#prodigal son icons

[virtuemoires-sources]

icons of women i'm in love with but not in any particular order.

[whumpyinside]

Yo, Michael Sheen playing these two, literal opposite characters, will always have me shook.

Talent.

[ru-inn]

I love Michael Sheen so much that man is an acting genius and so talented. The things he does with micro-expressions are especially beautiful and he shines in every role I’ve ever seen him in. He is, in my opinion, the blueprint of an acting chameleon, he completely transform into roles and obviously cares so much for his characters. I wanna see more Michael appreciation please and thank you.

[whumpyinside]

Your next rewatch?

Alternate between episodes of Good Omens and Prodigal Son.

Trust me, it’ll be a fun time.

😉

[i-remember-yyou]

[kat-rose-griffith]

Every time I see Michael Sheen I just think about how much I miss Prodigal Son

[afterglowsainz]

we used to have more pt. 4 | oscar piastri, pato o’ward

part 1 part 2 part 3

pairing: oscar piastri x reader, pato o’ward x reader

summary: where a talk in a hotel room and a work trip to mexico make things clear for you

fc: different girls from pinterest

warnings: mentions of toxic relationships

a/n: ahhh sorry it took me a while to post this! but finally here it is the last part of this mini series that i loved creating <3 thank you so so much for supporting it the way you did, all the comments, reblogs and likes meant the world to me while writing it💗

—

liked by oscarpiastri, landonorris and others

yourusername home sweet home

tagged lissiemackintosh

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username dry ass caption

username girlie is NOT happy to be back

username y/n i know you wanted to stay in america but you can at least act a little bit more excited to be back 😭

username the fact it was sunny all weekend and she posted a pic of the only HOUR of rain is diabolical

declanmurray you can at least pretend

yourusername i’m not contractually obligated to

username pls 😭

username idc she’s down MOTHER IS BACK

oscarpiastri happy you’re back! ❤️

username chat when the guy you’re off and on for years says he’s happy you’re back how to do you react?

username ohhh but we’re having THE fashion icon that is y/n again at the paddock i cannot complain

patriciooward have fun!

yourusername <3333

username pls the way she ignored oscar so severely 😭

liked by yourusername, milesbaldwin and others

patriciooward can never say no to a side quest

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username NORBIIII 🥰

username every photo was whiplash after whiplash

username incredibly cute and incredibly hot

username don’t push girls

username i am that cookie actually

username i need him in a way that’s concerning for feminism

yourusername boys 🥹

patriciooward miss you!

username no they are my parents

username oscar i was rooting for you but now … i’m not so sure

liked by patriciooward, maxverstappen1 and others

yourusername the prodigal son returns home 🇲🇽

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username omg is this a hard launch??? what is this !!!

username patoooo 💖

username the way you can see everything about her posting changed since she arrived in mexico

username is it wrong to assume it’s because she’s with pato again? 😩

username pato and y/n in mexico is everything

username ohhhh oscar reaaaally fumbled this time

username nahhh im being delusional thinking oscar still has an opportunity (pls y/n give him a chance 😩)

username well, at least she’s posting again 🥳

patriciooward ☀️

yourusername ☀️✨✨💫

liked by indygossip, f1wags and others

f1gossip indycar and mclaren’s reserve driver patricio o’ward was seen last night having dinner and sharing a kiss with f1 community manager y/n y/l/n

it has been rumored for a few years that she was on a relationship on and off with mclaren’s oscar piastri, but it was never confirmed as the driver kept going back to his exgirlfriend

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username not oscar catching strays 😭😭

f1gossip 🤷🏽‍♀️

username honestly i can’t be mad about this. she deserves someone who makes her happy and pato obviously likes her. they look good together 💗

username THAT SHOULD BE MEEEE

username someone check on oscar 😩

username watch him go back to his exgirlfriend after hearing the news 🙄

username genuinely hoping he doesn’t do that otherwise he’s just reinforcing y/n’s decision of moving on

username anddd that relationship CANNOT be healthy, for either of them

username i knew they were together from day one, y’all were just blinded by oscar

username because they’re meant to be 😭😭

username in another life perhaps!

liked by yourusername, lissiemackintosh and others

patriciooward favorite place with the greatest company ❤️

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username ahhh the masters of hard launching i’m so here for this

username THE DRESS

username i don’t know if i wanna be pato or y/n in this situation

username okay don’t rub it in 😭

miguelsossa where’s my photo creds for the second one? 🤨

patriciooward 📷: miguelsossa

miguelsossa thanks it means a lot make sure to pin that comment so everyone can see

username pls why did i thought y/n and pato went out without the whole gang 😭

declanmurray HAH don’t make me laugh

milesbaldwin we do leave them alone sometimes

patriciooward …

lissiemackintosh 😮

username speechless at this

username i’m sure pato is a saint because dealing with y/n’s friends must be a handful 🙏🏽

yourusername beautiful 🤍

patriciooward how’s the weather now? :)

yourusername warm enough, you?

patriciooward clear skies

username STOP THEYRE SO CUTE 🥰

liked by georgerussel63, exgirlfriend and others

oscarpiastri happy place ❤️

tagged exgirlfriend

comments for this post have been disabled

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[lesbianedmundo]

Bucks moving in!

Oh baby 🥲

He stress baking!

He’s sleeping at Maddie’s?

Love the continuity with Maddie’s throat and her voice being raspy! Like yeah she had her throat slashed last episode

THIS is Bobby’s mom and brother at the fraudy church?! Talk abt family issues Jesus

Why’s her last name Hutchinson actually? Returned to maiden after Bobby’s dad died?

Oh that’s a seizure

Everyone collapsing with the upbeat background gospel music? ICONIC

yeah that’s gas poisoning lol

“They ever go north?” Chimney I love you

“Her act - I mean her service.” LMAO

Oh Bobby’s face when he saw the poster my baby 😓

“Buck and Eddie.” KILL ME NOW. They’re really hammering it in he’s gone, huh? Also Ravi’s little “I’m used to it” 🤣

And he’s down

Bobby asking after his mom?! I’m crying.

Yeh it’s gas poisoning

GET SOME MASKS ON!!!

lol Bobby saying Buck and Eddie again

Bucks being competeeeeent 😫

MAAM GET OFF THE ROOF

“Eddie - Ravi.” HE DID IT AGAIN IM

CRYING 😭

Buck ascending on the ladder is a craaazy shot lol

“Cap she thinks I’m Satan.” IM CACKLING

NO THE THINGS BREAKING

“I’m gonna need you to reach out your hand.” THE PARALLELS TO DEVIN IN S1 I CANT

Bobby’s mom with the megaphone 😂

“I’m guessing Buck’s Jesus in this metaphor.” LMAO

“Yeah she’s something.” THATS UR MOTHER

the distance between them? He called her Ann? BOBBY BAE what’s this trauma

“She’s my mother.” And everyone’s faces looool

JEES SO CUTE 🥰

He’s been sleeping at Madneys? Buck baby

“I like having a strong man in every room of the house now” Maddie 🥺 im so sorry

Not Maddie telling him to make new friends 🤣

Update on Bathena’s house!!

Bobby changing the subject lol

Athena calling it out!!! Queen shit👑

Oh Ann wasn’t at either of Bobby’s weddings 😞

SHE SSNT CONDOLENCES ON ANN HUTCHINSON MINISTRY STATIONARY AFTER THE APARTMENT FIRE?! ASDFFGHJJKL ANN WHEN I CATCH U

“The lord works in mysterious ways.” ATHENA

Not Buck tryna friend up Ravi 😭

“Are you abt to ask for money?” Ravi my beloved

“I am a fun guy. It took you this long to notice?” We missed u king 👑

“How long’d it take u to warm up to Eddie?” “Like nearly… a whole shift” BAHAHAHA

Not Buck going on a tangent abt Eddie fuckin lmao

Bobby’s brother is here?

The mention of their dad’s firehouse? AHHHHHHH WRITERS WHEN I FIND U

“Deborah was two wives ago.” Ewwwwww

Bobby being so proud of him and Athena and his stepkids 😍

“Mom - she wants to see you.” OH DOES SHE. DOES SHE NOW.

“Dad would be so proud of you.” WHAT. Absolutely diabolical.

Athena in this dress ayyyy 🤭

Not Miss Ann complimenting Athena lmao ur so fucking fake

She basically tricked him into a convo not in public! Red flag 🚩

“Parable of the prodigal son. Is that how u see me?” WHOA

“Someone burned it down.” “Not u I trust.” MAAM. SLEEP WITH ONE EYE OPEN AT ALL TIMES. that is absolutely INSANE work.

Not Athena outing Bobby as not telling her abt his mom 🥲

“He’s always thought im a fraud.” Oh u looking for a fight? Ur looking for a fight? ILL GIVE U A FIGHT

“I think you’re very good at what u do.” At fraud. U mean fraud.

But him not rising to it is sooooo painful.

She’s asking what Athena thinks?

Athena sipping that water she does not wanna hear it

“I give hope for healing.” DISRESPECTFULLY SHUT THE FUCK UP

Ann bringing up their DAD?! VIA ATHENA? IM ABT TO THROW HANDS.

“Anywhere he could absolve his sins really.” ISTG

Does Athena know abt Bobby’s dad’s alcoholism?

IS BOBBY DEFENDING HIS FATHER?! Oh boy

“I was supposed to just climb into the casket with him?” Okay I have a smidgen 👌 of sympathy for her.

“What, like I did?” I AM GNAWING AT THE BARS OF MY ENCLOSURE

His trauma from her leaving tho is so valid

“You followed in his footsteps.” WHEN I CATCH YOUUUUUU

Oh. Bobby can’t crucify his dad for what he did because then he’d have to crucify himself. Something something cycles of abuse something something he can’t spit at his own reflection.

“I did think you’re a fraud but not as a preacher, as a mother.” that HURTS

lol mood change to the bar HES TALKING ABT EDDIE?! BUCK 😭

Ravis so sick of him

“I kid u not five minutes later the spares on and we’re driving away.” He’s hyping up his boy. And his boy is two states away.

“Isn’t that illegal?” Ravi I fucking love you

“Eddie wouldn’t do something illegal. Eddie has a silver star.” Buck’s straight up a seven year old showing off his favourite toy 😭

fight club mention oof

“Who even plays quarters anymore?” “Eddie.” of fucking course

Ravi: “Look who I found!”

Me: IS THAT THE GRIM REAPER??

I actually can’t why is he HERE I am going to RIOT. I am a dog ripping a pillow to shreds with their mouth and I WILL come for Tommy fucking Kinard next.

Ravi sitting them opposite each other UR NO LONGER MY FAVOURITE. GET OUT POOKIE.

Oh wait hes just trying to leave LMAAOOOOOO. Nvm babes u saw an out and took it lol

“Some stuff just happened. My sister was abducted.” TOMMY’s FACE LOL. VALID.

“She’s pregnant. They’re not connected.” lol.

“He (Eddie) pretty much stopped speaking to me after u and I broke up.” HE DID?! GUYS

BUCKS FACE 😭

“You know I’ve been fighting the urge to call u for months.” IF U DONT SHUT UR MOUTH. With that stupid ass break up u have NO LEGS TO STAND ON

“I got a new place. You wanna see it?” BUCK. BUCK NO.

FUUUUUUUUUCK. I genuinely threw my laptop across the room. The screen cracked 🥲

“Is this - Eddie’s place?” Tommy is that not weird to you.

Oh hello extended sex lead up scene.

He made breakfast? Kinda cute.

Oh Bucks still into him.

“I know it doesn’t change anything.” “Why not?” I’m Stopping u right there.

Okay wait. R they gonna put ‘em back together?!

“Now that the competition’s out of the way.” Nvm LOL

SAY IT TOMMY. SPIT IT OUT.

Oh we’re talking abt it. We’re taking abt it! Tommy doing his plot device to push forward Buddie thing we begrudgingly stan 🙃

Buck that’s a bit far lol.

Yeah that relationships over. WHAT WAS THAT CONVERSATION.

Oh new call! How r they gonna get in the house?

We found him!

The guy’s refusing to accept he’s got chest pain? Dare I say… Eddie and “I don’t panic.”

WHAT IN THE HORROR FILM?

HER HUSBAND TRIED TO KILL

HER?!

“Long term relationships are hard.” Buck. Baby. Now is NOT the time.

HUSBAND’S DEAD. At least somethings right with the universe.

Oh it’s a parallel for Bobby’s parents. I was wondering why this was happening lol.

“I’m living in Eddie’s so I must be in love with him?” I mean. Yeah?

“Except that I’m not.” LIAR.

“Maybe I don’t wanna unpack. It means Eddie and Chris aren’t coming back.” My love. I wish I could hug him 😭

Ann’s little emotional break down on stage? Smells like guilt tripping 😀

Aaaaaand we’re right back to the fraud. Okay.

Oh shit she’s down!!

“Mommy stay with me.” BOBBY 😭😭😭

It’s happened to her before?

She has cancer? Oof.

Again with the signs.

Bobby’s still defending his father I…

So r we gonna have an actual conversation?

Stage four cancer?

“It would take a miracle.” Damn 😀

He’s apologising? Well will she apologise to him?

Okay good 👍

“Sometimes all u can do is save yourself.” AND I OOP. That’s so fucking true 🥹

Buck gets a cunty twirly little unpacking montage? Okay! At least hes smiling honestly.

NOT THE COUCH SHOT. C’MON. IT HAS TO BE INTENTIONAL.

Dispatch?

Athena’s responding… I’ve got a bad feeling here…

DOCTOR ODYSSEY?!?! OMG I FORGOT THIS WAS HAPPENING!

And that’s a wrap!

Final thoughts:

Bobby’s story gets more and more heartbreaking with every chapter and flashback to his past. His defense of his dad, his anger at his mom and brother, him fulfilling that cycle with his own alcoholism, except the outcome is the other way round - instead of only him dying for his mistakes, he’s the only one who lives. Was ready to hate on his mom, but idk… it’s tricky. Other than her Very #Exploitative profession ofc, her actions are understandable - she was right not to have climbed into the casket with her husband. But also no, she shouldn’t have left her youngest child, and continued to leave him for literal years.

As for Buddie… BOY ARE WE FEASTING! Buck struggling to sleep in Eddie’s house, Tommy reunion bringing the unsaid into the light, the words “Buck being in love with Eddie” (however much they’re phrased as “incorrect”) is now in the TEXT of the show, Maddie saying would that be so crazy? We have been FED.

Not loads of Chim, and basically no Hen, but that’s to be expected with Aisha directing. She did a FABULOUS job btw. I loved that we’re getting more little moments like the Han’s and Buck, plus some Bathena. All the scenes flowed way better than they have been so far (cough cough Buddie Freddy Fakeman arguement cough cough) with less of the stilted, I-don’t-know-what-to-do-with-my-hands moments. Aisha if u see this I’m throwing all the flowers at ur feet!

Overall, VERY happy with this episode. A lil scared for where this is going regarding Buddie, but hey, when are we not? The price of a fanon ship. Also why have they got me warming up to Tommy lmao. Like I’m happy to NEVER see him again, but I’m not… mad he was in the episode? Like his presence is bringing up a LOT of Buck’s feelings to Eddie, plus the confirmation that Tommy was ~ suspicious ~ abt Buck and Eddie’s relationship is nice. Anyways, Aisha Hinds did amazing, as predicted! I rlly hope she directs more in the future! (After more Hen storylines ofc)

[persuasivetfs]

The Prodigal Son Returns

“The future site of Our Lady of Sacred Contentment’s second church. A project funded in part by the Virkov Foundation,” read the sign plastered on the fence that surrounded the closed down Saint Zofia’s Bulgarian Orthodox Church.

Olga Tsanov was conflicted. She was glad to see the male-centered church of her upbringing brought to its knees, even if it was by another male-centered church. When she heard that Father Kiril, the pompous high priest of Saint Zofia’s had even converted to this new Protestant denomination, losing all his priestly status so he could be demoted to the role of a mere usher, Olga had burst into laughter. Yet as happy as she was on the surface, the church’s closure had reopened a fissure in her heart that she once thought closed. She felt it when she saw the icons of the Virgin Mary and Saint Zofia taken down from the comfort of her bedroom window. For at one time in her life, those icons and the saints they represented had been everything to Olga. Foundational even, to the woman she strove to become as an adult: temperate, responsible, compassionate, wise.

So it was a great shock, even to herself, that Olga found herself breaking and entering Saint Zofia’s church in the dead of night. Armed with a pair of bolt cutters, her ex-husband Micheal had left behind in the divorce, she was able to force her way past the surrounding fence and into the back of the church.

Despite every part of her screaming that this was crazy and that there was no point, Olga continued on with her plan, walking through the back office and into the nave.

To her horror much of the renovations had been finished much earlier than she’d expected. The icons as Olga remembered lining the walls had been torn down, and repainted white and beige. The sacred relic, one of the alleged fingers of Saint Zofia herself, too was removed, with only a potted fern left in its place. Even the cupola, the wide dome that had stretched over the congregation, that had depicted Jesus in heaven with the angels and saints was destroyed. Painted white and to her continued surprise somehow flattened despite the lack of long and intensive construction such a job would have required.

It left this church, the site where Olga’s devotion once dwelled into an empty shell, sucked dry of meaning.

At least all the male saints were gone, Olga could be happy with, and even Jesus himself was only depicted by a plain wooden cross rather than the twisted face of pain writhing about like Olga was used to. But without all its art, the church looked like an office building with sandalwood pews and stone altar. What kind of god would be worshipped here?

“Stunning isn’t it?”

A man was standing alone in the darkness, making Olga twist her head around.

“What are you doing here?” Olga asked, blurting out the first thing that came to mind.

“Examining the Lord’s fine work in one of His newest sacred places. Same as you,” the man answered, with a thick Italian-American accent, pulling himself away from the wall and walking towards her.

Wearing formal dress shoes and a refined dark suit, the stranger came to stand next to her, his body faintly gleaming under the glow of the moonlight.

“So tell me Olga Tsanov. What are you doing in one of our churches so late at night?” He asked, his eyes casting a fiendish glimmer upon her. She shivered.

“How do you know my name? What are you, a stalker?” Olga asked defensively. The man simply laughed, making her take a hesitant step back.

“The Lord knows all that happens in His churches and all who happens to enter them. And your name and address happened to be on the registry the Orthodox Church left behind,” he explained, his voice shifting from megalomaniacal supervillain to down to earth youth pastor from one line to the next.

It left Olga unsure where she stood with this man. Was he planning on calling the police on her? Or was he just toying with her?

“I was just leaving. I’ve seen what I needed to see,” Olga blustered, walking off. The door to the back office suddenly slammed shut ahead of her. She turned her head back to the priest whose smile filled her with dread.

“Did you really think you could leave that easily?”

“What do you want, priest?” Olga asked, snarkily, trying not to let her fear show. She was used to the old wooden doors of the church slamming shut whenever the wind blew, but this priest was unsettling. She didn’t even hear him breathing and yet there he was, lingering in the shadows as if waiting for her.

“It’s not about what I want, it's about what the Lord can provide you, my child,” the stranger said cryptically, taking a step forward against the polished wooden floor.

“I’m fine, thank you. I was already raised in one penis-centeic religion, I don’t need another,” Olga bristled, turning away from him. She stepped to the altar and wiped her hand along its marble surface. Father Kiril had once struck her on the side of the head for touching it. The act of a woman who didn't yet know her place. Olga gritted her teeth.

Despite her reverence for saints like Zofia or the Virgin, Olga had never fit inside the restrictive environment of her church. For only men and boys were allowed to read the Epistles or hold the communion cloth or serve at the altar. If Olga wanted to serve God, she was told, she should wait until she could become a nun, otherwise her sex had marked her as morally inferior and less “clean” to do the tasks of men in the church. Even female saints like Zofia or the Virgin had to take on the role of a subordinated wife and mother before the power of the penis and this had enraged her.

“But Olga, the word of God is open to all people, men and women. It is only true that we have different roles in the world as decreed by the Lord,” the pastor explained, stepping next to her at the altar.

“Yes, for men are biologically created to be brutish and violent and disgusting and cruel, while women are biologically smarter, kinder, and weaker to men and thus men's perpetual victims. I’ve known enough of that from my pig of an ex-husband,” Olga said bitterly.

“So why did you come here my child? If the ‘penis-centeic religion’ as you called it in your childhood was so distressing?”

“I… I don’t know. I’ve always wanted to serve the Lord. To reach people. To even be a voice for the Wentworth Falls Bulgarian community. It just never felt like I could because of who I was. Because the woman my people wanted me to be, that submissive housewife and mother could never exist,” Olga explained, suddenly feeling more casual and open with this priest about her private thoughts than she had any good sense to.

An oddly satisfying sense of warmth had begun to flow into her, lowering her defences. Her muscles loosened, her shoulders eased. The warmth left her feeling like a ball of wet clay, ready to be remolded.

“While we are all meant to be equal brothers and sisters before the eyes of the Lord, maybe a different path would be beneficial to you. We do need a pastor for this community in line with the Bulgarians,” the pastor said but frankly Olga was finding it difficult to care. The comforting sensations made Olga feel too good to think, too good to protest.

Then as the rivers of comfort flowed in and out of her body, Olga felt from within her a pulsating energy radiating out from her vagina. Her labia throbbed, releasing wave after wave of pleasure, as her clitoris began to enlarge, expanding outward as skin grew in and out over Olga’s lips.

Then with a lurch, Olga felt her vagina close up and disappear and in its place, a penis and a pair of gradually dropping balls.

“This can’t be happening. What are you doing to me?” Olga demanded to know only to quickly become horrified at the deep masculine voice that left her lips.

The priest laughed.

More changes were overcoming her body, twisting and reshaping Olga Tsanov into a form unrecognisable. Her signature long straw blonde hair was shrinking back inside her head, only stopping at the crown of her head before turning a dark brown. Then across her face and forearms, the hair that had disappeared from the top of her head re-emerged, forming a tightly sculpted beard and mustache. As her hair shifted so did the bones in her face, giving her a pointier chin and higher cheekbones, while her crow’s feet and wrinkles wiped away, giving Olga a youthful glow she hadn’t had since her late 20s.

This youthfulness soon extended to the rest of her body, leaving her feeling energized and excited.

Eager to witness what came next, Olga ripped out of her dress shirt to be amazed at the cobblestone abs that were forming. Her breasts, once saggy with fat and age, had in their new youth and new burst of testosterone firmed up with muscle. In fact much of her body, from her triceps to her thighs were packing on muscle. Not enough to make a bodybuilder blush, but enough to gain noticeable attention should she wear a tight-fitting shirt.

“You look wonderful, Olga, absolutely wonderful,” the priest said with a chef’s kiss, before putting his arm around Olga’s shoulders and laughing.

At any other time Olga would have pushed the man away and thought him a pervert, but now his touch had a sense of comradery. Just bros being bros.

“I knew you’d make a wonderful man. I just knew,” the priest positively declared.

“But how is this possible- I-“ the stranger shushed her.

“But first I believe a new name is in order. Let’s try Boris on for size. Introduce yourself,” the stranger commanded with a clap of his hands.

”Hello, I’m Boris Tsanov,” Boris introduced, her voice deep and refined.

It was strange just a moment ago she could have sworn her name was Olga, but that name like much of her past was fading away like a disappearing dream soon to be forgotten.

“Outstanding, Boris. Now, let’s think about your past for a moment. Who is Boris Tsanov?” the priest asked. Boris took a deep breath.

“I’m the head of Women and Gender studies at the Wentworth Falls Community college. I’m 39, divorced, agnostic, and a proud biological woman, or at least I thought I was,” Boris said, confused at how his words were not matching up with his new body.

“No, I don’t think that sounds like you Boris,” the stranger said, shaking his head.

“I think you’re 28, recently graduated from divinity school and ready to spread the true word of God to the masses and trusting me Pastor Agosti as your friend and mentor,” the stranger explained. Except he wasn’t a stranger, was he? He was Nico Agosti, a trusted advisor and confidante, who had guided Boris through years of divine education and study, helping mold him into the proud Christian he was today, eager to save the Bulgarian masses as he himself had been saved. Except, wasn’t he a woman or at the very least used to be married to a man? Wouldn’t that be a sin?

“Pastor Agosti,” Boris nervously addressed. “I trust you and everything you say, but I’m still so confused. I used to venerate Saint Zofia and the Virgin Mary so highly and sought to be like them in every way. How does that make sense if I’m a man?”

“Oh my sweet brother. You weren’t looking to be those saintly women,” Pastor Agosti said, sympathetically, hiding his glee. Boris, unsure, scratched at his temple.

“You were looking to marry a saintly woman: Pious, dependable, temperate, and wise. The perfect wife and mother and you were lucky enough to find her. One of the youngest priests of our congregation but the only one among us bachelors to be married,” Pastor Agosti said, shaking Borris’s shoulder in admiration. Boris Tsanov smiled warmly.

While before when he thought of his spouse, he thought of swarthy and loud-mouthed Micheal, now in his head all he could picture was sweet and homely Miranda. She was everything Boris ever wanted in a woman and he was grateful to have her. At that moment, Miranda was likely asleep across the street, having been saying her bedtime prayers before Boris had left to check on the church. She was so supportive, having dropped everything to take care of the house while Borris continued to work on his divinity degree. He would in return reward her with a lifetime of devotion and many future children who would help spread the Lord’s message as he did.

Still there were a few buzzing questions about his head. How had construction finished so quickly? Why did Boris leave the Orthodox Church for this Protestant denomination? Where did these bolt cutters he held on his person come from?

All these he wished to ask, but Nico waved them all away promising they’d all be answered once Boris was exposed to the “Divinity” as he called it as had all the priests of the church before him. Before they left, Nico was kind enough to make him put on a white dress shirt in just his size, so no one could get any strange ideas of what was going on in there.

Yet while Boris was leaving with more questions than answers he was satisfied knowing he was on the path to lead more people to God just as he had been. There were always more wayward souls that needed saving.

[vshorttaxiway]

okay I'm pretty sure this isn't a new concept but this whole idea is the reason I've made this godforsaken tumblr, so I humbly present for your consideration...

top gun/marauders parallels

mav and sirius

complicated family background

pretty boy turned dilf

short

little bit too up himself for his own good

motorbike/leather jackets

goose and james

would die do anything for his wife and baby boy

adopts a mouthy short twink into his family at the drop of a hat

class clown

burns bright and dies young

"why is it always you two"

. . .

I'm sorry

moving on!

rooster and harry

the prodigal son

looks scarily like his father, down to the shared iconic glasses

shares his father's sense of humour, but is more reserved and angry because he only knows his father in memories (deeeeeep)

must reconcile with his godfather due to a misunderstanding (if you want to go really far here you can argue both of these misunderstandings stem from his now dead mother trying to protect him)

hangster and drarry

a man and his arrogant blonde boyfriend rival

I have 100 more here including icemav/wolfstar and dagger squad/golden tro era characters but Tumblr has that stupid 10 image limit. if this gets one (1) note I'll make a part two

[glompcat]

In every generation, there is a chosen one — again.

Variety has learned from sources that a sequel series to the beloved show “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is nearing a pilot order at Hulu.

Sources say that Sarah Michelle Gellar is in final talks to once again play the iconic title character in the untitled project, although it would focus on a new Slayer and Gellar would appear in a recurring role rather than leading the series.

Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman are attached to write, showrun, and executive produce. Chloé Zhao is attached to direct and executive produce under her Book of Shadows production banner. Gellar would also executive produce along with Gail Berman. Fran Kuzui and Kaz Kuzui will executive produce via Suite B, while Dolly Parton will executive produce via Sandollar. 20th Television and Searchlight Television will produce. Berman, the Kuzuis, and Parton were all executive producers on the original “Buffy” series.

Reps for Hulu and 20th TV declined to comment.

Noticeably absent from the show’s creative team is Joss Whedon, who created the original series and oversaw its seven-season run. As Variety reported in 2021, Whedon was accused of creating a toxic work environment on both “Buffy” and the spinoff series “Angel” by nearly a dozen people associated with the show.

“Buffy” and “Angel” actress Charisma Carpenter also spoke out against Whedon, with fellow cast members like Amber Benson and Michelle Trachtenberg backing up her allegations. Whedon responded to those and other allegations against him in January 2022, admitting that he had been “not mannerly” with Carpenter but otherwise saying “Most of my experiences with Charisma were delightful and charming.”

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” originated as a film starring Kristy Swanson in the title role. Whedon wrote the film with Fran Kuzui directing. It was released in 1992. Five years later, the series version starring Gellar debuted on The WB. It would air on The WB for its first five seasons before airing its final two seasons on UPN. The cast also included Nicholas Brendon, Alyson Hannigan, Carpenter, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Seth Green, and James Marsters among others. Boreanaz would then head up the spinoff series “Angel” at The WB for five seasons.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” has proven to be a massive cult hit and highly influential since its debut. The series is credited for helping to popularize ongoing story arcs in television while also building a show around a strong female lead. It is frequently cited as one of the best television shows of all time.

Whedon previously penned a series of comic books with Dark Horse that continued the story of the series, though no new “Buffy” project has ever made it to screen. Most recently, it was reported in 2018 that Monica Owusu-Breen was working on a reboot of the series with Whedon onboard as an executive producer. Ultimately, that version of the project never went forward.

Gellar can currently be seen in the prequel series “Dexter: Original Sin” on Paramount+ with Showtime. Though she is perhaps best known for her time on “Buffy,” Gellar’s other notable TV credits include Paramount+’s “Wolf Pack,” CBS’ ”The Crazy Ones”  opposite Robin Williams, and The CW’s “Ringer.” In film, she has starred in features like “Cruel Intentions,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” the two live-action “Scooby Doo” movies, and “The Grudge.”

The Zuckermans were the showrunners on the popular Peacock series “Poker Face” starring Natasha Lyonne during the show’s first season. Their past credits include “Prodigal Son” and “Fringe” at Fox, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” at ABC, “Suits” at USA Network, and “Haven” at Syfy. Variety exclusively reported they are also attached to a series adaptation of the novel “The Spy Coast” currently in the works at Amazon.

Zhao received four Oscar nominations for her 2020 film “Nomadland” starring Frances McDormand — best director, best editing, best adapted screenplay, and best picture. Zhao went on to win best director that year with “Nomadland” winning best picture. Zhao is also known for her films “The Rider” and “Songs My Brother Taught Me,” both of which she also wrote and directed. Zhao was also the director and co-writer of the Marvel film “Eternals.”

Gellar is repped by CAA, Linden Entertainment, and Yorn Levine Barnes. The Zuckermans are repped by UTA and Lichter Grossman. Zhao is repped by CAA, Ilene Feldman Management, and Lichter Grossman. Berman is repped by Ziffren Brittenham.

Should the sequel show proceed, it would be the latest series revival to find a home at Hulu. Most recently, Hulu gave a pilot order to a reboot of “Prison Break.” The streamer currently airs new episodes of the adult animated comedy “Futurama,” while a new installment of “King of the Hill” is currently in the works.

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025

february 8 _february 21

Week of the prodigal son.

PROPHET ZACHARIAH FROM AMONG THE 12 MINOR PROPHETS (520 BC).

The Prophet Zachariah the Sickle-Seer the eleventh of the twelve Minor Prophets. He was descended from the tribe of Levi, and seems to have been a priest (Nehemiah 12:4,16). He was called to prophetic service at a young age and became, in the wondrous expression of church hymnology, “a spectator of supra-worldly visions.”

The Book of the Prophet Zachariah contains inspired details about the coming of the Messiah (Zach 6:12); about the last days of the Savior’s earthly life, about the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem on a young donkey (Zach 9:9); about the betrayal of the Lord for thirty pieces of silver and the purchase of the potter’s field with them (Zach 11:12-13); about the piercing of the Savior’s side (Zach 12:10); about the scattering of the apostles from the Garden of Gethsemane (Zach 13:7); about the eclipse of the sun at the time of the Crucifixion (Zach 14:6-7).

“Enlightened by dawnings all above,” the Prophet Zachariah, “saw the future as it were the present.” According to Tradition, this “most true God-proclaimer” lived to old age and was buried near Jerusalem, beside his illustrious contemporary and companion, the Prophet Haggai (December 16). The title “Sickle-Seer” given Zachariah comes from a vision in which he saw a sickle flying in the air, destroying thieves and perjurors (Zach 5:1-3).

The holy Prophet Zachariah died around 520 B.C. His tomb was discovered in 415 in a village near Eleutheropolis (Sozomen, Hist. Eccles. VI:32, IX:17). At the prophet’s feet was the body of a child dressed in royal accouterments. His holy relics were transferred to the church of Saint James the Brother of the Lord (October 23) in Constantinople.

St. LYUBOV OF RYAZA, FOOL-FOR-CHRIST (1921)

Liuba Semyonova Sukhanovskaya was born in 1860 the Ryazan region, in the city of Pronsk, into the family of Semyon and Maria Sukhanovsky, humble and God-fearing people. Later, her younger sister Olga was born.

In 1874, the Sukhanovskys moved to Ryazan and settled in a house on the corner of Vladimir and Resurrection Streets, becoming parishioners of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem church. The Lord took special notice of this pious family. The Sukhanovskys lived in poverty and also had a heavy sorrow. Their beloved daughter Liubushka was paralyzed for fifteen years and could neither walk nor stand on her own two feet. Her parents taught her to pray and how to read, however. Liuba prayed and read spiritual books, drawing on these for comfort. In particular, she loved to pray before the family icon of Saint Nicholas. Her pure prayer and her uncomplaining patience in her illness were accepted by the Lord, Who revealed His will for Liubushka. One day, when she was alone in the house, the God-pleaser Saint Nicholas appeared before her and said, "Get up, Liuba, go and play the fool!"

Liubushka stood up, which was a great joy for her mother when she returned home. But then her mother realized that the feat of foolishness was challenging, and she went to the priest for advice. He listened to her and said, "This is God's will! Do not detain your daughter, let her go, let her play the fool! The Lord rightly orders a man's steps (Psalm 36/37:23). From that time, Liubushka embarked on that arduous path.

The residents of Ryazan know her as an ascetic who enclosed herself in a wall between the stove and a wall in her house. She stood there for three years, like an ancient stylite, immersed in prayer and in the knowledge of God. Her humility before God's Providence, her patience and heavenly grace helped her to accomplish this unprecedented feat. The Lord prepared her for her contest by her fifteen years of paralysis, just as He did for Saint Elias of Murom (December 19). Three years later, Blessed Liubov, strengthened from above by divine love, left her "torture-chamber" and went out among the people, bearing this love.

Now living in Ryazan away from her relatives, she became a constant intercessor in all the city churches, and above all other monasteries, she loved visiting the Kazan Monastery, where she lived for a long time with some sisters, especially with the Superior, Igoumeness Katherine, who consoled with her sublime discourses. Liubushka was often seen on the street, in the shops of merchants, or in the homes of friends. And her conversations always had some spiritual purpose. The Blessed one prayed for people, giving them good and wise advice, and warning them of dangers. Everyone waited for her impatiently, for honorable people understood that the Lord Himself spoke through Liubushka, and had granted her both clairvoyance and the gift of love.

As with all fools for Christ, her actions were not quite ordinary. For example, the Blessed one would go into the shop of a wealthy merchant and take whatever she needed without asking. The merchant was only too happy about this, for he knew that he would do good business that day. Another time, Liubushka would pass by the shop without stopping, even if she were invited. When she was tired, the Blessed one would sit on someone's porch and be given food. She would accept it from some, but to others she said: "You don't have very much." If she did accept food, she gave it to the needy she met along the way. Poor people and beggars loved her very much.

Being clairvoyant, the Blessed one addressed even strangers by name, and would reply to unspoken questions. More often than not, Liubushka clothed her clairvoyance in a mysterious form, revealing things by means of paper figures. Knowing where her hostess kept scissors and paper, she took them, cut the figures out, and gave them to those for whom they were intended. If someone was about to travel, she would make a horse or a train. If a person was to be married, she would fashion a crown. If someone was about to die, she would cut out a tombstone. Some people feared her predictions and hid the scissors, but the Blessed one just tore the paper with her fingers and still gave the appropriate figures to those for whom they were meant. She made these figures with great skill, and silently she handed them to that person and then left. All of her predictions came true.

Some people, however, did not believe Liubushka, and laughed at her. She endured everything very complacently and patiently, and the smile never left her face. She dressed in very plain clothes, and on her head she wore a kerchief - sometimes blue, or pink. As a child, Liubushka loved the color pink, and she even asked that her coffin be lined with pink cloth when she died.

The Blessed one made predictions not only with paper figures, but also by other means. For example, they mention the following incident. During the Nativity Fast, Liubushka visited the Sh. family, where their grandmother was pouring tea for everyone at 4:00 P.M. At that time, Liubushka came in with a piece of velvet and said: "I was walking past the funeral parlor, where a coffin was being lined, and I took a piece of velvet. Here, take it!" The grandmother was perplexed, but soon they received news that their relative had died, and the velvet was for her coffin. This is how the Blessed one prepared everyone for the sad event.

On another occasion, Blessed Liubushka foretold the fate of two little girls through the icons that she gave them. One received an icon of Saint Alexander Nevsky, and later she married a man named Alexander, and they lived by the Alexander Nevsky train station. The other girl was given an icon of Saint Anna of Kashin, and like that Saint, she too was left as a widow with two children.

The Blessed one foresaw many things at her beloved Kazan Monastery. Once she cut out an entire monastery with scissors. The paper monastery had a fence, a church, and a choir. So, in this way, she answered a question posed by the sister of a particular novice, who wondered whether she should be a nun. When the time came, this girl entered the Monastery, and as one who possessed a rare voice (a female bass), she was placed in the choir to chant and read. After the Monastery was closed, she sang in the church until she was pretty old.

The Blessed one returned to her home. At that time, her grandfather was still alive. One day, she arrived when her grandfather's kum1 was in the house, and he decided to joke with her and ask, "Tell us, Liubov Semyonovna, to whom will your house go when you die?" She smiled and replied, "To the soldiers." Everyone laughed at such an unexpected answer. No one could imagine that one day, the house would be demolished, and in its place, a military warehouse would be built to store equipment. Liuba's sister did not take her seriously either, and only after her death did she realize her mistake, seeing how many people came to accompany Blessed Liuba on her final journey, calling her the holy intercessor of Ryazan.

Before the abdication of the Tsar in 1917, the Blessed one walked through the streets and repeated: "The walls of Jericho are falling, the walls of Jericho are falling." Only later did people realize what that meant.

Three weeks before her death, Liubuska warned her good friend Elizabeth M. about it: "Lizon'ka, I am going to die soon, and you must pray to God for me. Go to my grave and take dirt from it, and line my coffin with pink cloth."

Blessed Liubov reposed on February 8, 1921. Everything was in ruins, the stores were empty, and Elizabeth decided to go to the pharmacy for some gauze at least. And O, the wonder! She was given some pink cloth. The coffin was beautifully decorated, and even ruffles and bows were made. So, to everyone's joy, Liubushka's wish was miraculously fulfilled. When the Blessed one was carried on her final journey, the streets around the funeral procession resembled a living wall of weeping people. Everyone abandoned their businesses in order to bid farewell to the marvelous God-pleaser. Later, over Blessed Liubov's grave, a monument was put up by the efforts of a resident of Ryazan, a Deacon, and others who admired her.

As the years passed, God was gradually displaced from the life and consciousness of formerly devout people who forgot their covenants and their own ancestors. Churches were being closed and destroyed, and priests were tortured and killed. Soon, there was only one functioning church in Ryazan - dedicated to the "Joy of All Who Sorrow" Icon of the Mother of God. And there was a cemetery. However, few people visited the cemetery, and Liubushka's grave became overgrown.

One day a certain soldier appeared at the cemetery and began to ask where Blessed Liubushka was buried. He wanted to put up a cross and a metal fence around her grave. This soldier happened to be very sick, but the doctors could not help him. Saint Liubov appeared to him in a dream and said: "Do not grieve or worry, but go to Ryazan, find the grave of Liubov Semyonovna Sukhanovskaya in the cemetery, and enclose it with a fence, and then you shall be healthy and happy."

He did as the Blessed one commanded him to do, and he was healed. He visited her grave every year and had a Panikhida served for her. Thus Saint Liubov came forth once more to the people who had forgotten her, in order to demonstrate that "love never fails" (I Corinthians 13:8).

Many other miracles were performed, and are still being performed, by prayers offered to Blessed Liubov of Ryazan. In 1992, by the diligence of the brethren of Saint John the Theologian Monastery, a chapel was built over her grave, and on June 10/23, 1998, Blessed Liubov was numbered with the Saints of Ryazan (June 23) and her holy relics were transferred to the Saint Nicholas-Yamsk church in Ryazan.

1 Kum = A godparent, or those who hold the crowns at an Orthodox wedding (from the Greek word κουμπάρος).

Source: Orthodox Church in America_OCA

2 John 1:1-13

1 The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth, 2 because of the truth which abides in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love. 4 I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds. 12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full. 13 The children of your elect sister greet you. Amen.

Mark 15:22-25, 33-41

22 And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take. 25 Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 33 Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!" 36 Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down." 37 And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. 38 Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!" 40 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

[twcheaded-a]

Noa is conflicted, some cynical part of him wants to agree--and it's true to a large extent. Between overpopulation, pollution, and the aftermath of the one-year war. The planet had gone through much as a result of humanity's violence, to itself and the planet.

"It doesn't have to be that way... Earth, its people, they could have, they could be so much more." He shares because couldn't imagine this view being unpopular amongst members of the AEUG .

"No man's land…"

"Well—I guess that encompasses the entirety of Earth at this point."

[the0verboss]

WIP WHENEVER

I saw this on @flamemittens blog and thought eh why not...

So this is installment 4 of my Durgetash fics, and installment 3 is fighting me tooth and nail on being written so we might never get to this part.

***

Gortash suspects where he is even before he hears the voice. Consciousness is coming back to him slowly, but the scent of fresh blood and old decay that permeates the air is a good first indicator. By turns, sickly sweet and sour rot, with none of the chemical preservatives found in his own carrion dens. There's a stone slab at his back and even trying to wiggle a finger is impossible. A low droning chant can be heard, the sound bouncing off the walls and filling the space with a persistent hum. The quality of the tone suggests not only that the room is massive, but between that and the air moving through it Gortash also guesses that it's subterranean. Subtle echoes, a deep dripping, though nothing like bats or birds or other such vermin. Strange for a cavern, though perhaps not strange for this cave.

And then he hears her.

“Open, open, little lordling. Your savior comes.”

There's the quick swipe of moving air and a sharp sting at his eyelids before they pop open involuntarily. Above him Orin the Red dangles her dagger directly above his left eye. Gortash can feel his Netherstone quiver at the perceived hurt, Orin testing the bonds of the pact that binds them and in turn the pact that binds the brain. At least she hasn't removed it.

Now that he can see his surroundings the Chosen of Bane is certain of his location. This is the temple of Bhaal.

“Look, look, would-be-king. How splendid your knight rides in.”

Orin’s touch has always made Gortash’s skin crawl. The shadowy whirls that undulate over her skin have a notable texture. Though not quite slimy they slither, the movement perceptible even through his garments. He can feel them all the more when her corpse cold hand presses against his bare cheek, forcing his head to turn and look toward the stone staircase that descends to them.

Achaia stands at the top, a resplendent fury, every inch Bhaal's prodigal son, come home.

Oh, and a vision of the past he is, like he’d stepped out of Gortash’s own memory. Achaia’s mattes have been lengthened, braided down to the floor and decorated with gold beads and Bhaalist icons. His skirts sway with every imperious step, gold rings on his bare toes, Stillmaker at his hip. The fine red shawl, sheer, is tucked into a belt and wrapped over one half of his chest, its long tail held in the opposite hand. Head held high, ruby eye burning and focused on Orin alone, he ignores her assassins entirely. The Amulet of Bhaal he’d received from the tribunal laid proudly on his bare chest for all to see.

Behind him Gortash can see Karlach, the wizard and Ravengard’s ignominious spawn. With a wave of his hand Achaia commands them to stay back as he makes his way down. Soon enough he steps into the circle of chanting Bhaalists, ready to face his tempestuous sister. He says nothing in greeting, merely crossing his arms over his chest, glancing over the altar before returning his attention to Orin.

“Oh, sweet sibling, I saw you slip sliding, all caught up in the tyrant’s lies. Just like last time. So I've made it easier for your mincemeat of a mind.”

Achaia snorts at her and shakes his head. “I have no intention of legitimizing your claim by sacrificing Bane’s Chosen at your demand. I have not come to duel you, little sister, I have come to take what is mine by rights. Heel, or die.”

“Rights, Rights! As though you did not sacrifice every right for this wretch!”

Achaia’s brow furrows, but he makes no denial of the charge Orin brings against him. The Bhaalists of the circle have gone quiet, their chanting paused as Bhaal's own offspring are speaking. Living totems of their chosen deity, every word must be near on sacred to these lesser devotees. If he was capable, Gortash thinks he might almost pity them, caught in a family feud of this magnitude,likely to be pulped regardless of the outcome.

The moment of silence stretches, Orin waiting for an acknowledgement Achaia either can't or won't give her.

“You still don't remember, do you blood-kin?” Orin taunts after a while, a manic kind of glee in her voice. She shifts her form effortlessly, and then there are two of Achaia, staring each other down. Both haughty, both sneering, unimpressed with the other. When Orin speaks next it's with Achaia’s own haunting lilt. “How you screamed as my knife split your skull? Your brain juices, sticky and sweet. A little hole, big enough for the worm, your body a blood sack to feed it. One parasite, exchanged for another. Blasphemous womb of Bhaal strung up by the sinews and plucked by my hands!”

From where he's laid out on the altar Gortash can see the confidence that had been on Achaia’s face melt away, replaced with uncertainty. A far away look the man sometimes gets when a memory is sitting just out of reach.

“What did you say?” He whispers.

Orin laughs, the pitch right but the cadence all wrong. Her blood red blade taps against the scar on her transformed abdomen. The one bisecting Achaia’s belly, horizontally, just beneath his navel. The one Gortash knows hadn't been there before Achaia went missing.

“Did you really think I'd allow you to carry on such heresy? To use Bhaal's own flesh to propagate with such filth? It fit in the palm of my hand, you know. A putrid morsel. Murdered before it could even truly be brought to life. Father was so proud!”

And finally the other shoe drops.

Gortash thinks back to the moldering throne room of Moonrise towers. To catching Achaia in private counsel with Ketheric before everything went wrong. He'd felt betrayed then, to find the man he thought of as his partner plotting behind his back. They'd shouted at one another, all three of them. But even when he'd stormed off, he had been none the wiser to what the other two Chosen had been discussing.

Now that he thinks on it, there had been another there. A cleric of Myrkul. A former midwife if he recalls it correctly; few Mykulites had been stationed in the tower proper. He’d disregarded the man before, but now in light of this new information Gortash can see the plot for what it had really been. Not a plot at all, and he thinks about the look that had been on Achaia's face when he burst in that closed door, shock and adoration. A single hand over his bare belly.

A secret yes, but not a betrayal. His Bhaalspawn had wanted that child. His child. Sin enough that it had cost Achaia, cost them both their easy ascension. The wicked misdeed that had forced Orin’s hand into action, in Bhaal’s name.

From the slack jawed look on Achaia’s face, even though his memory is gone, he too has put the pieces together. His single flaming red and black eye settles on Gortash’s face. The man is near vibrating and whether it is grief or rage remains to be seen.

“Did you know?” He breaths out, shoulders dropping, and Gortash wishes he were not stuck naked to this damn altar. Paralyzed so he can not even shake his head. Can only hope to convey with his eyes that- No, he didn’t.

Achaia must read him right because he looks away from him and makes no advance on him. Surely if he'd thought Gortash had known and kept it from him he'd cut his throat himself. Instead his eyes have traveled back to Orin, who has shed her disguise in a flurry of dust.

Achaia can feel the Urge rising in him, ravenous hunger fueled by his rage. His vision, already clouding with the blood haze. Sarevok had made mention of his shameful lack of progeny when he’d asked after Orin’s own parentage. To think there had been one, a legacy, a future, and she’d snuffed it out. Not enough to have stolen his triumph over Toril, his memories, his place in the cult.

“You took everything from me.”

“Not everything, not yet.” Orin says, backbending and tumbling out of reach. She's put the altar between herself and Achaia. “You were to slay the tyrant and then we’d duel, but you bent your knee to him once more. You don't deserve the Murder Lord’s blessing.”

Gortash has seen the urge rise and take control of Achaia on more than one occasion, but not like this. What had been subtle enough vibrations has become a full spasm, both of Achaia's eyes alight as his head jerks. His lips pulled back in a snarl, his hands curled into claws. Gone is the dignity he’d walked in with, hacking and gagging as he fights against it, trying to hold on for just one more second of sanity.

All in vain.

When the guttural roar from deep in Achaia's belly issues forth, Gortash knows the man has lost the fight with himself. A circle of blood drops lights around him, malice filling the air with a wicked aura. Oh, it's coming. Bhaal's bloody cleaver.

Achaia's skin bursts apart, split right down the middle as his blood floods out and reforms into the nightmarish shape of the Slayer.

***

[svu-bracket]

finals (round 11)

THE TOP TWO EPISODES IN THIS POLL WILL MOVE ON TO THE FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND NEXT WEEK!

episode descriptions under the cut

payback -> stabler and benson investigate the murder and castration of a new york cab driver. they discover that the victim had assumed the identity of another man because he himself was wanted by the police (imdb). pilot babey! moments of note (to me), "do you think this is healthy for you?"

fault -> a serial paedophile murders members of a family and kidnaps the two younger children (imdb). Girl. moments of note (to me), fin's reaction to liv post getting slashed in the throat is always funny. how does she make you do anything?"

rotps -> the squad rallies around det. stabler to find the suspect behind a threat to his family (imdb) aka elliot stabler come back episode! moments of note (to me), "where's the exit?" rest in peace kathy stabler. an icon. a hero.

[primordial-archetypes]

My first visit to an Orthodox Divine Liturgy - a reflection

Sunday 16th March 2025 - Sunday of St. Gregory Palamas. Russian Orthodox Divine Liturgy.

It has taken me quite a few months to finally be able to experience the Divine Liturgy in person. This was actually my third attempt at travelling to London; previous attempts failed due to being struck with sudden (and in one case, very serious) illness. It became obvious that the powers of darkness were trying to stop me from attending a Divine Liturgy because they knew that if I did, I would never be the same again. They were right.

As I entered the church, I was immediately struck with a sense of wonder and stillness. The lights had yet to be turned on so all of the icons and relics were illuminated by lots of thin beeswax tapers. There was an incredibly long line for confession, something I had rarely, if ever, seen as a Roman Catholic. After venerating the icons of Our Lord and the various saints that are particularly venerated at this church - St. Seraphim of Sarov, the Romanov Royal Martyr's etc - I stood in silence, allowing myself time to gaze at the iconostasis and the incredible artwork that covered every inch of every wall and ceiling. No matter where I looked, Christ and His saints were there.

As the time for the Liturgy to start came closer, more and more people filed in, offering reverences according to their own custom. The bells start to ring to announce the arrival of the Bishop. We watch him being vested and I am immediately struck with the physical and metaphorical weight of his office. Many bows and sign of the cross followed and continued throughout the entire three hour liturgy (standing). All my senses were engaged - the sight of the lights, candles, the icons and the wonderful vestments; the sound of the choir singing in Church Slavonic, the bells attached to the censers, the gentle murmuring of responses from the laity; the incredible bouquet of scents from the incense that is constantly wafting throughout the temple; the feel of the gentle heat from the many candles, the weight on my feet the longer I stood; the only sense that wasn't engaged was taste, however this will soon change once I am able to receive Holy Communion - and what a sweet taste it will be! Receiving a morsel of the Antidoron at the end of the liturgy was a privilege in itself, to be sure, yet the sweetness of this blessed bread is only a shadow of what is to come.

My mind is at ease and I gently recite the Jesus Prayers whenever the liturgy is said in Church Slavonic (about 85% of the time) for although I couldn't understand what was being said, I prayed that God would illumine my heart all the same. As the liturgy goes on, I am constantly struck by the feeling of awe, wonder and sanctity of the place. I was no longer in London, nor was I on Earth; I was being transported to Heaven, to worship among the angels and saints. I felt unworthy to be present, yet I was not afraid or despondent. The feeling of unworthiness increased my plea for mercy, forgiveness and repentance all the more. Like the Prodigal Son, I was journeying back to the Father who was waiting for me, arms open wide, ready to receive me.

At various times, when the people were joining their voices with the clergy to sing the Creed and the Lord's Prayer, I had shivers up and down my spine. My back, legs and feet were growing tired but I didn't care. I was ready to do it all over again.

Seeing the people line up for Holy Communion, watching just how reverent they were, I yearned all the more to receive this greatest of Gifts. Being able to kiss the cross and receive a blessing from the Bishop once the liturgy was finished was also a great blessing. I wanted to sit at the feet of the Bishop and his clergy and learn all I could from them.

My dear friend gave me a tour of the lower church, showing me various icons and relics that hailed from Russia and communist ruled nations - all smuggled out in order to protect these precious and holy images. This church is a haven, a refuge for the things that were threatened with total destruction. And I knew that one day soon, when I am fully received into Orthodoxy, this church would become my own haven and refuge.

Leaving the church, my mind and heart were still filled with wonder but I experienced a taste of blessed stillness, the peace of Heaven itself.

I was home.