trembling as he attempted to get up, only for his legs to give in.

“Wally, we do.”

“No, you don’t.”

“A miraculous wielder going out of control is not something to be trifled with.” He heard Diana say in the background along with what seemed to be chairs slightly scraping the floor.

“Do...do you have me on speaker?” Wally asked, his anger slipping out.

“Wally. It’s all over international news.” He heard Barry say, Wally feeling his heart stop and anger dissipate.

Was it always on the news? He was pretty sure Amira-

“She’s the one who was in charge of blocking the media.” Wally muttered, getting up from his spot on the ground. “Amira was doing damage control all this time and-“ Wally let out a groan and a huff. “Barry, I need to go.”

“Wally. Don’t you-“

“Amira is in trouble and you guys aren’t allowed to help because some people decided it was a good idea to force her to join the Justice league…” Silence came from the other end of the comms. “But even if you guys aren’t allowed in Paris, I know of a few who are.”

“Wally, please-”

“I know what I’m doing. They’re the only ones who can help Amira right now.” With that, Wally turned off the comms and took a deep breath. “Forgive me, Amira.”

—

Barbara dropped the cup of coffee in her hand, the chair she was in toppling over when she quickly got up. She listened as fine china got crushed with each hesitant step she took towards Tim.

“Amira...Amira got what?”

“Babs, listen. Amira-” Tim started, only to be grabbed and made to face Barbara.

“Isn’t that bad? To be akumatized? At least that’s what B’s reports say-what exactly-”

“What happened to Amira is none of your business.” Dick replied for Tim, Selina following right behind him. Judging from their getup and the duffel bags slung on their arms, they were heading somewhere...but she knew where.

Paris.

“Let me go with you.” Barbara demanded, setting Tim down. “Please, Richard. Let me help you. Let me help Amira. She’s-”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Selina cut off.

“Please!” Barbara begged. “Amira is my friend, we need to-”

“We,” Dick said, gesturing to himself and Selina, “will be the only ones who will be going. You and Tim are to remain-”

“No.” Barbara said, taking in a deep breath. “I’m going with you.”

“Barbara. You and Amira didn’t exactly end on good terms. If you go and she sees that you’re-”

“So that’s why you don’t want me to go.” Barbara stated, curling her hands. “You think I might agitate her more and cause her to cause more damage if she sees me.” She took his silence as a yes. “Then at least...at least let me help you through the comms. After all, you’re going to need as many eyes as you can in this mission.”

Richard looked over his shoulder, Selina’s huff and smirk being enough to let him know her opinion.

“Alright. But you are to listen to all my instructions to a ‘t,’ understood?” Dick commanded, Barbara wanting to grin at her small victory.

“Yes!”

Tim watched as the trio walked to the zeta beam, Selina graciously setting the coordinates to the one in Paris.

Within a few seconds, they were on their way to rescuing Amira.

Carapace hit the back of his head against the brick wall as he leaned back to take a rest.

“Where the hell can she be?” He asked himself, wondering where Banshee hid Lila.

He had already checked all the possible places she would have hidden her, but didn’t find the missing girls.

The school was empty.

The bakery was empty.

The park was empty.

The zoo also held no clues.

All of the museums had no sign of Lila being there nor Banshee.

Not even Grévin Museum, Marinette’s favorite place to go during her free time.

He had looked at every possible place Marinette had gone or visited in Paris and he hadn’t found Lila, not even a single clue that could lead to finding her.

Carapace went to reach his comm to update the team about his dilemma, only to find his hand simply hovering over it.

“Why exactly did you choose me, Ladybird?” Nino asked her one night, Ladybird looking at him in curiosity. “Why me when there are so many other people who are more well equipped for this?”

He watched as Ladybird hummed, her eyes seeing something he could not.

“Not every person who I saw as a candidate was as loyal and protective as you were. Half tried to stand their ground, only to give up. Some quickly backed down when they realized the possible consequences if they kept trying to defend their beliefs or friends. But you,” Ladybird smiled at him. “You stood your ground while doubt circled around you. You remained undeterred and firm when others criticized your choices. That’s why I picked you.”

“Because you had the courage to protect what was important to you.” Carapace reminded himself, frowning at himself.

He couldn’t just give up...he had to keep looking.

Surging with new confidence, Carapace decided to update the others. “Still got nothing on Lila or Banshee. I’m going to start checking other locations, but if anyone else has any ideas on what other places-”

“What places have you checked? Perhaps we can help.” A new voice said within their comms, startling the team. For Chat, it sounded oddly familiar.

“Chat, what’s going on?” Ryuuko asked, Chat realizing that she asked him through her miraculous’ comm.

Who was this? And...English? Chat thought as he went back to answer the newcomer.

“Identify yourself.” Cat Noir demanded, wondering how this person got into their system.

“Who we are doesn’t matter. We came to help you.” Another voice joined, Chat wondering how many had hacked into their system.

“How do we know you aren’t on Hawkmoth’s side? How can we trust you if you-”

“Marinette is my friend. I can’t just sit by and do nothing while I know there is something I can do.” The second voice said, Gris being able to hear the frustration in her voice.

“Chat, it seems like they actually want to help us.” Chat heard Gris tell him through her miraculous.

“That isn’t enough to convince me that you’re on our side.” Chat told the newcomers.

“We know how her powers work.” Another voice joined in, this time, male. He sounded as if he was around their age. Perhaps a year or two older than them.

“So do we.”

“We also have an idea of the item where the akuma is hidden.” Another male voice said, caused Chat’s mind to come to a halt. Why did it sound familiar? “Adding on to the akuma power, those are the two main facts we have to help bring Marinette back.”

Carapace waited with baited breath as he awaited for Chat’s response, wondering what exactly was going through his mind.

“Seems like you’re on our side. But even if you don’t want to drop your names, at least give us some code names we can refer to each of you.” Ryuuko heard Chat say, letting out a breath she didn’t know she was holding.

So they’re allies.

“Alright. I’m Corvus.” The familiar male voice replied.

“Osprey.” The first female voice said.

“Oriole.” The other male responded.

“Felis.”

“Alright then.” Chat replied, quickly changing over to the miraculous comms. “Team, we have new allies. We’ll be using our translators while using the regular comms to ensure our communications go smoothly and prevent confusion.”

“How exactly do we-”

“Don’t worry. I’ll explain it right now.”

“Do you think we got through to them?” Wally asked, watching Barbara not lift her eyes for a second from the monitors in front of her.

Her hands moved quickly across the keyboard, not leaving a single room for error as she hooked up a program to hack into the Parisian street cameras and home security cameras.

Wally had hesitantly agreed to letting Barbara use Amira’s computer to hack into the team’s comms and then this.

Hope Amira didn’t mind.

“I hope we did.” Dick confessed. “Also, why Oriole?”

“Well, you started with Corvus and then Barbara said Osprey so I said Oriole to keep with the bird theme.” Wally replies, hearing Selina’s chuckle through the comm. “Of course, I should’ve known-”

“Corvus.” Dick heard Chat say, Wally annoyed that he was interrupted..

“Still here.”

“Welcome to the team...now, let’s review what each of us know about the situation while Carapace and Gris continue to search for Banshee.”

“Alright.”

—

It was cold.

It was dark.

She hated it...and that’s saying something from a Gothamite who’s used to the dark.

Amira lifted her eyelids, watching as she climbed stairs she never once climbed. After all, she always used to just zip to the top. She tried to stop herself, but could barely control her own body.

“Banshee.” A voice whispered to her. She’d recognize that voice anywhere.

“Hawkmoth.” She acknowledged, stopping mid flight.

“How are things going?”

“Wonderfully.” She answered back...but she knew it wasn’t her... “Lila is getting what she deserves just as we speak. That harlot will pay for-“

“As wonderful as that sounds, there is still one part of the deal that is yet to be completed.”

“Don’t worry. I’m working on it. Just be pa-” She heard herself snarl when she felt a ring pang through her head, causing her to fold over.

She clutched her head between her forearms, wanting the pain to go away as it intensified with each passing second.

“Were you just about to say patient? Must I remind you who the one in charge here is?”

Banshee let out a whimper as she felt her body stiffen. “I suggest you hurry up and keep your end of the deal. After all, I kept mine.”

Banshee growled as Hawkmoth released his control over her, allowing her to relax. But just as she had been let go, she could feel something whirl within her. It was frustrated, annoyed, pissed...hurt.

In that split second, Amira could actually see what was in front of her.

She was able to feel the vile power running within her.

Looking down at the pitch black dress on her, Amira let out a horrified gasp, feeling all the memories surge up into her mind at once. She didn’t register the tears that ran down her face nor her raspy breaths as she brought her black laced hands closer to face.

She could feel the rapid rises and falls of her chest as she slowly observed how vile the black felt on her. How disgusted she was in herself.

She finally let out a scream, wrapping her arms around her, not thinking about anything else but the consequences of having shown her emotions earlier that day.

How naive she was to believe she could handle being a vigilante…

How wrong she was…

No wonder…

No wonder her father said those things to her...because he saw...

He saw how flawed she was…

How immature she had grown to be...

How stupid she was to think she was in the right all these years when in reality...he was the one who was right…

Who is right...

She really wasn’t prepared…

Not prepared at all…

She was no hero, not even a vigilante…

She was a damn failure from the very start...

“-also check places where- what the hell is going on?” Corvus whispered into the comms as he stopped himself from jumping onto the next building. As much as he feared the shaking ground, there was something else that he feared.

The fog beneath him was starting to thicken even more, spots that were lights were now dimmer, almost invisible. He couldn’t move any further with all of this!

“Everyone! It seems like-” Ryuuko was about to speak, only to be cut off by a shriek in the comms.

“Oriole!” Osprey yelled, Gris hearing screams and things being thrashed around heard in the background through Oriole’s side. “Oriole! What’s going on!”

“Osprey! What’s-” Dick could feel his panic rising.

“Oriole -he just - he just collapsed and started screaming, calling for...Mimi. He won’t stop-” She was cut off by some static, the team wondering what the hell was going on.

‘Mimi? Must be some dear to him.’ Gris thought to herself, but she couldn’t help but notice how quiet the Birds and Cat Team got, wondering why they weren’t worrying over their teammate.

That made her wonder...

Why were they willing to help them to try and help Marinette so badly? What exactly is their relationship with her? Because as far as Gris knew, Marinette didn’t have many friends.

But then again, even with the friends she did have, Marinette wasn’t exactly open with them either. Yes, they’ve known her for roughly four months, but even then, they didn’t know much about their beloved friend.

“It’s Banshee.” Gris heard Ryuuko said shakily. “She’s enhancing her strength by using her own powers against herself!”

“We have to stop her!”

“But how?”

“Leave that to us.” Ryuuko heard Felis say.

“Is Oriole-” Chat started, only to get cut off.

“He’s alright. But he also confirmed one of our theories that would help us to counter Banshee’s power.” Chat heard Felis say.

“Counter? How exactly-”

“Don’t worry about the how. Worry about the when.” Chat heard Corvus say.

“When? Don’t tell me you plan on going right now?”

“Of course not. If my team heads now, then we won't be able to know where Rossi is hidden.” Chat listened as a glass clinked together on Corvus’ side. “We’ll wait for Carapace, Gris or Oriole to locate the girl first. When we know she’s safe, that’s when my team will strike.

We need to make sure that Rossi is safe or else our entire plan will fail.”

Lila clawed at her throat, trying to scrape away the itchiness within her. To try and get rid of the dry lumps that were growing by the minute.

She couldn’t breath. It hurt. It burned.

Her eyes continued to sting, Lila feeling the tears continuing to pool beneath her. They hurt even with the low amount of light around her.

The only thing that had managed to ground her a bit was the cold ground her body was so desperately against.

A cold embrace that gave her a break from the endless insults thrown her way for the past...hours? Days?

Lila froze when she heard a sound in the distance, curling into herself. She covered her face with her arms, trying her best to not let out a single whimper.

She bit her tongue as she heard the sound get closer to her, daring herself to sit upwards.

She listened as the sound began to become clearer...listening as footsteps drew near to her.

Lila didn’t dare to lift her head to see whether it really was someone coming or not. She wasn’t going to risk to keep seeing the illusions, the hallucinations she’s been hearing all this time.

After all, compared to all that she had been going through, this was a nice change of pace.

She listened as the footsteps grew louder, each step echoing throughout the dim place she was in.

She listened and listened, each passing second causing her heartbeat to quicken.

Then they stopped.

Stopping right in front of her.

They placed a hand on her shoulder.

So it wasn’t just another nightmare. This was real.

Slowly lifting her head, Lila had wished this was just another nightmare because the minute she saw that needle in the man’s hand, she felt her heart stop.

Letting out a piercing scream, Lila tried to get away from the person in front of her, but her legs gave in.

Lila screamed and tried to claw herself away from the person who pulled her closer to them, but all that she managed to grasp was the gravel that dug into her palms, blood seeping from the wounds.

She continued to scream even as she was then pinned down beneath the man, feeling something stab her arm.

As soon as the needle pierced her skin, Lila felt a wave of relief. A peace so needed, Lila relished in the ecstasy, feeling herself drift to sleep.

Bruce looked at the girl beneath him and then at the syringe in his hand.

To think that Amira was the one who caused all this. And to think that worked perfectly against Banshee’s powers…

He had to report back. Taking out a phone, Bruce quickly typed into it and then tucked it away.

He looked at the girl who was now peacefully sleeping on the ground, knowing that he had to leave soon despite wanting to take the girl to a safer location.

Squeaks started to become audible, Bruce taking that as his cue to leave.

“Gris! We have a possible clue to where Rossi might be!” Carapace heard Osprey exclaim.

“Where?” And how? She wanted to ask.

Carapace and her had tried every possible way to track Lila, Carapace having checked different surveillance cameras while Gris deployed all of her clones to search for her, only for their efforts to be in vain.

How did they easily find her within an hour?

“She’s in the catacombs.” Gris sucked in a breath. The catacombs? As in-

“Are you sure that’s where she’s at?” Gris managed to calm herself, sending a signal to the closest clone to check it out. Why the catacombs of all places?

“Yes. Some home security cameras managed to capture when Banshee took Lila there through one of the many entrances scattered throughout Paris.”

“I’m on my way!” Gris reported, switching perspectives from her original form and the one closest to the catacombs.

She ran down the dusty steps, running past the narrow tunnel that felt like it could come crumbling down at any moment. But when got to the end of that tunnel, Gris froze.

Is this why?

Is this why Banshee kept Lila down here?

Gris stood face to face with a wall of human skulls and bones, arranged in symmetrical patterns. Skull, bone, bone, bone, skull. Each skull was placed equally away from each other, the bones in between neatly arranged to be pointed in the same direction.

The musty air and debris free floor kept Gris from moving forward, but she knew she couldn’t just stand there. She had to find Lila and now.

Taking a step forward, Gris let out a wail as she mustered the courage to take the other.

But the stare of the eight foot wall of skulls looking back at her…

Prying her eyes from it, Gris ran past the wall, turning corners only to face another structure with the soulless remains of those before her.

Columns, archs, pillars and even crosses appeared before her, causing Gris to feel goosebumps emerge on her skin.

If that wasn’t enough, every corner that Gris took, she just couldn’t seem to get out of the loop she placed herself in. She even tried to stop and recollect herself only to realize that each fork in the path looked the same. Each corner and pillar she passed looked just like the one before.

Was…

Was she lost?

“-is! Gris! What’s going on? You haven’t talked to us in the past half hour. Gris!” She finally heard Chat saying, Gris coming to a halt.

Half an hour? She had been running around this maze...for half an hour?

Dropping her transformation, Sabrina slumped to the ground and brought her knees to her chest, letting out a shuddering breath out.

“Sabrina.” Mullo coaxed. “Are you alright?”

“Gris. Are you still there?”

“I...I can’t…” Sabrina sniffled out, digging her head further into her knees. She held back a wail, biting her tongue in hopes to shift her attention from her thoughts. But it failed. “I can’t…” A hiccup escaped her as she hovered her hand over her comms.

“Gris...where are you?” She heard Carapace ask her a second before she turned off her comm, not wanting to hear anyone at the moment. “I don’t know about you, but I asked Ladybird why she chose me.” Sabrina jumped when her burner phone talked, Sabrina taking it out to see the message flashing across the screen.

Chat said Ladybird had planned on giving it to her the next time they met, but Chat saw it just to give it to her now.

A phone especially created by civilian Ladybird just for those that were part of the team.

Team...like if she even belonged in it.

“Sabrina, we have to keep-”

“What’s the point Mullo?” Sabrina wiped off her tears, letting out another sniffle. “I’m useless. Worthless. I should’ve been able to track down Lila’s location, but I couldn’t. Osprey, on the other hand, was able to locate her in less than an hour! Don’t you see Mullo? I’m supposed to be the brains of the team like Osprey, but I messed up! I messed up even more when I got lost, mocking Osprey’s hard work of finding Lila’s location. What’s the point of continuing if I’m just going to keep holding everyone ba-”

“Snap out of it!” Mullo yelled, Sabrina feeling paws rest against her hand. “This isn’t like you Sabrina! Not one bit!” Sabrina pursed her lips, throwing her head back into her knees. “Sabrina! Don’t you remember why Ladybird chose you? You, the girl that no one sees?”

“Well, thank you for the-ow!” Sabrina yelped, retracting her hand from Mullo’s mouth. “Why did you bite-”

“Ladybird didn’t choose the quitter sitting in front of me! She chose the girl who’s ambition to make friends through kindness caught not only her attention, but heart as well. The girl who’s info gathering and intelligence flourished and allowed her to achieve the goal she wanted. A selfless girl disguised as a selfish, ambitious one.” Mullo nuzzled against Sabrina’s cheek. “Ladybird needs you to help the team and keep them moving, we need you to make this fight a victory and as for Marinette,” Mullo looked straight into Sabrina’s eyes, “Marinette needs you -her friend- to save her.”

Sabrina watched as Mullo smiled at her. “So then Sabrina...what’s your decision? Will you continue to mope around here or continue to fight alongside your friends to save a friend? Which will it be?”

Sabrina looked down at the mouse miraculous around her neck, placing the pendant in the palm of her hand. The silver locket was opened with ease, displaying Sabrina and her father on the left side while a picture of her, Chloe and Marinette were on the other.

“Isn’t it obvious, Mullo?” Sabrina got up shakily. “Mullo, get squeaky!”

“-not picking up.” Osprey heard Chat say through the comms, wanting to say something to comfort them, but what can she say?

She didn’t know them, neither as the vigilantes they were now nor their civilian forms. What can she say to comfort them in a time like this? When a friend is the force they’re up against?

“Sorry everyone. Had to replenish for a bit. But I found Lila! The target has been secured! Quickly transporting to the designated destination.”

Felis heard an audible sigh of relief echoing within the comms, letting herself smile at this tiny victory. After all, this was just one step towards the big one.

“Phase one has been completed. You know what this means.” Corvus relayed.

“Ryuuko, you’re up.” Chat cleared up.

“On it.”

It was cold. Colder than usual.

Heavy fog was sitting all around her, but Banshee didn’t care.

Banshee looked at her hands, finding them covered in tears. Frowning at them, she shook them off before continuing her ascendance up the stairs, smiling at the fact that she was able to make Lila feel the same pain as she did.

But her victory was short lived.

The high whistling of wind snapped her attention, her eyes narrowing when she watched the fog starting to gather near the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, watching as the accumulated fog swirled in circles.

She snarled when a large hole in the cloudy sky appeared, allowing that morning’s sunlight to pierce through, dispersing the fog into nothing.

The city of Paris is now clear of her terror.

Now there, hovering in the air, was a single hero.

A hero...a ray of hope.

Banshee gritted her teeth together, feeling her annoyance starting to spike.

“Banshee. It seems as if they’re onto you. But this is it. Takes this chance to engage them and take their-”

“Banshee!” A voice called out, a voice that sounded...familiar…

Banshee remained still while her eyes darted around to see who dared to face her. As she scanned the area, she found them. Standing a flight above her was a man cladded in black, the only color on him was the blue domino mask across his face. Escrima sticks were prying from behind him.

“Who are you?” Banshee asked, not moving a step.

“Who I am shouldn’t matter. What should matter is the fight that is about to happen!”

Banshee scowled as the man charged at her, Banshee managing to dodge all of his attacks. But she wondered, why didn’t she want to touch him? Why did she hesitate to place a hand on him?

In that self monologue, she must’ve gotten distracted, feeling a hand connect with her stomach, causing her to stumble, her side hitting the railing beside them. She felt bile daring to rise to the surface.

“Mi!” The man yelled, grabbing Banshee by her wrist, his hand over-

“You let your guard down!” Banshee grinned, clasping her hand over his wrist, causing the man to let go of her and slump. She watched as the man cowered away from her, murmuring incoherent sentences.

“Corvus!” A voice yelled, a woman now appearing, wearing a skin-tight unitard, Banshee feeling something in her head begin to ring. She watched as the woman took out a needle with what seemed to be clear blue substance. She began to inject it into the man, something clicking inside Banshee.

“Dad. What’s that?” Amira asked her father, watching as he packed away some vials into his utility belt. It was another day of keeping Gotham safe, Amira already planning on bringing some homework to keep her company while she awaited for her father’s return.

“Antidotes that work against Scarecrow’s Fear Toxin.” She heard her father say, watching as he double checked his equipment.

“Have...have you ever been...hit by it?” Amira dared to ask, already knowing the answer to that.

“I have...it’s one of the worst feelings in the world.” Bruce said, placing his belt back into its case.

Amira watched as her father ran a hand over the case before turning his attention back to Amira. “Why don’t the two of us go see if Alfred needs any help in the kitchen? How does that sound?”

“He’ll probably kick us out. Remember what happened last time?” Amira referred to the last time her father tried to help Alfred make pasta. She watched as her father let out a laugh, a laugh that made her follow along and laugh as well.

Banshee was snapped from her thoughts when she felt something mere inches away from her face.

She tried to avoid the incoming fist coming at her but noticed a whip constricting her movements. So instead of taking a step back, she took a step to the side, connecting her heel with the back of Corvus’ head and twirled her way towards the woman.

Making it seem as if she was about to use her leg again to attack, Banshee let out a laugh when the woman prepared to block her kick only for the two to connect foreheads. With the slight release of hold, Banshee freed herself and held the woman’s hand between her hands, grinning as the woman looked at her with tears pooling in her eyes.

“Mi!” Banshee clicked her tongue as she watched Corvus come for her again, the two exchanging blows, Banshee dodging all of the blows her way but not being able to land one herself. “Mi! You have to stop this! Fight it back!” Corvus yelled, Banshee noticing that he was by the woman’s side, administering the same needle she had seen just moments ago.

“My name’s Banshee. I’m not this Mi you speak of.”

“Mi, try to remember! Remember!” Corvus yelled, this time taking out his escrima sticks, Banshee taking a step back when she saw the tips of them spark. “Mi, I don’t-”

“I’m not Mi! I’m Banshee!” Banshee yelled, charging once more, feeling her mind muddle even more.

She kept fighting, exchanging blows with Corvus and avoiding the woman. She often got close to landing a blow on either of them before someone in the distance would interfere.

Glaring at the hero in the distance, Banshee knew she wasn’t going to be able to win this fight unless she thought of something...and fast!

When Corvus once more charged towards her, she tried to grab him again, only to be grabbed by her wrist and pinned down.

Banshee squirmed as the woman approached Corvus, Banshee glaring at her as she did.

“Felis. Give the signal.” Corvus told Felis, Banshee remaining still as she watched Felis talk with someone else on the other end of their comms. “Banshee. No...Mi. Just wait a little longer. We’ll get you out of this-”

“Fools, the lot of you.” Banshee said, grinning. “You two were so worried about being touched by me that you forgot one thing.”

Corvus let those words sink in as he watched Banshee look down to her hands that were-

“Don’t do it!” Corvus yelled, watching as Banshee clasped her hands together, letting out a shriek so deafening, it caused both Corvus and Felis to collapse, their screams scattering into the wind.

Just when things were turning for the better, it went back to square one.

Seconds after Corvus and Felis had managed to take down Banshee and gave orders to commence the next phase, Chat watched as fog started to pour down from the top of the Eiffel Tower followed by a piercing screech.

“Corvus, what the hell is going on?” He demanded, but got nothing on his end. “Corvus! Give me a-“

“He’s down!” Osprey replied, Chat hearing rustling in the background. He could also hear clicking and glass clink against one another.

“What’s going-”

“Banshee used her power against herself, meaning she revitalized her control on those she’s touched. In other words-“

“She managed to escape our hold.” Chat gritted his teeth.

Just when they were so close! “We need to hurry and-“

“Don’t you dare go after her right now.” Osprey threatened.

“You can’t-“

“If I remember correctly, Lila wasn’t the only one affect by Banshee’s power. Wasn’t there someone else?”

Chat froze.

How did he forget about Chloé? And not only once, but twice! “Guessing by your silence, there is. I’ll be going to your location to drop off an antidote that’s been confirmed to work against Banshee’s power.”

“Antidote? Confirmed?” Chat whispered.

“Remember how we told you that Oriole was touched and had relapsed? Well, back where we come from, we face a villain with similar powers, but without the magic. When Oriole told us how Banshee’s power worked, we wondered if the antidote we made would work in this case. Corvus managed to prove our theory correct. They do indeed work the same way.”

Chat remained stunned, soaking in the new information.

They weren’t Parisians? They fought against people who were just as powerful as Banshee...but without magic? “Oh! Carapace is right here! I’ll just send Carapace your wa-”

“No. He’ll be giving the straight to both Lila and the other victim.” Chat found himself saying, crouching towards the floor.

He couldn’t face Chloe right now...he just couldn’t.

“Sure?” He heard Carapace asking him.

“Yea.”

“With that settled, I’m going to be moving to Plan B. Meet you at the rendezvous!”

With that last order from Osprey, Chat got back up and let a single tear fall down his face.

He’s supposed to be the one in command and yet here he was, just sitting at the sidelines, doing nothing.

“Just what kind of leader am I?”

“Amira.” A voice whispered to her, Amira wondering who was calling her. “Amira.” There it was again, and as much as Amira wanted to know who it was, she couldn’t open her eyes to see who it was. She couldn’t move a single muscle, not being able to respond to the voice that kept calling her. A voice that begged her to wake up.

A voice that she’s never heard before but for some reason, she felt as if she’s heard it once before...many, many years ago.

Banshee felt heavy, exhausted, watching another tear drip off of the tip of her nose and join the pool of tears by her hands.

She never registered the yells and shouts of Ryuuko attempting to get rid of the new fog surrounding the Eiffel Tower.

“Amira.” A voice called out, causing Banshee to look up, noticing the lack of a neon purple mask around her face.

Was it not Hawkmoth who called out to her? “Amira.”

There it was again. “Amira.”

“Who’s talking?” Banshee yelled out, getting up to see no one in front of her nor behind her. She walked up the stairs, hearing the metal creak beneath her feet.

“Amira, did you forget me already?” The voice called out, Banshee turning to see who spoke to her.

“Ja...son?” Amira could feel herself losing herself when she saw him in front of her. “Jason...what are you doing here, in Paris?”

“Amira...why are you doing this?” Jason asked her, stepping closer to her, causing Amira to step back.

“Sta-stay back! I might hurt you!”

“You say that and yet there’s already so many you’ve already hurt before me.” Jason told her, causing her to freeze. “Or am I wrong?”

Amira felt her voice stuck in her throat. “N-No! I didn’t-”

“Are you really going to deny hurting Selina? Dick? Are you?”

“N-no! I-I! It wasn’t me! It was Hawkmoth! He-”

“He may have given you the power, but in the end, it was your decision on whether or not to use it. And you decided to use it against not only your family, but on friends as well...like Chloe...and Wally.”

Amira hung her head, feeling the tears spilling without her permission. “I didn’t-”

“Stop making excuses, Amira! Open your damn eyes!” Jason yelled at her, shaking her shoulders. “Are you even Amira? The Bat’s daughter, my sister?” Jason asked. “What happened to the Amira I knew? Where did she go?”

“I-I!” Amira tried to find the words, but none came out. “Jason, listen, I- Jason?” She called out when she saw no one in front of her. All she saw was her akumatized bracelet on the floor in front of her.

“-chance Banshee! Use this to get Chat Noir’s mira-”

Had she been hallucinating this entire time? Didn’t matter, she had something far more important to think about.

“NO!” Amira yelled, disgusted by the neon purple mask hovering against her face. “There’s no way in hell I’m going to help-”

She collapsed to the floor once again, her head on the verge of exploding.

“Banshee! I am the one who gave you your powers so you are to do-”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!” Banshee screamed as her head began to ache, a ringing that wouldn’t dare stop.

“How dare you defile me! I’m the one who gave you power, I’m the one who is allowing you to-“

“You...gave me...nothing.” Amira snarled between waves of pain. “All you’ve done is manipulate me. Nothing more, nothing less. You took advantage of my anger and rage, took it and made it into a weapon.

A weapon you had planned to use against Ladybird and Chat Noir. Using me to gain some measly-“

“Oh dear child. That’s where you’re wrong.” The neon purple mask hovering over Banshee’s face flowed even brighter, allowing Banshee to see in front of her. “Ladybird and Chat Noir’s miraculouses are more than just magical pieces of jewelry.

When placed together, they grant a single wish. As for what wish, you will know it once I get-”

“Get your hands on? As, in on the miraculouses?” Amira chuckled. “Well, guess what? I won’t let you.” Amira declared, getting up. “I won’t let you hurt my friends anymore for your own goal, I won’t let you get your hands on those miraculouses! I won’t let you win, Hawkmoth! I wo-!”

Amira screamed as she fell to the floor once again, resisting the urge to clutch her head to soothe the pain.

“Foolish girl! You don’t-”

“It’s you who is the fool!” Amira reminded, sitting up, almost falling back down as her arm almost gave in. She watched as the neon purple light around her face flickered. “You may think you are the one in charge, but you aren’t. I am!” Amira yelled, grasping the neon light mask hovering above her face, causing the mask to shatter to tiny pieces of glass and for her to writhe in pain.

She continued to kick around as her heart was being wrung, silent screaming escaping her as she gasped for air.

She watched as she continued to flail, wondering if anyone would get to her in time.

She wonder if this is how-

“Amira!” She heard someone yell, but she couldn’t turn to see who it was. Didn’t matter as Wally’s face soon made it to her vision, Amira feeling her chest hurt even more when she saw how red his eyes were. “Amira, don’t worry! We’ll-”

“Smash it.” Amira found herself saying, looking over to where Wally had barely missed stepping on the akumatized bracelet.

“What?”

“Step...on..it…” Amira said again. “Then take my earrings.” A wince. “Tikki will help from there.” She managed to say in two breaths.

“But what-”

“Hurry!” Amira wheezed out, hating how her vision kept swinging between pitch blackness and her tunneled vision.

At least she was able to hear Wally crush her bracelet and Tikki’s voice before finally succumbing to the darkness.

“Amira!”

“Don’t be bemused! It’s just the news!

After seven grueling hours, our heroes have finally done it!” The news channel showed off the Eiffel Tower, free of fog and a swarm of ladybugs gathering at the top. “They’ve placed evil back into its place!” Then, the ladybugs dispersed, many Parisians watching how little there was this time around compared to other fights. ”They’ve once more proven to be a team to be reckoned with.

Thank you. Thank you for keeping us safe, Miracle Team. You guys are truly Paris’ pride and joy...our heroes!”

#maribat #amira wayne

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slippinmickeys · 4 years

Text

Five Seconds (2/8)

As I mentioned, this is the sequel to Of The Eight Winds. I will be posting the first two chapters today and then one chapter a day until next Monday. You can also read it on AO3 here.

Chapter Two

It was decided the best place to go would be the Midwest -- far from family on the coasts. They’d avoid the biggest cities -- Chicago, Detroit -- but still stick to denser populations; mid-sized cities on the edge of farmland -- it would give them the ability to lose tails in the chaos of town or hit the road quickly and disappear into the woods. A college town where no one would think anything of a new family moving in at the beginning of a semester. It was early May and the summer semester would begin soon at many universities. Frohike said he had a trustworthy contact nearby, so they settled on Lansing, Michigan.

The inheritance from Mulder’s father’s estate would keep them afloat for as long as they needed. Now they just needed to tell the kids.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Frohike handed him a shoebox. Mulder opened it to find new IDs for the whole family. They were now the McDonald family of Okemos, Michigan. The driver’s licenses looked real, as did the passports. Mulder thumbed through everything slowly.

“How’d you get these so fast?” he asked, looking up.

Frohike shrugged. “Best not to ask.”

Mulder leveled a look at the older man.

“If either of my kids ever come to you for a fake ID, I’m hiring a plane and skywriting your location,” he said.

Langly snorted from his chair.

“This is your new address,” Frohike said, handing Mulder a piece of paper that he threw in the box. “Subleased a furnished house from a professor traveling on sabbatical. Darlene will meet you there at noon on Friday. Don’t be late, she gets cranky.”

“Darlene?” Mulder asked.

“Darlene Frohike,” Byers piped in. “Melvin’s sister.”

“You have a sister?” Mulder said, surprised. He pictured Frohike with breasts and long hair and felt one eye start to twitch.

“Go to her if you need help,” Frohike said, “she lives nearby.”

“You have a sister?” Mulder said again.

Frohike glared at him.

“They used to run pacifists over the border into Windsor, Canada during ‘Nam,” Langly helpfully piped up. “She can roll.”

“She can roll?” Mulder asked.

“Her kung-fu’s the best,” Frohike said seriously.

Mulder held up the box of fake documents.

“Family affair, huh?” he said, and Frohike shrugged.

Mulder thumbed through everything one more time before departing the bunker. They’d been generous with Scully’s height and his weight. He could picture his wife’s smirk already.

“Hey, Mulder?” Frohike called out just as he opened the door. Mulder glanced back at the three men. “Be careful.”

XxXxXxXxXxX

Mulder called a family meeting as soon as the kids walked in the door that evening. After the news they’d received the last time their parents had sat down with them like this, they both looked at them with trepidation.

“God, you’re not about to tell us Mom’s having twins, are you?” Lily said, plopping down on the couch in the living room. Will lowered himself down next to her, his eyes darting back and forth between his parents. When neither Mulder nor Scully laughed, Lily’s face fell. “What’s going on?” she asked seriously.

Mulder had debated with Scully how honest to be with them. While he thought they were old enough to handle the full truth, neither wanted to scare them. And yet they needed to know the severity of the situation. A parent’s eternal dilemma.

“Our family is in some trouble,” he started, sharing a look with Scully. “And we’re going to need to leave town for a while.”

“When?” Lily asked, “For how long?”

“What kind of trouble?” Will asked.

“There are some people that are after your mom-” Mulder started, and both kids interrupted him quickly.

“What kind of people?” Lily asked, at the same time, Will, whose voice rose almost an octave, said:

“After her for what?”

Mulder rubbed a hand over his face. He was perched on the arm of the chair Scully occupied, and she reached out and took his hand.

“I think we need to start from the beginning,” she said. “The very beginning.”

She gave his hand a squeeze and began talking. Starting with the abduction of Samantha Mulder, Scully gave a thorough, yet succinct account of the ins and outs of their current predicament, making the whole outlandish tale sound coherent and almost reasonable. Both kids listened to her raptly and remained calm, and Mulder once again thanked his lucky stars for the woman next to him. For all the tumult they’d experienced through the years, there was no one he’d rather have by his side.

“I have a friend -- some friends -- that have set us up with a new life-” Mulder said, when Scully was finally done talking.

He was interrupted by Lily.

“The friends who you visit at Arlington Cemetery? The ones we’re not supposed to know about? Those friends?”

Mulder looked to Scully who wore a surprised smile.

“I haven’t said a thing, Mulder,” she said, looking to him.

“Lily hid in the trunk of your car once,” said Will.

“Will!” Lily shouted at her brother.

“Lil, is that true?” Scully asked her daughter, concerned. Lily wouldn’t meet her eyes.

“I’m not sure whether to be terrified or impressed,” Mulder said. Then shook his head. Back to the topic at hand. He would worry about that later. “Anyway, those friends have set us up with a life in the Midwest for a year, probably less. Until the heat is off. Until we’re sure we’re all safe.”

“Where in the Midwest?” Lily said with trepidation.

“Michigan,” Scully said.

“They’ve got good hockey in Michigan,” Will offered, and Mulder wanted to hug the kid for his optimism.

Lily looked pained. “What about school?” she said. “What about UVA?” She was supposed to start college there in the fall.

“Lil, these people are not above using you to get to us. The only safe thing is for you and Will to come with us. It’s not even for a year. You can defer. Just the fall semester,” Mulder said.

Lily fell back against the cushions on the couch. Scully and Mulder shared a look.

“And we have to leave soon,” Scully said, “before graduation.”

Will reached out and put his hand on his sister’s knee, his face all sympathy. To her credit, Lily looked at her little brother and gave him a thankful look, a small uptick of the lips. Will turned back to his parents.

“When do we have to start packing?” he asked.

“Tonight,” Mulder said.

XxX

A day later found Mulder in the attic with Lily and William, going through boxes, taking the few things that they had in storage that they thought they might need. Mulder had grabbed a tent, a few sleeping bags, a kit knife, various useful odds and ends.

Will was over in the corner and had unearthed a box of old pictures and held one up for Mulder’s perusal.

“What’s this one from?” his son asked.

Mulder came over to take a look. It was a glossy 8x10 of him and Scully facing each other, framed in profile, hovering on the edge of a crime scene. He remembered it, now. It had been taken by a federal crime scene tech who’d finished documenting a scene and had needed to finish off the roll of film. Mulder had seen him snapping and had handed the guy a fiver. Two weeks later it arrived in an interoffice envelope, accompanied by three dollars and a post-it that said “keep the change.”

In the photo, Scully was looking up at him, the sun at her back slanting on her autumn hair so that it shone like a halo of spun gold. She was wearing a dark suit, as was her wont, the bulge of her service weapon at her back, one arm out and gesturing at something out of frame. He was struck, as he always seemed to be, by her exquisite beauty; her face was a composition. A work of art. A call to prayer.

“God,” he said, a little awestruck, “look how young we were.”

“Mom used to be really pretty,” Will said, and though he said it kindly, Mulder turned to him slowly.

“I’m sorry, ‘Used to be?’” he said.

Will looked nervously between his father and Lily.

“She’s still pretty?” Will said, more as a question than a statement.

“God damn right,” he said, “Every day I thank my lucky stars that she still deigns to share my bed.”

“Dad, don’t be gross,” from Lily, who at 18 didn’t mind her parent’s displays of affection so long as they weren’t public.

“Gross?” Mulder said, pointing at each of them. “Gross? You were born of the loins of an ethereal creature of heaven, the both of you. Don’t blaspheme.”

“Says the guy who just said ‘God damn,’” said Lily, cheekily.

Mulder grinned and turned back to the photo.

“To me, fair friend, you never can be old, for as you were when first your eye I ey’d, such seems your beauty still,” Mulder said, looking at it.

“Which sonnet?” Lily asked.

“104,” he said, and they shared a smile. Another silent moment of admiring the photo and he set it down, turned to his children. “All right,” he said, “pack what you need. Let’s get a move on.”

He added the picture to his own cache.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Something caught Lily’s eye as her father was folding up the old box of photos. The corner of a glossy 5x7 was sticking up from the edge of the box -- in it, she saw her father’s face, smiling, looking extremely young.

She helped him shove it back into the corner of the attic with a scrape of cardboard on plywood and he stood, head still bent down in the cramped space so as not to crack his skull on the slanted beams.

William was already heading back down the rickety ladder onto the landing below them, the hollow sound of his steps on the aluminum like the beat of a drum.

“You okay, Lil?” her father asked, his eyes squinted at her in concern. She was still kneeling by the box.

“Yeah,” she said, smiling at him, and glanced around the attic, at the memories their family had built up over the years. She hoped they’d be able to revisit them one day. Deep down she was afraid this might be the last time she saw some of these things -- an old box of her brother’s LEGOs, her Raggedy Ann, the doll’s black button eyes fixed and sightless, a wispy cobweb hanging limply off her yarn hair.

“Let’s get out of here, then,” he said, and reached down to help her up.

Before she took it, she reached out and pulled at the glossy photo, sliding it easily out of the box and slipping it surreptitiously into her back pocket as she stood. It crinkled in her jeans as she walked toward the attic ladder with her father behind her, as she moved on toward she knew not what.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Scully sat in her car with her keys in her hand, staring at the woman’s house, debating whether or not to get out.

She had faith in her husband and all her things in a suitcase, but there was still a small part of her that didn’t quite believe the tale Olivia Kurtzweil had told them. In all their years working together on the X-Files, Mulder had always been the engine, and she had always been the brake -- and the impulse to tap the pedal when faced with the fantastic had never left her, even after more than a decade out of the basement office.

She drummed her nails on the steering wheel once and then made a decision, shoving the keys into the pocket of her coat, double checking that her service weapon was in order, and sliding out of her car and onto the sidewalk. She wanted one last talk with the woman before committing to this drastic course of action.

It hadn’t been easy to find Kurtzweil’s address -- even with the Bureau’s resources at her fingertips. She’d had to call in a favor to a friend with ties to the State Department to get it.

The street Kurtzweil lived on was quiet, just outside of Pentagon City. Parking on the street was by permit only, and there were hardly any cars. The house was a one-story ranch with a long porch, big enough for two rocking chairs, which were tilted at an angle toward each other just-so. The landscaping was impeccable and there weren’t any bugs in the porch lights. Olivia ran a tidy ship that Scully could appreciate.

She hesitated one last time at the door before reaching for the doorbell. She’d debated the merits of coming unannounced and had settled on the element of surprise -- hoping if the woman were lying about anything, unprepped and unrehearsed, Scully might be able to suss out lie from truth.

She heard the bell ring inside the house and waited for muffled footsteps or perhaps the bark of a dog. She was met with silence. She gave it about another ten seconds before ringing the bell again. When there was still no answer, she walked over to the garage and stood on tiptoes to peer through the window. There was a BMW parked inside. Scully made her way back to the door, and reached up to give it a knock. When her knuckles hit the wood the door gave an inch and suddenly feeling unsettled, Scully pushed it slowly the rest of the way open.

Just inside the door there was a purse laying on its side and a cascade of unopened mail fanned out on the floor. A chill ran up Scully’s spine and she reached for her sidearm, suddenly glad she’d brought it.

“Olivia?” she called tentatively, before taking a step inside, the gun held out in front of her, listening sharply for any hint of sound. None came.

She swept the perimeter of the entryway, all her senses on high alert. Hearing nothing, she called out Olivia’s name again. Still silence.

She turned the corner into the main part of the living area -- an open concept living room, dining room, kitchen, and nothing looked out of place. She edged her way slowly into the kitchen, and that’s when she saw it; two feet sticking out behind a large island in the kitchen.

Scully darted forward and slid to her knees next to the woman, quickly taking in what she saw before her: Olivia Kurtzweil had been shot, a double-tap to the head and one to the heart--a professional kill. Knowing she wouldn’t find it, Scully reached out to feel for a pulse in the woman’s neck. Her body was still warm.

XxXxXxXxXxX

Mulder stood in the elevator, his finger hovering over the ‘12.’ It was one of the newer office buildings outside the district, a high rise of dark glass and steel. He thought maybe he should have called first, but hadn’t wanted to risk it. Finally, he depressed the button and the elevator lurched to life.

On the twelfth floor, the doors opened to a brightly lit lobby, the walls and floor all stark white granite. There was a sleek reception desk ahead, manned by an even sleeker looking young blond woman, who looked at him expectantly as he approached.

“Hello,” she smiled, not showing teeth, “Can I help you?”

“I’m here to see Lauren Williams,” he hedged, and the woman’s eyebrows shot up.

“Do you have an appointment?” the woman asked.

“No,” he said, and started to wonder if he should have come at all.

“Okay,” the woman said slowly, narrowing her eyes, “I can call her assistant and ask if she can see you. Your name?”

Mulder felt like a bug under a microscope.

“Tell her it’s Fox,” he said.

She nodded.

“One moment.”

Mulder glanced at his watch. They were supposed to be on the road in four hours. This was a last minute stop for him, a barely thought-out ‘what if’ plan C in case the whole thing went to shit.

When he glanced back up, the receptionist was looking at him expectantly.

“She’ll be out in a moment,” she said, and Mulder smiled his thanks and took a few awkward steps back.

There was a small waiting area to the left of reception, but the seats looked more modern than comfortable, and the entire space had a disinfected don’t-sit-here vibe to it. Set dressing.

After a moment he heard the efficient clicks of approaching heels, and turned to see his ex-wife coming out of a metal door that he’d thought was a wall.

“Fox?” she said, her face one of pleased surprise.

“Lauren,” he said, as she leaned in and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, “I’m sorry to drop in on you like this. You look well.”

She did. She was in a crisp grey suit that was likely Chanel or Hermes, and trim as ever. Her face looked sculpted and her skin clear and bright. Not a wrinkle to be found. A mild cloud of the same perfume she always wore clung to her, lending her an air of sophistication where it may have made other women seem like they were trying too hard. She leaned back, holding onto one of his forearms and gave him an assessing look.

“You look… worried,” she finally said, her eyes narrowing a bit in concern.

He didn’t reply, and she turned to the receptionist.

“Thank you, Amanda,” she said smartly and inclined her head toward the metal door/wall which clicked open as they approached it.

She led him down a long hallway, with glass conference rooms lining one side and open concept work stations along the other. At the far end, she opened a floor-to-ceiling glass door and led him into a large and immaculate corner office.

Mulder raised his eyebrows, impressed.

“You’ve done well for yourself,” he said, “it’s been a while.” She shut the door behind them and gestured to a small sitting area off to the side of the office. It was more welcoming than the lobby seating had been, and he slid into one of the chairs gratefully.

“Executive Vice President,” she said proudly, and took the chair opposite him. She settled into the leather of the seat and leveled a look at him. “You okay, Fox?”

Mulder glanced at the door, at the bustle of the office beyond it. No one seemed to pay them any mind.

“I’m…” he started, “we’re in some trouble.”

“You and Scully?” Lauren asked kindly, “Is she okay?”

“Yes,” Mulder smiled, “she’s good, she’s…”

He fumbled a bit. Not quite sure where to start.

“Is it money?” Lauren asked. “Do you need-”

Mulder cut her off, laughing uncomfortably. He and Scully both made a very good living, and his father’s estate would have kept them more than afloat even if they didn’t. He huffed a deep sigh, and she sat quiet and patient, looking at him in concern.

“Our family is in danger, Lauren,” he finally said, “and we need to disappear for a little while.”

Her brow furrowed.

“Is it Scully’s work at the FBI?” she started, “Is it-”

He once again cut her off.

“Listen, I don’t want to tell you much for your own protection. The less you know, the better.”

She nodded, her brow furrowed with concern.

“The reason I’m here is… we’re going away for a while. Headed to the Midwest.” She remained silent, waiting for him to continue. “Do you… does your aunt still have that hunting camp up in Michigan?”

He saw a small smile crack through her unease. Lauren’s Aunt Clio was half Williams Family Secret, half Williams Family Legend. A bright, effusive personality, she was blustery and smart, and unpretentious to the point of embarrassment, as far as Lauren and her upper-crust-endeavoring parents were concerned. She lived in Ohio, where she and Lauren’s father had been raised, ten years the man’s senior. She kept a hunting camp in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan called Camp Hi Early. She hunted deer throughout the state’s archery season and had told a story at Mulder and Lauren’s wedding reception about running at a bear with an axe from the outhouse. The story had mortified Lauren at the time -- Mulder had just been delighted. Aunt Clio had been drinking straight whiskey at the party, and had just been about to tell Mulder a story of running ‘shine when Lauren had pulled him away and to the dance floor. Mulder had never forgotten it, or her.

“Aunt Cli died last year,” she said with a begrudging smile. Mulder marveled. The woman must have been close to a hundred years old. Lauren’s eyes met his. “But she left me the camp.”

“You still have it?” Mulder asked, amazed, “it doesn’t seem like your kind of… scene.”

Lauren laughed.

“That it’s not. But there’s a mining company that has its eyes on the northern 100 acres, and if they get their hands on it whether from me or from someone I might sell to, Clio Williams will haunt me from the grave.”

Mulder laughed, felt something loosen in his chest.

“If you need it, it’s yours, Fox,” Lauren said, the humor dissipating from her voice.

He leaned back in the chair.

“We probably won’t need it,” he said, “it’s just something I thought of as a distant Plan C. But if we need to get out fast -- if we need to go somewhere we can’t be found…”

Lauren nodded and stood, moved over to her desk.

“It’s rustic, Fox,” she said, and sat down in the chair, pulling open a desk drawer. “And not charming-rustic. It’s rustic-rustic. And likely in disrepair. I sent a local handyman out there this past spring. He assured me that the roof doesn’t leak and the windows aren’t broken, but that’s about it.” She was rifling distractedly though the drawer. “I’m not sure how well outfitted it is, and It’s probably overrun with mice and squirrels. He said it looked like a moose had been gnawing on the siding…”

“It’ll be a last resort,” he said seriously.

Lauren paused and looked at him.

“Bad?” she asked.

“Pretty bad,” he nodded.

She winced and stood, an envelope in her hand. She made her way over to him and raised it.

“This is the key to the padlock on the cabin door,” she said, “and a map to the camp. The handyman I hired drew it up for me, not the other way around, mind you. I haven’t been out there since I was a kid and Aunt Cli took me up there to teach me to shoot. There’s the boondocks and there’s this. I’m talking county highway to a dirt road to a two-track. A seasonal road that the county doesn’t plow. I don’t even know if an SUV can get in there. The road to Camp may be impassable...” she handed him the envelope.

“That’s what I’m counting on,” he said.

Lauren reached out and squeezed his shoulder, the concern on her face cutting rare lines into her perfect skin.

“I want you to check in with me, let me know you’re okay,” she said, “do you feel safe doing that?”

Mulder nodded, put his hand over hers where it rested on her shoulder, squeezed.

“Yeah,” he said.

“I’m serious, Fox,” she said, “if I call, you answer your fucking phone. I’m scared for you. For the kids and Dana.”

“I promise,” he said, giving her hand one last squeeze before he rose to leave. “I’ll send you a number when I’ve got one.”

His phone rang then, like a premonition. He answered.

“Mulder?” Scully said into his ear, her voice shaky with panic. He heard the slam of a car door. “We have to leave. Now.”

#MSR #AU #Of the Eight Winds #My Fic #Fanfic #X-Files

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