#and the latter for imprisoning them in amber

[xystonantzintla]

The Propagation assimilated the Voracity

Perhaps my craziest theory yet, but hear me out-

So there's no way this is a coincidence. The silhouette of the Giant Sting (argenti storyquest) and Voracity (from fables abt the stars) are literally the same. And it's way too big of a thing for it just being devs cutting corners.

There's the 3 points of suspicion that Herta raised about the Swarm Disaster, one being just "why Ena and Oroboros disappear" - we know what happened to Ena (Xipe assimilation), but could it be possible that Tayzzyronth assimilated Oroboros too?

Some peeps a bit smarter than me on the HSR discord pointed out that mortals would know if an Aeon assimilated another, but maybe we really missed this one? Or maybe Mythus messed with us a lil bit again?

From a Paths-ey standpoint, though, it does make sense. Propagation and Voracity are probably some of the closest related ones, despite being mortal enemies

^^irl swarms of desert locusts (sand king anyone?) are driven by signals to: 1) gather into groups (propagate) and 2) eat (voracity)

They will turn to eating each other when too close, too, so irl swarms move a lot to both find new crops to consume and to avoid eating each other.

Despite the Swarm not being locusts (beetles are cooler anyways), there's smaller Stings inside the Express, which is... inside the big boi Sting. Yeah. They eat each other, checks out.

Now what i'm saying here is that it's not *entirely impossible* for the Propagation and Voracity to have merged. It'd also explain the incredible strength of the Propagation that took what, 4 Aeons to take down? (not counting Aha because they probably did it for the craps and giggles)

The Propagation as we know it isn't even a full path. It's "part" of the Permanence that was split off, which is pretty unheard of in the history of what Paths do - if Tayzzyronth can defy what we think Paths are limited to doing, what's stopping it from happening again? And maybe the merger was an incomplete one, too - half Permanence, half Voracity - forms the full Propagation?

Also another maybe-coincidental parallel, both Tayzzyronth and Oroboros are "the last of their kind" (last of the Leviathans and last of the Coleoptera). Does this mean anything? Only time will tell

okay rant over

see you next month (?) for the next dumb Propagation theory-post TED Talk

[warrior-cats-rewritten]

Hello! One 🐈 please! No pressure :)

One 🐈 coming up! Let's see, we gooooot...

Blackwater! (Originally known as Darkwater)

A pure black molly with bright amber eyes, a nicked ear, a scar along her back left leg, and long, thick, glossy fur.

Blackwater is born a pretty famous couple, Tangleburr and Waterfern. Waterfern is Leopardstar's sister who managed to survive birth and thrive. She is a trans molly, transitioned in the middle of her apprenticeship. Tangleburr, Lizardstripe's daughter, was brought to Riverclan during Tigerclan times, and ended up falling in love with Riverclan's ways. She LOVES fish, she loves weaving with reeds, she loves the shell collections.

They, along with a few others, helped free the cats who'd been imprisoned. She has done some crappy things in the past, like being on Brokenstar's side for a while and fleeing Shadowclan with him and others, she feels horrible about it, and works to free the other cats in Riverclan.

Their first litter is Mintwhisker, the renamed Mintfur. Their second litter is Flykit, Whistlekit, and Blackkit. Blackkit was the only survivor, her brothers in that litter being stillborn. She was born during late Long Shadows, and is on the cusp of the Omen Generation. She is a relatively good hunter, specializing in deep water to grab muscles and clams. She has a good interest in cooking, and very romantic dreams of wooing a pretty molly.

Blackpaw was trained by Rainstorm and suffered terribly during the Drought. Her long black fur was NOT doing her any favors. Her new friend Cloudpaw at least had thinner fur and was almost pure white. She began having strange dreams afterwards, a pretty mottled gray molly was offering to teach her to be stronger. It would help her find a mate, like how Mintwhisker had a gorgeous mate in Icewing. She wasn't jealous of her older brother, she wanted to be like him...

She accepted, and was soon training in The Dark Forest under Mistfang. She didn't realize Hawkfrost's daughter Cloudpaw was here too. Blackpaw soon earn the name Blackwater under the new leader, Mistystar, and a while latter, after Russetfur's death, Cloudpaw earned her name too! She... Didn't like it as much.

Fun fact, in Bonefall's Clanmew, Blackwater's name is "Urrnhoeba", meaning Stormy, Abyssal Water. Fitting for a cat that dives into the deepest parts of the river.

Blackwater and Cloudsnap grew close, though Cloudsnap was getting really into her Dark Forest training... She was really starting to believe what Mapleshade had been telling her...

When The Great Battle came, Blackwater fought for the Clans, thankfully convincing Cloudsnap to join her. The two fighting off Dark Forest cats together, even managing to shatter one - an old spirit known as Raggedthorn (when I say old, I mean this guy came from the "Leadership is inherited, not for the deputy" era).

Later on, while trying to keep up with her career and process her trauma and grief, as both Tangleburr and Waterfern died during the Battle, Cloudsnap proposes to become mates with her. Finally, a win for this lesbian.

Then the Kin showed up, and Mintwhisker died. 🥲

Then she and Cloudsnap got exiled by Mistystar at the command of Bramblestar. How easily some could forget that Blackwater was technically half-Shadowclan.

It only gets better when Mistystar finally kicks the bucket. Though she and Cloudsnap aren't in on it, they can finally raise their family in some quiet, both taking care of 2 new kits in the nursery. No one knows who gave birth to them, but they both take time off to care for the babies, Poppykit and Sootykit. Riverclan can sort itself out without us.

[bridges-to-ashes]

Remember + Val, a memory about their time in containment!

Forgotten.

Warnings: imprisonment, implied harm to a non-present person, lip biting/picking

Word count: 700

[Visible to anons and non-muses.]

He sits perfectly still in the middle of his cell, out of reach of the bed, the desk, and the half-hearted excuse of a bookshelf bolted against the walls, his knees pressed against the cold floor with only the thin fabric of his bare, white pants to cushion his discomfort. With his hands resting on his knees, in easy sight of the irritatingly nervous guard stationed across the room, his dark eyes remain fixated on the door that had been left ajar twenty minutes prior, right when the doctor was meant to come and check on him.

Instead of getting one of those rare but mildly entertaining visits, however, he had gotten stuck on the ground, watched by some idiot that assumed him to be a threat for no other reason than the white he had no choice but to wear, listening to the bright screams of someone down the hall.

He heard her often, especially at night, even if the walls of these cells were meant to be sound-proof; and for the past few years, he had been left to wonder whether he should be impressed by her ability to surpass the sound-proofing or whether he should consider breaching for the sole reason of getting her to finally shut up.

He, of course, didn't do the latter, and never commented on the former either.

Instead, with a quiet sigh of annoyance, he closes his eyes and listens for the smaller noises around, for the guard's uneasy shifting and the ticking of the clock that had a habit of driving him just as mad as the yelling, for the shutting of a door and-

Steps.

His shoulders relax ever so slightly at this sound, focusing on it until it drowns out the screams, coming closer, closer, closer, until they stop and a quiet voice speaks to the guard, permitting them to leave the room. Still, his eyes remain closed, his knees painfully numb on the ground, his hands resting on his legs where they are easily visible.

"Would you join me for a cup of tea?", a familiarly warm voice offers, the doctor's voice joined by the quiet clicking of the door as the guard escapes as quickly as they can while retaining their dignity. Only when the lock has clicked in place does he open his eyes again, taking a moment to look the other man up and down.

He has taken his usual seat at the table already, carefully placing down two porcelain cups and a matching teapot, a warm expression on his soft features. The doctor looks more tired than usual, he notes, his lower lip bearing a shimmer of red from biting it too hard, the careful double-fold of his sleeves having slipped and become messy throughout whatever appointment proceeded his own.

Amber eyes slip from the delicate porcelain and down to where he still rests, and their tiredness seems to lessen a little as he smiles at him and gestures towards the second chair. With a light huff, he gets up to his feet and wanders over to the offered spot, sitting down there with his arms crossed over his chest; even without saying a word, his demeanor makes the doctor laugh, a light noise he had come to enjoy over time.

"I'm sorry for letting you wait", the doctor apologizes, drawing a vague smile from him that breaks his dramatized annoyance. "But I think I have just the right thing to buy your favor back, hm?"

The doctor's warm smile grows as he leans down and carefully pushes the basket he had brought along over to where he sits. He looks at him for a moment, at his face, then at his hand, and only after that at the basket. Pulling it over fully, he flips the lid open, taking a few seconds to glance over the contents inside - even he can't help but allow his expression to soften into a soft smile at the slight.

"Gulliver's Travels, in the first edition. I thought you might enjoy it."

[genshinfand0m]

Vannessa aka LionFang Knight

REGION: Mondstadt

AFFIL­IA­TIONS:-

-Four Winds

-Knights of Favonius (Formerly)

Additional Titles:-

-Dandelion Knight

-Falcon of the West

Vennessa was a hero of Mondstadt who lived around 1,000 years ago, during the era when the Mondstadt Aristocracy reigned.

A "flame-touched Muratan" enslaved by the tyrannical nobles, she served as a gladiator in the Colosseum and became known as the Lionfang Knigh for her undefeated streak. With the help of Barbatos and Ragnvindr, among others, Vennessa brought an end to the Aristocracy, then established the current City of Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius, becoming its first Grand Master and Dandelion Knight.

It is said that at the end of her life, she ascended to Celestia at Windrise and took the form of a falcon. Afterwards, she became the Falcon of the West, one of the Four Winds.

Profile

Personality

Despite her tough exterior, Vennessa was gentle and warm-hearted — traits not unlike her future successor, Jean Gunnhildr. According to Venti, one of her closest allies, she also had a characteristically "Muratan" temper. Later generations admire her as a kind, yet formidable woman.Venti comments that Jean's conscientious, courageous, considerate, and kind personality reminds him of another close friend, likely referring to Vennessa.

She developed a strong bond with her remaining kin, and shouldered the responsibility to protect and care for them; especially her younger sister Lind. Having a strong sense of justice, she was determined to fight for their freedom. She was nonchalant about her imprisonment by the Lawrence Clan, choosing to abide for the sake of her people's safety, despite Venti's pleas to free her. When her kin were sent to fight in the arena alongside her without warning, she feared for their lives. And after having witnessed their merciless murder at the hands of the Lawrence Clan's archers, she was sent into a blind rage; slaughtering any enemies that lay in her path.

It was this harsh treatment of her people that made her resent the aristocracy; a sentiment which motivated her to rebel against them.

Appearance

Vennessa was a woman of athletic build, with tanned skin and amber eyes. Her sturdy physique was likened to a "brick wall" by Venti, describing her as "hard as stone." As a Muratan, she inherited her people's "fiery-red" vermilion hair, which flowed down to her middle back and was braided behind her head. She sometimes wore grey earrings.

During her time as a slave warrior, she was rather scantily clad. Beige pieces of fabric with a dark gold trim formed the loincloth hanging from her belt and a bra clipped at the front, while her right sleeve had a dark maroon trim. This maroon color was matched by a glove-like garment she wore on her right hand that was trimmed at the knuckles, as well as her thigh-high stocking and various armor straps. She had a pauldron strapped to her left shoulder, over a grey mesh that extended from her collar across the entire length of her left arm; the mesh was also worn on her right leg. She also wore mismatched, grey, low-heel sandals; the right one with an engraved foot cover that looped around her second toe, while the other instead had thin cross-straps extending to crew length. As proof of her enslavement, she had cuffs on her right wrist and left ankle; the latter was shackled to a ball and chain.

Story

Childhood

Vennessa is a Muratan, and her people spent generations wandering the land. However, their people often went hungry, and most of the knowledge passed down through the generations were combat and survival techniques rather than their history. One of the few stories she did hear would be about Celestia, the abode of the gods. She was told that great heroes would be chosen by the gods to dwell with them in Celestia, becoming immortal and protecting the world with the gods.

Ten years before she met Venti, Ursa the Drake hounded and stalked her clan for four days straight, starving them. After this, her clan ended up in Mondstadt after fleeing from Ursa, only to be enslaved by the rich nobles. Vennessa became a slave warrior, fighting in the Colosseum for the nobles' entertainment in order to help her sister Linda and her people be free again. She became known as the "Lionfang Knight" for her undefeated streak, even slaying the Colosseum's previously undefeated champion.

Vennessa's Rebellion

On the day of Ludi Harpastum, Vennessa went out to buy herbs for her sickly sister, Linda, when Venti ran into her. Having raised the ire of Barca Lawrence, heir of the Lawrence Clan and son of the city's ruler, Venti fled the scene and hid behind her for protection, forcing Barca to stand down due to her reputation. However, Barca had his father purchase Vennessa and her clan, then had her imprisoned.

Venti paid her a visit in prison the night before her final battle and befriended her. He offered to break her and her people free, but she refused, claiming:

"We must fight and claim our own freedom. We can not beg for it. We must not kneel for it. Freedom given freely is only a guise for another shackle."

Pleased with Vennessa's response, Venti left as he concocted a plan. The next morning, Vennessa is horrified to learn that she is not fighting alone — her entire clan, including children and the elderly, will be pitted against Ursa the Drake itself. Lord Lawrence declared that if she can beat the monster in battle, she will win her people's freedom. He also had his archers slay any of her fellow clan members who attempted to escape the arena. When the commoners began to riot over the unfairness of the situation, Lord Lawrence added the keys to and control of the city to her rewards, fully expecting her to fail.

Despite despairing over the futility of her situation, Vennessa refused to give up, striking down hilichurls under Ursa's command and fighting Ursa itself. Before it can retaliate, Barbatos appeared in angelic form, bolstering Vennessa's combat abilities and helping her drive Ursa away. With Vennessa's end of the bargain fulfilled, Barbatos orders Lord Lawrence to hand over control to the city.

While the manga ends her saga there, based on in-game lore, this triggered a much larger uprising throughout Mondstadt, with Vennessa as its rallying point. She was joined by the Dawn Knight Ragnvindr, who was inspired to fight against the aristocracy after befriending the Wanderer's Troupe's sword dancer, traitor to the Lawrence Clan Kreuzlied, and the Gunnhildr Clan, which had refused to follow the other nobles in their tyrannical ways.

In the midst of the rebellion, a secret treaty was found that claimed the nobles intended to sell them as slaves to Rex Lapis. Fearing for their own freedom, the soldiers serving the aristocracy turned on them and joined Vennessa's cause. It wouldn't be until generations later that historians would realize this treaty was actually fake — and yet unbeknownst to them was that it was forged by none other than Barbatos himself.

Mondstadt Reborn

After successfully overthrowing the aristocracy, Vennessa led the city's reconstruction and established the Knights of Favonius to fight against any of those who would try to become tyrants. She was its first Grand Master as well as the first Dandelion Knight.

When she was exhausted by her duties, she preferred to meditate in solitude in the Eagle's Gate domain to clear her mind.

Legacy

Accounts about her life after her rebellion differ, but they all converge at the end of her life. According to legend, Vennessa was recognized by the gods for her deeds and ascended to Celestia. The spot where she ascended at Windrise is where the massive oak tree — the Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero — now stands, said to have grown after her ascension. The Symbol of Mondstadt's Hero appears to have a direct connection to Celestia, which Venti utilizes twice during the Prologue Chapter of the Archon Quests.

After Venti sees that the Traveler's presence is capable of purifying Dvalin's tears, tainted by the power of the Abyss via Durin's poisoned blood, he is inspired to head to the tree at Windrise to heal himself of that same poison.

He returns there after Signora forcibly takes his Gnosis. Because his body is created with an archon's power, it cannot be healed through normal means. However, staying in the presence of the tree is capable of restoring his body.

(Vennessa is only seen in The Genshin Impact manga)

[cheri-translates]

[CN] Gavin’s Wind and Waves Date

🍒 Warning: This post contains detailed spoilers for a date, 风浪之约, which has not been released in EN! 🍒

[ This date was released on 3 June 2021 ]

An early summer breeze causes the papers on the desk to flutter. After doing a stretch, I pick up my phone, realising that it’s already late at night, past 11pm.

Tapping open my messages out of habit, I see that the newest message is a reply from Gavin in the afternoon -

Gavin: Let me know when you’re done with work.

Staring at the chat, I release a long sigh.

Recent overtime work has left me slightly overwhelmed. Because of this, I had no choice but to reject several dates with Gavin.

Thinking about this, I type a response hastily.

MC: I’m getting ready to knock off. Did you have a busy day?

After pressing the “send” button, I stuff my phone into my pocket quickly, turn off the laptop, and carry my bag.

Before I leave, I turn off the single remaining light in the company.

My phone remains silent even after I step into the elevator. Looks like Gavin’s already asleep.

Half-leaning against the wall of the elevator, I massage my slightly sore shoulders.

Fortunately, the remaining work has entered the final phase smoothly. Once this is over, I’ll make up for all the missed dates.

With a “ding”, the elevator doors open slowly. When I lift my head, I see a familiar figure. He’s also the person I’ve been wanting to see most during this period of time...

MC: Gavin?!

I walk towards him in disbelief. He reaches out, pulling me into his arms.

A familiar scent encases me tightly. I subconsciously relax, leaning on him wilfully.

MC: Gavin, why did you come?

Gavin: I missed you.

These words float into my ears slowly, then descend heavily into my heart.

Faced with Gavin’s absolutely unconcealed longing, I laugh contentedly, hugging him tightly and forcefully.

Gavin: Do you still have to work overtime after this?

I lift my head from his chest region, shaking my head with a smile.

MC: There are still a few things to settle, but they aren't as urgent. If things go smoothly, I’ll be able to fulfil the dates I owe you either tomorrow or the day after. Let me properly “make up” for them.

Once I finish speaking, Gavin’s brows arch gently.

Gavin: How do you plan to make up for it?

MC: Ooh... I’ve been flaking on you several times. So when the time comes, I’ll satisfy you no matter what you want!

Suddenly, a soft chuckle is at my ear. 

Before I can react, Gavin has already interlaced our fingers tightly, bending his knees slightly as he lifts up the travelling bag on the ground.

Gavin: Let’s go then.

When I see the travelling bag that I didn't notice earlier, I’m both shocked and confused.

MC: Hang on. Where are we going?

He turns his head over, lifting his sculpted chin.

Gavin: Didn’t you say you’d satisfy me no matter what I want to do? In that case, the rest of the time will belong to me. 

MC: But I was referring to after the program is done...

Gavin: I don’t want to wait a moment more.

Gavin doesn’t wait for me to finish, tightening his grip on my hand and pulling me over. My body tilts along with the inertia, drawing me closer to him.

My silhouette fills that pair of amber eyes, turning all the more clear and bright.

In this moment, I forget about the fatigue from work, and my entire heart is filled only with the person before me.

-

Originally thinking Gavin was simply taking me on a stroll, I didn’t expect that we’d be sitting in a train which is about to set off.

Scanning my surroundings, it seems that it’s currently the off-season for travelling. Gavin and I are the only two in the soft sleeper compartment.

Seeing the luggage Gavin brought, something occurs to me. I stare at him, stumped for words.

Gavin: What’s wrong?

He seems to sense my gaze, turning his head and meeting my line of sight.

MC: Gavin, you planned this way beforehand! The train tickets and luggage were prepared really comprehensively!

Gavin: Traveling requires adequate preparation, doesn’t it?

Gavin seems to deliberately avoid my unspoken implication.

MC: But this surprise attack of yours makes me feel completely unprepared...

Gavin: Isn’t such a “surprise attack” good? You've done it a few times before. Now, it’s my turn.

Wind whistles outside the window, pulling the hidden thoughts in his words to my mind.

I subconsciously recall how I deceived Gavin into coming to the airport and heading to Los Angeles on his birthday.

MC: O-of course it’s good. I like it very much. But that’s not how you were supposed to use the spare key to my house...!

I lower my eyes, grumbling softly.

Gavin: How was I supposed to use it then?

His expression of “earnestly seeking knowledge” seems to be teasing at something gently, and the temperature of my cheeks rises instantly.

I pick up the travelling bag and place it on my lap, face flushed as I change the subject.

MC: ...let me take a look at what you prepared.

I unzip the bag and gently rummage through the objects inside, unable to bear messing up the luggage he had worked hard to pack.

After looking through it for a while, I realise that Gavin was especially conscientious in his preparation.

The clothes I often wear have been stacked into a pile, and the snacks I enjoy eating have been placed in a separate corner.

I can’t help but imagine Gavin shuttling back and forth alone at home -

Him being at a loss as he stands in front of the packed closet. Him being confused as he faces dozens of makeup bottles and skincare products.

His shuttling figure seems to morph into a sense of security filling my heart continuously. The corners of my mouth lift upwards uninhibitedly.

When I touch a hard, square-shaped object, I take it out in curiosity.

My notebook laptop is currently lying in my hand. I lift my head stiffly, blinking at Gavin slowly.

Even before I can speak, he explains.

Gavin: With it, you can handle unexpected situations that crop up at work.

I nod silently, flipping open the notebook laptop subconsciously.

MC: That’s fine. I’ll settle some work then. Do you want to rest for a while?

Right after saying this, Gavin takes the laptop away, placing it into the travelling bag.

Gavin: You’ve been working non-stop. It’s time to take a break.

MC: Don’t worry, I won’t take long~

While saying this, I reach for the laptop. In the end, he shields the travelling bag behind him.

Gavin: I didn’t bring the laptop just to let it replace me. It can only be used when faced with unexpected situations.

Gavin’s dead serious expression gives me the impulse to tease him.

MC: If you don’t give it to me, I’ll have to snatch it!

Just as I stand up, the train suddenly jolts, and the floor beneath my feet rocks sharply.

I instinctively lift my arms to maintain my balance. Unexpectedly, Gavin grabs my hands, and my body leans backwards from the inertia -

By the time I regain my senses, I lift my head from atop his chest, blinking in a dazed manner.

He stares at me, a teasing smile on his lips.

Gavin: How do you plan to snatch it?

MC: I... I���ll snatch it by force, of course.

Right after saying this, he imprisons me tightly with both arms, as though wanting to put an end to my idea of snatching it by force.

Gavin: What about now? How are you going to snatch it?

Not knowing what to do, I can only blush while struggling in a perfunctory manner.

MC: I...

Gavin: If you don’t plan to give up, I won’t let go.

MC: Fine, I promise. Unless it’s really necessary, I won’t work!

A soft laugh burrows into my ear. He releases his grip slightly, but keeps me in his arms gently.

In the next second, the train finally leaves the tunnel, and starlight from outside the window enters my vision.

MC: Gavin, there are so many stars outside!

Following my words, he looks out of the window.

The starlight and night scene outside the window seem to soften Gavin’s sculpted features. He suddenly chuckles.

Gavin: I actually wanted to take you to see the stars in the planetarium a while back. In the end... you had to work overtime. The weather was great last week, and it was very suitable for taking a stroll in the park. But there was an accident at the filming site, and you were called away at short notice. 

Softly, Gavin talks about the countless dates we missed because of work over the past half month.

MC: Gavin...

Feeling a little guilty, I have no idea what to say.

Gavin turns his head to look at me directly, his eyes brimming with a smile.

Gavin: And then, I suddenly understood. If I were to keep waiting without an end, I wouldn’t know how long I’d have to wait. So I should simply take you away at an appropriate time. Just like the many times before.

-

After disembarking from the train, we sit in the rental car Gavin arranged for in advance, and we begin our long car ride.

When the car makes a turn, what enters my vision is a large patch of blue.

The faraway waves roll onto the fair and clear beach in layers, reflecting sunlight and emitting dazzling rays of light.

Pleasantly surprised, I turn my head, meeting Gavin’s eyes.

MC: Why did you think of bringing me to the seaside?

Gavin: You’ve been staying in the office during this period of time. So I’m taking you to a more open place.

Gavin: But there are many places I want to take you to. This is only one of them.

His voice is akin to a wave, rushing into my heart and creating ripples of tingly sweetness.

-

Very soon, the car halts at the seaside. Gavin leaves some instructions with the driver, and the latter sends our luggage to the hotel first.

Gavin and I walk along the beach leisurely. When a sailboat leaning against the harbour appears before us, he finally stops. 

Gavin: We’re here.

MC: Are we going out to sea?

Gavin: Mm. I’m taking you on a “stroll” on the sea.

It seems he has already rented the boat in advance. After exchanging a few words with the person managing the sailboat, he supports me onto it.

The sailboat isn’t large in size, and I’m able to see it completely with a sweeping glance. The areas we can sit in are the two sides of the boat and a narrow deck.

The sailboat sways along with the waves, and I hold onto the railing as I sit down carefully.

Gavin: Sit tight.

With light-hearted steps, he walks to the end of the boat and starts the motor, both hands holding the steering wheel as the boat gradually leaves the harbour.

After that, he grips the rope tightly to raise the main sail, sunlight pouring onto his frame, outlining his edges.

When the main sail is raised up high, he shuts off the motor, and the boat is propelled forward with the help of the wind.

Seeing this series of practised movements, I exclaim in admiration.

MC: Gavin, if you were to participate in a sailing competition, would this be considered "cheating”? After all, you need to know the direction of the wind at all times to sail properly.

Gavin ponders on my question seriously for a second before giving me an answer.

Gavin: Yes. But even if I don’t use the ability of wind, I’m still more sensitive to wind than ordinary people.

He says such “enviable” words with ease while continuing to work on the rope in his hands.

All of a sudden, a gust of strong wind comes from the right. The left side of the boat tilts downwards fiercely, almost sticking to the surface of the water.

MC: Will the boat overturn?!

I grab onto the railing firmly, looking at Gavin with slight worry.

Gavin: Of course not.

Gavin continues operating the steering wheel, a fearless expression on his face.

Gavin: Although I can make the wind stop, that would reduce the fun of sailing in the first place. Trust me. I won’t let you fall off.

A proud smile appears on Gavin’s face. The corners of his shirt are blown up wildly by the wind as he stands steadily on the boat.

After that, he stretches out his hand towards me. Immediately understanding his intention, I grip his hand without any hesitance. 

He pulls me behind him, wrapping my arms around his waist. 

Gavin: Don’t let go. Hold tight.

Just as another fierce gale arrives, he tugs on the rope, causing the sail to change directions deftly.

Very quickly, our sailboat is akin to a drifting racing car, continuously changing directions in his hand, and accelerating in movement. 

We allow ourselves to get swept along with the wind and waves, continuing to move headwind.

Without realising it, my initially anxious emotions have turned more and more excited.

MC: Gavin, let’s go!

He doesn’t speak, but the boat beneath his feet speeds up, as though using his actions to respond to me.

Gradually, the whistling at my ears disappears, and the waves grow peaceful.

Small ocean sprays lap the boat gently, as though telling us that our “surfing” experience has come to a temporary end.

I hurriedly pull on Gavin as we sit on the deck, and I massage his palms gently.

MC: Tired?

Gavin: Nope. What about you?

MC: I’m doing okay, just that my legs are a little wobbly from being nervous.

While saying this, I lean on Gavin’s shoulder, relaxing completely.

All of a sudden, a force pushes me gently on the shoulder. My body slides down slowly, and I find myself lying on Gavin’s lap.

Startled, I look at Gavin above me. With a pad of his finger, he pushes away strands of hair from my face.

Gavin: Lie down and rest for a while. I’ll make the wind a little quieter.

-

When I open my eyes again, what I can see is the azure sky and Gavin, who is resting with his eyes closed.

I can’t bear to disrupt such a beautiful image, so I simply purse my lips into a smile in secret.

Suddenly, Gavin’s eyelashes quiver, and he opens his eyes to look at me.

Gavin: What are you smiling at?

I realise that he might have noticed my peeping since early on, but simply allowed me to observe without making a sound.

With this thought in mind, the temperature of my cheeks involuntarily grow hot.

MC: I... I was smiling because the sun is really warm, and my fatigue seems to be swept away completely!

The deck reflects a dazzling light from the sun. Struck with an idea, I shift away from Gavin’s lap, then pat the deck.

MC: You must be really tired from sitting for such a long time. Let’s lie down and bask in the sun together!

I tug on Gavin gently, getting him to lie down beside me.

Perhaps due to the narrowness of the deck, we’re pressed together tightly.

Gavin: Is it a little cramped?

I shake my head quickly, afraid that he’d sit up to make space.

MC: It isn’t cramped at all. It’s just nice!

Gavin might have guessed my intentions. He stirs slightly, lying down sideways and facing me.

Gavin: Lying down like this will be a little better.

I heave a secret sigh of relief. Mimicking Gavin’s actions, I face him while lying down too.

MC: Even though it’s no longer cramped like this, we can’t see the sky in this position.

Gavin chuckles, embracing me gently.

Gavin: I just want to look at you. Other things aren’t as important.

All of a sudden, a shadow hangs above our heads, and sunlight gradually vanishes.

Puzzled, I turn my head towards the sky, only to realise that a thick cloud has completely covered the sun.

MC: The wonderful big sun has been blocked.

Despite the complaints from my mouth, my smile doesn’t leave.

Being with Gavin like this makes nothing worth regretting no matter what it is.

Gavin: In that case, I’ll make it leave temporarily.

Gavin straightens up, and a gentle gust of wind brushes my face.

The sailboat sways, as though sensing this force in the air. The waves sweep up, lapping the sides of the boat gently.

Even that cloud in the sky seems to float forward slowly with Gavin’s wind.

Gradually, rays of fine sunlight pass through the remaining tail of the cloud.

Sunlight pours over Gavin, leaving a pale shadow, making his facial features even clearer.

He lifts his chin, letting the wind sweep his hair into a nice-looking mess.

When the cloud has completely let the sun go, Gavin shoots me a smile.

Gavin: We can continue basking in the sun now.

After saying this, he lays back down on the deck, pulling me into his arms.

He closes his eyes, and all that’s left is the soft sound of his breathing. I can’t help but lift my chin, sticking to his ear carefully.

MC: You’ve worked hard over the past two days to prepare so many things. Is there anything I can do for you?

He opens his amber eyes slowly, the corners of his lips turning upwards in indistinct arcs.

Gavin: You don’t have to do anything. Just lay with me for a while.

With this, he tightens his grip, caging me in his arms.

I don’t insist further, laying by Gavin’s side obediently.

Seeing Gavin before me, I suddenly feel that this moment is so beautiful that it doesn’t seem real.

Last night, I was working overtime in the office. Today, I’m lying atop a boundless stretch of ocean.

Most importantly, the person I’ve been missing most is within reach.

I hug him fondly, tightening my grip.

MC: Gavin, thank you for bringing me here. Even though I still have some relatively unimportant matters waiting for me to handle, I think I really needed a break. Working overtime without an end can make one’s mind turn increasingly stale. If you hadn’t pulled me out from the endless loop, I might have been working inefficiently for a very long time.

Gavin listens as I reveal my thoughts bit by bit. His expression seems to become even more relaxed.

Gavin: Got it. When such a situation happens again, I’ll drag you away like this.

A breeze lifts up my hair quietly, as though agreeing with Gavin.

Even though I can’t hide the smile on my lips, I deliberately pinch his palm.

MC: Even so, you have to tell me in advance next time!

A teasing glint flashes across Gavin’s eyes, and he closes them.

Gavin: We’ll talk about it again when the time comes. I don’t want you to sink into that condition again.

He speaks indolently, but a resolute tone is in his words.

MC: Got it. I’ll take note of my working hours, and will definitely not overexert myself!

Gavin doesn't respond, but the smile on his lips is a clear indication.

Suddenly, a strong wind charges over fiercely, causing the main sail to rustle.

MC: Gavin, the wind seems to be getting stronger again! Will anything happen if our boat remains still like this? 

Gavin closes his eyes without a care, holding me tightly.

Gavin: Nothing will happen. Let me hug you for a little longer. We’ll set off later.

His voice gradually dissipates along with the waves, leaving behind a breeze that leaves one reluctant to part with.

🚤 Call and Moments: here

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[yaraxflcr]

Intro

Have you ever noticed that ( YARA FLOR ) from the (DC UNIVERSE ) looks a lot like ( HASKIRI VELAZQUEZ)? But ( SHE) also go/goes by ( WONDER GIRL). Having the ability to/of ( SUPERHUMAN STRENGTH, FLIGHT, HYDROKINESIS ) sure makes them a force to be reckoned with. They’re known to be ( A GREAT LEADER, ) but also ( HARSH, ) and they’re ( 22 ) years old. 

This is 100% her wiki page copy pasted. 

Basics

Real Name: Yara Flor Main Alias: Wonder Girl Relatives: Aella (mother, deceased) · Unnamed Brazilian river god (father) · Renata (aunt) · Brian (uncle) Affiliation: Amazons of the Amazon Alignment: Chaotic Good - A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right but has little use for laws and regulations. Race: Demigod Marital Status: Single

Characteristics

Gender:  Female Eyes: Amber Hair : Black Origin Universe: Prime Earth

Origins

Originally from Brazil, Yara Flor left the country at a young age along with a woman named Renata whom she considered an aunt. She moved to Boise, Idaho, in the United States, although as a teenager she decided to travel back to her homeland. Renata disapproved of Flor's decision as she deemed it dangerous, although she nevertheless saw her off at Boise Airport alongside Yara's uncle Brian.[1]

Homecoming

After landing in Rio de Janeiro Yara takes a bus to the hotel, on the way there she saves a man from a burning car, and introduces herself to the bus driver, a man named João. All the while Hera, Queen Nubia, and Queen Faruka all make plans for Yara. Later, while at Iguazu Falls, Yara hears music from the water below, and is dragged down into the river below by boleadoras and encounters a mermaid like being.[2] The being turns out to be the Yara's namesake, Iara, protector of the sacred waters. Iara gifts Yara her Golden Boleadoras. While on a flight back to Rio with João, Yara is attacked by Amazons of unknown origin. After Yara had defeated them the plane is brought down by the Greek gods Zephyros and Eros, the latter of whom falls in love with Yara after cutting his hand on his own arrow.[3] After the plane crash, Yara and João embrace but are interrupted by Eros trying to hit Yara with one of his arrows. After being beset by various Amazonian mythological beings, Eros stabs Yara with one of his arrows, making her fall in love with him and obey his commands. Eros takes Yara to Mount Olympus to meet Hera, the Queen of the Gods.[4]

Yara would train with various gods on Mount Olympus and tame a pegasus she named Jerry. Before the time came to become Hera's champion, she visited João and went on a date with him. She would then encounter an Amazon of the Amazon named Potira, who claimed to have known Yara. revealed Yara's origins; that she is the daughter of an Amazon named Aella, who sought adventure and settled in Brazil, and a god. Artemis and Cassandra Sandsmark would then interrupt and would allow Yara the chance to make her choice of whether or not to become Hera's champion, with Cassie warning Yara of the dangers she now faces. Yara would return to Olympus, ready to become Hera's champion.[5]

Yara decides to refuse the elixer and Hera's offer to become her champion, inraging the Queen of the Gods. She has Hephaestus's mechanical soldiers attack Yara. Yara calls Jerry to escape but is intercepted by Zephyros and knocked to the ground, seemingly killing Jerry. Hera appears and makes short work of Yara. She then orders Hephaestus to send Yara to Tartarus, which he does by shattering the Earth with his hammer.[6]

While Yara is imprisoned in Tartarus, Eros vists, angry that Yara refused to become Hera's champion. After Eros left, Yara is attacked by a giant. Yara is able to defeat the giant with her Boleadoras. Jerry, who survived Zephyros' attack, retrieves Yara and flys out of Tartuarus. When they reach the Gates of Olympus, Yara struggles to open the gate, and is confronted by the same soilders - sent by Hara - that killed her mother as a child, and she told Jerry to stay back, as this was her fight.[7]

Powers and Abilities

Powers

Divine Empowerment: As a demigod, Yara Flor possesses superhuman powers.

Superhuman Speed[5]

Superhuman Strength[3]

Abilities

Archery[5]

Art of War[5]

Equestrianism[5]

Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced)[5]

History[5]

Multilingualism: She can speak Brazilian Portuguese, English and American Sign Language,[1] skill reinforced by education received from Eros.[5]

Philosophy[5]

Swordsmanship[5]

Paraphernalia

Equipment

Kokoshnik Tiara[5]

Transportation

Jerry, the Winged Horse[5]

Weapons

Amazonian Sword: Fashioned by the god Hephaestus himself[5] with a style of the weapons of the Amazonian tribes.

Golden Boleadoras: This divine weapon was given to Yara Flor by Iara, the Brazilian water goddess.[3]

Electro-Blast[8]

[chilling-in-the-dark]

The Golden Cage Part Four: Final

This is a yandere story; it mentions elements of obsession, possessiveness, death, murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, and mental abuse. If any of this is triggering for you, I understand, and you don’t have to read it.

I know I said the story was going to be five parts, but chapters four and five (mostly chapter four tbh) didn’t have enough meat on their bones to stand alone (this is what I get for never outlining folks, surprises, and not the good kind.) so they ended up mashed together into one chapter. Italics are pre-room, non italic sections are post-room.

After you’d first woken up after being shot with lightning, you were grateful to have Zuko by your side, but soon enough his presence began to feel suffocating, and if he couldn’t be there himself, because you know being ruling a country could keep a man busy, he’d have a healer and a guard by your side twenty-four seven. For the first couple of months it made sense, after all, there was only so much Katara’s healing could do, and you’d needed help to do even the most basic of tasks, but now that you didn’t need so much better all of the people doting on you was stifling.

Not to mention you’d spent most of your life free wandering where you please when you pleased, it wasn’t a stretch of the imagination to say that palace life with its strict routine was unbearable. So, you’d somehow managed to slip off and find a bag; over the past week, you’d been stuffing it full of essential supplies. Then one night, you’d set out, but one of the servants must have tipped Zuko off because he’d meet you in front of the servants’ door you’d planned on using to slip out without being noticed.

“Your leaving,” Zuko said, his voice catching in his throat ever so slightly. You couldn’t leave him; you were his world, didn’t you know that.

“I’m sorry, Zuko, but I can’t stay here anymore I’ve tried, but I just don’t know how to put down roots, it’s not who I am.” You chocked back the tears threatening to spill out from your eyes, you couldn’t let him see you cry, you didn’t want to break his heart more than necessary. You knew you should have said goodbye, but part of you knew that if you did, he might be able to talk you into staying. You were withering here, losing parts of yourself, because you just weren’t made for a stationary life.

“You can’t, or maybe you don’t want to try.” You were surprised by the amount of venom dripping from Zuko’s lips, you thought it was understandable after all you might as well have just ripped his heart out and stomped on it.

Zuko let you leave after that; at least that’s what you thought, but when you drank from your water skin, the water tasted strangely bitter, although you didn’t have much time to contemplate this before you fell to the ground unconscious.

The women around your rushed to help you get dressed for what they thought would be the happiest day of your life, but that really just filled you with dread. There was a point in your life where you’d dreamed of marring Zuko, but that had been back when the two of you were still traveling together on a decommissioned fire nation warship. You’d always imagined standing on its metal deck, Lieutenant Jee as acting captain he would officiate your vows, and you’d be surrounded by the members of the ship’s crew that didn’t hate you, and of course, Iroh would be there to serve tea after the wedding.

You’d always dreamed your wedding would be a happy occasion, but now you’d be forced to stand in front of thousands of strangers promising to spend the rest of your life to a man whom you hadn’t loved in years, a man who’d kept you locked away in a room for years, a man who’d burned you because he was jealous. Maybe you could weasel your way out of this, but then you couldn’t just think of yourself, the world was depending on Zuko to keep the peace, it wouldn’t take much for the Fire Nation army to take back the earth kingdom, it was still weak after fighting a losing war for a hundred years. Not to mention The Earth King was as spineless a jellyseal, the man wouldn’t fight his own battles even if he was the last man in his Kingdom.

The avatar was an option, but even if you told Aang there was no way to guarantee he’d believe you, Zuko was his friend, not yours, and because of that, he’d have no reason to believe you over Zuko. Even if you got Zuko magically removed from the throne that would still leave a nation in chaos, Azula couldn’t rule because she’d gone mad, Iroh had already renounced his claim to the throne, and Ozai was locked up in an Earth Kingdom prison somewhere.

A civil war was always going to be one assassination away, at least until Zuko had kids. That was a thought that sent a chill down your spine when you realized whether you wanted to or not; you were going to have to have children with Zuko. Why had the spirits chosen you to endure this fate, wasn’t there some Fire Nation citizen who would be happy to spend the rest of their life serving the Fire Lord and bending to his every whim?

You woke up in a small Fire Nation prison cell, wearing clothes you definitely hadn’t been when you’d left. You didn’t own any silk, let alone silk this fine. The juxtaposition between the cell and clothes threw you for a loop, why give you beautiful silk robes but leave you in a room that barely had enough space for a grown man to lay down.

It all made some sort of sick sense when you saw Zuko approaching, why hadn’t you seen it before that something was off with him. You’d seen creeps of all kinds on the road, but something about Zuko made you drop your guard, maybe it was because something about him reminded you of a kicked dog. One fact remained Zuko had drugged you and had locked you up in a prison cell, you’d be moved to the room in a few months’ time, and you’d spend years of your life trying to leave it, only to give up and accept your fate.

The women dressing you gently slid the amber necklace that you hadn’t seen in over five years, over your head. You’d given it to Zuko just before the siege at the north pole, it was your way of making him promise to come back, you’d told him he’d have to return it to you one day and that if he died an lost it out there, you’d never forgive him.

Unfortunately, he’d survived and chosen today as the day to fulfill his promise, though not for long, he’d be getting it back at the ceremony, and your family heirloom would become just another artifact of the royal family.

After you were dressed, it didn’t take long for the wedding to start, and it seemed like it went on for hours, mostly because it did, the Fire Sage wouldn’t quit droning on and on about the sanctity of marriage, and the importance of the vows you and Zuko were about to take. You didn’t know if all fire nation wedding ceremonies were this long of if royal weddings were just long-winded. The latter seemed likely, but then again, who could say.

Now after you were to the part of the ceremony where you’d give your vows, two golden ceremonial blades were brought out along with a fan and three bowls, the largest of which was empty but sat atop a small stand that would allow for a fire to be lit underneath it. The other two contained water and dark volcanic soil; with practiced precision, you and Zuko each took a blade.

The weapon in your hand was heavy and sharp, sharp enough to slit a man’s throat, especially if he wasn’t expecting it, with this fact in mind you turned to Zuko, took a deep breath, said your vows, and pricked your finger. You wanted to kill him, you wanted to kill him more than anything, but a Fire Nation civil war would end badly for the whole word. Zuko had always thought you’d make a good Queen. He didn’t know how right he was. You and Zuko turned once again to face the Fire Sage and allowed a few drops of blood to fall into the water, you’d literally just made a blood vow to spend the rest of your life with Zuko.

“Agni,” the Fire Sage called loudly, invoking the sun spirt his people worshiped. “We ask you to bless this marriage with your radiant light so that it may have the stability of earth and can endure all that comes its way.” The fire sage poured the soil into the large empty bowl.

“The fluidity of water, so that the couple may grow and change together.” Again, the water and the blood it contained were added to the bowl.

“The warmth of fire, so they will never have to endure the cold alone.” This time it wasn’t the Fire Sage that added the element but Zuko. He created a whisper of flame and used it to light a fire beneath the bowl, as was traditional when a Firebender was getting married.

“Lastly, we ask that you may always grant this union fresh air so that it may never grow stale.” The Fire Sage picked up the fan and used it to stoke the fire. The end result of all of that was a boiling mixture of mud that the fire sages would use to grow a fire lily; it was said that if the plant died, then the marriage would end in tragedy. Rumor had it the one representing Zuko’s parents had withered within a day.

Now you were at the end of the traditional Fire Nation wedding, but there was still one more thing left that Zuko had insisted upon. The two of you turned to face each other you gently slid your heirloom necklace over your head. “I give you this as is tradition in my family, it is a symbol of love freely given.” Or it used to be at least, now it had become a symbol of Zuko’s obsession. “From a wife to her husband, and one day a father to his daughter.” You forced a smile and slid it over Zuko’s head. If you cried any tears, it would seem the world mistook them for Joy.

Tags:

Everything

@yanderepeterparker @idkmanicantenglish @prettyafghan

@zoned-out-till-further-notice

Zuko

@phoenixambers​ @svveet-peas​

[s-creations]

What He Feared - Tangled Adventure Fanfiction

Quirin might have been a ex-warrior, an accomplished farmer, the head of a prospering village, and the father of a brilliant child. That doesn't mean he's infallible. Or that he doesn't have his own fears and worries.

Quirin always knew Varian was going to achieve great things in his life. He was smart and more than a little eager to try and help people. The problem, when Varian was younger anyway, was he didn’t always think things through. Sure, his inventions were great in concept. But in practice is where things tend to fall apart. Because Varian never could get the idea of small scale experimentation down. Why do that when you can just go big? 

 Go as fast and as hard as you can to find a solution. Especially when said solution was to find a way to destroy the encroaching black rocks. Which resulted in a dark day for Varian and Quirin. With the latter being trapped in an amber prison unintentionally created by his son. One that he remained in for almost a full year. 

 When he was released, a new world greeted him. One where his personal past invaded his present. Where his son was marked as a traitor, jailed, and pardoned when he helped save the kingdom he once tried to overthrow. Where Quirin wanted to tear Fredric apart for allowing Varian to be used as a scapegoat for the king's own transgressions. Only to be told to save his breath when both the king and queen had lost their memories. And then to finally learn that Cassandra now held the Moonstone.

 It honestly took awhile for Quirin to fully digest all of this. 

 When he passed through each day, Quirin took notice of how the citizens greeted Varian with dark looks and harsh whispers. How his son had become more reserved. Not as open to greeting or sharing his ideas. How being touched on his shoulder would cause Varain to flinch. Then profusely apologize for overreacting.  How the younger seemed to check on Quirin, multiple times a day. It hurt to know his carefree son was replaced by a nervous and easy to anger teenager. One that seemed fearful of what he could create. 

 Quirin will admit it. He was not the most approachable person. Being the leader of a village that mainly governs itself meant that Quirin had to carry himself and others on his shoulders. Meaning he needed to be stoic and put the needs of others before him. Couple that with a brilliant child that he couldn’t keep up with while being a single parent and it took everything to keep Quirin from drowning. But this also stunted his emotional growth. 

 All of this cultivated in being unsure of how to really help Varian. It hurt to realize this. What kind of father can’t comfort his own son? 

 Quirin felt sick with worry when Varian would spend weeks at Corona’s castle. Working on some secret project for the princess. When Vairan was home, Quirin would do what he could to keep him comfortable. 

 Varian could probably tell his father was trying to make some attempt to connect. Because, while Varian would still toil away at his projects when home, he willingly joined Quirin in the fields. Listening to his father on how to tend to what was growing with the simple tools they had. How to tell when something was ready to be harvested. Each lesson learned ended with a gentle hug. One that Varian would melt into, beaming up at his father. 

 It was the first time in a long time that Quirin felt as there was a loving relationship being built between them. Even if there was a lot hiding behind the clear blue eyes. But this was a start and Quirin would take it over being shut out again. 

 As the weeks of Varian’s pardon and Quirin’s freedom passed, things seemed peaceful. At least in the sense that Cassandra hadn’t been seen and the black rocks hadn’t advanced further. Not even the Brotherhood could track her down. 

 “We’ve never hunted the Moonstone in such a way before,” Adira commented, “When you’re unsure of what to look for, the black rocks are plentiful, and Short Hair seems unable to settle anywhere, this becomes difficult.” 

 It was unsettling. But Quirin was trying to make the most out of the peace. Because there was the looming worry of it all ending abruptly. 

 That day arrived much faster than Quirin wanted. When Varian rushed out of their hut with a frantic look in his eye, Quirin should have paid better attention. But the morning was peaceful. Quirin was focused on bringing in the newest harvest. In all honesty, Quirin thought that Varian had just made a breakthrough and had to race off to tell the princess. So he didn’t give much thought to it. 

 It was as Quirin was leaving the harvest shed that he found a large crop of red rocks. 

 He should have known better. Perhaps his years out of the Dark Kingdom and away from the Brotherhood had dulled his senses in some way. The quiet farm life had made him soft, as Hector would say. Whatever the reason would be, Quirin ignored the warning flags as he approached the rocks. He leaned forward to examine the structure. Fingers barely brushed against the smooth surface. 

 He flinched back when a sharp sting was felt behind his eyes. Rubbing his forehead to quell the slowly growing headache, Quirin stepped away. 

 “What in the world…”

 “Dad!” 

 Quirin felt his stomach churn in fear hearing Varian call out. His son was in trouble. What had happened, where was he?

 “Varian? Son, where are you?” As he rushed back into the hut, a horrifying sight greeted him. 

 Right at the front entrance was where Quirin found Varian. His son’s right arm and leg already encased in amber. The parts that were still free were shaking with absolute fear. Varian was breathing harshly, tears streaming down as he tried to pull himself free. 

 “Varian!” Quirin rushed over, hands hovering over as he tried to figure out some way to free his son. “Vairna, h-how did this happen?”

 “D-Dad please,” the teen choked out, “Please, I don’t… I don’t want to be trapped.”

 “You won’t. You won’t be, I promise. I’ll get you out.” Quirin felt sick as the amber grew. That sound haunts him in his dreams. That snapping and cracking sounded like broken bones as it grew. It was the last thing he heard before he was trapped. Now it was happening to Varian.

 “Dad?”

 “I’m here Varian. I’m right here. I’ll get you out, just-”

 “Quirin?”

 He turned back to the opened door. Paul, one of Old Corona’s villagers, was standing in the doorway. He looked over the scene, worried and confused. 

 “Paul!” Quirin felt the briefest hints of relief. “Paul, listen to me. I need you to get to the castle and get Rapunzel. Tell her Varian’s been trapped in the amber and-”

 “Sir, you… What are you talking about?”

 “Vairan- How do you not see this! Varian’s trapped in-” When Quirin turned back to his son, he found the space empty. No Varian. No amber. Just a darkened room.

 “What… But I saw him, he was just here…”

 “Uh, Quirin. Maybe you should take the day off?”

 Quirin shook his head. “I can’t… I need to find Varian. I need to know he’s okay.”

 Not waiting for a reply, he was rushing out and headed for the castle. If he couldn’t find the alchemist along the way, then he would find Rapunzel. The amber might be somehow growing again and the princess was the only person who could help. As he entered the kingdom proper, Quirin was greeted with fearful screams. Citizens rushing around or cowering in whatever corner they could fit into. Red rocks were everywhere. 

 “What is happening? Concentrate Quirin, you need to find-”

 “Dad!”

 There was a beat of fear hearing Varian call out. But Quirin calmed when he spotted his son rushing towards him. Not trapped in amber. He almost felt sick with relief. “Varian, you’re alright…”

 He pulled the other close, letting out a relaxed sigh. Varian was alive. Not about to be encased in amber. “Son, what is happening? What are these red rocks?”

 “D-Dad… I’m sorry…”

 “I… Varian, it’s fine. Whatever you’re worried about. It’s-”

 As Quirin pulled away to comfort further, he felt the cold sickness of fear crawl through him. Varian had been impaled. Red rocks protruding through his stomach. Shirt was slowly turning a deeper shade as blood seeped through. The alchemist gave a weak cough, blood splattering his lips and chin.

 “No… No, no, Varian!” 

 “D-Dad…” Varian’s breathing was labored, skin becoming ashen.  

 “Shhh, no, don’t talk. Just...just try and stay awake. Y-You’re going to be okay. You’re…” As Quirin placed his hands on Varian’s cheeks, he realized how hopeless this was. 

 If it was just the amber imprisonment, this could be an easy fix. Rapunzel got Quirin out. Why couldn’t she do the same for Varian? But this was irreversible. Rapunzel couldn’t heal. Couldn’t bring the dead back to life. That power had long since vanished when her hair had returned. 

 Varian was dying and there was no way to stop it.

 “Dad?” Varian sounded so small. Quirin wished it was just his son coming to find him because of a bad dream. Not because he was losing his life.

 “Varian...y-you’re okay. You’re going to be okay. I’m right here. I’m not going to leave you. Just… Just focus on me. Don’t close your eyes. Please… P-Please don’t leave me…”

 When had he started crying? 

 Quirin’s panic grew when Varian let out a shaky breath, his eyes rolled back, and he slumped.

 “No! No, Varian, open your eyes, please! Please!” 

 The last he remembered was reaching out to pull Varian’s unmoving form closer. He was inches away when Quirin felt his body seize up and everything fell dark.

He took a deep breath. 

 Eyes snapped open. 

 He stumbled as he attempted to keep himself upright. 

 Confused, Quirin quickly took a scan of the area. No red rocks. No screams of fear. No Varian impaled. In fact, no Varain anywhere in sight. 

 How long had he been out?

 What happened?

 Where was Varian?

 Still slightly dazed, Quirin made his way to the castle. Hoping he would find answers there. But he was interrupted once again when he found Varian. His son alive and well. Walking with Rapunzel and practically beaming. 

 “Varian!” Quirin didn’t miss the flinch. Or the way Varian looked to Rapunzel and only relaxed when the princess gave a nod. That’s all it took for the smile to return with a look of relief and Varian rushed over. 

 “Dad!” 

 Quirin wasted no time in pulling Varian close. The older burying into the ebony hair. This was right. This felt right. Varian warm and solid as he was held in Quirin’s arms. The faint smell of smoke and chemicals. His heartbeat. 

 “I thought...I thought I had lost you. I saw you…”

 “It wasn’t real. Whatever it was, it wasn’t real.” 

 Quirin pulled away to look Varian over once more. No sharp rocks. No blood. No desperate gasps for air. Varian was alive and well. “What...What did happen? What were those red rocks?”

 “Uh, as far as I can theorize, they were a physical manifestation of Cassandra’s fears. And they caused everyone else to have their fears become fully realized. So...yeah...are you okay?”

 Quirin laughed weakly. “I should be asking you that. I’m assuming the rocks have disappeared because of you and the princess?”

 “Yeah… We were able to conquer our fears.” Varian launched into his tale. Where he’d found Ruiddger, frozen in fear. How he reached his conclusion of the cause and the solution. Rapunzel and him worked together to pour the amber solution to nullify the red rocks. 

 The more Varian spoke, the more Quirin felt pride swell in his chest. The alchemist had seen so many hardships and rose above each of them. It was clear, as they traveled through the crowds, as the citizens greeted him with smiles and gratitude, Varian had finally been forgiven. Finally welcomed into the community. In turn, Varian seemed to glow. Now content with himself and the world around him. 

 Being mindful of the raccoon resting on Varian’s shoulders, Quirin pulled his son close again. Arm gently wrapped around the younger.Varian looked up, confusion turning into a returned smile.

 “I’m so proud of you Varian.” Quirin didn’t miss the way Varian’s eye lit up, the smile becoming wider. 

 He would always play the role of the worried, overprotective father. He will see Varian and think back to the five-year-old who would run to him for comfort. Quirin also knew that Varian was accomplished in his own way. Having overcome hardships and grown in the year that Quirin couldn’t be there. To try and help carry that weight. Varian had others he could rely on, able to handle and care for himself with the help of his friends. From raccoon, to princess, to ex-thief. 

 Quirin will always be Varian’s father. 

 But Varain was carving his own path.

 Quirin couldn’t be happier. 

[earthstory]

Spider web in amber

One of the rough and ready ways of separating amber from the many plastic simulants that have been produced over the last century or so is to make a glass of powerfully salty water and drop the samples in. The amber should float, while the plastics will tend to sink, as they have a higher specific gravity (roughly its density compared to that of water, whose reference is taken as 1. Most minerals have a specific gravity somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5 for example). Amber is denser than normal water with tis specific gravity of 1.08, but the added salt raises the water's density, allowing the amber to float. Thanks to this set of interacting properties amber can travel by sea considerable distances, and on the morning after a storm on the beaches of southern and eastern England you will see beachcombers staring at the ground seeking chunks of the warm golden gem that have floated all the way from their source in the Baltic Sea hundreds of kilometres eastwards. Scientists join in the fun, hoping to discover new inclusions to study, and a serendipitous find on a Sussex beach has turned up the oldest spider web ever found, dated at roughly 140 million years and preserved in the fossilised sap of an early Cretaceous tree.

They sliced the amber into sections and examined them under a microscope, finding many similarities to modern spider webs, including drops of glue designed to trap any insects that contact it. They suggest the find may be evidence of the co-evolution of spiders and flying insects, since the latter experienced a large radiation between 140 and 130 million years back. The appearance of glue drops may represent a response in feeding patterns to a change in equilibrium between different sources of spider food in the Cretaceous ecosystem. Nearly all the preserved spider webs known were preserved in amber, since it is very rare in the mineral fossil record. In this case the researchers suggest a wildfire scarred the trees, causing them to release sap to heal the wounds, imprisoning part of the web of this long gone arachnid. As well as the web, well preserved soil forming bacteria were found in the sample, showing that similar processes to today's were happening in those now vanished Cretaceous soils.

Loz

Image credit, spider with web in Baltic amber: Mila Zinkova

[nidhoggssoultrap]

Headcanons/Vingettes/snippets part 2

Oh lordy...this is it. Love Nikki has the longest list of headcanons EVER...or well, that I’ve written. Jesus...never thought a dress-up game would inspire this much...

I peg Nidhogg as four years older than Louie. So, in 680, Nidhogg is 31 while Louie is 27. Nidhogg's actual age is never stated, but I sensed that he may be older. He was orphaned at the age of 8 and he spend two years alone in North Kingdom having to fend for himself. He was found at the age of 10 by Louie's father. He loved the fact that six year old Louie preferred to keep to himself. Nidhogg considered himself "the only friend you need." Or "I'm the only friend you'll ever want." As time goes on, Nidhogg planned to become the only lover Louie would ever need/want and well...didn't happen.

2. Louie is the only person Nidhogg ever obsessed over on the level that he has. As stated in part 1, this is the sole reason why Louie is still alive.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            3. While I don't take too much stock in the Zodiac, I do feel that Nidhogg fits many of the scorpio traits to a tee. Same with the King of Swords. Fun Fact(or from what I've read): The Scorpio is actually compatible with the Capricorn if they're the same sex. Heh. Then again, the Scorpio is also compatible with the Pisces and Virgo. Yvette is the former and I am the latter. Ahaha. Still will not be shipping Yvette with him and I'm not sure if I would get along with him well if he existed in real life.

4. Nikki/Kimi? I am ALL ABOARD! Am for this a lot!

5. Orlando reminds me a lot of Camus from Suikoden II. They seem quite similar. However, Orlando is also a lot like Harry Hartwin "Manners Maketh the Man" of Kingsman. I guess that's why Orlando was my first husbando. While I can understand Orlando/Flynn, I'm not sure if I'm on board this ship. I don't mind it though.

6. Between Nidhogg and Louie, it's obvious(at least to me) who the leader would be if you had to choose. However, when on a motorcycle or aircraft, Louie is the one "in charge".

7. Nidhogg loves sandalwood cologne. His favorite combination is bergamot and sandalwood and his scent is frequently powerful. "Like a knock out punch." Louie wears a rose musk, which surprises a lot of people.

8. Louie spent a lot of time blinded by his hate and he isn't the only one. Because of this, Louie, Nikki and others see him in a very distorted light and doubt his intentions.

9. "At this moment, Yvette never hated anyone as much as she hated Heinrich Nidhogg now. His hair with the white streaks, his golden eyes that darted constantly as he calculated where to turn, when and where to switch lanes, when to look at his cell phone that sat on the dashboard and when they glanced at her before flicking back to the road. She hated the rattling sound his shoulder chain and medals made every time he moved. They sounded like ghosts and she never liked ghosts. She hated his voice, that tenor voice made of elegant steel with the whisper that can shred or soothe even the most stalwart of souls. She even hated his breathing that sometimes staggered with occasional sharp intakes. Even his breathing stood out! She hated his smell, that bergamot and sandalwood that he frequently wore the way someone had a signature. She hated it.

She hated his black fur cape that doubled as a coat, his elaborate, sleek, black, silver, and white uniform that others no doubt loved. She hated his striking face, his full lips that sometimes pursed when he calculated his next millisecond move behind the wheel of the powerful black sports car that she also grew to hate. She hated his sword, the dreaded Dark Verdict that made rattling sounds of its own on his left hip. She hated the pistol that sat on his right hip, but she did not dare make a move.  She hated his onyx kerchief with his matching earrings. She hated his black gloved hands that held the steering wheel, handbrake, and gear stick firmly under his control. And above all, she hated, hated, hated his black leather boots. Those heavy jack boots with silver boot jewelry right on the top and on his ankles. She hated how they stepped, slammed, hovered, and kicked against all three pedals with insane precision and always the right amount of force. She didn't doubt that someone would love to watch him drive, would love to listen to him, would dream of him, and who knew what else over his plainly obvious skill behind the wheel combined with his looks and what he wore. She, however, hated it and instead thought of Louie, Nikki, Kimi, Bobo and Momo who she considered her "White Knights." She remembered the phrase "sometimes you have to be your own White Knight." But, she didn't know when. She only knew now and now those amber gold eyes flickered over to her and she looked away. She could see his reflection on the passenger window and she looked down. When all was said and done, she never wanted to see him again.

She wanted Louie. She wanted his scent, his skills, the sounds of his white car, his voice, his white hair. She wanted her desires to matter even though they didn't matter to Nidhogg. But when? She wondered. When could she be her own White Knight?

10. While Yvette was imprisoned in North Kingdom, she watched a show about bunnies and how they can be "bad ass." She learned some very important facts about rabbits. She also saw someone come up on the TV and say "Sometimes you have to be your own White Knight." (This was from the show Burn Notice and I thought of this before the actual Yvette glow up and it's one of the other reasons why I LOVED the coincidence). She also saw the movie (or equivalent of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles") and identified a great deal with Dale Griffith and what he said to Neal Page in the "I like me" scene. She even tells Nidhogg those words (well, paraphrased) soon after he kidnapped her for the second time.

11. When Nidhogg found out about Louie and Lunar, he was not happy. He had "that look" for about a second, and then acted happy. This is not why he killed Lunar though. Yvette has also been a target of “that look.”

12. Whatever awful things Nidhogg did, he took no pleasure in any of it. To him, it was all about doing "what must be done".  In this sense, he is very much like Griffith of Berserk. The look in his eyes isn't from being hollow, but rather grim determination, sorrow, and focus on the task at hand. He believes 100% that he is doing what is right and he believes that history will look upon him favorably and that “you’ll thank me in the end.”

13. After Yvette is rescued, a lot of time is spent between Nikki and her friends. Of course, Nidhogg is discussed a great deal. Louie admits that Nidhogg was actually his "first kiss" as "practice" for Lunar. Louie DID agree to it, but stopped when Nidhogg attempted to go a bit further. Louie regrets the act to this day. Soon after that kiss, Louie leaves to eventually become a Knight while Nidhogg moves to Lilith to eventually become Prime Minister.

14. "When Kiki went out to get some tea, Yvette stayed behind in her office to clean her desk. She had never been happier at her new job and she couldn't have been more grateful for the pardon she received from Prince Royce. He understood. He understood everything and she in turn understood why he had to be careful about his thoughts on former Prime Minister Nidhogg. Colonel Nidhogg...that's what he was all along. She should have known, but then again, who really did? Image is everything right?

The doors behind her burst open. /Kiki?/ The sounds of boots said no, the scent.../NO! How/? Bergamot and Sandalwood. She turned, and Colonel Nidhogg walked in briskly and with so much authority that he could declare himself a god and everyone would agree. He was in full uniform, just like he was when she last saw him. His cape flowed behind him and then stopped when he did. He stared down at her, his arms folded across his chest. He the wolf and she the bunny, at least that's how she felt.

"What could you possibly want now?" Yvette demanded as best she could.

"You're coming with me," He simply stated, his voice like steel.

"I don't want to."

Nidhogg's eyes matched his voice. "I spent my entire life dealing with things I did not want. They happened anyway, I dealt with them anyway, I did them anyway. What you want is irrelevant."

Yvette shook her head, "No...no...please...I have nothing you could possibly want." Tears fell down her face. She couldn't help it.

A shrug of his black fur cape revealed his weapons, REAL weapons, not fashion accessories used in styling battles. "I have a sword and a sidearm and I'm afraid not to use either." He took a step forward. "Three things are going to happen: You will come with me, you will cooperate, and above all," his voiced hardened, "you WILL stop crying." "

15. /Everytime I think of Louie, my discipline falters/.

He slowly paced at his desk, listening to the sound of his boots echo against the tiled floor. Nidhogg had just finished entertaining his "guests" and poor Yvette had no idea as she was fast asleep on the nearby couch. Gloved chin in hand, he watched her, seriously doubting that she knew anything at all. He made sure to tire her out so much that she couldn't even go home. He wanted her with him, asleep or not.

"Louie..." Nidhogg whispered when he finally stood in front of the window that overlooked Cicia City Square. When a "guest" mentioned Louie, his heart fluttered and the only the widening of his amber eyes indicated any emotion.

The "guest" noticed. "You should have let me kill him. He will be a threat later."

"You will leave now," was Nidhogg's whispered reply and "Shade", being a reasonably intelligent man, did as he was told.

He remembered the battle three years ago. Dr. Grey Raven had been captured by the Nameless knights. Nidhogg led the rescue. Louie was there, dressed in white and black. Never a shadow, all light and one who carried a spear. Not that he was the only one. The leader, Lionel, also carried a spear and he used it to stab Grey Raven, only to get shot by Shade.  Immediately, Nidhogg called off the attack and retreated with the doctor. He ignored Shade's could haves and would haves. Nidhogg didn't and he knew that he never would.

/Louie, you fool. Why do you insist to holding on to your lofty ideals? You are flying far too high and you, of all people, should know that such a thing is dangerous. I am not opposed to idealism, but it needs to be tempered with pragmatism. You look at what is real and go from there. This is how lasting change happens. But, you never listened.../. Memories of Louie flooded him, of their childhood together, how they fought together, how they lived together, and how Nidhogg's chest ached when he wanted something more than just brothers.

"Stop!" His whisper cut through the air as he planted a hand against the window. "Stop...you are stronger than this." Yet his heart fluttered against his chest. "Victory not vengeance...I will win, but I will not kill you. I..." His hand became a fist. "I once said that we were fated to be enemies because of you, because of your own beliefs, because you would not hear me...but that didn't mean I didn't love you. It didn't mean I wanted you to leave.  I shouldn't even call it fate. It's you...all you...life bows to my control and yet you-" and then he saw Yvette in the reflection.

She was awake.

Nidhogg turned and she quickly put her head back down, but too late. He hoped she didn't notice. /How much have you seen? What have you heard?/

16. Yvette is a pescatarian. She generally does not like the texture of meat, except for seafood. She likes sushi and fish/chips.

17. TBH, one of the reasons why I view Nidhogg as vulgar in his “true form” is because, well, I grew up with military(Air Force) and swearing is as common as breathing for a lot of those people(I’m being very general, but I know that my father and, to a lesser extent, my stepfather had some mouths on them when provoked). Also, I find myself enjoying the sharp contrast between the largely “clean” Prime Minister and the “filthy” Colonel. Poor Yvette was shocked at how foul-mouthed Nidhogg actually was. Louie is generally not so “potty mouthed.” When Nikki heard Nidhogg swear, she said that she would like to wash his mouth out with soap. None of the other male characters swear the way he does.

18. I predict that the “Final Battle” will be with Nidhogg and it will have seven themes representing each nation. That being said, I think that Nidhogg has some critical fashion weaknesses in that he isn’t all that flexible. Put it this way, a “Beach Theme” would annihilate him. Louie, otoh, would have no problem.

19. Nidhogg does not dream. He plans. He knows the reality of Louie’s actual feelings towards him, but he thinks “I can change that.”

20. Bai Yongxi and Zhu Yuxian? I like these two together. I’m not sure about a romantic ship, but a friendship is pretty clear and I like it. As Prime Minister, Nidhogg kept his distance because he suspected that Zhu viewed him the same way Royce did. As colonel, he accepted Zhu’s assistance, but nothing beyond that.

[chroniclesofamber]

Screenplay Structure in Nine Princes in Amber

(Continued from Screenplay Structure in Nine Princes in Amber - Part I)

Part II

MIDPOINT

His troops are wiped out, while Corwin is taken alive.  Shackled, he is allowed to partake in a banquet held in Eric’s honor in the great hall of the palace.  The evening, however, ends in the throne room where Corwin is beaten into submission for resisting participation in Eric’s coronation.  The primary motivation for the assault on Amber had been to prevent this very event.  This is where the hero either gets what he or she is after, or where the attempt fails.

BAD GUYS CLOSE IN

For the crime of challenging Eric for the throne, Corwin is blinded and thrown into a dungeon cell.  In his wrath and agony over this injustice, he pronounces a curse upon Eric’s reign, a special curse, a curse strengthened by the royal blood of an heir of Oberon.  The consequences of the hero succeeding or failing begin to play out.

ALL IS LOST

Corwin is quietly visited by his friend Rein several times in the first years of his confinement.  Besides a few enjoyable meals, cigarettes and some wine, Rein brings him news from the outer world.  For wounding Eric with a crossbow bolt, Random has also been thrown into a cell.  His life has been spared on behalf of his wife, Lady Vialle, who has requested she be allowed to join her husband in prison.  Nothing has been heard from the missing brothers, Benedict and Brand, and none are certain whether Bleys survived his fall or not.  Julian and his forest rangers, charged with the defense of Arden, are on constant patrol against a steady incursion of monsters from out of Shadow.  Sisters Llewella and Deirdre remain exiled but safe in Rebma, while Flora has been elevated to a favorite in Eric’s court.  These are some of the outcomes and costs resulting from the failed attempt to deny Eric the throne; this is where any infighting becomes apparent, and any unity amidst the offspring of Oberon has clearly been shattered.

DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL

Corwin is brought forth for each anniversary of Eric’s coronation, to participate in the rousing banquet celebrating his brother’s reign while serving as a reminder of the fate awaiting those who defy Eric’s will.  As the years pass he becomes aware of his increasing state of decay.  For a period, ruminating over the highs and lows of his past, over past loves (Moire among them), flights in a small private plane, engagements on the battlefield, the seasons of the year, he goes mad.  He weeps over how far he has fallen and nearly loses all hope.

BREAK INTO ACT III

A glimmer of hope literally breaks into Corwin’s world when he realizes his eyes have regenerated and portions of his vision begin to return after over three and a half years of imprisonment.  He immediately begins planning his escape.  Before he gets very far along with his plan, however, he is paid an unexpected visit by Amber’s half-crazy mage-in-residence, Dworkin, the artist responsible for the mystic Tarot decks.  Offering him his food ration, Corwin then requests a favor:  a Trump inscribed on the wall of his cell, a Trump for the lighthouse standing some miles offshore.  The hero, lost in darkness, finds a way forward where hope once was lost.

FINALÉ

Stepping through the mural of the Lighthouse of Cabra, his cell on fire behind him, Corwin makes his escape.  Thin, bearded, unwashed, dressed in rags, he is barely recognizable as his former self and tries to pass himself off to the lighthouse-keeper as a shipwrecked traveler named Corey.  The old keeper, Jopin, cares for him at first, allowing him to stay for three months.  While Corwin regains his strength, he assists with the maintenance and operation of the lighthouse.  Though laid low by outrageous setbacks, by relying on strength of will and his special abilities he has defied the fate decreed for him by his foes, recovered his powers and regained his freedom.

FINAL IMAGE

Jopin (while cannily revealing he knows who his guest really is) offers Corwin his sailboat Butterfly for his travels when he is healthy enough to move on and has an idea what his next move will be.  As he sails east into a new day, Corwin summons two birds, one white, one black, and to one leg of each ties a message.  He sends the first bird on ahead of him, bearing the message “I am coming,” while the latter bird flies back toward Amber with the message “Eric—I’ll be back.”  Both messages are signed with his real name.  When he woke in the hospital on Earth, he had nothing and had to fight for everything — his freedom, his name, his memory, his mission.  Now he departs with the blessing of the overseer of the place he is leaving, he proclaims his name with defiance and pride, he is headed toward a place remembered from centuries ago, and he knows his mission:  he will bring guns to Amber and take his rightful place there.

WHAT THE SCREENPLAY SAYS

What does this reveal about Nine Princes in Amber?  For one thing, it reveals that the novel works as a story on the screen.  Has the modern popular novel evolved to be readily transferred to film?  Or has the screenplay evolved to provide a means for that transfer?  Or are all stories, on film or on the page, simply beholden to Campbell’s monomyth?  These questions may not all have easy answers.  The screenplay nevertheless possesses a useful attribute; it homes in on the essence of the story, on the unifying theme, on the change(s) wrought over the course of the character’s arc or journey.

This script breakdown is so well-worn and standard that it has a name:  the save-the-cat beat sheet.  Each of the elements described above consists of a beat, a critical event which alters the principal character.  Where the character of Corwin is concerned, having a specific goal, and a powerful desire to achieve it, are not enough.  The lesson learned in the story is one of patience and preparation, that rushed and poor planning can result in death or even a fate worse than death.  As Corwin sails off into the dawn and the next installment in Zelazny’s Chronicles of Amber series, he has this lesson firmly in mind and is convinced he now can succeed.  When he woke up in the hospital, he did not know who he was or what he wanted, how closely the two are linked with one another, or how to achieve his mission.  Now he does, and the reader is left wondering where this knowledge will take him.

[thenewnio]

Little Witch Circle/魔女っ子サークル/Majokko Sākuru

Konomi Arito is a typical girl living with her single mother, Sachie, in Nerima. One day, Sachie takes in a homeless girl named Nako Kajioka, whom Konomi tries to befriend. She sees Nako flying on a broomstick one night, realizing she is a witch. After some consideration, Konomi decides to learn magic from Nako, but when she reveals her knowledge of Nako’s secret to her, the latter suddenly appears to turn into green slime. Fearing that she has somehow killed Nako, Konomi hides this from Sachie, lying that she has found Nako a new home, but tells her friend, Himawari Matsuda. Both are later confronted by a still living Nako who, rather than dying, has transformed into a witch frog, due to a curse placed on any witch whose identity is exposed by a human. Wanting to return to her original form, Nako, after persuasion from Konomi, agrees to teach her and Himawari magic, giving them the ability to cast spells. In order to become fully fledged witches capable of turning Nako back into a human, the two girls have to pass various different witch tests, whilst also keeping their identities a secret from other humans. Later, twin witches Kei and Rei come searching for Nako, having been sent by her mother, Nanako. It is revealed that prior to her adoption by Sachie, Nako ran away from home with her fairy, Pepe, in order to avoid being sent to a witch’s boarding school, wanting to make her own choices in life. After several attempts by Kei and Rei to kidnap Nako, Nanako sends Kaya Matsubayashi, Nako’s friend who has also been turned into a witch frog, her fairy, Didi, and her apprentice, Manaka Imaizumi. Both manage to convince her to return to Nanako, with Konomi and Himawari accompanying her. With their help, Nako convinces Nanako to let her make her own decisions. The girls later come across a rival witch apprentice, Erina Funae, under Nako’s rival, Shion Daimon, who had earlier attempted to turn Konomi and Himawari into animals. Erina soon warms up to the other girls and even sacrifices herself to prevent their identities from being revealed. In order to save Erina from death, the girls give up their magic powers to revive her. Sometime later, they sneak into the Magical Realm (known as the Magiverse in the English dub) to visit Nako, only accidentally trigger the creation of a magical being in the form of a human girl, who is given the name Hoshi. As the Magical Realm’s law dictates that whoever creates a magical being must take care of it, the girls are once again made witch apprentices, tasked with protecting Hoshi. Meanwhile, the wizard Ichizō Ganaha sends his young assistant, Gen Akanishi, to kidnap Hoshi in order to use her powers to lift the curse on the past King of the Magical Realm, Obsidian, who is sealed within amber in a cavern. Obsidan’s dreams, in the form of blue butterflies, cause people and magical beings alike to fall into an enchanted slumber, with the girls enlisting the help of Hoshi and a Baku named B-chan to put a stop to them. Eventually, Obsidian is released from his curse, but the girls appeal to him and convince him not to plunge the world into eternal slumber. They learn that he has despised humans ever since his wife, Diamond, had her crystal heart shattered. While her body lies hidden somewhere within the Magical Realm’s forest, the pieces of her heart are hidden within various artifacts, cursing them. The group thus set out to find the fragments in order to reassemble Diamond’s heart. After finding the final piece, they are guided by the heart to where Diamond lies protected by magical vines. More of these vines begin appearing on Earth, turning those who come into contact with them into stone and forcing Gen, Ichizō, Nako, Kaya, Shion, Nanako, Kei, Rei and B-chan to attempt to get rid of them, to no avail. An astral projection of Diamond attacks the girls, but they manage to remind her of the happy times and restore her heart, breaking the vines imprisoning her. As the vines on Earth begin dying and those who had been turned to stone are restored, Obsidian and Diamond reunite, and lift the Curse of the Witch Frogs, returning those who had been transformed into witch frogs to their true form. The girls are then given two options: become full-fledged witches and stay in the Magical Realm forever, or give up their powers and never return to the Magical Realm until Hoshi becomes the new queen. They pick the latter option in order to stay with their respective families. Sometime later, the quartet enter high school, while Nako, Kaya, Shion and their fairies watch.

[majoraop]

Donquixote Brothers vignette - part 1

Doflamingo stared at the unconscious frame of Rosinante lying on the floor. It had been months since he had been imprisoned in the dungeon of their headquarters, but he hadn’t talked yet. At this point he knew that his younger brother could speak normally, but Rosinante still refused to collaborate. Law had fled and was nowhere to be found. Even worse, he had run away after eating the Ope Ope: a miraculous Devil Fruit that granted its user the power to give eternal life. Doflamingo had planned everything to the smallest detail to obtain immortality, but he had not envisioned his own brother betraying him—not to such an extent. Every time Doflamingo tried to interrogate Rosinante, the latter looked at him in silence, only his eyes speaking for him. Ironically, he found Rosinante’s eyes way too talkative: they brimmed with fury—an emotion he had never seen in them before—and told him that he was deadly serious about not betraying Law. But there was something else than just fury in Rosinante’s eyes; buried deep underneath their amber light, Doflamingo had also descried pity: the same kind, foolish pity that had plagued their father’s eyes too. That look on his brother’s face enraged him; he could withstand Rosinante’s hate or contempt, but not being pitied by him. “Burn his eyes,” Doflamingo ordered grimly. He immediately regretted those words, but he couldn’t take them back now: not before Vergo, who regarded him as a king, always right and never faltering. At least, Doflamingo’s words finally wiped away both the fury and the pity from his brother’s eyes. They were replaced by sheer terror, but Rosinante still didn’t talk. Part 2 (warning: it’s even darker).

My contribution for the Corazon Week (DAY 1/July 9 prompt: "Fury/Pity"). This vignette is based on @jemichi90’s story: The Ruins of a Man - Chapter 1. I suggest you to read her fanfic too to fully understand what's going on.  :) A/N: - since this is based on @jemichi90's story, I spelled "Rosinante" as in her fanfic (instead of "Rocinante" as I usually do); - this is an alternate timeline, hence non-canon to the manga but mostly canon to "The Ruins of a Man" (albeit not completely); - I'm going to post the second part of this vignette for a future prompt--I hope you'll like this first part in the meanwhile (despite its dark themes)!

[aion-rsa]

The Stand: Inside Episode 6’s Explosive Confrontation

https://ift.tt/3izEHmG

This article contains spoilers for the sixth episode of The Stand.

In episode 6 of the CBS All Access limited series The Stand, “The Vigil,” several critical things happen: Mother Abigail (Whoopi Goldberg), out on her spiritual quest in the wilderness to communicate with God, has an unexpected confrontation with Randall Flagg (Alexander Skarsgard) instead before she retreats, physically depleted, to the Boulder Free Zone.

Her return, however, coincides with Harold Lauder (Owen Teague) and Nadine Cross (Amber Heard) successfully pulling off their plan to stage a terrorist attack in the Free Zone, detonating a bomb in Abigail’s house that results in the death of Boulder leader and Abigail’s “voice,” the deaf, mute and partially blind Nick Andros (Henry Zaga).

In the previous week’s episode, “Fear and Loathing in New Vegas,” Frannie Goldsmith (Odessa Young) sent Larry Underwood (Jovan Adepo) to break into Harold’s house and see what he could learn, while Fran had Harold over for dinner with her and Stu (James Marsden). When Larry comes up empty-handed — although Harold knows through his surveillance cameras that Larry has been there — Frannie takes it upon herself in “The Vigil” to go on her own.

Unfortunately, Harold arrives while Frannie is still there, setting off a long-simmering confrontation between the two that is not actually in Stephen King’s novel but is one of the additions to this miniseries that successfully works in many ways.

Harold’s bitterness over having Frannie reject him in favor of Stu has curdled into the murderous rage that is fueling his plot against the Free Zone. It now sends him into paroxysms of fury as all his pent-up feelings spill out and Frannie tries to defuse the situation — now knowing that Harold is not only capable of killing her but has set his destructive plans against the Boulder community in motion.

“It was hugely important,” says showrunner Benjamin Cavell about adding the almost unbearably tense scene between Harold and Frannie in the Chris Fisher-directed episode. “It felt, in some way, like that’s what we’ve been building to in that relationship.” Cavell continues, “We’ve seen Harold hiding his real face from her from the very first episode. He’s at such great pains to put on a show for her at various times. I mean, both in Ogunquit (Maine) and then later in Boulder, he rehearses before going to see her. So it felt like we needed to get to the moment where all of that is pulled away. There’s no subterfuge, they’re just sort of naked in front of each other.” The scene is not only a catharsis of sorts for Harold, but a moment of realization for Frannie as well. “She has to come face-to-face with the stuff that she’s been denying, that she somewhere has known about him,” says Cavell. “About how crazy he is, perhaps, or what he’s capable of. She’s had these nagging doubts that she never really wanted to fully embrace. But now he actually justifies himself to her, and admits that, yes, he’s doing this awful thing that he’s been at such great pains to hide.” Cavell adds that he feels the scene is “one of the best in the show,” explaining, “I love what those guys did in it, because that is such an interesting relationship. It’s such a central relationship, especially in the way that we’re telling the story. But yeah, there’s just so much to explore in there.”

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While King himself didn’t write a final face-to-face confrontation between Frannie and Harold before the latter takes off for Vegas, Cavell does note that the tortured relationship between the two was expressed in the book through the diaries that both characters keep — a format that probably would not translate well to the screen.

“Some of that stuff about the diaries in the book also feels a little flimsy to me if you start to really go through it,” says Cavell. “I mean, I’ve never understood why they find Harold’s diary and then they don’t confront him about it. That just seems to me to be almost insane. He’s talking about these terrible things that he is going to do to people in Boulder, and not only is there no follow-up with it, they don’t even really seem to keep an eye on him. “So yeah, the dueling diaries just didn’t seem like something that would lend itself to the screen,” Cavell adds. “I mean, we did a little bit in the show of each of them writing a diary, but it felt like that was going to be a stand-in for a real confrontation scene between them, and I’m so happy we did one.”

The scene ends with Harold imprisoning Frannie in his basement while he heads out to enact his terrible plan — and although Frannie escapes, she’s too late to stop it. The ramifications of that act of terrorism, along with the death of Nick and the return of Mother Abigail, will play out in The Stand’s final trilogy of episodes as the largest confrontation of all — between the Free Zone and Flagg — draws closer.

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[sapphicscholar]

hi so I didn't know who to ask but in my psych class we're learning about adolescent psychology, & there was this unit on developing interest in relationships. It went way into detail on how the brain changes during that time, which was interesting, but ofc my gay ass couldn't relate. at the end all it said was 'it's different for homosexuals.' I guess I'm wondering if you know of any way to learn about psychology relating to LGBT people? srsly im thirsty for anything in academia I can relate to

(same psych anon) that was a pretty specific question so I guess like do you have any info or know of any links/ websites/places to learn about lgbt history and lives and stuff like that in an academic way? bc I love school & learning but I’ve always wanted to learn more about myself and people like me, but they never teach that in schools.

Oh my gosh SO MANY THINGS! Okay, so, the psych stuff is pretty outside of my knowledge but I asked my gf (she does the science in this relationship while my gay ass just reads a whole lot of books), and she recommends Helen Fisher and looking at the researchers at the Society for the Scientific Study of Sexuality or the Kinsey Institute, as well as The Sage Encyclopedia of LGBTQ Studies (it’s an online resource a lot of universities subscribe to). But I’d also say that as far as thinking about developmental narratives, LGBTQ memoirs are a great place to start, especially since so many of them go through their own experiences of having to confront this heteronormative, cis-centric narrative that just doesn’t fit them and their lives. 

So some good queer history authors are: John D’Emilio (comprehensive, if a bit male-centric), Lillian Faderman (writing all about lesbian history, including more recent history; very well-respected; she’s got some issues in her scholarship that by no means discount it as a whole, but I’m happy to talk more about if you want), Michael Bronski (his Queer History of the United States is really accessible), George Chauncey (it’s just of NYC, but still fun), Estelle B. Freedman, Foucault (though it’s not quite “history,” it’s a kind of history meets theory of regimes of power and how sexuality got tied up in that), Martha Vicinus (I adore her), Valerie Traub (goes all the way back to the early modern period), and so many others who really focus more on niche history, so I won’t list them here. There are some web resources, but I know a lot of them are databases that are subscription-based. I’ll see what I can’t dig up in the next couple of days as far as free websites. I know they exist; it’s just a matter of having the time to look…

Okay, you didn’t specifically say you were interested in literature but bc I taught literature and think it’s a great way to learn about the history of a group, I’m gonna list some anyway and you can feel free to disregard!

Patricia Highsmith, The Price of Salt (or Carol, depends on the year it was printed) – you can also check out the movie! I find the two to be complementary (the book gives you Therese’s POV almost exclusively, whereas the movie shows much more of Carol’s story) 

Alison Bechdel, Fun Home is her graphic novel/memoir that’s really excellent, but the comic strip that sort of launched her as a public persona (at least within the lesbian community) was Dykes to Watch Out For, quite a bit of which is available for free online

Henry James, The Bostonians – one of the first recognizable depictions of a queer female character in literature (not really…I’d trouble that as a professor, but that’s how it gets taught in general, and it was one of the first books where even contemporary reviewers were quick to note that there was something “wrong” or “morbid,” which was 19th C. code for what would come to be understood as lesbian sexuality, about Olive Chancellor) – free online, though it’s James at his most….Jamesian, which means it’s not that accessible

The poetry of Emily Dickinson! It’s all free online. There’s a ton of it, though much of it isn’t obviously queer

James Baldwin, Giovanni’s Room – gets into bisexual identity in a way a lot of works don’t do; on the sadder side…fair warning 

Virginia Woolf! Especially Orlando or Mrs. Dalloway – the former has been called “the longest and most charming love-letter in literature” (to Woolf’s longtime friend and lover, Vita Sackville-West) and deals with the fluidity of gender and time; the latter has quite a few flashbacks to the brief childhood romance of the protagonist and her friend. Both of them are great, but Woolf, as a modernist, can have a writing style that’s difficult to get into at first (for instance, time really isn’t stable or linear, which is something I adore about her, but definitely takes some getting used to). They’re both available free online through Project Gutenberg

Radclyffe Hall, The Well of Loneliness – it’s a classic, in the sense that it’s one of those books people sort of expect you to have read if you do lesbian literature. It’s certainly an interesting story and told well, but it’s not even close to a happy ending and is rather conciliatory to prevailing norms (though even still it was taken to the courts under the  obscenity laws) - free online, though!

Sarah Waters – a contemporary novelist who writes almost all historical fiction about queer women! Some of her stories are better known (e.g. Tipping the Velvet), but they’re pretty much all great. Varying degrees of angst, but definitely an accessible read

Maggie Nelson, The Argonauts – sort of experimental in form (it’s fiction with footnotes!); it deals with a lesbian woman coming to terms with her partner’s transition and her own identity during the process 

E.M. Forster, Maurice – even though it was first drafted in the 1910s, Forster edited it throughout his life, and, given the subject matter, which was also autobiographical, and the prevailing attitudes at the time, the book was only published posthumously in the 70s

Colette’s Claudine series – it’s long (multi-volume) but sort of a classic – they’re all old enough to be free online, though the English translation is harder to come by 

Eileen Myles – lesbian poet and novelist – I’d recommend Inferno but some of her poetry is free online 

Rita Mae Brown – Rubyfruit Jungle and Oranges Are not the Only Fruit are both quite good, though, especially the latter deals with religiously-motivated homophobia, so I know at least my girlfriend, who dealt with a lot of that from her family, opted not to read it for her own mental health. 

Tony Kushner, Angels in America – this two-part play deals with the AIDS crisis in America – it’s been turned into a TV miniseries, a Broadway play, and a movie, some of which are available online

Really anything by David Sedaris or Augusten Burroughs – both are gay authors who deal a lot with short stories (a ton of memoir/autobiographical stuff) – the former is a bit funnier, but they both have enough sarcasm and dry wit even in dark situations to make them fast reads 

Alan Ginsburg’s poetry 

Walt Whitman’s poetry (though it can be really fucking racist) 

Binyavanga Wainaina, One Day I Will Write About This Place – does deal with issues of sexual abuse as a warning 

Anything by Amber Hollibaugh (she writes a lot about class and butch/femme dynamics – quite a bit of her stuff has been scanned and uploaded online) 

Michelle Tea – was a slam poet; recovering alcoholic; fantastically funny and talented author and delightful human being if you ever get the chance to meet her or go to one of her readings

Randy Shilts, And the Band Played On – more a work of investigative journalism than anything, the work is a stunning indictment of the indifference of the US government during some of the worst years of the AIDS crisis, but it also provides a good bit of gay history 

Terry Galloway Mean Little Deaf Queer – deals with one woman’s experience of losing her hearing and navigating the world and the Deaf and deaf communities as a once-hearing person – she’s sort of acerbic and always funny;

Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex – grapples with intersex identity in a way that’s still far too rare in literature 

Theodore Winthrop, Cecil Dreem – just rediscovered about two years ago, this is one of the few pretty happy gay novels from the nineteenth century! Free online!

Leslie Feinberg, Stone Butch Blues – pretty clear from the title, but deals with a butch character’s struggles with gender identity (takes T to pass for a while, but then gets alienated from the lesbian community; eventually stops taking T, but still struggles with what that means for her) – Feinberg’s wife made it free online for everyone after Feinberg’s death (the book had a limited print run, which made finding copies both hard and expensive) 

Harvey Fierstein, Torch Song Trilogy – trilogy later adapted for film about an effeminate gay man (who also performs as a drag queen) and his life and family   

Oscar Wilde – his novels aren’t explicitly gay, but they often dance around it thematically, at least; his heartbreaking letter, De Profundis, which he wrote to his lover while imprisoned for “gross indecency,” is available online 

Anything by Dorothy Alison 

Audre Lorde, Zami: A New Spelling of My Name - great as a memoir and a cultural history  

There’s so many more but this is so my jam I suspect I’ve already rambled too long

If you’re interested in film, here are a few: 

Paris Is Burning (a film about drag ball culture in NYC) 

Fire – Deepa Mehta (it’s on YouTube in the US) 

Boys Don’t Cry – there is a lot of homophobia and transphobia in the film, so it’s definitely one you’ll want to be in the right mindset to watch (I, for one, have only watched it once) 

But I’m a Cheerleader – over-the-top mockumentary-esque film that satirizes conversion therapy and the Christian “documentaries” that claimed to showcase their successes (RuPaul is in it as well) 

Desert Hearts – one of the earliest films to leave open the possibility of a happy ending for the lesbian couple 

Hedwig and the Angry Itch – deals with gender identity and feelings of not belonging (also a fabulous musical) 

Philadelphia – about one man’s experience of discrimination while dying of AIDS 

There are plenty of lighter films, but I figure these tend to also talk more seriously about some issues as well

I don’t know if anyone but me made it to the end of this post, but there’s also so much fun queer theory out there that I won’t get into here, but I’m always up for giving more recommendations!

[youzicha]

Documents banned by Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000

Last week the British Home Secretary made headlines by announcing a new law, where viewers of “online terrorist material” will face up to 15 years in prison:

People who repeatedly view terrorist content online could face up to 15 years behind bars in a move designed to tighten the laws tackling radicalisation the home secretary, Amber Rudd, is to announce on Tuesday. […] The proposed changes will strengthen the existing offence of possessing information likely to be useful to a terrorist under section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 so that it applies to material that is viewed repeatedly or streamed online. Currently the power applies only to online material that has been downloaded and stored on the offender’s computer, is saved on a separate device or printed off as a hard copy.

According to the Home Office the updated offence will ensure that only those found to repeatedly view online terrorist material will be guilty of the offence, to safeguard those who click on a link by mistake or who could argue that they did so out of curiosity rather than with criminal intent. A defence of “reasonable excuse” would still be available to academics, journalists or others who may have a legitimate reason to view such material.

The safeguard for people who “accidentally” click is of course reassuring. Certainly only an irredeemably evil person could repeatedly view ISIS material. (Hi, @fuck-planets!) But this law evidently implicates core democratic values and the punishments are draconian. Deciding what material should be outlawed seems extremely delicate, so the vague statement above about “information likely to be useful to a terrorist” seems concerning.

Hopefully the law itself will be more precise and restrained? Let’s have a look. It says:

(1) A person commits an offence if—    (a) he collects or makes a record of information of a kind likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism, or    (b) he possesses a document or record containing information of that kind. (2) In this section “record” includes a photographic or electronic record. (3) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for his action or possession.

🤔 For example, reading any kind of news coverage of previous failed or successful terrorists attacks would clearly be useful when preparing an act of terrorism, so is it now criminal to posses newspapers without a “reasonable excuse”? But even interpreted narrowly it seems worrisome. As a teenager I looked at The Anarchist Cookbook. A couple of years ago I was reading about Anders Breivik, including looking at his large compendium of propaganda and suggested tactics. And earlier this year I was reading the U.S. Army Improvised Munitions Handbook, simply because someone linked to it on reddit and I was bored at work. Does being bored at work count as a reasonable excuse?

The law has been around for 17 years (also, it’s inspired by a similar law from 1995, which applied to Northern Ireland only), and the Prosecution Service website has a list of all successful prosecutions between 2006-2016, so we can see what kind of material it has been applied to in practice. There was about 40 prosecutions in this 10 year period. I include the full list below, after the cut, but in brief there were several things that leapt out to me:

First, until 2008 prosecutors used the law to target purely ideological material, under the theory that such “motivational material” would useful for someone to “keep his mind focused on a terrorist goal”. Under this standard, I guess fuck-planets’s nasheed collection is clearly illegal.

In 2008, an appeals court interpreted the language of the law in K v R, and decided that “A document or record will only fall within section 58 if it is of a kind that is likely to provide practical assistance to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism. A document that simply encourages the commission of acts of terrorism does not fall with section 58.” It also concluded a “reasonable excuse” means “simply an explanation that the document or record is possessed for a purpose other than to assist in the commission or preparation of an act of terrorism” (but see below).

After this decision, prosecution turned to practical material such as bomb-making, e.g. a man who owned… The Anarchist Cook Book, U.S. Army Improvised Munitions Handbook and US Army Guerrilla Warfare Handbook.

Even the cases after 2008 seem to take a very broad view of what practical assistance means. To start with, the most common material in these cases seems to be Inspire magazine, an online publication that mixes propaganda against the U.S. war in Yemen, exhortations to take up domestic terrorism in the west, and some pages of practical advice about how to construct e.g. pressure-cooker bombs. It’s the latter that causes it to fall under section 58. However, the state does not have to prove that someone was interested in the practical articles in particular, or used them to plan any terrorist acts.

Indeed, the law is applied even when it is uncontested that they were not used for any terrorism. In one widely published case, Ruksana Begum was convicted of possessing copies of Inspire issue 8 and 9, which had been discovered during an investigation of her terrorist brother.

The judge, Mr Justice Fulford, said there was nothing to suggest that Begum was herself involved in terrorist activity. […]

“She is of good behaviour and a good Muslim. Against this background, I accept on the evidence before me that this defendant gathered together the contents of the SD card in order to explore and understand the charges which her brothers faced. There is no evidence that she was motivated by their ideology or was preparing to follow them. She damaged what could have been a potentially blossoming future by committing these offences.”

But, said the judge, the material could have aided a terrorist, and such serious offences would always carry a prison sentence.

Metropolitan deputy assistant commissioner Stuart Osborne, senior national co-ordinator of counter-terrorism, said: “The public should be in no doubt that Inspire is a terrorist publication with the ultimate aim of encouraging attacks. Today’s sentencing reflects the fact that possessing a copy of a terrorist publication is a serious offence. Anyone caught in possession of this, or any other terrorist material, can expect to be brought before the courts.”

This seems remarkable for two reasons. First, the judge accepted that her purpose was to explore and understand her brother’s situation, and still convicted her. Apparently the “purpose other than terrorism” defense from K v R is not worth much. Second, the police statement seems to say that the publication is targeted because it “encourages” terrorism rather than because it provides practical assistance. To me this seems like an abuse of the law to target readers of ideological material.

It gets worse. One man was convicted for owning “a magazine called ‘Smashing Borders - Black Flags from Syria’. Within this document was an article entitled, 'The 22 drone evasion tactics of AQIM’ which provides advice on how to avoid detection and attacks by drones.” Again, there is no reason to think he was particularly interested in that article, which takes up about one page in the hundred-page magazine. (Uh, don’t click that link if you live in the UK, I guess.) Also, it turns out that the offending article is copy-and-pasted from Buzzfeed, so in this case someone was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment (suspended) solely for possesing a Buzzfeed listicle. And it seems kind of perverse to me that the offending “useful to a terrorist” information is not about making any kind of attack, but about how to avoid being summarily killed by a drone. This seems like a clear case where the thing the government actually objected to was ISIS’ ideological content, and they carefully went through the magazine to find something which would technically support a prosecution.

In another case, one man was convicted for owning “a number of instructional videos regarding combat fighting, use and maintenance of firearms such 'Close range gun fighting’, 'How to be effective in combat arena with automatic pistols’ and 'Glock Pistol Armourers’”. This seems like material that a lot of patriotic American gun owners watch too. Second Amendment fans often complain that the UK banned guns, but I had not realized that they also banned videos about guns.

And finally, in March 2015 a man was sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment (suspended) for possessing a handwritten notebook with a page entitled 'Mujahid Minimum Training’, followed by a training plan to enable someone to get fit. In other words, a gym training plan was deemed criminal because being in shape would be “useful to a person committing an act of terrorism”. Earlier I was trying think of extreme examples (like news articles) to illustrate how broadly the law is written, but in this case reality is more ridiculous than anything I came up with.

I had not heard about this law before, and I had no idea that democratic countries had anything like it. Of course, it’s common that there are “banned books”, as well as other speech-related crimes like instigation and so on—the UK even has the Terrorism Act 2006, which bans “encouraging” or “glorifying” terrorism. But those laws target writers and distributors, not readers. This is more reminiscent of child pornography laws, with multi-year prison sentences for mere possession, while at the same time the category of banned material is very vague and broad.

The broadness also leads to a troubling selectivity of prosecution. The original (print) Anarchist Cookbook is said to have sold over 2 million copies. The CPS mentions in passing that at least 2,186 people bought a copy of a particular CD with bomb-making instructions, so the number of people who just search for them on the internet must be many times larger still. And God only knows how many people write down gym fitness plans. But only a handful of people have been prosecuted under Section 58, basically people who figured in a terrorism investigation and in many cases had not committed any other crimes.

It’s easy to be flippant, but I genuinely feel unsettled by the current trend in Britain. This announcement, proposed anti-terrorism measures, the ban on “extreme” pornography, mandatory internet filtering, moves to backdoor encryption—they all feel more like what I would expect in an authoritarian state than a European democracy. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, Alan Moore’s introduction to V for Vendetta exactly expresses my mood.

List of Section 58 prosecutions:

Al Bashir Al Faqih: (1) a special training course on the manufacture of explosives for the Righteous Fighting Group until God’s will is established and (2) an untitled document had written in Arabic which was a photocopy of a blueprint on how to form a terrorist cell.

Yassim Nassari: the instructions on how to make a Qassam rocket.

Abdul Patel: an explosives manual detailing the construction of home-made improvised explosive devices (bombs). The manual was originally written for US experts and contained diagrams and drawings as well as bomb recipes involving ordinary chemicals and products such as fertiliser.

Rizwan Ditta: extremist Islamic material including a video on how to make a bomb vest

Qureshi: a laptop containing a large quantity of material likely to be useful to those committing or preparing acts of terrorism and a CD that contained motivational material which the prosecution alleged he was clearly taking with him to keep his mind focused on a terrorist goal.

Hamid, Ahmet and Others: possession of 'Zaad-e'Mujahid’

Kalid Khaliq (K): a copy of the Al Qaeda Training Manual

Neil Lewington: a number of instruction manuals on how to make improvised explosive devices (bombs).

Pa Modou Jobe: a vast quantity of extremist ideological and training material. The common theme amongst the material was to encourage the audience to wage war against non-Muslims. Parts of the collection refer to ideological warfare, parts to purely theological methods and parts give explicit direction to commit acts of terrorism. On 7 February 2008 the defendant initially pleaded guilty to 4 counts of possessing articles that would be of use to someone committing, preparing or instigating an act of terrorism […] he unsuccessfully sought to retract his pleas following the rulings in the cases of R v K and R v Zafar and Others

Kevin Gardner: A number of documents … connected with explosives and how their chemical constituents could be obtained

Houria Chentouf: information about the construction of improvised explosive devices (bombs) in a document entitled “The Explosives Manual for the Brothers of Al-Mujahadeen”, a chart covering different aspects of guerrilla and terrorist organisational behaviour entitled “The Strategy of Mujahadeen in the Base of the Infidels”, information on the role of women in support of jihad, documents containing guides to building electronic detonators, the uses of heat and cluster bombs, how and when to use smart bombs, the use of cruise missiles, information on fighter jets, information on martyrdom operations, pages from a terrorist tradecraft manual, documents on securing and encrypting communications via the internet and telephone, documents on setting up training camps, an instructional document over 1000 pages long relating to explosives and improvised explosive devices (bombs) and a photo of a group of males one of whom was a known terrorist.

Faisal Saddiquie: (1) The Encyclopaedia of Jihad. (2) A document entitled “Homemade detonators, how to make them, how to salvage them, how to detonate them”. (3) A document entitled “Car Bomb Recognition”. (4) A Guerilla’s Arsenal. (5) Principles of Improvised Explosive Devices. (6) Middle Eastern Terrorist Bomb Design. (7) Documents relating to Port and Harbour Terminal Security and how to penetrate these facilities. (8) A document entitled “Nuclear Reactor Facilities” which deals with aspects of their security and how to breach it. (9) The AQ Training manual. (10) The White Resistance Manual which details how to make high explosives.

Ishaq KANMI: documents relating to jihad … a training video demonstrating a technique to attack airline staff from the rear of the plane using a plastic knife.

lyas Iqbal: homemade video recordings of both himself and Ilyas dressed in combat fatigues discharging handguns, shouting 'Allahu Akbar’, practising military manoeuvres and holding a variety of weapons. … books including references to jihad … photographs of Jack Straw MP speaking at a meeting … a home video recording of the brothers holding machetes and simulating a beheading

Terence Robert GAVAN: various books and computer files likely to be useful to terrorists

Justin CARTWRIGHT: a number of bomb making manuals

Ian and Nicky DAVISON: instructional material on the making of bombs and other explosive devices

Michael HEATON and Trevor HANNINGTON: instructions on how to make bombs and other explosive devices … an instructional video on the making an improvised flamethrower

Shamim Uddin: (doesn’t specify what materials.)

Rajib KARIM: a computer file containing instructions for making improvised explosive devices

Bilal AHMAD: electronic copies of a number of terrorist publications.

Terence BROWN: ran the website www.anarchist-cookbook.com, through which he sold an annually-produced CD-ROM. Each edition contained several hundred electronic files which Mr Brown had researched and downloaded from the internet.

Mohamed HASNATH: six editions of Inspire Magazine and a laptop that contained another edition of the magazine and other extremist material. ‘Inspire’ is an electronic magazine published by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. It is targeted at Muslims living in the West designed to make the reader support, fund or join the jihad. Some editions contain material that is of practical use to a terrorist and Al-Qaida propaganda. It is the practical content of the magazines that brings it within the ambit of s58 Terrorism Act 2000.

Asim KAUSAR: documents, relating to firearms, explosives, poisons, survival techniques, and 'jihadi’ ideology

Christian EMDE and Robert BAUM: four editions of an Al-Qaeda publication called “Inspire” … a document called “39 Ways to support Jihad”.

Mohammed Hasseen: the Inspire publication

Ruksana Begum: “Inspire 8” and “Inspire 9”, which is a publication produced by Al Qaeda … The publications provide practical advice on how to use a handgun, how to construct a remote control detonator and information that would have been of use to someone who intended to create an incendiary device to ignite destructive forest fires

Mohammed Saeed Ahmed and Mohammed Naeem Ahmed: editions of Inspire Magazine, The Al-Qaeda Manual and The Anarchist’s Cookbook.

Andreas Pierides: an electronic version of the Anarchist Cookbook Handbook

Ryan McGee: The Anarchist Cook Book, U.S. Army Improvised Munitions Handbook and US Army Guerrilla Warfare Handbook.

Mustafa Abdullah: a number of instructional videos regarding combat fighting, use and maintenance of firearms such “Close range gun fighting”, “How to be effective in combat arena with automatic pistols” and “Glock Pistol Armourers”.

Malcolm Hodges: numerous copies of “Inspire” magazine

Y (a 16 year old girl): instructions for producing a timed circuit, an article entitled 'A bomb in the kitchen of your mom’, ISIS Dabiq publications and images of a deceased child, an execution, people about to be beheaded, ISIS symbols and flags, radical figures, guns, knives and grenades. Also found on the Blackberry phone was 'The Anarchy cookbook’ which includes recipes and instructions to make a wide range of explosives and would therefore be useful to a terrorist.

Adeel Amjad: A notebook was found in which contained handwritten notes entitled 'Commander of the Mujahide’, which listed the qualities needed to be a Mujahide, such as never humbling oneself in front of an enemy. On the second half of the page were further handwritten notes entitled 'Mujahid Minimum Training’, followed by a training plan to enable someone to get fit. … He was found guilty after trial, having argued that he had made the notes as part of a training programme, when discussing getting fit with a friend at gym.

Abdulraouf Eshati: a letter arranging the hiring of an Ilyushin 74 cargo plane

Abubakar Abubakar: an article entitled, 'The 22 drone evasion tactics of AQIM’ which provides advice on how to avoid detection and attacks by drones. An expert report was obtained from an RAF Officer who concluded that the majority of the tactics, techniques and procedures suggested were both credible and feasible as methods to counter drones and also to counter surveillance of any kind; the information would therefore be useful to a terrorist.

Ibrahim Anderson: a guide on how to travel to Syria to join Islamic State

Naseer Taj: Inspire magazine issue 4 and 12

Rebecca Poole: a copy of 'How to Survive in the West - a Mujahid Guide 2016’ … This document contained chapters on a variety of subjects, such as weapons and bomb making.