#rauf knows this

[teecupangel]

This all happened because of this post

Where @theconfusedartist left these tags:

#i love the little bounce he does after slapping the dude too #hes having so much fun slapping people around he doesn't even care if they die after that #hes just having a good time at that poinr#

Then I left these tags:

#(the little bounce is because he's stepping on a body and the game physics is wonky) #ssssshhhhh #this is altaïr having fun #let him have fun #he just had to listen to al mualim give a long ass lesson #this is how altaïr destresses

Then @thedragonqueen1998 left these tags:

#after every talk Altaïr has with Al Mualim a novice dies inside #cause they know they know he will beat the shit out of them to destress #XD

So have this small ‘outsider’s POV’ of a poor recruit:

They had heard tales of how one must tread carefully in the presence of Malik Al-Sayf, one of the few Dais to ever have his own bureau.

The Dai does care not for excuses and they had heard horror stories that ranged from the believable (the Dai will make a novice train his Vision until he starts to see stars) to obvious horseshit (the Dai feast on the tears of novices).

It was a common ‘warning story’ that one must be wary if they were stationed in Jerusalem.

But… in their eyes…

Masyaf was more of a hell.

Whenever the Eagle of Masyaf returned.

They were there when the master had stripped Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad of his rank.

They had heard the whispers how it was only the master’s mercy and love for him as a son that stayed the master’s hand from taking the man’s life.

But…

If the master truly did love the Eagle of Masyaf like a son then he was one of those frustrating fathers who always berated his own son because…

“Ah, Altaïr.”

They felt a shiver go down his spine and all of them shared a frightened look among themselves as their combat instructor, Rauf, called out to Altaïr.

All of them lowered their heads when Altaïr glanced at them with a face carved in stone to keep a blank expression only to be betrayed by the fury in his golden eyes.

Rauf paid it no heed and the recruits all know their instructor was not blind nor oblivious.

He always did this on purpose because he was the true monster who feasted on the tears of others.

“It seemed my students do not know how to properly wield a blade.” Rauf’s lips were curved into an easy grin and the fear loomed all around the recruits as their instructor continued, “If you can spare your time, would you be so kind as to teach them even just for a bit?”

Altaïr stared at Rauf for a moment and everyone hoped…

No.

They prayed that Altaïr would say ‘no’ this time around.

But…

“Very well.” Altaïr nodded at Rauf, “The usual then?”

“Yes.” Rauf replied, his easy grin appearing like a smile full of a predator’s teeth about to play with its food, “Thank you, Altaïr.”

As Altaïr walked towards the training ring, all recruits readied themselves.

For an afternoon of having to fight and be taken down by the strongest of them and an entire day of sore muscles and bruised ego.

[voidfartm]

10 am and i am writing. i am wirting pharagrahp ipon paraggrahp im so grr

[avoidantvoidd]

(tap on the images for better quality. tumblr keeps fucking up my stuff w their low res bs)

Monsterfucker Altaïr = best Altaïr

inspired by the countless monsterfucker Altaïr prompts by the all mighty @teecupangel (+ all the nonnies & ppl who gave them ideas :) )

an accurate dipiction of Altaïr when he spots hybrid/eldritch being!desmond roaming in the wild.

i didn't know if i should put kadar n malik in there. but as much as i wanted to i couldn't imagien them saying it. so i put some rando novice and rauf himself instead. lmaooooo (the rando novice will become a mascot later on in more of my art work dw)

ignore the way Altaïr's hood look like a fucking samosa and focus on how neat my handwriting is. i tried to make is as eligible as possible.

i was hungry while drawing that so i think thats the reason why, HAH.

ughhhhhh. i need to draw more. like actually draw and not shitpost stuff like this. like i made one of the best art work in my life and just fell off. i hate it here.

art dump (?) under the cut.

some altdes for the soul :)

please excuse my poor attempt at chibi art style. my hands r just allergic to cute stuff :( i gave up on coloring them too. my laptop wont let me.

i tried drawing desmond in my style, and i have to say it's not taht bad :0. But i fucked his hair. i already suck ass at drawing hair, but at least i can bullshit my way through long hair but his buzzcut is SO HARD TO DRAW. like THATS INSANe. why. i wanted to give him some fluffy hair. as you can see i failed. tramendusly.

desmond, my son, why must you lack hair....

It's not much for an 'art dump' but these two r the only ones in my folders that the human eyes can tolerate.

ok sorry for taking up ur screen with my ramblings i'll be going now, bye xoxo.

[garrulousgryffindor]

Show Me How To Live - Chapter Four

Pairing: Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad/Malik Al-Sayf Rating: M Summary: Fusion AU - Assassin's Creed characters in a Detroit: Become Human setting. Malik is a practical man that believes in what you can see and touch. While investigating a homicide he finds an unusual companion android with an even more unusual attitude problem. Despite what he thinks he knows to be true about the machines, he finds himself feeling sympathetic to the bucket of bolts. As tensions rise between the androids and humans, and the question of what is 'human' becomes more prevalent, Malik finds himself questioning it along with everyone else. Author's Note: You do not need to have any previous knowledge of D:BH to enjoy this story. If you like sci-fi and robots and questions like 'does this unit have a soul?', you can still read (and hopefully enjoy) my story. Chapter Summary: Malik & Altair scramble to come up with a good reason for Rauf as to why Altair is suddenly living with Malik. The two of them settle into uneasy domestic bliss, as much as one can when one of the parties is in hiding. Altair decides that he's going to fix their thirium problem on his own. And Malik is not pleased about it.

Read - Chapter Four

[wisdomrays]

The All-Beautiful Names of God: Past 6

The Names Originating in Divine Attributes of Glory

(Al-)Hayy: The All-Living

(Ash-)Shakur: The All-Responsive (to the good and gratitude of His creatures)

(Al-)Qahhar: The All-Overwhelming (with absolute sway over all that exists)

(Al-)Qahir: The All-Overpowering, Who crushes those who deserve crushing

(Al-)Muqtadir: The All-Omnipotent

(Al-)Qawiyy: The All-Strong

(Al-)Murid: The All-Willing

(Al-)Qadir: The All-Powerful

(Ar-)Rahman: The All-Merciful (Who has mercy on the whole of existence and provides for all of them)

(Ar-)Rahim: The All-Compassionate (Who has particular compassion for each of His creatures in their maintenance, and for His believing servants especially in the other world)

(As-)Subhan: The All-Glorified

(As-)Sultan: The Absolute, Eternal Authority

(Al-)Karim: The All-Munificent

(Al-)Ghaffar: The Oft-Forgiver of sins

(Al-)Ghafur: The All-Forgiving

(Al-)Wadud: The All-Loving and All-Beloved

(Ar-)Rauf: The All-Pitying

(Al-)Halim: The All-Clement (showing no haste to punish the errors of His servants)

(Al-)Barr: The All-Benign

(As-)Sabur: The All-Patient (Whom no haste induces to rush into an action)

(Al-)‘Alim: The All-Knowing

(Al-)Khabir: The All-Aware

(Al-)Muhsi: The All-Counting and Recording

(Al-)Hakim: The One Who does everything properly, the All-Wise

(Ash-)Shahid: The All-Witnessing

(As-)Sami‘: The All-Hearing

(Al-)Basir: The All-Seeing

(Al-)‘Afuww: The All-Pardoning (Who overlooks the faults of His servants and grants remission)

The Names Indicating Divine Acts

(Al-)Mubdi: The All-Initiating

(Al-)Wakil: The One to rely on and to Whom affairs should be entrusted

(Al-)Baith: The One Who restores life to the dead

(Al-)Mujib: The All-Answering (of prayers) and Meeting (of needs)

(Al-)Wasi‘: The All-Embracing (in His Knowledge and Mercy)

(Al-)Hasib: The All-Sufficing as One Who reckons and settles the accounts (of His servants)

(Al-)Mughis: The One Who gives extra help

(Al-)Hafiz: The All-Preserving and Keeper of records, the All-Protecting

(Al-)Khaliq: The C reator (Who determines measure for everything and makes things and beings exist out of nothing)

(as-)Sani‘: The Maker

(Al-)Bari: The All-Holy C reator (Who is absolutely free from having any partners and Who creates without imitating anything)

(Al-)Musawwir: The All-Fashioning

(Ar-)Razzaq: The All-Providing

(Al-)Wahhab: The All-Bestowing

(As-)Sattar: The All-Veiling (of His servants’ shortcomings and sins)

(Al-)Fatir: The All-Originating (with a unique individuality)

(Al-)Fattah: The One Who opens the door of good

(An-)Nasir: The All-Helping and Giver of Victory

(Al-)Kafi: The All-Sufficing

(Al-)Qabid: The All-Constricting; the One Who takes the souls of living beings

(Al-)Basit: The All-Expanding

(Al-)Hafid: The One Who lowers and humiliates whom He wills

(Ar-)Rafi‘: The All-Elevating

(Al-)Mu‘izz: The All-Exalting and Honoring

(Al-)Mudhill: The All-Abasing

(Al-)Hakam: The All-Judging (Who settles the matters between people)

(Al-)‘Adl: The All-Just

(Al-)Latif: The All-Subtle (penetrating into the minutest dimensions of all things and providing for all)

(Al-)Mu‘id: The All-Returning and Restoring (the One Who causes to die after life and returns the dead to life)

(Al-)Muhyi: The Giver of life and All-Reviving

(Al-)Mumit: The One Who causes to die; the All-Dealing of death

(Al-)Waliyy: The Guardian, the Protecting Friend (to rely on)

(At-)Tawwab: The One Who guides to repentance, accepts

• repentance, and returns it with liberal forgiveness and additional reward

(Al-)Muntaqim: The Ever-Able to requite

(Al-)Muqsit: The All-Dealing of justice

(Al-)Jami‘: The One having all excellences to the infinite degree; the All-Gathering

(Al-)Mughni: The All-Enriching

(Al-)Mani‘: The All-Preventing and Withdrawing; the One Who does not give whatever He does not will to give

(Ad-)Darr: The C reator of evil and harm

(An-)Nafi‘: The All-Favoring and Giver of benefits

(Al-)Hadi: The All-Guiding

(Al-)Badi‘: The One Who originates in unique fashion and with nothing preceding Him to imitate

(Ar-)Rashid: The All-Guide to what is correct

(Al-)Qayyūm: The S elf-Subsistent (by Whom all subsist)

Maliku’l-mulk: The absolute Master of all dominion

(Al-)Mu‘akhkhir: The One Who leaves behind

(Al-)Muqaddim: The One Who causes to advance, Who moves things forward

(Al-)Muqit: The All-Aiding and Sustaining

(al-)Wali: The All-Governing

[ereami0]

Lately im listening to Rauf & Faik even tho i don't understand some of their songs but they're super talented and unique ✋✨.

Also i know this sounds funny or weird but i feel like their voices suit Connie and Jean if they are singers

i mean when i close my eyes while listening to their songs i can imagine that Jean and Connie are the ones singing 😭 !! Did you get what i meant? :)

Rauf and faik's voices being a good match for Connie and Jean, there's something about their tones that just kinda fits idc‼️.

[corvidwitxh]

I know I haven't done a proper introduction of my OC's here, and I have no idea what the landscape is for original character cosplay/storytelling/photos or videos is over here but HEYYY this is my man Rauf, a Vampire professor in my world of Briarthorne University. This is a clip of him at the end of the night after hosting a drag show on campus for the students.

[fromashesweriseuphiddenones]

Okay time to go over the Assassin's Creed Games and see what I think needs to be done in a remake.

PT.1

Assassin's Creed

Okay total rebuild in the current engine the game runs in. Also can we get not only options to have the game in other languages primarily an option for Arabic but also in the English please use voice actors who either are native to that region or can speak Arabic well enough. Altaïr sounds way too white. Also please like with two sprinkle in the Arabic. Malik is perfect to mutter Arabic swear words, have Rashid use traditional sayings, have Altaïr and the Raquifs, Dai's, Malik, Abbas, and Rauf say Safety and Peace but in Arabic. Give use in the Muslim section of a city the call to prayer and if you want to as a special blend, you can have Altaïr join in. Include chronicle and bloodlines in the remaster as well as full rebuilds on whatever system you are doing this for. Hell make the keys as memories like you could find in Brotherhood of Christina.

Ezio Trilogy

Okay there are a couple things here. Reiterating the above comment about having the option to play the game in Italian but in the English have again native Italians or can speak Italian well enough. Yes Rodger is iconic but I feel it may get Ubisoft in better graces if they put this level of care into the game. They do it with the settings (or at least did until Odyssey). Include Discovery as a complete rebuild and hey look Aguiler is there too isn't that awesome. Also give us clearly what the tributes to Giovanni and Federico are, make it a whole side quest to get Maria to speak again by collecting the feathers, and these other two...ah I know. The feathers were established early on so why not have more time to get to know our family. Set the game up say a week before the bridge fight, so we can see Giovanni and Maria interact to know what would work, Let us see Federico do something that Maria smiles at. Then once you reach the Villa and Claudia mentioned Maria not speaking, Mario could come in with "can you blame her she just lost her husband and two of her sons?" Ezio could make a thoughtful noise, then you can head back to Florence and get a special interaction with Leonardo who can suggest Why don't you try collecting the Feathers (Pertuccio), Her favorite Flowers (Giovanni), and some other tribute maybe she made some of hand comment about a some fabric and thread she wanted, that way the cape as reward isn't so bad, you got the fabric and thread to make it.

[kvira-greystone]

K’vira turned and looked at the sleeping form of her younger brother in the moonlight. Her night vision was piss-poor, but with the moonlight filtering in through the window, she could make out the small figure of K’rauf several fulms away from her.

The boy, barely 10 summers old now, was fast asleep while curled up on the cold floor. His back was towards her, and she had to resist the urge to reach out to make sure he was okay. The boy had gone to bed hungry, and she could still hear his gurgling stomach with her sensitive ears. 

Renting this apartment took all the gil they had managed to save after paying off guard after guard and purchasing ferries and coach rides as needed until they reached Ul’dah. The sibling pair didn’t even have enough for a loaf of bread on the morrow to break their fasts. K’vira would have to do something to provide for her little brother, she could go a day or two without food if needed, but K’rauf was still in the delicate stages where he’d need plenty of nourishment to grow. 

Her own stomach rumbled at the mere thought of food, and she tried to remember the last time she ate more than a few measly mouthfuls of food to appease her brother’s worries. She could feel the vibrations against her hand as she ran her fingers over her taut belly. 

The gnawing hunger then surged, her stomach growling louder as the hunger pains made her wince in discomfort. Curling in on herself, she waited for the sensation and sounds to pass. 

She didn’t know how long she laid there in the dark, curled up and shaking with hunger, but eventually birdsong started to reach her ears, making the fuzzy appendages flick towards the sounds. Exhaustion sat heavy in her bones as she slowly unfurled her body and stood on shaky legs in the pale morning light that came in through the windows and started warming the stone floors. 

She was bound to collapse soon if she didn’t eat and sleep right, but there was so much to do, and there didn’t seem to be enough bells in the day. K’rauf needed her to take care of him, and today she was supposed to help guide a small-time merchant to another settlement outside the gates of Ul’dah. She was to be gone for two suns, and she needed to find a way to make sure K’rauf had food for those days until she got back. 

K’vira grabbed her gear, and after checking to see if her brother was still asleep, she padded to the apartment area’s community bathhouse. She washed away the fatigue in tepid water, and by the time she was dressed and returned to their apartment, she felt like a little less of the world’s weight was on her shoulders. 

K’rauf was awake when she stepped into the small room (it was all they could afford, a single room apartment called a ‘studio’), and sitting on the floor rubbing away the sleep in his eyes. 

“Good morning, Rauf,” K’vira greeted her brother as she crossed the room to ruffle his hair. “If you wait a little bit, I’ll get something to break your fast.” 

“... You need to eat, too, Vira,” K’rauf said softly, voice still laden with sleep. “I heard your stomach last night. You’re not eating enough.” 

K’vira’s ears flattened at that, her teenage temper threatening to rise in her defense. K’rauf just stared at her with his big violet eyes, not backing down the same as her. The siblings stared at each other for the longest time, but K’vira was the first to break the stalemate.

“If there’s enough, we’ll share it,” she finally settled on as she grabbed her pack from beside the door. “I’m heading to the market. I might be able to run a few errands for someone and get some food for us.”   

The boy hummed in acceptance and suddenly scrambled to get up. “I’ll come with---” 

“Stay here,” K’vira interrupted. “I don’t know this place well enough yet and I don’t want you getting lost in the crowd. The market’s are small, but really busy, and anything could happen to you if I’m not keeping an eye on you.” 

“I can help though,” K’rauf said in a pathetic whine. His tail bottle-brushed and swished angrily behind him as he stomped his foot. Even though the boy had elezen ears, they were just as expressive as miqo’te ones, and turned down in his negative emotions. 

K’vira shook her head. “No. I’m supposed to look after you, and I won’t have something happen to you either. Now, stay here. I’ll be back soon.” 

K’rauf glowered at his sister, sitting on the floor with a harrumph and turning his back towards her. He was done speaking with her, and likely would be mad for a few bells, or until she returned with food.

The miqo’zen rolled her eyes at her little brother’s angry actions, but shut the door without another word. Her stomach rumbled again, and with determination in her heart, she made her way to the Sapphire Avenue Exchange to procure at least a loaf of bread for them. 

[teecupangel]

Thinking about a Desmond time travel au where because of the Bleeds whenever Desmond is alone with one of his ancestors his hindbrain defaults to oh this is a hallucination and he just loses all filter between his thoughts and what he's saying just compete steam of consciousness because it's funny to think of someone going up to the ancestor in question (I'm imaging Altair because he's my fave) and being like why do you trust Desmond he's the most secretive and quiet person ever and Altair responds with something like "Desmond has never once been quiet or secretive in my presence"

“He’s hiding something.”

Oh, he was.

Absolutely.

But he had said all of it to Altaïr in complete confidence and Altaïr was not inclined to share the knowledge and secrets Desmond had imparted to him.

“He cannot be trusted.”

Trust had always been a leap of faith and any trustful person could easily betray them without a second’s warning.

Al Mualim showed that. 

“He’s dangerous.”

All of them were. They were Assassins. That was the point. 

This is getting ridiculous.

“He’s planning something.”

Oh, he was. But he was also not that good with planning or thinking ahead but, it was alright, Altaïr was helping him in that regard.

The idea of ‘one-upping’ one of the beings that had played with the fates of mankind to push for the future they desire sounded like petty revenge and Altaïr was all for it because he could be quite petty if he wanted to.

“Are you even listening to me, Altaïr?”

“Yes.” Altaïr replied calmly, “You have made your point clearly, Malik.” 

Malik glared at him as he retorted, “But you will not heed my warning nonetheless.”

“I will heed it.” Altaïr said, “It won’t matter if I do or do not though.”

“Altaïr…” Malik’s tone was both a warning and an annoyed resignation that Altaïr was quite used to.

“It’s fine, Malik.” Altaïr looked down at the reports he was meant to be reading, “I will keep a close eye on him and will act accordingly.”

“I am worried by what you think ‘accordingly’ means in this situation.” Malik dryly stated before sighing, “But I know you long enough to know my words will fall into deaf ears now that you have made your choice.”

“I truly hope it’s the right choice, Altaïr.” Malik said before walking away, “I will check in with the recruits and tell Rauf the changes we’re making in their training.”

“Thank you, Malik.”

Malik paused by the door and turned to look at Altaïr, looking both concerned and disturbed as he said, “Now I know you are planning something. You just thanked me.”

“And now I know you’re more paranoid than usual.” Altaïr retorted lightly before waving him off, “Have tea after talking to Rauf, Malik. It seems you desperately need a break.”

“I do not-” Malik stopped and let out an infuriated sigh before finally leaving the mentor’s open office on the second floor of the main room of Masyaf Castle.

Altaïr waited until he was sure Malik had left the castle before he looked up and asked, “And how are you today, Desmond?”

Desmond immediately admitted, “I started a rumor that Abbas cries during sex.”

Altaïr blinked at the honest answer before laughing.

[aaric-s-haven]

should be sleeping or writing but instead i am sitting here completely obsessed with Gaitonde and Vijay's dynamic in Agneepath

Even though he seems to try hard to maintain a boundary, Vijay sees his Baba in Gaitonde. This is not a headcanon, he literally says that Gaitonde reminds him of his father. And Gaitonde willingly would have made him his son.

His mother didn't keep her son. His mother failed him before he had even picked up that gun. She loved her son, but not enough to put his trauma above hers. Instead of communicating, she shut down on him, she didn't see his anger, she didn't see the massive wound where it was coming from. She wanted to ignore what had happened in hopes of lessening her pain. But Vijay's pain was not one he could have silenced. He was just a little boy burying the torn body of his father. His rage was his pain, he had been wronged, his Baba had been wronged, his mother not even talking about it was a disservice to his father, it was wrong to him. They had been wronged and Vijay wanted to scream, he wanted to cry, he wanted to mourn. But he had no one to cry with, to understand him. He dies trying to get her to acknowledge the injustice they had faced.

But Gaitonde? Throughout the movie he kept reaching out to Vijay. He kept reachiing out to the boy who had doomed himself to a painful life, who had gotten blood on his hands before his voice had even cracked. Because he knew it wasn't without reason. Vijay had not fallen, he had jumped. And throughout the movie he kept wanting to know why, kept wanting to understand him, kept wanting to stop him from the spiral of self destruction. Gaitonde had seen the pained little boy in him, and he had tried saving that boy. Their conversation as he tries to dissuade Vijay from the suicidal mission, gives Vijay some semblance of desire for life. Gaitonde indirectly is the reason he dares to marry Kali and plan a future. His mother is the reason he loses her and subsequently any will to live.

Interesting to note that Vijay, in any scene with anyone, makes a point of being in control in the room. When he is with his mother, he is fighting to prove his point, he doesn't back down. He is Shiksha's older brother, her protector. He is Kali's partner, he doesn't try to control her but she understands him better than anyone else, she lets his wishes come first. He is Rauf Lala's right hand man, but there is always a subtle power when he is with Lala, whether he showcases it by taking the shoes of the king of mumbai, or he commands his druggie son to hold his tongue. But here? Here he knocks, asks for permission, and keeps his head down unlike his interaction with Lala or anyone. Gaitonde is the only one with the priviledge of seeing him like this. He is the only one who meets the glimpses of the pain behind his rage. He is the only one Vijay defers to. Every single time they interact, for a moment atleast, Vijay seems to see a flutter of hope before it is gone.

I love this film so so so so much, there are so many nuances in the relationship Vijay shares with everyone. But this relationship is without doubt my favorite one in the entire story. It makes the ending all the more painful, because Gaitonde would know that if law and order had not failed a twelve year old, they could have saved so many lives, but most importantly the boy he had come to love.

[stokesy55]

Jos is any day a better T20 batsman than VK. VK has got more records, but the impact Jos has is unparalleled

HAHAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣

I'm sorry but

HAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣

I'm curious, what exactly is considered "impact"? How about being the highest run-scorer of 2 T20 World Cups? How about being the player of the tournament in consecutive T20 World Cups? Virat did that. You know what else he did? India played 6 knockout matches between 2014 and 2024. Virat has made a half century or more than that in 5 out of those 6 matches. That's just shy of 400 runs in 6 matches. It makes his average in T20 WC knockout matches over 90. If that's not impactful, I don't know what is.

Is impact related to strike rate? Virat scored 70 off 29 against West Indies, 94 in some 50 odd balls against WI, and his century against Afghanistan came in 52 balls. The first knock has a strike rate of over 200. Virat chased down 48 off the last 3 overs against Pakistan at the MCG in 2022 and 39 off the last 3 overs against Australia at Mohali in 2016. The latter was a virtual quarter final, and Virat's knock guaranteed India's progress to the semi finals.

Is impact related to hitting sixes? Well, for all that Jos is a renowned six-hitter, it was Virat's six against Haris Rauf at the MCG was declared the shot of the century by ICC. An equation that read 28 off 8 became 16 off 6. It was Virat who hit the two sixes that were required to get it down till here.

Virat has time and again won matches out of nowhere for India. The Mohali 82 against Australia, the MCG 82 against Pakistan, the 72 in 2014 SFs vs South Africa, I can go on and on here-- Heck, Virat was most of the, if not the sole reason that India got as far as they did in the 2014, 2016 and 2022 editions of the T20 World Cup. He is a massively impactful player, who delivers whenever needed. Even yesterday's final, take Virat's 76 out of the equation and we had only a 100 on the board to defend. I doubt even Jasprit could have done much with that.

Virat ended his career in T20s as unquestionably the best T20 player of this generation. Nobody comes close to having the kind of impact he does on the game. He carried India in almost every single T20 World Cup he played, and nobody deserved to lift that trophy as much as he did.

I did not intend this as an insult to Jos. He is a great player, one of the very best to have played the game, but he's not better than Virat. Nope, sorry, he isn't. And it isn't limited to Jos either. There isn't any player in the world, not Rohit, not Warner, not Babar, not Maxwell, no nobody in this generation comes close to having the kind of class, poise and impact of Kohli in T20s.

People are allowed differing opinions - sure, the stats say Virat but in terms of coming in when the team needs and changing the game momentum Jos is one of the best at having an impact

Numbers aren’t always everything, I think is the point the original ask was making. And honestly, looking at the tournament that just concluded, VK really only made an impact in the final, whilst Jos was a lynchpin to a lot of England’s batting innings.

Not saying you’re wrong and - as I said - everyone has opinions and it’s great they’re different because it allows us to discuss thing :) But I think the original ask was talking more about match impact than stats. There is a reason he was RR’s impact batsman for the IPL this year.

[alliluyevas]

re there being only four pictures (as far as i know) of svetlana and yakov + only two of yakov with both siblings, here they all are.

these were clearly taken the same day, it's on the same porch and you can see the chairs for the photoshoot in the background. they seem to be holding a sheet, i'm wondering if it was for the background and they were helping the photographer get set up or something.

this is with their paternal grandmother in Georgia

and in this one they're on a boat on the Black Sea with Rauf Lakoba, who was the son of Nestor Lakoba, who was then the head of the semi-autonomous republic of Abkhazia in the Georgian SSR. I'm assuming due to the appearance of the two younger kids and Svetlana's haircut that these were all taken around the same time, and the latter two probably taken on the same trip to the Caucasus. This is either summer 1934 or 1935, I would assume. Maybe 1936 but Svetlana looks younger than 10 to me. I believe they went to Abkhazia in the summer at least twice, and it couldn't be after 1936 because that's when Beria had Lakoba killed.

[farkrad]

Tag 5 - BBBBB

Bullshit

Brocken

Bosnien

Benz und Bier

Um 4 Uhr aufwachen und...

Um 6 Uhr aufstehen, so, besser.

Erstmal Dusche, Tee und Gebäck am Strand, guter Start. Alles rein in den Sack und rauf auf die letzten Kilometer Schotter im Kroatien.

Erstmal die Strecke von gestern zurück wuseln, Schräglage beim Gerade aus fahren, Drecks Wind. Mit Betty habe ich nicht solche Probleme 😐, na ja... jede Maschine hat ihr pros und cons.

Hochgekraxelt auf 900m und rein in den... F* me...

Anfangs noch normale Strecke, bis SIE wieder da sind, meine Arch enemys.. faustgroße Steine, ein Konglomerat aus f* dich Brocken (bissi redundant).

Aber gut, solange es halbwegs horizontal weiter geht wird das schon.... (wildes gefluche..).

Ja steil, glaubt mir einfach

Kühlerlüfter im Dauerbetrieb, unterm Helm wirds immer wärmer, Hände kriegen Muskelkater, Navi streikt schon wieder, Route durch Kuh Gehege mit Bullen, ich flipp aus.

Raus ausm Gehege

Dann nochmal 3km bergab, aber nun gemischt damit ich mal wieder über 30km/h komm.

10 Uhr dann endlich die erste Erlösung, wieder auf der Ebene. Puls noch bei 120 aber mit ebendiesem sinkend steigen auch die Glücksgefühle. Dickes Plus: die Heidenau machen einen weit besseren Job als die Pirelli letztes Jahr in so einer Situation.

Runde Zwei keine 3 km weiter war dann pure Entspannung, nochmal gute 20km recht eben, hier und da über die Bahnschienen, endlich wieder Fahrtwind.

Und drunter

Bosnien, Benz und Bier

Grenzübergang und erstmal ne halbe Stunde nichts, nada, keiner da bis zum Einstieg.

Rein in den Wald und mhh, Kurzfassung:

Schotter, jeah

Waldboden, wuhuu

Etwas matschig, is okay

Sehr große Pfützen, lieber umfahren

Waldarbeiten, wo ist noch Platz?

Geröll, Baumstämme, wer hat heute putztag?

Schlamm, Abhang, 5 Tonnen Maschinen und mich herum

70km Verrücktheit für mich. Machine, Hose (außen) und Stiefel haben nun eine Farbe, Braun. Für mein Level bin ich echt zufrieden da so gut durchgekommen zu sein auch wenn ich die Maschine einige male hab fast liegen sehen.

Das schnelle Fahren, vorausblicken und lesen des Untergrundes passte, nur den ganzen Holz Maschinen ausweichen im Hang oder Abgrund auf Matsch war stellenweise kriminell, klappte aber zum Glück vor Publikum sehr souverän (puhh)

Mittendrin noch slowenischen BMW Jungs getroffen die den TET ohne Pause machen in Bosnien, 3 Tage Wald und nur kurz raus zum tanken, fahren bis 10e abends, verrückt aber die können ihr Zeug bei dem stiefel den die fahren 😬.

Um 14 Uhr die Erlösung, nochmal Plausch mit den Jungs an der Tanke und getrennte Wege. Ich auf Asphalt (Körper und Geist sind durch) die zwei zurück in den Dreck.

Tja und nun Bosnien, kein Internet und nach 30 Minuten motivationsloch hoch 10..Urlaub aus? Ne komm, hattest des letztes Jahr auch, weiter machen. Druf und nach 3 Tankstellen eine mit WLAN gefunden (keine EU und so hier) und nach 2 Kaffee eine passende Bleibe 90km entfernt gefunden, gleich in der Nähe wo wir vor 4 Jahren schon einmal waren 😆.

Rest des Weges war wunderbar zum ausklang. Twin grollen auf 1200m Plateau, welches wenn man verlässt ein bisschen an die vergessen Welt erinnert. Dazwischen klassische Klischees im Balkan,

Fahrerbier, alle am Handy, zu 6t im Lada, tausende alte Benz und zweier Golf, wozu Helme? StVO ist ganz optional, fliegen ist schneller als fahren, Schwein aufm Rücksitz. Komplettes Programm an Klischees auf die letzten Kilometer 😆

Und nun angekommen in der Stadt Jablanica am Flusse Neretva (link)

Futter gefunden (4€ Oo) und damit noch ne Straßen Miez beglückt (i know I know...)

Chicken maslanica

Morgen dann Richtung Montenegro 🤘

[basicsofislam]

ISLAM 101: Allah (God Almighty): The All-Beautiful Names of God: Part 7

THE NAMES ORIGINATING IN DIVINE ATTRIBUTES OF GLORY

(Al-)Hayy: The All-Living

(Ash-)Shakur: The All-Responsive (to the good and gratitude of His creatures)

(Al-)Qahhar: The All-Overwhelming (with absolute sway over all that exists)

(Al-)Qahir: The All-Overpowering, Who crushes those who deserve crushing

(Al-)Muqtadir: The All-Omnipotent

(Al-)Qawiyy: The All-Strong

(Al-)Murid: The All-Willing

(Al-)Qadir: The All-Powerful

(Ar-)Rahman: The All-Merciful (Who has mercy on the whole of existence and provides for all of them)

(Ar-)Rahim: The All-Compassionate (Who has particular compassion for each of His creatures in their maintenance, and for His believing servants especially in the other world)

(As-)Subhan: The All-Glorified

(As-)Sultan: The Absolute, Eternal Authority

(Al-)Karim: The All-Munificent

(Al-)Ghaffar: The Ever All-Forgiver

(Al-)Ghafur: The All-Forgiving

(Al-)Wadud: The All-Loving and All-Beloved

(Ar-)Rauf: The All-Pitying

(Al-)Halim: The All-Clement (showing no haste to punish the errors of His servants)

(Al-)Barr: The All-Benign

(As-)Sabur: The All-Patient (Whom no haste induces to rush into an action)

(Al-)‘Alim: The All-Knowing

(Al-)Khabir: The All-Aware

(Al-)Muhsi: The All-Counting and Recording

(Al-)Hakim: The One Who does everything properly, the All-Wise

(Ash-)Shahid: The All-Witnessing

(As-)Sami‘: The All-Hearing

(Al-)Basir: The All-Seeing

(Al-)‘Afuww: The All-Pardoning (Who overlooks the faults of His servants and grants remission)

[ahungeringknife]

Never Been 1

365: April 5-11

Never Been

There were always a lot of dogs in Masyaf. If you’d call a dæmon that looked like a dog a dog at least. That didn’t stop most Assassins from having dog dæmons and Malik was no exception. Nishtar was a cream and white canaan dog and wasn’t even the only one. Canaan dogs were popular choices for Assassins along with their sleek saluki cousins. Ones who didn’t have dogs had other useful dæmons; birds or cats or even rats. Rauf had a mongoose and that made everyone just uneasy around him, especially the handful of men who had snakes as dæmons. But most of them had dogs because, and everyone knew this, they were dogs; loyal, obedient, and if need be, vicious.

Today was one of the last inspections Malik would have as a journeyman. He’d made his first kill years ago and would get to become a proper Assassin soon. Nishtar had settled but that wasn’t enough to be considered an ‘adult’ in Masyaf. You had to finish your training and Malik was so close. Hopefully today would be the last time he had to line up for inspection with the rest of his age mates. No one liked inspection. It was simply the worst part of the training.

The hall monitor came by and you stood outside your door with your dæmon by your side, or in easy view, and they made sure you were dressed properly and then reached out and touched your dæmon. If you flinched you were sent to contact training, if you didn’t you were left to your own devices until whatever normal training or lessons you had. Malik hated it. It always made him want to throw up and had since he was a boy. He wasn’t the only one. He had vivid memories all through his life of the other boys in his hall yelling or puking when their dæmons were touched by their hall monitor. One time a knife had been drawn. No attack had followed up on it but the fight trigger had been so strong. Malik had never puked thankfully but he’d been trained out of reacting when people touched his dæmon.

He stood with his roommate outside their room. Zain’s dæmon Basket (what a fucking stupid name for a dæmon) was also a dog but his looked more like a pharaoh hound mixed with some stringy pariah dog you’d see out in the wastes between civilization and it always trembled during inspection. Malik felt Nishtar look around his legs at Basket and he lightly tapped her side with his leg: don’t look at Basket.

‘He’s going to get himself in trouble,’ Nishtar said into his mind.

‘Not our problem,’ he thought back.

‘He’s so annoying when he fails inspection,’ she complained. ‘He’s going to fail this time I just know it. And then he’s going to climb onto the bed and cry.’

‘Not our problem,’ Malik thought as the hall monitor was drawing closer. Their own dæmon was a canaan dog too but was darker brown with a cream collar and saddle. Bistil stalked up and down the journeymen and novices being inspected today and like Nishtar he noticed how jittery Basket was today. Unlike Nishtar he didn’t care and just glared daggers at the shivering dæmon but moved on ahead of his person.

The hall monitor looked Malik over briefly and noted on his board that his uniform was satisfactory. Then he leaned down and gave Nishtar a rough but agreeable pet on the top of her head. She closed her eyes at the rough attention but didn’t flinch away. Malik didn’t flinch either and just stood there but his stomach was in an absolute knot. He was going to throw up if this went on much longer and he hadn’t had breakfast yet so it would just be bile and stomach acid. Worse was Nishtar was sympathetic to stuff like that so if Malik threw up his dæmon would too and everyone had the same vitriolic reaction listening to a dog throwing up.

It only lasted about five seconds but that was enough. Malik blinked when the hand was removed from Nishtar’s head but he didn’t breathe out yet. That was still a flinch. The hall monitor inspected Zain and Basket next.

Malik lurched away when the hall monitor went to pet Basket and as soon as he touched Basket’s head the dæmon lashed out to bite the hand. Before he could even do so, it happened so fast, Bistil was on top of him, jaws around Basket’s throat and Basket on the ground.

Every dæmon in the hall started barking like crazy and in the confined space it was so loud Malik was momentarily stunned.

The hall monitor pulled Bistil off of Basket who lay on the ground breathing hard, tongue lolling out of his mouth. He bled but not so much he’d bleed out and Malik reached out and put his hand on Nishtar’s head. She’d moved to stand between his legs protectively, barking furiously at Bistil, or maybe Basket. ‘I told you he’d fail! And he’s going to be so annoying,’ she said into his mind.

Bistil started barking back at the other dæmons and quickly everyone quieted. Everyone knew who was in charge and it was Bistil. Malik kept his hand on Nishtar anyway.

The hall monitor didn’t look too ruffled by the whole thing. Zain was knelt by his dæmon who was still just laying on the ground panting hard, eyes wide and wild. “Once you’ve cleaned up this mess make sure you go down to contact conditioning,” he told Zain.

“Yes, sir,” Zain said, not looking at him.

“Everyone back into positions,” the hall monitor snapped. “Your inspection is not over.” But Malik noted he wasn’t the only one who’d moved to have their dæmon stand or sit between their legs. Down the hall from the way the hall monitor had come Malik did see to some amusement Paul trying and failing to pull his completely puffed up cat dæmon off him.

‘Basket and Zain better get their act together,’ Nishtar said.

‘They’ll be fine,’ Malik said back but didn’t pet her despite wanting to. The hall monitor continued the rest of the inspection without incident and Malik was grateful when they were all released. He wanted to go get breakfast and properly settle his stomach after Nishtar had been touched.