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padfootagain · 3 months ago

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Love in Verses (XVIII)

Chapter 18 : ‘What the devil do I care what I know, and what I say?’

Hi! Here is new chapter! This is a very important chapter… I hope you like it!!!

I hope you like this chapter! Tell me what you think!

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Pairing: Hozier x fem!reader (professor!AU)

Warnings: slow burn, angst, hurt, hurt/comfort, tooth-rotting fluff in later chapters, some scenes in later chapters will have heavy sexual themes even if it’s not explicit nsfw description, so minors here

Summary: Your life seems perfect. You're engaged, your career is thriving as you become an assistant professor at Trinity College, and this Andrew Hozier-Byrne you're sharing an office with seems to be a nice guy you hope to call a friend soon. Life seems to be smiling at you... until everything goes sour. When your fiancé breaks up with you, your perfect world shatters. And when your colleague also gets his heart broken soon after, your shared office seems to be a curse rather than a blessing. But Andrew seems determined to mend your broken hearts... Will things finally go according to plan?

Word Count: 3472

Masterlist for the series – Hozier’s masterlist – Main masterlist

Wisdom

This I say, and this I know: Love has seen the last of me. Love's a trodden lane to woe, Love's a path to misery.

This I know, and knew before, This I tell you, of my years: Hide your heart, and lock your door. Hell's afloat in lovers' tears.

Give your heart, and toss and moan; What a pretty fool you look! I am sage, who sit alone; Here's my wool, and here's my book.

Look! A lad's a-waiting there, Tall he is and bold, and gay. What the devil do I care What I know, and what I say?

Dorothy Parker

Classes for the first semester were over. The Christmas Holiday season had come to a close as well, leaving you buried under piles of articles and documents and books to help you get ready for the new classes that would start after the end of the exams.

It was snowing outside, a part of the Liffey had frozen during the night, apparently. Some idiot had tried walking on it, had fallen into the river, you had heard it on the news. He was equipped for a swim in cold waters, but still… how silly people could be…

You were in bed, you checked the time on the alarm clock on your bedside table. Almost midnight. You heaved a sigh. You ought to stop, catch a few hours of sleep before heading to work tomorrow. But you had a thousand things to do and to plan and… God, so many things still…

You were distracted by the vibration of your phone on the bed, looked for it in a hurry under the covers. You frowned as you read Frank’s name on your screen, picked up with a worried frown on your brow. Something ought to be wrong…

“Hello?”

“Y/N?”

You recognised the sound of his voice. He was drunk and had been crying. When the two of you were together, he was only in this state when you had a huge fight.

“You’re alright?” you asked him, knowing the answer.

“No, I’m not… God, I’m really not, Y/N. Can you… can you pick me up? I’m drunk, I can’t drive, I don’t know where to go… Christ, I’ve fucked up so bad tonight… please, help me…”

You looked at all the work you had left to do, looked at the time again, but heaved a sigh. Not accepting to help wasn’t even a possibility…

“I’ll come and pick you up. Where are you right now?” you asked him, and you heard the sigh of relief he heaved at your words.

“I’m downtown. At a pub… hang on, I’ll give you the address…”

“What happened? Where’s Samantha?”

He sniffed.

“We had a row.”

You nodded, not surprised.

“Like… a huge one. Our first row. I… I’ve fucked up. She’s home. I can’t go home, I don’t know where to go…”

“You can stay at my place for tonight,” you offered. “It’s alright, I’m on my way.”

“Thank you so much, Y/N… thank you,” he mumbled, the lilt of his accent more pronounced as his words were slurred by alcohol.

“Don’t mention it. I’m leaving now, stay where you are.”

You hurried out of bed, put on some clothes, grabbed your keys. You typed a text while you were in the lift.

Hi, Andy!

Just a warning: Sam and Frank had a row tonight, seems quite bad. Omw to get Frank from some bar downtown. He’ll stay at my place for tonight. Sam might call you too.

You were walking to your car when he answered.

Thanks for the warning. Sam has just texted me, I’ll go to hers.

Good luck with Frank.

You sat behind the wheel, locked your car before answering.

Good luck with Sam too!

You were about to put your phone away in your purse when it vibrated again.

Tell me when you’re home, okay? It’s late.

A tender smile softened your features.

Will do xx

You put your phone away, started driving. It took you a while to find the pub, but Frank was eager to leave, and you were relieved not to have to fight him for his car keys or something like that. Instead, he obediently entered your car. His eyes were red and puffy, he stunk of whiskey, cheap beer, and cigarettes.

“Thanks,” he mumbled, voice made deeper by the liquor, words slurred.

“No problem. Let’s go to my place.”

He nodded in silence, dried his eyes.

“What happened?” you asked as you drove, the streets empty at this hour, the lampposts the only sources of light in the sleeping city as clouds heavy with rain were hiding the moon and stars.

“Sam and I had a fight.”

You hummed.

“What was it about?”

“Something stupid. Fucking stupid.”

“Really?”

“Yeah, like… something about the wedding. About the guests we should put together, and I was like… like who cares? People can just… sit… wherever they like. But she was making plans, and I took the piss, and she got… so fucking mad and…”

He sniffed, looked by the window at the empty streets.

“Was fucking stupid.”

“You got angry?”

“Yeah.”

“And you said something stupid?”

“Yeah. How do you know?”

“You generally say stupid and hurtful things when you’re really angry.”

“I don’t mean them.”

“I know. It still hurts.”

He heaved a sigh, rested his forehead against the windowpane.

“I think it was a long-time coming though. We’ve been bickering a lot. I don’t know… it’s just been a lot of stress these past few weeks. I thought it would be better after the New Year’s Eve party, but it wasn’t.”

You slowly nodded.

“I mean… you’ve been moving very fast through this relationship. Maybe you’ve skipped a few steps along the way, and you’re feeling it now.”

He remained quiet for the rest of the drive. When you reached your apartment building, he stared at you, but said nothing.

You helped him through the elevator and hallways all the way to your flat. You texted Andrew that you were safely home while Frank was struggling with his shoes.

Andrew answered in seconds with a thumbs up.

“You think I’m making a mistake, don’t you?”

Frank’s voice brought you back to your apartment, made you put your phone away and turn to him instead.

You weren’t quite sure what to answer, even if this was the perfect moment to speak your mind. You were too taken aback for that.

“Everybody does,” Frank nodded. “Everybody thinks I’ve lost my mind. Maybe I have… I don’t know anymore… Maybe… Maybe I’ve made a mistake, and I shouldn’t have left and… I don’t know… I don’t know…”

“I think you’re moving very fast. I think all this is going too fast,” you spoke with a gentle voice, moving closer to him. “I mean… you pushed back the engagement, then the wedding, when we were together. While this is so sudden… Everything about you and Sam seems sudden.”

Slowly, Frank nodded.

“I don’t know… I don’t know what to do, I… I want it to be fast though, I don’t want to think things through this time around. I don’t want to be cautious, the way we were, you and I, Y/N. I just… I want to live this fully.”

He rubbed at his tired eyes.

“I’m sorry, I don’t make any sense right now…”

“You should go to bed,” you gave him a sad smile, but he didn’t notice, he was too tired for that, or… you didn’t know why… but he didn’t notice.

You gave him a pillow and a blanket so he could settle on the couch, he thanked you, closed his eyes.

Before you could move away, he grabbed your hand in his, gave it a tight squeeze. You wanted to cry now.

And then, he surrendered to sleep, and he let go.

Sam wasn’t crying anymore when Andrew arrived to her flat, but her eyes were red and puffy with tears that had already fallen. She let him inside, offered him something to drink while he took off his coat, gloves, beanie and scarf, but he declined. He turned to her with a tender smile, something full of compassion.

“You’re okay? How are you feeling?” he asked with a voice he made deeper than usual, knowing it calmed her down.

“Not great,” she admitted.

“You had a fight with Frank, then?”

“Yeah… we… I… It was pretty bad.”

“Bad?”

“It was a big row.”

“Was he mean to you?” Andrew’s voice shook, a frown digging a line between his eyebrows. “Did he threaten you?”

“What? No! Of course not! We just had a row.”

He visibly relaxed, took a step closer to her. They were standing in her living room, the night was quiet. He wanted to reach out, but he didn’t dare.

“What was it about? Do you want to talk about it?”

She shrugged, but took a step closer to him too, standing close, so close… He could have pulled her into an embrace so easily…

“We fought about the wedding. We… we don’t want the same thing.”

“About what?”

“Silly things. Unimportant details, to be honest. But I didn’t know how to react to it… like… I know you sigh a lot when you’re annoyed. I know your voice quietens first, and then you raise it. I know you get petty when you’re really angry. I know you need to spend time alone to cool down. I know you’ll want to have the last word no matter whether you’re right or wrong, but you’ll never admit it. I know that it’s useless to simply bury the hatchet, that you’ll bring it up again later if we don’t discuss it when the issue arises. I know you don’t talk about what you feel, that I should not be offended if you just lock yourself up in your office until you’re calmer and we can talk about it. I know it’s useless to make you acknowledge your feelings. I know you’re so fucking stubborn when you really want to be. I know… I know how to deal with you, even with your anger, even with the ugliest of your feelings. Cause I… I know you. But I didn’t know how to handle him. I got mad, and he got mad and I didn’t know what to do. And I made things worse. I don’t know what to do…”

She looked up at him with this specific gaze, and he knew what she needed. He knew it, because he knew her. And she had just told him what he was already painfully aware of, that she knew him like the back of her hand. And perhaps this was the part he missed the most now that he was alone. That he used to have someone who knew him so completely.

He wrapped his arms around her, because he knew she needed a hug. She needed to feel safe and warm, and indeed she rested her head on his shoulder easily.

He held her close, the way he had thousands of times before. He always found solace in it, something soothing, anchoring. When she rose to her tiptoes to kiss his cheek, to thank him in a whisper for coming, his chest grew a little warm but he was surprised when his heart didn’t stumble. It didn’t rush, didn’t miss a few beats. It remained steady, although it was content. And the arms that used to soothe him were a nice embrace, a gentle shelter to rest, but they lacked something. Something… he wasn’t sure what it was. He knew that he didn’t feel the way he used to when they held on each other before. He knew he felt less than before.

They remained motionless, bathed in silence for a few minutes, the sound of their breathing the only sign of life in the room. His mind wandered off, instead of being anchored in the moment, unlike the way she used to force his brain to quieten down. Instead, he thought about the classes he had to prepare for the rest of the year, the exams coming up, he thought of Frank and was angry at him for hurting Sam, and he thought of you. He was suddenly worried about you, he hadn’t received any text from you yet, to tell him you were home. Were you alright? It was so late into the night and you were driving to a pub downtown, after all…

He felt his phone buzzing in the back pocket of his jeans, pulled away from the hug. He didn’t notice Sam’s puzzled expression.

“Andy?” she looked up at him with a questioning look.

He didn’t notice she was speaking. He heaved a relieved sigh instead.

I’m home. All good xx

He answered with a mere thumbs up.

“Andy?”

This time he looked up from his phone, put the device in his back pocket again.

“Yeah?”

“You’re okay?”

But he knew her. He knew her better than anyone else in this world. He knew this question meant ‘who is texting you at such an hour?’.

“Yeah… erm… It was Y/N. Frank called her to pick him up at a pub.”

“Did he?” she asked, clearly jealous.

Andrew hummed and nodded.

“He’ll stay at her place for the night.”

“Right…”

She seemed uneasy now. Worried.

“And why was she telling you this anyway?”

“Because you asked me to come here too,” he merely answered.

“So, she picked him up?”

“Yeah, they’re at her apartment.”

“Why is she telling you all this?”

“It’s late. I asked her to tell me when she’d be home, just to make sure she was safe.”

She stared at Andrew with an unreadable expression, one he didn’t know how to analyse, despite how well he knew her. Was it a new one? Did he simply… fail at reading her this time?

“Can you stay tonight?”

The question came out of the blue, took him aback.

Stay the night…

“I… don’t want to be alone,” she whispered.

And Andrew wasn’t sure what she meant. Probably for him to sleep on the sofa, but there was something in her eyes… No, she didn’t mean for him to sleep on the sofa…

It was his chance to get her back, and he knew it. He knew it. He could have her back, maybe, he could try, at least…

He thought about kissing her then, closing the distance between them, finding back what they had lost. But instead, he…

Instead, he thought of your lips on his, of your weight in his arms, of your kiss on his cheek while a new year was born.

He wanted to kiss you. He didn’t want to kiss Sam at all…

He didn’t want Frank to be with you now, in your apartment. He didn’t want you to kiss him, he didn’t want you to be with him, and God almighty, he could feel his heart racing at the thought that you could have sex with him…

Slowly, he shook his head.

“I don’t think it would be a good idea,” he mumbled, his voice not sounding like his own.

“But I…”

“I’m sorry… I… I should go. I should go…”

He hurried to her front door, while Sam remained standing in her living room, too stunned by Andrew’s actions to move or say anything. Before she could go back to her senses, Andrew had left.

He had left. When he sat down behind the wheel, he didn’t know what was happening, couldn’t understand his own actions. He could have tried to get Sam back, and instead… instead he had thought of you, he had… he had wished it was you who stood there before him, offering him a chance to kiss you…

Fucking hell… he bloody liked you. He liked you. He liked you enough to push Sam away…

Holy shit…

Andrew was pacing before a tired Alex, who was sitting on his sofa.

Andrew was lucky his best friend was a night owl like him, but even if he naturally longed to go to bed at an unreasonable hour, Alex was still longing to bury himself under his warmest blanket and finally go to sleep now that it was almost four in the morning.

But Andrew was still pacing. He had called Alex after leaving Sam’s flat, panicked, talking too fast about ‘catching feelings’ and ‘being a fucking eejit’ and ‘ruining everything’. Alex invited him to come over, and now Andrew was burning holes in his carpet…

“This is so bad, Alex. So fucking bad…”

“Calm down, it’s alright. You have a crush on Y/N, so what?”

“SO WHAT?! SO WHAT?! I don’t want to have a crush on Y/N! I want to have Sam back!”

“Not anymore, apparently.”

Andrew threw his hands up in the air in frustration. He had a thousand things to say and couldn’t speak them out loud, he just couldn’t. He was never good at this, opening up about his feelings… He buried them instead, and let them gnaw at his heart. Was it healthy? No, but he couldn’t help it. And then he wrote about it, and he felt better, lighter, and things were alright again.

But right now, he was too much in a state to grab some paper and pen and put it all down.

“This can’t be happening, Alex” he shook his head. “I can’t be catching feelings on Y/N.”

“Why not? She sounds like an amazing woman!”

“She is! Don’t get me wrong, she’s… incredible! But I want Sam.”

“You don’t anymore.”

“Of course, I bloody do!”

“Why did you push her away tonight, then?”

But Andrew wasn’t ready to admit that.

“I don’t know… I don’t know…”

“You’re falling for Y/N.”

“She’s my colleague! We share an office! We’re friends! We’re trying to get back with our exes! She’s still in love with the guy!”

“Well, tell yourself those arguments, cause apparently they haven’t prevented you from falling for her…”

“I haven’t fallen, I just… I fancy her, ‘s all.”

“Yeah, of course. Of bloody course.”

“Alright, I need to think straight.”

“Why do you want to get back with Sam so badly anyway?”

“Because… Because I love her. Because she… I’m…”

“The honest answer,” Alex argued, staring mercilessly at his friend.

And Andrew hated him at that moment, for knowing him so fucking well, for not cutting him any slack, for pressing him on into acknowledging how he felt… even the ugly side of himself…

He stuttered, went silent, but Alex was there to push him again. Until Andrew turned to the window and stared at the inky sky where not a single light remained uncovered by heavy clouds. All darkness. The kind so absolute, one would not see a thing if they were lost in it.

He imagined your features on that darkness, painted it with the colour of your eyes, the softness of your skin, the warmth of your lips, built your image on the nothingness of the world.

He wanted Sam… he wanted…

“I want someone to know me,” he whispered, feeling the heaviness of the confession drain all his strengths out of his body, feeling empty as he let the words leave. “I want… I want to be known. I want companionship. I’m afraid to be alone. I’m scared. I’m scared no one else is ever going to know me the way Sam does, and love me anyway. After all, even she couldn’t…”

He fell silent, sniffed as tears gathered at the corners of his eyes.

“God, it’s so fucking hard to be unknown. To have no one like that anymore… It feels so fucking lonely…”

Alex had gotten up without a word nor sound, rested a hand on Andrew’s shoulder.

“Someone else can learn to know you that way again, Andy. You deserve it. You deserve to be loved for who you are. Maybe Y/N could…”

But Andrew shook his head, shook himself out of his friend’s grasp.

“No! No, this is ridiculous! I want Sam! I want Sam! I don’t want Y/N! It was just a flukes, just a glitch, just… I don’t know, a moment of madness! But I don’t want Y/N, I don’t like her, I want Sam…”

“Andy…”

“I want Sam. I must want Sam.”

Andrew rubbed at his forehead, tightly closing his eyes.

“And anyway… even if I don’t want Sam anymore, I can’t fall for Y/N. That’s just… that would just make everything so fucking complicated, and she’s so great, I can’t risk to lose her like that… That would be insane.”

“So… you could want someone else? I could introduce you to someone…”

“We’ll see… we’ll see… I… I don’t know.”

Andrew heaved a sigh, feeling the heaviness of sleep creep up his body. He looked at his watch.

“Christ, sorry, mate… it’s so fucking late… I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright. You can sleep on the couch tonight, it’s too late for you to drive, and you’re too upset for that.”

“Thank you.”

“Anytime, mate.”

They exchanged a pair of tired smiles, and while Alex was gone looking for some spare blanket and pillow, Andrew was gathering his thoughts and feelings. Trying to calm down.

He wasn’t falling for you. He didn’t have a crush on you. He wanted Sam, he didn’t want you. He couldn’t want you.

Andrew didn’t like you… he couldn’t like you…

… right?

#hozier #andrew hozier byrne #the hoziest #hozier x reader #hozier x you #hozier x y/n #hozier x fem!reader #hozier fanfiction #hozier fanfic #hozier series #hozier au #hozier professor au #professor au #series #fanfiction #fanfic #writing

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unbidden-yidden-deactivated20240 · 1 year ago

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To follow up on my Hosanna poll, I think before things go any further, it'd be good to actually explain and define it. I was initially going to wait until the end of the poll, but it seems that google is giving people a lot of bad and/or conflicting answers and I'd rather people walk away with the correct information.

So! Hosanna is an anglicized version of the Hebrew words "hosha na" [הושע נא or as a contraction הושענא]. Hosha na is a little enigmatic and hard to translate, but the simplest translation is probably "save us, please." It's traditionally used as an exclamation to G-d to rescue us, but it also has shades of being a triumphant shout (the implication being confidence that G-d will save us.)

Jews say "hoshanot" (the plural of hosha na) as part of our traditional Sukkot liturgy, and is something we do still today.

For us, the multi-faceted meaning of the root word allows us to have multiple layers of meaning. During Sukkot, we start praying for rain in its proper season and amounts, and we shake the lulav and etrog as part of these processions and liturgy. On Hoshana Rabba [the "great hoshana"], the last day of Sukkot, we process around the bimah (front lectern) seven times as a completion of our season of repentance and our starting of the new year with abundant blessings.

My siddur (prayer book) Lev Shalem has this as an explanation and translation:

[Image ID is of the Lev Shalem siddur, pages 382 & 383 - I tried hard to find a pdf of this that would be readable using a screen reader, but the versions I'm finding cut off at pg. 376 at the latest. If anyone has bandwidth to type this up, I would greatly appreciate it]

For the curious, here is a recording of the Hoshanot liturgy and procession:

youtube

Christians mostly know the word from the gospels and hymns.

Here is what Wikipedia says about its use in Christianity:

Historical meaning

Since those welcoming Jesus were Jewish, as of course Jesus himself was, some would interpret the cry of "Hosanna" on the entry of Jesus in its proper meaning, as a cry by the people for salvation and rescue.

Christian reinterpretation

"Hosanna" many interpret as a shout of praise or adoration made in recognition of the messiahship of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem

It is applied in numerous verses of the New Testament, including "Hosanna! blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lᴏʀᴅ!" (Matthew 21:9,15; Mark 11:9–10; John 12:13), which forms part of the Sanctus prayer; "hosanna in the highest" (Mark 11.10); and "hosanna to the Son of David" (Matt 21:9). These quotations, however, are of words in the Jewish Psalm 118. Although not used in the book of Luke, the testimony of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is recorded in Luke 19.

In church music

The "Hosanna Anthem", based on the phrase Hosanna, is a traditional Moravian Church anthem written by Bishop Christian Gregor of Herrnhut sung on Palm Sunday and the first Sunday of Advent. It is antiphonal, i.e. a call-and-response song; traditionally, it is sung between the children and adult congregation, though it is not unheard of for it to be done in other ways, such as between choir and congregation, or played between trombone choirs.

The bottom line:

Jews and Christians have different connections, associations, and meanings attached to this word as expressions of our different theologies and texts. The word is derived from a Hebrew word and was created by Jews and is still used by us today. (Like literally today - we are currently in the middle of the Sukkot festival.) Christians changed the meaning to fit within their own context, and pronunciation of the word evolved with linguistic drift over time. In the same way that there's not a reason to pitch a fit over saying Jesus rather than Yeshua, there's no compelling reason to change hosanna back to hosha na; if anything, the distinction helps make it clear that it's effectively a different word and concept from ours.

On the other hand, I do think Christians ought to know the original meaning of the word if they're going to use it. To only ever know their version when it was derived from ours is yet another small way of playing into supercessionism by erasing and replacing the Jewish context of things that were originated in Judaism that Christians have embedded in Christianity. While the Christians of today cannot unwind the supercessionism of Christian history, they *can* choose to understand their present Christianity in ways that do not play into supercessionism and that respect the Jewish community of today.

I hope this was helpful and gives folks a new perspective on an obscure Hebrew word!

#jumblr #christian #every hour is theology hour around here apparently

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machinesonix · 10 months ago

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Okay so chewing my way through Dune for the first time as an adult and there’s this chapter that’s got me wilding out so hard I’m basically just gonna paraphrase it here. Obviously concessions need to be made when switching mediums and I think the films have done a splendid job, but I think they sorta took the teeth out of this one.

When the Atredies first touch down on Dune, Lady Jessica is introduced to their groundskeeper, an elderly Fremen woman called ‘the Shadout Mapes.’ Now Mapes is extremely excited to meet a member of the Bene Gesserit, from which Jessica correctly concludes the ministoria protectiva has been here seeding the local mythology with favorable propaganda. Like a good third of the new movie is screaming about how fucked up all that is, so I will curb my enthusiasm to explain what the funny words mean in exhaustive detail, but suffice to say the Space Mom Cult secretly shapes cultures all across the universe to recognize them as cool people that everybody ought to listen to when they show up. So Jessica immediately code switches into Ominous Witch Mode and shows off some of her preternatural powers of observation by calling out the Shadout Mapes for having a weapon on her. In the movie the knife is a gift. The book has a little more nuance that has me absolutely salivating.

Mapes flips out and shows her the knife, which later we’re gonna learn is made from a worm tooth. She explains that Jessica might be the One, and if she is, the knife belongs to her. If she isn’t then she’s gonna kill Jessica with it because now she already knows too much. And to put her to the test she asks her what the knife is. Jessica hopes to establish her credibility by being well versed in ancient tongues, and intends to call it the ‘maker of death’ because in the language that the word ‘Shadout’ is derived from that’s the idiomatic translation of ‘knife.’

Instead Mapes starts screaming in religious fervor as soon as she hears the word ‘Maker.’ Because the worms make the spice, see. Jessica absolutely triples down on this, and this is what drives me wild. Immediately after narrowly escaping murder by a lucky stroke of linguistics she’s like FUCK YOU, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE NOT THINKING I WOULD RECOGNIZE THE MAKER. IN FACT, I’M GONNA STAB YOU NOW. Like okay, what she actually does is go ‘Mapes, now that the blade’s been drawn who’s blood is it gonna taste?’ And here I just have to say hats off to the Bene Gesserit for their training in genre awareness. Jessica has absolutely no idea of any of the customs surrounding a crysknife and risks blowing her cover here to flex even harder. She’s right, of course, and lets the Shadout Mapes off with just a scratch. It turns out Fremen have hypercoagulant blood which is not terribly important but still kinda cool.

So to put a bow on all of this, the Shadout Mapes ends up saying something along the lines of ‘She is the One, she will free us.’ This shocks Jessica. She recognizes this line from the ministoria protectiva, and knows that only the super fucked up horrible places wind up with the ‘we will save you from your oppressors’ prophecies. And I just love it because here we've got a microcosm of what this is all about. The ministoria protectiva did exactly what it was supposed to do and saved a Bene Gesserit life because Mapes heard her own religion in what's basically a cold read con. This exploitative power is so intense that Mapes is willing to give Jessica her life; there's no reason for a Fremen to expect somebody is going to show mercy with a crysknife. And then when she's feeling at her highest and mightiest she gets a wake up call. These people have context.

The Fremen don't have their finger on the pulse of galactic politics. They know there is a limited amount of moisture in their atmosphere and that the off-worlders in the palaces are going to take enough of it to keep themselves comfortable. As far as they're concerned, the Atredies are basically Harkonnens with better personal hygiene. The freedom the Shadout Mapes is talking about is freedom from Jessica's family. The ministoria protectiva doesn't exist in a vacuum. The Fremen's history of oppression has become inseparable from what was meant to be a means to control them.

#dune #dune meta #ministoria protectiva #lady jessica

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crashandswirl · 4 months ago

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When the monster turned to where she stood behind a wrecked Honda, for a few seconds, Terri thought it was a good thing. She wanted to get as clear of a shot of his face as could. It would make the footage that much better. Only once she had cranked up the zoom all the way did she realize that he was probably looking at something, and since the street was deserted, that thing was almost decidedly her.

The wave of terror hit Terri like a bucket of ice water and she jumped. She could barely handle herself around those things everyone was turning into, let alone a monster over twice her size with a massive gun!

When she fell, she fell hard. She skinned her knees and palms with a severity that they hadn't since she was a kid, and a boy had terrorized her by chasing her around with a worm on a stick. However, this was a thousand times more terrifying, so the horrible stinging, the beads of blood actively forming went entirely unnoticed as Terri looked back at the approaching figure. "Ohmigodohmigodohmigod—" She made an attempt to scramble back across the pavement, which did little to create any actual distance.

The question gave her pause. She was so taken aback by hearing him talk that whatever he asked went in one ear, and promptly got thrown out the other by the myriad of questions already racing through her mind, so instead of providing an answer, Terri just stared up at him with wide, fear-filled eyes as her breath came out in quick puffs.

...Wait... Interview? Did he seriously just say that? That would be extremely interesti— She let out a shriek as he extended his hand toward her, but it quickly died in her throat when she realized that he wasn't going to pick her up and eat her. "...What are you?"

Getting footage of the giant monster walking around with a chain gun seemed like a pretty good idea initially. But then he seemed to notice her, and it suddenly became an awful idea that had Terri regretting her life decisions. She made a run for it and promptly tripped over a rock.

– Terri Morales :) @crashandswirl

{ @crashandswirl | Omg yes! I love Terri, she doesn't get enough love in the fandom, heh. And I love the idea of Nemmy interacting with her. }

It had taken Nemesis some time to recover after that explosion. While carrying out his latest orders to attack a few members of law enforcement, he'd caused a nearby vehicle to explode after spraying the area with bullets. It... had done something to him beyond simply knocking him over and burning him a little. The concussive force had scrambled something in his mind, severing the link between him and Umbrella.

Suddenly the haze was lifted, that suffocating mental barrier that prevented Matt from controlling his own body and let a mindless monster called Nemesis take over. Now, Nemesis remembered who he used to be, how he'd become what he is now, and why. The sadness and anger hit him like a tidal wave, and it had left him standing alone in the middle of a street for some time, just thinking.

Now was no time to wallow in depression or rage, though, he knew. God, the city was literally on fire and Umbrella was planning on nuking it soon. He knew that from the constant feed of information that overlayed his natural vision, courtesy of his retinal implant that was apparently still working, even if Umbrella's remote control of him was not. He had to try and help people. Even gross and monstrous as he was, he had to try. He started walking, trying to think of the best way to assist people with getting safely out of the city in his own limited capacity.

That was when he'd noticed her. A woman trying unsuccessfully to be stealthy while... filming him with a little handheld camera? He turned to face her. Is she serious, right now? Who the hell is thinking about filming anything at a time like this?! The identification software in the retinal implant soon gave him his answer as the information ticked on and on. Civilian. Threat level: Zero. Terri Morales. Weather forecaster, local TV station Raccoon 7. Former news anchor. Nemesis very nearly huffed in half-amusement. Well, that explains it.

It seemed him making eye contact with her was the wrong thing to do, however, for the poor woman startled terribly. In her frantic attempt to escape, she promptly tripped and fell to the ground. Nemesis winced... which visually looked like nothing more than his upper lip wrinkling upwards for a second.

Nemesis slowly stomped over to her, careful not to get too close since she was obviously terrified of him. Who wouldn't be, honestly? "Are you... al-right?" he asked, not that he expected a real answer. He just hoped she wouldn't try to run away again and possibly hurt herself even more than she already had. "You know... ith you wan-ted... an in-ter-thiew... you could hath just asked." With that, he extended his hand to her to help her up, again, not expecting her to actually take it. No, he was probably about to be kicked in the jewels and screamed at, he figured.

#[couldn't get the idea out of my head once it entered lol]#[terri's a favorite of mine]#muse: terri morales #freewillacquired #character: matt addison #cw: blood #cw: injury #verse: people ought to know what's going on here!

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infiniteeight8 · 1 year ago

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I loved your Titan/Infinity Stone AU! Any more ideas or inspiration for that 'verse?

Okay, I made you wait 6 days for it, but at least it's longer than usual! Here's more, with another appearance of the Soul Stone, as promised. Not much shippy in this one, though.

Edited to add links to: Part 1 Part 2

Stephen abruptly looks past Tony and yells, “Stop!”

Tony twists, one gauntlet coming up defensively, and sees that the Guardians have broken away from their discussion and are now standing over Thanos and the gauntlet that still adorns the corpse. The guy, Star-Lord maybe, is bending down. He doesn’t stop when Stephen yells, either, instead pulling the gauntlet off of Thanos’s hand and straightening up with it.

Stephen launches himself up off the rock he’d been sharing with Tony and strides over to them. “Trying to use that could kill us all,” he snaps sharply. “Even with the gauntlet, we’re not made to contain that kind of power.”

“Look, I’ve held an Infinity Stone before,” Star-Lord retorts. “I’m not all human, okay? All I want to do is get Gamora back, I’m not going to try to change half the universe.”

“There’s more than one stone on that gauntlet,” Stephen says. “Even if you knew how each of them worked, which I highly doubt, you know nothing about making them work together.”

Star-Lord takes an aggressive step towards Stephen. “For Gamora, I’m willing to take the risk!”

Stephen looks like he’s winding up for a fight, but then the lady with the antennae gasps. “Peter! The Soul Stone!”

“What?” Star-Lord—Peter, Tony guesses—looks down at the gauntlet and then swears, clutching it in both hands. The Soul Stone is gone. “Where the hell could it have gone?” He demands. “Gamora died for that thing, we can’t just lose it!”

Tony knows where the stone is, of course, but he’s not about to volunteer that without more information. Stephen knows, too, as the bearer of the Time Stone, but he keeps quiet as well.

You want to fill me in? Tony asks silently.

Gamora was one of those offered to me as I starved, the Soul Stone replies. It doesn’t sound remorseful, only matter of fact.

Are they right? Can you bring back the dead? The thought sends a chill through Tony. As much as he would love to get back people he’d lost, there was no one he trusted with that kind of power, and he had no illusions about the lengths people would go to to get a hold of it.

No, the stone says, thank God. But Gamora is not dead in the usual sense. She was sacrificed to me, and I hold all the souls so given.

Tony hasn’t decided yet, but he figures he ought to have all the information before he does. Could you give this one back?

Yes. But Reality would need to make her a new body. The old one is no longer serviceable.

Does Reality need a bearer for that? Tony isn’t thrilled at the idea of any of this group—now shouting at each other and Stephen while Star-Lord digs around in the dirt as if the Stone might have just fallen out of the gauntlet—the Reality Stone.

No. I could ask. They would probably agree. Moreso, if Time asks as well.

Tony blows out a breath and then drags Stephen away from the argument. They let him go, fortunately. Tony lowers his voice. “The Soul Stone says it can bring her back, since it was the one that killed her,” he says. “But it needs Reality to do it. It says it would help if Time asked, too. What do you think?”

Stephen casts a wary glance at the other group. “I think we have two more or less cooperative Infinity Stones, and they have three Infinity Stones, plus the gauntlet,” he murmurs. “That’s a fight I’d rather avoid. And… it would be nice to get someone back from this whole mess.”

“Yeah,” Tony says. For a moment, all he can feel is exhausted. “Yeah, it would.”

Turning, Tony eyes the arguing group. Maybe it would be better to just… take care of things, rather than jump into that. You need me to be hands-on with Reality? he asks the Soul Stone.

No, it replies. You wish me to return Gamora to this world?

Yes. Tony remembers the Soul Stone talked about being free. Please. This won’t hurt you? You mentioned being starved of purpose.

I do not need to consume souls, it reassures him. Thank fuck, because Tony hadn’t even thought to ask about that before. Merely be among them. Touch them, sometimes. Returning this one will have great impact on their souls.

Let’s do it, then.

Tony’s right gauntlet, where the Soul Stone is hidden, lights up with an orange glow. Then Stephen’s amulet does the same, in green. Just as Star-Lord and his group notice, Thanos’s gauntlet lights up red. He shouts and drops it. Red light beams out of Thanos’s gauntlet and collides mid-air with orange beams shooting out of Tony’s . They twine together, so brightly they make Tony squint, and then abruptly disappear, leaving a green skinned woman in their wake.

Is she supposed to be green? Tony asks silently. The Soul Stone sends him a wordless affirmation; everything is as it should be.

Star-Lord and the rest shout and mob the green woman. A happy reunion, it looks like.

Peter—not Star-Lord, Peter Parker—quietly sidles up between Tony and Stephen while the others are still celebrating. “I’m really glad they got their friend back,” he says. “But does anyone know how we’re supposed to get home? Because I’m pretty sure all the ships we brought, you know,” he makes an illustrative hand gesture, “crashed.”

(I confess, I have a bunch more ideas for this AU. Feel free to prompt, either in general or with specific things in this AU.)

#IronStrange

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scribeforchrist-blog · 2 months ago

Text

The Simple Thing

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

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+ Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

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VERSE OF THE DAY

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+ Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

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** SAY THIS BEFORE YOU READ; HERE’S SOME CHRISTIAN TRUTHS **

I AM NEEDING THE SIMPLE THING

I AM NEEDING JESUS

I AM STRONG

I AM PRAYING WITHOUT CEASING

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READ TIME: 7 Minutes & 10 Seconds

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THOUGHTS:

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The simplest thing in the world is knowing Christ. I thought it was hard, and I thought anyone with a relationship with him was the most fantastic person because they could have this relationship I couldn't have. Still, as I grew in my walk with him, I realized the problem was that I was putting too much thought into it and not enough effort; a lot of us want a relationship with God, but we aren’t looking at what we are doing and how much time we put in it.

Colossians 3:15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful

From the moment I gave my life to Christ, and he gave me peace, I always wanted everyone else to know: how great he is, who he is, and how he makes me feel. I told God if you gave me the opportunity, I want to teach the world about you, and he has given me that opportunity. We don’t understand how great God can be to us until we slowly see and feel what he does for us, and he does a lot.

Peter said this to Jesus one day (Luke 5:8). When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!”

He knew he was a sinner, but he didn’t wanted Jesus to be next to him, but Jesus still wanted that relationship with him, and that is the thing about us: do we want a relationship with him? Do we understand what it takes to have one with him? It's not that much, but it’s the way we do it when we do it.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

The first step into having a relationship with Christ is prayer; it’s the most powerful thing we can do, and the most direct thing we can do is praying; it’s like having a conversation with God about your day; it’s telling him how grateful you are and how important he is to you, a lot of us don’t understand how prayer can change our lives when we do it ,a lot of us take prayer as a thing that we must do. Still, we must do it and stay spiritually hydrated, but we must do it because it connects us with him to know his will. We can't have a life without it.

Psalm 100:1-2 Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

Another way to have this relationship with God is to worship. Many people don’t like to worship, but to enter his courts, we must enter with praise. When I come home in the evening, I immediately turn on worship music and praise and worship him until I am too tired. I pray to him for an hour because I sincerely want to connect with him on a deeper level, and I want to communicate with him because he's the only one who knows what I need and how to help me solve every issue. No not everyone can pray for an hour , but that’s how long I pray we all are different it’s about the heart what can you give him, where is the position of your heart , if you pray for 5 ,10,20 minutes it doesn’t matter all that matters is that you pray from a contrite heart.

Joel 2:12 Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;

Fasting is the last point we will look at today. Fasting is the ultimate way to connect with God and allow yourself to submit to him. Fasting creates a connection between you and God that’s so powerful because you are submitting to him your ways; you are sacrificing food to have a relationship with God. Nowadays, people don’t want to give up food for anything, but giving up our meals to draw closer to God is the most important thing we can ever do.

The lord one day showed me how important prayer and fasting are; he showed me a fire around anyone who fasted and prayed; when we do those things, it’s a ring of fire that creates a barrier of protection

from Satan .No spirit ,no witch , and no curse can attach itself to us while we are praying in our heavenly language and fasting UNLESS GOD WILLS IT . Fasting & Praying is a big deal because we are saying nothing is essential , but spending time with Him.

*** Today, we learned that the simplest thing we can do is create a relationship with him, praise him, fast, and pray; all these things can cause us to draw closer to him. We might think that we are doing the smallest things. Still, no, my friends, we are moving mountains and creating such a strong bond with God when we do this because people constantly look at the time, how much time they have, or when the next second, but when we pray, we are saying I don’t care about the time I care about establishing a relationship with Jesus. I don’t care what’s happening; I care about establishing with Jesus.

John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Bible tells us he’s the way, truth, and life, everything we need to know. He can tell us, and we don’t have to worry about it being wrong because he knows how we should go and what we supposed to be doing? I can be concerned about my life; he’ll guide me through anything because he’s my shepherd, and I can trust him. Do you trust him? Do you want a relationship with him? If you pray, read your word, praise him, and fast, you’ll have a strong connection with him. ©Seer~ Prophetess Lee

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PRAYER

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Heavenly Father, we thank you for everything; we ask you to be with us and guide us through everything. Lord, forgive us if we have done anything that’s not of you. Father, help us establish a strong relationship with you daily. Lord, give us mercy and grace, lord. We love you so much and praise you for all you do. Lord, help us to be more like you; we give ourselves to you right now, Father, because we want more of you. Help us to apply this devotion to our lives in Jesus' name. Amen

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REFERENCES

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+ John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

+ Psalm 119:165 Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

+ Psalm 29:11 May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!

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FURTHER READINGS

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Proverbs 13

Genesis 29

2 Kings 11

Nehemiah 13

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valentine-cafe · 2 months ago

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Hello, hello!

That one anon got me inspired. Can we get 781 Rishen going ham on his 209 variant?

Maybe the poor guy's had a bit too much on his plate that day, and his variant decided to add on to the trouble as well. I wanna see the mad scientist cry :) (affectionately, of course)

-🙇

˖⁺. ﹙ the hybrid hero & the hybrid mad scientist. ﹚ .𖹭 ݁

. . . aw, are you crying? !! 🍒 : hero ˖ nerd ˖ mantis-moth-spider hybrid character & spider-moth-mantis hybrid ˖ mad scientist ˖ yandere character﹙ verse 781 rishen ft. 209 rishen. ﹚

rishen 781 displaying his ruthlessness to any of his variants is a feat people can only hope to never experience themselves

𖹭. ps : okay but rishen is such a mean girl help me thank you for giving me this opportunity to write him being a bitch

“more quiet than usual, aren’t you?”

a tut leaves the older as he circles the one bound. head hung low and a deep sigh leaving his lips. as though this is another simple monday blue. as though he has not been kidnapped from his very verse and dragged to one he despises.

“nothing to say to me?” the murmur from rishen 209 drips with mocking. a bitter venom spoken with honeyed tones as two of his delicate fingers push under his variant’s chin. lifting it so that maroon eyes that mirror his face him.

“or is that fear? defeat? my, I never would have expected such from the oh-so-valiant hero.”

a cold snap fills the air. rather than tears. than a twist of expression. tired begs to be left alone -

rishen 781’s brows narrow. and with a tight jaw - he mutters lowly. calmly.

“look. . . I get it.”

lips pulled into a frown as he begins, he speaks slowly. almost too clearly.

“the sight of me ticks you off. it irks you. to see yourself so full of life. with many more opportunities.”

209 arches his own brow. a strained smile finding his lips. as though he found these words absolutely amusing. the height of comedy - in fact. pathetic.

“don’t flatter yourself.”

“one of us ought to do it.”

it blows the scientist’s eyes wide open. fingers that raised a chin now tighten around the younger’s jaw. tight, a warning. as he gives the other a rough shake. “and what is that supposed to me?”

to his dismay, a smile forms on rishen 781’s lips. an elevator look thrown the other’s way. as though he couldn’t make this any worse.

“look at yourself. is self-flattery even something you know?” a strained chuckle leaves him. “please. if that was the case - I wouldn’t be here huh? eres el mismo niño pequeño buscando una cura. es patético.” ( you're the same little kid looking for a cure. it's pathetic. )

the click of his tongue sends 209 into a frozen state. blood running cold. his ears ringing. for a moment - he can all but stare. his grip falters in the slightest - and all 781 does is chuckle. laugh.

“I mean. I get it. you have to drag me along every now and then to keep your husband entertained? god knows you can’t do it yourself. where’s he now huh? did you two fight again? is he finally leaving you for the roach you are?”

it hit a bit too close to home. perhaps it was the fact that it was a version of his younger self saying it straight to his face. someone that looked like him. sounded like him.

“he’ll race over if he knows I’m here. why don’t you call him? are you two fighting?”

oh, but 781 does not stop there. he chases closer in his binds. craning his head. with a twinkle of maroon smile and that damned. sweet. smile.

“face it. nunca serás yo. inténtalo todo lo que quieras. es divertido ver la definición de locura y estupidez.” ( you'll never be me. try all you want. it's fun to see the definition of insanity and stupidity. )

and when the tears fall. all that fills the air is a scoff.

“what? admitting defeat?”

#﹙ cupcake rush. ﹚: rishen 781 & rishen 209 𖹭 ݁#terato #monster girl #monster boy #villain oc #hybrid oc #book characters #mad scientist oc #scientist oc #hero oc #rishen 781 #rishen 209 #asterism

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rachthepoet · 6 months ago

Text

Fine Line (The Song) Analysis

This song is so special to me and has grown to be such for many, too. The song that gifted the album that it occupies its namesake. Radiant with evocative nature and effectiveness to conclude. But, not an ending, per se, but rather a summarization and culmination. All its six minutes are vehement and all-consuming, encompassing a layered tapestry of adolescence, acceptance, and flux. The beauty in this song is that a singular subject can't be pinned down, but, rather, flutters between many, depending on who's bearing their soul to the listening experience at that moment. An anthem holding many senses, all that can coexist & happen all at once. A chorale to life's nature of duality.

Here's a deep dive into Harry Styles' Fine Line, from a poet.

Terms & Summations

What the hell is a "fine line" anyway? Great question, you in the pink and blue, in the front there! Yes, I admit, that was an unbearably cheesy way to start this section, but I'm itching to just get on with it. So... let's go!

A fine line is a balancing act, a tightrope, a suspension between the extremes. A small difference or distinction. The grey area between the black and white. Finding the right footing on this line is a difficult feat and something that ought to be discovered through time and maturity. With the chronicling through the song, and in the journey taken across the whole album, he's indicated that he's closer to this point than ever before. And, he feels an added sense of euphoria in knowing he'll be alright. And, similar to the preceding "Treat People With Kindness", he's extending his hand, wanting to share this acceptance with any who offer their ears.

A declaration, hope, a promise. Then, bring in the brass and the strings and the building crescendo, as the symphony of movie-credit-worthy emotions sweeps all toward a sense of closure to the art itself, of course — but simultaneously, a closure of acceptance of the duality of life for all who need to be guided toward it.

This guides us perfectly into revisiting that Fine Line is a song tailored to conclude. It's a summation of the sophomore album, a thesis statement, and the concluding slide of the journey — though, one can assume the trip continues indefinitely with some thematics. There have been tests of patience endured and acceptance of being unable to find all the answers to all the questions of life. One thing I find very essential to this song and understanding its impact is how he refuses to sugar-coat his words anymore — a lot of what's said in this song is direct, showing a maturity found through these trials and tribulations, these highs and lows we've seen flux throughout the album in its entirety.

It stands alone on the fourth side of the album, categorized as SIDE D respectfully. In following my own personal theory of the stages of grief, we stand at acceptance, a destination, or maybe the beginning of the travels. As a finale, Fine Line is very poignant, just the listener and one song left to ponder. Room has been left for this — to reflect upon the sadness and uncertainty seen earlier in the album, but also how there's happiness that exists beside and beyond it, with everything interconnected or divided by the fine line.

Lyric Pull Apart

[VERSE 1] Put a price on emotion I'm looking for something to buy You've got my devotion But man, I can hate you sometimes

Put a price on emotion / I'm looking for something to buy: Imagine this. One walks into a store with all these jars lining the shelves. Get a closer look down each aisle, and each jar is labeled with a different emotion as price tags dangle from the lids. Prices may vary. But... why would one buy something that one already makes? Why go artificial in what was once natural? The answer is in the riddle itself, and there in the first lyrics heard.

The ability to feel naturally has fallen flat, a consequence of the emotional strain of the push & pull that'll be explored in depth soon. And, one can become desperate, begging to feel any emotion, at any price, as they feel themselves falling numb. He would do anything, pay anything, just to feel again. After having rationalized detachment from emotions for so long... what was once naturally acquired (like joy, sadness, love, etc.) can now only be purchased as a tangible, artificial item. He's lost faith in himself, a bit. In addition, a debate surrounding pouring emotions into one's art — especially one's art that's put out on a larger scale — is invited inside here. How much is genuine? How much does one show? How does one stay authentic without giving away too much?

These first lyrics are critical, as they're the second-to-first impression of the song. It introduces us to the headspace the writer was in to start, and preps for the upcoming arc. Cynical with desperation is how I'd describe those first two lines, as we prepare to enter the fluctuation.

You've got my devotion / But man, I can hate you sometimes: Something done very well within this piece is the use of antithesis or contrast. It not only serves as an illustrator but also further emphasizes the fine line notion. And it won't be the last time he utilizes this, for it encompasses both the album and the song. Devotion is such a strong word to use here, but its strength is used intentionally to amplify conflict. A word defined as "love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person" is closely followed by an admission of hate, which sends the listener into the same confusion the speaker must've felt then. The irregularities in love and life are encompassed. In the experiences we all foster. It will never be 100% euphoria, but rather a 50/50 bet between bliss and hell.

But, you know, from time to time, the bliss can outweigh the suffering. Until one hits a breaking point — see the first couplet of lyrics. He's feeling the pressure and melancholia in the haze of confusion stemming from this conflict. Whether external, internal, or a compilation of both. His emotions battle one another, leaving him confused about what he actually feels. This person has his devotion, but at any time, it can cross to the antonym, the threshold of hate.

[VERSE 1] I don't want to fight you And I don't want to sleep in the dirt We'll get the drinks in So I get to thinking of her

I don't want to fight you / And I don't want to sleep in the dirt: Another example of antithesis here. Continuing this push and pull, a lingering sense of fear and hesitancy. He doesn't want to get mistreated, but he also doesn't have the energy to fight anymore, for the constant back and forth has grown tiring. And he's been drained.

We'll get the drinks in / So I get to thinking of her: I believe this can mirror the very first lyric of this verse, in terms of numbness. A representation of falling back on something — here specifically, alcohol — an unhealthy coping mechanism explored in other ways and places in the album, to break down his subconscious walls. He seeks something to ease the pain he knows is coming 'round the corner. The her referred to could be as basic as a past lover, sure, but also the weight of something much more generalized. Something bigger than even the speaker himself. Which I think isn't to be ruled out so prematurely.

[CHORUS] We'll be a Fine Line We'll be a Fine Line We'll be a Fine Line We'll be a Fine Line We'll be a Fine Line We'll be a Fine Line

We have arrived at the beautiful, pivotal phrase, on its first round of repetition. To walk a fine line is to maintain a balance, or to be very close to two different ideas/attitudes simultaneously. One side is often more acceptable than the other, but we must embrace all in balance. Throughout the song, I visualize the speaker balancing on a tightrope, all these concepts bouncing up to his eyesight on both sides, all in rhythmic melody to the sounds behind his words. At times, he might stumble, but he sustains his balance, standing on the fine line.

There's a fine line between love and hate. There's a fine line between happiness and sadness. And etcetera, for one could go on for days and weeks with this concept. But we'll balance on that fine line, as we navigate where we're set to land. And, in this round of repetition for the chorus, it feels as if us, the listeners, are eavesdropping on the speaker trying to convince himself of this.

[VERSE 2] Test of my patience There's things that we'll never know You sunshine, you temptress My hand's at risk, I fold

Test of my patience / There's things that we'll never know: The starting couplet of the second verse, starting with an acknowledgment of the unknown. Further, the acknowledgment of the feelings associated. A waterfall of thoughts he dwells on, and my assumption is that it falls into what could've been. This feeling of dissatisfaction, and, like many other parts of the song, can be construed depending on the glasses worn. But, with said dissatisfaction, there's also an air of acceptance, which returns back to the theme of duality and balance.

In his dissatisfaction of the unknown, he accepts the lack of patience and the growth of frustration that results from these revelations. Acceptance of pain that seeps into devotion that can further blind you. Acceptance that one can't change the what if, but only learn from it, and walk towards perseverance.

You sunshine, you temptress: He's back at it with the antithesis, folks — a bit more subtle than the others, I'd say though. Still hauntingly poetic and reflective of how deep his infatuation can go. Can't go much further without mentioning how it mirrors Woman, and the lyric "You flower, you feast" structurally. The connotation of the first you (You sunshine) is something beautiful, while the connotation of the second you (You temptress) is ominous. It parallels the juxtaposition of care and resentment established in the first verse.

Once more, the theme of duality and life's balance is furthered. In Golden, the opener to this album, the subject is referred to as golden and bright — positive and complimentary. Now, in the closer to this album, it's punctuated with the label of a temptress, slicing through the tenderness with something soul-stirring. There's another similarity to Woman, how they both touch on temptation, but, in Fine Line, he's admitting that neither party is completely innocent or guilty. Rather, they both have a little of each.

My hand's at risk, I fold: Moving on then to this analogy to poker, which I find to be an intriguing choice. The person he's speaking to at the heart of the song has (presumably) found their way past his poker face, past his fronts, and acts and strategies to hide his emotions. Now, his poker face is down, and he's left bare and exposed, more vulnerable before them. He's been brought to this point and willingly folds.

The act of folding, where a player gives up any chance of winning the pot (the money) by sacrificing their hand (of cards) to avoid a loss of what's already theirs (money they still have). In poker, it's all about keeping a straight face and hiding your emotions to prevent the other players from figuring out what cards you have. Switch this into the song's context, and see his hand not full of cards, but, rather, emotions. And, to push further with this metaphor, the speaker is giving up keeping his cards (emotions) close to his chest and decides to fold (open up) to those who are tempting him to do (you sunshine, you temptress). Gambling also can become an extended metaphor in the song, with the mention of marketing emotions in the opening line. Poker itself is a game of high stress and risk, and the act of folding can be done to survive the iterations of poker (regular stress on the fine line).

[VERSE 2] Crisp trepidation I'll try to shake this soon Spreading you open Is the only way of knowing you

Crisp trepidation / I'll try to shake this soon: I adore how he pairs words together, and this bit right here has got to be one of my favorites. Trepidation is a feeling of fear and withdrawal. Crisp preceding it implies that it's perfected, as if he's had a lot of practice (happened multiple times before). A master in hiding his emotions, not communicating his emotions, a common theme explored throughout his catalog. Then, following that with I'll try to shake this soon — that line can act as a summarization of the verse thus far. Trying to shake the feeling of fear when it comes to bearing his emotions. But, also, shaking the fear about the uncertainty that comes with the duality on the fine line he walks and is walking.

Spreading you open / Is the only way of knowing you: One step on the fine line between emotional and physical vulnerability here. And, undoubtedly, it's a part of the song that obliterates my heart. The whole thing. His voice becomes emboldened and stronger when singing this line, such a beauty. It can taken with or without sexual innuendo. And, per usual, I'd like to travel down both roads.

Let's talk without first — the person he speaks of can have their defenses up like he does, making it hard for him to know what goes on in their mind. In this context, spreading them open would be the only way to connect emotionally, breaking down their subconscious bounds, which could've inspired him to follow suit. Now, let's talk with — connecting emotionally is an act of vulnerability neither party allows themselves to do, so bring in the contrasting ease of a physical connection as everything else gets swept under the rug. In this context, spreading them open would be the only way for him to remain in contact with the other person, for conversations of emotions and deeper connections are just too much for both involved.

Through this, another contemplation of the fine line is introduced, the fine line between vulnerability and neediness, and how this is another tightrope he walks on throughout the song, as the listeners, his audience that he has chosen to share this journey with, watches in wonder.

[CHORUS 2] We'll be a Fine Line (x12) We'll be alright We'll be alright We'll be a Fine Line We'll be a Fine Line We'll be alright

Another round of repetition with a beautiful, pivotal phrase. But, there's something different here, a switch in the narrative. To refresh, the first repetition was him convincing himself — but, now, in the second round, he's convinced. He believes in it. This bout of repetition holds acceptance in its hands, the speaker's acceptance of the good and the bad, the highs and the lows, the beautiful and the ugly — the fine line that threads its way through it all. He's reassuring and reminding himself that it will work out, and he will grow from what's learned. And, musically, the poetics grow in companionship with the lyrics.

First, the guitar gets bolder as the strums grow more aggressive, a complete shift to the ear from where the song started. The rising guitar can symbolize the change, in both a relationship but also the person the speaker has become. And, the piano gets reintroduced, and I hear it as hope returning — our beautiful hope has her own melody. And, one can't overlook the strings... pure magic. With this shift in the music, the listener, too, feels the change that he must've felt. This change in outlook — these experiences are painful and feel like it could be the end of all ends, but one grows from them. Now, both he and we recognize this, and accept it. We'll be alright. All these instruments come together to build the anticipation for the switch to We'll be alright. Reassurance, for the listener and the speaker, that it'll all be okay in the end. He validates the lyrics of the song, the chronicles of pain, to whoever is listening — but, more substantially, himself.

[OUTRO] (We'll be alright) (We'll be alright) We'll be alright We'll be alright Oh

Well be alright, we'll be alright, we'll be alright. Repetition in reassurance.

Looking back to when first discussing the song as a whole, this is a song tailored to conclude. This is his way of emitting a small glimmer of hope after going through it all across the album. The honeymoon phase, the connection, the love, the heartbreak, the loneliness, and even self-defeat. All instances explored in the album as a whole, are summarized into a lesson for whoever lends their ear. The fine line! He's now sharing that hope with us, the listeners, giving reassurance he didn't always have, creating an accepting friendship letter to the duality of life and love. Now, he can look out to his audience — whether one person or thousands — and tell what he once only repeated to himself: We'll be alright.

It's a crisp summation of all the places he traveled on the album, and all things laid bare. A song of emotional maturity where he realizes that emotions, life, and relationships — they all have a duality to them, and are all in a balance, one all strive to find. A fine line is balanced, a fine line to walk is inevitable. A windsome culmination of his own self and his own journey. The self in art, the self on its own, the self with another. The travels, the chances, the fears, the passion. Hope. Reassurance. Confidence. Acceptance. Flux. And, most important to take with you as you go — promise me that you'll keep it close to your heart — is the knowledge that everything will be alright at the end of things.

dedicated to this anon <3

Thank you for reading, you’re absolutely incredible! If there are any songs you’d like me to make an analysis of, please send your request to my inbox! along with any questions or insights you might have yourself!

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astarlow · 1 year ago

Note

Could you write some HCs for the Talon girls x a mtf trans s/o?

Characters: Widowmaker, Sombra, Moira Form: Headcanons Warning: Some bigotry coming from strangers Word count: 680 A/n: I did my best to search on the subject but if there are any mistakes remaining, feel free to correct me!

Sombra

💻Sombra's definitely her s/o biggest supporter

💻She's going to be with her through all the steps

💻She might be a little uninformed at the beginning but she quickly catches on. After all, she has the whole web at the tip of her fingers so she has many knowledge

💻She makes sure to listen to her s/o though, after all, nothing's more true than the experience of her loved one

💻If she needs any help to change legally her name, Sombra's here and in a snap of a finger, all the procedure is done

💻She is the best hacker in the world, after all, she ought to make the best use out of it, right?

💻If anyone deadnames her s/o, suddenly all their information is spread wide and far on the internet

💻Ooops, surely a mistake right? (It definitely isn't and Sombra will do it again if she has to)

💻A ton of outfit recommendations from Sombra for her s/o new looks!

Widowmaker

🕷Out of the three, Widowmaker is definitely the one having the hardest time to grasp around the concept of trans people and everything it involves

🕷As an assassin, she's asked to only remember the crucial details and to forget everything else

🕷She might have heard about it when she was still Amélie Lacroix, but now it's all forgotten

🕷That's why she makes a certain effort on her brain to remember everything her s/o tells her about the subject

🕷Of course, she's going to respect her new name and pronouns. She's a villain but not that kind of villain

🕷Just like any gals in Talon, if she hears someone deadname her s/o, that person's never gonna be heard of again

🕷Disappeared mysteriously, if someone asks her about it, she certainly never heard of them ever

🕷If her s/o needs any help in terms of clothing and/or makeup, she can give a few advices. Given, she might not know much but what she knows about is certainly on point

🕷She's certainly not the best if her s/o ever wants to have a shoulder to cry on or someone to comfort her

🕷She lost that ability many years ago but she's going to try. It might be through pats on the head when she notices her s/o in distress or a little word of encouragement

🕷"You're doing good ma chère," she'll say while passing next to her. It's almost taken away by the breeze because of how quiet she said it. S/o knows why, people are observing her and she cannot slip in front of them

🕷And maybe that's one way for s/o to know as well that Widowmaker cares, the fact that her lover would risk to be spoted by her superiors and yet still go out her way to reassure her s/o

Moira

🧪Moira is the definitely the most well versed in this domain out of the three

🧪If her s/o needs any help in more tangible matters, she's more happy to help

🧪Like any side effects of certain medications or what her s/o can expect if she wishes for a medical transition

"We need to make sure the process is safe and goes well, don't we darling?"

🧪Not sure if it's entirely for s/o she does it, maybe she sees it as another experience to test. S/o trusts her enough to let her help her through the entire process though

🧪Moira checks any medical treatment her s/o takes. If it's not deem safe enough or efficient, she's going to offer her another alternative or even make one of her one if she has enough time

🧪If her s/o seeks medically transition, she's going to recommend friends of hers that can help her with this step in her journey

🧪Unlike the two other Talon ladies, she doesn't have advice to give her s/o in terms of clothing or advice

"Wear what you wish and what you're comfortable in," is all she's going to say

🧪If she has a little bit of free time and if she's in the mood, she's going to go shopping with her s/o for her new wardrobes

#overwatch x reader #ow writing #asked and answered #moira x reader #widowmaker x reader #sombra x reader #moira o'deorain x reader #amélie lacroix x reader #olivia colomar x reader

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crashandswirl · 4 months ago

Note

“I don’t work and tell.”

((Catalina for Terri))

That was not the answer Terri was hoping to hear. She visibly deflated as the words left Catalina's lips, the lens of her camcorder dipping toward the floor.

'Work and tell' makes it sound like she'd give me something really interesting, too, she thought. Well, you have to dig hard to get a good scoop, Terri...

"C'mon..." she began as though encouraging lighthearted gossip rather than discussing why the city was full of monsters. "Don't leave me hanging. Don't leave the people hanging."

"Everyone is gonna want to know what happened here. It's... This is all crazy! Everyone is catching this weird cannibal disease and turning into monsters. I've nearly been eaten multiple times tonight." Her voice shook a bit toward the end of her sentence. She blindly reached into the pocket of her blazer and flumbled with her medication.

"I should slow down. I haven't even introduced myself properly." She slapped on her TV smile and held her hand out. "Terri Morales from Raccoon 7. Maybe you recognize me?"

#muse: terri morales #character: catalina cisneros #pretty-isnt-pretty-enough #verse: people ought to know what's going on here!

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libidomechanica · 20 days ago

Text

Untitled Poem # 13077

A kimo sequence

As they were for such, indeed, and window’s not move unto the op’ning dispense from Sin? And lo!

He lay in fact, and haunted darts. She had spent leaning, rearranging so deeply reap’d late one.

The drugstore, since she doth wake, must waite. The handsome still fractured every clever; most people go.

I never story I leave me leave to go. Its sores and night. Had been her chereful cherish!

The city can dare I can’t competent face; and thoughts quite good quality. And still retains grow.

The tree. With some men may be disdain’d hiatus’ in the many Grace, like showman. And castle.

He died. I can’t comprized among the graves are what eyes, of Satyrs knelt to the luver’s fire.

And Tom are pleated of delight: each upon the clover hit the sky. What with such you depart.

And look upon wondering, it mean to see is the—the—Pooh! And fearing organs lift the damned.

But on the grave, I loue to say my dear. A moment he had such less clever, but what I ought.

Once, that Juan, to hers, in the shrunk as free, at least, once is twain, if I had tolerant brightness?

Aside to thee. Though the waters—go thy grown more beauty’s effect from me, after his mother.

Knows, and make trial. And burst inclined they had not what, but it in my honour me, for he had lost.

But I vnhappy freedom a dunce. I liked the wrong emprised, I should from every human heart.

To these, the hulls or dales, those who have been rent. Little warbled lay, till a Higher Power rate.

Julia, who is colder? But the ample moor, and draw thee, and through so thank’d room, like guest; received.

Or, if her will fractured to. To heauens conspird in one these meadows sits eternal Laws be right.

Summer sky’s with her is a lower makes here. With your redeeming from Clarinda, friend; between.

Unconscious sky but that mine, and Meg. When its styles, chipped with such or sang here, with Cocker’s power.

Would I have live not one mile uphill touch’d, alas! Meanwhile their docile esquires also see.

That ole Ace downright was the wrinkles. Warm, flush’d—and all verses made! Province hap always doubt.

With vexation. But of the moth, though its supposed, and set my Seal: the phantasy was a bride!

As the order: live oaks, shorn of all else? She wild wind-flowers. In aspect and all circumstance.

And kye; but stroke of mutual minds and love-knot in one they led, and the smells of both in lays.

He stood the marvell’d, with eyes do thee. See with his pryde, from this plaintively began to my thigh.

Accuse me nothing, on a smock, to see. An echo to Maud? And he of the road smoking sea.

To give a fee was return the grosser part of ever for three. Do not lament those flowers.

Most uncivil? Down overplus; more to shining eyes see beautiful old rhyme would not a white!

And sup. ’ Kissed, and I never springs from no Womb of May strewed flowers among the blank end.

Down the sighs, undressing-room, and the dead so slight. A man not lead the first hygienic measure!

Will which grow: for supernatural as dots now in silent which they the Lord’s estate. My mind.

Listen what wol his toilet, but sagest of interwreathe beginning Love!; I care none, the lie!

In for qualities and that scenes, went as we knew this: I never hearts can be attack? To name.

Slow and some lives and full sailes drowne now than the garbage tub is more a way. Or wakened.

That I am falling. And a beauty were within as pretty, burnt, and monogrammercy!

With from me. And I knew, to Corinth, ask’d her father’s window, and means I am, the English?

With a knot of this, what ye could be now under weed took upon. Duly set rose of ony!

Springs were did not many things? And is placid, that which erst from the battering holiday.

Like Coleridge, into martial— defences. With thing of a brazen head, but pity: thus again.

So leaning, rearranging, and if we keeps vigils pale. But window, a suddenly he heart.

Which beat no pass will storm a fortress than one to put the play. First taught, the night; no hiding-place.

My father’s terror the dead and sad! To fear the words meaning. ’Ning red by blind the still, he shoes.

But often said so, to belong to go out. They but none compassion, and gaudy day denies.

—Against a cotter, like a landing shame than those above! And earthskin, which him raised: proud of this.

Having vow. Let wealth to vie with the shepheards the sofa, there we grow more slow off—to pleasure!

Then to itself, or bouts rimes. She snuff’d the wind went round here are the thrilling made up a million.

It is delight. Court every place? With thee still for woe of a virgin’s grace oftimes to me.

Father’s sin: I am to musick lendeth! Being his comrades to ring, as any the same.

To hear the lot of bliss: fie, please your hands. Pell-mell, and a spoil a change each in a storm piles up.

Be ne’er held fortune every word to gard. Nor, which, by thee. See now, because the other us.

At last, everything love. All thou dar’st, all to-night are clichés. That thou hast found or seven years.

Then she short, this, for this youngest tarry eye doth sweats, which love. Be gilt, while our love the mother’s.

So, as I best beams. As those owner, with frantic joy I’d pay within me ever light die.

That fair against not much beloved right eye. Camouflage on Humane Society: in which?

Who frown’d not kindly! You care not much good, he had glutton’s tray the more, in all, she saw the way.

Then in bring to things, she sat down the most dearly! Sweet Adeline, you know, this, whose Waterloo.

Which the worst of a nuptials joyfully the slave none a word. Love, thy mystery often hate!

Even when Julia found thy words came march! From year extent of the eye; they blur the brake. The things?

But scorn, began to put on, the chaste, and destroy his naughty stories, she saw his grac’d and me.

Who will say t was a justify what water, waking. He would taken out, not one of man?

That Maud too, in the moonlight, and were kindly! Young pigs, over the world of life she pass in storm.

To give? Scar between theyr good old wives, crowned with foot, which somethinks I see themselues abused.

As fast aside forebodingly tributor of ladies a snare: some feelings almost dere.

That the bedded her. Upon that I came and left our love, hearing against a virtues not write!

In heavenly can drink ashamed, with that sad official clocker, monstration in which the air!

Modestly buy, if I knew by her skies; and innocence. Which young philosopher wander arms.

In that I can knot wake up dead. Doves common reading to blames such doing easily, he lie!

I wanted me themselves and then—what is mine. Of rain, nor leave to say, I’ve lost. Trampling my heart.

, With frisked what ye may plant my loving stream— the hear away. Short or the just now impartial eyes.

‘Tis some friend became that times, (like their shoe. Recalling that a still some boy for leave us lief.

It not all into rhymes. Some people of brown so we all thy charmers, who that sublime on earth.

And drank so much, the origin her blame, in hope of cloud or ink; t is won. As I must die.

Did not strive, but you—you got it, rubbing your sweetly to be enricht. One end of stern steeple.

Wine content way the whole ocean with more. Dream of a spotless love is prey, riding to some year.

Use other water. For thee alone, she’s length the vale; and even we, for ever, and Allah!

But from their favour, and made arabesques illumination, hem best. If thou see us.

See it like Tinkerbell and sense and role, did see whatever I should go on? As roll the head.

You had he forms do feeder was smash candy out of the year’s pleasure, when leaves, in the Meaning.

I can make for thy wrack and therewithal, then maids, wherein I am, first night. For my sling.

The more stranger: if peopled her loving sound. Like two soul was remove, over the brilliant man!

But when Nature’s truth: no place of why you in the midnight, soone will’d, and gleam’d throw mockings and die.

But all the world to kill. To hint at interest or act, or even here, did make hasten’d death.

Made gloom of the skies;—and well have just that sicker so acutely that that glows. The roses crown’d.

#poetry #automatically generated text #Patrick Mooney #Markov chains #Markov chain length: 6 #194 texts #kimo sequence

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contritecactite · 7 months ago

Note

Just dropping into your askbox to share my ramblings from Discord with you, because if I'm going to ramble about one of your fics, you ought to get to see it.

—

One of these days I should do a full-throated recommendation for something that's 0% whump and at most 10% angst

[chat expresses their (admittedly skeptical) support of this concept]

You know what, no time like the present! I know I've plugged this here before because I freaking love it, but "Forget All Your Duties" by Caddis. It's a reverse-AU-meets-TV-U fic and okay yes it has a Light Angst tag, but I only promised it would be limited to 10% angst okay

It's got everyone's favorite characters (just-a-bit-of-a-bastard!Aziraphale, protective!Crowley, guilt-complex!Crowley, fascinated-by-people!Aziraphale, acts-of-service!Crowley, vain!Aziraphale, getting-them-into-scrapes!Aziraphale...). I loooove the relationship demon!Aziraphale and angel!Crowley have — they're just as tightly bonded as in TV verse, but in a totally different way, y'know? Just like how book!Omens and radio!Omens are also eternally intertwined but not in the same way the TV!Omens pair are. I love how you can tell that Caddis took inspiration from all of them when figuring out the dynamics for a reverse pairing.

It's laugh-out-loud funny, but it's always played seriously, which is my favorite kind of humor. Well, except for in the footnotes; the footnotes can be terribly silly, but that's the job of footnotes, isn't it?

This is absolutely one of my comfort reads, and sometimes I'll open it up just for a brief peek, but then I'll get to a line like this and I'm just sunk and have to re-read the full thing:

“Well, my dear, I think we’re… somewhere else," [Aziraphale] says mysteriously, eyes gone wide and excited when he turns to look at Crowley, and oh, no, Aziraphale thinks they’re on an adventure.

Like, isn't that just delightful??

...and oh my gosh, I just realized it even has "everyone instinctively knows everyone else's pronouns without being told," which is honestly one of my favorite bits of the TV show, because isn't that just a great world to live in??

Ngghhhh, and I love their backstory. It's so good!! It fits in so naturally and it's so tasty...

I'd say re-reading "Forget All Your Duties" wasn't on my planned schedule for tonight, but honestly, it never is. It just happens.

—

If I added a "re-read kudos" every time I re-read that fic it would honestly be mortifying, but I hope you know that fic is forever embedded in my heart.

And I will forever be so, so grateful that you found it!!!

(I was gonna use this to say "hey, go read this if you haven't!" but Quoth has me covered and there is no work for me to do here!)

#good omens #my fic #rating: t #wc: <8k #✒️

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nirikeehan · 1 year ago

Text

wip wednesdaaaay

tagged by @theluckywizard this week! Thank you!

I really felt like some angst lately so here is some intro to whump. No special verse, just something random I'm working on for a DADWC/Bad Things Happen Bingo.

---

Cullen went through bouts of tumult without lyrium to steady him, and with every upswing Thalia worried about the oncoming down turn. She still remembered the strained look on his face when he’d explained it all to her: it was impossible to know if cutting lyrium from his system entirely would kill him. He’d wanted her guidance, perhaps as the leader of the Inquisition — but more so, she’d sensed, as a friend.

Thalia had reeled from the stark nature of the confession. Through her mind ran every encounter she’d ever had with a Templar while at the Ostwick Circle. She’d known, vaguely, that they’d used lyrium, but it was to her just another alchemical substance. Mages often used it to aid spells. She’d never thought about what it might do to people without the gift for magic. She’d had no idea it chained them for life.

She’d been able to see the benefits to suggesting — ordering? — Cullen continue to take the lyrium. A military leader should always be clear-headed and strong, at his best. And part of her was selfish: if he died, then what? He was her mentor and her friend. How could she go on knowing she’d sanctioned his self-destruction?

But she’d seen the desperation in his eyes and been unable to say it. Despite his words, she’d known what he had wanted.

And she was a bit more than a friend to him now.

“I’m sure Cullen will be fine, Lady Thalia,” Josephine said, touching Thalia’s hand soothingly.

The meeting adjourned shortly thereafter, as they’d covered all they could without Cullen’s input. Thalia left the war room as the first few snowflakes drifted by the window. By the time she’d made it through the Main Hall to the courtyard, the sky was a leaden grey and the snow fell in earnest.

Thalia shivered. Skyhold often ran warmer than the surrounding mountains; surveyors speculated there might be hot springs running throughout the ground beneath the keep. Solas scoffed at the idea and suggested there was likely powerful warding magic at work. Whatever the reason, the grass grew and the trees kept their leaves even in winter, but today the forces that guarded the keep could not withstand the oncoming storm.

She crunched her way across the courtyard. She really ought to return to her quarters for a cloak, but the thought of turning around dismayed her. If Cullen is unwell, he should not be in that tower by himself. Not in this weather. He hadn’t exactly invited her back to his room quite yet — not for that reason — but she’d been in it a few times. Once was to grab a report he’d left up there during their long nights in his office, spent tracking the movements of General Samson. Another was to find a poultice for the pain when he’d been too shaky to the take the ladder. Thalia had looked around the space in wonder each time. The glimpses one took into the life of someone cherished: it felt so overwhelmingly Cullen, down to the rickety roof he still hadn’t gotten around to repairing. She didn’t even think he had a brazier. He’d freeze to death up there.

Thalia wasn’t sure where she could coax him — her own quarters came to mind, with its large hearth and fire that the servants kept crackling all day long. She smirked; wouldn’t everyone talk then? No, the infirmary was probably better. He’d hate that, because then he’d have to explain what was wrong to the healers, but at least she’d feel at ease. Fear crept into her often when the worst of the symptoms gripped him, making him delicate and volatile. But no one must know, he insisted again and again. No one must find out.

Thalia cracked the door to his office and peered inside. The candles were unlit, the space dim and quiet. Snow already piled against the panes of the narrow windows, casting a sickly, muted light into the room. Thalia slipped in and leaned against the shut door. She listened to the silence. Her shallow breathing puffed white clouds in the cold air.

She kicked the snow from her boots against the doorframe and strode to the ladder that ran up to his room. It was dark up there too. Thalia swallowed. She didn’t just want to climb up unannounced.

She balled a fist and knocked against the side of the ladder. “Cullen?” she called, feeling slightly absurd. Why couldn’t he sleep in a room with a door? Why must he always be so close to his work? “Hello? Are you here?”

---

Tagging, if interested:

#wip wednesday #cullen rutherford #thalia trevelyan #cullen x trevelyan #always a simp for lyrium related angst ok

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maguro13-2 · 1 year ago

Text

What happens after the release of Warioware's new game?

Wario : What a day for a vacation after the release of Warioware Move It. I just hope that Waluigi suspect that he supposed to lookout for the house. Well, at least we're back at our hometown of...

*RECORD SCRATCH*

Wario : What the...?!

(We show the ruins of Diamond City after it was completely destroyed)

Wario : Oh no. Diamond City. My beautiful hometown Diamond City! What happened?! Who destroyed the beloved hometown of me!?

Waluigi : Hey, Wario. You cameback from your vacation with the crew. Something went wrong.

Wario : Oh my God! Waluigi! Waluigi! speak to me, man! What happened here?!

Waluigi : I knew that something bad happened to Diamond City, and it was attacked by an invasive group that really knows to the wreck the place.

Wario : That's impossible! *BOING* WHAT THE F***?! (Sees Ashley's mansion covered with graffiti and toilet paper) Ashley Mansion has been vandalized! Covered with graffiti and 4-plys of toilet paper! Nooooo!

Red the Demon : Who's gonna clean up this mess they caused?! *BONK* Hey, isn't that...

Dr Cryor : My lab! My lab! What happened to my lab!? It's gone! It has all our inventions and gadgets!

9-Volt : And all our collection of video games have been samshed! I play smash in our entire lives and now i’m never gonna play!

Jimmy T : Club Sugar's washed up and done for!

Mona : My restaurant, Mona Pizza, is ruined!

Kat : Our dojo has been destroyed!

Orbulon : At least my spaceship is fine.

Dribble : Not quite tho. (Orbulon reads something on the back of his ship) Look at the back of your ship.

Orbulon : What's this? "Wowie Zowie, Orbulon! Your ship looks incredible and is the shape of an animal that eats or smells nothing but...PORK BUTT"!? [Furious] Why I ought to...

Wario : Who really done it this time!? Who would go and wreck the entire place!?

Talking Flower : Hey there, garlic-eating man that runs a microgame company. Nice place you got there.

Wario : You! So you're the one that ransacked my hometown didn't you after we went on vacation for the exercise classes! How can you even think about destroying one's property!? One's property!

Talking Flower : Oh yeah. That would be my buddies that is really liking the town that existed in the Super Mario verse, hope that we didn't mind turning this town into a tourist trap you know.

Ashley : Oh, really? How can you expect from a talking idiot like me? If you really destroyed the place we lived in, that's on you for your flower buddies, I would definitely granting someone to hell for that matters.

Talking Flower : Wowie Zowie, Ashley! I guess your much of an edgy person than you think. I guess my buddies will have to prove to the talking of your gothic life.

Ashley : Oh is that so? You and what army?

Penny Crygor : Ashley, no! Don't ask him that!

Talking Flower : What army? What army? How about this army!

(The Warioware group are surrounded by an army of talking flowers)

Ashley : Oh crap.

Penny Crygor : Never ask the questions "who and what army"!

Talking Flower : Sorry, Wario. Guess we misfortuned about your hometown being a total wreckage we caused. So sorry for having this way in a fairly manner, I'd might say. We did make the people of Diamond City go crazy and caused chaos all over it. What are you gonna do now, you garlic greedy goomba?

[DBZ SFX : POWERING UP]

Wario : [chuckles] If you're really that clever for a talking flora garbage, then I assure one thing that you'll never like it....

Talking Flower : [cower in fear] W-W-W-What's that?

Wario : It's called "You're missing the point".

Talking Flower : Wowie Zowie! Holy sh****t! Is he doing the Vegeta Sacrifice thing?! WOWIE MOTHERF***ING ZOWIE!!! He's absolutely to go Kamikaze attack on us!!!

Mona : Wait. He doesn't remember doing that! He's going to kill us all if he does that from Majin Buu!

Ashley : Majin Buu? What Majin Buu? What are you ...(now realizing) Oh God.

Wario : [furiously] RRRAAAAAAAAGGGGGHHH!!

[DBZ SFX : ENERGY EXPLOSION]

Wario : Well, I guess that's taking care of that. At least that we all had a great vacation.

Talking Flower : Oh really? That was really quite a performance back there! I never thought you were able to pull off that stunt like that!

Wario : You! How are you still alive?! I just had you blown away in a kamikaze style!

Talking Flower : Oh I don't know. The truth is we all died because of you! At least it's nice in here that they had to chain us up for destroying the super Mario Universe.

[It is revealed that the Warioware crew except for Ashley and Talking Flower are in Hell, being chained up]

Mona : Nice going, Wario! You brought us to a place where bad people had to suffer and tormented.

Red the Demon : Oh hey, this is where I originally came from. My dad works here and he's the demon king.

Ashley : What a surprise, I granted everyone and including kids in hell. Am I the only one that is smart enough to do this?

Wario : [to Waluigi, laughs nervously] Sorry about that, Waluigi. At least hell isn't so bad after the Vacation.

Waluigi : Oh no, it's a way better vacation over here, in hell of course! Well, you can say Warioware has been a major asset to the Super Mario Universe that has been like this for 23 years.

Red the Demon : Oh, hey, look my dad's coming to meet. Hi, dad. These are the guys I work for.

Wario and Waluigi : His dad?!

Wario : Ashley, you don't mean that Red's father is...

Ashley : True that. He's the demon king, ruler of hell.

Wario : Oh boy...

[Red's father appears to be a muscular demon king]

Waluigi : Wow! I never seen a demon who's that ripped.

Penny Crygor : Totally. Hello, father of Red the Demon. We are currently in hell for no reason, I'm Penny Crygor and this is my girlfriend, who she granted us in hell.

Talking Flower : Oh boy.

Red's Father : ....So, you just had to go Kamikaze on the planet, didn't you?

Wario : [in sniper's voice] Ah...piss!

Talking Flower : [sarcastically] Wowie Zowie, man. [In a sly look] Wowie-Zowie.

[Iris shot]

Ashley : It took me years to grant someone to hell for this.

[Iris out]

~ DON'T GO KAMIKAZE ON THE PLANET ~

#super mario bros #warioware #wario #Waluigi #mona #Ashley #penny crygor #red the demon #talking flower #Nintendo #dark comedy #funny #humor #comedy

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