#and they have kids and they continue to descend for the next many generations

[sillyfudgemonkeys]

New Kirima Headcanon

Sometime after SoK, Rangi mentions that she and Kyoshi should vaycay on her clan's island (cause they deserve it!). Jinpa obvie has to tag along, but Kirima and Wong are like "wait we should totes come too!" and Rangi's like "the fuck you will" and then K/W "lol we're coming" and Rangi's like "you know there's going to be a lot of 'honors' being flung around" and Kirima is like "a free vaycay on a beach is a free vaycay on a beach" and Rangi still says "no" but K/W are like "we broke our legs for you" and like Rangi can't argue with that. Fine, they're coming it's whatever. Nothing can ruin her mood, she's going to show her gf her family home all is well!

So they get to the island, and everyone gets settled. Kirima is like "I'm going to explore, maybe I'll head to the main island!" and Rangi's like yeah whatever idc, the farther you are from me the better tbh.

So like Kirima is gone for like days (Jinpa says he's seen her it's fine), outta sight outta mind. Kyoshi and Rangi are having the time of their lives. Everything's going great. Then apparently the Sei'naka's are having a big family get together for some reason. Turns out, her cousin had a big shotgun wedding! Well gotta welcome the new family I guess, weird but whatever he's always been a bit weird. Anyway he comes out and introduces his new wife and it's fucking Kirima.

Kirima looks Rangi dead in the eye and is like "kin!" and Rangi just combusts. And that's how Kirima and Rangi became family./end headcanon

[jellyfishsthings]

Warnings: this is going to be a multi part series and it's going to be angsty cause I am in my feels. Female reader, Padmé and Anakin were together but had a healthy break up, Jedi reader so forbidden love

This story takes plays in Clone Wars yet many events have been changed (like the meeting of Ashoka and Anakin... don't worry the sibling energy is still there.)

series masterlist

The blaring sound of sirens ringing fills the streets as they echo through the empty, now town. The Clone Wars continue to rage. Next to me stands a familiar body, hardened by the years of training and fighting. My sole companion, my partner in crime. Anakin. His hair is growing at a faster pace, as they are left unattended because of the war. His eyes, which used to be a vibrant combination of blue and green seem haunted now, matching his serious expression.

This merciless fighter, this General has taken the place of the once sweet boy that kept me company in the first lonely nights in the Temple, of the boy that taught himself to braid hair when I had broken my arm. He has changed. Both of us have changed, we are not the kids we used to be. We are fearless and respected Jedi Knights. And yet… and yet we both crave peace and what we used to be.

Days blur together and they go by in the same patterns. Either waking up early and training until dawn, attending meetings for strategic plans or peace negotiations or fighting on the battlefield until your last breath. And finally, there is a slimmer of hope…

Today we are invited to a meeting organized by Senator Amidala, Padmé, my dear friend, Anakin's not-so-secret ex but despite everything the three of us are closer than ever. The break up was mandatory according to both of them. Anakin was needed on the battlefield and Padmé represented the non-fighting population, thank the Stars they are still friends and you can tell they loved each other with their whole hearts. They still do but they are not going back, not regretting their decisions for a second, left to remember the loving memories of their short time together.

For the first time in years, I wear a dress, borrowed from Padmé, so as to blend in with the crowd even if my lightsabers stand prominent in my belt loops. The dress hugs tightly the top of my body and flows on the way down. It starts as plain creme yellow that slowly descends to a light pink. The soft silk dip starts at the base of my back, leaving my battle scars vulnerable and uncovered for everyone. Every here and there embodied flowers stand out. Even its off shoulders design thankfully allows me freedom of movement.

The meeting starts in a few minutes and yet Anakin is not here. My eyes quickly scan the hallways even when they appear like a maze. I trust my senses to the Force trying to track him. He is close. I wander through the halls trying to locate him, when I notice a trail of blood. Bloody Skywalker.

"What have you done?" I whisper-yell at him.

"Don't worry it's not mine?"

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

He just shrugged in response. I quickly grab his outer clothing, pulling it harshly from his body.

"If you want me naked you can just say so." He has the nerve to say. I simply roll my eyes as I hurry towards a window and hurl his clothes outside. "Nice going, trouble. How am I supposed to find them after the meeting? And I think wearing clothes that are slightly damaged is better than showing up to a meeting shirtless." He says while chuckling at my antics, as I try to maintain my calm composure.

"That sounds like a 'you' problem" I fire back at him.

"What are you two yapping about?" A third voice sounds and we both flinch. Padmé leans on the wall with crossed arms while wearing a knowing smirk.

"This isn't funny, your castle is covered in blood."

"Ah, liar. You exaggerate, it's not the whole castle, only a few corridors." I sharply glare at him as he chuckles.

"Figured. Now follow me, because I do not think everyone will like the sight of your abs, Ani."

"I am offended, Padmé, I think that they are quite splendid." A long-suffering sigh leaves my lips as we enter the master suite and hurrle myself to the plush bed as the two of them try to find something to cover the mess that is called Anakin Skywalker.

"Get up, you will ruin your hair." Padmé says. My muffled voice answers her. "I don't care about my hair."

My consciousness starts to slip away as I feel a gentle hand rock me back and forth.

"Five more minutes" I whine.

"If I leave you here for five more minutes, there is no way you will attend this meeting."

With a huff, I pull myself up and dust my dress in an attempt to make myself presentable. And we head towards the ballroom.

"We should mingle." He whispers to me and I simply nod as an answer. "See you in three hours." He says as he tucks a stray hair in its place before he leaves my side once again. I turn to look at his departing figure as I stay rooted to my place. My cheeks start to heat up as I notice his attire for the first time. His shirt is a soft creme yellow that compliments his slightly tanned skin and his blond hair. His shirt matches my dress and there is only one person behind this.

I walk as fast as I can in a place like this towards her. Once I reach her I grab her arm and pull her to the side of the crowd.

"You did this on purpose."

"Did what?" Padmé acts innocent but her proud smirk betrays her intentions.

"Why?"

"You look cute."

"We look like we are together."

"Aren't you?"

"No, it is the Code."

"But you want to." Her words shock me to the core. Yes, I do want to, but I can't.

"How did you…?"

"It's obvious, sweets. He hasn't taken his eyes off of you. He always talks about you. Even when we were together… I always knew that you two… you are like fossils created by the same star. Despite everything you are made for each other. Code be damned."

"Quiet you. It is forbidden, don't make it harder than it already is." With that, I leave her. I took a steadying breath before…

"Hi. I am Jedi Master ...."

words: 1.033

[tranformersapocalypse]

Tfp post apocalyptic au

Greetings.... I am Vospo, descendant of Optimus Prime. The year is 2044 on Earth, and the war isn't getting any better. Some of us have died.... and many retired... except bumblebee we love bumblebee-... and one of us left for the decepticons....... leaving the next generation of us to fight. I have stepped up to lead the autobots. There is a new ruler as well, Rokket, descendant of megatron himself. (Transformers reproduce when their sparks CNA copies and makes another spark in my au). Our identities are no longer a secret to this planet, human work alongside us in this war, especially a few who have helped in the past.

AU DESC!!!!

the current year is 2044. The autobots are now led by Optimus primes 31 year old son, Vospo, and the decepticons are led by Megatrons only 16 year old son, Rokket. Optimus and Megatron died fighting each other, but the war continued from their descendants. All of the decepticons, except for Megatron are still there, now led by Rokket, they gained a primes named Salias who betrayed the autobots against their will, and a human infused with dark Energien named Owen.. Most of the autobots retired after Optimus primes death, leaving the leader spot for Vospo, he’s married to another male bot named Ex-Rae, who was created by shockwave. There’s Metalock, who was a wrecker, she’s…. Not the brightest. Bumblebee is still in the squad, and there’s Rowan, who was a human/cybertronian cyborg made by ratchet. Arcee, ratchet, smokescreen, ultra Magnus and bulkhead retired, Wheeljack went missing, and Optimus died. The human kids, now 33, 30, and 28, still work with the autobots. The decepticons there are, Rokket, Starscream, Soundwave, Shockwave, Airachnid, knockout, breakdown, salias, and Owen. Soundwave is rokkets second in command which makes Starscream jealous. The autobots are, Vospo, Ex-Rae, Bumblebee, Rowan, Metalock, and the humans, jack, Miko, and raf.

YOU CAN TELL ME OC IDEAS OR IF U WANNA JOIN THE AU!!!!!

Autobots. Decepticons.

MY OCS

!ENDING! Don’t read If you dont

Rokket manages to kill Vospo, then kills the rest of the autobots, including the ones that left. Eventually unicorn ended up possessing him, and started slowly killing the population on earth. Rokket was sick of being a vessel to unicron and found out what he was doing was wrong, so he secretly planned to kill himself to avoid unicron wiping out earth, but since there are still more decepticons that unicron could still possess, he regains control and kills every other cybertronian he can find, then holds his cannon to his head. I have the last bit of dialogue written: 

Unicron: What are you doing?! You’ll kill us both!!!!! 

Rokket: I know. 

Then he kills both himself, and unicron. 

[stellisketches]

Ro’Meave Headcanons/Lore

Heads up, this post talks about the semantics on royal lineages and some of the unsavory aspects thereof (nothing horrifying or explicit, just talk about how lineages were ensured). I made the lore a lot more palatable than most historical royal marriage tradition, but if it’s not your thing don’t force yourself to read. I’m mainly posting this to explain the Ro’Meave family tree I’m going to post after this. 

The Ro’Meaves only got more conservative about marriage within the last 5-6 generations of Garroth being born. Most of these headcanons I talk about here will be discussing the way things were before that (save for the next one, it applies to all)

For the Ro’Meaves (and by extension the Von Ronsenburgs), it was actually preferable for a girl/afab to be born and to become Lord (though the second wasn’t as important as the first) because it was much easier to ensure that the child was of royal blood.

In fact, royal women were not typically expected to marry, as they didn’t believe that Ro’Meave blood diluted (seeing as all descendants of Esmund are able to possess his relic) and they didn’t have to prove that a child was theirs

However, Ro’Meave men had to marry if they wanted their children to be officially legitimate.

Even if the kid was the spitting image of their Pops, legally they had no claim to the throne since TECHNICALLY they could never be sure it was actually his

It was possible to be granted exceptions, but that was EXTREMELY rare

Also, men were expected to marry women of high class, whereas with afab Ro’Meaves the father really didn’t matter

ALSO also the ‘high-class’ women had a pretty broad range, pretty much any woman who was either born into a noble/rich family or a woman who held a high-ranking profession/role (i.e, chief scholar of the royal archive, commander of the O’Khasian naval fleet, well established diplomat, etc.)

There was a whole process that revolved around ensuring that the child was definitely for-sure a Ro’Meave, which involved their fiancée to have their spouse or at least one attendant/guard be with them at all times beginning from their engagement until they were confirmed pregnant to ensure there was no funny-business

However this really only happened for their first and maybe second child, and only if there was no heir already in place.

Lords (given that they had siblings) essentially had first dibs on who they got to marry. If they were straight and/or married someone they were capable of reproducing with, then they were the ones charged with continuing the family line. If they married someone they couldn’t have children with, then the duty would fall to one of their siblings (usually a girl, but there was never an official designation; it just had to be someone)

Basically, as long as at least one Ro’Meave was having legitimate kids, the rest could pretty much do whatever they wanted.

Adding to that, it was heavily advocated that out of the royal children, only one or two of them should have biological children. Seeing as Ro’Meave blood didn’t dilute, they really didn’t want to have a million eligible heirs running around.

Though, men typically got away with having more kids, since their heirs were only considered legit if they were with a wife.

They had access to a variety of herbal ceptives, though, so lucky for them they didn’t have to stay celibate (hooray for magick plan-b)

Also, they could adopt as many kids as they wanted, they just wouldn’t have any claim to the throne.

The Ro’Meave lineage was single handedly saved by a trans person on at least two separate occasions 

There was practically zero inbreeding, except for one occasion*, because it was well known that it would lead to birth defects and higher infant mortality.

There was even a law, known as the 7th Generation Clause, which basically said that a Ro’Meave would not marry into the same family twice until 7 generations had passed between the first marriage.

There’s an old Ro’Meave superstition that you should never name your child after yourself, as almost every child who had been in the past had died before the age of 10.

It was only like 4 or 5 but the legend stuck around.

Honestly I’m probably going to come up with like 50 more hcs within the next week. If you have any questions please PLEASE ask them. I love talking about my lore and I’m actually in the process of writing several historical events that occurred throughout the Ro’Meave dynasty. I may even start posting fanart, who knows

*That one time was referred to as The Wedding of Woe, and was very much not a good thing that almost collapsed the Ro’Meave lineage orchestrated by really shitty High Priest. Fuck that guy. 

[fundielicious-simblr]

🌲🍁🥧 Harvestfest 🌲🍁🥧

(Valentina's POV)(AN: These next few posts out to be LONG since there's so many kids)

This year we all made the trip to my parents house for Harvestfest, every year the family grows by a few that it's hard to believe that 10 years ago none of us were married and all 10 of us lived at home. 10 years later there's 6 of us married (with 2 on the road to marriage), and 16 grandchildren with a few more on the way! It's all proof of God's endless goodness and undeserved kindness in our lives! We decided to do an all grandkids picture so my parents can update the framed pictures they've got (and so my mum can have an updated picture to boast about all her grandbabies on Simbook 😂) Trying to get all the kids to stand still was definitely a massive effort, there were almost 15 of us standing behind the camera making noises and waving toys to keep their attention. The older kids did great at crowd control, we just had to move quick so no one started crying, because one crying child sets them all off and it would've been disaster.

My parents have been loving having all of us at home again, my mum has been prepping for the past week to have us descend on her house. She's in the last few years of homeschooling the twins, and once that's done then she'll be able to retire herself as a homeschool mum. Dad is still running his tech business, and when mum isn't homeschooling she's actively working on her music as she has commitments to teach at various music camps. Zachary missed Kelsey this Harvestfest, she had arrangements with her family but they'll be seeing each other soon after so he'll be travelling back to Brindleton Bay with us.

The Paulson Family: Carter (32) and Madelynn (29), with Lester (7), Fitzwilliam (2), and Alana (1)

Carter and his family are doing great! Carter continues to work for Willowcreek PD, there's been mention of him transferring out to move back to Newcrest but it's a decision that they're praying on right now. Madelynn is homeschooling Lester through a homeschool co-op, so the other two get to tag along and hang out with the other kids whilst their older brother learns. Little Alana definitely keeps the family on their toes, she's just like her cousins and loves a good runaround!

The Townsend Family: Aria (8), Valentina (29), Abbott (2), Adele (1), Eric (32), Ansel (7), with Asher (2) and Abigail (1) in the front

We're very thankful for each other and for our little (or not to little) family! I'm so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with a family that has filled our hearts and our home, Eric and I thank the Lord everyday for his blessings on us.

The Paulson Family: Alan (28), Tessa (23), Charity (3), Edgar (2), Jonathan (11m)

Alan and Tessa still live in San Myshuno and are raising their 3 beautiful children. Alan continues to work as a critic whilst Tessa stays home to watch the kids. Their family are always so encouraging in our various group chats, and they're always keeping us up to date with the on-goings of the pro-life ministry they work with. Tessa is always in Willowcreek to see her parents and her twin sister Tabitha (who is married to cousin Tanner), so the cousins (both 3rd and 4th generation) are always getting to see each other.

Celeste (27) and Reid (25) have much to be thankful for - they're engaged! Reid proposed a few days before Harvestfest and Celeste was overjoyed. The couple have already planned for a winter wedding before Christmas time, so Celeste has used the opportunity of having us all at home to immediately ask all of us sisters and as well as our sister-in-laws Madelynn and Tessa to be in her bridal party. Reid's parents video called our parents so they could greet the couple together when they got back to my parents house. Celeste is over the moon to be engaged and can hardly wait to be married!

The Crocker Family: Gregory (28), Kristyn (25), Kayla (2), and Wyatt (3m)

The highlight of the year for Kristyn and her family was when little Wyatt joined them! Kayla is enamoured by her little brother and the family thank the Lord for his safe arrival. Gregory continues to work as a lawyer with his father's firm, and Kristyn now has two kids to keep her occupied.

The Crawford Family: Tucker (26), Sabrina (25), and Campbell (1)

The Crawfords are ecstatic to be expecting to use another blessing from the Lord, Sabrina is almost in her second trimester and they're almost able to find out the baby's gender. By next easter they're going to have a new member of the family to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord in the spring! Sabrina said they'd announce baby's gender when we're next all together for Celeste's wedding. Little Campbell is such a smart little boy who is working towards gaining more skills, since they're around animals a lot he's great at recognition.

The Paulson Family: Jarrod (21), Madison (19), and Myles (1)

Jarrod and Madison announced to the family that they're also expecting - and its twins! They've recently found out and Madison already has the cutest little bump, little Myles doesn't understand yet but he's about to get a 2 for 1 deal on siblings and be a big brother two times over. Madison is going through the motions of a twin pregnancy, thankfully for her she's got me and my mother who have experienced multiple pregnancies more than once, with the way twins run in the family I'd be shocked if we didn't get any more twin pregnancies.

[kensboytoy]

A Boy and His Doll (Ch. 1)

Title: A Boy and His Doll

Fandom: Barbie (2023)

Pairings: Ken/Original Character (M/M)

Ratings: General

Chapter: 1/?

Summary:

An underpaid middle school librarian gets the surprise of his life when his childhood doll waltzes out of Barbie Land and into his workplace. When the two reconnect, both start to realize they have been chasing the wrong things in life.

A/N: 

This is singlehandedly the most indulgent thing I've ever written. I have selfshipped since I was a kid, yet Ken has blown every other crush out of the water. He means the world to me and I hope this fic can be a glimpse into why I adore him so much!

Quietly shelving books that preteens had shoved in various nooks and crannies around the library, things almost seemed peaceful for once. It was just before the final bell was due to ring and everything was finally quiet since class after class had descended upon the tiny library like wolves. The teachers tried their best to handle the large class sizes in an environment outside of the classroom and, well… At least there wasn't a ton of trash to clean up today. Just ripped up books that would either have to be taped up again or tossed in the ever-growing destroy pile.

Why were kids so destructive these days? Oswald sighed to himself as he ran his fingers along another torn cover. He didn't blame the kids, really. Junior high was rough, after all, and he certainly knew that the larger class sizes each year meant that so many of these kids were falling behind. Sometimes he wished he had pursued that teaching credential like he had dreamt of since he was young. That was a far and distant dream nowadays. Many of those silly childhood dreams were. Teacher. Cartoonist. Writer. This job barely paid the rent in Los Angeles, adding teacher expenses alongside student loans would be the final thing that would send him living in his car.

[Continue Reading or Read on AO3!]

The young librarian plopped down in his shoddy swivel chair to begin the process of rebinding all the destroyed books now piled up like an unstable mountain on his desk. It already took him through his lunch hour earlier, so he would just spend the rest of the day working on the daunting task. Somewhere in the faculty fridge, his salad was only getting more wilted and pathetic. It could wait. If he didn't do this now, it would just be another project to work on for hours after school and he loathed staying too late. Classifieds like him with no teaching degree weren't exactly encouraged to have more hours than what was on the schedule and the school had already warned him that there was plenty of time in the day to get all his job duties done.

Oz rolled his eyes at the thought. Administration was just so out of touch with what actually made the school run. When you get paid enough money, you stop caring if kids actually are thriving in public education or not. He let out a soft sigh as he booted up what was now considered an antique: the old Cover One machine. Lazily, he reached around in his drawer for his X-acto knife and gave a blank stare as he pulled it out. No blade. Seriously? How these little thieves got into his locked drawers was seriously impressive, yet mildly infuriating.

"Just take the whole thing next time," he muttered under his breath while reaching for his bag. Years of art supplies were stashed away in there, so he held his breath in prayer for a blade refill. "Shit!"

Of course it was loose. When did he ever have the common sense to put things in their proper cases? He carefully pulled the blade out and was thankful that the cut wasn't deep enough to bleed for more than a few seconds. A quick sucking on the tip of his index finger would heal him enough. Into the holder the blade went and Oz was back at the task of dissecting this book apart. As the blade sliced through the cover, severing it from the spine, Oswald winced. He was always so careful with his own books, always keeping them pristine while reading and never dared to even dog-ear the pages, he felt a bit guilty for the inanimate object he was holding. Hopefully books couldn't feel being tossed around and ripped apart. So many of them sat lonely and untouched on the shelves that he wondered which was a worse fate for something designed to be helpful to humans.

The librarian hummed to himself as he carefully cut off the dust cover before preparing a piece of adhesive to slide against the now bare spine. With the Cover One now warmed up, Oz delicately wrapped the book in wax paper before placing it in the machine. He firmly held the book steady until there were a few beeps signaling that it was done. Out the book came, almost for a breath of air, before he plopped it back in to let it settle for the next eleven minutes. He mused that he could try and fix some of the paperbacks while waiting for it to cool off when he heard the thick library door push open.

Figuring that it was one of the quiet kids coming in to retreat from the chaos of class dismissal, Oz’s face softened into a smile while he stood from his seat to greet them. However, when he saw the fully grown figure in a… cowboy costume? Oz paused. Having adults on campus wasn't unheard of, there were in fact many parents on a daily basis who came in and out even though they really should have stricter security measures at the school. But this person didn't really look like a parent trying to pick their kid up from school.

Was there an assembly Oz had forgotten about? Some weird yo-yo man teaching tricks to bored kids even in this day and age? Or maybe he was a cowboy teaching kids for a career day or something? But that costume didn't scream a real, genuine cowboy. Oz had grown up with vaqueros in Gilroy, watching them skillfully take care of the farmlands out there. And they did not look like this delicate, untouched pretty boy who had just strutted in.

Curiously, he elected to watch the stranger for the time being as nothing about the man really warranted him to freak out quite yet. It was actually a nice surprise. Oz sat back down in his chair and continued to work on his book repairs, his emerald eyes flashing up every now and then to see what the cowboy was up to. The man looked lost, like he had never been in a library before. He was staring at the ends of the isles, desperately searching for where a certain subject would be. Alright, he was starting to look pathetic enough that Oz had to help him out.

"Can I help you?" he inquired, sneaking up behind the cowboy.

There was a soft yelp from the blonde before he whipped around, baby blue eyes wide in fright. Oz was looked up and down before the stranger stood back up at his full height, eyes narrowed.

"You must be the keeper of these books?"

The question sounded almost impressed. Oz, obviously amused, gave a small nod.

"The one and only. What can I help you find?"

That caused the cowboy to look more relieved as a wide smile stretched across his goofy looking face.

"I'd like your books about men, please."

Oh. Oh? Well that was interesting. Was this man…? No, no. No need to make speculations. Just because Oz was gay didn't mean that every guy was. Though, with that outfit…

Oz shook the thought from his mind quickly, not wanting to assume that this pretty man was talking about the wide selection of queer books they had. He led the man to the non-fiction section before turning his head back up at him.

"Well, you'll have a lot to pick from, but I'd start here. Try the biographies and autobiographies if it gets too overwhelming," the ginger haired man offered with a smile. "If you have a better idea of… men, well, I can help you narrow it down."

The cowboy scanned the books for a moment, still seeming so puzzled. Oz might have to hold his hand through the entire library process wouldn't he?

"Do you have books about… the patriarchy?"

Oz blinked in surprise. Huh. Yeah, this guy was a weird one. Didn’t exactly scream incel but the request was a bit amusing coming from a handsome boy. He quickly walked down the isles to the war section and pointed out a few very outdated pieces of literature the school still somehow hung onto. The man ran his index finger along the spines before grabbing a few that interested him. Pleased with his selection, he beamed at Oswald. There was something charming and almost innocent the way he smiled. Like a proud child picking out their first book. Oz couldn’t help but feel a flutter in his heart at that.

"How about horses?"

Now that was a normal request. Fitting for the cowboy! Oz returned the smile and showed the cowboy their small selection. Wasn’t anything fancy, really. Perhaps an elementary school would have a wider selection. Back when he was a horse girl, that was the ultimate treasure trove of knowledge. Middleschoolers didn’t care about that sort of thing too much. ’That stuff’s for babies’ would be the usual complaint. So, the school barely kept anything fun in stock. Booooring! A total snoozeville. It’s like no kid could harbour a special interest anymore.

Oswald carefully pulled out the only book that was specific to horses and watched the man’s eyes go wide. Eager hands snatched it up, thumbs dancing along the cover as if he was trying to actually pet the horses plastered all over the book. That goofy smile never faded from the stranger even for a second.

“Yes! Yes…” The man was giggling. “This is perfect - do I have to pay for these?”

He suddenly looked very worried, full of cautious optimism searching Oz’s face for an answer while protectively clutching the handful of books to his chest. Oz let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.

“Normally you’d need a library card but, uh, you’re not a student. ‘sides, no one will miss those books if you took them. I think the last time anyone even looked at those books was more than a decade ago. They’d probably end up in a landfill soon anyways.” Playfully, he shot the cowboy a wink and pressed his index finger to his own lips. “Just keep quiet about it, ‘kay?”

There was that sweet smile again followed by frantic nodding.

“Of course! Your secret is safe with me, bookkeeper.”

“School librarian, but I kinda like bookkeeper better,” Oz laughed.

“Well, bookkeeper, I shall take these fine books and bid you ado,” the cowboy grinned, tipping his hat to Oz.

As the cowboy turned to leave, Oz reached out to grab his hand. It was so instinctual - like he was afraid of saying goodbye to this stranger. He couldn’t just let him go so easily. Maybe he could ask him what his deal was. Anything to spend another minute with him.

When their fingers grazed against each other, his mind exploded with visions that suddenly froze every muscle in his body and completely immobilized him.

Visions of him being very little with a doll in his hands. The only doll he ever had growing up. Ken. His Ken doll that he found in a pile of cheap toys at the flea market his family vended at. The one that caught his eye underneath the mountain of stuffed animals he normally would jump at the chance to pick through. Still in his tattered box. Oz never thought he’d be able to afford something so nice. His usual toys were old and discarded ones no longer wanted by their owners. Broken, unbranded, or simply just cheap fast food toys that other children grew tired of. The kind old lady selling the doll had given it to him for all the change he had rattling around in his pocket that day once she saw the quiet child’s nervous excitement just holding the box.

How very careful he was taking such an exquisite toy out of the box. Delicately opening the packaging and saving what he could before holding Ken tightly against his chest. Tears had rolled down his cheeks from just how happy he was to own something so nice. A little dollie all of his own. He’d be oh so careful to love and cherish this Ken for as long as he could!

They were inseparable. Ken was always in his coat pocket wherever he went. Despite being so young, Oz made sure to play with his toys as gingerly as possible. Ken was handled especially tenderly. Always getting a nice long bath in the sink after spending the whole day outside. Then getting tucked into a makeshift bed made out of tissues or scraps of fabric samples Oz’s mom let him have. All set up nice and cozy on the dresser next to his own bed so that he could keep Ken closeby. With Ken around, nightmares didn’t stand a chance.

Memories like this had been long locked away by Oz’s deep-rooted trauma. Yet now they were pouring in uncontrollably.

“Ken?” Oswald’s voice cracked as tears flooded his vision. It was so soft and uncertain. Surely this was a dream. It couldn’t be his Ken, right?

It looked like Ken had been hit with the same realization. His twinkling blue eyes were wide like a deer in the headlights as he searched Oz’s face. Immediately, his arms were around Oswald, holding him tightly. A laugh bubbled up from him and he just kept squeezing. So afraid to let go.

A memory. Ken had a memory! He wasn’t sure if he ever had one before, but it felt so nice. Brand new, a bit scary, but… he could feel something deep inside him that he had never felt before. The only thing he could compare it to was the feeling he had been chasing whenever Barbie looked at him. What was that funny feeling that made him feel so full?

“Oz! Wow!” He couldn’t stop himself from letting out excited little laughs of disbelief. “Is that really you? Look at how much you’ve grown…”

Clutching onto his old friend, Oswald was overcome with emotion. His smile was wide and shaky as he began to sob softly into Ken’s shoulder. Those were words he always craved to hear from loved ones since his transition. No one had ever said something so sweet to him.

Worried that he had upset his dear friend, Ken pulled back enough to closely examine the weeping man. Oz wasn’t frowning, no there was still a smile on his face, but why did he cry? Was he not happy to see him? Had he said something wrong?

“You should be standing in my curio cabinet at home,” Oz’s voice cracked, teary eyes looking up at his doll. “How…”

“You kept me?” It was Ken’s turn to be surprised.

“Of course I did.” Carefully, as if he were afraid that Ken would disappear like a fading dream, Oz cupped his doll’s cheek. “I tried to keep all my toys that my family didn’t haul off without me knowing.”

Family.

Ken remembered those people - they weren’t very nice. As the memories continued to trickle into his plastic brain, he could recall the nights Oz would cry after being berated by his aunt and uncle specifically. He had been so scared after his parents passed away. Hugging Ken close to him every night even though he was all grown up. How desperately Ken wanted to hug him back and tell him he was okay. To protect his boy. He could feel that protective surge swell in his chest, arms tightening his hold onto Oswald. Now he could properly hold his boy.

It was an unfamiliar feeling to be held like this. Sure, Oz gave plenty of hugs to his friends even as an adult. This was far different from that. His body tensed up for a moment like a frightened prey animal unable to move. However, the longer they stood in the embrace, he felt himself relax into Ken’s touch. The tears couldn’t stop themselves as soon as they cascaded back down his cheeks. Safe. For the first time in more than a decade, Oz felt safe.

“I’m so happy I found you again,” Ken murmured, dipping his head down to rest against Oz's.

“How is this possible, Ken? I - I’m not having one of those hallucinations again, right?” Nervously, the librarian pulled away so that he could stare into Ken’s eyes. It was so bizarre that Ken looked so human and yet still very dollike. “You feel real.”

“I am real!” Ken puffed out his chest and gave a bit of a flex to show off. “Does this not totally look real?”

There was a giggle from Oz as he placed a hand on the firm bicep that was being showcased. The fact that Ken was such a show-off was rather charming, he couldn’t lie. A true himbo like the human had always imagined.

“C’mon, dollie. I didn’t mean it like that.” He gave him a reassuring pat on his arm. “You know that my brain plays tricks on me.”

Ken’s boisterous behaviour faltered for a moment as he looked at his boy.

“You still see those… monsters?” he quietly asked.

“Sometimes. It’s not as scary like it was back then.” Oz gave a sheepish smile, feeling bad that he was causing Ken to worry so much. “I take medication to help now.”

Those arms were back around him, pulling him in for another hug.

“I won’t let them get to you. I can fight them for you now!”

How could Ken so easily make all the years of trauma slip away like it was nothing? Oz had been fighting for so long on his own, trying to make a life for himself in this crazy world. And now his doll was human-sized and a walking, talking being that somehow waltzed back into his life? He didn’t believe in fate. But this was one hell of a coincidence.

“But how are you here, Ken? I don’t understand.”

“That’s easy! Barbie was trying to find the little girl who was playing with her. Something about cellulite - whatever that is. Lots of transportation. And now we’re here in the Real World!”

Staring at him like he grew a second head, Oz cocked his head to the side.

“Barbie? I never had a Barbie. Did you… find a Barbie?”

Suddenly, Ken felt very warm. His face was red hot! That was weird. He was plastic. Was this another funny feeling he didn’t quite understand?

“Well, yeah. It’s Barbie and Ken, you know?”

Oz’s face softened at that.

“That’s sweet. My Ken has a Barbie. Huh.”

“Wh-what?” That blush was growing deeper. Ken looked nervous. But that funny feeling was growing when Oz called him his Ken.

“Nothin’. ’s just cute that you found your girlfriend. Is she here too?” He peeked out the window of the library, glancing through the crowds of preteens. Nothing loud and pink out there.

“She’s uh. Doing her own thing.”

Oz’s brow shot upwards and he tried his best to suppress his grin.

“Well, don’t let me keep you, Ken. Go on, go to her.” He pulled away from his doll, heart feeling achy at the thought of Ken leaving. But if Ken had a Barbie, he wasn’t going to keep him from her. Looks like his doll didn’t need him anymore.

It was Ken’s turn to grab Oz’s hand.

“I wanna stay with you longer. I’m sure she’ll be fine.” It was surprising to Ken that he was saying all this. Normally, he’d do anything to trail in Barbie’s shadow in the hopes she’d so much as look at him. But that didn’t seem to interest him right now. Not with his boy right in front of him. Something was telling him that he needed to stay with Oswald. “Please?”

Oz couldn’t say no to such a sweet face. How could anyone?

“Okay, okay. You’re really twistin’ my arm here,” he joked. Ken immediately let go, panic on his face. “Oh, no! I was just teasing! It’s an expression.”

The librarian turned his head to the stack of books on his desk. He should have stayed to finish the daunting work and not have even more on his plate for the next day, but…

Oh, come on! His childhood doll springs to life and he’s just supposed to go back to his mundane day job? Nuh-uh. He was going to spend as much time as he could with Ken in case he was plucked away back to wherever the hell he came from.

“If you give me ten minutes, I’ll wrap up everything here and maybe we could…” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his head nervously. “Go back to my apartment or something?”

Ken lit up at that. Like an excitable dog, he was practically bouncing up and down. Then he realized he may be looking very uncool and tried to stand up straight to posture himself as calm and collected.

“That would be rad.”

“You can go over to those bean bags and chill for a bit - I’m sure you wanna read those new books you got.” Oz smiled, pointing to a circle of janky bean bag chairs that had seen much better years.

Oh right. The books. Ken had almost forgotten about the books he was carrying, fingers curling against the thick spines of each one. Somehow, he wasn’t that intrigued to explore the topics of this world that he had been so curious about not even ten minutes ago. That didn’t matter to him when Oswald was right there.

“I can read that stuff later,” he shrugged. “No big deal.”

Oz tried to bite back a laugh at the fact that Ken was trying to act so smooth after nearly bursting at the seams getting these books just a short bit ago. Was he wanting to impress Oswald now? What a silly doll. He simply gave a little nod and began to tidy up the books he had been rebinding, taking notice as Ken shuffled closer to try and take a peek. Oz didn’t mind the audience. Having his doll near him felt safe. A warm feeling that pooled in his belly that he hadn’t felt in so long. Maybe Ken could stick around longer before he went back to his dollhouse. Did Ken have a dollhouse? He’d have to ask a million questions about where Ken came from when they got back home.

The little flutters in his chest with Ken nearby were so bizarre. Was it excitement? Nervousness? There was a frenzy of emotions running through him all at once due to the fact that his doll was lifesize and following him around like a lost puppy. Such a sweet face. He could feel his own face grow warm with the threat of blush rising to his cheeks. Shit, when he went red, it was so painfully obvious! So he tried to hide his face with his long copper locks of hair and turn away from Ken as much as possible when tidying up. Maybe since Ken was so oblivious he wouldn’t notice his human getting flustered.

And he didn’t, thankfully. The doll was too occupied with watching what Oz was doing with his hands. How gentle they were with the tattered books lining his desk. Ken smiled to himself. Of course his boy was careful - he remembered how well taken care of he was when he was Oz’s doll. There was something swirling around in his own chest at the thought of it. Kens were merely accessories for Barbies and not typically played with on their own. Yet, with all the memories filling him, he now knew that he had been loved by his human. Looks like it wasn’t just Barbie that had someone! His half smirk was wide on his face with just how smug he felt. There was someone out there that loved Ken for being Ken. Wow!

“What’s that look for?” Oz chuckled, bag slung over his shoulder and car keys in hand as soon as he walked back up to Ken.

“Nothing!” Ken lied. Had to still play it cool. Couldn’t mess this chance up! “Just… ready for our hangout sesh.”

Oswald looked skeptically at Ken before he absentmindedly reached for the doll’s free hand. Their fingers laced together and Oz was pulling him to the door. It felt so natural that neither of them had questioned how sudden this was. Just bashful glimpses at one another like two shy kids holding hands for the first time.

“Alright, cowboy. Let’s go home.”

[supersimsstories]

Tale of Three Treasures

DISCLAIMER: I have a habit of feeling bad to invalidate a timeline variant so I just make really weird ways to merge the timelines together

The first part of this story comes from the 3 AGDI remakes of the first three King’s Quest games, and uses years before and after Graham’s coronation (BGC- before graham’s coronation and GC- graham’s coronation).

Due to a scientific revolution in the world that we call ours, humans, influenced by the words of intellectuals bound by their jealousy to those with magic, started to hunt magical beings to test their reality. All found solace in the wise and powerful mage Crispin, who vowed to find a solution. In 1695 BGC, using his magic, he was able to shift the axis of space (all worlds lie on a 2 dimension graph of time and space) and thus create a new world. To aid him to replenish civilization, Crispin drew magic from each star and personified it. He trained them all in magic, and they became The First Mages, from whom all the other mages (e.g. Manannan, Mordack, Hagatha, etc.) are descended from. He soon announced his prodigy, Legenimor, who was born from the North Star, as his successor and King of All the Land.

Legenimor ruled piously after Crispin’s retirement and created treasures to aid him in his rule, naming his serene kingdom, Serenia. This did not stop the other mages from harvesting their jealousy, and waging a war, known as the Grand War. After 715 years of violence, during which Legenimor’s general and younger brother Morgeilen (born from the little star next to the North Star) disappeared, Legenimor decided to end the war completely. In 980 BGC, he hid all his treasures and created one last one, a pair of hands made of emerald, which he held up, and through that, he relinquished his magic back to the heavens from which he was born.

Without his superpower, Legenimor was murdered and the war had finally come to an end. Before he died, Legenimor bewitched the crown of his kingdom to only fit the head of the true king, prompting the advisors to check the head of every figurehead in the court, until it finally fit the head of Grantithor, the farmer turned First Knight of Serenia. He was crowned king and aimed to rule with equality and justice for both the powerful mages as well as the helpless citizens harmed by the war. In honor of the citizens, he erected a well where the first tree in Serenia was planted, coincidentally by Grantithor’s father Dafa. He thus split the continent into half, keeping the western side as Serenia, and renaming the eastern side and the continent as Dafa’s tree, which became Daventry.

Grantithor’s many kids spread to new lands and founded new kingdoms, like Kolyma, Llewdor, Tamir, and more. He then decreed that if the king did not have any biological heirs, the throne should go to the First Knight if they prove worthy. To back up his decree, he married his eldest daughter to his First Knight,  born from the House of Cracker. Their descendants continued to be First Knights to the kings for centuries. The emerald hands, entitled The Item, alongside a green healing orb and the Chest of Gold, an everlasing chest always filled with gold, were buried with Legenimor, but stolen by the pirate, Saren.

In 900 BGC, Grantithor’s great-grandson, King John the Compassionate, accompanied by his second cousin, Sir Robin Cracker, defeated a bandit who, through a series of thefts stemming from Saren, obtained the Chest of Gold.

Legenimor gave his magic shield to the titan Oceanus for protection. Oceanus passed it on to his son, Asopus, who lended it to his daughter Aegina for protection from teh lust of Zeus. She was ultimately kidnapped by Zeus and given her own island, named Aegina, where she gave birth to Zeus’s son and teh first king of Aegina, Aeacus, who inherited the shield and passed it down to his son Peleus. Peleus married the Nereid Thetis, and they had Achilles, who inherited the shield. Achilles and his lover Patroclus were killed in the Trojan War, but were honored by naming the shield the Shield of Achille. For their valor in the Trojan War on the trojan side, Grantithor’s 16x great-grandson, Cassux, and his contemporary First Knight, Sir Polltor Cracker, were given the shield in 520 BGC.

Finally, Legenimor sent his friend Merlin back to our world, with the Magic Mirror, where Merlin died at the hands of his unreciprocated lover, Nimue. in 220 BGC, Grantithor’s 28x great-grandson, King Anthrovale, and his First Knight, Sir Gallevain Cracker, excavated the cave and found Merlin’s coffin, where they retrieved the Mirror.

The Crackers continued to serve the House of DeVentry as First Knight, until a romantic mixup in Llewdor years later...

[well-its-rad]

A Complete Sex Guide: The Sweet Spot For Beginners

This spot has ascended to well known distinction because it is said to advance more extraordinary and fulfilling orgasms,A Complete Sex Guide: The Sweet Spot For Beginners Articles also being ready to set off the women discharge such countless men are curious about. Stimulation of the Sweet Spot was likewise vigorously used by books on sex issues as a bonus for blissful couples and a genuine supernatural occurrence for men who neglect to satisfy their women. It is accepted by certain specialists that the Sweet Spot is actually a spot through which the nerves that serve the clitoris give their way to the association point in the spinal section.

Others say that it has developed as a stimulation region that sets off the last period of labor. It was estimated that kids coming out of the uterus push this exact game with their heads, which sets off a more grounded contraction of the vagina walls to send the child out. Many couples have gone through hours trying to find the enchanted pleasure spot, generally because there is something intrinsically charming about dominating a way of supporting pleasure past the normal climax. What's more, we as a whole realize that whenever you've found the problem area, the doors of pleasure are totally open.

Furthermore, presently how about we continue on toward the practical piece of the discussion around the Sweet spot. I'm certain that you are anxious to get right down to it and get your hands (or if nothing else a finger) on the little bugger. A few men consider this to be a test and as something of an obligation because they figure it their obligation to give their women the most ideal climaxes. What's more, that just needs to incorporate a dead center hit on the Sweet spot during each sex meeting. Stimulation of the Sweet Spot has likewise seen weighty use because of sex specialists who advance it as a bonus for blissful couples and a genuine supernatural occurrence for men who neglect to satisfy their women.

Any individual who's attempted to stimulate the Sweet spot realizes that it is situated on the vagina wall, close to the pelvic bone. To stimulate the Sweet Spot, men should situate their penis for a thrust that is inverse to clitoris stimulation. A penis that bends up has the ideal shape to strike the vagina wall nearby around the Sweet Spot, while men with descending ebbs and flows might need to try the from the rear. In the event that this is your most memorable time, you should begin by embedding a finger and afterward bowing it upwards. This is by a wide margin the least demanding way to find the Sweet spot and to stimulate it. For the most part, a 1 to 3-inch infiltration of the vagina should be sufficient to reach the Sweet Spot.

No exact distance can be given since it changes starting with one lady then onto the next. Specialists found that adjustments of tissue structure happening past the age of 30 make the Sweet Spot simpler to reach. For this reason women in their thirties accept they are encountering their sexual pinnacle. The fingers are your smartest choice anytime, however there are likewise uncommonly planned vibrators that can be used for stimulation. In any case, it is desirable over find the Sweet spot first with your fingers and afterward begin looking around with the vibrator. Something you need to keep an eye on is your woman's reaction.

As you draw nearer to the spot, she could naturally pull back to avoid the immediate stimulation of that delicate spot. This could get you off the course and looking through in some unacceptable region. You likewise need to start the hunt solely after your partner has been appropriately aroused. You might hold on until she had a climax and take it from that point. The more aroused the lady, the almost certain she is to feel the distinction in sensation between the Sweet spot and the remainder of the vaginal wall. Apply firm strain and watch your woman's reactions. She will direct you to the objective. When you're there, you can either move the finger like you're scratching something (don't use your nails, however) or in little circles to cover a more extensive region.

Come to think about it, better use two fingers on the Sweet spot, to get the most pleasure out of the entire thing. In the meantime, you can likewise use a finger or your tongue on the clitoris or on the other hand, in the event that you're feeling peppy, put a finger up her anus. There isn't much of space for creative mind and improvement with regards to playing with the Sweet spot. The man can use his fingers, some sex toys or his penis, while the lady can stimulate herself using her fingers or toys. Obviously, the sex toys must be suitable for this activity, and that implies that you need a dildo or vibrator with a snared or twisted tip that makes it simpler to reach the Sweet spot. Try not to move the toy around something over the top and don't try to make circles with the tip. Toys are more enthusiastically to use than fingers, so try to move the tip back and forward over the spot, while adding a little strain. Your partner will certainly inform you as to whether what you do feels quite a bit better or not. Reaching the Sweet spot with your penis is undeniably trickier than just moving a finger around.

You and your woman must try a couple of different situations to find those that permit you to give the Sweet spot a decent scouring. From the rear comes to mind, because the penis can rub against that delicate fix of tissue both while going in and while pulling out. Obviously, the positions featuring the lady on top are additionally generally excellent because the woman can adjust the point of inclusion to make sure that the penis takes the right course. So there you have them, the three choices for the strong lovers who are not satisfied with standard sex, but rather are interested in finding better approaches for satisfying each other. What's more, there's most likely no greater way of satisfying a lady that full stimulation of both the Sweet spot and the clitoris simultaneously. Men should not be embarrassed to request that the women help them find the Sweet spot, particularly since the women will certainly be anxious to help. All things considered, it's to their greatest advantage. Lastly, don't be discouraged on the off chance that you neglected to track down it on the principal try. Just think that you get more than a single opportunity to finger your woman voluntarily. Work on it and you will find the Sweet spot eventually.

Then again, on the off chance that your woman essentially misses the mark on higher awareness in that specific region, then, at that point, it's a simple as that. Try not to surrender; there are alternate ways of managing what is going on. You can always depend on the clitoris, the main organ committed exclusively to sexual pleasure, to get your woman past the brink and put a smile all over.

[dailyaudiobible]

12/25/2022 DAB Transcript

Zechariah 8:1-23, Revelation 16:1-21, Psalm 144:1-15, Proverbs 30:29-31

Today is the 25th day of December, also known as Christmas day, welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian. It is great to be here with you. We have taken this journey from the beginning of the year all the way to this day and this day marks the turn of human history. This day marks the arrival of the Savior of the world and there is nowhere that I'd rather be to celebrate this than here with you, around the Global Campfire Merry Christmas everybody.

Merry Christmas everybody. It is so wonderful to reach this point every year, in this most holy day and this most beautiful day of celebration and the fact that no matter where we are in the world, we can celebrate it together here. And I trust that wherever you are the peace of Christ descends upon you filling your heart with joy and filling the world with joy. And I'm glad even on this Christmas day we can gather together and move forward together and take the next step forward together in the Scriptures. So, let's dive in. We obviously are picking up where we left off, no matter what day it is or what holiday it is, and we have been moving our way this week, through the book of Zechariah. And we will continue to move our way through the book of Zechariah, today and tomorrow and all the way up until a couple of days before the end of the year. Today, Zechariah chapter 8.

Commentary:

Okay, so obviously it's hard to ignore and hard to miss that today is Christmas day and we are celebrating all over the world, the arrival of the Savior. And this is a passage of Scripture that I have read every Christmas day, well, this would be the 17th time in a row, 17th Christmas, reading these passages. And all of the while, I’ve read these passages and thought, man I wish we had a manger scene, like I wish we had the postcard Christmas reading but this is what comes up. And so often, I've thought, this is and all that encouraging for Christmas day, but I really enjoyed what we read in Zechariah today. Just hearing from the Lord and I quote from Zechariah, God speaking here, “I care passionately about Zion, I burn with passion for her. The Lord proclaims I have returned to Zion. I will settle in Jerusalem. Jerusalem will be called the city of truth, the mountain of the Lord of heavenly forces will be the holy mountain. Old men and old women will again dwell in the plazas of Jerusalem, the city will be full of boys and girls gathering in its plazas. Even though it may seem to be a miracle for the few remaining among his people in these days, should it seem to be a miracle for me, says the Lord of heavenly forces. I'm about to deliver my people from the land of the East and the West and I'll bring them back, so they will dwell in Jerusalem, they will be My people and I will be their God, in truth and in righteousness.” Just one more time where we get to see that God, no matter what happens, will not relent and surrender what He loves, His treasure, His people. And if Christmas day doesn't tell us anything else, it has to tell us that, the lengths He's been willing to go to. Not only to get our attention, but to capture our hearts because He loves us so much. And yet, with all of that I end up generally speaking, pretty much every year at some point during Christmas day listless. There's like nothing that makes it happen, it just kind of comes blowing in, it is like all of the joy, all of the celebration, all of the gifts, all of the smiles, all of the laughter, all of the joy of the kids. Like a whole month of preparation for the day and maybe that's part of it, all of this preparation and then it comes and goes and then you wake up and it's over and it came and went so fast. I think that's…that's part of it, but then there's like the reading from…from Revelation today, wrath and judgment in bolts being poured out on the earth, really awful things and it just doesn't feel like Christmas. And it took many, many years where I just really trying to reconcile the baby Jesus. And then this…this Jesus of judgment in the book of Revelation. Until one year, it just really hit me, this is the same Jesus and how does that work when Jesus came to earth, helpless, but He didn't grow up and stay helpless. He grew up and rescued the world in udder humility. And then we read in Revelation about an all grown up Jesus who is the all-powerful One, who has come back to earth to eradicate evil like, to destroy the things that are destroying human beings, to eradicate from the world the things that are destroying and consuming His people. And so, over the years I've read through the book of Revelation many times and read through this passage on Christmas day, many times. And I’ve begun to realize, this is what He was coming to do. Whether as a little baby or as the resurrected Christ. He’s not mad at people, He's very mad about the things that destroy people. And very mad about people being willing to participate in things that will not only destroy them but everyone around them. And we hate death. I hate death. I have been touched by it. I hate it, on a day like today. I miss my mom and dad enough to start crying right now just talking about it. I hate that death has separated us. But I love that they are hidden away with Christ in God. I love it that they are with Jesus on this Christmas day, and I love it that His coming, His arrival for us is hope that no goodbye is forever. And what we see happening in Revelation is the destruction of the destroyer, the destruction of the whole system that is kept mankind in bondage, telling us that in the end He will and reign for ever and ever and ever. I want that, I want to see that, I want to be there. I want to see the judgment on death. That death has no more sting, that grave has no more victory, that things that destroy us no longer exist and are no longer categories. And it seems to me as we read the Scriptures, we can love the baby Jesus, but if we want the ultimate victory, we need the warrior risen Christ, who will not put up with evil another minute. And so, we find ourselves in the in between. And I think that is what blows in upon me during Christmas week, during Christmas day. Some people call it the blues, the Christmas blues. That sort of tinge of, I guess almost depression, the blues. I’ve learned that really at its core that feeling at least for me is longing. No matter how we prepare, no matter how much we work, no matter how much joy that we can conjure on Christmas day, we still know that it's not perfect and no matter how close to perfection we can get, it comes and goes so quickly. And then we got to think about going back to regular life. And there’s longing in that, we want to stay in this place of rejoicing and goodwill toward men and hope. But the work is not yet complete. Time is not full. So, we are here in the chaos of this world as witnesses, or as lights in the darkness, and we endure along with God in His patience, in His love for everyone, that all might know. And we’re invited to collaborate in being a light or a city on a hill or the salt of the earth, we’re not just here helplessly hoping to hide out and wait. We have a very visible role to play in drawing people to Lord. So, I expect that this longing that some of us may feel, is not unlike the longing of those who were waiting for the arrival of the Savior in the first place, wondering when things are going to change, wondering when there will be hope again, wondering when God will come with his mighty power and restore things. And then almost as if in secret, He came and did just that. And we are longing for His return when everything will be back together again. And so, if you end up feeling like that and I know like, I’m talking to brothers and sisters around the Global Campfire, around the world. And so, for some of you there is nobody else, here spending Christmas day by yourself and us being able to spend time together as a community. This is a bright spot in that day, but maybe you're lonely or maybe there are missing people at the table this year that were there last year or maybe there were relationships that you had last year that you don't have now, and things look quite different. Or maybe there are new additions around the table this year that are joyful and full of celebration. We’ve got a couple a little baby granddaughters who are just walking and running around and that is, that is about, that is about as close to pure joy as I can get to right now. But regardless of the scenario, if you find a point in your heart where you’re like my feelings do not match the festivities of what is going on. This is a very wonderful celebration, and I am feeling a little off from that feeling. Look inside your heart. We were made for things to be right, and we know they are not right, and we long for them to be put back together and we hope in the Savior for that to happen. And although it is happening. It has not reached its completion. But the further that we walk with Jesus, the more we can see the contrast between His hope for humanity and what we've made of this place. We long for restoration. And I have realized that is part of Christmas. The celebration isn't just because He came, the celebration is that He came and changed everything, and He is coming again. So, if you feel little off at some point today, rest in that, this is the soul crying out to be made whole and the awareness that we cannot make anything perfect on our own. So, may we hope in this child born and laid in a feeding trough from livestock, in the lowliest state in a cave. He’s not a little baby anymore. And if Revelation is indicating anything, it's indicating that He is not weak or timid. He is our Savior. He is within us. He will never leave or forsake us and one day He will return and make all things new again. Merry Christmas everybody, Merry Christmas. May the joy of the Lord be your strength, may the peace of Christ be with you always. Amen.

[flyhighhorny]

Annual Agriculture Event Educates Kindergarteners on Importance of Farming in Iredell County

Hundreds of 5-year-olds learn about agriculture and its economic impact on their community

Hundreds of bouncy 5-year-olds descended on the Iredell County Fairgrounds on Thursday and Friday to experience hands-on learning about the county’s agriculture industry and its important role in feeding, clothing, and sheltering their families.

Laura Elmore, Iredell County Extension Agent for agriculture, livestock, and field crops, said the 13th annual event hosted 1,200 Iredell-Statesville Schools students with the help of volunteers from all five high school Future Farmers of America groups and many community partners.

FFA Students Lead Educational Programs

The FFA students led programs about animals and livestock, including cattle, sheep, horses, and dairy cattle, and operated a petting zoo with goats, a pony, and cows. The kindergarteners also planted a sunflower seed, which they will take home to watch grow.

Diverse Learning Activities

Other activities included learning to rope cattle, a tractor safety demo, tractor displays from area distributors, trucks from Randy Marion, Mountaire Farms’ feed truck and fun activities, Southland Dairy Association’s Mobile Milk Classroom, an Energy United electricity demonstration, beekeeping, an NC Forestry Service presentation, to a fire engine from Troutman Fire and Rescue, and various safety and crop demonstration lessons.

Understanding the Importance of Agriculture

While having a blast at the various learning stations, the kids “are able to see the vastness of agriculture in Iredell County and how it touches their lives multiple times every day. I hope they understand just the sheer amount of it and how vital it is to their lives and its economic impact on the county,” Elmore said.

Elmore also hopes to inspire kids to pursue farming or other agriculture-related occupations. “We need it all. Hopefully, they’ll enjoy it and take something from today.”

The Economic Impact of Agriculture

Iredell County is number one in the state in total cattle, dairy cattle, and milk production, sixth in poultry production, and in the top ten in grain crops, including hay and forage production.

Agriculture has a huge impact on the economy of North Carolina and the county, as well as the peripheral commerce around agriculture, including banks, farm equipment and tractor dealers, transportation, vehicles, processing, energy, and technology.

Modern Agriculture and the Need for Efficiency

Elmore noted the high-tech nature of modern agriculture, which uses GPS-guided tractors and other equipment, autonomous vehicles, drones, and biological and chemical analyses and research to improve crop production on smaller amounts of available land.

“We have such a loss of farmland and farmers,” Elmore explained. “We are having to do more with less. We are working to increase our efficiency and production on smaller pieces of land.”

The annual agriculture event at the Iredell County Fairgrounds provides an invaluable opportunity for kindergarteners to learn about the importance of farming and agriculture in their community. Through hands-on activities and educational programs led by high school FFA students, the children gain a deeper understanding of the economic impact of agriculture and the need for efficiency in modern farming practices. The event serves as a catalyst for inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in agriculture and ensures that the vital industry continues to thrive in Iredell County.

[thetldrplace]

Sicily: An Island at the Crossroads of History. Ch. 10- The Coming of the Bourbons

The Treaty of Utrecht was really a series of treaties by which the European powers sought to regulate their mutual relations. The one that concerned Sicily was the decision to transfer the island to the control of Duke Victor Amadeus of Savoy in Piedmont. Victor Amadeus was delighted and in 1713, was crowned King of Sicily. He actually bothered to travel to Sicily and became the first royal presence on the island since 1535. He was welcomed by the nobility, but the people in general received him with apathy. 

The poor guy made a serious effort to improve things and tried hard to understand the character and customs of his subjects, but found himself undercut at every turn, first by the rich- who would not accept any innovations that might cut into their personal profits, and second, by the universal corruption, idleness, and lack of initiative that were the result of four centuries of foreign domination. 

Victor Amadeus wisely treated the barons with caution, but he likely felt the Sicilian cause was hopeless. Family vendettas continued unabated and banditry was everywhere. The people were essentially proving themselves ungovernable. 

On a personal level, he had also failed to gain their affection. Sicilians loved color and display; Victor Amadeus was a natural puritan who liked plain dress. When he returned to Turin in Piedmont, the Pope slapped him with a further humiliation- ordering the church to ignore taxes. Many obeyed and were punished by exile or imprisonment, and the confiscation of their property. The Sicilians, proud of their status as Papal legates, also tended to blame the house of Savoy rather than the Pope.  

Then came an invasion from Austria in 1718. Sicily became a battlefield between Spain and Austria. Spain lost and Sicily was ceded to Austria.  

The Austrian's rule in Sicily lasted twice as long as the Piedmontese, but the result was the same. The Sicilians offered no resistance, but disliked them from the get-go. Piedmontese (which kind of sounds like a Frenchman speaking Italian) was bad enough as a language- but German was even worse. At least Piedmontese was a Latin descendant like Sicilian (which sounds like a Spaniard speaking Italian while chewing bubblegum and tossing in some Arabic and Greek words in just to confuse it some more). And by this time, Sicily was thoroughly Spanish at heart.  

Honestly, I'd bet the Austrians did their genuine best to reform things, but, in a, by now, very old story, were thwarted by the Sicilians at every turn. After 14 years, the Austrians called up Spain and told them they can have Sicily back! 

Charles III, of the House of Bourbon, took the throne in 1737. He did little for Sicily, but could we blame him? Perhaps the Sicilians would have received more attention had they shown the slightest inclination to help themselves, but they didn't. Every effort at reform, as always, was blocked. 

After Charles, the island got a new king, Ferdinand III. Ferdinand chose to reside in Naples. This dude was irresponsible and childish. He was a lover of outdoor sports, and rough horseplay, and never outgrew this as an adult. This may have been in part due to an ambitious overseer who fostered indolence in the kid so he could manage affairs himself. But more on Ferdinand later. 

Towards the end of the century, the French revolution was shaking the foundations of European monarchies. The regicide that had taken place in such a large, ancient kingdom as France left lots of lesser reges wondering if they might be cided next. The French people were proving that there wasn't much to keep a monarchy in power beyond "awe" of the monarchy.  

[aviandtheseals]

Rowntree Family Ultimate Decades Challenge: 1356-1357

Welcome to my ultimate decades challenge! I’ve already played it for 55 in-game years, so our family will start at 1356. However, the entire main household and many of the people in side households died in the Black Death in 1348, then we spent a couple years rebuilding, so this is a new family and dynasty.

Quick family tree:

Astrid and Tobias were the founders. Their oldest son Henry was the heir, and we played with his family for decades until his descendants all died during the plague. David, the next surviving son, and his kids became the new main household. His wife Caroline had already died, but he remarried and had a kid with Kymmie before dying of old age. Now in the main household includes Kymmie, who married David for a short time; her and David’s son Finnian; David’s oldest son Arthur; Arthur’s new wife Alexandria; and David and Caroline's younger daughter Sarah. 

Sims introductions / 1356-57 developments

Arthur Rowntree (teen) - heir, married to Alexandria

Loves outdoors, genius

Arthur had a difficult childhood. In 1348, the plague hit while his father was away at war, and his mother and siblings died from the plague. Arthur and his one surviving sister Sarah got separated – she moved into the main Rowntree farm with his cousin, but Arthur lost touch with them and got adopted by another family. He finally managed to make it back to the Rowntree family right before his father died. However, throughout this time Arthur has stayed strong. Arthur is the heir to the Rowntree line, and takes his duty to care for his family seriously as the man of the house.

During the winter and spring of 1356, the entire family was sick for the majority of the time and didn't have the strength to work. Their stove broke, but they had no money to replace it so they could only eat salad. Arthur was upset at himself and miserable from sickness. As the man of the house, he felt he was failing at his duties to provide.

The stress caused Arthur to get into a lot of arguments with his second-cousin Eli. Eli is often jealous and arrogant, and he especially got on Arthur’s nerves by saying he deserved some of the Rowntree inheritance, since he's been working on their farm for years. Eli wanted to get married and use the money to start his own farm. Arthur was upset because Eli isn’t even a Rowntree. They argued for a while, then decided that Eli will get 1000 simoleons, which with his new wife’s dowry will be enough to start their own farm.

Eli and his new wife Libet got married, and he moved out, making the farm much more peaceful.

Once summer rolled around and Arthur was no longer sick, he spent a lot of time building furniture to sell around the village and make money.

And of course, continuing the Rowntree legacy. With all the deaths from the plague during his childhood on Arthur’s mind, he knows his time on Earth is precious and is aching to have a son who will continue maintaining the farm after Arthur dies. Luckily, his wife Alexandria became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy girl in spring 1357!

Arthur loved spending time with his daughter Jacquette but was often busy with work so most of the care fell to her mother. While Arthur was grateful his wife and daughter survived the birth, he couldn’t ignore his desire for a son to inherit.

After a few months being busy with making money and taking care of their baby, Arthur and Alexandria decide to try for another child towards the end of 1357. After so many family members dying during the plague they want a big happy family that stays together. Will next year bring more joy, or will deaths dampen the mood?

Alexandria Butterfield Rowntree (teen) - Arthur's wife

Whimsical, daredevil

Alexandria is a joyful and optimistic person. Living through the Black Death, and generally being a peasant girl, means Alexandria had little control over her own life. She learned to deal with challenges by living in her own pink bubble. Despite the challenges of 1356-57 in the Rowntree household, Alexandria focused on parts of life that made her happy, like her husband Arthur. Even though they were both busy Arthur still managed to romance Alexandria, which helped her get through her pregnancy.

Alexandria was also happy to become a mother, and spent a lot of time with her daughter Jacquette.

Another thing that brought Alexandria joy was learning how to play the lute. Arthur improved a lot as a furniture maker and was able not only to replace their stove, but to buy a new lute for the household. Alexandria spent all her time practicing, prioritizing art over keeping the house clean.

Of course, the best part of these two years was Jacquette becoming an infant in the fall of 1357. (this is Alexandria's day outfit, she spent a lot of these two years in her nightgown as seen in the other photos)

Kymmie Betts Rowntree (young adult) - stepmother of Arthur and Sarah, mother of Finnian

Creative, vegetarian, pompous

Kymmie has not enjoyed the first few years of living with the Rowntree family. When David first approached her, she was immediately captivated. He was much older, experienced, a strong soldier fighting for his country. Kymmie grew up in a poor family who didn’t care much for a girl they’d have to pay a dowry for one day. She was excited to follow this soldier back to his home village, to start a life where she’d be the head of a household. But they were together for less than two years. David died and left her in a lonely house with his children who barely knew her and a new baby to take care of. Kymmie wishes she could find another husband to start a family with, but she knows if she leaves she wouldn’t be able to take her baby son Finnian with her. As the only potential heir to the Rowntree farmland except for Arthur, they would never let Kymmie take her son away. And she couldn’t bear to be parted from him. So she focuses on taking care of her son, and accepting that she will never be able to have the happy family she always dreamed of.

Kymmie felt lonely for a while, but in 1356 she was able to finally make a connection with someone outside the family she was forced into: Touilda Butterfield Bridgford, Alexandria's sister. The moment they saw each other, there was a spark. Kymmie was happy that finally there was somebody she could rely on outside of the Rowntrees.

Because Arthur was busy with building furniture, Kymmie took charge of the garden.

With more confidence coming from other areas of her life, Kymmie started to have better relationships with the family she married into.

Sarah Rowntree (child) - Arthur's younger sister

Logical

Even though she is a child, for a long time Sarah has had an important role in providing financially for her family. Every day she goes fishing, and her catches help them through hard times. Sarah tries to be a good kid, but as the forgotten middle child, and the only girl, she continues to be ignored by her family who are concerned with bigger problems. Nobody ever considers that losing both her parents so young was difficult for her. She's just the goody-two-shoes who brings home a couple simoleons.

Jacquette Rowntree (infant) - Arthur and Alexandria's daughter

Finnian Rowntree (toddler) - Kymmie and David's son, Arthur and Sarah's half-brother

Meanwhile, the babies are just hanging out together, unaware of the possibility of coming death... :)

[pinerdrug]

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[imabookadict]

eris x reader

summary: you attend a gathering in the hewn city, but you did not intend to leave with a certain redhead

a/n: i know it kinda sounds like this is smut, but unfortunately it is not. (just leaving this here cuz i dont wanna get ur hopes up lol sorry- maybe next time tho)

warnings: (very slight) implication of sex, lack of proofreading

you entered the great hall in the hewn city of the night court, spotting rhys and feyre already seated on the black thrones, looking just as powerful as they actually are. feyre’s eye catches yours, and she turns to where cassian is standing beside her to whisper something to him. he looks to you before nodding at feyre and descending the stairs.

he finds you idling by the drink stand, you having already helped yourself to the many choices. “y/n,” he says by way of greeting. “you’re looking lovely this evening.”

he was right. with your hair falling down your back and the black dress that gripped your frame before flaring out at the hips, you were quite the sight.

“same goes for yourself, general.” cassian always looked good, and he knew damn well. the glint of mischief in his eyes said so.

“thank you, but i did not come to you to exchange compliments- or at least, that was not my main priority.” he cleared his throat before leaning towards you conspiringly. “feyre told me to aware you that eris will be coming tonight.”

you sighed. ever since you had confessed to feyre that you felt a slight attraction to to lord of the autumn court’s son, she has been trying to play matchmaker. and apparently has not been trying to keep it secret, either. “thanks for playing messenger, cassian.”

he winked at you before sauntering away. “anything for you, y/n.”

as if on cue, a certain redhead entered the room, graceful and as beautiful as ever. he wore the brightest colours in the room, a red and gold that matched the fire of his hair and the golden flecks in his eyes. he knew the effect it had on everyone, even if they gave him slight sneers in return. he did not care if he was not welcome here by the general public- their lord and lady had invited him here, and he only came to see one specific person.

when eris approached you, you were tempted to turn your back and flee, worried that you may embarrass yourself in his presence. but you squared your shoulders and smiled at him when he was close enough to you to have to look down. “y/n,” he breathed, as if to savour the feel of your name on his tongue. “you look lovely tonight.” right when you opened your mouth to return the compliment, he cut you off. “although, i do wonder why your posture is one ready for battle.”

you felt the heat rise to your cheeks, and forced your shoulders to relax. “apologies, i have been quite stiff this evening.” you cringed inwardly at how embarrassing that sentence was.

eris’ eyebrows rose. “and why may that be? surely not because of my presence, right y/n?”

he took pleasure in the way you flushed even more. “relax darling, i was only kidding.” he smiled. “unless that’s the truth?”

“no!” your voice caused the couple near you to turn their heads in alarm. “no, i am just having a stressful week.” and that was the truth.

eris nodded, as if he completely understood- and maybe he did, you wouldn’t know. you rarely even spoke to the male, even during these gatherings. “would you like some help relieving this stress you speak of?”

you could not help the look of confusion on your face. what was he offering? eris noticed your expression and clarified, causing you more embarrassment than before. “y/n, sweetheart, we both know you fancy me.” he hesitated before continuing. “and the feeling is mutual.”

“what?”

eris laughed at your disbelief, feeling quite odd himself. he could not remember the last time he struggled with words before a lady. “what i’m trying to say, y/n, is that i would love to leave this dull- what even is this, a celebration of sorts?- anyways, would you like to leave with me?”

you were stunned into silence. eris vanserra, supposedly the next ruler of the autumn court, fancied you. and wanted to leave with you. wow. you thought that he was barely aware of your existence, you being nothing more than a face he saw around once in a while. but apparently not.

you cleared your throat. “i would love that,” you said, still feeling quite flushed. this was not how you were expecting the night to play out, but you certainly were not complaining.

eris brought you both to a small restaurant in the autumn court, overlooking a river that flows through the land. at the beginning of dinner, there had been some tension, but it quickly faded away. you found yourself captured by eris’ easygoingness as he told made jokes and flattered you. “i will admit, i did not expect to find myself having dinner with the lady who has taken over my thoughts.”

you blushed, as you always did at whatever came out of that sly mouth of his. “neither did i. i mean with the male of my thoughts, of course.”

he would laugh, and the night would continue on like that.

after dinner, which eris refused to let you pay for, he winnowed you back to the night court, not wanting his brothers or his father to catch wind of the pretty visitor he had brought into their land. you appeared in velaris, to your surprise.

“i thought you did not know of velaris,” you said to eris, looking up to watch his face in the pale moonlight as you walked along the rainbow. the night was coming to an end, much to your dismay.

“of course i know of it,” eris answered with a small smile and a glance at you. “rhysand has granted me permission to come here tonight. only because of you, most likely.”

“rhysand wouldn’t let you here alone?”

eris chuckled, glad you did not see him the way everyone else did. to them, he was always a possible danger; just some entitled asshole with no issues or understanding of anything more than shallow. to you though, he knew you saw him as himself, no matter how short you had truly known him for. “rhysand and i may be allies, but we are nowhere near friends.”

desperate to know more about him before you reached your home- less than a block away now- you asked him, “who are your friends then?”

he thought for a moment, then answered. “i have you.”

you smiled, not expecting that answer. “am i only a friend?” eris shook his head, red hair catching the moonlight. “no, you are certainly more so. is this your home?”

you nodded, unlocking the door and stepping inside. when you turned around, eris was still on the other side of the doorstep. “are you not coming?”

he shook his head, smiling softly at you. “as much as i want to, y/n, i also want to savour this.” he stepped closer to the doorway, still refusing to step over the threshold. “the next date, i promise. thank you for a wonderful evening sweetheart.” he leaned down, barely grazing his soft lips with yours before pulling away and walking backwards from your house. “goodnight!”

you smiled at him, muttering just loud enough for him to hear “such a tease,” before shutting the door behind him.

[guerrerajaguar]

My Devoted Husbands ( Fem!Reader)

Chapter 1: No, we are just friends.

Warnings: Slight angst, mentions of polyamory, reverse harem.

Y/N is a typical young woman, with a job, a caring family, friends and pets; but her family hides a secret. She comes from a long ancestry of Demon Slayers to whom the government grants special perks such as taxing, properties and marriage. Although there are not many demons left in the modern era, something sinister seems to be moving in the shadows and Y/N will need all the help she can get from her husband or even better, her husbands.

The click of your katana being sheathed announced the result of the combat, your breathing completely stealthy and your eyes fixed on the demon disintegrating in front of your eyes. There was nothing special about that night, you and your father were patrolling the area which you started to suspect could be the center of a possible demonic activity and luckily you hunted down the responsible of some mysterious disappearances.

-”Y/N you are growing stronger everyday, I am really proud of you. I don’t think there is anything else I can teach you”. Said your father warmly as he placed his hand on your shoulder.

-”Nevertheless I feel like there is so much for me to learn about demons. Why are they here? What creates them? Why does it seem like we can’t hunt them all down?” Your father chuckled at your comment.

-”Well, those are very good questions that you might be able to answer, as you grow older” he affectionately ruffled your hair. “The demons situation is really under control nowadays, almost 100 years ago our predecessors suffered a lot of losses. Demons were brutal, outnumbered the corp slayers and completely bloodthirsty. No wonder not many demon slayers families managed to survive up to this era…”- You interrupted:

-”Yes dad, I know that story to heart, you mention it every time we are patrolling!” You said to him teasingly while urging him to go back home.

-”Is that so? Well, let's talk about something else equally as important. So about this Kyojuro guy, from your work, have you considered marrying him?” You stopped right on your tracks, your dad was about to have this dreadful conversation with you again.

-”How can I get to marry someone with whom I don't even have a relationship?” You said trying to wash off the topic.

-”He is a really nice guy, good looking, strong built, responsible; a true gentleman or at least that is what your mom thinks. I believe he has the perfect genes for helping you with the next demon slayer generation of our family!” That was it, you now were really uncomfortable talking about who the perfect father for your kids will be.

-”Dad can we please not…”

-”But I personally think Giyuu-kun would also be a good husband and father as well. You have known him since school and he seems to be absolutely devoted to you.” Your dad was so lost in his monologue to notice how much you were wishing that the demon you just defeated had devoured you, or anything else that could save you from hearing this conversation again. “That is a really important thing, you know? You need a really strong man or men to have your back while you continue with the family legacy.”

In your country being a Demon Slayer was the ultimate honorable occupation, the government would officially recognize the services given by the corp and would grant special perks to families that had fought against demons over generations. One of them was the permission to marry with more than one person, mainly because they were really interested that the Demon Slayer families could keep up with their dynasties, having the most offspring possible.

So, having more than one husband or wife was not unheard of, but not really common as there were not a lot of Slayers families in the modern time. Although the ones that were, tried to marry their descendants among themselves but stopped that practice when they understood that they might be falling within incest practices.

That was the reason behind your father insisting on you to look for a good husband to help you bear the next Water Pillar of your family, even perhaps, a couple more Pillars since your sword skill and talent was the best seen in your dynasty for over 5 generations. But, although you were really committed to be a Pillar, you were not really fond of the idea of marriage; at least not yet.

-”Dad, Kyojuro and Giyuu are just friends. I hang out with them to have a good time but just as FRIENDS” You emphasized that last word in hopes for your dad to stop the pestering.

-”Ah, but do they look at you just as a friend? I think not, my girl, I’m a man and I can sense miles away when a male is attracted to a woman and those boys are heads over heels for you. Not really good at hiding it. But I mean, who can blame them? You are not only incredibly strong but also stunningly gorgeous, you got your awesome looks from your mother.” He will proudly say.

-”Dad! Please stop, it's so embarrassing” You would plead hoping that nobody was listening to your conversation on the street. “Look, they are just friends and I will get married whenever I feel like I found the perfect match, ok?”

-”Oh, is that so. Y/N please don’t worry about it. You could marry both of them… Hold on a second… How I have not thought about that brilliant idea? Yes, marry Kyojuro and Giyuu-kun; that way you shouldn’t have to choose and will have the perfect and balanced child from each! I am so proud of you already.” Your father will excitedly yell right at the front door of your house.

-”AHHHHHHH” You will scream in desperation “Dad! No, just drop the topic already! I am not getting married, ok? I will not be going night patrolling with you anymore. You are just…. AHHHH”- you would then furiously storm inside your home directly to your room. The good thing is that your mom will severely reprimand your dad for pushing so much the topic into you, although she will secretly believe that marrying more than one man would be a very good idea.

You would remove your uniform. safely place your katana on his stand and then proceed to check your phone for the latest news. Making the situation worst, you read a couple of notifications one from Kyojuro and the other from Giyuu:

-”Hey Y/N don’t forget tomorrow's meeting at 6am. Obanai-san will go nuts if we are not there in time. Wanna go out from work to grab lunch? Senjuro just told me about this really nice pizza place I think you will love.”- You read from Kyojuro’s message written with a lot of emojis.

-”How was training? Was your dad embarrassing you again? Don’t be so hard on him, he really loves you. Oh, I almost forgot, would you like to crash at the new tea house that opened right at the corner of your house after your training tomorrow?- Showed Giyuu’s message, just with plain text.

You felt your dad’s words being washed away when you saw your friends’ messages, replied to them both by merrily agreeing to meet each of them. Later on, you receive a call for your friend Daki while cleaning and pampering your katana.

“Y/N are you going to see them both on the same day? You are such a player!” Daki will tease you on the other line of the phone.

“It's not like that! Daki, please, not you as well. You know we are just friends. They have never implied anything different than friendship.” You would say, while holding a lint-free cloth on your mouth powdering your katana.

-”Just kidding, I think you mind more than what you say you do. But anyway, have you told any of them about… being a Slayer?” Her words resounded deep inside of you, you have never mentioned anything about your “peculiar family” activities to any of your friends. Daki will know about your secret because she belonged to a really old forging ancestry that had worked with the corp for generations.

“I…no, I think I haven’t…And I don’t think it's that important at all.” You would lie while proceeding to oil your Nichirin blade.

-”Well darling, you definitely should, unless you want them to be dead worried when you start going on longer missions. I heard my father talk about it with yours, it seems like something big is starting to cook.” You would remain silent, trying to figure out if that could be related to your father's persistent suggestions of getting married.

-”Hello, Y/N! Are you there? Honestly, what are you doing? Is that old Katana giving you problems? Bring it over the weekend and I will fix it for you. Wouldn’t you fancy a new blade? I’ve been working on something new. Please come and tell me your thoughts.”

-”Yeah sure thing, I’ll be there Saturday morning. See you then.”

-”Yes and you can tell me about how everything went out with your dates!”. You were ready to respond but she hung up before anything could come out from your mouth. You returned your katana to its place, took a bath and got ready to finally call it a day as you will be arriving earlier than usual to your job.

Chapter 2

[jynrso]

everybody talks

Rebellions are built on gossip.

read it on ao3!

Besides fighting the Empire, the Rebel Alliance has many talents. The most notable –– and most irritating –– is the way gossip spreads like wildfire. 

“Hey laserbrains, can I help you?” Jyn calls out hotly across the hangar bay, targeting the group of recruits who haven’t been hiding their obvious looks in her direction. “Stop kriffing staring at me and get back to work!”

The kids––they can’t be any older than eighteen or nineteen, so they’re fucking kids––freeze where they’re standing and open their mouths as if to respond to her very pointed “fuck off,” but think better of it and scurry off to––something. She doesn’t know and doesn’t care, either. 

If their little whispers had something to do with the rumor spreading around the base that she and Cassian have been shared a bed last night––

She ducks into the cargo bay of Bodhi’s ship, muttering a string of curses under her breath as she sits up against the wall. When Cassian approaches her from the cockpit, she slumps down further, chin resting against her chest, arms crossed, and legs splayed out in front of her. 

“Don’t you start,” she grouches crossly, glaring up as Cassian sits down next to her, maneuvering himself and his bad leg with some difficulty at her side. He bumps into her shoulder with his own, grinning at her clear annoyance. “They’ve been looking at us for ages. ”

“You’re Jyn Erso,” he says. “Maybe they were just trying to get a glimpse of a hero.” 

“I’m not a hero,” she snaps, but her anger toward the word isn’t directed toward him. A hero isn’t someone who got an entire squadron of men killed. A hero isn’t someone who used to be a criminal or someone who’s killed people––good and evil, or someone who’s as selfish as she’d been (and perhaps still is). 

“No,” she continues, moving forward with a fierce determination. “This is because Kay doesn’t know how to shut his fucking mouth –– ” 

Cassian’s brow raises. “Is this about what happened yesterday at breakfast?” 

“How could it not be? He practically shouted it to the entire cantina!”

‘Cassian, I have detected a sharp increase in your endorphin levels over the past few days. I did not understand the cause until I saw Jyn Erso leaving your quarters this morning.’

He’d gone on, of course, after that but Jyn had stopped listening, all too aware of the eyes on her, of all the people who had possibly heard, of how this small, tentative thing between her and Cassian was now being scrutinized underneath a microscope. 

“Kay’s just being Kay,” he replies, shaking his head. “You just have to ignore him when he gets like that.” 

As Saw’s ward (and later, as his second-in-command), there had always been something about her that warranted a rumor or two. A rather impressive leap in training, for example, combined with her kyber crystal, might spark talk about her possibly being descended from Jedi. Others had been less than flattering: Jyn nearly castrated a man for looking at her. Jyn slept her way up to the top. Jyn’s past is not what she’d said it is –– Jyn is hiding something.

The last one –– and its consequences –– hurt the most. But generally speaking, talk tended to be easily ignored, especially when it worked to her benefit and got people to leave her the hell alone. 

But this? She can only imagine what people are saying about this morning. That she doesn’t care about him or anyone else, that it had been a one-night stand, that Jyn Erso fucks her superiors. This manifesting, uncertain bond between them being corrupted before it can even fully form ––

I’m not ready for people to know when I barely know what’s happening myself. I don’t care what people say about me but what are they saying about you?

She clamps her mouth shut, turning her chin away. She doesn’t care what people say and she doubts Cassian does but gossip has a way to ruin these things. 

“It doesn’t have to change anything,” Cassian says softly, “if you don’t want it to.” After a beat, he adds, “I don’t want things to change.” 

“I don’t know how to do this,” she says miserably, her voice quiet and strained. “I told you, I don’t know how and this –– ” 

“Jyn, hey.” He interrupts her, a soft, feather-like touch of his fingers against her chin. He waits until she looks at him to speak again. “Do you regret what happened last night?” 

If she says yes, he would back off. They could go on as normal and pretend it never happened. 

But that’s not true.

Slowly, she shakes her head. 

“Me either,” he says, brushing a hand down her arm. 

“I don’t care what people say, I just –– don’t want them to say anything at all,” she admits finally. “Not about me. Not about you.” 

“I’ll talk to Kay later. Tell him not to talk about it.” 

“As if that’ll stop him.” But she appreciates it nonetheless, leaning up against him briefly in a small display of affection before shifting away. 

The two of them are content to sit in silence for a few minutes, hidden away in the sheltered alcove of Bodhi’s shuttle. There’s nothing more that needs saying, not right now. Cassian has somehow deciphered her butchered words and made sense of them, understanding her better than she gets herself. 

“Maybe,” he says slyly, breaking the quiet with a glint of amusement in his eyes, “they were staring at you because they think you’re pretty.” 

At that, Jyn snorts, unable to hide it. As if anyone would consider her to be pretty. And she’s sure that Cassian is joking too until she looks up at his face and realizes that his suggestion was completely serious. 

“What?” he asks. “Is that really so hard to believe?” 

“They wouldn’t be staring at me because they think I’m pretty, Cassian,” she shoots back instead, ignoring the way this conversation is making her cheeks hot and her neck flushed. She fidgets with the blaster in her lap. “They’re just kids who don’t have anything better to do than sit around and gossip.” 

“I would.” 

Jyn blinks, once, twice, then turns to him, completely dumbfounded. Her cheeks and the tips of her ears redden, shoulders hunching up to her neck, feeling completely unbalanced. Her tongue darts out to lick her suddenly dry lips; Cassian’s gaze dips down from her eyes to her mouth briefly. 

Never able to let a tender and affectionate moment stay that way, she remarks dryly, “Might as well give people more to talk about.” 

That surprises a chuckle out of him, which makes her smile. These little moments where she can shake him out of his spy mask are some of her favorites, each one imprinted on her mind. “I’ll save it for later, then.” 

“Only if I can stare, too,” she shoots back, leaning forward.

“Yow can stare all you like,” he says lowly. A breath later and she forgets all about the prying eyes of the Rebellion. 

A few weeks later, they’re no longer the talk of the Alliance. Instead, the gossip has shifted to a much more visible target. 

“Why don’t I just throw in a thousand more credits, huh? Will that do it for you then, laser brain?” 

“I already told you, your Worship! I ain’t here for the money and I ain’t leavin’, neither! So would quit flappin’ your mouth and let me get back to work?” 

“ ’Flapping my mouth?’ Oh, I’ve had a enough of that bantha-shit, you no good, scruffy-looking nerfherder!” 

“Hey! Scruffy-looking? I recall you rather liking this ‘scruffy-looking’ nerfherder on the trip to Bespin, princess!” 

“Oh, why I oughta –– “ 

The sounds of Leia and Han’s argument –– and the dozens of watchful eyes pretending they aren’t watching –– disappear as Cassian and Jyn turn the corner and escape the crowded hangar bay. 

Tucked in an alcove and pressed up very tightly against each other, Jyn and Cassian smother their laughter in each other’s clothes, giddy from a narrow escape. More often than not these days, someone will have a pressing concern that needs one of them to deal with it –– it’s been difficult to get more than a few stolen moments with each other.

“Thank the kriffing stars for Han Solo,” she says, laughing. “I’m so happy he decided to return –– nobody even noticed us!” 

“A whole crowd would’ve a few weeks ago,” he responds, shaking his head in slight disbelief. 

She clings to the front of his jacket, pulling him down for a kiss. His hands span her back, pulling her impossibly closer to him as she pushes him up against the wall. 

“With fights like that,” he murmurs into her ear when they come up for air, sending chills down her spine, “why can’t they just see that they’re meant for each other, like we did, and fuck all that tension out?” 

“Why, Captain,” she says in mock horror, watching as his pupils dilate, and then shuddering when his teeth brush her pulse point. “You’ve got quite the mouth on you!” 

A few seconds pass as the shouting in the other room crescendos, both of them frozen and silent, before she can’t help herself and starts laughing once again.

“Way to ruin the moment, sergeant,” Cassian groans, leaning his head back and closing his eyes. Despite his words, his lips quirk up in a half-grin. “You were the one who wanted to, and I quote, ‘sneak in a quickie before the next meeting.’ ”

“Oh, don’t act like you didn’t want to!” 

He tilts his head in acknowledgment, shifting so his leg is between the both of hers, pushing her farther back against the wall. Stars, if Hoth wasn’t so damn cold, she would have jumped him here and now, possible consequences be damned. “I did. I do .” 

“And the way you kept looking at me during that meeting!” she continues, wanting to get all of her “grievances” out in the air. “Did you really have to keep licking your lips like that?” 

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he all but purrs, licking his lips once again. “They were dry.” 

Jyn groans, rolling her eyes, but it ends in a sharp intake of breath when Cassian angles his thigh between her legs just so –– ! 

Fuck. They’re going to need more than five minutes. 

“I can name something else that’ll be dry if you don’t get to work, Cassian,” she grouches. 

The look in his eyes tells her that he’s more than happy to obey, but he holds out, just to bother her. His fingers are working circles over her ribs, slowly sliding down and down and. . . “Anything else?” 

The sounds of the princess and Solo arguing fade into the background. She’s breathless when she answers, tugging him away from the wall and toward their quarters, determined to make the most of their stolen moment, “I’m sure I’ll be able to think of a few things.”