#the general discord of the state of our possessions? we have to go through everything to pack it all anyway. we can move in RIGHT this time

[penisbilt]

the bittersweet but absolute flood of relief that comes from admitting defeat at living independently, to have to move back in with parents. we tried! we gave it our best shot for almost 3 years! but living like this (being on our own) is just not possible for us at this time of our lives. we've finally proved it to ourselves that we can't do it. it'll be okay to let ourselves rest now

[newdougsblog]

The Tragic Hero Full of Fear

Hello everyone! Before I get into this, I’d like to thank @jasontoddiefor​ for both the name and being the main enabler of this fun piece of writing. I also want to thank all my wonderful friends over on Discord for letting me bounce ideas off of them and helping me. You are all amazing!!

Ok, so let’s get into it!

The first six Star Wars movies (the Original and Prequel trilogies) are commonly referred to as “the Tragedy of Darth Vader.”  But what makes these movies a tragedy? How is Anakin Skywalker himself, the main character of said tragedy, a tragic hero? In this meta/essay, I will discuss how Anakin himself is definitionally a tragic hero and outline his story as it relates to the structure of a classic Greek tragedy.  

This essay will focus solely on Anakin’s character as he is canonically portrayed.

The Hero

Let’s go through the main traits of a tragic hero (as per early literature) and discuss them in the context of Anakin Skywalker.

Possesses immense courage and strength and is usually favored by the gods

Anakin’s courage is evident throughout his entire life, such as when he participates in the pod race in TPM or on the front lines during the Clone Wars. 

While we cannot definitively ascribe Anakin’s abilities to any deity, we can associate them with the Force. The Force is able to somewhat influence the happenings of the universe in certain ways and takes the place of any sort of deity.

Whether Anakin is the “Chosen One” or not, his connection to the Force is stronger than that of any other Force-sensitive being, so he is consequently closer to it than most, if not all, other Force-sensitive beings. 

Extreme loyalty to family and country 

Anakin is consistent in his demonstrations of loyalty to those he has strong feelings for (whether those feelings be romantic or platonic).

His devotion to Padmé surpasses his loyalty to the Jedi, and he is always willing to go to great lengths to ensure their safety and well-being.

Anakin also exhibits a strong sense of devotion to his mother, Shmi. His devotion to her, and by extension her wellbeing, surpasses his duties as Jedi. 

In ROTS, Anakin says, “I will not betray the Republic… my loyalties lie with the Chancellor and with the Senate… and with you” (you, in this case, referring to Padmé). In this quotation, Anakin’s loyalties are made quite clear. At this point, he is not faithful to the Jedi, but to his government, its leaders, and, of course, his wife.

Representative of society’s current values

During the Clone Wars, Anakin is known by the moniker, “the Hero with No Fear,” and is one of the Republic’s “poster boys.” He is charismatic, kind, seemingly fearless (obviously) and a strong fighter, thus representing the values that were important to the Republic at the time. The last characteristic is especially important because of the assurance it instills in times of war. As a representation of the Republic, Anakin’s prowess on the battlefield creates hope for its citizens that victory is possible. 

Anakin also empathizes with the opinion that the seemingly outdated Jedi Code holds them back. In the Citadel Arc, Tarkin remarks that “the Jedi Code prevents [the Jedi] from going far enough to achieve victory.” Anakin actually agrees with this statement, replying that “[he’s] also found that [the Jedi] sometimes fall short of victory because of [their] methods” (Season 3, Episode 19). He shows a sense of allegiance not to the ancient ways of the Jedi, but to the newer, more modern ideals regarding military action. 

Anakin claims to have brought “peace, justice, freedom, and security” to his “new Empire.” While the Empire's interpretations of the aforementioned values are skewed, Anakin continues to represent them as Darth Vader. 

Anakin’s statement to Obi-Wan also mirrors Palpatine’s declaration to the Senate: “In order to ensure our security and continuing stability, the Republic will be reorganized into the first Galactic Empire, for a safe and secure society which I assure you will last for ten thousand years.” The people applaud this statement, demonstrating a general sense of exhaustion in regards to the war and a yearning for what this new Empire is promising them.

Lead astray/challenged by strong feelings

Though there are many, many examples of Anakin’s emotions getting the better of him, we’re simply going to list two:

Anakin’s fury and anguish after the death of his mom leads to his slaughter of the Tuskens

Anakin’s overwhelming fear of losing Padmé is ultimately what leads to his Fall.

Every tragic hero possesses what is called a hamartia, or a fatal flaw. This trait largely contributes to the hero’s catastrophic downfall. Anakin’s hamartia is his need for control, which partially manifests through his fear of loss. 

Let’s explore this idea in more detail. 

Though Anakin grows up as a slave, the movies neglect to explicitly cover the trauma left from his time in slavery. However, it is worth noting that slaves did not have the ability to make many choices for themselves; they didn’t even own their bodies. After being freed, Anakin is whisked away to become a Jedi. He does not possess much control over his life as Jedi, for he is simply told what path he is going to take. While Anakin does make this decision on his own, becoming a Jedi is a disciplined and somewhat-strict way of life and not one that allows for an abundance of reckless autonomy as he is wont to engage in. 

(Side note: I’m not here to argue about Qui-Gon’s decision-making abilities, nor do I wish to engage in discourse regarding the Jedi’s way of life. I am simply presenting and objectively stating these facts in relation to Anakin because they are pertinent to my point.) 

During AOTC, Anakin is unable to save his mother from death. As Shmi dies in his arms, Anakin is absolutely helpless. The situation is completely out of his control, and he is forced to contend with the reality that despite all of his power, he cannot control everything that happens. 

He also feels that he has a larger potential for power and is being held back by Obi-Wan: “although I'm a Padawan learner, in some ways... a lot of ways... I'm ahead of him. I'm ready for the trials. I know I am! He knows it too. He believes I'm too unpredictable… I know I started my training late... but he won't let me move on.” Anakin believes Obi-Wan, his teacher and mentor, is holding him back. He expresses a self-held conviction of his status and skills and does not trust the word of his superior. 

In ROTS, Anakin starts dreaming of Padmé’s death. Considering what occurred the last time he dreamt of a loved one’s demise, Anakin is justifiably (or at least justifiably from his point of view) worried. He consequently wants to stop these dreams from coming true in any way possible. His fear of death, especially that of his loved ones, represents his need for control over everything, even things that are uncontrollable. This overwhelming desire leads to Anakin’s drastic actions.

As Darth Vader, he no longer possesses such fears, for everyone that he loved is either dead or has betrayed him. He is the epitome of order and control, eliminating any who disturb this perceived equilibrium. 

However, this changes because of one person: Luke Skywalker. 

Luke reintroduces something that was (arguably) long-absent in Vader’s life, which is interpersonal attachment. Vader yearns for his son to join him by his side. When Luke refuses, Vader continues to attempt to seek him out. In ROTJ, Vader is forced to choose between the Emperor, a man he has long trusted and followed, and Luke, the son he never knew he had. Out of a desire to protect and keep what little family he has left (and likely a sense of “I couldn’t save Padmé but at least I can save her legacy by keeping her child(ren) alive and safe”), Vader defeats the Emperor and saves his son. Though his actions are definitionally heroic, Anakin never truly overcomes his hamartia. 

The Structure of a Tragedy

Classic Greek tragedies follow a specific story structure, which, according to the German playwright Gustav Freytag, is as follows:

We’re going to focus on the three aspects that best represent Anakin’s story as a tragedy: The peripeteia, the anagnorisis, and the catastrophe/denouement. These occur during and/or after the climax. 

The peripeteia is the climax/the turning point in the plot. Said change usually involves the protagonist's good luck and prosperity taking a turn for the worse. 

Within the tragedy we are discussing, the peripeteia occurs when Anakin chooses Sidious over Mace Windu and solidifies his allegiance to the Dark side, becoming the very thing he swore to destroy. It is at this point that things really start to go downhill. He kills children, chokes his wife, fights his best friend, gets his remaining limbs cut off, etc. 

The anagnorisis is the point in the tragedy when the protagonist recognizes their error, seeing the true nature of that which they were previously ignorant of, usually regarding their circumstances or a specific relationship (such as Oedipus’ realization that his wife was actually his mother). In most tragedies, the anagnorisis is in close proximity to the peripeteia. In Anakin’s story, the anagnorisis occurs during ROTJ. After being wounded in his fight against Luke, Vader watches as his son is brutally electrocuted by Sidious. It is at this moment that Darth Vader realizes that Luke was right—there is good in him, and he still has the chance to redeem himself. 

The catastrophe/denouement (since this is a tragedy, we’re going to go with “catastrophe”) is the end of the tragedy. Events and conflicts are resolved and brought to a close, and a new sort of “normality” is established. The catastrophe often provides a sense of catharsis (release of tension) for the viewer. The protagonist is worse off than they were at the beginning of the tragedy. 

The catastrophe within “The Tragedy of Darth Vader” transpires soon after the anagnorisis at the end of ROTJ. Though the realization of his capacity for good is the anagnorisis, the follow-through (via his actions), as well as what consequently occurs, is the catastrophe. As previously discussed, Vader saves Luke by killing the Emperor but does so at the cost of his own life. This serves as the resolution of the tragedy, for the hero’s fate has been confirmed—Darth Vader fulfills his destined role as the Chosen One and, in doing so, brings about his own redemption and dies as Anakin Skywalker.

In conclusion, the categorization of Star Wars as a tragedy is a choice that heavily influences Anakin, the protagonist and hero, of the story. He is without a doubt a tragic hero whose fatal flaw leads to his downfall. In accordance with Aristotle’s theory of tragedy, Anakin’s tragedy is constructed not by personal agency, but by the narrative itself.

Works Cited

“Darth Vader.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 Mar. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darth_Vader.

“Dramatic Structure.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Feb. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dramatic_structure.

“Hero.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc., 19 Oct. 2016, www.britannica.com/art/hero-literary-and-cultural-figure.

Lucas, George, director. Star Wars: Episode III— Revenge of the Sith. Lucasfilm Ltd., 2005.

Lucas, George, director. Star Wars: Episode II— Attack of the Clones. Lucasfilm Ltd. , 2002.

Michnovetz, Matt. “Star Wars: The Clone Wars, ‘Counterattack.’” Season 3, episode 19, 4 Mar. 2011.

“Sophocles: the Purest Artist.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/art/tragedy-literature/Sophocles-the-purest-artist.

“Theory of Tragedy.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/art/tragedy-literature/Theory-of-tragedy.

“Tragic Hero.” Dictionary.com, Dictionary.com, www.dictionary.com/browse/tragic-hero. 

[miraculousfanworks]

How To Analyze a Character

Have you ever been reading a fic and found the character is not recognizable that causes you to say “I don’t know who that is in that Marinette suit but that’s not Marinette.”

Or when you’re writing there’s that one character you need and you just can’t get inside their head to save your life. 

This essay is going to delve into how to analyze characters and how they work in stories. It will help you both articulate why you do or don’t like a particular character or their interpretation, and help you in your own writing of that character.

Characters, as well as other elements of a narrative, can be broken down into collections of  recognizable elements often called “tropes.” (For the comprehensive taxonomy see tvtropes.org.) These commonly recurring literary and rhetorical devices, motifs or clichés can be combined in unique ways. They exist as recognizable and namable concepts because the same patterns are used over and over again in the creation of stories. We can use named tropes to describe what we are seeing in one story and relate it to other instances of the same phenomenon. 

The advantage of recognizing the tropes that describe a character means that we can import into our understanding of them all of the other instances of that trope we have come across, and then compare and contrast these characters. 

For example, both Chloé and Adrien exhibit the “Well Done, Daughter/Son!” Girl/Guy trope, desperately seeking the approval of a distant and withholding parent. (Faramir in the Lord of The Rings and Shinji Ikari in Neon Genesis Evangelion are also prime examples.) Knowing that they are both participants in this kind of relationship we can see how it plays out differently. 

Gabriel seems like a deliberate ass, but occasionally manifests approval as when he played the duet with Adrien before sending him off to  the Kitty Section concert in Capitan Hardrock.  Audrey is entirely un-reflexive in her horribleness, dismissive rather than demanding and only ever recognizes Chloé’s worst feature as admirable. Kagami is also a “well done daughter!” girl and it informs how she relates to Adrein, Chloé, Marinette and Ladybug, providing both for character connection and thematic contrast.

On the production side, tropes can be used deliberately to construct a character to achieve a particular purpose. Adrien was created using the standard tropes of the fairy tale princesses beauty, musical talent, kindness to all creatures (even Chloe), kept looked up by an unloving parental figure. By creating a stereotypical Disney princess but swapping the gender it causes us to think harder about the assumptions we make about Princesses.

Symbols work the same way. We use symbolic images and language in media because it allows us to reference all the other ways and places that symbol is used. It becomes a shorthand for much bigger units of meaning. Pure originality would be completely unintelligible.

For example, Marinette displays two flower motifs on a regular basis. One is the cherry blossom spray across her shirt. Commonly this is associated with both love and passion, as well as purity and transitory beauty. In China, the last three are more closely associated with the Plum blossoms that decorate her purse, chair, and diary. Along with the additional significance of  perseverance and hope, we can see that her dreams for the future, however heard she works for them, may not turn out as she plans. 

The cherry blossom, in China, is a symbol of passion, strength, and feminine power and sexuality. As Marinette has this symbol peeking out from behind her jaket on the left side of her shirt, it represents how her civilian persona hasn’t fully come into the power she displays as Ladybug. Adrien’s kwami was chosen to be a Black Cat specifically to call up all our associations with them and bad luck as a counterpoint to Ladybug and her Lucky Charm.

Pikachu, I Choose You!: Artistic Decisions

You would think this wouldn’t need to be said but remember, remember, remember: these fictional characters are not real people. Why does that matter? Because everything you see on the screen or on the page is the result of a choice made by the writer or artist. 

Images and dialogue may be selected deliberately, thoughtfully, thematically, instinctually, carelessly, haphazardly, or stupidly, but they are there because the authors and illustrators and creators selected them to be there. 

Remember that the characters only exist to serve the story and everything about them ideally should serve to move the story toward its conclusion.

This is especially pertinent in an animated–and especially a computer animated–show because everything has to be made specifically for the show and they are expensive to make(MLB costs ~$460,000 an episode). That’s why you get only one outfit for most of the characters, except when absolutely necessary.

Saving their production budget for other things is  why Theo Barbot has all of the odd jobs in Paris, there seems to be only one cop, Sabrina’s dad, and Alec and Nadja are the only people on TV. If you take a look in Bubbler, the first episode aired in the US, you can see that the school, the bakery, the hotel, and the Agreste Manor are all within one block of each other.

CallMeDale posted this to the Miraculous Fanworks Discord. Source unknown. Image originally from Bubbler.

What this production cost means for analyzing a character (or anything else) is that everything we see in a visual medium is important. Everything about a character has been picked for some reason. How they look, how they move–even how they stand says something about who they are as a person, who they are in their relationships, and who they are as an element of the story.

I did a fairly comprehensive essay on Chloé as a character so I want to walk through some of the things I looked at in order to write it.  

Character at First Sight: 

First impressions are vital. Because Marinette is picked to be our eyes as the OP starts (“In the daytime I’m Marinette,”) we know she is supposed to be our heroine and point of view.  Everything that happens after that is to be judged in relation to her. The first time we see Chloé in the show is a whole 5 seconds into the opening, when she and Sabrina walk past a face-planted Marinette. Immediately afterwards, Chloé runs back in to glomp Adrien and push Marinette out of the way. 

From these few brief seconds we know that she is both rich and domineering, Sabrina is walking just behind her with a huge designer purse and bookbag, obviously in a subservient role. Chloé laughs at Marinette, which establishes her as an antagonist to the Heroine. Chloé pushing Marinette out of fram when she comes back shows that she exists in part to block our Heroine from Adrien, our Hero, whose expression shows he really doesn’t appreciate the attention.  

Not even three seconds of screen time and we already know who Chloé is in relation to three people: Marinette, Adrien, and Sabrina.

How much time a character gets in the beginning of a story also sets up how much brainspace  we allocate them and our expectation of their importance. This is one reason I prefer Bubbler as the “first episode’’ (US viewing order) over Stormy Weather (South Korean/International Viewing order). Stormy Weather spends the first few minutes on Aurore, Mirielle, and Alex before getting to  Mari, Tikki, Manon, Alya, and Adrien. Bubbler in the same first minute sets up Marinette, her parents, Adrien, Alya, Chloé, and Nino and all their relationships.

By choosing your descriptions carefully you can get the reader to think of other things without directly mentioning them. Ladybug’s costume, mode of travel and name all callback to Spiderman (she even does the upside down hang in Dark Cupid), and even though the iconic phrase “with great power comes great responsibility,” is never stated its influence is felt in the persistent characterization of Ladybug as ‘all business’ in fic, even though she is more playful in canon. Master Fu is modeled after classic inscrutable mentor Mr. Miyagi from the original Karate Kid movies, it gives him an air of perhaps more wisdom and knowledge than he actually possesses.

Come on Let’s Vogue: How the Look of a Character Informs Us

Now let’s look at what we get from the elements selected for Chloe’s character design. Slender, pale, almost-white blonde hair, sunglasses on the top of her head, lots of blue eyeshadow, yellow jacket over a black and white striped shirt, white capris and black and white flats. All of this says she is the top of the social heap at her school. Combined with her glomping and trying to kiss Adrien and we can guess she is–or at least wants to be seen as–romantically “experienced”. Yellow is a happy color, it’s what makes a printed picture look bright. Often, though not always, it is associated with success and general goodness (i.e. a heart of gold) so she is initially portrayed as a person who doesn’t have any cares. White jeans and shoes point to both her status as someone who doesn’t have to work and a certain level of naivete. 

But she also has this very gothy studded belt around her hips. It is very obviously not holding up her pants. This hints at the darker emotions and experiences at her core. The black and white stripes of her undershirt hint at the way she is held prisoner by her past. 

Because we have been set up to see Chloé as the spoiled,rich bitch with everything she could want, when the facade cracks and we see just how awful her mother is it hits all the harder for us. Chloé’s invulnerable image is destroyed.

“What’s in a Name?”: Tagging as Character creation

Names are also a good starting place for getting into a character. 

Bourgeois comes layered with the connotations of wealth, but not too much, and shallow conformity. Chloé is derived from the Greek Khlóe, or ‘young green shoot’ (of a plant), which can also be interpreted as meaning 'blooming.’ Khlóe is an epithet, or nickname, for Demeter in her aspect of the Lady of Summer. We know the writers know and are thinking of these meanings because of these lines in Sandboy.

Nightmare Adrien: Marinette, for your birthday, I’m going to buy you flowers—

…

Nightmare Adrien: —hortensias, roses and Chloés. (Marinette shrieks)

Not only does her name sound like that of a Homecoming Queen/Cheerleader/trust fund baby, but it also indicates she is immature but with potential to become something more.

Queen Bee is also laden with meaning as it is a term used to describe girls in their teens who are at the top of their social pecking order (see Queen Bees & WannaBes). It perfectly describes bothe how Chloé acts but also how she perceives herself.

The Things You Do to Me: Character Action

Characters in a story are what they do and more importantly why they do what they do. If Marinette becomes Ladybug for the first time because someone needs saving (first Ivan, then Alya), and Adrien becomes Chat Noir in order to escape the gilded cage that is his house, Chloé dons the Bee miraculous in a desperate (and unsuccessful) bid to catch her mother’s attention. 

Attention seeking is part of every subsequent time that her hero persona appears in the story. Consider the implications of the fact that the signal on her roof is a Bee signal, not a Ladybug signal. The gestursal tic she has of always examining her nails, often with the other arm folded over her chest, is a visual shorthand for both her self-absorption and that her unpleasant personality is a defence mechanism. 

Dialogue clues are also important, especially things that come up more than once. Chloé’s persistent lack of remembrance of the Concierge’s name (Jean-whatever) shows her to be dismissive of the people she believes to be “beneath her” which becomes horribly ironic when we find out her mother doesn’t seem to remember her name. That Marinette is always  Dunain-Cheng, emphasizing her parents status as tradesman and that Marinette is not pure French operates as a persistent put down.

Chloé is a Hero with an F in Good, primed by the writers for the Face–Heel Turn which happens in Miracle Queen. They telegraph this event by the choice to echo her “once a monster always a monster,” line from Stoneheart, in the S3 midseason Stormy Weather 2. There she mocks Aurore with “once a villain always a villain.” Highly ironic given the number of times Chloé has been akumatized and prompted it in others. Her bad heroing serves to show that actions and motives are not always aligned and to highlight the selflessness of the other heroes. 

A great example of showing character through dialogue is Nino’s conversation with Gabriel in Bubbler. Nino was given a very distinctive, persistent, and casual speech pattern (“dude” in English), It’s so distinctive that Alya immediately recognizes that he is Carapace. The fact that he makes an effort to suppress it when he is trying to persuade Gabriel to let Adrien have a birthday party shows how much he cares about giving Adrien this gift. It’s part of what establishes him in our minds as such a great friend for Adrien (King of Bros!). Giving characters individualized vocabularies and speech patterns is one of the best ways to help distinguish them in both your, and the reader’s mind.

All Together Now!

As you read and experience more stories, you will recognize more and more common elements across the characters, places, events and ideas that make up the stories you read. As you recognize these building blocks, and how they can be combined and manipulated, they will help you understand better why certain characters do what they do in the story. You can then deliberately select them as you create your own stories to highlight desired themes, set up conflicts or call cultural resonances to your readers’ minds.  Remember what you write is a conversation between you, your reader, and the world around you. The more of the world you can bring into your writing the deeper it will impact your readers.

[zzozoa]

ARC  HEADCANONS :  gonzo,  of  the  lost  revenge

PRE-D1 / ARC I, BITE THE HAND THAT FEEDS :  Gonzo has been a proud and dedicated crewmate of the Lost Revenge for over three years and is loyal to his Captain and crew to a fault. When he is not actively working alongside Uma and the rest of the crew, he is operating out of the Blacksmith forge and has been under the tutelage of the Isle Blacksmith, Reeva since she rescued him from the Horned King's dungeon.

Tensions are building between the pirates and Maleficent's posse and allies. Gonzo and the crew have had multiple encounters which have all exclusively turned into open conflict and violent skirmishes. Gonzo works closely with the crew to destabilize Maleficent's territory by targeting supply routes, hitting dead drops and harrassing those loyal to Maleficent.

Gonzo is also struggling to break away completely from the Horned King, as Creeper and the Horned King's Gwythaints have been spotted lurking around the forge.

D1 / ARC II, LIGHT THE MATCH & IGNITE :  A temporary ceasefire over all factionwide hostilities is declared across the Isle as Mal, Evie, Jay and Carlos are invited by Prince Ben to attend Auradon Prep. Men, women, children of both first and second generation begin to prepare for an invasion into Auradon after Maleficent's promises that her daughter would destroy the barrier and free them all.

Hungry for the chance of freedom, Gonzo works tirelessly crafting, upgrading and mending the weapons of the crew in the forge as well as crafting light armor plating for several Cauldron Born who intend to act as the Isle's vanguard.

The Isle is apprehensive and tensions are high. As Prince Ben attends his coronation, and Maleficent escapes through a tear in the barrier, the Isle streets flood with both factionless and factioned, gathering at the bridge in the hope of being the first to leave the island.

However, the barrier is not destroyed and all those at the bridge bear witness to the Auradon celebrations of Maleficent's defeat. With nowhere to go, and no one to blame, fear and rage instigates riots in the streets which spread across the island. Gonzo and the crew rally to Uma as they fight for their lives.

POST-D1 / ARC III, OPEN YOUR MOUTH & CONSUME :  Gonzo suffers a near fatal injury during the Coronation Riots, that lasted for two days and two nights. While he successfully managed to cut off access to the docks, he was impaled on the blade of a rioter and taken to Dr. Facilier's arcade that had been made into a temporary first aid station for the wounded and the dying. Gonzo was nursed by the crew's surgeon, Noelani, but his life hung at death's door for several days due to loss of blood, immense pain and the threat of infection.

Gonzo remained bedridden in the arcade for over a week before Noelani finally declared him well enough to be moved. He was taken aboard the Lost Revenge, where Noelani overlooked his recovery. After three weeks, he was able to leave the surgeon's room. After four, he was able to return to light deck duty and after eight he was well enough to return to heavy deck duty, the forge and resume his combat training.

Once he was able, Gonzo joined in aiding in the expansion of Uma's territory. Claiming the majority of what had once been Maleficent or Mal's.

D2 / ARC IV, IT’S OUR TIME TO RISE UP :  Fully recovered from the injuries sustained during the Coronation Riots, Gonzo is an active member of the Lost Revenge crew's Vanguard, acting primarily as combat support and as a street scrapper during open conflicts with rival factions or enemies.

Gonzo works closely with Harry and Gil in maintaining and holding Uma's territory as well as mastering his skill in the blacksmith forge. Reeva has taught Gonzo almost everything she knows about how to bend metal and iron to their will and Gonzo has proved himself to be an exceptionally gifted and creative innovator. Creating metalwork automen, figurines and mobile prosthetics as well as puzzle boxes, vaults and intricately designed clock faces and compasses.

Later, Gonzo aids in the abduction of King Ben, and leads the first watch over the King's imprisonment aboard the Lost Revenge and fights against Mal and her allies when they break their deal.

POST-D2 / ARC V, THIS CUTS DEEPER THAN ANY KNIFE :  Following Uma's failed attempt to bring the barrier down, riots once again spread throughout the streets of the Isle, however, these riots are far more devastating. Lasting for four days and four nights, the rage of the island spreads and all are swept up within the frenzy of it. Gonzo fights alongside Harry and the rest of the crew to beat back rioters, looters and instigators from Uma's territory and carve out a safe zone for themselves as well as any that pledged loyalty to Uma and the crew.

As the riots finally died upon the morning of the fourth night, Gonzo, along with the rest of the crew, voted Harry in as their Captain until Uma's return. As the Isle agrees to a temporary ceasefire to rebuild, Gonzo discovers that Reeva, his mentor and mother figure, was killed during the Cotillion Riots.

Gonzo is devastated and near inconsolable, throwing himself into his duty as a crewmate. It takes almost two years before Gonzo reconciles Reeva's death and reopens the forge that Reeva left to him.

D3 / ARC VI, THIS IS THE LINE THAT WE HOLD :  Gonzo has reopened the blacksmith forge, with the opening hours between 8AM and 1PM, allowing him to continue as an active member of the Lost Revenge crew from 2PM onwards. Gonzo manages his time efficiently and is incredibly selective on his clientele, crafting primarily for the Pirates of the Isle and the Cauldron Born. He monitors his buyers obsessively in order to keep track of who is ordering what and is an invaluable resource to the Isle itself.

Gonzo is among those that helps steal the bikes from Mal and her allies, and follows Harry's orders of Jonas becoming temporary Captain of the Lost Revenge when he and Gil escape the Isle. While Auradon suffers at the hands of Audrey, Gonzo and the crew face multiple attacks from rival factions and crews believing the crew to be vulnerable without their Captain and Quartermaster. However, under Jonas' leadership, they beat back their enemies and reunite with Uma, Harry and Gil in full control of their territory.

POST-D3 / ARC VII, HEART OF THE ROTTING KING :  After discovering Reeva's prototype designs for advanced prosthetics, Gonzo agrees to attend Auradon Prep for his final year of schooling. He chooses to study mechanical engineering as well as take several classes on biology and physiology and begins building and perfecting Reeva's original designs for advanced prosthetics.

However, as Gonzo finds himself free of the barrier, he begins to experience sudden and prolonged blackouts, losing time and failing to recall his own actions. He begins experiencing crippling migraines, intense and vivid hallucinations, and finds himself capable of extreme and inhuman feats of strength, athleticism and agility.

Things come to a tipping point when Gonzo is cornered by a group of Auradonians who despise Isle Borns. Gonzo lashes out and brutally attacks the group of Auradonians and would have killed them if Uma had not stepped in to stop him. Gonzo just barely manages to break free of the black out and passes out shortly thereafter.

Upon waking, Gonzo is forced to reveal what he has been experiencing since being freed from the barrier. With help, Gonzo uncovers the truth of his origins, that he holds within himself a piece of the Chernabog’s soul and that the Horned King has been attempting to possess his mind and body.

Gonzo must face the Horned King to break himself free from his control once and for all and along the way, discover the truth of his true identity and the identity of the other Chernabog vessels.

POST-D3 / ARC VIII, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS :  With the Horned King defeated, Gonzo finds himself swept up in another dangerous game against a far more dangerous adversary as the Chernabog’s main body begins to take shape once more. Gonzo, and his fellow Chernabog vessel’s find themselves being called towards the Chernabog as it attempts to reform and repair it’s fractured powers by devouring its pieces that it had scattered across the Isle.

Unwilling to allow themselves to be devoured and lose the lives that they now had for themselves, Gonzo and the others set out to trap the Chernabog while it is within its weakened state and to consume it in order to become truly free of its influence once and for all.

It is during the final confrontation against the Chernabog that Gonzo finally and truly unleashes the full power of his abilities. Uncovering that he has fed upon conflict and discord as a passive ability until the barrier’s fall, Gonzo and the other vessel’s are able to overpower the Chernabog and in a haze, devour his remains.

Gonzo finds himself in full control of his new abilities and struggles to reconcile what he is and what it means.

POST-D3 / ARC IX, LET THESE HANDS CREATE :  Gonzo returns to school and finds himself on the receiving end of direct and indirect opposition to his presence in Auradon as his powers often cause others to become irritable, suspicious and highly confrontational and any negative thoughts and feelings are made manifest. Gonzo, as an Isle Born and being easily distinguished as such, causes him to be made the target of many anti-Isle Born propaganda and arguments which cause Gonzo to lash out with violence often.

Gonzo is regretfully expelled from Auradon Prep following one of his many fights and later enrols into Auradon City High School where his treatment isn't that much better. Gonzo struggles immensely with controlling his powers and abilities and finds himself relying upon his sibling vessels to learn how to maintain a normal life without his powers taking control of him.

It takes a lot of effort for Gonzo to graduate high school, and rather than attend university, Gonzo returns to the Isle where he creates his first fully autonomous prosthetic pieces.

Gonzo continues working as a master Blacksmith but is most known for his autonomous prosthetics and metalwork guardians. He still considers himself a member of the Lost Revenge crew, and has become extremely close to his vessel siblings.

[xathia-89]

Lord Hampton

This is dedicated to @shrimpalompa because it involves both of our OCs, Evelyn and Erik. Please feel free to bombard me with all the questions over Tumblr and discord, because we planned to throw a spanner in the works with this one. 

It was dark, small and cramped. Evelyn could barely turn herself over, only to find that her wrists were bound behind her back, and then she cracked her head on the top of whatever the space was. There was nothing to tell her where she was, what was going on, or who she was with as she tried to recall what she could remember. A narrow alleyway on the way back from the shelter, a change in her routine after all the reports of various unsavoury individuals stalking her out. She could hear rattling, and it certainly wasn’t a comfortable ride. The only piece of information she could gather was that she was on the move. 

Then they went over a particularly large hole. 

A loud groan was one she would recognise anywhere. 

“Leonardo?” Evelyn knew that she wasn’t alone, and she suddenly couldn’t stop crying. “Leonardo? Are you okay?” She was sobbing, throwing the weight of her shoulder against the wood in an attempt to try and find the pureblood. 

“Evelyn?” He sounded so unsure before the sounds of shuffling around her reached her. 

Then the moving stopped. Leonardo had taken to trying to open something, banging his fists on things and trying to free them was all the woman could hope for until he made a strange noise. 

“Get the girl out, we have lots to be doing,” a familiar accent but not a warm voice as Evelyn came to the realisation that she was in a box of some sorts. “But we should catch up first Leonardo, Papi has been worried about you.”

Two individuals were carrying her, that was the best of her assumptions. They were being steady in the movements, trying to not jostle her about too much and hurt her, which made her even more worried than she had been. 

The box was broken open in a stupidly ornate room. A large claw foot bath was the centrepiece of the room, running hot and cold water was something only the very rich could afford as the marble and gold glimmered in the electric lighting. Everything was designed to show off the wealth of whoever owned this place before two maids began to strip Evelyn of her clothing, eager to get her cleaned up while they were gossiping between themselves in such a fast pace of Italian that the noblewoman had no chance of trying to understand them. She caught phrases and words, but she was certainly none the wiser as to who had done all of this. 

They certainly had money. The corsets were ridiculous, and she had a feeling that she was bigger than the ideal size for the image whoever it was had of her, but then the dress was a perfect fit. Someone had all the time in the world to get it right, but Evelyn was on the backfoot here before the doors to the room she was in opened. 

A beautiful woman entered, holding herself tall and with all the grace that Evelyn would never possess. She scrutinised her appearance openly, before nodding to the maids that they were dismissed. 

“Follow me,” the woman briefly stated, turning around to lead the way. 

It didn’t seem like she had that much of a choice. The corridors were full of portraits, domineering and controlling as it seemed to go on forever until a chandelier broke the dullness of the mansion. Its crystals glimmered, reflecting patterns over the room as silence fell over the gathering below. She was being paraded like a doll, and then Leonardo broke the silence. It was more than a little relief to know she wasn’t alone as he wrapped her in his arms, glaring over her head at the strange woman. Her expression was the most confusing thing; she looked so smug and pleased with herself before she cleared her throat. 

“Thank you all for attending this celebration, announcing the betrothal of our son, Leonardo, to Lady Evelyn Hampton,” her smile was calculating, enjoying the turmoil before she went to mingle with the masses. 

“Leonardo?” Evelyn was struggling to get her head around events. 

“Let me explain things to you outside, there should be a small section of the garden where we can have some privacy,” he promised, kissing the back of her hand before leading her through the crowd. 

Everyone was delighted for them. Warm-hearted congratulations, gentle teasings and general enquiries that neither of them wished to deal with at the moment. It seemed to take an eternity to get outside, and the air was doing nothing for her nerves. Leonardo didn’t relinquish her hand; he was scared that he would lose her touch if he did as he navigated the twists of the garden, finding them the best spot for privacy. 

He chuckled dryly, able to get a proper look at the woman. 

“What’s going on?” Evelyn was shaking, she didn’t know anyone aside from the pureblood in front of her, but they knew who she was and more importantly, they also knew she wasn’t married. “Who are they and why are they saying we’re getting married?” Her grip tightened on his hands, cerise orbs gazing into his golden ones. 

“The woman who made the announcement is my mother,” Leonardo said after a small pause, cupping and stroking her cheek affectionately. “This is the Da Vinci estate in Florence, I am guessing they had us both kidnapped from Paris,” he sighed. “And they want me married to another vampire so I can continue the pureblood lineage. I didn’t realise how desperate they were to continue it. Otherwise, I would have warned you. Many apologies, Cara mia.”

“I really don’t think it’s you who needs to be apologising,” Evelyn replied, scooting closer to the pureblood before resting her head on his shoulder. “How long until the wedding?”

“It won’t be as simple as that, the marriage will be the first steps, and then it will be the first child who will need to be raised according to their principles,” Leonardo continued, sadness shining in his gaze before he kissed her forehead. “They’ve got us good right now, but I get the feeling we have friends who won’t let them continue.”

***

Le Comte wasn’t surprised that it was Leonardo’s family behind it, nor that they had taken Evelyn along for the ride. She had weight behind her title, and she was also a vampire. They must have been getting desperate because they had always tried for other pureblood females before now. It didn’t take very long for the news to spread through the world that Leonardo was to marry Evelyn, which didn’t give Le Comte all that much time to come up with an intervention. Erik had come along for the ride to Florence with him, insisting that two purebloods would be better than one. 

The Nordic man was out like a light in the carriage as they kept trundling through the Italian countryside. His snores were irritating, but then he recalled the time that Evelyn had said it was worse after he had been drinking. She would have the position of the favourite pillow when he was at the mansion if Le Comte was a jealous man than his envy would have been showing the second Erik had appeared. Evelyn and Erik were well met on many levels, but neither showed any inclination to stop being themselves just because the other was around. 

The Da Vinci estate was astonishing and made the one in Paris look like a tiny house. Peacocks strutted around the gardens, their feathers on display for everyone to see as the two vampires tried to keep their expressions neutral. This had to be carefully orchestrated if Erik’s plan was to be successful. The Da Vinci family knew who Le Comte was, especially as he was practically rushed by all of the single women in the household. 

The wedding was hours away, it had all been arranged meticulously, and Le Comte wasn’t surprised to see Caterina Da Vinci at the centre of it all. She had her claws deep in this puppet show, and she appeared delighted to see the French aristocrat making his presence to the sham, though Erik’s presence did sour her a little until she found out he was also from a pureblooded family. 

It was hard to not react to her comment that Evelyn seemed to have all these purebloods around her little finger. She made it sound as though they should all be grateful for her interference before she was called away by one of the passing maids with the implication of something possibly not going to plan. 

Le Comte had never seen his friend looking so solemn. Leonardo hadn’t even spotted Le Comte in the waiting crowd. Everyone was waiting eagerly for the announcement of the bride’s approach as Erik was already using that to his advantage to sneak up towards the altar. 

She took the collective breath of the room away as the doors to the church were pulled out in true Da Vinci fashion. It was the family-style to demand the attention. Her ivory dress was akin to that worn by royalty, and she looked like a demure woman, if Le Comte didn’t know her better, then he would have said that she had accepted her fate. She offered no resistance, she held her head high, her posture carrying her assets to show her breeding stock. That is all the Da Vinci family saw in Evelyn, a host for the next generation of vampires. 

Leonardo had a sad smile on his face as she approached him. They knew she wouldn’t change, all they knew is that they didn’t have a way out at that moment, and this would grant the smallest of reprieve for the call to settle down. 

Le Comte believed that Evelyn had never looked so vulnerable. She hadn’t had the chance to even glance around the onlookers before she spotted someone moving behind Leonardo. It warmed his heart. She lit up like her life was about to be saved, before Leonardo had a hand clamped down on his shoulder, interrupting the priest as the Da Vinci’s realised what was going on. 

“Excuse me, I believe she’s marrying the wrong person,” Erik was dressed smartly, and certainly not in anything that Evelyn had seen him in before. An over-exaggerated wink to the woman made her smile brightly, and Leonardo certainly wasn’t offering any resistance. The other vampires knew the problem with the reactions; they couldn’t interrupt at this point. “And you may wish to hurry,” the Nordic male pointedly glowered at the priest. 

The man knew what was going to happen either way, and he was eager to vacate the premises. He began to loudly read out the vows, making sure that everyone knew what he was doing.

“I, Erik Olofsson, take you, Evelyn Marie Hampton, for my lawful wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, until death do us part,” it startled the chaotic room into silence, the wedding band pushed onto her left ring finger before the attention came onto the woman in front of him.

“I, Evelyn Marie Hampton, take you, Erik Olofsson, for my lawful husband. I promise to be true to you in good times, and in bad, in sickness and in health. I will love and honour you all the days of my life,” Le Comte felt a twinge in his heart, to see her slide the ring onto Erik’s finger. But she wouldn’t allow anyone to change her, and this would stop those silly attempts by little aristocrats who decided they liked the look of her. Sealed by a kiss as the Nordic pureblood knew that Leonardo was going to be terrorised by his family afterwards, but they wouldn’t be able to try the same technique again as the four of them came together in natural gravitation. 

***

“So, does your title change now then? Are you Lady whatever Erik’s surname is?” Arthur was more than a little surprised when the news was broken over drinks on the return to Paris. “And more importantly, does that mean we can’t share anything now?”

“Lady Hampton still on the papers, but it’s Hampton Olofsson legally and that,” she shrugged, enjoying the champagne that Sebastian had brought in for the occasion. “And there are absolutely no changes otherwise to be made, Erik has his thing to be doing, and I have mine. He will be gone for unknown amounts of time, and like hell, if I’m suddenly going celibate for that,” she scoffed, attracting the attention of the three purebloods. The weight of the room seemed to then fall onto Erik so he could prove it was a mutual arrangement.

“No one can try to run off with her again and steal her away,” the Nordic man shrugged, turning his nose up at the champagne and scouring the cabinet for some harder liquor. “Which has happened on a few occasions, and nothing is changing except her name. I get to refer to myself as a Lord now too, that should be a good change,” he laughed, slinging his arm casually over Evelyn’s shoulders. “May end up taking her along for the ride for some things, always a good cover to pose merely as a travelling couple. Also means people like to try stuff if they hear ‘Lord and Lady’. So I get my fun.”

“We’ll see,” Evelyn replied, shaking her head.  

[jewelhouseblog-blog]

Is predicting the gold price is right?

It is baffling now and again to see the consideration concentrated on expectations at the cost of gold. The more electrifying and fabulous the value gauge, the more noteworthy the discord.

It merits investigating a couple of these forecasts to help put things in context.

Feature: Gold Forecast $6000, And Gold Mining Analysis Through Visualization 23Jan2012

Statement: "If the present gold buyer showcase was to follow the planning and degree of the 70s positively trending business sector, the gold cost would reach $6000 before 2014."

Gold cost on 23Jan2012: $1679.00 per oz.

Gold cost on 14Mar2014: $1382.00 per oz.

Gold cost on 31Dec2014: $1181.00 per oz.

How distant base can a value forecast be? Not exclusively did gold not arrive at the objective value, it went the other way - starting that equivalent month - and continued to decrease by 30% throughout the following two years, finishing at $1205.00 per ounce on December 31, 2013.

The issue isn't the credibility of $6000.00 gold. It is truly conceivable, and conceivable; possibly likely. Nonetheless, the forecast was explicitly time arranged and horribly misconceived regarding bearing and timing.

All that is forgivable. Except if you are the owner of a membership administration as well as making speculation suggestions to other people, or administering exchanging guidance.

Feature: JPMorgan Forecasts Gold $1,800 By Mid 2013 01Feb2013

Quote:"JPMorgan Sees Gold At $1,800 By Mid 2013 As South Africa "In Crisis" And "Heightening Instability" In Middle East J.P. Morgan Chase and Co. said gold will ascend to $1,800 an ounce by the center of 2013, with the mining business in South Africa "in emergency," as indicated by Bloomberg."

The cost of gold on the date the feature showed up was $1667.00 per ounce. After five months on June 29, 2013, the cost of gold was $1233.00 per ounce.

The call for $1800.00 gold was a 'sheltered' forecast. Just an eight percent expansion from the current (at that point) level of $1667.00 would have brought about a gold cost of $1800.00.

In any case, as in the past model, the cost went south intensely; this time dropping twenty-six percent in five brief months.

Feature: Trump Win Signals $1,500 Gold... 10Nov2016

Statement: "A Trump US presidential triumph signals US$1,500 an ounce for gold... in the middle of the road term."

Gold cost on 10Nov2016: $1258.00 per oz.

Gold cost on 31July2017: $1268.00 per oz.

Evidently gold didn't see the 'signal' since its present value is almost indistinguishable from its cost on the day the forecast showed up in print soon after the races last November.

What's more, what does the essayist mean by "transitional term"? The more drawn out the time span, the less incentive in the forecast. The anticipated dollar increment adds up to 20%. In the event that it takes two years, that adds up to about 10% every year. All things considered - or in the event that it takes longer than two years - is it worth the intense face feature?

Feature: Trump to Send Gold Price to $10,000 10Nov2016

Gold costs and dates are equivalent to in the above model. With gold right where it was ten months back, when may we anticipate some advancement towards that value objective?

The more amazing value expectations generally base on a breakdown or breakdown of the fiscal framework. The breakdown happens because of complete renouncement of the U.S. dollar following quite a while of worth deterioration. Individuals basically decline to acknowledge and hold U.S. dollars in return for their offered merchandise and enterprises.

Presently assume around then you possess gold. Okay sell it? At what cost? For what number of useless U.S. dollars would you part with an ounce of gold?

On the off chance that somebody offered you one billion imposing business model dollars for an ounce of gold today, OK take it? What about ten billion?

Alright, so imagine a scenario where we see a sharp decrease in the estimation of the U.S. dollar throughout the following quite a long while? Lets state that decrease adds up to a misfortune in obtaining influence for the dollar of 50% from current levels. This would compare to a gold cost of roughly $2500.00 per ounce, a multiplying from current levels.

This is substantial if gold and the U.S. dollar are at harmony as of now (I think they are). At the end of the day, the present cost of gold at $1250/60 is a precise impression of the total decrease in the estimation of the U.S. dollar since 1913.

The 50% decrease in the buying intensity of the U.S. dollar would be reflected in more significant expenses for different merchandise and enterprises; an example which has gotten very natural in the course of the last one hundred years.

In the event that there is a working business sector, and expecting you sell some gold and take benefits, what amount more will it cost for whatever else you may choose to purchase? Do you truly figure you will have the option to purchase different things of significant worth at 'limited' costs around then?

Gold, in 1913, was $20.00 per ounce. As of now it is $1260.00 per ounce. That is an expansion of more that sixty-overlay. However, it doesn't speak to a benefit. Since the general value level of products and enterprises today - as a rule - is multiple times higher than it was in 1913.

There are times when you can benefit from sharp moves in gold in momentary circumstances. By and large, these are simply before significant developments in its U.S dollar value that mirror an acknowledgment of the total decrease in buying intensity of the dollar. Also, to a lesser degree, perceiving when the desires for others take the gold value well past harmony versus the U.S dollar.

In 1999/2000 gold hit value lows of $250-275.00 per ounce. Before long it left on 10 years since quite a while ago run coming full circle in a pinnacle cost of near $1900.00 per ounce in 2011.

After its top in 2011, gold declined throughout the following five years to a low of simply above $1000.00 per ounce. A fleeting bounce back in mid 2016 took it back to approach current levels ($1250-1350.00) where it has for the most part stayed without separating either or down to any huge degree.

Where were every one of these 'specialists' in 1999/2000 and what were they foreseeing at that point?

Furthermore, since 2011/2012? They have been stating essentially something very similar again and again. Purchase now! Purchase more! Before it's past the point of no return!

At some point, it will be past the point of no return. Be that as it may, it is more a matter of budgetary endurance now than any other time in recent memory. The fixation on benefits, foreseeing and exchanging has darkened the genuine essentials.

What's more, somehow, a great many people's benefits are probably going to go up in smoke before they do anything significant with them.

Gold - physical gold - is genuine cash. It is genuine cash since it is a store of significant worth. Also, its worth is steady. The U.S. dollar's worth keeps on declining after some time. The continually declining estimation of the U.S. dollar and individuals' impression of it, just as their desires for it, decide the cost of gold.

Swelling is a treacherous risk to our money related and monetary security. It has been foisted upon us to the point that we are at risk of losing substantially more than the estimation of our cash. The capital markets are confronting dangers of gigantically more noteworthy extent than those of 2008-09. Monetary movement is basically financed by credit and we are snared on the medication of cash and more significant expenses - for everything. We are told regularly that swelling is unconstrained and that we should figure out how to manage its belongings. That isn't valid.

Swelling is purposeful and drilled by governments and national banks the world over. Also, its belongings are capricious and dangerous. Also, the impacts of swelling are total; consequently, they will, in general, be increasingly unpredictable, continuous. Also, covered underneath the entirety of the surface shortcomings is the phantom of fragmentary save banking. It is the authorized form of Ponzi conspire.

If you to exact price of gold in Chandigarh you can visit the following link

>>>> Gold price in Chandigarh.

[chiropteran-hellfire]

A Reply

Alright. I was not planning on originally doing this, simply because to respond to such pettiness I see as beneath me, but the line of tolerance no matter how far it may be to reach, still exists, and if one crosses it I will not be able to ignore such a gesture.

I have been sent ten messages of hateful provocation under a new empty blog to hide their identity, this is my answer to that person.

First thing's first, some context. I am otherkin, and I have a history within the community. About a month ago now Grey, the owner of the largest otherkin Discord chat, of which I was a moderator in for roughly two years, decided to not only abandon it; casting everyone within it into a state of confusion, but to also clearly state, "You can all go to hell." This was done while also assigning ownership to the dead account of a person whom I do not have kind memories of. I took this as not only a despicably irresponsible action to abandon a large scale community without properly assigning a new owner, but to make it as a personal final 'fuck you' to not only all of the members, but myself personally due to the choice of account she assigned it to.

Grey was not unaware of my history with that account/individual, and she was also not unaware of my BPD, something that if triggered will cause me to act irrationally and extravagantly. The result was uncontrollable on my part. My home had turned against me, so I turned against it in turn. I broke down many of the channels yet still fought myself to leave the ones that held the most important information - the otherkin and fictionkin channels. Were my actions the best thing to do? No. Were they personally unjustified? Well, that's the argument isn't it? One that's unfortunately tainted with having an Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder.

However, the result of this was that I was finally shown who would offer me understanding, listen to my side, and give me the time to not harass me at the first chance they got. My enemies and friends became clearer than ever to me. Not only this, but the resulting fall out has caused the community to break free from Grey's dying chat; a chat that was often neglected by it's owner. It has allowed the community to turn over a new page within our history books. One person described my actions as a mercy killing, for Grey locked it into a stagnant slow death, while I pushed everyone to make a move that was needed, but no one wanted to make.

I do not expect you to see it this way however, and you are free to see my actions as immoral, unjust and anything else you wish.

That all being said, no matter how much you might not agree with a person's actions, the answer is not to go and send that person continuous spite and try to prey on my mental issues to torment me with as a result. I never intentionally wanted to hurt anyone. You, on the other hand, do wish for such. This is why I am making this reply, because I know who you are Tama, and everyone needs to know just how cruel you really are.

No I'm afraid I can't take credit for such a thing, though after all you've now sent to me I rather wish I could. You are clearly in ignorance to the pain I was experiencing at the moment. What Grey did sent me so far over the edge it's honestly impossible to put into words in any way that'd give it the amount of meaning I'd wish to convey.

The amount of harassment I have received afterwards only shows I had not 'run away' in full, or I wouldn't have been able to receive these messages of abuse in the first place. Just like yours being sent to me now... weeks after the event. So here's your response, I'm not running away, lets continue.

You were doing well with your opener, but now we see your true colours don't we? One of an underhanded opponent who knows not how to make an actual argument, but resort to insults that may just rival that of a 6 year old's if I'm being generous.

I do worry for you though, are you implying there are 'real vampires' out there? Undead creatures that rise from the graves of humans possessing immortality and all manner of other abilities? I think you should see someone about such beliefs, one might start to think you're a little unhinged.

After I had received the first two messages, I informed my friends and one of them contacted you. Such a threatening action to your previously held notion of anonymity seemed to have knocked some sense into you as you start to talk more sensibly now. If only you could talk to me like this personally, maybe we could get somewhere, but you speak through the gritted teeth of hypocrisy.

You talk of owning up to one's actions while you hide behind a false identity. The irony would be laughable if not so pitiful. I am not the one hiding here, I am responding, I am wishing to speak with you properly. You however, are not.

I am honest. If you had simply come to me to ask my views I would have told you, but you decided not to do that, and to simply demean and berile me from behind a wall. Do come out when you're feeling braver.

I'm not running. My honour is that my actions are stained to my name, good or bad, I take it all as under my life's banner. What are you doing?

Many people turned on me, I have not 'gotten away with it' as you wish to phrase it. The result of my actions was cast unto me regardless. But you're quite right, people shouldn't have their actions not held to their name, which is why I'm holding yours to your name, now isn't it?

If you stoop much lower I'm afraid you will become subterranean. You also appear to be projecting.

How so? Do elaborate. If someone sees my actions as wrong I'd hope they would tell me forthright and I can help us both come to an understanding.

Letting all this bullying get to your head now are we? Yes, I will enjoy my small circle of friends, because that's honestly all I have left in life, the few people who take the time to understand me and not judge me without listening to me. I value each and every one of the people who have stuck with me thus far, because I understand I am not a usual personality, and I am at times hard to understand.

I require a level of patience that is beyond most people, and I recognise this, which is why I do not think ill of the vast majority who look at me unkindly. But those who go out of their way to make my already pathetic life even more painful, I have no remorse for. You are cruel, short sighted and disillusioned to believe you are doing a good deed through attacking another.

I have to protect myself. You prey on my paranoia to try and force me into a panicked state where I trust no one, and lose everything I have in life. You wish for my death, because I don't think you truly understand just how close I am to the edge, and how hard I try in life to cling on despite the cruelty of people like you. I have never gone out of my way to hurt anyone unless they push me to such a point I snap, which is very rare. I am mentally unwell, as you also clearly are, but I try my best to still always do the right thing amidst my turbulent mental seas. If I do something wrong, I hope people would take the time to treat me as an equal, and talk to me honestly about their emotions, as I will speak honestly of my own.

Tama, you deserve this response. Learn from it. Because even while you press knives into me I will not fall to the same level of insult that you have so easily that it has occurred weeks after the incident.

Get help, and either talk to me properly, or leave me alone.

[houstontexaslawinfo]

Grandparents' Rights in Texas

If you want to related guideline confidentiality Texas Child Law experience, So you can better suggestions in Grandparents' Rights in Texas

Divorce Lawyer Houston: Unfortunately, difficulties often arise when raising children. Whether the circumstances were avoidable or unforeseeable from the perspective of the parents, sometimes other family members feel the brunt of one or both parents’ issues with each other. One casualty of divorce is when a parent does not allow the child to see their grandparents as a result of discord at home.

Grandparents have a special role in families, perhaps second only to that of the parent-child relationship. When divorce occurs parents can genuinely feel hurt to the point where they feel the need to protect themselves and their children. When I speak with a potential client of the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC and they have question about grandparents’ rights in Texas the conversation that we went into isn’t always an easy one to digest.

What are Grandparent Rights in Texas?

The state of Texas, like all other states, have specific laws that outline the extent to which grandparents have rights to visit with and have possession/access of their children. In today’s world where the nuclear family isn’t so nuclear anymore this isn’t surprising. What is surprising to many is how our state comes down on this issue. There are laws in the state that related to child custody and their grandparent(s) while others apply generally to adults of all sorts but do not necessarily exclude grandparents.

Texas has Strong Pro-Parent Rights

In Texas, our laws are strongly pro-parents’ rights. This means that even if grandparents do not approve of how mom and dad are handling the kids, it does not mean that they can file a lawsuit and interrupt the relationship between parents and their children. It is a presumption that parents are acting in the best interest of the children in basically all circumstances, absent issues of abuse, neglect and other extreme fact patterns.

Grandparents can Establish Rights in Certain Situations

Houston Divorce: Grandparents, simply put, are not presumed to have a right automatically to be able to have access and possession to their grandchildren. However, when circumstances arise that have the potential to have a detrimental effect on the family a court can step in. Circumstances sufficiently important to have a court enter the fray include the death of one or both parents, a parent going to jail, violence in the family, and the termination of a parents’ parental rights.

One case that I can write about from personal experience involves two grandparents and their grandchildren. This was a case that we recently helped to settle. The facts and circumstances are extremely unique and I think do a great job of illustrating the above points. Approximately two years ago our clients’ son was arrested on charges relating to a sex-crime. The son’s two children, both teenagers, were under the direct control and supervision of their mother. This would begin to be an issue for our clients as they found out that mom wasn’t too keen on them having any time to spend with the grandkids. What made the situation even worse was that their son wanted nothing to do with his parents after he was sent to prison. Our grandparents had no advocates for them to be able to see and spend time with their grandchildren.

After months of not even having the ability to speak to their grandkids on the phone or in person, a phone call was placed to our office for a consultation with these two grandparents. After allowing them an opportunity to air their grievances with the kids’ mother and life in general it was time for our office to be able to speak to the grandparents about their rights vis a vis their grandchildren. When I went through the basics of grandparents rights’ in Texas it was unsurprising that they were not feeling too great about their chances to get more time with their grandchildren. I let them know that they are not completely shut out as far as rights and that if they felt strongly about the situation they ought to consider filing a lawsuit to see where the process leads them.

Fortunately for them, they decided to heed this advice and they began the somewhat winding process of having their case filed in the courts here in Harris County. We were able to schedule mediation with the mother’s attorney and have all parties present in a setting where a settlement would be most likely. Our office has written blog posts previously on mediation and this case offered another example of why our office strongly endorses this process. While grandma and grandpa did not get everything they wanted at the outset of the case, they were able to work with the mother of their grandchildren in order to arrive at a visitation schedule that allows for them to re-build a relationship with the children.

What can Grandparents do to Help their Case?

Houston Family Lawyers: What helped the grandparents’ case? For starters, our office encouraged them to diligently take notes on their thoughts and concerns about the case. This allowed our office to answer their questions quickly and readily. Secondly, we let these clients know early on that if they could present a strong case of having a close relationship with the children then that could really go a long way towards showing the kids’ mother that going to court could result in the grandparents presenting some convincing evidence as to why they need to be awarded time with their grandkids due to a long lasting bond.

While it is impossible for the attorneys at the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC or any other attorney for that matter to guarantee a client any particular result in their case, it is possible through diligent communication and preparation to avoid a protracted and costly case and arrive at a successful settlement fairly early in the life of a case. Grandparents certainly have a tough road to hoe when it comes to negotiating time with their grandchildren- especially if one or both parents are against the idea for one reason or another.

To learn more about your rights as a grandparent, or for more information on any family law issue, please contact the attorneys with the Law Office of Bryan Fagan, PLLC. Our office has attorneys and staff members ready and standing by to meet you and to learn more about your particular legal situation ... Continue Reading

[voicesfromthelight]

What to Expect from A Channeled Reading with Me

Today, I’d like to share some information on what people can expect when they book a reading with me, what kinds of questions I can best help with, and some useful information on preparing for your reading. Since my methods are somewhat idiosyncratic, I think it’s worth going into some detail on the whys and hows of it all.

First of all, if you would like a book a reading with me, please email me at eliorareadstarot[AT]gmail.com.

The price of a full, channeled reading with my spirit guides is $150, which covers several hours of work on my part, several questions, as well as any and all areas of the client’s life the guides see fit to address. This type of  reading involves at least one initial appointment and one follow-up. A detailed, written report will be provided.

I am also available for detailed Tarot consultations for $50, or short, one-topic channeled readings for $75.

As you may have learned through reading my blog, psychic and mediumistic readings are two slightly different, though overlapping, disciplines. Psychics read and interpret energetic imprints of people, places and things, whereas mediums act as intermediaries between the world of spirit and the physical world, often being consulted when one wishes to communicate with a departed loved one. Strictly speaking, my readings are more mediumistic than psychic in nature. Though I am still in the process of mastering evidential mediumship in the sense of acting as an interpreter between the living and those who have passed, I usually rely most heavily on information passed onto me from my spirit guides, and less on directly reading the energetic imprints of the people I work with (though this is a skill I do possess.) You might say it’s my guides doing the bulk of the psychic reading for me. This allows me to do readings at a distance more easily. Any work done in a full channeled reading through psychic reading, or with tools such as tarot cards, etc., will be used in a purely supplemental manner, to gain additional insight into a given situation or personal trajectory. In the interest of maintaining the highest possible standard in my readings, any mediumistic work passing on messages between clients and their loved ones on the other side will need to be incidental to my channeled readings at this time. (I’ll be sure to let everyone know when I am ready to offer evidential mediumistic readings as a separate service! My practice is constantly evolving.) However, it is of utmost importance to me that the information I channel in my readings be truly meaningful to my clients, and contain details from their lives that prove I am not just making up “mumbo-jumbo.” In short, I would describe myself as an evidential psychic, or channeler.

Natalie and Salvador have encouraged me to strive to give readings that, if taken to heart, will dramatically change my clients’ lives for the better. My job is to help people make better decisions and align with their highest purpose. My guides will always respect free will and privacy. They will never intentionally sow discord. Their approach is never judgmental, only truthful, loving and compassionate. Furthermore, they will not predict the future unless it is truly in the best interest of the client to know something. This is a very important point: The future is malleable through free will. Any prediction is a likelihood that is increasingly changeable as one looks further into the future. It is more important for my clients to learn how to create better futures for themselves than to fatalistically resign themselves to whatever lies in store. This is why my guides emphasize advice over divination. Their mission is to support our spiritual growth and help us be the best, happiest, most productive selves we can be.

What can my guides help you with, then? Well, it is important to understand that they see life on Earth from a bird’s-eye perspective. They are generally excellent judges of character, as they sense people through their soul’s emotional and energetic vibration. They are especially good at honing in on the roots of larger networks of problems and patterns of behaviour that could benefit from being shifted. The great thing about this is that you can come to a reading with one question, and they will branch out from it to address several other, interrelated issues in your life - sometimes even pertaining to other family members. They are wonderful at bringing higher perspectives to interpersonal conflicts that encourage healing, understanding,  reconciliation and forgiveness. Natalie’s strong suit is  bringing comfort, encouragement and higher perspectives to life. Salvador, on the other hand, is a life-coach of sorts, who offers practical solutions to life’s many challenges. They will help you hone in on your strengths, and suggest what steps you can take to align yourself with your highest calling, perhaps in unexpected ways.

Usually, a full-scale reading with me will unfold over the course of a week or more, as the guides and I take on your “case.” Because of the highly involved nature of the channeling and its ensuing analysis, I have to take into account the time-consuming nature of the work in my pricing. When you decide to book a reading with me, we will first book a time for an initial consultation via video call, during which you can explain to me what areas of your life you would most like insight into, and my guides and myself get introduced to your energy. There is no need to go into excessive detail about your life during this consultation. In fact, the more room there is for my guides to give evidence by providing details I am not privy to, the better! It is best to have at least one specific question, which helps us forge the necessary energetic link, but no more than four. The guides will always hone in on what they think is most important for your growth and happiness, even if it is not the question you started off with.

After taking initial notes at our consultation, over the next few days, I will work with the guides on my own time to bring through as much information as possible for you, through as many channeling and psychic techniques as are necessary. Some of the raw channeled information can come across fairly cryptically, kind of like notes taken at lecture that then needs to be reverse-engineered by me, so, analyzing the information is its own task in the process. When all the information has been thoroughly sifted through, I will type up a detailed report on it  (usually a few dense pages), and also provide you with some of the written or recorded raw material, if appropriate. After this, you will have an opportunity to ask for clarification on the report, and we will schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss the results.

Here are some important points, disclaimers and preparation tips for my readings:

Most importantly, though I offer this service with complete dedication, integrity and sincerity, I am not infallible. As an obligatory disclaimer, I must state that for purely legal purposes, my readings are for entertainment purposes only. I cannot be held responsible for any actions you may or may not take as a result of a reading with me.

It’s a good idea to prepare your questions in advance, before our first meeting, to make sure you will get the most out of the experience. Please refrain from asking for medical advice, or pregnancy-related questions, as I am not qualified to answer them. Sometimes the guides will wish to bring your attention to a habit that needs to change, or offer reassurance, but any such suggestions or statements should not be acted upon without first checking with a qualified physician.

If you can, before our sessions, take a moment to meditate, relax, or uplift your mood. It is important to come to an appointment in as calmly receptive a state as possible for both of us to get the most out of the reading.

Remember that the future isn’t set in stone. Don’t be discouraged if the guides focus more on giving advice than explicit predictions. This only means that you can still have a lot of positive impact on how a given situation will play out. Think of it as an opportunity!

Remember that everything the guides say is going to be a suggestion, for your benefit. Their advice should never trump your free will. You are in control of your life. Enjoy it!

My guides and I always strive to communicate in a way that is compassionate, sensitive, honest and encouraging. Should something nonetheless come up in the reading report that is upsetting to you, we warmly encourage you to communicate with us and help us be of service by following up on it in our second appointment. While you may opt out of this, you will get much more out of the reading if you stick with the full process and stay open to exploring the results through discussing it with us.

If there is a specific topic you absolutely do not wish to hear about or discuss, please do let us know in advance! 

If you are coming to a reading as a skeptic, that is totally fine! We do, however, encourage you to come with an open mind, and perhaps a sense of benign playfulness.

Please do not not casually cancel or reschedule readings or appointments. It can take days of energetic and mental preparation for me to raise my energy to optimum channeling levels, so please only cancel or postpone if absolutely necessary.

Natalie, Salvador and I would love to work with you on any challenges you may be facing in your life. What are you looking for in a spiritual consultation? Do you have any suggestions for us? Let us know!

[hdvrpg]

(Because these questions kind of assume a classic-old-school-run-of-play I tried to throw in an adventure hook into each of these because my games don't tend to follow that road).

The world was called Haftorang, First Warrior of the North Palace, and a multitude of other names. These survive only on the most ancient of maps.

In the most general of terms, it is hot, atmospherically soupy, and poor in metals. Most of it is given over to oily seas. The sun is distant and smouldering ulfire.

The game begins in an expanse known as Beyond-the-Goblin-Ear-Strait. It is a fatal gash of unbridled wilderness stretching north-south across the world across which sprawl thin skeins of mortal settlement. Our eclectic players are emigres,  defectors, exiles, and vagrants from across the Strait. The bitter owner of the sewn Skrom-skin craft which ferried you here died in a storm or mutiny and now the boat is (a piece of shit, but) collectively owned by you.

What is the deal with my cleric's religion?

The gods, originally only nominally worshipped, have returned to the surface of the earth. None have so many temples beyond the Strait as Gurazzar, He-of-the-Ninety-Nine-Mirrors, The Naked God, ruler of the night sky, wind, storms, obsidian, smoke, discord, tigers, and father of sorcery. His sorcerer-priests desire divisive battle and every grey morality to be considered. every ninth new moon the Overlord must walk the streets naked, painted peacock-blue and bearing weapons like a sorcerer-priest slaying anybody he finds.

Where can we go to buy standard equipment?

The port gets all the finished goods– tools, guns, weapons and armour that aren’t made of skins, bone, or obsidian studded witch-wood. Although such things have been disappearing recently and being replaced with versions made of gold, carved from crystal, or tooled in elaborately pelagic ceremonial designs. Merchants say it is Ikma in her fish-aspect come to protect her seafarers in their poverty and destitution.

Where can we go to get plate-mail custom fitted for this monster I just befriended?

They won’t want it. Dwarves despise metal, elves will shrink/grow/warp out of it the moment they get in, and just about everything else will eat it or you first.

Who is the mightiest wizard in the land?

The high sorcerer-priest of the Naked God, Terrible Kandza, wields magic of the ninth order. Few challenge this power, for magic even of the first order is forbidden to common wretches; except for perhaps the witch hunting librarians of Hexelheim, said to maintain in their library tomes which reveal the weaknesses of the gods themselves.

Who is the greatest warrior in the land?

The Overlord. It is said half his blood is the mind-altering sap known only as The Holy Mountain due to the amount the queen mother partook during her twelve-year pregnancy. For this he feels no pain, can see his enemies through walls, and can chop a horse in half with a club.

Who is the richest person in the land?

The council of Guilds, the ninety-nine blessed merchants of the region advising the Overlord and his priests, holds collective decree as owners of all the wealth Beyond the Strait.

Where can we go to get some magical healing?

Temples: Priests of Ikma can only touch wounds of life-threatening importance; Priests of the Rat god will tell you to embrace the wound as a blessing; ascetics of the Tiger-path will offer to eat your seven souls for protection from earthly wounds.

Where can we go to get cures for the following conditions: poison, disease, curse, level drain, lycanthropy, polymorph, alignment change, death, undeath?

The first two: your own house. Your door will be nailed shut for thirty days and painted by a priest with the sign of Ikma in the black-green blood of the fleshtree, the god of necessity. Level drain you can suck up because if you’ve been touched by a ghost in the Land you must wear a mask of that spirit for the rest of your life.  The last five (save alignment change) are best asked for at the goodwill of a local temple; if your alignment changes, accept the omen and embrace your new cause (Priesthoods often put the zeal of a convert to direct action).

Is there a magic guild my MU belongs to or that I can join in order to get more spells?

The librarians of Hexelheim, far south, accept the worthy; amongst other things you must renounce all religion, bring six witch-heads as tithe, and accept a gruelling apprenticeship which mostly involves fetch-quests, spell transcription, and gruesome public assassination of temple officials.

Where can I find an alchemist, sage or other expert NPC?

Alchemists are mostly devoted to explosives; in a well-avoided tenement or perhaps in the interrogative possession of the Librarians of Hexelheim. Temple priests function as much else; prophets, trip-guides, and healers. Oga the blind will fence anything in the Temple Markets for a cut and it is said Thirteen-Fingered Kalbo maintains his criminal court from within the city somewhere.

Where can I hire mercenaries?

Every temple has dedicated warriors who can be bribed for some gold or hired from their posts for more: or if you’re down and out consider a short monthlong stint in their ranks and they’ll pay you a favour back.

Is there any place on the map where swords are illegal, magic is outlawed or any other notable hassles from Johnny Law?

Yes. Everywhere (for magic) if you’re not noble or a priest; if you can get a sword made of metal the summary punishment for peasants is to be killed with your own sword.

Which way to the nearest tavern?

Alcohol is abhorred and anti-religious. Try imbibing the Holy Mountain at any of the regular temple trance-sessions.

What monsters are terrorising the countryside sufficiently that if I kill them I will become famous?

The Gods. Potentially seperate, considering it’s bold to assume it might help against gods: ask why any of the road patrols bother lugging around cannons everywhere they go

Are there any wars brewing I could go fight?

Wait till sunset; pick between any of the temples, guilds, and the various politically motivated violent groups that fill the darker streets and undercity at night with their state-sanctioned petty warfare.

How about gladiatorial arenas complete with hard-won glory and fabulous cash prizes?

There are street-leagues of Seven-Tongues-of-Fire players, a game where the main rule is to fight your opponent using a weapon that is “some form of live, poisonous, deadly, and previously enraged animal chained to the wrist of the wielder”. Also, try arranging a dawn duel with any of the merchant nobles; the prize is whatever’s on their corpse if you win and a fat bounty on your head.

Are there any secret societies with sinister agendas I could join and/or fight?

People keep disappearing for months on end and then reappearing at comfortable jobs amongst the king’s bureaucrats. Ask them.

What is there to eat around here?

The vicious, dark Skrom-beast is a trophy kill and life-giving staple here; one mature kill feeds a family for a season and the carcass is sold to shipwrights to be sewn into ships. Tax is recorded in Skrom-heads and is common unit of measurement (think fuckton). I. E. they are worth a lot.

Any legendary lost treasures I could be looking for?

The Yellow Hulks– solitary yellow ships with silent crews that arrive twice yearly carrying cargo of the finest textiles, slave-bands seeking life contracts, weapons made of real steel, and then leaving with equal weight in gold– have not arrived all year despite many sea-merchants having said to have passed them in the busy ocean routes or canals through the coastal swamps.

Where is the nearest dragon or other monster with Type H treasure?

Rivers of blood have been flowing from the semi-permanent villages in the inland wastes that spring up around the ancient temples there.

[tardisponycallout]

This is my way of burning the Maia bridge.

I have been, until a few days ago, Maia’s friend for almost a 5 year span, nearly uninterrupted. There have, however, been times when we “stopped talking” and yet I still kept coming back when she inevitably realized that she needed me for something after all. For that reason, I’m sending this to you now. It’s my way of finally burning this bridge that I keep crossing back over like some kind of damned fool.

You may know me as the original writer for Tardispony, the original creator of “Ginger Doctor”. The same one from whom she usurped control of the project without my consent, etc, etc, I think you all mostly know the story. Those of you who don’t… well, don’t trouble yourself too much in looking for it. It’s only one drop in the proverbial ocean of misery that Maia has left in her wake as she charges headlong through people like a bull in a china shop. 

Let me tell you, though, that the Ginger Doctor incident was one thing she did that she sincerely regretted, but not because it hurt me… no. In retrospect I know why she regretted it. She regretted it because she couldn’t find anyone else who was willing to work with her on any of her projects. She refused to acknowledge that she could ever be at fault, and was just generally a miserable person to work with; it was obviously that all these other writers are just horrible. 

In my naivety and my late-teens to early-twenties arrogance, that’s what I really wanted to believe. I was just that good. She played me like a fiddle, truth be told, and I think I’ve known it for a while now, but only recently come to accept it. There were too many things that went wrong in my five years of friendship with this person to be able to recount all of them. I’m sure I’ve even forgotten a lot of them myself. 

So, let me fill you in with the tiniest little bit of backstory. 

I. Am not good with people. I have trouble reading them, I have trouble understanding them, and I find prolonged interaction with them to be extremely tiring. I’m an introvert’s introvert, and make no bones about the fact that my proclivity for solitude has left me somewhat more socially inept than most. For the majority of the five year time I have described, I had at most 3 friends at a time. Most often, just two. For a brief, particularly terrible span of time about a year ago, only one. 

The reason I bring this up at all is to lend context to the events I’m about to detail, which preceded the final crescendo that compelled me to leave this entire half-decade long chapter of my life behind in a smoldering pile of ash and regret. To some of you this may seem insignificant, but consider it the straw that broke the camel’s back. 

Around January, I found a new friend via Discord, and by pure happenstance it turned out he was in the same state as me. Just a few short miles, in fact. Naturally, we started hanging out, and that one new friend turned into several new friends. Soon enough I was invited to join in on a Pathfinder game, because nerds bond over nerdy things. 

Maia and I had been Roleplaying partners for the entire time I’d known her. She’d become more than a little possessive of me. One night while I was enjoying the game with my new friends, she asked why I hadn’t been responding to her as much – a common complaint whenever I was doing anything except paying attention to her – and I replied honestly that I was playing Pathfinder, which I described as being “like DnD”. 

To say she went ballistic would be a massive understatement. She went on an hours-long tirade about how much she hated tabletop roleplaying games because someone once kicked her out of one (or some other equally vapid reasoning), at the conclusion of which she told me that I could either play Pathfinder, or keep talking to her, but not both. 

I, however, surmised that there was no way for her to tell if I was still playing pathfinder or not. So, in an effort to simultaneously keep her happy and also continue spending time with my friends, I persisted in going to weekly game nights. Unsurprisingly, she was none the wiser. It’s almost as if, like I said to her, what game someone else plays in private and in their free time has no impact whatsoever on other people. Curious, isn’t it? 

Now, fast forward another few months to more or less the present. Pathfinder has really brought together a fun group of friends for me. A few of us run our own private game via Discord with more casual, daily sessions. I don’t stop talking with Maia altogether, but I do start doing things in my life besides just talking to Maia. I start going out to be social in public with my friends, I start going out for dinner, I start trying to train myself to get a good quality job instead of the usual dead-end stuff I’ve lived on for years. Things are looking up for me, and even my depression (a companion of mine since I was 13, amounting to twelve years time as of this writing) has started to get better. This, to me, seems like something where a friend would be overjoyed, no? 

I understand that people have their own issues, and I won’t get into her private issues too much since they have no relevance to this post, but I will say that she was so absorbed in her own issues that she couldn’t even congratulate me. Instead, she took my good fortune as a slight against her, and began to berate me. 

This was the moment when I’d had enough, and finally told her in no uncertain terms that I was done. 

That was the 10th. I waited this long to be absolutely sure that I want to burn this bridge, and I do. My life has only gotten better since no longer having her in it. By posting this here, I state my unequivocal intent to never, ever let this toxic human being back into my life for any reason. She lies, she deceives, she uses, and she blames her own victims when they call her out on it. She seeks out those who are vulnerable or ignorant, and preys on them like a parasite. 

To any reading this who may have just found Maia, take it from someone who spent half of a decade obstinately sticking by her side and doing everything in his mediocre power to make her life easier. 

Run, don’t walk, away.

Proof is available to the moderators of this blog upon request.

Thank you for posting your confession. I am truly sorry for the experience you have been given by Maia, and hope your life is getting better for it. As always, I do ask for proof, and the more evidence that is given, the better it is people are aware of the sort of behavior those who have submitted here and I are legitimately complaining about; something Maia has not addressed at all to this very day. If you can provide such at your own time and convenience, it would be much appreciated.

[janethepegasus]

BMC Miraculous Ladybug AU RP Thing: Chaos Akuma

An RP me and @pika-ace did relating to the BMC Miraculous Ladybug AU where an Akuma (that’s basically Discord but his chaos powers are amped to an 11) distorts the city and the Armada into whatever he desires.

(An Akuma flies through the sky and finds someone to possess, a couple of seconds later, there was a mini-sonic boom and slowly, the city and everything in it, starts

to distort into strange and surreal things, even logic itself was being distorted.)

(Everyone starts to warp and change)

(Jordan suddenly feels a stinging pain inside of him and winces)

Eric: You okay...? (Eric feels a headache coming on and winces)

Jordan: *winces* N-No...not really...! *curls up from the pain and he notices claws were forming out of his fingers*

Eric: Jordan! What- (Eric falls to his knees, clutching his head)

Jordan: Will...!! *winces in pain as ears and a tail start growing on his body*

Eric: J...Jordan... (Eric can feel his concern melting away, even thought deep down he still feels it, and metal start to climb his skin)

(Fangs started to grow on Jordan's teeth and parts of his body had fur growing)

Jordan: *internally* What the fuck...?! I thought...Joe fixed this... *curls over in pain*

(Eventually, the pain stopped and Jordan looked at himself, he transformed into a half man half wolf. having the senses of a wolf but keeping his intelligence as a

human)

Jordan: Wha...What the hell?!

(Jordan looks and sees that Eric is transforming into an android)

Jordan: Oh my god Will! *he holds him* Eric: J...Jordan...!!

(Eric slowly reaches out towards Jordan)

(His hand becomes metal and his eyes glow blue)

Jordan: Will...?

Eric: *voice becoming stiff* Jordan...

Jordan: *his wolf ears drooping* Uh...Will...?

Eric: *robot voice* Analyzing symptoms of Jordan Ellis, designated spouse or partner.

(Jordan looks at Eric, confused and a little bit scared)

Eric: Analysis complete. Energy readings signify an akuma.

Jordan: Well no shit, Peach, why else would we turn into this?! *gestures his body and Eric's body*

Eric: Analysis also confirms that others are having similar effects, some more drastic than others

(Jordan tenses up at the thought of Michael or others he cares about, going through similar or more drastic transformations)

(Jordan pulls out his phone to the group chat where the chat is already blowing up with reactions and screaming)

Jordan: Oh god...

(The chat is pure chaos)

Jeremy: *text* H E L P, S M A L L  A S  A  K I T T E N DX

Rich: *text* I’monfmcfuckingFIREHOWAMITYPINGRIGHTNOWWTFWTFWTFWTFWTF

Anton: *sends of photo of his scarred eye open but it has TV static, while the rest of body has wires in his body* I have NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL I TURNED INTO!!!

Jenna: *text* I HAVE FUCKING GILLS AND CHRISTINE JUST FLEW INTO MY ROOM AS BASICALLY TINKER BELL IN SIZE AND SCALE IM FLIPPING THE FUCK OUT

(Amongst the chaos, Jane sent a video in the chat, in the video, “Eric” was holding the camera in from of “him”)

Jordan: The fuck?!

(In the video, "Eric" explains that "he's" Jane, but the magic of the chaos akuma turned her into a shapeshifter, allowing her to turn into whatever she desires. Then,

near the end of the video, she shows what the chaos magic did to Joe, she turns the camera to the table, there a book lays on the table. And Jane says that the magic

made a magic book and now Joe is sealed within it, with his only way of communication is to write words on the blank pages.)

Jordan: Jesus, what a shit show...

Lin: *text* Everybody turned into some kind of freak show, thanks to that Akuma! XS

Kirsty: *text* You can say that again! (She sends a video of the trinity showing that she’s about three inches tall and the trinity have become living representations of ‘see no evil, hear no evil, and

speak no evil’. Philip has no eyes, Sebastian has no ears, and Max has no mouth)

Jane: *text* Holy shit! O_O

Kirsty: *text* I KNOW!! And do you know how hard it is to use a touch screen when you’re this tiny??? >:(

Jeremy: *text* I'm kinda having the same problem cause, ya know, I'M THE SIZE OF A KITTEN RIGHT NOW?!

Jane: *text* Dad says we should all meet up and asses the damage before going after the akuma

Jordan: *text* Alright, see you all there!

Jordan: C'mon Will!

Jordan: Let’s go! Eric: Affirmative.

(They transform and head out and meet with the others in less than graceful fashions due to their deformities) Dasher: *runs backwards to where they are and slams into the wall as a result* OW FUCK!!

Timber: Woah! You okay Speedy?!

Dasher: No! My running is completely fucked up!

(Dasher slowly backs up, wincing at the hard blow) Dasher: *softly* Ow ow ow ow ow...

Stag: At least you can fucking SEE!!! (Gestures to Cloudy who is literally a walking ball of wool)

Cloudy: Help :^(

Atlantic: *points to Stag* Mmmmph mmm mmm mmmph. (You're not much better off) (Stag's horns are huge, weighing down his head so much that he has to drag them along)

Stag: Oh Maxie, these *gestures the horns* may be bad, but trust me, "down below" i had it the worse. :/

Atlantic: Mmmph mmmph mm mmm mmmmm mmmmmph!!! >:((((( Scarlet: WHAT?! Jade: Please, you don't have to shout....although *puts hands where his eyes used to be* it gives me a better idea of where you are...but who am I kidding you're not

hearing any of this... Scarlet: WHAT?!

Inferno: Why even complain about this?! We all *suddenly his voice turns into a female's voice* have some kind of problem thanks to the *turns back into a male voice*

Akuma fucking us up! >:(

Leo: Whoa that's weird... Ace: Honestly I think he has it the best. (Ace is now part pigeon and the size of one too, carrying Swan in his feet who is now a plushie)

Leo: ...At least Post can be the one thing he loves. :/

(Hound whines as he's now a dog but with his human head) Hound: I want my apposable thumbs back! D'X

Volph: Same here! I think? (Volph is now an anthro fox, her fox tail sticking out with her nine tails of her costume)

Maiden: *who has a legit unicorn head but a human body* Let's just find this asshole and be done with this...

Draco: Let's just be careful of how we traverse this chaos driven terrain...especially me... *parts of Draco's body is covered in stained glass, not only that, he's a

bit fragile, a simple fall would shatter him into pieces*

Striker: I second that... *Striker has become part stone like a griffon statue*

Jane: *who's taken the form of Makoto from Danganronpa* Yeah, everybody got a little form change thanks to him... *she looks at the magic book that she's holding*

...At least you guys can move around, unlike Dad who's...probably gonna be immobile until this is over... :/

Kirsty: *climbs on Jane's shoulder* I can't even move without fear of being stepped on. Christine at least has wings. *points to Papillion who's now the size of a

butterfly*

Papillion: Well yeah, the world does seem a bit more dangerous if you're SUPER tiny. :/

Tiger: DOES NO ONE REMEMBER THAT I'M PERMANENTLY ON FIRE?!?!?!?!?! *his whole body is up in flames*

Jane: ...Oh yeah, forgot about that. :/

Pacific: *mouth is full of giant shark teeth expanding his mouth and his lips* My dentist is gonna KILL ME!!!

Ursa: *body was buffed up and generally he looked like a bear man* Now i know how it feels to be the strongest man in the whole armada... *glares at Timber*

Timber: Oh fuck you too, Matt >:(

(Ursa and Timber glare at each other)

Natura: Guys cmon not now! (Natura has turned into the deer god from Princess Mononoke)

Aqua: Yeah, you can do it later AFTER we’re back to normal! XS (Aqua’s hair is now multi-colored, SUPER long, and are thin like spaghetti)

Karma: Yeah... (Karma’s physical body is gone, but his costume and mask are still visible)

Timber: *huffs* Fine...

(They head off the best they can to look for the akuma)

(Jane taken the form of Wise Owl to catch up with the group. Seeing everyone struggling to look for the Akuma in their current state, Joe’s written words in the magic

book were filled with distress and worry for the Armada)

Jane: Awww don’t worry dad, they’ll be okay

Joe: *written down* Are you sure my dear?

(Jane looks up as Jade trips and falls due to blindness and Tiger sets a nearby object on fire) Jane: ...Yeah...they'll be fine O_O

Joe: *written down* I hope so...with these deformities this akuma has bestowed upon them...i just pray to god that they'll be okay by the end of this...

(After a good while of struggling, they hear laughing) Akuma: Oh this is just priceless XD

Timber: *ears twitch* I hear him!

Kirsty: Well duh, he's right above you. *points to the akuma laughing above them*

Akuma: *laughs* Oh god, you all look HILARIOUS!! XD

Atlantic: *muffled ranting* Akuma: What? I can't quite...you got something... *points to his mouth* Oh wait, you have NOTHING XD

(The akuma laughs at Atlantic, while Atlantic fumes with rage)

Timber: You're going down, I think is what he means to say >:(

Akuma: Oh really? You deformed weirdos are gonna take ME down? HA! You guys couldn't even crush a cockroach with these new forms of yours! XD *keeps laughing* Joe: *angrily writes* HEY!! Do NOT insult my children!! >:(

Jane: Sheesh Dad... O_O (Leo hisses and yowls quite pitifully, only fueling the akuma's laughter)

Dasher: You think THIS is FUCKING FUNNY?! >:(

Cyber: Affirmative; analysis confirms that these transfigurations to our bodies are only intended for enterntainment

Draco: So he turned EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US into some kind of JOKE?! >:(

Cyber: Affirmative. Hound: Quit acting so calm about this!!!

Cyber: *looks at Hound, curiously* What do you mean? This is my default voice.

Kirsty: Hey! Are you guys gonna kick his ass or what?!

Akuma: *laughs* There's no WAY these fools are gonna beat me! There's NO way they can smack me around with those silly forms of theirs! XD

(Cyber wordlessly raises his hand and shoots a lightning blast and it hits) Cyber: Target acquired. Akuma object termination in progress

Akuma: GAH!! Why you...!! *his arm morphs into a giant arm made out of vines and he grabs Cyber with the large fist made out of vines*

Timber: WILL!!

(The Akuma lifts Cyber up and starts throwing him around, slamming him into nearby buildings)

(Cyber keeps a straight face almost throughout the whole thing) Tiger: My GOD man, you’re being pummeled!! DONT YOU CARE?!?!

(The Akuma keeps throwing him around until he stops, his vine arm detaching from his body, a new arm immediately grows in its place, and the vines tie around Cyber’s

body. The vines slowly tighten their grip on him and spikes start to pop out in some places)

Timber: LET GO OF MY PEACH!!! (Timber leaps up with his claws and slices through the vines and catches Cyber, landing safely)

Timber: *to Cyber* You Okay, Peach?

Cyber: *stares at Timber in slight shock* A...Affirmative...

Timber: Good... (The Akuma looks at the Armada in slight amusement) Akuma: So ya weaklings think you can stand up against me? >:3

Dasher: Hell yeah we can!!

Akuma: Well I hope you have a little plan to do so, cause I’m gonna make this world turn against ya! >:3 (The Akuma snaps his fingers and suddenly, the ground below them turned into thick chocolate sauce)

Leo: Oh COME ON!!

(They struggle through the chocolate to get out of it, but the fact that Tiger is on fire, causes the chocolate to get a bit hotter)

Pacific: Dude, get OUT of the chocolate!! Tiger: I'm TRYING! >:(((

(They keep struggling until they manage to get out.) (But then the Akuma made the ground below them turn into slippery soap)

(The holders all slip and slide) Jane: It's okay! Just pretend you're ice skating!

Dasher: But-AH! *he slips and falls on the ground* some of us CAN'T skate! XS

Kirsty: Then now's a good time to learn! (Meanwhile, any flying holders who are able, start fighting the akuma)

(However, the akuma had a wide grin on his face, fighting back with such great force. He even takes advantage of their new forms, by landing a hard hit on Draco and a

piece of his glass like body breaking off of him)

(Draco screams) Timber: NO!!! (Cyber stares as emotion tries to break through his eyes)

Akuma: Oh ho, why would a fragile one, such as yourself, would want to fight me? Especially if *grabs Draco's arm and with great force, he snaps it off of him* THIS

happens to ya? >:3

Jane and Kirsty: HOLY SHIT!!! (Cyber blasts the akuma as hard as he can with lightning)

(The akuma smirks and hides Draco behind him, then with his chaos magic, turns the arm into a copy of Draco and uses it as a shield, letting the lightning hit the

Draco clone)

Hound: HEY!!! Leo: No one hurts Dragon Dad on OUR watch!!! (The kids all attack, knocking the clone away)

(The Akuma smiles wickedly and pulls out a large cage, then he swoops all the kids up in it, and then he spins it around quickly)

Stag: KIDS!!!

(The kids scream as they are being spun around. Until the akuma throws the cage and it flies over the adult Holders and through the city) Akuma: Homerun!! >:3

Dasher: I'll get them! *starts running backwards after them as best he can* Atlantic: *muffled yelling and screaming* Scarlet: YOU'RE GOING DOWN!!!

Akuma: I'm not going down, you are >;3 *he snaps his fingers and suddenly gravity pushes the Adult Holders down, making it a bit hard for them to move*

(A bird visor then appears on his face) Raven: Well done my akuma! You've done beautifully! >:3

Akuma: Thank you Master! >:3

Akuma: Shall I bring them to you? Raven: Oh please do. >:3

Akuma: I will, and trust me, you'll LAUGH once you seen what i've done to them! >:3

Raven: I look forward to it.

(The Raven Visor disappears and the Akuma looks at the Holders)

Akuma: Well, time to go! (He waves his hand and a giant sentient bag appears and scoops up all the adult holders; he then makes a separate bag) Akuma: Get those kids and that weasel, we want to please Master >:3 *the bag flies off*

(A couple of seconds later, the bag comes back with the kids Holders and Dasher in it)

(The akuma grins and flies towards Raven's tower, which has a kind of shield around it made by the akuma so the reality warping won't affect him; Raven comes out of

the tower, stopping right at the edge of the shield) Raven: I'm sorry to say all your hard work will be undone once they come in here, but please, show them to me, I must see this with my own eyes! >:3 *he gestures to a

spot right in front of the shield*

(The akuma empties the bags out while keeping gravity on them so Raven can see their conditions)

(Upon seeing their conditions, Raven bursts out into laughter)

Raven: Oh! This is incredible! XD

(Raven keeps laughing at them, while the Holders, Jane, and Kirsty, all glare at him)

(He laughs for a while until he finally calms down) Raven: Okay...well done...ten out of ten, darling; throw the bags into my tower and you can keep doing your thing... XD

Akuma: Okay! >:3

(He puts them all back into one bag and throws them into the tower and flies off; meanwhile, while the holders are still helpless, the moment they enter the field,

they return to normal) Raven: *enters the tower* Oh it was fun while it lasted...

(Raven takes the bags up the tower)

(Once he gets to the tower...) Raven: First, let's deal with the extra baggage... *he reaches in and grabs Jane and Kirsty out of the bag*

Jane: AHH! Kirsty: HEY!!

(He ties them up back to back and puts tape on their mouths and holds them up by a length of rope) Raven: Now I can guarantee a little more cooperation from the animal patrol >:3

Kirsty and Jane: MMMPH!!

(Raven unties the bag) Raven: Alright, c'mon out. Enjoy your normality *softly* for now...

(He empties out the bag, letting the Holders fall out)

(Everyone looks around and deflates in relief at seeing they're normal again)

Timber: Thank god...

Cyber: Jordan! *hugs him* I've been wanting to do that all day!!

Timber: *hugs back* Finally, my Peach is speaking normally! :)

Atlantic: I can talk!! Scarlet: I can hear!! Jade: I can see!!

Owl: *looks at himself* I-I'm not in a book anymore...! Oh thank god...!! *hugs any nearby Holders as tightly as possible* Oh my dear children, you're all okay...!!

Hound: Oof! Missed you too, Owl Dad

(Raven rolls his eyes as he sees the Holders all relieved to have their normal bodies back)

Kirsty: MMMPH!! (Hey, don't ignore us!! >:((( )

Jane: MMPH!!! (Yeah, we matter too! >:((( )

Raven: *clears this throat and gets their attention* I get that you're happy but - *he holds his scythe up to Kirsty and Jane* Let's get back to business, shall we?

>:3

(The Holders' eyes widen upon seeing the scythe near Jane and Kirsty)

Raven: Your Miraculous, if you please. I would tie you all up and take them by force, but I'm not really feeling it today, soooo... (He pushes the scythe closer, making the two girls whimper)

(The Holders tense up)

Raven: What's it gonna be, holders? The easy way or the hard way?

(The Holders glare at Raven, not wanting to hand their Miraculous over, but they don't want Jane and Kirsty's lives to be taken by Raven Claw)

(After a while, Raven sighs) Raven: Alright, if you're going to be dramatic about it, you can at least be entertaining (He drops a portion of the shield so only he, Jane, and Kirsty are shielded from the warping)

Leo: Oh no, not again! XS (Everyone starts to transform)

Timber: No..! WILL!! (Cyber starts becoming metal again)

(Timber winces in pain as he starts transforming again)

(Cyber hugs him) Cyber: I...I love you...!

Timber: I...I love you...too...!!

Jane and Kirsty: *struggle* MMMMPH!! (The transformations finish)

Tiger: AHHH!!! I'M ON FIRE AGAIN!!!!!

(The holders descend into chaos once more and Raven laughs while Jane and Kirsty watch in horror)

Leo: Oh god, i'm tiny again!!! DX

Hound: *looks at his dog body* Nooooooooo! Atlantic: MMMMMMMPH!!!

Jade: I can't see!!! Scarlet: WHAT?!

Kirsty: *glares at Raven* MMMMMPH!! (YOU ASSHOLE!!)

Jane: *looks at Owl's distorted form, just laying on the ground* MMPH!! (DAD!!)

Raven: *to Owl* Not so tough now are you? XD

Owl: *written down* Shut your mouth! >:(

(Raven floats around them in his shield with Jane and Kirsty)

(Jane and Kirsty watch in horror as they see the Holders freaking out and panicking over their distorted forms)

(Kirsty growls at Raven and gives him a kick in the shins and Jane follows suit, both of them kicking at him)

Raven: Ow! Hey! >:(

Jane and Kirsty: >:(((((((( *keep kicking at him*

Raven: Ow Ow Ow Quit it!! >:((

(They keep kicking at him when Raven suddenly loses his balance; he flails and topples right out of his shield, leaving only Jane and Kirsty sitting inside it)

Raven: Ow... *glares at Jane and Kirsty* Why you- (Suddenly, Raven freezes and then he starts to transform, screaming in pain)

Jane: Mmph! (Whoa!) (Raven grows a bird head and his arms become wings but his body remains) Kirsty: Mmmph? (Did we do that? O_O )

Jane: Mmph! (Apparently! O_O)

(Raven’s transformation completes and he looks at  himself in horror)

(Raven screams in horror upon seeing his distorted form)

Arctic: *who has a similar appearance to Raven but as a Polar bear* HA!! Sucks to be you, asshole!! >:D

(Raven still screams in horror of his new form)

(Owl writes something down and Timber reads it and calls up to Jane and Kirsty) Timber: You two just stay put up there!! We’ll get ya down as soon as we get rid of this akuma!!

Jane: Mmph! (Okay!) *internally* Though I miss being a shapeshifter :/

Kirsty: Mmph! (Got it!) *internally* Man, if I was still small we could get out of these ropes... :/ (The holders get a hold of themselves and look out the window where they see the akuma in the distance)

(The Akuma looks at Raven’s tower, looking a kinda bored) Akuma: The whole city is distorted by me...except this. (He stares at it for a few seconds) Akuma: ...Fuck it, Master’s joining the fun! (He snaps his fingers and Raven’s tower starts to distort and the shield disappears)

(Kirsty instantly shrinks making the ropes fall away from Jane and they pull the tape off)

Jane: *shiftshapes into Sci-Twi* Yes! We're free! And i can shift shape again! :D

Kirsty: *climbs on Jane’s shoulder* Don’t get TOO attached to the crazy akuma magic...

Jane: *gets up* Hey, having the power to shiftshape is the one ability i wish i can have 24/7, so don't blame me for getting TOO attached to this new ability! X3

Kirsty: Just don’t drop me please...

Jane: I won't!

Jane: And besides, we’re already together, no need to FALL for me ;) Kirsty: ........why....? -_-

(Suddenly, everyone feels the tower shaking for a couple of seconds. When it stopped, the window transformed into a large eye and it looked at everyone)

Coral: Huh...at least we don’t have to walk

(Then they feel the lair shake again. Outside, the lair rises and four legs burst out from under it. Then it starts to move around the city mindlessly)

(Everyone topples around from the movement, Jane holding Kirsty in her hands for safety)

(Jane spots Owl's distorted form being thrown around from the movement, but her heart sank when he was getting a bit too close to Tiger)

Jane: SOMEONE KEEP OWL DAD AWAY FROM RICH!!!

(Timber quickly yanked Owl away from Tiger)

Hound: Now what?!

(At this point, Raven eventually calms down and glares at the Holders)

Raven: This- Dasher: If you say this our fault you’re fucking DEAD >:(

Jane: Really, it's actually OUR fault ya turned into a raven man! *she shiftshapes into Raven Claw* Then again, you underestimated what two girls can do to you! :P

(Raven lets out a screech of anger and charges towards Jane and Kirsty)

Jane: Oh shit O_O *spreads out her wings and flies off*

Kirsty: *clinging to Jane* FLY FLY FLY!!!!

(Jane flaps her wings as fast as she can)

(Raven chases them out of the tower) Leo: ...I guess we’ll just have to check on them once we take out that akuma

Cyber: Affirmative.

(The holders manage to safely get out of the tower and head towards the akuma)

(As soon as they were getting near the Akuma, a large boxing ring emerges out of the ground below them and rises above the city with them on it)

Atlantic: *muffled annoyed sounds*

(It stops when the boxing ring was way above the city, then the akuma shows up with a big smirk on his face)

Akuma: Ready for the REAL fight? >:3

Akuma: Cause the fight i'm gonna give you, is FINAL BOSS worthy! >:3 *he smiles wickedly then he swoops down. A few seconds later, the ground started to shake and a HUGE dark figure started to rise*

(The kids’ eyes all widen in recognition to the reference) Kids: O_O .......fuck

(Once the dark figure towers over the Armada, the dark figure was revealed to be the akuma transformed into a being of madness and chaos.The Akuma maniacally laughs at them with a wide smile)

Everyone: O_O Timber: .....Welp....let’s get him guys

Dasher: Let's bring our A-Game into this one...i hope... O~O

(They start fighting)

(The Armada do all that they can to fight the Akuma, but at some points during the fight, the Akuma sends out powerful attacks that almost knocked some of the members

of the Armada out of the boxing ring)

Akuma: That’s a few down!

(Draco holds onto the ropes as best as he can) Draco: Boys...Help me...!!

(Timber and Cyber run over and carefully helps him over)

Draco: Thank you...

Timber: We gotcha

(They keep fighting the Akuma)

(Leo and Swan, vein the smallest, sneak around the massive akuma and look for the object they need) (Papillion helps too)

(But then, three hands emerge out of the Akuma's body, grabbing Leo, Swan, and Papillion.)

Timber: KIDS!!

Akuma: Nuh uh uh! If you all want to beat me, then you'll have to do it without taking the easy way! Or else... *the hands' grip on Leo, Swan, and Papillion get

tighter, the three of them scream in pain*

Dasher: Okay okay! (They keep fighting)

(The Akuma keeps holding onto Leo, Papillion, and Swan during the fight)

(The fight goes on for a while until Cyber spots the akuma)

(Cyber was about to shoot at it, but the Akuma noticed that he was taking "the easy way", so another hand emerges out of his body and grabs Cyber tightly) Akuma: NO EASY WAY!!

Hound: You’re a sore loser! >:((((

Akuma: Oh am I? Well, i won’t let ANY of you taking the easy route of beating me, you gotta beat me like you would with a REGULAR final boss! >:) (The Akuma lifts Cyber up and tightens his hold on him, resulting in some sparks flying out of Cyber’s metal body)

(Timber quickly jumps up and latches onto the hand holding Cyber) Timber: Hang on Will!!

(His grip on Cyber gets tighter, more sparks are flying and his eyes start to flicker)

Timber: Silver Claws!! (Timber shoves his claws into the hand and slowly pries the giant fingers away from Cyber so he can grab him and hold him to his chest)

(Cyber had a lot of dents and cracks, even his robot arm was disconnected)

Timber: Jesus...! Timber: Come on Will, stay with me!

Cyber: Energy low. 99% functions are shut down or damaged. *looks at Timber* Jordan...

Timber: Will...!

Cyber: Able...to function...for 5 minutes maximum...after dead line...will shutdown...permanently... (He looks at Timber directly) Cyber: Jordan...beloved spouse... *a smile cracks on his face* I...love...you... :)

(Timber tears up) Timber: I...I love you too...

(Timber gives a quick peck on Cyber’s lips)

Akuma: *laughs* Some hero you are! Can’t even protect one of his friends! Timber: ...I wouldn’t say that... Akuma: Huh? Timber: I just had to keep you still for a few minutes >:3 (At that moment, Stag jumps off one of the poles of the ring and drops the full weight of his giant horns onto the akuma’s head)

Akuma: GAH!!

Stag: TAKE THAT SCUMBAG!!! Timber: GET HIM EVERYONE!! (The holders all charge and take advantage, attacking with everything they have all at once)

(As all the attacks hit the Akuma, he flails around and the city below them starts to twist and turn, becoming a chaotic version of the city)

(The holders keep going and keep attacking, pinning him down under all their attacks)

(They keep going until Timber gives the Akuma the final blow. Then, streams of light poke out from the Akuma’s body, he screams and he explodes into an explosion of

light.)

(The akuma object appears and Timber catches it) Timber: Time to end this...

(With all of his strength, he crushes the Akuma into pieces and a black bird flies out)

(he directs the bird to Cyber who is moments away from shutting down; with the last of his strength, Cyber puries the akuma and restores the damage, returning the

world and themselves to normal)

(They all return to the ground and everything and everyone turned back to normal)

Timber: WILL!! (He runs over to Cyber who's body is human and completely healed as he sits up)

Cyber: *looks up* Jordan...!

(Timber scoops him up and spins him around, peppering him with kisses) Timber: Thank god...!

(Cyber giggles and smiles as Timber peppers his face with kisses)

Cyber: It's good to see you too...! X3

(Then Timber kisses Cyber fully in the mouth and they hold that kiss for a few seconds. Then they break the kiss)

Timber: God I missed the real you...

Cyber: Same here...

(Cyber kisses Timber again, quite roughly) Cyber: I've been wanting to do that all day...

(Timber smiles and kisses him back)

(Dasher makes a joking gagging noise as all the other couples embrace and kiss when Scarlet blinks) Scarlet: Um...what happened to my baby sister and her girlfriend? O_O

Everyone: O_O

(Meanwhile, Raven, now back to normal, has just entered his tower with a squirming bag in his possession with a tied and taped Jane and Kirsty inside) Raven: *panting slightly* Well...that was an ordeal...but I finally got you little pests!

Jane and Kirsty: MMMMMPHHHHH!!!!!!!

Raven: *looks around* You know what? We're gonna switch this up a bit, since I'm now quite exhausted. (He takes the bag out of the tower and into another room in his lair)

(Once he got into the other room in his lair, he throws the bag onto the ground)

Jane and Kirsty: MMPH! (OW!!!) (Raven collapses onto a chair that's in the room) Raven: Let's see how long it takes them

(Raven sits there, waiting for the Armada to come)

(After a while he hears them burst into the tower above them) Raven: God, did they break my windows again? -_-

(The Armada race through the tower, looking for Raven, Jane, and Kirsty)

Leo: They're not here!! Atlantic: But that's impossible!!

Owl: Where the hell did he take my daughter and her girlfriend?!

Scarlet: Where's my baby sister?! >:((((

Timber: They have to be here somewhere!

Hound: STORM THE LAIR!! (Raven hears from a distance)

Raven: What?!

(Raven grabs the bag and moves from the room)

(The Armada storm through the lair, looking at every inch, every room, everything Raven's lair has)

(Owl eventually makes it to the front room just in time to see Raven exit the front door and fly away with the bag)

Raven: ...Shit. O_O

Owl: HE'S GETTING AWAY!!!

(The Armada charge towards Raven while he quickly tries to fly away)

Raven: Dammit...as if I didn't use up enough energy chasing these two before!!

(Raven tries all that he can to fly away from the Armada, but then Owl tackles Raven out of the sky)

(They fall onto a roof and tumble, the bag flying away from both of them)

(Owl pins Raven to the ground, glaring at him)

Owl: Give them back!! Raven: Oh, you want them? Better go get them! >:3 (He points to the bag just as its rolling off the edge of the building)

Owl: *eyes widen in horror* NO!!! *quickly flies towards the bag*

(He reaches out for it but just misses it; when suddenly, Jade appears and catches it as it falls with Nature Leap)

Jade: Got it!

(Jade lands and Scarlet appears and opens the bag, he and Atlantic pulling out the tied up girls) Kirsty: Mmmmph! :D

(Owl quickly takes the tape off their mouths, unties them, and immediately hugs Jane tightly, relieved that she's okay) Owl: Oh my sweet daughter...! You're okay...! You're okay...!!

(The trinity do the same with Kirsty and Scarlet hugs her) Scarlet: Baby sis...! You're okay!! Jade: Thank god...!

Jane: Dad...! *hugs him back*

Kirsty: Guys...! *hugs the trinity*

(The Trinity and Owl keep hugging Kirsty and Jane, even Owl gives a little kiss on Jane's cheek)

(The other holders decide to leave them be and head on their own way) Timber: *takes Cyber's hand* Shall we? :3

Cyber: We shall! :3

(They head off together)

(As they head off, Raven gets up, rolls his eyes and growls, and leaves the Armada without saying a word)

[shadesofjoe]

Down Under

It’s wild what a difference a year can make. I’ve not spoken publicly of things I’m about to share, though those closest to me are well aware of these events. It’s recently been suggested to me, however, that writing more openly about the situation would be a good final step in releasing the negative energy surrounding it, thus closing this path of catharsis I have traveled for the past few months. And if nothing else, it could serve as a cautionary tale for someone else who might be able to avoid some of the pitfalls I fell into.

I met her last January. Her name was Emily… at least that’s what she told me her name was. In retrospect, I’m guessing that was just another of many things that wound up not being true. But in my memory she will always be Emily, and for the purposes of this exercise, it’s probably best to leave it that way. She reached out to me through a post I made on a personals subreddit. She purported to be from Australia, which will no doubt ring a bell for those of you who were curious as to why I suddenly became very interested in Australian facts around this time last year. She claimed to be a veterinarian and, near as I can tell, there may have been a hint of truth to that. I don’t know. It’s all still kind of difficult to parse through, unfortunately.

Be that as it may, there seemed to be this instant chemistry between us. We spent a lot of time texting, talking on the phone, exchanging pictures and voice messages. I liked her. A lot. I thought there was this energy we had going on. It was the kind of authentic vibe I hadn’t felt in a very, very long time. I was attracted to everything about her, and better yet, she seemed to actually be attracted to everything about me. In retrospect, I should have perhaps been more skeptical of a seemingly beautiful woman from a foreign country being interested in someone of my portly stature, but even my well-developed self awareness still has its blind spots.

The trouble came, of course, a couple of days before our first scheduled video call. I don’t want to get into too many details, because honestly there’s just no way for me to know how much of what I was told was true, and how much wasn’t… which is its own problem. The important part is that the video call didn’t happen for reasons that were portrayed to me as very dramatic. There was about a two-week period of radio silence where the only interaction I had from her was the recognition that she was viewing my Instagram stories. I started posting stories every day just to see if she was still thinking of me during what she had laid out to me as a very difficult and emotionally challenging situation for her. I haven’t used Instagram since all this went sideways. I still can’t bear to open the app on my phone. I honestly have considered deleting it altogether. But I digress…

After the radio silence, Emily got back in touch with me and said that she wanted to come over for a visit to see if we would still have the same chemistry in person. Then she would know if this was something she could truly move forward with. Of course I was ecstatic. So plans were set for her to come in the early spring, which in retrospect would have been just about the time the coronavirus began to spiral out of control here in the United States. I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if things had turned out to be real. It wasn’t long before travel was restricted leaving the country, so she likely would have been stuck here for a while. It would have meant more time together discovering each other, showing her around Kentucky, introducing her to my friends, and maybe, just maybe, building something meaningful and lasting.

But of course none of that happened, because she never came. It was never real. And if I’m honest, I still feel like an idiot for ever believing it could have been.

Emily dropped out of contact again about a week before she was supposed to arrive. She resurfaced long enough to once again outline a very dramatic situation that involved her family. I will refrain from specifics because if it was a lie, then it’s an unspeakably awful one… but if for some strange reason even some of it was true, then it’s just as unspeakably awful. Either way, it was soul-crushing. In a single moment, I had gone from planning out a two-week whirlwind vacation to the reality that this woman was now disappearing from my life.

I am so unbelievably stupid sometimes.

Looking back with the benefit of not feeling that devastation again, it seems clear that the potential of a face-to-face encounter, just like a video call, had made her realize that she couldn’t keep up whatever this thing was. So cue the drama and then exit stage left.

I’m not so proud of this next part…

I asked the catfish subreddit for help determining just how badly I had been bamboozled. In doing so, I linked the Instagram account she was using for our correspondence. For all of my intellect, it genuinely never occurred to me that people might send nasty messages. I wasn’t thinking very clearly at all, truth be told. But lo and behold, the next day I get a pretty spicy message from Emily on Google Hangouts (she had blocked and unfollowed me on Instagram and Discord with nary a word about it) telling me that people had been sending her some really mean things.

That’s when a friend of mine who had managed to infiltrate her Instagram, unbeknownst to me, sent me a screencapped photo of a woman on a beach, legs intertwined with another man’s with champagne glasses in both their hands. It was a first-person perspective photo, so I couldn’t see faces. But obviously it made this already strange situation seem a million times worse. I called Emily out on this, and the only thing she could say in reply is that she had “made the right choice.”

I spent the next few months floundering, trying to make sense of the million little pieces my heart had been shattered into. I really opened up to this person. I trusted her. I believed her when she said that she had feelings for me. But none of it was true. As you can imagine, I’ve spent a good amount of time dealing with this in my therapy. It’s hard to not have answers. Even in a brief email exchange some months later, Emily said it was all a big misunderstanding and that she hadn’t whisked off on some romantic getaway. But honestly those pictures likely weren’t even of her, either. There’s literally no way to know what the actual truth behind his whole fucked up situation, and that has been the most difficult thing to navigate over this past year. The utter deceit of it all reaches depths I could never have imagined in my wildest dreams.

So am I foolish? Yes. Of course I am. I think that’s just part of my personality. I don’t necessarily view it as a character flaw, per se. But it certainly bit me in the ass here. This was definitely a lesson in how to temper that naiveté with a healthy amount of skepticism. I don’t do so well with balance though, so the pendulum swung hard in the other direction for quite a while. It’s closer to the middle now, but I still have more than my share of moments where I wonder if love is a real possibility for me.

I’ve done so much inner work. I’m very proud of the person I’ve become on the inside. I’m kind, thoughtful, generous, empathetic, funny, intelligent, and possess a host of other intangible qualities that make me a very compelling person. But I am also fat and there’s no getting around it. (Pun somewhat intended?) And a woman of Emily’s purported beauty and social status dating a fat guy, no matter how amazing, is just not indicative of the reality in which we live. It’s the kind of situation you would only ever see on a television show or in a movie. But that’s not real life. And perhaps if I had understood that better, I wouldn’t have had my heart broken into a million little pieces.

But this isn’t a sob story. I’m legitimately okay now. Therapy has been a godsend and I’ve done a lot of really important work to heal from it all. But of course there are… remnants. It’s not the kind of thing you can ever completely wipe from your memory. It happened. It’s over. And I’ve moved on. Part of that is accepting that being a bachelor for the rest of my life is a distinct possibility, and perhaps may be a likelihood. At some point you have to face facts, you know? When you can confront yourself with that kind of honesty, the likelihood of someone being able to pull the wool over your eyes again dramatically decreases. Besides, I’ve got children to raise. A life to lead. I don’t really have time for childish fantasies of serendipity anymore. If I’ve learned nothing else from this ordeal, it’s that such fairy tales just aren’t real.

If you have read this far, thank you for indulging me. I really hope there’s something of value for you here. I guess I feel that if being open my mistakes can somehow help someone else avoid the same pitfalls, then it gives an added layer of meaning to them for me. So perhaps it’s a bit of a selfish pursuit intertwined with an altruistic one. That’s probably a question best left for the philosophers and dime-store psychologists among us.

[deadskepticfiles]

THE DREAMING PROPHET: Episode 9, “A FIELD GUIDE TO DAIMONS”

[PODOMATIC LINK]

The Voices could drown you in jargon and rules. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Let's talk all about what exactly a "daimon" is - or at least, what we know so far. A special research project episode. Talking points: Daimon meta, Daimon rules, Daimon biology. Featuring cohost, Xaviul.

Spoiler + Content warning begins at 1:30.

Content warnings: General horror, unreality & hallucinations, narcotic drugs, possession, murder, brief mention of child abuse.

EPISODE LINKS:

complex visual hallucinations triggered by eye closure and condition-specific release phenomenon, by huang et al.

nat geo article on the pythia/oracle of delphi

lore masterdoc

lore comics: part 1

transcript masterdoc

official discord

the blackout club lexicon, for player/game lingo & terminology

Credits: - lavanya: host, transcript, video editor, asset artist, speak-as-one's #1 fan - astriferal: host, audio editor, puncher of things - be11amy: advertising - xaviul: host, moral support - special thanks: olive & coolguy - intro & outro music, "ringing bells": a weirdly handsome individual - transition audio clips, music, voice lines: the blackout club/question games - the blackout club: question games (https://www.blackoutclubgame.com)

LAVANYA [00:00:20] Hello, lovely listeners, and welcome to the Dreaming Prophet. Now tonight is a very special Public Service Announcement, sponsored for and paid by the state representatives at my door, right now. Remember, kids: when the Feds come knocking, you answer, even when your doorbell isn't rigged with a mind controlling music box! They were very insistent on tonight's topic, so buckle on in, because I'm legally required to say it and you're legally required to listen, no matter how all of us mutually, tearfully regret the experience.

 LAVANYA [00:00:56] Because, tonight, we will be discussing the birds and the bees.. on the astral plane! Because our slashed funding didn't cover avocados, so we're stuck talking about Voices. Improv, kids! It's wonderful! Put down your hand, Xaviul, we aren't taking questions.

 LAVANYA [00:01:11] My name is Lavanya -.

 ASTRO [00:01:13] And I'm Astro.

 BELLAMY [00:01:14] I'm Bellamy.

 XAVIUL [00:01:15] And I'm Xaviul. [laughing]

 ASTRO [00:01:17] This is a Blackout Club show for Blackout Club players, with minimal speculation, all lore, and a focus on the known facts. Our topic of the day is Daimon 1 0 1.

 XAVIUL [00:01:27] There will be a test afterwards, so stay tuned.

 LAVANYA [00:01:30] Now, our spoiler warning for today is everything related to Daimons. We're not digging into the individual characters, because we have separate episodes for that - which, hopefully you've listened to, especially the Speak-as-One one. The most important one.

 LAVANYA [00:01:41] *The best one.*

 LAVANYA [00:01:43] But we are digging into the general rules of how they form. That means our content warnings are general horror themes, as always, unreality and hallucinations, narcotic drugs, possessions, genocide, and general murder.

 ASTRO [00:01:57] There will also be a brief mention of child abuse.

 LAVANYA [00:02:05] So our big question of the day that we're gonna start off with is: what are Daimons? But, before we get into that, we should discuss the themes of the Blackout Club and the use of children as protagonists, because that is a huge part of what the Daimons are, and why they function the way that they do.

 LAVANYA [00:02:25] So the main characters of the Blackout Club are children. It was mentioned in the official Discord that actually an initial development of the Blackout Club back when they were first throwing around ideas, they were going to have adult player characters, but then they changed their mind. So, the player characters being children is important to the narrative and important to the themes.

 LAVANYA [00:02:46] Adolescence is a time of discovering agency, identity, and overcoming the learned helplessness that is being a kid. As a kid, your parents tie your shoelaces, and eventually, as you grow up, either you discover the beauty of velcro, or you learn to tie them yourself. The main characters of the game are children, and in light of that, the Daimons can be seen as the ultimate authority figures. As the enemy say repeatedly throughout the game, Speak-as-One are your parents, your teachers, they're every adult in town. If your mom isn't possessed by SAO, then your neighbor might be possessed by TID. Daimons are the adults narratively to the PCs children, especially when they and Unknown Caller are the only characters that we actually interact with.

 LAVANYA [00:03:30] And this ties into the rules that they follow in the narrative of the story!

 LAVANYA [00:03:35] The adult characters are all bound by various rules, and by laws, most of all, which becomes evident in the fact that childhood is the process of learning them - and breaking them, as seen by the fact the PCs run around tranqing people, vandalizing buildings and breaking and entering. Daimons have the authority that the PCs give them: narratively speaking, they are ideals, and all of them want you to conform to theirs. And they are trying to teach you to conform to theirs, or order you to through their god talks - but as any high school teachers can attest, that doesn't mean that a player characters actually do.

XAVIUL [00:04:10] The Daimons themselves have defined themselves in multitudes of ways through dreams and interactions. Speak-as-One holds that the Daimons rose from patterns, but came prior to humanity, while the Song connects Daimons and Speak-as-One.

 XAVIUL [00:04:25] The-Measure-Cuts says God is an imprecise moniker for Daimons. Dies-for-You agrees, saying Daimons are simpler and they are driven to motivate humans to action. The-Measure-Cuts also says they exist on a scale between a parasite and hallucination: he says the gender of Daimons depends on the perspective. Thee-I-Dare says they are affected and changed by humans gradually. He believes Daimons don't exist without humanity.

 LAVANYA [00:04:52] Thee-I-Dare, when he's speaking of Speak-as-One's treatment of humanity versus his, stated that they think they came to be first. "I think we owe ourselves to you." Is that true? Is that false? Who knows. But that's Thee-I-Dare's perspective.

 LAVANYA [00:05:08] He also stated that animals cannot host Daimons, only humans can.. and this may be related to animals lacking sapience.

 BELLAMY [00:05:15] Vaguely, we consider having sapience to involve possessing a great deal of amount of wisdom, and in some cases, we even define it as inherent to the human species. We are, after all, Homo sapiens! But more concretely, science often considers qualities like advanced reasoning capabilities and language skills as a prerequisite for sapience.

 BELLAMY [00:05:30] This is why we're so interested in studying animal languages, as with teaching apes Sign Language, and learning dolphin whistles, as well as with animal ability to reason recalling used tools as crows. However, while many animals possess some of these abilities, they are invariably nowhere near the level of what humanity can perform. We can ask apes to memorize symbols with highly specific meanings, for example, but they will peak around the same amount of words known as about a three year old, and be unable to utilise syntax the way that we can.

 BELLAMY [00:05:56] Of course, there are examples of humans lacking some or all of these abilities as well. Case studies of children, like Jeannie and Victor, who were found at age 13 and twelve respectively in abusive circumstances that prevented them from learning language, show that it was impossible to teach them native fluency in any language. Interestingly, that is also shortly before the same age that the voices consider to be a limit for taking people as hosts.

 BELLAMY [00:06:20] Aside from age, we don't know what the Daimons requirements for their hosts are, but the differences between human children and animals may offer us some insight and food for thought.

LAVANYA [00:06:27] And that leads us into the next topic:

 LAVANYA [00:06:30] The differences between humans and Daimons.

 LAVANYA [00:06:33] To start off, we're going to dig into the origin of the Daimons! Speak-as-One is our only narrator that actually has a good idea on how Daimons might have been created in the first place. They say that they, as the first Daimon, were born out of recurring patterns - always changing, always evolving. These patterns were created by the first branches of humanity, way back when we were still in caves and we didn't have any specific genetic species names to refer to.

 LAVANYA [00:07:01] Speak-as-One, in this early stage, was defined and changed by human thought. Because Speak-as-One, per themselves, were every facet of humanity that was conscious at that point. That appears to be the case for most Daimons: in reality, they are all defined and changed by human thought.

 LAVANYA [00:07:20] And that's one of the key points of their characters. The birth order of Daimons, as far as we know, was Speak-as-One, who was the original collective and consisted of everything. At that point in time, at some point afterwards, Thee-I-Dare was born and split off of them. He was born presumably from the defectors from that initial massive collective.

 LAVANYA [00:07:41] In-Her-Teeth was the third born with the concept of death and time, as people first began to acknowledge things change, but in the end, everything is gonna fucking croak. We don't know with the rest of the Voices the exact order of their birth, but we do know that Seed-the-Grudge is confirmed to be younger than the majority.

 LAVANYA [00:08:01] Daimons as a whole are symbiotic to humanity, and they are spawned from our sentiments. Basically, they wouldn't exist without us, and they rely on us for their existence.

 LAVANYA [00:08:11] But the real question is would we be able to survive without them?

 BELLAMY [00:08:15] And with the Voices being being symbiotic to humanity, it might be worth exploring the different kinds of symbiosis that occur naturally summarizes itself as a beneficial relationship between two different organisms or they exchange things like resources safety or even services.

 BELLAMY [00:08:27] Sometimes this can be a mutually beneficial relationship, but oftentimes it's a pretty one sided as well!

 BELLAMY [00:08:32] Symbiosis that is mutually beneficial is called mutualism. An example of this is plover birds that pick out old food scraps from the teeth of crocodiles.

 BELLAMY [00:08:38] This seems pretty dangerous for the bird to be sitting in the mouth of a crocodile. But in reality, it's preventing the crocodile from infections caused by rotten food that's stuck in its mouth. Meanwhile, the bird itself is getting the benefit of a meal out of this exchange.

 BELLAMY [00:08:49] Symbiosis where one organism is helped, while another as unaffected, is called commercialism. For example, a tree frog is using plants to hide. This helps the tree frogs, obviously, but doesn't do much to help or harm the plants either way. Meanwhile, symbiosis that involves one organism benefiting to the harm of another organism is called parasitism: fleas or ticks living on an animal host, for example. These feed off of the blood of their host, harming it, and offer it no benefit in return. In fact, we usually want parasites off of us as quickly as possible.

 LAVANYA [00:09:17] Do Daimons offer a benefit to their hosts, in mutualism, or do they only take, which would be parasitism? Or do they just take from their host, to the result of no help and no harm? It's not entirely clear and the answer probably changes depending on what facet of Daimon behavior you want to pay attention to.

 LAVANYA [00:09:35] The characters don't have a consensus on it. The player base definitely does not either. But regardless of what specific definition that they follow, Daimons rely on humanity.

LAVANYA [00:09:35] When Daimons don't have a host, they cannot experience physical sensations and they can not affect the physical world.

 LAVANYA [00:09:54] Daimons can not speak to each other or interact without host as intermediaries. So when they're just fucking around where the Daimons go when they're not hosting, they are entirely alone - which is pretty fucking sad, if you ask me.

 LAVANYA [00:10:10] Luckily, they do have host to communicate!

 LAVANYA [00:10:11] So the ways that this communication can go is basically..

 LAVANYA [00:10:15] Sleep talking is the biggest one of them, and working through their hosts dreams.

 LAVANYA [00:10:21] Sleep Talking means that when somebody goes unconscious, their lips keep flapping, but they're not talking about their dreams: they're being used as a neat little finger puppet meat sack.

 ASTRO [00:10:32] Thee-I-Dare worded it this way. He said: "sleep talkers serve as a 'summit' for the voices".

 LAVANYA [00:10:41] And a less intimate and viscerally upsetting turn of phrase.

 LAVANYA [00:10:47] The second option is dreams.

 ASTRO [00:10:48] Daimons can hear all answered dreams. Even if the prayer was not addressed to them, and even if the players receiving that dream are not their hosts, as Thee-I-Dare says, in dreams, the walls are thinner.

 LAVANYA [00:11:04] This isn't speaking to other voices directly, as far as we know of: two Daimons cannot be in the same dream, unless two Daimons are sharing a host. This is implied to be a form of intimacy. Of the Daimons, we know that Laugh-Last and In-Her-Teeth frequently used to share hosts, and also referred to themselves as married before their unfortunate and deeply tragic breakup.

 LAVANYA [00:11:27] Die for You stated that he might have to share host with Thee-I-Dare before he went ahead and he pledged loyalty to him. But not only did he pledge loyalty, he pledged loyalty to him for the entire span of a human lifespan - which seems pretty intimate to me! Not with the Redacre children's lifespans, but if you're talking in the abstract, that is pretty intimate.

 LAVANYA [00:11:48] But that's not the only way that Daimons communicate with each other, or to their hosts. The other way is through speech. Speech seems difficult for the oldest Daimons. Thee-I-Dare says that it's hard, which may be due to the fragmentation, but Speak-as-One says that is actively fucking painful for them. Younger Daimons don't seem to have this problem, to the degree that they pretty much never shut up.

 LAVANYA [00:12:11] They're always talking and always using those stolen words, because daimons are not actually capable of producing voices that are not taken from their host. It's implied that the voices that we hear when Daimons are talking are essentially taken from their favorite hosts: which is most explicitly stated by TMC.

 XAVIUL [00:12:32] Also a little fucked up.

 LAVANYA [00:12:33] Also a little fucked up, but in a way isn't it touching? The fact that even after you die, your favorite eldritch abomination will steal a part of you to clutch close to them.

 LAVANYA [00:12:45] Flesh puppet you.

 XAVIUL [00:12:45] I was about to say, you don't get to talk about finger puppets and then say that that's touching.

 LAVANYA [00:12:51] I mean, well, if we're finger puppets, it's literally touching.

 ASTRO [00:12:55] I'm quitting the fucking podcast.

 LAVANYA [00:12:59] Now, there may be an actual difference between the Voices that speak and those that use text, because text voices such as Thee-I-Dare and Speak-as-One, you can only see what they're saying when you close your eyes.

 LAVANYA [00:13:16] Speaking from experience, no matter how hard you close your eyes, no matter how hard you ignore, you can't ignore a voiced Voice. Sorry In-Her-Teeth, I tried.

 LAVANYA [00:13:24] And no matter how much Speak-as-One complained that speaking is physically painful for them, it's interesting to note that their most hostiest of hosts -.

 XAVIUL [00:13:34] The host with the most?

 LAVANYA [00:13:36] The host with the most - the Voice - does in fact speak! Not only do they speak, but they use two sets of vocal chords to do it.

 LAVANYA [00:13:45] So, that seems pretty interesting, but outside of game play, what's interesting is that there is an implication with the spoken voices, that other people cannot hear them.

 LAVANYA [00:13:58] They seem to be speaking to one person at a time. When Hoadley is being antagonized and terrorized by multiple voices, there is no mention anywhere of the fact that he heard voices, or that anyone heard demonic creatures fucking following him around and nagging him.

 LAVANYA [00:14:13] There is never a mention in the overall lore of multiple characters hearing a spoken voice, so it's interesting to examine is - is it an aspect of gameplay that everyone in the game can hear the spoken voices, or is that something that's supposed to be unique to the PCs? We know wth the written voices, either their text messages can appear to all the players in the game, or to individual players.

 LAVANYA [00:14:39] When it comes to the written voices - so basically, Thee-I-Dare, Speak-as-One - we know that they can either speak to an individual player, or else they can send their messages to every player in the game.

 LAVANYA [00:14:48] So, theoretically, it should be the same possibility for the voiced ones, but like I said: game player lore, it's up for grabs, since we're speaking about the spoken voices..

 BELLAMY [00:14:58] Which leads us back onto the topic of the written voices. What's interesting is there is a clear phenomenon in place and an understanding for the spoken voices. Everyone understands how you can hear voices in your head, but how does it work when you close your eyes and you see written words?

 LAVANYA [00:15:19] There is a book in the early prologue that basically hints that one of the ways that this could be explained. It's called the Prisoner's Cinema. What the Prisoner's Cinema is basically a light show of various colors that appear out of darkness, when someone has not achieved enough stimuli from their overall environment.

 LAVANYA [00:15:37] This is called a form of closed eye hallucinations.

 BELLAMY [00:15:41] As for closed eye hallucinations, there's actually several levels of them. Five, to be exact! Level 1 is just random light and dark visual noise, with no particular pattern or reasoning to it. This is pretty normal for everyone to see with their eyes closed, and some individuals with conditions like visual snow might even see some with their eyes open.

 Following that, we actually see this in-game whenever the player closes their eyes!

Level 2 is characterized by light and dark flashes that occur with relaxation and concentration. It's a progression of the level one visual noise to larger, more intense patches of white, black, and sometimes even faint colors.

 Level 3 is, again, a progression of the previous level to form patterns, motion, and more prominent colors. For most people who aren't in deep meditation, or on psychedelics, this occurs when they're on the edge of sleep.

 Level 4 is where we begin to see what might more traditionally be referred to as active hallucinations of specific objects and people. These can get pretty complex. For example, one study that we'll link in the episode notes, done by Hwang and Wang in 2016, shows a patient developing intensive visual hallucinations of a pastoral scene with an unknown man in it that only appeared when he closed his eyes - not when he blinked, not when he was in a dark room, but only in the physical sensation of closing his eyes and keeping them shut.

Now, think of the lines that the player character spout when they're shaped. Does this sound familiar at all?

 Level 5 is defined as involving hallucinations that override a physical perception, which is also something that happens in our R.E.M. sleep. In fact, achieving this in a waking state usually involves deep relaxation, typically in a sensory deprivation tank, or as referred to by the Prisoner's Cinema name, the long term sensory deprivation and isolation of the light that people experience in the prison cells of Alcatraz, or solitary confinement, which prison guards illegally often kept dark. Brain systems that normally stop this depth of hallucination have been inhibited in these circumstances, and your physical senses interpret hallucinations as entirely real.

 XAVIUL [00:17:23] So if I'm understanding Bellamy's TMC-worthy lecture right, does that mean that Lavanya is my parasite? Because I have to carry them through almost every mission, and all I ever get from it is getting dragged by the lucid, while they get all the snacks.

 LAVANYA [00:17:41] If I was your brain parasite, I would make sure that you hallucinated that I was never there, so I never had to hear you talking in the game.

 ASTRO [00:17:49] There are also several references to a similar, but also quite different, sensation called synesthesia. Oxford Lexicon defines synesthesia as the production of a sense impression, relating to one sense or part of the body, by stimulation of another sense or part of the body.

 ASTRO [00:18:08] Surveys of synesthesia show possibly seventy three or more different types of synesthesia, but the most common types are grapheme two vision - displayed by 61 percent of respondents - musical sounds to vision, displayed by 18 percent of respondents - and general sounds division, sixteen percent of respondents.

 LAVANYA [00:18:26] Now we know that TMC and SAO have set up Redacre to be their own special sociological study camp, but music to sound synthenaesia would be awfully useful for the Red Acre kids.

 ASTRO [00:18:41] It is mentioned in this context there is specifically a voice line that refers to a child who finds their way into the maze, who shows signs of synesthesia, which interests the Voice.

 LAVANYA [00:18:51] Hallucinations during blackout dreams are a fascinating example of the Prisoner's Cinema at play.  And so is the moon. From our point of view, players are physically transported by the Daimons: per their own rules, they can't actually be transporting us. They can't move us! They could only make us move ourselves and no amount of determination, pep and teenage spite for the rule will allow you to travel through like 60 million miles of deep space to climb onto the moon. So it has to be a hallucination.

 LAVANYA [00:19:24] And as we discussed above, it pretty much is guaranteed to be a closed eye hallucination: specifically level five, because it involves the physical perception. The ambience changes when you're on the moon, everything looks different. Unfortunately, no matter how high you jump, you will not float off of it, so even that's a little bit different. Now you can close your eyes on the moon, so it's not a traditional blackout. And we know that it's not literally the moon, because it's been confirmed as such by the Daimons: Die-for-You specifically says that the Moon, however, even if it does have air and oxygen and strange furniture that you could theoretically sit on, is bad and dangerous. Players are taken there when time runs short.

 XAVIUL [00:20:08] I can't believe Laugh-Last made me black out when I was getting dragged to my death by a lucid.

 LAVANYA [00:20:13] Laugh-Last just thought it would be funny if they *tried* to shove you into the door, and Speak-as-One tried to climb into your ear like the worst sort of earworm, but they just kept getting a "CURRENTLY OCCUPIED :)" sign.

 LAVANYA [00:20:25] So they had to wait.

 XAVIUL [00:20:27] SAO just standing outside the door of my mind, hitting on it. Let me in! LET US IN!

 LAVANYA [00:20:34] Speaking of Laugh-Last, Laugh-Last dodged the question about where the moon actually is, because out of all of the Daimons - and this is a "the Dreaming Prophet" verified fact - he's just the fucking worst.

 XAVIUL [00:20:48] Wow.

 LAVANYA [00:20:48] That was a wow of awe, that I could say something so honest, yet brutally true.

 XAVIUL [00:20:56] Some humans are naturally resistant to hearing the voices some can hear them very well. The Voice, in fact, are two humans with unique ability to hear and translate the Song into words that, you know, us humans can actually hear.

 XAVIUL [00:21:10] Redacre exists to create a population that can hear the Song very well. This is partially through genetics, but it's also largely through upbringing. We're told that Nayeli, who was presumably born and raised in Redacre, is so unused to conflict and dissonance that it actually makes her sick. Redacre culture encourages conformity, getting along with each other and a high focus on the community: the same things are hard to work well within the Song. Humans can hear all the voices until around 15, and some into adulthood, like Hoadley the pastor - who.. well. Well! Let's not say it's always a good thing to be able to hear them.

 LAVANYA [00:21:51] Sometimes, having good hearing is just a curse when you can't tune out the riffraff.

 ASTRO [00:21:55] And now a word from our sponsors.

BELLAMY [00:21:57] With the air turning crisp and pumpkin spice lattes making their way to local coffee shops, many residents of Redacre are starting to turn half a mind to what costume they'll be wearing at the end of the month. Well, look no further! Now available at a retailer near you, we have all kinds of Halloween masks for those who prefer the classics, and devil masks come in all colors, from red to blue. For more cutesy look, a skull mask might do the trick.

 BELLAMY [00:22:25] And for those truly dedicated to strike fear into the hearts of children, who can do better than a baby mask series? Buy your Halloween mask today!

 ASTRO [00:22:36] The Daimons have a few abilities that have been laid out in the lore of the game. The first is the Old Tongue. This is the language of movement and sonic elements. That is their native language. A few of the Daimons have commented that they sprang from it. Daimons are very used to using it. However, humans after their minds were corrupted by the Word, can be driven mad if they tried to form complex thoughts in it for long periods of time.

 ASTRO [00:22:59] However, they can deal with it in limited quantities. Characters can perform the gestures that we have in game, and can be forced into performing them by Dance-for-Us, and potentially other Daimons. These gestures appear constantly on projectors in the Cryptogram Library. The Cryptogram Library is also where we can witness what is called a "Rare Gesture". The only documented instance of a rare gesture currently in-game is the Old Tongue phrase, "Drink the Sky".

 ASTRO [00:23:25] This has been confirmed to be a story about Dance-for-Us: not her name, but a legend, which records her history of forcing humans to perform the Old Tongue and other dances until they die.

 LAVANYA [00:23:37] The Old Tongue is one of their abilities, but it's not their only ability. In-Her-Teeth implies that she has something that is unique to her. She states in her sacrifice table that she can see someone's death, and tell them how it will occur. Is this a bluff? Is this a fact? Or is this is just trying to comfort someone? Because humans die, but Daimons don't.

 LAVANYA [00:23:59] So, theoretically, she might have seen every single form of death available to someone, because humans aren't that creative when it comes to certain things. We have no fucking idea. In-Her-Teeth-ites, that's something to ask her! How will you die?

 LAVANYA [00:24:12] Make it dark.

 XAVIUL [00:24:14] They're not In-Her-Teeth-ites, they're called Cavity Creeps.

 LAVANYA [00:24:17] Daimons have a poor grasp on our means of tracking time, so In-Her-Teeth Daimon is doubly interesting. Dear listeners, personally speaking, I think it's just bullshit.. but what do you think?

 LAVANYA [00:24:29] Another ability that we actually *know* that daimons have is body-jacking.

 LAVANYA [00:24:35] This can be suppressed and fought off by other Daimons, but an individual by themself cannot fight off a Voice. SAO and Chorus note that they have means of putting Daimons to sleep in the sleepers tales, but as far as we know, once a Daimon has chosen someone as a permanent host, you can't just rip them out short of killing the individual.

 LAVANYA [00:24:56] Dies-for-You refers to the entire Daimon situation of Redacre as being too many mouths and not enough food. This could actually be assumed to be the case for the entire world! Because all of the Daimons, for one reason or another, crept over to Redacre. So what does that mean about body jacking?

 LAVANYA [00:25:13] We know that body jacking is just a basic function of Daimons, and the ability that kind of defines them. Because if they were not body jacking us, you wouldn't even know they fucking existed. But not all body jacking is necessarily just - closing your eyes to discover that there is a voice in your ear, whispering, trying to take over your thoughts. TMC waited to take his current voice as a host until he was ready to be taken! However, this sort of, like, consideration for hosts' actual desire, his thoughts and plans, is not at all typical. It is not required and most don't bother to do it, not even SAO. Consent: they're all bad at it!

 XAVIUL [00:25:57] TMC is just, as Lavanya has said before, one of those human sympathisers.

 LAVANYA [00:26:04] There's one in every family.

 ASTRO [00:26:05] Human-a-boo.

 LAVANYA [00:26:05]  Human-a-boo.

 XAVIUL [00:26:13] Fucking human-a-boos. Ruining our conventions!

 XAVIUL [00:26:13] And circling back around to the moon and hallucinations.

 XAVIUL [00:26:21] The moon landing was a hoax, brought upon us by the voices in our heads. WAKE UP, PEOPLE.

 LAVANYA [00:26:28] This has been authorized as one hundred percent true by your loving hosts at the Dreaming Prophet: #moonlandinghoax.

 XAVIUL [00:26:35] But we can see that, even when we are taken by the Shape, that we are actively hallucinating.

 XAVIUL [00:26:44] If you happen to make too many mistakes and get Shaped, you'll notice that your kid produces lines, such as talking about how the sun looks amazing today, and you're not sure why you never seem to notice. Just look at it! I mean, wow!

 LAVANYA [00:27:01] We've covered the abilities of Daimons, so let's cover the abilities that humans give Daimons. Or more accurately, let's discuss the effecs of humanity upon them.

 [00:27:13] Now we discuss parasitism and everything else, earlier on in the episode. But there are some benefits that Daimons give to humans. Mostly, these are just effects from outside of their fucking Daimons, but you take what you can get. Daimons can serve as a second pair of eyes: as far as we know they can only see through your eyes, but with that said, they might notice things that you don't notice, like hidden messages left by other Daimon.

 LAVANYA [00:27:36] The Daimons somehow, even though it's never made explicit, and we're never informed which Daimons are responsible for it, are responsible for the sanctity of the clubhouse.  The children are not hidden away from the antagonists of the game because kids are just fucking good at hiding their trail and not shoving snacks into the river. They are hidden away because the Daimons on their side are actively working to hide them from Speak-as-One.

 LAVANYA [00:28:01] Humanity can also use Daimons to understand things that they otherwise would not be able to see or understand. The Old Tongue is the biggest example of this. Humans will go insane if they try to form complex thought in the Ol Tongue over extended periods of time. Presumably, if they're trying to sit around and read it as well, or watch it, or hear it, then things are going to go full King in Yellow on them.

 LAVANYA [00:28:27] However, Daimons can process the Old Tongue, because that's their native language. Or, depending on how you want to see it, that's their natural way of being. Speak-as-One uses their human hosts in the Somniliquoys, along with the gas that they funnel up. They place their human host into a trance which allows those hosts to see things that the Daimons could not see - and, in turn, the Daimons can actually process and understand them.

 LAVANYA [00:28:56] It's worth noting here that the stage 5 of closed eyes hallucination involves sensory deprivation tanks to achieve full blown hallucination, because it is pretty, fairly difficult for most people to drown out sensations. We evolved to hear, to feel, and to see things, and our bodies will accommodate that even if those senses or the ability to use them are taken from us. So, basically, what I'm saying here is: if you can't make your own homegrown sensation, then buying some at the Daimon Hallucination Mart is just fine.

 LAVANYA [00:29:31] It's difficult to know, with the Blackout Club, what bits of history are meant to be Daimon influence, and which are not. However, we've had a pretty steady groundwork laid with regard to the fact that Speak-as-One relies on gas for some reason, and gas is specifically linked to the Daimons. When we see Thee-I-Dare's fragments, it appears as smoke. Speak-as-One submerges as their hosts in the Somnilquoy's gas, in order to see things that they would otherwise be unable to see. The-Measure-Cuts states that Daimons came from cave gas back in the day - which leads us to the historical figure of the Pythia. The Pythia was a historical prophet in Classical Greece, and one of the most well-known ones in the records that we've retained. She existed in the Delphi area, and she was linked to Apollo, the god of prophecy.

 ASTRO [00:30:24] This is a quote from a National Geographic article, titled "Delphic Oracles Lips may have been Loosened by Gas Vapors."

 ASTRO (QUOTING) [00:30:32] According to traditional explanations, the Pythia derived her prophecies in a small enclosed chamber in the basement of the temple. De Boer said that if the Pythia went to the chamber once a month, as tradition says, she could have been exposed to concentrations of the narcotic gas that were strong enough to induce a trance like state.

 LAVANYA [00:30:51] And, interestingly enough a trance-like state is almost exactly the terminology used in game to refer to the host that Speak-as-One is submerging to gain answers.

 ASTRO [00:31:02] I guess you could say it's literally true that SAO is full of hot air.

 LAVANYA [00:31:07] Wow!

XAVIUL [00:31:08] Moving on, let's talk a little bit about the biology of the voices. There's not that much, since, you know, not really actual bodies for us to talk about.

 LAVANYA [00:31:21] Tragically, it turns out my statement at the beginning of this podcast was a lie, and there is no sex education for voices.

 XAVIUL [00:31:28] But we can talk about their name.

 XAVIUL [00:31:33] Humans have some control over Daimons, especially in changing their nature through changing their names.

 ASTRO [00:31:40] In the discord, Null has written a few things about this: "VERB-IS-SOMETHING gods are often stronger in our world. Thus, Speak-as-One, which is an active command, rather than Speaks-as-One. We have exceptions who limited themselves on purpose. The-Measure-Cuts and In-Her-Teeth break the formula because they are iconoclasts."

 XAVIUL [00:31:59] Daimons also seem to be able to change their own names, such as Dance-for-Us, who was once Dance-for-Me.

 XAVIUL [00:32:07] And also, some kids really like to try to change their names for no reason. I'm looking at you, kids that are using Last-Laugh instead of Laugh-Last.

 XAVIUL [00:32:17] That's not even a verb.

 XAVIUL [00:32:20] Some of the voices choose to try to isolate themselves to maintain coherency, such as Speak-as-One. Humanity defines Daimons through their names and their beliefs, so the less you have to do with the outside world changing hat, the better.

 ASTRO [00:32:37] We've also been given symbols to couple with the Daimons names. Symbols are heavily associated with a Daimon, but they are not the "be all, end all", according to our current understanding - which may not be entirely correct! Destruction of a symbol weakens a Daimon, but it does not kill them. Similarly, introduction of a symbol to an area increases the Daimon's strength in that area, but it does not establish the Daimon by themselves.

 ASTRO [00:32:59] What is most likely the name of this symbol the Triskelion was brought into Redacre, potentially drawing her there, but she, the individual, was brought in by the transmission of ideals associated with her, or something else.

 LAVANYA [00:33:12] Daimons are a little bit complex like that, but at the same time, they're also painfully, painfully simple.

 LAVANYA [00:33:20] Now, we're going to start talking care about the life cycle of Daimons, which is as basic as any single celled organism, because they don't have cells at all, can actually be.

 [00:33:30] The first Daimon, Speak-as-One, first as far as we know, was born from patterns. Basically, the reoccurring patterns of the proto humanity and the use of social behaviors that they espouse, created Speak-as-One. As far as we know, no other voices have spawned from that alone. Every voice since then has directly or indirectly basically come from Speak-as-One in that original birth.

 [00:33:53] Daimons can not be born from symbols alone, even though Speak-as-One has an entire archive of forbidden symbols. As we saw with the Nameless above, even though she was associated with the Triskelion, that alone did not draw her into Redacre. Symbols alone cannot create a Daimon.

 [00:34:10] However, they can be created through a number of different ways. Agents are currently the hot topic of the day! Agents are essentially facets of their original Daimons. With Thee-I-Dare, we know that his agents are called Fragments. Functionally, these are the leftover remnants of his host. But each of his fragments contain the memories of the piece of the idea that was with them.

 [00:34:34] Speak-as-One's agents are called Watchers. We know that Speak-as-One steals part of their followers to copy into the Song - "original character, do not steal" does not apply to them. And sometimes they can turn these stolen copies or stolen pieces of their followers into parts of them, which are known as the Watchers.

 [00:34:53] In-Her-Teeth: we don't know how her agents function, but we do know that she has them, because Seed-the-Grudge is a former agent. All of these agents, if they gain sufficient worship, will become Voices in their own stead. Even the Shape potentially could become a voice in their own stead!

 LAVANYA [00:35:10] We don't know the process exactly. We don't know if it's painful, but that sure is a thing that can happen.

 LAVANYA [00:35:16] Another method through which Daimons can be born is if they share a host. This is the case with Laugh-Last and In-Her-Teeth, even though they have not merged into one horrifying entity of death and malice

 XAVIUL [00:35:31] In-Her-Laugh? Last-Teeth?

 LAVANYA [00:35:40] No! We're not doing Last-Teeth!

 LAVANYA [00:35:41] Even though In-Her-Teeth and Laugh-Last have not merged into one entity, and as far as we know, and hopefully no matter what Xaviul says, they will not - we know that demons can merge, and we know that one can eclipse other. The exact mechanisms, though - we have no fucking idea. Hit up your gods for that important talk about merging, kids!

 XAVIUL [00:36:00] It's the parasitic birds and the bees.

 [00:36:03] When Daimon gains a new name, the old name stays alive and the new name becomes a new Daimon. Sometimes it's implied that this process will snuff out the previous Daimon. But we know that Thee-I-Dare's older copies of himself are still running around, so presumably, that doesn't happen every single time. It doesn't always have to be that they flat out get a new name, too. It can also be that ideals or the beliefs of the population about the Daimon have changed.

 [00:36:29] SAO's various progeny were not born from new names, as far as we know, but instead they were born from the realizations. In-Her-Teeth was born because they realized that death was of possibility and death was looming. Thee-I-Dare was born, because of individuality. There's a lot of processes through which Daimons can be born, and there's a lot of processes they would take.

 XAVIUL [00:36:54] Wow.

 XAVIUL [00:36:54] What a good segway into.. ~*death!*~

 XAVIUL [00:36:59] And of course, number one on the death radar is In-Her-Teeth, who has stated before that Voices cannot die. And she wants to fix that, because I guess when you live forever, you want to figure out how to die.

 XAVIUL [00:37:19] I don't know. I don't understand her. This is why we divorced.

 LAVANYA [00:37:23] Everyone needs a hobby.

 LAVANYA [00:37:25] The easiest form of death and arguably the most efficient are the Culls. This is when all of the host of a certain individual are killed. Even during culls, the Voice can be revived.

 XAVIUL [00:37:37] Unfortunately -.

 LAVANYA [00:37:38] *Unfortunately* -.

 LAVANYA [00:37:39] Cullss often also involve shattering and burning the symbols, because the best way to disrupt belief is Just to erase all possibilities of you ever returning to it.

 LAVANYA [00:37:50] Salt the earth!

 XAVIUL [00:37:51] And then you have a fragment thing, which when names are torn apart, they can be reconstructed. At least, we think so.

 XAVIUL [00:38:02] There's also the death by name theft, which is another God just, like, ripping the name right out of you.

 XAVIUL [00:38:12] Apparently, the 8th can do this, and has in the past. Nameless is one example of a God that's still floating around, even though they don't have a name.

ASTRO [00:38:24] Thee-I-Dare has suggested that in stealing her name, one might also steal her entire domain.

LAVANYA [00:38:30] So, even though I'm incredibly enthusiastic about cataloging all the various little nooks and crannies of Daimon physiology, and how it works, it's worth keeping in mind this is not actually scientific literature.

 LAVANYA [00:38:46] So our understanding is apt to change as new things were revealed in the future.

 LAVANYA [00:38:50] And as this is a players led narrative, even though I threw forward my thoughts the start of the podcast, some of these themes may actually change as the game progresses. And if they do, we might expect the rules of the Daimons to shift to match.

 [00:39:06] Or else they might not!

[00:39:08] Ultimately, a lot can be figured out about the various intricate details of the Blackout Club as a setting, through the foreshadowing that has been placed throughout the plot. The 8th was present in dreams from the beginning of the game. The Triskelion has always been in the attic room, and we've always been shown that watches are individuals as much as they are part of the hive mind.

 [00:39:28] Each development we get, once you go back and you look at the whole, is not necessarily a surprise, even if the information in itself is new. We're gonna see more of this as time goes by.

 [00:39:40] As we get new developments, and as this information changes, remember: get excited, don't get frustrated. It's a gorgeous story, and we're all along for the ride. And all of the information will eventually be available for us to see.

 [00:39:52] Or at least most of it, I hope.

ASTRO: [00:40:01] This episode was Lavanya's special research project. Because episodes 8 and this one episode 9 were a lot of work to put together, we're going to have a more content light Episode 10, which will be the end of season one of the podcast.

 [00:40:14] Season 2 will start with episode 11, and we'll be back in the saddle with hardcore lore.

 [00:40:17] Cal, Archers Volley & Skegulium, has made a lord master doc. If you want to know what's been going on in the game since the beginning of recorded God encounters, go ahead and check it out.

 [00:40:28] They're trying to source as much information as possible with transcripts and videos, compiling disparate info into something comprehensible. Cass has made a lore primer comic. This is a compilation of some of the latest in the lore field and also some basics, broken down from an in character perspective.

 [00:40:43] If you know someone who's new to the game, this is a great introduction.

 [00:40:46] Spoderman has made a transcript master doc. If you have transcripts or video links, please send them to him. Information is on the doc, and can be accessed at TINYURL.COM/TBCTRANSCRIPTS. This is a valuable place to see old interactions, because all past transcripts posted publicly in the discord have been compiled here.

 [00:41:05] There is also now an official interaction archive on the discord. This archives both god talks and personal dreams. It's brand new and most of the stuff on it is recent, though a few people have reached out but their old blogs on it. If you're interested in seeing this, or adding your own, join the discord to get involved: discord.gg/blackoutclub.

 [00:41:30] The Blackout Club was made by question games.

 [00:41:32] Our advertising director is Bellamy.

 [00:41:34] Our transcript and video is by Lavanya.

 [00:41:36] Audio editing is by me, Astro.

 [00:41:39] Our publicity is done by Spoderman.

 [00:41:41] Xaviul doesn't like green eggs and ham.

[terrypevf1541-blog]

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[monicalposts]

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It’s raining. Again.

When you read those three words, what comes to mind for you?

Do they make your heart sing and your spirits rise?�� Does your mind go to your grass, flowers or garden with a gladness for the growth that will come? To calmness and appreciation of the pit pit pat against your windows?

Conversely, do they make your heart drop and your spirits sag? Does your mind go to puddles to traverse in heels and hosiery, or traffic that jams and tempers that fray? To outdoor activities that must be postponed?

Both mindsets are equally valid given your circumstances you might think.

Truth is though – one response will serve you and one response will enslave you. One thought pattern will lead to lightheartedness and joy, the other will lead to frustration and feelings of anxiousness.

As in all of life, God has established a rule that you get to choose. 

It seems that abundance thinking and scarcity thinking are so obvious that they don’t need to be explained. Yet, humor me for a moment as I peel back the onion a bit.

I remember one of my first studies into the abundance and scarcity paradigms. I was in Toronto attending a business mastermind and the host, Dan Sullivan, had prepared a module to impress the difference between the two thought patterns for the group to review and discuss.

He had prepared a nice graphic to accompany his presentation but I remember that he led off with “Gratitude starts the spiral of abundance.”

Abundance thinking is characterized by the idea that ‘I have all I need.’  That there is plenty for everyone – plenty of money, health, energy, relationships, resources and more.  In Philippians, 4:5-7, we are told to be “anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” 

Notice in that verse, we are instructed to be at peace, not anxious. We are led to ask through prayer that is at its core, thankful, for the things we desire from our loving God. There’s a saying you’ve probably heard before: Let go and let God.

This is a beautiful way to lead your life and to pursue your goals, crafted and laid so expectantly before the great God of the universe. Living life with an abundance paradigm means that you know the source of your creativity, compassion, love, confidence, patience, peace – all of these and more, is your inheritance through Christ.

Contrast the abundance paradigm with a scarcity paradigm. Going back to Dan’s presentation, he shared that envy begins the spiral of scarcity. 

Isn’t that interesting.  I thought maybe poverty would get the nod here but it’s actually envy. What is envy. Envy is defined in part as a resentful longing inspired by someone else’s possessions, qualities or luck.

In the bible, it is characterized with some other sins of the flesh we avoid at all costs, like hatred, rage, selfish ambition, sexual immorality, impurity, discord, etc. For a complete list, you can read Galatians 5:19 – 21. The point is, envy is at the root of scarcity thinking, as it lays a foundation for increasing feelings of poverty and lack.

Hmm. When contrasted like this, the choice seems clear – choose abundance!

Truth be told though – in our human flesh, we can all be prone to bouts of scarcity thinking and that is why we must decide every day to choose abundance. We must ask God to guard our hearts and minds. Years ago, one of my co-workers, someone I held in high esteem, mentioned that in this life, there are spiritual battles. Actual battles in the spiritual realm, he said. 

As he described a recent incident in his life, it sounded almost like a science fiction movie. I was fascinated by his account, but scared too.  But – God has equipped us for these battles with His word.

One of my favorite verses to handle feelings of fear, insecurity or lack – all part of the scarcity equation is this: “But God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.

Don’t you love that? We need not feel fearful, anxious or envious. God Himself designed us, equipped us, with power. With love. With a sound mind. We can approach every day knowing we do so from a place of abundance, empowerment, comfort and disciplined thought.

In my world, there are 5 ways,  5 hacks, if you will --that overcome scarcity thinking and place me on the path of abundance. This is awesome because there is an energy, a vibe to a person who habitually lives in a state of abundance that is very attractive.  

I believe abundance-oriented people have a shine, a way about them that put others into a better place when around them. For myself, I much prefer to be around someone who is firmly rooted in abundance that someone rooted in a poverty or scarcity mindset.

So let’s go.

First, since gratitude starts the spiral of abundance, live your days out in a spirit of gratitude. Notice the simple pleasures of this life and thank God and where appropriate, your fellow humans, for them. The recent events in the world have really borne this out with me. I am grateful now to walk around and see other’s faces, to catch a smile from a fellow jogger, to have a smiling barista hand over a steamy cup of coffee. God has been generous beyond measure to us and it is beyond good to give Him generous praise.

Next, if you want an abundant life, know that work, yes work, is God’s pathway to it. Now, before you go all – ‘but I wanna retire’ or ‘but I’m already retired’ on me, know this: there is still work for you to do, regardless of whether or not you answer to a boss other than yourself. 

Work takes many forms and looks different for each individual. Just remember, Colossians 3:17 tells us “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

The third hack is to give. If you want more abundance in your life, go out of your way to make others the recipients of abundance at your hands, knowing full well that what you sow, you will reap. If you want more money, then give money to others or to causes or to your church.  If you desire an abundance of free time, then give more of the time you have in service to others. If you want more love, more compassion, more optimism – whatever you desire to have in abundance – start out by giving it away. And then watch as it boomerangs right back atcha!

Next, check your heart. Not at the doctor’s office. Examine your own heart. Hold a very compassionate visit with yourself and scan your heart. Is there anything there that you need to acknowledge, to forgive, to release? Just ensure that you are not putting up any unwitting barriers to the free flow of abundance that God has in store for you. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to “Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Check your heart!

Finally, but perhaps most importantly, resolve to heed the call to pray, and pray unceasingly. A young mentor of mine spoke to me about this. She pointed out that God knows our every need, already. I mean, He’s God. He also has promised that he has made provision for all that we need. He establishes our plans and He directs our steps and he makes our path straight. [Proverbs 16:3, 16:9, 3:6-7] But as she mentioned, He does this when we invite Him. And we invite Him through our prayers. So be in constant, thankful, prayerful communication throughout all your days with our great God, our God of abundance, the one who sent His son on our behalf. That one. 

My friend, let go of any remnants of scarcity. Renounce it, rebuke it. 

Instead, use these five hacks and enjoy this abundant life. 😊

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