#rachel flax : answered.

[battleincarchive]

im cher’s bitch and i have zero self control tag drop 3

[thefairefolk-rp]

Welcome, Rachel! Your application for Asa Moon has been accepted!

OOC INFORMATION: Name/Nickname: Rachel, though I often go by Rae Age: 18 Preferred Pronouns: she/her Timezone: CET (I’m in Germany) Activity and Availability: I’d say for sure a solid 7, and possibly an 8. I may not be on at the same time as others due to time zones, but I’ll do my best to respond promptly! Have you read the rules and FAQ? Yes IC INFORMATION: Desired Character: Lady Asa Moon Second Choice Character: Indigo Bell What made you choose this character?: I love the idea of a moral person in a corrupt court, who is standing up against what they know is wrong. Also, the Nighthawks sound totally epic. Are there any changes you would like to make?: If it lines up with what you have already decided and what we talked about, I’d like to add to the last paragraph of her background (though if not it’s totally fine). Something along these lines (this is how I wrote it in my notes, and I added the last sentence afterwards): Only a few members of the Nighthawks know that Asa is the one who founded and is in command of the secret network of rebels. Her identity is a closely guarded secret which is only shared when necessary, as the advantage of having a hand in court can not be overestimated. Even those who know her true identity keep her two lives separate. Their leader is known only to them and the outside world as Lady Nighthawk. And so Lady Moon bides her time, playing the loyal servant and waiting for a time to strike. Questions/Comments: I nearly screamed with excitement when I read about the City in Chains event, so I’m already way too invested in this character. Thank you so much for answering my questions, and I can’t wait to develop her more! Writing Sample: (I kinda got carried away, sorry! Feel free to put this under a read more if you want)

Lady Asa Moon studied her surroundings as she sipped from a crystal chalice. The Full Moon Banquet was in full swing, with Lords and Ladies conversing loudly, minstrels playing jauntily, and food being added to the tables as soon as a plate was emptied. Despite the black stone of the Great Hall being lit only by the candelabras and a few torches, it seemed bright and lively - almost festive, which was something Asa had never thought the Unseelie Court could be.

She was pulled out of her reverie as her neighbor, Lady Amberbelle, turned to face her. “Isn’t it a wonderful party?” She gushed. “King Oberon hosts only the best, of course. But I do think this is one of his finer accomplishments, although I don’t even want to think of the expenses. And the best part of it all is that we get to sit at the table directly left of the King!!”

“His Royal Highness has indeed been most gracious,” Asa replied, nodding at her fellow noblewoman. Although his intentions in having all the unmarried Ladies sit near to him might be less so, she thought wryly. She turned to look at the man they were speaking of, ignoring her fellow guest as the woman prattled on. The King was in fine spirits this evening, seeming almost jovial as he spoke with those around him. Even his Queen looked less bloodthirsty then usual.

Suddenly, the sound of the grand doors opening cut through the hubbub. It silenced all but the most drunken revelers, who were quickly shushed by those around them. A member of the Unseelie Knights entered, followed closely by the King’s Master of Appointments, Lord Tirell, and a fae man who had long before entered his elder years. All eyes followed them as they made their way past the long tables up to the dais where the royal family sat. Lord Tirell bowed quickly, huffing from the effort of moving his considerable girth so quickly, while the knight bowed from the waist for the required five heartbeats and then rose, saying, “My apologies, your Highness, but this man requested to see you. He refused to be deterred.”

“I tried to stop him, your majesty,” Lord Tirell added, sniffing disapprovingly. “The man is persistent. He just kept coming back and demanding that I allow him to take first place on your long line of appointments. But there is only so much I can do.”

King Oberon nodded at the two. “Let this persistent man speak.”

As soon as the two had stepped to the side the old man rushed forward, practically falling into a bow, hands and knees pressed against the black marble floor. “I beg you to forgive my intrusion, your Majesty,” he said, his raspy voice carrying through the room. Asa remained outwardly composed, though she wanted to cringe. No man should ever have to grovel before another. The man continued, ignorant of Asa’s inner discontent. “If it please your highness, I would like to request the release of my son. He was taken by the Unseelie Knights a fortnight ago, and I have been waiting for an audience with your majesty every day hence. His elder mother and I were hoping that we could fall upon your majesty’s generosity and that he might be able to come home and enjoy this feast day with his family.” The man lowered his white head so that it nearly touched the stone beneath him and waited with bated breath - as did the rest of the court.

King Oberon sat in silence for a moment, drumming his long fingers against the table. “What crime was your son arrested for?”

The man gulped audibly. “For publicly agreeing to unspeakable rumors about your majesty.”

The silence was broken by gasps and murmurs, but quickly returned as King Oberon raised a hand. “I think I know the prisoner of whom you speak. What is the lad’s name?”

“Flax Bromwen, my lord,” the man replied, looking up at his King for the first time.

“Yes, that’s the one.” The King snapped his fingers, and a knight was at his side instantly. “Bring this man’s son to me. Now.” The knight bowed and rushed off. Oberon gestured at the man kneeling before him. “You may rise, Sir Bromwen.”

“I’m no sir, your highness, but I thank you all the same.” The old man struggled to his feet, aided by the knight who still stood near him. Lord Tirell was not much help, merely fluttering his pudgy hands anxiously.

The Unseelie court waited for a few - awkward - minutes, in which King Oberon returned to eating his food and the rest of the room stayed silent, all focused on the drama unfolding. The next loud sound was the grand doors opening once again, and the young prisoner’s chained wrists clanking as he was lead forward. When he reached the space before the dais he was pushed into his knees. Father and son shared anxious glances, then turned to wait upon the King.

Oberon finished his mouthful of food and took a long drought of wine before looking at the figures in front of him. “You are very lucky to have such a loving father, Flax Bromwen. Not only has he waited to speak with me on your behalf, he had begged for me to give you mercy. Tell me, what caused you to commit the crime you are accused of?”

The man - barely more then a sapling, Asa guessed - looked at his father, then back at the King. “I was trying to relax after a long day of harvesting, your majesty, and I got carried away with how much I had to drink. I barely remember what I said, honest.”

“He has only just become an Aphen, my lord,” the elder Bromwen interjected, confirming Asa’s suspicions. “He does not know any better yet.”

“I see.” Oberon took another sip of his wine. “You are aware that the standard punishment for your crime is hanging, correct?” The boy nodded, his back stiffening. How small and frail he looks, Asa thought, hoping against hope that perhaps the sentence would be changed. “However, out of consideration to this celebrated feast day, and out of respect for your elder father’s request, I proclaim that your sentence shall be-”

He paused, and it seemed as though the room itself held its breath.

“Your immediate death.” He gestured with a single finger, and before anyone else had time to react, Captain Ryder of the Unseelie Knights had leapt from her place behind the King, stalked over to the young Bromwen, and slit his throat.

A moment passed.

Then a smattering of applause and laughter broke out among the assembled Sidhe. It gradually grew louder until the whole room was applauding the King’s decision. Asa Moon clapped as enthusiastically as those around her, but her face could have been carved from marble as she watched the elder Bromwen sink to his knees, covered by a spray of his own son’s blood. She barely registered when the clapping began to die down as King Oberon spoke again.

“As for you, Sir Bromwen,” he said, a cruel smile growing. “You will go to my dungeons. I am sure you will get as warm a welcome there as you did here.” He waited until two knights had grabbed the now limp man, then added, “While you’re at it, take those who brought the old fellow in, your fellow knight and Lord Tirell, and have them hung at the earliest possible convenience.”

“But - your majesty!” The guard pushed past his comrades who had attempted to grab him. Lord Tirell merely stood there in shock, gaping like an oversized fish. “I have only ever been a loyal servant of the Unseelie Crown! What is the charge against me, and against your Master of Appointments?”

King Oberon lowered the chalice he had been about to drink from. “Interrupting my feast, of course.”

There was a split second of silence as the man was seized and the King drunk his wine, until Lord Caraway rose from his seat near the King and lifted his own chalice. “To our King, and his gracious and merciful judgement! Long may he reign!”

The entire room resounded with the cry, and after the toast, a roar of approval. Lords and Ladies cheered loudly and continued toasting their King as the three men were dragged from the hall - one because he was too weak to stand, one because he was too bewildered, and the third because he fought the entire way.

Lady Asa Moon applauded loudly, but only took her eyes off them after the doors had slammed shut, sealing their doom. A strange buzzing filled her ears, blocking out all of the noise around her. She was only able to focus on the King, who leaned over and murmured to his captain, “Find the rest of the family Bromwen, and kill them as well.” Without waiting for the confirmation that was inevitably given, he turned back to his cheering court, accepting their adoration with a regal nod and a smile.

Asa continue to clap, though her mind was racing. This is what is considered - even condoned - as justice?! What kind of world have we created that we applaud the death of innocents? She gazed around the room again, observing the laughter and enjoyment that was evident on each face. It has not even crossed their minds that this might be wrong. Lady Moon quickly broke off her applause so she could raise her chalice to her lips to hide the anger that was forming. She alone stood against the overwhelming approval of the twisted politics of the Unseelie Court. Something must be done, she thought. Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority believe it to be right. And if no one else is willing to rise up against them and right the wrongs they have chosen to blindly applaud, then it seems I must.

[bethestaryouareradio]

May Play

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.” Rachel Carson

The intoxicating waft of sweet jasmine filled my nostrils as I opened my front door and stepped onto the porch. Droplets of rain still clung to the leaves of the Japanese maple while the bright orb of sunshine broke through the cumulus clouds encouraging the clematis to reveal their splendor.

May! Magnificent May!

Between the copious showers and the solar assistance, spring is alive and lush with the grandeur of flora. My entire garden is bursting with surprises of color, textures, and forms. Plants are sprouting that I thought had long ago failed. The orchard trees are abundant with the tiny beginnings of the luscious fruit that will ripen in summer and fall. Scampering from branch to branch, squirrels entertain while stealing the bright orange loquats in their harried feeding frenzy. Birds, lizards, frogs, spiders, and other garden collaborators are active in their pursuit of the bounty of the month.

Yet, alas, weeds, weeds, everywhere. I spent every weekend in April in addition to hours daily before and after work pulling, composting, pulling, composting, pulling, and composting. The good news is that the soil is amenable, and although tedious and exhausting, I am able to pull most of these grasses and undesirables by hand. After all of my April preparations, including soil amending, I am finally ready for May planting. Seeds have been carefully sown for okra, beets, carrots, jalapenos, arugula, pole beans, bush beans, rattlesnake beans, peas, chard, corn, pumpkin, cucumber, a variety of lettuces, greens, and kohlrabi. On Mother’s Day I’ll plant seedlings of tomatoes, eggplant, and squash. I am excited to tend to this living family of friends.

When I was a child, this was my most favorite time of the year (Christmas excepted) because we were able to dig in the dirt, plant our vegetable garden, and moreover, savor the succulent smells of the soil of spring. When my children were young, getting them involved in the outdoor projects was paramount. Invite your children to plant a garden with you. Kids love getting dirty. We were told that we had “clean dirt” because after a day in the garden our bodies and clothes were washed. (My Mom used to brush us off with a broom, too!) Children will be fascinated with worms, bugs, frogs, and lizards. Gardening together forms family bonds with memories that will last forever, as you witness mine have.  We were given our own plot of land to grow whatever we wanted and I did the same for my kids. My son’s name remains on the gate where he began his “Veggie Garden”. Suggest that your child grow a pizza garden filled with tomatoes, peppers, onions, basil, and oregano or maybe a butterfly and bee heaven where pollinators will gather. Think easy to grow plants such as lavender, sunflowers, or poppies.

Make sure to spray yourself and your clothing with bug repellent. Ticks are ubiquitous this season hiding in the tall grass and shrubs just waiting to jump onto a heart healthy human and start the blood sucking. Mosquito larvae are already hatching. With all of the rain, get ready for mosquito madness. Scour your property for the tiniest accumulation of water in a container and dump it out. Old tires are notorious breeders of mosquitoes as water gets trapped in the inner rims and the larvae multiply and hatch quickly.  

Spring is healing. It’s new birth. It’s a refresher course on living. Step outside your front door. Inhale the fragrance. Observe the beauty. Then get into your garden for a day of play. Hurray for May!

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Gardener Tips for May

DIVIDE perennials, especially those that will bloom in autumn such as sedum and chrysanthemum.  Dig up the clumps , pull apart, and replant in other areas.

TRANSPLANT shrubs, trees, and other plants that you want in other places in your garden.  Make sure to get as much of the root ball as possible when digging, replant immediately. Water thoroughly.

PLANT okra, beans, watermelon, cucumbers, corn, amaranth, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, pumpkin, and whatever you love to eat.

REMOVE the bulbs from the potted gifts of narcissus, tulip, hyacinth, or Easter lilies that you received in April after the blooms and foliage die back and plant in your garden. You’ll be thrilled next year when the blooms and the reminiscences of the giver rekindle joy in your heart.

ADD nitrogen and organic matter while building the quality of the soil with a cover crop leaving no bare soil.  Radish, cowpea, sunflower, oats, and flax will provide lovely cut flowers, and prevent erosion until you are ready to plant something else for the summer.  

USE the best tools possible for your gardening chores to save time and labor. A strong and well made hoe, spade, shovel, pick, pruning saw, pruning shears, hand trowel, and rake are essentials that when maintained properly will last for many years.  Recommend buying construction grade tools instead of just garden tools.

PRE-ORDER my forthcoming garden book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, Book I in the Garden Shorts Series. Publishing was delayed in April but will be ready for May. All pre-orders will receive extra goodies such as heirloom seeds, bookmarks, and more. Email me for details, Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com. 25% of the proceeds benefit the 501c3 Be the Star You Are!® charity. http://goddessgardener.com/books

Win $50,000 for your Garden:  As a judge in America’s Best Gardener Contest. I encourage you to enter to win $50,000.  Show the world that your thumb is the greenest by showing the world pictures of your garden today! http://www.americasbestgardener.com

PLAN to attend the Orinda Garden Club Tour on May 11 where five Orinda and Lafayette gardens will showcase their spectacular outdoor living settings. Get inspired for spring. http://www.orindagc.ord/tour2017.

PAY your water bill with your credit card and accumulate those airline and hotel miles. EBMUD only charges an additional $1.99.  Best deal!

EMPTY all outdoor vessels of standing water. Even a teacup saucer will breed mosquitoes.

VISIT the Be the Star You Are!® booth at the Moraga Faire on Saturday, May 13th between 11-4pm to get a bag of complimentary spring potpourri. Bring your gardening questions and I’ll be there to answer them. www.BetheStarYouAre.org/events

INVITE your Mother for a day of garden strolling. Visit the Botanical Gardens in San Francisco (http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org) or go on a hike on your favorite trail.

Looking forward to seeing you at the 11th Annual Moraga Faire. Let’s talk about play in May.  My sincerest wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day to every Mom in our community. You are love and are loved.

Happy Gardening and Happy Growing!

Read more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1105/Gardening-Guide-Hurray-for-May.html

Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is a New York Times best selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are1® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.com Available for hire for any project.   Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com www.GoddessGardener.com 925-377-STAR

[goddessgardener]

May Hurray!

“There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after the winter.” Rachel Carson

The intoxicating waft of sweet jasmine filled my nostrils as I opened my front door and stepped onto the porch. Droplets of rain still clung to the leaves of the Japanese maple while the bright orb of sunshine broke through the cumulus clouds encouraging the clematis to reveal their splendor.

May! Magnificent May!

Between the copious showers and the solar assistance, spring is alive and lush with the grandeur of flora. My entire garden is bursting with surprises of color, textures, and forms. Plants are sprouting that I thought had long ago failed. The orchard trees are abundant with the tiny beginnings of the luscious fruit that will ripen in summer and fall. Scampering from branch to branch, squirrels entertain while stealing the bright orange loquats in their harried feeding frenzy. Birds, lizards, frogs, spiders, and other garden collaborators are active in their pursuit of the bounty of the month.

Yet, alas, weeds, weeds, everywhere. I spent every weekend in April in addition to hours daily before and after work pulling, composting, pulling, composting, pulling, and composting. The good news is that the soil is amenable, and although tedious and exhausting, I am able to pull most of these grasses and undesirables by hand. After all of my April preparations, including soil amending, I am finally ready for May planting. Seeds have been carefully sown for okra, beets, carrots, jalapenos, arugula, pole beans, bush beans, rattlesnake beans, peas, chard, corn, pumpkin, cucumber, a variety of lettuces, greens, and kohlrabi. On Mother’s Day I’ll plant seedlings of tomatoes, eggplant, and squash. I am excited to tend to this living family of friends.

When I was a child, this was my most favorite time of the year (Christmas excepted) because we were able to dig in the dirt, plant our vegetable garden, and moreover, savor the succulent smells of the soil of spring. When my children were young, getting them involved in the outdoor projects was paramount. Invite your children to plant a garden with you. Kids love getting dirty. We were told that we had “clean dirt” because after a day in the garden our bodies and clothes were washed. (My Mom used to brush us off with a broom, too!) Children will be fascinated with worms, bugs, frogs, and lizards. Gardening together forms family bonds with memories that will last forever, as you witness mine have.  We were given our own plot of land to grow whatever we wanted and I did the same for my kids. My son’s name remains on the gate where he began his “Veggie Garden”. Suggest that your child grow a pizza garden filled with tomatoes, peppers, onions, basil, and oregano or maybe a butterfly and bee heaven where pollinators will gather. Think easy to grow plants such as lavender, sunflowers, or poppies.

Make sure to spray yourself and your clothing with bug repellent. Ticks are ubiquitous this season hiding in the tall grass and shrubs just waiting to jump onto a heart healthy human and start the blood sucking. Mosquito larvae are already hatching. With all of the rain, get ready for mosquito madness. Scour your property for the tiniest accumulation of water in a container and dump it out. Old tires are notorious breeders of mosquitoes as water gets trapped in the inner rims and the larvae multiply and hatch quickly.  

Spring is healing. It’s new birth. It’s a refresher course on living. Step outside your front door. Inhale the fragrance. Observe the beauty. Then get into your garden for a day of play. Hurray for May!

Cynthia Brian’s Goddess Gardener Tips for May

DIVIDE perennials, especially those that will bloom in autumn such as sedum and chrysanthemum.  Dig up the clumps , pull apart, and replant in other areas.

TRANSPLANT shrubs, trees, and other plants that you want in other places in your garden.  Make sure to get as much of the root ball as possible when digging, replant immediately. Water thoroughly.

PLANT okra, beans, watermelon, cucumbers, corn, amaranth, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, pumpkin, and whatever you love to eat.

REMOVE the bulbs from the potted gifts of narcissus, tulip, hyacinth, or Easter lilies that you received in April after the blooms and foliage die back and plant in your garden. You’ll be thrilled next year when the blooms and the reminiscences of the giver rekindle joy in your heart.

ADD nitrogen and organic matter while building the quality of the soil with a cover crop leaving no bare soil.  Radish, cowpea, sunflower, oats, and flax will provide lovely cut flowers, and prevent erosion until you are ready to plant something else for the summer.  

USE the best tools possible for your gardening chores to save time and labor. A strong and well made hoe, spade, shovel, pick, pruning saw, pruning shears, hand trowel, and rake are essentials that when maintained properly will last for many years.  Recommend buying construction grade tools instead of just garden tools.

PRE-ORDER my forthcoming garden book, Growing with the Goddess Gardener, Book I in the Garden Shorts Series. Publishing was delayed in April but will be ready for May. All pre-orders will receive extra goodies such as heirloom seeds, bookmarks, and more. Email me for details, Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com. 25% of the proceeds benefit the 501c3 Be the Star You Are!® charity. http://goddessgardener.com/books

Win $50,000 for your Garden:  As a judge in America’s Best Gardener Contest. I encourage you to enter to win $50,000.  Show the world that your thumb is the greenest by showing the world pictures of your garden today! http://www.americasbestgardener.com

PLAN to attend the Orinda Garden Club Tour on May 11 where five Orinda and Lafayette gardens will showcase their spectacular outdoor living settings. Get inspired for spring. http://www.orindagc.ord/tour2017.

PAY your water bill with your credit card and accumulate those airline and hotel miles. EBMUD only charges an additional $1.99.  Best deal!

EMPTY all outdoor vessels of standing water. Even a teacup saucer will breed mosquitoes.

VISIT the Be the Star You Are!® booth at the Moraga Faire on Saturday, May 13th between 11-4pm to get a bag of complimentary spring potpourri. Bring your gardening questions and I’ll be there to answer them. www.BetheStarYouAre.org/events

INVITE your Mother for a day of garden strolling. Visit the Botanical Gardens in San Francisco (http://www.sfbotanicalgarden.org) or go on a hike on your favorite trail.

Looking forward to seeing you at the 11th Annual Moraga Faire. Let’s talk about play in May.  My sincerest wishes for a Happy Mother’s Day to every Mom in our community. You are love and are loved.

Happy Gardening and Happy Growing!

Read more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1105/Gardening-Guide-Hurray-for-May.html

Cynthia Brian, The Goddess Gardener, is a New York Times best selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are1® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s Radio show at www.StarStyleRadio.com Available for hire for any project.   Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com www.GoddessGardener.com 925-377-STAR