#prompt 27: hail

[szlez]

Costumes

The final art for Suptober 2024 Remixed by @wigglebox and @thepagemistress based on Suptober by @winchester-reload.

Prompt 30. Halloween/Costumes

@wigglebox and @thepagemistress - thank you so, so much for this! You saved all that is true, beautiful and good in this universe and are my personal heros!

And the last fill on @masoena's Kinktober 2024. I (consciously) joined the event lately but it seems your tag list lodged itself in my brain and didn't let go. Thank you so much! And all hail the kink!

Prompt 20. Roleplay

My other Suptober 2024 arts:

Prompt 1. Autumn, Prompt 2. Spa Day, Prompt 3. Royalty, Prompt 4. Birthday, Prompt 5. Scars, Prompt 6. Electric, Prompt 7. Thankful, Prompt 8. Witch’s Brew, Prompt 9. Moon, Prompt 10. Mushrooms, Prompt 11. Myth, Prompt 12. Harvest Festival, Prompt 13. Monster Mash, Prompt 14. Fave Episode, Prompt 15. Sigils, Prompt 16. Falling, Prompt 17. Wings, Prompt 18. Family Business, Prompt 19. Dark & Stormy Night, Prompt 20. Limbo, Prompt 21. Cozy Treats, Prompt 22. Ladies, Prompt 23. Fever, Prompt 24. Branded, Prompt 25. Parody, Prompt 26. Enchanted, Prompt 27. Prayer, Prompt 28. Graves, Prompt 29. Blue, Prompt 30. Nostalgia.

Taglist.

Pls DM me if you want to be added to tag list or removed from it.

@aniona29, @denimshortsdean, @dotti55, @famouskidangel, @markofcastiel, @malicmalic , @squirrelsarecool, @strawlessandbraless , @writteninthestarsinyoureyes

[cristalknife]

WIP Folder Game

Rules: Make a new post with the names of all the files in your WIP folder, regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them, and then post a little snippet or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have WIPs.

@myulalie tagged me and once you see the list you'll get why it took forever and one day for me to actually post it. Conveniently divided by fandom because that's how I keep track of them... There is some reason to my madness... What you see as chaos it's my order...

Dead boy detectives: 1. A Cat's Bitch [cricketcat] 2. Day 2 - Paul Rowland was actually a demon - Or Charles had been raised by a demon escaped from hell with the sole purpose of being sent to hell to take his place [payneland] 3. Every change you make (it's one small act of destruction)[payneland] 4. Bi-Charles Maurice [gen/payneland] 5. Open comm [payneland] 6. You Are The Most Important Person In The World To Me [payneland] 7. I was made for letters not for messages [Edwin char study] 8. St Hilarion Boarding School Secret Sorcery Society [payneland endgame] 9. Desire's friendship [Charles & Desire of the Endless] 10. Reverse verse ideas [payneland] 11. possession/shapeshifting [payneland] 12. I will stop playing nice [cricketcat] 13. Edwin's subspace [undecided] 14. premature ejaculation [undecided] 15. How to get adopted by two ghost dads [payneland, palasaki] 16. part fae Charles [payneland] 17. alpha x alpha [payneland] 18. Bad Touch [NonCon Esther/Charles]

Kinnporsche - The Series: 19. It’s, Not Like That For Us [TimeTay] 20. Making Dreams Come True [Chay centric, KinnPorsche] 21. Not so broken brotherly bonds - convo [unholy trinity (Kim & Khun & Kinn)] 22. PP-PorschePete Fighting For Love [PorschePete] 23. KIMCHAY angstfuck [Kimchay] 24. VP headpat [VegasPete] 25. VP Pete tearing up diamond [VegasPete] 26. VPT complementary clothes [VegasPeteTay] 27. Tay & Chay [Tay & Chay] 28. VPT [VegasPeteTay] 29. BigKimChay [BigKimChay] 30. KC -The Surprises of Magical Realities: Original 3 days timeline [Kimchay] 31. KC -The Surprises of Magical Realities: Porsche [Kimchay] 32. ArmKhun [ArmKhun] 33. VP domestic - Vegas is the head of the minor family [VegasPete] 34. KimPeteVegas [KimPeteVegas]

Love In The Air (thai): 35. I always wanted to become a CEO… [PaySky] 36. From the outside looking in [PayuSky, in the frame of the polycule RainPayuPaySky]

Glee: 37. WIP Should your family fall short mine will adopt you KAW134 In Lima [Kadam] 38. What if auditioning at the Winter Showcase came with its own rep currency? [Kadam] 39. Let's try this again - Kadam [Kadam] 40. “Yes yes I know I’m not a catch like you” [Kadam] 41. Save the last dance for me [Kadam] 42. dance me to the end of love [Kadam] 43. It’s Never Too Late To Choose Happyness [Kadam] 44. Already Too Late, A Little Too Early [Kadam endgame] 45. On my Own [Kurt centric] 46. Gift For Skarlet Mikaelis 666 [Kadam] 47. Gift For NikiJuly17th [Kadam endgame] 48. Faint away I'll always catch you [Kadam] 49. Come over here, and make me [Kadam] 50. Day 1 [Kadam] 51. kadam kitty's pov [Kadam]

NCIS: 52. unnamed Agent Afloat [Tony Dinozzo/Rodney McKay] 53. Too Late To Apologize [Tony Dinozzo/Rodney McKay]

Encanto: 54. She is my daughter / I'm thinking of my daughter [Bruno is Mirabel's father] 55. Papa Bruno angsty prompt [Bruno is Mirabel's father]

Shadowhunters: 56. Words are powerful… even more so when you're a warlock ~ Alec side Vol 1 [Malec] 57. Words are powerful… even more so when you're a warlock ~ Magnus side Vol 2 [Malec] 58. Wingo - Once he was introduced to the shadow world [Raphal/Alec] 59. Wingo - Rude Sequel [Malec] 60. Disrispect the living but hail the dead [dargon!Alec, pairing undecided] 61. Selkie!Alec [Selkie!Alec, pairing undecided] 62. no easy way out [Alec centric] 63. Life is a beach [Alec centric] 64. This wasn’t the price we agreed on [pre-Malec] 65. savior whisperer [Alec centric] 66. a broken heart leads to endless heartbreak [post breakup Alec] 67. Clave approved book of gray [Malec] 68. Magic tether snip [Malec] 69. The House Of Angst ~ Tell Me You Love Me, Even If It Is A Lie [pairing undecided] 70. The House Of Angst ~ Spine and Archer's Paradox [Alec centric] 71. The House Of Angst ~ The Dichotomy Of Touches [Malec] 72. The House Of Angst ~ Saphael ace platonic love bliss [Saphael] 73. The House Of Angst ~ Which way should I go, left where nothing is right, or right where nothing is left? Space Between [Alec centric] 74. The House Of Angst ~ It's all coming back to me [Vampire!Alec] 75. Tales Of Magic And Mahyem [Malec endgame] 76. We stay separate from the downworlder for good reasons [warlock!Alec] 77. Kings & Dragons [dragon!Alec, Malec] 78. Here There Be Dragons - Prompts [Malec with dragons bonded] 79. Lorenzo & Alec as family post 3.18 breakup 80. Winged Protectors ~ The Sands Of Edom Aweken [Malec] 81. having a child 82. Mini soulmates ~ Did I really drink that much last night? [Malec]

Tagging (no pressure and just if you feel like it) and making it a you problem 😹 : @cannibalisticcorpse, @littlechameleonguy, @angelonpoison, @coleslaww, @highpriestessofjogan, @voiidvagabond, @thefanficsmustflow and anyone else feeling to play ^w^

[heylavellan]

2024 writing round up

saw @inquisimer doing this, so thought i'd jump in as well. i like stats (i study it!) so i thought it would be fun to see what i did this year, especially since i picked up writing again about in august! if you feel comfortable sharing your stats, feel free to jump in. thought i'd also tag a few people (lemme know if you wanna be untagged!!): @lasatfat, @miladydewintcr, @shouldaspunastory, and @rookfeathers

words published: 47,643

additional words written: 45,616

total words: 93,259

fandoms: oops all dragon age!! mostly inquisition, veilguard, and origins, but there was a smattering of awakening and the books (aka various authors)

highest kudos: this actually surprised me! it's a tie at 39 for both of my viperquin/tashur fics! My Personal Andraste and Business as Usual. Very thankful to the Viperquin brainrot community on Tumblr for being so supportive!! ;u;

highest hit oneshot: also Business as Usual! my rookanis fic, sous chef was a close second by 10 hits.

new things I tried: mostly getting into fic writing again! i started up in august after a two year hiatus from fan writing in general. i published my first smut, took part in gift exchanges, and tried an epistolary.

fic I spent the most time on: Two of Your Finest Vints for @dapolyshipping. two and a half months trying to figure out how dorikrembull worked in a way that felt genuine. it's established qpr krem bullee figuring out that they both want dorian. krem falls in love and bull slots in just right :')

favorite thing I wrote: it's really silly, but Pigeon Proofing. writing with shale's voice is so fucking fun, and the prompt i got for this one had me shitting myself with laughter. also, wynne and shale have a delightful friendship.

honourable mention to frocks, frills, and thrills, a fun 4+1 things fic written as a part of @black-emporium-exchange. i had fun researching the dresses and avoiding writing my masters thesis. also is the reason that LettersandCoffee and i have been designated to be friends by the universe!

favorite thing(s) I read: so so many! here's a selection below:

Wingin It by @lioncubofboone. Dorian/Cullen/Krem. Krem plays wingman for Dorian/Cullen but misses the fact that he is sorely in love with them :')

All Hail West Thedas by @blarrghe. Dorian/Adaar/Bull. When I say you need to consider gay cowboys, you need to consider gay cowboys!!

Excised by jtph. Couldn't find their tumblr, so I've linked their YouTube. Dorian/Anders, past!Handers, FenHawke. Modern AU where Anders is a brain trauma patient at the hospital Dorian works at and they spend more and more time together.

If You Want by romanticiding. Couldn't find socials. Alistair/m!Cousland. Bros help each other come, right?

Teagan's Chance by @cherieofthedragons. Teagan/f!Cousland. Meriana never wanted anyone during the Fifth Blight, but she wants Teagan :')

writing goals for 2025: finish "As the World Falls Down," a post DA:O zevwarden fic where alistair made the final sacrifice. publish at least one work per month. and do another gift exchange! they're fun

new works: 27

template under cut!

words posted:

additional words written:

grand total of words:

fandoms:

highest kudos:

highest hit oneshot:

new things I tried:

fic I spent the most time on:

fic I spent the least time on:

favorite thing I wrote:

favorite thing(s) I read:

writing goals for 2025:

new works:

[fiyero3305]

TUA Fic: Witchy Prompts 27

Witchy Prompts via @myloveforhergoeson

27. Wand

The second he hears it, Diego freezes in the middle of the living room.

“Who’s there?” he asks, not moving a muscle. He hears it again; the tinny, electronic tinkling and whooshing as his daughter steps out from behind the couch, swirling her $40 Frozen wand from Disney on Ice last year.

“Oh no, Queen Elsa!”

“Daddy you’re frozen! You can’t talk!”

“Lo siento, Gracie”

“Daddy!”

“Mmmph”

“Now what are you doing in my castle?”

“Mmmm mmm”

“Ok, unfreeze powers” Grace declares, thrusting her hand out at Diego, who immediately drops down, genuflecting before his daughter.

“Your highness, I bring word from beyond Arendelle. My kingdom to the south is in great danger of overheating. The summer there has gone on far too long and you’re our only hope!”

“Ok, let’s go!” She grabs Diego’s hand and rushes off to the stairs.

“We have to climb the mountain! Hurry!” Following his daughter’s lead, Diego gets on his belly and begins scaling the carpeted stairs.

“Oh no, I’m slipping!”

“I’ve got you!” He cries as he catches a giggling Gracie sliding down the stairs every time she reaches the halfway point. Finally she makes it to the top.

“Now you fall!”

“Argh, I’m slipping! Help me Queen Elsa!”

“Grab my hand!” She reaches down from the landing and Diego grasps her hand as she pulls him up.

“Which way to your kingdom?”

“Uhh, this way!” Diego decides, heading toward Gracie’s room. Once inside she begins the arduous task of waving her hands and wand around, casting ice spells over her bed, closet, dollhouse, and toys.

“If we put all the toys back in their chest, we could blast them all at once!”

“No, I just do this!” Grace exclaims and twirls around making whooshing sounds and pressing the button on the wand repeatedly.

Well, it was worth a try Diego thinks as he tosses a few of the pointier toys back in the bin before he ends up shredding his feet when it’s time to put her to bed later.

“Thank you, Queen Elsa, you saved us! Let’s return to Arendelle for a celebratory feast!” He carries her down to the kitchen chanting “All hail Queen Elsa!” before setting her down at the table and starting a pot of mac and cheese on the stove. In his internal tally, he puts today in the “I’m not failing as a dad” column.

[mariacallous]

On April 24, Ukraine and its supporters around the world breathed a sigh of relief when U.S. President Joe Biden signed a long-awaited foreign aid bill that provides more than $60 billion in aid to Ukraine. While the bill was ensnared for months in Washington politics, Ukraine’s position on the battlefield was looking increasingly precarious, with its forces literally running out of ammunition as Russia was expected to launch a new offensive. The situation prompted a growing drumbeat of bleak assessments from senior security officials. “The side that can’t shoot back loses,” NATO Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Christopher Cavoli warned. Internal White House assessments were even bleaker. Even the normally upbeat Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, predicted that Ukraine “will lose the war” without additional American support. With the aid, Ukraine now has a fighting chance.

Unfortunately, Ukraine’s challenges go beyond mere resources. The recent fight over the aid package strikes at the heart of the strategic paradox plaguing Biden’s strategy toward Ukraine. On the one hand, Biden has pledged that “our commitment to Ukraine will not weaken” and that U.S. support will be there “for as long as it takes.” At the same time, however, the Biden administration has been steadfastly concerned about escalation and the prospect of a direct confrontation with a nuclear-armed Russia. Judged independently, both are laudable goals—but put together, these objectives are increasingly working at cross purposes. Ultimately, Biden’s balancing will become untenable.

Undergirding the Biden administration’s Ukraine strategy was the idea that, at its core, Kyiv—backed by the collective might of the West—had time on its side. After Ukraine beat back the initial Russian invasion, this appeared to be true. Ukraine had fully mobilized its society to fight the war from the start, whereas Russia—at least initially—had not. Russian casualties were significant, mounting, and almost certainly higher than the Kremlin had anticipated. Hundreds of thousands of Russians were fleeing the country. And that was before Russia felt the bite of economic sanctions, hailed at the time as the “most impactful, coordinated, and wide-ranging economic restrictions in history.” With the situation seeming to favor Ukraine, the Biden administration believed that Kyiv could afford the precautions imposed by Washington in the name of escalation management—including restricting the types of weapons Ukraine received and the targets it was allowed to strike.

Fast-forward two years, and the assumption that time would favor Ukraine looks increasingly doubtful. As Cavoli recently testified, Russia is reconstituting its military “far faster than initial estimates suggested,” and its military is now larger than before the war. Despite the sanctions, the Russian economy posted modest growth in 2023 and is on track to do so again this year. And while Russia has lost tens of thousands of soldiers and seen hundreds of thousands injured, the casualties have not translated into unrest in Russia or visibly shaken the Putin regime.

On the other side of the equation, Ukraine’s strategic position is becoming progressively more perilous. Starved of weapons and ammunition, Ukraine has been forced to cede ground on the battlefront—with Russia making its most significant advances since July 2022 and supposedly gearing up for a summer offensive. Even though U.S. weapons are now flowing again, it will take time for them to make their way to the front.

All the while, Ukraine is bleeding out. Although estimates differ widely, they all place the number of Ukrainians killed in the tens of thousands. The figures are especially significant given Ukraine’s smaller population compared to Russia’s. In fact, Ukraine recently had to lower its draft age, from 27 to 25, to replenish its ranks. In and of itself, that’s neither catastrophic nor unusual. The United States used to draft men at even younger ages and still requires men aged 18 to 25 to register for potential military service. Still, Ukraine’s change in its draft policy is a sign that the country is under increasing strain.

Perhaps even more pressing than the military situation are the political dynamics of the war. A year and a half ago, we wrote that the United States had more patience to back Ukraine than many commentators then believed. The fact that House Speaker Mike Johnson, a former Ukraine skeptic, put his job on the line to finally pass the aid bill reaffirms this point.

Nonetheless, there is no denying that any future Ukraine aid faces significant headwinds. In Gallup polling, Americans today are evenly split between those who believe the United States is doing too little to help Ukraine and those who think it is doing too much. Support for Ukraine aid among Democrats has risen sharply since the last such poll in the fall, whereas Republican support has lagged behind, so that future Ukraine aid may depend on who wins in the U.S. elections.

Ukraine also has fewer opportunities to reverse the strategic narrative. With another war in the Middle East and an upcoming U.S. presidential election, Ukraine does not attract the same level of media attention it once did. Whereas Ukraine sinking another ship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet or striking another Russian fuel depot used to make headline news, those same actions get less attention in major Western outlets today. Similarly, the American public does not seem as enthralled by Zelensky’s speeches as it once did. All this means that if trends continue, the political fight over the next tranche of Ukraine aid—whenever that may be—may be even more intense than the past one.

Not all the news is bad. European support remains robust and has been steadily rising. Some countries—including France and Lithuania—have even signaled an openness to committing ground forces to the conflict, whereas others—such as Britain and Norway—are much more willing than the United States to let Ukraine strike targets in Russia. And $60 billion still gives Ukraine a lot of weapons, and with them, a lot of strategic time. Even former U.S. President Donald Trump’s opposition to Ukraine aid has seemingly softened a little, potentially giving some room for Ukraine to regain some Republican support. In other words, Ukraine still has some strategic room to maneuver, but it will need to fight differently if it hopes to reverse this slow decline.

First, Ukraine will need to strike deeper inside Russia proper, for two reasons. Current reporting shows that Russia relies on its internal railway network to support its occupied portions of Ukraine. If Ukraine wants to impede Russian logistical networks, and by extension forestall further Russian advances, it needs to hit these hubs. The other reason is trickier. Even with all the air defenses that the United States, Germany, and others have provided Ukraine over the last two years, it is still far from having sufficient capacity to cover its vast size and intercept everything Russia throws its way. Instead of intercepting arrows, Ukraine needs the ability to shoot the archer—in other words, rather than just trying to intercept missiles and drones in flight, it needs to target Russian air bases, bombers, and missile launchers. That, in turn, means striking Russia.

Britain has already taken a step in this direction by allowing Ukraine to use British-supplied Storm Shadow cruise missiles to hit Russian territory. Now it’s time for the United States to follow Britain’s lead and give the same kind of permission to use the longer-range version of the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System (or ATACMS) to strike Russian operational support targets inside Russia.

Ukraine will also need some kind of air-power capability if it wants to succeed in a ground counteroffensive at some point in the future and evict Russian forces from its country. Russian air power—particularly its attack helicopters and drones—was one of the key reasons Ukraine’s 2023 counteroffensive petered out. And in contrast to the considerable damage to Russia’s ground forces and Black Sea Fleet, the Russian Air Force has lost only about 10 percent of its aircraft. Consequently, Ukraine needs not only air defense, but also its own air power to neutralize Russian air power, strike Russian bases, and stop Russian armor.

The F-16 fighter aircraft that some U.S. allies in Europe will be sending to Ukraine—after some initial reluctance from the Biden administration—will help in this regard, especially if they are equipped with the right munitions to target Russian forces and supported by sufficient maintenance capability to keep them in the air. Even so, as the commander of the U.S. Air Force in Europe, Gen. James Hecker, has noted, the F-16s are older aircraft that normally require years of training to master. They are unlikely to be a silver bullet for Ukrainian air power.

For Ukraine to get the air-power capability it needs, it will likely need a broader suite of capabilities, including higher-flying, sophisticated drones and electronic warfare capabilities from either ground or air-based platforms. This combination provides a way to create pulses of Ukrainian air superiority, in a given area, over Russian air and ground forces.

Finally, Ukraine will need to take more operational risk if and when it launches a counteroffensive. The long-range strikes against Russian military targets in Russia proper, combined with a pulsed air-power capability, can set the conditions for a ground counteroffensive to succeed. But the Ukrainians will need to accept operational risk and face a likely possibility that the initial days or weeks of this counteroffensive will cost them heavily in casualties and materiel in order to create the kind of operational breakthrough that might shatter Russian defensive lines.

The Ukraine war may look particularly grim at the moment, but the conflict’s outcome is far from preordained. If Ukraine is to regain the operational momentum it has lost, it will need more equipment and munitions. Thanks to the most recent aid packages, Ukraine now has the resources to get them.

But more importantly, Ukraine and its Western backers will also need to change their overall approach. Ukraine can no longer afford to simply wait the Russians out, refrain from striking military and logistical targets inside Russia, and hope that the artillery duels in eastern Ukraine will eventually turn in their favor. It will, instead, need to go on the offensive—and that involves some degree of escalation risk. That’s an easier sell for Ukraine, given that its very existence is on the line.

For the Biden administration, though, accepting such risk will mean abandoning a pillar of its strategy for the past two years, choosing a single path, and accepting the potentially escalatory consequences that might follow. That’s a tough choice. Not choosing, however, may be even riskier.

[keldae]

For the fic asks:

Every….third question!

LET'S GOOOOO =D

3. favorite line/scene you wrote this year

You want me to pick ONE?? Maaaan... I think I gotta go with this scene from the Soulmate AU we're co-writing! ;)

A second later, cold fire bit into Devi’s neck. She hissed as she felt Astarion close his lips over her skin, eagerly drinking in the blood that trickled out of her veins. Her heart raced in her chest as she fought the urge to squirm. How much blood did he need from her again? How long was she supposed to let him feed off of her? She set her hands on Astarion’s cold chest, ready to push him off. She felt cold, and her limbs had started to tingle. Shit, had he already taken too much of her blood? Abruptly, she felt a pull in her chest, coupled with the sudden, sharp sense of something being wrong. Before she could move, she felt alarm that wasn’t her own, followed swiftly by protective wrath. “Ignis!”

6. least popular fic this year

Probably A Very Fine Line, which was also the only SWTOR fic I got out this year. I guess all my AO3 followers nowadays are following me for BG3 content and not SWTOR, or maybe I just didn't tag this one well! But easily the lowest hit count I've had for fics written this year.

9. longest wip of the year

The modern!AU we're working on, hands-down! We're over 70K words between the two of us and STILL early-ish in the story!

12. favorite character to write about this year

Going off canon characters only, EASILY Gale. ;) Out of all my BG3 fics (60!), he's not tagged as a main character in like... THREE of them.

The rest of the questions under the cut!

15. something you learned this year

"Found Family" is my favourite trope (which I think I knew before anyway, I just never actually said it?), and I'm a more versatile writer than I know! Some writers focus primarily on one or two genres (which makes them masters of their craft!), I tend to bounce between everything that's not horror-related. ;) Angst? Domestic fluff? Smut? I probably have a fic for that!

18. current number of wips

... A lot. >.> The Soulmate AU and the modern AU are at the top of the list, but if I pull up my Google Docs with my assorted one-shot starts...

*counts on fingers*

... 16, I think? And that's just the ones I've started writing, not the assorted prompts in my inbox that I've pasted into a doc so I remember what the prompt is, LOL.

21. most memorable comment/review

All hail @kitoanthony for almost literally making me cry with her beautiful, thoughtful comments on almost every BG3 story I post! Her first one on the second chapter/epilogue of Abduction came the day after I got dumped over Discord, and it completely MADE MY WEEK. <3

24. favorite fic you read this year

HOW DARE YOU MAKE ME CHOOSE.

Okay so I don't think I can find it again, but there was a Gale/Tav smutfic I found here on Tumblr that involved some professor/student roleplay (listen, I have a kink dammit) and it has lived in my head rent-free ever since I read it. I wish I could remember the author!

27. favorite fanfic author of the year

That's like asking me to pick a favourite child! D: I have loved every author I've read from this year, for all the different reasons - sometimes I want shameless smut, and sometimes I want fluff!

30. favorite fandom to read fic from this year

To nobody's surprise, BG3. ;) But a special shout-out to the DATV fic writers who are doing their damn best to get me on the Lucanis romance train! (First I need to get the damn game... which means I should probably finish DA2 and DAI first...)

[kingofthewilderwest]

32, 27, 8 :)

questions I think would be fun to be asked Eyyyy thanks for the list of prompts!

How many tabs do you have open right now?

Three, now. I added a tab to listen to music. Currently, that's Beethoven's Serenade for Flute, Violin, and Viola in D Major, Op. 25, if anyone wanted to know. I've been in a kick for chamber music.

Any nicknames?

Let's see... Haddock, King, King Fishy Face, Fishy Face, Fish, Fishy. No themes to be seen here. Spock is an old one but a few long-time friends use it. Is anyone still calling me Lefty? Nnnno? [tentative] Childhood nicknames like Rapunzel, Sport, and Calculator are no longer in use.

Any reoccurring dreams?

In the last few years, when I get deep into my latest interest, the people of my interest may enter dreams. I had a dream where I attended a school and Bill Monroe (Father of Bluegrass, 1911-1996, all hail His Billfulness) was my high school teacher. Teaching, like, math or whatever. Another time, I attended an enormous School of Music and the instructors were famous old-school bluegrass bands. So I took a workshop led by the members of the Foggy Mountain Boys. Heck yeah. And for everyone who knows I've been crying in TwoSet Violin, yes, they've appeared at least once or twice in dreams (vaguely remember a dream where I was one of their employees and they stayed at my apartment).

That isn't precisely the definition of reoccurring dreams. A closer definition of the word is discussed here. (I figure every time I get a number, I just expand - keep it fun ^.^)

[sjsmith56]

Lord Buchanan, Chapter 28 - Home

Summary: Lord Buchanan arrives home, introducing Quin to Rhodes and Ileana. After a reunion with his wife, he learns that his wolf, Sky, has disappeared. Immediately, he sets out to find the wolf, prompting Rhodes to go searching for him in the forest.

Length: 4.4 K

Characters: Lord and Lady Buchanan, Bruce Banner, Baroness Blackstone, Quin Torres, Rhodes.

Warnings: Minors DNI - contains sexual content which may not be suitable for readers under the age of 18.

<<Chapter 27

🥃 🌖

While the cart carrying the cask took the long, flat route back to Buchanan's estate he, Bruce and Quin travelled by the ravine route.   Magnus was tethered to the cart as Buchanan didn't want to risk injuring the great horse further on the rocky path of the ravine.  As they ascended on the other side of the rocky path he noticed a group was there, pulling books out from the library.  Coulson, guard commander for Baroness Blackstone hailed him as he approached and the lady came out of the building.

"Lord Buchanan!" she called, pleased to see his return.  "You have returned from your long journey.  Where is your great horse?"

"Magnus suffered an injury," he said.  "I felt it prudent to return him the long way.  Baroness, you are choosing books for the formation of libraries in your estate?"

"Aye, sir," she said, her young face showing her pleasure.  "Interest is high.  Your lady wife was good enough to give me the numbers corresponding to the different subject matters.  We have also taken an assortment of children's books as I have sponsored several schools to be opened for the tenant's children.  Who is this young man with you?"

"This is Quin Torres," he said.  "He has travelled from the Kingdom of the Western Plains to foster with my family for a year.  He will be training in my garrison at the same time.  He hopes to return to his family ready to assume his position as successor to his father's business.  Quin, this is Baroness Blackstone.  Her lands border mine."

"My Lady, the pleasure is mine," said Quin, taken by her self-assurance and confidence.

He started to say more but Buchanan gave him a look that said he was over stepping his station and instead he smiled, which she returned.  Buchanan gave his farewell greetings and they resumed the journey out of the ravine.  Bruce looked at the boy and caught his friend's eye, winking at him.

"She is a beautiful young woman," said Bruce out loud.  "Barely 18 and already showing her aptitude at running an estate."

"She runs the estate?" asked Quin.  "No husband, brother or father directing her?"

"Her investiture was a short time ago," said Buchanan, "after months of preparation at the palace.  She's a member of the Queen's Guard, as well."

"Nobility can be in the Queen's Guard?" questioned the boy. 

"Any woman, married or unmarried, noble born or common born, can join the Queen's Guard," replied Buchanan.  "My own wife is.  All any woman has to do is show up and request to be admitted.  Lady Isabella, as she was known then, was to be married off to a much older man.  She rejected that fate and took her destiny into her own hands, pledging her service to the Queen.  After her father was found guilty of treason she, as his only child, inherited his lands."

"I wish ...," said Quin, then he stopped talking and rode on in silence.

"Say it," said Buchanan.  "You can speak freely to Bruce or me."

"I wish I had a say in who I could marry," he said.  "Someone like the Baroness would interest me."

"It's true your parents have tried to arrange a marriage since your tenth year?" asked Buchanan.

"That you even know that means you know it is true," replied the young prince.  "My own parent's marriage was arranged and although they tolerate each other there is no love, no common grounds.  I often felt torn between both of their desires for me."

"For this coming year you aren't a prince," said Buchanan.  "Any woman is free to marry who she chooses, although a high born lady keeps her status over her husband.  Baroness Romanoff married a soldier in her garrison.  He remains a soldier in her garrison, someday to be a commander of the garrison if that is his will.  Their children will inherit her estate but he won't."

"Are you saying, as a recruit of your garrison I can court her?" asked Quin, stopping his horse in the middle of the path.  "That would be permitted?"

Buchanan turned the roan mare around and faced the boy.  "I'm saying that if you really want a love match with any woman there is nothing stopping you while you are here," he said.  "If it is a true love match and you wish to marry a high born woman, then either you willingly give up your place to your father's throne and stay a soldier but married to her, or you petition your parents to search her out for marriage with a prince and accept their decision.  That is, if she even accepts you first.  Quin, this is part of being a responsible man, weighing your options, and choosing the best path, whether it benefits you or not."

The boy considered Buchanan's words then prodded his horse gently to walk again.  He rode ahead of them, deep in his own thoughts.  Bruce walked as Buchanan rode; neither man saying anything for some time.

"I think you are quite a romantic man, at heart," said Bruce.  "You found your great love and you're helping that boy find his."

"If I were really a romantic I would find you a great love," said Buchanan, eyeing him from the side.  "I just want him to know that there are some absolutes and there are areas that aren't absolutes.  At the end of the year he has to decide if he is willing to be a king or happy to be a commoner.  His father is a good man and his mother a good woman but it was obvious even to me that they were not a good match.  The result was a confused and unhappy young man with the weight of expectations crushing him.  I have a year to teach him how to carry the load and be willing and happy to do so.  My fear is that I will fail him and that will fail many more people."

Buchanan rode ahead of Bruce to ride equal with Quin.  Banner couldn't hear them talking but he knew that his friend was being honest with the boy.  Perhaps that, more than anything, was what Quin really needed, honesty.

An hour later they approached the grounds surrounding the estate.  Buchanan's face looked with anticipation as they drew closer to the gates of the castle. As they entered the courtyard he saw Ileana and Livia, already waiting in the courtyard for him.  He dismounted and embraced his wife fully, kissing her deeply then holding his daughter and kissing her black curls.  Taking Ileana's hand he brought her to Quin who had dismounted and waited patiently.  Rhodes was also present, having been informed of their approach by one of the turret guards.

"Lady Buchanan, Commander Rhodes, this is Quin Torres, a young man I have agreed to foster for a year," he said.  "At the end of the year he will decide whether to stay as a soldier in the garrison or return to succeed his father in business.   While he is here, he will live and train with the garrison, learning the life of a soldier.  He will also accompany me on my rounds so that he learns how I handle the day to day business of running an estate, learning skills he can apply to his own situation if he chooses to return."

"What business does your father have, Quin?" asked Ileana.

"Horse breeder," he said readily.  "He gifted this roan mare to Lord Buchanan for taking me on.  I believe my father will receive the first colt born from the breeding of her to Magnus."

"Where is Magnus?" asked Ileana, noticing the horse wasn't present.

"He suffered a leg injury," said Buchanan.  "He is taking the long way home as I didn't want to chance making the injury worse by taking him through the ravine.  There is also a gift from Princess Maria, a cask of fine bourbon.  Magnus mounted a good dozen of her horses while we were in her island kingdom.  Commander Rhodes, Torres here has trained in sword play, pike and archery.  I am sure you will want to assess his skills before assigning an older soldier to mentor him."

"Yes, M'Lord," replied Rhodes, assessing the young man visually.  "You brought your own horse as well?  Is he battle tested?"

"No, Commander," said Torres.  "My father wouldn't allow me or the horse into battle.  I would like to learn, however.  If the time comes where I must defend my countrymen I would like to know what I'm doing."

"Very well," said Rhodes, pleased with the boy's honesty.  "Come with me and we will stable your horse then assign you quarters.  Do you have more clothes?"

"They are in a trunk coming on the cart that carries the cask," replied Quin, then he bowed to Lord and Lady Buchanan and accompanied Rhodes to the stable, leading his horse.  The stable master came to see the roan mare, running his hands over her.

"She is a fine mare, M'Lord," he said.  "Is there anything more you can tell me about her?"

"The breeder claimed she was already battle tested yet was gentle enough for a child to ride her," he said.  "Perhaps she can be Livia's horse when she is old enough."

"Aye, she seems calm enough," said the stable master.  "Magnus' injury, was it serious?"

"The veterinarian thought it was a strain but he hasn't been ridden for almost a month," said Buchanan.  "He may be sore after walking from the port.  Until he is ready I am happy riding the mare."

"Very well, M'Lord," said the stable master.  "I will house her with the other mares but we will have her ready with a saddle that fits her better than this one belonging to Magnus."

During this whole exchange Bruce had waited quietly, watching how the boy handled the questions thrown his way.  Now that the pleasantries were done Ileana turned her attention to him.

"Bruce, it is good to see you," she said.  "Stark and the others have missed you but have soldiered on.  The supercomputer, was it for real?"

"It was," he said, as they started walking back into the castle.  "A NASA supercomputer.  They gave me the report from the data it had when it went down.  I gave them new data and they will send printouts via ship." He noticed her surprised look at the mention of printouts. "They have working printers, even gave us one with extra cartridges and paper but they aren't networked so we'll have to decide which computer to set it up with.  We gave them the second ham radio so I can have real time communication with them as well.  It was a satisfying visit but I'm glad to be home."

"I'm glad you're home as well," she said putting her hand on his arm.  "Livia missed you, didn't you sweetie?"

The little girl shyly smiled at Bruce as he tickled her under her chin with his large index finger which made her giggle.    Mary was waiting inside to greet Buchanan and Bruce.  She advised Bruce there were many reports from the other scientists waiting for him in his quarters so he excused himself to start catching up.  Then she put her hands out for Livia.

"Come, little one," she said.  "Cook has something special just for you.  We can keep her busy for a couple of hours, M'Lord."

She left with a smile while Ileana looked expectantly at Buchanan.  Together they went up the grand staircase to their quarters where he closed the door, locked it, then went to the dressing room doors and locked them from their side.  Ileana stood at the foot of the bed and he joined her, slipping his hands around to the back of her neck and head to kiss her deeply.

"I missed you," she said softly.  "The bed was lonely without you."

"As was mine," he said.  "I was offered a mistress in the Kingdom of the Western Plains but made it clear I was not interested.  The king never offered one again.  My love, no one will ever replace you in my heart or my bed."

He embraced her fully, kissing her with a passion that comes from too long a separation.  With haste but not a frenzy they undressed and slipped under the bed clothes together, touching and caressing.  His cock grew immediately upon seeing her unclothed and he eased it into her, mindful that their weeks apart could make their joining uncomfortable for her but Ileana was afire, moaning and whimpering for him to thrust harder into her.  She wrapped her legs around him and grasped his firm buttocks often, willing them to press closer into her.  As their lips crushed together and their tongues tasted the other his hands were on her breasts grasping and feeling their softness.  When the kiss was broken he mouthed her neck roughly, running his open mouth over the pulse point under her ear.  With a loud moan her body tensed as she reached her apex.  She came with a loud cry and grasped his arms tightly with her hands.  He reached his bliss also and called out her name as he gasped, filling her with his hot seed.  Again they kissed deeply and sensuously while he laid on her, touching each other gently. 

"James," whispered Ileana, "I hope that makes a son for you.  I want another child."

"As do I," he whispered back, rubbing his face against hers.  "My Ileana.”

They spent some time whispering the soft words of love to each other before joining together again, eager to resume the intense physical and emotional relationship their marriage had grown into before his journey.  As they lay together talking of all that happened on the estate in his absence Ileana brought up the boy, Quin Torres.

"Tell me the truth," she said.  "His father isn't a horse breeder, is he?  The boy is too well spoken, his hair is cut well, and his hands manicured."

Buchanan breathed deeply.  "No, he isn't a commoner," he admitted.  "He is the heir to the throne of the Kingdom of the Western Plains.  It was him who injured Magnus after he stole him, believing his father had bought him from me.  It was a thoughtless and immature action from a boy who has been pulled between many factions, not truly knowing or understanding his place in this world.  He was to be executed at worst, banished at best, and I entreated the King to give him a year with us to learn how to be an honourable man.  If he doesn't take the throne it will go to his father's cousin, a man locked in the past who believes the asteroids are God's punishment upon us and has promised to destroy the supercomputer if he rules.  You mustn't treat Quin differently.  He has accepted the challenge I gave him and we must succeed, both of us."

"All of us," Ileana corrected him.  "You are a good man for trying to help a prince be what he needs to be to rule.  It doesn't surprise me that you took this challenge on.  Who else knows?"

"Just Bruce," he replied.  "I didn't even tell Steven.  Quin needs to learn so much."

He rubbed his face as if just realizing the enormity of the task ahead of him.  Ileana kissed him tenderly to reassure him and he soon regained the optimism of his decision to help the boy.  After more time talking of all that had occurred they rose, cleansed themselves and dressed to return to the daily duties of their station.  Buchanan found the process of helping his wife dress to be almost as pleasurable as helping her to undress and mentioned it with a kiss that made both laugh.  When they left their rooms Mary advised them that Livia was napping, the cart with the cask had arrived and Magnus had been taken to the stable.  Together they went to the stable where the veterinarian had already been called and was examining the great horse.

"They did well, M'Lord," she said, after running her hands down his legs.  "There is little swelling from the walk from the port.  I will put a poultice on it for tonight, with witch hazel and rose water.  It will reduce any swelling that still exists.  We will set up a schedule of walks and exercises to build up his muscles again.  If all goes well he should be rideable within the month."

Quin came out to pick up his trunk with his clothes in it.  He stopped and asked if Magnus had taken the trip well.  Buchanan assured him the horse would be fine then asked the boy if he was satisfied with his quarters.

"Aye, M'Lord," he said.  "They are much better than the equivalent in my ... where I come from, according to friends who joined the King's Guard."

Ileana smiled at the boy, after he caught himself revealing more than he should.  He nodded his head at the two and returned to his quarters with his trunk.  Rhodes watched him return then turned to Buchanan.

"There is something about the boy that is puzzling," he said.  "He wears the clothes of a workman but his hands are well manicured, smooth, and he speaks very well for a common born man.  Are you sure he is what he says he is, My Lord?"

Buchanan fixed his gaze on Rhodes.  "As far I am concerned he is what he says he is," he replied.  "He has been friends with high born sons and perhaps fell into their habits by association.  He has satisfied me and that should satisfy you."

Rhodes bowed his head and returned to his garrison, understanding all the hidden meanings of Buchanan's words to him.  From there Buchanan and Ileana returned to the castle, going to see Cook who almost gathered him into her arms, so pleased was she to see him.  He asked about the cask of bourbon that came and was told it had been put in the wine cellar.  Then he reached inside his jacket and pulled out the sheets of recipes that were given him that could use the liquor for a sauce.  Buchanan did tell her there was a replica Tennessee whiskey that would soon be available and he wished her to try it as well in the same recipes.

"Now, have you seen my wolf?" he asked both Ileana and Cook.  "I was expecting to be greeted by him but no one has said anything about him."

Cook and Ileana looked pained and the latter drew him away.  "I was waiting to tell you in private but our joining pushed it out of my mind," she said.  "Sky has gone missing.  It was a full moon three nights ago and he bolted out of the castle when he heard the other wolves howling.  I think he has returned to the wild.  The tenants and farmers nearby have been on watch for him but there is no sign.  I'm sorry, I should have told you immediately."

"I am pained to hear this," he replied.  "Has there been any attempt to search the forest for him?"

"Rhodes has tried but there was some extremist trouble again and he felt it more important to have full guard complements at the silo and the Library," she replied.

Buchanan left the kitchen with emotion, pulling Ileana into a room that was more private for them.

"The truth," he said, firmly.  "Has anyone, at any time gone to look for Sky?"

"Yes, but not for the past two days," she replied, looking down at the floor.  "I went out with them myself the day after he bolted and there was no sign of him.  In fact, there was no sign of any of the wolves.  It was as if they were summoned elsewhere.  We contacted others by radio and apparently the same has happened with the wolves in their estates.  They have disappeared.  The Sorceress was contacted and she says they are alive but she doesn't know where they are as they don't appear to her for long enough to determine their location.  James, something is going on but I don't know what it is."

Buchanan's face was grim as he left her there, striding up the stairs.  She followed him out to the stables where he asked for the mare to be saddled.  As soon as she was ready he mounted her and rode out without a word.  In a panic, Ileana ran to Rhodes office.

"Lord Buchanan rides to the forest to search for Sky," she said.  "He's gone alone without saying anything."

"Damn," he swore, as he rose from his desk.  "With all the wolves missing there could be something much more dangerous waiting for him.  I can't spare any soldiers to look for him as the threat of the extremists is too high.  I will go, put Wallis in command while I am gone.  I promise that I will find him, M'Lady."

"Take the boy," she suggested.  "He hasn't been assigned yet, has he?"

"He's untested," said Rhodes.  "I don't know his capabilities."

"But James has become his friend," she said, turning to him.  "That counts for something, doesn't it?"

"Aye, it does," he said. He looked sharply at her.  "What is it about him that Lord Buchanan doesn't want me to know?"

"It's not my place to say," she replied.  "But the boy is more than what you see.  He will help you, I promise."

"Very well," replied Rhodes.  "I will take him with me."

"Rhodes, did you ever see Lord Buchanan as the White Wolf?" asked Ileana.

"No, I've only heard the stories," he replied.  "You don't think he will transform himself to find Sky?"

She raised her hands and shrugged, unsure of much.  "If he does only these words will bring him back," she said,  "longing, daybreak, homecoming ... in that order.  Something has drawn the wild wolves and our tame one away.  It may be what drew the wolf in my Lord away as well.  Please be careful."

"Aye, My Lady," said Rhodes with determination.  "I will."

A quarter hour later he and Quin rode towards the forest trying to track where Buchanan had gone.  As they ventured deeper into the thickening array of trees they became aware that it wasn't just the wolves that were missing, other animals were as well.

"There is no birdsong, no chatter of squirrels, no deer," said Rhodes.  "This silence is unnatural."

"It is unnerving," replied Quin.  "I feel enclosed in this forest.  We don't have them this thick and dark where I come from."

"You have more open spaces," stated Rhodes.  "I am sure there are sounds there that assure you all is well as you ride through it just are there indicators when all is not well."

"That's true," said Quin.  "We occasionally get destructive thunderstorms.  Prior to their arrival it seems as if the animals that live on the prairie prepare.  Some leave their dens and search for higher ground, others hunker down and prepare to ride out the storm... Is that the mare, over there?”

Quin pointed to a spot some distance from them.  Rhodes spurred his horse and they both approached the mare who was feeding on the sweet grass in a small clearing.  She was untethered, seeming unbothered by them as they approached.  Quin dismounted, took her reins and fastened it to his horse then watched as Rhodes dismounted.  They both called for Lord Buchanan but there was no response.  They went further afield by foot where Quin found a pile of clothes.

"Commander, over here," he called, picking up the familiar blue leathers of Lord Buchanan.

Rhodes took them from the boy.  "Damn," he swore, "he must have transformed, like Lady Buchanan predicted.  He could be anywhere."

"Transformed?" asked Quin.  "What do you mean?"

"He has become the White Wolf," said Rhodes.  "He was enchanted some years ago and the wolf lives in him still.  His transformation into the wolf is by his choice this time as he deliberately disrobed but his transformation back is possible only through an intervention.  We must find him and give the commands to transform back or else he will stay as a wolf forever."

"So what do we do, Commander?" asked Quin.  "Do we return and get help or do we stay and search for him?"

"You outrank me, your Highness," said Rhodes.  "It is your call, your command that I await."

"We find him," said Quin, without thinking, then realized he had been tricked into revealing his true identity.  "How did you know?"

"I didn't," said Rhodes.  "I guessed.  You are the heir to the throne in the Kingdom of the Western Plains, are you not?"

"I am, but I want no special treatment," replied the prince.  "I made a grave mistake when Lord Buchanan was in the kingdom, one that could have seen me executed as a common criminal.  He saved me from the noose and has given me this year to learn to be a just man so that I can be a good king when it is my time.  I owe him everything just for that.  Please do not expose me to others."

"I won't," replied Rhodes.  "Buchanan is the best of men and he wouldn't have taken you in unless he saw something in you.   I agree with you, Quin Torres that we should search for Lord Buchanan.  Like him, I will help you to be a better man.  It is part of my job, too."

Rhodes stuck his hand and arm out to Torres and the boy took his in return as agreement.  Together they rode further into the dark forest searching for the White Wolf and where he had gone.  Once they found the wolf tracks they followed them until it was too dark then they built a fire and ate the rations that both had brought, drinking from a small stream nearby.  Rhodes took the first watch while the boy slept then woke him when the moon was high.  The boy sat gamely through the remainder of the night, still unnerved by the quiet and closeness of the forest but he stood his watch. When the first beams of the morning sun peeked between the trees he woke Rhodes, they mounted their horses and began tracking the wolf again.  Neither thought they wouldn't find Lord Buchanan.

Chapter 29>>

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[johnbetts]

#Bloganuary Day 27

Only 5 days to go, where has this month gone? Today, we had a thunderstorm with lots of lightning, heavy rain, and hail that turned everything white. Then the sun came out of hiding, and the wind dropped. I am so disappointed that WordPress did not give us prompts for this very important month. Most people say, oh, no, its Monday again, got to go to work. Being retired, I say, it’s Monday,…

[baxterkairos]

CLIMATE CHANGE, THE CHANGE THAT CAUSETH THE CHANGE, May 15, 2026

Climate change is widely believed to be the cause of man’s reckless act towards nature, which has caused a drastic change in weather patterns, such as intense catastrophes.

However, God has absolute power and control over all forces of nature, and none can ever stay His hands.

DANIEL 4:35 …he DOETH according to his WILL in the army of heaven… NONE can STAY HIS HAND, or say unto him, WHAT DOEST THOU?

JOB 37:6, 9, 12-13

(6) For he saith to the SNOW, Be thou on the earth…

(9) Out of the south cometh the WHIRLWIND: and COLD out of the north.

(12) And it is TURNED round about by his COUNSELS: that they may DO whatsoever he COMMANDETH them…

(13) HE CAUSETH it to COME, whether for CORRECTION, or for his land, or for MERCY.

JOB 38:22-23

(22) Hast thou entered into the treasures of the SNOW? or… the treasures of the HAIL,

(23) Which I have RESERVED against the TIME OF TROUBLE, against the day of battle and war?

Humans are somehow a contributing factor of climate change, however, all changes in nature, whether in the land, sea, or air, were solely an act of God.

DANIEL 2:21 And HE CHANGETH the TIMES and the SEASONS…

One of the most important numbers in climate change is 1.5 C, which is the global warming threshold for the earth to possibly be considered a safe habitation.

°F = °C x 1.8 (EQUIVALENT RATIO OF CHANGE FORMULA)

1.5 °C x 1.8 = 2.7 °F

These figures exactly derive from the number of the beast (Revelation 13:18).

REVELATION 13:18 Here is WISDOM… COUNT the NUMBER of the beast… his number is SIX HUNDRED THREESCORE AND SIX.

6 + 6 + 6 = 18 6 x 6 x 6 = 216

13 + 83 = 513 21 + 6 = 27

5 x 1 x 3 = 15

God used the number of the enemies to return their ways to their own heads (Obadiah 15).

The Roman numeral of number 15 is XV.

X – 24, V – 22

24 + 22 = 46 (4 + 6 =10)

Taking the cube of numbers 1-10 as per digit will give a sum of 2026, the exact year of Christ’s return.

Along with the climate change, God likewise imparted other signs of the times that will transpire prior to Christ’s Second Advent (Luke 21:9-11).

MATTHEW 16:1-4

(1) The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came… desired him that he would SHEW them a SIGN from HEAVEN.

(2) …When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.

(3) …ye can DISCERN the face of the SKY; but can ye NOT DISCERN the SIGNS of the TIMES?

(4) …there shall no sign be given unto it, but the SIGN of the prophet JONAS…

Herewith, God gave His appointed time in the days of Jonah, for it heralds Christ’s return.

JONAH 3:1-4

2 – SECOND time (verse 1) 1 – a DAY’S journey (verse 4)

3 – THREE DAYS’ journey (verse 3) 40 – FORTY days (verse 4)

2 + 3 + 1 + 40 = 46 (4 + 6 = 10)

Taking the cube of numbers 1-10 as per digit will give a sum of 2026, the exact year of Christ’s return.

God has beforehand enlightened His people that all His promises are conditional, which means that man should first be found faithful to all His commandments, otherwise, all God’s curses will surely be poured (Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 15, 59, 63, 66-67).

In these last days, God’s wrath, unmixed with mercy, will prompt a terrible climate change, which is the ultimate cause of earth’s impending doom, for man changed the glory of God to other gods (Jeremiah 2:11), changed the truth into a lie (Romans 1:25), and changed and broken the covenant of God (Isaiah 24:4-6).

REVELATION 11:18 And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come… and shouldest DESTROY THEM which DESTROY the EARTH.

“…ALL LIFE on the planet BEGINS and ENDS with GOD, anything we do to try to save the earth will ultimately be FUTILE… the Creator has given into our charge until the FULLNESS of TIME is COMPLETED.” (TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, POPE BENEDICTS XVI, Speaks Out For Creation and Justice, Woodeene Koenig-Bricker, 97-98)

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

[newstfionline]

Thursday, June 27, 2024

Even among world leaders, Biden and Trump are old (Washington Post) When President Biden, 81, and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, 78, take the debate stage Thursday, they’ll be making history as the two oldest major-party candidates in American history to vie for the Oval Office. They are also both at least 16 years older than the median age of world leaders. It’s no surprise that world leaders are often older than the people they govern. In democracies, age requirements to run, costly campaigns and incentives to gain experience and clout in political spheres mean it can take a long time for candidates to reach the top job. The median age difference between a country’s leader and its population is 32 years. Europe appears to be bucking this trend. Countries there have some of the smallest gaps between their leaders and their populations. Its heads of state, including French President Emmanuel Macron, 46, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, 46, and Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris, 37, skew so young that even a candidate in their early 60s can cause a stir.

Iowa floodwaters breach levees as even more rain dumps onto parts of the Midwest (AP) Tornado warnings, flash flooding and large hail added insult to injury for people in the Midwest already contending with heat, humidity and intense flooding after days of rain. The National Weather Service on Tuesday afternoon and evening issued multiple tornado warnings in parts of Iowa and Nebraska as local TV news meteorologists showed photos of large hail and spoke of very heavy rain. Earlier on Tuesday, floodwaters breached levees in Iowa, creating dangerous conditions that prompted evacuations. A vast swath of lands from eastern Nebraska and South Dakota to Iowa and Minnesota has been under siege from flooding from torrential rains since last week, while also being hit with a scorching heat wave. Up to 18 inches (46 centimeters) of rain have fallen in some areas, and some rivers rose to record levels. Hundreds of people were rescued, homes were damaged and at least two people died after driving in flooded areas.

Israeli documents show expansive government effort to shape US discourse around Gaza war (Guardian) It’s no secret that the discussion surrounding America’s Israel policy has become increasingly toxic and divisive. What has been kept under wraps—until recently—was just how much effort Israel has put into manipulating that discussion, especially on college campuses. Since October, Israel has launched a government program known now as “Voices of Israel.” “Voices” is the result of Israeli attempts to create a “PR commando unit” using Israeli government funds to “provide a rapid and coordinated response against the attempts to tarnish the image of Israel around the world.” The program works by sending millions of dollars to non-government organizations like the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) and Hillel International to target campus debates over American-Israeli affairs. ISGAP research has been cited by Republicans as they try to remove college presidents from office, while Hillel has pushed back against pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. Groups have also pushed U.S. legislators to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which equivocates harsh criticism of the state of Israel with antisemitism.

Foreign Police Officers Land on the Ground in Haiti (NYT) Foreign law enforcement officers began arriving in Haiti on Tuesday, more than a year and a half after the prime minister there issued a plea to other countries for help to stop the rampant gang violence that has upended the Caribbean nation. Dozens of armed men in military fatigues filed out of a Kenya Airways plane at Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The officers are part of a deployment of officers from eight nations who will fan out across the capital to try to wrest control of the city from dozens of armed groups that have attacked police stations, freed prisoners and killed with impunity. Some security experts say the Kenyan officers face a significant challenge supporting Haiti’s police and facing off with well-armed and highly organized Haitian gangs that have seized control of much of Port-au-Prince and had vowed to fight the Kenyans.

Bolivian general arrested after apparent failed coup attempt (AP) Led by a top general vowing to “restore democracy,” armored vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday in what the president called a coup attempt, then quickly retreated—the latest crisis in the South American country facing a political battle and an economic crisis. Within hours, the nation of 12 million people saw a rapidly moving scenario in which the troops seemed to take control of the government of President Luis Arce. He vowed to stand firm and named a new army commander, who immediately ordered the troops to stand down. Soon the soldiers pulled back, along with a line of military vehicles, ending the rebellion after just three hours. Hundreds of Arce’s supporters then rushed the square outside the palace, waving Bolivian flags, singing the national anthem and cheering. Late Wednesday, Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo said “everything is now under control.”

Russia starts closed-door espionage trial for U.S. reporter Gershkovich (Reuters) A shaven-headed Evan Gershkovich went on trial behind closed doors on Wednesday in a Russian court where the U.S. journalist is accused of spying. Prosecutors say the Wall Street Journal reporter gathered secret information on the orders of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency about a company that manufactures tanks for Russia’s war in Ukraine. If convicted, he faces a sentence of up to 20 years. Gershkovich, his newspaper and the U.S. government all reject the allegations and say that he was just doing his job as a reporter accredited by Russia’s Foreign Ministry to work there. Closed trials are standard procedure in Russia for cases of alleged treason or espionage involving classified state material, which typically can last several months.

Ukraine and Moldova launch EU membership talks, but joining is likely to take years (AP) The European Union on Tuesday launched membership talks with Ukraine, a decade after Russian troops seized the Crimean Peninsula to deter the country from moving closer to the West, part of a chain of events that set the two neighbors on the path to war. Moldova also launched its membership talks. While the events are a major milestone on their European paths, the talks could take years to conclude. Turkey’s accession talks have lasted almost two decades without result.

Saipan, placid island setting for Assange’s last battle, is briefly mobbed (AP) It was a peculiar setting to the final act in a legal drama that has now spanned the globe: a rural Western Pacific island, where visitors are usually tourists—attracted by laid-back resorts, snorkeling, diving and golf—and the furthermost reach of the United States. When Julian Assange stepped from a car Wednesday to enter the Saipan courthouse, from which he would emerge hours later a free man, it was against a backdrop that could have adorned a travel brochure. Palm trees waved gently and verdant hills stood against a bright blue sky. If the location felt bizarre to Assange, his sudden arrival—along with dozens of reporters from news outlets across the world—was equally startling to the 43,000 residents of the largest island and capital of the Northern Marianas, a territory of the United States.

UN tells Israel it will suspend aid operations across Gaza without improved safety (AP) Senior U.N. officials have warned Israel that they will suspend the world body’s aid operations across Gaza unless Israel acts urgently to better protect humanitarian workers, two U.N. officials said Tuesday. The ultimatum is the latest in a series of U.N. steps demanding Israel do more to safeguard aid operations from strikes by its forces and to curb growing lawlessness hindering humanitarian workers. Israel has previously acknowledged some military strikes on humanitarian workers, including an April attack that killed seven workers with the World Central Kitchen, and has denied allegations of others. The U.N. and other humanitarian organizations also complain of increasing crime in Gaza and have urged Israel to do more to improve overall security from attack and theft.

One in five households in Gaza go whole days without food, draft UN report says (Guardian) More than half of households in Gaza have had to sell or swap their clothes to be able to buy food, the UN is to report, as a high risk of famine remains across the whole of the territory after a new round of violence in recent weeks. The latest “Special Snapshot” of Gaza from the UN’s hunger monitoring system, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), that will be published on Tuesday also says that one in five of the population—more than 495,000 people—are now “facing catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity” involving “an extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion. ... More than half [of households] also reported that, often, they do not have any food to eat in the house, and over 20% go entire days and nights without eating.”

Kenyan President Vows to Prevent Violence ‘At Whatever Cost’ (NYT) Kenya’s president, William Ruto, deployed the military on Tuesday to crack down on what he called “treasonous” protesters, after demonstrators furious over the passage of a package of tax increases stormed the Parliament building in the capital, Nairobi, climbed in windows and set fire to the entrance. The contentious bill was introduced by the Ruto government in May to raise revenue and limit borrowing in an economy facing a heavy debt burden. But Kenyans have widely criticized the legislation, saying it adds punitive new taxes and raises others on a wide range of goods and services that would escalate living costs. The detractors also pointed to corruption and mismanagement of funds. Kenyans “feel increasingly squeezed by disappearing subsidies and increasing taxes, and misled by a government that campaigned on a message about economic empowerment but has governed with a message about austerity,” said Michelle Gavin, a senior fellow for Africa policy at the Council on Foreign Relations. “All of this is happening in the midst of inadequate employment opportunities and the spectacle of ongoing corruption among political elites,” she added. “The Finance Bill has a ‘last straw’ quality about it.”

Traffic (Bloomberg) A new report from INRIX estimates that gridlock cost the United States more than $70.4 billion in lost productivity in 2023, up 15 percent compared to 2022, with the average American driver losing 42 hours to congestion alone. New York is the epicenter of this, the world’s most congested city, costing $9.1 billion in lost time alone and forcing 101 hours of lost productivity for the average driver.

A ton of job postings might actually be fake (Quartz) If you aren’t hearing back from a job you applied to, it might be because it’s not real. A new survey from Resume Builder revealed that 39% of hiring managers said their company posted a fake job listing in the past year. The fake jobs ranged from entry-level roles to executive positions, said Resume Builder, which surveyed 649 hiring managers. Companies said they are posting fake jobs for a laundry list of reasons. More than 60% of those surveyed said they posted fake jobs “to make employees believe their workload would be alleviated by new workers.” Sixty-two percent of companies said another reason for the shady practice is to “have employees feel replaceable.” Two-thirds of companies cited a desire to “appear the company is open to external talent” and 59% said it was an effort to “collect resumes and keep them on file for a later date.” What’s even more concerning about the results: 85% of companies engaging in the practice said they even interviewed candidates for the fake jobs.

[voltedpcofficial]

Top Photo Editing PCs for Professionals in India

As the realm of digital creativity expands, the demand for high-performance PCs for photo editing in India has seen a remarkable surge. For professional photographers, graphic designers, and video editors, finding the right computer that can handle heavy graphic workloads, while delivering speed and reliability, is crucial. This blog will navigate through some of the top photo editing PCs in India, with a special emphasis on why Volted PC is hailed as one of the best workstations for video editing.

 The Powerhouse Brands

When it comes to selecting a photo editing PC, several names pop up, boasting of their capabilities. However, few match the exacting demands of professional editing work. Brands like Dell, HP, Apple, and Lenovo have been at the forefront, offering devices powered by the latest processors, high RAM capacities, and top-notch graphic cards.

1. Dell XPS Tower – Known for its incredible power and upgradeability, making it a solid choice for photo editing.

2. HP Envy Desktop – Offers a great combination of performance and price, suitable for both photo and video editing.

3. Apple iMac 27-inch – With its Retina 5K display and robust processing capabilities, it’s a favorite among graphics professionals.

4. Lenovo Yoga A940 – A worthy competitor, especially with its 4K display and innovative design suited for creative tasks.

While these brands provide great options, there’s a growing trend among professionals in India who seek customized solutions that match their specific workflow requirements. This is where Volted PC steps in, distinguishing itself as the top contender.

 Why Volted PC is Considered the Best Workstation for Video Editing

Volted PC has emerged as a game-changer in the world of customized PCs in India. What sets Volted PC apart is its commitment to understanding and fulfilling the nuanced demands of photo and video editing professionals.

 Customization at Its Core

Each Volted PC is tailor-made, ensuring that professionals get exactly what they need. From selecting the right processor (be it AMD Ryzen or Intel) to the optimal graphics card (like NVIDIA or AMD Radeon), RAM, and storage configurations, Volted PC leaves no stone unturned in assembling a workstation that mirrors your requirements.

 Performance That Speaks

With Volted PC, the emphasis is on seamless performance. The workstations are built to handle intensive photo editing software such as Adobe Photoshop, and Lightroom, and demanding video editing programs without hitches or lag, offering creators the freedom to push the boundaries of their creativity.

 Future-Ready Technology

Investing in a Volted PC means investing in the future. With easily upgradeable components, professionals can keep their systems up to date with the latest technology trends, ensuring longevity and relevancy in the rapidly evolving creative landscape.

 Unmatched Customer Support

Volted PC distinguishes itself with exceptional post-purchase support. Understanding the critical nature of photo and video editing work, the brand assures prompt and efficient service, ensuring minimal downtime for professionals.

 Conclusion

For professionals in India, choosing the right photo editing PC involves careful consideration of performance, reliability, and support. While there are numerous options available from international and local brands, Volted PC stands out by offering custom-built workstations that cater specifically to the heavy-duty demands of video and photo editing. By focusing on tailored solutions, cutting-edge technology, and customer care, Volted PC establishes itself as not just a product, but a pivotal partner in the creative journey of professionals across the country.

[grizzledyoungimpact]

Kay's Whumptober Day #27

Prompt: Matches Character: Malakai Black Mentions Of: Lenora Lee (OC), Micah Kent (OC), Adrien Pike (OC) TW: Poisoning, Religious Practices, Death, Cremation Verse: Main Ties into [x] and [x]

From the moment that Malakai had the visions of the trio and the world that would be reborn in their image, he had known it would be hard for each member. It had started with the newest member of the House, a young woman named Lenora Lee who he had fed the same poisons that she had fed to the others. Malakai had laid her out on the altar, eyes never moving until the breath had left her lungs. She was proof that the ceremony would work.

Adrien Pike was the next to fall to his fate, as fast as the tidal waves that would soon be under his control. Malakai knew how strongly the man could feel, evident by Malakai's right eye and how it had been plucked away. Water was the chosen element because of its depths. Adrien seemed to be shallow on the surface, but once someone got to know him more, his depths were shown. The body had fallen quickly and Malakai knew that his parting thoughts would be of his waters and of his Charles.

Micah Kent had been the next to fall to his fate, as a rockslide down a mighty mountain. While Adrien seemed to fluctuate with his emotions, Micah was as steady as stone. Instead of trying to charm Lenora in his final moments as Adrien had, he had acted as a father to a child. There was no element the monster of a man could be other than earth. He was the House's steady counsel and steadfast soldier. His body now lay nearby and Malakai knew as Adrien would be given to the waves, Micah would be given to his ground.

And now here stood Lenora in front of him, offering his own fate in the goblet.

"You have done me well, Lenora," Malakai murmured as he glance at the young man. Unlike with Adrien and Micah, there were no hesitations. She seemed focused, set on the task at hand. "You have proven yourself valuable."

"I've done everything you asked," Nora gave a nod, her eyes never leaving his. They stood silent for a moment, before she spoke again, "Adrien to the waves. Micah to the ground. You-"

"To the pyre," Malakai gave a solemn nod, "The rest will be for you."

She placed the goblet in his hands, eyes locked on his own, "The words, then."

"Hail to the embers that glow by the hearth," Malakai echoed Lenora's words, words that he had taught her.

"Hail to the flames that leave ashes in their wake," Malakai spoke as he drank the last little wine in the goblet. It was as he fell that he could hear the words Lenora spoke.

"Hail to the flames that take you from me."

The vision was not as kind as what Malakai assumed Adrien or Micah saw. There was no reuniting with a loved one. There was no place that he saw that reminded him of childhood. It was a black room with no light. He could make out the outline of a table before him, a black candle and a box of matches waiting his decision. His fingers moved to pick up the box, striking one of the matches against the side of the box. The fire burned bright and he used the match against the wick.

In a flash it was as if the room was filled with light, filled with heat. He could feel the flames against his skin, could feel the warmth of the fires that surrounded him. His hands began to seemingly melt away, but it wasn't with pain. He seemed to melt away from this plane, a gust of wind sweeping away the ashes.

His eyes opened with a long drawn in breath, eyes gazing up at a starry night sky. He could hear the rise and fall of a chant, could smell the woodsmoke from the pyre that still burned around him. He stood, moving away from the pyre he had been placed upon and the fires that burned bright. Before the pyre knelt Adrien, sopping wet as the ocean and Micah, dirty with the mud and grime of the earth. He watched as Lenora took her place between the two and knelt on her own.

"Hail to the House of Black."

[chrysalispen]

Prompt #27 - Hail

AO3 LINK HERE

Fill under cut.

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Garlemald, Regio Urbanissima, 6AE 1565

  For a mercy there was no snow this morning, although the fat grey clouds overhead lay bloated with the promise of more to come. They hung thick and close in the sky over the procession winding up the road past the Palatium Novum and towards the upper reaches lying beyond the wall that split the city in twain. 

Attendees and onlookers alike watched from the sidewalks, their expressions running the gamut from idle curiosity to pinched solemnity. In truth precious few of them had known the dead man at all, let alone well. But his family name was a noble one and carried some considerable weight within military circles, and the families of the imperial aristocracy - while still ranked well below the importance and puissance of the emperor himself - had upon the dissolution of the republic retained the rights to their old funerary traditions when one of their so-called 'great men' passed. 

Aurelia privately suspected that this particular bit of concession owed itself not to lingering respect for the traditions of the old republic's ruling class, but merely to the old man's well-known love of the theatrical even amongst his own people. Never mind if he had actually known her father or not. That was immaterial.

Naturally, she had no intention of voicing that thought aloud to anyone. She wasn't that much of a fool.

Traffic on the road had been rerouted to clear a path all the way from the Enceladeum, where the transport holding her father's remains had docked to await preparations for a final interment. Burial was a rare luxury in the far north. Even with the country's relative prosperity in the wake of its industrial revolution, in the capital itself that was still a privilege afforded only to the nobility, and most were interred in stone mausolea near the imperial palace.

Despite the relative fame she had enjoyed in theater circles as a composer, even with imperial favor and recognition of her marriage, Aurelia's mother -- a commoner by birth -- was allotted no space in the family crypt. She had been placed upon a simple pyre and her ashes scattered, in far-off Dalmasca. 

All that Julian rem Laskaris had done to escape the fate that his family had mapped for him appeared to have come to naught in the end. Her father would be buried alone. Bereft even in death of the woman he had sacrificed so much to keep at his side, had adored beyond anything and anyone else in his life-- even his own child.

It seemed to Aurelia an appropriately tragic bookend to a short and unhappy life. The realization penetrated even the dull cloud that surrounded her emotions. 

So thinking, silent and morose, she led the van behind the bier: a transport outfitted for the occasion, draped with the ivory flag and its tripartite chain links and framed with roses and lilies. They were vibrant, the only other color to be seen from the sides of the road, and they were an illusion. Each flower had been alchemically preserved as a safeguard against the elements. It wouldn't do if they were to wilt before the coffin had completed its journey.

Julian rem Laskaris' daughter appeared to be in deep mourning herself, shambling in a haze behind the transport all in black crepe from head to toe, a veil obscuring her features from the gathered mourners and curious onlookers. It fluttered in the wake of her steps and nearly obscured her view of the grim-faced soldiers lining the last few yalms of the street up to the gate.

Ahead the Ist Imperial Legion in their black and scarlet held their gunblades aloft, a gesture of intended respect as she and the other members of her family drew near. The curvature of the swords formed a steel half-arch as the coffin passed.

As she made her way forward, shoes crunching upon the gravel, Aurelia felt oddly like a ghost or a wraith or perhaps some otherworldly creature born of the snow and ice that blanketed this frozen wasteland, left to wander for an eternity amidst the detritus of her old life. Passing beneath a gauntlet of watchful eyes and stiff salutes and the honor guard that flanked them.

A lone orphan playing at grief just as the flowers played at beauty. No doubt Solus zos Galvus was enjoying the pageantry of it all from his palace windows.

[idanwyn-et-al]

(XIV||22-27): Hail.

(Continued from here.) (♪)  

The heaviest sin to bear, of course, was putting her family at risk. House Bale had always been an unusual one, largely keeping its noble status through its ability to produce an Azure Dragoon every few generations. Her father’s brother, Alberic Bale, was one such; his adopted son, Estinien Varlineau, did not claim the rights of her House, but he had no need to. His merits stood on their own.

Perhaps some of her strength was derived from prideful competition with her cousin; they had been close in their youth, the feisty red-headed middle child and the orphan fosterling getting up to largely-harmless mischief in the Pillars.

Anne-Sophie doubted Estinien would be present at her trial; he was far too busy elsewhere with the Warrior of Light; someone that she also knew as the Warrior of Darkness. That heretical knowledge again; she had travelled to places only that vaunted Warrior was supposed to go. Another world; the First Shard. Instead of taking pride in a daughter of Ishgard devising her own independent method of travelling there, she was condemned.

--Previously, in the North Shroud, just outside of Fallgourd Float:--

"Once upon a time---because that is how all such tales start---there was a young noble, born into a minor Ishgardian House. Were it not for said House's ability to produce Azure Dragoons from time to time, they would likely long have fallen out of favor. This House, you see, holds its words in high esteem; suos cultores scientia coronat." The fire opal earrings and signet ring she wears glowed softly in the shade at those words. "Knowledge crowns those who seek her, it means. And this House fervently sought said crown. Knowledge deemed heretical was squirreled away in libraries; a country estate, too, now an icy ruin, but once a bastion of life. But this daughter of House Bale, though she was dutiful, sought another world; one where ceaseless conflict didn't plague her every moment. A land of dreams, of perpetual spring. Il Mheg, she learned it was called; from the faerie tales she consumed like a wildfire from her earliest days."

She paused here, listening to the gentle susurrations of the wind, checking in with her captive audience.

Rae-Hann closed his eyes as he listened, the better to focus on the words and not the oft-oppressive presence of the woods. He knew at least how much stock Ishgardians put into their houses from the little time he lived here, so that made well enough sense. However, he opens one eye as he hears a familiar name, half troubled yet half...well, still curious. "An Eorzean who knew of Il Mheg? I'll admit that was not exactly what I was expecting."

"You have read the tales, too? Then this is made much simpler!" Oppressive though these woods may be, she was either not sensitive to such things, or too focused on them as a place of refuge to allow the doubts to creep in. "Our Mystic Knight, having served her tours in the Dragonsong War, became...focused, she would say, whereas others may rightly call it obsessed with this Il Mheg. The possibility of this world not being an old tale, but a world in sooth!" Here, she closed her eyes and held her arms wide, then let them fall back to center as her eyes opened once more. "This image drove our Mystic Knight. And...she found it. Through dreams, and a faerie of her own coaxed from the ruins of Nym, she made a connection. Time and time again she tried to go, but she failed. Rituals are like that; one little leaf of furymint starts to turn, and the whole thing is rendered useless." Here, she exhaled sharply from her lower lip, sending a ripple through her copper hair. "But our Knight was determined. She found a way there. And...here, you will think me mad, but...our Knight was correct. There *was* a whole other world, and Il Mheg but a sliver of it! Beauty that defies words, but...sadness, too." She paused again, her eyes on the middle distance for a moment before looking to "R'hahn".

He actually laughed at the comment of finding her mad, as that is the general reaction he himself faces whenever mentioning the stuff of dreams. "Maybe it is a sort of madness, that which drives those who chase dreams. That does not make it wrong, however." He considered this for a long moment, but realized that she is implying she found her own way to his world. Some way wholly separate from the event that had brought his own band of Eorzeans there . Curious. "So... she was there, in truth?" he said slowly, not wanting to assume. "Not just in dream or in spirit alone?"

Anne-Sophie, for the second time that evening, found herself relieved. If he was going to think her mad and turn her over to the Inquisitors, he was doing an excellent job of hiding it. "She was, our Knight. Nearly drowned in the waters that had previously drowned the Kingdom of Voeburt...a name that she had not learned of in her tales, yet nevertheless recognized, somehow. Our Knight and her heavy pack made peace with the Pixies---a peace negotiated largely by the Nymian faerie, who has since..." she faltered, but picked herself up and carried on. "Who has since left our Knight. But all of these tales are...secondary. What is the cause of our Knight's heresy? You see, in Ishgard, a great column of aether opened from her tower in the Pillars. In fact, this happened twice; nine days apart, almost to the bell. When the first gate opened, our Knight left this star behind; when it opened again, she returned...and missed her mark, it should be said, crashing into the gardens below. But for our Knight, it had been just over two years. Subtle though it was, she had aged slightly upon her inglorious return to Ishgard; a quandary, wouldn't you agree?"

Rae-Hann recalled the lake in the mountains, a place he'd only had the misfortune of seeing twice despite having desired to visit so many times before that. He rubbed at his chin thoughtfully. "Well, you were lucky that your little friend was able to help you broker said peace because many that enter that place never leave. Even luckier still that those of the water didn't get to you first." Yet, it was with a rather mulish huff that he returned his full attention to Anne-Sophie. "I do find myself slightly vexed that an Ishgardian noble finds a way to travel from Norvrandt and back so completely, and yet I had to seek help from a -different- Ishgardian for a job done half as well. But, alas, nothing to be done about that now. I'm not entirely sure why three years there would equate to only nine days here, though, so yes, that is rather a quandary. Perhaps something did go wrong somewhere in your fumblings."

"Oh, it certainly must have been a miscalculation on my end. Even accounting for the path that the Warrior of Light and Darkness blazed through the rift, the beacon I placed within my mirror should have been absolute. And yet, by my calculations, I was thrown off by that very same esteemed personage's passage through..." she trailed off mid-theorem, stepping back a pace. "Not R'hahn. *Rae-Hann*. Wicked white, you're a *Mystel*?!" Sometimes, the scholarly knight managed to connect a few dots, even if the ink between said dots left her spluttering and smudged. "But...no, that....and your friend, with the souls, and....Norvrandt, yes, that's not written down anywhere, or at least it wasn't until they returned, hailing from the First Shard, and...and..." she sputtered to silence, utterly flummoxed.

The Mystel hummed. He'd heard rumors that the Warrior of Darkness had been from another world, though he hadn't put too much stock in it. From his little corner of Norvrandt, fact very rarely survived the changing of hands. Either way, it didn’t matter overmuch, as Anne-Sophie seemed to have come to a realization or two. "I knew you'd get there eventually. Yes, I am a mystel, not that I get to use that term much anymore." He tilted his head to the side then. "What wasn't written down, though? 'Norvrandt'? A bit strange that they would only name Il Mheg unless perhaps the tales were written by someone who perhaps saw the place in a pixie-given dream? It's possible, I suppose..."

Anne-Sophie was unable to reply sensically. "I...can I touch your hand?" she blurted out.

"Hmmm." Normally he was the one asking for people's hands, and yet this is the second time in as many weeks that it's the inverse. Still, Rae held out one gloved hand. "All right."

"I am going to draw my sword. This was supposed to figure into the next part of the 'faerie tale'," she put a little lilt on the words, sarcastic in nature, "but my Fury's Looking-Glass was a key part of my journey to your world. It serves as something of a focus for me. Do you allow this?"

"My previous comment of not wanting to be stabbed still stands, but so long as we're clear on that then I am fine with this." Probably. Hopefully. Rae was supposed to be working on the whole 'blindly agreeing to everything for curiosity's sake', but... Well. He wasn't very good at that.

The Mystic Knight was content to take the words as given, though she sensed his reservations. "No stabbing; terrible way to use a sword, anyroad." With reassurances thus offered, she drew Glass from its swordbelt. The sword hovered in the air, point towards the earth, as her hands released it. "Mirror, mirror, standing tall; share with me his aether's call." She took Rae-Hann's hand, and Glass completed one deosil rotation around the pair. All things considered, the rite was completed very quickly; under thirty heartbeats. As Glass displayed a telescopic image of Rae-Hann on the forest floor, some six ilms tall, Anne-Sophie spoke. "Curious...though your attunement to earth aether is strong enough to spark levin between its isles...there is but a void, dominating all. And Glass shows you..diminished, somehow."

She released his hand, and Glass returned to its place at her hip, singing through the air as it moved. "Yet you do not appear...lesser, in any way. Tell me, as a native of Norvrandt...how do you feel, here? And how did you come to be here? And what was the First like before the Light subsumed it? And what was it called before only Norvrandt remained? And..." she trailed off, stepping back. "M-my apologies. You were correct; when there is silence, someone will often opt to fill it with questions and chatter."

Rae shrugged as he flexed his hand briefly before crossing his arms. "The ambient aether here was overwhelming at first. Even after becoming accustomed to it, I still find myself tiring easily. I thought that merely a symptom of past maladies, but an aetherologist seems to think it due to the sparseness of mine aether." He took a moment to mull over the many questions before continuing. "However, I was born after the Flood, so I cannot say much as to what it was before. My family was not even from the continent. It's by chance that they were there in the years just prior." As for how he came to be here... "Well, the 'levin' aether you sense is, presumably, the remnants of the one who brought me here. Though, I don't mind sharing if you're truly interested."

"I...I would really love to hear it. Rae-Hann, yes? I did catch the glottal stop correctly this time?"

"Yes, that's correct," he affirmed with a nod. And from there he... stopped. Oh no, now he actually had to try and explain everything. Rae made a face as he tried to decide where to even begin. "I'm not much for storytelling, but I'll try to make it as comprehensible as possible without boring you with extraneous detail. Firstly, I had a device in my possession, meant to heal much as an aetherial healer would. However, it was eventually augmented with machinery, and tied into my own aether as well as that of a pixie's. The ‘why’ isn't exactly important anymore, but it could connect aether and dreams between there and here. When it accidentally pulled the souls of several Eorzeans to Norvrandt while they slept, I wondered if it could similarly allow me to visit this place in my own sleep. It did, and I spent quite near a year visiting in such a fashion."

He lifted a hand to tap at his chest, just below the collar bone. "I met someone on one of those visits. A witch, you could say. After one poor deal later, I realized I'd given her possession of my soul. I carry her still, so that when I die she takes my aether. Seeing as I'd already made one deal, what could another harm? So, I gathered her more aether from here and there, and in exchange she would make for me a body with which my dreaming soul could be placed. Or rather, her partner who had researched Allagan cloning made the body, and she is the one who dealt with transferring my aether safely. So, here I am, in a rented body, I suppose. It's done me well enough." He shrugged as his story concluded. "And... that's about it really. It's fairly straightforward."

Anne-Sophie drank his words in like a plant seeking the barest hint of rain. "By the Fury...your aether seems weak not because of your place of origin, but because you are a Dreamer." She reached out towards him once more, then let her questing hand fall.

"Hm! I hadn't thought of that, but it is very possible indeed." He nodded, glancing back briefly to the mushrooms as he thought this over. When he looked back, he canted his head to the side, bemused at her outstretched hand.

"Your body in Norvrandt; what has become of it?"

"I left it in Il Mheg, funnily enough. There was an amaro that kept following me around... I did tell it to not stick around after I fell asleep, but I honestly couldn't say what happened after for, ah, the obvious reason of being technically dead, I guess."

"Technically...technically dead! And with the Amaro! Those who remember my knight...oh, Oberic, I pray mirth lightens your vigil!" Her throat released a sound that was somewhere between a sob and a laugh. "I am sorry...it is just...all along, you said you were from across the sea, and...I had never expected said sea to be the Rift.” She continued, start-stopping her words; she was more reluctant to share another’s story than she was her own. “There is another like me, by the by...an Ishgardian who found herself in the First, and worked as a Crystarium guard. Sawyer Reeves. We met by chance...both there, and here."

Unsurprisingly, Rae-Hann didn't recognize the name of the enstoned knight, nor that of the other Ishgardian. Still, he drummed his fingers along his arm. "Hm. Two of my wayward Eorzeans were also Ishgardian, and another from Tailfeather. I almost half wonder if those from the area are more predisposed to phenomena involving the two."

"It might be, Rae. Because, you see," she took on her Scholasticate manner once more, "for those of us from Ishgard...we have ever sought the 'lived happily ever after'." Her lips pursed into a moue before she continued. "There are many parallels between Voeburt and Ishgard, too. Rak'tika and the Shroud; Amh Araeng and Thanalan and Gyr Abania, both. Nothing so neat and pat as to be perfect, but...reflections. Eulmore, even, reflects the fatuous nature of Limsans that fancy themselves nobility." She took a relieved breath, and concluded, "But I have ended the tale of our fair Knight, for now. She learned that the happily ever after is what you make of it. And so she returned like a comet, striking the earth, recovering from it for a full season or two."

Rae-Hann grinned at that, though without mirth. "Yes, it was fascinating to see how similar they all are despite their differences. Though, the other that told me that the worlds are but reflections seemed bent on the notion that only my own was the reflection. That this here is in fact the source of the reflection, hence its name. Might I ask what your view on that would be?"

She stepped back. "I do not have enough data points to determine a proper response to your question, Rae-Hann. By your own admission, you have curious points in your aetherial makeup that can be attributed to the one who gave you physical form, yes?"

He tilted his head to the side, bemused, but didn't press the matter. Eventually, he nodded. "That is true. Wouldn't do for her to lose track of me, after all. Are you saying that the fact that aether from both places can coexist would have a bearing on which point is true or not?"

"I am of the opinion that there is but one place that all originated from, and it is not even the Source; at least not as we know it. This theorem is heretical, even among the progressive minds of Ishgard." Anne-Sophie lifted her hands in a shrug, amused resignation playing across her foxlike features in the fading sunlight. "If I am going to be taken in for heresy...let them hear the full extent of my bizarre theories. Though I be found guilty, the words will lead those who walk after."

"So, you would posit that the Source is in fact... not the true source at all? Heretical or not, it is rather interesting." After considering this further, Rae arched a brow. "Mind if I ask why you believe that, though?"

She introduced her answer more like a professor leading a lecture than a peer; something that she was too awkward to notice as irritating at best, insufferable at worst. Using a bracelet with a shell-shaped gem as its sole ornament, she described her theory; that the shards were strung as a bracelet about some unknowable wrist, the chain between each bead a small portal that connected the worlds. In truth, Anne-Sophie had reached this conclusion by reading the works of much sharper minds than her own. From time to time, her wayward foster cousin Estinien would send her some treatise or the other that his companions were working on, and she devoured each one.

When she’d concluded her lesson, Rae ran his hand over his face, ears flicking backward as he filed what he’d learned away for later. Things to chew on after having some time to think on them, to consider over tea or something. He frowned, then spoke. “Knowledge does have its consequences. Though I am surprised that is what would cause Ishgard to pursue you to such an extent. I was more expecting... horrific experiments or something, not theory and knowledge." He paused. "I'm no oracle, so I couldn't say as to what will happen in the future, of course."

At length, the Mystic Knight stepped back, and offered him an awkward little bow in gratitude. "Keep the bracelet, petty a token as it is. Knowledge crowns those who seek her...and we risk much in seeking that crown. They have, ah." She frowned, then specified who ‘they’ were. "My House has suffered much for my reach. But I never conducted any horrific experiments; at least, not by your measure, nor mine. I am wanted because I sought another world, and found it. In so doing, I did make the Holy See of Ishgard aetherically vulnerable; twice, in nine days, actually.

Rae-Hann glanced back down to the bracelet with a nod. "Petty? Perhaps. Though I will find a use for it." When he looks back to her, Rae swivels one ear forward at her words. "I've never been one to get in the way of one with the ambition to bring their dreams to fruition, so there's little reason I would report your location to the Holy See. However, I do believe you are likely not safe here. This is the main means of travel between Ishgard and Gridania, after all."

"You are...quite correct, Rae-Hann. I have been made, as they say, twice in a sennight."

The Mystel sighed once more, turning his gaze to the heavens. "Ah. Stars above. How are you still a free woman? I'm not surprised that someone else has already spotted you. You haven't exactly made much effort to avoid public places, and you're fairly recognizable when compared to those posters they've got posted in the city. Who knows how far they've distributed those, as well."

"I actually was spotted. Before you did, I mean. By Baron Rosaire, as it happens!" She laughed; it had the tinge of exhausted madness to it. "Ahhh. And, at the end, he decided that my heresy was not meet with the current orthodoxy. What do you think, Rae-Hann? Was my crime worthy of Witchdrop? Ah...that is, being shoved over the edge of a cliff, left to fall to my death for heresy."

"A man of some common sense, from the sounds of it. I'd thought Ishgard was reevaluating its stance on heresy these days. Hm." At the mention of Witchdrop, his eyes glazed over. Right. "Yes, I know the place. But, no, I do not think that an appropriate response in this situation. If anything, what you really need to some proper sleep."

"Sleep! Yes. I do. I enjoy the Bobbing Cork, and its inn rooms immune to the orthodoxy. In a few moons, I will be on trial, and I will confess that I created a portal to your world for my own personal gain. My obsession that led to discovery. If...if you can find it in your heart to advocate for me, I would appreciate it. Futhermore, my trial aside...full glad am I that you avoided Witchdrop, and would like to know more about you. Possibly too much more. And...next time, I will buy you the meal of your choosing."

He blinked. "Advocate for you... If you think it would help, I don't see why not. I haven't been to Ishgard in some time, so that will make for an excuse to do so." His expression brightened at her offer. "Ah, but I could never turn down a free meal. You've an interesting mind, so I could see myself taking the opportunity to see what else is hanging about in there. Try not to get into too much trouble until then, though, hm?"

"I will...actually try to not. I am ashamed that I was so easily spotted, twice in a sennight. I think...I will spend one more night here, then retreat to the Gyshal's Greens until my summons take effect." She fiddled with Glass’s crossguard. "I have to ask, for personal interest. Are you lonely, here, in this world? This bead of the bracelet around the wrist none of us chose to adorn?"

Rae-Hann nodded, apparently satisfied with this place. However, as he turned to make his way back toward Fallgourd, he stopped in his tracks. He really didn't have to answer that, but... "No. Not here. Not anymore." With that, Rae shrugged before making his way back up the trail.

Anne-Sophie remained behind for half a bell longer, looking upon the fungi on the boulder. Now that night had fallen, their spots and gills emitted a faint glow. Life sprung from a stone. In time, she returned to her inn room and slept a dreamless sleep.

((Thanks again to @yokasaris for the awesome RP that spawned today's and yesterday's posts!))

(Continued here!)