#Verse 01-The Calm

[thiefofcrows]

Plotted starter for @cruelprincae

    The first time Kaz had glimpsed one of the creatures was a dead one, as was his luck. It had been the strangest thing and, for a moment, Kaz’s mind had been reeling, trying to make sense of what he'd been seeing. Had he not looked closer, he may not have recognized the bartender Kobus Sieben. He’d merely worked in one of the Pubs and Kaz had a standing arrangement with him to glean useful secrets the man collected from the patrons who couldn’t keep their mouths shut after a few drinks.

   He now possessed an eerie, inhuman kind of beauty, even in death. His skin had clearly been a color Kaz never seen on a person before; his ears were pointed, and attached to his back were a pair of crumpled wings … it hadn’t made any sense, but there was no denying what he was seeing was indeed real. The disguise that had made him look human had been the trick and it had fooled him. It was as if the concept had entrapped Kaz’s mind — he’d needed to unravel the secrets of, not only how the trick had been done in the first place, but what these creatures were, where they’d come from. If they could disguise themselves so thoroughly without the aid of a tailor, what else were they capable of?

   He’d started with looking into the people that had seemingly materialized out of nothing one day, stepping off of a ship, arriving in a carriage from Saints knew where. These people had no contacts outside of that time frame, no one they’d known any longer than that — and, lo and behold, Kaz eventually found what  he was looking for. However, he’d also learned the hard way that he needed to protect himself against their will being forced upon him. Once he’d figured that out, getting information out of them became relatively easy, given how susceptible they were to bribes. They were glad to receive real kruge and, of course, they liked to drink. He’d made a deal with one in order to gain what they called The Sight, which allowed him to see their kind for what they really were, rather than being fooled by their disguises.

   They’d merely become one of his many contacts with which he would get information — and eventually, Kaz heard about the Prince that was seemingly walking among them. A Prince who had evidently escaped the burden of rule over a kingdom he’d never heard of, nor seen on any maps. Someone who could potentially become a King, someone who no doubt had a vast amount of knowledge and leverage that Kaz could use.

   He could see Pekka Rollin’s life, his livelihood, being swiftly demolished with precise, deliberate blows. He could see a path forged to finally rid the Dregs of Per Haskell’s authority, to take his place and never have to take another order from some old man who only ever wanted to drink, build model ships and talk about his glory days, rather than run a gang. After all, it was all thanks to Kaz that they were one of the most powerful gangs in Ketterdam; Per Haskell hadn’t even managed to put a decent roof over their heads, let alone lead them to any worthwhile gains.

   The Prince hadn’t even been difficult to find, in the end — he was one of the patrons that showed up at the Crow Club to drink copious amounts of alcohol and trick people out of their kruge. Not to mention, he was paying for all of that alcohol with glamored money, at least at the start. That in itself was something Kaz would have to put a stop to, regardless of any other intentions he had.

   After successfully arming himself as well as the bouncers against the enchantments the Prince would no doubt use to try to escape the situation, Kaz made his way to his desk, his cane thunk-ing against the wooden floor. He rested it against the inner edge of the desk, next to him and within easy reach if necessary … and, when the door swung open, his two bouncers on either side of Cardan, he leaned down to rest his hands atop his desk, watching as they crossed the room before forcing the Prince into a chair. He was glamoured, of course, but Kaz could see through it now.

  ❝Looks like your days of tricking my customers out of their kruge has come to an end. Normally I would say, given how much alcohol you buy when you’re here, that might make up for a portion of it, but ... I suspect there’s a fifty-fifty chance it isn’t real. Which means you’ve been stealing from me as well,❞ said Kaz, his rock salt rasp adding just the right amount of weight to his words, his dark eyes piercing, calculating. While he had certainly manipulated and cheated his way through a multitude of card games, that simply made it incredibly difficult to do it on his watch. Now, not even those who evidently used a kind of power unknown to most could get away with it.

    ❝So … you’re not leaving this office, not until we make a deal.❞

[the-solar-panel]

@etherealguard asked: "General perhaps it is time to watch something more calming."

...okay, that slip-up in title actually manages to bring him back to earth, whether it was intentional or not. Even as he corrects him on it, he's smiling.

"Captain. I'm captain, not general."

[lichtreich]

Occasional visits were nothing new, but company was ever changing and thus he had brought this boy along for the first time. The one who was now wandering after them a little aimlessly, trailing along at a fitting pace to not get lost in unfamiliar territory, yet with enough distance to not listen to them accidentally. Well behaved, without any doubt, and he was not someone to question his comrade's choice upon subordinate, time and time again had he brought those with him that would be fitting for whatever division Genryūsai would want to assemble right now - or this seemed a bit different.

He had mentioned things here and there.

That the boy named Chōjirō would have a special, a valuable place at his side. So, why not, was a spontaneous thought to be had, test him a little bit? He had the time right now, what with his friend wandering off for a moment to look at this or that little addition to Yhwach's court. " How do you like it, boy? " Addressing him that way merely done to underline familiarity, having spoken little with each other as of right now [ mayhap it was because of rank? ], yet he held a specific curiosity towards the choice. " As far as I understood it is the first time you see anything from the Quincy up close? Tell me then, what do you think about my Lichtreich? " || @hxbiris ♡

[missallanea-archive]

@stygicniron: we can sneak out the back. ( @ tabitha)

Monster. Big monster. And here's the thing, she's used to dealing with monsters, sure -- toss a vampire in her path, no big deal. Werewolves? Unfortunately common. But that thing in the next room? That was the kind of thing she had only read about in her books, the sort of things in old, ancient history texts that people loved to equate to being some sort of metaphor, because 'things like that didn't really exist.'

Didn't exist, her foot.

Clutching the retrieved tome to her chest, Tabitha used her free hand to push her glasses back up her nose in order to look across at her new friend, the kid who had actually gotten her in here in the first place, with an incredulous look.

"Yeah... Yeah, okay, we can sneak. Totally. I can be sneaky." Especially if that thing had, like, Jurassic Park vision. Can't see you if you don't move. She had to hope. "Y'know, you are like... super calm, all things considered. Do you know this guy?"

MISCELLANEOUS SENTENCE PROMPTS

[aohisworld]

MAGNETIC PULSE! 01

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ Aohi is signed into a CO-ED contract and meets her future members alongside another female member, but she’s not necessarily welcome..

ʚɞ ⁺˖ ⸝⸝ eventual poly!ot7 x added member!oc. (ri-ki centric). content warnings: bickering, a bit of cursing? a little cringe writing.

| : ̗̀➛ MINTIE’s NOTES: Enhypen was considered a boy group prior to this chapter. Aohi was tied to girl group, XG before Enhypen. (ft. members of XG, other idols.)

| : ̗̀➛ WARNING! How I write ENHYPEN is not meant to portray the idols irl, this is my au and I write this for fun. contains angst and a little bit of bickering/awkward tension.

✧. ┊   AOHI wasn't one to be a leader, and she knew that from a very young age. She loved to follow the crowd, keep up with trends and go along with any flow her friends set.

Aohi also knew she was one to set things in stone once planned, she was always ready to do things, anything her friends asked of her or plans they wanted to do, she followed orders, that was her whole thing but..

When Aohi had to face the decision of basically being kicked out of her group, being singled out by the company for reasons she didn't know yet, all she had to work with was her manager's soft and sympathetic gaze on her, and that wasn't much.

The rest of the meeting went through one ear of hers and out the other, I mean, why wouldn't it? Why wouldn't it when the group you trained so hard to join was finally gaining recognition, and only now, did management think you weren't right for the concept and kicked you out?

"I'm really sorry, Aohi. You'll do great things, just... not with us." Yuzi spoke softly, Aohi knew her as one of the higher-ups, her manager's boss.

"But...I worked so hard.." Aohi could only blurt out, standing up from her seat. "It's not that you'll be sent back, Aohi," Yuzi did what she could to cool any emotion down before they could leave Aohi's lips.

"You're just, not the concept we want, not.. now." Yuzi chose her words deliberately as to not spark any unwanted feelings inside of Aohi, Yuzi wasn't a bad person, nor was she heartless, hell, she even treated the entirety of XG as her daughters, so Aohi couldn't be mad.

"What do you want me to do then? Where will I go?"

"You'll be moved into a co-ed project, the higher ups, and Hybe, wanted to create something new, and they picked you, Aohi." Yuzi spilled, reaching over to hold a motherly hand over the young girl's shaking fingers.

"So I'll just be put into a new group? That's it for me?" Aohi asked after a slight pause, her head was in a ramble trying to process the information given to her.

"You'll be put into Enhypen." Yuzi confirmed, Aohi paused for a bit, she was versed in various k-pop groups, being the sole reason on why she was an idol now.

"But isn't that a boy group? Why would they want to turn it into a co-ed project last minute?-" Aohi's eyebrows furrowed as her personal manager finally made a move, placing a hand on Aohi's shoulder as if to tell her to calm down. she had been sitting in the corner for a while, listening in on the conversation.

"Aohi, calm down, okay?" Her personal manager softly whispered, her hand squeezing at Aohi's shoulders, trying to ease the girl into a calmer mindset.

"I don't know-" Yuzi couldn't even continue before Aohi is being sat down by her own manager.

"How could you not know?" She challenged back, her hand retracting from under Yuzi's hold and combing itself through her hair.

"I just don't, Aohi!" Yuzi was starting to get frustrated quickly.

Aohi's questions and irritated feelings was starting to frustrate her as she couldn't explain why, why BE:LIFT decided to pick Aohi, why she had to let her go—

"Listen, you don't have to do it, but it is a choice." Yuzi spoke in a tone that felt finalized, in other words, she was telling Aohi to make a choice.

"I've seen your progress, and I don't want a talented person like you to go back to Fukuoka without a chance." Yuzi continued.

Aohi could only stare back at her, she could feel the shock buzz in her body, her jaw threatening to slack open.

"Aohi, please take this offer, I promise you, it'll be worth it, you won't get far with us, with staying in our company." Yuzi had surrended to begging Aohi.

As a motherly figure, she didn't want Aohi to give up because she wasn't in XG— this whole decision to let her go so that HYBE could bring her up for their co-ed project, was better than any offer they could've gotten for Aohi.

Silence filled the room for a few moments, but to Aohi it felt like forever.

She didn't want to give up easily, XG was her group, she basically grew up with the members like they were her older sisters.

Aohi knew they wouldn't want to see her retreat back to Japan, not when she worked so hard to train to be an idol.

"Well?" Yuzi asked after a moment of silence from Aohi. "Aohi, you have the choice, but you need to make it now."

Aohi's throat felt dry as she wondered, if she returned back to Japan, would her family be disappointed, seeing her come back, not even a year after debuting?—

"Okay, I'll accept the offer."

— It felt unreal, Aohi staring at her old dorm bed, which was hers for not even a year, sitting down on the bare bed, running her hand through it. God, she really didn't want to go— nobody did.

Hinata just watched Aohi silently sit in their bedroom for a while with a heavy heart. If she could just keep Aohi here, with them, she would've.

"Ready to go, batsy?" Hinata's voice broke Aohi out of her thoughts, making the girl look up at one of her sister figures. "Nata-nee, won't you miss me?" Aohi sadly mumbled, looking back down at the bed, still unsure of her decision.

"Aish, just because I'm not crying doesn't mean I'm not sad that you're leaving." Hinata sighed, forcing Aohi to scoot over her bed as she sat beside her.

"You don't know how upset I was when I heard of your termination from XG." She spoke, rubbing gently at the younger girl's shoulder.

"We adore you so much, batsy. You don't even know." Hinata squeezed Aohi's shoulder, feeling her eyes sting at the threat of tears.

"Sometimes, things go this way, and just because we won't be idols together, doesn't mean that's it for you." Aohi looked up at Hinata, sadness evident in her brown orbs.

"What if Yuzi was wrong? What if I'm not well received?" Aohi asked, she felt like she had regressed back to her childish self, asking her older sister things she wasn't supposed to be worrying about.

"Well, then you have us, we'll always be here for you to fall into. We'll be your safety net." Hinata smiled, pinching at Aohi's nose, trying to cheer the younger up.

"Let's go, we've wallowed long enough, it's time, Aohi." Hinata slowly stood up, holding Aohi's hand like a sister would to her younger sibling, squeezing tight in reassurance.

Aohi left the old dorm room, an ache of emotions beating in her chest.

"Aohi, take care of yourself out there, okay?" Harvey approached the young girl.

There was barely any sunshine outside, it was as if the world knew how upset Aohi was, her emotions controlling the weather.

"I don't want you to go, I really don't." Juria said in hushed whispers beside her, hooking her arm around Aohi's tightly, hoping her grip could possibly make Aohi stay.

Juria whispered her words to Aohi because she felt like she would be reprimanded if anyone even heard her loud enough.

"I don't want to, either, Juria." Aohi rubbed her hand in the tired girl's head, trying to comfort her however she could.

Aohi sighed, the girl barely keeping her composure before dropping her grip from her luggage and pulling Juria into her arms, holding each other tightly.

"Be strong, batsy." Harvey approached the two as she placed her arms over their embrace, hugging Aohi and Juria tightly.

It was ironic though, being told to stay strong when Harvey's morning skincare was easily ruined by the salty tears that ran down her face.

"They better treat you well at be-lift." Cocona punched Aohi's exposed shoulder, laughing through her own tears.

The rest of XG joined along, trying to turn the sad moment into a memorable one. They wanted to remember their batsy in good spirits.

It felt like time had fastened for Aohi, because their manager couldn't be any faster when she had entered the girls' shared dorms. Aohi could hear her name being called, a shaky sigh leaving her lips.

Aohi picked up her luggage, trying to pull it out of the dormitory. Their manager offered her help with the bags that didn't fit in the suitcase, throwing it over her shoulder.

As Aohi walked further and further away from the girls, she dreaded leaving the dorms even more, because she knew— she knew that if she steps out, she won't be considered a part of XG anymore.

She'll be leaving her sisters behind. She—

As if her thoughts was easily read by the girls, Jurin called after Aohi one last time. Her sisters called her name. "Aohi!" She swore the world stopped for a moment, just for them.

"You have a home here, with us. If everything gets too much, you can always run to us." Jurin left her with words of reassuring.

Even as Aohi was leaving Jurin's duty to lead, to care for her members— to be a pillar of stability for her sisters, shows.

Aohi let out a breathy laugh, shaking her head. "Always such a leader, Jurin-nee."

AT HYBE HEADQUARTERS, TUESDAY, 9:32 AM—

✧. ┊    The meeting room could be considered empty the way it was silent, The current members of ENHYPEN had woken earlier than they should be to meet up; per their management's request, to meet the potentially new members of ENHYPEN.

"Are they here yet?" Heeseung grumbled from his seat. A tired Ri-ki was on his shoulder, using his hyung as a pillow to try and catch the hours of sleep he's missing by being at the meeting.

Sunghoon was busy spacing out by his seat, while Sunoo was trying not to doze off in his own chair.

"Just be patient a little longer, boys." Their manager tried to soothe the boys' tired annoyance.

"Sorry, sorry!" An unfamiliar staff member entered into the room, two masked girls entering after them. Heeseung looked up, slightly curious.

He assumed from the way they seem to stick to the staff member, and how their own manager lit up at the sight of them, they must've been the reason for the meeting.

"Took you while enough." The manager glanced at the staff member in charge of the girls. Heeseung wasn't sure what to think of the two girls who huddled together.

Aohi already felt close to her member, well, even if they only met a few minutes ago, it was a few minutes longer than the boys of ENHYPEN. Aohi had gotten to know her unnie’s name, Xiulin.

Xiulin was in a similar situation as Aohi, picked off from a group to join Aohi in the co-ed project, 'How considerate.' Aohi thought at the time, at least she didn't feel like she was alone.

Of course, Aohi felt awful that Xiulin had gone through the same thing, especially when she had heard that her unnie was the leader of her own group.

Aohi could only imagine how Xiulin felt.

"Boys, this is Aohi and Xiulin. They'll be the new additions to Enhypen." The staff's gaze turned from the boys to the girls, Ri-ki and Sunoo were now at full attention, glancing at the girls with an awkward look.

Although, the silence must've been unbearable since after just a minute had passed, the staff ushered any one of the boys to say something.

"Yang Jungwon, it's nice to meet you two.." Jungwon took the first move for the group, bowing professionally before reaching his hands over. A handshake, Jungwon was waiting for a handshake.

Aohi hesitated for a bit, looking anxiously at Jungwon's hand, but before she could even decide to shake his hand, Xiulin reached over and took his hand for her.

"It's nice to meet you, Aohi and I look forward to working with you, please take care of us." Xiulin spoke gently, bowing as she held Jungwon's hand. Aohi could only look in awe and admiration at Xiulin.

Xiulin reminded her so much of Jurin.

Aohi quickly snapped out of her awed gaze before turning towards Jungwon and shaking his hand as well, bowing politely, showing her respect to him.

In Jungwon's head, he kind of thought of Aohi as peculiar, Xiulin had a mature personality and was willing to take over for her members, shaking his hand for Aohi was already proof of that.

Aohi has not spoken a single word since they had seen her, only opting to follow after her unnie, sitting down alongside her.

"So, let's get the gist down for what will be Enhypen's schedule now that Xiulin and Aohi are here—" The manager sat middle of the members.

"Enhypen, was always planned to be a co-ed group. We wondered adding female contestants into I-land, but there was never a right time to introduce them." The manager seemed to open a folder of sorts, Aohi and Xiulin listening intently to her words.

"I'd like to think we were doing well on our own, as a boy-group.." Sunoo softly spoke, looking slightly apologetic to Aohi and Xiulin for his opinion.

To an extent, Aohi understood why Sunoo thought so and his hesitance to the addition of girls into the group.

Aohi knew that if she were on the other side of the meeting table, she would be confused, and even frustrated if XG made member additions, much less of the opposite gender when they were told it was strictly a girl group.

The teenage girl looked around the room, observing the other members of ENHYPEN.

As an idol, it would be embarrassing if she didn't know her future members and their names, so she made the courtesy of at least learning their names and faces.

Aohi's gaze landed on Jake, at least she hoped it was Jake? His features was somewhat displaying a perplexed look, spinning in his chair as he seemed deep in thought.

"Well, yes but— see, the co-ed plan was set before Enhypen was even formed as an idea." The manager replied to Sunoo, making the boy deflate as he leaned back to his seat.

It wasn't a secret that their stay in I-land or anything relating, was exactly fun. It was something the members were unsure to explain.

The boys struggled a lot with trying to debut, their journey was turned into a source of entertainment. It was called a survival show for a reason.

Heeseung seemed to struggle at wrapping his mind around the fact that these girls were just being added, firstly it felt unnecessary, and the girls would just not understand.

Jungwon was more frustrated at the fact that this means the girls would have to debut at a later album and it'll complicate what the group was already working on.

"Do they have to join our group? Wouldn't it be better to place them with a group that'll debut together?" Jake bluntly asked, Aohi couldn't lie and say she wasn't offended, because she was.

Aohi was taken aback by Jake's sudden question, so shocked in fact that she could just feel her jaw slacking before it even attempted to open physically.

"What Jake-hyung meant was that, the girls will struggle with our concept- as well as our fans might not receive them well and—" Sunghoon tried to save face for his hyung in front of the staff members and the girls.

Xiulin stared at Jake offended while Aohi only looked appalled.

"What can you do? I mean, these girls have nowhere else to go but be here." The manager's fingers pointed down at the table, emphasizing her seriousness with the taps to the table.

"Their companies have already terminated their contracts, their idol dreams end here if they don't debut with you boys."

The manager no longer felt lenient with the boys, at first, their manager wanted to be understanding, knowing it was an incredibly big change for both sides.

"We've already debuted a while ago, they'll struggle to keep up." Jay wanted to defend his brother, sitting up in his chair.

"If you think we can't handle it, I assure you Xiulin-unnie and I can keep up." Aohi replied, speaking for the first time after she entered the room. She frankly felt offended that this group, was so against them debuting with ENHYPEN.

"You don't know that." Jungwon retaliated, "You don't know us either." Xiulin countered.

"We both left our groups so we could debut with you, I went through that so I could be here," Aohi sighed, "I understand why you're upset, but I've sacrificed more than what I was willing to give to be an idol and I'm sure Xiulin-unnie had to as well."

Aohi had a determined look in her eyes, it was clear that the girl wasn't going to take no for an answer.

"So I'm going to debut, whether you guys like it or not."

"Fine. If you want to debut, don't expect us to help," heeseung replied after a few moments of silence. "Show us you're worth adding into our group."

"Heeseung! That's not—" Their manager scolded the eldest, Heeseung only glancing at her with a blank look, his gaze returning to Aohi.

Heeseung and Aohi was somewhat stuck in a staring contest, as if trying to test each other's patience.

Aohi could feel her jaw clench at this, just what was this group's problem?!

"We will, just see."

— ENHYPEN APARTMENTS, GIRLS DORMS, 11:18 am—

✧. ┊ AOHI just met her new bandmates, and they already dislike her. Well, the seven of them, at least. Xiulin seems to like her! She hopes…

Silence filled the new dorms as Xiulin and Aohi unpacked, both girls focused on returning a sense of familiarity in an unfamiliar space.

Aohi tried her best to replicate her old room, using trinkets given by Harvey and Jurin to give her comfort. Aohi sat down on her bed, it was too soft for her liking. She could feel her lips start to tremble when the situation sinked in.

Thankfully, Xiulin noticed before she could say anything.

"Looks good." Xiulin spoke from the other side of the room. Aohi sniffled, looking up as if wondering what she meant.

"Your part of the room. It looks nice." Xiulin repeated.

Aohi stared at her unnie for a second before returning her gaze to her hands, responding. "Thanks."

"Worried?" Xiulin continued, taking her response as a green light that Aohi was up to talking. Xiulin folded her clothes as she spoke, placing it on the side in a neat pile to store for later.

Aohi scoffs at her short question— as if it wasn't obvious. "Is it that obvious?"

"If this is about this morning, I'd rather either of us not worry about it."

Xiulin stood up from her spot, bringing her clothes into the dorm's closet, disappearing for a few minutes.

"Didn't you hear them though? We're on our own, and the first album we release with them will be a disaster." It was Xiulin's turn to scoff, Aohi looking back up at the sound of that. "Don't tell me you believe his bluff."

"How would you know it's bluff?" Xiulin sighs, she knew it like it was the most common thing in the world. "They can't leave us to fend for ourselves, how we perform affects them too."

"If you make a single mistake, or cause a rumour, it'll ruin all of us, not just you."

Aohi furrowed her eyebrows, looking down at her fingers. "Maybe, I'm not cut out for this—" Xiulin laughs, catching the younger girl off guard. "C'mon, don't let those boys scare you, we worked just as hard to get here."

"We got this, don't you worry."

BE:LIFT PRACTICE ROOM, THREE WEEKS LATER, 6:43 PM—

— Aohi loved dancing, sure, she wasn't a prodigy or anything, but her dance style was one to lure you into the performance.

Any concept and she's got you, hook, line and sinker.

For some reason though, Aohi felt like her ability was sucked out of her, the way she couldn't even keep up with the practice Ri-ki and Jake gave her and Xiulin.

"It's not that difficult! Switch your feet and you got it." Jake groans. Xiulin and Aohi have been bickering with Jake for the whole practice. The girls could only feel bad for the maknae, who stared at his hyung with an embarrassed look.

Honestly, it felt like Jake was only ever talking to prod at the two girls.

"We're not even used to the steps yet! Give us time!" Xiulin huffed out, glaring at Jake through the foggy mirror of the room.

"Seriously! We're trying, yelling at us won't magically make us do better!" Aohi followed after Xiulin's words. A small silence washed the room, Jake looking at the two girls with a tired and annoyed expression.

After a bit, Jake just turns away, he runs his hand in his hair, walking away. Ri-ki looked up at Jake, wondering what he was doing.

"They really are trying, hyung.." Ni-ki spoke softly enough for Jake to hear. The youngest was obviously trying to soothe the tension between the new members and his hyung.

"Well, obviously not hard enough." Jake replied, taking one last glance at the girls, who looked appalled at his words. Before either girls could retaliate, Jake leaves the practice room, slamming the door behind him.

Ri-ki could only hope that Jake would return after a breather.

"Gosh! The nerve of that guy!— Whatever, I'm going to steam off!" Xiulin grumbled, standing from her spot on the floor and walking off, slipping out of the dance room.

Only and Aohi and Ri-ki were left alone in the practice room, the tension being replaced with awkwardness. This was the first time Aohi was left alone with her male bandmates without staff.

Aohi only ever spoke to her members when it was necessary. Aohi has never freely chatted with any of the boys, not even the youngest.

Aohi positioned herself from the middle of the practice room, to the sides, sitting down to wait for Xiulin to return. She tried her best to keep her distance from Ri-ki, since she already assumed he wouldn't want to talk to her.

Ri-ki, unsure of what to do, sits beside her, a reasonable feet apart. It was quiet, the hum-buzz of the air conditioning was the only sound accompanying the two.

"I'm sorry about Jake-hyung." Ri-ki softly mumbled towards her, picking at the skin on his nails.

"Why're you apologizing? Unnie and I want to hear it from him." Aohi replied curtly.

Ri-ki sighed at this response. Ri-ki was a very understanding person, he knew why his hyung was so easily frustrated by anything. He also knew that frustration wasn't an excuse to take it out on Aohi or Xiulin.

"Jake-hyung's just upset, he's trying to adjust." Ri-ki felt like he needed to defend Jake first, despite feeling guilty about the way the boys and the girls bickered all of the time.

"And what makes you think we aren't as well?" Aohi poked. "We're already trying our best trying to follow his instructions,"

"It only makes us even more exhausted that he keeps prodding at the little thing we do wrong." Ri-ki listened, turning to Aohi, "And to think we left our groups for this.."

Ri-ki felt like a dim lightbulb went off of his head— ah, he remembers, their first meeting. Ri-ki would've thought that the girls were picked exclusively.

"Which group?" The younger boy softly spoke, trying to change the subject subtly, trying to keep the neutrality of the two people going.

"XG, my sisters. I left XG to be here, so I could debut with you guys." Aohi nodded along with her words, her fingers fiddling with each other in her lap.

"Did you grow up with them?" It was Aohi's turn to look at Ri-ki, the way he looked at her curiously made a ghost of a smile appear on her lips.

"Eung.." Aohi confirmed, "I didn't join XG until I was about sixteen, then I started to train with them." She shrugged, thinking about her earlier years. "I'm sorry you had to leave." Ri-ki expressed, making the girl shrug.

Aohi didn't really expect Ri-ki to apologize, especially when he was one of the only members who didn't argue with her and Xiulin at every chance.

"You don't have to apologize, at least you're nicer than your hyungs, hm?" Aohi mumbled, giving Ri-ki a lopsided smile before tilting her head back, hitting the wall with a thud.

Ri-ki followed suit, turning away and staring straight in front of him.

"Aohi-noona?" She hummed a response, expecting a question. "Yeah?"

"Where did you grow up, you know, with your group?" Ri-ki spoke back, scooting closer to his noona, feeling a bit more comfortable around her.

"Fukuoka, Japan."

"Ah— you're from Japan too?!" RI-ki's face turned from relaxed to shock, almost gaining whiplash at the way his face whipped to look at Aohi.

"I thought you knew, Ri-ki-san." Aohi used an honorific to tease the boy, who just smiled brightly. Ri-ki was happy that he could have someone to talk to, not just in korean.

"I didn't! Now, I really am glad." Ri-ki laughed, "What?— Why?" Aohi laughed back, finding Ri-ki's starstruck eyes pointed at her amusing.

"I just, miss it there. I mean, Jay-hyung speaks Japanese but, it barely lessens the loneliness.." Ri-ki replied, his wide smile morphing to that of melancholy, Aohi could obviously tell that the younger boy was reminiscing in his head.

"I get it." Aohi spoke in a soft tone, one that gave made Ri-ki feel a little less homesick. Aohi approached the boy, before hesitantly wrapping her hand around Ri-ki and gently patting his shoulder.

"I miss my hometown a lot as well, not just in Japan, but in the Philippines as well."

Aohi felt Ri-ki relax in her hold, allowing her to continue. "I had the girls in XG help me with that homesickness, but you—.." Aohi leaned into him, making him move slightly to the side.

Ri-ki just stared beside him, looking at Aohi with a soft look, wondering what the girl could possibly follow up with. "The point is, I don't think I'll be kicked off anytime soon.." Aohi sighed, removing her hand from off of his shoulders.

Ri-ki felt a little sad, slightly missing the warmth her hold had, but it was the less of his worries.

Aohi didn't really know what she was trying to say after that sentence, she wondered if it was better just shutting up.

"I'm saying, I'm here now, so if you feel homesick, at least we can be homesick together.." The girl gently punched at Ri-ki's shoulder, trying to cheer the boy up.

Ri-ki just stared at Aohi in awe, they've only seriously talked, like one other time, and it wasn't even as personal as this, who was this noona to just declare that for him?

He was astonished at the way Aohi just seems to wear her heart on her sleeve.

"You mean that?" Ri-ki hesitantly asked, "Look, we might not know each other much, but I'm serious, especially about that." Aohi replied, in reality, it just really slipped her lips, but she also knew it came from her heart.

Aohi was weak to those who's got similar experiences, and she was always one to mediate and make people feel better.

Ri-ki looked back down at his lap, a shy smile on his lips at the thought of Aohi staying true to her words, someone to talk to when you feel homesick? It gave a Ri-ki a small warmth in his chest, spreading happily throughout his body.

"Hey.." Aohi caught Ri-ki's attention, making him look up. The girl gently offered her closed fist, a truce of some sorts, a fist bump.

Ri-ki happily took the offer, raising his own fist and bump it against hers, their rings clanking against each other, a dull 'clink!' being heard.

"You're not so bad." Aohi amusingly spoke, a soft smile on her face. "And you're really pretty, noona." Ri-ki replied, mirroring Aohi's smile with his own lips.

It was the way Aohi almost choked on her own spit had she not caught herself. "Yah! Ri-ki-san!" Aohi jokingly scoffed, slapping his shoulder, a form of expressing amusement.

"What was that for?"

"I thought I should just let you know, it was a compliment!" Ri-ki giggled, his smile turning from mirroring Aohi's to one of mischief.

"You don't just tell girls they're pretty, Ki-ah." Aohi smoothly used a nickname she made for the younger boy at the spot, making Ri-ki buzz at the new nickname.

"They'll think you're in love with them and then they'll fall in love with you!" Aohi jokingly scolded the younger boy, Ri-ki's cheeks flushing as he realized.

Aohi's cheeks weren't any different though, despite being a rising idol, she still wasn't used to the compliments anyone gave her.

"Well, are you?" Ri-ki asked, his mischevious grin turning to that of a soft happy one. Ri-ki felt relieved to smile like that for a bit, epseically with his hyungs being down in the dumps with the girls.

Aohi snorted, unsure of his seriousness deep inside and deciding to laugh it off.

Suddenly, the easy atmosphere of the practice room was sucked out, when Jake returned, a weird look on his face. Aohi and Ri-ki instantly jumped away from each other, just now noticing their close proximity.

"Manager wants us up." Jake spoke slowly, still suspicious of the two and what he had possibly walked in on.

"Well, that's us," Aohi replied, standing up and dusting off the imaginary dust on her pants.

"C'mon, Ki-ah."

"Ki-ah?" Jake mumbled, his eyebrows furrowed as he stared at Ri-ki and Aohi, just what happened while he was gone that the two were all buddy-buddy?

Ri-ki just nods, standing up as well, using the wall as a support. Aohi looked on with a slight smile on her face, she was satisfied that she didn't have to fight with one of the boys today. (except Jake, of course.)

It meant, to her, that she was making progress, and she was happy with that.

Aohi hopes that Ri-ki's friendliness wouldn't last just for that day, because she intends to keep her promise to Ri-ki, and it can't happen if they're going back to being awkward.

She walks towards the door, bag in hand as Ri-ki tailed after he like a puppy. Ri-ki and Aohi left that room giggling with each other like the teens they were.

Jake just looked at the pair, tilting his head like a confused dog.

For once, Aohi thinks, that maybe, just maybe, the boys could learn to accept her.

[hobiebrownismygod]

Researching Characters So You Don't Have To Part 5 - What was Peni Parker's Canon Event?

In ATSV, we get a short glimpse of Peni Parker during Miguel's canon event explainy scene. She, along with hundreds of other spider-people enter in order to help keep Miles calm and share their own experiences with him. The only thing she says is "Miles" and she kind of tilts her head at him sadly.

If we compare this version of Peni to the version we saw in the first movie, it makes it very obvious that she went through some kind of traumatic event, probably her canon event.

So what was her canon event?

From the research I've done, I've found that her canon event is a little confusing, but I tried to make it as clear as possible.

After the events of Into the Spider-verse, Peni was approached by her classmate, Addy Brock, during class. Addy proceeded to ask her whether she was Spider-woman (or in her universe, Sp//dr). Peni brushed her off, and left without telling her. But what Peni didn't know, was that Addy was also a mech pilot, and was actually the owner of a special suit called VEN#m.

Note: Peni Parker's suit was created by Oscorp. Oscorp also used the Sym Engine which was used to create Peni's mech to create the VEN#m mech and chose Addy Brock to pilot it because of her psychological connection to it.

Now later, Peni has to fight M.O.R.B.I.U.S. but is defeated and captured by him, leading to Addy Brock's VEN#m mech being deployed to help her. During the fight, the VEN#m suit lost control and Peni had to take it down using her Sp//dr mech.

Addy and Peni's Aunt May tried to fix the VEN#m suit, but it was too late. The suit went completely crazy and took over Addy's mind, assimilated her body with cables and tendrils. When Aunt May tried to intervene, it consumed her.

Peni's canon event is completely based off the Evangelion Units 01 and 03 from the Neon Genesis Evangelion series.

Pretty sad :(

[clanwarrior-tumbly]

Hi! Could i get Nightguard/fnaf musical Mark begrudgingly befriending a ghost!reader? Maybe they were one of Madpat's victims and the whole musical they tried to convince Mark the animatronics weren't bad (until Nate proved it) & then just hung out with him afterwards, or they died in a freak accident near him & decided to haunt him for shits & giggles (but actually looks out for him when he gets in real danger, line possessing a mugger and making them run away or something)?

You were the pizzeria’s last guard before Mark, haunting it ever since you died to that chainsaw-wielding maniac in a bear suit who didn’t expect you to survive all five nights.

While you couldn’t move on, you made great friends with Freddy’s band and the Puppet so it wasn’t all too bad.

When Mark takes over the nightshift, you worry that his fate will be similar, so you keep watch and see how he handles things.

And he does very very poorly as he screams his head off at everything and anything, having a panic attack over the course of 6 hours.

Tbh seeing this grown ass man sobbing was a little amusing, as you knew the animatronics were harmless and just wanted to make him feel welcomed.

But you appeared to him as a semi-corporeal ghost to help calm him down.

Though realizing you’re not a living person freaks him out further, and you began thinking he had an irrational fear of the paranormal.

Then the power goes out and he’s cowering in the darkness until AJ “saves” him and the animatronics leave.

You figured Mark wouldn’t come back here again.

But he does and he’s armed with weapons????? And tape?????

Is he /j or /srs

"With all due respect, Mr. Iplier, why the hell would you bring a glock to a kid’s pizzeria?!!!!”

“There’s no kids here.” He rolls his eyes, not panicking when you appear to him again as he pumps a shotgun. “Now are you with me or those evil machines?!”

“..evil?! They’re children for god’s sake!!”

“They’re evil animal robots and they’re out for my blood! Just get out of my way or else!!”

“Or what? You'll shoot me? You can’t kill a ghost.”

“Oh, I bet--FOXY!! I SEE YOU!! COME GET A BITE!!!"

He shoots through you as the door opens, only to see the janitor’s body fall to the ground.

“..you’re not Foxy.”

“No shit, Sherlock.”

He gets arrested, and you’re convinced that’s the last time you’ll ever see him.

On Night 3, Nate replaces him. Fortunately you get along better with him (remarking he’s got a nice singing voice) and protect him from Springtrap by possessing the Endo-01 backstage.

Then you, him, and Freddy’s band travel to Mark’s house, where it’s revealed he escaped the cops and dyed his hair red.

Again, he freaks out seeing the animatronics, but only slightly calms down when you’re there, trying to defuse the situation.

When Nate talks about what happened at the pizzeria (and you sing a small verse about your demise), Mark begrudgingly accepts you as his friend and agrees to go back with you.

After everything’s over and your killer supposedly burned alive in the pizzeria, you still hang out with Mark as a simple ghost, finding no need for an endoskeleton vessel. 

You still like to tease him for being so scared on the first night, but he just scoffs like “nah I was only acting panicky so you’d lower your guard!”

“Yeah, sure..you’re sooooooo tough.”

“Thanks--wait, is that sarcasm??”

[lordmayokcorner]

NCT 127 Regular-Irregular - Album Review

-- Image: MTV --

NCT 127 is actually a group I found through LOONA’s live cover of Cherry Bomb. I loved LOONA’s performance and the song so much I decided to check out some more NCT 127. I haven’t listened to all of their albums yet, but I know a good amount of their stuff. This album is split into side A, Regular, and side B, Irregular. Note that this is the original version, not the repackage.

I’ll listen to each song 3 times and rate them afterward. Each song will be rated on a scale of 1-10 with 5 being completely neutral, 1 being my least favorite song, and 10 being the best songs ever. Please take my rating with a grain of salt, my goal is to be honest, no hate :)

City 127 - 6

Clean piano chords, varied percussion, and smooth bass form the beginning of this song. Paired with almost hushed vocals, this song really sets the mood for the Regular side of this album. It feels very Bruno Mars, almost a campfire song vibe. Somewhat repetitive and dry, but that’s to be expected with an intro song. Vocals are not top notch, but the vibe is there for sure. I overall like this song.

Regular (Korean Version) - 7

This song takes the same subdued energy from City 127 and puts a fun spin on it. The beat is relaxed but playful. Verses aren’t spectacular but the chorus slaps holy f*ck. It has the same sort of bad*ss energy as AUTOMATIC by Chancellor or We Go Up by fellow subunit NCT Dream. It has a very strong movie soundtrack feel, in a good way. Unfortunately, the rhymes and vocal rhythms are not as good as the English version for once in kpop, so it loses some of its charm. For that reason I’ll have to lower its score.

Replay (PM 01:27) - 8

Another track that could be described as both energetic and relaxed. That mood combined with the distant vocal chops and stab synth remind me of LOONA’s Heat from XX. Both songs remind me a decent bit of Diplo’s production. Both are produced by highly esteemed names in kpop: Heat by Daniel Caesar (Red Flavor, New) and Replay by LDN Noise (Jopping, Dumb Dumb). All tangents aside, this song is great and feels iconic, though its similarity to so many songs makes it somewhat ‘done’ already. Despite that, its hype is undeniable.

Knock On - 8

Soft electric piano and pitched vocal chops set a calm, spacey vibe for this R&B ballad. This song feels as if you’re driving slowly down a country road with the windows down on a cool summer night. Perfect 10 by Red Velvet, that’s what I see in this song. Smooth, nurturing, and beautiful. Occasionally, use of autotune can be excessive, but mostly the vocals are beautiful. Lacks some excitement, but certainly soft and incredibly textured. A great track.

No Longer - 4

Minimalist R&B tinged classical instrumentation sets the stage for soft and sweet vocals. This song is a full-on ballad. Personally I tend to not be impressed by classic ballads. I generally want a bit of flair in these types of songs. That said, the vocals are quite nice in this song, and the slow build feels quite cinematic. Not my cup of tea exactly but a beautiful song no less.

Interlude: Regular to Irregular - 6.5

I know this isn’t exactly a full on song, as it’s an interlude, but I figured I should include it anyway. This song continues the classical vibe of No Longer but removes the R&B aspect. It’s as if from Knock On to this interlude there is a slow transition between R&B and classical ballad. Holy sh*t! About half way in we switch to Side B Irregular and WOW. It’s immersive, dark, hip hop inspired beat is stunning. The 6.5 score is an average between a 5 for the first half and an 8 for the second.

My Van - 7.5

Dark and frightening, this icy cold beat sets the stage for some incredibly smooth rapping from Taeyong and Mark. The sharp high pitched synth mixed with the low bass are a daring combo that work together perfectly. The deep echo and experimental dark remind me of The Weeknd’s first mixtapes. Can feel a bit “swampy” because of how tripped out it is. Good song though.

Come Back - 9

We’re bringing back the gritty synth from Regular to Irregular. It’s much more approachable than the interlude however, though still an intense song. These are matched with the harmonized low-pass filtered plucks for some ear candy juxtaposition. It actually feels quite a bit like Puzzle, the Charli Taft produced b-side off Choerry’s solo release. Generally a Charli Taft vibe with the synth sounds. In particular the verses are infectiously groovy. 

Fly Away With Me - 7.5

The instrumentals at the very beginning are relatively the same from My Van, but this song utilizes them completely differently. The song could be characterized as a high energy ballad. It has a certain quality, best described as a slow driving force. Between the harmony choices and the smooth but energetic feel to it, this song gives Red Velvet to me. I generally like this song.

Regular (English Version) - 8

Not only does this song slap, the english version is actually better than the Korean version. There are so many hilarious slang references and memeable lyrics. Doesn’t quite fit the Irregular vibe, but who cares.

Run Back 2 U (Bonus Track) - 6

Autotune at the beginning is a bit off-puttingly strong. Because of this and the lack of change in the music, the verses aren’t extremely impressive. I believe this isn’t the first time I’ve referenced Love Cherry Motion, but this song really reminds me of it. Smooth and soft turns into hard hitting and bad*ss. The different parts of the song could be slightly more coherent however. The rap parts remind me of My Van once again. Seems to be a motif on the Irregular side. Solid but not amazing.

Final Thoughts

I really enjoyed listening to this album! I love the concept of the Regular and Irregular sides. It feels like a throwback to the record days, with the A side and B side. I would say I preferred the sound of the Irregular side, partially just because, as the name suggests, it is certainly somewhat irregular in kpop, particularly songs like My Van and the interlude between sides. I really loved the gritty synths and driving feel to all of the Irregular songs. I would give this album an overall score of 7.5. Some songs were amazing and some were decent, but I didn't really dislike anything. If the ratings didn’t make it clear, my favorite song off this record is Come Back. It really reminds me of Ay-Yo from the 4th album repackage. This album shows that NCT 127 is a very, very versatile group and can dial in many different styles. Thanks for reading, let me know what you think!

- Maya

[penguin--rat]

i might finnish this in the future but i dont rlly wanna anymore lol, i do like the concept though! rambles under cut

so! so. you See. this is all about my boy artyom (ZT001-058) and his dr volkov. i was gonna caption this "my father's love is suffocating me". for you see . dr volkov. he works at the facility, yes? and ohohho, hes not a father in simply a metaphorical way. NO hes his biological loser! the facility doesnt know that dr volkov is artymos dad - after artyom was born it was Immediatly known that he was a mutant. his mom died during childbirth. volkov thoguht "oh god, i lost my beloved, i cant lose my son too..." and basically went "No!!! NOT my fucking kid." n because they werent married. he just. refused to take a dna test. so they didnt have any proof. anyway, being a scientist at the facility, volkov becomes zt's primary caretaker. if the only way to see his son grow is to vivisect him each and every month, then so be it. if he has to electrocute him, tear his teeth out, take out part of his brain, he will do it. he can't lose any more. was also considering captioning this with a verse from polednice (noonday witch) by karel jaromír erben. the one i felt was most fitting was this one:

‘Give that child here!’ ‘Lord, forgive this sinner’s sins, my Saviour dear!’ It’s a wonder she still lives, For see—the Noonday Witch is here!

and i will soooo happily explain why. "Give that child here!" - the facility taking Artyom as soon as he was born due to his mutation, pretty clear "Lord, forgive this sinner's sins, my Saviour dear!" - volkov begging them not to think of him as a mutant so much, the 'sinner' and 'sin' being 'mutant' and 'mutation'. "Lord, forgive this mutant's wrong, my Saviour dear!" its like. this line sticks out to me so much to volkov. "Lord, forgive him, he was born a sinner, he is bound to sin!" its just!!! gah!! he's still calling the facility "saviour" though - they're the only reason he's able to see his son every day, after all. 'Its a wonder she still lives,' - this is an artyom mutation moment! he's a zombie, sorta, his heartbeat sucks so fucking much. his heart is so weak. hes like a zombie in the way that he eepy. its a wonder he hasnt succombed to his mutation yet. 'For see - the noonday witch is here!' - so, the 'she' in the previous line was about the noonday witch, but i dont care lol. this could be the facility again. this i interpret either as temnova, but shes not rlly involved w artyom !! so its like. "Its a wonder (baby Artyom) still lives, for see - the (Facility) is here!" . its a wonder neither the facility or mutation have killed him yet

Anyway. Another thing is how the poem ends. Basically, if you dont want to read it, its about a mother, her baby (its like 1 year old tops) and the noonday witch. the mother is cooking lunch, the baby is wailing. she cannot get it to calm down. the lunch is burning. she pokes her head out the window - 'Come for him, you Noonday Witch, then! Come and take this pest for me!’ - and she comes. when the mother sees her, she goes oh Fuck - either she didnt think she'd rlly come for a baby, or she thought the noonday witch wasnt real. either way, the noonday witch advances torwards the baby. the mother rushes to it and holds it so tight in a protective embrace. she holds it so so tight, as much as she can, desperate not to let the noonday witch take it from her. then, it turns 12:01.

Child clasped to her breast, he found, Lying in a faint, the mother; He could hardly bring her round, But the little one was – smothered.

She suffocated it with her tight embrace. With her love! isnt that so fucking cool?? so awesmoe??? 'my mothers love is suffocating me' it sure is buddy!!!! anyway this is very volkov-artyomcore.. 'oh, because volkov does horrible things to artyom like all the scientists?' i hear you ask. hehe. no! ill let you in on a secret. you see, the thing that ends up killing artyom is neither his mutation nor the facility:)

[jardaddy-a]

        ━ PATH TO NOWHERE VERSE : Gladiolus

Basic Information:

Name: Gladiolus "Lady Karma" ( MBCC-S-425 )

Birthplace: Eastside

Date of Birth: October 24

Type: Fury ( Core Breaker ) ━ Required to Physically attack enemies to boost her Energy Gauge .

Alignment: Anger

Ability: Fog of Retribution

Case: The Karmatic Exposé

       ━ CRIMINAL RECORD:

Subject Gladiolus is a former member of the Natura , a third-party organization that deals with intensive Mania Research for the sake of possible cure or suppression . She is part of the Jardin Faction , that carried most of the field operations . She is known to have trespassed in several residences and institutions , thievery of private database and records . Since the unknown fate of Natura , Subject Gladiolus releases said records containing evidence of corruption to the public , and before authorities could conduct a formal arrest , the figureheads would be found dead or suffering severe cases of delirium in their home residences , leading to speculations of Subject Gladiolus being the main perpetrator .

━ Noted to be extremely compliant if Subject Higanbana is involved .

THREAT ASSESSMENT: A-RANK

        ━ MUTATION ASSESSMENT:

ABILITY SUMMARY: Subject Gladiolus releases a red fog over a medium-length area that holds hallucinatory properties and distorts the perception of her targets . Subject Gladiolus uses a metal baseball bat as her main weapon , she uses her powers to her abilities and targets her victims by bludgeoning them over the head while her enemies are plagued with hysteria .

AWAKENING SIGNS: The exposure to high doses of Mania during the facility explosion unveiled a sudden awakening , Gladiolus' experienced difficulty controlling her hallucinatory fog , having to isolate herself to prevent civillian exposure . Although the subject easily grew to control her abilities overtime and since then has grown proficient in mentally distorting her targets .

CORRUPTION STATE: The subject appears to have a healthy physical state , although she appears to be easily prone to severe anger and manic episodes , leading her to be more violent and sadistic towards her targets and weaker control over the manipulation of her fog . Subject Higanbana's presence is recommended , since she can easily calm Subject Gladiolus back to a neutral state .

       ━ ARREST RECORD:

INTERROGATION 01. Before the subject's arrest there is little information to be found regarding Natura Facility's operation . Gladiolus continues to deflect any personal questions with nonsensical babbles . To snap her out of her deflection , the chief suggests that Gladiolus had abandoned Natura Facilities in pursuit of her current lifestyle of vigilantism , to which the subject immediately flares into anger , stating everything she's ever done is for the sake of Natura . After her aggressive display , she refused to interact with the chief until further notice .

INTERROGATION 02. Surviving records indicate that Natura Facilities in the farthest corner of EastSide has stopped operating a year prior due to an explosion that released high doses of Mania in the underground chambers of the facility , causing a number of deaths and victims becoming infected , the facilities have closed off since then . All information regarding Gladiolus' victims indicate that they participated in funding and supporting Natura's enemy organization: The Technica . The Technica intends to weaponize and mass produce sinners and mutations with inhumane experimentations and continues to operate undetected beneath DisCity . The Chief goes to survey the wreckage , allowing Gladiolus to come along with them .

INTERROGATION 03. At the contaminated remains of the former Natura Facilities , Subject Gladiolus finally admits to the fall of Natura and the deaths of the Everbleums , the head scientists leading the operation . A traitor from within the facility forced the mania to leak , prompting an explosion . Fortunately , due to the safety design structure in case of damages due to the facility's remote location , the mania had failed to leak to the rest of EastSide . But at the cost at the death of the majority of Natura's members , and the surviving members exposed to Mania have begun to experience mild to severe mutation sympthoms , a majority having turned into Sinners . Subject Gladiolus expresses grief at the loss of her parents , superior , and several of her friends from the catastrophe , She expresses desire to avenge the organization by taking down Technica and killing the traitor . She intends to seek out the survivors of the collision , desperate over the rumors of Maria Everbleum surviving the catastrophe . Subject Gladiolus mentions that she will only comply to the Chief at the expense of aiding her to locate Maria's whereabouts . Gladiolus wants to help seat Maria back into power and reform Natura to continue its research once again .

[the-solar-panel]

@astrcls asked: "i'm ... really sorry about the ... incident. i didn't realize ... " [ for dh, from yanqing ! ]

The Vidyadhara looks up from the book he'd been reading, blinking in surprise when he sees the lieutenant approaching him. His shock only grows when he apologizes for what happened just outside the Gorge. When he trails off, Dan Heng picks up the slack, quietly closing his book and tucking it into his robes so he can stand straighter and shake his head.

"I know you didn't. You were just doing your duty; what you thought was the best course of action in the moment. In all seriousness, I commend you for that much."

There's a hint of a smile on his lips as he continues. "That said, I don't believe we've been properly introduced." He nods, lightly and politely. "I am Dan Heng. And you are...?"

[drkroots]

The Phases

Literally just me explaining the three verse / timeline sorta things;

Phase 00 - This one is for me to play the main muses as teens, '90s for the majority and then '80s for Jewel, Ren & Spencer and yeah. It's just the before of the before, ya know?

Phase 01 - Like Phase 00, it'a where the supernatural is all under wraps, their societies and communities co-exist with the mundanes, though the mundanes are, sake for the rare few, completely oblivious

Phase 02 - The supernatural have been outed, mostly against their wills and there's chaos and struggling on both supernatural and mundane sides as everyone is trying to establish and re-navigate this new and terrifying world.

Phase 03 - With the next gen muses being now teenagers and adults themselves, some sort of semblance of calmness has been found as everyone is actively working on making everything work, but now with much more solid things in place to actually make this a successful thing.

[jzlily333]

🌺01/23活出美好Live Well🌺

When you are willing to obey and trust God, you will have the best life.                     

Behold, I lay in Zion my chosen and precious cornerstone; whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed (1 Peter 2:6).

01/23 Bible verses

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

(Psalm46: 1)

God is our refuge, our strength, and our ever-present help in trouble! (Psalm 46: 1)

01/23Good words 

1. Don’t think that it must be a doctor who can save your life. You must know how to maintain your health on a daily basis.

2. The most difficult thing in life is to keep your heart calm. Keep your heart calm and you will be able to face all kinds of challenges calmly.

Hymn: Lord I want to be Yours alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLtyW6C0-T0

🌺01/23活出美好🌺

當你願意順服、信靠上帝，你就會得著一個最好的生命。        

看哪，我把所揀選 、所寶貴的房角石安放在錫安；信靠祂的人必不至於羞愧 (彼得前書2: 6)。

01/23圣经金句

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble."

  (Psalm46: 1)     

神是我們的避難所，是我們的力量，是我們在患難中隨時的幫助！(詩篇 46: 1)

01/23金玉良言

1. 別以為能救命的一定是醫生，平日要懂得学会養生。

2.人生最難的事情，就是保持心的平靜，保持心的平靜，你將可坦然面對一切。

詩歌：主 我願單屬祢 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLtyW6C0-T0

[herdeardiaryy]

devotion 34

"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

Psalms 40:2

Thank you, Jesus, for your word for tonight.

Lord's timing is always the best. I was looking for something that might have help me to be stronger in life, until this verse of the day, the God's word, came to me tonight.

The Lord changes ways, mind, and heart depends on the willingness of a person. Even if the Lord creates us, He even respect us by knocking in our hearts, and if we sincerely let Him in, He will do miraculous things. The Lord will help us get out of the things unnecessary and not good in His sight, and that's my Lord.

At times that I feel so weary, I call upon God, and He immediately came to me and comforts me. He even taught me how to be brave in all aspects in life. He really set my feet upon the rock, meaning, He will make me stronger than I was, and God has the power to make us one.

This is my prayer:

"Lord, again, I thank you for giving this message to me this night, to make me feel encouraged, and you're amazing God. Lord, thank you for being here and everywhere, that everytime I need love and comfort, you're there. Thank you for calming my heart, continue to love and guide me, God, even my family in the philippines and other part of the world. Thank you, Jesus, thank you.

This I pray in the Mighty Name of Jesus,

Amen."

good night everyone!

love,

herdeardiaryy.

100823 | 01:29AM

[chaitanyavijnanam]

శ్రీ శివ మహా పురాణము - 687 / Sri Siva Maha Purana - 687

🌹 . శ్రీ శివ మహా పురాణము - 687 / Sri Siva Maha Purana - 687 🌹 ✍️. స్వామి తత్త్వ విదానంద సరస్వతి 📚. ప్రసాద్ భరద్వాజ 🌴. రుద్రసంహితా-యుద్ద ఖండః - అధ్యాయము - 02 🌴 🌻. త్రిపుర వర్ణనము - 7 🌻

వాక్కులతో వర్ణింప శక్యము కానివి, మనస్సుతో ఊహింప శక్యము గానివి అగు ఆ నగరములు పాపాత్ములకెన్నడూ కానరావు. శుభమగు ప్రవర్తన కల్గి పుణ్యవంతులగు మహాత్ములు మాత్రమే వాటిని చూడగల్గుదురు (69). పతిని సేవించు స్వభావము గలవారు, అధర్మమునందు రుచిలేని వారు అగు పతివ్రతాస్త్రీలు ఆ నగర ప్రదేశములను పావనము చేయుచుండిరి (70). మహాత్ములు, వీరులు అగు రాక్షసులు, మరియు శ్రౌతస్మార్తముల తత్త్వము నెరింగి స్వధర్మనిష్ఠులగు బ్రహ్మణులు తమ భార్యాబిడ్డలతో ఆ నగరముల యందు నివసించిరి (71). విశాలమగు వక్షస్ధ్సలము గలవారు, బలిసిన భుజములు గలవారు, సంధికి యుద్ధమునకు కూడ సదా సంసిద్ధులై యుండు వారు, ప్రసన్నమైన వారు, కోపస్వభావము గలవారు, గూనివారు, పొట్టివారు కూడ ఆ నగరములలో నుండిరి (72).

మయునిచే రక్షింపబడి శిక్షణ నీయబడి యుద్ధమునకు తహతహలాడు వారు, నల్లకలువలవలె నల్లగా ప్రకాశించే ఉంగరములు తిరిగిన జుట్టు గలవారు నగు రాక్షసులు ఆ నగరములలో నివసించిరి (73). గొప్ప యుద్ధముల యందభిరుచి గలవారు, అజుడగు శివుని పూజించుటచే పరిశుద్ధమైన పరాక్రమము గలవారు, సూర్యుడు, వాయువు మరియు మహేంద్రునితో సమానమైన వారు, దేవతలను మర్దించే దృడకాయులు అగు దైత్యులు ఆ నగరములలో అంతటా నివసించి యుండిరి (74). వేదశాస్త్ర పురాణములలో ఏయే ధర్మములు కీర్తింపబడినవో, శివునకు ప్రియమగు అట్టి ధర్మములు అచట సర్వత్రా సర్వకాలములలో విలసిల్లినవి (75).

తారకుని పుత్రులగు ఆ రాక్షసులు ఇట్టి నగరములను వరముగా పొంది శివభక్తుడగు మయుని సేవిస్తూ ఆ నగరములలో నివసించిరి(76). వారు సర్వదా శివభక్తి పరాయణులైననూ ముల్లోకములను పీడించి ఆ నగరములను ప్రవేశించి గొప్పగా రాజ్యమును పాలించిరి (77). ఓ మహర్షీ! పుణ్యాత్ములగు ఆ రాక్షసులు చక్కగా రాజ్యమును పాలిస్తూ ప్రీతితో ఆ నగరములలో నివసించు చుండగా చాల కాలము గడిచెను (78).

శ్రీ శివమహాపురాణములో రుద్ర సంహితయందు యుద్ధ ఖండలో త్రిపురవర్ణనమనే మొదటి అధ్యాయము ముగిసినది (1).

సశేషం....

🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹

🌹 SRI SIVA MAHA PURANA - 687🌹 ✍️ J.L. SHASTRI, 📚. Prasad Bharadwaj 🌴 Rudra-saṃhitā (4): Yuddha-khaṇḍa - CHAPTER 01 🌴 🌻 Description of Tripura (the three cities) - 7 🌻

69. There were persons of various types—sinners, virtuous, pious, noble and those of good conduct too.

70. The place was sanctified everywhere by chaste ladies engaged in serving their husbands and averse to evil practices.

71. The cities contained heroic Asuras of great fortune accompanied by their wives, sons and brahmins well versed in the principles and practices of the Vedic and Smārta rites. They were strict adherents to their duties.

72. People had broad chests and bull-like shoulders. Some were of peaceful nature and some of warlike temperament. Some were calm and some furious. Some were hunchbacked, Some were dwarfish.

73. They were protected by Maya. Some had the blue-lily petals. Their hair was curly and dark in hue. Maya had instructed them in the arts of warfare.

74. The cities abounded in people engaged in terrific battles. There were many Asuras whose heroism was sanctified by the worship of Brahmā and Śiva. The Asuras resembled the sun, the Maruts and Mahendra. They were sturdy.

75. Whatever sacred rites are mentioned in Śāstras, Vedas and Purāṇas, as favourites of Śiva, as also the deities, favourites of Śiva, were found there.

76. Thus the Asuras, sons of Tāraka, after acquiring the boons, lived there subservient to Maya, a great devotee of Śiva.

77. Abandoning the other parts in the three worlds they entered the cities and ruled the kingdom following the principles of Śiva.

78. O sage, a long time elapsed even as they were engaged in meritorious activities and living happily ruling over the good kingdom.

Continues....

🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[andybondurant]

New Post has been published on Andy Bondurant

New Post has been published on https://andybondurant.com/2023/01/20/walk-through-the-bible-luke-7-9/

Walk Through the Bible: Luke 7-9

We’re kicked off the year by walking through the Gospel of Luke together. A common New Year’s goal is to read the Bible more, but as a pastor, I see a common hurdle to this goal��where do I start? Here are three things to help you:

5 Steps to Understand the Bible. Start here. Give yourself a fighting chance of understanding what you are reading.

If you are beginning with the first book of the Bible, Genesis, I wrote a series of posts on the story of Joseph. Joseph is a major character at the end of the book of Genesis, and the story of Joseph and his brothers is a little messy and complicated. Here is the first of those posts: Joseph: A Story of Redemption.

If you aren’t starting in Genesis, the Gospels (stories of Jesus) is a good place to begin. Over several weeks, I’m walking through Luke, 3 chapters a week. This is the third post, to find the earlier posts, check them out here:

Walk Through the Bible: Luke 1-3

Walk Through the Bible: Luke 4-6

Luke 7 – Line in the Sand

Do you see it? Jesus started a few chapters ago, but today He made it more clear. Do you see what Jesus is doing? He referred to it and is amazed by it within the Roman soldier. He makes it clear speaking of John the Baptist. It’s practically screaming during the encounter with the sinful woman.

Do you see it? Jesus is drawing a line in the sand.

Jesus is creating a dividing line for those who are with him or against him. You could say that line is faith, but I think there is a more important element than even faith. It’s humility. Jesus is challenging those who would follow Him to humble themselves before God.

He’s not worried about status or position – Roman soldier, tax collector, Pharisee, prostitute. He’s asking the same of everyone. Humble yourself. Understand your need for a mighty, holy God. In yourself, you are not enough.

Now pay attention because the this marks another change. The tension within the story is beginning to ratchet up. Each encounter Jesus has with men and women will put more and more pressure on both Jesus and his followers. It’s not just true with the story of Luke, but with you too. The more you learn and know about Jesus, the more pressure on you to humble yourself.

Luke 8 – Ask for clarity

The chapter begins with Jesus teaching a parable – an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. However, the meaning isn’t easily understood, so his disciples ask him the meaning. Jesus gives the answer, and he starts by saying this,

“He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled:  ‘When they look, they won’t really see.  When they hear, they won’t understand.’” -‭Luke‬ ‭8:10‬ ‭‬‬

Read again the last two lines of that verse. Jesus is quoting from the prophet Isaiah, about the people who would encounter Jesus… the Messiah. It also foreshadows what Luke continues through this chapter. Jesus tells another few stories, and then makes this seemingly harsh statement when told his family is trying to connect with him,

“Jesus replied, “My mother and my brothers are all those who hear God’s word and obey it.””  -Luke‬ ‭8:21‬

Then Jesus calms a storm, delivers a man from a ‘legion’ of demons, heals a woman sick for years just by her touching him and raises a girl from the dead. The common denominator in each of these stories is fear, confusion or both in those who witness these works of God.

People look, but they don’t really see. They hear, but people don’t really understand.‬‬

Where do you stand with Jesus? Do you see? Do you understand? If you find yourself afraid, confused or mocking, it’s a sign you’re looking, but you don’t see; you’re listening, but you don’t understand. However, you do have another choice.

You can ask for clarity.

It’s what the disciples did…often. Jesus, both then and now, loves to hear our questions. God doesn’t just to hear our questions, but he loves to speak truth and meaning to us. But too often we are too busy or uninterested in hearing what God has to say.

If you are afraid, confused or mocking, I challenge you to stop and ask for clarity. I think you’ll be shocked in what you hear.

Luke 9 – Give it away, give it away, give it away now

One of the principles of leadership is giving away authority to the people you lead. Jesus spends this chapter giving away His authority to his disciples. He starts by sending them out to preach, teach and heal the people (vss 1-6). Jesus challenges them to feed the people when they masses are hungry (vs 13). He asks their opinion on who He is (vs 18).

By the end of the chapter, they are free and comfortable in using this authority. They attempt to cast a demon out of a boy (vss 37-40), they tell people not to teach in Jesus’ name (vss 49-50), they plan to pray for fire to consume a village (vs 54).

To be clear, the disciples aren’t successful in many of their early attempts at exercising the authority Jesus gave them. They tried, and their attempt and failure was actually more important than success. Why? Part of the leadership principle of giving away authority includes talking about how we learn from both our success and failure.

If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus, you have been given authority. Jesus is sending you out (to your school, job, family, team, home) to preach, teach and heal. Jesus is asking you to feed the masses (physically, emotionally, spiritually), Jesus wants your opinion on what culture is saying about him (though He knows all truth).

You have authority. Let that sink in. You have power in the kingdom God has established here on earth. God has given you the same authority he gave to the disciples 2000 years ago. You don’t need to wait for a better time, place or person. 

Act! Don’t wait for the perfect moment.

That’s my problem. I wait for the perfect moment, or I need to feel confident and strong. Sometimes, it’s I want to have the best phrasing and all my thoughts lined up. I want to know everything there is to know about the person I’m speaking to or the place I’m going. With this attitude, I might wait forever. Want to know the secret to stepping out in faith?

You will make mistakes (but God’s okay with that).

He sent the disciples expecting them to slip up and fail…and relishing the discussions of how to be better the next time. When you are confident God has your back, making a mistake isn’t your fear — failing to act is.

Don’t wait! Step out in faith. Speak with authority. It’s all been given to you