#since we know the reaping is july 4 | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

ongolecharles · 4 months ago

Text

DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS (DSR) 📚 Group, Thu July 25th, 2024 ... Thursday of The Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, Year B/Feast of Saint James, Apostle

Reading 1

----------

2 Cor 4:7-15

Brothers and sisters:

We hold this treasure in earthen vessels,

that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.

We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained;

perplexed, but not driven to despair;

persecuted, but not abandoned;

struck down, but not destroyed;

always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

For we who live are constantly being given up to death

for the sake of Jesus,

so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh.

So death is at work in us, but life in you.

Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith,

according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke,

we too believe and therefore speak,

knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus

will raise us also with Jesus

and place us with you in his presence.

Everything indeed is for you,

so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people

may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

Responsorial Psalm

---------------

Ps 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6

R. (5) Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

When the LORD brought back the captives of Zion,

we were like men dreaming.

Then our mouth was filled with laughter,

and our tongue with rejoicing.

R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Then they said among the nations,

"The LORD has done great things for them."

The LORD has done great things for us;

we are glad indeed.

R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Restore our fortunes, O LORD,

like the torrents in the southern desert.

Those that sow in tears

shall reap rejoicing.

R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Although they go forth weeping,

carrying the seed to be sown,

They shall come back rejoicing,

carrying their sheaves.

R. Those who sow in tears shall reap rejoicing.

Alleluia

----------

See Jn 15:16

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I chose you from the world,

to go and bear fruit that will last, says the Lord.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel

---------

Mt 20:20-28

The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons

and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.

He said to her,

"What do you wish?"

She answered him,

"Command that these two sons of mine sit,

one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom."

Jesus said in reply,

"You do not know what you are asking.

Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"

They said to him, "We can."

He replied,

"My chalice you will indeed drink,

but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give

but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."

When the ten heard this,

they became indignant at the two brothers.

But Jesus summoned them and said,

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,

and the great ones make their authority over them felt.

But it shall not be so among you.

Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.

Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served

but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."

***

FOCUS AND LITURGY OF THE WORD

Today is the Feast of Saint James, the son of Zebedee. An important distinction, as two apostles were named James. The other James was the son of Alpheus. In my research, I discovered that James the son of Zebedee is the patron saint of many things, several of which I identify with! Therefore, I would like to start my reflection by asking Saint James to intercede on behalf of those in the occupations for which he is the patron saint (druggists, equestrians, and soldiers to name a few). That he may protect them and help them to serve God though their work.

In today’s Gospel, we encounter James the son of Zebedee in one of the more well-known passages of which he is a part. We are witness to a bold request: a mother asks Jesus if her sons may sit at His right and left in the Kingdom of God (It is worth noting that in the Gospel of Mark, the brothers make this request themselves). When the ten apostles hear Jesus’s response to the brothers, they get upset. It seems like they may be getting special treatment. How come they might get the most powerful, high-status positions by siting at the right and left hand of God? But our Lord had a good lesson for them- those who wish to be great will be humbled, and He reminded them that we are on this earth to serve God, just as Jesus came to give his life for us.

This passage led me to examine ways in which I seek power in my life. How often do I seek intellectual superiority because I have a strong desire to be right? Why do I find myself keeping tabs on all the tasks I’ve done in a day so I can “win” the invisible race of who has done more around the house? Do I seek higher paying jobs for the prestige? There are so many ways we may seek power or control in our daily lives, and the more I examined my personal life, I realized how much the pursuit of power can hurt my mental well-being and my relationships. What if, instead, I took on the mind set of servitude? If I found joy in serving those at work, in my home, and in public? This is what I think Jesus is calling us to in the end of this passage. Serving others is how we bring Christ to them. In a power-hungry world, what would it look like if we chose to serve one another instead of chase power?

***

SAINT OF THE DAY

Saint James

(d. c. 44)

Saint James’ Story

This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20).

James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus, and the agony in Gethsemani.

Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. Saint Matthew tells that their mother came—Mark says it was the brothers themselves—to ask that they have the seats of honor in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We can’” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!”

The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life.

On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?’ Jesus turned and rebuked them…” (Luke 9:54-55).

James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a).

This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community.

Reflection

----------

The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is on the Kingdom, on God’s giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus’ purifying them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness.

Saint James the Greater is the Patron Saint of:

Chile

Laborers

Nicaragua

Rheumatism sufferers

Spain

***

【Build your Faith in Christ Jesus on #dailyscripturereadingsgroup 📚: +256 751 540 524 .. Whatsapp】

#climate change #astronomy #astrophotography #biology #book quotes #inspirational quotes #marine biology #nasa #relatable quotes #daily scripture readings group #daily scripture readings #the catholic church #Ongole From Kumi #CharlesOngole

0 notes

3schia · 7 months ago

Text

CHAPTER 4

“Chapter Closed. The Beginning”

As time passes, the lessons are becoming harder.

So, I have to study more. Luckily, I now have my study buddy, Faith.

So, studying is getting way easier, and I’m having more fun.

We help each other a lot, so we’re able to perform better in class.

From being regular students in the previous semester, we’re now able to have the dean’s list award. We treat ourselves to different restaurants and travel a lot every time we pass the exams and have other awards.

What’s best is that Auntie also surprises us with gifts.

Despite being busy with my studies, with charitable activities, and with my friendship with Faith, I make sure that I also spend some time with my family and Bruce as well.

I visit home once a month, and I keep having dates with Bruce on some weekends. We tried to become more understanding of each other as we now have more responsibilities in our studies.

We kept giving presents every time there was an occasion.

And this has been my life for a couple of years.

[JULY 2011]

Tadaaa! ~

Here’s the day of graduation!

We’re reaping the fruits of our labor.

Thanks to my professors and friends, especially to my family, Bruce, Auntie, and Faith, for making this journey even more meaningful.

Most importantly, thanks to the Man from Above for the guidance and strength given to me all throughout. Chapter Closed.

---

[SEPTEMBER 2011]

And we are now working professionals.

Yap. That quick!

Welcome, Faith and self, to GT Blue Corporación. ~

We’re so lucky! It’s one of the best companies for finance graduates!

Here in Castellón de la Plana, Spain.

New apartment, new environment, and new people.

Again and again.

New experiences are approaching.

At first, I couldn’t find any satisfaction in my job.

But I tried to enjoy this new chapter of my life by traveling to different places, either alone or with my friends, such as parks, museums, libraries, malls, bars, and restaurants.

We even went to high class hotels just to take some pictures there.

A point in my life came when I felt too occupied.

I didn’t know what to do first.

I am finally earning my own money, but the work didn’t give me any satisfaction.

Since many people say that it’s really a good company for finance graduates, they recommended that I stay here, so I did.

Then, I felt so lost. I didn’t know what I really wanted in life.

So many problems arose. I realized and remembered a lot about my past...

There were pains still hiding, which again came out. There were things I couldn’t accept. Until a time came when I finally broke up with Bruce because I wanted to be alone this time.

E n d o f o u r l o v e s t o r y .

After almost a year of working here, a time came when I finally decided to resign.

I have my savings anyway.

[AUGUST 2012]

Then, I looked for some other companies to apply to.

I made sure that this time I would be liking the nature of the job.

It took me only two weeks to find this one.

Hola, ZTN Corporación! Just here again in Castellón.

What a lucky girl! The salary is just as good as the benefits.

I was doing well at work for a couple of months.

So, I got a lot of praise from my employer, managers, and a few coworkers.

---

One day, I’d received a message from Hernan, a schoolmate who’s also working here in Castellón.

HERNAN: Buenos días

ISLA: Buenos días también

HERNAN: Are you working at ZTN Corporación? I saw your stories.

ISLA: Yes.

HERNAN: Nice. It’s a good company.

ISLA: Hehe.

HERNAN: I’m also working here in Castellón.

ISLA: In what company?

HERNAN: Viola Corporación

ISLA: Nice.

HERNAN: Can we meet sometimes when you have time?

ISLA: Yeah.

---

After a couple of months, Hernan and I fell in love with each other.

So, he became my boyfriend.

We traveled a lot after work.

We usually go to coffee shops.

And we tried eating a variety of foods at different restaurants.

After a few months of dating Hernan,

he asked me if I could lend him money for his mother.

I didn’t hesitate to lend him.

Another week has passed, and he asked for more money.

He told me that there’s just an emergency.

Because I really care for him, I lent him money again.

I notice that he dates and updates me less often.

I thought he’d just been busy these past few days, but something is bothering me.

So, I decided to go near his office after work.

I saw him with another woman, so I followed them, and they ate at a restaurant.

I gave him the benefit of the doubt by asking him...

ISLA: Hi, love, can we meet today?

HERNAN: Hmm, let’s just meet tomorrow. I’m busy right now, so much work.

ISLA: Okay. Love you!

I didn’t even receive a response to that last message.

So, I guess something is wrong.

On the next day, I went again near his office. And guess what?

He’s with that woman again.

They even eat at a fine dining restaurant with so much sweetness, like a real couple.

Then I messaged him...

ISLA: I’m here now at Viola Park.

HERNAN: Wait, I’m still at work.

ISLA: Okay. I’ll just wait.

What a liar!

Let’s see what I can do.

ISLA: Love, where are you now?

HERNAN: I’m on my way.

Then here he is...

ISLA: I guess you’re doing great in your job.

HERNAN: Not really. What makes you say that?

ISLA: Because you seem busier now.

HERNAN: Oh. There’s just lots of work this period.

ISLA: Alright, let’s eat?

HERNAN: Yeah.

Hernan, the liar cheater!

But yeah, not my loss.

He’s not that handsome, lol.

----

[JUNE 2013]

And then here’s the weekend.

Due to boredom, I replied to random men on my dating app.

And here I met the libra man, Apollo Gray.

GRAY: Ughhhhhhhhhh!!!

ISLA: UGHHHHH UGHHHH UGHHHH!

GRAY: I’m c ü mm!nğg ... I’m c ü mm!n ğ g ...

ISLA: Boooooogshhhhhhhhh!

GRAY: My turn!

ISLA: Ughhh... Right there, right there...

GRAY: Yumyumyumyumyum...

ISLA: Yamete kudasaiii... Yamete kudasaiii... Yameteeeeeeee

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. This is it...

GRAY: Hi, I’m Gray.

ISLA: Is that your real name?

GRAY: Yeah. How about you, Miss Pisces?

ISLA: Yeah. I’m Isla.

GRAY: So, why don’t you have a boyfriend?

ISLA: I have.

GRAY: How many?

ISLA: Just one. And you?

GRAY: Just two. Can you be the third?

ISLA: HAHAHA. Cheater.

GRAY: If I’m a cheater, then what do you call yourself?

ISLA: I have a reason why I’m here.

GRAY: What?

ISLA: He’s the one who cheated first.

GRAY: So, that means you’re not looking for someone else. You just want a revenge.

ISLA: Hmm, maybe. But I’m also a bit bored.

GRAY: Alright. I’m actually a polyamorous person, that’s why I have two girlfriends.

ISLA: Really? Why?

GRAY: I’m tired of getting jealous.

ISLA: Me, too!

GRAY: Oh, you’re also a poly?

ISLA: Nope, I mean, I’m also tired of getting jealous... But I think it’s better to have a relationship with only one person.

GRAY: That’s how most people think about it.

ISLA: Maybe you’re just bothered by jealousy.

GRAY: Pros and cons of both, I don’t think one is inherently better than the other. In my opinion, it’s more on the people involved.

ISLA: Well, it depends on every person.

GRAY: Like if you’re with one person who abuses you, that’s bad. But if you’re with two people who actually love you, that’s good.

ISLA: It’s a matter of perspective and experience. But yeah, that makes sense.

GRAY: Mhmm!

ISLA: Are you happy with that?

GRAY: Of course! So, can I date you?

ISLA: Let’s try! You’re easy to talk to. A Sagittarius zodiac sign suits you better.

GRAY: How did you say?

ISLA: Straightforward! LOL.

GRAY: HAHA! When and where can we meet?

ISLA: You choose.

GRAY: Okay. Where do you live?

ISLA: Here in Castellón. And you?

GRAY: I’m here in Barcelona. Okay, let’s meet today, 3PM at Castellón Park.

ISLA: All right!

GRAY: Ughhhh. See you, honey!

#GoodbyeBruce

#LongTimeBoyfriend

#ThanksForEverything

#ChapterClosed

#IHopeThisFinallyHelpsAllOfUsMoveForward

#IWon’tBeEntertainingQuestionsRegardingThisAnymore

#ThankYouForUnderstanding

#ALifeWithoutAThrillAin’tLifeAtAll

#ThisIsTheBeginning

CHAPTER 5

“Victory”

While riding in public transportation, going to our meet-up place. I texted Faith...

ISLA: Hey, got a soon-to-be boyfriend!

FAITH: Again? When did you guys break up?

ISLA: I'm not breaking up with Hernan yet.

FAITH: Why?

ISLA: He cheated on me.

FAITH: Oh. That’s why you have another date?

ISLA: Yap. But it’s not a serious one.

FAITH: Just a play again?

ISLA: Mhmm! We’re going to meet today.

FAITH: Alright!

---

I honestly feel a little bit nervous. He’s quicker than me.

Then...

Here he is...

Relax, Isla... He’s just a person......

Yeah, so why would you be afraid, Isla?

He’s just a person, and you’re a demon. XD

GRAY: Honey!

ISLA: Hey!

GRAY: How are you?

ISLA: I’m good. How about you?

GRAY: I feel so good. So, where do you want to eat?

ISLA: Anywhere you want. No problem for me.

GRAY: Hmm. In the Victory Hotel?

ISLA: Oh!

GRAY: Don’t you want to eat there?

ISLA: What are we going to eat there?

GRAY: What do you want to eat?

ISLA: How about you?

GRAY: You answer first.

ISLA: Of course, food.

GRAY: Yeah, but what food?

ISLA: Hmm.

GRAY: A hotdog?

Then, our laughter just exploded.

Like wtf? The connection is just so strong XD

GRAY: Let’s go?

ISLA: Let’s go!

While going up to the floor where our room is... We’re still like...

holding our laughter while looking at each other.

We really have the same vibe.

Like yeah... This is it.

Then here we are, inside our room.

He ordered the food via phone...

“Hi.”

“Hi, sir. May I know your orders, please?”

Before making our orders, Gray looked at me with a smile on his face.

“Two jumbo hotdogs... two large eggs... two rice... and two beers”

“Anything else, sir?”

“Nothing,”

“Okay, sir. The waiting time is about 30 minutes.”

“Okay. Thanks!”

GRAY: Have you heard of that?

ISLA: What?

GRAY: The waiting time is about 30 minutes.

ISLA: Then?

GRAY: What can we do while waiting?

ISLA: Hmm. What do you want?

GRAY: Can I hug you?

ISLA: Sure.

Then, we hugged each other. It’s weird, but I really felt a kind of connection.

...

Then we e a t... e a t... and e a t...

... our ordered foods.

Then... We drink the beer while having long, deep talks about Hernan and his two girlfriends.

Yeah.

And...

We stared at each other for so long...

“Say sexy things.” Gray said

“Cum with me.” I answered.

“Ughhh...”

“Hmmmmmmm...”

He slowly kissed me on my cheeks...

...then on my lips.

I sucked his tongue...

... Then, he sucked mine.

Then...

I left a mark on his neck...

... and on his chest.

We slowly touched each other...

... from top...

....

.. to bottom.

And then...

I t h a p p e n e d .

Zzzzz~

Then, we woke up...

ISLA: I have not been like this before. I really am not. But pain really changes people.

GRAY: How’s our night to you?

ISLA: It’s wild. I will never forget that night.

GRAY: What comes to your mind? I thought we’re just joking about doing it?

ISLA: I don’t know. How about you?

GRAY: You don’t have to ask, of course I want it.

ISLA: That quick?

GRAY: Yeah. I already imagined that when I saw your profile.

ISLA: You seem used to having one-night stands.

GRAY: Yeah! Why not break up with your boyfriend? You’re done.

ISLA: I have something to do first.

GRAY: What?

ISLA: I want to get back my money first, plus double the interest. He owes me more.

GRAY: Did you lend him money?

ISLA: I cared for him, that’s why. He said that he just needs it for his mother.

GRAY: I will help you with your revenge.

ISLA: This is not revenge, only justice.

GRAY: Then I’ll help you get your justice. I want to be useful to you.

ISLA: Up to what extent?

GRAY: I will be an accessory to it. I will make you win... no matter what.

ISLA: How can I return the favor to you? How much do you want?

GRAY: Nothing, just you.

GRAY: So, what’s the plan?

ISLA: I feel like he has no plan of returning my money. We have to think of an idea of how I can get his money in his apartment.

GRAY: Yeah... Why not try to live with him?

ISLA: I can do that, but if he discovers that his money is missing, I’ll be the only one he will suspect because he’s the only one who has the key to his unit. The custodians don’t have it.

GRAY: You’re right... Hmm...

ISLA: But I can consider your idea.

GRAY: How?

ISLA: I’ll try to live with him, but I’m not the one who will steal his money.

GRAY: Then, who?

ISLA: Is there anyone else here?

GRAY: How can I?

ISLA: You have to pretend.

GRAY: As?

ISLA: Like a visitor... But you must cover your face because there are CCTVs outside his unit.

GRAY: A visitor?

ISLA: Not really a visitor. Like... We must make a scenario so you can enter his apartment with a purpose.

GRAY: I get it!

ISLA: I will act like I’m in a hurry to color my hair for the next day’s occasion at work. Then, you’ll act like a parlorist doing home services.

I will act like I have a cough, so you can wear a face mask without making you look suspicious.

GRAY: You’re wise, huh?

ISLA: Also, wear a volumized wig with a bang, eyeglasses, and girly clothes. Don’t forget gloves.

GRAY: When are we going to do that?

ISLA: It must be on a Friday night, after our work, so he would be tired. He told me that he’s just resting during the weekends, so he won’t need the money to buy anything. I just have to make sure that he has a lot of stock in his apartment, so he won’t buy groceries that coming weekend. And he just often watches TV every night, so he won’t be noticing you that much. Then, on the next day, after the made-up occasion, I will distract him more, so he won’t immediately find out that he lost his money.

GRAY: Alright.

ISLA: Don’t have your car on that day. Book a taxi, and don’t get off near his place. So, if he ever tried to detect where you came from, no vehicle would be reported. Come at around 8:30 PM, so the guard is not in there anymore. Then I’ll just open the main door for you.

GRAY: How about my record on your phone as a parlorist?

ISLA: I’ll just tell him that I only got your details through a printed ad I saw somewhere here in Castellón that day when my friends and I are roaming around after work. I’ll just tell him that I suddenly got an idea of coloring my hair when I saw that printed ad. Then, I’ll tell him that I saved only your number and then just read your other details, which I’d tell him I couldn’t remember anymore since I’m tired and in a hurry. Then, you just have to deactivate that number after, so if he calls, the number will be unattended. With that, you’re the one he will only suspect.

GRAY: You’ll also be a little bit suspicious with that.

ISLA: I know, but if ever he finds me suspicious, he won’t have any evidence that I’m guilty. To make me look less suspicious, I have to live with him for about a month before we do that. His savings are just inside a cabinet.

---

After a week, Gray introduced me to his two girlfriends, Raquel and Cherry.

They both look gorgeous and have so much resemblance.

Fast forward ~

[JULY 2013]

*The Day of Revenge*

ISLA: Love, a parlorist will be in here in a few minutes.

HERNAN: All right.

I opened the main door for Gray, then we went straight to Hernan’s unit...

I tried hard to hold my laughter after seeing Gray dressed like that. XD

Hernan was just so busy watching TV.

A few minutes later, he went inside his bedroom to sleep.

So, this is it...

Hernan, the stupid bch. Here we goooooo...

ISLA: It’s just there inside the cabinet.

GRAY: Gotcha!

After stealing the money, Gray immediately went outside.

Yap, that quick. ~

On the next few days, after the made-up occasion, I distracted Hernan.

And...

The enemy has been slayed XD

Victory! ~

---

That was a mission accomplished, tho

Then again, it’s Monday...

After work, we celebrated the victory.

We went to a resto bar. Danced.

Went to my apartment and slept together.

#GrayTheParlorist

#IslaTheMasterMind

#HernanTheF*ck*gIdi0t

#AStup!dWifeSuitsYouWell

#SoYouWillAlwaysFeelBetter

#EffectsOfChildhoodPsychologicalIssues

#I'mSorryButYouNeedAPsychiatrist

#ThankMeLater

CHAPTER 6

“Small World”

*5 missed calls* (from Hernan)

ISLA: Hey, why are you calling? I’m still at work, celebrating a coworker's birthday.

HERNAN: My money is missing.

ISLA: Just look around. It’s just there.

HERNAN: I did. But it must only be here in the cabinet.

ISLA: Wait. I’ll get there later.

ISLA: Hey, what now? Have you found it?

HERNAN: No. It must be stolen

ISLA: Ha? Maybe it’s just here in your bedroom

HERNAN: I already checked it there.

ISLA: Maybe an apartment’s cleaner went inside here

HERNAN: No, the custodians are cleaning just the outside, they don’t have the key.

ISLA: Oh.

HERNAN: Wait, it must have been the parlorist last week. Have you observed him the whole time when he’s here?

ISLA: Hmm. Yeah.

HERNAN: Haven’t you gone to the comfort room while he’s here?

ISLA: Just once, when I had to po*p.

HERNAN: It must be him.

ISLA: How much money have you lost?

HERNAN: Almost €3,000.00

ISLA: Oh, sht.

HERNAN: What’s his name? Can you show me his details?

ISLA: I only got his number.

HERNAN: How about his name? You must know it.

ISLA: I only got his details through a printed ad I saw somewhere here in Castellón on that day when my friends and I were roaming around. Then, I saved only his number. I just read his other details. I couldn’t remember it anymore since I’m tired and in a hurry on that day.

HERNAN: Try to remember his name

ISLA: Hmm... It’s like... Ra...

HERNAN: Ra... what?

ISLA: I really couldn’t remember because I wasn’t myself that day.

HERNAN: Wat da fvk, Isla?!

ISLA: I’m sorry.

HERNAN: Show me his number.

ISLA: Here.

*Dialing...

Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt...Trtttt.

“The number you have dialed is now unattended. Please try your call later.”

HERNAN: Tsk, tsk, tsk. It must be him. Do you remember his face?

ISLA: He’s wearing a face mask since I told him I was coughing.

HERNAN: Tsk. I’ll check his face on the CCTV recording.

HERNAN: Tskkk. He was wearing it all along.

ISLA: Oh no. What if you try to see his car plate number on the CCTV record?

HERNAN: I checked the record outside the apartment. He was just walking when he was nearby. I’ll try to look at the other records on the other streets.

---

I texted Gray...

ISLA: HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

GRAY: What? XD

ISLA: Hernan is now in so much distress

GRAY: Dasurv!

ISLA: Em0tional Damage!

GRAY: Double kill!

Two hours later...

HERNAN: I’ll check again tomorrow.

ISLA: But you have work.

HERNAN: This is more important. I’ll just be absent tomorrow.

ISLA: Okay. Let’s sleep now, I’m tired.

HERNAN: I’ll also try the DNA test.

ISLA: It costs a lot

HERNAN: Yeah, I know. But if there are no records of him that will show his face and where he came from, it will only be the last solution I can use to find him.

---

A few weeks later...

CCTV records failed...

No other fingerprints were detected...

So, Hernan finally gave up finding the culprit.

->>> First blood! <<<-

[AUGUST 2013]

Fast forward...

Gray and I were watching a movie at my apartment when Faith called...

Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt... Trttt, trttt

FAITH: Hey, can we go outside?

ISLA: I’m with Gray right now.

FAITH: Where?

ISLA: Here at my apartment. Wait for us outside, then let’s eat somewhere.

FAITH: Alright!

GRAY: Who is Faith?

ISLA: My best friend since college. She’s the daughter of this apartment’s lessor, Auntie Mercedes. She’s working at GT Blue Corporación.

GRAY: Oh.

ISLA: Let’s go!

ISLA: Hi, Faith!

FAITH: Hi Isla! Is he the one you’re talking about?

ISLA: Yeah. He’s Gray, my boyfriend. And Gray, she’s Faith.

GRAY: Hi, Faith. Nice to meet you.

FAITH: Hi, Gray. It’s nice to meet you, too.

GRAY: So, where’s your province, Faith?

FAITH: At Toledo.

GRAY: Oh, we also lived there before.

FAITH: With whom?

GRAY: My family.

FAITH: Where are they now?

GRAY: My parents are now living in Seville. And my half-brother is in Córdoba.

FAITH: You only have one sibling? And just a half?

GRAY: I actually have an older half-sister on my mother’s side.

FAITH: Oh. Both are half siblings.

GRAY: Yap. But it’s fine.

FAITH: Where is your half-sister now?

GRAY: On my biological father. He and mom got separated when I was two, and my sister was fifteen at that time. So, yeah, I was raised by a stepfather.

FAITH: How about your real dad? Is he not visiting you?

GRAY: Mom said they were visiting me once a month when I was a child. But a year after they separated, he died of lung cancer.

FAITH: How about your half-sister?

GRAY: Hmm, she’s still young back then, so maybe she didn’t know how to get to our home.

FAITH: Have you asked your mom about your sister?

GRAY: She doesn’t want to talk about it. So, I couldn’t do anything. She didn’t even tell me their names. So, I hated mom for that.

FAITH: That is similar to mom’s case. She also has a half-brother on her father’s side. They were visiting him after her dad and stepmom got separated. But when her father died, she couldn’t see his half- brother since then. She couldn’t know where his half-brother now is. She couldn’t find it on social media either.

GRAY: What’s the name?

FAITH: Apollo?

GRAY: Apollo, what?

FAITH: Hmm.

As I remember, the surname sounds like a restaurant... Apollooo...

Mcdowney?

Then...

Gray and I were both in shock.

Like... We literally stared at each other for almost fifteen seconds...

FAITH: Hey!

Are you guys, okay?

GRAY: Where’s your mom?

FAITH: At home.

---

FAITH: Hey, what?!

ISLA: Wait!

FAITH: Why did you react like that?

---

When we arrived at their home...

Gray suddenly knocked at the door...

Then Auntie Mercedes opened it...

GRAY: Do you know Elizabeth Mcdowney?

AUNTIE: She was my stepmom before.

And Gray immediately hugged Auntie...

Faith seems to finally understand what’s happening.

Auntie seems really confused.

GRAY: I will explain everything

AUNTIE: What?

GRAY: You have a half-brother on your father’s side, right?

AUNTIE: Yeah!

GRAY: He was two and you were fifteen when your dad and stepmom got separated, right?

AUNTIE: Yeah. How did you know?

GRAY: Elizabeth Mcdowney is my mom. She told me I have a half-sister.

AUNTIE: Oh.

Then, Auntie just had a reaction that I couldn't explain.

Like... She’s confused but is laughing and has teary eyes.

AUNTIE: So, that means... You are my half-brother?

GRAY: Yeah. Mom didn’t tell me your names, that’s why I couldn’t find you on social media. And I hated mom for that. I did everything to convince her to tell me. But she just didn’t want to because they were not on good terms when they got separated.

AUNTIE: I also tried finding you on social media.

GRAY: I’m sorry, but I’m not a fan of it. I’m just using dating apps. So, yeah. That’s where I met Isla.

Then, we all just laughed.

And... They hugged again.

Gray also hugged Faith.

“My niece!”

“My uncle!”

I was so happy for all of you.

“Hey, were you just chatting random girls in dating app?” I asked.

“Nope. I’m choosing, of course.” Gray answered.

“So, why did you chat with me?”

“Well, I find you attractive, but there’s a deeper reason why I chat you.”

“What is it?”

“Your zodiac sign.”

“Oh. Why?”

“Well, I usually like Pisces people.”

#TheReunion

#ThanksIsla

#The10thOrdinance #LibravsPisces #Chapter4 #Chapter5 #Chapter6

0 notes

weallhungerforsomething · 11 months ago

Text

Reaping Day | District 4's Siren |

July 4th, 2307 - The 69th Hunger Games

Y/N L/N's POV

I woke up to the sound of bustling in my quaint house in District 4. I turn on my side to look at the clock hung up on my wall 10:00, 4 hours until the Reaping. I turned 18 in November before the games making this the last year I was eligible for the Games. District 4 being better off than most of the other districts we have an academy focused on producing victors, every year one boy and one girl are chosen to volunteer for the Games and bring glory to our district. From the moment I was born my parents instilled it into me that to participate in The Hunger Games is an honor. I was chosen this year to volunteer as the female tribute and my parents couldn't be more thrilled; however, my sister seems to be on edge about it. She aged out of the system 9 years ago and doesn't have a shot of getting to go into the Games now though, so why she's so bothered I'm not sure. I gaze up at the clock again seeing I've spent 30 minutes lost in my own thoughts, dragging myself out of my bed I trudge over to the bathroom in our house. Brushing my teeth I look at my face in the mirror, a blank expression stares back at me. I shake off the uncanniness of my appearance and continue getting ready for today. After I showered I went back to my bed to see my mother had left out an outfit for the Reaping. A simple, light blue sun dress and my black Maryjane style shoes. I dried my black hair leaving it down. Before going to the kitchen I grab a gold necklace off my floor, a gift from my sister. Clasping it on I look at myself once more seeing the look of the dainty necklace against my tan skin. Turning on my heel I walk into the kitchen being met with the faces of my parents. Neither look up at me as I grab a glass of water.

"Don't forget you're going to volunteer today." My mother spoke finally glancing over at me. I nodded curtly "How could I?". My mouth turned up in a tight lipped smile. Truth be told my parents and I never got along well. I don't know why they seemed to not like me, part of me wondered if maybe they wanted me to go into the Games with the hope I wouldn't come back. I was suddenly pulled out of my thoughts by the sound of knocking against the door. My eyes followed my father as he walked over to the door, once he opened it my sister, Aruna, stepped in along with her boyfriend. She looked around for a second before her eyes locked onto mine. With a half-smile she rushed over to me pulling me into a tight hug. I shut my eyes turning my head into the crook of her neck, I sighed softly as her arms tightened around me. As she pulled away she held onto my arms "You ready?", her voice sounded raspy as she spoke but I ignored it in favor of simply nodding "As ready as I'll ever be". I let out a slight laugh as we interlocked our hands. Aru dragged me past our parents and over to her boyfriend Matt who smiled at me pulling my into a hug. Our hug was a bit tense, things between us somewhat awkward since we hardly knew each other but the sentiment was not lost on me. We all walked out of the house towards the town square where the Reaping would take place.

Having to split away from my family my sister gave my hand a tight squeeze before walking off as I walked over to the Peacekeepers. I felt I slight prick as they drew my blood but my eyes remained trained on the people gathering. From the group of 12 year olds clearly not excited about being here to the 18 year olds waiting for me to join them. I walked over to the 18 year old girls taking my place with them as I received some shoulder nudges and smiles for what was to come. I offered my best smile to the girls ready to get this over with. The District 4 escort walked out onto the stage welcoming us all to the Reaping for this year's game. I zoned out as the video of President Snow played explaining why we had the Games. I finally tuned back in as the escort spoke "First, the ladies", he stalked over to the fishbowl containing numerous slips of papers. Reaching his hand in he plucked a paper out walking back to the mic. I squared my shoulders getting ready to raise my hands as the man's lips parted. "Y/N L/N!", I was barely able to stop my hand as instead my eyebrows shot up. It had never hit me before, there was always a chance I could get reaped. Suddenly it felt different, the choice wasn't mine anymore I had been picked by chance. Lost in my thoughts I felt the girl next to me bump my hip, broken out of my stupor I looked at the stage where the escort was motioning me over. I slipped out of the group of 18 year olds and walked over to the stage. I plastered a smile on my face and made my way up the steps with seemingly no hesitation. The escort smiled at me as he walked over to the other bowl. Up close I couldn't help but stare at the man, his blue hair tied into a braid behind his head matching his blue blazer-skirt suit. The makeup was extravagant as well, false, blue eyelashes with black liner on his waterline. I shook my head softly opting to look at my district instead my eyes fell onto my family, Aru had tears in her eyes as both of my parents stared up at me their faces unreadable. I looked away from them just as the escort had pulled out a piece of paper "Caspian Marsh!". I noted the name wasn't the guy who was supposed to volunteer. I looked into the crowd waiting for someone to volunteer but there was no noise. My brows furrowed slightly at the silence, some of the older kids even turned and looked around at a red head boy with the other 18 year old boys, I figured that was who was supposed to volunteer. Instead I watches as a boy from the 12 year olds walked out and over to the stage. He walked slowly clearly not wanting to do this, I couldn't help but notice the way my heart felt as I watched the reluctance of the smaller boy. I couldn't explain this to myself though, why should I feel bad? It was an honor to be in these Games right?

The boy finally made his way up on the stage as our escort joined our hands, I had to bend down to reach Caspian's. "District 4! Your tributes for the 69th Hunger Games!" Our district erupted into applause some faces smiled at us and others looked sorrowful. The redhead boy didn't even look at us.

#the hunger games #thg finnick #thg #thg series #finnick odair #finnick x reader #finnick x you #finnick imagine #hunger games #thg fanfiction #the hunger games fanfiction #hunger games fanfiction

1 note · View note

absolutebl · 2 years ago

Text

This Week in BL

July 2022 Wk 2

Being a highly subjective assessment of one tiny corner of the interwebs. Organized by which ones (in each category) I’m enjoying the most.

Ongoing Series - Thai

Triage (grey) Ep 12 - Tol’s turn to fix the timeline - well he can’t do any worse, right? I found this episode a little frustrating, but I still think this is one of the better high concept Thai BL‘s I’ve seen in a long time. I’m reminded a little of Great mMen Academy for some reason (much as I question if GMA is a BL). I’m excited to see howTriage ends, but also glad next one is the final ep. Where Triage falls down, for me, like Manner of Death, is going to be in rewatchability. I think once the element of surprise is removed, there isn’t enough romance holding this show together to make me want to rewatch it. But I think the story is a lot better for having not been that romantic. It’s just I happen to be a romantic at heart.

Love Mechanics (Sun WeTV) Ep 4-5 - ep 4: of course the cheating gf is hurt in a car accident with her rich boyfriend#2 and Vee rushes back to her and then makes eye contact with Mark who he is hurting even more. Because why not MORW PAIN? This whole series is basically a diatribe against cheating and the one honest gay reaps all the punishment. And yet I CAN’T STOP WATCHING. Stupid genius YinWar. Also I do love Poppy turning up, he’s got to be one of my favorite character actors in the BL universe, right up there with Gunsmile. Watching Vee lose everything was cathartic, his family, friends, and Marke are too good for him. He is a lovable asshole tho. I am both delighted and terrified that we have 6 more episodes of this nonsense. Ep 5, why are these cheaters so cute? Because it is YinWar, that’s why. Also I love it when Mark gets his own back against Vee, even if it’s just teasing and standing up for himself. Don’t ask, I didn’t get the bit with Vee’s dad either. Lots of good brother characters this summer in BL. Meanwhile Yawhe is figuring everything out.

Vice Versa (Sat on YouTube) Ep 1 - The meet cute was awkward and I don’t love that. Jimmy (Puen) is lovely, of course. The lead (Lay) is okay, I haven’t fully warmed to him. (Hooray for a butch character! Even if they had to use body swap to explain them. Notice mostly no polite particles?) I like the concept of this show. You know me, I’m big into paranormal and magical realism and skewed reality. I’m engaged with that if nothing else. And then Nanon waltzes in holding a goddamn guitar and I’m mad at the whole universe.

Unforgotten Night (Weds on GaGa) Ep 4 - I am beginning to think we should be calling this show Forgotten Kink rather than Unforgotten Night. Actually, this week was fine, we got a bit more of the side couple, whom I am now officially calling P’Daddy and Baby Boy. Also I may a UFO pun joke. Go me. TRASH WATCH IS HERE!

Sky in Your Heart (Fri YouTube) Ep 7 - How is this show now boring, corny, AND cheesy? Also I’m starting to get bad secondhand embarrassment. And then... the white sponge bath, of course.

Even Sun (Wed iQIYI) Ep 3 - They are pretty, it pretty, that’s it. I’m so bored.

Check Out (Sat IQIYI) Ep 6 - World’s most boring date? Mostly I was just confused by the random English letters on Daonuea’s shirt and wondering if I could get one like it with Thai script (since it’s so pretty). In other news, should I start a vomit trigger warning for BL shows? Why do people throw up so much? We don’t have to SEE it, ya know?

My Secret Love (Sat YouTube Sat) Ep 7 - Interesting that they call GL yuri in Thailand. That’s it. That’s all I got.

War of Y has semi started or something? Whatever.

Oh My Sunshine Night (?) - Ep 1 I managed the first ep without subs but it seems really really sad. I am nto sure I am in the right mind set for this one so I think I will wait until 1. I know if it ends happily, and 2. It’s easier to get internationally.

Ongoing Series - Not Thai

Minato Shouji Coin Laundry (Japan Weds GaGa) Ep 3 - currently my favorite show by a land slide. I like everything about it, the questionable content and relationship, the age gap, the characters, Shin’s obsessive staler edgy intensity, the side boy with the terrible hair. The food. ALL OF IT. Minato’s feelings for his sensei are an interesting parallel to Shin‘s feelings for Minato - and explain both why Minato is sympathetic to Shin and dismissive of him at the same time. When Minato admits to his feelings for his high school teacher, Shin final understands Minato’s reluctance, or thinks he does. I feel Minato deeply, he’s sunshine honesty and core integrity does not allow him to outright lie to Shin that he isn’t attracted, which goes up against his ethical scruples around their age gap. There’s an interesting dialogue going on within this show around how seriously to take teenage love and first true desire (simultaneously the most intense of our lives and the most scary for the adults around us) and how it’s belittled by society as a result. I should note at this juncture that the age of consent in Japan is 13, the lowest of any developed country. However, most prefectures also have local "corruption of minors" or "obscenity statutes" (淫行条例) which raise that AoC to 16-18, unless they are in a "sincere romantic relationship" (usually determined by parental consent). Are we going to meet Shin’s parents and large family under this context? I’d really like it if we did. Japan may be reserved in its romances but it usually attacks social criticism and difficult content head on (unlike Korea), so I wouldn’t be surprised if we got this topic grappled with directly. See Japan’s approach to noona romances.

Want to See You (Vietnam YT) Ep 6-7-8 - Far be it for me to say this with our prince of VBL but I don’t think that these leads have any chemistry. Sad, that’s usually not one of Vietnam’s issues. The brother character remains my favorite and a best boy and the only reason I’m still watching this show.

Senpai, Danjite Koidewa! (Japan Fri Viki) Ep 4 - We are halfway through this one, and I’m still not sure if I like it. It’s just too cringe. Also they keep reusing a lot of footage.

Gameboys 2 movie - didn’t drop for me in the USA on gaga.

Love in Spring AKA Spring of Crush (Korea grey) Ep 15-16 - A suitably tragic ending (including an Untamed call back) for all the bad characters and some of the good ones. I liked the psychopath second lead best - apparently my second lead syndrome extends to COMPLETELY INSANE. In the end, this drama was all over the place with uneven acting, narrative, and focus (sometimes it wanted to be a slapstick comedy, sometimes a depressing drama) which meant no one, actors or viewers, took anyone or anything seriously.... AND it’s a bromance. I was left wondering is SalHyung is now code for “they were roommates” in Kdrama historicals but otherwise largely apathetic and unimpressed. Korea, we now know you can do better. Watch Tinted With You or Nobleman Ryu’s Wedding instead: 3/10 not recommended, I don’t know what I’m watching, and neither does it. Full review here.

Gossip

Japan to adapt yaoi Takara Kun To Amagi Kun as Takara-kun and Amagi-kun. Oriyama Nao and Sato Arata will star, and rumors of the leads from My Love Mix-up putting in a cameo. 8 epes. About a popular guy and an outcast boy who secretly like each other, and soon after start dating in secret. Premieres August 18 no word on distribution yet.

Japan to produce The 8.2 Second Rule AKA 8.2 Byo no Hosoku about a boy finding his first love.

Korea’s Kidari Studio to adapt Happy Merry Ending about two men who work with wedding events, grumpy/sunshine pairing.

Blueming is getting a season 2. This is one of my favorites from this year (9/10). I am not thrilled about this decision. It’s the same director as TMS2, and I didn’t like that one all that much. Still, I’ll probubly watch it. I’m very intersted in where Korea goes when it’s given enough rope to hang itself with.

Next Week Looks Like This:

I think Coffee Melody is to start tomorrow on Viki? (Pavel my love!)

NOTE: There probubly will not be a weekly update next Sunday from yours truly. I have a busy week of remote work (with the meetings and the deadline) and then a (cough cough) college reunion thingy. So yeah. Don’t think I’m dead, okay?

This week’s best moments?

Can’t lie, I’m a big fan of the boyfriend sniff test.

I feel this in my bones... or shoudl I say stomach?

Sing it with me now... jealousy!

And a meeting of the Marks. (I used to think War & Mark looked A LOT like each other, but now I really don’t anymore). I hope Mark IRL really is really in Love Mechanics. I love him so much. He’d make a great boyfriend for heartbroken rich boy Nuea.

(last week)

70 notes · View notes

cbspams · 3 years ago

Text

June Event

Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome, to the 86th hunger games!

My goodness do we have a show for you this time around. From the delightful reaping proceedings to the delectable chariot ride, it seems that each district has brought us something to cheer for! Join me now as we analyze and consider each tribute, their strengths and weakness, and, but of course, their exciting odds.

——————

Profiles

District 1: Hwang Hyunjin

District 2: Yang Jeongin

District 3: Seo Changbin

District 4: Bang Chan

District 5: Han Jisung

District 7: Kim Seungmin

District 8: Lee Felix

District 10: Lee Minho

——————

It is highly recommended to read each profile in order by district, starting with 1 (Hyunjin) and ending with 10 (Minho). Technically they can be read alone but they were built with that timeline in mind.

As always all posts under the event will be tagged as #hunger games event should you choose to not participate. As the base material is graphic in nature, please be cautioned about potential gore, violence, death etc. Although admin will tag things as necessary, these are prevelant themes and cannot be avoided.

You cannot access the boys in their regular states and they will not remember you. They may be hostile, cautious or otherwise negatively inclined towards you even if you are a significant other.

Since this event is somewhat time lined, all posts and interactions will take place in the time period between arriving in the Capitol and entering the Arena. The boys will be in their training and mind games mode, trying to find alliances and weed out the weak. As such they may be more flirtatious, intimidating or sly about their actions. If you are a s/o and do not wish for your specific partner to be flirtatious, please let admin know and we will discuss it to lay out the complete terms of what is and is not okay.

DM’s will be discussed individually with admin. This event is mostly intended for dash purposes but admin is willing to carry it into DM’s. This event will last from today (June 11th) for three weeks (ends July 2nd)

#hunger games event #hg profile #[ 1A ]#[ 2B ]#[ 3B ]#[ 4B ]#[ 5A ]#[ 7A ]#[ 8B ]#[ 10A ]#[ GM ]#interviews: tributes

77 notes · View notes

monellabella · 4 years ago

Text

The Starving Games ft. Freddie Weasel: AKA Pt. 1 of my Hunger Games x Harry Potter crossover series (OC x Fred Weasley)

Warnings (None of these are really graphic, but feel free not to read if any of these things make you uncomfortable!!): Blood, knives, knife wound, character death(s), severe injury mention (lost limbs), dead animal mention?? (a rat)

This is the first fic I’ve ever written! I got the idea from a post I saw from @wand3ringr0s3 Comments and criticism are GREATLY appreciated and it’d be really cool to get some feedback on my writing style!!

a/n: Also if I do write more, this is gonna be an enemies to allies to lovers situation bc I <3 angst

Tagging my mutuals: @ourloveisforthelovely @darthwheezely @amrtxntia @anchoeritic @kellsslut @whizboingies @beiahadid

Darkness. Pure black. I hear noises coming from somewhere. Muffled. Echoing through the endless void around me. The noises become louder. Someone is talking. The more I listen, the louder and clearer they get. Clear enough that I can almost make out the words. Suddenly, everything goes deafeningly quiet. My ears start ringing. But then, a single voice echoes through the silence, “Seph?”. I recognize it immediately. “Maeve?” I call out. “Seph? Is that you?” she responds, her voice shaky with fear. “Yes, yes, Maeve, it’s me. Where are you?”

“I don’t know.” she responds, panic rising in her voice. “Seph, I’m scared.”

“I know. I know, kiddo,” I swallow hard, “Hey. Hey, listen, I’m gonna find you, okay? Just stay calm.”

My heart is racing. I look around for some sort of clue, but nothing but complete darkness surrounds me. I tentatively reach my hand out in front of me. My fingertips graze something. Something cold. I take a step forward and reach out again. My hand finds what feels like a thin chain. I roll it around in my fingers before pulling down on it. The space is immediately flooded with blinding white light. I blink a few times to adjust my eyes to the sudden brightness. I’m at home; a tiny one room flat that I share with my mother, sister, and our cat. Except it’s empty- no furniture, not even a door. I see my sister standing a few feet in front of me, her hands bound together by a thick rope. “Maeve!” I rush towards her. “Seph!” she cries. As I reach out to hug her I’m pushed back by an invisible force. I look up and there she is- standing inside a giant glass dome. I take a few steps back, trying to register what I’m seeing.

“Shall we draw the names?” I whip my head around to see a woman in a magenta frock standing on the other side of the room. Her dress is covered in so many frills and flounces that she takes up half the flat. On her head is a ridiculous blonde wig that must add at least two feet to her height. Her face is covered entirely in white powder, with her cheeks overly rouged, and her top lip painted magenta to match the dress. She looks like a very posh clown.

“I-I’m sorry what?”

She laughs airily, “The names, darling. Surely you remembered?”

“Remember what?”

She tsked then pulled out two smaller versions of the glass dome from the frills at the front of her dress. They each had a small slip of paper in them. “Go on. Pick one.” Her voice was incredibly high-pitched, and she spoke with a capitol accent. I stepped towards her and hesitantly reached into the bowl in her right hand. I unfolded the slip of paper, ‘Maeve Whitlock’. I stared at the name in confusion.

“I don’t understand.”

“Will you take her fate as your own?”

“What do you mean? What fate?”

The woman let out another laugh, this one high and cold, it echoed around the entire room and caused the floor to shake. Suddenly, I heard Maeve call out to me, “SEPH!” I looked back to where she was in the dome. There was a dark, shadowy figure standing behind her, holding a knife to her neck. Her hands and feet were bound to a small wooden chair, and her mouth was now gagged with a dishcloth. I ran towards the dome, panic rising further in my chest. “MAEVE!” I shouted desperately. She looked at me fearfully, tears rolling slowly down her cheeks. I banged and kicked and rammed my body at the glass so hard, I should’ve shattered something. But it was no use. I looked back to where the woman had been standing, but she was gone. The shadowy figure stood still, holding the knife to my sister’s neck.

“LET GO OF HER YOU FREAK!” I cried, banging my fists against the dome. Maeve was panicking now, her chest rising and falling rapidly, tears running down her face, her muffled pleas penetrating through the glass. “MAEVE.” I cried out; my voice cracked as the salty tears streamed down my cheeks. But I was too late. The dark figure suddenly slashed the knife across her throat, her cries stopped and she slumped down into her seat, eyes still half open, blood now seeping into her blouse. “NO!” I screamed, sinking down to the ground. The glass squeaked as my hands dragged down over the exterior. I looked back up towards the shadowy figure, only to see it was no longer there. In its place I saw myself, a satisfied smile on my face. I heard the clownish woman’s disembodied laugh echo through the flat, “What a pity,” the voice said, “you could’ve saved her! But now, I’m afraid, you must face the consequences of your actions.” The clone slowly raised the hand still holding the knife, and pointed directly at me. Suddenly, I felt the cool touch of metal against my throat. The other me winked, and I felt the blade drag deep across my neck. I started to choke, the blood pooling into my airways. I instinctively brought my hand up to the wound. My vision started turning black around the edges. I looked down to see the front of my dress already soaked in red. The last thing I saw was my own hand, holding the knife, droplets of blood falling steadily from the tip of the blade. Then, everything went dark.

My eyes shot open. All I saw was fur, and something was blocking my breathing. I sat up quickly, and the ball of fluff leapt off my face. The cat looked up at me from his new place on my lap- those big amber eyes practically staring into my soul- and meowed loudly. I sighed in annoyance. “Stupid cat.” I grumbled as I lifted him up and let him jump to the floor. I rubbed my eyes and tried to slow my racing heartbeat. My body was covered in a sheen of cold sweat. I looked down at the bed to see my sister still sleeping soundly beside me. I took a deep, shaky breath and stroked the top of her head, moving away some of the stray hairs lying across her face. I glanced over at the digital clock next to me, SUNDAY: JULY 4. 8:26 AM. Today was Reaping Day; no wonder I had that horrible nightmare. This would be my 4th year participating in the drawing, it was Maeve’s first. How unlucky it was that her twelfth birthday had only been three days prior. If she’d just been born a few days later, she could’ve been spared for another year.

I sighed and swung my legs over the side of the bed. My mother was already awake, sewing some buttons back onto Maeve’s school shirt. “Hi, mom.”

“Hi, sweetie. Did you just wake up?”

“Yeah, just now.” I yawned.

“Is Maeve still asleep?”

“Yeah.”

“What time is it?”

“Almost 8:30. Should I wake her up?”

“No, it’s okay,” she sighed, “let her sleep some more. I’ll wake her up soon.” She held up the shirt to examine her work, “Still needs a few more stitches…” She held the needle between her teeth and reached down to her sewing basket to grab another spool of thread. I looked down as I felt the cat’s bushy tail brush past my ankles. I knelt down and scratched behind his ears.

“Did you feed Tulip yet?” I asked. The fluffy, tricolor, flat-faced cat was now sitting at my feet, purring contentedly.

“Didn’t have to; he caught his own breakfast. A huge rat, which he so lovingly dropped on my pillow this morning.” My mother replied.

I stifled a laugh.

“Since you’re already up, go ahead and shower. I’ve laid out your clothes for you on the kitchen table, so when you’re done, just change into them and come back here so I can do your hair. Okay?”

“Okay.”

She smiled at me then went back to her work. I grabbed some soap and a clean towel from the small shelf near the entrance and walked out. “Make sure you don’t use up all the hot water!” she called out as I closed the door behind me. “Don’t worry, I won’t!”.

We didn’t have our own bathroom- there was one toilet and one shower per floor, which could be shared by anywhere from 5 to 20 people. There were 5 apartments on each of the 4 floors- all one room- with one bed, a stove, a sink, a small table and chairs, and some shelves for storage. Each apartment had a heater and air conditioner, but they were never guaranteed to work when you needed them. Sometimes only one side of the building would have heating, or only certain floors had AC, or only specific apartments. Often, the whole building wouldn’t have either for days at a time. The same thing happened with the water and electricity. You could never fully rely on any of the appliances being in working order. As a result, we shared a lot with other apartments. If someone’s stove wasn’t working, they could just knock on a neighbor’s door and use theirs. If only one apartment on our floor had heating during the winter, there were no objections when everyone else would come over and make themselves at home. It made it feel like we were all one family, and it was customary to refer to many of your neighbors as your aunt or uncle. This was common throughout the District, as almost everyone aside from the mayor and peacekeepers lived in small, rundown tenements, expanding outwards from the city center, which was home to the Justice building. Here, in District 8, we produce textiles. There are 6 factories in total; one of which is entirely dedicated to making peacekeeper uniforms. We typically start in the factories at 14, splitting the day between school and work. We aren’t assigned specific jobs until we turn 18. Until then, those in charge of production make requests for certain numbers of workers, and we go wherever we’re needed. Once we finish school, we’re assigned permanent job positions based on both our aptitude tests and our performances in various factory tasks. The better you do on the aptitude test, the better (or at least safer) your job will be. Those with the highest scores tend to be assigned as desk jockeys- where the risk of dying on the job is fairly low. Those with the lowest scores are sent to work in the most dangerous parts of the factories; you can always tell who works there because chances are, they’ve lost some part of their limbs...or face...or they’re, you know, missing a hand...Then there’s those whose scores fall somewhere in the middle; if they have a specific skill, like baking, or perhaps healing, they’re assigned a job based on that. The rest are assigned mid-level factory jobs, which were still dangerous, but the chances of getting to keep all your fingers were significantly higher! (But not guaranteed).

When I turned on the shower, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the water was delightfully warm. It took everything in me not to keep standing there, enjoying the warmth, until the water would turn cold. I shivered as I stepped out of the shower and quickly wrapped my towel around me. I walked swiftly down the hall and flung open the door to the apartment. I grabbed my outfit from the kitchen table. A white trapeze-line dress ending an inch or so above my knees, long billowy sleeves pulled tight at the wrists, and a mock turtleneck with tiny ruffles adorning the edge. My shoes sat on the floor next to it; dark blue suede ankle-boots with small square heels.They were a birthday present from my mother; most definitely from the black market. I got dressed and pulled up a stool in front of my mother’s chair. She combed through my curls as gently as she could, but I still winced when she pulled too hard at a knot. She braided four small plaits at the front and sides of my hair, pulling them into two larger braids that she twisted together and pinned to the back of my head. She handed me the mirror. I looked into it and smiled, “It’s beautiful. Thank you.” I turned around and hugged her tightly. She smelled of soap and clean linen, and something else I couldn’t quite put my finger on- all I knew was that it was comforting and warm. I held on a little longer than usual. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling her scent. She brought her hand up and gently stroked the back of my head. We both knew what could happen today...I tried my best not to think about it. Maeve soon came back from the shower and changed into a mod-style purple dress and black mary janes. My mother braided her hair in a similar style to mine, adding a small flower clip at the side. She looked us once over, nodded, then stood at the mirror and added a few pins to secure her own hairstyle. She sighed, “Ready?”

“Yeah.” “Yeah.” my sister and I said in unison.

My mother chuckled lightly as we stepped through the threshold.

We walked the few blocks over to the underground and boarded the train headed to the Justice building. The train car was packed. Everyone was dressed in their best (and most colorful) outfit. These types of clothes were only worn on special occasions; those above working age wore grey coveralls to work and school, and something drab and ill-fitting otherwise. As we exited the train car, I kept a tight grip on Maeve’s hand. As we emerged from the underground, our eyes were bombarded with light, and I squinted as the brightness flooded my vision. When my eyes adjusted, I spotted the registration table. I gave my mother a brief hug and went to join the girls’ line with Maeve. Soon, we’d reached the front. I looked down at Maeve, “You want me to go first, kiddo?”

She glanced up at me with wide eyes, then stared forward and shook her head.

“You sure?”

“Mhmm. I just wanna get it over with.”

“Okay.” I hunched over and whispered into her ear, “You’re gonna be fine, I promise. It’s not as bad as you think. I’ll see you in a few minutes, yeah?”

She nodded. I gave her hand a squeeze and watched her walk up to the table. I heard them speaking faintly and a few minutes later, she turned around to look at me, a nervous expression on her face. I gave her a reassuring nod then headed over there myself.

The woman at the table sat there with a bored expression. She looked to be in her 30’s, but the heavy dark circles under her eyes seemed to age her quite a few years.

“Last name?” She said. She didn’t bother to look up at me.

“Whitlock.”

“Whitlock…” she muttered, flipping through the pages, “Right, Whitlock. Persephone?”

“Yeah.”

She crossed my name off the list. “You’re sixteen?”

“Yes.”

“Okay,” she sighed, “Hold out your hand, please.” She took a small device next to her and clipped it onto my index finger. I winced when I felt the needle prick my skin. She unclipped the device then stamped my wrist with the capitol’s sigil.

“You can go join your age group, fourth line from the left.”

“Thanks,” I muttered.

She paused, then looked up at me sympathetically, “And um, good luck.”

I nodded and gave her a curt smile before heading over to join my peers. We were arranged by age and gender, boys and girls separate, all standing in rows in front of the stage. I stood waiting, and mindlessly watched the rows slowly multiply. I didn’t know how much time had passed, but soon enough, I looked up at the stage to see a woman in a bright magenta pantsuit. The hem of her skirt was decorated with a flounce of fabric, and she wore a light pink blouse underneath her suit jacket. The front of it contained so many ruffles, you could hardly see her neck. Her hair was pale blonde, and styled in a way that made it look like a cloud sitting on top of her head. Her face was powdered white, save for her blushed cheeks and glossy lipstick. Her lips were absurdly over lined, both painted a shocking fuchsia that closely matched her outfit. She approached the podium with tiny steps and cleared her throat daintily, “Welcome, everyone, to the reaping ceremony for the 59th annual Hunger Games!” People remained silent; the only reaction being a cough from someone in the crowd. She cleared her throat once more, “As always, we shall begin by watching a special film from the capitol, telling us the history and origins of this unique tradition, and to remind us why we are all standing here today.”

At her words, the two televisions turned on to display the Capitol’s sigil. It faded out, and a film about the glorious history of Panem started rolling. I tuned out and stared blankly at the rows of people ahead of me. When the film concluded, Ms. magenta up at the podium clapped enthusiastically. She was the only one. “Oh, wasn’t that wonderful?” She exclaimed, “What a rich history this nation has.”

I scoffed, that’s one way to put it, I thought.

“Now, as always- ladies first.” She stuck her hand into the large glass bowl on the right side of the podium and shuffled her hand through the slips of paper before snatching one up. She gingerly unfolded the paper and held it delicately between her index finger and thumb.

She cleared her throat and read out the name, “Maeve Whitlock.”

I felt my heart stop in my chest.

No.

My eyes darted through the crowd and I saw people make way for her as she slowly walked to the stage, shaking with every step. Images from my dream flashed through my mind- most poignantly, the image of me watching helplessly, as a dark shadowy figure slashed a knife across my sister’s throat. Panic rose in my chest; my heart beat so loudly in my ears that I barely heard myself shout, “WAIT!” Everyone turned to look at me. My breathing sped up as I suddenly felt at a loss for air, “I volunteer.” I added, my voice cracking slightly, “I volunteer as tribute.” Maeve looked back at me with pleading eyes and shook her head furiously. I avoided her gaze and stared straight ahead as the crowd parted to allow me through to the stage. I paused to grab Maeve’s hand and squeeze it tightly. I cradled the back of her head and planted a kiss atop her forehead. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment as I shakily released her from my grasp and allowed the other girls in the crowd to place a comforting hand on her shoulders as they quietly pulled her away from me. I walked up to the stage and slowly climbed the short flight of steps to then take my place just behind the glass bowl from which my sister’s name was drawn. I can’t believe I’m about to be shepherded to my untimely death because of a stupid glass bowl. I felt my hands getting clammy, and I held to the hem of my dress to keep them from shaking. Ms. Magenta smiled and stepped towards me, “And what is your name, dear?”

“Persephone Whitlock.” I stated.

“And you are…?”

“Her sister.”

“Her sister! Oh, well, of course you are!” she remarked, “Well, that was a very brave thing you just did, Persephone. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that this was a truly inspiring moment! Well done! And may the odds be ever in your favor.” she smiled brightly and turned towards the crowd. There were a few measly claps, but they quickly fell silent. “And now, let us draw our male tribute.” She stepped over to the glass bowl on her left and repeated the process. I stared blankly past the rows of people; only when she read the name was my trance broken, “Frederick Weasley.” A tall, redheaded boy emerged from the crowd. I stared as he made his way up to the podium. I recognized him from school. I didn’t know him well, but I knew he had a twin brother- George, I think- who’d lost an ear in a factory accident a few years prior, and was thus ineligible to compete in the Games, as his injury would be an unfair advantage to the other tributes. Apparently, he’d been checking the cogs underneath a broken machine when it somehow turned on and cut his left ear clean off. It was formally reported as an accident, but it’s been rumored that he did it on purpose. There were no witnesses, so no one can say for sure, but if it was intentional, I can’t say I blame him for doing it. There are very few ways you can get out of the games if you’re under 18- something as extreme as losing an ear would certainly fall under that category. I stared at the redhead as he took his place behind the other glass bowl. He was tall, at least 6 foot 4, and seemed to tower over my own 5 foot 10 frame. I’d always thought I was fairly tall for my age, and was used to surpassing most adults in height; but standing next to him, I felt like a child. His entire body was long and lean, but I could tell from the way his shirt clung to him that he was not just skin and bone. He had a well-structured face. Round brown eyes, thin lips, a prominent, romanesque nose; his jaw was clenched as he stared straight ahead and refused to look at me. Him and his brother were known for pulling pranks and cracking jokes at school- there was a strange, impish quality to his features that unintentionally revealed his penchant for mischief. Every inch of his cool, pale skin was covered in freckles. Despite his pallid complexion, his cheeks always seemed to have a slight blush to them that made everything about him appear bright and lively. However, at the present moment, his face had been drained of all colour, save for a rather sickly green tinge. No wonder he doesn’t want to look at me- poor kid looks like he’s about to puke. Ms. Magenta finally stepped forward, “Excellent! We now have our two lovely tributes! Both of whom will now be escorted into the Justice building to await further instructions; Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor!” And with that, the Capitol’s sigil was once again displayed on the TVs, and its anthem blasted through the speakers. Suddenly, I felt four hands grab me by the arms and forcefully pull me backwards. I stumbled slightly, and looked up to see the two peacekeepers responsible. They continued to pull me across the stage before practically shoving me down the stairs and onto the cobblestone street. From the corner of my eye, I could see that my fellow tribute was receiving the same gentle treatment as they dragged- I’m sorry, escorted him- to the large, looming structure behind us. As they “escorted” me towards the building’s heavy brass doors, I looked back frantically, trying to spot my mother and sister. But the crowd had gotten rowdier, and they were all being jammed together as the peacekeepers continued to push them away from the stage. My breathing quickened, and I could feel the blood pumping through every vein in my body. When we reached the threshold, the brass doors opened to reveal a high-ceilinged marble hall, and a rush of cool air escaped them. So THIS is where all our air-conditioning goes, I thought to myself. Every sound echoed through the building’s marble interior. I craned my neck upwards and tried to take in every opulent detail as I was dragged down a hallway and shoved into a small room, where the peacekeepers finally released me from their vice grip. “Wait here,” one of them said. They both left and shut the door behind them. I massaged my sore upper arms. “You didn’t have to pull me so hard, you know!” I shouted at the door, “not like I was planning on going anywhere!”. I sighed and stepped back from the door. “Assholes,” I muttered to myself. I plopped down onto a green velvet armchair and examined my surroundings. The walls and ceilings were paneled in rich, mahogany wood. The square panels above me were covered in intricate carvings, complementing the elaborate crystal chandelier hanging in the center. While I assumed the floor was wood, it was hard to tell because of the heavy oriental rugs that adorned its surface. There were two large windows behind me, both framed by plush velvet curtains. They were the same emerald green as the chair, and were tied back with a thick, gold rope that had tassels on the end of it, so as to allow in natural light. There was not much furniture in the room aside from two armchairs- one of which I already occupied- a round, wooden coffee table between them, and two empty bookshelves inlaid in the wall on either side of the room. A thin blue vase containing a single white rose sat in the center of the coffee table. The smell of it was unnaturally overpowering. Something about it made me uneasy, so I carefully pushed it to the far side of the table and shifted away from it. I unconsciously started chewing on my lip. I couldn’t sit still. Sitting there shaking my leg, or playing with the hem of my dress, wasn’t helping. I let out a frustrated groan and jolted up from my seat. I continued to chew my lip as I restlessly paced back and forth across the room. The heavy rugs didn’t hide the creaking of the floorboards as I stomped across them. After what felt like hours, I heard the door creak open. I stopped in my tracks and ran to the door to greet my mother before she’d even entered the room. Her and my sister enveloped me in a bone-crushing hug which I eagerly returned. The peacekeeper standing behind them cleared his throat. We slowly let go of each other and turned to face him. “You have ten minutes to say goodbye- not a second more.” he said in a gruff voice. As my mother and sister stepped fully into the room, the peacekeeper roughly shut the door behind them and left.

END OF PART ONE

a/n: If you’ve made it this far, 1. Hi, I love you 2. Will I write more for this series? To quote John Mulaney, “Who’s to say?”.

26 notes · View notes

rhetorical-ink · 5 years ago

Text

Haikyuu!! Observations: Tooru Oikawa vs. Atsumu Miya

**SPOILERS FOR ANIME ONLY’S BELOW**

Since I’ve fallen face-first into the Haikyuu!! fandom since being on this Covid-19 Quarantine/Shelter in Place/Whatever you choose to call it, I’ve really attached myself to this show and its characters. And while I really love all of the setters on the show, two of them stand out as my favorites:

Tooru Oikawa and Atsumu Miya

Yes, I have a soft spot for dramatic, gay as hell, pretty boy brats.

While a lot of reviewers of the anime I’ve watched compare the two, saying Atsumu is “Oikawa realized” or a “suped-up version of Oikawa,” I really think this isn’t true.

For me, Oikawa and Atsumu are inverses of each other.

Obviously, the pair share similarities:

* Both are setters

* Both are “pretty boys” with an intense fandom

* Both are on the surface sassy, dramatic, and bratty

* Both are insanely good at what they do: Volleyball

What I find interesting is how they are Different, though:

TALENT vs. INSTINCT

* Oikawa isn’t a “genius” or a natural-born talent. His whole character promotes the idea of “polishing” instinct; working extremely hard, sowing the seeds of success and then reaping the benefits later.

* Atsumu clearly has natural talent. He works hard, true, but his character is constantly trying new things, experimenting, and he’s naturally talented enough to pull it off (i.e. the twins trying to rip the “freak quick” and basically succeeding). It’s not something one would see Oikawa doing without intense and laborious practice first.

TEAM DYNAMICS

* Oikawa is known for his power of bolstering his team -- Ushijima himself said that Oikawa can lift a team to its highest potential. He is used as comedic relief, sure, but the teammates of Aoba Johsai know he’s a reliable team captain, and they trust him. Because they have faith in his abilities as a leader and player.

* Atsumu can “bewitch his spikers” with his sets, but he is not a team leader. He’s insanely talented, but relies on his teammates for a lot of the leadership -- once on the Black Jackals, he even mourns the fact that his former teammate Aran isn’t there to back him up or provide advice. While he too is a comedic relief on the team, his team doesn’t depend on him for leadership or that sense of reliability like they do Aran or their own team captain, Kita.

PERSONALITIES

* Oikawa on the surface is charming, happy, and almost-always confident.

Deep down, though, Oikawa is constantly comparing himself to others, afraid he isn’t working hard enough, and fighting his own sense of inadequacy while trying to prove others wrong through his work ethic and “worthless pride” as Ushijima points out.

* Atsumu on the surface is smug, arrogant, and dramatically confident.

Deep down, though, he’s...actually these things, too. He gets frustrated when others are better than him, (and puts on a show whining about it), but in the end, doesn’t let it phase him getting better. Even after complaining Bokuto-style to his twin brother because he can’t get a serve style right, he ends up moving past it...and getting the serve right. Because he knows he can; it’s just taking the time to make it happen.

Whereas Oikawa internalizes a lot of his frustrations and stews upon them, Atsumu externalizes his frustrations and dramatically whines about them, but both end up moving forward in accomplishing their goals, regardless of how they got to that point.

And then we have...

HINATA

I CANNOT WAIT until the anime gets to the Rio arc and MSBY Black Jackal arc and we get to see these two setters get “sun kissed” by our boy, Shoyo.

I find it interesting that Furudate narratively makes it Oikawa that stumbles into Hinata in Rio. I mean, the author could have picked any team for Oikawa to join -- but it’s the Argentinean League. And it could have been any setter for Hinata to meet, but it’s Oikawa.

I think that both Oikawa and Atsumu are foils to Kageyama in varying ways, so it’s fitting that Shoyo gets to interact with both of them before going toe-to-toe with his former teammate. We’ve seen how Kageyama reacted to Hinata being with both of these characters (to extremely hilarious results). I think it’s a great tie-in for both of these characters and showing another connection they have to one another through Shoyo.

SO BASICALLY,

I love these two over-the-top setters and what Furudate has done to present them to us in Haikyuu!! Oikawa was a highlight of Season 2, and Atsumu is looking to be a highlight of Season 4 once it resumes back in July 2020.

Those that have read the manga...it’s taking all I have to be patient, though.

I’m sure you all feel the same.

233 notes · View notes

hutchhitched · 5 years ago

Text

Social Commentary in The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

I haven’t written a lot of meta about The Hunger Games trilogy. When I first read them, I devoured the entire set in three days before I was part of tumblr or writing fanfiction. My own metas were in my head and part of things I taught my classes and discussed with my friends, but not something I generally put on my blog. I don’t know why. (I do have a meta about Peeta’s hijacking that I’ve been meaning to write for a while. Maybe once I’ve finished this book. Hint: It has to do with George Orwell’s 1984, which I used in my classes last year and was performed at a theater in Houston right as the pandemic hit.) I don’t know if reading this book when I’m a decade older and after a really rough few years of my own has anything to do with it or just that I’ve been exposed to so much by being in this fandom, but I’ve got a lot of thoughts about The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. I’ve only read Part 1 so far, but here are some observations. (It’s long, but at least read the last one—even if you have to skip to get there.)

Spoilers below:

Reaping day is July 4. We already knew it was during the summer, so that’s not a huge stretch. What intrigues me is the symbolism of July 4 for Americans since it’s Independence Day. For those of you who aren’t American or aren’t sure why that struck me, here you go. Independence Day represents the day the Declaration of Independence was signed (although, it was actually two days later, but whatever). The Declaration of Independence was issued 14 months AFTER the beginning of the American Revolution in April 1775 at the battles of Lexington and Concord and was not the cause of the Revolution as so many believe. Penned by Thomas Jefferson (at least colloquially), it famously discusses the celebrated (but sadly, not practiced) phrase that “all men are created equal.” That’s the phrase that’s trotted out and waved about, but the Declaration is mostly about tyranny and the role of government. In fact, the Declaration doesn’t start with “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Instead, it begins with this: “When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another…” In other words, the Declaration of Independence does indicate that all humans are created equal. It also discusses what the government is supposed to and not supposed to do. Having Reaping Day occur on July 4 is a brilliant jab that adds an entirely new level to what Independence Day means and how it’s celebrated—with lots of flag waving and fireworks and BBQ (and very little knowledge of what the document itself actually says).

Which brings me to Sejanus Plinth. Bless him. He’s the voice of compassion and reason in part 1 as he speaks up about treating other humans with respect and dignity, about the humanity of those in the districts, as he feeds the hungry, as he challenges the inhumanity of the Games. In short, he’s the Peeta Mellark voice from the final council of the tributes in Mockingjay. I have no idea what’s going to happen to him in the rest of the book, but he’s the humanity I’m craving as I read. A note on his name: Sejanus was a close friend and ally of the Roman Emperor Tiberius. Sejanus worked to improve conditions in the Empire and served as a proxy to Tiberius when he was absent. He was strangled to death in 31 AD/CE. His last name is what makes me stop and want to hug Collins. Four years ago, I had no idea what a plinth was. I’d never heard the word, but I was the prop mistress for my church’s summer musical, and it was on the list of things I had to find. I googled it and found out it’s a base on which a statue (or something else) is displayed. In Mary Poppins, it was used as the base for a statue that came to life and talked to the characters in the park. In other words, it’s a place on which someone can take a stand and deliver a message—a platform, if you will, of the character’s compassion and humanity.

I don’t remember if we got that Tigris was Snow’s cousin in the original trilogy or not. What I do remember is that she was a former stylist who Snow thought was no longer useful and had her removed from the Games. I haven’t figured out yet how I feel about her in this book, but her banishment and desire to see Snow destroyed are even more intriguing to me as a result of her inclusion as his relative. I would not have pictured her as a Snow before reading the new book. I’m still waiting to be convinced. “Snow comes out on top” is awesome. I wish I could write half as well as Collins.

There’s so much Holocaust imagery in this book, it’s terrifying. The cattle cars, the inhumane treatment of the tributes, using a veterinarian to treat the tributes instead of a doctor, the numbers, the cages, the rats, separation into districts and restrictions on travel, the hunger and starvation. Ugh. I’ve spent the past several years studying the Holocaust with some of the leading Holocaust and genocide scholars in the world both here in Houston and in Israel. I’ve traveled to Germany and Poland to see the death camps and headquarters of the Gestapo and Nazis and so on. The Games themselves are genocide, by definition, as an attempt to reduce the population of undesirables by targeting the children so they cannot reproduce. Hearing Survivor stories always reminds me of how Collins discusses Victors. There are no winners, only survivors. Survivors have never forgotten the Holocaust, nor should they. It’s what helped so many of them find compassion and humanity and forgiveness (and equally what causes such despair and depression in so many, as well). During my time Yad Vahsem in Jerusalem last summer, one thing was repeated over and over and over. The real triumph for Survivors aren’t the children; they are the grandchildren and then the great-grandchildren. In Panem, there can’t be too many grandchildren if the children are killed before they reach child-bearing age. (There’s also something in there about Snow being raised by his grandmother, but I’m gonna let that one rest for now.)

In one of the seminars from last summer at Yad Vashem, a scholar of Holocaust music taught us about the role of bands and singing in the camps (all levels, from death camps down to prison camps). First, there are some achingly gorgeous songs (the lyrics of one which were preserved on a child’s shoe in the death camp of Majdanek). Second, she asked us what we thought were the purposes of songs and music in the camps, and we all gave the standard answers—an attempt to distract themselves, holding onto humanity, finding beauty in the midst of horror, and hope. As a faithful fan of The Hunger Games and the saying “Hope is the only thing stronger than fear,” I was just as astounded as others when she said, “There was no hope. People died in death camps. They were starved and covered in shit and piss and lice and filth. They wanted revenge.” I don’t think revenge is what music represents in this book or in the original trilogy, although I think that argument can be made with the use of the Hanging Tree song in rebellion in the movies, but I can’t get that woman’s statement out of my head when I read this book. Not everybody has hope. Katniss didn’t when she first volunteered. I think there’s something to that.

Lucy Gray Baird is not Katniss. I haven’t exactly figured out who she is, yet, but she’s not Katniss in the first part of this book, which I think some people were hoping she was (as an analogy, obviously). Her flirtations with Snow are fascinating, and her outgoing and peculiar behavior at the reaping in District 12 was my first indication that the title was not as clear cut as Snow=Snake and District 12 female tribute=Songbird (alluding to Katniss). She puts a snake down the dress of the daughter of District 12’s mayor. She also sings. Is she both? Is she the songbird only? If so, then why the snake? And Snow doesn’t appear to be the snake either. My bet’s on Dr. Gaul. She’s a piece of work. Or maybe it’s Clemmie. Interested to see where that goes, too.

Lucy Gray’s insistence that she’s not from District 12 is fascinating. She insists she’s Covey, which by definition is a group of birds. The Covey are a group of traveling performers, who were stopped in District 12 and not allowed to leave. Trapped birds—interesting. Also, besides the Jews, the Roma/Sinti were targeted during the Holocaust. This group was commonly and derogatorily referred to as “gypsies,” people who moved about frequently and were suspected of crime, stealing, and a myriad of other issues. The Roma and Sinti immigrated into Central and Eastern Europe from India. If Katniss and others in District 12 are descended from Lucy Gray, then that covers the non-white argument about her ethnic makeup. I have no idea if that was Collins’ intention, but it makes a lot of sense in my brain.

As for Snow, he’s not a villain in this book. At least he’s not yet. So far, he’s the hero (or maybe anti-hero is better), but he’s definitely not the villain. Since we’ve read The Hunger Games, we know he’s the ultimate villain later, but he’s not so far in this book. He’s got ambition and cunning, but neither of those are ultimately villainous. He mourns his mother. He loves his cousin and grandmother. He’s proud of his father’s military service. He’s sad about his friends who die. He’s interested in, if not attracted to, Lucy Gray. We know what he becomes, so it’s hard to read about him as a person with hopes and dreams and struggles. Why? Because it humanizes him, and when he’s humanized, it’s harder for us to say, “He’s evil, and that’s why he did those things.” This is much the same way people blame the Holocaust and World War II on Hitler. “Well, he’s evil, so of course he did that.” Or how we dehumanize gunmen in massacres—“Well, he was clearly a sick individual, so he shot up the place.” Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying these crimes are excusable (in real life or in Collins’ works). What I am saying is that knowing Snow was a child shaped by war, hunger, poverty, and loss makes it harder for us to distance ourselves from this “evil” person. His characterization is uncomfortable because it makes us face that we could also do terrible things in specific contexts. Evil people are rarely born. They are almost always made, which means any of us could be a villain. That is what’s really terrifying.

A couple of other notes before this gets way too long for anyone to read.

The role of the government: Sejanus argues it’s the government’s job to take care of its citizens. This is an argument that’s raged in the US (and other countries) for a long time. The question is how do governments take care of the citizens? By feeding them and giving them health care and making sure everyone has enough? Be protecting them with a huge army? By allowing broad civil liberties (e.g., choosing whether to wear face masks during a pandemic)? By instituting restrictive liberties (e.g., gun control, wire taps, screenings at airports)? It’s a really interesting point Sejanus makes early in the book. Not surprising not everyone agrees.

Mention of the three other book titles (almost): The Hunger Games are mentioned several times. There’s a reference to something that “really catches fire.” And then there are the jabberjays. There are no mockingjays yet. Probably because there is no mockingjay yet. Seriously, Collins is brilliant.

The role of war: War is not good for those who live through it. Snow is traumatized by the war, as are the rest of the Capitol’s citizens. It makes most have little empathy for those in the districts who rebelled against them. War has destroyed the city. It’s weakened the economy. It’s destroyed the Snow’s fortune. And then it also leads to the Hunger Games. This book is anti-war just as much as the original trilogy is. It is not anti-soldier, but it is anti-war.

The role of children: Suzanne Collins lives in Connecticut, right? Yes, she does. You know where? Sandy Hook. More specifically, Newtown. Where children were shot to death in their classrooms by a gunman a few years ago. A ton of gun control people thought the slaughter of children would be enough for gun control to be implemented in the wake of that mass murder. It did not. Since then, there’s been a meme that’s circulated (taken from a tweet) that says, “In retrospect Sandy Hook marked the end of the US gun control debate. Once America decided killing children was bearable, it was over.” On page 60 of the book (right at the end of chapter 4), Snow insists the Hunger Games are to show how much people care about children when Dean Highbottom asks what the purpose of the Games is. And then there’s a paragraph in which Snow wonders if people really do care about children. He concludes that children don’t seem to be quite as important as we claim they are. I don’t think that’s a coincidental commentary on Collins’ part.

So, that became a lot longer than I planned, but wow. This book is fascinating, and Collins is a genius. I’m so ready for more. Part 2, here I come.

Hey, @everlarkedalways, does this count?

#tbosas #tbosas spoilers #balladspoilers #the ballad of songbirds and snakes #spoilers #book spoilers #long post #hunger games meta #meta

127 notes · View notes

roman-catholic-mass-readings · 4 months ago

Text

25th July >> Mass Readings (USA)

Feast of Saint James, Apostle

(Liturgical Colour: Red. Year: B(II))

First Reading 2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus.

Brothers and sisters: We hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body. For we who live are constantly being given up to death for the sake of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you. Since, then, we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, I believed, therefore I spoke, we too believe and therefore speak, knowing that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and place us with you in his presence. Everything indeed is for you, so that the grace bestowed in abundance on more and more people may cause the thanksgiving to overflow for the glory of God.

The Word of the Lord

R/ Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm Psalm 126:1bc-2ab, 2cd-3, 4-5, 6