lolazoel

[lolazoel]

Well well well... i guess i should try to contribute!

@regretn0-thing @angelkissesdean @apple--cid-er @psychogirlfiend @sylviawitch @larluce

I hope everyone i tagged is happy with the development, i'll retreat into my ace-space

 A friend threatened me to repost so I will!

Basically, there r tons of fake asses on tumblr who just want comments and followers, so someone started this to see who's actually a good friend. Everyone I tag better repost (and tag other people and preferably threaten them in a creative way as well) bc I'm high on caffeine and newfound lesbianism and will resort to violence.

@ey-theys-was-coronas

@fangirlhehe

I would tag more people but they're the only ones I've really interacted with-

[lolazoel]

Context? Context.

The german party of government AfD (Alternative für Deutschland meaning Alternative for Germany) has been under suspicion for their right wing rhetoric for a while, one of their leaders (Bernd Höcke) was legally declared a fascist. Before Trumps enauguration Elon Musk met with Alice Weidel, another famous party member, to endorse her for the upcoming election, possibly also discussing his role to supprt the AfD (like manipulating Twitter feeds and notifications). News just went out, stating the federal office for the protection of the constitution (deutscher Verfassungsschutz) has now labled the AfD as right wing extremists, a step further towards declaring them a violation to the german constitution.

[lolazoel]

Thursday's child has far to go

Monday's child is fair of face, Tuesday's child is full of grace. Wednesday's child is full of woe, Thursday's child has far to go. Friday's child is loving and giving, Saturday's child works hard for a living. But the child that is born on Sabbath day, Is bonny and blithe, good and gay.

I was thinking about Cas, angel of thursday, and this poem because the Adams family has their corner of my brain. Anyways, not the point. Point it "Thursday's child has far to go" and if we apply that to Cas that's heavy... not only does he have to cover a lot of distance, flying into hell to save Dean, get him out, play errand boy for the Winchesters, but he also falls, (falls in love with Dean,) falls out of heaven's favour, into human life, into the empty like 12 times (i didn't count, i just think it'd be realistic for the show to attempt to kill Cas so frequently), was cast into purgatory, had to learn to drive... but his physical journey aside he also has a massive emotional journey and character arc. He had far to go since season 4 and yes, i'm still salty he got killed off and then post revival never got back on screen, he had a long journey, he deserved a happy ending.

[lolazoel]

You know... i was thinking... (bad omen, i know) Tim Drake and Bruce Wayne have Telemachus and Odysseus parallels!

Now, hear me out, this is all connected to the worst time of Tim's life, aka Bruce lost in the time stream. Bruce tries everything to make it home, to leave messages, to survive. Because getting home to his kids is his priority. Tim, the greatest detective since Batman, is basically thrown out of his home (like Telemachus is with the suitors. He feels unsafe and goes with Athena to train and find out what happened to his dad). And the son finds the dad, brings him home, allows him to fianlly rest.

Let's be real, i want animatics of "I can't help but wonder" for Bruce and Tim. Sure, mb the context of the son barely knowing the dad makes more sense with Dami, but Tim fought for Bruce, searched for Bruce, never gave up on Bruce. Therefore i elect to ignore canon, i want the angsty stuff.

[lolazoel]

Empty my plate, fill my heart

It started small, with a sausage, a bit of egg, a few berries missing from Arthur's plate. He wouldn’t have noticed had Merlin not had traces of his thievery left on his lips.

Not that Arthur paid attention to Merlin's lips. Never. He wouldn’t.

Instead he requested the kitchen staff in person to increase his portions. It wasn’t by much but enough so Merlin could get his tribute and Arthur had enough energy for training with the knights.

Slowly the portions increased further, not that Arthur ate more, while the prince watched his manservant fill out his clothes, his face becoming softer although his cheek bones still stood out.

Now, if asked Arthur would deny it even under threat of death, but he was less scared for Merlin when he couldn't feel his vertebrae through at least two layers of clothing, or count his ribs whenever his tunic clung to his body.

With finally enough food Merlin built up muscle, the gangly boy turning into a handsome man. And Arthur knew he shouldn't look but there Merlin was, shouldering open his door while sneaking a raspberry into his mouth, the pink juice glistening on his lips. "Rise and shine, it's a beautiful day!"

Arthur rolled his eyes in exasperation. "Beautiful day and yet you have half your breakfast smeared over your face." His hand held Merlin's chin as the other gently wiped away the traces of fruit.

Arthur licked his thumb clean.

"The harvest was good this summer. I hope the fall has similar results." He humms in content.

Merlin stands and stares at him like a startled deer, his face slowly reddening in a blush and Arthur wonders how far it extends.

"My clothes for the day, Merlin. We have a lot to do," he reminds the servant as he begins his meal.

Merlin huffs and turns, barely missing the satisfied smile on Arthur's face.

[lolazoel]

I just saw this, i love it, 100% approval.

I wasn't even aware how the "completion" part sounded, i just needed a word that was close enough to soulmate to show they are two halfs of the same coin without being so long.

But like... damn... you made my idea better.

Merlin's Titles!

(How accidentally revealing your status as a king and god may help you marry your boyfriend)

Perchance I read too many fanfics but, consider, if Arthur and the knights have found out about Merlin's magic but unaware of the extend. Let's say... they know he's a warlock and dragon lord. You know what? For the fun of it, let's make it Merthur too.

Imagine a scene, Arthur's at a banquet, already king, not married to Gwen, Lancelot is alive. The knights are joking around, drinking, Lance goes up to Gwen and Merlin who lean against a wall, chatting. Lance asks Gwen for a dance. She blushes and lets herself get dragged away. Gwain takes her place, flirting with Merlin who snickers. The song ends, Lance and Gwen return, grinning and in love. Gwain pushes himself off the wall.

Gwaine: Well, now that Gwen is back she can take care of your tasks for a moment, right?

Merlin: *nods*

Gwaine: *bows* allow me this dance, Lord Merlin?

Merlin: *blushes* That's not my title...

Arthur (who came up to them because he got jealous and also wants to ask Merlin to dance): Oh? What is your title then?

Merlin: *blushes harder* really?

Gwaine (who orchestrated the entire situation): of course, Merls, you gotta tell us the full title. How else would we know how to address you?

The room: *slowly getting quieter as more and more people listen in on the king's conversation*

Merlin: *groans* i hate you

Arthru: spit it out. Don't pretend to be interesting.

Merlin: Fiiiiineeee... Well, we got Merlin Ambrosius, Lord of Dragons... I think after Nimueh I also got Master of Life and Death... according to prophecy also Emrys, King of Druids, God of Magic... *he smiles at Arthur* and completion to the once and future king

The room: *blue screening, buffering, very silent*

Arthur: *kisses Merlin*

Gwain: Lance... did you know Merlin's a god?

Lancelot (very glad he made friends with the kid who almost got eaten by a griffon): I didn't even know about the Life and Death part... though it makes sense... his mortality was always unsure

Geoffrey Monmouth: *frantically searching for laws that make hurting Merlin illegal and make a marriage between Arthur and Merlin legal.*

According to the law loopholes define Merlin as a genderless entity, therefore marrying a god is actually legal. Attacking a noble, especially a Lord and King, is super illegal, making Merthur legally supported and haters imprisoned or dead.

I just really like the thought of Merlin revealing his titles like a collection of scout badges... especially because I hc Arthur to have a competency kink, so finding out his boyfriend technically outranks him is a turn on. Don't tell me i'm wrong, you all saw the show. Arthur definitely has a thing for powerful people

[lolazoel]

Merthur reincarnation idea/ snippet

Déjà-vu – the knowledge you have without knowing how you acquired it

Going to the same college as Merlin was weird. He had stumbled into Arthur and some of his friends tossing a ball around. Maybe they were a bit mean in their teasing but it hadn't been extreme yet Merlin had acted as if they were working the other first year who wanted to join the footie team to exhaustion.

They really weren't doing that.

Yet Merlin stepped up, took the ball they were playing with, and told them off.

Arthur had walked over, trying to reclaim the ball, an arrogant retort on his tongue, when blue eyes caught his and the prepared words dried up unspoken.

"Arthur. Of course I'd meet you here."

He knew he had a bit of a reputation on campus but not enough for the first semester kids to recognise him on sight.

"Do I know you?"

His friends -although they suddenly felt less like friends and more like lackeys begging for Arthur's scraps, taking advantage of his position- snickered behind them.

Merlin smiled sadly. "Not yet. I'm Merlin. I think we could be friends one day, if you learn to be less of an arse."

Arthur blue screened for a second. That wasn't the expected answer. The expected answer had been a full rejection, something he could counter with words to a dialogue he already knew. But now... "Isn't that a bit of a quick judgement? Determining i'm an arse without a single conversation with me?"

Merlin had blinked at him, equally thrown off kilter for a moment.

It's how it all began, interactions that they both knew and somehow slightly subverted. Merlin studied physiotherapy and soon sat in on Arthur's football matches to help out in medical issues. Quickly his presence extended to the training as well, then celebratory pub nights, post work out fast food splurges and alike. When Merlin needed to practice techniques on people Arthur volunteered to the torture that left him sore for the rest of the day but with a clear head for his economics classes.

Merlin also made quick friends with people in other departments, Gwen who did nursing and was friends with Morgana (who talked Uther into psychology instead of suffering alongside Arthur) became a staple of the group not long after Merlin, then came Lancelot (social work), Gwaine (Marketing), Elyan (Engineering), and Percival (Teaching). They joined the football team after Merlin talked them into it, sure, they watched a few games and practices themselves but Merlin talked them into joining. Merlin also brought Leon closer to them, turning the politics student with a stick up his arse into a guy they could joke around with.

The members of the group always seemed to look up to Arthur, waiting on his judgement, but Arthur knew it was Merlin that had found them and wielded them together. Merlin was their greatest connector. Even when he tried to stand on the side, disappearing into the shadows, Arthur saw him, saw how Merlin smiled at them with a hint of sadness in his eyes.

The only thing Merlin's presence prevented were discussions about him. And everyone wanted to talk about it. In the locker rooms and on nights Merlin left early they came together and talked about it. How Merlin had found them, knew who they were without an introduction, knew how to appeal to them, how they all felt like Merlin knew them. How they all knew to trust Merlin without question.

During one of those discussions Gwen had cuddled into Lance's side. "Sometimes i'm a bit afraid of disappointing him. He... he seems to have these expectations of us, beyond how he knows us better than we know ourselves sometimes. He just... knows. He told me I should look into the political part of the nursing industry more, inform myself about the lobby and all. I did look it up but... i feel like he wants me to do more with it, more than he told me. And that's not the only thing..."

It baffled Arthur how his friends were afraid of Merlin's expectations when Arthur felt understood with Merlin for the first time in his life. Like Merlin would call him out for being an idiot but never abandon him. Like his friendship had no conditions.

And with that realization came another one. That Arthur didn't want an unconditional friendship. He wanted more.

He suppressed those thoughts of course. Merlin was his closest friend, he couldn't just risk that.

And then came the alcohol.

It was a post game party held in the small flat Arthur shared with Leon and Lance since the start of the semester. They had won without the Essetir team even having a chance.

So when Merlin and Arthur had stepped into the hallway for a moment of calm, Arthur stopped listening to Merlin talking about how annoyed he was with a tape glue, his eyes fixed on Merlin's face, taking in every detail.

"-and I swear, Arthur, the edges never stick down properly. And I can't get the clinic grade stuff for my kit because it's too expensive, but the next time Kay comes to me with knee pains I will steal from Gaius..." Merlin ranted.

"Merlin?"

Arthur knew interrupting people was rude but he was very very drunk and Merlin looked very very kissable.

"Huh?"

"I want to do something."

"Uh-huh."

"It's probably stupid"

"Probably."

"Shut up."

Merlin giggled and Arthur felt slightly light headed with happiness.

"I need you to tell me to stop if i am crossing boundaries, because I am not sober enough to talk properly, but if I don't at least try I'll never be brave enough and... Merlin? Promise to stop me if i'm stupid?"

Arthur had come closer to Merlin without even properly realising.

Merlin swallowed, his adam's apple bobbing like an invite to bite... "I promise." His breath tickled over Arthur's skin.

And Arthur surged forward, one of his hands cradling Merlin's jaw as the other pulled his hips towards Arthur. Their lips met in a crash of urgency before softening, answering to needy pressure.

And suddely Arthur knew this was new.

It was better than this imagination.

A longing seemingly centuries old loosened in his chest.

He drew Merlin in closer, unwilling to let go, now that he could hold him, keep him.

[lolazoel]

Sooo, you got the basic jist... except imagine it more like a video game? As in if an Overkill Potentail is reached Merlin doesn't come back. Every time he gets beheaded or burned to death he's just back at waking up from Nimueh's poison. And every death with a kill potential of 1 (Sidhe lightning, Nimueh's fireball, poisons, venoms and wounds, freezing etc) are like safe files. Big overkill potential (head without body, perpetual drowning, incineration if he's burned long enough) sent him back to safe file 1 (Nimueh's poison) and from there on out he has to make new choices and die again (with a kill potentail of 1) to make new saves, otherwise he gets sent back in time.

Yes, every death with overkill potential (kill potential >1) sends him backwards and therefore creates a new timeline with new deaths/safe files. Let's make a chart to determine kill potential!

Kill potential 1 (create new safe file): Serketh venom, poison, short term death by hypothermia (less than an hour of brain death), impalement, blood loss, fireballs, sidhe lightning, hypothermia and all other instances causing death without injury beyond organ failure (brain death <1h), organ failure, asphyxiation (includes short term drowning)

Kill potential 2 (send back most recent previous death): causes of death without injury beyond organ failure (brain death >1h, <2h)

It escalates like that, up to full overkill potential (send back to 1st death by Nimueh's poison): long term drowning (as in drowning until Arthur rises from Avalon lake and takes your corpse with him), cremation, decapitation, wounding through immortal weapons (Dragon forged blades, mb Fischer King's trident? I def want some original god killing weapons for this...), basically anything that a human can't bounce back from even if it was on a much smaller scale even if modern medicine and magic are taken into consideration. Includes spine removal, includes laparotomy.

I am unsure where to place getting hanged on the list because it should break your neck which is an injury i doubt even magic can heal but it feels like it’s too much to make it a KP1 but not enough for a OKP... equally i am unsure where to place "sacrificing yourself to the goddess of winter to fix the veil between the living and the dead so your best friend won't have to"

But i'm open to suggestions!

Also can I mention how much i love your little dialogues? Having Arthur be heartbroken because he has to see Merlin die in every time line, maybe even being the one to rescue him from death only to discover that Merlin has been gone for a while already making a new timeline while all Arthur has left is Merlin's dead husk of a body if even that... maybe Arthur as Merlin's other half has dreams about how things were in the og timeline, overlapping with new timelines, making a mess out of Arthur's perception of truth, all he knows is that he has to keep Merlin safe and alive... also Morgana of course also sees into the other timelines and she wants to protect her brother from the pain, wants to protect Merlin from it too, and she's super afraid of herself because she sees herself fall to evil, making her either super quickly or not at all manipulated by Morgouse cuz Morgana is just so scared... i am beginning to love this idea more and more

It's valentines, i know, but i'm aroace and therefore not bound to the conventions of love! Have some hurt minimal comfort!

Concept idea:

Overkill potential

After Arthur's death Merlin waits. He waits a long time until all those he called family are dead, their descendents having forgotten their existence, the walls of camelot crumbled to ruins despite his best attempts to prevent it. So Merlin tries to follow Arthur, he lets himself sink to the bottom of Avalon lake, he knows he can't die but he wants to rest. Slowly air leaves his lungs, his vision blurrs until it fades to black, his ears ring. And then nothing. Silence.

His lungs draw in air and he sits up. His body feels too hot and too cold, his muscles stiff and joints aching but not from age like he has grown used to, instead from sickness and disuse.

"Gaius? Gwen?", he whispers as he sees Gwen, his queen, his first friend in Camelot, hug Gaius, his mentor and father figure. They flinch.

Suddenly Gwen has her arms slung around him, her lips meet his. He freezes. Gwen draws back, biting her lip and shaking her head. At least they both agree how kissing isn't for them.

"Merlin! You're alive!" Gaius patts his shoulder before ruffling his hair. "We feared the worst."

And suddenly Merlin understands. He is reliving his memories. After Nimueh had tried to kill him, his first encounter with death, this exact thing happened. He is just dreaming because his body is unable to properly come to life yet. It's okay. He can see his friends for a bit.

"Don't worry, I'm very bad at following orders, even when they come from the universe itself." Gaius gives him an odd look. That hasn't happened before... maybe his brain is adjusting the dream based on his actions and his knowledge of the people around him? Probably. Most likely.

Because none of this could be real. He studied magic, time travel was impossible. He checked. He could make time slower and faster but reverse its flow or stop it? No. Not even he could force time to do that. So it must be a dream. Of course it's a dream.

Yeah... it's not a dream. Every time he dies he creates basically a safe file, depending on how often the next death could kill a normal human he reverts back in files (>1 death potential) or stays in the same (1 death potential). The drowning thing? Given he didn't resurface? Very big death/overkill potential. Flinging him all the way back to his first death. Nimueh's poison. And how is Merlin supposed to explain that to anyone? Therefore hurt cuz Merlin dies a lot and believes it all to be a dream. Minimal comfort because he gets to see his friends!

[lolazoel]

I'm sorry to do this to all of you but here me out...

Butterflies

Some king, i dunno who, and also i don't care who, found out about Merlin's magic, kidnapped him and a few knights of our choosing... hm... how about Gwaine, Lance and Percy?

Merlin is shackled in cold iron, kneeling in front of the throne. Off to the side three of his friends kneel, stripped of their armour and weapons.

King: I will take those shackles off of you and you will slaughter the army of Camelot sent to retrieve you.

Merlin: Go fuck yourself

King: If you don't comply I will kill your friends.

Lance: Merlin! Don't! Whatever they will do to us, Arthur is coming! Just wait for Arthur! Don't risk yourself!

Merlin: Alright. Take the shackles off. I'll take down the soldiers.

King: *believes him*

Merlin: *kills all the guards in the room so Gwaine, Lance and Percy are free. Pushes the king into his throne before magically binding him there* You know, people always are so demanding. Do this Merlin, do that Merlin, make this happen Merlin. Do you wanna know what I wanna do?

King: *whimpers*

Merlin: I just want to make some fucking butterflies. *swarm of butterflies bursts forward from his body, fluttering towards the king and slowly eats him*

Knights: *sweatdrop*

Arthur, who just fought his way into the room to rescue his friends (internally): i'll give merlin a day off... whenever he asks.

Merlin: *watches as a butterfly lands on his finger as if he's a disney princess.* life really is much prettier with butterflies.

[lolazoel]

people telling you they reread your fic is the biggest compliment you could ever receive. there are thousands of stories out there begging to be found, to be explored, but your story meant so much to someone that they came back to it eagerly, they went over every word again. to love is to return and loving a fic is rereading it. thank you to all readers and rereaders <3333

[lolazoel]

It's valentines, i know, but i'm aroace and therefore not bound to the conventions of love! Have some hurt minimal comfort!

Concept idea:

Overkill potential

After Arthur's death Merlin waits. He waits a long time until all those he called family are dead, their descendents having forgotten their existence, the walls of camelot crumbled to ruins despite his best attempts to prevent it. So Merlin tries to follow Arthur, he lets himself sink to the bottom of Avalon lake, he knows he can't die but he wants to rest. Slowly air leaves his lungs, his vision blurrs until it fades to black, his ears ring. And then nothing. Silence.

His lungs draw in air and he sits up. His body feels too hot and too cold, his muscles stiff and joints aching but not from age like he has grown used to, instead from sickness and disuse.

"Gaius? Gwen?", he whispers as he sees Gwen, his queen, his first friend in Camelot, hug Gaius, his mentor and father figure. They flinch.

Suddenly Gwen has her arms slung around him, her lips meet his. He freezes. Gwen draws back, biting her lip and shaking her head. At least they both agree how kissing isn't for them.

"Merlin! You're alive!" Gaius patts his shoulder before ruffling his hair. "We feared the worst."

And suddenly Merlin understands. He is reliving his memories. After Nimueh had tried to kill him, his first encounter with death, this exact thing happened. He is just dreaming because his body is unable to properly come to life yet. It's okay. He can see his friends for a bit.

"Don't worry, I'm very bad at following orders, even when they come from the universe itself." Gaius gives him an odd look. That hasn't happened before... maybe his brain is adjusting the dream based on his actions and his knowledge of the people around him? Probably. Most likely.

Because none of this could be real. He studied magic, time travel was impossible. He checked. He could make time slower and faster but reverse its flow or stop it? No. Not even he could force time to do that. So it must be a dream. Of course it's a dream.

Yeah... it's not a dream. Every time he dies he creates basically a safe file, depending on how often the next death could kill a normal human he reverts back in files (>1 death potential) or stays in the same (1 death potential). The drowning thing? Given he didn't resurface? Very big death/overkill potential. Flinging him all the way back to his first death. Nimueh's poison. And how is Merlin supposed to explain that to anyone? Therefore hurt cuz Merlin dies a lot and believes it all to be a dream. Minimal comfort because he gets to see his friends!

[lolazoel]

Merlin's Titles!

(How accidentally revealing your status as a king and god may help you marry your boyfriend)

Perchance I read too many fanfics but, consider, if Arthur and the knights have found out about Merlin's magic but unaware of the extend. Let's say... they know he's a warlock and dragon lord. You know what? For the fun of it, let's make it Merthur too.

Imagine a scene, Arthur's at a banquet, already king, not married to Gwen, Lancelot is alive. The knights are joking around, drinking, Lance goes up to Gwen and Merlin who lean against a wall, chatting. Lance asks Gwen for a dance. She blushes and lets herself get dragged away. Gwain takes her place, flirting with Merlin who snickers. The song ends, Lance and Gwen return, grinning and in love. Gwain pushes himself off the wall.

Gwaine: Well, now that Gwen is back she can take care of your tasks for a moment, right?

Merlin: *nods*

Gwaine: *bows* allow me this dance, Lord Merlin?

Merlin: *blushes* That's not my title...

Arthur (who came up to them because he got jealous and also wants to ask Merlin to dance): Oh? What is your title then?

Merlin: *blushes harder* really?

Gwaine (who orchestrated the entire situation): of course, Merls, you gotta tell us the full title. How else would we know how to address you?

The room: *slowly getting quieter as more and more people listen in on the king's conversation*

Merlin: *groans* i hate you

Arthru: spit it out. Don't pretend to be interesting.

Merlin: Fiiiiineeee... Well, we got Merlin Ambrosius, Lord of Dragons... I think after Nimueh I also got Master of Life and Death... according to prophecy also Emrys, King of Druids, God of Magic... *he smiles at Arthur* and completion to the once and future king

The room: *blue screening, buffering, very silent*

Arthur: *kisses Merlin*

Gwain: Lance... did you know Merlin's a god?

Lancelot (very glad he made friends with the kid who almost got eaten by a griffon): I didn't even know about the Life and Death part... though it makes sense... his mortality was always unsure

Geoffrey Monmouth: *frantically searching for laws that make hurting Merlin illegal and make a marriage between Arthur and Merlin legal.*

According to the law loopholes define Merlin as a genderless entity, therefore marrying a god is actually legal. Attacking a noble, especially a Lord and King, is super illegal, making Merthur legally supported and haters imprisoned or dead.

I just really like the thought of Merlin revealing his titles like a collection of scout badges... especially because I hc Arthur to have a competency kink, so finding out his boyfriend technically outranks him is a turn on. Don't tell me i'm wrong, you all saw the show. Arthur definitely has a thing for powerful people

[lolazoel]

Cute but have you considered: "take me up"/"cast me away"?

Two sides of the same blade, the blade Merlin had forged for Arthur, the blade only the two of them are allowed to wield? Written in the runes of the old religion, combining magic and steel just like they are a combination of humanity and divinity?

I wanna see fanart of Merlin and Arthur wearing bracelets that say

‘two sides’ and ‘of the same coin’ respectively

[lolazoel]

I find artists so beautiful

The way they shape their lover within each piece

I envy them too

The way you can see a fragment of them in everything

To be adored by one is to be fulfilled

To be recreated again in a new form

That is reincarnation

Only god can breath life into dust

But only artists know how to treasure each speck

Hiding them away in strokes of grandeur

They encapsulate them in clay, in paint, in words

To be reborn everytime in someones mind

Like a pheonix rising from its ashes

Is to be immortal to be eternal

No one but god is eternal

But for a moment a lover is

[lolazoel]

sometimes you need dialogue tags and don't want to use the same four

[lolazoel]

when i realize why i recognize the fanfiction i’m reading:

[lolazoel]

Hey tumblr.

I want to share a post from The Guardian that was published today.

“Inside the building, staffers said that Doge cultivated a culture of fear.

“It’s an extreme version of ‘who do you trust, when and how?’” said Kristina Drye, a speechwriter at the agency, who watched dozens of senior colleagues escorted out of the building by security. “It felt like the Soviet stories that one day someone is beside you and the next day they’re not.”

People started meeting for coffee blocks away because “they didn’t feel safe in the coffee shops here to even talk about what’s going on”, she added.

“I was in the elevator one morning and there was an older lady standing beside me and she had glasses on and I could see tears coming down under her glasses and before she got off her elevator she took her glasses off, wiped her eyes, and walked out,” she said. “Because if they see you crying, they know where you stand.””

Everyone should read this article about “DOGE” tearing apart USAID (and then read more reporting about how they are being allowed to do the same to other US federal entities). Elon Musk and his minions are violating our highest laws and destroying lives and livelihoods in the US and abroad. USAID is less than 1% of the federal budget— this isn’t about cost-cutting or “investigating fraud”. It’s about cruelty and seeing how much unlawful devastation and psychological warfare they can get away with, with the intention to repeat this process at one federal agency after another. They already have access to IT systems at the Treasury, NOAA, and other agencies, and have taken over OPM (essentially HR for the federal government), using the latter to send demeaning and threatening e-mail blasts to civil servants.

I’m urging everyone who reads this to recognize what’s happening here and how abhorrent and frightening it is. I wager that even most people who wanted Trump back didn’t want a centibillionaire technocrat making unilateral decisions on which parts of the federal government to “feed into the wood chipper” (as he has described his team’s actions at USAID in a recent post on X, The Everything App).

Please call your elected representatives and urge them to act against Musk now— before his actions make our legislative branch totally irrelevant.

I’ve been seeing posts about Musk’s coup-in-progress going around on here, but I feel like a lot of people still aren’t aware of the extent of it, and I really want to help get the word out. I’m heartsick for all the civil servants at USAID and beyond. Some of them, their unions, and some Democratic congresspeople and others are speaking out, but these workers need us everyday Americans to speak out for them, too.

Thank you for reading. And anyone who isn’t American, please keep us in your thoughts.