#Jael my beloved

[mothric]

about to say something super cringe but know I'm fully aware it's cringe and therefore I'm impervious to shame

Christianity is more fun when u think of Bible characters as blorbos from ur books

[givemearmstopraywith]

Joan of Arc study

Last year, I led a small digitial “retreat/study” on Joan of Arc via my Kofi- while my Kofi is no longer running (difficult to keep on top of because of other work obligations), I thought that in honour of her feast day I would make it publicly available. All of the text and resources used are under the cut- you can do this at your own pace, with one topic per week, or any other way you like. It’s to generate personal reflection on gender and one’s relationship to God, and is designed to be completely non-denomination, meaning that while it does use Bible readings, even if you are not a Catholic or a Christian, it should be able to stimulate some thought and reflection without having a definite religious slant. 

The topics covered are:

Joan the Warrior 

Joan the Androgyne 

Joan the Prophet and Mystic 

Joan the Disciple 

Below the cut you’ll find all of the readings and bonus content for each topic, and at the end are “notes,” a short informal essay consolidating what I’m hoping to share through this study. But I highly encourage you to do your own reflection, be it through journalling, prayer, mediation, or whatever form of self-reflection suits you best, and try to decide what the readings- and Joan herself- says to you.

Ultimately, I hope what you’ll discover through this "retreat" is that our gender identity makes us warriors, prophets, mystics, and disciples- that existing between the binaries imposed on us by patriarchy allows us to draw closer to the strange and wonderful place where God exists. 

WEEK 1: Exploring God and Gender with Joan of Arc- Joan the Warrior (readings)

This study pre-supposes that you already have some background on Jehanne and her life- nothing too in-depth, and we'll get into some of the finer points of her life that aren't as popularly known throughout this study. If you'd like more information, I highly recommend Helen Castor's biography and Regine Pernoud's Joan of Arc By Herself and Her Witnesses. 

I've mentioned that this is a non-denominational study. What does this mean? Mainly it means that while scripture provides the backbone of a lot of our reading, I don't want us to treat scripture in a Christian context. Rather, I want to treat it primarily as a literary text, and rather than engaging with it as a "Bible study" or theological undertaking, I want to challenge us to read this without any preconceived notions of what it means in a religious context. Rather, read it the way you'd read a novel or short story. How does it make you feel? What themes, motifs, metaphors, allegories, or other literary techniques are employed? What is the text trying to say? 

Read: 

Judges 4-8: Deborah, Jael, and Gideon

Christine di Pizan's Joan of Arc

excerpts from Jehanne's trial: Joan's Tools

(If you want to read all of Jehanne's trial transcripts, you can do so here- I'll be providing more excerpts over the upcoming weeks, but we won't be reading it in full, so I highly encourage you to read the full transcript on your own if you'd like.)

Consider: 

What tools does God give to Deborah and Gideon? Are those tools always weapons? Do they always require public acknowledgement, like Deborah’s tent peg? What tools has God given you? What similarities do you see between the Bible study and Joan? How does Christine di Pizan portray Jehanne in her poem? Is there a similarity between di Pizan's portrayal and the portrayal of the Biblical judges? 

Extras:

have a listen of Veni Creator Spiritus- this Latin chant was said to have been sung before every battle by the French army when Jehanne arrived at Orléans on 29 April 1429, legend has it that a choir of priests went before her signing this hymn. 

shameless self-plug of my own but much beloved Joan of Arc Spotify playlist 

WEEK 2: Exploring God and Gender with Joan of Arc- Joan the Androgyne (readings)

Read:

Judith 8-9

Marina Warner's Joan of Arc: The Image of Female Heroism, Chapter 7: Ideal Androgyne

excerpt's from Jehanne's trial: Jehanne and her gender presentation

Consider:

Last week we considered the tools God gave figures like Jehanne, Gideon, and Deborah. How does Jehanne's gender function as a tool? How does Jehanne view her relationship to gender based on her testimony? How does the idea of her as an androgyne, as opposed to a warrior woman or girl, change your idea of her as a historic figure? How does Jehanne's gender presentation compare to that of Judith?

Extras:

If you haven't seen it already, Carl Dreyer's 1928 masterpiece The Passion of Joan of Arc is available to watch for free on Internet Archive. It is a fascinating, moving, and exceptional portrayal of Jehanne's trial, arguably the best, and it's lead actress Renee Falconetti beautifully captures the idea of Jehanne as the androgyne.

WEEK 2: Exploring God and Gender with Joan of Arc- Joan the Prophet and Mystic

Read:

the Book of Jonah

“Joan of Arc and Female Mysticism” by Anne Llewellyn Barstow

Joan of Arc and her voices

Consider:

Does Jehanne know she is a mystic, a saint, a prophet? What relationship is there between Jehanne's gender and her prophecy? Is Jehanne a true mystic? Why or why not?

WEEK 4: Joan the Disciple

Read:

Luke 8

2 Clement- all if you wish, or just Chapter 12

skim the complete transcript of Jehanne's trial, paying attention to the final day (starting at page 358)

Consider:

Pay special attention to Luke 8: 16-19. How does this apply to Jehanne? More specifically, how does this apply to how she presents her gender. Much criticism in her trial is centered on how she does or does not properly conform to gender. How do these verses, and those in 2 Clement, apply to Jehanne and her treatment by the church?

Bonus:

Jehanne's letters, which are a fascinating look at her voice

Mark Twain's Personal Recollections of Joan of Arc is free to read

Notes:

On April 30, 1429, Joan of Arc- who styled herself Jehanne la Pucelle, or Jehanne the maid- arrived at the French city of Orléans to free it from English control. Orléans had been under siege since October of the previous year: it's commander and French army were exhausted and contemplating surrender.

Enter Jehanne. The story is famous: aged sixteen, she heard the voices of saints and angels commanding her to free France from the English, lift the siege of Orléans, and crown the Dauphin. Remarkably, she succeeded, before being condemned to the stake for heresy by the Church. Her feast day in 30 May.

In our study about Jehanne, we've read portions of Judges. Judges cover a period in Israelite history prior to the establishment of the monarchy of which the famous Davidic monarchy was part. This is a period which roughly corresponds to the historic period 1400–1000 B.C., just after the settlement of Canaan after the Egyptian diaspora, when the Hebrew settlers were living among foreign, polytheistic tribes like the Philistines, who are a major antagonist throughout the narrative. Judges is considered one of the oldest books in the Hebrew bible, with the Song of Deborah- Judges 5- being one of the oldest portions. It documents a tumultuous and frequently violently history marked by agronomic destruction of a society attempting to rebuild after four centuries of indentured servitude to a foreign power, and a struggle to maintain the monotheistic practices which developed in the wake of their diaspora- the Levitical priesthood which we now know as Judaism.

There's a similarity between this era of Israelite history and that which would have been experienced by Jehanne at the time of her call. Jehanne was born in 1412 a working-class peasant girl from Domrémy in the Lorraine region of France. This location was almost directly on the border between French-held lands and those which had been invaded by the English during the course of the Hundred Years' War, which had already been going on since 1337. She was around thirteen years old when she first heard what she described as "voices," in 1425; it was the year that war is first documented to have begun directly affecting her home region, with raids by English or English-back French mercenaries taking place near Domrémy in 1425 and 1428. In once incident the village's cattle were stolen, and in another the town was set on fire and crops destroyed. It isn't difficult to see a similarity between what Jehanne may have felt about her circumstances and that of Gideon:

Gideon answered him, “But sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? (Judges 6:13)

In the midst of this, Jehanne experienced her first vision- in her father's garden, a voice she identified as Saint Michael the Archangel (a high-ranking angel figure known as the protector of the Jewish nation and later of Christians).

By 1428, Jehanne had apparently begun to formulate what she was being asked to do by her voices, whom she had by then identified as Saint Catherine and Saint Margaret- two early Christian martyrs- in addition to Saint Michael. After being accused of breaking an engagement (a case dismissed by the ecclesiastical court at Tours, but which rather darkly foreshadows the way in which her later trial and execution would inherently punish a wayward "woman"), she became convinced that her voices were telling her to leave Domrémy to aid the Dauphin. It was a remarkable undertaking for a sixteen-year-old peasant girl, illiterate, who had never left her home village. By February of 1428, she had convinced a local nobleman to support her and conduct her to the Dauphin's seat at Chinon. It was at this time that she began to wear men's clothing- an outfit which was provided to her by the local townspeople, and rather famously consisted of a pair of breeches which tied to her jerkin, a costume which made her almost- but not entirely- invulnerable to rape. Like Deborah and Jael, she was endangering herself by entering a world that was dominated by men, and her choice of clothing is evidence of this.

And like the judges we have read about, Jehanne was called from her home village in a period of turmoil to perform what she saw as a sacred duty, something which God had commanded her to do. Like Deborah, she was something of a prophet: she knew that she would see the Dauphin crowned king of France:

And she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the road on which you are going will not lead to your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” (Judges 4:9)

And, like Gideon, she was a working-class farmer called on to lead an army.

He responded, “But sir, how can I deliver Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike down the Midianites, every one of them.” (Judges 6:15-16)

I think these similarities are all the more important this week, as we face the destruction of reproductive rights under Roe vs. Wade and the ongoing victimization of victims of domestic violence. Too frequently Biblical womanhood is cited as an excuse to strip people who are not cishet men of their destiny- to relinquish them to a common denominator, a life of submission and servitude. But what Judges shows us is that God’s call does not discriminate between bodies or genders. A person’s place in the world is wherever God calls them to go. We are allowed to ask for God’s reassurance of his call, but we must remember that if God calls us, he trusts us. We must trust him, and trust ourselves as he justifies us. God’s purpose supersedes the binaries and restraints imposed on us by the world.

Too often we equate "warriorhood" with masculinity, dominance, and activeness. Among Christians the epitome of being a warrior is archetypically defined as avenging angels and violent crusaders, many of whom committed gross atrocities and whose actions characterize a far-right movement of alleged "God-fearing" men who believe in their divine right to power on account of their maleness. Gross and extreme conservatism characterizes much of the front-facing presence of Christianity, it is this fundamentalism which we now see strongly affects political process. But God does not pick warriors from the strongest of his believers. David was the youngest son of Jesse. Gideon too. Deborah and Jael were women. God's warriors are those who listen to him: their strength lies in their difference. Consider how you are a warrior- not how you can be one, but how you already are one. Your God-given difference is your destiny: what makes you strong and extraordinary. How does your difference make you a warrior?

Last summer, I took a course on understanding scripture through how it is depicted in art. One week was completely devoted to paintings of Judith and Deborah, and we were assigned to read portions of both Judges and Judith. Funnily enough, we all struggled to tell the difference between depictions of the two women. Unlike Judges, the book of Judith is considered deuterocanonical, and it is not included in the Protestant canon: this could be part of why paintings of Judith and Deborah are frequently confused. But you can always tell the difference between the two in a very simple way. If it’s a woman beheading a man, it’s Judith. If it’s a woman with a hammer, it’s Deborah.

Both depictions of these warrior-prophet-women are marked by the violence of the acts they carry out at God’s call. They are associated heavily with the weapons with which they carry those acts out. It’s a very different image of women than we often associate with Biblical womanhood. Biblical womanhood is frequently associated with attributes like mildness, compliance, domesticity, motherhood, and submission. Biblical and traditional womanhood have become synonymous and conservative. It is heavily binarized, and placed firmly below dominant patriarchal structures.

Yet this view of “Biblical womanhood” doesn’t really hold up to the women we have encountered in the Bible- and it doesn’t hold up with our understanding of Jehanne. A question I want us to ponder this week is what actually constitutes Biblical womanhood? It’s a question that’s going to follow us as we continue this month-long study. Jehanne was condemned to death on account of not being a “real” woman. She was fully equipped to carry out what God asked of her, but she was still condemned for not being the "right" kind of person for her gender presentation.

I would argue that part of her equipment was the fact that she was someone who existed between genders, neither male nor female. But Jehanne was also both male and female. We have words for this now- nonbinary, gender non-conforming, transgender, and many others- but I don't think they help us much when we try and understand the complexity of gender in a time when gender was binary. Yet Jehanne shows evidence that she understood her gender as being other. Her trial transcripts reveal that she attributed no real gender alignment to herself or her presentation: her clothes were chosen for practicality, and that was necessary to fulfill the destiny which she felt had been given her.

How does our gender and our gender presentation function as a tool for our god-given purpose? For many people gender presentation is a tool that helps them to feel more comfortable in their own bodies, to convey to the world who they are. It is a tool that can heal one's relationship to their gender. Our purpose, our fate for which we are given "tools" does not have to be as grand as saving France or the world: it can simply be something intended to save ourselves. Sometimes saving oneself is the greatest mission God gave us- something we are given through his deep love for us.

[pinkfey]

OC TAG GAME ｡*･♡;

i was tagged by the lovely @noonfaerie to categorize some ocs + use this picrew; tysm ambie!! 💕💕

♡ FAVORITE OC.

ursula — baldur’s gate 3

my three favorite ocs always alternate between ursula, thea, and audra, but as of right now i’ve really been on an ursa kick!! probably my most universally beloved oc as well?? u guys already know everything abt her—a sailor, a tyrant, a lesson in pride, and the rest!!!!! her backstory makes my soul ache and i just love her sm celebrate pride this year by driving ur gf to her death just like ursula !! 🌈 🌈

♡ NEWEST OC.

lacie lane — infamous (if)

my gorgeous gorgeous girl!! my cocky ex gf!!!! my problematic lead singer!!!!!! u guys know the gist. what can be said abt lacie other than she’s toxic and beautiful and not as in control as she thinks. i’m really eager to see infamous develop so i can think of some juicy lacie/seven content bc as of right now i’ve been in a creative drought 😔

♡ OLDEST OC.

rowena cousland — dragon age: origins

so rowena is technically my second oldest oc (the honor of first belongs to silla 💕) but i’m listing her instead of silla because her story and personality has been consistent for the past ten years whereas silla has evolved!! rowena is proud, stubborn, and clever as the devil—and each of these traits have been both flaw and merit. her relationship with alistair is complex and tragic but mended with a bit of time.

♡ MEANEST OC.

kinasi irress — star wars

honestly ursula and jael were both strong competitors for most cruel oc, but kina takes the cake because, unlike the other two who cultivated strong affinities/bonds in their youth, kinasi has never known kindness. for over thirty years she lived in an environment of fear, hatred, and isolation. all she knew was the vie for power and all she knew was punishment if she failed the social climb. in a world of every-man-for-himself and please-your-master-or-fall-from-grace, community-centric skills such as teamwork, generosity, and emotional support were nonexistent, and so she never developed them. to be “mean,” which is putting it lightly, was just their nature. dog eat dog. need against need.

♡ SOFTEST OC.

ellery lux — pillars of eternity

the sweetest weirdo who ever lived!! ellery is a druid who, after being separated from her parents, raised herself in the forest with no one but the creatures and sun-dappled greenery for company. everything she learned, she learned from the woods—tenderness a kind of virtue no human could have taught her. she’s decisive and gentle and accepting and doesn’t care for social conventions in the slightest AND!!! i love her so much 🌿🦌🤍

♡ MOST ALOOF/STANDOFFISH OC.

salylia dreneri — the elder scrolls: morrowind

she doesn’t mean to be this way, but she’s a stranger in a strange land and her former partner just framed her and there’s some freak talking to her in her head and she can’t help but put herself at a distance from everyone !! though she was always the cool, quiet one—tennebrae did most of the talking.

♡ DUMBEST (AFFECTIONATE) OC.

bright — dungeons & dragons

her true name eaki, bright was given to a halfling village deep in the bramblewood when she was just an infant. an odd combination, tiefling and halflings, but they understood social scorn and ostracization and accepted her completely. when her adoptive sibling fell mysteriously ill, bright, at the behest of the village herbalist, sought out an ancient forest entity, and struck a deal—the life of her sibling (and many boons) in exchange for a favor when the time comes. all this being said, she is not the wisest warlock around. bright is bright for her charm and silliness, not her brains.

♡ SMARTEST OC.

jael khatri — pathfinder: wrath of the righteous

this was another tough one between jael and cath, but jael won because she’s, in the most reductive of terms, a sexy evil experimentalist!! everyone already knows everything abt jael and how her cruelty is clinical and her wit is sharp as a knife from when i first played pwotr last year but i’ll never stop being obsessed with her!!!

♡ OC YOU’D BE BEST FRIENDS WITH IRL.

corintha trevelyan — dragon age: inquisition

this isn’t because i think i’d get along with her best (i think that would be emika or honey??) but because i love a DELUSIONAL girlie. i’d kill to pick her brain fhdjfnfnfbd

tagging!! @malefiicarum @rosebarsoap @lvllns @devilbrakers @bunfey @saintjudegf @ladysanjo @statichvm @aartyom @celticwoman @shadowglens @druidgroves @mrs-theirin @necroticpetals @minaharkers @dantesparda @umbertors @nuclearstorms @liurnia @jillvalcntines @risingsh0t @brujah @solasan and you!!!!!!

[aimportantdragoncollector]

For the ask game, please! Hand Jumper AU where Samin is an officer and Sayeon might technically be a criminal.

Role reversal AUs my beloved:

As per gentry's theory: Sara Lee tried to kill Sayeon as a child because their family usually develops powers early, so she suspected Sayeon was not an aberrant. A corps officer saved Sayeon, then took in both children. Samin came to admire the corps for saving her sister. More pragmatically, Samin feared her little sister would not be safe among an aberrant gang.

The sisters have a great relationship in this AU. Sayeon adores her big sis and wants to defend the law just like her someday. Also Sayeon is fine with being an aberrant or not in this AU, because she does not have prejudice against aberrants and she would be happy to join the corps with her sister.

Sayeon accidentally entered the room right before Evil White Haired Lady was about to kill Jael. Picking up a chair, Sayeon hit her over the head. Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Sayeon activated her hidden powers and drained the corps officer, killing her. (Sayeon maintains this was only "technically" a crime because it was self-defense. Also there is no law saying that corps officers are allowed to murder random kids. Sayeon studied the law and she would know!)

However Sayeon and Jael realize that they will not get to make their self-defense case in court. They have uncovered the dark secret of the corps, that they drain young aberrants and kill them to make themselves stronger. This being secret and illegal only means the corps would kill them both to cover it up. Sayeon doesn't want to get her older sister in trouble, so she and Jael flee together.

Fortunately Samin quickly tracks them down and takes them to safehouse with some of her friends on the wrong side of the law. After joining the corps, Samin saw their dark side. She's been working to change the corps from the inside but also making connections on the outside in case it goes wrong. Her top priority is ensuring the safety of her little sister.

[littleladymab]

FebruarOC - Xochitl

OOOHHHHHH SUSHI MY BELOVED!!!!!! She is my character for our Werewolf game (which we're playing TOMORROW) it had been on hold for four solid years due to pandemic (we play (mostly) in person) and life/job stuff, but we finally got to start playing again on NYE! Nothing like sounding in the new year trying to remember a game you haven't played in four years ;;;; 

(It was fine I killed something in one hit) 

Xochitl is the 5'3" alpha of her pack and team dad (her beta, Rory, huge 6'something, is team mom). One of the first notes I made for her was that her fighting style is: (ง •̀_•́)ง !!! and a little bit of (*｀ω´)/――――― ●)´Дﾟ) I was nervous about picking up the role of alpha originally, but I made the choice after figuring that no one else would probably do it (and I was right lol) in the end, I'm really glad! I've had a lot of fun, and she's the right amount of impulsive (it is one of her flaws) to carry them forward, and I'm the right amount of "I can't stand awkward silences at the table" to keep conversations going. Whoops. 

She's from the Fiana tribe, though she's got a Hispanic name because of her father (Who was a Shadow Lord of Spaniard descent who left his tribe when he fell in love with Jael lmao), and she gets along most with her father who is also an Ahroun (meaning they're real good at fighting). Her mom had another child in a first... not marriage? I don't think they got married, but she had another child before she married Arturo and had Xochitl, but Xochitl never knew her sibling that well as they disappeared and presumed dead when she was still very young. 

And by presumed I mean they actually did die, but they're back now! Hah hah! And working for the Autumn King, which, you know, isn't a real thing, so totally normal and okay and nothing wrong here, amiright???? 

Well, We're going to find out tomorrow, because we're totally going to finally kill the autumn king and save Zeke's mom and ????? something Xochitl's sibling. 

the nickname Sushi comes from when the pack went to a bar and we met a group of Fae for the first time -- we were all being super paranoid about the Fae and you KNOW you're not supposed to give them your real name, except that Grace (the GM) said one of them was FC as Janelle Monae and I made some sort of involuntary sound and Grace asked "was that you or Xochitl?" and I went "(makes ionno sound)". But in her all her awkward grace, Xochitl introduces herself as 'Sushi'.

And then Ashanti (Janelle Monae) just won't stop rolling 10's when interacting with Xochitl and becomes instantly SMITTEN which now means that Xochitl is dating a really powerful fae lord of the winter court! And she's promised to bring back the head of the false king for her girlfriend! I'm so normal about them. 

AND! ONCE THEY GET BACK FROM AUTUMN! There's something in the sewers that has been encroaching upon Rat territory, and well it's not like Xochitl and Remy are a thing, but also, Xochitl has two hands and I wouldn't be mad if she and Remy flirt a little hehe BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, She's been keeping in touch with Remy (who is also team tattoo) about the goings on, and at the moment the ratkin have it under control, but Xochitl is gonna help investigate and deal with it later. 

Now, generally, the pack is an investigation agency called City's Eyes! through a few different series of events during their investigations, everyone did get a gold lightning-scar tattoo on their body (hence the Team Tattoo) -- this marked them all as chosen by these lost totems, and so one of our big quests was to go and save all these lost totems! Xochitl switched from Clashing Boom Boom to Quetzalcoatl as a result, which is like, her learning some responsibility and really taking ownership of being a leader and not just going about it as pell-mell as she had been. 

She has been one of my favorite characters to play, and even with our 4 year gap, the one that I've played the longest (we've been playing since like 2018). It's so easy to slip back into her! And even tho she no longer has her chaos twin that was Theane, she now has another Ahroun in Tali who is also more Mature(TM) than Theane was and I think that'll help keep Xochitl on the right track! Especially because right now she's distressed because her estranged "I thought you were dead but now you're working for someone who is legitimately insane and you're going mad but occasionally you remember who I am to you and try to warn me" sibling is there and she REALLY wants this king's head to give to Ashanti. She only just met Tali but insofar feels like she can rely on her! And of course, she can always rely on Rory and Theo to help protect the others. 

Now, forgive me, I have a lot of playlists and a lot of pinboards for her, so I'll end with all of those! I've also uploaded her character sheet and her profile for free to patreon (which includes her gifts and weapons). Please know that when I roll to hit, I'm rolling a minimum of 9 dice, and then if I hit, WOAH BUDDY. What a satisfying sound!! 

Pinboards: 

Xochitl's Board 

Xochitl and Ashanti's Board 

"We went to a fancy party and all I got was second place in a tournament and also this fancy pinboard of outfit inspo"

Playlists: 

Xochitl's character playlist 

Xochitl's "Workout" playlist 

Rowan's playlist (Xochitl's sibling) 

City's Eyes playlist 

Xochitl and Ashanti playlist (ver1)

Xochitl and Ashanti playlist (bodyguard AU edition)

I told you: normal. 

Wish us luck storming the castle and killing the false king of autumn!!! 

[thyfavouritegay]

WARNING: Dead End:Paranormal Park Season 2 Spoilers

they really added injury to insult by KILLING PUGSLEY after making Badyah STRAIGHT, huh?

first they give us straight Badyah! Badyah! straight! scoff! how dare! (a little bit fucked up by trying to give us a canon straightie)

then they KILL PUGSLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you were to google if the dog dies, the answer would be yes!!!! why!!!!!!!!!

truly, truly, tragic...

and now, in no particular order, a list of other Things to mention:

we got to see Temeluchus again! looks like he’s doing well :D

The Fact that “Plenty of Flesh” exists????????? what is it????? is it for people willing to become vessels for possession????? why didn’t Temeluchus use it the first time????? is it actually just “Plenty of Fish” but Temeluchus misread it and the guy thought he was going on a date when he got possessed?????????????????????

Barney died AGAIN. AGAIN!!!! give this man a break!!!

bisexual queen Norma yes

THEY’VE BEEN FORESHADOWING THE TIME TRAVEL STUFF IN THE LAST EPISODE SINCE THE VERY SECOND EPISODE????????? damn

. pugsley as the watcher has fingers. not as in he has fingers as a mentor but like. look at those hands. those are fingers asf. wtf. that’s terrifying. he is a dog.

GOD IS CANON AND HIS NAME IS JAEL?????????????!?!!?!? FINGERS WAS HIS ARM????? GOD CUT OFF HIS OWN ARM WHO WAS FINGERS?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

logs my beloved you need a break as well as your bf

THEY ARE CANON BOYFRIENDS BTW! WIN FOR THE GAYS!

gord

zagan

zagan’s lame boyfriend

evil norma

evil barney but particularly when talking to logs (so. fucking. funny. (/gen))

eyebags as visual representation for barney wanting to die (or. stay dead.)

barney was a cute kid

harmony/harm many is back /neg (i dislike this man)

fingers is dead tho which is good because eughhhhh nonono

[renaissanceclassics]

The Pilgrim's Progress: Part 19

Listen to: Book 2, 5th stage, at Renaissance Classics Podcast.

Now when they had eaten and drank, and had chatted a little longer, their guide said to them, "The day wears away; if you think good, let us prepare to be going." So they got up to go, and the little boys went before; but CHRISTIANA forgot to take her bottle of spirits with her, so she sent her little boy back to fetch it. Then said MERCY, "I think this is a losing place. Here CHRISTIAN lost his roll; and here CHRISTIANA left her bottle behind her: Sir, what is the cause of this?" So their guide made answer and said, "The cause is sleep or forgetfulness: some sleep when they should keep awake; and some forget when they should remember; and this is the very cause why often, at the resting places, some pilgrims in some things come off losers. Pilgrims should watch, and remember what they have already received under their greatest enjoyments; but for want of doing so, oft times their rejoicing ends in tears, and their sunshine in a cloud: witness the story of CHRISTIAN at this place."

When they were come to the place where MISTRUST and TIMOROUS met CHRISTIAN to persuade him to go back for fear of the lions, they perceived as it were a stage; and before it, towards the road, a broad plate, with a copy of verses written thereon, and underneath, the reason of raising up of that stage in that place rendered. The verses were these:

"Let him that sees this stage take heed Unto his heart and tongue; Lest, if he do not, here he speed As some have long agone."

The words underneath the verses were, "This stage was built to punish such upon, who, through timorousness or mistrust, shall be afraid to go farther on pilgrimage. Also on this stage both MISTRUST and TIMOROUS were burned through the tongue with a hot iron, for endeavouring to hinder CHRISTIAN in his journey." Then said MERCY, "This is much like to the saying of the Beloved, 'What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper'".

"What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper." ~ Psalms 120:4 ~

Grim So they went on till they came within sight of the lions. Now Mr. GREAT-HEART was a strong man, so he was not afraid of a lion; but yet when they were come up to the place where the lions were, the boys that went before were glad to cringe behind, for they were afraid of the lions: so they stepped back and went behind. At this their guide smiled, and said, "How now, my boys, do you love to go before when no danger doth approach; and love to come behind as soon as the lions appear?" Now as they went up, Mr. GREAT-HEART drew his sword, with intent to make a way for the pilgrims in spite of the lions. Then there appeared one that it seems had taken upon him to back the lions. And he said to the pilgrim's guide. "What is the cause of your coming hither?" Now the name of that man was GRIM, or BLOODY-MAN, because of his slaying of pilgrims; and he was of the race of the giants. Great-heart. Then said the pilgrims' guide, "These women and children are going on pilgrimage; and this is the way they must go: and go it they shall, in spite of thee and the lions ." Grim. This is not their way; neither shall they go therein. I am come forth to withstand them; and to that end will back the lions. Now to say truth, by reason of the fierceness of the lions, and of the grim carriage of him that did back them, this way had of late lain much unoccupied, and was almost all grown over with grass. Christiana: Then said CHRISTIANA, "Though the highways have been unoccupied heretofore, and though the travellers have been made in time past to walk through bypaths, it must not be so now I am risen: 'Now I am risen a mother in Israel'".

"In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways. The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel." ~ Judges 5:6, 7 ~

Grim. Then he swore by the lions but it should; and therefore bade them turn aside, for they should not have passage there. But GREAT-HEART their guide made first his approach unto GRIM; and laid so heavily at him with his sword, that he forced him to a retreat. Grim. Then said he that attempted to back the lions, "Will you slay me upon mine own ground?" Great-heart. "'Tis the King's highway that we are in, and in his way it is that thou hast placed thy lions; but these women and these children, though weak, shall hold on their way in spite of thy lions." And with that he gave him again a downright blow, and brought him upon his knees. With this blow he also broke his helmet; and with the next he cut off an arm. Then did the giant roar so hideously, that his voice frightened the women; and yet they were glad to see him lie sprawling upon the ground. Now the lions were chained, and so of themselves could do nothing. Wherefore, when old GRIM that intended to back them was dead, Mr. GREAT-HEART said to the pilgrims, "Come now, and follow me, and no hurt shall happen to you from the lions." They therefore went on; but the women trembled as they passed by them, the boys also looked as if they would die; but they all got by without further hurt. Welcomed to the House Called "Beautiful" Now then, they were within sight of the porter's lodge, and they soon came up unto it; but they made the more haste after this to go thither, because 'tis dangerous travelling there in the night. So, when they were come to the gate, the guide knocked; and the porter cried, "Who is there?" But as soon as the guide had said, "It is I," he knew his voice, and came down; for the guide had oft before that come thither as a conductor of pilgrims. When he was come down, he opened the gate, and seeing the guide standing just before it (for he saw not the women, for they were behind him), he said unto him, "How now, Mr. GREAT-HEART; what is your business here so late tonight?" "I have brought," said he, "some pilgrims hither, where, by my Lord's commandment, they must lodge. I had been here some time ago, and I had not been opposed by the giant that did use to back the lions. But I, after a long and tedious combat with him, have cut him off, and have brought the pilgrims hither in safety." Porter. Will you not go in, and stay till morning? Great-heart. No, I will return to my Lord tonight. Christiana: Oh, sir, I know not how to be willing you should leave us in our pilgrimage: you have been so faithful and so loving to us; you have fought so stoutly for us; you have been so hearty in counselling of us--that I shall never forget your favour toward us. Mercy. Then said MERCY, "Oh that we might have thy company to our journey's end! How can such poor women as we hold out in a way so full of troubles as this way is without a friend and defender?" James. Then said JAMES, the youngest of the boys, "Pray, sir, be persuaded to go with us, and help us; because we are so weak, and the way so dangerous as it is." Great-heart. I am at my Lord's commandment. If he shall allot me to be your guide quite through, I will willingly wait upon you: but here you failed at first; for when he bade me come thus far with you, then you should have begged me of him to have gone quite through with you; and he would have granted your request. However, at present I must withdraw; and so, good CHRISTIANA, MERCY, and my brave children, adieu! Then the porter, Mr. WATCHFUL, asked CHRISTIANA of her country and of her kindred; and she said, "I came from the city of Destruction; I am a widow woman; and my husband is dead; his name was CHRISTIAN the pilgrim." "How?" said the porter, "was he your husband?" "Yes," said she, "and these are his children; and this" (pointing to MERCY) "is one of my townswomen." Then the porter rang the bell, as at such times he is wont; and there came to the door one of the damsels, whose name was HUMBLE-MIND. And to her the porter said, "Go, tell it within that CHRISTIANA, the wife of CHRISTIAN, and her children, are come hither on pilgrimage." She went in, therefore, and told it. But oh, what a noise for gladness was there within when the damsel did but drop that word out of her mouth ! So they came with haste to the porter; for CHRISTIANA stood still at the door. Then some of the most grave said unto her, "Come in, CHRISTIANA: come in, thou wife of that good man; come in, thou blessed woman; come in, with all who are with thee." So she went in; and they followed her that were her children and her companions. Now when they were gone in, they were had into a very large room, where they were bidden to sit down; so they sat down, and the chief of the house was called to see and welcome the guests. Then they came in; and, understanding who they were, did salute each other with a kiss, and said, "Welcome, ye vessels of the grace of God; welcome to us your friends!"

Now, because it was somewhat late, and because the pilgrims were weary with their journey, and also made faint with the sight of the fight and of the terrible lions, therefore they desired, as soon as might be, to prepare to go to rest. "Nay," said those of the family, "refresh yourselves first with a morsel of meat." For they had prepared for them a lamb, with the accustomed sauce belonging thereto;

"Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house:" ~ Exodus 12:3 ~ "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." ~ John 1:29 ~

for the porter had heard before of their coming, and had told it to them within. So when they had supped, and ended their prayer with a psalm, they desired they might go to rest. "But let us," said CHRISTIANA, "if we may be so bold as to choose, be in that chamber that was my husband's when he was here." So they had them up thither, and they lay all in a room. When they were at rest, CHRISTIANA and MERCY entered into discourse about things that were convenient. Christiana: Little did I think once, that when my husband went on pilgrimage, I should ever have followed. Mercy. And you as little thought of lying in his bed, and in his chamber to rest, as you do now. Christiana: And much less did I ever think of seeing his face with comfort, and of worshipping the Lord the King with him; and yet now I believe I shall. Mercy. Hark, don't you hear a noise? Christiana: Yes, 'tis, as I believe a noise of music, for joy that we are here. Mercy. Wonderful! Music in the house; music in the heart; and music also in heaven--for joy that we are here. Mercy's Dream Thus they talked awhile, and then betook themselves to sleep. So in the morning, when they were awake, CHRISTIANA said to MERCY, Christiana: What was the matter, that you did laugh in your sleep tonight? I suppose you were in a dream. Mercy. So I was, and a sweet dream it was: but are you sure I laughed? Christiana: Yes, you laughed heartily; but prithee, MERCY, tell me thy dream. Mercy. I was a dreaming that I sat all alone in a solitary place, and was bemoaning the hardness of my heart. Now I had not sat there long, but methought many were gathered about me to see me, and to hear what it was that I said. So they hearkened; and I went on bemoaning the hardness of my heart. At this, some of them laughed at me; some called me fool; and some began to thrust me about. With that methought I looked up, and saw one coming with wings towards me. So he came directly to me, and said, "MERCY, what aileth thee?" Now when he had heard me make my complaint, he said, "Peace be to thee!" He also wiped mine eyes with his handkerchief, and clad me in silver and gold; he put a chain about my neck; and earrings in mine ears; and a beautiful crown upon my head.

"Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine. Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil. I clothed thee also with broidered work, and shod thee with badgers' skin, and I girded thee about with fine linen, and I covered thee with silk. decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thy hands, and a chain on thy neck." ~ Ezekiel 16:8-11 ~

Then he took me by the hand, and said, "MERCY, come after me." So he went up, and I followed, till we came at a golden gate. Then he knocked; and when they within had opened, the man went in, and I followed him up to a throne, upon which One sat, and he said to me, "Welcome, daughter!" The place looked bright and twinkling like the stars, or rather like the sun; and I thought that I saw your husband there. So I awoke from my dream: but did I laugh? Christiana: Laugh! Aye, and well you might, to see yourself so well. For you must give me leave to tell you, that I believe it was a good dream, and that as you have begun to find the first part true, so you shall find the second at last. "God speaks once, yea, twice; yet man perceives it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, in slumbering upon the bed".

"For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;" ~ Job 33:14, 15 ~

We need not when a-bed lie awake to talk with God; he can visit us while we sleep, and cause us then to hear his voice. Our heart oft times wakes when we sleep; and God can speak to that, either by words, by proverbs, by signs and similitudes, as well as if one were awake. Mercy. Well, I am glad of my dream; for I hope ere long to see it fulfilled to the making of me laugh again. Christiana: I think it is now high time to rise, and to know what we must do. Mercy. Pray, if they invite us to stay awhile, let us willingly accept of the proffer. I am the more willing to stay awhile here, to grow better acquainted with these maids; methinks PRUDENCE, PIETY, and CHARITY, have very comely and sober countenances. Christiana: We shall see what they will do. So when they were up and ready, they came down. And they asked one another of their rest; and if it was comfortable or not. Mercy. "Very good," said MERCY; "it was one of the best night's lodging that ever I had in my life." Prudence Catechises the Boys Then said Prudence and Piety, "If you will be persuaded to stay here awhile, you shall have what the house will afford." Charity. "Aye, and that with a very good will," said CHARITY. So they consented, and stayed there about a month or above, and became very profitable one to another. And because PRUDENCE would see how CHRISTIANA had brought up her children, she asked leave of her to catechise them. So she gave her free consent. Then she began at the youngest, whose name was JAMES. Pru. And she said, "Come, JAMES, canst thou tell who made thee?" James. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Pru. Good boy. And canst thou tell who saves thee? James. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Pru. Good boy, still. But how doth God the Father save thee? James. By his grace. Pru. How doth God the Son save thee? James. By his righteousness, death, and blood, and life. Pru. And how doth God the Holy Ghost save thee? James. By his illumination; by his renovation; and by his preservation. Then said PRUDENCE to CHRISTIANA, "You are to commended for thus bringing up your children. I suppose I need not ask the rest these questions, since the youngest of them can answer them so well. I will therefore now apply myself to the youngest next." Pru. Then said she, "Come, JOSEPH" (for his name was Joseph), "will you let me catechise you?" Joseph. With all my heart. Pru. What is man? Jos. A reasonable creature, so saved by God, as my brother said. Pru. What is supposed by this word "saved?" Jos. That man by sin has brought himself into a state of captivity and misery. Pru. What is supposed by his being saved by the Trinity? Jos. That sin is so great and mighty a tyrant that none can pull us out of its clutches but God; and that God is so good and loving to man as to pull him indeed out of this miserable state. Pru. What is God's design in saving of poor men? Jos. The glorifying of his name, of his grace and justice, etc.; and the everlasting happiness of his creatures. Pru. Who are they that must be saved? Jos. Those that accept of his salvation. Pru. Good boy, JOSEPH; thy mother has taught thee well, and thou hast hearkened to what she has said unto thee. Then said PRUDENCE to SAMUEL, who was the eldest but one: Pru. Come, SAMUEL, are you willing that I should catechise you also? Samuel. Yes, forsooth, if you please. Pru. What is heaven? Sam. A place and state most blessed, because God dwells there. Pru. What is hell? Sam. A place and state most woeful; because it is the dwelling place of sin, the devil, and death. Pru. Why wouldest thou go to heaven? Sam. That I may see God, and serve him without weariness; that I may see Christ, and love him everlastingly; that I may have that fulness of the Holy Spirit in me, that I can by no means here enjoy. Pru. "A very good boy also, and one that has learned well." Then she addressed herself to the eldest, whose name was MATTHEW; and she said to him, "Come, MATTHEW, shall I also catechise you?" Matthew. With a very good will. Pru. I ask, then, if there was ever anything that had a being antecedent to, or before God? Mat. No, for God is eternal; nor is there anything, excepting himself, that had a being until the beginning of the first day: "For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is." Pru. What do you think of the Bible? Mat. It is the holy Word of God. Pru. Is there nothing written therein but what you understand? Mat. Yes, a great deal. Pru. What do you do when you meet with such places therein that you do not understand? Mat. I think God is wiser than I. I pray also that he will please to let me know all therein that he knows will be for my good. Pru. How believe you as touching the resurrection of the dead? Mat. I believe they shall rise the same that was buried; the same in nature, though not in corruption. And I believe this upon a double account: first, because God has promised it; secondly, because he is able to perform it. Then said PRUDENCE to the boys, "You must still hearken to your mother; for she can learn you more. You must also diligently give ear to what good talk you shall hear from others; for, for your sakes do they speak good things. Observe also, and that with carefulness, what the heavens and the earth do teach you; but especially be much in the meditation of that Book that was the cause of your father's becoming a pilgrim. I, for my part, my children, will teach you what I can while you are here; and shall be glad if you will ask me questions that tend to godly edifying." Mercy, Mr. Brisk and Husbands Now by that these pilgrims had been at this place a week, MERCY had a visitor that pretended some good will unto her, and his name was Mr. BRISK: a man of some breeding, and that pretended to religion; but a man that stuck very close to the world. So he came once or twice, or more, to MERCY, and offered love unto her. Now MERCY was of a fair countenance, and therefore the more alluring. Her mind also was, to be always busying of herself in doing; for when she had nothing to do for herself, she would be making of hose and garments for others, and would bestow them upon them that had need. And Mr. BRISK, not knowing where or how she disposed of what she made, seemed to be greatly taken for that he found her never idle. "I will warrant her a good housewife," quoth he to himself. MERCY then revealed the business to the maidens that were of the house, and inquired of them concerning him; for they did know him better than she. So they told her that he was a very busy young man, and one that pretended to religion; but was, as they feared, a stranger to the power of that which was good. "Nay, then," said MERCY, "I will look no more on him; for I purpose never to have a clog to my soul." PRUDENCE then replied, "That there needed no great matter of discouragement to be given to him; her continuing so as she had begun to do for the poor would quickly cool his courage." So the next time he came he found her at her old work, a-making of things for the poor. Then said he, "What, always at it?" "Yes," said she, "either for myself or for others." "And what canst thee earn a day?" quoth he. "I do these things," said she, "that I may be rich in good works; laying up in store a good foundation against the time to come, that I may lay hold on eternal life".

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." ~ 1 Timothy 6:17-19 ~

"Why, prithee, what dost thou with them?" "Clothe the naked," said she. With that his countenance fell. So he forbore to come at her again. And when he was asked the reason why, he said, "That MERCY was a pretty lass, but troubled with ill conditions." When he had left her, PRUDENCE said, "Did I not tell thee that Mr. BRISK would soon forsake thee? yea, he will raise up an ill report of thee; for notwithstanding his pretence to religion, and his seeming love to MERCY, yet MERCY and he are of tempers so different, that I believe they will never come together." Mercy. I might have had husbands afore now, though I spake not of it to any; but they were such as did not like my conditions, though never did any of them find fault with my person: so they and I could not agree. Pru. Mercy in our days is little set by, any further than as to its name; the practice which is set forth by thy conditions there are but few that can abide. Mercy. "Well," said MERCY, "if nobody will have me, I will die a maid; or my conditions shall be to me as a husband. For I cannot change my nature; and to have one that lies cross to me in this, that I purpose never to admit of as long as I live. I had a sister named BOUNTIFUL that was married to one of these churls; but he and she could never agree: but because my sister was resolved to do as she had begun, that is, to show kindness to the poor, therefore her husband first cried her down at the cross, and then turned her out of his doors." Pru. And yet he was a professor, I warrant you. Mercy. Yes, such a one as he was; and of such as he the world is now full: but I am for none of them all. Matthew's Sickness Now MATTHEW, the eldest son of CHRISTIANA, fell sick, and his sickness was sore upon him; for he was much pained in his bowels, so that he was with it at times pulled as 'twere both ends together. There dwelt also not far from thence one Mr. SKILL, an ancient and well approved physician. So CHRISTIANA desired it, and they sent for him and he came. When he was entered the room and had a little observed the boy, he concluded that he was sick of the gripes. Then he said to his mother, "What diet has MATTHEW of late fed upon?" "Diet!" said CHRISTIANA, "nothing but that which is wholesome." The physician answered, "This boy has been tampering with something that lies in his maw undigested; and that will not away without means. And I tell you he must be purged, or else he will die." Sam. Then said SAMUEL, "Mother, mother, what was that which my brother did gather up and eat so soon as we were come from the gate that is at the head of this way? You know that there was an orchard on the left hand, on the other side of the wall, and some of the trees hung over the wall, and my brother did pluck and did eat." Christiana: "True, my child," said CHRISTIANA, "he did take thereof and did eat, naughty boy, as he was; I did chide him, and yet he would eat thereof." Skill. I knew he had eaten something that was not wholesome food. And that food, to wit, that fruit, is even the most hurtful of all. It is the fruit of Beelzebub's orchard. I do marvel that none did warn you of it; many have died thereof. Christiana: Then CHRISTIANA began to cry, and she said, "Oh, naughty boy; and oh, careless mother: what shall I do for my son?" Skill. Come, do not be too much dejected; the boy may do well again; but he must purge and vomit. Christiana: Pray, sir, try the utmost of your skill with him, whatever it costs. Skill. "Nay, I hope I shall be reasonable." So he made him a purge, but it was too weak. 'Twas said it was made of the blood of a goat, the ashes of an heifer, and with some of the juice of hyssop, etc.

"For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins." ~ Hebrews 10:1-4 ~

When Mr. SKILL had seen that that purge was too weak, he made him one to the purpose. 'Twas made ex Carne et Sanguine Christi (you know physicians give strange medicines to their patients); and it was made up into pills with a promise or two, and a proportionable quantity of salt.

"Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me." ~ John 6:54-57 ~ "For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt." ~ Mark 9:49 ~

Now he was to take them three at a time, fasting, in half a quarter of a pint of the tears of repentance.

"How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" ~ Hebrews 9:14 ~ "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." ~ Zechariah 12:10 ~

When this potion was prepared and brought to the boy, he was loath to take it, though torn with the gripes as if he should be pulled in pieces. "Come, come," said the physician, "you must take it." "It goes against my stomach," said the boy. "I must have you take it," said his mother. "I shall vomit it up again," said the boy, "Pray, sir," said CHRISTIANA to Mr. SKILL, "how does it taste?" "It has no ill taste," said the doctor; and with that she touched one of the pills with the tip of her tongue. "Oh, MATTHEW!" said she, "this potion is sweeter than honey. If thou lovest thy mother, if thou lovest thy brothers, if thou lovest MERCY, if thou lovest thy life--take it." So with much ado, after a short prayer for the blessing of God upon it, he took it; and it wrought kindly with him. It caused him to purge; it caused him to sleep, and rest quietly; it put him into a fine heat and breathing sweat; and did quite rid him of his gripes. So in a little time he got up and walked about with a staff; and would go from room to room, and talk with PRUDENCE, PIETY, and CHARITY, of his distemper and how he was healed. Physic So when the boy was healed, CHRISTIANA asked Mr. SKILL, saying, "Sir, what will content you for your pains and care to and of my child?" And he said, "You must pay the master of the college of physicians, according to rules made in that case and provided.

"For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." ~ Hebrews 13:11-15 ~

Christiana: "But, sir," said she, "what else is this pill good for?" Skill. It is an universal pill: 'tis good against all the diseases that pilgrims are incident to; and when it is well prepared, it will keep good time out of mind. Christiana: Pray, sir, make me up twelve boxes of them; for if I can get these, I will never take other physic. Skill. "These pills are good to prevent diseases, as well as to cure when one is sick. Yea, I dare say it, and stand to it, that if a man will but use this physic as he should, it will make him live for ever.

"This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die." ~ John 6:50 ~

But, good CHRISTIANA, thou must give these pills no other way but as I have prescribed; for if you do, they will do no good." So he gave unto CHRISTIANA physic for herself, and her boys, and for MERCY; and bade MATTHEW take heed how he ate any more green plums, and kissed them, and went his way. Questions for Prudence It was told you before that PRUDENCE bade the boys that if at any time they would, they should ask her some questions that might be profitable; and she would say something to them. Mat. Then MATTHEW, who had been sick, asked her, "Why, for the most part, physic should be bitter to our palates ?" Pru. To show how unwelcome the Word of God and the effects thereof are to a carnal heart. Mat. Why does physic, if it does good, purge and cause that we vomit? Pru. To show that the Word, when it works effectually, cleanses the heart and mind. For look, what the one doth to the body, the other doth to the soul. Mat. What should we learn by seeing the flame of our fire go upwards? and by seeing the beams and sweet influences of the sun strike downwards? Pru. By the going up of the fire we are taught to ascend to heaven by fervent and hot desires. And by the sun, his sending his heat, beams, and sweet influences downwards, we are taught that the Saviour of the world, though high, reaches down with his grace and love to us below. Mat. Where have the clouds their water? Pru. Out of the sea. Mat. What may we learn from that? Pru. That ministers should fetch their doctrine from God. Mat. Why do they empty themselves upon the earth? Pru. To show that ministers should give out what they know of God to the world. Mat. Why is the rainbow caused by the sun? Pru. To show that the covenant of God's grace is confirmed to us in Christ. Mat. Why do the springs come from the sea to us through the earth? Pru. To show that the grace of God comes to us through the body of Christ. Mat. Why do some of the springs rise out of the tops of high hills? Pru. To show that the spirit of grace shall spring up in some that are great and mighty, as well as in many that are poor and low. Mat. Why doth the fire fasten upon the candlewick? Pru. To show that unless grace doth kindle upon the heart, there will be no true light of life in us. Mat. Why is the wick and tallow, and all, spent to maintain the light of the candle? Pru. To show that body, and soul, and all, should be at the service of, and spend themselves to maintain in good condition, that grace of God that is in us. Mat. Why doth the pelican pierce her own breast with her bill? Pru. To nourish her young ones with her blood; and thereby to show that Christ the blessed so loves his young, his people, as to save them from death by his blood. Mat. What may one learn by hearing the cock crow? Pru. Learn to remember Peter's sin and Peter's repentance. The cock's crowing shows also that day is coming on; let, then, the crowing of the cock put thee in mind of that last and terrible day of Judgment. Departure Now about this time their month was out; wherefore they signified to those of the house that 'twas convenient for them to up and be going. Then said JOSEPH to his mother, "It is convenient that you forget not to send to the house of Mr. INTERPRETER, to pray him to grant that Mr. GREAT-HEART should be sent unto us, that he may be our conductor the rest of our way." "Good boy," said she; "I had almost forgot." So she drew up a petition, and prayed Mr. WATCHFUL, the porter, to send it by some fit man to her good friend, Mr. INTERPRETER; who when it was come, and he had seen the contents of the petition, said to the messenger, "Go, tell them that I will send him.

When the family where CHRISTIANA was, saw that they had a purpose to go forward, they called the whole house together to give thanks to their King for sending to them such profitable guests as these. Which done, they said to CHRISTIANA, "And shall we not show thee something, according as our custom is to do to pilgrims, on which thou mayest meditate when thou art upon the way?" So they took CHRISTIANA, her children, and MERCY, into the closet, and showed them one of the apples that Eve did eat of, and that she also did give to her husband, and that for the eating of which they both were turned out of Paradise: and asked her what she thought that was. Then CHRISTIANA said, "'Tis food or poison--I know not which." So they opened the matter to her; and she held up her hands, and wondered.

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." ~ Genesis 3:6 ~ "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" ~ Romans 7:24 ~

Then they had her to a place and showed her Jacob's ladder. Now at that time there were some angels ascending upon it. So CHRISTIANA looked and looked to see the angels go up; and so did the rest of the company. Then they were going into another place to show them something else; but JAMES said to his mother, "Pray bid them stay here a little longer; for this is a curious sight." So they turned again, and stood feeding their eyes with this so pleasant a prospect.

"And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." ~ Genesis 28:12 ~

After this they had them into a place where did hang up a golden anchor; so they bade CHRISTIANA take it down. "For," said they, "you shall have it with you; for 'tis of absolute necessity that you should, that you may lay hold of that within the veil, and stand steadfast, in case you should meet with turbulent weather"; so they were glad thereof.

"The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel." ~ Joel 3:16 ~ "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;" ~ Hebrews 6:19 ~

Then they took them, and had them to the mount upon which Abraham our father had offered up Isaac his son; and showed them the altar, the wood, the fire, and the knife: for they remain to be seen to this very day.

"And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood." ~ Genesis 22:9 ~

When they had seen it, they held up their hands and blessed themselves, and said, "Oh, what a man for love to his Master and for denial to himself was Abraham!" After they had showed them all these things, PRUDENCE took them into the dining room, where stood a pair of excellent virginals: so she played upon them, and turned what she had showed them into this excellent song, saying:

"Eve's apple we have showed you-- Of that be you aware: You have seen Jacob's ladder too, Upon which angel's are. An anchor you received have; But let not these suffice, Until with Abraham you have gave Your best a sacrifice."

Now about this time one knocked at the door. So the porter opened, and behold, Mr. GREAT-HEART was there; but when he was come in, what joy was there! For it came now fresh again into their minds how, but awhile ago, he had slain old GRIM BLOODY-MAN, the Giant, and had delivered them from the lions. Then said Mr. GREAT-HEART to CHRISTIANA and to MERCY, "My Lord hath sent each of you a bottle of wine, and also some parched corn, together with a couple of pomegranates. He has also sent the boys some figs and raisins to refresh you in your way." Then they addressed themselves to their journey; and PRUDENCE and PIETY went along with them. When they came at the gate, CHRISTIANA asked the porter if any of late went by. He said, "No, only one some time since, who also told me that of late there had been a great robbery committed on the King's highway, as you go; but he saith the thieves are taken, and will shortly be tried for their lives." Then CHRISTIANA and MERCY were afraid; but MATTHEW said, "Mother, fear nothing as long as Mr. GREAT-HEART is to go with us and to be our conductor." Then said CHRISTIANA to the porter, "Sir, I am much obliged to you for all the kindnesses you have showed me since I came hither; and also for that you have been so loving and kind to my children. I know not how to gratify your kindness, wherefore pray, as a token of my respects to you, accept of this small mite." So she put a gold angel (an ancient coin) in his hand; and he made her a low obeisance, and said, "Let thy garments be always white, and let thy head want no ointment. Let MERCY live and not die; and let not her works be few." And to the boys he said, "Do you flee youthful lusts, and follow after godliness with them that are grave and wise; so shall you put gladness into your mother's heart, and obtain praise of all that are sober minded." So they thanked the porter and departed.

[zukiart20]

A new drawing/art made by me (this was inspired by our beloved jael that in case I hope she likes it, I hope that one day she will make me a beautiful commission… I admire you with much love, Jael Peñaloza!!! I hope and in my heart you make a part where my own universe belongs called and created by me "ELECTRYCKTALE" I love you very much ..)

Let's make it clear that this drawing belongs to me… so don't go and steal it, okay? It cost me infinite gold to make this beauty

[catmigliano7]

sweet, sweet Jael Yi @jael_yi17 Sadly, bullies only lose in the movies. In real life, they lie, cheat, steal. My 1st day in the police academy, they taught us "crime does pay" Pam Weiner and her @drsfdoxies are proof of that. #Pumba was stolen from Jael using underhanded duplicitous tactics by Michael Wong dvm, his office manager Harmony Kirk at @SEVNeurology -- on orders of Pam Weiner, according to the recorded phone call between Wong and Jael, where he told her he felt bad for taking her dog, but he was obligated to Weiner. Notwithstanding that Jael was a vulnerable, disabled individual, she was also dying of terminal ovarian cancer - not that any of these narcissists seemed to care. Bring in the lying lawyer, Joan Levit. A simple request: just let Jael have #Pumba until she passed. Answer: NO. No to even seeing him one last time Jael Yi passed away never seeing her beloved #Pumba again. (at North Miami, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfnL55VuxX8/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bonbongiveshell]

I love when you have a mutual and then they become mutuals with one of your mutuals and then y'all are in a mutual polycule

[hangesophtalmologist]

beautiful names for women

im sharing my list of original & multicultural names that i found & like, for the female characters in the books i write. I thought it could help some other writers :) There are plenty of different origins and meanings, so that you could find one that fit a character's ethnicity and essence. I love short names a little bit too much, so its mainly one or two syllables here.

SOURCES (mainly) :

nameberry.com

babynames.com

dont hesitate if you want to correct on things that you think are wrong <3

Aitne

origin : greek (mythological name)

meaning : one of the moons of Jupiter, named for a nymph that Zeus seduced. Aitne was the daughter of Oceanus. It is from her name, sometimes also spelled Aetna, that the Sicilian volcano Mt Etna derives its name

Baeg-Ilcho

origin : korean

meaning : "zinnia" - refers to the zinnia flower

Calypso

origin : greek

meaning : "she who hides" - Calypso was referred to as the 'goddess of strange power and beauty'. In Greek mythology, she was an island nymph, a daughter of Atlas, who delayed Odysseus from returning home

Cerys

origin : welsh

meaning : "love"

Delja

origin : polish

meaning : "daughter of the sea" - diminutive of Kordelja

Dione

origin : greek

meaning : "divine queen" - in Greek mythology she is the mother of Aphrodite by Zeus, and also one of Saturn's moons ; this is an astral name quite distinct from the better known Dionne

Dwyn

origin : welsh

meaning : "wave" - diminutive of Dwynwen

Elska

origin : norse

meaning : "love"

Eowyn

origin : old english

meaning : "horse lover" - said to be created by J.R.R. Tolkien

Ersa

origin : greek

meaning : Ersa, daughter of Zeus and the moon goddess Selene, is goddess of the morning dew.

Esme

origin : french

meaning : "beloved"

Farai

origin : african - bantu of zimbabwe

meaning : "rejoice"

Fevziye

origin : turkish

meaning : "triumph"

Gwenore

origin : welsh

meaning : "white shadow, white wave" - variation of Guinevere

Haviva

origin : hebrew

meaning : "well loved" - alternative of Aviva

Hayoon

origin : korean

meaning : "sunlight"

Heli

origin : welsh

meaning : "saltwater"

Ishi

origin : japanese

meaning : "stone"

Ismay

origin : french? (variation of Esme)

meaning : "beloved"

Jael

origin : hebrew

meaning : "mountain goat"

Janan

origin : arabic

meaning : "heart, soul"

Jemsa

origin : spanish, english

meaning : "gem, precious stone"

Kali

origin : sanskrit

meaning : "black one, maiden" - Kali is the Hindu goddess of destruction, the fierce side of the goddess Devi

Kore

origin : greek

meaning : "maiden" - original form of the name Cora, and alternate name for the goddess of the underworld Persephone

Luz

origin : spanish

meaning : "light"

Maz

origin : french?

meaning : "harmful spirits, blue" - nickname of Mazikeen, a name invented by Neil Gaiman ; and Mazarine, a French color name

Meena

origin : hindi

meaning : "blue semiprecious stone, bird"

Merel

origin : dutch

meaning : "blackbird"

Mija

origin : slovene

meaning : "drop of the sea, bitter, or beloved" - diminutive of Marija

Naiad

origin : hawaian, greek, basque

meaning : "dolphin, to flow, wave, sea foam" - variation of Naia

Neoma

origin : greek or hebrew

meaning : "new moon, pleasantness"

Neri

origin : greek or hebrew

meaning : "burning light, ocean spirit"

Ngaio

origin : maori

meaning : "reflection on the water"

Nhi

origin : vietnamese

meaning : "little one"

Nika

origin : slavic

meaning : "bringing victory"

Noor

origin : arabic

meaning "light"

Ntsako

origin : african - tsonga of central africa

meaning : "joy"

Numa

origin : arabic

meaning: "delight"

Ojai

origin : native american - chumash

meaning : "moon"

Öykü

origin : turkish

meaning : "story"

Parvati

origin : sanskrit

meaning : "daughter of the mountain" - Parvati is the Hindu goddess of fertility, love and devotion. She is the gentle and nurturing aspect of the Hindu goddess Shakti and one of the central deities of the Goddess-oriented Shakta sect. In Hinduism, she is the mother goddess

Pasha

origin : greek

meaning : "ocean"

Patzi

origin : native american - omaha

meaning : "yellow bird"

Queniva

origin : old english

meaning : "wife, woman, queen"

Rajani

origin : indian

meaning : "dark, of the night"

Rhea

origin : greek

meaning : "flowing stream" - in Greek mythology, she is the Earth, mother of all the gods

Rokia

origin : arabic

meaning : "charm, magic, superiority"

Sedna

origin : native american - inuit

meaning : "goddess of the sea" - in Inuit mythology, she is the goddess of the sea, marine animals, and the underworld

Selkie

origin : scottish

meaning : "sea folk" - in Scottish folklore, selkies are mythical creatures that resemble seals in the water but assume human form on land

Sena

origin : korean, hindi, arabic, african

meaning : "this world's beauty, grace ; army ; to praise ; bringing heaven to earth"

Sereia

origin : portuguese

meaning : "mermaid"

Shashi

origin : indian, sanskrit, nepali

meaning : "moon, having a hare"

Skadi

origin : old norse

meaning : "harm" (possibly "shadow") - Skadi is an anglicized spelling of Skaði, a Scandinavian goddess associated with winter, skiing, bowhunting and mountains

Thebe

origin : greek

meaning : Thebe is the name of more than one daughter of Zeus, according to some myths, and is also the name of a moon of Jupiter

Tonwen

origin : welsh

meaning : "white wave"

Topaz

origin : greek

meaning : refers to the topaz gem

Uma

origin : sanskrit, hebrew

meaning : "nation, light, peace"

Umi

origin : african

meaning : "servant"

Uyen

origin : vietnamese

meaning : "deep (knowledge), elegant"

Vaani

origin : sanskrit

meaning : "full of energy and life" - in Hinduism, it is another name of Goddess Saraswati

Venus

origin : latin

meaning : "beauty, love" - it is the name of a heavenly planet and the Roman goddess of beauty and love

Willow

origin : english

meaning : "willow tree"

Wyome

origin : native american

meaning : "plain"

Xiao Hong

origin : chinese

meaning : "morning rainbow"

Xio

origin : spanish

meaning : "ready for battle"

Ying Yue

origin : chinese

meaning : "reflection of the moon"

Yumiko

origin : japanese

meaning : "child, bow and arrow, beautiful"

Zafirah

origin : arabic

meaning : "successful, triumphant"

Zajak

origin : polish

meaning : "rabbit"

[unseeliefaelass]

Darksiders: Origins

Chapter 7: A Forced Hand

On the day of the final meeting before the crusade was to begin,  Menahem was caring for his three wards as always. That is until Cedron and Hebron came over to them. Menahem groaned quietly as they did, trying to ignore them at first. Especially since his youngest brother Samson's cape was being difficult.

Cedron being ever the instigator began, "Babysitting again little brother?"

"They are my wards Cedron, what else do you expect of me?"

"Ha, you can call them your wards all you want Menahem. Yet runoffs they were, and runoffs they'll remain.", Cedron taunted.

Hebron in turn smirked, "Indeed, runoff runts who would've and frankly should've died like the others before or after them."

Growling Menahem stood up, "Don't you have anything better to do?"

"Well yes we do actually. Absalom sent us to collect you from your...'task'.", Cedron stated mockingly.

"That's obvious, but what does he want of me?"

Hebron smacked his back, "He wants to hear about your plan of course."

Menahem's eyes widened briefly, "My what?"

"Come on, don't tell me you forgot about it like Lilith said you did.", Cedron chided him.

Realizing fully now what they were on about, Menahem sighed, "Well...I did have an idea for a plan yes. Specifically for a...first attack."

Hebron quickly placed a hand to his mouth, "Sssshhh don't spoil it on us. Save it for the meeting. Besides, discussions for the war tent are not meant for children's ears to hear."

Jael stamped her foot in anger at the elder twins. While Samson grunted alongside her, not noticing his cape fall off his shoulders. Issac meanwhile pretended to not care or notice, but in truth was rather miffed as well.

He thought to himself briefly, "If I had the strength, I'd make you eat that shit in lead."

Menahem sighed again, this time in annoyance, "If you insist, but only to spare them until they're ready."

An unfinished gun is then slammed down, "Maybe not Jael or Samson, but what about me?!"

"Calm yourself Issac.", Menahem replied simply and firmly.

"I AM calm. I just want to know why you're not letting me come, again. I'm old enough, I'm ready."

"Pff...heheh..No, you're not. Best learn your place and stand down boy." Cedron warned.

"You're not my boss, and I'm not your problem either."

Hebron swiftly raised his arm, causing Issac to flinch, "Indeed you're not. But you're becoming a problem, slowly. You don't want to be a problem for us boy, trust me. Now step off and stay in line with what you're told child."

Issac remained frozen for but a moment then looked back at Menahem, "Big brother please, I promise I'm ready. I just need to finish my gun and.."

Menahem walked towards him and placed both hands on his shoulders, "You need more than a weapon of your own to be ready Issac. The only reason I can enter those tents is because I'm the youngest Firstborn of us all. Not entirely a true mature adult yet, but I'll get there soon enough. You on the other hand, clearly need more patience, discipline, and training in general. Now stay here with your siblings and keep a watchful eye on them, please."

Issac scoffed but went back into the tent as directed. Menahem shook his head in response before walking back towards the war tent, the twins following behind him before quickly matching his pace. They reached the war tent quickly and found everyone else waiting for them. Menahem took his usual place beside Absalom, glancing at his remaining elder siblings. His eldest sister Lazuli stood at Absalom's other side. Next to her stood the other elder sisters in order from strongest to weakest, Jadeite, Opal, and Onyx. The twins stood between them and Methuselah. Thusly Sio was between him and Menahem. As everyone was finally situated, another person entered the tent. One they all bowed to, Absalom and Menahem included.

"My beloved children, you look well."

Absalom nodded, "We are doing well indeed Mother, more than that in fact. The generations have been formed and forged as needed. We are more than ready to begin the crusade to gain our rightful place in Creation, to earn the home we've been denied."

"You very much are my son. But one does not just begin a battle without a plan, or a backup in case of troubles in the first. Which is why we are here now. More specifically, why Menahem is here today.", Lilith expressed with pride before looking Menahem's way, "I trust you recall our discussions about it, and that you've prepared a potential backup plan as I've asked you to?"

"Uhm uhh...I remember the plan yes. I've also worked together a backup plan to be safe.", Menahem replied nervously.

"Well, let's hear it then.", Lilith stated tapping her nails against the table.

"Of course Mother...uh right on that.", Menahem said before telling them all his plans. How the Ravaiim would be a perfect first conquest for them. That with the race's natural abilities of flesh crafting they could do far more. With it they could push the potential of the Ravaiim past the primitive stasis they remained in. Far past and greater even than they may even potentially think of reaching. Menahem ended his idea off with the following words, "That all said, I propose we attack the Ravaiim. That we use their abilities with our best equivalents to Makers we have, to create something. Specifically, weapons. Weapons capable of mass destruction, and power greater than one could possibly imagine! FULL OF THE POTENTIAL OF AN ENTIRE RACE THAT COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO FATHOM IT AS THEY'LL SOON REACH IN OUR HANDS!"

Menahem then stopped and watched nervously as the others silently gawked at him. Finally Absalom spoke up, "This plan...is brilliant brother! No wonder you waited so long to tell us. This will no doubt be a difficult endeavor, but Gulbannan's work will undoubtedly be of use to us. Not to mention your personal expertise and in depth research of the Ravaiim."

"You... really believe so Absalom?", Menahem inquired almost timidly.

"Why of course Menahem! I was hoping for something like this in fact. Not only would capturing the Ravaiim's homeworld be simple, but also strategic. I say simple because really who would aid such a small, primitive civilization? According to Lilith's words on them, no one really looks their way anymore. The idea you've given us for their natural abilities would give us weapons beyond imagination. No one would expect it, so they'd be a perfect surprise for our enemies."

Lazuli cocked her head, "Hmhm yes yes, we got all of that already Absalom. Personally, I must ask if we intend these weapons to be given to our kin as a whole?"

"A good question indeed. I am of the opinion that the young ones cannot handle such responsibilities. That only we should take them on.", Onyx stated with a step forward.

Sio then looked at her, "But what if there comes a time we want our younger generations to wield them?"

"Not if...when. There will be a time where it is needed.", Methuselah corrected.

"And what makes you so sure?", Hebron questioned him, "What could possibly be a reason that would ever happen?"

Cedron nodded, "I agree with Hebron, nothing is ever set in stone, not really. The younger generations are not ready for such things, nor do I believe they'll ever be."

"Tsk tsk tsk. Close-minded and short-sighted as always little twins. Lazuli makes a good point to ask such an important question, you two however just yap your mouths uselessly. Perhaps when you say something useful, we'll start taking you both seriously again.", Opal chided them as her finger wagged.

Cedron growled, "Look who's talking? If it isn't Lazuli's favorite pet."

"Indeed, you only bark at us because you're her mutt. At her every beck and call no less. Meanwhile, you're too afraid to use the intelligence you do have. As she tells you to be.", Hebron added on almost gleefully.

The sound of Absalom's axe handle hitting the ground silenced them all, "Enough bickering! We are adults, the eldest in fact! Menahem is the only exception for now. But I will not tolerate the rest of you acting like children. Now to answer the big question before us....", then he looked to Menahem.

Menahem thought for a time on the concerns presented, despite Lazuli's tapping nails annoying him the whole time. Finally he came up with the solution to it all. How the young ones shouldn't be given leeway with the weapons to come. At least not right when they're created. Rather there would and should come a time for them to wield the weapons. However, they could not simply be trusted to leave well enough alone after being told they cannot use them.

"No, instead we will create a fail-safe. Something only we Firstborn know about for now, which ensures we have the best chances with the weapons. We must also use it to keep the younger kin from using them at all, or to our level at the very least. In a perfect state, it would at best give a fraction of the power. But what should the fail-safe be composed of? How much of it should we need if quantity is of concern to us? And what about keeping our enemies from using these against us?", Menahem scrambled in silence.

Absalom eventually touched his shoulder, "Should we adjourn?"

His head shook as his eyes blinked hard, "Hmm? Oh no. I've pretty much got a plan in place. But no idea how to enact it just yet. That's what I'm trying to figure out now."

Lazuli cocked her head in the opposite direction and muttered, "About time."

Glaring briefly he replied snidely, " Well sorry that I can't fit your perfect mind in my own sister. You try figuring out how to keep these weapons out of enemy hands. As essentially we need a fail-safe on the weapons. To ensure that for a time only we know how to use them to begin with. We will also be the only ones with the ability to use them at their fullest potential. The fail-safe in turn thusly prevents the younger generations and our enemies from using the weapons fully, or at all. Finally we will be the only ones aware of this fail-safe. At least until we finally decide when the younger members of our race are ready for such knowledge and strength. Unfortunately I do not know what it should be made of, or how much we may need."

Absalom placed his hand on Menahem's shoulder again, "Easy brother. She's getting under your skin again. Do not let her. Instead just ignore her, and give your brain a rest for a moment. If I cannot think of anything, perhaps Mother can. But I'll need a moment to indeed think."

He then indeed took his time on that, wanting to be absolutely sure before coming to a conclusion, "Menahem is correct. We do need something to ensure we have absolute control over them. Our younger kin, even when the time comes, can't just be allowed to use such powerful weapons without limits. The question is what should we use as the limiting factor then?  We are making these weapons from living people by the sound of it. Perhaps that is in fact the key to the puzzle. This will...no doubt be a gruesome affair, but a necessary one. So naturally there is no use cleaning hands that will and must be dirtied time and time again. We will use something else of the Ravaiim to fail-safe the weapons then. Something limited in quantity, but not terribly so. A renewable source that we can control. Even if it may slowly deplete as time passes, our kin will still be able to use most of the weapons to a lesser degree. But what can we....Shrragh! What the he...oh.".

Absalom checked his hand after having cut himself on his own axe. Everyone in turn jumped at the sudden sound, then looked on in both concern and curiosity as Absalom looked at his cut hand. Menahem in particular noted his expression going from annoyance to realization.

"You alright brother?"

"Blood.", He replied quietly.

"What?", Menahem asked confused as Lilith looked on in pure delight. Having been watching silently after her introduction. Seeing no reason to say much until needed.

"Their blood Menahem, that's what we will use. It's like the things from your books you always prattle on about. How blood is a key component in the body, one that if enough is missing the whole thing shuts down! If blood can keep a man alive, then these weapons can be kept going with it as well! And this way we use every bit of the Ravaiim we can, nothing will go to waste."

The rest of then Firstborn siblings all looked on in amazement at this revelation from their eldest. Menahem did look amazed, but he was only amazed at Absalom having shown that he did in fact listen to what he had to say. The main thing he felt about the revelation itself however, was an ever growing sense of horror.

Lilith meanwhile smirked as she looked on at her excited children and clapped, "Very well done my son. I shall brief Gulbannan on this as well when I next see him. After all as you said before Absalom, he can likely help with a few ideas of his own."

Menahem gulped hard, but tried to hide it from her. Lilith glanced his way but before she could ask he explained, "Just the excitement Mother. Trying to contain it, that's all."

Lilith smiled and ran her hand along his face ever so tenderly, "Menahem my child, you needn't curb that excitement. Embrace it. Take in the moment. For this is one of the biggest moments in your people's history. Share it with them, bask in the glory of being its architect. That way as you remember this moment for eons to come, you will have no regrets."

[izayoichan]

“Hey! Little one! Are you trying to dance too? Is that it?”

He laughs and presses his forehead against Rylan, a smile from ear to ear.

“I think he loves music.

Chris walks back to Hayle, sitting down next to him wrapping his arm around him, stroking Fannar's cheek only to have his small hand hold on to his, which makes him smile.

“He really does remember you.”

Hayle smiles just watching them all dance, leaning his head on his husband's shoulder.

“Yes! I love to hear you sing, my heartlight, and I wish to sing with you!”

It made him so happy to have Hayden sing for him, play music with him. He loved it, it made him happy, how far they had come. There was a dark time where Vy almost lost all hope when it almost looked like Hayden had abandoned music, but how far they had come. Acharya smiles up at Jael as they dance. 

“Will he come to visit me?” “Perhaps, only time will tell. “Will you allow it?” “My beloved Nebula of unborn stars. There is nothing I want more than your happiness, so of course I will. But not often, the balance of the universe and that stuff…”

He shrugs, twirling them around.Hayden smiles at Vy and nods.

“I think you know this song.”

He starts the intro on the song, on the guitar, his eyes locking with Vy's as he starts to sing.

“Staring to practice early huh, since you have parents with two left feet.”

Rylan chuckles, looking at Hayden as he starts playing a very familiar song, which makes him smile and look up at River, singing low, just so River could hear it, not wanting his voice to hurt people's ears

“He's a smart one”

He smiles at Rylan's comment then his smile broadens when he hears him sing, he knew Rylan believed otherwise, but to him, Rylan had the most beautiful voice he ever heard, that he was sure.

Beginning - Previous - Next

[pinkfey]

❌💛🔮 + your choice! I love them all

oh ho ho !! i went with jael 💕

[ ❌ ] is there something your muse struggles with that they might never overcome? what is it? why do they have so much trouble with it?

shame ☹️ as a child jael had to deal with the sting of parental rejection and cruel punishment for using powers she never asked for in a way they didn’t deem acceptable. over the years she has found strength in her powers by refuting every person who ever tried to contain or diminish them. but no matter how powerful she’s become and how sure of herself she is, that childhood shame will always linger :(

[ 💛 ] how empathetic is your muse? how compassionate are they? is this something people expect from them, or are people surprised when they find out how compassionate or empathetic they actually are?

surprisingly empathetic!! her time spent experimenting on living things to hone her blood kinesis trained her to be very in tune with responses. it’s just a matter of whether or not she chooses to pair this empathy with compassion. most often this depends on whims, but with very weighty decisions it’s clinical. she’ll think about it in an almost scientific way—what kind of consequences would her mercy or compassion have? are these consequences dire enough to have a bit of fun with? or does the seriousness outweigh the chaos.

[ 🔮 ] what is your muse’s relationship with religion and spirituality? were they raised in a certain religion? have they stuck with the same set of spiritual beliefs all their life, or have they changed over time? are they settled in their spirituality now?

her parents were very devout worshippers of sarenrae, though their actions would never lead you to believe so. this hypocrisy and weakness left a foul taste in jael’s mouth and from a young age jael described herself an atheist. some gods, like calistria and desna, she admires; desna in particular she has a deep connection to, as their values align. but it’s not in her nature to subject herself to a god. it’s not natural to her at all.

send me an emoji and an oc and i’ll answer the corresponding question!!

[lawrising-a]

📝 i'm late to the party but one for nikki pls,,,,,,,,,

( @madetrouble )

. november 23 .

‘ do you wish to know a well kept secret only known by a hotel writing pad? why there's tiny clips of papers massacred around the room? the answer is simple ; it's the fact that i've been writing about my survival partner. whenever bright pink makes my vision swim and my fingers twitch with the urge to let it out. frustrations, bold opinions ... regrets. the reason there are holes in fragile papers is because my grip on the pen cannot loosen. i get too violent with my motions. jerky, overtly emotional. now i find myself rambling on the back of a magazine, hoping to calm my bundling nerves before i try this again. this is the last available thing to write on in my nighted hotel room ---- unless i resort to the skin of my arms, of course. it's too desperate, though the former troublemaker always tended to bring out a stranger in me. ’

‘ when i briefly brought up my woes to jael days prior, she recommended organizing my thoughts by using my hands. a silly thing that felt more like a jest than someone looking out for my strained connection ; though i resorted to it nonetheless. my brain scatters about, fleeting feelings disappearing the moment i try to take my pen to them. would this bode better if i pretended this was a letter to send her? logistically, that adds up better than the initial plan which was writing aimlessly. so i wish to try and adapt this new direction moving forward ... ’

‘ ... ’

‘ i never said i don't like you : are words that were once spoken to you, nikita, before. with a terseness to my tone, forever testy whenever i acknowledged your presence. and i did do mean it. that statement stands strongly today like our bodies do. unwavering despite everything thrown at us, even with the unending outside forces snipping our bond to loose ends. never have i disliked you. at least not in a way that i believe would be genuine distaste. sometimes you push all the right buttons to light something dangerous in me ; molding me into something i am not. you make me angry, spiteful, teeth aching for revenge. there was a time where i believed that was all your doing, actually. twisting my perception into wicked tainted nothings to fuel a point left unseen by our corpse filled audience ... never say i don't learn, however. it's come to my attention that i have always been that person. easy to rile up. eager to sniff out mistakes so i look holier in comparison. is it so wrong to need to be needed more than your peers? to be the better option, so you're the first choice? considering how our relationship's turned out, i'll take that as a yes. ’

‘ admitting things to your face is hard, you know? sharp dolled up eyes pierce right through me. you look me over with unkindness, like you're waiting for a shred of weakness to expose. you scare me, nikita. you'd hurt me if it meant your survival ; some of your words and choices have scarred me for life thunder makes me think of manny, of the rounds you put in his chest. i watched that. never took my eyes off him for a second unlike you and joey but what makes the shivers race down my spine is knowing there's some of me trapped in you. there's no comfort with knowing i would've done the same things you had. i wish there was, but looking at you is like looking in the funhouse mirrors. you're so easy to demonize. to write off as the worst parts of me. naively pretending that is all you are. it's why i think things so achingly tender that is only reserved for this, between me and something to write on. if you knew, you'd be a shark : eager to work more blood out of me when you see it pool around my limp body. i can't let that happen. ever. ’

‘ despite my ill toned words and critiques, i do want to say. to say nikita, i don't blame you. not for roi's death, not for colleen's, and not for safiya's. i don't harbor any blame even as you ripped the people who loved me away. sometimes i think i can. i think about manny and safiya especially, eager to use them against you once your hackles raise ... but it veils the tiredness within. there is no blame here. we've both done awful things to survive. what makes me hesitate with you is the fact none of the awful feelings have faded yet. there's been times where all i wanted to do was imprint upon you, nestle deep into your sturdy side ; slipping my hand around your neck and cupping you tenderly there. i held you like that before, remember? although the sting of our bond makes me think otherwise, as well as all the things we've snarled to each other in the past. is that kind of affection for people with tethers like us? i doubt it. but please know i wish differently ... and that, through it all, there is a part of me that respects you. admires your beauty and courage, naturally drawn to taking shelter in it at the worst of times. you're the flood and the lighthouse. god, i get so painfully poetic at times that never matter. ’

‘ space runs thin on this magazine, thus bringing the curtain to a close. there is so much more i tell you in my dreams. more words weighing my tongue down like iron. they all forever pale when worded so needlessly complex, perhaps even totally lost on you. which brings me to my dry words. no poetry weaves in-between these next lines. they must be heard and understood ---- no more implying things. ’

‘ i love care about you. you scare me with your strengths. inspire something crueler in me something that helped me survive and i think of you often. to be blunt, i think about if you're okay. wonder what manny saw in you. think what ifs that you'd probably feel weird about. do you think about everlock as much as me? will you accompany me to literal hell and back for lost, beloved souls? did you want me to back? ’

‘ yet, i think, the million dollar question is ... ’

‘ do you write about me too? ’

[likeclarabow]

tagged by @amortensie and @cressisaqueen <3 <3

rules: answer 30 questions and tag blogs you are contractually obligated (?) to know better

name/nickname: abby

gender: female

star sign: libra

height: 5′2″

time: 7:54 am

birthday: sept 23

favorite bands: umm idk queen and fleetwood mac? idk

favorite solo artists: lorde, taylor swift

song stuck in my head: a billie eilish song i’m not sure which one

last show: the wilds

last movie: the hunger games?

when did i create this blog: early 2019 i think

what do i post: anything i’m into

last thing googled: wordreference

other blogs: @jesprsfaheys is my grishaverse blog

do i get asks: sometimes 

why i chose my url: fiona gallagher my beloved

following: 135

followers: 80

average hours of sleep: 6-7

lucky number: 7 i guess

instruments: flute

what am i wearing: black leggings and a red and white 

dream trip: idk i want to go everywhere

favorite food: waffles!

nationality: canadian

favorite song: making me choose one is so mean

last book read: gutter child - jael richardson

top 3 fictional worlds to live in: 1. the night circus 2. narnia 3. wonderland idk

tagging: @msaudreyanne @lisrambles and anyone who wants to