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bookmark-it · 6 years

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The Bounty Hunter

Back in home in Gettons & Yaduru (in Kasu-Kasu City, specifically), Baaba Owusu was an up-and-coming detective. She had recently come off a big solve, and was put in charge of a special task force as a promotion. The task force was created to investigate allegations of a high-profile human trafficking ring.

According to whistle-blowers, Members of the Joint Parliament of Gettons & Yaduru were stealing/kidnapping children from native Pagatowar families, specifically residents of the Palatamco Reservation (home to the Bent-Leg Creek Tribe), located in Todd, a rural territory in south Gettons.

The Pagatowar of Palatamco (Rebekah says: this is pronounced as either pah-lat-ah-em-co or pah-lah-tam-co depending on east/west dialect variations between the people of Gettons & Yaduru) were known for their (relatively) high birth rates of children with the Lamott-Lowrie Gene, more crudely called “Human Familiars.”

Lamott-Lowrie babies are people born with the ability to "harness” raw viv without the use of refining Ley Lines. They are incapable of wielding magic on their own, but they can "boost" the magic performed by a partner Wielder (or Wielders) by "lending” the viv they naturally collect.

In the not-so-distant past, those with the Lamott-Lowrie gene were treated as subhuman. They were called Familiars and kept as "human pets," working as slaves for their Wielder owners. Progress was made and Familiars liberated, their "keeping" officially outlawed with Jenny's Law (named for the Human Familiar whose case helped get protections passed, Governor Borscheid named Nona “Jenny” on purpose as a twisted reference to the law specifically meant to protect children like her).

Though illegal, that has not stopped some Wielders from seeking out Lamott-Lowrie children. Among the traffickers, there is an erroneous belief that if taken from their parents early, Familiar children will "imprint" on their “owner.” Imprinting will make the Familiar loyal and also increase the power of the viv they lend.

Owusu and her task force investigated claims that Senators from the Joint Parliament had been traveling to Palatamco (and other reservations) under the pretext of "Reconciliation Projects," in which they chose impoverished/at risk children to adopt/sponsor. In actuality, these Reconciliation projects were scouting trips. The Senators picked out children with the Lamott-Lowire gene and took them from their families without permission or warning. The children were just gone.

They were dubbed the "Lost Children" by the Gettons & Yaduru media, but Owusu and her task force referred to them as Stolen. The Pagatowar called them Nishnona-yeoc, which literally translates to “Nameless person.”

The naming of children has a lot of cultural significance in Pagatowar society. On their tenth birthday, Pagatowar children participate in a Naming ceremony called Nishwa-télën in which they essentially name themselves, announcing who they are to the tribe. Once Pagatowar people name themselves, their name cannot be changed by anyone but themselves - their True Name cannot be changed, not their parents, their peers, other members of the tribe, or by Outsiders (Karstlanders).

The only way it can change is if the person in question commits a terrible/violent crime, at which point their name is taken away and they are known only as Nishwanona. It is considered the highest disgrace to be Nishwanona.

When the Senators took Lamott-Lowrie children from their Reservation, they purposefully did it before their tenth birthdays so that the kids could not participate in Nishwa-télën and name themselves/develop a Pagatowar identity.

Owusu and her team worked relentlessly to break the case. They even managed to recover a few of the (older) Stolen Children. The turning point for Owusu came when she and her men freed several children. When she asked them their names, the Stolen called themselves Nishwanona. From a young age, Pagatowar children are taught about the importance/significance of Nishwa-télën. But because they had been taken from their people, they never got to participate in the Naming Rite. It was the deepest expression of shame and grief to call themselves Nishwanona.

Owusu was livid/heart-broken for these children, and equally furious that no matter what she did, her task force couldn’t ever pin anything on the suspected Senators. There were too many cover-ups, loopholes, bribes, too many “yes men” willing to take the wrap for their boss.

Again and again, cases were thrown out against the senators because evidence was ruled “circumstantial.”

So Owusu made a decision: she falsified evidence in order to force the case to trial.

She wanted a conviction (instead of a fine/slap on the wrist) for the Senators. She didn’t care about the letter of the law anymore, she wanted justice. Helping those kids mattered more to her than anything else.

Her falsified evidence was convincing enough that for the first time, the case looked like it might go to trial…but then one of Owusu's associates (who was jealous that she had been appointed to lead the task force instead of him) exposed Owusu. In a matter of six months, Owusu was charged, convicted, and sentenced.

The case against the Senators was thrown out for good, and the task force permanently disbanded. And so Owusu was on her way to Meteoria, the land of Monsters. But far worse for her was the knowledge that her tampering had not only not helped, but made everything worse. The investigation was delayed/shelved indefinitely. She had completely and utterly failed those kids.

On the ship to Meteoria, Owusu added Alice to her name, so that she was Alice Baaba Owusu. She didn’t want her true name in the mouths of her “owners.”

At Hipplethwaite, her “labor” was (first) bought by a cruel man who wanted something to beat on. Under his ownership, she suffered greatly. During one violent outburst, her owner beat her so severely that it opened gaping, defensive wounds on her arms. Her left (dominant) took the worst of it and was flayed to the bone. The wounds got infected and her owner sent her off to die in a prisoners’ hospital.

She ended up losing her arm, and also nearly died from sepsis. It was in hospital that Alice met a Durukan (a descendant of one of the Da-rai tribes of Yaduru) missionary named Silas Asenso. Silas had originally come from Yaduru to help advocate for prisoners’ rights in Meteoria. They chatted for a bit and Owusu was delighted to learn that Silas’s hometown was Kasu-Kasu, just like her. They bonded over memories of the city, specifically the sweet rolls (called nana buns) which were sold at the central market in Yasu-Yasu every first Saturday of the month.

Working with Silas, Owusu managed to get placed at Second-Chance Ranch, located just outside Crossings. Second-Chance ranch was run by Silas’s fellow missionaries. Their mission was focused on rehabilitation and lawful re-entry into society for emancipated prisoners.

The missionaries of Second-Chance bought out prisoner contracts in mass, and then put them to work as ranch hands. At the end of their sentence, and upon their emancipation, the Prisoners were given small parcels of the ranch’s land. That way, they could use the skills they’d learned while prisoners to make a life for themselves as emancipated settlers.

The work was demanding, but the workers were well treated. Owusu even came to discover that she had a knack/appreciation for bee-keeping.

Silas lived at the Ranch when she wasn’t out doing mission work. She visited Owusu out in the fields often, to bring her water and homemade nana buns (which weren’t all that good because Silas was a shitty cook, but Owusu ate them anyway). Owusu developed a bit of a crush. One day, after one of Silas's visits, Owusu point blank asked her on a date…in two years' time, when she would be emancipated. Silas (pretended) to weigh the ethical implications of dating someone she’d “mission-worked.” Owusu teased and Silas happily agreed.

Two years passed, and the second Owusu’s Ink went dark (sign of emancipation/fulfillment of sentence), Silas was there to take her on a date. They went to get nana rolls (better ones than what Silas dished up). The date was a success, and so they went on another, and another, and then a few more, and four years later they were married.

Together, they worked the small bit of farmland that Owusu had received as part of her “emancipation package” from the Ranch. Owusu even managed to keep bees and pick back up some Stringent Magic, which she hadn’t practiced since her days on the force.

Silas experimented with potions and "kitchen witchin'". She was mostly awful at it. She occasionally did some mission work, but was away from home less and less often. Silas was ready to settle down with Owusu, and to live a “stable” life.

And against all odds, it was a stable life. Heck, it was even a good life.

They made homemade nana buns. Owusu joked that she’d had to get arrested to find a wife, and Silas teased that nowadays, she was doing more missionary position than missionary work (hands down Owusu’s favorite joke).

Their life was together was surprisingly normal, and to Owusu's amazement, she was happy. When she'd been sentenced, she had resigned herself to a short and miserable life. She expected (and accepted) that the only thing she’d feel for the rest of her life was guilt. But then she’d met Silas, and found work and refuge at the Ranch, and then even a little bit of domesticity...and even though it wasn't the life she’d imagined, it was the life she wanted.

Then, two years later, Owusu was widowed.

One summer evening, police from Port Grace came knocking. They had an arrest warrant for a member of The Coalition for Prisoner' Rights (a group of freedom fighters working to improve life for prisoner-workers through uncivil disobedience). The fugitive in question was one Efia Arusei, alias Silas Asenso, and she was hereby accused of committing terrorist acts, inciting violence, recklessly endangering the public, and committing treasonous acts against the government of Meteoria and the Karstland Kings.

Uh-oh.

Silas Asenso (whose real name was apparently Efia Arusei) had been on the run from Port Grace authorities when she'd sought asylum at Second-Chance Ranch. Somehow, she’s never bothered to mention any of this to Owusu, her fucking wife.

Silas/Efia was arrested on the spot, and taken away, leaving behind a gobsmacked and heartbroken Owusu, who knew that her wife would not be spared the death penalty. People like her were to be made an example of.

In the fallout from this, Owusu shut down. She went back into her shell and once again took up the name Alice. She left her little farm and went to Port Grace (on the off chance that she might see Silas/Efia again - despite everything, she couldn’t hate her) as a bounty hunter, using her (objectively) impressive set of skills to hunt down runaway prisoners and return them to their owners for cash.

She took no mercy, accepted no sob story, just tagged and bagged ‘em. She lived to work, just as she once had back on the force in Kasu-Kasu. But this time justice was not her objective…she didn’t have one. Money to get by, money for liquor, money for rent. That’s all “Alice” cared about. Baaba had cared about justice and look where it got her. Owusu had cared about Asenso (or Arusei or whatever Efia’s name was) and look where it got her. So now she was just Alice, Just Alice who did nothing but take up space and put down runaways.

She no principles, no problems, no purpose.

Then she meets a girl in a dumpster...a girl who calls herself Nishwanona.

****************************************************************************************

Abbreviated Timeline:

· Detective at 35

· Sentenced at 36

· Emancipated at 43

· Married at 47

· Widowed at 50

· Gauntlet Runner at 56

Abilities: Owusu is a practitioner of the Stringent Magics, mathemagical principles that allow her to use vectors to write Sigils for weapons’ precision/accuracy, as well as to create pocket dimensions.

With a bit of back alley tinkering, Owusu got her left arm fit with a prosthetic that doubled a Summoning device i.e. she can “summon” a loaded gun into her prosthetic hand essentially out of thin air.

All her weapons are Marked with her handwritten vectors/sigils (Owusu is HIGHLY insulted when Nona asks why there’s “scratches” all over her gun). Owusu is a dead shot, and a bit of a gunslinger. She also uses Stringent Magic to open pocket dimensions. She’s basically a walking armory, with all kinds of guns/weapons and every kind of ammo at her disposal.

World-building note: As an Emancipated-Prisoner, Owusu is not allowed unlimited access to Ley-Line/refined magic. She’s doesn’t have the Lamott-Lowrie gene so she can’t use viv. She gets “vouchers” every month that allow her to use a certain amount of Magic/magical energy. If her voucher runs out she’s shit outta luck. When prisoners (emancipated or otherwise) enter the Gauntlet they are granted Unlimited access to Ley Magic. Governor Borscheid is desperate (besides there’s no actual shortage of magic, no reason for it to be limited or rationed, it’s just another way to belittle/handicap prisoners and to punish them even after their Ink goes dark).

#Gauntlet verse #character profile #Alice Baaba Owusu #backstory #character development

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jiemba · 7 years

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On Maggie Sawyer and snapbacks

It always struck me how Maggie says she lived with “an aunt” for three years rather than “my aunt”. Maggie’s aunt took her in because yes, kicking her out was a harsh move on her parents’ part, and yes, no child should have to live on the street, and Maggie’s always been a good girl even if she is…that way. But will she put up with that nonsense in her house? Hell no. So their relationship is very conditional. Her aunt takes care of her, cooks her favourite meals when she misses home, tends to her grazes when she gets beat up at school. She loves her. But she doesn’t accept her. Every night she prays for her, every other week she asks if Maggie’s met any nice boys at soccer, and when Maggie wears baseball caps at the table, she tugs them off her head and groans, “Ay, mija, te ves como un chico”. But Maggie’s desperate, and she’s grateful, so she toes the line, studying every night until she falls asleep at the kitchen table. She gets a partial scholarship to college, gets in early at 17, and it’s there that she meets the first openly queer people she’s ever seen in her life. The first time a girl kisses her, in the dark at a movie, she cries because this is wrong, I’m wrong, yet she’s never felt anything come so naturally to her, and her heart flutters without permission, and when Holly’s thumb grazes her cheek, something inside her finally unclenches its fists.

She starts sleeping over in Holly’s dorm and, naturally, starts borrowing her clothes. She’s never had the freedom to experiment with her style, living on cousins’ hand me downs and already walking Blue Springs with a target on her back. At first she only wears Holly’s red flannel to bed - never out - because what if somebody hurts her again, what if this time she doesn't make it out alive. And while Maggie thinks Holly looks cute as hell with that shirt tied around her waist, a lifetime of racism tells her only pretty blonde white girls can pull off that look anyway, that she could never rock it even if she tried.

But eventually, Maggie gets the courage to wear it to thanksgiving dinner at the campus LGBT centre, clenching Holly’s hand the whole way there. Soon after, Holly catches her toying with an old hat in her room and buys Maggie her first snapback for Christmas, complete with a National City Giants logo in honour of the city she wants to work in someday. It takes a while for Maggie to get used to wearing it, but once she does, slipping it over her head feels as warm and empowering and terrifying as Holly holding her hand.

Years later, Alex comes across an old hiking photo of Maggie and another friend, and laughs “Oh my God.”

Maggie groans, blushes. “Give me a break, it was college.”

“No, it’s adorable. You were such a cute baby gay.”

And Maggie can’t help but smile a little. Because yeah, she’s outgrown the snapbacks and found better fitting flannels, but she’ll never forget those years experimenting with how she presented herself, figuring out who she was. How throwing on a snapback made her feel brave on days she felt she didn't have the strength to be brave. How she’d notice a girl in similar clothes on campus and give her a knowing smile that said ‘I see you’.

“Yeah,” she chuckles, smiling down on the photo in Alex’s hands, feeling a swell of pride for her younger self as intense as pain. “Yeah, I guess I was.”

@sanvershcs @onefootone @all-the-gay-feels @queercapwriting @avidreaderffn @maggiesxwyr @blakebat @smolsawyer

#supergirl #maggie sawyer #sanvers #my fics #bought my first flannel the other day and it was a road to Damascus moment #backstory #supergirl minific #look at my bb aint she beautiful?#headcanon

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juggiecooperr-blog · 7 years

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Prompt: Betty and Jughead finally get to be home alone during summer, and after spending a lovely cute afternoon watching movies and cooking things start heating up and they go all the way. (Honestly, i'm in need for a bughead smut).

of course!! now, there isn’t very much smut in this one but it’s still there, just to let anyone who’s reading know!

“Forsythe Jones, put that down right now.” Betty warned Jughead as he slyly picked up a bag of flower. The kitchen was a mess. There was ingredients for their cupcakes everywhere covering every single surface. Betty was armed with two eggs, while Jughead classically chose flour as his weapon.

Betty’s parents were gone away with Polly for the weekend and she had the entire house to herself. She didn’t want to take advantage of her freedom, but here she was. Covered in baking ingredients, sliding all over the slippery floors covered in egg and multiple oils.

Betty was never usually like this, but Jughead brought out something different in her. They had spent the entire day together. Starting with a hike to which Jughead protested deeply. Stating that he could just watch someone else go hiking on a movie and get the same experience in the comforts of her house. Betty promised him that after the walk that they would watch a couple movies and so he went on without any more complaining.

Once they had gotten back to the house, Jughead raced to the couch and flipped on the television. Betty rolled her eyes and giggled as she made her way to the book shelf that her family kept filled with DVD’s. She returned to the couch and presented Jughead with a couple movie options to which they decided upon The Blindside. Betty hopped off the couch and loaded the DVD into the player and returned back to the couch, snuggling up next to Jughead as he hit play and started the movie.

Once the movie was over, Betty stood from the couch and stretched before looking to Jughead. Raising her eyebrow she challenged him. “Hungry?” She asked, and without an answer - as if she needed one - she made her way to the kitchen with Jughead on her trail. So there they were, in the midst of baking a batch of cupcakes. The two of them on opposite ends of the kitchen, both poised and ready for attack.

Jughead stuck his hand into the bag of flour and narrowed his eyes at Betty who narrowed hers back, gripping the eggs in her hand a little more tightly. Just then, Jughead whips his hand out of the bag, spraying Betty with flower just as Betty lets one of the eggs in her hand fly towards him. Betty goes to turn quickly but Jughead is already beside her and she giggles as he picks her up and spins her around.

Betty playfully fights with him but Jughead is stronger than she is and she gives up, still laughing. Jughead chuckles, placing her back on the ground and spinning her around to face him again. They both look at each other, still smiling as Jughead moves his hand to cup her neck, brushing his thumb against her cheek, swiping away some of the flour there. They’re both silent for a moment before moving together into a deep kiss. Betty’s hands automatically come up to cup Jughead’s face as he does the same to her. Their lips move together like clockwork. Betty is blissfully surprised when she feels Jughead’s tongue trace her bottom lip asking for permission to which she gladly obliges.

Betty moves her fingers from Jughead’s cheeks up to his hair, tangling them there as his arms wrap around her hauling her up on to the counter. Betty let’s out a little giggle and Jughead smiles against her lips before planting softer kisses down her neck to her collar bone, making Betty moan in pleasure. Jughead smiles even wider with satisfaction when Betty starts up and he continues planting soft kisses on her skin as her legs wrap around his waist. “Jug,” Betty says breathlessly. Jughead returns then to her lips and Betty nibbles on his bottom lip making Jughead growl with pleasure.

“You are absolutely filthy Ms. Cooper.” Jughead tell her as she fiddles with the bottoms of his t-shirt.

Betty pulls back and smirks, her eyes narrowing before she speaks. “Well then, I guess we should clean up then.” She tells him and he curses himself for ruining the moment. To his surprise though, his blonde girlfriend hops off of the counter, grabbing his hand as she does and pulls him with her up the stairs and into her room. Betty disappears into the bathroom that’s connected to her room and Jughead hears the shower turn on. Standing awkwardly in the middle of Betty’s room, Jughead raises an eyebrow and watches his beautiful girlfriend emerge from bathroom still fully clothed. “You need a shower.” She tells him and Jughead chuckles.

“So do you.” Betty raises an eyebrow challengingly and purses her lips. He’s never seen her like this and he didn’t know if he should be worried or completely turned on. He went with the latter.

Betty stepped in front her boyfriend and looked up at him with wide sexy eyes. Looking down at his beautiful girlfriend, Jughead swallowed whatever saliva had been forming in his mouth and took a step closer to her with a small smirk. Reaching up, Betty tangled her hands in Jughead’s hair once again as their lips connected once again. This kiss was a little more heated than the first. Betty couldn’t remember how, but they were suddenly on the bed. She was pinned underneath him as he planted kisses all the way down her neck. Betty moaned softly and stroked his calves with her foot feet as she pulls at his shirt until he’s shed of it. As Jughead continues placing kisses down her neck and on her chest, Betty stokes the muscles on his back and Jughead grins and suddenly he has them flipped so that Betty is sitting on top of him, straddling his waist.

Still planting kisses and sucking on her skin, Jughead moves her bra strap away to get at the skin there. Jughead looks up at her through his eyelids for permission and she gives it to him. Jughead bites his lip, but can’t help but smile when he removes her shirt to reveal her beautiful breasts, held up by a white laced bra. Betty’s cheeks redden with colour and she watches him as he stares at her in awe. “You’re so beautiful.” Jughead whispers, his eyes meeting hers after a couple of seconds. Betty’s lips connect with Jughead’s once again, this time though with more passion and pressure than before. She was hungry for his love and she was going to fill up right here and right now.

Jughead pulls out of the kiss suddenly when she begins to fiddle with the button on his pants. “Betty-” He begins and he watches her face fall, so he shakes his head and plants a kiss on her lips. “Are you sure?” He asks, swallowing hard as his nerves spike.

“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.” She tells him, her eyes wide and he could see the truth in them. Jughead nods his head and smiles as she brings their lips back together. Their kiss is faster now and more feverish. Betty’s tongue danced in Jughead’s mouth and Jughead’s in Betty’s, tangling together as Jughead reaches around her back unclasping her bra. Betty shivers as the air hits her bare breasts and Jughead’s warm hands trace them. All the while Betty unbuttons his pants and Jughead shimmies out of them leaving him wearing only his boxers. From her position on top of him, Jughead tugs on her pants until she is working with him to get them off.

Finally they both lay there staring at one another with pure love between them. Only dressed in their underwear. Jughead looks at Betty and raises an eyebrow and Betty nods confirmation before he pulls her panties off and he shimmies out of his boxers. Moving slowly Jughead took Betty and placed her on the bed and positioned himself on top of her, lining himself up with her opening. Once the condom is on and with one last look at Betty and Betty’s last nod of approval, Jughead slides inside of her. Betty let out a slight gasp at the new pressure inside of her. Jughead strokes her face lightly and kisses her lips. “I’m sorry.” He tells her and she shakes her head.

“I’m fine Jug.” She tells him with a smile before she bites her lip. “Go ahead.” She tells him repositioning herself underneath him and Jughead begins his thrusts. Betty moans with pleasure and clenches her toes when Jughead hits a really sensitive spot. Jughead dips his head into Betty’s collar and plants a kiss there before letting out a grunt of pleasure. “Faster Jug.” Betty demands breathlessly and Jughead does just that, ultimately bringing him over the edge. Betty let’s out a a mix of a moan and a gasp just as he does and Jughead falls on top of Betty, panting and gasping for air. Falling onto the space beside Betty on the bed Jughead takes her hand in his and brings it up to his mouth, kissing it.

“I love you, Elizabeth Cooper.” He tells her and Betty giggles.

“I love you too, Forsythe Pendleton Jones III.” Jughead chuckles at the use of his full name and she giggles with him.

#bughead #bughead fic #bughead fanfiction #bughead smut #betty x jughead #betty x jughead smut #juggiecooperr

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givencontext · 4 years

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First Quarter Review 2020

What the actual…?

We are at the end of the first quarter of 2020. It’s time for an update on my dreams, plans, and goals for the year. As I prepped for 2020, I promised myself Freedom. Three months in, where am I? More or less confined to home, along with the rest of the WORLD. That’s right: coronavirus, COVID-19, social distancing, quarantine, work from home… it’s a whole new world. How does one work towards the goal of Freedom without leaving the house? Let’s contemplate that and see if I was able to accomplish anything in the start of the year before lockdown began.

Career/Livelihood/Influence

I’m still working through The Calling. I fell behind my schedule, but I am almost finished with it. I’ve slacked a bit on doing the exercises, but I will finish a “light” version of the program. Doing things like this can be scary, and scary brings resistance. I don’t have to do it right, I just need to do it. I started a Facebook group, but I think I’m the only person still doing it, and I haven’t even posted in my facebook group lately, so I’m giving myself low marks for influence this quarter.

Regarding my day job, I feel pretty good. Working from home has its perks and its challenges, but I am definitely not bored. I’m grateful to have this experience and to still be drawing a paycheck when so many have their jobs affected by the COVID-19 crisis. There is a mental toll to being in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, and that means good days and bad days for me. I am doing my best, because that’s the best I can do.

Relationships and Family

I committed to focus on my relationship with myself first and foremost. Being home alone with a 19-year-old who wears headphones and takes naps affords me lots of solitude. I am still working full time from home, so I am not sitting in silent contemplation every day, but I do have time for some introspection.

The fact that everything is cancelled means that I can’t use “going” and “doing” to distract myself any longer from some of the things I need to work through. The timing seems right anyway. Six months ago I told myself I could have six months to “get ready.” I don’t have to be ready for any particular thing, it’s just that when I told myself that, I wasn’t ready for anything. I gave myself permission not to be, with the understanding that it wasn’t a permanent excuse. So I told myself to be ready, and I feel like I will be. (I still have about 10 days ’til my deadline.)

I’m checking on my dad a lot and worrying about him. He’s 81 and has emphysema, so he’s a prime target for COVID-19. I had Amazon send him some elderberry supplements. Social distancing makes it hard to help, so this allowed me to feel like I did something. Aside from one of the cats needing stitches, everyone in the family has been well. He’s already healed and I removed the stitches myself so we didn’t have to leave the house. The one person I haven’t heard from this whole pandemic is my brother, so I’m texting him now.

Community

Lucky for me, I have been building a community for a few years that doesn’t always meet face-to-face. I am acquainted with several apps and tools for connecting with people remotely. That being said, I also have a tendency to isolate or to just want to enjoy quiet time alone. I’m grateful for people who reach out and light a fire under me to actually use these connections. My book/craft club has been chatting via zoom, as have some of my BLE groups. I also use the Marco Polo app to see people but not necessarily be online at the same time. I use facebook groups to stay in touch with some people and text with others. I feel like I’ve been very well connected to my community so far this year. Thank goodness.

Also, memes. My real friends are the ones who share the most memes. #BabyYodaForLife

Physical Wellbeing

My goal of 120 Pure Barre classes by the end of the year might be a stretch. I’ve done some of the at-home workouts, but my motivation has started to wane. When the weather is nice, I do a lot of yard work. I have done a little tap dance practice, but recital is postponed and this dance is really hard. This means I should practice more, but yeah… and I got some new pillows that have helped my spine tremendously in the short time since I got them. I am feeling good most of the time. That doesn’t mean I’m not exhausted the rest of the time, but when I’m exhausted, I try to go to sleep early. Fresh air and sunshine help a lot. There’s also a new course from Bright Line Eating that is helping me keep my lines bright. I really do feel better when I just stick to the plan.

Create/Explore/Play

I might get lowest marks on this section. The dissolution of a marriage is a hard and sad thing, even when it’s the right thing. Grief might inspire some people to write, paint, sing, etc. It seems to sap my creativity. For months I was in action mode, trying to resolve things as quickly as possible. It’s over now, but that doesn’t resolve everything. There’s still a process to go through. I am determined to go through it with as much aplomb as possible, which means fiercely protecting my boundaries and my right to self-care. That has meant letting the creativity ebb while some other things flow. I feel it starting to come back now. Springtime is a good time for it.

Exploring is difficult in isolation. The Squid and I have gone out for a few drives, but mostly we are staying home. Even picking up a book or watching television has been hard. I’m giving myself a pass on explore this quarter too.

Play is a little easier. I’ve spent so much time with my dog and I’m teaching him some new tricks. Well, not really. He has a jumping problem, but I think he’s starting to understand “off.” Let’s call that a trick. I have also had “isolation dance parties” in the kitchen. They are in the kitchen, because they usually happen when I am prepping food or waiting for something to cook. I’m a bad dancer, so I put on ridiculous songs and dance like no one is watching… because no one is watching.

Psychological and Spiritual Health

My therapist sort of gave me a clean bill of mental health. I don’t even know what to do with that. It’s like, yeah, you’re going through a lot of really tough stuff right now, but you are actually handling it rather well. And I think she’s right.

I did a great book study with one of my sister circles about The Warrior Heart Practice and that was wonderful. I haven’t done justice to my goddess archetype Inanna. I hope to get back to her once I finish up a few other things. I have to cut myself some slack on this one too, but my spiritual health definitely needs to be a priority. It doesn’t always have to be about checking something off my list though. The best thing for my psychological and spiritual health right now might be nothing. It is just as important to know when to say no.

FREEDOM

The first quarter of 2020 had its ups and downs, but I am satisfied with it. I never would have seen the pandemic and stay-at-home/work-from-home situation coming on January 1. Some people are protesting, because they see these orders as a violation of their freedoms. As painful as it has been, I have to admit that having most of my “avoidance” methods eliminated has forced me to go ahead and deal with some stuff. This will lead me to greater Freedom in the future. The process is more important than the results. Today, I feel good about my process.

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elitamariern · 6 years

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Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Did I Made The Right Choice To Choose You? 10 Reasons Why YES! YES! YES!

I was not happy of the income I am receiving when in a Hospital in Rizal Province. I have made up my mind to see another place to work at. Practicality wise and as curious as I am I have made an Workabroad.ph account to look for nursing job vacancies abroad online. There was so many choices of course you will just have to look the requirement that is readily available in your hands. I was an eager job hunter that i sent my resume to all agencies I saw in the line. I wanted greener pasture as what any other job applicants would reason out on job interviews. Any country would do I said. I will grab anything as long as it is not in the Philippines. Many agencies sends messages for the schedule of interviews but it will depend on you if you gamble your time to think you only have few hours of sleep after your looooong duty hours. Then I gambled my time to apply.

1. Agencies are everywhere

Due to high demand for Filipino nurses, many employers abroad depends on the man pooling here in Philippines through the help of agencies. In my experience, I did internet research first before I ended up going for an interview. I made sure that the agencies I am going to trust is legally operating. Thanks to POEA website http://www.poea.gov.ph/cgi-bin/agList.asp?mode=all where you can check all the accredited and licensed agencies. This will help you avoid the illegal agencies since it has been always an issue in PH.

2. Interviews are not as hard as you thought

I was interviewed by the owner of the agency, he’s i think is a Jordanian or someone from Arab country. He ask easy question that any NLE board passer could answer. These are some questions I remember he asked “What is the normal BP range” What in the normal range of glucose in the blood? How long had you work in the hospital? What is the normal range of Phosphorus? If you have a high level of phosphorus what is the most known manifestation?” I could not remember the other ones but luckily, I have answered all of them, passed the interview. See! That was easy. Nothing to brag about but this one could inspire other unemployed nurses or would I say receives low income who are afraid to try applying abroad. I never thought applying abroad such Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be easy as this one. I have had interview from other prestigious hospitals in PH before but this was way too easy.

3. Good compensation

Right inside the same interview room and after those questionings he ask how much salary am I expecting, I said what I think is necessary. For a beginner like me I said 40 thousand. That is the salary of some manager in PH and we negotiated until 35 thousand since the vacancy is for nurses who have at least voluntary experience in hospital, at least six months hospital staffed nurse and to nurses who can’t provide COE due to hospital rules. But who am I to say no to 35 thousand basic excluding the overtime, incentives, commissions, and etc.

4. Everything is arranged for you

After interview, the agency employees will inform you on what documents you will provide for them to process your visa. There are few requirements I did myself for the completion and no one can provide it other than me. I will make list of requirements on my other blogs. Make sure to authenticate all your papers in DFA. After authentication of papers there will be another verification in Saudi embassy but that will be the job of your agency. Saudi Ministry of Health will call in the PH for verification of legal papers you submitted so better not fake your papers. For a 3 years work contract in an hospital in Saudi you have to have a little sweat on providing your papers because within that 3 years it is sure that you will be earning money. The placement fee as well is salary deduction for 3 months. So i did not worry of paying for too high expenses on providing other requirements. I will also have list on other blogs on how much did I spend processing papers.

5. Relax while your Working visa application is on process

If you are confident of your papers, all you have to do is enjoy the moment while waiting. You will have time for your family and friends because within 2 weeks after you completed your papers you will be given date of departure to Saudi. You will not have to be present in embassy for visa application since your representative for working visa application is the agency. They have the right to apply on behalf of you and that is the protocol of saudi embassy. Just enjoy the days you’re in PH.

6. Air Tickets are provides as well

I did not worry about paying my airplane ticket because the employer from Saudi provided it for me. From Manila International Airport (MIA) to King Khalid International Airport Riyadh (RUH) was around 30 thousand and it was provided by the employer. My plane was Etihad airway and it was very comfortable for an 14 hours flight. We just had one stop over to Abu Dhabi. Together with the other nurses who flew with me was pick up by the employer’s service going to the hospital accommodation.

7. Free accommodation

Do not think about paying your monthly rental. Yes! It is free including the gas for cooking and water. I am not saying all employers will provide you this but a safety house in a necessity. The bed, blanket, pillows, kitchen utensils, pan, rice cooker, and etc. was provided as well the moment you step in the house. Our accommodation are all nurses almost from Philippines and few from Indonesia & India. I was tired from flight so it was such a relief that we had to have those necessities after lay off. You may feel homesick for a while but since you are surrounded by Filipinos it will feel like you are in PH just hotter climate and no freedom to gala outside without permission from employer.

8. Free transportation

Yes! Yes! Yes! Free transportation to all places you want to go well of course after the approval of management. When going to mall & market it is free transportation. To where I work all nurses only get to go out twice a month officially riding the bus service of our hospital. If we have to go out for another reason that is where we need to make letter request to the management. Make sure you have a valid reason of course and follow the procedure of Administration.

9. Food & your luxuries will only be your expenses

Being said that line, you have the chance to earn money and can even send money to your family in Philippines. So I salute all OFW who sends remittance to PH. That is why we also have the chance to fill our balikbayan boxes. This is some of the hard work you see that grow.

10. No tax!

You have the chance to buy gadgets in low prices comparing to PH prices. Imagine the tax excluded if you buy high end electronics. High end clothes bags and others are no tax.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS STARTS WITH THE DECISION TO TRY. BE NOT AFRAID! GOD IS WITH YOU!

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psychicdan · 7 years

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Fallout: No Man’s Land

Rating M for graphic depictions, language, violence and suggestive themes

Warning: The following is a work of fanfiction and is not intentionally connected to real world places, events, or people, and is not intended to copy others’ work. The Fallout video game franchise is the work of Bethesda, Interplay Entertainment, Black Isle Studios, and the many people that collaborated and worked with them. This is solely fanfiction for fun and not for profit.

Chapter I: Begin Operation

Narraration: War, war never changes. Since the beginning of civilization, humanity has always segregated themselves into groups and fought for the simplest of reasons to the most abstract. Whether over control of resources or what way of life should be pursued, humanity has always resorted to mass murder labelled war when different groups can never agree.

As humanity advanced, so too did their capacity for violence, war, and murder, to the point where they developed weapons of mass destruction, a world killer called the atomic bomb. In 2077, conflicts between the two superpowers, the United States and Communist China, escalated to atomic warfare. In two mere but devastating hours, the Great War ended with the entire world, with no victor, all lost.

But, some of humanity managed to cling to life in spite of the atomic hellfire and falling darkness of nuclear winter. Some had hidden in old shelters and bunkers, emerging when the wastes had grown to minimal stability. A special group of fallout shelters though, vaults, held the greatest vestige of humanity, but also held terrible secrets in store for their vault dwellers.

Designed by the U.S government and Vault-Tec, these vaults lured the populace with the promise of survival and comfort, but were in fact experiments to test stressed living standards and experimental procedures in post-nuclear settings. Some were subtle, such as simply selecting particular ethnic or socioeconomic groups and grouping them together, like Vault 15. Others were control vaults, with no changes to the vaults or populace, releasing them after a few decades when it was safe to leave. But many of the vaults held inhumane experiments that ended in catastrophe, such as Vault 11’s experiment that forced a person to be sacrificed every year to test the power of authority vs ethics.

But, this is not the story of Vaults discussed before. This is the story of Vault 120, a vault constructed between both Vault-Tec and the U.S military. To test how well a military force would be prepared to retake the U.S from hostile forces following many years of sheltered isolation, military personnel and their families were led to this Vault on the day the world ended. Since the massive steel door closed, they and their descendants have trained as soldiers, an entire battalion of 1000 awaiting the Call Out Signal from the government to begin Operation: Reclaim the American Dream. But, no such signal came. As the 211-year wait period nears the end though, the day approaches where they will march into the city area that was once Wellspring City, now known as No Man’s Land.

…

[Year 2279, Vault 120] 16-year-old Richard Paxton yawned as the alarm rang, not wanting to get up. Then, knocking came. “Sweetie, come on, it’s time for school.” his mother said. “Ugh, that just means more training.” Richard said as he finally got up and shut off the alarm. He would take this opportunity to look out the window and see the outdoor neighborhood and morning sky. At least, that would be the natural thing to do, if he didn’t live a steel underground Vault.

He began to get dressed into his Vault 120 jumpsuit, which was pretty repetitive in everyone’s wardrobe. He walked into the kitchen to the smell of long preserved bacon and eggs cooking to see his mother at work over the stove. His father sat down at the table. If this was before the war, one would think he was reading the newspaper, but that wasn’t a thing in a Vault. Instead, he was reading the Vault’s military guidelines. Again. Richard sat down at the table lazily, still feeling groggy as he waited for breakfast.

His father looked up at him sternly. “What’s with the half-assed attitude there? Don’t think you can pull that crap when you turn 18 and join up. Your supervisors will chew you up and spit you out if they catch you like that.” he said. “Oh, leave him. He’s just enjoying his freedom before then. You and I both know what it was like to grow up and then join the force.” his mother said back to the father as she brought over breakfast. “Hmph, don’t see what he’s upset about. I was so damn proud to get my uniform and first position. He needs to be ready to stand at attention at all times, especially immediately after sleep.” his father grumbled as he munched on the preserved bacon.

“Hey, Richard, get hell off your ass and wash the dishes! I want it done yesterday, understood!” his father ordered as they were done eating. Richard got up in resignation and walked over to the dishes, knowing the scalding remarks would only grow worse if he didn’t comply. As he washed the dishes, he really wished his father didn’t take his work into the living unit and force it on him. It wasn’t like he didn’t get enough from the drill sergeants that were his teachers. His parents got up and walked to the doors as they put on their Vault military uniform jackets on. “Hey, be at class at 0800, understand?!” his father shouted. Richard sighed again, saying “Understood.”.

In a darkened classroom, a projector was playing old footage from before the war. It was another Vault instruction video, featuring the titular Vault Boy giving the thumbs up alongside a Vault Boy version of Uncle Sam. “After nuclear war, this great nation of ours will likely be plagued with all manner of hostiles. Mutants, bandits, and of course, Commie Meanies. That is why we at Vault -Tec are here to do our part and help Uncle Sam reclaim our proud nation. You will be the next generation of fine men and women to fill out our new military and bring prosperity back to the good old U.S of A. When your Vault hears the call to arms, the Call Out Signal, that is when you will begin Operation: Reclaim the American Dream. When that happens, Vault 120’s military will begin operations to reclaim U.S territory and save and recruit survivors to build up the rebirth of the country. So, continue to train and salute under the Red, White, and Blue, and America will prosper again, thanks to you!”.

As the projector turned off and the lights lit up, the students looked up at the instructor. “All right, you got the spiel. Basically, you’re here to train to be ready to join the Vault military and be ready to march into that wasteland. You’re all 16 now, so soon you’ll have your initial positions decided for when you turn 18 and join up.” the instructor told. Richard yawned in response, knowing all this for years now. It excited him when he was a kid, the thought of joining the military, but what’s the point when the military does nothing? They’ve been stuck in this Vault for over 200 years, there was no Call Out Signal coming. But, he wasn’t the Overseer, and he had to follow orders like everyone else. He wasn’t going to end up like all the insubordinates who, in worst case scenarios, got executed by firing line.

Richard felt a tapping behind him. It was Carol Hayes, a friend of his for years now. “Hey, what do you think of all this?” she asked. “Dull and a waste of our lives.” he said. “Yeah, I know. It’s not like anything goes on in the military. You’d think they’d wise up and drop all that protocol crap, huh?” she said. Richard chuckled at that, saying “Yeah, screw the Vault military and their shitty protocols.”. “I’m sorry, what were you two saying about our protocols. Looks like we need another demonstration of disciplining insubordinates. Paxton, Hayes get up here and do push-ups till the end of the class!” the instructor shouted. They would both groan if not for the fact that would earn push-ups after class.

The instructor yammered on and on about military procedures and tactical movements as the pair sweated through the Vault suits, ready to pass out. Finally, the bell rang and the pair dropped as the other students stood attention. “All right, that’s enough for today. Now, remember that you have the Generalized Occupational Aptitude Test next week, or the G.O.A.T. It will be held to help decide your position in the military. You better not get sick, and if anyone skips out you are on bathroom duty for the whole Vault for the next month!” the instructor shouted. “Yes sir!”.

…

[November 21st, Year 2288, Vault 120] 25-year-old 1st Lieutenant Richard Paxton stood at attention. Before him was the Overseer, the woman with authority over the entire Vault regiment. “At ease, Lieutenant. I have a lot to discuss with you, so you need to loosen up for this? Are you ready to hear the details?” she asked. “Yes ma’am.” Richard said. “Very well. As you know, Vault 120 is a facility designed by both Vault-Tec and the U.S military to train a new military force following nuclear devastation. We were to await the Call Out Signal, but it never came, so we followed protocol and prepped for more than two centuries.”

“Fortunately, Vault-Tec assigned a wait period should this happen. Should a wait period of over 211 years expire on a particular date, we will have permission to begin Operation: Reclaim the American Dream. That date is today.” she said. “Wait, Overseer, you mean…” Richard said in disbelief. “Yes, we can finally put our training to use and leave the Vault. But, there is the problem. We have been isolated for so long and our intel of the surface is completely outdated. We know not of the dangers or hostile powers that control the atomic wasteland. To send our entire military without knowing our enemies could result in mission failure.”.

“That is why I am entrusting this mission to you. You are to take a small platoon of around 20 with you and begin scouting operations. Try to obtain the nearest secure base and gather intel on the area, locals, and armed forces there. Should you find hostile factions, try not to antagonize them, but bring back what intel you can. You will have reports sent to me once a month, and I will decide when the military moves out.” the Overseer stated.

“But, why me ma’am?” Richard asked. He might have gotten the rank of 1st Lieutenant, but his record a few years ago showed anything but an ideal soldier. He really just got serious about his job so all the friction and harassment would stop, as the Vault itself wasn’t changing. “I am aware of your record. That is why you are being selected. Too many meatheads down here recite military protocol like it’s the Bible. Military protocol can’t prepare you for an atomic wasteland. I need soldiers that can think on their feet and have an open mind. You have that. So, are you ready to move out?” the Overseer asked. “Yeas, ma’am!” Richard saluted.

…

“Hey there, “Lieutenant”.” said a joking female voice behind Richard. Richard looked back with a smirk towards Carol, glad to have a good old troublemaker who stuck with him through the worst on this mission. “Nice to see you too, “Sergeant”. But seriously, cut the protocol, you know I hate it.” he said, feeling formality was wrong between him and Carol after all their escapades. “Just a joke, Richard. But God, never that we’d be leaving this steel box, huh?” she said. “Yeah.” Richard stated as they both stored at the massive Vault door in front of them.

It was hundreds of feet tall, larger than other vault doors so the military and their stored arsenal could come in and out. Even now, the many mechanisms in it were shifting as it began the long process of opening up. In front were three APCs, each carrying supplies weapons, and the 23 soldiers Richard requested for this mission. Finally, the Vault door opened, spilling sunlight into the entrance. “Ready to go?” Carol asked. “Yeah.” Richard said, ready to leave to stuffy strict vault behind for the action of the wasteland.

Author’s notes: Hello everyone. You here either because you’re a Fallout fan, or you’re here for my Samurai Jack fanfic, Renegade Samurai. That is still ongoing, it’s just I took a small break from that to start this. If you visited my tumblr @psychicdan, you’ll see I am a massive Fallout fan. I mostly like Fallout 4, but I completed 1, tried 2, have been playing 3, and after that hope to play New Vegas. It’s just that each is so long, and 4 has the most up to date mods and gameplay, so I keep going back to it! Well, I own all on PC, so there’s that. This was partly inspired by the plot of Fallout Tactics. Seriously, how did they confuse the Brotherhood of Steel’s origins anyways? They never came from a Vault. Anyway, they will be here in a way that ties into Fallout 4, and there will be a few factions in the new region I called No Man’s Land. Also, complete coincidence Richard Paxton is similar to Fallout lore BOS founder Richard Maxson, that was not intentional, but I don’t plan to change it since only the name is similar, and I honestly wracked my brain for that one. Now, I am devoted to Renegade Samurai updates, so this will probably only get updated at a slower rate, sorry. Hope you enjoy it!

#fallout #fanfic #no man's land #chapter

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psychicdan · 7 years

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After the Great War left the United States an atomic wastland, one Vault, Vault 120, opens up after 211 years. A Vault with the focus of building up a new military, 1st Lieutenant Richard Paxton and his small platoon head out into the wastland known as No Man's Land to begin Operation: Reclaim the American Dream.

Fallout: No Man’s Land

Rating M for graphic depictions, language, violence and suggestive themes

Chapter I: Begin Operation

…

#fallout #fanfic #no man's land #chapter

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