#service before self leadership

[harmoonix]

How to activate your VENUS sign!

* Activating your Venus sign plays a major role in how you love yourself and how you see your own self, is also giving you a big glow up when it comes to confidence and self worth*

🌄TIPS🌄

1. Start to read about things that are associated with your Venus placement, you can start by wearing colors (clothes) related with your Venus sign;

Aries Venus - Red

Taurus Venus - Pink

Gemini Venus - Yellow

Cancer Venus - White

Leo Venus - Blue

Virgo Venus - Brown/Beige

Libra Venus - Baby Pink

Scorpio Venus - Black

Sagittarius Venus - Purple

Capricorn Venus - Burgundy

Aquarius Venus - Turquoise

Pisces Venus - Dark Green

2. Your Sign of Venus shows how does it manifest

Aries Venus - Through Confidence/Leadership

Taurus Venus - Through Generosity

Gemini Venus - Through Expressions

Cancer Venus - Through Feelings

Leo Venus - Through Passion

Virgo Venus - Through Service/Through Devotion

Libra Venus - Through Emotions

Scorpio Venus - Through Rebirth

Sagittarius Venus - Through Discovery

Capricorn Venus - Through Respect

Aquarius Venus - Through Community

Pisces Venus - Through Empathy

3. How your Venus manifests and activates in houses:

Venus 1H > Focus on yourself/loving yourself/things that make you happy

Venus in the 2H > Focus on your worth/value/finances

Venus in the 3rd > Focus on your inner mind/intelligence and creativity

Venus in the 4H > Focus on those dear to you, on your home, on your comfort zone

Venus in the 5H > Focus on your passions/desires/talents and your own happiness

Venus in the 6H > Focus on your mental health, your daily work/service, focus on creating a balance between work and yourself

Venus in the 7H > Focus on your partner/lover (if you don't have focus on loving yourself first before sharing your love to others),

Venus in the 8H > Focus on your healing time, focus on things that make you learn more, focus on things that give you life

Venus in the 9H > Focus on your faith/religion/culture, focus on traveling and trying new things, focus in learning

Venus in the 10H > Focus on your career, on your job/community, focus on material succes and on your self image

Venus in the 11H > Focus on your friends/friendships, social communities, focus on humanitarian activities/focus on creating new boundings with people

Venus in the 12H > Focus on your sleep (schedule), subconscious, intuition, spirituality, focus on your karmic path

4. FOCUS on your VENUS DECAN! Your Venus Decan is very important and it shows how your Venus is combined and mixed with the others

For this post search the degrees and sign of your Venus and identify their ruler, in the end that planet is combined with your Venus!!

Note: If you have your Venus in Libra or Taurus between 0° - 10° your Venus is most dominant here the other planets don't interact much with these ones!

- Hope this helped you as a start of how to activate your Venus guys🌄🌄🌄 Harmoonix

[novy2sirius]

᭓ ྀུ༺ a degree theory by nikola stojanovic

please read before proceeding

important note: this is not my info. this is all from nikola stojanovic’s theory on degrees in astrology. he has books on it that i think you can find online and download for free

trigger warnings: murder, car crashes, sex, and suicide

sign degrees

zero degrees: 0°

the same characteristics as the sign it’s already placed in. example - aries venus at 0° is purely an aries venus, obviously aside from the house energy

aries degrees: 1°, 13°, and 25°

beginnings, leadership, taking action, fighting spirit, not giving oneself up to fate, struggle, war, abuse, labor, diligence, etc

taurus degrees: 2°, 14°, and 26°

food, money, stability, earth, luxuries, sound of voice, singing voice, etc

gemini degrees: 3°, 15°, and 27°

communication, self-expression, technology, books, siblings, neighbors, etc

cancer degrees: 4°, 16°, and 28°

home, traditions, nurture, loyalty, faith, mother, the ocean/water, etc

leo degrees: 5°, 17°, and 29°

life, children, attention, fame, creativity, strength, happiness, light, etc

virgo degrees: 6° and 18°

improvement, health, to diminish, routine, animals, acts of service, etc

libra degrees: 7° and 19°

harmony/fairness, charm, beauty, law, music, art, dancing, pleasures, etc

scorpio degrees: 8° and 20°

death, major transformation, wealth, jealousy, sex, secrecy, taxes, etc

sagittarius degrees: 9° and 21°

wisdom, abundance, college, travel, photography, success, beliefs, etc

capricorn degrees: 10° and 22°

hard work, fear, public attention, karma, father, boss, isolation, history, etc

aquarius degrees: 11° and 23°

unexpected experiences, technology, friendships, networking, divorce, etc

pisces degrees: 12° and 24°

spirituality, escapism, dreams, illusion, the sea, mysteries, the hidden, etc

special degree meanings

supreme power: 2°

this degree is often found in the charts of people with remarkable achievements, who had extreme power, and who were highly respected according to nikola’s research

eroticism/a fun life: 5°

many sex symbols like marilyn monroe have this in their chart. nikola believed this was the best degree in general as well. he thought it indicated lots of fun and pleasure in one’s life

suicide/divorce: 11° and 23°

according to nikola the aquarius degrees (11 and 23) both indicate divorce occurring when placed in prominent positions in the chart. 11 is the only one indicating suicide though

car accidents: 15°

nikola believed that when this degree was connected to 8th house or scorpio placements it could indicate getting into car crashes

pure evil: 18°

nikola believed that this degree indicated a negative destiny for someone. he thought it was the worst degree you could have in your chart, based on his research he thought it was solely about facing hardships and nothing more. he also believed it could indicate being an evil person with no good intentions

to kill or be killed: 22°

just as the title reads, nikola believed this degree indicates being killed or being a killer. another thing he believed it could indicate was abandonment in the area of life it’s placed

clairvoyance: 29°

nikola believed this degree indicates someone that has very good intuition and can make accurate predictions about the outcomes of events

my opinion on astrology degrees

i personally don’t believe in nikola’s theory 100%, although i do think there’s accuracy to the signs being associated with specific degrees. i have always had stronger belief in my numerstrology degree theory than anything when it comes to this subject though. i definitely do not believe 18° is fully negative like he claims since the universe is yin yang so there’s always both positive and negative ways things can manifest. these are just my thoughts though

do you believe nikola’s degree theory? comment below!

[valeriehalla]

at this point I just categorically have 90,000,000 times more fun on tumblr than the smoldering wreckage of twitter. like, twitter was already becoming kind of a drag for me before the hostile takeover, and now that cohost (hallowed be her name) is shutting down, it's like, well—i guess we doin’ tumbls again!! “it’s obviously the best one”

honestly, while the queer internet may never recover from the sucking wound that was and is tumblr’s NSFW ban—at least not as long as the united states of america continues to fail to take antitrust action against apple, google, and the payment processors collectively serving as the final boss of what’s allowed to be posted where on the internet—i’m starting to feel like tumblr is moving back into position as The Best Site For Artists regardless. my thoughts on this are half-formed, but it’s like this:

every other social media platform is either 1. tiktok, 2. hyper-obscure, or 3. slow-motion self-destructing to a degree way beyond even what tumblr inflicted upon itself in 2018. this is not a new sentiment i don’t think.

i think the fact that tumblr is unable to capture the literal billions of users every other platform is chasing makes it arguably a lot nicer for the users who are here. there is no way for an application to achieve a tiktok-sized install base that isn’t just naked manipulation and skinnerboxing. tumblr’s leadership seems either too incompetent to pull it off or too wise to try, and so we have what is effectively the last microblogging platform on the internet that’s actually still usable for microblogging.

also, a smaller-but-not-too-small audience is more engaged with what they’re seeing. simple as. a thousand notes on tumblr means more than a million views on tiktok and it always will.

of course, i am in fact making a living off of sexually-explicit art right now, and so tumblr cannot be my One Platform. i get away with it because the art is in service of a story hosted off-site, and so i never need to post The Whole Pussy on here; if i was exclusively an illustrator i’d be even less thrilled with the current state of things than i already ain’t. i guess this is just a testament to how truly bad The State Of Things has gotten, though. congratulations, tumblr: you really did win by doing absolutely nothing.

[cyberclouddream]

Ascendant Sign vs Sun Sign

Our Ascendant sign represents the innate demeanors we project, while our Sun sign represents what we want to be recognized and acknowledged for by others, what motivates us at our core.

Examples

Gemini Rising: you may make small talk or mingle with everyone; you may have an eclectic or playful appearance; often use humor or wit to connect with others

Gemini Sun: you may enjoy any form of communication that allows you to share your thoughts; tend to jump from one interest to another; you deeply value open-mindedness and communication

Leo Rising: you may immediately capture attention when you enter rooms; your clothes stand out; you may use bold gestures or an enthusiastic tone

Leo Sun: you may pour your heart in artistic endeavors; you crave recognition for your talents; you deeply value authenticity and self-expression

Libra Rising: often smoothing over tense situations; you may appear elegant or aesthetically-pleasing to others; you often use polite and considerate language

Libra Sun: you gravitate towards an field concerning beauty, design, and creativity; you prioritize partnerships and understanding loved ones; you value fairness and justice

Capricorn Rising: often observing first before engaging with others; appear classic and polished to others, favoring neutral colors and tailored pieces; focus on relevant topics than small talk

Capricorn Sun: drawn to leadership roles that allow them to climb the ladder; focus on pursuing long-term goals for success; value responsibility, loyalty, and tradition

Pisces Rising: often quietly observing and listening to pick up on the emotions of others; may appear whimsical and soft in style, with fabrics or color that reflect their artistic expression; tend to speak in a poetic or abstract way

Pisces Sun: drawn to forms of art, music, and writing; find fulfillment in service-oriented roles; they value empathy, compassion, intuition, and understanding

[astrologged]

Progressed Ascendant through the signs

The progressed Ascendant is an important point, representing your outward personality and the way you present yourself to the world. In the method of secondary progressions, your Ascendant moves through some of the signs over time. This movement reflects shifts in your approach to new situations and your evolving role in life.

Progressed Ascendant in Aries (0-30°)

Personality Shift: A dynamic, assertive, and energetic personality emerges. Focused on personal independence and courage. You'll become more proactive, adventurous, and willing to take the risks.

Appearance/First Impression: You'll appear more outgoing, energetic, or even impulsive. People will see you as a go-getter.

Progressed Ascendant in Taurus (30°-60°)

Personality Shift: You'll develop a more grounded, sensual, and patient approach with a focus on stability, beauty, and material comfort. Your demeanor will become more calm and practical.

Appearance/First Impression: People will view you as more stable, reliable, and earthy, with a love for the finer things in life.

Progressed Ascendant in Gemini (60°-90°)

Personality Shift: Your personality becomes more curious, communicative, and adaptable. You'll likely feel a strong desire for variety and intellectual stimulation. It’s a time for learning, connecting with others, and exploring new ideas. Try learning a new language.

Appearance/First Impression: You'll come across as witty, talkative, and youthful, with a quick mind.

Progressed Ascendant in Cancer (90°-120°)

Personality Shift: A nurturing, emotional, and introspective side becomes more prominent. You'll feel more protective and focused on family, home, and security, you'll be more of an introvert and your approach to life becomes more empathetic.

Appearance/First Impression: People see you as caring, compassionate, and family-oriented, possibly with a softer, more sensitive aura surrounding you.

Progressed Ascendant in Leo (120°-150°)

Personality Shift: You'll feel a greater need for self-expression, creativity, and recognition. There’s a strong drive to shine and to be noticed, which you will be, with an emphasis on leadership and pride. Confidence and charisma are amplified.

Appearance/First Impression: You appear regal, confident, and dramatic, often seeking the spotlight without even realizing it.

Progressed Ascendant in Virgo (150°-180°)

Personality Shift: You'll develop a more analytical, organized, and service-oriented approach to life. Focus is placed on improving yourself and others, with a greater attention to detail and efficiency.

Appearance/First Impression: You could come across as practical, reserved, and precise, perhaps with a preference for simplicity and cleanliness. Try not to be overly critical of others.

Progressed Ascendant in Libra (180°-210°)

Personality Shift: Harmony, balance, and relationships. You may become more diplomatic, charming, and cooperative. There’s a stronger need for social connection and a desire for peace. Libra rising is the most physically attractive placement (along with Libra sun and Taurus sun and rising).

Appearance/First Impression: You'll appear more attractive than before, balanced, and refined, with an emphasis on pleasing others.

Progressed Ascendant in Scorpio (210°-240°)

Personality Shift: Your personality becomes more intense, secretive, and transformative. You might realize that you’re drawn to deeper emotional experiences and power dynamics. A desire for privacy and personal control might emerge.

Appearance/First Impression: People may see you as magnetic, intense, and mysterious, often with a penetrating gaze. Your sex appeal is very high.

Progressed Ascendant in Sagittarius (240°-270°)

Personality Shift: Freedom, exploration, and optimism becomes central. Your outlook will become more expansive, philosophical, and adventurous. You might feel a desire to break out of limitations and explore new territories or learn a new language. Learning comes easy for you.

Appearance/First Impression: You'll appear open-minded, enthusiastic, and full of energy, often with a sense of humor and excitement. Always looking for new adventures.

Progressed Ascendant in Capricorn (270°-300°)

Personality Shift: You'll become more focused on responsibility, ambition, and structure. You'll definitely feel an increased desire for long-term goals, career success, and personal achievement.

Appearance/First Impression: People will see you as more serious, reserved, and disciplined, with a more professional or authoritative demeanor. Your facial expressions tend to look more serious.

Progressed Ascendant in Aquarius (300°-330°)

Personality Shift: is about individuality, innovation, and a progressive approach to life. You'll appear way more detached, with a forward-thinking attitude, and your personal expression becomes more unconventional.

Appearance/First Impression: You'll come across as eccentric, unconventional, or ahead of your time, with an interest in unique ideas and causes, and you're very stubborn about it.

Progressed Ascendant in Pisces (330°-360°)

Personality Shift: You'll become more sensitive, intuitive, and dreamy. You'll feel more connected to the emotional, spiritual, and artistic sides of life. A desire to escape from the harsh realities of life could become prominent.

Appearance/First Impression: You'll appear gentle, empathetic, and otherworldly, often giving off a sense of mystery or being "in your own world.". Try to stay grounded.

[sorio99]

Thinking about “I Want To Unify The Kingdom But The Second Male Lead Is Too Indecent” again. Thoughts on how it’d play out:

The first episode starts with Bridget and Dick at the office, establishing her as competent but ignored and him as a half-joking, self-loathing sex pest. Around the halfway point, they both get hit by a truck while crossing the road and wake up in the fantasy kingdom (does it have a canon name? I’m gonna call Decentia) as Princess Bridgeton and Lord Dickington. Lord Daleton shows up and quickly becomes the only person either of them tell about their original situation.

Bridget and Dick don’t actually realize they’ve both been Isekai’d together until about halfway through season 1, at which point they finally put two and two together. Bridget is mildly horrified that the dignified Lord she’d been relying on for stability was Dickhead Dick this whole time, while Dick is just happy to have SOMEONE who relates to not being either a medieval fop or Daleton.

The big reveal of the season one finale is that most if not all of the kingdom’s characters seen across the season, from the major supporting cast to the extremely minor background staff, have at some point between the pilot and now ALSO been swapped with their Massachusetts counterparts, mostly within the span of the first few episodes. The entire second season is just trying to piece together what the fuck to do about this.

Bridget is throughout Seasons 1 and 2 torn between absolutely despising Daleton and genuine attraction (because annoying though he may be, he seems to mean well and IS genuinely hot), while also coming to see Dick in a new light and genuinely appreciating him as a person for the first time ever. For his part, Dick has been into Bridget since before the truck accident, and while he is generally annoyed by Daleton’s antics and indecency, he shows JUST enough tolerance towards him that a good portion of the fandom ships the pair. Eventually a small but substantial part of the fandom ships the three together in the classic ProZD Love Triangle solution.

(Season 5 ends up technically making that canon, so polyshippers stay winning)

Daleton is consistently a slutty bisexual disaster throughout the show, right up to the very end, but he is shown to have SOME genuine leadership skills and does actually want to help everyone, hence why Bridget keeps him around. He’s the kind of character who spends most of each episode being useless and fan service focused, but then always has one useful insight that manages to help turn the whole episode’s conflict on its head.

Not everyone who got isekai’d into Decentia has an identical appearance to their Massachusetts form or a [Name]ton name, but there are a few as foreshadowing for the Season 1 plot twist.

Season 3 focuses on the real Princess Bridgeton and Lord Dickington, who wake up in the hospital and immediately piece together that they’re each from Decentia. They’re the first characters from the Kingdom to make the transition, and they realize what’s going on with everyone switching over significantly faster than Bridget and Dick.

The first sign that something seriously fucky is going on in Season 3 is when “Dale Kingston” shows up and applies for a job at the end episode 2. Bridgeton and Dickington immediately recognize him as lord Daleton, but he denies this, and we the audience know that Daleton was basically the only major character to NOT know anything about Massachusetts in Season 2, which raises the question of if he’s just this universe’s counterpart or if something more is going on.

As more and more Decentians end up at Big Dick’s in Massachusetts, they begin taking over the company and, slowly but surely, the small town of Decent, Massachusetts (halfway between Boston and Springfield, just take I-90 and turn off at the giant pants sign, you can’t miss it).

In Massachusetts, Dale is mostly similar in behavior to Daleton, but slightly less indecently dressed and completely able to keep his pants up. This is because in Massachusetts, you can just buy pants at a store and don’t need a personal tailor who was originally really gay and inappropriate and then by episode 4 was replaced by an IT worker with a CompSci degree.

Season 3 ends with a portal being formed between Big Dick’s corporate office (where Dickington has just defeated the CEO Richard Parker in hand to hand combat) and the castle of Decentia (where Bridget and Dick have been panicking because Daleton has been missing all day). Then Dale shows up, and all chaos breaks loose.

Season 4 goes about as described in the Drawfee episode: they realize that their realities are collapsing and merging together, it becomes clear that Dale/Daleton has secretly (and unintentionally) been the lynchpin of this collapse the whole time, and eventually the Kingdom (which has semi-officially annexed Decent, Massachusetts) is unified with the goal of killing him. However, Bridget and Dick are both quietly opposed to the plan (Dick because he recognizes Dale could still be a “decent” human being, and Bridget because at this point she’s low key in love with him).

It becomes clear across Season 4 that Daleton really didn’t have any idea originally that he was somehow drawing the two universes together, he went to Massachusetts through a portal to try and figure out what was going on with the Isekais, and his indecency has more or less been out of his control this whole time. The fanbase is somewhat divided on the question of whether or not killing him is the right thing to do.

Season 4 ends with Daleton seemingly killed, the universes mostly going back to how they were before the series started (Princess Bridgeton and Lord Dickington are back in control of the Kingdom, the employees at Big Dick’s are all back in Massachusetts), but Bridget mysteriously missing. The last shot of the season is Bridget’s bedroom back home, with the camera panning around to reveal one more portal.

Season 5 is still pretty much just porn, but like a quarter of every episode is dedicated to either developing the plot, world building for the sex dimension, or genuinely well written character development. So you can’t even skip to the important or good episodes, you have to watch all of them (you can usually skip the sex scenes, if you want, though. They are still 3/4ths of each episode).

About two thirds of the pre-existing fanbase are actually really into the fifth and final season: partially because it is still beautifully animated, incredibly well acted, and (during the important quarter) impeccably written…but also partially because the show was always hornier than your average isekai, so its fanbase did kinda follow suit. A third of them still absolutely hate it and the internet kinda explodes into arguments about it, though.

The creators fully realize there is no going back after Season Five, so that’s the only season of the show to not end on a cliffhanger. Instead, the plot is resolved, the multiverse is saved, and Bridget, Dick, and Daleton retire to a pocket dimension of the sex dimension where they can live out the rest of their days in peace. It’s a surprisingly wholesome and happy ending, ignoring how incredibly nasty some of the smut in the rest of the season was.

“Season Five” becomes internet shorthand for a show completely self-sabotaging and self-destructing for years afterwards, to the point most new anime for the next half a decade is capped off at four seasons.

The fifth season does however reveal that Dick/Dickington is bigger than Daleton, so that’s cool.

[the-returnofartemis]

Hey, can you share more posts about Jungkook's future spouse? Anything interesting about her what she's like what she do etc. Ty.

hi, thank you so much for your question! i’ll share some qualities and interests that i found both heartwarming and notable about her. to me, these are some of the traits that make her truly special. please remember that this is for entertainment purposes only and based on my observations!

important note: the pictures featured in this post are from pinterest and were chosen because i felt they best represent the essence of his special one, based on my observations.

MINI PLAYLIST:

whiplash by aespa | only 1 by ariana grande | i'm that girl by beyonce | mantra by jennie | one life by justin bieber | real thing by pink sweat$ featuring tori kelly

INNER QUALITIES

⚘ MONEY HONEY (GEMINI VENUS + MARS 10H) ⇢ this placement suggests that she’s likely to be business savvy and able to see the bigger picture, which helps her spot opportunities that can help her build a successful career. she may have a strong sense of ambition and creativity that enhances her leadership abilities — not just in taking charge, but in setting practical steps to achieve her professional goals. this blend of determination and intense focus allows her to overcome any challenges that comes her way, which makes her successful in both short and long-term goals. she may also see herself as a provider and protector, where her motivation extends beyond her own personal accomplishments. her goals may be deeply intertwined with a sense of responsibility for her family and loved ones, giving her an even stronger reason to succeed— not just for herself, but for those who depend on her. this dedication could make her a reliable and supportive presence in both her professional and personal circle. this trait is one that tests her, engages her deeply, and in the end, blesses her with growth and insight!

⚘ PRIVACY (LEO 12H + MAGHA MOON DK) ⇢ she likely values her privacy deeply and understands the need to balance her heart for service with her need for solitude. this selective nature may make her cautious with her trust despite her friendly nature. as mentioned before, she radiates a quiet confidence that makes her presence felt, and while she may resonate with this inner strength, those around her — and maybe even the world at large — may place her on a pedestal, while she herself may prefer to remain in the background. at times, attention may feel overwhelming as she may simply just want to support others rather than take the spotlight herself, choosing peace over recognition. she may dream of expressing her creative talents, but this dynamic might sometimes lead her to hesitaste in revealing her true self. ultimately, she could be someone who is intentional in what she reveals, especially in the public eye, showing up only when it aligns with her values.

⚘ PURE HEARTED (PISCES JUPITER 7H) ⇢ this is my favorite trait because it's so endearing! she may radiate an innocent-like joy, that brightens any space she's in. she approaches life with intentionality and sincerity, believing that it's important to show that light can exist even in the darkest moments and that empathy matters. people may look to her as a source of inspiration and be drawn to her genuine motivation to support and uplift others. even in her own struggles, she’ll see her challenges as an opportunity for growth, encouraging others to do the same. she likely believes in cultivating a mindset that taps into gratitude and vitality, seeing joy as a powerful tool in navigating life's challenges. her ability to romanticize life isn’t about avoiding reality but stems from a genuine desire to see the silver lining in every situation. honestly, people may even see her as ‘human medicine’ for the healing aura she naturally exudes.

NATURAL GIFTS and ABILITIES

⚘ FAITH ⇢ again, she has a remarkable ability to see the silver lining in every situation and maintains faith that everything will work out. while it may be challenging to apply it to herself at times, she’s great at supporting and inspiring others, which is something she truly values.

⚘ HUMANITARIAN ⇢ she may feel like helping people is a part of her calling, so she may find ways to always give back to all and support those in need.

PASSIONS and PASTIMES

⚘ ARTS AFICIONADO  ⇢ she likely has a deep appreciation for art and music, viewing both as therapeutic and essential to society. to her, the meaning behind each piece of art is an experience that weaves together various aspects of life in ways that other forms of expression cannot. art brings together all her interests – it sparks inspiration, reflection, and, most importantly, joy. music is most likely a shared passion and a point of connection between her and jungkook, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they create playlists or share songs with each other, as they may have similar tastes. she may also be musically inclined, with a good ear for sound and an artistic sensibility that helps her discern the nuances of music. for her, music creates a sense of connection, as she values shared moments that bring mental and emotional closeness with her partner.

⚘ CREATOR ⇢ she may find joy in activities that involve building and constructing, which in turn sharpens her creative skills!

⚘ HISTORY BUFF ⇢ she may be drawn to history, with a natural curiosity that inspires her to explore historical narratives for a deeper understanding of life. at times, she may not understand mainstream trends until she delves into the ‘why' lol. her curiosity allows her to connect with her interests on a deeper level, giving her an opportunity to not only expand her knowledge but to also shape her way of thinking and strengthen her creativity skills. she likely enjoy learning through documentaries, travel, or even reading and studying — especially when it involves foreign culture!

SHARED INTERESTS

these two will most likely be similar to each other, like two peas in a pod lol. even if there are any differences, they’ll find ways to smooth out the rough edges to create a balanced connection, which is so cute!

⚘ LOVE LANGUAGE ⇢ i’m almost certain these two prioritize the same love language: acts of service and quality time. for them, actions speak louder than words, and they feel most loved and appreciated when they spend meaningful time together, and make an effort to show up for one another. while other love languages also play a role, they’re naturally woven into the moments they share. this shared approach in love may help establish a solid foundation for their relationship, where each partner feels seen and valued.

⚘ RELATIONSHIP DYNAMICS ⇢ she and jungkook may share a similar approach to relationships, valuing loyalty and commitment in both romantic and platonic connections. both tend to be ‘ride-or-die’ types, where they are willing to support those they care about through thick and thin. even though they are friendly, kindhearted and enjoy meeting new people, they may take their time when it comes to building genuine trust. for them, true friendship or partnership takes time because it’s built on shared experiences and understanding. so, when they do reach that level with someone, it’s a sign of deep respect and genuine love.

thank you for reading — i hope you enjoyed!

x

[writers-potion]

How to pick between two academic rivals in being valedictorian

Academic Rivals - How to Pick the Winner

Rivalry is a juicy piece of character dynamic. Whether it's rivals to lovers, the setup for murder, or underlying tension within school dramatics, academic rivalry pulls the heartstrings of readers by hooking them into the universal desire to excel.

Here are some real-life processes that goes into selecting a valedictorian. Feel free to mix-and-match & alter it to fit the academic setting of your story.

A High Cumulative Grade Point

CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average), Honors Classification, WAM (Weighted Average Mark), ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), percentage system...whatever it is, your character will need to have a stellar academic record

Could be relative (e.g. top 2%) or a minimum bar (e.g. Above 95%)

Notable Awards/Scholarships

Those who earn notable awards in a particular field - National Book Awards, Olympiad Trophies, etc. will also be a huge plus

Any professional membership (e.g. Chartered Accountant), certifications are also valued.

Scholarships administered by the school, companies and the government will also be a plus.

Interview with the Faculty

The faculty from the student's college, the year's board of judges, the Dean will conduct round(s) of interviews to assess the candidate's integrity.

Extracurricular Contributions

Students who have participated actively in major school clubs, won awards for the school, took part in professor-led projects, etc. will have the upper hand, especially in the eyes of the faculty.

It helps to have held leadership positions in such clubs.

Other extracurriculars like starting their own business, starting community service projects, etc.

Self/Student Nomination and Voting

In some schools, you may need to self-nominate yourself to be considered for valedictorian.

There will often be a round of nominations, where students get to recommend peers (other than themselves)

Professor Nominations

Professors may nominate students that have showcased their ability to perform highly.

Hope this helps! :) Happy writing

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* . ───

💎If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! Also, join my Tumblr writing community for some more fun.

💎Before you ask, check out my masterpost part 1 and part 2 

[c-billbaby]

To: Chatterweb Mercenary Advertising Board

From: Carol, Burser, The Bloody Gash

It is eith great regret and sadness that The Bloody Gash... Ugh, I still can not believe she named it that, announces the tragic death of its leader, the self styled Captain Gemma Orlais. Her sudden death in the mech bay this morning came as a shock to us all.

I, Carol, former Star Commander for Clan Jade Falcon, shall inherit leadership of the unit. To those of you seeking our services be aware that we shall no longer be accepting such dishonorable contracts as piracy, assassination, or... Ugh. Birthday parties. We shall also be enacting new uniform and behavioral standards for the members of the unit.

No, nipple rings are not a rank insignia *Johnathan*.

It is our hope that we may turn this tragedy into a positive moment of growth for the unit and that we can achieve some form of respectable reputation for the future. It is not beyond the capabilities of The... Ugh... Bloody Gash to even perhaps become the envy of other units.

May our enemies quell before our prowess, for once, rather than our stench.

With Honor,

Commander Carol of The Bloody Gash mercenary command.

[sofstiltskin]

12th house (hidden enemies) and what people secretly envy/envied you for, based on its ruler

Before we start, I want to state that based on astrology infomation 12th house is for hidden enemies and 6th house for open, so I will make another post for open too. Let's begin ✨

Aries ruler: Mars

Taurus ruler: Venus

Gemini ruler: Mercury

Cancer ruler: Moon

Leo ruler: Sun

Virgo ruler: Mercury

Libra ruler: Venus

Scorpio rulers: Mars and Pluto

Sagittarius ruler: Jupiter

Capricorn ruler: Saturn

Aquarius rulers: Saturn and Uranus

Pisces rulers: Jupiter and Neptune

12th house ruler in 1st house:

They wanted to be you, your looks, your self-image, everything about your physical appearance, face, body, attitude, your vibe & aura , business visual identity, nature health

12th house ruler in 2nd house:

Your money, belongings, your work and income, luxury things, fashion style, jewellery, daily routines, your neck and shoulders, how you spend money, business finances

12th house ruler in 3rd house:

Your voice and speaking, the way you think, siblings and cousins, grades in school, language(s) you know, hands, interests, people you hang out with, tehnical skills, witchcraft, business communications

12th house ruler in 4th house:

Your home, family, core foundations in business, your chest, mother, vehicles you have, properties, private life, heritage, self-care,feminity, children, genetics, ancestors lol

12th house ruler in 5th house:

Your hobbies, beauty, self-expression, passions, humorous side, inner child, dating people, business creativity, romantic side, children, upper back, big heart personality, creativity, good fortune, art, dance

12th house ruler in 6th house:

Your health, work routines, self improvement, pets, fitness, organization, habits, business day to day operations, acts of services, stomach, attitude toward work, care of a body, strength

12th house ruler in 7th house:

Your relationships, marriage, spouse, partners, alliances with others, love life, business partners, lower back, interpersonal style, clients, foreign affairs, eating habits, how you interact with others, business partnerships

12th house ruler in 8th house:

Your sex lifestyle, transformations, mystery, partner's money, inheritance, hips and reproductive organs, joint ventures/goals, you being secretive, shared money, renewal, personal growth, sexuality, business transformatiom

12th house ruler in 9th house:

Your higher education, you travelling and exploring world, journeys, philosophy, religion, study, moral etics, learning about other cultures, wisdom, thighs, legs, spirit, business expansion, father

12th house ruler in 10th house:

Your public life and reputation, taking power, long term goals, fame, bones, joints, business recognition, ambition, discipline, job, rank profession, dignity, career and vocation, leadership skills, authority

12th house ruler in 11th house:

Your friendships, clubs you go out at, humanitarian ideas, goals and aspirations, technology you have, calves and ankles, hopes and wishes, dreams and future you will have, luck, good spirit, brothers, associations

12th house ruler in 12th house:

Your spirituality, healing abillities, business retreat and hidden things, inner peace, intuition, presence, physic abilities, connection with God, feet, charity, mental health, compassion and empathy

That's it, enjoy your day!!

-Sof

[rin-sith]

Following especially the latest season of Prodigy, I would just like to give a shoutout to Chakotay.

I actually liked him even back in Voyager, although he could definitely have been written better in that show. But then Prodigy came, and despite his limited screen time, that show did him SO well I can still barely believe it. And no, I'm not talking about how unexpectedly hot he looks in a cowboy hat ... That's the bonus cherry on top if anything.

If Prodigy proved anything (besides that it is now one of my favorite Star Treks of all time) is that Chakotay's earned that captain's chair, and so, so much respect.

I love how we get to see him be the selfless, dedicated, strong leader that he is and has always been, entirely disconnected from Janeway or any other legacy character. Now more than ever Chakotay and Janeway are just equally hardcore, badass captains who would give their lives for the greater good in an instant, and that's part of what makes them so great. Their equality, despite the different ranks, really came across in Prodigy more than ever before, which I loved to see.

Honestly, whenever I see Chakotay dismissed as a doormat or "best off as second in command" I just kind of rage a little. Even back in Voyager, it was pretty clear to me that he wasn't (for example, some people seem to forget that he was a captain originally and only became a first officer for the good of the Maquis crew.)

And now that we have Prodigy ... Even though we don't really see much of it on screen (which is a shame), I like reminding myself how, since the launch of the Protostar, he went through 12 (!) more years of (self-)sacrifice and (leadership) hell and managed to come out of that seemingly stronger and more certain of his place and himself than ever.

Even the events of "The Last Flight of the Protostar" aside ... Just think about how many life-altering, defining, difficult choices and sacrifices he had to make in those 12 years.

In the timeline that was averted, he sacrificed his only shot to get back home through the wormhole (the Protostar) to save the Federation from the weapon on board.

In the new timeline, he sacrificed himself by choosing to stay on that planet where he and Adreek landed, also for the sake of protecting the Federation from the weapon on the Protostar.

Chakotay was technically stranded in the Delta Quadrant twice (once with Voyager, once with the Protostar), and despite how abysmally things went on his first command, he never sacrificed his integrity or his dedication to Starfleet's values. He becomes a little grumpy over 10 years in solitude, but honestly, who wouldn't? And then the first thing he does after being rescued is take over Voyager-A and continue his service ... That's some dedication if I've ever seen it. I think he may have wanted to prove something there ... and honestly, he couldn't have succeeded more.

And no, he did not "teach" Dal that his place was "the second in command" ... On the contrary, he very likely showed Dal through his own competence and perseverance that Dal himself was simply not ready yet for such a responsibility.

He's just an extraordinary captain who has gone through things and made choices that very few others could have made. Choices like sending the Protostar back in time, that had the fate of the entire Federation depending on it.

I adore Prodigy in general, but one of the things I adore the most is that it finally shows us more of why Chakotay is not second to Janeway or to anyone. He's his own leader, his own character, and his own captain who deserves so much more acknowledgment.

Although, I still feel that we were robbed of some of Chakotay's best moments by not showing us the arrival of the Protostar on Solum and later the events preceding its (presumably) emergency landing on that planet where it stayed for ten years (honestly, I'd love for future Prodigy seasons to have maybe a flashback episode or two about the Protostar's maiden voyage and Chakotay's arrival on Solum and maybe later on that planet where he was stranded.)

Anyway, long rant over ... All I wanted to say was that Chakotay has more than earned the command of Voyager-A; seeing him in that chair made me very happy, I won't lie.

And I really hope if/when Prodigy gets more seasons, he'll be a more major character because he deserves a more central role.

[cosmicjoke]

Further thoughts on Levi's Admiration for Erwin:

So just to expanded and clarify a bit on my last analysis post, it isn't that Levi admired Erwin for having a lack of humanity, rather, it's that Levi admired Erwin for not allowing his humanity to deter him from doing what needed to be done for humanity's salvation.

But the truth is, Levi believed Erwin had a great deal of humanity in him. Levi believed that humanity was Erwin's reason for setting it aside in the first place, to help humanity, to save humanity, etc... To take on the burden of monstrous acts in order to help others.

It's why Levi is so shocked and dismayed when Hange tells them that Titans are actually human beings, and Levi sees Erwin smiling. That reaction doesn't compute with what he believes about Erwin. It's the first sign for Levi that the humanity he believes is underpinning Erwin's actions isn't as strong as he previously thought, and that fear is later seemingly confirmed for him when he confronts Erwin about it by asking him if seeing what's in Eren's basement, if being there to see it, is more important to him than humanity's victory, and Erwin admits that yes, it is.

That answer shatters Levi's entire view about who Erwin is and sends him, for a time, into a spiral of his own self-doubt, wondering if he's made the right choice in following a man who would put his own, selfish desires above the people he's sworn to protect. Wondering if all those lives Erwin sacrificed were really for a selfish dream, rather than the betterment of humanity.

I think Levi feared, up to the point Erwin told him his plan to take down the Beast Titan, that he'd been following a man who didn't have any humanity in him at all. A man who didn't care about or feel anything for the lives of the soldiers he commanded. I think this is why you see Levi being so snippy with Erwin throughout the battle in Shinganshina. He still believes Erwin is a great leader and visionary, but he doubts now whether Erwin is a good man.

This fear in Levi is finally assuaged when Erwin confesses to him the immense guilt he feels, about his own fear that he's let down and wasted every life under his command, given in service of humanity. Levi is shown, at last, that despite Erwin's selfishness and the underlying, selfish dream motivating his leadership and actions, he does, still, very much care about the people around him and does, indeed, have that deep well of humanity Levi had always believed him to have. Erwin's crushing guilt is the evidence of that. Levi believed before that Erwin was free of guilt, even in suppressing his humanity, because it was done for a worthy cause, for the betterment of all people. He sees in that moment that Erwin is instead overwhelmed and being torn apart by his guilt, precisely because he suppressed his humanity for something lesser. Again, that in itself, that guilt, is the proof of Erwin's humanity.

People like to compare Erwin and Zeke a lot, and talk about how both of them were willing to sacrifice the lives of others to accomplish their personal dream, and how hard that must have been for Levi, to see so may similarities between Erwin and Zeke, and to reconcile his loyalty to Erwin and his belief in Erwin when he sees many of the same qualities in a man he hates.

But there's a fundamental difference between Erwin and Zeke that I don't think people often consider, and again, it comes down to humanity.

Levi despises Zeke so much because he perceives an actual lack of humanity in him. Not an ability to set his humanity aside for some goal, like Erwin, but an actual void of humanity. Zeke shows no remorse, no guilt, no regret, no sorrow over the lives he's used and taken to advance his cause. The reason Levi questions Zeke so persistently in the forest about his actions in Ragako Village is because he's trying to glean if there's any sense of guilt or remorse in him at all for the lives he took. There is none. All Levi gets from Zeke for his questioning is more deception and indifference. I think this is also why Levi made the remarks he did to Zeke about his grandparents, and also about Gabi and Falco. He was trying to see if anything he said, any threat he made, would appeal to Zeke's humanity. But, at each turn, he was met with, again, indifference and deception, with no sign at all of genuine feeling.

The main difference between Erwin and Zeke is that Zeke is a narcissist and a sociopath. He doesn't care about the lives of the people he's used and killed. He sees them as tools and nothing beyond that. He quite literally sees their lives as worthless, rooted in the belief that his own life is worthless. His narcissism renders him incapable of seeing anyone outside of himself, and thus, he projects his own beliefs about himself onto everyone else. Erwin, for all his faults, and despite using the soldiers under his command as tools to further a selfish dream, never viewed their lives as worthless or disposable. He saw them as more than tools. He saw them as people. That's why he's so crushed by guilt near the end. He feels he's failed them by having a selfish dream.

And that fundamental difference also manifests in what Erwin and Zeke are working to achieve, and reflects in Levi's willingness to follow Erwin while simultaneously loathing Zeke.

Erwin, as commander of the Survey Corps, was working to achieve freedom for humanity. Never mind what was truly motivating him. As commander of the SC, the goal was to achieve freedom for humanity, and that's why Levi chose to follow Erwin with such loyalty, because he believed Erwin was best qualified to achieve that goal. To help create a world in which people have the freedom to choose how they live, to be who they are, etc... That's deeply important to Levi, that people be allowed a choice. That's what's at the core of his monologue to the 104th during the Uprising arc.

Zeke, by stark contrast, was working to, quite literally, take freedom away from people. To rob them of any choice at all by ending their existence. Zeke had deluded himself into believing he was providing people a mercy by unburdening them from their lives. But what exposes this for a lie is that he made this decision without any consideration or input whatsoever from the people he was supposedly "saving". He decided for them that their lives were a burden that they should be freed from. He didn't ask if that was what they wanted because, ultimately, and at the heart of it, what they wanted didn't matter to Zeke, because they didn't matter to Zeke.

I find it almost hilarious when people claim that if Erwin had supported the Rumbling, Levi would have supported it too, or that if Erwin had been for wiping humanity beyond the walls out, Levi would have backed him up. They claim this because they think that Levi only ever cared about Erwin and was blindly loyal to him. That he would "compromise his morals" for Erwin because he just loved him that much.

People who claim that expose themselves for having the grossest lack of understanding about who Levi's character is, or Erwin's, for that matter, that I've ever seen.

We saw what happened when Levi began to fear that Erwin lacked humanity. We saw how his respect for him immediately began to erode, despite years of loyal service and trust, and his belief in him as a commander began to waver. How he began to doubt his own choices in following Erwin's lead. We saw the anger and pain that caused in Levi. His interactions with Erwin afterward became cold and bitter. Only when Erwin finally confessed to his guilt, and thus, showed his humanity, did we see Levi's attitude toward him soften again. Only then did Levi tell Erwin that he'd been a good leader and thanked him for getting them so far.

Expand out Levi's coldness and anger toward Erwin after beginning to doubt his humanity to a scenario in which Erwin not only showed a lack of humanity, but an actual, malicious intent toward people, taking action to purposefully end their lives or crush their hopes and dreams...

Then you get how Levi felt about and treated Zeke. Pure disgust and loathing.

Levi never would have chosen to follow Erwin, and never would have felt any sort of admiration or respect for him, if Erwin was in any way intentionally malicious or cruel, or if Erwin in any way lacked true feeling for others. Levi would have despised him the same way he despised Zeke. It's, in fact, why Levi wanted to kill Erwin when they first met. Because he did believe, at that point, that Erwin was inhumane and cruel, for the way he'd treated Levi and his friends. He believed that until Erwin convinced him otherwise through his monologue to him, after Furlan and Isabel were killed. It's why Levi kicks Eren's face in on the airship over Liberio. A sure way to win Levi's animosity and disdain is to show a lack of feeling for others. A lack of humanity.

Levi was never blindly loyal to Erwin and never would have compromised his morals for him. He believed in Erwin's humanity, and so he believed in his leadership, and that's why he followed him with so much trust. It had nothing to do with him being so in love with the man that he would sacrifice any and everything for him. That take is so reductive and childish, it's almost beyond belief that any, intelligent adult actually thinks it.

If Levi really believed Erwin was an unfeeling monster who wanted to actively destroy the lives of others, and actually posed a threat in that regard, he would have been the first to act in putting him down, whether he loved him or not. Just like Levi was the first to voice the reality that Eren was going to have to be killed, despite having been Levi's comrade and subordinate for the last five years, and despite Levi's feelings for him as a friend and comrade.

[marveltrumpshate]

Civil Rights Advocacy & Litigation

Since there is no Avengers Initiative working to physically fight our way to a more equitable world, we have to rely frequently on advocacy, public education, and litigation to bend the arc of the work more quickly towards justice. If this is your personal charitable focus, you have a lot of options to choose from, from organizations working on systemic change for marginalized populations to those focusing on freeing individuals from the prison industrial complex and defeating censorship. 

For more information on donation methods and accepted currencies, please refer to our list of organizations page.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

The Autistic Self Advocacy Network seeks to advance the principles of the disability rights movement with regard to autism. ASAN believes that the goal of autism advocacy should be a world in which autistic people enjoy equal access, rights, and opportunities and have their voices heard. For that reason, the organization is run by individuals on the autism spectrum. ASAN's primary focuses are advocating for policies that protect disability and civil rights, creating tools and leadership training for autistic self-advocates, and offering educational resources. 

The Bail Project

In their own words, “The Bail Project, Inc. is an unprecedented effort to combat mass incarceration at the front end of the system. We pay bail for people in need, reuniting families and restoring the presumption of innocence. Because bail is returned at the end of a case, donations to The Bail Project™ National Revolving Bail Fund can be recycled and reused to pay bail two to three times per year, maximizing the impact of every dollar. 100% of online donations are used to bring people home.”

The financial burden that bail places upon many arrestees means that they stay in the system disproportionately longer than necessary, disrupting their economic options and personal stability. This is particularly true if they’re poor and/or people of color. To fight bail and provide pretrial support is to fight mass incarceration and the racial and economic disparities of the bail system in the United States.

Center for Reproductive Rights

The Center for Reproductive Rights is the only global legal advocacy organization dedicated to ensuring reproductive rights are protected in law as fundamental human rights for the dignity, equality, health, and well-being of every person. With local partners across five continents, they have secured legal victories before national courts, UN Committees, and regional human rights bodies on issues such as access to life-saving obstetrics care, contraception, maternal health, and safe abortion services and the prevention of forced sterilization and child marriage.

Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund

DREDF is the leading civil rights organization in the United States that fights for and is directed by people with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities. Not only does DREDF work directly with their clients to help them know their own rights, but they train and educate lawyers, lawmakers, and other societal gatekeepers to make sure they know those rights as well.

Electronic Freedom Foundation

The leading nonprofit defending civil liberties in digital spaces, EFF champions user privacy, free expression, and innovation through impact litigation, policy analysis, grassroots activism, and technology development. They fight against online censorship and illegal surveillance, advocate for net neutrality and data protection, and more so that technology supports freedom, justice, and innovation for everyone. 

Innocence Project

The mission of the Innocence Project is deceptively simple: exonerate those who have been wrongly convicted through the use of DNA evidence. The reality of it involves much broader strokes covering support for exonerees rebuilding their lives post-release and criminal justice reform through targeted litigation and the implementation of laws to prevent wrongful conviction. They strive to restore freedom for the innocent, transform the systems responsible for unjust incarceration, and advance the freedom movement.

Native American Rights Fund

NARF is the oldest and largest nonprofit that defends Native American rights and provides legal assistance to Native American tribes, organizations, and individuals across the U.S. They concentrate on issues such as tribal sovereignty, land rights and treaty compliance, tribal natural resource protection, education on Native American human rights, and more.

Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES)

Most known for their work on the Texas/Mexico border but operating on the national frontlines of the fight for immigration rights, RAICES provides free and low-cost legal services, bond assistance, and social programs to underserved immigrant children, families, and refugees. Among their many accomplishments, RAICES established the largest bond fund in the U.S., which they use to secure the release of individuals from ICE detention, and has more immigration lawyers than any other organization in Texas. These lawyers represent individuals, including children, in court, offer residency and citizenship services, assist asylum seekers, and deal with removal defense. RAICES also offers social services ranging from case management and resettlement assistance to a national hotline connecting migrants with local community resources and transit support for recently released migrants.

Southern Poverty Law Center

They’re mostly known in the U.S. as a hate group watchdog of sorts, but their work goes beyond tracking and exposing hate groups and promoting tolerance education programs. SPLC fights for voting rights advocacy, children’s rights, immigration reform and family reunification, LGBTQ+ rights, economic justice, and criminal justice reform. They work “with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance the human rights of all people.” Essentially, if there is injustice against a vulnerable and/or marginalized group in the U.S., SPLC aims to address and fix it.

Transgender Law Center

Transgender Law Center, the largest trans-specific and trans-led organization in the U.S., changes law, policy, and attitudes so that all people can live safely and authentically and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Through its precedent-setting litigation victories and community-driven programs, TLC protects the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming people in areas spanning employment, prison conditions, education, immigration, healthcare, and more.

[mariacallous]

Bangladeshis made history in July when a mass uprising, led by student protesters, toppled Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League’s government, which had become increasingly dictatorial over the course of 15 years in power. Before she fled to India on Aug. 5, Hasina oversaw the killing of thousands—at least 90 people were killed by the police on the day before her departure alone. Children were not spared.

The end of Hasina’s dictatorship has turned a new chapter in Bangladesh’s history. The country’s lone Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, now heading an interim government, called it Bangladesh’s second liberation. But Bangladesh has to step carefully over the mess Hasina has left behind—both in domestic and foreign affairs.

And the mess is huge. Historically, Bangladesh’s politics has been a game of pass the parcel played between Hasina’s center-left Awami League and Khaleda Zia’s center-right Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with the two regularly exchanging power for years—until Hasina broke the norms of democracy in 2011. That was the year she abolished the caretaker government system, where neutral civil society leaders headed an interim government to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner. Since then, the country has witnessed one rigged election after another. The BNP said about half of its 5 million members faced legal charges.

The democratic institutions that have been destroyed over the years can’t be rebuilt overnight. In his first speech to the nation, Yunus talked about bringing back the “lost glory of these [government] institutions.” The country effectively has no police force left. Hasina used members of the Border Guard Bangladesh, who were supposed to be posted at the border, against the protesters. Now they are facing widespread public anger too.

The damage is everywhere from administration to law enforcement to the military. Nothing has been spared. Hasina destroyed the country’s judiciary by handpicking judges. In 2017, the chief justice of Bangladesh’s Supreme Court, Surendra Kumar Sinha—a Hindu in a Muslim-majority country—was forced to resign and seek asylum in Canada after being threatened by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, the country’s military intelligence service.

The economy is in tatters, and corruption is rampant. Hasina herself has said that her manservant is worth $34 million and commutes via helicopter. According to Transparency International, around $3.1 billion is laundered from Bangladesh every year, which is more than 10 percent of the country’s total national reserves.

With the Awami League now hated by most of the public, the only political force left this political vacuum is the BNP. Zia, the party chairperson, is 79—and she is now gravely ill and was hospitalized multiple times since this summer. Tarique Rahman, her firstborn child and deputy, is 56. Rahman, often seen as his mother’s successor and the future head of state, has been living in a self-imposed exile in the U.K. for the last 16 years and the extent he is in touch with the country’s new reality is a question up for debate. He faces a slew of corruption charges—although these may not stand up in a fair trial as they were trumped up by Hasina.

After 15 years of autocracy, most of the remaining politicians are greying, while the median age in Bangladesh is a little over 25. The uprising that saw Hasina’s rule crumble was spearheaded by mostly by members of Generation Z. Their leadership of these supposedly apolitical groups in the July revolution has caught the politicians off guard, proof that Bangladeshi politicians are not capable of reading the pulse of the young.

Amid this chaos, the West needs to start playing a far more positive role. One of the reasons Hasina’s rule lasted so long was because the U.S. turned a blind eye to her misrule. Months before the one-sided elections in January, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken threatened to “restrict the issuance of visas for any Bangladeshi individual, believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, undermining the democratic election process in Bangladesh.” But after the polls, no punitive measures materialized. On the contrary, U.S. President Joe Biden wrote a letter to Hasina, expressing his government’s wish to “work together on regional and global security” and “commitment to supporting Bangladesh’s ambitious economic goals.”

U.S. complicity depends in part on its desire for India, a close ally to Bangladesh, to contain China in the Indo-Pacific. According to the Washington Post, last month Indian officials told their U.S. counterparts, “This is a core concern for us, and you can’t take us as a strategic partner unless we have the same kind of strategic consensus.”

India supported successive Awami League regimes due to its own security and strategic concerns. India’s landlocked northeastern states, also known as the Seven Sisters, are linked to the rest of the country through the narrow 60-kilometre-long Siliguri Corridor. This tiny passage, known as the Chicken Neck, separates Bangladesh from Nepal and Bhutan. The strategically important Tibetan Chumba Valley controlled by China is only 130 kilometers away.

The Seven Sisters are inhibited by 220 ethnic minorities and are home to active insurgent groups, especially in Assam, Manipur and Nagaland. India also has the world’s fifth-longest land border with Bangladesh. All this gives India a potent stake in Bangladesh—but instead of making new friends or giving Bangladesh’s democracy a chance, India placed its chips entirely on Hasina and the Awami League. Anti-Indian sentiment now runs high in Bangladesh—the Indian Cultural Center in the capital was torched within three hours of Hasina’s fall.

India has a long way to go to win the hearts and minds of ordinary Bangladeshis, and blaming Pakistan and its intelligence agency, the ISI, for every problem won’t help. India’s old narrative is dead, and New Delhi must realize this.

The U.S. must stop seeing Bangladesh through India’s eyes. Time and again U.S. policymakers have misread Bangladesh’s importance, looking at it as an extension of India instead of a state in itself. Bangladesh is potentially crucial to containing China in the Indo-Pacific. It has a young population who hold their ethno-religious identities close to their hearts but are pro-Western, too, with more than 13 million Bangladeshis living abroad.

Hasina herself was playing both sides, turning herself into China’s closest ally in South Asia. In July, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described the relationship between Bangladesh and China as “good neighbors, good friends, and good partners.”

China dislodged India as Bangladesh’s top trading partner nine years ago. Bangladesh imports more goods from China than from any other country, and is in debt to China to the tune of $17.5 billion, which was mainly invested in white elephant infrastructure projects. After Hasina’s fall, China’s reaction, however, has been muted—hoping to build a relationship with whoever emerges afterwards.

The U.S. and the European Union have welcomed Yunus and his interim government. Mathew Miller, a State Department spokesperson, said last month the U.S. wants the interim government to “chart a democratic future for the people of Bangladesh.” The best way to do this is for the U.S. to offer support to U.N.-led efforts to support order and democracy in the country.

The interim government immediately needs to establish law and order. It can start by bringing the perpetrators of the July carnage to the book. A national office of missing persons should be established to look into all the incidents of enforced disappearances. It can seek technical support from the United Nations, which should lead an independent U.N.-led fact-finding program into the revolution and fall of the Hasina regime. Western nations should support the establishment of a new, fairer constitution that takes the range of Bangladeshi identities into account.

The presence of torture cells inside Dhaka cantonment and the alleged involvement of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence tells us that a section of the armed forces were involved in crimes against humanity. Bangladesh has been a major contributor to U.N. peacekeeping—but that needs to stop until responsibility for these crimes has been established.

The ongoing civil war in Myanmar is also an existential threat to Bangladesh’s national security. With Bangladesh’s security forces in disarray, the U.S. should support Bangladesh by setting up a temporary base that will provide the Bangladesh Armed Forces and intelligence agencies with arms, training and other logistical support, while maintaining a firm emphasis on the political neutrality of the army and its support of human rights.

Bangladesh has survived a dire time to potentially chart a brighter future. Washington should see it not as an extension of Indian interests, but as an independent country that is capable of making its own decisions, an important ally, and a partner in the Indo-Pacific.

[overjoyedisland]

Long Time Coming - Chapter 29

Now on AO3

Fic Summary

[Post Iron Flame] Violet Sorrengail and Xaden Riorson could be the power couple that leadership is afraid of, but their lives are full of challenges that keep driving them apart. As they face the latest challenge that threatens their very existence, they find a series of letters that may hold the key to all the answers they need - if only they can read them. As leadership makes decisions about the future of the war college and the students there, Xaden and Violet go on a journey of exploration and self-discovery that they hope will finally bring peace to the continent. As they find answers, they draw on support from friends and others to fulfill their mission.

OR

The Book 3 where Xaden doesn't run away from Violet to protect her. (Because that's all I really want.)

Rating: Explicit

Prequel | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19 | Chapter 20 | Chapter 21 | Chapter 22 | Chapter 23 | Chapter 24 | Chapter 25 | Chapter 26 | Chapter 27 | Chapter 28

Updates for the remainder of the fic will be posted when they are ready, so posting may get sporadic from here on out, but we're down to the last few chapters!

Chapter Summary

Raising Wards and Fighting Venin

Chapter Excerpt

We walk to the wardstone chamber with an odd mix of emotions. We’re geared up to go into battle, but it will take hours before the battle reaches us. In the meantime, we have the very important work of fixing the wards to attend to. We make our way through the hidden entrance to the chamber, and are quickly confronted by guards who are taking their jobs very seriously. Xaden places himself in front of everyone.  “You are doing an excellent job protecting the wardstone. Thank you for your service,” Xaden praises. “We are here to fix the wards so that they no longer allow venin magic to function in Navarre.” The riders nod and step aside. “Thank you, Your Majesties,” they say in unison, as they bow to both me and Xaden. We squeeze through the narrow portion of the entrance one at a time, then stride purposefully as a group toward the wardstone. There are more guards here. Xaden quickly assures them that we belong here. We are lucky that he is so recognizable within the quadrant, so they take his word for it without a fuss. Andarna flies into the chamber from above and we wait. Xaden keeps a steady eye on his pocket watch. At 7:59 on the dot, he signals to her and she rears up and pushes at the wardstone. It is much heavier than the one in Aretia, but she is stronger too. With a final shove, she manages to topple it. My heart breaks as I watch the flames extinguish and the stone break again, but I know it is the first necessary step in the repair process.

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[darkmaga-returns]

President Joe Biden’s preemptive pardon of Dr. Anthony Fauci in his final hours as president is nothing short of a brazen political maneuver. Cloaked in the language of gratitude for Fauci’s decades of public service, the pardon shields a man whose $480,654 annual salary (in 2022) made him the highest-paid federal employee and whose $375,000 annual pension ensures him a gilded retirement.

For many Americans, this pardon is not just pouring salt in a wound—it is sulfuric acid poured over the lot of us who demanded answers about what we were told was the greatest public health crisis of our generation.

For Republicans in Congress, this moment is a crucible that will test their resolve and commitment to accountability.

The limits of Biden’s pardon, however, are significant. As an attorney and former judicial officer, I can attest that a preemptive pardon, while sweeping, is far from an impenetrable shield—certainly not enough to inoculate Fauci from accountability. It applies only to federal crimes committed before its issuance and offers no protection against future criminal acts. Moreover, this pardon does not absolve Fauci of his obligation to comply with Congressional subpoenas. Should Fauci obstruct justice or commit perjury—such as during a congressional hearing—he will face a Justice Department no longer led by Merrick Garland, whose leadership often shielded government officials from accountability. By removing the risk of federal self-incrimination, the pardon strips Fauci of one of his most reliable tools for avoiding testimony: the ability to invoke the Fifth Amendment.

Congressional Republicans must act decisively and without delay. By compelling Fauci to testify, they can begin to uncover the truth about COVID-19’s origins and the government’s potential role in funding dangerous research abroad.