#312-315

[dalkyum]

bf shaped ♡

[pesterloglog]

Jane Crocker, Dirk Strider, Jake English

Page 308-318

JANE: And I know that at times like these it is easy to want to give in.

JANE: To throw in the towel, and turn our faces away from the light of democracy and moral fortitude that we, the citizens of the human kingdom, are blessed with from birth.

JANE: God knows I’ve had my own faith tested in the last few weeks.

JANE: As many of you know, I did not grow up with the same privileges that all of you enjoy.

JANE: I was born on proto-Earth, that half-finished dystopia mangled by the ravages of foolish leadership and endless war.

JANE: And as for Gamzee, well, his upbringing was even worse.

JANE: He was born to a violent and uncaring home, a lonely child with few natural gifts.

JANE: It would be simple to let this disgusting, vile, SHAMEFUL act of spiteful revenge turn us away from the blinding light of the sword of justice that hangs over us all--

JANE: Poised

JANE: Trembling

JANE: Ready to burst forth--

JANE: I want to give up, at times. I understand your pain.

JANE: I sympathize with your pain.

JANE: But when that pain! Becomes too hard! To endure!

JANE: Remember poor, lifeless Gamzee! Who suffered pain far worse than any of us could ever fathom!

JANE: THE PAIN OF BETRAYAL!

DIRK: Dude, didn’t you lower the voltage on that shock collar?

DIRK: Little Red isn’t looking so hot.

JAKE: Yes of course i did but the damn doohickys got the kick of a donkey!

JAKE: I couldnt remove it completely shed know i was the one who did it!

DIRK: Well, if that supervillain cuntwaffle doesn’t stop, she’s going to kill her. Not really the best at hostage management, is she.

JAKE: Hey!

JAKE: Don’t call my wife a cuntwaffle!

JAKE: It... it may be deserved but it is certainly ungentlemanly

JAKE: brain ghost dirk i would have expected better of you

DIRK: Can’t imagine why. Aren’t you going to do anything?

JAKE: Why dont you do something!

DIRK: Because I don’t really exist, dickhead.

JANE: But we cannot allow his memory to be in vain!

JANE: For Gamzee Makara taught us that even the most loathsome degenerate can take their place in society.

JANE: All they need is the right redemption arc - !

JANE: !!!!

[1-1-s1ay-2-2]

3:13 angel number! 😇

[museum-of-artifacts]

Cat on a foot of the Colossus of Constantine the Great, ca. 312-315 AD. The complete statue in white marble would have been about 12 meters (40 feet) high and was vandalized after the fall of Rome.

[pinayelf]

Palestinian fundraisers to donate to: List 2

See and share first part here.

Hello all, here are some Palestinians who have currently reached out to me to share their fundraisers. I put together both posts in one so I can edit the amounts donated regularly.

Please take a moment to read their stories, share and donate if you can.

Some conversions for Swedish krona (SEK) as some GFMs use it: $1USD = 10.36 SEK $1CAD = 7.61 SEK €1 = 11.43 SEK

@mohamednaser1995 | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

$70/10,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@lendaabdalhadi | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€142/30,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@sondos220 | GFM Link | Vetted here

Note: New GFM Link

$197/30,000 CAD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@ahlam-hilles | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€206/30,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@gaza-love100 | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€251/49,200 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@anas--basil | GFM Link | Vetted here

€236/29,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@ahlam910 | GFM Link | Vetted by association

$280/50,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@technicallycoldnerd | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€312/37,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@moomensblog | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€315/30,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@islamqazal | GFM Link

Note: Some of the images are from other sources (news sites), but the actual photo of the children comes back clean in reverse image search

$355/20,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@emanfamily3 | GFM Link | Vetted by assocation

$619/5,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@hamza-gaza | GFM Link | Instagram account

€508/300,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@yousefhasan55 | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€538/25,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@moh266 | GFM Link | Vetted here

6066 SEK/30,000 (As of 9/24/24) ($6,066 USD)

-

@zainsami | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€775/35,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@haithem-2 | GFM Link | Vetted here

8701 SEK/20,000 (As of 9/24/24) ($862.21 USD)

-

@amirashawikh | GFM Link | Vetted by association

$1,002 AUD/60,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@aiamaher | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€2,004/55,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@abdalsalm | GFM Link | Vetted by association

€2,133/50,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@nasserakar | GFM Link | Vetted by association

€2,435/12,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@ayahoftheday & @islamgazaaccount3 | GFM Link | Verified here

Note: Ayah is not the owner of the GFM, but is helping share Islam's GFM

€2,450/30,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@familyetaf1234567 | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

€2,622/50,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@mhammedmosa | GFM Link | Vetted by association

Note: The blog in the vetted link is another blog by Muhammad, but the GFM is the same

$2,911/20,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@osama-family | GFM Link | Vetted here (#12)

£3,871/50,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@lama-122 & @farahh2003 | GFM Link | Vetted here (#310)

£4,619/10,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@ahmedomar3 | GFM Link | Vetted by association

€4,639/50,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@majedgh2 | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

$5,850/70,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@mahmoudayyad | GFM Link | Vetted here

€6,141/55,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@kareem-family2 | GFM Link | Vetted here (#276)

€10,994/20,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@safaa18mero | GFM Link | Vetted here

Note: The blog in 90-ghost's link is a former blog of Safaa's that was deactivated, but the GFM is the same

$16,622/75,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@ahmedhelllis | GFM Link | Vetted here

Note: The blog in 90-ghost's link is Ahmed's old blog, but it's the same GFM

€18,442/80,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@noorabd-1992 | GFM Link | Vetted/vetted by association

Note: Noor's old blog was reblogged by 90-ghost, but Tumblr terminated the old blog along with 90-ghost's reblog

$18,445/45,000 USD (as of 9/24/24)

-

@mohammedswierh2 | GFM Link

Note: Unvetted, but reverse image search comes back clean

$21,899/40,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@yasermohammad | GFM Link | Vetted here

Note: The blog in 90-ghost's link is another blog, but is the same GFM

€23,595/35,000 (As of 9/24/24)

-

@aseelo680 | GFM Link | Vetted here

$32,587/50,000 USD (As of 9/24/24)

-

@mohammedaldeeb | GFM Link | Vetted here (#212)

€43,199 /55,000 (As of 9/24/24)

[blueiscoool]

Rome’s Ancient Arch of Constantine Struck by Lightening

During a storm on September 3, lightning struck Rome’s Arch of Constantine, chipping the structure’s marble surface. The 1,700-year-old arch and its neighbor, the Colosseum, were two of several sites affected by the thunderstorm, which produced 2.36 inches of rain in less than an hour. Usually, the city sees a similar amount over the entire month of September.

“A lightning strike hit the arch right here and then hit the corner,” a tourist at the site told Reuters’ Alberto Lingria. “We saw this fly off,” the tourist added while pointing to a fallen block of stone.

Finished in 315 C.E., the Arch of Constantine is one of Rome’s three surviving ancient triumphal arches, each erected to honor a person or event. This arch commemorates Constantine I’s 312 victory over the emperor Maxentius. That same year, Constantine devoted himself to Christianity—the first Roman ruler to do so.

The fierce storm also felled two large trees near the Circus Maximus, flooded the Trevi Fountain and flooded the Colosseum’s subterranean tunnels, reports CNN. After lightning struck the arch, staff of the Colosseum Archaeological Park quickly gathered its dislodged pieces and placed them in a secure location, according to a statement from Italy’s Ministry of Culture.

In the days that followed, some tourists stumbled upon additional pieces on the ground.

​​“My American group found these fragments, and we’re handing them over to the workmen,” tour guide Serena Giuliani told the London Times’ Tom Kington on the morning of September 4.

Specialists are now examining the condition of the fragments. Officials say the damage was limited to the monument’s southern side, where unrelated restoration work had started just days earlier, allowing for quick repairs.

At roughly 70 feet tall and 85 feet wide, the Arch of Constantine contains three separate arches, each framed by columns. The intricately decorated structure is adorned with recycled fragments, or spolia, taken from other ancient buildings, including monuments honoring Trajan, Hadrian and Marcus Aurelius.

The arch is also decorated with carvings of Constantine, including a series of reliefs depicting his victorious fight against Maxentius in the Battle of the Milvian Bridge.

In 306, Constantine was leading Roman troops in Britain—then part of the Roman Empire—when his military declared him their emperor. His brother-in-law, Maxentius, also declared himself the emperor around the same time. After years of complex power struggles, the two rulers ultimately faced off in 312 at Rome’s Milvian Bridge, which overlooks the river Tiber. Panels on the Arch of Constantine depict the battle’s conclusion, showing Maxentius’ troops drowning in the river.

The arch’s recent encounter with lightning may have carried spiritual significance for its ancient builders, as “the bolts were believed to be the work of the gods,” per the Times. These spots were sacred for the Romans, who sometimes erected temples at such sites.

By Sonja Anderson.

[stretchmarkedmuscle]

2023 Tumblr Top 10

1. 820 notes - Sep 29 2023

Anton Ratushnyi

2. 632 notes - Sep 21 2023

Daimo Lee

3. 489 notes - Apr 18 2023

Piotr Wojtowicz 

4. 462 notes - Oct 2 2023

Martin Fitzwater

5. 354 notes - Apr 16 2023

Jung Sung Yeop

6. 315 notes - Sep 21 2023

Max Taylor

7. 312 notes - May 29 2023

William Martins

8. 293 notes - Sep 10 2023

Dawson Coman

9. 273 notes - Jun 25 2023

Andrey Skoromnyy

10. 248 notes - Jul 31 2023

Anton Ratushnyi

Thanks for another great year everybody! It’s pretty interesting to see how different it is compared to my top posts of 2022. Joan Pradells, the most popular post from last year, didn’t even make the list this year.

Created by TumblrTop10

[m1male2]

Arch of Constantine in Rome, is a triumphal arch that is located between the Palatine Hill and Celio, on the Via Triumphalis. It was erected in the year 315 to commemorate the victory of Constantine I the Great, against Maxentius in the battle of the Milvian Bridge (year 312).

Its state of conservation is extraordinary, being with the Arch of Titus and the Arch of Septimius Severus (both in the Forum) the only ones still standing today in the city of Rome.

It is curious because it was built with pieces from different buildings, such as statues taken from Trajan's Forum and reliefs in which Marcus Aurelius appears distributing bread to the poor, and Trajan represented after his victory in Dacia. The monument is made up of three arches and is 21 m high and 25 m wide.

[doyoulikethissong-poll]

What song did you personally like the best out of this round? Did a song make an impact right away or did it require the full version? Did the artist reveal change your opinion for better or for worse? Tell me in a reblog! :D

(note: this is not a popularity contest or to vote for a favourite artist out of loyalty 💖 it's still about the song.)

311 here 312 here 313 here 314 here 315 here 316 here 317 here 318 here 319 here 320 here

[colonel--sarge]

THE DREAM PACK AS DESCRIBED IN THE DREAM THIEVES

Joseph kavinsky

- gold chain necklace (pg 26)

- refugee's face (hollow eyed and innocent) (pg 26)

- long nose (pg 49)

- hollowed out heavy-lidded eyes (pg 49)

- dark, arched eyebrows (pg 49)

- spiked hair (pg 49)

- a small earring (pg 49)

- chain around his neck (pg 49)

- white tank top (pg 49)

- always moving (pg 49)

- "something erratic and vulgar about the full line of his lips" (pg 49)

- lives in a "hellish affluent subdivision" (pg 95)

- screws up the shift from third to fourth (pg 97)

- "hummed with a restless, unpredictable energy" (pg 180)

- "...erasing the ribs from his concave torso" (pg 211)

- "with his hollow cheeks, he was a ghoul in this light" (pg 212)

- "...was late, as always" (pg 266)

- wears white-rimmed sunglasses (pg 267)

- "...wore a white tank top, and his exposed shoulder was raw and beautiful as a corpse" (pg 268)

- "...the vein-covered peaks of kavinsky's knuckles..." (pg 284)

- his father: rich and powerful and Bulgarian, lived in Jersey where he was possibly a mobster (pg 313)

- his mother: tanned and fit and make with non-factory-standard parts, lived in the suburban mansion with kavinsky (pg 313)

- the rumor was: his mothers nasal septum had been eaten away by cocaine and his fathers patriarchal instinct had died when kavinsky tried to kill him (pg 313)

- "is it true that you tried to kill your father?"(said by ronan) "I never try to do anything, man. i do what i mean to" (kavinsky's response) (pg 313)

- "he tried to kill me" (talking about his father) (pg 314)

-  "his eyes glittered. he had no irises. just black and white" (pg 314)

- "the line of this smile was ugly and lascivious" (pg 314)

- "his already keen expression sharpened when he saw Ronan's dream object" (pg 315)

- heavy-lidded eyes (pg 315)

- "he was too high for food to be very interesting as anything besides a concept" (pg 317)

- "my favorite forgery is prokopenko" (pg 369)

- "...with that slow, despicable laugh in his voice" (pg 403)

- "I got away with dear old dad. and prokopenko. and no offense to your brother, but they were a lot more complicated" (pg 403)

- wears cargo pants (pg 411)

- "kavinsky looked at ronan, his eyes dead" (pg 412)

- his last words: "the worlds a nightmare" (pg 425)

- "he crumpled to his knees and then slumped gracelessly off the car" (pg 425)

- "but he had been dying since ronan met him." (pg 425)

prokopenko 

- one shoulder crooked and higher than the other (pg 214)

- ears like wing nuts (pg 214)

- has a matching Golf with Swan (pg 268)

skov

- drives an rx-7 (pg 268)

swan

- has a matching Golf with proko (pg 268)

Jiang 

- drives a Supra (pg 268)

BONUS!

nicknames that kavinsky has called ronan

- sweetheart (pg 284)

- rain man (pg 299)

- princess (pg 309)

- sailor (pg 312)

- sweetie (pg 409)

[ask-the-meteor-crew]

DIRECTORY 298-396

298 299 300

301 302 303 304 305 306 307 308 309 310

311 312 313 314 315 316 317 318 319 320

321 322 323 324 325 326 327 328 329 330

331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340

341 342 343 344 345 346 347 348 349 350

351 352 353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360

361 362 363 364 365 366 367 368 369 370

[thehusbandoden]

Todoroki Shoto (20):

Key: angst -💔; fluff -🤍; comfort -❤️‍🩹; angst to fluff -🧡; crack -💜; slight angst -🩵; Fan fav -❤️‍🔥

Fanfictions

...

Drabbles

Early Mornings 🤍

Just some fluffy snuggles with your hubby and son.

Night Terrors ❤️‍🩹🤍

Shoto has a nightmare, and you're quick to comfort him.

Morning Kisses 🤍🤍

You wake up from feather like kisses from your husband; Shoto. The following moments are filled with more kisses, fluff, and some bantering. | 315 words + gn reader

The Last Straw 💔🧡

You and Shoto get into a heated argument | 1,497 words | fluff ending

'Us Time' 🤍💜

Shoto is tired of barely having any time with you, so he proposes an idea to get you for himself for an entire week. | 854 words \\ posted: 9/26/23

Home 🤍❤️‍🩹 (requested)

Yandere Shoto. He takes you home after you get kidnapped. | 2,199 words \\ posted: 11/08/23

M'love 🤍

You come home from work to your alpha mate, who seems anxious about something. | 312 words \\ posted: 03/25/24 \\ A/B/O dynamics

Headcannons/Scenarios

MHA boys react to you torturing an Endeavor plushy🤍💜

Simply that my friends. Enjoy the chaos.

You don't say I love you back 💜🩵

You're gonna be murdered by some, and you'll break the others. Choose your poison.

How they would react to you going to therapy for past abuse 🤍❤️‍🩹 (request)

Self explanatory<3

You flinch during an argument 🧡❤️‍🩹

Self explanatory<3

Comfort headcannons 🤍❤️‍🩹 (request)

Self explanatory <3

You sing "Soft Kitty" to them when they're sick 🤍❤️‍🩹 (request)

Self explanatory<3 | posted: 9/4/23

Self conscious reader 🤍❤️‍🩹 (request)

Self explanatory<3

First Kiss 🤍 (requested)

Self explanatory<3 | 1,005 words \\ posted: 12/05/2023 \\ requested

Pregnant Reader Part 2 🤍 (requested)

Self explanatory<3 | 537 words \\ posted: 12/06/2023 \\ requested

Comforting Claustrophobia Reader Part Two 🤍❤️‍🩹 (requested)

Self explanatory<3 | 555 words \\ posted: 12/07/2023 \\ requested

Liking the Same Heroine as Dabi 🤍 (requested)

Self explanatory<3 | 711 words \\ posted: 12/19/2023 \\ two different endings \\ requested

Christmas Headcannons 🤍

Self explanatory<3 | posted: 12/25/2023

MHA Men When You're Sick 🤍❤️‍🩹

Self explanatory<3 | posted: 03/27/24 \\ 303 words

And more yet to come! <3

Last added to: 3/27/2024

Main masterlist | Requesting Rules

Do not copy, repost, nor plagiarize my work. Ask before you translate or use my work in any way, minus reblogging.

[sevenoctober7]

1- 2- 3- 4- 5- 6- 7- 8- 9- 10- 11- 12- 13- 14- 15- 16- 17- 18- 19- 20- 21- 22- 23- 24- 25- 26- 27- 28- 29- 30- 31- 32- 33- 34- 35- 36- 37- 38- 39- 40- 41- 42- 43- 44- 45- 46- 47- 48- 49- 50- 51- 52- 53- 54- 55- 56- 57- 58- 59- 60- 61- 62- 63- 64- 65- 66- 67- 68- 69- 70- 71- 72- 73- 74- 75- 76- 77- 78- 79- 80- 81- 82- 83- 84- 85- 86- 87- 88- 89- 90- 91- 92- 93- 94- 95- 96- 97- 98- 99- 100- 101- 102- 103- 104- 105- 106- 107- 108- 109- 110- 111- 112- 113- 114- 115- 116- 117- 118- 119- 120- 121- 122- 123- 124- 125- 126- 127- 128- 129- 130- 131- 132- 133- 134- 135- 136- 137- 138- 139- 140- 141- 142- 143- 144- 145- 146- 147- 148- 149- 150- 151- 152- 153- 154- 155- 156- 157- 158- 159- 160- 161- 162- 163- 164- 165- 166- 167- 168- 169- 170- 171- 172- 173- 174- 175- 176- 177- 178- 179- 180- 181- 182- 183- 184- 185- 186- 187- 188- 189- 190- 191- 192- 193- 194- 195- 196- 197- 198- 199- 200- 201- 202- 203- 204- 205- 206- 207- 208- 209- 210- 211- 212- 213- 214- 215- 216- 217- 218- 219- 220- 221- 222- 223- 224- 225- 226- 227- 228- 229- 230- 231- 232- 233- 234- 235- 236- 237- 238- 239- 240- 241- 242- 243- 244- 245- 246- 247- 248- 249- 250- 251- 252- 253- 254- 255- 256- 257- 258- 259- 260- 261- 262- 263- 264- 265- 266- 267- 268- 269- 270- 271- 272- 273- 274- 275- 276- 277- 278- 279- 280- 281- 282- 283- 284- 285- 286- 287- 288- 289- 290- 291- 292- 293- 294- 295- 296- 297- 298- 299- 300- 301- 302- 303- 304- 305- 306- 307- 308- 309- 310- 311- 312- 313- 314- 315..

It is certain that you were not patient with the counting and went straight to the last number. Our people in Gaza lived 315 days, counting them day after day while waiting for you. So what did you do?

[disneytva]

Disney+ Unmasks ‘Star Wars: The Bad Batch’ Final Season For February 21st

Disney+ has released the trailer and teaser poster for the final season of acclaimed Lucasfilm Animation series Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

Synopsis: In the epic final season of Star Wars: The Bad Batch, the Batch will have their limits tested in the fight to reunite with Omega as she faces challenges of her own inside a remote Imperial science lab. With the group fractured and facing threats from all directions, they will have to seek out unexpected allies, embark on dangerous missions, and muster everything they have learned to free themselves from the Empire.

This third and final season of the critically acclaimed CG series will debut Wednesday, February 21 with the first three episodes; see below for episode release schedule.

The Bad Batch S3 Episode Schedule:

2/21:  Episode 301 “Confined,” Episode 302 “Paths Unknown,” Episode 303 “Shadows of Tantiss” (debut)

2/28:  Episode 304 “A Different Approach”

3/6:    Episode 305 “The Return”

3/13:  Episode 306 “Infiltration” & Episode 307 “Extraction”

3/20:  Episode 308 “Bad Territory”

3/27:  Episode 309 “The Harbinger”

4/3:    Episode 310 “Identity Crisis” & Episode 311 “Point of No Return”

4/10:  Episode 312 “Juggernaut”

4/17:  Episode 313 “Into the Breach”

4/24:  Episode 314 “Flash Strike”

5/1:    Episode 315 “The Cavalry Has Arrived” (series finale)

[bratshaws]

through the hourglass 316. brb x oc

a/n: OOP A SHORTY(comments and reblogs are super welcome and encouraged!)

pairing: plus size!oc x rooster

warnings: none uwu

goodness gracious (pls read this one to know more what this fic is about!!)

chapter

1/

/267/268/269/270/271/272/273/274/275/276/277/278/279/280/281/282/283/284/285/286/287/288/289/290/291/292/293/294/295/296/297/298/299/300/301

/302/303/304/305/306/307/308/309/310/311/312/313/314/315

(pls let me know if you want to be added to the taglist! )

taglist: @mirandastuckinthe80s @roosterschanelslut @wiipes @lcahwriter @novastories @gretagerwigsmuse @frenchtoastix @lizzie-rdj @fanboyluvr @atarmychick007 @comebacktoearthpls

@peachiicherries @mak-32 @lizziespidiepridie @roosterswifey @ollyoxenfrees @piceous21 @sqrlgrl22 @hofficoffi @lexhalstead3 @lorilane33 @legendarydreamersharkparty @luckyladycreator2

@emilybradshaw @louisahale @leobabbyyy @booklover2sblog @ktjmac @graciereads @bigpoppajes @taytaylala12

@caitsymichelle13 @becks-things @caatheeriinee07 @fanboyswhore9 @jesfreedark @katiemcrae @lilmonstrjedi @hobiismyhopeu @teacupsandtopgun @insominac23 @gh0stsgoodgirl @mygyn @chavivaelisheva @kmc1989 @enchantingharmonyalpaca @callsign-magnolia

-

It was storming hard and Beatrice watched the large droplets hit the bar’s windows as she and Shells fixed the tables. Penny went home for the night and both women just watched as the huge dark clouds danced overhead.

Shells whistled low, “Damn, good thing we drove over here.” she says, leaning against a chair, “You good picking the kids up at your parents?”

Beatrice nodded, securing the last table against the gusts of wind that accompanied the storm. The rain outside lashed against the windows like a frenzied orchestra, "Yeah, I should be good to pick them up. My parents are used to the impromptu weather changes .They won't mind having the kids a bit longer."

Shells chuckled, “Yeah.” her eyes scanning the empty bar. "Kinda weird being here alone and in the rain,though."

“Well,Shells, the bar did close already.”

"True, but there's a certain charm to being in a closed bar during a storm. It's like we've got the whole place to ourselves."

Beatrice smirked, "You just want to raid the snack stash without anyone judging you."

Shells winked, "Guilty as charged. Aunt Penny would lose her shit…Let's grab some snacks and enjoy the storm. Maybe we'll uncover some hidden gems in the snack selection."

“Uh-huh.” But Bea does follow Shells, setting the broom aside, “Sure.”

The two women headed to the back of the bar where Penny kept a stash of snacks for late-night cravings. The dimly lit storage room smelled of aged wood and a faint hint of bourbon. Shells rummaged through the shelves, pulling out an assortment of chips, pretzels, and even a forgotten pack of gummy bears.

"Jackpot!" Shells exclaimed, holding up the gummy bears triumphantly. "How did Penny forget about these?"

Beatrice chuckled, leaning against the wall "Maybe they were hidden treasures, waiting for the right moment to be discovered. Or Penny just has too much on her plate lately."

Shells raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin forming. "Speaking of plates, I also found some of those chocolate-covered almonds. You know, the fancy ones."

Beatrice arched an eyebrow, "Fancy almonds? Penny's stepping up her snack game.”

They grabbed the snacks and headed back to the main area of the bar. The storm outside continued to rattle the windows and the roof, but nothing was leaking.

Shells settled into one of the barstools, popping open the bag of gummy bears. "Alright, let's spill some secrets, Bea. What's the juiciest gossip you've heard lately?"

Beatrice laughed, joining her at the bar. "Well, besides Miranda trying to play mind games, not much. Life has been... eventful."

Shells hums, popping the pretzel bag open and shoving a handful into her mouth, “Nothing else?”

Beatrice considered for a moment, her gaze drifting towards the storm outside. The rhythmic tap of rain on the windows calmed her a bit. "Well, Rooster's still away on his mission as you know. That's a bit unnerving, especially with everything else going on." she pauses “This whole thing is like a soap opera, but with fighter jets."

Shells snorted, "Fighter jet drama. Now that's a show I'd watch. Who needs reality TV when you've got the Navy?"

Beatrice grinned, "True. Lives that are dramatic enough without needing scripted plots. But seriously, Shells, maybe we should make a movie about this whole thing once it is over, can you imagine?”

“Not gonna lie,we'd make millions!"

"We just need to figure out who plays the villain. I vote for Miranda. She's got the whole mysterious antagonist vibe going on."

Shells raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure you want to cast the actual villain? That might be a bit too realistic. We could go for a surprise twist, like... Mav turning out to be a secret mastermind."

Beatrice gasped dramatically, "Mav, the unsuspecting mastermind pulling the strings from behind the scenes. He’d hate that.!"

The rain drummed on the roof with a furious rhythm, and occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the darkened bar. The atmosphere inside was cozy, filled with the warmth of shared laughter and the scent of snacks.

A lot of them.

In the midst of their playful discussion, Shells leaned back in her chair, a more thoughtful expression crossing her face. "On a serious note, Bea, how are you holding up with all of this? I mean, Rooster away, Miranda causing drama…"

Beatrice sighed, her gaze shifting to the storm outside. "Well,” she chuckles “Could be worse, Shells.But I'm getting through it, you know? One day at a time."

Shells nodded, a genuine concern in her eyes. "If this were a movie, you'd be the main character for sure."

Beatrice smiled, touched by Shells' words. "Thanks, Shells. I appreciate that. But hey, let's not forget you're the quirky sidekick in this movie. 

Shells grinned, raising her bag of gummy bears in a mock toast. "To being the best damn sidekick and creating our own blockbuster Navy drama!"

They clinked their imaginary glasses, laughter bubbling between them. The storm outside raged on, but inside the bar, Bea and Shells found a moment of peace and respite amidst the chaos.

“I mean,I’ll be honest.” Bea looks up when Shells said it, “I’m glad you are okay. Truly.”

Bea’s  gaze softened, her eyes reflecting a genuine warmth. "Thanks, Shells. I'm glad you're okay too. We've been through a lot, and I don't know where I'd be without my partner in crime."

“Does that mean we need matching superhero outfits?"

"Absolutely. Capes and everything. We'll be the dynamic duo, fighting off Navy drama and snack shortages."

After a while, as they polished off the snacks, Shells leaned back in her chair, a more serious expression replacing the playful one. "Bea, I know we're joking about this movie idea, but if you ever need someone to talk to about all the... craziness, I'm here. Seriously."

Beatrice appreciated the sincerity in Shells' offer. She nodded, her smile softer. "Thanks, Shells. Same goes for you, you know? If there's anything on your mind, I'm here to listen. We're in this together, movie or not."

Shells grinned, raising an eyebrow. "So, what would our movie be called? 'Fighter Jets and Friendship'? 'Drama in the Danger Zone'?"

Beatrice laughed, her eyes sparkling. "How about 'Wings of Resilience'? It has a nice ring to it."

"Wings of Resilience it is, then," Shells declared, adopting a mock serious tone. "Coming soon to theaters near you."

The streets glistened with rain, reflecting the glow of streetlights. The rain hadn’t stopped and Shells frowned"You sure you're good to pick up the kids, Bea?"

"Yeah, I'll make it in time. And I appreciate the company, Shells. It's been a strangely comforting night."

Shells grinned, "Sometimes you just need snacks, a closed bar, and a storm to make everything feel a bit lighter."

Beatrice nodded, chuckling. "True that. Thanks for being my snack buddy and partner in crime tonight, Shells."

"Anytime, Bea. Wings of Resilience, remember?"

"Wings of Resilience," Beatrice echoed, her eyes dropping to her phone to check if she got any messages before she grabbed her umbrella, “You okay closing the bar?”

Shells nodded, stretching her arms with a yawn. "Yeah, I'll handle closing up. It's just a matter of locking up and making sure everything's secure. Penny does most of the heavy lifting in the morning anyway."

"Alright then," Beatrice said, pushing herself up from the barstool. She checked the time on her phone, realizing she needed to head out to pick up the kids. "I'll leave you to it. Take care, Shells."

"You too, Bea. And tell the kiddos I said hi. I'll catch up with you soon, alright?"

Beatrice smiled, feeling a genuine sense of gratitude for Shells' company during the stormy night. "Sounds good, Shells. I'll catch you later."

With a brief wave, Beatrice stepped out into the rain, opening her umbrella against the relentless downpour. The streets were still wet, the reflections of city lights shimmering on the surface. She walked briskly, the sound of raindrops on her umbrella almost sounding like gunshots.

As she approached her car, Beatrice just looked around to be sure which way would be safer for her to go to her parents.

The rain continued to pour, never ceasing as Beatrice navigated the slick streets inside her car. The city seemed quieter in the storm, the usual hustle and bustle muffled by the downpour. She felt a sense of calm despite the chaos that had unfolded earlier.

She didn’t want to think about it.

Arriving at her parents' house, Beatrice parked the car and rushed to the front door, umbrella in tow. The raindrops clung to her hair and clothes as she entered, greeted by the warmth of her childhood home. Her parents, hearing the door, emerged from the living room with welcoming smiles.

"Hey, Mom, Dad," Beatrice greeted them, shaking off the droplets from her umbrella. "It's pouring out there."

Her mom  reached for Beatrice's umbrella before she could stop it. "Well, you're inside now. Did you have a good night at work, sweetheart?"

Beatrice sighed, a mix of weariness and relief. "It was... something. Lots of people at the bar."

“Are you hungry?”

“N-”

“I’ll make you some cocoa, wait here.”

Her dad, whose head poked out from his office, chimed in, "Well, you know it’s better than to say no. Come here, the kids are with me.”

Beatrice followed her dad into the cozy home office. The room was filled with the familiar scent of old books and a hint of coffee. Gavin and Aurora, were lying on a playmat, engrossed in playing with some of Bea and her siblings’ old toys. Nicole, looked up from her spot on a small desk where she scribbled with crayons.

"Mama!" Nicole exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up her face. "Mama!"

Beatrice grinned, bending down to scoop Nicole into her arms. "Hey, sweetheart. Missed me?"

"Yeaaa!" Nicole nodded enthusiastically, hugging her mom tightly.

Her dad,chuckled. "She's been asking about you all evening. Now that you're here, it's like a party."

As Beatrice settled in with her kids, her mom returned with a tray carrying steaming mugs of cocoa. Beatrice took a sip, the warmth of the cocoa chasing away the residual chill from the rain-soaked night.

“Thanks, Mom. This is perfect.”

Her mom beamed, taking a seat beside her husband. "So, how's everything, dear? Any interesting stories from the bar tonight?"

Beatrice sighed, her gaze momentarily distant. "Oh, you know, the usual chaos. Shells and I had to deal with some rowdy customers, but we handled it. And then the storm hit."

Her dad raised an eyebrow, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Storm? You drove through the storm?”

"Yeah, Shells and I were closing the bar when it began.”

"Hmmm.”

“What,papa?”

“Maybe you and the kids should spend the night here, it’s safer than driving home.”

Beatrice considered her dad's suggestion. The storm showed no signs of letting up, and the idea of navigating the wet and slippery streets with the kids in tow was less than appealing. She glanced at her children, who were now engrossed in playing with the toys, seemingly unfazed by the weather outside.

"Yeah, you might be right, Dad," Beatrice admitted. "Staying the night here would be safer."

Her mom smiled, clearly pleased with the decision. "Good. We'll make up the guest room for you and the little ones. It's been a while since we had a spontaneous family sleepover with you involved."

"Sounds like a plan," Beatrice agreed, taking another sip of her cocoa. "I'll text Shells to let her know we're staying here tonight."

As Beatrice sent a quick text to Shells, then paused when she saw Rooster’s text.

Roos (21:30)

Gorgeous, don’t freak out but…if you can avoid Miranda even more these coming days,it’d be better…I can’t explain much now.

Beatrice's heart skipped a beat as she read Rooster's message. She frowned, glancing at her parents, who were engaged in a conversation about the storm.

"Everything okay, dear?" her mom asked, noticing the change in Beatrice's expression.

Beatrice hesitated for a moment, debating whether to share Rooster's message. She decided to keep it vague for now. "Just some squadron stuff. Rooster is busy, nothing more."

She had to get more info later.

[theworsthistorynerd]

"In the late 6th century, a new monotheistic religion called Islam was founded by its prophet Muhammad, whose followers became known as Muslims. Muhammad united the tribes of Arabia into a religious polity, a caliphate, whose domains he and his successors extended into a vast empire through holy war (jihad).[296][ci] They conquered Palestine in 636 to 640.[247][cii][ciii]

Society in the caliphate formed a pyramid with five layers.[297] Arabs were at the top, followed by converts to Islam (mawali) (this distinction disappeared after the Abbasids seized power).[297] Below them stood dhimmis, followed by non-Muslim free men and slaves at the bottom.[297] The dhimmi (meaning "protected person") were Christians, Jews, and Samaritans, who the Muslims designated as "peoples of the Book" (ahl al-kitab), meaning that they, like the Muslims, based their worship on a book God had given to them, which, in its essence, was identical to the Koran.[298] Unlike the previous rulers, the Muslims allowed them to practice their religions in peace. However, non-Muslim men had to pay a special tax (jizya) and they had to be submissive to Muslims.[298][civ] Dress regulations were imposed on non-Muslims, but it is uncertain whether they were ever enforced in Palestine.[299][cv] Muslim men were permitted to marry non-Muslim women even if the latter choose to remain in their faith. Muslim women, however, could not marry non-Muslim men, unless they first converted to Islam.[300][cvi] The Muslims also lifted the Romans' centuries-long ban on Jews in Jerusalem.[301]

The Muslims organized the territory of the Byzantine Dioceses Orientes (Syria) into five military districts, or provinces (jund, pl. ajnad).[302][cvii][cviii] The territory of Palaestina Prima and Palaestina Tertia became Jund Filastin and stretched from Aqaba in the south to the lower Galilee in the north and from Arish in the west to Jericho in the east.[303][cix] The Tulunids later expanded the borders of the province eastwards and southwards to include regions in modern-day southern Jordan and north-western Saudi Arabia.[304][cx] The newly founded city Ramla became Jund Filastin's administrative capital and most important city.[305] Jund al-Urdunn corresponded with Palaestina Secunda, covering most of the Galilee, the western part of Peraea in Transjordan, and the coastal cities Acre and Sur (Tyre).[306] Tabariyyah (Tiberias) replaced Scythopolis as the province's capital.[307]

Throughout the period, Palestine was a sort of gold mine for the caliphate and among its most prosperous and fertile provinces.[308] Palestine's wealth derived from its strategic location as a hub for international trade, the influx of pilgrims, its excellent agricultural produce, and from a number of local crafts.[309] Products manufactured or traded in Palestine included building materials from marble and white-stone quarries, spices, soaps, olive oil, sugar, indigo, Dead Sea salts, and silk.[310] Palestinian Jews were expert glassmakers whose wares became known as "Jewish glass" in Europe.[311] Palestine was also known for its book production and scribal work.[312]

The Muslims invested much effort in developing a fleet and in restoring seaports, creating shipyards, fortifying coastal cities, and in establishing naval bases in Palestine.[313] Acre became their chief naval base from which a fleet set out to conquer Cyprus in 647.[314] Jaffa came to replace Caesarea as Palestine's main port due to its proximity with Ramla.[315]

Though Palestine was now under Muslim control, the Christian world's affection for the Holy Land continued to grow. Christian kings made generous donations to Jerusalem's holy sites,[cxi] and helped facilitate the ever increasing pilgrimage traffic.[317][cxii] Pilgrims ventured for the adventure, but also to expiate sin.[319][cxiii] Many pilgrims were attacked by highwaymen which would later be cited by the Crusaders as a reason to "liberate" Jerusalem from the Muslims.[320]"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Palestine#Crusader_period