#Vigilant Guardian

[geekynerfherder]

Showcasing art from some of my favourite artists, and those that have attracted my attention, in the field of visual arts, including vintage; pulp; pop culture; books and comics; concert posters; fantastical and imaginative realism; classical; contemporary; new contemporary; pop surrealism; conceptual and illustration.

The art of Nimit Malavia.

[whumpetywhump]

Guardian - Ep. 33 & 34

[dravidious]

You're more amazing than catchphrases

90% of all Yugioh card effects are either "move a card from one zone to another" or "negate an effect" so I made a bunch of combat keywords so that monsters can actually be interesting on the field.

[panicinthestudio]

When Zhou Fengsuo was looking for a space in New York to display his art collection, he couldn’t believe his luck when he stumbled across 894 6th Avenue in the heart of midtown Manhattan. The numbers of the address – 8946 – were the same as the date he wanted to commemorate: 4 June 1989. It was “unbelievable”, the former student leader marvelled.

That Zhou’s collection, which opened to the public on Friday as part of the June 4th Memorial Museum, ended up in such an uncanny location is the result of a concerted, decades-long campaign by the Chinese Communist party (CCP) to eradicate any remembrance of the 1989 massacre around Tiananmen Square anywhere in the world.

Having virtually eliminated 4 June gatherings in mainland China and Hong Kong, the CCP’s efforts to suppress the memories of that event have increasingly been felt overseas.

In the early hours of 4 June 1989, troops from the People’s Liberation Army rolled into Tiananmen Square, in the heart of Beijing, to disperse thousands of peaceful protesters who had gathered for weeks to demand political reforms. Hundreds of civilians were killed. The Chinese government has never fully acknowledged the massacre.

The opening of the June 4th Memorial Museum in New York was prompted by the closure of one in Hong Kong in 2021 after the imposition of the national security law effectively criminalised 4 June commemorations. But now people who try to light a candle much further from Beijing also encounter difficulties. When plans for the New York museum were announced last year, local Chinese community groups objected to them, accusing the organisers of being divisive.

The first venue the museum’s organisers approached turned them down without giving a specific reason. “We have to be very careful at negotiating [with venues] and be very explicit about our purpose,” Zhou said. That means “making sure that the other party is fully aware of the commitment needed”.

The museum plans to operate a visitor booking system. “We cannot open the door for anyone who wants to come in because we’re really worried they [the Chinese embassy] will send somebody,” said Wang Dan, another former student leader.

Shao Jiang, an exiled 1989 protester, has been helping to organise 4 June vigils in London since 2007. When the Observer tried to reach him by telephone in the days before this month’s event – a protest outside the Chinese embassy – the call was blocked.

Shao said this often happened in the run-up to 4 June. “If I order deliveries, they can’t contact me,” he said. “It’s quite normal, living in exile. Every year I face different difficulties.”

Activists have had to balance the desire to raise awareness of a fading memory with keeping out spies. In the past two years, Hongkongers have swelled the numbers at the London vigil. But attendees are often cautious, reluctant to remove their face masks or trust other people there.

“There are people who take photos at events that are critical of the CCP, including 4 June vigils,” said Yaqiu Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch. “It’s never clear who those people are, but likely they are associated with the CCP, and taking photos is a way of intimidating participants. That is also a big reason why overseas students refrain from going to those events.”

In many places, vigils are shrinking. Peng Xiaoming, a Berlin organiser, said: “The number of attendees is reducing because of the Chinese government’s powerful propaganda.”

This includes threats to students that they or their families will face repercussions in China. “Most of the people who attend are old friends and classmates from the past,” Peng said.

Taiwan is alone in the Sinosphere in still holding a significant 4 June event. Hundreds gather to light candles at the Chiang Kai-shek memorial.

In recent years, new Hongkongers arriving in Taiwan have boosted the size of the vigil, and drawn attention to the links between the CCP’s behaviour in 1989 and in Hong Kong in 2019 and 2020.

Beijing sees Taiwan as being part of its territory – and any mention of 4 June is therefore highly undesirable to the CCP. “Every year, there is something to limit our activities,” said Wonka, one of the vigil’s organisers, who uses a pseudonym to protect her identity.

The challenges include vandalism of the event’s signage and, increasingly, fear from potential collaborators. This year, Wonka invited a troupe of 20 musicians to perform at the vigil but several refused because of fear of retaliation from the CCP. In the end, only four or five of the musicians agreed to perform.

“It’s very normal,” said Wonka. “They are afraid of the China issue.”

The Chinese embassies in the UK and Germany did not respond to a request for comment.

Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said: “The Chinese government has already drawn a clear conclusion on the political disturbance in the late 1980s. The great achievements we made in the past 70 years since the establishment of the People’s Republic of China speak volumes about the right development path we have chosen with the endorsement by our people.

“The Chinese people will continue to advance along the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

Additional reporting by Emma Graham-Harrison

The Observer, via The Guardian, June 3, 2023

[artfularchon]

Just a realistic portrait of Xiao. Definitely one of my faves. <3

[mejomonster]

Chapter 152. Yeah I'm on this scene still just. So much of their dynamic can be gleamed from this dialogue damn:

Fei Du silently puffed out a cold breath, which quickly produced frost visible to the naked eye. He remembered the string of missed phone calls trying to cut in earlier and carelessly looked down at his phone.

Fei Du took one look and went silent. The President Fei who had scared the stalking villain into wanting to pull a knife twitched the corners of his mouth; his first reaction was to stick his phone back into his jacket pocket, pretending that nothing had happened. But on the other end, Luo Wenzhou seemed to have a gaze that extended thousands of li. While the phone was still warm, he called again.

Fei Du’s hand shook. In the chilly villa’s living room, a bit of sweat broke out on his back. He took a deep breath, then answered. “Hi…”

There was a brief pause on the other end. Then Luo Wenzhou said heavily, “You were just on the phone for at least twenty-five minutes.”

Fei Du said, “I…”

“I suppose you’ve been calling the lunar probe?”

Fei Du: “…”

Though Fei Du didn’t say anything, Luo Wenzhou seemed to be able to tell what had happened through some miraculous instinct. “Where are you?”

Fei Du said, “…At the villa.”

“What are you doing there on your own?” Luo Wenzhou made some association that suddenly changed the tone of his voice. “Wait there for me!”

[thvndersnow]

TAG DUMP 5 ;;

rhulk and nezarec tags

RHULK TAGS:

rhulk tag ;; earth scorches; suns fade; look beyond

rhulk hc ;; lie down and embrace the darkness beyond your final days

rhulk aes ;; the only shape you’ll take is that of death

rhulk ic ;; you will not rise from the deep

rhulk ship ;; how i cherish your constant dance with death

--

NEZAREC TAGS:

nezarec tag ;; he is that which is an end and he shall rise again

nezarec hc ;; stand vigilant as old stars die and new light blinks its first

nezarec aes ;; all he offers is not as dark as it may seem

nezarec ic ;; feed your fear to the fiend

nezarec ship ;; we both know you guardians can’t resist a challenge

[thatstupidsheep]

He will be dearly missed.

[jkcassoc]

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[moonyistired]

Lunna meets her new mentor

[meowmoedotcom]

The CATS That Protect Owners Like Dogs (2024)

meowmoe.com

[fangbeach]

Amidst the enigmatic aura of the night, a silent sentinel stands guard, its presence a testament to the timeless tales etched in stone.

"The symbolism used by CERN only fuels the speculation of conspiracy theorists. For example, many point out the giant statue of Shiva the Destroyer standing outside.

There’s even a video floating around the internet that shows men in black robes doing a ritual sacrifice in front of it. Snopes says the video is a hoax and that some of the researchers at the facility were definitely a possibility. What I really want to know is why the researchers would make a joke about just having fun. I do not always trust Snopes but that’s something like this.

Others say scientist at CERN are messing with time and changing our past. This is actually not too farfetched to believe if you take into consideration what theoretical physicists say about the speed of light. If an object were to somehow travel faster than it, the object would actually go back in time. Is it possible CERN managed to break the light speed barrier?"

[whumpetywhump]

Guardian - Ep. 28

[dravidious]

I like you very very much

I decided to make another keyword commander (in Bant colors again, by coincidence)

And while I was in the MSE file I noticed good old Ovicras the incubate commander, and that got me thinking about noncreature commanders again. Turns out there are exactly two noncreature, noneplaneswalker cards that can be your commander, and one of them is silver border. That left the vehicle commander, and after the Fractal debacle, I wasn't hopeful, but

It's... beautiful. Just one unique ability, perfectly encouraging you to make a deck stuffed with vehicles. And crew 8! What a bold requirement! There's no need for me to make a vehicle commander, they knocked it out of the park with this masterpiece...

But wow is there a lot of untapped design space for noncreature commanders!

Not quite as clean and beautiful as Shorikai, but I'm satisfied with them. Got kinda silly with the colors on The General's Blade lol

Ovicras also inspired me to compleat my fursona a few more times

[mrtom414]

young elf standing look out

[santaeofficial]

Tidewalker and Gilded Official Reveal!

We are Thrilled and Excited to officially reveal the Official Art for our Gilded and Tidewalker colors, as modeled by the Direfang!  

The Gilded theme reflects the essence of Ancient guardianship, with rich golds, deep blues, and radiant Gemstones woven into its design. This pet is a living relic, imbued with the Energy of sacred locations and powers of the Ancient. The shimmering jewels suggest a connection to Mystical wonders, making the Gilded pet a vigilant Protector, always watching over with a serene yet commanding Presence.

The Tidewalker theme enchants your pet with the Powerful, mystical energy of the Ocean. Plunge beneath the waves with scales and fins perfect for Exploring the depths of the sea! Watery magic empowers Tidewalker pets to embark on undersea Adventure. Your pet will truly embody the essence of the Ocean, resembling the powerful Guardians of the deep. 

Thank You to each and every one of you for your Support and enthusiasm that makes Santae's growth possible. We hope you love these new pet colors as much as we loved Creating them -- and that you're excited for everything more that is to Come! Every Alpha Member and Kickstarter Backer will receive one Gilded Shimmer Dust and one Tidewalker Shimmer Dust as a huge thank you for achieving this goal as a community! Stay tuned for more information on how these Legendary Guardians will be released in the future! These will be issued as we roll into our Beta Testing phase. 

If we can reach our $75k Stretch Goal, we'll unlock yet another brand New Pet to join the world of Santae. And Beyond that, there's even more to unlock. Join your friends in an Adventure Party to take on quests as a team. Tend to your collection of Minimals in a dedicated Terrarium and Aquarium system. Even more new pets, a pet Battle System -- all this and more awaits beyond our additional Stretch Goals!

Thank You All so much for your continued Love and Support! Our Community is what makes Santae truly special.