#views: 4329

[merelygifted]

Hubble telescope captures the making of a 'cosmic monster' (photo) | Space

The massive cluster of galaxies lies about 8 billion light-years from Earth

The Hubble Space Telescope captured a massive cluster of galaxies, called eMACS J1353.7+4329, located about eight billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici. (Image credit: ESA/Hubble & NASA, H. Ebeling)

A "cosmic monster" is growing in a distant corner of the universe, and we just got a look at it.

The Hubble Space Telescope captured a stunning new view of a massive galaxy cluster called eMACS J1353.7+4329. This cluster lies about eight billion light-years from Earth in the constellation Canes Venatici. (For perspective, the farthest object ever observed lies 13.5 billion light-years from Earth.)

This galaxy cluster is "a monster in the making," consisting of at least two elliptical galaxy clusters in the process of merging together, according to a statement from the European Space Agency. (Hubble is a joint mission of NASA and ESA.)  ...

[lucdewaele]

Real diary (4329)

Models

[masterofd1saster]

CJ current events 22aug24

Bari Weiss notes

***

How's that progressivism working out?

This is the teaser for Sunday's Denver Post:

***

BERLIN — A German court on Tuesday rejected the appeal of a 99-year-old former secretary at the Stutthof concentration camp who had been convicted of being an accessory to the murder of more than 10,000 people during World War II. “(The defendant) not only physically helped the camp commandant and his adjutants, with whom she worked together in a spirit of trust,” the court ruled. “Through her integration into the camp operation as a reliable and obedient subordinate, she also supported them psychologically.” The former secretary, Irmgard Furchner, was initially convicted by a German court in 2022 for her role in the murder of 10,505 people at the Stutthof camp, in what is now Poland, making her one of the last living Germans to be tried for Nazi crimes. German media have framed the trial as possibly the last verdict against participants in the Nazi death machine, as most of those involved have died or are unfit to stand trial due to their advanced age.***

***

Bari again

Michael Jackson died more or less the same way.

***

Graphic depiction of Supreme Court reform

***

Holocaust denier in trouble

DC Council member Trayon White Sr.***

was caught on video receiving thousands in kickbacks from a business owner seeking help to renew his two companies’ violence-interruption contracts with the D.C. government, according to prosecutors.*** The two contracts the unnamed business owner had with the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement and Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services were valued at $5.2 million. The agreed upon payments to White represented about 3% of the total contract value, prosecutors said. White was released from custody and forced to surrender his passport. His next court date is Sept. 19.***

For White's lunatic views of the Holocaust, check out https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-lawmaker-who-said-jews-control-the-weather-visits-holocaust-museum/2018/04/19/0b69ddde-4329-11e8-8569-26fda6b404c7_story.html

***

[the-final-straw-blog]

Xinachtli Speaks From A Texas Dungeon

This week, we’re sharing an interview with Xinachtli, an anarcho-communist Chicano political prisoner held in the McConnell Unit of the Texas prison system. Xinachtli, whose name is Nahuatl for “seed” is also known by his state name of Alvaro Luna Hernandez. Xinachtli spoke to us recently about his views on the white supremacist, colonial system of the so-called USA, the legacy of genocide of indigenous peoples in the southwest of Turtle Island, his jailhouse lawyering and his upcoming parole bid.

From our prior interview intro:

Xinachtli is serving a 50 year sentence since 1996 in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for aggravated assault on a Sheriff in Alpine, Texas. The Sheriff was serving a warrant for Xinachtli’s re-arreast at Xinachtli’s home. When questioned on the nature of the warrant, the Sheriff pulled a gun and Xinachtli was able to disarm him and make an escape without harming the Sheriff significantly.

After a few days of man-hunt, his mothers house was surrounded by numerous local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and the house was beseiged. It was only a 9-1-1 call from Xinacthli made stating that he was not being allowed to surrender that caused the troops to stand down and he allowed himself to be taken into state custody.

The grounds for the arrest warrant have since been overturned, but based on the post-facto word of the Sheriff that Xinachtli had pointed the gun at him, Xinachtli was sentenced to 50 years. He’s been determined to be a political prisoner based on his participation in multiple cases against abuse by prison officials and police, his jailhouse lawyering, advocacy for Latinx and other marginalized people in Texas and his political stance that the US and state governments occupying the Southwest of Turtle Island is a racist and illegitimate regime.

Xinachtli links:

Website: FreeAlvaro.Net

Xinachtli speaking about his life and case up to roughly 2010

A few notes from Xinacthli's Support Team:

Xinachtli’s support team is undergoing a transition and expansion, atm, which is why the ways to donate aren’t more formal.

Per Xinachtli’s request, donations would go to: fundraising materials, commissary, potential podcast (if the institution approves), movement building, some core team needs, jailhouse lawyer work, and for post-release support if he gets out.

If you want to donate a larger amount or have any questions prior to donating, please contact:-2024xinachtlifreedomcampaign ( at) gmail.com (preferred) or via +1  (773) 688-4329

When donating PLEASE write as a message: “X”, “Xinachtli” or an emoji that has some type of “X” in it.

Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/martiresmcneil

Paypal: preciado.christopher@gmail.com (paypal.me/merziado)

CashApp: https://cash.app/$varlam

Zelle: x363823@gmail.com ; 210.780.9996

. ... . ..

Featured Track:

Part III (AKA Light) Alternative Take by Duke Ellington and Mahalia Jackson from Black, Brown and Beige

Check out this episode!

[shawn7xu]

在路上4329.昆明忠义坊

正月十五还未到又来了昆明，在顺城饭后独自闲逛一圈，感受下这里的年味。 忠爱坊前的红灯笼让气氛喜气洋洋，这场景让人感觉似曾相识，仿���多年前也曾在此时此地。 南强街巷热闹非凡，想来放假到十五的人不在少数，不禁有些失落。

[industryreportsqr]

Global Silicon Powder Market ,Size, Market Segmentation and Future Forecasts to 2029

Overview

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Key Drivers

The report includes the key driving forces prevailing in the global Global Silicon Powder Market. This part of the report has been studied keeping in mind the political, economic, social, technological, geographical, and cultural scenario of the global Global Silicon Powder Market. These factors can be projected to have their effects on the market, or they can have interconnected impacts. Besides, subtle change in the timeframe within which these factors are functioning might have ripple effects on the global Global Silicon Powder Market.

Read More Here: https://absolutemarketresearch.com/Global-Silicon-Powder-Market/4329/overview

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Global Global Silicon Powder Market has been segmented into Europe, the Americas, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. This part of the report provides an exhaustive view of the regional scope existing in the global Global Silicon Powder Market.The recent market trends and preferences dominating each region have a direct impact on the industries. The report tries to exploit the recent trends and preferences prevailing in a region to provide the users with a clear picture of the business potential existing in that region.

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The primary research procedure is based on results of face-to-face interviews with industry experts and consumers. The secondary research process includes an intricate study of the scholarly journals and reports available online.

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The report has presented a synopsis of the market players leading the global Global Silicon Powder Market. Porter’s five forces model has been used here to analyze the performance of each key player under different parameters.

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Absolute Market Research, headquartered in Los Angeles, California, United States, is one of the leading market research and intelligence solutions provider companies. Our research reports span across different industries namely automotive, aerospace & defense, chemicals & materials, construction & building materials, energy & power, healthcare, consumer goods, electronics, semiconductors, ICT & media, travel, and more.

With the help of our domain-expert research analysts, we offer thorough analysis & insights into various industrial sectors. Absolute Market Research holds a dynamic position in the market research industry to offer reliable insights to our clients and help them in staying ahead of the competition. Absolute Market Research takes into consideration various aspects of any industry while drafting the syndicate as well as customized study. Our research team will help you in analyzing any industry from 360-degree covering different aspects such as market entry strategies, futuristic opportunities, technological innovation, strategic moves, existing & new market entrants, their business performance, product portfolio, SWOT analysis, and more.

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[gaetaniu]

Mostri galattici in divenire

Il telescopio spaziale Hubble della NASA/ESA ha catturato un mostro in divenire in questa osservazione dell’eccezionale ammasso di galassie eMACS J1353.7+4329, che si trova a circa otto miliardi di anni luce dalla Terra nella costellazione dei Cani da caccia. Questo grande ammasso insieme ad almeno due altri ammassi di galassie è in procinto di fondersi insieme per creare un enorme mostro…

[immobilier]

A LOUER UN DEPOT - AOUINA - TEL 53672333 - FB.4329

Loyer : 800 DTSuperficie : 60 m²Type : DépôtAdresse : AouinaContacter notre conseiller en immobilier au 53672333 / 52026677 / 70727279A louer un dépôt propre de 60 m² a l’aouina qui dépend un porte électrique et une salle d’eau.NB. Activité seulement pour le stockage .Agence Immobilière ARI

[yourdeepestfathoms]

Swallow The Moon

(Read Katherine as Jodie!Katherine)

Remember back to when Aimie, Millie, and Maiya left SIX and everyone was writing fics about them disappearing and then being reincarnated again in their new bodies? Well, this is like an AU where instead of Sophie!Kat coming back after Aimie!Kat disappears, it’s Jodie!Kat. And yes, this is still West End, so everyone else is the same, aside from Courtney!Anne and whatever the new Cathy’s name is! Although they never make an appearance in this. But yeah!

Word count: 4329

——————

Past Katherine would never ever in a billion years turn up on her “rival’s” doorstep with a platter of brownies. Past Katherine would have downright refused to go, and if she was forced to, she would have made sure the brownies were made with an entire carton of salt and spoiled milk and expired eggs. Past Katherine would have dressed the front door with glitter that would never wash out, just to attract even more unwanted attention to the one who always tried to steal her mother away.

But Present Katherine didn’t want to do any of those things. In fact, she was a little repulsed that she ever thought about trying to give a lonely girl food poisoning.

It’s strange, she thinks, that all it took to change her morals was temporary death. Ever since her second reincarnation, she felt different. She looks different, too, now in the body of an adult (and very muscular, mind you) version of herself. She swore she was even older than Jane; it appeared to be the body she never got to live in. And, with it came a really, REALLY matured brain. She realized she didn’t even need Jane anymore, she attended therapy on her own, she wasn’t that afraid of men anymore because she knew her rock-like fists could knock their teeth in if they tried anything (don’t quote her on that—she was just hoping they were as strong as they looked). And she no longer thought about wanting to tear down the musical’s music director just for kicks and giggles. Guilt was left in the absence of the devilish mischief.

And so, that’s why she was on the doorstep of her ex-rival (God did she really consider this girl her rival? How terrible was she?). In a rainstorm. Holding a platter of brownies. She told the universe that the storm really didn’t help, but, honestly, it was kind of what she deserved.

Katherine perked up when she heard the lock click. The door soon opened, Joan took one look at her, then slammed it shut in her face.

Well. She kinda deserved that, too.

“Joan!” Katherine called desperately.

“Go away!” Joan shouted.

“Please, I just want to talk!”

The door flew open midknock and Katherine nearly rapped on Joan’s nose.

Before her stood an irritated, although quite small music director. Has Joan always been that short? And scrawny? Or was it just because Katherine was just now so much more muscular and tall and-

Joan growled, as if she could hear Katherine’s ego inflating and nitpicking her own body.

“I wanna talk.” Katherine said again. “Please?”

Joan looked her up and down.

“You can frisk me if you’d like.”

Joan wrinkled her nose and made a disgusted face. She shook her head, muttered something about something else being ‘just great’, then turned around and stomped into the apartment. Katherine followed.

As much as she hated to admit it, Katherine was startled at how beautiful the flat was. The past version of her always assumed the music director’s home would be completely covered in pictures of Jane, but she didn’t see a hint of the silver queen anywhere. Instead, there were wooden carvings and colorful pottery, thriving potted plants and original paintings, polished deer antlers and clever little sculptures. The only light on in the place was an ocean driftwood scented candle and a lamp on the round table next to the couch. It was cozy in there, although a little lonely. Katherine wondered if all the carvings and statues were supposed to be poor replacements for real people.

“Well?” Joan crossed her arms and glared at Katherine. Her glare was never really all that threatening, but now that she was in a new body, Katherine found that it was completely ineffective. “Have you come to gloat about how much prettier you are than me? How much more people will like you now? How much Jane loves you even more?”

Startled, Katherine quickly said, “No. Not at all.”

Joan looked her up and down again, and Katherine took the chance to observe her, too.

Have you ever wondered what would come out if you were to throw every color of paint into a wood chipper? Well, Joan was that outcome. Her pale skin was covered in some kind of dust and there’s splinters and wood chips caught in her hair and in between her fingers and embedded under her fingernails. Red and yellow and orange paint was splattered across her face and torso, as if someone had melted the sunset in a cauldron and flung it all over her. Her eyes are like the moon over a frozen ocean- murky and scuffed, but still glittering in the light.

“I told you, I just want to talk.” Katherine said gently. “I made brownies.” She squinted at Joan and noticed a flush of dark pink beneath all the dirt and paint on her face. “Are you feeling alright?”

“Fine.” Joan grit, although she looked supremely uncomfortable with Katherine being in her house with her. “Put your brownies on the counter. But don’t expect me to eat them. Who knows what you put in them...”

Katherine wondered for a moment if she knew about her past self’s food poisoning plot. She winced and quickly set the tray down before going into the living room where Joan was. There was a half-finished painting of what seemed to be a flurry of moths sitting on the easel.

“It’s good.” She commented.

Joan looked over her shoulder at her, then immediately glanced away. She said something to herself again and retrieved a second easel, two blank canvases, and some more paintbrushes from a room next to the guest bathroom. She set the easel up and gave the canvas to Katherine.

“I like when my guests paint things,” She said gruffly, swapping her half-finished canvas out with the new one. “It’s like a game, I guess. You come over for the first time, you paint something.” She shrugged and swiped a blob of pink paint with a thin brush, making sure her easel was angled so that Katherine couldn’t see what she was making.

“That’s really cool!” Katherine said. “How many people have made stuff?”

Joan was silent for a moment.

“You’ll be the first.”

Katherine frowned. “Oh...”

They painted in silence for a long time. Katherine wasn’t sure how much time had passed, but it gave her time to rehearse everything she wanted to say to Joan. And, good lord, there was so much. She hoped the girl would let her get it all out before she was told to leave.

“Joan—”

Joan suddenly came sidling around her easel to see what Katherine had been painting. She took one look at the (badly painted) cats cuddling, snorted, then grabbed her own canvas and threw it at Katherine’s feet.

“This,” She pointed at it. “This is why I will NEVER be liked like you are.”

Katherine grimaced as she looked at the painting of a pale blue and moon silver screaming dragon getting its jaw horribly broken by a rusty jaw trap. Despite how gratuitous and gory it was, she had to admit that it was quite amazing. Joan really was a skilled artist.

Katherine carefully picked up the painting and set it on its easel to dry as Joan stormed into her kitchen. She didn’t go after the girl, knowing how unsettled and uneasy she was at the moment, and didn’t want to make that worse. So, she waited in front of her dripping cats—she knew she shouldn’t have painted them to be silver and pink. Even though she didn’t really view Jane as a mother anymore, it seemed that some parts of her still held onto that bond they shared.

She heard a noise from the kitchen—a cough and then what sounded like a sniffle. Some kind of instinct flared to life within her—something maternal, she realized. She had Motherly Senses?! Oh, that was SO COOL! She always wanted to be the caretaker for once...or maybe she didn’t and she just wanted to now. Either way, she didn’t care! She’s always wondered what it was like to have Mum Instincts—

There was another cough from the kitchen, this one much more watery and weak. The instincts flare again—THAT’S what it felt like. Worried and concerned and making her feel like she had to hold whatever was in distress.

“Joan?” She called out. “Is everything okay in there, hun?”

Did she just use a pet name on someone? Ohhh, she LOVED THIS BODY!!

“Yes,” Joan replied hoarsely. She came bustling out a moment later holding two cups of a steaming liquid. She set one on the dining table and then scurried to sit on the opposite side. Katherine quickly joins her at the table.

“I wanted to apologize.” Katherine said after a tense moment of silence between her and the girl. “For how I treated you before.”

Joan looked down at her cup with an unreadable expression- Anger? Guilt? Relief? Pain?

“It was awful of me to do to you, Joan.” Katherine went on. “I was immature and stupid and mean. I never should have treated you like that.”

“You called me a ‘weird little diamond’.” Joan pointed out grimly.

“Oh. Right. That.”

“And Moon Eyes.” Joan added. She ducked her head, as if she were trying to hide her eyes from sight. “That’s not really easy to forgive when it’s said enough...”

Katherine grimaced. She remembered when she had made up that nickname: It was a bad day, but for a stupid reason. She got mad when Joan gave Jane yet another painting and loudly referred to her with that title instead of her regular name. She apparently thought Joan’s eyes were too grey and too creepy and too much like a twin pair of stolen moons to be real. Or human.

“Oh god,” Katherine muttered. “That was- Oh, Joan, that was so terrible of me to do to you. It must have been awful...”

“It STILL IS awful.” Joan growled. “Can you even imagine being bullied for your eye color? You made me want to gouge my own eyes out!” She slammed her fists on the table and suddenly looked like she wanted to lunge across it and strangle Katherine.

Katherine gasped softly at that revelation. She gripped tightly at her heart with one hand, while the other remained flat on the table. Guilt was eating away at her like thousands of starving ants.

“I’m so sorry.” She said. “Really, I am.”

“So it really took dying again and switching bodies to realize what you did was wrong?” Joan asked. She wasn’t being accusatory, rather just curious.

“Unfortunately.” Katherine sighed. “I don’t know why I did it. Jealousy, maybe?”

Joan’s head snapped up. “Jealousy?” She echoed. “What do YOU have to be jealous about? You have EVERYTHING!”

Katherine nodded grimly. “I know.” She said, and she swore she heard the remnants of her past self screaming in her ears, telling her not to say that and not to give in to this little gnat. “I have a family and fame and friends and money and—”

“And Jane.” Joan murmured.

Katherine looked at her sadly. “And Jane.” She echoed. “That’s right.”

Silence settled between the two of them. Joan had her eyes closed and she was breathing deeply through her nose, like she was trying to keep herself calm from an oncoming panic attack. The flush beneath all the dirt suddenly looked a lot darker.

“I,” Katherine started, and she saw Joan open one moon eye to look at her.. “I just had to apologize. I want things to change. I want to make things okay.”

Joan nodded softly. She reached up a hand to scrub her eyes, and Katherine realized with a wrench of guilt that she seemed to be on the verge of tears.

“It’s just— I was so lonely.” She whispered. “You took Jane away from me. And I knew—still know—that you needed her more than me, you have PTSD, you have a tragic backstory, you have to relive your trauma every night, but—” She put her head in her hands and shook it. “It didn’t change anything. I needed her, too. A-and I know she loved me—would love me—still loves me—if I just got a chance with her.”

Katherine frowned.

Jane never loved this moonborn creep and you know it. Her past self whispered. Her voice is higher pitched and younger like it used to be. Hearing it set her on edge. It was like the shell of the body she used to be in was right behind her, murmuring in her ears.

Shut up. She growled.

You know it’s true. Past Katherine merely said again. We’ve both heard Jane mutter about how much of a nuisance Moon Eyes is. You KNOW she’s never liked her.

Katherine desperately wants that to be false, but she knows it’s true. She remembered how Jane would call Joan an “annoying little weasel” under her breath and how she would toss all the gifts she got into her closet to rot, and god forbid Katherine would LAUGH when she did so. She laughed like the horrible, horrible person she was.

We’re not horrible. Past Katherine said indignantly, and Katherine could already picture the way she used to ruffle herself up when being stubborn and brat. We’re right. And I’m NOT a brat by the way. And even if I was, which I’m not, that would make you one, too. So HAHA!!

I’m not you. Katherine said. Not anymore.

She ignored whatever her past self responded with and focused her eyes on Joan. The girl was looking down at her cup with a pitiful expression. When Katherine didn’t answer her, she must have thought she had gotten bored of her already.

“I’m sorry,” Was all Katherine could think to say at the moment. Joan looked up at her with her great big eyes and she swore she felt her past self shudder somewhere within her mind.

“Doesn’t matter now.” Joan muttered, gripping her cup tightly. She had to scrunch her eyes shut and take a few more breaths through her nose before she could speak up again. “I-I mean— You’re older. Jane—she doesn’t need to care for you anymore. She- maybe I can be-”

For a moment, she looks hopeful, but then the sadness takes over again. It replaces all her anger, too, until it was the only emotion she seemed to have.

Poor girl, Katherine thought.

Don’t pity her. Past Katherine said.

Stay out of my head.

OUR head. Past Katherine stated. I am you, no matter how hard you try to think otherwise.

“Joan—”

“I wanted to hurt you, you know.”

Katherine tensed at those words. She looked at Joan, who seemed as ashamed and as guilty as she was.

“I just wanted to—hurt you.” She said again, her voice tight with pain and resentment. “I wanted you to know what it was like to be left alone and picked last and be unwanted by everyone you’ve ever known. I wanted you to Know what it felt like to have everything taken from you. I wanted for me to have everything for you to have nothing.” She looked up at Katherine and her eyes were like a dark lunar eclipse reflecting on fractured ice. “I wanted you to feel in your soul what you’ve done to me.”

But we HAVE! Past Katherine cried. We’ve endured more than this moon-eyed freak ever has in both of her lives combined! We know what it’s like to suffer. She doesn’t.

Suffering comes in many ways. Katherine growled, impatient with her past self.

Yeah, but I think being raped and abused by four adult men several times takes the cake. Past Katherine said bitterly, and she seemed to be rolling her eyes wherever she was in Katherine’s head.

“I’m sorry you felt that way.” Katherine said softly after a moment.

Joan whimpered pitifully. “And you say you’re awful.” She propped her elbows on the table and clutched her head. “If you heard the thoughts I have about you, you’d be running for the hills.”

It’s my fault. Katherine thought sadly. I did this to her. I broke this poor, innocent girl.

No, Past Katherine said. We didn’t do anything. We aren’t some monster, SHE is. You heard what she said. And, besides, we can’t be a bad person. We went through hell, we’re allowed to be—

You think that’s an excuse? Katherine scoffed. Just because we were abused and taken advantage of, doesn’t mean we can’t be a bitch. Victims of trauma can still be assholes, idiot. And, news flash, we were one.

Past Katherine merely huffed and probably rolled her eyes again.

Doesn’t matter now. The damage is done. She’s broken, as you said. She can’t be fixed. She said. Look at her, she’s already falling to pieces.

What?

Katherine looked up sharply to see Joan bracing both hands on the table and swaying slightly. The flush on her cheeks was now much darker than the dust and paint.

All it took was a cough to rattle her frame and make her fall.

Katherine was out of her chair before she even knew what she was really doing, controlled by those new motherly instincts. She ran over to Joan, who now laid dazed on the floor, blinking up at the ceiling. She propped her up in her arms; her face was so hot when she touched it. And her eyes—oh, her eyes...

“Moon Eyes! Moon Eyes! Moon Eyes!” The chant she used to yell when Joan passed by echoed in her head, but she couldn’t help it because when she gazed down at those twin pits of molten silver, all she saw was a pale creature of night in her arms. Its eyes were pieces of the moon it stole from the sky and shoved into the deep hollows in their face, hoping to make them more human, but it didn’t. It never did. The moonborn white alien remained outlandish and otherworldly.

Joan shuddered in her hold. She tried to blink even faster to ward off apparent dizziness, but it did little to help her.

“You’re running a fever.” Katherine told her. “Joan, you’re burning up.”

“Why do you care?” Joan choked out.

“I’m worried about you, honey.”

“But why?” Joan sobbed, tears now cascading down her cheeks, like the moons glowing in her eye sockets were melting from the heat of her fever. “You don’t care about me! Nobody cares about me!”

That’s true. Past Katherine put in helpfully, but Katherine shoves her voice into the darker reaches of her mind.

“People do care about you.” Katherine assured the weeping girl. “I promise. I promise they do.”

Joan gazed up at her before the fever consumed her. She went limp in the queen’s arms and, for a moment, Katherine saw something paler than her moons—the whites of her eyes when they rolled back in her skull.

—

You really shouldn’t touch her. Past Katherine chided as Katherine was feeling Joan’s forehead again. It was wet with sweat again, despite her already wiping it off two times in that hour.

Shut up. Katherine growled.

She looked down at Joan, who she had carried into the master bedroom and tucked into the bed. The girl was breathing harshly through her mouth, soft whimpers and murmurs falling from her pale lips every once and awhile. Katherine had done her best to make her comfortable, but she was still quite new to the whole caretaker thing, even with the memories of watching Jane tend to her so many times before.

Those were the days, Past Katherine sighed wistfully.

I thought I told you to shut up.

You don’t tell me what to do. I can do and say whatever I want.

You can’t control me.

For now.

Katherine shuddered. She hated how ominous that sounded.

She got up from where she was perched on the side of the bed and looked around the room for pajamas. She hated snooping in Joan’s clothes of all things (when she accidentally opened the undergarment drawer, she slammed it shut with so much force she was surprised the whole thing didn’t explode into tiny wood shavings), but the poor girl was probably sweating through what she was wearing right down and that wouldn’t be too comfortable.

After a bit of searching, she eventually found a fresh shirt and some shorts, but it wasn’t the only thing she dug out. In a drawer near the ground, beneath a thin blanketing of folding T-shirts, there were papers and canvases and notebooks. Without really wanting to, she began to look through them.

Oh my god, Past Katherine muttered in her brain.

They were drawings of her. Her from the past. Not all of them, but—there were just so many.

Paintings of her bloody or dead or drawn to look like a succubus, paintings too smeared with red to see what had been originally displayed upon the surface, paintings that were ripped on her face, as if Joan had taken a knife to the canvases and cut it to shreds. There were half finished paintings with tear stains and marks where the paint bled with the droplets and paintings that had horrible things scribbled around an abstract headshot of her face. There was even a painting of a dead cat with a hot pink rhinestone collar.

And then there were paintings of Joan crying, Joan bleeding pink blood, Joan dying or already dead, Joan hanging from a noose and Joan cutting her wrists and cutting her throat and cutting every inch of her body until she had scraped off every shred of unwanted and unliked flesh—until she was more like Katherine was.

There was a painting of a ram with red paint that Katherine was sure wasn’t actually red paint.

And, underneath all the canvas carnage, there was one larger than the rest. A painting of a hideous, skeletal creature as pale as snow, but with eyes that were somehow even paler. They were too big, too. Its stomach was so sunken—she could see every rib poking out from the bleached flesh. The fingers were too long and tipped with short black claws. There were cuts engraved all over its body that wept blue blood.

Somehow, Katherine knew exactly what this was supposed to depict.

Moon Eyes. Past Katherine said bitterly.

Katherine screwed her eyes shut, trying to block out the memory of a plan she once had to spread the cruel joke on social media. She gripped the edges of the canvas tightly.

What have I done? She thought. This poor girl... I ruined her.

You didn’t do anything. Past Katherine said, miffed. And neither did I. Some people just get subjected to bad things. Like we did in back then. Not that this is anything like that. That was a real problem, this is just a little schoolyard teasing. She broke herself by losing her mind over this. I mean, look at these paintings. She’s insane.

You’re terrible. Katherine growled. Will you grow up? I’ve accepted what we did, why can’t you?

Because she doesn’t deserve your pity. Past Katherine responded distastefully. She’s a nobody, and you know that. Nobody even knows WHY she came back. There are hundreds of more important people that could have been reincarnated, our sister, for example, but NO. We got this moonborn, moon-eyed, night owl, pale FREAK.

SHUT UP! Katherine roared. With a blast of blazing fury, she forcibly threw her past self into the darkest reaches of her mind.

Blackness soon filled her head like inky bile. Silence.

Katherine put all the canvases back into the drawer and closed it. She stood up quietly and crept back over to the bed. She picked up the rag lying in the bowl of water she had brought in and began to wipe away the sweat that had accumulated on Joan’s face.

You did this to her, She whispered to herself, this time with her own voice, not her creaking past one’s. You ruined her. Broke her. She’s messed up, now, because of you.

She put the rag back into the bowl, then watched Joan sleep. Her face was scrunched up, as if she was in pain even in her sleep.

She doesn’t know pain. The hiss of her past self bubbled in her ears. If you want to pity her so badly, then give her a reason to be in pain. Hurt her more than we were hurt. Scar her until even Jane will have to feel bad for her. If that’s truly what you want. Because nobody will believe she’s hurt until you make it visible.

And so, Katherine peeled back Joan’s eyelids and dug her fingers into her eye sockets. She scooped up the pale orbs and pulled them out of their black cavities. She held the moons in her hands. She rolled them around in her palms, feeling their smoothness and squishiness and warmth against her skin, and then they lolled around and blinked up at her.

Joan jerked awake with an anguished wail. The moons lodged in her face are so wide and so pale and so very lonely, like they longed to be back in the sky. Katherine’s fingers twitched; she thought she could feel the webs of blood dripping through them.

You could always put her out of her misery. Past Katherine said. Nobody would miss her. Nobody would even look for her.

But Katherine silenced her voice before she could project another horrendous vision in her brain. When she reached out to Joan, she didn’t go for her eyes, but rather her cheeks, and she cupped them tenderly, like she was trying to hold Joan together while she was about to shatter.

“Shh, shh,” She hushed the weeping girl. “It’s okay, sweetie. It was just a dream. You’re alright. I’m not going to let anything hurt you. I promise.”

It’s the least she could do, seeing as she was the one who stole the moons and put them in her head in the first place.

[lexotanmerlin]

# Lex # 4329

# Lex # 4329

//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js ♥ Hair: Wasabi // Nadya Hair – All colors by MissAllSunday Lemon & Rouge Darcy @ Uber ♥ Head: LeLUTKA Head.Nova 2.5 by jaden.nova ♥ Body: Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara by Onyx LeShelle ♥ Skin: DeeTaleZ *SKINS* for LELUTKA HEADS (EVO.) – Elsa – EASTERN by steffi.villota ♥ Outfit: -:zk:- Maryam Maitreya BIGFATPACK by zarakent @ SHINY SHABBY NEW…

[harley-sunday]

The Draw (08)

Summary: The whirlwind starts at the 2018 ACE Comic Con in Phoenix but you’re not sure where it will end...

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x reader

Warnings: Language.

Word count: 4329

AN: This chapter, oh this chapter… Let me know what you think! I don’t have a taglist, but if you follow Harley Sunday x Sebastian Stan you should see any update I post.

Masterlist 

“Oh, buddy,” you answer with a sigh and hold out your arms, waiting for him to climb on your lap. “I’m sorry, kid, but it’s not just a bad dream.”

Jake nods slowly, “I know,” a sob then, “I just really wish it was.”

“I know, bud,” you say, hugging him even tighter.

“Can we go see him again tomorrow?” Jake asks in between sobs.

“You bet,” you say quietly, resting your chin on his head, ��We’ll visit him every day for as long as he’s in the hospital, ok?”

“Ok,” he agrees, using the sleeve of his sweater to dry his eyes. You sit in silence for a while until you feel him yawn.

“I think we should go to bed, bud,” you let go of him ever so slightly so you can look at him, “why don’t you sleep in my bed tonight?”

He nods but doesn’t move and so you lift him into your arms as you get up. If this were any other day he would no doubt scold you for babying him, because he’s eight years old now, thank you very much. But not today. Today he lets you carry him upstairs and into your bed, where you gently lay him down. You smile when you hear his quiet snores fill the room,not surprised he’s already asleep.

You lay down on your side and stare at the ceiling, your eyes quickly growing heavy from the lack of sleep even though the early morning light is already seeping through your curtains.

Jake stirs then and you hold your breath, but after he’s turned on his back he starts snoring again and you try your best to follow his example.

The sound of your phone awakes you and you blindly reach for it, finding it in it’s usual spot under your pillow. You open one eye as you unlock your phone, cursing quietly when you see it’s only ten, but then Lauren’s message pops up and you smile at her words

Babe, I’m taking this week off. You shouldn’t be alone right now. I’ll see you at lunch.

Jake yawns then and you turn towards him, “Morning, bud.”

He mumbles something in response and snuggles up to you.

“You ok?” you ask, not sure if he remembers what you talked about last night.

He nods before another yawn escapes him, “We’re going to see Dad today, right?”

“Yeah,” you reply. “We’ll go there this afternoon.”

“Kay,”

You press a kiss to his forehead, “Listen, I’m going to take a quick shower, ok? Aunt Lauren’s coming over later, she’s gonna stay with us this week.”

“Really?” Jake looks up at you, eyes wide in surprise, no doubt reminding all the fun things you three have done together.

“Yeah,�� you nod, winking at him, “said she wouldn’t want to miss a chance to hang out with her favorite bonus-nephew.”

“Cool,”

“Right?” you agree with a smile as you grab the remote from your nightstand and put on the TV, settling on the Disney Channel which you know he loves before you get out of bed, “Be right back.”

There’s a knock on the front door before Lauren lets herself in with the spare key you gave her the day after you bought this house five years ago. There’s a duffel bag slung over her shoulder, which she drops at the door before she finds you in the kitchen. She greets you with a kiss on your cheek and a hug, “Hi babe,”

“Hi,” you say, hugging her tight, “thank you.”

“Ok.” She lets go of you and places her hands on her hips, “This is the last time I want to hear you say ‘thank you,’ ok? This is just what best friends do.”

You nod, “Noted.”

“Good,” she smiles, before she claps her hands. “Now, where’s my favorite bonus-nephew?”

Jake giggles from where’s he sitting on the couch, “I’m your only bonus-nephew, aunt Lauren,”

“Still,” Lauren offers as she makes her way over to him, holding out her hands to let him know he’s about to get tickled, “you’re my favorite.”

His giggles fill the house then, Lauren tickling him wherever she can, while he begs for mercy in between fits of laughter. She’s relentless though and you are happy she’s able to take his mind off of things if only for a little while.

You turn your attention back to the eggs you were frying, opting for a big lunch after not having eaten breakfast. After a few minutes you call out that lunch’s ready and see both Lauren and Jake run into the kitchen at full speed, coming to a halt in front of the dining table, Jake bumping into one of the chairs when he can’t stop in time, bringing on a fresh set of giggles.

Lunch takes a long time, both you and Jake hungry after not having eaten since yesterday afternoon, and Lauren taking her time enjoying the egg sandwich you made.

You’re about to make a fresh pot of tea when your phone rings. Your stomach clenches when you see Sarah’s name flashing across the screen and so you answer with a quiet, “Hello,” as you walk towards the living room.

“He’s awake!” Sarah all but screams.

You let out a breath you didn’t know you were holding and smile, “Oh, thank God.”

“Yeah,” Sarah agrees, “the doctors are still running some tests, but it’s looking good.”

“Can we come see him?”

“Uh,” Sarah hesitates, and you hear her relay your question to someone else before she comes back. “You can come by after three.”

“Ok,” you can’t help but smile, relief washing over you when you realize your brother is awake. “We’ll see you then,”

Sarah says goodbye and hangs up and there’s a spring in your step as you walk back into the kitchen, Lauren and Jake looking at you expectantly. You kneel in front of Jake, “Dad’s awake, bud.”

Jake’s tugging on your hand and you follow him to the elevator bay where he rapidly presses the button a couple of times before the doors of the elevator slides open. He’s pulling faces at himself in the mirror as you ride up the the third floor and you can’t help but laugh and how much lighter his mood is.

Sarah’s waiting for you when you get off the elevator and Jake jumps into her arms, showering his mother’s face with kisses as she hugs him close. You simply kiss her cheek and follow her towards Nathan’s room, but Jake refuses to let her go and so she has to carry him there.

You smile when your parents greet you in the waiting room, your mother hugging and kissing you before you let your father envelope you in a hug, holding on to him tightly. You watch as Sarah and Jake make their way into Nathan’s room, opting instead to sit down next to your mother, deciding that they need a moment alone. Rummaging through your purse you take out their car keys and hand them back to your mother, “Thanks for letting me borrow your car.”

“Of course, sweetie,” your mother replies, patting your arm. “Do you need Dad to drive you home later?”

You shake your head, “Lauren’s coming to pick me up.” Then, knowing how much your parents like your best friend, “She’s going to stay with me for a while.”

“Oh good,” your mother nods, “you shouldn’t be alone right now.”

“So how was Los Angeles, sweetheart?” your father pipes up from beside your mother. “You know, before all this.”

You clear your throat, “Yeah, it was good. Really nice weather.”

“Good,” your father says as he leans back in his chair, his curt response very much in character for him.

You purse your lips to keep from saying anything else, never having told your parents the real reason you went to L.A.. They wouldn’t understand, so you told them it was just a small vacation. Instead you offer to get some coffee then and by the time you get back, Sarah’s coming out of Nathan’s room, Jake trailing right behind her, letting you know you can go see him.

You take a deep breath as you step inside, the “Hey loser,” escaping your lips almost automatically.

“Takes one to know one,” you hear him mutter quietly and you’re crying then, pressing a kiss to his cheek as you pull up a chair. He just glares at you and you know he’s going to give you shit for crying later, but you don’t care.

“How are you?”

“My head’s hurting like hell,” he jokes, “other than that, I’m fine.”

“Yeah?” you counter, still sobbing a little, “Fine enough to put on your seat belt next time you get into a car?”

He sighs, rolling his eyes for full effect, but nodding then, “Yeah.”

“Good,” you agree.

“Hi bud,” Lauren smiles as Jake climbs into the backseat of her truck.

You help him fasten his seat belt before you open the passenger’s door and get inside. “He’s staying with me until the end of the week,” you offer. “They want to keep an eye on Nathan at least until Thursday, so Sarah’s going to be busy with hospital visits and whatnot.”

“Cool,” Lauren says as she pulls out of the parking lot of the hospital. Looking over her shoulder before she merges onto Scott Avenue, she says, “Oh, by the way, your suitcase got delivered earlier.”

“Oh good,”

“You still owe me the full story,” Lauren says, glancing over at you with her eyebrows raised.

“I know,” you nod, not saying anything else. You know she doesn’t like it when you keep things from her but you’re not going to tell her with Jake in the car.  

She just shakes her head and looks at Jake through the rear-view mirror instead, “Tante just told me she’s taking us to McDonald's, kid!”

“Yay!” Jake exclaims, pumping his fists into the air.  

You roll your eyes at Lauren, but all of a sudden she’s very focused on the road and so you flick her upper arm instead, muttering a quiet, “You know I hate McDonald's.”

“Alright,” Lauren says once you’re downstairs again after having read Jake his bedtime story. She claps her hands together. “Wine.”

You nod in agreement and take a bottle of white out of the fridge while she grabs two glasses and follow her into the living room, both of you snuggling up in your respective corners on the couch, like you always do. She holds out the glasses to you and you pour the wine, taking a glass from her after you’ve set the bottle down on the ground next to you.

She holds up her glass, “To your idiot brother making a full recovery,”

“Cheers,” you says, clinking your glass against hers before taking a sip, letting out a content sigh.

Lauren’s slurping loudly and you laugh when you see her look at you, one eyebrow raised, the glass still against her lips as she mumbles, “I’m listening.”

You shake your head, but start talking anyway, telling her everything’s that’s happened while you were in Los Angeles, beginning at your arrival at the airport which you now realize was not even a week ago. You tell her about the Infinity War premiere then, amusing her with your story about how Chris Evans stepped on your dress, followed by how god-awful that after-party was, to how Sebastian came to see you the day after and how you spent a day on a boat together on Sunday before you got the call and he dropped you off at the airport. 

She gasps when you tell her about that pain you felt in your head, convinced you and Nathan now have that twin-connection thing you always hear about, and she squeals in delight when you tell her you kissed Sebastian right before you left, telling you to “Get it, girl!”

The bottle of wine is empty when you finish the story and you feel your eyes getting heavy, ready to get some sleep. You see your suitcase standing in the hallway then and so you crouch down and open it, searching for your toiletry bag. The first thing you see however, folded carefully on top of the rest of your clothes, is the dress you wore to the premiere, a note attached to it.

You feel Lauren coming up behind you as you take the piece of paper and unfold it.

Promise me you’ll keep this dress? You looked absolutely stunning in it and I’d love to see you in it again some time. -S

Lauren must have read along with you because she lets out a low whistle before she gently pats your shoulder, saying not more than a drawn out, “Babe.”

You just nod as you read the words again, a smile playing on your lips. You take the dress out of your suitcase and hand it to Lauren as you grab your toiletry bag that’s tucked away in one of the corners. You follow Lauren upstairs and take the dress from her once you get to your bedroom, carefully placing it on a hanger before you hang it in your closet, admiring it for a couple of seconds before you close the door again.  

With Jake occupying the guest bedroom, you and Lauren end up sharing your bed, and it reminds you of the last time you did, after Mark broke up with you. You were a mess for a long time after that and she was there for you every step of the way, staying with you for at least a month after it happened.

You know you’re not supposed to thank her anymore, but you can’t help yourself and whisper a quiet, “Thank you,” once her steady breathing lets you know she’s asleep.

Humming quietly to yourself your wrap a towel around your body before you run a hand across the fogged up mirror, trying to clear some of the surface so you can take a good look at yourself. You’re looking better than yesterday, that’s for sure, the bags under yours eyes considerably less, your skin a little clearer and your eyes a little brighter. You remind yourself that once this is all over you owe Lauren something big for everything she’s done so far, including getting up early this morning to take care of Jake and offering to get some groceries.

Grabbing your toothbrush you line it with some toothpaste and set about brushing your teeth when you hear the doorbell. You figure Lauren must have forgotten her keys and so you open the bathroom door and pop your head out, taking the toothbrush out of your mouth as you holler towards the stairs, “Can you get that, bud?”

“Yeah, ok!”

“Thank you!” you yell back, closing the door returning to the task at hand. You hear muted voices coming from downstairs as you finish brushing your teeth, one of them seems to be a man’s, but before you have time to think about it it’s like a stampede’s coming up the stairs and you hear, “Tante!”

You open the door, glad that you’ve already wrapped a towel around you, and you see Jake running towards you.

“Tante!” Jake yells, running down the hall so fast he almost runs into you as you step out of the door. He skids to a halt in front of you, arm flailing to keep himself from falling over.

“What’s going on, bud?”

“The Win-” he pants as he points to somewhere over his shoulder. “The Winter Soldier’s downstairs waiting for you,” he whispers, his eyes wide in shock, trying to catch his breath.

Your heart skips a beat then, even though you’re sure you’ve misheard him, “What?”

“The Winter Soldier’s downstairs,” he breathes, he tugs on your hand, “come on!”

“Jake,” you whisper but loud enough for him to stop. Your mind’s going a million miles an hour, but you decide to tackle this one thing at a time, because you sure as hell aren’t going to meet your guest, who supposedly is Sebastian Stan, dressed in just a towel so you gesture at yourself, “Let me change first, ok?”

“But-”

“I’ll be quick,” you assure him, hands on his arms as you bend down to his level. “He’s your friend too, remember? Just ask him if he wants a drink and tell him I’ll be right down.”

Jake nods firmly, “Ok.”

“Ok,” you echo, turning him around and placing a kiss on the top of his head, “Go.”

You smile when you see him race downstairs before you turn on your heels and almost run back into the bathroom yourself.

You’re sure it’s taken you no more than five minutes to get dressed, your hair now up in a loose bun, and some mascara on your lashes to add some definition to your eyes, but when you come downstairs you find Sebastian and Jake sitting at the kitchen table, talking and laughing together like they’ve been at it for hours.

They haven’t seen you yet and so you let yourself lean against the door frame, smiling when you see Sebastian nod enthusiastically at something Jake’s telling him. Letting out a laugh when you see Sebastian taking a sip from the juice pouch Jake has given him reveals you and you’re met with two smiling faces, albeit Sebastian’s the one who’s blushing ever so slightly.

You walk over to Jake and ruffle his hair before pressing a kiss to the top of his head, “Thanks, bud.”

Sebastian’s all smiles when he catches your eyes, “He’s an excellent host.”

“Oh, the best,” you agree, smiling back, one hand on Jake’s shoulder. “Although it does depend on the company. Not everyone gets a juice pouch, you know.”

Sebastian’s cheeks redden a bit more then and he chuckles, “Good to know.”

“Coffee?” you mouth silently, grinning when he nods. You turn around and busy yourself at the counter while Jake’s back to pretty much interrogating Sebastian about what’s going to happen in Infinity War, complaining that you won’t tell him anything.

You half listen to Sebastian telling him some minor plot points as you grab your phone and send a quick text to Lauren

Where are you?

She replies within a minute

Red light at Central, home in 2

Your fingers hover over the screen before you type

Sebastian’s here??!! Can you take Jake somewhere?

You wait for her reply but nothing comes and so you turn your attention back to the coffee, grabbing two mugs out of the cupboard, while the coffee machine simmers and whirs next to you, the delicious aroma slowly filling the kitchen.

A car honks outside then and you just know it’s Lauren, so you excuse yourself, mumbling something about having to help her with the groceries. As you open the front door you think you hear Jake explain to Sebastian that Lauren is your best friend and his bonus aunt and your heart swells with pride.

Closing the door behind you, you rush over to Lauren, who’s waiting for you next to her car. Her eyes are wide and she just stares at you, so you just shrug, followed by a whispered, “I know, right?”

This seems to pull her out of her daze and she sharply inhales, “What even is your life right now?” Her hand finds yours and she gives it a squeeze, “Listen, just be careful, ok? I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I don’t even know why he’s here,” you counter quietly.

She just tilts her head, “Babe,”

“Yeah, alright,” you agree, before you let out a sigh, your free hand rubbing your forehead. Because really, she’s just looking out for you, and if it things were the other way around you wouldn’t even let her out of your sight. You squeeze her hand then, “Thank you.”

“Can I at least come in and meet him?” she asks while she lets go of your hand and opens the back door, handing you a bag of groceries before taking out the second one.

“Only if you promise me you won’t make a big deal out of this?”

“Babe,” she draws out, “It’s me we’re talking about-”

“Exactly,” you deadpan, sticking out your tongue at her.

It earns you a flick to your ear before she gently pushes your forward, “Come on, time for me to embarrass the shit out of you.”

You just sigh, clutching the groceries to your chest as you walk back to the house. You rest the bag on your hip when you get to the front door, using your free hand to open it, and your heart drops when you are met with quiet sobs. You look over your shoulder to Lauren, who gives you a uncertain smile, motioning for you to go on. You rush to the kitchen where you find Jake on Sebastian’s lap, Sebastian rubbing his back as your nephew tells him about the accident and his Dad being in the hospital, hooked up to all those machines. You feel tears coming to your eyes and let out a shaky breath at the scene in front of you.

Sebastian looks up then, his eyes a little watery too and your heart, oh your heart.

You let Jake finish the story, his sobs subduing ever so slightly when he lets Sebastian know that, “Yesterday Dad woke up and he still has to stay in the hospital for a while, but he’ll get to come home,”

Sebastian nods, throwing his arms around Jake and pulling him close, “That’s good news, buddy.”

Jake nods and sees you then, “Tante cried when the doctors told us.”

“I did,” you agree with a smile, quickly rubbing your pinkies underneath your eyes to dry your tears. “But those were happy tears, remember?”

“Yeah,” Jake agrees, “Those are the good tears, right?”

You nod as you walk over to him and pick him up, his arms around your neck as he wraps his legs around your waist. You rub his back, “Yeah, bud, those are the good ones.” You hug him close before you set him down, “Go get aunt Lauren, will you?” You watch as he darts across the kitchen towards the living room, before you turn back to Sebastian, “Thank you for that.”

He smiles, “He’s a good kid.”

Lauren walks in then, hauling the two grocery bags with her and you’re quick to take one from her, setting it down on the counter. You watch as she does the same before she turns to Sebastian, holding out her hand, “Hi, I’m Lauren, the best friend in this absurd situation.”

Sebastian stands up, taking her hand and throws her one of his most charming smiles, “Sebastian, hi.”

“So, Sebastian,” Lauren starts as she sits down opposite to him, resting her elbows on the kitchen table, her hands folded underneath her chin.

You let out a quiet groan because you know what’s coming next, but she just shakes her head at you, letting you know it’s between her and Sebastian now and so you start to unpack the groceries instead, Jake helping you the best he can. You try not to listen in on the conversation, but Jesus, they’re in the kitchen with you so it’s kind of hard not to.

You hear Lauren tell him that he’s made a pretty good first impression, what with everything that’s happened so far and that she hopes he’ll keep it up, but that she’s not above kicking his ass if he doesn’t. He chuckles then, and you see him lean over to her out of the corner of your eye, before he whispers something that has Lauren nod in agreement.

You wave one last time before you close the front door, Lauren and Jake now on their way to Freedom Park. You find Sebastian standing in your living room, admiring the painting your brother got your for your thirtieth birthday, called ‘Before the Rain’ by Osnat Tzadok. It’s one of your favorite pieces even though you’ll never tell your brother that, because he gloats enough as is. Or was, because even though he seems to be doing ok, the doctors warned you that it’s still too early to tell if he’ll walk away from this seemingly unscathed. You shake your head, trying to rid yourself of these thoughts, and stand beside Sebastian, your eyes tracing the lines on the canvas. 

“I have something for you,” he says, just as you were about to ask why he’s here, his voice low, barely above a whisper. He doesn’t await your answer, instead walking over to the front door, grabbing a flat cardboard package that you haven’t really noticed until now. He hands it to you with a smile, not saying anything.

It’s lightweight but fairly big and you sit down on the couch, resting the package on your knees as you start to peel away the tape, careful not to rip anything. You feel him sit down next to you, but you’re too focused at the task at hand, folding the cardboard back, only to reveal bubble wrap. You take the bubble-wrapped item out of the cardboard, discarding the now-empty package on the floor beside you. Running your fingers underneath the two pieces of tape that hold the bubble wrap together you glance at Sebastian who just smiles.

You let out a gasp when you unwrap what turns out to be ‘Tomorrow’, tears springing to your eyes. 

“What-,” you start. “How did you-” you hold up the painting and shake your head, unable to say anything that makes sense. It’s framed now, the blue of the frame matching the blue paint the artist used and it looks absolutely stunning.

You run your fingers over the glass carefully, tracing the confetti of colors and swirls of happiness breathlessly, a quiet, “It’s beautiful,” escaping you.

[hoicodo]

Cục CSGT vào cuộc vụ xe ô tô Mercedes bất ngờ tráo biển số

Cục CSGT vào cuộc vụ xe ô tô Mercedes bất ngờ tráo biển số

Sau khi nắm bắt được thông tin  về việc xe ô tô bất ngờ thay đổi biển số khi đang di chuyển, Cục CSGT đã chỉ đạo các đơn vị chức năng xác minh làm rõ. 

Liên quan đến việc chiếc xe ô tô hiệu Mercedes đang di chuyển trên đường phố Hà Nội đã bất ngờ thay đổi biển số từ biển trắng 30F-462.75 thành biển xanh 80B-4329, sáng 18-12, Cục CSGT cho  biết đã chỉ đạo các đơn…

[handcraftedloghomes]

Our picture of the week is the cozy fireplace and stunning views in the great room of a beautiful log home we built in Georgia.  This is the "4329 Tennessee" floor plan. 

Visit our website - www.cascadehandcrafted.com

[redlineguiding]

48 on Flume

A good year for finishers! A returning guest who had been using our services, specifically hiking with Redline Guide Phoebe Seltzer, finally grabbed her final New Hampshire 4000-Footer for that list: Specifically, she bagged 4329′ Mt Flume on an amazing day on the White Mountain National Forest. Phoebe took some photos and shot some video of the actual finish. We put it all together in this short…

[guncelkal]

Portable Monitor - Lepow 15.6 Inch Computer Display 1920×1080 Full HD IPS Screen USB C Gaming Monitor with Type-C Mini HDMI for

Portable Monitor – Lepow 15.6 Inch Computer Display 1920×1080 Full HD IPS Screen USB C Gaming Monitor with Type-C Mini HDMI for

https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/30c18047-434f-4329-a593-d2a0a0dda2a0/default.jobtemplate.mp4.480.mp4https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/8317ec2a-a323-4d85-9daf-c35573506cc7/default.jobtemplate.mp4.480.mp4https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/vse-vms-transcoding-artifact-us-east-1-prod/5c17ead6-3ba2-44e1-aea7…

[quang-cao-truc-tuyen-24h]

0313108107 - CÔNG TY TNHH XÂY DỰNG ABM - MaSoThue

0313108107 – CÔNG TY TNHH XÂY DỰNG ABM – MaSoThue

4321 Lắp đặt hệ thống điện(không gia công cơ khí, tái chế phế thải, xi mạ điện tại trụ sở) 4322 Lắp đặt hệ thống cấp, thoát nước, lò sưởi và điều hoà không khí(không gia công cơ khí, tái chế phế thải, xi mạ điện tại trụ sở và trừ lắp đặt các thiết bị lạnh (thiết bị cấp đông, kho lạnh, máy đá, điều hòa không khí, làm lạnh nước) sử dụng ga lạnh R22 trong lĩnh vực chế biến thủy hải sản) 4329 Lắp đặt…