#speaker hakim

[awokennerd]

Me: let's work on some figure drawing!

Also me: *first one is two women holding hands* Let's make some Ikora x Chalco fan art!

Okay, so Bungie doesn't give us enough lore about these two, so I have some head cannons about them. Honestly still don't really know how these two meet, but they've worked together a lot in both Crucible and actual missions. Chalco is a fierce arcstrider and was taught a lot by Tallulah Fairwind (the first hunter vanguard) and often learned a lot about being an academic from Osiris. Spending a lot of time with warlocks/academics led Chalco to be one herself. Chalco always had feelings for Ikora but Ikora didn't realize it (I imagine Ikora dated Eris at one point). Eventually Chalco and Ikora do end up together.

Things were going great, but they had a bit of a rough patch when Osiris was exiled because the Speaker acted as though it was a unanimous vote to exile Osiris but both Andal and Ikora voted against this. Chalco by that point really liked Osiris and even tho she saw he wasn't the best commander/warlock vanguard, still believed he was an important academic to the city. Chalco later finds this out from Andal how the vote actually went. Chalco makes up with Ikora, but since Ikora is the vanguard now and Chalco is one of her most important Hidden in the field, they spend a lot of time apart.

I often wish we got more lore about Ikora's past beyond her Crucible days and she being Osiris' student, kinda like how they humanized Zavala with the whole Safiyah/Hakim story. And I just want more Chalco lore. I get excited to read it whenever it's given. I know we'll never see her in game, but I thought the same about Eido, and I was super thrilled when they actually put her in game. So I can hope maybe the same will happen for Chalco.

[thevitalportal]

African Americans have vested interests in the Democrats and the outcome of the 2024 elections. Consider this Representative Hakim Jefferys as Speaker of the House. Leadership of House Committees. Fiscal Policy, Social Policy.

[miroir-de-sports]

Un championnat de France référence en sport adapté

Une animation portée par l’ADN de la JDA

Le championnat de France de para-handball adapté s’est déroulé à Saint-Apollinaire du 19 avril au 21 avril avec un programme étoffé de 48 rencontres le samedi. Le dimanche matin a été consacré au dénouement de la compétition : matchs de classement, petites finales, finales et remise des médailles. Quatre titres étaient en jeu pour 20 clubs représentés et 25 équipes engagées dans les catégories hommes, dames, mixtes et par niveau de compétition. Quatre ans après avoir développé un handball compétitif avec des personnes en situation de handicap psychique ou mental, la JDA Dijon Bourgogne Handball a réussi à présenter deux équipes, une au niveau 2 et une en catégorie mixte. Nathalie Carbillet Vocoret, présidente du Comité d’organisation et de l’Association JDA Dijon Handball retrace l’historique d’une aventure partagée avec Hakim Djemali, éducateur spécialisé Acodège et Guillaume Grosjean, encadrant : “notre candidature a été retenue en septembre 2023. Les délais étaient courts mais on était motivés”. Nathalie a mobilisé les collectivités, la famille du handball, des prestataires et relations dans le giron de la JDA. Stéphane Bescond, speaker historique de la JDA basket, est intervenu pour les cérémonies d’ouverture et de clôture. Alain Graillot, l’ancien handballeur de haut niveau, codirecteur des championnats du monde de handball féminin 2007, a donné un coup de main dans la planification des matchs. Au réseau des connaissances, il faut ajouter une chaîne de bénévoles issus du milieu associatif : les coureurs sur route de Côte d'Or, ASCM, La Confrérie Facétieuse, Acodège, Chantalistes sport et culture, le Handball Club du Val de Saône, le Handball Club de Varois Arc. L’ancienne joueuse du CDB ajoute : “Ce championnat, c’est plus qu’une compétition pour nos joueurs ; nous avons eu envie de partager nos valeurs avec l’extérieur et de mettre en lumière un handball méconnu en concordance avec le hand valide.” L’objectif a été atteint : les finales ont été disputées dans une salle pleine, en présence des coachs des équipes professionnelles, Anthony Favier et Ulrich Chaduteaud. Patrick Pereira, coordinateur à la Commission Sportive Nationale du para handball adapté, a organisé deux championnats de France à Vesoul (2018) et Scey-sur-Saône (2022). Il sait à quoi ressemble un championnat réussi : “ce championnat sera un des plus beaux parmi toutes les disciplines du sport adapté. L’équipe d’animation a apporté des ondes positives. Le public a vibré”.

Les finales ont été disputées en présence des coachs des équipes professionnelles, Anthony Favier et Ulrich Chaduteaud.

Au service, Léa Ferney marraine du coup d'envoi de la Finale Dames avec le soutien de Claire Vautier et Stéphanie Fiossonangaye, Vice championne du monde avec l’équipe de France.

L"ADN et la griffe de la JDA handball

[fractallion]

🔗 Johnson Warns Jeffries Could Become Speaker

‘Warns’ …

… the article suggests Hakim is the House Minority Leader- I would suggest that if indeed he ‘assumes the mantle’, that he would then be the House Majority Leader … it’s just that the definition of which ‘majority’ ii is - like different to the usual donkeys and elephants,

[stanfave3-72217]

Is Marjorie Taylor Greene Okay With Donald Trump Crowning Her As a Liar? Her Argument and His Counter-Declaration, Explained

Hakim Jeffries to be voted in as Speaker?

[typewriterbot]

nap time

a cute family evening with null, hakim, and ven

i’ll get back to the more serious stuff eventually

The apartment was quiet. Shoes were placed by the wall where they should be, one pair being large, heavy boots, the other being a child’s pair of canvas sneakers. The lights were dim and the blinds drawn, which only made the apartment slowly grow darker as the sun set behind the City walls. A cigarette that never stopped burning was placed in the ashtray in the front hall on a high shelf that kept small fingers from reaching it, making the hall reek of tobacco.

There was no small body that came rushing at him to collide with his knees and welcome him home. Nor was there the large frame of his partner ambling out of the living room to greet him as well. It was a ritual that started ever since Vencel could walk. To not have it happen was odd, but not entirely out of place. There was a reason why no one met him at the door.

Hakim smiled beneath his mask, he knew what was going on. Behind him, Vigil chuckled to himself, a rumbling sound as the Titan shook his head. “I think you have a surprise waiting for you.”

“Perhaps. I believe I know what’s happening though.” He turned enough to nod gratefully at his guard. “Thank you for escorting me home.”

Vigil, of course, waved off the gratitude. “It’s my duty,” he said. “I’ll see you in the morning, Speaker.” With Hakim’s well wishes, the Titan walked down the hall, his large figure and decorated armor disappearing from sight.

Hakim entered the apartment quietly, removing his shoes with ease and placing them on the other side of Vencel’s shoes. The mask was taken off next, placed on a side table in case he had any late visitors and needed to conceal his identity quickly. He pulled his cowl down, not bothering to deal with the hair that stuck up in all directions, and tiptoed into the living room.

Thick, long legs were draped over the arm of the couch, though a foot was sliding off and threatening to land on the floor. A large blanket was thrown hastily over rest of the body, bunching up around the middle that let Hakim catch a glimpse of a dark purple stomach. He leaned over the back of the couch, a smile on his lips as he lifted up part of the blanket. Bright blue eyes peered up at him, three settling on the side of Nul’s face before closing and their mouth split open. “Welcome home.”

“It’s good to be home,” Hakim replied. A hand reached up to cup his cheek, and he turned his head, kissing the palm. “Is Ven with you?”

Null sighed deeply, let go of Hakim’s face, and pulled the blanket back even more. Vencel was laying on their other arm, curled up, pink hair surely tangled, and sleeping soundly. More than he had been the past few nights at least. Nightmares had been plaguing the child, and it pained Hakim to hear terrified whimpers next to his bed in the middle of the night. Hakim watched his the child sleep for a few moments, counting the rise and falls of the small chest. “Got him to sleep an hour ago,” Null said. “All those sleepless nights finally wore him out.”

The types of nightmares Vencel was having would tire anyone out. Dreams of the Void, of grasping hands threatening to drown him, a veiled creature who dogged his every step; those were not the dreams of a regular child. They weren’t monsters under the bed or in the closet, they were as real as the Darkness that threatened Humanity’s existence every day. Unlike the Darkness though, Vencel’s dreams couldn’t be driven off with the burning fire of a Dawnblade. It was frustrating for Hakim to watch as his child lost sleep for days at a time, but all he could do was be there for Vencel.

A few moments passed, then Hakim pushed himself away from the couch. “I’ll be back,” he told Null. He got a noncommittal wave as went to the master bedroom to change out of his robes and into a more comfortable set of clothes. When he walked back to the living room, he circled around the couch, and Null huffed softly.

“Planning on sleeping too?” Their mouth closed, allowing two eyes to appear on their face, this time where eyes were supposed to be. They gave Hakim a quick once over, glancing at his flannel pajama pants and off shoulder long sleeved shirt that covered his hands. The eyes went away, mouth opening once more as they pulled Hakim in top of them. Vencel was a welcome weight on their arm. Knowing where their child was eased any panic that could crop up. With Vencel tucked against their side, they could protect him.

The same for Hakim if they were going to be honest.

“Perhaps. Perhaps I just want to lay with you two,” Hakim said, adjusting his position to get more comfortable. His leg slid between Null’s, while the other was outside their thigh. One arm was placed on Null’s broad chest, and the other was thrown over their shoulder. He rested his head on the meat of Null’s chest, feeling the comforting buzz of static emanating from their skin, and sighed happily.

“Just for a few hours,” Null said. They pulled the blanket back over all three of them, leaving a hole to let cool air in. “The couch isn’t a good place to sleep.”

“And yet here we are, sleeping on the couch. Such terrible life choices.” Hakim laughed, ducking his head before Null could flick his ear.

[lordshaxxion]

can i get a fuckin uuuuuhhh 🌟, 🏡, and 👀 for my man vigil

hell yeah u can

old man feels under the cut 

🌟 When your OC loses all hope, who do they turn to first? What helps make them feel better? What calms them down and reassures them? Why?

It’s not often that Vigil loses all hope, he’s the stubbornly-determined kind to keep going no matter what. HOWEVER. In the event he does lose all hope, he turns to his partners, Hakim and Null, though it’ll be like pulling teeth at first - Vigil is notorious for just kinda spiraling until they can pull him out of it. 

Just being held is the best way to calm him down from anything, and it’ll take Extra Cuddles from Hakim and Null to do the job if Vigil’s lost all hope. He just likes being held by them, particularly by Null because he can just kinda bury himself under them with how fucking Huge they are. With Hakim, Vigil can almost wrap himself around him and he likes to bury his face in his shoulder a lot too. Hiding from the world is how Vigil rolls when it comes to cuddles.

Another means of calming him down is letting him sit down in his armchair for hours on end and just work in his many many many crochet projects until he’s calmed. Despite being a Titan, he doesn’t like to use that power or strength to get his frustrations or miseries out - he doesn’t like being perceived as violent, he’s already massive as far as Titan size goes.

🏡 Describe your OCs ideal house! Give us a tour around! What’s their garden like? Their bedroom? Kitchen? Where is it and how many people live there?

Vigil’s ideal house would be more an apartment in the City, with a balcony large enough for a couple chairs and some plants. He’s not lazy, but an apartment space is easier for him to manage compared to an entire house (this is if he’s living by himself tbh). His bedroom and living room are largely overrun with yarn everywhere, as well as half-finished projects and stacks of blankets that are ready to be handed out to folks in the city. There’s nothing on the floor, however, Vigil likes to keep the floor space intact and clear and has a lot of storage space for all his yarn stashes. Kitchen is small enough to not get too messy, but big enough for an Absolute Unit of a Titan that is Vigilance. He’s got little succulents in pretty much every available window too.

If he’s living with Hakim and Null, he’s got to keep his stashes even tidier so it doesn’t encroach on their space. If he’s busy with work for the Speaker’s Guard, they will start to notice it creeping in and being left out of their appropriate storage boxes. Vigil does have a consistent yarn basket (that used to be a laundry basket, don’t look at him like that >.>) that’s by the foot of his armchair, and a little coffee table with an angle lamp and a yarn bowl on it at all times. He likes to sit out on the balcony too with his works on sunny days, or will often go out there during thunderstorms just to feel the arc dance across his skin and wait for the lightning to strike him. Other times when it’s just raining he’ll sit out there and let a hand dangle over the balcony railings to feel the rain on his skin. He’s old and very sentimental, and lives for moments like that where he can just be.

👀 Describe your OC through the eyes of another person! (bonus + specify who)

Da was big, that much they knew for a fact. Not as big as Baba, but still very big compared to Abbi. He wasn’t as warm as Abbi was, wasn’t as cool as Baba was, but somewhere in-between. He made for good cuddles, able to pick them up and swing them around before bringing them in for a hug - even smushing his beard against their cheek and drawing a pitch of giggles from them. They would laugh, and so would he, before they’d run little fingers through the soft white beard and coo to themselves. Da was soft, and wrapped them up in the blankets he made for the people in the City.

Da also liked to stand out in the rain, and they liked to stand out there with him. He was like a pillar, steadfast when the rain got worse and a thunderstorm would roll in. His voice was like the rumble of thunder, not quite as deep as Baba’s voice but it was close sometimes. They’d stand out there with him before Abbi would call them back inside so they wouldn’t catch a cold. They didn’t always listen to Abbi, too entranced by Da stood there in the rain. 

They didn’t listen one night where the storm was fierce and Baba told them not to run outside to the balcony where Da was stood. They wanted to see the sparks Da was holding in his outstretched hands. They didn’t listen to Da telling them to go back inside, too in awe of how the little sparks of Arc danced across Da’s skin and filled his eyes. They didn’t realise Da was shouting at them until it was too late and they couldn’t stop. Da wrapped them into his arms and brought them close to his chest (a big chest, one that was big enough for them to fall asleep on usually) and almost crushed them with how tight he was holding them.

Thunder roared, the lightning hit, and they screamed as Da pressed them tight and came alive with Arc.

(hi i’ve never written ven’s pov ever in my life also i just really love the thing u wrote on the lightning incident and i wanted to do another take on it)

Hakim, Null and Ven all belong to @autobotrose

[theimaginatrix27]

Google has failed me. Maybe Tumblr won’t...

So I had a dream last night that reminded me of a series I watched casually when I was a child. I knew very very little about the Arabian Nights at the time, but I liked Disney’s Aladin and had watched the series set after the first two films avidly (I had a crush on Aladin, I’ll admit).

But this series, as far as I’m aware, didn’t have anything to do with Disney. It wasn’t on the network Disney things were on usually, anyways.

It was a series about Sinbad. I don’t know how many episodes there were and I remember only one almost in its entirety. I know he was traveling with a boy named (I think) Hakim, and they had some pretty extraordinary adventures.

One of these, the one I remember most clearly and incidentally the one I dreamed about, involved them meeting some guy whose friends had been looking for the Fountain of Youth (yes, I know, but trust me, it gets interesting), and they find them on this island, but Hakim had been given a magic spyglass at the beginning of the episode and while the guys looked younger, when Hakim and Sinbad looked at them through the spyglass, they looked super old. This was because the seemingly benevolent guardian of the “Fountain of Youth” was actually a five-hundred-and-something-year-old sorceress who was stealing the youth of everyone who drank the water so she would live longer. When they confronted her, she revealed they didn’t need to drink the water to have it affect them, just have it touch their skin, and Sinbad’s aged dramatically. He still manages to save the day, however. Don’t remember exactly how but it happened.

Anyways, I’ve tried googling to find this series and I can’t find it. I tried looking for it on “Watch Cartoons Online” but couldn’t find it there either. I don’t remember what it was called since I usually watched it on the weekends when the rest of the family was sleeping in. I remember bits of the theme music but none of the lyrics apart from the names and I really want to find it. Because I’ve always loved series like that. If anyone recognises this description, that episode plot, anything I’ve outlined in this post, let me know what I need to google to find it.

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

* * * *

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 15, 2021

Heather Cox Richardson

Two stories jump out at me tonight.

The first is the question of why Trump seems so desperate to stay in a job he clearly has no interest in doing. Today, reporters caught sight of Michael J. Lindell, the CEO of MyPillow, going into the White House. Lindell has been strong advocate of the idea that the 2020 election, which Democrat Joe Biden won by more than 7 million votes and by a vote of 306 to 232 in the Electoral College, was fraudulent. Washington Post photographer Jabin Botsford snapped an image of the papers Lindell was carrying with him, and the words on it seem to offer a plan for Trump to invoke martial law through the Insurrection Act.

Lindell later told reporters his meeting with Trump had been brief and unproductive, but the very fact he got a hearing testifies to Trump’s desperation.

That desperation suggests that Trump knows he is facing something bad the minute he is out of the presidency. It is reasonable to assume that trouble will come from the fact his immunity from prosecution under the 1973 Department of Justice memo saying that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted will end at noon on January 20, 2021. It also seems likely that the American people are going to learn that some of the actions of the Trump administration cannot bear scrutiny.

Signs that there might be damaging information about the January 6 attack on the Capitol showed today. Stories of the fighting inside the building continued to emerge today, and the stories reveal armed insurgents who attacked with the belief that they were doing Trump’s bidding. Officers were badly outnumbered, and beaten with their own batons, American flags, and the “thin blue line” flag that those who fly it have insisted represents support for the police. Officer Christina Laury told NBC’s Jackie Bensen, ““I remember people swinging metal poles at us,” she said. “They were pushing and shoving. They were spraying us with bear mace and pepper spray.”

The assistant director of the FBI Washington Field Office, Steven M. D’Antuono, today told reporters that the department, working together with the Washington, D.C., U.S. Attorney’s Office, has identified more than 270 suspects involved in criminal activity around the Capitol on January 6, and law enforcement officers have more than 100 of them in custody. He noted that the FBI had received more than 140,000 photos and videos from the public, and warned perpetrators: “To those of you who took part in the violence, here’s something you should know: Every FBI field office in the country is looking for you.” He told reporters that the investigation was still in its earliest stages.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced today that she has asked retired Lieutenant Russel Honore to lead a review of the security arrangements for last week, and warned that if lawmakers are found to have aided the insurgents, they will face consequences in Congress and also in court. While several agencies are investigating what led to last week’s crisis and why the Capitol Police were left unsupported for hours, Pelosi’s public statement was the first to acknowledge the swirling rumors that the insurgents might have had inside help.  

News broke today that prosecutors in Georgia appear to be considering a criminal investigation against Trump for his efforts to bully election officials in the state into changing the results of the election. Michael J. Moore, the former United States attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, told New York Times reporters Richard Fausset and Danny Hakim: “If you took the fact out that he is the president of the United States and look at the conduct of the call, it tracks the communication you might see in any drug case or organized crime case. It’s full of threatening undertone and strong-arm tactics.”

We also learned today that New York prosecutors met yesterday with Trump’s former fixer Michael Cohen to ask about Trump’s finances, especially his relationship with Deutsche Bank, which continued to lend to him even after other sources of financing dried up.

And yet another story emerged today that reflects badly on the administration. Its vaccination rollout is far behind where officials had promised it would be by now, and three days ago, on January 12, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar announced the government would no longer hold back second doses of the vaccine, expecting that pharmaceutical companies could keep pace and produce enough vaccines for the second dose as it was needed. The popular understanding was that they had held back half the available doses for that second necessary shot.

But today we learned that when Azar made that announcement, there was no reserve; the available vaccines had already been distributed. State health officials are outraged that vaccines they had counted on are not available, another sign of just how chaotic the vaccine rollout has been. Chicago Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady told Washington Post reporters Isaac Stanley-Becker and Lena H. Sun, “I have stopped paying a whole lot of attention to what is being said verbally at the federal level right now.”

Tonight, Azar handed his resignation to Trump, effective at noon on January 20, the minute Trump leaves office. His resignation letter touts the administration’s “remarkable response to the pandemic” and insists that “our early, aggressive, and comprehensive efforts saved hundreds of thousands or even millions of American lives.” It goes on to list what he considers the many triumphs of the administration in health care. Azar appears to suggest that he is resigning because of “the actions and rhetoric following the election,” although he never identifies Trump as being behind those actions and rhetoric.

In light of all that has happened in the past two weeks, it seems noteworthy that Trump’s appointees in the Pentagon stopped sharing information with Biden’s team in mid-December. Trump appointees also refused to share information with Biden’s people about their plan for the coronavirus vaccine. When they finally did, Biden expressed concern at what seemed to him a lack of a detailed plan. Azar dismissed Biden’s concerns as “nonsense.”

If Trump’s eagerness to cling to the presidency and cover up his actions is one of today’s stories, the other is that President-Elect Joe Biden is stepping into the space the current president has abandoned. He is taking on the coronavirus crisis with the seriousness it deserves. The pandemic has reached appalling levels, with well over 3000 deaths and more than 200,000 infections every day. Almost 390,000 of us have died of Covid-19 to date, and a far more contagious version of the disease is spreading.

In a speech today, Biden announced he will use the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Guard to build clinics to distribute the coronavirus vaccine, and that he will make sure doses are available at local pharmacies. He promised to invoke the Defense Production Act—a law that lets the government tell a company what to make and then guarantees a market for all of that item it produces-- to guarantee there are enough supplies of vials, syringes, needles, and so on, to move the vaccine and get it into people’s arms.

“This will be one of the most challenging operation efforts ever undertaken by our country, but you have my word,” Biden said. “We will manage the hell out of this operation.”

—-

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[nadineksn]

Chapter 32

***

"Infeksi awal, 20 unit tahap infeksi, 13 target hewan, merujuk pada mutasi arthropoda." Dokter datang dengan setumpuk tebal lembar laporan dan meletakkannya di depan Lu Feng. "Kemana kamu pergi, dan mengapa ada heterogen?"

Lu Feng mengambil laporan itu.

Dokter melipat tangannya. "Kamu tidak membunuhnya saat itu juga."

"Aku tidak terbiasa dengan karakteristik infeksi anak-anak," jawab Lu Feng.

"Kalau begitu jangan membunuhnya, tinggalkan dia padaku sebagai sampel."

"Sesuka hatimu."

"Anthropoda bermutasi, tidak ada yang bisa dikatakan lagi." Dokter melihat tumpukan lembar laporan di tangan Lu Feng. "Bersiaplah untuk rapat. Kota Utama ternyata sudah terinfeksi, dan yang terinfeksi adalah seorang anak di Eden. Aku sudah melaporkannya, ini bukan masalah yang kecil."

"Arthropoda." Lu Feng bertanya-tanya, "Apakah ada hubungannya dengan peristiwa sebelumnya di Kota Luar?"

"Hasil investigasi dari peristiwa serangan serangga baru saja dirilis hari ini, dan ditemukan bahwa peristiwa ini adalah perilaku kolektif—serangan untuk memutar balikkan keadaan— serangga mutasi di bawah tekanan musim kawin." Suara dokter rendah dan ekspresinya serius. "Namun, kita tidak tahu bagaimana cara mereka terhubung bersama, apakah ada peran semacam komandan?"

"Tapi... Kota Utama padat seperti sup dari atas ke bawah, tidak ada yang bisa masuk dan tidak ada yang bisa keluar." Dokter menarik napas dalam-dalam dan berpikir sambil menutup matanya, "Bahkan jika sesuatu terjadi di Kota Utama, pasti orang itu adalah sampel heterogen di Mercusuar yang melarikan diri. Mengapa itu anak Eden? "

Lu Feng membaca laporan itu sekali lagi dan melirik An Zhe.

— Sebagai guru Sinan, An Zhe memiliki tanggung jawab untuk pergi ke Mercusuar bersama mereka.

"Dimana dia sebelumnya?" Lu Feng bertanya.

"Selalu bersama anak-anak lain," jawab An Zhe. "Ketika aku pulang kerja kemarin, mereka menonton berita bersama lalu tidur. Ada ujian di kelas pagi ini, kemudian ke pangkalan militer pada sore hari. "

Lu Feng memerintahkan, "Hubungi gurunya dan guru kehidupan."

An Zhe memberi respon singkat.

Setelah memanggil Lin Zuo untuk menjelaskan situasinya, An Zhe berpikir dan berkata, "Aku bisa bertanya padanya... dia sangat pintar."

Lu Feng berkata "Um."

Karena itu, An Zhe berjalan ke pintu yang tertutup kaca. Sebagai orang yang terinfeksi, Sinan diisolasi dari orang lain. Dia sekarang berada di laboratorium putih.

Di laboratorium, sosok yang sangat kecil, Sinan duduk sendirian di meja bedah putih-silver dengan kepala sedikit menunduk. Dia masih memiliki ekspresi yang sama, seperti semua yang terjadi di luar tidak ada hubungannya dengan dirinya.

Ada suara di belakang An Zhe. Komunikator Lu Feng berdering liar yang menunjukkan bahwa situasinya serius. Hanya dalam dua atau tiga menit, tiga orang datang ke sini untuk menemuinya. Lu Feng mengatakan sesuatu kepada dokter dan bangkit, berjalan keluar dari koridor. Menghilang.

Ada alat transmisi suara di dalam dan di luar pintu. An Zhe mengambil alat itu. "Sinan."

Sinan menatapnya.

"Apakah kamu tahu apa yang salah denganmu?" Tanya An Zhe.

Sinan mengangguk.

"Lalu, kamu tahu kenapa? Apakah kamu menemukan sesuatu yang aneh di Taman Eden? "

Mata hitam Sinan menatap lurus ke arahnya, seolah menembusnya.

Pada saat ini, An Zhe tiba-tiba mengerti mengapa spesies yang heterogen dapat dibedakan dari manusia dengan mata telanjang. Penampilan ini seperti... sesuatu yang berbeda dari manusia. Jika sepasang mata seperti itu ada di Abyss, ia tidak akan merasa aneh.

Setelah keheningan selama satu menit, Sinan menjawab, "Tidak."

"Pikirkan lagi," An Zhe mencoba membimbing anak itu. "Apa yang kamu lakukan kemarin? Apakah kamu bersama teman sekelasmu? "

Sinan hanya menatapnya dengan mata gelap itu. Tidak peduli apa yang An Zhe tanyakan, dia tidak menjawabnya.

Tepat ketika dia menemui jalan buntu, komunikator dokter berdering, dan An Zhe melihatnya.

Dokter menekan speaker pada komunikatornya, suara Lin Zou terdengar, nadanya halus. Tetapi kecepatan bicaranya sangat cepat. An Zhe tahu bahwa suara ini adalah suara tenang yang dipaksakan.

"Kami telah melihat semua video dari tiga hari terakhir. Dia selalu bersama orang lain dan saat waktu senggang sesekali meninggalkan area cctv ketika pergi ke toilet. Ini normal. Waktu maksimum dia meninggalkan pengawasan hanya tiga menit dan dia hanya bisa bergerak di koridor lantai kami. " Lin Zuo melaporkan. "Tidak ada yang abnormal di Eden. Apakah itu terjadi dalam perjalanan ke pangkalan pelatihan atau di pangkalan pelatihan? Aku mendengar tingkat infeksi anak-anak akan jauh lebih cepat daripada orang dewasa."

"Maaf Tuan Lin. Tingkat infeksi anak mungkin lebih cepat daripada orang dewasa, tetapi menurut tingkat perubahan morfologis dalam sel-sel jaringannya, setidaknya membutuhkan 15-20 jam setelah dia telah terinfeksi."

Lin Zuo terdiam sesaat dan berkata, "Dalam hal ini, dia memang terinfeksi di Taman Eden. Tetapi anak-anak dan guru di Eden yang lain normal dan tidak menunjukkan tanda-tanda infeksi. "

"Tolong jangan panik," Dokter berkata, "Kami sedang menunggu pesanan lebih lanjut dari atasan kami. Paling lambat pukul 3, Mercusuar dan Pengadilan akan bersama-sama memeriksa anak-anak yang telah aktif di lantai enam selama waktu itu. Bersiaplah untuk bekerja sama. "

Lin Zou berkata, "Ok."

"Terima kasih atas pengertian Anda. Jika tidak ada yang lain maka ... "

Lin Zuo berseru, "Tunggu."

"Apakah kamu punya petunjuk lain?"

"Bukan petunjuk tapi aku harap ini membantumu." Lin Zuo menjelaskan, "Sinan selalu menjadi anak yang aneh. IQ-nya sangat tinggi tetapi kondisi mentalnya selalu sangat.... aneh. Aku melihatnya tumbuh dewasa dan aku yakin bahwa pikiran atau indranya berbeda dari anak-anak lain."

"Terima kasih telah memberitahu. Aku akan mempelajarinya." Dokter menjawab. "Hakim sudah kembali, kami akan berangkat dan akan berbicara nanti setelah pertemuan."

"Baik."

Lu Feng berjalan kembali ke kamar isolasi.

"Bagaimana?" Dokter bertanya.

"Eden dan markas pelatihan sudah berada di bawah darurat militer." Lu Feng melanjutkan, "Jumlah orang sedang dihitung, kami akan pergi dalam sepuluh menit. "

"Baik."

Lu Feng menatap Sinan di laboratorium. "Bagaimana dia?"

Dokter mengangkat bahu.

Lu Feng berjalan maju dan berdiri di samping An Zhe. Mata Sinan perlahan-lahan beralih ke Lu Feng. Pada saat ini, An Zhe menemukan bahwa mata hitamnya yang awalnya cenderung tajam, sekarang memiliki pola radial yang samar, seperti jaring laba-laba memanjang ke luar.

Lu Feng menyatakan, "10 jam."

An Zhe tertegun karena dia tahu apa yang dimaksud Lu Feng. Dalam 10 jam, Sinan akan berubah dari anak manusia menjadi monster yang tidak rasional. An Zhe mencoba berkomunikasi dengan Sinan sedikit lebih banyak dan memanggil namanya.

Melihat tatapan Sinan yang menempel padanya, Lu Feng membalas tatapannya.

Sinan membuka mulutnya.

Suaranya belum matang, seperti suara milik anak-anak, ia mengucapkan 4 kata dengan nada dingin. "Kamu semua akan mati."

Lu Feng tersenyum.

Dia mengambil perangkat komunikasi dari An Zh.

"Tidak ada yang akan mati," katanya, "Manusia akan hidup."

Setelah mengatakan itu, dia menutup perangkat itu dan berbalik. An Zhe membuat perbandingan mengenai ekspresi dan nada suara dingin Sinan dengan milik Kolonel. Kolonel lebih baik.

Beberapa peneliti mengambil alih Sinan, dan pintu partisi naik. Dokter menyatakan, "Bocah ini aneh."

Lu Feng berkata, "Aku akan pergi untuk mengintrogasi."

"Terima kasih atas usahanya."

Pada saat itu, suara angin sekali lagi terdengar di telinga An Zhe. Dia melihat sekeliling dan menemukan lubang bundar yang tersembunyi di antara langit-langit dan dinding.

"Lu Feng." An Zhe dengan lembut menarik lengan baju Lu Feng. "Apa itu?"

Lu Feng mengikuti pandangannya ke langit-langit dan berkata dengan ringan. "Ventilasi."

An Zhe berkedip.

"Kamu belum pernah melihatnya sebelumnya?" Dokter bertanya-tanya. "Kota Luar tidak memilikinya karena bangunan di sana dibangun setelahnya."

Dokter selalu bersedia menjelaskan hal-hal kepada orang-orang, jadi An Zhe terus bertanya, "Apa fungsinya?"

"Mensuplai udara." Jawaban dokter itu sederhana, lalu dia menjelaskan, "Medan magnet belum sepenuhnya hilang ketika Kota Utama dibangun, dan kemampuan industri manusia masih pada puncaknya. Untuk membangun pangkalan yang dapat menahan radiasi kosmik dan angin matahari, dinding semua bangunan empat atau lima kali lebih tebal dari bangunan biasa dan materialnya adalah material khusus. Bangunan sepenuhnya tertutup dan sistem ventilasi memberikan udara bersih."

"Kota Utama dapat bertahan dan sistem ventilasi setidaknya memiliki performance kelas satu." Dia tersenyum. "Setelah kutub magnet buatan dibangun, berbagai mutasi dimulai. Sebelum Pemancar Ultrasonik ditemukan, serangga ada di mana-mana. Di Kota Utama, sistem ventilasi tiga lapis menyaring dan mencekik serangga ditambahkan ke sistem ventilasi untuk memastikan bahwa tidak ada serangga yang dapat terbang masuk dari udara. "

"Jadi tidak peduli apa, selama kita mengontrol gerbang masuk dan keluar kota, Kota Utama benar-benar aman." Dia mengetik email di komputer, sambil berbicara pada dirinya sendiri, "Mengapa ada infeksi? Ini sama sekali tidak masuk akal. Selain itu, anak-anak lain di Eden baik-baik saja."

Setelah mengatakan itu, dia berhenti mengetik, lalu matanya menatap Lu Feng. "Aku mendengar bahwa seorang gadis melarikan diri dari Eden kemarin."

"Aku sudah bertanya," Lu Feng berkata. "Gadis itu baik-baik saja. "

Alis dokter itu mengkerut lebih dalam, dia kembali mengetik beberapa informasi pada keyboard. Lu Feng menatap layar komputer. "Apakah kamu berhubungan dengan Pangkalan Kota Bawah Tanah?"

"Serangkaian peristiwa yang terjadi baru-baru ini, aku sedikit... takut." Dokter menarik napas dalam-dalam dan berkata, "Aku ingin tahu sejauh mana monster di Amerika Utara telah berevolusi. Namun, saluran darurat antara dua pangkalan kami selalu bermasalah dan aku tidak bisa menunggu balasannya."

Dia mengklik kirim, kemudian An Zhe melihat bahwa dia telah mengirim file yang sama ke penerima lain dengan catatan 'Lembaga Penelitian.'

"Oke," Dokter mematikan layar dan berkata, "Aku akan pergi mengoordinasikan detektor."

Lu Feng mengatakan kepadanya, "Aku akan pergi ke Taman Eden terlebih dahulu."

Koridor Mercusuar panjang dan putih, diterangi oleh cahaya dingin dan ada ruang teh di koridor. Ketika mereka mendorong pintu keluar, dua peneliti berpakaian putih sedang berciuman di ruang teh. Setelah mendengar langkah kaki di luar, salah satu orang dari mereka memeluk yang lain, berbalik, dan sosok mereka menghilang di dalam ruang teh.

Adegan itu tampaknya membangkitkan rasa jijik Lu Feng dan dia mengerutkan kening. "Di mana disiplin mereka?"

"Tidak bisa," kata dokter. "Semakin dalam kita meneliti sesuatu, semakin kita kecewa. Mercusuar sekarang sedang menyebarkan suasana positif ke seluruh bagian atas sampai bawah Mercusuar. Dan kamu tidak dapat meminta kami untuk disiplin militer, yang terkadang membuatku tertekan. "

Lu Feng tidak mengatakan apa-apa. Dia membawa An Zhe ke arah yang berbeda dari dokter.

Sepanjang sore, An Zhe mengikuti Lu Feng dengan gila karena dia tidak tahu harus ke mana. Dia hanya pekerja sementara di Taman Eden dan dia tidak menerima perintah atau instruksi apapun. Namun, Lu Feng tampaknya tidak senang diikuti olehnya. Bahkan ketika pria itu memeriksa anak-anak Eden satu per satu, dia meminta An Zhe untuk beristirahat di lobi.

Maka, An Zhe duduk di sofa lobi dan membaca buku. Di dinding di seberangnya, ada slogan merah darah 'kepentingan manusia di atas segalanya.' Pada pukul 4 sore, dokter membawa seseorang ke Taman Eden. Dia agak tertekan ketika dia menyiapkan peralatan deteksi di lobi dengan beberapa anak buahnya.

Se Lan ditugaskan oleh Lu Feng untuk bekerja sama dengan pekerjaan dokter. Hakim muda melihat detektor di tengah aula dan mengerutkan kening. "Hanya satu?"

"Jika tidak?" Dokter itu berkata, "Yang lain ditinggal di pintu masuk Kota Utama untuk menerima tentara bayaran yang kembali ke Kota Utama dari luar kota. "

"Ini berarti hanya ada dua detektor di seluruh pangkalan?" Se Lan bertanya-tanya.

"Baby, apakah kamu memiliki kesalahpahaman tentang kapasitas produksi industri kita saat ini? Untuk detektor presisi tinggi seperti ini, membuat dua adalah batasannya. "

"Maaf."

"Tidak masalah. Kamu pergi memasangnya dahulu, kemudian kita akan menggunakan detektor untuk memeriksa perlahan. " Dokter menjelaskan.

Se Lan menyatakan, "Pengadilan tidak memiliki pelatihan khusus untuk anak-anak."

"Aku percaya pada penglihatan hakim, dia pasti akan menemukan orang lain yang terinfeksi."

Begitu dia selesai berbicara, langkah Lu Feng terdengar.

"Penyelidikan lantai lima, enam dan tujuh selesai." Lu Feng berbicara pada komunikator. "Tidak ada infeksi yang diduga ditemukan."

An Zhe melihat tangan dokter bergetar sambil ia memasang tuas kontrol pada alat deteksi .

Lu Feng berjalan mendekatinya. "Aku akan menyerahkan semuanya padamu."

Wajah dokter itu entah kenapa pucat pasi, dia berkata, "Baik."

Kemudian dia menambahkan, "Ada banyak sampel berbeda di Mercusuar dan Eden telah terinfeksi. Aku khawatir telah terjadi sesuatu di Mercusuar. Bisakah aku mengajukan permohonan ke United Front Center untuk menugaskan pengadilan sementara ke Mercusuar? "

Lu Feng bertanya-tanya, "Otoritasku?"

"Kamu dan aku memiliki otoritas yang sama," jawab dokter.

"Ok."

Dia pergi ke pintu masuk lift.

An Zhe diam-diam mengawasinya.

Dia melihat pria itu menatapnya. Pandangan itu berkata, "Kemarilah."

An Zhe meletakkan bukunya dan dengan patuh mengikuti.

Pada saat ini, "Lu Feng." Dokter tiba-tiba memanggil.

Lu Feng tidak melihat ke belakang. "Ada apa?"

An Zhe berbalik dan melihat dokter sedang menatapnya, matanya yang biru kosong dan matanya sedikit merah.

"Seratus tahun yang lalu, orang hanya memiliki 30% kemungkinan terinfeksi. Goresan kecil dan luka tusuk tidak akan membuat mereka berubah. Tetapi, situasinya telah memburuk selama bertahun-tahun. Terutama tahun ini, tingkat infeksi telah meningkat secara drastis. Bahkan luka seukuran mata jarum dapat menyebabkan infeksi. Aku terus berpikir jika akan ada hari di mana kita tidak dapat melakukan apa-apa dan gen-gen kita akan bermutasi dan menjadi heterogen. "

Lu Feng tidak bergerak dan tidak berbicara. Hanya ada 'ding' ketika lift tiba dan pintu perak terbuka dengan lancar.

Suara dokter sedikit gemetar, "Tidak ada monster atau heterogen di Eden. Infeksi anak ini terjadi tanpa alasan. Kami tidak tahu apa yang menyebabkan infeksi dan bagaimana penyebarannya. Mercusuar tidak dapat menidentifikasi virus ini dan kami juga tidak tahu bagaimana cara mencegahnya. Jika hal-hal ini menyebar pada kita seperti epidemi... Maka anak-anak yang paling rentan akan terinfeksi terlebih dahulu karena kondisi fisik mereka."

Dia menarik nafas dan berkata. "Jadi apa yang akan kita lakukan?"

"Dokter Ji," suara Lu Feng dingin. "Kamu goyah."

Lalu ia meletakkan tangan kanannya di bahu An Zhe dan menuntunnya ke lift tanpa berbalik.

***

[thonikholis]

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[hyelinist]

Interrupted Schedule

A THASMIN FIC

here's the AO3 link if you prefer that.

As many families do, there’s a usual schedule of the upcoming day already mapped out for them. It’s unintentional, but also intentional as well. They’re expected to know what’s coming before they even think about about it. This plan is implanted inside their minds, and it plays out exactly as planned everyday.

So Najia Khan wakes up and doesn’t have to see Hakim’s drooling mess on her pillow. That’s expected.

One by one, she lets her feet find the wooden flooring and slips them in her fuzzy slippers. That’s expected.

Like a puppet, she straightens up and unsteadily ambles towards the bedroom door. There’s a wool robe she pulls down, and her arms move in a sloth-like manner slipping it on. That’s expected.

She minces off the bedroom, into the short, narrow hallway, still muddled and half-awake. That’s expected.

But there’s something wrong, and she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what.

The schedule falters. Najia becomes more aware, and it disturbs her normal routine. And if she’s interrupted, everyone else will too.

It’s what shocks her awake. She blinks several times and heads for the bathroom. There, with the a flicker of the lights on, she washes her face thoroughly in warm water as she replays the entire morning so far — how could it be different from the rest? There’s something that’s itching her mind, but what is this exactly? Why now?

So, she does what she’ll think would help kickstart her thinking: continue the day as if normal. As if nothing is out of place, and the schedule isn’t broken.

She gets out of the bathroom, and —

Wait a minute.

Yaz’s bedroom door. It’s unlocked. And it’s not even close all the way through. And the kitchen — oh, she couldn’t even hear the kettle going. There’s no Chopin playing on the speakers as well.

Najia is almost too nervous to check in on her. Yasmin Khan is a literal angel who couldn’t fall out of schedule if she tried. The girl has a built in clock inside of her — she always knew when wake up, when to leave for school or work, when to come home, exactly on time. So yes, it’s a bit alarming to see someone who is always in order — her daughter, in which many of friends grew to be envy with as their children weren’t the same — finally fall out of place.

(At the same time, she’s super fucking relieved. Yaz matured at a very early age, and to talk role reversals, sometimes it has to be Yaz to remind Najia that she’ll get through her problems. And Yaz has many problems, she’s open about most of it, yes, but she doesn’t deal with it.)

She wonders what could have been the reason for this sudden shift in Yaz’s life. It makes Najia feel ridiculous. Just one sudden change and — boom! She’s nervous, incredibly so, and as a mother, it is her responsibility to —

Oh.

So that’s what happened.

It’s like a stilt from a romantic comedy: tucked into a thick blanket, Yaz’s arms wrapped themselves around the Doctor’s body, their head resting on Yaz’s chest as they both sleep peacefully. They’re both wearing a variant of Yaz’s star jumper; she wears the orange while the Doctor fits in the blue one. They’ve also got two lipstick stains on their cheek, and Najia knows that no one could pull off orange like Yaz can. The two are unbreakable in this moment. There’s no way either of them would wake up any time soon.

Najia shuts the bedroom door lightly, a wicked smile plastered on her face. See, the rest of the Khan family have this thing where they speculate Yaz’s social life because she won’t admit it, but she’s lonely outside her family, and her social awkwardness doesn’t help out at all. Sonya’s given up dragging Yaz to parties, and Hakim couldn’t do anything, really. So Najia bet, when the Doctor barges into Yaz’s life unexpectedly, that they would end up dating within a month’s notice.

She rushes towards the kitchen, trying not to laugh ridiculously, so as to find two pans in the lower cabinet, and her mischievous smile only grows wider.

Unsympathetic to the rest of family, she starts repeatedly banging the two pans together.

“YAZ AND THE DOCTOR ARE DATING! I CALLED IT! THEY’RE AND IN LOVE!!!!”

[typewriterbot]

snowmen

i wrote this cute stuff for vencel and hakim a while ago and now i’m finally sharing it cuz it does my heart good

Hakim wondered, not for the first time, how civilians ever managed having more than one child. Ven ran circles around him, zipping from window to window half dressed as he babbled incoherently about the snow that had fallen over the City overnight. He watched as the child moved with far too much energy for the morning, holding Ven’s clothes in his hands as he waited for the opportunity to snatch the child up so he could finish dressing him for the day.

Ven skid to a stop in front of him, pink hair wild as ever, and gave him a wide smile. A small hand gripped Hakim’s pants leg, while the other pointed to the window excitedly, as if Hakim didn’t know that snow had built up while half the City had been sleeping. It was endearing, and it made Hakim’s heart swell. Ven bounced on his toes, silently urging Hakim to move as impatience overtook him. “Abbi! Snow!”

For the life of him, Hakim couldn’t help but laugh at the earnest look on Ven’s face. Wide eyes gazed up at him, glancing over to the windows for a second before returning to stare, and a smile that refused to leave the moment Ven looked out the window. Hakim scooped Ven into his arms, pressing a kiss to his cheek as they moved away from the windows and, by extension, the snow. “Soon, habibi, soon. First we have to get dressed, and then we can go see the snow.”

“Snow?” Ven pouted at him, and pointed at the windows again.

Hakim set Ven down on his bed, and laid his clothes out beside him. He clicked his tongue when Ven squirmed on the bed, a warning for him to stay still long enough for Hakim to help slip his pants on. They were baggy, liable to get caught on anything while Ven ran around, but they were insulated and would keep him from getting cold. He watched as Ven struggled to put his shirt on, only helping to push arms through the proper holes before his hands were slapped away. The jacket was the last piece. It had long coat tails, reminiscent of Hakim’s robes and he worried that Ven would slip on them, but the hood had fur on it, and besides that, it actually fit Ven. He shushed the soft whines of impatience as he clasped the jacket closed and tied the sash around Ven’s middle.

“Snow?” Ven asked, standing on top of the mattress.

“Not yet. I have to get dressed, too.” Though, he did dress as quickly as he could manage with the thick layers that weighed him down and the ornamental sash that rested on his stomach. The ends of his robes barely touched the floor, and the large, open sleeves were collected into a knot that kept the hemming from dragging on the ground. His cowl was the last thing he put on, and his mask was tucked into an inside pocket of his outer robe. Hakim matched the grin Ven was giving him, and, without wasting another second, he picked him up, propped him on his hip, and left the apartment as soon as shoes were put on.

—

Ven tugged on his hand again. The snow was enticing, sparkling in the morning sun, and piles were just out of Ven’s reaching fingers. Hakim knew that if he stopped for every pile of snow, it would be noon by the time that he reached the observatory. As much as he wanted to let Ven play, he had a job to do, and with Null away from the Tower for the time being, he had to juggle being a parent and being the Speaker equally. It was a challenge he never looked forward to, having to put his duties as Speaker before the simple wants of his child. There had been moments where he was tempted to spend the day with Ven, catching up on time lost to the long hours he kept, but responsibility kept him from doing just that.

Guilt made his skin crawl before he could shove the feeling away. His child only had so long, and he didn’t want remorse to dictate his reason.

Quick, pattering footsteps kept up with his strides, the small hand in his squeezing his fingers as they made it through the giant door of North Tower. A few Guardians hung about, Hunters wrapped up in their cloaks and Warlocks raising the collars of their robes while Titans sported knitted scarves around their necks. The Guardians bowed to Hakim, and some waved to Ven. Snow fell out of several hands, hitting the ground with a soft splat, letting Hakim know what he had just walked in on. He sighed softly to himself as Ven’s soft laughter reached his ears. A gentle nudge was sent to Vega, and the doors to the observatory opened, signaling his arrival to the Tower proper.

Ven tugged on his hand before they could cross the bridge to the observatory. “Snow?” He asked.

He knew he wouldn’t be able to deny Ven forever. They were outside, there were piles of snow pushed out of the way and salts were laid down to make walking easier. Guardians who prepared to get into a snowball fight right outside the observatory, and Hakim knew that there were more Guardians in the Courtyard doing causing mayhem with all the snow. Ven had been undeniably patient the entire morning, and it seemed to finally start wearing off. He was tugging at his sleeve, pouting, and gazing up at him with watery eyes, seconds away from hopping in place. Behind his mask, Hakim smiled. His duties could wait a moment longer. “Snow,” he agreed, holding down the laughter in his throat as Ven squealed.

The thick layers of his robes kept the chill out as he walked Ven over to a large pile of snow and knelt down in front of it. He pulled Ven in front of him, an arm wrapped around his middle to keep him from tumbling forward, and with the other grabbed a handful of packed snow. Immediately, Ven’s hands were on the snow, and Hakim was grateful for the gloves he managed to put on Ven before they reached the outside. The child grabbed a handful of snow from Hakim, and slowly started to turn it over in his hands, smoothing out the outside as much as he could.

Hakim made a guess. “A snowball?” Ven shook his head. “No? Then what are you making?”

“A snowman! Because, um, ‘cause Baba isn’t here for snow,” he explained, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Ven carefully put the ball he made on top of the pile, then took another handful from Hakim and repeating the process. The second ball was stacked on top of the first with Hakim’s help, and three eyes, two on the right side and one on the left, were drawn on the head. “And it looks like Baba.”

The small snowman was lumpy, one eye was too large, making the other too seem tiny by comparison, but Ven was proud of it. He was humming to himself, already making another snowman under Hakim’s watchful gaze. The second snowman was smaller than the first, and a third joined shortly after. Ven looked over his shoulder, up at the Speaker’s mask then back to the second snowman. He drew on the face carefully, stopping every so often to glance over at the mask on his father’s face until the design on it was drawn on the snowman. For the third snowman, a smiling face was drawn on it, the mouth wide and lopsided.

“It’s us!” Ven crowed.

Sure enough, Hakim could see the resemblance in the figures. Null’s was the biggest, he watched Ven scrawl his mask’s design into the face of the middle figure, and Ven’s was the smallest by far. He smiled to himself, and complemented Ven on his craftsmanship, wiping the excess snow off his glove before tucking the child against his side. With a gentle nudge across the bond, he asked Vega to take a picture; he wanted Null to see it when they returned from the Void. He wondered how long it would take for more of the simple, little snowmen to crop up around the Tower once more Guardians started trickling through North Tower. It would make for a decent game to tire Ven out at the very least, and Hakim tucked it away for later.

“Abbi? When is Baba coming home?” Ven asked quietly.

A beat of silence passed between parent and child, then Hakim scooped Ven up in his arms, standing up smoothly while holding Ven against his chest. “Sooner than you think,” he replied. He hoped that Null wouldn’t make him a liar. “It won’t be long.”

Ven’s hands were tucked between them, and he buried the tip of his nose into Hakim’s hood. “Promise?”

Crossing the bridge to the observatory, Hakim nodded. “I promise, Ven.”

[lordshaxxion]

All for Vigil!!

all under a cut c:

Where were you rezzed?

“In a snow drift somewhere in a forest. Still don’t know exactly where, but I think it was somewhere deep in the EDZ. Warden won’t tell me, I think he knows exactly where but he refuses to tell. Either way, being born in a snow drift meant that I’m practically immune to the cold.”

How long ago was it?

“Oh, nearly two-thousand years ago now I think.”

Did you have anything in your pockets?

“Not that I can recall-”

“You had a photograph of a family in your pocket.”

“Ah, yes, now I remember. It was an old and worn photo of what I’m assuming was my family in my first life.”

What was your first week alive like?

“Hell. I spent much of it just trying to find a way out of the forest I was in. At least I was fortunate and didn’t succumb to the cold at any point, but starvation and exhaustion was a problem until I found the first village in days and for miles around.”

How did you react to your new role as a Guardian?

“The title of Guardian doesn’t mean anything to me, perhaps even less now than it did a century ago when it came about. I’m just here to do my duty and nothing less.”

Do you have any regrets?

“Too many to regale you with. I don’t think even a Guardian would live long enough to hear them all.”

How did you get your name?

“I believe my Ghost named me.”

“Nope, you named yourself in a way. Your determination to fight through the cold to civilisation, the way you protected every village you had to go to. I think at some point the people described your actions as nothing but vigilance, and you took it from that point.”

“I don’t remember that.”

“You wouldn’t, this was within the first year of your life.”

Does your Ghost have a name?

“He’s called Warden.”

What is your Ghost like?

“He’s steadfast and very brave, keeps me focused often and always lets me know when I have meetings and such. I don’t know where I’d be without him.”

“Dead, probably.”

“He’s a smartass, too.”

How do you feel about the Last City and the Vanguard?

“The Last City is my home and I will protect it with everything I have at my disposal. The Vanguard... they’re something. It’s never been perfected, and fortunately never claimed to be, but even less after Cayde passed. They do their best, though. Always have.”

What’s your favourite place to go?

“Just for a stroll through the City, on the few days off I take. Or into the mountains or forests around the City.”

Do you participate in strikes or the Crucible?

“Crucible, but only on rare occasions and sometimes Crimson Days with my husband and partner. It’s quite amusing to hear Guardians freaking out at the Speaker and his bodyguard causing havoc in the Crucible.”

How do you celebrate the holidays?

“With my partners, Hakim and Null. Occasionally Guardian, when they come home to the Tower.”

Hakim, Null and Guardian belong to @autobotrose

Who is your favourite NPC and who is your least favourite?

“Well considering I’m married to him, the Speaker is my favourite. Osiris can go suck my-”

“AHEM.”

Where do you sleep/call home?

“My apartment in the Tower, of course.”

Do you have any pets or companions?

“Not particularly.”

Does anyone live with you?

“My partners. Vencel did, until a few years ago. Now Guardian comes and goes as they please.”

How do you unwind or comfort yourself?

“I prefer to sit myself in my armchair in the evenings and work on one of the many crochet projects I have going. Alternatively I’ll read, or just spend it cuddling Hakim and Null.”

What would truly break you?

“Losing all I love. Not being able to protect Hakim, like I’m supposed to do given it’s been my job for the past eight centuries - perhaps even longer.”

Most embarrassing moment?

“....”

“He won’t say it, so I will. The time he, Null and Hakim thought they were all hard-nails and tried to brave a haunted house together. Oh, and let’s not forget the time Vigil ran screaming through the Haunted Forest with Guardian and Null.”

“Hey that was a great time-”

“Vigil, you called the Nightmare a cunt.”

“Yes, yes I did do that.”

“You yeeted Guardian across the Forest.”

“That too.”

“And as good as picked Null and Guardian up and charged to the finish with them, only to fall through the floor.”

“Also that.”

Any cherished memories?

“The day I met Hakim, the day I met Null. When Vencel was born-”

“- he cried so hard that day-”

“-and when I asked Hakim and Null to marry me.”

What was your highest and/or lowest point?

“Our wedding day, of course. Lowest point was the Red War as a whole. I wasn’t myself during it, or even afterwards. It really got to me that I failed to protect the Speaker, that Ghaul had managed to kidnap him. Null can tell you just how much of a wreck I was around the Farm for the longest time.”

Views on the enemy races?

“They’re all a pain in the ass. The Fallen are the ones I perhaps feel most sorry for.”

Which enemy race is your most/least favourite?

“I can deal with the Fallen and I’ve ripped apart more than my fair share of Cabal, but Vex and Taken? Now the concepts of what they are, that’s beyond my intelligence.”

What’s your role in a fireteam? (Tank, support, buff/healer, comic relief? Or are you the dead weight?)

“Tank.”

“Seriously, the amount of walls he’s come crashing through is tremendous. Plus, my Guardian can take an inhuman amount of hits from enemy forces. I’m pretty sure he’s not human, outside of the whole Lightbearer thing.”

Do you have any mentors/mentees?

“No and no. While I train my Guard well, I do not consider them my mentees.”

What is your favourite weapon type/favourite weapon?

“Thunderlord.”

“Pfft, more like fists.”

“Thanks, Warden.”

Do you play Gambit?

“Absolutely not.”

How do you feel about the Drifter?

“I don’t trust him and if I were able to without causing my husband some distress, I would have yeeted his ass off the damn Tower by now. I don’t care for the sob-story he’s selling susceptible Guardians, he needs to be gone now.”

If you could be any class/subclass (not just your own), what would you be and why?

“... I’ve always envied how Hakim is able to float like he does...”

What are your thoughts on the Nine?

“I don’t know enough about them to make a fully accurate judgement, but I know that I don’t trust them.”

Any secret crushes or relationships we need to know about?

“I hardly make my relationship with Hakim and Null a secret.”

“Well you used to have a massive crush on Saint-”

“Shut up, Warden.”

Does your Ghost approve, or haven’t you told them?

“He approves, and gets along very well with Vega and Redwood. Even if all three of them like to swap embarrassing stories at times.”

You’re about to go off-planet on assignment, and will only be able to eat protein rations and food gel for a month. What’s your last meal?

“Anything Null or Hakim has made.”

If you could take over any NPC’s job, who would it be and why?

“I don’t know that there really is a job I’d like to take over, I’m content with being head of the Speaker’s Guard and his bodyguard.”

What is the most beautiful sight you’ve seen?

“Watching Hakim roll over in bed and scrunch his face up at the sunlight peeking through the blinds. When Ven was still a baby and would make little ‘ababah’ noises at everything and everyone. When Null showed us their Void form for the first time.”

Do you have a favourite colour?

“.... Neutral whites and greys. Blue is good.”

Show us your favourite outfit!

“I don’t have a fashion taste, let alone a favourite outfit. Hakim... practically picks everything out for me, my fashion taste is that nonexistent.”

What’s your favourite shader?

“I’m not sure yet. Like I said, no fashion taste and this extends to not knowing what colours go well together.”

If you could make a wish to an Ahamkara for anything - no strings attached - what would you wish for?

“To save those infants I failed to during the Dark Age. So many little motes of Light lost to mere illness...”

[berniesrevolution]

IN THESE TIMES

Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is refusing to meet with—or respond to—a group of her Yemeni-American constituents who are calling for an immediate end to the U.S.-Saudi War on Yemen. In recent months, however, Pelosi has found the time to speak at the conference of the right-wing Israeli-American Council and meet with the Saudi ambassador (one day after journalist Jamal Khashoggi went missing).

The contrast raises concerns about the priorities of Pelosi, historically hawkish on foreign policy, in a political climate where an end to the U.S.-Saudi war in Yemen is finally within reach. The Senate overwhelmingly voted in late November to advance a War Powers Resolution designed to force a vote on the U.S.-Saudi war and ultimately shut down U.S. participation. The resolution, due to a carve-out, would not prevent the brutalities of the ongoing U.S. drone war in Yemen allegedly targeting Al Qaeda, but nonetheless constitutes the most promising effort yet to end the large-scale atrocities of the U.S.-Saudi War.

A similar effort is playing out in the House, with the most recent iteration, HConRes142, introduced by Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) on November 29. Now that it is politically safe to do so, Pelosi—who will likely be the next speaker of the House—has vocalized her support for the House resolution. She has not, however, transformed her words into action by publicly committing to whipping the caucus on the new measure, making sure the House moves urgently to end the U.S.-Saudi war.

On November 15, the Yemeni Alliance Committee, a group of Yemeni-American organizers that initially formed to oppose Trump’s Muslim ban, many of whom live in Pelosi’s district, requested a sit-down meeting with Pelosi to discuss the War Powers Resolution. Yet Jehan Hakim, the group’s director, said Pelosi—who, at that point, had not yet endorsed the War Powers Resolution—did not respond to the group’s emails or phone calls. “I'm her constituent, and she has an obligation and duty to sit down with me and our members,” Hakim tells In These Times.

When the Congresswoman didn’t get back, the group decided to stage a protest outside of her San Francisco office on November 20, with one sign declaring, “14m Yemenis face famine while Congress feasts”—a reference to the Thanksgiving holiday. In the midst of the demonstration, the group was informed by Pelosi’s staff that, after years of inaction, the minority leader will support the War Powers Resolution. “This was people power,” Hakim says, a sign of “Pelosi and others realizing how much support ending the war on Yemen was gaining.”

Yet Hakim says that Pelosi still has not agreed to meet with the Yemeni Alliance Committee, a particular concern for the organization given that any future House effort to end the war will likely require urgent action to not just endorse the resolution but fight for it. HConRes138—a similar version of the resolution—was blocked in the House on November 14 after it was folded into a rules measure related to the debate over whether grey wolves should be removed from the list of endangered species. At least two of the Democrats who voted to stymie the resolution later said they did not realize they were doing so, raising questions about whether Pelosi, or Democratic whip Stony Hoyer, were putting muscle behind turning out votes to hasten the end of the war. (Pelosi’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment from In These Times.)

Pelosi has not responded to the Yemeni Alliance Committee’s multiple queries. In contrast, the staff of Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) met with the organization December 4.

Yet, one day after Lee met with the Yemeni-American group, Pelosi was a featured presenter at the conference of the Israeli-American Council (IAC), a fiercely pro-Israel lobby shop that is intended as the right-wing alternative to the already right-wing AIPAC. Funded in part by Trump patron Sheldon Adelson, the IAC featured numerous speakers who fear-mongered about “Iranian proxies,” a key—and misleading—talking point used to build support for the U.S.-Saudi War on Yemen.

(Continue Reading)

[princesadeasturias]

On day 2 of his State Visit to Morocco, King Felipe VI held meetings with Saadeddine Othmani, the Prime Minister of Morocco, with Hakim Benchamach, the President of the Chamber of Councilors, and with Habib El Malki, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. (14th of February 2019)