#39;s a healthy

[byzerodigital]

Vayal Foods Coconut Sugar is made out of traditional extraction process. No harsh chemicals or preservatives are used. Extraction is done in natural way, to preserve the essential nutrients.

[chemicalproduct]

Septic tank enzyme treatment

[tweedlydumbtweedlydoo]

Interstate 40 | Tyler Owens x reader

Requested by anon / Summary: You go into labor. 

A/N: Hope you enjoy! Thanks for requesting. xx

Go follow my fic rec blog! ---> @imaginationgonewild0912

**MASTERLIST**

Requests: {OPEN} CLOSED

** Rules for Requesting **

** Who I Write For **

********************************************************************************************NOT MY GIF, CREDIT TO OWNERS

! Warning: child birth, blood, pain !! 

You were out at the barn, filling the chickens feed and water when Tyler stormed into the barn. You’re pretty sure you saw smoke coming out of his ears, his face red. 

“What the hell are you doing?” He asks immediately taking the scoop from you, “you’re supposed to be resting! Doctor’s order!” His eyes are large as he stares at you. 

You wave him off, “Tyler come on, I’ve been doing this the entire pregnancy. Nothing new to me.” You yank the scoop back from him, “I was going stir crazy laying in bed.” 

You were 9 months pregnant, 39 weeks to be exact, ready to go into labor at any time. Your body was ready, but baby Owens had yet to say they were ready just yet. Your doctor had told you to take it easy after a fainting spell. Everything checked out, baby Owens was perfectly healthy and your doctor gave you the green light to head back home and get some rest. 

Tyler had took this very seriously, making you stay in bed, and insisted on waiting on you hand and foot. He’d only left you alone for an hour to run into town to get groceries. 

“What if something happened out here while I was gone? huh? What if you fainted and hit your head or something?” 

You sigh, seeing his point, “I’m sorry.” You frown, “but Tyler, really I was going crazy. I needed to do something.” 

“knit the baby a blanket. Something where you’re not on your feet.” He grabs your shoulders, leading you out the barn. 

“Tyler-” you groan, “you know I don’t know how to knit!” 

“Perfect time to learn then.” 

As the two of you near the porch, you get a cramp in your stomach. It wasn’t too strong, but you noticed it. “ooh.” You clinch your eyes shut, placing a hand on your stomach, and bending over slightly.

“What? Oh god, is it time? See I told you-” 

“Tyler, chill.” You take a deep breath, the pain easing. “I’m sure it’s just Braxton hicks. I’m fine. I’ve been having them every little while.” 

“are they consistent?” 

You shrug, “I honestly don’t know. I haven’t paid too much attention. That’s the first one that's been more intense.” You start up the stairs of the porch. 

“You could be in labor.” Tyler says following you, “We probably need to head to the hospital.” 

“I promise I am not. We’ll know for sure when it's time.” You sigh, taking a seat on the rocking chair. 

“You’ll let me know if they get worse right? You know the nearest hospital is an hour away.” He warns. “You have to let me know in time. I am not delivering our baby on the side of the highway.” 

~ 

“You told me they were Braxton hicks!” He argues. He’s currently speeding down the interstate, swerving in and out of traffic. People are honking left and right. 

You let out a scream, hand gripping his shirt in one hand and the other on the grab handle. 

Tyler screams with you, in full blown panic mode. You were still 45 minutes away from the nearest hospital. Your water had broke a little bit ago and soon after that the contractions began to get more and more intense, and closer in time. Your labor was progressing fast. 

You’re doing your lamaze breathing, trying to stay calm, “I’ve never been in labor before, how was I supposed to know I was actually in labor?!” 

You groan as another wave of a contraction hits, “Tyler something-” You reach down to feel, bringing your hand back up, fingers covered in blood. “S-Something is wrong.” 

Tyler glances at your hand, his heart drops, face going pale. if something happens to you.. or the baby. He’d never forgive himself. He shouldn’t have left. He should have forced you to go to the hospital earlier. His foot goes heavy on the gas, engine revving loudly. 

A new feeling shows itself, “I feel like I need to shit-” Your eyes are wide, staring at Tyler. “Tyler- oh fuck I’m about to have this baby on the side of the god damn interstate, aren’t I?” 

“Don’t panic-” He knew enough from hearing stories to know what that meant. That was the key indicator baby was coming and it was coming NOW. “but yes.” 

“oh my god!” 

He’s immediately pulling the truck to the side, horns blaring as he cuts someone off. He comes to a skidding stop, jumping out of the truck. He’s throwing the door open on your side in a split second. Now it’s him who is calm. He’s rolling up his sleeves, pulling out his phone to call 911. He’s delivered a calf before. Same thing right? 

“I am NOT having this baby in your truck!” Your panicked eyes find his calm ones, shaking your head. “I can wait until the hospital.”

“You have no choice.” He helps you slide out of your pants in the seat, simultaneously telling the 911 dispatcher what’s going on, your location and gathering supplies he needs. Where did this calm, collected Tyler come from? He was panicking only 30 seconds ago. 

You scream, a searing pain felt down below. 

Tyler peeks and sees a head full of hair, his eyes widen, “you definitely can’t wait. baby is coming now. push baby-” 

It only took one push before Tyler caught the baby, laying her on your chest and drying her off with a towel. “it’s a girl!”

Emotions are running high. Tears are being shed. You’d just given birth, Tyler delivering your daughter. Your heart drops; she’s quiet on your chest, “Why isn’t she crying?”

“Come on baby girl-” He finally stimulates her enough and she lets out a loud cry. It triggers more tears from both you and Tyler. A sigh of relief. 

Tyler’s kissing you through the tears, “You did so great baby.” A proud smile on his lips as he stares at his two girls. He cups your face in his hands, “That was fucking amazing.” 

~

The EMS showed up not long after, checking over you and the baby. Both healthy. They get you on the stretcher, your baby girl wrapped in a blanket in your arms. As the emotions of your baby being earth side, the reality hits you. You gasp, “Tyler.” You cover your mouth in shock. 

“Hmm?” He hums, looking up from your daughter. 

“I just gave birth to our daughter in your truck on the side of the interstate.”  

He chuckles, “Yeah you did. That was more bad ass than getting caught in the middle of a tornado.” 

~ 

Don’t know how I feel about this one. I had a whole vision but writing it out proved to be difficult. 

Comments, likes and reblogs are greatly appreciated! 

[djarins-cyare]

✭ Series Masterlist ✭

Languishing in a dull and lonely existence on the forest moon of Endor after travelling there to help salvage Death Star wreckage, a nearly fatal encounter with a mysterious bounty hunter out in the forest heralds an opportunity to utilise long-forgotten skills and develop something more profound than you ever thought possible.

Second person POV, present tense. Set post-season 2, diverges from Canon events before TBoBF and season 3. This is a novel-length, exceptionally slow burn with an original plot, worldbuilding, and fully-developed characterisation. SWU concepts and lore are accurately researched.

WORDS: 406,560

PAIRING: Din Djarin x Female Reader/You

RATING: Explicit (18+)

CHARACTERS: Din Djarin, Reader/You/Female OC, Original Non-Human Character(s), Original Human Characters, Greef Karga, Cara Dune, Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Grogu, Peli Motto

TAGS: Slow Burn, Slow Build, Romance, Love, Sexual Tension, Eventual Smut, Smut, Sex, Sexual Content, Explicit Sexual Content, Fluff, Fluff and Smut, Fluff and Angst, Light Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Relationships, Healthy Relationships, Canon-Typical Violence, Blood and Injury, Dark Past, Additional Warnings In Author's Notes, Bounty Hunter Din Djarin, Soft Din Djarin, Touch-Starved Din Djarin, Din Djarin Needs a Hug, Smart Din Djarin, Soft Dominant Din Djarin, Ewok Species, Mandalorian Culture, Mando'a Language, New Razor Crest, Thoroughly Researched, Worldbuilding, No use of y/n.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This took me almost a year to write and four months to edit/proof. Each chapter is prefaced with specific tags and (where necessary) warnings, plus word counts. End notes contain translations and comments… this baby is thoroughly researched, so I’m sharing context where appropriate. I’ve also added definitions of in-universe terms so people less familiar with the franchise won’t be left wondering what the hell certain words or references mean. This is a slow burn (adult themes), and although the explicit content only occurs in the latter half, when it does, it warrants the ‘E’ rating. Basically, the first half is a love story, and the second half gets spicy. I hope you enjoy it!

READ THE COMPLETE STORY ON AO3:

(Chapters containing explicit content marked †)

Chapter 1: The Obstacle

Chapter 2: The Interrogation

Chapter 3: The Covenant

Chapter 4: The Snare

Chapter 5: The Strike

Chapter 6: The Groundwork

Chapter 7: The Genesis

Chapter 8: The Progression

Chapter 9: The Hide

Chapter 10: The Beast

Chapter 11: The Adjustment

Chapter 12: The Storm

Chapter 13: The Broadside

Chapter 14: The Intercourse

Chapter 15: The Village

Chapter 16: The Confession

Chapter 17: The Reprieve

Chapter 18: The Fortification

Chapter 19: The Ambush

Chapter 20: The Meridian

Chapter 21: The Homestretch

Chapter 22: The Union †

Chapter 23: The Overture

Chapter 24: The Crescendo

Chapter 25: The Harmony †

Chapter 26: The Cadence †

Chapter 27: The Ride †

Chapter 28: The Veneration †

Chapter 29: The Spree †

Chapter 30: The Tribute †

Chapter 31: The Courage

Chapter 32: The Feast

Chapter 33: The Exhibition †

Chapter 34: The Reward

Chapter 35: The Binding †

Chapter 36: The Synergy †

Chapter 37: The Match †

Chapter 38: The Flag †

Chapter 39: The Foundling †

Chapter 40: The Future †

✨Additional Media✨

@burntheedges has written a spectacular little drabble detailing what Din was up to during the paragraph break near the end of chapter 1 (*SPOILERS* you don’t find this out until chapter 27).

@roughdaysandart has sketched a fantastic study of chapter 33 and it’s absolutely perfect (*SPOILERS* cliffhanger ending for the chapter).

@djarin-desires has created some awesome AI images of a few scenes using Midjourney.

I spent a stupid amount of money on the Hot Toys official Din Djarin action figure, simply so I could photograph him in poses from my fic 🤷🏼‍♀️ This is just a taster of what’s to come, but here he is offering to help Reader climb onto the speeder in chapter 8.

🧡💚 Thank you for reading! 💚🧡

➤ MAIN MASTERLIST

Dividers by @samspenandsword

[hiddurmitzvah]

I wanted to celebrate with these two prints that I made, a long history that jewish people, garlic and pickles have. You can purchase these print via my Etsy shop.

And here's the history:

Already in ancient times, garlic was a central part of celebrating Shabbat. The Talmud devotes several passages to talking about garlic, explaining that it is a key part of Shabbat meals. “With what does one delight in the day of Shabbat?” the Talmud asks, recording an answer provided by Rav Yehuda, son of Rav Shmuel bar Sheilat, who recalled the words of his teacher Rav: “With a dish of beetroot, and a large fish, and heads of garlic” (TalmudShabbat 11b). Elsewhere, the Talmud refers to Jews who celebrate Shabbat as “garlic eaters,” so closely identified was Shabbat dinner and lunch with this fragrant vegetable. (Talmud Nedarim 31a)

Even later on, in the medieval times, the conncetion between jews and garlic was quite close. In fact, it helped the community to survive!  In Istanbul, when Jews avoided the plague during a terrible epidemic, it was said that the virus did not penetrate the Jewish area because of the smell of garlic. Jews hung bulbs of garlic outside their doors to ward off the plague as a talisman and sign of good luck. The food historian Gil Marks adds: “Historically, the addition of garlic was among the typical Jewish touches that enhanced local dishes. In many cultures, the presence of garlic marked a dish as Jewish.”

In Germany, in the towns of Speyer, Worms and Mainz were home to large, vibrant Jewish communities. A popular acronym for these areas took the first letter from each town – S, W (which is written with a double “U” sound in Hebrew) and M – echoed the Hebrew word for garlic, shoom. The area was known as Kehillas Shoom (or SchUM) – the community of “Shum”, or garlic in Hebrew.

So identified were German Jews with garlic that some anti-Semitic images persist from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, depicting Jews holding or posing with bulbs of garlic.

But jews and pickles go back for a long time too. Eastern European Jews brought their pickle-making traditions to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and made it famous there. Pickled cucumbers were an important part of their diet due to the need for preserving food in harsh climates in Eastern Europe, where was a common practice to collect and preserve pickles in order to survive winter. Everything could be pickled, from lemons to carrots, with varying degrees of culinary success.

Some took the cucumber, a cheap, accessible vegetable, preserved it in the spring to make them last through the winter and feasted on it throughout the year. Some of those people were Jews and thus the Jewish love affair with pickling began, as a way of keeping vegetables hygienic and healthy.

Fermantation itself as has a biblical orgin in various places.  Perhaps the best-known early reference to fermented food is the Passover story in Exodus (12:39): When the Jews were "thrust out of Egypt, and could not tarry," their dough could not rise (through fermentation). We know this unleavened bread as matzo. But when they left Egypt, after some time, their longing for these goods came up: "We remember the fish which we were wont to eat in Egypt for nought; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic” It’s likely that the cucumbers mentioned by our Jewish forebears were pickled in some way. Ancient cucumbers tasted extremely bitter and the ancient Egyptians “cooked” their cucumbers by lightly fermenting them. The resulting pickled vegetables were slightly alcoholic, and were seemingly eaten for their mind-altering properties.

[ineadhyn]

Astarion and polyamory

So I was thinking about Astarions reaction when you romance both him and Shadowheart and are forced to make a decision. Both of them are in general fine with an open relationship and/or polyamory and let you romance Halsin as well. But not with each other.

What Astarion says is : "Perhaps if Shadowheart had a bit more experience in these things ... Or if you two were not just starting out."

Later he can say: "Take it from someone with experience... Hearts are destined to break."

And in regards to Karlach he'll say: "Healthy relationships are not my expertise (or something similar)"

So, let me add my thoughts: The first sentence is exactly what I would say myself as someone with year long poly experience. Starting simultaneously with two partners is more difficult than adding someone to a stable established relationship. Also the first serious relationship to be poly right from the start can be difficult. The person doesn't know yet what they want and need from a partner, their love languages, time management, all that. It needs time to figure that out together. (Not saying it can't work. It can, but it needs more work and care and investment).

Shadowheart is incredibly inexperienced with relationships. She never had one like with Tav/Durge before, she says it herself. Not to mention a poly relationship that needs even more communication. Adding a highly traumatized Astarion into the mix who also needs a lot of attention and for whom figuring out what he wants and needs is a full time job ... It would be incredibly difficult to balance. And whilst saving the world and living on the road? Astarion is right about rather not risking it and one or all of you ending up with a broken heart.

In short: Dude knows his shit about polyamory.

It makes me think that he actually has experience with it. Like, he's not referring to seduction in the second quote about having experience, but to actual relationships.

I know people like to treat him like a young boy who never was with another person before being snatched by Cazador (over-exaggeraing here to make a point). Probably because it makes the story more dramatic. But *I* think this 39 year old elf has experience hiding somewhere in him. Half forgotten probably, because of trauma, but he sounds so much like he knows what he's talking about.

Astarion has had relationship(s), poly or open or something before Cazador. And I think they didn't end happy, because of quote 2 and 3.

Of course most relationships end and he's wise enough to not blame it on the poly aspect. He knows that can work for him and it's something he wants eventually - with the right partner who also wants that.

But he has not found his happy end before Tav/Durge. Wich is completely normal. Very little people will find their soulmate right away. Most of us have a backstory with heartbreak. And if you go through a few relationships you start questioning if it's actually worth it to get your heart broken again. That's what I read from quote 2.

About the toxic relationship part in quote 3: He could actually be self-aware enough to refer to his own manipulative behaviour. Or he has experienced it before. Because referring to Cazador or his victims as "unhealthy relationships" is unfitting on so many levels.

Résumé: Astarion has had relationships. Probably also poly or open ones. He has had bis heart broken before.

(He might also have been in unhealthy relationships, but that is left open for interpretation.)

[lovelyladyabsinthewrites]

Love Song for a Vampire Pt.25

Pairing(s): Edward Cullen x Wolf!Reader

Warnings: none

Words: 1996

Part 1    Part 2    Part 3    Part 4  Part 5  Part 6  Part 7  Part 8  Part 9  Part 10  Part 11  Part 12  Part 13  Part 14  Part 15  Part 16  Part 17  Part 18  Part 19  Part 20  Part 21  Part 22  Part 23  Part 24  Part 26  Part 27  Part 28  Part 29  Part 30  Part 31  Part 32  Part 33  Part 34  Part 35  Part 36  Part 37  Part 38  Part 39

Giving you and Edward privacy, Evita goes back to the bonfire. She does give one last look to the vampire, as if wondering if it was okay to leave you alone with something like him. Regardless, Evita leaves, carrying her bag that held the ritual items she would have used.

You watch her figure join the bundles of trees just to make sure she was heading in the right direction. Satisfied that she’d find her way safely, you turn to Edward who offers his hand out to you. “Care to join me for a walk?”

Hesitant fingers slide along his cold hand. Your body temperatures were solar opposites. The two colliding sent a rippling tingling that started from your palm and up your arm. Edward felt it too as he his body jolts slightly from the sensation.

“Alice called you?” You ask as you fall into step alongside him. “She said you were at Bella’s with the Denalis.”

He nods. “Yeah. But I told them there was somewhere I needed to be. Alice was freaking out. I think I freaked out a little bit more. . .”

The gentle singing of the river gets closer the further you and Edward delve into the forest. Leisurely you bump into one another in a soothing rhythm, wandering with no real destination.

“How is she doing? Bella? I saw her sometime ago and we had lunch.” You hadn’t gained the courage to call her yourself. While the two of you had spoken in a civil manner, you were still uncomfortable with the thought of ringing her up yourself. Jacob wanted friendship to blossom between you and Bella, but it was too soon for that. Especially with Edward making a stance and choosing to go after you.

“Healthy. Healthy and safe.” That was all he ever wanted for Bella. You nod and move to continue along the riverbank but Edward stops you. “Wait. I know we’re fated to be together, but I feel like there is still so much I don’t know about you. You probably know more about me.”

What was there to know about you? Before turning into a wolf, your life had been normal. So normal that it could border on being mind painfully boring. A life of rinse and repeat. Wake up, go to school, come home, do homework, then go to bed to do it all over again the next day. Occasionally on the weekends your small family might go out for a refreshing hike or even fishing.

Going on to tell Edward of your simple life on the reservation, you describe your mother and father; both hard working people and yet always generous to those who had even less n than you did. Like when Harry Clearwater died, they made sure Sue and her kids were fed for weeks. Your mom would stay up late preparing casserole dishes and other easy to heat up meals so that Sue wouldn’t have to worry about her family eating. They even picked up Seth (along with the others) for carpool.

Never wanting them to worry more than they needed to, you tried your entire childhood to be a good kid. Being a wolf though changed that. Now constantly worried about your wellbeing, all you could do was give them hollow promises that you would be safe. That was not the job of a Quileute wolf though. Combating danger was. And fighting vampires guaranteed that you were never safe.

“Do they know about me?” Hesitantly he brings up the imprinting. Unsure of how much your parents really knew about your others life.

Pursing your lips, you relent. “To an extent. They don’t really know imprinting itself but they understand that something is going on between us, whatever that may be. But they don’t know what you or the rest of your family are. Just that you’re descendants from the stories that we tell of the Cold Ones.”

Not it mention that they probably thought you still had a crush on Embry. Your parents saw it immediately when both of you were small children. Their giggles could be heard whenever you and Embry hung out and they were home. Worse was when Quil threatened to tell Embry at one point if you didn’t do whatever he said. That threat didn’t hold up when your hurled your small body at him and pinned him to the ground; hissing that you would spit in his face right then and there if he promised to keep it a secret.

“You know, I still don’t know much about you either. I know that you were the first vampire Carlisle created, but nothing else.” What you really wanted to know was what was his life like when he was a human. But you realize how sensitive that topic could be. His human family was definitely dead by now.

His gaze warms thoughtfully. When he spoke, along with fondness came the sting of sorrow. “Before Carlisle saved me from the Spanish influenza, I grew up in Chicago with a vacant father and a loving mother. Nothing particularly exciting happened during that time. I was seventeen when my mom and I got sick.”

That tender smile twitched downward for a split second at the memory of his mom and the day he became an immortal. You couldn’t imagine losing your own mother the same day you discovered you could live forever.

Edward notices the sad gleam on your face and he makes sure to lift his lips back up into an easygoing grin. “Don’t be sad. I’ve had many decades to mourn and grieve and really understand the opportunity she wanted me to have. With this life I was able to get not one, but two medical degrees, learn a handful of languages, and so much more.”

He truly had lived much longer than you. You were still the young and naive age of sixteen despite looking like a full grown adult thanks to the wolf transformation.

“That’s incredible. I’ve never been out of the state of Washington.” You bemoan and pick through the rocks that lined the slow trickle of water.

He laughs a little. “You still have plenty of time to change that. I never left Illinois when I was human either. There was the option of boarding school out of state, but I didn’t feel comfortable leaving my mom alone.” Edward sits down along the bank with a sigh and leans his head back. The sky was already a dark blanket with stars embroidered into it. His skin nearly glowed in the starlight.

You wouldn’t learn everything about him in one single night. For now, this was enough.

**

Evita couldn’t help but release a relieved breath as she walked out of the thick of trees and back to Sam Uley’s house. Happy that she didn’t have to perform a life changing spell like that. While she was more than capable, there were a lot of things that could have gone wrong for her to intervene with strong forces. Edward and (y/n)’s differences may prove to be challenging, almost to impossible, but Evita had a good feeling that things would work out for them in the end. Patience and communication was required on both sides. (Y/n) had a good head on her shoulders though. At least from what Evita could see from the short amount of time they had known each other.

Already Evita could see the orange glow of the bonfire and hear many voices reveling. For a second, she felt a ping of homesickness. Being among the warmth of a close knit community had her longing for her family. She wouldn’t be able to go home for quite awhile. There was much work to do here. Her mother had understood the duty she felt and commended her daughter.

Most of the seats closest to the fire were already taken by other members of the pack and elder’s council. There was one seat however that was still empty. Next to the only other female wolf.

Leah right?” Evita walks up to her and points to the plastic folding chair propped next to her. “Is it okay if I take this seat?”

The she-wolf flicked her dark umber eyes over to the witch, nodding her consent silently. Leah observed Evita carefully as she sat. “Where’s (y/n)?”

Grinning, Evita looked back over her shoulder at the forest. “Thought I would let her and Edward have some privacy as they talk.”

That seemed to make her draw even further into herself. “I thought I smelled a leech.”

“Oh? What do vampires smell like to you?” She innocently asked with a cock of her head. Leah had never paused to really describe a vampire’s scent.

“Grossly sweet.” Was all she could find to explain.

Humming with thought, she leans back in her chair, her view filled with the laughing faces of the younger members of the pack and the thoughtful ones of the elders. “How funny and odd this world is.”

Leah didn’t think it was funny at all. More like some cruel joke that she would never get the hang of. In every single way, this whole wolf thing had royally messed up her life. There was no solace she could take.

She knew that if she told Evita about Jacob imprinting on her, that Evita wouldn’t find the world quite so funny.

It was on the tip of her tongue as bitterness nearly won her over. Evita was genuine though and only wanted to get to know the pack better. She was willing to protect them with her magic after all.

Gulping back whatever sour thing she could have said, Leah asked her “Was this your first time encountering vampires?”

“Yes. They weren’t quite as I imagined. A visiting witch came to our house one day and told us about them. How terrifying it is to be in front of one. Even of the massive coven called the Volturi.”

(y/n) had mentioned them too. If they were enough to make the Cullens fear them, then they must be a big deal.

Her concern was palpable and Evita told Leah reassuringly “Like I told the rest of the pack, I’ll do my best to protect everyone here in Forks. I just might need to call in one more person. . .”

Eyebrows lift quizzically, Leah sits up a little straighter. “Another witch?”

She nods. “I would have preferred my grandma to come, but she’s too old for traveling and my mom is too busy taking care of my sisters. There’s someone else I know. Thing is they’re in Haiti right now so it would take a while for them to fly here.”

“You don’t think you can do it by yourself?”

“I can make all the wards myself, but I won’t have enough energy to install them strategically around Forks. I would ask the pack to help me, but they need to have a proper knowledge of magic that would take me months to teach. And with the informants that the Volturi possess, who knows how long we have until they know about this Bella girl.”

Anxiety would have besieged Evita, it should have from all the responsibility. She was good under pressure though and knew that she shouldn’t waste her time worrying. Leah watched the expression of determination calm the witch’s features. Even if it was just herself, she would do the best she could.

“Calling your friend is always worth a shot. . .” Leah murmured; Evita’s beaming confidence was contagious. “You never know. Like you said, the world is odd and funny. They might be able to make it if they plan properly.”

Evita shot Leah a bright smile. “You’re right! I’m going inside to call her.”

Knowing she could offer appreciated assistance, Leah grins to herself and glances over at the dancing flames. Her rigid demeanor softened and one could say she was at peace with herself for but a moment.

——————————

TAGLIST: @saltedcoffeescotch , @dangerouslittlefairy , @burn-crash-rqmance , @casedoina , @avadakadabra93 , @daryldixonstorm , @blue-aconite , @xanniestired666 , @esposadomd, @godinho11 , @arin-swear-rose , @alexizodd , @melaninsugarbaby , @lyeatoalinatoheaven  , @ronwownsme , @itsmytimetoodream , @afro-hispwriter , @mutandis-extremis993 , @hxgemxscles , @nightly-polaris , @corrodedcoffins-slut , @ellesalazar , @itgetzweird08 , @crybabyatthediscooffandoms , @sassyandclassyx , @scarlet2007 , @theroyalbrownbarbie , @jennyamanda8 , @stevenandmarcslove , @biancaindaeyo , @loversjoy , @turningtoclown , @vixorell , @xxthackerybinxxx , @daredevilonmyheels , @dumbbitch-juice , @southern-bell-give-hell

[abbies-rescuebot-stuff]

uh oh, info dump time

info about the bots in my universe

ive done a bit of rearranging with when certain things happen, mostly in rba, so just keep that in mind.

there's some info about robot parenthood at the bottom, so you may wanna give that a read first otherwise you be a little confused by some of the terms i use.

i'll probably come back to this from time to time, so keep an eye on it. ;) you never know who else might join the party.

Main Four

Heatwave Pronouns- He/Him

Earth Age(s)- 27 (RB S1, 2012) 31 (RB S4, 2016) 33 (RBA S1, 2018) 35 (Post RBA S2, 2020) 42 (2027) 45 (2030) 49 (2034)

Status- Living

Personality Overview- Heatwave was born into a world of passion, fueled by his carrier's desire for greatness. He took a lot after her, especially temper. However, the older he got, the more he mellowed out. He's a very proud and stubborn bot, which often rubs off on others. His role as leader has inspired others to better themselves. Bits and pieces of his fiery attitude can be seen in his children, especially his oldest, Firefly.

Occupation- Rescue Bot (firefighter) Academy professor

Immediate Family- "The Bull" (sire) Wildfire (carrier) Possibly numerous half-siblings Blades (conjunx, carrier of children) Firefly (oldest child) Torch (youngest son)

Other relatives- Sabre (ex-amanti, separated on good terms) Quickshadow (older sister-like figure) Cody (younger brother-like figure)

Chase Pronouns- He/Him

Earth age(s)- 26 (RB S1, 2012) 30 (RB S4, 2016) 32 (RBA S1, 2018) 34 (Post RBA S2, 2020) 41 (2027) 44 (2030) 48 (2034)

Personality Overview- What comes off as cold and uncaring is really just the way Chase was raised and how he shield's himself from past trauma. His analytical nature has served him well in avoiding social situations that may not benefit him. Why waste his time on something if it has nothing to do with his current task? Slowly but surely though, his walls have come down, and his bottled up emotions pouring out, allowing him to truly heal and live without fear. At the end of the day, he loves curling up with a good book, especially if it's of the crime fiction variety.

Status- Living

Occupation- Rescue Bot (police/law enforcement) Academy professor

Immediate Family- Patron/Pata (patron, real name unknown) Cruise Control (matron) Unborn sparks (siblings, failed to thrive) Unborn spark (miscarriage with Pierce) Boulder (conjunx, sire of children) Wedge (oldest adoptive child) Boomer (youngest son)

Other relatives- Sabre (distant cousin) Quickshadow (distant cousin) Pierce (ex-amanti) Blades Pronouns- He/She

Earth Age(s)- 25 (RB S1, 2012) 29 (RB S4, 2016) 31 (RBA S1, 2018) 33 (Post RBA S2, 2020) 40 (2027) 43 (2030) 47 (2034)

Personality Overview- If you ever want to hear the latest gossip around town, Blades is your bot. Binging reality TV shows brings her much joy, a passion she shares with her oldest child, Firefly, who will vehemently deny liking such things. This plucky little helibot is all about staying active and healthy, often dragging his family into doing the latest and greatest exercise regimes, much to their chagrin in trying to resist. She does love lazing around like a couch potato occasionally though.

Status- Living

Occupation- Rescue Bot (paramedic) Academy professor

Immediate Family- Unknown creators Heatwave (conjunx, sire of children) Firefly (oldest child) Torch (youngest son)

Other Relatives- Unknown

Boulder Pronouns- He/Him

Earth Age(s)- 24 (SB S1, 2012) 28 (RB S4, 2016) 30 (RBA S1, 2018) 32 (Post RBA S2, 2020) 39 (2027) 42 (2030) 46 (2034)

Personality Overview- A lovable teddy bear who just wishes everyone would get along. Don't take his kindness and wishes for naivety though. While he may not have had a happy beginning, he uses his experience to better the lives of others and has played a vital role in the healing of his conjunx, adoptive child, and even himself. His day isn't complete until he's made his family smile, even the tiniest. He has a special interest in botany and ornithology, finding joy in pastimes relating to his passions.

Status- Living

Occupation- Rescue Bot (engineer) Academy professor

Immediate Family- Unknown creators Glory (adoptive matron/carrier, academy sponsor) Chase (conjunx, carrier of children) Wedge (oldest adoptive child) Boomer (youngest son)

Other Relatives- Unknown

Offspring

Wedge Pronouns- He/They

Earth Age(s)- 13 (RBA S1, 2018) 14 (RBA S2, 2019) 15 (Post RBA S2, 2020) 22 (2027) 25 (2030) 29 (2034)

Personality Overview- Since his brother was born, Wedge has strived to be the best role model for him. They still often struggle with when Pierce came to the academy, but nothing a big hug from his family can't fix and take his mind off of it...only if for a little while. Sometimes though they need a little extra helping hand from someone who isn't family to ease his nerves. To this day, he still owns a few decks of Heroes of Cybertron cards, and no, he will never get rid of them.

Status- Living

Occupation- Rescue Bot (construction)

Immediate Family- Pierce (patron/sire) Unborn sparks (tube brood, failed to thrive) Boulder (adoptive sire) Chase (adoptive carrier) Boomer (adoptive younger brother)

Other Relatives- Patron/Pata (maternal grandpatron) Cruise Control (maternal grandmatron) Glory (adoptive grandmatron) Scorch (on-again/off-again amanti)

Boomer Pronouns- He/Him

Earth Age(s)- 0 (2020) 7 (2027) 10 (2030) 14 (2034)

Personality Overview- Boomer inherited his love for nature from his sire, but also takes care to understand the balance and laws it enacts on the world. Using his knowledge, he applies what he's learned from his experience and what his creators have taught him into his lessons at the academy. He's a fan of Hawaiian shirts and Jurassic Park and also has a love for reptiles and insects. He has a stuffed albino ball python named Philomena who he sleeps with every night.

Status- Living

Occupation- Academy student

Immediate Family- Boulder (sire) Chase (carrier) Wedge (adoptive older brother)

Other relatives- Patron/Pata (maternal grandpatron) Cruise Control (maternal grandmatron) Glory (adoptive grandmatron)

Voice Claim- Paul Mikel-Williams

Firefly Pronouns- She/He

Earth Age(s)- 0 (2020) 7 (2027) 10 (2030) 14 (2034)

Personality Overview- Basically if Heatwave's genes Ctrl-C and Ctrl-V'd themselves. Firefly has a bit of her carrier in her too though. He can be very excitable and optimistic about things, while on the other hand, dark humor is his favorite kind. She’s the kind of kid that would hang out in a cemetery all night for fun and to prove that "c'mon guys, it's not that scary!" He enjoys hanging out with his best friend, Boomer, and loves his little brother, Torch, conditionally.

Status- Living

Occupation- Academy student

Immediate Family- Heatwave (sire) Blades (carrier) Torch (younger brother)

Other relatives- "The Bull" (paternal grandsire) Wildfire (paternal grandcarrier)

Voice Claim- Dakota Fanning

Torch Pronouns- He/Him

Earth Age(s)- 0 (2027) 3 (2030) 7 (2034)

Personality Overview- Is either a complete genius or dumber than a bag of rocks. There is no in between. One may often find him in the middle of the night staring at his creators as they slumber, wanting...something. What does he want? He doesn't know, but he knows he wants it and he wants it now.

Status- Living

Occupation- None/student

Immediate Family- Heatwave (sire) Blades (carrier) Firefly (older sibling)

Other Relatives- "The Bull" (paternal grandsire) Wildfire (paternal grandcarrier)

voice claim- AJ Kane

Other Bots

Quickshadow Pronouns- She/Her

Earth Age(s)- 20s (pre/current-war) 31 (RB S4, 2016) 35 (RBA S1, 2018) 51 (Post RBA, 2034)

Personality Overview- Snarky but well-meaning, if going about it the wrong way. Per "uncover secret agent" mumbo-jumbo, she's closed herself off from most relationships. That's not to say, she's got skeletons in her closet.

Status- Alive

Occupation- Agent (pre/post-war) Rescue Bot (post-war, current)

Immediate Family- Unknown creators Vaporwave (amanti, carrier of adoptive daughter) Seafoam (adoptive daughter)

Other Relatives- Sabre (distant cousin) Chase (distant cousin) Heatwave (younger brother-like figure)

Sabre Pronouns- He/They

Earth Age(s)- 20s (pre/current-war) 33 (post-war, RBA S1, 2018) 34 (at time of Frostbite's emergence, RBA S2, 2019) 35 (post-RBA S2, 2020) 43 (at time of Icicle's emergence, 2028) 49 (2034)

Personality Overview- Sabre was bit of a party animal in his early years. After his first couple of years at the academy, he straightened out quickly while still maintaining a fun attitude and generally being a well-respected, strong leader. He was once on the same team as Heatwave, being his second in command, and was his amanti, but the two amicably split after Sabre left the team to lead his own squadron of first responders. It was through him that Heatwave met Chase and Blades (separately), ultimately leading to the re/formation of the Sigma-17 first responder team. It's also through Sabre that the Academy on Earth receives new recruits.

Status- Alive

Occupation- Rescue Bot (pre-war, inactive) Dean/Principal of Academy on Cybertron (current)

Immediate Family- Unknown creators Snowraith (conjunx, sire of children) Frostbite (oldest son) Icicle (youngest daughter)

Other Relatives- Chase (distant cousin) Quickshadow (distant cousin) Heatwave (ex-amanti, separated on good terms)

Voice Claim- Alastair James

Pierce Pronouns- He/Him

Earth Age(s)- 20s (as a Rescue Bot) Early-30s (as a Decepticon, at time of Wedge's emergence) 36 (since last seeing him, post-RBA S2, 2019)

Personality Overview- Cocky, flirtatious, and has a need to control everything and everyone. He can't stand the idea of something not going his way, especially when it comes to relationships. He will do or say whatever he needs to for everything to be in his favor. That's why when innocent, naïve little Chase came into his clutches, he dare not let go.

Status- Living (incarcerated)

Occupation- Rescue Bot (unknown, possibly construction) Decepticon (unknown rank/occupation) None (incarcerated)

Immediate family- Unknown (low-born) Unborn sparks (offspring, failed to thrive) Unborn spark (miscarriage with Chase) Wedge (offspring/son)

Other Relatives- Chase (ex-amanti)

Voice Claim- Eric Dane

"The Bull" (real name unknown) Pronouns- He/Him

Earth Age(s)- 30s (at time of Heatwave's conception/emergence) 40s (since seeing him last) Unknown

Personality Overview- Not much is known about Heatwave's sire, not even where his nickname came from, other than he was battle-hardened and ready to fight at the drop of a hat. Years of being a successful combatant in the gladiator pits has led him feeling little to no emotion towards others. Every bot has needs though...just ask all of his previous partners.

Status- Unknown (most likely deceased)

Occupation- Gladiator (at time of Heatwave's conception/emergence) Unknown

Immediate Family- Possibly numerous partners Wildfire (one-time fling, carrier of child) Heatwave (son) Possibly numerous offspring

Other Relatives- Unknown

Voice Claim- Norman Reedus

Wildfire Pronouns- She/Her

Earth Age(s)- 20s (height of her career) 30s (at time of Heatwave's conception/emergence) Unknown

Personality Overview- She's didn't take no scrap from no one. If she didn't like someone, she would let them know. She was prideful, but didn't care to boast. Everyone already knew she was the best. If you ever wondered where Heatwave got his fiery spirit from, all fingers would be pointed in her direction.

Status- Unknown (most likely deceased)

Occupation- Gladiator (before retiring due to injury) Arena Battle-Matron/Sponsor (before Heatwave's emergence) Lobbing coach Unknown

Immediate Family- "The Bull" (one-time fling, sire of child) Heatwave (son)

Other Relatives- Unknown

Voice Claim- Nicki Rapp

Chase's Patron/Pata (real name unknown) Pronouns- He/Him

Earth Age(s)- 30s (at time of Chase's conception/emergence) 40s (since seeing him last) Unknown

Personality Overview- Keeps to himself, not very sociable. He was a good provider according to Chase, but didn't interact with him all that much. When Cruise passed away though, Chase's patron started reaching out to him. They had started to build up a good relationship with each other until the fateful day Chase never returned home.

Status- Unknown (most likely deceased)

Occupation- Unknown (some sort of law enforcement)

Immediate Family- Unknown creators (high-class bots) Cruise Control (conjunx, arranged, matron of child) Chase (sole offspring) Unborn sparks (offspring, failed to thrive)

Other Relatives- Wedge (adoptive grandchild) Boomer (grandson)

Voice Claim- Jeremy Sisto

Cruise Control Pronouns- They/Them

Earth Age(s)- 30s (at time of Chase's conception/emergence) 40s (at death)

Personality Overview- Gentle, soft-spoken, firm but fair. They would often sing to Chase to sleep when he first emerged. They just wanted the best for Chase. They're remembered fondly by Chase, especially after Boomer is born.

Status- Deceased

Occupation- Rescue Bot (law enforcement, retired) Stay at home matron (until death)

Immediate Family- Unnamed creators (upper-class bots) Unnamed spark-siblings Chase's Patron/Pata (conjunx, arranged, patron of child) Chase (sole offspring) Unborn sparks (offspring, failed to thrive)

Other relatives- Wedge (adoptive grandchild) Boomer (grandson)

Voice Claim- E.R. Fightmaster

Glory Pronouns- She/Her

Earth Age(s)- 40s (first time meeting Boulder, at time of his enrollment as a rescue bot recruit) 50s (at time of Boulder's promotion to full-time rescue bot, since seeing her last)

Personality Overview- Sweet as sugar, and the most patient bot you'll ever meet. She's the kind of bot that would call you "baby/honey" unironically and is basically a saint. She would have loved Earth and all of its beauty.

Status- Unknown (most likely deceased)

Occupation- Foster matron Sponsor Caregiver

Immediate Family- Unknown Boulder (ward, adoptive son)

Other relatives- Wedge (adoptive grandchild) Boomer (adoptive grandson)

Voice Claim- Natasha Rothwell

What is a matron/patron and why aren't they the same as a carrier/sire? A matron/patron, or matriarch/patriarch, is a bot who has offspring, (sparkling's, bitlet's, sparklet's, etc.), that have been produced via alternative means versus the common, low-class methods (interfacing). If one wanted sparkling's and were lucky enough to be well off financially, they may invest in this different kind of conception. Since these bots did not technically sire/carry the sparkling, they are simply known as a matron/patron. They may choose to be called by either/any name if they so wish. Many middle to upper-class families may choose this form of procreation for religious beliefs, personal preference, or peer pressure.

A matron/patron may also only procreate as a means of status, having as many as they can afford to create and marrying them off to other mid/upper-class families.

How does it work? With either one or two creators, pieces of their DNA are put into a tiny protoform, creating new life. From there, it's up to the creator(s) if they wish to raise the newspark as a normal sparkling or if they wish to accelerate its growth. Accelerating its growth process skips over any undesirable steps a carrier would normally have to go through, such as enduring symptoms of carrying the unborn spark, emergence pains, and so on. The newspark will grow until they have reached an age where they can be independent but still malleable. In earth terms, these newsparks would be around the age of nine years old, equaling to nine months, the normal growth cycle for a human fetus.

How can these terms best be used? Middle to upper-class bots prefer matron/patron to less informal names or no name at all. If produced through methods like interfacing, offspring will refer to their creators as mata/pata until they've outgrown the terms. Sparkling's born on alien planets may be more inclined to refer to their creators by names from the native dialect of the world though. An example of this would be a bitlet referring to their creator(s) as mama/papa, regardless of whether they are masculine or feminine-presenting.

What if a bot identifies as [pronouns here]? It really is personal preference. If a sparkling has a femme (she/her) sire and/or a mech (he/him) carrier, matron/mata and patron/pata can be interchanged. Patron/Matron are more so meant to be gender-neutral and not adhere to specific gender roles, just what their coding dictates and/or the preference of the parent(s).

TLDR; just a buncha mumbo-jumbo about giant alien robots and their mommies and daddies. 👍

bonus family tree pic of the main four's families. quickshadow and sabre not included bc ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

"the bull" and chase's patron are to the left of their partners, while wildfire and cruise and to the right. glory is by herself.

[the-one-and-only-043]

Hello, I'm Agent Phoenix, formerly known as Agent 043.

Roxy told me I should make a blog, so here I am. I guess I should put some stuff about me here? I don't know how this site works

Uhhh

Well, I'm 38, I'll be 39 in November, and I like cats. And Roxana, of course. She's like, the coolest ever, and also my fiancée :)

I think I'm kinda sorta like a step...parent??? To Right and Robutler??? Idk I'll ask Roxy about that tho

I use any pronouns, so get creative

My first handler was a piece of shit, so feel free to talk shit with me haha

Same with Agent Slimeball Sliver. He's a ball of eugh.

Roxy says I should put some boundaries, like stuff I don't like to talk about, so, um. Here you go, I guess.

I don't like talking about my past with Zoraxis in detail, so try to refrain from asking about that. Same with how Handler 043 treated me. Don't be a dick about my scars. The basics, don't be a homophobe, or a racist, or a creep here. I am a liberal user of the block button, and if necessary, I'll report you. Don't be a shithead in general.

Uh

Idk what else to put here so bye

______________END TRANSMISSION______________

Hello! Leo here, this blog's moderator and the power behind the throne, so to speak. This is a side blog for my main, @eight-cats-in-a-box, purely for IEYTD and 043! Phoenix!

043 is besties with Reggie!! Their handler is one of the ones closest to their cold, dead heart. :) He's also just recently started dating John Juniper!

043 is dating Roxana! 043 loves the scientist very dearly, and they're quite attached to her. They have a very healthy relationship, and they're planning to propose soon, aided by none other than...

Their murder bestie, John Juniper! He owes being alive today to Phoenix, who dragged him out of the wreckage after Operation: Rising Phoenix. These two are very protective of each other, despite constantly fighting. They've also hooked up before Codename: Agent Clover. Recently, his romantic feelings for Reginald came to light, and they've been in a relationship ever since!

Other notable figures are:

Agent Knockout and his husband, Breakdown! Also known as Damien and Jack Woodworth, this dynamic duo are infamous for their brains-and-brawn mindset. Quite literally, since Breakdown doesn't have a TK implant due to the complications it would cause.

Chief Medical Officer/Lead Field Medic, Doctor Robert "Ratchet" Greaves. Also known as the Hatchet, Greaves is sick of it. 043's nonsense, but also the bullshit the rest of the Agency puts him through. Grouch with a heart of gold. Married to Drift.

Field Medic Support Agent Drift! A very long title indeed, one created to keep him by Robert's side. No one knows his real name- not even Drift himself. Married to Robert.

R&D Lead Scientist Percy James Janssen! He has to deal with all of 043's nonsense, not to mention all the bullshit he gets put through just trying to make stuff. He's married to Brian Gunnings, R&D's resident problem.

Reality Breaker and General Shenanigan-Causer Brian "Storm" Gunnings! This maniac makes too many guns, too many time-travelling briefcases, and...probably too many explosions. Has a habit of flirting with Percy when he's holding chemicals. This is not malicious (somehow) he just really likes his hubby. :)

Magnus Bates, Esq.! 043's fraternal twin and younger-by-ten-minutes brother, he's gotten them off of death row! Don't ask. He's a stickler for the rules, but he's a sucker when it comes to his big sis.

Agent Hot Rod! This flamboyant character drives everyone up the wall, especially when him and 043 team up. He's also got crippling self-doubt, but that's besides the point. Acts like he's hot shit.

...Whirl. This absolute madman of a chopper pilot probably shouldn't be allowed to fly, but he's also the best there is, so who's gonna stop him?

Rung! 043's therapist, kindest soul you'll ever meet, and probably as old as the Earth itself! Kidding. He likes model planes.

Ex-Operative Megatronus! Don't let that title fool you, this grouch has a massive soft spot for anything small and cute. Like his cat. Or his boyfriend.

Orion Pax! This librarian/archivist has a heart of gold and a strong sense of justice, and will not hesitate to throw a punch for the greater good, much to Megatronus's chagrin.

043 is also the parental/fraternal figure to several agents, including ones in alternate dimensions, as well as Prism's kids! Right Robot and Robutler both think they're pretty neat, and their rookies have never been safer :)

TAGS

#043 rambles

Talk tag! Inchar posts, chats, etc

#043 reblogs

Self-explanatory

#043 lore

Phoenix lore!!!

#043 family unit

Specific to those Phoenix has "adopted"

#043 answers

Self-explanatory

#043 flashbacks

RP tag!

#agent duo knockdown

Anything pertaining to Agents Knockout and/or Breakdown!

#cmo dr robert greaves

Anything about 043's favourite grouch :)

#support agent drift

Anything about the infamous ex-Zoraxis Operative Drift. Most know him better as Greaves's husband :)

#lead scientist percy janssen

All the things about one of Drift's dearest friends, and the Agency's deadliest sniper/scientist!

#reality breaker brian gunnings

Anything about Percy's issue annoyance lab partner husband! He does not care about laws. Any laws. This includes the laws of physics/spacetime/reality/etc. This drives Percy up the wall. Has successfully time-traveled. Don't ask.

#magnus bates esq

Anything to do with 043's little brother!

#agent hot rod

Our favourite fashion disaster :)

#lone pilot whirl

This absolute madman really does care. He just sucks at showing it.

#rung the therapist

He's old as dirt.

#archivist orion

Our favourite dumbass

#ex operative megatronus

Don't let that glare fool you. He calls his cat Ravvy.

[hannaxjo]

Everything wrong with Steve Roger's ending

Steve’s ending sucked. It was bad. Terrible really. And there are so many reasons. It doesn’t make sense, it’s just a bunch of plot holes, it’s out of character and I hate it.

One of the things that was said more than once, was that you can’t go back in time, change things, and therefore change your future. Because your future is now your past, and you can’t change your past. Instead, you would create a new branch in the timeline. So…do these rules just not apply to Steve?

If it went as it should have, and he created a new timeline, how did he end up on that bench? He should’ve been stuck on that other timeline, and if he somehow got out of there as it was planned, he should have ended up where he left. That machine was his way of traveling, how would he end up on the bench? It doesn’t make any sense.

And if it was the same timeline as it is insinuated in the movie, well that just goes against the rules of time travel, that the movie told us. And even if it was possible, him being there would have changed so many things. What about Peggy's husband and kids. The claim that “Steve was the husband the whole time” is just garbage. (That would make his kiss with Sharon just that much weirder). Just, no. And I think, I think, someone might have noticed if Peggy Carter just got a husband who happens to look exactly like Steve Rogers, and ages at an unusually slow rate. (Also, how old would the Peggy be that Steve went back to? He sure as hell ain’t the same guy that Peggy kissed all those years ago anymore.) Anyway, isn't this something that would get him arrested by the TVA?

Okay, so the time travel makes the whole thing already impossible, but that’s not the only thing going on. What the fuck is going on with his age? So, Steve was born 1918, at the age of 25 he got injected with the super soldier serum. At 27, he crashed the plane and went on an aging pause for 66 years, waking up in 2011. Endgame is set to the year 2023, which makes Steve 39 years old. He goes back in time to the 40’s, we don’t know the exact year, but assuming that he’d go to the time after the crash, it’d be somewhere like between 1945 and 1949. That’s 74 to 78 years he would have lived in those five seconds. That makes him about 113 – 118 years old. He should be dead. And that Joe Biden doesn’t look like a 100+ years old.

So, like I said, he has had have aged at a slower pace, due to the serum. After a quick googling, I’ve found out that the serum does affect aging. It is said to be “slowing the (aging) process nearly by half”. It is also said that it “dramatically prevents individuals from aging”. Okay, so Steve got the serum at 25. Assuming that that Joe Biden really is Steve, he has been on the serum for about 88 – 93 years (not counting the years he was on ice). So, at 25, his aging starts slowing, so whereas to a normal human, those 88 – 93 years would show up as they are, for Steve they’d be more like 44 – 46 years (physically). That would make Biden physically about 69 – 71. And that actually makes sense, that’s believable. But now we got another issue. Steve is a healthy man (physically), he is a superhuman. I’d say it’s not too stupid to expect him to live (physically) to at least 80. (Unless he gets himself killed because he has no concept of self-preservation). So that’s 9 to 11 years he’s still got, with the serum that’s 18 to 22 years. See if they’d just not done this, they could’ve said he’s off on a mission, something less direct, or just de-serum him, and that’s why we don’t see him in TFATWS. Add like a few texts, phone calls or mentions of him. Done. But now it makes no sense for him to be dead already. (Is he even? Is it canon? Or was he just chucked into some retirement home. Where did he go? Did he just die? Yeah, he was old, but not that old??) So yeah, time travel-wise, and aging-wise, none of it makes any sense. But we’ve only been through category number one. And all this is if the serum slows the aging nearly by half, and I’ve seen some stuff where it says the serum would slow it even more. I mean in Age of Ultron there’s that bit where Thor insinuates that he might not be mortal.

So, I think we all know, that this plot line only happened because they had to write Cap out, and they went with the worst option they could come up with. But seriously, the whole thing is so fucking disrespectful. They didn’t even bother to try to make it the kind of an ending that makes sense. They completely ignored everything about canon and expected fans to be satisfied with it. Just because the ending was romantic, doesn’t mean it was good.

If there is one thing that we know about Steve, is that he can’t just sit down, and watch bad things happen. Very much like Peter said. “When you can do the things that I can, but you don’t, and then the bad things happen, they happen because of you.” That is very much the same mentality Steve has. (Which is why Peter would’ve been team cap if he’d known what was happening in CACW btw). If he can do something, anything, and he doesn’t, he’s going to blame himself. I mean that’s why he lied in his enlistment forms, multiple times. Just so he could do something. If he can do something, he will. (And sometimes he will even if he can’t). That man could not sit living his ‘happy life’, while he knows all the bad things that are to happen. He would do anything to save as many people as he can. And he knows that HYDRA is infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. He wouldn’t just let that happen. And he wouldn’t let Zola get hired, not after everything.

Steve also got over Peggy. He buried her. He knows Peggy has lived a good life, he knows Peggy had a husband and kids. He would never make her lose them. Steve knows that her and Peggy are in the past and are meant to be there. I mean it was literally a part of his story, acceptance. Of what happened to him, and what he could’ve had with Peggy, but can’t. He would never go back to interrupt her life.

Also, that “relationship” was terrible. I don’t believe there was an ounce of love in those feelings they shared. And to everyone who thinks they’re cute, because Peggy liked Steve before and after the serum; she didn’t. No, she showed him basic human decency before the serum, and after the serum her attitude changed completely. Peggy never wanted Steve Rogers; she wanted Captain America. But because she did show him basic human decency, and unfortunately Steve isn’t quite used to that, he took a liking to her. He found her attractive sure, but genuine deep feelings? No, I don’t think so.

After Steve had gotten the serum, saved Bucky and so on, there’s the bar scene where Peggy shows up while Bucky is trying to flirt Steve’s pants off (the usual). And here, Peggy starts flirting with Steve calling back to that “right partner” conversation, making it “their thing”. Anyway, next day and Steve is making out with Lorraine, so Peggy’s flirting clearly meant a lot to him. But the way Peggy reacted to that kiss? Fuck no. Steve hadn’t promised shit to Peggy, they were not in a relationship; she had no right to get mad at him and belittle him. AND THEN SHE SHOOTS AT HIM. That would not be okay, even if they had been in a relationship. I don’t care about any “Steve’s a supersoldier,” “Steve had the shield,” “she didn’t actually mean to hurt him.” Peggy used violence as a threat. That is not okay. And if Steve hadn’t pulled the shield up in time, he would have gotten shot. The whole thing just shows that Peggy is possessive, manipulative and abusive. That’s a red flag if I’ve ever seen one. So, their relationship would not last, and if it did, it would be unhealthy.

And this whole shooting thing likely made Steve feel bad for not feeling that way about her. (Because yk, he did something, got “punished” for it, therefore it must’ve been wrong to do so). So, he starts to believe that that’s how he should feel. The whole thing seems to be because he felt obligated to. Also, they didn’t spend that much time with each other. They kissed once. And that was initiated by Peggy. So yeah, that relationship sucks, and had they married Peggy would probably ended up being abusive and controlling.

But guess what, that wasn’t all. Even if their relationship wasn’t so fucking horrific, the fact that they chose to make Steve Rogers, Captain America, a character created by Jewish men, as a symbol to protect Jewish people, marry, a character they based off of a fucking nazi character will never be okay.

Also, in CA: TWS Steve found out that she had accepted the hiring of Zola, and other nazis. Do you really think that Steve could spend a life with her, knowing that she had said yes to hiring the man who is responsible for so much of the pain Bucky went through. So, unless Steve’s plan was to go to Peggy to beat the shit out of her, I don’t see why he would in any situation choose that. Steve has moved on from Peggy. That was literally one of the things established in CA: TWS and A: AOU. He doesn’t want any of that anymore. The 21st century is his home. And he likes the 21st century.

Okay, then the point that seems to be most in people’s minds when discussing this. Bucky. I’ve seen the comment “How could Steve abandon Bucky,” and listen, I don’t disagree. But I hate that comment. Because…Steve didn’t abandon Bucky. Steve chose to live almost 80 years without Bucky, after being apart from him for five years. For Bucky that was five seconds. And really, Steve doesn’t owe it to Bucky to be there as his therapist (harsh, I know. but it pisses me when people talk about Steve leaving as if it’s his duty to help bucky get better). That just ain’t how friendships work. Why Steve should have stayed, is because that’s what he wants. That’s his best friend. It doesn’t matter how you look at their relationship, they love each other. And that’s why Steve should have stayed. Because he would never choose to live without Bucky.

I also see people arguing that “Steve was selfish”, or that “he deserved to be selfish for once”. But that’s just ridiculous. I agree, Steve is sometimes selfish, and he deserves to be selfish after everything he has done and given for the world. But Steve going back to past? That wasn’t selfish. Which is why it doesn’t make sense that he would have done it. Because when it comes to Bucky? That’s when Steve is selfish. Even if he could have done all kinds of good in the past on an alternative timeline, Steve is too selfish to choose that after just getting Bucky back. So, yeah, sometimes Steve is selfish. And that’s why he would have stayed.

So, yeah. Steve’s ending is garbage. It’s one big plot hole after another, it’s out of character and it is just bad. I think the main reasons why it happened are; 1. they had to write him out. 2. Amatonormativity. 3. Heteronormativity. They had to write him out, but they wanted to give him somewhat of a happy ending. But because of amatonormativity, they thought that the only “happy endings” are romantic ones. And who would be person that would make most sense as his romantic partner. The guy who loves him dearly, whom he loves just as much, who cares for him, serum or not….or the abusive one who only cares about Captain America and herself, who died years ago. Well, obviously time traveling to live a life in the past would make more sense than being queer.

Yeah, you know, I think I might still be a bit angry about Steve’s ending. Who would have guessed. Steve deserved better, and dammit he deserved to actually heal from all the shit he has gone through. Steve’s ending was bad writing.

[coochiequeens]

'A woman who falls through the cracks is falling with her children'   

Away from threat of Islamist violence or floods, health risks for pregnant women in Nigeria's refugee camps remain high 

By Adie Vanessa Offiong, CNN Photographs by Taibat Ajiboye for CNN

Editor’s note: This story is part of As Equals, CNN's ongoing series on gender inequality. For information about how the series is funded and more, check out our FAQs.

Abuja, Nigeria (CNN)Aisha Aliyu is eight-months pregnant and sprawled out on a mat in front of her house with four of her children spread around her feet. Two-year-old Hauwa and five-year-old Abba are both crying and tugging at their mother's coffee-colored hijab. She, in response, rolls her eyes and clicks her tongue at them. She looks tired. 

The child Aliyu is carrying is her tenth. The last four were delivered in the Durumi Camp, a place in Nigeria's capital city, Abuja, that she and an estimated more than 3,000 other internally displaced people call home. 

In 2013, Aliyu fled her home in the village of Wala in Nigeria's northeastern Borno State to its capital, Maiduguri. She said her village was attacked and much of it burned down by armed Islamist group, Boko Haram. Two years later, the militant group attacked Maiduguri, forcing Aliyu to again migrate, this time travelling over 856km south to Abuja with her husband and five children.

The now 39-year-old saw having many children as a way of replacing her relatives killed by the insurgents, but reveals she was done after her last pregnancy in 2021 and began using contraceptives. However, she became pregnant again this year. 

Having already borne children in Durumi camp (one of 264 communities for internally dispaced people (IDPs) known to exist across Nigeria as of September 2021), Aliyu was fearful, knowing of the limited resources she would have access to. The farmer's wife had been unable to afford the food and medication she needed to stay healthy, and antenatal services were limited.   

Aisha with five of her children

The space initially set up as a birthing suite at the camp was rudimentary and barely hygienic, explains Liyatu Ayuba, appointed the camp 's Women's Leader by the site's Chairman when she arrived in 2014. She has since handled issues regarding health, food or children on behalf the IDPs.  

"It was a tent that we swept, and I would put a mat or wrapper on the floor for the women to lie down on to give birth," says Ayuba, who for much of the camp's history has been its only birth attendant. Many of the displaced women refer to her as Mama. 

 Ayuba says the tent was a shanty built with corrugated roofing sheets and a sandy floor. If gloves were available, the birth attendant used them and if not, she explains that she covered her hands with polythene bags and cut umbilical cords with a razor blade. 

"I gave birth to three of [my children] with Mama's help on a mat under the shelter," Aliyu tells CNN, referring to the birthing tent. "Mama cut the umbilical cord and bathed the baby."  

In 2019, a non-governmental organization set up the camp's health post where Aliyu's ninth child, Hauwa, was delivered in 2021. The post is a small clinic located inside a repurposed 20ft shipping container, where wooden boards partition the space to create a delivery suite which looks more like a storage space and just about holds a bed, a baby cot, a drip stand, a broken chair, a trolley and empty containers that should contain water. The other half is the consultation room with a table, two chairs, a bed, and a cupboard where medicines and devices are kept.    

Though basic, the clinic at least provides a consultation space that women previously had to make do without and Ayuba is proud to say the camp has not recorded any deaths among mothers or babies under her watch. 

The makeshift delivery room partitioned in the shipping container used as the camp's health post

'No 'special arrangement' for those who are pregnant in Nigeria's camps

Aliyu is one of many internally displaced women bearing children in Nigeria's camps, with some grounds not even housing a health post or shelter for birth, instead needing women to go into labour in their own shelters or that of their birth attendant. 

A 2021 PhD thesis by Fatima Mahmood Jibirilla at Walden University, states that women living in IDP camps in Nigeria "have a higher risk of maternal death than women living in their homes." The author cited a range of factors increasing the risk of maternal and neonatal deaths in these settings, including inadequate prenatal care services and limited family planning programs.  

"There are no special arrangements for pregnant women in IDP and refugee camps [in Nigeria]. There are poor antenatal services that are inadequate to detect and address likely pregnancy-related complications and other signs of poor pregnancy outcomes," the author writes. While there have been no maternal or infant deaths at Durumi on her watch, according to Ayuba, multiple doctors volunteering there and across camps in Abuja corroborated the concerns highlighted in the study to CNN.  

In a country that has long had among the highest maternal mortality rates in the world and has the third highest number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Africa as of the end of 2022, according to the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), the lack of adequate maternal healthcare provision in these camps is a significant concern, one of the doctors told CNN.

The 2022 IDMC figures also show that 4.5m Nigerians were classed as "internally displaced people" as a result of both conflict and natural disasters, with flooding outstripping protracted violence as the main source of displacement. 

The camp nurse, Isa Umar examines a pregnant woman during antenatal session

While there is no national breakdown of IDPs by sex or age, a 2023 report by the Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) Sector says there are 1,575,741 women and children in the Nigerian states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe alone, making up 74% of the 2,124,053 IDPs in those states. 

Nigeria's total IDP population relies largely on the graces of charitable organizations for its health care, Ayuba and the camp's nurse Isa Umar told CNN. 

'If it happens, I am dead.' The prohibitive costs of care   

Wednesdays are antenatal day in Durumi. When CNN visits, camp nurse Isa Umar, who himself was forced to leave his home due to the insurgency, is in the consultation room using a handheld ultrasound scanner to monitor a baby's growth and a fetoscope to monitor the heartbeat among the expectant mothers coming in. 

Umar measures each pregnant woman's stomach followed by her weight. After they've been seen, women compare notes while sitting on the clinic's veranda, discussing how any of the medicines Umar has prescribed will be paid for.   

The set up is far from adequate. Umar tells CNN: "We don't even have folic acid or anti-malarial medicine to give them. I have to write these for them to go and buy." Malaria is endemic in Nigeria and infections pose various risks during pregnancy, such as premature labour and miscarriage, and folic acid is recommended for those who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, to reduce the risk of certain birth defects. 

But for most of the 64 women recorded in the camp's birth register this year, these costs are prohibitive. Folic acid, for example, costs ₦3,000 ($3.74) for 100 tablets and Aliyu tells CNN she could not possibly have afforded that cost for the duration of her pregnancy. She says she's only been able to take this vital supplement when NGOs have donated them free of charge. Back home in Wala, her N100 ($0.11) hospital card had entitled her to free folic acid as well as other resources while pregnant. 

Getting clean water at the camp is also a challenge, Aliyu shares, explaining that it's a time-consuming, strenuous task requiring her to make several trips daily and is one she can no longer do in the final weeks of her pregnancy. Instead, she now pays for it to be delivered. At its cheapest, enough water to make the family's breakfast of pap (porridge made from ground corn) and other domestic chores for a month costs ₦24,000 ($28.43). Costs can rise by 25% on days when there is no electricity and a generator is needed to work the pumps, or when water sellers must go farther to fetch it.  

With Aisha almost full term, she is no longer able to go to fetch water and now has to pay up to N500 daily for it to be delivered to her home

There are also the costs of giving birth in Abuja that Aliyu didn't have back home.   

To immunize her babies at the camp, the mother of nine has to take them to the nearest government hospital where nurses have certain expectations that fall to the mother, she tells CNN. These include making sure the baby is wearing diapers and bringing various items including cotton wool and baby lotion, which would cost money Aliyu says she doesn't have.  

"In Borno, it was not compulsory to use [diapers] when going to the hospital. We just used our wrappers (a piece of fabric women tied around their waist). But here, the nurses insist that (the babies) must wear diapers and (we must) have an extra one in our bag," Aliyu says. Multiple mothers shared similar concerns with CNN. 

Dr Charles Nzelu, Head of Special Duties at Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health tells CNN he believes health workers are simply acting in the overall interests of the baby and that a lack of medical skill, experience, and communication is resulting in a lack of understanding about the women living in the IDP camps. "When you come to me as a doctor, I will give you medical advice the way it's supposed to be," he explains. "When you are more experienced, you are flexible (with) the way you relate with patients." He adds that this government, which came into power in May, will work to address issues like these.

"I can't afford treatment. If it happens, I'm dead"Pregnant resident of Durumi Camp in Abuja, Aisha Aliyu

In the meantime, Aliyu says she is struggling to meet all her needs and those of her children. To afford what she can, Aliyu makes and sells wigs and traditional caps worn by men, earning on average ₦10,000 ($12.49) a month.

Money is not her only concern. Aliyu worries about catching malaria and about not being able to produce enough breastmilk because of the poor quality of her diet. Her family survives on staples such as pasta and maize in different forms. 

"I can't afford the treatment" for malaria, says Aliyu. "If it happens, I am dead."

Difficulty fulfilling promises

The National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) is responsible for Nigeria's growing number of displaced people. Its commissioner tells CNN that the organization, which was set up in 1989 and has a health budget of N250 million for 2024, has paid for midwives to visit IDP camps to assist in deliveries of babies as frequently as funds allow and has, in some instances, also paid off people's hospital bills. CNN was unable to verify this budget figure provided by the Commission which it said is not yet public.

However, some of the IDPs who have been in Durumi since the informal settlement formed in 2014, say that no midwives sent by the Commission have visited the camp during their time here and that in the past, it has been difficult to get it to fulfil promises they say the Commission made to the camp, such as furnishing the health post with an additional bed, scanning machine, gloves and other health equipment. 

CNN asked the NCFRMI about the services it provides to those in Durumi but did not receive a response prior to publication.

The nurse takes the weight of the pregnant women during antenatal

Within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where Abuja is located, the Territory's Health and Environmental Services is responsible for all health matters including services provided to people in IDP camps, including reproductive care and sexual health services, such as birth control. Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health and Environmental Services, tells CNN that IDP camps in the area have functional clinics supported by area council staff and partners from outside, explaining that they cannot build permanent structures because the camps are meant to be temporary. She adds her belief that "the issue with maternal care in such places is child spacing, not maternal mortality." Birth spacing helps to improve maternal health outcomes as becoming pregnant too soon after giving birth increases the risk of complications. Doctors CNN spoke to also highlighted this as a concern in the camps, and Nigeria more widely.

But many residents of the camp told CNN they had not heard of the FCT Health Services or seen them at the camp and explain that the provision of birth control is again handled by non-profits working in the camps. When Fasawe was informed of this by CNN, she said it was a wakeup call for her department to act promptly. This "has opened our eyes to the need to focus on them," Fasawe says. "We need to (conduct some) outreach asap."

Nigeria's Federal Ministry of Health oversees health for the country (including provisions provided by the Commission). In response to the concerns, the Ministry of Health's Nzelu tells CNN that maternal and child health is a very high priority for government but explains that the Ministry primarily provides policies and guidelines for states, local governments and government agencies to follow and does not typically intervene directly. He said: "As a government, we are still working to make sure that both the state and all these agencies of government that are charged with the direct implementation, do their best to make sure that those inhabitants of IDP camps are well taken care of."

A volunteer doctor brought his own kit to do blood tests at the Durumi camp

'A woman who falls through the cracks is falling with her children'   

African NGO, Pro Health International, has been sending volunteer medical professionals to provide free healthcare services for IDPs across Nigeria for over 12 years. They were last in Durumi in June and describe it as one of the most impoverished IDP camps within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where Abuja is located. 

Pro Health International Founder and Executive Director Dr. Iko Ibanga shared that his team raised the issue of health challenges within IDP camps two years ago with the Minister of Health at the time, Dr. Osagie Ehanire. "We were told it would be looked into, but nothing was done," he says.

Ehanire did not directly respond to CNN about whether Pro Health International raised the issue of health challenges among internally displaced people with him, but the former health minister highlighted the NGO's work as a useful implementer of maternal health services in more recent years, and shared emergency response plans for IDPs that were put in place in the north-east of the country (where Boko Haram is most active) and go back to 2016. He tells CNN: "Women's Health services were prioritized and featured strongly in the programs designed to the needs of internally displaced women." This region does not include Abuja, however, where the Durumi camp is located.

Women at the Durumi IDP camp, sitting on the veranda of the makeshift health post

The 2023 health budget is ₦1.17 trillion ($2.2bn), which is a 42.6% increase since 2022 and the highest percent of the total budget allocated for health. But In Africa's largest economy, this is only 5.7% of the annual budget of ₦20.5 trillion, and is much lower than the 15% of annual budgets all African Union member nations, including Nigeria, pledged in 2001 to spend on "improvement of the health sector".    

According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, a health post, which is the most basic health care facility, should be able to cater to a population of 500 and have 34 items always available to serve that population. Durumi's health post serves more than 3000 people and has just 10 of these items: a waste bin, scissors, fetoscope, weighing scale, chair, tables, two beds, kidney dishes, and a cupboard, all provided by NGOs according to Ayuba and Umar who say they both manage the facility without a salary.

Nzelu shares that the Ministry of Health is currently conducting a health needs assessment in most of the IDP camps to learn what is and is not lacking to ensure adequate health care services. He tells CNN: "With the budget cycle currently on, it can inform some of the things we are able to get into the budget and hope that the National Assembly gives approval so that we can implement."

Pro-Health International's Ibanga is emphatic about the risks displaced people face during the perinatal period and beyond. "When [a woman] is ill, it affects everything tied to her and her children are the most important things tied to her," he says. "A woman who falls through the cracks is not falling by herself. She is falling with her children." 

This story was edited by Eliza Anyangwe and Meera Senthilingam

[byzerodigital]

Pirandai Pickle (Thokku). Pickle or Rice mix made with Veld Grape, good source of calcium.

Perfect blend of sour and spicy in Vayalfoods' Pirandai Pickle, Made from the finest quality Adamant Creeper/Devil's Back Bone / Veldt Grape and a blend of spices. Our homemade pickle is perfect as a side dish or condiment.

[esotericfaery]

Jupiter revisits Gemini - May 25th, 2024 until June 10th, 2025!

TLDR; Tricksters & energy vamps, dissonant contraction or harmonic expansion, Ceres, Taurus, Gemini, Mercury, 2011-2013, get journaling.

See if you notice repeating themes from the last time(s) this happened [recent Jupiter dates at end, for those of us who journal].

Taurus Jupiter has had us appreciating what we already have, yet we also had the tendency to dig in our heels at the idea that we could change things for the better during stressful situations. Ruled by Ceres, Taurus takes on Ceres traits within whichever house She’s in: adaptation and survival of humanity, all familial relationships, nurturing professions, agriculture & animal care. Those with Taurus or Jupiter chart prominent will have experienced specific changes in any of those areas during Jupiter in Taurus periods.

This is a good opportunity to review these life themes:

Experiences of luck, vs lack; synchronicity vs. perceived failure.

Gemini placement(s) or an “empty” house; patterns related to thoughts which lead to communications, short term travel, siblings, neighborhood(s), early education, overall life mindset.

Where are we going?

Optimistic growth through goal-definition & attitude of gratitude, manifested through the proper actions…

or…

…string of calamities or perceived calamities, wherein we have used our powers of communications and short term forms of travel such as seership abilities, to behave with lack of morality or indiscretion? Mercury, when not worked with consciously, has people building and maintaining energetic vampirism between groups of people, in tangled patterns of co-dependency.

The key is to examine the situation; is this dependency healthy, or toxic? Is it sustainable, or unsustainable? We must figure these things out, and practice clear communication with one another as we do so. Allow each person in a group dispute the time and consideration for full expression.

Important to remember: Geminis ruling planet is Mercury, and Mercury is known for good reason as the trickster & thief God. We can re-channel Geminis mental adventurousness in a properly productive direction, when we realize that we are actually thieving, or enabling thieving of our own life-forces, by staying in toss situations.

Are we tricking ourselves, and also being unfair to others in some way?

Can we find ways out of this destructive pattern, and into building new patterns, which can bring into our lives harmonic, and no longer dissonant expansion?

Those who don’t put in the time and effort on this, will expand in dissonance, while contracting their abilities to manifest harmonic luck.

Jan 22, 2011 12:11 PM Jupiter enters Aries

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

Jun 4, 2011 9:56 AM Jupiter enters Taurus

Jun 11, 2012 1:22 PM Jupiter enters Gemini

Jun 25, 2013 9:40 PM Jupiter enters Cancer

Jul 16, 2014 6:31 AM Jupiter enters Leo

Aug 11, 2015 7:11 AM Jupiter enters Virgo

Sep 9, 2016 7:18 AM Jupiter enters Libra

Oct 10, 2017 9:20 AM Jupiter enters Scorpio

*** Daylight Saving Time ends ***

Nov 8, 2018 7:39 AM Jupiter enters Sagittarius

Dec 2, 2019 1:20 PM Jupiter enters Capricorn

Dec 19, 2020 8:07 AM Jupiter enters Aquarius

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

May 13, 2021 6:36 PM Jupiter enters Pisces

Jul 28, 2021 8:42 AM Jupiter Rx enters Aquarius

*** Daylight Saving Time ends ***

Dec 28, 2021 11:09 PM Jupiter enters Pisces

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

May 10, 2022 7:22 PM Jupiter enters Aries

Oct 28, 2022 1:10 AM Jupiter Rx enters Pisces

*** Daylight Saving Time ends ***

Dec 20, 2022 9:32 AM Jupiter enters Aries

*** Daylight Saving Time begins ***

May 16, 2023 1:20 PM Jupiter enters Taurus

May 25, 2024 7:15 PM Jupiter enters Gemini

Jun 9, 2025 5:02 PM Jupiter enters Cancer

Jun 30, 2026 1:52 AM Jupiter enters Leo

Jul 26, 2027 12:49 AM Jupiter enters Virgo

Aug 24, 2028 1:08 AM Jupiter enters Libra

Sep 24, 2029 2:24 AM Jupiter enters Scorpio

Oct 22, 2030 7:14 PM Jupiter enters Sagittarius

[moorheadthanyoucanhandle]

ASS YOU LIKE IT

Opening Friday in Scottsdale:

My Old Ass--18-year-old Elliot lives on an idyllic Canadian cranberry farm, but can't wait to head to college and start her life. She confesses her feelings, successfully, to her summer-long crush, and then she and her friends camp out on an island and take 'shrooms.

Under this fungal influence, Elliot, played by Maisy Stella, finds herself sitting next to the Old Ass of the title, her 39-year-old self, played by Aubrey Plaza. Younger Elliot is eager to hear dish and glamour about her future, but Older Elliot is cagey; she just advises her to avoid anybody named Chad. Soon after, Younger Elliot meets a nice young man while swimming. Guess what his name is.

The wish to go back and offer guidance and comfort to your younger self is a human perennial, perfectly expressed in the Faces anthem "Ooh La La." My Old Ass, written and directed by Megan Park, works the premise ingeniously by taking it, one might say, ass-backwards. Thus we see the story from the younger heroine's point of view; that is, from the version of her who, being young, knows everything and is unlikely to consciously accept an older person's counsel. Yet we also see Older Elliot's healthy influence on her behavior.

Stella carries the movie sweetly as Younger Elliot, with a suggestion that she's trying to present as more daring and sardonic and above-it-all than she really is. Her supposed mortification at her provincial circumstances is a less than convincing pose. In the much smaller role of Older Elliot, Plaza's guarded, pained manner complements Stella's performance amusingly, and credibly.

Percy Hynes White, as the amiable Chad, is the other standout of the small cast. The settings--the film was shot in Muskoka Lakes, Ontario--are breathtaking, and the movie glides very agreeably through its brief running time. There's one sequence, involving a Justin Bieber song, that's truly hilarious, but otherwise My Old Ass feels, really, a little mild and undemanding.

This, paradoxically, may be what's most striking about it. Elliot identifies as gay, you see; the crush with whom she makes out early on is a (slightly) older woman. Park doesn't make a big deal about this, and she's almost equally nonchalant when Elliot finds herself attracted to Chad and begins to question her long-held assumptions about her own sexuality.

In the real world, of course, and in this day and age, this probably really does reflect normal teen development. But I couldn't help thinking about the tizzy that this would have stirred up from a teen flick even ten years ago, much less twenty. Like 2018's Love Simon, the sunny, breezy My Old Ass may be most remarkable for how unremarkable it is.

[asma-al-husna]

Allah calls Himself　Al-Muhyee—The Giver of Life— on two occasions in the Quran. Al-Muhyee is the One who created life and decides what will be brought to life. He is the only One who can bring something to life, including the spiritual life to the hearts!

The Bestower of Life, The Reviver

Muhyee comes from the root haa-yaa-yaa, which points to four main meanings. The first meaning is to live. The second main meaning is to become apparent or distinct. The third is to revive, vitalize and call into being and the fourth main meaning is to be sound, or whole.

This root appears 184 times in the Quran in 12 derived forms. Examples of these forms are yuhyee (“grants life”), hayyan (“alive”) and al hayaatu (” the life”).

Al-Muyhee is the only One who can give life to whomever He pleases, surrounding the creation with the right conditions to survive. Then He decrees death, to restore life and join the soul and body on the Day of Judgement to repay us for what we did in this world and this is an easy task for Him!

Al-Muhyee Himself says: . . . Indeed, He who has given it life is the Giver of Life to the dead. Indeed, He is over all things competent. [Quran, 41:39] So observe the effects of the mercy of Allah – how He gives life to the earth after its lifelessness…[Quran, 30:50]

The Plan of Life

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam narrated: Verily, each of you is brought together in his mother’s abdomen for forty days in the form of a drop of fluid. Then it is a clinging object for a similar [period]. Thereafter, it is a lump looking like it has been chewed for a similar [period]. The angel is then sent to him and he breathes into him the spirit. He is also commanded to issue four decrees: to record his sustenance, his life span, his deeds and [whether he will be] unhappy [by entering Hell] or happy [by entering Paradise]..[part hadith, Al-Bukharee, Muslim]

Al-Muhyee bestows our life in stages and grows our body in a miraculous way, from a drop of fluid into a detailed body clothed with muscles, flesh, veins and skin. But not only psycically, Al-Muhyee also gives us life by sending an angel to breath the spirit into us and we remain limited in knowledge of our innerselves. On top of bestowing our lives, Al-Muhyee also commands to issue four decrees which determine the course of our life. Such is the plan of life of Al-Muyee!

How Can You Live By This Name?

1. Be convinced Al-Muhyee can make anything happen.

He it is Who gives life and causes death; so, when He decrees an affair, He only says to it: Be, and it is [Quran, 40:68] This is one of the most hope giving ayaat for those who call upon Him. As Al-Muhyee can bring everything to life and even restore life to that which appeared dead to us, so rest assured taking care of your matters is easy for Him, all you have to do is ask Him, wholeheartedly and sincerely. Turn every worry, moment of stress, wish and desire into a dua!

2. Ask for a heart alive with faith.

Scholars have described hearts, just like bodies, to be of three types; the healthy heart, the dead heart and the sick heart. The alive heart is a heart of faith, its services are exclusively reserved for Allah, willingly and lovingly, with total reliance, relating all matters to Him, in fear, hope, and sincere dedication and it is extremely important to work for a healthy heart: The Day on which neither wealth nor sons will be of any use, except for whoever brings to Allah a sound heart. [Quran 26:88-89]

3. Revive the sunnah.

Mankind has many different concepts of success in life. But what is the right way? He brings (beings/things) to life and causes death; therefore, believe in Allah and in His Messenger, the Prophet who believes in Allah and in His words, and follow him, so that you may walk in the right way [Quran, 7:158]. So make an effort to apply the sunnah in your daily life and for extra reward, revive acts from the sunnah by telling others about them, from the forgotten sunan like the prostration of gratefullness (sajda us shukr) to the neglected acts, like giving salaam on the street!

4. Cherish life.

Al-Muhyee gave you life and placed you on this earth as an ambassador. Respect your life by using your time wisely and respect other people’s life by benefiting them with your knowledge, skills and emotional support and never harm another life unjustly, not even the life of an animal. If you truly cherish life you constantly strive against lughw – useless activities as mentioned in the Quran – this includes useless conversations, watching things of no benefit etc.

5. Learn from nature.

Study the extremely valuable lessons Al-Muhyee teaches you through His works in nature. Among His Signs is that you see the earth laid bare, and then, when We send down water on it, it quivers and swells. He Who gives it life also gives life to the dead. Certainly He has power over all things. [Quran, 41:39] When you see the change of seasons, from greenery to bareness, reflect on the ups and downs of your life and that after dark(difficult) times, light(easy) times come.

6. Strive for knowledge.

Islamic knowldge is a light, ask Al-Muyhee to walk in light in this life and the next! Is he who was dead then We raised him to life and made for him a light whereby he walks among people like him whose likeness is that of one who is in utter darkness from which he cannot come out? [Quran, 6:122]

7. Remind yourself and others of the After-Life.

The Prophet salallahu ‘alayhi wasallam was asked: “Which of our companions are best?” He replied: One whose appearance reminds you of God, and whose speech increases you in knowledge, and whose actions remind you of the hereafter. [al-Muhasibi]

Wallahu ta’alaa ‘alem.

O Allah, Al-Muhyee, we know that You are the only Giver of Life. Bless us with hearts that are alive with faith encouraging us to righteous actions. Make us of those who live by and revive the sunnah of Your Prophet, guide us in reflecting on Your signs in nature and learn from them. Give us beneficial knowlegde, grant us respect for our own life and the lives of others and make us of the best companions, reminding ourselves and others about the Hereafter, ameen!

[slonekaru]

Hi! I’m not sure if you’ve been asked this before but, what are your top 5 BL’s that you watched this year?

Oh, good question! I've watched so many BL's this year :) How do I choose 5!?!?!?

In no particular order because I can't decide:

Love in the Air

I adore Love in the Air, I liked it right from seeing the trailers and it never let me down. Both couples are amazing for various reasons. The PrapaiSky story was well done and I'm a little in love with Peat. But I have to say I think Payu and Rain are one of my favourite couples from this year and have quickly solidified their place in the favourite couples ever category. I loved their relationship and the D/s elements, how it progressed, how they showed a functioning healthy D/s relationship.

Plus the chemistry between Boss and Noeul is outstanding. Top Tier. I could watch them kiss for hours. I WILL CRY IF THEY DON'T DO A NEW SERIES TOGETHER!!!!

Kinnporsche

What can I say about Kinnporsche. One of the best series I have seen, nevermind it being a BL! I came into KP just before it was released so didn't have all the waiting some people did! Phenomenal casting, I don't think there was a bad choice there. Production values are off the charts. Great how they managed to balance the Mafia story with the comedy elements. I am torn about wanting a second season. I mean I'd love to see more and yet live in fear of them not achieving the same level. Sometimes it's best to let it be! Also another entry with a favourite couple of VegasPete, complicated but fantastic relationship. BibleBuild are amazing together and another pairing I hope to see again.

Semantic Error

And we have a Korean entry. This is one of my suggestions to anyone just getting into BL. It made me laugh, the chemistry between Park Seoham and Park Jaechan is amazing. I actually had no idea who they were or that they were in K-pop bands before watching this.

I particularly liked Park Jaechan's portrayal of SangWoo. I read it as SangWood being Neurodivergent and I personally think it's brilliant, especially with the way Park Seoham's JaeYoung reacts to SangWoo. Sometimes frustrated but most of the time accepting and learning to adapt to his thought process.

Old Fashion Cupcake

For our Japanese entry, we have Old Fashion Cupcake. This one hit differently. I've been dying for some BL with older characters and they delivered. What more could you want than a 29-year-old chasing and wooing a 39-year-old who doesn't realise it and also discovers his queerness later in life! It's beautifully done and nice to see people still reaching for something and achieving it when they are full-grown adults! Because you know that's life.

Choco Milk Shake

They sucked us in with the kinky D/s promo photo's and I fell for it! But this has been such an amazing series. Originally slated for a 10-episode run they changed the airing of the last 3 episodes and have snuck in an extra episode! Episode 11 is due to air on the 20th Dec. Episode 10 is 100% the original ending but I think they realised how popular it was and maybe wanted to squeeze out another episode. Plus I know how people reacted to the Kissable Lips ending, maybe Strongberry doesn't want the same outcome!

The casting choices were outstanding. Lee JaeBin is completely believable as a puppy in human form and Kim SeongHyuk as a cat in human form is spot on. Seriously they nailed the mannerisms of a dog and cat.

Interesting how such a comedic show with a comedic premise also somehow manages to deal with loss, grief, and loneliness.

Some honorable mentions: The Miricle of Teddy Bear, Cutie Pie, Dear Doctor, I'm Coming for Soul, Big Dragon, The Eclipse, Plus and Minus, Kei X Yaku, Secret Crush on You

And because they are not finished yet I'll reserve the right to include Between Us, and 609 Bedtime Story at a later date! :)