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Broken Circle

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About fascists making caring and having sympathy "cringe"

Punched me in the face when she had a literal Nazi quote for this

Abbiesr on instagram

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DA100: Day 11

DA100 Challenge prompts here!

#11: Sorrow

Swapping games to Inquisition with a lil Cullen interlude because I couldn't resist writing this. It was a close tie between this one and a blurb from my re-written IHW quest to use for this prompt, but given the next two days are Scar and Pain, it made the most sense to focus on post-Haven/pre-Skyhold for a couple of days.

Word count: 1075

At the front of the group, Leliana worked with her scouts to direct them. The temperature began to dip as the caves began to incline. When Cullen emerged into the night at the rear of the group, the spymaster hurried over to him. 

“We’re above the treeline,” she said.

He looked back toward the caves and hoped one last time for her to appear, then her horse nudged his shoulder and he knew it was time. 

“Set the flare,” he ordered.

As the mage sent it, a group of Chantry sisters prayed. Smoke from the fires of Haven billowed into the night, and the torches of the Elder One’s army swarmed over the valley below like insects. It was only a matter of time before they realized that their quarry had fled to the mountains, and when they did, they would be overrun. They had too many injured and too few soldiers left to survive it. Their only chance was for her to work a miracle. 

If the miracle never came, he would fight his way into Haven and die beside her.

“I’ll be damned,” Iron Bull said, the first to spot the trebuchet’s ammunition take flight.

“The kid really did it.” Varric’s voice was full of awe.

The ground shook as the boulder crashed into the mountain.

“Sister Nightingale,” he said, “we need to keep moving.”

He could not watch the mountain fall on her. 

As the caravan of frightened villagers and disheartened soldiers began to move again, some of them wiped tears from their eyes. Others looked fearfully at the avalanche that fell upon Haven. A couple of horses spooked, but soldiers got them back under control and their supplies repacked. He was about to follow at the rear of the group when Imogen’s keen ears flicked toward the caves. Hand on the hilt of his sword, he waited to hear what she did.

Footsteps echoed soon after, and hope surged in him. The soldiers he had sent to load the trebuchet burst out of the caves, panting and scared. He kept looking past them for her, but she never appeared.

“The Herald ordered us to retreat once the machine was loaded,” one said after they saluted him. 

“The dragon was coming,” another said, his face still pale. “She put up a wall of ice; we couldn’t get back to her.”

“We waited until the Chantry caught fire,” the first continued. “We hoped…”

“When the ground started shaking we made a run for it.”

He ordered them to join the others and finally looked back toward Haven. There was nothing but white and a handful of trees sticking from the carnage. The dragon had taken flight soon after the trebuchet had fired, but it had not come for them. Aside from the frigidity of the Frostbacks, they might survive–thanks to her sacrifice.

When he started to take a step, his legs went out from under him and he dropped to his knees in the snow. The group had largely moved out of sight, and all at once the loss hit him. She was down there, beneath the snow. The body he had worshipped with every part of him was crushed and broken, and they might never recover any of it to lay her to rest. He would not kiss her again, he would not hold her again, he would not lose himself inside of her again–she was gone.

One of his hands fisted into the snow and ice at his knees, and the other went to his mouth so he could bite down on the leather and muffle his scream. He punched the ground as he fought the overwhelming devastation. It was not the time or the place, but a sob wrenched out of him before he could stop it. His head fell into his hands as his shoulders shook, and he cursed the Maker and His plan.

It could not have been long that he mourned like that when Cassandra’s hand found his shoulder. She said nothing and simply offered her presence. While he had at first thought to tell her to leave him, the hand on his shoulder brought more comfort than he anticipated. She waited until he regained his composure and staggered to his feet and then she began to walk with him. The horse had not strayed either, and he hardly needed to hold its reins for it to follow him.

“We will find her,” Cassandra offered after a time. “No matter how long it takes.”

“She would want us to focus on our survival,” he said, “but I agree that it would help the people to put her to rest.”

“I was with her when the bells rang,” the Seeker continued after they walked in silence for a while. “She was very happy. You brought her comfort.”

He swallowed and nodded tersely. “Thank you, Seeker.”

“I lost someone at the Conclave,” she revealed. “I understand your grief, Cullen, if you ever need to talk.”

As the group traveled they left behind small campfires that they used to warm the coldest of the people–mostly the injured. The healers worked to save people at every stop, but bodies had begun to amass. There was no time to properly bury them so they covered them and piled them on one of the wagons. When they made a camp, they could find somewhere to lay them to rest; it felt too wrong to leave them on the cold mountainside.

Eventually the people were too tired to go any further, so the soldiers who were not injured began to set out tents. They would all have to share. There were only twenty tents and maybe a hundred or so people. The first tent was immediately dedicated to the injured, and he stood in the middle of the growing camp, directing his men on autopilot. Leliana deployed scouts around the area to keep watch for any signs the Elder One was coming for them. 

Morale was low, of course. There was little they could do for it but rest and hope to work out some kind of plan. He had no idea what they would do. They had little idea of where they were and where they could go. A headache pounded at the base of his skull; it would be a trying few hours and a snowstorm had started to blow in.

If quitting lyrium could kill him, maybe it would have mercy and do so.

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Reblog this to ease the back pain of the person you reblogged it from

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So one day, post-Veilguard, Lucanis goes looking for Rook at Viago's townhouse. When he gets there, he finds them in Viago's study discussing a job. Viago frowns at him hovering in the doorway but doesn't say anything. He just finishes his briefing.

Then he asks Rook, "Do you think you can still handle this your usual way? They may know your face now that you're a big hero."

Rook laughs. "We both know they never look at my face."

And it isn't that Lucanis has never considered that Rook may seduce some of her targets. The thought had crossed his mind, but he had just... stopped thinking about it whenever it did, so he's not really prepared to face the reality.

Viago glances at him with sharp eyes and a perfectly groomed eyebrow lifted. "Is there a problem, First Talon?"

Lucanis of course says no because what else is he going to say? This is how many Crows operate. The fact that he rarely has himself is more about the kinds of contracts he was assigned and the skills he had. He doesn't even think he's bothered exactly. He doesn't know what he thinks (he is not a man who is deeply in touch with his emotions), though he is dreading having to explain the whole thing to Spite, who is probably going to have very strong opinions on the subject.

When Rook leaves the study, he follows her up to her bedroom, but she stops him just outside the door. She goes up on her toes to whisper in his ear.

"Do you want to see what I'm going to wear?"

And Lucanis of course says yes because what else is he going to say? He spends a few minutes awkwardly standing in the hallway and thinking about the kinds of things he's seen other Crows wear and trying to picture Rook in them, and while he has no doubt she will look amazing, it also feels a little bit like he's trying to get turned on by a stranger.

Then the door opens, and Rook stands in front of him, her hands clasped at her waist. The dress she's wearing is a bland gray color and covered by an apron. Her long hair is tucked under a neat scarf, which only serves to accentuate her pointed ears. She's not wearing makeup, and she's not looking him in the eye.

She definitely looks like a stranger, but he's not turned on at all. Instead he looks at her and feels a twist of sadness. He's quiet for so long that she does finally look up at him, and immediately she is Rook again, cupping his face in her hands with a concerned frown.

"I'm sorry. You so obviously thought we meant something else." Her thumbs stroke soothingly through his beard. "I thought it would be funny."

He covers her hands with his and shakes his head. "No, don't apologize." He huffs a laugh at himself. "The fact that I never considered such a possibility makes me feel hopelessly naive."

Rook smiles. "I think I'm... flattered?... that your mind went straight to seduction. Because I'm actually horrible at it."

"Not so horrible," he tells her, and he brings her hands to his lips and kisses each one. "But I have a hard time imagining you posing as a servant either."

"It's worth the effort." Her smile turns to a sharp-toothed grin. "You should see the looks on their faces when they realize who's killed them."

Lucanis laughs because that? That is his Rook. She's not a stranger.

And he may be just a little turned on.

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On April 16th 2025 the US federal government has proposed to change the interpretation of the endangered species act so that it no longer protects habitat.

This is open for public comment until the end of May 19th. Please comment and make your voice heard.

Wildlife need their habitat. If the ESA redefines harm so that habitat is no longer protected, the implications for wildlife would be catastrophic.

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This would be amazing if it happened

Abolish Tesla.

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Useless Veilguard fact of the day: Day 30

Varric has lines for notifying Rook about companions' new personal quests.

Bellara

I think you should make sure Bellara's okay, Rook. Rook? You might want to see what Bellara's up to. Hey, Rook. I think something's up with Bellara.

Davrin

Hey, Rook. Maybe see what's up with Davrin? He seems to have his hands full. Is Davrin all right? I heard gryphon screeching and a lot of cursing just now. You might want to check on Davrin.

Emmrich

Hey, Rook. There was either muttering or chanting coming from Emmrich's room. Maybe… check that out? Hey, Rook, could you check on Emmrich? He seems… weirder than usual. Rook, could you check on Emmrich? I think I heard him talking to himself. Weird, even for him.

Harding

Is Harding all right? I don't want to say that she's scaring me more than usual, but… she is. Rook, could you check on Harding? She's doing that… terrifyingly cheery thing she does. I'm getting a little worried about Harding, Rook. Maybe see what's going on with her, would you?

Lucanis

Rook, you realize Lucanis had eleven cups of coffee today? Maybe… see if he's still alive? Lucanis looks broodier than usual. Maybe you should check in on him. You should always keep an eye on the broody ones, Rook. By which I mean Lucanis. He's starting to worry me.

Neve

Hey, is something up with Neve? Maybe you should check on her. Okay, so Neve hasn't left her room in… I don't know how long. See if she's trapped under something heavy. Is it just me, or does Neve seem preoccupied? Worse than usual, I mean.

Taash

Do you smell smoke, Rook? Maybe you should go… check on Taash. So… I heard what sounded like Taash beating the shit out of something. Maybe see what's up? There were a lot of… punching sounds coming from Taash's direction. You might want to see if there's casualties.

Check out the tag for more useless facts: #useless davg fact of the day!

And also my DAVG Extracted Audio Masterlist

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Man, I fucking love these games 😂

This fucking merchant in Treviso, Juanita, has been telling me about her storied past with an abusive husband who was an earl. I was like mildly invested and then

Motherfucker has been telling me the plot of fucking Goodbye Earl by The Chicks this entire time.

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I've lived near the Atlantic my whole life, for a few years I was even close enough that on a clear night I could hear the waves from my porch. So if a body or water is going to claim my life, it's that one.

This isn't about whether you think it's likely that you'll die in this body of water; it's about which body of water you would give the right to take you.

For example, for me it's Lake Michigan.

Tag discussion encouraged of course

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There are people – some in my own Party – who think that if you just give Donald Trump everything he wants, he’ll make an exception and spare you some of the harm. I’ll ignore the moral abdication of that position for just a second to say — almost none of those people have the experience with this President that I do. I once swallowed my pride to offer him what he values most — public praise on the Sunday news shows — in return for ventilators and N95 masks during the worst of the pandemic. We made a deal. And it turns out his promises were as broken as the BIPAP machines he sent us instead of ventilators. Going along to get along does not work – just ask the Trump-fearing red state Governors who are dealing with the same cuts that we are. I won’t be fooled twice.

I’ve been reflecting, these past four weeks, on two important parts of my life: my work helping to build the Illinois Holocaust Museum and the two times I’ve had the privilege of reciting the oath of office for Illinois Governor.

As some of you know, Skokie, Illinois once had one of the largest populations of Holocaust survivors anywhere in the world. In 1978, Nazis decided they wanted to march there.

The leaders of that march knew that the images of Swastika clad young men goose stepping down a peaceful suburban street would terrorize the local Jewish population – so many of whom had never recovered from their time in German concentration camps.

The prospect of that march sparked a legal fight that went all the way to the Supreme Court. It was a Jewish lawyer from the ACLU who argued the case for the Nazis – contending that even the most hateful of speech was protected under the first amendment.

As an American and a Jew, I find it difficult to resolve my feelings around that Supreme Court case – but I am grateful that the prospect of Nazis marching in their streets spurred the survivors and other Skokie residents to act. They joined together to form the Holocaust Memorial Foundation and built the first Illinois Holocaust Museum in a storefront in 1981 – a small but important forerunner to the one I helped build thirty years later.

I do not invoke the specter of Nazis lightly. But I know the history intimately — and have spent more time than probably anyone in this room with people who survived the Holocaust. Here’s what I’ve learned – the root that tears apart your house’s foundation begins as a seed – a seed of distrust and hate and blame.

The seed that grew into a dictatorship in Europe a lifetime ago didn’t arrive overnight. It started with everyday Germans mad about inflation and looking for someone to blame.

I’m watching with a foreboding dread what is happening in our country right now. A president who watches a plane go down in the Potomac – and suggests — without facts or findings — that a diversity hire is responsible for the crash. Or the Missouri Attorney General who just sued Starbucks – arguing that consumers pay higher prices for their coffee because the baristas are too “female” and “nonwhite.” The authoritarian playbook is laid bare here: They point to a group of people who don’t look like you and tell you to blame them for your problems.

I just have one question: What comes next? After we’ve discriminated against, deported or disparaged all the immigrants and the gay and lesbian and transgender people, the developmentally disabled, the women and the minorities – once we’ve ostracized our neighbors and betrayed our friends – After that, when the problems we started with are still there staring us in the face – what comes next.

All the atrocities of human history lurk in the answer to that question. And if we don’t want to repeat history – then for God’s sake in this moment we better be strong enough to learn from it.

I swore the following oath on Abraham Lincoln’s Bible: “I do solemnly swear that I will support the constitution of the United States, and the constitution of the state of Illinois, and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Governor .... according to the best of my ability.

My oath is to the Constitution of our state and of our country. We don’t have kings in America – and I don’t intend to bend the knee to one. I am not speaking up in service to my ambitions — but in deference to my obligations.

If you think I’m overreacting and sounding the alarm too soon, consider this:

It took the Nazis one month, three weeks, two days, eight hours and 40 minutes to dismantle a constitutional republic. All I’m saying is when the five-alarm fire starts to burn, every good person better be ready to man a post with a bucket of water if you want to stop it from raging out of control.

Those Illinois Nazis did end up holding their march in 1978 – just not in Skokie. After all the blowback from the case, they decided to march in Chicago instead. Only twenty of them showed up. But 2000 people came to counter protest. The Chicago Tribune reported that day that the “rally sputtered to an unspectacular end after ten minutes.” It was Illinoisans who smothered those embers before they could burn into a flame.

Tyranny requires your fear and your silence and your compliance. Democracy requires your courage. So gather your justice and humanity, Illinois, and do not let the “tragic spirit of despair” overcome us when our country needs us the most.

Sources:

• NBC Chicago & J.B. Pritzker, Democratic governor of Illinois, State of the State address 2025: Watch speech here | Full text

• Betches News on Instagram (screencaps)

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FOR PARENTS OF YOUNG KIDS IN THE US!

Someone over on bluesky posted this and I figured I'd better repost it here. It's the pre-RFK 2025 vaccination schedule for babies and young children, ya know, just in case it mysteriously disappears. Save this and give it to your child's pediatrician; tell them this is the schedule you want your child on.

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Republicans deliberately use coded language to trick people to vote for them and radicalize their group. Many don't even realize they're radicalized or what they're saying is even racist. This is why they think the Left is "over reacting" because the either know they're using coded language and don't care, or they don't know anything at all.

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