#march forth and conquer

[ckdp]

march fo(u)rth & conquer! 🩷

[eilinelsghost]

Finrod's gems are about politics not capital

I've seen an influx of posts on my dash over the last couple of weeks with some variation on "Finrod hauled jewels across the ice because he's a hedonist" or "Finrod brought all those gems because he was planning ahead to pay for stuff in Beleriand" and I'm so sorry in advance, but the soapbox is beckoning again.

The version of this I've seen most often has been that he is a metropolitan prince accustomed to operating within a transactional context and that he brings gems out from Aman to whatever awaits in Beleriand out of a shrewd calculation that he will need to buy things once he's there. And...maybe? But here's the thing. That is not what gems mean in the context of Valinor, nor is it the pretty straightforward explanation of Finrod's decision that we're given in the text.

So first off, let's talk about the gems themselves and what those would mean to Finrod in the context within which he decides to bring them out from Valinor. Contrary to the premise that gems are understood to be a source of capital by the princes of Noldor, the two references we have to how they saw their own gems are as follows (emphasis in all quotes is mine):

And it came to pass that the masons of the house of Finwë, quarrying in the hills after stone [...] first discovered the earth-gems, and brought them forth in countless myriads; and they devised tools for the cutting and shaping of gems, and carved them in many forms. They hoarded them not, but gave them freely, and by their labour enriched all Valinor.

Many jewels the Noldor gave [the Teleri], opals and diamonds and pale crystals, which they strewed upon the shores and scattered in the pools; marvellous were the beaches of Elendë in those days.

The gems of the Noldor, then, are not seen as a source of wealth or bartering leverage, nor is there any indication in the text that they used them as such. In fact, the first (and only) reference to gems as wealth in the context of Valinor is when the narrator tells us of how Melkor looks with jealousy upon all the Firstborn:

[Melkor] looked upon the Children of Ilúvatar that sat at the feet of the Mighty, and hatred filled him; he looked upon the wealth of bright gems, and he lusted for them

Pivotally, it is not until after this that we are given any reference to the Noldor themselves seeing their own gems as anything other than a beauty of the earth that was to be shared freely. And even then, that language is only used of Fëanor's disposition after the lies of Morgoth have circulated and he begins to "love the Silmarils with a greedy love."

Second, let's talk about the fairly straightforward explanation for Finrod's actions that we are given in the text itself.

(I know I've talked about this a couple times in ask answers etc, but I want to give it its own standalone post because this never ceases to frustrate me.)

Necessary for understanding the explanation the text gives us is to situate it within the events that preceded it. Key among these is this section of Fëanor's speech to the Noldor:

"Say farewell to bondage! But say farewell also to ease! Say farewell to the weak! Say farewell to your treasures! More still shall we make. Journey light: but bring with you your swords! [...] But when we have conquered and have regained the Silmarils, then we and we alone shall be lords of the unsullied Light, and masters of the bliss and beauty of Arda. No other race shall oust us!"

Whatever the intent of Fëanor's words, they would undoubtably have been heard by Finrod and those others who opposed the march as a call to discard their past, the life and love of Aman, and their loyalty to the Valar. And consequently two pages later we are told that Finarfin and Finrod "carried thence memories of the bliss they had forsaken, and some even of the things that they had made there they took with them: a solace and a burden on the road."

So for Finrod to bring "more treasures out of Tirion than any other of the princes of the Noldor" was not a shrewd economic calculation, but a direct refutation of his uncle's rallying call. He was refusing to be severed from the past, refusing to name their time in Valinor as bondage to be dismissed and forgotten, and refusing to count what they made there as loss in order to gain mastery of Arda. He was carrying memory out from Valinor, not currency.

Furthermore, the memory he carries as his solace and burden is the memory of love and friendship, of wholeness and joy. Finrod grew up as Olwë's grandson and the jewels "strewed upon the shores and scattered in the pools" of Alqualondë were the beaches where he played, the fountains where he splashed as a child. The gems of the Noldor, far from being a quick way to pocket some cash for the road, were for him the visible symbol of the houses of the Eldar living in friendship and not division. (And how bitter that burden must have become when he continued on after the kinslaying at Alqualondë, those strewed stones of friendship now a shoreline washed in blood.)

Having these same gems later placed within the Nauglimir thus becomes a furthering of this same political statement. Whenever it sits about his neck, it is a visual reprimand of two of Fëanor's assertions in his speech atop Túna: Finrod receives it as a symbol of partnership and co-creation between two races, once again beauty that is shared freely, the gems within it once more a symbol of friendship rather than mastery; and it serves as the tangible representation of Finrod's remaining love and allegiance to memory and to the Valar.

He carries the gems out from Valinor in hope - the same hope that he embodies throughout his life, in his friendships in Beleriand, in his love and care for the Edain, in his eventual sacrifice: what I have is my neighbor's; what I love, I give.

[ea-nasir-my-beloved]

Akhnatens letters

*These are five of the Amarna letters in the british museum

The Amarna letters features letters directed to Akhnaten and before him his father about the fall of conquered terratories in Caanan and Syria to the kingdoms of the Mitanni, the Babylonians and the Hittites.

These letters are featured in the opera Akhnaten in the third act and are transcribed from Samuel A.B Mercers translation from his 1939 book "Mercer, The Tel-el-Amarna Tablets". The book is hard to find so I cannot connect the letters to their correct tablets at this time but I will when I get ahold of the book.

The letters are used to paint a good picture of the severe losses Egypt suffered during Akhnaten and his ancestors reign. His descendants in the 18th dynasty mitigated the issue but the 19th dynasty namely Seti I and Ramesses II probably reclaimed the most.

Letter No. 1: I have written repeatedly for troops, but they were not given and the king did not listen to the word of his servant. And I sent my messenger to the palace, but he returned empty-handed - he brought no troops. And when the people of my house saw this, they rediculed me like the governors, my brethren, and dispised me.

Letter No. 2: The king's whole land, which has begun hostilities with me, will be lost. Behold the territory of Seir, as far as Carmel; its princes are wholly lost; and hostilities prevail against me. As long as ships were upon the sea the strong arm of the king occupied Naharin and Kash, but now the Apiru are occupying the king's cities. There remains not one prince to my lord, the king; every one is ruined. Let the king take care of his land and let him send troops. For if no troops come in this year, the whole territory of my lord, the king, will perish. If there are no troops in this year, let the king send his officer to fetch me and his brothers, that we may die with our lord, the king.

Note: Naharin meant the land of the Mitanni claimed by Thutmose III in his military campaign.

Letter No. 3: Verily, they father did not march forth nor inspect the lands of the vassal-princes. And when thou ascended the throne of thy father's house, Abdashirta's sons took the king's lands for themselves. Creatures of the king of Mittani are they, and of the king of Babylon and of the king of the Hittites.

Letter No. 4 Who formerly could have plundered Tunip without being plundered by Thutmose III? The gods of the king of Egypt, my lord, dwell in Tunip. May my lord ask his old men if this not be so. Now, however, we belong no more to our lord, the king of Egypt. And now Tunip, thy city, weeps and her tears are flowing and there is not help for us. For twenty years we have been sending to our lord, the king of Egypt, but there has not come to us a word - no, not one.

[bitchy-craft]

Let's Get You Hyped Up | Pick A Pile

Hello and welcome to this Pick A Pile! In here you'll find a few things that'll hype you up. I hope you guys enjoy and find this useful. Do make sure to leave comments down below on your experience! I do want to remind you all that this is a General Pick A Pile which means this is for a lot of people; therefore keep what resonates and leave what doesn't.

Masterlist > Questions > Paid Readings

Pick A Pile!

Pile 1:

You're a force to be reckoned with, a spark of potential waiting to ignite the world with your brilliance. Each day is a canvas, and you hold the brush. The universe has bestowed you with unique talents and dreams, and it's time to unleash them with unbridled passion. Remember, challenges are just stepping stones on the path to your success. Embrace them, conquer them, and let them mold you into the unstoppable individual you are meant to be.

You've already overcome obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, proving your resilience and determination. Your journey is a testament to your unwavering spirit. Visualize your goals, for that's the first step in manifesting them into reality. The world eagerly awaits the mark you'll leave upon it. Your story is one of inspiration, growth, and triumph. Believe in yourself, as others believe in you too. The energy you radiate is infectious, and your impact is boundless.

So go forth with confidence, head held high, and a heart full of determination. Every effort you put forth, every leap you take, is a leap towards greatness. You've got this!

Pile 2:

You're a dynamo of potential, a powerhouse of creativity just waiting to explode onto the scene. Every sunrise brings a fresh chance to seize the day and make it your own. Embrace the challenges that come your way, for they're the secret ingredients that shape your success story.

Life's journey is a rollercoaster of experiences, and you're fearlessly riding every twist and turn. Your ability to adapt and thrive in the face of uncertainty is awe-inspiring. Remember, you're not just a participant in life – you're the director, crafting your narrative with every decision you make.

Dream big and dream often, because those dreams are the blueprints of your destiny. As you forge your path, know that your enthusiasm is contagious and your potential limitless. Your actions have a ripple effect that extend far beyond your awareness, touching lives and igniting the flames of possibility in others.

So march ahead with unwavering confidence, a trailblazer towards your goals. With every stride you take, you're paving the way to the extraordinary. Believe in yourself, as others believe in you too. You're a beacon of light, illuminating the world with your radiance!

Pile 3:

You are a constellation of infinite possibilities, a symphony of potential waiting to be composed. Your uniqueness is a gift to the world, a mosaic of experiences that only you can bring to life. Every day is an opportunity to add a new chapter to your story, and you hold the pen. Embrace the unknown with excitement, for within it lies your next adventure.

Life's challenges are like the weights that sculpt a strong and resilient spirit. With each trial you face, you're refining your character and gaining the tools to conquer even greater feats. You've already shown your capability to adapt and overcome, proving time and again that you're not just a passenger in this journey – you're the driver.

Visualize your aspirations vividly, for the mind is a powerful magnet that attracts the future you desire. As you walk your path, remember that your enthusiasm is contagious, and your potential knows no bounds. The ripples of your actions extend far beyond what you can see, touching lives and inspiring others to chase their dreams.

So stride forward with courage, a trailblazer on the path to your aspirations. Every step you take, every dream you chase, brings you closer to the extraordinary life you're crafting. Believe in yourself, as others believe in you too. You're a shooting star, lighting up the universe with your brilliance!

[anxiousnerdwritings]

Targaryen-Royce!Darling

“As their child grows up I think Daemon and Rhea will come to the unwanted realization that their child is the dangerous mix of both of them. And neither particularly likes that the other is so prominently ingrained in their child’s development. But that doesn’t make them care for their child any less, if anything it makes both of them want to further bring out their own behaviorism and tendencies out of their child.”

That’s true, their bby will probably become a legendary warrior and dragonrider once they’re older- as well the lord/lady of Runestone since they’re the only child and heir (and they’d rather keep it that way). But look at their parents and don’t think they aren’t raising another lord/lady/conquerer in their hands. They are their most treasured pride and joy after all.

But I think they’d be a mama’s bby for a brief time whenever Daemon has his quarrels with his brother and the council at King’s Landings. Rhea would be spoiling them while he does that and let’s not forget- she’d be shit talking about Daemon and how they’re the only good thing that came out of him.

And Daemon would definitely be lavishing them with expensive gifts alongside with a dragonrider saddle and tell them he’d happily them how to ride their dragon when it’s time someday. But he definitely takes them for rides on Caraxes often.

Since they move back and forth from King’s Landing and to the Vale, I can only imagine the tension increases between both parents. But what would happen if they’re darling we’re to get abducted for ransom? A temporal formed alliance just to get them back unharmed? Maybe. I think they would considerate for their bby sakes but decided ‘fuck that’ and decided to work separately with their own allies.

I can see Rhaenyra happy to have a playmate- even if they go and come back way too often. Because Rhea usually comes back on horse to King’s Landing pissed off with some Vale soldiers behind her to take back her bby because Daemon keeps taking them to king’s landing without her knowledge. At least she gets to be entertained by witnessing two parents verbally fighting over her favourite cousin as Viserys tries to meditate the situation but fails to proceed.

As for the three-headed dragon that hatched when their precious darling was a happy toddler; imagine if it became the next Balerion the Black Dread but much bigger. It’s clingy with the darling and let’s just say it keeps swatting everyone with it’s tail whenever they tried holding their future dragonrider. Daemon just gets offended at it while Rhea just angrily responds by setting back at the growing dragon before quickly taking her child.

Poor Darling is stuck in a hostile environment between two parents who detests each other and practically hovers over them 24/7. Not the most ideal life to live in but at least they get a dragon out of it. 😂

Oh yeah. Rhea and Dameon’s child would be the epitome of a fighter, even at a young age. You can’t tell me their child wasn’t beating the shit out of other kids or even adults for doing something that the Reader didn’t agree with. Unlike Daemon though, his child would have more of a moral code and honor to go by having been primarily raised by Rhea and House Royce/House Arryn in general. As much as both Daemon and Rhea adore their child, they’re both well aware of what their child can be capable of especially once they’re older. And with a dragon at their side, let alone a massive three-headed one at that, their child is able to up and leave whenever and to wherever with not much to stop them. The most that can be done is Daemon going after his child but even then he’d most likely turn it into a bonding adventure to spend with his bby and may very well never bring their child back to Rhea, choosing to instead take them to the free cities and reside there with them all to himself. And Rhea would absolutely go berserk if that were to ever happen. She would march to King’s Landing and demand that Viserys do something to get her child back and have Daemon never ever be able to interact with her bby again. Not that Viserys would go that far but he would feel obligated to bring the Reader home to their mother.

With all the quarreling and hostility between Rhea and Daemon, I could very well see Viserys having the Reader reside at King’s Landing where both their parents would have to come to visit them instead of having the Reader being pulled and forced to the Vale or wherever Daemon’s been staying. This would be the best thing for Rhaenyra to get to have her beloved cousin by her side for longer than usual. It may have even been due to Rhaenyra’s desperate want for her cousin to be closer or even Aemma’s concern over the hostile environment that the Reader was being brought up in on either side that really got Viserys to take some form of initiative. He may even think that if his brother’s child is at King’s Landing then it may get Daemon to behave or act accordingly, as if. If anything, Daemon may act out even more than before to show off for his kiddo and thus causing even more trouble than usual.

I wholeheartedly see Daemon and Rhea’s child being extremely close to their dragon. They do absolutely everything together while the dragon is still a small, and that doesn’t necessarily stop when the dragon continues to grow and grow bigger than any dragon seen before. If anything the dragon’s need for space outside of the Reader’s bedchambers or any dragon keep would only lead to more adventurous behavior on the Reader’s part. They would do anything to be close to their dragon, even if their mother vehemently forbids it. More often then not the entire Vale would be thrown into a frenzy when the Reader is no where to be seen only to be found cuddled up with their massive dragon who is so tenderly curled around them in a protective and comforting manner. The only thing is trying to bypass the dragon to get to the Reader, it certainly doesn’t help having all three heads glaring down their snouts at the party who’s come to retrieve its’ precious dragon rider just daring them to try and do something.

If anything were to ever happen to Daemon and Rhea’s child, there would be a consideration on both parts to work together but it wouldn’t last very long. If anyone is going to bring their bby home it was going to be them separately. But they wouldn’t even have to do much given that the Reader’s dragon would be the first one to find and reunite with them, causing absolute havoc and catastrophe in its wake trying to reach the side of it’s beloved rider again.

[danielgold-16]

Polo-drones! Today, as we face Vanguard, we are marching towards our future, and I tell you, the future is looking golden!

As you step on the pitch, remember your oath! WE OBEY THE GOLD!

So go forth, conquer and bring the cup home!

[aziraphales-library]

hellooo,

before i get into this i just wanted to thoroughly thank you guys for the help i’ve gotten from you in the past, one time quite recently! i really really appreciate it! you are true angels on earth and deserve the world 🌎🩵

now i just had a thought and i thought i’d ask, are there any fics out there where crowley and aziraphale potentially have a run in with any of the 4 horsemen throughout history? (i feel like i maybe read one or two like this back in the day, i think they were perhaps death and pestilence in those works) i’m not necessarily looking for those specific fics, they’re probably in my bookmarks somewhere. but i just was rewatching episode 2 where war comes in and it said about how she’s been killing time “for so long” and i thought that might be interesting to see a & c coming across them sometimes and how they interact with each other. i’ll take future fics, but i think i’m more looking for past/historical settings

thank youuuu! and feel free to take your time, i’m in no rush.

love you, byeeeeee

Hiiii! Here are some fics where Aziraphale and/or Crowley meet one or more of the four horsemen through the ages. Mind the tags on some of these!..

Oilslick Feathers by sylveondreams (G)

After an unexpected encounter with Pollution, Crowley finds himself with wings soaked in oil and panic building in his chest.

How To Arrange A Meeting by Winds_of_Inspiration10 (T)

Aziraphale has come to Egypt to set forth the next step in the Great Plan - arrange a meeting between Joseph and the Pharaoh. That might be a bit difficult when Crawly informs him that the former has fallen from Potiphar's favor and is now in prison. How will these hereditary enemies get out of this one?

The Great Mortality by The_Jade_Goblin (T)

It's 1347 and the Black Death is stalking the better half of Europe, and Aziraphale is ready to be swept up in his despair. Waves of human populace are being wiped out in the blink of an eye, cities left empty and villages lie barren. There's no end in sight, no stopping this Biblical Plague from destroy humanity. But Crowley isn't willing to give up just yet. Or Aziraphale and Crowley are determined to do SOMETHING, ANYTHING, to help during the Black Plague, even if God Herself can't be bothered. And Aziraphale learns a little more about his demon companion at the same time.

Behold A White Horse by Aubergion (M)

And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. —  Revelation 6:1–2, King James Version The white horse has had many riders in the last six thousand years.

The Feathered Serpent by WaneMoose (T)

1521- Aziraphale has been working as an interpreter for the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in his mission to bring Mexico under the heel of Spanish colonialism and the Roman Catholic Church. When they arrive in the wondrous city of Tenochtitlán, the angel is shocked to discover that Cortés and his invading army have been invited to stay. Even more disconcerting is that invitation was the suggestion of a demon posing as the Aztec high priest for the god Quetzalcóatl, the winged serpent. Naively believing peaceful coexistence is a possibility, Aziraphale and Crowley bear witness to the Toxcatl massacre and the Fall of Tenochtitlán.

The Angel of Dunkirk by imnotokaywiththerunning (M)

Springtime 1940: Hitler's army has started its march across Europe and Aziraphale is worried. Another war so soon after the last was almost unbearable. He and Crowley have decided to stay well out of it, but a visit from the Archangel Gabriel sends Aziraphale headfirst into a war he never wanted to see.

- Mod D

[gatheringbones]

[“Harsh as their rule might have been, the landlords had at least some interest in maintaining their authority over the peasants on a basis other than that of coercion. Known, and in a Confucian sense “respected” by their tenants, they constituted a truly conservative force. When the new officials came from the “out there” of Saigon (as opposed to the “in here” of the village), they brought the instability of the national government down to the most parochial of the rural districts.

Because they were not the established leaders of the village to which they were assigned, the villagers received them much as they might have received proconsuls from a conquering foreign power. The change from the landlords to the bureaucrats demonstrated in concrete terms the change from a subsistence to a mercantile economy, and — or so it seemed from the villagers’ reports — brought that awareness of the outside world, that rise in “political consciousness” that the NLF otherwise had to take pains to achieve through political education.

In attempting to establish their rule over the villages, the government-appointed village chiefs sometimes gained support from a few of the villagers (often those who hoped to use them and were capable of paying the necessary bribes). But in doing so they almost automatically alienated all of the other villagers. Their very presence in the village touched off a disturbance that spread like the ripples around a flung stone. In telling how he came to join the NLF one young defector described this process perfectly:

In 1956–7 life was pretty easy, villagers had motorcycles. Then came law 10/59. Under this law Diem was given the right [sic] to cut off heads of persons suspected of being VC sympathizers. This actually happened in hamlets near mine. Many people were worried. In March 1960 there was a big football game between my team and another team. The two teams fought and were mad with each other. Because the families of some of the boys worked for the government, I really believed they would take revenge on me. I was afraid and tried to hide. I went home. The VC knew that I had won the game, and they came to propagandize me. They said, “Look at you, you have got to hide, but you can’t really hide. You have no arms. The people will catch you and hurt you.” The VC dug a shelter for me to hide in.

The initial conflict did not have to be all that serious. A game of football would do for those who did not play games except as a matter of life or death, for those who did not indulge in limited conflicts. As one Chinese proverb went, “If the small things are not taken care of, then there will be confusion and great plots.” In other words, whatever the Diemist officials did or did not do, their very presence in the village would almost certainly, in the “natural order” of things, create opposition.

When the NLF came to a village, they had but to look for a man within this opposition group who could, with training, recruit others. Then the Saigon government would take its turn. Hearing of a “Viet Cong presence” in the village, the province authorities would send more officials and recruit a platoon of “Self-Defense Guards” from that village or one of its neighbors — the result being that the disturbance would spread and a new group of people would become available for recruitment into the NLF. After a while the NLF would assassinate one or two of the Diemist officials or informers, drive away the defense guards, and take over the village. When the government reacted by sending its regular troops to punish the offenders and reassert control, the NLF and their supporters would have the villagers lay punji sticks and snipe at the troops, calling forth GVN fire upon the whole village. By a simple building of action upon reaction, the village would then belong to the NLF.

After the disappearance of the landlords, the process of NLF recruitment was almost mechanical. Even the lowliest of the NLF cadres understood that the more men the Saigon government drafted, the more men would become available to them. In a sense the political success of the NLF did not depend upon the failures and inhumanity of Diemist policy — though Law 10/59 certainly helped — as much as it did upon a simple law of opposition. The NLF was the counterbalance without which the society would not have been complete — the Yang to the Yin of the government — except, of course, that neither force represented stability. In 1961–1962, as the government sent its officials into all parts of the country, the NLF grew from a series of committees, based in the jungles, mountains, and swamps, into a national organization that controlled perhaps a third of the rural population.

In 1962–1964, as the GVN developed the Strategic Hamlet Program, the NLF began its shift from a relatively loose political movement into a formal replacement regime. In the succeeding two or three years, while the GVN doubled its armed forces from three hundred thousand to six hundred thousand, the NLF attained the strength that would make the Tet offensive possible.”]

frances fitzgerald, from fire in the lake: the vietnamese and the americans in vietnam, 1972

[powerful-niya]

— (вєиєαтн тнє ¢яσωи.)

︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚hαppч nαruhínα mσnth єvєrчσnє!

˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚𝙳𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟹: 𝙵𝚘𝚛𝚋𝚒𝚍𝚍𝚎𝚗 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 + 𝚆𝚊𝚛 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝙻𝚘𝚟𝚎 - (𝙽𝙷𝚖𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚑𝟸𝟹)

Link To Oneshot Below ↴

Wattpad|AO3

Pairing˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚Naruhina

Synopsis˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡Night after night, General Naruto grapples with nightmares from the battlefield, haunted by the specter of war and its horrors. Luckily, Queen Hinata has a special knack for soothing him, knowing just how to ease his mind and make him feel all better.

Content Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚ Alternate Universe - Medieval • Angst • Dark •  Dark Themes • December 3 • December 23 • Empire • Evil Queen • Forbidden • Forbidden Love • Heavy Angst • Historical AU • Historical Eras • Heavy Angst • Hurt & Comfort • Mature Themes • NHmonth • Nhmonth23 • OOC • Power Differences AU • Queen • Queen X General • Royalty AU • Secrecy • Secret Lovers • Sexist Beliefs Mentions • Slight Feminist Beliefs Mentions • Tryst • War • Wartime AU • War General • War And Love • 2023

NSFW Tags˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚  Body Worship • Cock Worship • Codominance • Claiming • Cunnilingus • Deepthroating • Dirty Talk • Desperation • Explicit • Face Grinding • Facesitting • Fellato • Femdom • Freaky • Free Use • Frottage • Hands Kink • Kinky • Lingerie • Masturbation • Multiple Orgasms • Oral Sex • Overstimulation • Panties • Praise Kink • Power Play • Pussy Worship • Rough Sex • Scars • Scent Kink • Scratching • Sideways Sex • Size Difference Kink • Somnophilia • Spooning Sex Position •  Squirting • Sweat Kink • Vaginal Sex • Unprotected Sex • 2023

Overall Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚17.6k

Tumblr Post: Word Count˚ ༘♡ ⋆｡˚1.7k

Preview ༘♡ ⋆｡˚

Hinata Hyūga goes by many names as ruler. 

But many hailed her as the formidable Ice Queen. 

During the medieval era, centuries ago, the world was ruled by brutal principles of survival—conquer or be conquered, kill or be killed. 

In this unforgiving world, the stakes were high, leaving no room for mistakes or hesitation. Any sign of weakness was quickly snuffed out, often resulting in a quick and merciless death. 

Strength was the ultimate arbiter of one's fate. 

Compassion was a dangerous liability, and only those with a ruthless disposition had any hope of thriving.

Ambition fueled every action, every scheme, and every grand vision. 

Alliances were fragile, easily shattered by the ever-present threat of betrayal, making loyalty a rare but precious commodity.

It was a harsh world where the only true currency that held value was power.

And Hinata Hyūga possessed a wealth of it. 

Immense power. 

But it was never enough.

The entirety of Hinata's reign was defined by her unwavering ambition, an insatiable hunger for more and more power. 

That same drive, that relentless desire to rise above all others, coursed through her veins, a legacy that had been passed down through generations of greatness in the esteemed Hyūga royal lineage.

As ruler, her father had been great, as had his father before him, and so on and so forth. 

And now….

Hinata, too, embodied that same greatness.

She was a force of nature, a cold-hearted bitch that struck fear into the hearts of all who came across her, hell, even to those who just heard about her conquests. 

She conquered kingdoms with absolutely no problem, extending her empire far and wide without fail or mercy. 

Her strategic brilliance and unrelenting pursuit of power earned her a reputation as a ruler who tolerated no resistance—a reputation Hinata flaunted proudly, with her tits thrust forward and her head held high.

Kingdoms fell like dominos in her path, their banners absorbed into the ever-growing tapestry of her empire, each now bearing the emblem of the Hyūga dynasty.

When her army marched forth, destruction was only promised. 

Fields were left behind strewn with the fallen.

Streets ran red with blood.

Kingdoms and cities fell to ruin.

Kings were overthrown.

Her enemies' subjects subdued, their cries of defiance silenced by the swift and merciless hand of the Hyūga army. 

Rebellions arose in kingdoms far and wide in Hinata's name.

Seeds were sown, alliances were made, thus, the Hyūga dynasty expanded. 

That is how it always should go in Hinata's eyes. 

To Hinata, it was all simply a game, one of laughs and fucking giggles to her. 

It came easy to her. 

Being queen. 

Being a leader. 

Being a conqueror.  

She navigated a world dominated by men like it was child's play, effortlessly assuming the role of a leader just as well as any man.

She moved with a grace and precision that earned her respect and fear in equal measure, solidifying her place as a dominant force that won't rest till all bowed before her.

But Hinata was more than just that.

She wasn't merely a monarch defined by the clash of swords; not just a woman born from a lineage of blood and conquest.

She wasn't just a fearsome ruler capable of instilling terror with just a glance, who gets what she wants with just a command. 

Not in the slightest. 

Hinata stood as an ethereal beauty, her presence a whispered legend that traversed kingdoms both far and wide. 

She was no ordinary mortal, not just any woman; she was one that embodied grace and refinement, a living manifestation of elegance that inspired awe in all who gazed upon her.

Her eyes, lavender in hue and pupil-less—an unique trait shared only among the Hyūgas—held a depth that spoke of wisdom beyond her years. 

Her smile had the power to illuminate even the darkest of chambers, and her beauty was a force to be reckoned with—a weapon wielded with the allure of a siren, capable of captivating even the most hardened of hearts. 

"Fools." She would always sneer. 

Whispers reverberated her name, ensuring that she remained the focal point of every conversation.

From the grand halls of courtiers to the bustling camps of warriors and the humble villages of common folk, all tongues wagged about her. 

Even amongst her own people who proudly carried the Hyūga banner, discussions about her were rife—whether they had caught a mere glimpse of her, heard tales of her exploits, or were merely fueled by rumors.

Everyone wanted her. 

But they always wanted something from her. 

Courtiers lusted after her in hopes of being crowned as kings.

Warriors vied for her favor, yearning for a chance to spend just a night with her.

And a simple commoner, bless their hearts, sought her out with a wish to be freed from the chains of poverty and misfortune.

But no.

No one can have her. 

Hinata remained untouched. 

A closed-off fortress, one might even describe. 

Hinata was a woman of independence, resolute in her choice to rule alone, free from the influence of any man.

A queen who answered to no one.

A queen that bowed down to no one…

only to herself.

Alone, untouched by love's embrace, her sole ambition was to reign supreme, a quest that consumed her every waking thought. 

That's all that mattered to her. 

And she was content with that…

well…

at least on the surface. 

Because amidst the blood-soaked battlefields and the cold stone walls of her fortress, Hinata harbored a secret. 

A forbidden secret. 

It was a love that went against everything she believed in and stood for, challenging her vow to shun love from her heart entirely.

It was a love that persistently gnawed at the corners of her mind, fueling an insatiable desire to savor its forbidden sweetness with every passing moment, be it day or night.

It was a love that dwelled within her that threatened to unravel the carefully constructed facade she presented to the world, a delicate balance that teetered on the edge of collapse.

A love that was for…

Naruto Uzumaki.

Her most loyal and courageous general.

He was the only man who possessed the power of thawing the heart of the Ice Queen, of kindling her flame.

He, and only he, was the one Hinata longed for, the sole object of her burning desire.

Naruto was many things: a jack of all trades, a wild card, a man truly one of a kind.

Hinata knew that from the first moment she laid eyes on him. 

With his unwavering loyalty and unparalleled skill in warfare, he stood by her side as her most trusted advisor and also the leader of her formidable army.

He was the very man who guided the Hyūga troops into battle.

Without fear.

Without hesitation.

Without mercy. 

Just like his queen. 

The battlefield was his domain, a territory Naruto claimed without hesitation, fearlessly commanding the front lines better than any man. 

He led with a ferocity that mirrored his queen's, rushing into battle, ready to slaughter anyone who stood on the other side. It didn't matter who his enemies were; nobles, seasoned warriors, or mere foot soldiers—none were spared from his wrath.

He cut through the lot of them like it was nothing, happily killing in Hinata's name.

And each time, the result was the same; each battle's end unchanged. 

Naruto emerged victorious. 

Time and time again. 

Naruto stood as the driving force behind every triumph that echoed throughout the current Hyūga dynasty, a harbinger of inevitable victory for the Hyūga forces.

A man who single-handedly instilled fear on the battlefields and beyond.

Many called him the warrior of warriors.

Others referred to him as the bearer of grim gifts.

For it was he who had happily made it a tradition to present his queen with the grisly spoils of war upon her throne after every battle—the severed heads of her enemies.

A morbid treat, but one that he knew delighted his queen like none other. 

Naruto's loyalty to Hinata extended beyond mere duty; it was a deep-seated commitment, ingrained in every fiber of his being.

Every step he took was for her.

Every thought was consumed by her.

Every decision he made was for her. 

And every battle won was for her. 

Naruto sought nothing. 

He sought nothing in return from his queen.  

He harbored no desire for the benefits her status as queen or her unparalleled beauty could bestow upon him.

His loyalty was unconditional, dedicated solely to her and her cause. Naruto existed solely to ensure her success, to safeguard her sovereignty, and to defend her at any expense.

And Hinata appreciated his devotion beyond measure. 

No one could rival the bond shared between them, a connection forged in the fires of battle and sealed with the blood of their enemies.

To commemorate their victories, they would eagerly retreat to the comfort of their bed chambers, to hide from the world within the embrace of one another's arms. There, Hinata would shed her gowns, and Naruto, his armor, and fuck like there was no tomorrow, relishing in the sweet sensation of their naked bodies pressing against each other. 

And in those tender moments they spent together, they were allowed the freedom to shed their masks, baring their souls freely to one another. Then, naked and safe within the confines of their bedrooms, they revealed a side of themselves never before seen from the outside world. 

Naruto let go of his stoic mask and revealed his softer side.

Hinata shed her icy exterior and allowed herself to be vulnerable.

She showed Naruto the depths of her passion, allowed him to be more than just her sword, teaching him how to cherish the moments stolen from the chaos of their conquests. 

Amidst it all, only their stolen glances and kisses were the traces of their hidden affair.

Only their bedroom walls knew of the profound love they had for one another.

They understood the risks. 

As queen and general, they were aware of the potential havoc that could be wrought if their forbidden relationship were to be exposed to the world.

They were aware of how their love had the potential to jeopardize the solid foundations of the empire they had worked tirelessly to build.

War and love was usually a precarious balance, after all. 

But for them, it worked.

Risk or not…

Forbidden or not, they were happy. 

Continue Reading On Wattpad Or AO3.

And so, together, they ruled with ice and fire, their love a force that could not be conquered, even by the mightiest of empires.

— (⋆⁺｡˚⋆˙‧₊☾ 𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐮𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 ☽₊‧˙⋆˚｡⁺⋆)

[scotianostra]

Today is the anniversary of the death of St Cuthbert, who died on 20th March 687AD.

St Cuthbert was a monk, bishop and hermit of Lindisfarne who lived in Anglo-Saxon Northumbria. A wee bit geography for you, during St Cuthberts time, the area that is now Scotland was divided into three areas: Pictland, a patchwork of small lordships in central Scotland, the Anglo-Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria, which had conquered southeastern Scotland; and the kingdom of Dál Riata in western Scotland. Anglo-Saxon Northumbria stretched from on the East coast, the Humber, where it got it’s name, on the west from the river Mersey, up the the Firth of Forth, and what is now Dumfries and Galloway in the west.

Cuthbert was born (perhaps into a noble family) in Dunbar, now in East Lothian, at the time the region was still largely Pagan, although King Edwin of Northumbria was spreading Christianity having been converted about ten years previously. Incidentally some claim that Edwin might have given Edinburgh it’s name, but it is generally accepted the name derived from the area being known as Eidyn, from the time the Roans left, into the dark ages, the name Eidyn itself’s origin is not known.

Back to oor Cuthbert, he is known to have grown up in what is now The Scottish Borders, we know that he tended sheep on the hills above the abbey at Melrose when he was older.

t seems, from stories about his childhood, that he was brought up as a Christian. He was credited, for instance, with having saved by his prayers, some monks who were being swept out to sea on a raft. There is some evidence that, in his mid-teens, he was involved in at least one battle, which would have been quite normal for a boy of his social background.

His life changed when he was about 17 years old. He was looking after some neighbour’s sheep on the hills. (As he was certainly not a shepherd boy it is possible that he was mounting a military guard - a suitable occupation for a young warrior!) Gazing into the night sky he saw a light descend to Earth and then return, escorting, he believed, a human soul to Heaven. The date was August 31st 651AD - the night that Saint Aidan died. Perhaps Cuthbert had already been considering a possible monastic calling but that was his moment of decision.

He went to the monastery at Melrose, also founded by Aidan, and asked to be admitted as a Novice.

For the next 13 years he was with the Melrose monks. When Melrose was given land to found a new monastery at Ripon, Cuthbert went with the founding party and was made guestmaster. In his late 20s he returned to Melrose and found that his former teacher and friend, the prior Boisil, was dying of the plague. Cuthbert became prior (second to the Abbot) at Melrose.

In 664AD the Synod of Whitby decided that Northumbria should cease to look to Ireland for its spiritual leadership and turn instead to the continent the Irish monks of Lindisfarne, with others, went back to Iona. The abbot of Melrose subsequently became also abbot of Lindisfarne and Cuthbert its prior.

Cuthbert seems to have moved to Lindisfarne at about the age of 30 and lived there for the next 10 years. He ran the monastery; he was an active missionary; he was much in demand as a spiritual guide and he developed the gift of spiritual healing. Cuthbert was said to be an outgoing, cheerful, compassionate person and no doubt became popular. But when he was 40 years old he believed that he was being called to be a hermit and to do the hermit’s job of fighting the spiritual forces of evil in a life of solitude.

After a short trial period on the tiny islet adjoining Lindisfarne he moved to the more remote and larger island known as ‘Inner Farne’ and built a hermitage where he lived for 10 years. Of course, people did not leave him alone - they went out in their little boats to consult him or ask for healing. However, on many days of the year the seas around the islands are simply too rough to make the crossing and Cuthbert was left in peace.

At the age of about 50 it is written that he was asked by both Church and King to leave his hermitage and become a bishop. He reluctantly agreed. For two years he was an active, travelling bishop as Aidan had been. He seems to have journeyed extensively. On one occasion he was visiting the Queen in Carlisle when he knew by second sight that her husband, the King, had been slain by the Picts doing battle in Scotland.

Feeling the approach of death he retired back to the hermitage on the Inner Farne where, in the company of Lindisfarne monks, he died on on this day in 687AD.

His body was brought back and buried on Lindisfarne, well for a time anyway, after long journeys escaping the Danes his remains "chose", as was thought, to settle at Durham, causing the foundation of the city and Durham Cathedral. The St Cuthbert Gospel is among the objects later recovered from St Cuthbert's coffin, which is also an important artefact.

Pics are depictions of Cuthbert, the second featuring his incorrupt body from the Life of Cuthbert, a 12th century manuscript.

[geekcavepodcast]

DC Comics' "Ape-ril Special" Goes on Sale in March 2024

DC Comics has announced a special ape-centric adventure for 2024. Ape-ril Special #1 will feature stories from writers John Layman, Joshua Hale Fialkov, and Gene Yang and art from artists Karl Mostert, Phil Hester, and Bernard Chang.

As per DC Comics, "Gorilla Grodd's recent incarcer-ape-tion in the pages of DC’s The Flash comic book series has left a void that Monsieur Mallah is more than happy to fill. Ape-sembling a group of the DCU’s most sinister simians, Mallahforms the Legion of D(oo-oo-ah-ah)m, with an eye toward worlddomin-ape-tion. But the world won’t be conquered that easily! Enter the all-ape JUNGLE L(ee-ee)gue. Can this team of hero-eekanthropoids be the salv-ape-tion we need, or will Mallah’s team of maniacal monkeys bring forth the ape-pocalypse?"

Ape-ril Special #1, featuring a main cover by Dan Mora, a variant cover by Bernard Chang, and a "Banana Scent variant cover by Hayden Sherman, goes on sale on March 19, 2024.

(Image via DC Comics - Dan Mora's Cover of Ape-ril Special #1)

[orthodoxydaily]

SAINTS&READING: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024

november 8_november 22

SYNAXIS OF THE ARCHANGEL MICHAEL AND THE OTHER BODILESS POWERS;  ARCHANGELS GABRIEL, RAPHAEL, URIEL, SALAPHIEL, JEGUDIEL, BARACHIEL, AND JEREMIEL.

The Synaxis of the Chief of the Heavenly Hosts, Archangel Michael and the Other Heavenly Bodiless Powers: Archangels Gabriel, Raphael, Uriel, Selaphiel, Jehudiel, Barachiel, and Jeremiel was established at the beginning of the fourth century at the Council of Laodicea, which met several years before the First Ecumenical Council. The 35th Canon of the Council of Laodicea condemned and denounced as heretical the worship of angels as gods and rulers of the world but affirmed their proper veneration.

A Feastday was established in November, the ninth month after March (with which the year began in ancient times) since there are Nine Ranks of Angels. The eighth day of the month was chosen for the Synaxis of all the Bodiless Powers of Heaven since the Day of the Dread Last Judgment is called the Eighth Day by the holy Fathers. After the end of this age (characterized by its seven days of Creation) will come the Eighth Day, and then “the Son of Man shall come in His Glory and all the holy Angels with Him” (Mt. 25:31).

The Angelic Ranks are divided into three Hierarchies: highest, middle, and lowest.

The Highest Hierarchy includes: the Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones.

The six-winged SERAPHIM (Flaming, Fiery) (Is 6:2) stand closest of all to the Most Holy Trinity. They blaze with love for God and kindle such love in others. The many-eyed CHERUBIM (outpouring of wisdom, enlightenment) (Gen 3:24) stand before the Lord after the Seraphim. They are radiant with the light of knowledge of God, and knowledge of the mysteries of God. Through them wisdom is poured forth, and people’s minds are enlightened so they may know God and behold His glory. The THRONES (Col 1:16) stand after the Cherubim, mysteriously and incomprehensibly bearing God through the grace given them for their service. They are ministers of God’s justice, giving to tribunals, kings, etc. the capacity for righteous judgment.

The Middle Angelic Hierarchy consists of three Ranks: Dominions, Powers, and Authorities:

DOMINIONS (Col 1:16) hold dominion over the angels subject to them. They instruct the earthly authorities, established by God, to rule wisely, and to govern their lands well. The Dominions teach us to subdue sinful impulses, to subject the flesh to the spirit, to master our will, and to conquer temptation. POWERS (1 Pet 3:22) fulfill the will of God without hesitation. They work great miracles and give the grace of wonderworking and clairvoyance to saints pleasing to God. The Powers assist people in fulfilling obediences. They also encourage them to be patient, and give them spiritual strength and fortitude. AUTHORITIES (1 Pet 3:22, Col 1:16) have authority over the devil. They protect people from demonic temptations, and prevent demons from harming people as they would wish. They also uphold ascetics and guard them, helping people in the struggle with evil thoughts.

The Lowest Hierarchy includes the three Ranks: Principalities, Archangels, and Angels:

PRINCIPALITIES (Col 1:16) have command over the lower angels, instructing them in the fulfilling of God’s commands. They watch over the world and protect lands, nations and peoples. Principalities instruct people to render proper honor to those in authority, as befits their station. They teach those in authority to use their position, not for personal glory and gain, but to honor God, and to spread word of Him, for the benefit of those under them. ARCHANGELS (1 Thess 4:16) are messengers of great and wondrous tidings. They reveal prophecies and the mysteries of the faith. They enlighten people to know and understand the will of God, they spread faith in God among the people, illuminating their minds with the light of the Holy Gospel. ANGELS (1 Pet 3:22) are in the lowest rank of the heavenly hierarchy, and closest to people. They reveal the lesser mysteries of God and His intentions, guiding people to virtuous and holy life. They support those who remain steadfast, and they raise up the fallen. They never abandon us and they are always prepared to help us, if we desire it.

All the Ranks of the Heavenly Powers are called angels, although each has its own name and position by virtue of their service. The Lord reveals His will to the highest ranks of the angels, and they in turn inform the others.

Over all the Nine Ranks, the Lord appointed the Holy Archangel Michael (his name in Hebrew means “who is like unto God”), the faithful servitor of God, as Chief Commander. He cast down from Heaven the arrogantly proud Lucifer and the other fallen spirits when they rebelled against God. Michael summoned the ranks of angels and cried out, “Let us attend! Let us stand aright before our Creator and do not consider doing what is displeasing unto God!”

According to Church Tradition, and in the church services to the Archangel Michael, he participated in many other Old Testament events.

During the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt he went before them in the form of a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Through him the power of the Lord was made manifest, annihilating the Egyptians and Pharaoh who were in pursuit of the Israelites. The Archangel Michael defended Israel in all its misfortunes. He appeared to Joshua Son of Navi and revealed the will of the Lord at the taking of Jericho (Josh 5:13-16). The power of the great Chief Commander of God was manifest in the annihilation of the 185,000 soldiers of the Assyrian emperor Sennacherib (4/2 Kings 19:35); also in the smiting of the impious leader Heliodorus (2 Macc. 3: 24-26); and in the protection of the Three Holy Youths: Ananias, Azarias and Misail, thrown into the fiery furnace for their refusal to worship an idol (Dan 3:22-25). Through the will of God, the Chief Commander Michael transported the Prophet Habbakuk (December 2) from Judea to Babylon, to give food to Daniel in the lions’ den (Dan. 14:33-37). The Archangel Michael disputed with the devil over the body of the holy Prophet Moses (Jude 1:9). The holy Archangel Michael showed his power when he miraculously saved a young man, cast into the sea by robbers with a stone about his neck on the shores of Mt Athos. This story is found in the Athonite Paterikon, and in the Life of Saint Neophytus of Docheiariou (November 9). From ancient times the Archangel Michael was famed for his miracles in Rus. In the Volokolamsk Paterikon is a narrative of Saint Paphnutius of Borov with an account of Tatar tax-gatherers concerning the miraculous saving of Novgorod the Great: “Therefore Great Novgorod was never taken by the Hagarenes... when... for our sins the godless Hagarene emperor Batu devoured and set the Russian land aflame and came to Novgorod, and God and the Most Holy Theotokos shielded it with an appearance of Michael the Archangel, who forbade him to enter into it. He [Batu] was come to the Lithuanian city and came toward Kiev and saw the stone church, over the doors of which the great Archangel Michael had written and spoken to the prince his allotted fate, ‘By this we have forbidden you entry into Great Novgorod’.” Intercession for Russian cities by the Most Holy Queen of Heaven always involved Her appearances with the Heavenly Hosts, under the leadership of the Archangel Michael. Grateful Rus acclaimed the Most Pure Mother of God and the Archangel Michael in church hymns. Many monasteries, cathedrals, court and merchant churches are dedicated to the Chief Commander Michael. In old Kiev at the time of the accepting of Christianity, a cathedral of the Archangel was built, and a monastery also was named for him. Archangel cathedrals are found at Smolensk, Nizhni Novgorod, Staritsa, at Great Ustiug (beginning of the thirteenth century), and a cathedral at Sviyazhsk. In Rus there was not a city where there was not a church or chapel dedicated to the Archangel Michael. One of the chief temples of the city of Moscow, the burial church in the Kremlin, is dedicated to him. Numerous and beautiful icons of the Chief Commander of the Heavenly Hosts are also in his Cathedral. One of these, the Icon “Blessed Soldiery,” was painted in the Dormition Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. The saintly soldiers, Russian princes, are depicted under the leadership of the Archangel Michael. We invoke Saint Michael for protection from invasion by enemies and from civil war, and for the defeat of adversaries on the field of battle. He conquers all spiritual enemies.

Holy Scripture and Tradition give us the names of the Archangels:

Gabriel: strength (power) of God, herald and servitor of Divine omnipotence (Dan 8:16, Luke 1:26). He announces the mysteries of God. Raphael: the healing of God, the curer of human infirmities (Tobit 3:16, 12:15) Uriel: the fire or light of God, enlightener (2 Esdras 5:20). We pray for him to enlighten those with darkened minds. Selaphiel: the prayer of God, impelling to prayer (2 Esdras 5:15). He prays to God for mankind. Jehudiel: the glorifying of God, encouraging exertion for the glory of the Lord and interceding for the reward of efforts. Barachiel: distributor of the blessings of God for good deeds, entreats the mercy of God for people. Jeremiel: the raising up to God (2 Esdras 4:36)

On icons the Archangels are depicted in according to the character of their service:

Michael tramples the devil underfoot, and in his left hand holds a green date-tree branch, and in his right hand a spear with a white banner on which is outlined a scarlet cross, or sometimes a fiery sword. Gabriel with a branch from Paradise, presented by him to the Most Holy Virgin, or with a shining lantern in his right hand and with a mirror made of jasper in his left. Raphael holds a vessel with healing medications in his left hand, and with his right hand leads Tobias, carrying a fish for healing (Tobit 5-8). Uriel in his raised right hand holds a naked sword at the level of his chest, and in his lowered left hand “a fiery flame.” Selaphiel in a prayerful posture, gazing downwards, hands folded on the chest. Jehudiel holds a golden crown in his right hand, in his left, a whip of three red (or black) thongs. Barachiel is shown with a white rose on his breast. Jeremiel holds balance-scales in his hand.

Each person has a guardian angel (Matt 18:10), and every nation also receives its own guardian angel from God (Dan. 10:13). When a church is consecrated, it also receives a guardian angel (Palladius, Dial. Ch. 10).

Hebrews 2:2-10

2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will? 5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:"What is man that You are mindful of him, Or the son of man that You take care of him? 7 You have made him a little lower than the angels; You have crowned him with glory and honor, And set him over the works of Your hands. 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet." For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.

Luke 10:16-21

16 He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me. 17 Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." 18 And He said to them, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. 21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

[beacarrot]

London is waiting for me.

Everything feels okay,

My life seems too good to be true,

I feel like I'm caught in a dream,

A whisper tells me there's still more to pursue.

How did I not see?

The lights blind an entire nation,

Few disappointments,

A heart with little emotions,

Or perhaps I’m just forgetting.

But my lungs shout along to my own creations,

Life is a trick, built on lessons to learn,

I’m invincible,

Young, wild, and free,

No one can catch me now; it's my turn,

The players stayed behind in the gym, you see,

The endgame’s here, it always comes,

The scoreboard relentless, it spares no one.

I’ve learned, the cuts burned inside my skin,

But scars faded, lessons sank in,

Sorry, but you’ve lost this time.

And the leaves fall as I trip on that same old fence,

The one that broke my foot at age six,

Yet tomorrow the sun will rise again,

And I’ll rebuild myself brick by brick,

One day at a time, growing stronger and sane,

Being who I am today once felt like a dream,

But I know I’m only halfway to what I’ll attain.

I’m never alone as I tread this path,

Boys and girls,

We all march toward the aftermath.

Grab my hand,

I’ll grab my passport tight,

I’ve always believed in luck’s bright light,

This time it’s my turn to be chosen,

It makes me want to run faster, unbroken,

But then, to turn back around…

Europe and its silent promises call,

London shouts, though I still can’t hear it all,

The wind rushes fast, it’s a battle unwinnable,

Miles tread beneath my Saint Laurent soles,

A new soundtrack plays, it's something about the traffic lights glow bold,

This is my era, this is my age,

Camera flashes will follow me on my own stage,

And I won’t lie,

I’ve always know London is waiting for me.

Not always everything feels okay,

Isn’t always that life seems too good to be true,

I used to fear of being in front of an audience, that damn kind of crowd’s gaze,

Now I move forward,

Caught in my own web, I had to try again,

Stabbed in the back, wounds that remain,

They repeat and repeat until they’re a must,

Reminders to guard myself from misplaced trust,

The bullet grazed past,

It’s strange to blame the heart so fast.

I can’t stand how my creativity soars,

Fueled by sadness that knocks on my door,

Where is this story heading?

I can’t say,

Perhaps chaos ends at a hopeful new day,

If you’re in this boat, at least grab an oar,

And dive into life, explore its core,

I’m ready to live, to go back and forth,

But I’ll never leave my flock of thoughts alone.

I knew frat boys spelled trouble, of course,

But I needed to fight, and this time trying to be fully grown,

I can be my worst,

But now I want to be my best,

I’ve seen myself, just a bag full of bones and stolen plans,

I still have time to conquer the land,

The only thing that could ever kill me,

Is burying my talents before they’ve run free,

Not old enough,

Young, but not bold enough,

Yet there’s nothing to lose.

I’m in the right mood to sit by a piano,

Playing a song that my mind just composed,

Alone with the hum of a dark room’s tone,

Summer heat wraps me in its throes,

But I never learned to deal with instruments, just like change,

It was supposed to sound natural,

Yet it didn’t work.

Now I have no ground to keep me steady,

Because dreams feel great when there’s time to be ready,

I remember how life allowed a slower pace,

But now I won’t settle for second place,

I’m melancholic, it’s my belief,

We trust we’ll be ready by twenty at least,

But the eighteen is just two steps away,

The dice roll, no more time to delay,

It’s not just the moment to dream,

“There’s still time,” I once thought, serene,

Now it’s time to act, and in the middle of the night I knelt down,

“Lord, what will become of me?".

They told me to grab my passport tight,

I’ve always believed in luck’s bright light,

This time it’s my turn to be chosen,

It makes me want to turn back around, emotions unspoken,

But then, makes me want to run faster, unbroken,

Europe and its silent promises call,

London shouts, something I almost can hear it all,

The wind rushes fast, unstoppable, clear.

The wind rushes fast, it’s a battle unwinnable,

Miles tread beneath my Saint Laurent soles,

A new soundtrack plays, it's something about the traffic lights glow bold,

This is my era, this is my age,

Camera flashes will follow me on my own stage,

And I won’t lie,

I’ve always know London is waiting for me.

My eyes are no longer closed,

The blanket's no longer wrapped around me, protecting me from the fire,

Nor my feet gently swaying, knees composed,

Now I face the ceiling, my eyes burning bright,

Exposed and unguarded,

My knees give way,

I hold them close, as if that might change something maybe someday,

I laugh through the tears I shed,

Never so sad, but excited at the same time,

I blink repeatedly, my blurred vision fights,

I never thought I'd also stop right at the curve of life.

And I think it’s fine to not be ready,

To be the woman they want, I am still unsteady,

I’m still just a girl, learning my little way,

Streamers fell as confetti met the ground,

My friends praised my navy dress all around,

And I replied with warmth in return

It was a night of pride, of youthful acclaim,

Yet we couldn’t foresee how farewells would burn,

“Long live high school!” we lovingly cried,

Swapping our uniforms for crowns with pride,

But all I feel is the weight of time,

And all I think is how now I’m on my own climb.

I’m ready for the fight,

Unloading my luggage, reclaiming my might,

"Escape" is tattooed on my ribs, my creed,

Paired with my dreams, my driving need,

Is this an illusion or my fate?

I run the road, something waits beyond the gate,

This is my moment,

I think about home,

I think about the feeling,

I see my feet, they move without my own will,

I’ll wait for the night,

For this dream to come still,

No, I must try,

I must fail,

I must succeed,

For life won’t stop derail,

Never thought I’d feel so lost,

When finally I was finding my self in my way,

Never thought I’d fear the cost,

When I stood so near to the day,

I’ll remember I have a choice,

And I won't fall for anything,

When boldness fills my voice.

I’ll grab my passport tight,

I believe in luck’s bright light,

It’s my turn to be chosen,

It makes me want to run faster, my emotions frozen,

But no! I've already turned back around,

Europe and its silent promises call,

London screams, and now I can hear,

The wind rushes fast, it’s a battle unwinnable,

Miles is treading beneath my Saint Laurent soles,

A new soundtrack plays, it's something about the traffic lights glow bold,

This is my era, this is my age,

Camera flashes is following me on my own stage,

I’m not ready for London,

But London is ready for me,

'Cause London is waiting for me,

London is waiting for me.

(This was perhaps the longest poem I have ever written. I started writing this poem in June of this year, but it was in a completely different format, there were many changes. From the beginning to the middle of this year I had a vision of my dreams, a more aggressive and determined vision, then time passed and this poem was still a draft, now in the last month of the year, my vision has changed, I finished school and this is the first step of a conflicting and exciting road to my dreams. And now, I find myself afraid, and that's okay. I think in this poem, I show my dreams in a human way, with the joy, fear, sadness and determination, it's scary when the deadline you set for your dreams to come true is getting closer and closer, when it's time to fight. London is a dream for me, I know I'll be ready, and I don't think there's a better poem to close my collection of poems than this one.)

Signed: Beatriz Ranzonni 🩵.

[dgrailwar]

Round Δ, Day 3 - 'Faker' versus 'Gatekeeper'

"Heh, I've been itchin' to go at you, Gatekeeper. Guardian of the Threshhold, my ass. You're just a lapdog, or is that a 'guard dog'?"

Without a verbal response, the warden Gatekeeper drew her blade in a lightning fast iai, cracking the ground just before the Faker. Faker stepped back, staring at the crack before her mouth split into a wide grin, eyes glinting with maddened excitement.

"Struck a nerve, did I! As a fellow Servant of the two ancients, I challenge you! My True Name is Hephaestion, though even that is but a shadow of the truth! Warden of Hell, meet the power of the drunken god, and the curses passed down from the titan of witchcraft!"

Such was a declaration of war made by the retainer of the Conquering King, she who served the mad god Dionysus and engaged in violence and revelry alike. The epitome of hedonism, standing before the arbiter who had judged countless hedonists. A death sentence, in every sense of the word.

The faker let out a devastating war cry, slamming her spear on the ground as a massive chariot formed near her.

Crimson lightning flared and struck the ground, rending it asunder and scorching it bare, as skeletal beings beginning to claw their way out of the ground and lumber towards the sparrow, who took in a deep breath, sharp eyes reading herself.

"…Ready, Enjaku Battoujutsu Esoteric…the Crimson Vermillion Beni-Enma marches forth!"

The boosts in play are...

Hephaestion: +10%

Vermilion Beni-Enma: +5%

Servant Skills:

Hephaestion (Faker)

For He Is Another Iskandar (Fake) (A Rank): When engaged in a One-on-One, gain a +20% boost, increased to 30% when in a Free-for-All.

High-Speed Divine Words (B Rank): Demerits against her have their effectiveness cut in half. (Note: Skills that 'cut' boosts, such as Gatekeeper's skill, do not count as 'demerits').

Noble Colors - Mystic Eyes of Compulsion (Unranked): Opponents against her are struck with a -10% demerit.

Vermilion Beni-Enma (Gatekeeper)

Suzume Gaeshi - Suzume Rokurin (A Rank): A special technique that punishes the wicked by first cutting their tongues, and then the rest of their bodies. When facing against a Servant of 'non-Lawful Good' alignment, cut their boosts in half.

Faker is categorized as 'Non-Lawful Good'!

Mind's Eye (Fake) (A Rank): When losing against an opponent, if score is within 5% of the opponent above her, avoid taking damage.

Enjaku Battoujutsu Esoteric (EX Rank): Gain a +10% boost to your poll results, increasing by 5% per non-'Lawful Good' aligned enemy present. Additionally, those who fall to Gatekeeper's blade (as in, lose against her in combat) are instantly killed and sent to hell. Such is the fate of the wicked.

[antiochianorthodoxcumberlandmd]

Daily Scripture Readings and Lives of the Saints for Monday, June 02, 2025

Feasts and Saints celebrated today:

Nicephorus the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

Erasmos of Ochrid & his Companion Martyrs

Demetrios the New Martyr of Philadelphia

Constantine the New Martyr of the Hagarenes

Readings for today:

Acts of the Apostles 21:8-14

John 14:27-15:7

Nicephorus the Confessor, Patriarch of Constantinople

Reading from the Synaxarion:

Saint Nicephorus was born in Constantinople about the year 758, of pious parents; his father Theodore endured exile and tribulation for the holy icons during the reign of Constantine Copronymus (741-775). Nicephorus served in the imperial palace as a secretary. Later, he took up the monastic life, and struggled in asceticism not far from the imperial city; he also founded monasteries on the eastern shore of the Bosphorus, among them one dedicated to the Great Martyr Theodore.

After the repose of the holy Patriarch Tarasius, he was ordained Patriarch, on April 12, 806, and in this high office led the Orthodox resistance to the Iconoclasts' war on piety, which was stirred up by Leo the Armenian. Because Nicephorus championed the veneration of the icons, Leo drove Nicephorus from his throne on March 13, 815, exiling him from one place to another, and lastly to the Monastery of Saint Theodore which Nicephorus himself had founded. It was here that, after glorifying God for nine years as Patriarch, and then for thirteen years as an exile, tormented and afflicted, he gave up his blameless soul in 828 at about the age of seventy. See also March 8.

Apolytikion of Nicephorus, Abp. of Constantinople in the Fourth Tone

A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicephorus, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.

Kontakion of Nicephorus, Abp. of Constantinople in the Fourth Tone

Since thou hast received today the crown of vict'ry from the Heavens at God's hand, save all them that faithfully now honour thee as a teacher and a faithful hierarch, O Father Nicephorus.

The content on this page is under copyright and is used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, in print or on other websites or in any other form, without the prior written authorization of the copyright holder:

Reading (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery - Brookline, MA

Apolytikion of Nicephorus, Abp. of Constantinople (c) Narthex Press

Kontakion of Nicephorus, Abp. of Constantinople (c) Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA

Prayer Before Reading Scripture

Shine within our hearts, loving Master, the pure light of Your divine knowledge and open the eyes of our minds that we may comprehend the message of Your Gospel. Instill in us also reverence for Your blessed commandments, so that having conquered all sinful desires, we may pursue a spiritual life, thinking and doing all those things that are pleasing to You. For You, Christ our God, are the light of our souls and bodies, and to You we give glory together with Your Father who is without beginning and Your all holy, good, and life giving Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of ages. Amen.

Epistle Reading

The Reading is from Acts of the Apostles 21:8-14

IN THOSE DAYS, the apostles departed and came to Caesarea; and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. And he had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. While we were staying for some days, a prophet named Agabos came down from Judea. And coming to us he took Paul's girdle and bound his own feet and hands, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this girdle and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'" When we heard this, we and the people there begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, "What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, "The will of the Lord be done."

Gospel Reading

The Reading is from the Gospel According to John 14:27-15:7

The Lord said to his disciples, "Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, 'I go away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I go to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go hence.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man does not abide in me, he is cast forth as a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you."

[fimikoru]

GUIDE TO: AOPPELLA!?

Have you ever been interested in getting into 'Aoppella!?' but you don't know where to start? No worries! I, Fimi and Haruto will help you how to start listening/getting into 'Aoppella!?' !!!

Now let's GO GO GOOO!!!

First off,

What is 'Aoppella!?'

It's a music media project centered on a cappella that started the 4th March 2021

It was owned by KLab until the 1st June 2023 and is now owned by Marvelous

This franchise is centered on 17 high school students, composed of 3 units, who will be participating in an a cappella competition named Aoppella!

SYPNOSIS:

The boys were enchanted that day.

Standing before them were ordinary high school students just like them. No extravagant costumes.

No musical instruments.

And yet, the moment they opened their mouths, ever-changing harmonies gushed forth, and the audience went wild.

"We want to sing like that too! We want to shine!"

'Aoppella'

is an a cappella competition for high school students only, where high school students who are fascinated by a cappella "unaccompanied singing" aim to reach even greater heights. Their performance is about to begin !

Now let's get to the units where I'll tell you more about the unit itself and the characters individually

————————————————————————

Alright next is,

GROUP INTRODUCTION

Starting off with, Lil Happy !

Representing the Otowa High school

A unit composed of 5 members that are:

Hajime Suzumiya (2nd part)

Rin Tanba (Top part)

Michitaka Kariyazono (3rd part)

Luka Shiho (4th part)

Sayo Soenji (Bass part)

Hajime Suzumiya (CV:Ryohei Kimura)

The leader of Lil Happy

He decided to make an a cappella with Rin and Sayo after watching an a cappella performance by FYA'M'

He's a laid-back person but yet proactive when it comes to his interest

His childhood friend is Maito from FYA'M'

- Hajime likes Zou-san so much to the point he won't miss any Zou-san's live streaming.

- He dislikes eggplant.

- His orange jacket is a custom made and he got it as a present from his bandmates.

- He has a poor sense of direction.

Other roles of his seiyuu:

Shun Itsuki - Tsukiuta

Yamato Hyuga - Uta no prince-sama

Kotaro Bokuto - Haikyuu

Ryota Kise - Kuroko no basket

Childe - Genshin Impact

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Rin Tanba (CV Ryota Osaka)

The mom

Often mistaken as a delinquent because of his look and his foul mouth

Has a chunnibyou streak in his hobbies and behavior

Says metal is the best music but actually likes popular J-Pop songs

- Like Maito, Rin is also not good with scary stuff.

- Rin's nickname, Shanshan-senpai, is given by Michitaka as a proof to his friends that Rin is not a bad guy and is not scary at all.

- He has a secret ambition to conquer all kinds of meals in his part-time job.

Other role of his seiyuu:

Ibara Saegusa - Ensemble Stars

Keiji Akaashi - Haikyuu

Bennett - Genshin Impact

Gyutaro - Demon Slayer

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whoops it seems like I'm on image limit!! see you on the next post!! <33

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4