#reflections of eterna

[midnight-scrivener]

Okay. OKAY. okay. So the thing about Newt's villain arc in Uprising is that there are a lot of scenarios in which a villain arc Feels Inevitable For Him. There are so many worlds in which a fall from grace as a consequence of his own hubris, the tiny part of his heart and conscience that's left intact screaming for help behind a facade that is so choked by alien hate that no one hears him? There are like So Many Worlds where that Fucking Rules.

And Uprising chose none of those paths.

I think the arc we're left with for Newt by the end of Uprising feels so empty because it rejects so much of the worldbuilding established by the first film. The Anteverse of the original film felt... Eldritch, cosmic (like a lot of del Toro specials do, to be fair). The second movie never explores that, we never learn more about the Precursors or how their ties to Newt change him in ways that reflect their own existence, except for "Precursor Bad, So Now Newt Bad." We got such an interesting taste of a whole other universe filled with these weird fuckin.... Meat machines and bug conquerors and clone armies, this like wild Technicolor HR Gigerian nightmarescape, and the sequel took that and gave it this disconnected silicon-valley makeover. The Precursors stopped feeling otherworldly and started just. Feeling like douchebags.

And beyond that, the film completely misunderstands Newt's role in the narrative. By reducing him to a toady, someone who follows a Big Tech Boss around and nods and smiles, it swats aside all of the Really Interesting flaws that he already has in favor of making him a generic asshole. Namely, Newt is a shortsighted, vainglorious, fame-seeking selfish jerk who's so convinced of his own brilliance that he can't fathom anything he does ever having consequences for himself, let alone other people. And like. I love him so much. He has a lot of positive qualities too, qualities that make him so concerned for humanity that he sets aside his anti-establishment misgivings and joins the Fucking Military because he thinks he can do some good there, but his flaws are Not Subtle in the first film At All. The fact that he can be a good person and still Suck Total Shit is I think why he's such an enduring fan favorite today (aside from tumblr's eterna-boner for lame gay nerds). And Uprising once again chooses to ignore the tenuous line between good and bad qualities presented by the first film in favor of a much more bland slick, yucky asshole vibe (He feels like a late-phase MCU villain tbh). Like I genuinely don't think Newt should have been able to keep his head down and take everyone's shit long enough for his plan in Uprising to work. One of his most iconic lines in the original flick is "Yeah! Or I'd be a rockstar!" He's very intentionally someone who doesn't cope well with playing second fiddle.

(and I need to clarify that i do understand that it's supposed to be out of character because it's the Precursors puppeting him, I just think it's boring lmao. And I think that after drifting with him, Hermann should have realized something was wrong immediately and tore him a new asshole about it. I get that they justified the choice. I just think it was a terrible choice lol)

(Also He Is A Biologist. Why Would You Have His Arc Be About Going Into Tech That He Had No Experience With)

Newt and the Precursors always felt like parallel forces to me. They have just as much in common with each other as they have against each other. They both have a need to be at the top of the heap, they both need to take stuff apart to understand it. They both feel they deserve to be the last one standing. And, most importantly, they love goop. Can't get enough of the stuff.

(side note I felt like Uprising was really scared of goop? It wasn't wet enough. Everything felt too clean. Give me more slime pleeeaaase)

I'm just saying, why go the white-and-chrome designer sunglasses tech startup route when Punk Rock Mad Scientist is like. Right there.

Why have Newt go into drones and not. Fucking pharmaceuticals??? Fucking clone tech???? He had specialties that (INTENTIONALLY!!!!!!) already paralleled what the Precursors do, why do a 180 and shy away from that, instead of leaning in and committing to the setup?

I don't know, it just feels like Uprising didn't actually like the characters or the story it had to work with, and we all suffered for it.

[napoleonxfalon]

@theonxepialos location: Merchant Guild Hall, Eterna notes: meet cute part 2 electric boogaloo

The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden glow through the stained-glass windows of Falon's office, painting the room in a kaleidoscope of colors. The air was filled with the scent of aged parchment, rich mahogany, and the faint, lingering aroma of Falon's cologne. Napoleon paced the length of the office, his loose-fitting crimson tunic, adorned with intricate emerald embroidery, shifted softly with each step. His eyes scanned the shelves lined with books and artifacts, the walls adorned with maps and charts, and the desk strewn with paperwork and correspondence. Falon had needed his signet and, well, Napoleon was in no rush to surrender control so quickly. Even as the changeling hissed from his reflection, Napoleon ignored him - enjoying how worked up his elvhen counterpart could get.

Napoleon paused occasionally, his fingers tracing the spines of old ledgers and cool metals, the strange curios and baubles that Falon collected, and the rough edges of parchment marked with Falon's meticulous handwriting. There was so much order here, not a book out of place, not a piece of decor not where it ought to be. Drab, simple, and academic - Napoleon loathed completely. It was the indelible warning that someday he'd sweep this place but they had a standing agreement. The office was Falon's domain, and the estates were Napoleon's. He wouldn't meddle with that, at least not yet.

From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Falon in the ornate mirror that hung on the far wall. The changeling's reflection was pacing, mirroring Napoleon's movements, his expression a mix of frustration and impatience. "Napoleon," Falon hissed, his voice a low, insistent whisper. "Switch back, you've had your fun- I'm expecting some-" Napoleon cut him off, "I'm perfectly capable of holding my own meetings." He did enjoy this.

The handle on the door turned and Napoleon looked toward the other, his eyes meeting those of a stranger. The man was tall and lean, his body corded with muscle, his eyes sharp and assessing. There was an air about him that sent a thrill up Napoleon's spine - this was no fat merchant or gout-ridden shipwright, no, he was something else entirely. Where Napoleon could be overtly trusting and naive he did know nobility when he saw it. Wealth was something that the Sinarian could smell and despite his attire, there was a posture and an undeniably regal presence. "Leon." Came Falon's bite once more, the sharp hiss was marked by a nickname that the changeling only pulled out when he really wanted something. He was too late though, he should have tried that a few moments sooner because Napoleon was suddenly intrigued.

"And who might you be?" Napoleon asked, he didn't bother to sit behind the stuffy, imposing desk; instead, he made his way from the shelf of hand-carved trinkets that Falon had made, to stand directly in front of the stranger. Briefly, Napoleon's eyes traveled the length of the stranger's body, taking in every detail, every nuance. "There was no one on the ledger- no name, nothing but a cleared afternoon. Bit unusual for our... Mutual acquaintance." Falon was perpetually busy, and that his schedule was clear was a tell that Napoleon easily recognized.

[drystan-fiore]

who: @kayames

where: drystan's office, eterna

notes: this can fit after the big party heist

Drystan sighed, flipping through the month's expenses as Fiore’s face flickered in the reflection of the office window. "It's a miracle this man hasn't completely blown off every cent to his name."

He could see Fiore peeking at the paperwork, his voice laced with amusement. "Now why would he buy those fancy lighters? Witches can cast fire."

Drystan pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m aware, Fiore. Believe me, I’ve tallied every nonsensical purchase.”

Fiore paid no mind to his snappy attitude as his reflection was now leaning against the office mirror, pretending to study a page. “But wait—look at these grimoires. Fortification of werewolves? Either Kay has an entirely new set of hobbies or he’s got an oddly specific type.”

Drystan rolled his eyes, dryly answering, “If I had to wager, it’s the latter. We’re discussing the same client who just bought a life-size goose chandelier.”

"Think I can turn him on by sprouting some geese feathers?"

"Goose," He corrected, before hearing the faint sound his secretary's voice greeting Kay at the entrance. Drystan instantly straightened, tugging at his cuffs, his expression shifting from resigned to polished charm.

He rose as Kay entered, clasping his hands with a warm smile. "Ah, Mr. Ames," he greeted smoothly, gesturing to the chair across from him. "Thank you for making the time. I wanted to go over some… concerning trends in your spending. But, no need to worry. I’ve crunched the numbers, and I think we can implement a plan that will keep you quite comfortably away from, shall we say, financial doom.”

[rowanmaxim]

Person: @iskra-tqd Location: Eterna, evening He was almost always late to close up on account of he was always taking extra care to clean up and prep for any appointments he had for the next day, the sun's always down. Rowan doesn't live all that far from Inkquisition and so the lateness never really bothers him. It's a hop, skip, and jump away, he lights a cigarette, he reflects on his day, and the next thing he knew he was unlocking the door to his flat, kicking off his boots, and collapsing into bed. That's how that night should have gone. It should have been a rinse and repeat but instead, cigarette in hand, eyes ahead, he is looking at her in the lamplight. They'd both gone to Haven, they'd met eyes maybe one time and politely looked away. What do you say to someone you once thought would have such a large part of your future? What did you say to someone you loved that you lost contact with? "Hi." Instead of taking him to his front door, Rowan's feet take himself to the other side of the street and it's just them under the glow of the low light.

[eivorx]

@suyinskiss Location: Eterna, some lil private lounge back room

The silver streaks of telperion across Eivor's body were reflecting the light of the fire from the corner of the room. "Aetheron will come, Suyin. I don't know when, but let's just say Eterna is going to be in for a rude awakening." His voice was relatively quiet, the Elvhen having been in and out of Eterna for ten years now. He would see Suyin every now and then, the strigoi perhaps one of the few that could understand the ins and outs of a traveling Vanguard. Physical things Eivor could deal with, and Suyin understood that perfectly. He never wore his armor in its true form within the city, the shadow of the Tower enough to make him recoil in on himself. The Elvhen preferred to keep things quiet, and he hardly ever pushed to know much more than what he was given at the moment. "Have you heard much about it? The Iskarans are here, they're what is left of their crumbling empire."

[ofkaedon]

Location: Mercury's Bazaar, Eterna

Tag: @haelimthewatcher

While only seven years have passed, it feels like a lifetime. Iskaldrik and the witchers have been in his rearview mirror as he moves forward. He was trained to be a witcher, though he would firmly tell you he is not a witcher - Kaedon has made a new reputation for himself among the thieve's guild and Eterna is the playground in which he gets to play. He really isn't all that concerned by what is going on around the continent of Taravell. It's all happening somewhere else to someone else and let's be honest, in full pettiness, he's not upset about what happened in Iskaldrik. It's a life he left behind.

He's in the bazaar on a job. At a glance though, he appears to be gazing through the bakery window perhaps eyeing the fresh rolls placed out and enjoying the sweet smell of freshly baked goodies. Enticing, yes, that is not what he is doing. In the reflection of the glass he sees the target he is currently following. Said target owes money to the guild and has done quite a good job avoiding them. That's where Kaedon comes in. He was trained in the harshest of conditions to track monsters, he's putting that skill to use, though this was definitely not what had been intended for.

The target moves from the table they had been eyeing and moves further in. Kaedon waits, silently counting the seconds in his head before he turns and moves to follow. But in those seconds as the target merges with the crowd, Kaedon's eye is caught by another figure crossing through his line of sight. He freezes in recognition - something he doesn't do - he doesn't believe in ghosts and yet, he swears he just saw one.

His head turns to follow the way his would-be apparition had gone. Standing there as a ghost of his past, Haelim.

It had been fifteen years and yet Kaedon felt eleven years old again, a witcher trainee hanging on every word of one of the few witchers he had looked up to. He remembers Haelim's sentencing as a criminal and traitor to the witcher cause, the other had been sent away then and forgotten. Kaedon had thought the wise witcher dead but always remembered the words that he was better than all that they were trying to make him become.

Kaedon was no longer the witcher trainee, again he was not a witcher and he remembers his target and....fuck...his target was nowhere in sight. He would have to try and pick up the target again back at the docks as they were sure to return there. And yet he can't bring himself to go and whether it was his heart or head that made the decision, he was crossing towards the other former witcher.

In the earshot of the other, "Excuse me," He said to catch the other's attention, "Haelim Wormwood?" A tone of questioning as if maybe this ghost of the past was just a mistaken figure for someone else.

[p1325]

The 'Timeless Classics' series by RBA stands as a commendable collection of 85 literary masterpieces, predominantly drawn from English literature, with notable inclusions such as Madame Bovary and Anna Karenina from diverse cultural landscapes. This curated anthology transcends geographical boundaries, making its enriching content accessible not only in various European countries under the names of ''Storie Senza Tempo'', ''Romans Eternels'', and ''Novelas Eternas'' but also in South America. RBA's commitment to delivering these cultural gems on a global scale reflects a dedication to fostering a profound appreciation for literature across diverse audiences.

Here are all the titles of the following collection: Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice

Emily Bronte - Wuthering Heights

Louisa May Alcott - Little Women

Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre

Jane Austen - Sense and Sensibility

Edith Wharton - The Age Of Innocence

Jane Austen - Emma

Gustave Flaubert - Madame Bovary

Jane Austen - Northanger Abbey

Edith Wharton - The House of Mirth

Jane Austen - Persuasion

Louisa May Alcott - Good Wives

Nathaniel Hawthorne - The Scarlet Letter

Charlotte Bronte - The Professor

Leo Tolstoy - Anna Karenina (Part 1)

Leo Tolstoy - Anna Karenina (Part 2)

Jane Austen - Mansfield Park

Anne Bronte - Agnes Grey

Thomas Hardy - Far from The Madding Crowd

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (Part 1)

William Makepeace Thackeray - Vanity Fair (Part 2)

Pierre-Ambroise-François Choderlos de Laclos - Dangerous Liaisons Alexandre Dumas fils - The Lady of the Camellias

Henry James - Washington Square

Louisa May Alcott - A Garland For Girls

Henry James - The Portrait of A Lady (Part 1)

Henry James - The Portrait of A Lady (Part 2)

Jane Austen - Lady Susan. The Watson. Sanditon

Anne Brontë - The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Thomas Hardy - Tess of the D’Urbeville

Edith Wharton - The Mother’s Recompense

Daniel Defoe - Moll Flanders

Henry James - The Wings of the Dove

Edith Wharton - The Customs of the Country

Kate Chopin - The Awakening

Jane Austen - Juvenilia

George Eliot - Middlemarch (Part 1)

George Eliot - Middlemarch (Part 2)

George Sand - Nanon

Henry James - The Ambassadors

Elizabeth Gaskell - Cranford

Thomas Hardy - Under The Greenwood Tree

Edith Wharton - Summer

George Sand - Indiana

Henry James - The Bostonians

George Eliot - Silas Marner

Henry James - The Golden Bowl (Part 1)

Henry James - The Golden Bowl (Part 2)

Edith Wharton - The Twilight Sleep

Emily Eden - The Semi-Attached Couple

Edith Wharton - The Glimpses of the Moon

Mary Elizabeth Braddon - Lady Audley’s Secret

George Eliot - The Mill on the Floss

Elizabeth Gaskell - Mary Barton

Fanny Burney - Evelina

George Sand - Little Fadette

Emily Eden - The Semi-detached House

Charlotte Brontë - Shirley I

Charlotte Brontë - Shirley II

Daniel Defoe - Lady Roxana

Theodor Fontane - Effie Briest

Edith Wharton - The Cliff

Thomas Hardy - Two on a Tower

Frances Hodgson Burnett - A Lady of Quality

Louisa May Alcott - Moods

Lucy Maud Montgomery - The Story Girl

Elizabeth Gaskell - Ruth

Thomas Hardy - The Woodlanders

Elizabeth Gaskell - North and South

Matilde Serao - Fantasy

Thomas Hardy - A Pair of Blue Eyes

Emilia Pardo Bazán - Sunstroke

Ann Radcliffe - The Romance Of The Forest

Louisa May Alcott - A Long Fatal

Charlotte Bronte - Villette

Sybil G. Brinton - Old Friends and New Fancies

Edith Wharton - The Bunner

Sisters Virginia Woolf - The Voyage Out

Margaret Oliphant - The Chronicles of Carlingford

Edith Nesbit - The Incomplete Amorist

Virginia Woolf - Day and Night

Guy de Maupassant - Our Heart

Frances Trollope - The Widow Barnaby (Part 1)

Frances Trollope - The Widow Barnaby (Part 2)

Elizabeth Gaskell - Half a Lifetime Ago

[tellurian-in-aristasia]

The Coming Ague Issue 04 Autumn 1977

The article "The Madrian Way of Life" calls the news a "cult" and accuses it of being "the nearest thing to a religious observance in modern society". This "no, you're the one in a cult!" attitude was pretty big in Romantia and Aristasia. it goes on to comment on the modern world's "inversion of values". It goes on to urge the reader to stop watching the news and to reduce "all that is violent, sensual, materialistic or merely trivial in entertainment". This article is, of course, written by Sister Angelina.

The article "The Goddess In Tibet" makes mention of Tara, which has come up in recent times in the former Miss Martindale's modern day divine femininity essays.

The "Work in Progress" section makes mentions of the foundation of the Madrian Academy and states the idea came from a suggestion made in a paper on Madran education made by the Daughters of Artemis for the Literature Circle. The quote in the article is from this MLC article.

"West of the Sunset and East of the Dawn" is a story about a maid named Tama who lived in a fantastically beautiful land, who hears a mysterious voice tell her that her land is ugly and their land, the land belonging to Irkalla, is better. So she visits their land and finds it's horrible and a dull reflection of hers, but she's embarrassed she traveled so far, and the way there was so dangerous, so she stays, until one day she decides to go back. She asks her friends in the dull land to go with her, and they're like "yuck, you're crazy and weird", except one girl name Eterna, who goes with her. When she and Eterna eventually get back to the beautiful land, she finds out that Eterna was from that land all along and they're all happy now. This story is so reminiscent of stories of "exiled Aristasians" living here in the Pit, trying to find connections with other exiled Aristasians.

"The Veil Of Matter" mentions "The Teachings of the Daughter", which was then an unpublished Madrian work that hadn't been published due to financial difficulty.

I now realize that each issue has an article titled "SYMBOLISM" and each are about various different symbols! Issue 4 talks about "The apple and the tree of life". This article mentions that the Indo-European word for apple, "Abol" is the basis for a number of different words, including "Avala", which is the Madrian word for the after-life paradise, citing that it means "apple-land". This article is by Chrysothemis, which was a supposed other name of the mysterious Maureen Evans.

[paradizetobefound]

So Doctor's major aspect as a character (when they are their own character) is memory. They claim their role, even after they became a tactician for Theresa, to be an observer to her history. They are a witness, they are to remember her. That appears in the event referred to as "Vigilo", which is something like " I watch, remain awake, keep or am awake at night". To keep vigil, is something done either to pray or to be on a watchout. A common reason to keep vigil over dead, to mourn then and to give them the last farewell, to pay respect.

Nian tells Doctor that she wants a witness too, whatever fate befalls her and her siblings to be seen and remembered.

Priestess' request towards Doctor is to remember her. The society Doctor came from, their past, it all appears to be lost in sands of time. There's few indication that most even know it ever existed, only songs that mention cities buried under ice, only rediscovery of old artefacts. Doctor, in a way, is one of the few people still carrying the history of that time in their memory.

When FrostNova dies, arguably, Doctor is here to witness her anger and her despair and they carry it with themselves, as well as her hope.

In Vigilo they are feel lost and despairing over their lost memory, of those who died, of people they used to know and no longer remember. They grieve but they are also frantic.

Being a witness, a carrier of history is a part of their identity even if they seem not quite cognizant of that.

But why is it interesting aside from their way to conceptualize their role in the world or whatever hidden duty they may have?

Originium and Civilight Eterna.

Fundamental nature of originium is that it keeps memory of everything it consumes. It stores so much information about living things, that it may as well be a repository of the Terra's history of its own. It is a fossil, it is something that consumes. In a way, perhaps, it will remember people better than any historian, as terrible as iti is. Essentially, the subject of Doctor's study is such that it will remember all dead it had into contact with.

Civilight Eterna meanwhile was initially designed as an archive meant to record the history. It is to be a witness, to remember, too.

As in, there is a clear mirror between Doctor's self-stated role as an observer, originium nature and the origins of the CE, which was implied as a highly important achievement of the civilization that created it.

In a sense, Doctor's always to keep vigil over ruins, over dead, over past, it reflecting in their occupation, in their study. Brain, oripathy.

It makes their war against originium doubly interesting, both share that connection to memory.

So everything about Doctor is about history (mirroring how Kal'tsit herself is all about history of civilizations that lived in Terra and what they did and how they lived). Which is also a major theme for Arknights.

[thoughtswordsaction]

Fin Del Mundo Released New Track "El día de las flores"

Photo by Flor Petra Fin del Mundo‘s new album ‘Hicimos crecer un bosque’ is nearly here – out in October 18 via Spinda Records (pre-order here) – and they’ve just dropped a third single titled “El día de las flores”, featuring Guillermo Mármol from Argentina cult-band Eterna Inocencia on vocals. This song describes a nostalgic, reflective landscape of the relationship between two people. The…

[groriatrevi10xx]

Queen Arma and King Chuck!

Anónimo: ¡Reina Arma y Rey Chuck!

------

*Antes de que más responsabilidades cayeran sobre sus hombros, antes de convertirse en Rey... Chuck había asistido con Mary a una invitación a un banquete en el Mundo de las Brujas, cortesía de Arma y su buena relación amistosa con Mary, él no había sido invitado más bien... Solo Mary.../Before more responsibilities were placed on his shoulders, before he became King... Chuck had attended with Mary an invitation to a banquet in the Witch World, courtesy of Arma and his good friendly relationship with Mary, he had not been invited rather... Only Mary...

Entonces, cuando las Brujas lo vieron pasar junto a Mary, lo miraron con desdén y desprecio... Como si fuera algo que no debía ser apreciado, pero las Brujas trataron de mostrar amabilidad y ocultar lo molestas que estaban con el invitado no deseado... Después de todo, muchas de ellas se llevaban bien con Mary y no querían hacer enojar o entristecer a la chica.../So when the Witches saw him walk past Mary, they looked at him with disdain and contempt... As if it were something that shouldn't be appreciated, but the Witches tried to show kindness and hide how upset they were with the unwanted guest... After all, many of them got along with Mary and they didn't want to make the girl angry or sad...

Así que la noche eterna no fue agradable cuando pasó, Mary se ha alejado de él para hablar con unos amigos... Pronto ella también será Reina y quiere que él disfrute de este día después de todo, por lo que intenta permanecer casi invisible... Pero es imposible, no para los ojos de la monarca de las Brujas.../So the eternal night was not pleasant when it passed, Mary has moved away from him to talk to some friends... Soon she will also be Queen and wants him to enjoy this day after all, so she tries to stay almost invisible... But it is impossible, not for the eyes of the monarch of the Witches...

Aunque la Monarca desprende un aire frío y vacío a su alrededor, ella no mira al todavía Príncipe con desdén ni ningún otro tipo de desagrado, sino más bien... Lo mira con una sonrisa, no parece falsa como muchas que ha visto dar a la Monarca desde lejos.../Although the Monarch gives off a cold and empty air around her, she does not look at the still Prince with disdain or any other kind of displeasure, but rather... She looks at him with a smile, it does not seem false like many that he has seen the Monarch give from afar...

Él se sorprende cuando la Reina de las Brujas se acerca a él... Rápidamente las Brujas que lo miran malvadamente y con mucho odio, se hacen a un lado, solo para dejar pasar a su Alteza Real, hay miedo reflejado en los ojos de las Brujas que se apartan, pero también hay adoración ciega y respeto hacia la Reina.../He is surprised when the Queen of the Witches approaches him... Quickly the Witches who look at him evilly and with much hatred, move aside, only to let her Royal Highness pass, there is fear reflected in the eyes of the Witches who move away, but there is also blind adoration and respect towards the Queen...

Chuck no sabe si sorprenderse en este mundo loco, cuando ve la capa de la Reina moverse como si estuviera viva, como un fuego... Las Brujas rápidamente se alejan más, como si la tela fuera a quemarlas... Pero en realidad, sorprendentemente, eso es lo que hace la tela cuando toca la piel de una Bruja... Quema.../Chuck doesn't know whether to be surprised in this crazy world, when he sees the Queen's cloak move as if it were alive, like a fire... The Witches quickly move further away, as if the cloth were going to burn them... But in reality, surprisingly, that's what the cloth does when it touches a Witch's skin... It burns...

Eso debe ser doloroso, por alguna razón se pregunta si fue buena idea venir... Porque en un abrir y cerrar de ojos la Reina ya está a su lado, cómodamente acomodada... Mirando desde su lugar a todos.../That must be painful, for some reason he wonders if it was a good idea to come... Because in the blink of an eye the Queen is already at his side, comfortably accommodated... Looking from her place at everyone...*

Arma: Debes ser el príncipe Chuck... Mary me habló de ti.../You must be Prince Chuck... Mary told me about you...

*En realidad, Chuck siempre quiso saber cómo Mary conoció a las Brujas y luego a Arma... Porque ahora en este momento, se pregunta cómo llegó aquí... Tan lejos.../Actually, Chuck always wanted to know how Mary met the Witches and then Arma... Because now at this moment, he wonders how she got here... So far away...

Pero supongo que eso seguirá siendo un misterio por un tiempo.../But I suppose that will remain a mystery for a while...*

Chuck: También me habló de ti, Emperatriz Arma.../She also told me about you, Empress Arma...

*Arma parece negar con la cabeza, en realidad parece estar tratando de no reír.../Arma seems to shake his head, he actually seems to be trying not to laugh...*

Arma: ¿Monarca? ¿Emperatriz? Jaja... Prefiero simplemente Reina o mejor dicho, simplemente llámame Arma.../Monarch? Empress? Haha... I prefer just Queen or better said, just call me Arma...

*Y ese fue el comienzo de una conversación... Mientras Mary sonreía desde lejos al ver a su prometido, la noche no era mala después de todo.../And that was the start of a conversation... As Mary smiled from afar at the sight of her Fiancé, the night wasn't bad after all...

Después de todo, Su Alteza Real no permitía que cualquiera la llamara por su nombre de manera amistosa.../After all, Her Royal Highness didn't let just anyone call her by her first name in a friendly manner...*

------

G: ¡Y eso es todo!, Espero que les guste, siempre he creído que si Arma se encontrara con Chuck, probablemente sería de lejos, solo se han visto de lejos... Mientras Chuck intenta acercarse a ella, ella parece desaparecer de su vista o la Reina no está en su castillo.../And that's it! I hope you like it, I've always believed that if Arma met Chuck, it would probably be from afar, they've only seen each other from afar... While Chuck tries to get closer to her, she seems to disappear from his sight or the Queen is not in her castle...

Así que en realidad se conocieron a través de Mary, así lo imagino... No sé ustedes, ¿qué piensan?.../So they actually met through Mary, that's how I imagine it... I don't know about you, what do you think?...

*

Arma: Es mía... {It's mine...}

Chuck es de {Chuck is from}: @mochi-chan-2006

Mary es de {Mary is from}: @askkassandragf-v-2

[sefaradweb]

Historia de la Unión Israelita Sefardí "Luz Eterna" (Or Torah)

🇦🇷 La comunidad judía de Barracas y La Boca, en Buenos Aires, se formó a partir de inmigrantes provenientes de Damasco, Siria, que llegaron hacia 1900. En un esfuerzo por preservar su cultura y apoyar a los recién llegados, fundaron en 1920 la Unión Israelita Sefardí Luz Eterna, con Moisés Cohen Imach como primer presidente. En 1927, se colocó la piedra fundamental del Templo Or Torah, cuya construcción, supervisada por el Jajam Iaacob Mizrahi z”l y diseñada por el arquitecto Valentini, reflejó la influencia sirio-damascena. La inauguración oficial ocurrió el primer día de Pesaj de 1930, con la presencia del intendente José Luis Cantilo. Posteriormente, bajo el liderazgo de figuras como Don Julio Massri, presidente durante 45 años, la comunidad expandió sus instalaciones, incluyendo la Escuela Integral Rabino Eliahu Suli en 1959, un salón de mujeres en 1986 y un gimnasio polideportivo en 1994. A pesar de desafíos económicos, la institución ha mantenido su misión sagrada, transmitiendo un legado cultural y espiritual a futuras generaciones.

🇺🇸 The Jewish community of Barracas and La Boca in Buenos Aires was formed by immigrants from Damascus, Syria, arriving around 1900. To preserve their culture and support newcomers, they founded the Sephardic Jewish Union Luz Eterna in 1920, with Moisés Cohen Imach as its first president. In 1927, the cornerstone of the Or Torah Temple was laid, its construction overseen by Jajam Iaacob Mizrahi z”l and designed by architect Valentini, reflecting Syrian-Damascene influences. The temple was officially inaugurated on the first day of Pesach in 1930, with Mayor José Luis Cantilo in attendance. Under the leadership of figures like Don Julio Massri, who served as president for 45 years, the community expanded its facilities, including the Integral School Rabbi Eliahu Suli in 1959, a women’s hall in 1986, and a sports gym in 1994. Despite economic challenges, the institution has preserved its sacred mission, passing on a cultural and spiritual legacy to future generations.

[eeveegirl9]

This is my team for a majority of my journey through Sinnoh. I was given the opinion to take a starter and I chose Chimchar. The outfit I wear is Elaine's outfit from Let's Go. I wear purple snow-wear similar to Dawn's when in Snowpoint.

Lovie's known moves: Mimic, Hyper Voice, Return, Shadow Ball and Reflect. Her Ability is Run Away. She is housed in a PokéBall.

Charly's known moves: Flame Wheel, Thunder Punch, Swords Dance, Calm Mind and Solarbeam. His Ability is Blaze. He is housed in a PokéBall. I chose Charley as a Chimchar. He evolved into Monferno during my battle against Roark and then in Infernape while traveling to Canalave City.

Regal's known moves: Aqua Ring, Agility, Megahorn, Secret Power and Water Pulse. His Ability is Water Veil. He is housed in a Great Ball. I caught Regal as a Goldeen in Kanto. Deciding to participate in Contest, I ask Professor Oak to send him to me. After earning my ribbon, I decide to keep him on my team. He evolves during my third Contest.

Nala's known moves: Scary Face, Ice Fang, Shock Wave, Flash and Iron Tail. Her Ability is Intimidate. She is housed in a Fast Ball. I caught Nala as a Shinx on Route 202. She evolves into Luxio while traveling to Eterna City and then into Luxray during my battle against Wade.

Flora's known moves: Captivate, Double Team, Psybeam, Energy Ball and Hidden Power. Her Ability is Anticipation. She is housed in a Nest Ball. I caught Flora as a Burmy in the Eterna Forest. She evolved during my battle against Mylene.

Toto's known moves: Air Slash, Aura Sphere, Safeguard, Wish and Magical Leaf. His Ability is Serene Grace . He is housed in a Premier Ball. Toto was given to me as an Egg by Cynthia. He hatched while heading to Veilstone City, evolved into Togetic while traveling to Pastoria City and then evolved into Togekiss after being exposed to a Shiny Stone.

Pokémon in the Lab: Bidoof, Starly, Cranidos, Shieldon, Shellos, Drifloon, Pachirisu, Budew✦, Combee -> Vespiquen, Burmy -> Wormadam(x2), Burmy -> Mothim, Eevee -> Leafeon, Buneary, Cherubi, Misdreavus -> Mismagius, Murkrow -> Honchkrow, Turtwig -> Grotle, Rotom, Chingling, Eevee -> Glaceon, Bonsly, Magby(Trade), Scyther, Stunky, Chatot, Yanma -> Yanmega(Johto), Lickitung -> Lickilicky(Johto), Gligar -> Gliscor(Johto), Tangela -> Tangrowth(Kanto), Finneon, Snorunt -> Froslass, Piplup -> Prinplup, Elekid, Mantyke -> Mantine(Remoraid from Johto), Kabuto, Anorith, Gible, Egg -> Manaphy, Egg -> Phione.

Released: None

Traded: Mime Jr.

Befriended: Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf

[arsenal-le-comte]

Andras Lapis. Bajo el sombrero. Estatua de bronce en el instituto húngaro de París en la calle Bonaparte número 92.

En la entrada del Instituto Húngaro, en la calle Bonaparte, reposa silente una obra de arte que invita a la contemplación. En el banco de piedra, bajo la sombra del tiempo, se encuentra la figura esculpida por la mano experta de Andras Lapis.

Sentada en su eterna quietud, la figura parece sumida en un profundo diálogo consigo misma. Su cabeza, cubierta por un sombrero, es un misterio que invita a indagar en los recovecos del alma humana. ¿Qué pensamientos habitarán bajo esa protección? ¿Qué secretos guarda el rostro oculto a la mirada?

El bronce cobra vida en cada detalle, cada pliegue del vestido, cada línea del semblante, parece susurrar historias que se pierden en el eco del tiempo. La figura se convierte en un testigo silencioso de las idas y venidas de quienes transitan por la calle Bonaparte, un faro de reflexión en medio del bullicio parisino.

¿Qué sueños habrán visitado a esta figura inmortalizada en bronce? ¿Qué anhelos se ocultan bajo el sombrero que la cobija? En su serena postura, parece desafiar al tiempo, recordándonos la efímera naturaleza de la existencia y la eterna búsqueda de significado que nos define como seres humanos.

Así, sentada en su banco de piedra, bajo el sombrero que resguarda sus pensamientos, la figura de bronce nos invita a detenernos, a contemplar, a reflexionar sobre los misterios de la vida y el paso del tiempo. En su quietud encontramos un refugio, un instante de calma en medio del tumulto, un recordatorio de nuestra propia humanidad.

Texto: © Jesús Vila Arsenal

English

Andras Lapis. Under the hat. Bronze statue at the Hungarian Institute in Paris at 92 rue Bonaparte.

At the entrance of the Hungarian Institute, on Rue Bonaparte, rests silently a work of art that invites contemplation. On the stone bench, under the shadow of time, lies the figure sculpted by the expert hand of Andras Lapis.

Seated in its eternal stillness, the figure seems immersed in a profound dialogue with itself. Her head, covered by a hat, is a mystery that invites us to delve into the nooks and crannies of the human soul. What thoughts might dwell beneath this protection? What secrets does the face keep hidden from our gaze?

The bronze comes to life in every detail, every fold of the dress, every line of the countenance, seems to whisper stories that are lost in the echo of time. The figure becomes a silent witness to the comings and goings of those who pass along Bonaparte Street, a beacon of reflection in the midst of the Parisian bustle.

What dreams have visited this figure immortalized in bronze? What longings are hidden under the hat that covers her? In her serene pose, she seems to defy time, reminding us of the ephemeral nature of existence and the eternal search for meaning that defines us as human beings.

Thus, seated on her stone bench, under the hat that protects her thoughts, the bronze figure invites us to pause, to contemplate, to reflect on the mysteries of life and the passage of time. In its stillness we find a refuge, an instant of calm amidst the tumult, a reminder of our own humanity.

Text: © Jesús Vila Arsenal

[yaretsblog]

En el jardín de mi corazón, florece un amor puro y sincero,

como una flor radiante, un tesoro que guardo con esmero.

El amor que siento por ti es la joya más preciosa y real,

un sentimiento profundo que crece con cada amanecer matinal.

Es un amor tan puro, tan hermoso y tan real,

que se desborda en cada latido, en cada susurro celestial.

Nunca te causaré daño, seré tu refugio y tu alegría,

haré de cada momento contigo una eterna melodía.

Te prometo ser la persona que te haga más feliz,

que construirá sueños junto a ti, en un edén sin fin.

Te amaré hasta el infinito y más allá, sin mirar atrás,

mi amor por ti es limpio, lindo, inocente y nunca cambiará.

el amor mas puro y el más bueno sea el testimonio de mi amor puro y eterno por ti, reflejando la promesa de cuidarte, amarte y hacerte feliz en cada instante compartido. Que nuestra historia de amor sea un canto eterno a la felicidad y la complicidad. ¡Siempre te amaré con todo mi ser, hasta el final de los tiempos! 💖🌟🌹@hamdan-fazza @yaretsblog In the garden of my heart, a pure and sincere love blooms,

like a radiant flower, a treasure that I carefully guard.

The love I feel for you is the most precious and real jewel,

a deep feeling that grows with each morning sunrise.

It is a love so pure, so beautiful and so real,

that overflows in every heartbeat, in every heavenly whisper.

I will never cause you harm, I will be your refuge and your joy,

I will make every moment with you an eternal melody.

I promise to be the person who makes you happiest,

that will build dreams with you, in an endless Eden.

I will love you to infinity and beyond, without looking back,

my love for you is clean, cute, innocent and will never change.

The purest and most good love be the testimony of my pure and eternal love for you, reflecting the promise of taking care of you, loving you and making you happy in every shared moment. May our love story be an eternal song to happiness and complicity. I will always love you with all my being, until the end of time! 💖🌟🌹

[battleradio-hoenn]

[an audio file starts playing, a deep and calm voice with a strong hoennian accent is speaking:

Hello and good day everyone! We are now doing some foreign Gym Challenge Spotlights! You can call me Nakano Masumi, and I will go over a battle from the Sinnohan Gym Challenge now!

Well, let’s get to know our challenger and the baseline for the battle a bit before we start! We are looking at a rather curious trainer here, actually. It is a woman who goes by the name of Laura, and when i say woman, i should maybe say LADY because she is one of the oldest people i have ever seen try a gym challenge! She is originally from Alola and is currently travelling Sinnoh with her Wife and service Drampa while challenging the Gyms in the region!

Now, I SHOULD mention that this analysis was requested by her! So if YOU are a trainer doing a gym challenge, be it in Hoenn, Sinnoh or somewhere else in the world, you can also send us a message per Mail, to our Website or our brand new Rotumblr Blog and i or one of the other moderators will make an analysis of your Gym battles!

That being said, Laura is challenging the Grass Type Gym leader Gardenia of Eterna City today as her SECOND gym. So while i doubt we’ll see insane strategic plays like we see in the Elite 4 battles, i’m sure there will be lots of close calls and interesting decisions! Before we start, i know you can’t wait, i still want to go over the teams real quick: Gardenia is obviously bound to the gym challenge rules, and for the second Gym, she can only use 3 Pokémon! Those being a Turtwig, a Cherrim and one of her beloved Roserade! On Lauras side, we do see a full team of 6 Pokémon, but i have to say i doubt it makes a lot of sense to bring half of these. There are a Prinplup, probably her starter Pokémon from Professor Rowan, there is a Geodude who i REALLY do not expect to do anything in this battle, a Luxio who’s also a suboptimal choice and a Machop. The two promising candidates for this battle are no doubt Zubat and Staravia with their favourable typing.

Now, without further ado, let’s get this battle started! Gardenias first Pokémon is Turtwig, a classic! I should maybe mention that I do like watching battles of the Sinnoh league, big fan here. So i see my fair share of Gardenia battles. On Lauras side, we see Zubat on the field! Like i said, the favourable type is very good here. The Challengers start of strong with a Wing Attack that looks like it did considerable damage to Turtwig, i’m not sure if it could withstand one more of these hits! Zubat is common and often considered weak, but i tell you, do NOT underestimate these little buggers.

Well, Gardenia is going for a more strategic play than simply attacking, Turtwig uses Reflect! With this, it can probably take another Wing Attack, since Reflect acts as a sort of barrier for physical attacks! Laura doesn’t seem to care though and instructs Zubat to do another Wing Attack. Well, like I said Turtwig can take it like a champ and Gardenia uses Sunny Day! This is a very good decision, Tutwig will probably go down after-

WHAT IS THIS? No! No it hangs on by a thread! Turtwig is barely hanging on by the looks of it and fires a desperate Razor Leaf! That is merely tickling Zubat of course, but in the grass-type gym, this chip damage can be important later on! And now- I CAN’T BELIEVE IT! Gardenia uses a Super Potion to help Turtwig withstand the next Wing attack? Okay, a little analysis. I’m not sure if she did that to kind of give the challenger an easier time since it is just the second Gym or if that was a genuine misplay, BUT! If she would have let Turtwig get defeated here, she could have send out Cherrim with a good amount of Sun left and the Reflect would have held for a few more moments as well! This way, Cherrim would have been a dangerous foe! I am going to be honest here, i know this Turtwig and i do NOT see it do ANY work against Zubat AT ALL except to prepare the battlefield for Cherrim or Roserade! But now the Reflect is going to run out and it might be able to set it up again, but then the Sun will probably be faded away, because i can already see it getting dimmer in the room!

Well, maybe Gardenia has some other plans, let’s see what will happen next! Ah, yes Zubat is hitting another Wing Attack, but since the Reflect is still going, it’s not doing much, and Turtwig looks like its ready to put up some more resistance now! And there it goes, preparing a big attack and OH WHAT A HIT! Zubat just swooped in and took the perfect opportunity to strike at Turwigs vulnerable belly! He’s knocked out! What a turn of events! Oh and there fades the Reflect as well. I still think it was wrong of Gardenia to use the potion earlier.

Anyways, here we see Cherrim enter the field! And apparently the Sunny Day from Turtwig is still strong enough to let her bloom! This is potentially dangerous for Zubat because Cherrim in Sunshine form is more energetic and strong than the overcast form! But We simply see Laura repeat her simple strategy of using Wing attack after Wing attack, and while Cherrim is in a type disadvantage here, it takes the blow like a champ! But Gardenia is NOT using the little bit of sun to hit hard with an attacking move, instead she chooses to chip away at Zubat with Leech Seed! I do think this is the right strategy, Zubat is definitely a force to be reckoned with since it is incredibly resistant to the grass type moves that Gardenia is specialising in! Oh but we hate to see it, Cherrim can’t keep up the bloom and folds down its petals, the Sunlight is not strong enough anymore.

Well, Gardenia is still at it, this time she goes for the offensive Magical Leaf! But Zubat takes it like a champ, only a few leaves have hit him in the first place and it doesn’t look like he’s slowing down with the Wing Attacks! Honestly i think the Leech Seed gives Zubat more Trouble than the Magical Leaf! But any chip damage is good here and i think this is Gardenias strategy! wearing Zubat down and then clean the field with Roserade! Aaaah yes, it’s just like i said, two more Wing Attacks and Cherrim is DOWN for the count, and Zubat does look a little worse for wear, but i do think it can keep going a bit!

NOW it’s getting interesting though, Gardenias Ace, Roserade enters the field! OH what is this? Laura changes her strategy! That’s a switch! Zubat is recalled and Staravia comes out! And while it’s at it, Staravias intimidating warcry causes Roserade to WHIFF a stun spore! That would have been very dangerous for Laura, if that Stun Spore had afflicted Staravia, i think it would look very dire!

Now we’re at it, two fresh and energetic Pokémon, ready to fight! Roserade on Gym Leader Gardenias side, and Staravia on Challenger Lauras side!

AH! IT IS ROSERADE WHO IS FASTER! She fire a Magical Leaf and it seems Saravia does NOT like that at all, but it does swoop in to get a Wing Attack in! Roserade looks seriously hurt, Staravia are a force to be reconed with! But Gardenia did have a plan for this, Roserade is holding a Sitrus Berry to give her some much needed energy back! I don’t think she could have taken another hit without it, and even with this little boost it will be close! Staravia looks better though, maybe he can take another Magical leaf!

NO! NO HE CAN NOT! STARAVIA GOES DOWN! BY THE GUARDIAN OF THE SKY HE GOT PICKED CLEAN OUT OF THE SKY! THIS MAGICAL LEAF WAS JUST PERFECT, IT TOOK THE WIND RIGHT OUT OF ITS WINGS AND STARAVIA SIMPLY FELL DOWN TO THE GROUND! WOW! Laura is in some real trouble now! What will she do now? Zubat is tired and i doubt it could pack a punch like Staravia did, and even with the considerable type advantage, i don’t think it could take two of those Magical Leaves!

Aha! Laura has the same doubts as me, she doesn’t send in Zubat, it’s her Machop instead! What is her plan here? Surely it can’t do much against Roserade, but I’m very curious to see what her plan is!

Oh! Oh! This is too tragic! Machop fell to a single Magical Leaf! Well, Roserade is strong, it is very strong! A fully evolved Pokémon, you can’t forget that! Laura seems a little desperate, she’s taking her time thinking about the next Pokémon to send in against this MENACE of a Roserade!

There it is, she settles for Zubat! Will it take a Magical Leaf? It is flapping its wings trying to close the distance, but NO! Roserades Magical Leaf is too strong! Poor little guy, you did such a great job defeating Turtwig and Cherrim!

Well, if you recall Lauras Team, i don’t think there is anything she can do to turn the tides here! Roserade is looking rather healthy after eating that Sitrus Berry, and the Geodude Laura is sending in is not going to do much! No, no no no no, it is not! Roserade uses Grass Knot and Geodude is in such an entangled mess right now, it can’t move at all. I think it’s safe to say Geodude is unable to battle. I find it interesting to see Gardenia use Grass Knot here! She didn’t use it once before despite saying it is her favourite move to use! But she probably anticipated that Magical Leaf from Roserade and Cherrim would be stronger against Zubat and the other Pokémon.

In any case, here comes Prinplup, and i think Laura has accepted to be defeated here. But giving up is not something this Lady will do! Instead, Prinplup eats another Magical Leaf and goes down immediately as well! Ooooh you hate to see it. Here come her last Pokémon! It is Luxio! Will Luxio be able to tank such a devastating Magical Leaf? Yes! Yes i can’t believe it! Luxio hangs on! That’s incredible, i didn’t think it would! But the Tackle it set out for does not do much damage anymore, Luxio comes out of his Pokéball and immediately gets blasted like that! It nearly tripped after that strong attack, and with that the Tackle attack can’t even tickle Roserade. And now she is giving him the last with another Magical Leaf!

That’s it dear listeners, Gym Leader Gardenia won! What a shame for Challenger Laura! Her Zubat did so well, and Staravia too, but Roserade was just too strong to beat!

I do hope you had fun witnessing this battle! Despite it being just second-badge gym battle, i think it was very interesting to see! The skill difference between Laura and Gardenia was certainly noticeable, but the simple preparation on Lauras side to capture a Zubat was enough to nearly get her the victory!

Now, that’s all i have for you right now! My name is Nakano Masumi and thank you for listening!

The recording ends.]