#threads / sophia & dominic.

[citrusfield]

( continued. ) ♡ @hcrdknocklife

“i definitely wouldn’t say he’s my type or anything, but he can’t be that bland if he landed such an obviously impressive wife," she jokes, gesturing towards herself with a flourish. "give the guy some credit. he must have something working in his favour.” would sophia ever find herself entangled with a guy who works in finance outside of a mission? not at all, but she figures that's why their new personas were chosen the way they were. the further they are from their real lives and personalities, the better. "we'll just have to make sure that we keep things interesting enough at home that our brains stay fully functional once the day is over." they’re on an important job, but they're still entitled to a little downtime. god knows she won't be expecting him to discuss economics off the clock. “hey, you put them in my head; that’s very different. it wasn't my fault! it’s like when someone tells you not to look behind you — of course you’re going to look.” except instead, she's accidentally being plagued by images of dominic framed in a light she'd never imagined before and to be frank, it isn't easy to process. she should really work on that if they want to make this marriage convincing. what type of wife would get flustered by something they're supposed to have seen countless times before? “ah, that's okay. i can handle being a little annoying. got to keep you on your toes somehow, don't i?" it's also just a side of sophia that's difficult to switch off most of the time. they've been bothering him for so long that it's practically become second nature. "okay, good. you're... sure?" she asks, voice tinged with a hint of concern. she can't remember ever seeing him falter before and it's enough to make her begin to doubt his assurances. then again, what could be the problem? he'd very clearly told her to kiss him — she was merely following instructions from the more experienced of the two. oh god, she wasn't bad at it, was she? "uh, yeah… yeah, we do. i can try to finish unpacking for us if you don't mind me going through your things." 

[hrizantemy]

If the Dusk Court still existed alongside the other courts, what do you think it would look like? As well as its clothing and architecture. What would you want its culture to be like and what language do you think they would have?

If the Dusk Court still existed alongside the other courts, I imagine it as one of the most culturally profound and symbolically layered courts—the bridge between light and dark, life and death, change and permanence.

The Dusk Court — The Realm of Twilight and Transcendence

Dusk is neither day nor night—it’s a threshold, a liminal space. I see the Dusk Court as a place that thrives on balance, introspection, and reverence for the in-between. It’s a society that embraces ambiguity, transformation, and cyclical patterns—where nothing is static, and every ending is honored as a beginning.

1. Architecture: Inspired by Ancient Petra, Moroccan Riads, and Byzantine Influence

I picture the Dusk Court as a city carved into nature itself, much like Petra in Jordan—rose-stone facades, seamlessly blending into cliffs and canyons. The structures wouldn’t dominate the landscape, but emerge from it, reflecting the Court’s philosophy of harmony and transience.

From Moroccan architecture, I’d borrow the idea of hidden beauty—plain exteriors that open into stunning inner courtyards (riads) filled with fountains, tiled mosaics, and shaded gardens. Privacy and inner reflection would be key values, so homes and public buildings would focus inward, designed for contemplation and peace.

The spiritual heart of the court could resemble Byzantine basilicas, with grand domes, intricate mosaics of twilight skies, and soft light filtering through stained glass in muted golds, purples, and blues. The Hagia Sophia comes to mind—an architectural testament to both earthly grandeur and spiritual transcendence.

Key Features:

Sandstone cities glowing at sunset.

Reflective pools and labyrinthine streets, symbolizing life’s winding paths.

Open-air temples honoring celestial cycles, with no roofs to separate them from the skies.

Use of geometric patterns, similar to Islamic art, representing the infinite and unknowable.

2. Clothing: Rooted in Desert Cultures, Byzantine Luxury, and Japanese Minimalism

The Dusk Court’s fashion would blend practicality with philosophical symbolism.

Inspired by North African and Middle Eastern garments, they’d wear flowing robes and light, breathable fabrics—perfect for climates where days are hot and nights are cool. Think djellabas, kaftans, and abayas layered in soft gradients, echoing the shifting colors of twilight.

From Byzantine culture, I’d imagine intricate embroidery—threaded in gold and silver—depicting cosmic motifs: setting suns, crescent moons, stars, and cyclical patterns.

But there would also be a hint of Japanese aesthetics—a respect for simplicity, impermanence, and nature. Perhaps elements of wabi-sabi, where beauty is found in imperfection and age. Faded fabrics, hand-stitched repairs (like boro), and heirloom garments passed through generations would be common.

Color Palette:

Muted violets, soft ochres, deep indigos, dusty rose, and shimmering golds—colors that shift depending on light, embodying the transient beauty of dusk.

3. Culture: A Society of Philosophers, Mystics, and Keepers of Balance

The Dusk Court would be deeply philosophical—drawing from traditions like:

Taoism: The belief in balance and the flow of natural forces (yin and yang). They’d reject extremes, favoring harmony and the acceptance of life’s dualities.

Sufi Mysticism: A culture of poetry, dance, and music as forms of spiritual expression. Imagine whirling dervish-like rituals, where movement becomes a meditation on the cycles of life.

Ancient Egyptian View of Ma’at: The concept of cosmic balance, truth, and order. The Dusk Court might view themselves as guardians of Prythian’s metaphysical equilibrium, ensuring no court tips too far into chaos or tyranny.

Mesoamerican Calendar Culture: A deep reverence for time and celestial events. Festivals would align with equinoxes, solstices, and rare astronomical phenomena. Every citizen would know their place within cycles of renewal and decay.

They would embrace mortality—not fearing death, but seeing it as a sacred passage. Funeral rites would be grand, but not mournful—celebrations of completion.

4. Language: A Blend of Arabic Poetics, Sanskrit Philosophy, and Indigenous Symbolism

The Dusk Court’s language would be highly metaphorical, designed to convey layers of meaning in few words—similar to how Arabic or Persian poetry can express vast emotional landscapes through symbolism.

They might have untranslatable words akin to:

“Tarab” (Arabic): The ecstasy from music.

“Saudade” (Portuguese): A longing for something lost.

“Ikigai” (Japanese): A reason for being.

Like Sanskrit, their language could be tied to philosophy and ritual, with precise words for spiritual concepts and cosmic forces. Perhaps they use pictographs or glyphs in writing, resembling Mayan or Egyptian scripts, where a single symbol encapsulates complex ideas.

Communication wouldn’t be rushed—silence could be as important as speech.

5. Political & Economic Structure: The Court of Mediators and Memory

Politically, the Dusk Court would serve as Prythian’s neutral heart. A place where courts send emissaries to settle disputes, guided by ancient laws older than any High Lord.

Leadership might not be a singular ruler but a council of elders—chosen not for power but for wisdom and life experience. Perhaps titles aren’t inherited but earned through deeds reflecting balance, insight, and service to the community.

Economically, they’d thrive on:

Artisan goods: Glasswork that captures twilight, enchanted scrolls, and twilight-blooming plants used in rare potions.

Knowledge trade: Selling maps of ancient ley lines, star charts, and philosophical treaties prized by scholars of other courts.

Hosting diplomatic summits and neutral trade agreements.

Final Thoughts:

If the Dusk Court still existed, it would be the soul of Prythian—not the most powerful, not the richest, but the wisest. A court that understands that strength isn’t just about armies or magic, but about knowing when to let go, when to endure, and when to stand as the quiet force holding everything together.

It would draw from cultures that value introspection, balance, and spiritual depth.

[cleverhottubmiracle]

Cosmetics company E.l.f. acquires Hailey Bieber’s Rhode beauty brand for $1 billion, Davido reunites with daughter Imade after dispute with Sophia Momodu, Chelsea wins the Conference League. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest, which summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix. Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…1. Cosmetics company E.l.f. acquires Hailey Bieber’s Rhode beauty brand for $1 billionNEW: Rhode, the beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber, is getting acquired by e.l.f. Cosmetics in a $1 billion deal, the companies plan to announce later today.@rachelstrugatz has exclusive details, link in thread 👇 pic.twitter.com/VlqhdETXur— Puck (@PuckNews) May 28, 2025E.l.f. Beauty has acquired Hailey Bieber’s skincare and cosmetics brand, Rhode, in a landmark $1 billion deal, the companies announced Wednesday. The acquisition includes $600 million in cash, $200 million in newly issued E.l.f. Beauty stock, and an additional $200 million contingent on Rhode’s growth over the next three years. Bieber, 28, will remain closely involved as the brand’s Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, as well as a strategic adviser to the merged companies. Rhode, launched in 2022 and named after Hailey Bieber’s middle name, generated $212 million in net sales in the 12 months ending March 31 and is set to enter physical retail through Sephora in North America and the U.K. later this year.The deal marks a major expansion for E.l.f., a California-based beauty company known for its affordable, vegan, and cruelty-free products. E.l.f. has built a strong foothold in the cosmetics industry by tapping into social media trends and offering cost-conscious alternatives to high-end products. With Rhode’s youthful branding and minimalist “clean girl” aesthetic, which stands in contrast to the glam-heavy styles of past beauty icons, the acquisition positions E.l.f. to further dominate the Gen Z and millennial markets. CEO Tarang Amin praised Rhode as a “like-minded disruptor,” aligning with E.l.f.’s mission to reshape the beauty industry.2. Davido reunites with daughter Imade after dispute with Sophia Momodu“Best day of my life” – Davido declares as he reunites with his daughter, Imade Adeleke, after a long separation. pic.twitter.com/bFKPeMBdj7— kolaqhazim (@Kolaqhazim) May 29, 2025Afrobeats superstar Davido has joyfully reunited with his first daughter, Imade Adeleke, following a months-long public dispute with her mother, Sophia Momodu. The celebrated singer, who had been entangled in a legal disagreement with Momodu over custody matters, took to social media to share a touching image of the reunion. In the heartfelt post, Davido described the moment as “the best day of my life,” as he held Imade close, both of them smiling brightly—a sight that melted the hearts of fans across social media.Further glimpses into the father-daughter reunion were shared on Davido’s Instagram stories, including a video of Imade at the Adeleke family home and a photo of her sitting comfortably on the lap of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle. The emotional reunion marks a hopeful turning point in what had been a tense chapter for the Adeleke family. Supporters and fellow celebrities have since flooded social media with warm messages, celebrating the restored bond between Davido and his daughter.3. Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading the effort to slash the federal governmentElon Musk announces his departure from the Trump administration. pic.twitter.com/CArD0qP76r— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 29, 2025Elon Musk announced Wednesday that he is stepping down from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), marking the end of a dramatic tenure as a top adviser in the Trump administration. Tasked with slashing the size and spending of the federal government, Musk led a sweeping, and controversial, campaign that resulted in thousands of layoffs, deep agency cuts, and widespread legal battles. Despite early ambitions to eliminate $2 trillion in government spending, Musk scaled back his goals significantly, citing bureaucratic resistance and political friction within the administration.Musk’s departure, disclosed in a post on his social platform X, follows recent public criticism of President Trump’s flagship legislative package, which Musk derided as a “massive spending bill” that undercut DOGE’s mission. White House officials confirmed his exit was planned, though the timing surprised some. Speaker Mike Johnson thanked Musk for his contributions, pledging continued support for DOGE’s findings. As Musk returns to focus on his private ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, the White House has submitted a rescission package to Congress, seeking to preserve elements of the spending cuts Musk championed.4. Oscar Mbo welcomes a new baby with his partner, LeratoCongratulations to OscarMbo and Lerato 👶🤰❤️ pic.twitter.com/ELhjQJVk9J— Hermaine M (@HermaineM) May 28, 2025Oscar Mbo and his partner Lerato are celebrating a new addition to their family. The acclaimed music producer and DJ announced the arrival of their baby with an emotional post on social media, sharing touching images from a pregnancy photo shoot and a candid moment in the delivery room, where he lovingly cradled his newborn while wearing scrubs. Captioning the post with “A faithful God. Glory,” Oscar expressed deep gratitude and joy, while Lerato echoed the sentiment with a heartfelt “I love you so much babe.”This marks Oscar’s second child, as he is already a devoted father to a son whose sweet moments he frequently shares with fans online. The announcement has been met with an outpouring of love and congratulatory messages from fans, fellow celebrities, and industry peers. As the couple steps into this new chapter, their growing family has become yet another source of inspiration and warmth in Oscar’s journey, both personally and professionally.5. Chelsea wins the Conference LeagueChelsea UEFA Conference League winners 2024/25 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qTDtcNPDWb— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 28, 2025Chelsea etched their name into European football history by becoming the first club to win all five major UEFA trophies, sealing their legacy with a 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. Held at Stadion Wroclaw in Poland, the triumph completes a rare continental collection that includes the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup. Despite falling behind early to a ninth-minute strike by Abde Ezzalzouli, the Blues rallied with an inspired second-half performance orchestrated by manager Enzo Maresca’s young and dynamic squad.Cole Palmer led the resurgence, providing two crucial assists—first for Enzo Fernandez’s equalizer and then for Nicolas Jackson to give Chelsea the lead. The momentum continued as substitutes Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jadon Sancho combined for a third goal, with Sancho’s curling finish igniting the Chelsea faithful. The final flourish came courtesy of Moises Caicedo, whose long-range effort sealed the emphatic win. As chants of “We’ve won it all” echoed across the stands, Chelsea lifted the Conference League trophy and cemented their place as European football’s most complete club champions.Featured Image: @haileybieber/InstagramOur Weekday News Digest summarizes five of the hottest news topics worldwide–including celebrity news from Hollywood to Nollywood, the latest trending global headlines from American reports to top African news today, and the best sports stories in 2025.For the latest in fashion, lifestyle, and culture, follow us on Instagram @StyleRave_— Read also!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '496558104568102'); fbq('track', 'PageView');!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments);if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script',' fbq('init', '1453079628754066'); fbq('track', "PageView"); Source link

[norajworld]

Cosmetics company E.l.f. acquires Hailey Bieber’s Rhode beauty brand for $1 billion, Davido reunites with daughter Imade after dispute with Sophia Momodu, Chelsea wins the Conference League. Stay in the know with our Rave News Digest, which summarizes five of the hottest global news stories you need to catch up on, saving you time and energy. Consider it your daily news fix. Here is a rundown of five of the hottest news topics…1. Cosmetics company E.l.f. acquires Hailey Bieber’s Rhode beauty brand for $1 billionNEW: Rhode, the beauty brand founded by Hailey Bieber, is getting acquired by e.l.f. Cosmetics in a $1 billion deal, the companies plan to announce later today.@rachelstrugatz has exclusive details, link in thread 👇 pic.twitter.com/VlqhdETXur— Puck (@PuckNews) May 28, 2025E.l.f. Beauty has acquired Hailey Bieber’s skincare and cosmetics brand, Rhode, in a landmark $1 billion deal, the companies announced Wednesday. The acquisition includes $600 million in cash, $200 million in newly issued E.l.f. Beauty stock, and an additional $200 million contingent on Rhode’s growth over the next three years. Bieber, 28, will remain closely involved as the brand’s Chief Creative Officer and Head of Innovation, as well as a strategic adviser to the merged companies. Rhode, launched in 2022 and named after Hailey Bieber’s middle name, generated $212 million in net sales in the 12 months ending March 31 and is set to enter physical retail through Sephora in North America and the U.K. later this year.The deal marks a major expansion for E.l.f., a California-based beauty company known for its affordable, vegan, and cruelty-free products. E.l.f. has built a strong foothold in the cosmetics industry by tapping into social media trends and offering cost-conscious alternatives to high-end products. With Rhode’s youthful branding and minimalist “clean girl” aesthetic, which stands in contrast to the glam-heavy styles of past beauty icons, the acquisition positions E.l.f. to further dominate the Gen Z and millennial markets. CEO Tarang Amin praised Rhode as a “like-minded disruptor,” aligning with E.l.f.’s mission to reshape the beauty industry.2. Davido reunites with daughter Imade after dispute with Sophia Momodu“Best day of my life” – Davido declares as he reunites with his daughter, Imade Adeleke, after a long separation. pic.twitter.com/bFKPeMBdj7— kolaqhazim (@Kolaqhazim) May 29, 2025Afrobeats superstar Davido has joyfully reunited with his first daughter, Imade Adeleke, following a months-long public dispute with her mother, Sophia Momodu. The celebrated singer, who had been entangled in a legal disagreement with Momodu over custody matters, took to social media to share a touching image of the reunion. In the heartfelt post, Davido described the moment as “the best day of my life,” as he held Imade close, both of them smiling brightly—a sight that melted the hearts of fans across social media.Further glimpses into the father-daughter reunion were shared on Davido’s Instagram stories, including a video of Imade at the Adeleke family home and a photo of her sitting comfortably on the lap of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Davido’s uncle. The emotional reunion marks a hopeful turning point in what had been a tense chapter for the Adeleke family. Supporters and fellow celebrities have since flooded social media with warm messages, celebrating the restored bond between Davido and his daughter.3. Elon Musk is leaving the Trump administration after leading the effort to slash the federal governmentElon Musk announces his departure from the Trump administration. pic.twitter.com/CArD0qP76r— Pop Base (@PopBase) May 29, 2025Elon Musk announced Wednesday that he is stepping down from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), marking the end of a dramatic tenure as a top adviser in the Trump administration. Tasked with slashing the size and spending of the federal government, Musk led a sweeping, and controversial, campaign that resulted in thousands of layoffs, deep agency cuts, and widespread legal battles. Despite early ambitions to eliminate $2 trillion in government spending, Musk scaled back his goals significantly, citing bureaucratic resistance and political friction within the administration.Musk’s departure, disclosed in a post on his social platform X, follows recent public criticism of President Trump’s flagship legislative package, which Musk derided as a “massive spending bill” that undercut DOGE’s mission. White House officials confirmed his exit was planned, though the timing surprised some. Speaker Mike Johnson thanked Musk for his contributions, pledging continued support for DOGE’s findings. As Musk returns to focus on his private ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX, the White House has submitted a rescission package to Congress, seeking to preserve elements of the spending cuts Musk championed.4. Oscar Mbo welcomes a new baby with his partner, LeratoCongratulations to OscarMbo and Lerato 👶🤰❤️ pic.twitter.com/ELhjQJVk9J— Hermaine M (@HermaineM) May 28, 2025Oscar Mbo and his partner Lerato are celebrating a new addition to their family. The acclaimed music producer and DJ announced the arrival of their baby with an emotional post on social media, sharing touching images from a pregnancy photo shoot and a candid moment in the delivery room, where he lovingly cradled his newborn while wearing scrubs. Captioning the post with “A faithful God. Glory,” Oscar expressed deep gratitude and joy, while Lerato echoed the sentiment with a heartfelt “I love you so much babe.”This marks Oscar’s second child, as he is already a devoted father to a son whose sweet moments he frequently shares with fans online. The announcement has been met with an outpouring of love and congratulatory messages from fans, fellow celebrities, and industry peers. As the couple steps into this new chapter, their growing family has become yet another source of inspiration and warmth in Oscar’s journey, both personally and professionally.5. Chelsea wins the Conference LeagueChelsea UEFA Conference League winners 2024/25 🏆 pic.twitter.com/qTDtcNPDWb— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 28, 2025Chelsea etched their name into European football history by becoming the first club to win all five major UEFA trophies, sealing their legacy with a 4-1 comeback victory over Real Betis in the UEFA Conference League final. Held at Stadion Wroclaw in Poland, the triumph completes a rare continental collection that includes the Champions League, Europa League, Super Cup, and Cup Winners’ Cup. Despite falling behind early to a ninth-minute strike by Abde Ezzalzouli, the Blues rallied with an inspired second-half performance orchestrated by manager Enzo Maresca’s young and dynamic squad.Cole Palmer led the resurgence, providing two crucial assists—first for Enzo Fernandez’s equalizer and then for Nicolas Jackson to give Chelsea the lead. The momentum continued as substitutes Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jadon Sancho combined for a third goal, with Sancho’s curling finish igniting the Chelsea faithful. The final flourish came courtesy of Moises Caicedo, whose long-range effort sealed the emphatic win. As chants of “We’ve won it all” echoed across the stands, Chelsea lifted the Conference League trophy and cemented their place as European football’s most complete club champions.Featured Image: @haileybieber/InstagramOur Weekday News Digest summarizes five of the hottest news topics worldwide–including celebrity news from Hollywood to Nollywood, the latest trending global headlines from American reports to top African news today, and the best sports stories in 2025.For the latest in fashion, lifestyle, and culture, follow us on Instagram @StyleRave_— Read also!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s) if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments); if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0'; n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script', ' fbq('init', '496558104568102'); fbq('track', 'PageView');!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function()n.callMethod? n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments);if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n; n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)(window, document,'script',' fbq('init', '1453079628754066'); fbq('track', "PageView"); Source link

[rviner]

Character Updates: Chapter 4

Tammie Jones. Hollow Cove.

Is still kind of falling into sync with being a mama not-mama to Eden but is concerned about Teddy, Sophia and obviously the Crosses. Probably a lot of frustration that she can't do more to help. Probably will try and find a way to join Ryan on a search party.

Rory Hayes. Hollow Cove.

Shitting herself. She's worried about Hunter, Mason and Tyr is genuinely a mess rn. She probably will bite the bullet and join a search party to look for them, potential of that all going wrong.

Aidan Murphy. Hollow Cove.

Is naturally be concerned for Hunter specifically just because of the tie to Lia and Saoirse. Potential for him to offer the Cross wolves his help on any runs or searches, and potential for that to go wrong too because of the difficult situation with Isla.

Roxy Rose. Hollow Cove.

Is worried about Dominic's safety and will be on edge more than usual. Mostly Rose threads I'm guessing but she will be joining searches to look for her brother. Lot's of potential for her to cause problems on a run or search too.

Roman Araya. Hollow Cove.

Despite being thankful and closely tied and in their pack, Roman isn't as forthcoming to help search for missing Crosses. He's still swept up in searches for wolves from the Colorado packs, specifically his girl Bea. Potential for people to notice he's only put his name down for a few searches.

Ines Garcia. Hollow Cove.

Will be worried about everyone who's missing but specifically Tyr. It could possibly be what sparks her to want to train, and want to pull her weight more with the pack. Potential for it to be a bit of a Teddy situation because fr what are you gonna do Jenna Ortiny

Kas Morrison. Hollow Cove.

Since we've seen him, Kas is being more of a team player with the Vaismans but his focus had primarily been on helping Jasmine look for her sisters. However, I can see him stepping up even more to look for Kenzie and Allie too and it be a mini redemption arc for him. Chaos mostly works for his threads in one way or another.

Teddy Prescott. Thunder River.

She isn't coping and she feels like an idiot for ever thinking she had what it takes to run with the big wolves lmaoooo ok so be serious montyr. It'd be cool if she actually does something that helps someone in the camp and it brings back a little spark in her that she's not useless.

Isabella Belcourt. Hollow Cove.

Has a lot going on that is specific plots but for the mean time she is trying to find her footing in the divide that's forming in the Belcourt coven, specifically about Felix. She's easy to thread with though and can easily make friends so anything works for her.

Fox Lennox. Hollow Cove.

No words are really needed for this one LOL he's really worried about Kenzie and Allie, could possibly see him willing to put his name forward for a search, maybe even joining one and...lmao. List is endless.

Loki Jansen. Hollow Cove.

Just being a sexy slutty viking all the time tbh. He's fine but worried about his brothers, I can picture him on most searches he can go on. And just being a hot Scandi the rest of the time and annoying people. The list is always endless for him too.

Fenrir Skora. Hollow Cove.

Is a super diplomatic personality so right now he's willing to help look for Thorin and Egil, and he probably is a great personality for the Vissers to put forward as a "buffer" to hide their secret ops because Fenrir will do work around Hollow Cove willingly, and talk to most confusing outsiders. Would be interesting to see him have a conversation with someone non-Visser who has lost a child, or young family member.

Skadi Alfsson. Hollow Cove.

She's focused on her children primarily, but she's also making lots of sexy weapons in the mean time and doing whatever Roan and Rineike decide for the pack. She's another personality that would be easy to speak to for a Non-Visser but she's judgmental so also lots of room for angst. Willing to go on searches for Egil and Thorin too. List is endless really.

Runa Visser. Thunder River.

She's a reserved personality and is much like her mother, isn't the easiest to talk to but I have high muse for her so anything will work. I like the idea of seeing her have to talk more to Non-Visser characters in the camp, maybe helping one another in an unexpected fight. She joins the escape later on so an in is needed for her to be trusted to go.

Liliana Winslow. Hollow Cove.

She's a data girl so she's probably being pulled left right and center right now to formulate clear search paths etc. She's a useful character and also talkative and social so she will work thrown against anybody in a thread. Could also be interesting if her brothers sung her praises with how she is with data, but she gets something wrong and it's quite risky.

Rodrigo Medina. Hollow Cove.

Pretending to be a good guy but isn't one at all. He works in any situation and is a wildcard, that's trying to act as if he's not one so very interesting no matter what the thread is. He literally doesn't care at all if he's conversing with someone who lost everything from a Colorado town.

[screamingforyears]

IN_A_MINUTE: // AN INDIE EXPRESS… // “TAPE REWIND” is the official lead single/track from @filmschoolmusic forthcoming LP titled ‘Field��� (8/25 @felte_label) & it finds the LA-based sextet of Greg Bertens (guitar/vocals), Noël Brydebell (vocals), Nyles Lannon (guitar), Justin LaBo (bass), Jason Ruck (keys) & Adam Wade (drums) bringing 4 mins of moodily gazed & guitar-driven DreamPop. @mission.to.the.sun are here w/ “UNBORN,” the second single from their forthcoming LP titled ‘Sophia Oscillations’ (7/14 @felte_label) & it finds the Detroit-based duo of Christopher Samuels (synthesizers/samples/guitar/drum machine) & Kirill Slavin (lyrics/vocals) drawing us into their nervily unsettled world while “projecting electronica & industrial through a goth lens” “WHIMPERER” is a choice cut from @themothersuperiornc’s recently released EP titled ‘Glass Hours’ (@pleasure_tapes) & it finds the “Charlotte Grunge Gazers,” consisting of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Kevin Kinne, multi-instrumentalist Dominic Spitaliere, vocalist Tessa Harmon, guitarist Alex Kuhn, bassist Phlop & keyboardist Christian Spence bringing the sweetly bummed goods across a 4:20 clip of psych-tined AltRawk. @old_coke are here w/ “SUNTINGED,” the latest single from their debut EP titled ‘Seasonal’ (7/28) & it finds the Chicago-based duo of Chris (guitar/bass/vocals) & Ethan (drums) eschewing their love of distortion to bring us 5 mins of lavishly lithe, jazzily lit & vaporously voiced DreamO. “THREAD” is a choice cut from @womborocks’ recently released EP titled ‘Slab’ (@firetalkrecs) & it finds the Louisville-based trio of Sydney Chadwick, Cameron Lowe & Joel Taylor lulling us into a melancholic haze across 3 mins of minimally blessed, devastatingly astute & heart wrenchingly brittle IndieRawk.

//

TASTY TRACKS STREAMING BELOW...

////

[wildinvite]

♡ @hcrdknocklife​​

just as predicted, the trip to their new home had been the pinnacle of awkwardness, consisting of sophia sitting quietly with earphones in and ignoring any reminder of dominic’s presence lest one look in his direction ruin her entire mood. if he asked, she would use the excuse of running over the details of her new identity one last time, but anybody who’s watched the two of them interact for longer than twenty seconds would know the truth. holding onto the handle of their bag like a lifeline, there’s no more time for being stubborn and petty; not when the front door is closing shut behind them and their assignment officially begins. fuck. realistically, things could be much worse — they were given a decent enough place and if things go according to plan, they hopefully shouldn’t have to stay for very long — but it’s so hard to remember the positives when there’s no escaping one another. “home sweet home, huh?”

[thegreatimpersonator]

based on this thread, here is a list of famous people who have supported johnny depp and/or made fun of amber heard. fuck all of them:

Aly & AJ

Alissa Violet (Influencer)

Anitta

Ann Coulter

Ashley Benson

Ashley Park (actress from Emily in Paris)

Auli'i Cravalho (actress from Moana)

Bailey Muñoz

Bella Hadid

Ben Shapiro

Booboo Stewart

Chase Hudson (Lil Huddy)

Chase Stokes (actor from Outer Banks)

China McClaine

Chris Rock

Cierra Ramirez (actress from The Fosters/Good Trouble)

Cody Simpson

Connor Swindells (adam groff on sex education)

Cazzie David

Critical Role

Dakota Fanning

Dakota Johnson

Daniel Ricciardo

Diana Silvers

Dillion Francis (DJ)

Dominic Fike

Dove Cameron

Elle King

Emma Roberts

Florence Pugh

Gabby Douglas

Gemma Chan

Halle Bailey

Henry Golding

Ian Somerhalder

Jaime King

Jamie Campbell Bower

Javier Bardem

Jennifer Aniston

Jennifer Coolidge

Jeremy Renner

Jessie J

JK Rowling

Joe Perry (Aerosmith)

JoJo Siwa

Jordan Fisher

Julian Kostov (actor from Shadow & Bone)

Justin Long

Kali Uchis

Kat Von D

Kelly Osbourne

Kelsea Ballerini

Kyle Rittenhouse

LaKeith Stanfield

Lance Bass

Lennon Stella

Lewis Tan

Lucy Hale

Madelyn Cline (actress from Outer Banks)

Maren Morris

Matthias Schoenaerts

Michael Clifford (of 5 Seconds of Summer)

Molly Shanon

Nicholas Braun

Norman Reedus

Nyane (popular instagram model)

Olivia Jade

Paige (from WWE)

Paris Hilton

Patti Smith

Paul Bettany

Paul McCartney

Penelope Cruz

Perrie Edwards

Phillip Barantini (director of Boiling Point)

Pokimane (Twitch Streamer)

Reeve Carney

Robert Downey Jr

Rian Dawson (Drummer of All Time Low)

Riley Keough

Rita Ora

Ryan Adams

Sam Claflin

Samantha Hanratty (actress from Yellowjackets)

Samuel Larsen

Seth Savoy (Director)

Shannen Doherty

Sharon Stone

Sia

SNL cast and writers

Sofia Boutella

Sophie Turner

Stella Maxwell

Tammin Sursok

Taika Waititi

Tony Lopez

Upsahl

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Morgan

Vanessa Paradis

Vincent Gallo

Yungblud

Zachary Levi

Zedd

Zoe Saldana

Zoey Deutch

People who publicly support Amber:

Aiysha Hart 

Alex Winter

Alexa Nikolas (actress from Zoey 101)

Amanda Seyfried

Amy Schumer

Anna Sophia Robb

Bianca Butti (Amber's ex)

Busy Philipps

Chace Crawford

Chloe Morello

Christina Ricci

Constance Wu

Contrapoints/Natalie Wynn

Corey Rae

Dana Schwartz (journalist and writer)

David Krumholtz

Dolph Lundgren

Edward Norton

Elizabeth Lail (actress who played Beck from you)

Elizabeth McGovern

Elizaberh Reaser (Esmé in Twilight)

Ellen Barkin

Emeraude Toubia (actress from Shadowhunters and With Love)

Emily Ratajkowski

Evan Rachel Wood

Finneas

Howard Stern

Ira Madison III

Jamelle Bouie (NYT columnist)

Jessica Taylor, Dr

Jon Lovett (podcaster & former White House speech writer & fiance of Ronan Farrow)

John Legend

Julia Fox

Julia Stiles

Julianne Moore

Kate Nash (singer, actress from Glow)

Kathy Griffin

Kristen Bell

Lauren Jauregui

Lena Headey

Lindsay Ellis (YouTuber)

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsey Gort

Mia Farrow

Michele Dauber (Stanford law professor)

Millie Brady (actress in The Last Kingdom)

Mel B

Melanie Lynskey

Melissa Benoist

Monica Lewinsky

Nathalie Emmanuel (actress on Game of Thrones)

Neil Gaiman (writer of Caroline, American Gods, Good Omens, etc.)

Nikki Glaser (comedian)

Patricia Arquette

Rachel Riley

Raphael Bob-Waksberg (creator of Bojack Horseman)

Robin Lord Taylor

Rian Johnson (director of Knives Out)

Ryn Weaver (singer)

Samantha Bee (comedian)

Sarah Paulson

Sarah Steele

Selma Blair 

Sophia Bush

Uzo Aduba

Willa Fitzgerald

Zach Kornfeld (from the Try Guys)

[the-annotated-antichrist]

Act I, Track 03 - Through Dust, Through Rain

Song links: Spotify - YT Music - Apple - Tidal

In this track, we meet Helena Orsini, played by Lori Lewis, and her mother Sophia, played by Melissa Ferlaak. Lori needs no introduction to fans of the band, she's been one of their singers for many years. Melissa is also known as a metal singer - fun fact, both Melissa and Lori were the singer of Aesma Daeva at one point!

Left: Melissa Ferlaak photographed by Emilio Vaquer Right: Lori Lewis photographed by Tim Tronckoe

But back to the song...

In this track, Sophia is on her death bed and Helena, who has been taking care of her, is by her side to ease her passing. Sophia, whose husband is long dead, is an accomplished occultist and Helena is a faithful Christian, so both are sure that death will not be the end for Sophia - and indeed we will meet her again much later in this story. But for now, the sorrow of parting dominates the conversation between the two women.

[Sophia:] Dear child of mine, pain turns to destiny... Down from the mountains, in the form of a rose The thunder of oceans shall bring forth the ghost Of an infinite star that will rest in my tree Like the full moon of night Descending like me Such is my journey No matter where my spirit shall travel You will be there... [Helena:] Winter sheds its grief in snow Summer weeps It must be so Thus let thee live Unseen, unknown Light is the body and no more than a shell Releasing our spirits to heaven or hell While embracing my love to let go of your hand And to reach for a kingdom forgotten by man

The lyrics (or libretto, whichever you prefer) here, as will often be the case in BA, are closer to poetry than to regular conversation and narration. The lyricist, Per Albinsson, also has some history as a filmmaker - fun fact, he directed Therion's Summer Night City video - and personally I get the impression that he has quite a visual imagination. It's like he paints with words. In some cases, I think his words are more easily felt than rationally understood. Some lines tell the story, others are more akin to poetry, maybe meant to evoke emotions rather than communicate facts.

I would have liked to post a photo of Per as well, but I only found pictures that felt too private to use and/or did not credit the photographer. I will instead link an interview with him on YT.

In order to not write a novel for each song and also in order to not over-interpret the lyrics, I won't do much "poetry analysis" in these texts and focus on the coarser approach of storytelling, but I do think much of the imagery in these lyrics deserves to be considered, savoured, thought about, if you so choose. For example, you can follow the thread of dawn/spring symbolism through this entire work.

In the song, the conversation turns to a more practical matter next:

[Helena:] Forgive my sister, she would not come This travel, she said, you must do alone... [Sophia:] Bring to heart Johanna's name Through my blood you share the same To hold, to keep through dust, through rain

Helena's sister Johanna, whom we will meet shortly, did not wish to visit Sophia in her final hour. Why? As it turns out, Johanna is estranged from her family due to her strongly held religious beliefs - she is busy leading a radical Catholic sisterhood in Rome. The text in the inlay also seems to suggest that Johanna might not be there because she considers Sophia a sinner due to her magical work. The scene description goes into more detail, which sadly did not make it into the finished lyrics:

Sophia is fondling Helena's hand in hers. She utters that Johanna cannot yet accept her mother's deep insight in magical work nor in anything that enriches the human spirit. Helena stresses that she understands. The mother says that one day even Johanna will understand that humanity needs both light and darkness. [...] She asks Helena not to reject Johanna, to continually try to bring her into the real light.

The song ends with more poetry:

[Helena:] Say you knew Yes only you could grow the seeds of time Run and flow through silver snow Of mountains spring must climb From this hill, to waters still My heart will guide your way Love and wrath, my epitaph before your name I lay

If you remember the "seeds of time" image for a reeeaaaally long time, you will encounter it again eventually.

[canaryrecords]

I have tried to make some contribution to listening of early- and mid-20th century Greek music, and in particular the work of women. Over the past decade, Canary has released collections of Marika Papagika, Rita Abatzi, Virginia Magidou, and Rosa Eskenazi. This mixtape shares some performances that I’ve enjoyed that seem to supplement other releases, in particular the Women of Rembetika: 1908-1947 4CD set compiled by Charles Howard and issued by JSP Records in 2012. That set ends or tapers off around World War II when recording ceased in Greece for about four years. This set picks up, overlapping slightly, where that set ends.

Notably, all of these performances are derived from discs issued in the United States for the Greek immigrant community, and about half of the recordings were made in the U.S. So, it is also a document of American listenership. In the 1930s, Greek women’s recorded voices were dominated by several major stars: Abatzi, Eskenazi, and Sophia Vembo. Recording opportunities for women opened up a after the war, and by the mid-50s the Greek popular music was both profoundly censored by the dictatorship and opened up in a way that lead to its faddish Western popularity in the form of the films Never on Sunday, Zorba the Greek, and America America - material from the periods that Gail Holst-Warharft called the Indian Summer and the Bones of

The term “rebetika” deserves some thought in this context. It originally referred to a tiny cross-section of street-life songs made on records infrequently by either established singers or marginal performers in the 1920s and early 30s, but which, much like hip-hop’s development in the U.S. from its the 70s / early 80s roots into a more complicated and popular status in the 90s and early 00s, or for that matter a similar the mainstreaming of jazz from the 1910s and 20s into the 1930s and 40s, elements of it it became imbedded aspects of a lot of popular music. After the 1970s the term took on a retroactive meaning that broadened it to a larger arena of Greek urban folk music the contained influences from many places at once: tango (the most popular music in Greece in the 1920s), demotic (folk) musics particularly from Anatolia (Turkey) but also the islands and rural regions of Greece, as well as influences from Italian and Balkan musics, and the authorship of a handful of composers - Marko Vamvakirs and Panayiotis Toundas certainly at the forefront among them - who transformed what had been a world of free-floating folk material into set song-forms in much the same way that Jimmie Rogers, Roy Acuff, and Hank Williams turned “hillbilly” music in the U.S. into the Country music industry. (Dr. Martin Schwartz once told a friend, half-jokingly: “tango+demotika=rebetika,” and he wasn’t wrong.)

Athenian folk songs generally performed by the likes of Vamvakaris and Vassilis Tsitsanis were classed at the time of their release in the 30s and 40s as “laika,” although they were retroactively categorized a rebetika, because laika material became progressively lighter and sweeter over the course of the 1950s and 60s preceding the rebetika revival after the fall of the dictatorship in the 1970s. We have not used the term “rebetika” in the tile of this collection, although the taste and style involved int he selection of the pieces is heavily weighted toward the “heavier,” and more “rebetic,” and therefore more nostalgic or retrograde material recorded by these artists, although, as with many groups with large diasporic communities, emigrants often held on to parts of older styles long after homeland performers had moved on.

The idea of rebetika is of a music that arose mostly after the 1922 population exchange after the Smyrna catastrophe, rose in the takes (hashish-dens) of Athens in the first half of the 30s, then faded under right-wing censorship, the silence caused by years of occupation by the Germans and British, and then another 30 years of right-wing censorship before its revival. But the truth is more complicated. And the music was never singularly about the demimonde lifestyle that was overtly censored. There has been a consistent thread of rebetic music in Greece for more than a century now, longer than many countries have existed on the map. It is by now, in a strong sense, its own country-within-a-country - a complicated world created from poor people who talked to middle-class people who talked to the upper class and then the globe so that eventually remnants of the underworld from a century ago, including the instrument of the bouzouki itself - the ultimate symbol of rebetika - became a signifier of the Greek nation.

Let’s say this: the idea that rebetika is “drug music” is bourgeois bullshit. It is music that was happening among an underclass (who, yes, used weed and had nothing to lose by saying so), and was coopted by the middle class (with, oftentimes, the best intentions), censored as a result, and ultimately continued in some form to address its primary issue: how to cope and thrive despite exploitation and oppression. It’s happened that way before. It’ll happen again. Women in the world of Greek nightclubs in the first half of the 20th century were primarily dancers and singers secondarily. (They also often played percussion when not performing either of those two functions.) The idea of women in the songs, written most often by men, often exoticized sexual attraction, lamented the lives of mothers, and largely ignored the daily work of wives and daughters. Several of the women presented on this collection, spanning at least two generations, were in some sense “othered” ethnically (two were Jewish, one Armenian, one genderqueer) by the macho Greek musical establishment even as they were part of the scene. Their biographies are in some cases available elsewhere. Others are totally obscure. It’s not the work of this collection to present biographies of them but instead it gives a snapshot of what was heard from them over a span of time.

[creeping-shadow-heralds-storms]

Roland Betancourt, Professor, University of California, Irvine

Thu, March 4, 2021, 2:26 PM·6 min read

From Charlottesville to the Capitol, medieval imagery has been repeatedly on show at far-right rallies and riots in recent years.

Displays of Crusader shields and tattoos derived from Norse and Celtic symbols are of little surprise to medieval historians like me who have long documented the appropriation of the Middle Ages by today’s far right.

But amid all the expected Viking imagery and nods to the Crusaders has been another dormant “medievalism” that has yet to be fully acknowledged in reporting on both the far right and conspiracy theorist movements: the Byzantine Empire.

Byzantium – or more properly, the medieval Roman Empire – controlled much of the Mediterranean at the height of its territorial rule in the mid-sixth century. Centered in modern-day Istanbul from A.D. 330 to 1453, its capital of Constantinople was a thriving intellectual, political and military power. One of its crowning achievements, the church of Hagia Sophia, is a testament to the empire’s architectural and artistic prowess.

But in the Western world, the Byzantine Empire has been largely overlooked and forgotten. High school students in the United States are likely to know little about the empire. And nowadays, the word “byzantine” has simply come to mean complicated, secret and bureaucratic. This lowering of its status isn’t entirely a new process. As far back as 1776, English historian Edward Gibbon was disparagingly referring to the empire’s inhabitants as “the servile and effeminate Greeks of Byzantium.”

A ‘New Byzantium’

Despite this modern disdain for Byzantium in the West, it has recently served as an inspiration to various factions of the far right.

In September 2017, Jason Kessler, an American neo-Nazi who helped organize the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, inaugurated a new supremacist group called “The New Byzantium” project.

Described by Kessler as “a premier organization for pro-white advocacy in the 21st century,” The New Byzantium is based on the white supremacist leader’s misrepresentation of history.

His premise is that when Rome fell, the Byzantine Empire went on to preserve a white-European civilization. This isn’t true. In reality the empire was made up of diverse peoples who walked the streets of its capital, coming from as far away as Nubia, Ethiopia, Syria and North Africa. Contemporaneous sources noted – at times with disdain – the racial and ethnic diversity of both Constantinople and the empire’s emperors.

But Kessler’s “New Byzantium” is intended to preserve white dominance after what he calls “the inevitable collapse of the American Empire.” The organization has been operating under the radar since 2017 with little online footprint.

The original ‘deep state’

Kessler isn’t alone in appropriating the empire. Through my research, I have monitored references of Byzantium in online forums. Mentions of Byzantium are scattered across message boards frequented by both white supremacists and QAnon enthusiasts – who spout conspiracy theories about a deep-state cabal of Satan-worshipping, blood-drinking pedophiles running the world.

Across 8kun and other online platforms I have reviewed, the Byzantine Empire is discussed as either continuing the legacy of Rome after it was, in their understanding, “destroyed by the Jews” or being the only true empire, with Rome being merely a historical myth created to degrade Byzantium’s power and importance.

This latter story emerges in a QAnon thread on “Baking” – that is, the connecting and weaving together of drops (messages) by the enigmatic Q. One post states: “It all makes sense when you learn that the books of the bible are plagiarized copies of the chronology of Byzantium, and so is the mythical Roman Empire, that never existed in Italy but was in fact centered in Constantinople.”

Other QAnon commentators across message boards and Twitter speak of the “exiled throne of Byzantium,” noting, “the Empire never went away, it just went occult.” They exclaim “Long live Byzantium” and call for a “return to Byzantium” to save people from the satanists.

Oddly, while some hold up the Byzantine Empire as the vanguard of white supremacy, a smaller group of white supremacists and conspiracy theorists sees it as “the original Deep State.”

In some renditions, Byzantium is, by way of some hazy illuminati connections, the origins of the “deep state” – the myth of an underground cabal of elites who run the world in secret. It has persisted in secrecy since Constantinople’s fall, either trading in eunuchs on the clandestine market or preserving whiteness and Christianity, depending on the thread’s negative or positive outlook on the empire.

Reconquest of Hagia Sophia

For many on the far right, talk of Byzantium is cloaked in Islamophobia – both online and in tragic real-life events.

A white supremacist who killed more than 50 worshippers at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 2019 railed against the Turks and the conquest of Constantinople in a 74-page manifesto.

“We are coming for Constantinople, and we will destroy every mosque and minaret in the city. The Hagia Sophia will be free of minarets and Constantinople will be rightfully Christian owned once more,” the shooter wrote. Throughout QAnon message boards, the reconquest of Hagia Sophia is emblematic of the destruction of Islam and the restoration of a mythic white Byzantium. One post stated: “When we free Constantinople and the Hagia Sophia, maybe we can talk.”

‘Third Rome’

This “reconquest” of Constantinople had even been tied in some online posts to the presidency of Donald Trump, with images circulated online seemingly prophesying that it would happen under his tenure. In one image, Trump is seen congratulating Russian President Vladimir Putin “on the retaking of Constantinople” and shaking hands in front of what is presumably meant to be the Hagia Sophia, though is actually the Sultan Ahmed Mosque, also known as the Blue Mosque.

Putin himself is not averse to drawing on the symbolism of Byzantium. The Russian state has long tried to position itself as the rightful successor to the Byzantine Empire, with Moscow as the “Third Rome.” This forms part of a religious and political doctrine tied to Russian territorial expansion that can be traced back as far as the late 15th century.

The far-right appropriation of Byzantium in the U.S. appears to be influenced by this Russian interpretation. Indeed, Russian proponents of the “Third Rome” doctrine have been cited as influences by prominent figures on the American right.

No matter the provenance of the recent interest in Byzantium from America’s white supremacists and conspiracy theorists, one thing is clear: It is based on a very warped idea of the Byzantine Empire that has emerged out of the empire’s fraught place in our histories, caught between ancient and medieval, spirituality and bureaucracy.

[brendanelliswilliams]

Misappropriated Language and Outmoded Ideology in the Church, and How We Might Move Beyond Them

A good friend and fellow priest posted this past Sunday on his Facebook page that he had been frustrated in trying to write a sermon, feeling that so much of the language he would normally use had been coopted and tainted by right-wing Evangelical white nationalists. The following was my reply to him (with a few minor points of clarification added here):

‘Fr. Karl Rahner once said that he thought the Church should fast from using the word “God” for at least fifty years, until we can all get clear about what we’re actually doing and saying with a term like that, and get deeply rooted and serious enough in our theological speculations to warrant its use. (Fr. Richard Rohr suggested we take the same approach with the name “Jesus”, and I concur; in fact, I think we are much more in need of fasting from this latter name than from the former.) It seems to me that there’s a great deal of wisdom in this approach. What you point out here is the principal reason why the “Jesus Movement” language so ubiquitous in the Episcopal Church today feels misplaced to me, and in fact really chafes every time I hear it. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Presiding Bishop and the basic elements of his vision, but I find this sort of language to be hitting the wrong chord. To me it feels ill matched with where the Church is at now, and where it should be going—and with where the world is at with regard to the Church. It partakes of precisely the same sorts of dissonances you’re highlighting. In the Western Church today we are always in danger of simply repeating platitudes, or unwittingly furthering falsities by allowing ourselves to remain stuck with misappropriated and imprecise language. Most peoples’ “Christology” in the West (if you can even call it that—maybe we should say “Jesusology” instead) is, in my humble opinion, really lacking the deep roots of the tradition. And that leaves us with a rather small and limited vision. This is one reason (among several) why I almost exclusively use “Christ” in religious discourse, or “Christ-Sophia”. I think we need that sort of lens again, which is both broader and more nuanced, and which, if we’re intelligent about it (rather than merely reactionary or political) can liberate us from all the heinous misunderstanding and misuse that has colored Christianity in the West for so long, and afford us a much more effectual set of linguistic and imagistic tools for legitimate transformation. Rahner also said, “Christians of the future will be mystics or they won’t exist at all.” In my view, that’s where we’re headed now from this particular crossroads, if we have the depth and courage to claim the calling of real religiosity. As I perceive it, that’s the divine invitation. And it can most definitely take us into a truer, more authentic, and more rooted place, away from all the baggage of the language and imagery you’re rightly lamenting.’

I saw a photo today from the Capitol riot on January 6th. In the background of the photo was one of what appears to have been many ‘Jesus Saves’ or similar signs present at that event. No doubt those folks also consider themselves to be part of the (‘true’) ‘Jesus Movement’. To be sure, their coopting of Jesus as a figure who supports their insane fundamentalism, egoic delusions, and desire for power is corrupt and evil, but I wonder how ours really differs, structurally speaking. The (white) progressive Jesus is ‘nicer’, but is our understanding of what such a figure really means and invites us into that much deeper than their reactionary, fundamentalist version of the same? Both expressions are drawn in essence from the same literal-historical trends in hermeneutics; it’s just that they emphasize different elements of received texts and interpretations. Granted, I strongly affirm that the emphases of right-wing Evangelicalism (and Evangelicalism at large, in fact) are objectively destructive and immoral, but fundamentally both interpretations play the same sorts of hermeneutical games: they operate in the same playing field, not only culturally (in a homogeneous container), but also religiously.

In other words, all Christians in the West are at some level responsible for this cancerous appropriation of Christian values. Even in progressive circles, in spite of our best intentions, we partake of the language, the dominator cultural styles and structures that have birthed and perpetuated all this toxicity. Until we face that head-on, how can we go about the real work of healing or ‘wholing’ ourselves into a mode of religiosity that is finally supportive of the values of Life, of Nature, of Divinity, rather than blatantly contrary to them?

One of the many problems we face now as people in the Church who want desperately to lead it in a direction of Life—rather than death, ignominy, political coopting, immorality, and corrosion—is that most Western Christians have a rather surface-level view of Jesus, and of Christ more broadly. So the toolkit we’ve been given to work with to articulate a better vision for ourselves is extremely limited. In the United States particularly, it should now be abundantly clear how tied up with right-wing nationalism, racism, and dominator values this theologically underdeveloped mode of Christian language has become. This means—obviously, I hope—that we need to expand and deepen our toolkit, drawing from the deepest and most life giving roots of the tradition.

The lack of adequate Christological understanding is not the fault of ordinary Christian folk; it’s what has been fed to them by their clergy, and it’s what was taught to most of those clergy in seminary for the last two or three generations. It’s what I call the ‘social Gospel, historical Jesus’ trend, and, in my view, this is a trend that has utterly crippled mainline and progressive Christian denominations, and in many cases created a notion of Christian religiosity as (essentially) little more than social justice work with a veneer of religious language. Of course, the work of justice is crucial, but what happens when we scrub away the Mystery, the experiential, inward transformation that is actually required to give rise to authentic justice, the richness of myth and symbology, leaving only this ‘social Gospel, historical Jesus’ layer of ideation? Well, as I’ve been saying for many years now: I think it is perfectly plain to see what happens in that case, as we now see it playing out all around us: the Church is collapsing, and (ironically) has almost no socio-cultural clout, which is the only thing it seems to have really desired for the last five or six decades.

I pray that people will finally be ready to move beyond all this, into something with real transformative capacity. But, alas, I suspect many, if not most, will not. So many Western Christians, of whatever stripe, seem absolutely determined to cling to all manner of outmoded and unhealthful aspects of Christian religious expression, language, and dogma, simply for the sake of safety, comfort, and security in the ‘known quantity’. And that, we can be sure, will lead us nowhere, both individually and collectively.

Might we not attempt to root our religion in actual religion? In other words, can we not learn once more to base our religious affiliation and practice on a legitimate and appropriately comparative understanding of myth, religious narrative, the ‘perennial philosophy’, and the actual aims of religiosity—namely, the science of spiritual transformation through initiatory, ascetical, liturgical, sacramental, and other modes of productive individual and communal sacred work? Haven’t we had enough of basing our religion on socio-cultural and academic trends in lieu of what actually transforms? Are the disastrous results of that finally clear enough for all to see? Of course, we must evolve with the times—I am by no stretch of the imagination a reactionary, and I am stringently anti-fundamentalist in every possible way—but this current disaster we now inhabit is what happens when, in the rush and distraction of that process of cultural evolution, we lose touch with the real root and purpose of the whole operation in the first place; that is, when we lose our memory and understanding of what religion is actually for and what it’s meant to accomplish in the human person.

I won’t enter here into the many additional issues related to male dominator language and the rest of the attendant cancerous threads that have long plagued Abrahamic religious expression, or their effects on Church and society; if you’re interested in all that, you might find some food for reflection in my book, Seeds from the Wild Verge. But here’s an idea: Let’s focus on the Blessed Mother for a while—very deeply: not just linguistically and imagistically, but theologically and practically as well, in a nuanced and committed fashion, not for purposes of political correctness but out of profound theological curiosity and a spirit of expansive internal exploration. God knows all you Protestant types out there could use a serious (and indefinite) dose of the Mother.

I was reflecting recently on what a truly sad circumstance it is that I often feel I can much more readily find depth and theological nuance in contemporary Hindu discourse on Christ, the Blessed Mother, etc., than I can in contemporary Christian discourse on the same. A terrible irony. It often feels to me as if we need to restore Christianity with inspiration from non-Christian sources—something I’ve done in my work with native Celtic traditions, but which could (and perhaps should) be done with inspiration from other arenas as well; for instance, from Vedanta, which has not only unequivocally maintained a far more refined and mature view of religion and its aims than most Christians have, but in fact often seems to possess a more mature view of Christianity than most Christians presently do.

Writing in 1963, Swami Prabhavananda astutely observed: ‘Of course there are millions of Christians today who attend churches regularly…but of those who do, few seek perfection in God. Most people are satisfied with living a more or less ethical life on earth in hope of being rewarded in an afterlife for any good deeds they may have done. Christ’s ideal of perfection is generally either forgotten or misunderstood. True, many people read the Sermon on the Mount, but few try to live its teachings.’

Now, almost sixty years later, that statement proves to be even more radically true than it was then. We have much work to do, friends, if we wish to restore the Church to something that truly transforms, which is truly relevant in a perennial way, and which is positioned not only to survive but to once more contribute something of inestimable value to the world. This will involve us, should we have the courage take up the task, in reclaiming the profound Mystery in Christian tradition, its ancient spiritual practices, and its expansively symbolic depth. May we set out with open hearts on that next adventure—and may we do so quickly.

Peace and every blessing,

Fr. Brendan+

[captaincovington]

Citizens of New Eden, 

I assure you, the complaints and concerns that you have been bringing to our attention are not going unheard. We understand that this is a sharp transition for all of us, none moreso than for the New Eden Police Department. Our officers and staff have been working night and day to maintain the safety of this city and we have been taking your feedback into account. 

In response to the overcrowding issues at the correctional facilities around the city, we are implementing a new system that should hopefully alleviate such issues. In trying times such as these, we need all citizens to step up and help each other to ensure that our community is strong. Switches are already doing their part with the essential work they provide for the city’s infrastructure. Now, we ask that of our Dominant population to do so as well. Part of this includes the punishment mandate issued several days ago. By Dominants doing their part, this frees up government resources to invest into finding these terrorists so we all may go back to our lives. 

As such, we have another large request to ask of our citizens. Any unclaimed submissives over the age of 18 will be assigned to a Dominant, with whom they will spend three days out of the week. We assure you that all claims and mock claims will be honored, so there will be no breaking of relationships in this mandate. During these three days, the Dominant will be responsible for administering the submissive’s weekly scene and maintenance punishment. 

We understand that this is not an ideal solution, but we have ultimately found no other choice. We must humbly ask our citizens to help the government in this moment of history. The world’s eyes are on us. Let them see that we will not bow down to terrorism. We will not devolve into anarchy. We are New Eden, strong and proud. Let us show them what utopia really means. 

Your Captain, Captain Charles Covington III

OOC: Welcome to our next shakeup! Below is a list of pairings that we’ve randomized for the purposes of this plot drop. This part of the drop will not affect Switches (which is fine because y’all just had some cake on Friday). We’ll be keeping an eye on these pairings to ensure things are kept fairly equitable, and to shift things accordingly with new characters. If you have an OOC issue with your pairing, please come directly to us and we’ll do our best to make things work. IC issues will not be catered to. The police have better things to do than play matchmaker and maybe they also live for the drama. 

The GList (im sorry i couldn’t help myself)

Addison Taylor - Alexander Babin

Ainsley Corcoran - Olivia Vance

Beckett Taylor - Max Carter

Branson Yeung - Fauna Frightman

Grey Ward - Alex Sinclair

Harper Sinclair - Kat Barton

Hermione Harper - Malia Fahey

Julian Wright - Bobbi Katz

Kale Mahoe - Daisy Hannigan

Lex Stovall - Amira Rouhani

Malachi Rush - Maggie Frightman

Marcus Reed - Mattie Taylor

Margaux Mulloy - Anna Rose / Emily Barton

Nava Zografos - Emmy Wright

Sean Matthews - Avery Ward

Sophia Barton - Cole Bratten

Tegan Pratt - Jack Babin

Valentina Ramirez - Sadie Cavet

For the purposes of this plot drop, you absolutely do not have to write out a punishment/scene every week (though if you want to, that’s definitely allowed). We’d love to see threads, hc summary posts, and anything else you can think of. As always, our DMs are always open to any questions or concerns and feedback.

[naughtyxstories]

Modern Verses

Of course all of my lovely muses are available for modern verses. Personal favourites:

University threads - Bjorn the jock, Ivar the outcast, Charlie the scholarship kid with the brilliant mind. Sullivan as a manipulative professor. Alice as the guest lecturer that everyone has a crush on. Sophia as a grad student. Lots of fun possibilities.

D/s threads - a very personal favourite. There are two spins on D/s - a world where Dominance and submission are biological and therefore a needed interaction OR a world where it is simply a type of relationship that two people have because it is satisfying and pleasing.

Employer/Employee threads - ah, this kind of smut - so wrong in the real world but so much fun in rp world. Sullivan as a dirty boss who takes a junior employee on a business trip but somehow only one hotel room is booked - such a pity. *evil smile*. Or simply a flirtation between two colleagues that gets out of control.

Naughty Nanny/Babysitter - we could make this as dark or as sweet as you might like. Lots of fun.

I am also willing to explore twisted versions of things that go on in the world. We can have lots of fun here. My only caveat is no infidelity/cheating plots. To be honest, I see them too much in real life at work that they just have no appeal for me in rpg world. Sorry my lovely writing partners.

[ssweeneys]

I wanna get more threads going on my writing blog. Soooooo, maybe I’ll post starter calls for select charas. Idk? Or feel free to prod me for one. Here’s a breakdown of what we’re working with.

FEMALES: I CURRENTLY PLAY

Eiza Gonzalez (Queen), Ana de Armas, Zoey Deutch, Danielle Campbell, Victoria Justice, Halston Sage, Nicola Peltz, Camila Mendes, Phoebe Tonkin, Shelley Hennig

FEMALES: I WANT TO PLAY

Dilan Celik Deniz, Melisa Pamuk, Victoria Konefal, Odette Annable, Shay Mitchell, Alexis Ren, Jana Kramer

FEMALES: I WANT TO PLAY AGAINST

Samantha Logan, Sophia Bush, Inbar Lavi, Crystal Reed, Natalee Linez, Margot Robbie, Blake Lively, Nina Dobrev, Summer Bishil, Chelsea Tavares, Meghan Markle, Olivia Holt, Jamie Chung, Alisha Boe, Bianca Santos, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Ayca Aysin Turan, Elizabeth Lail, Willa Fitzgerald, Vanessa Morgan, Scarlett Byrne, Zoe Kravitz, Maia Mitchell, Fahriye Evcen, Nathalie Kelley, Merritt Patterson, Minka Kelly,

MALES: I CURRENTLY PLAY

Ryan Guzman, Bill Skarsgard

MALES: I WANT TO PLAY

Nick Sagar, Alex Roe, Alfonso Herrera, Jamie Dornan, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Dominic Sherwood,

MALES: I WANT TO PLAY AGAINST

Marco Pigossi, Theo James, Charles Michael-Davis, Justin Hartley, Paul Wesley, Manny Montana, Frank Grillo, Joel Kinnaman, Bob Morley, Cam Gigandet, Jon Bernthal, Nick Bateman

*** Not including any opposites my bae already plays <3

[shadowmaat]

Review: Comfort Me with Apples

I'm going to be posting huge spoilers in this review, so be warned. I'm also going to express a lot of irritation, so 'ware of that as well.

The premise is stock horror stuff: Perfect wife with perfect husband in perfect neighborhood and a perfect life. Except troubling questions begin to bubble up.

The story itself has excellent pacing, good character development (even if the background players were a bit blatant), and a mystery that unfolds in painful detail. Glorious stuff!

There's a definite Bluebeard vibe given the items our protagonist Sophia finds scattered around her house and the fact that she's forbidden to go in the basement. But threading through that is a strong Christian/Bible theme that I really should have heeded as a warning. Stories with Biblical themes/messages make me deeply uncomfortable, in part because Christianity is so prevalent and aggressive in its attempts to get everyone to conform to Them and ONLY Them.

Apples wasn't actually very favorable of one of the most classic Bible stories ever, but that didn't really make it better for me. The message I got- which might not be what the author intended- is that God loves Adam and ONLY Adam. He will dote on his son and let him get a million do-overs without once seeming to care about the lives or fates of all those Adam has killed over the past million years of trying to find the "perfect wife."

Adam is your stereotypical Entitled Male, but with the added quirk that the world does exist just for him and God loves him best of all. It's... hm. If all men are meant to be descended from Adam (as I think is taught in the Bible) that's a pretty glaring condemnation of men in general. Which I guess was a necessary evil (ha) for the context of the story to work, but still isn't what I'd call a good vibe.

I think part of my problem with the story is that I was expecting a different ending. The author did a very good job of making the protag sympathetic and making us root for her, so the ending just felt disappointing in that regard. I know all stories don't have a happy ending and I'm well aware this is a horror/suspense novella, but still. I walked away from the story feeling as if everything Sophia had fought for and accomplished was wiped clean off the board. That she died for nothing. And again, that whole "God loves Adam and ONLY Adam" message, which rankles hard.

Is that an actual core tenet of the Bible? That men are the only ones who matter? I wouldn't have thought so, or not to that degree anyway, but I've never read the book. If it is it certainly explains its appeal to fascists and other domineering assholes.

Anyway, structurally Apples is a well-crafted, engaging story, and I read it because I'd heard so many good things about it and about the author. I guess it's a case of me not being the right audience for the story. I'll have to try something else of hers that has fewer religiousy overtones. lol!