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weissicles · 4 years

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Humanity and Catharsis: FE3H Crimson Flower Meta!

I finished the Crimson Flower route for Fire Emblem: Three Houses! Now it’s time for some meta. This isn’t spoiler-free and it’s pretty long... so read at your own risk! (Though, I’m pretty late to the party, so I’m sure you’re all way ahead of me...)

Byleth’s Ending

First and foremost, let me begin by saying that this ending has to be my favorite for Byleth. I mentioned in an earlier post that I am aware of the end results of the Azure Moon (AM), Verdant Wind (VW), and Silver Snow (SS) routes, despite still needing to play it. I still felt pleasantly surprised and very pleased to play through the CF route, especially for Byleth, because I truly believe this was the best ending for their character. Byleth loses their divine powers, becoming even more human than they were at the beginning of the game, and that’s pretty neat.

(Borrowed this image from r/Edelgard; thank you, u/BrilliantGenius)

I think the biggest reason why I love this ending so much for Byleth is because they return to being a real person. Throughout the whole game, the player gets to watch how Byleth, a traveling mercenary, realizes that they are connected to Sothis, the Goddess, and how they awaken their true powers. Byleth merges with Sothis in every route, but only in the CF route do they lose their divine powers, as killing Rhea results in the breaking of the crest stone in their heart. Why does this matter? Numerous times, Edelgard mentions how she wishes to end the tyrannical rule of the Children of the Goddess (CotG), particularly Rhea, because she perceives that humanity has moved past needing to be ruled by non-humans and the oppressive systems they’ve created. Edelgard is traumatized by her own horrendous past, which drives her to find ways to end suffering. She appears like any crazy, mad queen figure in the routes that cast her as an antagonist, but what remains true throughout all routes is her passion for finding ways for humans to be humans without unnecessary suffering. She desires to restore humanity to its dignified state by eliminating the CotG, which make sheep out of people.

That’s why Byleth--the one with divine powers, quite literally the Goddess Incarnate--returning to how she was at the beginning is so powerful. This person, who became a weapon to change the tides of war, now gets to be a normal human. The crest stone breaking and her heart beginning to beat for the very first time symbolizes the collapse of the crest system and the freedom from a system that hailed Byleth as a weapon rather than a person. What’s more, Edelgard, the lord fighting for ideals of humanity, is the first person to hear Byleth’s heartbeat. She is the first person to realize Byleth’s changes, to see how they become a person again. Her dream for Fodlan is realized first in the person she looks up to the most, the person who has fought by her side since the start of the story. If that’s not poetic, I don’t know what else to tell you.

Catharsis

Now, what about Edelgard?

Let’s not pretend that she isn’t controversial. She is, and for good reason. Presented as attractive and likeable regardless of your choice of house, Edelgard serves as the antagonist for 3 of 4 routes. She dies in every route except CF and that matters. She turns into a heartless, cold leader whose ruthlessness can no longer be justified as the bloodshed continues to worsen. In the eyes of the other lords and Rhea, there is no possible way for someone as crazed as Edelgard to live. And frankly? The way that she turns out without Byleth, that makes sense.

So, why does it matter that she lives in CF, and that we see her the way she is? In no other ending do we ever see Edelgard herself returning to a sense of being human. No other ending provides reason for why she should live. CF is the only route where we can explore her character in full, realize that she is just a girl after all, and that she is human, too. That is why it is only in CF do we see this: Edelgard crying.

Following the battle at Tailtean Plains and slaying Dimitri, Edelgard nearly cries when she talks about the fallen king. Now, this is just a headcanon of mine, but I imagine that she might have remembered something about him and their childhood at the mention of her nickname, El. (”To the fires of eternity with you, El...”) His death shakes her to the point of nearly crying, but she doesn’t. She even says that the Edelgard who sheds tears died a long time ago.

But she cries when she thinks Byleth is dying.

This is the moment when the Adrestian Emperor returns to who she really is: Edelgard. Unable to help herself, Edelgard experiences grief and reacts as any person might by crying for the person she loves. She does something she hasn’t done in years, probably since she’s been a very young child in the dungeons underneath the palace in Enbarr. Why? Because she loves Byleth and losing someone you love should break you. This scene goes to show how Edelgard cares deeply for her teacher to the point of experiencing loss. When she realizes that Byleth may yet be alive (since the crest stone broke), she presses her head to her chest, hears her heartbeat for the first time, and starts to laugh. Yes, she laughs! Quietly, and mangled with the sound of some tears, which we can assume are shed out of pure joy that their professor is alive.

Here we see that Edelgard, like Byleth, is returning to a more human state. She’s finally allowed some catharsis, a major resolution to her suppressed character. Throughout the whole game, Edelgard has been nothing but repressed, constantly wearing the mask of Emperor, bound by duty, unable to be truly free. Without Byleth, she becomes even more inhuman as she really becomes more tyrannical. But with Byleth, like her teacher, she becomes more human, able to express feelings, able to be warm, able to experience loss because she loved.

Now, this is my more personal take on it, but I have always liked the thought of Edelgard and Byleth being more romantic than platonic following the timeskip. It’s heavily hinted that Edelgard has always taken a keen interest on the professor. What initially begins as a hope that Byleth may side with her turns into an actual desire to walk with her and experience a new dawn with her. Interestingly, the Japanese version has Edelgard more explicit with her romantic feelings than in the English version. Regardless of whether you read their relationship as romantic or platonic, I think this ending makes it clear that Byleth and Edelgard are equal, humans, people who care for one another and work well together. Byleth fulfills their role as more than an advisor. They are a mentor, a friend, and even family (see their ability to call Edelgard “El”, a name only Edelgard’s father and Dimitri use in CF). In that way, this route’s final message is this: that to love is to be human, and to be human is ultimately to love. That is why I really think that this route is the best possible outcome for Edelgard and especially for Byleth.

Other Takes

While I was disappointed that it was only 18 chapters long, CF does take a more direct approach, as the tides shift significantly when Byleth sides with the Empire. I would have liked if Claude and Dimitri played a more prominent role, though I know that CF focuses mainly on Edelgard and the BE’s against the Church of Seiros. I really think there was potential for Claude and Edelgard to be something besides a warring emperor and a neutral leader. I will admit: Edelclaude is a crack ship of mine. But I find their similar views on the church, their dreams of a new dawn for Fodlan, and their odd interactions to be interesting enough. I understand why Claude either must die or leave (for Almyra). If he hadn’t, that could have changed the way the war turned out, ultimately lessening Byleth’s role. It’s an interesting thought for a canon-divergent story. And let’s be real: Edelgard and Claude somewhat flirting while they face off in Derdriu? Ain’t slick at all!

And Dimitri... Oh, poor Dimitri. My best friend and roommate just finished AM and was so defeated by Edelgard’s death because of her relationship with Dimitri. They’re a tragic set of people, Edelgard and Dimitri, and it makes sense that in both AM and CF, one of them must die. Still, I was so shaken by Dimitri’s last words before Edelgard personally executes him in CF. I would like to think that that was not easy for her at all. I would like to think that she remembered him, at least a bit, and that she felt something there as she killed him. I don’t know what else I would have wanted out of Dimitri in CF, but I know I wanted something more. AM does a great job of providing good angst from Dimitri’s side. It would have been nice to see that from Edelgard’s side as well.

----

All in all, CF was a great route and may remain my favorite route, as I’m very impressed by Edelgard as a character. We’ll see! It’ll be a while until I play another route, but suffice to say that I’m floored by FE3H’s story, characters, and world. What a beautiful game, through and through!

#fe3h #fe3h spoilers #crimson flower #crimson flower spoilers #bhu speaks #meta #byleth eisner #edelgard von hresvelg #long post #edeleth #honestly this doesn't have to be edeleth #but let's tag that anyway #analysis #personal take #bhu plays

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theleftoversworld · 3 years

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The Lord is My Shepard

There can’t be more than two hundred people in this dirt pile that they call a town. Why am I here? Why do I do this? Is it not God’s will that they die for their sins? The rapture has come. They were not taken by the Lord’s hand, so their punishment must be here, on earth. But you have called me here Lord... you must have your reasons. Casandra thinks as she rides her motorbike up to the lone business that looks like it’s operational. The same in all of these filthy towns. The church is derelict, and the tavern is thriving. Filthy Godless people. She’s been in these towns enough to know that in boondocks like this there is always a board with jobs listed on it. That’s why she’s here. The church sent her on a pilgrimage around rural Illinois to help the people and find out what God’s plan is for her. The other reason she’s here is that taverns like this always have passable whiskey, which is required before attempting to deal with these people. She runs a hand through her long knotted brown hair to try to get the bugs and leaves out of it. After a moment’s pause she pulls her rosary from inside her leather jacket. This should have some sway to help her get information and stop the drooling men from trying to make a pass. She takes one last breath of clean fresh air before heading inside. It smells like every other tavern in this cursed land. Urine, body odor, and desperation. There’s half a dozen men at the bar already. They look like they spent their day out in the sun digging dirt. They have nothing here. No crops can grow here after the rapture, the earth doesn’t want to support them anymore. Why don’t they leave these barren lands and find someplace where they can actually survive instead of scraping by? A sunburnt man in overalls who stands behind the bar gives her a once over. “Ya?” He says in an accusing tone as though she’s forcing him to be there. “Whiskey.” She grunts, trying to match his tone. She’s learned that gruff works better than nice, and she’s never been good at being cordial. In one motion she sits down and puts enough money on the table for three shots. “Two shots and the extra is to leave me alone.” The man behind the bar seems to appreciate this. He pours two shots and then turns his back on her. She downs the first shot and winces. No chaser, the pain gives her focus, lets her see things she normally wouldn’t. The man at the other end of the bar has a dirt covered lipstick mark on his neck. Probably having an affair with another dirt person. The child at that round table keeps shifting in her seat. She has to pee and her parents haven’t noticed. The family in the back of the bar nearest the rear door, a mother and two kids. The mother has blood on her pants near her ankle. She’s resting it on her other foot so it doesn’t accidentally get any weight put on it. Something bit her. From the mess on her clothes she’s been working with animals. Where’s her husband? Dead? Or did he just leave? Cassandra takes a long breath. Nothing in here is immediately threatening. She can take a bit of time to think. She rests back on her barstool. I was a devout child. I went to catholic school, attended church twice a week. Every extra curricular thing I could do with the church I did. So why was I left behind in the Rapture? Why did God not take me to live with him? Why am I still here on this diseased planet? She frowns. This line of thought never gets her anywhere but into a fight. As if on cue a young man sits down next to her. Really he’s more of a boy than a man. If I ignore him, maybe he won’t say anything. I need work, the last thing I need is to break this kid’s teeth. She thinks and reaches for her second shot. “Hey, you’re pretty good looking for a church girl.” The man says and reaches out to stop her from grabbing the shot. “If you touch me I will circumcise you with my sword.” She growls. “I can’t promise it will be clean.” He quickly retracts his hand. “Meant no harm. We just never get visitors. Especially ones that look as good as you.” She throws the shot back. “Ever think you’re the

reason?” She slams the glass down and gets up to leave. She can feel everyone’s eyes on her now but she doesn’t care. They don’t deserve to be saved. I bet they don’t even go to church on Sunday. She thinks as she makes for the exit. Once she’s outside she spies the jobs board. It looks like someone’s been through here already. “Damn the hunters.” She grumbles as she walks to it. “They took almost everything... Let’s see what they left for me. The storekeeper’s wife is missing. I would bet money she’s above that bar working. I could smell the sin from outside. Aaaand sheep have been attacked at night on the edge of town.” She sighs. “One sucks far less than the other.” She rips the sheep job off the board and heads to the south end of town.

The town is so small she could have walked to the farm but she needs what’s on her bike. At the edge of town she finds a house with around twenty sheep in a hastily constructed small pen. A gate on one end of the pen tells her that they used to free range outside of town, but not anymore. Poor buggers. The animals have it the worst. They don’t understand that they are being punished along with the sinners.

After speaking to the owner of the house she goes back to her bike to set up. It’s the woman from the bar. She informs Cassandra that the attacks come at night so she might as well set up a camp and wait. When pressed for what happened to her ankle she says she stepped into a trap meant for the zombies. Cassandra nods, she seems a bit clumsy and careless. After a few more questions she heads back to her bike.

The church sent her out with rations, MRE’s that they got from what was left of the US military. This one is potato chowder and she hates to admit it, but it wasn’t half bad. Probably better than whatever she would have gotten at that tavern. Damn, the tavern. Another few shots would sure help the time pass. She hears a familiar voice calling from the house. It’s one of the boys. He must have dropped his dinner. She thinks and tries to ignore him. But then something he says catches her ear. “Please! She’s frothing like a rabid dog!” He shouts. She’s on her feet in an instant and running. She pulls out her sword as she runs as well as a small silver dagger she keeps in a belt pouch. “Sounds like a werewolf transformation! Where is she?” She asks as she makes it to the door. “On the kitchen floor! This way!” The boy shouts and leads her to the room. As soon as she enters the room though she knows that it’s not werewolves. The boy’s mother is there on the floor, foaming from the mouth like he said. But her eyes are almost bugging out of her head and the most telling part is her leg. The wound, which is now exposed, is septic and the skin around it has turned green. “Damnit! She needs to die now!” Casandra shouts and pulls her sword back but the boy steps in her way.

“No! She’s my mom! Help her! Doesn’t the church help people?” “There is no helping her! She’s been infected with the zombie virus! Now step aside or I will cleave you to get to her!” Cassandra yells angrily. He doesn’t move. “Lord, have mercy on their souls!” She growls but as she starts to bring the sword down. The boy lets out a bone shaking scream that causes her to wince and stop her blade. The boy falls and it becomes quickly obvious. The boy’s mother is chewing on his leg, tearing flesh with her teeth. The boy is looking at her in horror and screaming, both in terror and in pain. Cassandra shakes her head violently to clear it and then chops the boy’s head off in one swift motion. “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them.” She entones as she then goes to cut off the mothers head. “May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.” Once she’s done she looks at them in some disgust and takes stock of everything. “I guess I know what attacked the sheep then. I need some holy water to perform the ritual to make sure you two stay dead. And to find the other child, maybe they can be saved. Though I doubt it.” She turns to go to her bike but she stops in her tracks. One of the problems with zombies is that they don’t moan like they did in the movies. They are surprisingly quiet and can sneak up on you if you aren’t paying attention. There are fifteen of them in the house, between her and the front door. She glances at the window and sees more of them outside watching her. “No way out.” One of the zombies says. “If you give up, we will make it quick.” “Give up? Give up!?!” She says, getting angry. She raises her sword and changes into the zombies in the hallway. I believe in God! The Father Almighty! Creator of Heaven and earth!

and in Jesus Christ! His only Son Our Lord!” She shouts as she cleaves through the first two zombies. “Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate! Was crucified, died, and was buried!” Two more zombies fall at her feet, their evil purged from this world by her divine blade.

Although she is covered in their putrid blood, she doesn’t falter. This is her life, she was put on earth to slay evil. “He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead!” Five try to rush her at once but she steps back and makes a wide swing. She cuts off four arms and then raises her sword hand, clenched fist facing the zombies. “He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead!” A stream of fire comes from her hand like a hose. She sweeps it over the zombies that remain between her and the door. “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting!” She finishes the prayer and then barrels through the now burning zombies. They don’t feel pain, so fire is a double edged sword. They don’t recoil from it, so it makes them a danger if they touch you. But they are also fragile to begin with, so fire makes them like glass. She plows through them and runs out the front door. By the light of the burning house she fights zombies, slicing through them with ease. Once they are all dead she tosses their bodies into the house to make sure they burn.

By this time townspeople have turned out to see what is going on. They could see the fire and came running but they do not approach her. She ignores them while she’s working. If they wanted to help they could have joined in but they didn’t, telling her what they thought of her work. Once she’s done tossing bodies into the house she walks up to the bartender. “Let it burn. You want to make sure that none of them stand back up.” Then she boards her bike. No pay for this job, the person who put the job on the board was the second person she beheaded. She takes off, heading for the next town. It is not worth staying in a town where you burned down a house. That’s a lesson she learned already. Especially in small towns. They seem to take that personally.

Once the glow of the fire fades behind her she allows herself to relax a little. “Almighty and Loving God, I praise you from my heart, that of your boundless goodness you have preserved me this night past, and have, with the impenetrable shield of your providence, protected me from the power and malice of the devil.” She mutters as she rides off into the darkness. “Do not withdraw Lord, I kindly ask, your protection from me, but mercifully on this day watch over me with the eyes of your mercy. Lead my soul and body according to the rule of your will, and fill my heart with your Holy Spirit, that I may pass this day, and all the rest of my days, to your glory. Amen.”

Taglist: : @hellishhin @thelaughingstag

#i suck at editing #horror #writeblr #post apocalypse #blood cw #death cw

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fyeahhozier · 5 years

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The Irishman is deeper and darker than he's maybe been given credit for... but the geniality and swoon factor remain high.

Variety: Hozier Proves He’s a Career Artist in Gratifying Greek Show

At Hozier’s sold-out show at L.A.’s Greek Friday night, one of the first things you couldn’t help noticing on stage —because it’s still an anomaly — was that his eight-piece lineup was half-male, half-female. Knowing his penchant for socially conscious songs, his decrial of “the anthems of rape culture” in his lyrics, and a general female-friendliness to his appeal, it’s easy to figure this gender parity is a conscious one and think: That is soooo Hozier. Which it is … and so effective, too, like just about every choice he’s made so far in his short, charmed career. On the most practical level, if you can bring in that much female harmony while also getting ace players in the bargain, why wouldn’t you? But it also makes for a good visual emblem of some of the other dual energies Hozier is playing with in his music: darkness and enlightenment; romantic hero and cad; raw blues dude and slick pop hero. He’s got a lot more going on than just being an earnest do-gooder. (Although he does do good, earnestly.)

During Friday’s hour-and-three-quarters set, Hozier focused largely on material from this year’s sophomore album, “Wasteland, Baby!,” which sounded good enough on record but almost uniformly improved in the live experience. Sometimes the upgrade came from making full use of the multi-instrumentalists on hand. The first album’s “Angel of Small Death and the Codeine Scene” now had Hozier on guitar facing off against violinist Emily Kohavi, trading solos — and if it’s hard to hear an electric guitar/fiddle duel without automatically thinking “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” it was one of many welcome moments making use of the MVP skills of Kohavi, the newest addition to the band. Other times, the improvements on the album versions just had to do with Hozier allowing himself louder and gutsier guitar tones. He’s a bit like Prince, in that way — someone you’d happily listen to playing a very nasty-sounding six-string all night, although he has so many other stylistic fish to fry, which in this case means a still slightly greater emphasis on acoustic finger-picking.

For somebody who made his name on as forlorn but powerful an anthem as his 2014 breakout smash “Take Me to Church,” and who can milk that melodrama for all it’s worth, Hozier has a lot of other modes he can default to. He treads very lightly into the area of soul with songs like “Almost (Sweet Music),” the lyrics of which consist of either name-checking or alluding to some of the great jazz vocal classics of the 20th century, in an idiom that’s not so much jazzy itself as folk-R&B. You could almost cite it as the subtle kind of Memphis-swing thing Justin Timberlake should aspire to, if the tricky polyrhythm and oddly chopped up meters Hozier adds as wrinkles weren’t so un-replicable. Bringing up Stevie Wonder’s “Living for the City” as the night’s sole cover also established that early ‘70s era and sound as an influences he’d like to make perfectly clear. At the other extreme, this son of a blues musician can hard back to those roots so well, in noisy numbers like “Moment’s Silence (Common Tongue)” and the brand new “Jack Boot Jump,” that he could give the Black Keys a run for their money.

“Jack Boot Jump,” which is scheduled to go on an EP of completely fresh material that Hozier said he plans to put out before Christmas, was possibly the highlight of the night, even though — or because — it stripped his excellent band down to just him and longtime drummer Rory Doyle. Having earlier played the current album’s “Nina Cried Power,” which is maybe more of a tribute to other historic protest songs than one of its own, Hozier gave a lengthy introduction to “Jack Boot” indicating that he’s aware of the traps that come with the territory. “I do have some reservations about the words ‘protest song’ and ‘protest music,’” he admitted. “But if you’re familiar with an artist called Woody Guthrie, he wrote the evergreen anthem ‘Tear the Fascists’ down. I was kind of looking into songs in that sort of tradition, that singing out, and I was worried that this is 2019; it’s a very unsubtle way to approach songwriting.” But, he added, “it was a funny few weeks, with 70 people shot in Hong Kong and arrests obviously in Moscow; Chile now at the moment also. And I was thinking, forget about subtle art — what is not subtle is this murder of protesters, and what is not subtle is the jack boot coming down in Orwell’s picture of the future: ‘If you want to imagine the future, imagine a jack boot stomping on a human face forever,’ that chilling quote from ‘1984.’ Anyway, I was just thinking, yeah, f— it, it’s not subtle, but let’s do it.” His electric guitar proceeded to be a machine that kills fascists, and also just slayed as maybe the most rock ‘n’ roll thing he’s written. (Evidence of the new song on the web is scant, or should be, anyway, since he begged the audience “in good faith” not to film it.)

If there’s a knock people have on Hozier, it tends to be the sincerity thing. He’s a nice guy who’s finishing first, which doesn’t necessarily help him become an indie-rock darling or Pitchfork favorite. (Predictably, “Wasteland, Baby!” got a 4.8 rating there — that’s out of 10, not 5.) At the Greek, there was an almost wholesome feeling that would’ve been an immediate turnoff to anyone who insists on having their rock rough, starting with his graciousness in repeatedly naming the band members and repeatedly thanking his opening act (Madison Ryann Ward, a fetchingly husky-voiced Oklahoman filling in on this part of the tour for a laryngitis-stricken Freya Ridings). That extended to a sense of uplift in many of the songs that doesn’t always match the themes of the material. But then, there was the impossible good cheer and attractiveness of the young players, to match Hozier’s own; this is a group where everyone looks as if they could be in Taylor Swift’s band or actually looks like Taylor Swift. The swoon factor in Hozier’s appeal is undeniably high, and it’s safe to say no one left Griffith Park less smitten.

But ladies (and gentlemen), do be aware that Hozier has some dark-side moments that can almost make Leonard Cohen look like Stephen Bishop. The only time he really overtly accentuated that in concert was in introducing and playing the new album’s “No Plan,” a love song that is also an amiable statement of atheism in which Hozier reminds his beloved that the universe is going to collapse upon itself someday. This may be rather like the gambit in which the ‘50s boy gets the girl to make out with him in a fallout shelter, but in any case, Hozier didn’t stint on the end-of-all-things aspect of it, even putting up on screen behind the band a statement from astrophysicist Dr. Katie Mack pointing out humankind’s and the galaxy’s ultimate fate. (“Honestly I never really imagined I’d end up being name-checked in a song for talking about how the universe is eventually going to fade out and die so this is all very exciting for me,” Mack tweeted in replay earlier in the year.) Suffice it to say that with that soulful a vintage ‘70s groove and that fuzz-tastic a guitar line, many babies will be conceived to the tune of “No Plan,” whether it foresees generational lines ending in a godless black hole or not.

Other Hozier songs reveal darker gets more estimable the more you dig into it. With its bird talk, “Shrike” sounds sweet enough, till you realize that a shrike is a kind of bird that impales its prey on thorns, which does add a rather bloody metaphoric undertone to what sounds like a reasonably pacifist breakup song. “Dinner & Diatribes,” meanwhile, is just deeply horny, not thorny. The most brooding song of the set, “Talk,” has verses where Hozier sings in lofty, literary terms about the romantic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, only to reveal in the chorus that he’s talking to this woman in such high-minded terms because he just wants to charm her into the sack. As a piece of writing, it’s hilarious, establishing a devilish side of Hozier it’s good to hear. As a piece of performance, it’s just sexy.

But as enriching as it is to realize Hozier has a healthy sense of humor in his writing, bad-boy wit is never going to be what you’re going to come away from a Hozier album or show with. The main part of Friday’s concert ended, as expected, with “Take Me to Church,” his outraged take on abuse and homophobia in the scandalized Catholic church — which just happens to be easily taken as a lusty hymn to sexuality. Following that, the large band returned to a stage that had now been decked out in some kind of ivy, as Hozier talked about his love for the late Irish poet Seamus Heaney (whose last words he has tattooed on his arm) and, “since I’ve come this far,” went ahead and recited his poem “Mint,” sharing his hero’s affection for the plant and its “tenacity for life.”

Tenacity is likely to be a buzzword, too, for Hozier, given his leaps and gains as a writer-performer and seeming level head atop his tree-top shoulders. Taller still of voice, musical dexterity and good will — and still just 29 — he’s somebody the swooners and even some cynics should feel good about settling in with for a very long Irish ride.

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artificialqueens · 4 years

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Girls Interrupted, Chapter 1: The Institution: 1, Katya: 0 (Vatya) 1/2 - Maeve

AN: Hi, everyone! I suppose this is my debut as a fan fiction author, and I’m super nervous. I never thought that I would be a writer, myself, but when I suggested a Vatya fic outline, some of you lovely people encouraged me to give it a try. ConCrit is always welcome! I tried my hardest, and I hope you enjoy! EEK!

August air is like a woman in heat: wet, warm, and not in the mood to do favors.

The short walk from her baby blue Beetle to the cafeteria doors left Katya sweating like a hooker in church. “Part-time-clown working a corner in the Red Light District” was a solid look, but Katya was beginning to doubt that it was the right choice for the first day of the new school year. The fabric of her long-sleeved dress clung to her skin uncomfortably.

If the funfetti doesn’t cover my sweat stains, I’m suing, Katya thought.

She tried to smooth down the sheer fabric out of habit. Katya took a deep breath before throwing open the glass door and bracing herself for a head-on collision with nostalgia. White floors, harsh light, kitchen clatter—too much for a Wednesday.

It’s an A/B day. First period: English, room 316. She repeats the mantra again and again in her head. If she loses the thought, she’ll never be able to find her way back.

Pussy, she chastised.

Katya’s bright red combat boots plunk across the linoleum and up three flights of rubber stairs. She might apologize for shattering the silence if anyone else were around, but the English corridor remains silent.

She, In her loud dress and noisy shoes, looked very out of place.

Mother, I’ve breached a sterile environment.

The white walls and white floors seemed to stretch for miles in either direction. Katya had forgotten how sad the white looked without students against it.

Mrs. McPhee’s door, like all the other doors, was an unremarkable brown. Katya stared into it and tried to reconcile the empty canvas with the image of the imp of an english teacher described by the upperclassmen . No dice. Perhaps her friends were exaggerating their hatred for the woman behind the unassuming door. It would be nice to think the best of people, but she knew she lived in a time when that didn’t happen often. People suck; get with the program.

An eternity later the bell rang and Katya got to her feet before the horde could pull a mufasa on her. The unremarkable door swung open, revealing a short woman with a tight face and copper hair.

This could be trouble, an alarm flashed in her mind.

However, her body did not have time to trigger a fight or flight response. The older woman flashed Katya a bright smile, taking in her first student of the year. Mrs. McPhee enthusiastically extended her hand for Katya to shake.

“Hi there! I’m Mrs. McPhee! It’s so nice to meet you!” She all but chirped.

Katya snapped out of her thoughts and accepted the gesture. “I’m Katya. It’s nice to meet you too,” the teen delivered the customary response before Mrs. McPhee ushered her inside.

“Feel free to sit anywhere! I need to run to the copy room and grab a few things for class today. There’s an ice breaker activity on the tables that you can get started on,” she said before ducking out into the hall.

Someone’s had their morning coffee, Katya quipped, the corners of her mouth turning up in a small smile.

Familiar faces began to fill the chairs at the tables, but Katya had yet to find one she’d spoken more than a sentence to. The presence of her long time crush, Trixie Mattel, in the seat across from her did nothing to quell her growing anxiety, either.

A frantic Mrs. McHale returned with arms full of papers shortly after the end of the passing period. Katya could hear the eyes rolling at the sight of her. Cue the secondhand embarrassment.

Copies of the syllabus made their way around the room. Katya tried desperately not to wince as her English teacher introduced the “phone spa” where phones would live during class.

It wasn’t hard for Katya to become lost in her own thoughts once again.

Is there going to be a project on the summer reading? Is my copy of All the Light We Cannot See—which I’ve annotated the crap out of—going to be of any use to me at all?

The blonde was fucked if they were going to have to do an in-depth analysis of the text. The only thing she could remember about it was that the girl, Marie-Or-Something, was blind. And that only stuck with her because of the cackling fit she had on the floor when her mom asked her why she chose the book. And, of course, it was stupid. It was too hilarious that a book with a title about not being able to see the light had a protagonist who was blind, and thus, literally could not see the light.

The thought brought a smile to Katya’s face even now. It was unlikely that Anthony Doerr intended to make an ironic joke about a blind girl, but Katya liked to believe that humor wasn’t dead. Was it terrible? Yes. But come on, she literally couldn’t see the light. Because she was blind. Katya snorted at the mental picture that formed and immediately covered her mouth. Scanning the room, Katya determined that she hadn’t drawn any attention to herself. That was, until she caught Trixie Mattel’s unimpressed gaze.

Go figure, Katya scowled, I bet she thinks I’m keeping squirrels in the space between my ears. The teen could feel her cheeks flush beet red in embarrassment. She darted her eyes down to the syllabus, suddenly finding classroom procedures intriguing.

Fuck! Shit. She thinks I’m a freak, and she’s going to tell all her friends. Everyone will stare. You’re an embarrassment, a fool a—

Lady luck chose the opportune time to smile down on Katya, for it was an A/B day, and that meant classes were much shorter. The shrill bell sounded over the loudspeaker and silenced her pleas to be wished out of existence.

Katya’s second period was library aide. It was the perfect opportunity for her to get ahead on homework when she wasn’t needed. However, she knew full well that she’d spend the hour and a half people watching and reading obscure works.

The library was empty this morning and she cou;d take a moment to compose herself. Mrs. Slay, the librarian, gave her a brief runthrough of her duties and explained library procedures. Afterwards, she released Katya to her own devices.

Katya had never actually spent much time in the school’s library. The harsh, fluorescent lighting did nothing to make the room look cozier. Dozens of tall wooden shelves framed large areas along with some extra shorter shelves of books.

Katya trailed her fingers along dusty spines, hoping that a title would catch her eye.

Her third period class, theater, was on the first floor. A lot of people found it weird that a self-identifying technician was still involved in normal theater classes. Katya began her career on the stage, though. Her stage fright and lack of singing and dancing abilities were not about to stop her from growing as a performer. She promised herself that she’d audition for the play this year.

Ginger was waiting for Katya in their usual seats when she entered the black box. The blonde smiled at her best friend, taking a moment to look over the other faces in the space before joining her long-time companion.

Unfortunately, another year had not flushed out the riff-raff. Katya scowled, new year, same bullshit. The blonde shared a knowing glance with Ginger.

Rolaskatox—the inseparable trio of Roxy, Alaska, and Detox—remained front and center. Sharon and Jinkx camped out in the back, and Tammy sat awkwardly on her own with Raja and Manila nearby. Pearl and Trixie gossiped to their left.

After Ms. P, the theater teacher for juniors and seniors, passed out the syllabus, they gathered in a circle. Playing stale warm-up games never failed to put the majority of the class in a pissy mood. It was no secret that half of the room hated the other half of the room; times when they were all forced to work together were toxic.

The second activity Ms. P had put on the agenda for that morning was not any better: duet scenes. The oblivious woman thought it would be a fantastic idea to assign partners at random for the scenes. Katya’s heart jumped in her throat when their teacher called Alaska Honard’s name along with hers.

Alaska had long, silky golden hair, soft pink lips, and big doe eyes. She was easily the tallest girl in their grade (and quite possibly in their school). She had legs for days, and they looked stunning under that short green cheer skirt in Katya’s opinion. And most of the student body’s opinion. Alaska might have been the nicest girl on the cheer squad, but Katya was sure that this encounter could still be fatal.

Katya hesitantly approached Alaska, who had yet to stop chatting with Roxy and Detox, and cleared her throat.

“Um, Alaska, I have our scene…If you want to go work on it…” Katya trailed off, digging the toe of her boot into the black floor.

Three pairs of eyes turned to look at her. She could feel the eye roll and once over from tweedle dee and tweedle dum. Instead, she focused on the tight smile the blonde in the middle gave her. Alaska nodded and followed her out of the black box.

The two girls made their way to the anti-lobby in without a word. Neither of them knew how to break the silence between them.

It was Katya who bit the bullet “Look, Alaska, I know you’re not thrilled about being my partner. But I care about the work I do in this class, and I know you do too. So can we just—”

“I’m sorry about them,” Alaska cuts her off. The confusion and shock is visible on Katya’s face, and Alaska feels the need to further elaborate. “Rotox…they’re rotted cunts sometimes. I think you’re a great actress, and I’m actually pretty glad to be working with you,” Alaska confessed . She ducked her head, and a long, golden lock fell into her eyes. Katya had to clutch the fabric at her thighs in order to resist the urge to brush it behind the taller girl’s ear.

“Okay then,” Katya breathed a sigh of relief, “Let’s get this show on the road.”

Katya could not believe the success she’d had on her scene with Alaska in theater. Maybe cheerleaders—well, certain cheerleaders—weren’t so bad after all. Katya was feeling optimistic as she made her way back up to the third floor for biology.

Are all biology classrooms supposed to reek of formaldehyde? Katya wrinkled her nose in disgust. There were tables made up of four desks clustered in front of the whiteboard at the front of the room. The back half of the room contained lab tables and equipment. Katya figured they would not be spending the majority of their time in there. Again, not wanting to draw attention to herself, she slipped into an empty desk near the back of the room. Their teacher, Mrs. Yates, shuffled around marking students present—to save time, Katya supposed. She finished moments before the tardy bell rang, and the students quieted as she took her place at the front of the room.

Mrs. Yates opened her mouth when the door slammed open. The culprit was captain of the cheer team, Violet Chachki, or what Katya swears, must be the devil in high heels. Satan made eye contact with a startled Mrs. Yates and lazily flashed her a small slip of paper. Hot pink: Coach Calhoun’s signature color.

“You must be Violet Chachki!” The friendly woman greeted. “Why don’t you take a seat next to Katya in the back?”

The gentle instruction wasn’t an option for Violet. The only empty seats left were at Katya’s table. Katya felt as though Mrs. Yates had just declared it open season on quirky blondes with questionable fashion sense. Dread pooled in her stomach; she was too young to die.

Similarly, Violet visibly recoiled at the idea of sitting next to some theater clown. Violet’s withering gaze focused on Katya, but she was certain it wasn’t her that the fuming brunette was plotting to crucify. Katya pitied whichever of her bimbo cheerleader friends forgot to save her a seat.

Violet chose the desk across from Katya. The blonde didn’t resist the opportunity to take a magnifying glass to the untouchable girl, herself.

Violet chachki was stunning. If looks could kill, the school would be a cemetery by now. She was a dark horse, a vixen, a black widow, the kind of beautiful that hurts you if you get too close. A girl like that did not belong here. Katya watched in awe as Violet’s manicured hand brushed long onyx strands back into place.

Unfortunately, Katya was no Double O Seven, and it didn’t take Violet long to pick up on the attention she was getting. The same painted fingers removed themselves from dark, silky waves and ventured closer to Katya’s face. They snapped suddenly, and Katya almost fell out of her blue plastic chair.

She only had a second to recover when Violet spat venom at her. “Hey, Bozo the Cunt, has the lack of oxygen in your tiny car affected your ability to function, or are you just simple?”

“Bozo the Cunt”? That’s new. Mother, I’ve made a name for myself. Katya brought her eyes up to look at Violet. Her failure to provide a timely response did her no favors and the she-demon’s ruby red lips curled into a snarl. If Katya could feel her legs, she would be running to the nearest place of worship.

“Quit staring at me, freak,” Violet hissed. Katya met violet’s piercing eyes with her own sheepish blue ones.

“I-I uhm…Sorry. You look nice today?” Katya offered with shrugged shoulders. She wouldn’t buy her excuse either.

The brunette rolled her brown eyes, fishing her sparkly red phone from her bag and leaving Katya to pick at her hands.

Mrs. Yates saved Katya’s cuticles when she passed out materials for the students to make makeshift nameplates for their desks. Katya was a sucker for crafts. She wasted no time in writing her name in thick, red letters. A large, yellow sickle and hammer ran through the center of the page and black Russian characters accented her work of art. Katya was proud of herself. Capping the black marker, she took a risk and peeked at Violet’s handiwork.

Violet chose a clean and classical look for her own sign. V I O L E T was spelled out in deep purple, looping script.

Katya sighed. It was going to be a long year if the ice queen froze her out completely. At least Katya enjoyed biology.

After everyone was finished with their nametags, Mrs. Yonkin passed out an ice breaker activity designed to help the students get to know everyone at their table. Unfortunately, it was an activity where you had to interview a partner, and Katya’s partner was clearly unwilling.

“I don’t see why we have to talk,” Violet complained. “Trade papers with me so we can fill out our own answers. I’m tired of working with people that are not myself.”

Katya couldn’t help but feel a bit insulted. It wasn’t like she had herpes or something. They didn’t even have to share their entire life stories with each other; a favorite color is as generic as it gets. If the bitch wanted to be difficult, Katya sure as hell wasn’t going to make it easy for her.

“Look, Princess, I don’t know anything about science other than it’s really good for you,“ Katya bit back, “But I haven’t done enough crack to melt my brain. Do you honestly think people would believe that you could produce chicken scratch like this?” The blonde gestured pointedly to the top of her own page where she had scrawled out her name. Violet pinched the bridge of her nose.

“Oh and I’m also not bad at science. It was a joke, A bad one,” Katya tried to assure the frustrated girl in front of her. Her words of comfort did little to change her new partner’s mood, though. She tried again, “What’s your favorite color?”

#rpdr fanfiction #katya zamolodchikova #violet chachki #trixie mattel #alaska thunderfuck #vatya #high school au #lesbian au #slow burn #fluff #angst #enemies to friends #enemies to lovers #drama #maeve #girls interrupted #concrit welcome #tw anxiety and depression

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madewithonerib · 4 years

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GOD Says I Will Shake All Things: The Nations Part 1,2 | Derek Prince

Turn to Psalm 94, & it is—I trust—it will prove appropriate to the message which I’m going to be bringing.

Psalm 94:12-13 | Blessed is the man YOU discipline, O LORD, & teach from YOUR law, to grant him relief from days of trouble, until a pit is dug for the wicked.

If you don’t see the appropriateness of that, I trust you will a little more clearly after this evening is over.

Now I want to begin by reading the passage assigned to me.

And I staggered because I thought: How can I possibly teach so vast a theme.

As is contained in these words—found in—Hebrews 12:25-29,

Hebrews 12:25-29 | See to it you not refuse HIM who speaks. For if the people did not escape when they refused HIM who warned them on earth, how much less will we escape if we reject HIM who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time HIS voice shook the earth, but now HE has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” 27 The words, “Once more,” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things— so that the unshakable may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving an unshakable kingdom, let us be filled with gratitude, & so worship GOD acceptably with reverence & awe. 29 “For our GOD is a consuming fire.”

Then we need to turn briefly to the passage from which the words were quoted—which was in Haggai 2:6-9, & I read them for a special reason. He adds what is not stated:

Haggai 2:6-9 | For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens & the earth, the sea & the dry land.

I will shake all the nations, & they will come with all their treasures, & I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.

The silver is MINE, & the gold is MINE, declares the LORD of Hosts.

The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former, says the LORD of Hosts. And in this place I will provide peace, declares the LORD of Hosts.”

Which is exactly what is stated in Hebrews, “I will shake all nations.”

That's a tremendous theme to contemplate.

Our imaginations can scarcely take in what is involved in the outworking of that statement.

That heaven, the earth, the sea, the dry land, & all nations, are to be shaken by the power of GOD.

1.] Before I go into the theme.

I want to ask you a question, which is based on Scripture. The question is this, “Do you believe in the judgment of GOD?”

Because in my experience, since I travel around & meet a lot of Christians, & attend a lot of conferences..very very little is said today (in most places) about the judgment of GOD.

The attitude almost seems to be, “Well it’s not nice to talk about GOD’s judgment. Let’s stay away from that painful subject.”

In fact, I think a lot of Christians, really almost have reservations about presenting GOD as a judge. It’s almost as if that will offend people, or frighten people.

We won’t be able to get them to listen to the Gospel, if we talk about the judgment of GOD.

2.] In John 16:8, JESUS said when HE, the SPIRIT of TRUTH has come, HE will convict the world sin, righteousness, & judgment.

As I see it, those are the 3 eternal unchanging realities—on which all true religion is based:

Sin, righteousness, & judgment.

And if we ask what sin is, the Scripture says “all unrighteousness is sin.”

So there are just two possibilities in every action & life; sin or righteousness.

And if a thing is not righteous, it is sinful.

It is in a way, easy to define what sin is. As if I were asked: What is crooked? All I would have to do is hold up a straight line & say that anything that departs from that—whether by by little or by much—is crooked.

And the same is true with righteousness & sin.

GOD has held up a line of righteousness. And it is JESUS, & anything that departs from HIS example (little or much) is sin.

And on the basis of how we have lived, whether by sin or by righteousness, we will face the judgment of GOD.

There is one appointment that everyone of us here will inevitably keep. It’s the judgment of GOD.

Not one of us can escape.

3.] There are two different judgments:

There’s the judgement of condemnation, &

There’s the judgment for those who’ve received JESUS & lived for HIM. Which is an assessment of reward.

But everyone of us will stand before the judgment of GOD.

I think it’s foolish to live as if that were not so.

I think in a way it is unjust, to the unconverted, not to confront them with the realities of >> GOD’s judgment.

In what I’m going to say this evening, if I succeed,

I will paint a picture of some very terrible & frightening things that are going to come quite soon—over the whole earth & all of humanity.

And I could wonder, if when these things begin to happen the unconverted will not say to you or me:

Why didn’t you ever warn us that this was going to happen?

3.1] You see the same person, who is the Saviour, is also the Judge; & HIS Name is JESUS.

It’s interesting that when the apostles presented the Gospel, to people from a non-Jewish background, they always presented JESUS as both Saviour & Judge.

For instance in Acts 10, when Peter went to the house of Cornelius, & began to tell him about JESUS. He said

Acts 10:42-43 | And HE commanded us to preach to the people & to testify that HE is the One appointed by GOD to judge the living & the dead. All the prophets testify about HIM that everyone who believes in HIM receives forgiveness of sins through HIS name.”

In actual fact, Peter put judgment before forgiveness.

He said the same one through whom you can receive forgiveness of sins, is also the one who is ordained by GOD to be the Judge of all.

Then when Paul was preaching in Athens, again he was preaching to people not from a Jewish background.

He said in Acts 17 verses 30 & following:

Acts 17:30-34 | Although GOD overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, HE now commands all men everywhere to repent.

For HE has set a day when HE will judge the world with justice by the Man HE has appointed. HE has given proof of this to all men by raising HIM from the dead.”

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some began to mock him, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this topic.” At that, Paul left the Areopagus.

But some people joined him & believed, including Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, & others who were with them.

HE’s just as efficient, just as thorough & just as faithful as a judge, as HE is as a saviour.

As a saviour, HE omits nothing. And as a judge, likewise, HE omits nothing.

4.] There’s a parable in Luke 19, called the parable of the Pounds, or the minas. It’s about a wealthy ruler, who took a journey & committed to his 10 servants money to handle on his behalf.

Luke 19:12-14 | So HE said, “A man of noble birth went to a distant country to lay claim to his kingship & then return. Beforehand, he called ten of his servants & gave them ten minas. ‘Conduct business with this until I return,’ he said.

But his subjects hated him & sent a delegation after him to say, ‘We do not want this man to rule over us.’

And he gave to each of them a mina, which they say is about 3 months salary.

Then he came back after a long while & reckoned with them.

He said, “What have you done with my mina?”

The first one said: I’ve made 10 more minas. And the LORD said: Well done, good & faithful servant. You have authority over 10 cities, in MY Kingdom.

The 2nd said: I’ve made 5 minas. And HE said: Well done, but HE didn’t say good & faithful. HE said, “have authority over 5 cities.”

It’s very clear, the principle is, according to the faithfulness with which we serve the LORD in this age, we will be apportioned our share of authority in the coming age.

There will be no favourtism.

But then there was one other servant, who made nothing.

The 3rd said: “I was afraid of YOU, so I just went & hid YOUR mina & here it is; I’m giving it back to YOU.

And the LORD said: “You wicked & lazy servant.”

>> How many of you realize that laziness is also wickedness?

We have such an unbalanced scale of values, in the Church. If a man gets drunk, we think that’s awful, & certainly it’s not good. And we wouldn’t have a drunkard in Church.

But how many lazy people do we have in Church?

People who never really take time to study the BIBLE, or get down in prayer. People maybe whom, you can’t even rely on to do a thorough job anyway.

The BIBLE calls them, “Wicked”

4a] But I want you to see the end of this parable.

When this man went away to get his kingdom & return his citizens sent a message after him, saying:

We don’t want this man to rule over us. [Luke 19:14]

And when he returned, at the end of the parable, the final words are these: But bring here those enemies of mine—who did not want me to reign over them—& slay them before me.

I was shocked.

Luke 19:27 | And these enemies of MINE who were unwilling for ME to rule over them, bring them here & slay them in front of ME.

When I felt the impact of those words, because the man is the picture of JESUS.

And HE says, “Those who rejected MY rule, bring them here & slay them before ME.”

HE is just as thorough & faithful as judge, as HE is as saviour. HE is both.

The same one whom GOD has made a saviour, HE has also made a judge.

5.] Now let me come back more closely to the Scripture, which we began with. The prophesy which GOD said HE would shake all things that can be shaken.

Nothing that can be shaken, will eventually be left unshaken.

Some years ago, not very long ago, the LORD (I think) spoke to Ruth & me about HIS judgments at the close of this age. And HE said (I believe, this is my understanding) HIS judgments will come in 3 phases.

Preliminary, Intermediate, & Final.

5.1] Preliminary Judgments

Now my personal reading of the situation in the world today is the preliminary judgments have already begun.

I don’t believe we’ve come to the intermediate.

Certainly we have not come to the final judgments of GOD.

Now let’s ask ourselves: “What are some of the things that can be shaken?”

Because if they can be shaken, they will be shaken.

I’d like to turn to the famous parable of the 2 different houses. One built on sand, & the other built on the rock.

The version given in Luke 6:47-49,

Luke 6:47-49 | I will show you what he is like who comes to ME & hears MY words & acts on them:

He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep & laid his foundation on the rock.

When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

But the one who hears MY words & does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation.

The torrent crashed against that house, & immediately it fell—& great was its destruction.”

NOTICE: There’s no difference to the tests, which each house was subjected. All was subjected to the storm.

Don’t imagine that being a believer will give you a storm-free passage through life.

If anything, rather the opposite.

There’s a kind of presentation of truth today, which is only half-truths.

Claiming that if you come to the LORD & get saved, then everything will go well—you’ll never have any problems, etc.

Most of us know by experience, if not by Scripture, that isn’t true.

Friend of mine, who is a preacher, was once asked: “What is evidence of the Baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT?”

He replied: “Trouble”

There was only one difference in what the houses went through, it was one was built on solid foundation (a rock), the other was not.

And JESUS said, “Building on the ROCK is very simple: it’s hearing what HE says & doing it.”

And I believe that is the only foundation, that will give us a building that cannot be shaken. Anything that is not built on the hearing & doing the teaching of JESUS, will be shaken.

6.] So I would like to think over with you, briefly, some things that will be shaken. This is not an impassioned emotional appeal; I’m trying to be objective & in a sense analytical.

I’m trying to say things, which everybody will agree to.

The problem is not to tell ppl something they don’t know. The problem is to remind them of something they already know but maybe something they don’t want to remember.

6.1] First of all, individual lives can be shaken.

In the ministry, I’ve dealt with hundreds of people—over the years—whose lives have been totally shaken by:

Sickness,

Poverty,

Broken marriage, in various ways.

People who say I give up, I can’t go any further.

Nothing helps, nothing works, I might as well be dead. They were people whose lives were not built on the teachings of JESUS.

But it doesn’t mean that if we build on the teachings of JESUS, we’ll have no problems—but we’ll have the strength to withstand the problems.

Then JESUS said in Matthew 12:25,

Matthew 12:25 | Knowing their thoughts, JESUS said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, & every city or household divided against itself will not stand.

Every house, or household, that is divided against itself —cannot stand. Any house where there is not unity & love, & peace—can be shaken & will be shaken.

And we see everyday, reports of households that are being shaken. In fact I think it’s probably the main cause of the problems that confront us in society today.

It’s the break up of family today.

And what it has resulted in is hordes of un-parented children.

Parents can run away from their responsibilities for their children, but it will catch up.

Maybe not in that generation, but in the next.

And one of the major social features, of the world today, is the activities of un-parented children.

6.1a] I’ll mention just 3 areas:

One is South Africa, in the black townships, where there are hordes of children—who owe no allegiance to anybody, have no respect for anything. They have no concern for human life.

They have just abandoned themselves, because they have been abandoned.

I’ve said many times, there’s no such thing as a juvenile delinquent, the delinquents are the adults.

And there’s really no one who can control them.

See police can keep order in a society, if the majority of the society are on the side of the police, & in favour of law & order.

When the majority of a society turns the other way, the police cannot possibly maintain order.

It’s not their job.

Another place where this is true is in Israel.

Amongst the younger Arabs growing up, as a result of what is called the inter-father.

Cousin marriage is allowed & often encouraged throughout the Middle East. The bint 'amm marriage, or marriage w ith one's father's brother's daughter [bint al-'amm] is especially common, especially in tribal & traditional communities.There is very little numerical evidence of rates of cousin marriage in the past.

I’m very familiar with the Arab culture, I’ve lived among them; & normally the youngsters have great respect for the old, & children have great respect for their parents.

But the inter-father has broken all that down.

And now societies are being taken over by teenagers, who have no loyalties & no commitment & no respect whatsoever.

And in a sense their society is no longer manageable.

Then a 3rd place which is an example of that is Los Angeles.

Again the root problem is children who have grown up without love, the discipline, & the care of parents.

And there is no social answer to this problem.

I personally believe it will multiply & increase. I can believe it here in Britain, there will be whole areas which will be taken over by young rebels.

And the police will simply steer clear of those areas.

In fact there are some areas in the country now.

But we need to come to the root cause of the problem, which is the parents who failed to train their children.

6.3] Then let’s think about institutions

Any institution that is not founded on the teaching of JESUS can be shaken. Banks can be shaken.

You believe that?

Believe me, in America, we are seeing a shaking of the banks.

There’s a personal debt of $500, today on every American citizen--because of the savings & loans banks which failed.

For which the government had accepted responsibility.

Actually my personal opinion is: There is no way that the US can escape bankruptcy. I’m not going to go into that. But it’s just I believe a fact.

I believe that whole nation is going to be shaken.

6.3a] Then businesses can be shaken There are many businesses (worldwide) closing down, going bankrupt--because businesses can be shaken.

6.3b] Governments can be shaken We saw that in what used to be the Soviet Union.

The whole government collapsed like a house of cards. And no one has been able to put it back together.

We need to take note of these things because we tend to look to some of these institutions for stability.

People used to say, “As safe as the Bank of England.”

That’s not very safe.

We tend to look to big corporations & firms & think well they’ve got it made. But they don’t.

There’s another kind of institution that can also be shaken.

6.3c] That is religious institutions. They have no guarantee of stability whatsoever, unless they are built on the teaching of JESUS.

I believe, many (2x), so called institutions are going to be thrown down in the shaking that’s ahead.

I would say to you: “Don’t look to a bank, business, don’t look to a government, & don’t look for religious institution for security. Because they cannot provide it.”

They are all amongst the things, which will be shaken.

6.3.d] Then material structures can be shaken. Structures like this church building in which we’re meeting.

I’ll read you just a couple of passages, from the prophet Isaiah 2:12-16

Isaiah 2:12-16 | For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud & lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled— against all the cedars of Lebanon,lofty & lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan, against all the tall mountains, against all the high hills, against every high tower, against every fortified wall, against every ship of Tarshish, & against every stately vessel.

6.4] GOD’s Biggest Pet Peeve: Arrogance

Now as I read some of these passages, where GOD is speaking about the things that are being shaken, I suggest that you make a mental register of what is the one thing that GOD hates the most.

The one thing that will ultimately always bring disaster.

See if you can pick out what is the one salient feature.

Isaiah 2:17-22 | So the pride of man will be brought low, & the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, & the idols will vanish completely. Men will flee to caves in rocks & holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD & from the splendor of HIS majesty, when HE rises to shake earth. In that day men will cast away their idols of silver & gold —the idols they made to worship—away to the moles & bats. They will flee to caverns in the rocks & crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD

& from the splendor of HIS majesty, when HE rises to shake the earth.

Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils.

Of what account is he?

6.4a] And just one verse from Isaiah 30:25,

And from every high mountain & every raised hill, streams of water will flow in the day of great slaughter, when the towers fall.

Every time I walk through a major city, such as this & I look at all the sky scrapers & all these tremendously tall buildings. I ask myself, what will it be like, in the day the towers fall?

I always think particularly of the ones that have glass walls.

It’s hard to imagine, the kind of scene that will confront us if all of them collapsed.

But the BIBLE says, they will all fall.

You may feel uncertain about that, but let me say, from my part, “It will happen exactly the way it says.”

Then the whole earth will be shaken.

In Revelation 6, this is part of the unfolding of the prophetic vision of the end times, beginning in v.12-16:

Revelation 6:12-16 | ...I saw the LAMB open the 6th seal, there was a great earthquake, & the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, & the whole moon turned blood red, & the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind.

The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, & every mountain & island was moved from its place.

Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, & every slave & free man, hid in the caves & among the rocks of the mountains.

And they said to the mountains & the rocks, “Fall on us & hide us from the face of the ONE seated on the throne, & from the wrath of the LAMB.

I don’t think our minds can fully conceive when every mountain & every island, including the British Isles will be shaken.

7.] And finally, in this list the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

And you remember, GOD said I will shake not only Earth, but also the Heavens.

In Matthew 24:29-33, is part of the prophetic discourse of JESUS on the Mount of Olives, leading up to HIS return.

Matthew 24:29-33 | Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, & the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, & the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ At that time the sign of the SON of Man will appear in heaven, & all the tribes of the earth will mourn.

They will see the SON of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power & great glory.

And HE will send out HIS angels with a loud trumpet call, & they will gather HIS elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender & sprout leaves, you know that summer is near.

So also, when you see all these things, you will know that HE is near, right at the door.

I don’t think anyone fully understands, but everything to do with the Heaves will be shaken.

Which is exactly what GOD said in Isaiah. I will shake not only the earth, but also the Heavens.

And the writer of Hebrews says, “everything that can be shaken will be shaken.”

Why? Because GOD wants to reveal & demonstrate a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

And one way to prove it is to let everything that can be shaken be shaken.

And the writer of Hebrews says we have such a kingdom.

We have something that cannot be shaken.

But it’s not in any of the things that I’ve listed.

So we need to ask ourselves: Where is our security placed in? What am I putting my trust in, that cannot be shaken?

Is my hope & citizenship in GOD’s Kingdom?

8.] I’d like to go on a little further, go back to Isaiah 24 this is a staggering chapter.

Isaiah 24:1-6 | Judgment on the Whole Earth Behold, the LORD lays waste the earth & leaves it in ruins.

HE will twist its surface & scatter its inhabitants— people & priest alike, servant & master, maid & mistress, buyer & seller, lender & borrower, creditor & debtor.

The earth will be utterly laid waste & thoroughly plundered.

The LORD has spoken this word.

The earth mourns & withers; the world languishes & fades; the exalted of the earth waste away.

The earth is defiled by its people; they have transgressed the laws; they have overstepped the decrees & broken the everlasting covenant..

Therefore a curse has consumed the earth, & its inhabitants must bear the guilt; the earth’s dwellers have been burned, & only a few survive.

GOD is very specific, nobody is exempt.

Often we tend to think that wealth & social position can provide security, but here Isaiah tells us neither will avoid this, as all will experience in the same global shaking.

No form of financial security will be effective.

Then it goes on in verse 3, the earth will be utterly plundered, for the LORD has decreed it.

The haughty people of the earth languishes. The earth is also defiled under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, broken the everlasting covenant.

8.1] GOD gives 3 reasons, why this will happen.

And those can be interpreted in various ways. But in my thinking there are certain laws, which GOD has instituted for humanity—which will never be broken with HIS permission.

And GOD made a covenant with Noah, & all those who have descended from him. One thing HE said was:

“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.”

That’s an eternal edict of the law [Genesis 9:6]

No human legal system, no government, can set aside that law.

Then it says, “they changed the ordinance.”

I believe they changed the pattern for living, which GOD has instituted for humanity. And primarily that is the family. The structure of the family, in the BIBLE is not based on culture. It’s based on the eternal nature GOD HIMSELF.

GOD is the head of CHRIST. CHRIST is the head of man, & man head of woman.

It starts with GOD HIMSELF.

And those women who feel that it’s unfair to be placed in a position of subordination, need to remember that JESUS is placed in a position of subordination to the FATHER.

And as I said earlier, the changing of that ordinance, ultimately has taken away the whole stability of society.

And there are professional sociologists, who seriously question whether society can survive when the institution of the family has broken down.

And then, the third charge against humanity: “We have broken the everlasting covenant.”

Genesis 17:7 | I will establish MY covenant as an everlasting covenant between ME & you & your descendants after you, to be your GOD & the GOD of your descendants after you.

Isaiah 54:10 | Though the mountains may be removed & the hills may be shaken, MY loving devotion will not depart from you, & MY covenant of peace will not be broken,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you.

Isaiah 61:8 | For I, the LORD, love justice; I hate robbery & iniquity; in MY faithfulness I will give them their recompense & make an everlasting covenant with them.

To me the everlasting covenant is the covenant GOD made through JESUS CHRIST & men & women.

And when we break that covenant, & depart from its requirements we must inevitably be subject to the judgment of GOD.

8.1a] As I look at the world around me, & in Britain. And I grew up in this country between the two world wars.

And I’ve had longer to observe the world than most of you, though not all of you.

I have seen everyone of these things happen before my eyes. I’ve seen the whole structure of society totally change.

If things that are done today are taken for granted & being done 60 years ago, there would have been an uproar.

The kind of thing that is presented on TV, some of the kinds of things, would have created a demonstration 60 years ago.

8.1b] You know about the parable about the frog? Which I heard from somebody. If you put a frog in a basin & pour in boiling water, the frog will jump out.

But if you pour in cool water & gradually heat it, the frog will stay there till it dies.

And that’s how the devil has been treating us.

He didn’t pour the boiling water in immediately. But he has steadily & gradually heated the water until water until we are ready to die.

9.] Now I want to go on, in Isaiah 24:17-22. I hope you will take time to study this passage for yourself.

Isaiah 24:17-22 | Terror & pit & snare await you, O dwellers of the earth. Whoever flees the sound of terror will fall into a pit, & whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in a trap.

For the windows of heaven are open, & the foundations of the earth are shaken.

The earth is utterly broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently.

The earth staggers like a drunkard & sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, & it falls, never to rise again.

In that day the LORD will punish the host of heaven above & the kings of the earth below.

They will be gathered together like prisoners in a pit. They will be confined to a dungeon & punished after many days.

...

youtube

Recorded in 1992 in Westminster Chapel, UK.

Part 2 is: How can the Church face these things and overcome?

#days of trouble #WARNING #Hebrews 12:25 #Do NOT reject GOD #Psalm 94:12 #disciplined by GOD

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the-golden-ghost · 4 years

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Dracula: A Comprehensive Summary

(part 4. Now you all understand why this took 4 hours)

Chapter 19:

The Squad Discusses Renfield. Quincy’s like “okay dude either he’s an INCREDIBLY good actor, or you’ve got a sane man locked up in there”

Seward: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

They all break into Dracula’s house and mess with his pet doggos cause whatever. He’s not there anymore

Mina sleeps late the next morning uh oh

Van Helsing decides to talk to Renfield again and Renfield tells him to go fuck himself

Mina has been having trouble sleeping, and hears the barking of dogs in her dreams. Does this sound familiar? We’re in for it NOW

Chapter 20:

Dracula moved houses and now lives in a beer dispensary cause you know why not

Renfield is starting to lose it again. He is now terrified and haunted by the souls of the living

Seward thinks he’s gonna become a cannibal, and start eating people hence the ‘soul’ thing

He keeps insisting that he only eats living things for their life, and does not want the burdens of their souls. Seward realizes that Dracula got to him somehow and is now trying to turn him into some sort of living vampire OH shit

They go away for a bit to plan more Dracula Slayin’ until Seward gets a message from the asylum that Renfield got in an accident

He is dying

Chapter 21:

So it turns out Renfield somehow ripped the skin off his face, caved his head in and snapped his own neck

How is this possible, you ask? IT’S NOT.

Someone DID that to him. And the culprit?

Yeah it’s Drac lmao

Renfield basically says that Dracula has been sending him flies and moths and shit to eat and Renfield was loyal to him because he wanted some of that power

But then Drac started trying to hurt Mina

And since Everybody Loves Mina, including Renfield, Renfield decided to just straight-up Fite Dracula with his bare hands and he lost miserably and got fatally injured

He presumably dies from his injuries but we don’t get to know cause the Squad leaves immediately after that and so we never find out the ultimate fate of Renfield ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

They hurry to Mina’s house and find some Freaky Shit going on.

Drac has her, is drinking her blood and is also making her drink HIS blood by holding her mouth to his chest which is like

Yuck

Drac bails when everyone comes in, and Mina is now Officially Cursed :(

So it’s only a matter of time before she ends up like Lucy...

Chapter 22:

The Drac Attack has caused Jon to lose it and Mina to think she’s cursed forever

Van Helsing’s like “nah you’re fine” and they go to a church to bless the devil out of her

Except all it does is burn a scar onto her forehead which makes everything worse honestly

Chapter 23:

Except PLOT TWIST now that Mina’s linked to Dracula she knows his every move. Suck on THAT, Drac!

So now even though she’s rapidly becoming a demon, they have a Spy on their side!

They keep breaking into Dracula’s hidey-holes to destroy his fake coffins but it doesn’t do anything really

They actually catch him one (1) time and try to kill him but he’s like “nah” and escapes

And leaves the country. Everyone is briefly like “oh cool problem solved” but Van Helsing is like “um no actually cause he still has Mina’s soul and if she dies even of old age without being freed she’ll still become a vampire” :(

Chapter 24:

ROAD TRIP TO TRANSYLVANIA

Eventually. Mostly they just Discuss it in this chapter

At first it’s just gonna be The Boys and they’re gonna leave Mina in safety and Jon to “protect” her (really it’s cause Jon is not well enough to go) but then Mina is like “no you need a spy so I’m coming too” and Jon, being the coolest and best husband ever, is like “I’ll go because my wife needs me :) “

Even though tbh she doesn’t but they love each other a lot

Ride-or-Die couple these two

Chapter 25:

Before they go a’Slayin’ Mina calls a meeting

And is like “hey listen if this ends up with me damned to hell for eternity to save you guys, I’m gonna fucking do it cause you’re my bros and I love you”

And then says “but get this: if there comes a point when I’m too far gone and there’s nothing left of me but a demonic shell, PLEASE fucking kill me.”

And they all agree to do it :(

Even though nothing could be worse for anyone than killing Mina. Since everyone loves her

And then, since it’s likely she’s not going to come out of this alive, Mina makes Jon read her burial service. :( But he doesn’t get all the way through because he’s too sad

Anyway FEELS OVER TIME TO SLAY A VAMPIRE

TRANSYLVANIA HERE WE COME

THIS ONE’S FOR LUCY and Renfield

Anyway it takes forever cause the train is delayed but that’s Eastern European rail service for you ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Chapter 26:

They travel slow. Mina is spying all the way via hypnosis and mental link with Drac.

Quincy is like “LET’S KILL DRAC WITH A GUN” like an American

Everyone preps Battle Stations and Van Helsing decides to stay with Mina cause “he’s old and can’t fight” which is coward talk but heck

Literally the last few chapters are mainly planning and traveling I’m sorry but it gets dull right before The End

Chapter 27:

The End

Mina hates garlic now lol (the locals keep putting it in their food)

The Boys (including Jon) go to Vampire Slay and Van Helsing stays behind with Mina, putting her in a Holy Circle so she can’t get out lest she go Full Vampire, and also so that Drac can’t get in and take her or something.

While they’re hiding out, Drac’s wives come and try to lure Mina to them. It doesn’t work. But Van Helsing is also unable to link her to Drac via hypnosis now :(

Everyone writes their goodbye letters to each other :(

Van Helsing actually discovers Dracula’s Final Coffin and fucks it up so Drac can’t get in and rejuvinate. Rock on

The Boys meanwhile find Drac riding along to his castle on a cart and break into the box he’s traveling in and all four of them Do A Stab on him. Which actually kills him! Who knew!

They didn’t even use garlic or anything just knives. It was really That Easy

Quincy got fatally wounded in the fight though, but as he’s dying he points up at Mina’s forehead, where the scar left by the blessing is gone, and she is free.

NICE EPILOGUE: Everyone is happy, Mina and Jon have a baby named Quincy, Seward and Arthur got married (Bram Stoker said Gay Rights) and Van Helsing is like... the Team Dad idk

And it ends the way it begins: with Everybody Loving Mina.

No literally the last sentence of the book is about how much everyone loves Mina lmao

And that’s a wrap on Dracula! Now you never have to read it, because boy oh boy is it ever a trip

#Dracula #and once again Fuck Tumblr for making me do this in parts!

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crystalbluesoul · 5 years

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Alright, I wrote a whole damn frigging lot of the Naglfar Lore to one bud on Discord and will share this here. Look at this, @CApexHunter on Twitter and be amazed! Major spoilers for a thing you’d never hear about otherwise unless I’d actually get my ass up and start making it a novel, game, VN or whatever goes.

A few select people I know might be crazy enough to actually read all this nonsense, so this is for you too:

@aftertheend-gamedev @johnny-writes @soulwitch

Also you @yukianesawarachia get your lore straight.

It’s a pretty rough summary about the most important parts up to the start of the main story, so don’t get your hopes up if you want to read about elf hierarchy (can be sorta found here), a summary of internal politics between more influental royal families, happenings that were deemed too insignificant to be relevant or the history between state and church, principles of magic and catalysts and basically everything not named until now you’ll be severely disappointed.

Alright, we're talking the world called Naglfar. It's a planet, however follows the hollow earth principle which is important, but also a massive spoiler. A planet with its own immune system, regulated through both atmospheres, outer and inner one so to say.

[Idiot’s note: Not a reliable map but correct for visualisation.]

Scattered throughout the Overworld are the World Trees, which share information and help keep the planet's condition stable, being interconnected but also regulating said atmospheres to keep a balance. Their roots make up quite a bit of the inner landmass too.

[Terranigma, which used a similar principle with the hollow earth.]

Millions of years ago a meteorite struck and penetrated the outer husk, latching itself onto the world’s core and gradually darkened it, the underworld's sun. With it came a being carrying a virus, taking the antibodies of the planet and corrupting them which lead to the creation of even more of antibodies. Feel free to call me out for Chrono Trigger btw. Congratulations tho, we now have what I lovingly call "AIDS-earth". Lots of World Trees naturally fought for balance, but soon their roots were taken by the corrupting nature of the invader. Only a few managed to cut off their roots themselves to stop their own corruption, but most started to die from within, sapping the land surrounding them of Mana and nutrients, that's how they collapsed and crumbled further towards the core and with time the darkened atmosphere of the underworld came through.

[Ash Lake from Dark Souls, which ignited my World Tree ideas.]

That's what the situation today is like, there's only a handful continents with World Trees at their centre today, surrounded by a massive cliff with a black fog at its visible bottom. There's various human factions deciding over the future, given the chance the crumbling will continue unlike the past few 100 years. Should they just stay like this? Should they look for mechanical flight machines? Should they look for a magical engine? Or... should they research the fog and prepare for a life within that bottom?

[Fanart of the Zeal Island from Chrono Trigger. There’s a chance kingdoms like this already exist but keep to themselves. Damn, this image goes from pinterest to photobucket to shutterstock, so I’ll insert a source if someone can tell me.]

There's various local groups of descendants from other lands which were affine to some options, skilled technicians or mages, but that's that for the current group. Here the rules are different too, aside from natural things we are used to, there's also a portion of mana in soil, air, water, heat, you get the gist. Elements. These elements have largely influenced the life of people, if you live in caves for generations you become smaller and sturdier, magma caves bring fire in, which reverses that for bigger and stronger. Places filled with water, perpetually recycled from the tree, and fresh air from forests attune the people and animals to make them more receptive (and basically elves). Animals in time could become monsters, sometimes humans had relationships with whatever they could find and so various subbreeds and variations came into existence. Humans fuck. Animals fuck. Things do weird things. Some genes are more compatible than others, so sometimes results are rather random even after generations. Yuki has an OC biologist who's researching this, makes it quite fun. Aside from the biological view, there's also the theological view. Angels and Heaven, as well as demons. Though there's.... not yet really a hell. Heaven is purely ethereal and lower angels are sent for their mission on earth sometimes.

[Humans fuck.]

Heaven came to exist from faith and prayers of humans, praying for certain things with certain images in mind became lower deities, sub-'specialities' so-to-speak created a hierarchy with an "all-powerful" god at its top, but no one really knows about that. Likewise demons came into existence from the fear of mankind. Stories of men and women sucking blood or directly your soul and whatever else the human mind can produce. At least that's the true demons who became concepts similar to the deities. There's offspring here too (because everything fucks), but they're not true demons anymore so w/e. Our main-story follows a trio of knights in what I call different things, but most commonly... let's say the "reset"-timeline. But before that, let's go through royal hierarchy! ...or at least the most basic thing.

Aside from sending angels, the heavens chose certain bloodlines to hold their power and bring peace. If you've played the new Fire Emblem: Three Houses you've heard of crests, it's basically that funnily enough. I had the idea first, pah!! Well, it's not much of an idea, but let's continue. There are four major crests, or as they're called here "gifts", with their given nicknames: The Beast - Inconceivable power The Dragon - Unwavering heart The False Prophet - Unending magic The Wish - The power of the royal bloodline For the wish, this story is a bit more intricate too, as some people are granted their wishes for their piety or pure prayer. It plays a major role in the story too, so you better remember that.

[Indeed inspired by biblical tales! But don’t question me on them please. It has ties to what happened between religion and state, hence the names.]

In the original timeline, the three knights. Daryll, the one carrying the Gift of the False Prophet Siegmund... turning out to carry the Gift of the Dragon Nyr, turning out to carry the Gift of the Beast Are currently completing a final test for knight school and are soon to be deployed to a remote village they've been to alot for missions. Protecting citizens, routing monsters and undead in the area, pretty basic stuff. But in a larger skirmish Daryll goes missing, Nyr and Sieg turn back to report. In the meantime Daryll has joined up with the undead boss, a scientist who wants to prepare humans for life below the dark fog. They carry out a number of stuffs, promising Daryll the fulfilment of his innermost wish... This also included killing some people but Daryll is determined. His desire burns bright and won't stop at anything, even when Nyr and Siegmund ended up opposing him. Siegmund died preventing their battle and Daryll ended up slaying Nyr in battle... but went mad, realising that this will only distance himself from the fulfilment of his wish. Upon confronting the undead Boss, Albert, he was discarded and roamed the lands alone with his thoughts.

[Best boy.]

It took Daryll a few years to come clear with his conscience, which is when he picked up Kai, a girl from the orphanage in the village he was first stationed in. Along with other people, a resistance of people not fine with basically everything, they fought Albert and the army of turned people which was established in the past few years. However soon they'd find out that Albert had taken energy from the World Tree to reach his goals, which weakened its influence and allowed beasts from within the Abyss to reach their lands, as well as continue the rate at which the continent broke off. In a last effort Kai and a few people went to steal what could still be salvaged while Daryll and the rest of their resistance keep Albert from further destroying the continent and becoming the, maybe, first man in the Abyss.

...however the Resistance is pushed back and Kai returns alone, deadly wounded and with... the Seed of the World Tree in her hands. Dying in Daryll's arms, he takes the Seed from her and confronts Albert, activating one of the ultimate spells by accident, the Divine Nova, which... is where the original timeline ends. I wanted to leave the ending open, but best case they manage to grow a new tree, but even then there's hardly anything to build up from... but mankind will push on.

[Yes, Divine Nova is basically a small Supernova. It’s also called “Heaven’s Gate”, since it’s light alone can probably burn something. Also looky here.]

In truth this Divine Nova brought the last bit of energy the heavens needed to perform a 'reset'. You could say a time-altering spell which brought us back to the point of before the test/trial the three knights underwent. Only this time, a few people were made to angels and sent back, to alter the outcome for the better. Niamh and Caireall, who are both reincarnated from Kai, who internally wished for a protector, a big brother to care for her, similar to how she came to love Daryll in her lifetime. And Shou... a girl with false memories, implanted by the heavens to keep her psyche from collapsing. Daryll, who in his final moments wished for all to start over, overcoming his original wish which lead him down his path of madness... which was funnily enough granted on a whim. Instead of going report, Shou, at this point calling herself Susan meets up with Nyr and Siegmund and convinces them to go after Daryll instead, this is where the story begins I could go into detail for some family trees here, but I'm beat up... If you'll excuse me, I'll post this here to my tumblr for now in hope of receiving internet points.

[Me walking into freedom.]

#Naglfar Drabbles #outofempathy

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woahhaleigh · 5 years

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Heathers UK Cast Recording Review (From A Retired Veronica Sawyer’s Perspective)

If you are new to my blog, hi! I’m Haleigh and I am an actress local to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas. I had the utmost pleasure of playing Veronica Sawyer last summer in Plano, Texas. Veronica was an absolute dream role of mine. I feel so honored every day that I was chosen to tell that story. The show holds an extra special place in my heart because a little bit after the show closed, I started to date the wonderfully talented man who played my JD. So, Heathers holds a dear place in both of our hearts. We have spent a few evenings listening to the UK Cast Recording and gathering our thoughts on it.

I need to preface a few things. 1. I am a huge Carrie Hope Fletcher fan. So I am absolutely biased. Not sorry. 2. As a whole, I think my experience as Veronica would have been immensely easier if this album had been out for me to study and work with. The only Veronica when my show went up was the lovely Barrett Wilbert Weed. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of playing this iconic role knows that it is insanely difficult to live up to such talent as hers. Carrie made the role seem a bit more human and her vocals, while still insanely difficult, were much more achievable. 3. I go on a few tangents about my experience as Veronica. We just celebrated the year anniversary since the first rehearsal. Your girl got a bit nostalgic. 4. Thank you for coming to my little corner of the internet. Let’s listen to the Heathers UK Album!

⬇ Keep Reading ⬇

Beautiful: I can hear the accents. I can hear them holy moly. It’s okay, Haleigh. Phew. I will say I could hear a distinct difference in the orchestration? It doesn’t feel quite so cutthroat and edgy as the Off-Broadway album. It really does sound more musical theatre. Which I truly enjoy. I like that it sounds like a completely different show. I’m not one for a carbon copy of something else.

Candy Store: Okay, Jodie Steele is everything I never knew I needed?? This rendition is wonderful.

Fight For Me: Woah, this key change is everything! This song was really daunting to learn. And I seriously adore the changes in this album. This song was my favorite to sing. I hope they release the updated score for us on other sides of the globe to use for our books!

Freeze Your Brain: So I can hear Jamie Muscato’s every single syllable. Which is great for the pronunciation of his American accent. However, it was a bit jolting the first time through the cast album. Now that I’ve gone through a few times, I don’t notice it quite as much. Perhaps it’s just the recording and not him live. Such a gorgeoussss voice, nevertheless.

Big Fun: The lyric changes were jolting at first, as well. Still takes a lot of time to get used to. Also, they took out the verse about “let’s use their showers. That sounds like big fun”. Don’t expect to be able to sing along with this one first time around. I do love that Heather Macnamara gets the line about “First it’s salt and then lime and thennnn shot!” like it was in the script when I did the show!

Dead Girl Walking: Such a win, guys. The amount of fever dreams I had about this song is damn near embarrassing. I will say it again, if this album had been out when I did this role, it wouldn’t have been nearly as terrifying. Carrie’s belts were absolutely gorgeous!

Me Inside Of Me: Ugh, my least favorite song in the show. I will say, Jodie Steele, sounds absolutely stunning, though. Even more so than Candy Store. I can hear her bitchiness just in the audio. I wonder how chilling her performance was in person!

You’re Welcome: Unpopular opinion time; I dislike everything about this song. I’ve listened to it once and skip it every time I listen through the album. While Blue from the Off-Broadway album (if done wrong) can be just as predatory as this song, I’ve mainly seen it done silly and more comedic. You're Welcome is just plain scary, in my humble opinion. The vocals are undeniably stunning. Kurt and Ram are immensely talented. However, I just don’t feel like this was a good replacement for Blue. I feel this song is just scary and triggering. Especially for someone who has been in Veronica’s shoes before. While I respect that the writers prefer this song to Blue, I strongly stand behind my opinion on this song.

Never Shut Up Again: I feel like this song is along the same lines as Dead Gay Son. It has a beautiful upbeat vibe to it. I’ve heard a lot of people say that it doesn’t sound like it belongs or flows. I completely disagree. Heather Duke deserved a solo. And T-Shan Williams absolutely slays this song. I also appreciate that they did a little nod to the Blue Reprise in here. This song will be a fan favorite if it gets released with the rights worldwide.

Our Love Is God: Ah one of my most favorite songs to perform when I did this show. This song lives up to the outrageously high expectations I had for it. Brought massive tears to my eyes as I listened and replayed performing this scene in my head. I can only imagine how wonderful the performances were in person.

Dead Gay Son: A song that is usually a skip for me. The vocals were lovely but this song is just better when you see the show live, in my opinion.

Seventeen: Another song that had really high expectations. The vocals, the tone, the everything was truly wonderful. You could hear the love and the urgency behind both Carrie and Jamie’s voices. I was pleased when this song was released early. It was a great little taste to what a joy this cast album would be.

Shine A Light: Less church-y than the Off-Broadway and more rock, I will say. Love Rebecca Lock’s choices with Fleming. She sounds so unapologetically her and it is truly a hilarious experience to listen to. (Funny story, James actually tripped and fell off a platform during our production of Heathers during this song. Just thought I’d share that with the world.)

Lifeboat: Sophie Issacs sure knows how to pull at your heartstrings with this one. It feels like there was a key change in this song too, I could be wrong, though. It also feels faster? I will say while her vocals are lovely since it does feel faster, the song doesn’t pack as much of a punch as it could have.

Shine A Light Reprise: T’Shan is seriously terrifying. I loved the lyric and note changes for this one. Like man, that belt is too die for.

I Say No: Added to my book and have already started to rehearse this so I can sing it at my first given opportunity. The lyrics to this song are really awesome. In the Off-Broadway show, I always was peeved that the musical took out my favorite quote from the movie “You know what I want? Cool guys like you out of my life.” And they included a bit of that in this song. As someone who is a huge fan of this movie, I was stoked when that was added in. From my understanding, this song happens after JD shoots the TV right after Veronica breaks up with him. (Correct me if my assumption is wrong!) James and I had discussed in the past how a song would have been awesome there. So, if that is where this song is, it just makes me that much happier.

Kindergarten Boyfriend: Woah. I mean woahhhh. Those vocals are flawless. This is the only scene in the show where Veronica gets more than 30 seconds to be off stage. I always spent it listening to our Martha that evening sing her heart out. It is what got me into the mindset to cry during Meant To Be Yours. This rendition is so lovely and truly makes me cry every time I’ve listened to the album all the way through.

Yo Girl: So eerie and so haunting. I do prefer the Off-Broadway for this one. It felt more gut-wrenching. The lyrics changes, though, hit you right where it hurts. “what’s that brimstoney smell?” Ouch, guys.

Meant To Be Yours: The differences are subtle between this and the Off-Broadway. I love Jamie’s performance. He truly sounds like he has lost his damn mind. And Ryan McCartan's JD sometime’s was really cartoony. (Still, absolutely adore him!!) My favorite performance from Jamie from this entire album. One character choice I really liked was the whisper of “No thanks”. So chilling. Okay, I’m crying while I’m listening to this. I gotta move to the next song.

Dead Girl Walking Reprise: Carrie’s version is not quite as belt-y as Barrett’s. I always had to sing this after balling my eyes out and had to sniffle and belt this. I love that there is just as much power behind this version but not all the way sang up to the gods. It’s a much more achievable rendition for the average singer in a community theatre where this will get done more often. Again, Jamie for real sounds manic and I love every second of it. And I also looove that there’s an added “Don’t talk about my mom” and a “stop” lines in there. Every night when James and I sang this, he shot me a look like those were his thoughts, but I can’t say anything because she is singing and it’s not in the script. It’s really lovely to have that added bonus in here.

I Am Damaged: These are the only lyrics changes I don’t agree with. I like how it was originally portrayed that JD may or may not be changing in this song. But either way, wow my heart hurts. That was so beautiful. Every night when I played Veronica, my interpretation of this song was probably quite different than most. I’d love to share that to someone other than James and a few members of the cast. When Veronica says “Say hi to God”, I always portrayed it as Veronica, despite all of the harm JD caused, truly believed he would still go to heaven. And it always got me to the depths of my core.

Seventeen Reprise: The vocals and talent of this cast, my god. Just as beautiful as the Off-Broadway. Ugh, this is making me cry my eyes out, guys.

There you have it guys. What did you think of this cast recording? If you haven’t listened to the album yet, you really should! Listen here.

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phroyd · 6 years

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Officially, “Respect” is a relationship song. That’s how Otis Redding wrote it. But love wasn’t what Aretha Franklin was interested in. The opening line is “What you want, baby, I got it.” But her “what” is a punch in the face. So Ms. Franklin’s rearrangement was about power. She had the right to be respected — by some dude, perhaps by her country. Just a little bit.What did love have to do with that?

Depending on the house you grew up in and how old you are, “Respect” is probably a song you learned early. The spelling lesson toward the end helps. So do the turret blasts of “sock it to me” that show up here and there. But, really, the reason you learn “Respect” is the way “Respect” is sung. Redding made it a burning plea. Ms. Franklin turned the plea into the most empowering popular recording ever made.

Ms. Franklin died on Thursday, at 76, which means “Respect” is going to be an even more prominent part of your life than usual. The next time you hear it, notice what you do with your hands. They’re going to point — at a person, a car or a carrot. They’ll rest on your hips. Your neck might roll. Your waist will do a thing. You’ll snarl. Odds are high that you’ll feel better than great. You’re guaranteed to feel indestructible.

Ms. Franklin’s respect lasts for two minutes and 28 seconds. That’s all — basically a round of boxing. Nothing that’s over so soon should give you that much strength. But that was Aretha Franklin: a quick trip to the emotional gym. Obviously, she was far more than that. We’re never going to have an artist with a career as long, absurdly bountiful, nourishing and constantly surprising as hers. We’re unlikely to see another superstar as abundantly steeped in real self-confidence — at so many different stages of life, in as many musical genres.

That self-confidence wasn’t evident only in the purses and perms and headdresses and floor-length furs; the buckets and buckets of great recordings; the famous demand that she always be paid before a show, in cash; or the Queen of Soul business — the stuff that keeps her monotonously synonymous with “diva.” It was there in whatever kept her from stopping and continuing to knock us dead. To paraphrase one of Ms. Franklin’s many (many) musical progeny: She slayed. “Respect” became an anthem for us, because it seemed like an anthem for her.

The song owned the summer of 1967. It arrived amid what must have seemed like never-ending turmoil — race riots, political assassinations, the Vietnam draft. Muhammad Ali had been stripped of his championship title for refusing to serve in the war. So amid all this upheaval comes a singer from Detroit who’d been around most of the decade doing solid gospel R&B work. But there was something about this black woman’s asserting herself that seemed like a call to national arms. It wasn’t a polite song. It was hard. It was deliberate. It was sure. And that all came from Ms. Franklin — her rumbling, twanging, compartmentalized arrangement. It came, of course, from her singing.

Because lots of major pop stars now have great, big voices, maybe it’s easy to forget that most Americans had never heard anything quite as dependably great and shockingly big as Ms. Franklin’s. The reason we have watched “Showtime at the Apollo” or “American Idol” or “The Voice” is out of some desperate hope that somebody walks out there and sounds like Aretha. She established a standard for artistic vocal excellence, and it will outlast us all.

She, along with Sam Cooke, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Tina Turner and Patti LaBelle, changed where the stress fell in popular singing. Now you could glean a story from lyrics but also hear it in the tone of the singer’s voice — agony, ecstasy and everything beyond and in between. Roots, soil, pavement on one hand, the stratosphere on the other.

I know. That does just sound like the art of singing. But when gospel left the church and entered the body — the black body — we called that soul. And a good soul artist could make singing for sex sound like she was singing for God. They call that secular music. But it just repositioned whatelse could be holy. Almost nobody — and even then, maybe just Ray Charles — did as much toggling between and conflating of the religious and the randy with as much sincere athletic imagination and humor andswagger as Ms. Franklin.

“Dr. Feelgood (Love Is a Serious Business),” the hit from 1967 that she co-wrote, never fails to chill, arouse and amuse. Ms. Franklin performs it with a mix of exasperation and smoldering anticipation. That song’s never sounded better or more theatrical than it does on “Aretha Live at Fillmore West,” from 1971. Its structural brilliance is that there’s no robust chorus or melody, just Ms. Franklin, her piano, a blues groove and her mood. She wants a friend to get going so she can have sex with her man. But who’s been shown the door with this much flair?

The song starts, “I don’t want nobody always sitting around me and my man.” You could bake a pie in the pause between “nobody” and “always.” And when she gets to “sitting,” she takes a deep, five-second drag on the “s” so that it sounds less like a consonant and more like a lit fuse. The remaining six and a half minutes put you in exhilarated suspense over when her top’s gonna blow.

There are so many things to love about this performance: its sexiness, its playfulness, its resolve, all the space in the arrangement for Ms. Franklin’s singing to stay low until it takes off high, the way that once she finally connects with Dr. Feelgood himself, the crowd audibly connects with the song or, really, just more deeply connects, since people had been shouting stuff like, “Sing it, Aretha!” between her pauses. You can feel in that moment the hold Ms. Franklin had over anybody who ever saw — or heard — her sing. She worked with bottomless reserves of swagger.

We tend not to think of Ms. Franklin that way — as an artist of bravado and nerve and daring, as a woman with swagger. We tend not to think of her this way even though nearly every song she sang brimmed over with it. (She sang about taking care of business — the old “tcb” — and, consequently, having her business taken care of, as much as she sang about respect.) Swagger we left to the Elvis Presleys and James Browns and Mick Jaggers. But “swagger” is the only word for, say, her approach to the music of other artists.

It didn’t matter whether it was a Negro spiritual or something by the Beatles. It was all wet clay to her. The Supremes, Frank Sinatra, Leonard Cohen, Adele, Simon and Garfunkel, James Taylor, ? and the Mysterians, C & C Music Factory: She oversaw more gut renovations than a general contractor. In 1979, she took the occasion of B.B. King’s “The Thrill Is Gone” to allow her backing singer to exclaim that she (and they) were “free at last.” Toward the end of her funked-up, very fun version of Sam & Dave’s “Hold On, I’m Comin’,” from the 1981 album “Love All the Hurt Away,” she tossed in some “beep-beeps” and a couple of lines from “Little Jack Horner” because she knew she could make it work.

If good soul music is like good barbecue — slow cooked, falls off the bone — by the 1980s, she’d become a pit master, yelping and barking and wailing, but also talking in songs, sermonizing. You know the char and gristle, the bits of sugar and salt and fat on, say, a perfectly done slab of ribs? Most of this woman’s songs were blackened that way. Yet if Ms. Franklin told you she was going to take a classic R&B song and throw in a little nursery rhyme, you’d be nervous. Did 1986 really need a cover of “Jumpin’ Jack Flash?” Probably not. But she did it anyway — and robustly — and threw in a “hallelujah” while she was at it.

But, by that point, Ms. Franklin seemed well on her way to becoming somebody who might have relished the culture’s doubt. She loved music too much to be vestigial or nostalgic or relegated. She wanted — you know, what she wanted. And eventually respect was tricky to come by. I, at least, remember sitting on my bed watching the 1998 Grammys and hearing that she’d be filling in for Luciano Pavarotti and rolling my eyes. Ms. Franklin knew. She went out there, sang some Puccini, and left the nation in shock.The Queen of Opera, too?

Is it possible that despite the milestones and piles of Grammys (the now-defunct female R&B vocal performance category seemed invented just for her; she won the first eight), despite famously having been crowned the greatest singer of all time in a vast Rolling Stone survey, despite being Aretha Franklin, the Greatest was also rather underrated — as a piano player, as an arranger (who had a greater imagination when it came to coloring a song with backing singers), as an album artist? Despite the world’s bereavement over her death, despite her having been less a household name and more a spiritual resident of our actual home, despite giving us soundtracks for loneliness, for lovemaking, for joy, for church, cookouts and bars, despite the induction ceremonies, medals and honorary degrees, despite her having been the only Aretha most of us have ever heard of, is it possible that we’ve taken her for granted, that in failing to make her president, a saint or her own country, we still might not have paid her enough respect? Just a little bit.

Phroyd

#franklin #aretha

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eighthchiharu · 6 years

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Stridercest Week, Day 3: Meet/Cute! [Guardiancest, Mafia AU]

Written for B! :)

Bro meets David at an underground poker game.

It's romantic, in the old-fashioned sense of the word -- dashing, classicly heroic -- when David bursts through the door and grabs one of the players by the back of his jacket. He yanks the 18-year-old kid out of his seat, away from the fleecing he was about to get at the hands of Bro's compatriots, and rounds on the rest of the room with a glare so fierce that Bro's sure a piece of his own soul -- what was left -- was just incinerated under the magnified pinpoint sunlight of David's displeasure.

"You ought to be ashamed," David snaps, and his Transition lenses are so old-man on his young thirties face that Bro has to fight not to smile.

Who the hell is this oblivious nerd?

"Break it up, all of you. Go home!"

There are men in this room, and one woman. All of them over 18, most of them over 27. They're not children, but David doesn't seem to notice that. He does notice Bro, however, lounging at the back of the room in an incredibly out-of-place leather armchair, two guards leaning against the wall nearby. One of them has a hand in his black jacket, but Bro waves, a staying gesture.

David squints, glowers again, and hauls the poor little rich boy out of the room, issuing more threats about parents and expulsion.

It's goddamn adorable.

So maybe they didn't meet, exactly, since Bro didn't get to say word one, but first impressions are, as they say, the strongest, and it isn't long before Bro has the Zahak brothers do a little research for him. Who was that masked man? Where does he live? Who are his parents, what's his income, and do they have his social security number, because that'll give Bro the really good dirt.

adly, there's little dirt to be found, besides his pathetic profile on Tindr that declares he's bisexual -- or maybe it's a happy lack of dirt, because something about David makes Bro want to try a little. Put in a small dollop of effort. Dress up, find the dweeb, and turn on the charm. It seems incredibly easy, like slaying a dragon with a nuclear bomb, but Bro can't get that indignant, scolding look out of his mind. He wants to see it again, face-to-face.

He has the Zahaks do some careful recon work, and within the week Bro knows David's favorite coffee place, his favorite donut place, his favorite Indian food place, and his favorite place for Mexican. The man does. Not. Cook. It's horrendous that someone that brave and dumb and self-righteous doesn't know his way around a frying pan. Even Bro can make tamales or cannolis when the need strikes.

It's all right for now, though. Time for a little swooping in, saving the day, just like David seems to enjoy.

One late afternoon when David is on his way to the Mexican restaurant for some take-away, a meal his arteries are probably gonna regret if he keeps up his regular order, which Bro is sure he will, Bro sets one of his young, nimble-fingered kids into action. Burritos with everything can't be good for anyone on a weekly basis, and Bro is going to solve this tiny health problem with a combination of slick thinking and city charm.

For today's outing, Bro is dressed in a black jacket and slacks, a white shirt with pinstripes so faint you have to be right on top of him to notice their gray striations, shining faintly, polished Italian loafers, but no socks. No tie. He's Mr Casual, Mr Everyday Joe. Nothing to see here except ordinary human perfection, don't stare, please, it makes everyone uncomfortable. He waits on the corner, watching the action unfold with the mirrors on the wings of his pointed sunglasses. Fagan ain't got nothin' on Bro when he's testin' his kiddos.

David is about ten feet out the door when wham -- the kid slams into him. The burrito hits the ground, the kid's foot smashes the goods -- and while David is dazed, the kid lifts his wallet. No money, no lunch, and when the kid takes off running at a pace Bambi would envy, no one to blame.

Bro can't suppress his smile this time. Good thing he's facing the other way.

He doesn't waste his window, though. He spins around and is at David's elbow before the man can finish pushing his nerd-alert glasses back into place, the low groan of dismay only just starting in the back of David's throat as he realizes his meal is sidewalk mash.

The vocalization only cements Bro's resolve, no pun intended. He speaks up, hands in his pockets to keep from seeming like a threat. "Hey, that sucks. You okay? Kids today, am I right?"

"Yeah, I -- man, my burrito! I didn't even see that guy, he just appeared out of --" David finally looks up from the burrito remains, the paper bag wet with sauce, the smell of peppers and grilled meats wafting up tantalizingly, a final salute to its now-wasted tastiness. He looks up, and his mouth falls open.

It was dark in the back of the church they were using for the poker game. There's no way David recognizes him. But even if he does, that's okay. Just means Bro has to shift gears, come in with the back-up plan, the one that involves a little more strong-arm and a little less wine-and-dine --

"... shit, you're hot," David blurts out.

Bro is about four inches taller, and now his smile really won't stay put. "Thanks. You ain't bad yourself."

"I mean -- I mean, uh, I'm -- I do movies. Direct movies. Not do them -- I'm a director. I just mean that -- that was a compliment. For film. You know, because --"

"-- because movies," Bro finishes along with him. Goddamn, this guy really is fucking innocent.

"Yeah," David agrees, finally managing to get his gaping under control. He tugs his shirt into place, brushes a hand down the front of the soft cotton, spreading folds thin enough that Bro can see David's trim physique beneath the loose fabric. "Anyway. I'm fine, thanks. Nice of you to ask -- wait. Aw fuck, cmon, no." He drops a hand to the back pockets of his dark, old jeans, then to his front pockets, then the back ones again.

Bro's enjoying watching David pat himself down, especially running his questing hands over those slim hips, but he spares David another moment of public agony by asking, as if he didn't know, "Somethin' wrong?"

"My wallet!" David moans, and wow, Bro makes a promise to himself that if he gets David alone someday, he's gonna try to get that exact sound back, just as long and languorous as it was, but with Bro's name instead of the billfold's. "The little shit got my wallet! Aw, fuck."

The word is coarse, and surprising for some reason. David exudes charming suburban class, despite his claim as a worldly movie maker, and Bro didn't expect any epithets that would routinely be banned from classrooms. Admittedly, that'd be a rule for younger students, but Bro's golden eyebrows raise all the same. "Damn, that's messed up. Can you call and cancel your cards?"

"Yeah, I can do it on my app. He didn't grab my phone, probably 'cause it's just a Moto." Unhappy, and probably hungry, David pulls his phone out and opens his banking app.

Now that's a little too trusting. Bro puts out a hand and covers the screen, his Rolex flashing gold in the late sunlight. "Hey, don't do that out here. Tell you what, since you lost your dinner, let me take you somewhere. You can cancel your stuff there, and get some food so you don't starve while they mail you more plastic and make you wait four days for the privilege."

If David knows what kind of watch it is, or what kind of jacket and slacks (Tom Ford) or what kind of shoes, he doesn't give it away in the slightest. He just pulls a sad face as his stomach growls like some kind of anime protag. "I can't -- okay, you didn't hear that. "

Bro shrugs. "Sounded hungry to me."

David actually blushes the slightest bit. "I can get food at the commons, really. Thanks, though. You're -- it's nice of you."

"I know a great Mexican place. Burritos like seven-tier cakes. Fattest things you ever saw, and cheap beer to boot. Nothin' tastes better with good Mexican than shit beer."

That's not entirely true, but if David's teaching at a uni, it's about what he's used to. The man's stomach growls again, and David glances around, as though afraid someone might be offended that he's accepting burrito offers from a stranger. "... you sure?"

"Sure I'm sure. All us hot people are sure."

David makes a face, the blush vanishing. "Uh huh. And where's this amazing Mexican place at?"

Bro names a couple of streets, and watches as David fights some internal battle that Bro long ago gave up on, or relinquished his right to even take part in. There's very little conscience where Bro's concerned; just legality, and which side of the law it benefits him to be on at any given time.

This time, he wants to be on the right side. For this guy. For now.

"... yeah, all right." David finally gives in, slightly suspicious, except for the thunderous snarling coming from his belly. "Sorry, it's just -- thanks. I appreciate it. It's seriously kind of you, very cool. If everyone was as decent as you are, we'd live in a very different place."(edited)

Amen to that, Bro thinks. He nods toward the corner. "It's this way. C'mon, ain't a far walk. Just a few blocks."

David nods his blond head, the lenses of his glasses slowly lightening up as the sun sets. They're still dark, but Bro can see the outlines of his eyes through them -- and over them, since he's so much taller. He can see the part in David's hair, the couple of rare strands that seem more silver than blonde, and he wonders how David's scalp would feel beneath Bro's lips. How firm David's waist will be, how warm his hungry stomach.

The last makes him laugh, and when David asks what's so funny, Bro has to make something up. It works, though, and David falls into step beside him, not even noticing the Zahaks drifting along in their boss' wake. Watching. Ready.

#guardiancest #stridercest #bro strider #alpha dave #stridercestweek #day 3 #my writing #fanfic #au #homestuck

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sabineelectricheart · 3 years

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Time Changes People

Summary: Years after the war, Sylvain is a shadow of his former self. He anticipates and dreads any opportunity to face how much he has changed.

Rating: K+ - Suitable for more mature childen, 9 years and older, with minor action violence without serious injury. May contain mild coarse language. Should not contain any adult themes.

Words: 1000

Notes: Just some angst, to kickstart the day. I hope you like it.

When Edelgard promised a brand, new world, Sylvain did not actually believe in her. He did not think she would be capable of bringing about the change she promised, he did not think she was strong enough to fight a thousand-year-old institution and come out the other side victorious.

Alas, he followed the Crimson Flower, not because he actually believed they would end up victorious, not because the Empire aligned itself to whatever were his own goals and beliefs, whatever they were, not because his professor asked him nicely. No, none of that. It was because he could not bear living on the old world any more, and it was better to die trying to change it than to live a long life doing the same suffocating, soul-crushing routine, spawn a child with a damn Crest and pack up to the Blue Sea Star or whatever.

However, they did not die, Edelgard did manage to topple the Church and unify their continent, and their new world was brought about to existence in some shape or form. Pity he still feels suffocated.

Sylvain, the new Margrave Gautier in all but name, as titles of nobility were ostensively abolished, was never the same after the war. He was closed off, kept to himself, and never uttered a word unless he was spoken to. He was well-recognised when he chose to go outside - he had to fight his emotions when he heard the foul comments being fired at him from every which direction.

He barely kept in contact with anyone from his Garreg Mach years, not that they would want to be seen talking to him now. Those who survived, did so in spite of him, and not thanks to him.

Oh, how times had changed.

The only letters he receives these times were from Mercedes, who opened an orphanage in Arianrhod and sends him a monthly update of her life and her wards. He never responds, but often sends generous donations and gifts on her birthday and Saints’ days, which she never fails to thank him for.

Sylvain looks back in suspicion on all the times where people would clamour for his attention. It was strange now, being an outcast, shunned by the rest of the world and shun it in turn. Now, he spent his days riding through the border with Sreng, patrolling against incursions from warring clans from the north. Weeks and weeks all alone out in the frontier, with only his horse and the stars to hear his confessions and regrets in life.

Once a Moon, he returned to his manor house to restock on essentials and to respond to any urgent correspondence from the Empire. This time, his retainer ran to meet him on the gates, informing him that the Imperial Constabulary had been waiting for him at the home for over three days.

They had sent word from Enbarr, of course, but the letter arrived after he left last Moon, with an estimated time of arrival for the party before he would return. The man had assigned a few knights to locate him and bring him back so he could honour the August guests, but since he hardly kept a consistent track through the mountainous path, they came up empty-handed.

Sylvain, then, left the retainer alone on the grounds and rushed inside as he had never done before, eager to meet the one who waited so many days for him. He walked upstairs two steps at a time and rushed through the hallway to the sitting room, from where the smell of bergamot whiffed softly and weighed on the cold air of the house.

As he reaches the doorstep, however, he pauses. He knew why she came. As Imperial Constabular, her duty was to verify whether the Relics were being kept safely or used wisely and whether Crests were still being passed through the generations.

It was not a social call, but, even if he knew that, if he went in, she would probably shun him as well, he thought it would be worth it, just to see her ethereal green eyes and gorgeous half-lidded smile.

Gathering courage, he took a deep breath and opened the door.

“You certainly kept me waiting.” A soft voice resounded through the cold silence.

His heart beat faster in his chest as he looked towards where the voice came from. Byleth Eisner sat cross-legged by the tea table and a steaming cup by her lips. His breath caught in his mouth.

She is just as stunning as she always was.

“Sylvain?” Byleth called after him, as he never responded her greeting. “It is nice to see you again.”

“You too.” The nobleman managed to get out as his eyes rested on her slender, youthful figure.

“There is something about you that is different.” The constabular commented, placing her soft hands on his face, just like she did when she “woke up” after the Millennium Festival.

“It’s been years. I’m bound to have changed.” Sylvain said, looking away.

Byleth had not changed a bit ever since she slayed the archbishop. Her skin was still fair, her hair was still spiky and her demeanour, while still detached, sounded kind and were able to warm his long-dead heart. In comparison, he must look like a hot mess, as his beauty and charm long faded away.

“What happened to you, Sylvain?” She whispered. “You do not look like yourself.”

Of course, Byleth knew about his struggle between two sides of the war, and that he felt deeply disappointed by what he got out of it, but after so many years apart, she did not think it would ever be able to affect him this much. She did not think the darkness that lurked within him would be able to take over his entire existence.

“Time changes people.” Sylvain stated as he headed for the door, hoping to leave the room, to save whatever dignity he had left. He paused, turning around. “I’m sorry, professor.”

*_*_*_*_*

Fire Emblem Masterlist

Three Houses Masterlist

#fire emblem #Sylvain Gautier

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marshmallow-the-vampire-slayer · 6 years

Text

MTVS Epic Rewatch #189

BTVS 7x08 Sleeper

Obligatory soundtrack: Early One Morning - Pavlov’s Bell

Stray thoughts

1) If the fact that Spike was feeding and turning people wasn’t enough of a clue that something was amiss, then him humming a lullaby while digging graves most certainly was.

2) I love that whenever we hear a British man speaking in this show we immediately know he’s a watcher. Side note, this watcher was totally shacking up with his slayer, right?

3) Okay, so Dawn told Willow all about seeing “Joyce” but she didn’t disclose Joyce’s warning about Buffy. Willow then proceeds to tell her that she’d seen someone, too, but it was the Big Bad. Dawn, understandably, convinces herself that Joyce couldn’t have been an evil manifestation. I get why her first reaction is to believe she’d seen her mom. She’s a kid who’s had a rough two years, whose mom died suddenly, who was almost sacrificed to open up a portal to a hell dimension, whose sister killed herself shortly after, and who spent hours in a bedroom with the body of her stand-in mom before anyone came to check on either of them. Joyce represents the normalcy and stability her life is lacking, so it’s absolutely understandable she’s so eager to believe she’s seen her mom. What I don’t get is why – other than because it suited the writers’ purpose – she didn’t talk about this with Buffy (even if she didn’t feel like opening up about the actual warning...) and why it was never brought up again (that I remember, at least.) I’ve talked about this in my previous recap, but I must hand it to The First, it played its cards right by manipulating Dawn. She was the only one who 100% bought the lies, and the fact that she didn’t discuss this any further – especially not with Buffy – and that she kept believing her “mom”’s warning all along had far-reaching consequences. Dawn was probably the only character not mature enough to realize she was being duped. Joyce/The First warned Dawn that “when it's bad, Buffy won't choose you. She'll be against you.” Not only does this warning foreshadow what will come to happen in Empty Places, but it is the precise reason why that happens, except that the roles are reserved: when things get bad, Dawn won’t choose Buffy, she’ll be against her…

4) I do appreciate that Xander truly tries to be objective here and to see things from a purely rational perspective. It’s a very nice change of pace from his “slay first, ask questions later approach”, and it is in fact exactly what Buffy needed. Emotionally, she can’t bring herself to believe Spike’d be able to be killing people while having a soul. I think the church scene from Beneath You is what drives Buffy to believe having a soul has truly changed him. Of course, she’s letting herself be driven by her emotions (which, btw, we know are her strength…) So it was necessary for her to hear the voice of reason. And I’m grateful for the fact that Xander was actually written as a reasonable voice of reason - unlike what they did with his speech to Buffy in Into the Woods… where we were supposed to buy into what he was saying (he didn’t even have all the fact!) and take his word as the voice of reason.

*gets herself angry at remembering Into the Woods*

*breathes furiously*

*tries to calm self down*

*watches videos of puppies*

*resumes writing*

Anywho, this is their exchange in this episode:

XANDER Why would a vampire lie about who sired him. What's that? Some kind of status symbol for the undead. My sire can beat up your sire. (sits)

BUFFY I'm not saying I don't believe him.

XANDER You just don't want to. OK, let's look at this objectively. Figure it out in a cold, impersonal, CSI-like manner 'cause we're a couple of carpet fibers away from a case.

BUFFY Spike can't be the one doing this. He couldn't if he wanted to.

XANDER Why not?

BUFFY Well, for one thing, pain chip, remember? He can't hurt anyone.

XANDER Didn't stop him from hurting you. Hey, objective here. Maybe the chip's not working anymore.

BUFFY Oh, it's working. I've seen it.

XANDER Is it? Or is that what Spike wants you to think?

BUFFY You think it's an act?

XANDER I don't really know. And neither do you.

BUFFY No, mm-mmm. There's something. I-I can feel it. He's different. He's changed. And, if it is an act, then the Oscar goes to...

I just appreciate the fact that he was trying to help Buffy see the situation from every angle, instead of taking a stand and only viewing the evidence that would support her belief.

5) These two truly had a very lively sex life…

XANDER You're gonna be fine.

ANYA Better be, because if I get vamped, I'm gonna bite your ass.

XANDER Wouldn't be the first time.

ANYA What was that?

6) And this is exactly why they should’ve talked to Dawn more about the whole seeing Joyce thing…

WILLOW Buffy, this thing knows us. It made us think that we were talking to people we knew. Mine said it came with a message from Tara. But Dawn actually saw... your Mother. This thing—it had me for a while—I mean, before it started letting loose with the pulse-pounding terror. But before that, the lies were very convincing. It just seems real.

BUFFY Lies.

WILLOW I mean maybe—maybe to confuse us, to mess us up. Or maybe just to be cool.

Unfortunately, Buffy was too concerned with the urgent issue of a potential serial killer vampire on the loose to take the time to talk to her sister. She should have done it, though. I mean, even if she assumed Dawn had understood what she’d seen wasn’t real, Buffy should’ve known that seeing Joyce again, even if it was a fake Joyce, probably had messed her up. I think that Buffy not approaching Dawn about this probably fed Dawn’s belief that she’d seen the real Joyce.

7) Sweet Jebus, this man…

8) Bless Anya.

SPIKE Anya, do be specific and tell a fellow just exactly what you're doing here.

ANYA Well, Spike... I'm here, obviously... for...um...sex.

SPIKE Uh, beg pardon.

ANYA You and me. Here and now. Let's go. Let's... get it on, you big bad boy.

SPIKE Wait, wait, Anya. Just a minute. This is not exactly—is that a stake?

ANYA Yes. Kinky.

SPIKE Uh, well, yeah, but what do you—?

ANYA Shh. No questions. No talking. I can't help it. I can't stop thinking about you and us and our brief but unforgettable time together. I mean, it's—why else would I be here? I mean, it's not like I'm snooping around looking for proof that you're some sort of wacked out serial killer. I don't know why I said that. Forget I said that. It's craziness talking. It's just nerves. Nerves. Nerves and-and horniness. Oh, just shut up, William, and take me. Take me now.

I think... I think she looks kind of riled up and disappointed he didn’t take her up on her offer?

9) Where do all this people come from? This street has never been this crowded! Sunnydale doesn’t have that big of a population!

SERIOUSLY!!!

Like, I get it, they needed the streets to be super crowded so that it would be believable for Buffy to lose track of Spike, but THIS IS NOT BELIEVABLE! A) My point above and B) any citizen of Sunydale who isn’t as dumb as a brick won’t go out at night!!!

10) Awww, Buffy woke him up by throwing him across the room just like in the old days…

11) I had to stop writing during this scene, I was simply enthralled by James’ delivery of each of his lines. I truly don’t think Spike would’ve been a redeemable character if it hadn’t been for James’ portrayal. He brings so much emotion into every word and every gesture, and it truly makes you feel for the character. Well, unless you hate Spike, of course.

SPIKE Well, I certainly didn't off her. Where are you getting this? (grabs a shirt) You know I can't.

BUFFY Right. The chip.

SPIKE No, not the chip! Not the chip, dammit. You honestly think I'd go to the end of the underworld and back to get my soul and then— Buffy, I can barely live with what I did. It haunts me. All of it. If you think that I would add to the body count now, you are crazy.

SPIKE Yeah, I talk to people. Women. Talk to them 'cause I can't talk to you.

BUFFY Oh, Spike, save it.

SPIKE As daft a notion as "Soulful Spike the Killer" is, it is nothing compared to the idea that another girl could mean anything to me. This chip—they did to me. I couldn't help it. But the soul, I got on my own—for you.

BUFFY I know.

SPIKE So, yeah. I go and pass the time... with someone. But that's all it is is time, 'cause—God, help me, Buffy—it's still all about you.

12) FYI, If you don’t remember what you’ve done the night before, that’s a BIG FAT warning sign.

13) I get that Willow’s line is meant to feed Dawn’s belief that she did, in fact, talk to Joyce, but this just doesn’t make any sense?????

DAWN You only think Spike is turning people 'cause that vampire told you so, right? But that night we were all told things that weren't true.

WILLOW Maybe.

DAWN What? What maybe.

WILLOW Well, just because those weren't the spirits of, you know, our people—just because it was some evil thing, doesn't mean what they said can't be true.

Like, why would the Big Bad disclose information that might actually help them????

14) The music choice for this episode is so absolutely perfect, I mean, Pavlov’s Bell? Accurate AF.

15) She’s a quick learner, right?

YOUNG WOMAN Huh. I get it. You'd rather I slip into something more comfortable. Should we pick off the crowd one-by-one, or block the exits and ravish the place?

SPIKE Get away from me.

YOUNG WOMAN What's with the wallflower act? You didn't seem so shy when you were biting me. I'm not asking if you wanna be soul mates, just figured you'd wanna have some fun. I take him, you take her—or the other way around. Whatever.

I love how this scene is reminiscent of Spike and Drusilla prowling the Bronze in Crush, except this time Spike does not want to play.

16) This fucking show.

YOUNG WOMAN Is that all I was to you—a one-bite stand?

17) I swear to god. THIS. FUCKING. SHOW.

18)

BUFFY Oh, uh, actually, I need some help. I'm looking for this guy. Bleach-blonde hair, leather jacket, British accent? Kind of sallow, but in a hot way?

BOUNCER Yeah, yeah, I know the guy. Billy Idol wannabe?

BUFFY Actually, Billy Idol stole his look from—never mind. Has he been here?

19) This. Fucking. Show.

AIMEE MANN Man, I hate playing vampire towns

I just love the fact that she uses the plural, “towns” like she’s fucking aware Sunnydale is not the only town infested with vampires.

It’s so amazing to see a regular someone supposedly not in the know – after 7 freaking seasons! – acknowledge the supernatural because even though it’s a staple of the genre that people are ignorant of the paranormal or choose to find more “rational” explanations for every odd occurrence, sometimes they just end up looking very dumb.

20) And this is why The First was kind of a dumb Big Bad, like, how couldn’t he have known that tasting Buffy would have the opposite effect on Spike?

21) It’s really heartbreaking that Spike not only assumes that Buffy is going to stake him but he welcomes it, I think he wants the pain to end and wants an easy way out from the things he’s done (that’s why he pleads for her - or it? - to “make him forget”)

22) Buffy reads the situation right, though. She understands that someone or something has been using Spike as a puppet and that killing him won’t really accomplish anything other than doing exactly what it wants them to do.

23) I gotta admit, I’d be Xander in this situation…

BUFFY You didn't see him down there. He really didn't know what he'd done. It wasn't in his control.

XANDER Oh, an out of control serial killer. You're right, that is a great houseguest.

24) I love how they’re talking as if he was deaf or not there, and he’s obviously listening to every single word they're saying. HE IS SITTING RIGHT THERE FOR FUCK’S SAKE!!!

Sorry, I just hate when they do that on shows or movies, okay?

25) Cliffhanger! IS GILES DEAD! DUN-DUN-DUNNNN!

There’s no fucking way Giles would’ve survived that, okay? I mean, I’m glad he’s alive, but they probably should’ve faded to black BEFORE the axe was about to chop his head off. Just seeing the demon brandishing the axe would’ve done the trick, and then it wouldn’t have felt as they were retconning the scene.

26) This is not a great episode. It’s not bad, either, but I feel the reveal that Spike was killing again and the why he was doing it should’ve been placed further apart (although I understand they were trying to get people to like Spike again, so that might’ve been detrimental to that purpose…) I don’t know, there’s something that just doesn’t work about this episode. The scenes between Buffy and Spike are great, but the whole episode feels somewhat disjointed. What do you think? Is this when season 7 started to go south?

27) If you’ve got this far, thank you for reading! If you enjoy my recaps and my blog, please consider supporting my blog on ko-fi. Thanks!

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