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cafeinthemoon · 4 years ago

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The Senju brothers finding out their little sister is going out with Madara 💥

Lately I’ve been into family drama and such, so when anon requested this I couldn’t say no lol Btw thank you, anon, for this scandalous incredible idea 😘

In this scenario/list/idk we have the Senju brothers finding out their younger sister and Madara are seeing each other. As you might expect, the news provoke different reactions in each of them, but the main point is how she will deal with this situation.

So I’m gonna shut up now and leave you with this:

Fandom: Naruto | Senju Brothers

Warnings: none, just a heated argument and a looong list ahead

Symbols: 💙 | ◻ | ▶▶

Hashirama

Being Hashirama and Tobirama’s younger sister, of course you and Madara were known to each other, but being more than just a friend to him wasn’t in your plans… until now 😳

You used to admire and respect each other, not only because of the alliance between your clans, but mostly because you both were worthy being praised. Plus Hashirama has always been talkative about his best friend’s qualities, which slowly transformed the way you saw the Uchiha leader, but you only noticed this a few weeks ago

During a meeting/party/whatever at your brother’s house, Madara and you spent more time than usual talking to each other. Turned out that you discovered many things in common beyond the fact that you two were shinobi, including your views on life, politics, etc.

If Hashi noticed something, you couldn’t tell, but it was strange that during all the time you were there together he didn’t come to join you (not that you complained about it)

You and the Uchiha saw each other a few times on the next days, and the feeling of familiarity between you only grew. You weren't sure of how to call it. You were fond of each other, but saying that you were just friends didn’t seem to be enough now

You both agreed that it was too soon to name it as a date or something, so you didn't tell anyone, not even your brothers

You wanted to be sure of your own feelings before making a statement. Were you still friends? Were you really in love? Was it just a crush, a superficial attraction? You wanted to understand what was going on

During this time, Hashirama didn’t make a comment or anything that suggested that he was aware of this situation, so you were a bit surprised when one day, he came to talk to you about it

“So you and Madara are engaging in a secret romance and you dared leaving your big brother out of this, y/n? Where did you learn such behavior?!”

“Don’t you really know?”, you smirked

“Excuse me?!”

“Am I the first person in this family to keep secrets that involve Madara, Hashi?” 😑

THE REDNESS ON HIS CHEEKS WAS PRICELESS LMAO

Hashirama was your elder brother aka the person who has been taking care of you since your parents left this world, so not only his worries were valid, but he also had the right to know, so yeah, he was a bit disappointed that you didn't tell him first

Now, I think his feelings about this were not as plain as some can imagine. In fact, he had a mixture of contradicting feelings and ended up talking about them more than demanding an explanation from you

On one hand, he was happy because he loves you both, so finding out that his little sis and his soul brother might have started a relationship was exciting 💖

On the other hand, he was worried because you were even younger than Tobirama, while Madara was not only older but more experienced than you and he knew his friend’s flaws better than anyone else

However, Hashi was an understanding person and was willing to listen, so you explained your feelings and your reasons to him, as well as part of your conversations with Madara, pointing out that making things this way was a mutual decision, for the best of you two and the people you knew

He pointed out that despite not calling your meetings a date, you two were already thinking as a couple 😏

You blushed and asked him to keep quiet, at least for a while

He promised you he would not say anything, but not before hugging you tight and crying about how his lil sis was growing up so fast saying how much he was happy for you two 💓

Tobirama

Prepare yourself to get your ass smacked and burning for an entire week lmao

Okay, so as you can easily imagine, it didn’t take much effort from Tobirama to find out that something was going on between you and Madara

It wasn’t that you two were reckless, it was just that your second brother was not stupid an observing man (and tbh how hard it must be to keep a secret from a smart sensor shinobi, uh?)

Unlike Hashirama, who took some time to connect the dots, he noticed small changes in your routine and behavior since the start

Why have you been so quiet, distracted lately? What has been occupying your mind? You were spending more time alone and/or out, and (yeah, he noticed that) you weve more concerned about your looks and manners than usual. Of course you were up to something

Besides, you’ve suddenly became too defensive towards Madara and the Uchihas in general. Anything Tobirama said that sounded slightly negative about them was promptly refuted by you. You seemed to have a deeper understanding of their ideologies now, as if you were having long conversations with their leader

So, it was with no surprise that you saw the storm coming ⚡

One day, Tobirama came to your room without warning and just by looking at him you knew he figured it out

How did he find out? Hashirama and his big mouth, probably. Or did he follow you and saw you two together? Well, he could have simply traced your chakra and once he sensed Madara’s close to you, the riddle was solved. But did it matter now?

His first words: “What is it?”

You don't need an explanation: you little sis + Madara Uchiha problem™ + maintaining your privacy keeping secrets from him

And now you were a brat possessed with the Uchiha evil, and not just with any Uchiha evil but with MADARA’S Uchiha evil 🔥🔥🔥

There was no way for you to have a normal conversation in the current circumstances. You had a heated argument, and I’m sure you’re capable of imagining what it means to have a heated argument with Tobirama

“Tobi, listen to me, I-”

“No YOU listen to me you brat possessed with the Uchiha evil”

Your brother didn’t even let you speak. He stated that not telling anything to your elder brother was not only wrong, but some sort of betrayal, then started remembering serious sh*t from the past when you were so young that you couldn’t even carry a sword the right way and everything you’ve already heard from him countless times before

But now you were done with his incapacity of simply listen, so you just stated that your elder brother Hashirama already knew it and that it was you who asked him to keep it a secret just for a while

“Hashirama is our leader, and if he knows and approves it, that’s enough for me and that should be enough for you too!”

“Hashirama is too soft with you, and this is why you behave like this!”

“Like this how? Living my life without asking for your permission? Is that what you mean?”

“Being unnecessarily connected with a man with whom we need to be careful in our treats, that’s what I mean. Our elder brother purposely ignores the fragile spots of this alliance and you know it, so there’s no excuse for your attitude!”

“Speaking like this about our ally could be considered some sort of betrayal, Tobi. If I was you, I would be careful!”

“Why? Are you going to tell him in your next date?”

“GET OUT OF MY ROOM!”

“Yes, I’m getting out and having a serious conversation with our brother about this!”

“Tobirama, the war is over! We all have to move on, whether you like it or not! So instead of wasting your time with something that’s none of your business, you should go and live your life as well!”

Yes, you lost your temper, and you only realized it when your brother fell silent and lowered his tone

“You are right, lilttle sister. But let me tell you something. My way to show that I care about you might not resemble Hashirama’s, but my feelings towards you are not less deep than his”

You were heartbroken after he left, yes, but you had to stand your ground. Tobi could be very controlling if he was given space to, so you had to learn to deal with this early in your life. In this point you were better than Hashi, who was too easygoing for his own good, so you felt like you had to be strong on your resistance for both of you, otherwise Tobirama would dominate every aspect of your life without even realizing. You loved him as well, but your decisions didn’t have to always gravitate towards him

Still, you weren’t proud of your words about the war. That was a sensitive matter for Tobi. Despite his silence about it, you sensed he was offended. You knew you went too far 💔

The conclusion

Later, Hashirama came to mediate the conflict, and he had some words for both of you. When Tobirama and you found ourselves in the same room, you were about to start a new argument, but your eldest brother elevated his chakra and demanded you to be silent, bc now it was his time to speak

“Brother, I understand you are worried about our sister and I am sure she acknowledges your efforts to protect and guide her, but that doesn’t give you the right to interfere in her decisions regarding her own life. She’s right to remind you about our alliance with the Uchiha clan and to say that we need to move on. If moving on means starting a relationship with Madara in her case, things are what they are. It is her life, not yours. And do not think I haven’t talk to her about this. Y/n is no longer a child, Tobirama. She’s aware of the challenges of maintaining such connection with the Uchiha leader”

“Little sister, I understand that our brother’s way to express his worries uses to irritate you. It happened many times when you two were little. But that doesn’t invalidate the honesty of his intentions. He loves you and cares about you as much as I do. Besides, I’ve already talked to you about thoughtless mentions of the war. That was a though period for all of us, which includes your brother. You were not with us at the battlefield, that’s true, but you weren’t immune to the dark consequences of what happened at it. You mourned our siblings with us, but you were too young to understand everything that was involved. That was not Tobirama’s case. He doesn’t talk about it, but he has his reasons for that, and this must be respected”

Hashirama left you two hoping you would be capable of getting along again, which eventually happened, but at its own pace

The next day you found Tobirama working at his desk. He already acknowledged your presence, but that didn’t discourage you. You hugged him from behind and said you were going out to the river, and he could come with you if he wanted to fish. His first response was a groan

“Is there more people coming with us?” = “Is there any possibility of Madara showing up?”

You kissed his bristly hair

“No. Just us. I promise. And when we get back, I’ll cook fish for you”

Your brother’s next groan meant many things at once, “I agree”, “Thank you” and “I apologize” being some of them 😜

#naruto headcanons #naruto scenarios #naruto request #madara #hashirama #tobirama #hashirama headcanons #tobirama headcanons

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nimsajlove · 3 years ago

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As a team!

This fills in what I had left out between Ahsoka and the Bad Batch in Brothers V and Freezing Cold. This takes place in the Episodes of Echo’s rescue.

Brothers-AU Ao3

Part III (Part II in the reblog)

*~*

"All right, take a couple of men and see what you can find.", Kenobi agreed and Cody and Rex nodded before they both left the meeting hastily. There was silence for a while, then Ahsoka restlessly rubbed her palms together and took a deep breath. Master Windu stood far too close to her for her liking and seemed to be watching her with a keen eye, while Kenobi watched the battle plans tense and exchanged quiet words with Anakin. "I'll see if I can support my men.", Ahsoka muttered to Windu, bowed hastily and fled from the crushing presence of the three Jedi. With a careful look she slid through the organized chaos around her until she spotted Cody. He seemed to be holding a long-distance transmitter and exchanged a few words with the person on the other end until he saw her walking towards him and said goodbye. "General Tano, what can I do for you?", he asked and stored the transmitter again, Ahsoka shrugged a little helplessly. Now that she'd escaped the meeting, she wasn't sure what else to do to help the others. "I was hoping you had a job for me.", she explained and Cody smirked, then he shook his head. “You can't come with us. If the Separatists start another onslaught, we can certainly use every Jedi right here.” Resigned, she nodded, even if she didn't like sending the men off alone, Cody was still right. As is was so often the case. Jesse, Kix and Fives approached them, they seemed ready to move out. "Where's Rex?", Kix asked almost casually while he took off the backpack and checked its contents one last time. Ahsoka saw at first glance that her brother had once again squeezed in as much as he could carry. Her gaze wandered across the square, searching. If the three soldiers were already finished, Rex couldn't be far either! Cody hummed beside her and when she turned her gaze to him he had raised an eyebrow in disapproval. "He wanted to look for Fives.", he replied flat and Ahsoka was a bit startled, that didn't seem like her oldest brother!

After a quick look, they split up and started looking, preferably without attracting any further attention. Kix seemed to be making another detour to the mobile medistation, the others had disappeared too quickly to know where they were going. Ahsoka strolled through the camp without a fixed direction, a faint worry had spread cold in her stomach. It wasn't like Rex at all, just disappearing. She could count the moments in which something similar had happened on one hand. The thought brought back memories, she compared his disappearance with his behavior after the citadel, or after Umbara, and shook her head. No, this was different. The cold subsided a little, this wasn't as bad as it was then. She was looking over a group of shinys who were standing close together when her comlink flashed at her. She gave it a squeeze and Jesse's voice rang out: "Commander Cody found him. We'll wait for you in front of the quarters.”“ Thank you.”, she replied and made her way to the open, quieter place in front of the quarters. Kix and Jesse sat on the ramp of a container, Fives leaned next to the door and when he caught the worried look of the young woman, he shrugged helplessly. Cody she couldn't see there, he had to be inside. When he and Rex were alone in there, she didn't want to disturb. She knew how little time many brothers had to talk openly with one another. So she swung onto the ramp next to Jesse and, after a moment's hesitation, leaned her head on his shoulder. That was better, the cold went away. "How long do you think we will take?", asked Kix, buckling his backpack. Jesse shrugged and shook Ahsoka's head uncomfortably, she grumbled and slapped him on his arm and got a little laugh. That was nice, a few minutes of peace. "With them? Certainly not long.", Fives announced from the door and curiously Ahsoka lifted her head to look over at him, he smirked. If Fives could smile about it since his adventures, then she was interested! "With whom?" "Clone force 99.", Jesse answered her and she looked at him questioningly, she had never heard of these ones before. The name seemed to ring something in everyone else, even to mean something! Kix had cocked his head thoughtfully, Jesse frowned and Fives looked at the floor, he seemed to be thinking something over. Or did he mourn?

The door suddenly slid open, they all sat up hastily in shock and Ahsoka slid off the ramp a little faster than intended, she hastily bit her tongue as the pain briefly shot up her ankle. Didn‘t matter! When they joined Rex and Cody, it didn't hurt anymore. "Who is clone force 99?", she asked to Cody and clasped her hands behind her back, she felt the calluses from the lifelong swing of her lightsabers and thought in the back of her head, maybe to wear gloves after all... "A group of clones, with a couple of useful mutations. They are unstoppable“, the Commander smiled and Jesse snorted softly. "I'm not concerned about the results, it's theire approach.", he muttered and Fives made an approving sound, though he seemed far less concerned than the other ARC. Cody seemed to be about to answer and Ahsoka was curious what his opinion was on such a subject when they heard the engines of a ship. Seconds later, the elegant ship shot down through the clouds and approached too quickly. Ahsoka soberly noted that these pilots had a style similar to that of Anakin. Did they crash land that often too? "So, 99 it is? Nice one.", Rex mumbled to Cody's other side and Ahsoka got the feeling again, as if the number should mean something to her too!

"The cavalry is here!", yelled the first to leave the ship and grinned broadly at her. Ahsoka looked at him and quickly realized what Cody had been talking about. The guy was huge compared to the other clones. He was followed by three other men and she felt Jesse tense behind her. "And those are supposed to be clones?", he mumbled softly and Ahsoka glanced at him, her brother looked torn. As if he didn't quite know what to think of the newcomers. "Hey, different is not bad.", she muttered encouragingly, he shrugged his shoulders. "I just don't like the way they look at us.", he mumbled back and now, at second glance, she understood what he meant. The small group across from them let their gaze wander over them once and some of them not only seemed distant, but almost arrogant. The big man's grin had something dangerous about it, another's sharp look was condescending. Only one of them seemed closed of, but otherwise perfectly calm.

"Commander.", he greeted Cody and Ahsoka had to smile, because there was real joy on Cody's face! "Sorry for our delay, we were held up." Ahsoka saw the face of the big clone light up and had to grin, she knew such a facial expression! This was what Anakin looked like when he found a droid to repair, and here she guessed that a large enemy and a lot of explosives must have been involved. "Oh, I can imagine that.", she grinned and suddenly won the attention of the whole unit. "You can imagine a fight with Yalbecs?", asked the narrowest one, his eyes glowing attentively and although he did not look very strong, Ahsoka did know not to underestimate the wiry figure. But indeed, Yalbecs? She eyed the men and gave the picture in her head a little more color and suppressed a small snort. "Nice, bigger than an Akul, isn't it?" The men were silent, had she said something wrong? Her gaze quickly flicked over to her brothers. Jesse rolled his eyes and Fives and Rex seemed to have the same smile on display. Kix's shoulders were hunched slightly to maintain his poise. "What?" "No need to brag, General.", Cody grinned, aha! So that was what it was all about. Maybe she should have taken her old headdress with her to show off even more... "That wasn't showing off. For the Togruta the Akul- "" They probably already know, Tech.", the leader interrupted the enthusiastic chatter of his brother and he seemed to thaw when he turned to her. “I really didn't mean to show off. My respect, I'm sure an Akul you would have brought down as well.", Ahsoka explained hastily, these were clones and after years with her brothers she knew that mutual respect was essential! These men should know that she was thoroughly impressed. The man across from her nodded and before he could answer, Ahsoka felt the piercing vibration of a gunship powering up in her montrals. That was probably her sign to let the men go... The uncomfortable rumbling in her stomach, wich had started after Cody presented his idea to the other Jedi, increased and she grabbed Cody's forearm. "Come back safe! I don't know what else to tell Master Kenobi.", she tried to joke and her brothers laughed softly, Cody took her arm with a small smile and gave it a squeeze. "Don't worry, I'm sure the General would survive that too." Then he quickly turned away, even if neither his walk or his demeanor betrayed him, she could feel his grin. "That was no answer!", she yelled after them and watched as the gunship took off and disappeared. She stood there for a few seconds and listened to the fading feeling of nausea, instead a slight headache crept in and she sighed, then she turned away. Maybe it would help everyone if she took another look at the current situation...

*~*

Ahsoka felt as if someone had punched her in the face. She looked around hastily, she was still leaning against the holo table, where she had decided to take a nap after all the tension between her and the other Jedi. Someone had squeezed one of the thin, rough blankets between her head and the cold metal so that at least her lekku wouldn't get cold. She strongly suspected Anakin, or even Kenobi? But there was no one in her immediate vicinity, nothing that could wake her up so suddenly. But her hectic pulse did not calm down and she carefully checked every little bond she had built with the others. The one with her former Master was still strong and dominant, even i fit was slightly surpressed. From here she did not receive any violent unrest, it was more like radio silence... She avoided the bond to Kenobi and immediately turned to her brothers. The clones weren't force sensitive, so the connection was weaker than she'd liked it to be. And, to her great regret, this was a one-way thing...

She felt for the others and paused. Something was wrong! She just didn't know what exactly. Perhaps it was the concerned undertone in Rex's presence or the dead silence that only emanated from Kix when he was highly concentrated. Before she could ponder it any further, the holo table above her made a sharp beep. Before she recognized it as a distress signal, her body had already responded. Within a heartbeat she was back on her feet and frantically hit the acceptance button with the flat of her hand, barely registering the hasty steps behind her. When Rex began to speak, Kenobi and Anakin were already at her side. “We need immediate transport. The Commander and Kix are waiting at these coordinates.” Next to her, Kenobi took a breath a little too quickly and seemed to have to suppress a surprised coughing fit. Ahsoka didn't want to think about why. That was Cody, he wouldn‘t just get away from them like that! She was grateful that her head and body immediately acted on their own. "I'll take care of it.", she answered in a firm voice, she was a little surprised herself. Her voice not once wavered and remained firm and stern. As soon as she had interrupted the transmission at the holo table, she reached for her comlink and opened the channel of the 332nd. “I need a transport immediately from the attached coordinates. Take a medic and two more troopers with you for support.", she growled and there was silence for a few seconds, then one of her men answered. “Gut here. We start now, I have Hug, Mad and Burnes on board.", the pilot announced in a calm voice and Ahsoka answered him with a confirmatory sound, which was enough for him as an answer from the young General. Ahsoka interrupted the transmission again and swallowed, her throat tightening a little. Damn it. There was no way she could think about Cody now. Or Hardcase. Or... Oh kriff!

She felt the looks of the other Jedi at her back, as she reached for the comlink again and entered Crick's code, perhaps a little too forcefully, with poorly suppressed nervousness. "Yes Sir?", the clone reported immediately and Ahsoka made her way through the camp with long strides. Her destination? The rest of her brothers who had stayed. "Do you have time to keep me and the Dominos company?", she asked a little pressed and got a hasty another "Yes." from Crick, before she ended the connection.

She didn't get far. Halfway to the quarters, Hevy met her, he was wearing his helmet and the trembling in his shoulders alone gave him away. "Is he okay?", he asked and although his voice wasn't trembling, there was still a little panic in it. Neither of them felt like doing the Citadel again. “It's not Fives. It's Cody."

#star wars #clone wars #the bad batch #ahsoka tano #Clone Trooper Cody #clone trooper rex #clone trooper fives #clone trooper jesse #clone trooper kix #clone trooper hunter #clone trooper wrecker #clone trooper crosshair #clone trooper tech #brothers au

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bymoonchild · 6 years ago

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Get You The Moon (M) (Preview)

[edit 28/5/19]: full fic here

Pairing | Taehyung x Reader Genre | Fluff, smut, angst / College!AU, Enemies to Lovers!AU, Jock!Taehyung x Student Reporter!OC Warnings | Explicit language, sarcastic banter, dirty talk, locker sex, blowjob, facefucking, eating out, cumplay, fingering, rough sex, slight dom!tae, spanking, light degradation Summary | Life has its ways of fucking with you, but you know you’ve hit rock bottom after being tasked to do a profile feature on Kim Taehyung, the varsity football captain, for your school newspaper. You expect pure torment during the whole week of following him around, but this might just stir up conflicted feelings that you’ve never dared to imagine with the likes of the devil incarnate. Est. release date | Mid May (after my exams!)

“What a surprise, you’re alive.”

It is exactly that bitingly fake enthusiasm and mirthful nuance that is too familiar to your liking that gives rise to the arch of your eyebrow. You don’t even need to look at the owner of the voice to picture the shit-eating smirk that belongs to none other than your editor-in-chief-slash-best-friend, Min Yoongi. Such morbid greetings have long become an inside joke between the two of you due to your mutual peculiar sense of humour.

The first thing Yoongi does upon entering the newsroom is to make a beeline for his first cup of coffee, after which he will come sauntering your way to provoke you with his infinite list of snarky remarks – about work, about being tired, about being alive and dead, about how bureaucracy sucks, about the negative sides of capitalism and what not.

“Not for long, buddy,” you shrug, looking up from your laptop and landing your eyes on Yoongi who looks just as dead.

“I barely slept last night – was busy rushing my essays. Essays, might I repeat. So it’ll be great if you don’t have much for me today, although I know you have a kink for torturing me.”

The edges of his lips curl up and you instantly register the meaning behind the sinister smile: your impending doom.

“I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I do have something for my most talented and gung-ho reporter slash best friend.”

“Kindly elaborate,” you smile back acrimoniously.

“It involves a profile feature of a popular varsity athlete.”

An involuntary groan escapes your lips.

“That’s not even the worst part yet. Since we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of our publication this year, we’ll be doing a special spread on honorary members of the school, including club presidents, captains and valedictorians. Oh, which reminds me – maybe I should feature myself for being the most overworked Editor-In-Chief because this publication is sucking my entire soul, but anyway, I digress—”

He brings up his mug to his lips. It’s only 10am, but you wonder how many cups he has had, eyeing at the pallor of his face.

“I’ve already assigned the other reporters their respective targets for the lack of a better word, and left the toughest nut for you to crack.”

“Yoongi, no you didn—”

“Yoongi, yes,” he grins, “A profile feature on Kim Taehyung, for my most talented and hardworking reporter.”

Kim Taehyung.

The poster boy for the department of narcissistic and annoying fuckboys. Of blindingly attractive but dumb jocks.

Literally everyone in school and their mother (or their dog) knows him because 1) he’s quite a looker (you can’t deny that he has a darn symmetrical face ), 2) he’s the captain of the varsity football team (cue the huge hoo-ha about varsity captains), and 3) he’s probably slept with everyone in school and their mother (okay, that’s an exaggeration, but he is a dumb fuckboy to the bone).

“What the fuck!”

You challenge the carefully hidden astonishment reflected in Yoongi’s eyes and ignore how the other reporters in the newsroom jumped in their seats at your abrupt outburst. “You know I fucking hate him!”

Yoongi, per contra, does absolutely nothing to show the slightest of empathy and even finds the scowl on your face hilarious, “Which is exactly why you’re the perfect person for this story.”

“There must be someone else whom I can cover. Please, Yoongi – I really, really don’t want to take this up.”

“Listen,” he sighs, “As your friend, I’m really sorry that you’ve been assigned to this story, but there’s no one more suitable than you for this story. No one does profiles as incredible as you. Look, you just need to follow him around for a week – you have some classes with him right? Observe how he is in class, then what he does after class and how he performs on the field. I can promise that it won’t be that bad.”

You frown, “As my friend? Then… what about–”

He tempts with a sneer that is all malign, a wicked 180 change from his previous expression. Panic forms a thick film in your throat.

Lowering his voice by two tones, he snarls, “As your Editor-In-Chief, I only have three words for you: suck it up. The journalism world is a dog-eat-dog world – you can’t choose your beats. You go out there and come back with a story or this newspaper is going to flop at your hands, along with your GPA.”

Such audacity.

You glare at him in disbelief, squinting your eyes at the sneer that’s still plastered on his face.

“As my friend,” you mimic, “Fuck you bitch.”

Sighing out loud with absolute disregard, you clench your teeth, “But for the sake of my GPA and this newspaper that is my god damn baby, I will unwillingly take up the task… But if he refuses to cooperate, he can suck my ass.”

“You have my seal of approval if you meant that literally.”

“Fuck off—”

“Anyways, you won’t need to worry about Tae. I contacted him just now – he’ll be expecting you at practice on Monday.”

You roll your eyes. “Tae? You guys bros?”

He inches closer to taunt you further, “I’m surprised that you weren’t aware, but we’re actually really good bros. Oh right, he also told me to tell you that he cannot wait to see you on Monday.”

Nose scrunched up in distaste, you groan out loud at the duality before you, before flipping him off and burying your head in your palms.

As much as you hate to admit it, Yoongi’s right. You have to suck it up.

If doing this profile is the only way to save your GPA, pride and Kim Taehyung be damned. You’re going to do this story well and you’re going to make sure that nothing, absolutely nothing – including Kim Taehyung and his fuckboy antics – is going to fuck that up.

Not in this economy.

aannd that’s the intro of the fic! i wanted to establish the dynamics of yoongi and oc’s friendship first before we dive into the juicy parts, but i can assure that it’s gonna be a wild,,, sinful ride,,, uwu (just look at the warnings – they Slap!)

my ask and message boxes are always open, hmu if you want to scream about stuff or let me know what you think about the fic! (i love receiving asks,, i’m: lub you)

oh yess,,, the title is actually a song by kina (ft snow), go check it out!!! now i’ll just... retreat back to my endless pile of assignments.....

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intotheshadowblog · 5 years ago

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Chapter XIII Írim�� finds a friend

After that conversation with Loki things had been very different for Irime.

Now she harbored a firm hope about her mission, thought that the possibility of having failed was perhaps not real, she was clinging to a new hope.

Time had passed and the young woman was already recovered, her Lady Elbereth had not returned from Alfheim and the mission had taken a different turn.

Suddenly the idea of new negotiations had been left behind and the meetings with Odin to discuss the truce had not been repeated.

Irime constantly received news from Alfheim and expected new orders but these were always the same, she had to wait for the return of her lady and meanwhile generate good relations with the inhabitants of Asgard since they king had decided to allow her to stay in his kingdom, perhaps At the queen's insistence, everyone thought.

Irime imagined that this had a meaning, that her Lords had not forgotten it there but were meditating on the next movement. So over time that idea became a conviction and little by little those days of doubt and obligation were behind us.

What had not changed was that feeling of betrayal her soul felt, she was still a guest in the house of her enemies.

For this reason, she tried to make it clear who she was and constantly watched Thor.

She had befriended Lady Sif, his wife, and was constantly having conversations about Jotunheim and her version of the stories told by Odin

Lady Sif was someone she had learned to trust.

Her relationship with Loki had also grown, as had her certainty that by now she was hopelessly in love with him.

Loki was still elusive and taciturn, with that lost look and that darkness that enveloped him every time young woman tried to approach him.

It was not a real rejection, it was not that he did not feel something for her, that was clear, she could feel it, but something took him away from her, it was a fact that she did not seem to be able to change.

Loki remained hidden behind his shadows.

That morning Irime and Lady Sif had met in the palace and conversed assiduously while drinking mead.

-I love listening to your stories, they really are revealing to me

Irime replied with a bow

"The pleasure is mine, Lady Sif. It is an honor that you wish I share my stories with you, especially when ..."

And she stopped because she felt that she shouldn't go too far in her statements, but Sif understood her discomfort and smiled

-Especially when I'm Thor's wife?

Irime felt ashamed, the lady was too kind to attack her in any way, having her friendship was really valuable to her and she did not want to disturb her

-I didn't mean to offend you ...

-No…

Interrupted her

-I understand what you mean and I also understand that it must be difficult for you to start these conversations with me, but let me tell you that I do not ignore the things Thor has done in Jotunheim and I do not approve of them either

Irime breathed relief

-I do not defend my husband in everything he does, I have my own opinions ...

And took a sip of the drink

-In truth, we have always been told that the giants of Jotunheim were our enemies and it never occurred to me to doubt it but the things you tell me have completely changed my way of seeing them, believe me Irime, I am willing to accept that some things are not as they told us ...

-It is encouraging that you are able to understand, it means a lot to me ...

-I know…

Lady Sif continued

-I can see in your eyes how much you love them, your words are sincere and I have no reason to doubt what you say ... but believe me Irime, in reality Thor is not as evil as you can believe, even his mother was a Jotun, he responds to Odin's orders and attacking Jotunheim has always been aimed at showing who is in command and it has not been something he has decided to do of his own free will… in fact, he even admires you…

Irime raised her eyebrows upon hearing that.

-It's the truth, more than once, when he returned from Jotunheim and confronted you, he has shown his respect towards you, he knows that you have fought bravely for your convictions and he recognizes that you are powerful too, Thor has a habit of respecting his opponents even when you don't love losing the battle ...

-I never wanted to hurt anyone ...

-I know ... and you've tried to reason with Thor more than once ... he told me

Irime nodded sadly

-But if he has not accepted, and I am not justifying his actions, it was because Odin never allowed him to do it ... a truce with Jotunheim is something that has never been in the plans of the Father of everything ...

Irime nodded again now with more regret than before

-I'm sorry to tell you this dear Irime but none of us consider that your mission can be successful ...

Irime ducked her head nodding at her words, she better than anyone knew that Odin would be unable to accept the union between the two worlds and she knew the reasons

Lady Sif sighed before continuing

-Well ... Thor is not really the only one who admires you ...

Irime raised her head upon hearing her say that

-Loki has turned his attention to the stories of Thor when he returned from a trip to Jotunheim and I have seen that flash in his eyes every time he mentioned that mysterious protector of the Jotnar

Irime blushed at hearing her say this and Lady Sif wouldn't let it go

-And from what I see the desire for attention is mutual ... which seems incredibly revealing to me too ...

The young woman was nervous to hear this and tried to get away from the conversation

-It is very flattering for me that the princes of Asgard have so much respect for me ... I have only been faithful to my nature and ...

-You don't have to explain anything to me ...

Both ladies looked at each other for a few seconds in silence then Irime was the one who spoke

-I wish you were right, I really want Loki to feel comfortable with my presence here but I think I have done nothing but disturb him ...

Sif frowned at her

-He is very kind to me and he has never told me otherwise but I can feel his desire to keep his distance ... I know how much he hates the Jotnar and I am very afraid that he will never see me as someone with whom I feel like being ...

Lady Sif sighed again

-Loki has always been complex to understand ... do not worry about his disdain, I think that over time you will discover that he hides from those who matter most, the rest only serves him to make mischief ...

Irime almost smiled at her words but said nothing and Sif respected her right to remain silent.

-But what I don't understand ...

She said trying to change the tense atmosphere in which the conversation had sunk

-It is because Odin would lie about the Jotnar ...

Irime was silent once more but Lady Sif insisted

-I would like to know your opinion without fear that I may betray our trust

Young Istarí doubted again but her spirit gave her the confidence to trust that Sif did not represent any danger.

-Maybe because he knows they are powerful ...

Sif nodded thoughtfully

"Do you think Odin fears that the Jotnar may usurp his throne?"

Irime smiled

-No, and if he believed it he would be in a huge mistake, the Jotnar would never take anything that was not their, I think he wants to keep them away for something else ... maybe he fears that the Jotnar reveal something he does not want to be revealed ... keeping them away ensures that his secret is safe ...

Sif nodded again

-Maybe I should be more faithful to our king but the truth is that I have never completely trusted him, he exerts too much influence on Thor and I try to keep the balance between his strength and his mercy, Thor is benevolent but Odin's angry character dominates his will ... I have always tried to keep him away from that anger that drags him towards madness ...

She paused again

-Also I know that Odin keeps secrets, I have been aware of this for a long time, I would not be surprised if some matter with the Jotnar is one of them.

Now it was Irime who nodded and deep in her soul she felt enormously happy because she recognized Lady Sif as a valuable ally.

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long-after-love · 4 years ago

Text

Some personal ramblings on love/marriage

(This is actually a non-Beatles post, even though I relate this story to Lennon/McCartney, which is funny)

The other day, I learned something about my cousin. Thanks to anonymity I can tell everything here.

Let's just call him Steve and his wife Anna. An admirable, hard-working, very likable man. His wife is a beautiful and sweet lady whom I also have massive respect for. They have two beautiful children, one boy and one girl. The boy inherits his dad's quick wit and his mom's fair complexion. The girl had her father's intense eyes and her mom's gentle charm. I have never known any family that looks so pretty and wholesome, they are the sort that you see in commercials – a bit too perfect to be true.

Steve is never really close to me, but we are on great terms when we meet. Anna likes me as well. They used to invite me to join them on family trip when I was younger. I looked after the boy and the girl, so that they could have some private couple moments. Steve was openly sweet to his wife, and Anna held his hand all the time. The kids would run around me, laughing out loud at nothing as kids would. I felt like I was watching a movie.

And just recently, everybody in my extended family was shocked to find out that Steve had an illegitimate child that he has supported in secret for more than ten years now. His mistress could not compare with Anna in any way, and the most absurd thing was he wasn't even in love with her. Now everybody are asking, "Why, Steve? Why?" and I could imagine that even Steve was unable to explain it.

Last week, I called my sister in Australia to ask about her current situation amidst Covid-19 and of course we talked about Steve's little scandal. Here I have to provide some background about her, and my family background. She is a single mom, and she is closer to Steve than anyone in my extended family. When she divorced her husband, my parents were so against it because they thought that she was selfish and the child needed a mom and a dad. My parents were old-fashioned that way – I think they were not wrong from where they stood, back when they had my sister and me. I never thought of my parents as a very loving couple. They rarely fought, but they had zero romantic vibe. I always had the impression that they stayed married because of me and my sister, not because they were in love.

I’ve realized that my mother and my father never ever taught me about sex, and as long as I could remember they’ve never shared the same bed. They did not even have a wedding photo. I guess it was because they were very poor and could not afford to take a photo of that day, but they didn’t even have couple photo either. They had to be with someone else in any photo al all: with me and my sister, or relatives, or in a group photo of friends and acquaintances. My father is a stern, quiet man and my mother is a nurturing, traditional woman. I could understand their love and their bond, but I can’t feel it. Their love was mutually built on their devotion to their kids, aka my sister and me, so to me it was a culmination of shared responsibility, understanding, appreciation, respect and most important, mutual sacrifice. I never saw any true moment of romance between them, I have never, ever seen my parents kissing ever.

Love and sex in my household was a taboo subject – when I was younger my parents did not want me to have a boyfriend, and then when I got older they wanted me to get married and have kids as soon as possible.

It sounds a bit ridiculous but I discovered love through The Beatles, and their songs were, in a way, painted my outlook for love. Of course, after all these years consuming other kinds of art I’ve established for myself a far more detailed concept of love, but it is The Beatles that gave me the rough idea. Some might say they were just four young lads singing pop songs about love just like every other pop song out there – I agree with them, at the time they did, and I am sure they didn’t think much about what they were writing – they only wanted to sound good and sell a few records after all. However, I don’t think they were fully aware of their extraordinary talent and their unprecedented influence at the time – such are the stuff that only those with the gift of hindsight like us can see. The Beatles would never know that decades later their songs still changed the life of a little girl in Vietnam for good. Loving The Beatles set me apart not just from my peers then when I was 12, and in a way, I alienated myself from my surrounding because of that. I started drifting away from my parents’ influence consciously (but of course on an unconscious level they still have their influence on me), and became an aberration – not just within the household, but also later on at school or in the workplace, however, I don’t consider being different means I am special, useful, or deserve anything better. Being different is just being different.

Back to the topic of my parents, perhaps my sister felt the same way as I do – we were living in a household where any discussion of love and sex was shadow banned after all. The nearest ideal we can look up to, was Steve’s family. They were the pinnacle of success and domestic bliss. However, before this scandal happened only my sister knew that everything was far from perfect – I happened to realize that she become Anna’s close friend after her divorce. And of course, she wasn’t so surprised about Steve’s illegitimate child at all.

Through my sister I’ve learned about Steve and Anna’s story.

Steve and Anna were classmates, and they had been dating for more than 7 years before the marriage. It was 7 years of an on-off relationship. I don’t know anything about Anna, but Steve, at one point, fell in love with another girl (let’s call her Sarah) and even proposed to her. Sarah’s parents did not approve their relationship because they much preferred Anna, and Steve’s parents were against the idea of having Sarah as daughter-in-law as well. Now I need to tell you that I’m from an Asian country where a woman doesn’t simply get married to her husband, she marries the family of her husband as well, so many women have to live with parent-in-laws. Steve’s and Sarah’s families are way too different and they could not stand each other. Due to fierce objections from both sides, they had to break up.

Sarah was still madly in love with Steve then, that even before the wedding she came to meet Anna, and asked her to let him go. My sister told me:

“Steve said that Sarah still saw him one week before the wedding. She told Anna that Steve loved her, and he nodded. It was the worst experience in his life - having to confront these two women about his feelings. About four or three days later, Anna called Sarah’s parents, begged them to intervene. Sarah’s father had a terrifying meeting with Steve’s family, demanded Steve to break up with Sarah for good and never see her again, because he was supposed to marry Anna and Sarah, of course, would ultimately have to marry someone else as well. After getting married to Anna, Steve had fell into depression in 3 months. He could not sleep, he got up at 3 am just to sit on the roof and smoke or take a walk outside until he had to leave home for work. Finally he got himself together, because he could not just throw his life away – he was the only son of the family and his parents had so much hope in him (once again, where I live, parents valued their sons more than daughters, and women are but a lost cause – it’s an East Asian thing especially for countries being heavily influenced by Confucian’ philosophy). He put on a façade for nearly twenty years. It’s not that he didn’t love Anna – he loves Anna because she is the mother of his kids, he admires her effort and patience, her decision to stick with him despite all the things he did behind her back. He owes her a happy family. He acts out that kind of love publicly and proudly because that is what his conscience forced him to do. On the other hand there is always a vacuum inside him, he longs for the kind of love he had with Sarah and found the ghosts of it in his affairs. The illegitimate child was his accident, he have been quietly supporting the mom and the kid – however due to Covid-19 he cannot make as much money as he could and the financial support was dwindling. The woman was furious, so she decided to expose him. However, Anna still forgave her husband, as she did many times before in silence.”

I asked my sister if she knew what Sarah was doing now. She said she didn’t know, but according to Steve, Sarah also got married about one month after his wedding. Perhaps that deepened his depression back then, he was shocked that she could find someone so quickly – however, that was the way it should be. He deleted her number, never contacted her again. He said he wouldn’t want the present to mess with the image of Sarah in his mind, and probably Sarah had done the same thing.

Now I’ve come to a point in my life, where I believe that anything can happen. I’m not too surprised that some weird shit happened, I’m just surprised that it happened under my nose. Even in my own relationship with my partner, sometimes I don’t understand what was going on without asking for other people’s different accounts on our relationship. There are so many things we could not tell each other, but from the outside, people could feel it. Then again there are things we want people to see, however true the opposite of them are. We did not lie when we were showing how in love we were, but we were not entirely genuine either.

It is never black and white. But of course, it is also never the perfect balance of black and white or an unanimous grey.

#personal #me #whatever I'm trying to write here is nonsensical #ignore me

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convenientalias · 5 years ago

Note

For the crossover ask meme: Marco Polo and Swordspoint (because they both need more love)

A crossover ship I’d dig: Oh dear, I’d ship Richard St. Vier with so many people.

So, first of all, I think I’d probably ship him with Khutulun bc they’re both fighters and he might even be able to beat Khutulun (though I’m not sure of that). I don’t know if Khutulun would approve of his profession because I think the twisted Swordspoint rules of dueling would probably piss her off (they’re kind of shady) but she’d definitely be impressed by his skills. And I just think they might easily hook up. (And of course keep their relationship or affair secret forever.)

Then I’d also ship him with Mei Lin. Somehow they’d both get pulled into the same plot and they’d both be really frustrated with the political scheming they’d been pulled into. Then... I can picture them getting together in a variety of ways. Some rich patron who Mei Lin is currently working for (?) tells her to service St. Vier as a reward for him (which he’d probably be pretty eh about), and they end up getting together after this with mutual animosity towards her current patron, whom they may or may not end up killing. Or, Mei Lin gets sent to kill St. Vier to get him out of the way, but he ends up beating her or she ends up deciding not to kill him at the last moment, and she tells him who sent her--and again, they end up teaming against the guy she’s working for. I just see this being a ship with politics and murder ya know.

I’d also ship St. Vier with Marco Polo. Marco has finally run away from Kublai’s court! He’s now kind of a stray on the run, and somehow ends up in Riverside, an odd corner of the Khan’s empire. St. Vier ends up taking him in much like he took in Alec, though Marco is somewhat less of a wild card and at the same time somewhat more restless and likely to leave to go on the run again. Anyways they carry on with an affair for a while until Marco hears about some major political event and decides he must return to Kublai. This is probably a bad idea bc you don’t just run away from an emperor and then return with no consequences, but St. Vier isn’t a guy to stop his lover from making their own decisions, and he lets Marco return, though not without some regrets.

I would also ship St. Vier with Jingim. They meet at court (I guess in this AU, Cambulac has the same weird dueling laws as the city in Swordspoint) and Jingim respects his swordsfighting skills but has little interest in him bc they’re just not on the same social stratum. Then one day St. Vier gets hired to fight Jingim. I can’t picture him doing this of his own accord (he knows better than to challenge the Khan’s son and heir) so he’s probably been blackmailed somehow, as in the Alec getting kidnapped situation. A very fierce duel follows, and somehow both survive, but just barely. Later on... they hook up?? Idk I just want this to happen.

The pattern here is that I want all my faves to hook up with St. Vier basically lols.

More below the cut!

A crossover BroTP I’d dig: Oh dear, I used up a lot of combinations in the ship section. Well, any of the above I’d enjoy as BroTPs as well as OTPs. But also, consider: Vincent Applethorpe & Hundred Eyes.

Hundred Eyes does not consider the modern conventions of dueling as honorable-- he does not approve of the customs current in Cambulac. However, he is incredibly good at both martial arts and swordsfighting, and back in the day he was renowned among duelers. Of course, since he works for Kublai (and before that, lived off in a lonely village doing his own thing), no professional duelist has tried to learn from him. But if only they could....

So Vincent Applethorpe has heard of the legend, but he never thought he’d actually meet Hundred Eyes. Then one day, a strange young man comes to Applethorpe’s school--Marco Polo. Applethorpe doesn’t recognize him right away and begins to teach him, finding he does have the money to pay at least. It’s only weeks later that he finds out that Marco Polo is the Khan’s guest, when Hundred Eyes shows up at the school to scold Marco for coming to learn from someone other than him. Marco insists that he wasn’t learning well from Hundred Eyes, wasn’t learning fast enough--and Hundred Eyes is teaching him how to fight in self defense or in battle but not so much how to duel, and Marco is worried that someone might challenge him soon. He’s becoming rapidly involved in court politics, and he’s seen how that ends for some people.

Anyways Hundred Eyes reads Marco the riot act, but he’s actually somewhat impressed by Applethorpe. He and Applethorpe do a little sparring, and he reluctantly says that if Marco wants to learn from Applethorpe as well as Hundred Eyes that’s fine; only Hundred Eyes will sometimes come and sit in on their sessions. Applethorpe is completely over the moon at this bc again, Hundred Eyes is a fuckign LEGEND.

They become bros.

A crossover Frenemies I think would be inevitable: Ahmad and Alec.

No matter how I form this crossover, I can’t really picture Alec being a native noble in Cambulac; he’s too “Latin”. So in this AU, he’s sort of a traveling scholar. He’s known to be a noble from [insert country name here] and Kublai has invited him to stay in Cambulac. “Invited” him in more or less the same way he “invited” Marco. Alec’s stuck in Cambulac and can’t leave, and he’s kind of grumpy about it, and he’s still a rude, capricious wild card. No one has any idea why Kublai keeps him around and hasn’t yet executed him for his presumption. Especially not Ahmad. (And also Jingim but I’ll get there later.)

Ahmad and Alec have a tendency to make catty comments at each other and they probably shouldn’t be left in the same room. However, they also for some reason enjoy each other’s company. They like playing games together and sharing rumors they’ve heard (though always keeping their own secrets), recognize that they are both kind of treacherous, and generally have a lot of fun. I feel like at some point they may have a threesome with Mei Lin, or just hook up. (....somehow I’ve continued to just keep on shipping things.) Also, Ahmad kind of empathizes with Alec as another of the Khan’s strays--more than he empathizes with Marco in the show, bc while Alec is whiny he’s also just really fun, and also isn’t directly getting in the way of Ahmad’s plans bc he’s not really politically involved, he’s just There.

A crossover badass duo I think would be inevitable: See the shipping section.

Lols but really, can you even picture St. Vier and Mei Lin taking down one of Mei Lin’s patrons (possibly Ahmad? or Jia Sidao?), or. Oh my God. What if. The reason St. Vier challenged Jingim is because Ahmad had kidnapped Alec--Ahmad had ample opportunity for this bc see above, he and Alec are best frenemies. Don’t ask why Ahmad wanted to get Jingim murdered; he had his reasons. Now St. Vier and Jingim must take on Ahmad together, but Ahmad isn’t such a fool as to let Alec go after the duel failed to kill either of them, so the situation is very tricky.

This is an imperfect scenario, however, bc it’s very straightforward for Ahmad. If not Ahmad, maybe the kidnapper was Kaidu? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

A crossover animosity I think would be inevitable: ALEC AND JINGIM.

Why do Alec and Jingim hate each other? Let me count the ways.

First of all, Jingim dislikes that his father keeps on getting new favorites rather than focusing on him. And what did Alec do to deserve his current status as honored guest in Cambulac? Literally nothing! I mean, maybe he’s a decent scholar, but he’s not THAT amazing. In fact, I bet he was rude to Kublai when they first met in hopes that Kublai would kill him. (Unfortunately, Kublai had already heard about Alec and knew he was suicidal, and so could see through this motivation easily, and has been refusing to kill him partly bc he doesn’t like being manipulated into these things.) Jingim just does not understand why Kublai grants Alec so much leeway and spends so much time with him when Alec is a complete bitch!

And then there’s the fact that Alec is also friends with Ahmad. Jingim has always wanted to be closer to his two brothers, but with Ahmad... it’s like there’s a wall there. Sometimes he feels like they’re close, and sometimes he feels like they’re far apart, despite being raised together. Yet even when Alec and Ahmad fight, they clearly get each other in ways that Jingim does not understand.

Why does Alec hate Jingim? Partly just bc he’s the son of the guy who’s holding prisoner (excuse me, guest) in Cambulac. Partly bc he’s kind of stiff and formal, and has been pissed at Alec’s rudeness since Day One. And partly bc St. Vier is into Jingim and Alec knows it. Idk if they’ve hooked up yet or not (I’m really unsure on the chronology of all these ships) but at the very least, St. Vier always has positive things to say about Jingim and is oddly deferential towards him, more than he tends to be towards a noble. Alec is completely certain that if Jingim took up with St. Vier, St. Vier would drop Alec in a heartbeat. Bc Jingim is better than Alec. He’s a noble who actually does his job, he’s incredibly good looking, and he doesn’t get into all the trouble that Alec does. So Alec’s kind of paranoid about that. Even if it doesn’t seem likely that Jingim WILL start an affair with St. Vier anytime soon (Jingim has his wives, and he’s only somewhat interested in St. Vier, and St. Vier is a little wary of starting an affair with the Khan’s son), it doesn’t matter. As long as Alec knows (or thinks he knows) that St. Vier would prefer to be with Jingim over Alec, he will always hate Jingim.

So. Jingim and Alec hate each other. And yet the sexual tension there is very strong.

Anyways. I didn’t think I’d have this many feelings on this crossover but I’m into it! Thanks for the ask.

#marco polo #swordspoint #richard st. vier #mei lin #jingim #thanks for the ask!

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minijenn · 6 years ago

Text

The Princess of the His Universe

Crystal Temple (Front Yard) 3:25 PM

It was hard to believe that today was the day for Steven Universe. He dreamed about this moment for years since he and Pacifica started dating and now it was finally coming true. Steven’s family and his and Pacifica’s mutual friends all gathered for the impromptu ceremony in front of the temple’s statue, with the expectant husband-to-be waiting for his wife-to-be at the end of the aisle. Despite Pearl’s objections due to her misunderstanding the term, the title of best man went to Dipper, but the white Gem did manage to secure her place as co-maid of honor for Pacifica, with the other one being Mabel. Lion and Waddles were co-ring bearers, Connie was a bridesmaid, Peridot managed to retain her role as the flower girl, and surprisingly Stan got ordained as their priest for the occasion. Since Pacifica’s parents were long-estranged from their daughter because of her relationship with Steven, Greg graciously volunteered to give her away at the wedding.

Garnet, Ford, and Amethyst banded together to get the whole ceremony in order, with the former especially invested in the affair to properly thank Steven for Ruby and Sapphire’s wedding. Even Yellow and Blue managed to get away from their Homeworld duties to attend the ceremony, both very confused by the concept, but excited that “Pink” was free to do anything like this since the defeat of White. Soon enough, the ceremony reached its climax when Greg and Pacifica arrived, with Steven especially entranced by the vision of the latter. Pacifica’s blonde hair was tied into a bun and she wore a stunning white ankle-length dress with matching heels and her wedding veil. As Greg walked her down the aisle, the aging former rock star couldn’t help but feel happiness and relief that she and his son had found each other. Once they reached the end, Greg gave his ceremonial blessing before taking his seat in the front row alongside Lapis and Bismuth, both of whom were smiling happily at the young couple. Steven carefully motioned his arms and removed her veil, which revealed the same green-eyed knockout he fell in love with, only with light purple eyeshadow and lipstick and an unrepentant blushing face. Steven smiled warmly and formed a blush of his own as they then turned towards Stan for the vows. “Uh…dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to bring Stevie and Paz together,” Stan crudely remarked, unaccustomed to how this was supposed to work. “Now, I know I’m not the most ‘romantic’ guy even compared to my ace brother, but I do believe in this: Steven was a damn good kid and he’s now an even greater adult, so it only seemed right for me to help him tie the knot.” “Uh, Mr. Pines…” Soos said in confusion as he motioned for Stan to get back on track. “Oh, right. Well, anyway, love is like a rollercoaster: full of twists and turns, and odds are you’re going to barf once or twice, but it’s the wildest ride of anyone’s life and these two have been through enough that they deserve this,” Stan continued before he cleared his throat for the finale, “Now, unless any nimrod here has any objections, lets get these crazy kids married, already! But, first, the vows; Steven, you’re up.” Now that the oddly touching monologue had ended, Steven cleared his throat for preparation and took out his carefully folded vows from his front pocket. He then took Pacifica hand and gently recited, “Pacifica, when I remember how we met, I recalled how you didn’t seem to think too much of me and against all odds…we started something wonderful. You’ve seen me at my best and worst and you’re still here; that’s a quality that the younger me wouldn’t have expected you to have.” Steven then lightly brushed a few stray hair strands away from his bride-to-be’s eyes, lightly blushing at how perfect she looked at this moment. “As time went on, you became one of my best friends and then we became so much more than that. You were my first fusion, my first knight, my first girlfriend, and you’ll be my first and last wife. It seems so crazy that we’re together at this moment because we’re so different, but maybe that’s why I fell in love with you; we push each other to become better people. Pacifica, when I see you, you make me feel human. I know that seems stupid, but it means more than you’ll ever know. Pacifica…you’re the princess of my universe,” Steven finished with a light blush, unaware that everyone within ear shot was crying or holding back tears, Pacifica included. Given the circumstances, Yellow and Blue elected to stay out of range because they were certain that they wouldn’t have been able to handle the vows without endangering the human guests. Even Stan was touched by Steven’s vows before he lightly sniffled and tearfully declared, “Okay! Okay! Let’s move on already, okay?!” Stan soon recomposed himself as he lightly gestured to Pacifica and said, “Now, if this crazy broad will hurry up and say her vows, we can get them married!” Pacifica had been smiling brightly through her light tears that she wiped away from her face before she recited the vows she hid in her cleavage, a sight that made Steven wish they were already married. “Steven, I always felt bad that I didn’t treat you with the respect you deserved from when we were kids. I was a total spoiled brat, but you helped me realize that I didn’t have to be what my parents wanted me to be. I never expected to feel this way about anyone and I was so convinced that when this did happen it would be for one of my parent’s business deals. You have no idea how it feels to know that I’m doing this for love, especially for someone as undeniably amazing as you.” Pacifica then lovingly entwined her free hand with her husband-to-be’s own and formed a light smile as she continued. “I’m still so bossy and I have this armor around me, but you’re the one who cracked through it, Steven. We’ve faced impossible odds together and no matter what the future has in store for us, know that I’ll be by your side. You’re everything to me Steven Universe…and I’ll be happy remind you every day of our married lives,” Pacifica finished, which had a similar effect on anyone that overheard her, especially Stan. “Okay, let’s get this over with already!” Stan tearfully yelled before he hastily asked Steven, “Do you want to take this broad as your wife?!” “I do,” Steven answered instantly as he tightened his hand around hers. “And do you take this scruffy schlub as your husband?!” Stan asked similarly, unable to muster any other tone now. “I do,” Pacifica answered similarly as the two released their grips on each other for the rings Lion and Waddles carried for them. “Then by the power vested in me by the state of Oregon, I now pronounce you man and wife! Kiss each other already, okay?!” Stan declared through heavy sobs, which did nothing to deter the happy young couple from doing so. Steven lovingly dipped Pacifica and passionately kissed her, which was met with the approval of the entire audience, all of whom were clapping or otherwise supporting them in this moment. Once their passionate moment ended, Steven pulled away from Pacifica and returned her to her original position, both smiling happily and blushing. “I love you, Mr. Universe,” Pacifica sincerely said as she placed her left hand on Steven’s face. “And I love you…Mrs. Universe,” Steven similarly said as he once again passionately kissed his wife.

#submission #fan work #mm cute #again i dont ship it like at all but yeah this is cute enough i suppose #put a read more cause it was kinda long #but yeah cute

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tipsycad147 · 3 years ago

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A Parents Guide To Protecting Their Child With Craft Interests

ParentingIt's never easy raising children. You have a greater responsibility to the health, well being, and physical condition of your child than anyone else. Today, it's easier for parents to rely on others to help them monitor interests, than it is to sit down and talk with your children. But you also have a responsibility to their mental conditioning as well. There's nothing new about this concept. There are a huge number of books, magazines and even web sites offering advice for the best way to talk to your child. That isn't the purpose of this posting however. My purpose here is to merely give non-pagan parents an understanding or insight into how to handle, deal with and work with a child with interests in magik and/or witchcraft.

Mutual Respect

The first comment I feel a need to pass on to all parents is: if you want your children to respect you and your wishes; then you must start with respecting their thoughts and interests. You can't control what a person thinks. No matter how hard you try. That doesn't mean agreeing with their interests or condoning their actions, but it does mean having the ability to talk with them and LISTENING to what they say, how they say it and being open to their thoughts. The worst thing anyone can do to a child is not listen. All you will accomplish is creating a situation where the child will begin hiding their interests, and deceiving you. This is dangerous to both the child and to you! Without listening, you could easily miss an underlying message of pain or sadness which unchecked, could lead to some seriously dangerous behavior. With that said, and once again, this article focuses on spiritual beliefs and mystical interests. Nothing else. It's meant to give parents information about the path of Witchcraft, what it is and what it isn't. It's better to work with your child to help them research, so that they can find the most accurate and best information; instead of trying to control their thoughts and creating a situation where your child could become involved in a group that has no clue what they're talking about. Or worse, who only wish to control and abuse your child. These kinds of groups exist in ALL religions. The best way to provide safety for your child, is to help them research and steer clear of wannabe false priests/priestess. To do that, you need to know a little too.

How Did It Happen

As a spiritual leader and teacher, I'm often asked to talk with parents and teachers about the path of the craft. After many years of counseling, I can predict the questions I'm about to be asked. So here's a quick frequently asked questions - and some answers that will clear up much mis-information.

Why did my child get interested in this? There are as many answers for this as there are children on the planet.

How did my child find out about this? Again, friends and the media are often the sources of much information that influence our children. With movies like "The Craft", "Practical Magik" and TV shows like "Charmed" and "Sabrina Teenage Witch", there are bound to be children who see the "fantasy" and want to be special. The real side of Witchcraft is nothing like this Hollywood version however.

We're not evil, why do they want to do this? First of all Witchcraft and magik ARE NOT evil. We don't worship the devil or negative Gods. In fact, the religion of Witchcraft is very unfavorable about those who practice negative actions toward other living things. Mystical beliefs have existed throughout history. Have a curiosity isn't evil as long as it follows a real path of honest research and study.

What can we do to get them out of this cult stuff? By definition, even Christianity and Judaism are cults. Check the dictionary for cult and you'll see what I mean. There are just as many Christian or Hebrew 'brain washing' cults as there are, excuse the phrase, flaky cults. Witchcraft is not about 'brain washing', controlling or manipulating people. In fact, it is a religion based whole heartily in respect. Violating that concept is equivalent to a major sin. So it's something we really don't approve of. After you have talked with your child and learned a little about the craft path; perhaps your sincerity of respect in their interests will also encourage your children to respect your wishes as well. You're not going to be able to control your child's thoughts and beliefs. But who said you can't use their beliefs to help you through discipline and reciprocal respect.

What do we do now? Once again learn a little bit about what the religion of Witchcraft is, so you can speak with your child with some level of understanding. Your efforts might even impress them enough to listen to you. Imagine that. ;-) If you still feel the need to control their actions and interests, then this article has failed. But I'd ask for you to at least respect your child and calmly tell them you are uncomfortable with their interest in this religion. Out of respect or your wishes, would they please stop. Demanding to control their beliefs isn't going to work. Remember when you were a kid? Demands will only send your children underground into hiding their beliefs and actions. Where you can not protect them. If your child is still interested in the path of the craft, the best thing you can do is help them research for valid information. This will put your mind at ease by knowing what their doing, and with whom. But it will also help you both learn about the misconceptions, misinformation and even the propaganda that can be dangerous. Please remember that pagan paths are not where the dangers lie. Within ALL religions, there are fanatics and people who wish to control and manipulate others. By respecting the interests of your child, you will gain their trust and maybe even learn a little along the way yourself. Learning about other religions and cultures doesn't take anything away from your beliefs or way of life. It merely gives you an understanding and maybe even a little tolerance.

Rebellion of parents and authority.

Friends at school

Dissatisfaction with fundamental religions and ideals

A general curiosity that became a real interest

How about asking the child?

What Are The Dangers

As within any religion, there are people and organizations whose only interest is control, manipulation and greed. The religion of witchcraft is no different. But they're a little easier to spot. The biggest problem today are the many people who are newly interested in the craft path who think they've learned enough to be teachers. These people are often misinformed, or know just enough to be dangerous. Mostly because their concepts or understandings are only partially developed. They base their concepts on two or three books, movies or turn of the 19th century writings that are filled with misconceptions in themselves. The only real way to spot the dangers, is to learn the basics of what Witchcraft really is.

So what is Witchcraft?

Witchcraft is a religion of respect, and a way of life that focuses on the balance between nature and man, as well as, the physical and spiritual world. In order to achieve balance, one must first learn respect for all things; seen and unseen. We have many basic beliefs, but the long and short of them are:

These are the basics. If you'd like to learn more about these, visit our Metaphysics 101 section.

Witchcraft as religion has existed for thousands of years, under many labels and in many countries. The religion today is primarily based on Indo-European concepts and cultures. Witchcraft defines the basics of the belief, while the traditions (or denominations) put those beliefs into practice and sometimes further defines or adds details to those beliefs.

There are literally thousands of traditions within the religion. The most known today is Wicca. But as a tradition, Wicca is relatively new. It was founded in the 1950s by Gerald Gardner who was an initiated witch into other traditions. Gardnerarian Wicca is widely practiced here in the United States. But there is also, Faery Wicca, Dianic Wicca, Seax Wicca, Celtic Wicca and many more. In addition to formal traditions, there are family traditions, which are based in knowledge passed through each family generation to the next. There are more of these than you may realize. Finally there are also solitary paths, where a person will study many traditions, take those parts that feel right to him/her and create their own.

Within our religion a leader is called a priest, priestess, mage, wizard or shaman. Member groups are called coven's and clans. A leader/teacher has gone through many years of formal study and has been initiated into a particular tradition of the path. Or they have studied for many many years, decades even, through formal classes, personal research and community interactions to reach a point of significant wisdom and spiritual understanding. They are looked upon as a wise mage or shaman by their community, based on their actions, knowledge and daily exercise of that wisdom. I'll be honest here; there are few of these self taught shamans. In some traditions, a leader who takes on the title of Priest or Shaman without a formal test of knowledge and initiation is often frowned upon or somehow seen as not fully acknowledged in the role.

Formal traditions often require a dedication of faith, which is usually a self dedication before a person can be considered for a formal initiation. Initiations are invitations to join a coven or clan and are only given when a person has demonstrated a certain level of knowledge of that tradition. Many traditions contain varying levels of initiation as well. Such as student, apprentice, teacher and leader or priest/priestess. Each level requires a test or demonstration of knowledge before the title is granted. It's important to note here that just claiming the title of witch, priest or shaman, doesn't make it so. And rarely are self proclaiming initiations to claim a title acknowledge. Education, study, research and demonstration of knowledge is all hard work. But if your child is serious about this path, they must be serious about the effort involved to practice it.

We believe in the concept of a God. However, to us, God is not something outside of ourselves, but rather something we are part of. We see "God" as a divine entity that has masculine and feminine aspects. Many traditions will assign pantheons (a mythological God or Goddess) to these aspects in order to give form to their practices by which they can honor the Divine. This is similar to Christians who use the crucifix or images of Jesus to give their God form by which they can worship.

We do not worship, we honor. We honor the divine around us and within us. I alone am not a Goddess, you are not a god. But you and I and all things throughout the universe, seen and unseen make up the Divine.

We believe in reincarnation, karma and an after life. We believe in a soul and spirit.

http://www.paganspath.com/magik/parent.htm

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the-vaporverse · 7 years ago

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Starless Horizon RP File #27

(Vela’s part in italics.)

After a beautifully calm evening, Dritz slept better than he had in a while, nearly oversleeping until Vela gently nudged him awake and the two of them started to get ready for the counsel.

Though he knew he wouldn't really be needed, Dritz chose the most appropriate thing he owned that would still be smart, a high-collared floral suit with uncharacteristically muted colours, and boots that he even made sure to polish carefully.

"It's not really much of a formal affair, the meeting, but it shows respect for the overseers. As open as they are for visitors, and as much as they strive for equality between the public and overseers, counsel meetings are very, very rarely accessible to the public. So since we're in a pretty privileged position, I figured... Dress to impress," he explained with a goofy smile.

Vela watched Dritz as he dressed, almost feeling too nervous to do the same. Eventually she had to choose her own outfit, deciding on clothes that best represented her people: one of her slightly oversized dark tunics and warm leggings. Too warm for Chrysala, considering, but she felt perfectly able to endure being too warm over being too cold.

[You look nice,] she told Dritz, standing near him and smoothing one hand along the front of his jacket for a moment. [So you won't know what's going to happen, if the public doesn't see much of the counsels? Or do you know anything else about them?] She could imagine that all the overseers likely had a chance to speak in turn, but beyond that she struggled to think of what a counsel might actually be like.

Dritz couldn't help leaning into Vela's touch just slightly, enjoying the attraction in her gaze. While his looks had never been a big problem for him, to know there was one with whom his attraction was mutual was still a novel feeling.

"So do you, flower. I know I say you look nice in everything, but... This stuff, your tunics and cloaks... I kinda fell for you first while you still wore this and only this. So it's got a special place in my heart, y'know?"

He brushed a stray strand of hair out of his face before continuing, "Yeah, it's normally done more casually, but because we brought it to be called, I think it has the potential to be a shorter affair. Usually it'd be discussing the districts and what the issues are in them, then all coming together to work out solutions to any problems. So say... There's drug deals going on in the lower districts. Szna might spare a policing force to help the other district, or she might offer stricter crossing through her own district to avoid continuing the route," he explained. "This should be very quick. We present our cause, Szna does much of the talking, but with our backup I think we'll have support for the Aurians."

The fact that Dritz enjoyed her Aurian clothing so much was a little surprising to Vela, but it made sense when he explained the reason behind it. She smiled and nodded, thanking him with a small kiss before fetching a comb to continue helping him with his hair.

[I hadn't thought of that. Of course it would be shorter and more simplified as a special counsel. We are the ones who brought it about. I appreciate her for doing this, but hope it wasn't too much trouble for her... then again, I think she really wanted to do it.] One of the main reasons she had hope of this working was because of Szna's dedication to their cause, which made her incredibly happy to think about.

After attempting to tame her own hair and largely failing (it still sprung in wisps however it wanted), they left their room and began making their way to where the counsel would be held, Vela keeping her determination at the front of her mind to ease her own worry.

Dritz lead Vela through the city to where Szna had asked them to meet her. She had sent a message directing them to a more upmarket portion of the district, featuring newer buildings built with more aesthetically pleasing frontage, shinier metals and softer lines, drawing influence from wide and far. As Dritz explained to Vela, this was due to the changing influence of the galaxy on Chrysala's creativity, the fashion seeping into their culture, making looks a more considered aspect of things.

Waiting nearby was Szna, dressed in the same understated overalls, but this time with a large medallion about her shoulders. The bronze chain was thick and interwoven with green fabric, holding a bronze disc with a map of the district hammered into it; the closest things Chrysala had to marks of authority, only worn for official meetings.

"Good morning, friends," she said as they approached. She took each of their hands in turn, clasping them and saying their names; she had remembered. "I spent a good time preparing for every eventuality today, but I still may need to call on the two of you. Is that alright?"

As they walked, Vela kept her attention on the sights around her, which further helped calm her nerves. She especially marveled at the buildings, unable to imagine living or working in them despite the fact the ancient Aurians surely would have had such lovely architecture as well. With a smile, she told Dritz that it was wonderful they had adopted designs from other cultures and could see the beauty within them well enough to do so.

She was captivated by Szna's necklace first, thinking she had never seen anything like it either, and subconsciously touching where her gift from Dritz lay hidden under her tunic. [Good morning,] she signed before taking the overseer's hand, pleased that her name had been remembered. [Thank you. Yes, I am ready to say anything I need to in order to help, and I know Dritz will translate for me. You are doing so much for us.] With these words, Vela's determination seemed to be set, and her resolution fixed on what was about to happen.

Once Dritz had translated for her, Szna smiled at Vela, holding out an arm to lead them.

"I am doing my duty. Chrysala is my home, but it has its place in the galaxy, and it has a duty to help where possible. I would expect assistance from other planets if my people were in dire need, and we can do no less." With a somewhat sad tone, she added, "I believe we as a people are still too closed off from other worlds; we will accept their culture but not them? It saddens me."

Vela had to pause and study Szna a moment with new interest. From the way she spoke, it seemed there might be a personal reason behind her assistance rather than simply wanting to help them. That wasn't a bad thing at all, but it did interest her enough that she thought she might ask later, after the counsel meeting.

With a nod of agreement, she allowed the Chrysalan overseer to lead the way into the building as she walked alongside Dritz.

Dritz had been agreeing enthusiastically, evidently too eager to voice his approval to notice the hint in Szna's statement, or the sad determination in her eyes.

As she led them, Szna explained the two counsel members that would be their main opposition in anything they said. Tvek was the incredibly stern overseer of the industrial estate, which housed the oldest established metalworks and very few residential areas. She was traditional, old fashioned; one who believed that things were done a certain way for a reason and nothing needed to change. Vri was younger and more naïve, she did not see the importance of trade relations, nor had she adapted her thinking to include offworlders. For one so young, she was remarkably xenophobic.

Eventually they came to a taller building, just as nondescript as Szna's office. The three of them were greeted by a small, slight Chrysalan man, clearly just getting his start in the business of their govern, as he seemed almost in awe of Szna as he escorted them.

The counsel were already assembled and ready when they arrived, five other Chrysalan women of varying skintones and hair colours, each with a large medallion of their own colour and metal; all practical and neutral coloured fabric attachments.

Vela listened closely to everything Szna told them, and paid extra attention when discussing the more difficult overseers. It was disheartening to think that some remained this way despite any advancements they had made otherwise; however, Vela knew that she herself might not be considered a typical Aurian when compared to any of the rest. They would not listen to her while she was there, but perhaps with all of this additional support and a reasonable alternative for a home already prepared, they would be more willing.

When they entered the next building and the room where the counsel would be held, Vela felt some of her nervous thoughts returning. It felt as though each Chrysalan was staring right at her, but that would be understandable in such a situation if it was true. She went where she was directed by Szna, Dritz still at her side, and tried to focus on the appearance of each woman, and how each of their medallions was different and lovely, while she waited for the meeting to proceed.

Szna greeted the others graciously, warmly even.

"Zask, my dear," she said brightly, embracing a willowy Chrysalan with very dark, very short blue hair and soft features. The two engaged in small talk about Zask's recent improvements to her district, and the plans for another tram line.

While Szna made her way around the group, greeting them with hugs and chatter, Dritz kept close to Vela, stroking her back gently.

Eventually, Szna moved to a high round table and gestured for all, including Vela and Dritz, to join her. Everyone remained standing, as the table had been built for the meetings to be conducted as such.

"I am sure we are eager to discover why it was I called you here," she announced. Gesturing to Vela and Dritz, she introduced them. "Ladies, we are idle as a people, and we ignore the needs of our galactic neighbours at every turn. We do our jobs well for our people, and I think the time has come for us to direct our attentions further. Vela comes to us from Aurctas, and wishes our assistance in the survival and preservation of her species. It's my opinion that we can give it to her.'

"And why, do tell, should the resources needed for Chrysala be transferred to this... Aurctas for use? I have not even heard of such a world, why should my district suffer for them?" From Szna's description, the Chrysalan speaking, weathered with greying lilac hair in a high bun atop her head, was Tvek.

With Dritz's gentle hand moving slowly up and down her back, Vela relaxed slightly against his touch as she listened to the overseers speaking among themselves. When the subject quickly turned to the Aurians, however, she stood up straighter and focused her attention first on Szna, then on the woman who must be Tvek. The questions asked made her instantly begin to sign, whether or not this was a good idea.

[I mean no disrespect in anything I say. I am Vela. I'm honored to be here among the Chrysalans and offered an audience with such an important counsel. I should clarify that Aurctas is likely unknown to you because my people are being exploited as cheap labor, and the existence of the Aurians is kept a secret by these dishonest traders. Aurctas is a harsh world where nothing can grow, and my people are dwindling.]

She directed her gaze straight at Tvek as she continued signing, stopping every other sentence for Dritz to translate. [Your district will not suffer for us, I think. All I ask are for ships to transport the Aurians to a new home world. Anything else would be asking too much, but I would accept more help as you might see fit. I can explain anything you like in more detail.] Here she felt the need to stop and see the reaction from the counsel, glancing toward Szna with a slightly troubled expression.

"This representative does not even speak our language," Tvek said sharply. Thankfully, it seemed that the other counsel members did not like this statement, and one stepped forward, holding out a finger.

"And you expect every representative to speak Basic or Chrysalan? Perhaps you might wish to speak to the scientists about a time machine, Tvek, if you prefer our ancient segregation so much," she scoffed, smoothing her long hair back over one shoulder. She turned to Vela with a gracious nod, "You are welcome here, child, do not listen to those who would see us remain in our dark corner of space without the joys of new worlds."

Dritz translated the remaining information as Vela expressed it, speaking with his head held high, his voice clear and confident, his hands clasped behind his back. "I am Dritz, of the Criznr Quarter if you would prefer introductions, and Vela's translator. If my opinion counts for anything, ma'am, the Aurians need help that Chrysala, as a prosperous planet, is in a position to give. This is a chance for a joining of communities." He seemed to realise he was speaking somewhat out of turn, and stepped back. It was not usually heard of for males to even be in the counsel's room, he needed to remember how privileged he was.

"What he says is correct; we can help. Chrysala continues to thrive and grow, but who are we if we turn our backs on the Aurians, who have asked our help. But I need a majority vote."

Over the next hour or so, Szna laid out a plan for their distribution of assistance, funds, and the time scale of the help the Aurians would need, with the overseers discussing, sometimes heatedly.

[With all respect,] Vela signed, [I do speak Basic. Or I would if I could do so aloud. The rest of my people also understand it, though perhaps less words than I do. I have been training my voice to grow accustomed to speaking but it's a slow process. I think that someday the Aurians may be able to become vocal as well.]

She only added a little more for Dritz to translate: that she was grateful for any assistance given, that the other Aurians would be too, and that any details would be left up to the counsel entirely. After this, there was a long period of debate as Vela tried to stand still and avoid wringing her hands just slightly in worry. Tvek had seemed so much against the idea at first, and some of the others were doubtful of it. She glanced around the room more than once, though her gaze kept returning to the comforting sight of Dritz at her side. There was little she could do now unless further questions were asked of her, meaning all she could do was wait.

Tvek voiced her displeasure many times, backed up by Vri, but the other overseers seemed to be coming around to the idea the more Szna spoke. They would need to secure coordinates to Aurctas, send an ambassadorial party to discuss their plans and make diplomatic introductions, and prepare the Aurians for extraction.

Dritz stepped closer to Vela, returning his hand to the small of her back. "I know Tvek seems harsh, but I think she's outvoted here. Good job, flower," he whispered.

Once it seemed deliberations were over, a different overseer took the lead. She was older than even Tvek, silvery hair in a long, relaxed braid with a roughly hammered metal clasp holding it in place. She held up her hands, "My dears, I believe we have heard enough and will need to put in a vote."

Dritz gawked, seeming to realise something. "She's the grand overseer. I didn't even consider that she would be here," he muttered. "I've never seen her before..."

"You all know that I will make my final decision once you have voted, so please; complete Szna's plan for the assistance of Aurctas?" she asked, looking around the room. Szna, unable to vote on her own cause, watched with her mouth in a tight line as Tvek and Vri remained still, though the other overseers held up hands in agreement. "And you are opposed?" the grand overseer asked the other women, who confirmed.

Szna frowned and looked to the grand overseer with an anxious air to her.

"I've taken everything that has been said into account, and it's my opinion that the Aurians require the assistance of another world. We can be that world," the grand overseer said, a small smile reserved for Vela.

Through the oftentimes tense debate, Vela continued to glance around the table at each overseer, hoping they could at least try to understand how she felt and what it must be like to have a home which wasn't a home, even if they had never experienced similar. She was so focused on what was happening that she was almost startled when Dritz touched her again.

His whispered words brought a smile to her face. Of course she could not say anything, so she nodded slightly. Despite Tvek and Vri and their protests, everyone else seemed to think that helping the Aurians would be the right thing to do. When the one Dritz called the "grand overseer" began to speak, Vela almost felt as though she couldn't bear waiting for the answer any longer. She didn't know the significance of this Chrysalan, but the ultimate decision seemed to lay with her.

It wasn't a surprise when the two who opposed the vote made this clear. But it was heartening to see the others agree, and for the grand overseer to say that Chrysala would assist the Aurians... Vela almost wished she could sit down from the sudden weakness of her relief.

[Thank you. It isn't enough to show my gratitude, but that's all I can say for now. I deeply appreciate what you will do for my people, and they will too.] She had signed while looking at most of the overseers, but looked to Tvek and Vri next. [You will not find reason to regret this was done, I assure you. The Aurians will be prosperous again one day and I feel you will find them a worthy ally.] Finally she turned her gaze to Szna. [And thank you for agreeing to bring this to your counsel. I think we will never forget you for that.] She wanted to add a thank you to Dritz, but only directed her smile back at him again, knowing she could do that better later.

Szna beamed at the news of the voting, and there was a rapid series of events for Vela, with the overseers who voted in favour wishing to speak to her, congratulate her, and Szna hoping to speak to her about other matters, while Tvek seemed to be contemplating the results of the vote.

After a moment, Dritz stepped in and put an arm around Vela, seeing the situation could become overwhelming for her very quickly.

"Overseers, thank you for your time. Perhaps we could speak another time, as our Aurian ambassador is needed elsewhere," he said graciously. He turned to Szna, "Thank you, ma'am, we will be in touch to further discuss our actions in relation to Aurctas."

Soon, he had led her out of the building and to somewhere quiet and peaceful.

"How are you feeling, flower?" he asked softly, pulling her into his arms and kissing her forehead, "I'm so, so, so proud of you. Wow. I can't even believe how well that went!"

With nearly everyone trying to talk at once, most of them directly to her, Vela had started to feel a little overwhelmed. Fortunately Dritz was there to handle the situation, speaking to everyone easily and guiding her away from the noise to somewhere more quiet. As much as she wanted to continue to converse with the overseers, she also needed some time to process what was a very emotional situation for her.

She felt herself leaning most of her weight on Dritz when he held her, just allowing his warmth to seep through to her own body in the way that was so comforting. [I feel alright,] she answered once she had collected herself somewhat again. [But I feel... overwhelmed. I wanted them to agree to help, but there was a part of me that doubted they would. And now I admit that I'm not sure what to do.] She smiled weakly before moving forward to rest her face near Dritz's shoulder, breathing in his scent and feeling herself gradually relax further.

After a few moments of the two of them standing quietly, Dritz stroking Vela's hair and chatting in that idle, unimportant way about what he could see while she was squished against him, Szna rounded the corner, in the process of untying her hair from the bun she held it in, letting it fall before shaking it out and sighing.

"Hello, dears," she said weakly, "How are we doing? I just wanted to come out and speak to you about what we need to do next," she said. She touched Vela's shoulder gently, "I think you did very well. You spoke clearly about what the needs of your people were, and you have done them a service. I believe with the right guidance from you, we can take the majority of the work from you now. You've set this in motion, and I would like you to allow Chrysala and Aurctas to continue your work. Do you think that will be possible? Is there anything more we will need to consider before we set this in place?"

Vela began to turn as she heard the footsteps coming from behind them and around the corner. She was not sure what she had been expecting, but was relieved to see Szna again. She had wanted to thank the Chrysalan woman further for her help in making everything much more of a potential reality.

[I think we are well. Mostly relieved and somehow exhausted, speaking for myself,] she signed for Dritz to translate, though she smiled at Szna. [Thank you. I only did the best I could, and if it had not been for the two of you, I might not be where I am today. I really can't thank you enough.]

It took some contemplation before she realized what she needed to say. [I think it's possible. The only problem is that I have not convinced any of the rest of my people that it's in their best interest to leave. So I thought that with the promise of a world for them, and a means of getting there, they would see it could be done and agree. Trelos was not fully decided on whether we might join them, so we will need to wait and see if they send word. After that happens, maybe we could send a small group of Chrysalans along to Aurctas to help persuade them? I know Dritz would have to come along as interpreter, but would we need anyone else?] In all honesty, she was uncertain exactly how many or even who might most impress the other Aurians enough to make them see that their lives could be different, in a good way.

Szna listened thoughtfully, her eyes bright as her smile turned into an impressed smirk. "You truly have considered every avenue. It's my hope that your people will see the effort you have put into their future. As for Chrysalans going with you to Auctas, I believe that is up to you. I am happy to accompany you as another ambassador for my people, and we could perhaps bring the grand overseer; I believe she may also be a good representative for the whole."

"Once we've heard from Trelos, we could set off from Hesperus Alpha together, depending on how many of us there are in the... I guess it's like a first contact mission, almost? But not?" Dritz rambled.

Szna bit back a grin and glanced at Vela, teasingly saying, "And this is your translator. Are you certain he's doing it correctly?"

Vela nodded, promising to give the situation more thought later and decide who she would like to accompany them to Aurctas.

[That's a good idea. Another small ship may be needed to get us there since the Nova can't carry too many comfortably.] She could sense that Szna was teasing about Dritz even without seeing the Chrysalan woman's expression. [He is. And he... usually gets it right.] Now she was teasing too, she realized, as she turned a small but playful smile toward her lover. [I think I would trust no one else to interpret for me now, truthfully.]

[But I have a question from earlier, if you don't mind my asking,] she continued to Szna after a time. [It seems to me as though you have a deeper reasoning for wanting to help me and my people? I know you are a good person, but something about the way you spoke... I might have imagined it. You don't have to answer.] Vela felt her phrasing had been awkward as she listened to Dritz translate, and she hoped Szna wouldn't be offended somehow.

Szna chuckled, glancing down at the ground with a smile when Dritz protested, insisting it was not often he got his translations wrong now, at least.

The overseer took Vela's question and considered it very carefully, nodding.

"Well. If I am being honest, I am in a relationship with a human woman myself. We are each others' primary partners; she is seeing another human, and I have two other Chrysalan lovers, but... she is special. I have to confess to your story being significant to me personally. The thought of my partner being in the same position as your people..." she said quietly. "This is more personal information than I should share as an overseer, but I want more Chrysalans to be open to alien relations in every sense, and I suppose I have personal stake in that... I hope you don't see it as selfish."

Rather than being surprised, Vela only had a sense that her suspicions were right all along. [I think that's wonderful,] she signed, her gestures slower to indicate a quieter and more reflective tone. [It's not selfish at all, because your personal stake will allow you to help many others who wish to be free with the partners of their choosing. And we will all be grateful for that.]

With a few more details worked out, Dritz and Vela were soon on the way back to their lodging, the Aurian slipping her pale fingers loosely through the Chrysalan's beautifully colored ones for a little while as they walked. [Did that surprise you?] she asked eventually, releasing his hand. [Your overseer is a wonderful person in addition to leader. And I'm glad you were willing to choose me as a partner when I am so different. I guess in a way, I'm surprised and proud I was able to choose you, too.]

The sensation of Vela's slender fingers slipping between his own brought Dritz out of a reverie he hadn't realised he was even in. Overseers were just citizens the same as any other Chrysalan, but they were mostly very private people, and for his own to have told them such a personal thing... And for it to be so close to their own situation, it was a strange thing to come to light.

"I am a bit surprised, yeah. See, I guess it's one of those cultural things. I know the overseers are no different, but it's so hard to separate them from their work. I couldn't even imagine Szna having partners. Not through her being unattractive, or anything of the sort, of course. It's weird though, learning that made me feel like it's getting better. It's not so ‘weird’ as people think, maybe we can begin to open minds in that way."

He squeezed her hand, "I... For a while I didn't think you would want me. Not because of anything you do, just... I had already assumed it wouldn't be something you would want. I wouldn't be something you would want. I'm glad I was wrong, I made the best choice." He grinned, throwing an arm around her and holding his head high as they walked.

It sobered Vela just a little to hear Dritz had thought she might not want him. She chose to add nothing further for the time being, instead letting him hold her close while they continued to walk. There were a few curious stares from passersby, but nothing truly hostile or rude. He might very well be right that it was getting better.

When they arrived back at their room, Vela wasted little time after the door had closed behind them. [Thank you again for what we've accomplished today. It's been truly incredible. And, I... I should tell you that it took me a little while to realize I was attracted to you, but when I did... of course I wanted you.] She brushed at some imaginary dust on the front of his jacket, temporarily distracted as her hand slid over his midsection. [I guess this might be sudden, but I want you now, too. I usually do.]

Vela glanced up at Dritz quickly, almost shy with this sort of admission, but was soon working at the buttons on the jacket. [I don't want you to get your pretty clothes wrinkled, I mean,] she explained in between, though the intent in her eye made it obvious that this was not her main concern.

Their walk gave Dritz time to contemplate. Had he ever shown that side of himself to her? He knew he must have done, they were so intimate emotionally, but something about the admission that he had developed an attachment to her so quickly had made him feel especially open to her. Not vulnerable; if anything Vela made him feel stronger.

When they returned, he felt strangely emotional, in a good way, in a passionate way, closer to Vela even though he thought that impossible. Her hands on his front and the sparkle in her eyes told him all he needed before she even began signing.

He shrugged off his jacket and shirt (that Vela had so kindly loosened) letting them both hit the floor as he cupped her jaw with a feather light touch and kissed her deeply.

"To be honest, flower, wrinkles in my clothes are the very last thing on my mind right now," he whispered against her lips.

Vela smiled against Dritz's lips in turn as he spoke, then leaned back to regard him playfully. [If that's the last thing on your mind, what's the first? Maybe there are a few things.]

While awaiting the answer to this, she took the opportunity to remove her tunic and let it drop to the floor as well, moving back to Dritz to press her body against his and kiss him hungrily. The mere feeling of his skin on hers was enough to send a pleasurable shiver running along her spine. She nudged him closer to the bed, eventually getting him to lay down and kneeling next to him in order to pay special attention to his neck, kissing and using her tongue along with the softest nibbles, which he quite evidently enjoyed very much.

His breath growing short, Dritz muttered, "I think you can guess-"

He stopped talking to let his gaze drag over her body. Everything about her was incredible to him, and it was all he could do to contain himself and allow her to lead him. As they moved, he nudged his shoes off and started on his trousers, staggering in his haste and fumbling with the fastening, more focused on Vela than the task at hand. He couldn't help a loud, appreciative sigh at the sensation of her teeth against his skin, just firm enough to allow for a contrast to her soft lips.

Dritz relished the attention for a moment before lacing their fingers together and tugging her into him, easily rolling them into an upright position and perching her on the bed's headboard, his own lips paying special attention to her chest and stomach, before moving to her hips and thighs.

At some point along the way, Vela realized they both had removed the rest of their clothes without even thinking about it, focused as they were on each other's bodies. It was amusing, but not something she was about to dwell on for too long in the current circumstances.

As always, it was surprising yet delightful when Dritz grabbed her and easily moved her to another position entirely. She began playing with his hair as he kissed her thighs, fingers moving just lightly around the base of his antennae. Eventually she slipped them gently down around his jaw and pulled him up to look at her, noting the desire in his gaze which no doubt matched the same in her own.

[What if I couldn't guess?] she signed, in some strange need of continuing their previous conversation. [Show me what you're thinking about the most.] She watched him, not really caring if there was an answer or not, but finding the situation somehow more arousing than even before.

There was something about Vela being more vocal that set extra fires in Dritz. He smirked up at her, trailing his fingers over her thighs, lighter, then harder, then feather light.

"Why don't I tell you?" he purred, leaning up to kiss her temple, "At the moment-" he kissed her jaw, "I am thinking about the expressions you have we we're together. When I touch you, and I find the exact spot you want to feel. The way you wiggle your fingers in my hair when..."

He trailed off, kissing his way back down her body, moving between her soft thighs.

Feeling slightly feverish at his words alone, Vela watched Dritz work his way down her body and stop in between her thighs. She drew in a sharp breath, even knowing what to expect beforehand. It wasn't entirely accurate to say she was shocked by how good it felt, but the sensation was always so much better than she might have anticipated.

Dritz had been right, however; her expression had changed to one of utter bliss, and she was moving her fingers erratically through his hair as it was nearly impossible to keep still when feeling this way. Before too long, she had to gently push him away and lay down on the bed, resting on her side as she faced him. She had needed to feel his body against hers, seeking the extra pressure as she moved one leg over his, breath quickening again.

(IT FADED OUT HERE. SORRY FOR TYPING THIS XP)

#starless horizon #rp file #rp logs #file 27 #meeting with the overseers :o #and a pretty good sexy scene at the end ;p #love <3

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multsicorn · 7 years ago

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@teiledesganzen said: I… don’t know whether I love or hate the idea. But I seem to feel strongly about it! Tell me more? :) (Still waiting for someone to write me a Pillsbieste (Biestebury?) romance, though.)

first, sorry this reply is SO LATE, but, anyway - ... I apparently have a LOT to ramble about re: Sue/Emma, under the cut.

Of course this comes just completely out of how much I want something better for Emma. (A feeling that watching any of her canonical romatnic relationships brings back full-force.) All of her boyfriends are just awful, and repeatedly so in a specific way, where they disregard her wishes and autonomy, where they don’t take her seriously...

And, well, I guess it’s ridiculous to talk about Sue respecting other peoples’ autonomy. She’s a trickster, a manipulator, even a dictator. But she does take Emma as seriously as she takes anyone she works with - which is to say, not very, that one can tell.

I’m not sure where one would go with this idea. My ideas are somewhat silly, like, Power Couple Of Making McKinley Suck Ever So Slightly Less, which seems very, good cop, bad cop, I guess. Or just - how desperately lonely they both are? (It might be better to ask who isn’t, on Glee. But still.)

... the fraught history they both have with weddings; Sue’s presence at and covering for Emma’s run away from the altar (now if only it had stuck!!!)...

But, no, I don’t know. Hm. I just feel like I want to say: Sue doesn’t underestimate Emma. Most everyone does - she’s ‘meek as a mouse!’ - but I think Sue doesn’t.

And there’s a mutual hostility there. Sue constantly pretends not to know Emma’s name; the first thing Emma says on Glee... I forget, and I think they were still establishing characterization anyway, but every time I start a rewatch again it’s shockingly mean to me, (from Emma), borderline OOC, and it’s at Sue.

They don’t approve how each other works, how each other approach the job that they both care about. But they’re also very much on the same side. Unlike Will, who’s constantly floundering and blinded by projection, they both really do want to help ‘their’ kids.

And then, even that’s different, too! Emma sees the whole school as hers - at least theoretically - though I get the feeling sometimes that she buys into the internal student hierarchies far more than a professional (or even adult) should. Sometimes as it’s presented; sometimes ‘backwards,’ in that she has more sympathy for the ‘losers,’ with whom she identifies herself. Whereas Sue! Is supposedly motivated by winning (... like Will is), but, I think, is very much there for the protection of her favored few - whom she picks for personal and capricious reasons.

So what if Emma were to be one of them? I can see half of how that could happen - Sue can fall (in some sense) for people who impress her, and I know that Emma can be impressive.

I think I’d do this in the context of a reorganization of McKinley. Maybe Sue getting to be principal, not quite the way it happened in the show. But then, Sue and Emma (who’s also on the admin side!) being forced to work together more closely! Sue appreciating how ruthless Emma can be, with plans and schedules if not with people - but surprisingly effective with people, too. And Emma...

I have a harder time imagining that, her responsiveness to Sue’s demands or commands or whatever. I think she’d flare up. I also think that Sue would like that, sure. But when all’s said and done and Emma inevitably slinks back to work with her tail between her legs..

Does Sue give her what she wanted, maybe? Do they work out a compromise? - go for that. But neither of those address the real question, which is, of course, how does Emma feel? About all this, about working so closely with Sue.

Impressed? Turned on? I could see both of those things, sure, too. But I also don’t think I’d see them lead to anything -

Until Sue turns it off. Sue, who, remember her episodes of softness underneath!, wants romance, too, like many of us mortals, though she doesn’t show it 99% of the time. She invites Emma out for dinner and then has to clarify (when they’re already there) that it’s not just a business meeting. It’s, more, maybe we could spend time together, as friends. Get to know each other in an atmosphere removed from butting heads. etc., etc.

And Emma says, you’re so different here, gosh.

Sue’s smile is wry; she’s ambivalent. The way she is most of the time isn’t not-real.

... and I don’t have an ending, I don’t even have a story. But I guess that, there, is the start.

#glee stuff #teiledesganzen #c: empress of my heart #c: let the fourth wall in #mile long list #also does tumblr not let you do replies to replies anymore...#mults chats

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astormofships · 8 years ago

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Pick Your Darling: Aly

“You think I'm pretty, without any makeup on. You think I'm funny, when I tell the punchline wrong. I know you get me, so I let my walls come down, down... Before you met me, I was alright but things were kinda heavy. You brought me to life, now every February you'll be my Valentine, Valentine...”

gif explanation: lmao this is not me reducing Cedric Diggory to a superficial hearttrob. I love this movie and wanted to use the Thriller dance scene. But then this gem appeared and it was perfect because this quote reminded me of you. His lack of clothes is irrelevant here, but Cedric would try to make you feel at ease -in general, not just in bed- and to me doesn’t seem as serious or intense as you are. I hope you understood what I wanted to say and that you will enjoy this Pick Your Darling xD

Ship name

Alydric, which could pass as a real name.

Meeting

Attending Hogwarts for the first time and at the same moment meant that you were eventually meant to share a few classes. That's how you knew who the other was but truly became friends in 4th year.

First impressions, the way it used to be before it became romantic

Cute boy surrounded by friends, reputation growing among students and teachers. Intelligent and athletic. Timid girl bravely standing up for people in need and possessing a strong sense of justice. Fiery, like the element of her house. People knew why you were a Gryffindor and not a Hufflepuff. Not that any of the four houses were not worthy, far from it. But it felt nice to remind them not to judge a book by its cover. It started with common friends, prompting salutations in the corridors, followed by proper conversations leading to bonding time. He was not shallow, nor too predictable. He was nice, patient and dependable. Cedric managed to calm you down or ground you like no one else. Your compassion, the way you saw him for who he was and not how he seemed to be was a quality he marvelled at. Don't get him started on your witty humor, he manifestly was amused and simply enjoyed laughing like most people did. He noticed that it was your defence mechanism and let it go, more often than not: if it helped, who was he to judge or accuse. Cedric made sure to insist once in a while that if you needed to talk, or needed anything, he would be there to listen or try to help if possible. In case you had forgotten or doubted going to him. You did it for him, so he wanted to return the favour. Worrying when you confronted someone for their uncalled for behaviour, he would never forget that one time when he had to physically get you away from one of these situations: A spell aimed in your direction, Cedric reflectively stood as a shield, protecting you both with a Protego. Casting a Petrificus Totalus for further safety against the other student, he took your hand and made you follow quickly before a teacher arrived. Grateful, honestly a little impressed but not going to admit it, you couldn't help but thank him although the Hufflepuff looked tense and stern. He responded by telling you to be more careful, tone softening as he added that he wouldn't let you get hurt if he could stop it. Ah, cue to Aly blushing.

Who took the first step

Cedric! He knew you were wary of romance after bad experiences, you told him so. But he longed to be with you, and his guts told him you might feel the same. That's why he decided to woo you, determined to show he had no desire to intentionally wound or mess around. Patience, trust and unmistakable affection was what it took to reach this goal. You were anxious, a little scared. But he was a friend, a good one, who turned out to be something more if the happiness felt when seeing his face or how often the wizard was on your mind were any indications. By the end of 5th year, a leap of faith was taken. A word to describe your 6th year? Romantic. And sensual, as you lost your virginity to each other. Imagine the dirty talk.

Who approves, who disapproves

Friends!

Jealous groupies?

The best friend and the one you get along with the least

Angelina Johnson. She finds you endearing with that famous call for goodness and justice. You soften her, and she gives you strength, stability. Long story short, you're a loyal duo protective of one another. You also admired the 4th year student Hermione Granger for creating S.P.E.W and joined the organization.

ANYONE!!!!!! who mistreats or hurts animals

Snobby Slytherins

If somebody else fancies one of you

George Weasley might have a fleeting interest. He would consider you a friend, of that I'm sure. You just don't leave him indifferent.

Girls and boys do find Cedric handsome, so...

The best and the worst

Mutual respect

You balance each other

Insecure about your looks, Cedric patiently and gladly tells you that he thinks you are beautiful, inside and out

You truly care about him, his reputation isn't what motivates you

Heart eyes

Cheering for him when the badgers didn't play against the lions, outfit and make-up matching their house's colours

Having your boyfriend clap the loudest when you sang in front of the entire school with the chorale

How he does not care that much about something deserving more acknowledgement, for example: excusing his friends' bullshit one too many. Like the whole Potter Stink badges. No longer a couple, this bullying did annoy you a lot.

You are emotional: add sharp temper and it can result in a too heavy or volatile mix

Remaining on civil terms after the break up, you tried to persuade him from entering the TriWizard Tournament but failed and feared to push in case he snapped or just ignored you. It's been years and a part of you still wished Cedric had renounced putting his name in the Goblet of Fire. It wasn't your fault and deep down, you knew it. Only Voldemort could be blamed.

Hogwarts Houses

Fair and friendly, Cedric is a Hufflepuff. Idealist sticking up for the underdog, your place is in Gryffindor.

Seven Deadly Sins and Virtues

Cedric is Kindness and Sloth. The former is obvious but the latter could refer to the fact that sometimes, his grounded and partial nature could make him look idle and passive when he should act instead of remaining calm or relying on words.

You are Charity and Wrath. Again, obvious <3

Who is the sun, who is the moon

Popular, sportive, skilled and easily attracting attention, he would be the sun.

Emotive, kind-hearted, somehow shy and protective, you would be the moon.

Endgame or not

You broke up before the 7th year begun. Tragic fate following, poor guy.

Who I truly ship you with regardless of the request’s details

Regulus Black, for whom I hold a soft spot for. He treated his house-elf better than correctly and tried to destroy a Horcrux. If he had been from your generation I think the chemistry could have been interesting.

#Pick Your Darling Ships

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wasilewskitbfrostzn64insura-blog · 5 years ago

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http://bit.ly/2S8A5u8 Nine reasons we may have to choose: Grow a large church or contend for revival We may need to choose: Grow a large church or contend for revival in a region. God's world changers always favor being idealistic ahead of being realistic. They are dreamers, visionaries and supernatural theorists instead of analysts driven by logical data. They refuse to work within natural limits for the sake of quicker, more visible success. They would rather fail a thousand times contending for the impossible than succeed once at something that's humanly possible. These leaders won’t compromise the call to revival by seeking to fill the seats with the lukewarm. They are calling forth the burning ones. Their dream is to shock cities with a remnant army. And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” Judges 7:4 (ESV) 300 was better than 33,000. This truth is the focus of this article. The Big Meeting For as long as I can remember I have loved the large group atmosphere with innumerable zealous people worshiping God and going deep together. There’s something about the catalytic power and synergy in an atmosphere like that—if the majority are raging radicals for Jesus. A gathering like this most always takes place in the form of conferences or conventions. For example, for me, there’s nothing like the Onething conference that the International House of Prayer in Kansas City hosts at the end of each year. That Missouri city becomes the focal point for people who embrace the call to a life of prophetic intercession in the end times. People from all over the world converge there which results in the large group atmosphere I and so many others value. Over my 25 years of ministry I have enjoyed many large conferences like this but have also discovered that such gatherings rarely exist within the construct of the local church. Understand, I’m not saying the local church can’t attract a lot of people, become mega in size and become influential in the community. Many do just that. We’ve just ventured through an era where seeker sensitive churches became some of the largest churches in the nation. What I am arguing is that it’s extremely rare to find a church that’s raging on fire by establishing a prayer-fueled, revival focused, region shocking, Upper Room level culture. In fact, I wonder just how common it is to grow a church to more than one or two hundred people with such an approach. I believe it is possible yet extremely rare. With some exceptions, small revival tribes of 30-70 people are a much more predictable expectation—until revival actually breaks out. 120 in the upper room can quickly become thousands in the church of the city. NINE REASONS GROWING A LARGE CHURCH AND CONTENDING FOR REVIVAL MAY BE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE PURSUITS 1. Muzzled Speech It’s all too tempting for today’s church growth focused leaders to trade in their prophetic mantle for that of a salesman. Instead of cutting, bold, unapologetic truth being delivered with a prophetic edge, lesser, neutered messages are given in the hopes that there won’t be any kickback. Fear of offending the tithers overwhelms fear of offending the Spirit. The prevailing question becomes, “What will the people respond to?” I’ll major on that. Then, “What will people resist?” I’ll avoid those topics at all costs—even the cost of revival. The demands of revival include, at the most foundational level, God’s leaders refusing to be careful as they pierce with a sharp blade the sphere of influence they have been entrusted with. If leaders consistently communicate revival truths, only the remnant will remain. The masses that promised a mega-church experience would leave the pastor with but a handful to run with. Very few are willing to pay that price. The alternative is much more attractive—muzzled speech that the majority will enjoy. This, friend, is not the call of today’s leader—not at this critical time in history. We must see troublers of Israel emerge once again. When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals. Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.” 1 Kings 18:17-19 (ESV) Elijah refused to be silenced. He wasn’t attempting to gain favor or approval. He had a message and he refused to be muzzled. The same was true of Micaiah: And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, Micaiah the son of Imlah, but I hate him, for he never prophesies good concerning me, but evil.” And Jehoshaphat said, “Let not the king say so.” 1 Kings 22:8 (ESV) And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak.” 1 Kings 22:13-14 (ESV) Micaiah was sent to prison because he refused to cower when ordered to only speak what is favorable. I wonder how leaders will preach against the sins of the day when it becomes illegal to do so if the fear of losing people is such a struggle. It’s shocking to me when people reveal they haven’t heard troubling, shaking preaching on holiness, sin and repentance in decades! We must have the prophetic mantle return to the pulpits again! Consider the following: “My aim is to agitate and disturb people. I'm not selling bread, I'm selling yeast.” ~Miguel De Unamuno “If Jesus preached the same message minister's preach today, He would have never been crucified.” ~Leonard Ravenhill Revival leaders will bring trouble, and people will leave when they feel the blade of the sword touch their flesh. Today, we have leaders who refuse to speak on the troubles of the day, on politics and on other critical issues out of fear that they will divide the crowd and send some running with all of their resources in their pockets. The same is true with many itinerate ministers, evangelists and others who make a living from the Gospel. The more careful their speech, the more diplomatic they can be, the more appealing their focus, the greater the numbers and the more respected they become. Unfortunately, such an approach is an enemy to revival. Few will respond to those who trouble Israel. The coming Church will be marked by those who will preach truth without moderation. I want to directly address fellow pastors and leaders with both brokenness and boldness—open your mouths! When people tell me that I have guts to say what I do in teachings, on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube, I am shocked! Really? They can’t be serious! I barely reveal even a small percentage of what is burning within me. The messages are minor and obvious, yet somehow in our passive, ultra-sensitive culture they come across as sharp and risky. We have to open our mouths and deliver the troubling truth! No more messages designed to grow churches. No more sermons that result in us looking good, smart and polished. If we are out to save face, we may do just that—as we ultimately lose our soul in Hell. The raw, irritating, offensive messages of the Word of God must explode out of us with the full understanding that many of those under our care will revolt! That is true love-based preaching! We can’t even call people to prayer today due to the fear that they will leave our churches! My God! How can we presume revival is near? ~The Coming Church One day God spoke clearly to me: John, when you pray for a remnant, don’t be surprised when the remnant shows up. Personally, I’d much rather have a church of 30 devoted, burning, remnant revivalists than a church of several hundred people who will leave when the fire gets hot and the message cuts their flesh. 2. Visitor magnets The primary purpose of the church is to be a gathering of Believers under apostolic authority with prayer and equipping being the dominant activities for all. Focusing on attracting visitors can quickly compromise that core church mission. The Bible tells us the church is to be a house of prayer for all nations. It is not to be used as an evangelistic tool, but rather evangelism should be a result of what happens in the gatherings. In my book The Coming Church I highlighted several ways today’s church is going to drastically change. One is the move away from seeker style ministries. The church gathering is for Believers who are praying: Even churches that aren’t identified as seeker sensitive tend to be intent on attracting visitors and they gear their ministry to do so. Instead of attempting to grow the church by focusing on visitors and seekers, the leaders will be fully devoted to a 2nd Chronicles 7 strategy of compelling God to show up in extreme, weighty power. The pillar of fire that connects Heaven to Earth is the new goal. In fact, an empty church is a better goal than a full church if we understand that passage of Scripture correctly! Many disgruntled people will leave the church as a more serious devotion to Holy Spirit activity is given, but the supernatural invasion will result in fire, smoke and earthquakes that will rock cities and nations. ~The Coming Church As soon as Solomon finished his prayer, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. And the priests could not enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD filled the LORD’s house. 2 Chronicles 7:1-2 (ESV) I made a significant transition in my own ministry many years ago regarding my focus on visitors and church growth. In the early days, I’d get frustrated when they didn’t show up and overly excited when they did. It was common for my wife and me to take visitors out for lunch or coffee to encourage them that there was definitely a place for them and their giftings in our church. While we did grow, our vision was compromised due to attracting people who were more excited about their own ministry than the mission of revival. Over time we had people who could lead worship, serve in children’s ministry, wave flags, dance and serve as ushers. The problem? The church is called first and foremost to be a house of prayer. We had a lot of activity, a solid group of people and an underlying resistance to going deep in intercession. Our visitors turned leaders were not invested in prayer. I believe one of the most damaging things a pastor of a church can do is release people into ministries and roles if the they aren’t on fire, living in the Spirit and praying without ceasing. We wouldn’t allow anybody to step into any role until they completed an intense three month internship that revealed our DNA, our focus and the cost of running with us. This approach resulted in a small army of burning ones locking arms together in the pursuit of revival. Our transition from empowering visitors to warning and preparing visitors was key to our progress. We went from encouraging them that they would definitely fit in to being forthright with them. We let them know that they have stepped into an extremely challenging ministry. It would be hard, not easy, for them to connect. Everybody prays on fire as their primary function, we all rally around the vision of city transformation and we embrace radical holiness and a consecrated lifestyle. We stopped pursuing people, taking them out for lunch or attempting to sell our experience to them. The expectation was for the visitors to show up in the fire with us and to watch powerful relationships develop in that fox hole. We made the decision to trade in being a large church with people who were merely intrigued by the vision with being a smaller church with people who are wrecked by the vision. “…these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:7 (ESV) 3. Naturally Relevant The coming Church will be marked by bold, Holy Spirit filled prayer warriors who burn night and day. They will be an explosive people who carry and release the fire of God into the cities of the Earth. There will be a regular tremble and a continual burn on them as they live in the supernatural realm in historic fashion. ~The Coming Church Most people are much more familiar with their natural, predictable, tangible world than they are the invisible, supernatural reality of God. With that in mind, outside of actual revival, church meetings that allow supernatural manifestations and embrace a spontaneous, bizarre environment will be avoided by most. When is the last time a Sunday morning service has erupted in a couple hours of groans of intercession as people go face down on the carpet? A friend of mine who is an extremely mature and seasoned Christian worked for a major prophetic ministry. During our services, she would regularly manifest with groans and violent shaking and other reactions to the Spirit of God. She kind of looked like a super intense, supernaturally possessed karate kid! That was not naturally relevant behavior! Most people would not visit a church again if that was a regular occurrence. The remnant would, though. From my book The Coming Church: I met with a House of Prayer network leader the other day who said that people leave churches when leaders shift time, energy and attention from them to God. I’ve watched that happen myself, and it rips me up! In our church in Colorado we shifted from potlucks to prayer meetings, and there was a mass exodus. We lost people and money. I had to get a part-time job. It was disruptive. It was heartbreaking that people ran from the call to pray. Where are the ones who aren’t looking first for human friends, personal affirmation or a sense of belonging but who are seeking after every available minute to minister to God in prayer? The prayer rooms must be full—and the main prayer room in the American Church is the Sunday morning sanctuary! And don’t you even think of using the excuse that you need to create a non-threatening environment for the new believer! Every person, young or old, immature or seasoned must be in the prayer room—and it must be their primary focus! What if the Upper Room were toned down in the hopes of drawing a bigger crowd and interested seekers? We must absolutely refuse to tone down the activity of the Holy Spirit out of respect of those less hungry! God is a consuming fire, and he is about to consume what is unholy and compromised. Who are we to presume we know better how to facilitate a service? Is inviting the Holy Spirit to step aside as we give preference to human wisdom the way to go? I’ve heard it said that the main Sunday service should be a toned-down meeting so as not to freak out visitors and seekers. Apparently the meeting where the Holy Spirit has liberty to move in freedom should be reserved for a night when there’s little risk of the unconverted showing up. This is humanistic religion at its best! Did those in the Upper Room tone down the Holy Spirit so as not to confuse and trouble the seekers in the city? Absolutely not! In fact, the power was so extreme and so unusual that the people were provoked to wonder and proclaim, “they must be drunk!” What was happening was off of their grid. When man moves, it’s naturally familiar. When God moves, it’s supernaturally shocking. 4. Prayer as a program I commit to serve all, but I refuse to strategically align with someone who doesn’t embrace fervent prayer as a lifestyle, holiness as a principle and dying daily as a goal. ~The Coming Church I’ve led life impacting prayer events in over 170 different churches, and while there was a lot to leave me in awe of God’s power, I was also left with disappointment. Sadly it was easy to see which pastors allowed room for a program of prayer in their church and which had established a culture of prayer. I was initially shocked when I’d see pastors show up, often alone with none of their staff or the people in the church, to pray in the Spirit for two hours on a Friday night. We were bringing anywhere from 30 to 250 people to their church, to pray with them and their people for the fire of God to engulf their church, and very often it was just us. I didn’t understand. Time and again I’d see pastors engage for 20-30 minutes and then get distracted, bored or restless. While the sanctuary was exploding in raging tongues of fire, over and over again pastors would be uncomfortable. Often they’d open their Bibles and read or they’d go to their office or talk to people in the foyer. Frankly, I don’t see how these leaders are even qualified to pastor. It’s unthinkable to me that anyone would presume they can lead a supernatural church without living a supernatural life of prayer. The reality is they aren’t leading a supernatural church. They are leading one that will attract the spiritually numb and naturally invested. Ministers who do not spend two hours a day in prayer are not worth a dime a dozen – degrees or no degrees. ~Leonard Ravenhill Occasionally a pastor would show up, on fire, with all of his staff and a significant number of the people in his church. Oh, I lived for nights like that! I knew that prayer was appropriately primary in that church and that it was more than a program. They had nurtured a culture where prayer saturates every part of their ministry. When every person in the church is called into the furnace of intercession as a lifestyle, you are going to be left with only those who are truly passionate about Jesus and ready to contend for revival with you. Listen closely: the lukewarm, casual Church must be shaken! Yes, the true Church is one that is burning hot, in love with her Bridegroom. I risk off ending a lot of people when I deal with this issue of fervency and costly discipleship as it’s an assault against their theologies and lifestyles. It is NOT OK to be casually committed, loosely connected and given to the apathy that is destroying the Church. I’m calling awakeners to rise up! We must pray and burn non-stop! You can do this! There is no better way to live—and there is no other option! I know this is why some don’t connect well in houses of prayer, or even in my own church—the call to burn hot is beyond what most are comfortable with. The call over the edge is unsettling for those who don’t even want to come near the edge. Listen—your eternity is at risk! Be fervent and radical in your love of God and commitment to his mission! The coming Church will be a burning hot crater of searing fire. It will be pure and it will be rejected by most in today’s culture. ~The Coming Church I believe it would be more biblically normal to have everybody praying, decreeing the Word of God and crying out in intercession for two hours on a Sunday morning than to continue putting on the predictable, tepid, schedule driven services we have today. I often challenge pastors by asking them what would happen if every church in the city cancelled every program, every group, every service for six months and did nothing but hit our faces and prayed instead. Instead of worship and teaching on a Sunday morning, we’d instruct everybody to find a place and cry out to God. Instead of children’s ministry, the kids would be with their parents in intercession. Instead of small groups and youth ministry events we’d pray. The pastors almost always answer by saying they believe revival would break out suddenly. I agree, yet I have not met one leader who had employed this strategy. Why? It threatens the goal of local church growth. People with money might leave. The less hungry will walk. This grieves my spirit. If prayer is a program you will have the opportunity to pray with a handful of others during the week. If prayer is the culture, nobody in the church will be able to avoid the call to fervent intercession because it occurs at every meeting they attend. It becomes seared into their very identity. When the call to the Upper Room was sounded, they didn’t tone down the prayer in the hopes that more than 120 would show up. They allowed hundreds to walk. We must repent for forsaking the house of prayer. The primary ministry of every church must be prayer. This commitment to intercession is to be modeled and led by senior leadership. The primary purpose of the Church is not teaching, visitor assimilation or fellowship. It is undeniably night and day prayer for the nations. Lengthy prayer should be taught and modeled as the dominant activity of every believer. ~20 Points of Reformation, found in The Coming Church 5. Programs everywhere It makes logical sense that we should have ministries available to attract the broadest group of people we can. This means programs, ministries and groups all over the schedule in order to draw every type of person is necessary. On the contrary, churches that are pursuing revival are calling people into one primary meeting—the prayer meeting with apostolic leadership giving direction. I’ve heard some wisdom over the years that I actually agree with to a point. It’s been said that if someone senses there’s a program or ministry that needs to be started in a church, the leader should thank them for their analysis and encourage them to be the ones to start it. After all, they are the ones with the vision for it. I can’t disagree that this is an effective method to diffuse accusation of lack in a ministry, but I do disagree that it’s an appropriate strategy across the board. Over the years I’ve used this method and watched people start ministries and crash and burn due to a number of reasons, not the least being that they didn’t embrace the vision of revival. They simply wanted to lead something or be a part of something they affirm. The better strategy I’ve employed in recent years is to simply say no. What they think is lacking is by design. What they think we need to add should not be added. Redirect people to the fire. Call them to refocus and to be calibrated with the unified vision of the church. In latter years, instead of filling the calendar with programs, or even a variety of scattered prayer meetings, we would maneuver everybody to our primary meetings. In fact, we had 24/7 prayer for an extended period of time and had every slot filled. Over time we decided the corporate vision demanded corporate meetings. We had to be together. Scattering, even in prayer, was doing damage to our mission. I’d rather have 3 larger prayer meetings than a hundred smaller ones. It also became less important to have youth and children’s ministries, small groups or various programs and much more important to gather people together for corporate intercession and apostolic instruction. Yes, this will result in a smaller church, but people won’t be scattered. Am I saying there can never be supplemental ministries or events? No, but you have to be careful. Mike Bickle initiated small groups at the International House of Prayer several years ago. From what I understand, they were “successful” but at a cost of their primary, corporate mission. People loved gathering together in homes each week, but these small group meetings negatively impacted the prayer room. Instead of everybody contending in prayer as the main thing, there was now another option to connect, and the prayer room suffered. Mike then eliminated the small groups for many years and only recently reinstalled them again, with a new strategy that ensures those secondary programs supported and funneled into the prayer room. Those focused on church growth want people in programs. Can those programs be good? Sure. However, the moment you start contending for revival don’t expect the strength, commitment or passion from the laborers to be there. The pursuit of revival is a very narrow one. Revival churches aren’t called to meet every need. They are called to pray in the laborers, the remnant, to pray on fire and shake the city. 6. A quenched atmosphere I want the prophetic spirit upon me or I want to die. ~A.W. Tozer We live in a day when churches promote comfort and self-satisfaction. Coffee, personal ministry, blessing, programs and other lesser things are overshadowing the call to the cross. The alarm of the hour is not a welcome sound. Casual spirits are driving the culture. The problem? The message of the cross is not a casual message. The bottom line is this: A casual spirit will always reject a prophetic warning if it threatens their comfort. A prophetic spirit will always threaten something. ~The Coming Church Above I mentioned how powerful it would be to shut down everything in the church for a season except for prayer. I asked this question on Facebook: If your church cancelled everything for a year…cancelled children’s ministry, teaching, programs, pot lucks, small groups�� and replaced those activities with prayer meetings, would you stay in your church? One response rocked me. It encouraged me that the remnant is out there: That’s when I’ll return to the church. When we walk into the church we must be blown over by the unusual, overwhelming, otherworldly shocks of the Spirit of God. Simply, we need a powerfully prophetic atmosphere that causes everybody to respond by either running out the door or collapsing to their knees. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20 (ESV) A truly prophetic atmosphere will result in a never-ending charge in the room. People will be expressing themselves in many ways including cries of intercession, banners and flags flying, prophetic art, trances, encounters, repentance, dreams and visions and more. The goal isn’t the manifestation but rather avoiding restriction of Holy Spirit activity. A prophetic atmosphere will repel the more naturally wired people, unless their hunger for God is greater than their resistance to him. Revival churches absolutely must be driven prophetically in every service. We must hear the oracles from Heaven as we strategically advance day to day. There is a rapidly increasing movement of people who are shutting their ears to any prophetic words that have any measure of alarm to them. The warnings are not wanted as they threaten the current structures of comfort and ease. These people are at risk of a catastrophe that will mercilessly hit them and those who have been influenced by their messages of peace and safety. There are true voices that must emerge and declare the word of the Lord in its pure form. If we EVER temper a message in the pulpit, online or one-on one in the hopes of maintaining an audience, we’ve become a 2 Tim 4:3-4 false teacher. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 ~The Coming Church Revival always includes the conviction of sin on the part of the Church. What a spell the devil seems to cast over the Church today! ~Billy Sunday 7. Teaching vs. apostolic instruction Another shift we will see has to do with teaching. Teaching will be minimized while instruction is emphasized. Teaching is mostly for personal edification while instruction is mostly for corporate assignments. Today, most churches focus on teaching principles of Scripture, providing truths that will help believers navigate through their lives and on offering nuggets of biblical information. While there will still be important Bible teaching, apostolic instruction will emerge as a necessary new ministry. The responsibility of prophetic leaders is to relay the messages of God and to instruct the people accordingly. Though teaching materials are in abundance, what is lacking is apostolic leaders, military commanders, who give instruction, assignments, to a ready army. Teaching is personal growth based while instruction is a call to corporate action for the sake of mission fulfillment. It’s a corporate call to action vs. a simple biblical study. It’s mission focused vs. personal growth focused (though I can’t imagine a better way to grow personally than by being invested in a corporate mission!). Personal growth will be largely our responsibility between services so we can be ready to respond to the corporate instruction where we will receive our assignments. ~The Coming Church When I was a youth pastor at a large church in the Dallas area, part of my job was to change out the marquee every week. The pastor’s sermon title for the upcoming Sunday was to be displayed for the many cars passing by on the busy road. It got to the point where I usually didn’t have to remove the two words of the previous week’s message: How to… How to be an amazing parent, how to grow in God, how to prosper financially, how to walk in healing, etc. Those topics are fine, but they represent teaching versus instruction. Teaching is showing someone how to fish. Instruction is telling them to go fishing. Teachings are nuggets of truth that will help the people navigate their lives. However, I’m pretty certain if that large church of over 1200 people shifted to apostolic teaching unto revival, they would probably shrink to less than 100 people. My instruction when leading churches in Michigan and Colorado was for everybody to arrive at every service full, not empty. I challenged them that it was their responsibility to grow aggressively, intentionally, through the week so they would be maturing, on fire and ready to move out into mission. When we gathered together, I had the freedom to share key dreams and visions, to prophetically reveal how we must pray and act in the current season, share warnings and national words to prepare people for what is coming. for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:13-14 (ESV) Those who refuse to mature and who really don’t care much about revival or national or regional prophetic revelation won’t want to connect in such a church. Growing a church this way is extremely difficult, but gathering a remnant is more powerful. It was extremely common for people to arrive for prayer before the service and hear clear, specific revelation that I or other leaders received the night before. That would change the entire service as I’d preach from that place of prophetic activation and we’d pray and contend the rest of the night in our new direction. That service would always be irrelevant to those who are simply showing up to gain some biblical insight (and especially those who didn’t arrive early for prayer). They would be disconnected. However, the revival minded would come alive and would be alert and ready to respond with great conviction. 8. Karaoke Worship When in Colorado leading Revolution Church, I instructed our media team not to display the words to the worship songs on the screens for a season. I was grieved at how dependent on the screens people were as they simply sang along karaoke style to what was being sung on the platform. It was time for them to launch into a prophetic realm of worship and prayer! In fact, we eliminated a worship team altogether in Detroit for a couple of years and filled the atmosphere with spontaneous, prophetic decrees, prayer and groans of worship. Music would sometimes play in the background, but we weren’t simply singing along from our soul. Our spirits were crying out! Revival churches must facilitate an explosive, supernatural atmosphere, understanding that the high majority of people will not join such a thing. As we become supernaturally changed in a place of extreme intercession, worship will change significantly. It will be supernaturally driven. There is a new sound coming to worship, and it’s not simply a new style. There is a supernatural, otherworldly groan of intercessory worship that will explode out of the entire body as a new breed of trembling worship leaders lead the way into the shock and awe of the glory of God. We will no longer simply sit in a pew or stand with a raised hand while a familiar worship song is sung. The prophetic, groaning sounds of Holy Spirit-facilitated worship will make it normal to shake and fall to our faces as we cry, “Holy!” The natural, logical sing-a-longs will be no more. We will have a hard time standing as man’s karaoke gives way to God’s Shekinah and Kabod glory that takes up residence in his Church. Worship teams will practice less and pray in the Spirit with tears in their eyes more. Today, along with most other expressions of church life, worship is at least slightly and sometimes extremely marginalized for the sake of the less adventurous attendee. Since most people tend to be adverse to more supernatural forms of worship, and many would leave if the atmosphere became too uncomfortable, the majority has been winning. I’ve said it countless times, and have written before that I refuse to tone down the activity of the Holy Spirit out of respect of those less hungry. How is it that the naturally-minded majority has supplanted the supernatural remnant in the Church? How is it that burning, raging, intercessory worship that’s driven by the groans of the Spirit himself are not appreciated enough to risk losing people from our churches? For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5-8 ~The Coming Church 9. The threat of regional focus It was extremely important to me as a leader that everybody in the church was investing in the region. This means I wanted them to connect in other churches and ministries, to be ambassadors of revival and to become regionally unified. Growing a local church, to the contrary, focuses on having everybody in that church overly invested at that level, in the local setting. There’s no room for regional ministry. In fact, even Spirit-filled, revival focused churches can easily become resisters when the pursuit of revival in a region threatens their own pursuits. Pastors and leaders must have a clear vision not only for revival in the region, or only their personal part to play, but for the church of the city. How should everybody in the local army be investing in the regional mission? It’s important to not only encourage but also to lead people into regular regional events that are unto revival. If we are trying to grow a large church, this becomes difficult because most people won’t share the passion for revival in the city. They want to come, grow personally and connect relationally to a spiritual family. But, when they are called into regional mission, they just won’t have the passion or energy for it. The coming Church will be a regional Church, expressed on a city level. The local expressions will be important, but only as they are connected regionally. The regional Church will be important, but only as it is connected with God’s Kingdom government. The coming Church will be a praying Church that understands its authority and responsibility in the region. This is how the coming Church will function governmentally. As we focus on the region and the greater mission, we will be in step with God’s passion for the nations. Grace and favor will follow. Unusual interventions by God will become common. This is such an important point, especially with the state of today’s Church in mind. We no longer can sweat, bleed and burn out by trying to build our own local ministries. The vision absolutely must be a regional one as we give ourselves to true city unity, intercession for revival and Kingdom advance. This doesn’t mean all local churches will close (though many will), but it does mean that they will no longer be at the pinnacle of the priority list. Local church leaders will mostly give their attention to corporate advance regionally with the Church of the city instead of to local issues. ~The Coming Church Final thoughts I’m sure I’ll receive emails from people who report that their church is large and contending for revival. I celebrate that! I’ve been to a few like that. I would then have a few thoughts: Do they really understand the intensity of the new wineskin church that I reveal in The Coming Church? Is everybody in the church truly raging on fire in prayer and contending at an intense level toward revival or is there simply a great atmosphere and a focus on revival? This would be a remarkable exception and I absolutely want to visit! There are some brilliant, anointed leaders out there who can pull it off! As I said, most churches that are truly revival churches will be quite small. 120 just might be a good goal! The majority will be less than 70 in number of soldiers in their local army. Pastor, are you okay with such a shift in strategy? Trust me, 70 scalding hot warriors who can move mountains in faith filled prayer will do more for your city than two thousand moderates ever could.

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pat78701 · 8 years ago

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Why 'Trump Administration' Is An Oxymoron

WASHINGTON ― Donald Trump took the oath of office two months ago, but is not yet running a real presidency. His administration, thus far, largely is playing like a junta that surprised the royal guards and seized the palace ― while still remaining unable to pacify the capital city, let alone inspire the countryside.

The White House is as stately as ever, but there aren’t enough friends outside the (porous) iron fence to make the inhabitants as comfortable as they should be in the first months of a new regime.

Rather, Trump is under siege from pretty much all sides.

Federal courts again are slapping down Trump’s first, signature move: a temporary travel ban on citizens from predominantly Muslim countries that he says harbor “radical Islamic terrorists.”

The joint Trump-GOP effort to “repeal and replace” Obamacare ― another key first promise and response ― is bogged down in multiple internal Republican divisions over everything from spending numbers to philosophy to legislative strategy.

With growing sharpness and specificity, GOP leaders are joining Democrats in dismissing as flat-out false the president’s repeatedly tweeted charge that former President Barack Obama “tapped” ― or surveilled in any way ― Trump Tower or its owner.

Trump’s new guns-and-no-butter first budget, which would literally take food from the poor and the elderly to give more money to Pentagon contractors, has been greeted with derision by many Republicans, who regard it as less of a blueprint than a political statement too harsh even for the tea party.

The nonpartisan polling “job approval” numbers for Trump have been in the 40s consistently in the first few months, and are the lowest launch average on record for a new president.

Trump has had his successes. They include the assembly, after some fits and starts, of a good ― or at least credible ― national security team of respected current and former members of the military or Congress. As a result, there is a solid chain of command for Trump in his role as commander in chief.

He nominated a man to the U.S. Supreme Court, Judge Neil Gorsuch, to whom the American Bar Association gave a sterling endorsement.

Trump has issued some executive orders that make good on other campaign promises ― such as the gutting of EPA regulations on the use of coal, building pipelines, getting out of multilateral trade treaties and instituting tougher domestic rules on the apprehension and repatriation of undocumented immigrants.

His tweets and campaign-style speeches, vowing tax cuts and the twisting of corporate arms to “buy and build American,” have had an effect: The stock market has been on a wild run.

But these successful measures ― the exception to the general pattern ― were comparatively amenable to direct White House control.

Everything else is harder to control or even withstand. And the dangers of drift are real. He elicited a new sense of hope from white working-class voters; their cynicism will deepen if he doesn’t deliver the jobs ― especially since his proposed new budget cuts are aimed at programs in rural counties.

Trump could well be tempted by the slow pace of change to ignore the law, especially since his aides, led by Steven Bannon, are telling him that the so-called “deep state” is itself a lawless force and is out to get him to preserve its own status.

He could use military confrontation ― such as the one brewing now with North Korea ― to emphasize the broad powers of a commander-in-chief who can’t be easily countermanded by institutions that constrain him now. Another terrorist attack on the “homeland” would give him a rationale ― if not justification ― for sweeping new executive actions in the United States.

Leaders around the world, already confused and unsure of American leadership, could distance themselves further from U.S. aims and interests ― no matter how much more money Trump spends on modernizing the military and putting boots on the ground.

Why does a man who claims such great success as a business manager seem so overwhelmed?

Democrats have taken their time filling his Cabinet, arguing, with much justification, that Trump had presented them with a roster of conflict-laden billionaires and ideologues antagonistic to the goals of the departments they had been nominated to lead. But there a host of in-house reasons for the first months’ mess. Here they are:

He only wants to talk to people who have no choice but to agree with him, or who are glad to tell him why his enemies are scum.

I know poll-takers who shied away from doing polls for Trump because they knew that the numbers would not be favorable ― and that Trump therefore would never hire them. “I turned down lots of jobs with him for that reason,” one of them told me. “You never give Trump bad news.” Which means that he is constantly infuriated when his yes men are forced to tell him the world says “no.”

He has to lash out somewhere, and that place is still Twitter.

The Trump administration has been annoyed and distracted for a week ― a crucial week on the budget and on health care, among other things ― by the president’s false accusation of Obama’s purported “tapping.” He never should have said it. But he almost always does.

D.C. is not New York; politics is not real estate.

Trump’s tactical principle is that if someone “hits” you, you “hit back twice as hard.” I have heard him say it in private as well as in public, and it is a method he has used since he came to Manhattan decades ago with a million bucks from his dad. But the paradox of the presidency is this: You are the most powerful person in the world, but in dealing with the rest of government and all of politics, it’s better not to make threats, and certainly not threats in public. Everything Trump thought he knew about how to get things done in the midst of controversy is wrong now.

This is not a parliamentary system, it just looks like one.

The Founding Fathers knew that parliaments could be dictatorial, which is why they chose not to have one. They dispersed and divided power. Even when one American party controls the White House and both chambers of Congress, a president’s clout is limited by the size of the majorities, legislative rules and the courts. Trump can almost be forgiven for thinking that he had parliamentary power: Politics in America has been drifting in the one-party-rules direction for years. Obama passed his health care bill with only Democratic votes; Trump figured he could pass his with only the GOP. That already has been proven to be a faulty assumption.

The GOP doesn’t really like him, and the feeling is mutual.

Unlike Ronald Reagan, Trump did not build from the ground up a new party and a new movement that he then led in the White House. Trump essentially carried out a hostile takeover of the rundown hulk of the GOP, battered by the unpopular presidency of George W. Bush and the rebellious internal assaults of the tea party. Virtually every key figure in the House and Senate was for someone other than Trump, and some of them ran against him. Trump swept the primaries with money and jingoistic salesmanship, but he remains widely distrusted ideologically and personally on all sides.

Trump & Co. were elected because they’d had nothing to do with government ― and it shows.

The “transition planning” cobbled together by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was a joke, and even that work was ignored by the coup plotters who burst into the White House. Almost no one in Trump’s inner circle had any executive experience in government. The list of rank amateurs in the highest places includes son-in-law Jared Kushner, chief of staff Reince Priebus, policy strategist Stephen Miller and counselor Kellyanne Conway. They are big into concepts and messages ― sales, Trump style ― but so far not the blocking and tackling of running things.

Benign neglect.

If they want, the amateurs can console themselves with a semi-philosophical excuse: The government, which they regard as too big and too intrusive, can use a little neglect. And so we see unfilled sub-Cabinet posts, catch-as-catch-can administrative oversight, rule by fiat that demoralizes the denizens of what White House Big Thinker Steve Bannon calls “the administrative state.” Misusing a fancy academic word, he says he’s for “deconstructing” it ― and why not do it by not filling positions or following procedure?

Worse: a contempt for the process of government.

Republicans have joined Democrats in marveling at the sophomoric crafting of something as valuable to Trump ― allegedly ― as his moratoria on travel to the U.S. by citizens of six (originally seven) Muslim-majority countries. But the sloppiness is a sign of the contempt with which Team Trump views government itself. Yes, the Obama Nerds went over the line ― for example, some of what they did on drones is outrageous, many argue. But perhaps because they were Democrats (and lawyers for the most part, let by Obama himself), they showed enough respect for procedure to get things done.

What goes around comes around.

Team Trump seems shocked and outraged that so many forces in public life seemed arrayed against him, almost by instinct. What did he expect? He attacked the press at every turn, and at his rallies he all but sicced rabble-rousers on them. He attacked a federal judge as biased because he was of Mexican heritage. He called his rivals for the GOP nomination by crude nicknames, and reveled publicly in their humiliation. He hired and fired at will, dismissing aides but pulling them back in (because they could cause trouble for him in one way or another) with flattering phone calls.

The Senate alone is a monument to possible payback. Do “Lyin’” Ted Cruz, “Little Marco” Rubio, “One-Percent” Lindsey Graham, “Crazy” Rand Paul and “He’s No Hero” John McCain want to help the president out in a pinch? Trump tried to have House Speaker Paul Ryan defeated in his local GOP primary in Wisconsin. Yes, Rubio and Cruz accepted dinner invitations at the White House. They said they had fun, but revenge is a meal best served cold.

Money isn’t everything in D.C.

With his proud contempt for ethics ― or even the need to appear ethical ― Trump and his family are making a mockery of the notion that public service is a selfless exercise in patriotism. Trump has turned the presidency, at least in part, into a commercial enterprise that is enriching his family wealth. But as cool as that might seem in at least in some avaricious circles in Manhattan and Palm Beach, it doesn’t impress anyone in Washington, a city that needs money, but that doesn’t really value it per se. Money can buy you the White House, as Trump proved, but it can’t buy you D.C. Trump has yet to understand that people in the city care about the law, or at least procedure, because it is power.

Bannonism.

A master of cunning, apocalyptic, xenophobic narrative, Steve Bannon has given Trump a grander mission ― that of saving the Christian West from Islam, materialism, Wall Street, Hollywood, the Ivy League and the “Mainstream Media.” Reared and educated in a blue-collar, conservative Catholic family in Virginia, Bannon’s radical medievalism fits Trump’s royal conception of himself. But the risk is that the president will remain oblivious to what is going on outside the reality TV show Bannon has designed for him to live in, or that Trump will think that he has the kind of kingly authority that allows him to ignore the best parts of the Founders’ vision of a pluralistic, secular and welcoming America.

Too many cooks.

Bannon is not the only power center, despite having placed himself on the National Security Council and having created a new “Strategic Initiative Group” inside the White House with himself as head. Other power centers (for now) include Vice President Mike Pence, Priebus and Kushner, not to mention Hill leaders. So who controls the message in these crucial days and weeks? No one, except perhaps the person who has created the most trouble for the White House: Donald J. Trump.

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