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swordfright · 2 months

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what are your logistical questions about the guard dog au?

Ohhhh boyyy. Well. First of all I'm sorry it took me like a month to answer this, I got busy.

I wanna start by saying I wasn't around when Guard Dog AU was created, it was before my time (just barely) but I have read dozens of fics with this premise so bear in mind that I thiiiink I have a pretty solid understanding of how GD is supposed to work?? But I could be wrong about some details, in which case please feel free to correct me! Also, I wouldn't normally poke holes in someone's AU because at the end of the day, AUs are supposed to be fun fantasy what-if scenarios and not airtight canon-compliant thought experiments. The only reason I feel comfortable doing it with Guard Dog is because, from what I can tell, this AU wasn't created by any one specific person, it just sort of manifested on twitter in like 2021 and now there are literally hundreds of pieces of fan content about it. What I'm saying is, Guard Dog is The People's AU and that's the only reason I don't feel weird answering this ask.

Yeah, so. My logistical questions are as follows:

What's Sam's motivation for letting Q borrow Dream?

When in the timeline is this taking place? (because that affects EVERYTHING)

What threat is Dream purportedly guarding Las Nevadas from?

How does Dream's presence change the preexisting dynamic in Las Nevadas?

What is Quackity actually getting out of this?

Who does or doesn't have the revive book at this point?

I'll try to address these as neatly as I can. So, my understanding of the premise: Quackity somehow gets Sam to agree to let Dream out of the prison so he can live out the remainder (or some unspecified portion?) of his life sentence acting as security for LN. In some variants it seems like this is happening after Dream gives up the revive book, but in other variants that's not the case or it's left unclear. There are a couple points at which this feels implausible/OOC, namely:

1.) Sam would never let Dream out, even on parole. He does not want Dream under anyone else's watch. He wants Dream in Pandora at all costs. You cannot convince me he would just let someone borrow the prisoner for a bit, for any reason - especially not Quackity, who imo Sam probably sees as a greater threat to his authority as warden than almost anyone. Think about it: aside from Sam, Q has probably had the most consistent contact with the prisoner during his incarceration; Q's violence and general temperament mean that Sam likely knows Q killing Dream is a possibility, and that without the warden's supervision this could very well happen. Sam obviously isn't concerned for Dream's wellbeing, but he does want his prisoner alive because otherwise he's not a prisoner and Sam's not a warden. So yeah. "Just me and him" line etc etc. Dream ain't never gettin' outta there if Sam has anything to say about it.

2.) What is Dream actually capable of contributing to LN? In other words, would initiating Guard Dog actually pay off for Quackity in tangible ways? It depends on where in the timeline we are. If this is happening post-torture era or even mid-torture era, Dream is likely physically incapable of performing the feats of combat he was capable of prior to prison. Hell, even if Guard Dog era is happening instead of the torture era, Dream has still been in prison for a while and is probably already experiencing the disabling effects of prolonged malnutrition and neglect. So if Dream is known for PVP and his PVP skills took a severe blow recently, then what use is he as a security guard? Which brings us to the next question...

3.) What threat is Dream even guarding LN from? Quackity's foremost enemy is Technoblade, who has largely peace'd-out between Doomsday and Jailbreak. Q is evidently not eager to reignite a direct conflict with Techno because he got his ass handed to him last time. Also, he's aware that Techno and Dream are allies, so why would he put Dream in a place that's easier to rescue Dream from than Pandora? You could argue that maybe by publicly turning Dream into a glorified slave laborer Q is indirectly flaunting his power (the power of ownership) in Techno's face, but I don't see this as terribly likely given that (based on some of the visitation dialogue) Q misunderstands the nature of Dream and Techno's relationship. Critically, he doesn't seem to realize that they are comrades in addition to allies. And I think flaunting ownership of Dream would only make sense if you thought you were really hurting Techno in the process - Quackity just doesn't seem to have picked up on the fact that this is even a possibility. Based on all this, the enemy Dream is supposed to be fending off probably isn't Techno, so who is it? Las Nevadas is pretty much a neutral state. Q has people he doesn't like, but his list of Actual Real Enemies is surprisingly short. The population of the server is also comically small, so like...intruders? What intruders??? It's not as if Q really has to worry about strangers breaking in and robbing him or something, which is usually what guard dogs are for. My current answer to this question is that the threat would have to be the Egg. Possession by the Egg can turn people you know into strangers, and the entity that is the Egg can travel/infiltrate new spaces by way of the vines. Also, this conveniently answers the sub-question of "what threat can Dream defend LN against that the actual members of LN couldn't?" If you suddenly have to worry about contamination, it makes sense that you would send someone disposable to deal with the contaminant - not your own friends or employees. Speaking of which...

4.) Dream's presence in LN would change the faction's dynamic and Quackity is sooo poorly equipped to navigate that. Quackity's whole shtick is that he's charismatic because he can't be strong. He's volatile, conniving, violent, insecure, hedonistic, profit-motivated and has poor impulse control, but he's also able to project confidence and affability in ways that have been advantageous to him. There are two sides to Quackity and he seemingly likes to keep them separate. If Guard Dog is happening after the torture arc, then Quackity is used to showing the worst aspects of his personality only around Dream. In Pandora, he's a torturer; in Las Nevadas, he's a leader. So what happens when those two places effectively become the same place? If LN is Dream's new prison, how is Quackity supposed to act there? Sure, he's not particularly kind and caring when dealing with his staff (most of them were recruited via intimidation, after all) but they've never seen the side of him that Dream has seen. How is he supposed to maintain that authority over Dream while continuing to be the version of himself that Fundy and Purple and Foolish and co. know? Quackity talks a big game about (and makes gestures toward) not caring that people know about the torture, but he obviously does have reservations about it. When Wilbur asks him about visiting, he dodges around the question. When he discourages Foolish from breaking in, he's weird and cagey about it even though he knows he needs to come clean. When Tommy confronts him about the torture directly, he says "Don't ever say that, not even as a joke." He's defensive. This is another one of Q's hilarious contradictions: he wants to enjoy the benefits of being known as a dangerous person without the downsides of people being actually scared of him or finding him repulsive. He wants to have his cake and eat it too, and Dream's presence in Las Nevadas puts that impulse in jeopardy. There's a big difference between people suspecting you may have done some torture vs people actually witnessing that torture firsthand, or even seeing its aftereffects. Not to mention, there are now other people for Dream to interact with besides Sam, Q, and the prison guards! That changes things, even if Dream isn't allowed to speak to them directly. In Pandora, Bad and Ant had one job, which was to keep the prison running and keep Dream inside it - that's not the case with the LN crew. These people have shit to do! Foolish is building Quackity a replica of the Eiffel Tower, he doesn't have the time or interest to be a prison guard. I could go on but you get my drift. Things would get so weird so fast.

5.) The revive book complicates all of this. If Dream actually did give up the book and Sam understood how to use it, I could be convinced that maybe he would let Quackity borrow Dream for a bit - because hey, if he kills Dream then Sam can just revive him! However, I don't feel confident saying that Q wouldn't just kill Dream immediately after getting the book. We know Q enjoys torturing Dream, but we also know that he seemingly gets bored of it after a while. We also know he has at least some level of concern for propriety/his own rep, so he does have plausible reasons to just straight-up kill him after getting the book. Like, he got what he wanted (necromancy knowledge + a fun 3 months of recreational activity) and if he kills Dream then that's one less person to potentially spread word of Q's uhhhh proclivities around the server - which, again, he paradoxically does seem to care about. Even if Q's plan was to relocate Dream to LN to better access to his fave chew toy and never intended to kill Dream, would Sam believe that?? Q can't directly go against the warden's orders when he's visiting Pandora because that would be stupid and dangerous, but in Las Nevadas? Hm. I think Sam may see Guard Dog as an attempt on Q's part to move the prisoner to a location fully under Q's control so that he can kill Dream without risking retaliation from the warden. Basically, I think this au only has a chance to work in a scenario where Dream has given up the revive book to Sam, but not to Quackity. Because otherwise, Sam just wouldn't let him go. Quackity does want the revive book, but moreso he enjoys torturing Dream, so I do find it semi-plausible that Q would initiate Guard Dog even if he didn't have the book yet.

Ummmm so yeah! These are my questions and thoughts about Guard Dog! i think it's a really fun AU with a lot of potential, but there are kinks in the premise (pun intended) that I find it difficult to wrap my head around. anyway please talk to me about this because I think about it all the time and I wanna hear some other folks' takes too.

#guard dog au #this ask is really old i think sorry anon #c!dream #c!quackity #c!awesamdude #las nevadas #dreblr #asks #long post

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celticcrossanon · 6 months

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"Masters Of The Air" WW2 miniseries vs. H a r r y

I’ve been watching the new miniseries “Masters Of The Air” (produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and starring Austin Butler) about the US Army Air Force 100th bomb group stationed in the UK during WW2 the past few months while simultaneously reading about Prince Harry and the upcoming 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games this May.

It’s really incredible that American airmen flew in unpressurized bomber planes in minus 60 degree Fahrenheit temperature during WW2. The airmen had to wear special heating suits because if for example they took their gloves off during a fight at high altitudes because their guns jammed, their fingers could painlessly and bloodlessly amputate all the way up to their knuckles. The airmen could literally see their own fingers snap off and fly across the belly of the plane.

23% of all US Army Air crews survived during the WW2 air campaign in Europe with the rest either being shot and/or killed while in the air or their planes were shot down.

Those who survived via parachute after their planes were shot down either escaped back to the UK via resistance groups, were taken to POW camps for the remainder of the war or in some cases were killed by enraged German civilians on the ground.

The first episode started in January with the last episode concluding in mid-March.

I mention all this because Harry has been in the news for weeks, whining about his lack of taxpayer funded security while not feeling safe to attend the Invictus Games 10th anniversary event in London and tonight another article popped up in the Daily Mail about Harry going to a Better Up conference in San Francisco to lecture people about 'Beyond Burnout: Transforming C-Level Stress Into Strength.’

Harry has no clue about executives in stressful jobs. Nor does he have any clue about serving in combat or what honor and loyalty means. Harry actually endangered troops in Afghanistan during both of his tours overseas because he wanted to play soldier.

It’s incredible to look at genuine heroism and sacrifice from WW2 servicemen and women vs a complete royal fraudster who couldn’t even be accepted into the British Army on his own merits because Harry was reportedly too busy drinking and doing drugs while at Eton. Harry got into Sandhurst because his grandmother was the Head of the Armed Forces.

All of these battle hardened WW2 veterans would scoff at this whiny, treacherous, cowardly ginger prick who reportedly is so afraid to attend a church service for the Invictus Games on his own despite bragging about killing 25 enemy combatants in Afghanistan in his memoirs.

It’s a damn shame the Royal Family had the British media to help turn Harry’s PR image from a drug using frat boy into a “war hero” as Harry is anything but a genuine war hero– and uses disabled veterans from IG in order to make himself look good.

And BTW, the miniseries “Masters Of The Air” is quite good and is based on the book by the same name. I’m proud and grateful for WW2 veterans while simultaneously shaking my head at the royal disgrace that is Prince Harry.

Hi TeaWithBooks,

The hardships that the soldiers of WWI, WWII and other wars suffered to defend their countries are incredible to read about. They were all courageous at a level that is not brought out by circumstances today (I say this knowing veterans of those wars and having them in my family).

Harry is nothing in comparison. He does not have the courage that those men possessed. His cowardice and entitlement are thrown into relief by the service of true veterans everywhere. The idea of him coping with stress, let alone using it for anything else, is laughable because, as you said, he has no clue about working in a stressful job.

The palace PR did a brilliant job with “Hero Harry”, but I am glad it has come to an end and we can all see Harry as he really is. I much refer the truth over PR lies.

I have learnt to tune out Harry’s whining. If he is not whining about something he is bragging about how wonderful he is, both of which are very unattractive traits.

I believe you can find military men commenting on Harry’s behaviour on some sites, and what they say is not flattering. The truth always comes out in the end.

#submission

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gabessquishytum · 8 months

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It's been a bit but I have another potentially juicy idea!!

Hob is a wrestler who has spent the better part of five years trying to make the big leagues. He's travelled all around the world, meeting friends and making kayfabe enemies. Things seemed to be going his way when he finally got a call from Dynamic Combat, the biggest wrestling company in the world. He's thrilled, he's excited.

He ends up breaking his neck due to a botched suplex. He's out for the foreseeable future. He tries to get back into the saddle again, but it's just not there. He needs time to recover.

After the third month of being stuck at home, he gets released from his contract, having never even wrestled his second match. Which is disheartening. All this time to try and make it, only to fail constantly. Again and again he tries and tries to make back to the top of the ladder. Everytime he fails. His friends fail to get him his old contract back. The company just isn't interested.

Fuck it, he's Hob Gadling. There's always tomorrow, there's always something new to see. This was a big setback, but he'll just have to try again. He'll keep trying and trying until he finally headlines the Garden with the biggest company in the business.

Dream by contrast is under contract with Vertigo, a smaller Japanese promotion. He had his chance to wrestle for DCW, but they didn't like the creative control baked into his contract and he certainly wasn't about to let himself be used for money if it meant the stories he wanted to tell got pushed on the backburner. He's an artist after all.

But not taking DCW's offer didn't mean that he didn't still keep his eye out for talent. He heard about Hob and had the chance to work with him years ago, so he extended the offer. It wouldn't be great billing until he firmly established himself, but he would get to tell the stories he wanted to tell. Plus the money would be good.

Hob of course books the next flight out to Tokyo.

🎸

Ooh this is fun!! I'm willing to admit that my wrestling knowledge is limited to the movie Fighting with My Family but i actually really love the idea of Hob as a wrestler. I think he'd enjoy the storytelling aspect and really shaping his character. He was really worried when he got his injury and it felt like all his worst fears were coming true - being let go from his contract and all that jazz. But he's going to keep trying. When Dream reaches out to him with an opportunity, he basically packs up his entire life in half an hour. Just when he was starting to worry that he might never make his dreams come true, a literal Dream walks into his life.

Dream is mildly terrifying, extremely particular in what he wants, utterly confounding, and definitely a creative genius. Hob falls in love so quickly, just watching as Dream leads a meeting with some of the other talent, his hands moving erratically as he talks about the stories they are going to tell. How can Hob not love all of that passion? And when he sees Dream in the gym later Hob feels absolutely dizzy. He's never put much stock in the idea of beauty, but apparently Dream is changing him. He can't stop looking.

Hob struggles with the remainders of his injuries during his first few months. He's only given small opportunities and he's constantly under Dream’s watchful eye. When Hob gets frustrated with the simplicity of what he's been given, Dream will look at him with a raised dom eyebrow. It's just like being pinned to the floor. Hob spends every night spread out on his bed, biting his lip hard enough to bleed and gripping his cock in his fist.

He can feel Dream watching him when he finally gets to do his first big match in Japan. He gives the performance of his lifetime, wins in a way that makes the whole arena go crazy. He's not looking at them, though. He's looking at Dream, and the tiny smile at the corner of his mouth.

That night, for the first time, it's Dream’s fist wrapping around his cock, four fingers in his arse. Its better than top billing, better than millions in prize money. Dream is going to shape him into the best wrestler the world has seen. And maybe, if he's good enough... Dream will even join him in the ring.

#🎸 anon #the sandman #dreamling #nsft

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thewertsearch · 2 years

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Asks Compilation - 28/11

Exactly! I'd jump at the chance to plan an officially licensed game of Kernels & Kingdoms.

Reading the comic the way I am has honestly been a ride. It's part book club, part English class, and part fandom speedrun - and I think it makes for a really unique experience.

I'm glad I have thousand of pages to go. I'm really going to miss this when it's gone - not that that's something I have to worry about anytime soon!

Based on my current understanding of auspisticism, I think he'd be a good one. It would be pretty hard to build up a rivalry when Karkat is yelling petty bullshit at you both.

Plus, listening to him him deconstruct the motivating factors behind your quadrant crushes would kill all four of the moods.

I think you're on the money. I'd be shocked if Vriska ever planned to use her mind control that way.

In the heat of the moment, it almost happened - and then it didn't.

A master of Spadekind would be able to summon their kismesis from their Strife Deck directly. Perhaps they would have powers derived from the unique nature of your relationship, and fight on your behalf like a St

*The remainder of this message has been expunged, lest 2016 Sal rise from the depths of her Jojo phase and wreak havoc on us all.*

I think that'd make for an interesting troll quirk, actually. Imagine a troll who talks completely normally, but their quirk script censors their conversational partner's messages.

It's odd to imagine that, in a framework defined by its romantic nature, there would be relationships that aren't so romantic.

I assume that different trolls have different views on moirallegiance - and maybe, in Eridan's opinion, it's less romantic or desirable than matespritship.

These comparisons are all great.

Ianthe is an interesting character to compare with Vriska. She's a lot more guarded, and a lot less openly remorseful about what she does - but only one of these girls is known to cry herself to sleep, and it's not the one you'd expect.

Also, I'm honestly losing my mind a little at the Gideon shades reveal. If I recall correctly, she found them on the Ninth, and they were described as ancient. There's a small but real chance that they're canonically the Ben Stiller shades.

Batman: You think you're my greatest enemy? Joker: Who else drives you to one-up them the way I do? Batman: Superman. Joker: Superman's not a bad guy! Batman: I like to fight around. Joker: You're seriously saying that there's nothing special about us?

Hey, what the fuck, you're right!

Oh, that's fun. I didn't know Zuko's voice actor was in anything big before Avatar!

Thank you! I don't often get away these days, so it was nice to be abroad for once.

Karkat's quadrant explanation was apparently a near-verbatim recreation of the comic's, so an argument can be made that we're hearing Karkat's understanding of the quadrants, and not the 'objective' understanding of an omniscient narrator.

Which makes sense, really. Relationships are complicated, messy, and can only really be defined by the individuals participating in them. There can't really be an 'objectively correct' definition of a given quadrant, because every troll's understanding of their own relationships will differ, in a million subtle ways.

They're teenagers, so probably not. Karkat's understanding of quadrants seems mostly academic - he doesn't seem to have much first-hand experience.

In some ways, moirallegiance does seem a lot like a queerplatonic relationship. I guess on Alternia, one difference is that moirallegiance has a defined purpose - pacifying violent trolls - whereas each qpr is uniquely defined by those who participate in it.

However, like I said above, different trolls are going to view the quadrants in different ways. Perhaps there are trolls who form non-traditional moirallegiances, like the one anon described above. There's nothing stopping a troll from defining a relationship like that, other than societal pressure - and that doesn't stop humans, so why would it stop trolls?

Adding 'em to the list!

I'm willing to accept that I was just factually wrong about Peixes - but I'm happy to be vindicated on Vrish-ka!

Good abomination. Best mom.

I've got to say, I'd be interested in seeing how a horrorterror(-adjacent) being would raise a troll. I'm still not convinced she's a 'true' lusus, and I have an inkling that Feferi is going to be a particularly strange troll as a result, even among the Players.

I think, for mature trolls - ones who who understand the practical and emotional risks - the idea of having a partner who is also your designated rival might actually work. After all, partners and rivals both inspire you to be better, so there's some synergy there.

It's just not, as you say, something that teenagers should be involving themselves in. If they didn't need to do so to survive, I'm sure a lot of them would opt out of the system.

It is interesting that they're friends, isn't it? They seem to have an established relationship, so maybe Kanaya sees something in him that I don't - or maybe we're seeing him on a particularly bad day, and he's not always like this.

Probably still Rose, although Kanaya is getting close to challenging her position.

Definitely the one that prompted my alchemy spree.

Alchemy, closely followed by ectobiology. The two are pretty closely related - they're interesting ways to 'combine' things.

I have a list of unclosed time-loops, although they're more prophecies than Chekhov's guns.

I don't think Homestuck really has any deliberate Guns. Hussie is pretty open about this - the story is intentionally chock full of details that might be important later, and some of them will be - but you won't be able to figure out which, because even the author doesn't know until closer to the time.

You will flip a DOUBLE-HEADED TROLL CAEGAR to decide his fate.

Nice catch!

Unlike the other troll celebrity cameos, this one sort has some interesting implications. If Alternia is using these coins, maybe the dominant civilization still considers itself to be descended from of the Troll Roman Empire.

I mean, look at what they're doing - expanding across the universe, the same way the Empire tried to expand over Earth.

#asks #full liveblog #act 5 #made this yesterday but my internet was acting up :(

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kenna-is-reading · 1 month

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Kennaisreading's Fall TBR/Recs

Dear Readers,

Happy Mid-August!

Now typically I steadfastly refuse to begin any sort of autumnal celebration until 12:01am on September 1st, but I am trying to plan ahead for my reading for the remainder of this year. This month has truly been sipped away like a bottle of wine, if you will, and preparing to lock in for fall classes has made me more ready to get into the upcoming season. Therefore, here is my long-awaited, (unsolicited), perfectly realistic (desperately ambitious) TBR for the months of September and October!

Fantasy

The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde (Find my Pinterest board for this book here).

2. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer

Don't kill me! I have never read the Twilight series. You got me. But I did purchase every single book in the series a few months ago, and plan to quickly amend this personal shortcoming by reading as much of the series as I possibly can this fall.

3. Harry Potter

I have only ever read the first 4 books, but I once again recently bought the whole series. (Rest assured that I bought every single book secondhand so as to not give any support to that author.) I read the first four in late middle school/early high school, so I am glad to be getting that same nostalgic feeling that people who read these books in elementary get.

4. Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

I have heard great things, and I am expecting great things.

5. The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

I was actually like 30% of the way through this book a couple of years ago and was loving everything about it, but simply didn't have time to finish. It seems like the perfect fall read, so I am looking forward to this one a lot, especially as I reenter the university scene.

6. The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

Another one I have heard wonderful things about. I hear it has a great found family, which we all know is my most favorite trope of all time, so I hope it lives up to the hype!

7. Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber

Excited to be the last person on earth to read this series. Seemed like a cozy fairy-tale-esque fantasy to read for fall.

8. The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

I read Ashley Poston's Once Upon A Con series in middle school and loved it, and I've heard nothing but rave reviews about her adult releases, so I have high hopes for this. The vibes seem perfect for fall.

9. The Stolen Heir Duology by Holly Black

Binged the original FotA trilogy in November 2020 when I was sick and delusional from Covid, so I am prepared to take on this duology perfectly well and in my right mind.

10. Powerless by Lauren Roberts

PRAYING y'all are telling the truth about how good this is. I need another fantasy series hyperfixation!!!

11. The Kiss of Deception by Margaret E Pearson

So excited to get into this whole universe. I was convinced to read this series by queen Sunny Kim (@ sunnykimreads on YouTube take your butt to her channel and subscribe NEOW!) and I trust her with my life so let's go!

12. Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

One thing about me I am a sucker for a villain and I did not hesitate to buy this without looking up a singular comment or review.

13. Lightlark by Alex Aster

Heard mixed reviews on this one, so I have to see for myself!

14. Stars & Smoke by Marie Lu

Marie Lu raised me, schooled me, packed my lunches, sent me to college, and is one of the reasons I write. I am so late to this release but SO stoked to read it! What do y'all know about the Legend trilogy and also the Young Elites and also Warcross!!! Get into those!

15. Fable by Adrienne Young

Once again, miss Sunny Kim's love for the prequel novel of this series was influential enough to make me want to read the whole thing.

16. A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

The aesthetic of this book, as well as that cover, made me SO excited to pick this up! Another great fantasy that looks perfect for fall.

17. Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli

Expecting enemies to lovers fantasy greatness from this based on what I've been told!

18. Swordcatcher by Cassandra Clare

So excited to read my first non-Shadowhunter Cassie book! I love her writing and always get so attached to her characters, plus I met her at the event I went to for this book, so I'm biased.

19. Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson

DID SOMEBODY SAY LIBRARY??? Sign me up!

20. The Infernal Devices Trilogy by Cassandra Clare

Now you know it is not autumn or winter if I do not reread the best series of all time! If you have not read the Infernal Devices (Clockwork Angel, Clockwork Prince, Clockwork Princess), then GET in the car and GET to your local library. And if you're like me and your brain won't let you read stuff out of order, then get through those first 3 Mortal Instruments books (City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass) ASAP! I PROMISE it's worth it! Shadowhunters is such a wonderful universe I could cry. TID contains the best love triangle ever written, and I don't even like love triangles. At all. This series is truly my everything and I think about it every day without fail. There's nothing left to say but Pick This Series Up if you haven't! Perfection for fall reading!

Mystery/Fiction

1 Karen M McManus

I have read One of Us is Lying, The Cousins, and You'll Be the Death of Me and enjoyed all of those, so this fall I am hoping to get through One of Us is Next, Two Can Keep A Secret, Nothing More to Tell, and One of Us is Back.

2. Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer

I love the Enola Holmes movies (putting Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin in the same film right in front of my eyes was crazy work actually), so I read the first book back in winter. I'm looking forward to reading this middle-grade mystery series, because it's something I've lacked since I was much younger!

3. Reign by Katherine McGee

I have procrastinated finishing the American Royals series for such a long time because if it does not end the way I hope it will, I might lose my mind a little. Loved the drama in these books.

4. Games Untold by Her Royal Majesty Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I am reading the Grandest Game right now, and it has only confirmed that the best place to be in life is sitting somewhere binging a JLB book at breakneck speed. This is what life and writing and literature and reading are all about. I was lucky enough to get to meet Jennifer on the book tour for TGG less than 2 weeks ago, and it was such a wonderful time. I cannot wait to read these novellas about my beloved TIG characters even though this book comes out in November and this is technically a Sept/Oct list.

5. We Were Liars by e. lockhart

You know it. You love it. Or you hate it. Either way, I haven't read it yet, and I must decide for myself.

6. The Lovely and the Lost by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Every tongue that rises against JLB shall fall, and this is the last book of hers I have to read.

Romance

Fall is when I'm locking in on SPORTS ROMANCEEEE!!!

Whether you love it or hate it, sports romance is one of the most popular current genres out there, and I love picking up football and hockey romances when football and hockey season returns. I forced myself to leave 2 Elle Kennedy hockey books for myself to read in fall when hockey comes back, and I cannot wait.

The Wall of Winnipeg and Me

I have never read a Mariana Zapata book, so I am excited to see what all the commotion is about.

2. Daydream by Hannah Grace

I <3 Henry and that is all I have to say on the matter.

3. Heartstopper v5

Heartstopper is such a cute and cozy series, so I will be finally picking up the most recent volume this fall.

4. Flawless by Elsie Silver

I am finally diving in to the Elsiverse! I wanna join in on the cowboy summer movement, I just haven't had time! So it is henceforth going to be Yeehaw Fall.

5. Unsteady by Corinne Peyton

Another Sunny Kim rec that I need to get my hands on immediately.

6. The Wingman by Stephanie Archer

Get into the Vancouver Storm series if you haven't!!! The Fake Out was one of the best hockey romances I've ever read in my life. I am SO READY for this book!

7. Offside by Avery Keelan

Has been on my KU TBR forever and a day. Will be devouring as many hockey romances as possible I fear.

Recs!!!

Now that we've covered the books I'm planning to read this fall, most of which I've never read, let's get into what YOU should read this fall!

Fantasy

ACOTAR by Sarah J Maas

I had to get this one out of the way if you somehow have never read ACOTAR. I think it's written somewhere in my nonexistent reader/blogger contract that I must mention this. Fall and winter are a perfect time to dive into this universe and hop on this bandwagon.

2. The Grishaverse by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone trilogy and the Six of Crows duology, if you somehow have not heard of them, are excellent. Or if you have heard of them and haven't read, take this obscure blog post as your sign to pick them up! This universe is so immersive and amazing when you don't have somebody in your ear whining about ship wars. I had a book hangover for weeks my freshman year after finishing these books, which I hardly ever get, but I still think about them regularly to this day.

3. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

There is nothing remotely fall-like about these books at all, but if you're looking for a fantasy series with a found family and fairy-tale callbacks, get into Cinder! Truly such a beloved and nostalgic series to me. I am in the process of rereading them, and I absolutely love the characters so much. For being considered a "classic YA throwback series", we really don't talk about it enough.

4. Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

LOOK UP TRIGGER WARNINGS! This is an adult novel that deals with some very dark themes, so be aware of that going in. A lot of dark academia/fantasy/mystery vibes going on here, but definitely read at your discretion.

5. The Cruel Prince Trilogy by Holly Black (Folk of the Air)

Perfect fall fantasy vibes, enemies to lovers, pretty quick reads. There's a lot of politics involved in this series, and a very immersive setting, in my opinion. You kind of have to get past the "hey what is going on btw" and just go with it! Great reads.

6. Sisters of the Salt Duology by Erin A Craig

House of Salt and Sorrows and House of Roots and Ruin are wonderful spooky fantasy books to get you through the fall/winter. A murderous retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses set in a seaside manor with a horror twist! I loved it simply for how unique and original the plot was (despite it obviously being a retelling, it was just a fresh take okay?).

7. Shadowhunter Chronicles by Cassandra Clare

Just trust me, okay? They really are amazing. I'll give you the reading order; don't be intimidated I know it's a lot of books just walk with me.

8. Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

YA fantasy that I read in a day and really enjoyed. It is a Beauty and the Beast retelling; arranged marriage enemies to lovers vibes.

9. The Beautiful Quartet by Renee Ahdieh

VAMPIRES! In New Orleans! In 1872! That is all I shall say as I have not finished the series yet!

10. Kerri Maniscalco

Her books are perfect for fall, whether you pick up the Kingdom of the Wicked series or, my personal favorite, the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. These have mystery, supernatural elements, fantasy, and romance, so there's something for everyone.

11. A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

This is another Beauty and the Beast retelling, and the perfect fantasy series for fall and winter.

12. Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Excellent fantasy for fall and I know I keep saying that, but this series just screams October to me; idk why.

13. Three Dark Crowns Series by Kendare Blake

SOOOO not talked about enough. I loved this series when I read it. It is spooky and dark, with really interesting female characters set in a very intriguing matriarchal setting.

Classics

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Greatest love story of all time literally I wish Gilbert Blythe was real! Wholesome, dreamlike, cozy series perfect for fall. I have never loved a classic more. And when you're done reading, you get the pleasure of going to watch the 1985 movies starring Megan Follows and Jonathan Crombie. This book literally gave us the "I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers" quote like come on!

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

I read this book once in middle school and it was the only thing I ever genuinely enjoyed reading for school. This was the original Knives Out/Inheritance Games I fear.

Mysteries

1 Charlotte Holmes Series by Brittany Cavallaro

2. A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

3. The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

4. The Naturals Series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

5. The Debutantes Duology by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

6. The Dead Queen's Club by Hannah Capin

Romances

Off-Campus/Briar U Series by Elle Kennedy

Hockey Romance Essential Viewing

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

For nostalgic fall vibes

3. Once Upon A Con Series by Ashley Poston

4. Vancouver Storm Series by Stephanie Archer

Fiction

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Mother Daughter Book Club Series by Heather Vogel Frederick (Middle grade but please read it anyway)

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

Another middle grade for nostalgic vibes

And that is it! The longest discussion about fall books I've ever done. If you have any other recommendations please feel free to let me know! As you can see my TBR is obviously not at all long enough.....

Anyway! Thank you so much for reading, and definitely let me know what you are reading this fall if you feel like it/if you even care fr omg. I hope y'all have a fantastic end of summer and that you're ready to have an amazing, vibey Gilmore Girls-esque autumn! Queuing up the Norah Jones as we speak, and until the next time I find time to scribble my literary thoughts down!

Xoxo,

Kenna

Pinterest Boards!

The Infernal Devices

Shadowhunters

The Inheritance Games

The Cruel Prince

Off Campus/Briar U

Daisy Jones & The Six

The Lunar Chronicles

Grishaverse

ACOTAR

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iinafarawaygalaxii · 1 year

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Welcome to a Faraway Galaxii

-please read before proceeding to the fics-

About the Page~

Welcome!

For sometime now I have been encourage to post and share my fanfics with the public. I chose tumblr as a safe spot to place my writing because of the kindness in the community and the shared love for composition. I am a first time writer but a big dreamer, with an active imagination and if you’re here… your curiosity served you well.

Travel with me down the road of fantasies- for I would love to show you my world 💜 Here’s the information of the fics I’m currently working on. Some of these are all to be projected well over 15 chapters but, first:

WARNINGS: These fics WILL contain scenes not appropriate for young minds so minors- this is not the page to follow. Warnings included in this series are:

Abuse, Violence, Death, War, Smut (Graphic Scenes), PiV, Fluff, Gore, Angst and Drama. If theres any others throughout the book please message me so that I can tag them for you!

If you are a MINOR stop reading- your journey ends here.

Side Info~

~ Each fic with OCs will come with a prequel(s) explaining the original charters background to help you process the story in advanced.

~At the beginning of each post will hold information about the chapter (i.e if it’s nsfw or sfw, notes or trigger warnings).

~A Materialist will be posted shortly after I start posting and this post will be continuously updated as the fics come out! I

~’m always open to feedback as it will be the only way I can develop myself as a writer! Thank you for reading and I’m excited to continue posting

~Wattpad

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Fics:

Star Wars the Clone Wars: Bloodline

Fic Summary: After a brewing war intensified across the galaxy and the republic slowly diminishing; General Skywalker and his ARC unit discovers a way win the war with an unlikely ally. The question still remains, will they succeed when darkness still lurks around the corner...? Or to what extent will they need to sacrifice and achieve victory…

Chapters: 4/?

Notes:

~Captain Rex x OC

~Scenes not appropriate for young minds. Tags will be made

~Original character with an original planet that’s in the star wars universe

~Translations will be under the 'notes' tab (similar to this post) that will help you understand what the characters are saying.

[The plot hole i discovered in my written chapters runs deep. I need time to fix it, Im so sorry- but thank you for being patient!!]

AC Valhalla: Freyjas Promise

Fic Summary: Alas! Eivor has become Jarlskona of Ravensthorpe but with leadership came many responsibilities- and enemies. Working hard to unite England with her many allies, an unknown force gathers beyond the winter stormed mountains of Northumbria. Creeping closer to home. With Halfdan out the door- what will become of Mercia and its people?

Chapters: 4/?

Notes:

~ F!Evior x Vili Hemmigston

~ Scenes not appropriate for young minds. Tags will be made

~This is based off the video game Assassin Creed: Valhalla. One of my all time fav games on the market. Is the fic canon? Not really but were here for the imagination. Our queen Eivor deserved so much more love than she got. So I am here to remedy ;')

~Fic is essentially an Arc. I thought it would be short but it got too good as I continued so now it’s much longer!

~My Eivor has black hair

~Also adding dragons? Think... Game of thrones hehe.

[Fic is being updated regularly on Wattpad.]

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Shorts

Star Wars the Clone Wars: A Ghost for Prospect

Fic Summary: Captain Rex needs information for the sake of Omega and the remainder of the clones being tapped and tortured. He had no choice but to search for you, one of the most dangerous bounty hunters in the settled systems and best information brokers in the galaxy. Knowing he didnt have the money to pay you off, he offered other ways to get the information he needed to save his family...

Notes: MINORS DNI 18+ this some spicy 🌶️ stuff

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Other Fics/Shorts I’ve been writing off and on with created OC’s and CCs that are not ready to post yet are:

Mass Effect Andromeda: The After Effect | Jaal Ama Darav x f!Ryder

Naruto: Queen of the Black Sea | Gaara x OC

Jujutsu Kasien: In the End There’s Always Red | Sukuna/Itadori x OC

Starfield: I'll Give You the Sun | Sam Coe x Reader

|| Last Updated: Sunday, August 11th, 2024 ||

#tcw fanfic #mass effect andromeda #jaal x ryder #naruto fanfiction #jjk fanfic #starfield #fanfics #first fanfic #the clone wars #original character #assassin creed #ac valhalla #vili hemmingston x Eivor #vili hemmingson #sam coe #tcw rex

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fauxpaux · 2 years

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Goose's Fic Log (Aka: Glareandgrowl)

Howdy to ya all!

Here’s a comprehensive list of all the fanfiction series and oneshots I’ve written and published on my Ao3 acct: Glareandgrowl

All of the things I write are PG-13 at best, and R and worst, so be conscious of that when perusing any of these stories—

Assassins! AU series

My magnum opus. A three part series (one and a half parts are done atm) mainly from the perspective of Kiyotaka Ishimaru as his story unfolds to a terrifying degree of torture, heartbreak and misery all highlighted by the job he has unwittingly devoted the remainder of his failed life to.

-YouTube Playlist-

Part 1: One Mistake- (Chapters 6/6)

Ship Tag: (Slight Chihiro/Kiyotaka, it comes back in part 3)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru; level-headed, strong, quick-witted, morally balanced, independent, trustworthy. All of these things could be used in any context to describe him. But romantic was not one of them. Yet somehow, he had found himself in a deadly love triangle between a hot headed prick and the soft eyed, soft spoken Chihiro. Both of them dragging him down a path of distraction from his desire of becoming the worlds greatest prime minister. Hijinks and heartbreak ensues… and everything goes horribly wrong.

Part 2: A Path Split in Two- (Chapters 8/?)

-YouTube Playlist-

Ship Tag: None

He stared at the tv screen, his mouth hung open in a display of the absolute mind-numbing shock that clouded over his wide eyes. His face was inches away from the screen, feeling the buzz of electricity. Unseeing.

He couldn’t believe it.

His mind would simply not let him comprehend the facts presented in front of him. He had lost. Kiyotaka Ishimaru, the boy who had claimed since he could speak, from early childhood to not even three minutes ago, that he would become Japan’s, if not the world’s, greatest prime minister. A leader fit for the history books, one to be sung praises for years to come. Had failed.

He had lost, and he wasn’t prime minister.

Part 3: Thrice Since the Death of Oneself: (currently unpublished)

Ship Tag: (Kiyotaka/Mondo)

When life closes one door, it opens a horrible chasm beneath you instead.

Kiyotaka is tasked with his most difficult job yet. He has only one week to eliminate an enemy of the senate, feared gang leader, Mondo Owada. But what happens when Kiyotaka falls for the suave bad boy? Will he risk his whole life’s work for a delinquent who gives something nothing else can, Happiness?

Cigarettes are Love Letters in the Eyes of Addicts

-YouTube Playlist-

A slice-of-life esque story told mainly from Mondo’s perspective that is only one part. (Chapters 5/17)

Ship Tag: (Kiyotaka/Mondo)

Mondo Owada, brother to the leader of the Crazy Diamonds, and feared by most, has only one enemy. A pretentious Hall Monitor who won’t leave him alone. But when he is forced to work with the guy, he finds out that maybe he judged him a bit too harshly at first.

Dear Dictator

-Youtube Playlist-

(Chapter 1/?)

Junko Enoshima has finally been captured by the Future Foundation, and will be tried for her crimes against the world. The dead will play witness to her testimony, whether Kiyondo is willing to hear or not.

Managing to survive what would have been a fatal blow to the head, Kiyondo Ishida, formerly known as Kiyotaka Ishimaru, must now traverse this strange and new world with only the memento of his Kyodai's jacket on his back, and an unquenchable rage in his soul.

(A solo chapter character study on if Kiyotaka had been one of the survivors, based off the song Dear Dictator by Saint Motel)

NSFW stories under the cut–

Goose’s Naughty Corner (Tread with Caution!!)–(ALL COMPLETE!)

A couple of short form smutty writings that have no ties into each other-

Follow The Rules or Get The Boot- (Chapters 3/3) (COMPLETE!)

Two (about to be three) short form smut fanfics featuring Dom! Kiyotaka and Sub! Mondo. A rare idea, I know!

Ship Tag: (Kiyotaka/Mondo)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru has had just about enough of Mondo Owada’s undisciplined lifestyle, but his tipping point is reached when his uniform and shoes get completely ruined by Mondo’s recklessness! Mondo must be punished for this! >:(

A Finger Prick is All it Takes- (Chapters 2/2) (COMPLETE!)

A long short story featuring Vampire! Kiyotaka and Werewolf! Mondo. Was originally going to be a fully fledged story, but I decided against it and now you get two very long chapters of bloody smut instead. Enjoy!

Ship Tag: (Kiyotaka/Mondo)

Kiyotaka Ishimaru is a vampire with needs, and Mondo is a werewolf who can provide them.

A Halloween prompt about consensual vampiristic blood drinking ;)

GlareandGrowl’s Bodyswap fic- (working title)(Chapters 4/4)(COMPLETE!)

A pretty bog standard smutty body Swap AU. Hagakure does something weird and Mondo and Taka switch bodies. They go through the day trying to act the most like each other and not ruin each other’s reputation.

Ship Tag: (Kiyotaka/Mondo)

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gatekeeper-watchman · 5 months

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Daily Devotionals for Monday, April 22, 2024

Proverbs: God's Wisdom for Daily Living

Devotional Scripture:

Proverbs 14:32-33(KJV): 32 The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death. 33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is amid fools is made known. Proverbs 14:32-33 (Amp): 32 The wicked is overthrown through his wrongdoing and calamity, but the (consistently) righteous has hope and confidence even in his death. 33 Wisdom rests (silently) in the mind and heart of him who has understanding, but that which is in the inward part of (self-confident) fools is made known.

Thought for the Day

Verse 32 - The wicked person is destroyed by his evil doings, since men reap what they sow. The righteous have an entirely different fate. When we belong to God and are “born again,” we do not have to be afraid when we face death. The One who has conquered death is with us, as we make the transition from this life to heaven. The most wonderful promise that belongs to every Christian is that we shall not taste death. Yes, our body dies, but the spirit of every believer in Jesus Christ lives on and will meet Jesus and their loved ones who knew Him in heaven. Then, at the resurrection of the dead, we shall rise and receive our new immortal bodies.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:51-57).

During His ministry on earth, Jesus had the power to raise the dead, as seen in the story of Lazarus (John 11:21-45); but at some point, those raised from the dead, died again. Jesus just saved them from premature death. Many have been raised from the dead throughout history by Spirit-filled believers; however, only one was resurrected from the dead and that was Jesus Christ! By His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered death and hell for all who believe in Him. The resurrection of the remainder of the dead will not occur until Christ returns to the earth to judge them. For Christians, there is no longer any fear of death because its power is broken through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Praise God!

Verse 33 — God's wisdom resides within those who belong to Him. Because of this, we have access to His wisdom and knowledge for the answer to any problem. Self-confident fools will eventually show themselves as such; for what is in a man will at some time or other surface for others to see. All who desire to know Christ do not need to remain foolish and self-confident. If we seek Him, He will give us the power to follow and obey Him. We will not need to fear death or hell, for those who know Christ and love God has the promise that they will be with Him eternally.

Prayer Devotional for the Day

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the promise of eternal life. I am so thankful that my name is written in the Book of Life. Lord, I pray that every member of my family comes to know You and the power of Your resurrection life. Thank you, that as Christians, when it is our time to cross over into heaven, we do not have to fear. Death is the last enemy we shall face, and because You have overcome death and hell, we will not even feel its sting. Lord, we are grateful for the promise that we shall once again see all of our loved ones who are in Christ because they live in You. Lord, comfort those who have lost loved ones with the knowledge that they shall indeed see them and love them again in our heavenly home. I ask this in Your Son, Jesus' name. Amen. From: Steven P. Miller @ParkermillerQ, gatekeeperwatchman.org Founder of Gatekeeper-Watchman International Groups, Sunday, April 21, 2024, Jacksonville, Florida., USA. X ... @ParkermillerQ #GWIG, #GWIN, #GWINGO, #Ephraim1, #IAM, #Sparkermiller, #Eldermiller1981 GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Sparkermiller.JAX.FL.USA

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bookoformon · 6 months

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Mormon, Chapter 6, Part 1. "The Final Hour."

The Nephites gather to the land of Cumorah for the final battles—Mormon hides the sacred records in the hill Cumorah—The Lamanites are victorious, and the Nephite nation is destroyed—Hundreds of thousands are slain with the sword. About A.D. 385. "358" "Armor of God."

Mormon hides the records in the hill of the "Final Hour."

To hide something in Judaism is to turn away from the Religion towards corruption. The Torah states this happens when we misread books and follow men with bizarre ideas into hell:

"G‑d said to Moses, "When you go to lay with your ancestors, this nation shall rise up and stray after the alien gods of the land into which they are coming. They will thus abandon me and violate the covenant that I have made with them. I will then show my anger against them and abandon them. I will hide my face from them, and they will be their enemies' prey. Harried by evils and troubles, they will say, 'Is it not because G‑d is not with me that all these terrible things have befallen us'? And on that day I will surely hide my face on account of their corruption in turning towards alien gods." (Deut. 31:16-18)

Niether in the Torah nor the Gospels does it state it is all right to bear arms, to drop bombs, cheat in elections, or promise bloodbaths to the nation. They do not discuss allaying personal freedoms, judging others, or suggest ways to interfere in their personal lives in any way. This has all been made up by ruthless unintelligent people, has become a vapid way of life for their followers.

The rest of the world is constantly on edge by persons who will not obey human rights laws, drop the abortion thing, and learn to get along with other adults and leave the raising of their kids to them.

This confusion between scripture and the will to power of "alien gods" is easily cleared up. We must read the Torah and the Gospels correctly and we must read the law books and implement them properly. Both of these feats are of urgent importance to the survival of modern man. They were urgent at the time the Book of Mormon was published in 1830, and look at how little things have changed.

President Biden is not following the law, he has not discharged the law against a rabid diabolic who openly plans to raze America and permit its enemies to flourish, and the spirit of the law which is supposed to make us feel safe, patriotic, to feel cared for by the government has fled.

This is because he has allowed the Republican Party, which has historically taken position against civil rights and equal protections under the law and engaged in organized crime to remain in operation.

The Republican Party cannot remain. Its trangressions are too deep, it is projecting force against Israel and other states in the Middle East and its pedophile human trafficking ring has left a trail of wrecked lives across the natoin. Its allies brazenly flaunt and break the law and have no plans to stop. The Final Hour of our suffering is nigh, all we need is a White House that can read, and a new day will begin.

1 And now I finish my record concerning the destruction of my people, the Nephites. And it came to pass that we did march forth before the Lamanites.

2 And I, Mormon, wrote an epistle unto the king of the Lamanites, and desired of him that he would grant unto us that we might gather together our people unto the land of Cumorah, by a hill which was called Cumorah, and there we could give them battle.

3 And it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites did grant unto me the thing which I desired.

4 And it came to pass that we did march forth to the land of Cumorah, and we did pitch our tents around about the hill Cumorah; and it was in a land of many waters, rivers, and fountains; and here we had hope to gain advantage over the Lamanites.

5 And when three hundred and eighty and four years had passed away, we had gathered in all the remainder of our people unto the land of Cumorah.

The Prophet says if we marshall our forces and battle the Republicans using the law and its Spirit, we will win and they will go away, never to return. All we need to do is decide, "enough is enough" and enforce the law. The DC City Council needs to close the Family Research Council, the Heritage Foundation and the RNC, they are Pro-Life, homophobic, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic, right out in the open and this violates the DC City Charter. The Federal Government needs to close in on the Christian Post, Christian Broadcasting Network, and Liberty University among others for their roles in January 6 and the human trafficking piece.

There are individuals like Ralph Reed, Paula White Cain, and Justice Barrett who were involved in contract killings comissioned by Donald Trump , George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Karl Rove and John Coe but they remain at large. All of this should be like shooting shitty fish in a barrell.

And the same persons, using persons hired to work on US soil right down the street from the White House by the Marriott Corporation are at work, right now with Hamas in Gaza. You can see them all, plain as day on the news. Now how the hell did that happen?

The Values in Gematria are:

v. 1: And now I finish my record concerning the destruction of my people. Destruction is really re-creation. Once the law disposes of the filth, life will start over. The Value in Gematria is 6683, ו‎ו‎חג‎, "And a Holiday."

v. 2: And I, Mormon, wrote an epistle unto the king of the Lamanites. = "The Balm of Freedom for the Oppressed sent the King of Stupidity an epistle" generally thought of as the crossbeams of the Hebrew alphabet:

"As a carpenter employs tools to build a home, so G‑d utilized the twenty-two letters of the Hebrew Alphabet, the alef-beis, to form heaven and earth. These letters are the metaphorical wood, stone and nails, cornerposts and crossbeams of our earthly and spiritual existence."

The complex letter Chai, formed from khet and yud, "my dark blood" AKA the blood of life is the essence of all that happens between birth and death, ie. let's not waste time.

The Value in Gematria is 11215, יאב‎אה‎, "Then I will come."

v. 3: And it came to pass that the king of the Lamanites did grant unto me the thing which I desired. The Value in Gematria is 3518, ג‎האח‎, "brother."

v. 4: And it came to pass that we did march forth to the land of Cumorah, "of the Final Hour". Cumhora has a large number of water sources, which means it was a "meeting of the minds" to discuss the details that were preventing the free flowing spirit of the law from doing its job. Final Hours are always used for this, to usher in Judgement Day.

The Value in Gematria is 11484, יאדחד‎ , yadhad, "will push". To push, called maacah, means to oppress the government until it does its job.

The White House knows Donald Trump and people like Justice Barrett are homicidial and engage in organized crime tactics including election fraud, sex with minors, and that they work with serial killers to harass the population and carry out acts of terror domestically and overseas, were not permitted to implement Pro-Life legislation or start banning LGBTQ persons from their ordinary lives but he did. Now it has to clean his and their messes up and not after Election Day. NOW.

Wait and see- after that, everyone in America will get along with everybody else just fine:

v. 5: And when three hundred and eighty and four years had passed away, we had gathered in all the remainder of our people unto the land of Cumorah. The Value in Gematria is 7800, ז‎חאֶפֶסאֶפֶס, zaphesapes, "the record of our unity."

Party politics, especially those that bludgeon the national identity with false ideals invented by false gods are forbidden by the law. The Republicans have violated numerous local, state, federal, and international laws banning human trafficking, tyranny, Pro-Life, threats to marriage equality, gender equality, and the right to a partner, faith, and private life of your choice. They do nothing that is caring, good, legal or ethical in any way, and now they are clearly guilty of organized crime, anarchy, and supporting terrorism domestically and abroad.

It is clearly time to move on. All Joe Biden has to do is get his speech writer to explain it to us. Sane Americans will agree with every point he needs to make the protect us all and give us a future we can look forward to.

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dragon-age-codex-entries · 1 year

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Codex entry: Mysteries of the Frostback Basin

A voluminous pile of notes and observations. Half diary and half research notes, these parchments have no clear order, if they ever did. At the top, someone has written "Observations of the Mysteries of the Frostback Basin, and their Hidden Connection to great secrets buried by the Ages."

“The Mystery of the Aqueducts (located on top of the aqueduct, near the shard found through the ocularum near Runa's first climbing marker in "Up and Away")

After much reading, I know the Tevinter walls by the lakes were called "Aqueducts," which were Roads that carried water to their Forts of Stone. These aqueducts Drained water from the lower regions, but that is not the Whole Reason the Tevinters changed the land. Parts of the Basin have been Altered in the past, which one can see if they are of the right mind for it. There is only one explanation: paths of Mystic Resonance, or Mystic Lines, or "Ley Lines" run through the land!

The mages in the hold deny "Ley Lines" exist, but they are Protecting Secrets of Fraternity, or else are ignorant of secret lowlander rites. As proof, Professor Whalen Vankin maps Lines of Power Across the Basin in his book "Ode to the Ordo Templis Royalis." He does not SAY so in the book to a Casual Reader, but certain secret signs left by the Professor to befuddle his Enemies point to it very Clearly, if one reads the text eight times.

Secret Prisoners of Tevinter (located behind a locked cell door in the cave where Storvacker is held prisoner in "Storvacker Caged".)

Long ago, this would have been under the water, until Tevinter drained much of Swamp Kuldsdotten to build this prison. Why make a jail so remote? For Prisoners they wished to Hide. Tevinter has Made War on Orlais many times, but I now believe there is also Secret War between them that the Common People are not allowed to see. This prison is a Remainder of this Secret War that continues in our time.

I speak of Orlais' attempts to rouse the Snake Kings of the Earth against Tevinter's alliance with the Moon Men.

This is explained in Ser Ycke's Pamphlets, of which I have read many, which explain things such as why the snake appears in Tevinter drawings, and how the Snake-Kings came to exist. (Crystals.) Did Moon Men have their Tevinter Allies keep the Reptilian Ones here, so they could interrogate them at their Leisure? None can say, but I will say yes as that would Fit My Theories.

Secret of the Rockspit (located to the right of the trail marker while facing the lever.)

The Rockspit is an island of Great Significance. Its sides are steep, but the top is flat, and there are pillars and a Dragon's Statue perched Proudly for all to see. Would Tevinters put these items here for no reason? Nay! I believe they were meant to be seen from a great height, for river and island would make a good landmark for a bird's eye. This island is obviously the place where Tevinter first Contacted the Moon Men.

This would explain why the River was Clearly Diverted from its original path in the past, as one can see if they follow the old river banks! Did Tevinter use the Ley Lines to do this? Did the Moon Men fly? Do they look like us, only greyer? Much remains to be Discovered!

The True Purpose of the Crater (after closing the rift at the Fortress Gate, circle around atop the ruin to your left. Jump down to the tent and collect the notes)

Lord L'Rouche of Montsimmard once was Witness to "tremors that collapsed an old Chantry, along with a meadow, into a deep and giant depression." He blamed it on "the Fereldan Crown" using "dark magic to disrespect Orlais' superiority." The Orlesian was only half right, for I know now this was the work of the Serpent-Folk instead.

If one looks keenly, once can see the Frostback Basin must have been manipulated by the hand of some Vast Thing. The crater in the Lowland Fortress was not the natural settling of mountains, but came to exist after the shifting of Something Below Ground! The Snake-Kings must be vast, and their movements powerful to cause the Earth to Quake with their moving. It is Clear as the Sky that Ancient Tevinter, along with the Moon Men, came here to make an Attempt to kill a buried Snake-King under the crater!!! Too many Signs and Portents are aligned to think anything else.”

Someone has sketched landmarks on the back of the papers: a crumbling Tevinter wall standing in a shallow marsh, an island in the middle of a river, something that looks like a Tevinter prison, and a small Tevinter outpost with a terrace on one side and a metal sculpture in the courtyard.

#dragon age #codex entry #letters and notes

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gazrgaley · 1 year

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C.R.O.W (Chapter 2)

On the surface, C.R.O.W.'s. headquarters were unremarkable. A little storefront with no name and nothing on the outside to indicate what they offered or what services they supplied. Devon assumed that was the plan. Make it as vague as possible to avoid piquing the curiosity of the masses.

Inside, it appeared as though the classic cubicle office environment had been compacted into a 20 by 20 foot room. Two rows of computers were located on the left end. Three face the wall, and two line the half-wall that separates that section of the room from the remainder of the space.

Here was where he spent most of his time. Victoria and Ashley B were the muscles so he didn't see them often. Or, when he did, they'd spend most of their time raving over the cute people and the relationship status of the current program they were watching.

Devon would have informed anybody who would listen that he liked it when they were not present. Or that was what he told himself he would say if anyone bothered to ask him. "Yes, I prefer working on my own as debating the love life of fictional characters is stupid and a waste of time." Even though that was the furthest thing from the truth.

However, in reality, he was jealous. Why wouldn't they talk to him about the cute people? And who should and should not be in a relationship. He had views and, at times, strong sentiments concerning these issues.

He would even pay attention to which shows were being critiqued the most. He'd then binge watch them in the hopes of contributing to the discourse. If they had bothered to inquire, which they never did.

As he tried to speak out and share his thoughts on the newest programme, they quickly shut him off. The two Ashleys and Victoria glanced at him as if he were speaking in another language. When Victoria raised her voice. "I believe you stated, and I quote. That devoting so much energy and effort to television was a waste of time?"

He went red and returned to the security of the computer screen. "It just, I was. I was just over at a friend's house and they had it on." He didn't try talking to them again that day. He had no friends, not anymore.

He didn't want to think about it. Thinking about why he had no friends led to thinking about why they all left in the first place, which led to thinking about other things, and he just couldn't do it effectively while trying to be normal in front of everyone he worked with.

This was before Ashley A passed away. They didn't really care for him then, and it has gotten even worse since. Everyone blamed him for this. They accused him for the disappearance of all the intelligence files he obtained on the Kaw-Sekhmu on top of that.

And they no longer tried to disguise their dissatisfaction with him. He considered simply not turning up. Yet he needed the cash. And he wanted to feel like he was a part of something bigger then himself. Even if only through a screen.

A noise from across the room caught everyone's ear. To the left of the office kitchen was Rex's full cubicle. Once again, there came a sound from within the cubical.

Rex cursed himself before rising to face the rest of the room. "They are coming today. I forgot. Damn it, what time is it?Why didn't anyone remind me." He talked as if addressing the entire room, yet his focus was on Devon.

Devon shrunk in his chair. That, he had assumed, was the reason for their presence, and the reason they were in the main lobby rather than the basement. But obviously he was incorrect.

Today, they were hoping to hear from someone who expressed interest in assisting with the zompires. He didn't know much about the person he was speaking with, but he could tell that they were kind, intelligent, and quick on their feet.

He couldn't have forgotten they were on their way. The only topic they discussed was business. But Devon felt that he could connect with someone in those little moments of conversation. They didn't appear to take anything seriously and were constantly cheerful. They were going to infuriate Rex.

Victoria and Ashley B exchanged looks before turning to face Devon. Devon attempted to speak, but at first it only came out as a croak. "I thought you knew." He looked across the room, desperate for someone to support him. "I thought that was why we were all here today. I, I, I thought."

The door suddenly opened. Rex leapt out behind the cubicle, straightening himself as if going to salute the next person to enter the room. Only to be disappointed when Justin stepped in. "Oh, it's just you." Rex stated as he walked over to get himself a cup of coffee. As if he had attended to do this the whole time.

"I thought you wanted me here?" Justin asked, looking around the room confused. "Didn't you say we had someone who who not only knew about what zompires were, but wanted to help us." He looked around the room as if missing something. "Isn't that why everyone is here?"

When he walked towards the center of the room, Rex glanced at the clock. "Well, they're supposed to be here at 0900. You're late by the way; I ordered you to arrive early."

Devon spotted Victoria and Ashley B doing the same thing with their phones beneath the table while he casually peered at the edge of his screen to see what time it was.

Rex has always been a stickler for punctuality. That went beyond the ridiculous notion that 15 minutes is on time and anything after was unacceptable. In fact, not knowing the time from anything other than your internal clock was a character flaw in his view.

Justin, on the other hand, either didn't know or didn't care. He looked at his phone in plain sight before turning to Rex. "It's 8:15," he said, more as a question than a statement.

Everything but Justin and Rex then became the most intriguing item in the room, as if by magic. Victoria couldn't seem to tear her attention away from a simple floral wall hanging. Ashley was fascinated with the shoes she was wearing that day.

Devon had shrunk considerably further in his chair. Looking through the emails of the individual who was supposed to arrive that day. Double checking that he hadn't missed something important.

"That is late." Rex spat, his face turning bright red as if he was going to burst. Then, taking an exaggerated breath, he gradually began to revert to a human shade. Before returning to his desk, he waved Justin off. "For the next half hour, do something significant." Before vanishing behind the cubicle walls.

As if a deer in headlights, Justin looked from Rex, then to the girls, both of them wide eyed, slowly shaking their heads. "Don't say anything." Ashley wordlessly mouthed as she patted the seat between her and Victoria.

"What exactly does he want me to do?" As he sat down, Justin whispered to both of the girls.

"Just tap at the keyboard," Victoria said quietly as she leaned forward. "He'll leave you alone if you sound like you're doing anything."

I play Candy Crush," Ashley said, a little grin on her face.

The longer time passed, the more tense the room became. No one dared to talk, but Justin, Victoria, or Ashley would gaze at each other and laugh. Then they return to their phones, furiously composing a text. Devon's first thought was that they were all messaging each other. Devon lowered his gaze to his phone,no new messages.

Unlike them, he needed to be doing something, not simply pretending. But he couldn't bring himself to do any of it. He couldn't stop thinking about this unknown ally getting screamed at for being five minutes early. He should have told them to arrive sooner. They'd despise him for not informing them. So long, potential friend, It was fun while it lasted.

The longer time elapsed before the appointment, the more tense the atmosphere became. They were still not there after fifteen, ten, and five minutes before nine o'clock. It wasn't until 9 a.m. when the door slid open. "I've arrived!" I know you've all been looking forward to my presence. But I'm finally here."

Devon's stomach sank to the floor as he gazed at the blond man with round cheeks and a button nose. It was him, Devon knew it. That was the man he was sharing emails with for the last few weeks.

It was true there were two of them, but the man with the cherry red hair didn't fit the person he had in mind. It was at that moment he knew this couldn't end well. He knew what the blond was and he had a strong feeling the other was the same.

Rex was in front of the two within seconds. "You're late." He barked at them, trying to assert dominance as he eyed the two up and down.

"Na au." The blond said, pushing his phone into Rex's face. "One minute, see? You said 9am. Today. In your email. If you wanted me before that you should have said."

Rex took a step back. "It's polite to arrive early," he said through gritted teeth.

"Well that's just stupid, you should just say what you mean." His face scrunched up as he turned to the other. "He should have said."

The other man's focus had not been on him but the girls. "Can we just get this over with. This was your idea and I don't fancy being here all day."

The blond then took another step forward so he was face to face with Rex. "Are you feeling alright? Or does your face always look like that? If I'm being honest. You look nothing like how I pictured you."

"I wasn't the one emailing you." Rex managed to get out through a clenched jaw.

The guy gazed around the room, briefly considering Justin and the girls before settling on Devon. The man then hopped up on the barrier and knelt in front of Devon. Devon swiftly averted his head away from the man, who's crotch was uncomfortably close to him.

"It was you? Wasn't it." He peered down at Devon with a toothy grin.

Devon swallowed and nodded, feeling trapped and unable to say anything else.

"Knew it. Now this is more what I had in mind." He slid his hand between his thighs and extended his hand to Devon. "My name is Grendel," he said, glancing up at the other Man, who gazed around the room as if he were some kind of high-ranking aristocrat. "And my friend over there is Milo. Don't worry, he's nicer than he looks."

Grendel then leaned down, almost brushing Devon's nose with his own, before drawing back and turning to face his companion. "He's a cutie, can I have him?"

Milo ruled his eyes "No, you may not. And can we please get on with this?"

"Absolutely, I concur with, what was it, Milo?" Rex said. Trying to avoid looking at Grendel but his gaze kept wandering over to him. "Before we can work together, I need assurance that you mean business and that we can rely on you."

Justin hung back as Rex explained all that happened. Vampire slaying, and the mysterious benefactor who previously funded their efforts. He dropped hints that the donors might not be reliable in the near future, but not saying why he thought this.

Explaining C.R.O.W. in great detail. He wanted to pull in more help from other places in case disaster struck. Of course, Milo was well aware who the mysterious benefactors were. He was present during Amy's death and was more informed about the church's activities than anybody else there, aside from maybe Justin.

Justin was mostly concerned with Milo, but he did occasionally take note of Grendel. He took Justin's place between Victoria and Ashley, where he engaged in idle chatter with them. Not that he was capable of more than small talk. Not only did he appear to be too inebriated to know where he was, but he also gave no indication of having more than two working brain cells on a good day.

"Can you tell us about your qualifications to help us?" Rex questioned with a poker face. "I intend no disrespect," Rex went on, surveying Milo's attire and demeanor. He was dressed in a custom-made brown suit with an ornate pattern and carried a cane for reasons unknown to Justin. "You don't strike me as the kind to get engaged in combat."

Milo didn't immediately respond. He cast an ashamed glance at the cane. "Maybe at first glance that's how it seems. But trust me, I'm stronger than you give me credit for." Then he cast a short glance at Grendel and said, "And despite his faults, I have faith in his ability to be an effective fighting partner for you. At the end of the day, that's all that really matters. For the zompires to be eliminated?"

Rex studied him for a moment before nodding in agreement. "I suppose you're right. We'll move on. I want to show you what we are up against. Vampires are one thing, but the zompires are something completely different. They are stronger, and. Well it will be easier if I just show you what we know."

It should have come as no surprise to Justin when Rex began leading them to the basement. But he wasn't expecting things to move so fast. It took weeks of talking to C.R.O.W. before he was authorized or even realized it existed.

But this was different. Devon had been in contact with them for much longer than that. And as Justin was the only one who knew they were vampires. The others had no reason to be suspicious of them.

By going past Rex's desk and through the unisex lavatory in the back of the building, one might get access to the basement. There were three stalls, the middle one had a handwritten note, saying it was out of order. Once inside that stall, a number pad lay concealed in the sanitary napkin disposal bin. And with the right code, the toilet was lowered and a door opened behind it. The exposed ladder would provide access to the building's lowest levels.

It dropped you to what appeared to be a storage area. Boxes and cobwebs clogged the space. But, knowing where to look revealed a number pad capable of moving a wall.

A sizable area lay beyond this. Computers lined the two walls leading to the fitness center. One any local fitness center would be envious of.

Although other fitness facilities featured practical apparatus, this one had equipment designed to prepare them for real-life difficulties. There was a rock wall and what appeared to be a little structure alongside an extreme jungle gym workout center.

And, on the other side, the thing that disturbed Justin the most. Mannequins with a large portion of their chest removed and replaced with a gelatinous form. The goal was to replicate the sensation of staking a vampire, with the skin and bones having the same solidity.

Justin understood the practicality of this. But he had never encountered a cold-blooded vampire. So all he could think of when using this was that he was plunging a piece of wood and threw a person.

Fortunately for him, they were more interested in zompires, an off set of what Milo was. And they had no reason to assume wood might stop them. So he'd only had to go through this once before.

Milo's focus shifted to that corner. "Have wooden stakes been effective in killing them?" Disapproval of the concept itself radiated from him.

While peering across the room, Rex drew nearer to Milo. "The vampires we usually battle? Yes, they did what they were supposed to. The new ones though." The man shook his head sadly. "This does nothing to them."

Like a young child eager to tell the new kid at school about his bug collection, a grin formed on his face as he glanced over to Milo. "The stakes, however, were never intended to be anything but a final measure. If one of those fucks went too close, for example. Do you want to have a look at some of the real toys?"

"Oh, I've got some fantastic toys, too, and I'm not afraid to share," Grendel said as Rex left the room. Twirling about on one of the desk seats. He sat on it, his head and legs protruding past the arm rest.

"Do you have to hit on anything with a pulse?" After holding back so many other things he wanted to say to him that morning, Justin finally snapped.

Grendel shook his head. "Someone's lack of a heartbeat has never scared me off before." He said as the chair swiveled passed Justin once more.

"You're disgusting," Justin said. "Do you think that's a good pick-up line?"

As the chair turned again, Grendel spoke out. "Yes, More than you would think anyhow."

He would have assumed it was a joke if it had been anyone else. Yet the little he knew about Grendel informed him that it wasn't. A loud thump interrupted Justin's thoughts as Rex returned to the room. At his feet lay a huge trunk.

As he opened the trunk to an array of weapons. Every type of weapon imaginable, from a bowie knife to a whole arsenal of guns. From little, one-handed guns that you could hardly see, to a massive one that filled the entirety of the six-foot box. Rex looked over everything proudly, curious to see what Milo thought of the loot. "We call this box a tool kit. Each of us has one."

Rex knelt down when Milo didn't show as much interest as he'd hoped. A container of what seemed to be tar was hidden behind a layer of foam in the trunk. Milo backed up a little as Rex got to his feet and flipped the lid open.

Justin was certain that no one else had spotted it. Milo's motions, however, always seemed premeditated, even when they were reactionary. Only now did he understand that was the same reaction he had to automobiles when they first met. This told him that this chemical worried Milo in some way.

"Can you tell me what this is?" Rex inquired, putting his finger into it and extending it to Milo.

"I have no idea." Milo stated, raising his nose to it, a look of disgust on his face. "Is it fatal to them?"

"If only," Rex said, as Milo seemed to ease up. Again, no one else would have seen the difference, but Justin did. "It inhibits their ability to recover. We spread it on whatever weapon we're using, such as a knife, or load bullets with it so it explodes within the body.

However it appears to be excruciatingly painful. Unfortunately, it does not kill them. We even conducted an experiment. I tethered one to a tree and sliced it up with this stuff. Nothing occurred; they simply howled in agony for hours.

The fact that Milo didn't think their weapons were impressive upset Rex. Yet he persuaded himself that wasn't necessarily a negative thing. Milo must have access to something far more potent if he found what they had to be dual.

There were more remarkable things Rex had, but he wouldn't show them off to a complete stranger so soon after meeting. But he had a good feeling about working with Milo.

"We don't know much about these new vampires, but we've started to fill in the gaps. About the zompires in particular, "Rex stated as he proceeded to hand over the zompire documents to Milo. They had relocated to a separate office and were now sitting around a circular table.

"They seem to be at different levels of decay. But they all seem to have the same speed and strength." Rex continued.

Milo browsed the papers, showing only lukewarm interest in what he was reading. "I see. I take it you also have files on the Netopuri like this?"

Rex paused before responding. He'd only heard the phrase Netopuri a few times. The first was from Malachi, the priest who had sponsored the C.R.O.W. project, and the second was from the beast itself.

Yet this wasn't the first time Milo had said something that made Rex wonder how much he knew. He'd used the phrase zompire, which he knew was just a term used among their group. Then even knowing the correct phrase for the simpler vampires intrigued him.

"Yes, but that's hardly relevant. I would like to focus on the zompires today. We have evidence suggesting they are a variant of another kind of vampire. Yet we've only ever faced up against a single one of them." Thinking about how rapidly things escalated, he stopped talking. Everything Milo needed to know was recorded on official documents. Rex would do well to act as though it wasn't as traumatic as it was.

Rex took another file out and handed it to Milo. "The thing is this one seemed to be able to think on its own."

"So what makes you think she's the same as the zompires?" Milo asked as he read through the pages.

"It died the same way as the zompires." Rex said with a shrug. "The way I see it is they start out that way and their mind slowly routes until it is just a mindless monster."

"What evidence do you have of this?" Milo asked, his eyes on the paper the whole time.

"We have very little to go by. I'm still up for any new information we can get." Rex watched Milo more carefully. He wasn't telling them everything. He had to have known more than he was letting on. But Rex was quickly starting to like him.

He was quiet and despite not sharing much now. Witch in Rex reasoned, was a good thing. He was also trying to figure out if he could trust C.R.O.W. He knew Milo could be a great asset to the team.

Grendel, on the other hand, appeared to be little more than a nuisance. He looked to be high even now. He could hardly sit up straight. His head rested against Milo's arm, one leg hanging on the side of the opposite arm rest. He wondered if they were gay and shuddered at the thought.

"Have you met any of the smarter zompires yet?" Rex asked, hoping to extract more from Milo before they left that day.

"I'm afraid the knowledge I can give you is very limited." Milo's hands slipped and a photo from the file he was looking at landed on the table.

Grendel watched the photograph as it toppled onto the table. He was probably too high to even comprehend what he was looking at, Rex thought to himself.

Then Grendel shouted just as Rex was about to speak. "I'm bored," as he swung away from Milo and over to the side where Victoria was sitting. He slouched forward in the chair, almost touching her shoulder. "How did you do it? How did you kill one of the smart zompires without anyone being hurt if they're so tough to kill?"

"All the information you need may be found in the file." Rex growled in the hopes of scaring him away from Victoria.

"It doesn't look like they did," Milo said, addressing Grendel. "It looks as if one person died and two others were injured.

"Oh no, that's so sad." Grendel's voice was monotone, and his stair was empty as he looked around the room.

Milo gave him a sidelong glance. "I wasn't talking about the Kaw-Sekhmu. The humans were harmed and one died. "

This time, Grendel's setup, wide eyed. "No, I'm sorry, I misunderstood you. That's terrible." He cast a tense glance around the room, as if only now realizing where he was. He turned to Milo with his mouth agape.

Rex could have punched Grendel in the face at that moment, but there were more important things to do and he was going to be the bigger person.

"I'm sorry for your loss," Grendel said to Victoria. "Losing a loved one is never easy. Were you two close?" He grasped for her hand, a convincing look of concern that filled Rex with rage. But it was ok, it would never work on Victoria.

Rex shot Grendel a dark look. Letting go of Victoria's hand, Grendel melted back into his chair so only the top of his head was visible to Rex.

When Rex raised the point that "there are more important things that they needed to be talking about right now," everyone listened. He could no longer see Grendel but his stupid face was burnt into his mind. Yet another worthless slob. He pondered what, exactly, Milo saw in him that made him think he could be an asset to him.

"Not important?" Grendel straightened up. "They served as a member of your squad. How could you possibly dismiss their significance?"

This was not going to end well, Rex reasoned. Victoria, Ashley, and even Justin had there heads down as in a moment of silence. Indeed, Ashley A's death was tragic. But she wasn't going to remain there indefinitely. The only reason she was there was because she was dating his sister.

She would have been a distant memory as soon as they recognized it was meaningless and moved on with their lives.

But it would never happen now. She'd be burned into everyone's mind, and his sister left with this ridiculous notion that she may have been the one.

That was the end of it. Rex smacked his hands on the table. He considered forcing them to go, but just as he was ready to say anything, he remembered what Milo said. He called the not-zompire something else. But he couldn't recall what it was. He made an effort to relax. What did Milo know?

"We can all talk about our feelings and how sad we are after the horde of evil monsters are dead. But right now we have to talk about how we are going to stop them." Why was Rex the only one who understood this?

Grendel leaned in close to Victoria, speaking in her ear loud enough for everyone to hear. "Do you have good health insurance?"

Victoria gave him a perplexed glance.

"I mean, I've seen worse situations before, and it's never cheap." Grendel spoke so solemnly that it forced her to engage with the nonsense he was trying to get at.

"What are you on about?" Victoria inquired, a fleeting glance at him followed by a return to the rest of the room. She attempted not to interact but yet not wanting to appear rude.

"That rod in his ass is going to have to come out at some point," Grendel lingered, now with a cheeky grin on his face. He must have thought he was so funny.

Then Victoria did something Rex couldn't forgive. She laughed, a real chuckle. She soon realized her error and covered her mouth. Trying to appear to be professional. Grendel sat there, a pleased expression on his face.

He was either the dumbest person on the planet or he was attempting to crawl beneath Rex's skin on purpose.

"Out!" Rex yelled.

"You want us to go." Milo asked, maintaining his cool manner throughout.

"I mean, no, yes." Rex could feel himself growing agitated. Typically, he could compose himself better. But the way Grendel was acting, he couldn't help himself. You don't say things like that, it was unprofessional. And the way he hit on Victoria all day. She wouldn't fall for some, no bone, jelly loser like him.

"Just him," Rex said, pointing to Grendel. "He can't possibly be here. We're going to be discussing top-secret matters, and he's simply. Just leave." Grendel's expression widened as Rex pointed at Grendel and then the door.

"All right," he said as he sprang off the table. "I'll just go play with some of your toys. Honestly, that seems like a lot more fun than this."

"No," Rex mumbled. "Do not touch anything."

"How, then, are you going to stop me?" Grendel's eyes broadened, mirroring his smile.

"Devon, follow him." Rex exploded. "Be certain that he does not touch anything."

Grendel walked out of the side room with a bounce in his step following Devon out. Once they were a few feet into the room Grendel sprung toward Devon, Catching him from behind and clinging to him as they went. "You've been unusually silent tonight. Is there a problem?"

Devon pulled away from him, as he made it to his desk and sat down in his chair. "This is simply who I am. You just don't know me."

Grendel watched with interest, maintaining his bright grin. He was great at reading people. And this wasn't the person he was talking to through emails. Or had he just read him wrong. He pushed that thought aside. That couldn't be the answer.

He grabbed the seat next to Devon, pulling himself over. "Oh come on, don't be that way. I thought we were friends?"

"We are not friends." Devon snapped. There was a sharpness to his voice that made Grendel flinch.

"since when?" He asked, trying to appear he was hurt by this statement. But mostly, he was confused. He thought he did a good job at worming his way into Devon's trust. None of this made any sense.

He had to maintain a specific appearance. He needed to project an image of kind, friendliness, and, most crucially, incompetence. He had to seem clueless to pull this off. No one trusted the smartest person in the room.

"Aww, are you jelly that I was chatting up the ladies instead of you?" He leaned forward, toeing the line between playful and seductive, strategically placing his hand on Devon's upper thigh. "How can I make it up to you?" Grendel saw the reddening of Devon's face and assumed victory.

"We are not friends," Devon said with an icy tone, facing Grendel. "I know who and what you are and why you're here."

"I know who I am too." Grendel answered, with a wink and a grin. "I can't help it. I'm just the most charming person in the room. People love me."

"You're a Kaw-Sekhm, and I'm not interested in being your next meal." After saying this, he swung around, and looked at the monitor in front of him.

Grendel reclined on his chair. That would have been different if he had used the term "vampire" or some such phrase. Devon, on the other hand, recognized the name. He attempted to maintain his artificial grin, but it began to fade as he watched Devon with one hand covering part of his face.

Why didn't he just tell the others as they walked in? That was the notion that kept going through Grendel's head. Yet he couldn't ask that question. Devon might not have said anything for the simple reason he hadn't thought to do so. It may have been the impetus he needed to say something. Yet it was all Grendel could think of.

Grendel took up his surroundings quickly. He was certain that he and Milo could simply flee. Yet if something bad happened to Milo, even if it was minor. He would be unable to forgive himself for a long time. After all, this was his idea.

Grendel leaned forward, gathering himself. "How? How do you know that?" There was no use in denying it now.

Devon regarded Grendel coolly, his eyes hard. "I've been tracking you and your kind for a long time. We know who you are and what you're capable of. Unlike the normal vampires you guys could walk in daylight and eat food if you want."

Grendel leaned back in his chair, his mind racing. He had underestimated C.R.O.W. He had thought they were just a bunch of amateurs, but clearly they were much more organized than he had anticipated. He wondered how much they knew. quickly worrying about his family, like Richard, Molly and there small child Olive.

"How much do you know?" he asked, his voice low.

Devon shrugged. "Enough."

Grendel became so engrossed that he forgot about his mask. He glanced over at the conference room before returning his attention to Devon. "How come they didn't recognize me?" Whispering as he leaned in.

Devon hesitated for a moment, eyeing Grendel warily. "I don't know. Maybe they just didn't see your face clearly. Or maybe they weren't paying attention."

Grendel leaned in closer, his eyes fixed on Devon's face. "You're not telling me everything," he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Devon's jaw tightened. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, but he couldn't bring himself to reveal everything he knew about Grendel and his kind. He had his reasons for keeping some things to himself. Grendel was going to find out what that was.

He kept his sights on Devon as a small bead of sweat began to pull and drip down his face.

"Because all my research was destroyed. And if I let them know I remembered too much. Say your face. Then they would find out I know more and I don't want to see them killing children."

"So how did they get destroyed?" Grendel, still watching him intently.

"I didn't burn them."

"I didn't say you," Grendel started to say as a smile crept on his face. "Oh, but you did." He moved in closer. "Is that why everyone is giving you the stink eye? Why did you do it?"

Devon didn't answer, every muscle in his body seemed to tighten up. He no longer was locked onto the computer, but he still didn't dare look at Grendel.

This wasn't good. Grendel sat back in his chair, considering Devon's words. He knew that he couldn't stay with the group forever, but he also knew that leaving would come with its own risks. For now, he needed to figure out a way to protect himself and Milo, and he couldn't do that without more information.

"Listen, Devon," Grendel said, leaning forward once again. "I don't want to fight with you or the rest of the group. But I need to know what they know about me and my kind. Can you help me out with that? They don't understand what we are. And like you said, there are children we need to protect."

He needed Devon on his side more than ever. The others know very little. But if he started killing people now. He was sure Devon would say something.

Devon hesitated for a moment before nodding. "I'll see what I can do. But you need to be careful, Grendel. They're not going to go easy on you if they find out you're a vampire."

If he left things like this it could be bad. He would have to lighten the mood. "Don't worry, I got the perfect alibi for you."

Grendel then moved in even closer, his speech barely audible, as though they were at a sleepover discussing boys. "I can see it now." Grendel said this as he placed his hand on Devon's shoulder and drew his hand in front of them, as if sketching an invisible rainbow.

"It was going to be a beautiful day. So you went on an exciting wilderness walk. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and so on." Grendel made a motion with his hands, continuing the narrative.

"When you found yourself in the middle of a snowstorm." Grendel grabbed Devon for emphasis. "You had no option but to seek sanctuary in the cave with your one and only comrade, the yeti."

"What?" Devon drew back. "How did the yeti get here?"

"Shush, I'm narrating the story," Grendel protested. "He was there the entire time, but he was too busy doing other things to be essential to the plot until now."

"What is his significance to the plot?"

"Shush. Let me tell the story. So you and the yeti are trapped in the freezing cave. And all you have with you is a backpack with all the information you have about the Kaw-Sekhmu. The yeti instructs you to burn it, but you know you can't. This information is much too valuable. But, no." Grendel snatched Devon again, squeezing his face this time.

"The pregnant mother is going to give birth." Grendel's voice softened as Devon drew away.

"There is now a pregnant woman? Where did she come from?" He backed away, more irritated by the conflicting tale than anything else. "And don't claim she was present the entire time."

"Maybe she was trying to find a place to hide from the storm too?" Grendel shrugged, having no conviction in his answer.

"A pregnant woman at nine months? Why was she out in the storm in the first place? That's simply stupid. You're terrible at telling stories."

"You're the one who destroyed the files, I'm just trying to give you an out." Grendel inquired, noting Devon seemed more at ease.

"No, I didn't." He spoke with less conviction this time, and his gaze flickered from Grendel to the conference room.

"Blink five times if you don't feel safe." Grendel questioned, and Devon moved in closer before blinking, much to his surprise. Their noses would have touched if one of them moved.

"You're correct, I don't feel comfortable. Do you want to know why?" Devon inquired gently, while Grendel nodded. "Because I'm hearing the most horrible goddamn story I've ever heard in my whole life." He then reclined in his chair. "And the narrator is a vampire who is probably coming to kill everyone, including myself."

"So why don't you simply tell them?" grumbled Grendel. He had to be cautious. Devon would ponder about it or, worse, convince himself into informing the others if he posed that question too many times. He needed to convince him that they were friends, or at the very least on the same side.

"The truth is." Grendel's grin had vanished. Now for the lovely Grendel, who only smiles to disguise his profound dark agony because no one knows who he truly is. He hung his head low, as if he was about to reveal a terrible secret.

"The truth is that I want the zompires dead. And I'm worried that if it's just the two of us, Milo will get injured. I wanted to find somebody who could assist me." He raised his head to check whether he was getting through to Devon. "You know, it's only been the two of us for so long; I don't believe I'd be able to face it if something happened to him."

"You're using us as cannon fodder?" Devon responded without passion in his voice. As he spoke,Grendel removed the mask of sadness off his face. Knowing the sob story wasn't going to plan.

"Fine, yeah." Grendel confessed, throwing his hands up. "But don't look at it like that. It's more like a mutual, fondling. Fodder?" He quickly corrected himself with a cheeky grin. "Like You guys are only humans, If you have us help we can get more done. And if you get lucky we will become over-confident and get ourselves killed?"

The mussels in Devon's body finally seemed to relax as he contemplated this. Grendel grabbed his hand. Pulling it close to his face. "Please don't tell the big, bad, scary vampire killers who we really are." placing a gentle peck on his hand as he pouted, giving the most desperate face he could muster. "Please?"

Reluctantly, Devon nodded as Grendel pulled away. "And for the record, I'm a fantastic story teller."

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