#the problem with that idea is that up until now Kiana has had her own color ands it’s kinda always been orange

[tea-cat-arts]

Two wolves: one actually does have thoughts and speculations on HoFi design and why it’s like that and thinks they’re ready to redesign it, the other knows they’ve jumped the gun on redesigning Mihoyo characters before and should really wait till the transformation happens in story

[corinthbayrpg]

NAME. Ophelia Ancano AGE & BIRTH DATE. 122 & January 4th, 1898 GENDER & PRONOUNS. Female & She/Her SPECIES. Fury of Megaera OCCUPATION. Server at AnxieTea FACE CLAIM. Kiana Madeira

BIOGRAPHY

(tw: assault, homophobia, shooting, death ) Ophelia Ancano was born in a small, rural town outside of Toronto, in the providence of Ontario. She doesn’t know much of her birth parents — her father a Portuguese immigrant who traveled to America before she had even been born, the only information she’d ever learn of him told through stories, her mother a mixed woman of indigenous descent who died early in Ophelia’s childhood. She had done her best to take care of the little girl, but a harsh winter brought about a fever from which she never recovered, leaving her daughter alone in the world.

Before her fifth birthday, Ophelia found herself dropped off onto the doorstep of the only orphanage in the town, with no living relatives to claim the young girl. For the next four years of her life she lived at that orphanage, until was adopted by a middle-class family that owned a farmstead nearby, though they treated her more as a servant in the home than a daughter. She was in charge of taking care of the two younger, biological children of the couple, as well as working out on the farm to make sure they made their harvest each year. Although she obeyed diligently, always putting forth her best and working her hardest to help her adoptive parents, Ophelia couldn’t help but yearn for more out of life.

Though her biological mother was long gone, she could not help but think of the father that she had never met. Did he know she existed? Would he want to know her? Surely she could win him over, even if not. When denied the love and affection of parents from her adoptive parents, she became fixated on the idea that she could have a family like she had always wanted, if Ophelia could only find him. It was not an easy search to determine where he had gone, when she had asked her mother before the only answer she received was to America. But eventually, the resourceful girl managed to track down a traveling worker who came through the town yearly on his way to Toronto, and used to know her father. It was him who pointed Ophelia in the direction of Chicago, Illinois, forever changing the course of her future.

With nothing else keeping her in Ontario, she packed up what little she owned to herself and set off for the United States. A fresh faced twenty year old at the start of her journey, even just the travel was not an easy feat for someone near penniless, but Ophelia managed to make it on her own. Chicago was so much different than anything she had ever known, and for a time it seemed like the city might swallow her whole. Her plans fell apart fairly quickly, with no methods of locating the man that was her biological father, and no money left to her name to take care of herself. It was through a chance meeting that she found her saving grace in a new friend. The woman, much more comfortably situated in life, took a liking to the new arrival, and decided to take her under her wing. She got Ophelia a job as a switchboard operator at the same place where she worked, and introduced her into her circle of friends. And slowly, Ophelia began to built a life for herself.

Over the years her friendship with the other woman blossomed, eventually growing into a romance that neither were quite sure how to navigate. It was a taboo of the time, shameful and deviant, something that would ruin the two of them were it to ever get out, and so they were forced to keep their love a secret. Even so, it was nice in it’s own way, to keep to their own little world. They had each other, and no need for anyone else, and Ophelia finally felt as if she had found the love she had been searching for. Unfortunately, there were greater obstacles waiting in their path, that would eventually pull them apart. Her lover had caught the attention of a gentleman who would not take no for an answer, relentlessly pursuing her despite her repeated rejections and assertions that she held him with no regard. At the time, they thought him little more than a nuisance, and she assured Ophelia he would not be a problem. Young and naïve, she believed her.

Knowing that they could not go out in public with their love, they kept their clandestine meetings behind closed doors, with dreams of one day being able to live freely somewhere just their own. It was during one such tender meeting between the pair when he showed up unannounced at her home, and discovered the truth of their relationship. Furious with jealously and disgust, he attacked the women, putting them both in the hospital. Days later when Ophelia woke up, she was dazed and alone, and none of the staff would answer her questions when she asked about the state of her love. Finally, one nurse took pity on her after days of repeated questions, and told her that the other woman’s family had collected her from the hospital and took her out of the city completely, back to their home for recuperation. But try as she might, she couldn’t pry any more information out of the nurse than that. The police were no of no assistance either. After the true nature of their relationship had been revealed, they had no interest in helping Ophelia achieve justice for her assault. Enraged, alone and feeling betrayed by the city, after she was discharged from the hospital, Ophelia decided to take matters into her own hands.

Realizing that she would receive no help from anyone else, but that something had to be done to avenge what had befallen her, Ophelia enacted a plan of her own. She had decided it no longer mattered what happened to her, so long as he went down first, knowing that the horrible story that would follow would paint her as the villain. So be it then. It was at that point that she made contact with a shady moonshine seller she’d met within the city in order to buy a revolver, and waited for an evening when she was certain the man who had assaulted them would be home alone. The nimble young woman crept inside through an open window and shot him in the knee while he sat in his reading room chair, before he’d even realized she was there. But it was only when he fell to the ground, his eyes meeting her furious gaze, did Ophelia pull the trigger for the kill shot. She wanted him to see her, to know who it was that would take away his world, just like he had done to hers.

And perhaps that should have been the end of her story right there. The gun was loud, surely the police were on their way, and Ophelia had already accepted the fact that she would be found wrong in the eyes of the law. But fate have different plans in mind for her, for that was when the Fury appeared. Megaera had sensed the rage in her heart for the wrong committed against her and her love, and the desire for a reckoning, and it had drawn her to the young woman. She offered her a choice; the chance to leave her mortal life behind and become a Fury, an instrument of judgment to dole out punishment onto the wicked who deserved it, or to remain in her current path and face the aftermath of her choices. In the end, it wasn’t much of a decision at all for Ophelia. To stay behind when the likelihood of her future would lead to only death or imprisonment, when she could have the chance to enact real justice on the unrepentant world? She leapt at the chance.

And so she was taken to the Underworld with Megaera, where she began to learn her new capabilities and responsibilities as a Fury. Over the next century she flit in and out between the worlds, carrying out the justice that was tasked to her before returning to rest and recuperate in the domain that was now her sanctuary. She had been out among the mortals for half a decade when she received the call to turn her attention to Corinth Bay. Eager to obey, Ophelia grabbed what few earthly things she had come to possess in her time, and made straight for the Greek city. It was easy enough, to slip into the bustle of the city; take up a job at one of the local places, blend in with the crowd while carrying out her true work. But the longer Ophelia has stayed inside Corinth, the more she has begun to realize just how dangerous and powerful the stakes have become, with consequences that will impact the entire world before everything is said and done. It feels like something far outside even her reach, to try and stem the tide, and the fury worries that for the first time, she may not be capable of putting a stop to it.

PERSONALITY

+ dutiful, sociable, spirited - unforgiving, impetuous, self-righteous

PLAYED BY ABBY. CDT. She/Her.

[sorceressmidnight]

Midnight Sorceress

Chapter: 9/? [1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - ?]

Chapter 9: I can’t lose her...

Words: 2281

Warnings: Some cursing, hospitalization, potential death, emotional break down

Primarily following the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it revolves around an original character.

Description as posted on ao3:  A member of SHIELD is forced to struggle with her mental stability and keeping her secret as the craziness surrounding the Avengers crashes around her. She ends up befriending Tony and Pepper, who help out her mental health a great deal, but will they be able to help her with her secret? Something that could destroy her if she uses it too much… What will happen when Tony tries to convince her to use it to help the Avengers?

Read on ao3: here

Tags: @txnystarkimagines @h0bsyrup

Hit me up if you want to be tagged in future chapters.

This chapter happens during a bit before and during Captain America Civil War. Some spoilers for Spider-man: Homecoming.

Kiana ran up to the car that was parked nearby, leaning against it while smiling at the two males nearby. One was this ‘Spider-man’ that Tony went to go talk to, a teen named Peter, and the other was Tony’s friend and chauffeur Happy Hogan. “H-Hey, fellas. Are we ready to go?” her voice cracked a bit as she said ‘hey’, smiling awkwardly at the two.

“Wait, wait, wait. Tony never said anything about bringing you to the airport.” Happy responded, brows furrowed as he rubbed his temple. “Hey, hey, now… Calm down~ I know you’re annoyed you have to babysit the kid, but you know me. I never cause any trouble. Besides, it was kind of a last minute change,” she waved her hand back and forth, “Tony told me he wanted me to get familiar with the kid. I mean, hey, I might be working with him sometime in the future after all.” Happy sighed, “fine, get in. We don’t really have a lot of time to argue about this, so let’s go.” Both Peter and Kiana slid into the backseat, the female watching as the younger recorded his journey. After a short interaction between the two males, Happy rolled up the window to avoid further conversation. “H-hi… I’m Peter,” he started off a bit awkwardly, not quite sure what to say, “So… uh… Y-you know Tony?” “Yeah, I mean,” she gave a small smile as she twirled her hair between her fingers, “we are kind of dating. I’ve known him, personally anyway, since after the Mandarin incident a couple of years ago.” “Oh! S-sorry… I didn’t know.” “It’s fine,” she laughed softly, “it hasn’t exactly gotten out there yet. He didn’t want to drag me into the public eye until things settle out a little bit.” He gave a quiet ‘I see’ in response, the car growing silent as both of them retreated into their own thoughts. The only sounds that could be heard were the other cars speeding by and the slight rattle when the car drove over small debris in the road. “What did you mean we might be working together?” he finally managed to ask, clearly having thought it over after a minute to himself. “Do you know where we’re going to?” “Of course. I actually helped a lot back during the Sokovia fight.” “Wait, wait…” he paused to think. “I think I’ve heard about you… Are you… the Midnight Sorceress?” he gestured his hands in the way she usually did when she fought, causing the other to give a small giggle. “Yep, that’s me.” “That’s so cool! I… I still can’t believe I’m actually going to be fighting alongside the Avengers.” “You’ll actually be fighting against some of them,” she laughed softly, “although no idea where Thor or Bruce is. Admittedly let’s keep this, me coming with you guys and all, between us, okay? I’m hoping that I can avoid joining the fight, so I don’t want anyone to know I’m here just yet.” “Yeah, of course.” “Thanks, kid,” she giggled and pulling him into a hug.

“Hey, should I go to the bathroom before?” Peter asked Happy as they climbed onto the plane, carrying his stuff with him. “There’s a bathroom on it,” Happy sighed as they got into it. Peter quickly gawked at the lack of a pilot before plopping down in the seat across from Happy. “Is that where you’re going to sit?” “Yeah.” “Is this your first time in a private plane?” “First time on any plane!” Happy stood up and walked to a chair a bit away from him, sitting down. Kiana slid over to the seat that the other male had just left, smiling at the younger. “Don’t mind him. He’s just a little bit… I don’t think he likes the idea of being a ‘babysitter’. Of course he wouldn’t argue with Tony, though.” “Yeah, seems like it. So, Tony gave me some basics… but would you be able to explain a bit more of what’s going on?” “Steve, Cap, doesn’t agree with the accords. It’s politics, so it’s never easy, but… Tony’s right. We can work on revising the accords later, but we need to work with the public right now. There’s been a lot of damage and now there are a few fires we need to put out.” “I see. So we need to stop him before something worse happens?” “Yep. Hopefully things go smoothly, but knowing how stubborn he and Tony can be I doubt it. Just be careful out there on the battlefield, okay? I know you want to impress ‘Mr. Stark’, but don’t go beyond your limits. I know you’re strong, but you’re still a teenager.” “I understand. Any advice you can give me against the guys we’re fighting?” “Has Tony told you anything?” He explained what he said, and she gave a few of her own tips for him as well.

Tony (Iron Man), Natasha (Black Widow), T’Challa (Black Panther), Rhodey (War Machine), Vision, and Peter (Spider-Man) fought against Steve (Captain America), Bucky (Winter Soldier), Clint (Hawkeye), Sam (Falcon), Wanda (Scarlet Witch), and Scott (Ant-Man). Everyone started fighting against someone on the opposing team, each person desperately trying to stop the other in an attempt to move forward with their own agendas. Kiana was on top of the roof as she watched the fighting, making sure to stay just out of sight. She bit her lip as she watched everyone get knocked around, wanting to step in and try to help or stop everything. Vision destroyed part of the airport, attempting to stop Bucky and Steve from getting to a quinjet in the nearby hangar. She was the first to see the jet leaving, using her powers to allow her to run along the rooftops towards the direction they were headed. By the time she got to the edge of the roof, attempting to slow the jet down with her powers, she felt the air rush by her as Tony, Rhodey, and Sam flew past her. She bit her lip as she realized she had to stop, hoping that the two could get to them before they left out of the area. It was then Vision attempted to stop Sam with his powers, hitting Rhodey as the other narrowly dodged the blast. Her jaw dropped as she watched him beginning to fall, realizing that neither of the two would reach him before he plummeted into the ground. Ignoring everything in her body screaming at her not to, she used the full extent of her powers to lift the surrounding dirt and using it to grab him from the sky. She slowly lowered him to the ground as quickly as she could, her vision failing her as everything became blurry. There was a great stabbing pain throughout her body, but at the same time she felt numb. She struggled to walk towards a more stable area of the roof, knees buckling as she could no longer manage to keep control of her body, sliding off of the edge of the roof towards the others in the airport. “Kiki, I’ve contacted Mr. Stark and an ambulance is on the way. There isn’t much else I can do since you did not bring your suit. I’m currently attempting to reach another member of the team.” she heard through her earpiece, the blue and white blur of the skies starting to fade from her sights as darkness covered it. “Tell Tony… I love him,” she barely managed to spurt out before she passed out. On the ground below, Clint was the first one to run towards where she was falling, just barely managing to get her before she hit the ground below. Frantically he checked her for a pulse, feeling a faint one before attempting to wake her up. “Kiki, come on, you’ve been through worse than this. Come on,” he hissed through gritted teeth. Tony landed just then with Rhodey, flipping up his face plate and going towards the two. “Barton, give her to me and I can take her to the hospital,” he said, trying to hold back his own mixture of emotions in the current matter. “If she dies…” he turned and glared up at him, anger boiling through his veins, “it’s your fault. You should have never let her come and fight! You knew she wasn’t fully healed after the last fight!” “Let her?!” he scoffed, anger in his tone rising, “I didn’t even know she was here! I told her not to come!” “Maybe you should have had her locked up somewhere, too, for her safety.” Clint scoffed while rolling his eyes, finally letting him take her as they started rounding up the remaining members who fought against them.

“How… How is she doing?” Tony asked, voice a little shaken up as he talked to the doctor. No one was allowed to see her for the past few days and that worried him. He knew he had to go off to finish what was started, but he couldn’t pry himself away from the hospital. “She’s currently comatose. Although there are little to no outer wounds or bruising, many of her bones were broken, problems with her muscles and ligaments, and internal hemorrhaging. It appears her powers derived the extra boost it needed in order to accomplish what she did from tearing her body apart internally.” “Great,” he sighed and rubbed his temple. He wanted to be mad, but he just… he couldn’t feel. Everything felt like it was a bad bedtime story or a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from. It was almost like he was watching someone else’s life. “Is she going to be okay?” “Physically? She’ll be fine. Her body will heal and we’ll make sure the bleeding stops. Mentally? I’m unsure. There is one other thing that concerns me, though…” He pulled him into a nearby room and flipped the light on, putting up two scans of her head. They were pretty much identical, except for a small foreign object in her brain; the one on the right being bigger than the one on the left. “This scan? This was from her last physical. Yes, the object is still there, but at that point it was small enough to allow blood to pass through. It can’t be said when the object got bigger, but we’ll need to operate immediately as to avoid any brain damage.” “Oh… What will happen?” He could feel his focus slipping, but he struggled as hard as he could to stay with him. “We’re not sure at this point, but what we’re worried about is what will if we don’t. We need to operate, soon, Mr. Stark. We need an approval from someone close to her before we technically can. If you approve this now we can start the operation as soon as possible, if not we will get in contact with her parents and as soon as they agree we would start.” “No, no… If you have to do it now, then you have my approval. I have to call someone, though. This is the person you can contact if you can’t reach me. She’ll be able to answer any questions you have.” “We will give you a call to let you know how she takes the operation.”

Tony sighed as he leaned against the outer wall of the hospital, staring up at the sky. He could feel and hear his heartbeat in his ears, pulse picking up as his eyes began to sting. Rubbing the slight tears away, he mumbled to himself before reaching in his pocket and pulling out his phone. He scrolled until he saw the familiar redhead, throat closing as his chest tightened, pressing the call button and pulling it against his ear. He didn’t know how she would take the sudden call, but he had to talk to her. There was a short pause between the rings, background noise filling the silence as she answered. “Hello?” “H-hey, Pep…” his voice cracked involuntarily, struggling to keep himself together, “I know we haven’t talked in awhile… but it’s kind of important.” “Oh god…” she could hear the tone in his voice, worry filling her own, “you’re not dying again, are you?” “God,” he gave a soft broken laugh, “I wish it were that simple.” “Then what’s wrong?” “It’s Kiki. She…” he stopped as he struggled to get the words out, letting out a shaky breath, “she’s in the hospital. I… C-can you stay with her?” “She’s… in the hospital?” her heart dropped as she licked her lips, “Of… of course! Where is she? What happened?” The questions came so fast out of her mouth that it was almost dizzying, forcing herself to take a couple of deep breaths afterwards. “Well,” he couldn’t stop his voice from breaking as he told her what happened, “she’s comatose right now. She’s got… a lot of internal injuries… and…” He stopped as he rubbed his eyes, sighing. “They have to remove something from her brain. They don’t,” he couldn’t stop his soft sob, “They don’t know what’s going to happen. We might lose her Pep…” He repeated the last sentence softly through sobs, body shaking as he shook his head. “I’ll.. I’ll be right there. I’m bringing Sammy with me, too…” she wiped tears away. “Just text me the address.” “Thank you… Thank you…” He hung up and sent the address to her. He slid down along the wall, resting his arms on his knees as he hid his head between them. He couldn’t stop himself from fully breaking down into tears, nails digging into the fabric of his pants. “I can’t lose her…”

[newsnomadblog]

We often forget that countries are made up of people, not just ‘governments.’ If you want to know ‘the truth’ about a country, you do not go to the leader for his side of the story. That is the job of media, not ordinary people. 

So it is not necessary to ‘hate’ a country like Iran in order to support those who are striving for a just and fair country.

Nor does supporting people like Narges Mohammadi suggest we are showing unconditional support for Iran.

We are being the same limited options being offered in the ‘Syria problem.’

Which of the ‘leaders’ who support bombing their country is speaking on behalf of the people of Syria? No one. You hear one leader talking about the other leader. They want to paint everything in  B&W terms. It is simple and simplistic and, sadly, intentional. JP

15 April 2018 | Center for Human Rights in Iran 

April 15, 2018 — Prisoner of conscience Narges Mohammadi was unable to accept the 2018 Andrei Sakharov Prize in person in Columbus, Ohio where the American Physical Society (APS) awarded it to her but she sent a message of hope and strength in a powerful speech.

“The path to democracy in Iran lies not through violence, war, or military action by a foreign government, but through organizing and strengthening civil society institutions. The government knows this only too well,” said Mohammadi in a speech obtained by the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI) that will be read on April 16, 2018, by Iranian American academic Nayereh Tohidi, who accepted the award on Mohammadi’s behalf.

“Sitting here in the prison, I am humbled by the honor you have bestowed on me and I will continue my efforts until we achieve peace, tolerance for a plurality of views, and human rights,” added Mohammadi, who is serving a 16-year prison sentence in Tehran’s Evin Prison.

Mohammadi, 45, has a physics degree from Iran’s Imam Khomeini University. In 2009, she was dismissed from her job as an engineer with the Iran Engineering Inspection Corporation and imprisoned due to her public advocacy of women’s and human rights.

Her husband, political activist Taghi Rahmani, lives with their two children Ali and Kiana in France. In July 2016, Mohammadi had to go on hunger strike to force the authorities to allow her to speak to them on the phone.

The last time Mohammadi’s children were able to visit her was June 2015.

“Even the walls of Evin Prison have not been able to stop Narges Mohammadi from being a leading defender of women’s and human rights in Iran,” said Hadi Ghaemi, executive director of CHRI, a physicist who attended the award ceremony in Columbus.

Mohammadi was first arrested in 2009 and sentenced to 11 years in prison for the charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “membership in the Defenders of Human Rights Center,” and “propaganda against the state.”

Upon appeal, her sentence was reduced to six years and she was released from Zanjan Prison in 2013 on medical grounds.

She was arrested again on May 5, 2015, two months after meeting with Catherine Ashton, the European Union’s foreign policy chief at the time, at the Austrian Embassy in Tehran to discuss the situation of human rights in Iran.

In September 2016, Branch 26 of the Tehran Appeals Court upheld a 16-year prison sentence for Mohammadi, again for the charges of “membership in the [now banned] Defenders of Human Rights Center,” “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the state.”

She will be eligible for release after serving 10 years in prison.

Named after Russian scientist and dissident Andrei Sakharov, the Sakharov Prize was launched by the APS in 2006 to honor outstanding leadership and the achievements of scientists in upholding human rights. In 2018 it was also awarded to Indian researcher Ravi Kuchimanchi and in 2014 to Iranian experimental laser physicist Omid Kokabee.

“Narges Mohammadi has paid a heavy price for her peaceful activism and yet she has persisted as a courageous role model for generations of younger activists,” said Ghaemi.

—

Following is the full text of Narges Mohammadi’s acceptance speech that will be read on April 16, 2018, by Professor Nayereh Tohidi 
of California State University at the APS’ April Meeting in Columbus, Ohio.

Letter by Prisoner of Conscience Narges Mohammadi From Evin Prison  

For me, as a civil rights and human rights activist, it is a great honor to be recognized by esteemed scientists like you in my field of physics and to be awarded the Andrei Sakharov Prize at the same time that another physicist Mr. Ravi Kuchimanchi is being awarded as well. His advocacy for human development, and specifically for the poor and disadvantaged in India has inspired many people world-wide.

I was filled with joy when studying quantum physics at the university as a means to understand the universe. But at the same time, I was preoccupied with the oppressive conditions in my country and the tyranny suffered by our universities, intellectuals, and the media.

Like many others in our universities, I felt compelled to join the struggle for freedom. What we experience is a decades-old tyranny, that cannot tolerate freedom of speech and thought. In the name of religion, it restricts and punishes science, intellect, and even love. It labels as a threat to national security and toxic to society whatever is not compatible with its political and economic interests. It considers punishing unwelcome ideas as a positive thing.

It does not tolerate differences of opinion; it responds to logic not by logic, discussion or dialog, but by suppression. By tyranny I mean a ruling power that tries to make only one voice—the voice of a ruling minority in Iran—dominant, with no regard for pluralism in the society.

By tyranny I mean a judiciary that disregards even the Islamic Republic’s own constitution, and sentences intellectuals, writers, journalists, and political and civil activists to long prison terms, without due process and trial in a court of law. Examples abound, including keeping under house arrest a nationally-respected religious figure such as Ayatollah Montazeri, as well as the leaders of the Green Movement, Ms. Zahra Rahnavard, Mr. Mehdi Karroubi and Mr. Mir-Hossein Mousavi, for over nine years now with no chance to be tried in the court of law.

By tyranny I mean power-holders who believe they stand above the law and who disregard justice and the urgent demands of the human conscience. They use “white torture” on political prisoners: keeping suspects in solitary confinement is a routine and prevalent procedure.

They confine a human being, alone, to a tiny cell for an unlimited and indefinite period of time: in a small space without light or proper air, where there is no sound, smell or movement. Now, add to that the pressure of persecution, derision, threats, shouting, beatings, force-feeding of medicines that carry no labels, sexual insults, sleep deprivation, and inducement of fear and stress–all in order to extract a false confession.

These solitary cells remain at the disposal of the security organs, and military and judiciary departments. Do you know who is exposed to these conditions? Those who defy the will of the ruling power by their words or non-violent actions. We do not know the exact number of people who have survived these cells after suffering severe illnesses, and the number who have lost their lives.

As a civil activist, I am one of the thousands of the victims of such horrible tortures. I have come to this conclusion: the aim of solitary confinement is brain-washing, so that prisoners, deprived of normal living conditions, lose their unique human characteristics, their train of thought and ideas, and their physical and psychological health.

Tyranny does not impose itself only in the political sphere. This tyranny uses every possible leverage at the disposal of the state to institutionalize discrimination on the basis of gender, sexuality, religion, ethnicity, and ideological orientation, particularly against women.

By sustaining patriarchal dominance, drafting and enforcing misogynistic laws, and even by fabricating a false culture in contradiction with the norms of the society, it deprives women of their human and civil rights and seeks to prevent them from social engagement. Therefore, when a woman like me decides to break their dictated norms, she must suffer prison and separation from her children, as an intimidating lesson for other women.

Tyranny plays its role in the realm of economy as well. Iran is an oil and gas-rich country, but millions of Iranians are deprived of decent living standards. Mismanagement and the corruption of government-related individuals and institutions result in high rates of unemployment, widespread poverty and suffering and deny people their economic rights.

I am aware that the American Physical Association that has granted me this award, counts many world-rank scientists and physicists among its members, and I cannot thank you enough for your kindness.

I revere science and great thinkers like you. Contemplating such questions as the dialectical relations between being and becoming has inspired and strengthened my beliefs. You are not hearing here some random ideas of a passionate student or a distressed prisoner, but reflections rooted in the experience of a woman physicist who happens to have also advocated for equal rights and human rights, and who as a result was subjected to threats, deprivation, arrests, continuous prosecutions, and finally sentenced to a total of 23 years of imprisonment, 16 years of which has to be served based on the ruling laws in Iran.

The harsh treatment and excessive sentence to which I have been subjected were not due to any underground violent or terrorist activity on my part, but– as admitted by the judges of this very system–because of my insistence on the rights of civil society and of human rights. My case, then, clearly portrays the unjust, brutal and illegal practices of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Dear friends,

You are members of an independent scientific organization, and you enjoy the blessed freedom to establish independent civil society organizations. Therefore, I would like to speak to you about two of the demands and necessities of Iranian society:

First, the independence of universities

Without universities independent of government control, the natural process of acquiring knowledge and developing thought will be thwarted, if not rendered impossible. The dominion by the government and religion over science and intellectual endeavor in Iran recalls the Middle Ages in Europe. In Iran, scientific institutions (the universities and the educational system) are under the control of the security organs, and religious and governmental agencies.

The intolerance and monopolistic mindset of the clerical government has resulted in the decline, and restriction of free enquiry, in the universities. In addition to scientific qualifications, graduate and postgraduate students must undergo ideological screening. Expulsion of professors and students on religious and ideological grounds is a routine practice. Members of the Baha’i faith cannot study at Iranian universities.

The additional tragedy is that many students are not able to find appropriate jobs after graduation. Ironically, unemployment rates are higher among highly educated Iranians, especially female graduates, than among the less educated ones. This has resulted in a rising brain drain. According to UNESCO, Iran is experiencing a serious brain drain, high compared to all other countries. This trend does irreparable damage to my country.

Second, there is the need to build and achieve true civil society

In the last 25 years, I have been active in eleven civil society organizations, either as a member or as a founding member. Now, with great regret, I see the doors of these organization being closed and sealed by the government. Yet I am not hopeless nor have I lost my motivation. We cannot stop trying. I still hope and deeply believe that the tireless efforts of our civil society activists will eventually bear fruit. I am awaiting the moment I can rejoin my colleagues in these activities once I am released.

The path to democracy in Iran lies not through violence, war, or military action by a foreign government, but through organizing and strengthening civil society institutions. The government knows this only too well. It is fearful of non-governmental civil society organizations precisely because of its undemocratic nature. It cannot even tolerate unions such as Association of Iranian Journalists, or human rights organizations such as the Center for Defenders of Human Rights, or charity bodies like the Association in Support of Working Children.

As a human rights defender, like millions of Iranians, I hate the death penalty; I despise discrimination and injustice against women; I protest against the imprisonment and torture of political and civil rights activists in solitary confinement; and I will not be silent in the face of human rights violations. In order to institutionalize human rights and achieve peace between the people and the state,

I shall endure my deprivation of freedom and rights, even though separation from my children is nothing less than death for me. I am a woman and a mother, and with all my feminine and maternal sensibilities, I seek a world free from violence and injustice, even if I have suffered injustice and violence tens of times.

Thoughts and dreams don’t die. Belief in freedom and justice does not perish with imprisonment, torture or even death and tyranny do not prevail over freedom, even when they rely on the power of the state. Sitting here in the prison, I am deeply humbled by the honor you have bestowed on me and I will continue my efforts until we achieve peace, tolerance for a plurality of views, and human rights.

Original Link

  Imprisoned Iranian Rights Defender Narges Mohammadi and her message of Hope We often forget that countries are made up of people, not just 'governments.' If you want to know 'the truth' about a country, you do not go to the leader for his side of the story.

[sorceressmidnight]

Midnight Sorceress

Chapter: 7/? [1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - ?]

Chapter 7: Good Guy Tony

Words: 1443

Warnings: Some cursing, bruises, hospitalization, broken bones

Primarily following the events of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it revolves around an original character.

Description as posted on ao3:  A member of SHIELD is forced to struggle with her mental stability and keeping her secret as the craziness surrounding the Avengers crashes around her. She ends up befriending Tony and Pepper, who help out her mental health a great deal, but will they be able to help her with her secret? Something that could destroy her if she uses it too much… What will happen when Tony tries to convince her to use it to help the Avengers?

Read on ao3: here

Tags: @txnystarkimagines @h0bsyrup

Hit me up if you want to be tagged in future chapters.

This chapter happens during Age of Ultron and somewhat after.

Tony plopped down on the bed, kicking his shoes off and letting them plop to the floor. It was the room that Clint and Laura was letting him stay in until they left to finish the fight that had been started. He heard the door open and turned his head to see Kiana walking into the room with him, closing the door behind herself. She pulled her shoes off, grabbing the ones he let fall to the floor and setting both pairs next to the door. He sat up and looked at her as she sat down at the edge of the bed. “Hey,” she smiled softly. “Hey…” he offered a half smile, “Ugh… I seriously can’t believe this.” He groaned as he plopped back against the bed, covering his face with his arm. “We’re stuck here… while he’s out there… he’s out there doing who knows what!” She crawled up further on the bed, leaning on her elbows while lying next to him. “We all need to allow ourselves a second to breathe. If we rush out there right now, who knows what’ll happen.” “We don’t have a second to breathe! This is worse than New York! He can access anything on the internet! It’s not just a bunch of enemies shooting at us and breaking buildings! I... “ He buried his face into his hands, slightly pulling at the ends of his hair. She gently grabbed his hands and pulled them off of his face, staring down at him and giving a soft smile. “We’ll figure this out together. We’re like a family. We have each other’s back.” He looked up at her as she spoke, eyes widening as he looked over her neck, a large bruise there around where Ultron had grabbed her by the throat. He reached his hand to gently touch the bruise, eyes watering as his lips parted, struggling to find the words he wanted to say. He pulled her against his chest, holding her tightly and resting his head against the top of hers. “This is my fault… I… I got you hurt… This… This would have never happened if I didn’t insist on bringing you out to fight… Pepper was right. I should have let you go with her when she left…” “Tony…” “I’m so stupid… I have to stop him…” he was brought out of his daze by the sharp feeling of nails pinching his cheeks, a stern look from the female he was holding. “Tony. You didn’t know what was going to happen. I’m sure that girl used her powers to make you see something she wanted you to. She fed on your paranoia. People make mistakes Tony… the best thing we can do is work to fix them as best as we can and I’ll be with you the entire time. ‘Kay?” She smiled brightly at him, gentle blue eyes filled with hope meeting harsh brown eyes holding a mixture of anger, self hatred, and sorrow. He gently cupped his hand over her cheek, pulling her face down before pressing his lips against hers. Her eyes widened, a red flushing over her cheeks before swiftly pulling back and staring down at him with widened eyes. “T-Tony… I know you’re upset… but what about Pep?” He sighed, covering his face with his hands. “I know… I’m sorry. I… dunno. I’m just so confused. I’ve never felt like this before…” He groaned. “Well… why don’t you talk about it? What are you confused about?” Her expression changed as she talked, slightly worried about him. “I… It’s just… I think... I like both you and Pepper? I don’t know… You’ve both been there for me in different ways… I’ve never been more comfortable than when you both have been living with me… Yet I’m still extremely worried… I’m terrified of anything happening to either of you.” She couldn’t help but laugh, resting head against his chest as she tried to stop herself. His brows furrowed, pouting slightly and poking her cheek. “I’m having a moment, what the heck is so funny?” his tone was offended, but his expression showed he was joking. “You don’t remember, do you?” she laughed, looking up at him. “Just continue or let me finish being emotional for the first time in my life,” he jokingly mocked, knowing she knew that was definitely not true. “You were joking a while ago, when you were flirting with me,” she rolled her eyes with a giggle, “you made a comment about convincing Pepper to be poly. I dunno how she’ll even feel about the idea, but we can talk it over when things calm down a little. She’s a lot more understanding than a lot of people I know. I mean being polyamorous isn’t even that unusual. There are a lot of people who are in poly relationships. We’ll work on that later, though. Right now we have to focus on saving the world, mmkay?” He gave a soft smile in response, kissing her cheek and nodding before letting his head fall back on the pillow.

Tony ran into the hospital room, barely having time to breathe after landing. He frantically looked through the numbered rooms, almost missing it before sliding around and making his way into the room. “Oh, hey Tony…” Kiana weakly murmured from the hospital bed, bandages around her head, covering her eye. There were bandages on her arms as well, while the rest of her was covered with the sheet. “What did the doctor say?” he asked so fast, he forgot to breathe until he managed to get it out, taking a deep breath afterwards. “I should’ve stopped you from coming… I… I should’ve taken better precautionary actions to make sure it didn’t happen…” he murmured to himself. “Hey… It’s not that bad. I just need to take it easy for a while and let my body heal up. He said I should avoid using my powers for up to a month and up to a year or two before I can use my powers at their full potential again. It just means I’ll have to get used to cooking with my own two hands again,” she laughed softly. “Don’t worry, I’ll hire you a personal chef. I want you doing as little as possible until you’re completely better.” He leaned down, hugging her as he rested his head on her shoulder. “What other problems did the doctor say?” “A couple of broken ribs, some other broken bones…” she winced softly, rubbing her head. “C-can you call the nurse? S-sorry… I’ve been having trouble thinking due to the pain... “ “Yeah, of course. Anything you need, just let me know.” He walked out the door to find a nurse.

Tony visited Kiana every single day she was still in the hospital, making arrangements at the tower to make it easier for her to get around while still healing up. It was between five to six months before she returned to the tower. The two were sitting on the couch, her surrounded with lots of pillows, as he brought up some clips off of the internet. “This kid has been acting like a vigilante. His whole scheme is like spider boy or something.” “Super human abilities or just?” “It seems like it, just watch,” he responded, starting the video as it showed someone dressed up in red and blue running around and stopping minor criminals. They watched some more videos, most of them being news clips, but some being random recording from people on the street watching the incident happen in front of them. “Lemme guess,” she pursed her lips as the last video was stopped, “you want to recruit him for the Avengers?” “No. I mean he seems like he would be a useful ally, but I don’t think I’d want to drag him into this. I already know who he is, so I can go visit him when I need to, but I want to try to avoid that for now.” “Oh yeah? Is he a teen?” “Good guess. I don’t want to drag him down into this lifestyle if I can avoid it… but… if need be I will go recruit him.” “Good guy Tony trying to let Spider boy live his life as normally as he can.” “Shut up,” he laughed, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her head against his own shoulder. “Anyway, I got some of your favorite movies and food is on the way.” “Good. Pizza?” “Yeah and some other stuff. Might be a few ding dongs.” “Ding dong,” she giggled and pressed his nose, looking at the television as a movie started.