#trial by pyre | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

misanthropiczombie · 1 year ago

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It's not free to run, it's not free to start.

Do the people who create and run the websites you enjoy not deserve to pay their bills?

Particularly for social media sites- the work is not two hours of setting up a server you found on the side of the road and it's done.

It's THOUSANDS of dollars in hardware costs- my husband has spent 20k on REFURBISHED servers for work sometimes and that's not for customer facing websites, that's not even for INTERALLY facing programs. It's thousands a year in LICENSING costs, because the OS on the server isn't free either. Not to mention, he works literally all the fucking time. When things break, because the do quite often, he's up at 3am driving in to the office to fix it and then staying till his normal leave time. When he gets a call on saturday, he has to deal with it then. He spends hours setting up each server via such insane granular settings it'd cross your eyes. When the UPS batteries fail it is backbreaking work to haul those things out of the rack an onto a table to fix. We we were dating he was regularly pulling 90 hour weeks. For a company for which his servers are not customer facing. We outsource our customer website and we outsource our internal scheduling program.

What do you mean free? For whom? What are you contributing back that is comparable to that effort?

Expecting large social websites to be free to use and free from ads and tracker bullshit is inherently selfish. You can bemoan capitalism, but it is the structure we currently reside in and you don't start the revolution by demanding of others free labor for your pleasure time. That's just wanting to be the rich capitalist yourself.

The people who work on and run the internet deserve to get paid. They frankly probably deserve to get paid more than they are and have far, far better hours. (Did you know IT work is largely exempt from OT requirements in the USA? Section 13(a)(1) and Section 13(a)(17) of the FLSA. So long as they're making a little under $36k annually. That's it.)

Do i think access to the internet should be free? Yes, without a doubt. And, I think it should be codified as a public utility with all of the rules and regulations that entails (in the usa). I think very basic, low usage internet should be free and the cost of running it should be subsidized by people paying for better internet plans, and that those companies should either not be companies at all, or they should not be allowed to be publicly traded shareholder companies and should have stringent transparency requirements.

But actual websites? That take time and effort of working class people? No those should never have been entirely free and the resistance to paying into the things you utilize is the reason ads are as egregious as they are and internet security is as paper thin as it is. If you're fine with being the product (because again someone HAS to pay. Regardless of how it would be great if money didn't exist and rent was relegated to sci-fi concept novels, that is not the world we live in.) then more power to you. But to act like other people's time and labor and learning (because it's an awful lot of learning to do any of this shit) is OWED to you with zero contribution is so infuriatingly self-centered.

And don't point to mastodon. Someone is still spending real money to run those servers and expand that storage and if and when the going gets tight those things go dark in the middle of the night because the people putting the only and time in owe absolutely nothing back to you.

The reason the old internet is by and large dead is because it cost too much money and too much time for most people to run shit indefinitely, or they died and what they ran died with them.

And, if you feel so strongly it should be free: nobody is stopping you from being the person to bankroll your own set up to be free to the rest of the internet. Nobody is stopping you from picking up the skills to code and maintain hardware. And still, you cannot demand other people do the same.

love when ppl defend the aggressive monetization of the internet with "what, do you just expect it to be free and them not make a profit???" like. yeah that would be really nice actually i would love that:)! thanks for asking

#you cannot ask people why they have not thrown themselves on the pyre to keep your feet warm #Frankly I think large centralized websites should give you a trial period of like 6 months and then be paid-only.#if you want the consistency and reliability of big internet social websites you should be a contributing member #maybe thats unpopular but I believe in supporting the things you use and contributing to its continued existence

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rezwrites · 2 months ago

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hello love, can you please write Rio Vidal x fem witch reader, where they are together on the first trial, and y/n gets hallucinations about something traumatic and Rio is immediately there to comfort her?

Of course!

Warnings: hurt/comfort, poisoned wine, hallucinations of almost burning at the stake

Racing against the clock everybody searches the house trying to find the ingredients for the antidote. Rio and you were tasked to find guts of a eusocial insect for the potion.

Wandering around the house looking for clues, a sudden fog shrouded you, Rio suddenly no where to be found. A familiar white door appeared behind you, faint yelling coming from the other side. You hesitantly opened the door, to townsfolk facing you with torches and weapons.

“No, no, not again,” You panicked, powerless as they dragged you to the pyre in the middle of the towns square. Tears cascading down your cheeks as you were tied to the stake by thick rope. A few men threw extra kindling on the pyre, spitting at your shoes and hurling insults towards you before they turned away.

“Burn in hell, you devil.” Those words stung deeply all over again. Many people branded you as a monster, despite you using your gifts to help people constantly. In spite of all the hatred and anger you received you never once turned your back on those in need.

Before the mayor lit the pyre, you hear Rio’s voice calling to you. Hyperventilating as Rio came into your view. “Hey, hey. Deep breaths, follow my breathing,” She runs her hands down your shoulders, pulling you close. She held you tight as you breathed in time with her, gradually calming down.

“I got you, you’re safe now. You’ll always be safe in my arms.” You ease yourself upon hearing those words. Chuckling at the fact that she still says that line as sweetly as she did that day she saved you from the stake, all those centuries ago. You give her forearm a gentle squeeze, signaling to her that you're alright now.

“I found the guts. Let’s get back to Jen so we can finish the antidote.” She guided you back to the kitchen a hand on your lower back, keeping you close.

#rio vidal #rio vidal x reader #rio vidal x you #rezwrites #anon ask

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overlyspecific · 5 months ago

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Part 6 of Merlin Hood

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12

Still in the past at Merlin’s magic trial, next part will be back to the present!

The first thing Merlin notices when he wakes up is that it’s daylight. He should have waken Arthur up hours ago, but somethings not right. Merlin knows he didnt need to wake Arthur up today for some reason, but what was the reason?

Uther: Merlin of Ealdor, you stand accused of using magic and treason to the crown. What do you have to say for yourself?

Oh, that’s right, its because Merlin is to be put to death today.

Uther: Well, do you have anything to say?

Merlin: *mumbles under his breath*

Uther: *angry* What was that?

Merlin: I said, ‘What makes me any different?’

Uther: 😡 What?

Merlin: Its just that you’ve murdered thousands of sorcerers and magical beings and never listened to them. What makes me any different?

Arthur: Merlin!

Merlin: No, Arthur, I’m already going to die, no thanks to you. I’d like to finally get the answers to questions I’ve been silent about my whole life.

Arthur looks at Merlin with a look on his face between apologetic and confused. Merlin has always found that look adorable, but under the current circumstances he has to look away. Arthur cant save him now.

Uther: You said you have your questions. I am willing to hear your last remarks. Ask away but do not expect any answers.

Merlin: Great! First question, when you decided to keep the last great dragon under the castle, did you do that just so he could torture me with half truths and vague prophecies or did he decide to do that on his own?

Uther: The great dragon?

Merlin: From the look on your face, I’m going to take that as a no and that you maybe didnt even know he could talk. Next question: the law says its illegal to ‘study and practice magic’ if I didnt study it, but just practiced it, would it still be a death sentence or could I be let off with a time served kind of deal?

Gauis: Merlin!

Merlin: What! I’m gonna die anyway, might as well see if there is any leniency.

Uther: So, you admit to practicing magic, then? Guards, take the prisoner to the pyre! I dont want to hear another word.

Merlin: *smiling a little too wide to be friendly* …And here I thought you actually wanted to hear me out. *Merlin shakes his head* Oh, Uther, you see, I don’t just practice magic. I am magic.

As the guards approach Merlin from all sides, he snaps his fingers and disappears.

Uther: Find him!

Merlin: *appears right behind Arthur* Arthur.

Arthur: *spins around too quickly in fright and tumbles into Merlin, who catches him* Ahh!

Merlin: *smiling while trying to keep Arthur upright* I don’t have much time.

Uther: There! *points at Merlin* Get away from my son!

Merlin: *takes off his neckerchief* If you ever need me for any reason, *starts to hand the neckerchief to Arthur, but Arthur doesn’t take it* seriously, Arthur, I’m trying to have a heartfelt moment here, you utter prat.

Arthur: *starts to smile at the insult, but quickly hides it with his blank princely expression* Merlin, you have to leave.

Merlin: That’s what I’m trying to do! *hastily ties the neckerchief around Arthurs wrist* If you need me, leave that in the darkling woods and I’ll be there as soon as I can.

Merlin jumps onto the throne that Uther vacated when Merlin vanished.

Merlin: People of Camelot! I will not die at the hands of King Uther in his unjust war on magic. I am Emrys, the most powerful warlock to ever walk the Earth. The Once and Future king is the only one I serve. I will be back when he reigns. Until then, however… *Merlin looks directly at Uther* …I’m going to make your life a very difficult. *turns to Gwen and Morgana* If anyone needs me I’m only a call away. *Merlin snaps his fingers and disappears again*

In Merlin’s absence, flowers fill the room and nobody says a word just staring at the flowers around them completely covering the floor.

Morgana: *picks up a flower and puts it in Gwen’s hair* Beautiful.

Gwen: *smiles, before creasing her eyes in worry* Do you think he’ll be alright?

Morgana: *looking over at Arthur who is staring solemnly at the neckerchief tied around his wrist* I’ll think he’ll be just fine.

#bbc merlin #merlin #merthur #arthur #merlin is robin hood #arthur pendragon #magic trial #gwen #morgana

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inexplicifics · 4 days ago

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I was rereading the AWAU series and I had to double-check the timeline because I’m not sure I ever connected the ages. You’re telling me Milena and Julita are the same age and the grasses were still regularly killing kids until they were 10?! If the Trials took place every 4 or so years, was Julita ever at an age that she knew those screams could be the last sound those kids ever made? I thought the grasses were changed a few years earlier than that, I didn't realize Julita might actually be able to remember the pyres for the kids that didn't make it through... Does she remember? For some reason, I always thought Milena was younger just because Julita seems so comfortable with herself and everything, though it makes sense that Milena wouldn’t have the same level of confidence since she didn't grow up at Kaer Morhen

Yes, Milena and Julita are the same age, and the Trials were still 70% fatal up until they were ten or so.

Julita probably does remember, if faintly.

Milena has had much less time being encouraged to grow into herself and become who she wants to be, which is why Julita feels more settled in her own skin.

#questions answered #accidental warlord au

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trialbypyre · 1 month ago

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https://www.tumblr.com/trialbypyre/764462247541096448/hotel-oscar-whiskey-alpha-romeo-echo-yankee-oscar

Delta Oscar November Tango Tango Hotel India November Kilo Tango Hotel Echo Yankee Delta Oscar November Tango Tango Alpha Lima Kilo Alpha Bravo Oscar Uniform Tango Yankee Oscar Uniform.

..[India ' Delta Golf Echo Tango Tango Hotel Echo Mike Tango Oscar Papa India Papa Echo Delta Oscar Whiskey November]

[Bravo Uniform Tango Foxtrot Oscar Romeo Oscar November Echo, India ' Mike November Oscar Tango Golf Oscar India November Golf Tango Oscar Romeo Uniform India November Alpha November Yankee Charlie Hotel Alpha November Charlie Echo India Hotel Alpha Victor Echo Alpha Tango Papa Romeo Oscar Mike Oscar Tango India Oscar November.]

[Tango Whiskey Oscar, India Tango ' Sierra Hotel Oscar November Echo Sierra Tango Lima Yankee Romeo Echo Alpha Lima Lima Yankee India November Tango Romeo India Golf Uniform India November Golf Tango Oscar Hotel Echo Alpha Romeo Alpha Bravo Oscar Uniform Tango Sierra Oscar Mike Echo Oscar November Echo Lima India Victor India November Golf India November Tango Hotel Echo Papa Yankee Romeo Echo..]

This is a headache to decipher. Uhh... They talk about me? So you are part of the cult. Fun. Why do they talk about me??

One word of advice, run for the hills. Don't get that promotion. But you're not going to listen to me.

Living in the Pyre sucks. Why don't you come find out for yourself? I'd be happy to greet you.

#trial by pyre #rp blog #ask #ooc:#watch out vro. they are going to beat the shit out of you/j

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may-be-made-of-arsenic · 9 months ago

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for Odysseus’ name to become synonymous with journey; Odyssey- he has lost his humanity; even after he dies and his body burnt to ashes on a pyre he won’t enter Hades. he will be damned to a thousand more journeys, a thousand more trials and a thousand more deaths. his spirit floats through the plays that recite his journey, echoes through the songs sung about him, his pain seeks through every epithet. Sacker of cities. Great glory of the Achaeans. Mastermind of war. Master mariner. Man of pain.

he will be damned time and time again to suffer and reach home for it to be torn out of his grasp each time. he will reach where the river styx fades into Hades and see the descent and before he can feel relief he is back where he started. He is in Troy. He is in a boat in an unfamiliar land, but it has his name. He is in Troy again, but not the same one he raided and burnt. he is floating through the aether. he is not a man anymore. nor is he monster. he is a Thing, an Ideal; akin more to Thanatos or Hypnos or Eris in he is no longer Odysseus he is the personification of journey.

If there truly are three deaths; one of the mind, one of the heart, and one of the memory. then Odysseus has become immortal and yet he begs for death. he no longer knows whether he begs for the peace of Hades or to truly be forgotten, to truly cease to be

#greek mythology #greek myth #odysseus #the odyssey #yes this is about the moon thing #this feels like a mischaracterization but #idk #this isnt accurate to greek myth #the line about troy but not the same troy #that’s a reference to how i think there’s a few towns around the US at least named Troy #one’s in Virginia

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minnesota-fats · 5 months ago

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While Bruce is lost in the time stream he ends up running into Danny, Sam, and Tucker multiple times during the episode Infinite Realms while they are using the infini-map and chasing Vlad.

Sam is being tied to the stake but before they can light the pyre Bruce steps in to try and get the people to have a trial first. Vlad tries to over ride Bruce but Bruce throat punches him (at least in my version he does).

Bruce comes back to present day and finds present day danny either older or younger than he was back then.

#dcxdp #dcxdp prompt #dcxdp au #batman the return of bruce wayne #danny phantom Infinite realms #time travel #my fav trope #dcxdp fic idea #dcxdp idea #uwu #fun #cute #:3 #owo

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lalchimiedecupid · 6 days ago

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For angsty lilia×agatha×rio inspiration? A slight alteration where Lilia didn't die at the trial, sooo consider this.

Rio has been there as long as there's been life. She was the one to see the first grass off with the first frost. She was there with the first ever person to die to taste the sweetness of poisonous berries she kissed at summer. She has been there through wars, survival, acts of sacrifice and selfless protection. Witches are short, bright-flamed sparks across the dark canvass of the night sky to her, a flame that burns so quickly she could barely notice.

Lilia has been there for over four centuries. She had been there during the most trying times, in the darkest of nights brightened by prayers and the pyres alike. She had been there before forests went thinner, before life became an endless loss of sisters and faith, before songs became blame and chants became curses. She had been there with her heart, dragging it forward in fear, and she saw the world change in ways so deep she could never find a fitting comparison, except: a candle being snuffed out in the lonely darkness. Agatha is a child next to her experience. Death? Her one true companion.

And Agatha has been there a little less. A shorter time, an even shorter experience. Blood so young and smoldering with emotions, it shines crimson. It shines warmth. Agatha, and her desires, her selfishness, her snark and laughter in the face of the most horrible. She is an old witch, yet still the youngest among all three. She is so, full, of life. They fall beautifully together. The darkness, the light, the flames of the time passage.

But – Agatha is the one to die first. Between Death herself and the witch who's had lifetime enough to fill the most demanding hourglass, Agatha's flame dies first, and they have to continue existing without its maddening, blinding light. In darkness. As they were before her.

sorry it got dark and kinda death-y but you asked and I couldn't stop word-vomiting haha

Sins of the Past Buried at the Old Creek:

I: The Fall

TW: Not specified yet, but the story will have more and more in each chapter as we discover the lives of Lilia, Agatha and Rio.

Lilia doesn't know how it happened. Why it happened. All she remembers was waking up in Agatha's embrace, cradled to her chest. The same woman who had walked out on her, walked out on Rio, walked out on everything they had built and vanished. The same woman she agreed to join on this walk down "The Witches Road". The same woman who has subconsciously comforted her after her hallucination. The same woman who had shared the story of the only scar she openly talks about while she hides the rest. The same woman who she watched yearn for Death but also run away from her. The same woman she sacrificed herself for. The same woman she now lays in her arms.

"Agatha?" She asked quietly as the brunette kept her close to her chest, where she once used to lay against, at night, or in the early hours of the morning.

"Shhh, you're okay" The younger witch said, voice hoarse and throat tight. An indication that, she either was screaming (which isn't a rare occurrence for her) or crying. Odd I know. Agatha kept to herself. Agatha refused to show signs of weakness. Agatha— Agatha loved dearly, and she hated it. She preferred to lust over the other, to let herself be driven by lust and desire, no matter how harsh and humiliating the punishment is in the second circle of hell.

After all, she was no stranger to punishment and heartbreak. In fact, she has grown to become it's own personification.

"I need a favor" Death whispered to the Sicilian witch

"A favor? From me?" A scoff. "Why? So you can wreck havoc all over again? So you may trick me into believing your claws won't dig deep into the corpses of those I try to nurse back to health?"

"Look—"

"Don't" Lilia hissed. "What do you want this time? Who is it?"

"Her name is Agatha, she's — she's with child. The pregnancy is dangerous and I— The child will be a stillborn, but I've offered her time"

A laugh. A cold bitter laugh.

"Time? You've offered her time? How come dear Mistress of Death?"

"Lilia—"

"Take a deep breath the baby lives!" The witch screamed, starling backwards with a hand to her womb, eyes wide and dissociated before slowly, they locked onto Death. "She's..That child is yours" Lilia breathed out.

"He is" Death answered ever softly. "And I— She needs someone, no one's as caring and gentle as you are"

"You want me? Your mistress to care for your child with the woman that doesn't you and I's history?"

"Please Melilla" Death doesn't beg, but sometimes in the late hours of the night, she finds herself on her knees begging for more than one thing at a time..

"I was falling" The older witch whispered as a hand so used to cause harm caressed her cheek tenderly.

"You no longer are" The words were murmured against her forehead, a small sniffle escaping Agatha.

"Soo...you two are—?" Jen asked confused with a tilt of her head.

"Don't" Agatha hissed, keeping Lilia close to her. "No no— don't sit up mea columba—" She said, keeping a tight hold onto Lilia, putting a stop to her attempt at sitting up.

"Agatha—" Lilia mumbled ever so quietly, the rasp in her voice causing waters to bubble up in the brunette's eyes.

That's when Billy knew that he needed to get Jen out of here. That and because Rio was standing in the corner with her dagger in hand, ready to chase them out.

"I'm not leaving" Jen insisted through gritted teeth as she tried to take a step forward, almost hesitantly but with pure determination. Because when Lilia looks at you with her sad eyes you can do nothing but agree to whatever comes out of her mouth.

Oh Lilia, the woman that you are.

"Jen we have to go—" Billy could only insist, grabbing the dark skinned woman by the arm and attempting to drag her away.

As soon as the doors closed in, that's what the realization settled for Agatha. Lilia was sacrificing herself. Lilia was finally giving into her suicidal thoughts. Lilia was giving up on her life for the greater good. No. No she can't let that happen.

"Billy" She could only gasp out as she grabbed the boy's face. "Listen to me" She insisted. "You want Lilia out" It sounded urgent, desperate almost.

"What —" The boy exclaimed.

"You want her out Billy! You want her out of there, you need Lilia OUT!" She said once again, on the verge of hyperventilating.

"Agatha I—"

"Focus!" She yelled once again, her hands on either sides of his face, pulling it closer to her, attempting to channel her energy.

"Focus on the Lilia you saw inside. Focus on her footsteps" The way she was holding onto his head made him both scared and slightly interested in her desperation to bring Lilia, a member of their coven, who she mocked and supposedly could care less and less about.

But none the less, Billy did as he was told, but the flashes were intense, the screeches and the sounds of the wall slowly closing on the ground. But there she was in her pink dress, falling.

"She's falling!" He exclaimed.

"Then catch her! Get her back to me!" Agatha shouted, her thumbnail digging into his cheek.

"Ow—Ow— I can't! I can't pull her back!" The teen said, face scrunched up in pain.

"You CAN! You CAN and you WILL!" She screamed into his face, causing Jen's attention to face them. "You pull her OUT RIGHT THIS INSTANCE!" She was desperate. And that was maybe even an understatement. A deep understatement.

"Pull her in, pull her to me, in my arms. Focus on the atoms in the air, surrounding Lilia, before she crashes, before she dies. Before I—I lose her" Her eyes wide and wet, full of tears she allowed herself to shed.

Sensing her despair, he focused onto the falling figure, her soul, her body and her mind, and it might've been too late now as a the tip of the sword entered her back before darkness engulfed his mind.

"LILIA!" His mentor, his hyperfixation for years, his— his whatever she was screamed as she caught onto Lilia and pulled her close to her arms.

"I'm not leaving her with them! With Death and her psychotic ex girlfriend that's also a witch killer!" The potion's witch said fiercely.

"Well then stick around and find out what happens when you stay with Death and her ex girlfriends" The line was delivered as a threatening whisper, with the dagger in hand, her skeletal body on full display. With a tilt of her head and a dangerous look in her eyes.

"Rio, don't" Came Lilia's quiet whisper.

And who knows what it is that Lilia has for both Death and the infamous Agatha Harkness to do whatever she says. But they do. They always do. And her words always work on them. When it's tenderly delivered, when it's soft and gentle, when it's words spat out of rage and pain, out of pain and sufferance.

Lilia was a soothing balm to their wounds.

You might ask yourself what wounds does Death herself have? Well, a skeleton is cold without a layer of muscles and skin. It's weak and breakable. How can it survive for so long as nothing but 'une macabre vivante'? Lilia was more than a Persephone, no, Persephone was Agatha. Once innocent now rotten to the core. Maybe she wasn't Persephone either, because God knows no innocence resides in her soul any longer. But Agatha was Agatha. Agatha was chaos and heartbreak. Was a self destructive fool but also a power hungry beast. Agatha was unpredictable. Agatha was Grief. Sorrow. Heartbreak. Agatha was all the flaws one could possess and put into one.

Agatha was good. Until she wasn't.

Rio was Rio. Rio was Death. Rio was Balance. Rio was good and was bad. Rio was nature and animals. Rio was instincts and tendencies. Rio was a mix of hedonistic dionysian and and absurd cynical. Rio is Death. The gentle breeze that kisses your blue lips and the harsh impalement that snatches you from life's warm embrace. That's who Rio truly is. The cycle of things.

And Lilia, sweet, gentle, tender, beautiful Lilia. She was life. She was light. The sun and the pretty skies. She was a Sunflower in a field of rotten suns. A lightbringer in the darkest of nights. A caress of silk and cotton. A breath of fresh air and a the smell of spring. The smell of damp mud on rainy days. The smell of the beach on a hot summer night in mid july. She was and is what brought true balance to Death and Heartbreak. She is what soothes the grief and the pain. She is what brings life to loss. She is and will always be Life.

❛°•☽☼☾•°❜

tag list:

@yourbasicqueerie there you go cousin🙏🏻🙏🏻

#lilia calderu #agatha harkness #rio vidal #jennifer kale #billy kaplan #billy maximoff #lilia calderu × agatha harkness × rio vidal #fanfiction #it'll have more chapters i swear #yes the chapter is inspired by camus' book #so what?#i think i have a theme going on #live love lilia #my baby #patti lupone rocks

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