#or it can be read as consistent in that that's the image Roman works to project

[waystarresourceco]

Kieran Culkin on Roman's playboy image and the way the actors/writers understanding of backstory fits together. (x)

[skeletonmoths]

Ethel Cain fans

Incoming rant

I don’t typically post anything on my blog that I’ve created or written but I feel the need to comment on something this fandom needs to understand. Hayden does not owe us anything as fans, she has told us time and time again that we have been making her feel uncomfortable, not all of us but you know who you are. Ethel Cain is a character and stage name, and I know Hayden does not mind being called Ethel by fans but that���s not just what I’m taking about, there’s also “Ethel Cain Core” Hayden has explained quite a few times not that this makes her uncomfortable, Ethel Cain and “Preachers Daughter Aesthetic” is weird at best, the aesthetic she uses in her music is Southern Gothic, and Hayden has even had to explain how this aesthetic can be problematic and needs to be used with caution and care, But on top of that I’ve seen people romanticizing the dark topics in her music the same way we did with Lana Del Ray and Nicole Dollaganger , and I can understand to a certain extent why, but again these topics need to discussed with caution and care and not romanized, same with the romanization of poverty and old farm houses I’ve been seeing, and I completely understand that these buildings and images can bring a sense of comfort and nostalgia, but I have seen people who have grown up in comfortable situations typically people who grew up “upper middle class” romanticizing poverty and dirty homes , old farm houses, which I find very strange. Let’s not even get in to the romanticization of the songs “Gibson girl” and “Unpunishable” and the “female rage” title that “Ptolemaea” got Now onto the subject of how fans are treating Hayden. Stop demanding she release new music Hayden recently confirmed she has had to scrap the B-sides and start over, Hayden is a perfectionist with her music and lyrics so CONSTANTLY demanding more from Hayden is going to make the process last longer and don’t forget people were demanding Hayden to work on the B-sides while she was ON TOUR. Hayden has been consistently releasing new ambient music on SoundCloud. And has featured in TWO new songs THIS YEAR yet fans are still demanding more. And the memes and constant “mother” calling and the jokes and out of pocket comments said directly to Hayden is becoming too much. And has said to us multiple times it makes her very uncomfortable. Hayden is not our best friend we do not know her personally and we need to start acting like it. Treat her like a person and a friend when it’s appropriate. Don’t forget about all the transphobic comments and doxing Hayden has been receiving, being deadnamed on tumblr, Hayden has talked about her hate for online culture, and I’ll miss her online presence like the rest of us, but it was only a matter of time for her to delete her tumblr as well. She has given us many warnings to smarten up but we haven’t so she has shown us the consequences. I love Hayden and I love Ethel Cain. But I’m happy she is stepping back and taking the peace for herself instead of snapping at us fans for pushing her to the limit. Thank you for taking your time to read my ranting. And Hayden if you ever come across this post on way or another and take time out of your day to read this, Thank you for everything, Thank you for sharing your art for us fans to enjoy, I hope being away from us fans for awhile brings you a sense of peace and control we keep interrupting

[sasaranurude]

Coly, the company behind Mahoyaku and Stand My Heroes, have announced a new game. Some friends and I realized that despite looking somewhat generic at first glance, it's got a handful of intriguing things going on with it! So here's a quick kind of long introduction to/my thoughts on Break My Case!

First: the website! The music on the site is really good! Go listen while you read this post!! There are 12 people listed as composers in the credits page, and it seems most every VA involved has at least a bit of experience with singing or music projects. The tone is a bit dark for a rhythm game (though I'm not ruling that out entirely), but otherwise it seems like there's gonna be a music focus. Cool! As far as other staff goes--the main scenario writer is also the writer of Stand My Heroes, and the character designer is Utako Yukihiro, who also did some work for B-Project.

The story concerns a cafe with a myriad of eccentric employees that runs an after-hours service where they solve problems. The exact nature of all this is left pretty vague.

And the draw for a game like this: The characters! Interestingly, they're divided into different departments at the cafe. What exactly those departments do isn't clear yet. As for the characters themselves--the more we looked at them, the more we liked them, lol. Quick summaries about what intrigued us about each guy. Note that these are not translations, none of us are fluent in Japanese (we all know just enough to get by with the google+jisho combo lol), and this should all be taken with a grain of salt.

The Main Office, consisting of Ai Kosaka, Yuzuru Kise, and Roka Suoh. (Names are listed in western given-family order because that's what the site uses for romanized names.) Roka is the one who owns the cafe, is the oldest character in the bunch at 36, and is that fun "mysterious guy with unknown backstory and an endless amount of weird acquaintances, who acts incompetent but might actually be hypercompetent" type of trope.

On account of the whole acting-incompetent thing, Ai and Yuzuru run the actual cafe business. And normally I won't be including fullbody character art in this post but I have to make an exception just this once.

Anyways.

Tumblr won't let me put four images in a row. Come on man. I wanna maintain the BMC's site style. Why are you mean to me. Anyways. The Simulation Department, consisting of Kou Ayato, Mao Ukyo, Akehoshi Hinomiya, and Yuragi Kanno. "Simulation" is its English name given on the site, but the Japanese given would probably read more like "relationship department".

Kou is a footloose playboy and Mao is a serious intellectual type, but apparently Kou will ask Mao to pretend to be his girlfriend so that he can avoid trouble with women. That's gay. I love that. (Mao is a guy [as far as we know], he just likes makeup--he's not the only one in that cast who does, either!) We all want Mao's outfit.

Akehoshi was a sleeper hit in the group chat, because his bio has a sentence about how he's the most normal-looking-yet-dangerous employee at the cafe, and also explicitly describes him as being like a dog, and naturally we all went crazy for the silly puppy as soon as we realized that he was in fact a silly puppy. Yuragi, on the other hand, likes cats. Such a classic for his character design trope, lmao.

The Administrative Department, consisting of Taiga Tsukimoto, Haruhi Ichikawa, and Sei Okiya. Taiga looks cool but if you look at his fullbody he's wearing awful sweatpants and apparently he cries while watching anime. I love this for him. Haruhi is a streamer because that's like an obligatory character trope now I guess. Sei was very popular in the group chat for being the single most suspicious character in the cast. What's his problem.

The Watchdog Department (or enforcement department, if you translate the jpn) consists of Shizuka Fushimi, Takeru Mikado, Soyogu Shinkai, and Shinobu Aizawa.

My friend described Shizuka as a "wet looking glasshole" and yeah. ok. unfortunately he does look like that. But it's ok he's allowed because his bio says he prefers quiet, orderly places with plants and no people and keeps to himself in common spaces but his own room is a complete mess. AKA he's an autism king. So I like him.

Takeru was obviously a hit because look at them. Takeru and Mao talk about makeup together, apparently. CUTE! Shinobu is the most fashionable guy in the cast and his bio says he has a few screws loose, which is amazing. Good for him. I have nothing to say about Soyogu I think I forgot he existed until I was putting this post together and I only looked at these all guys a few hours ago

The Negotiation Department, with Kiho Arima, Kyoya Shido, and Riku Tateshina. I described this group as "grandma, grandpa, and Columbo" and then the group chat couldn't call any of them anything else. And I do mean grandma. Because. ok. another fullbody. Because oh my god we have to look at Kiho.

GIRL. WHAT. IS. THAT. YOU'RE WEARING A CARPET. YOU'RE WEARING A COUCH. kiho is apparently a fortune teller and my friend acted as if this excused the outfit but i DONT agree i don't think anything excuses this. WHAT IS THAAAAAT

Kyoya is an artist and Riku is a psychologist so honestly this is a really fun bunch of jobs going on in this department. Riku is described as someone who falls in love easily, and he's most interested in Ai (from the Main Office, the very first guy in this post). We couldn't tell if the implication there is that he's in love with Ai, or if he falls in love with random people and yet his true attention always drifts back to Ai. Both of these options are gay.

The ST (special tasks) Department, with Yomose Onda, Yu Nina, Kamiya, and Urara Manami.

Yu had his life saved by Tomose and has now dedicated himself to him, to the point of being ready to die for him. YOU GOTTA LOVE THAT. INCREDIBLE TROPE. UNBEATABLE. GAY AS HELL. All we know from Tomose's side is that he's "fond" of Yu. That's fine I'm sure you can learn to love him. Or learn to hate him. Whatever's more entertaining.

Kamiya has no memory, hence the singular name. I'm sure whatever's going on there is weird and interesting. Urara is the youngest character, at 20. THAT'S RIGHT. THE YOUNGEST CHARACTER IS 20. THERE ARE ZERO TEENAGERS! THE AVERAGE CHARACTER AGE IS AROUND 26. THIS SHOULDN'T BE AS NOTABLE AS IT IS BUT THAT'S GACHA GAMES FOR YOU. Anyways I like Urara because I think he looks like an angry kitty.

Anyways, that's the gist of what we know about BMC--or BreMai, if you wanna go for something closer to the jpn abbreviation--right now. More info might drop at/around Animate Girls Fest, since they seem to be giving out game beta codes there. I don't know if I'm completely sold on it just yet--coly did just have a detective-themed gacha game fail a few months ago with &0. But we're not even completely sure it is a gacha yet, or what kind of gameplay it might have otherwise, so... there's a bit of hope. Maybe it'll be a weird cool dark rhythm game! Who knows!!!

[longlistshort]

High Noon Gallery is currently showing Les Problémes du Confort, an exhibition of work by Mary Jones.

From the press release-

Jones began this most recent body of work, collectively called simply, “Interior Design,” by painting Sumi ink over the black and white printed pages of a comprehensive French Interior Design publication from the 1960s. “[I chose the series’ title] not only to underscore the attributes of the original images, but to address their psychological component: the topos of dreams, so notably analyzed by Gaston Bachelard and James Hillman, spaces we conjure to discover the elements of our inner lives. Homes and interiors are not only spaces we remember, but also labyrinths of symbolism, familiar to all of us as emotionally charged experiences,” she explains.

The addition of her signature mark making started as an exercise to identify patterns in the tonal pages, separate from the context of the imagery. It seemed to act as a compositional barometer of sorts, deflecting the space in certain areas and illuminating it in others. The painted catalog images were then collaged, blown up, printed on canvas, and painted again, further conflating space and gesture, and inhabiting the vacant interiors with a visible energy. In doing so, Jones satisfies the principles of high design with the paintings’ harmonic beauty, and also the open systems of fine art by positioning the work as cultural critique that challenges the colonialist motifs that permeate the aesthetic sensibility of many of the spaces.

Jones’s work has long gnawed at the malleability of subject matter. She consistently uses legible imagery to anchor her abstractions, prodding at the fickle divide between the two modalities. Her sensitivity to painting’s illusionistic properties is connected to her experience as a faux painter, freelance work she’s done for 25 years. While the object of faux painting is to not let the artist’s hand show, Jones riffs on her craft by skillfully merging gesture and image in ways that are largely indistinguishable. She allows the marks to emulate form and object, playing on the viewer’s expectations of pictorial logic and slyly addressing the disparity between fine art and design, as for many decades— and especially during painting’s theoretical heyday in the second half of the 20th century— they shared a tenuous opposition. Design is associated with expense, and American society is perpetually transfixed by the Romantic notion of the artist as a working class hero.

Ionic Memories (2023), depicts a decadent room steeped in Roman busts and columns, the title a tongue-in-cheek reference to the science of memory and the unstable nature of artistic movements and empires alike. Jones echoes the velvety matte blacks of the printed image in her direct painting gestures, mixing a near perfect replica of the tone and texture for her to set up a meta tromp-l’oeil effect. In the foreground, a collaged brush stroke swipes away at the interior revealing a snowy landscape wherein a bush and modernist cabin are obscured by a swath of pink oil paint. In the context of the whole, the landscape reads as decorative forms within the room, such as fan coral and glass spheres. Other works such as Cocteau and Table (2023) make greater use of a fragmented effect wherein decisively multiversal looking forms cut through the composition like a glimpse into a parallel reality. Through a mix of painterly and faux elements, Jones takes care to merge her augmented realities just enough to allow the viewer to believe the image exists in one picture plane.

Perhaps to be comfortable is to momentarily resist time, to be temporarily impervious to the clamors for change. In Les Problémes du Confort, Jones reminds us that the arrangements we make with ourselves are transitory, constructed illusions to describe and reflect a sense of our place in the world we know, and that improvisational beauty can be found in transitions, in languages we don’t know, and in uncertainty.

This exhibition closes 4/23/23.

[andersunmenschlich]

Full quotes in context below the cut.

"I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of man, and I believe that religious duties consist in doing justice, loving mercy, and endeavouring to make our fellow-creatures happy. But, lest it should be supposed that I believe many other things in addition to these, I shall, in the progress of this work, declare the things I do not believe, and my reasons for not believing them.

"I do not believe in the creed professed by the Jewish church, by the Roman church, by the Greek church, by the Turkish church, by the Protestant church, nor by any other church that I know of. My own mind is my own church. All national institutions of churches, whether Jewish, Christian, or Turkish, appear to me no other than human inventions set up to terrify and enslave mankind, and to monopolize power and profit." —Thomas Paine, The Age of Reason (1794) .

"As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion,—as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [Muslims],—and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan [Islamic] nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries." —Article 11 of the 1797 Treaty of Tripoli, written by Joel Barlow, ratified unanimously by the US Senate, signed by President John Adams

["Now be it known, That I John Adams, President of the United States of America, having seen and considered the said Treaty do, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, accept, ratify, and confirm the same, and every clause and article thereof." —John Adams on the Treaty of Tripoli] .

"This free exercise of reason is all I ask for the vindication of the character of Jesus.

"We find in the writings of his biographers matter of two distinct descriptions. First a groundwork of vulgar ignorance, of things impossible, of superstitions, fanaticisms, & fabrications.

"Intermixed with these again are sublime ideas of the supreme being, aphorisms and precepts of the purest morality & benevolence, sanctioned by a life of humility, innocence, and simplicity of manners, neglect of riches, absence of worldly ambition & honors, with an eloquence and persuasiveness which have not been surpassed.

"These could not be inventions of the grovelling authors who relate them. They are far beyond the powers of their feeble minds.

"They show that there was a character, the subject of their history, whose splendid conceptions were above all suspicion of being interpolations from their hands. Can we be at a loss in separating such materials, & ascribing each to its genuine author?

"The difference is obvious to the eye and to the understanding, and we may read; as we run, to each his part; and I will venture to affirm that he who, as I have done, will undertake to winnow this grain from its chaff, will find it not to require a moment's consideration. The parts fall asunder of themselves as would those of an image of metal & clay.

"There are, I acknowlege, passages not free from objection, which we may with probability ascribe to Jesus himself; but claiming indulgence from the circumstances under which he acted.

"His object was the reformation of some articles in the religion of the Jews, as taught by Moses. That Seer had presented, for the object of their worship, a being of terrific character, cruel, vindictive, capricious and unjust. Jesus, taking for his type the best qualities of the human head and heart, wisdom, justice, goodness, and adding to them power, ascribed all of these, but in infinite perfection, to the supreme being, and formed him really worthy of their adoration." —Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 4 August 1820

"You ask if I mean to publish anything on the subject of a letter of mine to my friend Charles Thompson? Certainly not. I write nothing for publication, and last of all things should it be on the subject of religion. On the dogmas of religion (as distinguished from moral principles), all mankind, from the beginning of the world to this day, have been quarrelling, fighting, burning and torturing one another, for abstractions unintelligible to themselves and to all others, and absolutely beyond the comprehension of the human mind. Were I to enter on that arena, I should only add an unit to the number of Bedlamites." —Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 11 November 1816

["It is a document in proof that I am a real Christian, that is to say, a disciple of the doctrines of Jesus, very different from the Platonists, who call me infidel, and themselves Christians and preachers of the gospel, while they draw all their characteristic dogmas from what its author never said nor saw." —Thomas Jefferson on his 'wee little book', in a letter to Charles Thomson on 9 January 1816] .

"On a general comparison of the present & former times, the balance is certainly & vastly on the side of the present as to the number of religious teachers, the zeal which actuates them, the purity of their lives, and the attendance of the people on their instructions. It was the universal opinion of the century preceding the last that civil government could not stand without the prop of a religious establishment, & that the Xn religion itself would perish if not supported by a legal provision for its clergy.

"The experience of Virginia conspicuously corroborates the disproof of both opinions.

"The civil government, though bereft of everything like an associated hierarchy, possesses the requisite stability and performs its functions with complete success, whilst the number, the industry, and the morality of the priesthood & the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of the Church from the State." —James Madison to Robert Walsh Jr., 2 March 1819 .

I can't find any evidence that John Adams ever said or wrote the exact words "the United States is not, in any sense, a Christian nation."

He did, however, sign the Treaty of Tripoli, written by Joel Barlow and containing (in its English version, which was the one President John Adams signed) Article 11: "the government of the United States of America is in no sense founded on the Christian religion."

Thomas Paine: “I do not believe in…any church,” he declared. In a call to arms against what he called church-state tyranny in early America, he insisted that “every national church or religion accuses the others of unbelief; for my own part, I disbelieve them all.”

George Washington: "The government of the United States is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."

Thomas Jefferson: " The Christian God is a being of terrific character -- cruel, vindictive, capricious, and unjust . We discover in the Bible a groundwork of vulgar ignorance, of things impossible, of superstition, fanaticism and fabrication . On the dogmas of religion, as distinguished from moral principles, all mankind, from the beginning of the world to this day, have been quarreling, fighting, burning and torturing one another, for abstractions unintelligible to themselves and to all others, and absolutely beyond the comprehension of the human mind."

James Madison: “It was the universal opinion of the [18th] century, that civil government could not stand without the prop of a religious establishment and that the Christian religion itself would perish if not supported by a legal provision for its clergy.” But as President, Madison found that, “the devotion of the people have been manifestly increased by the total separation of church from the state.”

John Adams: “the United States is not, in any sense, a Christian nation.”

[maacsatara]

Designing for Print: Posters, Brochures, and Flyers

In a digital-first world, print design remains an indispensable tool for communication and branding. Posters, brochures, and flyers continue to hold significant value, delivering information tangibly and creating lasting impressions. The art of designing for print involves a deep understanding of the medium, audience, and design principles. This is where a graphic design institute can play a crucial role in equipping aspiring designers with the necessary skills and knowledge. Let’s explore the intricacies of designing effective posters, brochures, and flyers that captivate and engage.

1. Understanding the Purpose

The foundation of effective print design lies in understanding the purpose of the material. Each format serves a unique role:

Posters: Designed to grab attention from a distance, posters are often used for advertising, events, or public service announcements. They require bold visuals and concise messaging.

Brochures: Typically multi-page documents, brochures are ideal for providing detailed information about products, services, or organizations. They balance visuals and text to inform and persuade.

Flyers: Flyers are compact, single-page designs meant for quick distribution. They’re great for promotions, sales, or event announcements and focus on simplicity and impact.

Understanding the purpose ensures that the design aligns with the communication goals and the target audience.

2. The Role of Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy guides the viewer’s eye through the design in a logical flow. It’s essential for all print formats:

Posters: The headline or main graphic element should be the most prominent, followed by secondary information like dates, locations, or taglines.

Brochures: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break down information. Ensure the most critical details are highlighted on the cover.

Flyers: Prioritize the primary message, whether it’s a discount, event name, or call to action, with bold fonts and striking colors.

A well-structured hierarchy ensures that the message is communicated effectively and quickly.

3. Typography Matters

Typography is a cornerstone of print design. Choosing the right fonts can make or break your design:

Readability: Use clear and legible fonts, especially for body text. Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica work well for modern designs, while serif fonts like Times New Roman add a classic touch.

Consistency: Stick to two or three fonts to maintain a cohesive look. Use font weights and sizes to create contrast and emphasize important elements.

Scale: Ensure that headlines are large enough to catch attention, while body text is comfortable to read at arm’s length.

Typography should complement the overall design and support the message without overpowering it.

4. The Power of Color

Color plays a pivotal role in evoking emotions and creating visual impact:

Posters: Bold and vibrant colors work best for grabbing attention. Use contrasting colors to make the design pop.

Brochures: Opt for a more subdued and professional color palette that aligns with the brand identity.

Flyers: Use colors strategically to highlight offers or key details, but avoid overwhelming the design.

Ensure color consistency with the brand’s guidelines and consider the psychology of colors to influence the audience’s perception.

5. Importance of Images and Graphics

High-quality images and graphics are critical for print designs:

Posters: Use a single, striking image or illustration as the focal point. Ensure it’s high resolution for sharp printing.

Brochures: Include images that complement the text, such as product photos or infographics, to enhance understanding.

Flyers: Simple icons or visuals can make a flyer more engaging without overcrowding the design.

Avoid low-resolution images, as they can appear pixelated and unprofessional in print.

6. Composition and Layout

A well-structured layout ensures a visually pleasing design:

Posters: Follow the rule of thirds or use a grid system to balance the design elements.

Brochures: Maintain consistent margins and alignments across pages. Use white space effectively to avoid a cluttered look.

Flyers: Keep the layout simple and direct, focusing on a central theme.

Test different layouts to find the most effective arrangement for your content.

7. Print-Specific Considerations

Designing for print requires attention to technical details:

Resolution: Ensure images are at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) for sharp printing.

Bleed and Margins: Include a bleed area (typically 3mm) to prevent white edges after trimming.

Color Mode: Use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color mode, as it’s the standard for printing.

Paper Type: Consider the type of paper and finish (glossy, matte, or textured) to enhance the design’s appeal.

Collaborate with the printer to ensure the final output matches your vision.

8. Call to Action

An effective print design includes a clear and compelling call to action (CTA):

Posters: Encourage viewers to attend an event, visit a website, or follow a social media page.

Brochures: Include contact details, a QR code, or a link to additional resources.

Flyers: Highlight offers or next steps prominently to drive immediate action.

The CTA should be easy to spot and motivate the audience to engage further.

9. Testing and Proofing

Before sending your design to print, review every detail:

Proofread: Check for spelling or grammatical errors.

Test Prints: Print a sample to evaluate colors, fonts, and layout.

Feedback: Gather opinions from colleagues or clients to refine the design.

Testing and proofing ensure a polished final product that meets expectations.

Conclusion

Designing for print is both an art and a science, requiring creativity, technical skills, and attention to detail. Posters, brochures, and flyers each serve unique purposes, but all share common design principles that ensure effectiveness.  This is where graphic design institutes in Pune come in, offering comprehensive training in these principles. By understanding the audience, using visual hierarchy, and considering print-specific requirements, designers can create impactful print materials that leave a lasting impression. In an age dominated by digital media, the tangible power of print design continues to captivate and inspire.

[solardick]

These pills better not take away my creative genius. The tower card i made prior to the winter of 2024. Where there was no winter or any snow.

Compared to this winter

Where it looks like nature is going back to normal. And not being laced with hormones and Bs.

The news, which i dont beleive like any other peice of information coming my way. Where trump is pulling a “russia” by expanding its territory. To where theres untapped natural resources. In preparation for war. Still, people are still playingat aggrevating my natural tendenciies of being a teacher. I would have made a great father. Ugh.

To tarot amd the emperor using the roman numerals. Is the forst card that is a negation number. Which is fallowed up by the neo of nemural negation to a common base number. Is the death card. Wich is arrived at by addition. Fuck tarot. Leave it to the femme bots. There’s enough of them already.

For example i wasbtaught in school that alaska was bought from the indians from the states. And not from the russians in the 1800’s.

Originally this was the image i had in mind for letter Тт. Which combines cards for temperance and the tower respectfully. But a forge may also work.

Santé sécurité uh? Too bad no one cares about my santé sécurité. Keep dosing me with ass raping drugs. Like it feels good to be me. 40 fucken years. Fuck off

All these devils’s advocate fucken cocksucker s

Want to read something. Oh too bad! Want to study sething ? Oh! Too bad. Cant do anything but stare at a fuckem tv screen. And fucken chain dmoke.

Im judt going to dtop any motivation to make the world a berter p’a e cause nobody gices a fuck. Lunar fucktards.

Might as well support it with the three gate way frugs of sugars cafeene and nicotine. Marijuana? Fuck i hate life. Fuck you guys. Get all your children addicted before they can even spell the alphabet.

The subject was going to be on tempwrance and tolerance. But unfortunately. Tolerance is akin to suppression. And isn’t infinite. And brings it back to tarots strength card with is akin to the American independence day. And the lunar nations civic conditioning.

The word AND broken down, to tarot pictorially equals the fool(magician) strength and the emperor. And suggests continuation and expectation. Unlike the Cyrillic alphabet. There’s is only one word written for AND.

There is another perspective for AND. Separated from the consistency of civic conditioning. Which is touched by the biblical text. And that is the consistency of lunar needs agaist the “logos” function of solar productivity and advancement with its bipolar relationship to the lunar function.

The strenght card comes up repeatedly in national “holidays”

And now thatbim handicapped from ever knowing what feeling loved is like. Not much point is there.

Messing with me on gaming again. Now all im thinking is all the manipulations at work. Fun dun

Dont have mind for anything else.

40 straight years if being runned, governed and fucked with by other people.

I dont want to go to work anymore. Spend the rest of my shirt life on fucken welfare.

Chemically induced coccygeal Nerve Issues.

Massaging the tip of the tail bone helps elevate symptoms.

No ones ever going near my dick ever again. Fuck that. Sluts and femmes. Ugh.

If she cant say hello then im not even going to bother. Like all people. Assume and project. Women are the worst. Next in line are lunar males and dickheads.

The inorganic nature of this treatment. Obvious. Is depressing.

The growing concern of this Lucifer effect on these dicktwats. Breeding what its evhoed out into the world.

An angel born in hell.

The pillar of foundation is unalterable. And brings the old corrupted strength card to light on letter Тт.

Of course the lion has to go it denotes pride and ownership over the female body. But the plain old pillar and the women in lion’s clothing is perverse to the denotement of nature, and applies simulteaneously to “mother nature” whichbis again a bias to reason. Which eventually gives “birth” to the notion of the spirit of “masculinity” because its ethereal and not present without the form of structure. Which is non-existent paired to the notion on mother nature or “gaia” to cut it short.

Which unfortunately is part and base of all knowledge as is “known”.

“Mother nature” on its own doesn’t exactly take care of you. Its all trials and suffering. Holy masculinity. Which has been seperated from the scheme becomes the saving “grace”.

The world is green because the sky is blue and the sun is yellow.

[dailydosetech]

How to Optimize eBooks for Different Devices and Platforms

eBooks are a popular manner for readers to get right of entry to books on the cross. However, with so many unique gadgets and platforms accessible—clever phones, drugs, e-readers, and computer systems—optimizing your eBook for a lot of these structures can appear difficult. But don’t fear! In this weblog, we’ll stroll you thru easy steps to ensure that your eBook appears extremely good and is simple to examine on any tool.

Why Is eBook Optimization Important?

Optimizing your eBook is critical as it ensures that readers have a unbroken enjoy, regardless of what tool they use. Whether a person is studying on an iPhone, a Kindle, or a pc laptop, the intention is to make certain the content material shows successfully, the textual content is simple to observe, and the formatting stays consistent.

1. Choose the Right eBook Format

The first step in optimizing your eBook is choosing the right layout. Different devices and structures assist one-of-a-kind formats. Here are some not unusual ones:

EPUB: It's the most common eBook format. It works on almost any device, including iPhones, iPads, Android devices and Kobo (e Readers).

MOBI: This version is intended for Amazon Kindle devices. But MOBI if you are publishing on Amazon.

PDF: Preserving the layout and formatting of files is one of the great perks of working with PDF files. They are not as flexible for resizing on smaller devices, but. Fixed format content, like magazines or textbooks is what they are better suited for.

AZW3 (Kindle Format): Amazon’s own format for new Kindle devices.

When unsure, EPUB is generally the great choice due to its flexibility throughout distinctive platforms. If you're publishing on Amazon, you’ll also need to transform your eBook to MOBI.

2. Keep Layout Simple and Clean

When designing your eBook, keep away from complex layouts that may not show well on smaller suggests or e-readers. Stick to a easy, clean format that adapts well to special display screen sizes. Here are some guidelines:

Use a single-column layout: For most devices it works just fine, making sure that the text does wrap properly to different screen sizes.

Avoid fixed-width layouts: Fixed-width designs are harder to read on smaller screens because they don’t adjust properly.

Limit large images and graphics: Too many images can create slow loading time or make the images still distorted on different devices. For when necessary, use smaller and higher quality images.

3. Optimize Fonts for Readability

Choosing a font is very important in how your eBook appears and if it’s easy to read. Follow these tips to ensure your text is readable on any device:

Choose web-safe fonts: Some fonts like Arial, Times New Roman and Georgia are good fonts and are easy to read on screen and most platforms will support them.

Set a readable font size: Usually 12-14 pt font size should be used for body text, you can adjust based on device and our audience.

Use proper line spacing: Line height that’s at least 1.2–1.5 also adds extra space between lines which is great for readability on small screens.

4. Test on Multiple Devices

Now, after you’ve created your eBook, you need to actually test it out on different devices to make sure it looks good. Here are some common platforms and devices to test on:

Kindle devices (e.g., Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire)

Apple devices (iPhones, iPads)

Android smartphones and tablets

Desktop or laptop computers

Other e-readers (e.g., Kobo, Nook)

Testing on one of a kind gadgets will assist you find out any troubles with text formatting, image resolution, or format. You can use eBook conversion equipment like Calibri or preview gear from systems like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) or Smash words to appearance how your eBook will seem.

5. Optimize for Smaller Screens

If you want many readers to use your eBooks on their smartphones or smaller tablets, you should ensure that they're well optimised for smaller screens. Here’s how:

Shorten paragraphs: If you want many readers to use your eBooks on their smartphones or smaller tablets, you should ensure that they're well optimised for smaller screens. Here’s how:

Use large, readable fonts: Also make sure that the text is big enough to be read on smaller devices. Don’t have small fonts that require the reader to zoom in.

Test portrait and landscape modes: You probably have some readers who want to read your content in landscape mode, so make sure your content looks good on their devices both orientations.

6. Add Interactive Elements Carefully

Interactive elements, like links, footnotes, or films, can enhance the reading revel in however may be problematic to optimize across all gadgets. Here’s a way to address them:

Hyperlinks: Check that links are clickable and operate rightly on all platforms. Don’t use long complicated URLs which might break viewing on smaller screens.

Footnotes: If you make it have footnotes, make sure they’re formatted accordingly and provide navigation for them. If you are struggling with a small screen, you might want to consider using endnotes instead.

Multimedia: If your eBook has videos or audio files, be sure they’re optimized for mobile consumption. You might consider offering downloadable file / link for people that won't be able to play those media files.

7. Create a Table of Contents

For eBooks (and especially for long ones) an interactive Table of Contents (TOC) is indispensable. Readers need to navigate easily between chapters and sections, so make sure your TOC is:

Clickable: Make sure that the story link doesn’t need to be looked up every time a user clicks on a chapter or section heading.

Easy to use: Make it simple and well arranged so that it’s easy to navigate on different devices.

8. Check for Accessibility

But make sure your eBook is accessible to all, disabled readers included. Here are some tips for improving accessibility:

Alt text for images: Write descriptive alt text for images to make screen readers read the image out to visually impaired users.

Provide a text-only version: For some readers, in particular those with a screen reader, you may wish that your eBook appears in a text only version.

Ensure proper contrast: You also want to be sure that your text has enough contrast on the background, which is no easy task – but it’s especially important for visually impaired readers to be able to read your text.

9. Consider Different eBook Stores’ Guidelines

The eBook stores have their own format and submission requirements. For example:

Amazon Kindle Store: MOBI files are accepted by Amazon as well as EPUB files, which they will convert. However, you have to arrange your eBook according to Amazon’s recommendations.

Apple Books: EPUB format is required by Apple, it has guidelines about what kinds of fonts (and font sizes), images, and metadata they accept.

Google Play Books: EPUB and PDF files are accepted by Google, and Google has a strict way how metadata and cover images are required.

Make sure to read and follow the guidelines set up by the platform where you’ll be publishing your eBook.

10. Use eBook Creation Tools

To create and optimize your eBook you have many tools at your disposal. Some popular options include:

Calibre: A free, open source eBook management tool to convert, edit or optimize your eBook.

Adobe InDesign: It’s a professional design tool to give more formatting options and export features.

Scrivener: It is a writing software that helps authors write, organize and format eBooks.

Conclusion: Make Your eBook Reader-Friendly

Optimizing your eBook for distinct devices and structures may additionally seem like numerous work, but it’s essential for imparting the great reading revel in on your target audience. By selecting the proper layout, simplifying your format, optimizing fonts, and trying out throughout more than one gadgets, you may make certain that your eBook seems extraordinary and capabilities properly no matter the way it’s being study.

With these suggestions, you’ll be properly on your way to creating an eBook that appeals to a wide variety of readers and platforms! Happy eBook publishing!

[vtellswhat]

Crafting a Masterpiece: How to Style Your PhD Thesis for Maximum Impact

A PhD thesis is more than just a collection of research findings; it’s a representation of years of dedication, intellectual growth, and meticulous effort. While the core focus of a thesis lies in its content, styling it effectively can make it more engaging, professional, and easier to navigate. A well-styled thesis not only reflects your academic rigor but also ensures your ideas are presented with clarity and sophistication. Here's a guide to styling your PhD thesis like a pro. ### 1. Start with a Clean Template

Start with a professional and clean template for your thesis. Most colleges and universities provide official templates for formatting. If this is not the case, explore software that offers robust formatting capabilities, such as LaTeX, or use highly advanced word-processing tools such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs in order to maintain consistency of layout throughout the entire document.

**2. Select Proper Fonts

The choice of font is an important factor in improving readability. For academic writing, serif fonts such as Times New Roman or Garamond are classic choices, while sans-serif fonts like Arial or Calibri can give a modern touch. Use one font family for the main text and another complementary font for headings, ensuring they do not clash. Always follow your institution's formatting guidelines for font size and type. 3. Structure Your Thesis Thoughtfully A well-structured thesis is easy to follow. Standard sections usually include: - Title Page: Your title, name, department, university, and date. - Abstract: A concise summary of your research. - Table of Contents: Clearly outline chapters, sections, and page numbers. - Introduction: State your research question, objectives, and methodology.

Chapters: Present findings, discussions, and analysis systematically.

Conclusion: Summarize key findings and suggest future research.

References: List all cited works in the required style. Use consistent headings, subheadings, and numbering for sections. Use an automatic table of contents generator for updates with minimal effort.

4. Master the Art of Page Layout

Margins, line spacing, and alignment all affect the visual appeal of your thesis.

Margins: Keep to the size specified by the institution, usually 1 inch on all sides.

Line Spacing: Double spacing is the norm, but do check the requirements.

Alignment: Justify the body text for a more professional look. Add page numbers, headers, or footers to keep it navigable. Don't overcrowd the pages; clean pages are appealing and easier to read.

5. Add Visual Elements Wisely

Graphs, charts, images, and tables can make complicated data understandable. Just make sure they're well-integrated:

Clearly label each figure or table and number them consecutively.

Provide captions that describe their significance. Conduct uniform color schemes and styles of the visuals. Place it near to a text where appropriate for understanding through the context. Always cite the sources.

6. Be Observant of Citation and Reference

Consistent and accurate referencing is critical in academic writing. Choose a citation style—APA, MLA, Chicago, or any other—based on your institution’s preference. Tools like Zotero, EndNote, or Mendeley can help manage and format references efficiently.

7. Use Appendices Wisely

Appendices are used for all supplementary material, including raw data, additional analysis, or extremely long tables. This maintains conciseness in the text for interested readers who would like to receive more details. Clearly distinguish appendices and reference in the text when appropriate.

Maintain Focus on Proofreading and Editing

Styling is incomplete without thorough editing. Common errors in formatting, grammar, or consistency can undermine your work. Proofread meticulously or consider professional editing services. Pay attention to:

Consistency in terminology, fonts, and citation style.

Correctness of page numbers in the table of contents.

Spelling and grammar checks.

9. Infuse a Personal Touch

While academic guidelines must be followed, your thesis should reflect your voice. Craft an engaging introduction, use concise and clear language, and maintain a professional tone throughout.

10. Test Print and Digital Versions

Before submission, review both digital and print versions of your thesis. Ensure all links work in the digital copy, and the print version looks polished. Binding and cover design should be neat, complementing the content within.

Styling your PhD thesis is not merely a matter of aesthetics but also a question of presentation. A well-styled thesis leaves a lasting impression on reviewers and readers that highlights the quality of your work. It is a fine balance between attention to detail, following guidelines, and that touch of creativity which can make this document as impressive as the research it represents. Your PhD thesis is the culmination of your academic journey—make it a masterpiece worthy of your achievements!

Need expert guidance for your PhD, Master’s thesis, or research writing journey? Click the link below to access resources and support tailored to help you excel every step of the way. Unlock your full research potential today!

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/writebing/

[anyresume-ai]

The Do's and Don'ts of Resume Formatting

Your resume is the first impression you make on a potential employer. Whether you're a fresher, entry-level, or mid-senior professional, a well-formatted resume is crucial to standing out in today’s competitive job market. Here's a quick guide on the do's and don'ts of resume formatting to help you create a clean, professional, and attention-grabbing resume.

Do’s of Resume Formatting:

Use a Clean Layout

Stick to a simple and professional format with clear sections like Contact Info, Profile Summary, Skills, Experience, and Education.

Use consistent font sizes (e.g., 11-12pt for text and 14-16pt for headers) and an easy-to-read font like Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman.

Keep it Concise

Limit your resume to 1-2 pages, especially for freshers and entry-level roles. Mid-senior level professionals can extend to two pages if necessary.

Focus on highlighting key accomplishments, skills, and experience that directly align with the job you’re applying for.

Use Bullet Points

Bullet points make your resume easier to skim and help emphasize key details quickly. Each bullet should start with a strong action verb and be no longer than 2-3 lines.

List your achievements and responsibilities in reverse chronological order, starting with your most recent experience.

Highlight Achievements with Numbers

Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. For example, "Increased sales by 20%" or "Managed a team of 10 employees" grabs attention better than vague statements.

Ensure ATS Compatibility

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan resumes. Use standard fonts, avoid graphics or images, and include relevant keywords from the job description to ensure your resume passes ATS filters.

Don’ts of Resume Formatting:

Avoid Overly Creative Designs

Skip fancy fonts, colors, graphics, or images unless you're in a creative field. Most hiring managers prefer a clean, professional look, and ATS systems can struggle with complex designs.

Don’t Use Long Paragraphs

Avoid lengthy paragraphs to describe your work experience. Instead, opt for short, concise bullet points to improve readability and ensure key information isn't missed.

Skip Personal Information

Avoid including unnecessary personal details like age, marital status, or a photo unless the job posting specifically requests it. This information isn't needed and can hurt your chances.

Avoid Clutter

White space is important for a neat, organized look. Don't overload your resume with too much text or irrelevant details. Make sure there is enough space between sections for easy readability.

By following these do's and don'ts, you'll create a resume that is not only visually appealing but also effective in showcasing your qualifications to potential employers. A well-formatted resume can make all the difference in landing that interview and moving forward in your career!

"https://AnyResume.AI" can help you analyze your resume and provide a comprehensive report with suggestions. Update your resume today and succeed in your next career move!

[firstumcschenectady]

“God's Subversive Tactics” based on Matthew 5:38-42 (please read!)

The groundbreaking scholarship on this Matthew passage isn't new, it was published in 1992 by Walter Wink in his book “Engaging the Powers: Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination.” I remember hearing it in High School, I've preached it before – here – and some of you have ridiculously good memories. But also, not all of you have heard me preach it before, and it is SUCH GOOD STUFF and so central to how we understand the entire Jesus movement. So, anyway, if you already know this stuff, prepare for an excellent review. And if you don't, hold on to your pew – this is going to be fun.

Those of us who have heard this passage without Wink's scholarship have probably heard it as an invitation to be doormats, right? “Don't resist. Let someone hit you repeatedly. Be passive. Be... weak.” And, heavens that's concerning, that anyone would teach such things in a church. What a way to empower domestic violence, maintain the status quo, and teach those in positions of less power (women, racial and ethnic minorities, children) that the Godly way is to accept the harm that comes their way.

However, if you accept a perspective that the choices are violence or nonviolence, I can see how you might conclude that following Jesus is NOT a violent way, so you have to pick passivity. BUT, this passage doesn't mean that AT ALL, this passage is about a third way. This is about how to engage in nonviolent resistance to undermine the powers that oppress. This is Jesus speaking to people who lived lives of oppression. This is the way called nonviolent ENGAGEMENT.

It seems especially fitting on this day when we are also thinking about Juneteenth because when we celebrate the freeing of those who had been enslaved, it also makes sense to talk about the ways that people who were enslaved resisted. We sometimes read in history about slave rebellions, but there were lots of ways that people engaged in regular, consistent resistance of the oppressive power of slave holders too. They pretended to be ill. They worked slowly, and badly. They “lost” or “accidentally damaged” equipment. They took what they needed, or just what they wanted. Papers were displaced. Things caught on fire. I suspect a lot of individuals were geniuses at such work, engaging in subversive actions that created immense disruptions without ever seeming to be fault.

Slave holders tried to break the spirits of those they enslaved, but the core human dignity, the reality of imago dei (that we are all made in the image of God – ALL OF US), seems to be quite resilient. And I think that's the core of what Jesus was talking about too.

Let's unpack each of Jesus's suggestions. “Turn the other cheek.” First thing to know – you didn't use your left hand for anything in ancient society because toilet paper wasn't a thing yet and left hands were used for “unclean tasks.” This was a hard and fast rule, even gesturing with the left hand was illegal and carried a strict punishment. So, we are talking only about right hand hits. Which means that a person who is hit on the right cheek has been backhanded, which was ALWAYS AND ONLY diminutive. It was a common and normal way of putting people in their place. “A backhanded slap was the usual way of admonishing inferiors. Masters backhanded slaves, husbands, wives; parents, children; men , women; Romans, Jews.”1 Most people would cower.

One did NOT backhand a peer, it was actually illegal.

But if people can only hit with their right hands, and one has already been backhanded on the RIGHT cheek, then to turn the other cheek – to invite another hit – is NOT to passively accept violence. It is to invite the person who is trying to humiliate you to either back down, or treat you like an equal. “This action robs the oppressor of the power to humiliate. The person who turns the other cheek is saying, in effect, 'Try again, Your first blow has failed to achieve its intended affect. I deny you the power to humiliate me. I am a human being just like you. Your status does not alter that fact. You cannot demean me.'”2

Which, then, puts the one who hit into a conundrum. Which is EXACTLY Jesus's point. (Can you now see how this advice fits the one who also told parables?) “In that world of honor and shame, he has been rendered impotent to instill shame in a subordinate. He has been stripped of his power to dehumanize the other.”3

The second image is to give cloak along with coat, right? We are going to call them the outer-garment and the inner-garment so we can track it. Note that impoverished people only had those two garments, their were not backups. And, Hebrew Scriptures provide for someone to be sued for their outer-garment:

If you lend money to my people, to the poor among you, you shall not deal with them as a creditor; you shall not exact interest from them. If you take your neighbor’s cloak in pawn, you shall restore it before the sun goes down; for it may be your neighbor’s only clothing to use as cover; in what else shall that person sleep? And if your neighbor cries out to me, I will listen, for I am compassionate. - Exodus 22:25-27

Note that even in this passage it is clear that only a poor person would be in this situation, and it is so tenuous that you can't even take the outer-garment consistently, you have to take it for only the day so they can sleep with it at night. It seems, even in this passage, that the creditor is being pretty severely demonized for deciding to demand retribution on the poor, right? (Matthew's language is wrong in implying it is the inner-garment, just ignore that – Luke gets it right, it is the outer-garment.)

Back to Wink, “Indebtedness was endemic in first-century Palestine. Jesus' parables are full of debtors struggling to salvage their lives. Heavy debt was not, however, a natural calamity that had overtaken the incompetent. It was the direct consequence of Roman imperial policy.... By the time of Jesus we see this process already far advanced: large estates owned by absentee landlords, managed by stewards, and worked by tenant farers, day laborers, and slaves. It is no accident that the first act of the Jewish revolutionaries in 66 C.E. Was to burn the Temple treasury, where the records of debts was kept.”4 And Jesus is talking to people at the bottom of this system. “Why then does Jesus counsel them to give over their undergarments as well? This would mean stripping off all their clothing and marching out of court stark naked! Imagine the guffaws that must have evoked. There stands a creditor, covered with shame, the poor debtor's outer garment in one hand, his undergarment in the other. The tables have already been turned on the creditor. The debtor had no hope of winning the case; the law was already entirely in the creditor's favor. But the poor man has transcended this attempt to humiliate him. He has risen above the shame.” You may remember that there was a taboo against nakedness in ancient Judaism, but it turns out the larger taboo was against SEEING someone's nakedness, not being naked.

“Jesus provides here a hint of how to take on the entire system by unmasking its essential cruelty and burlesquing its pretensions to justice. Here is a poor man who will not longer be treated as a sponge to be squeezed dry by the rich. He accepts the laws as they stand, pushes them to absurdity, and reveals them for what they have become. He strips naked, walks out before his fellows, and leaves the creditor, and the whole economic edifice that he represents, stark naked.”5

The third one – the “second mile”. Roman soldiers had the right to require civilians to carry their heavy packs for a mile – a form of forced labor. People hated it. However, if they asked someone to carry it for MORE than a mile, they were subject to discipline, and the discipline could vary immensely, including really severe punishment. So the soldiers regularly demanded their packs be carried a mile, but ONLY a mile. As he has in the two prior examples, Jesus recommends to the disempowered that they reclaim their human dignity even in the midst of oppression.

Wink says, “Imagine the soldier's surprise when, at the next mile maker, he reluctantly reaches to assume his pack, and the civilian says, 'Oh no, let me carry it another mile.' Why would he want to do that? What is he up to? Normally , soldiers have to coerce people to carry their packs, but this Jew does it so cheerfully, and will not stop! Is this provocation? Is he insulting the legionnaire's strength? Being kind? Trying to get him disciplined for seeming to violate the rules of impressment? Will this civilian file a complaint? Create trouble?”6 By messing with the soldiers head, the pack-carrier has taken back their human dignity and reclaimed their own power to choose! Regarding the soldier “If he has enjoyed feeling superior to the vanquished, he will not enjoy it today. Imagine the situation of a Roman infantryman pleading with the Jew to give back his pack!”7

He continues, “Jesus does not encourage Jews to walk a second mile in order to build up merit in heaven, or to exercise a supererogatory piety, or to kill the soldier with kindness. He is helping an oppressed people find a way to protest and neutralize an onerous practice despised throughout the empire.” Now, one final note on these suggestions, all of them. “Such tactics can seldom be repeated. One can imagine that within days after the incidents that Jesus sought to provoke, the Powers That Be would pass new laws: penalties for nakedness in court, flogging for carrying a pack more than a mile! One must be creative, improvising new tactics to keep the opponent of balance. To those whose lifelong pattern has been to cringe before their masters, Jesus offers a way to liberate themselves from servile actions and a servile mentality. And he asserts that they can do this before there is a revolution.8”

That is, Jesus so deeply believed that everyone was created in the image of God and deserved to have utterly wonderful lives, that he took the time to assess the situations and come up with some really subversive answers to the problems people faced, solutions that restored their dignity. There is, you may have noticed, one more piece of advice, and it is one that is a challenge to many of us. “Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.” Wink says, “Such radical egalitarian sharing would be necessary to rescue impoverished Palestinian peasants from their plight; one need not posit an imminent end of history as the cause for such astonishing generosity. And yet none of this is new; Jesus is merely issuing a prophetic summons to Israel to observe the commandments pertaining to the sabbatical year enshrined in Torah, adapted to a new situation.” That is, for those who were poor to break out of the realities of staggering interest and taxes, they need to work together and not apart. They needed to overcome the stragety of divide and conquer with radical sharing.

In each of these recommendations in this tiny little piece of the gospel, Jesus recommends third ways. Neither passively accepting the oppression that dehumanizes the people nor fighting violence with violence. He recommends, wit, humor, solidarity, and making visible the problems that the system created. We don't face exactly the same issues, but the SPIRIT of these commandments are a gift to us as a playbook for how to deal with oppression. Violence begets violence. Passivity in the face of violence changes nothing. But there are third ways, and I will say that I think God is really in favor of third ways and I've noticed that when I am stuck between two unacceptable options, and sit with them (and with God), God often nudges me toward a third way – a far more creative one that I could find on my own.

God calls the world from violence and oppression to peace and the radically embraced humanity of all. And the way from here to there, it turns out, involves creativity, wit, and humor. Let's go! Amen

1 Walter Wink, Engaging the Powers; Discernment and Resistance in a World of Domination (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1992) p. 176.

2 176.

3 176-7.

4 178.

5 179.

6 182.

7 182.

8 182-3.

Rev. Sara E. Baron  First United Methodist Church of Schenectady  603 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305  Pronouns: she/her/hers  http://fumcschenectady.org/  https://www.facebook.com/FUMCSchenectady

June 30, 2024

[elysianeditors]

The Importance of Book Formatting: A Guide for New Writers and Authors

As a new writer or author, you've worked tirelessly to create your manuscript, pouring your heart and soul into every word. But before you publish, there's a crucial step that can make all the difference in the world: book formatting.

Book formatting is the process of preparing your manuscript for publication, transforming it into a professionally designed and visually appealing book that readers will love. In this blog, we'll explore the importance of book formatting, share valuable tips, and introduce you to essential tools to help you create a stunning book that stands out in a crowded market.

Why Book Formatting Matters?

Book formatting is not just about making your book look pretty; it's about creating a reading experience that's engaging, comfortable, and enjoyable. A well-formatted book can:

Enhance readability and overall reading experience

Create a professional and polished appearance

Help your book stand out in a crowded market

Show respect for your readers and your work

Book Formatting Basics

Before we dive into the tips and tools, let's cover the basics:

Font and size: Choose a clear, legible font (e.g., Garamond, Times New Roman) in size 12 or 14 points.

Line spacing: Use 1.5 or double spacing for easy reading.

Margins: Set margins to 0.5-1 inch on all sides (top, bottom, left, and right).

Indentation: Use a 0.5-inch indentation for the first line of each paragraph.

Headers and footers: Add page numbers, title, and author name (if desired).

Book Formatting Tips

Now that we've covered the basics, here are some valuable tips to help you create a professionally formatted book:

Consistency is key: Maintain a consistent format throughout your book.

Use styles: Apply built-in styles (e.g., Heading 1, Body Text) to simplify formatting.

Images and graphics: Use high-resolution images and format them to fit your book's design.

Proofread and edit: Ensure your manuscript is error-free and polished.

Book Formatting Tools

Here are some essential tools to help you format your book like a pro:

Microsoft Word: A popular choice for book formatting, with built-in styles and tools.

Adobe InDesign: A professional design and layout tool for advanced formatting.

Vellum: A formatting tool specifically designed for ebooks.

Atticus: A formatting and design tool for print and digital books.

Conclusion

Book formatting is a crucial step in the publishing process that can make all the difference in the world. By following this guide, you'll be well on your way to creating a professionally formatted book that showcases your writing and respects your readers. Remember, consistency, clarity, and attention to detail are key to a beautifully formatted book. Happy writing and formatting!

Additional Resources

Book formatting templates: Find pre-designed templates online or in word processing software.

Formatting guides: Refer to guides like the Chicago Manual of Style or the AP Stylebook.

Online communities: Join writing forums and groups for support and advice.

By investing time and effort into book formatting, you'll create a book that's not only beautifully designed but also engaging, readable, and professional. So, don't neglect this crucial step – format your book with care, and get ready to share your writing with the world!

[jdgo51]

FEBRUARY 28, 2024

God Hears Our Cries Cindy Lee (England, United Kingdom)

"The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans." - Romans 8:26 (NIV)

"'My heart hammered in my chest and turmoil swirled inside me because my father was in the hospital. However, attending a prayer gathering at my church with Christians from a variety of denominations and being surrounded by believers and God’s loving presence was comforting. All of us were at different stages in our personal journeys with Jesus, but we all had hope and faith. I found the readings, thoughts, and messages inspiring, even though there was a knot of worry inside me. When it was time to offer prayer requests, I desperately wanted to ask for a blessing for my dad; but if I were to speak, I knew my sadness would overcome me. I felt powerless and voiceless.

One of the parishioners who knew of my situation smiled at me, then stood up and prayed, “We ask God to protect the sick and hospitalized who are suffering and need healing — and we ask God to help those who are caring for them.” Tears filled my eyes. Overcome with gratitude, I felt peace filling my soul. My loving heavenly Father had heard my cry and allowed someone else to give voice to my need."' You can pray your own prayers, but if there is an issue someone else can voice it on your behalf. God hears every single prayer and knows the situation if its being voiced by someone other than the petitioner praying. God ahead, Pray!

TODAY'S PRAYER

"Loving Father, thank you for listening to us and surrounding us with your love." Amen.

Romans 8:22-30

"22 We know that the whole creation is groaning together and suffering labor pains up until now. 23 And it’s not only the creation. We ourselves who have the Spirit as the first crop of the harvest also groan inside as we wait to be adopted and for our bodies to be set free. 24 We were saved in hope. If we see what we hope for, that isn’t hope. Who hopes for what they already see? 25 But if we hope for what we don’t see, we wait for it with patience. 26 In the same way, the Spirit comes to help our weakness. We don’t know what we should pray, but the Spirit himself pleads our case with unexpressed groans. 27 The one who searches hearts knows how the Spirit thinks, because he pleads for the saints, consistent with God’s will. 28 We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 We know this because God knew them in advance, and he decided in advance that they would be conformed to the image of his Son. That way his Son would be the first of many brothers and sisters. 30 Those who God decided in advance would be conformed to his Son, he also called. Those whom he called, he also made righteous. Those whom he made righteous, he also glorified." Many were conformed to God's image and God went on to make them righteous and glorified. Blessings are for you in abundance. Joe

[fireflies-with-pencils]

Today I was tasked with editing some text based arrangements in order to make them more legible and appealing. I started off with an excerpt from a Sherlock Holmes novel. When I received this assignment I immediately noticed that the texture on the background would make any text harder to read. I asked my superior about it and they said the background absolutely must stay. Additionally, I was not allowed to change the color of the text. This made it rather challenging to differentiate the text from the speckled paper.

After all my limitations were established I began working on the body text. Since the body text was the biggest aspect of the graphic, I thought if I got that right, everything else would fall into place. I knew I wanted a sans serif font, this would make the text more readable. After picking one I also made the text slightly bigger. The dark specs on the page were especially noticeable when the text was smaller, making some letters look off compared to others. I also moved the text accordingly, making as few intersections as possible. Lastly for the body text, I indented the paragraphs, allowing for more separation and visibility.

After dealing with the body text, I moved on to the details. I ordered the book title, book part and chapter largest to smallest at the top of the page, using the same sans serif font I used for the body. I kept the source font as Times New Roman. This helped differentiate it as less vital than the main text.

The next piece I had to work on was an art nouveau article. The text was small and disconnected from their images. The text was also in Times New Roman, which certainly has a place in college research papers but not quite in this particular article. Once again I opted for a sans serif font for legibility and cohesion. Even though I was allowed to change text colors for this article, I decided against it for two reasons; one being that I was not allowed to change the background color. I find using colored text on a white background is too risky, the colors can easily be too light and/or too bright and can cause eyestrain. The second reason is consistency. Since this is an article that will be presented on a computer screen, the article would immediately be compared to all other online articles. To fit this mold, I wanted to keep the standard white background and black text.

Now it was time to arrange my composition. I had two images to work with, both with corresponding blurbs of text. I knew I did not want to change the size of the images, I felt making it bigger wasted space and making it smaller made the images harder to decipher. I put the images in opposite corners to keep my composition balanced. Next I made a shape in illustrator that went around the first image and put text inside of it. This made for an effective use of space and felt more dynamic than a square of text.

The next project was the most involved but also the most fun. I was told to create a wedding invitation almost entirely from scratch. All I was given was the text that had to be on the card. My superior told me to find all the assets myself and make a compelling layout. This proved challenging because I had almost nothing to work with. So I looked up example wedding invitations, almost all of which involved flowers in some way.

While looking for images to use, I found a free png of pink and blue flowers on pngtree.com. They were angled in such a way that I could put them in the corners of my design perfectly. I then used these flower decals as a reference to form my color palette.

Next I began working on my text. The type was, again, given to me in Times New Roman. Since many of the reference invitations had a flowy script font, that is what I chose for my design. I also wanted the letters to be big in this font, as I wanted to use this for the bride and groom's names. For the rest of the supplementary information, I went with a thinner, serif font. I wanted to keep the invite delicate and soft looking. However, I think the light pink may be hard to read on the light background. I made the text bigger but that only remedied it slightly. Overall I think this was a fun exercise, the seemingly endless freedom really let me express my creative freedom.

This was where I got the flowers

https://pngtree.com/free-flower-png

[maacsatara]

Designing for Print: Posters, Brochures, and Flyers

In a digital-first world, print design remains an indispensable tool for communication and branding. Posters, brochures, and flyers continue to hold significant value, delivering information tangibly and creating lasting impressions. The art of designing for print involves a deep understanding of the medium, audience, and design principles. This is where a graphic design institute can play a crucial role in equipping aspiring designers with the necessary skills and knowledge. Let’s explore the intricacies of designing effective posters, brochures, and flyers that captivate and engage.

1. Understanding the Purpose

The foundation of effective print design lies in understanding the purpose of the material. Each format serves a unique role:

Posters: Designed to grab attention from a distance, posters are often used for advertising, events, or public service announcements. They require bold visuals and concise messaging.

Brochures: Typically multi-page documents, brochures are ideal for providing detailed information about products, services, or organizations. They balance visuals and text to inform and persuade.

Flyers: Flyers are compact, single-page designs meant for quick distribution. They’re great for promotions, sales, or event announcements and focus on simplicity and impact.

Understanding the purpose ensures that the design aligns with the communication goals and the target audience.

2. The Role of Visual Hierarchy

Visual hierarchy guides the viewer’s eye through the design in a logical flow. It’s essential for all print formats:

Posters: The headline or main graphic element should be the most prominent, followed by secondary information like dates, locations, or taglines.

Brochures: Use headings, subheadings, and bullet points to break down information. Ensure the most critical details are highlighted on the cover.

Flyers: Prioritize the primary message, whether it’s a discount, event name, or call to action, with bold fonts and striking colors.

A well-structured hierarchy ensures that the message is communicated effectively and quickly.

3. Typography Matters

Typography is a cornerstone of print design. Choosing the right fonts can make or break your design:

Readability: Use clear and legible fonts, especially for body text. Sans-serif fonts like Arial or Helvetica work well for modern designs, while serif fonts like Times New Roman add a classic touch.

Consistency: Stick to two or three fonts to maintain a cohesive look. Use font weights and sizes to create contrast and emphasize important elements.

Scale: Ensure that headlines are large enough to catch attention, while body text is comfortable to read at arm’s length.

Typography should complement the overall design and support the message without overpowering it.

4. The Power of Color

Color plays a pivotal role in evoking emotions and creating visual impact:

Posters: Bold and vibrant colors work best for grabbing attention. Use contrasting colors to make the design pop.

Brochures: Opt for a more subdued and professional color palette that aligns with the brand identity.

Flyers: Use colors strategically to highlight offers or key details, but avoid overwhelming the design.

Ensure color consistency with the brand’s guidelines and consider the psychology of colors to influence the audience’s perception.

5. Importance of Images and Graphics

High-quality images and graphics are critical for print designs:

Posters: Use a single, striking image or illustration as the focal point. Ensure it’s high resolution for sharp printing.

Brochures: Include images that complement the text, such as product photos or infographics, to enhance understanding.

Flyers: Simple icons or visuals can make a flyer more engaging without overcrowding the design.

Avoid low-resolution images, as they can appear pixelated and unprofessional in print.

6. Composition and Layout

A well-structured layout ensures a visually pleasing design:

Posters: Follow the rule of thirds or use a grid system to balance the design elements.

Brochures: Maintain consistent margins and alignments across pages. Use white space effectively to avoid a cluttered look.

Flyers: Keep the layout simple and direct, focusing on a central theme.

Test different layouts to find the most effective arrangement for your content.

7. Print-Specific Considerations

Designing for print requires attention to technical details:

Resolution: Ensure images are at least 300 DPI (dots per inch) for sharp printing.

Bleed and Margins: Include a bleed area (typically 3mm) to prevent white edges after trimming.

Color Mode: Use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color mode, as it’s the standard for printing.

Paper Type: Consider the type of paper and finish (glossy, matte, or textured) to enhance the design’s appeal.

Collaborate with the printer to ensure the final output matches your vision.

8. Call to Action

An effective print design includes a clear and compelling call to action (CTA):

Posters: Encourage viewers to attend an event, visit a website, or follow a social media page.

Brochures: Include contact details, a QR code, or a link to additional resources.

Flyers: Highlight offers or next steps prominently to drive immediate action.

The CTA should be easy to spot and motivate the audience to engage further.

9. Testing and Proofing

Before sending your design to print, review every detail:

Proofread: Check for spelling or grammatical errors.

Test Prints: Print a sample to evaluate colors, fonts, and layout.

Feedback: Gather opinions from colleagues or clients to refine the design.

Testing and proofing ensure a polished final product that meets expectations.

Conclusion

Designing for print is both an art and a science, requiring creativity, technical skills, and attention to detail. Posters, brochures, and flyers each serve unique purposes, but all share common design principles that ensure effectiveness.  This is where graphic design institutes in Pune come in, offering comprehensive training in these principles. By understanding the audience, using visual hierarchy, and considering print-specific requirements, designers can create impactful print materials that leave a lasting impression. In an age dominated by digital media, the tangible power of print design continues to captivate and inspire.

[discoscoob]

Fires of Pompeii | Loki x Female Reader

Loki (Marvel) x Doctor Who

You and Loki meet each other while you’re both running for your lives through the streets of Pompeii.

Part Two | Chapter Index

Words: 10k +

Warnings: blood and injury

Read on AO3: here

You huddled under the arch of an abandoned doorway just off the high street, it provided you suitable enough shelter from the miserable rain which pathetically drizzled down from the night sky. The light from the street lamps, traffic and shop fronts reflected off the soaked concrete while in the distance you could hear the laughter and chatter of groups of people as they made their way to the pubs and the clubs, the night was still early for them but you intended to be home and curl up in bed within the hour but first, dinner.

 You warmed your frozen fingertips around the paper wrapping which contained a piping hot portion of golden chips from your favourite chippy. Just as you were about to pop one of the steaming chips into your mouth using one of those tiny wooden forks you only ever find in chip shops, something caught your attention and you paused.

 “You’re not mating with me, sunshine!” A woman gasped in a broad east London accent that you would recognise anywhere, it belonged to your auntie Donna, a fiery redhead with an unmistakable dialect. Reluctantly you dropped your wooden fork, with your chip still attached to it, back onto the pile of chips which sat on the wrapping paper cradled in your palm and you ran out from under the doorway to investigate.

 “A mate. I want a mate.” Came a reply and you turned your head in the direction the voice came from to find your auntie, half shielding herself behind the door of an old police box, while a man you didn’t recognise stood before her wearing a pinstripe suit with a pile of luggage gathered around his feet.

 “Well just as well because I’m not having any of that nonsense. I mean you’re just a long string of nothing, you know, alien nothing.” She asserted, now standing fully outside the police box.

 “Is everything okay?” You approached the pair, completely lost by the conversation or argument you had picked up on midway through. Upon hearing your voice Donna gasped your name suddenly looking like someone caught doing something they shouldn’t.

 “Oh chips! I love chips. Can I have one?” The man smiled and pinched a chip from your pile before you could even answer.

 “I can explain.” Donna offered and that is where it all began.

 Donna’s explanation had consisted of an elaborate story about how the man she was with, known simply as The Doctor, was the last surviving member of an advanced alien species which specialised in space and time travel and that he had offered to take her exploring with him through all of time and space. Naturally your initial response was one of disbelief, you questioned your auntie on how much she had to drink that night, then you quickly switched to concern wondering if this strange man had drugged her.

 Donna looked offended that you believed she was anything but sober while the Doctor was startled that you believed he had any ill intent and was quick to sincerely reassure you that he meant your auntie no harm and that he was more than happy to extend his invitation of space and time travel to you, either in order to prove what they were telling you was in fact the truth or to allow you to come along to ensure Donna’s safety.

 You were tempted by his offer until you found out that their mode of transportation was the cramped police box the three of you were stood in front of, the Doctor informed you that it was called a TARDIS, an abbreviation for something you were sure you wouldn’t remember, and that it’s appearance as a police box was merely a disguise however the function had stopped working several decades ago meaning it was stuck like that permanently. You questioned how all of you would comfortably fit inside, along with the huge pile of Donna’s luggage. Images of scenes from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure ran through your mind, the two teens faces pushed up against the glass of phone box which they were squashed into like sardines along with several prominent figures from history.

 Your concern soon developed into wonder after you were ushered by the pair into the box to find it was much bigger on the inside, and not in a ‘its size is deceiving’ sort of way where they cleverly maximised the limited space inside, it was literally impossibly bigger. You had to immediately step outside and circle the boxes perimeter to make sure it wasn’t attached to any walls but it stood in the middle of the street completely detached from any other structure or building. That is when you first started to believe that maybe what Donna had told you wasn’t so far fetched after all.

 Barely 10 minutes later you were rendered speechless as you were stood in the middle of a busy outdoor market, chippy tea long forgotten. Beneath your feet the ground was no longer covered in puddles or reflected the colours of the different city lights, instead you stood on cobble stone covered with dry sand and stray piles of straw. The black night sky was replaced by a flawless blue with not a single white cloud in sight as the heat of the midday sun caressed your skin. You were quick to unwrap your scarf from around your neck and shrug off your bulky winter coat and carelessly throw them back into the TARDIS without a care where they landed.

 “Ancient Rome!” The Doctor enthusiastically announced.

 Your eyes scanned around the bustling market once again and you took in the sight of all the people dressed in period typical clothing, tunics, sandals and such. The air way filled with the smell of fresh baked goods, scents similar to a barbeque and the faintest smell of horse stables. Some people who walked by were even wearing armour with long red capes draped over their shoulders, you eyed them cautiously as they passed.

 “Oh my god!” Donna gasped, grabbing your attention you quickly turned around. “It’s… it’s so Roman! This is fantastic.”

 You rolled your eyes at her dramatics as she threw her arms around the Doctors neck to pull him into a hug and he laughed happily with a proud smile on his face. You had to admit, you were impressed, more than impressed, you were astonished. You could hardly believe your eyes as you took in your surroundings, you would have believed you were on a film set were it not for the lack of a technology crew, cameras and director yelling at you to get out the way of the shot.

 “Hold on a minute, that sign over there’s in English. Are you having us on?” Donna spotted and you looked in the direction she pointed in to find a sign which read ‘TWO AMPHORAS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE’ and your shoulders sank and the prospect of being lied to this whole time.

 “No, no, no,” the Doctor calmly reassured her ���that’s the TARDIS translation circuits, it looks like English. It works for speech as well, you’re talking Latin right now.”

 That certainly was very clever and convenient, you thought to yourself.

 The Doctor lead the way as you continued your stroll through the crowded streets in search of landmarks like the colosseum, the pantheon and the circus maximus. You were excited by the prospect of seeing these ancient landmarks in all their former glory but the Doctor appeared lost as he aimlessly wondered the streets with no sense of direction.

 A sudden deep continuous rumbling caused the ground beneath your feet to shake and vibrate, causing tremors to ripple through your entire body, almost knocking you off balance, while the pottery from the market stalls could be heard smashing as they fell to the floor and the scent of smoke in the air intensified. You panicked and grabbed onto Donna’s arm for balance, you caught her staring upwards her eyes transfixed on the sight before her. You followed her line of sight and your face dropped when you saw a mountain top standing tall over the small buildings which surrounded you, as black clouds of ash emerged from the top of it, your heart hammered against your ribcage and your grip on Donna involuntarily tightened.

 “Pompeii. We’re in Pompeii and it’s volcano day.” Your throat closed up as you heard the words leave the Doctors lips.

 Without another word the Doctor began sprinting back in the direction you previously came, you and Donna quickly followed on his heel. As all three of you dashed through the busy streets as fast as your feet could carry you, in an attempt to make it back to the TARDIS and escape the city before the volcano erupted, you collided into someone’s chest just as they were running in the opposite direction, your foot got caught on their ankle, causing you to trip and before you knew it you were heading straight for the floor with barely enough time to brace for impact.

 “Watch where you’re-“ You heard a raised voice behind you and cringed as you prepared to be yelled at on top of the humiliation of already tripping flat on your face, but his voice faltered mid-sentence and you cautiously looked over your shoulder to find a man dressed in modern attire staring back at you with a slack jaw and his brows pulled together as his eyes roamed over you. Obviously your modern clothes caught his attention, just as his caught yours and you could practically see the cogs turning behind his eyes, you were sure your expression mirrored his as you studied each other. You pushed yourself to your feet and glanced over his appearance from head to toe. His shoulder length dark hair was windswept indicating that he must have been running for some time, he wore a brown jacket with its collar pulled up, over a plain white dress shirt paired with a thin dark tie and matching straight leg brown trousers and on his feet he wore a pair of smart polished black shoes. He definitely didn’t belong here, you concluded.

 You barely noticed him take a quick glance over your shoulder before he grabbed a firm hold of your wrist and pulled you into a small nook hidden behind one of the market stalls and clamped his hand over your mouth before you could let out a single sound. You glared up at him to try and communicate how aggravated you were, only to find he wasn’t even looking at you as he was too occupied with searching the market with shifty eyes. So you gave up on your glaring in an effort to try and spot what he was looking for, that is when you caught sight of a man who stood out in the crowd, due to the fact that he, too, was dressed in modern attire. You could see he was searching for something, no doubt it was the man who had you pinned against a secluded wall with his hand over your mouth, for your own good you had to ignore the way your stomach flipped ever so slightly by that predicament.

 Once the man on the street was out of sight the stranger slowly removed his hand from your jaw and took a step back to give you some space. You were about to open your mouth to ask him what exactly that was all about when another rumble shook the ground beneath your feet and reminded you of how urgently you needed to catch up with Donna and the Doctor before the entire city was destroyed and you along with it. You had no time to stop and interrogate the stranger with all your questions such as where he came from, how he got here, who was that man on the street and why was he hiding from him and why volcano day in Pompeii was such a popular destination for time travellers. Perhaps you could bring it up with the Doctor later as he seemed to have all the answers. 

 You were about to step foot back onto the street and continue your sprint back to the TARDIS but the stranger had other ideas. He wrapped his large hand around your upper arm and tugged you back against the wall, with no concerns about being gentle and this time he managed to cage you in with both his arms placed on each side of your head.

 “Where do you think you’re going?” His voice was low and intimidating, as he loomed over you threateningly and stared at you from under his dark eyebrows but with adrenaline already coursing through your veins you were feeling bolder than usual and with your mind occupied by the imminent threat of ash clouds and burning hot magma, it would take a lot more than a deep voice and an intimidating stare to scare you into submission right now.

 “I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume that you have somehow failed to notice that you arrived in Pompeii on the same day the volcano famously erupts and I think it goes without saying that I’m not too fond of the idea of being here when it does. So to answer your question I am trying to get back to the time machine that I came here in so I can get out of here before the city is destroyed. I advise you hurry back to yours and do the same.” 

 The man looked taken aback by your abrupt tone and you momentarily allowed a fluttering of pride to fill your chest but it didn’t last long before it was once again drowned out by the heavy feeling of anxiety caused by the life threatening natural disaster which lay just around the corner, both literally and figuratively.

 “The volcano doesn’t erupt until tomorrow,” the man finally explained once he regained his composure, dismissing your concerns. You blinked, contemplating whether or not to believe him. “But more importantly, I couldn’t help but hear the fact that you mentioned you have a time machine.” 

 “Of course. How else would I have got here? Don’t you have one?” Despite your positions you were beginning to feel less threatened by the man as your interaction shifted into feeling more like casual conversation.

 “It’s a long story.” He vaguely answered.

 “What about that man you were hiding from?” You suggested.

 “What about him?”

 “Does he not have a time machine?”

 “It’s a long story.” He repeated and you sighed with the realisation that this conversation was going nowhere fast.

 “Right. Well, it was... interesting to meet you but I need to get back to my aunt and the Doctor before I get left behind. Then I would be in trouble.” Donna wouldn’t leave you behind, you hoped, surely she was worrying about you right now, wondering where you were.

 “I need safe passage on your time machine away from here.” The stranger rushed to explain before you could duck out of his makeshift trap.

 “I mean... technically it’s not mine.” You awkwardly scratched the back of your neck, as you cleared up the misunderstanding.

 “You just said you have a time machine.” He narrowed his eyes as his expression grew dangerous.

 “I have access to one but it’s not mine. It belongs to the Doctor.” You quickly clarified.

 “Then you will take me to this Doctor.” He commanded, leaving no room for negotiations.

 “I don’t even know your name.” You hesitated.

 At this the man paused and finally took a step back once again granting you your personal space.

 “I am Loki of Asgard, God of Mischief and you will answer to my request.” Loki answered as he raised his head with pride and looked down his nose at you.

 There was a momentary beat of silence as you stared at one another before you couldn’t hold it any longer and you let out a snort of laughter.

 “I’m sorry, does that amuse you?” Loki look mortified and you quickly bit your lip to contain your giggles, realising he looked truly offended.

 “Wait, you’re being serious?” You paled.

 His quiet glare was enough to tell you he was not messing around and you looked down and awkwardly cleared your throat. Had you met this man yesterday you probably would’ve thought without a shadow of doubt that he was suffering from delusions of grandeur but today you were in Pompeii in 79 AD so your mind was beginning to open up to new possibilities, one of those being, meeting a God. Stranger things have happened.

 “Okay, Loki, God of mischief...” you began as you introduced yourself following the same format, telling him your name followed by the country you lived in and jokingly adding ‘mortal of existential crises’ at the end.

 “Don’t do that again.” Loki didn’t appear amused.

 ***

 “No, no, no. This can’t be happening.” You panicked when you returned to the exact spot where the Doctor had left the police box only to discover it had vanished, leaving no trace behind.

 “What? What can’t be happening?” Loki asked you from where he stood a few steps behind, his eyes were still shifty as he seemed paranoid about that man he was hiding from finding him.

 “The TARDIS, the time machine... it’s gone.” You could barely believe the words coming out your mouth, they couldn’t have left without you, Donna wouldn’t have left you behind. Unless the Doctor forced her, but no she would’ve fought him, you would never want to get on the wrong side of your auntie, she was a force to be reckoned with and the Doctor was no match, like she had said he was a long string of alien nothing. There had to be an explanation.

 “Are you sure that this is where they left it?” Loki impatiently offered.

 “Yes, I’m certain. It’s a big blue police box, you can’t miss it. He parked it right there.” You gestured to the empty corner with both your arms, before you brought one of your hands to your forehead while the other rested on your hip.

 “Excuse me.” You jumped when you felt a tap on your shoulder and turned around to find an older man with a head full of curly hair stood behind you. “I couldn’t help but overhear you’re looking for a blue box.”

 “Yes, it was stood right there,” you pointed behind you. “Did you see it?” 

 “I sold it. A young couple came looking for it not too long ago, I sent them to Old Caecilius’ villa on Foss Street, he’s the one who bought it, if you’re quick you might be able to catch them, I think they might try to steal it.”

 “Steal it? You can’t steal something that already belongs to you!” You complained.

 “Well, it belongs to Caecilius now, don’t it? After all he bought it off me fair and square.” The man haggled and you finally noticed that he was speaking with a rough cockney accent which was very fitting with his sleazy disposition, presumably the work of the TARDIS’ automatic translations, this offered you the peace of mind that it was still here along with Donna and the Doctor.

 “It wasn’t yours to sell!” You argued in return.

 “It was on my patch, weren’t it?” 

 You growled, ready to argue back but Loki quickly stepped in.

 “If you would be so kind as to point us in the direction of Foss Street and we will be on our way.” Loki charmed the older man with a polite smile and your jaw dropped at the contrast to the abrupt and arrogant attitude he had treated you with since your encounter began. 

 “Straight up there, big villa, can’t miss it.” He pointed to the street behind Loki.

 “Thank you, sir.” Loki slightly nodded his head before before he took a hold of the back of the shirt near the small of your back and began tugging you towards Foss Street, while you stared at him speechless.

 “What?” He finally snapped when you didn’t take your eyes off him.

 “What was that?” You asked as you shrugged his hold off your shirt.

 “What was what?” 

 “Back there,” you gestured behind you with your hand. “‘If you would be so kind... thank you, sir.’ What possessed you? You’ve been nothing but rude since I met you.” 

 “You we’re doing nothing but wasting my time by engaging in an argument with him and being polite was the quickest way to get the answer I needed so I could be on my way.” He curtly answered, never once meeting your gaze as he kept a vigilant eye on his surroundings.

 “Why is that man looking for you?” You wondered out loud a few moments later, finding his constant surveillance of the surrounding area concerning. If you were going to help this man escape, undoubtedly you had a right to know what you were helping him run from. 

 “He wants to erase my existence.” He answered so bluntly it stunted to silence for a moment.

 “Why?” You finally asked.

 “I’m a glitch in the timeline, I’m not supposed to be here.” He admitted but you were lost.

 “What does that mean?”

 “It’s a-“

 “Long story.” You rolled your eyes but you meant no harm, Loki realised, when he fixed you with a hash glare which softened when he saw your teasing smile.

 Your eyes quickly snapped away from Loki’s when you heard your name being called and found Donna running towards you, you left Loki to run over to her and she pulled you into a bone crushing hug once she finally reached you.

 “I thought you had left without me.” You admitted, as you snuggled into her embrace, all your emotions of the day finally overwhelmed you and you felt moisture building at the rim of your eyes. 

 “I’d never leave you behind, besides your mother would kill me if I let anything happen to you.” She assured you with a small laugh, she wasn’t exaggerating. “But where did you go? You vanished into thin air.” 

 You were about to answer her when her eyes fell on Loki who was quietly stood behind you with his hands resting in the pockets of his pants, his modern attire immediately making him standout to Donna as he did to you when you first laid your eyes on him.

 “Who’s this?” She asked, her interest clearly peaked.

 You invited Loki over by extending your arm and he stepped up beside you.

 “Loki, this is my auntie Donna. Donna, this is Loki. I crashed into him while we were running back to the TARDIS, he’s the reason I fell behind.” You glared at him accusingly and he rolled his eyes.

 “You found your very own time traveller?” Donna looked at you with genuine excitement, obviously putting two and two together from his outfit.

 “I am a God.” Loki narrowed his eyes, frustrated at his status being reduced to ‘someone’s time traveller’

 Just like you had, Donna burst into laughter and you awkwardly pulled your lips together while you waited for her to realise he was being serious.

 “He’s a bit full of himself but at least he’s easy on the eye.” Donna did a terrible job of trying to subtly whisper in your ear and you massaged your eyebrows in embarrassment.

 “I heard that.” Loki sighed exasperatedly, already finding your aunties lack of filter tedious.

 “Come on, let’s get you inside. It’s getting dark.” Donna put her arm around you and guided you into the villa, in an effort to run away from Loki’s glare. Loki followed a few paces behind the pair of you and he glanced over his shoulder one last time before he stepped through the entrance to the villa.

  ***

  As soon as you entered the villa you could see how grand it was compared to the other houses on the streets of Pompeii, it was obvious that the family who lived here were well to do. Everywhere you looked all you could see was marble, it covered the walls and floors and the room was decorated with various marble sculptures and other art pieces, Caecilius was clearly a collector. Sculpted pillars ran through the room, supporting the high ceilings and in the very centre of the room there was fountain. You thought it was a shame that it would all be buried under rocks and fire within less than 24 hours, but you tried to let yourself think too much about it as Donna introduced you to Caecilius, the man who bought the Doctors TARDIS, which you noticed was stood in the far right corner of the room, and Metella his wife, she explained that they also had two teenagers, a daughter, Evelina but she was sleeping and a son, Quintus, who was currently out with the Doctor.

 “The Doctor isn’t here? But we’re meant to be leaving.” You asked, your voice slightly raised in pitch due to your panic.

 “Something came up. Strange things have been happening, he just wants to make sure nothing untoward is going on.” Donna answered.

 “This Doctor...” Loki stepped forward. “He will return soon, yes? I am in quite the rush to leave.”

 “You’re coming with us?” Donna looked between you and Loki for an answer.

 “Yes.” He answered

 “I mean, if it’s okay with the Doctor.” You answered at the same time.

 Without warning the whole villa began to shake as tremors ran through the floor again, Caecilius and Metella held onto their valuables to stop them from smashing against the ground, it reminded you of the scene from Mary Poppin’s where Mrs Banks and the maids cling onto the furniture when the admiral sets off his cannon. You noticed that this time the tremors felt different, they weren’t continuous, they came one after another mimicking the rhythm of footsteps. Before you could question it, the Doctor came running loudly into the room just in time. A teenage boy, presumably Caecilius’ son, Quintus, followed close behind him.

 “Get out! All of you! Get out!” 

 “Doctor! What is it?” Donna yelled, she and the Doctor were holding onto each other for stability and that’s when you realised you had instinctively held onto Loki after the tremors started and he was holding onto you, the both of you stepped away from each other as soon as you realised. 

 “I think we’re being followed!” The Doctor explained, before his eyes landed on Loki and he took in his appearance.

 “Who are you?” 

 “Loki of Asgard-“ Loki started.

 “The God of Mischief?” The Doctor finished, his pitch raised several octaves as his face scrunched up in confusion.

 “Hold on, for real?” Donna looked between Loki and the Doctor, now realising Loki was serious about being a God earlier and in normal circumstances you would have face palmed.

 “You’re not supposed to be here.” The Doctor thought out loud and reached into the inside pocket of his jacket and pulled out a device the size of a pen and pointed it at Loki, the tip glowed blue and it emitted a high pitched bleeping sound as he scanned it over his body.

 “What is that?” Loki quickly jumped back, dodging the device in the Doctors hand and with a flash of emerald light he was holding a dagger in his hand, that appeared out of nowhere, causing you to gasp and Donna quickly pulled you to her side.

 “It is a sonic screwdriver.” The Doctor answered distractedly, not even noticing the weapon in Loki’s hand as he closely inspected the device with furrowed brows and mumbled something about not being able to get clear readings, but before he could allow himself to get too concerned over the matter, you were all reminded of the bigger problem by the sound of a loud clatter which came from inside the room, it was caused by the metal grid flying off one of the square grills.

 “Just get out!” The Doctor yelled at you all again, as he flapped his arms towards the doors but you were frozen to the spot, you could hear a sinister growling from beneath the floor, there was definitely something alive down there and from the cracks that were beginning to form around the grill, it was obviously trying to break out.

 Gradually a large creature made of magma and stone began to rise out of the ground, until it stood to its full height of about eight foot. 

 “The Gods are with us.” Evelina, Caecilius’ daughter, cried as she entered the room and her mother wrapped a protective arm around her.

 “That is no God! I am the only God present.” Loki seethed in offence.

 “Water, we need water. Quintus, Donna, all of you, get water!” The Doctor yelled above the growls which came from the threatening creature. 

 You were about to follow Quintus and Donna out of the room as they rushed to get buckets of water like the Doctor instructed, but Loki grabbed hold of your wrist and kept you by his side. You looked at him and pulled your brows together confused by his actions, but he offered you no explanation as he closely watched the beast which stood high above all of you.

 “Talk to me, that’s all I want! Talk to me! Just tell me who you are.” The Doctor cautiously approached the tempered creature, with his arms held out before him. “Don’t hurt these people.” He continued to try and reason with it, while it just continued to growl and snarl aggressively at him. 

 Quickly Quintus came rushing into the room with a bucket of water and threw it over the beast. A loud hissing could be heard, as steam evaporated around it, and the Doctor shielded Quintus with his own body as he backed him away from the creature which began to crumble to the floor into a heap of rocks.

 “Like I said, not a God.” Loki smugly remarked to no one in particular. 

 “What was it?” Caecilius shouted at the Doctor, quickly learning that he was usually the one with all the answers.

 “Carapace of stone, held together by internal magma, not too difficult to stop but I reckon that was just a foot soldier. Still... If there are aliens at work in Pompeii, it’s a good thing we stayed.” The Doctor pondered aloud. 

 “Excuse me, aliens?” Loki stepped forward.

 “Oh yes, I still haven’t figured out what you’re doing here.” The Doctor drew his focus back to the God, clearly intrigued by his presence.

 “It doesn’t matter why I am here, I only wish to leave.” Loki answered with a scowl.

 “Why don’t you just leave the same way you got here.” The Doctor challenged with raised brows.

 “I cannot.” 

 “Why not?”

 As you observed the exchange you saw Loki falter and his eyes cast downwards.

 “It would result in my death.” He answered truthfully.

 The Doctor suddenly looked upon Loki with eyes that seemed filled with familiarity and a hint of sympathy. 

 “You remind me of an old friend of mine, I think you would’ve liked him,” he paused as if imagining it. “Actually, perhaps not… your personalities would’ve probably clashed.” The Doctor digressed. “Since you’re not supposed to be here you’re welcome to join us on the TARDIS.”

 Loki’s brows shot up, as he seemed genuinely surprised that the Doctor agreed to let him travel on the TARDIS. 

 “We should be on our way, it will not be long before,” Loki glanced at Caecilius and his family who were all comforting each other after the ordeal they just witnessed, without wanting to mention the volcano out loud in case they might overhear he resorted to miming an explosion with is hands while adding a “boom” sound effect by blowing air through saliva at the back of his throat.

 “Not just yet, I need to- Donna?” The Doctor paused looking around the room in search of Donna and you began looking around for her too but she was nowhere to be found. “When did you last see her?” The Doctor looked at you.

 “She ran out when you asked for water, I didn’t realise she hadn’t returned.” You scolded yourself for not focusing, you should have noticed she wasn’t there.

 “Donna!” The Doctor shouted at the top of his lungs, as he began to run out into the street but before he could leave Evelina stopped him timidly.

 “I saw members of the Sibylline Sisterhood take her while you were confronting the beast.” She quietly confessed.

 “The who?” You questioned, completely confused, while the Doctor grumbled under his breath wasting no more time before he dashed out the door and you were quick to follow after him. Behind you, you heard Loki call your name as he followed after, but you didn’t listen, Donna had been taken and she needed your help.

  ***

  When you sneaked into the temple between the Doctor and Loki, who had caught up to you halfway, and saw Donna bound to a slab of stone, surrounded by a group of women dressed in red robes and one of them holding a dagger above her head ready to plunge it into your aunties chest, you were ready to attack, but the Doctor held you back before you could do anything rash and silent put a finger to his own lips to signal for you to keep quiet, his eyes silently assured you he had a plan.

 “Let me go!” You heard Donna yell above the voice of the woman who held the dagger. The Doctor quietly made his way across the room, ready to intervene at any moment while you stayed by Loki’s side near the back of the room.

 “This prattling voice will cease forever!” The woman yelled as she began to lower the dagger towards Donna.

 “Oh, that will be the day.” The Doctor casually commented, causing all the women around Donna to gasp in shock, while your auntie sent the Doctor and you a wide smile when she realised you had all come to save her.

 “No man is allowed in the Temple of Sibyl.” The woman who was clearly the leader of the group warned the Doctor, before her eyes also shifted to Loki.

 “Well, that’s alright, just us girls.” The Doctor joked as he made his way towards the women, while in the corner of your eye you caught a glimmer of green light only to do a double take when you found Loki had transformed into a woman.

 She sent you a proud smirk as you gaped at her with a slack jaw, your face full of confusion and astonishment.

 You turned your head back to Donna and the Doctor when you heard the sound of his sonic screwdriver, which he held above her restraints and they immediately fell lose, freeing her bound wrists.

 “I have got to get one of those.” Loki commented, her voice sounded more feminine to match her changed appearance, but it still kept that low and slightly intimidating tone.

 As soon as Donna was free she came running over to you and you gave each other a hug, when she pulled back her eyes were on Loki.

 “You’ve changed.” She stated the obvious as her eyes dragged up and down Loki’s new form.

 “I am respecting the sisters temple.” Loki raised her chin and crossed her arms over her chest as she answered.

 “Respecting the sisters temple?” Donna sounded exasperated. “They just tried to kill me!” 

 “I saw.” Loki offered no concern.

 “I’m just glad you’re safe now.” You quickly interjected before the argument escalated, you put your hand on Donna’s shoulder and moved yourself between the pair while you sent Loki a disapproving stare.

 “Show me this man!” A voice echoed through the temple, startling you and drawing your attention back to the Doctor and the sisters. Immediately they all turned and fell to their knees and bowed their heads.

 “They dare kneel before another being whilst in the presence of a God?” Loki seethed as her brows cast a shadow over her eyes.

 “And after you respected their temple n all.” Donna poked from beside you, feigning sympathy.

 You placed a hand on Loki’s chest to hold her back when you heard her grumble under her breath.

 “High Priestess, the stranger would defy us.” The leader spoke, being the only sister left standing.

 “Let me see. This one is different. He carries starlight in his wake.” The voice echoed again, coming from behind a set of sheer drapes at the top of the temple.

 “Where do these words of wisdom come from?” The Doctor asked as he approached the voice.

 “The Gods whisper to me.” It replied.

 “If they’re hearing voices, it’s not mine.” Loki raised her hands innocently.

 “Might I beg audiences? Look upon the High Priestess?” The Doctor suddenly requested and the sheer drapes slowly pulled back to reveal a woman made of stone sat upon a bed.

 You watched closely as the Doctor inspected the Priestess’ condition, and inquired her about it to try and figure out the cause.

 “The people of Pompeii are turning to stone before the volcano erupts.” The Doctor observed. 

 “This word... this volcano... what is that?” 

 “More to the point, why don’t you know about it? Who are you?”

 “High Priestess of the Sibylline!” 

 “No, I’m talking to the creature inside of you. I demand you tell me who you are!” The Doctor commanded.

 “We... are... awakening!” The Priestess spoke, but her voice had suddenly deepened and multiplied, she sounded possessed.

 “The voice of the Gods!” The leader of the sisters cried, before those who were on their knees before the Priestess began repeatedly chanting ‘words of wisdom, words of power...’ your eyes widened at the scene before you, Donna’s jaw was slack with shock, while Loki just rolled her eyes and appeared bored.

 “We... are... rising!” The possessed voice of the Priestess grew louder as she rose from the bed and stepped toward the Doctor.

 “Tell... me... your name!” He yelled back, mirroring her tone.

 “Pyrovile!” The voice inside the Priestess roared.

 “Pyrovile, pyrovile, pyrovile...” The sisters chanted.

 “And the breath of a Pyrovile will incinerate you, Doctor.” The possessed Priestess threatened.

 “I warn you I’m armed!” The Doctor yelled as he reached into the inside pocket of his jacket.

 “Is that... a water gun?” Loki squinted her eyes at the yellow plastic toy the Doctor held in his fist.

 You heard your name yelled by the Doctor as he instructed you and Donna to lift the grid off one of the grills, similar to the one the monster smashed through in Caecilius’ home.

 Without hesitation you followed Donna over to the grill and you both hooked your fingers into the holes on each side and attempted to lift it, but it slipped from your fingers since you weren’t expecting it to be so heavy and it crashed back into place. Loki quickly joined you and Donna to offer a helping hand and together the three of you lifted the heavy iron grid, while the Doctor continued to argue with the Priestess behind you.

 “Got it!” Donna yelled at the Doctor, once the grid was completed removed.

 “Now get down!” The Doctor quickly shouted back, and you looked down into the hole in the ground which hot steam was rising out of.

 “What, down there?” You asked, wondering if the Doctor had lost his mind.

 “Yes, down there!” 

 “Sisters, I see into his mind, the weapon is harmless!” The leader of the sisters yelled.

 “Yeah, but it’s gotta sting.” The Doctor shrugged before he began squirting water at the Priestess who groaned in pain as steam evaporated from where the squirts of water hit her stone surface and she stumbled backwards.

 “Get down there!” He repeated louder when he saw none of you had yet made a move to jump into the hole.

 Donna jumped in first.

 “I don’t think this is a good idea.” Loki spoke, her eyes almost looking spooked as she glanced down at the steaming hole.

 “It’s either climb in there or stay here and wait for the volcano. Your choice.” The Doctor told Loki as he urged you to climb in next.

 Sensing Loki’s anxiety you offered her an assuring nod. “You’ll be okay, look watch me and then follow right after.” 

 Once you joined Donna you found yourself in an underground cave, you could instantly feel the change in the temperature as the air was thick with heat. You looked back up through the hole to find Loki looking down at you.

 “See, perfectly safe.” You assured her.

 Hesitantly Loki climbed into the hole and you helped her down, once both her feet were on the ground she swayed and stumbled as if she was about to faint but you caught her with your arm around her waist and helped her regain her balance. She held your shoulders and shook her head and forcibly kept her eyes wide open before she looked back at you, suddenly aware of how close you were.

 “Are you okay?” You asked, concerned by her behaviour.

 A green light shimmered over her body and he returned to the form you had met him in, you noticed he instantly grew taller and you needed to tilt your head slightly to maintain eye contact, your arm was still wrapped around his waist but it was no longer holding him up as he was supporting his own weight now although you could still feel his body swaying slightly as it was pressed against yours.

 “I’m fine.” He answered curtly, before taking a step back to put some distance between the two of you.

 “This way!” The Doctor led as soon as he jumped into the cave.

 “Where are we going now?” Donna sighed.

 “Into the volcano.” The Doctor answered as if it were obvious.

 You failed to notice Loki’s face fill with dread beside you.

 “No way.” Donna challenged.

 “Yes way.” The Doctor smiled as he twirled the water gun around his finger.

 “Wait, for once I agree with her. We can’t go into the volcano. It could be dangerous.” Loki argued before quickly adding, “for mortals.”

 “It will be fine, it doesn’t erupt for another few hours yet.” The Doctor dismissed. “Now, come on!”

 Before anyone else could protest he had already turned on his heel and began leading the way through the cave, Donna followed behind him, you followed behind her and Loki was at the back.

 As you followed Donna and the Doctor through the winding path of the cave, you kept taking quick glances over your shoulder to check on Loki and you grew increasingly concerned as his condition appeared to deteriorate each time you looked. The further you walked into the cave, the hotter and thicker the air became, you were surprised to find Loki seemed to be the one who was most affected by the conditions out of all of you. While your breathing had become heavy and a thin layer of sweat coated your skin, sweat literally dripped from Loki’s forehead, he started using the walls of the cave to hold himself up as his legs barely carried him, the skin around his eyes grew darker and you could hear him straining on each breath. 

 Once you reached inside the volcano Loki rested his back against the wall and began to sink to the floor, his chest rose and fell rapidly as he struggled to shrug off his jacket, his white shirt clung to his body due to his sweat and he attempted to loosened his tie with trembling hands.

 “Doctor!” You called, as you rushed over to Loki who looked as though he was about to pass out. The Doctor quickly joined your side, as did Donna once her eyes fell on Loki’s condition.

 “What happened?” He asked you urgently.

 “I... I don’t know, he hasn’t been right ever since he entered the cave.” You explained.

 “Loki! Loki, can you hear me?” The Doctor tried, he gently tapped Loki’s cheek but his head just lulled to the side and he struggled to keep his eyes open as he mumble some incoherent in a cracked voice.

 The Doctor pulled out his sonic screwdriver and began scanning it over Loki.

 “That’s not possible.” You heard the Doctor whisper to himself as he looked over the readings, he quickly gave Loki another scan and read them again and his face squished up in pure confusion.

 “What is it?” You urged him.

 “He’s... he’s Jotun?” The Doctor answered while sounding more like he was asking a question.

 “What’s a Jotun when it’s at home?” Donna asked.

 “He isn’t Asgardian at all, magic is suppressing his true form. He’s from Jotunheim, a frost plant inhabited by Jotuns, they aren’t designed to withstand heat of such temperatures as this. We need to get him out of here.” The Doctor quickly explained as he crouched down to scoop a barely conscious Loki into his arms and held him bridal style, once he knew he was secure he began running further into the volcano, leaving both you and Donna trailing behind after him.

 You all stopped in your tracks when you found more of the giant stone beasts roaming around inside the volcano. 

 “There’s tons of them.” Donna gasped. “You better hurry up and think of something, Rocky 4’s on its way.”

 “There’s an escape pod!” The Doctor noticed.

 “Maybe... it erupts, and they launch themselves back into space or something?” Donna offered, since obviously the escape pod belonged to the stone creatures which were currently invading Pompeii.

 “Oh, it’s worse than that.” The Doctor whispered.

 “How could it be worse?” You frowned.

 “Heathens!” You heard a man cry. “Defile us! They would desecrate your temple, My Lord Gods!” 

 “Come on.” The Doctor started running towards the escape pod, which looked like a huge hollow boulder with circuits inside.

 “We can’t go in!” Donna shouted after him.

 “Well, we can’t go back.”

 “Crush them! Burn them!” The man who you now noticed was stood on top of some rocks looking down at you as you tried to escape.

 A giant monster blocked your path to the escape pod and growled causing you all to slide to a stop.

 “Get the water gun, it’s tucked into the back of my pants!” The Doctor called your name, unable to get it himself as he was still holding an unconscious Loki in his arms. You wasted no time reaching for the water gun and squirted it directly at the creature and it stumbled back with a groan easily allowing you all enough time to rush past and continue your dash towards the escape pod.

 “There is nowhere to run!” The man screamed.

 “No. But if I might beg the wisdom of the Gods, before we perish, once this new race of creatures is complete, then what?” The Doctor yelled up to the man.

 “My masters will follow the example of Rome itself. There is heat enough in this world for a new species to rise.” 

 “Yeah, I should warn you, it’s 70% water out there.” The Doctor explained, nodding his head to the world which lay beyond the mountain.

 “Water can boil, and everything will burn!” The mad man argued.

 “Then the whole planet is at stake.” The Doctor concluded to himself. “Thank you. That’s all I needed to know.” 

 He quickly turned and gently lowered Loki to the floor of the escape pod then ushered both you and Donna inside before he squeezed in as well and used his sonic to seal the door shut.

 It was cramped inside of the small escape pod with the four of you squashed inside together, once you got inside you immediately crouched down beside Loki to check on his condition.

 “Loki, can you hear me?” You gently nudged his shoulder. His eyes fluttered slightly but he failed to open them and he let out a weak groan, but you were just relieved that he was still conscious. 

 You were conscious of the fact that inside the cramped space of the escape pod it felt even hotter, even you were starting to feel faint. You were still holding the water pistol in your hand and had an idea. You took a gentle hold of Loki’s chin in your free hand and encouraged his mouth open, in his weak state he didn’t fight you, and you pulled the trigger of the toy gun to spray water into his mouth. Once he felt the cool liquid hit his tongue he gladly accepted it as it provided him a little relief from the heat. Loki offered you a small grunt as thanks.

 “See? The energy converter takes the lava, uses the power to create a fusion matrix, which welds the Pyrovile to human. Now it’s complete, they can convert millions.” You heard the Doctor explaining how the Pyrovile planned to take over the human race to Donna, sounding completely horrified.

 “Can’t you change it? With these controls?” Donna tried, her voice filled with panic.

 “I can invert the system, set off the volcano, and blow them up, yes. But that’s the choice, Donna. It’s Pompeii or the world.” The Doctor revealed the heavy decision you were all faced with.

 “Oh my god.” Donna paled.

 “If Pompeii is destroyed then it’s not just history, it’s me. It was always meant to be me, I make it happen.” The Doctor realised. “Push this leaver and it’s over. 20,000 people.” 

 The pod fell silent as the Doctor froze with his hands held over the leaver, Donna watched him with tears building in her eyes and you looked at Loki who was barely unconscious and you made your choice.

You used the wall to push yourself back up to your feet and you stepped between Donna and the Doctor. You placed your trembling hands over the Doctors. You looked to your auntie when she whispered your name and saw the tears brimming out of her eyes your chest felt heavy. At first you thought she was going to talk you out of it but when you felt her hand rest on top of yours you couldn’t control the tears that threatened to fall from your eyes as well. She gave you a final nod and then you knew you could do it, all three of you pushed down the leaver and within seconds the entire pod was shaking, you braced yourself against the wall, careful not to trample over Loki and prepared yourself for whatever fate awaited you.

 Your body got flung around as you were pretty sure that the pod you were in was currently flying through the air, you could only pray you would survive the crash landing. A force pushed you to the ground and you landed on top of Loki’s chest, while the Doctor fell down beside you and Donna miraculously remained the only one standing. Your eyes snapped open when you felt the first breeze of fresh air brush your cheek and you saw the Doctor crawling out the pod. You felt hands wrap around your upper arms and you looked up to find Donna helping you to your feet and you both stumbled out the pod on shaking legs, while the Doctor lifted Loki back into his arms and you noticed that he had sustained an injury to his head during the escape.

 You didn’t have much time to do anything other than run when you noticed the heavy cloud of ash quickly heading straight for you and all three of you began running as fast as your legs could carry you, hoping you could make it to the city and into the TARDIS before it was too late.

 You and Donna held onto each other’s hands as you ran ahead of the Doctor who was slowed down by the extra weight of Loki, but he still managed to run pretty fast. You weren’t far from the city when the thick ash blocked out the light of the sun and plunged the city into darkness, though it was daytime it felt like night as you raced through the streets, trying to remember the direction to Caecilius’ villa. 

 Ash fell down from the sky like snow as the people of the town scrambled in different directions in attempts to make it out of the city alive, you could hear nothing but their cries and the thunderous sound of the volcano as it felt like the whole world was crumbling around you.

 As Caecilius’ villa came into view you pushed yourself to go even faster and you looked over your shoulder to find the Doctor not too far behind with Loki still in his arms, his injured head fell limp over the crook of the Doctors arm, revealing his long neck and prominent adam’s apple and dread struck through you, you had to remind yourself he was only unconscious.

 You pushed through the doors of Caecilius’ villa and headed straight towards the TARDIS but the sound of whimpering stopped you in your tracks, you looked to find Caecilius and his family crowded together on the floor, holding on tight to one another as they cried. 

 “God save us, Doctor!” Caecilius begged the Doctor when he came running in behind you, and he stopped beside you and Donna for a moment as you all looked at the family, you thought the Doctor would encourage them all to get on board his TARDIS but eventually he turned away kept running towards his TARDIS in the corner of the room.

 “No! Doctor, you can’t!” Donna called after him, you silently looked between the Doctor and the family, as he kicked the TARDIS door open with his foot and disappeared inside with Loki. You pushed away the feeling of guilt which fell heavy on your chest as you followed after the Doctor into the TARDIS.

 “Donna!” You pleaded with her when she remained frozen in place, she couldn’t look away from Caecilius and his family as they looked straight back at her, silently begging her to save them. The sound of one of the windows smashing through snapped Donna back into reality and she looked back at you before she hesitantly made her way towards the TARDIS, leaving the family behind. 

 When you entered the TARDIS, you saw the Doctor had placed Loki down onto the floor while he operated the console, preparing the TARDIS to leave. You rushed over to Loki and immediately checked his pulse and breathed a heavy sigh of relief when you found it still beating. 

 “You can’t just leave them!” You heard Donna yell as soon as she entered the TARDIS but you couldn’t lift your eyes from Loki, looking over his pale face and hovering your hand over the injury on his head, drops of blood had ran down the side of his sharp cheek and matted into part of his hair.

 “Don’t you think I’ve done enough? History’s back in place and everyone dies.” You heard the Doctor answer, as you checked over Loki for anymore injuries. 

 “You’ve got to go back. Doctor, I am telling you, take this thing back!” Donna demanded.

 The TARDIS shuddered and your whole body jerked letting you know the Doctor had sent it into flight, once the tremors subsided, the ship fell silent.

 “It’s not fair.” Donna whispered.

 “No, it’s not.” The Doctor agreed.

 “But your own planet. It burned.” Donna cried, and you finally looked up, you didn’t know what your auntie was referring to but you looked at the Doctor with sympathy. It suddenly made sense why he froze when it came to pushing the leaver, if he had already watched his own planet suffer a similar fate. 

 “That’s just it. Don’t you see, Donna? Can’t you understand? If I could go back and save them then I would, but I can’t. I can never go back. I can’t, I just can’t, I can’t.” His voice broke.

 “Just someone. Please.” Donna bargained. “Not the whole town. Just save someone.” 

 “You saved him,” you spoke, as you looked at Loki, who was laid out in front of you. “You can save them too.”

  ***

 The Doctor had returned to Pompeii and saved Caecilius and his family, he and Donna were currently outside bidding them fair well where the Doctor had safely dropped them off just outside of Rome, while you stayed inside the TARDIS by Loki’s side waiting for him to regain consciousness.

 You had cradled his head and moved so you could cushion it against your lap, since you imagined his head will already be hurting from the injury it wouldn’t be very comfortable for him to rest it against the hard floor of the TARDIS. 

 The first sign of Loki regaining consciousness was his eyebrows drawing together as a groan slipped out between his lips, no doubt quickly becoming aware of the pain in his head. His eyelashes fluttered against the top of his ash covered cheeks before his eyes slowly blinked open and the first thing he saw was your face above his.

 “Hi,” you began, unsure of what else to say.

 You barely leaned back in time to avoid his head colliding with yours as he suddenly shot up, so he was sitting up straight on the floor with his legs still lying out in front of him. This appeared to make his head rush as he moaned and cradled his head in the palms. You slowly shuffled up to him so you were at his side, careful not to startle him, you hesitantly placed your hand on his strong shoulder.

 “It’s okay, you’re safe.” You assured him softly.

 He lifted his face to look at you, his eyes filled with something you couldn’t quiet put your finger on. 

 “Where are we?” He asked you, for the first time since you met him his voice sounded gentle.

 “The TARDIS.” You answered him, just as gently.

 He let his eyes roam over the room, taking in his surroundings, before they finally landed back on you. “Am I severely concussed or is this thing bigger on the inside?” 

 You laughed softly. 

 “It’s bigger on the inside.” You confirmed. “Don’t ask me how, I have no idea how it works, if you’d like to know I’d recommend asking the Doctor.”

 Loki nodded with a slight smile as his eyes fell to his lap and you both stayed like that for a moment, neither of you saying anything.

 “Thank you.” Loki eventually broke the silence.

 “What?” Your head shot up, afraid you had misheard him.

 Loki avoided your eyes and his dark hair shadowed most of his face, protecting him from your gaze as he continued.

 “For what you did in the volcano and for...” he cleared his throat, “for the lack of a better word... saving me, I guess.” 

 “I mean to be fair the Doctor did most of the heavy lifting.” You humbly joked.

 “Where is he anyway?” Loki asked, since he noticed it was only you and him. “Isn’t he the pilot of this thing?”

 “He’s just outside with Donna saying goodbye to Caecilius and his family, he dropped them off safely just outside of Rome.” You don’t know why your chest felt heavy as you asked Loki your next question, perhaps it was due to the fact that you had just started warming to his company and he would be leaving soon. “So do you know where you would like the Doctor to drop you off?

 Loki seemed stumped by your question, as if he hadn’t gave where he was going much consideration, instead he was more focused on just escaping Pompeii rather than where he was escaping to. When some time passed and had yet to answer, you decided to break the silence.

 “I mean, if you’re not sure where you want to go, you could always stay with us.” You offered, it was now your turn to avoid his eyes as he looked at you with as much shock as you had when he thanked you.

 “You think the Doctor would be okay with that?” Loki worried.

 “Sure, why wouldn’t he?” You now looked up at him with your brows pulled together.

 Loki opened his mouth about to answer you when he realised, you didn’t know him, you didn’t know any of his previous actions, on Asgard, on Jotunheim and on your very own planet. Then it crossed his mind, he didn’t know what year you were from, in his time it had been about a week since he attacked New York, he imagined his face would have been all over every media outlet after the attack but you hadn’t even recognised him when you first ran into each other.

 “What year are you from?” Loki quickly inquired out of nowhere and you were a bit confused by the random question.

 “2008.” You answered him anyway.

 4 years before he first stepped foot on midgard, 4 years before he attacked New York under Thanos’ control, 4 years before you would know him as the man who tried to take over your planet and rule the human race. Right now you only knew him as the time travelling God of mischief who you ran into while you were both running for your lives. He had anonymity with you, you offered the perfect opportunity for him to start a fresh. He could join you on the TARDIS for a while, with your auntie and the Doctor plus he imagined it would only make it harder for the TVA to find him if he was constantly moving through time and space.

 “I would like that.” Loki confessed.

 “To stay?” You asked hopefully, just to make sure you weren’t misinterpreting him.

 When Loki nodded you couldn’t hold back the smile that took over your whole face, you we’re excited to spend more time with Loki, learn more about him and explore all of time and space with the God of mischief.